By The Grace of God...

(I don't know why part of this post is underlined. I can't figure out how I did it or how to undo it - so please bear with me!)


Pffffffffffffff. Tap*Tap Pffffffffffffff.

Is this thing on?

Good Day, Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to my Groovy blog!

I guess I can extend that welcome to myself as well, since I haven't been here in so long.

Much has happened in the past few months. Since I do plan to begin writing regularly again, I shall give you a brief overview in photos and exclamation marks.

Hmmm, now where should I start?

OK...first of all, God has given me so many hugs lately that I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I don't know why He is so good to me, but I do know that He is worthy of all my praise - in good times (like now) and in bad. He is my rock and my King forever! Lately, He has graciously chosen to bless me with several desires of my heart.

First, and most importantly, Funsocksgirl called us with some very exciting news. She and J-Man are expecting a baby! Our first grandchild from them! (I have 3 other grandchildren that are my son's precious kiddos)

See, here's the proof!







Naturally we are VERY excited!!!!!!

Secondly, those of you who have been faithfully reading my blog for many millennia know that I love dairy goats. The girls and I have been involved with dairy goats in 4-H for 6 years now - other people's dairy goats. I have wanted my own for a very long time, but The Best Hubby Ever was opposed. Farm animals take too much time, cost too much, are too much trouble, yadda, yadda, yadda.

But over the past few years, as our passion has continued and as I've gained experience as a farm sitter and as the BHE has fallen in love with goat milk cheese, God has been slowly changing his heart. The final result being that we now have a small barn and pen and TWO goats of our very own!

Here's the new barn and pen that the BHE and our dear friend Pastor Jon built together.
And this is Miss Mindy with Silly-Head and Girly-Girl. Mindy is an older Nubian. She is supposed to be pregnant, but, unlike Funsocksgirl, she does not seem to be showing any signs thereof. We are leasing her for the summer. In exchange, we were supposed to get to keep her kids. But sadly, there are no kids.
So for a few days, she was here all alone and oh so stressed! Goats are herd animals and do NOT like being alone. She called and called and called and wouldn't eat. It was so sad! Fortunately, my friend EarlyBird has a goat farm. She said she lease us a companion for Mindy. See her in the back of the pen?

Her name is Annika (We call her Annie). She's a miniature dairy goat - a Nigerian. They didn't like each other much at first, but now they get along fine. We have the option to buy Annie in the fall after she has been bred. That way we can have her and some kids and finally get some goat milk.


By the way - and this is very hush-hush - so don't tell anyone: The BHE is totally smitten with this little goat. He-who-hates-animals LOVES her! He even likes our Mindy who is not pregnant and will not give us milk!

Isn't God good?

Here they are together. The picture is a little blurry, but I wanted you to see the size difference. They are both full grown.

And thirdly, I finally did it. I rode my bicycle 180 miles in the Trek Across Maine to raise money for the American Lung Association. I've been TRYING to do this for 5 years now.

Year 1: I tried to ride, but I hadn't trained adequately. I was absolutely miserable and totally exhausted. I quit after Day 2 and ended up working as a volunteer instead.

Year 2: I jumped into training too quickly and strained my achilles tendon. I couldn't train for over a month, so I decided to volunteer for the whole weekend instead while the BHE rode.

Year 3: I did a super job a training and was in GREAT shape for the Trek. However, 2 weeks before the Trek I noticed some discomfort in my left leg after a lengthy ride. It went away and I thought all was well. On Day 1 I rode. It was pouring and many folks were hypothermic, but I love riding in cool weather. I was so excited at how easy it all seemed. Sadly, in the last 20 miles of the ride, the leg pain returned and got worse and worse and worse. By the time crossed the finish line it hurt so bad I had trouble walking and stairs were murder. We had a dorm room on the third floor... I took a boatload of ibuprofen and iced my leg and hoped for the best.

I only made it 12 miles on Day 2. By then I was in so much pain I had to flag a medic. A SAG van took me to the finish. I volunteered for the rest of the Trek. I was depressed for weeks after the Trek. I felt like such a failure!

It gets very disheartening to see folks who are grossly overweight or who never train who ride the whole stupid event like it's nothing. I kick my butt trying to be ready and just can't do it. I was in a depressed funk for weeks and weeks.

Year 4 (Last Year): I had a severe allergic reaction in March and ended up on prednisone. Prednisone completely wastes me, so training was out of the question for well over a month. I didn't even try to ride. The BHE rode and I volunteered. Again.

Year 5 (THIS year): I started training in the middle of winter by running on the treadmill and lifting weights. I increased my distance and speed little by little in an effort to avoid injuries. I started riding when there was still snow on the ground. Unfortunately, we had alot of rain. So I tried to fill in the gaps with walking, running, and weight lifting. When I did finally get to ride, I felt great aerobically, so I increased my riding distance too quickly and, guess what? I started feeling that leg pain again.

I immediately backed off and did some research. The Lord led me to a fabulous website that helped me figure out that pain was patellar tendonitis. The website also gave me some wonderful info on how to treat it myself and how to alter my riding style to prevent it.

I was just starting to get a handle on the tendonitis when I had a bad reaction to the sun. Which meant that now I could not ride in sunny weather. Which we now had alot of. Yee-haw. I was able to treat it with a prescription steroid cream instead of prednisone, but now I was becoming seriously concerned about the weather during the event. I knew I could cover pretty much all of me except my face and neck. Sunblock helps, but does not provide complete protection. After much MORE research I found the answer: Take mega doses of beta carotene and buy a UV Buff. I ordered one from the UK and it didn't get here until 2 days before the Trek!

AND my period was due JUST before the Trek. I am perimenopausal and my periods are ugly affairs that make me pretty much worthless for a couple of days a month. I literally cannot exercise during those couple of days...

Needless to say, I was on an emotional roller coaster. Could I actually do it this year or was I going to "fail" again. One minute I'd cry and want to throw in the towel and the next minute I'd have a calm assurance that God really was making a way for me. After all, I was already in great physical condition. He had helped me find the info I needed to work on the tendonitis. He had helped me find the Buff and the info on beta carotene. He actually put me in a position of forced rest from biking (hello! Sunny Days!) so my tendon could heal. He worked in my body so that my period started a full week early. He helped me raise over $1,000 so I could be in the "Winner's Circle". Many, MANY people prayed for me. And He gave me a Scripture - Psalm 20:
¹ May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! ² May He send you help from the sanctuary And support you from Zion! ³ May He remember all your meal offerings And find your burnt offering acceptable! ⁴ May He grant you your heart’s desire And fulfill all your counsel! ⁵ We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions
⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
⁷ Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
⁸ They have bowed down and fallen,
But we have risen and stood upright.
⁹Save, O LORD;
May the King answer us in the day we call.

Wow...It still makes me cry to read this. I truly felt He was speaking to me and yet I felt guilty and unworthy. There are people going through cancer and earthquakes and floods and tornadoes and dead loved ones. Why should He care about my insignificant desire to ride a bicycle.

And yet, He did. Not only did I ride the whole Trek, but I never had any trouble at all with my leg. My hands never went numb. My feet never hurt. I had one minor reaction to the sun and one application of the cream stopped it completely. My muscles did get tired, but they never got sore. Even today, after riding 180 miles over some incredible hills, I feel terrific! In fact, if I wasn't just a tad saddle sore (some chaffing, you know!) I'd be thrilled to ride a few more miles.

God. Is. So. GOOD!!!!!

The Trek went right past our house on Day 2. See what the girlies made for us? Take special notice of the balloon bicycle. Silly-head is getting quite talented with her balloon work!


And here I am. At the FINISH. With my MEDAL.
Because, by the grace and goodness of God, I DID IT!!!!!!!!


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You Probably Thought Groovy Was on Vacation, But She Wasn't...

Only my typing was on vacation. The rest of me has just been caught up in a whirlwind of spring craziness.

Let's see if I can make a random list in no particular order of all that we've been doing so that you'll be impressed and will say, "Oh my! You are SO busy!", which is what folks usually say when I make posts like this which kinda makes me think so what's the point ? but I'll do it anyway because it gives me something to say and my, oh my, isn't this an intolerably long sentence?

Whew.

- Rode my bike somewhere between 52-55 miles in 7 days. That's a good start, but I'd like to get in 70 miles this week and 80-100 miles every week thereafter. You can read more about my progress, roadblocks, and a special blessing from God HERE. You can donate to the American Lung Association there as well, or in my sidebar on this blog. Thanks for all your moral and financial support!

- Mulletman and I led worship and gave a concert yesterday at a small local church. We have an old Dylan song called "Satisfied Mind" that always gets a tremendous response.

No, I DON'T sing it like Dylan! Our style is old time, hard core blues - 'cause that's what you get when you put your trust in your bank account instead of in the God of the universe!

- We practiced and PRACTICED for the afore mentioned concert/worship service.

- We had 4-H:

Girly-Girl is working on her leadership skills, so she made a poster of how to prepare for a 4-H goat show. Then she and Silly-Head and another friend taught the info to the other children.



Here are the girls with their new goatlings. These little buggers are Nigerian Dwarfs - not my favorite breed, but they are, of course, adorable when they're kids.

Silly-Head with Zoe.


Girly-Girl with Zemmaline.


-We had the requisite Easter family gathering. After a lovely Easter church service where Girly-Girl sang in the kids' choir (sorry no pics, stupid camera!), I baked a ham and some awesome herb rolls and coleslaw and GrammaJ made dessert and Grammy cooked up lots of veggies. The guest list included the four of us (duh!), all 3 folks, Uncle Grumpy-Pants, Pretty Mom and my 3 adorable and never annoying grandchildren.

It was wonderful day!

Here's Ji-Ji. He looks a maniacal, but it's the best picture I mananged to get of him during the playing-in-Gramma's-basement chaos.

This is Cookie trying out the disgustingly dusty school desk that will be refurbished for her in a year or two.


And here's Fireball in one of her quieter moods.


Oh...and Easter? That's usually when the girlies beg me to make them Easter dresses and I wimp out, BUY them shirts, and sew them skirts instead.


-This week we also went to the nursing home and had a fabulous time leading walker aerobics.

Just kidding!

We sang to the residents and doled out numerous hugs. To tell the truth, I don't think the folks there give a rat's whisker whether Early-Bird and I come, but OH how they love all the little girls we bring; my two, Early-Bird's Peanut, and two other little homeschooled sweeties. The girls make cards and tissue paper flowers. They sing and talk childish talk and hug the residents. My girl always bring a doll or stuffed animal to show off. It's great fun! I'm starting to think of it as one of my favorite activities!

-We worked on quilts for the orphans in Swaziland. We have dear friends there who run an orphanage and work with a local church. Two other friends are planning an excursion there in June, so the rush is on to get quilts made before they leave so they can take them in their luggage. This quilt is almost finished:


-This week I also did a slew of chored for GrammaJ and took her on a marathon shopping trip and had her over here to visit on both Easter and yesterday.

-I manage to contract a stupid cold. I am fighting said cold for all I am worth with vitamin C, elderberry syrup, and zinc gluconate!

-I cleaned my house.

- I had school with the girlies.

- I wrote a song.

- I prayed for North Africa.

- I researched language programs; Mulletman and I are considering studying Arabic. Anybody have any recommendations?

- Somewhere in there I cooked and planned and talked to people, bathed, brushed my teeth, lifted weights, greeted "Aunt Flo", delivered Pampered Chef from that party I may or may not have had, and slept. Happily for me, Mulletman did all the laundry!

-I noticed that Girly-Girl had a harvest to reap! (We shall eat that WHOLE green bean for lunch today!)





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Things that I did not do this past week but hope to do soon:

- I did NOT hear from Scout. I miss him!


-I did not spruce up and refine the song I wrote.

-I did not write to Misti in China or Pinky in India.

-I did not write on either of my novels.

-I didn't take a day to just "goof off".

-I didn't dig up the veggie garden.

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OK...enough about my groovy self. In between today's to-do list I'll be by to see what YOU've been doing!
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Lastly - a take away from yesterday's sermon at the church we sang at:

Every morning when you get up, ask the Lord W. H. A. T. He wants you to do that day; ask Him to be Lord of your Words, your Heart, your Actions, and your Thoughts.

Bleh...Continued

Well, after 5 full days of prednisone I have to say BLEH! I am SO thankful that I don't have a condition that would require me to take this long term. My face is swollen, my legs are swollen, my gut is miserable, I have ZERO energy, I am depressed, and I still itch (though definitely not as badly!).

The dose is decreasing today, so hopefully that will lift some of the side effects.

And in the midst of my whining, I can't stop thinking about my friend Chris who has throat cancer. He's undergoing chemo and radiation and the severe nausea is preventing him from keeping anything down. Please pray for him and his wife Trish. They've already been through trials galore - and this is a biggie. My little run in with pool chemicals is nothing in comparison, though it does remind me daily (hourly!) to pray for Chris and Trish!

So:

- I'm thankful I didn't have this reaction in the Summer. We have no AC and sweating intensifies the itching!

- I'm thankful that this is TEMPORARY and TRANSIENT and NOT life threatening. For me, this is just an uncomfortable bump in the road of life. It is not cancer.

-I'm thankful that God can use my own discomfort to remind me to pray earnestly for others!

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Hard to think about bike riding when I'm shuffling from one room to the next, but I must. Worked my abs yesterday and did 12 push-ups, then took a nap. ;-) I have ambitious plans for whipping my body into shape after this allergy/prednisone mess...

We're still raisng money for the Trek Across Maine and the American Lung Association. You can donate by clicking the link(s) at the top of my sidebar.

Thanks.

Now I need to go teach school. I think it will be something like,"Here, go watch all the educational videos on National Geographic. Then the girls can draw pictures or something. Yeah, that sounds good.

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Some Sad News, Some Happy News, and Some S.A.D. News

OK folks, I covet your prayers for Mr. Snowblower (even though coveting is a sin).



He's in the snowblower hospital being evaluated for major surgery or perhaps even an assisted suicide.

He and Mulletman were cheerfully clearing away the remnants of the last storm when suddenly he (Mr. Snowblower, not Mulletman) grabbed his left shoulder and collapsed (figuratively speaking). I had to help Mulletman heft him up into the mini van and I can assure you that he (Mr. Snowblower, not Mulletman) was unable to help us at all - pure dead weight.

It's that bad.

Yes, I know he's a blow hard, but he's an intregal part of our Groovy family here and we wouldn't know what to do without him, especialy in the winter! In MAINE!

And it snowed all night last night.

AND it's supposed to snow more today.

AND Mulletman's brother, Uncle Pickle-Nose is supposed to be flying in from California today for a Christmas visit.

Where'd I put the phone number of Plow Guy?



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And Looky what just came in the mail!



Those cute little ornaments are from Terri at Lakewood Manor as part of Kathleen's Christmas ornament swap. Thank you, Terri!

And now I have to apologize that Terri does not yet have her ornaments from me. I was feeling quite guilty about this until yesterday. I have been having a truly horrible time trying accomplish anything this month.

This is not because I have been lazy, nor because I have been overbooked. It is not because I have been purposely procrastinating nor because I am a poor time manager. It is because I suffer from S.A.D..

I've experienced the symptoms of S.A.D. for several years now and about 3 years ago I started a regimen of taking St. John's Wort from early October through mid-March. That helped me tremendously. Until this year. This year it's really bad.

I have trouble getting up in the morning. I am EASILY overwhelmed. I feel exhausted all the time. I fight constantly with negative thoughts and feelings that people said or did things "on purpose". I, who am usually obnoxiously optimistic, struggle with hopelessness. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I'm having a tough time keeping the girls rolling with school. I'm completely undone emotionally by two simple sewing projects - one of them being the ornaments I'm making for Terri and my 2 pay-it-forward gals. I want to eat all the time and if Mulletman wasn't holding me accountable I sure as heck would not be working out several times a week! (Good thing I am or I would have gained several pounds by now!) I don't want to clean my house and the thought of fixing food for Christmas makes me want to hide in a closet until everyone goes away.

I was beating myself up over all this until I realized that it's the S.A.D. and that it is, indeed, worse this year. I wonder if this has anything to do with my sun "allergy" and my need to stay out of the sun in the summer. Usually, Mainers are out and about soaking up all the rays they can in the warmer months, and I haven't been able to do that this past two years.

Maybe I could get a research grant to check the connection between Polymorphic Light Eruption and S.A.D.!

And maybe not.

So ladies, I WILL get those ornaments out to you, but please be patient with me...

In the meantime, Mulletman and I are looking into purchasing a Light Therapy Box that is used for treating S.A.D. They're quite expensive though, so I'm seeing if our insurance will pay the price tag for us. Of course that means I'll need a doctor's visit and an order to use one. And they'll probably want me to have a complete physical and won't be able to schedule me in until March and by then I'll be back to my happy self and won't need the light box and it will all be moot.

Sigh. Refocus.

In other, happier news: After this Saturday, the daylight hours start getting longer again!

In Which Groovy Asks For Prayer

Tomorrow, Groovy is supposed to be boarding a plane with her hubby for Kentucky.

Today, Groovy is feeling malaise and some twinges and rumbles that might indicate she has contracted Hubby's evil intestinal virus of doom and destruction. Then again, it just might be a combo of PMS hormones and last night's 7-layer bean dip.

Groovy is REALLY hoping it is the latter.

If you know the LORD, please pray for Groovy.

Many, many, MANY thanks!

Today's the Day

I woke up this morning praying for Heather. My heart was very heavy for her knowing that today is the day of her brain surgery.

After a cup of coffee and a shower I sat down to read my Bible. I'm doing one of those "read through the Bible in a year" plans and I'm a bit ahead, so I opened to the reading for May 11. These are the words that met my eyes:

Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in theshadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.

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Heather, that's for YOU, girlfriend!

Praying for Heather

This week, dozens and dozens of bloggers and friends will be joining virtual hands as we pray for Heather. Heather is a remarkable young Christian mother who will be undergoing brain surgery on Thursday to remove a tumor. Please visit her blog and see why we all love her so. Then join us in praying for her and her husband and her three beautiful children.