It's that time of year again. The time when we all begin thinking about family gatherings, good food and fun. But, as everyone knows, the older a family gets, and the larger it becomes, the harder it is to plan get-togethers that everyone can attend. Impossible is the word that comes to my mind. My family has never done the same thing twice. Everyone else I know, has a set date and time for their traditional family gathering. Not us. I don't know if it is due to trying to accommodate others, or laziness, or just a "wait and see how it goes" attitude. But, right here, right now, I want to set a firm tradition. My immediate family, i.e. husband, son, daughter and son-in-law, will from this year forward, have our Christmas celebration on Christmas night. There. I did it. (Now, if extended family makes the same plan, I'm dead in the water.) The time may have to be shifted, but we will deal with that when it happens.
These times should be joyous and not stressful. Why do we make them so? We worry more about what we are going to do, what we are going to prepare and where we are going, than the reason we are doing it. We are so blessed in America, and we can't even enjoy this freedom we have, due to the "details" of it all. That's really sad. I bet the Heavenly Father just shakes His head at us. Maybe, as our new family tradition unfolds, we can reflect on the love of God and the blessing of family. We won't plan any big honking party, but a quiet, loving time of sharing. There was no big honking party when Christ was born. It was impressive just the same. The first Thanksgiving might have been a big party, but the food was simple, and the focus was not how many different dishes could be provided. They ate what they had and were THANKFUL for it.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Sleep, Perchance to Dream
I've mentioned my problem with getting a good night's sleep before. It continues to plague me. I tried yet another presciption medication last night to no avail. Nothing I can find will work more than once in a while, if at all. It's getting a bit costly to "try" medications over and over when you have to pay 20.00 for 21 pills.
I used to grin behind my hand when my "elders" talked about not sleeping.I considered it an old person problem. Sort of like all they talked about was sleeping, eating and going to the bathroom. My grandmother was famous for telling everyone she couldn't sleep, but every afternoon you would find her napping for a few hours. I believed she couldn't sleep because she was sleeping in the daytime. And that might have been part of it, but as I now have trouble sleeping, I wonder if that was really it. So, I guess my attitude is coming back to haunt me. Figures.
I do believe part of my problem is stress related. Tuesday was such a stressful day for me, that I wasn't able to sleep more than a hour at a time all night. But there again, last night was the same for me. I wind up getting up several times a night, trying medications that I've tried before, hoping against hope something will decide to work for me. The next day I battle the effects of these medications. They make me feel tired on top of the fatigue related to not getting enough restful sleep, and make my stomach hurt. My nurse keeps encouraging me to go to a sleep clinic. Problem is, my pattern is different every night and with my luck, I would sleep like a baby that particular time. I just think that the doctors at the sleep clinic will do exactly the same thing I am doing now. Trial and error in the medication department.
Therefore, I just keep on battling the problem and venting about it. It's the American way. ;)
I used to grin behind my hand when my "elders" talked about not sleeping.I considered it an old person problem. Sort of like all they talked about was sleeping, eating and going to the bathroom. My grandmother was famous for telling everyone she couldn't sleep, but every afternoon you would find her napping for a few hours. I believed she couldn't sleep because she was sleeping in the daytime. And that might have been part of it, but as I now have trouble sleeping, I wonder if that was really it. So, I guess my attitude is coming back to haunt me. Figures.
I do believe part of my problem is stress related. Tuesday was such a stressful day for me, that I wasn't able to sleep more than a hour at a time all night. But there again, last night was the same for me. I wind up getting up several times a night, trying medications that I've tried before, hoping against hope something will decide to work for me. The next day I battle the effects of these medications. They make me feel tired on top of the fatigue related to not getting enough restful sleep, and make my stomach hurt. My nurse keeps encouraging me to go to a sleep clinic. Problem is, my pattern is different every night and with my luck, I would sleep like a baby that particular time. I just think that the doctors at the sleep clinic will do exactly the same thing I am doing now. Trial and error in the medication department.
Therefore, I just keep on battling the problem and venting about it. It's the American way. ;)
Friday, October 19, 2007
The Week in Review
I haven't written lately due to fatigue mainly. The days at work seem to get longer and more stressfull by the week. The following, however, has been happening and I finally found the time to devote to typing it up....
1.) We hired a new L.P.N. to replace the one that left. She is young, beautiful, and seems to be a hard worker. She has only been able to work two days so far, and will work two days next week, due to babysitting issues. After that, she will have a regular sitter and will be with us every day. We are very pleased with what she has shown us in the first two days and if she continues in that vein, we have a winner ladies and gentlemen! The lab is cleaner than I've ever seen it, and that's just in the two days she's worked. Looks promising!
Our little clinic has always been steady, but lately it's been overwhelmed with the amount of patients requesting appointments. This time of year the allergy problems start, and school children share virus ailments abundantly. We have been inundated with new patient requests. We really don't know why. It could be that we are a really great place, or it could be these are problem patients who move from doctor to doctor until they get what they want. Time will tell.
2.) I am an adult. I am very MUCH an adult, and at 49, it is really aggravating to find acne on my face. My personal nurse says it's stress. Be that as it may, I tried to combat the villain with generic clearasil. Unfortunately, the ingredients did NOT agree with my skin and I swelled up like a balloon. For the past week, I have felt and looked as though I spent 8 hours in the sun without sunscreen. The only good thing is that the acne is gone. For now.
3.) At church tomorrow, we are kicking off our Operation Christmas Child emphasis. I love shopping to fill those shoe boxes for underpriviledged children in other countries. It takes so little to make them so happy. How blessed we are in the USA! Our On Mission Team is also planning a Christmas Festival to be held in Southland Village the Saturday before Christmas. This is a "trailer park" and the field is ripe unto harvest. We've discussed trying to purchase a small trailer and set it up as a base of operations for the entire year. We would like to hold Sunday School in the trailer as well as have a "Clothes Closet" operation. Please pray for this mission and that God will lead us in the direction HE wants us to go. This will be our first major step in the Acts 1:8 Challenge.
4.)My daughter and son-in-law are beginning their move back to the Sheridan area. Hooo Raaayyyy! I'll be so glad to have my LeLe closer. I love having them at the same church again. I just wish I had my baby boy here too, but he's where God wants him to be at present.
5.) It's fall, but the weather has not cooperated. Today however, has been pretty nice. I slept with the window open last night. I say I slept, but I really just tossed and turned all night. I have problems sleeping and can't tolerate the usual sleep aids. I don't know if I will ever find anything to help me get a good nights' sleep, but I keep trying.
6.) I bought a new cell phone. A Sony Ericsson. It has all kinds of bells and whistles, but I'm scared to death to use any of them. It can play mp3's but I'm afraid of running up a big phone bill so I probably won't download any from online. I don't know how to get it to play them anyway. I did download one new ringtone though. That was a treat. I have had this phone for 7 full days and I've received two calls on it. That's a little depressing, but maybe after my contacts realize I have a new number, they will call. ;) Don't call us, we'll call you.....
And that has been my week.
1.) We hired a new L.P.N. to replace the one that left. She is young, beautiful, and seems to be a hard worker. She has only been able to work two days so far, and will work two days next week, due to babysitting issues. After that, she will have a regular sitter and will be with us every day. We are very pleased with what she has shown us in the first two days and if she continues in that vein, we have a winner ladies and gentlemen! The lab is cleaner than I've ever seen it, and that's just in the two days she's worked. Looks promising!
Our little clinic has always been steady, but lately it's been overwhelmed with the amount of patients requesting appointments. This time of year the allergy problems start, and school children share virus ailments abundantly. We have been inundated with new patient requests. We really don't know why. It could be that we are a really great place, or it could be these are problem patients who move from doctor to doctor until they get what they want. Time will tell.
2.) I am an adult. I am very MUCH an adult, and at 49, it is really aggravating to find acne on my face. My personal nurse says it's stress. Be that as it may, I tried to combat the villain with generic clearasil. Unfortunately, the ingredients did NOT agree with my skin and I swelled up like a balloon. For the past week, I have felt and looked as though I spent 8 hours in the sun without sunscreen. The only good thing is that the acne is gone. For now.
3.) At church tomorrow, we are kicking off our Operation Christmas Child emphasis. I love shopping to fill those shoe boxes for underpriviledged children in other countries. It takes so little to make them so happy. How blessed we are in the USA! Our On Mission Team is also planning a Christmas Festival to be held in Southland Village the Saturday before Christmas. This is a "trailer park" and the field is ripe unto harvest. We've discussed trying to purchase a small trailer and set it up as a base of operations for the entire year. We would like to hold Sunday School in the trailer as well as have a "Clothes Closet" operation. Please pray for this mission and that God will lead us in the direction HE wants us to go. This will be our first major step in the Acts 1:8 Challenge.
4.)My daughter and son-in-law are beginning their move back to the Sheridan area. Hooo Raaayyyy! I'll be so glad to have my LeLe closer. I love having them at the same church again. I just wish I had my baby boy here too, but he's where God wants him to be at present.
5.) It's fall, but the weather has not cooperated. Today however, has been pretty nice. I slept with the window open last night. I say I slept, but I really just tossed and turned all night. I have problems sleeping and can't tolerate the usual sleep aids. I don't know if I will ever find anything to help me get a good nights' sleep, but I keep trying.
6.) I bought a new cell phone. A Sony Ericsson. It has all kinds of bells and whistles, but I'm scared to death to use any of them. It can play mp3's but I'm afraid of running up a big phone bill so I probably won't download any from online. I don't know how to get it to play them anyway. I did download one new ringtone though. That was a treat. I have had this phone for 7 full days and I've received two calls on it. That's a little depressing, but maybe after my contacts realize I have a new number, they will call. ;) Don't call us, we'll call you.....
And that has been my week.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
I'm Trying Lord, I'm Trying....
James 1:2-4 says: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I lack joy. Perseverance is a very hard lesson to learn. There are always so many "things" going on in life that cause heartache and stress. Children, jobs, trying to live a Christian life and live as a witness. A former pastor of mine was known for repeating this verse often. It has been in my mind and my heart much lately. I don't like asking for patience and perseverance because trials always come with that prayer. Not a big fan of trials. I covet your prayers for peace in my heart and mind.
I lack joy. Perseverance is a very hard lesson to learn. There are always so many "things" going on in life that cause heartache and stress. Children, jobs, trying to live a Christian life and live as a witness. A former pastor of mine was known for repeating this verse often. It has been in my mind and my heart much lately. I don't like asking for patience and perseverance because trials always come with that prayer. Not a big fan of trials. I covet your prayers for peace in my heart and mind.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Which Reindeer Are You?
I just had to......
| You Are Rudolph |
 Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you! |
Saturday, October 6, 2007
It's Fall Y'all
Nothing pleases me more than decorating the front porch for Fall. The colors of the mums are beyond beautiful, and the pumpkins just look so homey. Leave it to our Lord to make the dry, dying foliage so spectacular and moving. The only thing missing so far this year, is the cooler temperatures. But with the beauty of Autumn, how can I really complain?
The mums I planted earlier in my two blue pickle pots around the pump are blooming tremendously and are such a source of joy for me. How did God come up with such beautiful things? Not to mention creating beings as complex as humans? It boggles the mind. But, the point of all this, is that I want to say Thank You to my LORD for His creations and his beautiful world.
I spent the day with my sister yesterday and enjoyed it so much. We found the three new pots on the porch, and also looked at Christmas decorations. I even bought one gift, and she bought two. Eventhough it was too hot for us, and we were drained and exhausted when we left Little Rock, we had a lot of fun and just enjoyed being together. Sisters are a gift from God. I've seen that phrase often, but I have experienced the truth of it more times than I can count. Thank you Lord, for all three of my sisters.
I hope and pray you all can enjoy this time when the air begins to dry out, the colors of Fall decorate our world, and the anticipation of Christmas begins to seep into our minds.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
I Gave In
I wasn't going to do this. I was afraid I couldn't remember the answer to some of these questions, but I came up with something. These little personality lists seem to be all the rage in the cyber-world of blogging and myspace. I'm not much into following trends and such, but I'm bored and can't think of anything else to blog about at present, so here goes....
1. Who is your man? SR
2. How long have you been together? Married 30 years 5 months.
3. How long dated? 3 years
4. How old is your man? 54
5. Who eats more? He does.
6. Who said "I love you" first? Me. Although I really didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
7. Who is taller? Him.
8. Who sings better? Me.
9. Who is smarter? Depends on what the topic is. Mostly he knows more than I will ever know, and has a much better memory.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine. (And I hate to admit that)
11. Who does the laundry? Both of us. He really does more than I do because by the time I get home at night, I don’t want to do anything.
12. Who takes out the garbage? Him.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Is there a wrong side?
14. Who pays the bills? Him
15. Who is better with the computer? Me.
16. Who mows the lawn? Him.
17. Who cooks dinner? Well, we call it supper, and we both cook on occasion. Not a lot of cooking going on at our house these days.
18. Who drives when you are together? Him.
19. Who pays when you go out? Him.
20. Who is most stubborn? Him.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We are seldom wrong……;)
22. Whose parents do you see the most? About the same I think.
23. Who kissed who first? It was a mutual thing, if I remember correctly.
24. Who asked who out? He asked me out via a friend.
25. Who proposed? No proposal was issued. We sort of just evolved into planning a wedding.
26. Who is more sensitive? Me, but he can be very sensitive when he wants.
27. Who has more friends? Well, since neither one of us really have any friends, I can’t answer that one.
28. Who has more siblings? Me. I have four, he has two.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Definitely HIM. I have ways however, of cinching them up.
1. Who is your man? SR
2. How long have you been together? Married 30 years 5 months.
3. How long dated? 3 years
4. How old is your man? 54
5. Who eats more? He does.
6. Who said "I love you" first? Me. Although I really didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
7. Who is taller? Him.
8. Who sings better? Me.
9. Who is smarter? Depends on what the topic is. Mostly he knows more than I will ever know, and has a much better memory.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine. (And I hate to admit that)
11. Who does the laundry? Both of us. He really does more than I do because by the time I get home at night, I don’t want to do anything.
12. Who takes out the garbage? Him.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Is there a wrong side?
14. Who pays the bills? Him
15. Who is better with the computer? Me.
16. Who mows the lawn? Him.
17. Who cooks dinner? Well, we call it supper, and we both cook on occasion. Not a lot of cooking going on at our house these days.
18. Who drives when you are together? Him.
19. Who pays when you go out? Him.
20. Who is most stubborn? Him.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We are seldom wrong……;)
22. Whose parents do you see the most? About the same I think.
23. Who kissed who first? It was a mutual thing, if I remember correctly.
24. Who asked who out? He asked me out via a friend.
25. Who proposed? No proposal was issued. We sort of just evolved into planning a wedding.
26. Who is more sensitive? Me, but he can be very sensitive when he wants.
27. Who has more friends? Well, since neither one of us really have any friends, I can’t answer that one.
28. Who has more siblings? Me. I have four, he has two.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Definitely HIM. I have ways however, of cinching them up.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
I'm in a Hurry and Don't Know Why
I am the type of person who goes at breakneck speed when I'm working. I can't figure out how to slow down and relax while I'm trying to get something done. I find myself breathing hard and fretting until the job is finished. Even at work, it's like I MUST get this done so I can move on to the next thing that I MUST get done. Even when I'm doing some mundane task at home, like cleaning the tub. Man, if I'd just slow down, I'd probably do a much better job, and it wouldn't seem so hard. I make myself so tired doing that. I envy people who seem to just take their time, not get too fretful about it, and get it done just the same.
I must take after my mother. There was a time a few years back when our family was helping my sister in her catering business. My mother was in such a hurry when we were cleaning up, that she would load her arms full of breakable dishes, and almost run to the kitchen. Needless to say, several things were broken. I can't shop with her because it's as if she is race walking through the mall. I'm worn out before I even get to the second store.
Having shared that, I have to admit I'm ready for Christmas. I know! It's not even Halloween yet! I've purchased a scrub jacket with Santas all over it. Bright red. Woo hoo. Can't wait to wear it. I've always liked Christmas and giving gifts but not the shopping part. The kids are older now, so I don't have to buy so many. I spend about as much, but their "toys" are more expensive. ;)
The older I get, the faster time goes too. I guess that's true for everyone. I can remember when time crawled. That must be about 100 years ago or so, when I was a wee lass.
I must take after my mother. There was a time a few years back when our family was helping my sister in her catering business. My mother was in such a hurry when we were cleaning up, that she would load her arms full of breakable dishes, and almost run to the kitchen. Needless to say, several things were broken. I can't shop with her because it's as if she is race walking through the mall. I'm worn out before I even get to the second store.
Having shared that, I have to admit I'm ready for Christmas. I know! It's not even Halloween yet! I've purchased a scrub jacket with Santas all over it. Bright red. Woo hoo. Can't wait to wear it. I've always liked Christmas and giving gifts but not the shopping part. The kids are older now, so I don't have to buy so many. I spend about as much, but their "toys" are more expensive. ;)
The older I get, the faster time goes too. I guess that's true for everyone. I can remember when time crawled. That must be about 100 years ago or so, when I was a wee lass.
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