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Michelle
has a new book coming out and she has a giveaway for the set OF GOLD… OF SILVER…
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Carole - nothing like that is available for Bill. He is not a veteran, so he is missing several of the benefits that my Dad had. If he goes into hospice, there are a lot more benefits available, but although he "qualified" a couple of years ago, the determination was made on something that wasn't correct (vocabulary of 9 words or less). They just didn't get him started talking (which he does sparingly, but is capable. I told them that I couldn't in good conscience allow it to go through. Since then, his kidney functions have increased and is little to no worse in his cognitive issues. I have had other healthcare professionals mention hospice, but unless they have changed the qualifiers, I don't think it fits. Kansas offers lots of free things for seniors under a certain income level, but….
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Dad retired from the military after 28 years (Wade's Dad) so mom was on TriCare (military insurance) as well as Medicare, whatever Medicare didn't cover, TriCare did. We were very blessed in that. She stayed in the "nursing home" for less than a month so Medicare took all of that cost, and her hospital stays were all covered. We didn't get a single bill for her last few months. God blessed abundantly! We tried to get her into a nice home, told them that she had the money on hand to pay for as long as she was there - but they wouldn't take her because it took more than one person to get her into her wheel chair!
Bill is doing so good at home. It has to be exhausting for you, but you are doing such an amazing job caring for him and my prayers are with you always! I'm sure that he is doing so well because he is home and with you, even if he doesn't seem to know it.
Oh boy, I have my MRI tomorrow morning. I can't believe I'm nervous. I don't think I would be if I didn't have to do the breathing with that device on my abdomen. With my lungs not doing well right now I'm afraid I'm going to panic when I'm tied to that bed and can't catch my breath! I will be on Xanax so am hoping I will be sedated enough that it isn't a problem. Jesus will be with me too and He will give me peace! I have a date for my CT scan on my lungs, unfortunately it is on a Sunday. I nixed the Sunday dates, but the next soonest was two weeks later. I called my NP and she told me I needed the earliest date they had, so we will have it don't Sunday morning. I'm hoping we can at least catch the last part of the service. It's still three weeks away, but that's the soonest they had! It seems they have become a lot busier because I used to get an appointment within a week or two.
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My MRI went well today, better than the first time I had this one. I expected to be in a smaller machine, but there was a problem, so they brought me inside and to the slightly larger machine which I've been in at least twice now. So thankful for God looking out for me in this especially. I didn't even mind being strapped down inside a tube! Not a claustrophobic's dream! I'll find out in a few days if anything has changed with my pancreas!
I ended up sleeping away my afternoon having taken a sedative to take the test! Still a bit sleepy still, but at least I don't feel like I'm going to fall over.
Oh, I took my weight yesterday and it was 234, what a shocker! Praise the Lord.
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Glad you got through the MRI without issues.
We had the first day of our yardsale today and I'm exhausted. It was good financially for the girls and was kind of fun for me. I got to meet a bunch of my neighbors that I hadn't gotten to know. One was so sweet and she is a retired nurse. She is insistent that I call her and have her come watch Bill every so often. Such a sweet lady. She was the sole caregiver for her mother, and she said, "I know!". My step-daughter loved her, too.
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That is so kind of her! It's been forever since I've been a part of a yard sale. I think there were three or four family's stuff all together. I'd want to mark things at what I think they are worth, but you can't really do that, because folks want a deal! I'm so glad you did well with yours!
Hope y'all have a great day.
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Today wasn't as good as yesterday. Thursdays are usually the big day. It was fun anyway. My new next door neighbor put a few things in it and sat and visited all day. I'm hoping that we don't get rained out tomorrow. I will open the garage doors even if it's raining, but may not get much business.
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Like Kim said, I am sure Bill's being able to be at home helps him in every way - physically, mentally and emotionally. And you're the one that makes it happen, Connie. I, too, pray for you - trusting that you will have the support and times of refreshing that you need. I'm thrilled about the retired nurse neighbor that you met and hope that she will become a good friend.
I have a little garden box at the side of my house, one that Daniel built last summer. Beth set out 4 tomato plants on Mother's Day weekend. They are doing well overall, but I've noticed some yellow leaves toward the bottom of each plant. If any of you garden, have you had a similar experience?
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The only thing that I can remember from watching videos is that they might be getting too much water? Some gardeners cut away those bottom leaves, probably up to four inches-six inches up, that way the plant is spending energy on the fruit and not on the leaves, and there are plenty of leaves up high to catch the sun.
Our blackberry bush is producing like crazy this year. I think it just needed time to get settled in! My little Azalea out front also produced a bunch of flowers this year. So happy it is happy. Can't say the blueberries are doing that well, but most of the time the birds end up getting the fruit before we can - they don't care if they are sour. Even if we put super fine netting over them, somehow they still get to the fruit! We have quite a few figs on the fig trees and encourage friends to please take as much as they want, otherwise, again, the birds will just eat them. We seem to have a lot of fat and happy birds around here! Oh, a bird made her nest in the covered area of the gas tank (cooking and heating gas) in our back yard. Wade enjoyed just watching mama going in and out, but one day this past week one of the little ones kind of flew out and ended up in the grass. He'd fly a couple feet and go back down into the grass. Wade was quite concerned and eventually put it back in the nest as it didn't seem to be able to fly that well. The next day it was gone again and we haven't seen it since! I guess he really could fly! (No cats in our neck of the woods!)
Our neighbors who have the chickens also have quite a few Bob White Quail they are raising. How do we know, they keep telling us with their call, all afternoon! We try to answer with a whistle, but I don't think they believe us! LOL!
Have a very blessed weekend, y'all.
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Dwight loved blackberries, Kim! He and my dad used to go up to the family farm in north GA and pick buckets of them. My grandmother would make cobblers and jelly. I love blackberry flavor, just not the seeds. Beth and Daniel also have chickens, seem to love raising them. They usually get enough eggs to share with friends.
I tried searching online about the yellow tomato leaves and got some ideas, but nothing for sure. One was too much water - like you said, Kim - another too little water, so go figure! Best idea seemed to be that they aren't getting enough nitrogen in the soil, which fertilizer should help. Beth's been traveling a lot, but hopefully she can bring some when she comes over to eat this week.
I've had a pretty relaxed day, mainly putting my music together for tomorrow. The weather is mild today, so I sat on the porch and read for a while. Had a gentle shower, now the sun is shining. Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.
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Whew, we had a tiring 3 days, but I think the sale went well. The girls did well, I didn't have enough to sell to do great. If I had sold every item I had in the sale, I wouldn't have sold as much as either of the girls. I didn't have very much to sell, since I got rid of most all "extras" before moving.
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I'm so glad the girls did well with the sale! Sometimes you just have to get the right people to come. Our neighbor's in Hickory had a yard sale twice a month but had the same stuff in their sale every time, so they ended up with very few people at each sale.
Our service was really good. We had two special songs, both written by the singer. I sang one I'd recently written called THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SHIP. God is the captain, the cox'n is the Holy Spirit and believers are the rowers. We have to be of one mind and heart with the Captain to get the ship to His goal, and we have to row with all of our hearts! I have one other song that I wrote a year and a half ago but haven't sung yet, it gets too high in some places and I can't get the words out clearly. It's called I BELIEVE. I share what I believe, biblically, that counters what many in the "religious" realm are saying that isn't biblical. Our pastor preached a sermon on knowing what you believe - not just know but actually believe because that is what transforms us. I sat down and wrote what I believe about the Bible, about God, about my responsibility as a Christian and this song came from that.
We had a lovely storm yesterday afternoon, but didn't get any of the strong stuff that it contained. It's been hot and muggy otherwise. I can't spend much time on the back porch because the humidity makes it hard to breathe.
Love y'all very much.
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Glad the sale went well. Sounds like a good chance to visit and catch up, too. We were supposed to get a storm yesterday, but it held off all day. It looks like it did rain a little overnight.
I'm headed to Los Angeles for work. Would appreciate your prayers for an uneventful flight and stay. My plan is airport (6/9) > hotel (9-12) > airport (6/13)... not planning on going anywhere while I'm there. It's too crazy - what's going on there right now.
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Praying for you Cindy! LA would scare me.
I was surprised that Bill wanted to go to church with me yesterday, again. I thought we probably wore him out being in the garage during the sale. That meant that I got to play closing again. That's good for me. I even was a little more casual than normal thinking that I would be sitting on the back row for about 15 minutes, but it doesn't matter...I was dressed well enough and God knew my heart.
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It is wonderful you can have those days with him… and also get to play the closing.
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I love how God gives you songs, Kim. I've always been lousy at original writing, so that's a great ability you have. Do you write the music also?
Praying for your safety in LA, Cindy. I heard on the news tonight that things seem to be getting calmer, but anything can happen.
It's obvious that Bill loves church and seeing his friends, Connie. So glad he felt like going and that you got to play again. Who plays for the closing when you aren't there?
Thank y'all for recommending THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY. I'm enjoying it very much.
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Praying for you, Cindy!
Connie, wow, praise the Lord Bill felt up to going. Just wanting to go is huge, he remembers it and at least wanted it the past couple of weeks. That makes me happy!
Carole, I've written the music for several of my songs and brothers or sisters in Christ have written the music for several others. THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SHIP was a bit different for me. Wade and I found the chords that elicited the feeling I wanted and then I found a tune that fit those chords! I think that's the first time that's happened. The words are easier for me than the tunes, but right now with my range so small, I have to sometimes change a note or two because when my voice can't reach that note I can't get that word out, and the words are more important than the tune or my voice.
I still haven't heard from anyone about the referral to a rheumatologist. I think the breathing issues I am having stem from the rheumatoid arthritis. In my research, they say that the lungs are usually the first side effect to the disease, inflamed lymph nodes or inflammation around the lungs and heart. My pain throughout my body has settled quite a bit, just that right side that hasn't changed, and I am so grateful to the Lord for that touch! I've asked the Lord to work it out, so I am just waiting to see what happens with whatever I was able to do by making calls and keeping it on folks' minds!
Will keep you in my prayers, all of you! Love you ladies.
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Carole, our pastor's wife plays closing when I'm not there, but she loves to be able to go the the back of the church to greet with the pastor. It's just a courtesy that I play when I'm there.
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Kim, as someone who struggles with the words to even write a simple thank-you note, I realize how special your song writing gift is. I often wonder which comes first, words or music. You're right, the words are most important. You should occasionally share lyrics with us.
Connie, I thought of you this morning as I was reading from an Ann Carmichael book where she talked about trust and how God often opened her understanding to a single word (your word of the month). She then focused on one of the meanings as to lean on, to relax the weight of my fears and anxieties against You. I guess I knew that, but her thoughts really made it resonate. When I lean against something, it takes the weight off me and allows me to rely on the strength of what I'm leaning against. I love that concept! It would be fun to do more exploring into the word lean.
Yesterday became a full day when I suddenly decided to get new tires. Actually, I've known I needed them for a year or so, but have gotten by with adding air when the low air pressure light came on. Well, it started coming on more frequently and I wasn't comfortable with that. Dwight always took care of our cars and I knew Daniel would be glad to help, but discovered I could do this on my own. He always used Discount Tires and they were very helpful with an appointment less than an hour after I called. With only local driving, I'll probably never need new tires again.
We're still in the process of hopefully getting disability for Drew and have an appointment with a SS lawyer this afternoon. This lawyer family is in our church and he already said we have a strong case, so that was encouraging.
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Praise the Lord you have someone who will help you with that, Carole!
I looked up verses with diligent in them and was surprised that the word is also about time. We are to be diligent in our Bible Study - but we are to be at it now, with haste, to labor over it. It's so interesting to dig deeper.
Carole, these are the words to one of my earlier songs. This is very different from others I've done with a rockier beat than others I do.
CH1:Darkness – holdin' on with all of might
Blindness – never knowing' what's in the light
Dyin'– slippin' into sins darkest night
Losin'– ever walking out of His sight
You gotta decided – you better choose what is right
Cuz' watch out darkness – Here comes the Light!
(instrumental)
1.We're shattering the darkness, we'll not be overcome.
The light of Christ shines through us, we're stronger when we're one.
So shine the light within you, be it small or great.
You see sins' darkness growing, there is no time to wait! (CH2)
CH2:Jesus – holdin' Him with all of your might
Seeing– knowin' what is found in the light
Living – freedom from sin's darkest night.
Winnin'– Never walkin' out of His sight.
You gotta decided – you better choose what is right
Cuz' watch out darkness – Here comes the light!
2.The Church of God is moving, don't be left behind.
Serve either God or satan, you must make up your mind.
The gates of hell are mighty, greater is the Lord,
Storm the prince of darkness, take God at His Word! (CH1,CH2)
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Beautiful lyrics!
Carole - I love the idea of "lean". I sure do a lot of it these days. This month my word is Empathy and July is a great one, Faith.
I did look up the Christian perspective on "lean" and posted it on the word of the month. AI can sometimes summerize fairly well.
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Surprisingly, AI will often give a good answer, like with that blog post I put up when our pastor had a "conversation" with AI about what the Bible said about being pure. It got it right, but at times added a different view point than a biblical one and then when called on it it agreed that it wasn't in the Bible! At least right now the truth is being given to it!
I too really liked that picture of leaning on something and it taking the weight off of you, a big sigh of relief!
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In case anyone was wondering how many firefighters it takes to change a smoke detector, the answer is 4 with a huge firetruck.
Saturday evening the smoke detector in the peak of our vaulted ceiling started chirping. I knew that it was hard-wired into the electricity and battery powered from changing batteries in the other two in the house. The ladder I have was too short, but if I stood on the tops step with a yard tool, I could barely reach it. I saw on YouTube to take something and put really stong tape on it to get the battery out….it worked, but the hard wired electricity still made it chirp. I was kind of at a loss of what to do. I finally decided to order replacements and to talk to someone at church on Sunday morning. When I walked in, I decided to ask the greeter since her mom is one of our neighbors. She told me to call the non-emergency number through the fire department and she thought they should change them for me, since we are seniors and Bill is disabled. Her husband came by while we were talking and told me that if the fire department wouldn't do it, or couldn't get there quickly that he would borrow the church's big ladder and bring it over to change it. I called this morning and they came right out and changed out two of them, with new smoke alarms that they provided. Whew! Thank goodness for good church friends, good advise, and good firefighters. One of the guys said that they get called to our subdivision frequently because the alarms are in the vaulted ceiling and they are at end-of-life.
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I love that story, Connie! Had no idea the fire department would do that. They must have come out in their big truck. Did you get to go to church yesterday?
Such moving lyrics, Kim! I love the visual contrast between CH1 and CH2. And also this phrase: We're shattering the darkness, we'll not be overcome. The light of Christ shines through us, we're stronger when we're one.
Kim, do you still play those color by number games? I remember you mentioning them in the past and I've gotten addicted to them. 2 or 3 apps, that is.
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I love doing Pixel Tap which is a square by square coloring app.
I tried the coloring books, but they filled in the whole area when you tapped it.
Here's another one that I really like doing:
Thanks for your kind words. That was one that came very quickly. Here are the words to one that I wrote back in the 80's and a friend helped with the music.
ATLAST I WILL BE HOME
Words by Kim Gregory, Music by Robin Weston and Kim Gregory
- Everything is different from the way it used to be -
I feel I've just awakened, I've been living in a dream.
Praise You Lord You've shown me, what I should have seen -
Please give me grace to follow – where – you want to lead. (to vrs. 2)
2. There's nothing that I won't do to accomplish all you say -
No sacrifice is too great, my life I'd give today.
Nothing really matters, except what you mean to me -
I give my all to serve you – until – your face I see. (to CH)
CH: (And You will) take me home, and wipe away my tears.
You will call out my name, oh what music to my ears.
At last I will be home, “Rejoice and let us sing.”
And I will bow and worship you – my only King. (repeat CH last X through)
3. Tho' trials are about me, tho' my troubles are not few,
I know I have a shelter when I put my trust in You.
And in my persecution, if I endure until the end -
I'll be complete, made perfect, if I'm firm and do not bend. (to vrs. 4)
4. I'm not anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow's in Your hand -
I'll live today with all I've got, I'll work, I'll take my stand.
And whatever I must face each day, I know I'm not alone,
For I've placed my life into Your care – until – You take me home. (to CH)
Bridge: My home with you will never come, if I won't stand today -
If I turn my back on what I know and go the other way -
But firm I'll stand upon the truth, never to be swayed -
Until the day the trumpet blows and You carry me away. (CH 2X's)
Connie, I've heard that they will do that. In Hickory they had this campaign once a year, giving away fire alarms and they say that they will come in and help to change them out! So glad you got that done.
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Carole - I got to church for my "15 minute church". I got there early enough to greet a few people and get a few hugs, and get the answer to my tall ceiling smoke detector. I really need church of some form every week, for the worship and for the fellowship.
This morning while I was taking my walk, I met up with another walker and mentioned my smoke detector issue. She lives in a smaller home and said that she just had hers taken out when that happened (her son did it), but she never had a new one installed. I told her to get on the phone to the fire department. That's a safety issue to her, and she has other homes connected on both sides, so a hazard to at least 3 homes.
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I've never been in a home fire, but I wouldn't feel comfortable not having a fire alarm in the house. We also have a Carbon monoxide alarm as well since we use our gas fireplace a lot in the winter.
Heavy fatigue today, of course that could be because I got just 6 hours of sleep last night. Even when I get 9 hours I'm sleepy! Sigh. Side effect of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm also hoarse and sometimes having to cough to clear my throat - another side effect of RA. Still no word from the rheumatologist. I'm going to call the ortho place and find out who they sent the referral to this time. I might give them until tomorrow to respond, then start working to figure out what is going on.
Love y'all.
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Hope you can get in to rheumatologist soon!
One of the smoke detectors the FD installed is also a carbon monoxide detector. It isn't as important here as our old house because we have an all electric house. If the power goes down we do have an LP heater that we used in our camper and an LP stove, so it would be good in that situation.
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I called the rheumatology office that they sent the referral to to see if they received it and when can I expect to hear about an appointment. Hopefully I will get an answer back. Wade is ready to just go to the office and see what is going on. I'm hoping I'll hear from them, I can't imagine two offices being as bad as the first one was. I have a friend who goes to this rheumatologist and they have appointments a long time out, so I hope that it doesn't advance too much before I can see them. God is in control!
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The rheumatology office finally got the referral, now the doctor has to go over it - ugh. Praise the Lord at least things are moving this time!
This past Wed night our Pastor had a chat with Gemini, asking for Biblical answers to His questions, and very quickly Gemini had the right answers - and this time it didn't even try to add any "but, this is what this guy says…" He asked Gemini about who the Muslim's believe is the child of promise, who do the Christians believe is the child of promise? The Muslim's Koran was written when? The Bible was written when? He then asked which document would be true, and it said the Bible. Because he does this (for knowing what is going on purposes, not for learning purposes) frequently recently he thinks that it makes an algorithm for that person and then gives them only what they are looking for. Like a sinning religion person would be given information that would agree with their theology (which couldn't be much Bible, because they have to twist the Scriptures to make it say what they want it to say, or take away from the Scriptures what they don't believe and say it doesn't apply to the modern Christian.) It was very interesting. Right now it is allowing biblical answers, but there will come a time when it won't.
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