Under the Weather

Spring and I were both under the weather for a few days.

It snowed again on Saturday, and it wasn't all that nice out yesterday either. Today was a bit of a dreary day, but it was a little warmer. I think it's supposed to be even warmer by the end of the week.

As for me, I've been dealing with a couple different ailments. But, just like Spring, I am on the mend. Hooray, I say!

Ending my post with this note: Josh's destination in Thailand is over 400 miles south of last week's earthquake, which was a relief to hear. Please be praying for those affected.

Bagging Over Wrapping

Lew and I made the decision to put Christmas gifts in bags this year instead of wrapping anything. Today I completed the task in much less time than it has taken us in the past. (Bagging > Wrapping! Hands down!)

 A brief update on Aunt Debbie: She is receiving palliative care. Please pray she will be comfortable and have peace. Thank you. 💗

Hurricane

I've tried to type this post three times, and I'm not sure what to say. Hurricane Helene has done major damage. Loss of life currently is reported to be 84. That number will probably increase.

I have subscribed to WORLD Magazine for many years. Their headquarters is in Asheville, NC, a town that has been devastated by the hurricane. Both of WORLD's buildings have had several feet of flooding. I'm praying that all of their local staff is okay.

So I guess this is what I ultimately should say in this post: Please pray for everyone affected by this storm. Pray for the emergency responders who will be busy in the days ahead. May God grant His peace and comfort to all.

Praying for USA

The song "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin provides a good start when offering a prayer for our country:

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home

As our friends at World Watch say, "Remember, whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand."

Thankful that God is sovereign. Always.

Prayers and More Prayers

I have dear friends that have suffered this past week.

For two friends, the tragic loss of an adult daughter/niece.

For another friend, painful side-effects from chemotherapy.

My friends know people are praying, and they are grateful.

God's peace, comfort, and love to all.

A Step Closer

Dad left the hospital and entered the short-term stay facility today.  He is there so his foot can heal a bit more.  Then he can come home.  It will probably be several days.  At least he is right down the street from us.  Easy to visit!

Sunday Update

Nothing too new to report on the hospital patient. His foot needs to heal before he can walk on it, so a decision probably will be made tomorrow about where he will be heading to rehabilitate.

Stay tuned!

Foot Update

Dad's foot surgeon called me after the surgery today. She told me she removed all of the bad stuff. ("Bad stuff" is my term; her words were more clinical.)

I spoke with Dad, too, and he sounded good.

Now it's time to wait for some test results, as they need to make sure the infection is under control.

So Dad probably is in the hospital at least over the weekend.  At least he likes selecting his hospital meals; he gets to call in his order himself.  Little things.... 😊

Dad's Foot

Dad is not writing his usual Wednesday post because he is in the hospital on IV antibiotics.

Tomorrow at 3PM he will get a little nubby removed from his right foot.  (When he had his first toe removed a few years ago, they didn't take the whole toe.  The remaining portion is what I refer to as the "nubby.")

The nubby is infected, as is some of the bone near it.  So perhaps they will need to take a bit more.  We'll find out soon enough.

So, here we go again!

Prayers are appreciated.  Thank you!

Sunday Encouragement

Our pastor has been preaching through the book of Colossians. Two more weeks to go after today!

The main topic of today's passage was prayer, which reminded of the best encouragement I've heard regarding prayer. (Can't remember where I heard it.)

Many people, myself included, struggle with staying focused while praying. Here's the encouragement:

Pray until you pray.

Have a blessed week! 

Praying for Mom

Dad and I both see Mom every day. When I got to the nursing home on Friday, she was sitting in her wheelchair! It had been a while since she had done that.

Yesterday she asked to "play games" which means to do her little jigsaw puzzles. She did a few with me and also did some with Dad when he was in later.

It was nice to see her sitting up, and it was nice to work on puzzles with her. But the current concern is that she is not eating more than a couple bites (if that), although she is drinking fluids.

Today was a difficult day. She didn't say much. I asked her, "Am I your Tracy?" and she nodded. Before I left to pick up Dad for his visit with her, I asked what her husband's name is, and she did answer... correctly, by the way!

Please pray that the nursing home staff can keep Mom pain-free and comfortable. And pray that her mind can be at peace. I made a sign a long time ago that hangs where Mom can see it: "Mom, don't be afraid. God is with you."

Friday... working on her puzzles!

Saturday Summary

Lew and I have visited Dad and talked with him on the phone over the past few days. He is still in the hospital and seems to be doing well. He especially enjoys ordering his meals -- room service! -- and has a good rapport with the staff. The big "wait and see" at the moment is an MRI; it's been ordered but may not happen for another day or two. The MRI is to see if the infection has gone into the bone in his foot, and we are praying that it has not.

My employer gave me a nice raise in my hourly rate of pay. I certainly welcome that. 😀

Maine will be represented in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA! The team from Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond won the New England Regional tournament. The entire state is looking forward to watching them in the World Series.

I've had some nice visits with Mom. The room change has been hard on her, but she's slowly getting used to the new space. I do think that watching some familiar TV shows has helped, believe it or not! We've also done the puzzles she likes.

I have a big old scratch on my right index finger courtesy of Jerry. It's time to trim his claws! 😼

A week ago today Lew and I attended a get-together at Carole's house. Dick would have turned 75 last Saturday, so Carole invited family and friends to a celebration of his life — complete with cake! We will miss him always.

Best Friends Forever

My husband lost his dearest friend, Dick, yesterday. His passing was unexpected and we are still feeling somewhat numb.

Dick and his wife, Carole, were our Saturday morning breakfast buddies. Dick and Lew also met with two other retired guys midweek for their "old man's breakfast."

Dick and Lew went Christmas shopping together every year, albeit in recent years their "shopping" day was more about where to eat breakfast and lunch! They played golf together. They went to movies together. They did household improvement tasks together. They cherished their status as BFFs.

We grieve for our loss, but we rejoice with Dick who is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So — although we will miss you for now, Dick — we WILL see you later.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of knowing this great man.

Another May Birthday

Today is my cousin Wendy's birthday.  She is almost a whole year older than I am.  (A year minus three days older, to be exact.)

Wendy is our family's Prayer Warrior.

I received a birthday card from her today.  I sent one to her earlier in the week.  We've always enjoyed celebrating our close-to-mutual birthdays.

Happy Birthday to you, dear Wendy!

💕

Perspective and Prayer

Shortly after I wrote my blog post last night, Lew came and told me about what had just happened during the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals game. Buffalo player Damar Hamlin had collapsed on the field and it was a life-threatening situation.

Perspective.  Things like this do remind us of what is important and what is not. As much as I like sports and get nervous when watching my team... well, it's just a game.

Prayer.  Until last night I didn't even know the name Damar Hamlin. But now I am praying for him. And I am not alone in that. I do hope he will be okay.

Keep praying.

A Good Decision

Today, June 24, 2022, is a historic day!

I haven't read the complete SCOTUS opinion, but I have bookmarked it.  The PDF file is 213 pages, so it will take a while to read.

I am praying for all of the life-affirming pregnancy centers. They have helped so many women and will continue to do so.  Protect them, Lord, and honor their work!  (I was on the board for our local center for eight years.)

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV) ~

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.

My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

Thursday Roundup

The Rockets' basketball season came to an end last night. They had a great year and we enjoyed watching them play. Coach Zach, we are already looking forward to watching your team next season!

The biggest news has nothing to do with basketball. Russia invaded Ukraine and we will see where this leads. Many are convinced that we are in the end times, and I believe that may be the case. (Although nobody knows the time except for God.)  People all over the world need to be in prayer.

On a less serious note, our dryer has been acting up. The timer has been very finicky about staying on and it has been getting worse over the past couple weeks. When I got home from visiting my mother yesterday, I reacted with an "Oh, no" when I saw what Lew was up to. He had removed the control panel of the dryer in an attempt to figure out if he could fix it. He has ordered a replacement timer, so we are now waiting for that to arrive. If it doesn't work, then we will replace the machines (will replace both washer and dryer). Considering both machines are about 30 years old, I would say we have been very blessed with their longevity already.

We are expecting between six and twelve inches of snow tomorrow!

9:02

On Friday (two days ago) our mail was delivered at 9:02.

You may be thinking, "Wow! That's great! So early!"

Ummm... that's 9:02 P.M.

We were slightly annoyed.

But then we woke up to the news of the tornados in the Midwest. Total devastation. So many lives lost.

The time of our mail delivery? Not really a big deal. Not at all.

Praying for America.  

🙏

Another Visit

Dad and I had another "hugging" visit with Mom this afternoon. We were the last visitors of the day, so we were able to stay a little longer than the normal half hour. Toward the end of our visit we did a short video chat on my phone with Kim, Joe, and Kaelen. Mom enjoyed seeing them.

It was great to spend some time with Mom, and I know she was happy to see us, too. It will be nice when we can start visiting her in her room whenever we want to. I'm not sure when that will be, but I hope it is soon. Praying for the pandemic hysteria to end!

Weary....

I'm tired.  I'm done with the pandemic.  May we please live normally?

Yesterday I pre-registered for the vaccine. Starting tomorrow, my age group is now eligible in Maine to receive the vaccine.  Once I am fully vaccinated I plan on visiting my mother and giving her a hug —  whether the nursing home is open for visitation or not. She is already vaccinated, so I don't know why I wouldn't be able to do this. What are we waiting for?!

Dad will have his second dose a week from tomorrow. (It got postponed from this Wednesday due to his toe-removal appointment that day.)  He wants to walk in and see Mom, too.  Maybe we will do it together and get arrested.  That would be a fun father/daughter experience!

Praying for this madness to end.