Calls and Canning

Sunday School was enjoyable and enlightening; we had a great discussion while studying Philippians. One of my favorite verses come from this Book –

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~ Philippians 4:8

I mark it in every single Bible I own and try to live by it. It’s a beautiful verse, like so many in God’s Word, that we fashion many of our non secular sayings after.

A long-time friend, who is also a caregiver, came to help me get ready for church. It makes our day so much less stressful when my husband and I
have someone to help me. It’s too much when Kenneth has to get us both dressed and get breakfast, that early in the morning. But we got ready and enjoyed for Sunday School and worship. A Capella singing sounds so beautiful.

Most of the week was full of everyday activities, except ‘the once a month circus’ we have to go through for a my pain medications. Pharmacies don’t want to tell you about their inventory of pain medications. So we have to drive all over until we find it. Ugh! I wish I didn’t NEED it. I’ve weaned myself down to almost nothing and tried to do without it but my physicians tell me that’s enough…for my health.

I’m need to make some calls and send emails to some of my customers soon. Miche is the perfect item for any gift list; birthday, anniversary, sweetheart etc. They will LOVE the variety in color and style plus Miches are time and space savers. Visit my site at http://LadyBoxes.Miche.com or call me at 931-220-1590.

My health allowed me to make cards and finished a 12 note pack for a friend who wanted to send a gift of encouragement before surgery. Ive also made some pretty good meals, like pork chops in the pressure cooker and stewed tomatoes.

I spent a lot of time on the phone, on Vanderbilt Hospital website and on the Express Script site getting all my prescriptions ordered and ensuring the doctors knew the requests were on the way. I think the reps at Express Scripts should have done that. But you do what you’ve go to do.

I had great news from the VA! I may be able to get an an extension on on VA Education G. I. Bill Benefits, because of the years my serious illness lasted. I was almost finished with my Business Management degree, when I became seriously ill and now I may be able to get some of my benefits and finish my degree next year. Yeah! I will need to submit some paperwork, but my doctors are willing to help me and I believe I have a good chance of getting a positive response from the V.A.

I went to an appointment with the Dermatologist about my thinning hair. She said its very common and there’s are not much chance of reversing my thinning hair. There were a couple of things we could try, but it wasn’t worth experimenting when wigs and extensions are so available. But I’ve got the truth I was after and will go from here.

I ended the relationship with my caregiver. She was moody and sat around for hours without doing any work, what she did was half-done, I felt alone in the house and she was continually on the phone, she tried to run my life (and wasn’t even properly taking care of her duties), asked and borrowed hundreds of dollars, acted like a sensitive thug (oxymoron?), etc. etc. etc. I just could not take it any more.

I have found a couple of ladies who I believe will work fine in our home, as my caregiver and providing respite for my husband. Additionally, Kenneth and I have decided to purchase a audio/video recording system for our home (front and back door areas along with three locations inside) and the caregivers are fine with it. I’ve talked to the company who provides my caregivers and they don’t have a problem with it, as long as caregivers know the system is operating here. I don’t want to spend money on this, but I’m weary of some caregivers’ dishonesty and poor work ethic. They want but don’t give – selfish.

We made fig jam and I’m thinking if making Zucchini Relish and something out of peaches. I had some on a Publix hoagie bun and Boar’s head Wurst and loved it! But Kenneth needs his relish knocked up a notch.

On to more adventures next week……

Preserving Fruit and His Word

This began as a good week, even though my health prevented us from going to Sunday School and worship services. But He is faithful and will continue to breathe life into our lives through our prayer and His Word.

Monday I rested during the day and made 12 jars of preserved figs with Kenneth after he got off work. It didn’t take us too long and we were finished canning and eating around 9pm. The jars of figs are beautiful and will be a comforting snack or dessert this coming winter. I can even put a bow and tag on the jar tops and give them for Christmas gifts!

Tuesday was my first appointment with my new counsellor. Her office is nearby and it seemed to be a pretty good session. She said there are definitely reasons for my stress and anxiety to be a problem. I want that to mean she is hopeful about helping me alleviate both.

I received an order for greeting cards and notes this week. I look forward to designing and creating those. It’s almost time for getting Christmas card and note orders. So I need to get in a card making rhythm for the next couple of months.

Wednesday I felt worse than Tuesday. I’m not sure if the reason is going out because of the physical exertion of getting dressed and the multiple transfers or just my illnesses. But I am scheduled to teach the Ladies Bible Class. I’ve done great preparation and the class is full of participation from the attendees. I hope it’s well received. Everyone there seemed to really enjoy the class. I know I had a great time leading the discussion and Bible verse charades. Ladies stayed after to tell me how much the enjoyed the class and Kenneth was proud. He took my picture when we got home.

Thursday, was a postponed bath day. Later, I made great pork chops in the pressure cooker with rice and stewed tomatoes. The tomatoes were really good because they were from our vegetable garden. I rested a bit and worked on my greeting cards for a couple of hours, while I waited for Rock to come home from work.

Friday, my Myositis got the best of me all day. My friend Diana was going to come visit and check out my card making. But I wasn’t strong enough to entertain company. I spent most of the getting bursts from my inhaler, propping up on my triangle to help me breathe and on my CPAP. I felt terrible but it eased up a little after dinner.

It seems that taking a shower takes a lot out of me. I talked to my caregiver and we decided to adjust my schedule. I hope it helps because the exertion puts me in bed for at a day afterwards.

All in all, it was a good day! I kept track of my diet on my iPhone app and my calorie intake was less than 1200 calories. Next week I’ll try again to work on my exercise because I was only able to work on it once last week. My body can only take one type of physical exertion a day and that is even too much on some days.

Most of my prescriptions are on an online mail order program and I checked the website. They ‘upgraded’ the site and the snapshot page is gone. It may be better for some people but for me it was much easier for me to look at one page, than to look at multiple pages for the same information. I called to tell the IT people about it and I was the second person to call about it that day alone. I hope they take our suggestion and put the snapshot page back.

I’m taking my recently prescribed water pills and those helped me feel quite a bit better. I was so swollen that I felt like I was going to explode. I hate to add another pill to my regimen but I don’t see another way to get rid of all that water. I’ll keep searching for a natural way to rid my body of the excess water. This article recommends a few foods to help.

How to lose water weight quickly and naturally

Saturday Kenneth had an early appointment so I woke up and watched my Westerns after he left. Randolph Scott is my favorite and I played a few of his while I rested, along with one episode of Wyatt Earp. I think Westerns are my favorite because there’s no profanity, sex, kids with a smart mouth, blood etc.

Kenneth and I ended the week watching great sports on television and avoiding most of the smut on the airwaves. We hope to make Sunday School and worship services Sunday, in spite of my maladies. I had a great week and God was with me every step of the way. Thank you, Father.