 DonnaLou
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Donna
Gender: Female
Interests: Reading: Bible, Christian, mysteries, self-help; theology; singing, playing guitar; folk music, especially Celtic; watching Jeopardy on TV; playing Trivial Pursuit; Crossword puzzles; jokes and funny stuff.
Expertise: Schmoozing, organizing, management, humor/comedy, tracing American folk music to British Isles and Celtic roots.
Occupation: Entertainer, Relief Sch. Xing
Industry: Entertainm't, Local Gov't Svc.
Message: message me
Yahoo:  dlrfi2005
Member Since:
7/8/2005
 True
|
|
| So, here's what's happening in my life. It's "stuff" like this that keeps me so occupied. One day this past week I discovered that I had a jagged edge on a lower right molar. Evidently some enamel and/or filling had chipped. My tongue was getting sore from contact with the tooth. As it happens, I'm long overdue to see a dentist, anyway. I previously had gone to a chain dental outfit. It was close to me, but I really did not feel comfortable there. I think the staff and dentists were competent enough, but I was used to a more personal, small dental office. With this chipped tooth and sore tongue, I had an immediate need to find a dental office that would accept the dental plan from my Medicare Advantage insurance carrier. This entailed calls to a dental office and then to a number on the back of my card, which turned out to be (heavy sigh) not the right number, then I tried another number and from there I got transferred to someone who could help with verifying that the dentist I contacted was an acceptable "provider". Then, I made a call back to the dental office I had contacted, and I gave the receptionist the appropriate number to call to verify my dental coverage. I explained that I needed to see a dentist soon. The receptionist told me she had a cancelation for this morning, that the only other appointment available would be on November 16. I didn't want to put up with a sore tongue for a week, so I made the appointment for this morning.
Since I'm a new patient, x-rays were taken. The dentist and his staff seem very pleasant. He checked the sharp edges of the molar and also the condition of my gums. After viewing the x-rays, he gently explained to me that I had a few areas of serious concern involving molars in upper and lower jaw. In addition, I have had caps on my four front teeth which have remained firm for I'm guessing 15 years? The bad news is that what is left of my teeth under those caps are decayed. I will need to lose the molars, the decayed teeth and the caps. The good news is that a bridge will be made which can be secured to my eye teeth on either side as these are solid and strong. Am I upset by the prospect of losing the molars and my caps? No, I'm not.. At my age, this is probably the best and least expensive way to go. I am pleased that he did not try to talk me into implants. I believe my insurance would not cover them. They are much too expensive, and I'm not sure implants are worth the expense at this point in my life. He said he would work up a program for me and that I could come back at my convenience to get it started. Of course, he provided the treatment for which I came. It did not take long at all for him to smooth off the jagged edge of the offending molar, and already my tongue feels less sore. Yay!
The rest of the week: Some of you know that I am a relief school crossing guard. It just so happens that at least two of the regular crossing guards need to be off for a considerable period of time. One of them is already in the hospital, and the other enters the hospital for knee surgery tomorrow. He likely will be out of commission for months. Sgt. G, who is Police Department Community Service contact, had called me at the beginning of the past week to ask if I could work all of this week and possibly beyond. I declined, but I told him I could probably work three days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He said he'd call me back after checking with others. He did so this past Friday, and asked if I could work just the mornings this week beginning tomorrow. I accepted that assignment. The schedule allows me to go to my Tuesday/Thursday afternoon exercise classes and also to a chiropractic appointment this Thursday morning. Sgt. G told me that he'd become short of relief guards when these regulars needed to hospitalized. Fortunately, the police department has hired five more persons as relievers. As soon as their drug test results are in and they spend a some hours in class time for training, they will be able to help fill these long term assignments that have come up.
It's not just classes, dental and chiropractic visits that are on my schedule, I have a "to-do" list that needs to be whittled down. Much of that list involves being on the computer to do which takes time, especially since my "Dino" computer is so slow. I'm thinking I will just have to spend money on another computer in 2010, but until then, I have to make do with this one.
All this I share, not to complain, but just as a way of explaining that even as I am "semi-retired", my life has not slowed down in certain ways. Why should I complain? I thank God that, as I'm soon on my 72nd year on this orb, I am able to be so active. I thank God that, except for some of these pesky things that accompany getting older, I am in good shape, physically. I am seldom ill. I need to take only three prescription medications at this time of my life. I am so thankful to be free of stress and mostly happy with my life. PTL! Any problems, afflictions, hard times I have had or might have in my life just enable me to help and comfort others, so I thank and praise God for them, as well. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God."
~~St. Paul, second letter to the church at Corinth, chapter 2, verses 3-4, (NRSV)
~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Cheers, Donna 
| | |
| MY "BLUE ROOM" This is a special post. Xanga friend, R. has requested that her subs write about their "Blue Place" and post it. I have been thinking a lot about what the color blue means to me. This has led me to construct and design "My Blue Room". In describing "My Blue Room", I first need to explain my associations with the color blue.
As one might guess from the colors on this blog, blue has become a favorite color. Red has been most favored from my childhood on, but blue has been added along the way. I love that there are many shades and hues of blue. Likewise, there are associations I have to the color. However, I choose not to associate it with gloominess as in "blue mood" or in the American music genre known as "blues". The following are my primary associations:  "The blue bird of happiness", and by extension, bird songs.
Blue skies along with a song with that title written by American songwriter, Hoagy Carmichael. It was popular during the '40's. Some lyrics from the song are as follows:
"Blue skies, smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see,
Blue birds, singing a song. Nothing but blue skies all day long.
Blue days, all of them gone. Nothing but blue skies from now on."
On the calendar of liturgical churches, blue is the color of Advent. The season of Advent begins on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and concludes Christmas Eve. The color blue is featured on banners, on the altar cloth, and on Pastor’s vestments. Blue in Advent symbolizes hope, peace, and preparation for God to be among us, "Emmanuel".
Now, I invite you into this "Blue Room" I have designed where I experience its soul and spirit-healing ambiance:
We enter via a midnight blue painted door. Inside, we are surrounded by powder blue painted walls. You may choose to lounge on the navy blue couch with teal blue throw pillows, sit back and put your feet up in a royal blue reclining chair, or rock yourself in a rocking chair with navy blue wood and teal pillows. Wooden side tables that match the door color are next to the couch and chairs. If you are carrying a burden, you may set it down on the sea blue carpet floor.
A huge window framed with wood the same color as the door takes up most of one wall. White lace curtains, like clouds, are draped on either side. Looking out of the window, we see clear blue skies with blue birds and others flying from tree to tree. We then hear their songs.
But wait! We are not the only ones in here. There is a Presence here that is unseen, but nonetheless sensed. It is "Emmanuel" - God with us", who has promised never to leave us or forsake us. In this room, spending a special time with "Emmanuel", I am comforted, calmed, refreshed and given peace and hope for my time outside of my "Blue Room". You can be, too. You are welcome to my "Blue Room" anytime. By the way, when we leave, "Emmanuel" comes along, too. ~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Cheers, Donna | | |
| I returned from OIMR = O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, Monday mid-morning. Except for two repliers to my previous post, I did not have time to read posts on Monday or yesterday. The schedule is unusually packed this week. I relieved at a nearby school crossing location this morning and will go back this afternoon. Tonight it's regular choir practice. Tomorrow I have a chiropractic appointment mid morning which I changed from today, then I go to exercise class in the afternoon. Before I left for retreat, a friend and I had talked about meeting for lunch on Friday, but closer to her "neck of the woods". I haven't found out yet from her where we'll meet.
Later, when things settle down a bit, I'll review OIMR. I hope by that time, retreat photos will be displayed on their web site, so that I can either copy from there or provide a link where they may be seen. A BIT O' HUMOR:
"Pity the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." ~~Don Marquis SCRIPTURE FOCUS FOR TODAY (especially troubled, tumultuous times):
"Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?' Jesus answered him, 'Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.'" ~~John 14:22-27 (NRSV) ~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Cheers, Donna 
| | |
|  Yes, it's time again for O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat (OIMR) at Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, TX. It's the sixth year for the retreat, and my third year to attend. As usual, there is a great roster of instructors. I am especially pleased that members of band Legacy from Jackson, MS will be there teaching classes on their respective instruments. I plan to begin the drive around 8:00 or so. First class I signed up for begins at 10:00 AM, and I'd like to get there in time to check in and settle in dorm before first class.
I know readers like to see photos, but photography is not a strong suit for me. I will be pretty well occupied with classes and sessions, so I don't think I'll have time for photos. I'm hoping that others will take them and make them available so that they'll appear on the OIMR site at some point.
I will return Monday morning. I'll write about the experience when I can get the time, but the schedule for the week is busy again. (Heavy sigh).
Have a grand weekend, yersel's.
~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Cheers, Donna
| | |
| EDIT 10-20-09, 5:22 PM - A "Food For Thought" Quote:
"Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those who sang best."
~~ Henry Van Dyke.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The devotional message I read on Saturday was based on Luke 23:24-30 with focus on verse 27 - [Jesus said] "But I am among you as one who serves."
The message is so well written and so challenging that I must share it. In some restaurants, once seated, a waiter or waitress will greet folks with something like, "Hi, my name is . . . and I will be your server today." That setting is a "take-off" place for the writer's message: "I will be your server today. I will take your order, fill your water glass, bring your food, take away your dirty dishes, bring your bill, and clean your table after you leave."
I will be your servant today. I will help you carry your burdens, listen to your pain, walk with you through your illness and grief, dry your tears, and give of myself until it hurts.
I will be Christ to you today. I will love you as Christ has loved me, forgive you as Christ has forgiven me, look at you as Christ looks at you and at me. I will trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to help me be the servant that Christ calls me to be."
"Suffering servant, help me to be among your people as you were, as one who serves. Amen."
~~Cheryl Anderson Erdmann, Associate in Ministry, Bethany Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, IL, The Word in Season, Oct. - Dec., Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN
Powerful stuff, that! How would it be if all Christians practiced such servanthood in interraction with others? I remembered something from the book of Acts which records the history of the early Christian church and how it grew in spite of persecution. Acts 11:26b states, ". . . and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians'". I have learned from Bible scholars that the word means, "Little Christs" ~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Cheers, Donna
| | |
|
