Thankful Thursday

It's that time of the week again, time to list some of the things I am thankful for this week.

I am thankful...

... for Aleve Back & Muscle formula. Tim started using it and told me about it and it helps so much more than ibuprofen or Tylenol.

... the client I told you about last week continues to grow and do well. Today the fire alarms went off. Loud sounds like that really bother him, but he covered his ears and stayed right with me while we evacuated. Outside he stayed with me and didn't make any attempt to run away...even when the fire trucks arrived with sirens blaring. Later he asked me to play specific songs and he danced and sang. Then this afternoon he suggested the group play bingo on the deck. (By the way, it was a false alarm.)

... Colton is having a great first week of school and is loving it. Leah starts tomorrow and is very excited.

... we had a great family day at Lake Erie.

... for the upcoming 3-day weekend. I am woefully behind on household chores and am looking forward to getting caught up.

... there is no rain in the forecast for at least a week. We've been trying to get the pool water clear for at least two weeks and the heavy rains we've had have made it impossible. Hopefully, we will be able to get the green cleared out in time to use it next week as it's supposed to be 85-90 degrees all week.

... our daughter is beginning therapy sessions for herself next Tuesday. I'm praying she sticks with it.

... my mom continues to feel better after having a pretty bad case of Lyme disease.

... as always for my relationship with Jesus Christ, my husband and family, friends, and my church and church family.

... for all of you!

Currently...

... 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. The weather is sunny and humid with the temperature at 76 degrees.

... the grands have gone home after being here with Pappy for a few hours while I was not home. I staffed the church nursery this morning and then went to Walmart afterward, which was a big mistake. Since tomorrow is the first day of school around here, the store and parking lot were as packed and crazy as the day before Christmas.

... Daisy and I are sitting here in the recliner enjoying a moment of peace and quiet and a couple of the new pumpkin spice flavored Oreos. You should try them...sooooo good!

Reading... still working on Tides of Fire. The past week wasn't good for reading.

Watching... not really watching, but Tim went out and left the TV tuned to some show about WWII. It's his standard Sunday viewing.

Listening to... the 70's on 7. My new vehicle has Sirius.

Loving... my new vehicle, even though I don't know what half of the buttons do.

Feeling... a bit stressed, not by anything in my own life, but because our daughter is feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed, is talking about divorce, and comes over here to vent but is not receptive to any advice and no matter how I react/don't react or what I say/don't say...it's wrong. I hate seeing her so unhappy, but I also hate what it's doing to the kids.

Celebrating... nothing at the moment. We had the big picnic for the consumers on Friday. I had thought it was a picnic for the company at large. Nope. Well, staff got to eat the food and we each got an Amazon gift card, but we had to set up and tear down, man the games, attend the consumers who didn't have staff or family to bring them, and in a final insult...the big boss decided production needed to go on until we went to the picnic ground. So, all the staff was put to work making metal s-hooks. I personally made over 600 of them. Most everyone else was probably in the same ballpark. 

(We also learned that the big boss says if we don't have enough consumers at work on any given day, staff will now be put to work making the hooks. Most of the staff is older and many have issues with sight or pain. The excitement level caused by this announcement is non-existent. We are already short-handed because they can't get any workers due to paying less than any other agency...do they really think this is going to improve the situation?)

Grateful... we had a safe trip to Erie, PA yesterday with our daughter's family. We did end up going in two vehicles rather than riding together since we couldn't get two coolers, all the chairs and beach paraphernalia into her vehicle with all three rows of seats in play. It was a good day and Tim's oldest sister met us there with her two grandsons. It was nice to see her and the kids had a ball playing with their cousins.

Tim and his sister.

Cousins playing.

Colt and Leah by pretty flowers.

Saturday 9: My Sharona

Saturday 9: My Sharona (1979)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) The Knack's lead singer Doug Fieger wrote this song for his girlfriend, Sharona Alperin. That's Sharona on the record sleeve shown here. Who took the most recent photo of you?  That would be the administrative assistant of the Blind Association's director. We had the big annual picnic for the clients today and she took a picture of me with a couple of them.

2) Today Sharona Alperin is a realtor in Southern California. (The photo on her website is more demure than the record sleeve.) She specializes in high-end properties. Have you ever attended an open house, not because you were interested in purchasing the property but because you were curious about the inside?  Yes, I loved doing that years ago when we lived in Florida. At that time there were always lots of open houses on the weekends and we'd just see the signs for one and stop and check it out.

3) Doug Fieger's brother is Geoffrey Fieger, a prominent attorney in Detroit. Have you ever consulted a lawyer?  Yes, a few times.

 

4) The Knack's record producer was Jimmy Miller, who also worked with The Rolling Stones. What's your favorite Rolling Stones song?  I guess Start Me Up because that's the song that introduced me to them, but once I started listening to them I liked most of what I heard.

 

5) In 1994, more than a decade after its initial release, "My Sharona" became popular with a new audience because it was included on the soundtrack of the movie Reality Bites. What's the most recent movie you watched?  My husband watched the stupid comedy We Are the Millers tonight (Friday) and though I loathe it, it was on so I couldn't help but hear it.

6) President George W. Bush said he loved listening to "My Sharona" on his headphones while riding his bike. Do you often have music on when you exercise?  Always.

 
7) In 1979, when this song was popular, the CBS TV show Alice was a hit. It was about a widowed mom who made ends meet working in a diner. Have you ever worked at a restaurant?  No. I volunteered once at the hospital's cafe and that killed any thoughts I may have ever had of doing so. People can be nasty and rude when it comes to their food.

 

8) Also in 1979, the Voyager spacecraft sent back photos of Jupiter and its rings. Without looking it up, can you name all the planets in our solar system?  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and then there is the possibility of another planet beyond Neptune and while they changed Pluto's designation to that of a "dwarf planet" which is not a real planet...I heard a little while back that maybe they've changed their minds about that again. (No, I didn't look that up. I studied astronomy a good bit back in the day and considered it as a college major.)

9) Random question: If you could erase your most painful day from your memory, would you do it?  I'd be tempted if I knew it would change certain things that came after it, but as a person of faith I believe in God's sovereignty and that all things happen because He either put it in motion or allowed it to try and help me grow to be a better person. Who am I to say God's way is wrong?

Thankful Thursday

It's been a bit of a crazy week around here, but there is still so much to be thankful for. Here's just a sampling.

This week I am thankful...

... for my new vehicle. I was able to take care of my expired license (a major senior moment on my part) quickly and we went last night to pick up the vehicle. It's a 2020 Buick Encore, not brand new but only one owner and very low mileage. I've only had one day with it, but so far I am loving it. I still say it looks black most of the time, but once in a while in the right light you can just catch a hint of the "dark moon blue" it is supposed to be. Sorry, I haven't taken a photo yet.

... our grandson had his back to school night last evening. He got to meet his teacher and see who will be in his class. He is actually excited about going back to school. That is a very big deal!

... our granddaughter rode along with us last night to pick up my car and we had so much fun with her. She was so good and patient during the business part of it and then she had us laughing all the way home. She has such a BIG personality and has a pretty advanced sense of humor for a 4 year old.

... for a very good day with one of my people today. The young man rates pretty high on the autism scale which means he typically doesn't like change, too much noise/confusion/stimulation, or being touched and he doesn't communicate very much, just the basics, or show much emotion. When he first started with us my boss made (in the opinion of most) a poor decision and took him out to eat at a restaurant with a big group. When they returned and were unloading the van he bolted toward traffic and my boss had to tackle him and they landed right near the edge of the road with traffic flying by no more than a foot from their heads. They weren't hit, thank goodness, but it did mess up my boss's artificial hip for a while.

Anyway, since then my boss has repeatedly said that my boy would not go out again as long as he was in charge. It has upset me and a few others who work with him because he was new and not used to any of the staff yet and then thrust into a new, over stimulating environment. Since then he has bonded with a couple of us and has an especially close relationship with me.

Today, while my boss was out with another group I took a chance and took my boy out on the new deck for lunch. As I suspected, he was perfectly well behaved and loved it out there so much we spent 2 hours sitting out there because he didn't want to go back inside. He never got upset or acted up. He was calm and happy. When I told my boss he actually listened without shutting it down and admitted that maybe it was time to try taking him out to a park with me and one or two of the other staff he trusts. I am so excited! That is a major win. 

My boy doesn't know all the backstory, but he had a good day and I know this because while we were on the deck a bug bit me and I scratched at my arm and mentioned it. He very gently rubbed my arm and looked closely at it. I asked him if he was worried about me and he said "yes." Emotion and compassion from him is HUGE!! Then when I was leaving this afternoon I gave him the one-armed hug I usually give him and he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a big bear hug. I left work feeling like I'd won the Nobel prize or something. God is so good to help me help these folks.

... my daughter and I were able to find everything the kiddos needed for back to school. We had a great shopping trip this past Sunday.

... our daughter was home on Tuesday and caught the split in the hose to the pool pump before it totally flooded the yard. It's fixed now so we are back on schedule with the multi-day process to un-green the water. We've had awful luck with that this year.

... that while tomorrow is a work day it will be a fun day. My employer throws a big picnic for the clients every August. Most will be brought by the staff from their group homes or family. The few who have no one will be watched over by staff as they enjoy the picnic, games, and DJ with dancing. Staff also mans the games and does set up and tear down, but we leave right from the park at the end of the day.

... for my husband's patience this week.

... a good weather forecast for this Saturday as we plan to drive to Erie again, this time with our daughter, her husband, and the grandchildren to enjoy a day at the beach. It will be a long day, but a good one.

... for God's mercies and strength that see me through each day.

... of course, for each one of you!

Currently

I am...

Reading... Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins

Watching... reruns of The Big Bang Theory

Listening to... 70's AM radio hits

Loving... how easy it was to get my driver's license renewed at our new DMV facility

Feeling... tired and in pain. It was a rough day on my feet at work.

Celebrating... I get my "new" car tomorrow night, a 2020 Buick Encore with very low mileage. So excited, I've had my Camry since 2015. It's been a good car, but it's time.

Grateful... for my life, my family, my friends, and my work.

Enjoying... the start of pumpkin spice season!

The weather... clear and 64 degrees. Cloudy and 78 degrees tomorrow with thunderstorms in the evening.

Giggling at...

 

Sunday Stealing: Name Your Favorite

Stolen from Ned the Duck

Name Your Favorite…

    Place:  Chincoteague Island, VA

    Color:  I can't pick just one. I like the whole family of autumn colors.

 

    Smell:  Again...just one? Some of my favorites are the beach, bread baking in the oven, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, babies, puppies, and ripe concord grapes.

    Magazine:  Country Sampler, though I absolutely loathe how much they now charge for magazines. Ten dollars is a cheap one!

 

    Texture:  Soft fuzzy acrylic blankets and socks.

    Thing to do when bored:  Play around on the laptop or read.

    Precious stone:  Blue tourmaline or diamonds.

    Animal:  Dogs

    Time in history:  I remember the 1970s - 1980s pretty fondly.

    Font:  I guess Verdana since it's what I use here on the blog.

    Sound:  The laughter of children or those with special needs.

    Fruit:  Peaches

    Vegetable:  Zucchini

    Store/shop:  Amazon

 

    Quote:  "Not my circus. Not my monkeys." It reminds me not to fret over things that are not mine to worry about.

    Historical figure:  Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemmingway fascinate me. Both lived such adventurous lives.

    Letter:  I've never given it any thought, but I gave both of my kids "M" names so maybe it's M?

    Memory:  Sitting around the kitchen table one Thanksgiving Eve with my mom, dad and Tim...all of us working together to make the stuffing and prepare some of the other dishes.

    Dessert:  Pineapple Upside-down Cake

    Candy:  Lindor chocolate truffles

    Restaurant:  Probably China Garden, the neighborhood Chinese place. We get food from there more than anywhere.

    Language:  I'm going to go with English since it's the only one I'm fluent in, but I think Italian sounds lovely when I hear it.

    Thing to learn about:  All things from history.

 

    Thing about yourself:  I am able to forgive even those who have hurt me terribly and I am stronger than I usually think I am. 

Thanks to Bev for finding the questions.

Play along here.

Saturday 9: Michelle

Saturday 9: Michelle (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Paul McCartney sings to Michelle in French, "Sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble." Can you say anything else in French?  I can say a few things after 3 years of French class, but it's nothing useful, just trite practice phrases...and I'm sure I can't spell them!

2) Paul admits he that, as a teenager, he'd perform the first few bars at parties to impress girls. It was John Lennon who encouraged him to "turn it into a proper song." Tell us about a time you were glad you took advice from a friend or coworker.  Years ago I had a supervisor tell me not to tell my coworkers anything personal. His words "these people are not your friends" proved true. I have never worked with a group of people who were more petty and back-stabbing.

 

3) A big Elvis fan, Paul is proud to own the bass that was played on the 1954 recording of "That's Alright, Mama." Tell us about one of your prized possessions.  I have a little celluloid horse that was my grandmother's. One year during the Depression it was the only Christmas gift she received. Her brother Sylvester had a job in a shoe store and bought it for her. One leg is glued on and came to her that way...and now there is a hole in one side because it fell to the floor a couple of years ago when I was cleaning and that's what happened. It's terribly brittle, but I was still upset.

4) John was also an Elvis fan and honored The King by naming one of his cats Elvis. Do you share your home with any pets? If so, let us know their names.  These days the only pet in the house is my Toy Poodle, Daisy. We did have a Beagle/Basset mix when our daughter was still at home and his name was...Elvis, because he wasn't nothin' but a hound dog.

5) John was a heavy smoker who often attempted to quit. He tried hypnosis but that didn't work. Have you ever been hypnotized?  Nope. I've tried but it's never worked.

6) George Harrison fell in love with Hawaii and bought a 63-acre estate. If you could take off tomorrow for a vacation to any of our 50 states, which one would you choose?  I don't know. I'd have to narrow it down from Maine, South Dakota, Tennessee, and New Mexico.

6) While Ringo Starr quit signing autographs for fans in 2008, he will donate autographed memorabilia to charity for auction. Have you ever bid on an item at auction? Did you win?  I've been going to auctions since I was a kid and I started bidding on things in my teens so, yes, I've won a lot of bids at this point. I pretty much furnished our first home with things from auctions and flea markets.

 
7) As a young boy, Ringo had a severe case of appendicitis and his appendix was removed. Do you still have your appendix?  Yes, I do.

 

8) In 1965 -- before Advil and Tylenol and Aleve -- Americans took aspirin to relieve pain. If we peered into your medicine chest, would we find aspirin?  No. You'd find some Walmart brand ibuprofen and Aleve's back and muscle formula.

9) Random question: You're at dinner with a married couple who begins to argue. Would you intercede and try to make peace? Or would you just sit back and mind your own business?  I might make a joking comment to try and diffuse the situation and/or change the topic, but I would not get involved in their business.

Thanks to Crazy Sam for the music and questions!

Play along here.

Currently

I am...

Reading... A Deal to Die For by Josie Bell.

Watching... Sweet Magnolias on Netflix.

Listening... to rain on the roof and my husband's snores.

Loving... today. It was National Creamsicle Day and in honor of it I took one of my people at work and a van and ran to Walmart for enough Creamsicles for everyone! Everyone had such a fun time with it.

Feeling... really good.

Celebrating... my birthday and my mom's birthday tomorrow.

Grateful... our daughter is beginning to get over her reaction to the new medication.

Enjoying... a cool evening. The sleeping will be good tonight.

The weather... wet, wet, WET! High temps will be in the 70's for the next few days.

Giggling at...

Sunday Stealing: This Time Last Year

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves.

Stolen from The League of Extraordinary Pen Pals

1. Things I would do first if I won a billion dollar lottery.  Pay off all debt, give to the church and favorite charities, pay off our daughter's mortgage, set up accounts for our daughter and grandchildren, remodel our home and add on, and travel.

2. Something I probably spend too much money on.  Books and Amazon.

3. How I feel about the dentist.  Go to see him isn't my favorite thing, but my current dentist, while not the most personable man, is very good and very fast...and he lets you make payments (after the fact, not before) on major work.

4. Foods I am most picky about.  I'm really not picky about food. There are foods I don't like, but I'm not picky otherwise. The result of a dad who made me sit at the table until I cleaned my plate, I guess.

5. Internet friends / penpals I want to visit in person.  I'd love to meet all my blogging friends in person!

6. My healthiest habits.  I try to eat healthy meals. I keep up with medical things. I'm trying to exercise more. I don't know...I don't think my habits are terribly healthy at the moment.

7. Easiest, low effort foods and snacks for busy days.  Salads, pastas, pizza, take-out.

8. Where I go in summer to unwind.  The living room, the deck, and the pool.

9. My comfort books, tv shows, and movies.  My go-to books are the Bible and Little Women. Shows are The Big Bang Theory and any decorating show. For movies I have to go with Dirty Dancing.

10. A list of good things.  Working with special needs individuals, hugs from my grandchildren, laughing with friends, rainy days, picking up shells at the beach, flea markets, crisp fall days...

11. Favorite places to take photos.  Wherever I am with family.

12. The routines and habits I stick to most.  The only real routine I think I have is my one for getting ready for work in the morning. You can probably set your clock by me.

13. Topics I’d love to learn more about.  The Bible/religion, history (it all fascinates me), psychology.

14. This time last year...  I wasn't employed so I was enjoying my summer with the grandkids.

15. Favorite memories of someone I’ve lost.  I have so many of my grandmother that I don't even know where to start. She was more of a mother figure to me than my mom was and she was my biggest supporter, my soft place to land, and for many years my go-to person. I miss her every day.

Saturday 9: Diana

Saturday 9: Diana (1957)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Legend has it that Paul Anka wrote this song about his favorite babysitter. In your younger days, did you make a little extra money as a sitter?  Not really. I only babysat a few times for my dad's boss and he was extremely cheap. I'd only get $5 for watching two children for 5-7 hours. Once they even dumped their friends' three kids on me, on New Year's Eve, so I had five kids...and they still only paid me $5 for the whole night. I never said anything because he was my dad's boss, but I sure found ways to avoid it as often as possible.

2) Paul sings he doesn't care what "they" say about his love for an older girl. Have you ever had a romantic relationship that your friends or family didn't approve of?  They had some reservations about my husband, but mostly only because we were so young. I can't say they didn't approve of him.

3) Paul was once a choirboy, singing with the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir in Ontario. Have you ever performed with your church choir?  Bahahahahaha! Hard NO.

4) When Paul was 15, he left Ontario to find fame and fortune in New York. He had $100 in his pocket, a gift from his uncle. Tell us about someone in your life who who believed in you and encouraged you.  I was blessed to have many people in my life when I was young that encouraged me and told me I could do anything I set my mind to. My grandmother was probably my biggest cheerleader and fan, though. I can't remember her ever limiting me in any way.

5) Paul seldom gets credit for one of his most familiar compositions: the theme to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Since Johnny retired in 1992, The Tonight Show has been hosted by Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon. Which of these Tonight Show hosts is your favorite?  I'm not really a fan of any of them, but I guess Jimmy Fallon might amuse me a bit more than the other two. Not that I make a habit of watching the Tonight Show.

6) In 1978, Paul Anka hired Las Vegas' first female bartender for his restaurant, Jubilation. Where did you most recently dine out?  Tonight (Friday). Tim and I went to a local neighborhood place. I had pizza and a cup of stuffed pepper soup and he had a hot turkey sandwich.

7) In 1957, when "Diana" was a hit, Wham-O began producing Frisbees. The toy was a massive success, even outselling the hula hoop. Do you enjoy tossing a Frisbee?  I did as a kid. The last time I gave it a try I found I'm not very good at getting it to go where I want it to go.

8) Also in 1957, the book Peyton Place was made into a blockbuster film. Book lovers often say that, no matter what, the movie is never as good as the book. Do you think that's true?  Yes, about 99% of the time.

9) Random question: This Saturday, the treat's on Sam. Will you have buttered popcorn, caramel corn or cheese popcorn?  Buttered, please? With salt and pepper.

Thanks, as always, to Crazy Sam for the music and questions!

Play along here.

Thankful Thursday

Having just spent the evening at the ER with our daughter, I have a few things to be thankful for. 

First, I am thankful that the nausea and pain she was experiencing was a reaction to a new medication. Unfortunately, it's a once a week injection so while she isn't in any danger, she is going to be miserable for a couple of days until it is out of her system.

Second, I am thankful for the kind and efficient manner of the ER staff. Our local hospital was recently taken over by another health care provider and it seems that perhaps it has improved the quality of care.

Beyond tonight's adventure, this week I am thankful...

** I am finally feeling 100% recovered from the past weekend's illness.

** My mom continues to feel better after two weeks of antibiotics for Lyme disease.

** A good week at work and the relationships that continue to grow with the clients. (One young man, in particular, has grown close. Last week he caught himself just as he was about to call me "mom." A little later he asked me if I was going to be his girl...a question he continues to ask me. It's sweet, really. He is autistic and doesn't make close connections outside of family for the most part. When he came to us he hated being touched. Now he likes hugs (and not just from me) and he often wants to hold my hand when we are walking or playing a game or whatever. It's just his way of showing I mean something to him and that he trusts me. I am a soft spot for many of them. They know when they need a hug they can always get it from me.)

** Once the rain ended, today was an absolutely perfect summer day and tomorrow promises to be the same.

** Since learning I can wear my Vionic flip flops when working in the adult training facility my feet are feeling pretty good most days and my ankle has finally heeled.

** My husband was wonderful last weekend and this week while I wasn't feeling well. He took care of me, didn't fuss about me being too wiped out after work to cook, and biggest of all (and waaaay out of his comfort zone), he took on both grandchildren when I was sick at the hotel. It might not have been exactly the way I or their mother would have done it, but they managed to have some fun and enjoyed being with their pappy.

** for all of you, just as I always am. I hope you are having a wonderful week filled with all God's blessings!

Currently...

... back at home following a major fail of a weekend. I had been so looking forward to going to my biological father's family reunion and meeting his remaining sibling and a ton of cousins, as well as seeing him and at least two of my siblings. Tim and I took the grandkids along with the plan to spend some time at the beach with them. It was apparently not meant to be.

We arrived in Erie early Friday afternoon and were able to spend a couple of hours at the beach until we were able to check into the hotel. Then we went to our niece's home in Girard, went out to dinner with her family, and then sat around a bonfire in her backyard while Colton and Leah had a ball with their cousins. We were off to a great start. And then I woke up at 3:30 Saturday morning sick as a dog. I spent all of Saturday in the hotel room sleeping and running for the bathroom. Tim and the kids did get out to the beach once more and checked out the maritime museum and library as well as the water front.

By this morning I was done running to the bathroom, but still pretty wiped out from the whole thing. Our planned day at the beach had to be scrapped because I just wasn't up to it. The kids were really good about it and didn't give us any grief about leaving first thing. We were home by 12:30. Spent the afternoon sleeping then went to pick up Daisy from my mom's. I've done a couple of loads of laundry and I'm eating real food. I guess I'm on my way back to normal.

... planning to go back to Erie in a couple of weeks for my birthday getaway. We will stay with Tim's sister (whose birthday is 3 days before mine) so if I do get sick, at least we won't have wasted money on a hotel. We are also thinking maybe to do a one day, up and back, trip with the kids and Megan and Cody. It would be a long day, but it's doable, and the kids would get their full day at the beach.

... reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. 

From the back cover: "We all have regrets--choices we could have made differently, paths we didn't take, other lives we might have led. But what if you were given a chance to fix your past? Enter The Midnight Library.

     Nora's life has been going from bad to worse. Then at the stroke of midnight on her last day on earth, she finds herself transported to The Midnight Library, where each book contains an alternate life: a possible world in which she made different choices. She is given what seems like the ultimate opportunity: a chance to undo her regrets and try out each of the other lives she might have lived. But things aren't always what she imagined they'd be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. 

     Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: With infinite choices, what is the best way to live?

It's not my usual type of book, but I have to say it's interesting and I'm hooked. I want to find out what happens.

... my mom seems to be doing much better! She seemed like her old self today when we picked up Daisy.

... we had a bit of rain late this afternoon which cooled it off to a comfortable 74.

... back to work tomorrow. Boo.

Thankful Thursday

I'm sitting here on a rainy Thursday evening, relaxing a little bit before bed and thinking about all the things I have to look forward to this weekend. There is much to be thankful for and since it is Thankful Thursday I have a list to share.

I am thankful...

** for the rain that brings comfortable temperatures and keeps everything growing and looking so fresh and beautiful.

** my mom is starting to look and sound stronger after being on antibiotics for a week. She is still somehow "less" than she was before getting infected with Lyme disease, but she is improving.

** Tim and I are both able to take tomorrow off to spend the weekend in Erie.

** that Colton and Leah are going with us.

** the weather is supposed to be beautiful.

** I'm going to see my father and my sister and one of my brothers again...also that I'll get to meet my father's remaining sibling and a whole tribe of cousins for the first time.

** that a dear pastor and friend whose wisdom meant a lot to me when I first came to my current church is now at home with Jesus, released from a long health battle to the joy of heaven.

** my Daisy is safe for the weekend with my mom and stepdad. She won't really be happy anywhere that isn't with me, but she will be happier there than at our daughter's with another dog and 4 cats. She might even have the thrill of seeing some deer or turkeys or other wildlife to bark at up on the ridge.

** someone called off on Tuesday and I didn't have to work in the shredding department. My knee is not good as it is. It would have been worse had I had to be on my feet all day in the document destruction department.

** there is a Shoefly store where we are going so I can browse for a new pair of sneakers. Shoefly specializes in shoes for people with feet issues and they will help you find the best fit for your problems. As much as my shoes cost, I like trying them on before I buy them...even if it means they cost a little more than I could find them for on Amazon.

** we're going to be able to hook up with some of Tim's family while we are away, too. I have cousins in Erie, as well, but we'll have to pass on seeing them this time.

That's all for tonight. I need to shut things down and head to bed. I have things sort of ready to go, but have to throw everything in the suitcase in the morning. Catch you all Sunday or Monday!