Two in one morning - I am borrowing this theme from The Upward Call. I have also seen it on other blogs, so I am not sure where it originates, but I like it!
Thankful for a great time of fellowship last night. Had singing, praise, prayer, and a really good teaching from Proverbs 7 and 8. I love our church, and especially love the small groups we have. You really get a chance to know people by regularly attending these groups.
I am thankful that the Lord was gracious to me, He saved me from my sins. Christ hung on the cross for MY sins - and no matter what my past was, or whose fault anything was, or what I did - it is forgiven. He save me despite what I was, and lifted me up out of the cesspool. Hallelujah!!
Thankful for a full day at home, to get some much-needed housework done before a super-busy weekend. Disappointed that a lunch plan for today had to be cancelled. Thankful, though, to have the time open because now I am going to be able to watch a friends' children for her while she goes to the doctor.
Thankful for another day here to serve the Lord, to enjoy my family, to love my husband.....you get the picture!
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
It is Better to Enter Heaven
I might get around to posting something today, but in the meantime I want to share
my friend (and Sunday School teacher) Amy's blog post from yesterday.
my friend (and Sunday School teacher) Amy's blog post from yesterday.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
One of those annoying healthy-living posts
Generally, I don't talk about health/fitness, et al. Well, only once a year, around January 1, when I commit to eat healthier and get more exercise. But.....
Yesterday I went to a womens' health fair, sponsored by a local hospital. As I am now among the class of "un-insured or under-insured", I qualify. It was very nice, very well done. I had my glucose checked, my cholesterol and had a mammogram. Then I got to discuss the results with a nurse and go over my numbers and what needs to be done to change them.
Overall, I am not in bad shape for a 46 year old broad. Menopause did horrible things to my waistline (nicer to blame that than the four kids!), but overall, a little achy joints but otherwise pretty good.
I need to lose some weight. Okay, knew that. Blood pressure was 122/86, not bad, but should be 120/80 or below. Glucose should have been 140 or less, was 153. This was my main cause for concern. I had gestational diabetes with three of my pregnancies, so I am very familiar with the diets, blood testing, etc. Do not want to go back there, ever. Having had GD, I am at a higher risk, so this bothered me. I am going to have to go to a lab and take a regular fasting test and see where I am. In the meantime, I got some cinnamon and chromium pills to take. It is supposed to help you metabolize sugars better. We will see. When I told my results to my friend who went with me, she asked if I had be itchy lately. YES!!! I have switched soaps three times in the last week or so, in the evening my whole torso and upper arms itch-itch-itch. She said that is a sign of high blood sugar.
Side note - I thought about Googling all this, but my kids' pediatrician told me to never google symptoms, you always think you have something far worse than what you really have.
Anyway, started taking the pills. A nice side effect is that if you burp you think you had a snickerdoodle.
My cholesterol overall is 191, and it needs to be below 200, so that is okay. The good cholesterol, however, should be at least 50, preferably 60, and mine is 45. The nurse suggested flax seed oil or meal, and........regular exercise. I bought a bag of flaxseed mill (surprisingly inexpensive, I always expect healthy stuff to be a price gouge) and have added it to my smoothie today. I don't taste any difference. And, I did a half hour on the treadmill.
So, there is the update on my physical health. This little adventure yesterday got me thinking about my spiritual and mental health as well, and some of the tie-ins. I need to think a little more, and will elaborate later this week.
Yesterday I went to a womens' health fair, sponsored by a local hospital. As I am now among the class of "un-insured or under-insured", I qualify. It was very nice, very well done. I had my glucose checked, my cholesterol and had a mammogram. Then I got to discuss the results with a nurse and go over my numbers and what needs to be done to change them.
Overall, I am not in bad shape for a 46 year old broad. Menopause did horrible things to my waistline (nicer to blame that than the four kids!), but overall, a little achy joints but otherwise pretty good.
I need to lose some weight. Okay, knew that. Blood pressure was 122/86, not bad, but should be 120/80 or below. Glucose should have been 140 or less, was 153. This was my main cause for concern. I had gestational diabetes with three of my pregnancies, so I am very familiar with the diets, blood testing, etc. Do not want to go back there, ever. Having had GD, I am at a higher risk, so this bothered me. I am going to have to go to a lab and take a regular fasting test and see where I am. In the meantime, I got some cinnamon and chromium pills to take. It is supposed to help you metabolize sugars better. We will see. When I told my results to my friend who went with me, she asked if I had be itchy lately. YES!!! I have switched soaps three times in the last week or so, in the evening my whole torso and upper arms itch-itch-itch. She said that is a sign of high blood sugar.
Side note - I thought about Googling all this, but my kids' pediatrician told me to never google symptoms, you always think you have something far worse than what you really have.
Anyway, started taking the pills. A nice side effect is that if you burp you think you had a snickerdoodle.
My cholesterol overall is 191, and it needs to be below 200, so that is okay. The good cholesterol, however, should be at least 50, preferably 60, and mine is 45. The nurse suggested flax seed oil or meal, and........regular exercise. I bought a bag of flaxseed mill (surprisingly inexpensive, I always expect healthy stuff to be a price gouge) and have added it to my smoothie today. I don't taste any difference. And, I did a half hour on the treadmill.
So, there is the update on my physical health. This little adventure yesterday got me thinking about my spiritual and mental health as well, and some of the tie-ins. I need to think a little more, and will elaborate later this week.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Saturday Morning on the Homestead
A quiet day today. Nevin and the big guys are at church this morning for the monthly Mens' breakfast. I am not completely certain what goes on there. Nevin is speaking this morning, but he did not tell me what about. I made sure he had three dozen eggs to take and the boys had their teeth brushed, that is pretty much the end of my involvement.
I really like that when Nevin takes on a commitment it does not automatically become MY commitment. I had always thought that anything he did would be more work for me, but it has not turned out that way. If he needs help, he will ask. But he does not assume that if he is going to a breakfast that I am preparing the french toast casserole. He actually does not WANT me to - because then it was my project, not his. He would much rather show up with a couple dozen donuts from the shop that he picked up himself, than a fancy dish that I got up and made. Good man. Of course, if he wanted me to I would certainly make whatever he wanted.
I think I am going to putter about the house this morning, maybe pull a few weeds. The garden began producing red, ripe tomatoes this week.
With the tomatoes came.....squirrels. Squirrels have descended on our garden. Nevin has shot several in the last few days. The cats are funny, because when he shoots Esther (my old lady that we rescued last year) runs for the hills when she hears the gun, but the rest just sit there, because they know they are about to get a fresh squirrel treat.
(Side note here - I have a picture of A.J. munching a squirrel, but decided not to include it. I thought it was cute, others might get all queasy inside.)
Henry was very upset that Nevin gave them to the cats, instead of dressing them for us (ug, they like fried squirrel, I am not a fan). But Nevin said they had ticks on them, he didn't want to mess with them. I heartily concurred.
Going to dinner at some friends' this evening, looking forward to that. One of the things I really like about our church is that it is a younger congregation. We have a lot of young people in the twenties, just starting their families. Young enough to be our kids...! Anyway, one such young couple with two small children has invited us old folks and our four kids to their home this evening, and I am really looking forward to it. It is interesting, moving into this "older" stage of life. On one hand, I don't really feel older (except my feet really hurt alot). I think getting started on our family later (32) has kept us in a younger state of mind. Most of our friends in their mid-forties have grandchildren, or at least have launched a few young adult children into the world. Our oldest is 14, youngest is 7, so we are just-entering-high-school-still-firmly-in-elementary-school with this crew. Many of my closest girlfriends are 10-12 years younger than me. It is how I get away with being kind of bossy.
Much of this week has been consumed with re-evaluating the use of my time, making plans and final (I really mean it!) purchases for school this year, and doing busywork. Yesterday I started on a website for our business, hopefully will have that up soon. Sometime this week I hope to get our school plans more "together" and able to post them. We shall see. This week is shaping up busy: dinner tonight, then church tomorrow and an ordination service tomorrow night (did I mention Nevin was ordained as a deacon a few weeks back?) for two of the men in our church; park day with the homeschool group; a health fair (getting my bloodwork and mammogram for free!); c-group Wednesday evening; a friend and her children coming to lunch Thursday and a birthday/pool party to attend Friday, and baby shower on Saturday (I am bringing quiche). The FOLLOWING week, though, I have STAY HOME written all over the calendar! The shop has gotten busy, I need to have free time to be home, be there to help Nevin as needed, and just keep things running smoothly. When I get out-of-the-house busy things tend to fall into chaos here.
It is past time to feed the chickens, cats and guinea pig. Thank goodness the kids fed themselves today! I shall go pull those weeds, and spend some time in the Word, while it is nice and quiet here. Have a great weekend!
I really like that when Nevin takes on a commitment it does not automatically become MY commitment. I had always thought that anything he did would be more work for me, but it has not turned out that way. If he needs help, he will ask. But he does not assume that if he is going to a breakfast that I am preparing the french toast casserole. He actually does not WANT me to - because then it was my project, not his. He would much rather show up with a couple dozen donuts from the shop that he picked up himself, than a fancy dish that I got up and made. Good man. Of course, if he wanted me to I would certainly make whatever he wanted.
I think I am going to putter about the house this morning, maybe pull a few weeds. The garden began producing red, ripe tomatoes this week.
 |
| These are Early Girls. They ripen, on average, ten days before the others. |
(Side note here - I have a picture of A.J. munching a squirrel, but decided not to include it. I thought it was cute, others might get all queasy inside.)
Henry was very upset that Nevin gave them to the cats, instead of dressing them for us (ug, they like fried squirrel, I am not a fan). But Nevin said they had ticks on them, he didn't want to mess with them. I heartily concurred.
Going to dinner at some friends' this evening, looking forward to that. One of the things I really like about our church is that it is a younger congregation. We have a lot of young people in the twenties, just starting their families. Young enough to be our kids...! Anyway, one such young couple with two small children has invited us old folks and our four kids to their home this evening, and I am really looking forward to it. It is interesting, moving into this "older" stage of life. On one hand, I don't really feel older (except my feet really hurt alot). I think getting started on our family later (32) has kept us in a younger state of mind. Most of our friends in their mid-forties have grandchildren, or at least have launched a few young adult children into the world. Our oldest is 14, youngest is 7, so we are just-entering-high-school-still-firmly-in-elementary-school with this crew. Many of my closest girlfriends are 10-12 years younger than me. It is how I get away with being kind of bossy.
Much of this week has been consumed with re-evaluating the use of my time, making plans and final (I really mean it!) purchases for school this year, and doing busywork. Yesterday I started on a website for our business, hopefully will have that up soon. Sometime this week I hope to get our school plans more "together" and able to post them. We shall see. This week is shaping up busy: dinner tonight, then church tomorrow and an ordination service tomorrow night (did I mention Nevin was ordained as a deacon a few weeks back?) for two of the men in our church; park day with the homeschool group; a health fair (getting my bloodwork and mammogram for free!); c-group Wednesday evening; a friend and her children coming to lunch Thursday and a birthday/pool party to attend Friday, and baby shower on Saturday (I am bringing quiche). The FOLLOWING week, though, I have STAY HOME written all over the calendar! The shop has gotten busy, I need to have free time to be home, be there to help Nevin as needed, and just keep things running smoothly. When I get out-of-the-house busy things tend to fall into chaos here.
It is past time to feed the chickens, cats and guinea pig. Thank goodness the kids fed themselves today! I shall go pull those weeds, and spend some time in the Word, while it is nice and quiet here. Have a great weekend!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Status Update for July
Right now, I am......
Sitting: At the kitchen table, doing some paperwork for the business, balancing the checkbook and paying bills.
Drinking: My second cup of coffee with Stevia in the Raw and Aldi Fat-free French Vanilla Creamer. It is much better than it sounds. I will have at least one more.
Enjoying: The quiet in the house before they all wander out.
Revamping: All my plans for the school year. At least it is still just in my head and I don't have to erase a lot yet! Also revamping myself mentally for the upcoming year and the new schedule - trying to eliminate a lot of "out of the house" stuff, see how school goes on a year that we stay home a whole lot.
Doing: Today, some laundry, taking the guys to play basketball with friends, then Henry is having a friend spend the night and Tony is going to a friend's to spend the night. May also do some barbecued pork steaks.
Processing: This last weekend. We went to Iowa to visit Nevin's family. Always a nice weekend, no rush, no hurry. A lot of time in the car to think about stuff. God, life, plans for the future. Big stuff. Thinking about how I truly use my time.
Preparing: Not much, I think I am still stuck on processing.
Reading: An ebook I downloaded and printed. I hate printing ebooks, they end up with giant print and 8 1/2x11. But, I hate reading on the computer even more, so there you go. I also started "Converting the West: The Biography of Narcissa Whitman" last night. It is inter-library-loan, so I need to get on it.
Praying: Not much lately. I seem to have lost my focus. I guess praying I will get it back. Lately it seems my relationship with the Lord has been pretty lazy.
Deciding: That I probably need to get dressed and finish paying the bills.
Copying: from Staci at Writing and Living
Sitting: At the kitchen table, doing some paperwork for the business, balancing the checkbook and paying bills.
Drinking: My second cup of coffee with Stevia in the Raw and Aldi Fat-free French Vanilla Creamer. It is much better than it sounds. I will have at least one more.
Enjoying: The quiet in the house before they all wander out.
Revamping: All my plans for the school year. At least it is still just in my head and I don't have to erase a lot yet! Also revamping myself mentally for the upcoming year and the new schedule - trying to eliminate a lot of "out of the house" stuff, see how school goes on a year that we stay home a whole lot.
Doing: Today, some laundry, taking the guys to play basketball with friends, then Henry is having a friend spend the night and Tony is going to a friend's to spend the night. May also do some barbecued pork steaks.
Processing: This last weekend. We went to Iowa to visit Nevin's family. Always a nice weekend, no rush, no hurry. A lot of time in the car to think about stuff. God, life, plans for the future. Big stuff. Thinking about how I truly use my time.
Preparing: Not much, I think I am still stuck on processing.
Reading: An ebook I downloaded and printed. I hate printing ebooks, they end up with giant print and 8 1/2x11. But, I hate reading on the computer even more, so there you go. I also started "Converting the West: The Biography of Narcissa Whitman" last night. It is inter-library-loan, so I need to get on it.
Praying: Not much lately. I seem to have lost my focus. I guess praying I will get it back. Lately it seems my relationship with the Lord has been pretty lazy.
Deciding: That I probably need to get dressed and finish paying the bills.
Copying: from Staci at Writing and Living
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