Hope and Blessings!

As you can see from the smile on Lucy's (my) face, things are better for me. I'm not having a pity party or seeing the gloomy side of things. Praise God!! I would much rather have this kind of a face than a cranky face!!

I went to the pain management doctor a couple of days ago and I'm feeling really hopeful for the first time in years that I can get help for the pain in my back! I am scheduled to have a shot in my back on the 25th of November. This is supposed to alleviate some of that pressure that my disks are putting on my nerves and, hopefully, help with the numbness in my right leg. I've had this numbness for so long, I wouldn't know how to act without it. I'm not holding my breath about the numbness going away as I know after having it for so long, it could be permanent. However, I really, really liked my doctors (there are 2 I saw) and was very confident in their abilities and knowledge. They seem confident that I will get some relief from my pain. They aren't sure whether it will take only 1 shot or 3, but they feel I can be helped. I'm SO praising God that I am finally with a doctor who is taking this seriously and wants to help me. They also said they can help my knees, but want to work on one thing at a time. That was such music to my ears, too. To have less pain would be such a huge blessing!

My hubby went with me and we were talking with the doctor about how badly my knees and back hurt if I have to go shopping in WalMart, Costco, or Sams' Club. So, the doctor said I have to get one of those little motorized carts that they have at the front door of these places. *sigh* We just happened to be going to WalMart after my doctors appointment, so like a good little girl, I got one of those carts. I felt so bizarre! One thing I notice is that people don't notice you when you're riding around. Is this how disabled people feel in wheelchairs? Am I guilty of not making eye contact with these precious people in wheelchairs? I am definitely going to be more concious of this in the future!! Anyway, I zipped around WalMart with my hubby pushing the big cart and did all my shopping - and yes - it made such a difference for me and my pain! I didn't leave there hobbling out in severe pain and I didn't have to come home and ice my knees for 2 days! So - I guess I'll always get the motorized carts whenever I can. LOL

I went to Michaels with my hubby the other day (I had a 50% coupon!) and got the cutest little kit! It's a Martha Stewart kit for these darling little houses you make for Christmas!

Is this not the cutest thing? You get everything in the kit. This reminds me of the little cardboard houses that you used to see in the 50's and 60's. I have a few of the old ones. With my 50% off coupon, this kit was only $9.00, which I didn't think was too bad for what you get. Everything is in the kit, so I don't have to try and gather up anything. Should be a fun project!

A new backdoor is going up on my house as I write this. The old door was really pitiful. The glass had fallen out and we had plastic up where the glass was. Sad, sad, sad. Our screen door had blown off long ago (with small children who don't shut the door and a windy state, this happens) and so we could never leave the back door open for air in the Spring and Summer. So, hubby decided before the dead of winter really set in that we needed to have a back door. This is a doable project that doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Good thing for us since we don't have an arm or leg or even a finger to spare these days!! We will also have a screen door. Happiness!! I'm feeling pretty blessed about this. It's the simple things in life that can make such a huge difference!!

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your sweet comments and encouragement. They really do make a difference!!

God bless you ~ Julie