Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

  • Craft
    and create
    • Craft and Create
      Crafting and cookery and other creative Did It Myself endeavors.
  • Family
    and friends
    • Family and Friends
      Doing what I love with those I love most.
  • Fashion
    forays
    • Fashion Forays
      Revamping myself from the outside in.
  • Life
    and style
    • Life and Style
      Adventures from various chapters in my life – past, present, future.
  • Love
    yourself
    • Love Yourself
      Rediscovering who I am and my journey along the way.
  • Reviews
    and reflection
    • Reviews and Reflection
      Book, movie, product reviews and reflections.

November 28, 2019

Thankful Thursday, 11.2019: Extreme Gratitude Edition

Extreme Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving & Thankful Thursday 11.2019:  Extreme Gratitude Edition, to you and yours!!  If you are celebrating Thanksgiving today, hope you enjoy every delicious bite and every precious moment.  And if this is just a regular thankful Thursday at your house, hope it’s a good one!

We will be hosting Lauren, Francisco and Lucia at our house for a late afternoon dinner.  Lauren is fixing a ham and a pumpkin pie.  I’m in charge of the Tom-turk and apple pie.  Then together we are filling in with all the assorted sides.  There goes the Weight Watchers out the window.  But it is only one day.  And we are planning to run a 5K first thing in the morning if it isn’t pouring rain!  One of the items on my autumn bucket list (minus the rain).

For most of my Thankful Thursday posts, I reflect back on entries in my gratitude journal for the past month.  You can read last month’s edition, here.  Early in November, I switched from the Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude journal to a special one designed for the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  I have found Shalana Frisby’s 25 Days of Bible Verses for Praise & Thankfulness: A Christian Devotional & Coloring Journal a real treat to use.  Let me share a little bit about what makes it unique.

25 Days of Bible Verses for Praise & Thankfulness

First of all, it is beautiful.  The cover design is inviting.  The colors warm, the font friendly.

gratitude journal

Inside, each of the 25 days merits it’s own 3-page spread.  Journalers are invited to write the Bible verse of the day on the first page for each day.  The first page also features a black line drawing with a fall theme for coloring.

Bible journaling

Thankful Thursday 11.2019

On page 2, there is a place to write the meaning of the Scripture and identify how it applies to their lives.  There’s also a space for listing prayer requests and sharing answered prayers.  And on this same page, a place to give thanks.

The third page for each day provides space for reflection and notes.  I use this area to further reflect on the day’s Bible verse and as a kind of daily diary.

Reflection page

Using the 25 Days of Bible Verses for Praise & Thankfulness: A Christian Devotional & Coloring Journal has made writing my ‘thankfuls’ more fun.  I find coloring to be relaxing.  It gives me an excuse to just be still for a few moments.  I think we can all use a few minutes of that most days.

Now let me share some of the things from November that bumped up this month’s Thankful Thursday post to an extreme gratitude edition.

Thankful Thursday 11.2019:  Extreme Gratitude Edition

For about 9 months now, we have been on pins and needles about my Prince C.’s job situation.  Shortly after the new year, PC began to hear rumblings that his job and the jobs of everyone in his organization were being moved to the east coast.  And most of the employees did not want to move with their job.  My Prince included.  In March, we were told that his job would be gone by January 2020 and he began applying for similar positions here in El Paso.

Early fall, he began working several days a week from home.  Then he had to turn in his work cell phone.  Rumors began circulating that the severance pay they had been promised was nothing more than that, a rumor.  Official word came down that his last paycheck would be in January.

P. Charming is a 23 year Army veteran who has worked for the Department of Defense since retiring from the military.  Because he has 6 years to go before he can retire from this government position, he really, really wanted to find something here in El Paso that would enable him to do that.  He was supposedly put on a Priority Placement List that would allow him to go straight into a vacancy.  But even that became a vague question mark.

Expanding the Search

So he began applying for jobs everywhere within a 400 mile radius of home.  We figured we could make anything within that distance work.  Pardon the pun.  If he was hired for something in Tucson, Arizona or Ft. Hood, Texas or Albuquerque, New Mexico, we could get a little apartment or RV and commute back and forth in order to be together.  After applying for close to 20 jobs and not hearing anything back, we had begun to get pretty concerned.  Finally, he received notice that he was being referred for jobs here and there, but still no interviews.

I had applied for seasonal work, a part-time position at a daycare, a job as an assistant librarian, even stocking Hallmark cards.  In some cases, I heard nothing back from my application.  In others, I received a short but sweet ‘thank you, but no thank you.’  On paper, I am 61 years-old.  Some potential employers would say I have 1 foot in the grave.

One Saturday evening, we had a pow wow in the hot tub and came up with an action plan.  We were going to try hard to continue to pray and not to panic until the end of January.

And then PC was called for an interview.  For a job here in El Paso.  And then another, for a job in Albuquerque.  Ironic that Lauren and family had just moved back home to El Paso from Albuquerque and here we were contemplating PC working in ABQ.

God’s Perfect Timing

Paul thought both interviews went well but naturally, we were really pulling for the El Paso position.  A week went by and we didn’t hear anything.  And then…the email came.,,a week ago today, in fact.

He’s been offered the job in El Paso!!  Working on Ft. Bliss just down the street where he has been working for years.  And working with people he has collaborated with in the past.  He is even getting a bit of a raise!!  Can you say prayers answered?

Thanks to God’s perfect timing, he got the offer for this position the day before he was offered the job in Albuquerque.  So no commuting, no RV or apartment living, no being apart.  With Lauren and Francisco’s baby coming mid-January, I am grateful to be able to be here to help them, and possibly sub a little, too.  I can continue to Cia-sit.  We are so thankful.

Other Blessings Worthy of Extreme Gratitude

This extreme gratitude edition would not be complete without mentioning some of the other things for which I am thankful this month.

  • Fall colors
  • PC helping me iron
  • Our kids moving here
  • Clean bedding
  • Mexican food
  • Good health
  • Gray clouds with the sun peeking out behind them
  • This country and its veterans
  • Our electric blanket
  • Kitties
  • Opportunities
  • Living in El Paso
  • Family – daughters, son-in-laws, grand-angels
  • Family – mom, brother and sister and their families
  • Extended family
  • Our home
  • Sub jobs
  • Paul, always Paul

Just A Little More Extreme Gratitude

Rebecca Jo and Penny find the funniest things to share on their blogs.  My sister finds the best things to share on Facebook.  I am grateful for the giggles these gals have given me.

This week my sister shared the video below and as soon as I watched it, I copied the link here so I could share it with you.  I think it is the perfect way to wind up this Thankful Thursday 11.2019:  Extreme Gratitude Edition blog post.  Hope it makes you smile, warms your heart and makes you think like it did me.

[Christmas Presents from Forest Hill Church on Vimeo]

Your Turn

So many of you have left comments of support and offered up prayers and good thoughts for us during this difficult season.  Thank you so much.  We are so thankful for YOU.  Without going into detail right now, we have another very stressful family situation for which we would appreciate your prayers.  Read more here.  We will be traveling to Kentucky to visit my mom who is again struggling with the same psychiatric and physical issues that landed her in the in-patient mental health facility about this time last year.  And will then be traveling to Ohio to be with PC’s parents.  This fall has been very tough.  And yet we have so much to be thankful for.  I am grateful for YOU.

Happy Thanksgiving and happy Thursday.  Wishing you a peaceful weekend and some successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

Get Updates

Filed Under: My Little Miracles Tagged With: #Employment, #ExtremeGratitude, #GratitudeJournal, #LifeAfterRetirement, #MyLittleMiracles, #Thankful, #ThankfulThursday, #Thanksgiving

Older
Newer

Comments

  1. AvatarDeb says

    November 28, 2019 at 3:29 am

    I am sitting here grinning from ear to ear as I read about PC’s job – isn’t it strange how things work out? I am so happy for you – definitely prayers answered.
    Hope you have a happy thanksgiving, you certainly have much to be thankful for!
    Sorry to hear that both mothers are causing concern (that link doesn’t work for us UK girls for some reason) – we really are the ‘sandwich’ generation caring for elderly parents while helping with children and grandchildren.
    But most of all – CONGRATULATIONS PC! So pleased that you have found a job close to home and not only that, but earning more money for Leslie to spend 😉

    Reply
  2. AvatarMary says

    November 28, 2019 at 6:01 am

    You certainly have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, Leslie. Congratulations!!

    Reply
  3. AvatarJuhli says

    November 28, 2019 at 6:56 am

    Congratulations to PC on the new job! Retiring with Federal employee benefits is really a great thing. I am so happy for you both.

    Reply
  4. AvatarDara says

    November 28, 2019 at 7:01 am

    Hooray for the job offer! That is great news!

    Reply
  5. AvatarCindi says

    November 28, 2019 at 10:51 am

    Leslie, I am so, so happy your Prince got that local job. Praise the Lord.
    Now that you have gotten a ‘taste’ of what life could have been like without that job, I hope it inspires your guys to save, save, save and then save some more.
    Have a wonderful, Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply
  6. AvatarNancy says

    November 28, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    Congratulations on the job!! I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving.

    Reply
  7. AvatarRebecca Jo says

    November 28, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    Congrats to your Prince!!! So exciting!
    Hope you’ve had a wonder Thanksgiving!!!

    Reply
  8. Avatarjodie filogomo says

    November 29, 2019 at 9:49 am

    Leslie…that is SUCH GOOD news about your husband’s new job offer. Definitely prayers answered and gratefulness abounds!!
    I bet writing down our gratitudes is even better than saying them. I think Rob and I should start that idea!!
    Love ya, and happy Thanksgiving,
    XOXO
    Jodie

    Reply
  9. AvatarLaurie says

    November 30, 2019 at 8:34 am

    So happy for you and PC. A job in El Paso sounds wonderful. I hope your Thanksgiving dinner and the 5k yesterday went well. Will we read about the race in future posts? We were in AZ yesterday and the weather was not good!

    Reply
  10. AvatarAmy Johnson says

    December 1, 2019 at 10:38 am

    Oh my goodness, that’s great news about PC’s new job. I’m so happy for you. Happy Belated Thanksgiving. I love this post. I did a month long gratitude Bible study on FB that I shared with my family on Thanksgiving Day. It made our meal extra special.

    Reply
  11. AvatarJill says

    December 3, 2019 at 7:43 am

    That is such wonderful news that your PC has found a job right there in your town! I am so happy for you that everything is finally falling into place! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your 5K was a success!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    Reply
  12. AvatarShugunna Alexander says

    December 4, 2019 at 10:19 pm

    Congrats to your husband on new job Leslie. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Peace and blessings for your entire family.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello

In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here.

Let’s Be Friends

Be My Bloglovin’ Bud

Follow

Best of the Blog

  • soup recipe blog hop Soup-Chili-Stew Recipe Swap & Blog Hop posted on November 12, 2019
  • wearing lately What I'm Wearing Lately 11.2019 posted on November 19, 2019
  • mini-Christmas bucket list My 2019 Mini-Christmas Bucket List posted on November 21, 2019
  • 10 Favorite Gifts Christmas Giveaway & 10 Favorite Gifts: 10 on the 10th posted on November 14, 2019
  • World Through My Lens, 10.2019 posted on November 10, 2019

Archives

Search

Disclosure

Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click a link provided we may receive a very small commission. Thank you for your support!

My GoodReads, Follow Me!

Reading
Recently Read

Alison & Aubrey Jewelry

Shop here.

Winter 2019 Capsule Wardrobe – Click to Register

Put On a Fresh New Face

Register here for complete class access and all shopping list recommendations. Learn to use new tools to update your look.

Sentence a Day

Sentence a Day, 12.2018

Short Story Prompt Link Up Party

Short Story Prompt Link Party Featured

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge


Wellness Wednesday

I’m A Featured Blogging Grandmother

Blogging Grandmothers Link Party Featured Blogger - A Link Party Exclusively for Blogging Grandmothers

Ageless Style Guest Host

Thursday Fashion Files Fashionista

Thursday-Fashion-Files-Side-Bar-150x150

Fancy Friday Fashion Link-Up

Nancy’s

Member of the Forever Fierce Revolution

Forever Fierce 2018: The Midlife Revolution

Let Your Fingers Do the Shopping




Shop til You Drop




Audible – I love it

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

Follow me on Instagram @onceuponatimehappilyeverafter

onceuponatimehappilyeverafter

In the blink of an eye, I've gone from full-time wife, hands-on mom & librarian to a retired, empty nester rediscovering who I am.

Instagram post 2193240128191996206_465725714 12.06.2019 Glad to spend a few days with my mom. Do you think we look alike? 
#insta2019📸 
#motherlove 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter 
#daughterlove 
#tograndmothershousewego
Instagram post 2191610804087122339_465725714 12.04.2019 Key pieces for fashionistas over 50. 
#fashionover60 
#fashionafter50 
#myfashionhaus 
#insta201📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter 
#fashionablegrandma
Instagram post 2191608697523087866_465725714 12.04.2019 Registration is OPEN! Mommies and Mimis can be fashionable too. Add new pieces and perk up old faves in your winter wardrobe. 
Link in profile.
#gypostylechallenge 
#winter2019capsulewardrobe
#fashionover60 
#insta201📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Instagram post 2191115546844942443_465725714 12.03.2019 Troy, Ohio court house. Beautiful tile, marble and woodwork. 
#courthouse 
#insta201📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Instagram post 2188666794854933108_465725714 11.30.2019 Our little airport looking festive for Christmas at 5:00 am. Off to show our moms some love.
#daughterlove 
#motherlove 
#insta2019📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Instagram post 2183812385234957555_465725714 11.23.2019 UTEP-NMSU battle of I-10. Both teams 1-9, 13-14 at the half. Who will win this game? Great seats, $12, even better company. 
#insta201📸 
#2019autumnbucketlist 
#collegefootball 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Load More...

FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST @ONCEUPONATIMEHAPPILYEVERAFTER

So you've decided to make your own DIY Christmas cards? Well, we have compiled some of the best and easy Christmas card ideas that may inspire you as you make your own holiday card. Handmade Christmas cards can be a good craft to make with your kids. These DIY christmas cards can be sent alone... #christmascardsChristmas cards handmade design ideas 86DIY Christmas Cards Quick And Easy To Make - family holiday.net/guide to family holidays on the internetChristmas cards handmade design ideas 13 - Creative Maxx Ideas37 Easy DIY Christmas Card Craft (16)HELP! It looks like this elf is stuck in a cup. How did that happen?
Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

Site

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Craft
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Love
  • Reviews

Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email

Copyright © 2019 · Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.