And yet another MRI

Well, I knew it was coming....a phone call to book me for another follow up MRI to check the surgical area where a brain tumor was removed exactly twelve years ago this month. My heart skipped a beat when the person on the end of the line indicated she was from VGH's MRI department. It is always a little nerve wrecking, especially waiting for results after the scan.  And then I was told there was a long wait - appointment October 2014....so I can relax for a bit :-)

These tumors have a nasty habit of recurring and I probably wouldn't have any symptoms to know if it is growing again until it would be life threatening, as this type of tumor will eventually displace the brain stem if it grows too large.  That is why the neurology folks keep checking. If my hearing and balance nerves on the left side were intact I would have warning signs. As it is, my hearing is gone on the one side and my balance as well, although my brain has retrained so I receive balance only from the right side now.

It is amazing really...the first few months after surgery I felt like one of those little kids on a playground merry-go-round. Dizzy would be an understatement and focusing was out of the question. After two weeks in hospital, I graduated to my parent's home for another six weeks while I learned to stay on my feet and walk a few stairs before finally heading home. And so I slowly continued to relearn balance. I can actually walk a pretty straight line now....just don't ask me to walk in the dark and it's all good.

For months I was part of an internet support group - all people who knew the agonizing slow recovery, the headaches, the tiredness, the frustration and just the fact that people made me realize that I had to adjust to a 'new' normal. The 'normal' I previously knew was gone but that was ok.  What a blessing from God that the internet can serve such an encouraging purpose.

And so I just had to write how incredibly thankful I am for each new day. We carry on in God's strength. I have learned so much from this experience, especially the incredible generosity and support of my family and church family. God is good!

"Ma, you're getting old...."

Yes, my dear sons say these kinds of things - boys are brutally honest and any sensitive bone in my body has been desensitized over the years :-) so I'm quite used to it by now.

Today, though, I came face to face with the reality of aging me thinks. I was making a purchase in a store and couldn't quite figure out why the price rang in cheaper than what I thought it would be. "Must be a sale today," I reasoned, but then decided to check the receipt once I was home. GULP...double GULP....I received a 'Senior's Discount'. Oh boy...maybe it's time to color the grey... But on second thought, I do love receiving discounts :-)

Charities

Ever wonder how much of your donations are going to administration, advertising, salaries? Here is a link with a wealth of information so you can make an informed decision before donating to any charity:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html

One of the very well known charities, World Vision, does a lot of advertising to get people to donate. We were absolutely shocked at the salaries of those in management with this organization. We're thankful that detailed information is made available - all one has to do is a little searching via that website.

Shopping Carts

I'm looking for advice/suggestions. Because we are likely relocating to an area that is within walking distance to a grocery store, I would love to walk instead of using the vehicle. So I've been searching for shopping carts to wheel groceries home.

My boys would probably disown me if I pulled one of these aluminum two wheeled shopping carts - not that I really care myself but I would rather our two remaining sons live at home for a while yet lol...

I came across the name 'Rolser' on amazon and was impressed....until I saw the price.... I'm wondering if there are other products similar to Rolser out there. Does anyone know?

http://www.amazon.ca/ROLSER-ROTATING-SOLID-BLU-included/dp/B009U2883A/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=ASYVY7AXXMCPW

Too busy?

“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, Secure in the Everlasting Arms

So, what DO you do?

I get asked this question more often than I like. Three boys are moved out, one still in post secondary and one in high school. So I'm supposed to have a lot of 'free' time...after all, I am a still a stay at home mom and, may I add, quite proud of the fact :-) When I get asked what I do for a job, I simply state that I work at home.

I remember, years ago, when it became more accepted for moms to head back into the workforce, my mother lamented the fact that there would be fewer women within the church to seek out those who needed help. You see, my mom was a stay at home mom but she gave so much of her time for the benefit of others - especially the sick, the handicapped, the lonely. She was and still is a quiet blessing to so many people.

I won't deny that there are legitimate reasons for some to seek work outside the home, but should working outside the home become one of our goals? Perhaps we need to look 'inward' instead of 'outward' for way to make extra money. On a typical day, I will often save $40 just by simply baking, canning, cooking, budgeting, and just leaving the car in the driveway and saving on gas. We don't need to insure our vehicle for work, I don't need professional type clothes, rarely eat in restaurants and don't focus on fancy vacations or weekend getaways.

We were blessed to hear Rev. Pol preach a sermon on 2 Cor 5:6-10. He encouraged us to spend our life on things that matter and to measure every decision and purchase we make against eternal value. He encouraged us to look for opportunities to serve. How can we serve if our schedules are so packed?

May we all pray that those God places on our path are not neglected. I fail often and Rev. Pol's sermon was a nudge to work harder at seeking out those who truly need a listening ear.

Our Handful of Guys!

Here is our handful of very energetic young men. This is one of the 'normal' photos of them....there is usually a lot of craziness when trying to get their pic.