Highlight Of The Week #15

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I want a sober mind,
A self-renouncing will,
That tramples down and casts behind
The baits of pleasing ill;
A spirit still prepared,
And armed with jealous care,
Forever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.
C. WESLEY.

"What's done is done."

Well, my worst fears have been realized this week regarding my Fmla paperwork. I called them to check on the status of my claim and guess what? They never received my paperwork! No kidding! Why am I not surprised? I mean, they seem to have a problem receiving paperwork on the first, second or third try. One of my least favorite people to deal with, these fmla folks. I don't know how these people sleep at night with all the havoc they cause. 

I didn't take the news very well.  Actually, I lost it and had a meltdown as if I was four years old. I wailed, wailed and wailed all the way to work. How I didn't have an accident, I don't know. Some point at work, I received  a text from Emily.

"This morning a woman I know told me she was ready for whatever God wanted to throw her way, because her faith is strong. Two hours later, she's having a meltdown in the car. What's done is done, mom."

Epic fail, I guess. Immediately my first thought was of Peter. Here I wanted to be Job and ended up becoming Peter. Yes, what is done is done. There is nothing I can do to change it, I can only move forward. I faxed over the same paperwork yet again hoping that this time it will make it to it's destination.

I couldn't wait to get home. I had plans for the weekend of some deep cleaning in the kitchen like the stove top and any other last minute errands. When I finally walked in that night, it was to discover all was done for me already by Emily. The house smelled and looked wonderful. The groceries bought and put away. A plate of homemade pretzels laid on the kitchen table. 

Looking around, I realized this weekend would be all about relaxing and leisure. Everything was done for me. Happy Sabbath everyone.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Living Life

                                                   Everyday is a brand new day, everyday
                                                   is a journey.

The threat of dying, really taught me how to live. I can't even remember the person I once was before my cancer nor do I want to. I sat here at my desk this morning contemplating my life. I cannot convey to you enough how much my life has changed nor how happy I have been, especially in the last five years. 

I have truly been blessed in so many ways. My children still seem to enjoy my company. I have plenty of friends and many interests. I am in a much better place than the majority of cancer patients. I work full time and I take no medication. It's unheard of for someone in my condition. 

Things could really be so much worse than what they are now. It would be so easy for me to forget all that and start feeling sorry for myself. I love my life and I am grateful for this journey, because it has shown me how to really live. 

I believe that I am living my life the way I was meant to all along. How many can say the same? Not many. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

                                               Everyday is a brand new

                                               day, everyday is a journey.

  It's time for Throwback Thursday where we take a look at an old post. Once again, we are back in 2013 at a time where I was in chemo. At that time, I was still working full time and taking off for chemo infusions. I was very fortunate to receive the treatments on a Friday where I had the entire weekend to rest. There were times where I also would take an occasional Monday off, but they were rare. 

Normally, I would get off work at 6:30 a.m., run home real quick to grab my chemo bag and head out for my treatment. As crazy as this may sound, I would look forward to this time as my relaxing moments. Everyone would know I was partaking in chemo and basically left me to rest all weekend. By the time I'd get home later in the day (usually by 3p.m.) I was so exhausted. 

The following post shows a time where all I wanted was to get home. I had a rough night at work and a rough infusion. Sometimes we just want to hide under the covers and stay in bed all weekend. Also, I never ran into that lady again much to my dismay.

 A Day Of Chemo

After a particularly difficult night at work, the last thing I wanted to do is go for my chemo treatment right after. Glancing down at my pedometer (an insurance thing) I walked 10,934 steps in a 9 hour time limit. I was exhausted, feeling the soles of both my feet burning.

My experience that day was tiresome. My eyes were red,  I was tired  and wanted to sleep. Labs left my arm bruised. I developed a rash of sorts, requiring my doctor to spend extra time with me. The nursing staff was short-handed due to the flu outbreak. My clinic nurse had to take care of my infusion which is done in a different part of the clinic. The steroids (all 6 pills) left me immediately bloated and gassy. I was so uncomfortable, just couldn't find my place to settle down and take the infusion. I kept tossing and turning on that recliner. Nothing could hold my mind's attention. I went from crocheting to reading to puzzles . . . even tried to take a nap, but nothing worked.

Afterwards, I had to stop at the clinics pharmacy to pick up my prescription. Of course, it wasn't ready. On my way home, I needed to stop at CVS to pick up my thyroid medication that my insurance suddenly didn't want to pay for after 5 years. I swear to you, I thought I would never get home. All I wanted is to get into my comfortable jammies and sleep.

 I honestly have to say it wasn't all bad. There were good moments, too. In the waiting room, I was crocheting a baby hat and this women came up to me wondering if I would sell her this hat for her baby girl who was seven months old. I wanted so badly to finish it before they called me in, because I wanted to give it to her for free. Of course, I couldn't. I keep thinking about her and hope we run into each other again.

Another good thing that happened was that everyone at the clinic kept coming in to congratulate me on those slippers. What a warm feeling that left inside of me. I guess, this chemo was bittersweet!
Have a Blessed Week everyone.

A Quiet Day

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Did you ever have a day where instead of getting up when the alarm rang, you turned over and went back to sleep? A day where you really didn't care what was going on in the world? A day where you didn't want to see or hear another person? A day of quiet? A day of total silence?

I'm not depressed or upset, I just want silence. I didn't even sit by my desk to write today's post. I didn't want to see the world outside. I don't want to think too much or focus on anything. I want to be still.

Be still and know that I am God.

There's so much busyness in our lives that we need a time to do absolutely nothing. We need to recuperate our bodies, our minds and our spirit. I hope you find the time today just that. May God richly bless you.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

First Impressions

                  

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Have you ever had a moment where you wish you could redo? I've had plenty of them! This morning was one of those mornings where I've added to that list. 

I get up pretty early (around 6:45a.m.) on a good day. This morning I had a purpose so I made sure I had an early start. We have eight units in this building and one washer/dryer for everyone. If I don't get up this early and run downstairs with a load of laundry, I can forget about doing laundry. I only have the morning to do anything before rushing off to work. 

So I jump out of bed, grab my bathrobe and don't even bother combing my hair or doing my face. For the next two hours, I'm running up and down the stairs, doing one load after another. All this still in my bathrobe, slippers, no makeup and messy uncombed hair, which by the way was standing up!

On my last run, I'm folding my laundry and here walks in my landlady that I have never met only her husband. She's here waiting for the Village inspector to do his walk through of the building. I looked like crap! I was so embarrassed that I didn't even bother finishing the folding, just grabbed the clothes and ran upstairs. 

Of all the times for us to finally meet, did it have to be when I looked like a dishrag? I wasn't even dressed! This is what happens when one lives in an apartment. All the tenants see your shame. One cannot hide in their "home" wearing their boxers. Here the entire building sees you in your pajamas. It's one big slumber party!

Besides, I don't want her to think I lounge around in my pj's all morning doing nothing, especially when she was dressed nicely looking great!

Have a blessed day everyone.

Friend To Friend

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I just noticed not too long ago the changes that Facebook made on my page. It included a short intro about myself in so many words. What can I say in just a few words that can convey to people who I am?

It's kind of funny how we are trying to connect with others via social media instead of face to face. It's really been the decade of the cellphone, linking us to everyone and everything.

The same day I noticed my Facebook changes, I opened up my devotions for the day and the top three questions stared back at me. 

 1. Who are you?

2. Where did you come from?

3. Why are you here?

These are three very important questions to which you need to know the answer.

  It also made me think of friendships. I've mentioned before, numerous times, on the variety of my friendships. As I stared at the three questions, I couldn't help but think of them. I mean, I am very well aware of who I am, where I'm going and why I'm here. Yet, what if we asked those same questions in regards to friendships, my friends in particular. 

1. Who am I to them?
I've always considered myself a good listener and that might be why I like to write rather than talk. So I'm very in tune with their feelings and their well being. The question here is how do they see me? Do they see me in the same light as I see myself? Am I a good friend to them? Do I provide what they need?

2. Where did we come from as friends?
Like I've said before, I like the diversity in friendships. My friendships come from all walks of life. I have friends from work, school, old neighborhoods, church etc. and yet I don't feel that I have one solid friend that I have known and gone through life like my mom did. My mom has a good friend for over forty years as her BFF. No one friend knows everything about me, only compartments of my life.

3. Why are we friends?
Each of my friends provides something special that I need. I have a friend who I goof around with and one who mentors me. One to cry and one for adventure. One for crocheting, one who appreciates good wine, and one who likes mysteries. I cannot have just one friend, I need multiple friends when combined make the best BFF's ever. 

Either way, whether you're like my mom and have only one bestie for life or if you're like me with multiple. We are here for the purpose of fellow-shipping with others whom we can help or they help us through this journey we call life. 

What do your friends mean to you? Have a blessed day everyone.

Thru The Bible

 

                    
                                                        Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                         everyday is a journey.

It has always been a dream of mine to read through the Bible. Not just read the words, but read, ponder, analyze each verse. That's one long Bible study, folks. And a little scary, too.

One can never know what is in store whenever we begin a major project as this one. I say a project because this will take at least five years. A project of restoring my soul. A project of becoming wiser in the word of God.  It would certainly be a dream come true for me. 

One thing I don't want this Bible Study to turn into is automated reading. Almost like a timeline. A schedule. Instead, let this be a set aside time for me and God. 

Do you know what I like the best about this Bible Study? The fact that he takes his time with it explaining book by book, verse by verse. There is no rush nor deadline. He spent ten days on just explaining what was needed for this study and the technique we would use. 

I'm learning so much and it's just the beginning. I believe that if you claim to be something or claim to believe in something, one should learn as much as possible about it. I know it may sound crazy, but I actually feel closer to God. Definitely recommend doing the same for all of you. Open up the Bible and really study it.

Have a Blessed day everyone.