LOVELY SUNDAY DESPITE THE STORMS

For me it has been a peaceful day and a day when, despite the wind and rain I have been warm and safe at home.    I did venture out to take some homemade soup to friends and to collect a few items from the shops.

Have you ever noticed that when we shop for a "few items" the list grows and the amount on the docket is far more than we had anticipated.    I felt rather like a squirrel storing and stashing for the winter.   I bought the provisions for another two lots of soup and have popped them in the freezer for when needed.   How lucky we are to have such things as a deep freezer where we can keep things safe and fresh until needed and refrigerators to keep vegetables fresh.   I often complain about cleaning out the freezer and I shouldn't because it just sits there singing and purring and keeping my food fresh 24/7.

It took me longer than I thought it would because I bumped into my neighbour from across the road and also another friend - so there was much chatter and conversation.   It saddened me that there are those close to me who are really struggling with many and varied issues and I was pleased to extend the hand of friendship and offer a comforting word.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is carrying a burden of some sort and often just need to chat a while and share their load, and to know that someone really cares and listens.

We are still under the extreme weather warning for strong winds and heavy rain and I give thanks that my roof was repaired a few weeks ago in plenty of time for these storms.

This is the start of a new week and if you have a birthday coming up this week I wish you a happy birthday and a wonderful celebration of your life.

Dance in the rain, stomp and splash in puddles and celebrate the child within.

I hope you can find happiness and gratitude in your life for whatever is happening - if you are spending the weekend with family, friends, staying warm, having coffee out or maybe dinner - be happy and thankful.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart this Sunday - a quite and peaceful day when my heart it at peace.

Love and hugs,

WELCOME TO TUESDAY - PLEASE TAKE CARE

Welcome to Tuesday in my little corner of the world where the sun is shining and the wind is blowing.   We had really heavy showers of rain overnight and the garden is looking very refreshed.

The days are moving on very fast and we are half way through August already and soon will be in the  "Ber" months of September, October, November and December - it is hard to believe that it is only 133 days until Christmas.

This doesn't bother me because I have "Tinselitis" and Christmas lives in my heart all year round - but I do know that it gives many people a fright to realize that it is that close.

I have arrangements well in hand as I buy things all through the year so the Christmas feelings are with me all year.

It can be a difficult time for many and a time when it is just too much work and the stress levels rise so it is particularly important to take good care of yourself, especially if the family is depending on you for the tinsel and tinkling bells.

Not only is it important at Christmas time to take care of yourself - this should be all all year round procedure especially if your role is that of caregiver, home maker, bread winner.   Many women are homemakers and also out in the work force so their load is heavy and it is important that they realize they are worth taking care of themselves and can learn to accept help and support from the family.

Sometimes they need a listening ear outside the family and the bonds of friendship are so very important.   Find someone with whom you can be totally honest with and admit that you are not coping, are tired or miserable.  They don't have the answers, but their listening will lighten your load.

Teach your family to be a little less dependent on you - they will benefit in the end and if you are unwell - find someone to take care of little ones and take yourself off to bed.    It's okay to admit you are in need of rest.

It's okay to admit that things at the Office are piling up and you are struggling, it's okay to admit that you have too much shopping to do, laundry to do, cooking to do.   Involve other members of your family and enlist their help - you are worth taking care of.   It is okay to say "I need help with this"  Everyone benefits - you from the support and the family from the feeling of helping.

Wherever the winds blow you today I hope that there is beauty to be found and that you can find joy in the little things on your journey and that the passengers you travel with are supportive and caring.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a heart that has found the joy and liberation of being able to say - I need help, and to graciously accept that help.

Love and hugs,

WEEDS IN THE CRACKS

Welcome to Ruby Tuesday - a day where the sun is shining here in Adelaide, although the winter wind is blowing.  

This is a day of recovery for me - of finding myself again after a great struggle to find where I had gone.   Yesterday I was all out of step with myself and my life and my dearest friend suggested that there could be some weeds in the cracks of my life that needed dealing with and I guess even when we think we have dealt with most things, there are those pesky weeds that just keep coming back no matter how often we pull them out.  They require a deeper cleansing and I am sure I shall find them and deal with them.

I was weepy and all at sixes and sevens and it is much easier to handle days like that when we understand why it is happening and I have come to the conclusion that my problem was fatigue ~ that long and busy days in succession don't work for me anymore and that I must take the lesson and pace myself and force myself to have a nap each afternoon.   I must learn to take a rest as part of my health care of myself and not see it as a weakness - it is only when I get overtired that I fall into the cracks along with the weeds.

I understand that there will always be days when the sun doesn't shine as brightly, nor the music play as sweetly and that we can't have the rainbow without the rain, but by taking better care of myself I can ensure that these out of step days don't happen very often.

I understand that those days when sadness visits us make us appreciate even more the happy days but when they come out of the blue they catch us by surprise and I was a quivering blubbering mess.

Today I am fine - been out and about and had lunch by the river and although cold, it was peaceful, relaxing and refreshing.   I picked up lunch and my book and rested and restored somewhat.   It was a big lesson to learn and one I have taken seriously as taking care of myself is as important as taking medications and attending appointments.

I am monitored often, medicated well and it is up to me to take care of myself and not become overtired. 

Irises in the garden by the hairdresser.

The cycle track viewed from where I sat for lunch.

Out in the sunshine at the River.

I am blessed indeed to have someone to talk to who cares enough to help me dig to find out if it is weeds or fatigue and who assured me that I would feel better tomorrow and I do ~ but lesson learned here - to pace myself and live each day gently and to be sure to maintain my health by rests and sleep.  Even if I am not able to sleep I no longer get up I stay there and rest.

As you can see - the sun came out today and I am much better, but when you have those blue days when you just can't hear the beat of the music to march to, perhaps it is time for you to take a look and see if there is any better way that you can take care of yourself.

I count myself very blessed because I do have my health, my family and lovely friends who stand by me and support me when I "wobble" and assure me that things will be okay and they are.

Thank you - you know who you are and your friendship is cherished.   I wish you all a wonderful week ahead, days in the sunshine, music to thrill and delight you, flowers in your garden, lovely coffee and the company of those you love to cheer you on and support you.

Love and hugs,

Linda

PS when I found the pretty iris flowers I decided I would try each day to try to find something beautiful in our world to share with you.   Watch this space.  

FOR EVERY DROP OF RAIN @ 85 weeks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xUaqMzEjs

I Believe - The Bachelors

Good Morning and welcome to another wet day and we are going to be inundated with flowers according to this song. It has rained very heaving all night and the ground is squishy and wet underfoot.
For a few fleeting seconds the sun came out and then down came the rain.  


We have been a country that has cried out for rain and seem to have had our prayers answered this year, although the Bureau tell us that the rainfall for July was below average.


I was going to go shopping today, but I am staying home - warm and dry and resting after a few busy days.  It's 85 weeks post transplant for me and marking each week fills me with wonder at all that organ transplant involves.  The campaigns to encourage people to donate, the surgical skills, the medications to prevent rejection and the amazing nursing care involved.


At the Rose Planting Ceremony in February I was tapped on the shoulder by a young lady who told me she had nursed me in ICU post transplant - I did not recognize her but I was glad to be able to say thank you personally.  I was touched that she remembered me.  The people doing the nursing are ordinary human beings with families and problems of their own, yet they so cheerfully and tenderly show care and concern to their patients that I believe they are touched by angels.


I wonder how those roses are going in this cold winter weather, no doubt they have been pruned with care and are ready to bloom again.


I am enjoying this week of no appointments because next week they start again for me - blood tests (won't the girls at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital be thrilled to see me on Tuesday morning?)
and then Friday it is off to a follow up appointment checking blood pressure.


September sees a group of appointments and a hospital stay - blood tests, pre admission clinic and then the ERCP on 20th. September - all part of the routine that is my life post transplant and I go willingly because my life depends on it all and I am thankful for the skills and care that keeps me alive.


Kortni received a donor liver some hours ago and all seems to have gone well with this surgery - Coleman has updated her blog:


Chopped Liver
https://kkchoppedliver.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/the-liver-is-now-in/

Surgery didn't take very long and that is cause for thanks and it is a special time to take a moment aside and be thankful for the donor family, who in their time of grief were very generous.


Looking out my front window I can see birds having a wonderful bath in the water I leave for them - obviously the rain doesn't bother them and they are certainly singing in the rain.


85 weeks means well over 18 months of living - I know it was rough in the early days, but with wonderful support I was able to rise to the challenges placed before me and here I am alive and well and chatting away on here at 8.30 in the morning.  I have not yet showered and dressed - oh the bliss of being able to be without a strict regime each morning.


I am blessed indeed - lovely coffee and warmth and windows to the world from which I can see birds, puddles and raindrops rolling down the panes. I am blessed too because I also have the Internet - that in itself is a wonderful window to the world and allows me to share emotions and feelings with others who have walked a similar pathway to me.


Kortni I wish you well - I hope that each day brings you strength and courage - you too are blessed with the support of a wonderful family and the generosity of two donors (Kelly you did more than anyone could ask) and now this donor that has given you life.


I have plans to visit a friend tomorrow and on Saturday I have another beading class - it is wonderful to be well enough to make arrangements.


To those reading this post today I hope you are able to find somethings to make your heart thankful - my heart is like my garden - overflowing.


Have a wonderful day - may the sun shine for you, birds sing for you, flowers bloom for you and may you find peace of mind.


With love and hugs and thanks for visiting "The Musings of My Heart."


Linda.