Does anyone remember Zig Zigler and the Power of Positive Thinking? One of his things was that if you told yourself enough times that it was going to be a good day, it would be a good day. I have been trying for over a week to have a good day. I have honestly had okay days in that week but I was really striving towards a day that I was the person I wanted to be all. day. long.
A week ago last Sunday, I wrote down what I thought a good day would be. It would be one where I got up early enough to do a good Bible study, spend time with God, have a good workout, have my house all straightened before I went to work, got everything on my list done at work, got everything done after work I wanted to, fix a good dinner, relax and be in bed by a decent hour. Yesterday was what I hope to be the first of many more.
I was up at 4:30, did my Bible study, had prayer time, did my C25K, day 1 (yes, again, this is truly the longest I have ever went without a good exercise routine and it showed, big time, yesterday but I did it anyway), had my dishes done and my house straightened, went to the Newton office and fixed a computer, went to work and got everything done on my list, came home and worked on the project I intended to, packed for a business trip today, fixed grilled pork steaks for dinner, watched the 2 hour episode of Amazing Race and took a great relaxing bath, complete with candles, music and a cup of Earl Grey decaf. I was in bed a little later than normal but I still woke up at 4:30 ready to go again. To top it all off, those scales moved 2.6 lbs from yesterday to today! It was my first day post prednisone so that was part of it, but the food and the exercise certainly played a part.
I am doing the Be Wise Bible study by Warren Wiersbe. This morning, one of the things he said was that everyday really is a good day in the life of a Christian because God is molding us into who he wants us to be. So, even if it seems like a bad day, it's a good day. I would rather have good days that seem like good days, but I do get it.
Today, I have had my quiet time and Bible Study, and am getting ready to go downstairs to lift some weights and do some crunches. I will be back in Springfield before the day is over. We are taking the ladies that we took last week, back to tell their stories to more people. Sounds like tomorrow has been declared an advocacy day, so there will be lots of people there telling their stories, it will probably end up being a long day, but hopefully a good one.
I have a list of things to accomplish before we go and I really do think I will get them finished.
Here is to lots and lots of good days!
I am planning on blogging more, it is one of the things that make me realize what is going on in my life and even though it doesn't seem like it to others, I am working on more changes to me. I will probably blog them as a way to hold myself accountable to me and to God.
With that being said, I am probably not going to post of facebook every time I blog. Some of my readers have followed me since way before facebook, but if you count on that post and really want to read my page, follow me, to the right and you should get an email when it updates, or just check back at the actual website every once in a while. If I have something really big, I will probably share it on fb, but a lot of times, I just won't.
Happy Tuesday everyone, hope it's a GOOD day!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
My First Capsule
So today, I got it in my head to try the latest thing--a clothing capsule. For those who know me well, you know I'm a clothes hoarder so this was a big step. According to what I was reading, I was to skim down to 15 tops, 9 bottoms, 9 pair of shoes (yes, that was the HARDEST part!), 2 dresses, and 2 jackets. I didn't make it all the way to that, but I cleaned out a lot. I found out a few things about myself in the process. I almost always wear a blouse and a jacket as my top, so yes, I allowed myself 15 of each, I ended up with just 11 tanks and blouses, and 11 sweaters. I didn't really think that was too bad. I also ended up with 11 bottoms, because I had 7 pair of slacks, 2 split skirts (which I love this time of year), as well as 2 skirts. Because I almost always wear a skirt or dress to church, I thought I could keep the skirts as well as I have 3 dresses instead of 2. I really do only have 9 pair of shoes out right now. According to what I have read, I am supposed to change out once a season. I really think I will change in a little different schedule. I have, for a long time, changed out my sweaters in the middle of winter, so I am used to this. I also have room under the bed and in the closet of my guest room so it's not like they will be hard to change out. My shoes are actually still in my closet, just in these little cubicles out of the way, Andrew built those for me years ago. My picks though are on the shelves, easy to get to.
Back to the part that I learned about me. Back when I worked at Walmart and the restaurants, my clothing budget was pretty near to zero. I was pickier then about buying things that go with several things I already have. I have lost that somewhere along the way and I realized today that I want to get back to that. People used to complain that I always had new clothes; I didn't, I just put them together differently.
While I was at it, I did a capsule for Andrew as well. Wow, I may actually iron his dress shirts when I wash instead of waiting until the Sunday morning he wants to wear it. My reasoning always was our closet was so jam packed, it didn't do any good to iron until you pulled whatever it was that needed it out of the closet. Not so anymore. Andrew has an entire half of the closet! I also realized that somehow or another, he no longer owns a pair of black dress pants. Hmm....
I also, with a bit of sadness, found out that I totally missed out on wearing a favorite pair of shoes this past winter because, apparently, I had too many pair of shoes and didn't realize they were buried.
And, the worst part of the day, there were many things I put away that I love, but I have gained weight and they don't fit. That gives me a goal for the next 2 months and changing out the capsule.
So, starting on a new adventure, first time in my life I don't think I need a walk-in closet. I had actually thought about, when Robert moved out, moving our family room to the living room, making the current family room our bedroom and making our bedroom into one giant walk-in closet. I'm still not ruling it out, after all, this is not even officially day one of my capsule. We'll see.
Back to the part that I learned about me. Back when I worked at Walmart and the restaurants, my clothing budget was pretty near to zero. I was pickier then about buying things that go with several things I already have. I have lost that somewhere along the way and I realized today that I want to get back to that. People used to complain that I always had new clothes; I didn't, I just put them together differently.
While I was at it, I did a capsule for Andrew as well. Wow, I may actually iron his dress shirts when I wash instead of waiting until the Sunday morning he wants to wear it. My reasoning always was our closet was so jam packed, it didn't do any good to iron until you pulled whatever it was that needed it out of the closet. Not so anymore. Andrew has an entire half of the closet! I also realized that somehow or another, he no longer owns a pair of black dress pants. Hmm....
I also, with a bit of sadness, found out that I totally missed out on wearing a favorite pair of shoes this past winter because, apparently, I had too many pair of shoes and didn't realize they were buried.
And, the worst part of the day, there were many things I put away that I love, but I have gained weight and they don't fit. That gives me a goal for the next 2 months and changing out the capsule.
So, starting on a new adventure, first time in my life I don't think I need a walk-in closet. I had actually thought about, when Robert moved out, moving our family room to the living room, making the current family room our bedroom and making our bedroom into one giant walk-in closet. I'm still not ruling it out, after all, this is not even officially day one of my capsule. We'll see.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Something New
I have said many times, I don't talk about my work as much as I would like to just simply because I think my job is so cool that I feel like I am bragging when I go into too much, somethings though, just have to be shared.
If you live in the State of Illinois and watch any news at all, you have heard that the Governor is trying to take every penny he can find to balance the budget. One of the attacks has been on State LIHEAP funds. Let me just go a little further and let everyone know where 100% of those funds come from. If you are an Ameren, IL Gas, Mt. Carmel PU, Nicor, ComEd, or Peoples Gas (there are a few more, but not as big) client, every month you pay a 48 cent surcharge on your bill. This money has been earmarked, since its inception to go toward utility assistance programs. About 5 years ago, we started a pilot program, through Ameren in our area, called PIPP. PIPP stands for the Percentage of Income Payment Program. I may have explained this before but it is a GREAT program and three years ago, it went from being a pilot to a statewide program. And for all of my friends who think that nobody should get anything for free, you would LOVE this program. Just as the name says, the client pays a percentage of their monthly income to the utility bill. Most middle class families pay between 3-6% of their monthly income to utilities, low-income families have the same bills, (or worse, because their houses are not as energy efficient). On PIPP, the client pays 6% of their monthly income and then we pay the rest of a monthly budget bill up to $150 a month. This program is sustained with 100% state funds. Lose State funds, lose PIPP, it is that simple. We also pay Ameren regular program, as well as Illinois Gas, Mount Carmel PU, and Shelby Electric regular program out of these funds, those are all utility companies that charge the 48 cent surcharge. So, right off the bat, I personally feel, as do many others, this money is not the Governor's to take.
ANYWAY, he tried to sweep funds for this year and right at the moment that has been stopped. There are no LIHEAP funds listed in his 2016 Budget, which for us, would affect us starting this coming July, when the new fiscal starts and we start recertifying most of our agency's almost 1600 PIPP clients.
A little over a week ago, I was contacted by Julie Vahling, one of the Assistant State Directors for AARP. She too, is very concerned about the effects these cuts would have on her clients, the 50+ population. She had been asked by the Speaker of the House to find clients who were willing to come and put a face to these details, I was honored that Julie called me. She had arranged for us to bring our clients to a House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Meeting.
So, yesterday, two of our clients, my Executive Director, and I, went to Springfield. I have to tell you, I was so humbled by our clients stories, and the fact that, because I get to do my job, these clients have a better quality of life.
One of our clients is divorced, and had stepped out of the full time workforce to work with ailing parents, as well as to help a daughter who had recently became a single mom herself. She is now 59, going though job-training with Experience Works, and getting prepared to take on a whole new career....at 59.
Our other client is 58 and has recently been widowed, her life changed drastically with the death of her husband but also through the turmoil of his three year battle with cancer. Of course, that started draining them, and so, as well as adjusting to life without a spouse she had been with for 20+ years, she had to take on a new financial burden as well.
They both got to tell their stories to Julie, as well as Dalitso Sulamoya, our president of IACAA, our community action agency association. Susan Henry, our divorcee, got to tell her story to the appropriations committee as well. Because Susan works through Experience Works in our Tuscola office, she was also able to tell of the many people who have been in our office needing assistance, and how that number has increased over the past year.
We had a good day, I think both ladies thoroughly enjoyed the outing, even on top of the job we went to do. We ate lunch at Boone's, looked up some of our Senators and Representatives, sat in on both chambers as they were voting and explored the Capitol.
Yes, this is one of those days, where I still can't believe the job I get to do. 30 years ago, had you told me I would take clients of mine to an Appropriations Committee meeting, I would have seriously doubted you.
Helping People, Changing Lives, it's our Association's motto, but it is mine too. Yesterday, I seriously believe we took a step towards that.
Here is a picture of all of us (clients names used by permission)
If you live in the State of Illinois and watch any news at all, you have heard that the Governor is trying to take every penny he can find to balance the budget. One of the attacks has been on State LIHEAP funds. Let me just go a little further and let everyone know where 100% of those funds come from. If you are an Ameren, IL Gas, Mt. Carmel PU, Nicor, ComEd, or Peoples Gas (there are a few more, but not as big) client, every month you pay a 48 cent surcharge on your bill. This money has been earmarked, since its inception to go toward utility assistance programs. About 5 years ago, we started a pilot program, through Ameren in our area, called PIPP. PIPP stands for the Percentage of Income Payment Program. I may have explained this before but it is a GREAT program and three years ago, it went from being a pilot to a statewide program. And for all of my friends who think that nobody should get anything for free, you would LOVE this program. Just as the name says, the client pays a percentage of their monthly income to the utility bill. Most middle class families pay between 3-6% of their monthly income to utilities, low-income families have the same bills, (or worse, because their houses are not as energy efficient). On PIPP, the client pays 6% of their monthly income and then we pay the rest of a monthly budget bill up to $150 a month. This program is sustained with 100% state funds. Lose State funds, lose PIPP, it is that simple. We also pay Ameren regular program, as well as Illinois Gas, Mount Carmel PU, and Shelby Electric regular program out of these funds, those are all utility companies that charge the 48 cent surcharge. So, right off the bat, I personally feel, as do many others, this money is not the Governor's to take.
ANYWAY, he tried to sweep funds for this year and right at the moment that has been stopped. There are no LIHEAP funds listed in his 2016 Budget, which for us, would affect us starting this coming July, when the new fiscal starts and we start recertifying most of our agency's almost 1600 PIPP clients.
A little over a week ago, I was contacted by Julie Vahling, one of the Assistant State Directors for AARP. She too, is very concerned about the effects these cuts would have on her clients, the 50+ population. She had been asked by the Speaker of the House to find clients who were willing to come and put a face to these details, I was honored that Julie called me. She had arranged for us to bring our clients to a House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Meeting.
So, yesterday, two of our clients, my Executive Director, and I, went to Springfield. I have to tell you, I was so humbled by our clients stories, and the fact that, because I get to do my job, these clients have a better quality of life.
One of our clients is divorced, and had stepped out of the full time workforce to work with ailing parents, as well as to help a daughter who had recently became a single mom herself. She is now 59, going though job-training with Experience Works, and getting prepared to take on a whole new career....at 59.
Our other client is 58 and has recently been widowed, her life changed drastically with the death of her husband but also through the turmoil of his three year battle with cancer. Of course, that started draining them, and so, as well as adjusting to life without a spouse she had been with for 20+ years, she had to take on a new financial burden as well.
They both got to tell their stories to Julie, as well as Dalitso Sulamoya, our president of IACAA, our community action agency association. Susan Henry, our divorcee, got to tell her story to the appropriations committee as well. Because Susan works through Experience Works in our Tuscola office, she was also able to tell of the many people who have been in our office needing assistance, and how that number has increased over the past year.
We had a good day, I think both ladies thoroughly enjoyed the outing, even on top of the job we went to do. We ate lunch at Boone's, looked up some of our Senators and Representatives, sat in on both chambers as they were voting and explored the Capitol.
Yes, this is one of those days, where I still can't believe the job I get to do. 30 years ago, had you told me I would take clients of mine to an Appropriations Committee meeting, I would have seriously doubted you.
Helping People, Changing Lives, it's our Association's motto, but it is mine too. Yesterday, I seriously believe we took a step towards that.
Here is a picture of all of us (clients names used by permission)
 |
| L-R: Julie Vahling, AARP; me; Jill Kelley, Susan Henry, Marsha Roll, Executive Director, ERBA; Dalitso Sulamoya, President, IACAA. |
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Onward and Upward
Here it is the start of a new month yet again. I can't imagine how life just keeps getting faster.
So, it's April 1 and I am trying to get a feel like it is a new year, not just a new month. After many failed attempts, the prednisone finally kicked in and did its job of tackling the UC. I was pretty sure two weeks ago that today I would be in the hospital and instead I finally got to take my first real walk of the year. My fitbit just told me I have less than 3,000 steps to get in 10,000 today so I probably should try to squeeze a couple of times around the building in before I leave here in a few.
So, with it being my new year, I am starting my very own 30 day challenge. I started a graduated C25K this morning, I only did half of the 1-minute runs, but this sets me up to do that again Friday and then Monday morning hit the 8's. I have gotten so flabby so fast! I don't think I have ever felt as squishy as I do right now. I have always been fat, or at least to some degree, but ever since I was 24 and catching shoplifters, you could normally punch me in the gut and hurt you a lot worse than you hurt me. I MISS THAT!!!! and yes, it all stemmed from taking a royal beating one time, I swore I would never let that happen again and seriously, right at the moment, it could.
I also started back on counting calories, 1400, I hate my metabolism but that is where I have to be to lose and I know it. I was doing great until I decided to stop at 2:00 and get me a grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo at McDonalds only to get on the interstate and find a crispy chicken with mayo. God Bless McDonalds....still put it in the fitness pal and still have about 400 calories left so I should be doable seeing as how it is AWANA night and I really don't need much more since I ate at 2.
April is already looking crazy busy, hopefully fun and productive along the way too though. Today I did a lot of what turned out to be just minor troubleshooting; 5 computers and 5 fixes though, not bad for a day's work. AWANA tonight as well as the next 2 more Wednesday as regular club, then awards night and fun night, once again, time going way too fast. This weekend, I am doing some shopping with my mom, seeing my friend Patty, enjoying the Easter play at Scott Avenue and then having our own Easter Celebration at our church Sunday morning. If you have no place to be Sunday, Sunrise service is at 7, Breakfast at 8 and Morning Worship at 9. We are providing breakfast, so just come and be our guest.
Next week, I have a computer to install, a meeting in Springfield and then taking (gasp) a day off--I need to take 8 before June 30th or I lose them, trying to get started because I know I will plan some and it just won't work. My sis and BIL is coming the 11th and 12th, back to Springfield on the 16th for a meeting and then the AWANA Grand Prix is the 18th. This is the best/worst, most fun/ most nerve racking, crazy day of the year for Andrew, Robert and me. We spend most of our day holding our breath that everything goes well because if it doesn't, we pretty well will be the ones blamed. There have been years we have said never again, but by the time it rolls around, we can't imagine not doing it. Last year was one of the best to date but we met with a wealth of problems before the first car ran down the track. This year there are more changes, hopefully everyone is happy with them.
That is pretty well the major events for April, oh except for another day off scheduled for the 24th. I have a conference to go to the 1st week of May, hence a good reason to drop some pounds and work on getting some healthier vibes going on.
Think I'll hustle out and try to get my steps in!
Happy Wednesday!
So, it's April 1 and I am trying to get a feel like it is a new year, not just a new month. After many failed attempts, the prednisone finally kicked in and did its job of tackling the UC. I was pretty sure two weeks ago that today I would be in the hospital and instead I finally got to take my first real walk of the year. My fitbit just told me I have less than 3,000 steps to get in 10,000 today so I probably should try to squeeze a couple of times around the building in before I leave here in a few.
So, with it being my new year, I am starting my very own 30 day challenge. I started a graduated C25K this morning, I only did half of the 1-minute runs, but this sets me up to do that again Friday and then Monday morning hit the 8's. I have gotten so flabby so fast! I don't think I have ever felt as squishy as I do right now. I have always been fat, or at least to some degree, but ever since I was 24 and catching shoplifters, you could normally punch me in the gut and hurt you a lot worse than you hurt me. I MISS THAT!!!! and yes, it all stemmed from taking a royal beating one time, I swore I would never let that happen again and seriously, right at the moment, it could.
I also started back on counting calories, 1400, I hate my metabolism but that is where I have to be to lose and I know it. I was doing great until I decided to stop at 2:00 and get me a grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo at McDonalds only to get on the interstate and find a crispy chicken with mayo. God Bless McDonalds....still put it in the fitness pal and still have about 400 calories left so I should be doable seeing as how it is AWANA night and I really don't need much more since I ate at 2.
April is already looking crazy busy, hopefully fun and productive along the way too though. Today I did a lot of what turned out to be just minor troubleshooting; 5 computers and 5 fixes though, not bad for a day's work. AWANA tonight as well as the next 2 more Wednesday as regular club, then awards night and fun night, once again, time going way too fast. This weekend, I am doing some shopping with my mom, seeing my friend Patty, enjoying the Easter play at Scott Avenue and then having our own Easter Celebration at our church Sunday morning. If you have no place to be Sunday, Sunrise service is at 7, Breakfast at 8 and Morning Worship at 9. We are providing breakfast, so just come and be our guest.
Next week, I have a computer to install, a meeting in Springfield and then taking (gasp) a day off--I need to take 8 before June 30th or I lose them, trying to get started because I know I will plan some and it just won't work. My sis and BIL is coming the 11th and 12th, back to Springfield on the 16th for a meeting and then the AWANA Grand Prix is the 18th. This is the best/worst, most fun/ most nerve racking, crazy day of the year for Andrew, Robert and me. We spend most of our day holding our breath that everything goes well because if it doesn't, we pretty well will be the ones blamed. There have been years we have said never again, but by the time it rolls around, we can't imagine not doing it. Last year was one of the best to date but we met with a wealth of problems before the first car ran down the track. This year there are more changes, hopefully everyone is happy with them.
That is pretty well the major events for April, oh except for another day off scheduled for the 24th. I have a conference to go to the 1st week of May, hence a good reason to drop some pounds and work on getting some healthier vibes going on.
Think I'll hustle out and try to get my steps in!
Happy Wednesday!
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Thoughts
2015 can stop being a roller coaster of emotions anytime now as far as I am concerned. I lost another long time member of my extended family this week. This time, my next door neighbor growing up; Vaneta Carr. Better known most of my life as half of "Ernie and Nete", it was hard enough adjusting to it just being Nete. I am happier than I am sad though, especially for her. The last few years have been rough for her and I know in the 12 years since Ernie went home to be with the Lord, Nete wondered why she couldn't go too. They were inseparable, where one was, there was the other. She preached that too. I remember so well, when Andrew was getting transferred from Chambersburg PA to Pontiac, IL, I loaded up Robert, then 20 months old, and drove home with him so I could get a jump start on house hunting. The morning I got home, Nete came over. She made over Robert for a minute and then asked where Andrew was. I explained that I had came home by myself. She scolded me and as glad as she was to see me, she wished I would have waited on Andrew.
When I was born, my mom's mom was 70 and didn't drive. Vaneta did a lot of those "grandmotherly" things that my grandma couldn't. Like picked me up after school and take me to her house if Mom had to be someplace. I loved going to their house. There was a pinball machine in their basement and that in itself made it a cool place. She always made me cookies when I came too. The day my dad had his first heart attack, she was the one waiting on me to get off the bus and my sister to get home from work so she could tell us. 2 years later, when my mom had some major problems and had to go to the hospital, it was Ernie waiting on me because Vaneta and Carolyn, her daughter-in-law, had taken Mom to the hospital.
I was very honored when Phil, her son, asked if I would sing at her funeral. By what I have been told, she talked about me being choir director and loved it when I would sing. Funny thing is, I sing alto, Vaneta did too and for years and years, I sat right behind her at church and learned to read the alto line of the hymnal from listening to her. When it came time that she couldn't stay by herself, she moved to Simple Blessings in Casey. Before she started having the dementia, we would go over every month as a church family and sing to the residents one Sunday afternoon a month. All this week, I have been so thankful we did that. One of the last times we were over there, as the dementia was starting she saw my Robert and called him Kenny (my dad, who Robert looks like). I wouldn't trade the world for that memory. We went to the nursing home at Christmas, I was already in her room when my mom walked in. For a split second, there was recognition, like, "There's my old friend!" and then it was gone as quick as it came. We all told her who we were after we sang, but she didn't really respond. I still know, for just a second, she remembered Mom.
This week has also has brought some relief to the UC, FINALLY!! I called the doctor Monday evening, mainly because I had started having a backache too. I wasn't making the connection between the UC and the backache but after some Internet searches, I realized they might be related. However, the light bulb in my head was centered on the fact that I had a backache before and I got a steroid shot. I also take steroids for the UC, so I thought, calling the doc for some more prednisone might take care of two problems and it did!
So, today, I had a whirlwind schedule and I was able to get almost everything on my list done. My last two Saturdays haven't been so successful. The only thing that was on my list that I didn't get finished was my mom's taxes and I think I was just not wanting to think that hard this evening.
Now starts a couple weeks of craziness so I am glad I am feeling better.
Tuesday night I have a date with my husband to see Do You Believe? , Wednesday night is AWANA, Thursday night I have a date with my mom to see Mary Poppins, and Andrew and I might go back to see it Friday or Saturday. Sunday, we are having a building dedication and dinner at church, and that's the week. Except for the fact that my yearly monitoring for LIHEAP is this week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I think we are good there.
I'm going to leave you with a few more thoughts. Andrew and I started to Effingham this morning, combination grocery/supplies for his jobs this week trip. We realized on the way over that a chip in his windshield had spider webbed. My first thought, and I said it out loud, was, "Really, Lord?" We were already taking the truck because my van had a bearing going out and Robert had to fix it this afternoon (and it's fixed). Anyway, it hit me very hard, I'm not burying my mom this week, I'm not in Texas praying a new pill takes away new cancer cells, I'm not wondering where I am going to lay my head tonight, or where my next meal is coming from. Very quickly, I decided I better change that to "Thank you, Lord."
Remember to count your blessings, there are probably more of them than you think.
When I was born, my mom's mom was 70 and didn't drive. Vaneta did a lot of those "grandmotherly" things that my grandma couldn't. Like picked me up after school and take me to her house if Mom had to be someplace. I loved going to their house. There was a pinball machine in their basement and that in itself made it a cool place. She always made me cookies when I came too. The day my dad had his first heart attack, she was the one waiting on me to get off the bus and my sister to get home from work so she could tell us. 2 years later, when my mom had some major problems and had to go to the hospital, it was Ernie waiting on me because Vaneta and Carolyn, her daughter-in-law, had taken Mom to the hospital.
I was very honored when Phil, her son, asked if I would sing at her funeral. By what I have been told, she talked about me being choir director and loved it when I would sing. Funny thing is, I sing alto, Vaneta did too and for years and years, I sat right behind her at church and learned to read the alto line of the hymnal from listening to her. When it came time that she couldn't stay by herself, she moved to Simple Blessings in Casey. Before she started having the dementia, we would go over every month as a church family and sing to the residents one Sunday afternoon a month. All this week, I have been so thankful we did that. One of the last times we were over there, as the dementia was starting she saw my Robert and called him Kenny (my dad, who Robert looks like). I wouldn't trade the world for that memory. We went to the nursing home at Christmas, I was already in her room when my mom walked in. For a split second, there was recognition, like, "There's my old friend!" and then it was gone as quick as it came. We all told her who we were after we sang, but she didn't really respond. I still know, for just a second, she remembered Mom.
This week has also has brought some relief to the UC, FINALLY!! I called the doctor Monday evening, mainly because I had started having a backache too. I wasn't making the connection between the UC and the backache but after some Internet searches, I realized they might be related. However, the light bulb in my head was centered on the fact that I had a backache before and I got a steroid shot. I also take steroids for the UC, so I thought, calling the doc for some more prednisone might take care of two problems and it did!
So, today, I had a whirlwind schedule and I was able to get almost everything on my list done. My last two Saturdays haven't been so successful. The only thing that was on my list that I didn't get finished was my mom's taxes and I think I was just not wanting to think that hard this evening.
Now starts a couple weeks of craziness so I am glad I am feeling better.
Tuesday night I have a date with my husband to see Do You Believe? , Wednesday night is AWANA, Thursday night I have a date with my mom to see Mary Poppins, and Andrew and I might go back to see it Friday or Saturday. Sunday, we are having a building dedication and dinner at church, and that's the week. Except for the fact that my yearly monitoring for LIHEAP is this week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I think we are good there.
I'm going to leave you with a few more thoughts. Andrew and I started to Effingham this morning, combination grocery/supplies for his jobs this week trip. We realized on the way over that a chip in his windshield had spider webbed. My first thought, and I said it out loud, was, "Really, Lord?" We were already taking the truck because my van had a bearing going out and Robert had to fix it this afternoon (and it's fixed). Anyway, it hit me very hard, I'm not burying my mom this week, I'm not in Texas praying a new pill takes away new cancer cells, I'm not wondering where I am going to lay my head tonight, or where my next meal is coming from. Very quickly, I decided I better change that to "Thank you, Lord."
Remember to count your blessings, there are probably more of them than you think.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Happy Sunday Morning!
So, it has been over a month since I blogged. Part of me always hates that, but reality is, part of me started two or three times, read my last blog, cried and forgot about it.
It's amazing to me how quickly life can change, I have had losses since the beginning of the year, to me they were big. They have been huge to others of my friends though, I have yet another friend who lost a sister last month. I can't imagine. I truly have such a long prayer list right now, and it just feels like things are constantly getting worse, I know that's Biblical, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
So, trying to move on....February was our first slower month for Andrew, he has had some frozen pipes to thaw and insulate but other than that, he has been working on a major furniture restoration project. I don't believe he really realized how much time was involved in this one, but it is coming along and he hopes to have it completed in the next week. (Owners, if you are reading this, I will tell you, I am totally jealous of how beautiful the coffee table is, not to mention the side table--I truly know you will be happy). It has been the first one of those scary months though where the phone hasn't rang everyday. I pray that God would let it ring more, but then I hear him saying, "It's not like he isn't working on something". And He, once again, as always, is right.
This month has been a fierce one at my work as well. I don't know how many of you watched or at least read the transcripts from Governor Rauner's State of the State address, or his budget address the following week, but my program is one on his target right now. LIHEAP is funded through both State and Federal funds. I know I have explained the PIPP program before, but it is the one program that I feel like both political parties, or "everybody", should be happy with. One side always says, "we need to help the less fortunate", the other side says, "the less fortunate needs to learn to help themselves". With PIPP, both things happen. Our clients pay 6% of their income to pay their utility bill every month and then, we pay the rest of their monthly budget bill, up to $150. It has been a good program and in our 9 counties, we have almost 1600 families on it. In Rauner's 2016 Budget, there is no line item for LIHEAP. Our PIPP program is 100% funded through State LIHEAP funds and CANNOT be funded through federal funds. See the problem? I have so many people, including seniors, disabled persons and households with small children that are starting to see the light the end of the proverbial tunnel. I do NOT want to be the train that hits them with, "You've done really well and made progress but now the program no longer exists." I know we need to make cuts and sacrifices, it just always amazes me that it seems to first cuts are always to the poor. I wish I could make people understand, you take things away from the poor and you are cutting your own local throats. I mean, how many truly low income families have the luxury of going to Terre Haute, Evansville, or even Effingham to get their groceries, they mainly stay in town and use their food stamps at our own grocery store. As appalling as that seems to some of you, it is guaranteed money for that store. That leads to the store being able to pay its employees, which leads to them getting to go to Joe's or the Bowling Alley to eat supper, which leads to those people getting to pay their employee's.....you get the picture. And not to mention that someplace like the Bowling Alley is more appealing to our fixed income, or low income families for an occasional night out than say, Red Lobster. People don't like to see this reality but it is, in fact, a reality nonetheless.
This coming week we are going to Springfield, with the hopes of getting to talk to some of our legislators about these funds. To top it off, do you want to know where these tax dollars come from? From a 48 cent surcharge on the regulated utilities (in our area, that is mainly Ameren). I am both scared, and honored to get to do this.
We have also spent a lot of time getting another piece of the puzzle put in place for running this program. Something we have been working towards since its inception is about to come to fruition and I am so very excited. Once again, I have had the honor and privilege of helping get to this point and it is exciting to see something that, in the back of our minds, we kept thinking would just keep getting put off. Me and three of my friends, from other agencies, asked for this to happen two years ago last December. It was for a process that would need to start in April. We were told then that there was no way it could be started by April of 2013, and we said fine, shoot for April 2014, they said no problem. In January of 2014, we got the devastating news that it hadn't even been started but that a team of contractors had been hired and we were shooting for April 2015. I think we all feel a little like Dr. Brown in Back to the Future, when you finally see the flux capacitor working, we are seeing the steps of our recertification starting to work and it is just very gratifying.
So, here's to another crazy week, hopefully a busier month for Andrew, and hopefully one that God blesses us and leads us safely through.
Happy Sunday.
It's amazing to me how quickly life can change, I have had losses since the beginning of the year, to me they were big. They have been huge to others of my friends though, I have yet another friend who lost a sister last month. I can't imagine. I truly have such a long prayer list right now, and it just feels like things are constantly getting worse, I know that's Biblical, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
So, trying to move on....February was our first slower month for Andrew, he has had some frozen pipes to thaw and insulate but other than that, he has been working on a major furniture restoration project. I don't believe he really realized how much time was involved in this one, but it is coming along and he hopes to have it completed in the next week. (Owners, if you are reading this, I will tell you, I am totally jealous of how beautiful the coffee table is, not to mention the side table--I truly know you will be happy). It has been the first one of those scary months though where the phone hasn't rang everyday. I pray that God would let it ring more, but then I hear him saying, "It's not like he isn't working on something". And He, once again, as always, is right.
This month has been a fierce one at my work as well. I don't know how many of you watched or at least read the transcripts from Governor Rauner's State of the State address, or his budget address the following week, but my program is one on his target right now. LIHEAP is funded through both State and Federal funds. I know I have explained the PIPP program before, but it is the one program that I feel like both political parties, or "everybody", should be happy with. One side always says, "we need to help the less fortunate", the other side says, "the less fortunate needs to learn to help themselves". With PIPP, both things happen. Our clients pay 6% of their income to pay their utility bill every month and then, we pay the rest of their monthly budget bill, up to $150. It has been a good program and in our 9 counties, we have almost 1600 families on it. In Rauner's 2016 Budget, there is no line item for LIHEAP. Our PIPP program is 100% funded through State LIHEAP funds and CANNOT be funded through federal funds. See the problem? I have so many people, including seniors, disabled persons and households with small children that are starting to see the light the end of the proverbial tunnel. I do NOT want to be the train that hits them with, "You've done really well and made progress but now the program no longer exists." I know we need to make cuts and sacrifices, it just always amazes me that it seems to first cuts are always to the poor. I wish I could make people understand, you take things away from the poor and you are cutting your own local throats. I mean, how many truly low income families have the luxury of going to Terre Haute, Evansville, or even Effingham to get their groceries, they mainly stay in town and use their food stamps at our own grocery store. As appalling as that seems to some of you, it is guaranteed money for that store. That leads to the store being able to pay its employees, which leads to them getting to go to Joe's or the Bowling Alley to eat supper, which leads to those people getting to pay their employee's.....you get the picture. And not to mention that someplace like the Bowling Alley is more appealing to our fixed income, or low income families for an occasional night out than say, Red Lobster. People don't like to see this reality but it is, in fact, a reality nonetheless.
This coming week we are going to Springfield, with the hopes of getting to talk to some of our legislators about these funds. To top it off, do you want to know where these tax dollars come from? From a 48 cent surcharge on the regulated utilities (in our area, that is mainly Ameren). I am both scared, and honored to get to do this.
We have also spent a lot of time getting another piece of the puzzle put in place for running this program. Something we have been working towards since its inception is about to come to fruition and I am so very excited. Once again, I have had the honor and privilege of helping get to this point and it is exciting to see something that, in the back of our minds, we kept thinking would just keep getting put off. Me and three of my friends, from other agencies, asked for this to happen two years ago last December. It was for a process that would need to start in April. We were told then that there was no way it could be started by April of 2013, and we said fine, shoot for April 2014, they said no problem. In January of 2014, we got the devastating news that it hadn't even been started but that a team of contractors had been hired and we were shooting for April 2015. I think we all feel a little like Dr. Brown in Back to the Future, when you finally see the flux capacitor working, we are seeing the steps of our recertification starting to work and it is just very gratifying.
So, here's to another crazy week, hopefully a busier month for Andrew, and hopefully one that God blesses us and leads us safely through.
Happy Sunday.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Tribute to My Chrissy Girl
Chrissy came to us on Sunday, October 16th, 2005; just a few months after we moved into our house in Newton. We had discussed that we wanted a little dog, for the first time in our married life, we had a home of our home and could have a dog. We knew living on the main street that she would need to be a house pet. So when a friend of ours told us about a stray poodle hanging around their house, we jumped at it. When we pulled up to the house, there was this adorable little peach poodle that came to meet us, it was love at first sight. We were told there was a possibility that she might be pregnant, and that was okay too, we'd figure it out. So, on our way home, we tried on names, we ran through a ton but when we got to Chrissy, her ears perked up and we all could have sworn she smiled. She officially became Chrissy Raye Browning. On Monday, I called the vet and on Wednesday, we went for a checkup and to see if she was chipped, which she was not. I told them I thought she was pregnant and so they did an ultrasound. Sure enough, three little pups were showing up on the screen. She gave birth to all three, very much alive, on November 29th of that year. Mandy went to live with my mom, Liz stayed here and became Robert's puppy and Charley went to live with a lady I worked with. Chrissy was the best mommy. Up until the last few weeks, she had given Liz a bath everyday and she would still clean Liz' eyes.
Chrissy loved fireworks and we would always take both girls to watch them, Liz couldn't care less but Chris would watch totally enthralled. She also loved to swim when we had the pool and in the last few years her favorite pastime was getting to sit on the front porch in the swing.
Last summer, I realized she had one eye that was getting cloudy and took her to the vet to see if there was anything that could be done. She was going blind and the vet thought we would start seeing her decline....and we did.
As badly as I hated to think about it, we had discussed getting a puppy because Liz had never been by herself. Then Gibbs came into our lives and he and Liz are so close that we soon knew that was the answer. Gibbs wanted Chris to love him but she would object loudly when anyone was watching. When nobody was watching though, they would cuddle up together and take a nap. I have a feeling Chris told Gibbs to take care of Liz because he has taken over the daily washing of Liz's eyes.
Chrissy was just a doll, she loved getting her hair done and would walk out of the salon like she was queen of the world. We lost our groomer last fall though so instead of traumatizing her with someone new I bought a grooming kit and watched lots of videos, we did our last grooming the first week of the new year and I think we both did okay.
So, to my little Chrissy girl I say thank you. Thank you for rescuing us when we thought we were rescuing you. Thank you for being such a great mommy and thank you for being such a great friend. I miss you already more than you can imagine but I know by the look in your eyes on the way to the vet that night that you were begging us to make it stop. You were breathing so hard your little head was shaking and I knew I could be selfish and make you suffer to the last breath or I could do what was best for you and let you go. I hope we always did what was best for you.
We buried her under the catalpa tree in the back yard and I ordered a stone just for her. Gibbs and Liz are both a little lost as even though Chris spent a lot of the last few months resting, she was still the boss. We will all help each other find a new normal with our little family member creating a huge hole in her absence.
Love you Miss Chris, miss you terribly.
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