August 29, 2018

It’s Finished, Except…

I’m done. No more doctors’ appointments except for routine visits. My surgeon released me from his care today, barring any issues.

Although freed from his constant care, there are lifelong repercussions. I will need to massage the area for the rest of my life. If I don’t, the implant can grow stiff and immobile. However, the massage is easy. Push to one side, then the other. Push up and then down. I don’t have to this all day long, only a few times a day, after a shower, when dressing or undressing, getting up in the morning or going to bed at night.

August 21, 2018

I'm Not God, But I Often Think I Am


In Ezekiel 28:1 the prophet admonishes the king for making himself a God, relying on his own wisdom and power, acting without waiting for the discernment of God’s will. I’d like to say I never do that, but I do, and often. I ask for God’s blessing to do what I deem best and plunge ahead, not waiting for his answer. Other times, I follow his will, but out of my own desires, not his.

I also make myself a god when I judge others, playing the Pharisee to the tax collector, extolling my virtues over theirs. If I’d never act the way they do, then they must be wrong. 

August 18, 2018

The Odd Girl

Although it’s only been a month since my implant surgery, I am impressed how natural it feels and how quickly the scars have faded. The Franken-Breast is gone, replaced by the Odd Girl. Although she is no longer a twin to the other gal, she has enough of a family resemblance most people will never know the difference. I can live with that.

On a comfort level, the muscle tightens if I move my arm the wrong way, and I am still restricted to only lifting five pounds with that arm and no pulling or pushing. That means no vacuuming, mopping, raking, or two-handed scrubbing. (Oh darn.) That will change at the six-week mark when my surgeon releases me from both the restrictions and his care. 

August 08, 2018

Life Without a To Do List

I used to be a serious planner, making not only daily To Do Lists but also contingency plans for every possibility. I spent more time planning than any other activity. They were my last thoughts at night, fine tuning and revising, repeating with paper and pencil in the morning. On busy days I told people I’d gone from Plan A, past Plan G, and beyond.

Some planning is necessary, but not to the depth I had taken it. It was an attempt at control, an illusion that If I planned it, I could control the outcome. My plans had become idols. I thought more of them than anything else, even prayer.

August 04, 2018

We Have a Winner!



Linda Orr won the grand prize from Linda Yezak's giveaway package for her new release blog tour. All those who commented throughout the tour were eligible for the drawing for the prize. It included a signed print version of the series, a 16-ounce Christian cowboy mug, a horseshoe picture frame, a Ph. 4:13 stretch bracelet, a cute set of magnetic page markers, and a Texas Rubiks cube.






August 02, 2018

The Unexpected Gift

We thought we had the ivy removed from the front flower bed, but small shoots are now sprouting everywhere. It’s time to take the next step.

Most landscapers recommend covering the area with a black plastic liner. It deprives the vegetation of sunlight and water, inhibiting growth and eventually killing anything underneath it. Since this area is in the front of our home, we decided to cover the plastic with small river rock. We estimate we will need 6.2 cubic yards, which equals 6 tons.

We brainstormed various ways to minimize the amount of labor involved in transporting that much rock from the driveway to the flower bed. The simplest and easiest is a small utility dump trailer for the garden tractor. Their starting price is about as much as the gravel. My husband balked at spending more money on garden tools, and we put off the decision.