arjeha

Tale #1

The last time Kathy went to the dentist for her cleaning she was told there was a problem with the gum around one of her lower teeth and they suggested that she see a periodontist. They gave her the name of a practice in Harrisburg, and I made an appointment for her.

We went down on the appointed day and she met with the doctor. He offered her two options. One was to extract the tooth, do some laser surgery on the tooth next to it and when everything healed then do an implant. The other was to do a laser treatment let it heal and then just keep an eye on it. She would likely need option on somewhere down the line. We decided that she would go with option one now and be done with it.

Last Wednesday she went down for the extraction and surgery. Of course. her jaw is black and blue, and she is on a mushy food diet for two weeks until she goes bac down for a check-up. My menu of soft mushy foods is running low.

Tale #2

Our breakfasts are not varied or exciting. In fact, it is basically the same every day: a glass of juice, a bowl of cereal, a cup of coffee, and a cookie or muffin. Last Tuesday was no different. We sat down to out bowl of cheerios, strawberry banana. As I was eating, I felt as if one of the cheerios got stuck between two of my teeth. As I wiggled it out, I got more than the cereal. My tooth split and I now had two pieces of tooth with my cereal.

Of course, this was a tooth that was more filling than tooth. I called the dentist’s office to see when I could get an appointment. They had an opening for the next day, but that was Kathy’s surgery day, so I went with Thursday. After examining the tooth, the doctor said he could fill it, but ideally it would need a cap.

He told me that the filling would hold, and I could think about whether I wanted a cap or not. I decided why wait. Go for the cap. He filled the tooth, which had to be done before a cap could be put in place anyhow. I now go bac tomorrow for impression and prep work for the cap. Gee, I never knew Cheerios were that strong.

Always something. Well, at least I can say that even with the caps, I still have my own teeth.

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” — Dalai Lama

I chose this quote because it reminds me that the way I start my day often sets the tone for the rest of it. Since it’s about making a choice, I could have gone many directions—after all, we make countless choices every day, from what to eat for dinner to big career decisions. But I decided to focus on the choice of attitude. My attitude is entirely up to me. I can’t change what is happening, but I can change how I react to it. I can wake up grumpy, convinced nothing will go right, and then spend the whole day proving I was correct in my assumption. Why is the weather so awful when I have things to do? Why are the birds so loud when I’m still trying to sleep? Why the cat insisting on sitting on my lap when I’m trying to read the paper?

On the other hand, if I look at things differently everything shifts. Bad weather? Perfect excuse to stay in, enjoy a cup of coffee, relish a good book, and tackle some projects at home. The birds’ chatter? A cheerful alarm clock. The cat’s insistence on claiming my lap? A moment to remember the importance of little things in my life. Relax and enjoy his purring before I get on with my day.

This approach carries throughout the day. Stuck behind a slow driver on a two-lane road? Instead of fuming, I can appreciate the scenery and know I won’t be getting a speeding ticket Someone cuts me off, nearly causing an accident? I can get angry and call them an idiot along with a few other choice things, or I can think, “If that’s how they drive, it’s better they’re in front of me than on my tail.” The choice is mine, every time.

I like this quote from Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” It reminds me that my attitude can affect both my physical and mental health. I don’t know that sicknesses heal any quicker if I choose not to constantly dwell on them, but I do know that they seem to go away more quickly if I keep an upbeat attitude through them. Besides, what’s the point in making others feel miserable just because I don’t feel well?

Let’s not forget that our attitude affects others we come in contact with. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” I would rather nor not escalate a tense situation by spouting words that will make things worse.

Does this mean I will always look on the bright side? No. But it does mean that I need to think about the situation I am in and decide how I want to react to it.

I choose how I feel to react
happy or not
angry or not.

My attitude affects
not only me
but those around me as well.

Will I be the person
people enjoy being with
Or will I be the person they shun?

The choice is mine
It's all up to me
Attitude makes a difference.


I'm not sure if this song fits, but it is upbeat and it does illustrate how a new attitude can change us.  Here is Patti LaBelle with her new attitude.

Since I have not learned how to use Inlinkz, please leave the link to your post in the comments. I look forward to reading your thoughts on attitude or whatever you choose to write about.

OK. Maybe it wasn’t so late. It was 8:30 at night. I was sitting on my recliner with a cat on my lap and a book in my hand. I don’t expect phone calls at that time of night because my friends and family call earlier in the day if they want to talk.

A phone call at this time of night can mean only one of two things. It is a spam call or there is family trouble. I checked out the caller ID. It wasn’t spam which usually shows as unknown or a string of numbers. I don’t answer those figuring if it is something important, they can tell the answering machine, and I will get bac to them.

It wasn’t family. I let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t recognize the name of the person listed, but the last name is a common one in this area.

So, with a little bit of trepidation I answered. The voice asked if this was so-and-so. Instead of answering “Yes” I just said “It is”. The woman introduced herself and said she was calling from the Sacramento Fire House. I had won $100.00 in their home heating raffle.

I remember getting the tickets in the mail and filling them out and returning them. I always support the local firehouses. I put the ticket stubs in the desk drawer and promptly forgot about them because I never win. I figured I made a donation to a good cause.

I was shocked when she told me I had won. She congratulated me and told me the check would be in the mail. I was shocked/surprised even more because a couple of months earlier I had won $100.00 from another local fire company.

Not that I expect anything, but the imfamous “they” say things come in threes. Could there be something else on the horizon?

UPDATE: Last week I wrote about taking the wrong cat for surgery. It was averted in time. On Thursday we took Dustin for his surgery. Believe me, I triple checked before we left the house and I checked once again before we left the hospital. It was the right cat this time. Well, he had the surgery and we are now waiting for the biopsy results. Dustin came home the next day and is doing well even with his cone of shame.

I figured there was a problem but didn’t know what it was. Constant urination without much output. After a week of this I felt it couldn’t be ignored any longer. An appointment was made.

When I made the call for an appointment I didn’t expect to have one that day. After all, Tuesdays are surgery days not appointment days. When I called and explained the situation, the staff member asked me to hold while she checked with the vet. She came back and told me to bring Dustin in and the vet would check him between surgeries.

Around 5:00 we were told to come in and the vet would talk with us. The news was not something we wanted to hear. Dustin has a mass growing in his bladder. The vet said it was not something she was equipped to work with and she gave us the name of several clinics where we could take him for a further consult and to determine a plan of action.

I called the first place on the list. Their first opening was on Feb 20th. I too it just because I wanted to get on the books. I really wasn’t thrilled about waiting that long, so after two days I thought I would call the second place just to see if that had anything sooner. It turned out that a surgeon could see him the next day.

We got Dustin in his carrier; he was not happy and drove to Allentown about an hour and a half ride. The ran some tests, confirmed he had a mass, and we talked with the doctor. She explained the operation she would do to remove the mass. It would then be sent for a biopsy and treatment would be determined.

The operation date was set for last Thursday. Somehow Dustin knew he was going, so when it was time to get him and put him in his carrier of course, he hid. Fortunately, I know his hiding spot, so I was able to get him out and put him in. I admit I was a bit frazzled, and we were running a bit late. I didn’t pay close attention to what I did.

We got him there and checked him in. The nurse told us the doctor had a few surgeries so she wouldn’t get to him until the afternoon. We could expect a phone call around 5:00.

From Allentown we drove to Harrisburg. I had to pick up something a PASR HQ. We thought we would stop a B & N, look at some boos, get something to eat and drink. Then we went home.

When I opened the door of the house who comes out to greet us an ask for food but Dustin. M heart leaped to my throat. I panicked. Oh no! If Dustin was here that means Ned is at the hospital. I hurriedly called Allentown and babbling told them of the mistake I made. The receptionist put me on hold and called the OR. The nurse we left Ned with got on and said I called just in time. They had just put Ned under and shaved his belly, but no incision was made. We could come back and pick him up.

You have no idea how relieved I was. I felt so awful. How could I have mixed up the two cats? I know the difference between them. All I can say is that St. Francis was looking after Ned and made sure we called in time.

CATastrophe avoided. I felt like the world’s biggest fool.

Well, I’m getting a head start for the March Challenge. It will soon be time to sign up for the challenge, but I am thinking ahead. If you have read my posts during the challenge, you know that for the past several years I have chosen a plastic canvas project to work on over the month.

Each Saturday during the month I have shared my progress. My goal has always been to show the completed project on the last Saturday of the challenge, or at the latest, the first Tuesday after the challenge ends.

For the last few years I have ordered something from Herrshners. I usually wait until the last minute to place my order and then hope I get it in time for the challenge.

This year I found something in the Mary Maxim catalog that I liked. I placed my order and it came yesterday. Looking at the kit I am wondering if I bit off a bit more than I can chew. I haven’t opened the kit yet and won’t until March. But looking at the picture, it looks more complicated than anything I have done in the past.

I guess I will just have to give it my best shot and see how it goes. If you would like to see if I make it, please join me for the March Challenge.

I normally count the number of rows in the completed project, divide that number by 4, and that tells me how many rows I need to complete each week in order to be finished by the end of the month. I will tell you that this year’s project is 13.5″ x 21.5″. So, it is a good size.

As I complete each section and post it, some people like to guess as to what the finished piece will look like. Some years it has been easier than others. This year it should be fairly simple because the design starts coming together in the first few rows. If you would like to get a head start guessing what it will be, here is a picture of the kit. Come on now, you didn’t think I would show you the front with the picture, did you?

Lately, I have been having trouble getting things done. It is not that I don’t want to do them. It is not that I can’t do them. It is just that getting up and moving seems to be a problem. I’ve done some research to see what could be causing this problem and what possible remedies there might be for it. I finally was able to come up with a name for this affliction, COL, but there is really no known cure that I am willing to take for it. So, I guess I will just have to suffer through it for as long as it lasts. I will not complain.

There are things I need and want to do.

They must be done.

They should not wait, but I can’t

Because I have COL.

I have a post that must be written.

It is Tuesday after all.

But now’s not the time

Because I have COL.

I like to read the paper

To see what’s happening in the world.

But it’s difficult.

Because I have COL.

There are clean clothes to fold

And a bed to be made.

But it must wait

Because I have COL

But those things can be put off

Because after all

Nothing’s more soothing than

Having Cat On Lap.

As we begin a new year of monthly spiritual reflections, Margaret Simon leads us off this month. She asks us to reflect on one little word that will be our guide for 2026. You can read her post here.

I was sure I had it. If fact, I even started writing about it. I was going to be all set for this new year of spiritual journeying. I wouldn’t be a late poster this month. Then I changed my mind.

As I started writing about what I was sure was going to be my OLW for this year I had a gnawing feeling that this wasn’t right. I thought that acceptance would be perfect for me because there were things happening in my life that I had no control over and instead of fighting them it would do me better to just accept what was and move on.

But then I started thinking that if I chose this word then there were things going on in my life and the world that needed to be changed and whatever part I could play in bringing about that change I had to do. As a result, acceptance would not work as my OLW.

I thought I would have to look long and hard to come up with a word that would better suit where I am in my life or just hastily pick a word because I needed one for this post. Without much thinking it just popped into my head.

I thought about my brother who passed away in September. I remembered the fun we had growing up. Being less than a year apart, we had a special bond.

I thought about my mom. We were not a large family, four kids my mom and dad, but it seemed that my mom was always feeding a lot more. We constantly brought friends home for dinner without much warning. She always welcomed them and there was always enough food.

I think about the friends I had growing up and some of the crazy things we did. Sometimes I am still amazed that I am still here because of them.

I think of the years Kathy and I have spent together, 45 and still going. We have done a lot. We have been to many places. Health problems have restricted some of our activities, but there is still much we can do.

So, I decided that this year my OLW will be cherish. I want to cherish the memories of those no longer with us. I want to cherish my family while they are still here for who knows what tomorrow may bring. I want to cherish good times with friends. They are what keep me going. I want to cherish the life God has given me for without Him I would be nothing.

Thank you, Margaret, for leading us on this first month of the new year.

It seems like I have been pushed to my limits since Thanksgiving, well, even before. It started on November 14th. They were invited to his niece’s house to celebrate his sister’s 70th birthday. His niece would provide the food. Would he bring dessert?

Well, I could handle a cake being popped in. But he decided on a lemon cheesecake cake. That meant double the work. First, the cheesecake had to be made. I had to be heated up for that. Then the cake layers had to be made. I had to get hot for that. I thought I could rest but no. He decided there had to be some cookies as well. So, I was turned on again and had to bake some cookies. As everyone knows, a batch of cookies can’t usually be baked all at once because I can’t hold all of those trays. I had to work quite a while to get them all done. Now I can rest.

What’s this? They were invited back down for Thanksgiving, and he was bringing dessert again. That means I had to do more baking. What will it be this time. First up was a pumpkin upside-down cake. I guess that makes sense for Thanksgiving. That should do it. Wait. Cookies again! Orange, cranberry, walnut cookies. If they want something cranberry, why not just take a can of cranberry sauce down and go with that?

Now I heard that his nephew invited them down on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and you guessed it, they were asked to bring dessert. Not again. Now what? Well, his niece asked for some buck-eye brownie cookies, so that was a start. Then he decided on a pineapple cake. Don’t I get any rest? At least the third thing was a no bake dessert, so I was able to relax a bit. Hope I am done now. I need some holiday rest.

Oh no. A Christmas invite. More dessert. More baking. Not one, not two, not three, but four different kinds of cookies. He started with some M & M blondies, followed by cheery chocolate bars, followed by some cinnamon biscotti, twice baked no less, and ended with eggnog cookies. He thought it’d be fun to make a pina colada cake, too. I wondered why—doesn’t that seem more like a tropical summer dessert than something for the dead of winter? And what if I blew a fuse? What would he do then? I am tired. I am over heated.

Well, I survived. No more celebrations, no more marathon baking sessions. I hope.

I admit that I am not always the best a getting some things done. I can always find something more important, at least in my mind, to do instead. Our attic is a case in point.

For years many things have found their way up into that space that lives between our ceilings and the roof of the house. Think Christmas decorations, out of style, season, or size clothing. Think suitcases and other bags used for traveling. Think Knickknacks stored for rotation that never get rotated. Think empty boxes from Hummel figurines displayed in our curio. Think extra bedding and linens.

Usually when I take things up I look for an empty spot and plop them down. I keep meaning to go uo and sort and organize, but I always have an excuse. It is too cold in the winter. It is too hot in the summer. Well, now I have a reason to go up and work.

Last year our roof leaked and water found its way to our bathroom ceiling. I got the roof replaced, but I didn’t do anything with the ceiling. I wanted to make sure the problem was fixed and that there would be no more water dripping from the ceiling. Success.

Now it is time to replace the bathroom ceiling. I spoke with someone willing to do it, not many contractors want small jobs, and we are all set to go. I decided that I want to add an extra light in the room as well. He said it would not be a problem as long as he could access the wiring. You know where this is going.

He can get to the wiring from the attic as long as I clear a pathway to the spot he needs. Now I have a reason to go up and do something. I have started. I’ve spent one day up there and got about a quarter to the things gone through and organized. Of course, I started on the side opposite of where he needs to get. I figure three more days and I should be organized. He will not do the work until after the new year, so I have time.

I could go up today, but I need to go get my allergy shots. Maybe tomorrow. No, we have lunch with friends tomorrow. Friday. Yes, there is nothing on the calendar for Friday. That is when I will go bac up. Unless…

Winter, although not officially, is here. I hear many people complain about it. “It’s too cold.” “It gets dark so early.” “I don’t like shoveling snow.” Well, I don’t complain about it. Instead, I embrace the joys of winter and all the pros of the season. Let me explain.

We all know the importance of stretching before exercising. It warms up the muscles and gets us ready for our workout. Well, in winter you don’t need to worry about stretching. After all, what better stretch is there than reaching across the windshield of your car trying to scrabe off the ice that has attached itself to the glass and refuses to let go? And what about standing on your toes so that you can reach the roof of your SUV to push off the snow because you are too short to reach it any other way?

Now, once you are properly stretched and warmed up you can move on to weightlifting. Who needs an iron bar with plates on either end when you have an inch of heavy wet snow holding your car prisoner. Get out the shovel and dig, dig, dig. Just don’t forget to lift with your legs. This is guaranteed to pack on muscles.

Many people enjoy a sauna. In the winter you don’t need one. Just put on those seven layers of clothes you need to stay warm. Go outside and try to move around wearing all those extra layers. You will soon be sweating in no time.

Now about that early darkness. Don’t complain. Think of the darkness as being a signal that it is time to stop working and relax. So what if it is only 4:00. It is dark so that means work is finished for the day. Relax and enjoy or go to bed because it is dark.

So many people worry about looking good when they go out. People are especially concerned that every hair is neat and in place. In winter that is not a problem. Everyone sports the same hair-do – hat hair.

As we age, doctors sometimes check our vision and mental alertness. Well, winter offers sure fire tests for checking both. Just take your car out for a drive. You have to be aware of all of the crazy drivers who think it is still summer and drive accordingly even though roads are snow covered. Being on the lookout for black ice is a great vision check.

We all know how important it is to have good hearing. Winter provides several hearing checks. Listen to the wind howling outside. Did you hear any branches falling off the trees in the yard? Wait, is that sleet hitting the windowpane?

Let’s not forget one of the most important advantages of winter, a cup of hot chocolate with or without marshmallows, a comfortable recliner, a warm blanket, and a beastie of some sort curled up on your lap. It doesn’t get much better than that.

So, next time you hear someone complain about the winter, just remind them of all of the positives the season brings. Happy Winter!