Eeewwwww!

Something really stank in my bathroom yesterday.  Not the USUAL smell that a bathroom might have at times, tho.

We have a lot of ladybugs taking refuge in our bathroom right now and I thought it might be them.  They give off a nasty odor if you get close.  But we've had them before and they didn't smell THIS bad.

During the night when I would get up to use the bathroom I was having to cover my nose the whole time.

The smell was getting WORSE!

When I got up this morning the whole bedroom was smelling horrible.  Man, I thought I'd throw up.

Then I got thinking of another time we smelled something rank and thought maybe I should peek under the jetted tub.

Yep.

“Jim, I found what smells…would you come get rid of this!”

At peace

Despite it being Gotcha Day, things still go wrong.  The biggest thing today was our washer malfunctioning.  I had a load of wash going and the alarm started sounding.  I thought it might be off balance, but it wasn’t.  The computer on it (Fisher & Paykel) was going nuts and it wouldn’t drain the water, wouldn’t spin…I unplugged it and that still didn’t fix it.

I had to go to Walmart for groceries, so I just left it unplugged and took a break from the stress.

Then in the mail I got more paperwork regarding the lawsuit I’m the Defendant in.  You know, the car accident?  I could do without that reminder.  I got that notarized, then went back to working on the washer.  Did a test run and was trying to print in the meanwhile and the printer jammed!  About the same time the alarm sounded on the washer.

Jeepers creepers!  I called for a serviceman to come work on the washer and they come on Wednesdays, so don’t know when they can come.  I dished the underwear out of the washer, rinsed it in the kitchen, then put it in the dryer.

Feeling burdened by this new bill we are expecting and the knowledge that Christmas is just around the corner and we have NO money for gifts, I was feeling pretty stressed.

Then I sat down at the computer this evening and put on my Playlist.  Oh, the reminders of what is important!  I love these songs and they lift me up so much.  Tonight there were a couple in particular that really spoke to me.

• “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” always gives me chills.  Thinking of what it must be like to experience that!  All of your cares just disappear and you forget everything else.  That’s what it should be like anyway.
•   “Homesick”…well, I love those words, too.
• And so many of the Selah songs.

I keep my Playlist on my CF blog, but don’t on here because I’m not a fan of music starting when I go to people’s blogs.  It’s distracting when I’m trying to concentrate and read, sometimes I don’t care for the music…I’ve just chosen not to go that route.

But tonight I’m posting my Playlist on here.  It’s set up so it’s optional for you to listen, but I hope you have the time to listen.  Just sit there for a few minutes and close your eyes and listen to the words and the melody.  Forget those things that will “pass away” and be at peace in remembering what’s important.

Happy Gotcha Day, Ryan!

Today is the big day!

We waited on an adoption waiting list for about 5 years and finally got the call.  Not only did they have a baby for us, but he was already born!  He was 7 weeks old.

Run to the store!  Get the nursery ready!

Pick out a name!  I know some people have names picked out way ahead, but with us we’d have a favored name and then after a while we’d think of another one.  So we had 2 days to pick out a name.

Ryan!  Here is proud Daddy the day we brought him home.                  

 

(Sorry, it’s our scrapbook page!  No digitals back then.)

What a WONDERFUL  day that was!

Happy Gotcha Day, Ryan!

Delicious food!

I've said it here before, but this is my favorite lunch these days.

 

Italian bread slices - this time with garlic crust - thin slices of mozerella and cheddar cheese inside, buttered and grilled. The flavors together and just WONDERFUL! Great comfort food, great lunch on a rainy or cool day!

Then top it off with a slice of homemade Apple Crumb Pie. I made this one on Saturday - it's gone already. :-(

 

Dear God

Dear God,

Are you trying to teach me something? Are you trying to get my attention?

Vanderbilt has refused to pay for my expenses brought on by my infiltrated Port. They said there isn't enough proof that it was caused by their nurse. All of this pain, all of the extra costs...why don't things ever go smoothly?

My parents think that I should sue the hospital.

Is this what you want me to do? It's so hard to know what is the right thing to do at times.

I'm sorry that I complain so much and that I ask for so much. I know that I should spend equal time being thankful for all that You have done for me, for all that I have.

Help me to see things more through Your eyes.

And show me what you want me to do about Vanderbilt. (Besides tell people not to go there!)

I love you,
Me

Update on Toby

Toby (my parents dog) is doing somewhat better. They found lots of bacteria in his bowel and took blood samples, then sent him home with 3 different medications. They still have no idea what caused this.

He hasn't been eating since then, which I think may be due to the meds but my mom thinks is the dog food.

He has a little more energy but still isn't himself because he usually has lots of energy. Poor little guy! I hope he's 100% soon!

Dear Lord