Friday's Fave Five #878

 

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  Looking for our favorite blessings from the last week and not forgetting to be grateful to God for them.  I will be joining in with my own post later today.  I, unfortunately. was hit with being really sick this week and just didn't have the energy left after work to put a thoughtful post together, but go ahead and link on and I'll join you as soon as I can today.  

Whew, finally was able to make it on here.  It's been a week.  I had to take 2 sick days and probably should have taken a third.  If you know me, you know I never take sick days.  In fact, the last one was when I had doctor diagnosed flu about 7 years ago.  But in spite of the tough week there were glimpses of God's goodness throughout and I want to be thankful and celebrate those.

~ first aid recertification done ~  done for another 3 years.  I was quite anxious for this, but though the day was long, 6 hours, and exhausting, doing CPR is no joke, I came away feeling quite confident with the skills.  This is a requirement for work and was due by the end of February so I could not miss this even though I was starting to sense I might be coming down with something.  

~ caring hubby ~ so thankful for hubby who did his best to take care of me by running for things like orange juice, wor won ton soup (our go to when we don't feel great) and prescriptions

~ understanding dayhome parents ~  not just that they understood that I needed to take sick days (you'd be amazed how many don't), but that a couple of them even mentioned to me that in all the time they've been with me they've noticed that I've never taken a day for being sick.  That was a blessing to me knowing that someone noticed and cared enough to let me know that.  

~ helpful and caring agency and consultants ~ so thankful for the agency I am registered with and  the caring individuals who run it.  From my consultant to the director to the accounting administrator, they were all helpful in everything I needed from taking my txts and phone calls on a Sunday to subbing to answering my questions as to what to do when I have to take sick days.  I know it's all extra work for them when someone calls in sick and I'm grateful they were so kind

~ fun tv ~ I was happy to find a show to watch while laid up in the arm chair.  I was so sick I couldn't even focus on reading.  But my sis told me about her favorite sitcom now on a streaming service.  I am not a sitcom liker in the least and usually don't find them funny and mostly crossing lines, but I am enjoying this one, so far.  Pretty clean content with only minimal swearing.  I binge watched the first season.  Nice to have something to take my mind off not feeling well.  

Well hope you are all healthy and feeling well.  What were your blessings this week?

Friday's Fave Five #877

Well, welcome to a frigid Friday's Fave Five.  We've been plunged into the deep freeze this week with a big winter storm on Tuesday.  The storm is over but the cold stayed behind.   I finally get to use my winter FFF button.  But bad weather doesn't stop us from taking of note of blessings in our lives.  So if we don't like the weather where you are let's direct our focus to the good things God has brough out way this week.  

- Valentine's date ~ usually Hubby and I don't go out on Valentine's Day because of the crazy busyness of restaurants on that day.  But this year our favorite steak restaurant was open on that day starting at 11:00 a.m. rather than just for supper service at 3 or 4 so we decided to go for a nice steak dinner.   There was only 2 reservations available for the whole day and wouldn't you know one was for the time we wanted.  Thank you, God!  We had a lovely steak meal and it was nice and relaxed and not nearly as crazy busy as it would have been at night.

~ sweet valentine's from the kids ~ Valentine's is always a fun day with the dayhome kids.  They're always so excited and  love to share the treats they brought for each other and for me.  I was blessed with not just a fun little card and little sweet treats but one family went above and beyond and got me a gift card to a local Mexican restaurant which just happens to be my favorite.  Appreciate the kids and their families in my dayhome.

- cozy blankets ~ this week the soft, cozy throw blankets have been much appreciated by me.  So nice to have when reading a book or watching tv while the wintery weather is blowing outside.

- pedicure with sister ~ my sis and I made a spur of the moment pedicure appointment.   After my Mom passed away we are are determined to spend some time doing enjoyable things together.  The last years of both my Dad's and my Mom's life it seemed that all our conversations and time together was serious and having to talk through and deal with all the things that come with  senior parents with health issues.  We wanted the fun part of our relationship to resurface.   It's been a blessing reconnecting to the fun side of us.   

~ puzzle finished ~ Well, we did it, Hubby and I finished the puzzle.  I have to say it was super intimidating at first but then the challenge was fun trying to find how all those crazy pieces fit together.  We only worked on it on  the weekends, so it took us 3 weekends to do.  Yes, the accomplishment felt great but it was a blessing giving us something to work on together rather than sitting watching tv.  

StumpCraft Wood Puzzles

What were you're favorite blessings from last week that you are thankful for?

Friday's Fave Five #876

Welcome back to Friday's Fave Five.  .  It's time to look back over our week,  no matter what it's been like, good or bad, and find five shining moments that blessed us.  Sometimes it super easy and the 5 slots fill up fast, and sometimes we have to search a little harder.  But I know one thing, doing this for so many years, is that if we develop a habit of intentionally looking on a regular basis, when the hard times come, it becomes our anchor.  The blessings though they may be more hidden are easier to recognize.  If you're new you can go to the link in the sidebar and get the guidelines and then just join right in!

~ helpful Hubby and little friends ~ last Sunday I did something to me knee that made walking hard and bending my knee very painful.  I debated hard about calling a sick day on Monday but Hubby said if I didn't want to do that he would work from home and be around to help if I needed it.  Parents were told that they would have to be on call if things went south and I couldn't safely provide care.  It was amazing how all my little dayhome friends tried to be helpful in their own ways.  I even had one of the older ones watching me from the corner of her eyes all day and when I would make a move to stand up she'd run over to try and help me up.  She even took my elbow one time when I was going from kitchen to living room and walked me like a little boy scout with a little old lady crossing the street.  It was all very endearing.  Needless to say they all got a little treat at the end of the day.

~ making progress on the puzzle ~  whew, it's a doozy.  With two of us, working it over two weekends this is how far we've gotten.  But it's been a fun activity to do together.  

~ surprise phone call ~ in the middle of the day the phone rang with a number I didn't recognize.  Now usually I don't answer these because 9 times of ten they are someone trying to sell me something but for some reason I did answer this one.  And I'm so glad I did as it was from an old friend of ours who we haven't had communication with for many, many years.  He was just sitting at home and thought of us and called.  It was nice to get caught up on where life has taken them.

~ homemade chicken noodle soup ~ again this week I find myself fighting off some sort of cold trying to take ahold.  My Mom would always make soup for us when we weren't well and I did the same for my kids.  But when I'm not well I don't always feel like putting in the effort even though I know I'd love it.  But this week I knew I had about 4 containers of homemade turkey vegetable broth in the freezer,  It was easy to just thaw one out, boil some peas and carrots and noodles and I had delicious comfort food to stave off the virus within 20 minutes.  So glad I had that in the freezer for just such an occasion.  

~ vacation days booked ~ I finally decided on my summer vacation days for the year.  One week is always the same every year but the other can vary from year to year depending on what we are doing.  For some reason it's always stressful for me to choose that second week but it's finally done.  It's a relief and gives me something to look forward to and plan for.  

Have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow but before you go, what were 5 of your favorite blessings this week?

Friday's Fave Five #875

Hello and welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  We're taking our Friday pause to look back over the week for the blessings God brings to our lives.  Please join in with us as we develop our gratefulness. Everything's ok but due to circumstances beyond my control I will be joining in later .   Please go ahead and link your posts and I'll catch up with you all!  

Finally able to jump on here to post my favorite blessings from the week.  It's been a very busy, chaotic week but I don't want to miss the intentionality of taking that pause from the crazy to be able to be grateful.

~ gorgeous weather ~  it has been insanely beautiful weather here this week.  Like no jackets, spring clothes weather.  One of the dayhome parents jokingly asked if he should send sunscreen.  We're taking advantage of every moment we can outdoors soaking it in.  Though appreciative of it, on the other hand I'm praying for moisture because it is scary dry.  We've already had 2 major fires in the coulees that came way too close to the neighborhoods along the edge of the hills and entered the cemetary.  Thankful for hard working fire departments!!

~ great sermon series ~ Sunday's message was really good and made for great discussion at mid-week bible study as we hashed out how to apply it practically in our individual, everyday lives.  All the messages in this series they have been doing have been really good and really practical.  I like that the bible studies are given the outline and questions to take us deeper in a smaller group where we can ask questions and talk out when we question something that was said.

~ dinner out with a great couple ~ Friday evening we had dinner out at a great East Indian restaurant with a fun couple that we haven't seen in a very long time. It was really nice catching up with them and have good conversation, lots of laughs and amazing food.

~ puzzle started ~ last weekend Hubby and I finally broke out the puzzle we were gifted for Christmas.  It is a wooden puzzle with cool shapes none of which match each other.  Some pieces resemble something that goes with the picture of the puzzle.  For example, ours is a prairie sky scene with farm house and barns.  Some of the puzzle pieces are shaped like geese flying, birds, farm tools, milk cans and some of the pieces fit together to make an image of the artist playing a guitar.  I am not a puzzler, so this was really throwing me off the deep end in the puzzle world.  But it turned out to be a fun activity to do together even though we have to carefully pack it up on Sunday night so the dayhome kids don't get into it. There is nowhere to leave it out, so we'll carefully bring the flats back up to the kitchen table tonight for the weekend.    It's an absolutely gorgeous puzzle but it's gonna take awhile.  

~ birdsong ~ with the gorgeous weather the birds in all the trees surrounding our house have been putting on a concert and I am here for it!

What were your favorite blessings of the week? 

Friday's Fave Five #874

Well we are back to the birds on a wire button as the weather has been so gorgeous here this week, way above normal.  So welcome to a very mild and lovely Friday's Fave Five.  Taking a pause to reflect and look for blessings in our last week and always making sure we are thankful to God for them.  Please join us.

~ great bible study ~ I haven't been to study all month due to various reasons so was grateful to be able to get back to it this week.  Working from home and with half a dozen little ones all day, I find I really need that mid-week gathering of women and adult conversation where I never have to say things such as "walking feet please, inside voices please, or we don't poke our fingers in our friends eyes".  😄.  The study was especially good and everyone was participating which made it all the better.  Thankful for my group.

~ helpful hubby ~ on study night I left when hubby was finishing up the scrubbing of the supper pots and pan which is what he usually does but while I was at study he went the extra mile and did all the hand washing of the stuff I can't put in the dishwasher too.  What a blessing to come home from study to not have a sink of dishes to finish off before I could go relax.  Thankful he was observant and noticed I was tired and knew that that small act would really help me out.  

~ quiet weekend ~ last weekend was a pretty quiet and relaxing weekend with no appointments or places we needed to be.  I got a few chores done that needed to be knocked off the list, read a lot and watched a couple of movies with hubby.  Thankful for that restful pause.

~ library time ~ the library is one of my happy, self-care places.  Spending time just perusing the shelves and finding good reads is so relaxing and a stress relief for me.  Glad I got to spend some time there in the last week.  And thankful the city sees their value and  supports our public library so well.  We haven't had to pay for a library card since covid.  

~ gift of coffee ~ this month I've been enjoying some of the gifts of coffee that were gifted to me at Christmas time.  It's great to try new brands with different coffees from around the world once in awhile.  

What were your favorite blessings from the last week?

Friday's Fave Five #873

Welcome to a decidedly colder Friday's Fave Five.  I know lots of us are getting a huge dose of winter this week.  But no matter the temperature or what the weather is or isn't doing we can always look for things to be grateful to God for.  Please join in as we make taking note of those blessings part of our everyday lives.  I also want to apologize for not getting around to commenting.  It's been one crazy week but hopefully I can get caught up this weekend.

~ warmth in the cold ~ with the cold blowing in I am very thankful for the blessing of my good working furnace keeping the house nice and toasty warm.

~ warm fuzzy throw blankets ~ we took down the electric fireplace we had had in the living room because it was starting to make some noise.  But in doing that we don't have that extra bit of heat that it gave in that particular room anymore, so I'm thankful for the blessing of soft, fuzzy throw blankets to curl up under while watching tv or reading a book. 

~ haircut ~ I was in desperate need of a trim and reshaping so was happy I had a pre-set appointment this week.  I'm thankful for my hairstylist who always gives a great cut and goes above and beyond with a wonderful scalp massage with fragrant essential oil.  

~ Operation Christmas Child celebration ~ In Canada, all Connect Volunteers were invited to a special zoom presentation and celebration this week to learn what God did during the collection season 2025.  It was fun hearing the total number of boxes each province packed and Canada's total this year (we Canadians filled 458, 768 shoebox gifts for children around the world)  along with other stories of the way God moved through various circumstances and volunteers this last year.  

~ less knee/leg issues ~ hubby got me a vibration plate for my birthday  after trying out one my brother in law had.  I've got horrible circulation in my legs and the last couple years I've had some lesser mobility in one of my knees and some shin pain in that leg.  It's apparently supposed to help by stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage.  I've been trying to use it consistently on a daily basis, starting with 10 mins a day and have now worked up to 15 - 20 mins with variable speeds.  I do believe it might be helping.  I'm noticing more flexibility and less achiness.  

What have been your favorite blessings from the last week?

Friday's Fave Five #872

Well hello and welcome to FFF!  I had to take my blowing snow button off for this week and put up something different because there's been nary a hint of snow all January so far and it felt weird to have it up.  In fact, Wednesday, our city broke it's record for warmth registering in at 17.5*C.  That's 63.5*F!  What???  That record was last set in 1942.  I even slept with the window open slightly that night. But not to worry, we can keep the winter gear out as next week we will be back to the normal chilly January and my winter buttons will magically reappear.  So what were your favorite blessings this last week?

~ a very restful Sunday ~ there is always something that is going on or needs doing but this last Sunday the most exertion I had was going to church and then cooking lunch.  The rest of the day I literally lazed around and read, watched tv and even had a nap.  I never, ever nap.  I think it was a combination of the very busy Christmas week followed by a busy work week,  a whopping headache the night before that always tires me out, and now in hindsight, I know I had the beginning of a cold trying to take hold.  But I'm thankful I had that Sunday and listened to my body telling me it needed a day of absolutely no running around.

~ chocolate chai ice cream ~ oh my.  One of the flavors of the month at my fave local ice cream shop.   Rich chocolate ice cream swirled with chai ice cream which has cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove.  It's amazing and a new favorite!  Hope they bring it back again.  Meanwhile I'm getting another pint to have one hand for later.  

~ snail mail ~ I received two delayed Christmas cards in the past week week from blogging friends Faith and Linda and another back in December from my blogging friend at Nikkipolani.  These are such a blessing to me and I really appreciate the time and effort and notes of encouragement and news.  Thank you ladies!

~ tea with honey and lemon ~ fighting off a cold this week I turned to what my mom always made for me when I didn't feel well...hot tea with lots of honey and lemon.  Took me right back to the home I grew up in sitting in the kitchen in my jammies with a steaming mug.  It was like a hug from my Mom.  

~ zinc, vit C and E@rly Defense ~ as soon as I realized I was starting to not feel well, I started taking extra zinc and vit c and starting using the cold product that supposed to help ward off a cold becoming worse.  The combination seems to have worked for the most part, other than the fatigue, and has kept the other symptoms to a minimum.  I'm thankful there is stuff that we can do to help minimize these dreaded winter colds from really taking hold.  Have you found anything that works well for you when a cold tries to come on you?

What are your blessings from the last week?