After several days of Sweetcheeks missing school and new symptoms on the rise, I finally broke down and took her and Libbyline both to the doctor last evening. We went to the local Urgent Care clinic, which is a hotbed of germage that made this mama want to bathe in Germ -X on our way out the door.

I told both girls during our 2 + hour wait that if we weren't sick when we arrived, we certainly would be before we left.

We see the doctor finally. He checks the ailments we've shared and comes up with a diagnosis: Strep throat -- for both girls + a little ear redness for Libbyline. So, we are looking at another day cooped up in the house, missing Bible study for the mama, and struggling with overall feeling crummy.

I just want to run away. Sickness is all around me and has taken up residence inside as well. I am doing a lot better with the spinning and the facial pressure. That is a blessing.

However, AFTER we returned from Urgent Care I began to feel excruciating ear pain, coupled with a sore throat. My right ear is completely stopped up, and while I can't hear out of it at all, I am treated to a giant whooshing sound every time I move my head the slightest.

I've now been up since 1:15 am and can't lay my head down without wanting to scream aloud. This is a sort of pain I've not experienced in a VERY long time. I have a renewed empathy for all those precious little babies who deal with ear infections and can't express clearly the level of pain they suffer. It is BAD!!!

I hate to ask DP to miss part of a day of work, but I don't know that I can make it without some relief from the doctor. Please pray I can get in and out today without consequence and that something will provide me the quick pain relief I must have in order to function and take care of the other two sick people in my house.

Think I'll head out to the kitchen and make myself a cup of something hot since I'm going to be up anyway. I'll be praying for you. Sure beats sitting here feeling sorry for myself.

Labels: illness, pain, pity party

Labels: pity party, randomness, shameless plea

I know y'all don't come here to listen to me gripe or whine. I know you won't come back if I spend too much time bemoaning the place I find myself. So, I'm not going to drag on with a "woe is me" attitude.

I am trying to take today moment by moment, but I am so tired, so weary and weepy today.

The tears are threatening to spill over at every turn. I slept poorly and find the energy that soared over a very productive weekend to be utterly depleted as I begin a new week of homeschooling and the other tasks of life.

Visions of climbing back into bed revisit my thoughts over and over. Though I know that is wishful thinking with the three children I am entrusted to educate in some fashion today.

Yet, in the midst of my own weary journey I look out and about me. There I find others whose situations are polar different from mine. One in particular requires your attention.

Please pray for this precious family. I have been following them and praying diligently since the day before their sweet daughter, Copeland, arrived Sept. 18. Sarah shared their need for prayer, and I have been praying. I encourage you to do the same.

That's one thing I love about blogging and the availability of the internet. I cannot stay focused on myself for long. For when I get tunnel vision and begin to have a pity party, I need only look at this or this or this and be aware of how small I am and how big God is.

May we all remember His power and strength today. Please be praying, and if you think of it pray for me, too.

***FYI: If you haven't watched the video in yesterday's post, scroll on down now. Go on! It's a goodie : )

Labels: blogging, pity party, prayer, truth

Part of this post was originally published on a Monday in September 2005. With a few tweaks here and there, it fit my mood for today, too.

Man, what I discovered today is that if the mama is having a bad day--everyone has a bad day! We fit that old saying perfectly: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

I woke up feeling kinda crummy, and once I'd dragged myself from the bed my mood went right along with how I felt.

The day took a rapid spiral downhill during Bible this morning when I was inwardly fighting with my own hurts and disappointments. I was honest with the kids and the Lord about how I knew without His guidance I would just chuck the day altogether and forget about school.

I know my kids may still learn something today. I know that the day is not a loss.

Yet, I worry constantly that my kids are going to fall behind and miss out on something.

I am tired and just feel incredibly distracted today as a result of some things that happened over the weekend. I want to be focused on school, but I also would rather curl up with a good book and forget about the lessons and chores that need to be done today.

Libbyline is not feeling well today. She's had sinus stuff going on for days now. I think we may end up in the doctor's office before it's all said and done.
JD Green is completely and utterly focused on play.
Sweetcheeks is still coming off the excitement of her birthday (more pictures to come later this week), so she is not all that motivated to get into the mode of school today.

Pray for me. My heart is hurting, and I have yet to really take it all before the Lord and leave it with Him. I would like to find time to do that, but alone time is at a premium in my world. I'm not seeing it happen in this 24-hour cycle.

Alas, there's always tomorrow.

Labels: archives, blogging, pity party