Skip to main content

Ten Things of Thankful: It's Only January, but I'm Taking a Break

A simple graphic of a January 2019 calendar (surprisingly, with only a 4x4 grid)
A new year often brings re-commitment, re-direction, and renewal of enthusiasm. A blank calendar shows possibilities: routines to be developed, and breaks to schedule in. While I know it's only January--the traditional "routines to be developed" phase--I'm shaking things up and starting with a break. I will be away from my blog and generally off-line for the next few weeks, but never fear, the Ten Things of Thankful link-up will go on. I will respond to comments and read linked posts when I return from my break. 

 This week, I'm thankful for:

 1. Book club. When I was a child, I had no problem at all living with my nose constantly stuck in a book. As an adult, I am trying to remember that it is OK to spend hours reading. Book club is a step in the right direction. I "have to" read, but I'm having fun, and have given myself permission to read other books, too. 

 2. Thrift stores. I wanted an actual, physical copy of The Help (the book club selection for February), but didn't want to spend new-book prices.  Although I love my Kindle, it's so much easier for me to remember/find certain sections of a book when I'm holding an actual book. I thought I could probably find a copy, and I was right.

 3. Books and movies. I had seen the movie before reading the book. The movie was excellent, but I was delighted to discover I still preferred the book (although I must say that I definitely imagined Minny as Octavia Spencer the entire time I was reading.)

 4. Google. I was sewing what should have been a quick project when my sewing machine started acting up. A quick search lead me to an answer I should have thought of myself, but didn't. (Have you remembered to regularly clean your machine, or at the very least, have you thought to clean it now?)

 5. Easy solutions. I removed the foot plate, removed a WHOLE LOT of lint, and voila! The sewing machine functioned properly, and I finished my project.

 6. A budget. When John and I were first married, I wanted a way to make sure that I wasn't surprised by expenses. John wrote a computer program that allowed us to divide the paycheck into personalized categories. Instead of just seeing how much money was in the bank account, I could see on paper how the money was allocated.  The twice-yearly insurance payments never caught me off guard. Though the program is now in an Excel document rather than on a floppy disc, it is essentially the same program he originally came up with. It's one of those simple things that has made a difference in our lives. 

 7. Friendly neighbors. I am constantly amazed. The doorbell rang this week, and a woman handed us a plate of (delicious!) homemade cookies. She said she was thankful for us, and John's willingness to serve in the bishopric, and told us she was praying for us. So sweet--her, and the cookies!

 8. Time. When I stress out, it's often because I feel crunched for time. I think the last time I was bored was in 1969; I NEVER run out of things to do. This week, though filled with a list of must-do's with a fast-approaching deadline, has felt manageable, even relaxing. Time is stretching. 

 9. Thoughts/themes. When I started this blog almost 8 (!) years ago, I chose the name Thankful Me as an intentional reminder to myself to be thankful. I have explored other ideas in the years since (though without starting another blog).  One of those concepts has been "joy," and I think I will be pondering more on that this year, and trying to recognize joy in my life.

 10. John, AKA my best friend, and a definite source of joy.

 What are you thankful for this week? As always, you are invited to join the blog hop. The more, the merrier!

Comments

  1. messymimiJanuary 18, 2019 at 5:32 PM

    Enjoy your break, i hope you are spending it having a great time with people you love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. clarkJanuary 20, 2019 at 11:48 AM

    We, (Cynthia and Denise and me), were on the Doctrine call-in last night and this very topic came up... the idea of taking a break, to re-charge, rejuvenate whatever the term. We agreed that it is a) necessary (or at least quite advisable) and 2) difficult to actually do... so its good to read you are off on a break.
    We'll be here when you return.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pat BJanuary 20, 2019 at 6:54 PM

    I remember when I read The Help, it was hard to put it down! I read it before seeing the movie.
    Your sewing machine must have been really been in need a cleaning, especially after all the different types of sewing projects you have done the past few months!
    Let me guess. . .boredom in 1969. Was that the time I went looking for you?

    ReplyDelete
  4. GirlieOnTheEdgeJanuary 20, 2019 at 9:29 PM

    Isn't Google an incredible resource?! Whenever I'm stumped and can't figure something out, have a question why something isn't working, just about anything, I'm googling it :D
    Google and the YouTube. Boy, young people today have it made lol
    Enjoy your break! May you have a restful, enjoyable, reinvigorating time away :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. grams ramblingsJanuary 21, 2019 at 6:34 AM

    Love your thankfulls, especially no6, budgeting. We have always lived withing a budget and I must say I'm very thankful for that. It was forced on us years ago, but the habit was formed and life is easier because of it.
    Enjoy your break

    gramswisewords.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1artsychickJanuary 23, 2019 at 9:25 PM

    I love that you are giving yourself permission to read for pure joy too.
    I found a book club this week that I think I'll join, it's focused on art and artist. Just up my ally.
    Your budget program sounds a lot like my hubbys! :-)

    have a wonderful week.....ummm...break.
    wendy at picnicwithants.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Conversations are so much nicer when more than one person does the talking. :-) Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts; I'd love to hear from you!

Popular posts from this blog

Ten Things of Thankful: Last Two Weeks

  Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, as viewed from an overlook I apologize for not commenting on your blog posts this past week; John and I took a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, leaving behind our computers and, to a large extent, cell phone service. We escaped the outside world and just spent time in nature. Though we have friends near Yellowstone (who we love to visit) we made this trip just about us, so please forgive us if we were nearby and didn't stop by. The crowds were minimal (though we did mask up whenever we passed someone on the trails) and we spent our days hiking, taking photos, and watching geysers erupt. Today, we are back home and back to work, and, in the case of my computer, back to old shenanigans like not letting me import my photos. (I was able to add the above photo by using blogger on my phone, but that isn't my preferred method.) I want to write about Yellowstone and have photos I want to share, but will leave that for another
10 comments
Read more

Ten Things of Thankful: December is Here!

  A small snowflake ornament made of clear melted beads hangs on a Christmas tree The rhythm of time passing should not surprise me--after all, that is our experience here on earth--and yet I find myself constantly amazed at how another week/month/year has come and gone. In a blink of an eye, we are now in December and the Christmas season. I love Christmas!  1. I'm thankful for decorations. The tree is up, lights are hung, nativities adorn the house. Stockings are hung in anticipation of little ones visiting. Someone asked me this week what my tree looks like. I'm a sentimental tree decorator. I didn't even realize until not that long ago that some people have themes for their trees that are anything other than "a hodge-podge of ornaments made and collected over the years, each with a history that brings memories flooding back." At this point in my life, I have more ornaments than tree space, so not every ornament goes up each year. I always find room for the sma
3 comments
Read more

Ten Things of Thankful: Even in Times of Uncertainty

  A railroad switch point on the tracks at the Golden Spike National Historic Park There is a lot I don't know. I don't know who will lead the United States for the next four years (at the time I'm composing this post, that hasn't been determined yet.) I don't know when covid cases will stop rising in my state and start decreasing. I don't know how challenging situations will turn out. There is much uncertainty in life. Living in limbo-land is hard. It's emotionally exhausting. It can be immobilizing. My body seems to think chocolate is the answer, but I know that isn't a long-term solution. What do I need in times like these? I need to REMEMBER . 1. R esilience. People are resilient. I am resilient. I'm thankful for resilience. 2. " E ach Life That Touches Ours for Good." So many people, both those I know in "real life," and those I have only met virtually, have taught me, encouraged me, and been examples to me. I'm thankful
13 comments
Read more