Did You Unplug?

I unplugged what about you. What were you doing? I was at the Shands Endoscopy Center with my daughter for her colonoscopy. What a day! I was hoping for good news, and it was not that great. Her colon looks as bad as it has previously and the Dr. says something better must be done. She will have some tough decisions. The preferred treatment is either Humira or Remicade and this could cause other problems but is the best alternative at this point. She has also been offered the opportunity to participate in some drug trials that are going on. If her insurance will not cover the other treatments this will most likely be the treatment preference. See she does for sure have Ulcerative Colitis and many drugs that treat Crohns even though similar to UC are not approved for UC. The effects of both diseases are almost identical so who can figure why it is approved for one and not the other.
Being totally honest it has been difficult to plug back in. If I had not just completed the Esther Bible study reminding me that God has a perfect plan in all of this, I would be in despair. I continue to tell myself that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord, and that does mean all things! I will keep looking to Him, the only one who holds all the answers. I may be a little slow getting there, but I will plug back in. I subbed again today and tomorrow and have a busy week ahead. I just wanted to update all of you wonderful ladies who have been praying. Thank you so much. I couldn't do it without the prayers of all of you and so many others that are praying. Have a blessed week, and hope to be back with some fun stuff soon! Jackie

Another Colonoscopy

Some title huh? Yes, I am off to my daughter's tomorrow to go with her for another colonoscopy. I was trying to remember just how many there have been, and thinking she is far too young to have had to do this over and over again. As always, I will be praying for a better than hoped for report. I didn't realize until the two of us talked the other week, that we have been doing this together for 9 years, with the exception of actually being able to skip last year. It has been hard, but we do have some pretty funny memories together. She is the one to tell me sometimes you just have to laugh to get through it. I have actually had a harder time laughing than she has. This time there is talk of a drug treatment that I am not excited about. The hardest part for me, is knowing that God CAN heal her, but His answer has been NO. I shared with another friend that His ways are not my ways, and although I don't understand, he always knows best. I will be away until Monday, so have a wonderful weekend. Jackie

Life and Style Makeover

Over at Project Create a Home they are having a life and style makeover giveaway. We are to enter our best story as to why we need to win this. Well here goes.

First of all I would like to say that I am no more deserving of this makeover than any of the others. We all need a little lift and help from friends, from time to time.
This is one of those times for me. Last January I became a true Empty Nester. i had been forewarned by many that I should prepare for this and in some ways I did. I did not expect the emotional adjustment that it would be.
I am at the place where some things in my life are in desperate need of a makeover. My health and physical appearance as well as some much needed updating that needs to be done around the house.
Even though my daughter is married now, her health is still a concern as I have shared in recent posts. This takes me in yet another direction. I could definitely use some help getting focused at home, and could use some much needed, helpful advice to make some budget friendly updates and changes around the house.
I would like for my home to be warm, friendly and inviting so others feel welcome and at home too. I am on a limited budget since we also have a son in college. I definitely could use the help and inspiration to get my creativity flowing once again. This girl would be grateful to win this prize! Jackie

Spring Is On The Way and.....

.....and I hope that I don't miss it!

This is how things are shaping up for me the next few weeks. I have subbed every day this week, which I said I absolutely would not do, no way, no how! but I did. My sweet guy is still on 12 days of night shift, so we just about see each other in passing.

Tuesday as soon as he arrives home, we will leave for the dentist 2 hours away, needless to say he will be sleeping on the way, and probably while in the chair, and as much as he can. He will then go to work Wed night.

I will leave Thursday to drive to my daughters 3 hours in the other direction. We will go on Friday about an hour and a half a way for her colonoscopy. I have not given the latest update, so here goes. After her appt on Wed the Dr thinks she has been misdiagnosed and probably actually has Crohns Disease, not a lot of difference, just tends to penetrate more than the lining of the colon. They are suggesting a major treatment, and this is one of those things I am just going to have to trust God with. Ideally we would like some better than expected news. I don't want to wear you all out, but please continue to pray.

I will return home probably Sunday. Possibly subbing on Monday and Friday. I will then go to my son's Saturday for several days of clean up and work. We have rented his townhouse out for the master's golf tournament, and we will be cleaning to prepare for the arrival of guests. I will then travel to my moms another hour north for a brief visit, and then return home some time, well who knows. I will have to check my sub schedule.

I am thankful for the opportunity to sub, be there for my daughter, and that we have rented the townhouse, as it will help since we have lost the roommate. I just get a little tired thinking about all of it. The driving is what wears me out. I hope somewhere in there I will have a little time to get some spring fluffing done. Hopefully I will be posting a little too. Have a blessed weekend!

Jackie

Feels Like Spring......

.....and I feel like this!

I am really trying to get in the mood. The weather here was gorgeous today, but I am just give out! After not sleeping well the night my sweet daughter was in the ER, it is all catching up with me, not to mention, I have been subbing almost every day. I said I would not commit the two days I have free this week, and I have already committed to one of those days.

In other news, I was pretty excited about something here called Peaches to Beaches. It is supposed to be a small version of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale". Well I hit one small section and it was pretty disappointing. I told my husband, I have never seen so much over-priced junk in all my life. I did however have a few finds that I felt were a bargain....

My first purchase. These funky(you might say ugly) Yellow Box Suede Maryjane type shoes. Brand new with a price sticker of $37 on the box for $10. I know not a major bargain, but I am a real shoe person, and this brand shoe around here rarely goes on sale. Not to mention they have a little bit of heel and they are comfortable.

These note cards from the same person for $1 a pack. I thought of stamping something in the block on the front, initial, word, etc. They had a sticker of $10. I had to think about $1 much less $10!

A couple of cute fabric remnants.

The bargain of the day was this little glass cover for 25 cents.

Thanks again for all of the prayers for my daughter. She is doing much better, but still experiencing being sick at her stomach without warning. She will be seeing the Dr tomorrow. She seems to be doing much better at handling stress, which is most likely what has triggered this. Please pray if it is God's will that her stomach will return to normal mode soon. She is most grateful for all of your prayers. Have a blessed week! Jackie

Another Update

Thank you so much for all of the prayers. My daughter finally got seen in the ER last night around 4:45 and the strange thing is that I woke up at that exact time and prayed. I did not here from them until around 6:30 this AM. The good news is that the inflammation seems to be confined to the lower part of the colon and there was no indication of infection. They have started her on some Meds(no steroids this time) and we are praising God for that! Her hemoglobin was also the highest that it has been in about 9 years, which is an absolute miracle of God. The highest it has been in that period of time was around 8.5 right after iron infusions. Going to the ER has enabled her to be able to see the new GI Dr where she lives now much sooner than anticipated. She will be having a follow up next Wed. I ask that you pray that she respond well to this medication and quickly. She is tired and weak, but doing well, and was so excited about the hemoglobin results. You see this is the best news we have ever received since she has had this disease, so she has had great progress and we are so thankful.

God is good all the time, and again I just want to say I am blessed beyond all I could think or ask. We have had several curves thrown at us this week, and God just keeps showing his faithfulness to us. Thanks again girls! Jackie

UPDATE

Still don't know a lot Ansley's husband said they saw a DR about 4:45 this AM and they are thinking she is having a flare up. They are getting ready to do a CAT scan and we will know more later today. I appreciate all of your prayers and she does too! Please continue to pray, and I will keep you posted. Jackie

Emergency Prayer Request !

Remember this beautiful bride that I was telling you about in January(along w/ handsome husband)? Well what I haven't shared is that she has been diagnosed with a disease called Ulcerative Colitis. She has had this, and has had some terrible bouts with the disease since she was a senior in high school. Well, we have been praising God because she has been symptom free for over a year and a half. She should be arriving at the hospital in Gainesville, FL about right now, and is having what seems to be another flare up. The disease affects the colon and can make the person extremely sick, bleeding, not able to eat etc. She thought possibly she had the stomach virus, but it is clear that is most likely not the case. She is hoping to see one of the doctors that is top in this area of gastroenterology. Please pray for wisdom for them and the doctors, and this Mama that is waiting to hear from her. She wants me to wait until they have more info before I head her way. I know they would covet your prayers, and so do I. I know God is sovereign over all and we are trusting him. Jackie

Tuesdays Treasure Hunting

Do you just yard sale, thrift store shop, look for the sale rack, or do you treasure hunt? I am fortunate that my husband likes a good yard sale as much as I do and doesn't mind going with me. It is that time of year again, but I take a little different perspective. I am looking for what I consider a treasure when I go. Now my treasure may not be the same as yours, but that is the fun of it. Some days we find a treasure, and some days we don't. Here are a few of my latest treasures.

Punch cups, clear glass plates, and a glass punch ladle. The punch cups I got at the GW for .29 each. They were regular .59 ea and I said I would buy if they were still there when the yellow tags went half- price and they were. There were 11 cups, but this is to add to my collection of cups. What made me jump on it was when I saw these cups with the matching punch bowl at an antique shop for $200.00! I love using glass plates and cups for parties and showers, much more so than paper.

The antique store said the designs was "feathers"

I love the glass ladle, much better than my plastic one. Can't wait for the opportunity to use them.

Well gotta run for now. Just got a call to sub this afternoon. Let me hear about your treasures.

Jackie

Monday Menus

Last weeks meal planning worked out great! I am glad to be back on track with meal planning . Consistency sure helps me, so here are this weeks menus:

Monday: Chicken Delight, Salad, Bread

Tuesday: Soft Tacos, Chips w/salsa

Wednesday: Potato Soup, Salad

Thursday: Homemade Pizza

Friday: Chicken Dumplings, Green Beans, Pear salad

Here is my recipe for Chicken Delight

3 Cups Cooked Chicken

1 Can Cream Celery Soup

Med. Jar Chopped Pimento (Optional)

Med. Chopped Onion

Uncle Bens Long Grain rice( without season. pack) I will be sub. regular long grain rice.

1 Can French Green Beans(drained)

1 Cup Mayo

1 Can sliced water chestnuts(chopped)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix all together and bake 350 for 25 minutes.

Hope you enjoy! Jackie

Life

WhAt to dO wHeN LIFE DiSSaPpOinTS..................................

Look to the ONE who will Never Dissappoint!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him , and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." Psalm 28:7

Words for Wednesday

"Planting Seeds inevitably changes my feelings about rain."

Luci Shaw

Monday Menus

It has been a hectic few weeks, but I am hoping to be back in the swing of things this week, and that includes cooking. So here are my menus for the week.

Monday- Chicken Pie, Jello w/ fruit
Tuesday- Lasagna, Salad, Bread
Wednesday- Black Bean Soup, Rice, Salad
Thursday- Grilled Pork Chops, Lima Beans, Homemade Mac & Cheese
Friday- Soft Tacos, Nacho Chips

Weekends will be whatever is leftover.
Hope you have a great week! Jackie