Long Time, No Post

Things haven't been a bed of roses in Chez Howe since my last post. In fact, it's been pretty darn challenging.

My DD, already in counseling for anxiety issues, had complications. She stopped taking her prescribed medication for a week. Bad enough. But her father stopped by two days after her birthday. She hadn't seen or heard from him since Christmas. So, she asked him what he's been doing in the last four months. He replied working and lounging around in his apartment at night with a visit to his parents' house once in a while. Basically told his daughter he doesn't want to see her. Unfortunately, this hurt her to the core since she adores her dad. I got a phone call from DD's counselor two days after that saying she thought aggressive care was needed - she was having trouble coping. Long story short, DD spent a few days at a mental health care facility.

And I struggled to keep my sanity.......

She's home now - appears with the medication, coping skills and loving care to be much better. We made some adjustments to her schedule at school (for instance I drive her to school each morning - gives us a chance to talk and start the day calmly). Dear little thing has a lot on her plate - most kids don't have to deal with a step-dad going through a terminal illness and a dad who can't be bothered. I tried to phone her dad several times last week, but he never answered and his voice mail was full.

Michael is struggling. His oxygen is maxed out - there's no higher setting on his concentrator machine at home. Anything beyond sitting taxes his respiratory ability. And he has panic attacks which worsen his ability to breathe. It pains me to watch this and the only thing I can do is sit beside him and hold his hand in an effort to calm him down. We want to get him a wheelchair so we can do things together as a family from time to time. A dear friend may have lined one up for us.

So, dear followers, that's my "excuse" for not posting. Very little sewing/quilting involved, but I did manage to get to my church's quilting club meeting this past Monday. When Andrea was being cared for, I found it mentally taxing to even think about quilting. Slowly, but surely though, I'm pondering projects and ordered a design wall from Connecting Threads.

Big blessing: Social Security approved benefits for Michael! Not much, but it's better than nothing.

Ultra big blessing: My Sunday School class. We're working our way through the book of Ephesians. We're on Chapter 3 this week and that particular chapter includes a prayer by the Apostle Paul about the ENORMOUS love that God has for us. Kay, our teacher, asked us to read that chapter every day this week and it has been such a comfort to me. I'm even waking up each morning with a song from church in my head. One line is "For the Joy in the Lord is our strength; how great how awesome is He". Then another friend sent me an e-mail that described how God doesn't send such trials to us without having something greater/better in its place.

Such support brings tears of joy to my eyes.

Well, I'd best get back to work and deal with maniacal new business clerks, pesky agents and doctor's reports. Routine is a wonderful thing!

Hugs,
Cathy