Me On YouTube With A Cold

Watcher beware.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XQlCLO4XDE


Not a lot of fun. But a whole lotta ugly.

What.

What are YOU looking at?

Straight Talk?!?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I seriously feel like I have been in the Dark Ages out here in the sticks.  I mean, I knew about TracPhone, who doesn't, right?  But I had never heard of Straight Talk.  This is amazing!  Did you know that you can the power of Android phones, at only $45/month for unlimited use?  That means unlimited texts, calls, picture messages, and web access. 

That is LESS than half of what I spend on my service now.  I would personally save like $55.00 a month.  That's saving MORE than I would spend!  Makes one Feel Richer with Android already! 

We're talking smart phones, no contract, all the games and apps you need, for $45.00 a month.  We're talking touch screen, instant messaging, cameras, everything your fancy phone contract has for much less money.  The power of Android You can select a phone you want, and Straight Talk only uses trusted phone manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Motorola and Nokia.  I don't know about you, but I like that.  I've had an "off-brand" phone before, and it was not a great phone. 

So think about it:  what would YOU do with all the money you would save with no contract, no surprise bills or charges, and the freedom of monthly service?  I think I'd put it in a travel fund.  I have got a LOT of people I want to see across the country, and gas isn't getting any cheaper, that's for sure.
The getting richer effect has expanded... by LittleBard95

I just renewed a contract phone, but I will SO be looking into this when it's up.

Angry Birds

There is a game on what seems like every phone in America called "Angry Birds."  I do not know why the birds are angry, and I do not know why this game is so popular.  But my husband is an addict, and now, so is my 5 year old.  Nice.  Seeing as how it's about the only video game he is allowed to have/play, I'm like, whatever.

So I see on nomorerack an "Angry Birds" slingshot.  What 5 year old doesn't love a good slingshot, right? (I had to get 2 so my 41 year old child could have one as well).  So after watching the game a couple of times, Mommy had to come up with the home version.

I was pretty darn impressed with my architectural skills.

Jacob was in child-heaven.

The pink things are pigs from his farm.

It's a hit!

Demolished.

 

 

 

 

22 Things I HAVE Done

22 Things I HAVE Done

Last week I linked up to Mama Kat's Writing Workshop for the prompt 22 Things I Haven't Done.  Well, this week, I'm doing the same thing (linking up) but I'm writing 22 things I HAVE done. Check it out, and then join the fun and link up for yourself!

1.  I have worked at 3 different hardware stores, one when I was 16 years old, and I used to close the shop at night all by myself.  My how things have changed.

2.  I have driven a semi-tractor.

3.  I have been the first female Operations Manager in the company (and probably one of the youngest), had about 50 employees and LOVED my job.  Then I got sick and had to quit.

4.  I have been to the uppermost northern point of Michigan.

5.  I have been to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

6.  I have a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education.

7.  I have been married to the same man twice, without ever being separated.

8.  I have had a C-section.

9.  I have had 4 surgeries on my trach.

10.  I have broken a toe and the round bone in my shoulder.

11.  I have only lived in two states in my 40 years;  Michigan and Indiana

12.  I have caught a seagull on a fishing pole.

13.  I have also caught a crab with a fishing pole.

14.  I have been to Florida probably 10 times.

15.  I have been to the Grand Canyon.

16.  I have stood under the St. Louis Arch.

17.  I have flown over the Statue of Liberty.

18.  I have crossed the Continental Divide several times.

19.  I have been to Niagra Falls in Canada.

20.  I have gone to the loo outside on a 5-gallon bucket in October in the Rocky Mountains (at about 10,000 ft)

21.  I have loved and lost and loved again.

22.  I have some of the most precious friends on the planet.

Join the fun!

Government Control

I know, what a combo, right?  EXACTLY.  That's the point.  There shouldn't BE a combo. Oh my FLIPPIN' word.

So I went on my marathon errand running spree alone on Monday (dumb, dumb, dumb), and after returning 100 bottles and cans (yes literally), I go to the pharmacy to get my PRESCRIBED Claritin-D that is no longer covered by my insurance because it's "over the counter."

First of all, to ME, over the counter is a medicine like Tylenol that you can walk into a store and buy without any hassle.  Secondly, the only way Claritin-D  is remotely "over the counter" is because there's a counter between me and my medicine!  I mean, hello, I have enough trouble breathing, and now I have to haggle to get my allergy medicine.

Sudafed works.  That's just the way it is.  Combined with loratadine (the main ingredient in Claritin) it works even better.  But because a few stupid junkies want to make a drug out of an allergy medication, I have to jump through hoops to get it.  So I ask the lady at WalMart how many are in the box.  She says, "10."  I take one a day.  So that's 10 days and I have to go through this all over again. (And God forbid you try to get it a day early!)  I ask if they have bigger boxes.  She says no. I ask if I can at least get 2 boxes then.  She says, "I'll try" all the while looking me up and down with her one crazy eye.  She waits a minute after scanning my license.  "Nope."  To which I shake my head and reply, "Once again the few ruin it for the many."  She just looked at me like, "I do not give a  crap just sign here." Nice.

Last time I tried to get it my Claritin I couldn't.  Why?  Because the GOVERNMENT said so.  Um, excuse me?  Yah.  They scan your driver's license now, and they go by milligrams per day, so some random computer connected to some random agency with the government tells some random pharmacy clerk that I can't have my allergy medicine. Why?  Because I might be making meth.  Yup, that's me.  Meth cook.  Are you FREAKING kidding me????  So because SOME people figured out how to make something illegal out of something totally normal, "normal" people pay the price. 

It makes me crazy.  Why the HELL should I be penalized because some crank head makes drugs?  A 15 year old can murder her unborn child with no parental consent, yet I can't buy ALLERGY medication without hassle?  What a joke.

People drive drunk all the time.  Why not scan everyone's license to see if they have any DUI's before selling them alcohol?  Oh, I know!  They shouldn't let fat people go to all you can eat buffets (I can say this because I'm fat).  After all, they are probably much more likely to require health care that they can't pay for if they keep getting fatter....so let's make a law about that too.

And, I've seen people spend half their paycheck on the lottery...why doesn't the government  limit that?  And cigarettes.  They cause cancer. Why aren't they just simply outlawed?  Take another decision away from people. 

It's just ridiculous.  Why the HELL do we allow this to continue?  Seriously!  I mean what's next?  Standing in line for bread?  Can you say Communism?  I can hear you now...."C'mon, really?  Aren't you blowing this a bit out of proportion?"

Am I?  Am I really?  Think about it.  The government is controlling my allergy medication.  The government, because I'm on disability, tells me which doctors I can and cannot go to.  The government takes over 20% of my husband's pay to pay taxes for crap WE don't support or agree with. The government dictates that we have to wear seatbelts in cars.  I'm not against wearing my seatbelt, don't misinterpret.  I'm just saying....the government is dangerously close to controlling every aspect of our lives.  They already control way too much.

Okay, I'll step off my soap box now.  I'm just so tired of it.  Like I have nothing better to do than run and get allergy medicine every 10 minutes.  Too bad we can't make STUPID ILLEGAL.  Oh, yah, then the government would be out of a job.

Whirlwind and Updates

Sunday was my grumpy-I'm-lonely-feel-sorry-for-me-pity-party-day so I didn't post.  I'm over myself a bit now, and yesterday was just insanely busy, so here I am.  FINALLY.

OH my goodness.  I'm still tired from yesterday.  I ran a billion errands (give or take a million) and ended up at Wal-Mart returning 100, yes, one hundred, bottles and cans.  I thought my arms were going to fall off.  And that was at the BEGINNING of the shopping.  I actually had to ask for someone to take my cart out to the van and load it up.  And a very precious man named David did just that.  What a sweetheart.  Especially after the cashier from hell.  But that's another post.

Anywho.  I got home at like almost 3, stared hauling stuff in and putting stuff away, and it was almost 5 before I was totally done.  My arms are killing me from carrying all the bags.  I HAVE to learn to settle down! I always do way too much....but after you've felt like crap for SO LONG...I mean, last year at this time I could not even drive my van.  I was too weak to keep it on the road.  Unreal.

So today I'm filling jewelry orders (YAY!!) and tomorrow my sister is coming over to make jewelry!  How cool!

More good news:  my nephew Daniel is home safe and sound from Iraq...3rd tour I think?  He is back with his wife (my niece Jessica) and baby girl in Kansas!  YAY!
 
And finally, my dad is having surgery November 1 to remove the portion of his lung that has the cancer in it.  Please keep him and my mom and family in your prayers.  My dad is not in great health, but his surgeon said he is a candidate for the surgery.  I talked a little bit about this with my pulmonologist when I had my appointment and he said surgery is THE only option if you want to be cured.  AND that finding adenocarcinoma at Stage one is like winning the lottery.  SO.  His surgeon is the best in the state, country, maybe, I know 2 people who HIGHLY recommend him.  Please pray specifically against infection after the surgery.  Please remember also to NOT comment on facebook, but on my blog about my dad.  

THANKS!!! 

Five Minute Saturday

I missed Five-Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama, but I liked the prompt, so I'm going to do it anyway.  I'm not gonna link up, but it's basically writing for 5 minutes, no stopping, no editing, no back tracking, just writing.  The prompt:  Beyond

START

Beyond the prison of my body is the real me.  Beyond the four walls of my house and the 30 acres of nothing that surrounds me.  I'm out there. In my heart, in my soul....I'm out there.  I'm not here.  But I am.  I can't GET beyond.

Oh but how I wish I could.  I long for the days when I could go beyond the back door. When I could work, and go out and stay up beyond 9 o'clock.

My mind goes beyond.  My mind is still the same.  It's only my physical body that is stuck.  But it starts to effect the mind.  It's the ultimate betrayal.

My husband goes beyond every day.  He goes out the door, beyond the mailbox, beyond the driveway, the corner, the vet, the grocery store, and to work.  He goes beyond the small town we live outside of for conferences and meetings and lunches.  He could care less.  He wouldn't mind staying within.

But how I long for beyond.  Just out of reach. Just over the ledge....Just....beyond.

STOP

Just Some Funnies Today

I'm exhausted.

Enjoy!

22 Things I've Never Done

So today I'm linking up with Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop!

I'm 40 years old and I've never:

1.  Eaten sushi
2.  Been out of the country (except for the Canadian side of Niagra Falls)
3.  Gone scuba diving
4.  Put graffiti on anything
5.  Toilet papered a house

photo credit scottgood

6.  Gone mushroom hunting
7.  Gotten a tattoo
8.  Been to Vegas.
9.  Seen When Harry Met Sally
10. Gone on a cruise ship
11. Been away from my son for more than 3 days.
12. Driven a Ferrari

photo credit http://www.carsbase.com/photo/photo_full.php?id=45022

13. Gotten anything pierced except my ears
14. Had a daughter
15. Had a younger sibling
16. Climbed a mountain

photo credit peaceofmindonline

17. Hurt anyone's feelings on purpose
18. Gone crab fishing in Alaska
19. Flown in a small plane
20. Been divorced
21. Had a cat
22. Been satisfied with who I am.




Now it's YOUR turn!

Random Letters: Medical

Just to preface this, these are all based on my day yesterday.  Truth.

Dear Fellow MG'ers and U of M Staff of the Apheresis Clinic:

Thank you for your advice and trying to help me.  I am so thankful for this computer and facebook so I can ask a question that my doctors should know but don't, and YOU ALL do.  Thank you, thank you!

Sincerely,
SickOfMG


Dear MG,

You suck the life out of every cell I have.  You take my energy and happiness and stamina and sanity.  I hate you.

Sincerely,
Me

Dear Neurologists Everywhere:

If you are going to specialize in disorders of the muscles and nerves, please know what the h#ll you are talking about.  When I make an appointment to talk to you about my options of getting plasmapheresis (other than continuing the torture of using my veins with gigantic needles), I didn't expect you to say you had no idea.  Um, isn't that YOUR area of expertise?  I mean, I don't expect you to know how to RUN plasmapheresis, (although it wouldn't hurt), but shouldn't you have a basic understanding of the medical devices YOU have to order for me? Just a thought.  You've slipped a bit on my "favorite doctors list."

Sincerely,
A Not-So-Confident-In-Your-Ability-Anymore Patient

Dear Vascular Surgeon,

When my neurologist refers me to you for a consult on the network of veins and arteries in my body, and asks what medical device would work best for my physical characteristics, I am unsure as to how that is an "inappropriate referral."  I realize you are a SURGEON, but contrary to popular belief you are NOT God, nor can you part the Red Sea.  You COULD, however, TRY to lower yourself to act like a human being and try to help a confused patient trying to make her life with a hideous chronic illness just a little less hideous.

Sincerely,
A Formerly Confused Patient To Whom You Were A Thorn In The Flesh


Dear Interventional Radiology,


I am not just some random human being calling in and asking to be tortured by having a medical device implanted under my skin.  There may be a REASON I am calling, and specifically, since I had to CANCEL my previous procedure, rescheduling should not require a direct act of God.  Please stop treating me like a 4 year old who stole her Mommy's lipstick.  I know what I'm talking about, obviously more than you or anyone else in your department. (Except Darcy.  See below).

Sincerely,
Not A Sadist, Just A Patient Who Actually Knows Something About Her Condition.

{I have to add that THIS morning I called I.R. and Darcy there was as helpful as could be and had all the answers I needed. You go girl!}

Dear Hemo-Onc. Lab Person,

I called you because my neurologist's nurse called YOU in the first place to find out what I needed as far as a port for plasmapheresis, and YOU gave her incorrect information the first time.  She was not available, so I went directly to the horse's mouth.  All I needed to know from you was whether or not there was a port capable of handling the pressures of plasmapheresis.  You informed me that you could not legally give me that information.  I was not asking for the location of the Ark of the Covenant for crying out loud.  I was asking if such a device existed and if so, the name of said device.  You're taking this HIPPA thing a liiiiitle too seriously.  I don't think medical devices have privacy rights.

Sincerely,
Someone You Wouldn't Want To Talk To Face To Face After That Phone Conversation

Dear Local Pheresis People:

While I appreciate the fact that you do pheresis locally, and I don't have to travel 300 miles to get a treatment anymore, I'm a little concerned with the way you express your knowledge.  Instead of asking what kind of port I am going to get and declaring in a very concerned and skeptical way that it will not be sufficient for the pressures of plasmapheresis, might you suggest the RIGHT product?  Just a thought.

Sincerely,
Sick Of Being Stabbed

And finally,

Dearest CindyLou-Boo-Boo-Pe-Doo,

My sistah.  You have saved my butt once again.  You came through in the clutch. You had allllll the answers.  You made it "more betta."  Thank you for all the information you sent me and all the time and effort you put into finding it.  Oh, I do have to say though, when you linked the Backyard Chicken thing to the discussion of the port and plasma exchange I thought you had temporarily lost it.....until I clicked on it. I adore you,  appreciate you, and love, love, love you muchly!  {And I'm still working on finding the person who separated us at birth....have to get back with you on that one!}

Sincerely,
Kerr-Bear

No Kidding!!!

HUGE thanks to Kate from one of my MG groups on facebook for this:  Prepare to snort. The [stuff in brackets] is mine.

Some doctors are educated idiots ..............

1. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.

2. The patient has no previous history of suicides. [Really??]

3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

4. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 11kgs weight gain in the past three days.

5. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

6. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

7. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.

8. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.  [Maybe because she has you for a doctor??]

9. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

10. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.  [this would be MORE accurate if it was from an insurance company!]

11. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert but forgetful.

12. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

13. She is numb from her toes down.

14. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.

15. The skin was moist and dry.

16. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches. [Exactly the messages I get from my docs]

17. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

18. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.  [won't EVEN go there.]

19. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until She got a divorce.

20. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical Therapy.

21. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.

22. The patient refused autopsy.

23. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.

24. Skin: somewhat pale but present.

25. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall. [okay, if this doesn't make you pee your pants laughing YOU need a doctor!]

26. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

Monday, Monday

So today is HOPEFULLY the last day of pheresis with ginormous needles poking me!  We are hoping to schedule the port for October 28th.  That's between medical appointments and well before my craft show.  (Plainwell High School, Saturday, November 19....if you are withing a 50-75 mile radius, come and see me!!!)

Just kidding.  Well, not really...I'm just nervous about it.  My first craft show with my jewelry.  I get positive feedback, but who knows what and how much will sell.....it's like trying to make enough food for a party and you have no idea how many people are coming!

But anyway.  Looking forward to it.  I'll probably bathe in anti-bacterial and have several bottles here and there. Well, gotta get going...headed off to pick up a horse trailer to use for cows, and then off to pheresis.  What a combo, eh?

Peace out!

A Few Of My Favorite New Pieces

6 1/4"-6 1/2" Chunky green apple bracelet $10.00

7 3/4" MG Awareness Bracelet with Czech crystals, hope ribbon charm, snowflake charm and magnet closure $15.00

Made from all Swarovski crystals and Czech Preciosa, this 7 1/2- 7 3/4" bracelet is sparkly and gorgeous! $25.00

Multi-media purple and green bracelet featuring malachite 71/2-7 3/4" $15.00

Three large apricot mother of pearl stones highlighted with other natural gemstones. 7 1/4" $12.00

Blue glass beaded bracelet featuring chalk turquoise and Czech Preciosa crystals. 7 1/4" $10.00

I'm still plugging away at making jewelry in between medical appointments!  Geez.  Busy.  But it mellows me out, believe it or not.  As always, ten percent of everything I sell goes to the Great Lakes Chapter of the MGFA.

Tomorrow I have my last (hopefully) plasmapheresis with needles.  Getting a port, hoping that will make things easier all the way around. 

So what did you do this weekend?

Love This Song!

This song is by Sanctus Real, a Christian band.  These lyrics struck me in so many ways... please read them, and "listen" to their message.


I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

This song is amazing.  The lyrics remind me that I can't do any of this alone.  God has been with me every step of my journey, and He always will be.  If you are a busy mom, dad, aunt, uncle, sister, cousin, friend, whatever, PLEASE remember what is important.
 

TOO Much Going On

It's not that there's too much physically going on in my life...I'm busy, but I'm feeling okay (other than the sinus infection and bronchitis) MG-wise.  I have a treatment Friday, and then again on Monday.  Then the goal is to get the port placed before Thanksgiving, and have my next treatments after Thanksgiving WITH the port.  One can hope.

But I mean emotionally right now....Other than my dad being diagnosed with cancer, even though it's Stage I thank the LORD!  There are 2 others VERY dear to me that are at this very moment waiting for test results that could change their lives.  And mine.  It's so hard to wait, and yet there's no other way.  So I wait.  And wait. And pray.  And pray some more.  Not ready to reveal who these folks are because 1. I don't have their permission, haven't asked, and 2. there may be nothing to share, but I do ask for your prayers. God knows who they are and what they need.

And may I be so bold as to ask for continued prayers for me...Emotional stress is harder on my MG than physical stress is.  I can sit and make jewelry for hours and be fine....but the moment one of my loved ones gets bad news or is hurt or "messed with" in any way, the emotions go up, the tension goes up, and the MG goes DOWN.

I am so thankful that I am a woman of faith.  I do not know how I would get through this without knowing that God is in control, and that everything will work out for good for those who love Him and keep his commandments.

ANYWAY.  Just have a lot going on in every area of my life, and it's a bit stressful.  Jacob is learning a lot but has a lot of difficult questions because he is so smart!

The other day he asked me if I was going to have any more kids.  That is like salt in an open wound.  He doesn't know that, of course....But trying to explain that Mommy wants more but Daddy doesn't without making Daddy sound like a bad guy to a 5 year old is tough.  He doesn't understand all the nuances that go along with that decision making process.

And then this morning he asked why Jesus had to die.  Good grief.  I'm just pooped.  I'm probably go lay down in a bit.  I need to rest!!

On-Line Degrees

On-line degrees;  are they "just" as good as the real thing?  As some of you may know, I had been looking at different schools on-line, thinking about going back to get a Master's.  One of the sites I looked at was Walden University's online degree programs. They offered degrees in Psychology, which is what I was looking into.

If you want to learn about Walden, you can check out their website at Waldenu.edu.

Just remember, if you fill out the information, they WILL contact you.  I checked into a couple of other schools as well, and one of them (not Walden) called and called to the point of harassment!  I e-mailed them telling them to stop contacting me, I called them, finally I had to go on their website to a live chat type of situation.  So, be prepared.

I do think, however, that on-line schooling has an important place in today's world.

This is a sponsored post.

Another Day, Another Doctor

How I wish it was another dollar instead!  I can't seem to shake this stupid cough. So I'm off to the doctor this afternoon. I'm just not feeling the greatest, and I'm supposed to have 2 treatments this week.  I don't want to go.  I don't want to do it again without the port.  Last time sucked so bad.  Ninety minutes to place 2 lines.  Stab, stab, stab. Plus, before each treatment I have an appointment with a different doctor. Nice.

Anyway, you'll all be offering me some cheese to go with my whine in a moment, I'm sure.  I need carpal tunnel surgery.  My hands are so numb and painful in the morning....sometimes for hours. They hurt SO bad....and I sleep with wrist splints on.  I have forever.  But they don't help enough.  I've been diagnosed with it through an EMG (oh, those are SO fun!)...and I've tried the Cortisone shots....which I will NEVER do again.  Talk about pain. HOLY CRAP.  The shots themselves were brutal enough, but them for 24 hours I had the worst hand pain I've ever had in my life.  I cried all night.  It was HORRIBLE.

So I need surgery.  We've met our out of pocket max. for insurance this year, so it would be 100% covered if I can figure out how to get it done before Decemeber 1. 

Then, I still need the port, which will be covered as well.

Saturday I ran a few errands and had lunch with my friend Joanna, and I was just WALKING and hit my big toe with the heel of my other shoe, my cute, summer Birks that I bought in March or April that my feet are FINALLY not too swollen to wear, and the first time I wear them, I BARELY bumped it, and nearly ripped half my toenail off.  Started gushing blood, I'm in the bead store...good grief.  What else.

Could someone please just move in for about a month and manage my life for me?  I'm tired of doing it.  Ain't no letting up either.  Doug hasn't been feeling well for almost a month as well.  And getting him to the doctor is about as easy as getting a vegan to a pig roast.  So that just adds more to me.  Thank God for Auntie Shawn.  Jacob goes there twice a week.

Because I'm supposed to "live a stress-free life."  Um, yah.  Anyone who can show me how to REALISTICALLY do that.....I'll give you a million dollars.  As soon as my money tree starts blooming.

Turkey Dinner Anyone?

OH. MY. WORD.

If you have never heard a turkey you do not know what you are thankfully missing.  Never in my life have I heard such a racket.

At about 7:45 this morning, I hear a honk in the driveway.  I'm thinking, are you KIDDING me?  I was still upstairs, just waking up, Jacob hogging the bed cuddling by me sound asleep.  Then lots and lots of noise.  LOTS.  You can hear all this because the windows are open because we're having summer in October this year.

So I go downstairs thinking if someone is seriously at my house at 7:45, I am getting my gun.  Consequences be hanged.

So I search, and no one is in sight.  The dogs are going INSANE, so I let them out.  It is then that I realize the cacaphony is all coming from the turkeys!  OH MY GOSH.  My kingdom for a recorder at that moment.  I could have yelled at the top of my voice and not have been heard.  And there were only like 11 of them!  Three of them are toms, and they were all puffed up and their heads were turning blue.  Typical males.

I called Doug to find out if he was the one who honked (yes) and asked when I could murder the turkeys expect the turkeys to be gone. He said end of the month.  SOMEONE isn't gonna live that long....we'll just have to figure out who.

THEN, our meat chickens start CROWING.  Obviously there are several roosters in there.  They are so fat they can hardly walk.  THEN the neighbor's dogs start howling and barking. I'm like, whoever said the "country" was quiet, calm or peaceful has NOT been to MY house!

Of course after the turkeys finally shut up (throwing walnuts, pears, nothing riled them), they wander through the cow pasture and on down the road stopping traffic.  Shoot me now.

Then there is the fruit fly infestation.  Oh my GOSH they are so disgusting.  Where do they all come from????  Well, last night, Doug took the cover off the wonderful, delicious homemade apple pie that he had made the other day, and it was FULL of fruit flies.  I about hurled right then and there.  Did he throw it out?  Nope.

Don't worry, I didn't let him eat it either....

So during WWIII going on outside I'm trying to dump this pie without releasing 17,000 fruit flies.  So I took the whole dang thing outside and dumped it.  Saved the pan.

BUT:  I learned how to kill the little buggers.  Cider vinegar in a bowl with a drop of liquid dish soap.  The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, so they drown.  {insert evil laugh}  I've already got a couple in there, the rest are hanging out by the edge of the pool...but they'll take a dunk never you mind.

I have a ridiculous headache, I'm surrounded by fowl, fruit flies, and farting dogs.  But that's a topic for another day.

It's Official...I'm Insane

photo courtesy of google images moodyncheeky

Like I don't have enough to do, right? Oy vey!  I'm not Yiddish either, but whatevah.

So I went and signed up for NaNoWriMo.  Mm-Hmm.  I've GOT to get to work on my book, and this just might be the inspiration/accountability I need. Or, it may officially drive me over the edge.  It's a toss-up, really.

I may have to give up something...I don't know what....But I won't have any treatments in the month of November, and the only thing I DO have that is time consuming (other than living my life with MG, raising and homeschooling my son, running my new jewelry business, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, being a wife, etc.) is my craft show on November 19.

So yeah.  What IS NaNoWriMo other than really hard to say and type?  A grassroots organization that helps authors get books written.  I've seen other people do it, and I don't know ALL that much about it yet except that you write like a madman (or woman if you must be "PC") for 30 days and do word counts every day and people support you and cheer you on and rah rah rah.  So we'll see.

So tell me if this is realistic:
*writing a book
*raising and homeschooling a very active 5 year old
*being a wife and housekeeper/homemaker/heartbreaker...oh, wait, that's Pat Benatar...
*running my own business which involves painstaking labor and lots of it
*blogging as much as possible (at least 5 days a week)
*keeping track of the budget, bills, expenses, etc.
*trying to keep up communication with those I love
*daily quiet time with God

I think I'm I'm up for it.

What's that?  Who is bellowing with evil laughter?
It's not me.....I don't think....

More Scenes From The Farm

FIRST, a quick update on my dad:  (And again, please don't comment on this on facebook, comment here on the blog)...the nodule in the lower lobe of his right lung is the ONLY cancer he has.  The PET scan was clear.  The MRI was clear. His pulmonary function tests show he could live well on the reserve of his right lung, combined with his left lung, especially now that he's quit smoking.  The recommendation is surgery; I will keep you posted.  Thank you for your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment for both my parents and also the docs involved.

OKAY. Now, on to the bane of my existence here on the farm. (Other than the ticks, which, praise the LORD are gone for the year).

Yes, I know they look at nice and rested and innocent.  Ugly, but innocent.  But they are sly little creatures.  Well, sly not-so-little creatures. 

Jacob is trying to corral them.  Jacob is 3 feet 4 inches tall at last measure, so these are pretty big birds.  And I thought they were dumb.  HA! They continue to escape, but this time down the road the OPPOSITE way.  They walk all the way around the house, electric fence and all, through the COW pasture and THAT electric fence, and onto the road. Away they go.

See the two white specs almost to the road?  Yup.  The two troublemaking turkeys.  They are going to taste GOOD. Then there are other critters.

Moosie and Black dog.  Blackie had to go inside because he was trying to eat Stash.  (The bunny).  Moose just wanted to taste sniff him, but he would at least listen when you yelled at him. Notice Blackie is a good 4-6 inches taller than Moose.  He is having another growth spurt.  Oh joy.

Our "herd."  We have a strange herd, because we kind of count all of us.  But here's all four beef dinners cows waiting for Jacob to throw more pears in for them. Chuck, right up front, or as Jacob says, Up-Chuck, then Oats (with the white heart on his head), then Hay and Blackberry.

But the one we've had the longest by far is Molly.  She's my baby girl.

And she loves her baby brother.

Why I Love Where I Live

So yah, I know, the other day I'm a dichotomy. And I still am.  But today...oh my gosh.  Today, I could wish for no other place to live on planet earth than right where I do.  This was the view from my front window this morning.  I'm looking west, so the sun is just starting to light the trees as it rises in the eastern sky.

  If you look to the far right (between the white barn and the edge of the picture) you'll see crazy Bubba's burned out shell of a trailer.  Not sure if I ever posted about that....but that's a story for another day. Let's just say it was me calling 9-1-1 at 2:30 AM because his house was engulfed in flames and the police ended up finding him passed out in one of his many vehicles.

But here are more reasons I LOVE right where I am.

The view to the south

If you ever told me I'd live on 30 acres in the middle of nowhere with FOUR COWS.....I'd have told you you had lost your mind.  Yet here is the view to the south-east corner of our property.

Doug actually found an itty bitty color and leash so Jacob could take his bunny, Stasher, for a walk.

Watch our Derek Jeter!  Look at that form! (And the face)

A new trick he learned at Auntie Shawn's....going down the slide head first.  Lovely.

The very first time he could swing all by himself, and I was actually outside to see it.  Yay for me!  Such a big boy.

 

 

The pond (which keeps expanding) and my 3 waddling Peking ducks.  Love my ducks!

So there you have it.

You know what I was thinking this morning as I drove back from errands after dropping Jacob off?  God made this world so amazing.  So beautiful.  So brilliant and glorious!  He didn't have to do that. We never would have known the difference.  He could have made all trees grey.  The sky could have been grey (well, it is a lot of the time in Michigan anyway), the ground could have been black.

But today, I'm so enthralled with the beauty around me I can barely breathe.  The brilliant blue sky against the changing leaves....red, orange, yellow, and every shade and hue in between.  Glorious.  Simply glorious!

And He did it just for us.  So we could see His glory. So we could know and appreciate beauty.  Love it.

The Lake House

Thanks for the post, Kathy Shelton

My parents were really resistant to get satellite tv for the lake house because they said that’s where everyone went to get away from technology and really escape from life. I totally agreed but I knew there was more to it than that so when I ordered it I didn’t tell them about it. I got all the sports channels and wouldn’t you know it, now more of my family makes an effort to come up to the lake on the weekends!

As it turns out all the men were just really hesitant to leave home knowing we didn’t have a TV and since the best lake time is football season it only made sense. I sure wish I had thought to do this years ago because it’s great getting to spend so much time with my brother and his side of the family! Mom and dad still aren’t too keen on it but I think that as long as we’re together, even if it’s watching football, it’s a major improvement.

This is a sponsored post.

Three Years Ago Today...

I had to say goodbye to the best friend I've ever had. 

After an 11 month battle with metastatic endometrial cancer, my precious Linda went to be with Jesus.  My heart still aches from losing her.  Although I shouldn't say lost; I know exactly where she is....in heaven, rejoicing, knowing no pain, no tears, no sadness, sitting at the feet of Jesus...seeing God face to face.  I envy her that.

But my flesh...oh, how my flesh cries out.  Linda was the kind of person that loved deeply.  Not quickly, however.  She tested the waters, and once you proved trustworthy, she was your friend for life.  We had one fight in our 12 year friendship and it was the most horrible thing in my life.  It was like cutting off my own arm.  Thankfully, she forgave as well as she loved.  Linda would listen to my rantings and let me be my crazy self, all while sometimes chuckling and shaking her head at my mania.

She kept me grounded when I would have flown directly into the fire of my own making.  Linda was the kind of person that would be there when she said she would.  She was the kind of friend you could call in the middle of the night.  She might have been up anyway!  She was such a night owl!  Not so much a morning person.  Even I knew to stay away from her at work for the first hour or so in the morning!

While God sends people in and out of our lives, I think this was the toughest "out" for me.  I have had friendships fade, end abruptly for other reasons, some friends move, and you try to keep in touch, but eventually life gets in the way....

But Linda was different.  Nothing would ever have kept us apart.  I moved an hour away, but we still saw each other as often as possible.  Even when she was diagnosed with MS, she still came out to see me when she could.  As often as every weekend.

We always had Christmas Day together with Linda as long as we've been friends.  I think the only one we missed was the last one she was alive...and we stopped at her house on the way to my parents' Christmas Eve.  She had started chemo....

It breaks my heart to think of those last days, so I try not to.  How such a precious soul could suffer so valiantly...She was Strength.  She was Honor.  And Goodness.  And Loyalty.  She was Noble and Kind.

Oh, Linda, how I miss you.  I know I will see you again some day, my friend, and that has to keep me going for now.  But days like today...the hurt is bigger than the hope.
I love you my dear, precious friend.  For always.