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OT - Thankful Thursday

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Submitted by Aniki-Moderator on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 2:14pm

Happy Winter Solstice, STalkers! Winter officially begins at 10:27 PM EST tonight. No white Christmas for this snow lover. The temperature on Christmas Eve will be almost 50° F. That's shorts weather! So much for that thick, fluffy sweater I'd planned to wear. A lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and Chucks without socks will be this Finn's holiday attire.

The holiday season can be a stressful and/or depressing time for some. Step hell can really add to the negative. It might be helpful to take a few minutes to think about the positives in your life. I am thankful for:

  • Waking up this morning. I've been dealing with some health issues lately and going through some cardiology tests. The last few weeks have me contemplating my mortality. And while I know I have more days behind me than ahead, I'm hoping I have years. But I woke up this morning, fully functional (despite no coffee!)
  • My Dad, my first rock. 93yo and still spouting words of wisdom. He's the best person I've ever known and my hero. If I can be even half the man he is, I'm doing a hella good job.
  • My DH, and second rock. Like Dad, DH is steady as the day is long. He's the only one who knows about my health issues and had simply been 110% unwavering in his solidity. I am beyond blessed to have these two amazing men in my life.
  • My job. It's not easy having King Pita for a boss. The bottom line is he is a nice man. A dipshidiot at times, and has his finger in too many pies, but he means well and is genuinely nice. I love what I do, am good at it, and like most of my coworkers - all of which are key.
  • I have a solid roof over my head, a good vehicle, and food to eat. I have so many blessings that others do not.
  • You. Yes, you. StepTalk is another family to me. We laugh together, cry together, go through good times and bad. When one of us is down, there is always someone here to console, speak words of wisdom (even when it's a little verbal butt kicking that we need), recommend ways to get help, and send a much-needed virtual hug. Thank you.

 

And I am truly thankful for that morning a couple months ago when I woke up different. I couldn't explain it, but I had such a sense of serenity. Scrolling instagram a bit later, I happened upon a meme that uncannily described it to a T...

One morning she woke up different. Done with trying to figure out who was with her, against her, or walking down the middle because they didn’t have the guts to pick a side. She was done with anything that didn’t bring her peace. She realized that opinions were a dime a dozen, validation was for parking, and loyalty wasn’t a word but a lifestyle. It was this day that her life changed. And not because of a man or a job but because she realized that life is way too short to leave the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket.

ETA: And a dear friend just emailed that same meme to me just now (20 minutes after I posted). What are the odds?!

I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season and that any stress factors are minimal. 

Hauskaa Joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!!!

Comments

Rags's picture

Submitted by Rags on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 3:52pm

Thanks for bringing this topic.

For me: 

  • While I am struggliing with some eye issues and am taking on the appearance of a pirate due to the tendency to keep my R eye closed, health is great.  Just finished my quarterly appts with my Endo and my GP. All my labs are in the normal range.  Even for a nondiabetic. Woo Hoo.
  • My mom and dad are recovering from some scary health stuff and are well on their way back to being their usual amazing incorrigible selves.  I won the parent lottery.  That, is the foundation of my amazing life.
  • Though unemployed since the end of June, my schedule is blowing up with interviews.  Woo Hoo.  Now, how to re-engage in my career while maintaining DW's career as the priority in our work lives.  Where we live there is not much opportunity for what I do. We moved here for just about the only place there is for my career. So, we will likely go back to the road warrior model for me or.... the bi-located work thing and get home as regularly as I can or see her when she can visit.  Not great, but.... not catasrophic either.
  • Finances.  We are fine.  No debt, DW has a great income.  We have hit our retirement goals as far as our investments are concerned.  The problem is... it is 5 to 8yrs earlier than we intended to retire and adding 5 to 8yrs of demand on our resources will have notable impact on our planned retirement quality of life.  So, what to do?  Hmmmmm?  Back to work!!!!
  • SKid. He is doing well. On that, his mom and I are very happy and proud.  Now for the rest of the story.... However, no communication on his travel itenerary to join us at my parents for the Rags clan Christmas.  I am hopeful that this is just his usual he is busy and will be there.  If not. I call the hitman. Again.
  • Housing. While we do not own a home, we live in a nice place that is affordable for the market we live in.  We have zero intent on buying in this market unless we just find a killer deal for the perfect place.  Interestingly, my mom and dad have decided that their home.... is our home.  My brother is extremely successful and apparently he and our parents have decided, the family home goes to us.  Not a bad thing. But it does have some limiting elements to it.  We love that area and lived their for more than a decade of our marriage, but.... not neccessarily where we want to retire.   Mom and dad want my brother and me geographicall close to each other so we can maintain our lives long close relationship.  This meets that parental desire an certainly reduces notable demand on our retirment financial demands.  No housing costs.  

Merry Christmas everyone. Thanks again Ani for focusing on the blessings.

ETA: Just got off Teams from an interview for the Unicorn opportunity.  Holy crap!  That was exciting. Thank goodness I am adept at understanding English spoken with any number of very strong non-native English speaker accents.  The relief on the EVP's face when I could understand him was nearly immediate.  Cross fingers and knock on wood that this is the one!!!!

Added bonus, DW's firm has a large office in that city.  

I-m so happy

Rags's picture

Submitted by Rags on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 3:58pm

And... Lol. I am not a sock guy unless it is cold.  I have socks that are darned (make that damned near, since I have no need to darn socks) near brand new after decades.  Though I do wear them for work.  Which means a pair has only been out of the drawer a very few times in the past 6mos.

Merry Finnish Christmas to you too Ani. Google Translate is my friend!!!

Rags's picture

Submitted by Rags on Fri, 12/29/2023 - 8:01pm

For sure.

Even in the desert SW I wear socks in the Winter.

Socks are great. They keep my diabetic feel all soft and pliable. I can't do bare foot or flip flops too much or I get calouses.

So, soft and snuggly feet for me.  Even if I would prefer to go without socks.

grannyd's picture

Submitted by grannyd on Sat, 12/23/2023 - 11:01pm

Aw, Ani,

Those are some lovely thoughts, Hon and should be noted every day of our lives! I'm also grateful for having my (step) Dad sharp and affectionate at 92; he's so great, wise and thoroughly wonderful. My husband is the best, most loving, loyal and generous guy in the world. I'm convinced of it. Those two blessings are more than enough to make me truly thankful.