what happens when you cram too much into 16 days

 Today I was going to start posting pictures and stories from our vacation to the Dakotas last week, but then I wrote a blurb on Facebook about how stressful the last two weeks have been. Many people took that as my life completely falling apart. In reality, it was just overbooked. Here is what a spreadsheet might look like:

           Monday, June 3, 9:00 – low stress – phone preop visit for Hubby’s knee replacement on June 17. Oh, except that they didn’t call until around 10:30 for this phone appointment

          Monday, June 3, 4:00 – low stress – Hubby’s physical therapy appt so he knows what to expect following surgery

          Tuesday, June 4, 9:30 – low stress – Hubby’s radiology appt for a CT of his leg prior to surgery

          Tuesday, June 4, 12:30 – slightly more stress – Hubby took the car to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, and of course they found other things to replace and it took longer than expected

          Tuesday, June 4, 4:00 – low stress – Hubby had to be back in town for his preop appt with his primary care provider

          Tuesday, June 4, all day – higher stress, because I make everything more stressful than need be – I cleaned house all day, washed clothes, and packed

          Wednesday, June 5, 7:00 am – medium stress – We wanted to leave for our drive to North Dakota, but were half an hour late getting going due to some family drama, but where would we be without family

          Wednesday, June 5 through Thursday, June 13 – up and down stress – sometimes I wonder why anyone even takes vacations. Sure, you have a good time in the long run, but there’s the packing and traveling and getting lost, running into sketchy weather and road construction, unpacking, etc. Overall, though, yes, we had a very good time, and I will share all about that in the coming weeks.

          Friday, June 14, 11:00 – low stress – final call to Hubby’s surgeon to get a time for Monday’s surgery. The rest of the day mostly spent washing clothes.

          Saturday, June 15 – low stress – more washing clothes and some house cleaning, while Hubby visited a friend and his aunt

          Sunday, June 16 – should have been no stress, but what would I do with no stress – I surprised Hubby by inviting the kids over for dinner for Fathers Day, but there was still stuff to do to get ready for his surgery

          Monday, June 17 – massive stress – You know the saying: any surgery can be routine, unless you’re the one being operated on, then it’s a major surgery. Right?

          So Hubby got his knee replaced and it all sounded like it would be simple and everything did turn out all right, but it still turned out to be one of the longest days of my life

          Tuesday, June 18 – more stress – Let’s just say it was another one of the longest days of my life. No matter what they tell you, knee replacement surgery is not for sissies and the patient’s spouse better not be a sissy either. And I wouldn’t recommend going on a nine-day vacation just before surgery.

But we are moving on and each day things will go smoother. And now you just can’t wait to hear about that trip, right? I’m anxious to relive it myself.

The Challenge

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Philippians 4:13, Good News Translation)

I shared the same verse last Sunday, but today, I thought I’d explain why it popped up on my radar last week.

We were on vacation in the Dakotas for several days (I never post when I am gone coz it feels like announcing to the world, “Come rob me; I’m not home"). On our second day on the road, we drove through the southern loop of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There were many places to pull over to take in the scenic views and even a few trails going off into the wilderness.

At one such pull-off, a short trail led up to a bluff. Sixteen months ago, I would have charged up it without giving it a thought. But for the last nearly year and a half, I have walked gingerly wherever I went and even resorted to using a cane when I was not sure of myself.

It really wasn’t that much of a slope, and the trail wasn’t even that narrow. But I still hesitated.

“Is this a smart move for me to take? There’s nothing to grab onto if I lose my balance or get a sharp pain in my back. I wouldn’t have the strength to help myself. I’m all alone out here.”

But there was the voice in my head—the other voice, the one that only encourages me: “Jesus will walk beside you up that hill and give you the strength and confidence you need.”

When I got back to the car, feeling triumphant, I asked Hubby if he wondered what had happened to me. I didn’t think he could see me, but he assured me he had watched my every move.

Just like Jesus watched my every move, too.

Dakota Vacation Selfies - Blog Post 1

A week ago, Wednesday, June 5, we pulled out of the driveway for our nine-day vacation to the Dakotas and back. The first picture shows that it was rainy that morning, but the forecast promised improved weather.

We just got home yesterday afternoon, so I am still processing the pictures and the memories. Today, I thought I'd post, in no particular order, all the awful selfies we took.

We don't seem to smile much, do we? 

Here's the final picture of the trip. The poor car almost got eaten up by bugs on the 2,300-mile drive. In addition to washing clothes today, I need to wash our faithful mode of transportation.  

 

No Challenge Too Great

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

I was doing something this past week which wouldn’t have been a big deal sixteen months ago. But as you know, since April 1 of last year, I have been defeated and broken in more ways than one.

But there I was that day last week, wondering if I was up to the physical challenge that I put in front of me, when the above verse came into my head. I knew this verse, I’d heard it many times and in many places. So where was it over the past sixteen months? I don’t know. But suddenly there it was and there I was meeting what should have been a minor task, had I been as physically fit as I had been in the past.

God is good and it is only through the strength of Jesus Christ that I have made it this far.

More next week about this teeny challenge. For today, I look at that picture above, and think, was that really me? Talk about a challenge, climbing and hiking miles through Hell’s Gate in Kenya, seven years ago. I couldn’t do that now. Or could I?  

 

Oh, Glorious Day

 

I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.” (Revelation 21:3-4, Good News Translation)

I think it’s been a while since I’ve given you any updates on my chronic pain. I feel like that affliction itself is pretty much gone. Oh, sure, I still get the quirky pains in random places. I’d been doing well for a week, and then my left hip jerked me around, and I couldn’t bend for a few hours. But it loosened up, and life went on.

Mostly, my body is constantly stiff and achy. I stretch out my back throughout the day, but it only helps to a certain extent. My neck isn’t too painful anymore, but it is exceptionally stiff, so I can’t turn my head to check traffic while driving. Thank You, God, for the safety features in my car, like the backup camera and warning lights when someone is in my blind spot.

I can live with what’s been going on in my body, even my old nemesis – the kidney stone, which came out of nowhere Monday night.

The Bible passage above was yesterday's verse on the Bible Gateway website. It reminds me that someday I’ll no longer have any pain; I won’t even have the stiffness and achiness. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

And then there was one

As you may recall, a year ago last January we made the tough decision to put down our Dino. He had lived with us for over fifteen years and had made friends with all the cats who came and went in our household. But his best buddy was the Cheshire Cat, or Ches for short.

Last summer Ches was diagnosed with diabetes. He continued to go downhill, and we knew that eventually we would have to make a decision.

Over the weekend, his breathing got much worse, and he wasn’t interested in his food. When I called the vet on Tuesday, they were able to get him in that day.

He is once again with his best buddy, Dino.

Ches was by far our most photogenic pet.

And sadly, poor little Emma is all we have left. 

Some Place I Know

A year ago, we sold my mom’s land to another relative of ours. On Memorial Day, Hubby and I had the honor of being invited out to visit that piece of property with its new owners. I was so happy to see them enjoying it – getting outdoors with the kids and getting them away from their cell phones and video games.

I couldn’t remember exactly where I had taken pictures of before, but I gave it my best shot.

May 2024

July 2017

May 2024

July 2017

May 2024

August 2018

May 2024

Aug 2018

They said they were going to put everyone’s hand prints on this rock. I thought it was a cool idea, until I saw the face on the rock. Hmm? Maybe a paint job would cheer him up.