What's In Your Purse?

How many of you ladies have heard your husband say, “What do you have in this purse...the kitchen sink?” Can I see a show of hands?

Yep, 96.87%...about what i figured.

Aren’t they precious?



If you mined my purse you would find: a tube of Burt’s Bees chapstick, a tube of Carmex, a tube of lipstick, my ID badge for work, a multipurpose tool, my sunglasses, my Big Fat Wallet (™), a dozen loose receipts from Walmart, Target, and Hy-Vee, two checkbooks, a pack of Wet Ones, three paper clips, a bottle of Febreeze, four pens, a comb, and a fishing bobber (thanks, Captain).





Not one kitchen sink to be found.

Know what else is not and never has been in my purse? Kleenexes. Even when the kids were little I just never got in the habit of carrying tissues in my purse. This has caused a conundrum on occasion when noses needed to be wiped, but I could usually come up with a dried out wet wipe that would do the trick. Or the kids would just use their sleeves.

One new thing I have started carrying in my purse due to recent events is a bottle of peppermint essential oil to sniff if my tummy is giving me fits. I don’t know why it works, but it does.

I am new to this essential oil game but I’m becoming a believer. Maybe it’s a placebo effect that is all in my head, but whatever works, right? Besides the bottle in my purse, I also have a diffuser (like a humidifier/mister kind of thing) on my nightstand.

As I was tiptoeing around the internet trying to find reputable information on aromatherapy I found multiple references that ginger was one of the best oils to use for nausea prevention and treatment. So the first night I had the diffuser, I followed the directions where it said to fill it with water and add 2 to 3 drops of oil.

If you ask Captain, he will tell you that ginger oil in a diffuser smells like dog butts. Don’t ask me how he knows what that smells like...I don’t want to know. It’s true it was pretty potent and I have since found out that it is much more tolerable if you use 1 drop of ginger, 2 drops of lavender, and 3 drops of peppermint.

Captain kind of turns his nose up at the essential oil craze and calls it hoo-doo. When you think about it, though, it is probably what people used before there were tens of thousands of pills to take. I’m sure Native Americans, among others, used many of the same remedies, and they must have worked.

I just know that it seems to be helping me to use these oils so I will continue to do so until they don’t work.

Blessings to you my friends!

Images used:

http://d21c.com/micjam/Winter/Think-Spring.jpg

http://healthfoundationsbirthcenter.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/essential-oils.jpg

Even Keel

Hello, friends!  

I realize it has been a very long time since I've posted anything.  Life has been...let's just say...beyond crazy for the last weeks and months.  

For part of that time, I found myself in a dark place.  This is uncharted territory for me as it has always been a point of pride--smugness--that I could handle whatever life threw at me with the grace of God and supportive family and friends.  

Turns out I was wrong.  Oh, I still had God, family, and friends on my side.  I needed more.

Apparently one person can only take so much crap thrown at them before there is a breaking point.  Or at least a crack in the foundation.

The cumulative stress of being treated for (and cured of...YAY) breast cancer, another dismal year in the farm economy, major surgery for Captain, and extended cold snaps beat me down enough that it affected my health by way of ulcer-type stomach symptoms.  

That's easy enough to treat, right?  They have all kinds of medicine for that.  So I started taking it.  Two weeks later when it was no better I finally made an appointment with my family doctor to talk about treatment for depression.  I'm not ashamed of having to take medication for this, but I'm not totally comfortable with it yet, either.

Meanwhile, for the stomach issues, I made major diet and lifestyle changes.  Folks, I haven't had any coffee--none--in three weeks.  Actually, make that I haven't had any caffeine of any sort in that amount of time.  I don't eat anything with tomatoes in it.  I've been eating a lot of scrambled eggs, peanut butter sandwiches, and any sort of chicken soup or entree.  I've even resorted to Ensure drinks to make certain I am getting enough protein.  

I also started using essential oils (peppermint) as a topical rub and aromatherapy in a diffuser to try and combat the stomach stuff.  I sleep with four pillows behind me...so basically sitting up in bed.  

When I had my implant exchange surgery I thought that would relieve some stress.  Nope.  Now I was having increased anxiety with ridiculous and illogical thought processes.  

Back to the family doctor for a follow-up.  He assured us that after a negative abdominal CT scan, H. Pylori test, and EKG/Holter monitor testing the most likely cause for the stomach issues was situational stress, depression, and anxiety.  He adjusted the medication dosage, and we'll see how that goes for the next little while.  

I said I wasn't ashamed of having to take medication, and I'm not.  I'm--what's a less harsh word than ashamed--that I got knocked off my even keel and have actually been sort of wallowing in victim mode for a few weeks.  

I don't like that.  At all.  

So I'd ask you, dear friends, to pray for me.   That God heals me and makes me whole again.  Or, if that's not the plan, that God gives me the strength and courage to find ways to manage these health issues and not fall into whiny butt victim mode.  

Images used:
https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/h/huberthhumphrey/152600/huberthhumphrey1.jpg

Toddler Talk

Someone asked me recently why the blog posts had been few and far between.  Partly because I was distracted by medical appointments and then harvest and partly because I just wasn't feeling it.  Call it writer's block or whatever you want...there was just nothing in my head that was worth sharing with anyone!

Thank goodness for Cubby to get the old creative juices flowing again.  I do believe she is going to supply me with endless material over the next few years!!

We've seen quite a bit of Cubby in recent week since Young Man is helping Captain in the field with harvest.  Being a whopping three years old now and possessed of a fierce will and strong opinions, there have been some interesting conversations!

One night after she heard me have a heated discussion with Captain that included me shouting a blasphemous expletive on the phone, she asked if Grampa was naughty, which I assured her that he was!  When she saw Captain moments later, the first thing she said to him was "[insert blasphemous expletive] Grampa, you're naughty!"  Ooops...bad Gramma!

Another day when she was in the house with me, we were scrolling through my Facebook timeline because she likes to see the pictures.  It happened to be Veteran's Day, and she stopped scrolling when she came to an image with the American flag and an eagle.  She looked at it for a minute, looked up at me, and bellowed, "'Murica!"  Man, I love this kid to pieces!

Later that same day when Captain and Young Man came in from outside to have lunch, Captain was moaning about something, and Cubby turned to him with her hands on her hips and told him, "Grampa, quit your whining!"  Could she BE any cuter?!  Out of the mouths of babes, eh?

I know Molly gets a little upset when I say this, but the Gramma gig is the best thing ever and I just had to share some of it with you!

Images used:
http://blog.dappersnappers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/resistingarest.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/20/27/c1/2027c1111fb08f133402fb45fa2daf4e--crush-funny-writer-humor.jpg

Harvest Happenings

Any of you who know someone who is trying to farm right now...you know how darn frustrating this fall has been! I’ve never seen anything like this weather.  We went from summer to winter with no really fall-like weather.  

And the rain/snow wet yucky stuff is not helping either.  If you didn’t have all of your soybeans harvested before that snow a couple of weeks ago...you may or may not have another opportunity to finish them this year.  I know this because we have 80 acres of soybeans out there waiting, but until it dries out, there is nothing we can do about it.  

We do have a bright note in our harvest adventures this year.  Cubby has joined the crew!

Sparky was not able to help us out this year due to a new job and different hours.  Everyone is sad about this.  

Young Man stepped up and agreed to help Captain with harvest at night and on weekends which has been most helpful.  Along with Young Man came Cubby.  

She has been most excited about "going farming" with the guys, and she has fairly firm opinions on things for a toddler. Case in point: If you see her, ask her if she thinks Grampa is any good at driving the grain cart.  

I’m not going to comment on maintenance, repairs, or parts runs so as not to jinx the situation.  I’ve done that before and learned my lesson!!

My contribution, as usual, is taking over Calf Country.  This wasn’t a burden during spring and summer at all.  Then I got that 6-week break after surgery.  Now that all my restrictions have been lifted, I have resumed my duties...in the cold and dark.  

I can handle the cold okay because I have all the appropriate outerwear needed for that.  It’s that dark thing that throws me for a loop.  Scoff all you want...I get anxiety attacks when I am in the dark alone.  Maybe I should have my cell phone on speaker and call someone while I am patrolling Calf Country in the dark.  Hmmm…

My other contribution is watching Cubby when it isn’t conducive for her to be in the field with her daddy and grampa.  I have learned something during the last couple of visits to Cubby’s house.

• I think three year olds are smarter than they used to be.  
• There is something out there more annoying than Barney.

Don’t believe me on either one of those things?  Here’s how I can convince you.  

1. Give any three-year-old that you know a smart phone to play with, and they’ll master it better than you do.  
2. Put in a DVD of Paw Patrol.  

I raised two kids who were crazy about that purple dinosaur, so I suffered for a couple of years watching countless episodes of him and his friends over...and over...and over.  

I’m here to testify that Paw Patrol is worse.  Trust me on this one.  I can't even pinpoint what exactly it is that irritates me so badly about it. I normally LOVE cartoons of any variety, but this one isn't doing it for me.

Apologies to Cubby and all others out there in Toddlerville who think Paw Patrol is the best thing since sliced bread.  We’re just going to have to agree to disagree on that one!

What happened to the good old cartoons like Scooby Doo (which, actually is a favorite of Cubby’s); Bugs Bunny; the Grape Ape; Speed Buggy; Rocky and Bullwinkle...where are they when we need some good honest entertainment?

Alas, harvest happenings mean I can’t take the time to figure that dilemma out.  Maybe when we are burrowed in over winter I will spend some time on that question.  Until then, stay safe in the fields pals of mine and prayers for a bountiful harvest!

Images used:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e8/6a/91/e86a917fc5c533e9ccc19ed8987e6733--cute-puppies-cute-dogs.jpg

http://quotesnhumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/25-Quotes-about-Faith-and-Encouragement-1-faith-quotes-sayings-1.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/91/6b/0c/916b0c2c32a86b1dc432aeb481c878f1--mom-humor-teacher-humor.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7b/9a/38/7b9a383e90fe157c71cfe86dfafc576d--memes-mom-work-memes-humor.jpg

Recovery Journey

I went to my breast cancer support group last night.  These are lovely ladies who have all faced breast cancer and survived.  Their stories aren’t mine to share, but I will say that after listening to some of their stories, I am so thankful that my journey was as smooth as could be expected.

My stock answer over the last eight weeks when someone asks how I’m doing is, “I’m doing very well, thank you.”  

It’s a true statement, and sometimes when I realize how much worse my journey could have been, I almost feel a little guilty.  A variant of survivor’s guilt I suppose.  Why do other people have such terrible struggles and I pretty much just sailed through the whole process without a hitch?  I don’t know.  Yet.  But God had a reason for it, I’m quite certain of that!

My road to recovery was paved with quite a few laughs.  I’ve said all along it’s laugh or cry, and you might as well laugh about what you can.  Crying gets you nowhere.  

Like when the plastic surgeon came into my hospital room for rounds the day after surgery and informed me that I had “very nice cleavage.”  Trust me when I tell you...that is the first time THOSE words had been uttered to or about me!  But...yay!

Part of my surgery was the placement of the tissue expanders.  These are basically rigid plastic air balloons.  Once those are placed, they strap on this torture device called a breast binder.  It’s a girdle for boobs.  I’m not sure what the logic is for putting major compression on balloons (wouldn’t they pop or deflate??)  but no one asked me.  

Under the binder were surgical dressings--one for each boob--and a foam shaper thing for each boob.  When it was time for me to take the first shower postoperatively, all of that had to come off and put back on again.  

I’m here to tell you that the foam shapers and the surgical dressings were no problem to get in place again, but to get that binder on was like trying to put an angry cat in a burlap sack.  It was pretty much a lesson in futility.  Poor Captain...I’m sure that wasn’t what he thought he’d signed up for when he agreed to nurse duties!

Luckily I was able to ditch the dressings, shapers, and binder within a week.  That just left me with a drainage tube on each side.  At the point where the tubes exited my torso, there was a small padded and medicated foam disk in place to protect the incision opening from infection.  Over all of that was a rectangular TegaDerm dressing.

Turns out I am allergic to whatever is in that medicated foam disk, and I developed painful blisters underneath of them that have left scars.  Amazingly, that allergic reaction was the worst part of the recovery process.  

Once the drains were removed, recovery was quick.  I still had to take a nap every day which was a foreign concept to me.  I have just never been a napper because I always feel crappier after the nap than before.  After surgery, however, my body gave me no choice, and I would just nod off in my recliner about 2:00 every afternoon.  

By four weeks postoperatively, I was feeling almost back to normal, and as I look at returning to work next week at the 8-week mark, I can say with 100% confidence that I have fully recovered from the surgery.  

This means that all lifting restrictions are over and I am back to being in charge of Calf Country.  On a brighter note, I can also now pick Cubby up and hug her like I used to!  My PA-C tells me I can try to bowl next week, so we’ll see how that goes.  

I couldn’t get the implant exchange surgery scheduled until late January at which point I will have six weeks of restrictions again.  This actually works out well due to Captain’s impending hip replacement surgery in December.  This way, one of us will be hale and hearty when the other is down and out.  I guess that’s what that whole “in sickness and in health” thing was about in our wedding vows.  

I am so very thankful for the smooth recovery process I had and for all of the love and support my family and I were shown in the last two months.  

For everyone out there who is on a survivor’s journey...my prayers are with you every day that you too can or will be able to say, “I’m doing very well, thank you!”

Images used:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1971/3101/products/hope-pink-ribbon-sign_0958ccc3-b4e6-4403-9230-def44ab00a03_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500332589

https://i1.wp.com/tonipayneonline.com/poetry/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/quote-about-making-the-best-out-of-life-with-loved-ones.jpg?fit=640%2C640

https://alzheimerscareresourcecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/a98cbef32a354f7e4b290a21b23c2ca2.jpg

http://prima.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cc5c69e2019b00bb31bf970b-550wi

Helping Hands

The Lord helps those who help themselves.  This is what us hard-working Midwesterners say all the time.  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, right?

I’ve followed that creed all my life, fostered by watching my mom and dad work hard when I was a kid and then seeing Captain work hard as well.  And I pitched in too.

It would be rare for someone to say that there is any moss growing on me.  I stay busy.  I’m not trying to blow my own horn here, I’m just setting up the background.

So for the past three weeks, I have not been able to do for myself, and it is vastly more difficult than I would have imagined.  I was not raised to sit idly by while someone else scrubbed my kitchen floor (thank you, Milly!) or cook food for me or an array of other household tasks.

I have to say...it has been extremely difficult and I haven’t always played nice about it.  I think I have gotten to that stage of recovery where I am too well to be sick but too sick to be well.  Know what I mean?

Moms...you know what I’m talking about.  When you had two or more kids sick at the same time, you knew everyone was on the mend when they started bickering amongst themselves again.  That’s where I am at.  

I don’t LOOK sick and for the most part I don’t FEEL sick.  But somewhere between noon and 2:00 everyday, I have to give in and take a nap.  I’m not used to that and I don’t entirely like it.  

This is where I was at when I woke up yesterday morning.  Dipping my toe into the Pity Party pool and ready for a good wallow.

Then I turned on the news and the wallowing was stopped in an instant.  

I can’t imagine the turmoil that is happening in hundreds of lives today because of the actions of one individual filled with...we don’t even know what yet.  Hate...despair...jealousy...revenge.  I don’t know if knowing why will make any difference or not.  

All I know is that I am feeling so thankful today for the health and safety of everyone who is important to me, including myself.  I look at the whiny ass episode I was set to embark on yesterday, and I am ashamed of myself.  

My heart goes out to anyone who was personally affected by the tragedy in Las Vegas yesterday.  My prayers continue to be that God is with us to guide us so that someday we can follow his command to love one another.  Always.

Take a minute to be grateful today and to praise God for the blessings in your life.  

Image used:
http://img.picturequotes.com/2/609/608443/helping-others-quote-3-picture-quote-1.jpg

Batten Down

Hello again friends!  

The last few days have been sort of a “batten down the hatches” kind of plan.  I’m trying to get things lined up for when I’m recovering from surgery.  

I spent a lot of time over the last few weeks canning.  I’ve got 32 quarts of dill pickles, a few quarts of spicy dilly beans, 45 pints of green beans, and 10 pints of pasta sauce.  I will do 10 half pints of pizza sauce tomorrow night, and then I’m done.  Whatever tomatoes ripen from here on out will be canned by Captain’s mom after she gets back from Spokane on Sunday.

Molly came over last night and helped us clean the house.  I don’t understand how it gets so dirty when it’s just the two of us here!  But, thanks to Molly, now it is fit for company.

I’ve got things lined up at work, and the awesome people that are in my work unit helped me figure out who is going to do what while I’m away.  If you ever think that you are unimportant in your job...think about who would do what you do for two months, and you will realize quickly that you are integral to the whole process!

The one thing I didn’t get done is my landscaping.  I have tiger lillies, sedum, and hostas should have been divided this fall.  I guess it has waited this long, another year isn’t going to hurt anything!

I did make a Hobby Lobby/Joann Fabric run on Saturday, so I am stocked up on yarn as I am told that crochet is an acceptable activity postoperatively.  Yay, because I have eight blankets I need to get started on soon!

The other thing that is on my mind is Calf Country.  I won’t be able to feed calves when Captain is milking, and with harvest right around the corner, this is going to complicate things for him.  He’ll make it work because that’s just the kind of guy he is, but it still worries me.  I’ll put it in God’s hands and see what He can come up with!

So many of you have offered to help in whatever way you can that we need, and we truly, truly appreciate that!  We’ve had more offers than we’ll ever be able to use for household/yard type stuff.  It makes us thankful, again, that we live in a close knit rural community.

I would ask for each of you to pray for me and mine.  This is a scary time for all of us, so every prayer we can get is a good thing!

Blessings to you my friends!

Images used:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c8/c5/4c/c8c54ccd8eac6d4b520e131ec5f76c7d.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/24/1b/bb/241bbbd6175602871da102c67a4fc632--hope-quotes-butterfly-kisses.jpg

http://quotesblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/be-joyful-in-hope-patient-in-affliction-faithful-in-prayer-bible-quotes.jpg