Body Aches and Car Trouble

Well, it is 930am and I have been awake for a little over 3 hours now. Ugh. I am not sleeping real well and keep waking up very early and not being able to go back to sleep. My body is not happy about that. I keep increasing the melatonin I take 2 hours before bedtime like my shrink told me to until I am sleeping a solid 7 1/2 to 8hours a night and it's just not there. I get maybe one good nights sleep a week. It's starting to catch up with me.

My body is still punishing me for last Friday, the 4Th of July. I spent the day doing two parades for the campaign. We had had a cold front come through the day before but, they kept saying the rain would be out of here for the 4Th. So, I dress in white shorts, my blue campaign t-shirt ad tennis shoes and head out. I take along the only rain coat I have, one from the GAP, that looks better than works better. And a take a black boonie hat to cover my head should the sun come out cause my head likes to burn. Already done that this summer.

Anyhow, the first parade was in Hilliard and I got at the meet-up about 845am. Ready to go. While standing there waiting, it starts to rain. I have my jacket on and pull my boonie hat on to try to keep my head dry. Then the rain stops, and it actually felt like it warmed up a little. Oh, I forgot to mention it was freezing! So, by the time the parade actually starts, I have tossed the jacket in the car that follows us in parades and just keep my hat with me. We aren't very far into the parade when the rain starts again. And I am not talking sprinkles here and there. I am talking flat out rain. So, I pull my jacket out of the car and put it on, continuing to walk in the parade. By the time we get to the end of the parade, it's raining fairly hard. And cold.

A bunch of us pile into a vehicle quickly for a ride back to the beginning of the parade where all of us parked. This is always the plan, which is good, cause some parades are looooong and you don't want to have to walk the parade and then walk back, ya know? (The Galloway parade the week before was 5 miles!) So, we pile into this little suv for a ride back to the beginning. I get dropped off second, I think, cause I am parked the farthest away. So, I get in the car, start it up and turn the heat on. It's JULY and I am running the HEAT! This is the craziest weather.

So, the good candidate buys lunch for those of us who show up at the restaurant. Cece's Pizza. At least it was warm and dry and warm food. By the time we get done with lunch and it's time to drive to Plain City for their parade, my body is really starting to hurt and my voice is starting to go.

The Plain City parade was mercifully short. It sprinkled a little in the beginning, but for the most time was dry, just wet ground and mud everywhere. I didn't hang around very long after that parade, wasn't sure I had the strength to drive home.

I got home a little after 4pm. I had left the house that morning at about 815am. It was a long day. I quickly took the dog out and then changed out of my wet clothes into dry, flannel pjs to warm up. I should've taken a shower, but I didn't. I just wanted to get dry, warm and off my feet. I think I heard them say on the news that night or the next day that it was the coldest 4Th of July here on record, but I couldn't swear to it. I may have just dreamed it since I was so cold.

Saturday I woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a truck. Saturday was a workout day. I didn't walk, because I had walked so much the day before, but I did manage to do the weights and rest of the workout later Saturday afternoon. I had to go out to fill my script for my ADD medicine and get a few things from the grocery in order to fix supper. The rest of the day, I didn't do much of anything. And all of my fibro "trigger points" hurt so bad. They are still hurting.

Sunday morning I was awake too early, as usual, and mad that I couldn't get back to sleep. I finally got up and ironed my clothes for church. Then I got in the shower and just stood there. I took my time getting ready and chose comfortable skirt and shirt with comfortable shoes for church. No fuss, no muss. I read my Bible chapter (I am now in Acts) and had my prayer time. Got to church with plenty of time to spare. Have to always allow time to pee etc., before the service starts. The rest of Sunday, I just hung out here at home, chillin'.

Monday morning I had an appointment to see my counselor at 830am! Ugh! And it was a workout day again, this every other day thing seems to be too quick sometimes. So I was up at 630am, on purpose, to get my workout in. I got that done and got in the shower. Then I read my Bible and had prayer time while my hair dried. Monday was a definite no make-up day and I have enough of a tan to go without. So, I got all ready, pulled on soccer shorts and a tank top, my beach shoes, walked the dog and was out the door by 8am.

After seeing my counselor we took the car to the garage. It's not been running real well and lately has actually started to get scary. It either won't start or it will start, then stall or it will race. When it races, that's when it gets scary. That car will do somewhere between 50-70mph all by itself, without my touching the gas pedal. So much fun! So, we take it to the garage, grab some lunch, then I come home and do my usual Monday cleaning routine (clean bathroom, do laundry, changed blankets and sheets on bed, swept bath and kitchen floors, washed bathroom and kitchen rugs). Somewhere along the way( I highly suspect while changing the bed) I tweaked my back. In the muscle, not bone. So, on top of all my fibro stuff hurting like crazy this week, my back has had a fairly consistent ache since Monday.

Tuesday we get the car. We go eat. I am driving it and it seems to be running fine. Get it home and put it in the garage for the night. No problem.

Yesterday morning, I get up, put on my workout gear (yes, it's that time again) and walk the dog. I see that it has rained and looks like it might rain again, but hope I can get to the park to do my walk before the rain gets here. (Monday I couldn't walk at the park cause it was too early. I don't think the park opens til 8am.) So, I get in the car to try to get to park and get my walk in and the engine is racing a little. Hmmm. I think maybe it will settle down once I get it running for a bit and go ahead and head out to the park. I get out on the main drag and that car takes off. If I don't ride the brakes, it will do 50mph all by itself again. Frustration.

So, I turn around and come back home. Text hubby at work that the car is up to its old tricks. He says to call the mechanic, tell him and see if we can take it back to him yesterday afternoon. So, we do. I have hubby drive the car cause I am tired of driving that thing and being afraid of what it's going to do. Of course, we get there, to the garage, and it hadn't acted up for him. I swear that car hates me. So, we leave it with the mechanic, again. I don't think he really knows where to look to see what's wrong. He and hubby talked about what it might be and some things he would check, but the mechanic can't get it to act up for him either. I am telling you, this car hates me.

We come back to the house. I cook a quick dinner and we eat and hang for a bit. I had already emailed my Beth Moore small group leader and told her I probably wasn't going to make it last night cause of the car situation. She had already written back before we took the car back to the garage and said no worries, I wasn't the only one with car problems yesterday.

So, now I am just waiting. I don't really expect to get the car back today. I honestly don't want it back until it's fixed.

My workouts this week have all been on the treadmill for the walk and I hate that. I much prefer to be outside for the walking part, not staring at grey walls. I will probably be inside again for tomorrows workout. Oh well, at least I am getting the workouts done. That's something, I guess.

My work in the Beth Moore study workbook and my daily Bible reading and prayer time is really getting cool. I am learning a lot and I feel closer to God every day. I was sorry I had to miss the Beth Moore study meeting last night, but the workbook work for this week was powerful. It really was. It really made an impact on me.

My counselor and I are still working strong. I am doing workbook homework for her too. But this Monday we are also adding something new that we will be working on. I am not going to go into details, but suffice it to say, it will be intense hard work. But, it's got to be done. Got to get that stuff out and dealt with, ya know?

Well, I guess I have babbled enough for now. Oh, remember how cold it was on the 4Th? This Saturday it's supposed to be about 92 degrees with high humidity. Ugh. Like I said, craziest weather.

This week I will leave you with Psalm 122 this week. May God Bless each and every one of you!

Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, this is built
As a city that is compact together;
To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord-
An ordinance for Israel-
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there thrones were set for judgement,
The thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
"May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces."
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, "May peace be within you."
For the sakeof the house of the Lord our God,
I will see your good.
(NASB)

Talk to ya'll later!!!

Life

Well, I am another year older. I feel it this year. My life has changed recently. I don't like it. I am really struggling this week.

I have been doing my exercises, reading my Bible, praying and doing my Beth Moore Bible study and it still seems so hard. I have been working with my counselor to heal some things and we are making progress. But still a lot of work to do and the work is as hard as the other stuff is.

I don't know what else to say. Life is just hard right now and I have spent a lot of time in thought, prayer and tears.

I am all set to set up my class schedule for the fall and am looking forward to returning to school. And still doing my campaign work. Was in an early 4th of July parade last saturday for the campaign and this friday, the actual 4th, I will be in two. I really enjoy that work and look so forward to finishing my degree in that field and be able to work more in that field. Not just campaigns, but analyst's and think tanks too. Something like that will be my straight job and I will do campaigns on the side.

Got a decent tan going. Just being outside here and there. I sit out sometimes, but mostly just being out in the sun for exercise or campaign work etc is where the tan has come from. It's lightened my hair too, as usual. I cut it short (chin level) for the summer. Much easier to take care of and cooler too!

Well, I guess that's it. Just wanted to pop up and say hi for now. Hadn't written for a while. I will leave you with a Psalm we recently studied in my Beth Moore Bible study. May it give you strength if you need it, reassurance whatever you might need at this time. It has been a comfort to me.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night
The Lord will protect you from evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever. (NASB)

God Bless.

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME

Greetings from the Bluegrass state. I hope this finds all of you well. I have been here since last Saturday (14Th). The trip down was pretty uneventful, even though the traffic was extremely heavy. I did discover a bump on one of my tires on the way down. My Pops looked at it after I got here and determined that I need a new tire before I can go home. What a way to start a visit!

Everyone here is doing well. I have seen friends and family and have enjoyed seeing them all. Am seeing some more friends Friday and Saturday. Saturday we are having a birthday get together for me (my birthday is on the 27Th). Several friends and my brother and his family are coming for that. It should be a good time.

It has been a nice visit thus far. My parents and I watched the movie "We Were Soldiers" Saturday evening after I got here. They liked it. My Pops said it was very much how he remembered Vietnam being. My Mom had a cousin who died over there on my grandfathers side. We knew this, but not much else. At the end of the movie, they showed the names of the real soldiers who fought in that actual battle, and there was her cousins' name. We were all shocked. Grateful too, it gave us some more indication about his time in the service etc. Now we know where to find him on The Wall.

My Mom had also found a picture of one of my Uncles who fought in WWII in the Pacific. She was looking through a book at the library about Iwo Jima and there was a picture of my Uncle! Can you believe the odds of that? He was aboard ship in the picture getting a briefing about going ashore on Iwo Jima. She made copies for my brother and I, for which I am very grateful. She made copies for other family members too, I believe.

My brother and his family are doing well. His wife is in her last weeks of her pregnancy with the new baby. My nephew is growing like a weed. He gets taller every time I see him and is so smart for his age. He understands that he is having a baby brother, but doesn't really understand what that means I don't think. We are all anxious for the new little one's arrival and pray that all goes well here in the last weeks and for the delivery.

I have kept up my work-out routine while here. I brought my weights with me. This week I am on Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule. It is going well and I feel myself getting stronger by the week. My walking time is getting better and better so I think when I come home, I will increase the distance. Right now I am walking just a little over a mile on my work-out days and I have my time down to between 16-17 minutes. So, I think I will increase it to 2 miles when I get home. It is nice to actually see muscle in my arms and legs now. And my stomach getting flatter again after the surgery.

Of course my allergies are acting up. My parents have cats. They are outdoors, but have been in the house and it still bothers me. Also, we have believed for a long time (21 years actually) that I am allergic to the bluegrass. Can you believe that? Actually allergic to the type of grass the state is known for! There new motto here, has been for a couple of years, is "Unbridled Spirit". I just love that. They mentioned on the news last night that I think they have made new rules for jockeys etc., because of what happened to Eight Belles at the Derby. They also said that there were to be congressional hearings on the industry and how the horses are treated. I think that is ridiculous. Congress certainly has more important things they should be spending their time on. What happened to Eight Belles was just a freak accident. No amount of meetings, hearings or rules is gonna change things like that from happening from time to time.

I finished my new book, 'Soul Connection'. In some ways it was better than the first book, 'Soul Healing'. It was a very good book though and I commend the author, Tammy Smith, for writing those two books. They have helped me a great deal and I am so thankful for that.

I am starting on my Beth Moore Bible study today. They are starting it tonight at New Life, but obviously I am not going to be there. They told to just do what the workbook said to do for the first week, so I am. I looked through it yesterday and it looks very good. I hope to learn a lot from it and that it will draw me even closer to God.

Have been reading in Luke in my daily Bible reading. A chapter a day. I haven't ever read Luke like that before. I have just looked up verses from it for this and that. I have found it to be very interesting and very straightforward. I like reading it this way and think I will try other books of the Bible like this. It's nice to read it in the progression it was meant to be read.

Well, I guess I have blabbed enough for this time. I hope all of you are doing well. Before I go, I will leave you with the words to one of my favorite songs. The song they sing at the Derby every year. It always brings a tear to my eye when I hear it or sing it. It is a good song. So, without further ado, the words to "My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Foster. Oh, I forgot to say, Saturday morning we are going to a civil war re-enactment. "Morgans Raid" is what it's called. It's about Morgans Raiders obviously. For you history buffs, you can look that up online and read about it. Here is the song:(mind you this was written in the mid 1800s so there may be some words that may be offensive to some people. for this, I do apologize, but it's how it was when the song was written.).


My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night (1853)
Words & music by Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864)

"1.The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,'Tis summer, the darkies are gay,The corn top's ripe and the meadows in the bloom,While the birds make music all the day.The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,All merry, all happy and bright:By'n by Hard Times comes a knocking at the door,Then my old Kentucky Home, good night!

CHORUS : Weep no more, my lady,Oh! weep no more to-day!We will sing one song for the old Kentucky Home,For the old Kentucky Home far away.

2.They hunt no more for possum and the coon On the meadow, the hill, and the shore,They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,On the bench by the old cabin door.The day goes by like a shadow o're the heart,With sorrow where all was delight:The time has come when the darkies have to part,Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!

(CHORUS)

3.The head must bow and the back will have to bend,Wherever the darkey may go:A few more days, and the trouble all will end In the field where the sugar-canes grow.A few more days for to tote the weary load,No matter, 'twill never be light,A few more days till we totter on the road,Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!

(CHORUS)."

Goodbye for now and God Bless.

GOOD-BYE HILLARY!

Well, Hillary Clinton finally gave up yesterday. It was an interesting scene to watch. First of all, she was about 48 minutes late. She was to give her speech at noon and it was about 12:48pm before she arrived. I bet they had to drag her from her own house kicking and screaming to do this thing.

She spoke, I guess for about 40 or more minutes. She did say all the important things: she's suspending her campaign, she's endorsing Obama, she will work to elect Obama etc. But I found it interesting that she spoke only about 7-8 minutes about Obama. The rest of her speech was about herself. She was "auditioning" for the VP slot. I am not for Obama, but if he has half a brain in his head, he won't pick her for that position.

I didn't believe a word she said yesterday. I don't believe that she is really giving up. I think that while she and her people may put out a public image of supporting Obama, behind the scenes they will do everything they can to keep him from winning. She will sabotage his campaign. I think she will do this in order for McCain to win (which hopefully he will anyway, he's getting my vote), so that she can run against him in 2012.

We haven't seen the last of her for this campaign season for this office. I wish it wasn't going to be the case, but I just don't think she is going to go away that easily. She should. She's a socialist and her husband is an embarrassment. It will certainly be interesting to see how she behaves over the next 5 months.

For now, don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out, Hillary.

The Beginning of Summer

Well, June has come in with a bang! What storms etc., that we have experienced. Now I hear the heat is coming tomorrow and friday. Highs in the 90s. From one extreme to another.

I had my last dentist appointment today for a while. We did 3 teeth. So, now my teeth are all ready for braces! I will be making an appointment with the orthodontist to hopefully see him in July and get the ball rolling on the braces. At my age! Oh well, it will be for the better in the end.

I am working through my soul healing book still as well as a workbook my counselor gave me. There are a lot of feelings and hurts to deal with. Lately I have been in an angry phase, which has not been pleasant for anyone, but I feel like I am coming out of it now. I am grieving for all that I have lost lately. As well as other griefs. So, it's a slow, painful process at times, but I am getting there. I know that God will help me, is helping me, to work through all of this.

I signed up for the Beth Moore Women's Bible study at our new church. I am somewhat excited and nervous about it. I will actually have to introduce myself to people for the first time. But, I think it will be good for me. It runs every Wednesday night from June 18th - August 13th. I will miss the first week because I will be away visiting my family. But, it ends just in time for my new nephew's birth which is after August 13th. So, other than that, it should be an interesting summer church-wise.

I am still involved in my politics. My conservative group is meeting this monday. We are called "Coalition for a Conservative Majority". I think we are in 5 states currently. We are not backing candidates as a group, but are free to do so on our own, which I do. Our group mostly will work on issues that we are concerned about in the conservative community. We are just getting started, but I am excited about it.

I am starting to get my mind geared for school. Classes don't start til Sept 24th, but I have to go to new student orientation here in the next few weeks and register for my classes etc. I am excited about getting back into it and finally getting this degree finished! Working with the different campaigns and going to school in the fall, right in the heat of the battle so to speak, will be a challenge. But, I am looking forward to all of it.

I guess the democrats selected their guy last night. I have heard a lot on the news today about him being the first black nominee etc. I want to remind folks that he is also half white, and muslim. We must consider our options so carefully this fall as we go to the voting booth. I hope that each of you will think long and hard and pray long and hard about who you choose for our next President, in particular. It is SO important this year, that we get it right. Everyone needs to pay particular attention this year as this process plays out. Make a good decision before you go into that voting booth in November.

I hope to get back on my bike after my visit to my family. I will get to swim there, which will be good exercise with my walking. I am also back to lifting my weights. So, we'll give the bicycle a shot when I get back and see how it makes me feel. The oddest things make that surgery area still feel sore. Oh well, all in good time.

Well, I guess that's it for this post. I am cooking supper at the same time and am trying not to burn the meat! Yikes! So I had better go for now.

If you have good weather, get out and enjoy it where you are! God's creation is beautiful and the sun feels wonderful.

God Bless You All.

Obama Lies

My hubby found this ariticle and sent it to me. I was certainly interested in it and read it fully. It shows how Obama has lied throughout his campaign and book. Should make people think twice about voting for him. Myself, personally, I don't trust him any further than I could throw him.

If you are interested, educate yourself. This election is more important than many people are realizing for our country. We need to watch who we put in that big white house to run this country. Things could become very bad very quickly if the wrong person is in that office.

Here is the link:

http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_20349.shtml

Think long and hard about who you plan to vote for...pray about it. It's SO important.

May God Bless America.

Almost June

Wow! This month has really flown by. It's hard to believe that Sunday is June 1st. The beginning of summer. And my birth month. I will turn another year older towards the end of the month.

This past Saturday I was in the Grandview Memorial Day parade for the Steve Stivers for Congress campaign. Afterwards some of us went to the Asian festival, which was interesting. We had a very good turn out for the parade. I think about 70 people. It was so cool that morning and I was standing there freezing in shorts and a campaign t-shirt. So I moved over from where I was to stand in the sun for warmth. We ended up walking into the sun in the parade and of course in the sun at the Asian festival. Well it was nice and cool and I didn't feel a thing. Got home Saturday afternoon late. Burned so bad. Hubby told me I glowed in the dark!! Its getting better though. Need some sunscreen before 4Th of July! But I enjoyed being in my "element" so to speak. I love politics.

I have decided to step out and participate in something at our new church. It's a Bible study for women that runs on Wednesday nights through the summer starting mid-June. It's a Beth Moore study called:"Stepping Up-A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent". I really didn't want to step out of the crowd, so to speak, so soon at New Life. We just wanted to be "invisible" for a while. But each week they made the announcement, I felt pulled towards it. I have thought about it and prayed about it (its been announced for 4 weeks) and yesterday decided to do it. So, I signed up for it online before I changed my mind. I will miss the first week cause I will be in Kentucky with my family, but after that I will be going. I am both nervous and interested to see how it goes and what I learn.

The book I have been reading is really helping. I like the book, which helps, but it is really helping me realize some things and deal with the emotions of hurts etc., from the past right up to the present. I found out there is now a follow-up book to it, so I plan to get that and read that as well.

My ADD medicine is still working, except it has stopped working earlier in the day. It usually lasts til about 7pm, but now it's stops about 3pm. I get antsy and anxious and fidgety like a 2 year old in church. The shrink told me this would happen. I see him again next week and he will adjust my meds then. I feel good about it all. Have been able to read (love that, cause I love to read!) and do other things that take more concentration. He said everything will be well adjusted and I will be well adjusted by the time school starts Sept. 24Th. He says I should do well in school. I am looking forward to getting back.

Several of my friends have been in the "path" of danger the past week or so, but God has kept them all safe. Two of them have been surrounded by these mid-west tornado outbreaks. The other one is in China and survived the earthquake. He and his wife teach school there. They teach the kids English I think. Anyhow, all friends are safe and sound, thank the Lord.

Well, I guess that's it for now. May right more later in the week. Hope all of you are well.

God Bless.