Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell ~my review April 19, 2010

In this book, John C. Maxwell focuses on the importance of connecting with others & how to connect with others.  Everyday we communicate, even when we aren’t doing anything at all.  This book gives numerous connection tools that are easy to use in everyday life as well as in groups or to an audience.  Its’s not hard stuff either, it’s simple,very intentional things that make a connection and lets others know they are important to you.  Every chapter had me thinking of how I could apply what I was reading to my everyday life.  Whether they are family, friends, coworkers, or volunteers I want to connect with them because they are important to me.  Before reading this book, I was unsure how to how bridge the gap between talking to people and connecting with them.  It seemed as if almost every page had so much great & practical information that I kept thinking I needed to mark the page I was on so that I could refer back to it.  Connection is not difficult, it takes energy and has to be intentional.  

I recommend this book to everyone.  Yep, everyone.  I think everyone cann take something great away from this book and use it all different types of relationships both new and old.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ankle Reconstruction – 2 week later March 13, 2010

waiting to get my cast off

after cast removal... look at all the steri-strips!

My two week check up went great   I was able to get my cast off and placed in a boot.  I had no idea what to expect when they took it off since I had not seem my foot since before surgery.  NO STITCHES, only steri-strips and alot of them.  The incision is probably four inches long and curves around my ankle. 

I believe doing what the doctor said and not putting ANY weight on it for the first two weeks made a huge difference.  Also, while in the cast I would move my toes around as much as  possible.  This  is funny because when they took me cast off I did the same movement and what felt like alot in the cast was barely any movement out of the cast.  That made me laugh!

I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks.  In the meantime, I am to where the boot when I am out & about.  I can put weight on it in the boot as tolerated.  I am to practice the flexing & pointing motions until they are back to normal before any lateral movement.  I may start pt after my next check up.  I have been able to walk without crutches when using the boot.  This is usually for shorter distances, etc.  I will sometimes use both or just one crutch as well. 

All in all, I am doing great.  Two and a half weeks post op and things are going great.  Thanks for checking in on me.

Get In My Belly March 8, 2010

Jonah

Originally uploaded by drduke_10

Was studying the book of Jonah today and man was Jonah sassy! I am soooo thankful that I get more than one chance to listen –> learn–>and obey. I can be very much like Jonah and not listen the first time around and it amazes me how my battles are the same now as they were then… not that I have been in a fish belly, but you get the point.

Good Preparation or Lack of Trust? March 8, 2010

A question that has baffled me for a long time… when is my over thinking or planning different scenarios a lack of trust and when is it considered good ole “preparation for what might happen?”  I know there is a line here and I do think trust and preparation can go hand in hand.  I also think I have used “good preparation” as a crutch for a form of control which is a result of not trusting.  So this is what’s on my mind…. my fear of germs, illnesses, cancer, people (especially the ones crazier than me) have had me around the clock thinking of how I would react in numerous scenarios and how I could prevent them.  Looking at it right now I can tell you that for me personally it is 100%  a control thing and unfortunatley that means i have not been trusting my Dad enough.  God already knows what is going to happen and nothing suprises Him.  I think that’s so cool.  So I can be as proactive as I would like, but I think my next step is making sure that I am not spending most of my time in “what if land” and spending more time enjoying the here & now that he is currently giving me.  This is just the beginning, I think, of a whole new life for me.  Years of this way of thinking and living won’t be easy to change, but WOW to the freedom of life I think this will open up for me.

Update & Challenges March 3, 2010

Ankle first ~ the last couple of days have gone pretty darn good.  I have not had to really take anything for pain, but still taking it easy.  My new & improved ankle needs TLC.   I can tell that the swelling has gone down and the pain I feel is the same as a severe sprain.  Still so super happy that I had this done

Challenges (not ankle related ) ~ but is the result of the ankle surgery.  Being at home with an overactive mind as left me with lots of time to reevaluate stuff.  I am challenging myself in many areas and am a bit afraid of failure and excited about pushing thru the fear. Areas I am thinking of:  organization, self-discipline (alot of this involves forcing me to quiet my head, be still, and listen),  and most consuming one is pushing through things I don’t think I am good at because I am so afraid of failure.  I was not made to be fearful but have lived most of my life thus far drowning in it.  I am about to break free and this is going to be fun!

Ankle Surgery: Days 4 & 5 March 1, 2010

Days 4 & 5 = tiring but good weekend

Day 4 was a BIG day for me & my recovery.  I was able to wash my hair, shower (modified to say the least),  go to Tyler’s last basketball game at church (short trip & sat w/ foot elevated the whole time) and then some much needed rest.  The pain was much better.  I didn’t need any pain meds other than some tylenol a couple of times. 

Day 5 began with a little more pain than I was thinking I’d have, but I think I’m moving around and stretching in my sleep & that’s why I am hurting a little more in the mornings when I wake up.   Anywho, I did take one of my pain meds that morning, but took Tylenol later that day. 

Through the weekend, I’ve noticed I can feel the area of the incision rubbing /touching the cast.  It is not umcomfortable, but does make it itch.  My foot does throb alot when I am in a sitting position with my foot on the floor.  Sometimes it feels like a rush of pain heading to the ankle area, but it isn’t awful & is very tolerable.  The pain I have is mostly around the ankle & achilles area.  It seems the tough part is finding a comfortable position for my cast and foot to both be happy in since they are sharing a living space for a while. One thing is for sure, my hamstring and quad are getting a workout with this heavy ole cast and me doing leg curls & extensions b/c I am being paranoid about blood clots.   Still super excited about my new ankle

Hope this update finds you well.  Thanks for reading

Ankle Surgery: Day 3 February 26, 2010

Today the pain when I am not moving at all has been much better.  I was told to elevate for 48 hours and completed that as of this morning.  However, I have kept it elevated for most of the day.  I have toyed around with my pain meds a little, spreading them out as tolerated w/o letting the pain get too far ahead of me. 

It is very sensitive to any movement or anything touching the cast, so I am very careful of that as I am shifting positions or moving around on the crutches.  I can feel where the incision is and am curious as to how big the incision actually is.  It also is beginning to itch a little inside the cast which I am assuming means it is healing some.  Oh yeah, my hamstring and thigh are sore from lugging this big ole splint cast around   But I guess that’s pretty minor.

All in all day 3 has been pretty good.  I am pretty tired and worn out, but overall it has been good.   Thanks for checking in on me, your prayers are always appreciated!

Ankle Surgery: Day 2 February 26, 2010

The nerve block wore off at around 4:00 am and the pain began.  It was mostly localized to around the foot area.  I continued to take my lortiab, but we ended up calling the doctor after they opened and they told me to double up on my loritab so that I was taking 10 mg every 4- 6 hours.  This really helped and I also took phenegrin so that I could try to rest or sleep thru the pain.  I have been keeping it elevated, but it is hard to find a comfortable position.  I have also started to take some tylenol (the doctor said that or advil) every 6 hours.    The pain is not unbearable at this point and I am still very glad that I had this surgery done.  I will be running around with the kiddos and hubby in about 3 months and am so super excited.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends who are family as well as my precious little family.  I am so humbled to have this experience for many reasons including my new ankle, 2nd chance at an active life, and the opportunity to experience God’s love thru many avenues including the beautiful people God has surrounded me with.

Day 3 has begun

My Ankle Reconstruction Surgery February 25, 2010

A little backgound:  as a former gymnast w/ multiple ankle sprains, a couple severe, my left ankle rolls very easily even when while standing still.   So after many years of this and having two young children that are very active I decided to to something about it.  My doctor said my left anke was very unstable and beyond therapy.  That left me with ankle reconstruction of the ligaments and possible peroneal tendon repair. 

Day One: 

After arriving at the hospital & talking to the anesthesiologist I recieved a nerve block from the knee down.  This allowed for great pain control, no general anesthesia, and no narcotics and just enough meds in the OR for me to be asleep.  My doctor ended up repairing my ligaments, repaing partial peroneal tendon tear, cleaning up where some muscle was in the area of the peroneal tendon that wasn’t supposed to be there and smoothed out the cartilage.  A spint cast was put on my foot which is open on the top of my foot & leg to allow for swelling. 

I went home with no pain, numb from the knee down, elevated my foot and have been instructed to bear no weight for two weeks.  I did go ahead and start taking the Loritab later in the evening so that when the block began to wear off  I would have something in me to help combat the pain.

 

What Do Our Hearts Reflect? September 28, 2009

Reflection of Heart Clouds in the Water

Originally uploaded by BL1961

My actions & reactions are directly related to my heart. So what does this mean? First off, I need to make sure that I don’t ues the excuse of being human to justify myself. Secondly, I think I do need to use the fact that I am human as a reminder that Jesus is superhuman & he is my go to guy. Every action & reaction I have reflects my relationship with him. So rather than acting or reacting in a way that I know is the right way means nothing unless I feel it in my heart. Doing the right thing just b/c it’s the “right thing” might be all well and good for others involved, but does me no good if it isn’t heartfelt or raised a question for me to look further at myself. Anyway, just a little glimpse in my noggin

Let me know my thoughts!