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Ten Things of Thankful: Back Home Edition

After the adventure of driving to Oregon, driving back home this week was downright boring--and that is thankful number 1! There are plenty more things to be thankful for, though, and they aren't all "thankfuls of omission."


2.  I'm thankful for the insight I gained into the impact that Grandma made on people through the years.  So many items at her sale sold because she had put her name on the thing.  I can't begin to remember how many people told me they bought something "because it has her name on it."  I've been pondering on the significance of names lately, and am beginning to think they are more important than perhaps I've recognized. 

3.  I'm thankful for oldest son and his wife, who welcomed me into their apartment and gave me a place to sleep on the way home.  We had fun visiting, eating at food trucks, and sharing new favorite TV shows.  

4.  I'm thankful for the emails I keep receiving to rate my stay at the Super 8.  I haven't written any reviews yet, and probably won't. The hotel itself was clean and comfortable.  The staff was friendly.  The shooting was a fluke, and I would hate for an event that (in all likelihood) won't be repeated to keep someone from staying there. However, the impish side of me chuckles as I mentally think of what I could say in a review:  "So well insulated I didn't hear the gunshot!"  "An exciting stay!"  "The breakfast went on, even as the parking lot swarmed with the entire police force!"  So, Super 8, forgive me if I don't write a review of my stay, but thank you for making me laugh at the thought that you want my review.   

5.  I'm thankful for clearer skies when I arrived home.  When I left, the fire was raging, darkening the sky and raining down ash.  While the air quality isn't perfect now, it is so much better, and the sky can be described accurately as blue.  

6.  I'm thankful for a good veterinarian.  As soon as I arrived home, John told me that Drexel had started limping that morning.  I noticed that Drexel's nail had torn.  I called the vet and took Drexel right in.  Poor dog had to have the torn nail removed.  I recognize that had to have hurt, and Drexel made sure that I was well-aware of his situation.  He spent the next couple of days hobbling along, whimpering at times.  


Photo:  Drexel gives his best "poor me" pose, as he lifts his sore, bandaged paw.

I remember when he was a guide dog puppy-in-training.  If he ever stepped on something, he immediately stood still and lifted his paw in the air, waiting for me to fix his problem. Unfortunately, the fix for his current problem is time.  He did get pain killers for a couple of days, and fortunately he seems to be doing better each day.  We are both looking forward to his new nail growing in, and I'm hoping the problem doesn't reoccur.  (I'm not even sure how he managed to break it; he gets his nails trimmed regularly.)

7.  I'm thankful for local entertainment.  John and I enjoy going to the minor league baseball games.  One of the perks to minor league baseball is that there are silly little things to keep the crowd amused between innings.  In the case of our team, we have a dancing grounds crew.  I managed to get a video this time, but am experiencing technical difficulties in trying to get it from my phone to this post.  Sorry.  

8.  I'm thankful for Facebook.  When I was a senior in high school, we had an exchange student from Brazil stay with us for the school year.  I had lost touch with her over the years, but recently reconnected through Facebook.  We have a lot to catch up on, but at least now it's possible!

9.  I'm thankful that my kids are grown, and my life doesn't revolve around a school calendar anymore.  Youngest daughter and I will be headed to Utah later this week in anticipation of BYU's Education Week next week.  I'm looking forward to spending time with her there, and visiting with youngest son.

10.  I'm thankful for John.  I've missed him while I've been gone, and I'll miss him while I'm gone on this upcoming trip.  We've enjoyed getting back into the normal routine this week:  meals together, conversations throughout the day, church, date night, a run . . . even chores like loading the dishwasher are just more fun with him around!

How has your week gone?  What are you thankful for?





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Comments

  1. Poor Drexel! Ouch! Lots of travel! And how sweet is it that someone's name is held in such esteem that people want a part of it....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been thinking a lot about the significance of names since that sale.

      Delete
  2. Poor Drexel! Ouch! Lots of travel! And how sweet is it that someone's name is held in such esteem that people want a part of it....

    ReplyDelete
  3. "The hotel itself was clean and comfortable. The staff was friendly. The shooting was a fluke..."
    Well, there's a testimonial/review in and of itself! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am SO tempted to write a review, but if anyone were to read it, I would feel bad if they decided against staying there. I really think it was a fluke. :-)

      Delete
  4. I've been out of the loop for too long! I laughed so loudly at #4 that David asked me about it and I had to read it to him. He got a good laugh out of it, too! I will have to go back and read more about this!
    Poor Drexel! He reminds me a little of the cat I had when I got married, Helen. I had her declawed, and when I was watching her, she would walk on her entire forearms and look pitiful. When she didn't know I could see her, she walked along on her feet just like normal. Hope his toe is better soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, it was quite the adventure! Truth definitely was stranger than fiction for me that week.
      Drexel and Helen sound like two peas in a pod.

      Delete
  5. Poor Drexel! Glad he's on the mend.

    Sounds like you've had an astonishing time lately, but I'm glad you're alright and that things are generally going well.

    Names are a big thing to think about - one of those topics that gets bigger the more you consider it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Who said uneventful is boring? Who said boring is...bad?! lol I'm so very glad your return trip did not contain drama of the sort you had at the beginning of the trip:) You sure about #4? lol I think you'd write an excellent review *wink*
    What lovely testament to your Grandma.
    Poor baby! I hope Drexel's nail is growing back and his paw is much improved.

    ReplyDelete

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