Sunday, July 12, 2015

Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (108)


Ten Things of Thankful


You know the good thing about triple-digit temperatures?  When the temps finally "drop" to the low- to mid-90s, it feels heavenly. Last week, we've had temperatures from the low-80s, which saw me wearing a sweater, to the mid-90s, which felt hot but not as bad as the triple digits the previous week. Sleep - once I actually made it to bed - had been good in our house, and the kids spent many hours outside running through the sprinkler, enjoying the playground across our house, and playing with the neighbor's kid.  Yes, Christine, the sun indeed is still an item, even though we seem to be hogging an unfair share here in Germany right now!

More thankfuls for this week:

1. (which should actually count for at least 10 thankfuls!!) My Dad made it through his surgery. He had a stent placed in his aorta, which had to be cut open as the stent was quite big and an aneurism had to be removed as well. We were all so worried about him, as there was a chance that he wouldn't make it out of the OR alive, or that he wouldn't walk again or need dialysis for the rest of his life, but everything went well, so well even that he was almost released on Saturday after only 4 days. I cannot say how relieved I am to be writing this, as it's been a burden on our minds for quite a while now.

2. A really good outing to the pool with all three kiddos to get my mind off the surgery on Tuesday. The kids were perfectly behaved and we all had tons of fun! When we were packing up, the mom next to us, who was out with one little girl, asked me how I do it with 3.. Well, quite honestly, there was a stern talk beforehand about what I'd expect from them and what would happen if they didn't stick to the rules, and three kids in a really good mood to make their mommy happy  :-)

3. Violet walking a bit in my shoes. Quite literally.


4. Being serenaded by our new tenant. Meet Kermit, the maybe-frog  :-)


5. FINALLY getting Violet's glasses back. A few weeks ago (yes, WEEKS!), Violet and Calvin broke her glasses in a good old joint effort. And thanks to the postal worker's strike, it took over 3 weeks for the piece to arrive and the glasses to be repaired. So thankful for Violet to be able to see properly again!

6. A spontaneous barbecue with our neighbors. Decided just before they fired up the grill, and I ended up sitting outside until after 10pm, enjoying a delicious glass of local wine.

7. Lily getting a new hair cut. We had quite a discussion Friday night after her shower that she wanted a boy's hair cut. I asked her why exactly a boy's hair cut, and she responded that it's shorter than the bob she had. We talked about that there were also very pretty and very short girl's cuts, and went the very next day to get her exactly that. I can't imagine another cut that could catch Lily's personality better that the one she got!

8. Our neighbor being home from the hospital again and doing well. We were all quite worried when he was admitted during the heat wave with an infection of undetermined origin.

9. A really important leadership review last week. It showed that our boss really had no idea how bad the morale within the team was, and what the reasons were for it. And it showed that we really has an awesome boss, because she's started measures immediately to get to the bottom of the problem and not just cover over it.

10. Distant relatives of ours coming for a visit later this month. We haven't seen them in nearly 3 years; their precious little daughter was just a 3-month old baby back then, and now she's almost 3 years old!  So excited to see the three of them again!



Have a wonderful week, everyone!!

16 comments:

  1. I'm so happy your dad's surgery is safely behind you! I'm guessing Lily doesn't like the fuss of hair, I quite agree with her and would keep mine short too if it weren't so nice to be able to put it in a pony to really get it out of my way. Our weather here has been very upside down. We're experiencing endless dreary rainy days, when usually it's constant heat and humidity!

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    1. I usually have short hair, just long enough to have a teeny-tiny piggy tail. I'm just so proud to have a strong girl like Lily who knows what she likes and goes against what's mainstream. She was SOOOO excited telling me today that the boy she likes in her class thinks that it looks cool :-)

      Expecting triple-digits again later this week, so I enjoy the cooler temps today!

      Have a wonderful week, Vanessa!

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  2. Just so happy all went well with your dad's surgery. I can only imagine what you were going through. Last year my dad had a heart attack and stroke, but thankfully pretty much recovered, but definitely was scary and left me very worried and concerned for what may be down the road for him, as well. Hugs and thinking of you.

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    1. Isn't it weird, how roles are getting reversed. First our parents spend years being worried about us, and then it's our turn to worry about them. but yes, I am so, so glad that the surgery is done and everything went so well. Thanks so much for your thoughts, Janine, we're really appreciate it!

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  3. great news on the surgery i.e. successful. what a relief.
    I still am waiting for the triple digit temperatures… but with anticipation, rather than dread… but no telling with our weather these days.. a lot of cloudy weather (which makes difficult to get to anything impressive in the way of temperature).
    spontaneous barbecue are good, but being able to sit outdoors until 10pm is very very good

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    1. Come on over, Clark, triple-digits being forecast for later this week. And bring Una, there's a furry friend for her living next door!

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  4. Ah, so glad your dad made it through the surgery. My mom had to have two hearts stents put in a few years ago. Such a scary procedure.
    Isn't it awesome when the kids all decide to behave at the same time? Especially when out someplace like the pool. Sounds like you had a great day.

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    1. It was really fun; expected it to be stressful despite the talk, but the kids were really picture-perfect, and since Calvin was not a fan of the water, he was clinging to me all the time as well :-)

      Have a great new week, Christine!

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  5. My dad had heart surgery a while ago, but his was a valve replacement. I'm glad your dad did so well, and I hope his recovery goes just as well as the surgery.
    I understand what you mean about the "cooler" temps. Double-digits can be downright cool when you are used to the triple-digits!

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    1. Exactly, Kristi. Enjoying some more "cooler" temps until we're getting triple-digits again by Friday. Unenthusiastic "Yay".

      Thankfully, Dad is recovering like a champ and might be coming home tomorrow, depending on what the doctors say.

      Have a wonderful week!

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  6. I didn't know your dad was having surgery! I'm so glad to hear it went so well. My mom has a stent in her carotid artery and a pacemaker and has done great with both. I'm sure your dad will do the same. I know it was really scary for you.
    Love the "talk" you gave your kiddos before going to the pool! Been there!
    We've traded rain for hot, hot, hot. Never any middle ground!
    Where' the picture of Lily's new haircut?! I checked Facebook to see if I had missed it and couldn't find it there, either....
    Truly love Violet in your heels! Glad she got her glasses fixed.
    Have a delightful week! Smoochies to Calvin!

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    1. I haven't posted pictures yet, Dyanne, but will soon!

      Thankfully, Dad is recovering very quickly. We're going to visit him tomorrow and may go to my parents' house instead of the hospital to see him :-)

      We're going to get hot, hot, hot by Friday again. Definitely NOT looking forward to it!

      Have a wonderful week, Dyanne!

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  7. I'm SO glad your dad came out of surgery ok!!! <3

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    1. Thanks so much, Susannah! He's recovering much, much faster than anyone thought and he might come home as early as tomorrow even though he'd appreciate a few more days in the hospital, if only for the beds :-)

      Have a wonderful week!!

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  8. I do NOT enjoy triple digit temps and am very glad we rarely see them. I have enough trouble when it's over 85! :D
    Glad your Dad's surgery went well.
    I saw that adorable picture of your Violet in your shoes - love. But let's talk about those shoes!!! If I could whistle I would. :D
    I love the bit about Lily's haircut. Isn't it amazing how these little girls know their own mind and make choices that just...fit? I find watching my little girl grow up both terrifying and fascinating.

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    1. Fun story, Lisa: A few weeks ago, I was on my way home from work wearing those shoes (aka: the Dorothy Tribute Heels) when suddenly a car honked. I turned around to see if it was someone I knew or if it was meant for someone else, and kept going my way. And just before I was home, said car pulled up next to me, a guy gets out, pushes his shades up and tells me: "I absolutely HAD to honk at you, because of THOSE shoes!!" I giggled like a 13-year old for the rest of the day ;-)

      I hope you had a wonderful week!!!!

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