Howdy, quarantine queens and mask-eraders, it’s time for Thankful Thursday 10.2020. I am linking up today with Rebecca Jo for her gratitude series, which she publishes every week. Thankful Thursdays give me a opportunity to reflect back over all the little blessings in the last month. Most of these ‘gratefuls’ come straight from the things I have listed each night in my gratitude journal.
October
October has been another crazy month in what is sure to be one of the most unforgettable years in recent history. Covid cases in El Paso have escalated to the point our city is ranked #2 in the nation for number of cases per capita. Our convention center has been converted into a health care facility to expand hospital capacity. As of today, we have “1,128 new COVID-19 cases and 486 delayed testing results by the state are being reported today for a total of 14,359 active cases and 45,039 cumulative cases.” [source]
The City of El Paso puts out graphics in English and Spanish that reflect the number of cases, hospitalizations, patients in ICU and those on ventilators, along with information on cases by age group, zip code, etc. This is just one of the graphics we receive from city officials each morning.
[source]
We have a curfew in place and have been asked to stay home for the next 2 weeks except for essential activities. And as we have been doing since the spring, we must wear a mask and practice social distancing. We are worn slick with no end in sight. Prayers appreciated!!
Thankful Thursday 10.2020
But there is much to be thankful for this month, too. Let’s switch gears and take a look at just a few of my many blessings.
- My hubby and my brother Kevin helped talked me through a difficult day
- Homemade chicken noodle soup, this recipe but then I add a package of ranch dressing at the end
- Kevin, Brennyn and Valerie talking me through a continuation of the tough day above
- Lucia and I played a good ‘episode’ of babies on the ride to school
- Naps
- Frozen yogurt, even if it is expensive
- Good feeling that comes from purging belongings and donating them
- Cady
- Paul went with me to the grocery store
- Cami snuggles
- Gifted box of Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread mix
- Lauren has a new doctor who seems on the ball with her health struggles
- Mom played and enjoyed Bridge
- Memories from our trip to Germany in 2017
- Long weekend
- Lauren cooked dinner for us
- PC is so good with the littles
- Nerve-burning ablations that give PC some back pain relief
- Pancakes
- Mustafa’s new job
- Bookmarks from my book club friend Jessica
And…
- Walking and running in the desert
- Grilled cheese and tomato soup
- Cady’s straight As
- Cia’s reading
- Cami waving
- Dental insurance
- Medical insurance
- People who love me
- Soaky bath
- HelloFresh dinners
- NO CANCER for Lauren
- PC, Lauren and Lucia and neighbors putting wishes on the wish tree
- Being able to bump up my surgery
- Mom’s enthusiasm for Spirit Week
- Cool weather
- S*N*O*W
- Francisco’s good reputation at the hospital
- Fluffy sleeping in the garage
- Medical testing, medical technology like CT scans, bone density scans, EKGs, X-rays
- Sweet surprise from my BFF Sharon – a darling sweatshirt and M&Ms
Wish I could hold up a mirror at this point in my post, so YOU could see your reflection and know how thankful I am for you. Thankful for your visits, your comments, and your support. I am so grateful for your friendship.
Word of the Year
My WOTY continues to help me through these difficult days. While PC would say I still get wrapped around the hub about things, I am less so because of my faith, my belief that everything is going to be okay in the end.
I am finishing up an 8 week Bible study called “40 Days Through the Bible” hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. It is very well done and accommodates all learning types with videos and audio recordings, opportunities to respond to questions posed in the closed Facebook group, and a workbook to guide our study. It has been an encouragement.
Then I keep coming across the word. Of course, it is the season for seeing Christmas decorations in all the stores…and has been since August, apparently. But I can’t help but think the word believe is popping up in my path to lift me up. To reassure me. Here are just a few examples from my recent sightings.
I wish for you the same reassurance and faith on your most difficult days.
P.S.
Two things, real quick…
Photo challenge…don’t forget Deb, Jennifer and I are sponsoring a #25DaysofGratitude photo challenge. Please click here to see the prompts and grab the graphics. We begin on 11.01.2020, posting to Instagram. Join us!!
And on Tuesday, 11.03.2020, I will be having thyroid/parathyroid surgery. The doctor will be checking some masses on my thyroid and removing at least one parathyroid gland. It’s an out-patient procedure so I should be home that evening. But it does require general anesthesia. Would welcome any good thoughts and prayers for a successful procedure and speedy recovery. Thank you!!
Hugs and kisses,
Tough times and lots to be thankful for still! Hope this next week is as filled with good moments and love.
These have been tough times. Ready for the good old days again!!
Of course I’ll be sending you great thoughts for your procedure.
Thank you!! We all seem to be recovering from surgeries lately. Knees, gall bladder, hysterectomies, parathyroidectomies!!
Sending thoughts and prayers your way, Leslie. Thinking of you.
Thank you!! Feeling mucho better!!
baby boomers are already getting treated like crap in retirement homes. A couple months ago there was a video of a black guy punching a 75 year old boomer repeatedly in the face in a retirement home. Hey, maybe you boomers shouldn’t have favored blacks and minorities over your own white children with your political correctness, multiculturalism bullshit? You boomers are getting exactly what you fucking deserve. Enjoy those retirement homes, boomer scum!
I would argue that anyone who writes the vile things that are in your comment is rather scummy. Not sure what your agenda is but please take it elsewhere.
Oh goodness. Such hard times but I do love your positive attitude. I loved running down the list of good things from this month even though I haven’t been good at keeping up with you (ugh….life!)!! So. I do hope that things calm down in your city. I love grilled cheese and tomato soup. AND I hope your procedure goes off without a hitch and wish you a speedy recovery!! xoxox
Thank you, sweet friend. On the mend over here. We had gorilla cheese and tommy-toe soup last night. So good.
Sorry things are so bad and the virus has spread so much in your area – we are celebrating here in Australia as our state that had bad outbreaks had 0 cases and has started to lift restrictions, which is lovely! I hope you will be facing a similar thing with the restrictions lifting soon! Good luck with your upcoming surgery too!
Hope that you are having a good week! 🙂
What??? Zero cases?? How can that be? What did you guys do right that we have done terribly wrong over here? Wish you guys would write your book!!
Thank you for the sweet message of good luck. My surgery went very well and I am on my way back to ‘normal’ – whatever that is!!
Will be thinking of you on Tuesday and hope that all goes well.
There certainly was much to be thankful for in your month, even in the midst of all the bad things that are going on.
It was lovely to speak to you yesterday and I’m looking forward to starting the photo challenge next week!
Thank you for the good thoughts and friendship. I could feel them across the miles.
Great that you found so much to be thankful for. Hope your procedure goes great.
Thank you!! On the mend and feeling pretty good.
Very nice to be reminded to be thankful as we can get so wrapped up in cares and concerns. You’ve hit upon several that we take for granted, i.e., medical tests, children’s accomplishments. Thanks for the reminder sweet lady!
Thank you, doll. I have been especially reminded to be grateful for medical procedures because some of my favorite bloggers…you know how you are…have had surgery this summer and fall. Seems like we can’t do anything else, so it makes sense to get that surgery out of the way.
I’ll be thinking of you on Tuesday. In these days, it is important to be thankful and accepting of those things we can not change.
Thank you, dear one. I am on the road to recovery and doing well.
Hope you are staying safe. This year has definitely been challenging! Looking forward to seeing your photos in the photo challenge.
Thank you, friend. Oh this has been exhausting. But 2021 is going to bring a better year.
I always love your lists! … I failed you this time where I’m on vacation – SORRY… come back & join me next time
Oops, will catch you this month for a Thankful Thursday!!
Hi Leslie – loved all the family pics and the things you’re grateful for. Really feeling for you though with all the covid cases near you. We are basically covid free here in Western Australia and I forget how real it is elsewhere in the world and the impact it continues to have on people’s lives. Hang in there and keep on believing.
Also best wishes for a fast recovery from your surgery and a quick in and out of hospital – I think avoiding places where covid cases are being treated is paramount to keeping well. I’m sure you’ll come through with flying colours – don’t forget to take a pic of your op xx
Thank you, dear friend. I am well on the road to recovery. And our cases of Covid are out of the 4 digit range, thank goodness.
I’m saying prayers this morning for your speedy recovery from surgery. You have such a wonderful attitude. I had no idea El Paso was hit so hard with Covid.
I love the long list of gratitude!
Thank you, doll baby. I am feeling really great and well on the way to recovery.
I love your positive attitude! There are so many things to be thankful for that are right in front of us! Sending prayers and hope your surgery goes well today! Will be thinking of you!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill. Felt all the prayers and good thoughts as I went into surgery. And they lifted me up. I am feeling really well and on my way to 100%!!