Sorry I have not been around recently. I have just caught up with reading all your posts...great piccies, Gary! Nice to see what you actually look like at last!!
Things have been SO awful here over the last month or so.
About 4 weeks and 2 days ago I fell over in the middle of the night (02:00hrs) and really badly sprained my left ankle. It was SO bad and painful I wondered whether I had broken it or at least cracked it. Unfortunately I couldn't get out of the house let alone to my doctor's surgery until the injury was about 10 days old ...and I only managed to go then 'cos my wonderful neighbour took me. Well he sent me to A & E where it was x-rayed. Thank the Lord there was no bony injury found so it was pronounced to be a very bad sprain and I got a pair of crutches to hobble around on for a couple of weeks. It took an absolute age to start healing but in the meantime my regular blood tests (every 3 weeks for my heart condition) showed up some abnormalities in my kidney functions. So I had an ultra-sound and more blood tests and it was found that the cardiac drugs were contra-indicated with the anti-inflammatories I was taking. Goodness knows why because I have been taking both drug groups for about 5 years now. And so I have had to come off the anti-inflamm's and boy oh boy is my body complaining. Every bit of arthritis has flared up mercilessly especially in my back and my feet. I just don't know how to settle it at all and it is driving me round the proverbial bend. So lfe has been rather miserable here and I have had a bad bout of depression. I am afriad I have taken the odd anti-inflammatory drug when the pain has been so awful I have almost been unable to get out of bed but I have not taken them regularly by any stretch of the imagination.
I really don't know how to combat this at all.
I confess that my church, with the exeption of 1 person who is a friend of mine, has not been of any help at all and I am trying not to feel bitter about this. I actually live about 6 moles from the church so it is a 15 minute drive and I really feel as though I might as well be on the other side of the moon for all the contact there has been. I have only been to church once since Christmas but no-one seems worried apart from D. my friend.
Oh enough misery from me!
Sorry to read people's worrying news . Hope things and life gets better for everyone. Spring has sprung!!!
teel, so sorry you've had such a hard time of it lately. We'll have to send healing prayers your way too. Sorry too about your church family. Sometimes they don't know or they don't realize you need them. I know you shouldn't have to but maybe you could call your pastor for a talk, maybe then they'd realize that you need their help and prayer? Just a suggestion.
Teel...Please read the following and where they talk about marriage...just put in there, you life situation. My heart and prayers are with you!
The Pressure Place
by Lou Lotz
Read: Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. (v. 36)
Gethsemane. The word means "oil press." And somewhere in the blue shadows of the garden of Gethsemane that contrivance stood - two massive round stones which pressed the olives, crushing them to pulp, causing the rich oil to dribble out and drain into earthenware basins.
Gethsemane is the pressure place; it's the place in life where you are crushed, squeezed. As Jesus in Gethsemane was pressed between self-preservation and the cross, between the easy thing and the right thing, so we some-times find ourselves pressed between weighty options.
For some, their marriage is Gethsemane. You made a promise. You tried to keep it. But now your relationship has turned malignant. You can't bear to remain married, but you don't dare seek a divorce. You can't stay, you can't leave. For some people their career is Gethsemane - your job is squeezing the life out of you, but you have nowhere else to go. Gethsemane is the place where these two granite-like options are crushing you, and like Jesus, you pray for a way out: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." But in the end we discover, as Jesus did, that there really is only one option for the believer - to trust God, and go where he leads.
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Prayer: Father, not my will, but thy will be done.
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Hello again to all, sorry I've missed posting for awhile. My computer has absolutely been giving me fits, locking up, not connecting, etc. Run anti-virus software, compressed, decompressed, midasized, you name it, I think I've done it, so I'm posting for a minute now while I can get on-line.
Weather here has warmed up, 50's but VERY cloudy and overcast, rain most days and through the Easter weekend. Suppose to be off tomorrow but now have to work, have state audit coming on our Homeland Security Grants (yuck, last thing I want before starting vacation! ) But I guess the upside would be that they'll be over and I won't have that facing me when I come back!
Mitchypoo - Coming your way, be there on Monday, are we going to try to meet at MOA? Need to know the weather forecast too, I know you guys still have snow on the ground but hopefully I'm not driving into a blizzard!! Understand from EZ's postings that you and he are Randy Moss fans??? He went to college here where I live (Marshall University), great football player, ummmmm let's not comment on his morals & personal life, let's just say EZ 'you can have him' and all his troubles too, good luck!
EZ - Glad your back, good to see the pics and see what you look like. Thanks for the bracelet info. will check out the website. I have a nephew, Adam, now in Baghdad. His unit saw some gunfire a few days ago, went to assist another unit. His unit came out alright but unfortunately the other unit had to fly some injured out and I understand 1 was killed. Wish the 'powers that be' could get this war over with and our guys/gals home! P.S. Good luck with Moss, the Raiders deserve him! (As you can probably tell, I'm not a Raiders fan!)
PapillonLady - Brenda - glad you joined us. I haven't been here very long myself but this is a very sharing/caring bunch. You'll find an easy ear and soft shoulder here to help with your needs. I agree with you that the dieting stuff is a lifelong journey.
MKAY - Continued prayers on your hubby's recovery (and your patience), men are such babies! Will also continue to remember you on the job front, change is difficult but at least you will still have a job. Thanks for "The Pressure Place", I think we've all been there in some form or another.
MNewton - GREAT NEWS ON CHANNON, will continue prayers for her chemo and continued recovery. This baby is going to be such a blessing for you and your family, - and a tough little cookie to boot!! Keep us posted.
Teel - HI, so sorry to hear about the fall and depression and problems going on in your life. We'll lift these up that the Lord will show you a blessing from them. I agree with Mitchypoo on contacting the Pastor, maybe they just don't realize how much you need them and they need you, a phone call wouldn't hurt.
SUNNY D - You must be REALLY busy, you haven't put one of your good, long posts on for a while and I miss them. I did enjoy your Easter picture with the bear and bunny, so cute and reminds us that Spring is here! It's my favorite time of the year, bulbs are up (trying to bloom) and birds are out, now if we could get a little sunshine it would be good for the soul! Hope all is going well with you.
That's all for now, I had a dispatcher call-off for tonight so I need to get call-out done and see if I can get his shift filled, the stomach virus/flu is going around here again (3x for some people) and also need to post next month's work schedule so lots to do.
To let all of you know...the GI Bracelets I ordered yesterday (HOW? I have no idea!) but they are awesome! Just like the Lance Armstrong one I have but deep purple. Just shaing the news.
TEEL Prayers~Prayers~Prayers for you!! I am so sorry you are so sad right now. I can't speak for your church....but just wondering, have you expressed to them what is happening in your life? Our church has over 1,000 members...our average week-end attendance is around 500...but in today's "world"...we tend to go about our own business and don't "observe" some of the others....we/I "assume" that the needs of the others are being met. Did you ever get going on that scooter? Spring has sprung as you said..here is praying and hoping that YOU HAVE SUCH A GREAT SPRING THAT IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MARGIE B Glad to see you back! Right now every time I see my Pastor he laughs at me...he is a VIKINGS fan...and glad to be rid of Randy Moss...not sure I want him but that is the price you have to pay being a RAIDERS fan!! We are not the sharpest tools in the shed I will pray for your nephew. My friend that was killed in Iraq was in a hummer with 3 other men scouting...all perished in the bombing. I was in Washington for his funeral but I understand it was quite awesome...his dad is a retired fire chief so the church was filled with fireman, the young man was an explorer scout in high school for the sherrifs and was one before he enlisted after 911..so they were there in force....plus a great turn-out from our church...he was buried at a military site about 60 miles from our church and at every off ramp along the way there were firemen and officers saluting the family vehicle!! Quie a site and honor to an outstanding young man. Hope the sun shines on your Easter...we are expecting gorgeous weather in southern California for Sunday.
MKAY Great devotion! Hang in there girl. Happy Easter.
SUE I am sooooo sorry! Isn't ANY of the sun I am sending getting to you? eerrrr....well, actually it has been pretty rainy here all winter...guess there hasn't been that much sun to go around! Have a great Easter with the youth and neice and nephew!
MICHELE Glad to see you checking in...now go get SUNNY~~SAMI~~~SPROUT~~~and WILMA~~
Hello so sorry I have be LOA............ I have had a full plate. My Bosses brother died and I made her take the week off and then she was already scheduled for Vac the next week. So I had to step up and make sure everything was taken care of because I didn't want her to come back to a lot of stress. I have been busy working out................... I am now down 33 lbs. So I am going to one of the best looking Grandma's when my DD has my Grandson in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!! We just had her shower and almost the whole church showed up. We started going to that Church when she was 7 months old. So a lot of people have known her all her life. I am going to try to be better about posting. I have just been so focused trying to stay OP. I pray all of you have a blessed Easter. I will try to get caught up and post to each of you!
Sami: Yeah, Congrats, Yipee! 33 lbs GONE...WIPED AWAY, ZIPPO, DISAPPPEARED...VANISHED...ok...how did you do it? I'm sure more that just I want to know.
EZ...I am having fun playing nurse to DH. If he does not feel my love and compassion...then I married a rock. I am praying that he sees how love and compassion for the sick and unfortunate is done.
Michele...I have stones picked out but I am struggling with Gary laying on the couch all the time. I keep thinking that I should be with him so nothing and I mean nothing is getting done. Today, I have to get a grip and clean and get stuff done around the house. Bills to pay, letters to generate for his business, floors to mop, a dog to bathe, etc. How are you doing? Much snow left? Still cold here but I believe in my heart that the warmer air is just a breath away.
Sunny...You disappeared! Come back woman...give us a graphic...a springy one. Pleeeeeeease!
Teel...I am imagining God holding and hugging you and as He does, his warmth is comforting the pain and taking the pressure off.
Margie...Thank you for prayers for DH's recovery. He has not his that wall of pain and I don't believe he will. I know that all the prayers that have been said over him and for him have helped. Have fun at MOA.
Wilma, Sprout, and everyone else...Where are you?
Have a Blessed Easter and Praise God for He Has Risen! Without Him we are NOTHING!
Location: I am from 29 Palms, California... but now live in Northeast, Ohio
Posts: 2,107
S/C/G: SW-245.5/CW-209/GW-170
Height: 5'5"
Good Friday Morning!
I am so sorry that I have been away this week, it's been so very busy for us. Monday & Tuesday I worked on a poster that the church needed and Easter Cards (it takes me about 45 min - an hour to do one card and I did 7 & the poster took a whole day) for my family so I could send off their Easter basket pkgs I made them ~ that was fun. I just put together small boxes with Easter grass, goodies and games and such... nothing special - just want them to know that I am thinking of them. Wednesday I spent most of the day catching up with some cleaning and all the shows I have been taping after 10pm. and didn't want to miss. And Thursday (yesterday) I spent the morning paying bill's, replying to e-mails and typing up paperwork for Joe and making copies for his choir. And so far today (Good Friday) I have been right here on the computer - catching up with my e-mails and with posting... I cannot believe that I am so far behind in just a few short days Saturday I will be cooking for Easter Sunday and Joe & I will coloring some eggs - we always color at least a dozen eggs together So much fun!!
In the evenings... we had a Choir practice for Easter on Tuesday @ 7pm - a Healing Service to sing for on Wednesday @ 7pm. And then we had a Choir practice on Thursday @ 7pm and then we have the Stations (re-enactment in readings), Friday (tonight) @ 8pm. Then we'll be going into the Easter weekend... Saturday night Joe has an Easter Service to do with the choir and then we have the Easter Sunday Services. Yup, quite a busy week!
Not to mention that I have been walking on my T-Mill every morning 5 days a week ~ faithfully I put in 7 miles last week and so far this week a little over 8 miles. I hope to increase the miles a bit each week to build up... I haven't lost any more weight, but have maintained what I have lost already. Moreover wt-loss... I have been feeling WELL and haven't had an attack yet since I began this program That is my Easter Miracle - my health!
Once we are home on Easter Sunday ~ Joe and I are enjoying Easter dinner here (at our own home this year) I cooking all day Saturday so I'll have less to do on Sunday... Annie (Joe's sister) invited us over, but both of us really wanted to be home this year. I am making Lamb and Lentil Soup and Stuffed Tomatoes with Pecan Pie for dessert (a special treat just for Easter). It will be a relaxing day for Joe after all he had to do over the week into the weekend.
Soooo... .... What are you all planning for Easter?
What's for dinner? Where are you going? Staying home?
*~*~*
Hi Gary,*Happy 24th Birthday* to your DS!! Thank you so much for the Easter wishes... back at you, Angie and your beautiful family! I am sure that you will have a wonderful Easter gathering. I DO wish you could send some of that nice weather our way! Even though MargieB is having nice temps (Southern, OH) - we are not (in N.E., OH). We woke up to a covering of snow on the ground yesterday and 30*! I would be pleased if the temps just broke into the 50's! Today they are calling for flurries of snow --- send us some warmer temps, pleazzzzze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I laughed so hard when you told the story about the batteries for your camera... you sound just like my Joe THANKS for the Bracelet site!!! I saved the site and will check it out after Easter when all calms down for me... thanks!
You mentioned the desert... Joe & I love the desert and the weather and the sunsets there! There's nothing like the sunsets in the west! I grew up in the desert, as you know (29 Palms, Ca), and have always loved it there. Allot of people don't realize what they are missing... there's allot of beauty in the desert, especially in the Spring when all the cactus are in bloom. And after a rain... awwww... the scent of sage fills the air. I do miss it and the sunshine, can you tell. Maybe one day we'll have a winter home out your way...
Thanks Sue! I know that you are praying for me, I can feel it I'm very happy these days too! How great is it to hear that MaryAnne is cancer free!! God is so good!! She is blessed to have you there caring for her - you do know that
You got 5" of snow!! I don't feel so bad now... I am so very anxious for Spring temps!! We have some green coming up in our gardens - every living thing is anxious here. I got some pictures of DEER just across the street from our home - 5 of them grazing!! I will post pics the first chance I get to show you how close they were to us --- in the middle of the day too!
Did you get your bulletin stuff finished?
Hi MNewton, Glad to see you back How wonderful to hear that your baby niece, Channon, has come home I will keep her in my prayers that she continues to improve as each day passes... once she gains her health, she'll have the world at her little feet
Hi Wilma, So good to see you pop in when you can... still not finished with your kitchen cabinets? I am keeping you in my prayers as far as your job promo goes. It will all work out, you'll see Most of my prayers for you are that you feel *less stress* over this whole thing - what will be, will be God will not let you down... you know that He will be there no matter what happens with your job
Hi MKay, I'm here I was so glad to read that your DH is getting better - you are doing such a great job caring for him. I know that can't be easy, but when you think about it, as you are caring for your hubby it's as if you are also caring for God... we are all created in his image. "Well done... my good and faithful servant." God Bless you!
Hi Michele, Have you heard anything more about your friend, Bruce? What he has? I have been keeping him in prayer.
I hope this post finds YOU doing well & just busy with Easter preps. Thinking of you and wishing you a most Blessed Easter!
Awe Teel, I wish there was something more I could do for you --- I will continue to lift you up in prayer You have been though so much God Bless you sweets! Remember... that you are NEVER alone... we are here for you. Prayer is so very powerful!
Hi Sprout, Sounds like that pup is keeping you hopping these days! I hope you have a wonderful, happy Easter!!! I am sure that you will... and that your puppy will continue to bring you Joy!!
MargieB, Yes, all is well with me and it's a super feeling!! I am so looking forward to the Spring and Summer this year and becoming more active outdoors, but it seems to be taking forever to get to US!! Send some warmth our way... ... ... The great thing is that we too have the birds singing and visiting our feeders again, that in itself is a hopeful sight and sound
You mentioned the flu is going around there... well, it's all around Joe & I too! Five people in Joe's family are sick with it right now and another 4 of our friends are ill with it... it is sweeping from one person to the next right now. So far Joe & I are still well Must be the great supplements I have us both on right now
Hi Sami, So good to see you stop in!! You sound so good and happy!!!
Wonderful job in losing 33 pounds!!
Come back again soon! We sure miss seeing you around!!
My condolences to your boss in the loss of her brother...
*~*~*
*Hello's* out there to all the MIA's
Maybe after Easter we'll see more of you come back
*God Bless You ALL
And Have a most Blessed Joy-filled Easter Celebration!* Much Loves,
SunnyD
<><
I am having a really busy weekend, so wanted to stop by and say Happy Easter! We are having an overnight fondue party with our teens, and another youth group from about an hour away. The two pastors have came up with activities, bible challenges, games ect. So that should be alot of fun, then after they leave in the morning I am helping clean up and set up for Sonrise service, we do a pancake breakfast after the 1st service as an outreach to the community. It goes well every year. Then I amoff to get fitted for a dress for my brother's wedding, getting married in August. Then I get to crash, before Sunday morning starts.
Teel-So sorry to hear things are not going well for you, and that you are feeling depressed ect. Prayers for healing coming your way. I agree witht he others you need to let the pastor know how things are going and how much you would enjoy some company.
M-kay- I liked the analogy with gethsemane, so true.
Margie- Computer problems I hear ya, this morning I tried to copy a picture and kept getting microsoft warnings, and had to re-boot to accomplish it, then I got here and it won't let me put any colors in, so guess its gonna be black. Blessing are the same anyway.
E.Z.- Hey bud, the sun arrived by afternoon, and melted most of that snow, we are suppose to hit the 50's on Sunday, I should have got ya going early, could be camping by now, ha ha ha.
Sami- Wow! Awesome job down 33lbs way to go! What a sweetie, insisting your boss take the time off, it is hard loosing a sibling, is work going better. How's the IBS, over all are your feeling good grandma!
Sunny- you posted the same time I did, glad things are looking up, yes I got the bullitin done I will share the poem I put in it for sunday. Promise to save me a piece of pecan pie, it my favorite.
Sprout- pray all is well with you, your family and koko.
Hi to all other MIA's! God Bless! Happy Easter, a time to reflect on the price our Savior paid.
Sunny~wow, you are a busy girl! I hope you enjoy your holiday with DH and please have a piece of pecan pie for me, k! That is my favorite! How did you learn to do your cards? Do you ever sell them? I'd love to order a few if possible. Would you make me a Mother's Day card for my DM?
Mkay~goodness sweets...........don't worry about that necklace. You just take care of DH and whatever else you have going on. I'm in no hurry.
I want to wish each of you a Blessed Easter! I'm going to stay home and have a nice relaxing day. I've been invited places but i don't want to deal with food choices and feeling a little antisocial. I have not heard from Bruce, i broke down and called him and he won't even call back........just pray i guess.
I did have a coffee date the other night with a nice guy named Eric. We really hit it off. Too soon to tell but i'm hopeful.
E.Z. and Mitchy - Hi you guys must have been posting at the same time I was. So sad an amber alert just came up for a girl missing taken by a neighbor, in Ceder Rapids. The guy that took her is on a sexual predator list.
He went right into her house, so sad. Kids aren't even safe at home.
This is the poem I put in the bullitin for Easter.
HE HAS RISEN
He was crucified and buried, but today the whole world knows.
The resurrection story of how Jesus Christ arose.
Some may question it and doubt it, but they can't explain or say.
Why after countless centuries, men still follow Christ today.
And they miss the peace and comfort that the Easter story brings.
The promise of eternal life and the hope of better things.
For just to know the Savior died to redeem and save all men,
and that because He gave His life, we, too, shall live again.
Makes all this world's uncertainties, it's burdens, care and strife,
seem meaningless when they're compared to God's eternal life.
And Easter, as it comes each year to wake the sleeping earth,
assures mankind that Jesus Christ has promised us rebirth
Location: I am from 29 Palms, California... but now live in Northeast, Ohio
Posts: 2,107
S/C/G: SW-245.5/CW-209/GW-170
Height: 5'5"
Michele,Nope... I don't make cards to sell... they take too much time and then all the fun would go from doing them if they become work, you know what I mean? I would be delighted to make a Mother's Day card for your DM I'll talk to you further about that after Easter, okay. I have several card programs that I use from Hallmark as a base and then I use embellishments (like for scrapbooking) on them. It's just something I liked to do - crafting. Nothing special really...
Sounds like you had a nice time with Eric As far as Bruce goes, sometimes Prayer is all you can do and that's allot!
I'm Back-k-k-k
) But I guess the upside would be that they'll be over and I won't have that facing me when I come back!
I will pray for your nephew. My friend that was killed in Iraq was in a hummer with 3 other men scouting...all perished in the bombing. I was in Washington for his funeral but I understand it was quite awesome...his dad is a retired fire chief so the church was filled with fireman, the young man was an explorer scout in high school for the sherrifs and was one before he enlisted after 911..so they were there in force....plus a great turn-out from our church...he was buried at a military site about 60 miles from our church and at every off ramp along the way there were firemen and officers saluting the family vehicle!! Quie a site and honor to an outstanding young man. Hope the sun shines on your Easter...we are expecting gorgeous weather in southern California for Sunday.
Saturday I will be cooking for Easter Sunday and Joe & I will coloring some eggs - we always color at least a dozen eggs together 
So much fun!!
That is my Easter Miracle - my health! 
Where are you going? Staying home? 
*Happy 24th Birthday* to your DS!! Thank you so much for the Easter wishes... back at you, Angie and your beautiful family! 
I am sure that you will have a wonderful Easter gathering. I DO wish you could send some of that nice weather our way! Even though MargieB is having nice temps (Southern, OH) - we are not (in N.E., OH). We woke up to a covering of snow on the ground yesterday and 30*! I would be pleased if the temps just broke into the 50's! Today they are calling for flurries of snow --- send us some warmer temps, pleazzzzze!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
these days too! How great is it to hear that MaryAnne is cancer free!! 
God is so good!! She is blessed to have you there caring for her - you do know that 
I don't feel so bad now... I am so very anxious for Spring temps!! We have some green coming up in our gardens - every living thing is anxious here. I got some pictures of DEER just across the street from our home - 5 of them grazing!! I will post pics the first chance I get to show you how close they were to us --- in the middle of the day too! 
How wonderful to hear that your 
baby niece, Channon, has come home 
I am keeping you in my prayers as far as your job promo goes. It will all work out, you'll see 
God will not let you down... you know that He will be there no matter what happens with your job 
& just busy with Easter preps. Thinking of you and wishing you a most Blessed Easter!
You have been though so much 
Must be the great supplements I have us both on right now 
Wonderful job in losing 33 pounds!! 
