December 8th, How Did That Happen!?!

It's the 2nd Monday of December and I have no idea what happened to the first week of December!

Seriously, I had big plans for organization and calm during this month. Clearly that was not meant to be, at least last week.

Rewind to the day after Thanksgiving. Claire and I were to drive home from visiting relatives in Georgia, while Alan and Sam drove over to Chattanooga to do some climbing. Unfortunately Claire awoke early with all manner of stomach issues. We drove for about an hour, but had to stop 3 times for her to throw up, so I went in search of an ER. We were blessed to wind up at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, GA. Fabulous facility and people! After 6 hours of testing and meds, we were finally able to head home (with instructions to visit Claire's doctor ASAP). What should have been a 4 hour trip turned into an 11 hour struggle. 

So that was Friday. On Saturday I did as little as possible trying to recoup from Friday, but by that evening Alan was sick. Not as bad as Claire had been, but still not good. Saturday night and Sunday were spent helping him out and praying fervently that I would not come down with the same thing!

On Monday morning, Alan and I drove to Dyersburg, TN for a business meeting. When we left Nashville it was 57 degrees. By the time we got to Dyersburg it was 37 degrees and sleeting! I huddled in the public library for a bit and then got lunch at a local coffee shop, Java Cafe, where I tried their Dirty Snowman (white chocolate and caramel latte). Yummy!

By 2:00 we were back on the road home, but Alan still wasn't feeling 100%. Thankfully we made it back home with no major incidents, and snuggled in our warm home for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday was therapy and the chiropractor, and then I ran a few errands. Claire called and needed help at her apartment so I went over and helped her. Then I did the week's grocery shopping and headed home to cook dinner and move everything out of the bonus room for the cleaners who were coming Wednesday morning to steam clean the tile.

Wednesday morning I ran around like a crazy person trying to get the rest of the things from the bonus room and vacuum the floor before they got here to clean. My floors look great! Then I took Claire to a doctor's appointment and to pick up a few groceries. Home again to cook dinner.

Thursday was back to the chiropractor and then a trip with Claire to see the gastroenterologist. She gets to have more testing done this week, and I will continue my new career as a chauffeur. After her appointment we did a bit of shopping at Target. When I got home Alan and I helped one of his graduate student friends by pretending to be a couple in counseling so she could videotape all of us and critique herself for a class. Whew!

Friday was finally the day at home to put things back together. A quick trip to the chiropractor and then a day puttering at home. Hallelujah! Until Alan came home sick with a respiratory infection (hopefully not the flu!). We settled for a quiet night at home instead of date night.

Saturday was Fun Girls' Christmas Brunch and Shopping, which was fabulous! But I got home late in the day to find Alan running a fever of 101.9! More caregiving. And we rolled back again to another Sunday spent at home caring for him. 

Alan's at work currently picking up a few things and then coming home to rest and work here. Sam got all the Christmas boxes out for me last night in between studying for exams. We had pizza and I made cookies for them last night. 

In a bit my #1 bestie is coming over to help me get some decorating done, because Alan and I have another business trip on Thursday, which means leaving again on Wednesday, and we are scheduled for a little R&R in Gatlinburg, TN over the weekend. Hope he's all better by then!

So maybe that's why I got next to nothing written last week! Here's to a calmer week filled with health, love, and focus on Advent.

Blessings to all!

Something to Be Thankful for . . .

:: a warm house

:: sweet doggies to snuggle

:: my talented husband

:: my grown-up daughter

:: my funny son (even with his growing pains)

:: good friends through thick and thin

:: crochet -- mandalas and shawls and blankets

:: blogging -- struggles and cooking and crafting

:: baking -- bread and pies and squares

:: curiosity -- reading and listening and watching

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

linking up with Writer's Workshop

Five Minute Friday: Gratitude

Gratitude. It's one of my favorite words, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Because it's not about presents or egg hunts or costumes or candy. It's about stopping and thinking about what's good in my life. It's about recognizing what acknowledging thankfulness does for my life.

It's also about family. Over the past few years, family's been a tough thing for me. But last year and this year we traveled to my husband's cousin's home and I have found a happy place to be grateful. The food is delicious of course, but what's really important to me is how we all work together happily to make it happen. How we are relaxed and at ease with one another. There doesn't seem to be a subtext that I can't follow. 

We are who we are in our jeans and t-shirts and flannel shirts. We are loud and boisterous. We are a family who loves one another warts and all. And we laugh.

Bountiful gratitude.

linking up at Five Minute Friday

Change in Plans

And so it's Thanksgiving.

Not the way I had it planned. Last Sunday was the dog's birthday. Thirteen years old, and she suddenly couldn't use her back legs. A trip to the vet to find that she has inflamed disks in her back. So now she's on a series of medications and crate rest for 2 weeks.

Baking and planning. Cooking off and on all week long.

Tuesday night as we're heading off to bed, dh finds that the bathtub faucet won't shut off completely. Tired frustration. Dh turns off the hot water for the night, and plans to check it out in the morning.

Wednesday morning dh goes to turn off the water to the house and finds the meter hole filled with water. He calls the water department. They say 3 to 5 days for them to come and check it out.

He leaves to get parts to fix the bathtub faucet. About 20 minutes later, a water department guy shows up at the front of the house. I chat with the repairman. He is friendly and willing to wait until dh returns.

Suddenly pieces are falling into place. Dh fixes the tub faucet. The water guy fixes the meter. We are back on track.

Dd gets up. Deep sinus infection. Ds comes home from college. Strange rash on his torso. So a trip to the minute clinic, that lasts 2 hours. Dd feels terrible. We meant to leave 2 hours ago for our 4 hour drive to see family. What should we do? What's the best plan? We hem and haw. Looking at options.

Plans change. But gratitude remains. Whether we are physically with family or not, it is still Thanksgiving. We are grateful for all the gifts of the year. We are grateful for family and friends. We are grateful for everything -- even changes in plans.

linking up at Writer's Workshop

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 20, 2012

Outside my window . . . 55 degrees with a beautiful blue sky. White fluffy clouds are easing off to the east. It looks a like a glorious day.

I am thinking . . . about my struggle with weight loss and exercise. On the whole, my eating has improved the older I've gotten. I do better about exercising, but I wasn't reared in an exercise friendly home. I've tried to incorporate it. I have periods where I do well, and others where all the plans fly out the window. How do you keep a regular exercise program going?

I am thankful . . . for having a veterinarian in the family. Sunday night Squeaker, our half dachshund half beagle, lost control of her back legs. Dh called his brother who met him at the vet clinic. She has inflamed disks in her back and is on medications and crate rest for the next 2 weeks. Sunday was her 13th birthday. I'm just so glad it is something treatable and dbil was able/willing to help us out especially on a Sunday night.

In the kitchen . . . last night we had chicken-apple sausages, baked cheese grits, and steamed broccoli. Quite tasty if I do say so. Tonight I'm thinking we may have the pork tenderloin I bought over the weekend.

I am wearing . . . jeans and my "Life is great . . . fitness makes it better" t-shirt.

I am creating . . . finishing up that hat I mentioned last week, and then it's back to afghans.

I am going . . . to lunch with bestie, LBB, and then for a walk at the lake with dh. I'm hoping dd might run to the grocery for me one last time : )

I am wondering . . . how much of my weight struggle is physical and how much is psychological. My doctor isn't that concerned and says the level of stress in my life does aggravate it. But I weigh considerably more than I did 27 years ago when dh and I married. I don't expect to weigh what I did then (although dh weighs what he did), but I know I'd be happier if I could drop a few pounds.

I am reading . . . Skyjack: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper by Geoffrey Gray. I was just a kid when this occurred but it's always fascinated me.

I am looking forward to . . . seeing family and resting and relaxing some over the holiday weekend.

I am hearing . . . birds chirping as I have the porch door open a crack to let in the nice morning air.

Around the house . . . finishing up a few things and then baking, preparing, and packing for Thanksgiving.

I am pondering . . . why setting and keeping a schedule is so difficult for me. 

One of my favorite things . . . is having peace and positive moods for all the people in my family. It makes me think of the quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off -- "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . busy, busy, busy!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

Yaya -- all tuckered out after a trip to the groomer

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

What Made Me Smile

linking up at Mama Kat's

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 29, 2011

Outside my window . . . it is cloudy and rainy. Again. But it's cold this time. Some areas even got snow which is really unusual for us in November.

I am thinking . . . about my bestie and her husband who leave this Thursday for a mission trip to Simferopol, Ukraine. You may read more about it here.

I am thankful . . . for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day spent with family and friends. We traveled to northern Georgia to be with dh's cousins. Father-in-law was even able to make the trip!

From the learning rooms . . . not sure what's going on, but with the kids 18 and 21 I'm guessing that's okay.

In the kitchen . . . that strike thing didn't really pan out last week, because I suddenly got motivated to cook. Go figure! Maybe it was because I knew I didn't have to cook.

I am wearing . . . my flannel robe and winter house shoes. I need to get dressed to do yoga.

I am creating . . . Attic 24's crochet bag. It's taken me 3 tries to get this right and it's not that difficult a pattern. I'll post a picture as soon as it is complete, but now, here's an in process photo

I am going . . . . out to lunch with my mother today. Her step sister died last week, so I wanted to give her a little lift.

I am wondering . . .why I've been waking up so early lately. Dh gets up between 5 and 5:30, but I don't get up until 6:15. Recently I've been waking when he gets up and staying awake. It's not a problem except that I need a nap in the afternoon! LOL!

I am reading . . . back on Life of Pi. I started this back in the spring or summer. I got sidetracked, and am just now getting back to it.

I am hoping . . . to complete my Attic 24 bag and get working on my poncho again.

I am looking forward to . . . Christmas. Some times I do and sometimes I don't, but this year I'm planning on keeping things very low key, so I'm enjoying the process more.

I am hearing . . . ds getting ready for school.

Around the house . . . autumn decorations are being put away and Christmas decor will be coming out soon!

I am pondering . . . . how to make Christmas foods in quantity and kind that will not lead to all of us gaining weight over the holidays. I like having certain foods, but don't see any need to make ourselves sick with sweets and goodies. Balance is key.

One of my favorite things . . . is watching the birds come to my feeders. I get a lovely variety of finches, cardinals, wrens, bluebirds, and a contentious blue jay who shows up most days.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . lunch with Mother, therapy tomorrow to work on the latest flashback, Thursday and Friday are probably going to be decorating days, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon will be more scuba practice. Whew, I'm tired just looking at it!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

Thanksgiving with family!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thankful Thursday -- Thanksgiving Day

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. 

--traditional prayer of general thanksgiving

The Book of Common Prayer

may you find grace, peace, gratitude, 

and blessings this day and every day

to link up go to Women Taking a Stand

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 22, 2011

Outside my window . . . it is cloudy and rainy. Again. And it's warm. Again. Mid 60's already this morning.

I am thinking . . . about my bestie and her husband who leave a week from Thursday for a mission trip to Simferopol, Ukraine. You may read more about it here.

I am thankful . . . for the whole family's improved health. I am feeling much better. Ds and dh seem to be over their colds, while dd is finishing a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection. I hope we are all done with sickness for a while!

From the learning rooms . . . no school this week!

In the kitchen . . . last night was hot ham and cheese sandwiches with chips and baked beans. I told the kids (21 & 18) I was on strike for dinner this week, since I haven't been feeling the love regarding my cooking lately.

I am wearing . . . my summer weight robe?

I am creating . . . a poncho using the Coming Home pattern from Lion Brand yarn. I am using a variegated Sensations yarn in shades of purple.

I am going . . . . for a "female" check-up today. Oh joy!

I am wondering . . . again about the lasting effects of childhood abuse. Another flashback last week caught me completely unaware. Initially I felt completely out of control, but I began processing much quicker than I have in the past. There is much work to do, but I do feel more hopeful.

I am reading . . . not much. Nothing seems to be holding my attention lately.

I am hoping . . . that the scuba trip dh and I have planned for December is successful. I finished my enclosed water training on Saturday. Hopefully the open water dives will fun and less stressful.

I am looking forward to . . . Thanksgiving with dh's aunt, uncle and cousins (and doing very little cooking!)

I am hearing . . . the washer buzzing, dog shaking their collars and ds horking down breakfast before heading off to wrestling practice.

Around the house . . . much work has been done in the bonus room over the last few days. I am moving my sewing machine in there in the hope that having more room will encourage me to sew more.

I am pondering . . . . helping my husband do the communion comments this coming Sunday. I want to find the right words.

One of my favorite things . . . yarn! (I'm sorry. I keep repeating myself, don't I?)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . continuing the cleaning and purging and then heading out of town for Thanksgiving.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

Before . . .

After . . .

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thankful Thursday

This time of year frustrates me.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but the older I get, the less attention it gets. Not by me, but by the world at large.

Each year I find a book on gratitude to read during the month of November. It helps me keep my eye on the holiday of this month instead of fast forwarding to next month.

(Don't get me wrong. I like Christmas. I just want to wait until December to HAVE Christmas.)

This year I found this book. Thank God: Stories of Gratitude, Harvest, and Home.

I've been reading a little each night before bed. Last night I ran across this from Sarah Josepha Hale, "The Mother of American Thanksgiving":

Let this day, from this time forth, . . . 

be the grand THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY of our nation, when the noise and tumult of worldliness

may be exchanged for the laugh of

happy children, the glad greetings of 

family reunion, and the humble gratitude

of the Christian heart.

(c. 1863)

So today I am thankful for Thanksgiving, and the opportunity it provides to take time to show my gratitude to my family, my country, my friends, my church and my God. 

(And I'm also thankful for the FOUR eastern bluebirds I just saw in my front yard!)

may you find grace, peace, gratitude, 

and blessings this day and every day

to link up go to Women Taking a Stand

The Perp's Depressed

Thanksgiving brings out the best in people . . . well not always. This Thanksgiving was no different. First a little history. Several years ago after being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, I told my parents that I would not attend family get togethers as long as this particular abuser was present. This was very hard for me to say to them for a variety of reasons: I hate confrontation; I thought it would be obvious to them that I would not want to eat with a man who had raped me; I was not used to standing up for myself. Unfortunately they chose to have him continue as a guest in their house instead of supporting and understanding my feelings. Since that time (some 8 years ago) I have not been to holiday gatherings at my parents house. No Thanksgiving, no Christmas, no Easter, no Mother's Day, no Father's Day, no July 4th -- none of them. Every time a holiday comes around, I wish that I could be part of a familial celebration. I like the ideas of traditions and extended family, but I can't get past having to be in his presence for that to happen. It makes the celebration feel like a lie, not to mention that fact that no one mentions the gigantic elephant in the middle of the room!


Anyway, my dd went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner this past week. She celebrated with us at my father in law's house, and then went to see the other side of the family. Shortly after she left our house, I received a text message from her telling me that the perp and his wife weren't coming because he is depressed and his doctor had recommended they get away for the weekend. I'll admit many thoughts rushed through my head at this point. Some were not very nice! What does he have to be depressed about? Seriously! He's gotten off scott free from where I sit. But almost immediately, I thought, I wouldn't wish depression on anyone. I hope he gets help. I hope he feels better. I think that's a good sign. It validates my belief that I have forgiven him. 


What actually stuck in my craw was the realization that my parents had KNOWN he wasn't coming, but didn't take the opportunity to see if I would have liked to be at their dinner table for Thanksgiving. For 8 years I have worried about their feelings. How my absence was impacting them. Was it hard for them to enjoy their holiday without their younger daughter present? Did they miss me? Were they angry with me for not being there? This Thanksgiving answered some of those questions, and not in a good way. Apparently, I don't cross their minds in relation to holidays much at all. 


Now believe it or not, I don't think this was a deliberate or malicious act on their part. I believe it never crossed their minds that here was a golden opportunity -- an olive branch that they could extend to me. Yes they are that shallow. And yes it hurts all over again. I thought about confronting them with the situation, but I've determined that confrontations with them never seem to lead anywhere positive for me. The anticipation of the confrontation just leads to stress and anxiety, and I just don't need that. 


So last night, I went to their house and ate a turkey sandwich, and sat around talking about nothing of any significance. Part of me wondered why I bother, but another part of me embraced a little bit of familial celebration. 


I just hope someone will smack me up side my head if I ever pull anything like this with my kids!

Saturday Poetry -- Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway~

Thanksgiving comes again! 

~Old Rhyme

I hope your day was lovely and full of gratitude, good food and love.

The Ultimate Thankful Thursday -- November 25th

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

There is much to be thankful for today, and I am so happy that we are given a day to show our gratitude to God and all the people who we are thankful to and for.

1. I am thankful to live in a country where I can worship without fear of retribution. I know that our nation is struggling with issues, but I also know that we are blessed beyond our own imagining.

2. I am thankful for my family. We are a family unit of four. Yes we have our ups and downs, but the constant is this: We all love each other and are there for each other. 

3. I am thankful for my new church home. I have been so blessed in our new congregation. I have found openness, acceptance, accountability, and above all else, a true hunger for the word of God. 

4. I am thankful for old and new friends who embrace me and my needs with such kindness, love and compassion. Monday breakfast with 2 wonderful women who have taken me into their friendship so graciously. Lunch on Wednesday with my best friend for the past 33 (!?!) years. To have people (especially women) who love God and me, and are so willing to listen and support, is a blessing of immeasurable proportions.

5. Finally, and not really last, but rather above all others, I am thankful of my God and Father. The amazing gift of creation. The amazing gift of His eternal love. The amazing gift of His son as a sacrifice for ME! The amazing gift of salvation. The amazing gift and realization that He says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (I Peter 5:6-8). 

Wishing all of you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!


Check out Women Taking a Stand for more sharing of gratitude.

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- November 23rd

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is raining lightly with temperatures in the low 60's. There is a single finch on the bird feeder.

I am thinking...that November is no time for a sinus headache!

I am thankful for...good friends who genuinely care enough to DO something, not just say something.

From the learning rooms...no school this week, but we're catching up on German and finishing a couple of papers for American history. Oh did I tell you ds got a 91% on his last AH test! Go ds!

From the kitchen...it's been a wreck for the past several days. Yesterday I got everything cleaned up and put away. Why does having the kitchen clean make everything else go better? And I took advantage of the warm weather to grill kielbasa for dinner last night.

I am wearing...a tank top, my summer weight robe, 1 sock, and my blue pseudo-Crocs. One sock? I have to wear a pain patch on my heel for plantar fasciitis and without the sock the patch comes off in the night. Elegant don't you think?

I am creating...nothing. My motivation picked up and left a couple of weeks ago and I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I am going...to the grocery today for the final run before Thanksgiving. That should be fun!?!

I am reading...The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares.

I am hoping...to get the linens put in the new linen closet dh finished over the weekend. It would be a nice start on getting some order before the holidays begin.

I am hearing...a light rain falling and little doggie nails clicking and jingling collars.

Around the house...things are still a mess. At least I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year! Dh is working all week on the bathroom. Unfortunately he hit a snafu last night. The floor is so un-level he's having to pull up sub-flooring and replace it today before he can lay the new hardwood. Bless his heart!

One of my favorite things...is watching and listening to my ds laugh. He is such a happy kid!

A few plans for the rest of the week...another ob/gyn appointment and then Thanksgiving day with a morning worship at our church followed by dinner at dh's dad's house.

Here is a  picture for thought I am sharing...

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