We are referring to Jim's heart attack as the event, as Dr Pyka, aka Manfred termed it. What a whirlwind the last 6 weeks have been, we have recounted the story about a million times and will continue to tell it in the hopes that someone will go get their heart checked and take care of a problem before it turns into a heart attack. Jim told me today someone from work went in for a heart scan and had to have bypass, that is good news, no heart attack! God is using this situation everyday for His glory.
Jim continues to make great progress with his recovery, he is doing perfect with his diet and is very willing to eat whatever healthy food I put in front of him. The girls are also being troopers and going along with the program. Jim continues his cardiac rehab and that is going well. He is still on light duty and not even complaining about it. I figured there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth by now...........
He was given permission to ride his motorcycle, unfortunately the weather hasn't cooperated so he has only been out a few times..
God is good all the time!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Goodbye my friends....
I spent some time today cleaning out cabinets. All of a sudden we have a bevy of new things that need to be put away so I thought this would be a good time to let go of some of the old favorites. This is thanks to the new low sodium part of the diet.
I believe this would fall under the subject of 'I love it, but it don't love me'.
Some of this stuff has more sodium than salt....I didn't even know that was possible. I used to make a marinade that actually had four of these as ingredients...at the same time (I just heard the shudder all the way from North Carolina).
.
Not anymore though. Tonight it's whole wheat pasta with homemade marinara sauce that Amy and Jori made today. Apparently it was more of a Food Network episode that was taking place. Jori's stage name, for cooking anyway, is Rebecca Schultz. I don't know why. She cracks me up. When we have her do oral reports for school, like a book report, she does it as a newscast and her name is Wendy Hitch. Don't even ask me, I can't begin to guess why. But she is so awesome.
___________________________________________________________
Speaking of fun, the girls had houseguests for the whole week. From last Sunday to Friday, we had the privilege to host Jenna and Olivia. The girls all had a great time. There was no fighting, teasing or any other unpleasantness. Amy worked almost everynight so I handled the dinners and of course fed them nothing but heart healthy food.
Here's an example;
The girls had a blast. Em and Jenna completely cleaned and redecorated our screened porch in back and then all four of them camped in there. There was much bike riding, scooter scooting and trampolining. Jenna was able to practice with Ems soccer team while Olivia and Jori climbed trees. We went to the zoo and to a farm where the girls made their own rope. Pretty cool.
.
I wasn't sure how I would do by myself with four high energy girls for a week, but even I found something fun to do with all of them.
Check this out;
(Lin, I found them like this, honest. I had nothing to do with this.)
So they all had a good time. But I think Olivia was ready to go when Mom showed up to pick them up.
The girls are already laying the groundwork for future plans, trip and sleepovers. Cool.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A minor addition
It has been brought to our attention that it is a royal pain in the toukus to leave a comment on the blog. I finally figured out how to set it up so that its not such a hassel. And we would love to hear from whoever would like to say anything.
So to leave a message just click on the comments link at the end of a post. See it on the bottom right? You will then get the comments page. Leave your message in the appropriate place and then click the little circle that says 'Anonymous'. That way you don't have to go through the process of registering anything. Then all you have to do is type the little squiggly word and click publish. If I could figure it out, anyone can. Thanks.
So to leave a message just click on the comments link at the end of a post. See it on the bottom right? You will then get the comments page. Leave your message in the appropriate place and then click the little circle that says 'Anonymous'. That way you don't have to go through the process of registering anything. Then all you have to do is type the little squiggly word and click publish. If I could figure it out, anyone can. Thanks.
But you should see the other guy....
Poor Jori.
Yesterday while we had the septic system consultant at the house (that's another story), Jori was out in the yard performing a routine on the balance beam. In this particular instance, the edge of the big sandbox was acting as the balance beam and apparently she was, unfortunately doing her best imitation of Carl Wallenda. Her finale turned out only slightly better than his. My riveting conversation with Bruce the septic guy was interrupted by the ear piercing screams of a bloodied child.
.
It seems that when she fell, she decided to break her fall with her face. So we have this.
Big giant bloody fat lip, bloody nose, and scratches all over the place. If you've never seen what happens when an air bag goes off in your car, it looks alot like this.
Yep- a genuine permission slip from my rehab nurse. It's been four weeks since my heart attack. So now I'm really on the mend. I'm up to walking 3 whole mph on the treadmill. Im told that things will start rolling pretty good now. The people who have been in my rehab for a while say that week 3 or 4 is when they turn it up. So Im looking forward to that.
I've been working in the radio room for a couple weeks now and I've finally reached the point where I'm helping out. Or at least I don't think I'm causing extra work for anyone, or everyone in there is too polite to say anything. September 2 is my next appointment with the cardiologist and we go on vacation right after that so my target date to be the police again is Sep.18th. We shall see what the doctor says.
________________________________________________________________
Not a whole lot else to report. Amy is still working too hard. But I can't seem to slow her down. She is Supermom. The new family diet is going well, everyone enjoys it so it hasn't been too difficult of a transition. Soccer started again this week and both girls are enjoying their new teams and coaches.
.
Check out this really cool picture Em took of a cicada in the backyard.
Yesterday while we had the septic system consultant at the house (that's another story), Jori was out in the yard performing a routine on the balance beam. In this particular instance, the edge of the big sandbox was acting as the balance beam and apparently she was, unfortunately doing her best imitation of Carl Wallenda. Her finale turned out only slightly better than his. My riveting conversation with Bruce the septic guy was interrupted by the ear piercing screams of a bloodied child.
.
It seems that when she fell, she decided to break her fall with her face. So we have this.
Big giant bloody fat lip, bloody nose, and scratches all over the place. If you've never seen what happens when an air bag goes off in your car, it looks alot like this.Calm was eventually restored and now Jori says that she looks almost normal. I've never really seen a bruised gum before. Sometimes it tough to be Jori.
_________________________________________________
In other news, look what I gotYep- a genuine permission slip from my rehab nurse. It's been four weeks since my heart attack. So now I'm really on the mend. I'm up to walking 3 whole mph on the treadmill. Im told that things will start rolling pretty good now. The people who have been in my rehab for a while say that week 3 or 4 is when they turn it up. So Im looking forward to that.
I've been working in the radio room for a couple weeks now and I've finally reached the point where I'm helping out. Or at least I don't think I'm causing extra work for anyone, or everyone in there is too polite to say anything. September 2 is my next appointment with the cardiologist and we go on vacation right after that so my target date to be the police again is Sep.18th. We shall see what the doctor says.
________________________________________________________________
Not a whole lot else to report. Amy is still working too hard. But I can't seem to slow her down. She is Supermom. The new family diet is going well, everyone enjoys it so it hasn't been too difficult of a transition. Soccer started again this week and both girls are enjoying their new teams and coaches.
.
Check out this really cool picture Em took of a cicada in the backyard.
That's all for this morning. We are having some young ladies come stay with us for the week, so there should be much giggling in the house this week. It should be fun.
Later,
Jim
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Beautiful Sunday and alligators
It is a balmy 90 degrees outside, ok well inside also, since our air conditioning is no longer working(just one of the many things around here that is not working at the moment) but that is ok, because it is windy!!! Wind just keep blowing through my house!
The girls and I went to Sunday school this morning, our adult class continues a study on heaven and the girls got to touch an alligator, yup an alligator in Sunday school. I don't know why there was a man with an alligator, nor did I ask, probably should have, anyway, Jori said it's skin felt like plastic, no it was a real alligator for all you doubters....Em said there was also a baboon, I can't explain any of this.
The lastest news is the pet toad Em caught, his name is Fred. She has decided to do a science report on ole Fred, she thought that was more exciting than the book report I had assigned her after she read Charles Dickens Great Expectations on her own accord. I got up one morning and there is Em with a copy of Great Expectations in her lap and gushing about how good it is, it could be, I don't know, I haven't read it, guess what I will be reading next?
Blessings on your week...
The girls and I went to Sunday school this morning, our adult class continues a study on heaven and the girls got to touch an alligator, yup an alligator in Sunday school. I don't know why there was a man with an alligator, nor did I ask, probably should have, anyway, Jori said it's skin felt like plastic, no it was a real alligator for all you doubters....Em said there was also a baboon, I can't explain any of this.
The lastest news is the pet toad Em caught, his name is Fred. She has decided to do a science report on ole Fred, she thought that was more exciting than the book report I had assigned her after she read Charles Dickens Great Expectations on her own accord. I got up one morning and there is Em with a copy of Great Expectations in her lap and gushing about how good it is, it could be, I don't know, I haven't read it, guess what I will be reading next?
Blessings on your week...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Em-azing
At 4:31 p.m. ten years ago, we were blessed with our first child, Emily Kathryn. She has been an amazing miracle in our lives ever since. She has blossomed into a warm, caring, thoughtful young lady. Somehow she manages to impress most every day.
.
Dauphin Island 2006
Em has alot of questions for the Park Service Ranger at the Lincoln Home in Springfield, Il. 2006
Coffee Pot Springs Campground near Glenwood Canyon, Colorado 2006
.
Here's our young lady
This is from Em's first trip to Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park.September 2001
Homeschoolin' 2008
Dauphin Island 2006Em has alot of questions for the Park Service Ranger at the Lincoln Home in Springfield, Il. 2006
Watoga State Park (West Virginia) Daddy-Daughter Camping Trip 2008
Just tryin somethin' - Grammy's house
Father/Daughter dance 2009
Daddy/Daughter Camping Trip 2006 - Colorado
Coffee Pot Springs Campground near Glenwood Canyon, Colorado 2006 
Custer State Park. Daddy/Daughter camping trip 2007
Auntie Paula's House. Glendale, Arizona August 2004.
Washing dishes, Watoga State Park, WV 2008
That's probably enough for now. Happy Birthday Emma Kate. We love you!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
But does it match your shoes?
First you need to know that I'm still not allowed to lift anything more than 10 pounds. Kinda limits things in a lot of ways.
.
Next you need to know that we have a whole herd of dogs and we usually purchase food by the metric ton. Thus sets the stage for what I shall now refer to as Jim's Emasculating Moment of the Day(JEMD). You should also know that these have been occurring with alarming frequency.
.
Today's JEMD occurred at Petco. We had to stop for dog food and since we buy it in 40lb bags, I'm already out of the game. Not allowed, can't even do the team lift. I don't even go near the dog food section. I was hiding out over in the creepy pet store reptile section. That way no one would see my itty bitty wife hefting the two giant bags into the cart whilst I stood by. So far so good, masculinity still intact.
.
We make it out of there ok, and I was able to stand by the car and throw the guinea pig hay in the trunk so it least it looked like I was helping.
.
When we get home, I am reminded by my delicate young wife that I cannot help carry anything, but would I please bring in her purse. Good grief. So while she grunts the 80 lbs of dog food downstairs, I schlepped the purse....... I did do it one handed though.
___________________________________________________________________
Besides little things like that, everything is going well. I went back to work on Wednesday, which incidentally was my 18th anniversary at the Sheriff's Office. I went in at 5am and made it the whole day til 5pm. I had to get out of there for a lunch break though. My temporary boss let me just goof off for the most part because she knew alot of guys would be in to visit on my first day back. So that was nice and I appreciate it. By the time I got home, I was totally wiped out. I managed to stay semi-conscious through dinner, but I was in bed by 7.
.
Thursday I actually learned something so I can start to help out in there. So now I can at least act busy.
Both days Amy got up with me at 4am and made me breakfast. This was after working the night before. It's soo cool to be loved that much.
___________________________________________________________________
After work on Thursday we took a ride out to visit with my brother. He had taken a heart scan even before my heart attack and the doc hadn't found anything urgent but had recommended another test which would diagnose things more thoroughly. So to make a long story shorter, he went in Thursday morning and had a stent put into the same artery that I had mine installed. My brother is younger than me and is an avid runner. There must be some truth to that heredity thing. So if your father had heart trouble, get checked out. He's fine, and we are in the planning stages of "Up yours in '10" , which is our planned mountain climbing salute to heart disease next summer....can you believe I have heart disease? Sheesh...me neither.
___________________________________________________________________
I also had my orientation for cardiac rehab on Friday. I will be starting on 8/5, which coincidentally is Em's birthday. Holy smokes...she's about to turn 10! Egads. Anyway, rehab will be fine. My nurse is excellent and Im ready to get moving. She turned me loose to walk 40 minutes a day now instead of 30. I did that last night and I'm actually sore today. Good grief. I've walked 20 miles in a day with a pack on, and now a slow 40 minute walk tires me out. Sigh.
.
As I keep learning new things throughout this adventure, I can't help but think that maybe God wants to take this opportunity to teach me a little patience....which is an attribute with which I was never in great supply.
.
Speaking of God and cool people, we went back to Sunday school today and our Ambassadors group. Even though we have only been part of the group for a few months, we have been amazed by the care that we have been shown. We got a warm welcome back today and many people were interested in hearing what happened and how I was doing. We are very thankful to have new friends like this and I'm very pleased to be able to share this experience. Maybe someone else is headed down the same path and can avoid it by hearing my story. I know that some of you from Wheaton Bible have been keeping up with things here and we appreciate all of you.
___________________________________________________________________
This weeks never before attempted food is....chipotle pepper hummus. I don't know what it is and I won't know if it's good or not, but I'm going to try it....as soon as someone tells me what to do with it. Besides, it's made with Garbanzo beans which is one of the most fun words to say, right up there with fandango.
.
That's all I have for now. See ya,
Jim
.
Next you need to know that we have a whole herd of dogs and we usually purchase food by the metric ton. Thus sets the stage for what I shall now refer to as Jim's Emasculating Moment of the Day(JEMD). You should also know that these have been occurring with alarming frequency.
.
Today's JEMD occurred at Petco. We had to stop for dog food and since we buy it in 40lb bags, I'm already out of the game. Not allowed, can't even do the team lift. I don't even go near the dog food section. I was hiding out over in the creepy pet store reptile section. That way no one would see my itty bitty wife hefting the two giant bags into the cart whilst I stood by. So far so good, masculinity still intact.
.
We make it out of there ok, and I was able to stand by the car and throw the guinea pig hay in the trunk so it least it looked like I was helping.
.
When we get home, I am reminded by my delicate young wife that I cannot help carry anything, but would I please bring in her purse. Good grief. So while she grunts the 80 lbs of dog food downstairs, I schlepped the purse....... I did do it one handed though.
___________________________________________________________________
Besides little things like that, everything is going well. I went back to work on Wednesday, which incidentally was my 18th anniversary at the Sheriff's Office. I went in at 5am and made it the whole day til 5pm. I had to get out of there for a lunch break though. My temporary boss let me just goof off for the most part because she knew alot of guys would be in to visit on my first day back. So that was nice and I appreciate it. By the time I got home, I was totally wiped out. I managed to stay semi-conscious through dinner, but I was in bed by 7.
.
Thursday I actually learned something so I can start to help out in there. So now I can at least act busy.
Both days Amy got up with me at 4am and made me breakfast. This was after working the night before. It's soo cool to be loved that much.
___________________________________________________________________
After work on Thursday we took a ride out to visit with my brother. He had taken a heart scan even before my heart attack and the doc hadn't found anything urgent but had recommended another test which would diagnose things more thoroughly. So to make a long story shorter, he went in Thursday morning and had a stent put into the same artery that I had mine installed. My brother is younger than me and is an avid runner. There must be some truth to that heredity thing. So if your father had heart trouble, get checked out. He's fine, and we are in the planning stages of "Up yours in '10" , which is our planned mountain climbing salute to heart disease next summer....can you believe I have heart disease? Sheesh...me neither.
___________________________________________________________________
I also had my orientation for cardiac rehab on Friday. I will be starting on 8/5, which coincidentally is Em's birthday. Holy smokes...she's about to turn 10! Egads. Anyway, rehab will be fine. My nurse is excellent and Im ready to get moving. She turned me loose to walk 40 minutes a day now instead of 30. I did that last night and I'm actually sore today. Good grief. I've walked 20 miles in a day with a pack on, and now a slow 40 minute walk tires me out. Sigh.
.
As I keep learning new things throughout this adventure, I can't help but think that maybe God wants to take this opportunity to teach me a little patience....which is an attribute with which I was never in great supply.
.
Speaking of God and cool people, we went back to Sunday school today and our Ambassadors group. Even though we have only been part of the group for a few months, we have been amazed by the care that we have been shown. We got a warm welcome back today and many people were interested in hearing what happened and how I was doing. We are very thankful to have new friends like this and I'm very pleased to be able to share this experience. Maybe someone else is headed down the same path and can avoid it by hearing my story. I know that some of you from Wheaton Bible have been keeping up with things here and we appreciate all of you.
___________________________________________________________________
This weeks never before attempted food is....chipotle pepper hummus. I don't know what it is and I won't know if it's good or not, but I'm going to try it....as soon as someone tells me what to do with it. Besides, it's made with Garbanzo beans which is one of the most fun words to say, right up there with fandango.
.
That's all I have for now. See ya,
Jim
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