It's almost May ALREADY. I can't believe it. It seems like just a few days ago we were digging out from massive amounts of snow, and that snow stuck around for a long time because it was so cold. Now the trees are so beautiful and green, as is the grass. The April gold is gone but new plants are blooming, and the birds are just chirping away. My aviary is getting noisier every day. I love it.
From my sun porch, the full bloomed trees are hiding all the other buildings in our small community, and even my pool is obscured by the trees. My, how the trees have grown this year! I wish you all could come see how beautiful it is here.
Oh, it's not beauty like at the beach, or the mountains, but for a the hill-country of Kentucky, it's beautiful.
I've started reading Karen Kingsbury's book, Take One. My daughter, Cyndi, put me onto her books many years ago, and I read them avaricely to get caught up. I probably read about 12 of them in quick succession. Then because I was caught up, I didn't read her books nor did I hunt them out in Kroger's. Now, the Kindle offered Take One as a free book (to get me hooked on this series) and so I "bought" it and I'm reading it. I had forgotten how she puts on almost every page some scripture and weaves it into the story. This book reminded me that I shouldn't be worrying about Phil's job, that God has a plan for him and will accomplish it in His timing, not ours. I have to remember that. I think I get as down in the dumps about Phil's working condition as he does, and I should just leave it in God's hands. I think I've been nagging God a lot about Phil and his inability to find work. Who knows? Maybe God wants a person with a brilliant mind like Phil's to be used as a manager at McDonalds. God can use him anywhere.
It's just such a beautiful day today, I want to be outside on my porch. The wind is pretty fierce, though. It knocked over my pot of tulips that was on the table, but the wind is a warm wind and it's supposed to be pretty warm today, and then tomorrow -- RAIN again. I guess I shouldn't complain about the rain because I know that when summer gets here I'll be ready to plant cactuses because of the lack of rain.
You all keep praying for Phil, please. Pray for his spirit, his mind, and also for Amy. Those two kids (adults) are really getting lower and lower in mind and spirit each day. The hopelessness of their situation is wearing on them. All I know is that God loves that family, and that family loves God, and whatever God is doing with them He will be glorified richly in the end.
Jerimiah 29:12 says Ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
God is there and He is listening and He will take care of me and mine.
ttfn
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 27
My house smells so nice. It's been smelling not so nice the past few days. The trash built up and today my dear cleaner is here spreading her joy and glee all around the house. Yes, she also sings. So cute.
I would paste her picture here, but I don't think she'd like that. She's just the most cheerful person and her presence cheers me up.
It's still cloudy and gray, but not raining. Where is that sun that was promised us? I want to see it, feel it, enjoy it.
Alan is hobbling today, and is hurting from residual shingles. Why? Well, he hasn't been taking his meds! I hate when he does that. If he'd only take what he's supposed to take, he'd feel so much better. I don't understand his thinking on some of his reluctance to take the medicine. I understand his reluctance to take the pills we know can be addictive, but his shingles medicine? I don't get it. Enough of my whining about his medicine. I need to move on. If he's miserable, he's miserable. Just don't take me with him, you know what I mean?
The last of my clothes and Alan's clothes came today. I ordered us some new undies and over-ies (not the woman's egg producers, but what is commonly known as outer wear) for our trip. I'm so excited. It's the first time in almost two years that I've bought us any new clothes. The rags we've been calling underwear would be an embarrassment if we ever had an accident.
You know: Mom always told us to wear clean undies because you never knew if you were going to be in an accident, and you certainly didn't want a stranger, medi-vac, person seeing your dirty underwear.
Moms are so -- oh, I don't know -- blunt?
I'm a mom. I'm blunt.
The diner reservations can't be made until after 5:30 tonight. The lady that does that isn't in until that time. We can't actually eat in the diner and have to eat in a room above the new sports bar. I'm told that we can order from the diner menu if we want. So, I think we will. It's less expensive than the sports bar menu. Having a private room will be a blessing because we can walk around, talk to each other, be as noisy as we want, and stay as long as we want. Well, almost as long as we want. The servers will have to be paid and will want to clean up the room before their shift if over, I'm sure. But basically we won't be kicked out if we want to stick around for more than an hour after we're served.
So, I'm moving along with getting everything set up and ready, and I've even started packing. Can you believe that? I'm taking a box of scrapbooking stuff for the kiddies to use while we're there. They should have fun just sticking the sticker on their books.
Well, folks, it's ttfn. Back at you later this week.
ttfn
I would paste her picture here, but I don't think she'd like that. She's just the most cheerful person and her presence cheers me up.
It's still cloudy and gray, but not raining. Where is that sun that was promised us? I want to see it, feel it, enjoy it.
Alan is hobbling today, and is hurting from residual shingles. Why? Well, he hasn't been taking his meds! I hate when he does that. If he'd only take what he's supposed to take, he'd feel so much better. I don't understand his thinking on some of his reluctance to take the medicine. I understand his reluctance to take the pills we know can be addictive, but his shingles medicine? I don't get it. Enough of my whining about his medicine. I need to move on. If he's miserable, he's miserable. Just don't take me with him, you know what I mean?
The last of my clothes and Alan's clothes came today. I ordered us some new undies and over-ies (not the woman's egg producers, but what is commonly known as outer wear) for our trip. I'm so excited. It's the first time in almost two years that I've bought us any new clothes. The rags we've been calling underwear would be an embarrassment if we ever had an accident.
You know: Mom always told us to wear clean undies because you never knew if you were going to be in an accident, and you certainly didn't want a stranger, medi-vac, person seeing your dirty underwear.
Moms are so -- oh, I don't know -- blunt?
I'm a mom. I'm blunt.
The diner reservations can't be made until after 5:30 tonight. The lady that does that isn't in until that time. We can't actually eat in the diner and have to eat in a room above the new sports bar. I'm told that we can order from the diner menu if we want. So, I think we will. It's less expensive than the sports bar menu. Having a private room will be a blessing because we can walk around, talk to each other, be as noisy as we want, and stay as long as we want. Well, almost as long as we want. The servers will have to be paid and will want to clean up the room before their shift if over, I'm sure. But basically we won't be kicked out if we want to stick around for more than an hour after we're served.
So, I'm moving along with getting everything set up and ready, and I've even started packing. Can you believe that? I'm taking a box of scrapbooking stuff for the kiddies to use while we're there. They should have fun just sticking the sticker on their books.
Well, folks, it's ttfn. Back at you later this week.
ttfn
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
A day that shall live in....no one's mind in particular. A rather boring day.
Alan has been feeling awful for several days. I ragged on him again about his pills, and low and behold he has been ignoring his evening regime for the past four days. Well, maybe that's why he hasn't been feeling too good, ya think?
He canceled physical therapy today, but his walking has been pretty good. At least he's walking without a walker and doesn't use a cane too often either.
And I prayed for my life to end on Saturday night. I hurt so bad, I asked God to either take the pain away or take me away. I suppose it was a fibromyalgia attack, I don't know. All I know is I hurt from head to toe, except I didn't have a headache (something to be thankful for). But my whole body felt like a migraine. Yuck.
I woke up on Sunday morning, and God answered His way -- no pain, I'm still alive.
It's been raining for four days now. I'm imploding. The gray is getting to me. Today looked almost like a winter gray, but it wasn't that cold outside. Supposedly, the sun will come out tomorrow. Hey, that sounds like a good title for a song!
So thankful my sister and I got to talk last night and I wasn't in a funk. I think I was able to communicate with her effectively. Sometimes after our weekly phone call I can't recall what we talked about or what I said. The old mind is going, going, almost gone.
Getting excited about going home (small "h") to NJ. Everything is in place. My house-sitter is ready to move in, and I'm ready to move out for a couple of weeks. It looks to be a great reunion for the Drexlers (not the Italians). The excitement builds.
ttfn
Alan has been feeling awful for several days. I ragged on him again about his pills, and low and behold he has been ignoring his evening regime for the past four days. Well, maybe that's why he hasn't been feeling too good, ya think?
He canceled physical therapy today, but his walking has been pretty good. At least he's walking without a walker and doesn't use a cane too often either.
And I prayed for my life to end on Saturday night. I hurt so bad, I asked God to either take the pain away or take me away. I suppose it was a fibromyalgia attack, I don't know. All I know is I hurt from head to toe, except I didn't have a headache (something to be thankful for). But my whole body felt like a migraine. Yuck.
I woke up on Sunday morning, and God answered His way -- no pain, I'm still alive.
It's been raining for four days now. I'm imploding. The gray is getting to me. Today looked almost like a winter gray, but it wasn't that cold outside. Supposedly, the sun will come out tomorrow. Hey, that sounds like a good title for a song!
So thankful my sister and I got to talk last night and I wasn't in a funk. I think I was able to communicate with her effectively. Sometimes after our weekly phone call I can't recall what we talked about or what I said. The old mind is going, going, almost gone.
Getting excited about going home (small "h") to NJ. Everything is in place. My house-sitter is ready to move in, and I'm ready to move out for a couple of weeks. It looks to be a great reunion for the Drexlers (not the Italians). The excitement builds.
ttfn
Friday, April 16, 2010
For my sister
I just wanted her to know that I'm alive and actually have been feeling well this week. So, because I've been well, it's been a busy week, and I have barely opened the computer at all.
I took Amy, my DIL, to lunch at this really neat little restaurant. The food was really good, and the fellowship wasn't so bad either.
Alan is doing better. He didn't have an ill effects from the Interferon shot he got yesterday -- that's the first time in ages that he's gone through the after-effects of the shot and not reacted negatively.
He is still wobbly, but walking more and getting out of "the chair" more often. I say, "the chair" because it's supposed to be MY chair, but I rarely get to sit in it. Now MY Kindle, is being used by Alan, and I suppose I won't get to use it much any more. I told him he needs to get his own Kindle if he intends to read six hours a day as he has in the past few days. I want MY Kindle back!
My kitchen has actually been cleaned up, straightened, whatever, for a whole week. I'm so proud of myself. Usually, I let it go (after dinner) and get to it in the morning, but just do a minimal swipe to get it cleaned up. This week I've even cleaned the floor, scrubbed the stove, cleaned off the refrigerator door, wiped down the counters -- all of them -- every day.
I'm caught up on laundry -- a first for about six months.
My office is ALMOST cleared of all the debris that has accumulated since before Christmas. I forked over to Alan all the Louis L'Amour books (hard copies, not the Kindle ones) and that cleared a big amount of floor space. Our neighbor stopped by to tell us he was out of LL books and was ready for some more. So, Alan is going to have to read some so he can share them with Chuck (our neighbor).
The grounds here at Chardonnay are beautiful. The trees are pale green. The tulips are beautiful. The azaleas are just beginning to bloom (our bushes are in shade all day, so ours are a little later than the rest of the neighborhood's). Our hydrangea bush is getting more and more lush every day. And, we had rain today which really makes everything look so much more green. I noticed that the trees have grown so much since we moved in here that I can no longer see the building across the lawn out back now that the trees are in full leaf.
The birds are still chirping and begin their singing around 5:30 a.m. I haven't seen any babies yet, and I'm not sure when they are due. I'll keep watch over the nests, though.
Does anyone out there know anything about bees? We have these huge bumble bees flying around our porch all the time. I want to know if there is a nest being built in my attic so I can get the grounds people to get rid of it, but I don't want to call over some extra bumble bees, if you get my drift. I've not seen as many bumbles around here as I have this year. I mean there are a lot of them. And so far I've killed 13 wasps. How they get into my sun porch I can't explain. There has to be a hole where they are coming in, but I haven't found it. I don't like wasps because I know how much it hurts when they decide to get into a snit and attack mode.
Hope you all have had a wonderful week. Tonight Alan and I are going to watch a movie recommended by the American Family Association which is being shown on NBC at 8:00 a.m. I think I'll sit on his lap!
ttfn
I took Amy, my DIL, to lunch at this really neat little restaurant. The food was really good, and the fellowship wasn't so bad either.
Alan is doing better. He didn't have an ill effects from the Interferon shot he got yesterday -- that's the first time in ages that he's gone through the after-effects of the shot and not reacted negatively.
He is still wobbly, but walking more and getting out of "the chair" more often. I say, "the chair" because it's supposed to be MY chair, but I rarely get to sit in it. Now MY Kindle, is being used by Alan, and I suppose I won't get to use it much any more. I told him he needs to get his own Kindle if he intends to read six hours a day as he has in the past few days. I want MY Kindle back!
My kitchen has actually been cleaned up, straightened, whatever, for a whole week. I'm so proud of myself. Usually, I let it go (after dinner) and get to it in the morning, but just do a minimal swipe to get it cleaned up. This week I've even cleaned the floor, scrubbed the stove, cleaned off the refrigerator door, wiped down the counters -- all of them -- every day.
I'm caught up on laundry -- a first for about six months.
My office is ALMOST cleared of all the debris that has accumulated since before Christmas. I forked over to Alan all the Louis L'Amour books (hard copies, not the Kindle ones) and that cleared a big amount of floor space. Our neighbor stopped by to tell us he was out of LL books and was ready for some more. So, Alan is going to have to read some so he can share them with Chuck (our neighbor).
The grounds here at Chardonnay are beautiful. The trees are pale green. The tulips are beautiful. The azaleas are just beginning to bloom (our bushes are in shade all day, so ours are a little later than the rest of the neighborhood's). Our hydrangea bush is getting more and more lush every day. And, we had rain today which really makes everything look so much more green. I noticed that the trees have grown so much since we moved in here that I can no longer see the building across the lawn out back now that the trees are in full leaf.
The birds are still chirping and begin their singing around 5:30 a.m. I haven't seen any babies yet, and I'm not sure when they are due. I'll keep watch over the nests, though.
Does anyone out there know anything about bees? We have these huge bumble bees flying around our porch all the time. I want to know if there is a nest being built in my attic so I can get the grounds people to get rid of it, but I don't want to call over some extra bumble bees, if you get my drift. I've not seen as many bumbles around here as I have this year. I mean there are a lot of them. And so far I've killed 13 wasps. How they get into my sun porch I can't explain. There has to be a hole where they are coming in, but I haven't found it. I don't like wasps because I know how much it hurts when they decide to get into a snit and attack mode.
Hope you all have had a wonderful week. Tonight Alan and I are going to watch a movie recommended by the American Family Association which is being shown on NBC at 8:00 a.m. I think I'll sit on his lap!
ttfn
Friday, April 9, 2010
Report on Alan
Well, Alan is really pushing his walking, which is a good thing. Yesterday, he went to PT and did very well. He was even willing to go Walgreen's shopping afterward, but I put the kibosh on that because he was wobbling pretty badly, and he had been out with his best friend for three hours prior to that.
He had a shot (Interferon) last night, and did NOT have any bad effects from it. No more wobbly that normal, he said. Good for him!
I had a horrible night, pain wise, but I'm able to hobble around today. I have so much to do in my office. It's just piled high with junk, empty bins, books, etc. So, I'm going to push through the pain, and get some work done today on getting this room back in order.
One of the original residents of our small community is moving to an assisted living facility today. Ned Barnes is a funny man and has kept us all laughing, even through times of loss. We lost his wife, Betty, four years ago, and that was terribly sad for all of us, because Betty was one of the go-getters, and arrangers for our various parties. Her "heritage" was continued through the auspices of "The Chain Gang", for which, we all are thankful.
And, did I mention that today is a beautiful fall-like day? It's cool, but sunny, and for me, perfect weather. I prefer the cool to the heat. The trees are so beautiful now, the leaves are a light green, getting closer to the dark green they will become when they are full-grown. And the flowering trees are in full bloom. I'm loving it.
I sat out in the sun room for several hours this morning, and listened to the birdies tweeting, and just enjoyed the view.
The window cleaners are coming either today or tomorrow so I'll be able to see out my many windows much better after that spring chore is finished.
ttfn
He had a shot (Interferon) last night, and did NOT have any bad effects from it. No more wobbly that normal, he said. Good for him!
I had a horrible night, pain wise, but I'm able to hobble around today. I have so much to do in my office. It's just piled high with junk, empty bins, books, etc. So, I'm going to push through the pain, and get some work done today on getting this room back in order.
One of the original residents of our small community is moving to an assisted living facility today. Ned Barnes is a funny man and has kept us all laughing, even through times of loss. We lost his wife, Betty, four years ago, and that was terribly sad for all of us, because Betty was one of the go-getters, and arrangers for our various parties. Her "heritage" was continued through the auspices of "The Chain Gang", for which, we all are thankful.
And, did I mention that today is a beautiful fall-like day? It's cool, but sunny, and for me, perfect weather. I prefer the cool to the heat. The trees are so beautiful now, the leaves are a light green, getting closer to the dark green they will become when they are full-grown. And the flowering trees are in full bloom. I'm loving it.
I sat out in the sun room for several hours this morning, and listened to the birdies tweeting, and just enjoyed the view.
The window cleaners are coming either today or tomorrow so I'll be able to see out my many windows much better after that spring chore is finished.
ttfn
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Spring has bloomed
It's Easter Sunday, 2010, a day for celebrating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Aside from this day of celebration of Christ's resurrection, I was noticing today that the trees are all in blossom -- a cause for celebration. Now, this was not so three days ago. We've had unseasonably warm weather the past few days, and I suppose that's what has caused the beautiful trees to strut their stuff.
The birds are still tweeting and building their nests and flitting from tree to tree. Today I saw a cardinal, a robin, a blue bird, and a blue jay. I also saw a few sparrows. All are living in these trees and building up for the birth of their babies. Soon, there will more noise than I want to think about when all those baby birds are squawking for their breakfast at 5:30 a.m. But, that's okay. I certainly do enjoy this time of year.
You all know that I love snow, and I relish the Winter in its time, but I welcome Spring. Summer? Not so much, except that the pool is open and I can go down there and swim and get my daily dose of Vitamin D if I'm so inclined. Then comes Autumn, another season I look forward to, because it's so pretty. This Autumn, I'm going to the Shenandoah area of Virginia with my sister and cousin (in October), without Alan, and I'm going to enjoy the beauty of the trees up close and person. Something I'm looking forward to.
I'll stop for now. And get back to my scrapbook overstock party set up. That's tomorrow night. I hope lots of ladies come and buy up all this stuff that's been taking over my office for three years now. I'll keep only a little bit of what I have left, and get ride of most of it. I have so many freebies as well (hostess gifts I never gave away).
So -- ttfn.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Church service
We went to church last night. It was our church (the old building) and even with the short walk from car to building, Alan had problems, but he made it in and out!
The service was unusual, but a blessing.
The songs were familiar hymns (Thank God for the old hymns), and we were able to join in without aid of hymnal. Putting the words on a screen doesn't work when there are tall people in front of you.
Then three boys were baptized. Great part of the service that was.
Then we turned around and the pastor was dressed in circa 30 AD dress for a shepherd. He gave a wonderful monologue about the day of the crucifixion from a shepherd's point of view. The church was also blessed with two baby goats (supposed to be lambs) who bleated and baa-ed at various times throughout the monologue. And it wasn't a distraction. Once the "shepherd" reunited the two "lambs" all noise stopped. Amazing.
Then there was the time of prayer and supplication when we could go to the "cross" (yes there was a large wooden cross in front of the sanctuary) and pray for forgiveness and give praise to God who sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. I thank God for his Son. Do you?
ttfn
The service was unusual, but a blessing.
The songs were familiar hymns (Thank God for the old hymns), and we were able to join in without aid of hymnal. Putting the words on a screen doesn't work when there are tall people in front of you.
Then three boys were baptized. Great part of the service that was.
Then we turned around and the pastor was dressed in circa 30 AD dress for a shepherd. He gave a wonderful monologue about the day of the crucifixion from a shepherd's point of view. The church was also blessed with two baby goats (supposed to be lambs) who bleated and baa-ed at various times throughout the monologue. And it wasn't a distraction. Once the "shepherd" reunited the two "lambs" all noise stopped. Amazing.
Then there was the time of prayer and supplication when we could go to the "cross" (yes there was a large wooden cross in front of the sanctuary) and pray for forgiveness and give praise to God who sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. I thank God for his Son. Do you?
ttfn
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday (Good or bad?)
Well, it started out with: "Judi, Help! I can't walk." That's bad! Especially since Judi couldn't walk at that point either. It was before pain meds. I did my best, though. Alan was kinda stuck in MY recliner. He told me he had called me several times, but I was dead to the world and didn't hear him. This was at 8:00 a.m. That's what time I got up today.
And it's a beautiful day. That's good. The sun is shining, the porch is wide open, other windows are open, and we're sneezing like mad. That's bad. But I refuse to close the windows until I feel the fresh air has freshened the house enough and gotten rid of the stale odors from the winter. That might take a while.
Back to Alan. I got him up and into the bathroom, and he hobbled back to his chair (MY chair) and collapsed into it. Around 11 a.m., not too long ago, I got him to his walker (MY walker actually) and pointed him toward his office. He made it to his desk chair without falling. That's good.
I went back to the other end of the house and took a shower. Now I'm in my office letting my hair air dry, and writing this BLOG. I am also reading three-day's worth of back LOG BLOGS. Ha, ha.
Tonight I'm going to church with friends of mine. That's good. It was going to be Alan and me (or is it "I"), but he can't walk, so that's out of the question.
I get to go to church so infrequently (that's bad) because of the walking thing, but sometimes, the old church is opened for special occasions, and it's only a few steps to the back row of seats, which I can handle. I just can't do a marathon on Sunday mornings to get to the place where they have the services now (it's in a very large high school). And another church we sometimes attend has pews that really hurt my back. I know that's a dumb reason for not going to church, but when the pain gets to level 11 -- that's above the regular pain scale -- before the sermon, it doesn't seem worth it to me.
This Sunday we're going to visit our daughter in Indiana and go to her church -- again a few short steps to the back row. We're just going for church, no meals. That's good.
ttfn
And it's a beautiful day. That's good. The sun is shining, the porch is wide open, other windows are open, and we're sneezing like mad. That's bad. But I refuse to close the windows until I feel the fresh air has freshened the house enough and gotten rid of the stale odors from the winter. That might take a while.
Back to Alan. I got him up and into the bathroom, and he hobbled back to his chair (MY chair) and collapsed into it. Around 11 a.m., not too long ago, I got him to his walker (MY walker actually) and pointed him toward his office. He made it to his desk chair without falling. That's good.
I went back to the other end of the house and took a shower. Now I'm in my office letting my hair air dry, and writing this BLOG. I am also reading three-day's worth of back LOG BLOGS. Ha, ha.
Tonight I'm going to church with friends of mine. That's good. It was going to be Alan and me (or is it "I"), but he can't walk, so that's out of the question.
I get to go to church so infrequently (that's bad) because of the walking thing, but sometimes, the old church is opened for special occasions, and it's only a few steps to the back row of seats, which I can handle. I just can't do a marathon on Sunday mornings to get to the place where they have the services now (it's in a very large high school). And another church we sometimes attend has pews that really hurt my back. I know that's a dumb reason for not going to church, but when the pain gets to level 11 -- that's above the regular pain scale -- before the sermon, it doesn't seem worth it to me.
This Sunday we're going to visit our daughter in Indiana and go to her church -- again a few short steps to the back row. We're just going for church, no meals. That's good.
ttfn
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