Thankful Thursday

A big thank you to Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for hosting our gathering of thankful hearts every Thursday!

There is always, always something to be thankful for, but this week I am particularly thankful....

** My laptop continues to limp along and I haven't had to take it to the computer "hospital" just yet. I know it's coming, but every day that it doesn't freeze into a useless hunk of metal, plastic, and mysterious computer parts...I'm a happy girl.

** It looks like there is going to be a bright side to the corona virus scare. Coke has announced that production of Diet Coke is going to be delayed because they haven't been able to get shipments of artificial sweetener. Maybe I'm going to beat my Diet Coke addiction because...NO DIET COKE.

** I'm still working. Things have been going on at work. Mysterious things that we little people only hear whisperings of. First, a new financial officer was hired and the day after that person started an email went out telling us the CEO had been terminated (along with her parents who both worked for the company, too). A consulting firm was brought in to look into why the company hasn't shown a profit. The state inspections are over....as a whole the home's performance was sort of okay. Our census counts are down so employees are being sent home daily. 

I learned yesterday that the consulting team has said that changes are coming in the next few months. Big changes and that people aren't going to be happy. If anybody knows what that means they aren't saying. So, yeah, I'm glad I'm working. Actually, going part-time may have saved me. If I was still full-time, I'd probably be losing a day or two a week, anyway. Or someone else would be sent home so I could work.

** I'm off today so I don't have to deal with the nasty weather and drive to work this morning. It's not supposed to be a huge snow storm, but it's bad timing, very windy, and very cold.

** My Bible study group met for dinner on Tuesday. I love my peeps! We had such a good time of fellowship and the food was yummy. We are taking next week off before getting back together the following week. 

** We've entered the lenten season, the 40 days leading up to Easter. I love me some Easter! I have to work this year, but it's okay. Easter is the one holiday for me that isn't really about all the hoopla that has grown up around it. It is about Jesus, his death, and resurrection. It's about the one thing the Christian faith hinges on. For me, lent is a time for deeper reflection on exactly what Jesus did for me, for all of us. It's a time to celebrate and praise his name!

** I'm not Catholic, but I love, love, LOVE the Pope's suggestion to the church about what to give up for Lent. In case you haven't heard, he told them to put down their phones and pick up their Bibles. 

** I get to have me some grandbaby time this morning. Megan has a dentist appointment so I get to walk over and stay with the kiddos while she goes.

** I'm always thankful for each one of you. You all add something to my day with your comments and visits and I thank you for it.

Love and blessings to you on this cold, snowy Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

Joining in Thankful Thursday with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand to offer up a bit of gratitude for all that God blesses us with.

This week I am thankful...

** I was able to treat my friend (who is also my Bible study teacher) to lunch for her birthday. We did a bit of shopping, enjoyed lunch at Red Lobster because we both love seafood, did some more shopping, and had a fun time gabbing.

** to have had a phone call from our son on Sunday. It's rare for him to call so it was a real treat to catch up with what's going on with his family. As an extra thing we are thankful for, his wife who has only been working at Planet Fitness since November is being promoted to assistant manager. So proud of her. She has come a long way from the troubled girl she used to be in the last few years.

** a good day at work on Monday. I was worried because I'd be working outside the dementia unit for the first time in close to a month, which meant I'd be in contact with my boss for the first time in as long. 

We arrived at work at the same time and exchanged a few pleasantries on the walk into the building, but after that she was in her office pretty much all day and I didn't have to deal with her at all.

** that the head nurse and the dementia coordinator appreciate the job the dementia staff does. They gave us all t-shirts on Monday that they had specially made for us after our unit was the only one to make it through the state inspection without any marks against us. The shirts are purple (the home's official color) with some appropriate to the unit sayings on the front and back.

** I got to see the handful of long-term residents that I've gotten to know pretty well when I worked on the other side of the building. We've lost so many this winter and it was kind of hard being back over there and seeing how many new faces there are. It was good to see the ones I still know and they were very glad to see me, which really touched me.

** we got the new loveseat moved in on Saturday and the ugly, saggy brown sofa went bye-bye!

** for a fun time of fellowship with my Bible study group this week. We didn't have class, but celebrated a couple of birthdays with cake and other goodies and had a great time talking and laughing.

** for a fun afternoon shopping with Megan and the kids and then some time with Colton here at the house. That's why I wanted to work part-time.

** for a couple of days of sunshine!

** as always, for all of you, my blogging friends and those who are friends I've yet to meet. Your visits and comments enrich and bless my days.

Thankful Thursday

Good morning! Thursdays mean it's time to offer up a little thanks for all the blessings God has poured out in our lives. It's my favorite blogging day of the week because it's good for our spirits to spend time thinking about the good things in our lives and it's a double blessing in that the reading of our stories blesses others and their stories bless us. That's why I am linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday.

This week I am thankful...

** that all this rain we've been getting wasn't snow. The backyard resembles a swamp this morning, but that's better than piles of snow that needs to be shoveled, cleared off cars...and makes the little dog not want to go out. Better for driving, too.

** the impeachment hearings are finally over. I just wish Washington would stop spending all it's time and effort and MONEY on "getting" the President. That's our money, money we worked hard for...when I think of all the good that could have been done with the millions upon millions of dollars they have spent....the hungry who could have been fed, the homeless who could have been housed, the medical care that could have been given.

** Tim didn't work this past weekend and we got to spend a fun day together on Saturday. We visited a favorite antique mall, a couple of thrift shops, enjoyed lunch at a favorite restaurant, ordered a new loveseat, and kept our youngest grandson for a few hours.

** for the time I spent with Colton doing puzzles on the laptop. He had such a good time and laughed and laughed each time I new puzzle came up and he saw what animal it was. I just love how smart and creative he is. If nobody squashes his spirit (and they better not or they're going to have to answer to me!) this kid is going to go far!

** I got organized and all of my Valentine's cards and gifts are either already mailed or ready to hand out tomorrow. I am usually a last minute kind of girl.

** for my Bible study group. It was so good to get together and see everyone and see that everyone is doing well since many have been going through big, tough things recently.

** I finally got to see and talk to my friend who left a bad marriage last week. It's hard for her...her teenage daughter, who has always been her mini-me, is choosing to remain with her father...mostly because Dad lets her do what she wants and buys her what she wants. She's being a normal kid. She isn't in any physical danger with Dad, so we've all advised Mom to let her choose and wake up to the kind of person Dad is on her own. It will work out better that way than if she forced her to come with her. Still, the rejection hurts. 

On the whole, my friend is doing well, though. Her marriage was not a safe place for her so she is enjoying the freedom to be herself. (Her husband's parting comment was "If you had just behaved the way I told you to we'd still be together.) Wow. Right? He had also threatened her with harm in the past. So, anyway, it was good to see her being happy and her spirit so much lighter.

** for my God who left us with his Word so we would know how to live so as to be ready for heaven. This week we talked about the fact that before Jesus returns God will clean out his own home (the church). As the churches drift further and further from what the truth is we'd best make sure we know what the truth is because the day is coming that God will separate the wheat from the chaff.

** for all the sweet, uplifting moments at work, at home, with family and friends, and here in the blogging world that made my days brighter.

** for each one of you in this huge, yet somehow intimate, blogging world!

Have a blessed day, my friends!

Thankful Thursday

Good morning, friends! Wherever you are waking up this morning I pray that the nasty weather has missed you and you are safe and sound. I have to work today, but I am linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday. I won't be able to get around to visit all of you until this evening, but I am thankful to Rebecca Jo for providing a place for us to gather and give thanks each week.

This week finds me thankful...

** that we had another burst of Spring-like weather. How amazing was it to experience 60 degrees and sunshine on Monday?!

** for the birds' morning song every day. I do worry about them being back so early, but their song lifts my heart. It sounds like Spring!

** for another great stack of books found at the Goodwill store.

** for a 3-hour gab-fest with my bestie. It had been too long.

** my new (really ugly) Vionic's pro sneakers, that are made for medical professionals who are on their feet all day, are very comfy and seem to help with my pain all the way from my foot to my hip. Now I'm wondering if a cute pair of their regular sneakers would work as well.

** a good deal on a Hebrew/Greek Keyword Bible. Knowing the meaning of the original words can lend such a depth to our understanding of the Word...and it's a little bit easier than figuring it out on your own with a concordance.

** for a couple of really good afternoon naps...something I never do.

** to have had the privilege of knowing 3 more residents of the nursing home who have passed away in the last week (yes, we are getting hit hard this winter). Knowing them well means it hurts more when they pass on, but it is worth it. I shared a meme on Facebook the other day that captures it...

** for time to spend with family and friends.

** for new pictures of some of my favorite Valentines.

** that right now in this moment in time all is right in my world.

** of course, for each one of you who stops by to visit!

Have a blessed and happy day!

Thankful Thursday

Good morning! I'm linking up today with sweet blogging friend, Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for the always uplifting and encouraging Thankful Thursday. Please pay her a visit to read her own list of thanks, find links to other thankful bloggers, or to add your own list.

This week I am thankful... 

** right off the bat, that the sore throat I woke up with this morning seems to have been caused by dryness. A cup of tea seems to have sent it packing. Yay! 

** that some digging on the internet showed that the corona virus isn't quite the huge scary thing the news has been making it out to be. The CDC still says it's not that big of a threat in the U.S. and there are lots of different strains of corona viruses around. Most of us will have one in our lifetime. In most cases it's not going to be worse than any other flu.

The scarier thing is the crazy amounts of surgical masks people are buying. It's possible they could create a shortage for healthcare workers who really need them. I heard on the news this morning that those who are well should NOT be wearing them for protection, the masks should be worn by those who are sick so as not to spread whatever they've got. Wearing one when you are not sick could actually put you at more risk because of touching your face more.

** for the beautiful sunshine I see outside my window this morning. It's cold (24 degrees) but that sunshine sure is spirit lifting! January and February tend to be incredibly gray and sunless months here in my corner of PA. Even Tim came home from work the other day complaining about needing sunshine.

** the impeachment trial has not consumed everything. I was afraid it would be the only thing you saw on TV or heard about, that the media would make it something you couldn't escape from. That hasn't happened. It's on, but it's easy to escape and the news hasn't made a circus of it.

** my friend was able to move out of her home and begin the process of ending a very bad marriage without too much trouble. Her husband did show up on Monday and scared off a couple of people who were helping her, but by the next day it seemed that things were at least civil.

** another friend (and Bible teacher) and her husband were able to get away for a few days. They'd been having a very stressful stretch and were feeling the pressure to the point her husband's heart was starting to act up. They've reported that they are feeling better and that his heart is back in rhythm. 

** we were able to purchase a large gun safe this past weekend. Nice to have all the guns secured (in a safe that can't be carried off) and room for our other valuables.

** a girls' day with my mom. We had hoped for an auction, but there weren't any. So we made a day of hitting the thrift shops and lunch. I didn't get a lot of stuff...a couple of books, a funny toy dog for the kids, 2 pairs of pajamas for a resident at the home whose step-children don't care enough to buy her things that fit, and this beautiful painting.

** for each one of you who stop to visit and brighten my day!

Have a blessed and thankful Thursday! 

Thankful Thursday

Getting my Thankful Thursday done and posted tonight (Wednesday) because it's back to work for me tomorrow...but only for 2 days! Gosh that makes me feel positively giddy! Anyway, linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand and the rest of the Thankful Thursday gang.

(And if you'd be so kind, say a prayer for Rebecca Jo and her family. They have really been having a time of it lately.)

This week I am thankful...

** that not having to run back and forth across the nursing home has my leg feeling quite a bit better. So nice to come home and not have to literally lift my leg into and out of the car with my hands.

** for a new mattress pad and sheets that are actually deep enough to fit our Sleep Number mattress and 3-inch foam topper. I had to go online to find them 24-inches deep and the selection was slim. Evidently not many people have this problem? Anyway, nice to not have the corners popping off or have the mattress pad bunching up in the middle.

** for a great night with my Bible study crew last night. One couple invited all of us for a pasta night. The husband is Italian and made the spaghetti noodles from scratch. Oh, my word! I've honestly never thought of pasta as light and fluffy until now. His noodles were AMAZING! No heavy bloated feeling at all. He made his family's sauces, too...meat and marinara. Someone brought salad. Another person brought veggies and dip. Someone else brought chicken. Several people brought desserts. I made the garlic bread I learned through Hello Fresh...toasted ciabatta rolls spread with homemade garlic/parmesan/red pepper flake infused butter. It sounds pretty basic, but man, as one woman put it, "It's like an explosion of flavor!"

** for lots of time with Colton and Leah...even some time with Colton alone. I've always been very close to him and not getting to spend much time with him was really bothering me. He seems pretty happy to have me around more, too. Every time he is here we end up watching one of the movies with the Minions and he can't watch unless he is snuggled up on my lap with a blanket over us and his chocolate milk close at hand. Heaven to me!

** for my sweet new desk chair found for a song on Amazon. Colton helped me put it together today.

** for the sweet friends who told me I am looking "lighter" with my new schedule. I don't know about "looking" it, but I sure feel it. Getting away from my toxic boss was the best decision!

** for the verse the Lord gave me to go with my one word for the year, "Abide." The verse is John 15:9 "Just as the Father loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love." Well, I looked it up in my Amplified Bible yesterday and that last line read "Continue on with me in God's love." Oh, how I love that. It's like he's inviting us to hold his hand and be enveloped in God's love. 

** that my friend (and Bible teacher) does not have breast cancer. Tests this week put her in the clear.

** that another friend has finally made the difficult decision to get out of her emotionally abusive (with the potential for physical violence) marriage. I hate to see a marriage end, but no one has to put up with what she has been putting up with for many years.

** for God, who is as Isaiah 12 says the joy and the song in my heart!

** for all the many blessings too numerous to list.

** and as always, for each one of you!

Thankful Thursday

There is plenty to be thankful about on this Thankful Thursday...though being awake since 4:00 (when I don't have to work until noon) isn't one of them. Ha! Linking up today with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for the celebrating of life's good stuff...all brought to you courtesy of the Almighty!

This week I am thankful...

** to be putting in my last week as a full-time employee. Beginning next week I will only be working part-time. 

** for a great night at Bible study. Everyone shared the one word God had given them for the year ahead and the Bible verse(s) that revealed what God was saying to them. It was so exciting and cool to see how all the words connected and went together and actually spoke to the whole group.

** for the Bible study friend who is a massage therapist and noticed my knee was giving me pain after class. She talked about some kind of "bands" in my leg and felt it and said they were tight. She also said the swelling at the back of my knee indicated inflammation of the bands and the lymph nodes. She offered to work on my leg for free so next week we're going to see when we can work it out.

** that all the residents were pretty calm yesterday...except for a little bit of time after supper.

** for the coworkers who have expressed their concern that something was wrong since I was cutting back to part-time...and their gladness that I'm not leaving.

** to have some girl time lined up with a friend tomorrow. We are meeting up for lunch and then heading to Pittsburgh to go to the Vionic's shoe store there.

** the crazy warm weather we've had. It has cooled off a good bit today and it looks like more "normal" temps are here to stay for a while, but still it's the middle of January in Pennsylvania and this past Saturday it was 72 degrees, which broke a 130 year old record!

** that I have continued to avoid the flu/virus/whatever that has been going around at the home for over a month now. It has finally hit the dementia unit, but so far my good fortune is holding.

** that I didn't run out of gas coming home last night because I totally forgot I REALLY need to fill the tank.

** my lost car keys turned up last night. They were in my purse...which I had emptied more than once while searching so I have no idea where they had been hiding in there. I'm just glad they turned up since it was not only my car keys, but the house key, my mom's house key...

** for the love of my Lord and Savior who reminded me "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." Abide...continue, remain, persist, hold on, dwell, reside, lodge, live. I am to LODGE myself in his love! We all are. His love is our HOME!

** as always, for all of you!

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

Thankful Thursday

Good morning! I admit I'm kind of in a funk this morning...not sure if work is getting to me or if I'm just tired and need a break...but whatever the reason, I know the best "cure" is to focus on the blessings in my life. So, I am linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday.

This week I am thankful...

** for my son-in-law and his willingness to help with projects around the house. This week he has been putting together the bed/trundle bed combo I bought. He is going to finish it up tonight.

** that so far this winter all the big, bad, winter storms have pretty much missed us. We really haven't gotten more than a wee bit of the outer edges of the storms. In fact, it's supposed to be 66 degrees on Saturday! 66 in the middle of January in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania. Crazy.

** the meals in our second Hello Fresh box look just as good as the ones in the first box. I love that 3 times a week we are eating things we wouldn't normally have. These are "fancier" meals than I'd normally cook and we're finding we like things we might have thought we wouldn't. Last night's dinner was tortellini in a sauce of sauteed leeks and butter infused with garlic and Italian spices. It was topped with roasted tomatoes and zucchini and toasted Panko crumbs. It was delicious...though I'm sure it left us with some pretty potent breath! lol  Tonight I'll be making the Italian soup. Can't wait to try it.

** our daughter went to her hearing on Tuesday for a traffic stop...the inspection on their truck was expired. They took care of it in the amount of time the state trooper had told her to so the magistrate dismissed the tickets and told her to consider it a lesson learned. Thank goodness. The kids can't afford to pay any fines right now.

** our son and his children were not hurt when their car was rear-ended and the damage was mild enough he isn't even going to report it to his insurance.

** all the sickies in the family (no actual flu...just viruses and one sinus infection) are finally on the mend.

** for another generous gift from my biological father...and another precious letter. It is amazing to be getting to know him after all these years.

** it appears both sides in the U.S./Iran dust up seem to be taking a step back and calming down.

** that I got to know a lovely resident at the home quite well over the past year. She was such a joy. At 90 she still participated in every activity, made lots of friends, helped us out with tasks like sorting donated greeting cards, and was just a lovely lady. It makes her sudden and unexpected death harder to take, but I am glad I knew her. She was a great example of what I hope to be like when I am older.

** that I continue to be able to hold my tongue when my boss is talking down to me. I don't want her to push me into losing my cool and acting in a less than Christian way. I am watching the job ads a lot more actively, though. I'm also considering whether or not we could manage if I backed off to part-time hours...which would mean I'd only work in the dementia unit and not have to deal with her or only rarely have to deal with her.

** for each one of you!

Have a blessed and beautiful Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand today for the first Thankful Thursday of 2020. Feel free to join in and link up with us. The act of intentionally looking for our blessings and sharing them with others grows the heart and deepens our contentment and joy in life. 

This week I am thankful...

** that my boss's husband is "ok" for now. He had another heart attack last Friday (I just found out yesterday) and nearly died. That marks the second time in the last couple of months! This time they've found a blockage on the back of his heart. It's a blockage that is usually called the "widow maker" as it often goes undetected until there is a major heart event and it's too late. Everyone I know who has had this blockage has had open-heart surgery to correct it and they are doing fine. In my boss's husband's case, the doctors (I'm thinking it's probably the insurance company) have decided to simply put another shunt in.

** that while I would never wish my boss's husband health problems, I am grateful for the fact that it is keeping my boss out of work this week. I didn't have to come back from the holidays to her harping on me for anything and everything.

** for a new year and the new beginning or fresh start that it symbolizes. I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do have things in mind that I want to accomplish, change or work on. The number one thing being my relationship with God. I have been a bit lazy about it during the past year. It is past time to get back on track and move even deeper.

** the grandkids seem to be getting a little bit better. They all came down sick last weekend just in time for our Christmas gathering and these days you kind of worry more than you used to with all the super bugs out there. 

** Tim brought all the Christmas boxes in for me yesterday. I'm going to start the undecorating tonight and finish it up tomorrow.

** for the fun I've had with my co-workers during the holidays. We've laughed a lot and that has made it a lot easier to be, if not happy, at least content while working through the holidays. 

I also appreciate the confirmation I get from them about things I see at work or things that I think are wrong. It's always nice to know it isn't just you, that others see a problem, too. (As with my problems with my boss. It's been shown to me in the last couple of weeks that it isn't just me. Others, that I thought were fine with her, are definitely not...due to the way she treats them as well. I'm sorry they have to deal with her attitude, but there is comfort in knowing I'm not alone.)

** this was the last week of no Bible study. We are back to normal next week. So God, please...no snow to cause it to be cancelled!

** we are just about out of all the tempting Christmas goodies.

** that there is a good bit of ham left. I will be making ham & bean soup tomorrow. Yum! It's the best part of having ham for Christmas.

** to start a new faith planner and a new journal. It's exhilarating to open a book to a clean, fresh page. Oh, the possibilities! 

** for God who is patient and forgiving while we try over and over to get it right.

** for each one of you!

Thankful Thursday: The Day After Christmas

How is it possible that it's Thursday again? Christmas is behind us...at least on the calender. Some of us have yet to have our family gatherings. However, it is back to work and "normal" life for most people today and around the blog normal life means the celebrating of Thankful Thursday. I don't know yet if Rebecca Jo is posting today, but I'm going ahead and will link up if she does.

This week I am thankful...

**for the time spent with my husband over the last two days. He had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. We spent a nice day together on Tuesday wrapping gifts, shopping, and just being together. Yesterday, he did his best to help me not feel sad about working on Christmas Day. He got up with me and we opened our gifts to each other and he drove me to work and picked me up after. He spent the day at home watching movies and napping. We stopped to see our daughter's family after he picked me up from work so Colton could show us what he'd gotten for Christmas so far. They were heading to the other grandma's again so we didn't stay long. 

**that work went well yesterday and was at least a little fun. My coworker and I spent the morning passing out gifts to the folks staying short-term in the rehab wing, gifts to those long-term residents who didn't attend the Christmas party last Thursday, and taking the Coffee Cart around offering coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. It was a nice way to get to see and talk with every resident. The afternoon was rather slow as many residents were either out for the day with family or being visited by family and the rest were just tired out by all the Christmas excitement of the last few days. We had a sing-a-long, but only 6 residents attended. We did the best we could and had a fun time, anyway.

**for all the stories on the news of people blessing others. Stories of police officers giving those they stopped $100 bills rather than speeding tickets. Stories of football players paying off layaways for people in their hometowns. Stories of people giving up their Christmas Day to serve dinner to those who have nowhere to go. Stories that go on and on. It gives me hope and fills my heart. Wouldn't it be amazing if the news spent more time covering this kind of story instead of focussing on the bad things in life?

**for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner with Mom and John at Olive Garden. Maybe that will become a new tradition?

**for our oldest granddaughter, who entered our lives 11 years ago today. Happy birthday to Sora, our artsy, creative, dreamer! 

**again, for the reason for the season. May Jesus and just what his birth means always be at the forefront of Christmas.

**as always for each one of you!

Thankful Thursday In the Christmas Spirit

Today I am linking up with blogging friend Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday. Many thanks to her for hosting us each week. It's good to take time to be thankful, because I believe it's in learning to be grateful for all God gives us that we find the contentment and peace we all seek.

This week I am thankful...  

** that we are financially able to bless our family members with the things they either need or want at Christmas, but may not be able to buy for themselves.

** for my husband, whose birthday is today, and all the things he does to show his love. They may not be the grand romantic gestures of our youth, but they are sure ones that I appreciate now. Little things that make life easier.

** for the Christmas dinner my employer had for all the employees yesterday. It was done during work hours so most people could simply go during their break, rather than add one more obligation to already crammed holiday schedules. We had ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, gravy, rolls, salad, cake, and pie! Yum!

** for the nice family time we had celebrating our grandson's third birthday this past weekend. He is a special little guy and has brought so much joy into our lives.

** Tim has been feeling a bit better than usual.

** my mom and stepdad have moved back to town for the winter.

** that work has been nothing but fun for the last week with all the Christmas celebrations and special events. Everyone is in a great mood!

** today is my day off. I can get lots of things done and still go enjoy my department's Christmas party at a local restaurant tonight.

** as always, for each one of you who visits, comments, and adds something to my life.

** always, always, always...for the One who loves the world's nobodies, the One who rescues them (and me!), the One who gives them (and me!) purpose. 

Enjoy your Christmas preparations and celebrations in the coming days, but don't lose sight of the reason for this season. Don't lose sight of that little baby who came to die so we could live. Don't lose sight of that amazing, limitless, unending love!

Bursting With Blessings

Linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand to show some gratitude on this Thankful Thursday.

This week I am thankful...

** to be getting the hang of my new hairstyle. Every washing it gets a little easier to achieve the desired look. Makes me very glad I made the change.

** for good working relationships with my co-workers. The days in the dementia unit can be very long at times and having people to talk to (that understand) and to laugh with goes a long way toward relieving any stress or boredom. 

** for another letter from my biological father. He seemed more relaxed and opened up more in this one. It meant a lot that he was very complimentary and seemed to be proud of me and the life I've lead. 

** for the completely unexpected, unnecessary, and unasked for gift my biological father sent in his letter. To say it was generous is an understatement. He said he has tried to help all his children and this is his chance to do something for me. Whoa. It left me shaking and in tears.

** to have had a couple of brilliant ideas for Christmas gifts for those impossible people on my list. I was worried I'd have to resort to gift cards. There is nothing wrong with those, but I kind of pride myself on finding the perfect gift for people...something they really like, but would never buy themselves. I crossed two of those off just today. :)

** my first colonoscopy is behind me. Ha! Seriously, I'd been dreading it since I turned 50 five years ago. The goo didn't taste that great, I ended up dehydrated which gave me a killer headache, and the anesthesia burned like acid in my veins before I went under, but it's over and I got a good report. No need to do it again for 10 years!

** that I am not feeling stressed over Christmas this year. I'm finally learning the art of "letting it go." When it comes to all the things that need done I'm picking and choosing what truely is important to me. The rest just doesn't matter. For example, the family will be just as happy with a tray of bought cookies as ones I slaved for days over. I may make one or two favorites, but that will be it.

** for my cozy home when the weather turns brutally cold.

** to realize just how blessed we are. We may not have so much by our society's standards, but we have so much more than most of the world. And I'm not just talking about things.

** for each one of you!

** for the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.

Thankful Thursday

Good morning, everyone! I'm sitting here enjoying my morning caffeine and watching the snow come down while sitting by the glowing Christmas tree...a lovely morning to share a little thankfulness. I'm linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday.

This week I am thankful...

* I woke up this morning to find that the antibiotics are kicking in and the swelling has gone down a good bit from yesterday. Thank goodness! I was starting to be a bit concerned when after 3 doses it seemed to be even redder than before and then it was throbbing pretty badly during the night. It was a big relief to wake up to find it smaller and without pain. This is the third soft tissue infection I've had since working at the nursing home. I just might become a germaphobe because I already wash my hands, sanitize and use gloves constantly.

* none of the winter storms that have rolled across the country in the past week have done more than bring us a dusting of snow here and there. We usually get hit, but it was all just one big miss this time around.

* for the great day we had for our late Thanksgiving on Saturday. The kids had a good time playing together and Colton was so excited to see his cousins. 

* for the ease of Amazon shopping and all those smiling boxes delivered to my door....and for the fact that we are not plagued by "porch pirates" in our neighborhood.

* that a good portion of my shopping is done. Now to start wrapping. 

* for each one of you.

* for a baby born so long ago, born to die and change the world, so that one day I could live. 

Be blessed & thankful today!

The Big Kahuna

This is it. The big kahuna of Thankful Thursdays. Thanksgiving Day. I had to work today so we are not celebrating with a big meal until Saturday. Still, I have much to be thankful for and made a long list sitting here this evening. I'm thinking God decided I should keep it short and simple because He allowed the laptop to do its thing and *poof* no more post. I'd grump, but I'm just too darned content to waste time being unhappy.

So, just let me say I have been blessed abundantly this past week (and always) and I hope it has been the same for you.

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday morning means it's time to join in with blogging friend, Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday. It's when we get to share the past week's blessings or maybe just one very special thing. Either way, it's a great party to be part of because grateful hearts are happy hearts.

This week I am thankful for...

Changed Agendas:  Yesterday I went to the local medical center hoping to get the blood work and mammogram my new doctor ordered taken care of and schedule some physical therapy for my left leg. The blood work happened without a hitch, but it was "walk-in Wednesday" for mammograms and the wait was at least 2 hours. I passed on that. I'll schedule a real appointment. I bombed out on physical therapy, too. They have meetings on Wednesday mornings and were unavailable. 

On the plus side, the hospital's aide society was having a fundraising sale with purses, wallets, hats, gloves, and all kinds of cool little gadgets. I popped into it and found several small gifts for Christmas and ran into a friend I never get to see these days. It was nice to chat and catch up with her.


Wasted Time:  Our grandson has been sick this week with a nasty stomach virus he most likely picked up at his cousin's birthday party on Saturday. He hadn't kept anything down for 2 days and wasn't wetting diapers so Mom was getting pretty panicky. I didn't think he was in any danger, but last night Mom insisted he needed to go to the ER and get checked for dehydration so, off we went. 

They checked all his vitals, gave him a couple of popsicles, and sent him home. What we learned is that as long as his vitals were okay it wasn't anything to worry about and to just keep giving him fluids a bit at a time. They told us about another little one who came in with the flu and was sent on to Children's Hospital because while she was experiencing roughly the same things Colton was, her heart rate was north of 200 beats per minute! Her little heart was working desperately to pump what little fluid she had in her around to all the vital organs.

So, I'm glad we got him checked and that Mom now has some more info under her belt that will help her evaluate better the next time.


Warm Days:  It will be coming to an end tomorrow, but we've been enjoying some mild days with temperatures in the 50s. Nice. Sunshine would have been even nicer, but this late in November I'm happy with warm.


God's Peace:  When I got home from the ER last night Tim told me the hospital called at 8:00 and that I need to call my doctor today. Hmmm? My first thoughts were a bit panicky. Why are they calling me at 8:00pm? I had blood work done this morning...WHAT DID THEY FIND?? Then my imagination started to run through all the worst case scenarios. Then God said, "Enough. I'm in control no matter what is going on. Do you trust me?" 

I do trust Him. The call may or may not be bad news, but whatever it is God already knows all about it and is working it according to His will. If it is nothing I will praise Him and if it is bad news I will still praise Him because I can lean on Him and He will give rest and strength as needed.


All of You:  As always. We may not have met face to face, but your friendship still adds another blessing to my life.

Have a blessed and thankful day, friends!

Thankful Thursday: Finding Peace

Holy smokes! I'm not even sure where to begin with being thankful right now. My mind is....blown. I had an entire list of things to share in mind, but one little thing changed that. So, I'm still linking up with Rebecca Jo for Thankful Thursday but I just have that one thing to share.

I got a letter from my biological father today. It's kind of a big, freaking deal. If you've been around to follow the story, you know that I never knew him or even anything about him until just about one year ago. That's when my son got the results of his Ancestry.com DNA test and the names of 2 Ancestry members that were his genetic first cousins. I took the name to my mom and after 54 years she finally told me the name of my father and what little she knew about him. My son asked if I wanted him to contact the cousins whose names he was given. I said no, because I didn't know what they knew or if they knew anything. I didn't want to mess up their lives or family. I figured we'd deal with it if they ever contacted him.

Fast forward to the beginning of August. My mom came to the house one afternoon and handed me a letter she had just received. It was from a woman who said she was the daughter of my father and she and my brothers had just found out about my existence a couple of months before that. They had been digging around on the internet ever since trying to find me. They contacted Mom because they didn't know what or if I knew. (Like minds?)

Mom and I called my sister on our birthday in August and talked to her for about 10 minutes. A few weeks later I wrote a letter. We've been writing ever since. We met for lunch last month when she was on her way to see our father. She told me she had given my address to our father.....so I knew it was possible I'd hear from him some day.

I just wasn't expecting it to be today.

He stated more than once that it was the most difficult letter he'd ever written. Other than it being to me, I can't see what was so hard. The first page was about family health history. The second page was all about his childhood, teen years, college years, and all his exploits. He finally got to "somehow" meeting my mom and claimed that while he'd dated "lots" of ladies from high school on, my mom was his first intimate relationship. He said he was "too callous to recognize" my mom's "potential." He broke up with her before they knew about the pregnancy. 

He ended the letter by saying that he's felt bad about it ever since and regretted any hardship I'd endured because of him. Oh, and P.S...If I want to meet face to face we can...when he gets back to this state in May of next year. He's 81 and has a pacemaker.

Anyway, what I'm thankful about is that after 55 years I read this letter and felt NOTHING. He came across as self-centered even now. Not once did he ask anything about me or my family. Nor did he say he wanted to meet me. He just said he would do it if I wanted to. It obviously doesn't matter either way to him.

I am finally free. He doesn't hold the power to hurt me any longer and for that I am very, very thankful.

* By the way, I do plan to see him when he comes back. I'm not terribly interested, but I don't want to have any regrets or be haunted by "what-ifs." 

Thankful Thursday

Good morning! I don't know about you, but I'm still not adjusted to the time change and find myself up super early every  day. At least it gives me time to spend with God, blog, or watch a good movie before I start my day.

I'm joining up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hands for Thankful Thursday...the day we share all the good things in our lives...the things big and small that God has blessed us with.


This week I'm thankful...  

** really, really thankful that today is my day off. It's been a little stressful in the dementia unit this week. The full moon is next week, I guess they are beginning to ramp up to that. Anyway, after last night I'm ready for a day away from it.

** with Veterans' Day coming up we are doing all kinds of things to get ready to honor the veterans that reside at the home. I love hearing their stories. We have vets from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. We have vets from every branch of service. We have vets who were officers and vets who were grunts. We have a Congressional Medal of Honor recipiant. It's a joy to decorate the home and plan a reception to honor them and their sacrifices. 

** to have my car back after three weeks. The repair bill on Tim's truck is huge, but we'll survive. God always takes care of us.

** for the early darkness. I like having the sun earlier in the mornings and I absolutely LOVE it being dark by 6:00. It brings everyone into the home where suddenly everything seems ten times cozier. I love the scents of this time of year, the colors, the way lights glow golden from windows, and the smell of woodsmoke drifting from chimneys. 

** for the rain that is bringing in today's cold front and the snow it will turn into. I'm excited and ready to see the white stuff. Really. I am. (Right after Christmas it will be a different story.)

** that I have enough clothes that I have to spend part of today switching out the summer clothes for the winter ones. Compared to a lot of the world we are so materially blessed in this country. Funny how we're often so miserable that we don't even see the good things, yet you can meet people in other places who have virtually nothing, whose lives are miserable, but they are happy. Because they know what's truly important.

** for baby smiles that melt your heart and little boy kisses that will end too soon.

** for the fluffy, fat gray squirrels that chitter away at me every time I walk out the door. They are so busy hiding away nuts for the winter. Most of which they will forget about...if the number of seedling trees that pop up in my garden and flower beds each Spring is any indication. But, they are cute as they go about their business and they are so big this year. The other day I thought there was a cat out by the garden, but it was just an enormous squirrel.

** little fingers drawing pictures on steamy windows.

** our daughter made an appointment with the same doctor we have switched to. The old one was doing nothing to get her anxiety and other issues under control. Well, nothing that worked. She has been running into the same thing we did...he just doesn't seem to really listen to you or address your concerns. I am hopeful the new one will have a fresh perspective and new insights.

** for word that our son and his family can make it to have Thanksgiving with us the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We don't usually get to celebrate with them as they choose to stay home and have some members of our daughter-in-law's family join them. Now that I have a job that requires working holidays we are celebrating at less traditional times. It may work for us. We won't have a whirlwind dinner with our daughter's family, either, as we usually do because they have to split each holiday with her husband's family (his mother is unwilling to compromise at all). I am excited!

** for the love, mercy and grace of God.

** for each one of you, who find your way to my little corner of the blogging world. You are a blessing and add richness to my days. Thank you.

Now I am off to get dressed, eat breakfast, toss a load of laundry in the washer, and begin the adventure that is today. Be blessed and filled with joy and wonder today!

A Friday Mash-Up

Good morning! I'm going to try this again. I was late getting around to a post yesterday and just as I finished writing, my darn laptop did its thing and wiped out the whole thing. Grrrr! I don't know what exactly happens but I think it's a response to some motion of my hand over the touch pad. It drives me nuts!

And speaking of things that drive me nuts...is anyone else having issues with Blogger and photos? It took a long time to upload that little guy over in the corner and last night I couldn't load any photos at all. Technology...making life better and easier. Not.

So, last night I was trying to post my Thankful Thursday list of blessings. Today, you are getting an abbreviated version. Thanks, as always, go out to Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for hosting.

This week I am thankful...

** that I have a laptop, even if it frustrates me to no end at times. It opens up the whole world in a way that would have seemed like science fiction just two generations ago. I have friends all over the country and even from many countries around the world. Without the laptop it wouldn't be possible.

** for other types of advances that would have boggled our grandparents' minds. Like the whole DNA thing. Can you imagine what it would have sounded like to them if you told them we'd be able to spit in a little vial, send it off in the mail, and have all kinds of deep, dark family secrets revealed? The whole DNA thing should be handled with care because sometimes it can reveal some very hurtful things, but sometimes it can bring people together. I know I am thankful it brought me together with my half-sister. I hope to meet my brothers one day and maybe one day meet my father. 

** for all the brave men and women fighting those awful fires in California.

** we didn't lose power when the big storm front (literally) blew through last night. Thousands still don't have power this morning. We didn't get the heavy rain here, no thunder or lightning, and no tornadoes materialized. It was terribly windy and continues to be this morning. The temperature dropped from nearly 75 degrees yesterday to 35 degrees with a windchill in the 20's this morning, but I'm snug and warm inside with the electricity on so I'm good. We just might see the first snow flurries of the year this morning.

** I finally got to see the new doctor we chose, well a doctor on his team, anyway. I think I will stick with this one, though. He's a young pup (so he'll outlast me if he stays with the practice), but he's very thorough and has a wonderful bedside manner. He really listened to what I had to say and then he discussed options with me. Everyone at the office was so warm and friendly. Anyway, he's sending me to physical therapy for a bit to see if that might help with the pain in my leg. I love that he wants to work at treating the cause not just throw some pills at the pain.

** my mom and Megan. I have to mention them again as they have been so great about driving me to work while Tim's truck has been in the shop. I hope I will have my car back soon. The latest news is that the tires will be in today and once they're on the truck will be done. I'm hoping it gets done today as my cousin doesn't usually work on the weekend. Plus, if it isn't, I'm going to be tempted to forget I'm a Christian. It's been 3 1/2 weeks, people. 

** all the new blogging friends I seem to be picking up lately. You all add to my daily joy.


Now, a post for Friday. I saw these questions somewhere and thought they sounded interesting.

1. If you were President of the United States, what would be the top 3 things you would like to change?

•  First I'd want term limits for Congress.
•  Second I'd want to do away with the two party system. It would be nice to have candidates run on their merits rather than the party...which has bred the current situation where it's often more about making sure the "right" party wins, rather than what's in the best interest of the people. Along with that I'd institute a single nation-wide day for the primary elections so everyone could vote for all candidates, not just the ones who still have the money to stay in the game.
•  Third, I would want to find a way to "trim the fat" by doing away with ridiculous agencies, departments, and out of control spending. 

2. If you had to survive on one specific kind of food, what would it be and why?  Pizza! Talk about variety. You can put just about anything on a pizza so you'd never get bored and there are even dessert pizzas so it's all covered.

3. If your life were a play, what would it be (drama, tragedy, comedy, etc)?  Pretty sure it would be a dramedy...a cross between a drama and a comedy. Bad things happen in my life, but nothing that calls for labeling my life a tragedy.

4. What community is your favorite and why?  I don't know if this is asking about real, physical communities or online communities, but I'm going with online for my answer. I would have said Facebook not that long ago, but these days I enjoy the blogging community much more. Facebook has become such a toxic monster and there is very little that is fun or joyful about it any longer. The blogosphere (at least the little corner where I hang out) is filled with the nicest people who are friendly, respectful, and genuinely nice.

5. When did you realize you were finally an adult and how did it make you feel? I guess it was the first time circumstances got difficult and no one was there to make it all better. There is nothing like solving your own problems to make you grow up. As for how did it make me feel? Good, in some ways since I was raised to be independent. And a little sad, too. It's hard to give up having someone take care of you.