It’s time again to share blessings from the week with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story.
1. Steady progress. I have been discouraged that my lower back pain is still there. I start to feel pretty normal one day and worse the next. It’s like two steps forward and one back. But at least there is progress–it’s much better than it was originally.
2. A visit from Melanie. We usually get together once every few weeks but hadn’t seen each other since late September/early October due to scheduling and health issues. We wanted to try to get a visit in before the holidays and then my procedure in January. So she offered to come to my house for coffee or tea and a snack. Since Jim went to the store for me that morning, I ended up getting a lot of sweet and savory snacks. 🙂 So we had something of a finger food feast, but we had both missed lunch, so it worked out great.
3. Live streaming church. It’s always better to be there in person, but when we can’t, I am so thankful we can join in via live stream. I remember the days when sermons were audiotaped and then we had to wait a week to get a copy. That was better than nothing, but I so enjoy watching in real time.
4. Christmas cards. The first ones are starting to come in. I hope to get mine out this week.
5. A new microwave installed. I mentioned in October that our over-the-range microwave had died. It was still under a service contract, so the company sent someone out to fix it. After five service visits over two months replacing various parts (some twice), they finally replaced it. We had a little microwave from my husband’s office (from when my mother-in-law stayed there) to get us through, but it’s nice to have the kitchen back to normal.
6. A ingenious fix. I have trouble reaching items in the cabinet above the range unless they’re right on the edge. But often they get bumped back, or I can touch them but not get my fingers around them. We don’t keep a lot up there, but there was no good place to move them to. My husband solved the problem by putting a tension rod behind the items so it keeps them all at the forefront.
How was your week? I hope you’re getting done the things you need to while enjoying the season as well.
Stray Thoughts 
The only things that help my lower back pain (when I have it which is rare because of these things!! (I have 2 bulging discs due to DDD in the lumbar and one in the cervical spine and slight arthritis in the spine) is Deep Blue by DoTerra and monthly alignments with my chiropractor. That’s for when I am having the pain. For days I don’t (Praise God I’ve only had the upper back pain and headaches the last 2 years not lower back) I do Fitness Ball exercises (like daily because it’s like flossing…if you’re consistent with the pelvic exercises, the pain stays away!). If you don’t have a fitness ball, try some leg lunges with one foot propped up on an ottoman (you tube can show you). they really do work to ease that pain!
I love getting cards and mine are slowly being mailed and I’m getting some from friends, too to hang up. I also mentioned cards as a fave blessing 🙂
I love that your husband is so handy!!
Have a happy weekend.
I pray that your back pain leaves soon. Thank you for the reminder that a little progress is better than no progress. Have a blessed day! You are loved!
I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch that day! So much tasty tidbits. I’m glad I skipped lunch.
A great idea about the tension rod to keep things closer to the edge. I have a cupboard that would work for that.
Praying that back pain eases up, and even better, leaves completely.
I’m glad you finally have a working kitchen microwave. It’s been a while.
Take care, my friend.
I am sorry to hear about your back. I think chronic pain of that sort would be really hard to deal with. I will pray about it. I’m glad you’re at least seeing some improvement. And absolutely, cases like yours are the best possible reasons for having live-streams of church available!
Praying for a good week ahead!
I’m so glad to hear that you are making progress with your back. I totally understand that one step forward and two back when it comes to our backs. I’ve been dealing with a bit of an issue with mine as well.
I’m so glad to hear that Melanie and you were able to get together this week! She’s such a delightful person.
I don’t always get to watch the live stream of your church service because of being at our church during that time, but on the rare occasion when I am not able to be in church, I am thankful that your church livestreams their services also.
I hope you are able to enjoy the holidays, Barbara. You’ve dealt with a lot with your health this year. Praying 2026 is much better for you in that respect. xx
I’m sorry your back has been troubling you (I definitely know how it feels) but hope it’s still continuing to improve. Yay for a handy Hubby – mine would never have thought of how to solve the high cupboards problem lol. It must be good to get your proper microwave back in place and working properly too. Sounds like you had a nice visit with Melanie. Have a good weekend.
Sorry that your back still hurts ! I can not live without microwave, even here I bought a little one just for one plate, and that comes on purpose when the coffee or the food gets cold. It’s very practical. I send Christmas cards, but selfmade and per email. No paper cards. I have just one friend who still writes card, complains about the time it takes, the stamps she has to buy etc but she doesn’t want to send them per mail ! For those who live far but still in Europe, I call on Christmas day it’s nice to chat with friends or a cousin I haven’t seen for years !
That fix by Jim is a genius idea. I may have to try that on my top shelves.
It’s good that the company worked with you instead of ignoring you about the microwave. Glad you have a new one now.
Cards are starting to arrive here too. I love reading every one of them.
I hope your back pain goes away soon. Have a good week!