I actually got out of the house!!! (Full Version)

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dianetavegia -> I actually got out of the house!!! (11/18/2008 7:19:48 PM)

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Ezekiel 22:30 "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one.”

Deuteronomy 30:16 “For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.”




It’s very cold here. The wind chill was 17° when I got up. Yikes! That’s not normal for Georgia. Must be ‘global warming’ (ROLLING MY EYES AT AL GORE).



Gracious! I haven’t accomplished much today. The daycare child has thrown up all day. There’s a very bad tummy virus in town and I assume she’s picked it up somewhere. Church, probably. It was a long day.



My mother will be here early on Wednesday. She won’t stay long so she can check into the hotel at the hospital in Birmingham. Only a few more visits and her dental work will be completed. It will have taken almost 2 years.



My plan is to ‘fall clean’ our bedroom so I can move a chair out of the living room and then put up my white tree with purple balls in the bedroom. It’s such a gorgeous tree. I enjoy the holidays so very much. I’ll get that started tomorrow afternoon.



[image]http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/38416/2439729890030272744S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]





I’ve finished all the Christmas shopping I plan to do. Nothing for the grown kids, just the ‘real’ kids. Jim would love to make a list and would expect huge and expensive presents. We haven’t been able to do that for a few years. I don’t miss it. All I want for Christmas is the same thing I ask for each year. SNOW. I have to wrap and ship the presents, but will do that next week when I’ll have transportation. Jim will be home all week except for a doctor’s appointment. I just read that only 31% of people have started shopping for Christmas so guess I’m way ahead.



That being said, I may just spend a little on gag type gifts. That’s fun. There’s a great store in town that buys stores that have gone bankrupt, etc. They’ll have really nice things and all are $1.00 or less. I’m talking John Deere Lunchboxes…… $1.00. I used to buy lots of items and sell them on Ebay but got out of the habit when they were short on some of those type things. Then it got to where I just didn’t have enough extra cash to do it. It’s fun, tho!



The doctor’s appointment is with an eye specialist. It’s very important to have regular and extensive eye exams when skin cancer is a concern. We’re being pro-active.



I got out of the house yesterday! Yep! When Jim got home at 7:45, we went to Wal-Mart and walked around for 46 minutes! I’m so spoiled. Jim was looking at the $5.00 DVD’s and I wandered off. He had a hard time finding me. I promised him that I suffer from Stockholm Syndrome and did not approach anyone, asking for help to get away from my captor. He didn’t think that was very funny. Shucks… I can go weeks without ever going anywhere!! Send me a car! Please! As long as it runs!! LOLOL



I think we should invent some flip down gutter system that will allow people to permanently install Christmas lights. A quick flip of the switch would lower the flap which would hold lights of your choosing. No need to climb ladders or hang from the roof. I’m thinking I might just get Jon to put up Christmas lights for us this year. We haven’t put them up in several years because Jim’s not able to climb a 3 story ladder. The peaks on our house don’t have gutters so he can’t use on of the contraptions they’re selling now.



We really don’t like late basketball practice. Last year, at the other school, practice times rotated so the girls and boys didn’t have early or late practice all the time. Jim didn’t get a say in practice times and maybe the other coaches work late. I don’t know but it ruins our evenings, Monday through Thursday. I sure hope baseball practice is right after school!



There’s some new shows on tonight, so I’ll have something to do. I’m trying not to go to bed quite as early. Last night I stayed up til 10:30 and slept well all night. I had a hard time getting up.



Have a lovely evening and keep warm!



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


Next Stop Paradise




dianetavegia -> Still decorating the house (11/24/2008 5:53:56 PM)

[image]http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/14175/1510130834031747396S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]



Proverbs 24:3 “It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation.”



Psalms 133:3 “Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.”



Psalm 145:13-16 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.




LAST THURSDAY: And how are YOU this fine day? I had a catastrophe to clean up early this morning. The shelves I’d put all my travel brochures on didn’t have the base on the bottom and it leaned over in the closet, dumping brochures to the side. I had to take the base off another of the shelves down in our garage and then remove hundreds of pounds of brochures. Once I did that, I put the base on, put it back in the closet and put all the brochures back on the shelves. Oh my aching back!



While I was doing that, I set aside many of my brochures to share with some friends tonight. I cannot take them one of everything. I did that for my mother and they filled a good sized box that weighed almost 40 lbs!!



I had a travel training on Family Travel and Food and Wine Travels today. I’m working really hard, studying and am slowly building up my bookings. If I can just get people to check out my site to see it’s all inclusive! Hope you’ll give me a chance to book your travels. Even a simple airline ticket will pay me a small commission while saving you the $15.00 fee for calling in to the airlines.



Psalm 77:14 says, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”



I’m so glad this is Thursday! Only one week until Thanksgiving. I haven’t bought my turkey yet. We’d looked earlier and could only find smaller birds. We like Butterball and always get a 28 – 30 lb bird. I may have to drive across town to the Publix or even go to Carrollton to shop.



[image]http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/42547/1510129441031747396S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]




MONDAY NOV. 24th: Wow, I have been busy and haven’t even thought about writing in my blog.



We have hit a couple of stores and the largest turkey we’ve been able to find was 21 lbs. We bought it but will keep looking! That’s pretty small for so many people, left-over’s and homemade soups.



Nick spent the weekend at a friend’s house. I really miss him when he’s gone for a few days. Jim’s been very busy doing his college school work. With coaching sports, he gets home so late at night that he has to use his Saturday and Sunday just doing his course work. The sooner he finishes, the sooner we’ll triple our income.



Wow, there are so many great deals on cruises and trips right now! I have some people considering the Big Band 10 night cruise to the Caribbean out of Ft. Lauderdale. You cannot beat a 10 night / all inclusive cruise for $899.00 on the MSC Lirica.



DRAT! The head coach called basketball practice Monday – Wednesday from 5 til 7. That cuts into our Thanksgiving vacation time. Maybe a lot of the boys won’t be able to come on Wednesday and it’ll just be tonight and tomorrow.



Jim and I went to vote today. We took turns sitting with the daycare child in the car. She’s entered the terrible two’s with a bang and the office where we had to go to vote was packed. Voting in the run-off is this coming Dec. 2nd but it’s hard for Jim to get home during poll hours.



Tomorrow I’m taking Nick for HIS flu shot. We’ve gotten ours already. Nick’s not fussing about it this year. I think having the toe surgery and getting 7 or 8 shots in his toe eased his fears.



Nick’s friend came home with him late this afternoon. He’s a great kid from a superb family. They live way up in the subdivision and there’s a huge group of kids up there. Nick’s been riding his bike up there to play. His friend is a little younger but has an older brother and sister. He’s pretty mature for his age and Nick’s not like the average public school teenager, since he’s never been in public school. They play very well together. I really like the parents, too.


Our granddaughters are with their mom almost every day now so I get to talk to them all the time. Kaylee LOVES ‘my Grandpa in Georgia’ and wants to marry him in two years. She’s 5. Eden is very creative and loves to tell us about her projects. I wish we lived closer so we could watch them grow up. I really know very little about our grandson. His parents are so busy and don’t update us often. I know he loves sports, Matchbox cars and Nascar. They also live far away. He’ll be 6 in January.



All our Christmas presents are purchased and have arrived. I have to wrap them and mail them sometime this week. No sense waiting til the last minute and worrying that they won’t arrive in time. Last year our grandson’s birthday present arrived a few days late. One granddaughter’s arrived the day after her Sunday birthday. I’d rather they be really early than late!



Jon came over early this morning. He and his family will come here for Thanksgiving. Scooter loves Jon. He met him at the front door. I hadn’t seen him for more than a week. We usually see them once a week at least.



I won’t have the daycare child again until next Monday. I forgot to tell the mom that we have a sit down dinner Christmas party that night so I need to be out of here by 5:30 at the latest. I’m sure they can work it out. Anyhow, I’m thankful for the time off. Baby has been sick on and off for 3 or 4 weeks and she was quite whiny today. I’ve caught her cold, tho I tend to snap right out of things like a cold. I woke Sunday morning with a sore throat and stuffed up head. Today I only have a little nasal congestion.



Jim and I got our Christmas tree up in our bedroom this weekend. I bought some new deep purple glass balls at Hobby Lobby for half price. The tree is white (green and white actually) and is decorated with the purple balls, pearl and jewel garland, silver ‘Christmas’ ornaments Rev. Jack Peeler had given me a few years ago and a white angel. I also have some dried flowers and berries, all in shades of purples, stuck in the tree. It’s a very formal tree and quite lovely.



The living room tree comes next. I’ll vacuum the corner well and move the stereo speakers over a bit so we can get the tree started. It’s a huge tree. It’s 8 foot tall and very big around. We bought it for a HUGE living room up north. I’m not sure how many of our trees we’ll put up this year. I have one for our rec room, one for Nick’s bedroom, a small one for another area and a white metal one for outside. Nick isn’t interested in moving furniture for the tree in his room, so that one may not go up this year. You can never have too many Christmas decorations! (Well, I guess you CAN since we left a huge home to move here and I have to choose things each year to NOT put up.)



Hmmmm….. what should I eat for supper? Jim’s gone to practice and Nick’s friend is very picky. He only eats Hot Dogs and Pizza. We DO have some Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets so he might just be in luck!



Have a lovely evening. Get those presents wrapped so there’s no last minute rush!



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> Won $100.00 (12/2/2008 6:47:58 PM)

[image]http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/25150/2928126810052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]





Psalms 37:23-25 The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread.



Luke 1:49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name



Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?


Philippians 2:5-7 “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.”




This portion is from Tuesday, Nov. 25th!

We found some large turkeys today. It took a visit to several stores but we found a big selection of turkeys around 25 lbs in size at Wal-Mart. We bought two of them. We now have two frozen turkeys in our freezer. The smaller one and another 24 lb turkey. The 3rd is thawing for Thanksgiving. I am so very thankful we found larger birds.



Wednesday (tomorrow) we’ll go ahead and make the pies and some Hard Molasses Cookies. That makes Thanksgiving a little less rushed. I’m really looking forward to our feast!



We took Nick for his flu shot today. There was a bit of a line so we had over an hour wait. Once he was called back, it took less than 5 minutes start to finish. I’m glad that’s done. Jim cannot take a chance on getting sick. I feel like Nick and I have to be protected because of church and the daycare child. She picks up everything from church and her school-aged sisters. We don’t need to get sick and expose Jim.



I didn’t sleep really well last night. Nick had a friend sleep over and they were up really late. I had to get on to them about 12:45. They were in the kitchen making chocolate milk and snacks and were talking quite loudly. One quick word reminded them we were trying to sleep, but I was awake for quite a bit after that. Scooter woke me at 7:00 a.m. He doesn’t understand holidays and weekends. Any time I try to sleep past 7:00, he does one of his little ‘sharp’ sounding barks. Once I get up, he goes right back to sleep! It doesn’t matter how late he’s awake at night. Come 7:00 a.m., he’s going to wake me up.



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December 1st:

The daycare baby is VERY sick. She sounds like she has croup. Poor kid. She catches everything that goes around, it seems. I think she’ll be so immune by time she goes to public school that she’ll never get sick. Meanwhile, she is very fussy, wanting ‘Mommie’ and the coughing must hurt her chest. She pushes on it when she coughs.



Tonight is our first Christmas Party of the year. It’s at Jim’s work. It starts at 6:00. I’m looking forward to it. I have a new green sweater to wear with some dress pants. I haven’t chosen my jewelry yet. I’ve got a lot of Christmas pins to choose from.



Speaking of parties, we have a lot this year! They should all be a lot of fun, too. We’re also going Christmas Caroling with a group from our church. It’s not a church function, just a group from church going to all the local nursing homes. We’d planned on going 2 nights, but our Sunday School Christmas party for the 9th graders is on one of the nights.



Jim’s visit to the eye doctor was okay. There is no sign of melanoma, which is a giant blessing. He does have Age Related Macular Degeneration (dry) in one eye but it’s slight and is not yet affecting his vision. That’s the condition where a person eventually loses central vision. It would be like looking at a face and seeing the hair and background but the face would be a black spot. There is no treatment for ARMD yet.



I just feel that God has been so very good to us. I decided to go through our closets and find items never used or seldom used and pass them on. I gave away sheets and towels to a no kill shelter, a stroller to a 3 legged puppy, a card game, Pack ‘n Play, puzzles, and a lot more just today.



[image]http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/27598/2694859470052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]




Tuesday Dec. 2nd.

Jim was sick during the night so stayed home today. The daycare baby was home sick with mom, so it was pretty quiet around here today. I took a nap. I’d lost a little sleep because of Jim getting up and down.



We played games at the Christmas party last night. I won $10.00. Jim won $100.00!! That was neat!



We finished decorating for Christmas. I do have a few snowmen that go al around the house that I’ve not put in place yet. We’re watching Polar Express. I’ll finish it all tomorrow.


It’s pretty cold here for Georgia. I saw a homeless man with two dogs tonight and stopped to wish him Merry Christmas and give him money for supper. I’ll never pass another homeless person without thinking of the Burger King Angel I met the year after my brother had been killed.



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> How am I going to pull THIS off? LOL (12/4/2008 8:50:39 PM)

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/carolerssnowmen.jpg[/image]




Oh I’m so glad Friday is approaching! I have a lot of things I need to get done this weekend. I have socks to pick up for the homeless and clothing plus baby items to pick up for a needy family. Gosh I wish I had a car!



Monday is going to be a nightmare! I have my dental cleaning and have to take the 2 year old with me. I have NO idea how I’m going to get her to sit quietly in the exam room while I’m having x-rays and cleaning. I’m afraid Nanston Dental Group is going to kick me out! I’ve taken her before, but she was younger and not so rambunctious. YIKES!



I made homemade Turkey Vegetable Soup today and boy was it good. I’ve got a huge pot of it so we’ll eat off of it for a few days. My soups are always like stew. I tend to really pack in the veggies and meats.



My Christmas decorations are all in place now. My only problem is the spotlight on my outside décor blew the outside trip switch because of all the rain. The plugs were not in really well and all this moisture! Wish it were SNOW!



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/Joy.jpg[/image]




Less than three weeks until Christmas! Wow! My shopping is done for all our family and packages are all mailed. I do have some shopping to do for an adopted family our youth workers are sponsoring. Maybe a group of us will go together this weekend. That would be fun. I’m sure Toys R Us will have what we need.


I had three women coming to pick up things off Freecycle today and all stood me up. The weather is very icky, tho. No problem. I’m sure they’ll come tomorrow.



Jim’s almost finished with his school except math courses and student teaching. WGU won’t transfer any course that is your ‘major’ so none of his university math transfers. He says that’s probably a good thing since he was in college 40 years ago. Does math really change?



We have so many friends who have very serious needs. Would you pray for our friends needs to be met? Finances. Jobs. Hubby in Iraq. Illness. Depression. Marriage problems. The list goes on and God knows the names.


God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> Ranting today (12/7/2008 4:28:30 PM)

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/ChristmasMorning.jpg[/image]



Habakkuk 3:17 -19 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.



2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.


Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.





My Goodness, it’s cold here for November.



Sort of a lazy Sunday. Jim cooked pork chops on the grill for lunch. He also repaired the stopper part (what IS that called?) in Nick’s bathroom sink while I watched some Christmas DIY shows.



We had a lot of kids in youth today and many of them were very excitable. Nuff said.



I’m hoping we got the dentist situation figured out. The daycare child’s mom is taking the two older sisters to the dental office just down the street from where I’m going a few minutes earlier than my appointment. I’ve asked her to take the baby with her and drop her off with me after they finish. Maybe it’ll work out that I’m already finished by time she arrives. I’m very concerned about trying to have her sit in a chair next to me. She’s danger girl! Meanwhile, I’ll drive Jim to school tomorrow morning so I have transportation. Oh how I’d love to have a junk car that would get me here and there! I don’t think it’s wrong to want a clunker just good enough to get me to Bible Study or Wednesday night youth group, do you? It’s not like I want a new car or a fancy car. I do not want to keep up with the wealthy people in town, just very basic transportation that is safe enough to get me to church, the library, grocery store.


Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/snow3.jpg[/image]




ACK! I hate football! Jim finished the sink and took over the t.v. again. We have only one DirecTV receiver so what one watches, everyone watches. I guess I could put a movie on in the bedroom. I’ve already watched a lot of our Christmas movies. We have a few that are partially metal! Yep! That old! It’s a Wonderful Life and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are both very old VHS tapes. I need to buy them on DVD someday. What’s your favorite holiday movie? I like so many of them.



Tomorrow after lunch I’m to pick up some socks for the homeless and clothing for a needy family in town. Several people through church have already brought socks. If things go as well as previous years, I should be able to supply 400 pairs of socks. Hope so. We complain about being chilly in the house because of having to keep our heating bill down, wearing 3 pair of socks…. While there are those who have no shelter. No homes.



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/homeless-man-w-dog.jpg[/image]




Yesterday was my Father’s 81st birthday. Amazing, isn’t it?



I’ll pick up Jim after school. Actually, his mentor will call him at school at 3:15 so I won’t need to be there right away. They talk every other week just to make sure he doesn’t have any concerns. He’s moving along. He’ll have his certification pretty soon! He’d waited too long to use his military GI Bill for college but God has been good to us. He was drafted and had already attended college when he went in the service. He paid for college, back 40 years ago, by working part time jobs and scholarships. It took me years to pay off my college loan. Actually, Jim paid it off. :0) I think kids who get a free ride, with mom and dad paying for school, don’t appreciate the opportunity or work as hard in most cases. They fall for the sales pitch of some ‘chef’ school or ‘design school’ and waste huge amounts of money for nothing. First, get a plan. Nick knows he’ll have to pay his own way to college. He can get a scholarship through the state as long as he keeps his grades up but will have to live at home and supply his own transportation.



I’m off on a tangent because of a conversation I had earlier.



Well, I’m bored to DEATH so think I’ll find something to do. Have a great week!


God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com



dianetavegia -> It shouldn't rain in winter! SNOW! Give me snow! (12/9/2008 6:17:01 PM)

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/snow1.jpg[/image]



Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18 "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" 2


1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”


Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things”


Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"



Are you having a nice week? I’m just bored.



We’re expecting quite a bit of rain, starting late today. Thursday may have some wintry mix. That would be nice. I have no plans. In fact, until a Christmas party next Monday, I have nothing to do and no place to go.



I went to the dentist on Monday. One of their hygienists was out so we got worked in slowly. It took hours and hours, but I got my teeth cleaned. I’m still waiting to hear back. The dentist thought she saw a shadow but wasn’t sure. She wanted the senior dentist to look at my x-rays. I prefer to be overly cautious because a previous ‘keep an eye on the shadow’ ended up with an abscess and huge bills. This is a back molar and I’d never waste money on a root canal and crown for a back tooth. Our insurance only pays 50% of major work, and there is no way we could pay the other half. We’ll see. My dentist was supposed to call me sometime this afternoon and let me know. She didn’t call, tho.



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/snow8.jpg[/image]




Jim is horribly busy this week. Each day he has basketball practice with games on Thursday and Saturday. Tuesday night, tonight, is a concert and he’s taping it (burning CD’s) for the school. Thursday night is another concert at another school. There’s also one next week. He’s going to do all three, I think. It’s hard because he gets out of school and has an hour or so in between. He has college courses to squeeze in, too. Tonight basketball practice was moved to an earlier time because of the concert so Jim couldn’t even come home to eat. He enjoys it, tho, and likes helping.




I won movie passes to see The Day the Earth Stood Still on the IMAX in Atlanta this Thursday night. Needless to say, we can’t go. Shucks! Of course, I didn’t know the tickets would only be good in Atlanta when I entered the contest. I never win anything! Maybe my luck is changing. The lottery is $170 million tonight. If I had a way to get to the store…. I had to show ID to pick up the tickets, in Atlanta, so can’t even give them away.



I hope Jim calls home between basketball and the concert so I can remind him to stop and get lottery tickets!



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> Merry Christmas (12/24/2008 4:17:07 PM)

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/Blessings.jpg[/image]

Merry Christmas to all!




I didn’t realize it’s been 3 weeks since I last blogged. I knew it had been a while. I’ve not felt well. Menopause has presented some new discomforts that just left me down and out quite a lot. I was sailing through menopause until BOOM, four years after my last cycle…. Hot flashes and lots more.

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/ornaments.gif[/image]



We’re ready for a quiet Christmas. We always let Nick open a present on Christmas Eve to take some of the edge off the wait. That pleases him. Jim and I don’t exchange gifts due to finances.



I cooked a huge dinner for Thanksgiving and much of the food went to waste. I’m scaling down for Christmas. Not so many different dishes. I’ve decided I can always add a dish on ‘left-over’ days if I want. The pies are made and the turkey is thawing. We’re not going to get up early to get it in the oven, either. Who cares if we eat at 2:00 or 4:00? Not I!



I have off until January 5th, as does Jim. I’m going to take advantage of that time off and sleep as late as I want, nap whenever I feel like it and try to find things I enjoy doing and do them.



We’ve had several Christmas parties and really enjoyed them. I got a Snowman Cookie Jar at one and a boy in my Sunday School class got me a Yankee Candle electric tart warmer that matches my house perfectly.



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/Christmas-children.gif[/image]



My mother loved the Christmas present I sent her. I’m so glad! I can never find anything she doesn’t have or really wants but this year she mentioned something to me and I pre-ordered it before it was in stores. Saved money and got the perfect gift!



My 'socks for the homeless' drive is going very well. I've also gotten some great sweaters and jackets. A local family with 3 boys and a baby due any minute was brought to my attention. Email pleas brought in 7 HUGE bags of clothing, brand new toys and shoes. Charity is alive and well in America.



It’s just too warm here. I know I should be thankful because that’ll help with heating bills, but I really, really, really miss the snow. It doesn’t even feel like Christmas.



I turn 58 on Monday, Dec. 29th. Nick turns 14 that day. He’s excited about his birthday and is surprised I’m not excited about turning 58. I certainly don’t feel 58. I don’t know if I look it or not. I still think of myself as mid 30’s.



I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!


[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/the_magi.gif[/image]
God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> Monday is my birthday (12/28/2008 1:28:21 PM)

[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/treeattwilight.jpg[/image]


"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Colossians 2:2-3



"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Colossians 1:20




Have you recovered from Christmas day? Do you have plans for New Years?



We have a tradition in the south of black eyed peas and collards on New Year’s Day to represent the pennies and dollars we’ll have during the coming year. I’m already prepared. Some years I’ve waited too late and had trouble finding the items. Also, we’ll have shrimp. We love shrimp.



I’ve not had an appetite for a couple of months. I have morning sickness much of the day, several days a week. Nope. Not pregnant. Menopause! Also, each hot flash is preceded by a horrible bout of nausea. Even the thought or smell of food can make me deathly ill. I am drinking loads of water and eating crackers. It’s amazing what they haven’t told us about menopause! It makes sense, tho. Morning sickness is caused by a change in hormones, as is the nausea during menopause. I sure hope this doesn’t last years! That’s just one of my new complaints. EEK NO FUN!! I hope my hormones level a bit and these new complaints lessen. I honestly feel like I’ve lost a month or so of my life just not feeling well. I have felt better the last four or so days, tho. The hot flashes are not so severe and I’ve been able to eat again.



[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/snowfall.jpg[/image]




Only 1 day until our birthday. Nick wants cupcakes. That suits me just fine because I probably won’t be eating them. Jim doesn’t care, as long as there’s cake. I don’t want to gain weight! I’m a little less than I was after the six month weight challenge that started last January. Well within what the doctor considers a healthy weight for my height.




We didn’t sleep well Friday night. We went to bed about 10:00 and I fell asleep around 11:00. At 2:00, the dog was barking like crazy and wouldn’t calm down. A repo man was at a neighbor’s house and there were people in the street having discussions with him. Flashing lights, voices, dogs barking, etc. I didn’t get back to sleep until around 5:00 and then was up by 8:30. Last night I watched t.v. until almost 1:00 and wasn’t too happy when the clock went off at 7:30.




I’m so glad Jim gave up cooking for Sunday School. We don’t have to go so very early. We live only 2 minutes from church so we don’t leave here until about 8:55.



Speaking of Sunday School, our attendance was really down today. The kids who were there all had colds and talked about horrible stomach viruses they’d had or their family had this past week.




My mother sent me some birthday money. It won’t be here until Monday and I don’t know what I’ll do with it. I don’t know how much she sent, either. I think it’ll be fun just to get out and look around, even if I don’t buy anything. I want to go to Hobby Lobby.



We got Nick a BMX bike for his birthday. We gave it to him early because of the warm weather. Also, we’d let him choose the bike. He really needs shirts. I think I’ll find him some tomorrow. When he was dressing for church, we realized he’s too long and tall for his men’s size small dress shirts or long sleeved polo and pull over shirts. He’s thin but so very tall. Jon just gave him 10 pair of super nice pants and he can still wear the jeans we got him last year because we got them a little long. He’s in 32” X 32” now. What a good boy he is, too. Oh, he’ll try to get out of doing math some days, but he doesn’t talk back or demand. He’s kind and helpful. A real blessing.



I’ll try to remember to get Jim to take a picture of me and Nick tomorrow. We took one together on our birthday last year. It’ll be interesting to see how much we’ve changed.



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com





dianetavegia -> Cancer is a four letter word! (1/3/2009 8:52:11 PM)



Flying Free

There is a place I call my own
Where I can stand by the sea,
And look beyond the things I've known ,
And dream that I might be free.
Like the bird above the trees
Gliding gently on the breeze,
I wish that all my life I'd be
Without a care and flying free!

But life is not a distant sky
Without a cloud, without rain.
And I can never hope that I
Can travel on without pain

Time goes swiftly on its way,
All too soon we've lost today.
I cannot wait for skies of blue
Or dream so long that life is through.

So life's a song that I must sing,
A gift of love I must share .
And when I see the joy it brings,
My spirits soar through the air.
Like that bird up in the sky ,
Life has taught me how to fly.
For now I know what I can be
And now my heart is flying free!


You can hear the tune to the above song here:
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/flyingfree.htm

The doctor says I have colon cancer. In 14 years, only 2 of the tumors he's seen like this have NOT been cancer. I'd like to be #3.

Please keep me in prayer.

Today we took down our Christmas trees. I'll be unable to lift and do many things for a while after my surgery this Wednesday so I thought it was better to get it done now.

I feel GREAT. Other than the distended tummy, you'd never know I'm 'sick'. I've never been sick in my life. A cold. An ear infection. Nothing else. I have been blessed.

We also went to Hobby Lobby and got a wrought iron, reddish colored, toilet paper holder and towel bar. I'd gotten two hand towel racks to match a few weeks ago. Lovely and only $4.00 each. I love Hobby Lobby.

We've done laundry and other chores. Jim and Nick have been great.

I'm only allowed to have liquids because nothing can get past the tumor. Boring! I'm losing weight but would rather have done it another way.



dianetavegia -> Surgeon on Monday (1/4/2009 6:28:44 PM)

[image]http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/44510/2932856040029524077S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]



1 Corinthians 15: 12 – 19 Now, let me ask you something profound yet troubling. If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation that Christ is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ. And face it - if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors. Not only that, but we would be guilty of telling a string of barefaced lies about God, all these affidavits we passed on to you verifying that God raised up Christ - sheer fabrications, if there's no resurrection. If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ wasn't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot.




I didn’t go to church today. I feel fine, but I don’t want to have to repeat my saga 100 times. People ask questions that only leave me with questions and questions I cannot answer. Repeating things, explaining symptoms and hearing about Aunt Suzie’s bout with colon cancer are not for me right now. I’m focusing on positive and happy thoughts. So, I slept in a bit late instead.



Our daughter is here from Connecticut. She’ll stay through Friday. Her boss is an old friend of mine and he quickly told her to take all the time she needs. Her ex-in-laws are helping with the girls. I really appreciate all they are doing and their constant prayers for me! Thanks, Linda and Ray.



I’m so hungry! This liquid diet is a bummer. Yogurt and soup broth. I did get me some Chicken Gumbo and drink the broth from that. At least it’s not the same taste every ‘meal’. What a way to lose weight! I don’t recommend it. I look really good, tho. Hubby follows me around with that look in his eyes. YIKES! LOLOL Down, boy!

I just really needed something to chew, so I got some butter mints at the dollar store. They really melt in your mouth but it does satisfy that desire for something other than liquids.



Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson



[image]http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/20247/1059585128041415419S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]




We went to the dump, the dollar store and tonight, to Wal-Mart. I need to keep my mind busy so I don’t think of upcoming things.



Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”



Please remember me in prayer this week. Monday is the appointment with the surgeon and Tuesday is the CAT scans. I assume surgery is Wednesday. That’s what I was led to understand. That’s all I know for now. I am scared.



God Bless,
Diane Tavegia


www.nextstopparadisetravel.com



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