Friday, October 2, 2015

Books...My Top Ten

     I was reading a list of someones top ten books and started to think about my own top ten.  I love to read.  A good day for me is getting to curl up and read until I am sleepy....and when I wake up, I read some more.  I don't get many days like that...my reading happens on my lunch break or when we are on road trips.  My favorite books are books that I can read over and over again.  And many of them seem to be classified as young adult ficiton.  The characters in the books come alive to me, and they always have.  I can forget about everything when I am wrapped up in a book (maybe that's part of why I love series so much).  Without further ado (because I know that you can't wait), here is my top ten favorite books (in no particular order of course)

1. The Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.  I remember checking them out of my church library in junior high...and being impatient when I was ready for the next book and someone else wasn't done!  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was one of the first books that I read to my class when I was teaching sixth grade a long time ago.

2.  The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.  I was one of those people standing in line waiting to get my copy as soon as it was released.  And I didn't sleep much until I was done with the book!  My stepson Shane was the first to tell me about these books and I was so excited to discuss them with him when we were both finished!

3.  The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper.  I don't know many people who have read these books, but I remember reading them with my students and we were all so excited to discuss the books.  Dont' watch the movie (The Seeker) based on one of the books...it's awful, but the book...wonderful!

4.  The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Love...and I love that my daughter loves reading them now too!  That's all I have to say about them!!

5.  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.  Again, another read-a-loud to my students.  Not a dry eye in the room as I read about Little Ann and Old Dan, including mine.

6.  The Hunger Game series by Suzanne Collins.  This series is one of the newest on the list, but I have read them all over and over again already!

7.  The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  This book tells the Bible stories in a different way, every story points to Jesus.  Most books say "the end" when it's done...but this one says "to be continued", what a great way to end a Bible!  It's for younger children, but Delainey and I read it together often.  This Christmas we are going to use it as part of our family Advent time.

8.  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  This is a daily devotional that really spoke to me.  There were days that I just sighed after reading the devotional and thought, yes...this is how I feel!

9.  The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.  A disturbing story that shows a future that isn't pleasant.  Sadly, I see things happening today that happen in the book.  I really think that everyone (especially women) should read this book!

10.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  I love reading about Jo March and her sisters.  I wished that I had sisters to fight with. love, play with, and just to have.  I still miss the bond of sisterhood, and I know that not all sisters act the way the March sisters do, but oh how this book made me feel like I had sisters!

    If you are stuck for a book to read, try one of my favorites!  Let me know what you think about my list!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Doctors and Dentists and Chiropractors, Oh My!

     The last few months have been filled with medical appointments of one kind or another at our house.  Every time we think we have one issue under control, another one surfaces.  I know that we are lucky to be able to see the medical professionals, but I am pretty tired of seeing them all....and there are several more appointments in the future.

     Delainey had a six week period where she was a walking, talking snot machine.  The poor girl went through boxes of tissue, coughed herself to sleep at night, and woke up sick to her stomach.  She missed the first day of school, was on antibiotics twice, and was not getting any better.  We think that we have finally found a medical comfort zone for her right now.  She is still taking her allergy medicine that our doctor has given her, we are using essential oils to supplement her allergy and sleep issues, and she is getting adjustments from the chiropractor on a regular basis.

     I don't generally have allergy issues, but I have been this year.  The allergies haven't hit me in the same way as Delainey though.  My eyes started to swell up and itch.  I had to use eye drops that were crazy expensive and still didn't seem to help.  Jim bought me an ice pack eye mask which helped, but how often can I wear that and work or drive?  When I saw the doctor about my eyes, his nurse realized that I turned 50 this year...so she has set me up with a doctor to have a colonoscopy.  I haven't made that appointment yet, I am trying to ignore it!  I also saw the chiropractor to help with some numbness that I have been having in my arm.  And then the dentist...last week 2 fillings, a root canal, and a temporary crown.  In 3 weeks, 4 more fillings and the permanent crown.  Yay me!

     Jim chipped a tooth and had to get crowns on his two front teeth.  Poor man hates the dentist, but was really happy with the treatment that our dentist gave him.  He started seeing our chiropractor as well.  Jim has had numbness in both of his arms for years.  I honestly don't know how he has dealt with it.  He seems to be getting some relief with the treatments.  Last weekend, he was having some heart pains.  He didn't want to go to the er after we were about half way there, so I took him home with the promise that he would see the doctor on Monday.  Tomorrow he is having a cardiac catheterization done.  We are hoping and praying that there are no problems, but are trusting that God will be taking care of Jim.

     When I look at all the issues that we have had, I sometimes get overwhelmed.  But, I am lucky that Jim and I have insurance to help with the bills.  I have confidence in the medical personnel we see. I know that we can get all this "stuff" under control and find our way back to healthy again.  It's not going to be easy, but Jim and I are to old to take our health for granted.  We have to work at it each day.  We need to set the example for Delainey so that she learns good habits that will keep her healthy as she grow.  It is a journey for us and we are committed to being healthy again!