FOR TODAY, January 20th, 2026
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...
It has snowed again during the night. I was not able to post yesterday as we lost our power very early in the morning and it was off until mid-afternoon. I was able to do a few posts on my FB page using my phone, but it would have been impossible for me to do it using my phone. I have thumbs like hams.
I AM THINKING ...
I was reading on my kindle in bed last night. I have been reading Even This by Emily Belle Freeman again. I read these words:
"It was in the depths of the place that I didn't want to go that I was able to understand more clearly the capacity of God. His goodness. His realness. His love."
and
"Maybe the trial isn't always about God trying to prove us or build our character -- what if He is trying to help us discover HIS?
I have been truly suffering over this past week. Ever since the kidney stone, and it is a suffering that became even worse when they put in the shunt. If you have ever had a UTI you will know what that has felt like, with no relief in sight. Just hour after hour and day after day of pain, discomfort, etc. wanting to go to the loo every time you move or stand up, etc. And when you do go, not pleasant. Not being able to sleep more than an hour at a time, etc.
Last night in bed, around midnight, after having been to the toilet already about 3 times since I landed in bed, I told Him . . . "I do not know how much longer I can cope with this unbearable discomfort. Please strengthen me so that I can tolerate it better. Please, please, please."
Somehow I was able to fall asleep. I woke up abut 3 am and had to go to the loo. While in there I felt the kidney stone pass. I am sure that I did. I could not find it but I felt it and I heard it hit the water. I went back to bed and slept through until 5 a.m. This morning already the pain and discomfort are much more tolerable. Co-incidence? I do not think so. He is lifting me up and carrying me.
I AM ALSO THINKING ...
Maybe today I will actually be able to get something done. All of my days since I had the stent put in have been spent sitting and doing nothing because I daren't move for fear of wetting myself. That is not to say that I don't still feel it, but I feel much more tolerant of it.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...
The power of prayer, and answered prayers. For all of the prayers that have been given on my behalf over the past days. I have felt them.
IN THE KITCHEN ...
Tender Vanilla Breakfast Cornbread. I am sorry if I have only been sharing rewritten older recipes over these past days, but I have not felt up to cooking anything new and they need rewriting, updated recipe cards, etc. They are also great recipes that have been forgotten. This is a beautiful cornbread that makes a perfect breakfast, especially served warm with butter and fruit.
ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...
Taste of Home. Spumoni Cookies. These look fabulous. Maybe for next Christmas.
THIS I BELIEVE ...
We need to fill our days with things which bring us peace and joy.
SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...
Cake. A moist and tasty homemade cake.
SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...
A hot drink to enjoy with the cake.
I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...
Little knitted kittens in bonnets . . .
Buttons to push . . . .
A happy box . . .
Little felt cats in sweaters . . .
Pretty deer . . .
SOMETHING I ENJOY ...
The needlearts . . .
SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...
Unusual words . . .
I AM READING ...
MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE, by Rhs Bowen
Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook.
Pretty doorknockers . . .
Pyrex . . .
Lace curtains . . .
Everwood on Netflix. Love it.
A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU . . .
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
I like a cozy, comfortable
relaxing space.
~Stacy Keibler • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
Well that is good news:). You have a direct line :) I must say I have begged and pleaded and asked and made deals..to no avail.We are told if prayers are not answered there is a reason..The first time.I was 19 in the waiting room of the hospital my mom had been taken to.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that outcome.Your faith is exemplary:)
That first pic is lovely!We loved Everwood the girls and I.Hope things get better and better.One feels so alone in pain and discomfort..and the mind wanders...Take care.
Let's hope the improvement continues. Dreadful day here yesterday, snow, snow squalls, white out conditions all day, just over 15 cm of snow in total was added to the 20 cm we got last Thursday. But today it is sunny, but really cold. That was a long time t go without power for you. I loved your term on Facebook this morning .... wintering. Enjoy the day, hopefully it will be more productive for you.
ReplyDeleteI think there is nothing harder than continual pain!!! Glad you are some better and hope this trend continues...asking GOD to be with you each night when I list off my friends (ALL who have health issues by the way). I hope the medicals will attempt to discover why you are having this issue but meanwhile...do what you can to help yourself too!! The little tin with the button gave us quite the laugh. I have been embroiled with TRYING to jump thru all the changing hoops to do with our new lease coming up in this apt. Good grief, it was easier buying houses earlier in our lives. I told my Hubby, after showing him the photo of button in the tin, that we would have to be pushing that every day!! HA...
ReplyDeleteHugs, Elizabeth xoxo
So happy to hear you have passed the kidney stone and are feeling a little better. Hope it continues. Does the stent stay in or will it have to be removed? I heard about the wintry weather Nova Scotia got yesterday so I wasn’t too surprised when you didn’t post. Glad you’re back. Stay warm and cozy and catch up on your sleep. Love and hugs, Elaine
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy to hear you are a bit better…I was worried by your missed post yesterday! UTI pain….awful…so your pain must have been awfully awful! Prayers coming for continued health…faith and family will carry you. Best, Virginia ❣️
ReplyDeleteI know the exact pain you went through.
ReplyDeleteThe pain of of the stones are bad enough.
Add the pain of the stent and it is unbearable.
I had a staghorn stone in my left kidney
And stones in my right kidney at the same time. A staghorn is a stone that fills the entire kidney. I was on a medication that has a rare side affect that causes stones . My doctor did not tell me this fact.
Both kidneys obstructed.
I had to go to the OR three times in four days. I was in renal failure.
They told me they were going to put in a shunt and begin dialysis in 24 hours.
I remember the pain being so horrible after the procedures.
Blood pouring out and crying out to God to hold me up because I could take no more. They had to do it with a laser and then a lithotripsy. The anesthesiologist
Said it's dangerous to put you under three times in such a short time period.
But I was in real trouble. So he did it
after a lot of extra tests and a consult explaining it was dangerous.
But God carried me.
I was in the hospital for weeks.
Then the stents stayed in for six weeks.
Every time I tried to stand blood poured
Out.
I prayed and everyone else prayed to.
My creatine level started to drop slightly and slowly. They didn't have to put me on dialysis.
It was long road to heal but I did.
Hold onto God's hands Marie.
It is when we are broken, suffering and terrified that we discover who he really is.
You don't have to publish this.
It is meant for you.
I prayed for you when you were going through this.
I know how you suffered.
God watch over you dear.
I am obsessed with the little knitted kitties. I wish I had such talent!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you passed that stone.
Rest and heal my dear.