Three good things

[biscuit]

1) My new dog, who I am already in a codependent relationship with

2) Having the financial means to be stable, pay bills, and afford unnecessary starbucks drinks & pedicures when I am down

3) My career, and the fact that it still gives me some pleasure

[Helen]

 

When I started this thread on the other forums years ago now it really helped my through those early tough days. Life has been unbelievably tough again this year and fighting to remain afloat has become a very difficult battle. I am still fighting though and so one of my weapons is going to be returning to this thread and trying to be grateful again for three things each day for a little while. I know I have much to be thankful for.

 

1. The tree is up, the presents bought and wrapped, the food shopping ordered. Christmas is pretty much sorted.

 

2. Three friends reached out to me today as they knew I was struggling. I am so very grateful to those who have not given up on me.

 

3. I made myself roasted cauliflower this evening and it was delicious.

[mmg19]

Thank you Helen for bumping up this thread.

1.  First good thing today is seeing this thread and stopping the busyness and reflecting on what can I contribute.

2.  Attended church with my family this morning and allowed by heart to be open to God's word and reliving the birth of Jesus.

3.  Gifts are bought and wrapped, cookies and candy made, and my credit card balance is $0.

[Trying]

1. Seeing Helen posting again! (I'm sorry to hear things have been so challenging but I'm glad you're here and looking for some positives)

 

2. My tree and decorations are looking so pretty and I am really enjoying them this year

 

3. 2 weeks off from classes

[gracelet]

1) this thread is back! Thank you Helen.

2) NG and I exchanged Christmas gifts this evening and we both felt very special

3) the prosecco I had at my wedding is on offer in the supermarket. I like to think it's wife little Christmas treat to me.

[Jess]

1. To echo others, wonderful to see you Helen and this thread bumped. I hope things get better soon.

 

2. All presents are wrapped as of this afternoon but not under the tree because the puppy would most certainly eat them!

 

3. It is feeling a little bit like Christmas and that is actually a good thing!

[Torn]

1. I'm glad to have woke up today so I could live another day & try some more.

 

2. To have found support from this group,I need/ needed it.

 

3.Early this morning I went to a casino,because my wife and I used to go & I needed to leave home,for a purpose aside from food or doctor appointment.

  So I went intending to loose 40$; well I lost 38.00; and was getting rid of the last 2 dollars when the slot machine made a noise,hit 777 and paid out 465.50 ＼(^o^)／ .

  I felt like , I could feel my wife  'smirk' as I left ivmediatly.

 

[DansSoulmate]

1. Took both daughters to brunch and a holiday theatre matinee performance.  We are going to make this a yearly tradition.

2.  Stores are open 24 hours so I shopped at midnight on Friday with no crowds and finished my shopping.  I was able to get a present gift wrapped for free at one store so less to wrap.

3.  Spent 5 hours Saturday reconnecting with a high school classmate who lives near my new home.  She grew up with Dan so it was fabulous to reminisce.

 

[Guest TooSoon]

Best thread!

 

1) I managed to put up and take down a Christmas tree by 12/20 and pull off history's lamest story as to why Santa came last night (see below).

 

2) We are leaving for 2 weeks in England tomorrow with adp and his family, new traditions!

 

3) And of course, you all.  What in the #$%^&*  would I have done and do without you all these past three years?  I marvel.  I told my father in law, also a widower, about you all on Saturday and he teared up.  Not sure why but I'm sure in part that he was grateful I found a community to help me through.  I'm grateful for him, too.  He gets it.  Anyway....

 

Happy new year!

[widowat33]

1) worked my 12 hour shift today, and I don't work again for almost two weeks!

2) had five final exams this past week and aced them all, and have a three week break from school!

3) and I want to echo TooSoon, grateful for this place with people who "get it"

 

 

[Virgo]

1. Christmas program at church for the kids 11 and under. So sweet! It was my day to volunteer in the 2nd and 3rd graders room. I escorted the kids to the stage in the sanctuary. Then helped give their lesson afterwards. My daughter looks forward to me being in her room.

 

2. Talked to a friend I haven't talked to in awhile.  Nice catching up with him.

 

3. Best part of my day was hearing another friend tell me his cancer cell count was really low.  He has multiple myeloma. He's eager to get through his next round of chemo.  I'm getting together a care package for him from multiple friends that I plan on delivering this week. People are making meals to freeze, sweets, a cheese ball, dips, and I'm going to pick up some gift cards. He's a great guy and was my husbands best friend in school,  2nd grade through senior year.  He's been through a lot.  Before being diagnosed he had a work related accident,  several reconstructive surgeries, and then a divorce.  His wife left when he was diagnosed.

[Guest TooSoon]

Thanks so much for reviving this thread - I love reading everyone's posts!

[Carey]

1. Got a $25 gift card from a co worker today ...that will buy dinner tonight and tomorrow, and thankfully SS is weds.

2.  A patient gave me a candle that smells like Christmas trees.

3.  ........ well. ... maybe later ........

[Helen]

 

I am so grateful to you all for joining me again in this, massive respect to all of you who choose to keep on keeping on every day, you are all so inspirational.

 

1. My new job is in a pretty posh school and it had not occurred to me before today what that would mean for Christmas gifts for the teacher! Wow, I have not opened them yet and maybe some are just crap in designer bags but I don't think so!

 

2. The view from my classroom window this morning was spectacular, I can't share it as I am posting from my phone this evening but the sunrise over Calton Hill in Edinburgh was glorious.

 

3. Went out this evening to a noodle bar with a lovely friend, she lets me feel sorry for myself just the right amount before stopping me.

 

[mmg19]

1.  Ran errands yesterday and not a Grinch to be seen.

2.  Christmas caroling with boys youth group at nursing homes last night. 

3.  My teaching evaluation for 1st semester was a joyful early Christmas gift.

[Torn]

1. I woke up with a positive attitude towards the future,I feel crisp so to speak.

 

2.My current living situation ,I've allowed to get me down mentally, well I feel this will change for the better,simply because I've made a mental note to myself: Only I care about myself & my future and I must make the best of those things at all cost.

3.Yesterday I ran into a local lady who expressed interest in talking & stuff,kinda made me feel I'm of some value & I needed that connection & boost.

[Carey]

1.  Tumor has shrunk. Not as much as I wanted ... I had been praying this was the round we'd say I could stop the drugs.  Not so lucky but as my friend said at least it's a step in the right direction.

2.  What I thought was a $25 gift card yesterday ended up being a $50.    More groceries!!!!

3. Tomorrow is finally SS day and I will be able to get a present or two for my kids to have for Christmas.

[gracelet]

1) I woke up sore from doing a dance class last night, but that's good because I finally got off my ass and did some exercise :-)

2) Although work hasn't been slow like I was expecting, what I'm doing today has been really interesting

3) New Girl and her parents have invited me to spend new year with them. It's so lovely that they're not scared of me being a widow

[Helen]

1. Last day of teaching before the holidays! This has been a very stressful start to my new job as we were inspected and I have been working 70-110 hours a week. I am going to try very hard to relax some with my two weeks off now.

 

2. My daughter and new son in law arrived this evening for Christmas and we had a lovely evening together playing board games.

 

3. This morning the whole school went to the cathedral nearby for a carol service, it was lovely.

 

* Huge mess someone else has made got sorted today by my youngest daughter and I, I am very grateful to her for helping me avert a mini crisis.

[Helen]

 

 

1. Christmas Eve Eve and I am surviving, everything is on course, people are arriving. I went food shopping at 7am for the posh stuff, then the rest of the food delivery came later.

 

2. Swam this afternoon and had the pool to myself almost the whole time, it was very relaxing.

 

3. Watching the finale of Homeland as I type this, this series has been brilliant.

[gracelet]

1) I am on a train up to my father's house and because I went first class, I get 'free' food and booze, whoop.

 

2) I've discovered two beautiful poems that have really moved me and inspired me in a collection recommended to me by NG

 

3) I get to see my baby siblings for the first time in a year and a half in just a few hours!

[Torn]

1.I'm greatful a member here took time to PM me some support,and honestly I needed it .

2. So I get to live another day.

3.I'm posting here,where a bunch of people at least understand the feeling of loss, thank you all

[Helen]

 

Christmas Eve 11pm and Santa has been!

 

1. Some of the kids and I went to do an 'escape challenge' in Edinburgh, we had an hour to get out of Di Vinci themed room. It took us 49 minutes and was huge fun.

 

 

2. Supper for 9 this evening was delicious.

 

 

3. Santa has been, most people are asleep and the house is quietish. Lots of presents as there are 9 of us here this evening.

 

 

This is the 4th Christmas without Graham and I miss him very much, but I am very grateful to be surrounded by lovely people. Only #4 missing this evening, this is his first married Christmas and he is with his in-laws.

 

Merry Christmas everyone  <3

[marian53]

Just lovely, Helen! thanks for the pictures- and so nice to see you again xo

 

1. All siblings called and wished me Happy Birthday yesterday, as did the nephews.

 

2. I have everything ready for tomorrow and the house only needs to be vacuumed.

 

3. Every single  solitary one of you. I never knew that people I "only know" (as some fool said to me) over the web could mean so much to me. God Bless us everyone, apologies to Tiny Tim!

Happy Christmas!

Marian

[Helen]

 

It's done =)

 

1. The kids staying here slept until 8.15 which was pretty miraculous. We all got a good nights sleep.

 

2. Lots of lovely presents including a Fitbit and a lovely vegan cookbook.

 

3. I made delicious food, lots of laughing and happy people. I am very blessed to have so many children and friends.

 

Today was a good day, I had a few difficult moments but know I can survive those now. I miss him lots and nothing fills the gap he has left at the heart of our family and all of these occasions.