Jack Lalane, Where are You?

The New Year will arrive within the hour and it surely is party time around here. Last night we made our last trip to the hospital for 2011 and found out that Bob has cellulitis on his leg. He hit his calf (and other things) when he dueled (and lost) with our front stoop on Christmas day. He’s on some medicine that knocks him out for about four hours each time he takes it. Since he is supposed to take it four times each day, I haven’t seen a lot of the dear boy today.

So I’m not really ringing in the New Year at some glitzy party or surrounded with drunks. My faithful pooch lies next to me, but that’s it for this Saturday night. I’m starting to hear the fireworks from people excited about the possibilities of starting over with a new year.

It’s amusing how we think some things will automatically be altered with the flip of a calendar page. (Really, you have to take an old one off and put the new one up if you have one already. Now these online calendars lose the thrill of a blank calendar.)

People make all sorts of resolutions as the New Year approaches. Many expect to be turned into Jack Lalane. (I wonder how many readers have no idea to whom I am referring.) We’ll go to work and get a raise, our husbands will automatically be transformed into a Casanova who does dishes and toilets. The kids will have “normal” hair and clothes and anxiously await our every word. You suddenly have so much free time now that your home is neatly organized and four extra rooms were added. Of course, you have jetted off to Paris or Rome so you don’t deeply care about the kids, home or hubby. Ahhhhhh. Life is good.

By noon tomorrow, many resolutions have already been broken. Your spouse and children look pretty much the same and the laundry has taken over the upstairs. Forget losing weight. Lock yourself in the bathroom with that tin of leftover Christmas cookies. Ahhhhhhh. Life is good.

I read on the Internet today, or more precisely Facebook, that many people are looking at Focus Words to sum up 2011 and dream for 2012. What would your word be? I pondered over different possibilities: wealth, health, prosperity, romance, excitement, dreams and respect. I think I would pick “serenity” for 2012. With serenity, I am not worried while I wait in some ER. My daughter’s family would continue to thrive out in Connecticut. My friends would only be a phone call away. All bills would be paid without that gasp and cringe from this past 2011. I dream of keeping this same feeling of alone time with my Christmas tree as it glitters and shines. I’ve the comfort of an old sweatshirt and the ease of this broken down couch. I can call out to my husband upstairs or umpteen people just a phone call away. (My husband probably wouldn’t hear me, but I could still call out!) Yep! Serenity! May we both be blessed with serenity in this fabulous year about to begin. Happy New Year. May your life continue to be good.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  I no longer need the material things to prosper in a new year. I just need God, my friends and family and this goofy little blog. Life is good!

Miss Pacifist Goes on a Vendetta

It’s one of those lazy days when I lack energy even more than normal. Although the temperature is warmer than expected for a late December day, the sun has continued to avoid exposure. It would be lovely to see any rays of sun even begin to peek through the clouds, but that is not the case for today. Instead, the constant drizzle marks the air and sends that damp feeling to my goofy bones.

I have a huge admission to make pertaining to addiction. Some friends and family have been concerned about my use of narcotics. Now, their use by me is basically nonexistent. This new addiction pertains to a Christmas gift I found under my tree, so technically Bob is partially to blame.

I’m the lucky recipient of a Kindle Fire. This amazing little device has almost all of the abilities of a much more expensive IPad. My Fire allows me to store multiple apps besides the expected library of books. I also can go online, save music and pictures and gather a stockpile of newspapers. My person Armageddon is Angry Birds.

There is no reasonable explanation for a supposed educated woman to devote so much time attempting to crush small green frogs by catapulting a variety of colored birds in their direction. Each game is quick with perhaps four attempts per turn. One automatically thinks just one more turn will squash those little devils.  Now this makes no sense for the amount of time I have spent hovered over my new Fire in a psychological frenzy.

Both my husband and daughter had previously played this wild app on their telephones when bored and want to pass time, but they have never reached  addicted status. I have seen this game before but was not interested in another virtual onslaught of one’s time. Looking at this goofy scene on a small screen did not interest me, but now on Kindle Fire – I’m in big trouble.

Please inform me of any organization that deals with individuals with similar problems. The crazy part is that I know this is a waste of time, but it seems to just call for me. There is no expense since I don’t add ay accessories. I just use a simple slingshot to aim for smiling pigs accused of destroying eggs. Little Miss Pacifist has been transformed into a raging idiot seeking revenge while on a virtual vendetta. What in the world?

But this is a way for me to pass my time. I am able to play to my heart’s content with the serene beauty of my glowing Christmas tree right next to me. Quiet music sets a serene setting while I demolish boards and bricks belonging to those frogs.

I’ve probably spent too much time typing, but I will do my best to classify this time as a physical exercise routine for my fingers. Do you buy that? Watch out little frogs! I’m out to get you.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  I’ve got the time to waste on continuing the feud between frogs and birds.

The Corpulent Sloth

I’m enjoying the holidays in my own special style, slowly. I’ve never been known for my amazing speed and fast dashes throughout my life. I’m more at the snail momentum or probably closer to the sluggish sloth. Part of my leisurely fashion can be blamed on my age and health concerns. A more accurate guilty reason is my weight. I admit it. You can call me plump, chubby, stout, portly, or corpulent.  That’s my category.

Of course, I have done my best to avoid the “fat” word. I wear extra-large tops for others to assume that a 120-pound body was underneath all that fabric. I wore long necklaces to elongate my frame. OK, I was a long, fat person. My hair supposedly framed my face to flatter its shape, which was round or fat. I admit it!

I recently joined Weight Watchers and am proudly proclaiming that I have finally lost 10.4 pounds. WOW! I’m sure my friends will gawk at my new frame. I’m worried that this recent change could actually cause automobile accidents. Can you imagine - a whole 10.4 pounds?

I love watching people practically undress for their weekly weigh in. Shoes and coats scatter the floor. All jewelry is stashed away. I have even gotten my haircut and shaved my legs; the latter may be the instigator of that 10.4 pounds. I don’t wear any make-up or deodorant. Every little thing could count.

But I just walked by the mirror on our hall tree and determined that I look the same. Those rolls of blubber that serve as a belt for me still circle my frame. I have lost my neck to only replace it with additional chins. Some people are accused of having a double chin. Mine is past that and moving on to octuple chins. At least I am still in single digits.

So wish me luck in my continued weight loss. Provide me encouragement to ignore those Christmas cookies that have magnetic capabilities. I’ve stopped clinging to the refrigerator because my body ached after 78 consecutive hours. I can do this! I’ve lost 10.4 pounds and only have 533 more to go. Life is good!

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  I am too slow to indulge in some of those frozen goodies stocked in the freezer without them melting in my hand before I make it to the couch.

I Believe in Christmas

While I am visiting my daughter, I treasure our moments at her church. She attends St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. I love to see familiar faces that have woven a place in her heart and impacted the Christian beliefs of my grandsons. They have helped cradle her spirit and grow to become the loving wife and mother that she has become. A Christmas memory must deeply etched in my heart this year is of their family blowing out Advent candle number four and announcing “Happy Birthday Jesus!”

Stephanie shared with me a special Christmas “creed” used by her church on Christmas day. What power lies in these special words. I’m honored to share them with you.

I believe in Christmas. I believe that God continues to work in my life today through this story of Christ's birth so long ago. 

I am a shepherd, startled to hear the good news of the angels, but eager to go and see for myself. 

I am Mary, aware that somehow God is using me to accomplish things too big to imagine. 

I am Joseph, not understanding fully that which God calls me to do, but following as faithfully as I can.

I am the innkeeper, busy and frazzled, but making some room, somehow for God to be born.

I am the wise man, on a journey of discovery, bearing my gift to be given to glorify God.

And yes, I am the angel, proclaiming in my own life, the glorious good news that God has come into the world and we shall never be the same.

I can’t write anything more special than that! God bless everyone! Life is good!

I’m Blessed to Have God Use My Chronic Pain to Prove Life is Good:

     -  I get more time to worship in new places with new friends.

It Helps Being a Cubs Fan

Well, Christmas has almost officially drawn to a close and by the looks around my home, it has been another day filled with gluttony and greed. A Kindle Fire sits next to me about to further addict my feeble mind. Tell me why a grown woman with two masters would have any interest in using a virtual slingshot in the attempts to injure some green pigs. Why? I’ve already installed more apps than I could possibly ever use, but it gives me a sense of pride to have them all lined so neatly in a row.

I also got more jewelry to add to my Pandora collection. Once again, here is a symbol of straight greed. The jewelry won’t help feed my family or warm our home. World hunger and cancer still afflict our world, but I am still thrilled with my new beads.

Bob did quite well with new clothing items following a very determined lesson by our daughter. There is no glitter or glitz. Good job. I have two plain scarves that literally surround my neck as I type.  I pray that I will soon be too thin for my new slacks, but I am losing weight slower than our sea cucumber traverses our big tank.

I can see from where I am sitting our hall door stocked with holiday greetings from family and friends. This year, about half are pictures of cute families grinning out at me. I am curious about whether the background noises would be as pleasant if I could hear the pleas and cries of the photographer.

Our tree is next to me, complete with those big bubble lights that fascinate my husband. All the ornaments tell a story. I can sit and just stare at the tree while treasures of the past float through my mind. OR, I can sit and just stare off and pretend I am thinking of the memories.

Above the TV are my Eleven Days of Christmas in the form of nutcrackers. Next year Day 12 will join them. They stand watch over the room, an artistic line all impeccably dressed for the holiday season. The Three Wiseman sit on a table by the tank ready to bear gifts for the Christ child. Other nutcrackers fill my home, all gifts from Bob after he first saw my 99-cent Wal-Mart variety. Yet he stands next to my German sculptures in a place of honor.

The coffee table is filled with remnants of our holiday dinner. There’s my water bottle and fruit plate next to a plate once holding Christmas cookies. What does that say that the cookies have been transformed into just a measly assortment of crumbs while the fruit plate still has half of its wares?

But my poor husband lies upstairs, a painful example of his worn frame. He fell last night on our front porch steps only to relearn that when the body meets the concrete, the concrete wins. He hurt his shoulder and hobbles worse on his legs. The pain is a cold affront to his pride and heart. He is tired of hurting and doesn’t understand the long duration of his pain. In many ways, he has given up. He cries out to that babe in the manger demanding reasons and assistance. The chronic nature of his neurological injuries has been too chronic.

A funny little aside that hopefully will bring smiles. Our late night service was filled with people who have somehow managed to learn to love us since we have held our long time membership with this congregation. I stood in front of one such fabulous family last night. The moving choirs and brass had the walls echo in wonder and my head vibrate in pain. I stood in the hall for a short while but needed to be IN the service. After I get a migraine, my vertigo usually shortly follows. Such was the story last night. I was swaying away to the music, unable to catch my balance. It was as if I had sampled the communion wine, change that to guzzled the communion wine prior to the service. I was rocking away on my cruise ship feeling kind of confident that I was remaining vertical. Then I glanced behind me. The family in the row behind me was ready to catch my fall as their arms following my wavering form. That’s love.

But I sit on the couch with the light of our tree and pathetic Bears on TV. Maybe I can sometimes better address my own chronic pain because I love Chicago sports. If I can have this much patience for a better “next year” for those Cubs, I can wait a little longer on my chronic pain.

So love fills this home, despite half of us snoring away trying to ease his pain and the other half typing away to describe life here in Roselle. I move slowly when I move and my creaks can be heard miles away, but I know a baby was born for ME! That’s an amazing truth to reduce the pain and alter the focus of this final hour of Christmas. I am blessed. Life is good.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  I don’t know if being a Cubs fan makes the duration of chronic pain easier or vice versa. I do know that life is good.

Silent Night

The feeling of contentment has been replaced with the eager watching for what is about to appear. Little ones try there best to stay awake to catch one glimpse of the rotund fellow as he leaves lots of gifts, eats some prized cookies, and then is spirited away to discover the homes of other good girls and boys around the world.

Shopping for Santa is finished and Christmas wishes better have been sent to locations far and near. Moms and Dads will soon huddle together learning the truth of “some assembly required.” There will be multiple goodies overstuffed with more calories than I should probably consume in 27 years. It’s about time to prepare our personal cuisine for every Christmas Eve: shrimps, little pizzas and hot dogs. I’m glad that Santa does not believe in counting calories.

Bob’s got ideas for outside our home starting tonight, Christmas Eve and extending through the 12 days of Christmas. I’m unsure of what that will entail. I do know that we’ll be home for Christmas, relaxing in the wonder of Christ’s birth. I’m planning on staying in my PJ’s all day Christmas while reading the many kid books I have collected.

Bob and I are both slow at getting things done and that brings a strong sense of frustration. We have tried to curb our expectations and focus on that special birth. We wanted to welcome Christmas in our own church and our own church family. That late night service on Christmas Eve will further ignite a sense of serenity within us. Yet will it help cushion the sore muscles and nerves that are apart of our bodies?

Bob has fallen each day, despite prayers for good health. Yesterday he slipped on the small ladder in our basement going up to our crawl space. The ladder fell on my hubby, capturing him until I could waddle over to release him from his trap. Today, he slipped on our first step outside and landed on our cement. The sidewalk is still good, with no apparent cracks. Bob’s head is not quite as lucky.

He has tried hard to have lights appear this holy night with Santa kneeling at our manger scene. A snowflake hanging from some lower branches is a substitute for the star that will lead those wise men on their journey. (Can you imagine, God could only find three smart guys in all of Judea and beyond? How many could He locate today?) A thin, colored sheet of metal forms Santa’s body kneeling at the base of the sacred manger. A white wooden manger scene that has filled our yard for many years surrounds it. Bob is attempting to hide one of the baby Jesuses, but I think of my eldest grandson who asked to go see the other Jesus outside.

We will soon put luminaries outside along the sidewalk. Bob had looked for white ones about 304 days too late. We had some red and green ones I picked up somewhere, so they will be lovely substitutes for ones more solemn.

Bob is sleeping now, praying to wake with little pain. I napped this afternoon, so I am ready to go! My cough medicine with codeine knocks me out, so I will try to silently hack away. You all know the feeling of trying not to cough at some public event. I have yet to learn the trick so wish me luck at disguising my ailment.  I talked with Stephanie’s family. They are huddled with things to “nosh” watching our annual Miracle on 34^th Street. She has extended our patterns to her new family. The boys got to blow out the 4^th Advent candle and get birthday cake for Jesus at their home church. What a sense of peace that gives me. Suddenly, the hip is not so burning and my cough is reduced!

I have long told anyone near me in script or on the street of the many joys wrapped in the wonder of having grandchildren. There are few people in all of Chicagoland who are unaware of my status as a grandmother. With all that bottled pleasure comes a blanket of serenity when I see the actions of a past generation repeated this holy night. As my daughter begins to instill the real magic of a holy birth, as Bob and I attend our church service, as past generations have sung Silent Night there is peace for the world, a break in the busyness and a dream for the future. Help keep that dream alive. Merry Christmas Eve.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  It takes us longer, so we pick and choose the right activities for our home. We stop to prepare in a new way, making sure we insure the echo of the words of Luke. Life is good!

Santa is on the Way

A sinus infection has limited my desires and actions. The new medications are finally showing improvement in my body. Despite my illness, that calendar countdown has kept on going.

I managed to go out a little today. I went and picked up a few stocking gifts in the grand hopes that Bob’s stocking can be located. I finally found mine yesterday. The restoration company did an excellent job washing and scrubbing, but things were not replaced in the same bins they were originally stored. I mentioned before that my small wooden reindeer was found in three different boxes. (Not bad since there were only four parts.) So I will cross my fingers and then attack the world of bubble wrap and papers in search of that stocking.

Our cards have been mailed and new greetings grace our closet door. We are finding fewer cards this year, and half of what we have received is photo cards. It is somewhat amusing that multiple people have chosen their pets to replace any home picture. Why are they too chicken to show their own cute faces? Young children are still smiling out at me making me grin in response.

We are about to make cookies. Bob will then need to duct tape my hands to my side. I have managed to lose nine and a half pounds lately and don’t plan to gain that all back in one painful kitchen binge. I also want to have some family goodies on Christmas Eve. We also plan on meeting good friends for pizza on Friday night. There’s a somewhat logical chance that I’ll end up gaining those ten pounds back to my round frame.

Well, I need to go take my cough medicine with codeine. Then I will probably drop flat on my face in about thirty minutes. I WILL get over this sinus infection!!! My surgery for January needs to find me with clear lungs so that medication needs to get to work.

Just a few hours until the big red guy arrives. May all of your final preparations go well.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

My schedule is my own, so I can sleep, pack and watch all of those holiday movies when my body allows.

Morphed Friends

My pain these last few days is trying to reach my IQ. Although that number is not a hard target, I prefer my discomfort to be less than my shoe size. I’ve had difficulty moving around due to my vertigo reaching its apex. There was a power struggle between the vertigo and migraine. I wish they could come to a truce for my migraine is back to renewing its power.  Needless to say, I’m not out dancing in the streets. When I went to an early bedtime the other night, I had to call Bob to come to my assistance for I had lost track of the location of the floor. It’s a horrible feeling to be laying on the floor, unable to determine the correct location for my feet. Instead, I remained huddled down, praying for God to help and Bob to hurry up those darn stairs.

I was in my monthly book club yesterday when I could feel my vertigo start to spin away. When I looked at the two women seated across from me, I discovered a new characteristic of this unusual feeling. Their faces were being morphed in a circular pattern. I almost wanted to watch for the beauty of the spun colors was fascinating, but staring at people across from you is not really depicting etiquette. An awful headache was starting to join my vertigo so my eyes dropped lower to be able to focus on an item on the table.

I’m curious if this is what some people feel when experimenting with drugs. I surely wouldn’t pick this view. There is also a lack of control. I was no longer able to even partake in the conversation while my head was busy spinning at Nasc ar speeds. I almost needed a seatbelt on my chair and helmet on my head.

So life is going round and round. Even while writing these few paragraphs it is like I am at a ship at sea. Everything is rocking away while I attempt to focus on my thoughts instead of the screen. I’m about to do a loop d’loop as done on summer carnival rides so I better bring this post to a close.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers. We could use every one of them.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  My kaleidoscope view of the world depicts all of God’s creations in a new manner.

Gains or Losses

We are now in our own bed. Bob is sound asleep with Einstein at his feet. I miss the hard spikes of a resin dinosaur, the lump of a stuffed monkey and small little racecars in my pillow that I find as treasures when spending time with my grandsons. The suitcases are waiting until tomorrow. We had 23 messages on our phone and two missed packages from Fed Ex. Some boxes sit in our foyer due to nice neighbors who keep a special eye on our home after a two-week absence. Christmas is in the air.

There for a while I was wondering if we would get out of Providence. The plane pulled from the gate and then we sat and sat some more. The second engine would not start causing the pilot to warn of a trip back to a gate and possible extra night in the northeast. They obviously managed to fix things since I have described life in Illinois. I like having working engines when flying.

Tomorrow is unpacking, going through mail and getting serious about making our Christmas cards. Our laundry is minimal since we just did a couple of loads at Stephanie’s yesterday. I have the usual yoga as I pretend that these movements will transform me into a slimmer diva. It hasn’t happened yet, but this blog will be the first to know of any bragging rights. I’m getting discouraged that my vain attempts to reduce my frame are not having much luck. I don’t get it. I joined Weight Watchers but have only managed to lose about 5 pounds in 6 weeks. I even have generally been faithful. I often contemplate if God is just trying to teach me patience. That’s one trait sorely missing from my current characteristics.

I believe my reiki is giving me some relief from my body aches. Although I still have daily confrontations with my vertigo, my bad spouts of dizziness are down to about twice per week. I succeeded out East with minimal pain pills, so bravo to that! I go to the surgeon this Friday to discuss the implant of my neurostimulator since I had positive results from the trial. I keep praying for improvement, and I know God is listening. I in no way could be holding down a full-time job as a teacher, but I am grateful for any small gains made. (Quite a contrast to my losses wanted in Weight Watchers.)

I’m going to hunker down to my latest book by Jodi Picoult. We discuss it in my book study this Friday. I’m reading Sing You Home. It will be a great one for discussion. This author hasn’t disappointed me yet. I love the way she makes even my brain turn over a neuron or two. The trouble is this isn’t a comedy. We have read several thought provoking books, and I’m in grave need for some humor.

I’m going to try to calm my body down through reading, reiki and meditation, not exactly in that order. I need to settle the fizz in my brain and apologize to my hips for recent abuse.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  I won’t be falling to sleep any time soon with my body on strike, but that will give me more time for some quiet talks with God.

Life as a Robot

Another day draws to a close. We’re all thinking of last minute things to do before Bob and I head for the plane ride home. This is a little tougher adios for me because the next visit has not been set. I don’t have a new date to view. This will be the first Christmas I have without my daughter at my side. Do I hear any sniffles or sobs?

The boys couldn’t be cuter. Just one giggle and they’ve captured my heart. I beam down at these little faces so proud to be a grandmother. I’ve been able to spend time with each of them on an individual basis this time. I love to glimpse at their problem solving and desire for attention. The little clowns do make me laugh, although writing down the incidents would not appear slightly amusing to any other.

Our pile of gifts to wrap is miraculously growing despite Bob’s effort with tape and tags. He is also guilty of purchasing “just one more thing” so no blame is cast my way. One slight hint of something nice and I hit the computer. Our distance is somewhat the factor.

We couldn’t be more proud of our daughter. We have been blessed to watch her grow into a remarkable wife and mother. Being the wife of an active service person is not an easy task. Yet she somehow is inspired to make wonderful homemade gifts, decorate her home with new traditions and make delicious home-cooked meals. The show-off even made fresh pasta this evening. Yum! Martha Stewart would be proud. We got to see her play bells at her church. Multiple members confided of Stephanie’s excellence as a wife and mom, while being a Christian role model to all. She works hard. Days are not always easy with two small children and a husband who works 90-hour weeks. Yet her children know of their parents’ love and devotion.

Last night we went through a drive through nativity where scenes from the Christmas story were depicted. The boys loved the lights and relished another telling of the birth of Christ. Today we went to the church that hosts Teddy’s preschool for A Trip to Bethlehem. Live llamas, goats and chickens captured their attention. We saw angels, shepherds and not nice Roman guards. We tasted yummies and made a crystal napkin ring in the marketplace. I was so proud of Teddy’s knowledge of the real Christmas when we found that some clarification was in order. As we drove from his pre-school, Teddy asked if we could now go see the “other Jesus from last night.” We’ll work on that.

However, it’s about time to return home. It’s growing harder to get in the van (a hoist is on call) and my bones are creaking a little louder (ok neighbors can hear then seven blocks away). I’ve worked hard to at least pretend to eat partially healthy as I dream of days with less flab. My days have been without narcotics despite some difficult times. My daily naps are still needed as I strive to refresh my body. Stephanie can tell as vertigo begins to creep into my body for my moves become stiff and my walk becomes almost robotic. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I adore my roles of wife, mother and Nanny. Life is very good.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  My grandsons adore robots so I must be pretty sweet to have their movements down pat. Wow! Life is good!

The Sleepover

We did it!  I am plopped on the couch, exhausted following an evening with us manning the fort in order for my daughter and her hubby to attend a holiday party. Things kind of went on schedule. Well, we were maybe just five hours behind schedule.

Bob decided to run out and purchase some “healthy” deep fried KFC rather than partake in the planned menu. That would be halfway acceptable if we weren’t already almost an hour late for suppertime. Now adults can handle a delayed meal within reason, but toddlers of just two and four kind of revolt against such absurdity. Even with Bob getting lost and late, all four walls were still standing when he got home.

We started our sleepover movie at their usual bedtime. It took awhile to all get in jammies and comfortably settled with blankies and pillows. Teddy had picked The Incredibles. Bob’s body is not accustomed to holding squirming children let alone being used as a jungle gym. My out-of-shape body revolted picking up their relatively small frames approximately 729 times each. The movie did not hold the interest for my Ollie, but climbing on Bob after terrorizing their small dog proved enjoyable. Teddy watched half-heartedly, more interested in his new Inno Tab.

Their parents should be home any second, and the kids are all settled in their beds. They are wide-awake but at least in their bedroom. I can hear Ollie’s pleading calls for “Poppy” while Woody’s voice loudly states directions for Teddy as he tries to master his new tech game. Bob is settled in his bed after gulping some water with his pain pills. The boys are wide-awake, but do I get points for having my husband snoring away? I sit smiling on the couch, feeling content and proud. I would not trade any second of my day.

The Christmas tree is adorned with small white lights. The number of homemade ornaments from the youngsters is expanding. You can see how my Teddy’s coloring has improved since last year’s Santa. Stockings hang to my right with dreams of Santa coming to fill them to the brim. An Elf on the Shelf watches over me, almost ready to head to the North Pole to report good behavior to Santa. I can hear soft lullabies attempting to encourage sleep while the sound of “Pa Pa” still call for some love. This is the feeling of family. This is my supposed legacy. This is what takes away my pain, but makes me slower to stand. The beginnings of Christmas memories and traditions can be felt in this home. It’s filled with Santa wishes and bright red Rudolph noses, but the baby Jesus lays in the manger. The peace that passes understanding resides in this Connecticut home. Life is good.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove that Life is Good:

     -  My body is sore and you can hear the creaking of my bones but the love of Christmas comforts any pain. I just picture two smiling faces and I know that life is very good.

Fully, Less, More and All

This weekend, I got to worship at Stephanie’s church. I always gain something special when listening to the sermons of her pastors. These short suggestions for this Advent season need to be repeated.

First of all, everything fits under the title of Advent Conspiracy.  That title was discussed in prior sermons, but I think you will get the main idea if I keep on going.

We all need to WORSHIP FULLY. It’s easy to forget the real reason of Advent and get caught up in To Do Lists and a bursting calendar of engagements. Instead, we should WORSHIP FULLY in order to put Christ back in Christmas. I think we are all guilty of spending more time planning for fun events than actually remembering why we have Christmas.

Next, we should SPEND LESS. Its nuts to just exchange gift cards for restaurants. We buy toys for kids that will be lost in their jungle of fun within one week. Our charge cards assume ridiculous heights in the vain efforts to buy the perfect presents for other people in our lives. By buying or giving a mountain of presents, we spend time that could otherwise be devoted to God.

It seems impossible, but the next one is GIVE MORE. We should prioritize our time better. There are multiple options from wonderful organizations that could use our donations. There are food, clothing and toy drives throughout any city. Multiple non-profit organizations would be extremely grateful of even small monetary donations.

The final suggestion is to LOVE ALL. That’s a gift that would please our Lord and Savior. That simple commandment pretty much explains all the others from the Top Ten list. Eliminate those harsh words that somehow pop out of your mouth when the holiday tension attacks. Patience is worn thinner when our minds are focused on the mall instead of the Lord.

So, complete the remainder of the Advent season with these guides: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All. There are 18 more days until the big birthday. Let these words help you focus on a simpler and more bountiful route.

God Uses Chronic Pain to Prove Life is Good:

     -  My pain has me off work since I am on disability. That allows me to travel during times that schools are working. Then I have time to go to Stephanie’s church and hear great inspiration.

Laughter, Cardboard Boxes and Ice Cream

Life is busy with the creativity of toddlers. It’s amazing to see the wheels in their beloved heads turn when presented with a big, brown box and time to create. I played with them as we soared on an airplane, traveled to my home, and cruised on a boat. My husband had the idea of getting the kids inside and then riding down the stairs. The kids loved it, however Stephanie quickly disassembled the box and took it out to the recycle bin. I don’t know who was more disappointed: Bob or the kids?

I’m still rereading and then reading again The Snowmen. It’s a favorite book for both of my grandsons. Snowmen pop out of the pages in a charming tale of their nighttime adventures. Ollie immediately brings over the Peek a Boo book next. We have the sequence down. My lap is frequently filled with tiny tooshes during the day, and I love every minute of it.

So far, we have had the birthday party for both youngsters and a private family celebration on Ollie’s actual big day. Teddy turns four tomorrow, so the celebration continues.  So far, we have gone to a christening of a submarine, attended an Advent party at church, and watched a Parade of Lights. The weather has been wet a few days but the temperature has been closer to the fall.

We’ve stayed a week with another seven days to go. My son-in-law has not kicked us out so far, but his work schedule doesn’t allow him home for long. He always puts in at least a thirteen-hour day. Today he was at work by 4:00 AM and will come home tomorrow night at 5:00 PM. His day off for the MONTH was on the 4^th for the boys’ birthday party. Let’s just say his nighttime adventures don’t last long when he confronts their comfortable couch.

I’m trying to be healthy (don’t laugh) and avoid the two yummy cakes made in celebration of birthdays and the yummy cookies for after quiet time. I was doing great until we went out to eat for Ollie’s birthday. We were hurrying to see the parade and my guys each left at least a half their ice cream sandwiches.  I looked up to Stephanie’s jaw on the floor and Chris’ eyes like deer eyes as I stuffed half in my mouth. I think that vetoed the effects of grilled shrimp on a salad. Oops!

As the calendar pages quickly turn, I’m impressed by the creativity and knowledge shown by my boys. I have laughed more in one week than I do during six months at home. That freedom helps the aches and pains while making me feel closer to God’s presence here on Earth. Life is so good.

God Uses Chronic Pain to Show that Life is Good:

     -  How can you not laugh when two boys are splashing away in the bathtub, each with Santa beards of bubbles?

Down on My Knees

Life is good!

We arrived in Connecticut late Tuesday evening. Bob and I were pretty pooped by the time we got to finally hold our wonderful grandsons. Since then, I have delighted in bath time, meal discussions, and just plain old play time. I have read Peek-a-Boo and The Snowmen at least a dozen times each. We played at Tumble class with Ollie as he experienced the balance beam and long, colorful tunnels and picked up Teddy from pre-school.

There’s a sense of peace amidst the hectic schedule in the home of two toddlers. They anxiously await their birthdays, both falling within the next seven days. With all the hype of Christmas also in the air, it seems like their calendar is exploding with exciting events. Their church is having a big Advent party, Teddy’s pre-school is having an arts and crafts afternoon, and Chris’s base is offering a holiday extravaganza complete with movies for families. Plus, there is a big birthday party scheduled to celebrate my boys.

A very unique event is the christening of my son-in-law’s submarine this Saturday. I have never been privy to such a unique celebration. I am unsure of the specific details, but I am confident that I will be the proudest mother-in-law in attendance.

My crooked body has managed to tickle tummies, make train tracks and buy Happy Meals. I am treasuring the time for I know it will pass quickly. I slowly trudge to the second floor, my speed decelerating with each stair. My shins have new bruises from falls here in the northeast but those too will heal. I feel blessed to be doing as well as I am and grateful that my credit card works just as well in Connecticut.

Don’t let the calendar steal Advent from your life. Remember there are priorities being made each day. Are you honestly so busy that you can’t give God ten minutes each day to read the Bible or fifteen minutes to spend in prayer and meditation. It’s all up to you. Remember what made life so good.

God Uses My Chronic Pain to Prove Life is Good:

     -  Since I fall so often, I already am on my knees. I might as well talk to God.