HOT JULY DAYS FAVES

 

It's been a scorcher of a week here in eastern New York State. We've had to have the central air on all day and night this past week.  Hot, humid, oppressive. I truly don't like it because I'm outdoorsy and this high humidity just saps my energy.  We were even under a heat advisory and DEC warned hikers, kayakers, etc to be careful in the hot, high temps. So, I've had to be really purposeful in looking for things to be grateful for despite the weather.  I'm sharing my top FIVE that make my FAVE blessings list and then I link up at Susanne's site who has been hosting this gratitude meme for years! 

image courtesy of t*ste of lizzy website

• FAMILY PICNIC:  On Saturday, my sister Hope and her husband Donny hosted a family picnic but only invited us girls and our families.  (I am the oldest of 3 sisters). They live about 1.5 hours west of us.  Our uncle can no longer really walk well so he can no longer come and our dad and other uncle have passed on so....it was a small gathering as our youngest sister and her family had to be at her youngest daughter's softball tournament. So it was Dave and I and my sister Joy.  Her son had other plans, our oldest daughter was sick, and our youngest daughter had to work. Hope and Donny made chicken and potato salad along with 2 different kinds of desserts.  I brought my homemade Poppyseed Pasta salad and some bakery cookies and Joy brought deli tuna pasta salad.  We had so much food.  The fellowship was great and I was so busy chatting, eating and swimming that I neglected to take photos!  I'm thankful we had a wonderful day, even though the temps were so hot! I'm also thankful they have an above ground pool!

homegrown basil

• FRESH BASIL:  I'm so thankful my basil that I started from seeds in April, is doing so well.  This past week I've used some of the fresh leaves for tomato sandwiches as well as for the Thai pizzas I made for dinner one evening. There's nothing like eating fresh produce/herbs that you planted and cared for!

Fitb*t Luxe

• FITBIT UPGRADE:  My Inspire 2 broke (the actual device had a corner broken off when it fell on our stone floor in the kitchen before our vacation).  I wanted Fitbit to replace it as it wasn't all that old but since this Inspire is so longer selling, I was able to get the upgrade to a Fitbit Luxe for the same cost I bought the Inspire 2.  I like it better because the font is bigger and the actual device is like a piece of jewelry with rose gold around the edge. I'm so thankful to have my tracker back as I like it to see how my walking workouts do for my heart rate and also how my sleep score does.  I also love that if I get a text I can see it on the device and read it or not if my phone isn't close by.  

Courtney's birthday cake

• BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:  Yesterday was our oldest daughter's  (Courtney) birthday but she wanted the family celebration on Wednesday evening after she got out of work.  Our youngest daughter also came over after her work.  Dave and I ordered their favorite Indian food per Courtney's request and I picked up a chocolate frosted gold cake from the grocery bakery per her request. We had gifts for her (I bought a print of a Monet she loves from this art museum and a vintage tea cup and saucer to match the one i bought her last year. Dave bought her a jade cross made in Guatemala when he was down here in March.) and enjoyed the chatter with the girls as we ate excellent Indian food. I'm thankful we got to celebrate our daughter's 31st birthday with her and her sister. It made me so happy to have them both at the dinner table. 

image courtesy of St*cks website

image courtesy of St*cks website

• COFFEE DATE:  Yesterday afternoon, my friend L and I met for coffee at this place that my youngest daughter has been raving about. She goes to the one in downtown Albany but  I live closer to this one here in the southern part of our town. L and I hadn't seen each other since December!  We had so much to catch up on and I won't go into details of things we shared but it was a much needed conversation and catch- up.  We vowed to continue to lift each other in prayer and she might join my walking group in September which would be wonderful. I ordered a delicious cold brew with drizzle of maple syrup and almond milk and it was delicious (and cheaper than St*rbucks). We sat outdoors in their patio area in the shade and there was a nice breeze since the temps were a little cooler than Wednesday's. I'm so very thankful we could finally talk in person. There is nothing like real sisters in Christ who aren't afraid to be real. 

Bonus faves:  for the last 2 weeks, although I've had horrible mid back and low back pain, the cervicogenic headaches had stayed away!!  Until yesterday. But hey...I managed to get almost 2 full weeks of no head pain which is a first since March 2022.  Also, I have a neurosurgeon appointment in early August to explore some treatment options, if any, based on the results of my MRI and the suggestion of my neurologist. Coveting your prayers because cervical stenosis has no cure but can be managed if you can found the right treatments for the specifics (which i'm not sharing on here but if you're a close friend and you want to pray specifically, I'll send ya an email).  Meanwhile, a PT friend of mine from church has given me some back strengthening stretches to do. 

That wraps up some blessings from this hot and humid week!

Weekend plans include: leading a group hike on Saturday up a small mountain (there are 12 of us going!); church, and then swimming at the lake on Sunday afternoon if the weather is good. 

HAPPY WEEKEND!!