Whoops!

I fell off the blogosphere, but it's okay. I'm up!

Indiana had a doctor's appointment the day before yesterday. He's now cleared to drive and he can take off his collar.

Of course, he's been driving for almost a week, and the collar is already off more than it's on. He rejoiced to have his freedom back, although I pointed out he's been taking that freedom already. But now it's freedom with the doctor's permission.

The doctor is stunned at how quickly Terry's recovering. The nurse also said it was amazing how well he was doing after only four weeks. I am not amazed at all because I know my Indiana.

In truth, I also know we serve an amazing God. And I thank Him for healing my husband so quickly.

We also added to the family yesterday. We got two new kittens. They were strays found by a friend of mine. They are so tiny and so cute. I would love to show pictures, but ever since I brought them home they have been hiding under my bed. There are so many shoes under there, it's hard to find the cats. But hopefully I will post pictures on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

A Random Party

You know the routine: Read. Laugh. Comment. Click. Repeat.

1. Would you rather host a party or simply attend a party?

Let's see. Hosting a party:  you do the cleaning and the planning and the prep work and fuss at your husband because he isn't helping and then fuss at him because he is helping, but not the way you want him to, and fix the food and plan the events and worry whether everyone's having a good time and clean up when everyone goes home and fuss at your husband because he isn't helping, and then fuss at him because he is helping, but not the way you want him to.

Attending a party:  you go and enjoy yourself. Leave when you feel like it, and then critique everything and everyone on the way home and explain how you could have thrown a better party. (Not that I've ever done that.)

Ummmm, I'm not sure.

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
Probably the surprise party I threw for my husband's fortieth birthday. I threw it six months after he turned forty. He never saw it coming.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
I know I'll have a mansion in Heaven someday. I just hope mine comes with a maid.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
Perhaps ... the sun?

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
What really works best is if you don't bring a gift at all. Then you volunteer to list the gifts and givers as the guest of honor is opening the presents. Write your own name down and give yourself credit for something. 


Not that I've ever done that.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Does that mean someone cleans my house for free, but they wouldn't cook my meals for free? And is that having all your meals cooked for a week or is that all your meals cooked forever? I always like to read the fine print before I agree to something.

7. What song describes your mood today?
He'll Carry Me.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
My husband.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Totally dependent on my mood.

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
When was the last time I spoke to one of my teenage sons?

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
Food is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop. (So sad, but true.)

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
The satisfaction of a job well done is the best motivation. Unless, of course, you're a dog. Then the best motivation is a big juicy bone.


What? You expected something inspirational? I save those for Friday's posts. 

The Male Humor Gene

So I've been riding bikes with the boys lately. I need the exercise, and it's a way for me to spend time with the guys.

I am not in shape by any means, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to keep up with these guys on their bikes. Admittedly, one or two of them were not riding geared bikes, so I did have an advantage. But it still seemed like I was continually having to tell someone to pick up the pace.

I finally cut it down to taking two boys with me at a time. That way we all had geared bikes and could really "get down to business". But still I had one lagging along behind. 

I admit at this point I was feeling a false sense of pride. Maybe I wasn't as out of shape as I thought. Maybe I wasn't as out of shape as the mirror proclaimed. Maybe ...

Maybe the tires weren't fully inflated on all of the bikes. Sure enough, one afternoon I told Luke to make sure all the tires were completely full. As a result the boys had no trouble keeping up with me. But I sure had to struggle to keep up with them! I huffed and I puffed. But hey, this was good for me, wasn't it? 

Now I let them ride on ahead of me. It pushes me to move faster in order to keep my eye on them. Once in a while one or the other of them will look back and then take pity on me. They slow down and coast along for awhile and keep me company. 

However, they're not always that considerate. They have been known to put their bikes in the lowest gear possible. Then they pedal frantically, and slowly pass me although they look like they're sitting still.

If I let them go on ahead, they bike to the next rest bench and then when I arrive, they complain that they should have brought a picnic lunch to enjoy while waiting for me.

They weave huge circles on their bikes, back and forth. They cover miles of extra length this way--all the while still staying slightly ahead of me.

They stop to wait for me, and then watch as I pedal by them sitting on the bench. Then they get on their bikes, pass me, get to the next bench, and sit and wait to do it all over again.

While I'm gasping for breath, they sing and chatter constantly. And then actually expect me to find the breath to answer them.

I've finally decided there's only one way I'm going to survive this quality time with my boys.

I'm letting the air out of their tires as soon as we get home.

State Your Purpose, Please

Many years ago when we lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we decided to cross the border and spend an evening in Canada. At that time you didn't need a passport to cross over, but we were advised that the border patrol on the Canadian side could be a bit--disagreeable.  One of the questions they asked was your purpose in crossing over into Canada.

It seems that, if we just said we wanted to drive around, we were much more likely to be held up crossing the border. The satisfactory answer was to state a specific place that you were going. Have a destination in mind. A purpose in crossing. So we chose a pizza restaurant we had heard about in Sault Saint Marie, and decided to go there.

Sure enough, when we got to the border they asked us where we were going. We named the restaurant, and they let us right through. It was so much easier because we had a purpose in mind.

I think many people struggle in life because they're not sure what their purpose is. Have you ever heard someone ask "Why are we here?"

It's no small wonder, then, that so many people are unhappy. How can you be happy when you don't know what your purpose is?

You might say you have a goal. Perhaps you want to be a doctor. Or a teacher. That's a goal, isn't it? And yet, maybe you're still unhappy. That's because your vocation, no matter how worthy, is not a purpose. It's a goal. You can achieve your goals and still not fulfill your purpose in life.

Did you know that we all have the same purpose? By that I mean we were all created for the same reason. And if you want to know what our purpose is, then you need to check with the Creator. He tells us in His Word what His purpose was in creating us. He tells us in Revelation 4:11--

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


We were created for God's pleasure. And the bottom line is, if we're not bringing pleasure to Him, we're not fulfilling our purpose. I think many of us, instead of bringing Him pleasure, end up causing God grief and pain. We make selfish choices, or live our lives without trying to follow God's leading. We take no thought of bringing pleasure to the One Who created us in the first place.

So if you're feeling dissatisfied, if you're just not happy with things the way they are, if you feel like you're missing something, step back and take note of your purpose. Are you bringing pleasure to the Creator? Or are you causing Him grief and pain?

How are you fulfilling your purpose?

Artful Arguing

Is your husband ever wrong?

Boy, what a loaded question that is! But as always, I have a reason for asking it.

When you're husband's wrong, what do you do? This question came up on a quiz that we did at our ladies' luncheon last Saturday.  It was a fun quiz with multiple choice answers. This particular question was worded this way:

You’ve had a disagreement with your husband, and he’s clearly in the wrong. How do get him to see your side of it?

A.         Cry

B.         badger (nag) him

C.          bombard him with logical reasons why he’s wrong

D.         give him the silent treatment until he sees things your way

E.          say “Whatever you say, dear” while glaring at him reproachfully

Obviously the quiz was not meant to be taken seriously. But how do you deal with a husband who's wrong?

Personally, I think it seems a little sneaky to manipulate with tears.

Nagging has never worked for me. Period.

I can give logical reasons, but they have to be at a time when he's willing to listen. Otherwise all my logic is wasted.

The silent treatment seems a little silly. After all, we're not in fifth grade anymore.

Sarcasm only works with a little humor thrown in. And even then it's not always a good thing. But sometimes it slips out of me in spite of myself. (I know you're shocked at that!)

Truthfully, there are times when I'm really working on my response to something where I feel he's in the wrong. I turn phrases in my head. I plan exactly what to say to get my point across. And most of the time, before I finished marshaling my arguments, he's already apologized. I'm very relieved, but at the same time some of my best arguments never see the light of day!

Now, what happens when he wants to convince me of something? Some husbands would stoop to doing something like this:

Because who can resist the sympathy factor?

As a side note, Indiana is doing better and the collar hopefully comes off in another week. Well, for real anyway. It's been coming off more than it's supposed to lately. Which leads me back to the question I asked in the first place of how you deal with someone who's wrong. As in, he won't relax and get through his convalescence properly. Instead he's routinely pushing the limits of what he's supposed to be doing. 

I mean, some husbands might do this. This question is hypothetical, after all. 

Some help, please?

By the way, I have no idea why my post suddenly started indenting some of its lines. I had the choice of trying to fix it or going to work. I chose to do the one that pays. Deal with it.

A Single Random

It's time! It's time! We're doing another random dozen, although this one has a theme. And yet it is still remarkably random. You gotta hand it to Lid! But you only if you clock on the donut link. Then you can read everyone else's answers, too. Hey, wait! Where are you going? Read my answers first!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?

1-800-PAPA-JOHNS.

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
Underwear. NEVER leave home without it!

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
My imagination.

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
None of us have ever killed anybody. 

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
...tried to see how many sponge rollers I could use while rolling my hair. The experiment was a success, but it had absolutely nothing to do with looking good--as I discovered the next morning when I took the rollers out.

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Toilet paper. You can never have too much. Especially at my house!

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
I've spent over 103 hours of my life in labor.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
Nothing unless it's on sale, and I have a coupon.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
The fact that I will never have to endure labor again.

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
Stop eating those M&M's. But I got a great deal where I bought three packs, and I got six more free. I feel obligated to enjoy my shopping prowess.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
Give them my M&M's?

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
Becoming famous. Hey, I can dream, can't I?


Okay, you know you haven't got all day. Hurry up and click here to go read everyone else's answers!

Well Whaddya Know?

No, seriously. What do you know? Are you aware of things that are going on around the globe, across the country or in your neck of the woods?

I have an important reason for asking. In the Random Dozen questions from last week, one of the questions was how you get your news. I was genuinely surprised at the number of people who said they really didn't keep up with what's going on.

Did you know that what happens at your neighbor's house can affect you? Their broken water problems can become yours. Their foreclosure affects your home value. Their break in will affect you as well. It's a smart move to know what's going on in your neighborhood.

By the same token, it's a smart move to know what's going on in your state. And in your country. For instance, what happens in Arizona can affect you.

Have you heard about the Arizona immigration law? Are you aware of the turmoil that surrounds it? What's it really all about, and how does it affect you?

If you do listen to any news, you've probably heard the opinion that this law can lead to or even instigate racial profiling. You may have heard that it goes against everything our country stands for. You may have heard it compared to the laws from Hitler's day.

Our own President has said that the law leads to racial profiling. He spoke of a father who would take his children to the same ice cream store they always went to. But now, because of that law, their trip could be ruined by an overzealous cop demanding to see the father's papers. Our country's Attorney General, Eric Holder, criticized the law and said he might even be filing a civil lawsuit against it.

So what's the big deal about this law? How about the fact that most of the stuff you're hearing on the news is not true?

The Arizona law is actually an enforcement law. Meaning it was written in order to enforce laws already on the books. What laws would those be? How about federal laws?

The President of the United States balked at the possibility that a law enforcement officer would ask someone for their papers. But for over seventy years there has been a federal law that requires non U.S. citizens to carry some sort of papers showing their right to be in this country.

People claim that the law allows officers to "pick on" any one who looks ethnically diverse. However, the actual law says that officers can only ask to see papers for someone that they've already encountered breaking the law in some way. And then if there is a reasonable assumption that they might be illegal, the police can ask to see their papers.

As for our Attorney General, the one who is charged with upholding the law of the land--well, after threatening a lawsuit against Arizona, he admitted that he's never actually read the bill. That's right. He wanted to sue Arizona for a law when he didn't even know what the law was really about.

Okay, you say. But seriously how does this affect me? How about, for starters, the fact that the lies spread about this law are causing an uproar across the land? How about the fact that people are now wanting to boycott the state of Arizona? So from there, what if someone decides to boycott your state because your state doesn't recognize gay marriage? Or teen abortions without parental consent? Not such a far step away, is it?

What happened to states' rights? Especially in the case of a law that was made in order to uphold federal laws? How did we get so twisted and get things so distorted from the truth?

I think it's because we haven't been listening. We don't want to know what's going on, so we close our eyes and ears and say it doesn't have anything to do with us.

Funny thing, that's what good, moral, upright people did in Germany in the 1930's. As persecution of the Jews increased, people turned away and said it was none of their business. They said it didn't concern them. And because they didn't speak up, the tide of hatred and the will of a monster spread almost across the globe.

Hmmm. come to think of it, maybe this is like Nazi Germany after all.

Snake!

I'm not sure that I ever mentioned that I have an extreme aversion to snakes. But then again, why would anyone like snakes? I know that some are supposed to be "good" snakes, but I think it's true that the only good snake is a dead one!

So when we surrendered to go to Uganda, snakes was one of the fears I had to face. (Actually I had hundreds of fears, but we'll stick with this one for now.) Uganda is home to the black mamba and the green mamba, reputedly two of the deadliest snakes known to man. Of course you can also find your common every day cobra there too.

Knowing the species available, I really struggled with moving to Uganda. When we got there, we moved into a house surrounded by a cement block wall. We had several dogs, and they were turned lose in the compound at night in order to guard the property. One night, about two months after we arrived, the dogs set up a furious howling during the night. They wouldn't shut up, so Terry went out to see what had stirred them up. A few moments later I heard him yelling through the window, "Jill, get the shotgun! Jill!"

We were holding a shotgun for one of the other missionaries that was out of the country. I grabbed the gun and ran it out to my husband who promptly used it to blow the head off of a cobra that was in the yard. Even after the head was gone, the snake still stretched over six and a half feet.

I spent the next several days fighting the urge to cower in the closet. My husband, typical of most missionaries, put the story in our next prayer letter.

Approximately four weeks later, one of my children encountered a much smaller snake on our back patio. Matt, eleven at the time, jumped out the back door and right over the snake. One of the men killed it promptly, but I still gathered all the children into our living room and considered staying there for the next three years until we went on furlough. I just didn't see how we were going to be able to live in a place where such dangers lurked. Matt was my oldest, and I had five more after him, the youngest being less than six months old. How could we possibly keep them all safe?

That afternoon in the mail we got over a dozen letters from our Sunday School class in our home church in Alabama. They had all read our latest prayer letter (the one about killing the cobra). Each letter mentioned that they were praying for us and for our safety from snakes. I still find it amazing that the day I needed reassurance that God was protecting us, He sent over a dozen letters reminding me that we had people praying for us.

Isn't God good?

And in Closing ...

Hello, sports fans! Just wanted to wrap up a busy week with a short post. I've been working on all the details for our ladies' luncheon tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know about Indiana's doctor visit yesterday.

Terry went to prayer meeting Wednesday night--first time out of the house since the surgery. He was in a lot of pain by the time he got back home, but was so glad to be out and about again. Then Thursday we went for his first post-op follow up visit. The doctor was thrilled with Terry's progress, and said he's looking very good. He has to wear the collar for two more weeks (Indiana was NOT happy to hear that), but he can now take it off when he sleeps or eats. I see a lot of sleeping and eating happening in the next two weeks because he really hates that collar.

His incision is inflamed, but healing nicely. The doctor said the scar tissue will thicken, but then it should smooth out and ultimately the scar will look like any other crease in his neck. (The doctor's exact words. Again, Terry wasn't thrilled.)

The nerves leading to Terry's hand and fingers do seem to be coming back to life. He's had no pain there since the surgery, and he's slowly regaining some strength in that hand.

I did specifically question the doctor and make him say that Terry couldn't drive for at least another two weeks. I wanted to make sure Indiana heard the doctor say that.

We go back in two weeks, and the doctor will do some more x-rays then to see how all is progressing inside. By then I'm pretty sure I will be actively full-time involved in keeping Indiana from heading off too quickly on more adventures.

Thanks again for your prayers. I'll be back on Monday with a snake story from our time in Uganda. Now who can resist that?

Totally Random Answers to a Dozen Questions

Just in case you weren't aware of what day of the week it is, it's Random Day! Below are some really really (seriously, Lid outdid herself this week) random questions. After you leave comments on my blog, click this link and head over to read more answers before hooking up with your own.


1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

When I spoke at my high school graduation, I burst into tears and sobbed through my speech, sounding a whole lot like an adult in a Peanuts' cartoon. (Mwah, wah, wah, wah-wah.) I have dear friends that still remind me of that defining moment in my high school career.

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?
An extra pair of shoes. You never know when you're going to have a shoe emergency.

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?
I have very few on the events' calendar. Apparently I know few people who are educated or marriage-compatible. 

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.
The amount you can guilt your children is directly related to the number of hours you spent in labor, bringing them into the world.

5. What was the last thing you broke?
Probably the speed limit.

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?
Since stopping junk mail is almost impossible, I decided to rename my kids. My oldest is now "Resident" and my youngest is "Current Occupant".

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?
I'll shop anyway I can get it.

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?
No one claims lawn duty at our house. We haul out the machete and hack our way out to the vehicles every morning.  Just kidding. It's the boys' job. Why do you think I had so many of them? (See #4)

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?
I refuse to pick only one because then all the other rooms would be jealous.

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?
I get most of my news from the neighbors. Oh wait. I guess that's not really news so much as gossip.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
No. I think the mullet was completely spontaneous. And totally unnecessary. The same goes for shoulder pads.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Truthfully, there's always a right way and a wrong way to do things. But in all honestly, you can get so tied up in trying to make sure things are done right that you paralyze yourself and end up doing nothing. I would hate to have it said of me that I never did anything right. I would hate more to have it said of me that I never did anything.

Purses and Parties

For those of you that read my post on Friday, here is a picture of my wonderful new purse. I have to say the picture doesn't do it justice, in spite of the artfully draped sheet that I used as background. The purse looks black here, but trust me, it's the most gorgeous shade of forest green. I absolutely love it. (Did I mention that already?)

The best part of the purse is the Designer label smack dab in the front. I make sure I carry the purse so the label shows discreetly. After all, what's the point in carrying a designer bag if no one realizes it?

And this other picture is from the banquet I went to Friday night. I realize it's not the best, but I didn't take my camera and I have to go with what I had. The beading on my top made it a little heavy, so I decided I needed a little help to keep things in place. For that reason I bought a body shaper. I had no illusions about it's magical effect, but I did figure it would help in keeping everything lying smoothly and in place. That would make me fidget less and give me one less thing to worry about for the evening.

As I mentioned on Friday, I didn't want to wear the whole outfit for the two hour drive, so I did the hair and makeup and then changed at the country club. I arrived fifteen minutes before the banquet started--way early for me normally, but not early enough when you want to change after getting there. I grabbed my gymbag and my dress and made my way through the throngs of formally dressed ladies in search of a bathroom. Five minutes to dress, a minute to calm down and catch my breath and I would be ready to shine.

Did I mention the bathroom had no air conditioning? I don't know why--someone should tell the management that we live in Florida. Air conditioning in tiny interior rooms is mandatory. I went into a stall and tried not to mess up my hair and makeup or sweat too much while getting dressed.

When I finally finished, I went traipsing out of the bathroom in my formal gown--and dragging along my Planet Fitness gymbag. Fortunately I found a place to stash it, and joined the ladies for the banquet. Between my rushing around and the warm bathroom, I felt quite flushed and out of breath. I even begged off from posing for the professional photographer they had on hand because I didn't want my radioactive glow to be recorded for posterity.

I calmed down during the meal, but I never completely cooled off. I do think my talk went very well-it was not recorded so you'll have to take my word for it. I was quite witty and funny. Unfortunately, I think I was memorable for a different reason.

After the banquet I was supposed to follow the pastor's wife over to her house, where I'd left one of my sons playing with her boys. While I waited for them to finish collecting all the decorations and get ready to leave, I chatted with a few of the ladies standing near me. I began to realize just how warm I was, and I began fanning myself with my folded notes. That didn't cool me off, so I sipped ice water and fanned some more. Then I actually felt a bead of sweat trickle down my brow.

And panic set in. What on earth was the matter with me? Had they already turned off the air conditioning in the rest of the building? Was I developing a glandular problem? Had early menopause hit me right here at the end of this banquet?

By now I was afraid I'd be remembered for my sweating instead of my wit. I surreptitiously dabbed my face with one of the linen napkins, and was horrified to see the smear of makeup I left on it. I folded the makeup to the inside, dropped the napkin to the table and prayed for the evening to end.

You will be happy to know I do not have a strange medical condition. I may have a strange mental condition, but that's another post. When I got to the pastor's wife's house, I went into a back room to change. And that's when I realized that body shaper could probably keep me insulated in temperatures fifty degrees below zero. You'd think they would have advertised that on the tag!

So the talk went pretty well, but I'm not sure when I'll ever be asked back. Maybe if they ever have a picnic theme? Denim and cotton are much more along the lines of my comfort zone!

The Most Important Thing

There's so much I could be blogging about right now.

I can always talk about my husband's surgery and recovery. Still in pain, but getting slightly better.

I can blog about the boys and their latest shenanigans. But frankly, after using the word shenanigans, I think anything else would be anti-climactic.

I could blog about the ladies' banquet I am supposed to speak at tonight. I have a great dress, but I also have a two hour drive, and the dress was not made to wear while driving for two hours. Since I'm the speaker, and since they're holding this thing at a country club, I don't want to show my plebeian roots by changing after I get there. Suggestions?

And now I've used two big words in this post. I'm not sure how much longer this can go on.

I could talk about the fact that, in anticipation of my speaking engagement, I got my hair cut and I also got a manicure and a pedicure. I could mention the fact that I was unaware of how far I had let myself go until I saw the results of some much-needed grooming.

But what I really want to blog about is my purse.

I'm very picky about purses. I like them a certain shape. And a certain material. They have to have certain features. One feature I require is reinforced straps as I tend to fill my purses so full that the straps often break. My current purse was still intact, but all the stitching was coming out of the straps. Meaning my purse looked like it needed a serious shave.

So yesterday (after the luxury of a manicure and pedicure) I went shopping for a few items and decided to check out the purses at Kohls. I am not someone who has to have designer items. I am often happy with cheaper things that don't have famous names on them. However, Kohls has a display of bags from Simply Vera Wang at the very front of their handbag section. I've often liked the looks of those bags, but other stopping for a moment to admire them, I don't contemplate getting one.

However, yesterday at Kohl's on their clearance rack, I found a forest green purse from Simply Vera Wang. It was a $90.00 purse, but it was marked down to $26.00. I did a happy dance and bought it immediately.

I love my new purse. And I love most that I got it 70% off.

My only regret is that I don't have a picture to share with you. I haven't had the opportunity to take one, but I will try to post one by Monday.

Did I mention I love my purse? And that's why I chose to blog about it. Because for the moment, it is the most important thing.

I'm so easy to please!

Take A Good Night's Sleep and Call Me in the Morning

How much sleep do you need in order to function? I don't think we ever realize how much sleep we need until we go without some for a while. My sleep has been hit-and-miss for the last week since my husband had surgery. Since he's been in the guest room on the first floor, I've been sleeping on the couch. I've been up with him multiple times during the night, and I grabbed little catnaps during the day when I could.

I knew the couch was hurting my lower back. It took me a while every morning to work out the kinks as I moved around. But I also thought I was getting more sleep than I actually was.

Each day I felt worse and worse. And I actually looked worse and worse. I was still doing my hair and putting on makeup, but the end results were that I looked a little, as one person commented, rough.

Yesterday I was apparently a little more cranky than usual. Terry's been doing some better--still in pain and still needing help--but things are improving. He finally told me to go sleep in our own bed last night. I didn't want to at first, but he talked me into it. He had his cell phone, and he would call me on my phone if he needed anything.

So last night I settled down into my own bed. I fell asleep and slept soundly for eight hours. And my husband survived quite well without me. This morning for the first time I woke up without feeling drugged. There was no morning fog in my brain. I actually got something accomplished before I headed into work.

In short, I no longer look "rough".

I like this sleeping through the night thing. I may actually try it again sometime.

Gotta Love the Random!

That's right, sports fans! It's time for another Random Dozen. You know the rules: read the questions and answers. Laugh loudly at my wit. Leave a fun comment. Click here to head over to Lid's so you can link up with your own questions. Let the fun begin!





1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?

Ummmm, I'll have to get back to you on that.


2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?

Lately I fall asleep any time I sit still for very long. Makes driving a challenge. Sleep through the night? Hardly. Now that my kids don't wake me up that much anymore my bladder has decided to take over.

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?

I prefer to dress in the current decade and style because dressing in dated fashions looks ... dated. The real question is, are we at the end of one decade or the beginning of another one?

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?

That would be the bucket of chicken I get from KFC. I've never messed one up yet.

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?

A colon cleanser. Don't ask.

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?

I'll wish I weren't dead.

7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

Joy is my pillow. Happiness is my blanket. Sheer and unutterable bliss is my bed. You decide: am I lyrical or just tired?

8. What is your favorite type of bread?

The kind you get when you make a lot of dough.

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)

The wording of this question assumes I have not already developed those traits.

10. What trait would you like most to develop?

Which trait would I like to develop out of laziness, greediness or grumpiness? Actually, I think I've got them all down pat.

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?

The laundry room. I've got some great equipment in there with a lot of potential, but it's often lost under the every day reality of dirty laundry.

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?

If you know me at all, you know that I don't balance any of it very well. It's one mad scramble to keep all those plates spinning on their sticks.


Now hurry and write a comment before you head over to Lid's. You know you want to!

Florence Nightengale, Where Are You?

Bandaids make it all better.

Thermometers can help your temperature.

Kisses and a cool cloth for your forehead.

That kind of nursing I get. I can do that. I've done it for all my children. Soothing words, a gentle stroke of the hair and Mommy makes it all better.

Unfortunately, recovering surgery patients need a little more than that.

Equally unfortunately, I have nothing else to give.

Oh, I try. But when my husband was in the hospital, I don't think I actually made things any easier. For one thing, there's not a lot of room to move around, and I'm not a model of grace. I stepped forward to help him, and drove the bedside table literally into the side of the bed. Then when I tried to move the bedside table out of the way, it kept getting stuck on something under the bed.

Terry asked me to raise his bed a little bit. I hit the wrong button and instead of raising his head, his feet when flying up in the air.

I took his hand to help raise him up, but I caught hold of his IV instead.

I gave him a pain pill and then held his cup so he could sip through the straw. But I tipped the cup the wrong way, and he couldn't get any liquid in order to swallow the pill.

I knocked his cup over and spilled ice all over his tray. And a little on him.

As I mourned my lack of ability to a friend, she assured me that Terry would still have a quick recovery. I felt relieved until she added, "If for no other reason than self-preservation."

I think I need a bigger bandaid.

Indiana Update

I was going to write something funny and witty about my complete lack of ability as a nurse, but that will have to wait for another day. I have no wit left, and at the moment my humor doesn't make sense. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging, but just after my last update we lost our internet connection. I didn't have the time or energy to attempt dealing with the cable company until this past weekend.

Thank you all for praying for Indiana. He came home from the hospital on Friday. He's in a great deal of pain from the surgery, but we are encouraged about the results of surgery. Already we're seeing small indications that the nerves into his arm and hand might be coming back to life.

At the moment he's in a neck brace/collar and has to stay in it for at least the next four weeks. Being still and quiet has never been his strong suit, so we would appreciate prayers as he works his way back from surgery. I am his caregiver and will be his driver for the next four weeks at least as the collar really limits his mobility.

Did I mention I could use prayer as well?

Again, thanks for your prayers and concern. Please don't stop. I hope to resume normal (for me, anyway) posting in the next day or two.