*EDIT below

If you are a fan of rip-roaring thunderstorms, you really should come to Florida during the summer. 

Yesterday's storms were predicted for several hours before they actually got here, so I was able to get outside in the yard to pick up a few things...cardboard boxes that hadn't made it into the garbage can, a piece of tubing that will eventually be part of our central a/c system, and a watering can.

I also moved a bag of playground sand, then later wondered if that was such a good idea.  After I came back inside, I kept feeling twinges all over - my upper back, my hip, my lower back.  I am happy to say, however, that as of this morning, all is well!  Nothing seems to be any the worse for wear.  I think I am just starting to use muscles that have been dormant for a while, and they were protesting my use of them.  How dare they???

Hey, are you looking for a good mystery to read this summer?  Here's a review of one by my bloggy friend Cheryl at Copperswife.  I'm always excited to get a "thumbs up" on a good mystery series!

I was happy to be able to tackle a good deal of the laundry yesterday.  Doug has been doing most of the laundry on the weekends, except for the week my mom was here.  It's just too much for me to sort, then carry the clothes to the washer; and then the stretching and bending to move it from washer to dryer was not a task I could do either.  So, it was nice to be able to do some of it by myself yesterday.  Now, mind you, I still have a large stack of undies and pjs sitting on the end of my couch, but still...some of it got finished. 

Isaac had a drowsy, slow-moving day yesterday.  I'm not sure what's going on with him.  I'm hoping that he was just recovering from his busy day of therapy on Wednesday.  He was certainly in a good mood, though, and we laughed and giggled all day long.  His laughter is so contagious...I don't even try to stop myself.  It does good like a medicine...and that is good for both of us!

Well, I have several things on my to-do list for today.  One of those is to make my weekly visit to the chiropractor.  Hopefully, that will go smoothly, and I'll be back home to finish that to-do list soon.

I pray that you have a great weekend, and that you are able to assemble with like-minded believer's in church on Sunday.  If you have no plans to attend, I heartily recommend that you change those plans and be in the Lord's house if you physically can.  Your spirit will be fed by the preaching of the Word of God, and you will be encouraged by the fellowship with other believers.

Blessings,
Alesha

*Edited to add:  when I returned home from the chiropractor, my mom had swept the house and folded all that laundry!!!  Whooo hooo for mamas!!!

Today, for the first time in over 2 months, I woke up with a bit of energy!

I was able to work in the kitchen, only stopping to feed Isaac and take out the dog, for about an hour and a half this morning.  I have not been able to do that in such a long time!  Praise the Lord!

I am still in considerable pain.  My chiro explained that it is nerve pain I am feeling, from disks in my back that are inflamed, pinched or damaged.  We're not sure which, but are not going to spend a lot of money finding out right now.  The best thing for my back right now is periodic adjustments, continued weight loss, an optimal diet and moderate exercise.  For now, my exercise is working in my house, something I haven't been able to do for a while.

We are continuing on our Hallelujah Diet, although it has not been easy the past several weeks.  We are juicing our carrots and taking our barley and all of our daily supplements.  They really do help us to feel so much better when we do that every day.

Here's a little something I thought you would enjoy:

The scales were kind to me; but they were downright extravagant to Doug!   I am down 3 more pounds, giving me a total of 26 pounds lost. 

Doug is down 13 more pounds, with a total of 64 pounds lost!!!

I told him I wanted to poke him in the eye for that; but not really.  I am so happy for him that he is feeling better and getting healthy.

Isaac's blood work went fine, although they did have to poke him twice.  The nurse apologized profusely, as she works with children all the time, and really tries to make that first needle count.  Isaac didn't cry though.  Daddy was holding him, and he knew all was well.

I visited a new bead shop today, and oh wow!  I was impressed!  And they do classes!!!   I am contemplating one near the end of the month that teaches soldering of sterling silver.  Wouldn't that be fun????  Yep, definitely going to pray about that class.

That's it for today. 

Blessings to you and yours,
Alesha

Little Ewan passed away this morning.  Please continue to pray for the family. 

Both the daughter and granddaughter continue to be in an induced come.  The granddaughter is now suffering from a respiratory infection and has not been able to have the first skin graft surgery.  This makes the risk of infection greater.

Our God, however, is greater!  Thank you for carrying these to His throne.

Alesha