What I Know For Sure-27th Edition

1. My Iphone remains a thorn in my side with it's autocorrect.
It constantly texts gaga instead of haha.
It also likes to sign off to my loved ones with coco instead of xoxo.

2. In some instances though I love it, because it also entertains me.
Case in point... a text between Abbie and I:

3. Installing french doors when you have 6 grandkids, 6 years old and under is a recipe for filth.

4. Hotel pillows are now small blocks of torture invented by chiropractors to boost business. Well played Abbie.

5. The Febreeze balsam candle makes a pre-lit artificial tree the best thing since well, the pre-lit artificial tree.

6. I hate to wrap gifts. I have decided to wait until the Mayan calendar expires. No sense wasting valuable time.

7. I am sad to see The Voice ending but I am happy to welcome back Mad Men and Downton Abbey. Hmm... Adam vs. Don Draper...I may even add Bates' name to the list.

8. I handed Caroline her cup in the car and then her chicken nuggets. Next, I handed her her apple slices and she said "I cannot hold that, I only have 2 hands Grandma. I am not an octupus."
Truth from a 3 year old.

9. I have purchased Christmas cards and stamps. I am maintaining that it's the thought that counts.

10. I watched the Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton movie starring Lindsay Lohan. She should have been arrested. That was a crime involving the theft of my time.

11. Larry Hagman died so a funeral for JR Ewing on the next season of Dallas is pending. I will miss the white kittens.

12. Instagram is this lazy girl's version of blogging. Follow me  at janiefox2.

13. This gets my jingle on...

Baby Cliff is keeping his hair! 

 

14. Since I have a fear of heights Jackie helped me put up my Christmas lights since all the ladders were at Mag's house that's being built. Up on the rooftop Jackie  paused ...

 

Besides, I needed to hold the camera. Pajamas are the standard uniform when decorating rurally.

 

15. My Christmas to-do list is long but I am taking time to enjoy the preparations. It is about time spent with family and focusing on the true meaning of the season. It isn't important about how well the gifts are wrapped. That is a good thing since I pack the gift boxes and let Stuart wrap them.

 

16. I have discovered that Toblerone candy bars now come in mini sizes. Further proof that Satan is alive and living amongst us.

 

17. I am resolved to stick with the Holiday grapes. Satan...get thee behind me.

 

18. I told a friend shopping was a problem b/c I have 6 grandkids and I wanna get the moon for them. She said buy Despicable Me...he stole the moon. LOL

 

19. I am ever grateful for the continuing symapathy cards and emails of love and support for my family.

You bless me every day.

 

20. Merry Christmas to you all. God bless you all.

My favorite Christmas song...

 

 



Thank you

 

 

 

I want to thank you all for

the kindness you have shown to my family

following the death of Dad.

The cards, the text messages and all the emails

were so touching.

I would love to respond to them all

but it is just overwhelming.

Your love and concern

for us in the passing of Dad

warms my heart.

I cannot tell you how blessed I feel

by the relationships my blog has fostered.

 

 

 

 

 

We are all doing well.

Weird as it may seem,

these days feel easier than  our previous months/years.

Watching Alzheimer's ravage our dad's personality,

stealing him away bit by bit was incredibly hard.

We cried many times.

We lost him a little more every day.

 

 

 

 

 

Believing in eternal life through the acceptance of Jesus

makes letting him go truly joyful.

We know he is in Heaven,

our true home,

fully healed and rejoicing.

We are counting our blessings

for all the years we had together

and anxiously awaiting

the time when we will be reunited.

 

 

 

Hats off to you Dad...

you left a legacy of love.

 

 



My dad

 

 

 

(Fall 2011)

Monday night my dad went home to Heaven.

He was surrounded by his family.

We held his hands, stroked his face,

prayed for him, told him how much he was loved

and then watched him leave his earthly shell

and join our Heavenly Father.

We are joyful that his long ordeal with Alzheimer's has ended.

We are sad, but rejoice in the knowledge 

that he is healed and in the arms of Jesus.

Please keep our family

and especially our mom, Toots in your prayers.

With the holiday so close

and a cousin's wedding over the weekend

services are delayed until

Sunday and Monday.

Visitation is Sunday 4-7 p.m.

Funeral is Monday at 11:00 a.m.

at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home

in Shelbyville.

 

 

 



When things get hairy..

 

 

 

I love shopping networks.

I should never ever ever watch them.

 (shout out to Taylor Swift)

I watch and I buy.

I have just received my last purchase.

The no!no! hair removal tool.

 

 

 

Now, one would think the name would be off-putting,

but I was all yes!yes! and ordered it.

I let it fully charge and gave it a trial run.

The good news is...

I am now hair-free in all the appropriate places.

The bad news is...

I reek of burnt hair.

Bi-winning.

What I Know For Sure-26th Edition

1.  The new Village People commercial for pistachios is ridiculous. They spell out CRACK.  I saw it and wondered why that ad man wasn't fired. That's what we want all our kids doing... dancing and spelling out crack with their arms. What's next Meth? Total fail.

2. The Green Mountain pumpkin spice flavored K cups are the bomb dickery.

3. The candy corn and peanut combo is not allowed in my house this fall because it would become the candy corn and peanut cleanse. I am weak and my gut is now a light weight to sugar.

4. The holiday grapes(large red globe -Cerise from California) are my new candy corn. They are candtastic. They are probably sold out at the store. Follow me home. I'll hook ya up.

5. Caroline calls Cliff,  "Chiff" which led Abbie to calling him "Chiffarobe". Kinda seems appropriate since he is the size of a small chiffarobe.

6.  I have been trying to read a book for over a month. Every time I get going, I fall asleep. It is why I am a TV head. They make DVR's for that.

7. My washer died. My laptop died. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop die. I hope it isn't my DVR.

8. I realized I now need jeans with a flap on the pocket. I do tons of squats/lunges per week but I look like I have stood a bit to close to the fire and melted my arse. But, (shameless pun) my milkshake still brings one boy to the yard.

9. After living 30+ years just a few miles from a state forest I have decided to hike there.

10. Taking the Coopkeeper to hike on a unfamiliar trail just an hour before dusk without a cell phone or a note at home explaining where you are isn't the smartest thing to do. It encourages running, cursing and praying to get out before dark.

11. Caroline and I have watched The Chipmunks Meet The Wolfman close to 754 times.  She knows the lyrics and the choreography to the songs. I catch myself singing the songs when she is not around. I curse Netflix and my too-low-of-an-octive -to- do-the-Chipmunks-justice voice.

12. Maggie's salon did a cut-a-thon for the Angel Tree a couple of weeks ago. Annie and I donned elf hats. I insisted on playing Christmas tunes. I have been listening to Christmas music for a week before it and  every since. Sadly, I am not still wearing the hat.

13. I am an Instagram junkie. You can follow me @janiefox if ya want. I do more liking than posting.

14. Adam Levine was my boyfriend but I have deserted him for Richard Rawlings of Fast and Loud. It is a garage show...but trust me on this one. Man Pretty on the left. You're welcome.

15. My blog header needs a photo revamp. I am waiting for all my picture files to be restored by my Carbonite then I fully intend to change it up. Or I may watch The Voice and do nothing.

16. My main desire with the man residing in the White House after the election is that the man has the Spirit of God residing in him.

17. I am in love with the new show Nashville and I am not really a country music fan. However, I am a fan about TV country music.

18. When I am not listening to Christmas tunes this is one of my faves. It still makes me wanna dance.

 

 

19. Remember the bra quandry. I got fitted for a new bra by a professional. Well, someone who professed to work at the store.  I got 3. Every time I lift my arms the bra rises up over my breastuses. I am thinking the bra fitter could get a job as an ad man for pistaschios. I heard they are looking for good help.

20. I added a signature to my email so if you get one unsigned, no subject matter and it is a link...it is a hack.

All is well

 

 

 

Hello everyone!

Many of you have emailed me with concerns.

"why are you not talking??"

 

My laptop died.

The desktop doesn't do wifi

and there is no way I could do it on my phone.

I messed around with the old laptop

and finally conceded it was not to be fixed.

I got a new one this week.

Life is good.

I have been busy living life

and not taking time to write about it.

I jotted some things down to blog about

but never got around to it.

Lots went down.

Ollie was honored at a Cardinals game for

our family's fundraising efforts for

The Greater St. Louis Down Syndrome Assn.

Over 30 of us attended and walked around the field.

The fall pranking was a hilarious success

with us in full-on costumes.

Harvest is complete.

The Coopkeeper came for a couple of days

and got to help finish the last field.

Jackie and I camped with the littles.

I have nursing home stories

and grandkid funnies.

I was pretty sure I was going to retire my blog

but I decided to let you all know

I am alive and well.

I miss you but I am selfish with my time.

I workout every day,

keep the littles, love on baby Cliff,

go see the folks, try to maintain friendships,

spend time with my girls and my farmer

every hour is full...

and to be honest

there is a lot of great TV to watch too :)

Thanks for checking on me and praying for me.

Thanks for caring that I wasn't around.

I am going to try to get some things written down.

I get the feeling you people think you need me.

See what you've gone and done.

 

 

 

 



What's your name?

What's your name?

Puddingtain.

Ask me again and I'll tell you the same.

As usual, on Friday I had Maggie's girls

 but I also had Annie's kiddos

since she was in sunny California on Beachbody business.
I stayed at Annie's so the big kids could ride the bus home.

Late afternoon, the 2 bigs had gotten off the bus,

snacks were eaten and they were told to toss their trash.

I was laying on the couch with Ev and  Caroline

reading story books.

Aubrie was in the recliner coloring.

Ollie was napping.

 Penelope was playing 

in the adjacent kitchen

in the cabinet where the kids' plastic tableware is kept.

To say Penelope is busy, is an understatement.

She is a whirling dervish most of the time.

I say she is a baby terrorist...
always leaving mass destruction in her wake.

To the havoc, she constantly says "ah-oh"

So...I let her play in the cabinet.

It was making her happy and she was sitting still.

Next thing you know, Maggie walks in from work and says

"Mom! Are you kidding me?"

"Look at Elle Pea!" 

I leaned up to see this...

ah-oh.
Well, I at least I am free daycare.
I never claimed to be good. 

Perplexity

Well, I am in a 

bit of a quandary up in here.

After losing almost 45 lbs.

I am in desperate need

of some new bras.

The problem is 

the over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder

is now going to be holding pebbles.

I am in possession of a couple of

Genie Bras.

They are not doing the job.

They give me a uni-boob.

I have made one trip to the store

and I tried on lots of styles and sizes.

I measured my circumference.

I measured it under the breastuses (as I like to call them)

and over them to get the cup size.

I should be a 34B.

I went prepared.

Epic fail.

I want a wider side and a cup that fits.

My cup either runneth over

or I had back fat squishing.

It is too hard of a chore.

Undress... try on 15 fuhreaking bras,

re-dress, re-stock my options and undress

only to do it 3 more times.

This is too much of a chore.

I can't care.

I don't want a salesperson helping.

Jackie was in tow.

She failed me.

I failed her.

We both left empty handed

and uni-boobed.

If you see me out and about

just remember where my eyes are

and keep your eyes focused there.

These hoohas are going to be one.

Literally...

one long, sideways, not-so bodacious tata.

Yep, I'm bringing sexy back.

It's how I roll.

 

 

 

 

 

A child's wisdom

On Abbie's 2nd day of her hospital stay

she had a nurse who I referred to as Zilch.

It was indicative of her personality.

She had none.

Maybe she was tired, 

maybe she had something not good happening.

Either way, she was not good at her job on this day.

I tried smiling at her and being friendly.

She didn't reciprocate.

But that is okay.

Later in the day Abbie showed her the picture 

of Maggie's littlest, Penelope

sporting her new glasses.

 

The nurse said "oh, that's too bad."

Seriously?

2 of my 6 grandchildren wear glasses.

I think they are adorable.

I wish people could see the error in that kind of thinking.

Why do they think different is less than?

We are all way more alike than we are different.

We all want the same in life.

To love and be loved.

It hurt my heart.

But then Annie told me a story about Aubrie 

and my heart soared.

 

 

When she told Aubrie about baby Cliff

Aubrie asked "does he have Down Syndrome?"

Annie said "no he doesn't."

Aubrie asked "are you sure? Did they do tests?"

Annie said "yes they did and he doesn't have it."

Aubrie said "well, maybe next time Abbie

can have a baby with Down Syndrome."

Out of the mouths of babes.

(Aubrie's little sis, Ollie)

Psalm 139:13-14

 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

 

 

 

Little Big Head is here

Clifford Stuart made his arrival this morning.

He took his sweet time. 

Abbie blogged about it here.

I had a blog written and lost it.

I have been gone since Friday morning

and I am just too tired to re-do it.

I am thankful to be in my home.

This was an amazing weekend.

Baby Cliff weighed in at a whopping

10 lbs. 14 oz.

He is 22 inches long.

He is half grown and absolutely gorgeous.

 Caroline says

"he is the bomb-dickery"

and he truly is.

Best Grandparent's Day gift ever.

Thanks for all your prayers.

God is so good.

'Sup

We are still waiting on baby Cliff.

Or "Little Big Head" as I have taken to calling him.

Tomorrow Abbie returns to the doctor.

I reckon we will get a plan of eviction. 

She feels good and all is well.

In other news, my dad has pneumonia.

We got a late night call Saturday night

that he was on his way

to the local hospital's ER.

We met him there.

The general consensus was

 he aspirated and it led to pneumonia.

He was given 2 IV treatments and then sent

back to his facility with oral meds.

He is doing well too.

All I can say about the ER visit is 

common sense is not so common.

When someone is told they are dealing with an Alzheimer's patient

it seems to me it would be wise to leave

the said patient sleeping and just use the forehead thermometer.

It doesn't seem like a good idea to rip off their blanket

and then loudly say 

"Howard I am going to take your temperature now!"

and then use the forehead thermometer.

That tends to lead to a giant upheaval.

Also it is obviously "normal procedure"

to ask several times 

"How long has he had Alzheimer's?"

The family can answer "well he as been in the unit since March.

I guess  maybe 3-4 years."

But they continue to ask many more times.

I wanted to scream

"Why does it matter? He has it. 

Can you just focus on this problem for now?"

It gives new meaning to the term "educated idiot".

I appreciate that we were able to get medical help.

I now truly appreciate a good bedside manner.

This doctor didn't have one. 

Blessedly, Dad's pastor was there.

He does have good bedside manners

which led us to have them too. :) 

Also, I need a medal.

I have weeded flower beds after the rains.

My arms and legs look like I have fought cats.

The scratches make me look tough like a 4 year old boy.

Or stupid.

Next time I will wear pants.

Simmer down.

I wore pants...just shorts with gum boots. 

I am rural.

Get over it.

The men are picking corn so the chuck wagon is 

back in business. 

Roast and taters today.

Grocery store this afternoon.

 I'll keep ya posted on the baby.

Keep us in your prayers.

Over and out peeps.

 

 

Use It or Lose It Isn't Helping

I have come to the realization that I am not getting dumb.

I have already "got" dumb.

I have only one explanation... 

my nemesis Dead Estrogen.

I used to be an intelligent person.

I received excellent grades with little or no effort.

I spoke well and I could back it up.

I knew stuff.

I knew where Persia was on the map.

I knew Persia was now called Iran.

Currently,

I am not sure I could fill in all the states on

a blank U.S. map.

Honestly...

Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut

it is all a blur.

I am forever saying words that sound similar

and mean nothing alike.

Last week, on this blog

I said edition when clearly I meant addition.

I do it all. the. time.

I have jokingly said I have the 

vocabulary of a 4th grader.

In actuality, I have the vocabulary of

a dumb 4th grader.

ugh.

Last week I was talking to a friend...

yada yada yada

blah blah blah

(a skill I still master)

I was saying " I have a nice camera

but I don't use it much.

I like to be in the action and not the one behind it.

When I am taking pictures, I feel like I am missing the fun.

I need to take someone along to use it for me.

I am just not much of a picture taker."

 Seriously??

Picture taker.

Perhaps Janie, you mean photographer.

I have decided when I hire a photographer 

to follow me around to document my life

I need to also hire a public speaker.

I am getting a really smart one too...

one who has a 6th grade vocabulary.

Dumb or not, I'm fancy like that.

What I know For Sure-25th Edition

1. I was dying to see Hope Springs. I loaded up my sister and my mom. It was not the movie I thought I would see. It was good but not hilarious in a Steve Carell way. Word to your mother...there were sex topics I would rather not experience with my 88 year old mother. Right, sis?

2. I have opted to keep the auto correct on my phone. Many of you suggested I remove it after my last faux pas but then who would I blame for my ignorance.

3. Two times I have texted that I am excited about something, i.e. a party, a lunch. Both times I have sent the text "Obama excited..." Truthfully,  I have no idea if he is or isn't. But, I am thinking no.

4. I recently watched Forest Gump. With my poor memory, it was like a brand new movie. I now want the sound track that I am pretty sure I used to own.

5.  I have embraced the LOL. I  criticized it right here on this blog and now I find myself using it daily. What's up with that?
Never say never....next thing you know, Jennifer Aniston will find true love.

6. We have some rain lately and I have been given a hose reprieve. I have read with the extra time. 

7. My mind is all over the place. My husband says I am "like a fart in a skillet".  I think he is a romantic flatterer.  Truthfully, I am a bit ADD (self diagnosed). I start a task and leave the room only to return later and think "dang, I forgot I started that mess."
I went upstairs yesterday morning after I had been up hours only to realize I hadn't finished making my bed. My OCD is being trumped by my ADD. Someone get me a DOC.

8. I have a habit of reading 2 or more books at once.  I tend to experience character overload and can't remember who anyone is or the story line. I recently read a book on my Kindle titled War Brides. There were several women in the story line. It was character overload and I could not remember who was who and finally made a cheat sheet. ( see #7).

9. In the book whenever something was good one of the characters would say "tickety boo". I have no idea which one but I loved that. The book was not tickety boo.

10. I have started using my cast iron skillet again. It never needs washed which is slightly disturbing albeit time saving. 

11. Yesterday I found a half of a bandana hankie in the laundry. That only means one thing...the farmer was out and about and caught without toilet paper.  Don't hate...I know someone who wears two socks per foot for this very reason.  I am not $hi**ing you.

12. The company that is replacing our mattress has yet to bring the new one. We are sleeping in a full, rather than a king. We watch a bit of tv and then I move to the other guest room. We no longer fit in a full. The biggest complaint I have is "my boudoir" is now at the front of the house. Our room is at the back and much quieter. My other complaint is I have lost the "heater" for my feet.

13. I have written numerous blog posts only to delete them later because I am too busy lazy to upload the pictures. It takes forever and I have things I would rather do. Like finish making the beds and constructing cheat sheets for books.

14. An all-night-long howling dog and his barking cohort have made me consider digging out the BB gun. Don't fret, I will forget what I am looking for once I start digging in the garage closet. (see #7).

15. I am very in-observant or is it un-observant? I can't care enough to google. I am usually freezing before I realize I am cold. Remember I went all day complaining about my loose,floppy sandal before I realized it was my leg was numb. Proof of this, is I have now solved the thinning hair problem. It is not falling out. My glasses have a crack and it keeps catching hair and breaking it off.
Anyone need some special shampoo for thinning hair? Apparently, I am an alarmist too. An alarmist with an eye appointment for new frames next week. Apparently I am also a problem solver.

16.  Baby Cliff is due in 8 days. His mom is trying to force him out with her unending task mastering.

17. I was backing out of the garage and hit my mirror and broke it  off.  When I went to have the new one put on they had ordered the wrong color and the wrong side mirror. Luckily, they are not in charge of replacing our mattress.

18. Everett turned 5 on the 16th, Caroline turned 3 on the 20th and Penelope turns 1 today the 23rd. With the edition of Cliff in about a week, I think we need an August Santa and maybe twin beds in December for my kids;)

19. Penelope had her first eye exam and she is very far-sighted. She has two pair of glasses on order. In pink. (without the Tigger stickers, of course) Obviously, if a crack develops in her frames it won't be a problem.

Now, that's the money!

19. I am not sleeping well . I blame:
a. the idiot outside dogs
b. my baby who is  still gestating her baby 
c. the lonely bed. 

Let's  have a collective "you poor thing!" And now a  collective "get over it... at least you have a bed. Or  2 ...even if they are little and unmade."

20. I am off to force Abbie into a hospital-ready pedicure and pay $30 to be made fun of for my little toes in a secret language. Korean or Vietnamese...it still hurts a little (toe).

Golden Girls

Tuesday afternoons are one of my favorite visiting times

at my dad's Alzheimer unit.

That is the day that a sweet gal named, Ellen

comes to play music and sing.

The residents love it

but not nearly as much as me.

She plays all my old childhood classics

like Deep in the Heart of Texas

and 

I've Been Working on the Railroad.

We clap and 
I do my Edith Bunker impersonation.

Dad was even trying to snap his fingers last week. 
He is settled in and doing well.
He is content.
Mom has settled in to her new normal also.
When I go to visit,
I could look at Dad and get emotional
for all the things we have lost.
I miss him.
But, rather I choose to embrace the good.
He holds my hand sometimes. 
He talks about the cars he can see from the window.
I have also fallen in love with some of the other residents.
The staff is fantastic.
I never leave that I haven't chuckled or cackled
 at something that has been said.
I will share a sprinkling of the hilarity.
One day Mom was feeding Dad some peaches.
He looked at her holding the bowl and said
"well don't eat them all!" 
Linda and I died laughing.
There is a pair of sisters in the unit.
They crack me up.
Sometimes they are thrilled to see each other
and sometimes they are not at all.
One day they brought in the younger one
and sat her next to her older sister who cannot hear.
The older sister, I will call Maude.
The younger, I will call Hazel.
Maude says "How are you today Hazel?"
Hazel rubs her forehead like she is just not well,
like she is in pain and cannot stand it.
Maude says "Are you saluting me?
Well, I salute you too!" 
She salutes her and laughs.
I cracked up.
Another day I am sitting beside Hazel at a table
Maude is across the room in a muumuu covered in large flowers.
Hazel says to her "that's a pretty flower you have on your neck
and she touches her neck as she says it.
Maude say "is something wrong with  your neck?"
Hazel repeats " that's a real pretty flower on your neck"
again while touching her neck.
Maude says "does your neck hurt honey?"
Hazel repeats the same thing and again touches her neck.
Maude says " Well, I have a real good doctor at the hospital 
who can fix your neck."
I am chuckling the whole time.
I love them.
Another day a woman with a real Southern accent
(I adore listening to her talk)
says to the room of residents while waving her arm all around the room...
"Hey! Are all of you alright? Because I.am.not!" 
Cracked me flat up.
Another day she looked at me
 then moved her hand all around the table and said 
" Are all these chairs....er...um... electrocuted?"
I said "No, I don't believe they are." 
Try not to laugh when she asks you that!
There is a sweet lady who sings.
She talks mostly gibberish but is almost always pleasant.
She will say nonsense and laugh.
She is a sweet soul.
She was singing and talking one day
then stopped, looked at me and sang
"Did you know that you sucky sucky suck?"
My sisters and I busted out laughing.
I said "well, I do now."
Another day she was at a table in the lunch room 
when I arrived . 
She was napping but woke when I walked in.
 I greeted her and said
"Hi there. How are you today? You look worn out."
She replied "what?" in a gruff tone.
I repeated "you look worn out"
 and she snarled
"what's that supposed to mean?"
Ha!
 I just patted her arm.
Truly...I love these people.
I know my dad is in a great facility.
I feel blessed that he is able to live 
where they care about him 
and take such good care him.
Life may be different now 
but it is still good.
Silver Linings, baby...silver linings.

Can I get an amen?

My daughters have accused me 

of being dramatic.

How rude.

On Wednesday as I was getting ready to go somewhere

 I  became increasingly frustrated by the cowlick in my bangs.

After close examination,

I realized the hair was missing.

What the Hello Kitty was going on?

I remembered it had been weird on that side a few days earlier.

This was no cowlick tomfoolery.

This was time to call Bosley Hair Transplants.

Instead I called daughter, Maggie, my stylist.

She said it was not a big deal.

I called daughter, Abbie, my chiropractor.

She claimed it could be hormone changes due

 to weight loss or menopause.

Maggie looked at it and said there is hair

but it is short ..maybe re-growth

or maybe I broke it off.

Neither of them were alarmed

or concerned with my fate.

I called my buddy Jamie.

She knew what needed to be done.

She immediately started sending me images

of wigs for sale on the shopping channels.

Now, that is a kindred spirit.

For years I have said "make sure you marry for love,

because they all end up fat and bald in the end."

Little did I know it would be me that was bald.

Thank you Karma  and Dead Estrogen for that a$$ bite.

After all the dramatics excitement

I sat down at my computer the next morning 

and I read my daily devotion.

It was as follows...

 

August 9, 2012 Praise God Anyway Mary Southerland Today’s Truth Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him (Psalm 68:4). Friend to Friend I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today. She did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She did and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yes!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Now that’s what I call having a good attitude. Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits, and perspectives.  We can literally change our lives by changing the way we think. In Isaiah 26:3 (NLT), we find the promise, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.” A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise – and girlfriend, praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal. Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express our trust in God, then choose to give thanks, healing begins. Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is filled with praise.

 

 

Now that is God talking to me.

I am cool with my hair situation.

I will use the special shampoo Maggie got me

 and time will tell.

I may get a hormone.

I may go bald.  

I may take to wearing flowers in my hair.

But, no matter what...

I will give thanks for my life and the great blessings I have.

Even if I really do have thinning hair 

I still have Jesus and his salvation

and that beats any head of hair.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Ephesians 2:8

 

 

 

slacker report

I am getting to be a real blog slacker.

I can't care.

Yesterday was a pretty great day.

Awesome, in fact...

but I left it up to Abbie to tell the story.

 Go here to read all about it.

And follow her.

She's a chip off the old block.

Grooming Athletes

I have been down in the back for part of the week.

I wounded myself carrying tubs for the mustache bash 

and then escalated the situation
 with a poor attempt at some kick boxing.

Tuesday I went to lunch
 with my mom, sisters, and daughters.

When we were leaving 
I thought my leg was asleep 
from sitting too long with it crossed.

Later in the day,
 I declared my left sandal was too big 

and I now despised it 
because it flopped when I walked.

Only hours later

after I had showered 
and was greasing up my trunks

did I realize my left calf was numb

and so was the top of that foot.

Captain Observant I am not.

Dr. Abbie has adjusted me.
She has diagnosed 

it is my L5 that is ticked off.

Or Elle Five as I like to call it

because I feel like a woman.
She informed me as the inflammation lessens
the numbness will subside
and pain will start in my low back.
Yup, it has. 
That is why I pay her the big bucks.
Well actually I don't pay her but 
you get my drift.
 I have had to back off parts of my training.

Training for the Olympics, that is. 

My girls and I are gymnastic fans.

It comes from the old HS cheer days.

We like to think of ourselves as retired 

but still able to perform if we inclined to.
Shuttie and give us that.

When they were young

we would gather in front of the TV

with score pads and judge the Miss USA pageant.

If there was a gymnast in the talent portion

that contestant got huge props. 
We have a soft spot for the sport
and judging the participants.
We also are huge Cirque du Soleil fans.
Give us somebody in a leotard in a freak position
and we will pay big bucks to observe.

I am hoping to pass this love on to the littles.

Possibly one day we will have some tumblers

or even some true acrobats.

We are not ones to let a small thing like back jack

stand in our way of preparation.
Plus our uniforms are super fly.