Common Ground Coffee House #104

[Friend of God]

Good Morning Everybody,


Looks like the favorite stocking stuffers in the Coffeehouse are going to be advil, decongestants, and topamax.


I brought in Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, Cheddar Cheese Strata, Berries with Orange Scones, Skillet Sausage with Potatoes and Rosemary, and Hot Cheddar Biscuits. Enjoy.

Thanks to dear, sister Sue I'm borrowing a page from her Christmas Gifts from the Heart and making Banana and Almond Loaf Cakes, and Raisin-Apricot Loaf Cakes for the Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, and Choir Members for Christmas. it's not much, but they all do so much I'd like to show them I appreciate all they do.


This morning we had Sausage Apple Quiche, and Breakfast Calzones for breakfast. As I was cleaning up, my 7 year old grandaughter, Autumn, asked me "if I'd changed something in the quiche?" I replied "why?" She said "it just tasted different." I asked her "what or how had it tasted different?" She answered "I dunno, something's different in it." I had made a slight change, I was out of an ingredient so I substituted something for it, and she caught it. Not bad, she's developing a palate at 7 years old, I must have done something right over the years.


I promised the Grandkids I'd take them to the park today, and wouldn't you know it?, their favorite dollar store is on the way home. They've been asking to go to McDonald's, and I've been side-tracked after my fall + taking care of my Wife, sooo maybe I'll take them there for lunch.


To anybody who wants to scoff, see; I don't only eat my own cooking. For everything they've had to tolerate for awhile, I can eat a cheeseburger and drink a milkshake.


My chores are done, so the afternoon belongs to the Grandkids. I'll try to check in later.

 

[annsni]

Hey everyone! I'm feeling MUCH less sore today - so much for the day 3 being the worst thing! I'm SO glad!! What even made it worse last night was that I had a migraine and I took Imitrex - which tends to give me muscle stiffness in my neck - and topping the stiffness from the fall REALLY made me sore! I took an hour nap, though, and I felt well enough to go out to our small group Christmas party - which was wonderful.

Today I had to take the littles to church for THEIR rehearsal for their little Christmas program in church tomorrow - it should be really cute. The youngest kids sing 2 songs for each Sunday school class and the older kids do a play.

Today is cleaning up this place. With our busy schedule and the kids trashing the place, it came down to today being clean up day. It HAD to get done and now atleast the house is finished being decorated, the boxes are all put away, and the girls are vacuuming and dusting now. After I'm done here, I'll straighten the kitchen and dining room, finish up my Christmas cards then go shopping with Bob later after dinner, I think. Atleast *I'll* go out.

So, have a great day all!! I'll 'see' ya later!

Ann

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Good morning all,

High of 50º today with rain showers. It has been very foggy here the past few days. I can't see outside yet this morning, but it is probably still foggy, since it was last night.

Brent will be baptized after the morning service today and he is very excited to follow the Lord's command. I can tell in subtle little ways that he is allowing the Lord to change him.

I actually slept in bed last night instead of the couch! I slept pretty well except for the dizziness when I would turn over (which always wakes me up). I am going to insist that my doctor make me an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. This dizziness has gone on for three months now and I'm tired of hearing him say, "It will go away."! I also still get dizzy when I tilt my head forward to look down at the floor or backward to look up at something high.

Coffee is on, tea is steeping, and hot cocoa is in the pot. Help yourself to the Boiled Omelets and Cinnamon Toast!

Have a blessed Lord's Day!
§ue

 

[Friend of God]

Good Morning Everybody,

UGHHHH!! I'm fighting a Migraine that feels like it's split my head into pieces.

First Ann falls, then I fall. Ann has a migraine, then I have a migraine.

If you don't mind Sue, I'll pass on breakfast. It's time to take Imitrex, and lay down again.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Good morning all!

Today is the first day of peace since Papa died. We are exhausted and going to spend the day vegetating and trying to get up enough strength to return to work and school tomorrow. After all that has happened, I'm suprised there aren't migraines going on at this house too.

I thought my mother's family was bad about fighting at funerals, but I hadn't seen nuttin'! T's aunt (the only sibling of my FIL and the one who simply decided one day she would no longer help take care of Papa) broke her hip and couldn't come. It didn't stop her from sending her children and grandchildren. They missed the funeral, got there just as it was over. They said they got lost. We thought that was funny, cause I gave them directions myself. Come to find out, they missed the funeral because they were busy packing up what they wanted from Papa's house. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sad stuff too, because what they took was all material stuff like electronics and furniture. They left all the photo albums and family keepsakes. I don't understand greedyness like that. The laugh's on them though, cause none of us wanted or needed what they took. They could have simply sat down with us and told us what each would have liked and still ended up with the same stuff.

Still, it was no more or less what we expected. Papa was the last link that held brother and sister together and Lord willing we'll never have to have dealings with them again. Sad isn't it?

Now do I need tea for sympathy or coffee for energy? There are teacher gifts to be made today.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Good morning all,

Cindi: I'm glad it's over for you. If people would only leave a will, a lot of sqaubbling would not happen, or if it does, it would be in court not at the funeral.

It is 36º this morning, heading for a cloudy high of 45º and possibly some rain showers.

Busy day today starting with a 'fasting' visit to the doctor this morning. Our 'Open House' starts today and Brent has basketball practice, at our ministry center, from 3-5 and a Boy Scout pizza party/meeting, at Pizza Hut, from 6-8. I know I have at least one lady coming by for cookies and egg nog this afternoon.

When I get back from the doctor, I need to mop and wax the kitchen floor and dust mop the rest. Then I can put the clean throw rugs back down on the floor. I've done most of the work, now I can sit back and enjoy my company - I hope...

I didn't bring any breakfast in since I can't eat until I get back from the doctor. I can have only water, but I DID make coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.

HAGD!
§ue

 

[Friend of God]

Good Morning Everybody,

Don't worry Sue, I brought in Waffles, Eggs, Bacon, Fried Potatoes, and Hot Homemade Bread for breakfast. It'll be here hot and waiting for you when you get home.

I couldn't go to church yesterday because I couldn't sit up without the room, and my stomach, spinning out of control thanks to my migraine. A dark, quiet, room was my refuge, and imitrex was my only friend.

About 9pm last night my phone rang(and my head split into millions of sharp pieces-at least that's what it felt like to me.) It was my Pastor calling to say he'd missed me in morning, and evening services. I told him I was suffering from a migraine, and hopefully my medication would start working, and I could be at Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.

Point blank, he asked me why I didn't have enough faith to put my physical and emotional problems in Jesus' hands. His next shot across my bow was that only sinners, and people not right with God have migraines & emotional problems.

Before I could stammer an explanation, he informed me that if I didn't have enough faith to put my problems in Jesus' hands that perhaps I should find another church to worship in.

I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious. I was always brought up to never question a Pastor, Elder, or Deacon.

Come to find out I'm not the only beneficiary of his "concern". He has made this same speech to members suffering from Cancer, Kidney Dialysis, Strokes, and other infirmities.

I keep thinking this is just a Migraine Nightmare, and I'll wake up. I'm still waiting to wake up. If this is my Pastor's position on all physical & emotional problems, I think I'll be looking for another church.

Has anybody ever heard of such a thing?

 

[menageriekeeper]

Grrrrr! You quote this scripture to that so-called preacher of yours:

Mr 2:17And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

and then tell him that all who believe are called to suffer something for his sake and that you have most certainly put your problems in Christ's hands and have faith that what you are suffering will bring glory to God in ways that you can't even imagine. And then ask him what scripture he has to back up the idea that Christians are never supposed to suffer illness.

Yes, I most certainly have heard ideas like this. It was a commanly held idea when I was growing up in missionary and freewill Baptist churches that ALL mental problems had a root in the spiritual and those suffering from them were either being punished or were unsaved. It was that kind of thinking that kept my mother from seeking treatment for her mental problems for YEARS and resulted in such abuse to us kids as a result. She wasn't treated until she literally lost her mind after years of self medication attempts and perscription drug abuse. At that point it was too late to save the relationship between my parents and my brother and my relationship with them is only partially repaired. (God will heal the rest in heaven and I'm mostly satisfied to leave it in His hands)

I guess you can tell, this is a pet peave of mine.

It is possible that your preacher has never truely searched the scriptures for answers to this issue. When he hears what you have to say, it might open a dialogue between the two of you that will lead to spiritual growth for you both. Unfortunately, a more likely scenario is that he won't be able to admit he might have been wrong or worse (and scarier) he buys into this prosperity gospel that is so popular nowdays.

The circumstances of your life are not sinful in and of themselves. Your response to those circumstances is where you get to choose to sin or not, to have faith through them or not. If bad things never happened to Christians how would we ever demonstrate our faith?

Okay sermon over. Good Morning Everyone!

Life goes on at the menagerie! Presents for teachers are well on their way to completion. I have to find some sort of table in this house that I can set up my second sewing machine on. Things will go quicker if one machine can embroider while I'm putting the ornaments together on the other. I'd really like to have all 12 done by this evening.

Since I've been on the phone or doing the checkbook all morning, I guess I'd better get to work, huh? :laugh: Nothing like waiting til the last moment to get things done!

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot, I have to pick Cassie up at 11:30 this morning. That'll rip the day in half! I really do have to get moving! Nuff of this sitting at the computer and I'm not even halfway through the BB....

Ya'll have a good day.

Cindi

 

[Jim1999]

I suppose that preacher never read about Paul and his thorn in his side. He suffered, whatever that was, all his life and he prayed for a healing, but settled for the fact he would suffer it for a lifetime.

He also never read of Spurgeon, who suffered such great bouts of depression, he would vacate the pulpit for several weeks at a time. Dare this preacher say Mr. Spurgeon lacked faith?

I wouldn't leave the church, I would make this preacher learn something about what faith is, and its relationship to healing. "If it be possible," says paul..."If", nevertheless............He got on with his ministry in Christ's name.

I have suffered 4 strokes. I am paralyzed on right side and lost my speech and memory for 3 years. Through all this I have learned great lessons of perseverance and trust in the Lord. Keep looking UP, mate, and nevermind what mortal men may say. Your faith is between God and yourself. In the end, you must look God in the face, not him. You must live through your infirmities, not him. You must come through these trials, in Jesus' strength, not his.

Look, look to Jesus alone, my friend. He will never leave you nor forsake you, and you will be the stronger for all this.

Cheers, and God bless,

Jim

 

[annsni]

Rob - That's just sad. To think that someone would place the blame on a person for illnesses and such - that's so not Biblical NOR godly. ((HUGS)) I'd honestly find another church since it sounds an awful lot like the Word of Faith movement and there are a lot of dangerous things in that.

I am glad you're feeling better - migraines are horrible (as you know, I know) and I thank God for Imitrex, although I don't like that icky feeling when you take it. I'm going to the doctor in a little bit because I think I may have injured my head when I fell on Thursday - I have an area on my head that developed sensitivity on Saturday, the entire right side of my head from my ear to about the middle of the back feels like it's burned and, honestly, I think my short term memory is off. I'm not hungry - slightly nauseous and although I'm very tired, I'm not sleeping well. I was supposed to ride today but Bob said not to go until I see the doctor - we'll see what the results are. Hopefully it's either just some minor bruising from the fall or else a mild concussion. My balance seems to be OK and my vision is no worse than normal, so I"m not TOO concerned, but my typing IS a little off (I'm hitting too many wrong keys for me). I'll update you all.

I think I'm done with my shopping, though!! I may want to get one more thing for my dad and I still need to make my jam (strawberry/cranberry) and make some food for my dad but then I'm all set. Whew!! I'm SO glad.

Take care all and I'll update when I get back from the doctor.

Ann

 

[Friend of God]

Ann: Your symptoms sound like mine after I bounced my 54 yr. old melon off the frozen ground.

Take care my friend, concussions (mild-or-not) are nothing to fool around with.

Have your doc write a prescription for dinner at the yacht club, since you won't be able to concentrate enough to fix dinner. :thumbs:

 

[annsni]

Ann: Your symptoms sound like mine after I bounced my 54 yr. old melon off the frozen ground.

Take care my friend, concussions (mild-or-not) are nothing to fool around with.

Have your doc write a prescription for dinner at the yacht club, since you won't be able to concentrate enough to fix dinner. :thumbs:

LOL - We ate there last night (I just had soup since I'm not really hungry), which I think was a God-thing since one of the waitresses heard us talking about homeschooling and it looks like she's going to homeschool her kids either in January or next September and she really needs help with it - AND she may want to come to church with us!! Praise the Lord!!

Tonight will be turkey pot pie since Nicole can cook it up for me - and I was supposed to make dinner for a friend who had a knee replacement but I called and told her I couldn't. I saw her at church yesterday - with no crutches or cane so she's doing well enough that I don't feel TOO guilty.

So, Rob - you had the same kind of symptoms? I don't remember - did you have a concussion?? What got me was the area that's all sore like I just hit it - but it didn't develop for 2 days!! And the tingling/burning on my scalp is really weird! I want to go get my helmet and see if there's any damage on it (I hope not, those things cost over $100 and I can't afford a new one right now).

Ann

 

[Friend of God]

I was told that I had a "slight" concussion, and yes I had all the symptoms you mentioned.


No kidding Ann, you now have the perfect excuse to relax,and pamper yourself. Is someone going to be in the house with you? The docs usually want somebody to be nearby in case your symptoms get worse, or you need help.


You're way too young to be getting forgetful, and having vision, and comprehension problems. Don't worry about the helmet - you're much better off replacing a cracked helmet, than you are a cracked head.

Rob

 

[annsni]

Well, thus far, it's whiplash but I'm going in 2 hours for a CT scan of my brain to see if I have a subdural hematoma. My memory is definately not what it normally is - just had a weird thing with DH and my daughter - I thought she said one thing but it was another thing that she said. OK - now I'm curious to know just what's up in there!! Yikes!!

Dr. told me to shoot the horse. I said no way!!

Rob - today is Bob's day off (since he's a pastor and works on Sundays), so he's with me (although I drove myself to the doctor - I really feel OK but now he's going to go with me to the radiology place. I'll post when I know what's up. I actually feel OK but just have these few weird symptoms.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Good grief, Ann, don't shoot the horse! :laugh: Just get the burr out from under the saddle!

Seriously, soft head + frozen ground = not good.

I wondered when you mentioned that your head felt like it was burning if you hadn't pinched a nerve, since that is exactly how I get to feeling with my bad discs get irritated (only, I burn down my arms as well ).

We'll be waiting on your update.

Huh, I haven't managed to get much done today. I'm seriously considering doing something for the kids teachers after Christmas. I can't seem to get myself on a schedule and I know it's because I'm still so tired from last week.

Rob, think your migraine had anything to do with your own fall?

 

[Jim1999]

My 14 year old Great Dane took a turn overnight and on advice of veterinary, we had to put her down this morning. It is a very sad day for me. This was Daisy:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1065876/daisy2.jpg

Pets are precious to me, and I am sure to many.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[annsni]

Aww - Jim - I'm so sorry!! We lost our dog about 10 years ago - she was 18 - and I missed her for YEARS!! I still looked for her in her 'spot' and still thought I heard her outside. It's so hard to lose a cherished part of the family. She was adorable - what a cute face!!

 

[annsni]

No update yet. I have to wait until tomorrow to get the results - I'll be sure to post them.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Awww! Bless her doggie heart. I'm so sorry Jim, these pups become our babies and it is sooo hard to lose them.

 

[Jim1999]

Thanks everyone. Daisy was a very special dog. I have spoken about all my dogs in here, and I thought it would be nice to show her photo.

Wife is making me a t-shirt with all our dogs on it, present and past.

Cheers,

Jim