Slapped

About a month ago, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection, strep throat and bronchitis (the second time in four months mind you). So, after being prescribed a Z-pack (one of the greatest inventions in the modern era!) I started feeling better and was on the move once again. One week to the day after the diagnosis, I started feeling a little punky yet again. I ignored the tickley cough and general feeling of tiredness for a few days. The cough turned into a little more than a tickle, but I continued to ignore the worsening symptoms. Finally, on a Friday night when I couldn't sleep because of the nasty cough and wheezing that the hubs could hear across the room (he is suppose to wear a hearing aid because of his bad hearing and he wasn't wearing it at the time) he demanded that I go to the clinic. I wanted to wait until Monday when I could go in to see my doctor and the stubborn in me did exactly that.

So when the doctor listened to my lungs he said "ewww, that doesn't sound good at all". I asked if the bronchitis returned and he told me that it wasn't bronchitis but pneumonia. Because I just came off the nasties ten days before, he prescribed a two week round of two monster antibiotics, steroids and a strong cough med. It didn't take long before I was feeling better. Besides the constant feeling of tiredness, I wasn't coughing much and able to do things around the house. Not much, just a little here and a little there. By Sunday I had finished almost all the steroid and because the weather was so beautiful, went outside with the boys to put my flower beds to sleep. About an hour after cutting and pruning my stomach began to churn, hmmmm I thought, I will get the remainder of this done and go in to rest a bit. The tummy ache (looking for different word to describe it) didn't subside and continues to hurt today.

Monday, an old friend of ours (Steve, if you are reading this, I am not calling you old, just calling our friendship of many years old, wink, wink) came by to pick up a bag of clothes that Lance no longer needed, to give to the homeless men he and his family minister to every Saturday morning. Anyway I digress. Steve had noticed my post on facebook about my having pneumonia and proceeded to tell us that I should be resting. I assured him I was, but didn't divulge my cleaning out the perennials beds on Sunday and doing a little here and a little there around the house each day. He began to inform us that pneumonia is a sneaky killer. His doctor told him when he was down with it, that too many people start feel a little better and begin to do things and that is when the bottom falls out. Jim Hensen ignored the rest component of his remedy and even though he was taking antibiotics, he continued to work and that's when he died.

Okay, so God used Steve to slap me upside the head. I get the picture, I need to rest. Besides if the Jim Hensen story didn't work, the upset stomach from the antibiotics is keeping me down. I finally figured out that the steroids were helping my stomach tolerate the meds for the first week. Now I have to eat, take one tablet, then wait a while and eat, take the other tablet, all day long. I have to take these crazy pills seven times a day. And to try to eat when your stomach doesn't feel great, let alone seven times a day. Ughhh...

Thank you God for using Steve and what ever else you have to to get me back up on my feet.

Pneumonia isn't fun and it sure doesn't help fodder the imagination for blogging. I'll be back soon.

Shaggy, Crayons and Other Characters

Guess who was Shaggy once again? If you guessed Lance, you were absolutely right.

Last night was Lance's school Halloween Dance. We don't like to encourage Halloween much, but Lance loves it and since he is so innocent and doesn't understand the evil behind it, we let him have fun. Sorry, I digress. I took him to the dance and couldn't help enjoying myself. He walked around the dance floor looking at every one's costumes. Lance doesn't dance. Why? I am not sure, but he would rather walk around and look at all the people while they dance. So, that's what he did all evening, well that, and eat pizza. He always has room for pizza.

When we got in the car, he started talking and didn't stop until he went to bed. He saw Miss Elaine dressed as an old man and Jessica dressed as a crayon. There was a bat, several Draculas, an Egyptian Princess, a couple Minnie Mouses as well as a few Elvises. He saw witches, Michael Jacksons and some greasers. Another friend was what Lance said was "a waitress" she was dressed in a 50's style waitress costume, so cute. He also saw some policemen and firemen and doctors and nurses and even a veterinarian. Need less to say, he will be talking about all the characters and I do mean "characters" :-) for quite a while. It was so much fun watching all these people with challenges, having a great time. I do have to admit that all the staff people and high school kids who came in for their community service hours, had just as much fun.

Thankful List

As you know, it has been soooo busy lately and I haven't had the time I need to spend blogging and visiting blogs. I thought I would take a few moments and list a few things that I am thankful for...

• New 600 count sheets (our one and only pair ripped after being washed so many times)
• Talking to family on the phone
• Books
• Freshly baked pumpkin pie
• Teaching Carly, Lance's staff person, how to make freshly baked pumpkin pie from scratch.
• Worship music
• Books
• Watching Lance and Carly carve a vampire pumpkin
• Novocain for a very sensitive tooth
• Books
• Cool weather
• A new bra that doesn't pinch (I know many of my lady friends will understand)
• Starbucks
• Prayer with friends
• Books
• My faithful blogging friends who understand that I will be stopping by soon to catch up.

My Life

I found out this weekend that I had strep throat, a sinus infection and bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. With much prayer and antibiotics I am on the road to recovery.

We had a wonderful visit with Angela this past weekend and even though I wasn't up to snuff, we enjoyed her time here immensely. It was fun watching Angela and Lance exchange birthday gifts. I had asked Lance what he wanted to get his sister and told me flowers, which was so thoughtful but I explained that she wouldn't be able to take these home on the plane. He then suggested getting her chocolates and again I hated to burst his bubble, but told him that she doesn't eat chocolate at all. I think he began to grasp for straws because his next suggestion was to buy her a steak. This made me laugh because Angela eats very little meat and never a steak. Lance and I went to Bath and Body Works where he picked out a subtle fragrant body mist. I think he did a great job, and for the record, I would have liked anyone of the items he wanted to get his sister.

Angela got Lance three books, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Six by Seuss, and Where the Wild Things Are. He made Erin, his staff person that was on duty last night, read to him from Where the Sidewalk Ends for over an hour. She told me that she remembers reading the book when she was young and thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. I am so happy she is a good sport.

Now, I never let people know who my daughter works with, I figure it is her job and she doesn't need people knowing the who's, what's, where's and why's of her business, but I am going to brag a little bit right now. Because of who she knows, we, as in Lance, Kevin and I, are getting back stage passes to a concert we are attending Sunday. Can you say YES!?!?! Lance will absolutely love meeting the band members of this well known worship band.

Once again, I want to apologize for not stopping by and visiting all my bloggy friends. Life has a way getting in the way of so many things. I am hoping that next week I will feel much better and be less busy so I can catch up with all of you. In the mean time, keep the faith!

Catch Up

Okay, I am giving in and going to the clinic today. I haven't been feeling well for quite a while and when the hubs woke me up this morning to say I kept him awake with my snoring and coughing, I decide that was it. I offered to sleep in another room but he, being sweet, said "no, it doesn't bother me too much and I would rather have you next me". Can you say Awwww...?

My girl is coming to visit tomorrow!!! She is flying in for work and thought it would be nice to come early enough to celebrate Lance's birthday. He doesn't turn 24 until December, but it will wonderful to have them both together. Shhhhh...don't tell her, but we will celebrate her birthday too, it is before Lance's. I am sad that our other daughter is unable to come, but she is almost finished with school and needs to keep up the work. Graduation is only a few months away!

I am so excited!!! I was hired to host a doctor's grand opening open house. It has been so long since I put on a party, and even though it is not an "official" party, I will be planning and putting together the refreshments and decorating the tables. Naturally my mind is going crazy with ideas, the problem is he wants it low keyed and classic. I love to take themes and run with them! But I will have to tone down the imagination and make it very nice and business like. It is still nice to be doing this for pay once again.

Last week we didn't go to our small group because we had a wedding to attend. The wedding was very nice and we got to visit with my mother's family. It has been so long since we have seen them and I realized how much I missed them. I am going to have to take the initiative to go visit more often. Anyway, we are going to small group tonight, I find it so amazing that we already have formed some good relationships with these people. We have only been attending a short time.

Well I need to go dry my hair and get Lance ready for his staff person. Then off to the clinic.

Has It Been A Week Already?

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post. The days seem to be slipping by so fast. I also have not been spending too much time on the computer lately. I hop on really quick to check the facebook status and work for a few minutes on my virtual farm and then close down. (I got sucked in to Farmville!) I haven't even been by to visit my blogger friends recent posts. Sorry to all of you!!

Lance is still recovering from a resistant case of bronchitis. After six weeks, he is still coughing and wheezing. The doctor said that he has been seeing quite a few people who have this somewhat resistant bacteria infection. So now Lance is on a very strong antibiotic, steroids, two inhalers and some allergy meds. The poor guy leaves in the morning for school, all drugged up.

Did it get cold in your neck of the woods??? I got up this morning and our little Oliver (our dog) was shivering like crazy. It got down to 36 degrees during the night. Actually, I sleep so much better when it is cold at night, but like it to warm up during the day time. I know, it true...I want my cake and eat it too! I have to admit that I did turn the furnace on this morning for a few minutes to take the chill out of the air. I really didn't want too, but seeing Oliver shivering and shivering, I took pity. But I only had it on for ten minutes!

The colors are changing quickly now, especially the sugar maples. They are a beautiful burgundy color. I am not going to "fall" into my usual regretting fall because it ushers in winter mode. I am going to enjoy this gorgeous season for what it is. Colors, crisp air, apples (made a big apple pie yesterday!), cider, and of course the cider donuts. The funny squirrels squirrelling away the black walnuts are as crazy as ever. We are finding the walnuts all over the house and yard. Tucked in the corners of the porches and on the fence posts, as well as, in flower pots and on the grill. Oliver loves to go outside and sit in the sunshine while watching these crazy creatures scamper everywhere.

Now back to the apple pie and cider donuts. I am applying for the Biggest Loser competition at church, and thought that I need to eat these for the last time before the BLC begins. I need prayer that they will consider me for this program. There are over forty applicants and only 12 are chosen. It would be a huge commitment on my part. January through May with daily exercise and a strict diet. But I would also get spiritual and nutrition counseling, emotional counseling, personal training and tons of support. Just what I need!

As I look and see how much I have written, I figure I need to log off for now. Yes, this is my journal, but there are those of you who stop by and read and you don't need to read about my boring life all afternoon.

So until later, au revoir.

Sleepless in Michigan

It was another warm, sticky night and sleep eluded me. After an hour of tossing and turning, flinging the sheet on and off more times than I can count, I finally turned the air on again. I hate the idea of turning the air conditioning on in the fall, it goes against everything I believe in.

Kevin has been out of town for several days and I don't sleep well when he's away. I think I began dozing around 1:00 a.m. I fell asleep and then woke and fell asleep and woke. This continued for several hours. When I started dreaming, I heard the noise. A whine, but because of the dream, I couldn't place it. What was that sound? Struggling to wake myself, I rolled over and looked at the clock, it was 3:10 a.m. Then I heard it again and realized it was Oliver. He never cries to go out at that hour.

I grabbed my robe and plodded down the stairs. As I opened the door, a sour smell hit me. Oliver had gotten sick in his bed, poor guy. He raced towards the door and I turned on the porch light so he could see where to go. I went back and took out the cushion from his bed and put it out in the garage and wiped up the other areas that were hit. When he came back in, I showed him his bed and closed the door. He was not happy with me.

So back up the stairs I went. I climbed into bed and pulled up the sheet once again. I could still hear Oliver whimpering a bit, but by this time I was wide awake. I tried to ignore it, but my brain wouldn't stop. Have you ever started organizing your house in your head? By the time 5:15 rolled around, I had reorganized every closet and drawer in the house. My oven, stove, refrigerator and microwave had been cleaned. All the laundry done, the cobwebs brushed down out of the corners and the bathrooms sparkling. I also wrote several e-mails and grocery shopped.

I got up at that point and woke Lance up because he needed to shower before school. I put in a load of laundry and turned on the dishwasher. After that, I made him breakfast, packed his lunch and sent him out the door. I put the wet clothes in the dryer and put Oliver's bed in the washer. I then turned on the TV and watched the program I recorded last night. That's when I started to get tired and droopy eyed.

Now, I think I will have to take a nap. So all the cleaning and organizing I did in my head last night, still needs to be done in reality and I can honestly say, that it is not happening today.

Yawn.....

I lay down and slept;I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:4-5