Gratitude-Thursday

1. For completing my 10 week class on "Revelation".-I have a better understanding of this book, I know what I do will reflect on others, and decide my destiny, and I met many new women, who shared their life experiences, and ideas with me, and vice versa, I have a greater appreciation for the Mass, and receiving the Eucharist, as much as possible, as it is Christ present in me.
2. For having the day off from work.-I filled the bird feeders, did a load of laundry, read a magazine, worked on Christmas gifts, conversed with hubby
3. For getting my football picks in on time, thanks to Sharyn, and calling Julie, and Chris, to remind them to do theirs, too.
   

Gratitude

Today I'm reflecting on my experiences at work last eve. I had two incidents where the babies in utero were having difficulties, and made for a stressful shift. I can say today that both turned out well, as one delivered via C/S, and is a beautiful, towhead baby girl, and the other was still birthing when I left, but whose heartbeat is going strong and reassuring.
I realize what we do, and how we react to situations have a snowball effect on many others, and how things turn out is at all times out of our hands, as God controls all things. But He assists us in our difficulties, and I must trust Him in all things. Thank you for blessing those new parents with your wonderful new creation.

Gratitude

I've decided to start each day, writing down things I am grateful for.
I want to begin and end my day striving for the positives, and eliminating
the negatives. Thus, I can be, and see in all, the love, and mercy of Christ.
So, as I reflect on today...1. I see the sun shining-we didn't get snow that was forecasted. That makes me glad, since I have to go to work today. 2. Mac is eating his food-he was sick yesterday throwing up numerous times. I'm relieved that it was a tempory condition. 3. Earl phoned-I get to talk briefly to him, as I won't see him the rest of the day, and didn't see him since yesterday afternoon, and I miss the connection with him.
More later.

Thanksgiving

We gathered in Chris's kitchen to chat, and of course, offer our help, while the turkey was baking, and the gravy was stirred, and thickened.


And we all came starving, so spinach dip and hawaiian bread was served to shave off the hunger, and sweet pickles, too.

Sawyer sampling the pickles.


Finally, the whole dinner is ready, and we lined up to get our fill.




Notice who's first in line!

Also, many photos taken...as you can see, the pictures are being critiqued by Chris, Danielle, and Lorrie.

The food was delicious, but before, the kitchen was cleaned up, the children were ready for dessert. Homemade chocolate pie by Raquel(delicious), pumpkin and apple and pecan pie by Lorrie,(great) were had by all, with groans of complete fullness.

Then, the fun began, with games, and movies, and comradery.

All ended with everyone going home...Danielle, to a sick Nevie, who had the croup, so all decided a sleep over wasn't going to work out. I hope all enjoyed getting together. I love seeing everyone interacting, and know we all try to show love and caring for each other. May that always remain with us. Now, when to celebrate Christmas, and where?

My Saturday

I started my day with Alaina, Jonnie, and Sawyer. They all seemed happy to start the day with me and Dad. I gave them a treat for breakfast of cinnamon french toast, and sausage, and all ate heartily. Of course, Sawyer had to check everything out, as I put up all the no-no's, but settled down to play with Fischer Price people, animals, barn, and zoo. Meanwhile Alaina and Jonnie watched the Disney channel for awhile til I said..."that's enough, TV", and suggested they help me make some choc. chip cookies. As Dad cared for Sawyer, who decided he didn't want a nap, brother and sister took turns adding ingredients, mixing, and beating, and sifting flour with their clean hands. Of course, the best part was taste testing, and that passed their inspection. We decided to pack some just for Daddy as a gift for his birthday, along with a card I made. Everyone enjoyed the effort and baking, and tasting, along with some ice cold milk. We discovered later, even the remote got caught up in the milk, but with a little TLC from Grandpa, it works again. Finally, to end the day, they decided to make a fort on the treadmill. All had fun.

7 Random Things about Me

1. I Love chocolate-I keep a stash by my bed, and nibble on them one at a time before bed. I've been known to hide a bag of them, so I could have them all to myself.
2. I sometimes find me talking out loud to myself when I'm shopping, and looking for things. When I realize I can be heard, I just hum to myself, and hope no one thinks I've totally lost it.
3. I love clean sheets...I feel I can associate with those people in the fresh scent commercials who spend all their time smelling the freshness. The first night under fresh sheets is heavenly.
4. I will never stop seeing the wonder of new life...in a birth of a baby, a birdie, puppy, kitty, flower, bunny, butterfly. Just amazing!
5. I'm a hopeless romantic...I used to read any Harlequin book I could get my hands on(and I had the 5 boxes full of books to prove it) , love getting flowers, and plants, homemade cards, and gifts, special desserts, or surprise parties.
7. I, too, love to sing...in the shower, the house, in the nursery, at church. It took years to get up and sing in front of people, without a quivering voice, and though I still get nervous, I try to pour my heart out when leading the hymns.
So that's a few of my favorite things. Enjoy reading all of yours.

Who am I?

I always enjoy going to workshops...there's always something new to learn, or see a different way of doing things, to re-evaluate what you are or aren't doing now in your profession. I got a better understanding of children's allergies, as I listened to a registered dietician explain breast milk vs. all the different formulas, and now realize more why all the concern about Mara's journey of food reactions. Also, we explored fetal loss, and how to assist parents through this sorrowful process, and make meaningful memories of their baby to keep forever. I listened to a very interesting talk about cultural diversity in Maternal-child care, and how we need to plan, and provide culturally competent care that is acceptable to the patient, family, and/or community. It's not necessarily about agreeing with our patient's practices, but coming to an understanding, and building relationships with them of mutual respect.
The first day was centered on Maternal concerns, and the second day, on fetal and newborn issues. Our last talk was titled"Stress: The Spice of Life or Kiss of Death". Our speaker was Richard Obershaw, MSW, LICSW. He had us laughing hysterically, and bringing us up to sobering statements, about how stress can be a great thing, but if used negatively, can affect our physical and spiritual beings. He gave us a test to fill out, called "Drivers Analysis". We were to make 2 choices about how we felt to statements on : Philosophy, Activities, Communication, Decisions, Motto, and Convictions. Then on the back of the paper, we placed our numbers in the correct column, and added these up. TO BE OK I THINK I MUST......be perfect, be strong, hurry up, try hard, be pleasing. I thought about my results all the way home. I scored the highest in "be pleasing, followed by try hard". It opened my eyes about my life, and personality, and honestly, gave us insights into me. I've always been a people pleaser...be good to please my parents, and make them proud of me, enter a profession of caring for people, marrying a spouse, who was "wounded" by his upbringing, who if I loved enough, would, in turn, love me back. He used the analogy of filling a pail to overflowing, but the reality is there is a hole in the bucket, and it continually is leaking. I think for awhile, that was true of my life, but I know that bucket has been plugged, and I receive an overabundance of love now. As a peace keeper, I do get hurt, when I can't please others, but I've learned long ago, that I can't please everyone, no matter what I do. He said if you got a high score in this area, you would be very disappointed with your life if you continued to please everyone. I thought about that as I drove home, and realized that God is the one I need to please, and if caring for others, by my words, actions, and behavior reflects God in me, then I'm on the right path for my life....So THERE!

On my way to....

I attended a 2 day workshop on Maternal-Child Nursing in St. Cloud on Monday and Tuesday. I was up, packed, and out the door in plenty of time to register, and have breakfast before the talks begin. My car had other plans.
Just outside of Richmond, as I was accelerating to the 65/mi. speed limit, there was a truck beside me in the left lane that just would not pass me. As I was mumbling to myself, and getting irritated with him, for not passing me, I looked over at him(which turned out to be a her), and noticed she was trying to get my attention by pointing down at my car, and mouthing something. This was my first encounter with my guardian angel. It then occurred to me, something was wrong with this picture(car), and so I pulled over to the side of the road. I opened my door, and looked out at the back tire, since this is what she seemed to be pointing at, and sure enough, it was more than half flat. I have a confession...just before that, I noticed the "low tire" light come on, but that had happened last week, and just 2 days ago, we had an oil change, and tire check done then. So, I mentally was thinking I'd probably would have to put some air in the tires when I got to St. Cloud. OK, so here I'm outside of Richmond, no gas stations in site, and I don't want to change the tire there, and I'm not going to just sit there. I decided to take the chance I could make it to Cole Spring, where I knew there were gas stations right along the highway. So, slowly I drove on the shoulder, and made it to the light in town, and turned into the holiday station. As I was getting out of my car, I encountered my angel for the second time, who came up to me, and said "it looks like you need some air in that tire". Yes, I said, do you know where I can get air? He says, yes right around the corner. But wait, did he know a tire place nearby, in case just refilling it with air would not be enough? Yes, just right next to the holiday store, and he walked me around the corner, and showed me the place. I thanked him for his kindness, and he said, just tell them Kelly sent you. I, then, drove around to the tire place, walked into the store, was greeted by 4 service men, and a woman receptionist. When I explained my dilemna, one of them said, "give me your keys", and I'll take a look at it. My 3rd angel encounter. Meanwhile, I explained to the woman where I was heading, and why, and how I probably missed the breakfast, but was grateful to find this place. She, then, handed me a voucher for a free cup of coffed @ the holiday store, and she said, maybe this will help..angel #4. So while I got my coffee, they plugged up the hole from a nail, and said I should be OK to make it to St. Cloud and back home to the cost of $8.00. What a nice bunch, and they were playing christian music in the background...nice touch. I made it to the conference with 5"to spare, green lights all the way, no breakfast, but I got my coffee. My guardian angel were with me, and I couldn't have started the day any better.

A homeowners'work is never done!

Well, this week we've been working on the sun porch. Finally got the wood trimming for the windows, and finished them(Earl), primed the wood(Jeanne), filled in the nail holes(Earl), painted trim with semi-gloss(Earl), and covered windows with plastic(Jeanne). We also put in a new fan that has a light and heater attached to it, with a remote control to set the temp. in the room. This will be our heat source. What's left? The flooring, and possiby new outside doors. Meanwhile, my plants are happy to be warm, and in the light and sunshine, and there's a cozy rug on the floor. Couldn't ask for anything more. Isn't there a song with those words?