John's Heart Cath Update...Living our "New Normal"!!!

Life has been kind of hectic since April 2017, when my husband wasn't feeling well, and he went to the doctor and found out he was in AFib.  Of course you become concerned,... and want to know what is causing it..and why his heart rate has become so irregular????  But our family doctor took precautions by giving him medicine so that a stroke wouldn't happen, and or a clot brain, or to his heart...and he arranged for an immediate appointment with a heart doctor.

In a previous post I have told of the processes, and the series of tests that he has undergone since that day in April, and how he received a pacemaker in July,... but I am posting again to say that we have a much better handle on the situation now...and have decided to move forward in our "new normal",...and we are choosing to let go of the fears and uncertainties and start enjoying life again.

The recent heart cath did not show any blockages, or abnormalities, and although he still experiences pressure on his chest and sometimes feels short of breath, the heart doctor has given him the ok to go on with his regular activities,..and has told us we can even do some travelling if we want to.  After nearly 5 months of taking it easy and hardly doing anything as they explored his health issues, he has lost strength and energy...but we are working on building those back up, and the main thing is our mental stresses kept us tense and on edge, and we are freeing ourselves from those, and just going to trust the doctor..and his findings, and trust the Lord to take care of us, and move forward!

Isn't that what life is like for all of us?  Each day requires faith and trust...and hope!  When we start to fear, and worry, and lose our faith and trust, life starts to crumble!

Health is important...and we should all take care of ourselves and strive for good health and well being. But as we have gone through this, we realize how important it is to have our minds focused on the right things...and to not let our fears take over!  Worrying gets you nowhere...fast!  Ha!

So after tests, meds., a pacemaker, and a heart cath...we are choosing to take his doctor's advice and move on past the worries...and fears, and live our lives!  Cautiously and wisely...but choosing to walk by faith, and trust!

We feel blessed to have a new day, (each and every day)...to live in our "new normal", and to appreciate the joys of life!  His mercies are new every morning...great is His faithfulness!

Have a blessed day everybody!  :)

Our Baby Girl Turns 45!

Today is our youngest daughter Lonna's 45th birthday!  Isn't she pretty?  She has a fun and ornery side...which you can kind of see by that twinkle in her eyes!  But she has a kind, and loving heart too, and has always wanted to help people.  She's that way about pets too, and has always taken in strays.
She has 4 kids.  The boys are now 21,  and 20,....and her girls are 19, and 17!  Yes, she had them close together, so she was a busy mama when they were young, and when they were little she would have to load up 4 car seats everywhere she went!  She amazed me...and still does, at how she can handle 4 kids, and all that goes on in their busy lives, and also hold down a full time job, and manage a home.
She loves Jesus and serves Him by loving others!  I'm proud of her, and I love her so much.
 
I can't help thinking of this as my special day too...since I was the one who brought her into this world!
(It doesn't seem possible that is has been 45 years since I had my last baby!  Ha!  That time of my life was so special to me when my babies were born.  I loved being a mommy to my three girls!
I have also loved being a grandma.  Children are a precious gift from God into our lives!

 

Hubby Has Heart Issues...Heart Cath Tomorrow

Since the middle of April, my husband John has been dealing with heart problems.  We went to our family doctor because he just wasn't feeling well, and they said he was having A-Fib, so they gave him some medicine and they got him into the heart doctor the next day.  The heart doctor did an exam and gave him some tests, and told him to stay the on blood thinner and blood pressure meds, and scheduled him for an echo and a nuclear stress test.  He didn't pass the stress tests and they made an appointment to shock his heart back into rhythm.  He went into the hospital one morning so they could do the shock procedure, and he was hopeful that it would fix his issues.  After time passed while he was on the meds his heart rate got really low and once or twice his pulse was only 37.  He also was having low blood pressure, so they cut his medicine in half and that helped, but he was still fluctuating and just not feeling well.

John continued to feel tired, and was still having chest pressure and weakness, so after awhile the doctor decided to give him a pacemaker, to keep his pulse from going lower than 60.  That was a month ago...and the procedure went well, but he has continued to not feel well.  They are going to do a heart cath to see if he has blockage.  If he does have blockage they will put in a stent...or maybe more than one.  Tomorrow morning he will go in for that procedure.  Please pray for him...and for me too please.  These last few months have been hard, and we have just been taking one day at a time...and praying for God's protection and direction.  John is 71 and has always been in pretty good health, so this has all been new to us...and kind of hard to deal with.  We know it is common for people in their seventies to have some of these issues, and we are thankful for the doctors, and their abilities.  It is amazing what they can do these days.

The Lord has been very good to us, and we feel extremely blessed.  We have placed our faith and trust in "The One" who made the heavens and the earth!  We are also thankful for the love, care, and prayers of our friends and family!

Hopefully I will have good news to report after the heart cath procedure!  :)

God is good all the time...
Linda

Blogging Has Taken A Backseat In My Life

There was a time when I loved blogging.  It was a fun way for me to express my feelings, tell stories from my childhood, share events that were happening in the lives of my kids and grandkids...and I enjoyed it so much! Somewhere along the way blogging took a backseat in my life...and I didn't even see it coming!

When I joined facebook in 2008, it seemed like it was a quick way to post pictures and a short review of things that were happening on a day to day basis, and a place where I could keep up with friends and family. I guess it seemed more simple...and just easier for me.  But all of that said, I think I do miss my blog friendships and all of their stories and decorating posts and meme's.  So the other day I tried to sign into my blog...and couldn't find it on my new computer!  It seems when we got set up, somehow I was blocked out of my blog...and I couldn't figure out how to get back in!  So, when my adult granddaughter Abigail recently visited from California I asked her to help me...and here I am again!

The problem with my new computer is that I don't know how to use it very well...and also there are no pictures in this computer yet.  It stores things in a cloud...and I have no idea what that means...or how to do it!  Ha!  This poor 66 year old isn't tech savvy at all...and I always have to ask for help!  Are any of you in the same boat?  It is just so hard to teach an old dog new tricks!  At least that is how it is with me!

I did discover how to put this picture from my blog at the top of this post a little bit ago...
but when trying to add another one here in the middle, I can't quite figure it out.  So the Birthday balloons are for my granddaughter Adelynn Rose who turns 17 today!  :)  Yup...she can get her license now!  She has loved driving with her mom with her permit...but now she can actually drive on her own!

Isn't it wonderful when each new stage of life brings it's blessings?!  I do enjoy seeing each of our grandkids reach new goals and in fact, our oldest grandson just got married last Saturday to his beautiful and precious Maria!  We rejoice with them as they start their new life together in California.

Oh hallelujah...I got a picture to post here in the right place!  Wonders never cease!  Ha!
This is a picture of Jared when he went to a movie premiere to celebrate his music compositions that were in the film.  He is a wonderful composer.  But as I said there are no recent pictures stored in this computer yet, so only ones from previous blog posts are available, and so I can't post the ones of his new bride!

Here's Adelynn in the black sweater!  And her sister Julia too.
Happy 17th Birthday Adelynn Rose!  This picture is from a few years ago.  Grandma loves my kiddos!

Ok...well I guess that's all for today!  I hope I will find my way back to blogging at some point!
Have a great day everyone!

Counting our Blessings! (Our Grandson made it through tragic shootings at his workplace!)

What a scare we had last Thursday when a gunman opened fire on a lawnmower factory where our grandson was working in Hesston, Kansas.  There were a couple hundred men and women in there doing their jobs, when one of their own, burst into the shop with guns and went on a rampage killing and wounding people as they frantically ran for their lives.  Our grandson heard the bullets flying past him and the guy behind him got shot in the leg as they were running. 

It was a call from our daughter that alerted us to the danger our 20 year old grandson was in.  She wanted to call us before we saw it on the news.  She quickly told us that her son had fled to a back part of the building with everyone else that was being told to run for safety because there was a shooter.  He called his mom and told her he was ok...but from where they were hiding, he had no idea if the shooter was still in there shooting, or if he had been brought down.  We turned on the news and held our breath as we watched the chaos on TV.  Then we started praying and begging God to help the police to capture the shooter so that our grandson, and all of the others would be safe.

The brave chief of police went in on his own and was fired upon, and as the bullet exchange went on, the shooter was hit, and killed.  It was quite awhile before everything was checked out, and figured out by the police as to whether there were anymore shooters etc., and eventually the wounded were taken to surrounding hospitals and medical centers...and some were taken there by helicopter.

I sat in a daze as we watched for several hours and heard the details of how this all came about.  (The man had shot people along the road and in the parking lot before he got inside the factory.)  People were telling the stories of what they saw and heard, and how people were lying in the ditch along the side of the road, and in the parking lot.  The workers were so shook up and all they wanted to know was if their co-workers and friends were ok.  It was such a nightmare.

People like us were glued to the TV hoping to see our loved ones walk out unharmed.
It was such a terrible thing...and our hearts go out to all of those who lost their loved ones...and to all who found out that their loved ones had been injured.

A few days have passed now, and I am still counting our blessings that our grandson and his friends are safe.  But we still can't believe that such a terrible thing has happened in small town Kansas.  It seems that no place is safe from harm...and we just never know what can happen do we?

I tell you what though...it sure makes you want to let your loved ones know how very much they mean to you, and just how very much you love them.  This grandson of ours had been living with us since he was 18, and we saw him on a daily basis, but he got his own place a few months ago, and so we have been missing him...but we are happy that he and a couple of his buddies have been able to get a place of their own.  We pray for them every day.  We pray for good things in their lives...and for God's protection.  We are so thankful that God did protect him on this tragic occasion.  And now I pray that the terror he went through will fade as the days go by, and that peace will come to him.  This grandma wishes she could make it all go away...and that I could erase it from his memory...but of course I cannot.

Each day we have to trust, hope, and pray, that all of the people who have been through this will lean on God, family, friends and each other...and get through this together.
 

Home Sweet Home

It has been ages since I have written anything on my blog!  I have been busy the last several months moving and settling into our new home.  It's not "new"...just new to us!  It has been a real experience moving this time, since I am now 65, and my husband is 70!  We don't have the energy and stamina that we once had, so this process has been a long one.  (And it is still going on really!)  But we are getting through it...and even having fun along the way.

We are downsizing, as many seniors do at this stage of their lives.  I call our new place "Sandhill Cottage"...since Sandhill is the street we live on.  Our place is smaller, but not really small, as we do have 2100 sq. feet...but our last home was nearly 3400 sq. ft., and it had lots of places to store stuff, and this home doesn't.  But we are purging, and making room with under the bed storage containers etc.  We have been collecting stuff for nearly 40 years of marriage...and it is time to dwindle things down, so that life is more manageable.  But once again, that is a process.

One thing for sure...we hope we don't ever have to move again!  Ha!  We did have helpers, with a couple of our sons in law, and some adult grand-kids... and their friends, and our daughters.  Plus with all of the additional help we hired for carpet cleaning, painting, and repair work...we really haven't done it all ourselves or anything.  No, we have been blessed with helpers, and with the Lord's provisions.  He has always provided for our needs...and also for many of our "wants"!!!!  God has been so good to us...and so faithful!  We praise Him for His many blessings!
 We had a lovely Thanksgiving...and now here we are looking towards Christmas in our new home in just a couple of weeks!  And we are having fun decorating our cute house, and we enjoy looking out to our backyard, which is much larger than the yard at our last home.  We have a tree row behind this house, and lots of squirrels running around.  We have also seen a lot of birds.  My husband and I love cardinals...and we have seen some here.  I think when you get older you take more time to enjoy the beauty of nature!  :)  We have enjoyed a rainbow recently, and many beautiful sunsets together.  I am saying that we are entering our "sunset years"...and I say that with a happy heart...not a sad one.  :)  We have nearly 40 years of marriage behind us...and we look forward to reaching 50 and beyond if the Lord wills!  We enjoy our life together...and we treasure our three daughters and their spouses and our 11 grand-kids.  (Also fondly remember our three grand-kids that went to be with Jesus and the miscarried grand-babies too, even though we never met them.)

Yes, life is an adventure...and we thank the Lord for each and every day He gives us!  This time of year reminds us to be thankful for all His gifts...especially for the gift of Jesus!

I'm not sure when I will blog again, since I have been out of the habit...and spend most of my time on facebook these days for quick updates, and for keeping up with family and friends who live far away, or those we don't see.  But I do have fond memories of writing, and reading blog-posts over the last several years.  It was a place where I could share my heart, and also my poetry and stories, and it has been a good outlet in the past.  Perhaps it will become that again...who knows?!!!  I still read a few blogs and keep up with several people I have on my prayer list.  I feel like prayer is a ministry to those who have special needs.  God has been so faithful...and he hears our prayers and sends many answers to our requests for others, as well as ourselves.  Yes, our God is an awesome God.

Have a blessed Christmas...and a Happy New Year!

Love, Linda

Jared Kraft Composed Music for "Luiseno"

Proud Grandma moment...please forgive boasting. 
These are my six words this Saturday



Click on the button above and add your Six Word Post!  :)


Our composer grandson Jared Kraft, attended the Premiere of the new film "Luiseno", last night in Beverly Hills.  (Jared composed all the music for the film.)  He was accompanied by his artist sister, Abigail Kraft.
Click below for info on the film, "Luiseno"

http://www.theclause.org/2014/11/apu-capstone-film-luiseo/

Our oldest grandson Jared is looking so handsome in his Tuxedo!  (Proud Grandma)

Jared and his artist sister Abigail have always been close.  They are like twins born nearly 3 years apart!  Ha! 

Quirky, beautiful, and talented Abigail enjoyed her evening out, and loved attending the Premiere with her older brother Jared.

God has greatly blessed these young adults with many talents, and we look forward to seeing how the Lord will use them to serve others as they put their talents to good use!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Six Word Saturday...99 Cent Find at the Goodwill

 

I found this adorable little basket at the Goodwill the other day for just 99 cents!  So my Six Words for today are:

99 Cent Find at the Goodwill


Click on the link below and add your six words

It has a lovely cloth liner and a plastic protector

It looks lovely sitting on my clock shelf!

Yes...it is a miniature Longaberger collectible!

So tiny and cute!

It is a miniature Peony Basket


Don't you just love it when you find a bargain?
I know I do!
Have a great Saturday!

Happy Valentine's Day My Fellow Bloggers! (Six Word Saturday)

Well, it seems I am just a Holiday blogger these days!  Since my last post was around Christmas, and now it is Valentines Day already!!!  I do still enjoy reading blogs...but just don't seem to get around to doing new posts.  Ugh!  I do keep up with my friends on facebook on a regular basis, and that keeps me quite busy and content.  I can do that on my i-phone and it is so easy.  But when I do any typing at length I find that I like to sit at my computer!

Since I posted last, we have taken our house off of the market...at least for the time being.  We intend to list it again for the spring buyers.  Winter just wasn't bringing us many lookers!  :)  And we needed a rest anyway, since it had been listed for over 8 months.  That is a long time to keep it looking spotless!  We needed some time away from it...and did go to Kansas City for a week, and it was very relaxing.  We were looking to buy down in size and price to simplify our lives since this year hubby will turn 70, and I will be 65.  If it doesn't sell, then we will just put it off for awhile and see what happens next!  The market is supposed to be picking up around here...at least we hope so.  We have lived here for 8 years and loved every minute of it.

Our middle daughter Lynnette, and her husband Kyle and six kids are moving to Fresno, California this month...and since we live in Kansas, it is hard to see them move so far away!  However, we do feel this move is a blessing for them, so we will accept it with grace, and wish them our very best!  Of course our prayers will go with them...and we fully intend to visit as much as we possibly can!  :)  Here is a picture of the daughter with the six kids.  We spent time with them last week in Kansas City.  They are a fun bunch!

Last night we went to the movies with the family in the second picture.  Those three live a mile away from us.  We saw the movie "Old Fashioned" and it was good.  Then out for a snack and then on to a local coffee shop.  We had a great time.  They had live music at the coffee shop!

The bottom picture is of our youngest daughter and her four kids.  We are meeting up with some of them today for lunch and a movie.  So glad we can do that, and catch up with what all is going on with them.  It is fun to be around teens...they keep you young!  :)

Yes...two daughters and their families live close by and we feel greatly blessed!  All together we have 11 grandkids, and 6 of them will be moving to California though,...so things will seem different at our family gatherings for sure.  But we will continue to enjoy ourselves and perhaps face-time with them when the rest of the family is together.  Thank heavens for technology!  :)

In the last few weeks our weather has been up and down, but we have had some simply marvelous temperatures for it being the middle of winter in the mid-west!  My husband John was even able to pay golf a few times during the warm spell!  We certainly can't complain.  I know the people in the north-east have had quite a bit of snow...and I know they will enjoy spring when it arrives next month!  I love springtime don't you?  Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons...but each season has its own beauty and blessings and purposes!  We do need to look for the blessing in everything that comes our way and be thankful.

I am wanting to do some spring clean out and get ready to list the house again.  Purging and organizing can be quite freeing...and really should be done at least once or twice a year to keep life running smoothly don't ya think?!

Ingrid is my daughter Lynnette's book...available on Amazon!  :)  Young adult fiction I know you would enjoy!  My daughter wrote it, her adult daughter Abigail Kraft drew the cover and illustrated it, and her adult son Jared Kraft composed a companion cd to go with the book.  I am quite proud of their accomplishments!

I have been quite the reader this winter.  I do so enjoy a cup of tea or two, and a good book!  How about you?  What are your winter past-times?  I actually love to read anytime and anywhere...I find it so relaxing.
Hubby and I also read devotional books each morning as we sit with each other and open the Bible and have quiet time and prayers.  One of my favorite parts of the day is the time spent together like that.  It just seems to make the whole day go better for us.  :)  We couldn't do that before he retired...not in the morning at least...but it has become a routine for us now and we so very much enjoy it together.

I am writing this on Friday, (the 13th) but I will add it to the Six Word Saturday link.  If you would like to join in with your six words then click on the link below and join in the fun.  We have a group that has people from all over the world...and I find it quite interesting.  (I am one who only joins in on occasions, but they still welcome me...and I am thankful!)

Six Word Saturday:  Happy Valentine's Day My Fellow Bloggers!
Click on the box below to join in with Cate at SWS




Happy Saturday Everyone...and may love of God, friends, family, and acquaintances reach you on this Valentines Day 2015!  I also hope you have had a good start to the New Year! 

A Little Bit Of Christmas Decorating...and Quiet Reflection!

This morning I got up before daylight...and I went around taking some pictures of the decorating I have done so far.  Nothing real fancy or complicated...just some of the stuff I put out each year.

 

 

 

 

 

It was so peaceful and quiet as I snapped pictures and thought about that first Christmas morning when the Christ Child arrived! 

Quiet reflection is good for our souls sometimes.

If you want to join in the fun and link up your blog today...click on the button below!