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A Happy Hodgepodge

Joyce is back with her Hodgepodge!  Yay!  After the week I’ve been having, I’m up for some fun, so let’s get to it!

1.  Let’s all think happy thoughts…share one of yours here. 

So, some of you may not know this, but I broke my ankle late Sunday night.  It’s a very bad break, let me tell you.  My week has been filled with a LOT of pain as my medicine wasn’t working very well.  Those aren’t my happy thoughts, but they lead into them.

I saw a surgeon yesterday and have surgery scheduled for Monday.  He also prescribed BETTER pain meds, which I took on the way home.  I’m having the surgery done in the same city where the rest of our family lives…two hours away.  The pain meds started working immediately, and I was able to sleep on the way home.  Yay!

When I got home, I sent a message to my students to tell them I’d be out.  Just look at the precious conversation I had with one of my ninth grade students:

My kids miss me.  I heart them much.

2.  There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing….” What say you? If you want happiness for a day _____________.

Happiness for a day for me happens every weekend when I spend time being a non-teacher.  I finally found some balance in my life.  I love prioritizing my husband on the weekend.  We spend both days doing what we want.  That’s my happiness in a day.

3.  Where do you go to decompress from the world around you? 

I’d say the beach or the pool, but it’s not summer any more.  Any time of the year, and time of the day, I can escape into a book and forget the rest of the world.  My current read…

I hope to finish it soon.  The pain medicine and muscle relaxer I’ve been taking have messed with my eyes a bit, so I haven’t been able to focus too much.  I would have finished it much quicker by now if not for those things.

4.  What song never fails to make you happy? 

So many songs…how about “Shake it Off”?  Every time I hear this, I want to get up and dance, which I can’t do for a long time unless I’m on crutches.  Sigh.

5.  Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what’s the last ‘fast food’ you consumed? If you were putting together your own version of a ‘happy meal’ what would you include? 

I don’t eat fast food any more, so I’m going to have to go way back to remember what I ate the last time.  I truly cannot recall!!!  It might have been a veggie burger from Burger King.  Hmmm.

If I were putting a happy meal together, I’d include a bean burrito, refried beans, and chips and salsa.  Oh yeah, baby!

6.  In a few sentences tell us why you blog. 

Blogging started out as a way to save Super Sis’s ears from my long-winded stories.  We both had young families and were on the go constantly.  It has evolved into a place where I can express myself in a very honest and often humorous way.  I have a need to reflect, and this is a good place to do so.  I have odd things happen to me, and I like to record them.  What I type is who I am without any embellishing.  I’m very real, very unpretentious, and plain old weird.  I love my blog.

7.  List seven things you’re feeling especially grateful for today. 

  1.  A merciful God who has a perfect plan for my life.
  2. A husband who, though he gets frustrated with me, takes the BEST care of me.  He has earned Hubby of the Year this week alone.  ❤
  3. My children, who have called and texted me all week to make sure that I’m okay.  This ankle injury has drawn us together even more.
  4. Other family members who have provided so much advice and done so much research on doctors.  They love me unconditionally when I don’t deserve it.  ❤
  5. Friends who are coming to the rescue.  I have felt a little rejected of late in a certain area of my life.  My injury has made me realize that people really do care.  The long text message conversations have been so wonderful.  These are things I haven’t had time for because of a crazy work life and brain shutdowns on the weekends.
  6. My neighbor who came as soon as I called and helped me get dressed while the Mr. was out getting my x-rays to take to my surgical appointment.  We’ve lived beside each other for over ten years and have watched each others’ children grow up (hers are younger than mine).  We’ve never gone beyond conversations in the yard, though.  Yesterday, she helped me put my bra on and change my pants.  I’d say that we are very good friends now.  😀
  7. Strangers praying.  I’m on quite a few prayer chains right now because of the severity of my injury and the massive amount of pain I’ve been in.  God hears prayer, and I’ve been moved to tears every time someone tells me he/she is praying for me.
  8. Pain medicine.  Thank heavens that we live in a day and age when we have medicine available to dull the pain of injuries and sicknesses.
  9. Wonderful students who send me messages of love.  They are so worried about me and are ready for me to return to the classroom.  ❤
  10. My fur babies.  Yes, I fell over one of them, which caused my ankle to break, but it wasn’t the dog’s fault.  It was mine for not turning on the house light.  My pups have been so confused because I have been unable to sleep in bed, and they always snuggle with me.  They have shown great concern for me by sniffing my stint and new/temporary cast.  They are being very gentle with me.  I am reminded of their untainted love for me.

8.  My Random Thought

This is the shirt I wore to my appointment yesterday…

Though I’ve struggled mightily this week, and though my pain level was at a nine when I took the picture, I could smile because 1) I love this new shirt that had just arrived in the mail the day before and 2) God is in control, no matter how I view my circumstances.  He’s the conductor of the train called life, and though there may be unexplained stops along the way, we are still headed in the right direction, and I trust Him with each mile we cover, no matter the terrain.

11 Responses

  1. I am so sorry about your ankle but glad you found decent pain meds and a good surgeon. Sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with your students. Teachers impact a student’s life so much, and it sounds like you’re a good and godly influence on them. Hope you get good rest today.

  2. I am so sorry to hear about your broken ankle! Praying for your surgery and recovery. Your students are the sweetest, reminds me of some of my past students. I love your random thought, so true!

  3. Bless your heart, Nathalie! Will be praying your surgery and recovery go smoothly! I so admire your positive attitude…that’s going to help greatly in getting back on your feet. Sending big hugs!

  4. Augh! One of my church friends broke her ankle about a week ago, too. Is it a virus going ’round? 😉
    Glad the meds are working for you and I pray it heals quickly and cleanly.

  5. What a challenge, but I’m sure once you have surgery you’ll feel better and can begin healing. I ripped a tendon in my thumb way back when and my neighbor was also a wonderful help. Good neighbors are so special. Take care and I will be thinking of you as you have surgery and begin to mend.

  6. I love you wore that shirt for the doc appointment – let them know they are dealing with a RUNNER!!! 🙂
    Love your kids miss you – that’s the best!

  7. Glad you found a surgeon you like and one that gave you the pain meds you need. Praying for you.

  8. I’m so sorry you are in such pain right now, I too had a bad ankle break, I fell in our garage. WIthout the help of many friends and wonderful husband I do not know if would have coped as well as I did. Sending you healing prayers and a big hug for a positive outcome after the surgery. Faith will get you through this and I’m sure love ones will be there to help you along the way.
    Best Wishes for a speedy recovery,
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

  9. I enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge today, hope you’re feeling better soon! Hope you have a wonderful evening!

  10. Oh, bless your heart, I am so sorry you fell. Falls are so scary and can happen so quickly. I do pray you will make a full recovery quickly. Blessings to you!

  11. Thank you for sending me the link…yay…I found you! And I am so sorry to hear about your accident! But you seem to be taking everything in stride and are handling it well! It’s always best to find the bright side of every situation, I agree. Take good care of yourself and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

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