A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
Charles R. Swindoll
1934 -

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

- Mary Engelbreit (1952 - )

Gladsome Vernal Equinox!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring and it's the start of Spring Break! Yay!

Now that my boys are in college, they don't get the two weeks off that they did when they were in public school. We haven't got a lot planned for the week, but Stan is taking off an extra day so we can knock around together.  We're planning on catching a couple of flicks and maybe going out to eat a couple of times and I've got pulled pork sandwiches planned for dinner on one of the days after spending the day at the Y swimming and playing.

I keep thinking I need to plan these big outings, but I've been so beat lately. Not having a working CPAP to help me get a restful sleep at night I just don't have the energy to get out and do anything, much less being able to think of something to do, that I thought maybe we'd just hang out together. After all, isn't the important thing that we're a family?

I think so.  So this summer maybe we'll do a little more. In the meantime, I hope you all have a fun spring break too!

I Passed!

I had my sleep study last night.  This time they let me sleep with a CPAP and it went a lot better!  After being trussed up like a turkey with leads stuck all over me, I took a sleeping pill and went to bed.  I was there for nine hours and slept about five.  It was enough for them to get a good reading on me and hopefully we can take the next step, which is for my doctor to get the report and then get the insurance company to approve a new machine.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm so grateful that my home teacher and my son gave me a blessing, and for the prayers that helped me last night.  Believe me, I felt them.

Now I have St. Patrick's Day to look forward to.  Let's celebrate!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKENFD

In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, and then only, are you grown old.  General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)

Sleep Deprivation

I haven't been doing much lately in the way of my blog, or my writing, or much of anything else.  For those of you who don't know,  I use a CPAP to sleep with.  I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 15 years ago and have slept with one of those machines ever since.  It changed my life.  I went from not sleeping to getting rest and energy back again.

A few weeks ago my CPAP started acting up, and finally died on me.  My husband dug out my old machine from 15 years ago (and set for California's sea level altitude) and I've been using that.  The problem is it no longer works well, and I am exhausted.  All. The. Time.

My insurance said I had to do a sleep study before they would give me a new machine (they cost about $1500 so I cannot buy one myself).  At the sleep center they said I had to take the test without a CPAP to prove I still had apnea.  Since it's been so long for me on a machine I cannot sleep without it, and I never have slept without one at this altitude.  I failed miserably.  I am now waiting to redo the test.

In the interim I am so tired, always tired, and everything seems like a chore.  I feel weepy all the time and cranky and short tempered.  My arthritis, which is usually controllable to some extent, is going crazy since my body never really gets to rest fully, so now I'm figgity all the time trying to get comfortable.  My doctor gave me a prescription for some sleeping pills and they are helping a little, but now my husband and sons are telling me my eyes are puffy with blue circles under them.  Lovely.

The reason I'm whining about all this is to ask for your indulgence.  I'm not around much, not doing much.  I'm hoping this doesn't last too much longer and I'll soon be out there getting involved again.  In the meantime, don't forget about me!  I'm still here!  And I hope you are all out there kicking it up and have fun for me.

A Irish Poem

STANZAS TO ERIN

by J. J. Callanan

from The Poetry and Song of Ireland

Still green are thy mountains and bright is thy shore,

And the voice of thy fountains is heard as of yore:

The sun o'er thy valleys, dear Erin, shines on,

Though thy bard and thy lover forever is gone.

Nor shall he, an exile, thy glad scenes forget -

The friends fondly loved, ne'er again to be met -

The glens where he mused on the deeds of his nation,

And waked his young harp with wild inspiration.

Still, still, though between us may roll the broad ocean,

Will I cherish thy name with the same deep devotion;

And though minstrels more brilliant my place may supply,

None loves you more fondly, more truly than I.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled.

Edward Lucas
British Journalist
1962 -

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.


Christopher Reeve
1952-2004

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made.

Marilyn Monroe
1926-1962