I have had to live with allergies all my life. I had to go miles out of town to an allergy specialist to have test done on me to see what type of allergies I have. The results showed that I have allergies to foods, pollen and pets. I have learned to adjust my life about the foods and what not to eat. Unfortunately, the pollen in the Spring and Fall season is bad as well as to my pets. I love my 5 cats, however several shed hair. I have trouble with my sinuses even though I take allergy medication. I have been thinking on purchasing an IQAir purifier so I can have an allergen free home.
Some of my friends have been MIA lately. I know they have been going through different things in their lives. One has been sick and having low energy. Another has had computer problems and health problems. Another is on vacation and doesn’t get cell phone service there.
It feels strange to not hear from or talk to them over the week’s time. I have been on the go and with the nice weather we have been getting, I am longing to be outdoors more before cold weather sets in. We usually start getting cooler weather as soon as Fall season starts. I do not look forward to colder weather and wearing heavier clothes. The thought of that makes me feel down, so I think I will go put on my bathing suit and go to the lake for a swim. I need the exercise too, just wish I had a friend to go with me.
It is so hard to stay indoors when the weather has been a lot better than last week. This past Sunday, our pastor told us about going to the doctor for skin caner. He had several areas removed on his face. His doctor warned him about using sun screen and wearing a hat. He said he is not much of a hat wearer. I know if he saw the right type of hat he would wear one. With his health problem our pastor has had in the past two years, he shouldn’t be so reluctant to follow doctor’s orders.
I spent some time myself working in my flower beds pulling weeds. It seems like doing that will be a never ending job all summer. I have to wear sun screen and a hat due to having skin cancer in my past. My lower back hurts a lot lately. Last week with the bad weather we had, my lower back and knees were hurting bad. I am so glad to have some relief from the pain of arthritis.
I am trying to cook different meals each day that everyone in the house will eat. It is getting more and more difficult. One doesn’t like salad, most vegetables or fruits. The other doesn’t like onions, sausage and some vegetables etc. I am trying to be accommodating but it is making me more frustrated. We have plenty of food in the house, each person could fix what they want to eat. The down side to that is the extra amount of dishes, pots and pans to wash all day long. I do not want to spend all my day in the kitchen cooking and washing dishes.
I have suggested a menu planning to the family, but so far that idea went over like a lead balloon. It is hard to plan with each person having different work schedules each week. Just wish each person wasn’t such picky eaters. My problem is I will eat about anything except livers, beef or chicken. YUCK! This can create other problems with myself and my diabetes, eating too much of the wrong foods.
While driving to go pay some bills yesterday morning, I almost got hit more than once by people talking on their cell phones and not paying attention as to where they were going. Both of my daughters have cell phones with a Bluetooth headset. They both know how I feel about people driving and talking on cell phones. People have a tendency to not be able to respond quickly when one of their hands is holding a cell phone. With the Bluetooth headset headset, they can keep both hands on the steering wheel. As a parent I feel much better knowing they are being more conscious of their driving and other drivers around them. I just wish more people would be more conscious and use a Bluetooth or an ear piece so they too can keep their hands on the wheel.
Independence Day honors the 232rd birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. It’s a day of picnics, backyard BBQs and patriotic parades and marching bands, a night of concerts and fireworks of “bombs bursting in air”, and a reason to fly the American flag. To show respect for our American flag, we need to use proper US Flag Etiquette.
I look forward to spending time with all of my family in this area tomorrow at a BBQ in the afternoon. We plan on barbequing steak, chicken, hot dogs, sausages and smoked links. Also part of the meal will be potato salad, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and a birthday cake because we have two family members celebrating their birthdays. I know this type of meal is full of carbohydrates and calories, which is a big obstacle for a diabetic like me. I know my body will pay the price for eating a lot of these foods. I will have to watch my portion sizes to help with this situation.
We are not sure if the local fireworks will be set off because it is suppose to rain. We are fortunate to be able to have local fireworks, when so many areas of our country are under water or having bad wildfires or severe drought and are ordered to have no fireworks display. It is truly sad that other citizens in these areas are not able to enjoy fireworks this year. It makes me more thankful that I can celebrate Independence Day even more with the freedom to celebrate. May we all be more thankful for our freedom that our men and women in service are fighting over seas for us to remain independent.
Happy 4th of July!
Today, was the OWLS luncheon and meeting plus the last Bible Study class with the Stonecroft Ministries women. Betty and I enjoyed the great luncheon prepared for the OWLS. We were only able to stay long enough to listen to the guest speaker that we both knew and love, Carmen. Carmen has a way of telling historical stories. She is a true story teller. Being a retired school teacher from Indiana, she has an amazing way of spellbinding you as she speaks. She is a true blessing to know.
As we rushed to our Bible Study class, Betty and I talked about Carmen and how she is a blessing to us both. We did arrive a few minutes late to the Bible Study. This was our final bible study meeting on Learning How To Pray. I have enjoyed the fellowship with other Christian women and hearing others opinions about what we were studying. I will sign up for Stonecroft Ministries bible study series that they will do in the future.
When I got home, I found out that my church bible study had been canceled for tonight. His daughter said her dad was not feeling well today. I am concerned again about my Pastor’s health, even though he did get to go to Canada to go fishing in the backwoods. He was exhausted on Sunday morning and we had a substitute pastor do the sermon.
Had a problem with my blood sugar late this afternoon. I took my blood sugar reading and it was 326. I took 8 units of Novolog. Well, I nose dived my blood sugar too fast with that many units. I started shaking and was woozy. I had to get some juice quick with the assistance of my daughter. She made me sit down in my kitchen. She was afraid of me falling. After I felt the shaking starting to stop, I asked for my glucometer to take my blood sugar level again. The new reading was 106. I know my level was much lower before drinking the juice. Thank God my daughter understood what was going on and how to help me.
Had a very nice dinner with my daughter, her boyfriend and a friend a little later. I feel so much better now.
On top of the Social Security problems, our President signed a bill that passed through Congress with both Republicans and Democrats agreeing according President Bush’s statement on TV for another $162 Billion to fight the Iraq and Afghan wars and with no time constraint to withdraw from Iraq War. Another unbelievable act on behalf of President Bush before leaving office.
I think back to when he first went into office. I had high hopes of his presidency instead it has been a huge disappointment for me overall. The only thing that has helped me was the passing of the Medicare Part “D” cost of my over $1,100 a month prescription cost. My prescription cost was more than my monthly check that I received and had to use my precious savings of $500 to help a little bit till it was all gone.
So now, we are going to be:
1) without help on Medicare Premiums
2) living with outrageous gasoline prices
3) living with higher fuel oil prices this coming winter
4) higher grocery prices
5) living in a recession or worse a depression soon
6) sticking our grandchildren and great grandchildren with the National debt that President Bush has created due to these wars.
Shame on you President Bush! Even World War II didn’t take a financial toll on our country like this Iraq war has. By the way, have you caught Osama Bin Ladin yet that started this war on us? NOT!!
After talking with a friend of mine this morning, I learned about the aid program for Medicare Part “B” that helps disabled and low income senior citizens pay their premiums of $96.40 a month. H.R. 6331: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 has been rejected under the cloture motion to proceed on June 26, 2008 by . I have been fortunate that I have received some of that aid money for my premiums. I am upset that I have NOT received any notification from Social Security telling me that I will be affected by the fact our government has let the necessary funds run out to help people like me that are disabled and our precious senior citizens. This is outrageous, however they still keep funding a never ending war in Iraq. Our government is still paying for redevelopment. When is it time for US Americans to say, enough is enough? When are we going to wake up and tell our President that we can’t afford more problems that are already adding to the family financial strain. As I see around my town more and more homes being taken back by the foreclosure and the lawn are over 3 feet high and our local code enforcement unable to do anything, it makes me sick. When I drive by a bank parking lot and over half have vehicles that have been reposed sitting there on it, it makes me sick to think of all the peole who have lost their homes and vehicles. With increasing gasoline, home heating fuel oil, and grocery prices, we all can not afford anymore increases unless you are a millionaire or billionaire like some of our government officials that have made a fat profits off of us Americans. I am concerned now how I am to make my budget every month once I have to pay out the additional $94.50 out of my check each month. I don’t need this additional stress and worry, which does not help with my diabetes.
If you want to see how your senator voted on this very important matter, click on this link.
Seems God is placing me in certain situations to help people. Aunt Cindy needs rides to go pay her bills or go to the doctor’s appointment. She has never driven and doesn’t understand about the cost of gasoline or wear and tear on a vehicle or about paying for insurance. I thought about all the money she has “saved” not having to pay these expenses over her life time. Her next door neighbor has been helping her out by paying most of her bills online to save on gasoline expense of her car. This month she told Aunt Cindy she can not take her to pay the rest of her bills in town. So Aunt Cindy asked me. I had not planned on going anywhere tomorrow as I have to drive on Wednesday for Betty’s errands and Bible Study. Being disabled and on Social Security, my money does not stretch very far. I have to be careful on excessive gasoline consumption and more wear and tear on my 19 year old van.
My youngest daughter and her boyfriend, Cody, have been asked to move from where they have been living in his mom’s house basement by his future step-father. I first hand experienced the situation of how bad a mean alcoholic man whom is to be Cody’s 3rd step-dad acted and spoke. There is NO excuse for his 51 year old behavior. He acted like a 2 year old out in the front yard in front of their neighborhood yelling and screaming at Cody’s mom. I am concerned for my daughter and Cody’s safety. After growing up in an alcoholic family lifestyle, I know all to well how quickly an alcoholic who is mean can turn violent in a heartbeat. That was the situation awaiting to happen last night. I told my daughter and Cody to come and stay at my house. I do not mind helping my daughter or anyone get away who is in a bad situation with an alcoholic in a house. I pray Cody’s mom sees the light before her wedding day in July to this man is not good for her.
