Late Monday morning

Trying to focus before the day wears very far.  It's easy to take on the whole week in one mental gulp, and honestly, I'm not ready for that.  I was listing out loud the things that have to happen, and oldest daughter reeled me in, reminding me to do just today.

She's absolutely right.  I tend to borrow trouble, for the simple reason that I like to know what's up ahead.

I do have to take the boys to work, unless I can enlist oldest son to do that.  And I do have to do some certain tasks at home.  Those are the grounding things.  Vacuuming and dusting, washing clothes, tidying shelves.  Mundane occupations are good for my head, allowing the harder stuff to fall into place more smoothly.  With my Mom's broken arm drama, our lives here have taken second place in my affections.  That's *not* a good idea.  Have got to be better at focusing and prioritizing.  Yeah, my mom's very important, but if my home life feels scattered, then I do too.

So, taking a deep breath and starting up again.  Tiny breaks are so valuable in giving me the opportunity to re-group.

Oh, and by the way, it's been snowing!

A sunny Sunday afternoon

Have taken the weekend off from duties at my mom's.  After being there to bathe her and do her hair on Thursday, and then to get her to the doctor's on Friday (which was stressful, only because it's all so new to us, plus it took 3+ hours, start to finish), I was so drained yesterday.  Just sort of crashed.  Plus my anemia was sneaking in again, but bought some more good stuff at the health food store today, so all will be well in that area (Tina, I'm telling you this!).  Wish I could take generic drugstore iron, but it's just not strong enough.  I get all pale-looking and know that the dizziness and headaches are just around the corner.  Don't want to go there.

Anyhow, have to take Mom to a place to get a Sarmiento splint this week (Gary's offered to take her, and was even there for her appt. on Friday...he IS a prince), and not sure when the home spa treatment will be scheduled for her besides.  She likes to be all clean and shiny when she goes out, which I can't fault her for.  'Course she's only gotten out for the doctor's, but it'd probably be good for her to let us take a drive now and again.  She says 'no' however.  She's so scared of falling again, and won't even step out the door to the carport to get her mail.  Will be interesting to see how that changes as she heals.  Might not.

And to wrap up this informative post, our son Joshua, has won a writing contest set up by author Cornelia Funke (who wrote 'Inkheart'...the book/movie).  He was one of 8 finalists and is mentioned on her website.  He's beside himself with excitement, which means he looks a tad dazed.  Actually, we all do!

Time to rest now.  Reading a library book called 'Saving Cicadas' by Nicole Seitz and oldest daughter says it has a surprise ending.  And my free Amazon books came yesterday as well.  I'm all set up.

Take care, now.

Moved back

Well, I tried Wordpress for a few months, and have found that Blogger is much more user-friendly.  Sorry if this makes any of you shake your heads.  It's not intentional. :)  I'll now stay put for awhile.

Dan Allender's 'Sabbath'

Dan Allender's book 'Sabbath' is not what I expected.  And while I appreciate his direct attack on the legalism that cripples so many people and their participation in the Sabbath, the book seems to be more focused on the individual's pleasure in the day and not the honoring of God.  He overuses adjectives to sell his point of view, and is more effusive than necessary.  I don't believe that the Sabbath day is meant to be one big love-fest, but instead is to be spent in honor of our Creator.  Allender seems to be more into a partying mentality.

Several sentences in the book jumped out at me, and not in a good way:  "The Sabbath is the weekly entry into a taste of lavish, sensuous delight." --p. 79  "If we aspire to a more life-giving delight, then we will need to go further into the heart of the Sabbath.  It is a simple principle:  we get of God what we desire."--p. 95

In reference to Sabbath wine, he writes:  "There are many words for intoxication in the Bible, and the phrase 'gladdening the heart' implies a sweet, slight rounding of the edges, a warm, gentle buzz.-----It takes the edge off, doesn't distort with true intoxication, and allows an entry into pleasure that may not be possible without the dollop of a small draft."--p. 130

Purely on the basis of Allender's unusual point of view, I'd not recommend this book.  A deep respect for God the Father seems to be missing, with the reader being led on a merry journey to hedonism rather than worship of the Creator of the Universe.  Or maybe I'm just being overly legalistic. 

(this book was provided free to review from thomas nelson/booksneeze)

Friday morning

Thought I'd let this journal background come out and play for a bit. Tweaked and doodled with computer stuff last night, and couldn't come up with anything new that dazzled me. So, back to the tried and true.

Middle daughter and I will take my mom to the doctor this afternoon. And hoping that the forecast that shows on the weather map will hold off until we get back. There's quite a bit of snow showing up to the west of us, and I'm not keen to drive in it, especially her car. She's unable to easily climb into my Suburban, so we'll go to the doctor's in her's.

Had to shake myself a minute ago as well. Her appointment is at around 2pm, and I was figuring we'd get to her house at 1:15pm or so, to allow her to get her things together, etc. Then it hit me that she can't even get dressed by herself. Guess I'm still not prepared mentally for all of the details that I'm responsible for. She is getting stronger everyday, but it's amazing how a broken arm can be so debilitating. 'Course her age is a huge factor.

Must go now and find a good mood to wear. Honestly, the one I have on now just won't do.

Wednesday after dinner

Will be at my mom's in the morning to help her bathe and wash her hair. Then the fiasco of me setting her hair will come into play. She was sweet about saying she liked the way it looked after it dried and was combed out last week. 'Course she's a captive victim and can't fuss too much. The girls will do her nails, so that they look pretty again. All in all, she'll have a spa-like day. Plus having the kids to visit will be a perk. Her first appointment with the doctor will be Friday and we'll be able to see her progress with the broken arm. She's not seen him since the first visit. We're prettying her up so she feels good beforehand.

Looking forward to time alone tomorrow afternoon as well. I need it. But will stop at the dollar store first, though. I celebrate the February carousel of gifts for Gary in this month since our anniversary (Saturday will mark 28 years), my birthday, and Valentine's are all the same month. He gets a tiny gift each day. Need to get several little somethings tomorrow to see out the week. And on Saturday, we'll use the gift cards given to us by the boys' boss at the restaurant where they work. Oh, and one more thing...one son is training to be a cook there. Pretty neat.

Will go now. A hot cup of Darjeeling is waiting.

Late Tuesday

Lots to say. My goodness. And my head is definitely in a better place than 2 days ago.

*God is faithful, even when I'm not. Learning all the time.
*Praying about stuff doesn't always return what you expect. God's ways are often out of the blue.
*Ann Voskamp's book 'A Thousand Gifts' causes me to cry whenever I crack the cover. This could take awhile.
*Listening to this song that oldest daughter found online, and if you stick around to listen to the advertisement afterward, you can hear Sam Elliott. A double treat. Ahem.
*Mom's able to be alone at night now. Yay.
*Holding off turning the heater on as long as possible. Ten people filling up a house is often ample heat, without additional help.
*Got the taxes completed. Phew. And it really didn't hurt at all. The only difficulty is when they're done by someone who's slightly dyslexic (and that would be me). Funny how 3's and 8's look alike, as do 2's and 5's.
*Reading 'Trouble the Water' by Nicole A. Seitz, when I'm not getting all worked up reading the other book.
*Have ordered 'Miss Hargreaves' by Frank Baker, and 'A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table' by Molly Wizenburg with my free Amazon bucks, earned with Swagbucks.
*Feeling a bit of a spiritual breeze blowing through the house. Taking a deep breath.