Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 18 When the Kettle Whistles

I didn’t have any problem getting up early during the summer. It was light at 5:00 a.m. and my body responded. My body also responded when it started getting dark between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. I just didn’t want to get out of bed until it was totally light.  However, that messes my day up big time.  We like to take a mile walk each morning.  It takes a long time to walk as Jim is a very slow walker these days.  It takes us about 45 minutes to accomplish our walk.  When we get back to our home-we  like to   eat a nice breakfast and say our prayers. My day was not really starting until 9:00 a.m. and I didn’t like that one bit.

You might say my day is over as far as household accomplishments are concerned— by about 2:0o p.m.  For you see—-I have to pick up my grandsons from school and take care of them until 5:00 p.m.  Thus, the whole situation was getting to me greatly.

We also have had many evenings during the late summer and fall where we had extra church services.  My days and nights were most unsatisfying to me.  I guess I’m just to0 perfectionistic in my expectations.     I’m silly to behave this way.

Finally, when I got Jim to the VA hospital in Nashville on October 20th by 8:00 a.m.– I knew that I could do better.  Actually, I decided to start drinking coffee again. I had given it up for over a year.  But I didn’t know any other way to jump start my body. 

Jim and I came up with a plan for him to bring me a cup of coffee at 4:30 a.m. (Jim gets up at 4:00 a.m.)  I sip it slowly and enjoy some time with my two dogs.  The dogs like  to cuddle with me in the early morning.  Jim comes back into our room at 4:55 a.m. to listen to the hourly news on the radio.  He then puts the tea kettle on so we can have hot water for our oatmeal.  It is my job to turn the kettle off when it whistles.  So I’ve been making it out of bed about 5:10 a.m. for almost a month now.  My days are going so much better.

The caffeine is not bothering me nearly as much as it once did. I take a powdered calcium and magnesium supplement that I drink as a tea twice a day.  I’ve been doing this for several months.  It relaxes my body.  I’m able to drink some coffee and still sleep these days. Wonderful! 

As far as other tid bits of life are concerned–I’m enjoying my new little grandson a great deal.  I’m so amazed by the miracle of human birth and development. Children are such gifts of God.  I’m so thankful to be a mother and a grandmother.

I’m enjoying my fall baking -especially the challenge to bake quality food that fits within the bounds of our Nativity fasting season which started yesterday.  This is one of my favorite Orthodox seasons of the church year.

I’m going to try to be more faithful to my blog.  Yes, I know I’ve said that before.  Well, I’m picking myself up to try again.  I need another kind of whistle to prompt me.  My inner whistle of connecting with other human beings.  Here is a  toast to another new beginning.

God bless each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 17

Our new grandson was born at 11:34 p.m. on September 25, 2009.  He weighed 7 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 20 inches long.  We stayed with Sandy from 4:00 p.m. until the birth except for going to get some supper. What a joy for Jim and I to watch our little grandson enter this world.  He will be 2 weeks old tomorrow and seems like a healthy little boy.  His name is Patrick.

We went by to see Sandy, Rob and the boys the other night. John and Alex are very comfortable with their new baby brother.  I had forgotten how precious newborns are.  We are very excited.

Our daughter, Maria, is the new officer in charge at the Gracy, Ky post office.  As postmasters retire–the title is changing to an officer status rather than postmaster status.  Nevertheless, Maria is very happy to have this full time job. 

I have been busy learning more about singing Orthodox music.  It is tough at times.  But I take it very seriously. September was busy with two major feasts and then a feast for our name day, The Protection Of  the Holy Virgin Mary. 

I’ve taken on a couple of piano students again. And John, my oldest grandson has started taking piano lessons from me.

Jim still has some bad days with his aortic condition but he also has many good days. 

Vera, our daughter, has moved to Kansas City, Mo to work with an Orthodox ministry. She left in May.  Vera flew in last week to get her winter clothes and to see the new baby. She is assisting Fr. Justin Matthews at the new ministry, Focus North America.

We are enjoying the cool days and nights of fall. I hope to get back to regular blogging as of this post.

God bless each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of Life,16–Second Hand Road

If someone had told me even three years ago that I would become familiar with downtown Nashville –I would have responded: “You’re crazy.”  I never liked to drive out of town.  It just wasn’t something I was interested in.  However, when Jim first became ill in 2005, I knew that I was going to have to learn how to take him to Nashville. 

The very first time we went for a followup checkup we got terribly lost downtown.  We had to stop and keep asking for directions back to Vanderbilt Medical Center.   I never did adjust to taking all of those interstates through Nashville and finding the right turn off.  Finally, my son told me a great way to get to the hospitals downtown.  I take I-24 to Briley Parkway West.  That leads all the way to Charlotte Avenue.  I count the streets down to 21st N. which becomes 21st S which leads right to Vanderbilt. 

I was so relieved to learn such a straightforward way to our medical appointments.  Then eventually I learned more about downtown–until now I’m able to rattle off street names and I know where most of the major hospitals are.  I’m learning about other adventures too.  We like to shop at secondhand stores.  Charlotte Ave. is full of interesting second hand shops.  We had never stopped at any of them until this week.  This past week we had two days that we had to be in Nashville.  Jim insisted that we visit all of the shops.  Actually, Jim knew something about a few of them because Vera and Jim did some shopping one day when she took Jim to Nashville.

On Tuesday of this past week we visited  The Goodwill Store on Charlotte Ave.  It was very clean and organized.  I found a 2 quart and a 1 quart stainless steel cookware that was actually made in the USA.   I haven’t had a good set of cookware in 30 years.  I was so delighted with my find.  Next we went to a place called THE GREAT ESCAPE.  It sells used cds, dvds, old lp albums, etc.  The lp’s interested me because I couldn’t imgaine why anyone would want them.  I was told they are the latest rage.  People can buy some kind of gadget to attach to the computer that will download the albums on to the computer.   They were having a sell in the back of the store where all kinds of cds just cost a buck.  We learned that they also  have a second store on Broadway.

After our shopping we went back downtown to visit our favorite eating place-The Alektor Cafe&Books. We sat for about an hour and a half just enjoying a leisurely lunch.  We ended up our day back on Charlotte visiting McKay’s used bookstore.  That place was huge and very organized.  They sold books, audio books, movies, old records, dvds, boxed television series etc.  Their turnover of merchandise is so fast that they have quite a stock of fairly new releases of all they carry.  We had such a wonderful time shopping there.

Friday found us back in Nashville for another brief appointment at the Veteren’s Hospital.  After we finished –we started our grand tour of used shops.  We started with THE GREAT ESCAPE on Broadway.  Then we visited the numerous shops on Charolotte Ave.  We visited the  Lion’s Club Thrift Store first.  Next we visited RHINO’S  used books.  It was very interesting and I liked how they had little reading corners with couches and tables.  However, I thought their books were too expensive.  I had found a book that I wanted that was $6.00.  I complained about the price –especially since it was a paperback.  The owner just snapped back at me about how he was trying to keep a good used bookstore open in his neighborhood.  I told him how I usually shop for used books on HALF.COM.  He told me that I could probably find my book for a few bucks but then I’d have postage.  So he finally took a dollar off my book.  He told me that if I bought three books –he would give me the 4th book for free.  I told him that I would take him up on his offer my next trip to Nashville. 

Our next visit was to the  SOUTHERN THRIFT STORE.  Jim found two never used cartridges for our printer for a dollar a piece.  I found a grab back of little toys for our grandsons for a couple of dollars.  Then we visited a store that specializes in global crafts.  It was interesting to look through all the crafts from around the world but it was too expensive for us.  Next we visited a vintage antique shop but again the prices were too high.  We ended up our day back at McKays.  We both took our time scouting out the entire store –just so we could gain a thorough knowledge of what they carry.  I only bought one book and Jim bought some very discounted cd’s. 

The two days that we had brief doctor’s appointments gave us the extra time that we don’t usually have to shop.  We had such a great time.  I told Jim: “I’m sorry that you are sick but at least we are having some good quality time together enjoying our shopping.”  We would never just drive to Nashville to shop.  Since we are in Nashville a great deal these days–it is fun to enjoy second hand road. 

I’m glad that I can find my way around downtown Nashville.  I have been pushed to learn something that I would never have chosen to learn on my own.  I don’t let Jim drive except around town.  With all of the medications that he takes–he gets too sleepy.  God has a way of working something good into our lives with  each difficult situation we face.  I have a dear friend who accused me of marrying Jim just to take care of me.  Sure I enjoyed Jim’s loving care in our early years.  Our marriage has lasted long enough that it is my turn to give Jim some loving care.  And together we will continue to enjoy our trips to Nashville to find our bargains.

July 7th is our next visit to Nashville.  We can hardly wait!

God bless each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of LIfe, 15 (Cancer Strikes Again)

Cancer has a way of showing it’s ugly face again and again.  Just about every month I hear of someone I know of who is fighting cancer.  In May, cancer entered our close family circle once again.  This time is was not my own personal battle but that of my sister-in- law. 

We had just had a big family time the evening of the Kentucky Derby.  We all enjoyed watching that together.  T seemed normal as ever.  Just a week later she had her physical and her doctor found a mass in one of her breasts.  T didn’t show a great deal of emotion. She was very silent about her experience.    I recommended the surgeon that I had used for my mastectomy.  She had to get a mammogram and take it to the surgeon.  He then did a needle biopsy.  The first report seemed to indicate that there was not much to worry about.  I was suspicious because T told me her mass was quite large.

Finally, the surgeon told T and her husband ( my brother) that she probably did have cancer.  T decided to have a lumpectomy.  I almost begged her to have a masectomy.  Her reply was that it was still uncertain about whether she had cancer so why would she want to have a mastectomy.  Well, in my heart –I knew she had cancer. 

T and my brother didn’t seem to feel a need for folks to be in the waiting room.  I really don’t think T believed she had cancer.  Jim and I insisted on being with my brother during surgery.  We did get to visit T in her holding area for about 30 minutes.  She just didn’t seem to get it–that this might be something serious.  It was hard for me to understand their reactions.  I had a different kind of biopsy and knew that I had cancer when I went into surgery.  Their experience seemed so backwards to me.

We sat with my brother for a little over two hours.  The surgeon came out and sat down with us to tell us that T did have cancer.  He ended up removing almost half of her breast and two dozen lympth nodes to get clear margins.  He told my brother that T would definitely have to have chemotherapy and radiation.  I think my brother heard the information correctly but I still don’t think he processed it very well.

My reaction to T these almost two weeks sincer her surgery has been strange.  I have to be careful that I don’t impose my own personal bias about how she should be reacting.  It has been difficult.  She went back to work the next week to finish up her school year as a school psychologist.  I just couldn’t believe she did that.  Now she and my brother are on a two week trip to visit their grandsons.  Maybe she is just trying to soak up as much of life before treatment as she can.  I just know that our stories of how we both reacted to cancer are very different.

T missed her yearly exam last year.  I can’t imagine why– because she has good health insurance.  And T never does breast self exams.  Cancer came and creeped into her life.  Women in their 50’s and older are very prone to get breast cancer regardless of whether there is a family history.  Please ladies–don’t skip those yearly exams and don’t neglect doing a personal breast exam once a month.

In 2007 I found out I had breast cancer.  However, I had never skipped a year.  I was tempted to skip the whole mammogram thing that year.  But because I didn’t– my breast cancer was found very early.  I didn’t have to have chemotherapy or radiation.

T has a long road ahead of her.  We all will be supporting her and my brother with prayers.  We will do all we can to help her.  It is  very devastating to have cancer strike our family once again.

So what else have I been doing this past month?   I finished out my school year as a substitute teacher. I’ve been getting back to working with potted plants.  I had lost interest for a couple of years.  The ones I had –I watered but I didn’t  do much else.  Now I’m working on creating new plants through my cuttings.  I’m also enjoying reading.  If push comes to shove a book always wins over blogging.  I’m also working on learning my choir music.  We sing without instruments and I sing alto.  I have a huge notebook of music to be working on. 

We have our own priest now at our mission church.  He is not with us yet because he is still trying to wrap things up in Canada.  However, he came down for a couple of weeks during the Easter season.  And today he just left after visiting with us for another couple of weeks.  He came and blessed our home last week. We also had a wonderful social after church.  We had a gathering at the home of one of our parish family.  She cooked a very full and fancy meal for us.  Most of didn’t leave until 6:45 p.m.  It was just a wonderful time of food and fellowship. 

Our priest will be back  to our parish–along with his family– by the first of July.  This time they will be fully moved.  He found a home for them to rent and has already ordered a specific date for the moving company.  We are very excited to have our first full time priest at our Christian Orthodox Church.

I hope not to be so long in writing again.  I am busy though–still making many trips to Nashville for Jim’s health needs.  I also take care of our grandsons most of these summer days.  Vera is gone for the summer.  She is an intern with a new Orthodox ministry in Kansas City,Mo.  We have missed her a great deal.  There is a possibility that this internship will turn into a job.  We are happy for her if it does but our hearts ache with missing her.

May these summer days provide many blessing to each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of Life,14–Videos

I’ve been trying to learn how to make my website more interesting.  Yesterday, I spent about four hours with Vera taking notes on how to use videos and pictures in my website.  I’m afraid I’m a slow learner but hopefully with practice–it will become very easy for me. 

Anyway, I woke up yesterday morning with an overwhelming desire to make a video about my journey this past year.  It was not rehearshed.  I had no notes that I made up.  It was just a very spontaneous time of sharing.  I hope my readers can glean something from it.

This second video I made a year ago.  I had gotten up early to watch my daughter run in a local race.  I had put on an old shirt and a pair of jeans.  Then I put on a jacket because it was cold.  It was meant to be a promotion for my blog which I never did anything with. 

I hope you can see the contrast in just a year about how life can change for anyone.  I’ve said this many times:  “Life is fragile.”   Enjoy your life today and make many beautiful memories.

God bless each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 13

Did I mention how life is uncertain last week?  Well, I plunged right into an uncertain week with Jim calling me home from work on Monday morning.  I knew he wasn’t feeling well when I left but I had no idea I would end up spending the day with him in the emergency room.

I rushed home and called 911.  I knew that Jim would never be able to endure waiting in the emergency room to be seen.  By calling 911–he would be assured of instant attention.  We had a long day.  Ben, my son ,and Sandy, my oldest daughter ,spent most of the day with me.  Vera was able to come when she finished teaching her class.  Maria had to work at the post office and couldn’t come but her husband came for a bit.

There was nothing very conclusive about the day other than the doctor was very nice–kept checking on us –and worked hard to communicate with the VA in Nashville.  Since it is written all over Jim’s charts that he is inoperatable –no one was in a hurry.  Jim’s main complaint that day was his legs. 

We left the hospital with an energency appointment at one of the VA clinics in Nashville on Tuesday morning.  The doctor there was very attentive and started cutting back on Jim’s medicines.  He also was very compassionate about Jim’s leg problem and ordered him some medicine for “restless leg syndrome”. This doctor checked on Jim both Wednesday and Thursday mornings and further changed his medications.  I have a pill cutter and he would instruct me how to shave the medications.  He also reminded us to keep our appointment with the cardiologist at the VA hospital on Friday.

That proved to be an event that I hope is life changing for the better.  The heart clinic is only open on Friday.  That is why we couldn’t get in to see him during our crisis.  The cardiologist was a “bulldog” of a doctor who gave us an hour and half of his time.  He completely threw out four more of Jim’s medications calling them “crap”.  He told us that by the thickening of tissue in Jim’s CT scans –it is apparent that Jim has never been properly cared for with his chronic blood pressure problem.  That was news to me as Jim has faithfully followed all doctor’s orders about his blood pressure since he was diagnosed at age 28. 

The doctor drew a chart for Jim to take his blood pressure daily.  He made a column for breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.  Jim is to take his blood pressure only twice a day alternating between those times.  Jim has kept a notebook of bloodpressure checks but the doctor said that the way Jim has recorded his checks is absolutely useless.  We have two weeks of BP checks on this new system and then we return to see the “bulldog”. 

I have panicked though because Jim’s blood pressure has been too high with each check.  Jim has been on a roller coaster for six months now with his BP  either being too high or too low.  Lately, it has been too low a great deal.  I’m concerned now that with so many medications taken from him that he is going to have high bp for two weeks.  That can cause further dissection in his aorta.  Jim said I was extremely odd for singing the praises of this doctor but worrying about whether to trust him now.  I guess I am odd.  Afterall, I’m the one who takes care of Jim in crisis.  It does take a toll on me. 

After dealing with crisis all week–I was wiped out yesterday.  Furthermore, I was wiped out today.  Jim and Vera were able to go the church but I stayed home for the peace and quiet.  I haven’t had a quiet day in months.  I should return to work tomorrow but I don’t really want too.  It is going to be hard to leave Jim alone all day.  Vera always has a long day with her teaching on Mondays.  She is finishing up her classes this coming week.  Then she is leaving us for three months to do an internship with a new Orthodox mission in Kansas, City, Mo.  I have depended on her help so much –especially since Jim has become ill.  It will be a tough adjustment.  Yet I understand that she has a life too–and I want her to live it to the fullest for the Glory of God.

I, too, left my mother at a difficult time in her life.  Mother had Parkinson’s disease and was also taking care of my grandmother.  I wanted to go away to college and taste life to the fullest.  I now understand just how sad my mother was because I’m sad that Vera is leaving.  However, I must let her go.  She has been faithful in helping us in so many ways through my cancer recovery and Jim’s illness.

Hopefully, this week will be a little calmer.  We are indeed blessed to still be together as a family.  I will visit with each of you again next Sunday!

God bless!

Nichole

Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 12

Today is the beginning of Bright Week in the Orthodox Church.  Yesterday was our Easter ( Pascha).  We didn’t get to attend.  Services didn’t even start until 11:00 p.m. last evening.  I decided it wasn’t in Jim’s best interest to attend.  I understand that everyone had a wonderful time.  After the services–a family in our parish had everyone over for a lamb roast.

We did get to attend the Agape Vespers this afternoon.  Then George invited us all back to his home for leftover lamb.  So we got a mini Pascha afterall.  That was the only service we were able to attend as a family.

On Wednesday evening, someone from the parish drove the 30 miles to pick up Jim for the Holy Unction Service.  I didn’t feel like I could make the trip and get home to get in bed early enough to teach school on Thursday.  I’m glad Jim got to attend this service because he was annointed with Holy oil for healing of the mind and body.

Speaking of healing.  I’ve thought much about the topic of healing since our visit to the Veteran’s hospital on Monday.  By mistake , we saw a cardiac surgeon instead of a regular cardilogist.  He was looking through all of Jim’s papers from Vanderbilit when we walked into the room.  Jim was not feeling well at all.  His top blood pressure number had dropped to 81.  This surgeon just bluntly told us that there was nothing that he could do for Jim.  I showed him some pictures that the surgeon at Vanderbilit had drawn for me about Jim’s condition.  He told me that Jim’s surgeon was his boss at Vanderbilit.  He told us that if his boss said that nothing could be done for JIm–then that was final.( So getting back to my thoughts about healing.  I’m  sure that God can heal Jim but it is more than likely that God will not do that.  Instead, Jim and I need to just focus on enjoying each day to the fullest and also obeying everything the doctors tell us to do.)

He told us that they would make an appointment for Jim to see a regular cardiologist who would keep track of Jim’s blood pressure.  Making sure that JIm’s blood pressure is not too high or too low is the only thing that any doctor can do for Jim.  Although we both knew nothing could be done for Jim –it was still difficult hearing that said in such a blunt way.

Thus feeling stunned was how I started my work week out as a substitute teacher. Even so– I had a rich variety of experiences.  During my breaks I read a book about an Orthodox missionary in Albania who discovered she had invasive lobular carcinoma too late.  She had a 5 centimeter tumor when it was found.  I, too, had invasive lobular cancer but when my tumor was found–it measured only 4 millimeters.  Quite a stark contrast.

However, I had a history of breast cancer in my family that was so thick that I began my screenings at age 36.  Women who don’t have a history of breast cancer usually don’t start having mammograms until age 40.  Reading Lynette Hoppe’s story really has shaken me to my very core.  I guess that since I’ve done so well with my cancer that I’ve completely forgotten about how hard it must be to be given the diagnoses of stage IV breast cancer.  And I’ve realized anew how important it is for all women to do a self exam each month–regardless of whether they have breast cancer in their family or not.  If Lynette had known to examine herself each month–she probably would  still be with us.  She died about two years after her diagnosis.  Still, she was a brave , strong Christian woman who died with a tremendous testimony of her faith.  I do want to encourage all of my female readers to take a few minutes each month for a self examination of the breasts.  This might mean the difference between life and death for someone. 

Well, my week ended peacefully with a chance to give something back to my neighborhood.  I participated in cultivating an “adopt a spot” area in my neighborhood.  We planted flowers and made a beautiful little garden setting complete with a concrete bench, concrete birdbath, a bird feeder, and some other lovely things.  I’m so glad I was part of that project. 

After I finished that task–my son and his wife took Jim and I out for lunch.  We then ended our day with attending our little 5 year old grandson Alex’s birthday party.  Saturday was a great day.

Each day I worry too much about Jim.  I’m trying to work on that.  Tomorrow , the 20th– is my birthday.  I’ve already received some very nice gifts from my family.  On the eve of my birthday, I’m pondering about many things.  One of which– is  that  I’m grateful that I’ve been allowed to raise my children and enjoy another generation through my grandsons.  That is a tremendous gift from God–the greatest birthday gift I could ever imagine.

Oh, yes—Jim received word this week that he will begin receiving his Social Security Disability–starting the end of May.  It was a clear cut case and nothing was contested. 

Life holds uncertainties for each of us.  Many times the uncertainities of life turn out to become our greatest blessings.  So may each of you have a blessed week.  I’ll check in again next Sunday evening.

God Bless,

Nichole

Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 11

I didn’t get my Sunday evening words written.  However, I’m off today as I have to take Jim to the VA hospital in Nashville to see a cardiologist.  The VA health care in the closest thing I know in reasonable healthcare  compared to my United KIngdom’s friends healthcare.  We are very thankful for the years Jim spent in the Air Force  to enable him to have this care when he needs it most.

Jim was officially terminated from his job on April the 9th–so he lost his health care unless he pays for a COBRA plan.  I will be using the COBRA plan but it is way to costly for both of us.  Again, having the VA medical care saved the day.

Last week was my spring break.  We spent a couple of days with our grandsons.  I happened to make tuna noodle casserole  last Monday and John just thought it was the greatest.  I made a very large casserole in the morning because we just warm up servings in the microwave.  John wanted tuna casserole for breakfast, lunch and a late afternoon snack.  His mom never makes anything like that.  She grew up on tuna casserole but I guess it is just one of those dishes that she never really liked. 

I had to make John his own casserole to take home on Wednesday.  We also made pizza that day.  The boys are getting used to helping me make the dough.  They like to try to pat it out in the pizza pans.  I noticed this time that John is becoming very efficient in patting out the pans.  Little brother is showing improvement, too.  We usually make three pizzas.  It is a favorite meal they like when they come to my home.

Jim and I left Wednesday afternoon for an overnight trip to Lake Barkley Lodge.  I called it a “honeymoon” to the boys earlier in the week.  Their mom told me that John would not stop talking about our “honeymoon”. 

We had a wonderful time.  Eating in the lakefront dining room is always a special time for us.  Later we walked along the lakefront in the moonlight and followed behind some kind of water bird for awhile.  Finally, the bird realized we were following behind and so the bird took off into the lake.

Jim and I spent a great deal of time talking about his limitations and how we are currently dealing with them.  I tried to explain why I feel so protective and Jim seemed to understand.  That didn’t last long though.  Thursday night after we had been home for many hours–Jim chose to take a walk while I was in the shower.  Vera was not at home.  I was horrified and we had a big argument about it when he came home. 

I have much to learn.  My friend “Shadowlands”  has written on my blog that I need to choose my battles carefully.  It is easier said that done.  I pray for wisdom each day.  Yet each day I fail.

This is Holy Week in my Orthodox Faith.  We will not be able to participate until Pascha night.  I’m going to try to let Jim enjoy Pascha.  I’m nervous about it though.  My friend “Dewdrop” dropped me a personal note this morning expressing his concern about the possibility of Jim missing “pascha”.  I so appreciated his concern!

Well, I will try to get back on my Sunday evening blog next week.  May God’s blessings be with each of your during this week!

Nichole

Nichole’s Slices Of Life, 10

What a week!  I finished up my assignment as substitute librarian at one of our elementary schools.  Since there was testing in the library this week –I took my lessons to the classrooms.  K-3 got their lessons via the internet which was then projected onto a special screen called a “Smart Board”.  The librarian has the most wonderful website that offers the viewing of  books in animation.  These books are hard copy printed books that have been put into animation form.  I was fasinated with this website and had fun using the material.  I hoped to subscribe at home to this website but found out it is only available to schools.  I’m like a child at heart when it comes to children’s literature.  I love it.  My 4th and 5th graders had to complete worksheets about Kentucky.  I was expected to grade them.  I graded quite a few papers–something I’m not used to doing.  All in all–it   was a wonderful experience of being the librarian.  An added bonus was the many hugs I received from students.   It was an 8 day assignment.

On the homefront–my husband didn’t have a great week.  He tried raking up some of the many sticks in our yard and ended up in bed all the next day.  I used to have him make our bed and do a little housework for me.  He is no longer able to do those simple tasks.  Anything that involves arm movement seems to put him in bed.  He is still able to enjoy working at the computer.  I struggled so much this week –just knowing how Jim seems to get more limited in what he can accomplish each day.  It has taken a toll on me.  By Friday, I was in a depression.  Not the kind that lands one in bed but just the kind where one just doesn’t have much desire to interact with others or do the activities that one usually enjoys.  It is kind of like feeling like a stone.  One one hand–I did enjoy my work week.  On the other hand–I felt a deep heaviness inside about my husband’s failing health.  When Jim is feeling better–he gets mad at me for being protective of him.  I’m caught in a hard place. 

We are already discussing whether he should attend Holy Pascha in a couple of weeks.  I’ve made the comitment to sing in the choir.  I have a ton of music to learn in a short time.  Yet I struggle whether we should even attend.  For you see– the service doesn’t even start until 10:00 p.m. and we won’t get home until the wee hours of the morning.  Can Jim endure such a service?  I don’t know.  It is tough for me to make that decision. 

We have spring break this coming week.  I will be busy caring for our grandson’s the first 3 days of the week.  I told my daughter that I wanted Thursday and Friday off.  Wednesday afternoon we are leaving for an overnight stay at one of our state parks.  This is a gift from our daughter, Vera.  Friday –I’m to rehearse Pascha music in Clarksville most of the day.  It will be nice to have a break from teaching.

Life goes on.  I’m sure that I will have the wisdom needed for each new day.  I will just take it one day at a time with Jim.  I mentioned last week that I could only give myself a C for thankfulness. I’m still on the C level but  I know this fact for sure– I don’t blame God for any of the difficulties that we face.  I am not bitter.  I’m merely exhausted and tired.  God know these things–His compassions are tender to me.  I’m very thankful to know this–first hand.  I did have one situation of compassion that has touched me greatly.

One of the members of our cancer group insisted on doing my grocery shopping this week.  She is a retired teacher and loves to find a bargain.  I gave her my list at our weekly cancer meeting.  She threw in many of my items for free–for she had extras at her home.  I wrote her a check when she delivered my groceries.  She said that she wants to continue doing this for me.  What a generous soul she is.  I’m very grateful for her help.

So I am thankful for God’s tender mercies to our family.  I will check back in with each of you next Sunday evening.  Have a great week!

God bless each of you!

Nichole’s Slices Of Life,9

I started out last week by waking up with a stomach virus that put me flat on my back.  Throughout the day–I got stronger.  I was very concerned that I wouldn’t be able to take my husband to the Veteran’s hospital on Tuesday.  Thankfully, I was able to accomplish that goal.

We had arranged to meet my brother who works in Nashville for lunch.  He had a terrible accident of falling down his basement stairs in November.  Brad underwent three surgeries–one of which was the wiring of his jaw.  I couldn’t believe how normal Brad looked.  What a miracle!  He is able to drive, work a normal day and he seems very healthy.  We are so grateful for his health being restored. 

Our actual appointment was at the MeHerry Medical Clinic.  We were very impressed with Jim’s doctor.  He spent an hour and a half going over all of Jim’s medical history.  We had asked Vanderbilt to fax all of Jim’s records.  This doctor was very grave though about Jim’s aortic problems.  He wants Jim to see the VA cardiologist and Vascular surgeon.   The doctor also worked on Jim’s medicines.  Some of them had to be substituted according to the VA list.  Our last stop was at the actual VA hospital for blood work.  They told us that Jim’s medicines would come in the mail.

On Wednesday, I started my first day of an eight day assignment of being the librarian at one of our elementary schools.  Librarians teach classes throughout the day.  Much of my work consisted of using internet programs that are transferred to a big screen.  I then had a writing assignment for the children.  The older children worked on Kentucky worksheets.

When I got home on Wednesday, Jim informed me that his new doctor wanted him to get a CT scan as soon as possible.  We decided that Vera would take Jim back to Nashville on Friday.

I had a break from our grandsons on Friday as their mother took them to the dentist.  I had only been home a short time when the VA doctor called to tell me how awful Jim’s CT scan looked.  He urged me to have Jim go to the emergency room if he has any bad pains.  That phone call kind of took my breath away.  I wasn’t much good for anything the rest of the afternoon.  I gave Jim the news when he got home but tried to be low key about it.  Jim and Vera had decided to enjoy some shopping at second hand bookstores in Nashville–and that delayed their getting home early.  Jim didn’t seemed very concerned about the phone call.  Vera was a little shaken by the news.

By Saturday, I felt better because we were told by the surgeon in 2005 that anyone new looking at Jim would be horrified.  This afternoon I read the reports from Jim’s MRI in mid March.  It stated that nothing was significantly different from his MRI in October of 2008.  We now have a copy of all the Vanderbilit records and I felt so much better.  It is not that Jim will ever get any better.  However, if he controls his blood pressure–he shouldn’t get any worse.

Crisis- is the name of the game this week.  Vera decided that she wanted to visit her old parish in Murfreesboro this weekend.  During Vespers last night the ceiling and wall of the alter was destroyed by a bad storm.  Most everyone had the glass broken on their car windows.  Vera took our Chevy Blazer but told us that our car was undamaged.  She is on her way home  as I write.  She did call to tell us that one window is shattered and about to break.  I’m not happy about that report of damage but I know many have much worse window damage.  So I guess I’ll buckle up and try to be thankful that we have miminal damage. 

Tomorrow I start another week as librarian.  There will be testing in the library all week.  I have to travel to each classroom.  The teachers are supposed to mark my websites onto their favorite’s list.  I will be using their “smart boards” to show my internet programs.  I will need a cubby hole to hang out in during my planning and lunch time.  I’m never comfortable with that kind of arrangement.  I guess I will survive. 

What an eventual week it has been with sickness, new experiences with the Veteran’s medical system  and being a librarian.  Lastly, dealing with a storm that took a hit at our car.  The Bible teaches us to be thankful in all things.  If I were getting a grade this week–I would assign myself only a C for thankfulness.  I have much to learn in that area.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I will check in again next Sunday evening.

God bless each of you!