Brazillian candies from a friend of Doug's…
and all my daily supplements…
a nice after-lunch snack!
=)
Category: Hallelujah Diet
Just Catching Up
Doug and Isaac are off to therapy today, so I have the privilege of enjoying a silent house! Oh, how I love my quiet time!!! :) Both of my boys like noise! Hmmm…"boys like noise"…maybe I'm on to something here! lol!
We have had a good week. Isaac visited his neurologist last week. She suggested adding new meds or increasing meds, while watching him have seizure after seizure in the exam room. I had to tell her, "Um…this really isn't a bad day for him!"
Waiting for the doctor…
He was occasionally coming out of the seizures, and even playing with his ribbons. On a bad day, he just sleeps.
She had no answers, of course. My personal opinion is that either his shunt does not work the same every day, or his brain does not put out the same amount of fluid every day. Something is obviously fluctuating, when he has really great days, and really poor days.
But, such is life with Isaac. The Lord is faithful on ALL the days, whether they are great or poor. When it's time to consider something new, He will make it plain to us. We cannot spend every day fretting about seizures.
My follow up at my doctor was good, as I told you in the last post, I have lost another 4 pounds. That makes me very excited, because we have been working really diligently on our eating habits. I'm so glad that the diligence paid off. 🙂
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When we came home from our appointments, my mom and dad were at my house trying to clean up. Now, wait, they weren't cleaning up OUR mess…they were cleaning up DADDY's mess! He has started drilling the holes for the air conditioner vents in the concrete walls of our house.
Can you even begin to imagine the layer of concrete chalk that covered every inch of my house??? No, unless you have experienced it yourself, you have no concept! Ugh! The floors especially were quite a mess.
I had used king size sheets to cover as much furniture as I could, and so that helped a little in the clean up; but the dust settled on every surface between the ceiling and the floor. Every picture, ceiling fan, uncovered knickknack…you name it, it all had to be wiped down.
I am waiting to do the final dusting when he is completely finished. He did all the holes but one! I love him to pieces, but what in the world was he thinking, to leave one undone???
My mom said, "He was hot and hungry!"
Well, ok then! That explains it completely!!! :~D
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I have been very busy working on jewelry for the past 2 weeks. I want to increase my sales, and am trying to implement as many things as I can to make that happen. I know it's all in the Lord's hands, but I am doing my best to be diligent.
Doug's grandma is still healing nicely, and is feeling much better. We are very excited about that.
Our teens had a great week at camp. It was so good to see so many of them in church on Sunday. Sunday night, several young men came forward to say they had accepted the Lord as their Saviour while out at camp last week, and that they wanted to follow the Lord in believer's baptism. That was very exciting to see.
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I saw something interesting while we were at Isaac's doctor's visit. I thought I would share it with you.
Just a normal thing to see in the restroom…but wait, look closer…
Still can't read it? Here…this should help!
Considering that the building we were in is state-owned, I couldn't help but chuckle!!! (and take a picture for the blog, of course!)
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Well, I still have several projects to do today, so I better finish this up.
Blessings to you,
Alesha
Creative Spark Friday and Announcing a New Blog
Becky Caldwell, over at The Gritty Bird, has started a fun challenge for jewelry designers (and other like minded crafty people) to create a new and exciting piece of art each week.
THE WEEK'S (7/16-7/23) SPARKS ARE-
1. *Creative Spark* Color(s)-
Teal and/or Orange
2. *Creative Spark* Word or Phrase-
Float
3. *Creative Spark* Wire or Stringing Material(s)-
Brass Wire and/or Ribbon
4. *Creative Spark* Bead Type(s)-
Ceramic
5. *Creative Spark* Shape(s)-
Oval
and for my mixed media gals..
6. *Creative Spark* Mixed Media Art Medium(s)-
Wood and Paper
This is what I came up with:
I had so much fun with this "spark", and it just so happened that I had the supplies on hand to join in.
Thank you, Becky, for such an exciting, creative challenge!
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I realize this is quite a different post than you are used to reading here. I decided that I don't want to inundate you, my dear, faithful bloggy readers with too many "jewelry" posts.
So, I did what bloggers do…
…I created a new blog!!!
You will see a permanent link to it, up on the tabs above this post. There are links available on that site, if you wish to subscribe by blog reader or by email. I certainly won't have my feelings hurt if you do neither! ;o)
I hope you do go check it out, though, and give me your thoughts about it. I always value your input.
I pray you have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Alesha
P.S. I have lost another 4 pounds, bringing my grand total to 31 pounds. Yay! We are feeling so much better now that we are back to eating well again. 🙂
P.P.S This necklace will be up in my Etsy shop this weekend!
Hers and His
Blueberry and peach, respectively.
🙂
(This story is the truth…at 8:45 this morning, I let the dog out and looked at the thermometer that had been in the direct morning sunlight since the sun had come up, and it read 102*!!! Granted, it did fall after the sun was further up in the sky, but still…whew!!! That is just TOO hot!)
So, while you're thinking about how hot it is in Florida, and looking at those yummy frosty smoothies, please pray for our church's teen camp this week. Even in the middle of the Florida jungle, it can get pretty hot! Pray for overcast skies, safety for campers and counselors, and most importantly, that God would do a mighty work in all who are there.
Thanks…
and stay cool!!!
Alesha
One…two…three…four…
…counting my many blessing today. I thought I'd share my day with you. I think you will see why I am feeling so blessed today. Ready, set, here we go!
- Got up at 6:45 to change Isaac. Repositioned him in the bed.
- Drank barley.
- Read Bible, the book of Exodus, the story of the Red Sea crossing. Remembered I had an unread email about the subject, and watched the powerpoint presentation which was very interesting.
- Checked all email accounts, checked Etsy orders, read blog comments, checked Google Analytics and StatCounter for web sites, and check in to Xanga blogs that I follow.
- Prepared Isaac's feed, juice and meds. Fed him very quietly because he had fallen asleep (had been up since 4:30 a.m. I did not get up with him – Doug did!) Washed up all syringes, tubes and jars.
- Let Newton out to go potty.
(Newton catchin' some Florida rays)
- Drank first glass of veggie juice.
- Rinsed black eyed peas, and put in Crockpot with onion, shallot, salt and Better Than Bouillon.
- Rinsed chick peas and put in to cook on stove.
- Checked Facebook, accepted gifts and played games.
- Rinsed chickpeas, put in fresh water, put back on to finish cooking.
- Made my way through most of the blogs that I follow – everybody seems to have a lot to say this week. 🙂
- Made hummus for lunch – our favorite recipe!
- Stirred the black eyes peas.
- Changed Ike who decided to wake up, put in a video, then spent some time talking with my boy whose eyes seem clearer today than they have in some time.
- Talked to Mama on the phone. She is feeling better today. We are still waiting on the results of one more test. Found out my aunt (my mom's sister) was taken to the hospital on Sunday morning, and tests showed she was having multiple mini strokes. She is still in the hospital and will probably be released to a nursing home/rehab facility to learn to walk with a walker before she goes back home with my uncle.
- Took all my vitamins.
- Chopped up veggies to eat with our hummus.
- Answered the front door to receive some of Ike's medical supplies.
- Drank second glass of juice for the day.
- Prepared Ike's meds, juice and feed. Fed Isaac. Changed him, put in a new video. Washed up.
- Had lunch with Doug. Sent veggies and juice with him for an afternoon snack.
- Gathered veggies and fruit for juicing: kale, carrots, celery and apples. Everything was already prepared in baggies, except for the apples.
- Spent about 30 minutes juicing and cleaning up the mess that it makes. 🙂
- Stirred the black eyed peas.
- Checked in with Isaac who needed new toys and some lovin' and repositioning. We are not able to get him up in his wheelchair yet, because of the shunt. He still had some stomach issues yesterday due to the pressure, so they said to keep him reclined. Since I can't get him in and out of the recliner, his bed is the best place to do that.
- Made afternoon snack: banana-peach and parsley smoothie.
(yes, it's green, and yes, it's very yummy!)
- Peeled all the bananas and broke them up into a freezer bag for smoothies for the rest of the week.
- Turned on the radio for Isaac, switched his toys again. It's exciting to me when he gets bored.
- Downloaded some pics for this blog post, and figured out how to use a new program to edit them.
I have to tell you, my faithful blog readers, I believe I am finally on the mend! I seem to be getting stronger and my back has not "gone out" since we got the new mattress. Thank the Lord for that.
I can't remember the last time I had the energy to go through a day like this!!! It is very exciting to me!
Also, considering that I kept this pace the entire week that Doug was gone, then spent 48 hours at the hospital with my mom over the weekend, I am thrilled to be able to do all that I did today.
I know that so many of you pray for me on a daily basis, and I am so thankful for that. Don't stop praying yet! ;o) But now you can add a little praise in there that I am doing so well right now.
It's my plan to get ready and go to church tonight. Afterwards, we will have choir practice and then I will practice for a duet on Sunday with my friend, Mrs. Sandy. I should be good and tired by the time this day is over.
I pray your day has been productive, and that you can lay down tonight and count your many blessings.
I know I certainly will!
(a little blurry because he is in constant motion…)
All pics were added for Dani – my photo-graphical inspiration! 🙂
Alesha
Update on Doug’s Grandma
Just wanted to let you know that Doug's grandma came through surgery ok. She was in a regular room, and already talking, before Doug's mom went home for the evening.
Doug left this morning to fly out to be with them. We tried to tell Isaac that Daddy was going "bye-byes" for a long time, and that we would talk to him on the telephone. Now whether he can comprehend that is another thing entirely. So, I'm praying that he will understand enough to know that all is well, even though things may be different for the next several days.
I know it's true, too, that he will sense my emotions and feed off of them, so I am praying for peace for myself. 🙂
Thank you for praying. Please continue to do so, if the Lord lays our family on your heart. I know that Grandma's recovery will take quite a while, and she is not a very patient woman. :~D However, she is very feisty and full of vim and vigor. I think, in the long run, those qualities may be more important than patience in her recovery!
So, Ike and I are off on our adventure of fending for ourselves! I visited the chiropractor yesterday just to make sure everything was in its proper place – too funny, I know! However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?
As far as I know, we won't have any help. My mom will be checking on us, I'm sure, but she doesn't know how to feed Isaac or give his meds. She can change him, and shift him in the bed, but like myself, she doesn't lift him.
I know we will be using his lift a great deal this week for Isaac. My goal is to have him in his wheelchair for several hours each day. I know that is best for him, rather than being in the bed. I won't be putting him in his recliner in the living room, as it is too difficult to get him out of it, even with the lift. His position is much better in his wheelchair, any way, so that is what we will do.
Now I will leave you with a funny picture. I did not plan this meal to be so color coordinated. I was simply trying to cook up the veggies that needed to be cooked before they started spoiling, and this is what we ended up with. It might look funny, but it was delicious!!! (Broiled asparagus, green beans amandine, and broccoli and pea salad – all from Hallelujah Acres recipes)
May God bless your day with peace,
Alesha
Shut the Door, the Air Conditioner’s On!
I am so happy to let you know that my friend, Mrs. C, is at home now, recovering from her month-long ordeal. She is healing well, so let's pray that continues! 🙂
She is actually the one who suggested I share the following picture with you, after I shared it with her this morning:
This is our air conditioning unit, as seen from my bedroom. :) She is quite a monster, I know! But she gushes forth lovely, cool air to keep (most of) our house at a moderate temperature. My dad is eventually going to be ducting those 3 holes to the individual rooms in our house; and the plan is to wall this corner in like a closet with some pretty louvered doors.
So, now that our temperatures have hit the 90's, we are staying nice and cool with our "lovely beast". I am thanking the Lord for all the ways He is blessing me lately. 🙂
Isaac has been sick for the past 3 weeks. At first it was just a cold, but it eventually turned into a sinus infection.
And with the illness came the seizures.
I'm sad to tell you about that, really. I don't want you to be discouraged that we have lost ground again. It's ok, really. We had about 2 months of such clarity with him, and we wouldn't trade that for anything. It was really wonderful. We don't like the seizures, but they "normal" for Isaac, and we are not complaining.
Here's something yummy we tried today:
It's called "Sweet Annie Kale Salad" from the recipe book "How We All Went Raw". It was quite a surprise to us that we both liked it. Next time, though, I will add more garlic, and substitute craisins for the raisins. You know I always tweak everything!!! 🙂
I've got a few new smoothie recipes I'll try to share with you soon, too. We are diligently trying to get back to our healthy eating plan. We begin to feel lousy and sluggish when we are not sticking with it as we should.
I have been sick for about 2 weeks: bronchitis, according to my
self-diagnosis. I am on antibiotic now, but the cough is
l-i-n-g-e-r-i-n-g – unfortunately. I hope to be back to church and
choir and LIFE soon! 🙂
No new report on Mama Gail. I'm sure we will be talking with Mike
soon, and will let you know if there has been any change.
Keeping my eyes set on Jesus (because, really, what else is there?),
Alesha
Obtaining Mercy 