Sunday, April 10, 2011

SCARIEST 30 seconds of my life...

Yesterday's agenda had only a few "to do" items, and honestly was one of the slowest Saturdays on my calendar in the next few weeks - so I was looking forward to just keeping it slow and steady. I had hosted the teen girls at my home on Friday evening for a youth event - so I knew I had to get them up, fed and out the door by 8:00 a.m. Then I was going to get ready for my day...1) Shopping with my parents and Jenni for a new chair for Dad @ 10:00; and 2) going to Anthony Thomas to see Hayden dressed as the Easter Bunny and a tour of the Chocolate Factory at some point before 3:00 p.m. Like I said, pretty low key.

I arrived at Mom and Dad's around 10:00. While we were waiting for Jenni, Mom offered me a piece of coffee cake (Jenni made it and it's the BEST coffee cake recipe EVER!). I asked for a small piece and Mom warmed her's with butter in the microwave. As we were just starting to enjoy our cake and some catch-up convo (I hadn't had my parents to myself in a few weeks - so I was taking full advantage of that special time!), Mom sat her plate down on the table beside her - said, "Man I got a hot piece", then place her hand on her head. I looked at her and asked if she was okay. She didn't respond - I asked again. Her head slumped down and her body began to briefly tremble. She still was not responding. I continued to forcefully, but as calmly as I could say "Mom, Mom are you okay" - while shaking her shoulder. She still didn't respond. By this point I was in front of her, looking at her square on - calling her name. Her left arm and hand then began to shake. In my mind I thought I was watching my Mom have a Stroke before my eyes. I was scared - but remained calm. She then looked at me - her face was pale, and her beautiful blue eyes were glassy and had great fear in them. She still didn't respond, but her left hand grab hold of mine and held it tight. Then just as quickly as it happened - the color flooded back to her face and she responded..."I got a hot piece." I then sat down again next to her, still holding her hand and asked how she felt. "I feel fine, I just got a hot piece." She then agreed to needing a glass of water. As I walked from the living room to the kitchen, my heart was racing and my legs felt like they were made of jello. Mom quickly sat on the couch, sipping her water and I was itching for Jenni to get there. Dad had called 911 - but when she "snapped" back he told them we were okay. I thought, "You and Mom might be okay - but I'm totally 100% freaked out." I then went outside to cool down, process what I just witnessed and wait for Jenni to arrive. As soon as Jenni arrived, I went to her car, jumped in and lost it - tears were rolling as I was trying to explain what just happened. She jumped out, went in to asses the situation and demanded that Mom be checked out. Mom was very resistant - but we told her it had to happen. So to keep the peace, she went - but told us it was a waste of time. Jenni, Mom and I headed for the ER - while Dad called Steve and Kari. Soon Steve was at the ER and Kari was with Dad at the house. Mom seemed to be right back to herself - but we knew it was very important for her to "be seen"...just to make sure.

We then spent the next four hours in the ER. After blood work, being put on a heart monitor, an EKG, and a CT scan it was determined that the episode was not related to her heart or a neurological condition/issue. Rather a reaction of her Vagal nerve, located in your GI track. Apparently when this nerve reacts it causes stroke like symptoms. This nerve reacts when you eat something that is extremely hot or cold, it drops your blood pressure drop and until your body "resets" itself you experience it exactly what my Mom experienced.

We are so thankful that Mom is fine, now. She got home and went right back to doing what she always does - taking care of Dad, laundry, reading with the grand kids, laughing and just being my absolutely wonderfully beautiful Mom that I love so much. By the way - she was really hoping to finish off that coffee cake, but it was thrown away when one of the grand kids volunteered to do the dishes while Mom was in the ER.

The entire episode felt like it took 30 minutes...but 30 seconds would be more accurate. Either way it was THE SCARIEST 30 seconds of my life.


Mom and I - Summer, 2009 in Panama City Beach

btw...shopping for the chair will be another day, and seeing Hayden as the Easter Bunny will come again next year.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

40 by (May) 2016 – 40 Goals to accomplish by the time I’m 40!!!...

Well my birthday is soon approaching...it's not for another month and a half, but it's on my mind - I LOVE birthdays, especially MINE! Although I must admit I'm not - or I should say, I wasn't - looking forward to this one...its a milestone birthday! And quite honestly, I wasn't happy about it's arrival, because there were two things I wanted most of all to be present in my life by this time - and they aren't. I NEVER thought I would be 35...single (not even a perspective date in sight), and childless. When I was younger and dreamed of life at this age - I dreamed of marriage and a house full of children (4 minimum). But that's not what God has planned for my life, and I've really struggled with this for some time now...more and more as the birthday gets closer.

Each year for my birthday, I get myself a gift...I mean why not? I work hard, stay busy serving with my ministries and serving the Lord, and usually put others before myself - so why not buy myself a gift every once in awhile!! But this year as I've thought about what I wanted - I thought what I would do, is give myself a gift that will take me 5 years to accomplish...that's right 5 years!!! Okay I'll be honest...I usually like the instant gratification, especially when it relates to gifts!! I should note that I'm stealing this idea, sorta, from a fellow blogger - so I must admit the idea is not original to me - but the plan of action is completely original and 100% related to me. I've decided that I would set 40 different goals for myself and work towards achieving each one before I turn 40 in May, 2016. I feel like all of these goals are very attainable and very realistic. Some of these goals are fairly simple and will easily be obtained in no time - while others will take a lot of dedication, hard work and commitment. Some will allow me to use my time giving back to others in ways I've wanted to, but haven't because I am Single - for example, I've always wanted to lead a Ladies Bible Study, but I've never been asked because I'm Single and apparently can't relate to other women - so instead, I'm going to use this desire and my passion for teen girls to lead a Summer Bible Study for girls 8-12th grade - with the hopes of it becoming a yearly "event" each Summer. Some are items that I've just always wanted to do and I've not taken the time to for whatever reason. Some will allow me to enjoy my home and allow others to enjoy it as well - I hate being at home alone. However, God has provided me with a beautiful home that I pay for each month - I need to enjoy it, care for it and I need to use it serve and glorify Him...so instead of keeping myself so busy that I'm never home, I'm going to allow myself time to be at home and also have others into my home on a more regular basis through various things. I'm also going to take some time to learn some things that I've always wanted to learn and accomplish some tasks that I've always told myself I could never do - like change the oil in my car or build something with tools - YIKES!.


My list of goals will be a gift I give to myself - it will allow me to use my desires, passions, gifts and talents to show myself that I do have a place in this world...even if I'm walking alone. So as I accomplish or work towards different goals - I'll blog about it! Which, blogging more is a goal that I've set, because I love it and it allows me to speak, when usually I'm very silent at home...a one way conversation never gets too far!! :)

Spiritual Growth, Ministry or Community Involvement

  1. Lead a Teen Girl’s Bible Study in the Summer for 5 years

  2. Meg’s Meal Ministry - 1) One monthly meal in home with dinner guest(s); 2) One monthly meal provided outside of the home to friends, family, neighbors or those in need; and 3) Provide dinner once a year at the Ronald McDonald House

  3. Get to know my neighbors by name and something about them

  4. Become involved in my Community Association

  5. Memorize 35 different passages (series of verses or whole chapters) of scripture

  6. Start a Hospitality Ministry

  7. Disciple a teen girl one-on-one

  8. Provide monthly support to a missionary or missionary endeavor, with the goal being to support two in the end of five years

  9. Go on a Mission’s Trip and/or spend a week one week one summer working in a Camp Kitchen

  10. Hold a Backyard Bible Club
Educational or Professional

  1. Take and complete two certificate programs @ CSCC

  2. Start my own business
Just to say I can do it…

  1. Build something

  2. Learn how to change the oil in my car
Organization, Arts/Crafts, Hobbies or Life Skills

  1. Try one new recipe each month and blog about it

  2. Create and keep a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly cleaning, household maintenance and seasonal decorating schedule

  3. Host and lead a cooking/entertaining/hospitality class in my home

  4. Grow a container veggie garden

  5. Make smart financial decisions – learn to coupon and reduce my spending

  6. Learn to Can

  7. Learn to sew by hand and with a machine

  8. Re-organize Villa de Megalicious – and simplify

  9. Create 5 original recipes

  10. Grow an herb garden

  11. Remodel my main bathroom

  12. Make homemade gifts for Christmas for each person on my list
Recreational or Healthy Living

  1. Blog…more!

  2. Allow for at least 2 weeknights per week to be at home for the majority of the evening

  3. Allow for one Friday night or Saturday a month for myself

  4. Read 10 new books – outside of books read for Bible studies/ADG classes and blog my review

  5. Implement and keep an exercise routine

  6. Paint my guest room - yes this is in the right spot...if I don't do this soon - I will go crazy(ier); therefore, this falls under Healthy Living!

  7. Attend various festivals in Ohio each spring, summer and fall – that I’ve always wanted to go to but never taken the time

  8. Travel outside of the country

  9. Find an activity to do with each niece and nephew, individually to spend some quality time on a regular basis

  10. Go to Washington DC – preferably in the Spring to see the Cherry Blossom

  11. Learn to not feel guilty when I say “no” or “not right now” - again part of Healthy Living!

  12. Have dinner with all of my siblings, at least once every three months. Just the five of us (including my SIL here!)

  13. Buy and regularly ride a bicycle

  14. Establish and use a Recycle center/system at home - yet again...Healthy Living!
So there you have it...my 40 by (May) 2016!! It's going to be a FUN 5 years!!! On my mark, get ready, get set and...GO!!!!