Well. This has not been my best week. It was better than LAST week, but since last week was horrible, that’s not saying much. I can’t seem to completely kick this illness, and I hate not having energy. Everyone else seems to be having “summer fun” and I feel so blah.
But, guess what- I am a Big Girl. I know people have much worse problems than me, so I’m pulling myself together and thinking about what’s good in my life. There’s always something, right? Here’s my 5 Good Things for this Friday:
1. THE LIBRARY
One thing that is going well is my reading. I went to the library this week, and they had both books I was looking for:
These are two of Meredith’s Best Books of 2024 from the Currently Reading podcast. Books can be so expensive, and I’m always happy when I walk out of the library with the books I want.
2. A TEXT FROM MY SON
This week my son texted me: “Something weird is happening- I miss Waco!” There was so much happening when he left, and he was so excited about what was coming next, that he said it didn’t really sink in that he was leaving for good. Well- I miss Waco too! We texted back and forth for a little, and then agreed we would continue the conversation on our road trip. Speaking of which…
3. MY TRIP!
This one is tricky- I don’t want to wish the time away (these days count too!) But, it is fun to have something to look forward to. My trip- where I’ll fly out to Texas to meet my son- is three weeks away! I’ll hear the last concert of his festival, and then he and I will drive up to Chicago. We’ll stay with my sister for a couple days before flying back to Florida.
4.MUFFIN
She deserves a major shout out. How can you be sad with a purring cat on your lap???
5. I MADE BROWNIES
Yes! Sugar-free, grain-free brownies! You might wonder what’s in them- oh, all sorts of things, like carob and sweet potato. It’s a recipe from RIkki Heller’s Living Candida Free cookbook.
They’re good! Obviously they don’t taste like “normal” brownies, but they’re a treat for me.
Can you think of 5 Good Things today?- I had to push myself to come up with mine, but once I got started it was easy.
Top photo by Jim Davis on Unsplash
25 Responses
Five will be hard!
1- Gone withe the Wind. It was really good. I wouldn’t have picked it up without you mentioning it.. Thanks!
2- My daughter’s summer camp started. She needs the stimulation,and I need the break.
3-We had a cool rainy day this week.
Umm, I didn’t have pink eye or covid? Can that be my 4 and 5?
Your road trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Nice that you can be so friendly with adult son!
Yes, those can be 4 and 5! Life is good without those two things. Also- very glad you enjoyed GWTW! Maybe we can get more people to read it.
These are five GREAT things! It’ a nice offset for being sick for the past two weeks.
1. I have book club next Monday, and was feeling a little meh about the book. And then I started reading it and it’s amazing. It’s no GWTW, but it’s “I can’t put it down” good. It’s A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout, and it’s a memoir about her being kidnapped in Somalia for over a year. It wasn’t available on Libby, and the Amazon price was too spendy. Physical library to the rescue!
2. I’m on a weekend trip! I’ll see state capitol #10 this morning and then there will be a lighthouse bender/lake shore gorgeousness binge for the rest of the weekend.
3. I had such a great dinner out last night. I went to a brewery with a patio. They had a tasting menu for their beers, which meant a very cheap drink, and I had poutine as my meal. For whatever reason that’s been my go to when I go out recently.
4. A very good “not for the blog” thing happened this week!
5. Everything about Doggo! She got to go swimming at doggy day care this week and she loved it.
I love your Things- I can’t wait to hear about this trip. Ha for Doggo swimming at daycare. And- a good book makes all of life good.
I’m so glad you have these five things. I’m in a bit of a funk (as my dad would say) too, so I’m going to sit down with this exercise later today.
Thank you!
You’re welcome Maya! I hope it helps : )
The brownies look pretty good! I’m glad you’ve found a way that you can have a little treat while on this diet.
My five things:
1. Having a four day weekend! We get off for Juneteenth and since it was on Thursday this year, I also took off Friday for a long weekend.
2. Exploring new trails for my long run! I drove almost 2 hours each way yesterday to check out some new-to-me trails at higher elevation to escape the 115 degree heat. There was water and shade along this route which are amazing to me coming from the sunny and dry desert trails I usually run, and it was totally worth the long drive!
3. Having pool time to look forward to this weekend! It’s gradually cooling back down (to the low 100s haha) by the end of the weekend but it’ll still be hot so some pool time is needed.
4. Another 4 day weekend coming up! I have off for the 4th of July and took off the day before so I only have one full week of work before my next short week/long weekend.
5. My upcoming birthday trip! My birthday is at the end of July and I booked an Airbnb in Sedona and can’t wait to go back to one of my favorite places!
Oh, you just reminded me that July 4th is coming up- it’s one of the few holidays I have off! Yay.
Your birthday trip sounds like it will be amazing. And- I would totally drive two hours to do a cooler long run (on a beautiful trail) if it were 110 degrees here. I mean I’m only running 3 or 4 miles and I’m mostly on the treadmill because our heat is making me crazy.
Ugh. You’ve had a rough stretch lately, Jenny. Things like this seem to come in waves. But I’m proud of you for identifying some good things, too <3
You've already read about mine but I'll I'll give you five things in this exact moment I'm happy about:
– Water is on the stove heating up for a cup of chai tea.
– I used our robovacuums to clean most of the floors in the upstairs of our house. They were looking so dirty. My son runs through the house with shoes on and grass clippings flying off the treads in a festive manner.
– The smell of the freshly cleaned table.
– It's sunny outside.
– It's Friday which is my absolute favourite day of the week!
Bonus: Indy got named to the "A" team this week for soccer. There are three teams and he has sooo little experience compared to the other boys so this is very exciting. I hope it doesn't feel too overwhelming for him, but I think he'll get better much faster when playing with more experienced players. We shall see. His "A" team game is on Sunday afternoon and I'm feeling strangely nervous.
Yay for Indy! He will do great! And, I’m impressed you could come up with 5 things right now, especially since you posted a lovely list of Happy Things already today!
Okay, a purring cat is definitely on my list of good things!
I will be very interested in your thoughts on I’m Thinking of Ending Things. I read it awhile back and — well, no spoilers, I just want to hear your thoughts!
It stinks so much that your illness is sticking around. I hope you shake it soon, Jenny.
Thanks Suzanne! And thanks for no spoilers. I’ll definitely let you know what I think of the book.
The brownies LOOK yummy. I am off sugar. Aside from the bit that’s in my Greek yogurt. Trying to combat the weight gain caused by my meds. Grrr. So a sugar free GF brownie makes my mouth water.
My good things:
1. My sister took my dad to a second surgeon and this guy was very thorough do everyone feels like he is the one.
2. Coach and the little girls and I attended a Corpus Christi event last night and it was wonderful.
3. I LOVE having kids home for the summer. Everyone is home aside from our 2 oldest who live on their own.
4. The little girls will both attend therapy and will be driven by DCFS today, which translates to coach and I having a break for 3 hours. This is our Friday routine, but Rae has had a conflict the last few weeks- so we have not had this perk in a few weeks. (We did but it was a lot shorter)
5. I am leaving my annual physical and my overall health looks great.
Those are some great things! I hope you got your break today. And, yay for having everyone home. I can’t wait till my son comes home.And, the biggest YAY for being healthy- nothing else is good if you don’t feel well.
It is not raining
I can get in a dry long run tomorrow.
Our new deck is done.
I was in NYC yesterday.
We sold our broken hot tub.
There yuh go.
Hope next week is even better.
Those are five good things! This must be the first weekend with no rain for you. Have fun with the long run- i’m starting to miss them!
I have heard great things about The Tainted Cup! I hope you enjoy it. The library is such a gift. We got a piece of mail from the library this week and Phil said – are they sending you a letter to let you know you’ve set a record for # of items checked out in a year? Ha. I do wonder what percentile we are in since I exclusively read ebooks from the library and the books can check out as many as 30 books at a time! I guess I want a gold star!
My 5 things:
– Camping was mostly fun (except sleep which was AWFUL)
– I had the house mostly to myself last week
– I did not check work email during my time off. I came back to a bit of a mess today but it was nice to fully disconnect for a few days
– Paul and I are reading a really fun mystery that is a scavenger hunt of sorts through National Parks. It’s one of those books that we are equally enjoying which is not always the case. But – part of it is set in 1880 and last night he asked if I was alive then!! Lol/sob
– We have some fun weekend plans including a play date for Will tomorrow and a get together at our friend’s house on a lake on Sunday. It’s going to be like 97 and humid here this weekend so being by water is essential!!
Ha, well you wanted heat! It would be nice if there were something in the middle but oh well- yes, you’ll be needing some water time! And, lol Paul. How old does he think you are???
Life can be hard! It’s always good to have the perspective that other people have it worse, but your hard is still hard! Here are my 5 good things:
1) I’m dog-sitting this weekend. Chip is lying at my feet while I type up this comment. 🙂
2) I’m hoping to do a LOT of reading this weekend, starting with the second book in the Thursday Murder Club series and so far, I am riveted!
3) My mom arrived safely in Vero Beach for her weekend getaway – yay!
4) It’s a 4-day weekend for me, which is NICE.
5) I might do some pool time tomorrow or Sunday!
Ooh, a four day weekend, with dogs and lots of reading- you are LIVING THE DREAM.
I hate that you’re still sick, Jenny! I hope you get better AND SOON!!!
I love your list of happy things. Mine is that I just finished a really great book – Sky Daddy – and that I’m going home tomorrow. It’s a long drive (10 hours) but I’m going to be very happy to be home. I feel like that’s worth five things right there.
I like this idea for a post – will have to remember it.
Sorry you’re sick — hope you get better soon!
I’m glad this week was a little better for you.
Five good things? I’m melting but I’ll try.
1. Our trip is coming up soon!
2. I have a few days off from pet sitting!
3. I am getting my hair done soon!
4. I have a night to myself
5. I’m getting a second vacation to a gala with some friends!
Muffin is the cutest. I can’t wait to hear all about your road trip!
I am so sorry you’ve been sick, Jenny. It can really take the fun out of things, but how wonderful to look for the good things in a sh*tty situation…. I think you came up with a good list (and anticipatory joy is one of the best joys around!). Hope you’re fully back to normal soon.
I read The Tainted Cup! Not my usual thing, but I really liked it. Haven’t decided if I”m going to read the next one, but I probably will.
I am sick and we’re in a heat warning, but yeah, five things easily. 1) my daughter is home and everything is more fun and funnier when she is here 2) said daughter made me a grilled cheese for dinner last night 3)I am having a stellar reading run right now 4)this is my last week of work before summer 5)we have air conditioning.