Posts
The beast has been vanquished! At least mostly. The last half of the week has definitely been better than the first.
I woke up Thurs morning with this overwhelming desire to clean my house.
Noooo, the fever had not escalated. I was actually feeling MUCH better. I washed dishes and clothes and tidied like a mad woman. DD4 kept telling me not to over do because even though I didn't feel tired it would come back to bite me on Friday if I wasn't careful. She was speaking from the experience of paying on Thurs for her own bit of energy on Wed. Fortunately she was only partly right.
Friday was a bit of a slowed down day but not a major setback. I managed to go into town to pay a bill and pick up a few groceries and ... that was it. Done for the day. But at least I got a little done before I collapsed.
Today I managed to make it to the program rehearsal at church. It was easy for me since all I do is sit and listen. Seriously, I am the official listener. I have the best job in the church! And because the program is tomorrow, this served as our sound check so we only have one song to go over at 8:45 tomorrow morning. Sweet!
The rest of the day was a serious do-nothing day. Well, except for the usual hack and blow and sound like a frog stuff, but, hey, it's still better than the laryngitis I've had all week. Anyway, the flu is on its way out of town and not a moment too soon, either.
Many thanks to all those who have been praying for us. God is answering. I just LOVE when He does that!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Warmed Over Mack Truck Cat
Run over by a Mack truck
Death warmed over
Something the cat dragged in
These are all expressions that my grandmother would use when describing how she felt when ill. You can pick any one of them or, shoot, go ahead and pick two, and you would have a pretty good idea of what the flu is doing to me.
These are the highlights of my week.
SUNDAY
Woke up with a sore throat and took my usual arsenal to combat viruses. The same stuff that NORMALLY would have kicked any germs to the curb and allowed me to continue my life. Two hours later I was worse instead of better and proceeded to spend the better part of the day sacked out sawing Z's.
MONDAY
Took a pain inventory and found that the list of what didn't hurt was shorter than what did: my fingernails, toenails and one small spot in the center of my right eyebrow. (Now, I can exaggerate with the best of them, I am a Southern girl after all, but this time, I wish.) Pushed fluids, expanded my arsenal and moved very little- except to the couch, my new bed. Beloved has work for the rest of the month- PRAISE THE LORD!!- so I REALLY don't want him to get this. (That sounds rather mercenary, huh? Not what I meant- I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy or his mean ole dog and especially not on Beloved!)
TUESDAY
Headline news for the day:
HIDDEN JEWEL TAKES A BATH AND WASHES DIRTY HAIR!
Yes, folks, you heard it here first! A feat of amazing skill and derring-do! One not to be repeated in the immediate future I assure you since it took almost all day to accomplish and the rest of the day to recuperate from.
WEDNESDAY
Ahh! Today has a list of accomplishments.
1) I got dressed. OK, it was after noon and only lasted about 2 hours, but still.
2) During that amazing window of opportunity I went to the bank- a half hour round trip.
3) When I returned home I collapsed in Beloved's recliner (where I had moved to at four this morning in an attempt to staunch the painful coughing) and managed to get a little nap.
Only problem is, I'm not used to sleeping sitting up or even reclining. so every time I would fall asleep my jaw would drop open and wake me up. Sheesh.
Lest you think that I'm just on a major whine here, let me tell you a little of what God has been doing.
Beloved has NOT gotten sick, even though he has been most attentive to his ickly, sickly wife and daughter. Oh, YES, DD4 came down with the SAME thing on Saturday. She keeps telling everyone that I taught her to share. Humph. I MEANT chocolate, silly.
Anyway, given that she had a day's head start and is almost 30 years younger, her recovery time has been swifter and some of her symptoms have been a little lighter. She has been a dear in ministering to her old mom, nagging, I mean reminding me to drink and take my supplements. She's also had more energy so she's been on Germ Patrol wiping out the enemy from wherever she thinks it may be lurking.
A dear friend went to the store for us on Monday and picked up some essential sick food, a cute card, and lovely flowers. Then she sent supper on Tuesday night. What a dear heart! She does have competition though. Two other friends contacted us and offered to make a store run. Even though their schedules were jam packed and one of them was recovering from illness as well. A third friend, whom we shall call the Grape Juice Bunny, left a jug of juice by our front door. And my precious medical friend took time out of her very busy schedule to answer my questions and offer advice that could speed up our healing.
Above all I have been covered in prayer by our precious friends and church family, many of whom are fighting similar bugs themselves.
So, in spite of feeling like a warmed over, dragged in cat that has been run over by a Mack truck, I am also feeling immensely loved and cared for.
Only God could do that.
Death warmed over
Something the cat dragged in
These are all expressions that my grandmother would use when describing how she felt when ill. You can pick any one of them or, shoot, go ahead and pick two, and you would have a pretty good idea of what the flu is doing to me.
These are the highlights of my week.
SUNDAY
Woke up with a sore throat and took my usual arsenal to combat viruses. The same stuff that NORMALLY would have kicked any germs to the curb and allowed me to continue my life. Two hours later I was worse instead of better and proceeded to spend the better part of the day sacked out sawing Z's.
MONDAY
Took a pain inventory and found that the list of what didn't hurt was shorter than what did: my fingernails, toenails and one small spot in the center of my right eyebrow. (Now, I can exaggerate with the best of them, I am a Southern girl after all, but this time, I wish.) Pushed fluids, expanded my arsenal and moved very little- except to the couch, my new bed. Beloved has work for the rest of the month- PRAISE THE LORD!!- so I REALLY don't want him to get this. (That sounds rather mercenary, huh? Not what I meant- I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy or his mean ole dog and especially not on Beloved!)
TUESDAY
Headline news for the day:
HIDDEN JEWEL TAKES A BATH AND WASHES DIRTY HAIR!
Yes, folks, you heard it here first! A feat of amazing skill and derring-do! One not to be repeated in the immediate future I assure you since it took almost all day to accomplish and the rest of the day to recuperate from.
WEDNESDAY
Ahh! Today has a list of accomplishments.
1) I got dressed. OK, it was after noon and only lasted about 2 hours, but still.
2) During that amazing window of opportunity I went to the bank- a half hour round trip.
3) When I returned home I collapsed in Beloved's recliner (where I had moved to at four this morning in an attempt to staunch the painful coughing) and managed to get a little nap.
Only problem is, I'm not used to sleeping sitting up or even reclining. so every time I would fall asleep my jaw would drop open and wake me up. Sheesh.
Lest you think that I'm just on a major whine here, let me tell you a little of what God has been doing.
Beloved has NOT gotten sick, even though he has been most attentive to his ickly, sickly wife and daughter. Oh, YES, DD4 came down with the SAME thing on Saturday. She keeps telling everyone that I taught her to share. Humph. I MEANT chocolate, silly.
Anyway, given that she had a day's head start and is almost 30 years younger, her recovery time has been swifter and some of her symptoms have been a little lighter. She has been a dear in ministering to her old mom, nagging, I mean reminding me to drink and take my supplements. She's also had more energy so she's been on Germ Patrol wiping out the enemy from wherever she thinks it may be lurking.
A dear friend went to the store for us on Monday and picked up some essential sick food, a cute card, and lovely flowers. Then she sent supper on Tuesday night. What a dear heart! She does have competition though. Two other friends contacted us and offered to make a store run. Even though their schedules were jam packed and one of them was recovering from illness as well. A third friend, whom we shall call the Grape Juice Bunny, left a jug of juice by our front door. And my precious medical friend took time out of her very busy schedule to answer my questions and offer advice that could speed up our healing.
Above all I have been covered in prayer by our precious friends and church family, many of whom are fighting similar bugs themselves.
So, in spite of feeling like a warmed over, dragged in cat that has been run over by a Mack truck, I am also feeling immensely loved and cared for.
Only God could do that.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Music Memories and a Red Velvet Hug
Today was a busy, blessed day. We had a special Thanksgiving service at our church today. The children sang, our Ladies Worship Team sang and I sang. And the roof did not fall in. Amazing.
I sang a song with the Worship Team called "How Great Is Our God". After I sat down I thought how much my voice has changed over the years. When I was in chorus in school I sang either 1st or 2nd soprano, depending on where the director needed more voices for a particular song. Today I sang on the alto side. Not truly alto, more like melody an octave lower with a few harmony notes thrown in for good measure. Kind of "also".
That thought reminded me of my dad. His standard joke was that he sang "solo"- "so low" you couldn't hear him. He was a funny guy but he was right about his singing ability. He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with the lid nailed shut. It didn't stop him from singing, though. He just made up his own tunes. And his own words. Different every time. He was a funny guy.
After the service we had a potluck fellowship dinner. Lots of food, a chance to visit with friends, some old & some new. And dessert, where God reminded me that He knows me personally and cares about the small things in our lives.
I posted yesterday that it was my mom's birthday. What I didn't mention was that I considered making one of her favorite cakes for thanksgiving but decided not to due to time constraints this week. (the "how many people do you think you are?" consideration) Mom had two favorite cake flavors- carrot and red velvet. Since carrot is also my favorite we usually have it for my birthday, so I thought about making a red velvet cake in honor of her birthday. When I went to the dessert table today, there was a beautiful red velvet cake. What a delicious reminder of God's love & care even in the small things. It felt like a warm hug.
How great is our God.
I sang a song with the Worship Team called "How Great Is Our God". After I sat down I thought how much my voice has changed over the years. When I was in chorus in school I sang either 1st or 2nd soprano, depending on where the director needed more voices for a particular song. Today I sang on the alto side. Not truly alto, more like melody an octave lower with a few harmony notes thrown in for good measure. Kind of "also".
That thought reminded me of my dad. His standard joke was that he sang "solo"- "so low" you couldn't hear him. He was a funny guy but he was right about his singing ability. He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with the lid nailed shut. It didn't stop him from singing, though. He just made up his own tunes. And his own words. Different every time. He was a funny guy.
After the service we had a potluck fellowship dinner. Lots of food, a chance to visit with friends, some old & some new. And dessert, where God reminded me that He knows me personally and cares about the small things in our lives.
I posted yesterday that it was my mom's birthday. What I didn't mention was that I considered making one of her favorite cakes for thanksgiving but decided not to due to time constraints this week. (the "how many people do you think you are?" consideration) Mom had two favorite cake flavors- carrot and red velvet. Since carrot is also my favorite we usually have it for my birthday, so I thought about making a red velvet cake in honor of her birthday. When I went to the dessert table today, there was a beautiful red velvet cake. What a delicious reminder of God's love & care even in the small things. It felt like a warm hug.
How great is our God.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Food and Memories
Whole Wheat Bread
Cranberry Salad
Sour Cream Cornbread
Tuna Pie
Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies
1 load of laundry
2 dishwasher loads of dishes
This is what I did today.
I would post a picture of my feet but they have gone into hiding.
It was a good day, though. I love it when I feel like I have actually accomplished something at the end of the day. I also love how cooking gives me "thinking time". Today I thought about my mother. She would have been 77 today.
What was really nice is that today, her birthday, wasn't a sad day. I didn't cry or really "miss" her. I just thought about her, and reflected on our relationship. It would be lovely if we had had the kind of relationship that brought warm, fuzzy memories, but we didn't. We loved each other but we didn't really understand each other. Due to several factors, misunderstanding being one, we didn't get along exceptionally well. I didn't grow up enough to truly appreciate her until long after she was gone. Unfortunately, youth was not an available excuse, (I was in my 30's, married with children) I was simply immature (and selfish) when it came to relationships. Not that I am really good at them now, just improved. My children have taught me a lot.
But today was not even about looking back with regret. It was just about simple memories drifting through my mind- mostly about food. As I looked through my favorite recipe book I noted several of her recipes, handed down one at a time, usually through a phone call that started with, "Mom, how do you make... ". There were some things that she never got the hang of cooking well- steaks were an endangered species in her kitchen (I gave up in them years ago- I hated spending all that money to end up with unchewable blackened beef jerky). But nobody could hold a candle to her fried chicken (except maybe Grandma) and her banana pudding (even Grandma).
I know enough today to be grateful for my mom, for the things that that she taught me and the things that she passed on to me. This Thanksgiving we'll be gathering with my siblings and their families and I'll make potato salad to contribute to the feast. Just like Mom taught me.
Cranberry Salad
Sour Cream Cornbread
Tuna Pie
Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies
1 load of laundry
2 dishwasher loads of dishes
This is what I did today.
I would post a picture of my feet but they have gone into hiding.
It was a good day, though. I love it when I feel like I have actually accomplished something at the end of the day. I also love how cooking gives me "thinking time". Today I thought about my mother. She would have been 77 today.
What was really nice is that today, her birthday, wasn't a sad day. I didn't cry or really "miss" her. I just thought about her, and reflected on our relationship. It would be lovely if we had had the kind of relationship that brought warm, fuzzy memories, but we didn't. We loved each other but we didn't really understand each other. Due to several factors, misunderstanding being one, we didn't get along exceptionally well. I didn't grow up enough to truly appreciate her until long after she was gone. Unfortunately, youth was not an available excuse, (I was in my 30's, married with children) I was simply immature (and selfish) when it came to relationships. Not that I am really good at them now, just improved. My children have taught me a lot.
But today was not even about looking back with regret. It was just about simple memories drifting through my mind- mostly about food. As I looked through my favorite recipe book I noted several of her recipes, handed down one at a time, usually through a phone call that started with, "Mom, how do you make... ". There were some things that she never got the hang of cooking well- steaks were an endangered species in her kitchen (I gave up in them years ago- I hated spending all that money to end up with unchewable blackened beef jerky). But nobody could hold a candle to her fried chicken (except maybe Grandma) and her banana pudding (even Grandma).
I know enough today to be grateful for my mom, for the things that that she taught me and the things that she passed on to me. This Thanksgiving we'll be gathering with my siblings and their families and I'll make potato salad to contribute to the feast. Just like Mom taught me.
Which Way Do I Go?
I have been wrestling with some decisions over the last couple of weeks that have come to a head the last few days.
Some decisions are pretty easy- to eat or not to eat? Eating almost always wins and without a lot of angst-filled thought. Some are harder- to get out of bed or to go back to sleep? This one could use a pro/con list but usually the 'get out of bed' comes out the winner... at least eventually.
It is the really hard decisions- you know, the ones that could change the course of your life- that leave me slightly dazed. While I'm constantly praying for God's will and direction in my life, sometimes (often during decision making prayers) He becomes curiously silent. And so I wait.
I'm not a fan of waiting.
Waiting on direction from the Lord is a lot like a plane circling the airport in a holding pattern. You may be moving but you aren't going anywhere. You aren't where you started out but you aren't where you are going either. And being anything but patient and pleasant is simply a waste of time and energy.
I've found that the problem is usually not so much that God isn't ready to talk but that I'm not ready to listen. And usually I'm not ready to listen because I really only want to hear one answer. And that usually isn't the one that He has for me. So even if He tries to speak to me and clearly says "The answer is blue", my mind tries to rearrange (twist?) the answer so that I reply, "Green, right, the answer is green".
No wonder God is silent.
Some decisions are pretty easy- to eat or not to eat? Eating almost always wins and without a lot of angst-filled thought. Some are harder- to get out of bed or to go back to sleep? This one could use a pro/con list but usually the 'get out of bed' comes out the winner... at least eventually.
It is the really hard decisions- you know, the ones that could change the course of your life- that leave me slightly dazed. While I'm constantly praying for God's will and direction in my life, sometimes (often during decision making prayers) He becomes curiously silent. And so I wait.
I'm not a fan of waiting.
Waiting on direction from the Lord is a lot like a plane circling the airport in a holding pattern. You may be moving but you aren't going anywhere. You aren't where you started out but you aren't where you are going either. And being anything but patient and pleasant is simply a waste of time and energy.
I've found that the problem is usually not so much that God isn't ready to talk but that I'm not ready to listen. And usually I'm not ready to listen because I really only want to hear one answer. And that usually isn't the one that He has for me. So even if He tries to speak to me and clearly says "The answer is blue", my mind tries to rearrange (twist?) the answer so that I reply, "Green, right, the answer is green".
No wonder God is silent.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Pickin Em Up and Puttin Em Down
I walked again this morning and can now in good conscience post this photo of me walking. It's one thing to take a photo of what I would look like walking and quite another to actually do it. Just ask my feet!
Provoked to Good Works
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:24
I've been thinking about this verse a lot since our pastor read it on Wed night. And I've been provoked a lot this week, too. To good works. I love it when I get to watch the Word in action- in my own life! A beautiful and much rarer thing than I would like.
Provocation 1- This Blog
I love to read blogs but I have been rather negligent in posting to my own. I have several blogs that I follow and have found it a bit disappointing when I visit and it's the same post that I read yesterday- and the day before- and the week before- and the month before... you get the idea. Anyway, it occurred to me that that is exactly what my friends and family have been experiencing when they have visited my blog for the last months. So, I have been provoked to the good work of posting to my blog at least weekly and more often if at all possible.
Provocation 2- Walking
It has been brought ot my attention (again) that my health issues have a better chance of being resolved in a favorable manner if I will simply exercise on a REGULAR basis. So, I have actually donned my tennies and walked three- count them- THREE times this week. Twice outside and once inside to a walking tape. In this I have definitely been provoked but it is a good thing.
Provocation 3- Work
I interviewed for a job this week. The reviews on how it went are mixed. Right now I am in a waiting mode since the final decision won't be made for a week or two. In the process of the interview a number of questions were asked that have made me analyze my experience in the workforce and the things that I really enjoyed doing. I also was challenged to consider some skills that are not up to snuff. In the spirit of that provocation I am working on improving my typing skills. Whether I get this job or not the time saved in typing proficiency will be a blessing to me personally in the work that I do for our family and church.
Sometimes being provoked is a blessing. This week has been full of blessings for which I am most grateful.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sole Journey- The Beginning
A while back I came across a photo blog/journal that really caught my eye. It was a young woman's chronicle of her weight loss journey. Every week she would post a photo of her progress in achieving a new body. I admired her courage, even when she began to regain the weight. (a concept that I could TOTALLY identify with!) Anyway, I tooled around and found other photo journals and thought, cool, maybe I should do something like this on my blog. Well, of course not the weight loss thing- get real! But maybe the photo journal thing. So, I started taking photos of different parts of my day- from a slightly different perspective. Now, I'm not likely to post daily (big surprise there) and maybe not even weekly (no small surprise there) but perhaps periodically.
So here is the beginning of my periodic photo journal of my life. A chance for you to follow in my footsteps, so to speak.
This is how I start my day- with prayer, Bible study and a green drink (affectionately known as Sludge or Swamp Water). Welcome to my world.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way.
Psalm 37:23
Saturday, July 12, 2008
What have you been doing... Part 2
These are for 2008.
The two June weddings were a week apart.
This was for a young couple who graduated high school two weeks before the wedding.
The two June weddings were a week apart.
This was for a young couple who graduated high school two weeks before the wedding.
We helped them plan, set up & decorate for about 100 people.
The waterfall was fun & a big hit!
This wedding was for a young couple in their late 70's. We didn't have a plan, we just brought our stuff & helped the groom's daughter and grandaughter set up & decorate for about 40 people. It helped that we had just done this the week before!
What have you been doing all this time???
I've been trying to figure out just how I've spent the past 17 months and I found some pictures that show some of what I've been doing.
These are for 2007.
Helped set up & decorate for baby shower April 2007
Plan, set up, decorate and host bridal shower May 2007
Helped decorate for LoveBug Day at our church May 2007
(included making 15-20 large lovebugs and 10-12 large ladybugs)
Helped set up & decorate for wedding June 2007
(This one was an interesting challenge as we had a large empty industrial building to turn into a wedding venue. It worked out surprisingly well. We just set up some specific focal points and ignored the rest. Besides, all eyes were on the bride & groom anyway :)
Planned decor, set up & decorated for wedding June 2007 (approx 200 people)
(Acted as stand in wedding coordinator the day of the wedding as the actual wedding coordinator - DD4 - was a bridesmaid. She's learning early that you just cannot be in two places at once.)
Helped plan decor, set up & decorate for 25th wedding anniversary July 2007
Helped plan, set up & decorate for wedding Oct 2007
Friday, June 27, 2008
Cyberamnesia and Turning Forty
So, only 17 months since my last post. I wish I could say that life has been so boring that there was nothing to write about. But you know better. And of course in and amongst the busyness I lost my password. And forgot my username. *sigh* Some things just never change.
(I guess you could say that I was suffering from Cyberamnesia.)
I've been reading some other blogs lately and was inspired to figure out who I was (again) and so have been restored to cyber health. In honor of one of my favorite inspirers I offer a belated 40th birthday post .
Welcome to the other side of the hill!
As you can see, it’s not as bad as all the hype may lead you to believe. I have found that while some things do decline – glasses are almost a given and gravity is NOT your friend – other things improve.
For instance, once I hit forty I made the executive decision that from then on I would choose what was fashionable for me – not the “fashion moguls”. I wanted to be comfortable and still look decidedly female, so I opted not to purchase any of the mud colored, ugly clothes in the stores. I also passed up purchases of the hooker-wear that is so thoughtfully provided in sizes from toddler to XXXXL. I refuse to wear a standard cut t-shirt, stiletto heels, advertising for designers or big name corporations and sleazy feeling fabrics. I love dresses, bright colors, ruffles, shirts that are long enough to cover my seat when I wear pants and silk. I figured I had lived in this body for forty years, I could wear what I like.
Another benefit to being forty was that I could choose what color I wanted for my hair. For the first half of the decade I opted for the natural look, flaunting my new silver tresses. In the second half I listened to the wishes of some family members and went dark, since forty is still so very young. I liked both looks but I kept finding that I liked the color of the roots better than the color from the bottle so now I’m going back natural- white in the front and silver streaked in the back. I figure hey, I’ve earned these puppies, why not let them shine! I can always add a colorful rinse if I’m in the mood.
Maybe I’ll try a flaming red.
The best thing for me about turning forty was that it gave me an excuse to let go of a lot of baggage from my “youth”. After all, I was a grown-up now and not the same person that I was in my teens, twenties or even early thirties. I could finally let go of a lot of old stuff and be the woman that God created me to be. I like her.
I enjoyed my forties. I loosened up, laughed more and stressed less. I tried to focus more on the truly important things and less on the transient stuff that I couldn’t change anyway. Now that I’m over fifty (hang on, the ride is a hoot!), I keep doing the same thing- letting go of the past (I can’t change it), letting go of stress (I'm not in control here so why waste my energies stressing?), laughing more (this is my favorite exercise!) and focusing on what is really important (when I leave this earth, what will I take with me and what kind of legacy will I leave behind?). Yeah, forty was great, but fifty?
Fifty ROCKS!
I hope you enjoy every minute of your forties! See you over the next hill!!
(I guess you could say that I was suffering from Cyberamnesia.)
I've been reading some other blogs lately and was inspired to figure out who I was (again) and so have been restored to cyber health. In honor of one of my favorite inspirers I offer a belated 40th birthday post .
Welcome to the other side of the hill!
As you can see, it’s not as bad as all the hype may lead you to believe. I have found that while some things do decline – glasses are almost a given and gravity is NOT your friend – other things improve.
For instance, once I hit forty I made the executive decision that from then on I would choose what was fashionable for me – not the “fashion moguls”. I wanted to be comfortable and still look decidedly female, so I opted not to purchase any of the mud colored, ugly clothes in the stores. I also passed up purchases of the hooker-wear that is so thoughtfully provided in sizes from toddler to XXXXL. I refuse to wear a standard cut t-shirt, stiletto heels, advertising for designers or big name corporations and sleazy feeling fabrics. I love dresses, bright colors, ruffles, shirts that are long enough to cover my seat when I wear pants and silk. I figured I had lived in this body for forty years, I could wear what I like.
Another benefit to being forty was that I could choose what color I wanted for my hair. For the first half of the decade I opted for the natural look, flaunting my new silver tresses. In the second half I listened to the wishes of some family members and went dark, since forty is still so very young. I liked both looks but I kept finding that I liked the color of the roots better than the color from the bottle so now I’m going back natural- white in the front and silver streaked in the back. I figure hey, I’ve earned these puppies, why not let them shine! I can always add a colorful rinse if I’m in the mood.
Maybe I’ll try a flaming red.
The best thing for me about turning forty was that it gave me an excuse to let go of a lot of baggage from my “youth”. After all, I was a grown-up now and not the same person that I was in my teens, twenties or even early thirties. I could finally let go of a lot of old stuff and be the woman that God created me to be. I like her.
I enjoyed my forties. I loosened up, laughed more and stressed less. I tried to focus more on the truly important things and less on the transient stuff that I couldn’t change anyway. Now that I’m over fifty (hang on, the ride is a hoot!), I keep doing the same thing- letting go of the past (I can’t change it), letting go of stress (I'm not in control here so why waste my energies stressing?), laughing more (this is my favorite exercise!) and focusing on what is really important (when I leave this earth, what will I take with me and what kind of legacy will I leave behind?). Yeah, forty was great, but fifty?
Fifty ROCKS!
I hope you enjoy every minute of your forties! See you over the next hill!!
Friday, January 26, 2007
All Thumbs
My mother had the greenest thumb of anyone I’ve ever known. Seeds, cuttings, dry dead twigs, it didn’t matter, if she planted it, it grew. I have inherited a lot of things from my mother. My straight, thinning hair, my pixie face, my small wrists and ankles, a strong streak of creativity and an affinity for needlework of almost any kind. What I did not inherit was her green thumb. If I had no fingers at all and just had ten thumbs, none of them would be green. I have the ability to kill a fern in less than two weeks and, while it takes a while to accomplish, I can even kill a Snake Plant, (also affectionately known as a Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) which are supposed to be virtually indestructible. The only green growing things that survive in my care are those which thrive on neglect. I have a few Christmas cacti inside that have not succumbed to my loving ministrations- yet.
I bought a couple of mums the end of last summer (I am ever the optimist) to spruce up Beloved’s house when we had it up for sale. His question was, get this now, “Who is going to water them every day?” My thought was, well, the rain, of course. However I did not take into account that they would be located on the porch by the front door- far away from the rain. So, sure enough, they died. Actually one of them died. The other brave little thing made a comeback in the late fall and made it almost to the end of the year.
So what has prompted these musings?
I killed a papaya today.
Even the fruit of a green growing thing is not safe with me.
A friend gave DD4 a HUGE papaya to try. It came all the way from Belize. It was lovely! I like dried papaya, so I thought fresh would be even better. I went online to find out how to use papaya and gather some recipes. I was ready for this football sized fruit to ripen. Today I gathered my supplies to make Papaya Muffins and began to prepare the fruit. The color was beautiful and the seeds looked great as I set them aside to use later. About halfway through, I noticed a strange odor. Kind of like barf. This is NOT an odor that should be in my kitchen- ever. With a sinking feeling in my heart I sniffed the beautiful papaya. WHOA!
I went to the papers that I had printed out and re-read them. “Ripe papaya should have a sweet smell.” This was NOT sweet! Here is where logic and rational thinking left me completely. I thought, maybe it’s not really the papaya FRUIT, maybe it’s the seeds or the skin. Maybe if I finish processing the fruit it will have that sweet smell it is supposed to have. Right. Because wishful thinking always works on stuff like this.
So, I finished peeling, scraping and cutting the fruit. Guess what?! It still smelled bad. I gathered it up and sadly tossed it away, bemoaning its loss all the while. Re-reading the papers AGAIN, I realized that I should have put the poor thing in the refrigerator to ripen rather than leave it on the counter.
So, the fruit that survived heat and disease and bugs, grew big enough to make it to market, traveled all the way from BELIZE to the US, survived the shipping and inspections and packing and trucking and displays in a BIG grocery, was hand picked and delivered to our home, could not survive my kitchen counter.
Apparently the only way I’m going to get a green thumb is to use paint.
As long as it’s not vegetable based.
I bought a couple of mums the end of last summer (I am ever the optimist) to spruce up Beloved’s house when we had it up for sale. His question was, get this now, “Who is going to water them every day?” My thought was, well, the rain, of course. However I did not take into account that they would be located on the porch by the front door- far away from the rain. So, sure enough, they died. Actually one of them died. The other brave little thing made a comeback in the late fall and made it almost to the end of the year.
So what has prompted these musings?
I killed a papaya today.
Even the fruit of a green growing thing is not safe with me.
A friend gave DD4 a HUGE papaya to try. It came all the way from Belize. It was lovely! I like dried papaya, so I thought fresh would be even better. I went online to find out how to use papaya and gather some recipes. I was ready for this football sized fruit to ripen. Today I gathered my supplies to make Papaya Muffins and began to prepare the fruit. The color was beautiful and the seeds looked great as I set them aside to use later. About halfway through, I noticed a strange odor. Kind of like barf. This is NOT an odor that should be in my kitchen- ever. With a sinking feeling in my heart I sniffed the beautiful papaya. WHOA!
I went to the papers that I had printed out and re-read them. “Ripe papaya should have a sweet smell.” This was NOT sweet! Here is where logic and rational thinking left me completely. I thought, maybe it’s not really the papaya FRUIT, maybe it’s the seeds or the skin. Maybe if I finish processing the fruit it will have that sweet smell it is supposed to have. Right. Because wishful thinking always works on stuff like this.
So, I finished peeling, scraping and cutting the fruit. Guess what?! It still smelled bad. I gathered it up and sadly tossed it away, bemoaning its loss all the while. Re-reading the papers AGAIN, I realized that I should have put the poor thing in the refrigerator to ripen rather than leave it on the counter.
So, the fruit that survived heat and disease and bugs, grew big enough to make it to market, traveled all the way from BELIZE to the US, survived the shipping and inspections and packing and trucking and displays in a BIG grocery, was hand picked and delivered to our home, could not survive my kitchen counter.
Apparently the only way I’m going to get a green thumb is to use paint.
As long as it’s not vegetable based.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It's just the beginning
First the bad news:
The ceiling moved to the floor
The tree is still up
The house looks like we’re moving
I have the flu
Now the good news:
No one was in the room when the ceiling fell and nothing was under it to be ruined
I am FINALLY starting to feel better
The fridge works great
God is still in control
The news that has not yet been categorized:
The insurance adjuster is coming today
I refuse to accept that this is the way 2007 is going to go. This is simply an anomaly. A blip in the calmness that is my life. In a few days all this will be over and everything will get back to normal.
Did I mention that I’ve been running a fever?
Welcome to a new year!
The ceiling moved to the floor
The tree is still up
The house looks like we’re moving
I have the flu
Now the good news:
No one was in the room when the ceiling fell and nothing was under it to be ruined
I am FINALLY starting to feel better
The fridge works great
God is still in control
The news that has not yet been categorized:
The insurance adjuster is coming today
I refuse to accept that this is the way 2007 is going to go. This is simply an anomaly. A blip in the calmness that is my life. In a few days all this will be over and everything will get back to normal.
Did I mention that I’ve been running a fever?
Welcome to a new year!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
New House Rule
OK. New house rule.
Only one room of the house may regurgitate its contents at a time.
A friend got a new fridge and Beloved agreed to take the old one off their hands. Great plan. So a really nice fridge was delivered yesterday. Beloved and our neighbor wrestled it inside and this morning we began the process of transferring all our cold edibles from the old large box to the new pretty one. However, in order to have room to accomplish this grand feat, the kitchen had to relinquish a good portion of its contents to the dining room and the living room. No problem. It’s just for a day or so at most, right?
Almost bedtime last night and DD4 calls out, “Mom, can you come look at this?” I answer the summons and she points to the ceiling in her room. “I don’t think it’s supposed to look like that,” she says. I look up and have to agree. Ceilings should be white and flat, not bulging and discolored. She summons her dad, who agrees that no, it should not look like that. However, there is nothing that any of us can do at the moment so we all go off to bed.
This morning I woke up thinking we should probably move her out of her room since there is no way to know how big this ceiling problem could be or how soon it may cave in. Well, as it turns out DD4 decided to move some of her stuff into another room last night - just in case. This seems particularly prudent since there is now a large crack in the ceiling that wasn’t there when I saw it last night. So, room # 2 is now tossing its contents all over the house. Into the office, the spare room, the main bathroom, the living room. Oh, my. And who knows how long this repair project will take.
Now the Christmas tree must come down early to make room for her computer so it's not ruined in the demolition process. Which is the equivalent of a third room ejecting its contents into the livingroom/dining room area.
I’m barricading my bedroom door.
Only one room of the house may regurgitate its contents at a time.
A friend got a new fridge and Beloved agreed to take the old one off their hands. Great plan. So a really nice fridge was delivered yesterday. Beloved and our neighbor wrestled it inside and this morning we began the process of transferring all our cold edibles from the old large box to the new pretty one. However, in order to have room to accomplish this grand feat, the kitchen had to relinquish a good portion of its contents to the dining room and the living room. No problem. It’s just for a day or so at most, right?
Almost bedtime last night and DD4 calls out, “Mom, can you come look at this?” I answer the summons and she points to the ceiling in her room. “I don’t think it’s supposed to look like that,” she says. I look up and have to agree. Ceilings should be white and flat, not bulging and discolored. She summons her dad, who agrees that no, it should not look like that. However, there is nothing that any of us can do at the moment so we all go off to bed.
This morning I woke up thinking we should probably move her out of her room since there is no way to know how big this ceiling problem could be or how soon it may cave in. Well, as it turns out DD4 decided to move some of her stuff into another room last night - just in case. This seems particularly prudent since there is now a large crack in the ceiling that wasn’t there when I saw it last night. So, room # 2 is now tossing its contents all over the house. Into the office, the spare room, the main bathroom, the living room. Oh, my. And who knows how long this repair project will take.
Now the Christmas tree must come down early to make room for her computer so it's not ruined in the demolition process. Which is the equivalent of a third room ejecting its contents into the livingroom/dining room area.
I’m barricading my bedroom door.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Number seven for 2006
We will be attending our last funeral of the year before the week is out. This will be the seventh dear one that we have lost this year. I realize that death is not anyone's favorite topic, mine included. The problem is that it keeps inserting itself into my life. I could write a lot of stuff on this topic including some really great rants. But for today I will simply mourn with those who mourn.
In memory of some really special people.
James Jones
Bill Bubb
Jess Henson
Hank Hinton
Diane Henderson
Charles Ponder
Lavon Ratcliffe
They are all greatly loved, sorely missed and not forgotten.
In memory of some really special people.
James Jones
Bill Bubb
Jess Henson
Hank Hinton
Diane Henderson
Charles Ponder
Lavon Ratcliffe
They are all greatly loved, sorely missed and not forgotten.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Change
I am truly impressed with all the folks who managed to blog in December. Actually I am impressed with everyone who manages to blog on a regular basis in ANY month. When I got online this morning to se if my blog was even still here, I found a draft that I had written on Nov 30. I submit it now while I try to catch a thought before the year ends.
Ever feel like you're on a runaway train? Or a passenger on the bus in the Speed movie? October just ended yesterday and before I could recover from the insanity it brought, November is gone. How does this happen? Is the universe on fast forward? Maybe it's just me. In perpetual high speed and the constant state of transition, or confusion, or both.I don't react well to change. Or quickly. Give me some time to think things over and I can come around to convincing myself that change can be a good thing. Just not right now. Maybe in a few minutes, or a couple of hours. Perhaps in a few days or sometime next week. How about after the first of the year? Yes, we can discuss change then. You say it's only February? Well, so much the better.
Problem is, I live in the wrong century to avoid change. It is relentless in it's continual flood of our world. As soon as I buy a product it is obsolete. The news that I heard this morning is irrelevant by evening. Even scienftific studies and medical breakthroughs are old news in an unbelievably short span of time. Change has conquered and the old is banished while the new is celebrated. For about 10 minutes. Then it becomes old too.
Change is not all bad and even some that looks bad initially can eventually be shown to have some redeeming qualities. The issue isn't really whether it is good or bad but simply that it must be dealt with. C0nstantly. And dealing with change is tiring. The worst part is that the time that it takes to deal with change is time taken away from other, more important things. Things like spending time with people you care about or helping others who need it. Perhaps just taking time to enjoy God's creation and marvel at the works of His hands.
I am so grateful that in all of this change one thing stands steady:
Ever feel like you're on a runaway train? Or a passenger on the bus in the Speed movie? October just ended yesterday and before I could recover from the insanity it brought, November is gone. How does this happen? Is the universe on fast forward? Maybe it's just me. In perpetual high speed and the constant state of transition, or confusion, or both.I don't react well to change. Or quickly. Give me some time to think things over and I can come around to convincing myself that change can be a good thing. Just not right now. Maybe in a few minutes, or a couple of hours. Perhaps in a few days or sometime next week. How about after the first of the year? Yes, we can discuss change then. You say it's only February? Well, so much the better.
Problem is, I live in the wrong century to avoid change. It is relentless in it's continual flood of our world. As soon as I buy a product it is obsolete. The news that I heard this morning is irrelevant by evening. Even scienftific studies and medical breakthroughs are old news in an unbelievably short span of time. Change has conquered and the old is banished while the new is celebrated. For about 10 minutes. Then it becomes old too.
Change is not all bad and even some that looks bad initially can eventually be shown to have some redeeming qualities. The issue isn't really whether it is good or bad but simply that it must be dealt with. C0nstantly. And dealing with change is tiring. The worst part is that the time that it takes to deal with change is time taken away from other, more important things. Things like spending time with people you care about or helping others who need it. Perhaps just taking time to enjoy God's creation and marvel at the works of His hands.
I am so grateful that in all of this change one thing stands steady:
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. "
Hebrews 13:8
Friday, November 10, 2006
Big Oct Event 3- Net loss of 30 lbs
For the last few months folks have been asking, "have you lost weight?" and I usually reply, "a little". Well, since I've hit -30 lbs no one will let me get by with that answer any more. Everyone keeps asking if I'm on a diet or if I've been sick or how exactly am I losing the weight. Here, finally, are the answers you've been looking for.
The story all begins last fall and winter when I kept getting sick with one thing after another. I missed so many family gatherings that my sister-in-law was wondering if I was mad at the family and avoiding them. By January I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had no energy and I couldn't seem to fight off the simplest cold. I didn't know what to do since I had tried everything I knew and nothing was working.
Now, for years our pastor has been teaching that everything has a spiritual root cause. I've had trouble with that, a lot. I mean, my headache is in my body and not some spiritual thing, right. Well, maybe not so much.
Pastor had been teaching a series on prayer on Sunday nights since the previous November and I had managed to catch some of them. The night of Jan 15 I was well enough to make it to church on Sun night and he was teaching on the importance of confessing our sins to the Lord so that our prayers could be heard. He taught that there were 4 different categories of sin and that most of us don't ususally deal with all four. Sin that is not dealt with continues to hang around and hinder our prayers, our spiritual growth and our relationship with God in general. Made sense.
I went home that night and took that list of categories and just prayed through them one by one, asking the Lord to show me my sin and forgive me. I would love to say that I had some amazing spiritual experience with lights and visions and tears and great life-changing emotion. Wouldn't we all like to have some great experience that we could point to and say- "Look! this is the day that God changed my life and I instantly became the wonderful person that I always knew I could be. From now on you may call me Saint (Insert name here)." Well, I didn't get that either.
What I did get was peace. And a sense of being set free. I didn't have tears and I didn't even know exactly what I had been set free from, but I knew I was free. I didn't have any more energy and wasn't any more well but I had this peace.
Three days later I was again crying out to God because I felt so lousy. I didn't know what to do but I knew I had to do SOMETHING because I couldn't function like I was. The Lord is so faithful. He sat me down and told me what my health situation was and that I needed to remove three things from my diet for the next six months. OK. Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Now, I still didn't have any visions and I wasn't hearing "voices", this was just something in my spirit that I heard in my heart but it was very specific and I knew that it was the Lord. I also knew that if God was going to take the time to communicate with me then I had better pay attention. So, I removed those things from my diet, immediately. And, you know, it wasn't hard. I didn't feel "deprived" and I didn't go hungry. I wasn't truly "dieting" I was just eating in obedience to the Lord, the weight began to just slowly and steadily go away. Way cool.
Six months passed and 20 lbs went with it. The Lord then directed me to go on a 30 day juice fast for my health. OK. I could do this. I would love to tell you that this was as easy as the previous six months but it wasn't. It was hard. I discovered that I don't care much for most vegetable juices and I really don't like apple juice. Not fresh, not bottled, not even organic. I was about half way through and counting the days when the Lord asked me to extend the fast by 10 days as a spiritual fast. OHHHH! I was already doing 30 days for my health and it was tough. But another 10 days? Well, I was on a roll and He had already done so much for me, how could I not do this? Besides, the only way I was going to successfully complete any of it was by His help. So, after 40 days of juice fasting I was 40 lbs lighter than when I began this journey in January.
Eating again has been a joy and has put back about 10 lbs but I'm ok with that since my goal was never to lose weight in the first place.
From the first day that I changed my eating habits I have had more energy and no sickness. It has been amazing to me the things that I have been able to do this year without getting sick and without having to take days to recouperate. I have been so blessed. The weight loss has been VERY nice (Beloved really likes it, too) but it has really just been the "icing on the cake" for me. Having peace, being free and having the energy to do what the Lord has assigned me to do- these are the best gifts I could ask for.
The story all begins last fall and winter when I kept getting sick with one thing after another. I missed so many family gatherings that my sister-in-law was wondering if I was mad at the family and avoiding them. By January I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had no energy and I couldn't seem to fight off the simplest cold. I didn't know what to do since I had tried everything I knew and nothing was working.
Now, for years our pastor has been teaching that everything has a spiritual root cause. I've had trouble with that, a lot. I mean, my headache is in my body and not some spiritual thing, right. Well, maybe not so much.
Pastor had been teaching a series on prayer on Sunday nights since the previous November and I had managed to catch some of them. The night of Jan 15 I was well enough to make it to church on Sun night and he was teaching on the importance of confessing our sins to the Lord so that our prayers could be heard. He taught that there were 4 different categories of sin and that most of us don't ususally deal with all four. Sin that is not dealt with continues to hang around and hinder our prayers, our spiritual growth and our relationship with God in general. Made sense.
I went home that night and took that list of categories and just prayed through them one by one, asking the Lord to show me my sin and forgive me. I would love to say that I had some amazing spiritual experience with lights and visions and tears and great life-changing emotion. Wouldn't we all like to have some great experience that we could point to and say- "Look! this is the day that God changed my life and I instantly became the wonderful person that I always knew I could be. From now on you may call me Saint (Insert name here)." Well, I didn't get that either.
What I did get was peace. And a sense of being set free. I didn't have tears and I didn't even know exactly what I had been set free from, but I knew I was free. I didn't have any more energy and wasn't any more well but I had this peace.
Three days later I was again crying out to God because I felt so lousy. I didn't know what to do but I knew I had to do SOMETHING because I couldn't function like I was. The Lord is so faithful. He sat me down and told me what my health situation was and that I needed to remove three things from my diet for the next six months. OK. Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Now, I still didn't have any visions and I wasn't hearing "voices", this was just something in my spirit that I heard in my heart but it was very specific and I knew that it was the Lord. I also knew that if God was going to take the time to communicate with me then I had better pay attention. So, I removed those things from my diet, immediately. And, you know, it wasn't hard. I didn't feel "deprived" and I didn't go hungry. I wasn't truly "dieting" I was just eating in obedience to the Lord, the weight began to just slowly and steadily go away. Way cool.
Six months passed and 20 lbs went with it. The Lord then directed me to go on a 30 day juice fast for my health. OK. I could do this. I would love to tell you that this was as easy as the previous six months but it wasn't. It was hard. I discovered that I don't care much for most vegetable juices and I really don't like apple juice. Not fresh, not bottled, not even organic. I was about half way through and counting the days when the Lord asked me to extend the fast by 10 days as a spiritual fast. OHHHH! I was already doing 30 days for my health and it was tough. But another 10 days? Well, I was on a roll and He had already done so much for me, how could I not do this? Besides, the only way I was going to successfully complete any of it was by His help. So, after 40 days of juice fasting I was 40 lbs lighter than when I began this journey in January.
Eating again has been a joy and has put back about 10 lbs but I'm ok with that since my goal was never to lose weight in the first place.
From the first day that I changed my eating habits I have had more energy and no sickness. It has been amazing to me the things that I have been able to do this year without getting sick and without having to take days to recouperate. I have been so blessed. The weight loss has been VERY nice (Beloved really likes it, too) but it has really just been the "icing on the cake" for me. Having peace, being free and having the energy to do what the Lord has assigned me to do- these are the best gifts I could ask for.
Big Oct Event 2- The "Baby" got her license
There are not many places today where 22 is considered "old". Apparently the DMV is one of them. Particularly if you are just getting your license and your learner's permit is only a year away from expiring.
When our youngest got her permit at 16 we commented on the 7 year expiration date, laughing that she should be able to get her license in that time frame. Little did we know what the years ahead would hold and how close she would come to using all that time that stretched before her "way back then". Finally, though, the milestone has been reached and overcome. The "baby" is driving.
I've decided that this is a good thing. I've passed most of the "go" errands off to her and retired my chauffeur's hat. Yes, this is a very good thing!
When our youngest got her permit at 16 we commented on the 7 year expiration date, laughing that she should be able to get her license in that time frame. Little did we know what the years ahead would hold and how close she would come to using all that time that stretched before her "way back then". Finally, though, the milestone has been reached and overcome. The "baby" is driving.
I've decided that this is a good thing. I've passed most of the "go" errands off to her and retired my chauffeur's hat. Yes, this is a very good thing!
Big Oct Event 1- The House is Sold!
See the House
See the House that Beloved bought
Big House
Old, yucky, dirty house
Half burned out house
Mammoth first restoration job
See Beloved work
See Beloved work hard
See Beloved shake head
See Beloved spend money
See the calendar change months
See the calendar change years
Again
Poor Beloved
But wait!
Look, the house is almost finished!
Yeah!
See the realtor
Nice realtor
See the realtor market the house
See the contract
See the lovely contract
Again
And Again
And Again
See the contract go away
Sad realtor
Sad Beloved
See the same people with a new contract
Again
And Again
See the contract go away, again
See the realtor wait
See Beloved wait
See the money go away
Sad
Scary
See the new contract
See Beloved say "no negotiations"
See the contract stay
See the SAME people buy the house!
Yeah!!
See the lovely check!
See Beloved breathe relief!
See the happy banker!
See the happy creditors!
See Beloved and I praise God!
See our prayer army praise God!
God is Good and His mercy endures forever!
His plan is perfect and His timing is perfect and His love is overwhelming!
Our unending gratitude goes out to everyone who has been involved with this project ( I think that includes almost everyone we know in some way or another). We are so grateful for your help and support. We could not have done this without you!
See the House that Beloved bought
Big House
Old, yucky, dirty house
Half burned out house
Mammoth first restoration job
See Beloved work
See Beloved work hard
See Beloved shake head
See Beloved spend money
See the calendar change months
See the calendar change years
Again
Poor Beloved
But wait!
Look, the house is almost finished!
Yeah!
See the realtor
Nice realtor
See the realtor market the house
See the contract
See the lovely contract
Again
And Again
And Again
See the contract go away
Sad realtor
Sad Beloved
See the same people with a new contract
Again
And Again
See the contract go away, again
See the realtor wait
See Beloved wait
See the money go away
Sad
Scary
See the new contract
See Beloved say "no negotiations"
See the contract stay
See the SAME people buy the house!
Yeah!!
See the lovely check!
See Beloved breathe relief!
See the happy banker!
See the happy creditors!
See Beloved and I praise God!
See our prayer army praise God!
God is Good and His mercy endures forever!
His plan is perfect and His timing is perfect and His love is overwhelming!
Our unending gratitude goes out to everyone who has been involved with this project ( I think that includes almost everyone we know in some way or another). We are so grateful for your help and support. We could not have done this without you!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Blogger Spotting
I'm here, I'm here!!! This month has been... I don't even have an adequate adjective to describe it at the moment. But it has finally ended and it is time to pick up the threads that remain and attempt to weave them back into something that resembles useful. I'll post some catch-up things in the next few days to get back up to speed. In the meantime- Happy November!
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