Basics of Survival

Monday, July 16, 2012

Wow... time really flies by quickly!  My blog posts are coming in on Mondays instead of Sunday... hehehheee... more like Monday night into Tuesday.  *grimace*  Making myself sit down in one place to type feels just too much like homework... ahhhhhh.... manga.  *wide grin*  I get easily distracted... or rather, I intentionally allow myself to become distracted.  *wink*

Anyways... what I wanted to talk about... there are 3 things floating in my head right now: personal annoyance with post-chemo weakness, super excited feeling that God totally answered my prayers about getting a purple/black paintball gun super cheap, and joy at time spent with my husband and brother taking a basic survival course.  *super wide smile*

Today, since I'm lazy... I'm just going to write about the survival course!  This course started as a Groupon gift for my brother, Winston.  So exciting!  I get to spend time with my brother and husband learning some really cool stuff!

Debris shelter came first:
1.  Choose a good location, out of wind and potentially damp areas.  Ideal goal is to build the shelter facing east, head higher than feet if the ground isn't flat, and over a slight mound where materials are readily available.
2.  Framework built of a sturdy thick ridge-pole with smaller ribs leaning against it, triangular shape, to shed water and a sturdy doorway.  If the frame's gaps are too big, can weave smaller sticks through the ribs to shrink the openings.  Size of the shelter's framework should be as small as possible to wiggle into!
3.  Pile 4-6 feet of loose debris over the frame, about 10 inches of debris as ground insulation, and more loose debris inside the shelter as a blanket.  Goal is to minimize air-space.  Treat the debris like a blanket.  What is debris you ask?  It's all the loose dried leaves and sticks and dirt you can find laying around!
4.  Wriggle into the shelter and pull debris to block the entrance-way... supposedly 2-3 feet thick.  How do I pull that much stuff behind me in a tight spot?

Here's a video of me climbing into the partially-made debris shelter.  This was a group effort of 8 people in 40 minutes.  The shelter has a lot of wasted space in it's length and not enough debris, but I gotta say that it was sturdy enough to walk on!  *wide grin*  Thank God I didn't notice any bugs!!!

Kristy climbing into partially-made debris shelter

Starting a fire... now this is difficult!!!  The instructor started his fire from nothing in less than a minute!  Looks sooooo easy... it's not!

First we had to carve our own fire-making tools.  A sharp knife in one hand, wood in the other... I carved a spindle (pointier on the top than the bottom), tied power-cord to a slightly curved stick for the bow, and gouged divots and notches into wood.  Now that I have my set of fire-starting tools... I'm ready to start!  My left foot steps on the rectangular piece of wood with a leaf under to catch the "coal."  This coal is what's supposed to start the fire in a nest of loose string fibers.  I loop the spindle into my bow, pinning the spindle between the rectangular piece of wood and another wooden handle, left arm wrapped around my left leg, attempting to pin my wrist to my shin.  Slowly, my right hand pulls and pushes on the bow causing my spindle to spin... faster and faster and FASTER!  Look!  A little smoke... okay, even faster now... Oops... I lost my tension on my handle and my spindle goes flying.  The little bit of blackened wood dust heated by friction slowly smokes... next thing I know, any sign of smoke or heat is gone!  *sniffle*  I can't seem to get that last step to create a proper coal that will ignite the fluffy fiber nest.  *sigh*

After the class, at home, my brother, Winston, my husband, Noel, and I attempted to create fire with no success.  *deep sigh*  At least we got the wood smoking!  =D

Me learning to create the tools to make a fire!

Noel stringing his bow... gotta get just the right tension!

Winston working hard at creating friction... will it succeed?  

Noel and I trying to create enough friction to produce a "coal."  My arm's sooooo tired!

Winston and Noel still trying to start that fire!  =P

Lord Father in Heaven, thank you for a wonderful time with my brother and my husband!  Even though I was super excited to create fire... it didn't happen.  Thank you, Father God, that I was able to experience this past day of fun!  The chance to learn how to create a proper shelter... I've always tried building shelters as a kid, now I have the knowledge in how to build one to survive in!  YAY!

And God... fire is just awesome!  Thank you for the opportunity to make tools that can start a fire!  This just gives me incentive to practice!  Someday, I want to start my own fires by not using any matches.  *wide grin*

Above all, Lord, thank you that I had enough strength to enjoy this survival course.  I got worried when I had to take a rest-break in order to climb to the meeting area... but Lord, you provided that I didn't have to carry anything heavy or attempt to go beyond my endurance threshold.  *wide smile*  Thank you, Father, for teaching me how to boil water with rocks, how to create my own wooden container, and the chance to enjoy the experience this day without getting too cold or fatigued.

Lord, I praise your name as my heart sings for joy.  I thank you for the blessings of this life and these experiences!  Father God, thank you that you open my eyes to see the provisions your set for me so that I can enjoy life even more.  Thank you, God, for the knowledge that you are my strength... even as I grumble when my body fails me, Father, the fact that I can still participate in this basic survival course is a miracle.

Thank you for blessings on blessings layered on blessings!  In Jesus' name I praise my Father in Heaven, amen.

Overview of Backyard project =D

Monday, July 9, 2012

I finished collecting everyone's permission to post these pictures.  =D 

For those following my blog... thanks!!!  I've decided to include pictures of the overall progression of my backyard these last couple of years... Heeheheeee... I'm shocked as I look over these pictures!  It's hard to even imagine so much change is possible.  =O

Sometime in October 2009, I got a notice from our home owner's association that my greenhouse was in violation of the rules... the roof stuck over the fence top, visible to the local community.  *sniffle* I want to keep my greenhouse to help grow my orchids. *sigh*

Hey wait!  If I put the greenhouse slightly underground... no problems!  I'll dig a 2 foot hole, set my greenhouse into the ground with retaining walls to keep out the dirt and create a drainage system out past the fence where the dirt level is even lower! 

So starts the backyard adventure on December 29, 2009.

I gather a whole bunch of youth kids, friends, and family to dig a 2-foot hole... After all, I can't do it all myself right?  *smirk*  This is called voluntary slave labor by some... I call it a community-building event that teaches use of unique tools and techniques.  =D

From left to right: my Dad, Andrew L, Derek L, John P, me, David K, Eric V, and Cricket (Noel's busy with dumping dirt).  All the weeds and little roots really bound the top 6 inches of soil in place so we cut chunks of dirt out in squares.

 

 

 

 

2 jackhammers, numerous shovels, 2 wheelbarrows, and hours of insane back-breaking work!  Thank you everyone for helping dig, shovel and move dirt for hours...  Thank you for loving me and blessing me!  I really enjoyed working with all of you doing this crazy back-breaking labor... *deep bow*

Janurary 9, 2010: Another day... D Bo, Noel, and my Dad dug until the very end.  Success!  =D  Hehehehe... D Bo... you helped me dig the hole, then you helped me fill it!  *smirk*  Such inefficiency on my part.  And Dad, thank you for teaching me so much growing up that I am able to design, build, and execute so many personalized unique home projects.  *big hug*

I think D Bo and Noel are ready to kill me!!!  Ummmm... sorry everyone, a _little_ more work than I expected!

An unhappy husband drafted into clean-up duty... but at least the greenhouse is fully set and leveled!  YAY!!!

May 11, 2011:  So many weeds!  The backyard isn't very useable... but my orchids are really happy!

Looking at this backyard... *deep sigh*  I've got a decent amount of backyard space I can't use... and if I sell this house, how many people want a greenhouse buried in the ground with a step to get into it?  *tsk tsk*  I can't host any backyard parties here... too messy.  Grrrrr.... what to do... what to do?  *deep thinking*

Oh... I know!  I'll sell the greenhouse, fill in the hole, and landscape the backyard!  *wide grin*  Big project here I come!  Hmmmm... I think I'll need help again.  Who should I ask this time?  Ah... I know!  I'll ask some paintball friends, friends from work, friends from church... that should do it!  I prayed for free dirt with minimal rocks to be delivered to my house on May 14, 2011.  Okay... dirt, check.  Friends, check.  Shovels, check.  Jackhammers to compress the dirt, check.

First batch of helpers: Noel, me, Brandon, D Bo, David & Jean... yay!!!  We're ready... I think?  =O

Howie also arrives to help, hurray!!!  The amount of dirt is more than I expected...  I'm so thankful for friends willing to participate in a crazy ridiculous amount of hard labor.  Silly me didn't listen to Noel when he said we'd have too much dirt...so, we got too much dirt.  I'm so thankful for everyone who dug from about 11am to 6pm... unending digging, moving, and pounding... you guys worked so hard and accomplished so much!  *super heartfelt hugs*  Our jackhammer broke so we rented this beast to compress the dirt... *scary*  This machine jumps so only the guys handled this thumper.  *shudder*  Thank God no one got hurt! 

After 7pm, with so much dirt still left, I almost cried in despair!  Thank God friends from church came to the rescue!  So starts the second batch of helpers to move the excess dirt and pile it loosely over a perfectly flat backyard.  *sniffle*  Poor Noel, he never stopped digging!  Sorry Hubby...

Everyone in group 2 dug dirt and cleaned until midnight (in the rain):  Dustin & Valene, Melissa & Josh, Matt T, Robert and Noel in the back.  Thank you everyone in both groups that helped out on this crazy day... I was totally out of my depth!  Grrrrr.... stupid prideful me... I drag everyone into a project, hard-core beyond reason... because of what?  Because of my pride and not listening to Noel's warning!  *deep sigh*  The amount of dirt moved by hand was beyond anything I ever imagined possible... thank you for the love, patience, and strength you showed me as each of you sacrificed so much time and energy, covered in dirt and sweat... putting aside your personal time and plans... in order to shower me with your friendship and love when I desperately needed your help... thank you for being there!  *deep bow*

This is the result of Kristy getting too much dirt (20 cubic yards)... if only I got 10, it would have been perfect.  *tsk tsk*

May 16, 2011: Got rid of the extra dirt.  This is me digging and raking the ground flat after work.  Much better right?  Backyard design assisted by my neighbor, Chloe.  =D

May 19, 2011: Chloe and I organizing rocks to edge the planting areas.  This girl is awesome!  She was only 7 at the time and performed the following tasks with me: chiseled and shaped sandstone, organized the large flagstones into a pattern like a large puzzle, then mixed and even set the concrete!  How many kids can say that they've done all that?  Wow!  I also want to thank our neighbor, Andy G, for helping me carry and move the heavy sandstone when you didn't even know me yet!  Thank you, Andy, for being such a blessing... you saw that I needed help, and you came.  =D

May 20, 2011: Poor D Bo... you've done just about a LOT of _everything_ in my backyard project!  Wow... I'm beyond thankful for the friendship God's blessed us with and your willingness to always give a helping hand.  *deep bow*  Here's D Bo chiseling away to shape the flagstone... then he helped me set a large section of it in concrete while dripping sweat.  =D

September 22, 2011:  Me and Joan with a large root... gotta remove the root so that we can grade the ground flat.  But boy can this girl dig, chop, and cut!  *eyes wide open*  So strong!   She also chiseled sandstone, puzzled out their proper fit, and helped set the flagstones into concrete.  Thank you so much Joan for your friendship and your help!  I love spending time with you... you're so strong, smart, creative.  Wow!

September 28, 2011: this is what laying out the flagstones look like... this part actually takes a LOT of work (especially if you're cheap like me and want to minimize waste)  =D  Here, you can see the work of D Bo in laying out the lighter stones, Noel and Chloe in filling the areas between the flagstones, and Joan in the handiwork and layout of the red flagstones.  With each step of this backyard project... vast improvements in technique are observed...  but would I do this project over again?  Are you crazy?  I'll do someone else's backyard, but my backyard's never coming apart!  *wink*  I'll live with my mistakes.

June 23, 2012: Our neighbor, Stephen, and Noel working together on grinding the sandstone flat... partially because the flagstones weren't laid perfectly even, but also because we tucked little pebbles in the concrete and wanted to grind the pebbles flat with the rest of our backyard surface.  =D  A HUGE thanks to Stephen for helping move and shape the stone, lift heavy machinery, grind the backyard so beautifully flat, and dropping by to help with many more bits here and there than I can mention!  Stephen... you're really awesome!  Thanks for always helping!!!  *thumbs up*

To my husband, Noel... I can't even say enough "thanks" for the support, uncomplaining assistance, and long-term patience with my insistence on executing these insane projects.  This backyard project is only the fourth large-scale project, but this one has definitely been the longest!  Thank you Hubby for always believing in me when I tell you that "in theory, my projects will work, but I've never done it before."  *wide grin*  Hub-chan... your tolerance and strength amaze me over and over again... instead of throwing fits of anger or yelling... you continue to support me both physically and emotionally... even when I'm wrong.  *big hug*  Love ya lots, Noel!

And last, but not least, Father God, thank you for making EVERYTHING possible!  The time, the will, the vast support you've provided in executing this backyard project.  Through you, Lord, I've met so many neighbors, gained new friendships, learned new techniques, grown stronger both emotionally and physically... Lord Father, you grow impossible dreams of mine and make them possible.  A cool backyard project, neat... a long-term prayer for creating community with my neighbors, answered... a deepening of friendships, still growing... an appreciation for my husband, growing deeper and stronger... a clearer knowledge of myself (my strengths, my faults, my pride issues), yup... I'm definitely seeing a new part of myself... both good and the bad.  *wide grin*

Lord, I just love that you not only answer one prayer, but that you use circumstances to answer many prayers in almost impossible ways.  Thank you for the crazy impossible events I've experienced through this backyard project: the perfect timing of materials, assistance, support, weather... Lord, every single material placed into this backyard project was bought at a discounted price!  *awe*  In the smallest to the largest detail... Lord Father, when I look, I can see your hand at work in the extravagance of blessings I've experienced, in the safety and the completion of this project. 

Father God, I ask that before the end of October of this year, you help me fully complete this backyard project in its entirety so that Noel and I may host a neighborhood pumpkin carving event.  *wide grin*  This is my timeline and my prayer request... that the flagstone (even the little corners) get ground flat, stone sealed, rusted shelving painted, orchids hung from the metal shelves and automatic watering system complete.  *wink*  Not too much right?  Yeah right... I feel doomed... but Lord, even with my sister's upcoming wedding and all the associated preparations, work, obligations, the time to hang out with friends and family... even in the midst of everything Lord, I know that with your provisions, this project will soon be complete.  I can't wait for this project to be finished... I've already got another in mind.  Hehehehe...  *sheepish grin* 

Lord, I just keep pushing limits and boundaries huh?  Help me not drive my husband, nor my family and friends, crazy with new projects... instead, I ask, Lord Father, that you give me a heart to honor and serve with love those around me as you've blessed me with being served and so loved.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Memories of a fishing trip

Monday, July 2, 2012

So sleepy!!! 

This morning, I barely woke up in enough time to roll out of bed and scrub my face before running out the door!  *smirk*  I rested all weekend but still feel so tired... well, tired until I stepped outside.  For some reason today, I took a look at the sky... really took a look.  Filled with a carpet of soft grays and pale white, floating on a clean cool breeze... what does this sky remind me of?

Ahhhh, something about the weather today reminds me of times I go fishing with my dad.  Waking up super early, rubbing my arms in the chill wind, gazing at an endless gray sky... I remember stepping into our little zodiac inflatable boat with a hard metal bottom... rocking with the light waves.  Vroom.... my dad starts the engine as I unmoor the boat... quietly, we leave the dock and drift towards the vast open ocean.  Flying through the still bay, past the Golden Gate Bridge, out there... somewhere... wind flying through my hair, tangling with salt sprays, eyes wide open at the small specks of birds diving through the clouds... hope that, today, we will catch something big... but even without a single fish, the pleasure of a single boat ride is worth the quiet stillness during a long fishing trip.  The ride back home... *drool*  I miss sitting on the inflatable boat, legs clamped tight, one hand lightly clasping a rope, riding through the waves, flying, salt water spraying... peace, joy, hope... a little bit of memory drifting through my thoughts... so real, I feel as if I'm soaring through the ocean waves again.  Today, I sailed to work with my windows down, chill air stinging my skin, and eyes open, but seeing more than just a road.

I love fishing trips with my dad... floating with the waves, reading a book, enjoying the sun... just waiting for a fish to bite!  *wide grin*  Cleaning and gutting the fish... not so fun, but eating fresh fish... totally worth it!  *drool*

Happy Monday!!!

Next, I'm planing on showing you some pics of my backyard project from start to now... but waiting on getting permission from everyone in those pictures before I post it.  =D

Lord Father, thank you for enabling me to relive a little of my past.   Thank you for the ability to enjoy a cool breeze and gray clouds.  Thank you, Father God, for reminding me a little bit more about how good life really is and how precious my memories are...  Thank you for awesome fishing trips!

In Jesus' name I thank you, Father, amen.

Scary Backyard Project, part 2

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Noel and I couldn't lift the concrete grinder from the trunk of my car.  I'm too weak to carry my part of the load.  *sheepish grin* 

As usual, God totally provided!  Just as we realized that we couldn't pull the machine out.. into the complex comes Andy, our neighbor.  I'm sure we looked pretty helpless because after he parked his car, he came by to help.  *wide grin*  Yay!!!  Praise the Lord!   Two guys to lift the concrete grinder out of my car's trunk is much more effective than one guy and one weak girl.  *wink*

Now with the concrete grinder out of my car... we're READY!

Noel fights with the concrete grinder as I hold the hose out of his way.  Physically, I'm no use.  If Noel falls or the machine tips... not too much I can do.  There's no other way for me to help, so I pray.  I'll do my best to guard Noel while praying really really hard!  *sigh*  I feel really helpless and very useless right about now.  =S

Father in heaven, thank you for the opportunity to rent this machine again.  I ask that you help give Noel the strength and wisdom in managing the concrete grinder.  I ask that you guide his hands in how to approach each crease and crevasse.  Father, help guide the machine so that it runs smoothly and nothing breaks.  May the diamond grinding plate not fully wear out so we can get some money back!  *wide grin*  In Jesus' name I pray, amen!

Between periods of grinding, Noel rests while I spray water to clean the slippery silt.  Then we both squat down and take a close look at the ground to assess where still needs a little more work.  *wink*  Thank God for Noel... he really does a great job!

Upon Stephen's arrival (for those who may get confused, this Stephen is my neighbor), I go inside and chat with his wife and play with their dog, Mango.  Every now and then, I peek outside.  Wow!!!  Noel and Stephen really have this grinding thing down!!!  They take turns, one with the grinder, the other with a secondary hose to keep the dust down.  So efficient!  =D

By 2:45pm... it's DONE!!!  *drool*  The red stone inset with gray/white concrete really is beautiful.  The main part of the backyard is smoother than I ever expected!  As a bonus, we even got some money back because we only wore down the grinding plate halfway!  HURRAY!!!  *so excited*  (I love saving money!)  Important note: Stephen's technique and light touch with the concrete grinder prevented the grinding plate from getting chipped as badly this time around... leading to money back!  Heheheheee....  *happy smile*

Backyard is done!!!!  Well... almost.  I just have to grind the edges a little more with a hand grinder my dad gave me.... then it'll be finished!!!  In comparison to all the hard work Noel and Stephen did today... I did absolutely nothing!  Hehehheheee... I come up with crazy ideas... then I delegate.  *wink*

Next steps:  finish laying out the automatic watering system, clean and repaint metal shelves so that I can dangle orchids from the scaffolding, lay shade cloth so the orchids don't burn in the sun... then probably replant the veggie garden that just got demolished by the excess of 2-4 inches of sandstone mud particles.  *shock*  Who woulda thought that this project would be soooo messy! =O

Father in heaven, thank you for blessing me with the help needed to complete my extravagant projects that tend to require more work than initially expected.  *smirk*  Thank you so much for providing our neighbors, Stephen and Andy, as well as many many other friends and family and neighbors, to help with completing the surface of our backyard.  Without their help, this project wasn't going to go ANYWHERE!  I'm so happy that this year-long project is finally complete!  Hurray!!!!

Also Father, thank you for providing such a supportive hubby who is willing to help me complete these extravagant ideas that I can't complete on my own... thank you for placing into my life, my husband and partner... to work together... supportive and loving, strong and gentle. 

Thank you, Lord, for providing all that we need and more through the support of family and friends as Noel continues to search for a job.  In these 4 months with a significant decrease in income, Noel and I specifically want to honor you by continuing in our full tithes and gifts to missions as well as continuing to pay the same amount into our debts as before... To this point in time, neither Noel, nor I, have needed to dig into our savings!  Miraculously, Father, with your blessings, we are able to continue paying above and beyond into our mortgage... we are able to buy groceries without having to count the cost of each item... somehow Lord, even as we continue to give you our "first fruits" in regards to our money, trusting that you will provide... you have shown your power even in our finances!

Thank you, Father God, for the abundant peace that I can always find when I seek to follow and obey you.  Thank you for the partnership I continue to build with Noel as we face challenges together with you as our guide.

In Jesus' name I praise my Father in heaven for always providing above and beyond... amen!

Scary Backyard Project, part 1

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Just came back from renting a large concrete grinder with a 10" plate to grind down the uneven parts of our backyard.  The difference in our backyard is that we have a mix of flagstones and concrete with river pebbles imbedded into the concrete portion... really nice, but to expose the inlaid pebbles, we need to grind down the surface.  Heheheheeeee... everyone tells me that this is a "real custom project" and that "no one I know has ever done it before."

The tone in which I was told these phrases.... ummmm.... how can I say it.... sounded very... not confident.  Following those phrases were ones like "I think what you have planned will work" or "I'm not sure which rental equipment will work best for you, but this should hopefully do it."  Yeah... very convincing!  *wide grin*

I like my crazy backyard project!  When things work out... it works great!  When things go wrong... well... I've got smart people and God to back me up!  *impish grin*

The last time I rented the concrete grinder... Noel and I fully wore away the metal/diamond-coated plate until one of the bolts sheered off!  Well... that only finished like 2/3rds of our backyard and in less than 3.5 hours!

So this time around, the tool rental company was only willing to rent us their equipment on the basis that we buy a new grinding plate!  The cost!  *shudder*  But actually, they totally lost out on the deal last time... we wore out their machine so it needed to be fixed AND we demolished a brand new grinding plate... we only paid about 1/3 to 1/4 of what all that damage was worth with the rental fee.  *sheepish grin*

This time, the rental price is significantly discounted because we didn't get the equipment the whole day last time... but we pay for the grinding plate.  Still, If we break their equipment again, the manager states that they will take care of anything regarding equipment failure.  *cringe*  I don't wanna break anymore stuff!  =S

Father God, please protect us, this house, the equipment, our backyard stones and fence so that nothing breaks, gets chipped, or ruined in any way.  Father God, please protect me, Noel and Stephen as we work on the backyard together... keep us physically safe, help us be patient, have wisdom in how to use the equipment on the backyard with uneven ground, and provide us all a positive and fun-filled attitude as we work together to complete this project.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Dietary update

Sunday, June 17, 2012

One night, Noel and I were bored after dinner.  Flipping through Netflix... there's nothing good to watch!  Or at least, nothing that caught our eye.

Hmmmm... tired of scrolling through a TON of video titles... I decide that we will watch the next one that has 4 stars!

Ahhhhh... the video that we landed on is called "Fat, Sick, & nearly Dead."  Grrrrrr.... do we really have to watch this?  Sounds so boring!  *internal grumbling*  However... turned out to not be so bad.  The video's about an overweight man with medical issues... he decides to go on a veggie/fruit juice only diet.  The diet resulted in weight loss, improvement in health, and the determination to change his health life for the better.  Another guy with similar medical issues does the same process and likes how he feels so much that he convinces others to join him.

Why don't we try it?  We borrow my parents' juicer... sooooo much cleaning and looks like a lot of wasted side products.  How about the juice?  Ummm, not that bad... I couldn't live off of it though.  Nope... not happening.  *wry grin*

Recently being so tired, turns out that my red blood cell count is really really low again (7.7).  My doctor tested my iron... that was super low too!  My iron level was 12 as of June 12th.  Normal iron levels are between 40 and 160... so basically, I don't have enough iron for my body to produce red blood cells.

Okay... easy enough fix right?  I just have to eat more iron-rich foods... well, I'm eating tofu daily, beans, spinach... a lot of the main plant-based sources of iron... so if my iron levels are still low, that means that my body's not absorbing the iron I do eat.  Two reasons... I may need more vitamin C to increase my body's absorption of iron or... my body has difficulty with absorbing iron from plant products.  My other option is to eat meat.  Meat contains a more easily absorbed form of iron.  *drool*  Meat.... yummy!

The other day, I ate a single meatball my sister made... the next day... wow, I felt so alive!  *smirk*  Guess I'm a meat eater through and through huh?  Because of my iron absorption needs, I'll probably focus on re-adding small amounts of meat to my diet once or twice a week... maybe.  I'm kinda lazy in shopping and have actually gotten to love eating a more vegan-based variety of foods.  *wide grin*  Who woulda thought I'd ever say this?  =D

Lord Father God.... hehehheeee, thought I'd have fun and combine all the titles I use when I think of you... thank you for this life I have.  *hugs*  Even with the hardships and times when my body's not working quite right... I'm really enjoying it!  Thank you for this body I've been given.  Thank you for the work I'm able to complete.  Thank you for energy to make it through each day.  Thank you for my husband who shows me how much he loves me in so many different ways.  *wide grin*  Lord, I'm given so much... thank you for opening my eyes to appreciate your blessings so that I can more fully enjoy your gifts.  

You'd think I'd learn better ways to rest right?  Well Father, I'm having to re-learn it!  I'm so eager to pack my schedule, hang out with friends, see family, get chores done, and read manga... but slowly, I get drained more and more.  Father God, help me to balance my life a little... on my own, I don't have much motivation because everything interests me!  But I need rest too... so please give me the wisdom in how best to manage my life while honoring you!  As is... I use fatigue as an excuse to read manga and zone-out watching TV while flopped on the couch... but Lord, I find the most rest when I spend time with you (which I totally haven't been doing)... so Father, turn my heart around to prioritize spending time with you first, then family, then friends, then jobs and responsibilities.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.  *deep bow*

Hurray!  It's just so relaxing to live a life I don't need to worry about... to know that when I lean on my God, everything will be taken care of better than I can even imagine!  So the hard part?  Spending time with God and learning more of him so that I can better hear his voice.  I really do find it true that as I abide in my Lord Jesus Christ, I receive in abundance: peace, joy, fulfillment, hope... and the knowledge that my life is in the most capable hands ever!  What more can I want?  Well.... hehehheee... there's always a LOT of "things" I want... but so far... God's more than proven to me that he knows what I truly want and gives me the heart of my dreams... way better than getting a cheap substitution... I get gifted with gifts beyond my imagination!  And why?  Because I have a Father God who loves me so much that he delights in me regardless of my thoughts and my actions.... Yeah... you can say it... I'm spoiled!  Heheheheeeee... spoiled and proud of it!  *impish grin*

Happy Father's Day to all my Dads!  Laters!  =D

Health Update...

Monday, June 11, 2012

Hello Everyone!  Sorry for this late update... again.  I've been really tired since Bigfoot.  First week after Bigfoot, my body was reacting to cold food and cramping whenever my body temperature dropped.  Second week, dealing with nausea and increasing weakness.  This week, feeling super weak and slightly dizzy...  I'm easily out of breath when I walk fast or run up a single fight of stairs.  Sometimes, even carrying my little backpack feels like a huge weight dragging me down. *grimace*

Got my CT scan results... clear!  Got my lab work results... very anemic (hemoglobin of 7.7).  I'm just glad that my oncologist didn't require me to get a blood transfusion.  *wide grin*  Next step, I get my iron levels checked out.  The doctors will decide what to do from there.  *shrug*  I'm able to work, although not at optimum levels... so overall, I'm happy.

Enough gloomy talk... there's only so much I want to dwell on my health... or lack of it.  =D  God has provided me the ability to still work full-time.  The days I really feel tired and need to rest, somehow they fall perfectly on my days off.  Because of times I don't have strength, I appreciate and can look forward to days when I am strong.

So yeah... keep praying for me... to have wisdom in how I live and what I do... to have a positive attitude and be joyful in all situations.  I have much to live for and lots to do!  =D

Lord Father, I choose to follow you and to use my life to glorify your name.  Please give me the wisdom in how and when to expend my energy... and give me strength to follow you in what you've called me to do.  Lord, give me wisdom to not add more into my life than you want for me so that I don't get drained by my own pride and independence.

Father God, please give me the strength to continue work... to make it through each patient with a joyful smile and a heart focused on serving.  Help me be positive and trust that things I cannot do both at work, at home, at church... that Lord, you will provide an alternative or helping hand.  Lord, it's so much easier to be irritable when I'm so tired I feel like I'm on the verge of tipping over... my store of patience to any irritant is almost non-existent!  Father, give me peace of heart and your eyes so I can see others with the love that you have for each person.  Lord, help me to abide in you when I can't function well on my own.

Thank you Father, that Noel still doesn't have a job.  It's so nice to come home and have meals already prepared.  Having Noel home is a huge comfort and I'm grateful that I can relax with my husband after work... and he has both the time and energy to run the chores when I feel so tired.  =D  Heheeehehee... I have a personal nanny!  *wide grin*  (Thanks Hubby!)

Thank you, Lord, for the big and little blessings in my life... for the strength to keep going... for the 15-16 hours of sleep I got last night!  Yay!  In Jesus' name I pray, amen.