Life Is Fragile

It seems this week finds me thinking of life and just how fragile it really is.  It doesn't matter if your a child, in the prime of life, or an aging senior...we are all in the same position...every breath we draw is a gift from God. 
I've read some blogs this week that also have the same theme running through them, and I don't think its a coincidence, I think God plants these messages in the hearts of those who believe and will receive them. I also think we are to seek Him and pray concerning those we might hear about who have a need.   I am sorry to admit, I have heard a need, thought to myself, how sad..and not even offered up a short prayer, thinking I would stop and when I had time pray properly.  Just what is "properly"?  All I needed to do was call on His name.... Lord....insert the persons name, thy will be done! Prayer is powerful, we must not fail to use it.
I just heard from my nephew in California today.  His mother is in the hospital right now, and is seriously ill.  I prayed that very quick prayer as soon as I found out...and will continue to pray.  Life is fragile.  Love must abound - in word, in deed and in prayer.

~It is well with my soul

Tea For Seven

Sunday was a beautiful day, the sun was shinning and I spent time with some of my favorite family members which include daughter Amy, Cousin Trish and her girls Kelly and Mandy and their girls, Madison and Emilee.




L  to R - Emilee, Trish, Amy, Madison, Mandy and Kelly at Sweet Shalom Tea Room

 

We went to the Sweet Shalom Tea Room in Sylvania, Ohio, which is right across the Michigan/Ohio state line.  Just a nice little Sunday ride.  They were featuring a tea honoring Laura Ingalls Wilder, and what female, no matter their age, didn't love her stories or even the TV show, Little House On the Prairie. 




L - R: Kelly, Emilee, Amy, Madison, Mandy & Trish sitting in sunny dining room.

 

We sat down to several selections of flavored teas.  I don't remember how many different flavors we drank, but would you believe I like the plain old unflavored black tea?  We had warm scones with butter and jam with our first couple of pots of tea!

Amy and I took a minute between courses to take a picture in front of the fireplace.They had a place card at each seat with a picture of Laura Ingalls in her "golden years", on that card they had your name printed...excpet for Kelly.  Her's said "Kitty" instead...I kind of like that name!




Kitty AKA Kelly


 We have so much fun on these girls days out we decided we really need to do it more often, we just have to figure out when our working girls are most likely to be available.  We're talking about going to the Melting Pot for our next get together, and gather around the fondue pot!

Click HERE for the link to see more info on Sweet Shalom Tea Room.

~It is well with my soul

Sunday Scripture

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

~It is well with my soul

Just In Case

That's a famous phrase around here - "save it, just in case we need it later".  I'm putting my one good foot down and say it's time to stop such nonsense!

We go to Taco Bell very infrequently, maybe only a couple of times a year.  Yet...we have MANY Taco Bell sauce packets in the refrigerator, which by the way, never get used.  I'm also questioning why we put them in the fridge.  They aren't refrigerated at the restaurant, and I'm sure there are enough preservatives in them to give them a shelf life of oh say....several hundred years. No more saving taco sauce packets I say!

And another - just in case we need it items are cardboard boxes.  If something comes in a sturdy box it winds up in the big hole under the house we call the basement.  Our trash pick up day is Monday, so last Sunday night I heard Hal in the basement cutting up cardboard.  We just finished watching "Hoarders" on TV and something clicked deep within us.  We just couldn't convince ourselves that we were saving cardboard for poor people who couldn't afford their own. 

Coffee cans used to be a very tempting item to save, but we've gotten past the need to keep them. 

My one item I still can't seem to stop saving?  Twisty ties that come on a loaf of bread.  You never know when you will need one and can't find one.  Or worse yet...they stop using them and go to those silly plastic tab things with the whole in them you pull the bread wrapper through.  Whew...I broke out in a sweat just thinking about it.  I better end this before I become to emotional!

Is there anything you save?

~It is well with my soul

What's Your Point?

Today was my last day of physical therapy!  She didn't go any easier on me, but her good work seems to have paid off.  My knee will now flex all the way back as it did before surgery.  I have regained full mobility in my knee! Oh, it still gets stiff and sore, it's only been a month since my surgery, but I am thrilled with the results.  God continues to get all of the glory!
I had great plans today to make a couple of loafs of bread, but never got around to it.  I think I will do it tomorrow as well as clean my refrigerator while the bread is baking.  That's today's thought, we'll see if it happens!  I find myself making all sorts of plans, but a lot of time they never get any further then just a thought. 
I did start working on our tax return.  This is much later then I usually do it.  I need one more piece of paperwork and I can finish.  Now....where is that paper I need? That may be the $64,OOO question. 
We are getting an annoying amount of phone messages from the political candidates.  Do you get them too?  I find it to be a great invasion of my privacy.  If you call and I don't answer it's because I think your running for president.
Did you hear about the increase in gas prices?  As the wife of a man who practically lives in his 4X4 truck, driving hither and yon, for lack of something better to do...this increase concerns me greatly. I don't do that much driving, but $5 a gallon is still enough to make you choke. 
You are probably thinking to yourself, what is the point to all of this rambling?   I'm sorry, there is none, but thanks for sticking around...if your still here.  Please come again, I will try to do better next time. 

~It is well with my soul

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 8:11

For wisdom is more precious then rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

~It is well with my soul

Does This Hurt?

That's me holding on to the bed, and that's my physical therapist inflicting the pain.  Doesn't she look sweet and don't I look ridiculous?  When someone is holding your leg up and pushing your newly replaced knee back while forcing your foot down, you tend to look .....ridiculous, and in pain.  Why is she smiling while I am grimacing?

This happens every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The good news is I only have two more sessions and I'm finished; with home therapy that is.  I may have 3 more weeks of therapy at a facility, if the doctor thinks its necessary.  Lets pray he doesn't.

As much as my inner self wants to be non-compliant, I know I have to go through this to get the most function out of my knee.  Fortunately I have been blessed to get this wonderful professional.  She mixes therapy with compassion and humor.  Two great ingredients to get me though each session.  I will truly miss her when our sessions end.  I will miss HER, not her therapy!

Since yesterday was the day after Valentines day, we spoke about love in the home.  She admired my Valentines cane and was surprised that after 46 years of marriage it's still important to show love.  I told her how important it is to speak lovingly to those most important to us and to always watch our tone when speaking.  Speak to someone how you would like to spoken too.  She was very taken aback by this tiny bit of advice and really took it to heart.  It's so easy to forget how our tone of voice will affect what is said.  At that point she said she will miss me when we're finished. 

I will miss her too, and her beautiful smile when she asks me, "does this hurt?".

~It is well with my soul

My Funny Valentine

We don't make a big deal out of Valentines Day.  Some years we give gifts, some years cards, some years nothing, but it's all good.  No expectations so we're never let down!
THIS YEAR....I bet I got something you didn't get!

Not only did I get a box of chocolates, and a card, I got a fancy new walking cane!  Don't tell me romance is dead!  It's blue with pretty  flowers painted on it!  I had all I could do to keep my laughter under control!  It actually was a very sweet gift.  I've been using a cane that is only for decoration and Hal was worried about my safety.  I'm so fancy now, I could go to the races at Ascot and fit in, but I'd have to buy a great big hat to go with it first.
I actually love this gift.  It shows a lot of thought and  it's pretty.  I still need to use the cane when I'm tired and since I have to get the other knee done in the future, it will get plenty of use.  Plus I'm old.   It also works really well for pointing and hooking onto things and pulling them closer!  A cane isn't just for walking! LOL!
So my friends, if your married long enough like me you may too look forward to getting a fancy cane one day for Valentines Day.  If you do, be happy.  It's better to be thought of with a cane then not thought of at all!  Now I have to think of something for his birthday in April.  Maybe some new reading glasses!

~It is well with my soul

Sunday Scripture

Saturday....

1. Sparkling Snow
2. Shivering
3. Soup
4. Snuggling
5. Smelling the flowers - Thank you Sissy

6. SMILE!

Have a great weekend!

~It is well with my soul



Unnecessary Whining

I am so unhappy with the tone of yesterdays post.  It was bad enough that I was so out of sorts, but to publish such negativity in light of all my blessings is not acceptable.
I was going to delete it today, but I choose not to because it reminds me to check myself and my attitude before I speak or write.
I promise not to spit on my neighbors dog! LOL!  Although, I may have a friendly word with their owner about how long she lets her dogs bark.  The problem is not the dogs, but rather owners who are not courteous of others.  I've never understood how continuous barking doesn't bother the owners. 
I hope I didn't offend any one by yesterday's writing.  If so, I do apologize. 
When I saw the last line of yesterdays post, followed by "It is well with my soul"....my spirit was checked and corrected.  Thank God for His gentle correcting and for the heart and ears to hear it.

~It is well with my soul

Hebrews 12:12-13
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and week knees.
Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Carpe Crabby

One of my girls started a new job today and she texted me that she was out to lunch with "the gang".  She sounded very upbeat and I told her I liked the way she was going to "Carpe Diem". 

When I woke up this morning I had every intention of doing the same.  I would look positively toward this new day.  That lasted as long as it took me to get out of bed.  I was still in pain from my last physical therapy session, and didn't get much sleep because of it.  Today is a new PT day, but I have until 3pm to relax, or so I thought.  My therapist called and asked if she could come in the morning instead.  Since I had no reason to say no, she was on her way.  We got through our session and I decided I needed a nap...badly.  The phone rang six times, and even if I turn the one by my bed off, I can still hear the others ringing.  Five of the six calls appeared to be kids playing games.  Then the yipper dogs next door seem to never stop yipping.  Our houses are so close I could open my window and spit on them and believe me, I wanted to do more then spit. 

I finally gave up.  I got up with a headache, and feeling very crabby.  I decided it was time to try to cook a little something...cooking relaxes me.  I made a pot of minestrone soup. 

I don't know what the message is in all this.  I do know that crabby begets more crabby and it's best to refocus on something else.  I no longer feel so crabby, the soup feels good going down and the yippers have finally shut up. 

Tomorrow, once again, I hope to Carpe Diem and not Carpe Crabby, and maybe spit on a dog if I have to.

~It is well with my soul

Cupcakes and Knee Caps

I am thinking of making cupcakes and sending them with Hal to his Sportsmen's club  as a gesture of thanks to his friends who have called, sent cards and been so kind  during my recovery.

Red Velvet cupcakes crossed my mind, but I don't really understand what the big deal is about red velvet.  From the list of ingredients, it looks like any other cupcake, except it has red food dye in it, some call for chocolate and some don't.   Somebody clue me in if there is something I'm missing.  It looks like you could use any food dye and change the name, like blue velvet cupcakes and it would taste the same.    The main attraction to me is the cream cheese frosting, but once again if you put that on any other flavor cupcake it would be good.   Actually if you put cream cheese frosting on anything else it would be good...even a spoon. 


As for my knee cap, it's all good.  I had my first post op check up today and the doctor said I'm at week 8 of my progress in only 2 1/2 weeks. I went up and down my basement stairs today without any problems and I can drive in another 2 weeks.  With any luck I'll stop talking about my knee and move on to more interesting subjects...like red velvet cupcakes!

Seriously, let me know if you have a great red velvet recipe and tell me what's so great about it!   This could be very important information.  Thank you in advance.

~It is well with my soul

 

Sunday Scripture

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love.

~It is well with my soul

Down But Not Out

Remember how I told you I hated taking those pain pills?
Well I'm not taking any more!
Seems the pills, plus the epidural plus the drugs taken in the hospital have effected my digestive system in a negative way.
I'm feeling quite ill, lots of stomach pain, nausea, etc.
I am taking a few days off blogging to try to recover.
Prayers appreciated.

~It is well with my soul

Happy Progress!

I had my scheduled P.T today.  Anu added two pound weights to each ankle for the entire workout!  I have to say, Anu is a wonderful therapist, I enjoy her company and she knows what she's doing, even if what she's doing feels like torture.
I am SO HAPPY  to report I will no longer need my walker!  She said I can use a cane if I'm feeling tired or need a bit of assistance, but for the most part I can now walk with out the aid of any medical devices.  On my own again!  I'm getting closer to glorious independence!
I can hardly believe that tomorrow will only be two weeks since the surgery.  God has created such wonder in the human body that it can heal so quickly - I still am in awe.
This is just a short update, but I just wanted to share my joy, you all have been such an important part of my recovery with your prayers and encouragement.  If I could, and you'd let me, I give you all a big hug!

~It is well with my soul

PS
When she comes again on Friday, I'm going to go up and down the basement stairs!  Keep praying!