Household – Page 8 – Obtaining Mercy

Refreshing…

October 19, 2009 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Florida Weather, Household, How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, Just My Thoughts, What's Happening

We have FALL in Florida! Yay!!! It has been wonderful to feel the crisp cool air, and to be able to open the windows and have the fresh air circulate inside as well as outside. It will be in the mid-80s again tomorrow, but that is so much better than the 90s we were having. You will not hear anyone in our house complaining about the weather at this time of year. We enjoy it so much! 🙂

I am doing better. I have been able to care for myself, and even do a few things in the house. I helped with the dishes a little, and also with the laundry. I was able to whip up a batch of hummus. Of course the food processor does all the work for that! I just stand there and drop stuff in!

I was able to go to the services yesterday. I attended the morning service for just the preaching hour, then last night, I went to choir practice and stayed for the service, too. I took "Chairy" with me, and sat in the back in cushioned comfort. :)

I am still having considerable pain at times, like today. (I guess yesterday was just more sitting than I was ready for.) I have found that walking does help the pain. Doug, Isaac and I have been walking each evening for about 30 minutes. I've been pushing my wheelchair while I walk, and then if I am in too much pain, I just sit down and wheel myself. I know that's good for my upper body which is needing to be toned up any way, due to my recent weight loss.

I am not helping to care for Isaac yet. (Well, I do comb his hair! Some things Daddy just needs Mommy's help to do!) I did change one diaper one night while Doug was at work. It was only a wet diaper, and I did not need to adjust Isaac at all. He helped me to roll from side to side, and I did not need to lift any part of him. I was very careful and have only done it the one time. It saved Doug a trip home from work, which is helpful to him.

You know, I know that not everyone understands what's going on with me; and sometimes they pass judgment on me. They don't understand why I would do one activity, and not another. They can't understand why Doug is continuing to work nights, or why I am so "helpless" at home.

The bottom line is that I am just trying to do things that will not hurt me. Once you have been in the place that every movement caused severe pain, you find that you are loathe to be in that position again. So, as I gain confidence, I have moved forward. (I could write an entire blog about "fear"! What a powerful emotion, and one that I have not had to deal with on such a level before.)

So, if there are some that don't understand our choices at this point, I sincerely pray that they do not ever have to experience my situation in order to understand it. I would not wish any of this on my worst enemy! 🙂

The folks at Doug's work, and in my church, have been so kind and merciful to us. I am grateful for people who live out Christ's attitude of compassion. Their sweet spirits have been refreshing to our own spirits while we have been sojourning in the valley.

Isaac is doing well. He had a spate of seizures last week. We always hate to see him struggle with them. We had to administer emergency seizure meds one day last week, and he has not been sleeping very well. However, his sense of humor has remained intact! We just love to hear him giggle at a song or because of something Doug does. His joy is so contagious!

I guess this is enough of an update for now. I got a little long-winded, didn't I? :) I pray you have a good day!

Alesha

Counting Blessings

October 10, 2009 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Friendship, Household, How Great is Our God, Isaac Update, Just My Thoughts, What's Happening

I spent some time yesterday getting "pushed around" by my husband. LOL! (Thought you'd appreciate that, Hannah!) :) He took me to the chiropractor in my new chair. 🙂

The chiro seems to think I have "facet joint syndrome". Just click on the name to go to a site that explains it fairly well. To be honest, I was quite fearful that it would be something more serious. It certainly feels very serious! So this diagnosis, although unpredictable, is better than something that would require surgery.

I did feel some immediately relief after the adjustment. Although, after sitting for any length of time, the pain comes back with a vengeance. I keep doing a little bit more each day. "Slow and steady wins the race!" like the hare and the tortoise taught us. 😉

I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself that I'm going to miss church again. And please don't tell my pastors, but I miss the choir the most! ;) We are already practicing for our Christmas cantata, and I love that so much! Also our choir is always learning new songs, so I miss out on those as well, and feel like I'm getting behind. I do enjoy watching them on the web site, though. It's fun to "see" your choir perform, rather than just hearing it.

I was quite pleased my how comfy my chair performed yesterday, although it did feel peculiar to be rolling around at everyone's waist level. It's funny how much difference a foot or two can make in your perspective of things. Now I know why they tell new parents to crawl around their house on hands and knees to view how their baby will see the world, so they know how to "childproof" their home more effectively. Thankfully, I was not quiiiiiite down on that level!!! lol!

Can I just say again how wonderful my husband has been through all of this? He is managing Isaac's care without a hitch. Remember he was home with him full time for a year or so, so he does really great with all of the things required to keep Isaac happy and healthy.

Of course, Isaac is older now, and we live in a different house, so some things are different. His taste in videos has changed and he loves to have his curtains opened so that he can see out; but most things remain the same: feeds, meds, clothes changes…and lots of TLC!

Doug is also caring for me extremely well. He has a real servant's heart and seems to thrive while meeting the needs of others. I do not have one complaint about his care for me these past two weeks. I have not gone without anything that I needed or wanted. He has done all the laundry, cleaning, and meals as well.

(Well, to be entirely accurate, I must say that Grammy did come over to visit the other day, and ended up dusting before she left. Moms always seem to know what little thing might just make your day a little brighter! She also sent over a few pieces of Jalapeno Cornbread last week. Yummo!!!)

I have felt so loved and cared for by my entire family (and my friends) for the past 2 weeks. I am such a blessed, blessed woman!

I pray you feel loved and blessed today. Even if you are alone, and in dire circumstances, please know that you are loved by God, and that He is right there with you. Remember too, that no matter how hard things may seem, they could be worse! So we need to count the blessing of this present difficulty. God has protected us from many other things, and we should praise Him for that.

May God bless you this day,

Alesha

Touch of Autumn

October 8, 2009June 23, 2015 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Florida Weather, Hallelujah Diet, Household, How Great is Our God, Just My Thoughts, What's Happening

Well, here she is – all 20-inch-seat of her! Isn't she just beautiful?!! We call her "Chairy"…short for "Chariot" and "Cherry" – because she is such a sweet ride!

I can sit in it for short periods of time. Yesterday Doug sat me right next to Isaac's recliner, and after I had been there for a few minutes, Isaac t-u-r-n-e-d his head to his left and loooooooked at me…as if to say "I thought I heard you over there!" Isaac very rarely turns his head to the left, so when he does, it's for a good reason. 🙂

Today, I was able to trim and peel carrots:

This is how far I got:

Not a marathon peeling session, but a little bit is better than nothing. I was desperately trying to get those last 9 carrots done, but the pain was just too much. No need to prolong the healing time for something like carrots! 🙂

I had planned to get to my chiropractor today, but we forgot he closes at 11 a.m. on Thursdays. So I will call tomorrow for an appointment. He is always able to take me in right away. I will be glad to get everything aligned, so that the healing can continue in a better way.

Isaac is really enjoyed having Doug home during the daylight hours. Doug is enjoying working at night. I am just happy that they are both happy. 🙂

My mom brought me this gorgeous sunflower last week! The colors are just amazing for a silk flower.

I have it tucked in between the dresser and the nightstand, so I can see it all the time. Since the temperatures here are still in the 90's, and I can't get outside anyway, it's the only little touch of autumn I'm experiencing right now. :) I know cooler days are ahead. I just have to be patient.

Thanks for your encouraging comments and for your prayers. I know God is working miracles all around me. I can't see all that He is doing, but I know He is faithfully fulfilling the work that He has started in me.

Wishing you blessings this day,

Alesha

“A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That…”

August 14, 2009June 23, 2015 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Blessings, Florida Weather, Household, What's Happening

"…A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat."

(Free earrings to the first person to leave on comment on my blog, naming the origin of the above quote.) : D

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I hope you all have had a good week. I haven't blogged every day this week, because it would've been the same blog over and over!

Yep, one of those ordinary, boring, nothing-exciting-happened weeks…for which I am extremely grateful!!!

We do have a couple of tropical systems somewhere out in the Atlantic, but I really don't know much about them. Any time someone starts to discuss them, I just put my fingers in my ears, and go "La la la la la la la la." ; )

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Neither Isaac nor I have felt very well this week, so we have laid low, taken it easy, and for Isaac, had lots of naps.

His mystery fever was back for a couple of days this week. <sigh> We still don't have a clue…but are keeping a really close eye on him. We can't just ignore it, of course…something must be causing the low-grade temps.

Here's a question for you medically-minded people out there, or for those with medically fragile kiddos: Could the temperature in the house cause him to run a temp?

Our house is small with one window until a/c, and we run 2 fans 24/7 to move the air into his room. However, we are in Florida, and the temps get extremely high outside; and due to very little insulation, the room that the sun is shining on gets very hot.

Isaac's room is on the northwest side of the house, so it gets a full blast of afternoon and evening sun. His room probably gets to 80* or better some afternoons.

Could this cause his temp to go to 100*? I know his brain doesn't regulate his temps very well, but I just don't know if it could cause that much of a rise in his temp.

Any input or ideas would be very much welcomed.

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I sold a pair of earrings last week! It was very exciting, because they were bought by a person unknown to me. Just someone who found my site and liked the jewelry, I guess. I really hope they like it when it gets there. I always want my customers to be very pleased and satisfied with their purchases.

My mom has blessed me the past 2 months by paying a friend to come and clean at my house for a couple of hours a month. It has been such a blessing. She does such a nice job, plus it is nice to fellowship with a friend while we're working. We've worked out a plan for her to come an extra time each month: I'm going to make jewelry for her and she's going to clean for me. : ) : ) : ) I am so excited and pleased to be able to do that!

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I'm needing to be very careful with my back this week. It is feeling very "fragile", so I am not doing much with Isaac or the house. We just sort of put everything on "hold" if we can. For those things that can't wait, my hubby works very hard to take care of them.

I've been enjoying some of those books that my mother-in-love mailed to us last month while I've been resting this week. Isn't that so handy that she sent them? : )

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For any new Facebook friends who have wandered over here to my blog, feel free to check out the "All About Isaac" tab at the top of the page. It has his adoption story there, and also a little bit about his medical condition.

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I guess that's it for this week. I am hoping to resume my regular blogging schedule soon, but it's still summer, so we'll see! : D I don't consider the summer finished until September starts…I'm just "old school" that way!

I pray that ya'll have a wonderful weekend, and that you are able to assemble with other Christians and worship the Lord together. I know sometimes you just can't get to church; but if you can, I hope that you will. If you cannot, I invite you again to watch our services online: Landmark Baptist Church.

Blessings to you,

Alesha

New Stuff at Our House

July 20, 2009June 23, 2015 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Food and Drink, Household, What's Happening

We had a busy end-of-the-week last week, and as the result of being out and about, we have a few new tools for our house, our business and our boy.

The first new item: deodorant. No, it's not for me. It's for Isaac. {sigh…} : )

This is a handy cleaner that we found for Isaac. It is gentle on his skin, and can also be used on his hair. I find this a real help on those days when I have to change him from head to toe, over and over. (well, most days, really.)

This is a handy little tool for the kitchen. It's a salad spinner. Not the pricey oxo one I had my eye on, but a cheapy one from Old Time Pottery. We'll see how it stands up. I was able to chop up romaine and spinach, throw it in there, wash it, spin it and store it in my lettuce keeper. Very nice!

Doug bought me this sketch book for my jewelry business. Sometimes, it helps to see things on paper…and sometimes it would be nice if I could take a picture of the image in my head and transfer it to paper through some magical process.

I am NO artist, and sometimes I can't even manage to draw what I'm thinking on the paper. However, once in a while, I have some ideas that need to be jotted down before I forget them. So I keep this pad by my bed for just that purpose.

And THIS…ah, this little gem of a book has my creative juices really flowing! It has wonderful projects in it, and gives step by step instructions for some techniques that I had not yet learned. I am so excited to try some new things, and also to improve on some of the techniques that I use all the time.

So, those are the new things in our house this week. Oh, and I'll be trying to find the recipe for this new dish, so that it will be in our house, too:

It's Spaghetti Primavera, and it was absolutely delicious! Oh, and Doug's entree wasn't bad, either:

Veggie pizza with eggplant and peppers. He really enjoyed it!

Yes, in case you were wondering, we were able to go out to lunch on Saturday, thanks to Grammy! We went to Carrabba's and had a wonderful time.

I'm wondering…is there anything new at your house today? I'd love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below. : )

Blessings,

Alesha

Monday, 30 March 2009

March 30, 2009 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Hallelujah Diet, Household

Absolutely Delightful!

back row: unbleached flour, whole wheat flour, rye flour, corn meal, vinegar, carob, baking soda
middle row: almonds, coconut, pecans, pine nuts, golden flax seed, brown flax seed, sesame seeds, baking powder, vanilla, honey
front row: raisins, sunflower seeds (I ran out of jars and lids! )

All of this now resides in the cabinets right above this counter, handy for when I am blending and processing and mixing.

After
shopping, cleaning out the cabinet, and repackaging everything…I was
exhausted! But I was so ecstatic to have in all done.

I LOVE being organized!!!

(and in my kitchen, that is such a novel occurrence that I had to share it with you!)

Happy Monday to you all!
Alesha

Thursday, 26 March 2009

March 26, 2009 by ObtainingMercy, posted in Florida Weather, Food and Drink, Household, Obtaining Mercy Croft

Roasting sunflower seeds – yummy!!!

Our new compost bin at the back of the property.

Our 2 new tomato plants! So exciting!

These, on our tree, are finally ripe and ready to eat!

This gorgeous pineapple is ripening a bit before I slice it up. On sale at Wally World yesterday!

Another absolutely gorgeous day here in central Florida.

I pray your day is abundantly blessed!
Alesha