7-Quick takes

  Join Jen and the other Quicktakers over at the Conversion Diary.

1. This is the year I make a big step in taking care of my health – losing weight, getting everything screened, etc. I have a $5000 deductible and I intend to hit it and then take advantage of any benefits beyond that! And turns out getting that lipoma removed was a  big step – the 15 minutes in the OR and couple hours in the recovery are coming to a little over $2000. I’m sure I’ll hit $3000 when I get the other bills. At least I know what to do with my tax refund.

2. So my knee has been bothering me. A Lot! and since it’s been almost a month I decided to go and actually see a doctor. Bottom line after some x-rays and an exam – degenerative arthritis. Sweet!! Put me on Mobic and I’m going to be seeing a physical therapist for knee sparing techniques and exercises. Doc didn’t seem to think that it would be a big deal for me to get this under control and exercise again – but I will be doing the small step. No more 14 inch climbs for me!

3. I debated about whether or not to share this news with SLO. She reminded me that it’s not as bad as cancer. She’s right. Lesson learned.

4. It’s not as bad as living through an 8.9 earthquake or tsunami either!  What terrible news that was!

5.  The words of the stations of the cross are hard to say.

 I embrace all the sufferings You have destined for me until death.
I will not refuse the cross as Simon did: / I accept it and embrace it. / I accept in particular the death that is destined for me / with all the pains that may accompany it.

They are hard for me for two reasons: (1) I watched my mother die an agonizing death from ovarian cancer. That image stays with me as a choke out those words.  I know what the potential for real suffering could really be and I truly hope that it isn’t destined for anyone – including me.  (2) One time I decided to offer up my labor pains for my sister-in-law who was dying of lung cancer.  and God took me up on it. So I cringe at these words during stations of the cross. I wonder how much people really recognize what they are accepting when they pray them?

6.  My copy of the animated Story of St. Perpetua from Catholic Heroes of the Faith. It is geared towards 8 to 12 years old and it is only a little over 30 minutes long, so I used that for our religion lesson today.  I think it does a great job of bringing the story to life and it familiarizes the children with the saint in a very personal way.  It was unfortunately way too much for my 5 1/2 year old. She cried so hard I thought she was going to throw up.  Even the angels escorting Perpetua and Felicity to heaven didn’t comfort her.  I had to cover her eyes for a lot of it.  (like the animated bull tossing the animated Perpetua into the air!).  So I guess I would say when they say 8 – they mean 8!!  It can be a bit rough on tender hearted younger children.

7.  Tomorrow the kids play for the ribbon festival.  Sam has prepared a 6 minute Beethoven piece and he’s a little nervous about it.  Praying that this will be a good experience for all of the children.

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