It started the last week of September...
....and this is my world now:
I know I say this every year, but fall is my favorite season, and I'm so glad I live here now.
Showing posts with label Blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessings. Show all posts
Friday, October 21, 2011
Autumn in My Little Corner of the World
....and this is my world now:
I know I say this every year, but fall is my favorite season, and I'm so glad I live here now.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Giving Thanks
Gee, it's been a few days since I posted, but it doesn't feel like it. I think I'm still living in Halloweenland. My yard looks like it, anyway. There has been so much to do this week, I haven't taken everything down yet. Tomorrow I need to go back over to the hospital for a competency testing on the new upgrades to the computer system before it goes live on Sunday. Even if census is low, everyone scheduled will have to come on in to work, because the system will crash and nothing will go as planned. That's always the way it is when we go through a major "upgrade." But hey, it's a living!
Today was MD appointment day. First J-Man saw our primary physician and had another clotting test done. These results were therapeutic, so he stays on the same dose of the blood thinner. His color is better, less sallow, and the swelling is minimal. Except for some lingering tiredness, he's feeling well. Everything's status quo.
Then we saw the gastroenterologist who reviewed the biopsy results with us and questioned us in detail about J-Man's meds and medical history. They still have no answer as to why his liver shut down, but Dr. R. is going to research the past medications and one of the ongoing ones to see if there are any rare incidents of liver failure with them. It's possible there was a latent liver problem from even as far back as the stroke and some medication may have triggered a strange reaction. He's still a walking mystery. But there's nothing that needs to be done there, either. Next visit is 3 months.
We have been so fortunate to have the terrific doctors and staff that we do. Because of his swiss cheese memory, J-Man's perceptions and timelines can be unreliable, and I have to be his walking memory bank. But everyone always asks him the questions first, which is so vital to maintaining his dignity. Then, if I have to modify or correct his answers, no one makes me feel like an overbearing wife. We have dealt with many healthcare personnel in the last month and not once have we had an unpleasant experience. Not once.
Well, if you don't count insurance issues.
And we don't.
Today was MD appointment day. First J-Man saw our primary physician and had another clotting test done. These results were therapeutic, so he stays on the same dose of the blood thinner. His color is better, less sallow, and the swelling is minimal. Except for some lingering tiredness, he's feeling well. Everything's status quo.
Then we saw the gastroenterologist who reviewed the biopsy results with us and questioned us in detail about J-Man's meds and medical history. They still have no answer as to why his liver shut down, but Dr. R. is going to research the past medications and one of the ongoing ones to see if there are any rare incidents of liver failure with them. It's possible there was a latent liver problem from even as far back as the stroke and some medication may have triggered a strange reaction. He's still a walking mystery. But there's nothing that needs to be done there, either. Next visit is 3 months.
We have been so fortunate to have the terrific doctors and staff that we do. Because of his swiss cheese memory, J-Man's perceptions and timelines can be unreliable, and I have to be his walking memory bank. But everyone always asks him the questions first, which is so vital to maintaining his dignity. Then, if I have to modify or correct his answers, no one makes me feel like an overbearing wife. We have dealt with many healthcare personnel in the last month and not once have we had an unpleasant experience. Not once.
Well, if you don't count insurance issues.
And we don't.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BRRR!
Last night was the coldest so far this year--not sure how far it really got, but at one point early this morning it was 4 degrees, with a wind chill factor of -20. When I took Tandi out for one last squat in the leaves, I breathed a thank you to God for home and heat. Just a few years ago, an ice storm caused a power outage in our little town, which lasted for 4-5 days in some neighborhoods. In our particular neighborhood, because we live up a small mountain, when we lose power, we also lose water, because it can't be pumped uphill. If ever there's a storm and we lose power, I immediately run a bathtub of water so I'll have some to heat on the gas stove for sponge baths, washing dishes, etc.
When the ice storm came that Dec., I was able to get a shower and get ready for work just before the power went out. I took J-Man's 4-wheel drive so I could be sure and get home the next morning. I got to work all night in a warm hospital, but the power at the house was still out when I came home, and J-Man was huddled in the bed, the dog and both cats with him. (The grandcats were home between holidays so DD could study for finals in law school.) It was painful for him, because when he gets cold, his left side, the paralyzed one, gets very spastic and contracted and it's hard for him to move.
We spent a lot of that day out and around, at Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Applebee's for early supper, etc. and were facing another bitterly cold night when we got home. I rousted up an old knit toboggan for J-Man's head, to help hold the heat in, and piled him high with blankets--virtually trapping him in the recliner, but at least he was warmer than the night before. I brought down several of my old kerosene and oil lamps from the ledge in the kitchen (though I won't burn kerosene in them--just lamp oil), and placed them around in the bathrooms, the living room and kitchen. Besides being a comforting source of light, they gave off a surprising amount of heat. I heated up some water on the stove and we drank hot chocolate, then I bundled up on the couch and went to sleep. About 9:30 that night, the lights woke us up. We were one of the fortunate families, our electricity restored in less than 30 hours. The temperature in the house was 56 degrees, but quickly warmed up.
In June of the next year, we bought thermal windows for the house. It wasn't on our list of things to do, but in calling some of the references for the company, one of the women who answered cited the past winter's ice storm as her prime reason for buying the windows. That cinched it for us, as well. The house has been more comfortable, summer and winter, especially after buying the new heating and cooling system last summer.
Then came last night--the coldest one our heating system has had to deal with to date--and the temperature in the house was only 64 degrees this morning, though the thermostat was set at 70. I phoned the company who'd installed the system--and got on the list for repairs. Seems they were flooded with no-heat calls today. Thank goodness we had a little heat, and the thermal windows to hold it in. As the day went on the wind stopped, the sun shone brightly, and I lit candles around the house--and made cookies! Nothing like baking to add a little warmth to the house!
Our repairman got here at 8pm this evening. I'd long since figured they'd have to put us off til morning, as it was dark and still so cold out there, but the temperature in the house had risen to 70 degrees with running the dishwasher and the oven, so we were fine. Still it was nice to see him--and find out he was a neighbor of ours! He even brings his children trick-or-treating at our house!
I love small towns.
In less than an hour, he'd found the problem and fixed it--a loose wire in the thermostat that kept the system from fully kicking in as it should. As the system is still under warranty, and it was their fault anyway, we didn't owe a penny. It's now 14 degrees outside, but it's a cozy 70 degrees inside, and I'm sending up another prayer of gratitude--for thermal windows and new heating systems and dependable repairmen.
And I sent a dozen oatmeal raisin cookies home with Chuck.
When the ice storm came that Dec., I was able to get a shower and get ready for work just before the power went out. I took J-Man's 4-wheel drive so I could be sure and get home the next morning. I got to work all night in a warm hospital, but the power at the house was still out when I came home, and J-Man was huddled in the bed, the dog and both cats with him. (The grandcats were home between holidays so DD could study for finals in law school.) It was painful for him, because when he gets cold, his left side, the paralyzed one, gets very spastic and contracted and it's hard for him to move.
We spent a lot of that day out and around, at Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Applebee's for early supper, etc. and were facing another bitterly cold night when we got home. I rousted up an old knit toboggan for J-Man's head, to help hold the heat in, and piled him high with blankets--virtually trapping him in the recliner, but at least he was warmer than the night before. I brought down several of my old kerosene and oil lamps from the ledge in the kitchen (though I won't burn kerosene in them--just lamp oil), and placed them around in the bathrooms, the living room and kitchen. Besides being a comforting source of light, they gave off a surprising amount of heat. I heated up some water on the stove and we drank hot chocolate, then I bundled up on the couch and went to sleep. About 9:30 that night, the lights woke us up. We were one of the fortunate families, our electricity restored in less than 30 hours. The temperature in the house was 56 degrees, but quickly warmed up.
In June of the next year, we bought thermal windows for the house. It wasn't on our list of things to do, but in calling some of the references for the company, one of the women who answered cited the past winter's ice storm as her prime reason for buying the windows. That cinched it for us, as well. The house has been more comfortable, summer and winter, especially after buying the new heating and cooling system last summer.
Then came last night--the coldest one our heating system has had to deal with to date--and the temperature in the house was only 64 degrees this morning, though the thermostat was set at 70. I phoned the company who'd installed the system--and got on the list for repairs. Seems they were flooded with no-heat calls today. Thank goodness we had a little heat, and the thermal windows to hold it in. As the day went on the wind stopped, the sun shone brightly, and I lit candles around the house--and made cookies! Nothing like baking to add a little warmth to the house!
Our repairman got here at 8pm this evening. I'd long since figured they'd have to put us off til morning, as it was dark and still so cold out there, but the temperature in the house had risen to 70 degrees with running the dishwasher and the oven, so we were fine. Still it was nice to see him--and find out he was a neighbor of ours! He even brings his children trick-or-treating at our house!
I love small towns.
In less than an hour, he'd found the problem and fixed it--a loose wire in the thermostat that kept the system from fully kicking in as it should. As the system is still under warranty, and it was their fault anyway, we didn't owe a penny. It's now 14 degrees outside, but it's a cozy 70 degrees inside, and I'm sending up another prayer of gratitude--for thermal windows and new heating systems and dependable repairmen.
And I sent a dozen oatmeal raisin cookies home with Chuck.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Opportunities # 2 and #3
I love Christmas cards. I love sending them and I especially love receiving them. I love the colors and the artwork and the way they look all grouped together. I love the photos of families and I even (mostly) love the newsletters that come with some of them. Some of my friends and family members are extra creative and make their own and I look forward to seeing what they chose to do this year. I used to make my own, but haven't in a while, though I want to get back to doing it again.
Email cards are convenient, and for those who have small children, multiple jobs, busy lives, I understand the advantage. But when Tandi and I go out to the mailbox, and I reach in and pull out a hand-addressed envelope, I'm tearing it open before I get back to the porch, eager to see what lovelies have been sent our way, and what bits of family news might be there. I know we should be staying in touch throughout the year, but if we don't, then I'm glad Christmas cards are there to remind us to at least touch base once during the year.
Every year I exchange cards with a couple I assisted when I used to do Workers' Comp case management--and I haven't done that work since 1993. One year, he sent me a signed copy of a book he wrote about the Inn in Bethlehem. I love it. And I send a card each year to the parents of a 32-yr-old breast cancer victim I cared for who died in 2005. We shared many hugs and tears over several months, and that family really touched my heart.
When we nurses get an occasional thank-you card or Christmas card from former patients and/or their families, we invariably smile and melt just a little. It's nice to hear they are doing better, or even that their loved ones are coping with their loss. So I imagine the staff at my doctor's office or my vet's office, or even my dentist's office feel the same way. (Chocolate is always appreciated, too, but let's not get greedy.)
I'm even sending one to my trash pickup service this year. It's a couple-owned business, (in my area, we have to contract with a garbage service of our own, as we are in a "village", not part of the city) and I doubt they get many thanks. I mean, how do you give them fudge or cookies? And I DO appreciate what they do. Boy, do I appreciate them!
As part of my Take Christmas Back effort this season, I decided to buy faith-based cards to send out. There are many things I enjoy about the season--Santas and trees and angels and candles--but without the birth of Jesus, we'd only be celebrating "happy holidays" or "winter" or some such nonsense. I'm not out to offend anyone, and I'll wish Happy Hannukah to my Jewish friends, but I celebrate Christmas, and I'm not ashamed to say so.
Besides the ones I bought this year, we've received blank cards from organizations hoping for donations, and I have a few stray cards left from years past. The American Red Cross has a program entitled Holiday Mail for Heroes, in which they are aiming for one million cards sent "to American service members, veterans and their families in the US and around the world." So I have put a short message in 8 cards and will be dropping these off at the Post Office today, as they need to be postmarked by tomorrow.
Sure, it takes time and effort to write a note, address and stamp envelopes and get a few dozen cards into the mail in this busy season, but for a few hours each year, it is nice to slow down and think about specific friends and families and acquaintances and what they mean to me.
Edited to add: I guess the cards had to be individually postmarked by 12/10--meaning they need to be ready to send out from Maryland tomorrow--because the post office couldn't pull up a zip code for the address on the site. I'm going to search online and see if there is somewhere I can send these out myself, probably individually.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Grateful
If you've been following my blog for even a little while, you know that I am blessed to be the Compassion sponsor of two precious girls, 15-year-old Dalia in El Salvador, and 9-yr-old Aduri in Bangladesh. Besides sending $32.00/mo to support them, we can also send up to $25.00 for birthday gifts and one other gift during the year as well as a Christmas gift, and up to a $300.00/yr family gift.
Aduri's birthday was in October, so I sent $10.00 for her, and I sent a $50.00 family gift about the same time, probably early September. Today I received these two letters from her, and they brought tears to my eyes. I want to share them with you just as they are written.
"Dear Sponsor Stephanie D_________-,
My love to you. Thank's God that he give me a sponsor like you. Thank you very much for sponsoring me. Thank you for your birthday gift. Our project staff bought for me dress, shoe with your gift money. Now I have many dress. I am very happy with your gifts. Now I go to the project with new shoe. I have 3 siblings. It is very difficult to my father to lead our family. My parents are very happy and thanked to you. I go to the project regularly and my study is going well. I like to study. I like to go the project. Please pray for me so that I may study well and be healthy. May God bless you. Your beloved Aduri."
"Dear Sponsor Stephanie D__________,
My greetings to you. I pray that you are well with God's grace with your family. Me and my family are well with your prayer. Thank you very much for praying for me and my family. Thank you very much for your gift. We are benefited a lot and very happy. Me, my dad M___, my mom F___, brother J___, and two sisters R____ and R____ live in a small house in a village name J_____. It is very difficult to stay in a small house. Beside the roof of house is made of straw so when it rains, rain water enter in the house. My father is a day labour so he can't bought tins for house. Our project staff bought for us 15 tins for our house with your gift money. My family thanked to you. We made our roof. We pray for you and your family. Please pray for me so that I may stay well. Your beloved Aduri."
We made our roof. This sentence just grabbed at my heart. For the price of a couple of meals out, we bought a roof for a family of 6!
We pray for you and your family.
The Compassion newsletters always say it makes such a difference to a child to know that someone across the world cares for them. What they couldn't impart is how much it would mean to me that a little girl I may never meet, and her family in a country so foreign to me that their writing is underneath the line, are praying for my family and me.
I am so humbled, and so grateful.
Aduri's birthday was in October, so I sent $10.00 for her, and I sent a $50.00 family gift about the same time, probably early September. Today I received these two letters from her, and they brought tears to my eyes. I want to share them with you just as they are written.
"Dear Sponsor Stephanie D_________-,
My love to you. Thank's God that he give me a sponsor like you. Thank you very much for sponsoring me. Thank you for your birthday gift. Our project staff bought for me dress, shoe with your gift money. Now I have many dress. I am very happy with your gifts. Now I go to the project with new shoe. I have 3 siblings. It is very difficult to my father to lead our family. My parents are very happy and thanked to you. I go to the project regularly and my study is going well. I like to study. I like to go the project. Please pray for me so that I may study well and be healthy. May God bless you. Your beloved Aduri."
"Dear Sponsor Stephanie D__________,
My greetings to you. I pray that you are well with God's grace with your family. Me and my family are well with your prayer. Thank you very much for praying for me and my family. Thank you very much for your gift. We are benefited a lot and very happy. Me, my dad M___, my mom F___, brother J___, and two sisters R____ and R____ live in a small house in a village name J_____. It is very difficult to stay in a small house. Beside the roof of house is made of straw so when it rains, rain water enter in the house. My father is a day labour so he can't bought tins for house. Our project staff bought for us 15 tins for our house with your gift money. My family thanked to you. We made our roof. We pray for you and your family. Please pray for me so that I may stay well. Your beloved Aduri."
We made our roof. This sentence just grabbed at my heart. For the price of a couple of meals out, we bought a roof for a family of 6!
We pray for you and your family.
The Compassion newsletters always say it makes such a difference to a child to know that someone across the world cares for them. What they couldn't impart is how much it would mean to me that a little girl I may never meet, and her family in a country so foreign to me that their writing is underneath the line, are praying for my family and me.
I am so humbled, and so grateful.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Summer Poetry
Okay, scroll past this one to the movie trivia if you'd like. This is just a poem I wrote in July of 2000 for a message board challenge. I still like it, and thought I'd inflict it on anyone willing to bear with me.
Summer "Sense-ations"
Morning sunlight dappling my sheets.
Droning power saws and lawnmowers.
New freckles on a child's face.
Mimosa, wisteria and honeysuckle blossoms.
The sweet/sour taste of iced lemonade.
The infinite shades of green in the cottonwood leaves.
Watermelon juice trickling down my chin.
Cocoa butter.
The mesmerising patterns of lawn sprinklers.
Wet earth.
Afternoon naps under the richeting of an oscillating fan.
Airplane trails across a cerulean sky.
The white line between a new haircut and a seasoned tan.
Ripe, warm tomatoes eaten in the garden.
Freshly mown grass under my bare feet.
Hamburgers sizzling on the grill.
Locusts and crickets in symphony.
Buttercup deposits on a little girl's nose.
One last game of hide-and-seek in the deepening twilight.
The confortable silence between long-married couples, broken only by the creak of the front porch swing.
Summer "Sense-ations"
Morning sunlight dappling my sheets.
Droning power saws and lawnmowers.
New freckles on a child's face.
Mimosa, wisteria and honeysuckle blossoms.
The sweet/sour taste of iced lemonade.
The infinite shades of green in the cottonwood leaves.
Watermelon juice trickling down my chin.
Cocoa butter.
The mesmerising patterns of lawn sprinklers.
Wet earth.
Afternoon naps under the richeting of an oscillating fan.
Airplane trails across a cerulean sky.
The white line between a new haircut and a seasoned tan.
Ripe, warm tomatoes eaten in the garden.
Freshly mown grass under my bare feet.
Hamburgers sizzling on the grill.
Locusts and crickets in symphony.
Buttercup deposits on a little girl's nose.
One last game of hide-and-seek in the deepening twilight.
The confortable silence between long-married couples, broken only by the creak of the front porch swing.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Quote for the Day
It's not what you are that holds you back;
It's what you think you're not.
Terry Woodhead, FED '96
It's what you think you're not.
Terry Woodhead, FED '96
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Emotions
The last few days have been topsy-turvy on so many levels. I just need to vent a few minutes, so feel free to skip this post if you like!
Disappointment, disgust, and cynicism: Our unit manager threw up her hands and quit after administration performed another butt-chewing over staffing. She really was a good manager and I hate to see her go, but totally understand. Admin announced a staff meeting (with less than 24 hours notice) to address "questions and concerns", but I didn't bother to go. I've been working in hospitals long enough to know they say what you want to hear, then do what they have always planned to do. Don't waste my time, you clueless idiots--just get out of my way and let me do my job.
Anticipation, panic, concern, relief and gratitude:
Friday night I had my second sleep study, this time with a C-PAP, and oh my, what a difference! I was so ALERT Saturday night and I had so much stamina--I've forgotten what it's like to feel GOOD! Since I'm claustrophobic, I had a little trouble with the mask, but was able to get past it that night, and will be working on it. Today I got my own machine, and found out the detailed results of my sleep study: Severe, with 62-75 episodes an hour and changes in my heart rate and rhythm, as well as dangerously low oxygen levels (73%). This is the stuff heart attacks and brain damage are made of. Throw in an absence of stages 4 & 5 sleep cycles (deep sleep) plus mild restless leg syndrome, and there is no where to go but improvement. I am so grateful my PA listened to my whiney-ass complaints and put the puzzle pieces together to treat this potentially life-threatening condition.
More concern, fear, frustration and relief: Tandi, my cocker, had 4 teeth removed by the vet yesterday, and then has had some strange type of reaction to one or both of her meds. We're still trying to figure out which of them it is, but she has been disoriented, possibly hallucinating, and managed to leave the yard despite the invisible wireless fence collar shocking her neck. Two neighbors helped me look for her, and we found her being watched over by another neighbor who recognized her from our walks, but didn't know where we live. Tandi was aimlessly crossing the street, walking around in circles, and finally just laid down in the woods. She almost didn't recognize me when we got there, and now doesn't want me out of her sight. She's really pitiful, with her little heart beating so fast and her body just quivering, and I hope this wears off soon.
Disbelief, sorrow, hope, gratitude, humility and pride:
The Compassion bloggers.
The conditions so many children must endure, IF they live long enough, make me ashamed of my petty complaints about my regular income (okay, I just did that, didn't I?), the neverending piles of laundry and dishes, gas prices, grocery shopping and insurance nincompoops. I am so wealthy--I have a non-leaking roof over my four walls, two working indoor bathrooms with toilet paper, food in my pantry for endless meals per day, ice water, shoes, a C-PAP machine, books to read, headache medication, hobbies. I live in a country where I CAN complain about my employer or my governor without fear of retribution, where I can drive to the store and pick up a variety of foods, where I can drive, period. My daughter always had good health care, went to school, is pursuing a career she has chosen for herself.
I am wealthy.
I am blessed.
Now I think I will spend a few minutes viewing the lunar eclipse, put Tandi in her crate where she will feel safe and secure, and put that C-PAP to good use.
Thanks for listening.
Disappointment, disgust, and cynicism: Our unit manager threw up her hands and quit after administration performed another butt-chewing over staffing. She really was a good manager and I hate to see her go, but totally understand. Admin announced a staff meeting (with less than 24 hours notice) to address "questions and concerns", but I didn't bother to go. I've been working in hospitals long enough to know they say what you want to hear, then do what they have always planned to do. Don't waste my time, you clueless idiots--just get out of my way and let me do my job.
Anticipation, panic, concern, relief and gratitude:
Friday night I had my second sleep study, this time with a C-PAP, and oh my, what a difference! I was so ALERT Saturday night and I had so much stamina--I've forgotten what it's like to feel GOOD! Since I'm claustrophobic, I had a little trouble with the mask, but was able to get past it that night, and will be working on it. Today I got my own machine, and found out the detailed results of my sleep study: Severe, with 62-75 episodes an hour and changes in my heart rate and rhythm, as well as dangerously low oxygen levels (73%). This is the stuff heart attacks and brain damage are made of. Throw in an absence of stages 4 & 5 sleep cycles (deep sleep) plus mild restless leg syndrome, and there is no where to go but improvement. I am so grateful my PA listened to my whiney-ass complaints and put the puzzle pieces together to treat this potentially life-threatening condition.
More concern, fear, frustration and relief: Tandi, my cocker, had 4 teeth removed by the vet yesterday, and then has had some strange type of reaction to one or both of her meds. We're still trying to figure out which of them it is, but she has been disoriented, possibly hallucinating, and managed to leave the yard despite the invisible wireless fence collar shocking her neck. Two neighbors helped me look for her, and we found her being watched over by another neighbor who recognized her from our walks, but didn't know where we live. Tandi was aimlessly crossing the street, walking around in circles, and finally just laid down in the woods. She almost didn't recognize me when we got there, and now doesn't want me out of her sight. She's really pitiful, with her little heart beating so fast and her body just quivering, and I hope this wears off soon.
Disbelief, sorrow, hope, gratitude, humility and pride:
The Compassion bloggers.
The conditions so many children must endure, IF they live long enough, make me ashamed of my petty complaints about my regular income (okay, I just did that, didn't I?), the neverending piles of laundry and dishes, gas prices, grocery shopping and insurance nincompoops. I am so wealthy--I have a non-leaking roof over my four walls, two working indoor bathrooms with toilet paper, food in my pantry for endless meals per day, ice water, shoes, a C-PAP machine, books to read, headache medication, hobbies. I live in a country where I CAN complain about my employer or my governor without fear of retribution, where I can drive to the store and pick up a variety of foods, where I can drive, period. My daughter always had good health care, went to school, is pursuing a career she has chosen for herself.
I am wealthy.
I am blessed.
Now I think I will spend a few minutes viewing the lunar eclipse, put Tandi in her crate where she will feel safe and secure, and put that C-PAP to good use.
Thanks for listening.
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