Three Special Days--Day 2

Saturday we drove to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for our second day with M!  She didn't want to know anything before hand so we were inside the theater before she realized what it was.  The King and I was the perfect Broadway musical for us to enjoy with her--just enough humor, great songs and amazing dancing.  

Of course, the theater has photography restrictions, so this is all we got.

 

Three Special Days--Day 1

We spent Christmas in Kansas City and not in California with our grandkids.  This year we decided (and their parents agreed) that our main Christmas gift to each of the grandkids would be doing something special together.  We found something that was age-appropriate for each of them and also something we thought they would love doing.

SAFARI WEST--This was a perfect gift for the boy who loves, loves, loves all animals.  It was more interactive than a zoo.  They had more than 900 animals across their 400 acres of land.  We had a 45 minute walking tour to see flamingos, cranes, ibis, guinea fowl, cheetahs, monkeys, porcupines, fennecs and more.  The next part was a 2+ hour riding tour through the park.  The safari vehicle had five seats, four on the lower level and one on the upper level.  They also had a rotation system which allowed everyone to take a ride on the top level.  We were "up" while driving through the giraffe and antelope pens--so cool.  Our tour guide, Leslie, was a walking animal encyclopedia; no question was too tough for her. There were zebras, bongos, kudus, impalas, cafe buffalo, warthogs, red river hogs, rhinos, elands, sables, gemsbok and more!

Here are a few pictures of our day!  It will long be remembered by all three of us.  The final picture is J's amazing drawing of many of the animals we saw and of the jeep he rode in.  

My journey to chemical-free living

I’ve never been one to formally make and announce a New Year’s resolution even though I usually have given some thought to a goal I’d like to reach during the year.  I’m finally getting around to putting my 2018 goal into words and practice.  Here it is:  During 2018 I will reduce my exposure to and my use of products that contain toxic or unsafe chemicals.  This goal is so broad that I broke it down it into the following four areas.  

• Home cleaning products (kitchen/bath)
• Personal products (shampoo, soap, body wash, body lotions, etc.)
•  Make up and skin care products
•  Artificial fragrances (candles, perfumes, air fresheners, powders)

The last several years I started making small changes in my buying habits, but I knew those changes weren't enough; hence, my 2018 goal.  

I’m so thankful for my friend, Hannah Shanks, who has helped me get off to a great start.  I’m happy to say that over the past several months I have phased out, replaced and/or tossed all of the bottles, spray or otherwise, of cleaning products that used to clutter the under-sink space in my kitchen and bath.  I can do everything (granite counters, tile floors, wood floors, carpets, stainless appliances, windows, cook top, sink, shower, stool and more with one bottle of Thieves cleaner.  It feels really good to have taken the first step in lightening the chemical load in my environment.  I know that not only will my lungs be happier, but my whole body will appreciate the changes that I am making.  

If you're interested in learning about chemicals in cleaning products (and more), you can start by downloading this app:  https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/  It can be overwhelming to read about all the toxic chemicals in our homes, but this app was a good first step to "open my eyes" to the contents of the products I used.   

I encourage you to start your your journey toward wellness and feel free to reach out to me to hear how I've begun to change the way we live using the Thieves line of non-toxic products.  

I'll write more in future blog posts about changes I'm making in the other three areas.  It's exciting, healthy stuff!   

Recovery Continues

I had three packages to take to the post office today so I took my first solo drive since surgery.  After the post office I took the car to our local express car wash to get rid of the dirt and salt from the last two weeks.  It looks so much better.

We confirmed a ride to the airport on Saturday morning and have started thinking about what goes to California and then on to El Salvador.  It's looking like there won't be much extra space.

Home Alone

I've been at home since Wednesday when Stephen went to West Plains to visit his parents.  Baring anything unexpected happening, this is his final visit before we leave the Kansas City area.

Today I'm one day short of being 10 days post surgery and feeling, moving, eating much better.  Now that I'm getting back to normal I have to remember to obey the lifting (10 pounds) restrictions for two more weeks.  In fact, yesterday I thought I might try sewing a couple of small projects as samples for our women's sewing ministry (Hilo, Aguja y Biblia) in El Salvador, but caught myself before I lifted my sewing machine from the closet floor.  I'm guessing it weighs at least ten pounds.  I decided it wasn't worth trying to sew while sitting on the closet floor--better to wait until this afternoon when Stephen's back.

Snowy Sunday in Kansas City

Four days out from my gallbladder surgery I made it out of the house for the first time to go to church on Sunday morning.  When we left, it was extremely cold and snow was starting to fall.  By the time we got out of the service, the snow had covered our car, the parking lot and the roads.  The drive home was a bit treacherous, but we drove slowly and made it safely.

Update on Prayer Request

I came home (gallbladderless) from my laparoscopic cholecystectomy out-patient surgery late yesterday afternoon.  It's totally amazing to be going home an hour and half after general anesthesia. Dr. Slayden took a picture of the gallbladder and gallstone--YUK--glad to have it out!

Being nursed by Stephen Parris and taking it easy for the next 5-10 days.  I'll be following a low-fat diet for the first several weeks to give my body the chance to adjust.  I have a three-week no lifting restriction (10 pounds).  Sure is going to be hard to resist lifting my grandkids when we fly to California on February 17.    

Thanks for your prayers!