Now, on to something else …

On Facebook, there is a petition (w/graphic video) encircling the site about banning an electrical shock treatment a school uses to discipline it’s autistic and mentally-challenged students. (Boston.com’s news article) Personally, I find this to be a horrific and torturous act!. I really really hope the treatment gets banned. I just don’t understand how a professional sees that treatment as justifiable?!?! They’re practically killing the character and personalities of these kids by doing that! The mother of the boy in the video says her son became a ‘vegetable’ as a result of being shocked 31 times in one sitting. This just pisses me off to no end! How dare those people treat mentally-disordered children like that!! From what I read today, it appears like nothing is going to be done about this.

I’m pissed again. Breathe, Lisa … count to 10 slowly … calm down. On to something else …

Here in the Atlanta and surrounding areas, there seems to be a serious problem with abductions and abduction attempts. Every day, for the past couple of weeks, there’s been either a young woman or child that’s been abducted, or an abduction has been attempted of them. Scary!! I can’t help but wonder, “what in the world is going on?!?”. I’m starting to get very nervous about letting my kids go outside! Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with having P.T.S.D. (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder); which was the result of a couple of events in my life as a child and teenager. Even though I was treated for it, and it went away, this whole ‘abduction’ thing has caused it to re-surface. I have been having quite the difficult time dealing with it again. Ugh!! I really don’t want to re-add medications for it, to help make it stop … so I’m going to check to see if one of my current medications can be raised in dosage (just to see if it’ll work). I hope it does. These ‘abductors’ haven’t been caught, yet … but I will be SO relieved when they do! If anything bad like that ever happens to one of my children, let’s just say I will be extremely and severely hysterical and devastated!

I think it’s time to move onto something less depressing …

This isn’t in the news, but I just wanted to share … Peter Pan Natural Honey Roasted Peanut Butter is the BOMB!! I have been a JIF – Reduced Fat brand peanut-butter-girl for almost 20 years now, but I tried that Peter Pan brand and I’m in LOVE!! Oh my gosh! That stuff is AWESOME! Too bad JIF doesn’t have that kind. The only problem I have with this Peter Pan version is they don’t sell it in bigger containers – they’re actually kind of small. I have to buy 3 containers of it to make it last through just 1 week. My kids are loving it too! C’mon, Peter Pan, sell it bigger containers! Think about the economy – one large container could be cheaper than the total cost of 2 smaller ones! lol

OH! I was watching Dr. Oz the other day, and he confirmed that eating ice cream is actually healthier than eating snacks like cookies. You’d think that it wouldn’t be, but it supposedly has less sugar in it than snacks like 1-serving size of cookies do. I had no idea! However, every day, when my youngest gets home from school, we each have a bowl of ice cream together – it’s become ‘a thing we do’ thing each day. I’ve noticed that not only have I not gained any weight from it, but rather have LOST some weight (not much, but still). He also said that it’s ok to skip breakfast if you’re not hungry. You should read the entire article, it’s very interesting and makes plenty of sense; especially since I have experienced some of the very same things that are mentioned in the article.

It sure is beautiful outside today … too bad my asthma is irritated by it (not too bad, though, thank you Lord). Have a great day, y’all~!

… and Jesus does too!

Remember … keep praying~! Especially for our friend Mark Tidwell, my neice Megan Cochran, and for everyone else~!

Thankfully, I’ve been able to manage my asthma … today is the first day, in a couple of weeks, that I feel ‘stuffy’ again … so that’s not too bad. I’m taking my meds, like a good girl, which I think has helped a good bit.

I sat down here, planning out this long post that I was going to write … mostly consisting of stuff I wanted to get out of my head, so I’d quit thinking about it; but … right now, I don’t want to.

I do want to bring to your attention a couple of people that have been weighing so heavy on my heart and mind … Mark Freeman’s family, and Mark Tidwell.

Mark Freeman was a good friend of mine, from years back … he passed away the other day – he was working on a car and it fell on top of him and crushed him to death. He was younger than me … and well, I thought of him as kind of like a little brother in some ways. This was pretty devastating news to me. Please pray for his family and friends, ok?

Mark Tidwell is a friend of ours from church. He underwent surgery a short bit ago, to remove some of his colon, due to cancer. Reports had come back stating the cancer had been removed and all was well. Then after a ?check-up, shortly after, they found a small cancerous spot in one of his lungs and in one of his lymph nodes (I think that’s the other place they mentioned, I can’t remember). Well, the doctors sounded pretty hopeful and positive that the spots can be beat and gave a ‘thumbs-up’ that they were going to fight this thing with winning results. This morning, sadly, he was admitted to the hospital, due to complications from that surgery. He’s in a lot of pain right now … so please pray for him, and pray for his family too.

There are a lot of sick, dying, and hurting people out there … and even though we may not know them by name … please lift them and their loved ones up in prayer to the Lord, ok? Thank you … thank you so very much for praying for these people.

Oh, and if you live near me, or in/around the Atlanta, Georgia area … you may have seen this on the news … but there is a 3? yr old little girl fighting cancer right now, and her family is about to lose their home. Please please please pray for this family too … and if at all possible … help them out, ok? I can not imagine the devastation this family is fighting against .. it just breaks my heart.

Until next time … I pray God blesses each and every one of you~!

Much love to all~!!

Enjoy … you might need a few tissues as well.

“They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn’t hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn’t look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must’ve thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.

See, Reggie and I didn’t really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.
Maybe we were too much alike.

I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. “Okay, Reggie,” I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.”
____________ _________ _________ _________

To Whomever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. He knew something was different.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t
matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after them, so be careful. Don’t do it by any roads.

Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones —-“sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.”

He knows hand signals, too: He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He’s up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. It’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you…His name’s not Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this … well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is “Tank.” Because, that is what I drive.

I told the shelter that they couldn’t make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter … in the “event” … to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this, then he made good on his word.

Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he
loved me.

If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.

Thank you,

Paul Mallory
____________ _________ _________ _______

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver
Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

“Hey, Tank,” I said quietly.

The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

“C’mere boy.”

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn’t heard in months. “Tank,” I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my
face into his scruff and hugged him.

“It’s me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me.” Tank reached up and licked my cheek.

“So whatdaya say we play some ball?” His ears perked again.

“Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?”

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.”

Here are the 4 bills (with no insurance): $9850.00, $1080.00, $42, and $44. We’re going to pay the two small ones off since they’re so affordable. The rest, I guess we’ll have to make payments for – if they’ll accept payments. William is going to call them this week and see if they’ll set up a payment plan. I never imagined it costing this much! While I was in the hospital, William said “You know this is going to be a $10,000 bill”. I said “no way, are you serious?!?!”. He said “yeah, I’m serious”. A couple of years ago, we tried to get medical assistance, but we’re $200 over the limit – it was suggested he take a $200 drop in his paycheck each week. Well, we can’t afford that. We got the same result from SSI. We’ve had a couple of people tell us to get a divorce, then I would for-sure be covered. Sorry, but I refuse to do that to my marriage. Personally, I think it’s wrong, and well, you’re playing with the devil when you do things like that.

So … now you know why I hate the ER and hospital stays … well, the ‘main’ reason, that is.

I am not a happy person right now.

I updated my Facebook, but probably should’ve done it on here instead (it auto-updates my Facebook when I post on here). My appointment with the pulmonologist went very well. Did a few more tests, and he looked over the tests and x-rays from my hospital visit (a couple of weeks ago). He diagnosed me with severe ‘persistent’ asthma. Oh boy, what joy. I’m happy that it isn’t anything more serious, but not happy that I have permanently damaged lungs. I don’t remember if I mentioned this before, but I was diagnosed with ‘mild’ asthma 20 years ago. I never had a problem with it … never used my inhaler for anything. However, I ‘was’ a smoker – had frequent bronchitis, and pneumonia a few times. Since I didn’t treat the asthma, smoked for so long, and was sick with bronchitis a lot, the doctor said that my lungs were irreversibly damaged … hence the severe asthma. There are only two things that I’m really worried about, concerning the asthma. An asthma attack raises the risk of a heart attack … well, heart disease runs pretty strong in my family (Dad, maternal Grandmother, paternal Grandpa). And you know, I panic when I have an asthma attack .. especially since they’re pretty severe attacks. God will take care of me … that’s what I rest on. The other concern is one of the medications I take – Advair – which raises the risk of ‘death’ from an asthma attack. I’ve come to the understanding that it may prevent the ‘emergency’ treatments (inhalers, nebulizer) from being effective during an attack. So here I sit .. thinking … why am I taking this stuff then??!! Especially since I have frequent attacks! Good grief!! Well, I have to go back to the pulmonologist in 3 months, for a check-up. He wants to see me after I’ve been ‘infection-free’ for a longer period of time (currently getting over bronchitis again). We’re ‘hoping’ the attacks will subside after I get over the sickness. He told me, for now, stick to the medications that I’m currently taking. Anywho … that’s how the cookie crumbles.

I sure hope life doesn’t go all boring on me. With having severe asthma, my activity is limited now – which really REALLY sucks. I need to invest in a more ‘portable’ nebulizer, so I can carry it with me when I’m away from home. I’m also going to need to find a pool I can exercise in … since regular exercise won’t work for me anymore. I figure pool exercises would probably work out better because of the moisture? I had forgotten to ask the dr about that. I really want to keep as active as I can … don’t want to turn into a big fluffy couch potato. Man, I was doing so good at the gym … was on my way to getting back into shape … was feeling better … and now, I can’t do it anymore. *grrr* I’ve still lost some weight though … I think asthma attacks burn a lot of calories. lol My eating habits are still poor … only eat once a day … which I know is bad, because my metabolism has shut down. I can’t help it though. I’m not hungry, and well, you don’t have much of an appetite when you’re wheezing all of the time anyway. My insides feel rough and raw … especially around my lungs. I didn’t know this, but did you know spicy foods can trigger an asthma attack?? I was like, really?? I love love LOVE Mexican food. With being older and having acid reflux, I usually don’t eat really spicy food. I’ve never been a fan of ‘heat’ either (like from jalapeno peppers). But I love my Mexican food … and good Mexican food has a lot of spices in it (not all ‘heat’ spices). Here lately, I’ve only been able to eat a bowl of ice cream for the day, and nothing else … because the coldness ‘feels’ good in my esophagus, throat, and chest area. I miss my Mexican food. Now I’m hungry for some enchiladas. lol The other day, William and I stopped at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. I had combination plate – taco, enchilada, chile con queso. The meat on the taco was so dry, I started choking. For some reason, I can’t handle dry foods. I guess my esophagus is dried out from the asthma attacks and acid reflux? I’ve noticed that anytime I eat something dry, I start to cough and choke … another annoyance for me.
I’m just not having any luck with anything right now, am I? lol

What an entertaining post this is, huh? heh I’m done complaining now.

On to some other news. While my son was attending a local tech college, he spotted an Army recruiter and started chatting with her. He shared all of his experiences he had with the last recruiters, and whatnot, with her. She told him that that particular recruiting office was notorious for turning people away, and was sorry he had to deal with that. Apparently, he didn’t ever get declined by the military because they never had him sign a waiver – so he never got the ‘proper’ decline. Well, she talked him into trying to get into the military again, and they would do it right this time. Well, right now, he’s away at MEPS, getting a physical done, and taking some tests. She had him sign a waiver that second day she talked to him, and that already came back positive (approved?). We’ve been keeping ‘hush-hush’ about this, because he was afraid to get his hopes up again, only to be rejected later; but as it stands, things are looking positive for him again. I’ll find out more when he gets back home this evening (he went out there overnight). Saturday, he’ll be going on a ‘field trip’ to an Army base, to check things out. He mentioned on Facebook that he might even get sworn in today? Again, I’ll find out more later. I’m really proud of him. This has been a lifelong dream of his – to get into the military. I think he will do very well at it. He needs that kind of discipline and guidance. I just hope he keeps safe and doesn’t lose focus on Christ … that is something I have stressed to him – don’t lose your focus on Christ. As his mother, I’m going to worry about him. I just hope I don’t go crazy from so much worrying. heh Ya know, with how the world is right now … so much violence and hate out there. I worry for all of my children.

So .. tune in later to see if I’m gonna be an Army Mom!

To keep myself busy … more like keep my ‘mind’ busy … I’ve been working on jigsaw puzzles, mosaic puzzles, hidden object puzzles … whatever ‘puzzle’ I can find that looks interesting. I have to maintain my sanity, ya know. Sitting here, all day, every day, doing nothing is sure to send me off of the deep end. I’ve also been watching a lot of movies. I purchased two sets of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals last week on Amazon.com … which have been nice to watch … really lightens the mood around here. Sitting here, watching them, reminds me of simpler times … like when I was little.

Well, time to get back on the sofa. I knew it had been a good while since I last posted on here … so thought it time to give a brief update. I’m just sorry that it’s not done in a happier spirit.

Much love to all~!

Just a little health update … asthma is still kicking my keester. I really don’t like to ask for prayers for myself, because in my mind, ‘my stuff’ isn’t really as critical as those suffering far worse; but I could really use some prayers for this. I need to go to a pulmonologist, because they specialize in asthma and can provide a long-term treatment that would help me (greatly) to manage my asthma. As some already know, I have no health insurance, and our finances are super tight; naturally, this has us worried. We all know, any time you’ve got to see a ‘specialist’, you can count on a hefty bill. Well, I’m not entirely sure what my prayer request is … guidance? direction? an open door somewhere? healing? warmer weather? provision? Cold and chilly weather are a huge trigger. I can assure you, I am beyond miserable. If I laugh, I hack and gasp … If I stand up and walk 3 steps … I hack and gasp … any movement, whatsoever, triggers an attack. I’m sorry, but I just can’t live like this. There are things I need to do and get done, and there’s things that I’d like to do and get done. I’m a mom of 5 kids … what is there not to do? I really have to commend my children though … they have been super helpful!

Anywho … enough about me. During my prayer time, I’ve been lifting up some people to God, that have been weighing so heavy on my heart, that are struggling, battling, and suffering in some way or another. So, for those prayer warriors out there, and even for those who are not a prayer warrior but would like to pray as well, would you please add these people to your prayer list? This would mean so much to me, and especially to those who are being prayed for! Thank you so much!

Here they are …

My Father-in-law, Bill Whitlock – his health is poor, and I’m really concerned about depression setting in, and then there is stress on top of stress since it is tax season (he’s an accountant and runs a family accounting business).

My husband – stress from tax season, stress at home from helping me with my health and having to handle a lot on his own.

My Aunt Teresa, Aunt Becky, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Debra, Grandpa Cochran, Grandmother Davis – spiritual uplifting, health, strength, comfort, assurance, and peace.

My Niece, Megan Cochran – battling a mitochondrial disease, health, strength, courage, comfort, joy, and peace.

My husband’s Aunt Laura – the loss of her mother, comfort and strength, joy and peace, and spiritual uplifting.

My brother Michael Cochran, and my Brother-in-Law, David Whitlock – unspoken/personal.

My Fusion class leader (Sunday School class leader) Mark Tidwell – battling cancer, had surgery yesterday to remove parts of his colon, but a huge praise to the Lord for not needing a specific item, and also for his wife, Lee … they have a LOT going on in their family right now.

A friend’s father and mother, Kris & LaSydia Patterson – health, strength, comfort, guidance, peace, assurance, and spiritual uplifting.

A woman friend of mine – battling cancer, comfort, strength, courage, spiritual uplifting, and healing.

Neighbor across the street, Sam Hollingsworth – battling cancer, comfort, strength, courage, spiritual uplifting, and healing.

A friend of my brother Jimmy – brain tumor, comfort, strength, courage, healing, and guidance.

A friend of our’s father, Walt Parker – battling cancer, healing, strength, comfort, guidance, and spiritual uplifting.

Neighbors around me – need the Lord Jesus Christ, guidance, and salvation … and for me to show all of my neighbors the love of Christ, His compassion, understanding, and patience (this is a daily battle for me).

All of my children, Zach, Audrey, Josh, Samuel, and Ashlynne – to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

All of my Facebook friends – needs, blessings, love, protection

All of the people in the world who are lost, lonely, scared, hurting, dying, sick, and angry.

For yourself – to show the love of Christ, not by word or by tongue, but in deed and in truth [1 John 3:18]

Again, thank you so much, and I pray God blesses you all immensely~!

Yesterday, I spent most of my time browsing through a couple of Christian bookstore sites, trying to find a Bible study that my husband and I could work through together. There were so many topics and categories to choose from, I had a hard time making up my mind. After reading through a hundred or more reviews and summaries, I finally settled for this one … Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires / The Respect He Desperately Needs. I am so excited!! I can’t wait to get started on it. We had been talking about how we needed to get back into doing Bible studies and devotionals again, but going through them together would be completely new to us. He seemed really interested in it though, which makes me happy.

For almost a week now, my asthma has been a major problem to deal with. I know that I need to go back to the clinic to get another prednisone shot and breathing treatment, but that whole issue with finances is in the way again. I have a $889 medical bill that’s been outstanding for almost a year. Naturally, the bill collectors have been calling me … not once a day, but twice (once in the morning, and once in the evening). I’m not stupid though. Yes, I’ll go get myself taken care of … I just don’t like the idea of adding more to that bill. I told the hubby, maybe if he sent them $5 a month, they’d back off … or would they? At least we would be making an effort into trying to pay ‘em back. We did try to set up a payment plan with ‘em, but they still wanted more than what we could afford. Why do they have to be so difficult?? I’m sorry, but buying groceries for our family is far more important to us than paying a medical bill. It’ll all work out, I’m sure. God has always pulled us through in the past. I have faith in Him.

It was either this past Tuesday or Wednesday, not sure which, but I think I slept on my arm wrong. My left shoulder, and that side of my neck, have been so stinkin’ sore and stiff. They say that usually, with stiff muscles, it’s due to an inflammation. Well, I’ve been taking ibuprofen like it’s going out of style (because it’s suppose to help reduce inflammation), but it’s not working anymore. I came across some exercises that are suppose to help, but they make it hurt worse! I tell you what, when it rains, it pours. I feel like such a whiney-tootie. It’s true, the older you get, the more problems you have and the more you complain. *snort* In all seriousness though, there are many others out there that are going through far far worse than I am. That’s why I thank the Lord for what I’ve got and then pray to Him for everyone else.

Speaking of praying, which I am terrible at at times, I started another prayer journal. Gosh, it’s been yeeeeeeeeears since I last used a prayer journal. The Sunday before last, I had committed to 3 days of fasting with the church (for myself, for the church, and for our country). Well, that got me back into a prayer time again, so I bought a journal to write my prayers in. It’s much easier for me to write my prayers down instead of speaking them, so that I can keep up with what I’m praying about. It’s an OCD thing. See, when I sit and pray silently, or even out loud, it doesn’t register with my mind … so I’ll continually repeat the prayer, thinking I’ve forgotten something. It’s pretty annoying. Now, I can silently pray a short prayer and be fine … you know, like the prayers for our food. It’s just the lengthier ones I have a problem with. I’m also trying to learn to ‘be still and silent’ during my prayer time as well; but that can be practically impossible when there are a million thoughts bouncing around in my head. Oh the joys of being me.

Well, I think I’m going to sit and watch a movie. It’s easier to breathe when I’m sitting on the couch … it’s a bit more relaxing that way. I wonder if acupuncture would work for asthma? It would probably cost a fortune, with my luck. I’ve been real curious about that though.