Webcasts

Our church has experimented with streaming video of our services and other events at Ustream.com.  One of the vids features myself, Richard (my husband), and our pastor practicing music for a service.  We had NO idea what we would be doing that evening until we showed up.  So my appearance is not what I would have like to present to the worldwide web.  But, ce la gere (not sure if this is spelled  right).  If you want to view the items there - go to Ustream.com and type anionted in the SEARCH BOX.  It is deliberately misspelled by our pastor to make it unique.  One of my internet friends in Germany has viewed it already.  We have several older members who are housebound - so this will be a nice way to keep them up-to-date with the services.  It is not fully operational yet - so there may not be much there yet.  Again, keep in mind - this is a SMALL church - but they have a big heart.  So please be kind in comments please.

Clarification

Just wanted to clarify that I have advised my doctors whenever I have adjusted the amount of medication I am taking.  I know that it is important that they know how much I am taking and if they had insisted on the higher amount - then I would comply.  With this particular type of illness (bipolar II) - I know that working WITH my doctors is vital to my health and to limit the amount of manic episodes.

Insomnia strikes

Been trying to function on only 2 Seroquel, rather than the 3 prescribed.  Haven't been doing too badly - but insomnia is setting in again.  Didn't go to bed until around 10am this time.  With retirement, this isn't earth-shattering, but don't want to get into a routine like this.   Normally I would take the amount prescibed - but haven't liked the inability to get out of bed before 12-1pm.  Plus my liver enzyme numbers are going up again - so any reduction in meds that affect the liver is a good thing IF I can handle it.  If the insomnia continues - may have to bite the bullet and take the 3 and try to get to bed earlier and see what happens.  Need to take it earlier definately - been out of my established routine since we have been having more appointments during each week now.  Not very used to having so many weekly duties to attend to.  At least not for the last few years since being on disability.  Fortunately I am FINALLY off the crutches - but still struggling with getting down the few steps outside.  Need to get my knee x-ray tomorrow and get that checked since I am still having episodes of tremendous pain.   We are starting a Daniel fast on the 30th - but are adjusting it to include white meat chicken without skin and 2% milk since I need to make sure we get adequate protein and calcium.  I am hoping this will help us to start a healthier lifestyle menu plan since we have to eliminate processed sugar and red meat.  Plus we have to have whole grains only if we want bread products and no preservatives, additives or chemicals.   Been working on a menu plan so we know what to expect.   I know this sounds like I have my act together pretty much - but not so much.  Had a manic episode last night and didn't handle it very well.  Better today.  All I know to do is put one foot in front of the other and try to keep moving forward, with God's help. 

This blog

Never kept a blog before - although I kept diary as a kid.  Safe under lock and key.  This is a lot different - have to think before I speak since everything is public.  But want to keep it honest too.  Perhaps some will tire of hearing me speak about my church or God.   Sorry - God is a BIG part of my life.  Being bipolar II has created so many problems in my life - but when I stay grounded in a good church, with friends, responsibilities, and positive feedback, then I notice that I do so much better.  Being bipolar is such a headache sometimes - the simplest comment can trigger tears.  Being hypersensitive feels like a curse, but I stay on my meds, attend regular counseling, and try to grow beyond the stupid patterns that I seem stuck in sometimes.  Finally found a therapist that deals in post-tramatic stress.  Since I have a dual diagnosis of the bipolar and borderline personality, it can be challenging to change my responses to stress.  Hate being perceived as a "crybaby".  But, I try to not give up - although some days I pray for God to take me home - but fortunately for me, He doesn't listen when I am allowing the weight and emotions to overwhelm me.  But it is so nice when God confirms that He doesn't put me down either for being this way.  He just encourages me to take things one-day-at-a-time and give my problems to him as best I can.   I realized last night that I actually have TWO blogs here.  The other is called Maggie's Thoughts n More.  I am posting to both for now.  We'll see how long that lasts.  Hopefully someone can relate to me and my stuff and be helped too.  Have started a ONE-YEAR Bible reading program which we broke down into 3-month segments.  Not doing too badly.  Had music practice tonight at church - a little challenging since the keys used tonight were a little difficult for me.  I'm going to see a piano teacher next month - I would like to learn how to play chords since I play by ear a little.  We don't have a pianist at present - so perhaps I will be able to learn to play better and be able to contribute something there.  We'll see how it goes.  Figure it would be good therapy too to build self-esteem.  Have a ladies meeting Thursday - excited to see the different projects we will come up with.  Have heard good things that some are going to bring and share.  We realized that Mountain Mike's has small plastic cups for ice cream that we can use as soap molds.  Have some really cute soaps in a book that I have gotten from my book club.  Will be really nice if we can get numerous projects completed for sale at the end of the year to raise funds.  Going to stop for now.  Hopefully my student will be able to come Sunday - looking forward to seeing how the class goes.

California vs. Kentucky & Indiana

Kind of like comparing apples and oranges.  I have so many memories of Glasgow growing up since almost all school vacations were spent there and some summers.  Have fond memories of first city bus trip to downtown Indianapolis.  Spent the afternoon at L.S. Ayres - the gourmet food dept. and the fur coat dept.  The lady in furs was very nice in letting us try on hats.  Riding my bike on an unfinished freeway (465) in 1961 or 62.  My first trip to Newberry's in Glasgow and the Plaza Theatre to watch the Beatles in "Help" in 1965 - hmmmmm, nice.  Working across from Pier 39 at Blue Shield, and later at the Embarcadero Center downtown San Francisco. My daughter took me to see "Wicked" last year for my birthday in San Francisco, neat!  But my memories of small grocery stores to buy penny candy in Glasgow and exploring the cemetary on Leslie - irreplaceable.  Trips to Santa Cruz beach boardwalk - listening to seals underneath the piers, priceless.  Washington Street in Glasgow, used to be the "ritzy" street to us, and my favorite one has sat vacant for over 10 years and now looks like the haunted house that we used to try to con our younger siblings into believing it was.  My mom now resides on Leslie Street and will never leave - so my heart is drawn back to my birthplace again. Children living in California and Indiana - perpetual tug of war.

Retirement - Bummer

Used to be better when the hubby worked.  He was happier, at least he seemed to be.  He had purpose.  I had a routine.  Now the days seem like driftwood - bobbing along, no real plan.  BUT there is a bright spot.  Our new church.  There I have a place and routine.  Lots of changes happening, for the better.  It is so small, but we are seeing growth, even if it is slow.  Two new families and we have had several visitors recently.  Two weddings in the last few months AND I was asked to sing at the last one.  Bethel Bible Church in Modesto is, as I said, very small - but God is changing things.  The people are very nice and I put a listing in Craigslist to try to bring more people in.  It might be small - but if people are lonely and want to feel accepted for who they are now, AND want people who will pray with you about your needs - then it is here.  Going to study for ministry later after I have been there a year, as requested by the Pastor.  God recently worked a major financial miracle - totally unexpected, although I had been praying and trusting God.  The hubby has been involved in the food ministry - but praying for more involvement for him with other men of the church.

My Ties to Glasgow

Always used to stay with Christine Riddle on my visits, but now she is gone. Great memories of visiting her store when I was around 3 or 4 and buying penny candy. Really miss Eldridge's store too. In 1996 or 97, picked names at random from AOL directory to ask a few ladies to be penpals. Only one responded. Colitta turned out to be a classmate of Evelyn Decker's (my Mom's best friend, along with Lucy) son. We are still very good friends. Want to visit Wanda Peavely next visit - she was also a friend of Mom's. Promised to check on her since she is gone now. Wish I could find Sandra Likens - don't know her married name. We used to play jacks a LOT as kids. Miss my time with Maude Wren - was always with her when I was young. Hate the changes to Highland Street since the hepatitis issues caused them to tear down some homes, build new ones and make changes to the levels of some areas, which makes it hard to visualize what it used to look like. Tried to visit Ruby Brown (I know her name is different now) - but she lives somewhere it was hard for her to describe directions for me.

A New Year - A New Life

Just passed the one year anniversary of my niece's death from cancer. Spent that night at church. Still concerned for her husband and our church prays for him regularly. The title of this blog - Transplanted Kentuckian. Was actually raised in Indy, but have lived in S. Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, and now California. Just "spoke" via Facebook with a Glasgow cousin's son. So many changes there, so many people I grew up with are gone. Phyllis, Darlena, Ray, Robbie, Jerry Wayne, Uncle Jackie, Lucy, Christine Riddle. Others have married and I can't find them without their new last name. Most people knew me as Margo, although I hated that name. I have gone by Maggie since 7th grade to everyone who is not family from Indy or Ky. I really like the name since I had two Aunt Maggies - Maggie Likens and Maggie Goad, both gone. Been 3 years since my last visit - don't miss the snow though. Strange how connected I still feel to Glasgow - but when I visited last - hard to find the connection anymore. Most of the older relatives are gone and their children don't know me. I was born in Glasgow, but grew up in Indy. Have lived in California since 1980. A great start to the new year here. Have been in our new church since April of 2010 and although it is very small - the people are very nice. I sing, teach and plan to study for ministry in a few months. Would love to hear from any relatives from Glasgow. Especially Sandra, Ruby or Lucy's kids. Sorry to hear about Marvin's passing. Pappy Jim Likens was my great-grandfather, Euin Smith - my grandfather. Betty Smith, my mom.