With my recent negative posting I got to thinking that any person seeing my blog for the first time would have the wrong idea about me and what I'm about. In that post I was fairly open about events that have happened this year that had brought me down. At Mary Jane Farmgirls forum there was a post about gratitude and about listing the blessings in people's lives. When I first saw it I was having a hard time dealing with a few issues going on so I didn't post anything there. Sometimes it's hard to see how blessed I am when I've got my 'negative blinders' on. In the past few days there have been blessings going on for people that I care a lot about and I'm going to list those things as well as list the good things I've got going on right now.
#1 My mom has been doing really well the past month. Her blood levels are nearly normal and the side effects from her chemo seem to be in check as well. She's getting more interested in things going on, esp. about the holidays coming up. She's also more mobile and doing more things for herself.
#2 My best friend's surgery went very well yesterday. They thought it would take longer, but the surgery only took 3 hours. She may even get to go home today or maybe tomorrow. She even called me this morning before I went to work. She was a 'bit loopy' from the pain meds but it was really good to hear her voice.
#3 A few of my MJFarmgirl sisters were having some problems and it seems that things are going better for them as well and that makes me happy. (Never underestimate the power of prayer and positive energies.. or never underestimate the power of farmgirls either.) There are some amazing women there and they inspire me with their 'can-do' attitudes.
#4 My van 'kicked the bucket' a bit ago and we had to buy another vehicle. I was unhappy that we had to make payments again after paying that van off, that extra money would have surely come in handy. But the payments were not that bad, the bank gave us a good interest rate. And I have to admit the vehicle I have now is way cooler than the mini van, a lot more fun to drive, and so far is a good running vehicle. Thank goodness gas is cheaper now too.
#5 Even though I've had quite a bit on my plate this year I have to be thankful for such a kind and understanding husband. He's always on my side and wanting the best for me. I don't know how I would have coped with things this past bit without his strength and his friendship. He's more than willing to help me out especially around the house. He cooks, cleans, and doesn't complain much. I feel guilty being away from home so much with work and mom and I feel I don't do my fair share.
#6 Thankful I still have my jobs. I was worried earlier in the year that I might lose my full time job. It still may happen but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
There are many more things to be thankful for and I need to focus on those things next time something goes wrong in my life.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Some Photos from My Life
Just wanted to post a few photos from my life, past and present. Hope I remember how to do it. I'll put a little description above each one. Edit.... I still can't figure how to size the photos. Please click on them to see the full pic. Sorry about that.
Our Little Red Barn:
My best friend Brenda and I on my eighteenth birthday. What a blast from the past! (I'm the one on the right.)
My DH and my baby Lizzie!
And the last one: from Miss Wilma's Autumn Workshop. What a fun time we had there and I loved meeting everyone.
Our Little Red Barn:
My best friend Brenda and I on my eighteenth birthday. What a blast from the past! (I'm the one on the right.)
My DH and my baby Lizzie!
And the last one: from Miss Wilma's Autumn Workshop. What a fun time we had there and I loved meeting everyone.
Easy Saturday
Just sitting here this evening kinda watching tv, listening to my dog snore and my hubby talking back to the tv (he didn't agree with how someone was making cookies on the Food Network), and spending some time at one of my favorite forums at one of my favorite websites www.maryjanesfarm.org
I've done a bit of cleaning and laundry today other than that I've kind of goofed off. My hubby and I agreed awhile ago that we needed that kind of day today. I'm thinking of taking a warm shower in a few minutes, then maybe burn some incense or re light my tart burner and curl up with a good book. Sometimes I think it's good to spoil oneself with sensory pleasures. Oh! Paula Deen is coming on with a cookie show now... Let's see if my hubby disagrees with her. hehe All these cookie shows are making me hungry. I had some nice hot chocolate earlier so maybe that's all the sweetning I need for one day.
This evening I'm trying to focus only on good things, although I have to admit I'm still stressing about the things I mentioned on my last post. But I think I need to be more positive in my general attitude. Worry will not help any of the situations and it will hurt me in the end. So tonight I'll continue to pray for everyone and think on things that I can do for them that will help out and make things easier for them.
I've done a bit of cleaning and laundry today other than that I've kind of goofed off. My hubby and I agreed awhile ago that we needed that kind of day today. I'm thinking of taking a warm shower in a few minutes, then maybe burn some incense or re light my tart burner and curl up with a good book. Sometimes I think it's good to spoil oneself with sensory pleasures. Oh! Paula Deen is coming on with a cookie show now... Let's see if my hubby disagrees with her. hehe All these cookie shows are making me hungry. I had some nice hot chocolate earlier so maybe that's all the sweetning I need for one day.
This evening I'm trying to focus only on good things, although I have to admit I'm still stressing about the things I mentioned on my last post. But I think I need to be more positive in my general attitude. Worry will not help any of the situations and it will hurt me in the end. So tonight I'll continue to pray for everyone and think on things that I can do for them that will help out and make things easier for them.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
This Too Shall Pass...
At least I hope so. It seems like 2008 has been very trying for me and my family and friends. I've mentioned earlier what happened in the first 9 months of the year..., fear of losing a job, mom's leukemia diagnosis, our house broken into, uncle's passing, vehicle breaking down numerous times. Well, it keeps coming. What is the saying... 'that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger', well I'm hoping there's truth in that for me. I don't want to sound like whining here but I feel that if I don't get things off my chest soon I'm going to explode. I try to be strong for my family but my strength is cracking.
First off, there is my mom. She needs my help. I try to do all I can for her but it doesn't seem like it's enough for me. From my full time job I go to my part time and work several hours, then I try to go by and check on my mom. By the time I get home it's so late that all I can do is to hit the bed, and sometimes I fall asleep in my chair. I know this isn't fair to my husband either. During the week we don't see each other much or get to talk.
My housework is not getting done like it should, I just don't have the time or energy to deal with it. And I get so far behind that I have to spend a day or two just getting things in order. My husband helps all he can. He works a lot of hours too and then has the animals to tend to and chores. Oh, and I forgot after spending over $1,000 on van repairs this past year in late Oct/early Nov it finally had a problem that would have cost more to fix than it was worth. So we had to get another one. Yippee, payments again. I had just paid it off this summer and hoped it would last at least a year or two. Oh well.
Then last month we got some very bad news about my best friend. She has breast cancer and is having a mastectomy next Tuesday. She will have to have chemo and several reconstructive surgeries as well. I'm so worried about her, we've been best friends for over 37 years and we are more like sisters. I've been having some health issues and my doctor ordered some tests for me as well. He also set up for me to have a endoscopy (upper) and a colonoscopy. They also did 7 biopsies during the procedures. They found that I have GERD, Gastritis (sp), a hiatus hernia, corrosive esophagus, IBS, and Barrett's Esophagus. The Barrett's is something that I've never heard of. I received that diagnosis in the mail with no explanations. So I went to the internet to find out more. This is potentially a dangerous thing, it can be a pre cursor for esophagal cancer. I have a repeat upper endoscopy scheduled for February. From what I read I will have these done often to check for cancer.
On the day my friend has her surgery I have a doctor's appointment where they will go over the other tests I've had lately. I know my sugar levels are all out of wack and have been for awhile. I am doing better with trying to keep it under control. With all the stress I've been under it's done a number on my blood pressure, so at last visit my doctor put me on some pretty strong stuff. I read it's the one they give you when the other's didn't make a difference.
I have to stay somewhat healthy to help care for my family, so whatever has to be done I will do it. There are some foods and beverages I have to give up, some lifestyle changes as well. And in my opinion I believe that stress probably causes the excess stomach acids as well. And for me not to stress is like asking me not to breath. Just kidding, but it will be hard.
Sorry for the rambling, but as I said I needed to get this off my chest. For anyone who reads this... I am sorry for the somewhat negative tone just now but it's my reality. I try to stay positive but everything is a bit much at the moment. I had a teacher when I was young that signed an autograph book of mine with this saying. I don't know why I remembered this at this time. That was over 33 years ago but here it goes:
From the day you were born,
Until you ride in a hearse,
Things are never so bad,
That they couldn't be worse.
First off, there is my mom. She needs my help. I try to do all I can for her but it doesn't seem like it's enough for me. From my full time job I go to my part time and work several hours, then I try to go by and check on my mom. By the time I get home it's so late that all I can do is to hit the bed, and sometimes I fall asleep in my chair. I know this isn't fair to my husband either. During the week we don't see each other much or get to talk.
My housework is not getting done like it should, I just don't have the time or energy to deal with it. And I get so far behind that I have to spend a day or two just getting things in order. My husband helps all he can. He works a lot of hours too and then has the animals to tend to and chores. Oh, and I forgot after spending over $1,000 on van repairs this past year in late Oct/early Nov it finally had a problem that would have cost more to fix than it was worth. So we had to get another one. Yippee, payments again. I had just paid it off this summer and hoped it would last at least a year or two. Oh well.
Then last month we got some very bad news about my best friend. She has breast cancer and is having a mastectomy next Tuesday. She will have to have chemo and several reconstructive surgeries as well. I'm so worried about her, we've been best friends for over 37 years and we are more like sisters. I've been having some health issues and my doctor ordered some tests for me as well. He also set up for me to have a endoscopy (upper) and a colonoscopy. They also did 7 biopsies during the procedures. They found that I have GERD, Gastritis (sp), a hiatus hernia, corrosive esophagus, IBS, and Barrett's Esophagus. The Barrett's is something that I've never heard of. I received that diagnosis in the mail with no explanations. So I went to the internet to find out more. This is potentially a dangerous thing, it can be a pre cursor for esophagal cancer. I have a repeat upper endoscopy scheduled for February. From what I read I will have these done often to check for cancer.
On the day my friend has her surgery I have a doctor's appointment where they will go over the other tests I've had lately. I know my sugar levels are all out of wack and have been for awhile. I am doing better with trying to keep it under control. With all the stress I've been under it's done a number on my blood pressure, so at last visit my doctor put me on some pretty strong stuff. I read it's the one they give you when the other's didn't make a difference.
I have to stay somewhat healthy to help care for my family, so whatever has to be done I will do it. There are some foods and beverages I have to give up, some lifestyle changes as well. And in my opinion I believe that stress probably causes the excess stomach acids as well. And for me not to stress is like asking me not to breath. Just kidding, but it will be hard.
Sorry for the rambling, but as I said I needed to get this off my chest. For anyone who reads this... I am sorry for the somewhat negative tone just now but it's my reality. I try to stay positive but everything is a bit much at the moment. I had a teacher when I was young that signed an autograph book of mine with this saying. I don't know why I remembered this at this time. That was over 33 years ago but here it goes:
From the day you were born,
Until you ride in a hearse,
Things are never so bad,
That they couldn't be worse.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fairly Peaceful Weekend
We took my in-laws to the airport early Saturday morning and saw them off on their way home. They had been in since September 13th for a visit. Then we decided to have breakfast at Honey Baked Hams in Lexington. Their hams are delicious and I can't wait until Christmas because we always get one then. After that we shopped a bit then headed back home. My husband and I decided to take a little afternoon nap and did so until the phone rang and we saw it was the hospital calling. My heart jumped because I assumed it was something about my mom, but it was my dad calling because my uncle had injured himself. Dad needed me to go and stay with Mom until he came back. My uncle is going to be ok, he cut tendons in his hand and I believe the surgery is today. After I got home we watched a movie then kind of slept in yesterday morning.
Yesterday afternoon we decided to take a quick leaf peeping trip to the mountains in the next county over. We took one photo but the colors are really muted right now. In a week or two there might be more color and I'll try it again and post some photos here. When we got home I made a big pot of chili and spent most of the evening reading and doing laundry. Yes, it was a somewhat quiet weekend. I did get some rest and that's the important thing.
Yesterday afternoon we decided to take a quick leaf peeping trip to the mountains in the next county over. We took one photo but the colors are really muted right now. In a week or two there might be more color and I'll try it again and post some photos here. When we got home I made a big pot of chili and spent most of the evening reading and doing laundry. Yes, it was a somewhat quiet weekend. I did get some rest and that's the important thing.
Friday, October 10, 2008
It's Been A Long Time....
Yes, it's been way too long since the last time I wrote anything here. 2008 will go down as one of the most stressful years of my life, thus far anyway. I worried earlier in the year about my job situation which was rumored to change. So far nothing has changed much on that front and I wasted too much time dwelling on it. Then my mother, who has had health problems for years, got some very bad news. We found out that she has chronic myelogenous leukemia and she's been in and out of the hospital for most of the year. Right now she's home and feeling some better. But she will most likely be taking pill form chemotherapy the rest of her life. She is getting some relief from fatigue with a shot they are giving her once a week called Procrit. In August our home was broken into and some items were stolen and in early September my uncle, mother's brother, passed away. Yes, there's been quite a bit of stress this year.
It's autumn now and my favorite time of year. There's just something so hopeful and refreshing about autumn. Maybe it's the cooler weather and brighter colors of the foliage. It could be the anticipation of the upcoming holidays, I'm not sure. I just know that my mood seems to pick up towards the end of the year.
Even though the foliage this year is a bit muted due to the drought conditions we've been under it's still very pretty. This weekend we are expecting warmer temps (low 80s) but then next week we are returning to the cooler more fall-like temps. I'm looking forward to having breakfast on our back porch this Sunday and maybe sitting out there just finishing a book. I need to do a bit more decorating in the house and yard for fall, but mostly I feel like having a bit of a lazy weekend and just enjoying life.
It's autumn now and my favorite time of year. There's just something so hopeful and refreshing about autumn. Maybe it's the cooler weather and brighter colors of the foliage. It could be the anticipation of the upcoming holidays, I'm not sure. I just know that my mood seems to pick up towards the end of the year.
Even though the foliage this year is a bit muted due to the drought conditions we've been under it's still very pretty. This weekend we are expecting warmer temps (low 80s) but then next week we are returning to the cooler more fall-like temps. I'm looking forward to having breakfast on our back porch this Sunday and maybe sitting out there just finishing a book. I need to do a bit more decorating in the house and yard for fall, but mostly I feel like having a bit of a lazy weekend and just enjoying life.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I Wasn't Planning on Blogging Today Until...
I read this:
Daily Overview for May 07, 2008
Provided by Astrology.com Daily Extended Forecast
Quickie:
Your creativity is hot, but it could use inspiration to get going. Find it outside.
Overview:
You've got to get something off of your chest, but there may not be someone obvious to tell. You may just need to pick someone at random or even post it on a blog -- or come up with something even more creative!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, I have to say mine is right on target for today. I was feeling a bit confined and frustrated at work and decided to go get a sandwich and eat in the park. This is something I'm always wanting to do but never get or take the time to. It was like a shot in the arm, just what I needed. The past few days I've been waking up and going through the day with a sense of dread. Even though I'm still nervous about the upcoming 'thing' that I've been worrying about lately I'm not sure this is causing the feelings of insecurity I'm dealing with now. Or maybe it is, who knows?
Anyway there's a nice breeze blowing outside and the park looked lovely today. I just stayed in my van and ate because I didn't really have the time to walk to the tables and besides I wanted to be on my own for a bit. Usually I eat at my desk and never really relax. I've done this pretty much everywhere I've ever worked and I don't really know why. My lunchtimes are usually interrupted by something needing immediate attention most days as well. I think I'm going to start having lunch out at least 2 times a week and to save time and money I'm going to pack a little picnic from home and go to the park.
I don't really have a lot going on to post about. It's an unsettling time, yet an oddly uneventful one as well. My husband and I are trying to get our ducks in a row, paying off debts and trying to save money. We have always lived quite conservatively, being as frugal as we can. Now we are looking into ways of living even more simply. I've been trying to come up with ways to earn more as well so we can pay off our debts faster. I know I'm probably rambling here, it's like the title says I wasn't really planning on blogging today.
Daily Overview for May 07, 2008
Provided by Astrology.com Daily Extended Forecast
Quickie:
Your creativity is hot, but it could use inspiration to get going. Find it outside.
Overview:
You've got to get something off of your chest, but there may not be someone obvious to tell. You may just need to pick someone at random or even post it on a blog -- or come up with something even more creative!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, I have to say mine is right on target for today. I was feeling a bit confined and frustrated at work and decided to go get a sandwich and eat in the park. This is something I'm always wanting to do but never get or take the time to. It was like a shot in the arm, just what I needed. The past few days I've been waking up and going through the day with a sense of dread. Even though I'm still nervous about the upcoming 'thing' that I've been worrying about lately I'm not sure this is causing the feelings of insecurity I'm dealing with now. Or maybe it is, who knows?
Anyway there's a nice breeze blowing outside and the park looked lovely today. I just stayed in my van and ate because I didn't really have the time to walk to the tables and besides I wanted to be on my own for a bit. Usually I eat at my desk and never really relax. I've done this pretty much everywhere I've ever worked and I don't really know why. My lunchtimes are usually interrupted by something needing immediate attention most days as well. I think I'm going to start having lunch out at least 2 times a week and to save time and money I'm going to pack a little picnic from home and go to the park.
I don't really have a lot going on to post about. It's an unsettling time, yet an oddly uneventful one as well. My husband and I are trying to get our ducks in a row, paying off debts and trying to save money. We have always lived quite conservatively, being as frugal as we can. Now we are looking into ways of living even more simply. I've been trying to come up with ways to earn more as well so we can pay off our debts faster. I know I'm probably rambling here, it's like the title says I wasn't really planning on blogging today.
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