After resting all morning (supposedly) Mike was able to drive to a job site today that is about an hour away. I was of course scared to let him go, but one of his employees rode with him and he did just fine. I have him home now and he is fine and feeling so good about the day. He is fed and I hope he will rest the remainder of the evening.
It was nice for me to have lunch with my cousin (whose birthday is today) and my good friend from childhood. The three of us used to be the 3 Muskateers in grade school. It was so much fun to think of days so long ago.
We are continually thinking of those of you who have been so kind and considerate of us. Yesterday we got a WONDERFUL plate of brownies... A few days ago, a basket full of tomatoes and parsley... Soon, I will have cherry tomatoes and would love to share our bounty. Stop by and bring your baskets!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Happy
I think you will have to agree with me, Mike's post this morning was nice. It epitomizes Mike. He has the most positive attitude of anyone I know. He always tries to be happy. His happiness is contagious.
Having had another one of "those days," I did some reading about happiness. I read in James 5:11, "Behold, we count them happy which endure (or are steadfast.) Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and of tender mercy.
So... we are happy when we perservere, are patient, and like the Lord, have tender mercy or kindness. (Note: This is my interpretation.) I don't think I will wait until tomorrow to try this... I'll try to be more like Mike today. :)
Having had another one of "those days," I did some reading about happiness. I read in James 5:11, "Behold, we count them happy which endure (or are steadfast.) Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and of tender mercy.
So... we are happy when we perservere, are patient, and like the Lord, have tender mercy or kindness. (Note: This is my interpretation.) I don't think I will wait until tomorrow to try this... I'll try to be more like Mike today. :)
Positive Attitude & Rules to Live By
I don't often forward emails which are forwarded to me, but thought this one had some very positive thoughts and rules we can all live by:
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed eachmorning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiledsweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
I20love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year old
just having been presented with a new puppy.
Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.
Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.
'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.
I am still depositing.
'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred and fill it with love.
2. Free your mind from worries and fill it with happy memories.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed eachmorning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiledsweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
I20love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year old
just having been presented with a new puppy.
Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.
Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.
'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.
I am still depositing.
'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred and fill it with love.
2. Free your mind from worries and fill it with happy memories.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Grandpa's special day
It's been a lovely day... Thanks to everyone who encouraged the chocolate eating yesterday... It did help. I saw the shrink again this morning and he said it was very probable that we would have sad days. So with that affirmation, I will move on to today :)
It is my dad's birthday today. He is 82 and still going strong like a 50 year old. He is absolutely amazing! What a pillar he has been for our family for so many years. My parents have been so wonderful to Mike and me during this time. We thank them for it... I know Heavenly Father hears their prayers! We feel like we are in good hands.
A great friend of mine traveled 3 hours to come to Funcie today for a visit. We got together with a mutual friend and had such a wonderful afternoon. It was so good to talk and cry and share our love with each other. Friends have been so important to us in the past several months. We again thank each of you for your love and support.
Mike is having another of those GREAT days. He napped for a few hours this afternoon and is now back to work. We are curious about his new hair growth. We think we can grow a mullett (sp?) if we work at it... You will see the view from the back. Do you see possibilities?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Chocolate
The sun is shining, the humidity is low, the flowers look great after the recent rain, the tomato plants are huge, the mosquitos are biting, the laundry is done, a room is cleared out, Rudy is chewing on a bone, Mike just left for a meeting. He is feeling well... Goodness my life seems normal. I feel sad today. I am sure chocolate will make it better :/
A New Week
It is a cool start to a new week, but the temperatures are supposed to get to the normal 80s starting this afternoon. We had a wonderful weekend and holiday with Hannah, Allen, Andy, and Tyler's family. We had another meal at Nancy's parents' home yesterday to celebrate her father's birthday coming this week. We are sorry to see Hannah and Allen leave, but they are hauling furniture and attic memorbillia back to Albuquerque starting this morning. We wish them a safe journery and appreciate their visit so much.
I continue to notice positive changes with the decreasing steroid taper. I slept better last night and didn't wake up so early. I am down to the last 2 weeks (10 left) of radiation treatments. I still feel well and really not too fatigued, though I do seem to sleep more in the day than previously. Nancy continues to monitor my progress and I am grateful for her knowledge and expert care.
May each of us make this a great week and continue this journey with full confidence in the Lord's plan for our lives.
I continue to notice positive changes with the decreasing steroid taper. I slept better last night and didn't wake up so early. I am down to the last 2 weeks (10 left) of radiation treatments. I still feel well and really not too fatigued, though I do seem to sleep more in the day than previously. Nancy continues to monitor my progress and I am grateful for her knowledge and expert care.
May each of us make this a great week and continue this journey with full confidence in the Lord's plan for our lives.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Welcome, welcome Sabbath Morning
The title of this post comes from an old hymn we used to sing,,, "Welcome, welcomme Sabbath morning, now we rest from every care, welcome, welcome, is thy dawning, Holy Sabbath Day of Prayer." (sorry that is the limit of my memory of the words). I love the Sabbath Day. Today, our church rejoices together in a day of fast where we don't eat for 2 meals and spend more intensive time in prayer and thanksgiving. It is a humbling experience as we fast and grow closer to God. The equivilent cost of the meal is donated to the church to assist the poor. We all win as we gain humility and the poor are provided with funds to put food on their tables. Isn't that a great plan? Though some may not be able to fast because of medical conditions, we still have a time of prayer and offer a contribution for the poor. I'm sure most churches have a way to distribute to the poor, but this costs nothing to the giver since we are not eating that food anyway. Contributions to a food pantry would be appropriate, if you choose to participate. What a perfect plan!
Yesterday was a good day with our kids. I worked most the morning at the office (just like good old Saturdays or holidays) and accomplished much without the phone or visitors. Alan and I picked up a rental truck and went to the the movie, Star Trek, in the afternoon, but I couldn't completely follow the story because of some power naps during the show. I hope I didn'tembarrass my son-in-law. It did have some ties to my old TV days with Kirk and Spock and some great special effects. The girls chose another show and went to a fabric store. The evening was spent packing a truck with the "stuff" from a spare bedroom and attic memories of Hannah's stuff. We enjoy an occasional trip down memory lane.
We look forward to another beautiful Sabbath day to worship together and have another family meal. This weekend is going much too quickly.
Yesterday was a good day with our kids. I worked most the morning at the office (just like good old Saturdays or holidays) and accomplished much without the phone or visitors. Alan and I picked up a rental truck and went to the the movie, Star Trek, in the afternoon, but I couldn't completely follow the story because of some power naps during the show. I hope I didn'tembarrass my son-in-law. It did have some ties to my old TV days with Kirk and Spock and some great special effects. The girls chose another show and went to a fabric store. The evening was spent packing a truck with the "stuff" from a spare bedroom and attic memories of Hannah's stuff. We enjoy an occasional trip down memory lane.
We look forward to another beautiful Sabbath day to worship together and have another family meal. This weekend is going much too quickly.
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