Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

{6/24}...streaming and a giveaway



I had to throw that "giveaway" in there to get your attention, didn't I? Maybe I did, but it's authentic -- a giveaway at the end of this post. Now, don't go scrolling to the bottom. That's cheating. {wink}


I'm having a bit of a pity party this week. Want to come? That's why I decided to have a giveaway. You'll all come to my party and maybe it will cheer me up as much as the winner.

This week Faith is at dance camp, and Noah spends his mornings at summer school, so instead of doing laundry, ironing, or paying bills, I decided to sit down and blog. Because I am having a pity party.

Tomorrow's my birthday. I know, I know, I should be happy. But, I'm not happy about getting older (cough: 52: cough). I should be happy that I am getting older and not dead, but really, that's not a very high spot to set the bar is it? Let's rise above "at least you're not dead."

I'm having a pity party because tomorrow's my birthday and I have to attend a rubber chicken dinner with my husband. You know what a rubber chicken dinner is, right? It's a big event, where you sit with people you don't know, and make polite conversation, while you eat chicken and vegetables (and God forbid a pre-set salad: shudder) that has been prepared in quantities to feed 500, and then you listen to a speech with a big request for money while trying not to look at your watch, or phone. Sounds like fun, right? And here I thought I was going to get to go out to dinner. Well, I guess I sort of am. At least I won't be cooking. To top that joy, my husband informed that this organization (The Catholic Foundation) decided to schedule this event every year on June 25, so as long as my husband is in Catholic fundraising in this city, guess what I can always look forward to on my birthday?

Ok, enough about my birthday. I am still planning to bake my own cake, however. And eat at least two pieces. I'll skip the rubber chicken.

I'm also having a pity party because the PT did not work. I repeat, did not work. That blah blah blah pop. Nothing. Halfway into my grocery trip on Saturday I could tell. It was a long day, and not only did the pain not go away, but the bursitis in my hip (the location where the IT band originates) got worse. So I think instead of stretching the band, she just managed to pull on it and aggravate the bursa. You can google those terms if you're interested, but it's nothing very interesting. I always laugh when I google them because IT band syndrome is typically found in runners and cyclists. Ha! I'd just like to walk, and now sit, without pain.

Another fun thing going on is I am weaning myself off of Neurontin (generic is gabapentin), a drug my doctor prescribed when the nerve pain in my leg started two years ago. I can't believe I've been dealing with this pain for two years, but I have. Actually my doctor's colleague put me on it while she was on vacation. Did she tell me this was a brain drug and it would alter my brain's chemistry and I would have to wean myself off of it over months, maybe a year, and experience really uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms? No, she did not. The really frustrating part of this withdrawal is, it's not like withdrawing from illegal drugs, or even pain medication, because I never felt the effects of it. It never made me feel good or relaxed or gave me any of the effects you get from using other drugs that cause withdrawal. But, now that I am going off of it, it causes anxiety and a feeling I can't really describe other than I feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I have restless sleep, and jumpy legs. Sounds fun, huh? You want to do it, too, right? It's going to be a long time before I am off of it completely because the brain takes a long time to start doing the things that this drug was doing for it. In other words, my brain stopped doing something that it needs to start doing now. I tell you, never ever go on a drug that changes your brain unless you really have no other choice, and you are fixing your brain with the drug and not your leg. I'll take pain any day over feeling anxious and creepy. I don't think it ever really worked for the pain anyway, so that's why I'm going off of it.

So, now that all that is on the table, we can really talk.

I got all my plants in pots over the weekend. That was a good distraction.  Here's a few of my pretties:







This is a lemon drop wishbone flower. Can you see the little wishbone that the stamens make. Isn't it sweet?




And this is a pretty Margarita gerbera daisy on the back deck table. She's such a pretty girl.




The front porch got a makeover, not only with fairway coleus and prism sunshine petunias, but with cushions and pillows.




If you need me, I'll be hanging out right there.





Oh, and here's a bonus picture. This Strawberry Yogurt Cake just tastes like summer. yum.


And now...a giveaway. In an Etsy shop, when you list an item, you pay a small fee for the item to stay in your shop for four months. After four months, the item "expires" and you have to pay another small fee to renew the listing. This pretty rosary "expired" (I really don't like that word) and instead of renewing the listing, I am just going to give it away. It's too pretty to languish in a white box in my cabinet.





And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, `They are my people';
and they will say, `The Lord is my God.'" Zechariah 19:3





This rosary is made with the colors of fire and silver. The Ave beads are 6mm silver Swarovski pearls, and the Pater beads are 8mm Swarovski deep red coral satin. 

They are much more beautiful than can be captured in a photo.




The beads are wire wrapped by hand with non-tarnishing 20 gauge silver wire.





 The center, a Madonna on one side and image of "Ecce Homo" on the reverse, and the beautiful scrolled crucifix are both made from pewter.






The solid structure of the wire wrapping makes this rosary almost indestructible.


If you would like a chance to win this rosary, just leave a comment in the comment box, or send me an email at momoffthegrid(at)gmail(dot)com (replace the words and parentheses with symbols). 

I will choose a winner at 7pm on June 26, the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva, one of my favorite saints. Here is what he says about the rosary:


The Holy Rosary: the joys, the sorrows, and the glories of the life of Our Lady weave a crown of praises, repeated ceaselessly by the Angels and the Saints in Heaven–and by those who love our Mother here on earth. 
Practice this holy devotion every day, and spread it. 
The Forge, 621


And remember me in your prayers, if you would. They are the greatest gift any one can give another.








38 comments:

  1. You know what we do when something else interferes with a birthday? We just move the birthday! In your case, if you do not want to celebrate your birthday at a fundraiser, pick another day this week and celebrate then however you want. (Like going out to a nice dinner at a favorite restaurant. :-) ) I've also found that my people are relieved to know just what I want to do or expect, as they really don't want to disappoint me, so maybe Doug would like to know that you would like to go out to dinner at such-and-such a restaurant on this particular day, "since we're not busy that night". I bet he'd be glad to oblige, if he doesn't already know what you want.

    No cause for pity parties this way. :-)

    Either way, happy birthday! I'm glad you're not dead! ;-)

    And I'm sorry about your brain and your leg. I'll be praying for you for sure, and hopefully, paranoia is not one of your symptoms. You didn't mention it, but I was thinking of it as I read. :-(

    Love you, Barbara!

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    1. I don't feel paranoid, just anxious. Like having a "bad feeling" about something unknown. And my heart gets beating hard and I need to take some really deep breaths. It's just annoying mostly. But it can get debilitating. I don't know what I'd do if I had a real job.

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    2. PS we'll be "celebrating" on Sunday.

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  2. Happy birthday my friend! I would love to join you on that lovely front porch for a morning of coffee, knitting, and chatting! You are most definitely in my prayers.

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    1. I would love it if you could join me, too, Jenny. Stay all day -- coffee in the morning and we will switch to iced tea when the sun gets warm. :-)

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  3. Happy Birthday to you. I think you are young...considering my grandmothers are in their early 90's and still going strong. Having that pain in the leg must be hard. I already won a rosary but I have children and they didnt get any rosaries for gifts for their First Communion..and I thought they would so I didnt buy them one. anyhoo....I guess that is selfish. I pray someone else wins it...it really is a beautiful rosary. Happy Birthday and God Bless your day. Your home looks beautiful and the food yummy as usual. love Christine

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    1. Christine, I am young, all things considering. It's just that I feel so dang old!

      PS I am putting your name in the hat.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Barbara! Mine is on Saturday...no wonder I like you so much! :) What kind of cake are you baking? I should bake one for myself too, but I tend toward boxed mixes these days.

    I'm so sorry to hear of your bad experience withdrawing from the Neurontin. I've heard many others say the same things you're reporting, it's nasty to withdraw from. I was on a different drug for many years that also altered brain function and my doctor weaned me off but way too quickly. Not good, so please take your time with this. You're not imaging these awful symptoms, don't let anyone suggest you are. Treat yourself gently. I'll keep you in my prayers that you find relief soon and also healing of the pain you're suffering. I think PT is sometimes overused and is not appropriate for everything, or else isn't practiced properly. I do understand much of what you're going through, if it helps you to know that.

    Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Birthday (in spite of the chicken)!
    :)

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    1. Marie, I am baking a Buttermilk cake with caramel icing :
      http://blessusolord.blogspot.com/2009/06/birthday-cake.html
      It's not fussy, or pretty for that matter, but it is delicious! It has become my birthday cake every year.

      Happy, happy birthday to you, too! And it does help immensely to know "it's not in my head!"

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  5. Happy Birthday, Barbara. Hope you feel better soon, and I certainly will say a few prayers for you.
    The rosary is lovely, and please enter me.
    Hope all goes well, and I'm sure you'll have a smashing birthday

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    1. Thanks, Gail. I so appreciate the prayers, and the birthday wishes. :-)

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  6. Happy Birthday, Barbara! I hope you have a blessed day in spite of the rubber chicken dinner!

    I am SO sorry about your continued pain and the added symptoms of withdrawal. I wish you could find someone that could actually help you! Have you looked for a functional health/medicine specialist? I am seeing one now, and she "gets" it. She looks at the whole picture and how everything is connected. It's a slow recovery, but I am hopeful!

    God bless!

    Oh! And that Rosary is gorgeous (as all of your Rosaries are)! It reminds me of the Sacred Heart, too ... My mom and I get more compliments on our MM earrings! Thank you for sharing your creative gift!

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    1. Thanks for your wishes and your prayers. And I owe you an email re your bracelets et al.

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  7. Wishing you a splendid birthday no matter what day you celebrate! The rosary is beautiful. I'd love to win it (even though I've won on already)and give it to a friend who has walked with me and my health issues the past twelve years. She recently mentioned hers are broken and not worth the fix. Sending warm thoughts and prayers your way.

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    1. Thank you for your nice thoughts. And if you don't win send your friend my way and maybe I can repair her rosary.

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  8. I want to come sit and chat on your porch with you!! It looks fabulous! So inviting and comfortable. Perfect spot for crocheting...or knitting as the case may be. Or praying with that lovely rosary! I hope your withdrawal symptoms pass swiftly.

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    1. Thank you, Anne, for your nice words. I wish you could come and sit with me, too. You're not THAT far away. ;-)

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    2. That's true! And after our up and coming trip to Colorado to see my brother, even my littles won't think a trip to your house too long!

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  9. Well that stinks royally! The entire birthday thing. Sorry about that. I wish I lived closer so I could help you eat your cake on your beautiful porch. I'm loving your flowers. I just had to pull out three containers that had yellow marigolds. They looked diseased and were dying. Frustrating. They had once looked so beautiful in their vibrant blue containers. OH well. I hope those withdrawal symptoms pass quickly!! To say, "hang in there; I'm praying for you" somehow seems so little. Prayers are coming for you! P.S. So I'd like to try and win again on this blog, since I only have won here in the past ;)

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    1. I'm getting over the stinking part and figure having dinner out on Sunday just stretches the celebration, right? I'm getting ready to bake my cake and make some homemade ice cream. :-)

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  10. Those withdrawal symptoms sound terrible!!! I will keep you especially in my prayers.

    I'm sorry the rosary didn't sell. It is just gorgeous. St. Josemaria is one of our family patrons...I would love to win!!! I love that your rosaries are usually silver...my personal preference.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. If you win, you can give this one to your husband. ;-)

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  11. Happy Birthday Barbara! To a beautiful, young and amazing woman, may your day be blessed. Well, at least prior to the rubber chicken dinner. I'd say that you should be sure to celebrate YOU on another day. You deserve it!

    Sorry to hear about your continued pain. Sending prayers your way.

    Beautiful front porch and flowers. It looks like such a wonderful and cozy place to sit and visit or read a good book this summer.

    The rosary is a treasure and exquisite handiwork. I love a giveaway and this one is no exception.

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    1. Well, Sarah, I delivered walking taco fixings, fruit salad, and snickerdoodle bars for 30 to dance camp, and I am enjoying a Panera coffee and scone and reading nice blog comments and it's not even 11 a.m., so I think it's a good day so far. I am going to throw some laundry in, clean the kitchen and bake my cake! I might even eat a piece before the rubber chicken dinner!

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  12. Good morning, Barbara! Hope you have a lovely birthday, even if you do spend your evening at a "rubber chicken" dinner. :-) Just popping in to thank you for that delicious strawberry cake recipe. I made it last night, and it is wonderful. I made the frosting lemony, too, and it's a perfect compliment. I have also been successfully substituting soft white wheat flour for all purpose in cakes, at least, so we have whole wheat cakes around here. :-)

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the cake. It's one of my faves and I bet the white whole wheat works well in it, it's so moist. I have been adding white whole wheat to pancakes and pizza crust, as Doug needs more fiber and every bit helps.

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  13. I am confused. Why rubber chicken???

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    1. Why rubber chicken? You mean why is it rubbery? Well, cooking chicken for 500 is never going to be gourmet. It's chicken with some sauce thrown on it to disguise the real thing. And over cooked veggies to go with.

      But really "rubber chicken dinner" is just the whole kit n kaboodle -- the fundraising dinner. Because of my husband's job, we have to do a couple of these a month. It gets old, no matter how good the food is.

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  14. Happy Birthday.
    I just said the Rosary and got on the computer to check my fav blogs. Hope your pain is better.My husband is going thru a similar thing, can't seem to get a diagnosis. I am a many years lurker, love your blog!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I have a diagnosis, but no doctor can leave another doctor's diagnosis alone. Also, the diagnosis is one of those conditions that no one can really do anything about. There is one more doctor that will weigh in -- a physical medicine doc -- and that's the end of the line. Unless I go to an acupuncturist.

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  15. I'm reading backwards today!

    That kind of stinks about the yearly gala, but you can celebrate your birthday any ol' day. At least you're not the one cooking the rubber chicken. ;-) Your cake sounds sooo yummy! I wish I could have some.

    Enter me in the rosary contest because I have a plan for it if I win. :-) I'll email you about my plan.

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    1. You're right -- I didn't have to cook, but that was the only thing good about the chicken, which I left sitting in a pile of mashed potatoes on my plate. :-P

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  16. I pray you find healing for your leg, and the anxiety ceases. A long road, I'm sure, hoping it goes quickly.
    I like the new porch very much, so inviting!
    Hoping I can win your beautiful Rosary! Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Thanks, Lori. I so very much appreciate the prayers. Truly.

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  17. Happy birthday, Barbara! I'm praying for your health and hoping your dinner went well. And I hope your two pieces of cake tasted like four! Surely your grandmother is smiling lovingly upon you today. St. Mary Ann, pray for Barbara! Amen. :-). It was so great to meet you this week, btw. Hoping your week gets better.

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    1. Well, Angie, I didn't end up having any cake...yet. The dinner lasted way too long thanks to one veeeerrrry long acceptance speech. Ugh. But I plan to have a piece with my coffee this morning. Thanks for commenting and I am happy to know you now, as well.

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  18. So sorry your medical issues are not resolving, and chronic pain remains your constant cross! That medication sounds very scary! Those sound like some dreadful withdrawal symptoms to offer up.
    On a happier note, your entryway is beautiful! Such a cozy, cheery, welcoming spot!

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!