November 7th, 2012

Today is my last day in Florida.  I'm really anxious to get home to my family.  I've missed them and I'm ready to be the mom & wife again.  I'm finding that I'm way better at that job than I am at being a nurse daughter.

Should I feel guilty?

It's funny how women are always carrying some sort of guilt torch isn't it?  Either we're neglecting ourself or someone else.  For most of us, we're wired to feel guilt over it.

I'm so grateful that I was able to visit with my mom and help her….even in the small way that I have.  I know her needs are going to increase and be a little more complex after I'm gone.  But I'm so glad that I had this time with her.  For the most part, she has felt well.  Little bits of nausea here and there are the biggest issues she's had the last two weeks.  She's also been tired.

She's been a trooper!

I'm not going to sugarcoat my feelings about the election.  I'm sick over it!  Heartbroken!  I'll never understand how….it's just too much to process.  I couldn't stay awake last night to watch any results.  It's like the Holy Spirit put me out of my own misery (for my own good, maybe).  But around 2am, I awoke and checked Facebook.  I had a headache and that moment of seeing the end results only made it pound harder.  So, there I lay for the next 3 hours, miserable and far from home and all that makes me feel safe.

I wanted my hubby!  I wanted to be near my kids.  This whole being apart experience has put me to the test.  I hated it and I believe I failed.  I never want to leave them again.  They are mine and I belong with them.  I've missed them so much and have had to fight crying the whole visit.

Still, coming was the right thing to do.

I'm so happy for all the special friends and family I've gotten to see and visit with while here.  To name a few…

December & Greylynn (my cousin & her teen daugher)

Mom

Joy & Lamar

BJ (my brother)

Dorothea

Bill (my step dad)

Homer

Becky

Ms Carlynn, Jack & Robbie

Uncle Doyle & Aunt Teresa

Lisa

and in just a little while, my cousin Lucy!!  I'm so blessed that I had a smidgen of time with each of them.  I'll carry the love back to Indiana with me and I'm saying a prayer for all of them.  They made my trip a little brighter & I cherish them all for it.

So, leaving this sunshine and orange grove land behind…..and I thank you for your prayers too!  Next time you hear from me…I'll be back on Hoosier ground!

Yay!  Home sweet home!

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2012 Election Day

November 6th, 2012

Who cares that it's 29 degrees out here in Indiana.  My girls have spent many long days working the polls for their favorite candidates and this morning is no exception.  This is what they looked like earlier this morning as they left to do their part in supporting GENE RUDICEL for County Coroner of Jennings County.  They were all bundled up and loaded down with goodies to get them through a busy day.

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Oh and might I add….they are sitting in Ally's car!!  The one that has been dead to me since August 23rd.  Hubby and his buddy (thank you Pat) finished it up last night around 10pm.  I bet she is overjoyed to be driving her own car again.  Such a big blessing!

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Here's my little cutie Ally.  It seems the poll location that she and Gates were assigned is about 20 miles out in the county.  In the middle of nowhere's-ville.  Poor kids.  No big socializing out there, eh?  All business, all day!

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Check out my baby.  Isn't she adorable too?  Can you believe that girl is having her 18th birthday this Friday?  Yea, me either.  Oh and talk about a kid that was bummed…..3 days from election day.  Just missed that voting cut-off!  🙁

I'm happy that my kids love their country and I'm even happier that they get involved and serve in some way.  My prayer is that they will always want to do the right thing when it comes to obeying Christ and their government.

Today, as you watch the news and mingle about doing your part in this election….I wish you the best and pray that everything you decide was bathed in prayer.  Our very future is at stake.  May God be glorified…even through the electoral process.

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Lesser of Two Evils? Really?

November 5th, 2012

I admit it, I'm ready for tomorrow's election to be over!  It's been a long time coming and the ads are just about to drive me crazy.  Which says a lot since I'm a "political" kind of gal.

Let's just make it to November 6th, right?

I know I'm not the only one to hear negative comments about both candidates.  The strangest one has to be the "lesser of 2 evils" conclusion.  I'm baffled by it.  Really?  LESSER of two evils?  Come on!  That's a little strange to me.

I ran across this analysis today and thought it explained the difference between the two men so many are referring to as evil.  If you can't figure out the difference….I don't know just what it will take to convince you there is a clear distinction.

I'm dedicating a big chunk of my time today to praying for our country.  It's that important to me.  As a follower of God, I can't just sit by and ignore the needs right in front of my face.  

Excellent "lesser of 2 evils" analysis by David Barton:

I keep having people tell me that in this election, the only choice we have is to vote for the lesser of two evils. So, let me see if I have this right:




One is pro-abortion, one is pro-life; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is pro-gay-marriage, one is pro-traditional marriage; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?

One is pro-Muslim, one is pro-Israel; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for increasing debt, one is for reducing debt; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is against increased energy exploration, one is for it; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for violating the rights of religious conscience, the other for preserving it intact; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for dramatically cutting the size of the military, the other for strengthening it; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is against parental empowerment and school choice, the other is for it; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for appointing judicial activists to the Supreme Court, the other for original intent constitutionalists; so, both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for the government takeover of private businesses, the other for entrepreneurship and free enterprise and private ownership; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is for an expanded role for the United Nations in American affairs, the other for a reduced role; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?
One is against American Exceptionalism and wants to be like Europe, the other promotes American Exceptionalism and America as a unique, special, blessed nation; so both positions are evil, but one is lesser so?

I'm not sure that I get the "lesser of two evils" thing, unless folks are deliberately excluding all of these (and many other) serious issues and just looking at the ones they want to pick and choose. The fantasy of "two evils are our only choice" can be sustained only if one denies the above issues.

Mr. Barton, I don't get the lesser of two evils either.  But, I'm happy to say that I've done my part and cast my vote.  May God bless America and open the hearts of Americans all over these United States tomorrow as they step into that voting booth.
 

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Old Friends

November 2nd, 2012

It's been a day of hurry up & wait so far. Doctor appointments are like that sometimes. But when you're an hour and a half early…waiting is your only choice.

Clearly, I am an alien child of this early woman. Late is my middle name (my friends reading this are laughing). Why hurry when you're this early? Right? Still, we hurry.

When we arrived this morning for radiation, a surprise visitor stepped in the office to say hello. One of my favorite friends from years gone by, Homer.

The funny part is we passed him on the side of the road on our way into town. He's a Florida Highway Patrolman and had a car stopped for speeding. He wanted to give us a hug and share a word of encouragement.

Old friends sure are special. I'm so thankful for a long list of special people in my life. God has smothered me with great friends & family.

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Always a Kid

November 1st, 2012

Something that I've picked up on here (at home with my mother) is that you never grow up….even if you do age in number, you're still a child.  Parents will boss you around forever.

Not that I'm complaining!

It's funny how you just naturally listen to what a parent tells you and then immediately think, "I'll do what I want".  Even if you agree with them.  I remember thinking as a teenager how dumb my mom was.  Duh!  Oh, the ups & downs of parenting.  I'm seeing that same dynamic playing out in my own child-raising.  I can tell when my own kids are thinking…..I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

So, I'd guess it's all normal.  Right?

Today is day 4 of radiation for my mom and the effects are starting to rear their ugly head.  She's had a rough day but I'm afraid it's really just the beginning.  It's getting harder to feel helpful because with this treatment regimen no one can help….the patient just has to go through it.  It's all kinds of ugly.

Cancer is cruel but the treatments are…. even more so.

I can't tell you how thankful I am to each of you that have left messages that you're praying.  Thank you!  I'm really blessed and so is she.

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31 Days — Positive Attitude (Day 31)

October 31st, 2012

Woohoo!  I didn't think this month would ever come to an end.  I don't mean that in any way negative except to say…..the challenge to be positive and share positive attitude advice has been just that—a challenge!  But, I'm no quitter!

Real life stuff sneaks up and tries everything to rob us of peace & joy.  If we're not mindful, it can take every bit of our sanity.  I've experienced a few snafu's this month that have threatened to do just that.

Since arriving on Monday night, I've had limited sleep mixed with plenty of running.  The schedule for radiation treatments begins early and has around a 40 minute commute.  Each trip consists of stopping at a friends house on the way (about 7 miles out of town) to drive her Tahoe.  This is her gift to my mother since she can't take her to the doctor herself.  She wants to do "something" and this is what she feels is her contribution.  Today, I knew something wasn't right with the car as we cruised down the highway at 65 mph (I drive a similar SUV) and discovered after arriving to our destination that we were in 4wheel drive.  The whole way.

Awesome!

Funny stuff happens, even when life doesn't seem so funny.  I've also noticed that coming home after being gone 23 + years is strange.  So much has changed yet much is still the same.  People are older (me included) and my memory of who people are has faded.  Nothing seems familiar and driving all the old roads just makes me feel nervous.  I've been sick with a headcold & congestion so I'm not even feeling like myself.  My ears are pressurized.. it feels like I may never hear again and the coughing all night is a real bummer.  Misery loves company, right?

Did I mention…I'm here to help my mother?  Pathetic, huh?

Now to wrap up this series on having a positive attitude.  Over the month, I've shared many ways to beat the blues and cling to the positive.  But the reality of it is this….having a positive attitude takes practice!  Anything we want to be good at in life takes practice.  So, I'll leave you with a few tips for just that…

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY

WATCH WHAT YOU THINK

HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

LIVE FOR NOW

WATCH WHO YOU HANG WITH

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

GO FOR YOUR GOALS

LOVE WHO YOU ARE

TRUST JESUS WITH YOUR LIFE

Nothing that comes your way or mine can beat us if we're practicing such simple habits.  God will empower you and me.  But it starts with us.

Thank you for coming back and reading everyday.  As with anything you sign up to do…it starts to fizzle sometimes.  I know there were some duds mixed in here and there but I'm glad I stuck it out (and you too).   I think I'll be very careful next October.  If I participate in 31 Days, I'm going to be very P I C K Y as to my challenge!  Hehe!

 

 

 

Posted in 31 Days to a Positive Attitude, Royal Proclaimations | 421 Comments »

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