A test

 This is a test.

1) I am challenging myself to post something weekly.  You see, I am a rather undisciplined person.  I have spurts but consistency in disciplined routines is not one of them.  I am trying to create more small daily and weekly disciplines.  There ARE SO MANY I would love to tackle.  One that I am starting with is a weekly post here even if it is small.  So this is this week's post.  I am going to share a few random recent pictures.  

2) I am not sure if I am receiving the recent post via the Follow It feed.  Thus I am questioning if you are.  So if you get this post, could you send me a brief text, e-mail, or sticky note on my door to let me know you are getting it.  I also realized people have posted comments and I don't see them.  I scavenged the site for a way to get notified of them but don't see it.  So thanks for the comments over the past years.  I am sorry I didn't respond!

Quick update.  Peter received a check for Jun, July, and August SSI.  Yay.  He has switched the timing of his meds to see if it helps with the hunger cravings.  Currently, he is working 3 nights a week at Lowes.  He meets with his psychiatrist (meds) doctor on Tuesday to discuss his medication.  I am praying that the Dr. will be cautious and thoughtful in any medication changes.

Last weekend my friend Tammy was here from Pennsylvania for her annual Georgia tour.  It was fun to have her stay a night in my spare room and make our traditional trip to the Gainesville branch of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  It was Hot but the flowers are always fun.  We followed it up with food at Hello Hilo, our local Hawaiian restaurant. 

Last weekend we celebrated Mom's neighbor Miss Nelda and her upcoming 90th birthday.  Nelda and Mom share a duplex and I call them two peas in a pod.  They are both widows who are loved by all and love their flowers.  They watch out for each other of which I am very grateful.

Recently, my friend Jade and I went out for Menchie's yogurt (our current favorite outing.) When we returned to her house the sky was putting on a display.  As it got dark the neighbors were trying to put on a fireworks display but it paled in comparison to God's!

During the week our school was closed, Mom and I drove up to Greenville to see Anna and the kids.  We had a fun afternoon hanging out with these Princesses.

Early in June, we went to the wedding of Mom's water fitness instructor.  She has been leading water aerobics classes at our local aquatics center for 15 years.  She is beloved by the many who attend her various classes.  She is 78 and her groom was 80 and it was one of the sweetest and most fun weddings I have ever attended.  95% of the 100-plus people in attendance were members of one of her water exercise classes. And I was one of the youngest people there! 

One of the fun things I get to do at school is decorate.  During the summer weeks, I change out the entryway photo booth every Friday to fit the upcoming theme. Sometimes they are time-consuming and tedious (like the circus tent) and others are as simple as throwing up a backdrop and adding a few props. This summer there has been a lot of collaboration.  Daisy the resident balloon artist put together the party display for the church's VBS.  Vita made the amazing flower blooms for our garden week.  And Emily put together the beach and the dinosaur displays as I was traveling. It is so fun to see the kids interact and pose in front of the displays on their way in and out of the school. Also makes me think that the Visual Merchandising class I took in college was a valuable part of my experience!

SSI not lost

 I am good about sharing requests but don't always follow up.  I am trying to remember to let you know the outcomes.  Peter went with his representative to the Social Security Office last Monday.  He has not lost his SSI disability.  They were told there was a glitch with the Federal treasury. So hopefully he will receive his checks soon.  That was a relief to all of us! Thank you, Jesus.

Peter asked me yesterday about contacting the doctor to change his medicine.  He is convinced that it is the reason he is gaining weight.    Peter shut me down when I proposed that it's not the medicine but his diet of white bread, lunch meat, pancakes, and Diet Coke.   He wanted me to call the doctor and I told him they don't respond to my inquiries (which is true) and sent him all the contact numbers.  My desire is that the nurse will work with him on diet and he will listen.  This medicine has worked the best for him mentally and past medication changes have been less successful.  A change without some thought and consideration does make me a little nervous. Pray that the agency working with him will wisely guide Peter. 

Thank you so much for your prayers on Peter's behalf.

Peter July 2024

I have not written about Peter in a while.  He has been doing really well for which I am grateful.  We have recently attended another Braves game and a Fourth of July event.  He has been fun to be with.  His roommate's situation seems to be okay.  He doesn't talk much about it.  I think they coexist without a lot of interaction. I am delighted to see how Peter keeps the apartment clean.  Peter and mom have lunch about once a week followed by a grocery store run.  Peter also goes to church with Mom on Sundays.  I am grateful for Mom doing this for him.  I know she is a significant person to him. Peter is taking his medicine and lets me know when he needs a refill. These are all good things

There are a couple of concerns that have prompted this post.  Peter appears to have lost his SSI benefits as he has not received any checks in the past two months.  Originally when he started working at Lowes they were giving him too many hours.  The guess is that this is what prompted the loss of benefits however no letters to this effect have come to the house.  He is going to the Social Security Office today with an ACT team member to see what they can find out.  Meanwhile, Lowes cut his hours (as he requested to keep his SSI benefits) and has been cutting them drastically.  Peter requested to work an evening unloading job which is three nights a week but it appears he is only being scheduled once a week.  The loss of SSI income and Lowes' pay has of course been discouraging to him.  His housing cost is dependent on his income so currently there is little concern about being kicked out of his apartment.  However, Peter has become quieter over the past few days which indicates he is concerned.  And his falling into depression is a concern for me.

Peter also needs the work otherwise he sits at home on his phone.  Peter has been gaining weight.  This is I am sure partly due to the medication and how it makes him hungry.  With fewer days of walking the two miles to and from work, he is getting less exercise.  I also have watched him shop and his food choices are easy-to-heat meals that are high in carbs and sugar and low in fruit and vegetables.  There is the concern of health risks with weight gain but even more the fear that this will trigger his going off his medication.

Just wanted to share the update as many have kindly asked.  I want to share that there is so much that I am grateful for.  He has come a LONG way since a year ago when he was living on the streets in Athens.  Yet I appreciate continued prayers for increased stability of work and income, positive relationships and a receptiveness to the healing work of Jesus.