Another goal to be accomplished… ATTENDANT SEARCH

Those who have known me for any length of time know that I require help with the physical aspects of daily living.  Yes, I am another person who uses attendant care.
Whether they are called "PCAs," or "Nurses Aides", "Attendants", or simply "helpers" -these folks (the good ones) deserve the name "HEROES!" They are often paid by the state, minimum wage.  They do unpleasant tasks at inconvenient hours.  They place themselves at the beck and call as another human being.
For the past seven years, my morning helper has been Kathy.  In her previous jobs, she has been office manager at several places, and sound man for a band in the eighties.  She is normally the last person who would have applied.
But…
Health issues, and the emotional side effects hit her family.  She needed something different for a few months, and I was that difference.  I helped her.  She helped me.  Our friendship keeps deepening…  She is my other sister from another mother and father.  Her family is part of my extended family.
Logic would have dictated that she would as moved on several years ago.  She easily could have gone back to her normal and successful world…  But she cared.
She's still cares!
But…  She has given me her 30 day notice.  It's time to begin looking for…  Not a replacement.  A new beginning.  So…

Caregiver needed in Spring (near Cypresswood and I-45) area for quadriplegic woman.  Part-time: 7:30-11:30 AM, M-F. Must be 18, have valid Texas Drivers License (or ID), and pass a background check.  No experience necessary.  Personal care, food preparation, and other assistance as needed. To apply, e-mail to: lisastapp82@yahoo.com

Hello, I am Lisa.  I consider myself reasonably intelligent, quirky, joyful, and kind.  So far, I have earned 55-or-so years on planet earth.  Physically, I am limited.  I can wiggle my thumbs and talk.  I tend to get cold easily, probably because I don't move around a lot.  My breathing isn't what I wish it was – I have a tracheostomy to remove excessive mucus.

I just don't know that I have a disability.  I earned my B.A. in Psychology and my M.A. in Deaconess Studies.  (That is a theological degree for women within my church body.  It combines elements of a theologian, teacher, social worker… and a partridge in a pear tree.)

Currently, I am an adjunct instructor at Concordia University, Nebraska.  I teach Ethics in an online format.  I'm also working on that upcoming book, "God's Own Child: Even With Spinal Muscular Atrophy."

I'm not nearly as fragile as I seem.  I do need to remember though, I'm not nearly as tough as I think I am!

What *FUN*!

Although SOMETIMES I think that Writers Digest is one wore on and unending commercials for books to distract you from actually writing, some of their is worth a little time.

For example, today they posted an article:
Five Things That Should Be On Every Writer's Bucket List

This led me to the book "A Writer’s Bucket List: 99 things to do for inspiration, education, and experience before your writing kicks the bucket"…  It sounds like a lot of fun and a way to kickstart my writing.

What is this "Advent" thing?

Advent Greetings from LCMS President Harrison

Not every Christian denomination celebrates Advent, or marks out a calendar that is not quite in step with the rest of the world.

We do.  It's not mandatory, but it is a good way to do things.

For starters, marking a "Church Year" that is different than what is going on in our society CAN remind Christians that we don't entirely belong here.  We are also citizens of…

… Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.-Hebrews 12:22-25

Second, it creates the opportunity to be familiar with the whole Bible in context.  It's way too easy to pick three favorite stories and not go any farther.  The planned readings that are set in conjunction with that "Church Year" bring the ground panorama of God at work in the lives of His People to our attention.

Third, it helps with teaching.

Fourth, it can be a lot of fun.

Reading Weekend Ahead

:-) I am Excited and delighted.  If I can finish all my goals for the weekend, I've promised myself a "Reading Weekend." Well, at least a "Reading Sunday."

It started with an e-mail from Jayne Schaefer, Managing Editor of "The Life of the World." Apparently, Dr. Grime, one of my professors (Liturgics) at CTSFW.EDU noticed that I Expressed eagerness about a book that was only a "paper and ink" format.  They arranged for me to get a copy in a format that I can use!

So…  What book is this?  It is mentioned on the "Witness, Mercy, Life Together" blog, "Two Wars We Must Not Lose" by Mr. Bill Hecht.

Mr. Hecht tackles more radical forms of Secularism and Islam.  It also looks like he gives approaches to talk to people who are caught up in these worldviews.  Lots of references to check…  500-some-odd pages…

This is not "Fun With Dick and Jane"!

Anyhow, if I finish reading this book this weekend, I will abstract it here…

One of My Favorite Things about Thanksgiving

I probably enjoy almost everything about Thanksgiving, and the traditions that surround this holiday.

I deeply appreciate the religious focus.  Starting the celebration by going to church and thanking The Trinitarian God of the Bible sets the tone.  I get to remember what God has done and continues to do in the lives of His People.  While the panorama of salvation (displayed from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22: 21) is still the most astonishing thing I'm privileged to enjoy, many other simpler gifts have touched my life.

One of these simpler gifts is leftovers.  Mother does astonishing things with these dibs and dabs.  Don't get me wrong, some of the Thanksgiving Dinner went immediately into the freezer.  We've had replications of the Thanksgiving Dinner for several meals, without the football and conversation.  (Especially, without MOM'S EGGNOG!)

Tonight, we had one of my favorite things about THANKSGIVING: Turkey Carcass soup.  Yes, I know, the name is less than appealing.  I don't care!  This is good stuff!

When that Turkey is originally carved, you don't need to worry about pulling each tiny bit off the bone.  The bones and extra meat are going into a broth and get boiled for about 300 years.  (More Or Less) Then The Bones and bone slivers get taken out, leaving the extraordinary flavor…  And probably dissolved calcium.  Carrots, Celery, Onions, leftover gravy, leftover dressing/stuffing and anything else that you want to toss into the mix gets tossed into the mix.

It may never taste the same way twice in a row, but it is always a treat.  And frugal.  And I can claim that it is Paleo, until I add Parmesan Toast.

I highly recommend this.  Something vaguely similar shows up in the Wise Bread blog when they discuss out to eat for a full week on one chicken.  Check it out here

So…  What are your favorite things to do with leftovers?