Days of my Life - Window to My World: gratitud

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Freezing Favorites and So Much Gratitude

Welcome to my favorites things from this past week, It's been cold here in Utah, but being grateful always warms the heart. I am linking again with Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story for Fridays Fave Five, and Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday to share my simple gratitude and cold week favorites.

First freeze and sunny days- We had our first freeze of the winter this week and it tied a record for the latest freeze of the season. I was able to get all of my plants covered and prepared for the temperature drop the night before the temperature dropped, so hopefully they will all survive and come back next spring. Despite the low temperatures, we had a couple of beautiful sunny, but cold days. I liked this sunrise which I saw from the parking lot as I pulled up to school one chilly morning last week.

Afternoon walks - Charly and I have been taking our walks as soon as I get home from school in the afternoon. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we listen to an audiobook, and sometimes we walk in silence, but a walk with Charly is always my favorite part of the day. One cold afternoon, we saw this little flower which, having survived the freeze the night before, was the last flower in the garden covered over by leaves.

Empty classroom - While I enjoy working with my students, it was nice this last Wednesday and Thursday, when all of my students went to the Career Center with the counselors, to do some college and career planning. I had two full school days to grade, plan and work on professional development online classes.

Another class complete - I finished yet another class while I had some time alone in my classroom. This class was called "Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty and Stress," which is always a useful topic. I started another class the next day. My goal is to finish 10 of 20 credits necessary for my salary increase, by the end of 2021, and I am almost there.

Holiday bonus - We got our annual bonus in our paycheck this past week. Extra money for the holidays is always welcome and appreciated.

Thanksgiving dinner ordered - For years and years, Charly and I worked together to make every delicious bit of our family Thanksgiving dinner. About three years ago, however, Charly saw a commercial for KFC's cajun fried turkey and wanted to try it. We did and now we are hooked on this easy, economical and tasty way to do Thanksgiving. Our KFC turkey dinner is now ordered. I do plan to add stuffing, pumpkin pie and a few other extras to our meal, but this makes Thanksgiving so much more enjoyable and less exhausting.

Christmas boxes dropped off - Our Operation Christmas Child boxes were packed up last weekend and yesterday, I took them to a nearby church that is a drop-off point.

This is the church where I dropped off the boxes - less than ten minutes from where I work. We are grateful that we have a little extra to help others at Christmas, and this is a such a wonderful way to start the season of giving.

Four years later - Four years ago on November 19, 2017, this guy suffered a massive stroke/brain aneurysm. I almost lost him, but after two months in four different hospitals, he came home to me. Charly is my "miracle man." Sadly, so many who have this kind of stroke do not survive. I am so grateful that Charly not only survived, but has recovered and continues to thrive. I will always be grateful to God and all those who helped my husband get and stay better. I have so much gratitude for the gift of life and four more years with the man I love.

Finally on last Friday Favorites post before Thanksgiving, I will list some of the things I am most grateful for: