Thankful Thursday

Wow, here we are speeding our way through May. Can you believe it's Mother's Day this weekend and next week will mark the middle of the month already? Sheesh...we aren't even getting to enjoy much in the way of warm, spring weather. Maybe I'll feel it's safe to plant outside soon. Maybe.

Oh well, weather grumbles aside, there is plenty to be thankful for this week.

1. My stepdad's spinal procedure went well. Obviously, he isn't up and doing jumping jacks, but the pain has stopped. He got out of bed today and they had him walk to the door of his room and back and then he sat in a chair for a while. Wonderful after more than a week of constant excruciating pain!

2. More good news, my stepdad should be released from the hospital tomorrow to move to a rehab facility. This one is much closer to home as wound care is not the priority any longer.

3. Mom seems a lot less stressed already.

4. Our son-in-law's father had a procedure today to implant a device that will make a faulty heart valve work right. He ended up in a room just a few doors down from my stepdad so Mom stopped to see him. She reported that he was sitting up and feeling fine.

5. Our daughter discovered termites at my mom's house. She called the man who treated her house for them and he gave a low ball price due to all Mom's been dealing with and got her on the list for about 2 weeks from now.

6. Mom's (relatively) newer deck that is made out of composite has been leaning. She thought it was sinking and called someone to take a look and give and estimate on fixing it. He charged $350 to look (very unethical) and has never come back and won't answer her calls. Our daughter and the termite guy discovered the post in the "sinking" corner has rotted (no termites). Tim propped it up last night and will put all new posts under it this weekend. 

7. My coworker and I have been working on the decorations for June's company picnic. I think I've mentioned it's a Wild West theme. He's been working on murals painted on paper with cacti, fences, and an old west town. I've been making cacti out of paper plates to put on all the tables. They are turning out so cute and everyone loves them! The photo doesn't show the ones I've made (I never thought to take pictures today) but mine are like these, but all in shades of green.

7. I had fun last night taking my granddaughter to get our nails done.

8. My "check engine" light came on today. I stopped at Auto Zone to have them use their diagnostic gizmo and it turns out I need a new battery. I'll get it done this weekend as it's just starting to go and hasn't given me any trouble other than making the light come on. I'm relieved it wasn't anything worse.

9. We had a very successful day selling our crafts at the softball opener last Saturday.

That's just some of this week's blessings and this is where I'm going to call it a night. Happy Friday to you and enjoy your weekend!

Currently

I am

Reading... I'm ashamed to say it's still nothing. Just too much going on.

Watching... American Idol. They're down to the top 5 and this week they have the top 5 from the 2006 season on.

Listening... to the air conditioner. After some pretty chilly days it's warm again. Unfortunately, it's only for one more day and then it's back to rainy and cool.

Eating... I just enjoyed a big, hard pretzel.

Thinking... about an idea for a way to give back. I was talking to a friend who runs a free-store at her church. People donate and EVERYTHING is free to anyone who wants to go look. I had a thought after watching a reel on Facebook and asked her what if we took her store to nursing homes as sort of a pop-up boutique and let residents "shop" like they used to. My friend is excited, too. She's got to get her son better before we can do anything, though. He hurt his knee playing football last year and has had several surgeries already and may have to endure one more. He's in a lot of pain. Seventeen and he can barely manage to get from the bed to the bathroom. Poor guy. Anyway, looking forward to seeing if we can make this happen.

Feeling... relaxed.

Celebrating... a successful day selling our crafts on Saturday and that today was a really good day.

Enjoying... that it's staying light outside past 8:00.

Looking forward to... taking my granddaughter with me to get our nails done after work on Wednesday.

Before I get to the giggles, here's a little bit of an update on my stepdad. He is still in the hospital. They went in and put a stent in an aneurysm behind his left knee on Friday. That went well, but it's the fractured vertebra they found that is causing him terrible pain. They are going to put a needle into his spine on Wednesday and inject stuff that is supposed to fuse the vertebra and bring instant relief. 

I don't know why, but Mom seems to be so sure they are going to mess up and the needle is going to "end up in the wrong place." If it does, it won't be a good thing. Even if all goes well he is probably going to have to go to a rehab facility again for a couple of weeks. He has a LOT of little issues going on and is depressed. Mom doesn't seem to think he's going to be around much longer. He is 85, but there really isn't anything that imminent, but I learned with my adoptive dad...attitude is a huge part of the battle and if the fight has gone out of him...

Whew after that we need a laugh.

Giggling at...

Read all of it, not just the part circled in red.