Work - Day 2

Today was better in one respect, but then in another, it was so so. He wasn't asleep by 7, tho.  It will take some time to get things going, but he will get there. I am so thankful that he works for who he does. We feel so blessed by having such a boss. Terry and Joel worked for over 20 yrs. for C R Blank Plumbing Co. in San Antonio, which was a wonderful company to work for, too.  After that company sold, they were at different companies. A few yrs. later, Terry started his own company, Stewart Plumbing. He runs his company like Mr. Blank did.....with integrity,  being firm but fair, & caring. We were praying that Joel would eventually get hired by Terry. Talk about a pinata moment!!! It's been wonderful.
After Blank sold, Joel interviewed with and worked for different companies. He came home from one interview and I just knew that he'd gotten the job. I mean, who wouldn't want to hire Joel????? right???? He had been offered the job, but he said,  "I can't work for them because of some of their policies in dealing with people." I was, and still am so proud of him.
Should any of you ever need a plumber, I would highly recommend Stewart Plumbing out of Converse. Even if Joel didn't work for him, I'd still stand behind that statement.

I know how it feels to be so happy with your boss. Not everyone can say that. I was blessed, as well, with a wonderful boss. She never allowed anyone to call her "boss", either. She had the attitude that being a boss put you on a ladder where someone had to be on top & someone was always getting stepped on . Her attitude was more of working in a circle so it could be widened and everyone felt comfortable. The two best words to describe her.... tenacious & fair. I feel like maybe I've told y'all that before, but it's worth repeating to me.

Today, I worked with a 3rd grade class. Now that's a place that can make you feel like a queen. (uhhh, that would be 'king' for the guys.) The kids are so loving. I wonder sometimes about the eclectic mix of the personalities with the kids. No matter what they are, there is something special about each one of them, that makes you want to keep going back. It never fails, one of them will make me feel so special some time during the day. I wish that I had kept every little note, special drawings, pictures, etc. from day one. That would be a wonderful box to open up when the spirits are down. I have kept a few.

I am having to keep encouraging my eyes to stay open so guess that's my dealing for the day. Hope you've found an encouraging opportunity.

Love and Prayers to all!
Suzie

Shhhhh!!!! He's asleep....

We've been getting phone calls to see how Joel's first day back to work went. They didn't want to wait for this news bulletin.  It's so nice to know that so many were thinking about and praying for him today and sitting on edge to find out what's going on. Y'all are the best!

I tried taking a video as he walked to the truck, but didn't quite get it. I did kiss the back of the truck as it pulled down the drive. Ha! And yes, the dog moped. But I made it up to her with a few little extra treats.  She is a bit spoiled. Joel will tell you that she is my dog. 
While I was out of town one time, I made a comment  that we'd gotten old because we were talking to our dog on the phone. He told me that I was the one talking to the dog on the phone. I replied back, "uhhhhhhhh, and who's holding the phone?" He could only say, "oh."...........She's OURS.

His first day went well. He came home really pooped, tho. He was asleep in the recliner a little after 7 and he is still there. When he got out of the truck, he was limping. When I asked him why, he said that he was stiff. I made him one of his favorite meals, salad with some yummy dressing (Penzey's mix) and some Italian pork (with extra Penzey's spices). Really good stuff! After he ate, he was out in just a few mins. Hopefully, his stamina will improve quickly.

I went by the school today and watched a 5th grade class, while the teacher could go to our friend's daughter's funeral.  The kids were so good and I enjoyed my time with them. I don't know if this is just a great group of kids, or they were being compassionate for the situation.

After I left school, I went to pick up Joel's meds. (seems like that is a weekly event) and then to the store to replenish the alfalfa stock. While writing the date on both checks, I kept thinking......"November the 7th.....hmmmmmm??? That's sounding really familiar."  So many good people that I know and love have/had birthdays in Nov. and I have a slight memory lapse every now and then.....Okay?
NOW I remember why I put the birthday card on the table a while back so I would remember .... Happy Birthday Karrie! It counts, cause it's still the 7th. :)

My brother is feeling better. My sister is still fighting congestion, cough, sneezing, and everything else that goes along with the allergies or whatever cootie bug she has. I am slowly getting my normal voice back. So far, Joel is the only one that hasn't come down with this. Please keep that on your prayer list, too.

Encourage yourself to try something that you've always wanted to.
Love and Prayers to all!
Suzie 

I've been thinking......

We watched a movie at church, today about being a Fan or a Follower of Jesus. Very heavy thoughts! Sad to say, I fit more as a "fan", which I am thankful that I am at least that.  But how much greater it would be if I could truthfully say that I was a "follower" and be content with that. But I would be lying to even suggest that I was close to being a follower. I am way too comfortable where I am when I think of where I might need to be. I can talk myself out of many obvious blessings due to fear of the "unknown". There is always a part of me that does want to do more, but then my selfish side sets in. Just today, I was at a red light and for some reason, it seemed to have stayed on red way too long. There was a man standing on the corner with a sign that was a little hard to read. Joel even commented about it. It looked like, "Homeless OR Hungry". I had on dark shades and still felt like the mans eyes were piercing through mine, but I focused on the "OR" of his sign and tried to get past the penetrating look. I thought about the too long of a red light and then wondered......was I suppose to give him something?????? Was that why the light stayed red so long??????? Did his eyes seem to see mine through the dark shades??????? Was God trying to "talk to me"??????? Did I miss an opportunity to be used of God???????? Did I miss a blessing??????? I know that not everyone standing on a street corner is legitimately in need, but is that my job to figure it out? Absolutely NOT! I think that I miss lots of blessings by not putting my thoughts into actions. I would not have gone totally broke had I handed him some change or a dollar. I thought about it, but not because of the compassion I should have felt.  I, ME, MYSELF, SUZIE, was the uncomfortable one. Maybe someone would see me. Maybe I would hold up traffic and get someone angry. Maybe I would be grabbed. Maybe I would get dirty. Maybe, Maybe, Maybe......WHY all the maybes? Because I was fighting the conviction to do something out of my comfort zone and talked myself out of it.
There are more times that I should have and could have done something that I didn't. I can always come up with an excuse. Does that make it right? NOPE!!! Discernment is important and needs to be utilized for safety. But I use that as an excuse, when I don't really think that was the issue. How history would have been rewritten had someone like me been walking where the Good Samaritan walked. And I am so thankful to say, "He's still working on me!"

Just had that on my heart. I know that I am not the only one that struggles with things like that, but knowing by name, someone else that does, may help. It does me.

In just a few short hours, Joel will be waking to the sound of the alarm. I may still be wide awake from all the excitement (and fear of oversleeping).  I've made his lunch & snack and have it sitting by the backdoor. Maybe I should set an extra alarm. Wish I had thought of having a few of y'all call in the morning as a backup. Ha! Guess he'd think it silly to snap a picture.....kinda like when our kids went off to Kindergarten.

The only sadness around here, will be the dog. She has grown pretty spoiled with all the extra attention and treats from all the in & out treks she's made.  Being a Border Collie mix, she is very smart and has figured out (about 35 lbs. ago) that she gets  a treat every time she goes out, whether she does her business or not. So....she loves to try to get us to let her in and out, in and out, in and out....Guess you can say that she helped Joel with his rehab.

I was asked this morning if I was going to continue my blogging since Joel is going back to work. I paused to think about things getting back to normal and what WOULD I have to blog about. Before I could really answer, she was encouraging me to continue. Well, there you go.....that sweet word, "ENCOURAGE".  I've thought about it off and on today, and you know what???? It's never "normal" or dull around here, so for now, I will keep it going. Thank you to those who are still here with me. Encourage someone to smile today.
oops! It's nearly 1:30 a.m.. I'm gonna go get snugly with my pillow.

Love and Prayers to all!
Suzie

Bill's Back Home :)

Thank goodness, Bill is home again. He has bronchitis, but was also low on sodium and something else. They gave him some intravenous antibiotics and had him drinking Gatorade. How is one suppose to get all this stuff figured out?  Instructions are all over the place. "EXERCISE.........take it easy; WALK........stay off your feet; DRINK PLENTY OF WATER...... don't drink so much water,your counts are too low; CUT YOUR SALT INTAKE.........drink Gatorade for the sodium; WATCH YOUR SUGARS........drink orange juice and get your sugars up; STAY OUT OF THE SUN......you have a Vitamin D deficiency, etc., etc., etc.,   We WILL get it right, someday....., but oh, my gosh......in the mean time, it is by trial and error.   Today has been a lazy day here. We went to pick up Joel's work truck this morning,(YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!); then went by the hospital to check on Bill, then did a little Good Will shopping and home to get some things done. NOT!!!! I slept all afternoon. I've started the coughing again and feel like my sinuses are not happy, either. Surely, I am not getting "something" again. no, no, no!!!, pleeeeeeeeze.   I got news, this week, that one of my friend's, 23 yr. old, daughter died in her sleep. She had not been ill and had not complained. God just called her home. I've been praying for the family, as I can't fathom the loss of a child. We've only known families that have had a child die. I've had 3 miscarriages and I know how my heart hurt with that. The hurt has to be so much deeper after you've held that child. I've been on my knees many of times over each one of our 3 kids for various things like,  fevers, broken bones, broken relationships, broken hearts, contests, school work, wrecks, surgeries, illnesses, drug rehab., travels abroad, 3 yrs. of one working in Iraq, child birth, learning to drive, and on and on and on. No matter what the concern was, I still carried a very heavy heart with each prayer. There were times that I would think that I could not take another breath. I didn't like being "there" at the time. And there are "places" that I NEVER want to have to go back to. I just can't imagine living life for one moment without personally knowing the Lord. I know that I would never have made in mentally and possibly physically, through some of those times without turning to the Lord for the peace, comfort, & direction that only He could give. I just hope that my friend can hang on to those promises, as well, and get through this, one day at a time. Please pray for her.    Yeaaaa, Yeaaaaa, Yeaaaaa for an extra hour in the morning! (time change) I better try to get some rest. If not, I will need some extra encouragement to get me up in the morning.  That's another fault of mine..... I AM NOT a morning person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hey, maybe that could be your encouragement job......encouraging me to enjoy each day & reminding me that each morning is one of God's gifts to me. I'm not bragging and am ashamed that I am such a grump in the morning. shame .....shame.....shame.  I will be working on it. I don't like seeing that in writing. ouch!   Love and Prayers to all! Suzie

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back to Work He Goes!

WHEN AM I GOING TO LEARN TO HIT "SAVE" EVERY NOW AND THEN? I DID IT AGAIN. .......GONE.... I STARTED THIS THIS MORNING AND HAD WORKED ON IT OFF AND ON UNTIL NOW AND WAS JUST STARTING TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON MY BROTHER.  I AM SO UPSET.....OH, WELL. It's keeping the socks from the wash company,........ somewhere. I will start with an update on my brother first.  We got a call tonight, about an hour ago, that Bill has been admitted back to the hospital with fluid on his lungs and building up in his feet again. He is in the ER waiting for a room. I guess he's gotten the "bug" that some of the rest of us has had. SAD!!!! I will keep ya posted on what is going on. He had been doing so well, too. Please keep him in your prayers. Now for Joel's update. HE IS GOING BACK TO WORK  on Monday. I will be standing by the back door with lunch in hand!  WOO HOO!!!!!!! I am so excited. This is a HUGE step. It really doesn't seem that long, in one sense, but then in another it's been "forever". So many weeks without his income has been nerve wrecking, which ended up being wasted energy and caused more wrinkles.Thanks to many of you allowing God to work through you,  we've been able to keep our bills current, keep gas in our car, keep the alfalfa diet going, and the utilities paid. Hopefully the THANK YOUS have reached everyone with the most sincere feelings. We have learned a lot through all of this. I would never want Joel to have to go through anything like this again, but I can say that we saw so many blessings and felt so loved like never before. Thank you, again from the bottom of our hearts. I think this calls for a party.........balloons......fireworks.......a pinata.....something! Every time I think about it, my toes get pointed. A real sign of excitement!!!! Just watch a baby or toddler whenever they get excited over something.  Their little feet will stiffen and their toes point straight out. TOO CUTE! I am still brooding over my LOST writings. I even had started sharing some of my "Guidepost" moments. They are precious real stories that I find hard to believe myself, but they are very true. I was a part of them. I promise that I will get to all of that at a later time. Guess it wasn't the "right timing". I received a blessing tonight. One of our good friends brought me an envelope of every email and blog writing that I've done since all this started, so now, I have from day one in "book" form. That was so thoughtful and kind. He is always doing something for others and not for payback. He's one that observes and then acts.  We've not known him very long, but it seems like we've been friends forever. Thank you Milton for being so considerate, compassionate, & caring. We are very blessed to have you in our circle of friends. Last night was the Floresville Opry where we sang. It was a HUGE place and they did a fabulous job decorating and getting the people to come. They are estimating  that over 700 were there. I'm so thankful that we were a part of the "ground breaking". It was so well excepted that they are planning on having another in Feb. and possibly every quarter. There were lots of good entertainers, good music, good dancing, & good fun. Just a long day. I sounded a bit on the baritone"ish" side of things, but we did what we could and someone liked it.  Okay, I am going to give it up for the night. I am encouraging myself to get in the habit of saving my writings every few mins. Y'all know what your "homework" is. Love and Prayers to all! Suzie

More Blessings!

I am feeling so much better, and not quite as froggy sounding. Still sneezing and coughing, tho. But, I'm thinking by tomorrow afternoon, I will be "ok" and will be able to sing in my normal key. Thank you for praying for me. I know that it is just a fun thing that I am looking forward to, but I really enjoy singing with Diane and Prissy and it's a great stress releasing tool.

We had lunch today with one of our best friends, Bernd. It was so good to see him. He was widowed  a little over a yr. ago. SAD!!!!! We stay in touch, via email, but getting to sit and visit face to face is always a blessing. He has the best smile that lights up a room. You would think that he and Joel are brothers the way that they cut up.  We need not to wait so long to get together again. We used to go camping with them all the time, but then grand kids started coming and we didn't go as much. sad, sad, sad!!!  Now I wish that we would have just packed up the grand kids and drug them along. But I let those darn worries of snakes, spiders, scorpions, etc. attacking one of them and talked myself out of it. Another lesson of  ENJOYING life and let God take care of what we worry senseless about. I'm not saying not being responsible, just help me to relax and enjoy more things in life.

Last year we took a trip to Colorado to see our daughter and her family and I missed enjoying some of the sight seeing on the mountains because of fear. I worried about falling off the mountain or worst yet, being attacked by a bear. Joel went with our son-in-law and enjoyed the beautiful view. (But he did see bear tracks, which made me thankful that I'd not gone, at the time.) Now.....I wish that I had gone and seen more of the beauty that God created. MY LOSS!!!! But someday when we go back, I think that I will go see more. ..........(Anyone know where I can get bear spray?........... just in case)

After you sit around for any length of time you start to think that you are "forgotten". At least, my brain goes that way.  This week, Joel and my brother have received more "Thinking of You" cards and today, one of Joel's co-workers called to check on him and tell him that he is missed.  It's another lesson in compassion and thoughtfulness. I know several friends that I should be sending cards to or calling, but then for some reason don't. Hopefully, I will remember this and act on it. I see how such a simple act of kindness has affected both of my guys.  Thank you so much! It has meant a lot.

Bill's home health care nurse is coming every day to treat his feet and to check on his vitals. Thank goodness for this service! He is doing so much better now. His sugar levels are staying in a normal range. He's lost more weight, and his spirits are up.  My sister is cracking the whip on what he eats and what he does. I don't know what we'd do without her.  I'm still trying to decide about the WONDERFUL DELICIOUS cinnamon rolls that she makes. I'm thinking smelling them wouldn't hurt.....BUT I know that I couldn't pass them up. They are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo YUMMY!!!!!!!!! Maybe for my birthday, or Thanksgiving, or Christmas, New Years, Valentines, Ground Hog's Day, ......something....

Our church's teens are having a fundraiser this coming Sat. with a bake sale and Rock-A-Thon. If you are in the McQueeney area from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., drop by and make a donation, buy a baked good, and support the youth. They are our future and I am so thankful that these kids are in church and involved. It's on Hwy. 78, McQueeney Baptist.

I still can't say thank you enough for everyone lending me their ears over the past several weeks. It's such a blessing for me. Add someone to this stream of encouragement that y'all keep sending my way.

Love and Prayers to all!
Suzie

Joel and Bill

Well, we are into another new month and the guys are still moving forward in their recovery.  And that word, "forward" sounds so sweet. There have been so many worries and fears since all this began and as the days move forward,  I see that it was such wasted energy, but .......I'm still using the excuse, I'M HUMAN. Will I learn from this? I sure hope so. I find myself borrowing from other peoples negative outcomes in situations that are similar. I know where to go to for comfort, peace, assurance, hope, etc., but I battle with it greatly. Why???? I don't know. But thankfully, I eventually get there. I just take the long way around. CRAZY!!!!

Joel went to his primary dr. today and got a good report. He also has 2 very sore arms, now. He got a flu shot in one and the shingles vaccine in the other. I don't understand why insurance doesn't pay for the later one. I'm thinking that the treatment would be a whole lot more costly. It was a mere $200.00 shot, but the dr. felt like he should get it. I've had shingles and it "ain't" funny!  Hey, I'm for anything to keep him well! Anyway, he is all caught up on his vaccines, tetanus, etc.  Now, just to get him able to have enough stamina to go back to work. 

Bill went to see his regular dr. yesterday and got good news on his labs. The dr. was very impressed with all the results. They are still watching his red blood count and will test  it again in 3 mo. Today he went to his wound care dr.  He has some places that he has to keep wrapped until Mon. when he goes back.  He has some more new problems with his feet. Darn this diabetes!!!!  So frustrating. Please use this advice as a lesson to listen and do what you need to do if you are diabetic or border lined.  So many people think that they can control it, but it still causes havoc on your internal organs. It's mean & horrible stuff! It was the cause of my brother going blind in his early 50's. Very sad!
Also, he is still having trouble with his pressure sore. The dr. has ordered a jell cushion to help even out the pressure. The donut cushion that I bought him is causing more problems than fixing one.

I still sound like a bull frog and the cough is so annoying and the headache hurts. I was hoping that I was going to see an improvement by now.  I keep eating to make sure I don't get weak. I'm drinking lots of liquids to keep from dehydrating. I'm taking my medicine. I'm sleeping and sleeping and just sitting around to make sure my body gets rest. Any other suggestions?????? I need to get well or at least get my voice back within a normal range SOON!!!!  I don't know how to sing bass. And Diane and Priscilla have their limits to a low range.

I made some yummy goulash tonight using my new Penzey's spices. I had my doubts, but, oh, my goodness... it was VERY GOOD!!! I have to remember what I did and which spices I grabbed. I'm glad that we are gonna have left overs. I made  a big batch with just 1 pound of hamburger. (I used the 94/6).

 One of my grandson's had his 5th birthday a couple of days ago. He's been involved in soccer and through ENCOURAGEMENT he is a whole different kid on the field than off. He is a great little soccer player and loves making goals. We all would, but he actually makes them.  Seeing the transformation when he is out on the field is amazing. I  know that we'd all benefit the same with encouragement over something we are involved in or trying to learn.  Keep your eyes and ears open to do so.

Love and Prayers to all!
Suzie