Thankful Thursday | temporarily crazy
Before I make my list, I just wanted to say thank you to you all for being understanding about my absence in the comments on work days!
I heard from several of you who said comment-responding is not nearly as important to you as regular posts are, so I will just remind myself of that. I might not be able to always be in the comments, but I can keep publishing posts.
(That's possible because I can write them ahead of time and schedule them to publish on work days. So convenient.)
As I keep reminding myself, my life will not always be this busy. I will eventually finish my BSN program, and I will also be able to cut back my work hours once my residency year is done.
Life is crazy right now, but it's a temporary crazy!
This week, I am thankful:
that someone finally cut up the fallen tree
These trees have been blocking the trail by my gym for months now; there wasn't really a way around, so I had to squeeze myself between the two trunks to make my way through.
But the other day, I rounded the corner and was like, "Ooh! Someone with a chainsaw has been here!"
What a nice little surprise.
for mosses and lichens
I'm always out here feeling appreciative of these interesting little plants.
When I was in California at Lake Tahoe, I was fascinated to see how bright green some of the lichens were.
Here, they are usually just shades of a sage green.
for the Nutter Butters in the tele room
I told you before how the tele room has a little basket of snacks available when we bring back a tele pack (the telemetry packs are our mobile heart-monitoring devices).
Sometimes the selection is rather meh, but recently, I found a pack of mini Nutter Butters, and those are very not-meh to me. 😉
that I work on a unit with windows
I appreciate that I can see sunrises and sunsets and everything in between from my hospital unit.
I would be sad if I worked somewhere windowless!
that I am honestly unbothered by many insults
Most of the time, my patients are sweet and wonderful and appreciative. Sometimes they cry when they tell me that I have made a difference in how their hospital stay has gone, and I am always so so happy to hear that I've been able to soften a hard path.
But of course, sometimes things don't go quite as smoothly. However, in 99% of these cases, the insults bounce right off of me because I know they are not true.
For instance, when I get called a witch-that-starts-with-a-b, I am not faintly insulted because I know deep in my soul that I am absolutely the opposite of that.
When a patient told me I have an annoying grin, I also was not insulted because for my whole life, my smile has been my most popular feature. It's basically impossible to make me feel bad about my smile. 😉
Truly, I found the situation rather hilarious. 😉
Of course, this is not appropriate behavior from patients, and we do work to set boundaries and expectations. But doing so would be much harder if I were feeling dysregulated, and I am grateful that this is not a big struggle for me.
for my fun little Peeps badge holders
Since Easter is coming up (and I do actually work on Easter Sunday), I ordered a multi-pack, kept the pink and purple ones, and gave the others to some of my coworkers.
I also pulled out my Peep earrings from Etsy (which I bought last year).
I don't like wearing patterned scrub tops, but I doooo have fun switching up my little accessories. 😉
for beautiful places to walk
How lucky I am to live here.
for the cats
Gotta include them. 😉
Look closely: this IS a cat picture.
I love Shelley's paw on the door! And Chiquita in the box, of course!
Thankfuls:
1. I unintentionally took a break from the gym for a few weeks thanks to life stuff and getting sick, but I went back on Tuesday! I did a strength workout and a yoga class.
2. I love living so near the beach. It's good walking there after work and clearing my head, and relaxing there on other days. Also thankful that the water is so clean!
3. I'm thankful for coworkers who Get It.
4. I'm thankful that my cold has mostly lifted, and that last night I slept through without waking up coughing.
5. I'm going home for Easter soon and am looking forward to seeing my family and friends. I'll also be looking after my sister's cat, which I'm very excited about haha!
I too am thankful for mosses and lichens and thankful for your pictures of them!
(Forgiveness requested from those who think otherwise…) As one who is NOT generally a cat person, I, too, LOVE the paw picture!! It made me smile as I sit here at o’dark thirty: still 😊
Your "annoying grin" brightens my days all the time! 😉
This week I am thankful:
* for spring breakkkkkkk!! We haven't traveled anywhere (yet - we leave today and will be back on Saturday), but the extra time at home has been so nice.
* for coffee. Also, that I've concluded that yes, my body does feel better when I drink a lot of water. And I've been doing it long enough now that it doesn't feel hard.
* that my middle schooler had some friends over yesterday (the first time at our house for all 3 friends) and that it went really well. She loves having people over! I'm also thankful that I am more comfortable with hosting on the fly these days. It's actually something I prayed about for a few years and I have seen the Lord work in this in me.
* for an increase in time outdoors - and it'll only get better from here!
* for the joy of seeing my baby plants grow in my little indoor Aldi greenhouse. I think this stage of gardening might be my favorite.
* for time with my family for my birthday last weekend and for all the effort that my husband put in to make it special. Now it's time to turn around and make his birthday special next week!
I love that "annoying grin." It truly does brighten one's day!
Calling people names is ugly behaviour and I am glad those nasty comments do not get at you.
This week, I am thankful for the readers, who do such an excellent job of kindly and encouragingly replying to post responses also when you do not have time.
And lately I have been very aware of the blessing to have a safe bed, under a safe roof, in a safe country, and knowing my loved ones are safe. Heartfelt wishes for the same, for all our fellow humans. PAX
For an amazing, interesting, and as-comfortable-as-it-could-be trip to Kenya and Zanzibar with family. Not just the animals but the paleoarcheology, the food, the city tour, the craft co-ops.
For spending concentrated time with niblings (the children of one's siblings) as adults, for reconnecting with them, and establishing relationships with the people they are now.
That my elderly father not only captained the trip, but also listened to us the times we told him he needed to take a break.
For a morning with The Mamas of Zanzibar: shopping, cooking, learning, and eating. We made cocoanut milk from scratch and oh! was the taste a revelation. Mamasofzanzibar.com If you ever go. It was a pleasure to support them.
That for all the travel hiccups - frex, our bush plane leaving without us - all the logistics worked out.
For being home with non-sweaty clothes and good water pressure.
What a wonderful trip! I loved The South Africa reserve next to Kruger National Park. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
glad you got to enjoyed your trip. welcome home. thanks for explaining niblings. i saw the word in your posts before but did not know what it meant. great word. being an only i will never have them.
--That my older sons are doing really well with their FFA contests so far this year and qualified for state in two contests. My eldest hasn't been able to participate for the past couple of years, and it's nice to see him succeeding especially.
--That my husband shares my interest in gardening. He's been planting fruit trees since we moved here, some of which are now bearing fruit, and has also added several different perennials like lilacs, roses, and peonies. He also sometimes comes home from town with vegetable starts for me. Yesterday it was collards and Brussels sprouts. Most importantly, he is the fastest hand-digger I have ever seen. Important because we don't have a tiller and I for sure could not do all this digging on my own.
--That I was able to go to Mass for the Annunciation yesterday (celebrating when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to reveal to her that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus). This isn't a holy day of obligation for Catholics, so it wasn't a day I could be sure of Mass given our one priest for many churches, but it happened to be one of the days our priest celebrates a "daily" Mass at the church by his house, so I was able to go to that. I love this feast day and what it represents, and was very pleased to be able to go.
--That as a bonus, at Mass I got to meet our priest's elder brother, who is visiting for a couple of days. He has five brothers and I've now met four of them. I feel like I should make a bingo card for this. 🙂
--That I only had to sub for two hours in the preschool yesterday. This year's preschool class is a group of very challenging boys. I'm honestly not patient enough to be in that classroom for eight hours dealing with that. God bless preschool teachers.
--That my husband got his subtitute's license and can sub sometimes so I don't always have to. The sub pool at our tiny school got a lot smaller when two of the moms who do it frequently had babies. I usually take the jobs that involve little kids or aide positions with a lot of running around. My husband likes to sub for P.E., S.T.E.A.M., and any class that's fourth grade and up. We like to do different things, so it works out.
The Feast of the Annunciation (which I clean forgot about yesterday; thanks for the reminder, Kristin) was called "Lady Day" in Britain for a long time before and some time after the Regency period, and it was one of the four "quarter days" in the Regency calendar when important business was transacted (renting property, hiring servants, etc.). My Jane Austen-related fact for the day!
Yup. And apparently, the word for Lady Day and the word for waffles are so close in Swedish that the Swedes made the feast of the Annunciation a national day to eat waffles. I thought that was so funny. Also a good excuse to have waffles, which we did yesterday.
I am thankful that I made a driving trip to Long Island to visit family by myself and that I celebrated turning 65 with my sisters.
I am also thankful that my husband stayed home to take care of the pets and relax without me there. Bonus, he cleaned up!
Thankful for the spring weather. Altho yesterday I could not figure out why I didn't feel good and someone nearby had cut their grass. Yucky allergies!!!
Thankful that the biopsy that I had done yesterday didn't really hurt, which I was amazed at. I thought for sure the lidocaine would burn, but I really didn't feel it. Now I wait for a positive result (I'm hoping).
Don't you mean a negative result? 😉
The waiting can be so hard! I hope your biopsy comes back clear and that you have compassionate and knowledgeable medical staff to help you!
Yes, I guess a positive result. I was thinking that positive meaning "Yeah for nothing" instead of negative, which would me, a poor result.
Maureen, happy 65th! I hope you have good test results.
I am thankful:
1. That the weather, while all over the place, has been mostly mild.
2. That we live so close to the high school, where my son has been spending lots of time lately.
3. That my son has no sports tomorrow (so no gear to haul) and can walk himself to school.
4. That we are on spring break next week and are going on a trip. I badly need a break.
5. That my daughter has been doing so well at school lately. No drama, no trouble!
I love Thankful Thursday!
1) I am thankful for the owner at my gym and a particular security guard at the grocery store. They both always greet me with a smile and it makes things a little more familiar in this foreign country.
2) Throw blankets. I am always cold and many furnished rentals overlook this little bit of comfort.
3) Clean, drinkable tap water AND hot water, all in one place. The logistics of getting clean water when I'm off-grid or in a place without potable water really can be time consuming.
Shelly, it's so precious to have those little moments of connection when you are living away from your home country. I'm so glad you get to experience a new place.
I'm thankful today for the good wish I saw on a bumper sticker while I was making my rounds this morning: "I hope something good happens to you today." I'm grateful to the vehicle owner for the kind thought, and I pass it along to all of you.
I have that same sticker on my car, and always hope it brightens someone’s day 🙂
Excellent, Cathy!
I’ve spent a lot of time at different hospitals lately, visiting sick family members, and I’ve noticed signs in the elevators that set boundaries about how staff should be treated. It’s sad that it’s a big enough issue that signs are necessary!
I’m grateful that I have time to make all these visits, and I’m grateful for the nurses, even the ones with annoying grins. 😉
I’m grateful that some of the elderly in my life are still enjoying good health.
You’ve reminded me that I should be grateful for all the moss that grows in my area! (I’m not grateful that it sometimes grows on my car.)
I’m grateful for my kids who were home for spring break.
I was not a nurse before Covid, obviously, but people who were say that patient behavior has gotten worse since the pandemic. I don't know why, but it's always a bummer when people cannot treat other people with respect and dignity.
When we see a certain very powerful person treat people with no respect, it sends the message that it’s OK to be an ass.
Ann on the Farm,
Oh my, who could you be referring to? Lol!
It's pretty bad when we know who it is without naming names.
Kristen, and Ann on the Farm,
Having worked in hospitals for my entire career (starting in 1986 and hopefully ending at the end of this year), I can say I have seen a definite uptick in reports of nurses being on the receiving end of verbal and/or physical abuse. (I'm not talking about patients who are confused, patients with dementia, or similar). Sometimes its family members who are the behavior problem, and I suspect other health care workers also are on the receiving end. The hospital where I work has put up similar signs. It makes me truly grateful for patients (and families) that can be kind, gracious, and sometimes even funny while feeling ill or just having had surgery. Personally, if I was in the hospital, I'd want to see a nurse with a similar-to-your annoying smile. 🙂
I can confirm that not just nurses get badly treated. It's actually pretty equal for all (except maybe the doctors). I've been working in hopitals for 18 years, I've seen it all! But, generally (in my experience) there is more nice people than mean ones. And, yes, the problem is often more with families than patients themselves.
I have noticed those signs also, and it is sad that they are needed. My friend works in an ER, sitting with and monitoring psych patients who are brought in. She has been threatened and physically attacked, and it is awful to see her go through it. Some days it is so hard for her to go to work.
When my mom was in a really bad physical abd mental state and I was the one pushing her to cooperate in the hospital, she called me the meanest of all her children and tbat she was going to tell my kids how bad I was. I suppose hospitstaff see too many patients at their worst. Your smile is infectious!
Yep, I always keep in mind that when I meet people, they are rarely at their best because not many people are at their best when they're sick. 🙂
Don't you dare let anyone get to you about your smile. They are just jealous that they aren't as happy as you!!!
That picture of the little paw at the door was so cute!
I'm thankful for all the future vegetables coming up in my greenhouse. So far everything looks very healthy.
For friends. Living in a very small town we run into people we know everywhere.
That mornings are filled with birdsong now that it's spring.
That I'm able to buy groceries and go to the doctor without worrying about the bill. There was a time when that was not the case for me.
That insurance is covering replacing the windshield in our RV.
I am thankful for:
My highly walkable neighborhood. Sidewalks everywhere, interesting sights, plenty of places to get things done. Even one of the great lakes right at my doorstep.
Texting! It's such an easy way to keep in touch with others.
Pancakes! That's what I'm going to have for breakfast this morning. Yes, Kristen, blueberry!
Moderate weather. Thank goodness we are done with brutal winter and haven't begun with brutal summer.
My grandchildren. All four are interesting, worthy people who bring great joy to my life.
My daughter didn't have classes yesterday, so we spent a wonderful day together (and she was wearing Peeps earrings). So grateful for a good relationship with her and a flexible schedule on my part, which allows me to take advantage of days like this.
We walked the nature preserve at her university, and the song of the frogs was deafening. I absolutely love hearing them; we watched them by a pond, and also had the treat of seeing a muskrat swimming there.
Kristen, your paw cat picture reminded me that one of our cats specializes in opening closed closet/pocket doors. Hilarious cats are always something to be grateful for.
Speaking of which, one of our cats had to go for a checkup with the vet cardiologist. He's doing very well, and doesn't need medication.
My husband made it back from a work trip safely. 🙂
I am thankful that my mom came home yesterday after a month in the hospital and physical rehabilitation at a nearby nursing home/care facility. She is 82 and came home without needing a walker or oxygen. So thankful.
I am thankful for friends I can text when I'm stressed and they will talk with me and pray for me.
I'm thankful that calls, texts, and FaceTime make it so easy to stay in touch with my son who has moved off to college for the first time this year. (He's the first one of three to move away.) Such better than expensive collect calls and saving up change for the payphone when I was in college!
I'm thankful for dogs, even though my 120ish pound puppy is still in the chewing phase. He is so lovable at all other times, he makes up for it.
I'm thankful for good books and blogs to read. 🙂
I am thankful for your wonderful posts, pictures and beautiful grin! I hope you have a great weekend! 😁
I am thankful for my body.
I am grateful my arms can do chest presses and 20 pounds shoulder raises.
I love my legs that squat and lift kettlebells
I enjoy my ankles that move so I can ski down beautiful snow filled mountains.
I love my behind that is now pain free from my 6 months of weight training.
( tendonitis of the gluteal upper posterior.)
I reaffirm that I love my body so that I will hear myself. I am cleaning out cabinets and I am looking at pictures.
I was over 200 pounds in the 70s when no one was over 200 pounds.
I grew up in a beach town where boys screamed "fat chicks go home" while I walked down the street.
I couldn't dress myself so nothing fit.
I couldn't do my hair. No one in my chaotic family would show me how. I have beautiful hair but I cut it short through my 20s.
I didn't wear make up or pluck my eyebrows because I couldn't look at myself that closely. Men in college teased me. I didn't have a date until I was 22.
I hated with a passion my body for 5o years.
What a joy that in my 30s and beyond I found passionate love with a man who thinks I am a dish. I was a beautiful bride at 40. I have a son who thinks I am the bee's knees.
I haven't been obese in years but today I saw only lumps and bumps and saggy skin in the mirror. Nope. I wrote this. I go to a trainer in 15 mins. I have a house of healthy food.
I am a rockstar.
You absolutely ARE a ROCKSTAR!!! So glad you enjoy life 🙂
What an inspiring post! Thank you!
Love this! You are doing amazing.
You are definitely a Rock Star, and I'm inspired to take my self to the gym. 🙂
This is awesome! Congratulations.
Thank you SO much for sharing this, Mary Ann! You have overcome so much and I am really proud of you. Glad that you are part of this lovely community.
Way to go, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann, this is so great! Look at all the things you've overcome - amazing!
Mary Ann,
You are doing great! I am inspired, too! Keep on rockin' life!
Mary Ann, Yes you are a rock star and I bet you look like a super model, too, esp. compared with your tormentors. I hope you go to your high school reunion and have the last laugh at their expense.
Love your photos this week!
I imagine nurses or anyone in a caring profession dealing with random people who are vulnerable and unwell would result in some quite creative rudeness! I also remember back to when the loveliest friend of my mum's was very ill with a brain tumour and said some of the most awful, awful, awful things that were wildly and completely out of character to the nurses (racist, vicious stuff) and the nurses and support staff - who would have had every reason to loathe her - were just the calmest and least-concerned about it. We were kind of her family since she was not married and had few relatives, and were hot with humiliation but the nurses just pretended nothing was said and never failed in their kindness and care for her.
I know it was certainly the tumour and the meds and so forth, but it's absolutely mortifying for the onlookers / families! Good for you for just smiling to yourself and letting these things roll off you. OBVIOUSLY, it's the ranting of an ill person but still. Unpleasant!
It sounds odd, but it's easier to tolerate this behavior when you know someone is quite literally not in their right mind. It's tougher to take from someone who has all their capabilities intact.
One time I put a patient's meds in her applesauce and was trying to feed them to her and she spat them right out onto my jacket. I was like, "You know what? She has dementia, so we can easily forgive her for this." 😉
Peekaboo, Shelly! and hello Miss Chiquita 🙂
love your happy attitude, Kristen!
I have a heavy heart this week. The daughter of a very dear friend passed away on Sunday evening. I am so sad for my friend that I find it physically painful and I feel very helpless. Her daughter was very close to my son’s age so I can’t even wrap my head around her loss.
This week I am thankful….
• For the friends I made in college. My friend is sorority sister and as soon as word got out of her family’s loss my phone started blowing up with all of the women I was active with coming up with plans on how to support her moving forward. I may not talk with these women frequently but it was comforting seeing the sisterhood show up.
• Coat free living! I’m willing to not wear a coat in temps that may be too cool for some, but it is now getting warm enough that I can walk the dog without wearing a coat (not tomorrow, the weather guy just said it will be in the 30s tomorrow).
• My husband and I attended a fun themed birthday party last weekend. It is wonderful to be surrounded by people who put effort into celebrating others in fun ways.
• Company Retreat is available on Prime and I really needed the laughs, the timing couldn’t have been better!
• I’m so very thankful to have my family to hold close and hug tight.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your friend and her loss. I know you will a kind support to her.
You remind me of a song from my (very brief) Girl Scout days: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." Thankful your "old" sorority sisters are showing up for your mutual friend. And for one another.
Geneva,
I'm so very sorry for your friend's loss. Losing a child sounds impossibly hard. So glad your/your friend's mutual sorority sisters are there for her (as well as you being a supportive friend). In other news, my DH and I just started watching Company Retreat - it's hilarious!
I personally like your 'annoying' grin. I love seeing you smile. It makes my day 🙂
This week, I am thankful for/ that ...
- My husband's thumb is healing and isn't bleeding as badly like when it initially got sliced by a mandolin slicer. Our bathroom looked like a scene from a horror movie!
- The cold/flu sickness is almost over with in our family. Only my youngest daughter is left. Hopefully, she'll feel better soon.
- My friend got home safely and enjoyed her time with her family.
- My family loves to read books. Last night, I looked around and notice my husband and 3 girls all reading books. That makes my heart happy.
- I get to sit on a couch, wrapped in a warm blanket, reading my favorite blog, listening to Christmas music as it snows outside/ snow flurries.
Oooh, I have heard that those slicers can cause some pretty bad injuries. I have often thought that I am too clumsy to be trusted with one. Ha.
I agree! I like just using an old fashion knife. I really hate having it and wish we'd just chuck it but my husband disagrees. Oh well.
A mandolin is a dangerous weapon to use! Our son sliced off the end of a finger using one at his girlfriend’s house. We had one that we never used and got rid of it immediately! It’s never good when you are at work (in a hospital) and you get a call, “Hi mom, I’m in the ER with a little injury, can you come down and sign some papers.” Oh that kid, he provided us with many similar adventures from the day he was born. Love him to the moon and back.
Love the cat photos!
Thankfuls:
1. PT is helping my hip and leg pain. It is no longer waking me up at night.
2. I got an appointment with primary care doctor for this afternoon to see if I have an ear and/or sinus infection from tree pollen allergies. Glad to not have to wait until next week to see her.
3. Grandson threw up this morning and I'm thankful his other grandparents are retired and able to watch him today.
4. Our son is going to help hubby empty the 4 remaining items in our storage unit today. I will be happy to not pay for that any longer.
5. We have so many different kinds of flowers blooming in our yard. It is a pleasure to see all their beauty.
I am thankful for the pic of Shelley's little paw on the door! That is adorable!
-- I am thankful I'm basically healthy. After a Dr. appt last week, during which a few of my numbers weren't perfect, I'm grateful I have only issues that I can fix through dietary and lifestyle changes. I'm going to use this gratefulness to make the changes I need. I don't smoke, I rarely drink and I exercise but I need to do a little more. My parents both died of lung cancer when when they were 62. They were both heavy smokers and I did have breast cancer 14 years ago. But I've outlived both of them and another sibling who was a smoker. I did have breast cancer 12 years ago. So I want to use all this information to help me make better decisions about my own health. And since being chubby is one of my issues, I want to focus on eating to live rather than on living to eat. That's kind of hard for me because I love recipes and love to cook.
-- I'm thankful we have enough. I penny pinched and saved and scrapped by for years. Before my husband and I married 30+ years ago, I was a single parent for nearly a decade and worked 2 jobs to make ends meet. We never went hungry and we always had a roof over our heads, but it wasn't always easy. Those years taught me valuable lessons. Those times made me tough and resilient and I never had to ask anybody for help. So I was a bit afraid when we retired 10 years ago if we'd be okay financially. But all our hard work, saving and planning paid off and we are fine now. I'm grateful I can give gifts and help others, or buy myself something if I want. But I rarely treat myself, because I have everything I need. And we earned this comfort.
1. My son is excited to go to Kid's Opening Day downtown with a parade and all (Cincinnati Reds). He's going with my brother, so I don't even have to handle the crowds!
2. I think my husband and I are in agreement about letting go of some commitments that have made me increasingly anxious, so I'm in pre-relief right now and looking forward to the full relief when it is off our plate.
3. Sunny days (chasing the clouds away)
4. I have a new Hammock to enjoy aforementioned sunny days! (one of these days I will not end up on the ground in the process of getting up from it)
5. My sweet sister planning an outing for my birthday-even though she is the most busy person known to man.
Ginger,
I hope your son had fun today! I volunteered with my son's marching band (Lebanon HS), and so got to walk behind the marchers! It's so fun to see everyone lined up to see the parade!
thankful for you. that my zoe is getting throough her regular school ok. most of her teachers welcomed her back with big smiles. that her school adjusted her schedule to take some pressure off of her. that she will graduate with her class. that she has five good options for college. still deciding.
am sorry that some of your patients are not nice to you. glad that you let it roll off your back. know that it is not you it is them. and after tons of harassing you for a shelley photo there is finally a shelley paw in sight. THANKS. and thanks for finally letting me know that you are the proud owner of a 2026 honda. my m-i-l
bought a honda element not too long ago for 6k. don't remember the year but it is a cute rust color. in the beginning it was hard for me to enter and exit the thing from the back. but because of the free exercise classes i have been taking at my local library since july, it is much easier now.
a week ago monday i tripped getting off the city bus. scraped my knee. fell right on said knee. grateful i was not badly hurt.
I am thankful for the new baby coming to my choir neighbor. It is such a cheerful anticipation for all of us! And the blushing parents so entertaining!
And for my husband, who has been especially thoughtful lately.
And for the construction crew who have worked hard through this icy winter to build our new patio, helping neighbors as well. We will all miss them now that it is almost finished.
And for our rescued cat, who seems to be thrilled to become an indoor cat and revels in the warm, dry flannel comforter on our bed.
And for my well equipped kitchen. I can cook virtually anything now.
First, your grin is just fine. I like it.
I am thankful for the spring weather for yesterday and today. The temps go down in time for the weekend but these two days are lovely.
I am thankful that I, also, have a lovely place near a lake to go walking. The past few years it has been too icy for me and the hubby to brave walking it, but once the weather is free of snow and ice, we will go. I also use this trail next to Onondaga Lake for my Great Cycle Challenge in September when I ride 100 miles raising money for child hood cancer. It is beautiful
My response to being called a witch with a "b" is to say "Thank-you". If you consider witch with a "b" as an acronym - Being In Total Control of Herself. One of these days I'll find the article titled Every Woman Should Be a *itch,
I have a book from some decades ago (illustrated by the great Nicole Hollander of "Sylvia" comic strip fame) titled "Getting In Touch With Your Inner B*tch." Fortunately, I've never needed much help in this regard. 😛
Can't say I have either. The thank-you reply has thrown more than a few of my fellow corp america employees for a loop over the decades. I will say over the last decade, it is more of a problem that male fellow employees of certain ethnic groups expect me to remind them of events at work. Uh - not happening. I've told a few I am not your mother or your wife - look at the enterprise calendar.
Love that acronym!!! Thanks for sharing.
I was an ER nurse first, then I got thrown across the room by a hulk of a guy in the midst of a heart attack. Broke my shoulder and neck. Went to Trauma ICU, then ICU during Covid. Half of every floor was turned into Covid ICU. It was a horrible time. I retired from burn out. I am a smiler, too. When grumpy patients just cannot handle it, I would wear a mask. I have a neighbor who has never had a kind word or gesture in the 50+ years I have known him. His dear sweet wife is the antithesis!
Smile away, and NEVER take it for granted! I know sometimes people need to lash out at joy when they are in misery. That's all it is. It's not you or your beauty. This week I'm thankful:
*for my facial therapy. I now know I will never be able to smile the way I used to. I'm getting over that somewhat. But I keep going to therapy for comfort in facial movements mostly. To help keep my face muscles loose-ish. To avoid back sliding because I have come a long way. My resting face is nearly symmetrical most time, and my smile isn't totally hideous. I even saw a picture of myself recently that I didn't hate. Plus, my facial therapists get it more than anybody who hasn't lived it. I don't need to explain the things going on much because they've seen it before so many times.
*for the warming weather and flowers.
*that my husband does the taxes. He's doing it today on his day off, and he is not loving life. I'm so, so thankful it's not me.
*that despite many unlovely expenditures lately, I haven't given up hope of frugality. I've made meals, bread, worn thrifted clothes, etc. I'm going to plant seeds in dirt today.
*that my sick college boys have reached the turning point in their flu.
*for the cheese omelette I ate for breakfast. Nothing fancy. Just egg, butter, and cheddar cheese. I love cheddar cheese and eggs and butter. So good.
Am I the only one who finds what confused/demirious/demented patients say as insults a little bit funny? Like I had an 80 something little old lady accuse me of being a wh()%€ who slept with her husband. It’s hard not to just giggle sometimes…they get so creative!
Oh, for sure. One time I gave a shot to a patient, and of course, I said there would be a pinch (from my hand) and then a poke (from the needle). I administered the shot and the patient said, "Ouch! You need to work on your bedside manner!"
And this DID make me want to giggle because I know my bedside manner is 10/10, and also no amount of bedside manner will make a shot not hurt.
I watched my late mother put multiple spoonfuls of sugar in her cereal. Then add more spoonfuls while telling me she "forgot to add sugar". I chuckled inside - particularly due to the fact she developed quite the sweet tooth when the Alzheimer's set in. And ate foods that I never saw her eat before then.
Another time she threatened to push me down the stairs - I said go ahead and try. Which broke what train of thought she had and then she forgot and was on to something else.
I remember reading about Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. She sadly (look who replaced her) retired to care for her husband who had Alzheimer's. When he went into a facility, he'd introduce another resident as his girlfriend. She rolled with the punches.
And nice use of symbols for the "w" word lol
1. Thankful for only getting a warning -- not a ticket --when the cop pulled me over last night.
2. Long John Silver free
fish and fries deal, where you do a survey then buy a large drink and the actual food is free.
3. Perfect sunshine weather today.
4. My patio, where I am enjoying numbers 2 and 3.
5. Friend from church who does yard work and handyman chores at a reasonable price Also that I got a lot of work completed this week.
I'm thankful that I'm connecting with a good friend tomorrow.
I'm thankful for another night of good sleep.
I'm thankful that my body is getting stronger and able to run. PT has helped my hip considerably. Good health is a good thing.
Glad you are able to roll with the patient punches. I was surprised by how ornery my sweet 90 yo mom got sometimes when she was hospitalized for a few weeks. I think the lack of control and feeling crappy bring out the worst!
I had knee replacement surgery on Monday. I'm thankful my surgeon green-lighted my surgery, for my husband taking such good care of me, for good insurance so costs aren't terrifying me, for friends and family reaching out to help, and for an upturn today in how I'm feeling. I am so hopeful that this surgery will allow me more pain-free movement once I'm healed up and through PT.
I'm proud of myself for persevering through the PT even when it sucks!
Susan,
I had a knee replacement a little more than 2 years ago, and it was a game changer for the better. Not being in constant pain is HUGE. I hope your recovery continues to go well! You're right, PT totally sucks, but it makes a huge difference.
Thank you for the encouragement! I had a little downturn today, but onward!
Those patients lives must be full of pain and heartache to say nasty things to someone as sunny as yourself. I'm so glad you are able to care for them without continuing the negativity cycle.
This week, I am very thankful for:
- My spouse trying their best to maintain a tolerable mood at home, even while work is very difficult.
- Some mutual understanding at my own work. An employee and a dear friend is about ready to depart from our group, and I hope she finds relief and fulfillment in her new adventures.
- A long walk I took yesterday afternoon to see the sun and hear the amazing amount of songbirds this spring.
- The gym, which was still there for my lifting session yesterday even though I was neglectful in visiting it lately.
- The financial option to go outside of a currently crippled health clinic if I have a true emergency.
You have a BEAUTIFUL smile, Kristin!! I am thankful for you and for this lovely community that I've discovered.
Thankful today that I live a 90 second walk from my 86 year old mom, so that I can help her with things and set my eyes on her every day. Also thankful that we each have our own houses, and our own thermostats. 😉
So very thankful for library books, for Interlibrary loan, and for the kind reference librarian who renewed my ILL book before I even had a chance to ask.
That I have a safe place to live, a safe car to drive, vision, hearing, clean water out of the tap and so many other things that I try not to take for granted.
Argh, BGF, re: the horrible ER experience. (There was an article in our local newspaper's website recently about violent kids who are getting dropped off at one of our ERs because neither their families nor anyone else seems able to deal with them. ER personnel were suiting up in martial arts gear till they were forbidden to do this according to hospital regulations. The world is nuts.
Thankfuls:
My abdominal CT was normal, although he did say my reproductive organs were normal...and I no longer have them haha! It does make me wonder about accuracy...
For NFHS network which gives me the ability to watch my grandson's sports (basketball for one and soccer for the other) even if I can't get there (or am at work, or it's raining haha).
For continuing slow improvement in side effects for my guy after radiation. He is feeling better every day, even if it's just being able to do 5 more minutes of cardio, or only get up once or twice in the night instead of 3 - 5 times. Every little thing is a win!
For Teams meetings - and not having to drive in to work for a short meeting. Since I'm on several committees, and we have many other meeting opportunities (staff meetings, "town halls" etc., commute time would add up.
My Christmas Amaryllis gift bloomed twice! The first time, the stalk was short (I delayed getting it out of the box and planting it), and then it recently started blooming again on a stalk twice as tall. We are in the wind down phase now, but it's been fun to have a burst of color in the house.
For Spring! I think we are getting close... although, we did have 4 inches of snow (or first for this winter) 2 weeks ago, and night temps are still in the 30's. we have sunshine today, which gives hope for warmer weather to come, along with planting season.
For Opening Night of baseball!!! Hoping for a wonderful, successful season!
Very thankful that I reserved a vehicle for our autumn trip several weeks ago. I've checked a few times since then and prices are rising daily for the same vehicle I reserved. Hopefully just supply & demand affecting it.
So thankful for the beautiful spring weather we're having!
For the daffodils throughout our yard 🙂
For my husband getting home safely from his ski trip.
and for that 1/2 price chicken I got recently that's nearly all used up. The legs are saved for one son at his request. Used the thighs in a chicken, potato, & leek pie today. Sent a text so same son should be over for dinner 🙂
I'm thankful for:
1. cold water without a funky taste. We were in Singapore for 3 weeks to visit our first grandchild, the people he lives with and his other grandparents, aunt and uncle. Grandson is gorgeous with his black hair sticking out all over his head.
2. Lots of Asian food to eat.
3. Safe travels except taking off from Newark airport in NJ our plane's wing hit the tail of a Spirit Airlines tail leaving a large dent. Singapore made sure we had food to eat and water (not cold) to drink. Six hours later we took off.
4. Free use of the outdoor pool in the gym across the way from our hotel. Sort of an infinity pool but I was able to hang out and see all the doings of the citizens of Singapore.
5. Grateful that while waiting for a Grab (their version of Uber or Lyft) on a Saturday night I saw four military people walk past, in uniform and holding AK 47s or some such gun. Three guys and a young woman. I know that at least the men have to do 2 years of military service when they turn 18.
6. Coming home to the birdies singing, my forsythia bush almost blooming, like I said cold water and sodas, ice and seeing that dd didn't burn down the house or have a raging party while we were gone.
Your smile is fantastic! Do NOT let anyone tell you anything different!!!
They can tell me; I'm just not gonna believe them. 😉 Ha.
This week I'm thankful that :
- I did not get hurt at work yesterday. I am a Physical Therapist/occupational therapist assistant. I was working with a very heavy stroke patient yesterday and he put a lot of weight on me (in the stairs none the less, so not like I could let him go). I felt it in my shoulder right away, but it went away and I'm ok today
- That I had the energy to do 5 shifts this week (as opposed to my regular 3)
- That I got an extra shift (thanks, seniority!) to work on Good Friday (= paid at 1.5x, yes please!)
- Both my girls are struggling with mental health issues (some deep, some just related to teens hormones). But both are seeing/starting to see a therapist, so there's that. The private insurances are very much appreciated!
- It's Fridayyyyyyyyyy! (not working during the weekend)
Lichen is good. For a garden club sale I made a small lichen wreath once. Here are reasons why it is good: A lichen is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (algae, cyanobacteria, or both).
Lichens grow all over the world and can even survive exposure to space.
They take many forms and are classified according to the type of fungi they contain as well as their shape.
Lichens are important because they fix nitrogen, break rocks into soil, and absorb pollution. They have medical and commercial uses, too.
One place where I worked, there were no windows on the first floor. We weren't aware of how bad it was during the Blizzard of '78 and a mini wind burst passed us by one time. I like windows.
I walk with a group of (older) women and many times we have to do "hurdles". We avoid crawls--we find a walk around. One time we crawled over several "hurdles" down one path. We do enjoy our walks, except this winter has put a real damper on it with the Monday weather.
We try to plan our Monday walks with a "water" feature. Water can be so soothing--sometimes more than at other times. After finally really moving in over the last 4 days, I am looking forward to tomorrow morning. And the temps are supposed to be up tomorrow. Now that is a spirit lifter. And I need my spirits lifted.