Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Random Ramblings # ???

I hope my dear friend, Groovy, will forgive me for borrowing (or should I say stealing?) this wonderful caveat to this post. It cracked me up and said so well what I would say if I were as clever as Groovy is.

"WARNING: Readers of this post should be at least 48" tall and be in good health. If you are pregnant or have heart conditions, please check with your doctor before buckling into this ride. This ramble is subject to quick pacing and sudden twists and turns in subject matter. As always, please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle until the ride comes to a complete stop. "


I haven't felt all that great for the last 3 days - just a bit of flu, I think. There's a lot of it going around here. I can't blame it on the heat, although that is what I have blamed everything on for the 23 straight days of over-9o degree days that we suffered through until a breakthrough came. We broke a 134-year record - dubious at best! I heard, though, that
Barb over on the western slope, had over 50 days in a row. I guess I should count my blessings.



First and foremost, I need to acknowledge a lovely award from our friend,
Tammy, over at Lattes and Lollipops (formerly Family Doin's - but I don't have the techno savvy to change it on my sidebar and my techie guru, Kristen, is out of the computer loop right now). Tammy has honored me with this award, and said the kind words below:




"I think I met her after I had only been blogging a few months and I love that when I visit her, it's like sitting down at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a good friend. She has just recently retired and added twin baby granddaughters to her family in the past six months, so it's fun to peek into her life as she enjoys this interesting phase of her life."

Thank you, Tammy, for those kind thoughts - and I do wish each and every one of us could sit together and chat. But what a blessing that we've found each other in this wonderful medium.

I've missed going to the gym for the last several days - first because of the big doings out at my husband's employer (see previous post), then not feeling well. But last weigh-in was Thursday (two more to go before the end of the contest), and I'm happy to report:

It's going very slowly, but at least in the right direction. Especially when you consider all of that FREE food friend Groovy, mentioned above, talked about in her latest post.

BUT - how in the world long does it take for some improvement to show on my disgusting bat wing arms??? I might have to have a bit of nip and tuck surgery -- and speaking of surgery ---

You may remember the marathon of doctor's appointments I went through before retirement and changing my insurance plan. I didn't get to my eyes at that time, because I have no coverage for them anyway, and there was no rush. When I got the notice that it was time (well, way past time, really) for my eye check-up, there was an offer for a complimentary evaluation for L*sik surgery. My personal opthamologist has told me that he doesn't think I'm a good candidate. But I wanted to hear it from those who do the process evey day. So I took them up on the offer. It was a very thorough examination. At the end when the doctor finally took over from the technicians, he told me that I had very dry eyes and they don't close completely when I blink. Hmmm. Weird. He told me to use eye drops for two weeks to see if the reading he was getting was just because of the dryness, or if I really wasn't well suited for the L*sik correction.

When I went back and they re-ran some of the tests, it turned out that I could indeed have the surgery. Now - the problem. I can't decide whether I want to do it or not. I WANT to do it, there's no doubt about that. One problem - my sweet DC, who usually is up for anything I feel strongly about, is not sure about this one. It's costly, and I have to figure out how to pay for it. But I haven't talked to too many people who regret having done it. I totally understand that I'll probably have to still wear reading glasses. But I really detest wearing glasses - especially bifocals, after so many years of contacts. So - my question - if you have had Lasik surgery, give me the pros and cons. Okay? If you don't want to do it here on this comment section, please e-mail me from my sidebar. Thanks!

I am almost through the pile of books I showed a few posts ago - I am enjoying the Jennifer Chiaverini series so much. But I'm reading several other books that are new, so only have 3 weeks to read them and can't renew. Thus, I get very homesick to get back to my new quilting friends in between books. I recently finished Runaway Quilt, which was a very moving book. If you haven't read it, it's worth the entire series to read this one book. It is a flashback to the Civil War times when slaves were hidden in the Underground Railroad. There was a paragraph that really gripped me,

I cannot trace the path my thoughts traveled that night, but in my fatigue and my fear, I saw quite plainly a sameness linking all of us entangled in this great conflict, so that I felt once both guardian and fugitive, both slave and freeborn. Slavery made slaves of us all, it seemed to me, imprisoning those with dark skin in the iron shackles of injustice, those who owned slaves in chains of sin, and those of us complacent in our freedom with the heavy yoke of obligation to help our enslaved brethren.

Last - I have mentioned several times that I'm reading the Bible through chronologically this year - I just finished Isaiah - as in Proverbs, I find so much that is applicable to our society. How long will God wait? In the second chapter (The Message), Isaiah gives this message:

God, you've walked out on your family Jacob because their world is full of hokey religion,

Philistine witchcraft, and pagan hocus-pocus, a world rolling in wealth,

Stuffed with things, no end to its machines and gadgets,

And gods - gods of all sorts and sizes.

These people make their own gods and worship what they make. A degenerate race, facedown in the gutter.

Don't bother with them! They're not worth forgiving!

I'm thankful God is still in control and that his timetable is not ours. In a time of wondering why young men die - another funeral today for a young guy, only 15, who's been battling cancer for 3 years - why fires rage the land, hurricanes and tornadoes, drought - it is comforting to read Isaiah 55:

Seek God while He's here to be found, pray to Him while he's close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work - God's Decree.

For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry. So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines -- Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

dawn, the green was a little to hard for me to read. I know it is a good posting,you always have them. Hugs and Blessings.Mike G.said that

Barb said...

I wish I could afford that surgery, Dawn. If I could, I'd do it because I've never heard a negative thing from anyone I know who's had it.

Nadine said...

Congratulations on your award. I'm sorry I never had that type of surgery done, but some of the people I knew who had did not regret it.

Carole Burant said...

When I was visiting Groovy yesterday and read that on her post, I just about bust a gut from laughing! lol She's so funny, that gal, I just love her to bits!!

Oh dear, I do hope you feel better real soon. No fun being sick any time but especially in the summer with the heat. I don't think I could stand the high heat you and Barb get...I melt when it reaches 80! lol

Congratulations on your well deserved award:-) She described you perfectly!! I too wish we could all get together and chat...what fun we would have!

Sometimes losing the weight slowly is the healthiest way to do it. I need to lose weight also but right now my willpower seems to have gone awol!

I've known a few people who have had Lasik surgery and they've all been successful. My son Shawn was thinking of having it done (he's been wearing glasses since he was 5 years old and then contact lenses since he was 18) but he chickened out at the last minute. He's very much like me and panics at the thought of any type of surgery! Ugh!

Hope you're having a terrific day dear Dawn:-) xoxo

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Sorry you're not feeling your best, Dawn. Hope you feel better soon.

Can't help you with the lasik question. If I could afford it I'd have it in a heart beat! My dr. has already told me I'm an excellent candidate, and I've never heard anybody say anything negative about it.

Those scriptures are like reading one of today's newspapers! I've wondered "how long, God" too...

Hope all is well with Kristen's affairs.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Susan said...

What a fantastic post, Dawn. I'm so proud of you and your weight gain. Thanks for much for sending me that ticker link so I can get mine up and start becoming accountable!!!

Yes, time is so very short and we need to be busy about our Fathers business and redeeming the time. I posted on the prayer blog today about not turning back. Hope you saw it. I was surprised you didn't post the prayer request for Kristen there.

Glad you "stole" Groovy's humor and wit...so cute!!
Susan

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I have very friendly arms and they just love to wave at the world were they uncovered! LOL! Congrats on the award!

nancygrayce said...

I have very dry eyes and might not be a candidate for that surgery, but if I did have it, I would opt for the smart lens....with that you're not supposed to need reading glasses. Reading is my worst thing, I've just started having to wear my glasses most of the time. The last time I went to the doctor with my eyes bothering me so badly, he put plugs in my tear ducts. My eyes have been much better since then.

The scripture is so timely. There was a lady in our town who always wore "church" clothes because she said the Lord says "be ready", not "get ready"! :)

Needled Mom said...

So sorry that you haven't been feeling on top of the game lately, Dawn. I can imagine that oppressive heat can't help the situation any. We have been hearing about your "records." That is NOT one to want, for sure.

Never had the eye surgery but my brother did and seems to like it. The reading glasses are a must, as you said. I just found it was much easier to wear the bifocals rather than constantly be searching for my reading glasses. I was glad to go to glasses full time just so I would not have to "find" my million pairs of reading glasses.

I am so impressed with your getting through the bible this year. It is a great undertaking.

Anonymous said...

hi!

Linds said...

I hope you are feeling better soon - that heat can't be helping at all!
I don't know re the surgery. I don't know many here who have had it, but it is supposed to be wonderful.
And congratulations on the weight loss! I bet if you took weekly measurements you would be amazed how many inches you are losing all over!

someone else said...

You already know that I had Lasik a month or so ago, but I have not yet raved here or on the family site about how wonderful it has been. I'm in awe of what they can do - I went from 20/600 vision to 20/20! I opted for the standard lasik over the custom lasik, mainly because it cost less, but it was a very good choice. It was also expensive, but I saved up more than half of it and financed a third of it on an 18-month, no interest plan. I would definitely recommend that you choose a lasik center that has the best reputation, recommendations from others, and specializes in lasik. It's not a procedure that you want to bargain-shop for.

I'm loving it!!!! Karen loves hers, too.

Unknown said...

Yep, I second my mom. It's life changing. I went from 20/800 to 20/30 in less than 24 hours and then by the end of the week I was at 20/15. I've settled out at a nice 20/20. Three years later I am still feeling great and thankful every day for the change.

It is life changing, it is worth powering through the fears of pain (there is very, very little), and it is worth the financial commitment.

Definitely go to the most reputable place in your area.

My sister-in-law was not a traditional LASIK candidate and underwent PRK instead. That was a very painful, slow recovery. A whole different bird when it comes to vision correction surgery.

Anonymous said...

Dawn - congratulations on your weight loss - remember slow and steady wins the race! My wings are getting pretty loose lately, too and I am just hoping they don't develop a mind of their own! Funny, but I remember as a kid we used to tease my mom about hers. Guess what goes around, comes around, huh?
Can't personally help with the lasik since I am not a candidate, but would do it in a minute if I were. My brother-in-law had it and raves about it. Two good friends had it - one was a huge success and the other it did not work for whatever reason and they re-did it and she ended up with 20/20 vision. Even with the issue she says she would go through it twice again if necessary.
Praying for Kristen.

Sam said...

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well, Dawn. I hope you bounce back very soon.

Congratulations on the weight loss! Slow and steady is the only way to really do it, so good for you!

I don't know much about lasik surgery as I don't wear glasses, but I've only heard very positive things from people I know who've gotten it. And if you hate your glasses so much, it sounds like getting it would really improve things for you.

I hope you and the rest of the family are doing well. Have a great weekend!

Sammy

Mary said...

Dawn,

Congratulations on the well deserved reward.

I have no knowledge of Lasik surgery. You have to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision. No one can do it for you, but from what I've read about it, it has a high percentage of success.

Yes, we are in the last days and need to prepare.

Blessings,
Mary

groovyoldlady said...

You are hot and droughtish, we are flooded and chilly enough to actually consider (very briefly) turning the heat on!

Bizarre!

You can steal from me anytime. It makes me feel honored! Unless, of course, you take my blue phrog collection. If you broke in and did that I'd have to get ugly.

God's been really impressing on me the shortness of time. He is coming soon. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Nancy said...

Congrats on the award and the weight loss. You are on a roll. Keep up the great work.

I haven't had the surgery but enjoyed reading other's comments. I'm sure my glasses make me look older but I haven't investigated this option yet. Let me know what you decide!