My husband's mom is passing...

It has been a difficult week here. We've had a horrible stomach bug for days now. All of us have been ill. Jess never threw up or anything but has felt puny and has had to take care of the rest of us! Dan had to stay home from work yesterday and still felt puny today. Melody was quite ill, but felt more normal tonight and aaron is very ill. I got it first and still have it. Lord willing I'll be better tomorrow.

Because of this tummy bug I was unable to go with Dan tonight when his Dad called. Dad thinks Mom will be passing on tonight... just a matter of hours left. I am so sad that I couldn't go... words just cannot express. I knew that when we saw her on Saturday it would be my last time, but it doesn't make me feel much less sad and alone tonight.

I was thinking about it -- I had my mom with me until I was about 24 years old. I've known Dan's mom just about the same amount of time. Just 2 years less, about. My mom was 67 when she passed on. Dan's mom is 65. The level of PEACE that surrounded her is unbeliveable though -- so different from my own parents' passing. That is because this was a woman who unreservedly spent her life for the Gospel, and it showed. We will miss her greatly.


**********************

I did get a whole bunch of new beads into my ebay store www.stores.ebay.com/JAMSGEMS4U?refid=store

Terrific Fancy Colored SPIRAL Bead Mix 1/4 PounD! (M71)

Gorgeous Fancy COBALT BLUE Bead Mix 1/4 PounD!! (M78)

Pretty RED WHITE & BLUE Bead Mix Full 1/4 PounD!! (Z5a)

Gorgeous Fancy PINK Bead Mix Full 1/4 PounD!! (M77)

Gorgeous Fancy PERIDOT GREEN Bead Mix 1/4 PounD!! (M72)

Lovely OCEAN COLORS & Fish Bead Mix 1/4 PounD (Z4)

Gorgeous Fancy AMETHYST PURPLE Bead Mix 1/4 PounD (M73)

Gorgeous Fancy AQUA BLUE BEAD Mix 1/4 PounD!! (M76)

Wonderful FISH 25mm Colors BEAD Mix 1/4 PounD!! (M41)

Gorgeous Fancy White Crystal BEAD Mix 1/4 PounD!! (M74)

Gorgeous Fancy White & Pink BEAD Mix 1/4 PounD (M74/77)

Beautiful Butterflies BEAD Mix Full 1/4 PounD!! (M24A)

and pearls!!!

Lovely Natural Pink Baroque PEARLS 5mm AA Strand (45N)

Beautiful White Baroque PEARLS 5mm AA Strand (45W)

Beautiful NATURAL (Pink) PEARLS 6mm Rice Strand (50N)

Beautiful WHITE Potato PEARLS 6mm Rounds Strand (9W)

Beeeeees!!! & more beads :)

I might not have even thought about it twice, but both of my daughters came upstairs this morning telling me that they had dreams about bees last night. I, also, had a dream about bees!! We saw a bee show several days ago, but it was just that SEVERAL days ago!

The dreams all had these things in common:
1. They were honeybees
2. The bees were NOT aggressive
3. There were very large quantities of the bees
4. No one got stung &/or the stings were inconsequential (my sister was stung but bee stings don't bother her and they were only grazes where the bee didn't die anyway.)

Scripturally, bees/honey are always God's blessings. In Jessica's dream it was her, Dustie and Dan. In Melody's it was her and someone with green hair (found out that my sister's dog is covered in green paint, so there is the green hair!) And in mine it was Dad, Great Grandma Long, Dan (vaguely) and my sister. In mine, my feet were covered in bees, and I was balanced up on my toes of my right foot while my sister got the bees off my left foot. (My right foot is my bad foot!)

So, in some sense I feel there are going to be things that appear to be problems (bees), but in the long run will bring God's blessings (honey.) Both Melody and my sister feel that the blessings will be, at least in part, healing for me. Yes, Lord!!

I know in the Bible that honey is representative of provision -- which we also need!!

**********

We got a shipment of beautiful new glass beads and some pearls yesterday. I'll be working the next several days / week to get them up into our store. www.stores.ebay.com/JAMSGems4U?refid=store

Blessings,
Sharron

My visit to the Rehabilitation Doctor today

Hi,

I thought I should let y'all know what the rehab doc said today.

He thinks I may have "exploded" a tendon in my ankle. He's ordering an MRI asap. I'm to stay completely off it and ice it.

He also examined my neck and back. He said the back of my thighs, gluts, hips, and lower back were all "ok." However, my ribs, mid-back, upper back and neck are all "horrible." Also, the muscles in those areas are basically toast.

He's prescribing a very intensive course of PT for me. At first I'll see a PT who will do a special kind of therapy with me to get me some range of motion, at present I have "none." Then, once I have some motion, I'll see two different therapists concurrently. I can't remember what one of them will do, but the other will do a deep massage that will actually break loose the muscles from where they are connected in my back and neck because "they are all connected in the wrong places." All of this stuff is going to be very painful he said, but in the long run, worth it. Then, once that is done, I'll be able to go to regular PT and gain muscle tone and strength back. The initial phase will be 4-6 months, but then he thinks he'll have me back to about 50 to 60% -- by two years he believes he can get me back to 80%. I'll be able to play with my kids again and go for walks again!!

He told me to get the PT going right away, but that was before he had completed the exam of my foot. Before I left the office he told me to stay completely off my foot and they would get me that MRI immediately. So, right now I'm waiting to hear when my appointment for the MRI is -- then what the course of treatment will be (surgery or whatever).

Oh, it was kind of funny -- he looked at my chart and who my insurance was and his face was very downcast. He said my insurance was going to greatly limit the care he could give me. I then pointed out that I had changed insurance companies -- that other company was going to make me wait 9 months for treatment! I'm now on my husband's insurance and told him the name and pointed it out on the paper. He said "that's not the same company?" I said, "no, these guys should pay for anything I need." Boy! You should have seen the change in his demeanor! He was like, "Oh! We can do (this and that and this and that!!)"

I believe I have a doctor that actually has the means and desire to help me to recover from these injuries. I'm very hopeful of a normal life again.

God Bends Reality to Meet Our Needs!!

This weekend was planned my mother in law's "last wish" -- she wanted to go to the beach for the weekend before she passes on... which will be very soon...

Well, we had that horrible windstorm with over 70 mph winds, and yes, I believe that my specific area was worst hit with winds, though thankfully, my house didn't see much damage, except for the roof will need to be replaced. However, the beach where we were supposed to go, the roads were closed and the power was out!!

We headed over to Mom and Dad's house, with the mis-understanding that all was well at the beach. We got to their house and discovered that although the roads were opened, there was still no power in Seaside, and none expected till at least Sunday! After conversing with Dan's sister, we decided to go ahead and go. She had a couple of generators, so "theoretically" we could power the beach house where we were to stay.

On the way over the Coastal Range Dan hit a patch of black ice. The car started fish-tailing. He corrected... left, right, left, right... back and forth many more times. We were heading straight for a severe dropp-off. We would not have survived that crash, or if we had, I would have probably not ever walked again given the condition of my spine at present.

I say "would have"...

As soon as the car broke loose, and he started to correct; I started praying -- Very Loudly!! LOL As the car was headed for that drop-off, suddenly, it was as if reality was "bent" and God changed reality to meet our needs. Instead of plummeting off that roadway, we found ourselves nearly at a stop right in the middle of it!! Dan pressed the accelerator, and we continued on our way, albeit at a slower pace.

At the beach house, we had no power till mid-day Saturday. The generators arrived very late Friday night. We camped out in a very nice beach house overnight -- it was bitterly cold, but once the power came back on Saturday (instead of Sunday!!) it was lovely!

Mom had a nice time sitting by the window watching the ocean and the kids playing. The kids had a blast playing unlimited time on the beach and exporing, etc... Collected dozens of whole sand dollars!! I was even able to walk down to the beach for an extended time. Someone carried a camp chair for me so I could sit when I needed to do so.It ended up being a great time, and our trip home was quite, thankfully, uneventful!

*****

While at the beach house, I ate something that SEVERELY disagreed with my and I'm bloated to my previous high weight. So, I'm trying really hard to eat right. As far as plans go, I seem to gravitate towards CAD and the Zone. That is what I'm doing right now. I've lost 3# so far.

I like CAD and the Zone because it is easier for me to function with the kids and not having to fix separate food for myself. I almost intuitively fix Zone meals anymore, and if the meal isn't Zonish, I do it CAD style with the salad at first and it works just fine!

I know there is a lot of banter back and forth about how late one should eat and such, but I find personally, I need that bed-time snack to be in-the-Zone for optimal sleep.

Just my thoughts this morning on the topic.

Another topic: My new doc gave me a week long course of Prednisone -- steroid anti-inflammatory medication, and I'm seeing a difference! Praise the Lord! I haven't been able to move the toes on my right foot since Oct. 23 when I fell. I can wiggle my toes now :) Not furiously or anything, but I do have control over them and that is a HUGE deal!!

I see the Rehab doc on the 4th. I'm hopeful for more improvement!!

Blessings,
Sharron

Freezing Rain!

Woke up this morning to a world covered in ice! Unfortunately, it is mostly melted now, when the kids are up. I had planned to let them go outside and play in it, but it is all slushy and mucky now. Blech.

Today we get our new washer and dryer!! We purchased a new HE system that can wash 2 to 3 times as much as our current models do. Jessica is especially excited, as she's been doing much of the household chores while I've been down.

Having to help the kids lots with their schoolwork, so haven't had time to work on any websites, jewelry or EBaying...

I do have an update ready for thelowcarbcook.com but I can't seem to get it to upload...???

Blessings,
Sharron

Made a bunch of jewelry

I'm feeling a lot better, and I had committed to donating some jewelry to a charity auction back in October. The auction is in December. Yesterday, we got it mostly all put together. It is a truly gorgeous set -- I hope that it does really well for their auction!! It is all white and peach grade A pearls and mother of pearl with sterling silver findings.

So, I was in the mood for making jewelry! I made another several piece set -- the one for the auction is a 7 piece set -- and this one I made today is something like 5 pieces. When I get it up on the website, folks will be able to purchase whatever parts of the set they want. That is why I'm making so many options. This set is really cool -- features a lot of shimmery, shiny goldstone and hematite plus some really cool silver Bali beads.

Then, my friend Martha came over and we went through the jewelry that is left from the summer sales. She loves pink and purple, especially purple, so it got me motivated on those colors. I made a very long pearl and gemstone necklace that is pink and magenta with matching earrings. It is just a 2 piece set. I think it is the longest one I've made thus far. I really like having my extra-long beading board!!


On EBay today I got a few books listed (www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u):
PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE What Am I here for? Rick Warren HB
Don't ALL RELIGIONS Lead to GOD? Tough Questions #5 Wow
TOUGH QUESTIONS Leader's Guide Willow Creek Excellent!!
MASTERING the BASICS 1 Peter Study Guide EXCELLENT!!


*****

Leviticus 26:6
New Living Translation (NLT)
“I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land."

That is a good one. Here's another:

Psalm 91:5
New International Version (NIV)
"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day"

That second one is really good -- there is nothing to fear at night, nor during the day. No fear for what you imagine or for what can happen that you can't control.

Re-train the mind. No fear. Peace that passes understanding instead....

Blessings,
Sharron

The Bully and The Defender -- A True Story

When I was in sixth grade, I was in the school play. However inappropriate I realize it to be now, the play was about a family who was up in the middle of the night arguing. I played the part of the teenaged daughter coming in with her boyfriend at 2:15am. We walk into the scene, realize what time it is, that the family is awake and dive behind the couch for cover. That is pretty much the play...

The kid who played my boyfriend, Greg -- I barely even knew him. He wasn't in any of my classes or anything. He was, however, one of the "popular kids" -- all the girls in sixth grade had a crush on him. That is all of them except me. I couldnt' have cared less. He was just opposite me in the play.

Dawn was one of the biggest kids in sixth grade. I think we had PE together. Well, she decided that Greg was HER boyfriend (never mind what Greg thought about it!) and that I was in her way. She was going to take me out. She told me to meet her in the cafeteria after school so she could hammer me. Like a ninny, I showed up -- no, seriously, I think she threatened me something worse (worse than being hammered??) if I didnt' show up... Anyway, here I was sitting in the cafeteria after school that afternoon. I was going to try to convince her that I couldn't care less about Greg and that she could have him for all I cared. He was only opposite me in the play -- we weren't even friends, much less boyfriend and girlfriend!

Well, off to the left, who should walk in but Dawn... at the same time, off to the right, in comes Shawna.

Now, I had mentioned that Dawn was one of the biggest kids in sixth grade. Shawna was the biggest. She was absolutely enormous! Fully 5'10" in height and she had the shoulders of a linebacker. I'm certain she probably ended up being a professional athlete when she grew up! Anyway, in walks Shawna and places herself between Dawn and me.

I'd never had any previous contact with Shawna. I knew who she was by sight -- we didn't go to that big of a school -- but we didn't have any classes together and we'd never spoken.

Dawn starts blustering, "Get out of my way! She stole my boyfriend and I'm gonna beat her up!!"

Shawna very calmly and quietly responds, "No. Sharron wouldn't do that. She's a nice girl."

Dawn says more loudly, "Get out of my way!! She stole my boyfriend and I'm going to beat her UP!!"

Shawna, still quietly and calmly responds, "No. Sharron wouldn't do that. She's a nice girl."

At this point, my jaw is firmly on the floor. I manage to protest weakly to Shawna, "Shawna, you don't need to do this..."

Shawna basically tells me to shut up and that "yes I do."

"But why??" query I.

"Because it's the right thing to do," comes the reply.

Again, Dawn blusters for Shawna to get out of the way so she could pound me into hamburger.

Shawna this time, quite calmly, but firmly replies, "If you are going to get to Sharron, you have to go through me first."

Dawn starts to get even more aggitated, "Get Out of My Way!!!"

Still firmly, "If you are going to get to Sharron, you are going to have to go through me first," was the reply.

At that, Dawn turned tail, only to run into the Principle -- a formidible woman in her own right. She was about 5'9" with fully a foot and a half piled up flaming red hair! The principle took her by the shoulders directly into her office.

Shawna turned to me. I pulled my jaw up off the floor again, to ask her, "Why did you help me?? You didn't have to..."

"Yes, I did."

"But why? I don't understand??"

"Because it was the right thing to do. You are a nice girl and I couldn't stand by and see her beat you up when I could do something about it. It was just the right thing to do."

I stammered a weak "Thank you."

Shawna replied, "Don't mention it," and turned and left the building.

From that point on Dawn never bothered me again, in fact, she avoided both myself and Greg for the rest of the school year.

And Shawna, we never spoke again. If we saw each other in the hallway, she would nod a greeting, but that was it.

That summer, both girls moved away from our town.

*****


Why am I telling this story? I've been struggling with attacks from the Enemy of my Soul. This morning the Lord reminded me of this event from my childhood. It very clearly and tangibly illustrates several things:

1. Sure the enemy was big and scary,
2. But my Defender was so much bigger and scarier had she chosen to be my opponent!
3. The enemy has to break through my Defender's barrier to be able to get to me,
4. He's afraid to do that!!

Plus, here's where the analogy breaks down, but it is still really cool:

Not only is my Defender bigger and scarier and tougher than the Enemy, but my Defender lives in me!! That makes ME bigger and badder and tougher than the Enemy, as long as I don't allow fear a foothold.

Reminder: Put on your armor every day. Ephesians 6.

Blessings!
Sharron

Very, Very AWAKE!!!

I woke up at 4:15 this morning Totally and Completely Awake!! So, here I am working on my www.jamsgems.com website. I should have a lot of the revisions done today and a bunch of new items added.

So far, I've added a whole bunch of 40 gram packs of beads in the beading section and the PowerMark Christian Bible-based comic series.

Also,
ARK of the COVENANT BIBLE Board Game

JOURNEYS OF PAUL Bible Board Game

SETTLERS OF CANAAN Bible Board Game

SOLOMON'S TEMPLE Bible Board Game

LIFE of CHRIST Bible Board Game

Proverbial WISDOM Bible Edition Game

SALVATION CHALLENGE Bible Game

BIBLEOPOLY Bible Board Game

BIBLEMAN Adventure Bible Board Game



Wow! I got a lot done today. Several of these games are new to both my www.jamsgems.com store and my www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u store. I hope folks enjoy the games!!!!!!!!!!

And.... I vote for Emmit in Dancing with the Stars :)

Blessings,
Sharron

Did an allergy self-treatment today

I'm feeling pretty loopy. Today we did an allergy treatment for corn -- the treatment is described on my www.thelowcarbcook.com site in full. It basically sensitizes you to the item you are allergic to -- however, the day of treatment can be pretty rough. Makes you feel really cruddy to put it nicely! We are doing this so that we won't have so many issues when it comes Thanksgiving next week!!

Needless to say, I've not gotten much done on EBay. I've been working on my site www.jamsgems.com but it isn't ready to load yet. I'm making it a little wider so more will fit on the pages, and I'm going to add a bunch of new items. It will take time ...

On my EBay store www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u, this is what I got done today:

Lovely WHITE STAG Embroidered Shirt Flamingo XL 18 NWOT -- this shirt is so great!! It has these cool embroidered appliques with pink flamingos and trees and flowers on it... so cool! Wish it fit me ;)

I didn't do any other listings on EBay or on my site, but I did get my WebRings all set up! I've applied to join 4 distinct rings because of the differing scopes of the areas of my site. There is a Christian biz owners, Family fun, Hand-crafted jewelry and a beading one. I think it will be fun for folks :)

Back to the treatment:
Aaron had the roughest time of it of the four of us. His corn allergy really must have been something! Just think -- I used corn as a replacement for wheat for him for a long time! Explains a lot of problems we had. I think Melody had the easiest time of it, overall -- she was mostly just hyper. Jess was droopy and slow, but not too bad this afternoon. Mine, as I said before, made me a bit loopy and gave me gastrointestinal symptoms. I'll leave it at that ;)

Lord willing, in 3 days we will be able to add corn back into our diet -- YAY!!

Blessings,
Sharron

I made it to church & some new items...

I made it to & through church this morning. At first I didn't know if I was going to or not, but it went fine. It was good to be back! Pastor said he will do the Christmas play, since it is so simple. That is a relief!

I've got some new items up on our EBay store www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u

I have added several 40 gram bead packs:

Red White & Blue BEAD Mix Flowers & Hearts 40 grams(Z5)

Pretty Variety BEAD Mix Flowers & Hearts 40 grams(Z2/4)

Watermelon TOURMALINE glass BEAD Mix 40 grams (41A)

Wonderful OCEAN Colors Glass BEAD Mix 40 grams (Z4)

Super FANCY Variety Glass BEAD Mix 40 grams (Z2)

Stunning BLACK Variety Glass BEAD Mix 40 grams (Z8)


These are some really great bead mixes! I trust folks will enjoy working with them :)



Today was Great-Grandma's 90th birthday party. They had a big shin-dig for her -- primarily, everyone was to bring photos for a big photo album for her. Grandma's memory isn't what it once was, so we're hoping that by having a page with everyone's name and how they are related to her will help her to continue to remember us. Last time I saw her, it was so distressing to see her -- she knew she should know who I was, that I was someone in her family, but she couldn't remember me. Very sad. I hope the photo album helps!

Dinner time!

Blessings,
Sharron

Feeling better today!

I'm feeling quite a bit better today! I still can sit for only short periods, but the pain is a lot less intense. I still can't sit in a normal chair, but I have a nice "reclining" chair at my desk :)

Had the kids make Dan's boss a Thank You card yesterday, intend to get that in the mail today!

Quick update

Can't sit for more than just a couple of minutes, but wanted to update this morning's topic.

Hubby was offered the full raise from his boss, so he doesn't have to change jobs and gets the increase in salary :) :)

Big relief to hubby.

Now, we just need me to get well.....

Blessings,
Sharron