Good reads and fun contests

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Anyone who has been a Christian for any thing length of time has struggled with some hard questions. Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer beautifully deals with some of these in Why I Believe.

Jeana at Days To Come has an excellent post on not making children share. I never thought of it in the way she presents it, but she’s right. Teaching children to respect other people’s property is as important as teaching sharing.

Karla at Karla’s Cottage is hosting a “What do you love about your home?” party on Tuesday, September 25.


Turkeyfeathers, one of my favorite craft sites, is sponsoring a Finish What You Have challenge.

Make Mine Pink has a short article conveying that the revived Victoria magazine will stay true to its roots. I am so glad!

There are several great give-aways going on. Deena at A Peek at My Bookshelf usually has a few book give-aways going on: here’s a round up of what she currently has going on. You can win a pink or blue ladies’ tool set at Multi-Tasking Moms. The 5 Minutes For Mom site has a whole round-up of give-aways and contests and bloggy happenings. And Shannon of Rocks In My Dryer and Works For Me Wednesday fame has started a new blog just for Bloggy Giveaways.

A late night drive…

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 …amidst the deserted downtown streets, alone with my husband…

A romantic tête-à-tête? Returning from a date?

No — a trip to the ER. What fun!

Sometime in the last few years I’ve started having what they call SVTs — supraventricular tachycardia. My heart will suddenly start beating around 200 times a minute. When trying to describe it to my sister she asked if it wasn’t just a panic attack. No, it’s different — it presents distinctly on the EKG.

They say it is an electrical problem of the heart with signals going awry. In many cases, mine thankfully one of them, it’s not associated with any worse heart conditions (though they do check enzymes to make sure I haven’t had a heart attack when it happens). It’s happened enough to require an ER trip I think maybe 6 or so times in the last 8 years. The last time it happened was a year ago last April.

I’ve had to go off all caffeine and can’t take decongestants. I take a beta-blocker which is supposed to help, and does, I think. There are measures I can take at home if it starts up, like inhaling and then acting as if I am going to blow air back out, but not letting any escape. That has warded it off a few times.

But last night after I put Jesse to bed around 10:30 and came back downstairs to get something to drink, it started up as I was getting ice out of the tray. I tried the blowing thing, I laid down with my feet above my heart (another recommendation), I went into the bathroom (bearing down as if having a BM can help). After about an hour of taking turns trying these measures, I gave up and we went in to the ER. It was 11:30 by this time, and my husband usually has to get up at 5 a.m. to get to where he needs to be at work. I hated that he was going to have to be up the next few hours. The first few times this happened I felt more panicky. Now it is mainly an annoyance.

One thing about it, though — when you get to the ER with a heart rate of 187, they take you right back with no waiting. I asked if I could use the restroom before they hooked me up to everything (I always have to go at the most inconvenient times!), but they said they’d rather I didn’t — they’d rather take care of the heart thing first. So even though I’d been walking around my own home using the bathroom at my own discretion and under my own power for the last hour, I acquiesced (sigh!) I know they have to be concerned about a patient passing out with a lack of oxygen to the brain when this kind of thing is going on.

One of the nurses was a guy who looked to be about 16 who held up the little hospital gown for me to get into. Nuh-uh, fella, I’m not changing right in front of you! I didn’t say that, but I stepped over to the corner where a chair was and I guess he got the message, because he laid it down and left the room. The my husband helped me change.

So they got me all hooked up to the EKG, an iv, and oxygen and asked a ton of questions and then injected the iv with adenosine, and I felt really, really, really miserable for about 10 seconds or so. The adenosine causes the heart to “pause,” as the doctor put it, long enough to get the signals straight and “reset” the electrical rhythm back right. Then they had to monitor me for a while and make sure everything was stable. Then they sent me home.

It’s almost become routine now.

There is a type of surgery they can do where they go up through a blood vessel in your groin through to your heart (like they do with a heart catheterization) and somehow “zap” the little area that’s causing problems. The first time this happened, I was sent for follow-up to a heart doctor who specializes in electrical problems of the heart, had an echo done, etc., and he told about that surgery. But he said if this wasn’t happening very often, I could just wait. So that’s we’ve opted to do. Really the zapping part of the heart thing doesn’t bother me as much as having to lie flat on my back for hours afterward, which would be extremely uncomfortable for me, and not being able to get to a restroom. I have this almost phobia about being able to get to a restroom, and my body just doesn’t cooperate with bedpans. But since I have these SVTs less than once a year and don’t have any corresponding problems, they say it fine to wait.

I do have a follow-up visit with my doctor this week.

One thing about going in the direction of the hospital, though, is that a Krispy Kreme is on the route. Only once that I can remember have I ever gone out of my way specifically to get a donut there. And since we go up to the hospital or the doctors in the area fairly infrequently, it’s kind of a treat to get a donut there on the way back. Well, we discovered on our way back that they were open 24 hours. And this one has a drive-through! My husband said it seemed kind of ironic to be getting donuts after coming from the cardiac unit of the ER, with my hospital bracelet still on. But I guess you could say we made a date of it after all. 🙂

I got to sleep about 2:30, got up at 5 as usual, but went back to bed after Jesse got off to school until lunchtime.

I was wrestling with the whys of it. It just seems so inconvenient and such a waste of time when this happens. It’s not like there was an immediate spiritual benefit like witnessing to someone at the hospital. But then I reminded myself that inconvenient is better than traumatic, and a problem that can be taken care of in a few hours is better than a week of the flu or a longer term worse illness. I really don’t have anything to complain about.

I was glad that it happened when my husband was here. It has happened a couple of times before when he was away, which had been one of my fears. The Lord worked everything out each time with a friend taking me in and the kids being old enough by them to be home alone. But my husband is an excellent caretaker. 🙂

So, life is back to “normal” (whatever that is), hopefully for a very long time to come.

God’s rest

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This morning when I was posting the hymn below, I looked at Hebrews 4 about the rest that God gives. I felt at the time maybe I should post it, but refrained — I didn’t want to make two post right after each other. But that urging is till on my heart, so here it is. I pray that anyone reading who has not entered into His rest and ceased from trying to obtain it by their own works might find that blessed rest even today.

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Safely Through Another Week

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By John Newton, 1774

Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.

Here we come Thy Name to praise, let us feel Thy presence near,
May Thy glory meet our eyes, while we in Thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:
May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!

Graphics courtesy of Creative Ladies Ministry Graphics

Fall Into Reading

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Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting another Fall Into Reading challenge. She writes:

Because reading is a wonderful thing, and I like to do my part to share the love of reading with as many people as possible. But also because a challenge often gives me the motivation I need to read books I’ve been “meaning to read” or to finish books that I got half-way through and then abandoned. I use challenges as an opportunity to incorporate some variety into my reading (I tend to fall into reading ruts) and to try out new authors or new genres. My hope is that Fall Into Reading 2007 will give you the motivation and opportunity you need to reach your own reading goals.

Those reasons are exactly what I like about the challenge. If you’d like to participate, check the guidelines here. You’ll also find out there how to win an Amazon.com gift certificate! You can go here to link your post or find out what others are reading (I’ve started keeping a list of interesting things I see others reading).

My first two are non-fiction rolled over from my summer reading list:

Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman’s Story by Mark Ritchie, recommended by Jungle Mom.

In the Best Possible Light by Beneth Peters Jones, about Biblical femininity.

New books are:

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher, about a prodigal daughter. I’ve seen this recommended by numbers of people and won a copy through Deena’s Pay It Forward Challenge at A Peek At My Bookshelf.

Simple Gifts by Lori Copeland.

The Parting, the first in a new series by Beverly Lewis, who is always good. Most, if not all of her stories are stem from her grandmother’s Amish heritage.

Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury, a sequel to A Thousand Tomorrows, continuing the story of Cody Gunner, dealing in this book with the care of his brother who has Down Syndrome.

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon, a new novel about Father Tim of the Mitford series, due out in late October.

I also like to include at least one classic…I think this time it will be The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas pere. I was actually disappointed in his Three Musketeers and The Man In the Iron Mask, but I have heard good things about this one.

And, of course, there are my daily/weekly reads:

Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker by Lynn Bowen Walker

Daily Light on the Daily Path compiled by the Samuel Bagster family

Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer

The Bible: Finishing Psalms, going on next to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

I may add more, depending on how I do with these. But these will keep me busy for a while.

Book Review: True Light

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I never used to read suspense novels, but once I was looking for Christian fiction my mom might read, and she liked suspense, so I looked in that category. It was then I first discovered Terri Blackstock through her Newpointe 911 series… and I was hooked. Not only were her stories suspenseful, but her characters were so real I felt I knew them, and the struggles they faced and the wrestlings they endured in their Christian lives were real as well.

I have to admit, though, that I wasn’t looking forward to the Restoration series, about a time when all the power in the world goes off all at once. And that had nothing to do with Terri — I knew the stories would be good. But it had to do with my knowing what an awful, miserable time I would have of it if such a thing really happened. I’m afraid I like my creature comforts all too well, and I knew I would encounter such attitudes by characters in the book. But because it was Terri, I bought the books.

I just finished True Light, the 3rd book in the series. The previous books dealt with the struggles with meeting basic needs through the main characters, the Branning family. This book primarily focuses on Mark Green, a friend of the family who has been distantly interested in their oldest daughter, Deni. Deni had been engaged to someone on the fast track to a career in Washington, DC, but through the changes she goes through and the difference in perspective she acquires as she matures, she breaks off the engagement in the last book. She and Mark are interested in each other, but cautious for various reasons.

Mark’s father and brothers were evil men, and many of the townspeople attribute to him the characteristics of his family, even though he has shown himself to be faithful, inventive, helpful and caring. When a young man is shot over a deer he just killed, every man who brought a deer home that morning is questioned. Mark happened to have been one of the men, and in many people’s minds that and his family associations convict him. The rest of the book deals primarily with his relationship with Deni, the prejudices against Mark, the greed of people, the strain on the police department with the increase in crime and lack of manpower, and Mark’s wrestlings with thoughts of revenge versus forgiveness toward the people who wrong him. There are some powerful sections as well as keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat sections. It gives one much to think about. I highly recommend this series!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Paper

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I love pretty note cards and stationery. Even though most of my communication is electronic now, I still love sending and receiving notes on beautiful paper. I have to restrain myself from buying more because I have a backlog.

 

Note cards and stationery

 

I also love the gorgeous paper available for scrapbooking, note card making, and other paper crafts.

 

Scrapbooking paper

See what kinds of photos other people have come up with for the “paper” theme at tnchick’s site here.

(By the way, here’s a free tip for remembering that stationery is for writing paper and stationary is for an unmoving object: the one for paper has an e, and you can remember “e for envelope.” That’s the only way I could keep them straight for a long time.)

Maybe I need to color that gray…

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At the grocery store check-out today, the cashier looked at the decorated big cookie for Jesse’s birthday party from the bakery and said, “Oh, is your grandson having a birthday?”

That would be my son, thank you very much. 😕

Show and Tell Friday: Autumn door decorations

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show-and-tell.jpg Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.“

I’ve told you before that I love hearts….so when I saw this heart-shaped autumn wreath at Hobby Lobby I just couldn’t resist.

Autumn wreath

I usually look for something small and matching for our “back doors” (actually the doors by the driveway. As many come to those doors as to the front), and HL also had these.

Autumn door hangers

Those are all the fall decorations I have up so far — it has only started to feel like fall the last few days. I hope to put more out this weekend or the beginning of next week. This afternoon some friends of Jesse’s are coming over for a belated birthday sleep-over, and we’re all supposed to go tomorrow to one of those places with video games, laser tags, go-carts, etc. So I need to dash off to the store and do a few things to get ready.

Have a good week-end!

Senior portraits

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A few days ago Dawn at 4:53 am, one of my must-reads, posted a challenge from new-to-me Donna at Quiet Life to publish our senior portraits.

I thought that would be fun, though, after getting these out to look at, I realized they’re not really my favorite photos. I think my smile looks kind of smarmy and I look kind of snobbish in them — though I hope I wasn’t really that way! Our Christian school was very small, and they sent us to a portrait studio for these pictures. I should have gone with some other people and made it a fun and relaxed time. As it was I felt uncomfortable and unsure of myself. These are the only two shots in which I was smiling.

These are from 1975:

Senior portrait

Senior portrait

Yes, Dawn, I do remember the drapes. Unfortunately they used these fluffy pink off-the-shoulder ones for us. It just looks…wrong. Another girl came back with photos of herself wearing a blue velvet drape — I think she and her mom told the photographer they didn’t like the pink fluff and asked if there were any other options. I wish I had known there were! But I’ve never worn anything off-the-shoulder and just didn’t like it at all.

I’d love to see your senior portrait! Let me know if you post one.