Dear Souls...October Goals and Things





I'm not 'back' yet...but I am, if you know what I mean.

Your heartfelt words touched me deeply.  I am greatly appreciative of your kindness and your encouragement and your prayers most of all.

I had not realized how tired I had gotten in these weeks past.  I sometimes forget that emotional exhaustion exacts a deeper toll than hard work does. It seemed that so many things were being tossed at me and they lit like screeching monkeys upon my back. It is equally telling that the monkeys themselves were also the hold-up in each situation I was expected to attend to, but there you are.  Monkeys are not known for their reliability nor their acceptance of responsibility either.  However,   last week three major things were accomplished and a fourth task was at least started.  Three monkeys off my back entirely and one calmed down, seems like progress...My to do list is barely shorter but it's shorter by those things.



September has proven to be a busy month.  I've spent more miles on the road than you could imagine.  In the past ten days alone, I've spent roughly 10 of them travelling anywhere from 70 miles to 225 miles. Our gasoline costs have doubled.   Not a bit of frivolous driving in the lot of it.   It is what it is and as John is wont to remind me when I start to fret over gasoline costs, "We have to have it, so no need to fuss."

Katie's due date was originally near Thanksgiving but due to complications she's now scheduled for a C-section November 6. While the pregnancy has gone on normally enough, she is placenta previa so there is a danger should she go into labor, hence the earlier date.  The baby should be just fine.  Kate herself was born at 37 weeks and she thrived once I got her on a bottle.    Taylor has very much wanted a sister, but is resigned to a brother.  After all, regardless of sex, the baby will make her a big sister and that is the most important thing of all.  It is a status worth achieving.

In other news, Bess had her ultrasound this week and announced her baby's gender.  She's expecting a little girl and will deliver sometime in February.  Josh was less than impressed.  It seems that had the baby been a boy, he'd have had a room to himself.   Now that it's established it shall be a girl, the girl will obviously get the room to herself and he shall have to continue to have Isaac as a bunk mate.  Big brother status having long ago been achieved, it was the solo occupancy of a room that appealed to him most.  He got over the fact that Bess didn't bring home Mickey Mouse as requested last time once he saw Isaac and hopefully will be just as delighted when actually presented with a baby sister.  Isaac has no clue what is about to happen to his life, so who knows how he shall react.

Katie had most of the major things for her baby but the little things were wanting and boy little things do add up don't they?  All those came up to a right tidy sum and though I was putting something aside each pay period to buy for baby it was abundantly clear I wasn't about to meet the need.  The blessing came in an unexpected refund check for health insurance costs last year.  I wept like a baby when I opened that envelope and saw the check.  It's been very snug financially here and I couldn't fathom where we might possibly come up with still more money from.  Trust God to know the need and supply it!

About the only things I've really accomplished for my personal goals for September is to lose the five pounds necessary to get into those black jeans and manage a very small amount towards savings deposits for September.   I was pleased to report to John that we shall at least have repaid the one account for what we borrowed to cover the new foundation before we see the first anniversary of the work done, but I do not know if we shall ever meet the repayment of the other account from which we borrowed. This month's electric bill again showed a substantial decrease in usage over last summer.  It's such a pleasure to see that the work is paying off so well but having cold hard cash to put back into the account would be better still, you know?

Instead of pushing savings for vacation we dropped all plans to go anywhere at all in October.  It was a huge disappointment and a great relief all at once. I spent a few days waffling back and forth between emotions before settling down and accepting that this season too shall pass and vacation will be due when it's over.

I have few goals for October.  Mainly I want to get Mother Helper Meals for Katie  prepared and frozen.  She's given me a list of things she'd like to eat and I plan to try and get those made for her.  It won't be onerous or budget heavy as most will be single serves and can be portioned between our household and hers.  I'll just prepare the recipes as part of my menus over the coming month and freeze up a couple of servings for her use as I'm preparing them.

John has three weeks or so off in October and I shall have my hands full juggling his desire to spend time together with all the necessary stuff I must do for others.  That's pressure enough to make me mindful that any further accomplishments will be gravy.

In other news the pecan tree outside my living room window is a deep gold.   The blue Jays enjoy sitting in it and each time I see them I realize I have a living version of this picture on my living room wall:


Leaves fall daily from the trees and the ground is fully covered with them.  It is very much an autumn scene outdoors but it's all deceptive as can be.  Watch from the window and you may long to run find a sweater to pull on, but step out the door and the heat is stifling.  We saw temperatures well over 100 two days last week.  Our cool down spell has been mid-90s.  It's dry as bones outdoors as well but we've no more chance of rain  than we do cooler temperatures in the extended forecasts.  I shall miss the shade of those trees on the western side of the house these hot afternoons.

The propane truck pushed up the hill today and left without putting in a single gallon of fuel.  I was torn between disappointment and pleasure.  Disappointed because we've needed a topping up of fuel every September since we moved here and pleased because it's a savings to NOT have fuel put in and it means that my  savings towards filling the tank can sit in the account.  I'll happily take any relief we can get for our straining budget at this time.

My sole 'quiet day' was not planned.  It took place after I hit a pot hole at edge of the road I was winding down and it bent my tire rim, flattening my tire immediately.  I called AAA for help, as I have in the past but no help ever came.  No, nor did I have any follow up phone calls either.  An hour and a half later, I was rescued by Sam whom I'd called as a back up plan just in case, because I totally lost confidence in AAA when the girl assured me she'd been unable to reach anyone by phone but had 'dropped them an email"...  That little solo time getting more and more anxious was followed up by 2 1/2 hours sitting in the tire store waiting on them to repair the stud that had broken in two while Sam was changing the tire.  I do not like the smell of tires and by the time I left the place, I had a headache that bordered on migraine.  It was not a good day in any sense of the word and yet, I found I was patient enough overall as well I might have been since there was no one interested in hearing me fuss about it all!

So there you have September, as near as I can recount it.  I don't know when I'll be popping in again.  Part of me longs to be back and part of me resists adding even one more thing to the 'to do' list.  TTYL,
Terri

25 comments:

Lisa from Indiana said...

So glad to hear from you today :)

doe853 said...

I’m glad to hear from you, I hope October is better. Dale

Chef Owings said...

Glad to read this and know it's a bit better. Would love to sit at the table with a cup of tea and see that tree.

Remember GOD provides for your needs.

We too dropped AAA For lack of services that we were paying for but was never available when needed.

Blessings on you and yours.

Kathy said...

So nice to catch up!
Please take care of yourself, and we will be here when you feel like posting.

Anonymous said...

Good to see you back.

Shell

Anonymous said...

Oh, I was thrilled to see a new entry today! I've missed you dearly. I was tickled to see the change in wallpaper; it gave me hope that you would indeed return.

I don't have a blog but I journal nearly every day and honestly, I think it helps me sort out life, everything from the mundane to the extraordinary. I love looking back over time; some of the things I've gotten so worked up over just completely fizzled and I just shake my head. I wonder, sometimes, if I will EVER learn that God really does have everything under control.

Anyway, I'm tickled that you're checking in and I hope it won't be long before we chat regularly once again.

Mindy

Liz from New York said...

It sounds like you crested the hill! Hang in there, it will get better , I promise! Best, Liz

Sally said...

So happy to see a post from you!! Blessings to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Hi Terri! I can't tell you how delighted (truly...delighted) I was to check in and find your newest post. I've only read up to the paragraph regarding Katy's new due date due to the placenta previa (sp?). She and her new baby are in my prayers for a perfect outcome for all concerned. I confess that I was so happy at your new post that I had to take a little pause from my reading and let you know what a joy it is to hear from you! I can't tell you how many times I've checked in here to see if there was a new post...sending a prayer your way each time. :))). You are loved and appreciated more than you know! Your a light in my life, that is for certain.

Well my amazing friend, I am going to sit down and thoroughly savor this most welcome post and most probably will be commenting again, haha! You've made my day. More soon.

Much love,
Tracey
x0x

Anonymous said...

So sorry about your tire. The story about triple-A is simply mind-boggling! I've never heard of them behaving like that in over 30 years of using their services. How frustrating for you. I'm truly disappointed in them. So sorry you had to endure that. Thank the good Lord Sam was there as a backup.

Two new grand babies arriving within the next six months...such a blessing! As I've mentioned before, we haven't any grandchildren yet but I've learned so much by way of your shared experiences and appreciate your good examples...especially regarding loving helpfulness while still setting much needed boundaries! I'm tucking it all away for future use!

We were down in San Diego last weekend starting to clean out my Dad's house and eventually get it ready for market. Sadly, unless a miracle happens for us financially, in the next six months or so we will probably need to get it on the market. Mike was doing yard work while we were there and somehow pulled his hamstrings. The doctor estimates he will be off work for the next few weeks at least. We have insurance that pays us for time off when these kinds of injuries occur so that is a huge blessing. It's fun having him home but my routines are out of whack somewhat...good practice for his eventual retirement (we are about 5 years or more away). Well my kind friend, I am off to make a nice pot of afternoon tea! Again, a thousand and one thanks for the very welcome post. Please be kind to yourself and know you and your family are in our prayers.
Much love,
Tracey
xox

Anonymous said...

P.S. I really, really love that picture of the desk in front of the window with the two pots of red geraniums!
Xox

Anonymous said...

Glad you are back, we missed you. My college age daughter had a dead battery at school, it took all afternoon to get AAA to get someone to tow it. My husband's job pays for AAA but if it were coming out of the checkbook, I dont think it is worth it. Hope you have a good October. Kip

Conni said...

Dearest Terri,
My heart, with others here, did a ‘happy dance’ when I saw that you had checked in. Just this morning, (as in 0-dark thirty!) as I was praying for you and John, I mused on what it might be if we NEVER got a ‘visit’ again....what a hole that would leave (until, of course, we REALLY meet in Heaven!). So...I consider your post today as an extra special gift!
Stay well, remembering how highly you are regarded and loved here!

Shirley in Washington said...

Dear Terri - So glad to find a blog post from you today! It is wonderful to hear from you again. You and your family are in my prayers. I loved the thought shared in another comment about meeting in Heaven someday. What a warm, rich thought that is! Thank you for your update! Blessings, Shirley

Grammy Goodwill said...

I’ve been checking back frequently and was so glad to see this post.

Allegra said...

Thank you for the update, I'll keep praying for you and your family. Hope we see you back sooner rather than later - and this is not meant as putting pressure on you, but in belief that you will come back once things have calmed down sufficiently that coming back will feel like a pleasure, not a chore.

Lana said...

I am so glad to see your post, too. I was blown away by all the love and gracious response to me and my ugliness. This is truly a group like no other that I have seen anywhere in the blogging community.

My husband and I were out for dinner last night and it was one of those dinners where we were both in a good mood and the food and restaurant and the service were just top notch. Right in the middle of it he asked me if there was anything I used to do that I gave up after his brain injury and would I like to do it again. I about fell out of my chair. So I mentioned that I used to go to lunch with my friends and he said I should start doing that again. I can't help but think that it was this group praying for us. Much love to you all.

sparky136 said...

So glad to hear from you, Terri. I have All State Road side service and they have always been helpful.

Anonymous said...

Glad you are back! I mean this advice kindly. It is something I remind myself of. With you are expected to do for others, ask yourself, if I were not here who would do it? Very often the answer is they would have to do it themselves. What if I didnt have the money to help would they figure it out? They would have to. I hope you and John enjoy your time off and remember you have to take care of yourself first. You and John work hard and have certainly earned sone time alone and the money to do some special things together. We have to take care of ourselves first or we wont be taking care of anyone. When you fly they tell you if an emergency comes up and the oxygen masks are needed, put your own on first. Otherwise you may not be able to help anyone else. Gramma D


Leslie said...

Terri, I have been checking frequently to see if you were back. I’m so glad you are! It sounds as if life is very demanding of you just now. Please take care of yourself. I’ve missed you.

Chris M said...

Terri,

So glad to read your post ... peace be with you! Rest is good, well-earned, and necessary. Perhaps, you and John can think of his time off as a stay-cation and be mindful about time spent together and at home with not so much regard for getting work done.

Amy. H. said...

I’m so happy that you posted. I feel as if you’re my unofficial mentor. Please realize how much you help people. I think about you and your routines, struggles, and triumphs as I go through my daily work and struggles. I hope you’ll keep writing.

jnkbake said...

Teri, I was so happy to see you back! Even if it is for just a little bit. So glad to be updated on everything. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers.

Peggy Savelsberg said...

We were away for a few days with no internet. I was so happy to see your post once we were home! I will be praying for Katie, Bess and the babies. We found out last week that we will finally be grandparents as well! :) Take care, and will be looking forward to hearing more from you in the future as you are able.

Deanna said...

It was good to "see" you in my blog reader. When I was pregnant with my youngest I had a very difficult pregnancy. I decided that if I could make it to 37 weeks all would be well. My water broke early in the morning on the very day I hit 37 weeks. She weighed 5 pounds even (4 pounds, 11 ounces when we went home) and was absolutely perfect. I nursed her exclusively and she regained her birth weight by one week and gained another 10 ounces the next. All that to say that Katie's baby should be just fine, especially since she'll have the prayers of all your blog readers. :)