Sharing a day of gratitude . . .

11/28/2022

Hello blog friends. If you celebrated Thanksgiving this past week, I hope you enjoyed family, friends, and plenty of good food.

My celebration was twofold and very different from prior Thanksgivings.

First, my adventurous sons returned safely from a two-week trek to Patagonia, Argentina. Their 24-hr flights to and from were challenging but their journey more than made up for that inconvenience. They had an amazing time. And ... this mom is very thankful they are home.

Second, the washing machine broke. The water seeped under the flooring into the closet and our bedroom. We initially could not understand why the carpet was so wet. Spilled water? Then we feared the worst. Burst pipes? After several hours of worry and search, a friend came to our aid and identified the culprit.

I was immensely grateful that all we needed was a new washing machine. The thought of digging for a broken pipe was horrifying, but buying a new appliance, well that could be fun--and was. Friends pitched in by lending us their fans, and now we have dry carpets and baseboards AND a new washing machine.

Since this is the final Tuesday of the month, Colleen Chesebro asks that we share our day via a poem. I've done so through a tanka. I hope you enjoy it. We all have so much to be grateful for, even with our unexpected hurdles. 😊

Have a wonderful week!

28 Comments

Mae Clair link

11/28/2022 16:27:17

Your sons are so adventurous. What a proud mom you must be!

I'm sorry about the debacle with the washing machine, but thankful it wasn't a burst pipe.

Love the tanka, and the photo accompanying it is perfect, all things considered, LOL!

Gwen M. Plano

11/28/2022 20:13:33

Thank you, Mae, on all counts. I love that you saw the humor in my simple tanka. 🤗

Jill Weatherholt link

11/29/2022 03:19:21

What a great photo of your sons! I’m happy they had a good time and made it home safe.
I’m glad you didn’t have to deal with a burst pipe, Gwen. Enjoy your new washing machine!

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 05:10:49

Thank you, Jill. My boys are happy and now talk about the Pyrenees. We'll see. As for the washing machine, it's my new friend. 😊

Harmony Kent link

11/29/2022 04:36:02

It looks like your sons had a fantastic time. I love the little ducks taking a swim in the kitchen! Great poem, Gwen, and I’m so relieved you got the problem sorted. Hugs 💕🙂

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 05:12:41

Yes, the boys had a great time. They're busy planning the next trip and talk of the Pyrenees. Thank you. 🤗

CS Boyack

11/29/2022 05:00:14

So glad it was “only” an appliance. Still a burden, but it could have been worse. Your sons look like they’re having a great time.

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 05:15:05

Thank you, Craig. The leak was such that there was no obvious water around the washing machine. We discovered it when we pulled it out from the wall. What a relief!

Priscilla Bettis link

11/29/2022 05:32:28

What beautiful photos from Argentina! Glad you figured out where the water came from. Cute poem.:-)

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 05:48:44

Thank you, Priscilla, on all points. 🤗

Karen Ingalls

11/29/2022 06:17:25

Joyfully grateful for your sons return home. Sounds like a wonderful trip.
Even those things we take for granted, remind us on occasion to be grateful for them. So glad the "flooding" was not worse.

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 07:07:11

Thank you, dear Karen. Sometimes it's just the little things of life that bring us into gratitude. Big hugs... 🤗

Jan Sikes

11/29/2022 08:03:32

I cannot even imagine the adventure your sons had and how special for brothers to share it! You are so right. We depend on these modern conveniences to make our lives easier and when they fail, it's always a debacle to be dealt with. Glad all ended well! Hugs!

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 12:22:24

Thanks, Jan. Yes, all ended well. Hugs back...

Pete Springer link

11/29/2022 08:10:10

It's wonderful to have children that embrace life and go for it like your boys did. It must have been so much fun to have them share their adventures with you.

Your feelings about your water spillage reminded me that most of us (myself included) tend to think the worst and are so relieved when it turns out to be a lesser financial problem that we eagerly pay the bill. I feel the same way when I bring my car in for what I think will be some major work that turns into a minor problem.

I love the personification in your piece with "revolting appliances."😊

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 12:24:16

Thank you, Pete. I'm relieved that I'm not the only one who fears the worst but finds out it's a lessor problem after all. You made me chuckle. 😊

john howell link

11/29/2022 08:28:22

Good to see your boys had a great time. Glad the machine was the issue and not pipes. What is it about you and water? It must like you.

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 12:25:06

I know... At least this home didn't flood as badly as the prior house. 😄

Liz Gauffreau link

11/29/2022 09:12:01

Your sons look like they were having the time of their lives on their adventure! I'm glad your water seepage was just a broken washing machine. As you say, it could have been a lot worse!

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 12:27:12

So true Liz. My sons had a great time and now they're talking about another trip perhaps next year. They live in NYC, so getting out into the wilds is a gift. 😊

Jacquie Biggar

11/29/2022 12:16:26

The photos are stunning, Gwen. Your sons are cool! lol
I'm glad it was an easy-if costly- fix to your leak issue. It's so stressful when something like that happens.

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 12:28:59

Thank you, Jacquie. Yep, I'm mighty happy the leak fix was not a major problem. 😊

Colleen Chesebro link

11/29/2022 13:05:00

Gwen, thank goodness your boys are home safe. I hope all is well with the new washing machine. What a fiasco. LOL! It's always something, isn't it? Thanks so much for the fun tanka. 💜

Gwen M. Plano

11/29/2022 15:56:00

Thank you, Colleen. I was feeling playful with the fiasco. Might as well, right? 🤗

Eugenia link

11/29/2022 17:17:40

Beautiful photos of your trip, Gwen, and I love that you have a sense of humor about your washing machine woes.

Gwen M. Plano

11/30/2022 03:00:45

Thank you, Eugenia. I'm glad you enjoyed my washing machine playfulness. 😊

Elizabeth link

11/30/2022 17:55:51

It's great when our kids enjoy their adventures, but much better when they are back close to us. All machines are wonderful when they are working properly, but terrible when they give us trouble. Glad you got a new one!

willowdot21 link

12/4/2022 00:02:33

Well sound like you had a lovely Thanksgiving, sons home and plumbing fixed ..your verse is so true of modern life 💜💜💜 Happy Christmas 🎄

Sharing a day of gratitude . . .

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