I’ve been in Wisconsin all week with extended family, at my uncle’s cabin, so fair warning, my list will probably be QUITE cabin-themed this week.
This week, I am thankful:
for my uncle and aunt’s generosity
My uncle and aunt have people visit at their cabin all summer long; they share the cabin, boats, jet-skis, kayaks, and paddle boards with friends and family, and I am thankful for that!
that I got to come to the cabin for the first time
Zoe’s been twice before and Sonia’s been once, but I’ve never gone. This year, though, they were like, “Mom, you should come too!”
And I realized, hmmm, I actually could if I wanted to.
So, I booked a plane ticket.
And I do not take it for granted that my girls wanted me to come along. It’s nice to be wanted!
for free flights for Sonia and Zoe
I had enough Southwest Rapid Rewards points to get their flights for free (aside from the taxes and fees).
So, I only had to pay for my ticket, and that makes a pretty cheap trip for three people.
for the lovely Wisconsin summer weather
The air here feels so, so good! Even on the more humid days, it’s so much drier than it is at home.
And it’s not very hot either. When we walked out of the Minneapolis airport last Friday, it was 68 degrees and I could have cried with happiness.
One day when I am rich and famous, maybe I will spend summers in Wisconsin. 😉
for time with my nieces
My brother has four girls, and it’s been nice to spend time with them this week. The ten-year-old has been my tubing and knee-boarding companion, and she has also been giving me lots of temporary tattoos.
The tattoos do eventually rub off from all the watersports, but at least I am temporarily sparkly. 😉
And my tattoo artist is always happy to give me more. 😉
for cousin time for Sonia and Zoe
It makes my heart so happy to hear them giggling (and screaming on the boat tubes!) with their cousins.
for a healthy body that can do water activities
I do not take it for granted that I am able-bodied enough to do things like paddle-boarding and knee-boarding.
for the way my aunt feeds us all
There are 13 of us here, and I would find it a little overwhelming to manage that many guests.
But my aunt is such an amazing and experienced hostess, she gets us all fed three times a day and she barely seems to break a sweat.
As probably all of you parents out there understand: it’s so so nice to not be responsible for food for a bit. The luxury of just showing up at the table and having food there is wonderful.
that Lisey is home to take care of the cat and hamster
I’m glad she’s home for the summer because I didn’t even need to worry about finding pet care!
(Obviously I am also glad she’s home for the summer just because I like having her around.)
that there will still be things to be thankful for when I get home
Of course, it’s easy to think of things to be grateful for this week; there are so many obvious blessings I’ve experienced here.
But I know that next week when I sit down to write my Thankful Thursday post, there will still be plenty of things to be grateful for. Blessings do not just exist on vacations.
And that is a serious mercy because we spend most of our lives NOT on vacation. 😉
Carla
Sunday 21st of August 2022
We live in Wisconsin, and a few years ago were planning a vacation. We talked about going up to Maine in the fall. Then I realized, why would I leave Wisconsin in the fall?? It's beautiful here. I want to get out of Wisconsin in February when winter has been dragging on forever and I can't take the cold and snow any more. So that's what we did, flew from Wisconsin in -20* and arrived in San Francisco in 50*. Best decision.
All of which to say, I'm glad you enjoyed your Wisconsin vacation!
Kristen
Monday 22nd of August 2022
Yes! And if I lived in Wisconsin, I would never want to leave in the summer. :)
Hawaii Planner
Sunday 7th of August 2022
My thankful Thursday is also vacation themed: -So extremely grateful that I have a family that enjoys vacationing together -I feel really lucky that my 72 year old father (turns 73 in a week or so) is still able to mountain bike with his grandsons. He rode 50+ miles in two days, in a large group ride, and then took my 15 year old out. He's a fantastic grandfather, and I feel so blessed my kids get time with him. -That my amazing parents keep our kids here & there for pockets of time throughout the year (a trip to Disney, a few days last week, etc). If your teenage grandsons legitimately want to spend time with you, you are definitely doing something right as grandparents! -That I got to spend time with my sister & nephews over the past week. -To be home again. I had an amazing vacation, but there's just something so nice about coming home.
Kristen
Sunday 7th of August 2022
I love to hear about your children's relationship with their grandparents!
Stephanie D
Saturday 6th of August 2022
Ah, Kristen, those are big things to be thankful for! I have never been to Wisconsin, but think it would be wonderful to spend time up there in the summer.
This week we met with the surgeon and his team, the anesthesia crew, and got labs and a comparison MRI for my husbands liver tumor removal next month, and it was a really positive experience for both of us.
1) I am grateful that the surgeon had an amazing bedside manner (surgeons are usually lacking in that), and he and his team were very attentive to my husband AND me. (My husband has some cognitive issues from his stroke, but after living with it for >40 years, he hides it well enough that most people don't realize it. And I usually get blown off when I try to quantify his answers or correct info he gives, despite the fact that we have been married >50 years, and I am a retired nurse!) 2) There was a lot of wait time and a rescheduling, but thankfully, we were able to give a thorough history to the anesthesia team, as well. They were also very receptive and willing to wait patiently while he tried to answer their questions. 3) His labs were all good, and his EKG was normal--both things that could delay or complicate the surgery. 4) The comparison MRI went without a hitch, although we haven't seen the results yet.
5) Part of the process is receiving a 3-ring binder of info for EVERYTHING we need to know for the next 3 months. It is all sooo well thought out and so easy to refer to, because it is hard to remember all that we were told. All we are waiting for now is the actual surgery date.
What could have been a very difficult, frustrating, nerve-wracking week was almost a walk in the park, and left us feeling calm about it all, and HEARD, which is amazing in a large hospital complex.
Kristen
Sunday 7th of August 2022
I'm so sorry that you guys are navigating this challenge, but yes, yay for a good bedside manner. That makes such a difference.
Susan Cipolla
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Although we have avoided COVID for two years, it arrived this week. Despite that, I am thankful
1. My son’s symptoms were pretty mild. 2. I was able to work from home. 3. Yellow beans and eggplant from the garden. 4. Other fresh veggies from local farm stands. 5. Family movie night tonight. 6. Vacation starts in one week!! (Glad you enjoyed yours.)
CrunchyCake
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Man, those ice cream cones and that water fun sound so great right about now! Glad you're having fun this summer.
Let's see...this week I'm thankful: -that even though I've been stressed and unhappy with my job, that I have one that lets me work from home. I am also thankful it's for a reputable organization that I can be proud to say I work for. -that I could listen to the chaos of my husband and kids making breakfast from upstairs without having to intervene. It was just french toast...I don't know why my husband sounded so stressed but I'm happy that we're in a place where this is funny and not frustrating. -that I'm looking at the positive at the end of each day even though I'm feeling negative. My mind knows a lot of good stuff is happening so it just needs to battle my feelings that like to hang out in the space where the not-so-good stuff is happening. -that I can honestly still say that my kids are awesome.