Category: Random Thoughts

family · London · lupus · Progress · Random Thoughts

Progress…

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Progress…I believe that I have acquired some recently.

Progress in thought that I have adjusted to the new routine of not working daily.  Well, sort of.

I had the privilege of meeting my hubby in London in September.  Wonderful.  We haven’t seen one another for about 4 months.  So it was a good break from his work in Bagram Air Base (Afghanistan), and for me to confirm the decisions that we have been making.

David and I at the Tower of London
Yes, we did all of the tourist stuff, and many museums. David is a geek of sorts, and loves armor and history. I love the Queen, and everything about the Monarchy.  So we compromised and got to see what we both wanted to see around the city of London.  We didn’t really travel out of the city.  We took our time each day and discovered things that we would not have gone to if serendipity hadn’t occurred. Walking everywhere in London wasn’t easy, but it was fun to do especially with David.  
But most of all, I really enjoyed just spending time with my best friend.  Talking about our past, present and future.  We enjoyed the time with one another.  David is now back in Bagram (prayers always appreciated), and I am back home with the kids and their schedules.  It was really good to be connected with him again.  I think both of us were a bit lost without the other for a while.  

The camera ad above is my new camera (got it for my birthday)…and yes, we took lots of pictures in London.  By lots, I mean 1928.  Yes, that number is correct.  My dear hubby took most of them, and the majority of them are pictures of items in museums (like game pieces that the Romans had played).  I did tell you he was a geek right?  I do love him, so very much. It is taking forever for me to sort through them though.  ha. Such is life, right?

On another note, my IV therapy’s have been going very well, (I do them once a month for about two hours) and I believe that I am doing better with the day to day of living with Lupus.  The daily stress is gone from work although I truly miss the daily activities of the church.

I am changing my habits to healthier ones with my diet.  I am trying to be PRODUCTIVE.  My Mom was German, and stated that “We must be productive!” every day. ha.  I do try, really I do.  Sometimes I have convinced myself that I have been productive if I am up and showered.  And depending on my fatigue level, that is good enough for me.  Our family goes by the Spoon Theory with my health, if you are unaware, please click on this link.  http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
Christine does a wonderful job explaining hidden illness and how we deal with it on a daily basis.

So, progress. I just wanted to update all of you.  Life is good, today is better than yesterday.

Have a great week.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
batteries · Random Thoughts · smoke detectors · venting

Venting…

jachancellorLeave a comment

Venting, yes I need to vent.

Last night I went to bed propped up on pillows with vapor rub on my chest to ward of the beginnings of a cold.  I slept well.  I hoping to sleep in (for me that is around 10:00a.m.), but no.  Not for me, and most certainly not today.

At 6:02 a.m. this morning a chirping beep begins.  Yes, the smoke detectors are beginning their song and dance.  After thinking I could sleep through it, (not) I got up to figure out which one of (I have no clue how many of) them are chirping.

It is now 6:30 a.m. and I have found the one (so I thought) that was going bad.  I found a new 9 volt battery, and somewhere found a step stool to climb up on.  I replaced the battery, only to discover another chirp.

And, so it goes, until I have used all of the new batteries (which I have 9 new ones), for 10 smoke detectors.  Yes, one battery short.  I thought for a bit and decided that one could not get a new one, but no, it keeps chirping.

Note:  hubby is still in Afghanistan.

I do not wake up pretty. Hair goes in, at least, six different directions.  My nose (vapor rub didn’t work) is stuffy and runny.  Ugh.  After I shower, and get ready for the really early day (especially for me) it begins to rain.  Yes, rain.  (insert laughter)

Okay Lord, I hear you.  Umbrella in hand, off to Wal-Mart. Of course, I don’t just purchase 9 volt batteries (enough for the end of times), but milk, creamer, bread, (they had a sale on beef jerky), etc.  So, $170 later…

I arrive home to be greeted by our rat terrier (Dexter) who is not happy that I left him alone with these annoying birds.  After I bring the twelve bags of groceries, and put away the cold stuff, I venture off to locate the smoke detector that was missing a battery.  I insert said battery into the detector, and press the reset button…and another one goes off…chirping.

After much thought (once again – NOT), I replace all of the units with new batteries.

No more chirping.  Thank you God. Dexter is now napping, and I am thinking I will join him.

Happy Labor Day!!!
Blessings -always.
Jerry Ann

beginnings · blessings · Changes · Goals · Random Thoughts

Moved My Cheese.

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So, last week I moved my cheese.

I quit my job.  I have worked there for 12 years, doing a variety of things.  It is different not having to go in on a Monday morning.  It is different not dreading Monday.

Yesterday was the first time in a very long time I sat in my church just as a church member.

God has placed the right people in place for me to let go.  Let go.  If any of you know me, you know how very difficult that truly is. Letting go for me has never been easy.  This was different.  God let this go.  He is letting me relax in this guided path.

I will still be there as a consultant when they need me.  If they need me.

But this week, new habits, new routines, new beginnings.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Bucket List · Random Thoughts

Bucket List

jachancellor3 Comments

Yes, a bucket list.  Things that I would like to do or accomplish.  Not in any order, and I may change my mind tomorrow.

1.  Get a good camera – done (early birthday)
2.  Travel to Australia
3.  Travel to Japan
4.  Travel to Scotland/Ireland (they are nothing alike, but are listed together. I am not sure why.)
5.  Spend a week in New York –see a Broadway play a day.
6.  Jump out of an air plane (preferably when I want to, not need to.)
7.  Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.
8.  Dance on Broadway (was an original dream of mine at 17.)
9.  Make a quilt (like my grandmothers.)
10.  Learn to speak German – really!
11.  Learn to speak Japanese
12.  Open a restaurant.
13.  Open a store (scrap?)
14.  Write a cookbook
15.  Walk on the Great Wall of China.
16.  See Paris again with my love.
17.  See London again with my love.
18.  Conquer Algebra.
19.  Eat at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
20.  Eat at Morimotto’s sushi restaurant (prefer the one in Japan.)
21.  See U2 live in concert (front row preferred.)
22.  See Motley Crue in concert (I tried in 1987), and now finally done!
23.  See Poison in concert. – done
24.  Meet Bret Michaels – done
25.  Run a 5k.
26.  Live at Disney World.
27.  Be the Fairy God Mother at Disney World.
28.  Grow a vegetable garden.
29.  Write a book.
30.  Be a mentor.
31.  Refurbish a piece of furniture.
32.  Color my hair (or parts of it) pink.
33.  Be a size 12 again.
34.  Organize my scrap/craft area.
35.  Take a trip around the world.
36.  Be a tour guide.
37.  Sew a dress.
38.  Crochet a blanket.
39.  Learn to knit.
40.  Meet the Queen of England.
41.  Meet Nathan Fillion.
42.  Speak in front of a group of people without freaking out.
43.  Learn how to can vegetables.
44.  Learn how to make jam or fruit preserves.
45.  Be a friend to my children.
46.  Get a Bachelors degree.
47.  Learn more than 6 words in sign language.
48.  Live in Germany.
49.  Own a Corvette.
50.  Own a BMW or Mercedes.
51.  Go to a Dallas Cowboys Football game.
52.  Attend an Olympic event.

I have had thirty of these for over 20 plus years.  Ugh.  Trying to get some of these marked off this year, but I keep adding to the list.

Do you have a bucket list?  Does it always change (update)?  Do you place things on your list that you know you will accomplish?  Are they obtainable?  Or all fantasy?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

beginnings · Changes · Goals · Random Thoughts

Moving My Cheese

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Several years ago, there was a book entitled “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson.  The basic premise of the book is there is constant change.  It is how we deal with the change that either allows us to find where our cheese has moved, or die continuing to go back where it was.


I have always been fine with change so long as it was me doing the changing.  You know what I mean…when we manage the control…everything is fine.  I have had this as my mantra for a while now (since reading the book I believe).  Moving my cheese…is happening now.  


I have been looking to do something different for a while now, and I am taking a leap of faith.  


I will update once everything is in place.  Prayers appreciated.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

anniversary · beginnings · lupus · Random Thoughts · sjogrens syndrom

Answers…

jachancellorLeave a comment

I have been praying for answers for a long time now. I think we all do, in all aspects of our lives. I have been diagnoised with Lupus in May of 2008. Lots of steps in that direction, and more confusion. Yesterday I was diagnoised with Sjogrens Syndrome, and Raynauds. My new doctor is wonderful and ended my session with “you are weird.” Really? I have known that for a long while. I start Methotrexate tomorrow, and I am terrified. Terrified of what it will do to my body, and terrified what this disease has already done to my body and mind. I am positive to everyone, the majority of the time. God has provided me with a tremendous peace, and I do my best to portray God’s peace. It is so hard. Hard. I so want to scream, and kick, to be mad at God. Today, I had a precious friend call just to check on me. She cried when she heard what I am going through. I was strong with that conversation, but the moment I hung up, I cried. Terrified once again. I believe that I am saved by grace, and will be healed completely. There are moments of doubt when I try to control, but I come back to rejoicing in the Lord. Always. Phil. 4:4. Answers are only the beginning. Blessings. Jerry Ann

Random Thoughts · Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

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“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”- Steve Jobs


I have this quote on my Facebook profile.  “Your time is limited” speaks volumes to me especially not having any parents or grandparents left to love on.  Love on your family.  Don’t waste it on trivial things.  Be still, and listen.  


Our time is limited.  Are you doing what your best everyday?  


Do your best.  Encourage.


Share Christ’s love.  Love one another.


RIP Steve Jobs


Blessings.
Jerry Ann

Purses · Random Thoughts

Purses

jachancellor1 Comment

I love purses.  All different kinds.  They can be large, small (not too small), leather, cloth.  It doesn’t matter the color or brand.

That is all.

I needed the world to know.

=)
Blessings!

Auburn · beginnings · blessings · Carmen · children · kids · Random Thoughts

Beginnings Continued…

jachancellor2 Comments

I say in the title continued, mainly because I am tired of all of the endings.

I was on vacation last week (my staycation), and accomplished a lot , but not near what I wanted to.  But it is back to the daily grind with a little change.

My biggest accomplishment, I believe, are my children.  Carmen left today for Camp War Eagle (Freshman orientation), at Auburn. It is the beginning of her being away from home. It is the beginning of just Stephen and I as far as school is concerned.

But a wonderful new beginning for her.  She is truly excited, and for me it is bittersweet.  I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished.  Sad because she starts a new chapter in her life, full of adventure and without us.  Truly the beginnings of adulthood.

Carmen at 2 (daycare picture), and one of my favorite photographs of her.  Carmen’s smile is contagious. And, isn’t just like parents to remember them young and sweet.  One of my favorite commercials is a little 3 or 4 year old getting ready to back out of her driveway, and her Dad sees her like that.  But in reality, she is a grown woman. And the Dad just watches her go.

I believe her smile still is contagious.  She is going to have a great time at Auburn.  I also believe that we have raised her with a sweet spirit of fellowship and love.  I pray that God places in her path godly friends that are strong in their convictions.

He has blessed us with such a precious gift.  I love the woman she has become, and look forward to hearing of her beginnings.

Have a wonderful week.

Blessings.
Jerry Ann

beaches · Random Thoughts

The Gulf –

jachancellorLeave a comment
Carmen and I last weekend on our beach.
The beach is beautiful this time of year.
I keep expecting oil to show up, but it hasn’t.
The water is still a beautiful green/blue and the sand is 
still as white as ever.
I love this place.  
I love just sitting, and listening to the waves roll onto the beach.
Love the Emerald Coast.
You should come for a visit.
Enjoy!