I’m back for another round of Thankful Thursday with our gracious host Rebecca Jo, where we “get together” and chat about being grateful! Here are the things I’ve been thankful for this week.
Air fryer issue resolved
We got an air fryer for Christmas from my parents and we have used it literally every single day since. Well, over the weekend, the fan part stopped working and we felt lost at sea without our beloved air fryer! After several phone calls and being bounced back and forth between Farberware, one of their parent companies, and Walmart, we finally were able to exchange it yesterday, and now our kids can eat once again! HA! Thanks to my mom for coming with, since she was the one who initially bought it.
Free samples
Someone in one of my bariatric Facebook groups suggested emailing some protein / health food companies for samples, and I thought: what a great idea! I emailed probably about 20 or so. 3 or 4 of them are sending me samples, and most everyone else at least emailed me a coupon code. Not quite a free sample, but I’ll take it! My first package arrived yesterday from a company called Eat Me Guilt Free, who makes healthier, high protein brownies. They sent me a brand new box of 12 brownies! I was honestly expecting one brownie, maybe two… so this was incredibly generous and kind. I already emailed them a thank you note.
Movie date with a friend
My friend Margaret and I went to see The Lodge over the weekend and I really loved it! It was suspenseful and had some great surprises. Bonus for going to the theater with the reclining lounge chairs, and also bonus for free popcorn coupons we got off of Facebook! The theater closest to my house doesn’t have the nice seats, but it’s become worth it to drive the extra 10 minutes now – ha!
Coworker getting me an autograph
Dinner out with book club
My book club went out to a new-to-me Mexican restaurant this week and it was sooo tasty. We usually meet at our homes, but we do dinner out once in awhile. It was nice to get out — sans kids — for the evening. I’m wondering if we should make the dinners out a regular occurrence instead of just once in awhile!
Sugar alternatives
If you know me at all, you will understand how very much I am addicted to sugar. Me trying to cut back on it is 100% the hardest part of this entire bariatric journey. However, I’ve found that there are some pretty decent tasting artificial sweeteners, low sugar treats, and sugar alternatives that are helping to make this “transition” a little smoother for me. Jerry even made Keto donuts and brownies over the weekend with almond flour. Now, I’ll admit that things made with almond flour tends to have a little bit of a weird texture and taste, but it’s tasty enough. I plan on doing a “food” edition of Steph Gets Skinny pretty soon, where I share some of the new food discoveries I’ve been trying and enjoying, so keep an eye for that if you’re interested.
Tax time
Tonight is our tax appointment, and I’m saying that I am thankful in advance because we always get money back. Hallelujah! We plan on getting a new couch and loveseat, getting my brakes done, and then paying down some debt. Ohhh the things that bring us great joy when we’re grown ups.
Christmas time off
So Jerry is super lucky and gets basically two weeks off — PAID — during Christmas and New Years, and I get next to nothing. I seriously worked on Christmas Eve last year. Every year, I put in for the time off and I always get denied because of seniority. Well, we got back our vacation requests the other day, and I was approved for all but ONE day! I have to work on the 23rd, but got the rest of that week off, and also the whole week of New Years off. Now granted, we’re going to be closed this year already on the 24th, 25th, 31st, and 1st, but I’m glad that I got the extra days off that we are still open on. Jerry and the kids are always kicking it back at home for 2 weeks while I hustle off to work… but not this year, friends! NOT. THIS. YEAR! Oh, and in case you were wondering, I also put in (and got approved) for Halloween week off as usual because, well, you already know I’m obsessed with Halloween.
Support and a kind email
I have gotten so much positive support about my upcoming surgery. I’ve had a couple of negative comments, but nothing major (yet). I have to remind myself that people mean well, but that I choose to trust my doctors and will rely on the people who support me. I also got a really nice email from an online friend whom I won’t name, but whose message about her own similar experience just absolutely made my day. She’s a really positive lady and I loved hearing from her. It always means so much to me when my blog readers and online friends take the time out of their day to send me a message or simply leave a comment, so thank you, friends! Also, please remember that I am a pretty open book, so if YOU have any questions or have ever considered this surgery yourself, please do not hesitate to email me! You can find my email up top under the contact tab.
Work compliment
So you guys know that I run a Forever YA book club chapter at my work. We’ve been going strong for about 2 years now, and all of the members and I have become friends and have a blast together. Anyway, we have a program feedback form online, and patrons can submit their thoughts and feedback about the programs they attend. Well, someone from my book club, though I don’t know who, submitted this sweet comment and it just made my day last week: “This book club is amazing! Stephanie does a terrific job organizing and executing!”
Thanks for reading — may your Thursday hold more good than expected.
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