"All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."
my3sons
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing...and clothed me with gladness...O Lord my God,I will give thanks to you forever.(excerpt from Psalm 30)
For all Pleonast folks who have been wanting to take a break from Pleo, I do NOT recommend you follow my method which includes having your entire thyroid removed,being treated for thyroid cancer and then going into depression so you can barely function...Ugh!
Hopefully we now have a better handle on the amount of thyroid replacement I need to take each day. However, I'll spare you the details of how we got to this point...
Just don't forget~ I'm a survivor,I'm not gonna give up....(breaks into song!)
Thanksgiving is always my favorite holiday,but I wish I could have spent it with my family. I made pumpkin cheesecake,apple crumb pie,fresh cranberry relish,apple sausage dressing,sweet potatoes with apples,fresh cream of mushroom soup,roast turkey,mashed potatoes,gravy,corn,and rolls with cranberry butter.
I have to share the cranberry butter recipe. It's super easy and so pretty on the table...and it tastes great!
1/3 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry; your choice)
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 stick of REAL butter,softened
Pop the ingredients in your food processor and mix well. You can chill it and roll it into a fat log. Then slice flavored butter into pats or you can serve it in a dish.
You can use it on bread,rolls,muffins,toast,pancakes,or waffles,too! *Feel free to double the recipe for a lot of people or keep it in the fridge to have when you choose.
~ENJOY!~
I will be leaving in 2 weeks for Ohio to spend time with my wonderful parents and also to pop into the Cleveland Clinic for more tests. This time it will be genetic testing.
You see it's just NOT normal to have three different kinds of cancer,folks! Praise God I'm still here to be a mom to my kids and a wife to my wonderful hubby!
I have so much to be thankful for and I remind myself OFTEN. I am thankful for all the love and prayers from fellow Pleo-nasters! I've missed you all and have LOTS of catching up to do on your blogs.
That is quite a Thanksgiving feast. Did you have any energy left to eat it after you finished cooking? I am glad you got the thyriod figured out. That hormone is very exact in the amount you need.
You've been missed! So glad you've battled this last round of side effects and are on the way back! Your TG dinner sounds wonderful! Maybe we'll get to see you while you're in Ohio.
What a feast! Wish I would have been sitting at your table that day :). Welcome back to the Pleo world and hope the docs get a handle on things for you.
You have really been missed! I have been so worried about you. I pray for your quick recovery and for you to get out of your depression - which I know can be so debilatating.
Soooooooooooooooo good to hear from you! We all have missed you. I love the cranberry butter recipe. Sounds like a definite for Christmas. Hope you continue to improve. Love you!
That recipe sounds wonderful. I saw a Dickinson sign while in Texas last week and thought about you. Hadn't heard from you in a while, so it's good to know you're still pushing through.
Good to hear from you. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, too. We had it at the nursing facility where my dad is recovering from a bad case of cellulitis.
So glad to hear things are looking up. You are my hero and when things look bleak for me....I only have to think of you for a smack upside the head. I'm glad you'll see your parents soon. A lady at work had trouble w/ thyroid meds and was off for a few months so I understand it can be a trial. HUGS
Hey Kim, so glad you are doing better. It took a long time to get my thyroid meds adjusted also, but they have stayed pretty much the same for years now!! The cranberry butter sounds good, I think I'll try it!! Good luck in your travels and happy holidays!!
Bless your heart. The things you've had to deal with! You're such an inspiration, Kim. Hang in there and enjoy your time with your OH family. Tell mom and dad I said, Hello.
It's hard to believe it's October already,but Fall is my FAVORITE season. Sadly,down here in south TX I doubt I'll see leaves changes into beautiful shades of gold,red,and orange.
Many of you have inquired about me and my health. I am doing well,even though I seem to tire easily. Thank you for all your love and prayers for me and my family.
I will be returning in mid-December to the Cleveland Clinic for a check-up and to have genetic studies done. Most people don't get three separate types of cancer. It's just not normal,so they want to find out why I'm so weird!!! At least I'll be able to see my family for the holidays.
In the few weeks since my return home to Texas I've kept busy doing Fall cleaning and sorting of our belongings. We had some things we weren't really using,including some clothing.
Since Hurricaine Ike has left so many without even basic things like shoes and clothes,we donated to them. There are so many folks in need in this area. On TV they are requesting toothbrushes,toothpaste,deodorant,food,water,formula,diapers,clothing,trash bags,cleaning supplies,etc...
We drove around after Ike and our return from San Antonio. It was overwhelming to see the damage first hand. There was much storm debris in the streets that made us turn around because we couldn't go any farther. There were utility trucks repairing damaged lines from several other states. We had one repair truck in our neighborhood from Kent,OH!!! I was tempted to ask the fella where he lived or was from!
It was sad to see the Red Cross Disaster relief trucks at major intersections in nearby communties. We saw several wiping away tears,others hugging or had an arm around the shoulder of a friend/neighbor.
We saw lots of porta-potties and temporary shower trailers set up in these towns for folks to take a shower and clean up. We encountered lines for meals,candles,water,and ice snaked thru several blocks in these towns.
The damage was evident EVERYWHERE you looked. It was hard to take it all in. I would look out my car window on my side and I'd miss what Craig had noticed on the opposite side. Ethan said it looked like someone had exploded a bomb. It was rather eery and surreal.
There were cars with windows broken out and crushed from tree limbs,portions of houses and garages missing. On every street there were folks piling up furniture,carpeting,broken glass,fallen ceilings,wet dry wall,and anything else found damaged inside were heaped on the curbs,along with tree limbs.
Many here have just had their electricity restored in the last week,including some of our own members. The kids have finally returned to school and the stores have restocked their supplies. There are still many traffic lights out; most just blink red,so we treat each intersection as a four-way stop.
The major hospital in Galveston that many from our congregation use is called UTMB Galveston. It is still not open. They're working hard to get it open. They have recently relocated their clinics to the north so people can receive care,but Ike's damage seems to have impacted every area of life.
Many have had to find somewhere else to live because of Ike and actually several families have come to live in our complex. (We had been on a waiting list for one of the rental houses in our complex,but once Ike hit,our request was put on hold.) Our landlord wanted to help accomodate all those who were displaced by Ike. We have several new neighbors.
This is just a glimpse of what happened. We know it was much worse in other nearby towns,but we have no business driving into those areas to gawk and get in the way.
We continue to pray for all who are suffering and to be open and willing to ways we can provide aid,especially to our brethren.
BTW,we had been thinking of renting a house,but now that our oldest son Glenn is relocating to TX to finish his degree,we'd rwally like a bigger place. Glenn is moving here this weekend,so our cleaning,sorting,and furniture re-arranging to make room for him has kept us busy.
If it is God's will,He will provide us with a larger place. We're just thankful to have a roof over our heads and all the other things God has blessed us with to live comfortably.
I'm sure having Glenn back at home will be an adjustment,but we are all happy and very excited that Glenn will be back with us...especially Ethan!
Remember to be thankful for every good gift from our God!
We are up here so far away from everything. Now that the images are not on TV everyday I forget about what people are going through. You brought it all back. There is a lot to be said to being content with what we have!
I am extra thankful to come home to my cozy house and snuggle up on the couch. Those seemingly simple things are really BIG things when you no longer have them. Thank you for your post. It is good to read things like this-it helps you stay grounded.
Sometimes, when you hear everyone you know is okay or minimal damage, you "forget" about the rest and that they are NOT okay. Thank you for bringing this to our hearts.
We don't hear much up here about the aftermath in Houston. Thanks for keeping us posted. I'm glad you're able to get back home. I know that was hard on you.
I am glad you guys are doing so well. So much in this world is news when it first happens... but people don't care about the aftermath. Thank you for putting a human side to the aftermath of a national tragedy.
I'm to share 8 random,but interesting facts about myself and then tag 8 other people on Pleo. Here we go~
1. I love Ralph Lauren's "Blue" fragrance!
2. I love chime clocks and cuckoo clocks. We own a chime clock,but not a cuckoo.
3. I love quality,old,classic movies. Just because a movie is old,does not mean it's any good!
4.I ususally take showers,but I still take a bath at least once a week in the evening. It decreases my stress and helps me relax for sleep. Sometimes I take them more often,when I'm really stressed.
5.I don't like using emery boards. It's like using sandpaper and gives me that "fingernails scraping on a chalkboard" feeling! Instead, I use a glass nail file which can be washed,dried,and re-used.
6.I love ice and I love my beverages with plenty of ice. Yes,I'm an ice muncher!
7. Because of my food allergies,I eat alot of rice-based foods,but I rarely eat just rice or even have an appetite for plain old rice.
8.I wash my hands alot,but since I'm right-handed,I usually keep my left hand clean,so I wash my right hand more often. I think it comes from working in the OR where you must prevent contaminating your sterile field. Oh,yeah...I prefer using paper towels to dry my hands,unless I know how fresh the towel is!
OK,now I tag~
Sarah Longhenry/curlie
Ric D'Intino/ourdee
Heidi Wickersheim/heidiw
Sylvia Coulsen/sjean
Frieda/friedaj
Raymond Dick/21_lanes
William Dick/wbd
Lisa Crim/crimmomx5
Tim McPherson/dadmcpherson
Hope you realize how weird I am after reading this!
Blessings~
Kimberly
The few times I've messed around with a nail file, I had the same experience. I just tear them off using other fingernails or bite them most of the time.
KIM!! i'm so glad to read thru your postings and hear how amazing you are doing!! sounds like prayers have certainly been answered!! we miss you here in va :( please drop a line when you can. much love and hugs,kim lepe
They didn't find anything "big" on any of the tests - which is thankful - but I still have a smidge of Kidney infection. It'll all get better soon I'm sure.
As for X-Mas - we were going to go to Pigeon Forge for the holidays but since I've been so sick and wracked up the medical bills (and depleted my vacation time) - the girls do have a list going. Each new commercial Becca sees brings something else!
Oh you know Heidi, what a sweetie. I was blessed to work with her in the Minnesota camp. So the ice thing, Ruth was a huge ice muncher. Hind sight this means you are anemic. Please get a blood test and or start taking iron vitamins. Ruths blood was so low they were surprised she was able to walk. Since getting her blood back she has not had the desire to munch ice. Funny huh? Still praying for you and the guys.
Thank you. And how are you doing lately? We had lunch yesterday with your folks, the Sloters, David, Joe, Mom and I. It is good to see your Dad doing so well.
It was good to see my brethren at worship yesterday,especially after Ike!
One of our members homes was badly damamged. Others lost trees and had some damage to their homes.
Several are STILL WITHOUT power. We are fortunate that when this complex was built they placed the lines/power cables underground. This makes it easier to return power after an outage.
Grocery shopping has been humbling. You can't just make a menu for the week based on what everyone's hungry for because you can NOT find the necessary ingredients at the stores. The grocers lost their perishables because of the damage Ike caused.
It's eery to walk thru the stores and see many empty or nearly empty shelves and row after row of refrigerated meat,produce,and dairy cases nearly empty when you've become so accustomed to seeing them fully stocked.
Of course the frozen food items all thawed and had to be thrown out as well. Each household in our area that lost power has also had to endure this tossing of food and cleaning out their refridgerators.
It is such a great waste of food when America already wastes alot of food! It saddens me to think of this in light of the hungry and homeless folks we have here in the United States,not to even mention those in great poverty in other countries around the world,many of whom are our own brethren!
We are truly abundantly blessed!
When we visited the Alamo in San Antonio last week, a man approached Ethan and I asking for cash. I told him sorry I couldn't help him. He then began to lay a guilt trip on me for buying my son a lemonade. How I did have money because I had just bought Ethan a lemonade and why won't you help me?!
This guy's comment really nagged at me. I desire to help those in need and do what I can with our limited funds and my ginormous medical bills. I told Craig about it and we came up with a plan. We decided to send $$$ to a Filipino brother with needs. In lieu of helping the stranger that approached me,we hope to help this man and his family. I pray our small gift we provide some relief to them.
How do you all handle encounters with needy strangers?
I thank God I have good news to report! My last scan after my final thyroid cancer treatment was clear! Praise God! At least all that I endured seems to have paid off!
Oh and there is MORE good news! The skin biopsy report shows that while my skin is "inflammed and atypical", it is NOT cancerous!!! Woo-Hoo! The dermatologist has asked me to continue to monitor it for any changes and to keep him updated.
Please continue to lift Matt and Lauren Bassford up in your prayers as they bury their newborn daughter early this week. I cannot begin to imagine how they feel and how they are coping with this great loss.
Remember to count your blessings. Name them one by one!
Kim, I know of you and have had you in my prayers, and am so happy to hear of your good news, prayers will continue with you and your family, my father had a man come up to him one time and wanted money, my father said (he knew he had been drinking) he said he would take him to lunch to help, him, he said NO and walked away, and my husband has had people come up to him and ask for money and has given it to them, and it worries me to give it to them, am I helping or condonning their lifestyle????, but it is very sad for all those in the resent storms we know for sure they need the help, and the money you sent every little bit helps
That's great news to hear. I was just thinking about that skin biopsy the other day and how I hadn't heard anymore about it. God truly answers prayers!
I never give strangers money. I always try to offer to help directly provide what they say they need the money for (gasoline, food, rent, etc.) The honest people will take the help. Most of the scammers don't want to be bothered with anything other than cash.
The problem was the personal attack when refused.....that doesn't show an honest heart and a misplaced understanding that you must provide for your own first and what you determine to provide for them is your business and no one elses. I detest class envy. I used to always give something but then when the same people approached me in the city over and over, I quit.....because not only was I not helping, they were lying every time.
Mark and I also help with things they might need instead of money most of the time. We have taken several shopping for groceries and have put gas in several tanks. The funniest time was when an obese man with severe breathing problems came for help when Mark was preaching. We took him to a grocery store. I (a dietitian) told him I wanted to buy him some healthy food. We went through the store getting fruits and vegetables etc. Bet he never comes to us for help again. :0
OOHH! Good news on the tests!! I don't give cash handouts anymore. I will either buy them a meal if it's convenient, or just explain that I can't just give anyone cash. You could've asked him if he wanted a glass of lemonade. I'm glad you and Craig decided to do what you did.
Please email me (email address on my home page) a dedication, thought or scripture that you would like put on the dedication page of the cookbook. We are also encluding camp directors etc. Thanks.
I do the same as Matt. I take them to the grocery store and give them a dollar amount so they can buy what the want/need barring cigarettes and alchohol. One lady spent most of it on her baby stuff (diapers, formula,etc.) so I then went and picked out a baby outfit in addition. She was so happy.
Dr. Joan from New Hope asked about you Sunday evening! I wish I had been able to tell her the good news about your last biopsy! So many people are so thankful and thrilled with your good news.
Wonderful news on your medical reports! We once had a mother and daughter get stuck in Tyler when they ran out of gas. They asked for a ride to the bank to wire money. We had to get out baby at the time out to go with us, and when the women left we found an envelope with ten dollars in the backseat. True needs can be met, but giving money for beer or cigarettes, etc.. by just handing someone you didn't know money, wouldn't be helpful.
On what should have been a day of joyful rejoicing for Matt and Lauren Bassford,it has now become a day of mourning and sorrow.
We were so sad and shocked to hear from Craig's father,John Meyer (who serves as an elder where Matt preaches)that our dear brother and sister in Christ have lost their precious baby. They were anxiously and excitedly awaiting the arrival of their firstborn and now must return home with empty arms.
This is such heartbreaking news! Please keep Matt and Lauren in your prayers,as well as their families who are travelling to be with them.
Here is their mailing address if you would like to send a card to them.
Matt and Lauren Bassford
1217 Brentwood Place
Joliet,IL 60435
Tragic news like this makes our children even more precious to us. I know I will be hugging my little one a little tighter tonight!
I know what you mean in your last line of your post. I generally think I am good about hugging my kids and savoring their existance, but I took even a little more extra time to hold them, look at them, and take them in tonight. So heart breaking.
I cried last night for this brother and sister in Christ who I never met before. I am heartbroken for their loss but it reminds me how precious my little ones are.
We got some water through a light in the bedroom closet, but since we stayed, Mark was able to put buckets in the attic to stop it. We've ripped that carpet out of the closet and have a tarp on the roof now. Mark's working in Dickinson today on member's house that flooded.
