Monday 21 August 2017

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.  


 Very grateful for the NHS.  You probably noticed me missing yesterday.  That's because I was recovering from Saturday.  Saturday morning I started feeling very unwell.  I had a pressure on my chest and I was sweating and feeling woozy. This continued off and on all day until about six pm, when I finally said to Todd, I think I need to go to Emergency.  So off we went. I was sure I must be having a heart attack, and was feeling quite stressed about that.  I was able to get registered very quickly and taken into the triage area, where they did an ecg and took some bloods, inserted a  canula.  But then we sat waiting. It was 3 1/2 hours before I was actually seen by a Doctor.  I think that is rather a long time when someone is presenting themselves with heart attack symptoms, but perhaps that is just me.  Once I was seen by the Doctor, she decided that I needed a chest x-ray and several more blood tests and ecg's. I was wheeled off for the x-ray and then had more bloods taken, and then all of a sudden they were wheeling me off to "A more comfortable bed," they said.  It wasn't until I got into the Ward that we were told I was there for the night. Poor Todd.  He took himself off home and I got changed into some PJ's and tried to go to sleep, but I had a freight train in the bed next to me. I tried everything.  Wrapping my head in my pillow, etc. but there was nothing that could drown out the sound of the lady next to me's snoring.  It was soooooo loud.  I am surprised anyone was sleeping!  (but it appeared they all were.)  I am a person that can't sleep even if I can hear breathing.  I wear ear plugs at home, but of course I don't normally carry them around with me. (Note to self, always carry a spare set of ear plugs in purse.) I lay there all night.  Hospitals are noisy places, especially if you are in a room next to the ER and you have ambulances arriving all night, etc.  I had a nice big window over my bed and I saw every flash, lol.  They did more tests about 4 am.  and finally about 7 am. I was told that they could find nothing untoward, my ecg's were all normal. My blood tests normal.  They thought I did have a urine infection though because of my urine results and my cholesterol is a bit elevated. (they changed my cholesterol medication a few months back and it obviously isn't doing its job.) I was told I could go home and luckily, Todd was already back and waiting for me in the common room. (He couldn't sleep either!)  So I got dressed and we toddled off home. We tried to go to bed yesterday morning, but neither of us could get much sleep so we basically just lay around in our PJ's feeling like crapola all day yesterday and went to bed early last night, where I got a full night's sleep and he was still sawing a lot when I got up at six this morning!

So grateful however for a medical service which is free and for all the dedicated NHS nurses, doctors, etc. that work their bones off despite being under-staffed and over burdened.  I think they did a fab job.  Sitting there for the 3 1/2 hours that I did, and watching, there was nonstop patients coming in and staff dealing with it.  Everyone was doing their best.  The nurse who took my first bloods was so tired.  I think some fund pumping into the NHS is long overdue. We need more nurses and doctors and beds.  In short, the NHS needs more money.  Having said that, they are doing an excellent job with what they have. (NHS stands for National Health Service.)

Whew, long winded or what!

 
Lisa and Patrick
 
My brother's oldest daughter got married on Saturday!  Here they are.  I love this photograph.  You can see that they love each other very much!  I think he has pretty much been the only boyfriend she has ever had.  All our best wishes to this lovely young couple as they begin their lives together!  She's a graphic designer and I think she works for Shopify.  He's a student finishing up a degree or some such in Robotics.  I love that she chose to keep her glasses on for her wedding.  I have never seen a bride do that. Even I took mine off (all three times, lol)  We women are such vain creatures.  Hooray for Lisa for embracing who she is.  A beautiful young woman, even with glasses on. I think she is gorgeous! 
 
  

Buddy watching TV

My friend Maxine has the funniest dog.  His name is buddy and he is a rescue dog.  Todd thinks he is somewhat annoying because he barks constantly anytime we go out into the garden, but I think he's adorable, despite the barking. He has personality plus.  He's a total little character.  We do love our pets.

 
 This is what's looking at me right now.  She is such a sweetie pie.  You should have seen how excited she was when I came home yesterday.  She pratically turned herself inside out.  Todd had given her oatmeal for breakfast, despite me having shown him multiple times exactly what she gets fed each meal.  He said he didn't know what to give her.  Guess I will have to show him again! 
 
 
 All the prayers and happy thoughts that were being offered for me Saturday.  I could feel them.  They covered me and brought me peace.  It is hard to feel too upset when you know people are praying for you. 
 
 
The power and comfort of Priesthood blessings.  All worthy men in my church hold the Priesthood of God, which is the power of God on the earth, we believe. As such they are worthy to give such things as blessings of comfort and healing, etc. to their families.  A worthy priesthood holder will annoint the head of the person to be blessed with olive oil which has been blessed and set aside expressly for that purpose and the annointing will be sealed by the laying on of hands and a blessing pronounced according the inspiration and will of God.  I am so grateful that I have a worthy Priesthood holder in my home, who can bless me when I am feeling low and in need of extra help.
 
  
 
The thoughtfulness of family and friends, and each of you.  It all blesses my life in countless ways.  I am such a lucky, lucky girl  . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
 *.˛.° And in the end it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.
~Abraham Lincoln   •。★★ 。* 。 
 
 
 
 
In The English Kitchen today . . .  Homemade Cherry Pie Filling.  This is really, really good.  I may never buy tinned pie filling again!

Have a beautiful week.  I hope it is filled to overflowing with an abundance of small and wonderful things!  Don't forget!
 
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too! 
 

15 comments:

  1. I am so pleased that the Drs could find nothing amiss, in the tests, pity they had to keep you in for that time,however at least if you had another attack they would have been on hand immediately.......let's hope today is a good one......tell Tod he has to come visit me, then he will meet Masy who will not bark at him, but might lick him to death !!

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  2. So glad you are ok - I missed you!

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  3. haha Sybil! I expect Masy is a real sweetheart! Would love to meet her myself! And be licked to death! lol xoxo

    Thanks Julie! I need to go back and respond to any comments from yesterday! Have not had a chance yet! xoxo

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  4. Oh, Marie... I am sooo very glad and thankful that you are OK! Praying for you that all will continue to be well... LOVE YOU!! OXOXOX ((BIG HUGS))

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  5. Hi Marie, wow, so much for a quiet weekend! So pleased you're up and about today though and that you're feeling better. Long may it continue. I'm with you, I love the NHS. I know they have their problems, which the government should address, but boy what would we do without them. When I watch tv or a film were people don't have any insurance, or the right insurance, or not enough insurance I always feel so blessed and grateful we have the NHS. Even Stephen Hawkins had a go at Jeremy Hunt last week, and lets face it he knows what he's talking about!! He wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for the NHS!

    You're niece is absolutely beautiful, she looks stunning. I also love that she has her glasses on. But you're right its not often you see a bride wearing glasses.

    I'm with Todd, I hate yappy dogs too!!

    Please, please have a good, quiet, uneventful week and stay well and out of trouble!! Lots of love xxx

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  6. Me too so glad all is well...it is unnerving to be in a hospital bed..I am glad you are home sweet home.
    Oh poor Todd too..the worry he must have been carrying..
    Welcome home!
    Ps I am with Todd and barking..it is a sound that is so grating when constant...
    Did they give you something for the UTI?
    That barrage of tests and all good is so reassuring!
    I love that quote..I have loved it for gardens too..

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  7. So glad you feel better and that you had a good nite's sleep. Loving your canine pics.... those loving pets see us through. Take care of you.... so love the blog and love that scripture.

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  8. Thank the good Lord you are ok. But it was wise to see the doctor just to make sure. I hope your Monday is a wonderful one !

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  9. Thanks very much Tracy! Your prayers are always very much appreciated! Love you too! big hugs back! xoxo

    I know Kate! And I thought life was getting boring! I had just enough excitement this weekend to last me the rest of my life, LOL Yes, Stephen Hawkins certainly knows what he is talking about! A lot of our politicians can afford private health care and Bupa. I bet none of them knows the feeling of waiting hours for even the most basic of care due to an over-burdened system. I plan on having an uneventful a week as possible! Love and hugs! xoxo

    They haven't given me anything for my UTI yet, the Doctors office called this morning and asked me to send over a new urine specimen which they will send off. I am not sure what they will do. I have doubled up on the cranberry juice! Poor Todd looked like death yesterday. He was so tired, but couldn't sleep. He slept really well last night however! I can see that quote in your garden on a nice bench! xoxo

    Thanks very much Cathy! Don't know what we would do without our Mitzie! God bless you! xoxo

    Thanks Pam! I am grateful! Hope your Monday is a good one also! xoxo


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  10. Yay Marie! I'm so glad ur hospital stay was very short and a false alarm! But better safe then sorry!

    I too, hope that ur week is a quiet and restful one!
    Great Big Hugs to u!

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  11. Yay Marie! I'm so glad ur hospital stay was very short and a false alarm! But better safe then sorry!

    I too, hope that ur week is a quiet and restful one!
    Great Big Hugs to u!

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  12. Marie, sounds like you experienced very similar symptoms to mine back in April when I awoke to an odd sensation in my chest which felt like a heavy weight pressing in on me. Although I didn't feel sharp pain or become sweaty or dizzy, I immediately thought it must be a heart attack about to happen, and we called 911 for emergency assistance. The EMTs quickly assessed that I was not having a heart attack, but took me to the hospital where I received immediate attention which led to quintuple bypass surgery. I barely had time to register what was happening, so I cannot imagine what it was like for you to be left sitting for hours! I'm so happy you had a positive outcome, but I'd encourage you to act quickly if ever you have a repeat episode, and not let this experience lull you into thinking it's a false alarm. Best wishes always...

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  13. Thanks Jan! I hope for a quiet and restful week also! xoxo

    Thanks Sharon! I have this so often and it is really disquieting when I have it. I am afraid that if I ignore it I will have a heart attack, and if I act on it, I will be stuck for hours again wasting everyone's time. Such a conundrum! xoxo

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  14. I'm so happy that you are OK dear girl! When I learned about it on Facebook, I started the prayers. It is such a scary things to have and you did have symptoms. Don't ignore them for so long especailly if they occur again. A Heart Attack can be presented in different ways and especially different in woman. I'm speaking as a nurse. When my husband had his heart attack at age 45, we thought it was a gall bladder attack; so he sat on it for.a while. He woke me up about 3:30 in the morning and I took him in. We were both shocked it was a heart attack.
    I do think it was a long time before you saw a physician. However, they proably didn't see anything distrubing on the EKG and in the initial blood work; so waiting isn't that strange.
    I'm sure you were both exhausted. It sounds like you had a terrible night. I too can't stand any noise when trying to go to sleep.Our Sammy sleeps at the end of the bed. He has allergies and licks a lot; it drives me crazy. If we get after him a bit he will quit.
    What adorable photos of the dogs.
    Having a priesthood blessing is the best. I don't know what I would do with the priesthood and being abe to have a blessing when needed. We have both had some major healings from Priesthood blessings. I have a deep faith in them.
    Sending lots oflove and hugs and so happy you are OK~

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  15. I don't know what I would do without the Priesthood in my home either LeAnn! I had about 3 EKG during the night and sets of blood tests and they couldn't find anything. Still having the symptoms though which is worriesome to me, but what can I do if they don't seem to be able to find anything. Many thanks for your prayers! Love you! xoxo

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