Diabetes and Adoption

Strength In Numbers -Please keep us in your prayers...
Sunday, June 21, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Hi everyone!

Test we took two days after the Dr. notified us (to be sure she didn't have someone elses records)

After being sick for a couple of weeks, we were pleasantly surprised ((ok, who am I talking about here...REALLY SURPRISED)) to find out from our PCP that I am pregnant after 8 years of trying.

In the same sentence, I was told the numbers were low and that the baby may not survive. Again, God has proven to be our sustainer as we had another blood test and the numbers went up from 41 to 340. I was told I'm 4 weeks and we're on track.

Instead of holding on to this, we decided after the last lab that we would tell EVERYONE we knew because as the Bible teaches us, There is Strength In Numbers - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Dr.s said we could NEVER conceive. God said it wasn't so. And while nothing in life is guaranteed, we are standing on faith that our Heavenly Father will continue the good work He has already done in our lives as He created this "little miracle".

Each week is critical for this little baby. The numbers must continue to rise and the baby much continue to strengthen and grow. All while being inside mommy who is a Type II diabetic.

I am "high risk" and could also use prayers for God to continue to help me keep my readings lower than they have been and for a full term, happy, healthy baby.

Will you please keep us in your prayers throughout the next several months?

I will continue to keep you all posted.

Love in Christ,

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Just a small hello
Sunday, June 14, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

It's been busy, busy, busy around here. My two brother in laws came into town with their two beautiful wives and children. Doug and I are in our own little world just loving our little neices and nephews while they're all here. Especially the two newest edition...the TWINS.

We are two weeks into our planting season and already the peppers, lettuce, tomatos and squashes are starting to sprout up from the earth. PRAISE GOD! What an awesome thing to take part in....watching life as it grows.

We're still here living with my husbands gracious parents. I'd be lying if I said everything was perfect. I think when you take into consideration we all have been in tight quarters, you'd know this living arrangement, while hard, is an awesome experience that God needs us to go through. So, This week, I've decided to enjoy where He has planted me and let go of the control. Accept what cannot be controlled and look to the future.

We think we may have found THE HOME. It may not be a homestead right now....all are either WAY too far from the hospital Doug works at, or need far too much work that we couldn't afford to finish the home. So we decided to try for a smaller town outside the city limits in a cute town...nice place, and who knows, maybe the town will let us have our chicks for eggs.

In the meantime, I'll be in and out as usual. With family here, we're trying to enjoy them for what little time we have them for and look forward to many memories spent with them all in the future.

Be Back in awhile dear friends!

Love

I Dream, I Dream of a New Home With Livestock and Children Running In The Yard. I Dream MY Dream, A Dream If God So Desires
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Today was a day FILLED to the brim with activity. My husband had the day off, so we traveled an hour away to see our Realtor to go over some things. As some of you know, we were pre-approved last year and shortly after our expiration this year, it became slightly harder to pre-qualify.

It seems almost silly, but we had some bills that while small, were outstanding from Ohio, where they (the bills) never reached us here in our new home state. Anyways, while small, I can see why they are being sticklers and can understand that paying ones bills is not only important to them, but also in Gods eyes as well. We learned our last year in Ohio through our Dave Ramsey-Financial Peace University course, that having and maintaining a budget and paying off debt IS without a doubt important to aquire a home. So, we took the new outcome with a grain of salt, bit the bullet and looked into those medical establishments whom we owed. Some I had actually receipts for and were dismissed. Others we actually owed and we looked them up, paid them off and disputed the credit report. After a couple of months, I'd say the credit report is looking spiffy-clean again and we NOW have a new mortgage broker who is a bit more reliable and trustworthy...if there is such a broker.Haha

So, we have to make another appointment in a couple of weeks with all the proof of information they need for pre-approval and we will FINALLY be pre-approved. Why a couple of weeks? Well, we had only planned to meet with our realtor and had planned to use our old mortgage broker. When all was said and done, we all felt he hadn't done enough on our behalf and wasn't worthy of our business....so we used someone she felt was trustworthy and gave us several names actually and let us figure out who was better for US not her own pocket.

We've actually liked that about her. My mom met her last year and was impressed when she showed us a home that was CUTE, but the basement foundation was buckling and said we could continue with it, but she didn't recommend it and actually recommended her contractor to look it over if we decided we actually wanted the place. Needless to say, we didn't....but there have been SEVERAL times she's pointed us in the right direction.

Last year we even found what we thought was THE home for us.....it fell through and we were disappointed. She talked with us today and said she was happy it didn't happen then, though she knew we were disappointed. She said we could have ended up with close to a 7 percent mortgage last year and now we're almost to a 4 percent. We will surely get more for our money at this point.

I stopped shortly after our visit with Susan, our realtor, and thought of how AWESOME God really is. It's easy to complain and get caught up in why God doesn't answer us the minute we want Him to. I know I get sick of hearing people say exactly as I am going to say right now......God works in HIS timing and HIS ways are SO much better than ours. Being upset about the home last year seems almost rediculous because HIS direction right this minute...a YEAR later, will save us more and help us to be better stewards with what He's given us.

He's NEVER left us where we couldn't make it. Even when we were destitute and questioning which direction almost two years ago in a state where there was no family or friends we knew until we made friends with those God planted in our lives. Even with children, it seems like He's preparing our hearts, our minds and our home to bring home HIS children.

So right now we are looking for our "dream home" in the country. I'm excited to have hens for egg-laying, goats for the milk and cheese, a garden, dogs, a fence and soon, children running around learning all God has planned for their lives. I look forward to rocking in the rocking chair on the porch with my husband as we continue to grasp the glory of our Lord and Savior and all He's given us.

We have a name for our small home and piece of soil......I also have a dream. A dream that one day may come true on our piece of land if God so chooses, that will be named and will help young pregnant mothers break the generational bonds and allow them to keep their children and make a life for them and their children while learning basic financial decisions to rid them of poverty. I won't say anymore...but it's been my dream for a VERY long time and it may take years to build, but God knows my dream and will build on it if it's His will.

In the meantime, I look forward to our home, wherever it may be, and establishing a solid foundation for God to work in our lives, our home and the children who will reside there one day.

I have MANY pictures, but still have no idea how to work my new camera. In due time ladies and gents.

Have a lovely summer and I look forward to sharing memories with you all.

Love,

Diabetes and Adoption
Thursday, May 7, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Diabetes and Adoption

Rachel Garlinghouse
Apr 17, 2009

There is an old schoolyard chant that starts out with an image of two people "sitting in a tree" and "K-I-S-S-I-N-G." This is followed by, "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage." The natural progression of life is to find one's "soul mate," tie the knot, and then have children.

My husband and I always planned on having children. When dating, we often babysat for our older friends' kids so they could have an occasional child-free evening. Together we volunteered to work in our church's nursery. While getting my undergraduate degree, I paid the tuition bills by working at a day care. Changing diapers or wiping off dirty faces was nothing new to us.

The year I married my husband and also began graduate school was quite stressful. I was teaching a freshman writing class while balancing my own coursework. When I fell ill that Thanksgiving with a stomach virus, I forced myself to keep working, knowing that a stack of ungraded essays and several hundred pages of reading assignments were waiting for me.

As my education and teaching career progressed, my physical wellness declined. I frequented the doctor every two weeks with chronic sinus infections. I was squirting drops into my eyes constantly. I visited the restroom every twenty minutes, and I couldn't quench my thirst. My weight dropped weekly, though I was consuming well over five thousand calories a day. Despite seeing five different doctors, I was left without answers.

A year and a half after that Thanksgiving, my husband took me to the ER because I couldn't breathe. The verdict was diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. My A1c at the time was 16.9, and my blood sugar was 700.

I spent five lonely, depressing days in the hospital. Brochures with titles like "Sick Days" and "Taking Insulin" were placed at my bedside. I could only stare at the glossy covers, shocked by the fact that I would forever be imprisoned by a disease I did not ask for and did not deserve.

My first diabetes nurse educator was a patient, gentle, and knowledgeable woman named Sonie who visited me on my third day in the hospital. She settled into a green vinyl chair, opened a folder, and began. I barely listened to her words, sitting cross-legged on the bed with tears streaming down my face. I must have looked terrible-yellow skin, unwashed, brittle hair, my frame shriveled to less than a size zero.

Despite my determination to hate every single person who had anything to do with my new disease, I'll never forget when Sonie softly said to me, "You can still have babies."

A year after my diagnosis, my husband and I started talking about the possibility of starting our family. I shared with him my desire to consider adoption. I had spent time researching the potential pregnancy complications that a woman with diabetes faces, a distressing list that includes high blood pressure, kidney problems, yeast and bladder infections, premature labor, miscarriages, and stillbirth. Our child could be born with birth defects of the heart, spine, or brain, respiratory distress, neonatal hypoglycemia, jaundice, and more. I learned that I had a three to five percent chance of passing the disease on to our child.

Some professionals argue that women with diabetes can have healthy babies, but there is, of course, a catch and it's a big one. The mother needs to keep her blood sugars under tight control, meaning between 70 and 140, at all times.

It wasn't just the list of complications that made me seriously consider adoption. I knew that pregnancy and childbirth meant that I might have to quit my job and make managing my diabetes my life's sole purpose. I knew that my pregnancy would be high risk from the very beginning and that the calendar for the next nine months would consist of numerous medical appointments. I also knew, deep down, that I did not want to risk my health and the health of my child, all for the sake of having "my own" offspring. When I thought about my daily struggles and how difficult they are, I could not imagine worrying all the time that the baby would be okay and perhaps subjecting my child to the ups and downs of my disease.

The choice for me to open my heart to adoption came fairly naturally, and I accepted adoption as a way to build our family early on. But, being only one half of a couple, I had to see how my husband felt. A year after my diagnosis, my husband agreed to learn more about adoption, and we headed to an informational meeting held by a local adoption agency. A month later we started our home study process, a journey consisting of paperwork, fingerprinting, home inspections, interviews, and writing checks. Our home study was completed in August of 2007, and we have been waiting for our child since then.

Choosing to adopt a child is not as easy or as glamorous as Hollywood portrays. One must be ready to face the constant questions, ranging from "Don't you want your own?" to "Why would someone give up her baby?" to "How much does adoption cost?" I worry that no expectant mother will choose us to parent her baby because of my disease. I daily ponder how I will add "mother" (and all that entails) to my list of roles: wife, teacher, and manager of a chronic disease.

Unlike a pregnancy, the adoption journey has no due date. Just as with diabetes, there are no guarantees that this adoption journey will turn out the way we wish. Regardless of the emotional risks, we are happy to be on the path to our baby. While we wait for our child, I keep taking my diabetes day-by-day, trying to be healthy and strong, knowing that some day we will go from being a family of two to a family of three, happily pushing around our longed-for baby "in a baby carriage," just like in the schoolyard chant.

Source: Diabetes Health

Hope and Strength in a worthy Heavenly Father...what Joy!
Thursday, May 7, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

I am SO greatful for a loving God who is faithful and trustworthy. In seeing what's happening in the world, it is easy to get caught up in the worries of this life and the woes of trials. Knowing His faithfulness and love through "the valley" however, is where strength is found for those who believe in Him.

Since my last entry, there have been plenty of things that have happened. Doug and I just came back from a weekend retreat in the Adirondacks. It was off season and wonderful to be amongst the "locals" not in the tourist areas, but with the people who live there with what seems as extremely far away from commercialism.

We were due to stay in the Inn and the owners daughter in law gave us a log cabin suite since we were only staying for a short time. God is SO good. It was a moment of spiritual renewal and a time to gather ourselves and strengthen our marriage for a short time. The dock was in walking distance and we sat by the water for HOURS just staring at the choppy water and the mountains God created. How can anyone think this beauty wasn't created by someone?

I wanted to claim the beautiful rocking chair for myself and just take it home for when we FINALLY buy our home. I spent many hours on my grams lap as she'd rock me to sleep. I SO long to rock my own children one day. In my mind, I keep saying...Lord! Please, hurry. My heart longs for a child and a home to call our own. One that I may raise as many children as you give us. It need not be through my own body....I/we are willing to be a mommy and daddy through adoption and actually knew in our hearts before we even married, that we'd most likely go that way. Not because it was the only option, but because it was our hearts desire. Learning to make due where God has placed us has sometimes been hard for me. I am always with great joy when I hear of those around us having babies and getting pregnant. I'd wish nobody the struggle, yet sometimes, I find my heart empty and sad and wish I too could give my husband a child and be able to hold him or her in my arms which I have prayed for over 8 years.

It will come in Gods timing and "woe is me" won't help the situation so I press on as only I know how...through prayer and conversations with a loving Heavenly Father.

In the meantime, we have paid almost ALL of our debts with exception to one whom is causing us problems as they continue to patch us in to India. Each time, asking for our social security number which I WILL NOT give to a foreign country. So I am waiting more details and will walk in to the "sister company" of this debtor and hope to pay the debt in full. I never knew paying a debt could be so hard!

The only other debts we'll have is for Dougs student loans and the car...which we plan to make double payments on and get that paid off by next year THEN on to making extra payments on our home mortgage once we get it.

Which comes to this little ditty....I noticed in the paper tonight that the bank we have our car loan through and the one we were going to get our mortgage through is yet again one of the BIG BANKS that needs more bailout money to keep it going. Honestly, I'm at witts end here! Nobody has ever asked us if we would like a bailout for our car loans.....or have said, Hey! Would you like a FREE home? Nope......here we are looking for the right home, the right mortgage and it seems to be taking us awhile. We were told about one mortgage that I just didn't feel right with. After much prayer and conversation with my husband, we called the realtor to ask about the difference between two loans she suggested and asked to meet with her face to face. Apparently she wasn't really all that happy with meeting face to face, because she hasn't gotten back with us.

She doesn't think we're serious enough to "jump in" without asking questions first. Sorry....A home is a debt I'm not willing to jump into. In fact, that takes several years of my husbands hard earned income and shouldn't be taken lightly at all.

SO, as we continue to look for homes ((my dream homestead is contingent now...so must not have been in Gods plan for us) I think we now have to not only search for a new realtor....but also research smaller local banks with hopes that they aren't "TOO BIG" and can handle the economic circus going on right now. One with years of experience who has refused to take taxpayers dollars and will stay afloat. Is that too much to ask? Haha

I'll keep you posted. We purchased a new Nikon point and shoot camera. Once I figure out how to upload the pics, I'll have some to show you.

I pray God blesses you all and gives you the strength you need to push through any trial.....remember to HOPE in HIM and HE will set your feet on solid ground.....no matter how bleak things look. Remember to also renew your mind and spirit in Him and take time to find the joy in life. Don't be a Martha, spending too much time on things that aren't important. Take time to spend with family and friends, play alittle and remind yourself that God is good and seeks you to find joy in Him through the little things in life.

Much love and many blessings,

**** Happy Birthday My Dearest Husband****
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

35 Years ago, two people came together and bore a second son. One who would one day minister to the lost not by title, but by pure love for Christ.

His life wasn't always easy, with teasing and struggles here and there, but it gave this young man an eagerness to triumph through the hardships and remember who his Mighty Savior was.

He was born in the same city, lived an hour away, lived with his gram as I did and though he longed for a relationship for many years, waited for God to finally speak.

25 years later he met and got to know a wild sinner who didn't know the Lord. Someone who in her own mind, was lost and undeserving of ANY affection. It was then, this young man shared his love for his Lord by sharing a glance at his Bible with her. Later, after she came to know the Lord through a college friend and brother in Christ (Ramone), this man gave this young woman a gift she'd never had. The knowledge of Christ through a Bible He had purchased for her.

Suddenly, this quiet young man, didn't seem so much like a wallflower, but a diamond in the rough.

He stood for everything she had not known and unlike the others, fought to protect her when she needed it while seeking to pray WITH her and read Gods word to help her understand.

More and more she found that this gentle-man was liked by many and seemed to get along with everyone no matter where he was. The young girl observed from the sidelines to find that she fell in love with him and appreciated more and more all he had become in her life.

later that year, he not only became her best friend, but her husband and over 8 years later someone to cherish forever to spite the ups and downs of life.

This young boy, born 35 years ago....is the love of my life and the gift that was hand-picked by God as we were born 10 days apart, in the same city, lived an hour away, and finally, met in college. God just knew I needed him and I owe everything to God as He layed the plan not just for our lives to be bound together. But the two lives of whom became my Mother and Father in law.

As I look at my life, I can't imagine it without my sweet, patient, kind and loving husband who through good times AND bad, has never stopped loving me and whom continues to be my best friend as we share our faith and lives with others.

He is not a Pastor by trade, but he is fully used by God each day as he sets aside his own biases to love people for who they are and reach out to them as He hopes to share The Good News with the world. He is not just my husband, but a son, brother, nephew, coworker, brother in Christ, nurse, and overall compassionate man who most will find that what you see REALLY IS what you get.

Again, Happy Birthday Doug. May God bless your day, guide your steps, and may others see Christ through you in Jesus Mighty name I pray....AMEN

Trip Around The World***Restaurant Style***
Friday, April 3, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

The past few weeks, We've been traveling the world with our good friends, The Bakers.

We spent 2 whole hours in Thailand where we enjoyed the sights, sounds and flavors such as Thai Tea and Pad Thai, my husband and I just came back from spending a half hour in Mexico where we had authentic Mexican Cuisine of ReFried Beans, Guac, Fresh REAL mexican Tortillas and chicken with peppers, onions and some kind of mexican spices....and This weekend we're going to Japan for a Habachi Dinner.

In The midst of all the craziness lately, It's been good that my mind can travel to other countries just for dinner. Ha ha

I can't wait to see where else we go. Morraccan or some middle Eastern joint. Maybe a bit of Le Francais?? I'm thinking China will be our last stop around the world, because my dear friend and I would LOVE Sushi. However, our husbands aren't fans of fish OR SUSHI.

I'm looking forward to England again where I'll have Fish n Chips with mushy peas. YUM!

Holy Heck In A Handbag....Where Did She Go?!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Hi everyone!

Thought I'd touch base with my crew.

It's been a hectic month. We're moving temporarily next month until we have a home of our own. Hopefully by fall. We're moving a County away and while I'm away from the friends I've come accustomed to walking with last spring, I've gotten to know my husbands dear friends and they've seemed to have a lot in common with us. PLUS, we'll be near his other good friends from grade-school. I think he's excited about being so close to his friends.

Andrea, someone who's become my good friend now, has been such a light in the darkness the past couple of months along with the gals on my Spark team. Leslie, Lois, Kris, Niki, and all the other team members have just been so gracious! God just really seems to put good people in our midst to encourage. I appreciate that. Though at times, we do get those people who try to cause disencion online, in the end, the ones who encourage and love one another even through the differences in faith, stick around for the long haul and actually BECOME members of a community.

My husband, as young as he is, has been in the hospital several times this month. It's been pretty scary. Nothings been found yet. He's still having slight dizzy spells which the medication is helping slightly, but his bloodpressure is still somewhat high and without the meds, his dizziness would be back in full swing to cause him to drop.

As I've mentioned to some of you, It's NOT cardiac related. Praise God! He has a family history of heart attacks and strokes. It WAS a concern.

He fell on ice two weeks before he started all this, so we're wondering if it could be a back issue. So he's been at the Chiropractor who has been WONDERFUL and tomorrow he has two appointments again. One with the Chiropractor and this time, one with the Neurologist who will probably schedule an MRI due to his accident in 95' and then a scan of his spinal area.

Oh, I must say, I'm leaning on My Lord and Savior right now. Fear just wants to creep right in....satan has used the "Chronic Anxiety" I've had since childhood in order to cause me to stumble and mistrust the Lord. I've come in the past few days to understand that this isn't what He has intended for us. He tells us to FEAR NOT. I finally had to ask my husband who is an RN, to STOP looking at the Diagnosis book/sites. His inkling is bone degenerative issues...he HAS broken tons of bones as a child.

After leaving the DX online one day, I found myself lurking and just about EVERYTHING has similar symptoms.....I had myself in knots that he had the symptoms of MS and just had to ask for prayer from my sister in law and dear friend Andrea. They both know me SO well. What was even more touching was to find pm's from Leslie a sparkmember, just to ask whats up and others from my sparkgroup who offered their prayers.

I must say, these women and my sparkteam have been so sweet, patient and kind with me during a time thats been scary and filled with unknown for me. I mean, here we are back from Ohio, we moved to a rental for a year and a half and now we're moving temporarily again with family until we have our home. We're leaving friends who've become awesome support to me (even though their a county away) and moving to yet another location where I'll have to settle into a new church and with new friends in a small spot of our own in close quarters.

EVERYTHING is SO up-in-the-air. Totally in an uncontrolled atmosphere which is something I have a hard time with.

The good in it all though? God is SO GOOD! We have my friend Andrea and her husband and their little twins who've become our wonderful friends. Family members are actually allowing us to stay with them...we have our own hiding space in our room as we also help them out by RENTING the room and paying for half the bills each month as well as doing half our share. Doug is sick, but we HAVE insurance. It's expensive, but we HAVE IT. Some don't.

Another REALLY cool thing? I LOVE to bless people. At most, during this time period when everything is up in the air....I've had time to look past my fears, my expectations and my own selfishness and be able to give to others in small ways. To be there for my husband and learn selfless acts in the midst of our own hard times.

Even with material possessions. Instead of going out and buying new, do you know how AWESOME IT IS to be able to give someone something you don't need and then by the grace of God they also out of nowhere give of themselves for things YOU too could use even though that wasn't your intention at all?! Most people call this bartering...but thus far it's happened at LEAST over ten times this month while we were going through so much. I just HAD to get rid of some of this "stuff".

What fun it is to bless someone and peak round to find them smiling and looking around wondering who the heck did it. I must say I learned this method from my friend Robyn years ago when I first learned of Christ. She was trying to teach me just how powerful the LOVE of Christ is...in doing so she gave me money to give to someone else behind me. I thought she was NUTS. I wanted to stick that money in my bra and run off. Instead, I did as she said that day and learned later what that need meant to the person behind us, and exactly how much the Love of Christ impacted my life enough to know He suffered, Died and as God willed, Rose again in perfect sacrifice for the sinful selfishness I've had over the years. He did it with Love and Grace according to the Fathers will and gave me mercy when nobody else would have.

I won't reveal the participants and they aren't all on this site either, but it's been SO nice just to give things away that are still in working condition and just care more about the person on the receiving end than about the "thing" that we gave!

This my friends, IS NOT bartering. None of us got together at the other sites to knowingly give these items.....I guess I would call these small gifts of kindness "Divine Appointments". Something to bless the other people who actually could use or need the items instead of selling them or junking them and buying NEW.

We have received a laptop out of the kindness of someones heart, and while giving away our own tv, someone gave US a tv to store for later. CRAZY...we never fathomed either and yet it gets better....there have been some NON MATERIAL giving as well. While we missed out on a BIG opportunity because my husband decided to drop that day. Ha ha ha ((sorry hunny I have to make light of it or I'll crack)) We have had other little opportunities to give back.

I'm not planning to tell everything because in my own heart and mind I believe these things need to be kept in secret, otherwise they aren't really "giving" but would be MORE about me boasting. I've just seemed to keep in mind Gods word and I like to give for the most part without condition and without most people knowing. There's just a TRUE DELIGHT in my heart to know while they cannot see it...God does. Here's the scripture I'm talking about. I LOVE it and try to hold onto for myself.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:1-4

Anyways, In the end....we are doing just fine. I'm calming down a bit more now and putting Hope in the Lord. Enough of the selfish feeling sorry for the medical circumstances in our lives. Just get out there and Do it! YES!

So while I'm not on here very much right now....just thought I'd update and let you all know we're alright, we're going to continue to be alright and eventually I'll be back online to communicate with you all and get back to the exercise and my blogging full time again. I would like to say I'm getting exercise though! Ha ha this packing and lifting is HARD. Unfortunately I've eaten my cares away and have had to start over with not eating out or shoveling in cupcakes.

Love to you all.....

A Hospital Stay During Our Anniversary.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Posted in In The Family Room

Hi everyone,

Been away because my husband has been in the hospital for a few days. He's been dealing with an issue for the past two weeks which have caused him to drop to the floor with high blood pressure, dizziness and tossing his cookies. We thought it was something that would pass, but it's been happening WAY TOO MUCH.

We found ourselves at a local hospital near my parents on Friday, where one of his spells happened yet again and Sunday during lunch, he felt the same way so we took him to the ER of the hospital he works at.

We were concerned because His family has history of heart attacks and strokes. Praise God we FINALLY has the cardiologist consult of all his exams which said he was clear of any Heart issues.

Bad side to this? He STILL has the same dizziness and high blood pressure symptoms he had when he came in. However, They released him.

I made an appointment with the Ear, nose and throat specialist with hopes he'll be able to tell us if it is an inner ear problem (he's had tubes at a young age) or or balance issues.

After that, I made an appointment to the Chiropractor to see if he can't clear up the issues. Believe it or not, Chiropractors can rid symptoms of ear infections, some balance issues with dizziness and blood pressure issues. While he's there, I'm going in too. I have ALOT of stress on my back and neck. I need to get cracked REALLY BAD!

The 9th was our 8th anniversary and while my husband was in the hospital sick, I certainly am glad that he was cleared of any heart or stroke issues. We were supposed to have dual massages by fireside...but instead we're having pressure released by Chiropractor. Prase God! It's better than nothing right? it will still be of some great release.

Keep in mind, I'm packing and we're moving little by little in with his parents while we look for a home of our own.

Please keep pray that we would have strength for the road ahead, for our health, moving experience, that we would allow ourselves to hold our tongues when we get frustrated with one another, Oh, and also for wisdom, guidance and favor over our mortgage broker during a time that is pretty unpredictable. While we have faith God will provide, we KNOW that in the end, our HOME is in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has a BIG house with many rooms and we await that moment in time.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to the plan He has for us, are grateful for Doug's parents allowing us to stay with them, and pray we would bless them with our hearts, spirits and graciousness for all they've done for us.

What a God we serve.

In the Meantime, I pray you are all doing well and that you are blessed by God's presence as you go about your days. May He comfort and guide you, give you strength along the way and Victory. May you acknowledge Him in good times AND in bad, and ALWAYS remember that He loves you and is with you wherever you go. In Jesus Mighty name I pray....AMEN

Happy New Year - To My Blog Readers!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

I thought I'd step in for a quick moment. Things have been busy on our end and we're preparing for spring with a few interesting surprise turns for 2009. I'm unsure what God has planned for us in the upcoming months, but one thing I DO know....He is good and will never foresake us. Looking back, there hasn't been a moment he hasn't touched our lives, given us continued hope and sustained our every need. To Him be the glory now and forever.

Doug and I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2009. May You continue to count your blessings and KNOW that God loves you.

I am grateful for all who have blessed my life just by their presence. Both In real life AND on the internet. I am truely blessed with those who choose to share their lives with me and pray that I may bless you each as much as you have with me. I haven't been able to visit all of my commenters this week, but know that you are in my thoughts and I plan to visit you each soon.

Happy New Year Everyone! May God continue to Abundantly Bless You.

Christmas With The One I LOVE
Friday, December 26, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

This Christmas was the most wonderful Christmas I've ever had. We cuddled together, slept, made a special Christmas dinner, reflected on the TRUE meaning of Christmas...(you can find "why" I celebrate Christmas in a post below), and watched a Christmas movie together snuggled with the dogs.

It was simple, it was quiet, it was blessed and it was certainely something I enjoyed doing. I think we'll be doing this again as our own traditional Christmas. I just enjoyed the simplicity of it all, yet I also enjoyed spending time with my husbands family and my family as well (though there is usually my dads side on Christmas day which gets missed too).

I'm grateful to God that He gave us this opportunity and we hope to continue our simple, yet comfy Christmas Celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

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Christmas Eve 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

Christmas Eve is ALWAYS one I love to remember. I enjoy spending it with my parents and the light-heartedness of the Lounsbury side makes things so easy to enjoy. We already know we're not perfect, but boy do we know there's love there.

I have with great joy, the opportunity to celebrate with 4 generations of women in this photo. All with whom are close and most who call each other weekly if not bi-weekly. It's not often you find families like this.

After we had our regular ziti dinner or sandwhich rolls with fruit and veggie trays, each one of us grabbed a cookie, sat in the "small living area" (Well, it's small with over 30ppl scrunched in) and watched the latest movie my dad put out for Christmas again this year. Pictures with each of us throughout the years together at family functions and holidays each year.

We're a "unique" family, but we sure do love each other.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!

Why "I" Celebrate Christmas - Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"Then saith He (Jesus) unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23, 24)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus). In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:1-6

AND SO, Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:27-31

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

****The above scriptures first and foremost, are THE "living, breathing" Word Of God:

2 Timothy 3:14 - 17 (NLT)
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I celebrate Christmas to Celebrate the Birth of Christ. For without the birth of Jesus through God our Heavenly Father and the Virgin Birth He commanded, There would be NO SAVIOR to bridge the gap between Heaven and Hell for all sinners. We'd have NO WAY other than hell itself. Through His gruesome suffering, He served as the perfection we as humans aren't. He suffered, died, was buried, AROSE and to this day, lives in my heart.

I am NOT perfect, I DO NOT have a perfect life, I fall prey and sometimes commit awful sin, I make mistakes on a daily basis and while I have all these things against me....the ONLY reason I get to heaven is because Christ was BORN and because Christ Died so that I ((AND ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS' life, suffering, death, and ressurection)) will go home to see my ((OUR)) Father in Heaven.

I have a tree in my home with presents under them, I shop for "CHRISTMAS DEALS" and make homemade gifts, I eat wonderful meals, spend time with families...both Christian and NON. I spend Christmas with family who doesn't have a santa, and one who does......but NONE of this is WHY I Celebrate Christmas. I LOVE it, but I KNOW why I celebrate Christmas. It's those very reasons from the Word Of God. I haven't lost site of those things that are important, but cherish those memories with family and friends who allow me to Love God because He is a HUGE part of who I am, with hopes that maybe one day, those seeds will grow through Christ.

God is SO good and I share The birth of a SAVIOR with family and friends who will listen. ALL OF THEM. I would not be who I am today without Christ and love that I not only choose Christmas to celebrate His birth for the Savior and LORD that He is. But I also celebrate daily, knowing that everything He has done, Everything He accomplished, Everything He continues to be.....Is worthy of Acknowledgement, Praise and Glory.

Today, My husband and I spent time alone. I'm grateful for the time because his schedule at work is busy. I understand how precious it is for us both to take time to reflect on the most precious gift we've been given through Christ Jesus.

I am grateful and a humble servant.....cracks and all!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

P.S., I would again, like to extend my invitation to calmly and respectfully share your opinons. I WILL NOT except Anonymous HURTFUL Opinions and reserve the right to delete them. Keep in mind I have information of anyone who posts hurtful remarks through IP Addresses and WILL use them if remarks are hurtful and threatening.

Dickens' A Christmas Carol
Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

Well it's been pretty busy around here. Aside from checking in on the internet daily, I have been knitting two scarves, prepping for cookie making to give away as gifts and trying to read the rest of The Quilters Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini so I can start another book in the series.

Doug and I have also been enjoying our time by watching old Christmas movies each week. It's been fun! My favorite is A Christmas Carol (1938). The 1938 version is THE ONLY one I'll watch. Doug hadn't seen it before and figured if you've seen one, you've seen them all. One thing you'll find, is that they don't make movies like they used to anymore.

While the special affects may have been simple for the times, the acting is AWESOME! Back then, you couldn't use the special affects to pick up where the actor fell short. You had to either BE an actor, or your movie wouldn't sell. I HIGHLY recommend that you rent the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. Not only is the movie the best of it's kind, I also love most things Charles Dickens.

By the way, If your ever in Central NY, How bout taking a visit to Skaneateles, NY where you'll find a plethora of Dickens characters roaming the streets, having roasted chestnuts on an open fire, shop the old shoppes while also listening to Christmas Carols. Weekends only, of course. It just smells like winter around here!

Merry Christmas!

Advent- The Story Of The Jesse Tree
Monday, December 1, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

The Story Of The Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree Graphic Designed by Shalfleet

The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God.

The Israelites through the descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to be a light to the nations. When they were imprisoned by the Egyptians, they cried out to God for deliverance from their oppression. And God responded: "I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry . . . I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them to a good land" (Exod 3:7-8). And so He entered history in a marvelous way to deliver them and bring them into a place where they could worship God and serve Him in peace and joy instead of serving Pharaoh in hard service. God promised to be with them and to be their God, and they would be His people.

But as they settled into the land that God had given them, "they forgot God, their Deliverer, who had done great things in Egypt" (Psa 106:21). As they grew secure in the land, they began to believe that "my power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me these things" (Deut 8:17). Even though God had raised up godly leaders like David, later kings and religious leaders served their own interests, and the people began to worship the false gods of the land. They even gave offerings to the idol ba’al, supposedly the god of rain and fertility of the land, thanking him for the prosperity they enjoyed.

But God grieved because "she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for ba’al" (Hos 2:8). God had "planted [them] as a choice vine from the purest stock" (Jer 2:21) and had expected them to grow and flourish and carry out His purposes in the world. But they had degenerated into a wild bush with worthless fruit.

Because they had forgotten God, they also forgot the call of God to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Mic 6:8). God sent prophets to warn them of the consequences of failing to be His people. Amos warned them to "seek me and live" (5:4). Through Jeremiah, God promised them that if they would turn from their wicked ways He would bless them and be with them in the land (7:5-7). But he also said: "Take heed, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation" (6:8).

Some of the people longed for new leaders, a new "anointed" (Heb: meshiach; Eng: messiah) shepherd king like David who would help them to become what God had called them to be. But most of the people would not listen. They continued to worship the idols of ba'al. They continued to cheat the poor, steal from each other, neglect the needy, and do all manner of evil.

So God let them go their own way and suffer the consequences of their choices. The Babylonian armies came and destroyed the temple, the city of Jerusalem, the land, and took the people into slavery. The choice planting of God that had such promise, that God had tended so carefully and encouraged to grow, was cut down and became a mere stump (Isa 5:1-10).

But God did not give up on this people! Even though they had disobeyed, even though they had forsaken God for other gods, even though they had miserably failed to be His people and to let Him be their God, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob still loved them. He had made a commitment to these people that He would not allow to be undone even by their rejection of Him.

He had already told them this through the prophets, but they had not understood then. Jeremiah had promised a day when God would again plant and build (31:28). And Isaiah had spoken of a time when God would cause a new shoot, a new king, to spring from the cut-off stump of the lineage of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). During the Exile, suffering under the consequences of sin, they had little reason to suppose that God would do anything new. Still, the old promises echoed across the years, even if they could not believe them or even understand them.

In spite of their failures, in spite of their inability to envision a future beyond exile, there came a time when the prophets again announced a new thing, proclaiming "good tidings" to the people: "Here is your God!" (Isa 40:1-11). The Exile was ended! God would bring back to life a nation that was already dead (Eze 37). Long ago they had been slaves in Egypt, with nothing they could do to change their condition, and yet God had chosen to deliver.

So now, in the midst of their failure and hopelessness, God had again entered history as Deliverer. They would have another chance to be His people, not because they had earned it, no more than they had deserved it the first time; but simply because God in His grace had chosen to forgive.

They returned to the land. But across the years, they again struggled to obey and live up to their calling. They would never again slide into the worship of false gods. They had learned that lesson. But the great kingdom that they dreamed of restoring remained only a dream. They had hoped for a new king like David to lead them into a glorious future in which they would rule the world. They hoped to throw off the control of the Greeks and later the Romans and become a great nation. But it didn’t happen. And they became disillusioned and discouraged.

So, they again hoped for God to raise up a new king, a new messiah, to deliver them from the oppression of the world. They longed for peace and deliverance from the tyranny of a sinful world. The prophets again brought the word of God to them, and promised a newness. Even though they struggled to understand and believe, they held onto the hope that the same God who brought slaves out of Egypt, and who brought exiles out of Babylon, could bring Messiah into the world!

We know the rest of that story. God was faithful to that promise, and a new King was born in Bethlehem. So we can exclaim with the old man Simeon: "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all people, a light of revelation to the nations, and for glory to your people Israel!" (Luke 2:30-32).

But we also know that the world is still with us. Even though we can have Peace and Joy through the presence of Jesus Christ, we still long for deliverance from the oppression of sin in the world. We long for the full reign of the King, and the Kingdom of Peace that He will bring. So, while we celebrate the birth of the Branch, the new shoot from the stump of Jesse, we still anticipate with hope the Second Advent, and await the completion of the promise.

The Jesse Tree helps us retell this story, and express this hope.

Sharing The Gift Of Thanks
Thursday, November 27, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

It's officially Thanksgiving and I couldn't go without wishing friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving from Doug and I.

As we start our turkeys, prepare the trimmings and open our homes for guests and loved-ones to arrive, lets not forget the things we are thankful for today. We all have SO much to be thankful for. I look at my own menu and as I saw the news today on those who are going without, I am reminded of just how much we actually have.

Believe it or not, we've actually cut down on some things, yet as we dig in to our apple and pumpkin pies, I am reminded of those who go without, others who haven't any loved ones to celebrate with, those without warm clothes and even those who's family members are away serving our country.

Lets take the time to reach out to someone in our lives, whether it be a neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or even donating to charities and fundraiser's this year. You each make the difference and have a special gift.

I have much to be thankful for this year and I am most grateful to God for His unconditional loving-kindness. but also for the protection on family and friends and the blessings He gives us all each day. Life isn't always easy, but it's His kind and gentle hand that reaches out and gives us hope that we may share that hope with others.

May you all be blessed each day, May He continue to love and guide you through the joys and trials, May He work within you to strengthen you, grant you peace, comfort and most importantly may you share all you have with much love and thanksgiving, in Jesus Mighty name.

I leave you with an uplifting scripture during this time of Thanksgiving. May you all know that you are loved deeply!

Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God:
It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise;
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endures to all generations. ~Psalm 100

Thanksgiving Traditional Menu...
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

Mrs. Joseph Wood has sent out an email asking what those on her list have for Thanksgiving and the stories those dishes bring with them. I thought I would share here as well.

Dot (my nickname for my grandpa), Gramma and me

Hello Dear Friends!

We've invited my inlaws over for Thanksgiving this year. It will be the four of us because my mom is working, and my dad usually gathers with his brothers and sisters. This years menu is:

Turkey

Hubbard Squash mashed with herbs, butter, salt and pepper

Herbed mashed potatoes

Daddy's Homemade bread stuffing with Jimmy Dean Sausage and Sage

Garlic Sautee'd Swiss Chard

Paula Deans fresh cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier

Fresh Apple Pie

My mother in law is bringing Pumpkin Pie.

My family tradition when I was young, was having my whole family at my grandparents house for the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Since we're Irish, we'd have the regular mashed potatoes, my favorite has always been the Hubbard Squash, the cranberry sauce along with the stuffing my dad continues to make from scratch.

I enjoy the holiday season because it brings back such lovely memories for me. I recall my gramma handing me a dish towel and having me turn on the record player in the kitchen. It was a HUGE buffet type stand that if you opened the top, had a record player in it. She'd take out Slim Whittman, Povarotti, Tammy Wynett, Patsy Cline or some other record with hymns in it and sing and Daaaaaaaance around the kitchen. She brought so much joy to my heart as she cooked.

My gramma enjoyed having the family in her life. Though she may have made mistakes as most parents do, she tried her best and loved the only way she knew how. I saw a woman who loved her family and loved serving them. I saw her look around and while nobody noticed, oftentimes would brush away a tear of joy as she'd tell me when I'd ask.

She has since passed on, but I'll tell you her legacy lives strong within me. I miss her daily, but I k now she loved her family and I know she'd be proud.

I have since married and started a tradition of my own. Our door is ALWAYS open to anyone who wishes to come. My arms and heart are open to those with no place to go each Holiday Season as my gram and her sister (Aunt Nancy) had done for so many years. I learned so much from those two Matriarchs of our family. I rarely see compassion like that anymore, but I pray in my heart that I can open my home at a moments notice to someone in need as those two women did to many. We take for granted what we sometimes have, when it's gone, we miss it that much more. But each time I make a recipe my gramma once taught me, I am filled with joy that a piece of her is within me and I have much to be Thankful for.

So today, I continue to be content with what I have and pray hard that when we have children of our own one day, we'll set good memories for them as well. Continuing to share with one another the blessings that make us each Thankful each year and setting good examples so they may grow to be giving, accepting and share Gods blessings with those around them. God is good!

So what is your menu? Do you have special memories and traditions that continue in your own homes? Please share them with me here!

Blessings!

Temper, temper...Update on the ghostly stove
Monday, November 10, 2008

Posted in In The Family Room

Good Grief!

It takes ALOT to get my temper rising. Someone thrashing scripture to hurt in the name of Christ, intentionally hurting someone, assuming when the person knows nothing or people not following through with promises they make. All of which I get REALLY irritated over time with and when it finally comes to, WATCH OUT!

I've had quite of few of those days over the past few months. Now not everything is everyone elses falt I will admit, but by golly, a question that runs through my mind quite a bit is why people can't say what they mean and mean what they say.

Today that question lingered even more. Remember that issue a few posts back having to do with the stove turning on it's own? I called the emergency hotline of the townhome I live at and the maintenance manager said everything was alright and that he'd be back on Monday to take care of things.

Meanwhile, everytime the oven went on, the range hood ((all four)) would start clicking and sparking ALL THE TIME and stay on, even if the oven wasn't on, the pilots would start clicking and turning themselves on ALL DAY LONG.

Kinda dangerous don't ya think? Now I'm a homemaker, so I had no where to go thank goodness. But imagine if I had left the home and the sparks ignited something around my countertop. Do you think sparks would cause a fire and potentially harm not just our home with our puppies, but the neighbors homes around us who have children? Would that be an emergency do you think?

Apparently NOT for John the Maintenance supervisor. He decided NOT to show up this morning. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and waited and waited and waited and waited.....the pilots had gone out again so I thought I was safe. Until I decided to have oven steamed salmon with oven steamed asparagus. It was fine until mid way through.....I heard a crack and then looked over. I didn't see anything...a minute later...Crack, crack, crack....Pff! There they go again...this time they're NOT stopping.

I called the 800 number and let them know I hadn't heard from John and asked them to call him again. I waited and waited and waited. NOTHING. It was pretty late for someone to be at the apartment office, so I thought I'd call one of the offices that takes newbies around to see the place. Apparently the night person said that there has been problems with this guy for awhile. TELL ME ABOUT IT. It's NOT the first time I've dealt with this guy! She called the manager of ALL of the apartments and let them know about whats going on......He in tern called John and asked him to come back and fix what he promised to fix.

No sooner I got off the phone, another call comes in. It's the answering service. "Maam, John is sorry he didn't come as promised today but he wont be coming until Thurs. or Fri." That's when it happened...I lost my temper. You tell him to get here IMMEDIATELY!! I cannot leave the house with all four pilots sparking uncontrollably throughout the day. It's unsafe and EXTREMELY careless! "Sorry maam, nothing we can do".

I called my husband screaming and crying...I hadn't been able to eat all day because I was afraid to use the stove, we were out of coldcuts, bread, etc. All I had on hand is what I had to thaw out and cook. I'm a diabetic and my sugar was dropping and I was moody and scared!

I also called the nice woman back at the office and she called the manager again who told John to GET OUT AND TAKE THE CALL!

He got here and I LET ER WRIP!!! THREE days it took him, THREE DAYS. He was careless and put the lives of children and other families at risk because he refused to take the "EMERGENCY CALL" seriousely. I may have been more patient and less aggressive if this hadn't happen before.

Last winter, our old neighbor left his gas on in the house ALL DAY. By 11 at night I smelled gas and frantically ran out of the house. None of the neighbors offered to let me in their homes, none showed any form of compassion. I was on my own while my husband was at work and had the car. I called John that time and he literally said it was nothing and go back in the house. It was too far a drive for him to come for something small. I called the gas company because I didnt trust the smell....sure enough, the woman came in my home and it was coming in through our vents through the neighbors home. They had to knock down the doors to neuralize the place.

Because of this dummys lack of follow through, the whole building...maybe even the block could have blown and lives would have been taken.

I let this man know that it was THE LAST TIME. I had called and left a report at the owners office, I had called our County's Housing Authority, I had called the mayors office, and next would be the BBB if the landlord refused to do anything about this man.

I have also written a four page letter documenting everything from this incident to the last few with him and will have it notarized tomorrow and sent certified.

Upon John leaving I let him know that our time was just as valuable as his time was. That he should say what he means and mean what he says.

Furthermore, I told the company the following in my letter to them:

Those who work for a company represent that company they work for.

While I do not wish for anyone to lose their job with the economy the way it is. If they treat human lives carelessly and refuse to be available for true emergency calls because they live too far away or are too lazy to deal with the task, then they should not be given a job they cannot see through to the end. I do not pay 900.00 a month to feel unsafe. It's unfair to those who live here and reckless to guess without actually seeing if the situation is a true emergency.