Traveling on business again ...this time for a niche magazine conference focused on ad sales specifically. Starts bright and early tomorrow a.m. ... I have to be at registration at 7:30 (I volunteered to help!) I know you are all shocked! LOL!! Looking forward to learning and/or reaffirming what I already know so I can continue to increase sales. And figured helping with registration will allow me to get to know people quicker ... I did volunteer kind of blindly ... so I hope they don't have me wearing a mascot costume or something! YIKES!! One should probably think for a few moments before hitting the reply/send key saying, "I can help!"
I am waiting for maintenance to come and fix the lock on my balcony door. The setting is beautiful, 3rd floor overlooking a wooded area. So, if I can get the door to lock ... it will be perfect.
Blessings to all!
Lisa
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Pity Party ...
Sad, I know, but I have spent the morning wallowing in my very own pity party! My doctor has told me that I have to cut back/eliminate the things in my routine of life that cause stress on my lungs, rib area, chest because until I do that the inflammation that is there that has caused the chest pains, burning and soreness will not subside or heal. Therefore, I had to cut one of the things I love to do the most ... SING!! The last couple of months have been very telling ... the days/nights that I sing or have rehearsals for the praise teams that I am on and for choir, are the times that I hurt and experience the most discomfort.
I didn't want to admit that singing was one of the causes, but it is. How does one give up willingly something that is so important to them? It is not easy, I can tell you.
My hubby, who is very protective of me and my health, reminded me yesterday after I worked and after I went to the grocery story pushing a stupid grocery cart full of groceries around and being in much pain afterwards that I over did it because I was feeling better.
He then said, "and you told Thornton (our worship leader/music minister) that you aren't singing the rest of this month, right?" I didn't answer at first, which he knew meant I hadn't. I said, "I already practiced and thought I could do one more Sunday. I'll be out of town the following week, anyway, for work." That was not the answer he was looking for. I realized in looking at the concern in his eyes that he was right. I had to give it up for a while. So, I have been wallowing in my own self-pity since yesterday evening. I am grouchy and frustrated, and didn't even go to church today ... at all. I stayed home to pout instead! Shame on me. I know that noone is taking this away from me to punish or to be mean, but to help me feel better. Hopefully, it will heal soon!
In the meantime, a good friend told me that God may be trying to teach me patience, or better-yet, self-discipline. I am guessing it is the latter, especially. I have much on my plate that I need to complete ... things I have started over the years with much enthusiasm and excitement, but that remain undone.
What she didn't know when she made that comments is that in the last two weeks or so I have asked God to help me prioritize the things on my over-scheduled calendar ... to remove the things that are in the way of me getting done the things He wants me to do, and to add the things, if there are any, that are needed to accomplish the plans He has set for me. I may not like what He does as he rearranges my schedule, but I realize that He knows what is best, and I am trying to not just hear, but to actually listen and do!!
OK, I'm done with my pity party ... it's time to get focused ... time to find the discipline ... time to prioritize life, complete projects ... move into the right direction ... starting NOW!!
Forging ahead!
Lisa
I didn't want to admit that singing was one of the causes, but it is. How does one give up willingly something that is so important to them? It is not easy, I can tell you.
My hubby, who is very protective of me and my health, reminded me yesterday after I worked and after I went to the grocery story pushing a stupid grocery cart full of groceries around and being in much pain afterwards that I over did it because I was feeling better.
He then said, "and you told Thornton (our worship leader/music minister) that you aren't singing the rest of this month, right?" I didn't answer at first, which he knew meant I hadn't. I said, "I already practiced and thought I could do one more Sunday. I'll be out of town the following week, anyway, for work." That was not the answer he was looking for. I realized in looking at the concern in his eyes that he was right. I had to give it up for a while. So, I have been wallowing in my own self-pity since yesterday evening. I am grouchy and frustrated, and didn't even go to church today ... at all. I stayed home to pout instead! Shame on me. I know that noone is taking this away from me to punish or to be mean, but to help me feel better. Hopefully, it will heal soon!
In the meantime, a good friend told me that God may be trying to teach me patience, or better-yet, self-discipline. I am guessing it is the latter, especially. I have much on my plate that I need to complete ... things I have started over the years with much enthusiasm and excitement, but that remain undone.
What she didn't know when she made that comments is that in the last two weeks or so I have asked God to help me prioritize the things on my over-scheduled calendar ... to remove the things that are in the way of me getting done the things He wants me to do, and to add the things, if there are any, that are needed to accomplish the plans He has set for me. I may not like what He does as he rearranges my schedule, but I realize that He knows what is best, and I am trying to not just hear, but to actually listen and do!!
OK, I'm done with my pity party ... it's time to get focused ... time to find the discipline ... time to prioritize life, complete projects ... move into the right direction ... starting NOW!!
Forging ahead!
Lisa
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Dad
Another weekend spent at the emergency room with Dad. More trouble breathing ...after a diagnosis on the 20th of Congestive Heart Failure. They aren't sure exactly what is going on, though now think it may be his lungs reacting and trying to readjust to being a non-smoker (today his is ninth day). We continue to pray that all can be easily treated. Part of the issue is making Dad understand the importance of eating right and exercising. Not smoking is only one step of many that he has to take! I'm proud of him, he's making an effort.
Keepin' on keepin' on!
Keepin' on keepin' on!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Reflect and Renew ...
Today is Ash Wednesday ... the beginning of Lent and a time to reflect and begin renewing from the inside out!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My age is showing by the connections that I have ...
I only say that because it seems I now know more people who are at an age where they are facing death in some way ... a Mother, Father, Grandmother, friend, acquaintance. It makes me stop and think about the times when I should have reached out to say I still care when someone came to mind. With some, I have lost the opportunity to reconnect, and with those I pray that I will some day meet them again in Heaven! With others, a death has allowed a bittersweet reconnect!
Two such moments come to me immediately. The man who helped mentor and encourage me to use my voice to praise and worship God died recently at age 87. His name is Doug Moss! I got to see him about three years ago when I went home to visit for Leslie's Mom's funeral. He had such a big grin on his face when he saw me in the sanctuary, and his wife asked if he remembered who I was. His grin got bigger and he said, "I'll always know who Lisa is!" From the time I was 8 years old to the time I left for college, Doug faithfully played the organ at church and directed the adult choir that he allowed me to be a part of. He helped me prepare for various auditions. He was a wonderful man of God and I will always treasure his love of life, family and God, his encouragement and his faith ... such sweet memories I have of him from Calvert City, Ky!
Right after I found out about Doug, I learned that one of my childhood best friends (Mary) from Calvert had lost her Mom. A wonderfully, large Catholic family ... there were 10 kids, so when I hung out at their house I blended right in. We had so much fun. Mary and I haven't seen or talked to one another perhaps since I left for college some 25 (GULP!) years ago. I sent a message through the guest book when I found out about her Mom and hope that I get a response soon. Just wanted her to know I was thinking about her and the family. Where does the time go?
Who do you need to reconnect with today? Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, drop a card in the mail, stop by for a visit! It could touch a heart ... it could touch at least two!!
Wishing you roses and rainbows!
Lisa
Two such moments come to me immediately. The man who helped mentor and encourage me to use my voice to praise and worship God died recently at age 87. His name is Doug Moss! I got to see him about three years ago when I went home to visit for Leslie's Mom's funeral. He had such a big grin on his face when he saw me in the sanctuary, and his wife asked if he remembered who I was. His grin got bigger and he said, "I'll always know who Lisa is!" From the time I was 8 years old to the time I left for college, Doug faithfully played the organ at church and directed the adult choir that he allowed me to be a part of. He helped me prepare for various auditions. He was a wonderful man of God and I will always treasure his love of life, family and God, his encouragement and his faith ... such sweet memories I have of him from Calvert City, Ky!
Right after I found out about Doug, I learned that one of my childhood best friends (Mary) from Calvert had lost her Mom. A wonderfully, large Catholic family ... there were 10 kids, so when I hung out at their house I blended right in. We had so much fun. Mary and I haven't seen or talked to one another perhaps since I left for college some 25 (GULP!) years ago. I sent a message through the guest book when I found out about her Mom and hope that I get a response soon. Just wanted her to know I was thinking about her and the family. Where does the time go?
Who do you need to reconnect with today? Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, drop a card in the mail, stop by for a visit! It could touch a heart ... it could touch at least two!!
Wishing you roses and rainbows!
Lisa
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sometimes you just know ...
when you have a connection with another person!
I had lunch with someone Friday whose path I have intersected with on a number of occasions. While we really never had a chance before to really talk ... on Friday we talked with ease about life, about each other, about work, about family ... about everything ... and it was as if we had known each other and been good friends for years. I LOVE when that happens! We talked about the number of times that we have in some way or another crossed paths before, yet hadn't actually "connected."
That is not the case now ... we have much in common in our interests, in our values and goals. We have much that we do that also complements and balances one another. So cool when God places people in your life that matter!!
I am blessed to have so many connections in my life!
I had lunch with someone Friday whose path I have intersected with on a number of occasions. While we really never had a chance before to really talk ... on Friday we talked with ease about life, about each other, about work, about family ... about everything ... and it was as if we had known each other and been good friends for years. I LOVE when that happens! We talked about the number of times that we have in some way or another crossed paths before, yet hadn't actually "connected."
That is not the case now ... we have much in common in our interests, in our values and goals. We have much that we do that also complements and balances one another. So cool when God places people in your life that matter!!
I am blessed to have so many connections in my life!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Health issues continue ...
Well, I had hoped that by now I would have answers to the health issues I have been dealing with ... chest pains/burning sensations and shortness of breath, mostly. Chest feels like there is something sitting in it. Very frustrating. The initial medication they gave me didn't work, so that ruled out (they think) ulcer, esophigitis, and acid reflux.
Had blood and other tests which seemed to have ruled out anything with kidney, liver, etc. Chest x-ray showed clear and this past Monday did a nuclear stress test. Fortunately, that showed that there is no blockage. The problem is, my chest still hurts and I am still having breathing issues. GRRR!!
My cardiologist's nurse called today and they have asked me to come in on Monday for an echocardiogram. She said the doctor wants to make sure that everything in my heart is structually sound, that the valves, etc. are functioning properly, etc. So, yet another test on Monday a.m. I just keep praying and I know that I have many friends who are doing the same thing : )
Monday afternoon Dad is having a complete physical ... it is much over due and I am proud of him for agreeing to have it done.
Had blood and other tests which seemed to have ruled out anything with kidney, liver, etc. Chest x-ray showed clear and this past Monday did a nuclear stress test. Fortunately, that showed that there is no blockage. The problem is, my chest still hurts and I am still having breathing issues. GRRR!!
My cardiologist's nurse called today and they have asked me to come in on Monday for an echocardiogram. She said the doctor wants to make sure that everything in my heart is structually sound, that the valves, etc. are functioning properly, etc. So, yet another test on Monday a.m. I just keep praying and I know that I have many friends who are doing the same thing : )
Monday afternoon Dad is having a complete physical ... it is much over due and I am proud of him for agreeing to have it done.
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