Every Sunday morning I offer a quick little prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help be feel and learn from just one things that happens at Church. To help me fill my cup a little bit. Today I was richly blessed.
Each Sunday the Sacrament is offered during Sacrament Meeting. The young men perform this ordinance. The Deacons (12-13 years old) and Teachers (14-15 years old) pass the bread and water in turn to the congregation. The Priests (16-17 years old) bless the bread and water and hand it to the Deacons and Teachers to pass. It is a quiet time to reflect on our baptismal covenants, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and focus on where we are in the Plan of Salvation and what we need to do to be better.
This Sunday Spencer Hanson, who has Down's Syndrome, blessed the bread. His speech is often blurred but he spoke carefully and deliberately as he read the prayer over the bread. These are prayers that must be word perfect. Spencer would read a sentence or phrase and the Priest standing beside him would repeat it so we could each hear. It was the most tender moment in time. First, when you hear those prayers which you hear every Sunday read in such a deliberate manner, the words sink down into your heart as you pay closer attention to them. Second, I was keenly aware that we are all Heavenly Father's children and he loves each of us and wants us each to serve to our best ability. With the help of Spencer's friends, he is able to perform this sacred ordinance and every heart was truly touched today. Grateful for that Sweet Sabbath Moment.
One of the speakers today was Christina Holt. She just returned from her mission to Japan. She bore her sweet testimony of the most important lesson she learned as she tried to learn to speak Japanese fluently and serve Heavenly Father's children in Japan. The lesson she learned was Charity, the Pure Love of Christ. She learned that when she looked at people through the eyes that Christ would look at them, she was able to feel what he wanted her to do to teach and serve them. This is such a profound lesson and would benefit the world over is we each did that. I loved her bearing a brief testimony in Japanese at the end of her talk. I loved the reminder that Charity Never Faileth. Grateful for that Sweet Sabbath Moment.
I spent the afternoon with my father. After taking him back to the nursing home, I headed home on Highway 25. In front of me were two big Harley Davidson motorcycles. A man was driving each bike and each had a lady as his passenger. As I drove behind them, I watched one of the men drop his hand and pat the leg of his lady. I remembered how many times Claude and I would ride and he would be having a moment of feeling good about things. Then he would reach back and pat my leg. It was always as good as a hug and/or kiss. I knew what he was feeling and I knew what I was feeling right back. It was good to have that Sweet Sabbath Moment.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Lessons from a Rock Wall...
All over Kentucky you will find these rock walls. They are a part of Kentucky history and are all protected. To be repaired requires a dry stone mason with particular skills. These walls are beautiful and add to ones enjoyment of the Kentucky countryside. I love them. They tell me they come from an Irish background. We did see some when in Ireland near the Cliffs of Moher. Needless to say, the ground on which Kentucky rests in limestone. Lots and lots of limestone. So finding these rocks is not an issue. Using them for walls is just amazing.
In Georgetown, Kentucky they are extending the by-pass around the outside of Georgetown a bit more. This will go through fields. This picture was taken across from the fire and emergency station on Hwy 25. The extension will cross over here and provide access to I-75. When clearing the land in this field, a rock wall that had fallen into great disrepair was found. Since these are protected by law, the wall had to be fixed. But, it was also in the path of where the new road will go. So, the rocks were all collected and are being restored down the road a bit from where the new road will go. The wall will be there again in all its beauty, just a little further down the road.
I marveled at all this effort to protect history. I appreciate all this effort to protect history. My mind reflects as I pass this location each day to go visit Papa and return home on the times I have seen the people of the world destroy that which is part of history because it offends them in some way. It goes against their current belief so they tear it down, deface it, try to erase that bit of history as though it never occurred. I remember seeing pictures of ISIS destroying ancient structures and I ached. I don't believe as those people believed who built thought magnificent buildings and pieces of art. But they are a part of our world history. I believe strongly we need to learn from them. I know we found faces scratched out of art when we visited Egypt. I have seen statues moved that are part of our American history. While things have been done that were not right, we still need to know they happened and learn from those errors so we don't repeat that. If it is erased, it will be easier to forget in time and repeat errors. This is my soap box and it is where I will stand on this matter.
I am grateful for the work being done to preserve these rocks in a beautiful wall, to keep our heritage alive, to remember and improve and be better with each day of our lives. Lessons from a Rock Wall.
The Talk in Winchester...
Claude is the Director of Self Reliance Services in the Lexington North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This program is expanding and is now called Welfare and Self-Reliance Services. I sit on the committee with him. We are asked to speak in the different Wards or Congregations that make up our Stake. We usually focus our talks on one of the foundational principles that are taught with the Self-Reliance group meetings. This time the Bishop of the Winchester Ward asked us to speak and my topic was Managing Money. I had a most touching experience planning this talk so I wanted to preserve my notes in this Blog. I was strongly impressed as I pondered and prayed about just what to say with the importance we have been given to prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. And the impression was strong that this is the purpose for which we have been given these programs. So that we are prepared. The following are my notes.
MANAGING MONEY
Winchester Ward, July 21, 2019
Are you prepared and ready for the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ?
Pres. Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference
"One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children."
"Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, 'To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!'"
"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (2 hour meeting block & Come, Follow Me)
Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2018 General Conference
"President Nelson, from his initial address to the members of the Church in January, has exhorted us to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by walking the covenant path.
World conditions increasingly require deepening individual conversion to and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Lord has prepared us, line upon line, for the perilous times that we now face.
"The adjustment announced this morning (Come, Follow Me & 2-hr mtg block) is yet another example of guidance for the challenges of our day."
These truths are what came to my mind as I pondered the topic on which I have been asked to speak today. Claude and I will speak to you on two of the Foundation Principles taught in each of the Self-Reliance Groups. The principle I am to focus on is Managing Money.
As we look at the changes in programs in the Church since Pres. Nelson has been called and sustained by us as the Prophet and President of the Church, I have noticed a marked focus on us being prepared for the 2nd Coming in each of those changes. One of the ways this has been emphasized is the continual unfolding of the Self-Reliance program. My testimony to you is this is a powerful tool the Savior has given each of us to prepare ourselves and our families for the 2nd Coming. With that background, let’s look at ‘Managing Money’.
From the "My Foundation" Manual
Ponder: Why is managing money so hard—and so important?
The Self-reliant Approach to Managing Money
➀ Income - Work hard and smart to receive money.
➁ Pay the Lord first. Tithes and offerings
➂ Pay ourselves second. Savings – Emergency Fund 1st and then Savings for our future.
➃ Pay your Current living expenses.
As we follow the Self-reliance Approach to Managing Money, we will spend less than we earn and avoid debt.
** Doctrine and Covenants 104:78
“And again, verily I say unto you, concerning your debts—behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts.”
All Is Safely Gathered In: “Pay tithes and offerings, . . . avoid debt, . . . use a budget, . . . determine how to reduce what you spend for nonessentials . . . [and] discipline yourself to live within your budget plan.”
** “There seems to be a sense of entitlement in today’s culture. . . . When we become burdened with excessive debt, we have . . . placed ourselves in self-imposed servitude, spending all of our time, all of our energy, and all of our means to the repayment of our debts. . . . It is essential that we . . . develop a spending and savings plan—a budget—and distinguish between wants and needs.” (Robert D. Hales, “Seek and Attain the Spiritual High Ground in Life” (Church Educational System fireside, Mar. 2009)
Topical Guide – Money
See also Bribe; Debt; Family, Managing Finances in; Mammon; Priestcraft; Riches; Treasure; Wealth
• money is a defence, Eccl. 7:12.
• money answereth all things, Eccl. 10:19.
Bible Dictionary – Ecclesiastes
The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer.
The book of Ecclesiastes seems permeated with a pessimistic flavor but must be read in the light of one of its key phrases: “under the sun” (1:9), meaning “from a worldly point of view.” The term vanity also needs clarification, since as used in Ecclesiastes it means “transitory” or “fleeting.” Thus the Preacher laments that as things appear from the point of view of the world, everything is temporary and soon gone—nothing is permanent.
Ecclesiastes 1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
(If we have no budget. If we do not follow the Self-Reliant path by earning income then paying the Lord first, then putting money into an emergency fund & savings and then pay our debts we will experience the ‘vanity and vexation of spirit’ of no profit in our lives.)
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
(Being Self-Reliant allows us to lift & serve others.)
Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:
(The Lord is concerned with work being a crowning principle in our lives. Jacob 2:18-19 teaches us to seek for the kingdom of God before we seek for riches. Then, after we obtain a hope in Christ we shall obtain riches for the intent to do good which is to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, liberate the captive and administer relief to the sick and afflicted.)
(Claude & I reflecting at the end of each day on how we used the 16 hours we were awake.)
Ecclesiastes 5: 18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
(This is the blessing of living a Self-reliant life)
Topical Guide – Family, Managing Finances in
See also Debt
Prepare for the 2nd Coming by using the tools He has given you.
Self-Reliance is one of those important tools.
Self-Reliance include much more that the original 4 groups.
Pres. Russell M. Nelson, April 2019 General Conference
"Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.
"I leave my love and blessing with you, assuring you that revelation continues in this, the Lord’s Church. It will continue until “the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
It was humbling to have these thoughts and this understanding impressed so strongly on my heart. I know it came from my loving Heavenly Father. I know these things are true. I know that the scriptures teach "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear". We know it will get worse in the final days prior to the Second Coming. We have been given so very much in the Church to prepare us so we do not fear. So we are temporally and spiritually strong enough to weather whatever storms come our way. That is why we will not fear and we will have hope in the eternal lives we are preparing to live. This I know to be true.
MANAGING MONEY
Winchester Ward, July 21, 2019
Are you prepared and ready for the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ?
Pres. Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference
"One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children."
"Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, 'To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!'"
"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (2 hour meeting block & Come, Follow Me)
Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2018 General Conference
"President Nelson, from his initial address to the members of the Church in January, has exhorted us to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by walking the covenant path.
World conditions increasingly require deepening individual conversion to and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Lord has prepared us, line upon line, for the perilous times that we now face.
"The adjustment announced this morning (Come, Follow Me & 2-hr mtg block) is yet another example of guidance for the challenges of our day."
These truths are what came to my mind as I pondered the topic on which I have been asked to speak today. Claude and I will speak to you on two of the Foundation Principles taught in each of the Self-Reliance Groups. The principle I am to focus on is Managing Money.
As we look at the changes in programs in the Church since Pres. Nelson has been called and sustained by us as the Prophet and President of the Church, I have noticed a marked focus on us being prepared for the 2nd Coming in each of those changes. One of the ways this has been emphasized is the continual unfolding of the Self-Reliance program. My testimony to you is this is a powerful tool the Savior has given each of us to prepare ourselves and our families for the 2nd Coming. With that background, let’s look at ‘Managing Money’.
From the "My Foundation" Manual
Ponder: Why is managing money so hard—and so important?
The Self-reliant Approach to Managing Money
➀ Income - Work hard and smart to receive money.
➁ Pay the Lord first. Tithes and offerings
➂ Pay ourselves second. Savings – Emergency Fund 1st and then Savings for our future.
- L. Tom Perry, “Pay yourself a predetermined amount directly into savings…It is amazing to me that so many people work all their lives for the grocer, the landlord, the power company the automobile salesman, and the bank and yet think so little of their own efforts that they pay themselves nothing.”
➃ Pay your Current living expenses.
As we follow the Self-reliance Approach to Managing Money, we will spend less than we earn and avoid debt.
** Doctrine and Covenants 104:78
“And again, verily I say unto you, concerning your debts—behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts.”
All Is Safely Gathered In: “Pay tithes and offerings, . . . avoid debt, . . . use a budget, . . . determine how to reduce what you spend for nonessentials . . . [and] discipline yourself to live within your budget plan.”
** “There seems to be a sense of entitlement in today’s culture. . . . When we become burdened with excessive debt, we have . . . placed ourselves in self-imposed servitude, spending all of our time, all of our energy, and all of our means to the repayment of our debts. . . . It is essential that we . . . develop a spending and savings plan—a budget—and distinguish between wants and needs.” (Robert D. Hales, “Seek and Attain the Spiritual High Ground in Life” (Church Educational System fireside, Mar. 2009)
Topical Guide – Money
See also Bribe; Debt; Family, Managing Finances in; Mammon; Priestcraft; Riches; Treasure; Wealth
• money is a defence, Eccl. 7:12.
• money answereth all things, Eccl. 10:19.
Bible Dictionary – Ecclesiastes
The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer.
The book of Ecclesiastes seems permeated with a pessimistic flavor but must be read in the light of one of its key phrases: “under the sun” (1:9), meaning “from a worldly point of view.” The term vanity also needs clarification, since as used in Ecclesiastes it means “transitory” or “fleeting.” Thus the Preacher laments that as things appear from the point of view of the world, everything is temporary and soon gone—nothing is permanent.
Ecclesiastes 1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
(If we have no budget. If we do not follow the Self-Reliant path by earning income then paying the Lord first, then putting money into an emergency fund & savings and then pay our debts we will experience the ‘vanity and vexation of spirit’ of no profit in our lives.)
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
(Being Self-Reliant allows us to lift & serve others.)
Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:
(The Lord is concerned with work being a crowning principle in our lives. Jacob 2:18-19 teaches us to seek for the kingdom of God before we seek for riches. Then, after we obtain a hope in Christ we shall obtain riches for the intent to do good which is to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, liberate the captive and administer relief to the sick and afflicted.)
(Claude & I reflecting at the end of each day on how we used the 16 hours we were awake.)
Ecclesiastes 5: 18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
(This is the blessing of living a Self-reliant life)
Topical Guide – Family, Managing Finances in
See also Debt
- Haggai 1:6 he that earneth wages…to put it into a bag with holes!
- Malachi 3:10 Paying tithes will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that we will not have room enough to receive.
- Matthew 6:19 Treasures on earth will corrupt with moth and rust; Treasures in heave will be there for eternity.
- D&C 88:119 Organize ourselves and prepare every needful thing.
Prepare for the 2nd Coming by using the tools He has given you.
Self-Reliance is one of those important tools.
Self-Reliance include much more that the original 4 groups.
- Life Skills
- BYU-Pathway
- Just Serve
Pres. Russell M. Nelson, April 2019 General Conference
"Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.
"I leave my love and blessing with you, assuring you that revelation continues in this, the Lord’s Church. It will continue until “the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
It was humbling to have these thoughts and this understanding impressed so strongly on my heart. I know it came from my loving Heavenly Father. I know these things are true. I know that the scriptures teach "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear". We know it will get worse in the final days prior to the Second Coming. We have been given so very much in the Church to prepare us so we do not fear. So we are temporally and spiritually strong enough to weather whatever storms come our way. That is why we will not fear and we will have hope in the eternal lives we are preparing to live. This I know to be true.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
The Fall...
I shall start this post with a warning. This could be disturbing to some people.
Saturday, August 3rd, after taking the Mini's to Bernheim Forest to see the Forest Giants (see previous post), those Mini's were ready for something to eat followed by an ice cream treat. That is best accomplished at Dairy Queen. Hayden took my phone and located one on our way home in Shepherdsville. Claude pointed the Buick in that direction and we were off. I was going through pictures to post on Facebook. We got to Dairy Queen and everyone had something to eat. Then Claude took the Mini's back up to pick out their ice cream treats. I finished posting pictures to Facebook.
We went to the car. I had a bit more soda left in my cup and a glass of ice water in the car. I poured my left over soda over my water. Then I got out of the car to take my trash to a trash can. This is where everything went very wrong. I tripped on that concrete log they put to stop cars from hitting the curb. This meant I fell forward. As I started to fall, I heard a voice in my head say, "Relax and take the fall." Then my mouth hit the edge of the concrete walk into Dairy Queen. I knew immediately it was not good. I remember turning over and looking across toward Claude and saying something like, "I think my mouth is wrong!" He calmly assured me I was correct. I started to bleed. Napkins were coming to catch the blood. People were coming out from inside Dairy Queen to offer help and paper towels. I stood up and made my way to my place in the car. Trying to stop the bleeding along the way. Claude tells me a man stopped his car to get out to help and looked at me, then turned to Claude and said, "I think she broke a tooth." Major understatement.
I keep gallon Ziploc bags in the back of each of my car seats. The Mini's tend to get car sick. These they each have easy access too just in case. After a couple of minutes I said to Bailey, "Please hand me your plastic bag." She did and I filled it.
About this time the girls from inside Dairy Queen came out very concerned. They wanted to know if they should fill out an incident report. You know, even in my wrecked condition, I knew this was my fault. I have bad feelings about how litigious our society has become. I just looked at those poor girls and said, "This is really my fault. There is no need for a report. You really don't have to worry about this. I will take more paper towels for the ride home though."
Soon we were off and on our way home. I took this selfie after looking in the mirror. If you have a weak stomach, don't look at this picture.
The drive home gave me time to think and feel how strange my mouth felt. It also gave me pause as we are set to go on our big trip this year on Tuesday, August 13th. Would this be the undoing of this long awaited trip. As we drove I was sure they would have to pull at least three teeth right in the front. One appeared to be broken off right at the bottom of the gum. Time to think was a good thing. We were at least two hours from home so I appreciated time to think. I could come to peace with losing my teeth. Life would not end, it just might be a little different.
Andie was contacted and Michael gave us a place in route to meet him so he could take the kids back home and we could get home a bit quicker. Poor Michael really looked shocked when he saw me. He was very worried about how it must hurt. The truth is, it wasn't hurting as much as one would think. Where I bit through my lip hurt more than my teeth.
I called my dentist office as we drove to see if they had any emergency hours. The young man on duty told me they didn't. I explained what happened and the result was I had one tooth broken off at the gum line, one tooth broken and one tooth facing the back of my mouth. He said he would call the dentist and call me back. Dr. Hollen said to have me come in Monday at 8am.
Claude and I got home and went to bed. I would stay there all day Sunday. Didn't even try to go visit Papa that day.
Monday, Claude drove me to Dr. Hollen's office. She looked at my mouth and we talked about what happened and how I felt. I assured her I wasn't in much pain. We had some meds left from Claude last episode with his implant and I had taken that Saturday night to sleep. Other than that I was taking arthritis strength Tylenol. She said that was an indicator to her that the nerves were damaged. Otherwise, I would really be suffering with pain. Hmmm... Dr. Hollen took a couple of x-rays and then referred me immediately to Dr. King.
Dr. King has an x-ray machine that takes a circular image of your mouth and gives you a 3-D type picture of what is actually happening in the mouth. Different view than an x-ray. Then he was going to explain what he found and what our options were. I asked if Claude could come back and hear so i didn't have to repeat everything and we could both make the decision together. They brought Claude back. An explanation was given and we determined the best plan was to remove the three teeth, put bone marrow in the sockets to help the healing, then do an implant bridge to have the three teeth look right again. This will take months but we all felt like it was the best decision.
I shared our upcoming trip with Dr. King. That would make it about a week away. He was so accommodating and helpful to try and get everything so I could travel the best way possible. He never made us feel rushed and the entire staff have been over-the-top amazing and kind. I am one richly blessed lady to have these people working with me. He did request we come back at 12:30 that day so he could take some impressions. They would make a 'flipper' which is three false teeth on a retainer that I could wear for aesthetics. Not to eat, just to look okay. We agreed.
We came back at 12:30 and he took these pictures as well as the impressions. Again, not for the squeamish. But I am amazed at what tools dentists have these days. Here is what the picture shows. The little short tooth on the top is not broken off at the gum line. It is literally jammed into the gum. The big tooth to the right of it is broken on the bottom and jammed into the gum line. The tooth to the right of that is jammed clear up in the gum with the white bottom pointing to the back of my mouth. We picked the best plan to fix this mess. The good part is I didn't break any bones in my face and the rest of my teeth are fine.
Claude took me to our Dairy Queen and got me a Mango Pineapple Smoothie. I was able to eat it with a spoon taking little bits and putting it in the back of the left side of my mouth. I sent Hayden and Bailey a text and assured them we would be able to go back to a Dairy Queen again in the future. They were happy. Claude dropped me off at the nursing home and I spent a few hours visiting Papa. Then we went home so I could rest again.
Tuesday, August 6th we were back at Dr. King's office at 11:30am for the extractions. They took me back to a room and this beautiful picture was on the wall.
I love turtles. Turtle is my favorite word. I have lots of turtles tucked around our home. To walk into this room and see a beautiful turtle picture on the wall gave me such calm and peace about this little ordeal. I shared this with the staff and thanked them for doing this work in this room. While I was in surgery, they gave Claude my prescriptions so he could go get them filled. When I finished with everything about 1pm, Claude was ready to take me home to rest for the remainder of the day.
I did take this picture when I saw the swelling that was happening in my gums and under my nose. I told Claude that if they put some hair around my face I could be an actor in the movie "Planet of the Apes". Bwah ha ha!!
Wednesday, Claude had a meeting in Lexington in the afternoon. We decided he would drop me at the nursing home so I could spend some hours with Papa, then he would pick me up and we would go try Cracker Barrel for dinner. I was sure I could find something soft there to eat. I was taking narcotics for pain and one has no business driving when taking these drugs. We ordered meat loaf and I had steamed carrots and mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner. It takes a lot longer for me to eat now as I don't want to get food into those three sockets and mess up all the work of healing that has to take place there. So I need to take a spoon or fork and get little bits of food tucked back in my left jaw where I have teeth to chew. It is a process but it works. Dr. King said to eat normally to keep up nutrition. I have lost weight but am only eating healthy things. The hardest part for me is that I can't have soda. It seems the soda pop will erode the stitches. So, as long as I have these stitches, no soda.
The flipper was not supposed to be ready until Friday. However, the dentist office called and told me that I could come in Thursday at noon and get it fitted. Yippee!! Claude took me in Thursday and they popped in the flipper. Then popped it out and adjusted till they got the right fit. Dr. King sat on a chair beside me after the flipper was in and said, "We made the right decision for you. When I took your teeth out, I would usually have to wiggle them to get the root loose enough to come out in one piece. I didn't have to wiggle your teeth. They came out with bone on the root." My gum was really busted up. He repaired all that gum and now we wait for it to heal and fill in with the bone marrow stuff. This is me in my flipper. As I met Claude in Dr. King's waiting room after getting the flipper, I walked into the waiting room and did a pose and sang, "They call me Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning." Claude had a grin out of it.
After a nice visit with Papa, I was returned to my home. Poor Papa wanted to go for a car ride. I had to explain again what was going on with my mouth and that I could not drive until I wasn't taking those medications. He just can't remember things and one has to explain again and again so he understands that at this point I need to take care of my health. Once I explain, he is fine and very concerned.
I quit taking the narcotics and was able to drive myself on Friday for the first time to visit Papa. We did not go for a long drive because I just wasn't that sure of myself. But we did enjoy a morning with him drinking root beer and visiting in my car. He was very happy with that outing.
So I am on the mend. It will be a slow process. Months of healing between processes to get the posts in for the implants, etc. I am so very grateful for so many things in this process. I am grateful for that voice that told me to relax into the fall. I truly believe that kept me from more serious damage. I am grateful for a calm hubby who has been so supportive and provided what I need and want through this. I am grateful for a good dentist who referred me to the perfect dentist to help us make a plan and then get me through that plan. I am grateful they appreciate the fact we want to take our trip and are bending over backwards when they already have full schedules to be sure I am as prepared as I can be. So much to be grateful for and I am truly grateful for all of it.
A little irony about this fall. When we went to LaGrange to watch Hayden march with the Oldham County High School Band in the Oldham County Days parade, Claude fell as we were finding a place to sit along the street. I fell after visiting Bernheim Forest. That evening we learned that Bonnie, Claude's mom, fell and broke her wrist. Later that weekend I got a news flash on my cell phone that Mitch McConnell, our Senator in Kentucky, fell and injured his shoulder at his home. During the week as I visited with Papa, Larry came in to check on us. He is the insurance agent for Papa. Turns out his wife also fell and broke her leg. It seems August has not been a good month for those of us who are aging as gracefully as we can.
Saturday, August 3rd, after taking the Mini's to Bernheim Forest to see the Forest Giants (see previous post), those Mini's were ready for something to eat followed by an ice cream treat. That is best accomplished at Dairy Queen. Hayden took my phone and located one on our way home in Shepherdsville. Claude pointed the Buick in that direction and we were off. I was going through pictures to post on Facebook. We got to Dairy Queen and everyone had something to eat. Then Claude took the Mini's back up to pick out their ice cream treats. I finished posting pictures to Facebook.
We went to the car. I had a bit more soda left in my cup and a glass of ice water in the car. I poured my left over soda over my water. Then I got out of the car to take my trash to a trash can. This is where everything went very wrong. I tripped on that concrete log they put to stop cars from hitting the curb. This meant I fell forward. As I started to fall, I heard a voice in my head say, "Relax and take the fall." Then my mouth hit the edge of the concrete walk into Dairy Queen. I knew immediately it was not good. I remember turning over and looking across toward Claude and saying something like, "I think my mouth is wrong!" He calmly assured me I was correct. I started to bleed. Napkins were coming to catch the blood. People were coming out from inside Dairy Queen to offer help and paper towels. I stood up and made my way to my place in the car. Trying to stop the bleeding along the way. Claude tells me a man stopped his car to get out to help and looked at me, then turned to Claude and said, "I think she broke a tooth." Major understatement.
I keep gallon Ziploc bags in the back of each of my car seats. The Mini's tend to get car sick. These they each have easy access too just in case. After a couple of minutes I said to Bailey, "Please hand me your plastic bag." She did and I filled it.
About this time the girls from inside Dairy Queen came out very concerned. They wanted to know if they should fill out an incident report. You know, even in my wrecked condition, I knew this was my fault. I have bad feelings about how litigious our society has become. I just looked at those poor girls and said, "This is really my fault. There is no need for a report. You really don't have to worry about this. I will take more paper towels for the ride home though."
Soon we were off and on our way home. I took this selfie after looking in the mirror. If you have a weak stomach, don't look at this picture.
Andie was contacted and Michael gave us a place in route to meet him so he could take the kids back home and we could get home a bit quicker. Poor Michael really looked shocked when he saw me. He was very worried about how it must hurt. The truth is, it wasn't hurting as much as one would think. Where I bit through my lip hurt more than my teeth.
I called my dentist office as we drove to see if they had any emergency hours. The young man on duty told me they didn't. I explained what happened and the result was I had one tooth broken off at the gum line, one tooth broken and one tooth facing the back of my mouth. He said he would call the dentist and call me back. Dr. Hollen said to have me come in Monday at 8am.
Claude and I got home and went to bed. I would stay there all day Sunday. Didn't even try to go visit Papa that day.
Monday, Claude drove me to Dr. Hollen's office. She looked at my mouth and we talked about what happened and how I felt. I assured her I wasn't in much pain. We had some meds left from Claude last episode with his implant and I had taken that Saturday night to sleep. Other than that I was taking arthritis strength Tylenol. She said that was an indicator to her that the nerves were damaged. Otherwise, I would really be suffering with pain. Hmmm... Dr. Hollen took a couple of x-rays and then referred me immediately to Dr. King.
Dr. King has an x-ray machine that takes a circular image of your mouth and gives you a 3-D type picture of what is actually happening in the mouth. Different view than an x-ray. Then he was going to explain what he found and what our options were. I asked if Claude could come back and hear so i didn't have to repeat everything and we could both make the decision together. They brought Claude back. An explanation was given and we determined the best plan was to remove the three teeth, put bone marrow in the sockets to help the healing, then do an implant bridge to have the three teeth look right again. This will take months but we all felt like it was the best decision.
I shared our upcoming trip with Dr. King. That would make it about a week away. He was so accommodating and helpful to try and get everything so I could travel the best way possible. He never made us feel rushed and the entire staff have been over-the-top amazing and kind. I am one richly blessed lady to have these people working with me. He did request we come back at 12:30 that day so he could take some impressions. They would make a 'flipper' which is three false teeth on a retainer that I could wear for aesthetics. Not to eat, just to look okay. We agreed.
We came back at 12:30 and he took these pictures as well as the impressions. Again, not for the squeamish. But I am amazed at what tools dentists have these days. Here is what the picture shows. The little short tooth on the top is not broken off at the gum line. It is literally jammed into the gum. The big tooth to the right of it is broken on the bottom and jammed into the gum line. The tooth to the right of that is jammed clear up in the gum with the white bottom pointing to the back of my mouth. We picked the best plan to fix this mess. The good part is I didn't break any bones in my face and the rest of my teeth are fine.
Tuesday, August 6th we were back at Dr. King's office at 11:30am for the extractions. They took me back to a room and this beautiful picture was on the wall.
I did take this picture when I saw the swelling that was happening in my gums and under my nose. I told Claude that if they put some hair around my face I could be an actor in the movie "Planet of the Apes". Bwah ha ha!!
The flipper was not supposed to be ready until Friday. However, the dentist office called and told me that I could come in Thursday at noon and get it fitted. Yippee!! Claude took me in Thursday and they popped in the flipper. Then popped it out and adjusted till they got the right fit. Dr. King sat on a chair beside me after the flipper was in and said, "We made the right decision for you. When I took your teeth out, I would usually have to wiggle them to get the root loose enough to come out in one piece. I didn't have to wiggle your teeth. They came out with bone on the root." My gum was really busted up. He repaired all that gum and now we wait for it to heal and fill in with the bone marrow stuff. This is me in my flipper. As I met Claude in Dr. King's waiting room after getting the flipper, I walked into the waiting room and did a pose and sang, "They call me Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning." Claude had a grin out of it.
I quit taking the narcotics and was able to drive myself on Friday for the first time to visit Papa. We did not go for a long drive because I just wasn't that sure of myself. But we did enjoy a morning with him drinking root beer and visiting in my car. He was very happy with that outing.
So I am on the mend. It will be a slow process. Months of healing between processes to get the posts in for the implants, etc. I am so very grateful for so many things in this process. I am grateful for that voice that told me to relax into the fall. I truly believe that kept me from more serious damage. I am grateful for a calm hubby who has been so supportive and provided what I need and want through this. I am grateful for a good dentist who referred me to the perfect dentist to help us make a plan and then get me through that plan. I am grateful they appreciate the fact we want to take our trip and are bending over backwards when they already have full schedules to be sure I am as prepared as I can be. So much to be grateful for and I am truly grateful for all of it.
A little irony about this fall. When we went to LaGrange to watch Hayden march with the Oldham County High School Band in the Oldham County Days parade, Claude fell as we were finding a place to sit along the street. I fell after visiting Bernheim Forest. That evening we learned that Bonnie, Claude's mom, fell and broke her wrist. Later that weekend I got a news flash on my cell phone that Mitch McConnell, our Senator in Kentucky, fell and injured his shoulder at his home. During the week as I visited with Papa, Larry came in to check on us. He is the insurance agent for Papa. Turns out his wife also fell and broke her leg. It seems August has not been a good month for those of us who are aging as gracefully as we can.
Bernheim Forest...
A friend posted on Facebook about an adventure her family went on in Kentucky. We have a beautiful forest named Bernheim Forest. It is not far from Bardstown, Kentucky. Claude and I drove through Bernheim Forest after a weekend trip to Bardstown to ride My Kentucky Dinner Train several years ago. I drove Papa over one day and we drove through it for fun. Bernheim Forest is celebrating it's 90th anniversary. In conjunction with this occasion, Bernheim welcomed Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, to construct three giant sculptures throughout the arboretum using recycled wood from the region. They are Mama Loumari with her children, Little Nis and Little Elina, and her third baby Giant, who is currently living in Mama's belly. This piqued my curiosity and was something I truly wanted to see. I shared it with Claude and he too wanted to visit this exhibit which should be in Bernheim Forest for about three years.
Saturday, August 3rd, was an afternoon we could do this. So, I was up and visited Papa early in the day. Claude came to Georgetown and picked me up and we drove on to LaGrange. We would pick up the Mini's to enjoy this adventure with us and give Andie a few hours to get some things accomplished preparing for her school year.
At the Marx home we gave Andie a hair cut and picked up a pair of shorts Bailey needed to have a seam mended. I took some embroidery floss from Andie and mended the shorts as we drove to Bernheim.
There is no cost to go and see the Giants but there is a suggested $10 per car donation to Bernheim Forest. I find that a very good donation to make. We made the donation and then managed to find parking. After a brief walk to the Visitor's Center, we were given this map showing where we would need to walk from the Visitor's Center to get to all three Giants. It would be a mile walk out and a mile walk back. The temperature was 90 degrees. With caps, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen on each of us, we set out on our journey.
I did okay on this walk, however, on the return trip the heat was getting to me. There was a snow cone wagon near Mama Loumari and as we approached it I assured Claude we all needed to rehydrate. Claude was happy to purchase a snow cone of choice for each of it. It was very refreshing in that heat.
We got out of this adventure without buying one souvenir. The kids are getting older. Hayden was happy with the cup his snow cone came in. It was plastic and changes colors with the cold items placed in it. Apparently he is collecting these cups this summer and our treat added a blue one to his collection. How fortuitous!
We enjoyed seeing these Forest Giants and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Bernheim Forest. Plan on walking a lot. There are parking lots near each of these Giants, however, you still need to walk from the lot on gravel paths to the Giants. One lady in one of the motorized carts was having a bit of trouble getting up a slight gravel hill. She made it. Great outing and very interesting to see.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Little Moments to Remember...
Thursday, July 18th, while weeding our front flower bed, I came upon this treasure. Yuck!!
Saturday, July 20th. Claude fell as we were finding our seats for the Oldham County Days Parade. Remember this, it fits with a later post.
Sunday, July 21st we were asked to speak in the Winchester Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My talk was on Managing Money. I'll share this in a later post.
I heard someone speak about the Polyanna movie and I remembered loving that movie a lot. I came home and ordered it from Walmart. It arrived and I posted this picture to my kids stating they would watch it with me and also watch Heidi. Good stories and good lessons in those stories.
Monday, July 22nd through Friday, July 26th Bailey attended 4-H Camp. She really loves this experience. This is her 3rd year to attend and she plans to continue participating. No pictures of this.
Saturday, July 27th, Katelyn gave us a packet with a few pictures of their family. Enclosed in that packet was this sweet picture. This is Emelia's foot print. Emelia was born April 30th so this is her 3 month foot print. The hand print is Raelyn. She was born January 22nd, 2016 so this is her 3 year and 6 month hand print. What a treasure!
Monday, July 29th through Thursday, August 1st Hayden attended the Oldham County High School Band Camp each day from 8:30am to 8:30pm. Very intensive to get them ready to march on the football field when those games start. This is Hayden's first year in the high school marching band and it is fun to watch them get all those kids to know where to be as they march on the field. These three pictures Andie retrieved from the school band website. In the first Hayden is on the back row in the orange cap. In the second he is in the band room with the red shirt. In the last he is in the center of the picture with a blue shirt and shorts.
We were up to our necks with getting Bonnie to family. Each of the kids gave me very thoughtful gifts. On Wednesday the 31st, Claude and I found time for just the two of us to try out a new restaurant in Georgetown. It is named Broussard's Delta Kitchen. Man was this food good. They have Cajun and Creole cuisine. Back to my roots. Good stuff and we will return.
Sunday, July 21st we were asked to speak in the Winchester Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My talk was on Managing Money. I'll share this in a later post.
I heard someone speak about the Polyanna movie and I remembered loving that movie a lot. I came home and ordered it from Walmart. It arrived and I posted this picture to my kids stating they would watch it with me and also watch Heidi. Good stories and good lessons in those stories.
Saturday, July 27th, Katelyn gave us a packet with a few pictures of their family. Enclosed in that packet was this sweet picture. This is Emelia's foot print. Emelia was born April 30th so this is her 3 month foot print. The hand print is Raelyn. She was born January 22nd, 2016 so this is her 3 year and 6 month hand print. What a treasure!
Monday, July 29th, Katelyn posted this fun picture on Facebook. Drew was playing with Emelia and got this fun picture of her grinning. She is a doll and all that hair!!
My 69th birthday was Tuesday, July 30th. We visited the Marx family that day. After we got home, Claude handed me this card. Bailey made it and gave it to him to quietly give to me when I got home. Not before. Only when I got home. She writes: "Happy BDay Ma! From your Grandchild Version 1.2 - Bailey." And she drew a turtle for me. Melts my heart. Sent her a thank you text right away. Love this girl.
Thursday, August 1st, I spent my morning first visiting Dr. Wilson. He is our dermatologist. I had something growing on my check under my right eye and didn't want another Moh's surgery. My next scheduled visit with him was not until January so I called to see if he could see it really quickly. He did and pronounced it a tiny wart. Of all things. I have had a wart on the back of my foot at the base of my big toe before but never on my face. This does not bode well for me. I asked him not to remove it until we took our vacation so we scheduled an appointment for a few weeks from this visit. Remember this, it will figure in a later post.
When I finished with Dr. Wilson, I hurried to the nursing home to take Papa on a car ride. When I got up that morning there was news on about a gas pipeline exploding. I determined to find a route that would not take us there. We had a nice ride in an easterly direction.
Bailey is in her second year of Oldham County Middle School Cross Country. She really wanted spikes to wear this year. She wanted them last year but her parents said she needed to prove she would stick with it first. Claude overheard a conversation regarding this and quietly asked me about possibly buying spikes for Bailey. I totally agreed. I looked on line to find out about them and their cost. Then we approached Andie and explained what we wanted to do if it would fit with their family plans. Don't want to overstep as grandparents you know. She was happy about that as Bailey also needed another shoe for something else. As an added bonus, Fleet Feet, a shoe store specializing in athletic shoes, has a thing they do every year for the Cross Country runners in the schools and offer deep discounts one night prior to the year of running. Michael was taking Bailey that night to check on shoes. They bought them and we reimbursed for her spikes. She was so thrilled and immediately sent us this thank you picture.
This night we had a Self-Reliance Stake Committee Meeting in Lexington. We took this opportunity to use my birthday coupon at BD's Mongolian Grill. Yum.
Friday, August 2nd, I was finally able to get my haircut. I tried to do that 3 weeks prior and Tyra was all booked up. She asked if I could come the next week and I had Bonnie visiting. So we set it up for this date. My hair was really getting longer. I loved the feel of it on my neck but really needed it to be shorter.
While checking Facebook, I came across this meme that cracked me up. It was a joke. Question: Where did Captain Hook buy his hook? Answer: A second hand store!!
I also went to practice the organ this day. Much to my chagrin the organ was broken. I am sure it was hit by a surge of lightening. When you turn the organ on and the volume pedals are down and you have not selected any stops, there should be no sound when you touch a key or pedal. I turned the organ on. When I put my foot on the pedal to slide across the organ bench there was a very loud sound coming from the organ. There should have been no sound. It seems the organ thought every stop should be play and be sustaining when played. Very abnormal. I ran though the hymns but knew it could not be used for prelude, postlude or the sacrament hymn. A work order was placed to have someone come work on it. They are on back log with requests and it could take up to 30 days for that to happen. We'll be playing the piano for church services for a bit.
Also on Friday, August 2nd, Claude and I made a quick video of us waving hi to Raelyn and sent it to Katelyn's phone. It was truly pathetic. We are just not talented at that at all. But, you know what, there is a little 3 year old nugget in Michigan that loves it. That, my friends, is what is most important. Want her to grow up knowing she is loved across many miles.
Thursday, August 8th, Claude and I were driving home from Georgetown. We found this beautiful new sign located on Hwy. 32 across from our Eagle Bend Entrance. Sure looks nice.
Today, Friday, August 9th, I drove Papa to the park along Elkhorn Creek for a bit of an outing. I posted this picture on Facebook with this thought: "Spent a most pleasant morning with Papa parked along Elkhorn Creek. Got him a root beer. Played LDS Hymns from my cellphone. He talked and played the Free Flow game on my old Kindle. All the while the geese entertained us and the movement of the creek calmed us. Such happiness for the price of a root beer and some time." I was a lovely morning outing for us.
That catches up little moment to remember. Now to a good night's sleep and finish up bigger things tomorrow.
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