Weekly Ramble 5/25/24

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Lessons Learned?

Okay, on with the Ramble. This month was supposed to be a month of celebration: 3 days of Disneyland plus the Trifecta – three special days to celebrate my kids, my husband and our marriage, and my 52nd trip around the sun.

If you’ve been reading along this month, you know that the Trifecta has quickly escalated to a Pity Party. These are rarely well attended and no one brags to their friends about them… unless they’re in a competition to see whose life is hardest.

I’ll confess. I’ve spent a fair amount of time ruminating that this month didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.

And no, I’m not better yet. That feels like it is a big whiny tale better left for my journal.

The short story: I made two more trips to the doc, started a 2nd antibiotic, filed a grievance with my insurance company over the lack of care that Palomar Health is extending its patients during this cyber attack, and made an appointment with an ENT that I will pay with cash since the insurance company isn’t currently making exceptions to seek out of network care.

65 words. That’s as short as I can get it. That’s short enough, right?

Anywho. Today I was wondering what lesson I’m supposed to learn from this month. I know the Lord wants good things for His people. So, surely, missing out on the fun that was supposed to have been May must have a good lesson in it, right?

I’ll confess I’m disappointed. About the sunk cost of Disney tickets we won’t use. About the cash I’ll spend on an ENT. About not really celebrating my anniversary or my birthday. (Even though I was sick on Mother’s Day, I still did what I set out to do.)

The verse that comes to mind is this:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  - Philippians 4:11-13

To be clear, I haven’t achieved this. My whining and complaining are evidence of that. But, slowly, I’m making peace with my need to be okay with lowliness as well as with abundance.

And if I’m completely honest, I still have abundance! Even when I feel like the month has been a total crap fest.

• We had two great days at Disneyland which have envisioned me for future trips with more of the fam.
• I have what I need to treat whatever this ends up being. There’s money in the bank, health insurance should I choose to use it, and an abundance of medicine to be had.
• My kids are all healthy. It would be harder if my child were in pain. I can muddle through, right?
• The whole family has picked up my slack. Meals were made and kids chauffeured while I was out of commission. Bryan has been sick almost as long as I have but he’s trooped through it all, doing what needed doing.
• The fam noticed that I still do a lot around here. I’m mostly functional now that I’ve finished the Z-pack. I’ve reloaded the grocery supplies to everyone’s relief. A few jokes were made about how groceries magically appear now that I’m mobile!
• Chances are good I will get better. I “feel” mostly well on the inside, it’s just the one ear that’s messed up. The same one that caused extended bouts of vertigo a few years ago. It took time then and will likely take time now, but I have no reason to believe that I won’t eventually be back to normal.

I think a secondary lesson, if we can call it that, is learning to be faithful in the small things. To appreciate the small things. To be happy, to take delight, in my everyday life.

I loved how Kristen worded it in her post here: Most of Your Life Will Not be Extraordinary. When you’re done here, go read that.

So on that note, here are…

5 Favorite Things for the Week

this guy

We haven’t had a date since April or even gone for a ride in the car together, so an older picture will have to do.

Bryan has been super steadfast. We celebrated our 30th anniversary quietly at home. I’m so thankful we got to go to Kauai last month!

I’m even more thankful for his care for me and how dedicated he is to making our life better. He is my person for sure.

big yummy salads, especially with blue cheese

I think that I’m the only one in the family who likes blue cheese, and I’m totally okay with that. No one begrudges the grocery money I spend on something just for myself because I really, really, REALLY love it.

This week I’ve been felt well enough to build a mini salad bar in my fridge and I’ve enjoyed having 1 to 2 big salads every day.

good sleep

I may not be up to par and I am not even sleeping lying down, but I’m getting good sleep. Even though Bry’s alarm goes off at 4 each morning, I’ve been able to fall back to sleep.

Clearly my body needs it and I’m glad it’s listening to itself.

green tea with coconut

I randomly discovered this tea over 5 years ago and it’s been my daily brew ever since. It’s got a very subtle flavor, but it’s just so good.

I’ve cut out coffee this month to help my ears/sinus issues, so this has come in clutch. Buying this three pack is the cheapest way to buy it imo.

Acorn TV

This is a British TV channel that you can subscribe to, either directly or through streaming services. We usually get it a couple months out of the year to catch up on our favorite UK/Commonwealth shows.

This month FishChick15 and I are finishing off Midsomer Murders as well as Brokenwood Mysteries. She’s my little caboose and solving murders together is one of our favorite things.

My Next Steps

It probably goes without saying that my next steps are to get well. I dug out my copy of Summer Self-Care and am working on a protocol to get well. Not that there’s much I can do about it, but at least be intentional about rallying.

If you’re wanting some guidance in this area, especially as summer rolls around, grab a copy of the book for a discount right now.

What’s NEW on LAM

What’s New on GCE

Here’s what’s new on my food blog this week:

Alrighty then, if you got to the end of this post, you are a rockstar. Leave a comment and let me know how I can pray for you this week!