Three Things...Gratitude Thread

Retro things...

DVDs (not that they are really retro, but try to find a player for them!)
Landline for the phone
OK... we still have and use a typewriter. Believe it or not, I have some forms that still have carbon copies that have to be filled out by hand. Here I thought I was the Luddite, not having a cell phone, hahaha!
 
Good Morning! :wave:

#1 - Entyvio - This is the medicine I get, by infusion, for my Ulcerative Colitis. This medicine has been a huge life changer for me and I am so so grateful. A new pen has just been released so I can inject this to myself at home. My doctor says I’m a good candidate for it, so I may give it a try.

#2 - Space Studies - We went to Kennedy Space Center last year and I learned a lot. We also saw 2 launches last year, which was awesome to see. I’m hoping we’ll see another launch in a couple weeks when we’re in the Cape Canaveral area.

#3 - Medical Advancements - I find them all amazing and I’m grateful for all of them.
 
I fought endometriosis for decades the advancements were made from the start of my journey through menopause were just astronomically amazing The difference between our first surgery and my last was unbelievable such a major improvement I hope they continue improving in this area

The ability to be able to track weather and keep people safer and more alert is a huge game changer again the difference now versus when I was a kid is just mind blowing It literally saves lives - more warning systems you know what’s coming you know when it’s coming You know where it’s coming huge difference from back in the day when it was look outside and see what’s going on

And I will say immunizations I think they are a great thing I had an aunt that had polio would’ve been great if she could’ve had her immunization not her polo but it wasn’t around when she was a young adult and caught polio - I respect peoples choices to choose or not choose even if I don’t understand their decision but find it extremely scary that a lot of these diseases are making such a huge comeback but I do understand it’s a personal choice
 

Definitely medical advancements along with your great reminder WDWEPCOT that having better weather knowledge indeed helps keep people safer. Extra :grouphug:and healthy prayers to you and Slo.

Inventions such as walkers, scooters and the Grabber my friend Sue uses that help give people a stronger sense of faith, optimidm, and moving forward.

Greater ability to share medical and healing hope with one another is a miracle, too.
 
Vaccines- People used to die from a lot of "stuff" that we don't even see anymore. DD was amazed when I told her about measles, or when DH and his siblings had whooping cough and scarlet fever.

Immunotherapy- Things like stem cell therapy and such.

Space exploration- As you might have guessed by now, we are a "science" family so have always been fascinated by space exploration, but these days, to see pictures from the surface of other planets, as well as what else is out there, is incredible to us. To infinity and beyond!
 
1. Joint replacements - Over the past few years, my dad has had both his hip and shoulder replaced. His quality of life has improved significantly with both surgeries. He needed an ECV and wheelchair assistance when we were at Disney in 2021. While he's not out running marathons, he now can walk the parks without assistance and can sleep comfortably without raging shoulder pain.

2. Cancer treatments - While I could rattle off a bunch of names, myself and my mother are the first ones that come to mind. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s and through the advancements in medicine, we're lucky to have her with us today. She just got another clean bill of health on her recent mammogram. I'm hoping for the same on the one I had done earlier this week.

3. Antibiotics - From the kids when they had ear infections and all of the other unpleasant ailments we've faced to the life threatening infection in my surgical wound...I'm grateful for antibiotics. I might not be here today without those strong IV antibiotics.

So, I guess all of my scientific advancement gratitude is in medicine!

***Side note- everyone yesterday saying Pyrex kept me hearing Midge/The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel pushing to get her Pyrex back from her bribery briskets. All of my Pyrex is boring and clear 🤣
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Birth Control - first line of treatment for endometriosis!! Thank God my mother won that fight over my father I won’t go into details but I consider a huge blessing that I got put on it at a very young age ( again not for birth control- way to young for THAT) and I could actually get my life back!!! Greatest thing ever!!! No more painful visits from Auntie Flow for several years !!! Then she came and brought ALL the Aunts and never left 🤣🤣🤣 but still used them for that for treatment for next several decades !! Great line of treatment compared to other medicine they have for it !!
 
3 Scientific Advancements I am grateful for:
1. Cancer treatments: when I was diagnosed, it was very comforting to hear my oncologist talking about how there were more options today than years ago.
2. Improvements in car safety and in creating less pollution.
3. My practically invisible and very modern hearing aids. :)
 
I very nice upgrade once at a hotel before my very first Disney cruise - I didn’t ask for the upgrade- the front desk gave it to me.
Twice on cash trips I’ve been upgraded at Disney without asking again very nice !!!

Picked for family to open Brown Derby - so much fun !!! 🤩 treated like movie stars !! It was a cute fun little perk !! Made for a very happy memory!!!

My dentist at the time was out of town and I had a tooth abscess at the time I didn’t know that was the issue I just knew I had a horrible toothache!! After suffering all week the Dentist taking his calls opened his office on a Sunday morning and did a root canal on me ( just me & the dentist - I’m handing him tools ) and refused to charge me or my insurance a dime for any of it !! 😳 needless to say this man became my new dentist until he retired some 20 years later best dentist I ever had !!
 
You know how when you are super-stressed over some major life event and you just kind of pour it out to a kind stranger who asked "how's your day going?" That happened when DH was in the nursing home. He'd had knee surgery that, quite literally, rotted, and was bedridden in a nursing home on IV antibiotics to try and save his leg. I was at Trader Joe's, buying regular things but a lot of junky-stuff for DH, to try to lift his spirits. The cashier said something like- "How's your day? Looks like you're planning a party!" and I poured out the whole story. He rang thru my purchases, then had a supervisor come over. They didn't charge me for any of the stuff I was buying for DH! It certainly was so, so kind of them, and lifted my spirits!

Similar instance at TJ's, before DD's wedding. The night before the wedding the weather forecast changed from sun to rain, so we bought an arch and hit Trader Joe's for flowers to use for decorating. It was late Saturday afternoon so the pickings were slim, but we found enough hydrangeas and other affordable flowers/greenery to make do. When the cashier commented on all the flowers, I explained what we were doing. He said "wait here" and ran off, bringing back an entire bouquet of roses "for the bride!"

Gotta go to work.. but I am always grateful to the folks who let me and my 3 items into the grocery store ahead of them and their full baskets!
 
Good Morning!

#1 - WDW Birthday Extras - Back in 2010 we went to WDW over my younger DD’s birthday (we didn’t go for her bday) and when we checked into the resort I told them we are celebrating DD’s birthday and holy moly, you should have seen the extras. After every ADR she was brought desert, even when she wasn’t there. One time the girls went on the kids pirate cruise (this may not even exist anymore) and my DH and I went to The Kona Cafe. Sure enough, dessert was brought, which we happily ate :goodvibes She also got extras that trip. I don’t think they do this anymore, at least I haven’t heard of this happening anymore.

#2 - Free Dessert - A restaurant in Vegas helped make our 20th Anniversary very special. My DH worked with them to surprise me with a beautiful anniversary ring and the restaurant treated us to a free beautiful dessert.

#3 - WDW Surprises - My older DD more than once was selected to be in the parades. She was always a beautiful ball of energy and always smiling - people always gravitated to her - it was amazing. More than once she was selected, out of zillions of kids, to be in parades - such a magical moment. I don’t think they do this anymore either.
 
1. As soon as I read the question this morning I thought of the time oldest DD was asked to join the parade at the Christmas party at the Magic Kingdom. One of the last dancers in the parade grabbed her hand just as they came out to start the parade. We were right by the train station ready to exit and then ended up all the way in the back of the park, but it was worth it. She was only 4 but remembers a little of it. Our middle DD was asleep in the stroller and missed it all.
2. We got married at Disney and people were very kind to us the whole trip but especially when I was in my wedding dress. It was just us and our parents and sisters and we went to dinner at the Grand Floridian after the ceremony. Someone at a table across the restaurant saw us and sent us a nice bottle of champagne.
3. Goofy was passing through the lobby of the Polynesian before our wedding ceremony and stopped and did a few photos with us. That was something we could have paid for but chose not to spend the money so it was a little extra unexpected perk.
 
1. Super Bowl Squares - I know it's an odd place for gratitude, but DD15s travel softball costs are astronomical and we've been doing quite a bit of fundraising to help with this coming summer's intense travel schedule. Side note- praying she has a full recovery from some completely unnecessary injuries that could have long term impacts ...not just physical aspects. In any event, everyone we know has similar fundraisers for their own kid activity expenses, so nobody ever buys from us. We wind up having to buy out with all of these fundraisers in hopes that we get something back in return. While DH has won a few times, I NEVER win when it's my turn to cover the buyout...EVER. This time I won 'right way' not once, but TWICE. I got back all of my money AND THEN SOME! Totally unexpected and extra!!! Of course, some of it went back into paying monthly club dues 🤪

2. Last year, I switched vets. It's a long story, but I couldn't help but thinking that the vet we were using was fleecing us. Not only was the new vet significantly cheaper, the unexpected extra came from our dog's meds. I was paying a ridiculous amount with the old vet and they wouldn't give me the prescription to try and get it cheaper on my own. The new vet had one of their staff members dig for coupons and best pricing during our visit. They saved me hundreds! Even the renewal, that didn't come with a coupon, was significantly cheaper. I didn't ask them to do any of this. I just told them it's the med my dog was on and asked if they could put in an order.

3. All the little things DH finds me at Costco. I'm not a fan, but he loves browsing Costco. He must call me 5x during each of his trips to see if I want this or that, but sometimes he just surprises me. Sort of unexpected little stuff he thinks I might like. Most recently, he surprised me with a case of Dole Whip. It definitely wasn't on par with what you can get in the parks, but the unexpected gesture and the sentiment with it all is what counts.
 
Unexpected or surprise extras:
1. My number one will always be when I finally got pregnant with my DD after years of trying.

2. After celebrating my singleness with a trip into the city to see see a Yankees game and go to a movie by myself, I met my future husband on the train ride home ( almost 45 years ago)

3. I have been the recipient of free concert tickets on more than one occasion. I have won a few radio contests. But my favorite of all time was when my SIL couriered tickets to a Rolling Stones concert (she couldn’t go and was a major fan) It was outdoors, it rained for a while, we stood on our chairs front and center, and had a blast!

Honorable mention: too many WDW to list: room views, desserts, birthday and anniversary balloons and flowers, etc. The one that popped into my head was when we rode BTMRR near closing time and the CM told us to stay in our seats if we wanted to go again. What a wonderful surprise!
 














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