Sunday Surprise..."and it landed me in the ER"

I must admit, I've laughed at the blog challenges for the last couple of days.  Given that it's been a stress filled 48 hours, it's a nice diversion.  So today's challenge is to blog about something landing me in the ER.  Hmmmm...several to choose from...like the time I sliced my toe in a canoe race before a big dance, or when I ended up with a concussion while imitation my friend Toney on the Batman ride at Six Flaggs, or when I broke my leg and my Daddy-o took me to the ER and was popping wheelies in the wheel chair with me in it...or the scarier times when I have ended up there and some of the most amazing people showed up to be with me.  Nope, gonna go with humorous...it had to be the time I fell out of my office chair at home.

Let me set the scene...I was home working on some stuff at my desk while I was watching the Super Bowl.  Now, you have to understand that I am a football fan and can get into just about any game (just ask my dog, who HATES football season and will go to her "happy place" in the bathroom when I get over zealous in my cheering!).  There was some play that apparently excited me a bit too much and I cheered, pushed my chair back and completely flipped out of it, landing on the edge of my treadmill. I let out a war whoop that my roomie mistook for cheering, until I started screaming for her to come help me.  As she came into the room to find the chair on top of me and me on top of the treadmill, I was crying out in pain.  She tried to help me up, but we couldn't find an easy way to help me as I'd hurt my shoulder, arm, back and right hip.  As I wallered around, she got to laughing and between my tears and pain, I started laughing.  I finally was able to get up and we went to the ER to see if I'd broken anything.

Once in the ER, I happened to get one of our local docs with whom I'd worked during my nursing home tenure.  We'd always gotten along and I knew I was in good hands.  He asked me what had happened, and I embarrassingly had to relay the whole story.  He then gets a wry grin on his face and asks how much I  had to drink.  Of course, I was stone sober and the drink du jour was a Diet Coke.  As I get back from x-ray, I hear the nurse ask him what happened and he says, "She fell out of a chair"...then in a voice that was noticeably a few decibels louder says, "and I think she's been drinking". Oh, how he knows what fires me up... I yelled down the hall, "NO, I WASN'T!!" then began the peals of laughter from his little office area.  As I was leaving he thanked me for livening up his evening and told me to lay off the liquor. I shot him the evil eye, and we both cracked up  laughing.

I was fracture free but had one heck of a bruise on the entire right side of my body.  I did have my arm in a sling, which produced many questions and opportunities to regale others with my story.

PS...to those of you who have been there for me when the story wasn't as humorous, thank you!

Stand-In Saturday - Coco's Comments

My Momma's friend, Missy, had this idea that bloggers should allow their kids or pets to take over the blog for a day. Boy, she didn't know what she was getting my Alpha Momma into! I've just been waiting to get my paws on this blog so that I could tell my side of the story of life with Carla and Coco.

I've decided that I am going to reveal some things about my Momma that you may or may not know.  Did you know that while she can appear to be all business like, I am the one being that can consistently make her heart melt like buttah and make her all mushy inside?! Yep, I  knew that from the first time I laid my big brown eyes on her.  It was a couple of weeks before her 42nd birthday and she came to the farm where I was born.  She knew she was looking for a chocolate lab because she wanted a dog that would be good with kids.  Not because she has her own, but we have a lot of them visiting our house on a regular basis and she wanted that to continue.  I remember her dressed up because of her work and I remember her crawling into the kennel me and my sister were in...wearing a skirt, flats, and her hair all curly.  I thought if a woman will do that, she must be a crazy dog lover deep down.  I recall my sister being w-a-y more hyper than me and she went yelping out of the kennel and I decided I wanted to choose this woman to be my people Momma.  I walked over to her, laid down at her feet, put my paws on her flats, and looked up into her eyes.  I knew it was love at first sight for her.  You see, I think the Lord gave me a good instinct in knowing that she needed me in her life to open up some areas of her heart that she'd closed off. We dogs have a way of doing that with people.  I saw those tears in the corner of her eyes and she said, "This is my puppy!"...little did she know that I'd already chosen her.  What a fun day when she came to bring me home. I got to meet the little and big people in her life that are now my family and friends. 

Here are some things I love about my Momma...and some things I wish she'd change:

I love that my Momma has been a fierce protector of me.  I know, it should be the other way around, but that's just not our relationship. In fact, Momma can be that way about those she loves...she can crab about them, but woe to those who dare say an ill word.  Two times I remember vividly of Momma taking care of me was the time I choked on a rawhide.  I went to her with a panicked look on my face that she seemed to understand. The next thing I know, she is reaching down into my throat to pull the thing out...which she did!  The other time was when I got too close to some horses at the grandparents' farm.  One of the old mares tried to stomp me to death and I didn't have a clue what was going on...but Momma came to the rescue with a Barbie fishing pole!  She whipped that horse, screaming like a banshee at it and it ran off.  My poor cousin Rileigh was terrified (so was I!!) but Momma took care of both of us that day.  Trust me, you never want to mess with her! (FYI ~ that same horse tried to nip Momma later when she was giving it a carrot, and Mom punched her in the nose!)

I love that my Momma spoils me...yep, I am a diva.  Her whole desire for me in life is to be her girl and for me to be comfortable.  My job in this life is to just be her companion...and I love my job!

I love that Momma is willing to share me with others.  She loves to have people over to the house and she always expects me to be hospitable.  I admit that I am cranky at times, but I really do love people once I get to know them.  The one person that she has shared me with that I am most happy about is my walking companion, Sherri.  I just love Sherri...she is the bomb! She walks with me morning and night, has taken me on many adventures around the village, usually up to visit her parents and that special little girl, Emma.  What I really love about going up there is chasing the cats...but I hate those chickens!  Sherri didn't really want a dog, but I have completely changed her mind and she adores me as well.  She made fun of Momma for her spoiling but if the truth was known, Sherri is worse than Momma...she even buys me Duck Dynasty treats! Yep, I have these two women wrapped around my furry paw.

What I wish Momma would change? She is gone a lot and I don't like that much.  I just want her home more.  She's been talking to me about that and I believe she is going to be spending more time at home from now on...realigning her priorities.  I am one happy puppy!

Well, I guess I didn't tell too many embarrassing things about Momma...some things are just meant to be between us girls. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.

XOXO  Coco Chanel Ewing.... Yes, she named me after a fashion designer, not a form of chocolate!

Presumptuous sin

Psalm 19:13 ~ Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then I shall be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

This verse was a part of my quiet time several days back and I have been meditating on the phrase "presumptuous sins" since reading it.  Contextually, it was tucked between verses where David was asking the Lord to cleanse him, to remove unknown sin from this heart and then sharing his heart's desire to have a mouth and a heart that pleased Him. I have read this before, and is oft the case, have skimmed over verse 13 to dwell on 14.  However, this time this verse has stuck in my memory bank to be played over and over. One of the many benefits of my time spent in Bible Institute is that I have developed a love for word studies.  

The word presumptuous has caused me to delve a bit deeper. I know when I use it, I am referencing someone who is a bit too confident, but I wondered how that applied to this verse. As I researched this in the Strong's concordance, it is defined as, "proud, swelling up, inflated, with the connected thought of insolence (rude, showing lack of respect for others) and impiety (lack of reverence for God)". As I have read these definitions, I understand why He didn't let me skim this verse this time. This is where my current struggle lies. I am finding myself in a place I call a mean season.  Nothing seems to be quite right.  As I shared with one of my inner circle, while I normally have one area of life that might be amiss, this is one of those times when every area is off kilter...home, work, ministry, personal relationships. I've also noticed my language is much 'saltier' than normal, my thoughts are darker and angrier, and my attitude is sour. Not who I want to be.

One of attributes I love the most about the Lord is His mercy on me.  I so frequently need it, that's for certain!  He loves me so much that He kept bringing this verse to the forefront of my thinking because He knew I needed to understand that in this season, my attitude often leads me to sinning presumptuously. My life long battle with arrogance rears its ugly head during these particular valleys in my walk with Him. Because of His refining me, THIS time I am starting to get it. I am beginning to see the problem in the midst of the issue instead of on the other end where I've found myself having to work through a multitude of layers of forgiveness or I have transgressed greatly and have to deal with the consequences of my choices. Sometimes for years to come.

This life of being a believer in Christ isn't easy most of the time. Yet, it's far more wonderful than my words can describe. Humbly thankful today for His saving grace and His sanctifying mercy.

Fantasy Friday

Today's challenge is to get creative for Fantasy Friday.  Frankly, my creative juices are not flowing well today and I couldn't come up with anything spectacular.  So I decided to write about the 5 people I'd most like to meet, dead or alive, and why. It was a lot more difficult than I anticipated!!  Here goes...

1.  Ona Johnson....yeah, unless you are related to me, you probably have never heard of this person.  She was my Dad's mom.  I never knew her as she passed when my dad was in his late teens.  All I know of her comes directly from my Dad retelling stories about her.  I have gathered that Dad was the apple of her eye as he was her only boy.  Pictures of her remind me of my Aunt Mable, who spoiled me rotten, so I believe in my heart that my Grandma probably would have done the same.  That's something that has always been a big hole in my life....good relationships with grandparents. That's may be part of why working with the elderly was a natural fit for me...instagrandparents.  I also understand that my Grandma love the Lord...so I hope that I carry on a legacy well. Some day, I know we will meet! ;) I'd just say thanks for raising my Dad to be a great one and spend the rest of the time hugging her!

2. Coach Tom Landry....best coach in the NFL, in my humble opinion.  Now, I am sure that there are a lot of football experts that might disagree, but this is my blog, so I have literary and opinion license.  Mr. Landry was a class act and a man that I respected for the character he displayed in his life.  So many men in the world of football could learn by his example. It was the team with Landry as coach, Roger Staubach as QB, and Tony Dorsett, running back, that started my life long enjoyment of football in general and the Dallas Cowboys in particular.  Yes, I remember the game where Dorsett broke the record for a 99 yd TD run. Yes, I am probably a freak because I do remember that!  I'd simply say thank you for being a man of character and godliness. I'd ask many questions about leadership.  

3. Deborah...judge of the Israelites.  She goes down as one of my favorite biblical women of all time.  She just rocked at being God's girl, was unique on many fronts, and had the courage of her convictions to stand up for the right thing. I want to be that kind of woman. I am not sure what I'd say to her, except that I am grateful for her story and it's impact on my life.  Bet she'd give God the glory....

4. George W. Bush ...43rd US President.  While I think the media has crucified this man and judged him prematurely, truth and time walk hand in hand.  I believe history will reveal much about the depth of character of W.  I also believe he has already begun to show integrity by the way he has chosen to live his post presidency life.  He never was a media hound like Clinton , and he has quietly went about the business of doing right with the blessings he's been given.  I remember exactly how I and many other Americans felt on September 11th.  I witnessed personally how reactionary those of us in the Midwest were with gas lines, staff members asking me to pray daily for us over the PA system, and the shocking constant replay of planes hitting buildings and those buildings falling.  I also remember a brave man, flanked by other brave men, standing at the site, encouraging the nation to pull together.  And we did.  I remember feeling safe knowing that he was in charge.  I also remember some of the most volatile, liberal talking heads of the day praising him for his leadership, only to bash him when the dust settled in Manhattan.  I think the recent event of chemical  warfare in Syria proves two things: He was right about WMDs in that region (yes, I am aware that Syria isn't Iraq...but evil isn't constrained by borders!) and if he were still in leadership, we wouldn't be wasting our time with bogus red line rhetoric that absolutely NO ONE believes.  Mr. Bush always took the responsibility for decisions made in his administration and gave credit to others for the good that was accomplished.  Benghazi is evidence enough that character doesn't count anymore. Mr. Bush isn't a perfect man and many laid unrealistic expectations on him....but anyone who claims Christ as their Savior knows how that works.  I just want to shake his hand, tell him how much I respect him and thank him for doing the right thing, hard as it may have been. 

5.  Mark Wahlberg....actor, formerly known as Marky Mark.  No explanation needed. :) 

I know, I know...#5 shows that the Lord still has a work to do in me.  Happy Friday all!

Tools of the trade....

When I read that today's assignment for Thousand Word Thursday (which I shall rename "However many words it takes to say what I want to say Thursday") was to share my favorite tool in my arsenal, I knew immediately what I was going to write about....Whisks.  The above photo is a display of all the whisks that I currently own.  Yeah, I am kind of a hoarder of these lovely kitchen utensils.  I don't really know why, but it started when I asked for a 'really good' (translation, heavy duty) whisk for Christmas and it has grown from there. Friends who have been to my kitchen know of my delight in the unique tool as I proudly display them in an antique crock on my counter.  I remember a conversation with a male friend about tools one time. He'd bought a new power tool, proudly opened it and asked me what I thought....I asked what it was, which sorely disappointed him and then lead to ten minutes of giving me grief for not knowing that he'd purchased a router. The next time he was hanging out in my kitchen, I whipped (pun intended) my whisks out and asked him what they were...he said whisks. Dang. Then I thought I'd take it up a notch and ask him the specific use of one of them....V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! He didn't know a Roux whisk from a  regular whisk. ha! One of the few times I was able to one up him and it felt good. I digress....

The odd thing is that I have only purchased half of the whisks I own.  I have received half as gifts. The little one with the red handle came all the way from China from  my friend Catie.  She and I have enjoyed times of cooking together and she knows my proclivity for kitchen gadgets in general, and whisks specifically.  Every time I use it, I think of her and lift her up to the Lord, and thank Him for her friendship.  The large one on the top of the picture was a gift to myself while celebrating my 50th this year in Missouri. I found a quaint cooking store in Arkansas and this beauty was calling my name. I did walk away from the giant one they had because I knew that I couldn't use it without standing on a chair over my stove. My traveling friends rolled their eyes and laughed at me as I proudly showcased my only purchase to them!

What these whisks really remind me of is that I love to care for others by entertaining in my home, cooking, and connecting with their hearts through conversation and food.  I realized as I was thinking on this blog topic that I haven't been doing what makes me happy lately.  I've been caught up in the busyness that life and ministry can bring, and I have denied myself the simple pleasure of being with people....time to rethink the priorities and get back to the basics.  Dinner, anyone? :)

Now I know why I am NOT a caterer!

 

I love to cook, when I have the time to really put into it and the most requested dish I make is my Cheeseburger Soup.  Here is a picture of one of the several batches I made for one of my girl's wedding a few weeks ago.  This was one of those stories that will forever be etched in my memory bank because if something wonky is going to happen, it will be with me.  I had agreed to make soup for a reception and planned to make small batches with enough to serve 112.  Now mind you, I have NEVER made that much soup in one setting.  Here's the other problem... I loosely use a recipe so buying the right amount of ingredients can be dicey with this approach.  After buying a cart full of groceries and roping my best friend into helping me, we proceeded to my workplace and spend about 6 hours making soup.  We were careful to cool it down, put it in plastic bags, and finish cooling flat in the freezer.  Trying to be the organized woman that I strive to be, I did this a week ahead and decided to store it at work and take to the reception site that Friday night.  What I didn't plan for was the fact that the bags of soup weren't completely cold when I sat them upright and stacked them in the freezer and the luke warm soup, coupled with the freezer being opened and closed umpteen times, melted the layer of ice on the shelf.  When I proudly went to retrieve my creation on Friday afternoon, I found 20 bags of soup stuck together...in one big lump and firmly adhered to the shelf.  I was thisclose to having a complete meltdown right on the spot.  I took every kitchen utensil to the freezer shelf, poured water over it (creating a flood in the kitchen!) and employed the assistance of two co-workers and a hammer to finally detach them from the shelf. In one big blob!!!  I carried the mass to the huge set of sinks, ran cold water over them to pry them apart, and finally was able to place them in the big freezer bags for transport.  At that moment, I swore never again.

 

But looking back now and able to laugh, I am glad I was able to be a part of Shannon's special day by doing something I love to do....and making a dish that I know she loves.  

Gratitude

I Thessalonians 5:18 : In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Today I got to take Kelli to another one of the many treatments/appointments that have filled her calendar in 2013. I truly do not begin to think that I understand the frustration that she has felt with all that has entailed her diagnosis.  Yet, I have seen so many evidences of her living out I Thessalonians 5:18.  Just today we were talking about all of the tragedy that has struck those around us, and her sense of feeling fortunate inspires me.  I have seen her walk with Jesus deepen, especially her desire to pray for others. Not once have I heard her say, "Why me?" but rather "how can I encourage others?".  I want to mirror that attitude and share the things that I am giving thanks for through this illness that has touched my family...

1.  Our Community:  Simply put, WOW!  We have had hundreds of people reach out to us in prayer, words of encouragement, offers to take Kelli to appointments, hugs, diversions to just keep us laughing....not to mention the unbelievable turn out for her benefit. Overwhelming!! The funds raised were appreciated and the moral support of so many people showing up buoyed our spirits. Thank you seems so inadequate

2. My Jesus Family: An illness like this affects all close to the one enduring and I readily admit that there were days it was hard to even think straight. It was then that other believers reached out to me and let me know that they were walking with me.  We may worship at different churches, but we love the Lord and each other.

3. My Jesus Girls: These women are such an important part of the fabric of my life that I cannot imagine my life without them.  I've always been fortunate to have good friends, yet the Lord has blessed me with a group of women who get what it means to love sacrificially...and I have been the recipient of that this year.  I have cried, laughed, prayed, been hugged, allowed to just vent, and to be real with them.  They have seen some real ugly parts of me this year and never once turned their backs on me.  The coolest thing by far was their diligence in making sure that I was paying attention to my relationship with Jesus.  They called me frequently, asking me how I was taking care of my soul.  They get that I cannot pour into others if I am not going to the Source myself! Beyond blessed.

4. My Lord and Savior: Without Jesus I could not have survived this. He's comforted my fears about Kelli's diagnosis, surgeries, and treatments. He's reminded me often that He is holding Kelli in His hands. He's enveloped me in His grace and mercy when I haven't deserved it.  I never thought I could love Him anymore than I do, but I was seriously wrong about that.  I look forward to seeing Him face to face and trying to tell Him just how thankful I am that I am His.

Am I thankful that Kelli has had cancer? Absolutely not!!!!!!!  God doesn't ask me to be thankful for hideous, bad stuff.  But because of Him, I can find ways to be thankful in spite of the circumstances.