My Weblog

We're not done praying yet.........

at 1PM my blood pressure was 106/66. And now, well, we're not going by numbers but it isn't good. Thankfully I'm in God's hands. But, I really need your support. Thanks, friends. 

Did I mention..........

that the "potassium" idea came to me in the middle of the night IN THE BATHROOM. Now you know about me and the stuff I learn in the bathroom, right? And you do know, right, that I don't wake up well? That I am groggy and only semi functional? Yet, I remembered that til this morning and immediately on opening the baby browns, took a potassium supplement.

Well, I took ONE potassium pill this morning and my blood pressure is now 118/73! Woohoo! Can you believe it? after going through days of scary-high readings!

If I had had money, I might have gone to an urgent care or an emergency room, probably an emergency room. And after I sat there who knows how long, they might have done a blood test which would have revealed it. OR, they might have given me a quickie something which would have brought the BP down temporarily. Then, they just might have sent me home, only to find me back on their doorstep hours later. OR, they might have admitted me. I don't even want to speculate how much $$$ that would have cost.

Instead I prayed and praised and sang and battled my way to the answer. Dr. God knows more anyway! Couldn't get a better doc......... And, in the meantime, He built my faith.

All the papers for Christmas kit #3 are finished, including re-doing one, the one where I thought the pattern was too big and the paper too busy. And I've got somewhere between 25-30 elements. We're off to a good start.

I made my little quinoa concoction for lunch. That was a big +. I pulled 2 cups of broth out of the pot. I poured it into a pan and brought it up to boiling. I then added 1 cup of quinoa, brought it back up to boiling, covered it and reduced the heat to medium. I let it cook for about 6 minutes and dumped in about 1/2 can of peas (drained). Then I fished some of the meaty pieces of turkey out and added them to the pan and recovered it and let it cook for about 6 more minutes (til all the liquid had been absorbed by the quinoa). I was supposed to fluff it and let it sit, covered, for 15 minutes. I couldn't do it. I ate a bowlful immediately, and then went back for more. And there's enough for dinner. Good eats and no gluten carbs, no added salt (except whatever was in the canned peas), and no added fat. I think I'd like to own a quinoa factory, LOL.

I wish I had not been "starving". I think some onions, lightly browned, would taste fabulous in there. I'll try that next time.

Okay, got stuff to do. Later.........

Related articles

Quinoa Super Powers

Quinoa...what is it anyway?

Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'

That's me. I'm still here and I'm going to do everything I can to accomplish something worthwhile today.

It's still flying high--my blood pressure, that is. Last night I did some research on "thyroid storms". Well, the only thing I can find on that subject is that it is associated with a hyperactive thyroid. I have an underactive thyroid. This thing I'm going through does have some similarities to a thyroid storm though.

Last night it occurred to me that I have not been taking my potassium supplement regularly. I know that potassium helps in heart stuff, so I've had one of those jim-dandy pills first thing this morning. I feel like taking more, simply because I know that one pill is only 3% of the Minimum Daily requirement. But, I can't go crazy with it. Just for today, I may take 3, one at each meal time, and see if that makes any difference. And, if I have any OJ that isn't spoiled, I may guzzle some of that.

I am more or less convinced that this is at least partially dehydration. I would love to know what in the world my body is doing with all the water I drink! My skin is as shriveled as an old woman's so it certainly is not hydrating my skin. I put away 80 oz of water yesterday. I generally hit in the 60 oz mark which is a little low for my body weight, but not enough to cause skin that looks like this! So, I will continue today forcefeeding myself water, water, water.

I worked on that darned turkey bird off and on all day yesterday. I had NO clue how much meat was on that little guy's breast. Wow! I think I got 5 quart-size freezer bags of meat. And, so far, I have 3 bags of meat/broth in the freezer. I'm sure I'll end up with at least double that.......I ended up with 2-5qt pots with broth/meat, each one about 3/4 full. My plan for today is to save the last bit of meat and broth and to cook some quinoa in it. I think that should be very tasty. If I get ambitions, I will add some veggies to that, mix it up, and call it lunch or dinner or whatever.

I had hoped to go to the grocery store today. We'll see how that goes. They still have turkeys for $.98 a pound which is a darned good deal. They also have bags of frozen veggies on 10 for $10. I think that is a pretty good deal and I'd love to be able to increase my choices of veggies.

Today, I am supposed to vacuum and work on a project. I think the vacuuming may be a little more aerobic than I want to attempt. But, I have a couple of "projects" to work on. I want to move things forward in that sewing room. The fridge could use a good clean out. And, I want to do some more work on this desktop. Of course, feeling not too well yesterday, the kitchen needs work too. So, I think those will be my target areas for today.

So, I worked on Christmas kit #3 yesterday. I was not working very efficiently, but I was working. The kit now has 14 papers and about 20 elements. I do have one paper in there that I think I'll redo. I feel like it is TOO busy. I will use the same pattern, but reduce the size........ But, it's progress and I thank God for that!

My design assistant will be home tomorrow. I want to upload a bunch of stuff for previews. She's been on vacation far too long, LOL.

I also need to get next week's kit uploaded for the CT. It's got extras and will definitely be a big, time consuming upload. Need to start that early. And, I have yet to finish my November backups. Gotta get it done.

Well, that's MY plan for today. Now, I'm gonna stop this and ask God about His plan, LOL. He just might have other things on his mind...... YOU be BLESSED today. Just want to point out that it's okay to say THANKS even if the "official" Thanksgiving Day is over!

 

Fighting the good fight.........

I've got my gospel music goin' on in the background. You know, it says in Deuteronomy 28 that every form of sickness, disease, etc., is because of "the curse". What curse? Well, I believe it is the curse that Adam brought on the earth when he surrendered dominion to Satan at Eden. The second Adam, our Lord Jesus, got it right. And He took back all the power for those who serve Him. And He came to "redeem us from the curse". And, I am one of the redeemed.

A little while ago I walked into the kitchen. I finally got as much meat as possible hacked off that bird and I went out to put the carcass "in the bilin' pot" (remember Mammy and Mr. Kennedy's clothes in Gone With the Wind) and to start the clean up of all the stuff that needs cleaned up. And with no intention to do so, I had a marvelous praise time. Just Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and me.

Then I walked back into the office and started up my music again. And these are the lyrics I heard being sung:

Bless the Lord who reigns in beauty
Bless the Lord who reigns with wisdom and with power
Bless the Lord who reigns my life with so much love
He can make a perfect heart

For the last few weeks, God has had me praying, almost daily, with the Psalmist, "Create in me a clean heart". I went looking for Chapter 51 of the Psalms. Then I looked at various translations. I thought you might enjoy seeing the translation from The Message Bible, Psalms 51:7-15...........

 

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
    I’ll let loose with your praise.

Do you believe in coincidences? I don't......... So, I am thanking Him for a "perfect" heart, for a clean bill of health, for a commuted death sentence created from the chaos of my life. Yes, I do take that literally. Now I'm going to go out into the kitchen and sing some anthems to His life-giving ways.

I'm having a blessed day, spiritually, and I think I have new promises to cling to. Are you having a blessed day? Even in the midst of the chaos, I am.

I finally got a chance for that job interview today. The lady doing the hiring and firing and I have a good bit in common. I think a relationship was struck. She is expecting a part time opening shortly, and asked me to check back......... Yeah! Now I'm walking in faith for that one. The Lord knows I need it and He'll give me the strength to handle it when it comes.

So, that's all my news for now. I'm going to go start the dishwasher. Later, y'all.

Specific message for someone...........

There is a person out there in interweb who I'm sure means well and is deeply concerned about what he/she thinks is happening in my life.

I quote Jesus: "He that has ears to hear, let him hear." I have prayed for wisdom in this situation. I have had several confirmations that I made the proper decision based on His wisdom. In fact, I'm living, by His grace, through one right now. Do you really want to criticize His wisdom? or talk me into doing what I know I shouldn't?

I have explained the whole deal here, in far greater depth than I wish I had. "He that has ears to hear, let him hear." That's KJV English for "Listen up". I cannot do this thing you want. I cannot do this on so many levels, at least not now. Now, when it is God's time, I am trusting God to make a way. But it isn't time now or He would have made the way already. Instead I am contending in faith for my own life and health. Now, if you continue to try to manipulate me or guilt me indo doing something I feel I should not do because it is not God's will for me right now, know that until I get a sign from God, I cannot, should not, be moved by what you say. I am so sorry this bothers you and I am even sorrier you cannot seem to understand. And I am sorry for the person you are concerned about and I am even sorrier about me as every single step I take, but for faith and Jesus, is a risk. Every moment of my life is surrendered to His care. Think on this for a moment: How would that person about whom you are so concerned react to my death because I did what you say yes to and God has said no to? Disobeying God, particularly intentionally, would pull me out from under His protection, you know.............

I know only one thing. With big trials come big blessings. There is a reason I am being told to stay here. If you want to question God's plan, that's your right and privilege. But, please stop what you're doing to me as it only escalates the stress. Thank you and I love you. But, I still believe God know best.

Please know that I love you and am grateful for all the good things you have done. I continue to pray for you and would greatly value your prayers today. The situation looks bad, but God is good.

 

Related articles

So, I was in the bathroom.........

In case your faith isn't as strong as mine.......

I'm still here. I would very much appreciate your continued prayers. It would mean a lot to me, maybe even the difference between life and death. As far as I know, I've prayed to live til at least 2 events happen. They haven't happened yet, so I'm planning on sticking around til, at least, I see those things transpire.

Today is CT update today. I'm trying to write that now, in the background, but my computer is grinding along very slowly, so I thought I'd take a few moments to start here while it's grinding. It really needs a reboot, but I have all sorts of stuff to save/print, etc., before I can do that. Poor old thing.......I work her HARD!

I don't know what I'll get accomplished around here today. The first order of priority is to finish cutting all the meat off that turkey and bagging it up for the fridge/freezer. And, then I'll boil the carcass for lots of good broth for soup and such. Tradition would call for turkey and dumplings (called Turkey Pot Pie where I come from, but LOTS of carbs in that.........) I do not think I'll be doing much wall washing which is what's scheduled for today. I'm thinking I don't want to do the step ladder today. But, I can sort and organize fabric and perhaps declutter a bit in the garage.

I actually did do a bit of decluttering in the garage the other night. Plenty more to do. There is absolutely no organization left out there. And, I'm going to have to do a whole lot of throwing stuff away before I can make any progress on organizing. I need places to put what I'm going to keep.......

Well, I need to get on with rebooting this computer. It drags just a bit slower with every minute or so that passes. YOU be BLESSED today and may all your shopping be online, LOL.

 

Quiet Day but quite eventful.......

As I thought, no one has called today. That's most of what's gone according to plan. Remember that old saying "Show God your plan and listen to Him laugh." Yeah, well, that..........

I did manage some design work, but nowhere near as much as I had  hoped. I got a massive headache around 1PM. Then I took my blood pressure. I've seen it higher once. And that time, I had gone running into the doctor's office down the street, hoping against hope that my blood pressure monitor needed calibrated or something. And he wouldn't let me leave his office for any reason til he got it down. I knew the symptoms and when I read that blood pressure monitor today, it was a real shocker.

I stayed upright til about 2:40pm when the little popper on the turkey finally popped out at which time I just turned the oven off and propped the door open a little and went to bed, after taking an extra bp pill. It's supposed to be a 24-hour pill, and I took it at least 7 hours early. I laid in bed and prayed for a solid two hours. If I know you, I've prayed for you and thanked God for you.

Finally I got back up because the headache had lessened a little. Took my blood pressure and set a new second highest. In spite of the extra pill, it was still climbing. Climbing slowly, but climbing.

I called the prayer line I usually call when I need to talk with a faith-filled person who will agree with me in prayer. And, guess what? Their "24-hour prayer line" is closed for Thanksgiving. Now isn't that just like Satan. If he's gonna make you sick, you can bet it'll be on a day when you can't find anyone with whom to pray and believe.

Finally, I was struck to call CBN's prayer line. Thank God, their prayer ministers even pray on Thanksgiving! What a prayer warrior I got on that line! The next time I think maybe I'm checking out any minute, I hope I can find her again to pray. My blood pressure is not back to normal, but it's getting close. It is now out of the "comin' to join you, Elizabeth" territory.

I'm sure it didn't hurt that I had some good old gospel music playing in the background. It in my favorite form of spiritual warfare, riveled only by a heavy duty praise session. I'm convinced Satan and his minions run outta here when folks start singing about the gospel. Sometimes I sing, sometimes I let folks on the internet do it for me. Works either way!

And one of my poor, unsuspecting CT members e-mailed me to say a "Happy Thanksgiving" and I recruited her to stand with me in prayer too.

And, so it's Thanksgiving evening and I have much to be thankful for. I'm thanking Him already for tomorrow morning, LOL.

Now, having given you the message that I'm gonna live, I'm going to eat some turkey. So far I've had 5 small bites and that's it. I think I might need a bit more. And then I have to figure up a way to get that bird in the fridge til I feel well enough to tend to him properly.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Don't forget to thank Him, cause we're ALL gonna wake up tomorrow!

A Quiet Day Today..........

Well, the gang's all here, Jesus, Punkin, Parker, and me! We're having turkey. Or, maybe I'll have a turkey sandwich. Or, if I don't have a sandwich, maybe I'll add some mashed taters to the menu. I have some potatoes left over from the Zuppa Toscano I made a couple of weeks ago and I need a way to use them up.

I think I may have told you--I hate packaging! I needed to get a gravy packet and the neck out of the hole between the turkey legs. But, "they" made that nearly impossible. They inserted one of those leg-holder-together things. I struggle when it's wire like it usually is. But today, this guy had heavy duty plastic stuff, like what the police use in lieu of handcuffs. It took me 2 pairs of scissors, a sharp knife, and 17 minutes to hack my way through that thing. I was NOT amused!

It's also fun to get 14+ pounds of dead-weight turkey into the roasting pan! NOT!

At least I remembered to pull out all the stuff they put inside. The first time I did a turkey, I had no clue they put that stuff in there. So, it didn't get pulled out and we had quite a surprise when we were carving the darned thing.......... After the derision I received over that, I've never forgotten that little lesson again.

As I was trying to get the turkey into the roasting pan and trying to get the roasting pan into the oven, I wondered what in the world did I ever do when my turkeys weighed 23-27 pounds! Then I remembered I usually had a strong man around.

I was thinking about all the Black Friday sales online, which seem to have started as early as Gray Wednesday or however they describe that prelude to Black Friday. I could easily drop at least a couple of thousand dollars and not buy a single thing I don't need or can't justify. Nothing frivolous. For example, Lowe's has a very nice looking middle-of-the road outdoor grill on sale. I really miss having a grill. It's a bit torturous to step outside and smell the smell that goes along with the neighbors grilling. I really could use a new computer. This one is old and only God's protection keeps it going. I think the DVD player is going out. If I don't get a new computer, which I can't afford, I will have to ante up for a DVD player at least. My small collection of movies is what keeps me company. I bought a new Sonicare toothbrush a few weeks ago. A couple of months before that I broke down and bought some refills for the old one. Now I need refills for the new one. There are a couple study books for Bible study that make me drool but they're too pricey for me........ Or, how about a dozen pairs of undies that actually fit???? I could go on and on........

While that turkey is cooking, I'll be doing my usual. Mopping the hard floors, folding a load of laundry, maybe washing another load of laundry, and designing. Everything is complete on the kit I've been revamping except the preview for a freebie that will go with it.......

So, that's my day. I doubt the phone will ring today. But I did get a wonderful gift for "early Christmas" and I got a Thanksgiving e-card. That and good company (Jesus, Punkin, and Parker) are all I need. Like the Apostle Paul, I am learning to be content in every circumstance. Any day you get to spend time with Jesus is a good one.........

I'm in trouble now..........

At some point in my near future, I will almost certainly have to make a trip to Florida. And, I cannot afford to quit "work" (design) while I'm gone. I still have to "feed the animal". I don't see how I can do this unless I can get a laptop somehow.

I've searched all the cheapie sites I can think of for rebuilt ones, etc. To say I am disappointed at what can be purchased in a low price range is the ultimate underestimation. I am seeing stuff, almost universally, with a max of 4 GB of RAM. Absolutely no way I want to try to process large graphics files with 4 GB RAM. And the hard drives are minuscule. I'm seeing 80-250 GIG harddrives. I have more than 80 gigs of Commercial Use stuff. Then figure you've got to have room on the hard drive for operating system software, and maybe some version of Microsoft Office and Photoshop and tax software. and 250Gigs of hard drive are used up.

I'm not sure how much good a laptop would be to me if I have to drag my EHD along with me wherever I go and risk that being dropped or ruined somehow with all its contents. AND, I'm not thrilled with the tiny screes I'm seeing. I could most likely function as the graphics program I use allows zooming in and zooming out with no problem, but that would be a time eater. And, to add insult to injury, most of them have "old" operating systems. The upshot of all this is that they are functional but way past obsolete before I even think about buying one. Seems like a mighty poor investment to me.

So, woe is me. I found one much more like what I think I need. 8 GB RAM, 1T hard drive, most recently released operating system. The machine comes in a choice of colors and in 2 screen sizes. It is pretty much everything I would want. I would also use it for tax return prep. I have a number of clients who are elderly and disorganized. Requiring them to come here would result in several trips and several appointments. What a waste of my time and theirs. If I go to them, which is where their records are stored, I have a much better chance of getting the tax return completed with some level of efficiency. The problem is how to afford this thing. And, I don't think I can. And I don't think this sale offer will come again. And, it's literally about half price for similarly equipped machines during this sale period.

Bah! I am not happy. In fact I am kicking myself mightily. I just asked for a quote for a weekly rate on a laptop rental from a place here in town. I have a feeling I won't like it but I'll know for sure when I get an e-mail from them........

Well, just wanted to chit chat for a minute or two. Now, it's back to work for me...........

New Stuffs, week of 11/22/13

Snow! It happens. Some of us love it, some of us don't. But, it's beautiful, and the kiddos get such a charge out of being outside, making snowmen, sledding, skating, making showballs and more. Today, I have a fun winter kit to help you as you scrap some of your winter memories.

The kit can be purchased or you can buy just the elements, just the papers, or just the alphas. Everything is on sale 30% of at introductory price. Just go to my store at A Cherry on Top and throw it in your cart. No coupon codes or anything like that. The sale price is already entered in the store for you.

I also have 4 retiring kits on sale this week. (Sale ends Friday night). I thought I should show you those as well.

 

Each of these 4 kits is on sale at 40% off. Friday night they will disappear from the store. Some may be reworked and put back in a store somewhere. Some will be gone forever. Don't miss out on these beautiful kits at a bargain price.

Related articles

Time to say "good morning"

New Stuffs, week of 11/9/13

New Stuffs, Week of 7/13/13