A couple of weeks ago Brett and I had an interesting escapade with our dog Wrigley (yes named after the stadium). First off, I love my dogs, but they are dogs. They are not my babies, they are not human but I don't like to see them suffer.
I took both dogs to the groomers. Wrigley received his yearly shots and I picked up flee and tic medication for both of them. The vet had switched to a new brand of flee and tic medication so I decided to try it.
Got home did some things around the house, ate supper then put the new medication on both dogs. A few hours after applying the medication Wrigley started pacing around the house and rolling on the floor. I decided it must be the new medication and immediately gave him a bath. At 10:30 when it was time to go to bed he was still pacing almost as if he were on speed. He literally could not sit down. We went to bed and I continued to here him pacing the floor. He would lay down under the bed, crawl out from under it, go lay down in the bathroom floor, dig at the rug, walk to the living room, come back in, crawl under the bed over and over.
I got up and gave him another bath about midnight. It did not help. If I petted him, he would at least sit beside me, but would not lay down. He and I were awake ALL night.
Thursday I went on to work and called the vet and the company of the medication. Both said it sounded like an allergic reaction and should work it's way out of his system in 24 to 48 hours. They also both suggested I could give him Benadryl. So, I stopped at the store and picked up Benadryl on the way home. He was still pacing when I got home, and had added biting at his hind quarters as if something were crawling on him. I gave him a Benadryl it seemed to make him sleepy but he was still anxious and antsy. He would sit by you on the couch and basically fall asleep sitting up but would not lie down. At 10:00 we gave him another 1/2 of a Benadryl.
We went to bed thinking he would surly be so tired he would crash. He was still pacing, crawling under the bed where he sleeps, then crawling back out. Brett and I neither one could sleep so I got back up with him. I could finally get him to lay beside me in the spare room if I petted him but he still would not lay his head down. Just when you thought he was going to relax it was like he had restless leg syndrome and his legs would jump and he would be back up. At 1:00 A.M. I gave him the other half of the bendryl. He finally slept for about an hour.
Friday morning he was still no better. He was pitiful you could tell he just wanted to sleep but just couldn't relax enough to lie down. I took him to work with me determined to get him into the vet. Brett took him to the vet that afternoon, he had calmed down some but it was still as if he couldn't calm himself. He would sit by you if you were petting him but otherwise he was still anxious and biting himself.
The vet said he thought he was getting over it and should be back to normal soon.
Friday night he couldn't lie down again. Brett spend the night in the den with him. He said he slept a couple of hours but was mostly up on the bed then back in the floor then back on the bed.
Saturday morning we called the vets office again. They said bring him back in and they gave him steroids. We started those on Saturday and he seemed to calm down a little. Saturday night whether from the steroids or exhaustion he did lay down by me on the couch and sleep the whole night.
I called the company again Monday morning and asked them how long worse case scenario they had seen this last. The rep I talked to said there were a few cases they had reported that lasted a week. It was a full week before Wrigley was totally back to normal.
But, as I was sitting with him on the couch one night it struck me. This is how it should be with my relationship with God. If Wrigley was away from your side he was more anxious and nervous and pacing. Like he couldn't comfort himself or find peace. What if I were so close to God that when I stepped away or was not right at His side, I became anxious and nervous, and couldn't comfort myself? If I only felt at peace right by his side?
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful"
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Don't Forget Your Underwear
Once again, the title of this blog is "Second Half". It is about life after 50. For some reason a lot of my friends have not reached that magic age yet. So, when I get a call from one of them informing me of something funny they did it doesn't make me feel quite so old.
A couple of weeks ago I got such a call from one of them. I was in the bathroom getting ready for work and my phone rang. When I saw the name on the phone I thought oh no something must be wrong, this friend doesn't normally call me early in the morning. So, I picked it up. At first I didn't really know if she was laughing or crying.
She said you will never believe what I just did and I realized she was laughing. I thought this is going to be good. She said I got to work and realized I forgot my bra. Now if you are a guy reading this I realize you are like so? Apparently forgetting under garments is a much more tragic event for females than males. Hence the reason she called me and not her husband. Fortunately for her the weather was still cool and she could wear her jacket. But, rest assured she knew something was missing all day.
We all have those fashion mishap stories. A few years ago, when Brittany was still living in St Louis, working at a large office complex, she called me one morning laughing. She said I got to work this morning, pulled in the parking garage, got out and started across the parking lot. She said I looked down and still had on my fuzzy house slippers. Unfortunately, fuzzy house slippers, are not proper work attire at Jones even on a casual Friday. That story has a happy ending though. As luck would have it, a large mall was right across the street from her office. She got a new pair of shoes. If you know my daughter that was "A Happy Day".
And just this week, the weather warmed up enough for flip flops (my personal fashion addiction). So, at the last minute I pulled the tote from the top of the closet. I grabbed out two and slipped them on. When I sat down in the living room I looked down and realized I had on one navy blue and one black flip flop. I quickly changed before leaving the house.
We all have those stories. Whether we forgot to put something on, zip something up, or walk out mismatched. We all have those times when we are just to preoccupied, too busy, or running too late to double check. Usually they make us laugh, but at the same time they mess up our day.
As woman we love our accessories and rarely leave the house without them. If each morning, we took just a few minutes to put on some very special accessories, our days would go so much better. If we stopped and fastened the belt of truth, put on the under armor of God's righteousness, and slipped into the shoes of peace that come from the good news, how would that impact our day? If we slid on the shield of faith, adjusted the helmet of salvation, and spent a few minutes tying on the word of the spirit-God's word, think how differently our days would start out. As you accessorize in the morning think about those special gifts, gifts given to you by your Father.
Ephesians 6:14-17 "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Thanks for reading! Would love to hear YOUR fashion mishaps post in the comments and share.
A couple of weeks ago I got such a call from one of them. I was in the bathroom getting ready for work and my phone rang. When I saw the name on the phone I thought oh no something must be wrong, this friend doesn't normally call me early in the morning. So, I picked it up. At first I didn't really know if she was laughing or crying.
She said you will never believe what I just did and I realized she was laughing. I thought this is going to be good. She said I got to work and realized I forgot my bra. Now if you are a guy reading this I realize you are like so? Apparently forgetting under garments is a much more tragic event for females than males. Hence the reason she called me and not her husband. Fortunately for her the weather was still cool and she could wear her jacket. But, rest assured she knew something was missing all day.
We all have those fashion mishap stories. A few years ago, when Brittany was still living in St Louis, working at a large office complex, she called me one morning laughing. She said I got to work this morning, pulled in the parking garage, got out and started across the parking lot. She said I looked down and still had on my fuzzy house slippers. Unfortunately, fuzzy house slippers, are not proper work attire at Jones even on a casual Friday. That story has a happy ending though. As luck would have it, a large mall was right across the street from her office. She got a new pair of shoes. If you know my daughter that was "A Happy Day".
And just this week, the weather warmed up enough for flip flops (my personal fashion addiction). So, at the last minute I pulled the tote from the top of the closet. I grabbed out two and slipped them on. When I sat down in the living room I looked down and realized I had on one navy blue and one black flip flop. I quickly changed before leaving the house.
We all have those stories. Whether we forgot to put something on, zip something up, or walk out mismatched. We all have those times when we are just to preoccupied, too busy, or running too late to double check. Usually they make us laugh, but at the same time they mess up our day.
As woman we love our accessories and rarely leave the house without them. If each morning, we took just a few minutes to put on some very special accessories, our days would go so much better. If we stopped and fastened the belt of truth, put on the under armor of God's righteousness, and slipped into the shoes of peace that come from the good news, how would that impact our day? If we slid on the shield of faith, adjusted the helmet of salvation, and spent a few minutes tying on the word of the spirit-God's word, think how differently our days would start out. As you accessorize in the morning think about those special gifts, gifts given to you by your Father.
Ephesians 6:14-17 "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Thanks for reading! Would love to hear YOUR fashion mishaps post in the comments and share.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Honor Your Father and Mother
The title of this blog is "The Second Half" and deals with the second half of life. Unfortunately, a part of that second half of life is parents who are getting older. Actually, you could look at that as a fortunate, if you are still fortunate to have your parents in the second half.
Sadly, my Father in law Jack passed away this past week. He had been sick for awhile, and everyone knew it was coming. You are just never really prepared or ready to say goodbye. We got the call early Friday morning, and left to meet Brett's siblings in St. Louis. That way we were able to ride together to Springfield to be with their step Mom.
I decided at the last minute to go. I wavered back and forth. At 2:00 in the morning I didn't know whether to leave without knowing all the details were taken care of. You know, those things like work, for us celebrate recovery, dogs. But life isn't about the details is it? It is about the people.
And for me this was a great lesson in reaching out and asking someone else for help. Actually alot of someone's. Thank you Lori, for stepping up and leading my Friday night group and doing food. And all the other CR leaders that made it possible to leave at 3:00 AM. To know it would be taken care of when we called later in the morning. Thank you Jennifer, Douglas's, Smith's, and Mom and Gary for tag teaming to let our dogs out.
It was such a blessing to be with these 4 siblings and watch them lean on each other. To be a part of this family who love and support each other.
After having lost my Dad 13 years ago it was strange to watch how some things are the same in every situation. The first one is that strangeness you have of not knowing how to say it. When you start to call people you don't know what to say. Do you say "my Dad died, my Dad passed away, my Dad's gone'? Then you have that roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute you are crying the next you are laughing and you wonder is it OK to laugh? When the reality starts to sink in that he is gone. Those first few weeks he is in your thoughts constantly, and you begin to wonder if it will be like that forever.
The other thing that is always the same is the out pouring of love. The love God showers down on us from other people in our lives. As word started to get out everyone individually was showered with calls, texts, and facebook posts. Tons of people, some who had never met Jack, but loved his kids.
Friends, neighbors, and co workers of Martha's immediately started bringing in food and coming by just to see if she was OK. His care giver and the hospice nurse all came by just to share their condolences. Neighbors were there promising support in the weeks ahead. Even random people we didn't know were a blessing. We stopped at a local deli in Springfield to eat lunch Saturday. One of the managers was talking with everyone while we were in line to order. When he found out we were all from Illinois he asked why we were in town. Greg explained why we were there. Later when we all had our food and were sitting down, that same manager came by the table and said, I just want to tell you all how sorry I am to hear about your Dad you have my condolences.
Friends, family, work associates, random people, God uses them all to let us know in our darkest times, He hasn't forgotten us. He pours out His love and grace all around us.
Jack you will be greatly missed, but you would have been so proud of these four kids of yours. The way they were there for each other, and for Martha. They honored your name with love and respect at every turn.
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your Father and Mother which is the first commandment with a promise."
Sadly, my Father in law Jack passed away this past week. He had been sick for awhile, and everyone knew it was coming. You are just never really prepared or ready to say goodbye. We got the call early Friday morning, and left to meet Brett's siblings in St. Louis. That way we were able to ride together to Springfield to be with their step Mom.
I decided at the last minute to go. I wavered back and forth. At 2:00 in the morning I didn't know whether to leave without knowing all the details were taken care of. You know, those things like work, for us celebrate recovery, dogs. But life isn't about the details is it? It is about the people.
And for me this was a great lesson in reaching out and asking someone else for help. Actually alot of someone's. Thank you Lori, for stepping up and leading my Friday night group and doing food. And all the other CR leaders that made it possible to leave at 3:00 AM. To know it would be taken care of when we called later in the morning. Thank you Jennifer, Douglas's, Smith's, and Mom and Gary for tag teaming to let our dogs out.
It was such a blessing to be with these 4 siblings and watch them lean on each other. To be a part of this family who love and support each other.
After having lost my Dad 13 years ago it was strange to watch how some things are the same in every situation. The first one is that strangeness you have of not knowing how to say it. When you start to call people you don't know what to say. Do you say "my Dad died, my Dad passed away, my Dad's gone'? Then you have that roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute you are crying the next you are laughing and you wonder is it OK to laugh? When the reality starts to sink in that he is gone. Those first few weeks he is in your thoughts constantly, and you begin to wonder if it will be like that forever.
The other thing that is always the same is the out pouring of love. The love God showers down on us from other people in our lives. As word started to get out everyone individually was showered with calls, texts, and facebook posts. Tons of people, some who had never met Jack, but loved his kids.
Friends, neighbors, and co workers of Martha's immediately started bringing in food and coming by just to see if she was OK. His care giver and the hospice nurse all came by just to share their condolences. Neighbors were there promising support in the weeks ahead. Even random people we didn't know were a blessing. We stopped at a local deli in Springfield to eat lunch Saturday. One of the managers was talking with everyone while we were in line to order. When he found out we were all from Illinois he asked why we were in town. Greg explained why we were there. Later when we all had our food and were sitting down, that same manager came by the table and said, I just want to tell you all how sorry I am to hear about your Dad you have my condolences.
Friends, family, work associates, random people, God uses them all to let us know in our darkest times, He hasn't forgotten us. He pours out His love and grace all around us.
Jack you will be greatly missed, but you would have been so proud of these four kids of yours. The way they were there for each other, and for Martha. They honored your name with love and respect at every turn.
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your Father and Mother which is the first commandment with a promise."
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Trust
After two years of being a part of Celebrate Recovery, I was able to determine that trust is something I have an issue with. I was able to see that stuffing my feelings, trying to control everything in my life, and being a people pleaser, stemmed from lack of trust. Trust in others and trust in myself. I also realized that when you have a problem trusting others, usually that over flows into your christian walk and your trust in God.
But once you realize your issues you are able to start working on them, turning them over to God and turning them around. God stretched that trust for me just a little this week.
Last Sunday I was sitting in church, and just about the time Robbey started to preach I could hear sleet or really hard rain on the metal roof of our church. It was really loud and distracting for everyone, but particularly for me. The youth were coming back from Dare To Share in St. Louis. The weather had been bad since they left that morning in fact, it was so bad, that they decided to leave earlier than planned. Now I didn't have any youth in that group. However, all four of my grown children (my kids and their spouses) were on that bus as leaders.
I was most distracted because my son Chris was driving the church bus(regulation school bus). He had just gotten his CDL license and this was his first trip. Now don't get me wrong, he is a very responsible and careful driver. However, driving a bus load of youth in a winter storm is a big responsibility.
Needless to say, I didn't really hear anything Robbey preached that morning (sorry Robbey, I am sure it was a good message). My mind was busy bouncing back and forth between praying and worrying. Kind of an oxymoron the two are not really suppose to go together.
When we got to the worship part of the service at the end, we sang Hillsong United's "Cornerstone". God began to speak to my heart through those words. Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. I rest on His unchanging grace. My anchor holds. In that still small voice God said, "do you not trust me? If something happen and that bus wrecked, and something happen to all four of your kids, would I still be your God? Would you still worship me? Would you still trust me?"
I didn't want to flippantly just say yes? I thought about it through the rest of that song and through the next song. And finally I said "God I am praying that bus makes it back safe, but if it doesn't, You would still be my God, I would still love you, I would still worship you." If you know me at all you know that was a big step of trust for me to voice.
Let me say there was no one happier to see that bus pull in the parking lot than me. And as each of my four kids came in that door I gave them a tight hug.
Is God calling you to some area of trust this week?
Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Chris good job, proud of you!!!!!
Thanks for reading.
But once you realize your issues you are able to start working on them, turning them over to God and turning them around. God stretched that trust for me just a little this week.
Last Sunday I was sitting in church, and just about the time Robbey started to preach I could hear sleet or really hard rain on the metal roof of our church. It was really loud and distracting for everyone, but particularly for me. The youth were coming back from Dare To Share in St. Louis. The weather had been bad since they left that morning in fact, it was so bad, that they decided to leave earlier than planned. Now I didn't have any youth in that group. However, all four of my grown children (my kids and their spouses) were on that bus as leaders.
I was most distracted because my son Chris was driving the church bus(regulation school bus). He had just gotten his CDL license and this was his first trip. Now don't get me wrong, he is a very responsible and careful driver. However, driving a bus load of youth in a winter storm is a big responsibility.
Needless to say, I didn't really hear anything Robbey preached that morning (sorry Robbey, I am sure it was a good message). My mind was busy bouncing back and forth between praying and worrying. Kind of an oxymoron the two are not really suppose to go together.
When we got to the worship part of the service at the end, we sang Hillsong United's "Cornerstone". God began to speak to my heart through those words. Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. I rest on His unchanging grace. My anchor holds. In that still small voice God said, "do you not trust me? If something happen and that bus wrecked, and something happen to all four of your kids, would I still be your God? Would you still worship me? Would you still trust me?"
I didn't want to flippantly just say yes? I thought about it through the rest of that song and through the next song. And finally I said "God I am praying that bus makes it back safe, but if it doesn't, You would still be my God, I would still love you, I would still worship you." If you know me at all you know that was a big step of trust for me to voice.
Let me say there was no one happier to see that bus pull in the parking lot than me. And as each of my four kids came in that door I gave them a tight hug.
Is God calling you to some area of trust this week?
Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Chris good job, proud of you!!!!!
Thanks for reading.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Jack's Heritage/ Happy 80th Birthday
This weekend Brett and I went to Springfield, MO to celebrate my Father-in-laws 80th birthday. Great weekend. First because I got to spend 11 hours traveling in the car with Brett. There was a day when I would have said let me fly anywhere I have to go. I still like to fly, but lately road trips in the car with Brett have become one of my favorite things, because they are full of laughter.
One of the things I have always loved about Brett is the fact that he can make me smile and make me laugh. No matter how angry, mad, or sad I might be he can always say or do something to make me smile. I know that sounds simplistic, but it really isn't. It is really about balancing me. No matter what is going on he can take that structured, disciplined, anal retentive, part of me and make me crack. That's what I love, that he takes that part of me and balances it out with that carefree, you can't change it, make the most of it part of him.
I realized this weekend in hanging out with Brett, his siblings, sister in law, his Dad, and his wife Martha where it comes from. It comes from Jack and I will be forever grateful for that.
When you hang out with the Sapp clan you better bring your "A" game of wit, word games, and play on words. Your best one liners and snappy retorts. That is just to keep up with the conversation, if you want to participate you better bring your "major league" game. If you know the Sapp's you appreciate the baseball reference there. Go Cubs - this is our year.
Even with some health issues Jack was still able to keep up with them this weekend. That's when I realized it comes from him. When he apologized for not being more entertaining. Jack has always been full of stories, interesting comments, and one liners. He spent his career in radio, so he is the ultimate entertainer, and I have always enjoyed listening to him.
While Jack went to rest for awhile Sunday, I sat in the living room with all of his kids. I listened to them.. They are all so quick. They come back without ever missing a beat. They bounce one liners and words off each other so fast it is like watching a tennis match. And they are all ultimate story tellers. You laugh until your sides hurt.
As I sat there I thought, and I realized, that it isn't just Jack's four kids. I thought about his family, and realized that this gift also trickles down to his grand kids. Our kids and their cousins. When you get this whole group together your head is spinning trying to keep up. These kids are all ultimate story tellers, all quick witted, with a great sense of humor. They are all entertainers. What a great legacy to leave in your kids and grand kids. What a great gift to pass down from generation to generation.
As you celebrate your actual 80th birthday today Jack here is my favorite Jack Sapp memory.
One of the best memories I have of Jack is from our wedding rehearsal. We were at the church for practice. I had only met Jack a few times, because he lived in Chicago. I didn't know him real well. We were all in some "discussion" I don't even remember regarding what. Something as simple as which aisle we should enter. The church didn't have a center aisle only two side aisles. So I think everyone had a different opinion on whether we should go down the left or right aisle. I remember feeling stuck in the middle, that I was going to make someone mad when I choose. Jack looked at me and said "kiddo this is your wedding, your day, you get to make the choices." I knew from that moment on I was going to like him. And I was right I not only like him, I love the honor of calling him my Father-in-law.
Happy Birthday Jack!!!!
One of the things I have always loved about Brett is the fact that he can make me smile and make me laugh. No matter how angry, mad, or sad I might be he can always say or do something to make me smile. I know that sounds simplistic, but it really isn't. It is really about balancing me. No matter what is going on he can take that structured, disciplined, anal retentive, part of me and make me crack. That's what I love, that he takes that part of me and balances it out with that carefree, you can't change it, make the most of it part of him.
I realized this weekend in hanging out with Brett, his siblings, sister in law, his Dad, and his wife Martha where it comes from. It comes from Jack and I will be forever grateful for that.
When you hang out with the Sapp clan you better bring your "A" game of wit, word games, and play on words. Your best one liners and snappy retorts. That is just to keep up with the conversation, if you want to participate you better bring your "major league" game. If you know the Sapp's you appreciate the baseball reference there. Go Cubs - this is our year.
Even with some health issues Jack was still able to keep up with them this weekend. That's when I realized it comes from him. When he apologized for not being more entertaining. Jack has always been full of stories, interesting comments, and one liners. He spent his career in radio, so he is the ultimate entertainer, and I have always enjoyed listening to him.
While Jack went to rest for awhile Sunday, I sat in the living room with all of his kids. I listened to them.. They are all so quick. They come back without ever missing a beat. They bounce one liners and words off each other so fast it is like watching a tennis match. And they are all ultimate story tellers. You laugh until your sides hurt.
As I sat there I thought, and I realized, that it isn't just Jack's four kids. I thought about his family, and realized that this gift also trickles down to his grand kids. Our kids and their cousins. When you get this whole group together your head is spinning trying to keep up. These kids are all ultimate story tellers, all quick witted, with a great sense of humor. They are all entertainers. What a great legacy to leave in your kids and grand kids. What a great gift to pass down from generation to generation.
As you celebrate your actual 80th birthday today Jack here is my favorite Jack Sapp memory.
One of the best memories I have of Jack is from our wedding rehearsal. We were at the church for practice. I had only met Jack a few times, because he lived in Chicago. I didn't know him real well. We were all in some "discussion" I don't even remember regarding what. Something as simple as which aisle we should enter. The church didn't have a center aisle only two side aisles. So I think everyone had a different opinion on whether we should go down the left or right aisle. I remember feeling stuck in the middle, that I was going to make someone mad when I choose. Jack looked at me and said "kiddo this is your wedding, your day, you get to make the choices." I knew from that moment on I was going to like him. And I was right I not only like him, I love the honor of calling him my Father-in-law.
Happy Birthday Jack!!!!
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