Hello!
Happy
New Year to one and all. My new year started out feeling like I was going
backwards one hundred years instead of forward.
It all began on Christmas morning as I was preparing a big breakfast to
send Dawn and her family off (thankfully we had already opened our gifts Mon
night and Tues had our candlelight Christmas supper) when our sewer system
(that we've had for over 35 years) stopped up.
First the guys went up into the attic to check on the vent pipe to make
sure it wasn't blocked, then down underneath the house- Dawn leading the way as
she was smaller and towards the front the space narrows- to check to see if
anything was clogged and couldn't get to anything so with shovels and a iron
rod (after eating breakfast) they all began to dig down to the sewer tank. Not
exactly a task one would chose for Christmas. As figured the tank needs pumped
out. Dawn and her family finally left- all a muddy mess- early afternoon to
head back home with barely enough time to spare to get cleaned up before
heading to Randy's parents home calling out to me, "Merry Christmas,
Grandma, and a Happy stinky New Year! Dwight spent Christmas afternoon building
a temporary outhouse at the back of our property. This is one Christmas we
shall never forget.
Dwight
worked to get the line unclogged and able to use one toilet just as the rain
and cold weather arrived again- what a blessing! Right after the new year,
besides having to throw out all the dishwater etc over the front porch (I was
amazed at how much water one uses in the kitchen) as I was unable to use the
kitchen sink, our water heater went out.
So now I also had to start heating water too. By then I was feeling
quite overwhelmed. It has been a work in progress as Dwight has had to keep
unclogging the line and redoing the pipe work. The first Sunday of the year
instead of being able to go to church, I was busy running back and forth
between the two bathrooms that are located at the far ends of the house-
flushing toilets, running water in the tubs, and making sure they didn't
overflow. I'm very happy to say that we
are at last civilized again, although we still need to get the tank pumped out,
but at least we can use our toilets and have hot water. What bliss!!! How quickly we can take everyday modern
conveniences for granted until they break down.
I'm
very thankful my shoulder is back to normal as I helped Dwight move part of my
enclosed garden fence that was over the septic tank a couple of feet and move
some bushes back further as well. The weather has been unusually warm lately so
one day I raked off the azalea bushes and trimmed some straggly hedge rows.
Right
before Christmas we also had another episode with Dana. Being unable to drive
due to my shoulder, I ran out of scot tape while wrapping presents one
afternoon so had Dwight quick run me into town. Dana was in his chair, I gave
him a snack, and figured he would go to sleep and be okay until we got back. On
the way home I was telling Dwight how thankful I was for the prn med I had that
I had given Dana over the thanksgiving holiday and was starting again for
Christmas as it had helped him. We topped our hill and Dwight said, “Mom, there
is a police car and ambulance in our driveway.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes wondering what on earth was going on. Was the
house on fire or what? I rushed into the house and was told that Dana had
called 911, was very confused so they sent the police, who when he arrived saw
Dana in a seizure and become unresponsive, so he called the ambulance. I felt
terrible apologizing to everyone as Dana hadn’t had a seizure episode for five
months or so explaining why I had left my husband alone. Talk about feeling
guilty! The one time both Dwight and I were gone this happened. So instead of
finishing wrapping gifts, Dwight and I drove 45 minutes to Crossville (our
hospital has been closed- another story in itself) to the ER where the doctor
ordered all kinds of tests. Everything came back normal and we were able to
bring Dana back home late that night.
This
past week, I took Dana to see his psychologist. Lo and behold if she isn’t
quitting seeing patients after several years practice. So now I have to call
around and find another psychologist before Dana’s meds run out. I would
appreciate prayer about this matter as it had taken years to get Dana
stabilized and all too often a new doctor loves to rearrange meds etc, which
only makes Dana end up back in the hospital until he gets leveled out again.
Life
sure has a way of giving us curves and u-turns unexpectedly just when we think
everything is fine. I told Dana the other day I don’t know why I even try to
write fiction- am working on a couple of books- as most folks would think my
daily life was pure fiction in itself.
I’m
so thankful that despite life’s upheavals, He is in control. I certainly
couldn’t make it without Him. I do appreciate all the prayers sent my way.
Together with God, we can face the coming year ahead.
Hello!
So
far we have had a mild winter compared to other years. Instead of snowstorms
like the northern states, we have had an abundance of rain. The weather has
been acting like spring. My winter jasmine bushes have been blooming, the
daffodils are up everywhere and ready to burst into bloom while the iris and
even some of the lilies have poked their heads out of the ground. It's also wonderful to see spring green grass
appearing giving color to the bleak landscape.
All
the animals are thriving- hunkering down during cold spells and then perking up
when it warms back up. I mucked out the henhouse again and put in new straw.
The ducks are in their glory with all the rain waddling as fast as their fat
little legs will go each morning down to the stream in the woods to play and
splash with lots of ducky enthusiasm and then quack their protest getting shut
up at night.
Shortly
after my January newsletter, Dwight came down with a hip bleed that has lasted
nearly a month now. It is quite frustrating for him as he has to stay off of
his feet and is limited in what he can do.
So
it put carrying in all the wood for the wood-stoves on me. Wintertime flares up my RA more to begin with
slowing me down. After two weeks of carrying wood every day I was so exhausted
physically I could hardly go. Pastor Sam came and filled up the wood rack on
the back porch for me last week, which was such a blessing. The good Lord knows
right when to send in help. We are blessed to have such a caring pastor and
lots of wonderful friends.
Thanks
bunches for all the prayers sent our way! We send prayers out to you as well
knowing several of you are going through a lot of things on your end too. How exciting to be part of a circle of prayer
support for each other. What an awesome way to live through the year. So stay encouraged God loves you and so do
we.
Have
a Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Lots
of love~
Dorcas
