Summer Update Part Two

Happy Fall! Seeing fall arrive is always bittersweet. It’s my favorite season by far, but I also know
what’s coming next and fall in this area can be much too short. Before we get too deep into the new
season, I need to finish updating you all on my summer. My first look back on summer can be found
HERE in case you missed it.

My summer certainly didn’t turn out as I had planned. I had a long list of projects I wanted to accomplish
as well as some time to really get my health and well being back under control. For the first time in many
years we were able to obtain health insurance which is all well and good except I was sent for all kinds
of tests because I had never had them. Labs were done as well as a colonoscopy. Without going into
too much personal detail my labs weren’t completely clean so I was sent for more tests and specialists.
All this as well as catching up on my dental and eye appointments. Instead of working on what I had
planned I was running the highway to and from the hospital. The good news is after all that, nothing
serious was found but I have to return in six months for some re-checks just to make sure.

In other news our garden was a bust. Very little came up, we think the Father’s Day storm that flooded
our area washed away most of our seed. We did get a few green beans, carrots (enough to fill two
freezer bags full), some lettuce and about eight or so beets that we lost when something or someone
broke into the garden and took every single one, leaving the greens behind. We certainly are not going
into winter at all prepared.

Today I did finish the projects I had to get done before the bad weather set in. I feel accomplished with
that. In the coming weeks in between my teaching and practice schedule I will be focusing on my fall
house cleaning one small project at a time. We've had a lot of gray, rainy days already that just make
me want to curl up next to this guy and forget everything else.

I still have a lot to catch up on, be watching for part 3.

Heart Ache - Summer Update Part One

A big hello to anyone out there who's still out there. I have so much to catch up on as the summer certainly didn't turn out as I had planned. I'll get to all that in the next post but for today I'll share the first of summer's disappointments.

I think I mentioned my friends plans to move. I'm going to miss them so much...here is a little bit of their story. About 15 years ago I was driving through downtown when I noticed a new sign on a storefront and the paper lined windows said something about a scrapbook store. I had picked up a magazine on scrapbooking a year or so earlier and was in the process of teaching myself the art. I was so excited to actually see a store move to town that would have supplies for my new found hobby. I remember walking by everyday and trying to see through the cracks between the big sheets of paper in the windows. I couldn't wait for them to open and it seemed to be taking them forever! Somehow I think I missed opening day, but I was still one of the first customers in the door and I won a door prize at the grand opening that I still have and use.

I met Mary first. I remember her greeting me and asking me if I did scrapbooking. I told her I did but was still learning and she assured me they could help me with that. I had no idea at the time the extent of what that meant.

Mary and Jeanne were a wealth of information and encouragement. They new so much about paper and stocked many different kinds that I didn't even know existed! They taught me new techniques and gave me tips and tricks to make my scrapbooks look their best, they inspired me with projects they were working on and encouraged me to try new things always supporting me in whatever I was working on.  They would offer table space in the shop for us to take our projects and work on them there. I used to love to take in what I was working on and spend the afternoon crafting and talking with Jeanne. Mary was usually working at the bank next door but she would pop in on her breaks and lunch. If one of them couldn't help me with something the other one could. I spent so much time in there we began to become friends and share more that just scrapbooks.

Due to the financial depression of our small town, they were forced to close their store. Gone was not only a great source of information, help and supplies but also the connection to other friends I had made through the crops and workshops I attended. As a result I formed a Facebook group to stay in touch with everyone and from that we formed our bi-monthly craft days where we gather together as we used to at the crops to work on our projects. It's been wonderful until now that our founders have decided to move to be near family.

Their house sold quickly and they found a new house right away. Before I knew what happened I was attending their final yard sale. We had a farewell party with as many of the crafters as we could pull together on short notice...what a bittersweet time. I miss them terribly, but those of us left behind have banded together to make an effort to keep crafting together. So far it's working well.

We're hoping for many opportunities to visit them and they promised they would be up for vacation at least once a year. One of those changes that life brings...takes a little getting used to. 

Stay tuned...I have a lot to catch up on. If you stopped by, please let me know so I can visit your blog as well. 

Nostalgic Hodgepodge

I can't believe I answered the questions to this weeks Hodgepodge and then forgot to return and post it. Well, I'll post anyway and see if anyone shows up. 

1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?
My husband's bow-flex because he never uses it and it takes up a lot of space.

2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.
I'm often nostalgic...last time, well...today. I had to say good-bye to two very dear friends last night and I'm remembering so much of the good times we spent together. Today is a very difficult day.

3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?
1. Gmail 2. Facebook 3. Messenger

4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?
I love blueberries and most things made with them so blueberry muffins are near the top of that list. Yes if I could have a muffin right now, it's highly likely I would choose blueberry. I honestly cannot remember the last thing I baked. I rarely bake anymore because I can't have the temptation in the house. Does bread in the bread maker count? I bake that for my husband every week.

5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?
I'm more willing to try something new on my own. I'm still an introvert, still very emotional and sensitive.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

God bless

                                 Happy Independence Day!

How are you spending the 4th of July holiday? I spent it trying to stay cool. It's been unusually warm for us up north...84* is too much for me. Fortunately Husband put in a small air conditioner so as long as I stay in the same room with it I can function. I did manage to wash and hang out 3 loads of laundry, do my usual cleaning and do several "puttsy" type jobs around the house....working on some of my smaller goals. It does feel good to get even little things accomplished. I'm trying to celebrate even small victories.

 One fun little project was this. I needed a basket to carry my bath items to and from the bathroom. We have a small bathroom with limited storage plus it seems when I leave my things in there, certain other family members use them. Since body wash and shampoo can be expensive, I'm being a little selfish. I looked high and low for a basket that would serve the purpose without being too big or too small and couldn't find anything. Finally at a friends garage sale I found this:

Not very attractive for a queens royal chambers so I found some antique gold spray paint and got busy! Since embracing my "royalty" I'm having fun with bling wherever I can and still be tasteful.
This is how my new basket or bucket turned out. From baseballs to...just cute! I'm very pleased with how it turned out. What do you think?

Of greater importance than my bath basket was yesterdays lunch date! 

If you have read my blog in the past you would know that what of the most important people in my life was my organ teacher/mentor. Approximately 2 years ago he retired from his position of organist at a local Catholic church and as my organ teacher. I have felt lost in many ways since he retired. I miss his encouragement, I miss the way he had of making me tap into my best self...he was the one who brought the royal out in me in the first place.  We have stayed in touch via text message and emails. He has been there for me through all the drama at church and has helped keep me from feeling defeated and kept me from losing my crown completely. 

Yesterday we were both finally able to make and keep a lunch date. I cannot tell you how wonderful that was! We started right in where we left off as far as our connection goes...we are close and that close connection remains. We talked mostly about his family history that he's been researching and about my church issues, but for a few moments we connected on something deeper and it is so good to know that it still exists when we need it. It's not something we talk about anymore...rarely did, but we know down deep that we are there for each other. 

He continues to help me hold my head up and my shoulders back so my crown doesn't slip...at least not too far.  God bless him. 

Summer Has Arrived Hodgepodge

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.
1. Clean house...every nook and cranny!
2. Weed the flower beds and plant wildflowers...I don't want to have to tend them again.
3. Work on my project list...there are so many things I'm trying to accomplish.

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?
Run the neighborhood with my friends. We'd play all day until supper time and almost like clock work we'd get rain during supper and when it stopped we'd stomp barefoot in the gutters for a while, then play hide and seek until after dark and the street lights came on or my mom called me home.

3. Rootop or backyard? Why?
Backyard. I'm not fond of heights plus I've never lived anywhere that had roof top access. The backyard has so much more to offer.

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?
Yes I do.

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?
I'm not up on the current songs and I haven't put a song on repeat since I was a teen crushing on Bobby Sherman! What I listen to changes with my mood or what I'm doing.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
I've been absent for a while but it was so very sweet for a new friend here on blogger to come looking for me to make sure I'm doing ok. I often get busy and forget to check in on Hodgepodge, but how very nice it is to have be en missed!! 

Hodgepodge Down Memory Lane

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Is there a flower you associate with a particular memory? Explain.
Two actually. #1 Red Roses because they were our wedding flower and #2 Pansies, they were my mother's favorite flower so they always bring bitter-sweet memories whenever I see them. 
2. Last time you helped someone? Tell us how.
Last week. Some friends of ours have a flooded garage so I let them borrow our wet/dry shop vac. Oh and Sunday one of our church members' hymnbook was losing pages so I taped it up for her. 
3. It's National Salsa Month (the food, not the dance) so tell us, do you like salsa? Hot, medium, or mild? Homemade, store bought, or from your favorite restaurant only?
We like salsa and have it often. I like all kinds but usually mild to medium. 

4. When I was twelve years old...
I spent all my free time with my best friend...we've been best friends since we were 6 and we're still besties to this day. I took piano lessons, sang in the school choir and was in love with Bobby Sherman so I spent a lot of time reading teen magazines like Tiger Beat and 16. 

5. It's the first of May so let's run with it-first things first, don't know the first thing about it, first dibs on something, first impression, first rate, first cousin, first string, first come first served, at first light-which phrase can best be applied to something in your life currently or even recently?
I will have to say 'first things first' as I'm always trying to get everything done and trying to make priorities in my life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm late in posting my answers this week...I hope to read some of yours this evening. 

A Call To Hodgepodge

Thank you to Joyce at "From this Side of the Pond" for our fun and interesting hodgepodge of questions each week!

1. They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn yesterday?

It was one of those situations where I thought I was the only one that was noticing something going on and it turns out I wasn't. I also learned The third movement in Tai Chi 9 "cutting through to clarity".  I'm learning how to do the walk with it, but I need a lot of work on putting it together. 

2. Have you ever had a now or never moment? Elaborate.

Probably but I really can't think of one at the moment
3.  April 25th is National Telephone Day. Do you still have a land line or have you gone mobile only? When you receive a text message do you respond immediately? Last time you turned your phone off?  In two or three sentences share with us a story/memory/incident from your childhood (or something current if that's too hard) where the telephone is featured.
We have gone to mobile only. It depends on who is messaging me or what they want as to whether I'll answer right away. I can't remember the last time I turned off my phone. Childhood? Well, I remember sitting on the floor next to our black rotary dial phone with the short cord talking to my best friend for long periods of time every evening. We had been with each other all day and yet we had to talk out every detail of that day on the phone each night and plan what we were going to wear to school the next day. 

4. Close call, at someone's beck and call, call the shots, call a meeting, call it quits, call in sick, call on the carpet, wake up call...which call have you 'heard' recently? Explain.
Today over breakfast my friend told me she is getting closer and closer to calling it quits with our church and moving on to find a new body of believers with which to worship. 

5. What subject do you wish you'd paid more attention to in school?
History
6. Insert your own random thought here.

I had Tai Chi class tonight and I'm so tired. I can't believe those small movements can make me so tired and relaxed. Night, night!

Rebounding

I think it best to start with a bit of a recap of the last few weeks. About a month ago now I came down with my first illness of the season; the worst sore throat and swollen glands I can ever remember having. Without insurance I'm not one to call the Dr. at every little sniffle but after 3 days of that kind of pain, it was time. He said it wasn't strep but rather an infection in my glands. He prescribed an antibiotic and prednisone. After a few days the sore throat and swollen glands all went away and all seemed well. Shortly after that a stiff neck made an appearance. Stiffness and tenderness has been a part of my  life for quite a few years now so this wasn't too surprising but normally I can visit my massage therapist, chiropractor or even work on it enough myself to get it to loosen but not this time. Two chiropractor visits and a massage did loosen it enough so I could drive without endangering my life but I just felt like something wasn't right especially when I started needing a nap every day after lunch! I finally gave in to making an appt. with my MD thinking maybe that infection took up residence in my neck somehow? Grasping at straws at this point. MD asked all the questions, felt around a bit then decided to take 3 vials of blood for testing thinking perhaps mononucleosis. WHAT?? MD said it was very rare in an adult my age, but wanted to check and felt it best so not to miss anything else. MD never said what else they were checking for and I didn't have time to ask but when I got home I looked everything up and liver and kidney were included also blood sugar. The wait was a bit disconcerting but the call came the next day and everything was normal. Well...good, but what's next? I'm to finish the prednisone which will be finished tomorrow and if I'm not better call back...as if I can afford to after an unplanned blood draw to pay for. I am feeling better but I'm still concerned that now I'm finished with the meds I'll be back to square one. I keep working on my neck with hot/cold therapy, my theracane and just plain stretches. It feels like it gets looser, but the pain is still there when I get it in certain positions....like head down. Strange. 

It's been an awful winter what with all the drama at church, businesses in trouble and just plain winter. One of the things that came to light this winter was the unofficial diagnosis of fibromyalgia. My chiropractor firmly believes I have it and after his own assessment, my MD said he agrees. 

I've been thinking and praying about some of the changes I'm going to need to be making. In our ladies Bible study we started this week in Joshua. I read about the ark of the covenant and it was obvious how important it was that the ark go before them as they began their journey. When priests stepped into the water of the Jordan while holding the ark, the waters were gathered up and the way made clear. Lesson for us? When we allow God to go ahead of us He leads the way, clears the path, makes clear the path we should take. 

I've been praying so much about how I've been feeling and it's so interesting how the Lord has begun to show me one thing and then another about how to fix me. 

I knew I was going to have to be intentional and diligent if I'm going to feel like myself again. This week I put my crown straight on my head and jumped in with both feet....literally.

In my research regarding what possible things can be wrong with me one of the things that I noticed was the lymph system. Well, that made sense seeing as how I had that infection in the lymph glands of my neck. 

I've just been feeling so 

                                                              CLOGGED...like everything is just stopped up and/or stuck. The best way I can describe it is I feel like a sopping wet dish rag that needs a good twisting ring out. So what to do for it? Well besides the usual, drink lots of water, eat healthy food, exercise, one of the things was  

rebounding. 

In my day we called it jumping on a trampoline...now it has a fancy name....rebounding. I have a mini tramp so I decided to drag it out. I had forgotten how fun it is to just jump up and down and let everything jiggle. It's important to shake, rattle and roll and just let everything hang loose and floppy, even the girls shouldn't be too restrained...so that's what I did. It did feel good like things were just getting shaken up in a good way. I also discovered it's good for balance work...good thing I had the presence of mind to put a chair next to the tramp...just in case I needed it....and I did...but not much which was encouraging. 

In addition to rebounding, 

dry brushing 

helps shed dead skin cells (and encourages new cell renewal), which results in smoother and brighter skin. More importantly for me, it assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. I added dry brushing to my list. 

Last year I did something very unusual for me. I enrolled in some summer Tai Chi classes. I found them to be good exercise and great for stress release but with my teaching schedule I couldn't continue during the winter months. Whether by coincidence or divine appointment my schedule opened up just as my teacher was advertising her next class series. I don't have much money to spend on myself right now, but I just couldn't pass this up so I signed up for 



Tai Chi 

and I had my first class this week. AMAZING! I'm still not quite sure why I connect so much to this form of exercise, but I just want to learn more and more and it makes me just feel good. Tai Chi is all about 

alignment; 
head, 
neck and 
spine, 
but also the alignment of 
mind, 
body and 
spirit, 

also balance and 


breathing 

which brings me to my next point. 

Several weeks ago the Lord has been nudging me to start singing in the church choir again. I'm a choir member from like forever. I joined school choir at the tender age of 9 and never left. I also joined my church youth choir and toured with both them and my high school choir for three years each. I was also in two ensembles at school and one at church. During my high school years I was doing so much singing my father saw to it that I take some voice lessons. When I went to college I joined up there too and traveled on tour with them as well and took some more voice lessons on the side. When we moved to our current home I joined the church choir but having young children at home I found the practices and commitment difficult, especially since I was playing the piano on occasion and learning the organ. I quit and hadn't gone back until this week. I went in very hesitantly. I don't sing anymore...haven't in years. I don't sing in church anymore because I'm playing the organ and reading three lines of music is enough to keep me busy, trying to focus on words and breathing just puts me over the top! I even stopped singing around the house for some unknown reason. It took me some time to remember how to breathe. I mean...I'm alive, so I breathe but singing breath is different...full, from the diaphragm. My mind knew what to do but my body wasn't getting the message. It took several weeks and probably some of the other techniques I'm discussing here to get to the point where I felt like I was doing it correctly. I actually finally felt it come back in church today...while singing. I suddenly could just

breathe.  



Singing 

can have some of the same effects as exercise, like the release of endorphins, which give the singer an overall "lifted" feeling and are associated with stress reduction. ... And singing necessitates deep breathing, another anxiety reducer. Not to mention the act of singing with a group gives a sense of belonging, community and unity. 

One of your blogs that I've begun following is entitled "Just Breathe". That's so important and so true. I have to take it a step further though...I have relearned how to deep breathe. Just breathing isn't enough, it has to be deep and full and with intention. For the first time today I am feeling the healing effects of full deep breaths. I actually read somewhere recently that people with fibromyalgia are usually shallow breathers. Interesting. 

Interesting too that one of the hymns I've been practicing on the organ this week is O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing which has these words: 

Jesus the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace. 

Spring arrived this week! 
I'm pretty sure this time. 

I ventured out one day at noon and enjoyed my lunch on the front steps. I still have the rosy cheeks to prove it. The sun bouncing off the snowbanks is quite intense but oh I sure needed that 

sunshine...

it went all the way to my aching bones. So healing. I can't wait to be able to walk barefoot through green grass again. Did you know that has a fancy name now too? YUP...

Grounding, or earthing, 

refers to connecting electrically with the Earth. A growing body of research is finding numerous health benefits as a result of the physical body being grounded.

Ok, so where am I going with all this? 

Whether my condition is the result of an infection or the effects of fibromyalgia I am seeing that I'm being led to stress reducing activities which tells me perhaps this is mostly a stress issue that could be compounded by the infection and fibro. 

I don't know which of these activities is helping me...maybe it's a team effort but I'm starting to feel better. I feel like when I stretch the stretch actually goes somewhere...it's no longer quite so stuck. Don't get me wrong...I still have a very long way to go, but at least I feel like I'm on my way and I'm praising

God 
for His guidance as He has gone before me, 

leading the way. 

Healthy Hodgpodge

Thank you Joyce from This Side of the Pond for our Hodgepodge questions each week! I sure enjoy these and I'm finally starting to remember to check in each week.

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.
1. Finish all my family scrapbooks for the sake of family history.
2. Get to a place where I feel good about my weight again.
3. Write at least one short piece of organ music to be used for the prayerful meditation part of our service.

2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?
I find rest in several places.
1. In my husbands arms
2. Sometimes it's just coming home...walking in the door.
3. Doing Tai Chi...just got home from class after being away for awhile and it's very restorative and I'm ready for bed.

3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 
Celery isn't my favorite to just eat, but I know it's good for us so I put it in a lot of our dishes. Soups, casseroles, and my green juice I make in the mornings.

4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day
How many of these are you currently doing? Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?
I think I do all of them from time to time, not necessarily every one of them every day though. They're all very good and I need to be more consistent.

5. Describe the view from your window.
That's easy...snow covered.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
Back to the Dr. today. I'm still looking for answers to my pain and fatigue beyond my normal. They drew blood today, hopefully tomorrow I'll have some answers and they won't be too scary. 

Thankful Thursday

I'm joining Thankful Thursday with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for the first time today. Thank you Rebecca Jo for this opportunity.

Several months ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It's been a very difficult winter for me learning about this condition and how best to help myself cope. Although I know what to do actually doing it is quite difficult for me. A few weeks ago I went from bad to worse and for no reason that I could see. This week it's been so bad I wasn't able to move my head up and down or side to side. I went to massage therapy and came out nearly crying then made an appointment with my chiropractor. After several attempts to make an appointment I finally got in and he drew a diamond shape with the top point being at the middle base of my skull, the two side points at my shoulder blades and the bottom point at my middle back and then proceeded to show me how my pain is all connected. He said I really didn't seem to be out of alignment but he gave me a couple of compressions to my mid back, said he wished he could do more and told me to come back in a few days.

So this is thankful Thursday isn't it. I'm not sounding very thankful, am I? Oh but I am! I'm still in a great deal of pain, but let me tell you I'm sooooooo much better than I was earlier in the week. I slept last night...in my own bed! I was able to stretch and nod my head! I have a long way to go and I return to the chiropractor tomorrow for hopefully a bit more help to get me closer to my normal .

If you know someone who suffers from chronic pain, give them a gentle hug or send them a card or do something helpful for them.

                            Yes, that would be so nice as dealing with this every day is very exhausting.

Hodgepodge-Volume 347

1. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan? If so what's a favorite you'd recommend to someone new to jazz listening?

I like many types of music, jazz included. That being said, I don't listen to jazz on a regular basis and I really don't know any jazz names. 

2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo...which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?
I play and teach the piano and the organ but I think I'd really enjoy learning the harp.

3. Do you judge a book by it's cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word.
I guess I do. If the cover is eye catching and attractive I'm more likely to pick it up. Some I suppose depending on what is on the cover I may not pick up at all. This goes for DVD's as well. 

4. According to a recent study the ten most nutritious foods are-almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don't think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet? Any you've never ever tasted? Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?
I already enjoy almonds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds occasionally, beet greens from our garden each summer. I have never tasted cherimoya, swiss chard or red snapper. I don't see myself adding any of those any time soon. 

5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you've celebrated with your people? Tell us how.
Last October we celebrated our granddaughter's first birthday with a party planned by her mother. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.
Well I'm feeling a bit better this evening but it's been a very painful week for me. I've had some shoulder and neck pain that just escalated yesterday. I wasn't able to get in to see my chiropractor but did see my massage therapist. It was a very painful massage, but I believe a necessary one. I had a miserable night last night but did get to see my chiropractor today. He really was stumped as to why I've had so much pain but was able to do a small adjustment. Neither of us felt it was going to make much difference but all afternoon/evening I have been doing some gentle stretching and I'm beginning to feel like I might just be starting to improve. Even though I must take care of some neglected house work tomorrow I will also have to set aside a good deal of time for some self care.