Catch-up Monday: Loose Ends

Happy New Year!

I hope and pray that everyone had a blessed holiday.

I am still healing. I have been told that it could take a very long time to heal because I have deep tissue bruising. There are still some things that I just cannot do without a lot of pain, but there are tiny victories every day. We started visiting a local doctor and she is concerned that my left leg still has some significant swelling and has sent for my old records. In the meanwhile, she ordered the routine battery of yearly tests: You know the ones. For the most part, I am fine, but I have some bone density and triglyceride issues, and I am looking into holistic/natural treatment for both of those. My biggest concern now is that my left knee arbitrarily decides not to support me. I appreciate any and all prayers for my health concerns. I will let you know what I learn.

At the time of my last post, Ed was still working in Independence. He was driving about three hours a day, and the trip was rapidly taking a toll on him and his truck. He found a cooking job closer to home for minimum wage, and took it, while still looking for something else. A few weeks later he was hired at a place walking distance from the house. Awesome! Well, it was, anyway. He was fired a week later for being too slow...I could write for days about that, but I won't.

Well now what? First, we prayed, and then, for the first time in his life, Ed decided to file for unemployment. It was approved, and so here we are. Ed, of course, is still looking for work, but the Lord has graciously took our little bit and made it go farther than we ever thought possible.  Phillipians 4:19 says: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus". In the last few months, He has proven to us, over and over again, that His word is true.

Anyway, now that I've brought you up to date on all that, I'll show you some of the things I've worked on over the last few months. Remember that road side dresser we found? Well, here it is in Kat's room.

She loves it! I splurged (when Ed was still working) and bought a gallon of latex paint in one of her favorite colors. I painted her bed frame, bookshelf, desk, and this dresser with it. I covered the drawer fronts with scrapbook paper and added the ribbon pulls. There were some tense moments putting the drawers back in, because the dresser sat in the garage for a few weeks. The garage was not as dry as we thought, and the drawers swelled. We managed to get all but one of them back in, and Ed is still working on it.

After two years, I finally finished Ed's beaded hat band. Unfortunately, the hat for which it was originally intended doesn't get worn much anymore. Here it is on his "church hat". 

Before Christmas, I pulled out some projects I started last year, but never finished. Here are snow man necklaces made from old keys Kyle collected when he was little. 

This snow man and angel came from pieces of wood fence that we got last year. Most of it wasn't good for more than fire wood, but I had Ed cut off a few end pieces.  The wings and subsequent angel came about because a board just snapped in half. I stapled the halves on to another board using my staple gun. Yes, I know, my painting leaves a little to be desired, but I had fun with it. Kat says the angel is "creepy".

That's all the news for now.
Connie

Catch-Up Monday: Back to the Deep Freeze

Welcome to Catch-Up Monday!

Once again, we are in deep snow, and frigid temperatures. Ok, well, not really deep snow. We might have five inches, but our early morning temperatures were in the negative single digits, and yes that is temperature, not wind chill. Wind chill was about -25.

Because the storm came in Saturday evening and was predicted to continue through this morning, all our chruch services for yesterday were cancelled. The only up side to that was that it gave Ed and I a day to spend on some stuff here without feeling the pressure of a schedule. We don't have that too often. We were able to go through mountains of papers and determine what attention, if any, they needed.

I spent most of the day today keeping up with the fire in the wood stove, and taking care of a lot of the administrative type things that sprang from yesterday's paper sorting. Since some of it requred phone calls to government related agencies, you can understand why I didn't get it all done. I did however, put a pretty good dent in it. I may have even managed to save us some money, and that is always good!

I have a few interesting things planned for the rest of the week, so I hope you check back in with me tomorrow.

See ya then!

Connie

Catch-Up Monday: Busy Weekend and a Roadside Dresser

Good morning! Welcome to Catch-Up Monday!

What a busy weekend! I missed my Sunday afternoon nap, so I took it this morning after Katheirne went to school. I was just worn out!

Friday morning, Ed got up and made his famous King's Ranch Chicken to take for the family meal after Betty's Celebration of Life. It was set to start at 11:00, and we went about 10:00 to help with any set-up. The service was beautiful, and our pastor did a great job. We knew it was as difficult for him as it was for us. He told us later that he knew the Holy Spirit was helping him.

Afterward, we went down to the kitchen to set out the meal, while the family made the short trip to the grave site. When they came back, everything was ready. Did I mention our church has some excellent cooks? By the time the meal was finished, we cleaned up and got home, it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. Katherine was home at three, and Ed and I both took a nap, and still went to bed early. Saturday was going to be another busy day.

Before Betty died, we already had our annual February spaghetti dinner in the church calendar for Saturday. Ed had to work during the day, but would be home in time for the dinner. Since I am on the fellowship committee, I had to be at church at 3:00 to help with set up, decorating, and food preparation. The committee was making the two entrees, salad and bread, and our "guests" were to bring dessert.

Since I was not about to bring a sugary dessert, I opted for those wonderful scones that I made last week. You can read that blog post here. For Katherine's benefit, I made one batch with mini chocolate chips, as well as the one with blueberries. Ed got home from work about 2:30, and I left for church shortly after. Katherine opted to come at five with Ed. The meal was a huge success, but once again, I got home and pretty much fell into bed. Oh, I did have one request for the scone recipe.

At 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning, our phone rang. It was a manager from Ed's work. It seems that the 4:00 a.m. guy didn't show up, and they needed Ed to come in. He was not happy. I wasn't either. Anyway, he got up and went in. I stayed in bed until eight. Katherine and I made it to church a little after nine, so I could make sure someone from Ed's Sunday school class would know that he wouldn't be there.

The rest of the morning went well, with two of our young people getting baptised. I know Ed hated to miss that! After church, I met with the young people to decide who is doing what for the special youth-led service we are doing in March. They are all excited about taking over the grown-up positions for a day.

Sunday afternoon is usually nap time, but I couldn't get wound down enough. I guess I was still annoyed that Ed had to work a second Sunday in a row. By the time he got home, he only had about an hour before we had to be back at church. He told me that he told the manager that if they want to see him on Sunday, they need to come to church, because that is where he will be!

When he came in, he told me that one of our neighbors up the road had set out a peice of furniture I might be interested in. Of course I had to go look, and after checking it out, decided to bring it home.

It isn't real wood, and the drawer pulls are a little corroded, but it is sound, and I can always use more drawer space...if I decide to use it for that. I'm going to let it sit a day or two and think about it. I told Ed, "You do realize that I will have to rearrange the entire house to make room for this, right?" He said, "Yes, and all the books will have to come off the shelves too. " to which I replied, "You know I've been wanting to do that anyway." He nodded "Yes". The poor long-suffering man! He knows that he will come home one day soon, and there will just be a path through the house!

Anyway, our Sunday evening service went very well with even more new people coming. It is exciting when the young people start becoming active participants! We were done there a little after seven,  Ed was in bed by eight, and after I talked to my dad, followed about ten.

Catch Up Monday: Back to Normal

Welcome to Catch Up Monday!

Yes, we are back to normal. It is still cold at  10 degrees, but our water is running and we have a nice fire in the wood stove. The latter has still been a challenge because that wood is very green, but the Lord has provided and we are doing ok with it.

Yesterday's new evening service at Church went very well. We are excited to see so much interest from young people! We may have to move to the main sanctuary because our original location got a little crowded. What a wonderful problem to have!

Today was spent catching up in the kitchen after going those few days without water. I'm still working on reorganizing the work room/office, and most of it is still in the living room. Sometimes, at the end of the day, I look around and wonder what I did all day, because it dosen't appear that anything was accomplished.

I did find out some exciting news. Jane, from the Mamie Jane's blog, posted that she is going to be featured in Flea Market Style magazine, doing a "$250.00 Junk Hunt Challenge, in Kansas City's West Bottoms. Apparently, there is a huge first friday weekend event every month, in the West Bottoms, where at least thirty antique and junk stores housed in the old warehouse district open their doors. I live less than an hour from the West Bottoms! I gotta go! Can't wait to tell my junkin' buddy! I'm hoping for March, but if not, we will have to go in April for sure!

Anyway, looks like this week is going to be lovely, weather wise. However things are, where you are, make the best of it!

See ya tomorrow!

Connie

Catch Up Monday: Calm Before the Storm

Welcome to Catch Up Monday!

I pray that you all had a wonderful weekend. Ours was a little different.
Friday night, in the midst of some lovely snow and sleet, we attended the visitation for our friend's brother, which was held at our church. While we were there, we learned that the two church-related activities planned for the next day had been canceled because of the weather. This time, that was ok with me, because it meant Ed could take my car to work the next morning. I have a front wheel drive small car and he has a rear wheel drive pick up.

When he got up the next morning, he originally thought that we had a few inches of snow, which is no big deal here. Only it wasn't snow, it was sleet, which means everything had a nice icy coating. His trip in to work was interesting, but he made it there and home ok. By Saturday afternoon the roads were somewhat clear and Katherine went to spend the night with her friend Chrystal. I cooked black beans and rice for Ed and I, and we had a quiet evening at home. We don't get many of those.

Sunday morning was a normal day. Katherine came to church with Chrystal's family. She (Katherine) sang Mandisa's "Overcomer" for special music. She did a great job! You can here the original here. After church was choir practice and then home. I baked a chicken and made mashed potatoes, giblet gravy (with whole wheat flour of course) and whole wheat biscuits..

In the late afternoon, our friend Larry came by with some fire wood. He wanted to make sure we had enough because more bad weather is coming in.

Ed and Katherine both went to sleep early. I stayed up for my weekly phone call with my dad, who lives in a suburb of Atlanta. We've been talking on Sunday nights for most of my life. Dad is a natural junker and repurposer. If he needs something, he just makes it. I hope to visit him this summer. If I do, I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share with you.

You'll notice I have not mentioned the Superbowl...its not my thing.

Today has been normal too, except that the talk has been about the weather. We are under a winter storm warning. The snow is supposed to start after midnight tonight, and stop Wednesday morning. Total accumulation: 7-10 inches. Then its going to get cold. Air temperatures below zero for both Wednesday and Thursday night. Looks like the dogs will be coming back in.

As for me, I could use some hibernating time.  I've started cleannig the office/workroom, and I'm hoping the process will spur some ideas for new projects. I have a few things ready to share with you this week, but I hope to have some more.

Have a great evening!

See ya tomorrow!

Connie

Catch Up Monday: Sometimes God Says "No".

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Here in the KC metro, it was beautiful! Sunny and 40's on Saturday, and sunny and nearly 60 degrees on Sunday. Then, for the third weekend in a row, the bottom dropped out, and today our high was about 15, and for at least part of the day, the wind made it feel much colder.

Saturday, I slept in, and then ran some errands. I attended a Premier Designs jewelry party because I promised my oldest son's girlfriend that I would. I like the jewelry, but I'm not crazy about the price tag. After that, I met Ed and Katherine at the home of our friends, Bill and Jane, for a church movie night.
Did you know that churches now have to pay licensing fees in order to show movies at church. Its considered a public showing. However, Ed has been looking into the licensing process so that we can once again show movies at church, because we think it is a great outreach tool. The movie we saw Saturday was "I'm In Love With A Church Girl"". For the most part, it was a good movie, with a great message.

Sunday started out typically, except that Ed and I actually got to church as early as we planned. We almost didn't know how to act. By the time Sunday School was over however, we had heard that the brother of one of our dear friends had passed away that morning. As we were finishing up youth choir practice after church, we got word that a man just a little younger than me, whom I've known most of my life, had been rushed to the hospital with a heart attack. The most recent word I have is that the family is considering removing life support. Knowing his extended family has already suffered too much loss in the last few months, I left for home with a heavy heart.

Another dear friend from church, whom I will just call "Miss Betty" was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Lukemia last September. Miss Betty is in her 80's, and is one of those people who gets things done, not only at church, but out in the community as well. A retired Special Education school teacher, Miss Betty taught Sunday School with the same no nonsense, but a whole lot of love, attitude as she had her special needs charges. The kids love her dearly, and the adults do too!

Thanks to Caring Bridge, we have all been able to keep up with her journey. Ed, Katherine and I have gone to visit her as well, and our Bible study group visited her when we went Christmas caroling. She told us that she was ready to "go home" and had told the Lord as much. Ed told her that he was selfish, and he was asking the Lord to keep her here! We have become used to reading her daughter's posts regarding her progress, or lack thereof. This morning, I got a text message from another friend telling me that their was an early post today, and I might want to look at it. There have been three posts today. Ed and I are preparing ourselves for the phone call we will probably be getting in the next few days. God always answers prayer, but sometimes he says "no".

See ya tomorrow.

Connie

Catch Up Monday: If You Wanna Hear God Laugh...

There was a line in a song from a few years back that said "If you wanna hear God laugh,  tell him your plans."

I don't think that God was laughing this weekend, but he did get my attention.

My plan on Saturday, was to bake some more bread, experiment with some bagels, help Kat with some home work, monitor her room cleaning progress, and start cleaning my office/workshop. Instead, I spent about 6 hours in the emergency room. By the time I got home, I wasn't up to doing anything else.

I had been in the kitchen, gathering ingredients for bread, when I experienced a shooting pain across my upper back. I would call it the mother of all muscle spasms. It REALLY hurt! Almost immediately, I was also drenched in sweat. I was pretty sure these were some of the signs for heart attack in women. After debating with myself for a few minutes, I decided safe was better than sorry, and I certainly didn't want my daughter to find me on the kitchen floor.

So I called her into the living room, where I could sit down, I told her that I didn't want her to freak out, but I was going to call 911 because I thought I might be having a heart attack. I handed her my cell phone, and told her to call Grandma (my mom) and tell her what was going on. I called 911 on the house phone.

My mom happened to be on the phone with my sister, who is a nurse, when Katherine called her. My sister was on her way home from work and had just passed the road to my house. She turned around and came back. She asked me if I had any numbness, and I realized that I did have some in my tongue and lips.

Shortly after she arrived, the ambulance came, and the decision was made to take me to the ER. Almost six hours later, after an EKG, chest x-ray, CT scan, urinalysis and blood work, they decided I have pleurisy. That makes absolutely no sense to me, since I don't even have a cold, but ok, whatever. They gave me two scripts for pain/inflammation and told to follow up with my doctor. I'll see him on Thursday. I'll let you know what he says.

Needless to say, I haven't done any baking yet. Maybe tomorrow.

See Ya then,

Connie

Catch Up Monday: January Thaw

Since I try to keep my weekend as a time for family and worship, I'll be using Monday to catch up with you. It will also be the place where I share random thoughts and ideas that pop into my head. My only problem may be remembering that thing I thought about on Saturday that I really wanted to share with you today.

After the last few weeks of colder than normal temperatures, we are experiencing some wonderful weather. Saturday the thermometer reached 60 degrees! Today the high is only supposed to reach into the forties, but even that is a blessing after days of single digit temperatures and sub-zero wind chills. Of course, this is January, and it is Missouri, so we will be back in the deep freeze eventually, but its nice not to have to be concerned about protecting water pipes for a few days.

Ed got his truck back Friday, but now it wont start. Looks like its either the battery or alternator. We both kind of feel that this is a spiritual attack and aren't letting it get to us. Things happen. The Lord will meet our needs, one way or the other. He always does.

We are starting a few new groups at church, and seeing the enthusiasm from both you and old is so exciting. I'll share more about that as we get into it.

I'm still working on getting the house back in order after Christmas. The way things have been going, I'll be thankful if all the Christmas things are put away before Easter! Katherine's room seems to stay a disaster, but as long as there aren't science experiments growing in there, I usually choose bigger battles, like homework, to fight. This weekend I did get the kitchen, bathroom, and our bedroom set to rights. This morning I baked some honey whole wheat bread. I'll share some more about that on Friday.

Now, I just have the living room and this room. Of course, this is where I've stuck everything from the other rooms. I really need to get a handle on it, because I have some projects I want to work on, and I need room to work. There is barely room for me and the laptop in here now.  Think 5x8 room, with papers, books, craft supplies, grocery bags, and plastic sheeting, piled on top of, and wedged under,two desks, and already full shelves. Then add four cats to the equation. Yeah, its that bad.

Anyway, I do have some interesting stuff planned for this week.

See ya tomorrow,

Connie