Gratitude Challenge Day #45

Gratitude Challenge Day #45

Is it hard to believe it's Day 45 or has the time slowly ticked on? I can't decide.  Only a few more days left of our Stay at Home order so only a few more posts of gratitude.  I made a quick run into the office this morning to grab mail due to an unfortunate major debacle with UPS on trying to temporarily change our address.  As I was driving I was thinking about what I was going to write today and it occurred to me the beauty that I was surrounded with. Driving down Ward Parkway in Kansas City is iconic.  It's what makes Kansas City home.  I love that I get to drive down Ward Parkway to work during 3 of the seasons. Winter, can be eliminated from the calendar as far as I'm concerned.  The fountains, the leaves, the changing landscapes give living in Kansas City such a small town feel.  If you need to get out of the house and go on a drive, go drive down Ward Parkway to remind you of the simple pleasures.

Gratitude Challenge Day #44

Gratitude Challenge Day #44

In honor of Nurses Week, today I'm grateful for all the nurses who have touched my life. So grateful for all the help, support and guidance I have received from nurses who have worked for my care. I'm grateful for the nurses who are working on the front lines right now to the nurses who are maintaining other clinics so patients, like me, can continue their care. Thank you!

Gratitude Challenge Day #43

Gratitude Challenge Day #43

Where's the Beef? I'm from Iowa don't try to trick me with anything that isn't beef! A story on the news this morning particularly caught my attention, as with the articles I have been reading, on the toll COVID 19 is having on farmers and the meat industry. It makes me so sad. Today I'm grateful for a good steak and farmers who help get beef on the table in many of our homes.

Picture of steak I was able to grill the other night. A wise person taught me for a good medium rare steak to cook 5 minutes on one side and flip and 6 on the other. So far that seems to be a good trick! Additional picture, one of the greatest cattle institutions I know, a visit to Adams Land & Cattle 2014.

Gratitude Challenge Day #42

Gratitude Challenge Day #42

I have never been so grateful for this obnoxious thing. What is it you might ask? It's a portable dishwasher. One that you drive across your kitchen and hook the hose up to the faucet.  When you live in a small old house you don't always have modern luxuries hence the need to get portable ones.  Unfortunately, this is my 3rd portable dishwasher in 13 years. Quality isn't real fine and we won't talk about the one model that had some challenges with mice infestation from 2007-2009 which I still have nightmares.   You know finding mice droppings in your dishwasher daily for months and nobody believes you that you could have mice getting in your dishwasher until you google the model and that's the first topic that comes up! Thankfully this is a new model and no said issues have ever occurred again.  It's gotta a real workout the last two months and for that I am so grateful because I HATE washing dishes.....

Gratitude Challenge Day #41

Gratitude Challenge Day #41

I keep thinking about people who live all alone in their homes with no pets and it makes me so sad! There is no way I could survive this time without Ries. When this is over I may be asking everybody if they need to go out, go potty, or want a treat but that's ok! I rescued Ries when she had just turned 1 and had had 7 puppies. She had been in 2 foster homes and 3 shelters. Needless to say, yes she is a shitshow! Named after my favorite wine at the time, Riesling, disgusting, you couldn't pay me to drink that now. If I got her today she'd be definitely be named Sauvy. She keeps me on my toes, is always one step ahead of me, has a little bit of trouble obeying boundaries, loves hunting in the backyard, eating food that isn't hers, afraid of flies, hates strangers, especially strangers who talk to her, the UPS man, Amazon Prime, the mailman, the lawn people, the doorbell. The list goes on.....But my world would be so dark without her. Today I'm so grateful for this ornery little mess. While I can't wait to have people back over at this house, Ries hopes you all stay the heck away! Unless you are her Grammy, Papa or her friend Ollie...

I leave you with some of our finer moments.....

Gratitude Challenge Day #40

Gratitude Challenge Day #40

It's finally day 40. Yesterday I got a day ahead and had to retract a day! A few years ago a friend came to visit and was astounded that I could grill. I was like "Are you serious? Of course I can grill." Today I'm grateful that I can walk right outside my backdoor to my grill and grill myself some supper whenever I want. Whoever said you need to be married or have a husband to grill? This season in life has given my independence a complete run for the money as I rely on others to run my errands and go places. I imagine there are many lessons each of us will take away from this time.

Picture- just a lonely little hamburger being grilled for dinner. Can't wait until others can join me for some burgers on my deck!

Gratitude Challenge Day #39

Gratitude Challenge Day #39

It’s been incredibly hard to find gratitude this week. Like many of you, I’m beyond over this isolation and quarantine but recognize for my health and for others it is best to stay put no matter what may be reopening. As I was standing at my kitchen sink this morning I realized how grateful I am for my backyard outdoor oasis. I’d be climbing the walls by now if I lived someplace without outdoor living space. When I moved to this house it had absolutely no landscaping and my Dad has helped me bring it to life. For that I’m grateful.