It’s the last day of November, and the last day of the thirty-day giving thanks challenge! I’ve really enjoyed participating in this activity–and it came at a time in my life that I need to look around me and be thankful instead of complaining! Thanks so much to Leah of South Breeze Farm for hosting! God does work in mysterious ways.
#29- I am thankful for finding good medical care close to home. I’ve been traveling 60 miles (one way) to the city for nearly 17 years for medical treatment. It takes 3 hours of riding(round trip), plus another 2-3 hours of waiting in the waiting room to be seen. It’s past the point of ridiculous!
I’m getting older, and I don’t enjoy those trips to the city so much–I never have enjoyed those long waits in the waiting room. So… I’m excited about having a doctor here in town over-see my entire healthcare plan. He’s the one who had the nurse call just before Thanksgiving with that news to go on the low-fat, low cholesterol diet. I haven’t mentioned it before, but she also gave me the news that I suffer from hypothyroidism–which means my thyroid isn’t working properly–which could help to explain why I’m feeling so slow and tired these days. Now, I’ve added thyroid medication to my regimen, too–and this medication doesn’t mix will with two of my other ones! Talk about a challenge trying to get a schedule worked out that works for all medications! Whew!
Anyway, this doctor’s office called me again today, to follow-up. I couldn’t believe it! I’ve never been followed up on in my life! I feel like somebody may actually care!. Of course, they want to see me again for a follow-up visit–which means another doctor visit, and more bloodwork, but hey, at least they seem to care! I go back in January…I wonder how I will make it through Christmas on that stupid diet…(probably not too good with my love of food).
#30 I am thankful that I learned how to drive–even though I was 26 years old–and I am thankful for my little black car that takes me wherever I need or want to go. Sometimes I think back to the time when I didn’t drive, and I wonder how I stood being stuck at home all of those years. I always had to wait until my husband came home from work to go anywhere or do anything. I also wonder how my husband stood it, as well. He went with me to every appointment and errand for eight long years! Beauty parlor appointments, grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, and yes, even clothes shopping! What a man!
My little PT Cruiser, “Old Classy”, is like me–she’s getting some age on her, but I still love her! With the exception of a dead battery once and overheating twice from a faulty radiator problem, “Old Classy” has never let me down. She spends most of her days under the shelter waiting to go for a drive–and she’s always ready and willing! I’ll get another car one day, but there will never be another “Classy”! I wrote a post about her once, if you’re interested, click here.
Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed and bummed out by all of the Christmas preparations. I put on my clothes, made my face up, hopped in “Old Classy” and went to town. After a couple of hours of being around and about, I felt better. I guess I just needed to take a break. I came home and decorated one of our three Christmas trees–the Coca Cola tree in the game room! Today I just finished tree # 2–the gingerbread/candy tree in the kitchen. Tomorrow I will tackle # 3–the big one–in the living room–that one may be a two-day job!
Well, that’s my “Giving Thanks Challenge” for the year 2010. I could think of a million other things that I am thankful for, but right now I must get back to Christmas decorating! I’ll take a break and come back tomorrow to join in Wednesday Hodgepodge…and as soon as I have finished decorating, I’ll share photographs!
Reflections...by Kathy 
I’ve known how to drive since I was around 10 but I spent many, many years just not driving. If someone else didn’t drive me, I didn’t go.