Going Back To Work on Snowy Monday

Well, this is a good new/bad news post.

We haven't had too much to report lately, just progressing a little more each day on the road to full recovery. After a good doctor's visit last week, Mike has been pushing himself every day to walk more, lift more, drive more so he can be ready for today - his first day back! Mike will report to work at 9AM and spends the first two hours getting recertified to drive bus.

The bad news: this snowy weather! TriMet knows no "late start" or "closure." "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these people couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Our prayer requests - for Michael to safely drive into work from our frozen valley here in Wilsonville; Michael passes his recertification with flying colors and that the weather does not hamper him in any way; and that Michael has the strength and stamina to complete six-hour work days for the next two weeks - not just complete, but feel energized and ready to do more!

Thanks friends!

On the mend

Well now! Or almost. Good news from the doctors office is that I am close to being back to normal. Just a bit more healing of the skin on my leg and bottom of my feet. My stamina has increased each day as I try to walk more and try to help around the house.
Looks like I can return to work at least part time, next week. More tests will come towards the end of the week.
On the down side poor Oliver heads in to the vet for change to his point of view tomorrow morning. Hope he can forgive me...

Blessing to all.
Mike

Cookie Help!

I know this is a Mike's blog, but we've dropped the ball for Tatum.

We finally found her a new Brownie troop and we've had the past two weeks for Girl Scout Cookie pre-orders and just haven't had the energy to go around Wilsonville. If you know anyone who loves cookies or want some for yourself, consider giving us a call! Pre-orders are needed this week, and no money needed until they arrive in February (picture is from last year). Overall, Tatum hopes to sell 200 boxes herself and earn a special troop overnight OMSI trip.

Cookies are $3.50 per box and they have all your favorites (Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, All Abouts, Tagalongs) and two new ones - Chocolate Chip and Lemon Chalet.

Thanks.

How do you Know....?

How do you know it is cold outside.....

When the deer are leaning on the house to stay warm.

When the dog decides he can wait a little longer before he goes out to do his business.

When the Deer are gathering around the dryer vent on laundry day.

When the dog comes back in from doing his business the deer try to follow him.

When the cat looks at the front door and runs to hide in the bathroom ( near the oil heater).

When you have to put things in the refrigerator so they won't freeze.

How do you know it is cold inside.....



When cooking can change the weather inside the house.

When there is freezing fog from the bathroom after a shower.

When the cat starts romancing the oil heater in the bathroom.

When you realize the pile of laundry really is talking to you,
and it is your wife who is all bundled up.

When the liquid dish soap under the kitchen sink is really more of a semi-solid.

When you have to warm up the Bic-lighter to start a fire in the fireplace.

When butter in the butter dish will not soften.


How do you know when it is warm in the house.



When the dog and cat quit cuddling and start ignoring each other again.

When you can walk to the bathroom in the morning in a house-coat instead of ski jacket.

When my darling bride is only wearing 4 layers.

When my youngest child want to go to school in shorts.


How do you know when it is too warm in the house.
When the poinsettia start to bloom again.

When the dog would rather sit on the porch, and it is snowing.

When my darling bride is no longer wearing mittens and a third sweater.

When the stale crackers get crisp again.

When the neighbor is complaining about you setting off his fire alarm.

Hope you all enjoyed a little light humor from the other side Mike's mind.
After all if we can not have humor when we are down in life, do we really have it at all?

More serious posts tomorrow will be coming shortly.
Love to all and thanks for the support.

Michael

Miracle "Drug"

You are looking at a modern miracle drug --- the humble Bag Balm!

Mike's mom, Karen, called and reminded us that bag balm is an antiseptic and suggested we try it on his healing leg. So, two nights ago, we tentatively rubbed some into his leg and foot, popped a sock on it and went to sleep. Come morning, his skin was remarkably smooth, all the flaking was gone and it looked 100% better.

Last night, we slathered it on both feet like there was no tomorrow!!! Wow, this morning, the skin just looks so fresh and new, like a baby's. Thanks for the great idea, Karen! Those dairy farmers sure have a secret weapon.

We do have a prayer request, and that is about our rental home/heating conditions. We need God's direction on how to proceed. Our newest electricity bill arrived and it was over $400 for December - and we were gone half the month at the hospital! And we are still freezing, heating only with the fireplace and new supposedly-energy-efficient space heaters! With that kind of utility bill along with the fact that we are paying storage fees because there is no garage at our current space, this has turned out to be a very expensive housing option for us even if Mike were working right now. We already close off half the rooms because they are like a refrigerator, so are living in a very small portion of this home. However, we love being out in the country, I'm grateful that we can still have animals (Dad's dog Ringo and sweet kitty Oliver), and I know that rental management firms wouldn't be excited about renting to us as we continue to struggle to recover from a long-term layoff and now disability. And, I'm very sad at the thought of making Tatum change schools AGAIN, and also overwhelmed at just the thought of physically moving again. We are feeling a bit lost about the right decision to make for the future, and we want to do God's will. I pray for clear direction for both of us. And, am so thankful for my dear friends who have been so supportive and generous in the midst of all this. Thank you.

On the Road to Recovery

What a difference a week can make! It feels like Mike is really on the road to recovery. In just the last few days, he's been able to be upright several hours a day without excruciating pain, is walking now with just a cane instead of the walker, and has actually driven the car for several short trips now that he's totally off of the prescription painkillers. He still needs the hospital bed and has his leg elevated for most of the day, but this is just such a relief.

Our goal and prayer is that he is able to be upright for at least eight hours without being totally wiped out so he can safely return to driving bus - soon. =)

I just want to publicly thank several people/groups for their kindness during this ordeal and especially lately - Milt, Connie, Don, Cindy, Sarah, Vicki, Denny, Kathy, Laurie, Jeff, Becky, Dee, Kati, Kathryn, Frank, Melinda, Jason, RHCC Treehouse and our Rolling Hills family. I apologize if I've missed anyone . To each of you, named or not, please know that your kindness and generosity has meant the world to us.

Areas of Need and Prayer

Hi again friends,

I'm asked so often what someone can do to help and I really don't have a definite answer at the time or don't want to put someone on the spot for something they are unable to help with. So, I'll list some things that have been weighing on my mind along with areas where we need prayer.

Firewood: A friend of Mike's mom lives in Hillsboro and has offered us some firewood but we need to haul it. We need the assistance of a truck and another set of hands to coordinate schedules with Trevor and the owner. We are down to our last few days of wood from RHCC treehouse and the Heuschkels.

Tatum's Birthday: Tatum turns 9 this Friday, already! Long before Mike got sick, I had agreed that she could have her usual birthday party and Tatum really wanted us to host a "Super Hero" party for both Tualatin and Wilsonville friends on Saturday the 19th. Now, we don't have the space for a party with a hospital bed in our main living space, I don't have the energy to create this fun party since I would have normally spent December working on it bit by bit, and no one can afford the $200+ that most places charge to host kids birthday parties these days! We've let Tatum know the Super Hero party won't happen this year but she's still hopeful for something, so I need ideas or a magical birthday fairy!

Prayers for Mike: Our biggest concern right now is getting Mike back to health with strength and stamina, so he can return to work. We ask for prayers for a full and complete recovery.

Big Praise: I took Mike to Kaiser today and his IV line was removed! We've finished with the IV medication unless we're told differently at his next appt. on the 21st.

Thank you all for your sweet concern and care. A burden shared is light indeed.

Blessings,
Shawnee