Ah the pity. Youth is wasted on the young. ~ George Bernard Shaw
Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life. ~Herbert Henry Asquith
Remember when our parents used to say "Enjoy this time now, when you're older you won't be able to get it back."? And we all thought, "yeah, right, whatever old farts..."
As 40 looms in the not so far off distance (no - not this year), my mind doesn't feel almost 40 but, my body sure does! Aches, pains, cracks, and more visits to the chiropractor are certainly in my future. These crazy people ask if we're going to have - they mean adopt - another child and my answer is always "God knows my limitations. He will never give me more than I can handle."
Looking forward, I've come to appreciate what my life has been so far. I've met some great people and some not so great people. I've loved and been loved. I've hurt and I've been hurt. I've had more than my share of losses. I've counted my blessings and I've wondered if God could possibly bless me again. And he has, in fact my cup runneth over!
I always loved the question - if you could go back in time to your youth and change anything, what would you change or do differently? My answer now is nothing. I wouldn't change anything. The mistakes I've made in my youth have made me the person I am today. Each one of them was meant to be a lesson to me. To teach me. And they have.
I'm closing in on a milestone in my life, and one thing I have always held close to my heart is the poem Footprints In The Sand. When I do look back, and at the lowest points, at relationships that failed, friendships that were lost, losing my sister, losing my dad, all of those times when there was only one set of footprints - The Lord said "It was then that I carried you". I look back at my life, my youth and all of the mistakes I've made, things I thought maybe I should have done differently but, I know those were my times of trial, and my Lord was carrying me through those times just as they were supposed to be.
It's fun to remember the carefree times of being a child, riding bikes until the street lights came on, playing in the sand or the water on the beach, and yes, it's true, I guess I didn't know what I had then. Yet, I don't think I could have the same appreciation for it now if I did.
My question to you - if you could go back to your youth and change anything, would you?
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
X = X-ray (duh! What else!?!)
It was either this or xylophone and seeing as I don't have any experience with one of those what-so-ever, X-ray it is!
I remember my first experience with an X-ray. I was about 22 and I was having some terrific problems with my tummy. I kept getting so sick. Finally, my Dr. ordered an Upper G.I. Tract X-ray. I went to the hospital for this test and I had to drink this horrible orange flavored chalk as the tech took the pictures. They needed to see how this chalk flowed into my stomach to determine if I had an ulcer. This commando woman was at the end of the table, ordering me, "Drink. Breathe. Don't Breathe.". And then I choked on that shit and I'm coughing, coughing, coughing, and she yells at me "I said Don't Breathe!". Maybe she wanted me to die right there on her table?
My 2nd experience was much calmer, though a lot more painful and I'm about to get a whole bunch of TMI here so...In the midst of infertility, one of the tests they do is called a Hysterosalpingogram or HSG. The Dr. injects dye through the cervix into the uterus which flows into the fallopian tubes. It's done to see if there is a blockage. Thankfully mine was clear - or so Jeremy said, I couldn't see the teensy TV screen as there were 10 other people with their big heads in there who'd never seen the procedure but, hey...they learned something, right? Of my experiences, this was the worst! SEVERE cramping for about an hour while my body expelled the dye (contrast). I remember kneeling on the seat of my truck, curled in a ball with my head down on the center console and crying, waiting for the dye to leave. And then, poof! All the pain was gone!
I've had a few other experiences with X-rays since - nothing special - a chest, a knee, my ankle, of course the every six months at the dentist. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal but, really it is amazing the technology available to us, the advancements in medicine over the decades to allow them to see what is happening inside the human body. What'll they come up with next?
I remember my first experience with an X-ray. I was about 22 and I was having some terrific problems with my tummy. I kept getting so sick. Finally, my Dr. ordered an Upper G.I. Tract X-ray. I went to the hospital for this test and I had to drink this horrible orange flavored chalk as the tech took the pictures. They needed to see how this chalk flowed into my stomach to determine if I had an ulcer. This commando woman was at the end of the table, ordering me, "Drink. Breathe. Don't Breathe.". And then I choked on that shit and I'm coughing, coughing, coughing, and she yells at me "I said Don't Breathe!". Maybe she wanted me to die right there on her table?
My 2nd experience was much calmer, though a lot more painful and I'm about to get a whole bunch of TMI here so...In the midst of infertility, one of the tests they do is called a Hysterosalpingogram or HSG. The Dr. injects dye through the cervix into the uterus which flows into the fallopian tubes. It's done to see if there is a blockage. Thankfully mine was clear - or so Jeremy said, I couldn't see the teensy TV screen as there were 10 other people with their big heads in there who'd never seen the procedure but, hey...they learned something, right? Of my experiences, this was the worst! SEVERE cramping for about an hour while my body expelled the dye (contrast). I remember kneeling on the seat of my truck, curled in a ball with my head down on the center console and crying, waiting for the dye to leave. And then, poof! All the pain was gone!
I've had a few other experiences with X-rays since - nothing special - a chest, a knee, my ankle, of course the every six months at the dentist. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal but, really it is amazing the technology available to us, the advancements in medicine over the decades to allow them to see what is happening inside the human body. What'll they come up with next?
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
W = Worry
There is no use worrying about things over which you have no control, and if you have control, you can do something about them instead of worrying. ~ Stanley C. Allyn
I am not a worrier. That said, I like to know the worst of a situation so I can prepare for it and then when the outcome is better than what I had prepared for, well - I guess I'm happy (happy doesn't seem the right word). Concern? Yes, I can be concerned. Concern is not the same as worry
I also prefer to be the one in control. If I am in control, I have nothing to worry about. How can I worry when it's all in my control?
My control? Who am I fooling?
There is nothing in my control. It's all in God's hands right? Doesn't he say to leave everything in his hands, to his mercy and he'll take care of us? Aren't we to pray for his will?
Why worry? No matter what I say, no matter what I do, no matter how much I worry, I'll never change the outcome. God has it all under control. Not me!
I am not a worrier. That said, I like to know the worst of a situation so I can prepare for it and then when the outcome is better than what I had prepared for, well - I guess I'm happy (happy doesn't seem the right word). Concern? Yes, I can be concerned. Concern is not the same as worry
I also prefer to be the one in control. If I am in control, I have nothing to worry about. How can I worry when it's all in my control?
My control? Who am I fooling?
There is nothing in my control. It's all in God's hands right? Doesn't he say to leave everything in his hands, to his mercy and he'll take care of us? Aren't we to pray for his will?
Why worry? No matter what I say, no matter what I do, no matter how much I worry, I'll never change the outcome. God has it all under control. Not me!
V = Vivacious
Jeremy's mom and dad came in to join us for Jacob's Spring concert this afternoon. They did a little singing redition of Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpiller. Complete with "Butterfly" dancers!I was hoping to share pictures but, mine either have some woman's hair, Jacob isn't looking in my direction or they have another kid in them. I'm a little sad.
It was a cute show. Some kids had extra parts, I saw a few soloists and Jacob played both the triangle and their little xylophone. But, what really struck me, most of the boys, okay...all of the boys were kind of standing around with their hands in their pockets, holding up the walls. Not my Jacob! He was dancing, jumping up and down, waving his arms in the air, having a great time. The Butterfly Dancers with their wings (women's scarves) in each hand 'flew' up the middle aisle and down the sides! Breathtakingly Beautiful!
That also explains why Jacob read The Very Hungry Caterpiller about 10 times in the last 2 weeks!
It was a cute show. Some kids had extra parts, I saw a few soloists and Jacob played both the triangle and their little xylophone. But, what really struck me, most of the boys, okay...all of the boys were kind of standing around with their hands in their pockets, holding up the walls. Not my Jacob! He was dancing, jumping up and down, waving his arms in the air, having a great time. The Butterfly Dancers with their wings (women's scarves) in each hand 'flew' up the middle aisle and down the sides! Breathtakingly Beautiful!
That also explains why Jacob read The Very Hungry Caterpiller about 10 times in the last 2 weeks!
Monday, May 21, 2012
U = Unique
"I'm not like anyone else. I don't need to follow anyone's lead. I'm all I really ever need to be. I'm just simply me. I'm just simply unique!"- M.E.W.
Unique. I think we're all unique. I certainly know I AM! And I'm perfectly O.K. with it!
I like to read books that are a little bit off the beaten path. The #1 bestsellers don't generally appeal to me. I don't want to read what everyone else is reading. I want to read what I want.
I like to travel. I like to go and to see. The top 10 tourist destinations do not apply to me. I don't want to see those things. I'm not making a list of "I've been there, have you?" I don't want to see what everyone else is seeing. I want to see what I want.
I like movies. The box office hit is generally something I'd like to see but, only because something in trailer caught my attention, not because it's the "Go see movie of the year!". I'm typically disappointed in movies. My first thought is always "I'd rather read the book".
I watch very few TV programs - at least not consistantly. I have a couple of 'musts' for me but, they're not mainstream popular shows. I'll watch them once they hit syndication and then only sparadically.
I have a difficult time in crowds. I can't hear well, I can't focus. I get terribly afraid of Jacob getting disconnected from me. In a crowd, I tend to pick up the negative energy from people - have you ever noticed how much easier it is to come down to a friends bad mood than to bring them into your good mood? Negative energy and I don't mean ghostly or haunting or evil. I just mean unhappy is so much stronger. It has such a pull. I'm very sensitive to it. Anyway, I can sense it and I try to avoid it.
I prefer the road less traveled by with less people and less stuff. My home does not follow any trends, it's only what I take comfort in. It's comfortable, it's practical, it's me. I prefer antiques to new things. Soft corners to hard edges. I like storage and organization, neat and tidy. It's not always what I get but, it's what I like.
I always believed that I was God's unique creation, that there was no other out there like me. I've never really been one to follow the crowd but, the friends I had weren't crowd followers either. I was most generally accepted as me, for me. Even with all my 'uniqueness'. For when I look at my friends, they're all a little unique too. Unique in their traits, their abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We're all unique! Thank God! For what would thing world be like if all of us were the same?
Unique. I think we're all unique. I certainly know I AM! And I'm perfectly O.K. with it!
I like to read books that are a little bit off the beaten path. The #1 bestsellers don't generally appeal to me. I don't want to read what everyone else is reading. I want to read what I want.
I like to travel. I like to go and to see. The top 10 tourist destinations do not apply to me. I don't want to see those things. I'm not making a list of "I've been there, have you?" I don't want to see what everyone else is seeing. I want to see what I want.
I like movies. The box office hit is generally something I'd like to see but, only because something in trailer caught my attention, not because it's the "Go see movie of the year!". I'm typically disappointed in movies. My first thought is always "I'd rather read the book".
I watch very few TV programs - at least not consistantly. I have a couple of 'musts' for me but, they're not mainstream popular shows. I'll watch them once they hit syndication and then only sparadically.
I have a difficult time in crowds. I can't hear well, I can't focus. I get terribly afraid of Jacob getting disconnected from me. In a crowd, I tend to pick up the negative energy from people - have you ever noticed how much easier it is to come down to a friends bad mood than to bring them into your good mood? Negative energy and I don't mean ghostly or haunting or evil. I just mean unhappy is so much stronger. It has such a pull. I'm very sensitive to it. Anyway, I can sense it and I try to avoid it.
I prefer the road less traveled by with less people and less stuff. My home does not follow any trends, it's only what I take comfort in. It's comfortable, it's practical, it's me. I prefer antiques to new things. Soft corners to hard edges. I like storage and organization, neat and tidy. It's not always what I get but, it's what I like.
I always believed that I was God's unique creation, that there was no other out there like me. I've never really been one to follow the crowd but, the friends I had weren't crowd followers either. I was most generally accepted as me, for me. Even with all my 'uniqueness'. For when I look at my friends, they're all a little unique too. Unique in their traits, their abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We're all unique! Thank God! For what would thing world be like if all of us were the same?
T = Trips
Oh yay! I am so happy to finally be able to share something fun rather than all of those deep, thought provoking, opinion, and observation words!
Summer is right around the corner and we generally like to throw in a few day trips around and about. I'll share with you some places I'd like to go both for day trips and even some longer trips. If you have been there, please feel free to share about your trip, let me know if you'd like to make a trip with us, or if you know somewhere in lower Michigan we should try for, I'm also open to suggestions. We have done the common things already - John Ball Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, The GR Children's Museum. We're talking new fresh, stuff. Preferably kind of off-the-beaten-path stuff.
I'm not planning all of these for this summer. We'll see what we can work in and we have plenty of summers to get through the whole list!
Frankenmuth
Ford River Rouge Plant - My grandfather worked there when he was young.
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
MOO-ville Creamery
Curious Kids' Museum and Discovery Zone
Amber Elk Ranch
Beaver Island
Mackinac Island
Rent a cottage on a lake for a week
Spend a day at Lake Michigan
Critter Barn
Engine #5 Museum
Coopersville & Marne Railway
Summer is right around the corner and we generally like to throw in a few day trips around and about. I'll share with you some places I'd like to go both for day trips and even some longer trips. If you have been there, please feel free to share about your trip, let me know if you'd like to make a trip with us, or if you know somewhere in lower Michigan we should try for, I'm also open to suggestions. We have done the common things already - John Ball Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, The GR Children's Museum. We're talking new fresh, stuff. Preferably kind of off-the-beaten-path stuff.
I'm not planning all of these for this summer. We'll see what we can work in and we have plenty of summers to get through the whole list!
Frankenmuth
Ford River Rouge Plant - My grandfather worked there when he was young.
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
MOO-ville Creamery
Curious Kids' Museum and Discovery Zone
Amber Elk Ranch
Beaver Island
Mackinac Island
Rent a cottage on a lake for a week
Spend a day at Lake Michigan
Critter Barn
Engine #5 Museum
Coopersville & Marne Railway
Sunday, May 20, 2012
S = Secrets
There are times when I can't believe Jeremy and I have shared 11 years together. There are times when it feels like one hundred and 11 years...
In the past 11 years, I have somehow come to the point where it is absolutely impossible for me to keep a secret from my husband. I simply cannot do it. I never thought I'd find someone I'd love so much, trust so much that I couldn't keep anything from.
Last year, Jeremy turned 40 and I terribly wanted to throw him a surprise party. I started putting everything together, making phone calls, setting it all up and as it got closer, I couldn't keep all of the excitement to myself and...well... the surprise didn't work out.
A party is so small in comparison to what can happen to a marriage, to what can fall apart in a marriage, to all of the little things held together in a marriage. Honesty plays a HUGE role. I couldn't lie to my husband about a party. I can guarantee, I can't lie to him about ANYTHING big.
No, I'm not one of those women who tell my husband everything. Say you came to me with a secret, one I couldn't tell anyone, it's a good bet that I wouldn't tell him, unless I was involved in the outcome. It doesn't involve me, it doesn't involve our family, it's none of his business.
Simply said, a marriage cannot be built on lies and mistrust nor can a friendship. I married my best friend. I can't imagine a moment of time without him. Why keep secrets from him?
In the past 11 years, I have somehow come to the point where it is absolutely impossible for me to keep a secret from my husband. I simply cannot do it. I never thought I'd find someone I'd love so much, trust so much that I couldn't keep anything from.
Last year, Jeremy turned 40 and I terribly wanted to throw him a surprise party. I started putting everything together, making phone calls, setting it all up and as it got closer, I couldn't keep all of the excitement to myself and...well... the surprise didn't work out.
A party is so small in comparison to what can happen to a marriage, to what can fall apart in a marriage, to all of the little things held together in a marriage. Honesty plays a HUGE role. I couldn't lie to my husband about a party. I can guarantee, I can't lie to him about ANYTHING big.
No, I'm not one of those women who tell my husband everything. Say you came to me with a secret, one I couldn't tell anyone, it's a good bet that I wouldn't tell him, unless I was involved in the outcome. It doesn't involve me, it doesn't involve our family, it's none of his business.
Simply said, a marriage cannot be built on lies and mistrust nor can a friendship. I married my best friend. I can't imagine a moment of time without him. Why keep secrets from him?
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