Sisterhood Award

JoAnn at The Creamer Chronicles gave me this really nice award.

Here is what she wrote on her blog about me:

Kalona, a beautiful example of a Christian woman. She tirelessly takes care of everyone around her and I love reading about her days. She even homeschools her grandchildren (who are absolutely adorable!) She is a wonderful inspiration!

Aww, that is so kind. Thank you, JoAnn!

I would like to give the award to Linda at Don't Poke The Baby, Angela at Where Angels Go and Sarah at Ora And Labora-Journey Of Truth. I admire all three of them for the way they share their lives and their Catholic faith with their readers, never afraid to speak out against wrong and speak up for truth.

Linda, a lovely young mom of six, is also a photographer who volunteers with the organization, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). She is there during one of the most intimate and heartbreaking times of a parent's life--when they lose their newborn baby. Many parents want photographs in memory of their precious little one, and call on NILMDTS. I can't imagine the love and sensitivity one must possess to take those precious photographs.

Angela is a fellow Catholic convert who shares her Catholic life with her readers, taking us with her on her journey. You never know what you will find on her blog. It might be posts about what is happening at work, what she is doing at her church, pictures of a trip or her environment, a recipe, or it might be a video of her showing us her sacramentals. :o) We have a lot in common. Love her!

Sarah is a funny, real, down-to-earth Catholic mom and military wife. I enjoy reading her blog because so much of her life reminds me of mine when my kids were younger and my husband was still on active duty. She never seems to lose her sense of humor, no matter what is going on in her busy life. She makes me smile.

And those are just three of my blogging "sisters." Go visit their blogs. :o)

Lumpy Palms and Frozen Shoulders

I've got 'em. :o) I was at BAMC this afternoon for my appointment at the orthopedic clinic. I always dread having to go, but once I get there they take wonderful care of me. Well, the docs and lab techs do--the civilian staff at the desks, not so much. Two young women staffing the desk in the ortho clinic got into an ugly argument, overheard by everyone in the waiting room--totally unprofessional. Good thing I'm not their supervisor, I'd have fired them on the spot.

Anyway, after x-rays and an exam by the doctor, I found out that the lumps in the palms of my hands are caused by Dupuytren's Syndrome and the pain in my shoulder and arm is from adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). They suspect that both of these are caused or aggravated by my stupid diabetes. Don't ever get diabetes. It's the pits.

The Dupuytrens sometimes resolves on its own. Or it could get worse, causing my hands to contract and making it difficult to grasp. If that happens, there are various treatments to consider. It's not painful, just weird.

The doctor is referring me to physical therapy for the frozen shoulder. Therapy could improve my condition, or it could make it worse. Further treatment will be evaluated after we see what the phyical therapy does.

Having better control of my diabetes could cause improvement in both conditions. I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up my Metformin refill today, and have resolved to take it correctly and to get my diet back on track. I'm not overweight, so sticking to a diet didn't seem as important to me as it should have been. I did great when I was first diagnosed, but lately I haven't been taking my Met, and I haven't been eating properly, plus I've been battling the hyperthyroidism. Thus, lumpy palms and frozen shoulder. I told you I'm falling apart. :o)

I hate it when old ladies sit around complaining about their aches and pains, don't you? :o) So I'll stop and talk about my grandson.

Reece and I went for a walk when he was here on Tuesday. We walked a long way, taking a new route for him. He loved it! We were looking for signs of spring, and he really enjoyed seeing the flowers, birds, and other sights along the way.

The next day when I took him home, he was playing with his cars on the couch at his house and something happened and he said, "Crap." And everyone turned and looked at me! His mama said that he had said it before, and when she asked him who taught him that word, he said, "Gramma." I am embarrassed to say that he did hear that bad word from me, but I promise that I did not teach him, "What the hell?" He must have learned that from his daddy. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thirteen Good Bishops

This is the list (as of today) of U.S. Bishops who have spoken out in opposition to Notre Dame's decision to have Barack Obama speak at commencement this year, and to give him an honorary degree. Not only are our Catholic Bishops speaking out, but the students and alumni of Notre Dame are also expressing their disapproval.

1) Bishop John D'Arcy - Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN
2) Cardinal Francis George - Chicago, President, USCCB
3) Archbishop John C. Nienstedt - St. Paul/Minneapolis
4) Bishop Morlino - Madison, WI
5) Bishop Robert Lynch - St. Petersburg, FL
6) Archbishop Timothy Dolan - New York
7) Cardinal Daniel DiNardo - Houston, TX
8) Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ
9) Bishop Gregory Aymond - Austin, TX
10) Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark, NJ
11) Reverend Edward J. Slattery, Tulsa, OK
12) Bishop Kevin Rhoades - Harrisburg, PA
13) Bishop R. Walker Nickless - Sioux City, IA

I doubt any amount of criticism will change things now. The university's president has stated that he will not rescind the invitation, and Mr. Obama has said that he will accept it. But that should not keep the Catholic faithful and our leadership from expressing outrage that Notre Dame would honor a man so diametrically opposed to the Catholic position on life issues.

Yesterday I read somewhere that the Catholic Church should shut up and stay out of politics. This is not a political issue, this is a moral issue, and the leadership of the Church has every right to instruct the people regarding morality.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Josh and Cyrise!
We love you.

From 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It is not jealous.
Love is not pompous,
it is not inflated,
it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered,
it does not brood over injury.
It does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.

May your love for one another last throughout eternity, growing deeper with each year. God bless your marriage, and God bless both of you.

Out Like A Lamb

The days fly by so quickly! It's hard to believe March is nearly gone. Although we had some rain and hail last night, today has been gorgeous. March is definitely going out like a lamb.

I took Mom to the lab today for her blood work, and we stopped to visit Josh, Cyrise and the kids for a little while. The little ones were excited to have visitors. Reece insisted that his Great Gran go into his bedroom to play with cars, and Aubrey has a new little thing she does where she ducks her head and looks up at us shyly. It's so cute! Josh was home for lunch, so we got to see him for a few minutes, too.

After our visit, we had lunch at Biff Buzby's before heading back to Mom's place. It's a fun place to eat--wonderful hamburgers, steak fries, old aircraft decor, twinkly lights and oldies music in the background. On Friday nights the parking lot there is filled with all kinds of cool cars. People from all around bring their cars to show them off, and people from all around come to see them. Josh sometimes takes Reece. I'm sure my car-obsessed little grandson loves it! :o)

Back at Mom's, I took Teddy for a walk and visited with a couple of her neighbors. Everyone loves Teddy already--he's a charmer. He does great when we leave him alone, although today when we got back Mom's back scrubber from her shower was lying in the hallway. :o) He's very playful, and will sometimes go tearing around her apartment as fast as he can, making us laugh. He loves his toys, and enjoys being on the patio.

Mom's next door neighbor brought Teddy a present today, with a note that said, "Welcome to the neighborhood, Teddy." Inside were doggie treats. I thought that was so sweet. Mom is blessed to have really nice neighbors all around her. Her neighbor on the other side brought her some brownies yesterday.

Reece will be here tonight and I can hardly wait. We are going to do a lesson about springtime.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

March 30, 2009

Outside my window...
a warm, sunny day. The grass has turned pale green in the field across the street, and the new live oak leaves are pushing off the old ones, making a big mess on the ground. It's Spring!

I am thinking...
that I'm glad to be home after spending the entire afternoon at a diabetes class at BAMC. What a wasted day. There are 3 classes, and I've already taken the first 2, so today was really a review for me. I started out doing so well, taking control of my diabetes, but over the past 2 years I've slipped back into some old habits, so the class was probably a good reminder for me about how important it is to stay healthy. Okay, I guess it wasn't a total waste.

I am thankful...
for nagging diabetes counselors. ;o)

From the kitchen...
a glass of peach iced tea the minute I walked in the door.

I am wearing...
jeans, a fitted black shirt with 3/4 sleeves, barefoot because I took my shoes and socks off as soon as I got home, zircon earrings.

I am creating...
still nothing shaking in the creativity department.

I am going...
to the grocery store later this evening. We need stuff and so does Mom.

I am hoping...
Ron won't mind going out for dinner tonight.

I am hearing...
I'm listening to my playlist on the pop-out player. Right now I'm hearing the last song on the list, Seal's version of Change Gonna Come. Not as good as the original, but still nice.

Around the house...
the pool looks like a frog pond. Ron brushed it yesterday, but we need to put in some chemicals. It won't be long until we'll be using it a lot.

One of my favorite things...
little bouquets of wild flowers. Mom and I took Teddy for a walk this morning, and I picked some to put in Mom's crystal bud vase--they looked so pretty on her kitchen counter--larkspur, primrose, black-eyed susans and some others.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
drive Cyrise to her doctor appointment tomorrow, I'll probably have Reece tomorrow night, I have a doctor appointment on Thursday with the orthopedist to see if they can figure out what these weird hard lumps are in the palms of my hands. It's probably nothing, but who knows? I'm falling apart in my old age. :o)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
















Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to read the daybooks of other bloggers.

Peter Is Home!

His dad posted that they are home and thanks everyone for their prayers and support.

God is so good.



*edited to add:
Peter was all smiles as we left the hospital. A smile was a rare treat while we were there. He smiled and laughed all the way home and when we got home, he walked! He was weak and unsteady, but he got down and tried to walk so confidently that it was a good thing we were close by to hold his hand. He went straight for his tricycle and scooted around the driveway on it a bit. This has to be the most wonderful day of our lives!

Passion Sunday

Today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent is Passion Sunday in the Traditional Roman Liturgy.

"If he who is of God hears the word of God, and he who is not of God cannot hear His words, then let each one ask himself: "Do I take the words of God to heart?" (St. Gregory the Great, Hom. 18)

From This day until Maundy Thursday, in Masses of the Season the Psalm, Judica me..., is omitted on Sundays and Ferias, as also the Gloria Patri at the Introit and at the Lavabo; but on Feasts they are said as usual.
The Roman Missal, 1962

The Gospel for today is St. John 8. 46-59, in which Jesus, speaking to a multitude of the Jews, declares to them that "...before Abraham was made, I am." They were ready to stone him, but he hid himself and went out of the temple.

Since last Sunday, when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, the Gospel readings for each day of the week have shown Him performing miracles and proclaiming to the Jews who He is, but they do not believe Him.

In last Monday's Gospel, He drives the moneychangers from the temple and speaks of His body as the Temple which He would raise up again in three days.

On Tuesday, He teaches in the temple with authority, but is unable to convince them that God the Father has sent Him; He has to slip away when they try to apprehend Him.

On Wednesday the Gospel tells of how Jesus healed the man blind from birth, and Thursday's Gospel shows Him in Naim, bringing a young man back to life.

Friday's Gospel tells of how Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead.

In yesterday's Gospel, Jesus tells the Jews that He is the Light of the world, and again they disbelieve. He tells them, "Neither Me do you know, nor My Father; if you did know Me, perhaps you would know My Father also." And again they cannot lay hands on Him because His hour was not yet come.

Let us pray the Judica me, Psalm 42, today, that we may be among the holy ones, those who know Jesus, and because we know Him, know God.

Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man; for Thou art God my strength.

(Ps. ibid. 3.) Send forth Thy light, and Thy truth; they have conducted me, and brought me unto Thy holy hill, and into Thy tabernacles.

Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man: for Thou art God my strength.

Amen

Update On Peter

Just a quick update on Peter.

This was posted Saturday morning by his dad:
Peter ran a mild fever last night which may keep us in the hospital longer. He is improving. We hope that taking him off the vanc continues to allow improvement.
(The "vanc" is shorthand for one of the antibiotics Peter was taking).

And this Saturday evening from his mom:
Please pray for us. Peter has now been fever free for 24 hours and he's been leaps and bounds better, but they're making us stay one more night. We hope they really mean it this time.

Please pray that Peter does well overnight and is able to go home tomorrow! Thank you for your prayers.

Teddy The Escape Artist

Ron put a chicken wire barrier on Mom's patio today, to keep Teddy from slipping through the bars and escaping. When it was finished, Teddy came out and looked all around for a way to get out. :o)

Yesterday Mom's neighbor gave me some lovely window boxes, and I was carrying them from Mom's apartment to my car. Mom wanted to help, and while she was trying to take some out her front door, Teddy ran out. He was off down the hallway like a shot. He can really run fast for such a little dog! I put down the boxes I was carrying and tore out after him. You have never seen an old lady run so fast. :o) When he reached the far end of Mom's apartment building, he paused to smell the grass, and I grabbed him. I scolded him as I carried him back. I took him inside and sat down, and told him to never do that again. Then I put him down and he immediately hid behind Mom's legs. :o)

I put a note on Mom's door the first day we brought him home, saying DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR UNLESS TEDDY IS ON HIS LEASH because I could see that he likes to run away. Of course she forgets. Mom would never be able to catch him if he runs out like he did yesterday. He is too quick. That's probably why he was a stray.

I was so excited for Reece to meet Teddy, but the meeting went wrong from the start. I told Reece that Gran had a new dog, that his name was Teddy and he was very cute, so Reece was looking forward to seeing him. When we got there, Teddy was so excited that he jumped up on Reece the second he walked through the door. It surprised Reece, and he shrieked and tried to get away, and Teddy thought it was play time and chased him. The whole time we were there, Reece was wary of the dog and tried to stay away from him. I'm sure he will get used to him and stop being afraid (I hope).

I didn't sleep well last night, so after dropping Reece at his house, we came home and I took a long nap.