A Family Mental Health Update

Give ’em lots of love!

It has been brought to my attention that at least one of you (Shout out to Tamara!!!) want to know what’s up with our family (and our mental health!) So, here you go!

Not having a home is very challenging, especially when it comes to mental health. Child #3 is still taking his pills, but they don’t seem to be as effective as they were. This is sad. His doctor prescribed another medicine because the kiddo was becoming violent again, but all it does is make him dopey. He fell asleep the first two days he took it. He hasn’t taken it since. It’s to relax him, but I think it goes a bit too far.

Child #4 is still working on her schoolwork (this is what happens when you don’t do your schoolwork during the school year!) I feel for her, but cause and effect, child; cause and effect. So, we are together working to finish. Today she pretty much did, though we both want her to bring up her grade in History. Almost done. Yay!

Still working on it!

Child #2 is still waffling. 😔. I’m not sure what she is going to do with her life, but I worry about her. A mother’s job, I guess.

Child #1 is happily living with a friend of hers. She is gainfully employed and happy. So whew!

As for me, I am just trying to keep my head above water. Right now it feels like I’m in the rapids of life. It is not easy, but I still trust that God has a beautiful plan for us. Faith feels like about all I have left.

Thank you for listening to my rant. Any prayers you could offer on our behalf would be most appreciated.

Take care and God bless,

Rita

I Pose A Question

Alright, listen up! I find that I need to come up with all of these blog posts and I have no idea whether you will like them or relegate them to the proverbial circular file (trash can for those of you too young to know of what I am speaking!)

So, here’s your chance, my loyal (and even if you’re not so loyal!) blog followers. Tell me what you think.

I’m an adult (most of the time!) I can take it! (Well, maybe I can!) So, be honest. Where would you like to see GF Recipes and Writings go in the next few weeks…months…etc.?

Would you like more poetry?

Poetry, anyone?

Would you like more Young Living shares?

Would you like more recipes?

How about more mental health updates?

Photo by David Garrison on Pexels.com

Do you like it just the way it is?

This is your chance to tell me what you really think (of the blog, not me personally! Let’s be kind to Rita, please! She has enough on her plate! And trust me when I say it’s not all donuts!!!)

Mmmhmm.

Therefore, dear friends, please share your thoughts with me in the comments below and I will take them under advisement.

Thanks and God bless,

Rita 😊

Considering Others

We went to an amusement park today and I was appalled at some of the behavior practiced there. Some of the people were fine, and even nice. But, like everything else, a few bad apples spoil the batch.

We first had an issue, with what used to be called the whirligig. It is now called something else, but that is besides the point. The girl that was running the ride practiced fat-shaming. I was amazed when she insisted that the woman in front of me take off her waist purse. Instead, the woman left the ride! Then she targeted me. It took me a while to unwrap my purse and hand it over. This makes me extremely uncomfortable because they are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Great!

Not ashamed. Don’t shame me!

It wasn’t until after the ride that I found out that though Child #4 had to surrender her waist purse, Child #2 (who is slimmer) didn’t have that same experience. What?!!! So, because you didn’t like the look of some of the patrons, you decided that they needed to be punished by taking away their belongings, even though the seatbelt clicked over them AND their belongings. What is that crap?

I am so tired of people thinking that they know what’s best for me! Do you know why I look like I do? Maybe I have breathing problems and need to take steroids and those put weight on. Maybe, I’ve just suffered from cancer, and haven’t quite beaten the treatment! You don’t know!

So, stop thinking you know what’s best. You don’t, unless, of course, you have walked a mile in their shoes! No judging!!!

Circling the Wagons

Ok. I tried to find a pic of circling wagons, but this single wagon was the best I could find. Just imagine them end to end in a circle!

Today we circled the wagons in our family. Not sure what I mean? Well, in the old days, well before I was born, (no snarky remarks, please!) families traveling West in the U.S. toward new lands and adventure, would circle their wagons with other families who were also traveling West in their caravan at night when they camped. This formed an inside circle to protect the families from any ill-meaning people who were trying to steal from or harm them.

Today it was my mother’s brother, Chuck’s turn. You see, we lost his wife, Aunt Judy about eight years ago. It was quite a blow to my uncle, who had been married for fifty years to this wonderful woman. In his grief, he reached out to an old school chum. He and Nancy rekindled their friendship and spent a few short years together. Recently, Nancy passed unexpectedly. It was a shock, to say the least, and the loss of a truly devout and fun-loving lady.

Today was Nancy’s funeral. I drove mom the hour and a half drive to the Church where 10 am Mass was celebrated in honor of Nancy. We didn’t know Nancy nearly well enough, but Uncle Chuck did. We were there for Nancy and her family, but mostly for Uncle Chuck.

Photo by Dani Mota on Pexels.com

I also got to reconnect with my cousin, Laura! Shout out to Laura and her beautiful family! We had a really nice conversation, something we rarely get to do, since she lives in a completely different part of the U.S.

Prayers, please!

So, please, as you say your prayers (hopefully including our family!) please include Uncle Chuck, Nancy, and her family.

Thanks and God bless,

Rita

Never Just a Cake Mix

Will the sun shine on my cake creation?

Today I decided to use up some of last Summer’s homemade peach jam. But what to do with it? I have, on occasion, used baking mixes. Mostly they are a base for something tasty. That was the case today. I don’t exactly have my own kitchen right now, so I have to borrow one to bake. The logistics are challenging to say the least!

Cake mix mixed up.

So, I started out by using a white cake mix for a 9″ x 13″ pan. I made the cake mix according to the directions, just substituting milk for the water for which was called. I mixed up the cake batter and spread it in my pre-greased pan. On top of the cake batter, I spooned about three cups of my homemade peach jam, though I would think that your favorite jam would work well too. Just think of all the flavors you could try; combinations galore!

Add that jam!!!!

The baking directions were a little tricky, since the cake was not originally designed for jam. The directions read to bake the cake for 16 – 19 minutes. However, I ended up baking it with the jam on it for about 45 minutes. Totally worth the wait!

One word – yummmmm!

Great Dad Quotes

A sketch my dad did for an art class many years ago. It did pass!

“This too shall pass” is something my dad often said to me, especially after another child had bullied me, or even after a tough day. I didn’t realize that it came from the Bible until recently. 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18.

Words can hurt. Spread kindness.
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

As a child, it was scarce comfort, but as I have aged (and grown up a bit) I find it poetic in its wisdom. Nothing is forever, only God. Why do we insist on holding so tightly to the things of this world? They are only things.

Where’s your focus?
Photo by CHRISTO JAMES V on Pexels.com

I like this thought: The ones who make the biggest difference here on earth are the ones whose eyes are fixed not on this life. Yes. Eyes on the prize, people. Eyes on the prize: God and Heaven.

Eyes up!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Do you struggle in this imperfect world? What advice would you give? Let’s chat!