1-31-08 brain-stem
Wow, last day of January already (I'm in KC this weekend)!
This month's theme has been CHANGE.
To summarize:
1. Eye surgery- I now can see almost perfect 20/20. However, I now have to get use to reading glasses. My brain feels like it is getting re-wired and I'm a little frustrated, but I'm sure before too long I will adjust to this new way of seeing. I love driving the car now! I can see so much that I was missing before!
2. Empty Nest- trying to get use to not having a cat in the house after 15.5 years. I sure do miss Missy's loud purring. She was so comforting at night.
3. New President- I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this. I now need to remove my ear plugs (which have been in place for 8 years) and become interested again on listening to how our country will be lead. With Obama's 80% approval rating coming into office, there is great anticipation and hope for change.
4. Selling Des Moines house- we've made the decision to try to sell our house and reverse our current living arrangements to let Greg take care of a house in Kansas City and I will have a small apartment in Des Moines. This will be a huge change for me but I know I will adjust.... its just thinking about all that will needs to happen to make this possible.... it blows my mind! I will need to surrender the details and place myself in God's hands.
So, as for the new month of February, I will make the theme be
"cleaning out and letting go"!
I normally don't get in the mood to do spring house cleaning until March, but I need to kick it into high gear this month and see if I can make some good progress. I've been trying to simplify and downsize for the last few years, but never seem to get very far. Now I will be forced into it.
I'm looking forward to perhaps this being an enlightening cleansing experience! ??.... well it could happen!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Why I blog: remembering Lois
1-30-09 Left brain
Why am I blogging?
I’m still trying to figure out why I decided to join into the blog adventure. Well, it does have my creative juices flowing again… but it’s more than that.
I’m usually pretty open with my friends, I don’t hold back too much….. but often I think about the funeral of a church friend who died unexpectedly in her mid 50’s the summer of 2007.
I knew Lois at least seven years through church activities. I loved her smile most of all. She was in the choir and she seemed to laugh a lot and was known for her delicious desserts. It was fun being around her and her husband since they usually seemed light hearted when in a group … they enjoyed poking fun at each other and I guess after 30 years together it still seemed like they were best friends.
Thinking about Lois now, I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to know her at a deeper level…. But her best friend from Ottumwa did. This long time neighbor friend had a deep connection and was able to share that with the rest of us at Lois’s funeral and I’ll always be grateful. It brought much comfort to me.
This had me thinking, would someone be able to talk in depth about me? Could I talk in depth about any of my friends at their funeral?
I think most people have a need to be Loved (number one) and maybe second, the need to be understood and accepted. Unfortunately, everyday life doesn’t allow us to get at that deeper level with ourselves, let alone with our friends. It’s so easy to be distracted. There is too much noise in your lives……
Why am I blogging?
I’m still trying to figure out why I decided to join into the blog adventure. Well, it does have my creative juices flowing again… but it’s more than that.
I’m usually pretty open with my friends, I don’t hold back too much….. but often I think about the funeral of a church friend who died unexpectedly in her mid 50’s the summer of 2007.
I knew Lois at least seven years through church activities. I loved her smile most of all. She was in the choir and she seemed to laugh a lot and was known for her delicious desserts. It was fun being around her and her husband since they usually seemed light hearted when in a group … they enjoyed poking fun at each other and I guess after 30 years together it still seemed like they were best friends.
Thinking about Lois now, I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to know her at a deeper level…. But her best friend from Ottumwa did. This long time neighbor friend had a deep connection and was able to share that with the rest of us at Lois’s funeral and I’ll always be grateful. It brought much comfort to me.
This had me thinking, would someone be able to talk in depth about me? Could I talk in depth about any of my friends at their funeral?
I think most people have a need to be Loved (number one) and maybe second, the need to be understood and accepted. Unfortunately, everyday life doesn’t allow us to get at that deeper level with ourselves, let alone with our friends. It’s so easy to be distracted. There is too much noise in your lives……
we are too busy rushing off to no where! Or is it just me who often feels distracted, unfocused and blow about in the wind?
I’m blessed to have discovered over the years some tools which bring PEACE to my life, but I often don’t use them like I should. I think blogging has become one of those tools…… and I should keep doing this for a while longer..... even when I don't feel like it.
I’m blessed to have discovered over the years some tools which bring PEACE to my life, but I often don’t use them like I should. I think blogging has become one of those tools…… and I should keep doing this for a while longer..... even when I don't feel like it.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Counting your blessings
Right brain
Greg and I started a new movie tradition over the last several years. Besides watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” during the holiday season, I’ve drawn him into watching the movie “White Christmas”. I usually enjoy watching this movie just after Thanksgiving.
I’m not sure why I get a kick out of this movie so much. The first thing that drew me in was that I find Danny Kaye to be wonderfully silly, and I love the dance scenes. Also the song “Sisters” is in the movie and one of the sisters in the movie is named "Judy". My sister and I tapped danced to this song during a recital when we where around age 8 and 9. I tried to dig out a picture of that.... I know I have it somewhere, but instead this picture will have to do for now. Anyway, Greg and I for some reason got attached to another song in the movie…. called “Snow”…. I’m always trying to get him to sing that song and harmonize with me, even though I can’t carry a tune. This song has some silly words too.
This year we finally broke down and bought ourselves a copy of the movie so we don’t have to watch all the commercials. We watched this with my side of the family (my sister's family) this year on Christmas day and I found myself humming another song for several weeks afterwards. This song is called “Count Your Blessing Instead of Sheep”. Bing Crosby’s voice is very soothing to me.
Even now a month after Christmas and after successful eye surgery…. I’m still humming that song! AND I especially feel blessed to have a wonderful husband who took such good care of me during my recuperation.
"Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep"
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessing instead of sheep
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
When my bankroll is gettin' small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
So if you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.
Greg and I started a new movie tradition over the last several years. Besides watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” during the holiday season, I’ve drawn him into watching the movie “White Christmas”. I usually enjoy watching this movie just after Thanksgiving.
I’m not sure why I get a kick out of this movie so much. The first thing that drew me in was that I find Danny Kaye to be wonderfully silly, and I love the dance scenes. Also the song “Sisters” is in the movie and one of the sisters in the movie is named "Judy". My sister and I tapped danced to this song during a recital when we where around age 8 and 9. I tried to dig out a picture of that.... I know I have it somewhere, but instead this picture will have to do for now. Anyway, Greg and I for some reason got attached to another song in the movie…. called “Snow”…. I’m always trying to get him to sing that song and harmonize with me, even though I can’t carry a tune. This song has some silly words too.
This year we finally broke down and bought ourselves a copy of the movie so we don’t have to watch all the commercials. We watched this with my side of the family (my sister's family) this year on Christmas day and I found myself humming another song for several weeks afterwards. This song is called “Count Your Blessing Instead of Sheep”. Bing Crosby’s voice is very soothing to me.
Even now a month after Christmas and after successful eye surgery…. I’m still humming that song! AND I especially feel blessed to have a wonderful husband who took such good care of me during my recuperation.
"Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep"
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessing instead of sheep
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
When my bankroll is gettin' small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings.
So if you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Art of Sitting Still
“The Art of Sitting Still”
Today, I will plan nothing!
I will just sit, listen, and wait for the spirit to move me.
I will sit, listen, and wait to be led into action,
Today, I will plan nothing!
I will just sit, listen, and wait for the spirit to move me.
I will sit, listen, and wait to be led into action,
......called to work,
......urged into service,
......or inspired to create.
Of course, I run the risk of just sitting here all day.
But perhaps that is precisely what I need!
- Judy Sebern Beachy (1999)
But perhaps that is precisely what I need!
- Judy Sebern Beachy (1999)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Seeking
Seeking God
Alone in the middle of the night
Lying here in the dark,
The bed is cold.
I am afraid!
I need you-
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your presence
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your comfort,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your assurance,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your love,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your peace,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I take a breath …….
and I find you here, within.
-Judy Sebern Beachy July 2008
Alone in the middle of the night
Lying here in the dark,
The bed is cold.
I am afraid!
I need you-
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your presence
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your comfort,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your assurance,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your love,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I need your peace,
I take a breath to find you, within.
I take a breath …….
and I find you here, within.
-Judy Sebern Beachy July 2008
Monday, January 26, 2009
Eye surgery
1-26-09 no-brain-er
I guess I need to blog about my eye surgery.
I’ll just start with the facts:
After having extremely poor vision most of my life, technology has advanced enough to help someone like me. Basically without my glasses, objects have to be within 4 inches of my face for me to see them clearly. My eye doctor (Dr. S.E. Husain at Iowa Methodist) …. says I’m legally blind times FOUR! My correction is a minus 13. 20/1000 instead of 20/20.
About 5 years ago, I had a consult at Wolfe Clinic to see if I would be a candidate for some type of laser correction. That technology had been around awhile and many people were getting good results. Well, it turned out my vision was too extremely poor and the laser surgery would not be able to be used on me. That doctor at that time said to be patient and wait since new technology is always pushing forward.
So now 2009, the timing was right for me to try something new for extreme poor vision such as mine…. But the surgery is actually very common and has been done for many years on millions of people: cataract surgery........ (the replacement of the lens with a new lens). Thus instead of wearing glasses or contact lenses for the correction I need, I have a new lens in my eye ball. Or I should say my eye football. That is my problem, the shape of my eyes are more football like and thus pictures don’t focus on my retina.
Since I don’t have cataracts (clouding of the lens due to old age), they just call this surgery on me “lens replacement surgery”. It might seem like an extreme thing to do, but why not do it now when I’m young and healthy versus wait until I’m 70 and have fully developed cataracts. Well, it does cost a lot of money out of my pocket, since insurance won’t cover the surgery if there is no cataract, but Greg and I felt it was a good investment in the future. There is really a safety issue if I was ever put in a situation where my glasses got knocked off my face, I’m helpless. So the choice between putting money into a losing Roth IRA or into my future healthy eye sight seemed like a no-brain-er.
January 19th I had my left eye surgery and so far the results are better than expected. I can see 20/30 to 20/20. There will be some adjustment period before the eye fully heals and stabilizes. The doctor felt like everything looked good enough to proceed with the right eye on January 26th. It’s been a struggle this week living with eyes that are totally out of balance. Most of my time has been spent on the couch with my eyes closed resting and listening to TV or radio.
Now, I’m typing this on the weekend, with one eye covered so I can see the computer screen. Greg and I have been playing with my old glasses to create a fun eye patch as you can see on the right side panel of pictures. I will post this on Monday so everyone will be up to speed on what is happening. So think of me today was you read this, as I will be undergoing my second surgery.
My blog postings will continue this week, also as they did last week, because I was proactive and I scheduled postings done in advance of my absence.
I’ll just start with the facts:
After having extremely poor vision most of my life, technology has advanced enough to help someone like me. Basically without my glasses, objects have to be within 4 inches of my face for me to see them clearly. My eye doctor (Dr. S.E. Husain at Iowa Methodist) …. says I’m legally blind times FOUR! My correction is a minus 13. 20/1000 instead of 20/20.
About 5 years ago, I had a consult at Wolfe Clinic to see if I would be a candidate for some type of laser correction. That technology had been around awhile and many people were getting good results. Well, it turned out my vision was too extremely poor and the laser surgery would not be able to be used on me. That doctor at that time said to be patient and wait since new technology is always pushing forward.
So now 2009, the timing was right for me to try something new for extreme poor vision such as mine…. But the surgery is actually very common and has been done for many years on millions of people: cataract surgery........ (the replacement of the lens with a new lens). Thus instead of wearing glasses or contact lenses for the correction I need, I have a new lens in my eye ball. Or I should say my eye football. That is my problem, the shape of my eyes are more football like and thus pictures don’t focus on my retina.
Since I don’t have cataracts (clouding of the lens due to old age), they just call this surgery on me “lens replacement surgery”. It might seem like an extreme thing to do, but why not do it now when I’m young and healthy versus wait until I’m 70 and have fully developed cataracts. Well, it does cost a lot of money out of my pocket, since insurance won’t cover the surgery if there is no cataract, but Greg and I felt it was a good investment in the future. There is really a safety issue if I was ever put in a situation where my glasses got knocked off my face, I’m helpless. So the choice between putting money into a losing Roth IRA or into my future healthy eye sight seemed like a no-brain-er.
January 19th I had my left eye surgery and so far the results are better than expected. I can see 20/30 to 20/20. There will be some adjustment period before the eye fully heals and stabilizes. The doctor felt like everything looked good enough to proceed with the right eye on January 26th. It’s been a struggle this week living with eyes that are totally out of balance. Most of my time has been spent on the couch with my eyes closed resting and listening to TV or radio.
Now, I’m typing this on the weekend, with one eye covered so I can see the computer screen. Greg and I have been playing with my old glasses to create a fun eye patch as you can see on the right side panel of pictures. I will post this on Monday so everyone will be up to speed on what is happening. So think of me today was you read this, as I will be undergoing my second surgery.
My blog postings will continue this week, also as they did last week, because I was proactive and I scheduled postings done in advance of my absence.
"SEE you later alligator!"
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sabbatical brain
1-25-09 sabbatical brain
Second eye surgery tomorrow..... stay tuned!
Second eye surgery tomorrow..... stay tuned!
(picture of new snow this morning, view from upstairs window)
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