It feels as if September went by fairly quickly. I guess that means I was busy. Or time just snuck up on me.
This weekend I finally got to Decatur to visit my parents. On Saturday we went to the Apple Orchard in Sullivan and bought 5 1/2 dozen doughnuts and 4 gallons of minimally processed, barely filtered apple cider. My dad and I also had apple cider slushies -- so good. My mom wanted a pastry (not sure what that is exactly since I hadn't been to the Orchard before) but they had sold out of them earlier in the day. Needless to say, she was disappointed, but we opened up one of the packages of doughnuts and she seemed satisfied. I know I was.
On our way home from Sullivan we dropped a dozen doughnuts off at my cousin's house. Her dog, Hank, barked and growled at me and my mom. I had hoped to see JM, the new Marine, home for a brief break after completing boot camp, but he was out for the day with his girlfriend.
Saturday evening my mom grilled bacon-wrapped filets for dinner. Mine needed a little more time on the grill to be done enough for my taste, but it was still good. Mmmm, meat. : ) As I was washing the dinner dishes, the phone rang. One of GAD's nieces was calling from Hillsboro to ask my mom to come down and handle a "situation." GAD had imagined that a group of people were breaking into her house. She panicked and ran out of the house and then ran down her street, yelling. While she doesn't live in town, she does have neighbors in her rural subdivision, and a couple that had just moved to the neighborhood called the police.
Fortunately the police were able to get some information from GAD and they contacted the niece, who in turn contacted my mom and all but demanded that she come to Hillsboro -- an hour and a half away from Decatur -- and spend the night with GAD. My mom tried to explain that she had company, that would be ME!, and that it wasn't convenient for her to drop everything and jump in the car at seven o'clock in the evening. But this woman, L, was persistent. She said that neither she, nor her sister or brother -- all of whom live less than 15 minutes away -- would be able to help out. So my mom added a few things to the bag she keeps packed for emergencies and headed to Hillsboro.
I know my mom didn't really have a choice, but I was so disappointed when she left. One of the reasons I had gone to Decatur this particular weekend was to hear my mom sing in the choir. Now she wouldn't even be here to go to church. And I wasn't sure if she would be home before I had to leave to drive back to Carol Stream. I definitely wasn't thinking kind thoughts towards GAD's relatives on the other side of the family. All of these people who weren't willing to be inconvenienced are much younger than my 73-year old mother. Yet they didn't think anything of forcing her to drive on two-lane country roads at night. These inconsiderate relatives are only waiting around for GAD to die so they can grab their inheritance. Grrrr.
This morning my dad and I went to church and then he took me out for breakfast to Bob Evan's. We both had coffee and the biscuit and gravy special. It was nice to have some time alone with him, but I was still missing my mom. Fortunately she was able to take GAD to her brother's house after they had gone to church and the niece that called my mom the night before agreed that she would keep an eye on GAD tonight. I was able to put off starting my three hour drive home long enough so I could briefly see my mom when she came back from Hillsboro.
The weekend didn't go totally according to plan, but in the end, it was okay. I was able to visit with my parents; I had a nice Sunday morning with my dad, and we all enjoyed our outing to the Orchard on Saturday. I'd say it was a good way to close out the month of September. : )
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thankful Thursday
The past three days have been long and not especially fun. I am heading into a weekend with my parents seriously sleep deprived and emotionally exhausted. I can only hope I'll be able to stay awake throughout the three hour drive tomorrow.
But in spite of these recent challenges, I am thankful that I was able to be with my friend J in the emergency room Tuesday afternoon and evening. J couldn't get in touch with her boyfriend so she called me to come and keep her company. The next day I was at the hospital for over eight hours while J had surgery, and this afternoon I provided conversation and hands-on care for five hours until another one of J's friends was able to come and relieve me.
My experience as J's caregiver and advocate has once again confirmed for me that I am unsuited to be a nurse or work in the medical field. Still, I am thankful that I have been able to support and encourage J when she needed someone to help her through a scary and uncertain time. I fully believe that the Lord enabled me to be patient with J as she struggled with confusion and memory issues as a result of an anti-anxiety sedative she was given before and after surgery. And I also know that God has helped me to do certain tasks that are normally outside of my comfort zone.
J has been there for me many times over the twenty-eight years that we've been friend. I'm glad that I've been able to be there for her this week.
But in spite of these recent challenges, I am thankful that I was able to be with my friend J in the emergency room Tuesday afternoon and evening. J couldn't get in touch with her boyfriend so she called me to come and keep her company. The next day I was at the hospital for over eight hours while J had surgery, and this afternoon I provided conversation and hands-on care for five hours until another one of J's friends was able to come and relieve me.
My experience as J's caregiver and advocate has once again confirmed for me that I am unsuited to be a nurse or work in the medical field. Still, I am thankful that I have been able to support and encourage J when she needed someone to help her through a scary and uncertain time. I fully believe that the Lord enabled me to be patient with J as she struggled with confusion and memory issues as a result of an anti-anxiety sedative she was given before and after surgery. And I also know that God has helped me to do certain tasks that are normally outside of my comfort zone.
J has been there for me many times over the twenty-eight years that we've been friend. I'm glad that I've been able to be there for her this week.
I heard it on the radio
I haven't written an "I heard it on the radio" post lately, and tonight I heard something that I felt was worthy of a post.
The speaker, Chip Ingram, was speaking about the importance of parental authority in the complicated equation of raising children to be responsible and independent adults. He stressed that children need to be taught to respect and obey their parents. Those attitudes and actions are not ones that come naturally. Just as a puppy or kitten needs to be trained to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior, children need to be trained; they need to know what is expected of them and they need to know what will not be tolerated.
One of the keys to achieving these outcomes lies with parents -- good parents love their children and train and discipline them fairly and consistently. If children feel loved and secure, they will be more likely to respect and obey their parents.
Some people will say that, in regards to this issue, there is a difference between the response of young children vs. the response of tweens and adolescents -- they're probably partially right. Even with the most submissive kids, there's often a little bit of an attitude factor that occurs during the teenage years. An anonymous quote (misattributed to Mark Twain) says "When I was seventeen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to be around him. By the time I turned twenty-five, I was amazed at how much the old man had learned in the last eight years."
Children may feel that they know more, or better, than their parents, and consequently don't need to respect and/or obey them. But we need only look to Jesus, our perfect model and pattern, to see the exemplary response he set for us all. Jesus -- fully human and, at the same time, fully divine -- did know more than his parents. And yet, He respected and obeyed them.
If the Son of God obeyed His earthly parents in all things, who are we to do any less?
The speaker, Chip Ingram, was speaking about the importance of parental authority in the complicated equation of raising children to be responsible and independent adults. He stressed that children need to be taught to respect and obey their parents. Those attitudes and actions are not ones that come naturally. Just as a puppy or kitten needs to be trained to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior, children need to be trained; they need to know what is expected of them and they need to know what will not be tolerated.
One of the keys to achieving these outcomes lies with parents -- good parents love their children and train and discipline them fairly and consistently. If children feel loved and secure, they will be more likely to respect and obey their parents.
Some people will say that, in regards to this issue, there is a difference between the response of young children vs. the response of tweens and adolescents -- they're probably partially right. Even with the most submissive kids, there's often a little bit of an attitude factor that occurs during the teenage years. An anonymous quote (misattributed to Mark Twain) says "When I was seventeen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to be around him. By the time I turned twenty-five, I was amazed at how much the old man had learned in the last eight years."
Children may feel that they know more, or better, than their parents, and consequently don't need to respect and/or obey them. But we need only look to Jesus, our perfect model and pattern, to see the exemplary response he set for us all. Jesus -- fully human and, at the same time, fully divine -- did know more than his parents. And yet, He respected and obeyed them.
If the Son of God obeyed His earthly parents in all things, who are we to do any less?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Everything's fine -- until it isn't
I got an early start to my day today. I know, rare for me, but I was picking a friend up for lunch at 11, so I needed to get up and get going.
D and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch and she showed off pictures of her new grandson. So cute! After I dropped her back off at work, I returned two items to TJ Maxx and bought two new items, all while talking to my mom as I wandered around the store.
On my way home my friend J called, but I couldn't get my cell phone out of my pocket in time to answer it. I tried to ring her back, but the call went straight to voice mail. Odd. Roughly half an hour later, J texted and asked if I would meet her at the ER.
Yikes! J has a history of kidney stones, but she hadn't had a flare up in a while. Earlier in the day she posted on facebook that she was on day 6 of a bout with the flu. I assumed that maybe she had become dehydrated or was unable to stop vomiting. I told J I was on my way and headed to CDH.
J (and I) have a long history with CDH. She has been a patient there for: two bouts with kidney stones, an ER visit to determine that she had an ovarian cyst, surgery to repair a labral tear in her hip, a colonoscopy, and probably some other procedures that are unknown to me. We joke that between us, we've probably paid for at least several pieces of artwork and half of the upholstered furniture in the outpatient surgery waiting room.
Unfortunately J will be funding a few more settees and coffee tables because tomorrow she will have her gallbladder removed. The nausea, fever, vomiting, and aches and pains that the doctor on call in her practice attributed to flu in reality were symptoms of a badly inflamed and infected gallbladder that will have to come out. Hopefully the surgeon will be able to use laparoscopy, rather than open surgery which would lead to a longer and more painful recovery. The severity of of the infection and inflammation will determine which method the surgeon employs.
Once the morphine kicked in, J was feeling no pain and was much more relaxed than when I first saw her in the ER waiting area. In her drug-induced euphoria she is ready with a capital R to get rid of this small, non-vital organ that has caused her so much pain. I'm worried that she doesn't understand the seriousness of open surgery (which I believe she will have to have), the high probability for complications, and the lengthy recovery that she will likely have to face. Hopefully the surgeon will explain all of that tomorrow when she meets him.
For tonight, I hope the antibiotics and pain meds are effective and J is able to get some much needed sleep. I will see her tomorrow before she goes in to surgery and I will be waiting for her when she wakes up in recovery -- it's the least I can do for a woman who has been my friend for almost 28 years.
D and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch and she showed off pictures of her new grandson. So cute! After I dropped her back off at work, I returned two items to TJ Maxx and bought two new items, all while talking to my mom as I wandered around the store.
On my way home my friend J called, but I couldn't get my cell phone out of my pocket in time to answer it. I tried to ring her back, but the call went straight to voice mail. Odd. Roughly half an hour later, J texted and asked if I would meet her at the ER.
Yikes! J has a history of kidney stones, but she hadn't had a flare up in a while. Earlier in the day she posted on facebook that she was on day 6 of a bout with the flu. I assumed that maybe she had become dehydrated or was unable to stop vomiting. I told J I was on my way and headed to CDH.
J (and I) have a long history with CDH. She has been a patient there for: two bouts with kidney stones, an ER visit to determine that she had an ovarian cyst, surgery to repair a labral tear in her hip, a colonoscopy, and probably some other procedures that are unknown to me. We joke that between us, we've probably paid for at least several pieces of artwork and half of the upholstered furniture in the outpatient surgery waiting room.
Unfortunately J will be funding a few more settees and coffee tables because tomorrow she will have her gallbladder removed. The nausea, fever, vomiting, and aches and pains that the doctor on call in her practice attributed to flu in reality were symptoms of a badly inflamed and infected gallbladder that will have to come out. Hopefully the surgeon will be able to use laparoscopy, rather than open surgery which would lead to a longer and more painful recovery. The severity of of the infection and inflammation will determine which method the surgeon employs.
Once the morphine kicked in, J was feeling no pain and was much more relaxed than when I first saw her in the ER waiting area. In her drug-induced euphoria she is ready with a capital R to get rid of this small, non-vital organ that has caused her so much pain. I'm worried that she doesn't understand the seriousness of open surgery (which I believe she will have to have), the high probability for complications, and the lengthy recovery that she will likely have to face. Hopefully the surgeon will explain all of that tomorrow when she meets him.
For tonight, I hope the antibiotics and pain meds are effective and J is able to get some much needed sleep. I will see her tomorrow before she goes in to surgery and I will be waiting for her when she wakes up in recovery -- it's the least I can do for a woman who has been my friend for almost 28 years.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Music Monday
I guess I'm sort of on a Hall & Oates kick.
I think this song would be a great, if somewhat unconventional, first dance song for a wedding reception.
I think this song would be a great, if somewhat unconventional, first dance song for a wedding reception.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Well and truly fall
Today was the first day of fall and it well and truly felt like fall.
It was windy and briskly chilly. The sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue with a mixture of white fluffy clouds and heavier gray clouds.
But most of all, overnight some of the trees, mostly a specific type of maple, started to turn an orangey red. I wish our trees -- the few that we have left -- would turn a gorgeous crimson or deep orange. But alas, our maples are the type that have an anemic gold fall foliage.
I used to think I wouldn't mind raking leaves so much if I had beautifully colored leaves to rake. The trees at my childhood home were sycamores with very large, ugly brown leaves -- not fun at all to rake. At this point it doesn't much matter because G usually just mows the lawn a few times and the mower takes care of the leaves and creates a mulch of sorts for our flower beds. Although since G announced today that the mower is officially dead, I may be raking leaves once again.
It was windy and briskly chilly. The sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue with a mixture of white fluffy clouds and heavier gray clouds.
But most of all, overnight some of the trees, mostly a specific type of maple, started to turn an orangey red. I wish our trees -- the few that we have left -- would turn a gorgeous crimson or deep orange. But alas, our maples are the type that have an anemic gold fall foliage.
I used to think I wouldn't mind raking leaves so much if I had beautifully colored leaves to rake. The trees at my childhood home were sycamores with very large, ugly brown leaves -- not fun at all to rake. At this point it doesn't much matter because G usually just mows the lawn a few times and the mower takes care of the leaves and creates a mulch of sorts for our flower beds. Although since G announced today that the mower is officially dead, I may be raking leaves once again.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
When the unimaginable happens
Four years ago today, something horrible happened. Not to me or my family. Not even to someone that I know. But what happened has touched me in a profound way. And if this incident has affected me so strongly, I can't even begin to imagine how it has forever altered the life of the family at the center of the tragedy.
Before September 19, 2008, I had never heard of BT or his family, even though they lived just a few miles away from me. The only reason I heard about what happened to BT was because one of M's friends dated a guy who was friends with him.
When the unimaginable happens, news travels fast. In this case the news traveled from West Lafayette to the western suburbs of Chicago, and probably in a hundred other directions that were unknown to me.
When the unimaginable happens, life is changed in an instant. Hopes and dreams, plans for the future evaporate and emptiness, uncertainty, anger, and hopelessness take their place.
Nothing is guaranteed. We know that it's foolish to take life for granted, but years pass -- our children survive various illnesses, athletic injuries, foolish decisions involving cars or alcohol. And somehow, we let our guard down. We delude ourselves into believing that our children have reached a magical age when they will be "safe" from harm. We know that tragedy strikes other people's children, but, for the sake of our sanity, we convince ourselves that our children are immune.
Until the unimaginable happens.
Before September 19, 2008, I had never heard of BT or his family, even though they lived just a few miles away from me. The only reason I heard about what happened to BT was because one of M's friends dated a guy who was friends with him.
When the unimaginable happens, news travels fast. In this case the news traveled from West Lafayette to the western suburbs of Chicago, and probably in a hundred other directions that were unknown to me.
When the unimaginable happens, life is changed in an instant. Hopes and dreams, plans for the future evaporate and emptiness, uncertainty, anger, and hopelessness take their place.
Nothing is guaranteed. We know that it's foolish to take life for granted, but years pass -- our children survive various illnesses, athletic injuries, foolish decisions involving cars or alcohol. And somehow, we let our guard down. We delude ourselves into believing that our children have reached a magical age when they will be "safe" from harm. We know that tragedy strikes other people's children, but, for the sake of our sanity, we convince ourselves that our children are immune.
Until the unimaginable happens.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Music Monday
Today was G's birthday. For the past three years, K and G have celebrated his birthday with a sushi dinner, just the two of them. This year they persuaded me to join them. I don't like sushi, but the restaurant they go to does offer some cooked items.
I was glad that I agreed to go. It is always good to spend time with K and, because we arrived in the city a half an hour before we were supposed to meet for dinner, she asked us if we'd like to see the office where she works. We were able to meet a few of her coworkers and get a feel for the environment that has been K's work home for the last year.
Dinner was delicious. I had no idea that my husband and daughter were capable of consuming so much sushi. I guess when it's "all you can eat", you don't want to walk away from the table wishing you'd ordered another spicy tuna roll. : )
Before we headed home we briefly stopped off at K's apartment. I thought the evening had gone well and I was encouraged that K seemed better emotionally than any time we'd been together since KC broke up with her. Foolishly, optimistically, I allowed myself to hope that maybe she was beginning to move on and put some of the heartbreak and sadness (too trivial a word to adequately describe the pain she has experienced) behind her.
G had already gotten in the car and started the engine. K and I were standing on the sidewalk. She glanced at her daddy, patiently waiting for me to climb in the car, and her eyes filled with tears. And in an instant, I realized how wrong I had been to hope, and my heart broke for her.
How could KC break up with my beautiful daughter? How could he look into her clear, green eyes and tell her that he didn't want to be in a relationship with her -- that he loved her, but that he couldn't continue to date her?
At that moment, with her eyes glistening and tears rolling down the all too familiar tracks they've traced on her cheeks, I don't think my daughter has ever looked more vulnerable or more beautiful. How could KC, if he truly loves K as he claims, how could he hurt her as deeply as he has? His decision and actions are completely unfathomable to me.
As I stood on the sidewalk with K, this song* flashed through my mind. Although the lyrics aren't a perfect fit (no infidelity was involved), the plaintive melody and repeated phrase "sad eyes" characterize my precious daughter perfectly.
* I looked at a lot of YouTube videos before I settled for this one -- and I definitely mean settled -- most of the videos were really hokey, with cheesy images, or even worse, almost pornographic ones. Ugh. In the end I decided a spinning 45 was the most inoffensive. After all, it's really the music that matters.
I was glad that I agreed to go. It is always good to spend time with K and, because we arrived in the city a half an hour before we were supposed to meet for dinner, she asked us if we'd like to see the office where she works. We were able to meet a few of her coworkers and get a feel for the environment that has been K's work home for the last year.
Dinner was delicious. I had no idea that my husband and daughter were capable of consuming so much sushi. I guess when it's "all you can eat", you don't want to walk away from the table wishing you'd ordered another spicy tuna roll. : )
Before we headed home we briefly stopped off at K's apartment. I thought the evening had gone well and I was encouraged that K seemed better emotionally than any time we'd been together since KC broke up with her. Foolishly, optimistically, I allowed myself to hope that maybe she was beginning to move on and put some of the heartbreak and sadness (too trivial a word to adequately describe the pain she has experienced) behind her.
G had already gotten in the car and started the engine. K and I were standing on the sidewalk. She glanced at her daddy, patiently waiting for me to climb in the car, and her eyes filled with tears. And in an instant, I realized how wrong I had been to hope, and my heart broke for her.
How could KC break up with my beautiful daughter? How could he look into her clear, green eyes and tell her that he didn't want to be in a relationship with her -- that he loved her, but that he couldn't continue to date her?
At that moment, with her eyes glistening and tears rolling down the all too familiar tracks they've traced on her cheeks, I don't think my daughter has ever looked more vulnerable or more beautiful. How could KC, if he truly loves K as he claims, how could he hurt her as deeply as he has? His decision and actions are completely unfathomable to me.
As I stood on the sidewalk with K, this song* flashed through my mind. Although the lyrics aren't a perfect fit (no infidelity was involved), the plaintive melody and repeated phrase "sad eyes" characterize my precious daughter perfectly.
* I looked at a lot of YouTube videos before I settled for this one -- and I definitely mean settled -- most of the videos were really hokey, with cheesy images, or even worse, almost pornographic ones. Ugh. In the end I decided a spinning 45 was the most inoffensive. After all, it's really the music that matters.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
On the water
We drove to Milwaukee today to watch M row with Purdue Crew at the Milwaukee River Challenge. It was a beautiful day -- sunny, not too warm, with a pleasant breeze. We had never gone to the Milwaukee regatta before, and since M is a senior, this was our last chance. I'm glad we made the effort to go.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thankful Thursday
It has been a very long two and a half weeks, but the PFH is finally over!!!
I am so thankful that I'm able to go to the grocery store and not have to rush around like a crazy person, grabbing things and throwing them into my cart -- all so I can hurry home before I have a bloody accident. This afternoon I went to a friend's house for prayer group and I didn't have to worry if I was going to feel that awful gushing feeling when I stood up from her kitchen table. I'm not totally free from a dependence on personal products (the phrase I've used for years with my daughters), but at least I no longer have to gird for battle 24 hours a day.
I know that menstruation is part of God's good design for childbearing. I am so thankful that, apart from a bit of a hiccup at the beginning of my active attempts at conception, my cycles served the purpose that God intended them to in respect to conceiving and sustaining prenatal life. Once G and I moved on from childbearing to child rearing, I would gladly have said good-bye to my monthly cycle, but here I am, 21 years since my last child was born . . . still buying and using personal products.
Only God knows if I'll have another period, but for now, I am very, very thankful that my most recent one is over.
I am so thankful that I'm able to go to the grocery store and not have to rush around like a crazy person, grabbing things and throwing them into my cart -- all so I can hurry home before I have a bloody accident. This afternoon I went to a friend's house for prayer group and I didn't have to worry if I was going to feel that awful gushing feeling when I stood up from her kitchen table. I'm not totally free from a dependence on personal products (the phrase I've used for years with my daughters), but at least I no longer have to gird for battle 24 hours a day.
I know that menstruation is part of God's good design for childbearing. I am so thankful that, apart from a bit of a hiccup at the beginning of my active attempts at conception, my cycles served the purpose that God intended them to in respect to conceiving and sustaining prenatal life. Once G and I moved on from childbearing to child rearing, I would gladly have said good-bye to my monthly cycle, but here I am, 21 years since my last child was born . . . still buying and using personal products.
Only God knows if I'll have another period, but for now, I am very, very thankful that my most recent one is over.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
It's that time again
Women's Bible Study started up again this evening. I'm looking forward to the routine and discipline of studying the Bible.
Once again, I am going to attempt to spread the weekly study out over the course of several days, rather than leaving it all to Tuesday night or even Wednesday during the day. It will be even more important to do my best to achieve this goal because this study is much more introspective than some of the past studies that have been more concrete and in some cases a little too "fill in the blanks." If I leave the whole lesson till the last minute, I will be shortchanging myself as to what God wants me to learn from His Word.
This year my group leaders are the same leaders I had the first two years I attended the evening study. I really like N and S and I think we are going to have a good group. There are four women who I know from previous small groups and several other women who I know from other ministries at church. It usually makes for a more comfortable start for me if I at least know a few of the small group members.
There are two women in the group who, if left unchecked, have the potential to take over the discussion -- sometimes with good insights, but often with long-winded stories and examples. It's not my place to try to control either one of these women; hopefully N and S will do that. My responsibility is to come to Bible study prepared to listen and learn what God wants to reveal to me and to ready to share what He already has revealed to me through my individual time in His Word. I also need to spend time in prayer, ahead of time, asking the Lord to help me to focus on the study and not be distracted by the eccentricities of the participants.
I'm trusting God that this will be a fruitful year of Bible study.
Once again, I am going to attempt to spread the weekly study out over the course of several days, rather than leaving it all to Tuesday night or even Wednesday during the day. It will be even more important to do my best to achieve this goal because this study is much more introspective than some of the past studies that have been more concrete and in some cases a little too "fill in the blanks." If I leave the whole lesson till the last minute, I will be shortchanging myself as to what God wants me to learn from His Word.
This year my group leaders are the same leaders I had the first two years I attended the evening study. I really like N and S and I think we are going to have a good group. There are four women who I know from previous small groups and several other women who I know from other ministries at church. It usually makes for a more comfortable start for me if I at least know a few of the small group members.
There are two women in the group who, if left unchecked, have the potential to take over the discussion -- sometimes with good insights, but often with long-winded stories and examples. It's not my place to try to control either one of these women; hopefully N and S will do that. My responsibility is to come to Bible study prepared to listen and learn what God wants to reveal to me and to ready to share what He already has revealed to me through my individual time in His Word. I also need to spend time in prayer, ahead of time, asking the Lord to help me to focus on the study and not be distracted by the eccentricities of the participants.
I'm trusting God that this will be a fruitful year of Bible study.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Music Monday
Past, present, forgiveness, acceptance, love for a lifetime . . . We're All Alone references it all.
Ahh, Boz Scaggs. Silk Degrees was the quintessential album of 1976 . . . well, maybe it's a tie with Frampton Comes Alive! Who said that the 70's were a wasteland for good music???
Lido Shuffle, Harbor Lights, Georgia, and of course Lowdown were fabulous songs, but even though We're All Alone wasn't a chart-topper, it has staying power and still stirs emotions. I bet it's popular at the karaoke bars in Japan where Boz Scaggs performs every summer for his loyal fans.
Ahh, Boz Scaggs. Silk Degrees was the quintessential album of 1976 . . . well, maybe it's a tie with Frampton Comes Alive! Who said that the 70's were a wasteland for good music???
Lido Shuffle, Harbor Lights, Georgia, and of course Lowdown were fabulous songs, but even though We're All Alone wasn't a chart-topper, it has staying power and still stirs emotions. I bet it's popular at the karaoke bars in Japan where Boz Scaggs performs every summer for his loyal fans.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A pleasant day
This afternoon G and I went to Chicago to visit with K. I had picked up several things at TJ Maxx that I thought K would like to add to her work wardrobe and I wanted to see if she liked them and if they fit. Sadly, only two items were "keepers."
One of the many great things about visiting K is the abundance of places for us to investigate, especially restaurants. Two weeks ago we ate at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant and last weekend we returned to a neighborhood favorite. Today we decided to walk and shop in addition to keeping our eyes open for something to eat.
To that end, we checked out the Renegade Craft Fair. I have wanted to go to the RCF for quite some time, and finally my desire became reality. The RCF is massive; the double row of tents run down the middle of Division St. for several blocks. A few side streets have tent areas as well. In addition to jewelry, prints, paper goods, furniture, fashion accessories and more, there are also food vendors! G and K weren't especially hungry, but I was feeling a little peckish, so G bought me two BBQ pork tacos and a ginger mint ice tea -- YUM! K tried some of the taco and agreed it was delicious. On our way back to K's apartment we stopped at Caffé Gelato where we shared a small cup of chocolate hazelnut and caramel gelato. It was molto delizioso. : )
My foot was bothering me when we started out from K's apartment. After awhile my foot felt better, but then my hip began to hurt. Aiyiyi, this aging business is not much fun. : /
In spite of my bum foot and hip, today was a beautiful fall day -- cool, yet sunny, with blue skies and puffy white clouds. I was happy that I finally made it to the Renegade Craft Fair and *BONUS* I was able to spend time with K and enjoy some super tasty food as well. I'll take a day like that anytime. : ))
One of the many great things about visiting K is the abundance of places for us to investigate, especially restaurants. Two weeks ago we ate at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant and last weekend we returned to a neighborhood favorite. Today we decided to walk and shop in addition to keeping our eyes open for something to eat.
To that end, we checked out the Renegade Craft Fair. I have wanted to go to the RCF for quite some time, and finally my desire became reality. The RCF is massive; the double row of tents run down the middle of Division St. for several blocks. A few side streets have tent areas as well. In addition to jewelry, prints, paper goods, furniture, fashion accessories and more, there are also food vendors! G and K weren't especially hungry, but I was feeling a little peckish, so G bought me two BBQ pork tacos and a ginger mint ice tea -- YUM! K tried some of the taco and agreed it was delicious. On our way back to K's apartment we stopped at Caffé Gelato where we shared a small cup of chocolate hazelnut and caramel gelato. It was molto delizioso. : )
My foot was bothering me when we started out from K's apartment. After awhile my foot felt better, but then my hip began to hurt. Aiyiyi, this aging business is not much fun. : /
In spite of my bum foot and hip, today was a beautiful fall day -- cool, yet sunny, with blue skies and puffy white clouds. I was happy that I finally made it to the Renegade Craft Fair and *BONUS* I was able to spend time with K and enjoy some super tasty food as well. I'll take a day like that anytime. : ))
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thankful Thursday
It has been a challenging twelve days. The PFH (Period From H*LL) has significantly altered my life by greatly impacting what I've been able to do and dictating what's had to slide. When all of this started I had no idea that twelve days later I would still be struggling to leave my home for more than an hour. My dependence on an immediate-access bathroom and my seriously depleted energy levels have limited me in ways I've never experienced before.
Yet in spite of all the constraints, I have been able to do everything I absolutely had to accomplish. I am so thankful that the Lord enabled me to: attend a family birthday party on Saturday, complete my writing assignment for Tuesday, and run out to a few stores to get absolute necessities for G and me (personal products -- on my 3rd box of 36 super plus already ... ugh).
At my age, I'm hopeful that this will be one of the last cycles I'll have to deal with, and hopefully this will be the worst of it. No matter what, I know that the Lord will give me the strength to get through whatever lies ahead. His goodness and faithfulness are blessings that are always at the top of my thankful list.
Yet in spite of all the constraints, I have been able to do everything I absolutely had to accomplish. I am so thankful that the Lord enabled me to: attend a family birthday party on Saturday, complete my writing assignment for Tuesday, and run out to a few stores to get absolute necessities for G and me (personal products -- on my 3rd box of 36 super plus already ... ugh).
At my age, I'm hopeful that this will be one of the last cycles I'll have to deal with, and hopefully this will be the worst of it. No matter what, I know that the Lord will give me the strength to get through whatever lies ahead. His goodness and faithfulness are blessings that are always at the top of my thankful list.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Day 11
I don't know why I'm blogging about day 11 when I haven't blogged about days 1-10. I guess I never thought this would go on so long that I would reach a day 11.
What am I rambling on about? Just one more of thetrials joys trials of being a woman. : // I am on day 11 of the period from h*ll. Considering I haven't had a real, full-blown period for more than a year, this is only to be expected. But that doesn't mean I have to like it, or even tolerate it. The whole experience has been so bad that I wonder if I have any uterine lining left to shed. Heck, I even wonder if there's much of my uterus left in my pelvic cavity. Ugh.
Because of this extended cycle, my iron count, which is low to begin with, is probably in the toilet (along with most of my uterus). I mentioned to G that I was worried about my anemia, coupled with my non-existent energy, and he thoughtfully suggested that I ought to have a steak for dinner. And he even more thoughtfully, especially since he's a pescetarian, offered to grill one for me. There was just one catch . . . we didn't have any steaks on hand, so I had to go to the grocery store to buy one.
I hadn't left the house for two days because trips away from a readily accessible bathroom haven't been advisable. Unfortunately we needed other grocery items besides steak, and I didn't trust G to do the shopping. He also was pretty busy with work and didn't have any business sneaking out to the store. So I girded myself and ventured out, figuring I would have a window of about one hour before I would have to rush home to avoid an embarrassing accident.
Thankfully all went well. I got a lot of groceries and I selected a beautiful New York strip steak that G grilled to perfection. It was delicious! I hope the iron in that juicy piece of red meat really does the trick.
I also hope that I don't have to blog about a day 12 or 13 or 14 or . . . .
What am I rambling on about? Just one more of the
Because of this extended cycle, my iron count, which is low to begin with, is probably in the toilet (along with most of my uterus). I mentioned to G that I was worried about my anemia, coupled with my non-existent energy, and he thoughtfully suggested that I ought to have a steak for dinner. And he even more thoughtfully, especially since he's a pescetarian, offered to grill one for me. There was just one catch . . . we didn't have any steaks on hand, so I had to go to the grocery store to buy one.
I hadn't left the house for two days because trips away from a readily accessible bathroom haven't been advisable. Unfortunately we needed other grocery items besides steak, and I didn't trust G to do the shopping. He also was pretty busy with work and didn't have any business sneaking out to the store. So I girded myself and ventured out, figuring I would have a window of about one hour before I would have to rush home to avoid an embarrassing accident.
Thankfully all went well. I got a lot of groceries and I selected a beautiful New York strip steak that G grilled to perfection. It was delicious! I hope the iron in that juicy piece of red meat really does the trick.
I also hope that I don't have to blog about a day 12 or 13 or 14 or . . . .
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Music Monday
Yes, I know . . . today is Tuesday. But yesterday was Labor Day, so it didn't seem like Monday; it seemed like Sunday. I knew it was Monday, especially because I had a writing assignment due that is always due on Tuesday, but it really didn't make any difference. The whole day was up for grabs.
So a day late, here is a Music Monday tune for Tuesday.
Most people associate this song with the movie Ghost, but its history goes back so much farther than that. When I hear Unchained Melody, I picture boys with longish crew cuts and chinos slow dancing with girls with bouffant flips wearing full-skirted shirtwaist dresses and white Keds. I was in grade school in the 60's, but my Aunt M was a teen-ager and that's how she dressed for the Friday night dances.
So a day late, here is a Music Monday tune for Tuesday.
Most people associate this song with the movie Ghost, but its history goes back so much farther than that. When I hear Unchained Melody, I picture boys with longish crew cuts and chinos slow dancing with girls with bouffant flips wearing full-skirted shirtwaist dresses and white Keds. I was in grade school in the 60's, but my Aunt M was a teen-ager and that's how she dressed for the Friday night dances.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Starting off with a bang
September 1st, the first day of my blog break. So why am I blogging? Especially since I don't have much to say. Except I actually do have a lot to say, but I'm not sure I want to say it.
Partly I'm too tired to type it all out. Partly I don't want to have this post devolve into a rant -- and it wouldn't take much for that to happen.
I spent most of the day with G's family -- mom, step-dad, siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. All together there were 21 of us. That's 19 people too many. : / If my kids had been able to join the party, there would have been 25 family members in addition to 30 or so of my in-laws' nearest and dearest friends. Aiyiyi! Toss in the Elvis impersonator and it was a hunka-hunka burning something. I'm just not sure it was love.
At least the food was good and the restaurant kindly boxed up the leftovers from the family-style luncheon service, so I came home with food for the next few meals. Score!
So I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. You can't make me rag about the family member who hates my guts or the golden boy who can do no wrong or the frustrating and unnerving passive-aggressive dynamics.
Nope. Not gonna to do it.
Partly I'm too tired to type it all out. Partly I don't want to have this post devolve into a rant -- and it wouldn't take much for that to happen.
I spent most of the day with G's family -- mom, step-dad, siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. All together there were 21 of us. That's 19 people too many. : / If my kids had been able to join the party, there would have been 25 family members in addition to 30 or so of my in-laws' nearest and dearest friends. Aiyiyi! Toss in the Elvis impersonator and it was a hunka-hunka burning something. I'm just not sure it was love.
At least the food was good and the restaurant kindly boxed up the leftovers from the family-style luncheon service, so I came home with food for the next few meals. Score!
So I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. You can't make me rag about the family member who hates my guts or the golden boy who can do no wrong or the frustrating and unnerving passive-aggressive dynamics.
Nope. Not gonna to do it.
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