Thankful Thursday | I have windows!

New here? Thankful Thursday is something we’ve been doing in these COVID times; a (frugal and free) exercise to help us hunt for the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.

This week, I am thankful:

that my windows are installed

We had multiple delays (rain, electrical work, more rain), but I am delighted to say that I now have windows in my wall.

We still need to buy blinds and patch the holes left from the electrical work, but that’s ok, because we have LIGHT in that room now. 

I am extremely pleased with this home-improvement spending. 

for funds to pay for the windows

Our home improvement/maintenance fund has been sitting untouched for a while, growing, so it was no problem to pay for the windows.

I am grateful that the fund didn’t get depleted by things like septic issues; new windows are so much more fun than plumbing or septic!

that Sonia’s mouth is feeling better

She had a few under-the-weather days during her recovery from wisdom teeth removal, but she really turned a corner in a good way yesterday.

So now everyone except Zoe has had their wisdom teeth removed. I’m getting to be a pro at taking care of wisdom teeth patients at this point. 😉

for not having to sit in waiting rooms

Thanks to COVID, I almost never sit in waiting rooms anymore; I get to just stay in my car until we get called in.

I don’t really like waiting rooms, so this is fine by me! I get to be nearer the outdoors (my car offers a lot of natural light. Ha.) and away from all the distractions of a waiting room. 

Yesterday, I got to sit in my quiet car, with the doors open, parked by the trees, and work by myself in the sunshine while Sonia had an appointment. This is unequivocally preferable to a waiting room!

I was telling Mr. FG that I hope this is a thing that sticks around after COVID, especially for offices where infectious people go for care.

for a fun Zoom call with my friend Sylvia

Sylvia runs a small business coaching company, and she’s part of my mastermind group.

She offered to do a call with me to help me figure out a plan to meet my latest accountability goal, and we had a delightful time on the call while also being quite productive. 

for being able to vote by mail

Well, I didn’t exactly do mail. I filled my ballot out and took it to the dropbox by the fire station.

Easy-peasy, and it cost me no gas because I did it on the way home from another errand.

I could have dropped it in the mail, but this way I saved the election board a little postage and took a little stress off the postal system.

I already got a tracking email saying my ballot has been received, so, yay!

Not gonna lie; I hope this option remains even post-COVID. So much easier than standing in line.

for Sonia’s babysitting job

She’s got a gig watching a little guy for two hours two mornings a week. 

for mild October weather

We haven’t needed heat or air conditioning, which is lovely for the electric bill. 

for the colors of October

There’s such a lovely array of colors here, and there are still a lot of green leaves as well. Nice and cheerful!

that two more books sold on eBay

Slowly but surely, my shelf of listed books is getting emptier and emptier.

(Here’s how to sell books on eBay.)

More money and less clutter for me. Plus, the books are going to homes that want them. 

that geometry is easier the fourth time around

Zoe’s doing geometry at the tutorial this year, but of course, I’m responsible for helping her with all of her homework during the week. 

I have to say, the fourth go-round (she’s my fourth homeschool student, obviously) is definitely easier than the first. I’m way better at proofs now, and I can recall theorems and postulates much more easily. 

Incidentally, Zoe’s teacher has been assigning proofs through the Delta Math website as a supplement, and I have to say that I am very impressed with how much the online practice helps with figuring out how to do proofs. Such a cool tool!

What are you thankful for this week?