tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685256471296372752024-03-20T01:27:46.544-07:00mamakatemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-35486656377117011712009-08-19T11:18:00.000-07:002009-08-19T11:18:00.030-07:00Accessorize Your Blog<a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/free-extras/buttons/item/815/asInline.html">Accessorize Your Blog</a>: "mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-26137218969839672372009-08-19T07:16:00.000-07:002009-08-19T09:22:27.097-07:00understanding changes<em>I'm a very type A personality. Wanting to do well; expecting to do well; expecting to do it all. And then I sometimes forget I've got MS. And then it raises its' ugly head. Which it did Monday, August 17, 2009. Oh, and wait, I've had this disease since July, 1983. You'd think I'd get used to it by now. But that's the problem. You get use to one set of changes, losses, and grief issues, and then more come your way. And not just in a day, a month, or a year. It might be several years. So, you've kinda gotten use to what you have, how to manuever, re-evaluated your dreams, and put them in motion....and then BAM...life changes again. Monday was very scary to me. I'd had some issues with my legs since last Friday, but they seemed to disappear Sunday and we had a great day. Monday, went to work, did my puttering around before 8:00 o'clock and then set in for the day. I love my job. Did you know that? I love Hospice of San Angelo. I love the people I work with. I love what we do. I love the purpose. I love that I'm back in school finishing my degree to be a social worker. And not just any social worker. A social worker with Hospice of San Angelo. Is that just not the coolest? ok, sorry, I digress. Back to Monday. At exactly 11:45 I had a fog come over me. It was almost an out of body experience. I had a cloud right in front of my eyes. I was typing on the computer (and no, I had not been typing very long, so it was not a "case of being in front of the computer too long) and I was having trouble seeing the letters. The phone was going crazy, which I'm very good at handling, but I was feeling confused. BUT MOST OF ALL, the fatigue that had enveloped me, became frightful. I could not shut my eyes for fear that I would die. I actually felt that. SOOO, David called the office; I told him to come get me. I was scared and didn't know what was going on. He told me he was on his way...I ended up calling Dr. N, the neurologist; won't even go there...it's too crazy and just makes me mad. By the time I got home, I was in full fledge hysteria. Pammie happend to call at that exact time. I scared to wazoooo out her. Went on to see my fabulous primary doctor, Dr. L,, who said full blown exacerbation with a full blown panic attack. Ok. Well, now that made sense. My life has been and is so great, I was not going to accept having my legs weak, not working, or any of the ms symptoms. But I'm not in charge of the lesions that are growing in my brain. With all of that said. I have made an appointment with my WONDERFUL neurologist in Dallas, tomorrow at 1:00!!!!! Can't tell you the happiest, relief, and anticipation I feel. Life is good. Will putter around today to get ready to leave at 5:00 am in the morning; hopefully in up at Pam's and Jim's house early enough to settle for a moment before we head to the doctor. I'm hopeful, whatever the outcome. Praise our precious Jesus Christ. Praise my sweet family, my sweet friends, my fabulous job. I ask for continued prayers and thank each of you for your love. Love, Katie</em>mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-3747054426062140502009-01-21T14:27:00.001-08:002009-01-21T14:27:54.542-08:00NOPENope, that didn't work...will try again later!mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-19531379369772776122009-01-21T14:25:00.000-08:002009-01-21T14:26:47.345-08:00FIGURED IT OUT!!Okay, I THINK I figured out how to show the blog sites that I love and follow! When I say bring the rain, and boomama, I think you can just click on them and they will work....let's see!mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-57968987205241482102009-01-21T03:53:00.000-08:002009-01-21T03:59:27.351-08:00Figuring It All OutWith the new year, I'm still in the mode to figure it all out. My quite time, my family time, my school time, MY WORK TIME, and in the mean time....not go crazy. What is really helping me are the great blogs that I've been reading. Now, if you have followed my blog at all, you know that I don't know what the heck I'm doing, so that I cannot not actually SHOW you the sites I've been reading. But they are "bring the rain", and "big mama!". what great sites. I love them; they are funny, real life, and thought provoking. Certainly some soul searching is in there also. With school starting, my friends, I'm in a bit of a rush. Between making sure I'm doing my PAID job, and going to school, and GETTTING IT, life is a struggle. Pray for me on this adventure. Hopefully, I can get much better at this and get some feed back. Blessings dear friends, katiemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-53971877924973337692008-12-10T03:45:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:51:13.418-08:00"Stuff"It's crazy that in this week of the hectic schedules and all the "doings" for whatever part of my life, the week seems to be dragging. It could be that all that I'm doing is just "stuff". Isn't that the way it seems?...so much to do, so much that "has" to be done, is just stuff! But, clearly, the "stuff" has to be done. It is just the very early in the morning that I can find some comfort in what all is around me. The season, the sites, the decorations, but mainly the people in my life. I appreciate them all, love them all, and am thankful for them all. David and I are trying to figure out if we're done with all of our shopping! That part of my life needs to get organized, too. I think we have everything ready, but who knows! You wake up Christmas morning and realize you had one more gift to buy...BUT, it's too late. And guess what? Know one even knows it but you! We carry too much guilt around; no one else is blaming, just us! Blessings to all this morning, Katiemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-30945880095987064342008-12-03T17:07:00.000-08:002008-12-04T01:19:27.725-08:00picture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI_tGWy9mL5qiQQiBULPz2XOR0fY0OuHYjUU3SanZu9S9T8LemNwionj3MbFSN1XihUlderAwm6aUI2XPsa8dPv0pAWI5BcmCSeCGxfao_VITOQcAjgel9LFA-3L7a_pIGFFGNK7ZbOyo/s1600-h/crop552.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI_tGWy9mL5qiQQiBULPz2XOR0fY0OuHYjUU3SanZu9S9T8LemNwionj3MbFSN1XihUlderAwm6aUI2XPsa8dPv0pAWI5BcmCSeCGxfao_VITOQcAjgel9LFA-3L7a_pIGFFGNK7ZbOyo/s320/crop552.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275861262268182978" /></a><br />okay, let's see if I can download this picture of the kids<br /><br />I DID IT!! Don't know if I can do it again! But, yeah...you gotta love these kids!mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-85508051905874720982008-12-03T04:07:00.000-08:002008-12-03T04:47:16.946-08:00always, always, give thanksWhat a wonderful Thanksgiving we had. Lots of family and beautiful times. Loved having the time off from work...great news, too. I was going to make pea salad to take to my daughters, Amy, for Thanksgiving, but FORGOT!<br /><br />When we were eating, I said, "Amy, do you have any green beans or any vegetables?" She said, "Well, Mother, I thought you were bring pea salad, BUT, I can make something!" Talk about E M B A R R A S I N G!!! THEN, at our Thanksgiving with all of the rest of the families, GUESS WHO FORGOT THE PEA SALAD!!! YUP, that would be me! So, three days later, still in the fridge, NO MATTER WHAT, we were going to eat that pea salad! Did for two meals, but, geez, whizz, it was time to throw it out. I'm sure no one else can relate!<br /><br />Enjoyed the time off, but back to work we had to go. Yesterday, I had a four o'clock appointment with my boss to talk about Christmas gifts for all of the docs that we see. I was driving along, to hurry to the appointment, took a swig from coke, starting coughing, (the rest of the story you should know!) Well, yes siree, I felt a little dribble in the pantie area, and then, of course, another coughing spell, and yes siree, another dribble....and the flood gates opened! Now, wasn't that professional! I'm sitting in a beautiful skirt, in the car, soaked with pee pee, and on to a meeting. Quick turn of the car to the house to scrub me, car seat, throw skirt into washing machine, head to the meeting with a smile! Life happened, and then goes on.<br /><br />Knew you would enjoy that piece; truly understanding it ONLY if you are over fifty!<br /><br />So, on our way to Christmas time, The beautiful babies below are the gift of life, and the reason for my title, Always, Always, Give Thanks. Well, opps, couldn't get them downloaded and I've got to get ready for work! These are the new breaths of life! They are in my heart, soul, and mind! <br /><br />have a blessed day,<br />mamakatemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-38127605974509181922008-11-20T04:26:00.000-08:002008-11-20T04:31:00.945-08:00always a challengeWhat a difficult week. Lots of sadness in the world and in the community. The out pouring of love for Brandon Clark and his family has been overwhelming and not surprising. We are a loving community. With all of the emotions that build up inside of me, I'm learning to take one little feeling at a time and acknowledge it. That is probably the most important thing I've been doing. If something is really driving me crazy, handle it; take care of it; do whatever it is that will help. And then, the big, MOVE ON. Let it go. What happens, happens. But believe in myself, my job, my GOD and my commitment to this day. That's what it is about. Not me...but the day and how I can make it bettr. Life's a challenge; gratefully, I accept it, honor it, and embrace it. Blessings to all. katemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-47621146913666648132008-11-14T05:21:00.000-08:002008-11-14T05:40:10.315-08:00life is a highwayI think what we all search for is some sort of peace. Even when everything is crazy and swirling around us, to know somewhere in our lives we have peace, the craziness is accepted and bearable. I know that I continually search for that peace....but, deep within my soul, I do know where it is. It is in the comfort of my home, with my husband, not necessarily talking ( go figure) but knowing that we do love each other so much. The peace is found in the love I have with all four of my daughters, son-in-laws, grandchildren, and just plain life. But, what I do know, is that you have to find that place of peace <strong><em>sometime</em></strong> during the day. Whether early in the morning (maybe by getting up an extra 30 minutes) or stopping in your car, by yourself, for a quite moment, even looking up at our beautiful sky and shutting your eyes, we can find peace. What a thought for the day. Slow down...look up....breathe...and know that it is going to be alright.....okay, then reality sets in, and your off and running! BUT, YOU TOOK A MINUTE!!!! Love life; that's the most important thing...love Life. blessings, katiemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-56442087048924909312008-11-12T04:30:00.000-08:002008-11-12T14:20:50.894-08:00figureing it all outAs a woman in her fifties, trying to do it all, I think I may have figured it out. Now, I'm not promising anything to anybody, BUT, I might be on to something. Maybe not <em>trying to do it all!</em> I don't know though, it's just a thought. I'm working full time, have five grandchildren I <em>try</em> to be a part of, two daughters in town, two daughters out of town, and a very loving and understanding husband AND <em>I'M BACK IN SCHOOL!! </em>Trying to figure out timeage and all of that and I think the answer is '<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING!!!" </em></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Can't believe I can't, but I do believe that is the answer. House cannot be spotless, all chores can't be done, allllllll people in my life cannot be made better BY ME, soooo, this morning I'm just going to study for my test tomorrow. Yes sirrrrreeee, that's what I'm going to do. Study, shower, go to work, and thank the good Lord I felt His tap this morning and am responding! Amen to that brothers and sisters. LOL, katie</span>mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-91656133512412209542008-09-08T04:00:00.002-07:002008-09-08T04:10:32.345-07:00Planning the day, week, yearI try everyday to figure out the PLAN for the day; organization, planning, using a check list is what I'm all about! Except one thing! I don't seem to ever get anything written down to BEGIN the day of planning, the checklist to CHECK off!! I have been inspired by a book that I had read about on another blog...it's title is <em>Secure in the Everlasting Arms, by Elisabeth Elliot. </em>In one of her chapters, titled <strong><em>JOY</em></strong>, there is one line that popped out....<em>"How can I make the Howards happy?"</em> (this woman works for the howards). Isn't that wht we should do everyday? Try to see how "I" can make a difference in someone's life today. Whether that's with a kind word, listening ears, or a smile, can I make a difference today to just one person. That should be the plan, I guess. Instead of worrying about all of the mess that I tend to load on myself, let's make it simple. How can I make a difference in someone's life, without going crazy about it, can I make a difference with a touch or a facial expression How about "being nice?" What a concept. Today, tomorrow, forever, that will be my plan. "How can I make a difference in someone's life; through my actions with the GRACE of GOD within me! Blessings to all who read today. Katiemamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-78101880850352016252008-09-08T04:00:00.001-07:002008-09-08T04:00:37.797-07:00Planning the day, week, yearmamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2768525647129637275.post-87954961042004753862008-09-01T18:35:00.000-07:002008-09-01T18:53:33.026-07:00Just Beginning<strong><span style="font-family:courier new;">This is my first time to blog...so, I hope I don't sound toooo crazy, cranky, or just plain old! I've always loved to write in a journal, just haven't in soo many years. I think what I want to do the most though, is to receive advice, have prayers with and for me/family. But most of all to learn the best way to reach into my soul and recreate it on this site. So, most of all, be patient with me, listen to me, help me! I tend to overschedule myself, like so many of us do at this time. I am going back to school, finally figuring out in this old life what I want to be "when I grow up!!" I've worked for a nonprofit hospice for fourteen years and have gone through many changes, emotionally, spritually, medically, and educationally. I have been married to a wonderful man for the past ten years. It was truly through the grace of God that I met David and married him. Having been married previously for twenty three years, life was scary, exciting, overwhelming, and undetermined. And then came David. I have multiple sclerosis, being diagnosed at the tender age of 28. Been almost blind, on a walker, crutches, wheelchair, and feeling out of control, I have come to, not only embrace my MS, but to grow with it. At this time, I have been in full remission for almost one year, in October. You would never know that I have MS. But I do know that I have been put into this position for a reason. To help others and encourage others and teach others. Life changes on a dime for all of us. Besides the MS, my life has done a complete 180 in the last twelve years. And I have become a better person because of it. But, like I had begun this saga with, I tend to overload my plate at times. I tend to become overcommited with things, and then to feel like a failure when I've not completed some things. So, as my first blog of this date, I will end for now, and elaborate later. Let me tell you, though, I have the most beautiful family that God has given me and I DO know how blessed I am. With two beautiful daughters, two beautiful stepdaughters, five FABULOUS grandchildren, and a loving husband, I have been given much. Thanking friends and family in advance for reading, praying, and posting advise. </span></strong>mamakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06216341282062180849noreply@blogger.com1