One can certainly feel tired from having lots of fun. Roy and I started out kind of early, well in Nancy time it was early, running a few necessary errands. After we took care of business we decided to go look at a couple of car dealerships since we are thinking of adding a second car up here. It was fun but we are slow to move on car things but we left the dealerships encouraged. We then tried Papas and Beer for lunch. Several have recommended this place to us and it was good Mexican food, maybe we are even on the right track. I miss Tex Mex but not so much as to move to where it is plentiful and available.
Just got off the phone with the admitting people at the hospital for tomorrows procedure. This is the third call I have had with them and they have all the info in front of them. It seems like it is a secret test to see if you know what is going on. On one thing I asked don't you have that already? Yes, they did. If all goes well tomorrow, which I am not anticipating anything, I will get to talk with them again tomorrow for Friday. I looked at the patient portal to see if anything new has been added. The CT report was there and so I spent an hour or so looking up words I don't understand. I kind of understand them now.
Roy is installing the Roku thingy on our bedroom TV right now. I am mainly a TV watcher in the cold months of the year but this might change some of my viewing habits. We are thinking about putting a TV out on the back porch but I kind of don't want that. The downstairs is prime viewing for birds and ferals and cows.
Tomorrow morning will be an early morning and Friday will be earlier. I am so ready for these coming days to happen and then merrily go along with life...with more energy and stamina.
Buddy and I have moved out to the front porch. Our first official porch sitting of this new season. Yesterday and the days last week has been cold. Roy hasn't gone anywhere without wearing his jacket and having the heater on full blast. This afternoon Roy was working in the garage and complained about getting so hot...things change quickly around here.
The birds are belting out quite the songs this evening. Soon the frogs will join in the chorus. Roy has just joined us. He is finishing off the last of the taco soup. I'll be having a salad in a bit and Roy will be making his famous smoothies. Think I'll ask for a little more than usual since no eating or drinking after midnight.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
All Over But No Shouting
Oh blessed Sunday...our Sunday School lesson was meaningful out of I Peter 2. Big church was our choir's Easter music with a short invitation sermon by Pastor Jonathan that was good and we were out by 12:15. It was a glorious day in the Lord. In the music there was a time when we took the Lord's Supper and we used what we used to call the Lord's Supper juice box style. Those wrappers are distracting in a sacred moment but also hard to remove. Roy took his in reverse because he could not get the top wrapper undone and when I tried to help him I spilled grape juice on my top. Good thing it blended in with the color of my shirt. I could not help but remember one Sunday in the choir loft at First Baptist, partaking of the Lord's Supper and Peggy could not get the top wrapper off and I could not get the juice portion open. She kept whispering to me loudly, drink ye all of it. Normally, our church goes old school with the Lord's Supper but realized for times sake, we needed to participate in this direction. It was still powerful and sacred.
After church Roy and I had lunch at The Twisted Laurel and then went over to The Baked Pie Company and got some mini pies. We took a couple over to Brenda and her mom, along with some taco soup I had made yesterday. Brenda hadn't been feeling well and her mom loves taco soup. This is probably the last batch of this winter season although I just read that the first week of April could be rather cold.
Oh Tuesday evening...it has been a good day but we are tired, so very very tired. That's because we hauled a dresser upstairs and moved another one into the bonus room. Roy had to undo all the TV cables and such and then get them all hooked back up. I am moving clothes into the new, although it is new to us. An old dresser, repurposed and chalk painted. It is very cute and adds a practicality to making the bedroom TV a little higher up to see while falling asleep. By moving the other piece into the bonus room, all the cables and wires are at bay and looks much neater. We always have some kind of plan for these things but it might take longer than others to implement it. I have had my eye on this dresser for a bit and was so happy that it was still there at The Pink House when we went there today.
We also made a Lowe's trip for a few essential things for the house. Along with a few unessential things. We were ready for a later type lunch and went to Turkey Creek Cafe. Love her new menu and her summer hours begin on Thursday of this week. Marissa is also adding an ice cream counter at her restaurant and not this Sunday but the following Sunday, she will will be open. My Sunday dining dilemma is solved. Closed on Mondays but I am so excited about the Sunday opening.
Yesterday we went to The Blue Rooster for lunch and of course delicious. Then we went to the Hazelwood Soap Company because they have their honeysuckle fragrance soap which they only sell in spring. If you're in Hazelwood ya have to go to Robin Blu and low and behold I found a metal sheep planter of which I am planning on using on the back porch...which we just got the bid for building it and we accepted it. Now just to wait for them to get to us, but we are on the way...or ready to be on the way...or something. Bruce came over tonight with the bid and he also repaired our broken closet. Anyway.... we stopped at Best Buy to get some cables or something and then we went to Belk's where we found Roy lots of shirts and pants...then a few things for me. By this time I was worn out and so tired that we decided to head on toward home.
We got Buddy in at the vet on Saturday for her steroid shot and mani/pedi. They just keep getting more and more zen-ish.
As we have been going around and getting stuff done in the back of my mind is the fact that Thursday morning life revolves around getting a TEE and then on Friday morning....early...let the ablation begin. Life certainly is circular and today it is six years ago today that the fateful call from my father's cardiologist nurse got the whole beginning of the end with my father. Last year we knew his body was shutting down and my brother waited with him until he was called to heaven. Last April began a year of afib and atrial flutter, some bouts of it rather scary and these kind of events were on the increase after having five years without too much fanfare. Of course six years ago we hadn't a clue that we would have a home in the mountains of North Carolina.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Adventuresome Driving And The Like
Another morning of adventuresome driving. I had conflicting times of arrival for the CT scan this morning but I knew I wasn't going to get out on those roads in the dark, so I kind of split the difference in time and it all worked out. I am so glad that I took the time yesterday to do the drive by and become acclimated to the lay of the land. Checked in after valeting the truck, went up to the radiology waiting room, checked in there, filled out a form and before I could finish sending a text, the tech came out and got me. Another good vein stick so that is three for three in the last few weeks. Cannot wait to tell Taylor that all the stretches we've been doing on my arms came into play this morning because you put your arms behind your head when they are road mapping the heart. At one point they asked if I had a cell phone in my pocket but it was the device that is implanted in my chest to record afib episodes, although the battery is dead now. So, it was good to be finished by 9:08 and have that part done. I am so thankful that the scheduler kept me focused on the fact of having it one and done and not to reschedule until absolutely necessary.
It seems funny that the valet service they are providing complimentary during all the construction is staffed by middle aged to older men, not young guys who run and move quickly. So as is with so much here, the pace of life is slower. When I returned downstairs to the waiting room area, it was much more crowded and once I got SequishShawn I was off to breakfast at CA's. Delicious! Upon returning home I plunged into getting some last minute things wrapped up. In the midst of this the undeniable need for a nap, not in a recliner or couch but in bed hit me so hard. There has been several instances where I have lost precious sleeping hours and even Buddy joined me which she hardly ever does in the daytime. Oh my, I feel like a new person with an hour of a solid nap.
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Now Saturday afternoon. We'll be taking Buddy in just a bit for her steroid shot and mani/pedi. She just doesn't appreciate the finer things in life. We were successful in getting the pill down her throat in one try. I think Inez's influence helped make today painless, well painless for us.
The trip to Charlotte yesterday was quite adventuresome. A huge wreck on I 40 caused traffic to come to a standstill. I must have set there for 30-45 minutes when I decided to become brave like so many others before me and exit on the entrance ramp. Didn't quite have the cooperation of GPS but I thought if I go down Tunnel Road surely there will be an opportunity to get back on the freeway. I learned a new thing and for that I was quite happy. It kind of put my schedule into a shambles but I was able to pick up some tacos at the Jack In The Box in Dallas, NC. Roy's plane landed before I got to the hotel but only beat his arrival by twenty minutes. The tacos...my first from Jack in over a year. Not that they are the best thing around....but these lacked something. I had bought some for Roy too. He wolfed those down because his plane change in Dallas was tight on time, so no time to grab anything to eat. This morning we were up early and out on the road. Had breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Drove through snow in Ridgecrest and stopped at the Publix for a few groceries. I made Taco Soup and we had that a little later for lunch and then of course you know about the chill pill for Buddy.
Buddy did okay at the vet, at least she got her nails trimmed along with the shot and that is always a huge victory. We stopped at The Fresh Market on the way back home. Roy sat in the car with Buddy while I made the quick run in for a few things. We have come home and had our supper. Roy is watching TV after he made a smoothie and I have finished cleaning up the kitchen and ready to settle in for some reading and then shampoo my hair.
Looks like we were bypassed by the snow and for that we are grateful. It's beginning to rain just a bit. Got some food out for the Feral Fam. Cali has been out in the back for a good portion of the day.
It seems funny that the valet service they are providing complimentary during all the construction is staffed by middle aged to older men, not young guys who run and move quickly. So as is with so much here, the pace of life is slower. When I returned downstairs to the waiting room area, it was much more crowded and once I got SequishShawn I was off to breakfast at CA's. Delicious! Upon returning home I plunged into getting some last minute things wrapped up. In the midst of this the undeniable need for a nap, not in a recliner or couch but in bed hit me so hard. There has been several instances where I have lost precious sleeping hours and even Buddy joined me which she hardly ever does in the daytime. Oh my, I feel like a new person with an hour of a solid nap.
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Now Saturday afternoon. We'll be taking Buddy in just a bit for her steroid shot and mani/pedi. She just doesn't appreciate the finer things in life. We were successful in getting the pill down her throat in one try. I think Inez's influence helped make today painless, well painless for us.
The trip to Charlotte yesterday was quite adventuresome. A huge wreck on I 40 caused traffic to come to a standstill. I must have set there for 30-45 minutes when I decided to become brave like so many others before me and exit on the entrance ramp. Didn't quite have the cooperation of GPS but I thought if I go down Tunnel Road surely there will be an opportunity to get back on the freeway. I learned a new thing and for that I was quite happy. It kind of put my schedule into a shambles but I was able to pick up some tacos at the Jack In The Box in Dallas, NC. Roy's plane landed before I got to the hotel but only beat his arrival by twenty minutes. The tacos...my first from Jack in over a year. Not that they are the best thing around....but these lacked something. I had bought some for Roy too. He wolfed those down because his plane change in Dallas was tight on time, so no time to grab anything to eat. This morning we were up early and out on the road. Had breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Drove through snow in Ridgecrest and stopped at the Publix for a few groceries. I made Taco Soup and we had that a little later for lunch and then of course you know about the chill pill for Buddy.
Buddy did okay at the vet, at least she got her nails trimmed along with the shot and that is always a huge victory. We stopped at The Fresh Market on the way back home. Roy sat in the car with Buddy while I made the quick run in for a few things. We have come home and had our supper. Roy is watching TV after he made a smoothie and I have finished cleaning up the kitchen and ready to settle in for some reading and then shampoo my hair.
Looks like we were bypassed by the snow and for that we are grateful. It's beginning to rain just a bit. Got some food out for the Feral Fam. Cali has been out in the back for a good portion of the day.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Snow Is Falling, It's Not Sticking...It Is The First Full Day of Spring
It was a surreal moment today while snow flakes fell, huge flakes and when I got out of my truck at the grocery store, the fragrance of fresh cut grass came across me like a summer day, only it is the second day of spring and it is snowing....at times a lot. Up until an hour ago, it wasn't sticking but it began to fall fast and furious so that accumulation took place. At that same precise moment of accumulation, I am talking with the hospital squaring everything away for my CAT Scan tomorrow. I liked the people I talked with today better than yesterday and I got better answers to my questions, although I did ask the stupid question yesterday so that might have tainted the responses I received.
The day began with no snow...then a little bit and since it was above freezing it felt relatively safe to drive over to Biltmore Village for a color and cut. Those white flakes came at the cars and trucks on the road exuberantly searching for a destination to land and melt. Although Biltmore Village had less traffic and people I kept my promise to Roy to park in the paid lot as not to encounter a rouge utility pole looking for a truck to scrape. On the way in Christine texted that she wouldn't be in the salon until 10:15 and that was fine with me because that gave the unexpected opportunity to have breakfast at Corner Kitchen. Finished up with the hair stuff and did a drive-by at the hospital to find where in the heck I was going tomorrow. Wasn't too sure at the time but the scheduler I talked with today gave some better visual information that helped me know just exactly where I need to be. In this phase of all the construction going on over there valet parking is free but truthfully, I would pay cause valet is the way to go...for sure!
So as earlier written I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, not for bread and milk...but for something a little sweet. The best thing to get for snow is a donut or two that way you have the knowledge that if you begin to crave something sweet, you have a donut and if you don't eat it, then you haven't wasted a lot of money. A fellow sojourner was there at the bakery case and we helped one another by holding open the glass door. She was heading back to the Starbucks line and I finished shopping. Other than cat food the rest of the purchases looked like I was feeding college students, pop corn, iced tea, blood orange Diet Coke...that is kind of like have a donut in the house...more for head knowledge than actual eating or drinking. The best purchase while Lisa was here, cheese straws from the Biltmore. They are very tasty.
And now another weather update, the sun is out, snow has slowed and it is not sticking again. And just like that it is overcast and looks like snow fog in the front and the snow at times falls like rain. At times it whirls about like a tornado. It has been an interesting afternoon's observation.
When I got home with the snow swirling about I checked on the food supply for the Feral Fam who after a day away are back...because it is cold outside. Fed them and the birds before leaving this morning and all the bowls were just about empty. Saw a little bit of Cali's back leg so being the kind compassionate care giver to them, I just about gave them room service by placing two bowls of food nearly under the house. If they do get out to the deck they have a picnic blanket to stand on while eating and it is under the little bit of coverage we have back there. Meanwhile at the bird feeder a small female gold finch kept bigger cardinals and mockingbirds at bay while she ate. That was a funny site to see.
This morning as I walked over to Corner Kitchen I was thankful for so many things. The sidewalks are brick and mortar and uneven and sometimes hard to maneuver but I was so thankful for good knees and a better sense of balance while traversing the route to breakfast. This afternoon I decided to look at the patient portal and see the results of lab work and tests and the like...not too bad, could be better but since Taylor and I have been doing so much work on my left side strength wise, I wonder if some of those last year tests would be different now. Well, in preparation for tomorrow, holding a good thought that I'll be able to make it, I am drinking Topo Chico. I have had one punch jab these last few weeks for blood work and hope it is due to all the water I've been drinking and the minerals in Topo Chico.
The day began with no snow...then a little bit and since it was above freezing it felt relatively safe to drive over to Biltmore Village for a color and cut. Those white flakes came at the cars and trucks on the road exuberantly searching for a destination to land and melt. Although Biltmore Village had less traffic and people I kept my promise to Roy to park in the paid lot as not to encounter a rouge utility pole looking for a truck to scrape. On the way in Christine texted that she wouldn't be in the salon until 10:15 and that was fine with me because that gave the unexpected opportunity to have breakfast at Corner Kitchen. Finished up with the hair stuff and did a drive-by at the hospital to find where in the heck I was going tomorrow. Wasn't too sure at the time but the scheduler I talked with today gave some better visual information that helped me know just exactly where I need to be. In this phase of all the construction going on over there valet parking is free but truthfully, I would pay cause valet is the way to go...for sure!
So as earlier written I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, not for bread and milk...but for something a little sweet. The best thing to get for snow is a donut or two that way you have the knowledge that if you begin to crave something sweet, you have a donut and if you don't eat it, then you haven't wasted a lot of money. A fellow sojourner was there at the bakery case and we helped one another by holding open the glass door. She was heading back to the Starbucks line and I finished shopping. Other than cat food the rest of the purchases looked like I was feeding college students, pop corn, iced tea, blood orange Diet Coke...that is kind of like have a donut in the house...more for head knowledge than actual eating or drinking. The best purchase while Lisa was here, cheese straws from the Biltmore. They are very tasty.
And now another weather update, the sun is out, snow has slowed and it is not sticking again. And just like that it is overcast and looks like snow fog in the front and the snow at times falls like rain. At times it whirls about like a tornado. It has been an interesting afternoon's observation.
When I got home with the snow swirling about I checked on the food supply for the Feral Fam who after a day away are back...because it is cold outside. Fed them and the birds before leaving this morning and all the bowls were just about empty. Saw a little bit of Cali's back leg so being the kind compassionate care giver to them, I just about gave them room service by placing two bowls of food nearly under the house. If they do get out to the deck they have a picnic blanket to stand on while eating and it is under the little bit of coverage we have back there. Meanwhile at the bird feeder a small female gold finch kept bigger cardinals and mockingbirds at bay while she ate. That was a funny site to see.
This morning as I walked over to Corner Kitchen I was thankful for so many things. The sidewalks are brick and mortar and uneven and sometimes hard to maneuver but I was so thankful for good knees and a better sense of balance while traversing the route to breakfast. This afternoon I decided to look at the patient portal and see the results of lab work and tests and the like...not too bad, could be better but since Taylor and I have been doing so much work on my left side strength wise, I wonder if some of those last year tests would be different now. Well, in preparation for tomorrow, holding a good thought that I'll be able to make it, I am drinking Topo Chico. I have had one punch jab these last few weeks for blood work and hope it is due to all the water I've been drinking and the minerals in Topo Chico.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Statements To Mission and Mission Impossible
I joke often when the WiFi is spotty that the squirrels aren't spinning the wheel fast enough. Roy put in a booster for the WiFi and with that coverage has been better. Yesterday was the exception as I received a text from Brenda that was clearly written the night before and it came in around noon. Surely she would not be wishing me a good night that early. When I arrived home there was a message on the home phone that had been left on Sunday evening from Mission Hospital concerning my CTA appointment, which the cardiologist office told me was on the 26th but Mission was saying the appointment is on the 22nd. So strange because I checked my messages Sunday night and none had been received and I get email notification of home messages and had not received anything on that. That email will probably arrive today around 4:00. This morning I called the radiology number and they confirmed yes, the appointment is on the 22nd. I asked a stupid question and brought myself up on continuing that line of questioning because of a discussion we had in Sunday School...I think this discussion came on the heels of prayer requests and not in our discussion on the second chapter of James. Several mentioned some of the questions that are now asked on forms at doctor offices and hospitals. Someone said be careful how you answer these because it will be used against you later. So I didn't want on my permanent medical record that I asked a stupid question and continued doing so on March 20th, the first day of spring...although technically, it won't be spring until 12:15. Just thinking about that reminded me of those long ago back in the day performance reviews at church. They asked about strengths and weaknesses. Roy told me never give them the ammo they need to fire or let you go on those weakness questions. So I would answer them like, "my weakness is that I forget my husband is not employed by the church and usually ask him to help me with events. My weakness is I bring work home with me when I should be spending time with my family. You can use those for your next review.
When Lisa was here we made a quick trip to The Fresh Market, home of gaunt older white women from Florida or New York who think that looking like a skeleton is attractive. Yesterday, it was all I could do to stifle a laugh thinking about our experience the week before in the parking lot. With a big truck and the memory of scraping the side of SequishShawn on a utility pole, my mission is to park where I can pull out with the least amount of hassle. I'm heading for the back row. At the same time there was a lady in an Explorer who was waiting for the optimum parking spot for her, close to the entrance. She waited patiently or maybe she just waited for the couple to load groceries in the trunk and head on out. Meanwhile I have backed into my parking spot and Lisa says, I wonder why that lady in the Explorer is opening her door? Timing is everything, so I looked over at the right time to catch the lady hacking up a loogie and spitting. Argh! It looked like an oyster. I feel like I need to be truthful and report she was not a gaunt older woman, she was older but not gaunt and she could spit like a sailor.
So after all the "will" talk on Sunday and my unrealistic fear that took up most of the afternoon, I decided to read about heart ablations and the progress that has been made since having one in 2013...ironic that in 2013 I had it done on the first day of March and this time on the second to last day of March. I am asking the Lord for as good or better results just like the last one which heat was used and this time cold will be used to stop the electrical issues going on. I keep telling Roy that it is harder for me this time because Dr. Seger isn't doing it and I had such a trust in his skills because of who he is in this part of the medical community but there were downsides to him too, so with that I press on, trusting the Lord and my cardiologist here. I think I miss the personal relationship with the Dr here. Dr Seger and I are about the same age, grew up in Houston and we hung out at a lot of the same places in our teenage years...yet never met but we always had a great time reminiscing about those long ago days of youth.
Mike the mower man was here today for the first mowing of the season and we are expecting spring snow tonight and throughout tomorrow. The front yard looks so green and pretty and it will look pretty tomorrow with snow. I did get a chance to clean out the wagon planter today because I believe it is the breeding ground for flies.
Buddy is watching for the Feral Fam but only Mama Cat has been here today. Lots of birds and a few squirrels too.
When Lisa was here we made a quick trip to The Fresh Market, home of gaunt older white women from Florida or New York who think that looking like a skeleton is attractive. Yesterday, it was all I could do to stifle a laugh thinking about our experience the week before in the parking lot. With a big truck and the memory of scraping the side of SequishShawn on a utility pole, my mission is to park where I can pull out with the least amount of hassle. I'm heading for the back row. At the same time there was a lady in an Explorer who was waiting for the optimum parking spot for her, close to the entrance. She waited patiently or maybe she just waited for the couple to load groceries in the trunk and head on out. Meanwhile I have backed into my parking spot and Lisa says, I wonder why that lady in the Explorer is opening her door? Timing is everything, so I looked over at the right time to catch the lady hacking up a loogie and spitting. Argh! It looked like an oyster. I feel like I need to be truthful and report she was not a gaunt older woman, she was older but not gaunt and she could spit like a sailor.
So after all the "will" talk on Sunday and my unrealistic fear that took up most of the afternoon, I decided to read about heart ablations and the progress that has been made since having one in 2013...ironic that in 2013 I had it done on the first day of March and this time on the second to last day of March. I am asking the Lord for as good or better results just like the last one which heat was used and this time cold will be used to stop the electrical issues going on. I keep telling Roy that it is harder for me this time because Dr. Seger isn't doing it and I had such a trust in his skills because of who he is in this part of the medical community but there were downsides to him too, so with that I press on, trusting the Lord and my cardiologist here. I think I miss the personal relationship with the Dr here. Dr Seger and I are about the same age, grew up in Houston and we hung out at a lot of the same places in our teenage years...yet never met but we always had a great time reminiscing about those long ago days of youth.
Mike the mower man was here today for the first mowing of the season and we are expecting spring snow tonight and throughout tomorrow. The front yard looks so green and pretty and it will look pretty tomorrow with snow. I did get a chance to clean out the wagon planter today because I believe it is the breeding ground for flies.
Buddy is watching for the Feral Fam but only Mama Cat has been here today. Lots of birds and a few squirrels too.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Weather, Long Church Services, Dead Geckos and Life
What had been predicted to be a rainy and cloudy day has been a day that began cool but warmed up quickly. The sunshine abundant, plants greening, leaves coming forth and I can finally see some red buds on the red bud tree. Makes one ready for spring and all the beauty that comes with it but word on the internet weather sites say we will have cold temps by the middle of the week and the possibility of some snow flurries. The birds are coming and going and Cali is hanging around just in case one of those birds is unaware. The rest of the Feral Fam are in parts unknown. Like I have written before I have given up on knowing the why and where and what of this Feral Fam. They were all together last night, even Dead Beat Dad but today only Cali is around. Hold the presses...Mama Cat was just here but not too excited about tonight's supper offerings.
Roy is doing one of his favorite things right now, he has gone to Costco. I told him my electric toothbrush is starting to misfire a bit, so that's all he needed to hear. Off to the Costco.
This has been a good day. I have accomplished some things and I have relaxed. My brother called and we had a great conversation...and got caught up. He makes me laugh, he is so witty and funny.
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Well, it is Sunday evening. Got the trash down to the road along with recyclables. Our neighbors are mowing their yards and the fragrance of wild onion permeates the air. It feels like spring but the threat of snow on Wednesday looms. Today, was the first Sunday in a very long time that I have looked forward to Sunday School and church. Due to health reasons, I have stayed away from crowds during the cold and flu season but when I immersed myself into a crowd of 8000 while attending Living Proof last weekend in Boone, it seemed the right thing to do...to get back in the regular habit of going to big church. I had heard the guest preacher was really good so into the service I went. The prayer time today was especially meaningful as the church prayed for the committee formed to search for an interim pastor. The worship music was so powerful and then came preaching. Great points, great thoughts...great encouragement. Then he got to his last point and that's when the wheels fell off. Once again we were held hostage by about eight more sermons being crammed into one and the circling of making that last point kind of was like the never ending story. He talked of foot washing and Exodus and John, several chapters continuing on his point of we are not left alone, Christ is with us. Then he called all the staff, deacons, Sunday School teachers, choir, and volunteers to the front of the church...where we prayed and then while going back to our seats I made the decision to pick up mybed I mean purse and Bible and just keep going out the door. My exodus was joined by other families and people It was now 1:00 pm. This was my friend Brenda's first Sunday in Children's Church and she had them till after 1:00 pm. One of the first things I learned on staff at First Baptist was, respect your volunteers and their time. It seems the preacher should have been like Jesus if he is going to talk forever, ask for a child's lunch bag, pray and then provide lunch for all of us assembled there. Sometimes when you go too long, people forget your best points and illustrations due to weariness of the derriere. Somewhere between services so timed on the clock in Houston to long sermons in North Carolina has to be a happy medium. This will not detour my attendance but dang, I am going to start sitting nearer to an exit in these coming days.
So I drove away from church not weary in doing good but for sitting so long. It is not often that lack of movement affects my heart but it did today. My circulation took some time to get back to normal. I came home for a brief moment and in that small amount of time, I happened to run over a gecko in the garage. For truth's sake, I ran over half of it thus producing its organs splayed out on the concrete beside it. Heart...and an eye that popped out of its head. Blood...guts...ugh! I grabbed a shovel and flipped that dead lizard out onto the driveway and called out to the birds, Sunday dinner is ready! It was gross but it had to be done. I continued on with plans of going to the grocery store. Got that done and headed home, talking to Roy. I have been asking him for almost two years to complete our will. So today, after talking about regaining good circulation he tells me he is working on my part of our will. Wait! What? Why today? Does he know something I don't know? Does he think I won't survive the ablation I'll be having? Let's just cut to the chase and say, Roy was in work mode, so compassion is severely lacking. Already tired and no lunch yet, it was emotional and let us not forget the biology lesson gecko.
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Now we are onto Monday afternoon. Taylor had his DMS machine back in working order and my shoulders were so happy to have the jackhammer back. We worked again on my left shoulder and then worked on the muscles in my left leg that like to bunch up with regular workout. It came to me last night that the nerve endings in my left outside thigh had come back to life last year after a four year absence of feeling. I think the nerves were damaged with the ablation in 2013. We have started working on those muscles and hopefully it won't take as long for them to recover and come back this time.
I made a quick trip to The Fresh Market after working out and also got the heart monitor in the mail to go back to the company that provides them. It was a happy send off for sure. The birds took care of the rest of the dead lizard and the Feral Fam come and go as they are wont to do. Just put out their supper for them with a few treats scattered around the steps.
Roy is doing one of his favorite things right now, he has gone to Costco. I told him my electric toothbrush is starting to misfire a bit, so that's all he needed to hear. Off to the Costco.
This has been a good day. I have accomplished some things and I have relaxed. My brother called and we had a great conversation...and got caught up. He makes me laugh, he is so witty and funny.
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Well, it is Sunday evening. Got the trash down to the road along with recyclables. Our neighbors are mowing their yards and the fragrance of wild onion permeates the air. It feels like spring but the threat of snow on Wednesday looms. Today, was the first Sunday in a very long time that I have looked forward to Sunday School and church. Due to health reasons, I have stayed away from crowds during the cold and flu season but when I immersed myself into a crowd of 8000 while attending Living Proof last weekend in Boone, it seemed the right thing to do...to get back in the regular habit of going to big church. I had heard the guest preacher was really good so into the service I went. The prayer time today was especially meaningful as the church prayed for the committee formed to search for an interim pastor. The worship music was so powerful and then came preaching. Great points, great thoughts...great encouragement. Then he got to his last point and that's when the wheels fell off. Once again we were held hostage by about eight more sermons being crammed into one and the circling of making that last point kind of was like the never ending story. He talked of foot washing and Exodus and John, several chapters continuing on his point of we are not left alone, Christ is with us. Then he called all the staff, deacons, Sunday School teachers, choir, and volunteers to the front of the church...where we prayed and then while going back to our seats I made the decision to pick up my
So I drove away from church not weary in doing good but for sitting so long. It is not often that lack of movement affects my heart but it did today. My circulation took some time to get back to normal. I came home for a brief moment and in that small amount of time, I happened to run over a gecko in the garage. For truth's sake, I ran over half of it thus producing its organs splayed out on the concrete beside it. Heart...and an eye that popped out of its head. Blood...guts...ugh! I grabbed a shovel and flipped that dead lizard out onto the driveway and called out to the birds, Sunday dinner is ready! It was gross but it had to be done. I continued on with plans of going to the grocery store. Got that done and headed home, talking to Roy. I have been asking him for almost two years to complete our will. So today, after talking about regaining good circulation he tells me he is working on my part of our will. Wait! What? Why today? Does he know something I don't know? Does he think I won't survive the ablation I'll be having? Let's just cut to the chase and say, Roy was in work mode, so compassion is severely lacking. Already tired and no lunch yet, it was emotional and let us not forget the biology lesson gecko.
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Now we are onto Monday afternoon. Taylor had his DMS machine back in working order and my shoulders were so happy to have the jackhammer back. We worked again on my left shoulder and then worked on the muscles in my left leg that like to bunch up with regular workout. It came to me last night that the nerve endings in my left outside thigh had come back to life last year after a four year absence of feeling. I think the nerves were damaged with the ablation in 2013. We have started working on those muscles and hopefully it won't take as long for them to recover and come back this time.
I made a quick trip to The Fresh Market after working out and also got the heart monitor in the mail to go back to the company that provides them. It was a happy send off for sure. The birds took care of the rest of the dead lizard and the Feral Fam come and go as they are wont to do. Just put out their supper for them with a few treats scattered around the steps.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Stop Signs, Delays, And Traffic Galore
There is a quietness tonight. There is also a fatigue but it is a good weariness from spending time with a dear, dear friend. All the fun and laughter, all the silliness and seriousness, all the later type nights and the get at it mornings...brought tremendous joy and emotional strength to this one. Now after a day on the road to take a friend to Charlotte with stops here and there along the way back, it is all settling in on me and I don't want to unload Target bags out of the truck. Forget emptying the dishwasher this evening too. It is the kind of night to sit here and ponder, then smile and ponder once again. There are some friends you share your heart with, often or rarely but you rest in the knowledge that your conversation is held as sacred and nothing is shared or given as fodder to others.
We reminded ourselves today of our Saturday morning visit at the Starbucks in Boone. There is not a shortage of stop signs in Boone. We counted six or seven just at the payment window in the drive through. Then, making a turn to exit at a light...stop signs galore! OK, I have been mesmerized with the word galore here of late. Only in that the word galore has made a comeback and I just wasn't ready for it. It's a funny word. It seems like it would be used as a stripper's name, Donuts Galore, Delicious Galore....see, it is a good stripper name. I must start using galore more in sentences....nah! Just like that, I am over galore. We had to make an illegal back up to get over to the Publix parking lot where we encounter more stop signs...more than was needed. The kicker was, they had a no left turn sign but a left turn lane and light. Confusion galore!
Sometimes the flight from Charlotte to Asheville is almost as much as a flight from Texas to Charlotte. I don't mind, well sometimes I do, driving over to Charlotte. It's a beautiful drive and since I have been in this quiet season, it is a good drive for thinking. The South Park Mall and surrounding area, reminds me of Houston's Galleria area, is fun exploring although the Macy's could be better. The Barnes and Noble nearby is a good bookstore and of course The Nord is there. Yes, I have complained it is not as good as the Nord in the Galleria but last Thursday, lunch was delicious. Somehow, how did this happen, I am a level three fashion devotee with them which means more triple points days, more alterations, and all those special shopping events. Ah, it feels like the old days when the Nord was a bigger part of life. I don't plan on becoming a level four or five. That would be too much!
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What a Friday! Worked out and then had an appointment with the cardiologist. We have everything scheduled for the ablation. Did lab work as well while I was there. They also got the TEE scheduled as well as the CT of my heart. They are stricter here than in Houston on the recovery time so we will need to make adjustments for that. It is always an adventure but the good news is I received the phone call letting me know that my heart monitor time is up. To turn everything off and get it bundled up and sent back to them. Gladly!
The Feral Fam has reunited but Mama Cat still keeps distance. New to the scene other than dead beat dad is a beat up, scratched up black and white male cat. Lisa and I saved him from a fight the other night and we felt like it was one of the best things we did. The huge black cat has moved on and who knows if the Feral Fam follows suite.
The Asheville Marathon is this weekend and the whole area around the Biltmore is jammed with traffic. Don't think I'll be going over that way any time this weekend. I came home the most convoluted way.
Since arriving home I have pretty much crashed but have found a second wind, so it is back to getting the work I started last night finished up. Looking forward to a good night sleep without a heart monitor going off in the night.
We reminded ourselves today of our Saturday morning visit at the Starbucks in Boone. There is not a shortage of stop signs in Boone. We counted six or seven just at the payment window in the drive through. Then, making a turn to exit at a light...stop signs galore! OK, I have been mesmerized with the word galore here of late. Only in that the word galore has made a comeback and I just wasn't ready for it. It's a funny word. It seems like it would be used as a stripper's name, Donuts Galore, Delicious Galore....see, it is a good stripper name. I must start using galore more in sentences....nah! Just like that, I am over galore. We had to make an illegal back up to get over to the Publix parking lot where we encounter more stop signs...more than was needed. The kicker was, they had a no left turn sign but a left turn lane and light. Confusion galore!
Sometimes the flight from Charlotte to Asheville is almost as much as a flight from Texas to Charlotte. I don't mind, well sometimes I do, driving over to Charlotte. It's a beautiful drive and since I have been in this quiet season, it is a good drive for thinking. The South Park Mall and surrounding area, reminds me of Houston's Galleria area, is fun exploring although the Macy's could be better. The Barnes and Noble nearby is a good bookstore and of course The Nord is there. Yes, I have complained it is not as good as the Nord in the Galleria but last Thursday, lunch was delicious. Somehow, how did this happen, I am a level three fashion devotee with them which means more triple points days, more alterations, and all those special shopping events. Ah, it feels like the old days when the Nord was a bigger part of life. I don't plan on becoming a level four or five. That would be too much!
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What a Friday! Worked out and then had an appointment with the cardiologist. We have everything scheduled for the ablation. Did lab work as well while I was there. They also got the TEE scheduled as well as the CT of my heart. They are stricter here than in Houston on the recovery time so we will need to make adjustments for that. It is always an adventure but the good news is I received the phone call letting me know that my heart monitor time is up. To turn everything off and get it bundled up and sent back to them. Gladly!
The Feral Fam has reunited but Mama Cat still keeps distance. New to the scene other than dead beat dad is a beat up, scratched up black and white male cat. Lisa and I saved him from a fight the other night and we felt like it was one of the best things we did. The huge black cat has moved on and who knows if the Feral Fam follows suite.
The Asheville Marathon is this weekend and the whole area around the Biltmore is jammed with traffic. Don't think I'll be going over that way any time this weekend. I came home the most convoluted way.
Since arriving home I have pretty much crashed but have found a second wind, so it is back to getting the work I started last night finished up. Looking forward to a good night sleep without a heart monitor going off in the night.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
A Brief Recap
It has been a week since my last post but I have been having too much fun and too little time to sit down and blog. We might have a snow day here where we just stay home and relax but it it gets above freezing and the sun does its job, we might be able to venture out. We had planned on going back to Waynesville today but that doesn't look likely. Maybe a little Weaverville shopping is at hand.
Lisa arrived last Thursday under a travel advisory but her flights were on time and I didn't encounter any ice getting to Charlotte. What a grand meeting in the horribly crowded arrival area but we survived and headed over to The Nord for lunch. Delicious! Then we went to the Billy Graham Library and paid our respects to Billy Graham. With that, we headed home with some beautiful handiwork of God keeping us enthralled.
Friday, we headed over to Boone for the Living Proof Live with Beth Moore. Lisa had texted our friend Kimberly to see if she could get us seats on the main floor and we headed out after stopping at Starbucks and getting drinks for the road. Off we went with our first stop in Valle Crusis at Over Yonder. We had a table right by the fireplace and the food was fantastic! We did a little look see through Mast and headed over to join 8000 of our new best friends in Boone. I don't know if Boone knew what hit them. We checked into our hotel and had a little down time before heading to the arena. With my main concern of parking, nothing has changed with me concerning that, we started out and after learning my lesson at the Amish Craft Fair last fall, I headed to event paid parking. Best $10.00 I spent that day and again on Saturday morning. She had just the spot for a big truck. It was freezing cold on Friday and we hurried along to get in line for the doors to open. Got in, and began looking for our seats. I was scanning the back part of the reserved section and Lisa says, well, here we are. Well, yes, we are here but I am looking for our seats..... Uh, we were on the front row. Man, we were texting Kimberly so fast to thank her and she said, I just had two seats reserved...the front row is the favor of God. Leg room and close to the action is awesome! Wow! The conference started with great praise and worship and then Beth began to teach. She was making a point when all the sudden she stopped and said, "I need a moment here. I am having a flashback to Tuesday night Bible study in Houston...two of my dearest friends are here." Then she asked if we had been there the whole time and we responded yes. Such a special moment for us. It felt good to be back under her teaching. It has been a good while for me and in hindsight I don't think I knew what I had by being able to go on Tuesday nights and hear Beth teach. Once I have time to settle in, I am going to review my notes because her topic was so timely and hit me right where I am. Saturday morning we got a quick hug and moment with her and just like that the conference was over and it was time to head back home. Lisa and I debated on going to Grandfather Mountain but we could see a low snow cloud was hanging over the bridge from the road. Decision made to go onto Newland and have a late lunch at The Italian Restaurant.
Sunday morning was church. Lisa sang with the choir and it was our pastors last Sunday with Newfound. He has accepted the pastor-ship at First Baptist Brevard. That was the strangest last Sunday with a pastor I have ever experienced. The feels of the service seemed to be that both the congregation and the pastor were ready to move on. Lisa and I stayed a bit visiting with Pastor Gene and his family, then went to The Fireplace for lunch...then the Fresh Market...and then I took a short nap. Brenda came over Sunday evening and we laughed and talked till almost 10:00 pm.
Monday, we both worked out with Taylor and then went to The Blue Rooster for lunch. With the threat of a snow storm looming over the area, we cut our time short and didn't do any of the shopping we had planned. We lazed around the whole afternoon and evening watching TCM.
Yesterday, we had 1:00 tea reservations at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. They have moved afternoon tea to the dining room. That was a brilliant decision on their part. I think that this menu was my favorite of all the teas I have experienced there. We shopped and we drove around the estate. What a treat to see so many baby lambs in near the birthing barn for the sheep. So cute and they came so close to the fence. We were out of the truck in a New York minute. Our day drew to an end there and so we stopped at Publix to get a few things and then headed home taking the scenic route. We were not disappointed. Got a close look at the elk at Carolina Bison. We stayed up late too. Such rebels!
It began snowing last night and this morning we awoke to a snow covered view and still had some heavy snow showers as the morning went on. The sun is out now melting the snow quickly. We've been watching MJ and Camo tear up the snow on the deck. Very entertaining. So, we watch the roads and weather to see how far we can venture out today.
That's a brief recap for now.
Lisa arrived last Thursday under a travel advisory but her flights were on time and I didn't encounter any ice getting to Charlotte. What a grand meeting in the horribly crowded arrival area but we survived and headed over to The Nord for lunch. Delicious! Then we went to the Billy Graham Library and paid our respects to Billy Graham. With that, we headed home with some beautiful handiwork of God keeping us enthralled.
Friday, we headed over to Boone for the Living Proof Live with Beth Moore. Lisa had texted our friend Kimberly to see if she could get us seats on the main floor and we headed out after stopping at Starbucks and getting drinks for the road. Off we went with our first stop in Valle Crusis at Over Yonder. We had a table right by the fireplace and the food was fantastic! We did a little look see through Mast and headed over to join 8000 of our new best friends in Boone. I don't know if Boone knew what hit them. We checked into our hotel and had a little down time before heading to the arena. With my main concern of parking, nothing has changed with me concerning that, we started out and after learning my lesson at the Amish Craft Fair last fall, I headed to event paid parking. Best $10.00 I spent that day and again on Saturday morning. She had just the spot for a big truck. It was freezing cold on Friday and we hurried along to get in line for the doors to open. Got in, and began looking for our seats. I was scanning the back part of the reserved section and Lisa says, well, here we are. Well, yes, we are here but I am looking for our seats..... Uh, we were on the front row. Man, we were texting Kimberly so fast to thank her and she said, I just had two seats reserved...the front row is the favor of God. Leg room and close to the action is awesome! Wow! The conference started with great praise and worship and then Beth began to teach. She was making a point when all the sudden she stopped and said, "I need a moment here. I am having a flashback to Tuesday night Bible study in Houston...two of my dearest friends are here." Then she asked if we had been there the whole time and we responded yes. Such a special moment for us. It felt good to be back under her teaching. It has been a good while for me and in hindsight I don't think I knew what I had by being able to go on Tuesday nights and hear Beth teach. Once I have time to settle in, I am going to review my notes because her topic was so timely and hit me right where I am. Saturday morning we got a quick hug and moment with her and just like that the conference was over and it was time to head back home. Lisa and I debated on going to Grandfather Mountain but we could see a low snow cloud was hanging over the bridge from the road. Decision made to go onto Newland and have a late lunch at The Italian Restaurant.
Sunday morning was church. Lisa sang with the choir and it was our pastors last Sunday with Newfound. He has accepted the pastor-ship at First Baptist Brevard. That was the strangest last Sunday with a pastor I have ever experienced. The feels of the service seemed to be that both the congregation and the pastor were ready to move on. Lisa and I stayed a bit visiting with Pastor Gene and his family, then went to The Fireplace for lunch...then the Fresh Market...and then I took a short nap. Brenda came over Sunday evening and we laughed and talked till almost 10:00 pm.
Monday, we both worked out with Taylor and then went to The Blue Rooster for lunch. With the threat of a snow storm looming over the area, we cut our time short and didn't do any of the shopping we had planned. We lazed around the whole afternoon and evening watching TCM.
Yesterday, we had 1:00 tea reservations at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. They have moved afternoon tea to the dining room. That was a brilliant decision on their part. I think that this menu was my favorite of all the teas I have experienced there. We shopped and we drove around the estate. What a treat to see so many baby lambs in near the birthing barn for the sheep. So cute and they came so close to the fence. We were out of the truck in a New York minute. Our day drew to an end there and so we stopped at Publix to get a few things and then headed home taking the scenic route. We were not disappointed. Got a close look at the elk at Carolina Bison. We stayed up late too. Such rebels!
It began snowing last night and this morning we awoke to a snow covered view and still had some heavy snow showers as the morning went on. The sun is out now melting the snow quickly. We've been watching MJ and Camo tear up the snow on the deck. Very entertaining. So, we watch the roads and weather to see how far we can venture out today.
That's a brief recap for now.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Dusting Of Snow...Then It's All Gone
Last night I watched Hunter Ward, amateur meteorologist, discuss on FB the chances of snow for our area overnight and the chance of it sticking...not much was his conclusion. So, off to sleep with plans for today as I finish up things before Lisa's visit. When I awoke this morning and looked across the hall into the front bedroom and out the window it looked like a heavy fog. Only until looking out the back window did I realize it wasn't fog but snow. Big huge flakes falling at a rapid pace. It is considered a dusting, maybe an inch or so and it is sticking. Hunter did a quick broadcast this morning and the guy who has been right more times than the professionals on TV was a little surprised by the snow sticking since February had been a warm month and the temps haven't consistently been in the freezing range. Nonetheless, it is beautiful when snow blankets the trees, shrubs and plants. The sound of snow is mesmerizing. Snow quiets life or at least the pace of life.
The snow morning is speaking to my spirit. This has been a quiet season of life and I've written about that previously but this is a good reminder that even though I sense the quiet season coming to an end, it is available in whatever time frame we find ourselves in. Patsy Clairmont on Twitter quoted Michael W. Smith, "Some of the most powerful times are when we're quiet."
Several months ago while in Charlotte, I stopped in at a Barnes and Noble. It wasn't a particularly profitable trip to the bookstore or so I thought at the time but I bought a small book. It was The Passion translation of Proverbs. This month I started reading this daily and wow, what a fresh translation...probably meant for those much younger than me but in the daily reading I am blessed.
Cali is by herself this morning and she is sitting under the rose bush, looking for birds. No, it doesn't matter that I risked life and limb taking food outside to her....in the snow and I put down a blanket for her so her little paws would get some relief from the cold temps. Yesterday, I put out some treats for her and MJ. She came up to the treats with me standing about two feet away. Any movement on my part cause a little skittishness on hers but hopefully, I am making some headway to rescue her. The snow has started again in earnest but it should stop around 11:00 am.
I was able to get out to The Fresh Market this afternoon and make a stop at the post office. Flax now lets you order directly from them. They haven't done this previously and they sent the things I ordered to Katy. So, that package came today as well as some stuff from The Nord and Macy's.
This evening MJ and Cali are around, as well as Mama Cat. Camo is MIA but that is not unusual. Got them fed for this cold night ahead.
Hopefully it doesn't snow in the morning but it is fortunate that there are about three routes to take to Charlotte.
The snow morning is speaking to my spirit. This has been a quiet season of life and I've written about that previously but this is a good reminder that even though I sense the quiet season coming to an end, it is available in whatever time frame we find ourselves in. Patsy Clairmont on Twitter quoted Michael W. Smith, "Some of the most powerful times are when we're quiet."
Several months ago while in Charlotte, I stopped in at a Barnes and Noble. It wasn't a particularly profitable trip to the bookstore or so I thought at the time but I bought a small book. It was The Passion translation of Proverbs. This month I started reading this daily and wow, what a fresh translation...probably meant for those much younger than me but in the daily reading I am blessed.
Cali is by herself this morning and she is sitting under the rose bush, looking for birds. No, it doesn't matter that I risked life and limb taking food outside to her....in the snow and I put down a blanket for her so her little paws would get some relief from the cold temps. Yesterday, I put out some treats for her and MJ. She came up to the treats with me standing about two feet away. Any movement on my part cause a little skittishness on hers but hopefully, I am making some headway to rescue her. The snow has started again in earnest but it should stop around 11:00 am.
I was able to get out to The Fresh Market this afternoon and make a stop at the post office. Flax now lets you order directly from them. They haven't done this previously and they sent the things I ordered to Katy. So, that package came today as well as some stuff from The Nord and Macy's.
This evening MJ and Cali are around, as well as Mama Cat. Camo is MIA but that is not unusual. Got them fed for this cold night ahead.
Hopefully it doesn't snow in the morning but it is fortunate that there are about three routes to take to Charlotte.
Monday, March 5, 2018
Soon We Shall Spring Forward
Two mornings in a row malfunctions with the heart monitor yesterday and this morning a wardrobe malfunction occurred, thankfully before leaving the house and going to church. Two friends in our Sunday School class hosted a brunch yesterday. Everything was beautiful and the food delicious. I grabbed the phone monitor and it was going off...I needed to change the patch and weak skin connection. Never have seen the change the patch notification on the phone because the patch is loose before that can happen. So with little time the patch came off easily and thanks to the washable crayola markers, I can mark right where the patch needs to go each time. Whew! This morning I decided to wear a skirt to church...don't wear dresses or skirts too often anymore. I had noticed last night that the waist seemed to feel a little loose but it wasn't too bad...you know a nice problem to have until this morning when I stood up from the recliner, the bottom of the skirt got stuck in chair and all the kings horses and all the kings men could make that waist tight again. Good thing I noticed or would have taken a tumble with a skirt at my feet. At first I thought I could fix it but it was beyond repair. It was a favorite skirt from back in the day and remember all too fondly the day I found it at the Nord. Roy asked if it could be repaired...no not really...no not really at all. For a quick moment it looked like a tardy arrival for church but alas on time, present and accounted for.
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This morning after making my way downstairs and as Buddy followed me knowing our first stop is in the kitchen for the first of many morning treats. Started assembling breakfast items and the phone rang, it was Roy. He has a couple of people coming in this week for interviews and he wanted to go over the questions he was going to ask. Interview questions have certainly evolved since back in the day. You used to get the whole strength and weakness, what do you bring, what do you expect etc... Now there are questions thrown in that are curve balls or at least it would be for me. As we were talking about all of this, I saw her....Cali. It has been over three days since seeing her, which is not unusual in the patterns of life with the Feral Fam. Mama Cat was out there as well, but she has been coming around about once a day. As Roy and I finished our conversation, I was working my way outdoors and when I came into the backyard with a little milk to tide them over until food could be mixed for them, Cali came running down the incline of the yard meowing at me. She came close, not close enough to grab but she ran ahead meowing as she went. New twist in our encounters. Left some milk in a bowl and by that time Roy needed to get on with his day and I had told him about Cali, so he knew. Fixed up a mixture of a few flavor chicken bits with crab gravy mixed in dry food. Mama Cat threw her authority around and Cali wouldn't approach the bowl, so back to the garage and mixed up some salmon shreds with dry food. The other day in Publix it seemed the cashier was a tad suspicious of the wet cat food purchase and asked how many cats do you have? One indoor and four ferals with a couple of dead beat dad cats, who I don't feed, they steal...but I digress. My answer satisfied his curiosity of whether I was eating cat food. Fair enough, because many times the grocery cart looks as if Roy and I are in college by the kind of food we are purchasing...mainly in the snack variety.
Our pastor announced his resignation a little over a week ago and he is going to pastor a church much closer to their home. I know they will welcome a much shorter commute. His last Sunday is coming up. Already people and committees are getting lined up for this transitional time. I love how God's church can do this right. God's calling never changes on our lives, but circumstances do. We are thankful for his leadership these past six and a half years and yet we look expectantly to who will be called to be the next pastor. The church that Roy attends in Katy is in this same process. Roy's church in Katy is trying to find their identity once again. They hired a firm to help them with this thus a church wide survey was sent via email asking questions to find the desired answers and giving the congregation an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. It is kind of a sad happening yet it looks to be filled with such hope and change of direction. About ten years ago this was a thriving church making a mark on Katy especially in the kindness they showed and used every opportunity opened to them to be a giving church to needs. They opened their doors to Community Bible Study, to use their facilities twice a week during the school year for leadership meetings and for Thursday Bible study. They served a free meal on Wednesday nights, which is not unusual for Baptist Churches and they usually charge, but this church is an evangelical Episcopal church. They served meals at their location but also took them to the homeless that didn't want to leave their spot for fear of it being taken or their things, meager as they might be, stolen. They had festivities for the neighborhood and they did them, say like Fall Festival on Halloween night for many other churches, later in the week to have an opportunity for more people to take part and for those who had worked those festivals to have the chance to attend one without responsibility. They helped so many with funeral expenses or medical expenses....but somewhere along the line, most of that stopped. Somewhere along the line the church lost its vision. Maybe the staff attended too many conferences by "big church" leaders and pastors that didn't quite work with smaller churches because of the limitations of staff and infrastructure. Many of the life classes or home groups began to rely too much upon video series and lost a personal touch. The sermons many times were sermons found on the internet and kind of repurposed for their particular congregation. Giving was down and some had found membership in another church formed by a previous pastor. Then the pastor said he was taking a sabbatical after enduring a huge personal loss, which everyone agreed would be restorative for him but before even taking the sabbatical, the pastor announced he was leaving. The pastor serving in the interim is not just showing up on Sunday to preach but he is involved in helping the church find its way while the search committee does its job. Roy and I have had many conversations over the happenings of the last six months at his church and can be diagrammed on a time line when the passion and vision was lost with the leadership and when important things for young families and their student ministry was delayed or not acted upon. I am so thankful these are not issues here. Every church has problems and issues, but they are not impossible because when the Lord is in it, the right path is revealed.
Spring forward will soon be upon us and although I hate loosing the hour and it takes a little time to adjust, having longer evenings will be splendid. We got new lights to hang on the front porch and I got those up this afternoon. Last year we used solar but this year we are using electric ones. The birds in the backyard are happy today with fresh food and water. Lots and lots of cardinals along with juncos, chickadees, house wrens, and song sparrows. I've seen a few robins here and there but they don't come to a bird feeder. I have a call into a landscaping company to talk with them about some flower beds and doing something with the area by the driveway and maybe do something down toward the front part of the property.
Cali and Camo have been hanging out in the back and Mama Cat who is just plain grumpy these days has taken a swipe or two at them if they get too close or do not observe pecking order. They need to finish up their supper cause a stray will come and clean it out later tonight.
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This morning after making my way downstairs and as Buddy followed me knowing our first stop is in the kitchen for the first of many morning treats. Started assembling breakfast items and the phone rang, it was Roy. He has a couple of people coming in this week for interviews and he wanted to go over the questions he was going to ask. Interview questions have certainly evolved since back in the day. You used to get the whole strength and weakness, what do you bring, what do you expect etc... Now there are questions thrown in that are curve balls or at least it would be for me. As we were talking about all of this, I saw her....Cali. It has been over three days since seeing her, which is not unusual in the patterns of life with the Feral Fam. Mama Cat was out there as well, but she has been coming around about once a day. As Roy and I finished our conversation, I was working my way outdoors and when I came into the backyard with a little milk to tide them over until food could be mixed for them, Cali came running down the incline of the yard meowing at me. She came close, not close enough to grab but she ran ahead meowing as she went. New twist in our encounters. Left some milk in a bowl and by that time Roy needed to get on with his day and I had told him about Cali, so he knew. Fixed up a mixture of a few flavor chicken bits with crab gravy mixed in dry food. Mama Cat threw her authority around and Cali wouldn't approach the bowl, so back to the garage and mixed up some salmon shreds with dry food. The other day in Publix it seemed the cashier was a tad suspicious of the wet cat food purchase and asked how many cats do you have? One indoor and four ferals with a couple of dead beat dad cats, who I don't feed, they steal...but I digress. My answer satisfied his curiosity of whether I was eating cat food. Fair enough, because many times the grocery cart looks as if Roy and I are in college by the kind of food we are purchasing...mainly in the snack variety.
Our pastor announced his resignation a little over a week ago and he is going to pastor a church much closer to their home. I know they will welcome a much shorter commute. His last Sunday is coming up. Already people and committees are getting lined up for this transitional time. I love how God's church can do this right. God's calling never changes on our lives, but circumstances do. We are thankful for his leadership these past six and a half years and yet we look expectantly to who will be called to be the next pastor. The church that Roy attends in Katy is in this same process. Roy's church in Katy is trying to find their identity once again. They hired a firm to help them with this thus a church wide survey was sent via email asking questions to find the desired answers and giving the congregation an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. It is kind of a sad happening yet it looks to be filled with such hope and change of direction. About ten years ago this was a thriving church making a mark on Katy especially in the kindness they showed and used every opportunity opened to them to be a giving church to needs. They opened their doors to Community Bible Study, to use their facilities twice a week during the school year for leadership meetings and for Thursday Bible study. They served a free meal on Wednesday nights, which is not unusual for Baptist Churches and they usually charge, but this church is an evangelical Episcopal church. They served meals at their location but also took them to the homeless that didn't want to leave their spot for fear of it being taken or their things, meager as they might be, stolen. They had festivities for the neighborhood and they did them, say like Fall Festival on Halloween night for many other churches, later in the week to have an opportunity for more people to take part and for those who had worked those festivals to have the chance to attend one without responsibility. They helped so many with funeral expenses or medical expenses....but somewhere along the line, most of that stopped. Somewhere along the line the church lost its vision. Maybe the staff attended too many conferences by "big church" leaders and pastors that didn't quite work with smaller churches because of the limitations of staff and infrastructure. Many of the life classes or home groups began to rely too much upon video series and lost a personal touch. The sermons many times were sermons found on the internet and kind of repurposed for their particular congregation. Giving was down and some had found membership in another church formed by a previous pastor. Then the pastor said he was taking a sabbatical after enduring a huge personal loss, which everyone agreed would be restorative for him but before even taking the sabbatical, the pastor announced he was leaving. The pastor serving in the interim is not just showing up on Sunday to preach but he is involved in helping the church find its way while the search committee does its job. Roy and I have had many conversations over the happenings of the last six months at his church and can be diagrammed on a time line when the passion and vision was lost with the leadership and when important things for young families and their student ministry was delayed or not acted upon. I am so thankful these are not issues here. Every church has problems and issues, but they are not impossible because when the Lord is in it, the right path is revealed.
Spring forward will soon be upon us and although I hate loosing the hour and it takes a little time to adjust, having longer evenings will be splendid. We got new lights to hang on the front porch and I got those up this afternoon. Last year we used solar but this year we are using electric ones. The birds in the backyard are happy today with fresh food and water. Lots and lots of cardinals along with juncos, chickadees, house wrens, and song sparrows. I've seen a few robins here and there but they don't come to a bird feeder. I have a call into a landscaping company to talk with them about some flower beds and doing something with the area by the driveway and maybe do something down toward the front part of the property.
Cali and Camo have been hanging out in the back and Mama Cat who is just plain grumpy these days has taken a swipe or two at them if they get too close or do not observe pecking order. They need to finish up their supper cause a stray will come and clean it out later tonight.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Lots Of Wind Both Day And Night
It's night and the wind is beginning to pick up, but not to the howling stage which will probably arrive with bedtime. Last night the evening dropped quickly as those long shadows overtook the familiar. An orange and white cat stealthily made its way down from the gravel road and the kiddos stopped their play. Attention directed to the dark underbrush that by day is a playground. The three kiddos scooted away in different directions only their destination was underneath the deck. Smart little kitties to escape and distort any tracking by this huge orange and white cat. Truly he was an interloper and danger. When the black cat makes a visit, they don't run but give him space...like maybe they are familiar with him, maybe he is one of Mama Cat's boyfriends. MJ is the first to stop the playing and takes up a position to defend but orange and white won out, maybe his name should be Dreamcycle. When those kiddos were little kittens they let mom do the watching and warning, not a care in the world but now, they are never relaxed when they eat. That Dreamcycle got me out of the house armed with hard limes to throw. Note to self, need to practice with the slingshot. Tonight,the kiddos weren't so laid back when eating their supper. They pretty much emptied the bowls because for certain, an interloper will come and clean up the place. This morning, those kiddos were ravenous and even braved the rain to come up to the step and eat a little or a lot of something.
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As predicted the wind blew fiercely last night and still is blowing at a good little clip. Reports of power lines down or nearly down come across in messages almost hourly. While outside earlier, it felt good standing in the sun until the blustery cold wind whipped up and the cold goes right through you.
Worked out with Taylor then came on home and ate lunch before the funeral service for Billy Graham. What a service and testimony. And it was done just a little over an hour. I liked what the siblings said and Billy's sister. Roy was saying today that growing up Catholic, Billy didn't have such an impact on his young life. That's understandable.
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Saturday morning all is calm, all is bright. The wind has finally died down and it was as fierce of a wind that I have ever heard or felt. The kiddos probably looked for breakfast elsewhere because I was a little late in getting downstairs to feed them. Mama Cat came around though because her lunch was cut short by Buddy's attention at the window yesterday afternoon. It was an early bedtime for me and a little later than usual get up. I'm savoring this quiet time, Buddy is upstairs in the front bedroom Then I have things to get ready before Lisa's visit this week. Been looking forward to her visit for a long time.
So it feels like the past few days my thoughts have been on the wind, gone with the wind and standing strong in the wind. Such a powerful force of nature that affected us but reading this morning it looks like Boston and the NE got hit pretty hard. But this morning in the welcomed calm and stillness, I am glad for the reprieve.
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As predicted the wind blew fiercely last night and still is blowing at a good little clip. Reports of power lines down or nearly down come across in messages almost hourly. While outside earlier, it felt good standing in the sun until the blustery cold wind whipped up and the cold goes right through you.
Worked out with Taylor then came on home and ate lunch before the funeral service for Billy Graham. What a service and testimony. And it was done just a little over an hour. I liked what the siblings said and Billy's sister. Roy was saying today that growing up Catholic, Billy didn't have such an impact on his young life. That's understandable.
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Saturday morning all is calm, all is bright. The wind has finally died down and it was as fierce of a wind that I have ever heard or felt. The kiddos probably looked for breakfast elsewhere because I was a little late in getting downstairs to feed them. Mama Cat came around though because her lunch was cut short by Buddy's attention at the window yesterday afternoon. It was an early bedtime for me and a little later than usual get up. I'm savoring this quiet time, Buddy is upstairs in the front bedroom Then I have things to get ready before Lisa's visit this week. Been looking forward to her visit for a long time.
So it feels like the past few days my thoughts have been on the wind, gone with the wind and standing strong in the wind. Such a powerful force of nature that affected us but reading this morning it looks like Boston and the NE got hit pretty hard. But this morning in the welcomed calm and stillness, I am glad for the reprieve.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Follow Up, Fill Up and Fulfillment
The other day in Tractor Supply a woman was buying and preparing a chicken coup with the thought of fresh eggs dancing around in her head. Everything within me wanted to say, don't do it! Let the professionals, organic and otherwise provide eggs. A chicken coup with chickens is going to takeover your life. No, this isn't talk because of experience but it is from talking with friends who thought this would be a good idea and soon discovered the expense both in money and time wasn't worth the egg. A pack of coyotes attacked my friend's chicken coup and they are sad for the loss of the chickens but not really. They feel like they've been set free and have their lives once again. They are also happy to not have to deal with so many insects that chickens naturally draw. The thought of a chicken coup, with fresh eggs is romanticized by magazines and marketing....
Speaking of eggs, that's what I had for supper last night....farm fresh eggs from just down the road at Farside Farms. He has a produce stand in town and The Fresh Market also sells his eggs. Happy to support a neighboring farm. Also, at the grocery store was my first sighting of mountain majesty tomatoes. Sliced up one to go with the eggs and biscuits...canned biscuits with sour wood honey. Yum! I forgot to eat lunch yesterday but that might have been because of the discovery of okra chips. Oh my goodness! They are simply delicious!
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A wet and rainy Thursday but it isn't really cold. Tonight and tomorrow we have wind advisories and with that the cooler temps arrive. The backyard is so muddy. Some smaller flat rocks and bricks are the makeshift way to cross the great muddy divide. I was so tired last night from cleaning out a few things and finding a home for some of the stuff that has had a temporary place on the kitchen table but not squatter's rights. I also was on cat watch last night in the early evening. An unknown orange and white cat prowled about on the gravel road and the kiddos stopped dead on in their playing, alert to the interloper. He was persistent and finally with bad fruit in my pocket, I stepped outside using the big spotlight flashlight Roy gave me. I didn't even get a chance to hurl one bad lime. Eventually, one by one the kiddos came out from underneath the deck to eat a little. I ate my salad in the dark keeping watch over my flock by early night.
The Facebook app gives you a look back on what happened on that day according to FB memories is sometimes really entertaining. February 28th has been a particularly active day according to what I have shared in the past. Numerous things have happened like going to Baylor and participating in the Alumni By Choice luncheon and program. That was a fun day. On the 28th in 2013 it was a morning at St Luke's Texas Heart Institute getting a TEE and CAT scan for an ablation on March 1, 2013. That procedure was a life changer and had done its work nobly until last year....when undue stress and emotions attacked with a vengeance. This morning thinking through that day and the immediate relief, I remembered when I first started seeing the Houston Cardiologist and mapping out the timeline and plans for recovery beginning in 2010, my father kept telling me I should go see his cardiac nurse. She would know what to do.... What in the world? I assured him that I wouldn't be leaving my cardiologist...he was a perfecter of the procedure. He traveled throughout the world speaking and demonstrating the improvements that had been made. He was recognized and honored for his work...no...I wouldn't be making an appointment to see his nurse, as competent and wonderful as she might be. Ironic, it was this same nurse that called in on March 27, 2012 concerned that my father hadn't been to his appointment...long story short, he had been there and me being in his house trying to find phone numbers and a license plate number when he returned home was the start of all that happened in the years following. Hmmm....in hindsight, she did help my heart.
It was a late lunch today after the oral surgeon appointment of which he told me I am a good healer and he will see me in August. I thought my regular dentist office had jumped the gun a bit on getting an impression cause I knew it would be a four to five month process. I'll call them on Monday. While eating lunch and reading email, the newsletter from Addie Zierman spoke, deeply to my spirit and she put into words some of what I have been experiencing for January and February. Her post on Winter Resourcing: 5 Things That Are Helping Me Through Winter 2018 is a must read. Not everything she wrote about applies but so much does and the link to her blog post on a better way to think of self care...so very helpful and here are some quotes to pine your interest.
Speaking of eggs, that's what I had for supper last night....farm fresh eggs from just down the road at Farside Farms. He has a produce stand in town and The Fresh Market also sells his eggs. Happy to support a neighboring farm. Also, at the grocery store was my first sighting of mountain majesty tomatoes. Sliced up one to go with the eggs and biscuits...canned biscuits with sour wood honey. Yum! I forgot to eat lunch yesterday but that might have been because of the discovery of okra chips. Oh my goodness! They are simply delicious!
*****************
A wet and rainy Thursday but it isn't really cold. Tonight and tomorrow we have wind advisories and with that the cooler temps arrive. The backyard is so muddy. Some smaller flat rocks and bricks are the makeshift way to cross the great muddy divide. I was so tired last night from cleaning out a few things and finding a home for some of the stuff that has had a temporary place on the kitchen table but not squatter's rights. I also was on cat watch last night in the early evening. An unknown orange and white cat prowled about on the gravel road and the kiddos stopped dead on in their playing, alert to the interloper. He was persistent and finally with bad fruit in my pocket, I stepped outside using the big spotlight flashlight Roy gave me. I didn't even get a chance to hurl one bad lime. Eventually, one by one the kiddos came out from underneath the deck to eat a little. I ate my salad in the dark keeping watch over my flock by early night.
The Facebook app gives you a look back on what happened on that day according to FB memories is sometimes really entertaining. February 28th has been a particularly active day according to what I have shared in the past. Numerous things have happened like going to Baylor and participating in the Alumni By Choice luncheon and program. That was a fun day. On the 28th in 2013 it was a morning at St Luke's Texas Heart Institute getting a TEE and CAT scan for an ablation on March 1, 2013. That procedure was a life changer and had done its work nobly until last year....when undue stress and emotions attacked with a vengeance. This morning thinking through that day and the immediate relief, I remembered when I first started seeing the Houston Cardiologist and mapping out the timeline and plans for recovery beginning in 2010, my father kept telling me I should go see his cardiac nurse. She would know what to do.... What in the world? I assured him that I wouldn't be leaving my cardiologist...he was a perfecter of the procedure. He traveled throughout the world speaking and demonstrating the improvements that had been made. He was recognized and honored for his work...no...I wouldn't be making an appointment to see his nurse, as competent and wonderful as she might be. Ironic, it was this same nurse that called in on March 27, 2012 concerned that my father hadn't been to his appointment...long story short, he had been there and me being in his house trying to find phone numbers and a license plate number when he returned home was the start of all that happened in the years following. Hmmm....in hindsight, she did help my heart.
It was a late lunch today after the oral surgeon appointment of which he told me I am a good healer and he will see me in August. I thought my regular dentist office had jumped the gun a bit on getting an impression cause I knew it would be a four to five month process. I'll call them on Monday. While eating lunch and reading email, the newsletter from Addie Zierman spoke, deeply to my spirit and she put into words some of what I have been experiencing for January and February. Her post on Winter Resourcing: 5 Things That Are Helping Me Through Winter 2018 is a must read. Not everything she wrote about applies but so much does and the link to her blog post on a better way to think of self care...so very helpful and here are some quotes to pine your interest.
My spiritual director doesn’t call it self-care. She calls it resourcing.
In our session early this month, she reminded me that without enough resources, we are prone pinging back and forth between frantic anxiety and debilitating depression rather than engaging with pain and need in a healthy way. The best thing we can do in these days, she says, is to find ways to stay grounded.
Resourcing vs. self-care. It’s a simple turn of phrasing, but it has changed the whole way I’ve approached my fragile February self this month.
I’ve come to associate the term self-care with bubble baths and massages and me time and naps. I think about comfort food – casseroles with loads of cheese and cream-of-something soup – and about rich desserts and about Tom and Donna’s “Treat Yo-Self!” day on Parks and Recreation.
I tend to be sensitive to the way we word things, and for all of its cozy connotations, I cannot seem to separate the term self-care with things that are a bit indulgent, a little bit luxurious.
But then, there is nothing luxurious about the word resourcing.
It is plain and simple and unglamorous. It brings to mind grocery shopping and wood cutting and preparing food and pouring water.
Resourcing is not so much about giving yourself what you want. It’s about honoring what you need and doing the work to provide it to yourself.
*
People have, of course, been saying this same thing in different ways for years. Instead of saying, What is resourcing to you?, I’ve heard What breathes life into you? or What feeds your soul?
It’s the same concept, obviously, but that phrasing always felt a little woo woo and vague to me. I have never been able to move my answers from the cerebral to the space of my daily living.
But this question – Is this resourcing? – has become a touchstone for me this month.
Something that is resourcing will extend beyond the moment of comfort provided by a bubble bath or a second glass of wine or half a pan of cheesy potatoes.
When I picture it, I imagine a small space in my body from which I engage with the world. And then I think of it filling with air and space, expanding larger and larger, becoming spacious. Resourced
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