RE: A life to cherish

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cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (9/26/2007 1:25:41 PM)
I went to the doctor today. I'm on antibiotics. Can't say that I'm surprised about that one. My tests all went well, except for my blood sugars. He wasn't happy about that. I've gotta try and get them down in the next few weeks. I tried to talk to him about some of the other health hassles I'm having, like my shoulder, and he's just put it in the too hard basket for now. He wants first priority to be getting my blood sugars to normal levels. I asked him his thoughts on what was said to me about just choosing to be happy and choosing to eat the right foods in the right quantities. He said that there may be some people out there for which that theory works, but it's the wrong thing to say to somebody dealing with chronic depression. You just can't switch that off. He said that you could choose to do something in which you used to find pleasurable and if there was any pleasure coming from it, then that was a bonus. It might be going for a walk through a shopping centre or doing something else. I told him that for me, it's getting back into reading novels. I still don't find reading easy, due to my concentration span, but I'm still trying to read. That was something that I used to love to do. I was a real bookworm, but found it too difficult for a number of years. The book that I'm reading now and the previous book, I've found extremely hard, but I'm still trying. Went to a few of the neighbours this afternoon and gave them some of the marmalade and jam that I made. All were very appreciative. One of the people that I gave marmalade to actually gave us some of the lemons and grapefruit off of her trees. I asked her if she wanted some of her lemons back. When she said no, I said, "Oh, you wouldn't like any marmalade then?" Suddenly she couldn't accept quickly enough. LOL! She said that she would have to do something in return for the marmalade. We told her not to worry, but she's insisting on giving us more lemons, and next year, grapefruit when they are back in season. One of the neighbours across the road, we've given things to before. Homemade cakes, dinners etc. He and his wife have readily accepted. When I offered him jam this afternoon, he accepted, and then asked me why I was wanting to give him jam. I thought it was so funny that people get suspicious just because you want to do something nice. Normally John is the one who takes over the goods. He probably got a surprise to see ME actually coming over to give them to him. (John came with me). I wave to them from a distance, but I normally don't go over there as I'm too shy.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (10/11/2007 12:14:16 PM)
Hey everybody. It's been a while since I came in here, so I thought I'd better make an effort. I've been sick for several weeks now. I've had a bad dose of the flu and hayfever on top of it. I'm really looking forward to getting over it, SOON! Last weekend I got all of the remaining birthday invitations out for Joan's birthday in January. To me, it's too early to be sending them out, but with the gatherings being in January, I can understand why Joan wanted them out now. January is the middle of summer here. The restaurant is wanting numbers as soon as possible as that's one of their busiest times. The afternoon tea that she is having isn't so much of a deal. We are having it at a friend's house though as it's bigger than ours, and so out of consideration for her, it'd be a good idea to let her know of the numbers coming. John is preaching tomorrow at a men's group that he goes to. The guy who heads up the ministry is away for four weeks, and so John is in charge. John has preached there before though. It'll be exciting to hear how things went.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (10/17/2007 12:56:19 PM)
Hey everybody. How are you doing? I had a long post typed up and it didn't post. [:@] I went to the doctor today. The last time I saw him, he wasn't happy with my blood sugar levels, so I had to go back to see him today to see if my levels were better. They are better, but not where they should be. I go back and see him in a month and have to make an appointment to see a specialist. If my levels are where they should be, I can cancel the specialist's appointment. I REALLY don't want to have to go and see a specialist. My doctor has also added to my already extensive meds regime. He asked me how I've been doing, and I told him not great. As John told him, I've been sick for about 2 months now, with the flu, hayfever, and he thinks, a virus. He told the doctor that I've been low and very low. I haven't admitted to anybody just how bad, other than, of course, John and Joan. I'm REALLY struggling right now. I've been spending a lot of time in bed and sleeping because of being so sick. I've also been spending a lot of time in bed and sleeping because I just can't cope with things. Depression has really taken hold. Don't worry, I'm not suicidal or anything. I just find that the thought of being with people is overwhelming. I panic at the thought of going out the front door of the house, let alone going out. I can't get motivated to do things that I really like doing and then get really frustrated with myself. I have several penpals. In the past, I get replies back to them the next day after their letters, but at the moment, I've got letters that I've had for weeks and not replied to. I feel so guilty about that. For a while there, I was on a real reading kick. I haven't picked a book up in so long that I can't remember when the last time was. I feel guilty for eating, or even drinking, because I keep thinking of how it's going to push my blood sugars up. I just feel so overwhelmed by everything right now. The doctor has put me onto an antidepressant that helped me for a while, quite some time back. We'll see if it does any good this time. Last time it gave me energy and helped me to lose weight. On a positive note, I actually started knitting a scarf yesterday for one of my penpals. She is undergoing chemo right now. I thought it would be a way of reaching out to her and encouraging her. I've started it. Now I just need to keep going so that I can finish it and send it to her.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (10/25/2007 12:22:52 PM)
After having a meltdown this morning, I managed to get another doctor's appointment this afternoon. I've been feeling so rotten being so sick for so long. I was beginning to wonder whether my mind was making the whole thing up, whether I was just being a drama queen, or whether there was something to actually worry about. In any case, this morning, I'd absolutely had it. It was just as well I went to the doctor. John had told me that I'd already been to the doctor twice, including last week. It seems that I have a secondary infection, so I'm on antibiotics. John's been trying to tell me that I have hayfever as there is a high pollen count around at the moment. There may be an element of truth in that, as I do suffer badly from hayfever. The doctor also told me that the antidepressants are to blame for my sleep problems. He's given me permission to experiment with dosage and the time they are taken. One of my antidepressants is also making me sweat more than I normally do, on top of what's caused by heat and the infection. It also seems that on top of the irritation being caused by being sick, my meds are also causing irritation, making me feel sicker. As the meds are mostly beneficial, it's a matter of just living with the results. Hopefully when the hayfever and infection go away, things will be more bearable. One of the things that I forgot to tell him today is that my blood sugar levels are just about back to normal. My morning measurements are as close to normal as I've had them in a very long time. My night time ones still need some work, but the readings are certainly a lot lower than they have been in a long time. That's a praise point. I was worried about whether or not I should be going along to rehearsals for the Christmas choir. The first rehearsal is this Tuesday night. Being sick, I wasn't sure if I'd end up infecting anybody, or whether I'd be up to it. The doctor has told me that I will be ok to go to rehearsals if I want to. It's good to be reassured by him. I'd put my name down for choir months ago, and would have been really disappointed if I couldn't go in it. At least now I have my answer.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (11/4/2007 10:32:54 AM)
I went along to the first Christmas choir rehearsal and really enjoyed myself. I was glad that I went. I found that I need to work on my breathing though. I was running out of air for the phrasing a lot more than I wanted to. Having been so sick had/has really taken it out of me. After taking 2 of the antibiotics, I had to take a break from them. I was SO sick that I just couldn't take it anymore. Antibiotics always make me feel sick, but this was the worst I'd ever felt. A few days later, I decided to try and start taking them again as I still have some symptoms. I have the last antibiotic tomorrow, and I'm still sneezing etc. I'm hoping now that it's just hayfever and nothing more. At the moment, I'm in the process of experimenting with the timing of taking my antidepressants. My doctor gave me permission to do that, as I was sleeping for only 2 hours at a time before being wide awake for several hours. I'm managing to get to bed before what I was before, which is an improvement. I don't know whether it's because I've been out of the house, but I've been awake more of the day than I was before. Yesterday and today, I've been at a seminar at church. We've had an apostle from the US and her team speaking to us. It was interesting finding out about their backgrounds before God started calling them into the five fold ministry. Some were from conservative denominational churches, one had an Amish background. It would have been interesting coming from those backgrounds into the office of apostle etc. Friday night, John had gone along to the meeting, and found the style really different from what he was used to. Without even looking at him, I could hear that he wasn't impressed. I felt that we were supposed to pray about whether or not we were to go the next day. Joan said that she felt that she wasn't to go because if she went, she wouldn't be up to going to the meeting today. I told her that that seemed to be the answer for her, but not John and I. Again, we began to pray, and I wasn't sure at the time where it was coming from, but I seemed to get the phrase, "I'm requiring more from you". In my mind, I was thinking to myself that it was probably what Bailey was thinking as he was banging on the door, wanting attention. I wasn't sure if it was just me, or the Lord speaking. I told John and Joan what had come to mind, and they both said that that was something that the Lord had been saying to them for some time now. I thought, "Great, that word was for you. It can't be for me. I'm sick, depressed, and I can't do anything". Then the Lord laid it on my heart to go to the seminar yesterday. As I said, I enjoyed hearing where people had come from as God led them into this ministry. By the time they got to question and answer time, it was getting over my head for a lot of it, but I think that was due to depression. This morning, the main speaker preached. She was talking about an apostolic church having a kingdom mentality instead of a church mentality. The characteristics of apostolic churches and the changes that we need to make in our lives to be more like what God is calling us to be. I don't believe that I will ever hold the office of pastor, but it reaffirmed in my heart that I have the heart of a pastor. To nurture, to guard, to shepherd. After talking to John and Joan about it today, John had said that he'd never really thought of it like that, but that he did affirm me in that. I know from the changes that she was talking about us needing to make, that I have many. I need to change my character, my conduct in situations as well as many other things. It will be interesting to see where God takes me. It seems that God really is requiring more from me too, despite anything I may be going through.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (11/8/2007 7:53:20 PM)
Monday afternoon, we had a friend come over to help us sort out some details for Joan's birthday afternoon tea. We got some ideas in there, which is good. I really wasn't feeling well though, and at the time, wished we could have put the meeting off. Friend is really hard to get hold of though as she's so busy. I didn't make it to choir rehearsal on Tuesday night. As it was, I was having problems sitting and standing, let alone trying to fill my diaphragm to sing! I'll have to try and make up some rehearsal time. Yesterday I went back to the doctor as I had finished the antibiotic four days earlier and was still not feeling good. Well, it seems that I'm not having a reaction to the antibiotic. I'm just sick. He mentioned that there are plenty of tummy bugs going around at the moment, but when I asked him what was actually making me sick, he didn't know. In any case, if I'm no better tomorrow, I have to go for tests and start on a different TYPE of antibiotic. [:@][:'(][X(][8\|] Right now, I hate being me. [:(] I just want to feel well again.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (11/14/2007 8:58:37 AM)
Oh boy. What a time! Many of you know that I've been sick for quite some time. Don't know what's causing it. I don't know whether I've had viruses on top of colds/flu/allergies etc. In any case, my body seems to have changed tack. I've been having massive gastric problems and the doctor has been giving me antibiotics to get over it. Last time, I was so sure that I was allergic to the antibiotics. My body never did like them very much, no matter which ones you give me. It turned out that I was just sick. The doctor gives me another course of a different antibiotic. It started off better, but boy, oh boy, did that change! The last 24 hours, I've been the sickest I've been in the longest time! I'm so thankful that I already had a doctor's appointment today. He's taken me off the antibiotics and another of the meds I was on. We'll see how I go with that. I haven't eaten all day as I just can't keep food in. He's given me some meds to help with that. I'm still not game to try and eat. He doesn't know what to do with me. He sent me for tests the other day, but they didn't show anything other that my allergy markers are up. He said that if I were any sicker, he'd be sending me to hospital. If I'm not any better by Monday, I have to make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist to see if he can figure out what's going on with me. I'm so weak, tired and sore. Again, I just want to be well again. I've forgotten what that's like. Because I was so unwell on Tuesday night, I didn't go to Christmas choir. As there are only 5 rehearsals in total, and I've missed 2, I'm not going to go back. They have learned all of the music that they need, and I'm not able to read music etc. I'm really disappointed about that. I really wanted to do it. Maybe next year. If you think of it, could you please pray for finances for us. Our car is in need of major repairs again, and we don't have the finances to be able to do it. Actually, we need a new car, but if we don't even have the money for repairs to a car, there's no way on earth, we've got the finances to buy a new car. The computer screen is also playing up BIG time. It really wouldn't surprise me if it dies in the very near future. If you don't see me around for a while, it's not that I don't love you, it's just that I haven't got a computer screen to see you all with. That's another purchase that has to be made too. We'll get there. Just have to trust the Lord.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (11/20/2007 10:34:51 AM)
Lots has been happening for our household. John and Joan have decided to sell their car for parts. We don't know that they'll get much for it. There are some new parts in the car, but even with those, it won't make the car driveable. We'll have to wait and see how that goes. Speaking of going, I'm glad you aren't seeing the internet through this computer screen right now. The colours are really peculiar. I can't see pictures properly and it looks like everything is in dot matrix on my screen. Tomorrow I will have the money to replace the screen, but I suspect now that it's more than just the screen that's the problem. A friend of ours is going to try and come over on Thursday to see if he can get the computer working properly. We had an interesting afternoon this afternoon. An arsonist lit 3 fires in our area, one about 2 blocks from us in an area of very dry bush that's right beside a high school. We were having a late lunch when I started to smell smoke. It wasn't until I saw the discolouration in the skylight in our kitchen that I really started to think of how close it was. John and I went outside to watch for a while. Several fire crews were needed to get the blaze under control. One of our neighbours across the road, hosed down his backyard just in case embers caused problems. It wasn't until a little while later that he realised that the embers were smoldering in his front yard. It took quite some time to get that under control. There is a fair amount of ash etc all over our yard from the fire. The fire brigade managed to stop the fire just before it reached the fence. We could see the flames from our house. If it had got beyond the fence, it would then have gone onto the road and straight towards us as there is only housing on the other side of that major road. We had even discussed whether we should get bags ready in case we had to evacuate. At a couple of stages, there were possibilities that we would have had to, but thankfully the fire brigade managed to get everything under control. I got a shock on the weekend when I got some unexpected news from my oldest brother in an email. Our brother and his wife have split up after over 20 years of marriage. She is a Christian, and my brother has walked away from his faith. I didn't even know that they were having problems. They have 2 children. My brother and sil now live in 2 different cities. It's all very sad.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (11/28/2007 10:06:00 AM)
This morning I went to see the gastroenterologist. To be honest, I expected to walk in there to be told there was nothing wrong with me, and that I just needed to lose weight and get my diabetes under control. My diabetes has been under better control since the last time that I saw him, so that was something. I KNEW that I hadn't felt well, and it was so hard because I had some people telling me that it was just hayfever or something. When my intestines got involved, I REALLY knew something was wrong. Seems I have been a sick little puppy. Part of my sickness has been viral. The antibiotics lowered my immunity too. My intestines aren't working properly. And it seems that I could have pinworms. I was joking to John and Joan the other week that I probably had worms, but I didn't honestly think that that could be a possibility. I'm not totally sure that I have them, but I've been told to have meds to make sure, and John and Joan have to take them too. One of my bloodwork levels were up, (allergies), and the gastroenterologist said that usually when that one is up, the person has a pet. When he asked me if I had a pet, that's when he started talking about me maybe having worms. We've been praying about the whole 'worms' thing. We're always really careful about making sure that Bailey is wormed and all that kind of thing. We really doubt that Bailey has worms, or that we do either. As a precaution, we will take the meds, but I really don't think we have anything to worry about. I wasn't feeling the best this afternoon. I was just relaxing, then all of a sudden I started getting some horrific pains in my stomach. I was trying so hard not to scream. Thankfully I've got some muscle relaxants for when that happens. Took a while, but thanfully I'm feeling a lot better than I was. Sometimes I don't like being me. [:(] Bailey had his annual checkup today. The vet is so pleased with him! They put him on a diet a few months back when we had the scare with him not being able to walk properly. He's doing so well with his weight loss that they've asked for a 'before' and 'after' shot! He's lost 2.2kgs so far, (4.8lbs), and has 1.2kgs to go, (2.6lbs). They've told us that he doesn't need to lose as much weight as they'd originally thought. That's my boy! Now if only I can lose the weight like he can. [8\|] I've been taking it easy the past few days. Trying to get my overseas mail ready for postage. I've got my CW snail mail cards done. Just have to get the cards ready for my overseas penpals, and my overseas friends and family.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/5/2007 11:03:55 AM)
Things are a little crazy around our household at the moment. John goes into hospital on Monday to have surgery on his hernia. It means that once he has surgery, he won't be able to do much for about 12 weeks. It will mean that we will end up having a very quiet Christmas, but that's ok. With everything that we have going on in the lead up to Christmas, and afterwards, we'll be needing the break. John and Joan's car goes into the paper tomorrow to be sold. It died a few weeks ago, and would cost more to fix it than it's worth. So, they are selling it for parts. It means that they won't own a car anymore, but thankfully we have the loan of a friend's vehicle right now. That's a bit of a bone of contention. John has no problems in driving it, but of course, once he has surgery, he's not allowed to drive. Joan doesn't feel comfortable driving it as it's a much larger vehicle than she's used to driving, and her knee would also cause her a lot of trouble driving it. I don't drive, so things are going to be very tricky for a while. We have public transport close by, but Joan's knees make it difficult to use it. The shopping malls are in easy driving distance, but not walking distance. I don't know what we're going to do about grocery shopping etc. Please pray that the car sells quickly and at a reasonable price. Also that the Lord blesses us with a car very quickly that Joan can drive. Friends are still calling to get details about Joan's party next month. More organisation to take place. Well, I'll close for now .

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/10/2007 10:48:43 AM)
Well, John's hernia surgery is over. He was admitted into hospital late this morning and had his surgery late this afternoon. He called us about half an hour after coming out of recovery. He sounds really good. YAY GOD! Last time, he wasn't sounding so clear, but I think they gave him a better anaesthetic this time around. It was so good to hear from him. The last time he had surgery, things were really chaotic here, and to say that things were stressful would be an understatement. Joan had a virus and was really sick. Joan and I were REALLY emotional. John had complications with his heart and other things and had to be kept in hospital longer than planned. There WAS something unexpected with today's surgery. When the surgeon went in to operate, he found 2 hernias instead of one, so he did both of them at the same time. Thankfully that was seen and taken care of so quickly. Thankyou Lord! That's a total of 4 hernias this year he's had surgery on. [:o][&o] So far Joan is coping ok. She's had a busy day, one way and another. I think with the adrenalin going, and her being so busy, she hasn't had a chance to get emotional. I've been doing some things with her tonight so her mind hasn't had much of a chance to really think. I'll stay up for a while after she goes to bed, just in case it all starts getting a bit much for her as she heads to sleep. Me? I've been stressed, but I'm feeling so much better knowing that he's ok. He's hopeful of being let home tomorrow, so, of course, I'll feel so much better once he's here. Not having to deal with Joan being so sick has made it easier this time too. All my overseas mail has gone. YAY! That feels like a major accomplishment! I just want to get a couple more things for Christmas gifts, mainly for Bailey, and then I'm done. Now I just have to clear off all the cards from the table, and start wrapping gifts!

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/15/2007 10:06:57 AM)
It's the 15th of December, and on this day in 1989, I arrived in Western Australia to start a new life. I didn't know what to expect. I'd never been out of New Zealand before. I'd read stories as a kid of what life was like in the outback with the Royal Flying Doctors Service and over the air schooling. Perth is a city of over a million people in it, so no outback, and no need for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, at least in the metropolitan area where I live. There's been lots of changes in those 18 years. I've become a Christian, and my personality is a LOT different from what it used to be like. My parents have both passed on, but thankfully they were led to the Lord before they went to meet Him. I have family members who are either living in Australia or will be moving here in a matter of weeks. Admittedly to the other side of the country, but they are still here or coming. A family relationship that I never thought would have problems has occurred, leaving one of my brothers and his wife separated. The people that I came to Australia with, I don't see anymore. God's given me new family, in the form of John and Joan. I'm far closer to them than my own family. I never would have thought that I'd be involved in ministry, but I have been. Not only here in my church, but also overseas in Namibia a few years ago. There are so many things that have happened in the last 18 years. John is doing well from his surgery. He was home the morning after his surgery. He's been a bit sore, but that's to be expected. He's so much better than he was after his last hernia op. Thankyou to all of you who were praying. It's been much appreciated. This is week 2 that the car has been advertised in the paper. We've had 3 callers, none of which ended up being interested.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/17/2007 9:03:18 AM)
Well, things are about to change in my family. I got an email today from my oldest brother, and he, his wife and some of his grandkids are on the countdown of the number of sleeps before they move to Australia. They arrive here on the 3rd of January, so that's not long to go now. I got an email from my other brother today too. Their marriage has reconciled, which is WONDERFUL news! He had more news for me too. It seems that he, his wife and daughter have decided to move to Australia too! I didn't see that one coming! He comes early January to find a job and accommodation before his family arrive February/March. I never would have thought in a million years that my family would be living in Australia. Admittedly, they will be living on the other side of the country from me, but still. Will have to try and go and see them some time.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/20/2007 10:33:05 AM)
Tonight I spent some time with my neighbours. A little while back, I made some marmalade and some banana jam. We had planned on using them for Christmas gifts, but either people had already been given those things, or others we'd planned on giving some to have started diets. That left us with a couple of jars of banana jam, and ten jars of marmalade. The houses that we visited, John was known by all, as he spends a lot of time out in the front garden. (We live on a corner block, so he's seen by a lot of our neighbours when he spends time out there). A couple of the households have sampled our goods before, so they readily accepted more. All the households took at least one jar of the marmalade, some of them two. We have three jars of marmalade left, and that's only because it was too late to call in to see any more of our neighbours. We might see if anybody would like them tomorrow. I know we have some new neighbours that we haven't met as they've just moved in not so long ago. Might try and go there.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/23/2007 10:22:10 AM)
Tonight we went along to see the church production that I had initially started rehearsing to be in. I really missed being up there with the choir. I could hear the parts that we rehearsed over the voices of the crowd, and I sang along in my soprano part. There was lots of dance too, which is a regular thing. They've just started doing breakdancing this year, and a group of young boys, up to about 3rd or 4th grade, were breakdancing along the front of the stage. If you'd been there, you would have seen how well it fit in with the rest of what was going on. It was such a joyous time. I'd have broken every bone in my body if I'd tried to do what they did! LOL! They certainly have gifts that I don't have. I got to catch up with people that I haven't seen for a while. Not just from my own church, but from others. Some of the people you only get to see once a year. It was good. Tomorrow, I just have to write in John and Joan's cards, and wrap Bailey's presents. I know it seems stupid wrapping gifts for a dog, but he really enjoys it when you come outside with something new, and he has to wait to find out what's inside. We can't give him food treats this year as he is on a diet, but I've got him lots of toys. I don't know if he'll use them all, but I know he'll certainly have a variety, other than just the faithful bag of tennis balls. Twenty four hours from now, for us, it will be Christmas. [sm=icon_smile_santa.gif] Merry Christmas everybody![sm=icon_smile_santa.gif] ((((((((((((((((((((((((EVERYBODY))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/24/2007 10:26:20 AM)
Well, it's the early hours of Christmas morning here. I can't believe it's here already. It's looking like it's going to be the hottest Christmas period on record here since 1915. It's currently 19.6C (67.2F). It's supposed to be 39C (102.2F) today, and 40C (104F) the day after, as long as it doesn't somehow get hotter. I really don't like the heat as it makes me ill. I don't know why, but I've developed an allergy to it. Anyway. To everybody, I just want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year, with many blessings from the Lord. Thankyou to all of you who have sent cards and gifts. It's been much appreciated.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/25/2007 11:21:40 AM)
Well, merry Christmas to those still celebrating Christmas. For me, Christmas Day actually finished over an hour ago. It was a stinker of a day! It was 40.7C or just over 105F (105.2F). Today is supposed to be hotter. They are forecasting 41C (105.8F), but I'd be surprised if it wasn't hotter than that. It's supposed to be an overnight low of 23C or 73.4F. We feel like we've been melting. We lost electricity briefly today. Just as long as it wasn't for longer. All the things in the fridge and freezer would have spoilt, and we'd have had no air conditioning. Going to see friends today before they fly out to see family overseas. Most of the day, there was just the 3 of us. For dinner, a friend joined us, so that was nice. Well, I just wanted to wish you all a great day. Take care.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/25/2007 8:03:27 PM)
Fire season has struck again. It seems the arsonists are back out in force. Christmas Eve there were 3 deliberately lit fires. One about 15 minutes drive from us. Later that night when we were watching the carols on the TV, I was sure I could smell smoke. Sure enough, somebody had started another fire in the open space (bush) a block away from us. It looks as though that's going to be targeted over and over again. In the last few weeks, it's been set alight at least 3 times.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (12/29/2007 11:21:26 PM)
Another year almost over. Four more days until the mass exodus of my family arriving in Australia really begins. I've been thinking about the people that we've lost in the past year or so. Both here in the CW family, and in my own. Many have said to love your family and friends more, let them know that you care, hug them a little tighter, etc. I totally agree. You never know when somebody isn't going to be there any more to tell them how much you love and appreciate them. So, I just want to say this to all of you. I love and appreciate all of you. So many of you have given me encouragement, prayed for me, befriended me, loved me, supported me, stood by me in spirit. I want to say thankyou. I pray God's richest blessings on all of you. This time of year is always extremely hard for me. For some reason, depression cycles with me, and now is a really bad time of year for me. Not just this year, but every year. So...I'm going to ask for prayer here. I don't know why it is, but this time every year, depression kicks in REALLY HARD with me. I've been a blubbering mess for a while now, feeling really overwhelmed about a lot of things. Last night I had to have tranquilisers to try and calm me down, and poor John and Joan didn't know what to do with me. The three of us have been invited out to a friend's birthday party tonight, and I just couldn't cope. Not only due to the depression, but the constant pain I'm in, total frustration about some other situations. Lots of things. I'm just a real mess right now. Any and all prayers would be really appreciated. I hope that whatever is going on for you right now, as we approach 2008, you feel the Lord's presence, love, peace and comfort with you. May He bless you mightily in this coming year.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (1/8/2008 10:36:07 AM)
Well, the start of 2008. Already it's off to an interesting start. The end of last week, the car was taken away by a wrecker as we couldn't get any interest in anybody to buy the car for parts. Now we have to wait for God to provide a new car. There's no way that we could afford one. The same day, I went for tests and xrays. I've been having some really major back pain. I don't know the results of the tests. I doubt they will have little bearing in any case. I did, however, look at the report from the xrays. Not all of it was news that I was expecting. It said that I have a curvature of the spine. That I knew. I'm not sure if the size of the curvature has increased though. One of the things that I was NOT expecting to find out was that some of my ribs are underdeveloped. I don't know how that could have been missed in the past. Or if people did know, why they didn't tell me. The other thing that the report said is that I have multilevel spurring on my spine. I'm due to call my doctor tomorrow to find out my test results and see if my doctor has left any note for me to come in early to see him. I don't know what they are going to do about the spurring. I hope it's not surgery, but then due to the gastric banding, anti-inflammatory meds aren't a good option either. Tonight is the last night my youngest brother will spend in New Zealand for a while. He moves to the Gold Coast with my other brother tomorrow, before some of his family join him in the next couple of months. A week from now will be organised chaos. Friends and relatives will be here from the eastern states, some staying with us. Joan's birthday is next Wednesday, and then the celebrations really begin. There is a group of 50 of us going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. On the Friday, a small group of us are going to a friend's home to set up for Joan's afternoon tea the next day. There will be 40 of us there. All of us are getting nervous, including Joan. Some of her friends and family coming from interstate she hasn't seen for many years. I'm pretty shy around people that I don't know, so I'm hoping that I'm going to be ok.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (1/18/2008 9:45:49 AM)
Hi everybody. Just making a quick stop before I go to bed. One party down and one to go. Wednesday night, which was Joan's actual birthday, was a success. Everybody was saying how much they enjoyed it, and Joan had a ball. With the festivities continuing tomorrow, and friends being here from the eastern states until Monday, she's having a 6 day birthday, and not minding in the slightest. Things have been pretty tiring, between getting things organised for the parties, (mainly tomorrow's as it's a lot more physical work to get things set up), sightseeing, entertaining the guests, (some of whom arrive at all hours of day and night) and all the other things that we've had to do. Even Joan is saying that she's going to need a week to recover from all of this. I think once everybody goes home, (the last one staying with us leaves on Monday), we'll probably just want to go into hibernation. My body is causing me all sorts of pain, especially my back, shoulders and arms. The doctor didn't call me in to discuss options about my health. In a way, I'm really relieved. Then again, there's a part of me that wonders what can be done about my back. I'll wait until I see him at the end of next month. Well, I'd better finish here. It's going to be an early start tomorrow to get everything done. I'll talk to you later.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (1/21/2008 11:18:35 AM)
This is going to be a quick stop. Long enough to say that Joan's parties went well. The last of her guests went home this afternoon after some flight problems. It's going to take some time to unwind and get back to normal. Joan and I are going to try and head to the movies tomorrow to just relax. Not sure what we'll see at this stage.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (1/22/2008 9:20:33 AM)
Hey everybody. Got some relaxation time in today, and it really felt good. Just what I needed. I need some more of it, but it's a good start. Joan and I headed off to the movies. We saw a couple of chick flicks. First we saw "Enchanted", stopped off for Chinese for lunch, before heading back in to the movie theatre to see "27 Dresses". We had wanted to take John to the movies too, but there was nothing on that he wanted to see. He's not much of a movie person, but on rare occasions, he'll go to the movies with us. There's a movie to do with the Chronicles Of Narnia coming some time, so maybe he'll want to go and see that. John and Joan have commented on how well I've done with getting things organised and having people here. I've had some times of being really insecure and things that people don't like me, or people are perceiving me negatively etc. I think that's the depression talking. Even though Joan's birthday is all over, I'm still feeling the stress and tension from it all. I'm still waiting for the reaction. I know I've been feeling pretty emotional, but it hasn't shown outwardly yet. I was in tears on Sunday night, but I think there's a lot more to come. I can feel it brewing. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I'm thinking it might be. I know my body is reacting. I can feel the tension there. Still trying to catch up on the normal things. Emails went bizerk while I wasn't online. I've got snail mail to catch up on. Errands and things to do. John's birthday is Sunday, and I've barely done anything towards it yet, so I have to get started on that. Hopefully that will work out ok.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (2/4/2008 11:23:39 AM)
Haven't stopped in for a while, so thought I would. Life has been a bit tough of late. Feeling more depressed, as, for some strange reason, that happens at this time of year for me. I'm not handling the hot temperatures particularly well. I'm really looking forward to cooler temperatures on a consistant basis. I'm feeling really tired. Partly because of all the preparations for Joan's parties, partly from the heat, partly from me not feeling particularly well of late. A combination of things. For now, we have the loan of a vehicle to get us around. It's a 4WD, which is fine if you're really tall, which Joan and I are not. We have to haul ourselves into the vehicle and slide out of it. I'm getting pretty stressed that the person is going to be wanting their vehicle back soon, and we won't have access to a vehicle. I'm getting quite stressed that at some point, we're going to find ourselves without a vehicle to get around in. If you feel led to pray for God's provision for a car, it would be much appreciated, as we have no way of affording a car right now. On a more positive note, I know what I have for a birthday present this year. I know that it's not until April, but still, it's something that I know that I'm going to enjoy. There is a concert on, the same day of my birthday. As soon as I heard it was going to be on, I wanted to go. Well, today, Joan bought the tickets for them. She, another friend and I will be going. John doesn't like concerts, so he won't be going. The ticket is for Celine Dion. It's extremely rare for Perth to get somebody of her calibre come and do a concert here. I am SO looking forward to it! I've got some of her CD's, and never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be able to hear her in person. It will definitely be something to remember. We've managed to get some seats on the ground level, as trying to get Joan up to the grandstands is going to be a nightmare. Tried that the last concert we went to last year. All we have to pray now is that it doesn't rain, as the venue isn't covered, apparently. Anyway, the concert is something for me to look forward to.

cherish405 -> RE: A life to cherish (2/9/2008 10:16:39 PM)
Hey everybody. Just checking in to let you know that I'm still alive - barely. I haven't been around so much lately because I've had some issues. Pain and depression. I'm sure the pain is making the depression worse. I'd ask, if you feel led to, to pray for me. The pain in my back/rib area is extremely intense, and when I talk to my doctor when he finally gets back, (I was supposed to see him this week, but he rescheduled), I'm seriously going to talk to him about pain management. I madie it to church this morning, but what I had feared last night did happen. Normally I don't mind hugs, but one lady (a friend) gave me a bear hug, even though I asked not to be. She got hurt when she finally got the hint that I really didn't want to be hugged and the message got through as to why. I was just about to burst into tears when another friend came up. Joan repeatedly asked to her not to touch me, only to have friend enthusiastically rub my back twice. I let out some yells, but she still didn't get it, saying over and over again that the pain should be gone in Jesus' name. It wasn't until I told her that I was thinking about possibly going to the hospital that it began to sink in that I really was in pain. So, if you don't see me around Crosswalk for a while, it's not that I don't love you, it's just that I'm in a lot of pain. I'm really trying not to head to the hospital, as I don't see myself as an emergency, just a chronic case. I take panadol, and I don't think they'd give me much more if I went to the emergency room. I seriously don't know how I'm going to be able to handle the amount of pain that I'm in though until my doctor gets back. Just bending over or sometimes just reaching slightly to get something is enough to make me scream. I seriously don't know what's wrong, or what's causing it. I just know that the pain is taking me to the end of my tether, along with the excessive heat that we are having right now. I'm not sleeping well, or if I do sleep, it's at the wrong time. I couldn't believe I didn't get to sleep until 5am the day before yesterday, (after taking my usual sleeping meds at the right time), then sleeping through until 1pm. I just couldn't get to sleep before then. This morning, I couldn't get to sleep before 4.30-5am either. My sleep pattern is completely out due to depression. I'm hoping not to end up in hospital, but we'll have to wait and see.

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