This week, I am thankful:
that the snow stuck around for over a week!
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, it is common for fallen snow to disappear within a day or two.
But this time around, I got to enjoy a bright white world for over a week, and I am grateful!
During these days when the sun sets so early, it’s a nice treat to at least have brilliant days. 🙂
And you know what I also love: ice.
that Chiquita is still loving her cat tower
She is near enough to me to be happy, but not so near that she is in the way of whatever work I’m trying to do at my desk.
I’m a fan!
for a week of relative quiet
This is the last week before school starts and there hasn’t been a ton on my calendar. Sooo, I’ve been able to make good progress on all the work we got assigned to complete before the semester starts.
that I feel a little better about the upcoming math exam
We have our do-or-die math exam the second day of this semester (so next Wednesday for me), and as you know, this always stresses me out.
The math is not anything approaching calculus-level difficulty, but I cannot get more than two wrong out of twenty if I want to continue in the semester, and I have two minutes per question. So I have to be fast AND accurate, and I hate hate hate that the stakes are so high.
But I went to one of the prep sessions yesterday and got all of them right. And I worked through all the practice problems from last semester too.
So, I am feeling slightly better. But I will feel much better once this is behind me.
for our cats, always
Cutie-pies. 🙂
expert biscuit-maker right here
Chiquita would like you to know she is not as fat as she looks here. It’s just a bad angle.
She was busy trying to open the cabinet doors last night while I was cooking dinner.
Unfortunately for her, it is difficult to do this when your hands are so round and fuzzy. 😉
that I’m able to squeeze in two work shifts
You know how I am required to do at least two work shifts in a pay period? Well, I’m working Friday and Sunday this week, right before school starts.
And this is early in the pay period, which means I don’t have to feel obligated to do any more work shifts for the first few weeks of school. Yay!
I can get my feet under me and then schedule some work shifts.
that I do not have to work full-time at the hospital
One of my co-workers was like, “I am so surprised you can survive on two shifts a month!” and I was like, “Ohhhh my goodness, no no! I have another job!”
I am frugal, but even I could not survive on the pay from two work shifts a month. Ha.
I am very very grateful for my blogging job because it is way more flexible than a hospital job, and thus way more nursing-school-friendly.
that I am rich in ripe avocados right now
I bought three from Aldi when they were on sale. They were rock hard at the time, of course (that’s how I like them because then they’re not bruised) and they have all ripened up now.
I also have two ripe mangoes from Aldi, which makes me happy. Mangoes are another thing I usually buy rock hard, and then let them ripen at home.
So, both avocados and mangoes require patience. 😉
that blogging by the seat of my pants mostly works
Probably almost the whole time I’ve been blogging (over 16 years now), I have always felt like I should be more organized and have posts written out/planned out ahead of time.
But despite my best efforts, that never really happens. I’m usually writing posts the day of or the night before.
I was just thinking last night that I could probably just stop feeling some kind of “should” about this, given that I have successfully maintained a posting schedule here through a variety of busy life stages.
If it’s working, it’s working. 🙂
Addy
Thursday 16th of January 2025
Kristen, how long does it take a rock hard avocado to ripen? Do you just leave it on the counter until it’s ripe?
Thankful for: The expected several inches of snow for our area last weekend ended up being a very light snow followed by some freezing rain. Not enough to break branches or knock the power out.
Last week I had my six week post surgery checkup, which went well and I “graduated” from PT. So excited to be able to do stairs and walk distances and just generally get around without knee pain! I didn’t know how bad I felt until now I don’t. Definitely worth the two replacement surgeries!
What looks to be another beautiful sunny day. It has been exceptionally cold since the first of December in our area, but sunny days make it much easier to handle.
We had some plumbing issues which my husband was able to fix without calling someone.
Good neighbors who look out for one another.
Gina from The Cannary Family
Thursday 16th of January 2025
I was just thinking this morning that I am so glad the "holidays" are over. I love seeing my family and I enjoy some aspects of it, but also? Its stressful. Other things to be thankful for: *my new car which has heated seats. The luxury!! *Second son is moving tomorrow and forging ahead with his life. I will gain an extra room, and more space in the pantry and fridge. He will gain privacy and independence. Third son will assist and maybe catch the moving bug, too. Ha! *I finished a snarky cross stitch and now I can pick up another craft and keep this ball rolling. *I am picking up some jewelry repairs today and I'm glad to get those things back. I am adopting a saying I read often on another blog - No Bad Days!
mbmom11
Thursday 16th of January 2025
Thankful that *I was able to sub at my son's school two days this week. I covered for the teacher who has had 10 of my kids. She is an amazing person, so I'm glad to help her out. And second graders are fun, if a tad squirrrely, and very enthusiastic. So fun! However, I'm glad I teach college students who generally stay in one place for class time. *I'm going back to my real job today- I miss my routine. And I get to see a friend and her pets on my way in - win/win. *this semester is a good one for my husband- the past 2 yrs have been very stressful for him, and this term he has time to exercise, sleep a little longer, and work with good colleagues. Makes everyone's life easier. *Homeschooling boy has been mostly cooperative. And although he was one minute late to his HS class yesterday, he handled it. ( a few years ago, he would not have been able to walk into a class late due to his anxiety.) *winter sunrises, with the dark branches in front. And the glorious full moon of a few days ago.
Fru-gal Lisa
Thursday 16th of January 2025
I thought of you and Chiquita yesterday when I was in a Goodwill and they had a cat tower for sale. It must be a trend! I am thankful for the following: 1. That I'm adjusting to not having a puppy dog since my fur baby went over the rainbow bridge. 2. For my retail job, that I often seem to be helping and lifting the spirits of various customers. They come through the line looking glum but leave my register with smiles. That, in turn, makes me feel I'm making a good contribution to the community. 3. That we did not get any snow, ice or sleet during this last cold front, and that it was sunny and warm yesterday (at least for January)...although the forecast calls for Round 2 (another strong cold front) early next week. 4. The "super giant large print" Bible I got -- easier to read. Ditto, large print books. 5. For my incredibly knowledgeable coworker in the health supplement section: she recommended a cream to put on my rash, and at long last, it is drying up. I may even be able to wear capris and shorts this summer!
Kaitlin
Thursday 16th of January 2025
Snow! It makes winter bright. It makes everything quiet…at least at first. I love going out in fresh snow and letting the quiet calm me.
Thankfuls: -vaccines. I have flu right now and I still feel pretty bad, but I’ve had it without a vaccine and I thought I was going to die. I’m thankful it’s not as terrible this time around.
-a comfy bed to rest in. And comfy pillows. And a comfy dog…who admittedly has been giving me a bit extra space.
-for increased energy following a series of iron infusions. I am finally able to think about things other than sleep!
-for good books that cultivate imagination and hopefulness. I love the beginning of the year because I read over many “favorite books of [previous year]” and craft a reading list that gets me through a few months.