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"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

This is not my usual blog post, and I’ll warn you now that it is going to be religious, so if that is the sort of thing that offends you then stop reading now.

I was raised Catholic. There is a lot about the Catholic religion that I don’t agree with and a lot that I do. I don’t attend church services on a regular or even an irregular basis. My husband and I had our marriage blessed in the Catholic church a few years ago and it’s probably been since then that I’ve stepped foot into a church…maybe a Christmas Eve mass, but I can’t remember. I don’t believe that someone HAS to go to mass in order to believe. Again, I don’t agree with a lot of the Catholic beliefs.

If I could pick a religion I don’t know which one I’d pick.

I do, however, believe in God. I pray to God on a semi regular basis. I believe in angels and saints and heaven and hell and everything in between. I believe that what one person does is between them and God and who the heck am I to judge? And, although maybe not a popular belief, I do believe that in the end whatever you call your God, we’re all praying to the same being…for the most part.

With all of that being said, I have 2 stories to share that my mom shared with me this past weekend.

My mom has always told us that if we were worried about something such as getting up in the morning at a certain time or getting us through something difficult that we should pray to our Guardian Angel and they will help us with whatever it is. I’ve done it and it works – every time. I’ve even heard my name said out loud when I was home alone, or heard knocking on my door, or a different loud noise startles me. Somehow I always wake up when I’ve prayed like this.

So the story – My mom, my aunt and my granny get together every other weekend and do various things. Their outings usually include shopping, a meal and a movie. My aunt, I guess, has a thing about making people wait behind her while driving and looking for a street or a parking space and will a lot of times pull over to let people go around her. The thought of someone waiting behind her stresses her out. Weird, but it’s her thing.

They ordered food from a restaurant in a downtown area where parking is off the street and the street is only one lane either way and gets congested easily. My mom wanted to just jump out of the car, run in to get the food and then come back out while my aunt drove around the block. My aunt was really stressing out about this because there was a possibility that someone behind her would have to wait if she had to wait in the street because there wasn’t a spot open while they were waiting for my mom.

So my mom told her that she’d say a prayer to their dead brothers (they have 3 brothers who died right after or shortly after birth) and their father, who’s also deceased to help with the smooth transaction. Now, I guess my aunt doesn’t believe in praying to any other being except for God – again, her thing – but my mom reassured her it would all turn out good and not to worry. She said her prayer, jumped out of the car, ran in to get the food – just as the lady was walking it up, mind you – paid, and walked out just as my aunt was pulling around the corner and someone was backing up out of a spot.

My mom got into the car and said, “there, look…it all worked out. I was coming out, and there is your open parking spot in case you had to wait”. Then my aunt said something along the lines of, “don’t you think that’s the devil’s work?” – remember, she doesn’t believe in praying to anyone but God. My mom probably just said whatever and laughed.

Then, as they were pulling away…in the sky was a triple rainbow.

Now, imo…totally a sign from above, from their brothers…like look, we’re here with you. My mom agrees.

I just don’t believe in coincidences when things happen like that!

Ok…second story.

My uncle’s best friend was visiting from out of state. He wasn’t feeling well…said that it felt like the world was closing in on him and going dark…he felt this way while driving, so he pulled over and asked my uncle to drive him to the ER. (drive his 70,000 car, mind you…so obviously something was WRONG)

They get to the ER and do tests and find out that he has a brain hemorrhage. I don’t know if they operated or what happened, but he slipped into a coma and it was determined that he was brain dead. They kept him on the machines for another 48 hours (I think they give younger people this time to see if they recover or something like that…my mom wasn’t sure either).

When there was no change in his condition or brain function they made the difficult decision to take him off the machines that were essentially keeping him alive.

Or so they thought. He was breathing on his own and wouldn’t die.

There is a priest who was a pastor at our church for a very long time and he’s a friend of the family now and so my granny and uncle asked if he would come see my uncle’s friends to give him last rites.

When he got to the hospital, they told the family there was a priest there to see my uncle’s friend and they said the only priest they’d let see him was Father ___ and that was who it was! So the priest went back and prayed and gave my uncle a passage to read out loud to his friend.

As my uncle finished the passage…all of his friend’s monitors went silent and he finally passed.

Again…I just don’t believe in coincidences when things happen like that!

I’m not overly religious like I said in the beginning. I believe in God. I believe in angels and saints. I believe in heaven and hell. However when hearing stories like that, and holding on to the few stories I have of my own, I just have to say that God is great and He is around us wherever we are. And I’m not one to ever say things like that out loud to others.

Miracles happen every day. Stop and pay attention to the little things.

There was a time in my life when I felt trapped and wasn’t sure if decisions made were right. I just felt lost and unsure of everything. So I let it all go and gave it to God. May sound corny, but with the burden of worry off my chest, I felt better and things all started falling into place and I felt secure in my situation and that I had made the right decision.

And things always seem to work out. I believe we’re not given more than we can handle, even if handling it seems difficult, in most cases you will see it through to the other side and everything will be ok. For me, this has happened time and time again.

Funny how two random but totally connected stories can restore someone’s faith in God and just bring things all back into perspective. Well, they did for me anyways.

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Have you had your own experiences such as these? Please feel free to share them in the comments! I’d love to read your Evidences of Faith. ☼ ♥ ☺

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do with it and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. take he power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." ~Susan Polis Schutz

We found out today that at least 4 out of our 6 animals have fleas. At least 2 of the cats, although I suspect that one more of them do as well, and both dogs. Fleas. Huge, well fed fleas! Since we have the epileptic dog, this is a bit of a problem. We can’t just go to the vet, get some Frontline and la dee da…all is right with the world.

Yay! Fleas are dead, happily ever after.

Nope. Not in OUR household.

We have to go a non-chemical route. So today we spent most of the day bathing dogs, rinsing dogs with Apple Cider Vinegar, vacuuming everything we possibly could and washing out bedding.

Unfortunately, that’s about all we can do until Wednesday when we get paid and can get something else to combat the flea problem.

I just hope it works.

The non-chemical route which includes something called D-iforgetwhatitscalled Earth. Which is really just dried, ground algae or shells or something. What I picture it as is that powder that Billy the Exterminator uses for the wasps or bees…the silica stuff I think. I need him to come in my house with his mullet self and his goofy looking brother and get rid of the fleas. He can yell, “AWW MAN” when he sees the size of these critters roaming all over our babies. Poor little itchy things!

First rats…now fleas. Ugh…the house needs to be condemned and set A FLAME!

In other news…I’ve decided to try a to do a weekly High/Low on my blog and feature what my high of the week was and what the low of the week was. Originally, I saw this idea in a movie with Bruce Willis and I cannot remember the actress…It will come to me. Anyways, they did this high/low at dinnertime with their kids in the movie. I want to say it was “The Story of Us” but I am too lazy to Google it right now, I’m tired and waiting for bedding to dry and eggs to cool is exhausting! Then I saw it again this weekend on another blog, which of course I didn’t bookmark…anyways, I thought it was a good idea. So I’m going to try it on. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll take it back…no problem.

Let’s start with low.

Low of the week…no doubt the whole flea issue. Before that, it was going to be that boarding our two dogs for the week we are spending in Disney World in October is going to cost almost half as much as the trip does. Unfortunately also, the best sounding place with 24/7 staff is also the most expensive. Good thing my husband, who will be known as FrankNStyne on my blog, or Frank (another new thing I’m trying on), is willing to drive to these kennels and take a tour of them. There is one I came across almost by accident that may work out ok, I need to send Frank in and scope out the place. It’s definitely cheaper than the perfect place.

Hell, we could make a low be that we’re going to Disney World in 84 days and I have no idea how we’re going to pay for it. Let’s make that the low until we go – in fact, that is the permanent low until November. How the hell are we going to get enough money together to pay for the trip, the tix, the food and boarding the dogs??

It will all come together…it will all come together…ok i feel better. Now to the high.

High of the week…probably the spur of the moment decision to enroll in a different college and actually get my shit together as far as school goes. I’ve enrolled and been accepted…yay…to Baker College Online where I will be working towards earning my Bachelor’s degree in Web Development. They also have an Associate’s but I thought what the hell, go right for the Bachelor’s. I was feeling ambitious that day. Right now, I’m feeling kind of sick and nauseated about the entire thing.

I am hoping that all of my transcripts make it there (all of…yeah, there’s only 2) in time for me to start attending classes the 1st session of the fall quarter. If not, then the 2nd session. And I’m going for 2 classes a session until I die from the stress of it all or the end of the year – whichever comes first. Actually, we get a HUGE hunk of money from my job towards tuition and I thought I might as well use up all that I can before the end of the year, good plan, right?

Yeah…for a girl who wrote this blog just back in February about how stressed I was…with work, school, home…I sure am ready to put myself right back there. I’m just tired of taking classes with no direction…and I did actually register for that online history class I wanted and I was pretty excited about it…and then I got to thinking and one night I was googling and well…here I am today all enrolled and accepted and waiting for transcripts and for an advisor to tell me just how many of my previous credits transfer and what classes I will be taking.

So now I have direction. I can say, “I attend Baker College and I’m working towards my Bachelor’s in Web Development” – whatever that is. heh

I just may be a little crazy.

Actually, it is a very good move and I’m very excited about it and ready and anxious to get it started.

And I think the bedding is done and I’m pretty sure my eggs are ready to be made into egg salad for breakfast.

Night all…

Time for another 10 things!

1. TRUE BLOOD

mmmm I love me some True Blood. Eric Northman is delicious…well until he smiles. lol

2. Word Rocks

I have a couple of these types of rocks. Mine say “laugh” and “love”. I’d love to get more and put them outside. I really like the “believe” one below and “create” too.

3. Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies

My sister makes the BEST peanut butter cookies! She made some for work last week and she brought me some. They are YUMS!

3. Sobe Lifewater

Loving this right now. Gave up the pop…I KNOW, right? Amazing! I needed to get some energy from somewhere, so I tried these Lifewaters and they are pretty good…just need a bit of carbonation and they’d be perfect!

4. Pretzel M&M’s

Have you tried these yet? You need to! Go ahead, I’ll wait….they are delicious!

5. Alium Flower

I saw these flowers in front of a landscaping company and I want to fill our flower bed with them! They’re so cool, like flower lollipops.

6. Aquariums

I would LOVE an aquarium. I’d settle for one of these. But I’m afraid if I got one this would happen. Plus, they can get expensive to start and maintain. I just think fish are soothing and the sound of running water and bubbles are relaxing. I’ve had fish a few different times growing up, I’d love to get a tank again. Srsly, even if just goldfish. I love the fancy ones!

I’ve never been (that I can remember) to a “real” Aquarium either. I mean I’ve been to The Living Seas in Epcot. Maybe that counts…but photos like the one below are surreal and absolutely amazing. I want to go and see something like that. Maybe I’ll look into it! WOW!

7. Audio Books

I have a subscription to Audible.com. For about 23.00 a month I can pick two audiobooks from their HUGE library! It’s really cool. I’ve got a lot of books on my computer. I haven’t listened to them all, and probably won’t for a long time! Right now I’m listening to the 10th Sookie Stackhouse book “Dead In the Family.” Of course, it’s wonderful. I listen a work and sometimes I’ll listen at home but the book has to be REALLY good! lol This picture is my own too…my iPod, Skullcandy earbuds, and my lovely cozie.

8. Fonts

I love, love, love fonts! I have thousands of them. WAY too many! LOL

9. Fireworks

My dogs don’t like fireworks too much, but I do! I love seeing them and the BEST ones are at Disney World! I can’t WAIT to see them in October!! The picture below is from the 2010 Detroit Fireworks. Since the D is so close to Canada, they can be seen on both sides of the Detroit River, which is pretty cool!

10. Bret Michaels

Who isn’t loving Bret right about now? The man nearly died TWICE this year, AND won Celebrity Apprentice. He’s the man!

My time for a new phone is in exactly 3 days. I do not need a new phone because I ♥ my Blackberry with my whole being. I have spent long hours getting everything to work exactly like I want it to and bought numerous – ok, maybe just 4 – applications that do fun things (like tell me the weather in my city, my work’s city, the city where my in-laws’ lake home is, and Orlando or one that changes the color of my LED light to match each and every little transmission). I love my Blackberry. I really really do. I do! I swear.

So why is the title DROID!!!!!!!!!?

Well….I decided that I just wanted to “play” with a Droid powered phone. I just want to see what all the fuss is about. If we weren’t on Verizon and had AT&T, you can bet your sweet bippy that I’d be sportin a shiny new iPhone. And yes, I already have a kick ass iPod but I’d load that iPhone up with apps!

Ahh…iPhone…will you one day be mine?

NOPE…back to reality.

Ok…so I’ve sent my husband to the Verizon store probably a dozen times asking about the DROID powered phones and decided on getting a HTC Incredible. I was set in my decision. HTC Incredible. I was even looking for cases! I was GOING to pick out a Casemate Gelli case to match my beloved Blackberry’s case. The only downfall is that the HTC Incredible are backordered about a month, so I would have to wait to get my hands on that new baby.

And, and, and THEN yesterday, Verizon announces a BRAND SPANKING NEW Motorola Droid is coming out on July 15th. The DROID X. July 15th.

Thank you Verizon for this timely announcement.

So of course, since I made a decision on what phone I want, another lovelier, wonderfuler phone comes out. At least I didn’t actually make a purchase.

So the Droid X. It’s a monster of a phone. I think it’s twice the size of mine! It’s HUGE! I need to see it in person…actually, maybe it would be better to be surprised. lol It just looks HUGE. Not iPad huge, but cell phone HUGE!

Yup…that’s the monster above. But boy does it look cool when people are using it!! I’ve watched probably 10 videos and read a few reviews. The only thing I am concerned about is that I really like the way the HTC Incredible’s screen looks! But, there are all kinds of apps and widgets so I guess I will find a look that I like.

Here’s the Incredible.

Pretty, isn’t it? Hmm…

See the dilemma? What to do…what to do…

Topaz was actually really good at the vet. He wasn’t too worked up and didn’t need a muzzle. The vet came in and looked at his face and had me lift his lip so she could see his tooth.

She thinks the molar is bad, possibly chipped, and most likely needs to be removed. So we got an estimate: $325.00 – $450.00. I guess it’s not too bad, but we rarely have this much money to spend on anything. But if it’s needed, we’ll make it work.

Of course, I’m worried about him having surgery and having a seizure, but I guess we’ll cross that road when we come to it.

She did give us antibiotics for him – Keflex (Cephalexin) – and so far so good on not having a seizure. he has been rubbing and scratching at that side of his face too, so either the swelling is bothering him, or the antibiotics are already doing their job and it’s getting better…I dunno.

Either way, I sure hope we can keep the seizures at bay during this issue!

We took Topaz to the vet on Thursday for a blood draw to check his Potassium Bromide levels and to get a heartworm test…both were fine…we also had the vet look at a swollen spot on his face to see if it was a tooth issue or what. Topaz was SO worked up by the time we got to the vet that it was dam near impossible to get the muzzle on him, let alone examine him in any way. So the vet said to watch it.

We did and today we noticed that half of his face (the same side) is swollen, so we mulled it around a bit but then gave him Benadryl to see if that would help. I thought it was a bug bite because it swelled up so quickly and the dogs had just came in from outside. Plus, he’s acting completely normal and not favoring it or anything.

Well, there has been no change, so we’re going to take him into the vet and see what’s going on.

Our appointment is at 8:00pm, the vet is doing emergency surgery right now so we have to wait till then. Gives me a chance to get ready and we’re going to try to give him some Valium an hour before we are to leave and see if that helps him calm down any…it didn’t before, but we maybe didn’t give it enough time to kick in before. Hopefully it will work this time and calm him down!

Pictures of his face:

Will definitely update…

A little inspiration this Saturday afternoon from PravsWorld.

Original link: http://www.pravsworld.com/content/inspiration/125/three-words-that-make-relationships-better

Three-Word Phrases, can be tools to help develop every relationship.

There are many things that you can do to strengthen your relationships. Often the most effective thing you can do involves saying just three words. When spoken sincerely, these statements often have the power to develop new friendships, deepen old ones and even bring healing to relationships that have soured.

The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.

~ Let me help:
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.

~ I understand you:
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know – in so many little ways – that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.

~ I respect you:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

~ I miss you:
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other “I miss you.” This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say “I miss you.”

~ Maybe you’re right:
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say “maybe you’re right” is the humility of admitting, “maybe I’m wrong”. Let’s face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person’s point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying “maybe you’re right” can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.

~ Please forgive me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

~ I thank you:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don’t take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

~ Count on me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating “you can count on me.”

~ I’ll be there:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase “I’ll be there.” Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us.

We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

~ Go for it:
We are all unique individuals. Don’t try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only.

Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to “go for it.”

~ I love you:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person’s deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: “I love you.” Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone.

For more inspiration follow PravsWorld on Facebook and Twitter.

So, I wrote last week about cleaning our kitchen and surprisingly it has stayed clean all week! YAY!

May sound trivial, but is a huge feat for us. Hopefully this will continue. It’s so nice to have the kitchen clean and I’ve really been keeping up with it…cleaning as I do things, putting things away. I really hope it never gets to how it was before. I’m really going to try to make sure we don’t go to that dark place again. No reason for it at all!

This weekend I am cleaning my office, which I’ve been calling the hoarder room all week. It is a mess. Plain and simple. No other description necessary. I should post before and after photos but I am so embarrassed at the state of it.

But starting tomorrow, I will begin to clean it. I really don’t have much else to do this weekend, thank God. Just gonna clean this room and veg with the hubbs and the zoo.

If the weather holds out, we plan on giving the Puppa a bath as well. Should be fun! LOL He also has some mats on his undercarriage that need to be taken care of. So does the Miss. Maybe we’ll get to those too.

But back to the kitchen. what a difference. I can cook, I don’t have to balance and move things around to make room on the counter to prepare and make dinner/lunch/whatever. Tomorrow morning, I can wake up and have some cereal and use a clean spoon from the drawer and a clean bowl and not have to wash them!

Now, we just have to keep it up!

Today is WORLD APS DAY!

As you know, my husband had APS. He’s been diagnosed since 2004. It’s been a rocky road and pretty scary at times, but we can’t look back and can only live in the now and hope for the future.

2004 was the year that changed our lives forever. 2005 is the year when we started using that change for good.

In 2005, myself, my husband and our new friend (and fellow APS patient), Tina turned a support forum and informational website into a brand new non-profit dedicated to bringing awareness to APS and education and support to APS patients.

My first priority was to make sure our website and online support forum was informative and honest. I didn’t want another APS patient to be as lost as we were when my husband was diagnosed. I was lucky to find that first forum on Delphi and Tina to point me in the right direction.

I thank God everyday for bringing her into our lives. I wish more people would try to get to know her, because you’d see the wonderful person she is. She’d literally give you the shirt off her back.

I really hope that the APSFA has helped people learn more about APS – the real APS, not the “take coumadin and you’re cured” APS. To me, that’s the most important thing because APS is not a bed of roses. It IS life threatening. Many people die from it, and sometimes they don’t even know they have it before it’s too late.

I have met some of the most amazingly strong people during the past 5 years. I don’t know how people live with being so sick each and everyday. I guess you just get up and do what you can. I don’t know if I could do it. Especially those who don’t have great care and who are basically dismissed by their doctors or even by their friends and families.

Unfortunately, we’ve also lost some people as well – nature of the disease, I guess. It’s hard though because I have so many friends who have this disease and it hit close to home when someone passes. Way too close to home.

I wish patients got better care. I wish they got taken seriously.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the APSFA over the past 5 years. Everything we have done we do for each and every one of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers on a daily basis. Keep fighting and keep spreading the awareness! Together, we can get the word out!