In Sickness And In Health...

Today Bob received a letter from United Healthcare, our health insurance. It started out, “Thank you for participating in the United Healthcare coronary artery disease (CAD) program. Living with a chronic illness can be challenging…” The words “disease” and “chronic illness” sort of jumped off the page and twisted my heart a little.

They say there are two kinds of illnesses: acute and chronic. An acute illness, like appendicitis or pneumonia, may be serious, but it can be diagnosed, treated, and resolved. A chronic illness is different. Receiving the diagnosis is only the beginning. Dealing with the diagnosis, grieving the loss of health or a lifestyle, expensive medications, and worrying about the future all go along with a chronic illness. In other words, it’s always somewhere in the back of your mind, and you never know when that disease or illness will “flare up” again.

“…in sickness and in health…until death do us part.” Most married couples have pledged these words, but did we have any idea back then what all it would entail?

I must remember, at all times, GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

Fantastic Friday

Dixie Moore and I used to work together at NVBC, and we went to lunch every Thursday for I don't know how many years (that's because Dixie can't remember what year she "retired"). We get together once a month now to "catch up" on each other's lives, reminisce about the past, gossip a little, and OF COURSE, EAT!!!!!

Thank you, Dixie, for your years of friendship and unconditional love!! I love you!!

FELLOWSHIP WITH AN OLD FRIEND + MEXICAN FOOD = ONE FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!

Picture of the Week

When I picked up my first roll of developed film, I remembered why I always hated to get my pictures developed -- I really suck at taking pictures!! Most of them were horrible! But, I promised a "picture of the week", so here it is.

Back in 1999, when Lyle was 5, he was still perfecting the art of riding his bike. He took off down the street and saw a car coming. We had always told the kids to get to the side of the road when a car was coming. He tried to turn his bike too sharp and ran into the curb. He knew he was going to fall, so he reached out to catch himself -- with his thumb!!!

I was sure it was only sprained, but two days later (yes, "Mother of the Year" award for me!) my neighbor convinced me that it was broken and made an appointment for us to see the orthopedic doctor that he works with. The end result was a little tie-dyed cast! Having a cast was fun for about an hour. Then he realized that he would spend six weeks of the summer with no swimming, bike riding, etc. Needless to say, it was a long six weeks!

You Go, Girl!

"Dear Shasta College Student:

Congratulations on your academic achievement! As a result of your dedication to scholarly success, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter on this campus extends to you an invitation to accept membership in the International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges. Membership eligibility is based on the number of hours you have completed and your outstanding GPA; therefore, membership is a special honor afforded to a small group of outstanding students...I congratulate you on your academic achivements.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Lewis, President

Shasta College"

Congratulations, Hilary!! We are so proud of you!! On April 24th, our family will be attending the Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony. I'll be sure and post pictures of that event!

I know, I know -- I'm biased!!!! But, Hilary is such a hard worker, exhibits perserverance big time, and is committed to doing the best she can in school. (And, she's smart - like her Daddy!)

I love you, Hilary!

Coming Soon -- "Picture of the Week"

Above is a picture of all the rolls of film/disposable cameras I've taken over the years and never had developed. (I know what you are saying right now; go ahead and say it -- STUPID!!). Well, this is the year I'm going to get them developed. I'm taking a couple of rolls in today. So, after I pick up the developed roll each week, I'll post my favorite picture from that roll on my blog!

I know what you are asking, "What got you motivated to do this?" I have an Advantix camera. These cameras were made by Kodak back in the 90's. The selling feature for this type of camera was how easy it was to use. You just opened a little door and dropped the film in. No need to pull the end out and make sure the film was lined up on the little posts (like most 35mm cameras). Well, I took a roll of my film to Costco because I heard their prices were great! They no longer develop Advantix film (and neither do a lot of other places because it requires a special machine). So, I've got to get the Advantix film developed before they stop developing it at all. I have 75 rolls!! YIKES!!

Painful for me - but pleasant for you! You just sit back, relax, open my blog each week, and enjoy a great "picture of the week".

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to my family and friends!!

Friendship Is A Blessing

"Friendship is a blessing, and a friend is the channel through whom great emotional, spiritual, and sometimes even physical blessings flow. Friends can cheer us when we’re sorrowful or depressed. Friends can challenge us when we allow ourselves to get beyond our reasonable boundaries. Friends can motivate us when we’re ready to give in, and they can provide for us when life falls apart. They are there when all is well, and we want someone with whom to share life’s pleasant and memorable moments. We often just want them around to have a good time, to laugh, to act silly, to enjoy some mutually liked activity. In how many ways have friends enriched our lives and made us feel loved, accepted, respected and cared for? Probably, too many to list, and the list grows daily."

Today I had an opportunity to get together with an "old" friend of mine. We laughed together, discussed serious things, and dreamed about the future together (looking at model homes). So often we find ourselves losing track of friends because we don't have the time to spend together. We say things like, "We'll call them next week." or "We'll get together soon." The bottom line is if we don’t make the time to celebrate our friends we won’t have the time ever. It is all about committing to connect and creating opportunities to make that happen.

Some friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on for dear life. Thank you for a great day, Patricia. I love you bunches, and I'm holding on for dear life!!

Happy Birthday, Barbie!

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie!! You and I have something in common -- we were both born in 1959. But that's where the similiarities end.

Barbie, you look fabulous at 50! Where's the...

• blotchy skin
• stomach bulge from those extra 30 pounds
• gray hair
• bags under the eyes
• saggy boobs
• wrinkles
• aches and pains
• hot flashes and night sweats
• droppy eyelids
• facial whiskers
• moles and/or melonoma cancer

Congratulations, Barbie, on 110 careers, successfully keeping a boyfriend for 43 years, and turning 50!! After five decades of constantly wearing heels, I hope you get a much-deserved foot massage for your birthday!

Friday Night Fun

There's nothing like a little Friday night fun...

First, dinner out at Lumberjack's (out of my brother's envelope, of course!!!)...




Followed by a couple of games of Bosco and a game of Pinocole...



Game Scores:

First Game Bosco Winner -- Bob
Second Game Bosco Winner -- Gramz
Pincole Winners -- Gramz and Hilary

It's How You Live

I don't know about you, but I love music (country, southern gospel, jazz, big band, and, thanks to raising teenagers, some rock and contemporary music). This morning on the way to school Lyle had the radio on KLOVE, and we heard this song by Point of Grace. I loved it!! Take a minute to read through the lyrics. It's really not about who you know or what you do, it's about how you live!!

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger
or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess
and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more
than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him
every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

[Chorus]

Oh wherever you are
and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is
bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God
and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

[Chorus]

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

A Trip to the Candy Shop!

It's amazing how creative you can be when you don't have any money! As I was cleaning up the kitchen tonight, I remembered that I had a 1 pound See's Candy gift certificate that Debbie Sterk gave me for my birthday in 2002. (Yes, I tend to hoard money and gift certificates. I love having them soooo much I don't want to spend them. I'm weird, I know!!!!) So...Bob, Hilary, Lyle, and I took a trip to the candy shop. We each got a fourth of a pound of our favorite piece. Then back home to pig out on chocolate!! What a crazy, fun family memory that didn't cost us one cent!!