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I am Sandra - faithful steward. listener. shepherd. dream believer. hard worker. collects brass bells, boots. Jesus follower. contented. star gazer. homemaker. farmer. prayer warrior. country woman. reader. traveler. writer. homebody. living life large.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Man Plans, God Laughs


~ the Cove, looking from the head of the valley ~

How many times have you made plans only to have them changed by "circumstances"? Yeah. Me too. This weekend is a case in point. We had plans but early hours found me moaning and groaning, stumbling along the hall, clutching at my left eye and thinking, "Oh No. Here we go again!"

Do you remember the Gary Larson, The Far Side cartoon where the spider, or perhaps insect, is standing beside the big foot, toes pointed upward and the caption read, "I don't know what happened. All of a sudden it was just coming toward me!" Apparently, someone was stuffing their foot into their shoe where a family of spiders or insects...for the life of me, can't remember which...had taken up residence. Their world turned upside down when "this thing", meaning the toes and foot, came at them like a freight train so they did what Nature means for them to do...they bit. YEOUCH! Man plummets like a stone and the little family is safe, again, for the time being. Some of his cartoons may be seen here although I didn't see "mine". Then again, it's all I can do to see this print so there it is.

Early hours, when my eyes opened, all I saw was a Big Foot coming at my left eye and before I could slam my eye s.h.u.t. BAM! that Big Foot was in my eye. YEOUCH! This time we weren't even horsing around, so to speak, we were coming awake, stretching to greet the day. It's been mentioned Sadie is a Large Dog and Large Dogs, generally, have Large Feet. As soon as her foot connected with my eye, I knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, the cornea was scratched. This has happened three times over the years, the most recent being in 2004 when a different dog paw, but same Ridgeback breed, connected with my eye. The first two times were decades ago when I was trying out a pair of hard contact lenses and found out, the painful way, my eyes didn't want to wear contact lenses.

If you've never cut your cornea, count your blessings. If you have, you know the intense, sheer Pain such an injury brings to the forefront of your consciousness. As soon as we were able, Dave took me to the emergency room where --- Thank YOU, Holy God --- we were the second people in the E. R. AND the E. R. doc was a person who spoke English as a first language. Yeah, I know that's not P. C. but it is the truth and I much prefer living by the Golden Rule than living by P. C. The later changes with the whim of a society while the former stands the test of eternity.

Doctor G. confirmed my diagnosis as cut cornea and eyelid then put in some drops for the pain, followed by some soothing antibiotic cream. He asked if I wanted a pain shot with pain pills to take home. I told him, "probably not" and he said, "I'll give you a few minutes to think about it." Lovely, wise man. In about twenty minutes I was asking Dave "find the doctor Right Now and tell him I WANT the pain medicine everything!" About that time, a nurse came into the room and I told her, "My stupid twin has left the building, Please give me pain medication!" I couldn't see and didn't realize it was a different nurse; Dave said she looked startled and he explained what I meant. Lovely, wise woman brought me a shot of something that covered the pain with fluffy white clouds. Ahhhhhh. For someone for whom aspirin is a Major Medication, her stuff was "interesting"...to say the least.

Today I went to my eye doctor and he said my eye has begun healing nicely and I should be fully recovered by this weekend. It's difficult to see, mainly due to the ointment and pain medication drops I use so I've been listening to audio books, thinking about projects and doing sa bit of web surfing until my eyes becomes too weary to bear the load.

Joni, Old Centennial Farmhouse, had a lovely post about various charities. She had blog hopped to Meadowbrook Farm where she read about Compassion International, I think because Meadowbrook Farm had written a post. Please, forgive me if I erred, it's due to vision difficulties. World Vision is another good ministry that reaches to folks simply because it's what Christ would have us do. Like Joni, I've participated in the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Blessing and love the fact it gives useful gifts, as well as fun gifts, in a shoebox.

Generally, I keep my charitable giving closer to home but this year, Operation Smile keeps coming to me in various ways, so, I'll send "a piece of money", as Dave's Mother used to say, to Operation Smile.

I followed Joni's lead and visited Meadowbrook Farm --- funny aside, my high school was named Meadowbrook, no relation, smile --- and on to My Farmhouse Kitchen were I read of a young entrepreneur raising money for Heifer International. Heifer is another good charity but without a Christian slant. I know that's called non-partisan in political terms but it escapes me what it's called in this instance. I tend to support charities with a Christian focus for what good does it do for a man to gain the world and lose his soul? At any rate, I'm proud of Miss Helen, the young entrepreneur, for selling lemonade and cookies to raise money.

Next was a visit to Flower Patch Farmgirl where I enjoyed her tale of 'husband with camera stalking wife'. I'm almost always the stalker with a camera so it was fun reading her version and visiting a bit with those cute little kidlets.


The Keeping Room has changed her header photo and this one is Beautiful! It was with great sadness I read of the death of her nephew, Michael. My nephew passed away a couple of years ago and while the pain becomes easier to bear, it is never easy; you and yours are tucked into prayer.

Continuing my blog trek, I visited LuLu to enter her give-away.

Sew, Mama, Sew! continues Handmade Holidays III and Giveaway Day! If you have a giveaway, they will post it on their Dec 2 blog entry. It's a cool way to meet and greet in Blogland and I'm joining in. If you're not familiar with Craft Gossip, check them out...lots of great information to be had there. Edward and Lilly, one of my favorites, is having a lovely give-away as well.

Feedsack Fantasy is my kinda gal; she's sending Christmas cards...and to the ACLU no less! What a sweetheart and I'm going to join in! Also, Xerox is sending Thanks to our Troops.

My nephew, Wesley, is in Afghanistan now and I'm knitting Helmet Liners for he and some of his buddies. I found a Patons free instruction pamphlet at Michaels store but there's also a pattern on-line. I picked up a few extra, if you want one and would like to send it to Wesley's unit, let me know and I'll send you a hard copy. If you do knit one for Wesley's unit and want me to include it in my goodie box, send it to me and I'm happy to forward it on to him with a note saying you are the knitter.

David Wilkerson always has a thoughtful entry; well I remember him from his Cross and the Switchblade days in NYC. He ministered to drug addicts in the day when people weren't really quite sure what that meant, exactly, and he also founded World Challenge.

Ann Voskamp always, always touches me with both her pen and her camera. A Holy Experience is just that...holy and an experience. Recently she quoted St. Augustine in Confessions:

"Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, every new, late have I loved you!...
Created things kept me from you;
yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all.
You called, You shouted, and You broke through my deafness.
You flashed, You shone, and You dispelled my blindness.
You breathed Your fragrance on me: I drew in breath and now I pant for you."

Doesn't that just make you absolutely weak?

There are so many other bloggers I'd like to tell you about but it will have to wait for another time. My eyes are weakening so I must use my medications and then rest my eyes. You are special and your visit is appreciated So Very Much; your comments even more so. God bless you.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ Doctor G. ~ vision ~ pain meds ~ antibiotic ointment ~ St. Augustine ~ helmet liners ~ our troops ~

25 comments:

  1. I cannot even imagine the pain of having my eyeball scratched. Egads! Smart doc though!
    I hope you are better soon!

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  2. i'm sorry that big foot came in contact with your eye. i hope it heals quickly!

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  3. I am sorry for you what happened to your eye...:o( I hope you will get better soon! Take care :o)!

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  4. Whew! I could not write anywhere near the post you did with my eye bothering me. I have never scratched my cornea, but have had eye infections and they are no fun. Makes one realize how much many of us take our eyesight for granted.

    Lots of blogs I will need to check out now. I hope your eye is almost healed by now and prayers for you.

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  5. so sorry for your eye deary thank you for visiting my blog! ~ Sarahlynn

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  6. Oh my goodness....I am so glad your eye is going to heal fine. I have a 102lb Labrodoodle that sliced opened my thigh with his big 'ole paw this past summer. These fur babies can do some damage!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
    LuLu~*xoxo

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  7. Sandra...You can give your eyes a rest but feed your spirit by listening to messages right from your computer! I always use sermonindex.com to download incredible sermons. I highly recommend David Wilkerson, Carter Conlon (Wilkerson's senior pastor)and his message titled "Run for Your Life", Paris Reidhead's message titled "Ten Shekels and a Shirt", and Paul Washer's message titled "Shocking Youth Message". These are truly life changing!

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  8. I hope you are still healing nicely. Must have been terrible pain. With newfies, I so understand the damage those big paws can do unintentionally.
    Gary Larson is one of my favorites and your writing brought back memories.
    I have been involved with Compassion for more years than I can remember and the children have brought untold blessings to my life. I have gained so much more than I have ever given.
    I'm headed over to check out the blogs now because all were unfamiliar to me.
    Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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  9. Ohhhh Girl......been there....done that.....please take care.....

    Enjoy(?).....LindaMay

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  10. I pray your eye is better soon, dear. Nothing more disconcerting then not being able to see. Sit back, relax, and let your imagination wander :) When you're up and running again you'll be filled to overflowing with amazing new projects (and if you're like me, that's a constant thing!)

    Thank you, as always, for your kind words on my blog. They make my day, bring a smile to my face, and a breath of fresh air to my stale office :)

    Jen

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  11. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for your kind words.
    We are all grieving over the loss of Matthew, and can take comfort in that he is suffering has ended. Peace to you and all who read this.

    I hope you continue to heal...these furries ARE worth it, but that was scary!

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  12. Well, Sandra, this seals it.....we HAVE to be related. I thought I was the only one in this world that had goofy, out of the ordinary things happen to her!! Rest your eyes and I'll keep you in my prayers for quick recovery and complete healing!

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  13. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog..and for mentioning sweet little Helen and Farmhouse Kitchen on your blog....

    Hope your eye mends quickly...
    It reminded me of when my husband john made a quick move off the couch and our red toy poodle was took a nip splitting Johns lip wide open..yep E.R. and about 7 stitches..he still has the scar...from Buddy....

    Sending special blessings to you at this Thanksgiving..

    I am following along too...

    Kary

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  14. Eeeks. Sorry to hear about your eye, that sounds horrible.
    I like your title though, nearly every time some intricate plan turns to dust my father quotes his grandmother: "how do you make God laugh? Make plans".

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  15. Well you're just going to have to wear goggles from now on! I have never had my cornea scratched, nor do I care to. I have nuff other stuff to worry about.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving, my dear friend!

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  16. Sandra, your sense of humor --even with a dog paw in your eye-- is so amusing. Well, better to laugh than cry, I guess. But even more, your heart speaks to mine. God bless you and restore your vision!

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  17. Oh Sandra, I am so sorry for your pain! I am glad that you got a good ER Doc and nurse with some good pain meds too!!!

    Please do as the doctor says so you can heal quickly!!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  18. Thanks so much for the little feature! I'm often the stalker, myself, although my husband puts me right to shame. He's relentless! ;)

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  19. Oh Sandra, I am so sorry to hear about your eye injury. My Dad had a similiar mishap years ago when I was a kid. It was the first time I ever swaw him cry. Then I knew how much pain he was in. Please take care of yourself and do not wear out your good eye!
    Lovely post as usual. We have been fortunate to participate in couple of these wonderful charities. We also lend a hand in sponsering a family each Christmas that would otherwise not have Christmas. Mostly the children always ask for new clothing for school to fit in with their peers. Oh, I how wish our public schools here had uniforms!!
    We also sponser a pet for adoption and pay all the fees. I love this!

    J and I do not exchange gifts, no need to. We have each other. It's more fun to decide together what to do for others :)

    I wish both you and Dave a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving. And your four-legged critters too!
    Thank you for being a friend, and welcoming me to the world of blogging when I was new!

    Many blessings, Misha, J, and all the critters!

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  20. Happy Thanksgiving dear friend to you, Dave, and all of the inhabitants of Thistle Cove Farm.

    I hope your eye is feeling better. I scratched mine years ago with a contact mishap and it was excruciating. I can't believe you managed such a long and lovely post with that type of injury. Sturdy stuff you're made of lady!

    Take care.

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  21. Wonder what God is teaching you right now with your eye?

    I'm so sorry for your pain and inconvenience. I pray you heal quickly. Blessings this Thanksgiving day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello Everyone and many thanks for visiting. I try to send personal responses but some of you have "no reply" to your comments. If you'd like a personal response, you need to remedy that little situation.
    The eye is healing but very slowly; pain is still intense and it looks like someone socked me in the eye.
    Oh Wait...someone DID sock me in the eye! Sadie did show some remorse as did all the dogs, simply for being in the vicinity, I guess. I'm wearing an eyepatch in the cold, windy weather, sleeping a great deal and wondering what's the lesson? If you've any ideas, let me know, would ya?

    Hope your Thanksgiving was grand!

    Welcome Vicki - don't even try to imagine, it's simply not worth it. The pain is intense, suffice it to say.

    Welcome Life Is Good - thank you and hoping/praying it heals quickly while I'm waiting, waiting, waiting.

    Welcome Timi - thank you and how's the weather in Hungary?

    Welcome Kathy B - any eye owie is no good -grin-; they all hurt!

    Welcome Saralynn - thank you for visiting Thistle Cove Farm; hope you're doing well over there in Eastern VA.

    Welcome LuLu - love your new blog look and YEOUCH on that dog inflicted injury!

    Welcome FarmGirl Cyn - unfortunately I don't have bandwidth to download so have to visit Bob Evans Restaurant, the library, etc. I'll keep your suggestions in mind though; they all sound wonderful. Where we live if we didn't have those "round dishes out back" we wouldn't even hear radio or t.v. much less i-net.

    Welcome Mountain Woman - how's it going in the Ozarks? I think of your move from Vermont and of how y'all are getting along now.

    Welcome LindaMae - did you have snow today? We had a smattering.

    Welcome Jen - I'm still taking it s.l.o.w.l.y. and will for another week. The eye is healing but not as quickly as I'd like -grin-.

    Welcome Firelight - your loss is enormous, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Welcome Becky - yep, we're probably related through that Mace connection.

    Welcome Kary - sometimes it's "amusing" explaining the injuries to the e.r. docs. Over the years, I've had some doozies due to working with the horses and sheep.

    Welcome Thea - so true, So True!

    Welcome Deborah - I did find my safety goggles and they are now close to hand.

    Welcome Lindah - almost always, it's better to laugh than cry!

    Welcome Rebecca - I've been to the eye doc twice since the e.r. doc and am going again tomorrow. Without putting too much on it, it's a rather serious injury. I take one pain tablet at night and that's to help me sleep. If I took them PRN, I wouldn't be able to walk!

    Welcome Flower Patch Farmgirl - loved your story of 'husband with camera stalking'...funny!

    Welcome Misha - I absolutely love how y'all celebrate the HolyDays, it's Spot On!

    Welcome Jules - I'm probably stubborn although that's not how I like to think of myself -grin-.

    Welcome Melanie - that's a GREAT question and I'm still trying to figure out the answer(s). If you've any idea, let me know and thanks for asking, that took courage! We're to uplift each other but sometimes it's easier to skirt the issue, eh? Please come back soon.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello Everyone and many thanks for visiting. I try to send personal responses but some of you have "no reply" to your comments. If you'd like a personal response, you need to remedy that little situation.
    The eye is healing but very slowly; pain is still intense and it looks like someone socked me in the eye.
    Oh Wait...someone DID sock me in the eye! Sadie did show some remorse as did all the dogs, simply for being in the vicinity, I guess. I'm wearing an eyepatch in the cold, windy weather, sleeping a great deal and wondering what's the lesson? If you've any ideas, let me know, would ya?

    Hope your Thanksgiving was grand!

    Welcome Vicki - don't even try to imagine, it's simply not worth it. The pain is intense, suffice it to say.

    Welcome Life Is Good - thank you and hoping/praying it heals quickly while I'm waiting, waiting, waiting.

    Welcome Timi - thank you and how's the weather in Hungary?

    Welcome Kathy B - any eye owie is no good -grin-; they all hurt!

    Welcome Saralynn - thank you for visiting Thistle Cove Farm; hope you're doing well over there in Eastern VA.

    Welcome LuLu - love your new blog look and YEOUCH on that dog inflicted injury!

    Welcome FarmGirl Cyn - unfortunately I don't have bandwidth to download so have to visit Bob Evans Restaurant, the library, etc. I'll keep your suggestions in mind though; they all sound wonderful. Where we live if we didn't have those "round dishes out back" we wouldn't even hear radio or t.v. much less i-net.

    Welcome Mountain Woman - how's it going in the Ozarks? I think of your move from Vermont and of how y'all are getting along now.

    Welcome LindaMae - did you have snow today? We had a smattering.

    Welcome Jen - I'm still taking it s.l.o.w.l.y. and will for another week. The eye is healing but not as quickly as I'd like -grin-.

    Welcome Firelight - your loss is enormous, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Welcome Becky - yep, we're probably related through that Mace connection.

    Welcome Kary - sometimes it's "amusing" explaining the injuries to the e.r. docs. Over the years, I've had some doozies due to working with the horses and sheep.

    Welcome Thea - so true, So True!

    Welcome Deborah - I did find my safety goggles and they are now close to hand.

    Welcome Lindah - almost always, it's better to laugh than cry!

    Welcome Rebecca - I've been to the eye doc twice since the e.r. doc and am going again tomorrow. Without putting too much on it, it's a rather serious injury. I take one pain tablet at night and that's to help me sleep. If I took them PRN, I wouldn't be able to walk!

    Welcome Flower Patch Farmgirl - loved your story of 'husband with camera stalking'...funny!

    Welcome Misha - I absolutely love how y'all celebrate the HolyDays, it's Spot On!

    Welcome Jules - I'm probably stubborn although that's not how I like to think of myself -grin-.

    Welcome Melanie - that's a GREAT question and I'm still trying to figure out the answer(s). If you've any idea, let me know and thanks for asking, that took courage! We're to uplift each other but sometimes it's easier to skirt the issue, eh? Please come back soon.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm late as usual*sigh* I'm sorry to hear of your eye injury and have prayed for complete healing and will continue to pray dear sister. I also praised the Lord that the injury wasn't any worse, it certainly could have been. Our eyes are a precious thing, we realize this because our Dd is blind in her left eye, so we are very careful in protecting her right eye. You rest, keep your eye patched when needed and don't push yourself. Think about your trip and what fun that will be, don't fret about the unfinished sewing and knitting, you'll catch up and if not I'm sure everyone will understand.

    Thank you for you kind words, it means the world to us. Our own parents( Mike's nor mine) never told us they were proud of us. It felt wonderful for you to be the special person to tell us, what a blessing.
    Have a restful and healing weekend
    Kelle

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hope you had a lovley holiday.

    Follow me on my new blog ... had issues with the old one.

    blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com

    We are having a huge GIVEAWAY ending Dec. lst.
    Hugs, Marydon

    ReplyDelete

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