Have you ever heard of Ferritin? I had not either until a few years ago. Ferritin is a protein that contains iron and is the primary form of iron stored inside of cells. The small amount of ferritin that is released and circulates in the blood is a reflection of the total amount of iron stored in the body. 

So, it started out with me going to give blood. When they tested it, they said it did not pass. I did not think much about it. I had episodes of anemia in my life. Not often, but a few times. So I just chalked it up to intake more iron-rich foods.

Several years pass and the same thing happens again.

Then, I started feeling extremely tired, more than tired, more than anemic, more like my brain was so tired it could not make me do another thing. It would come and go, this tiredness. I was so tired that I thought many times I would have to call for help to get me home. I would sit down for sometimes thirty minutes to an hour and finally get just enough oomph to get to the car.

Then, I started losing my eyebrows and eyelashes. 

I had a dermatology appointment for my skin cancer check, and I asked about why I was losing them. She said she thought it might be my Ferritin level was off. She had seen it before. I said I'm not anemic; I've had bloodwork. She said, let's check it. So, we did. My Ferritin level was 3. Normal is about 12-150. 

Once I was treated, I felt so much better. This little "F" word sure had messed up my life. My eyebrows were gone. She suggested injections each week for three months to see if any might grow back. The injections were painful. I had six around both eyebrow areas each time. I am so thankful for the eyebrow hairs I do have. My eyelashes were not so severely affected. They recovered completely.

Now, I say all of this to say that my culprit was tea. For some people, not many, I suppose, the tea does not allow the Ferritin/iron component to adhere to the cells in my body???

Most doctors say that the Ferritin cannot be low without anemia. For me, this was not so. 

I'm not a doctor; I know very little about medicine, the body, how it functions or doesn't. I know everyone is created differently and is affected uniquely by various things.

For me, it is the tea.

I enjoy tea. I was drinking a medium unsweet tea each day (better than sodas, right?), just one, but over a long period of time which helped create this medical experience. I still enjoy a tea from time to time, but not all of the time or daily. It is a treat. I must be careful.

Maybe you have experienced something similar?

Fresh Find: Cute shoes!!!

Dig a Little Deeper; we've got us another star!!! Miss J was the star of the show!!!

The Plainview Civic Music Association hosted the Spring Concert featuring the Children's Chorus of Plainview, Marla Maresca, Director, at the Fair Theatre. The children did so well. What an awesome experience for them!!!

And, her cra-cra sister!!!

Fresh Find: Cute cherry shoes!

The out-of-area grandsisters had a performance today.

It is the season for dance, dance, dance!

Fresh Find: I love this planter, but not for plants. I love it for a bird feeder!!!

I have lived my entire life with ringing in my ears, well, at least as long as I can remember. I've read about some whose ringing starts up new at some point in their lives, and it drives them mad. Some have even committed suicide. When I read about these situations, I am blessed to have been ringing my whole life. It's all I know.

I'm always interested in a cure for those who suffer from ear ringing. There are many products that call out a cure, but I've never found one that has worked.

Here is an interesting article: Ringing

I read a study that reported this: Hyperacusis and tinnitus are more prevalent in the Autism Spectrum Disorder population subgroup diagnosed with Aspergers under DSM-IV criteria than in the general public. Hyperacusis also appears to be more prevalent in the AS population than in the ASD population at large. Future research is warranted to provide insight into the possible correlation between tinnitus and hyperacusis symptoms and the abnormal social interactions observed in this group.

Since I am wired differently because of my Aspergers exceptionality, this may be something that I can't find a cure for.

I've lived with the ringing for 60+ years, and I have noticed in the last year that my hearing is leaving me. I may need to try hearing aids. I am curious how they might work with the ringing in my ears. 

I'm interested in your hearing aid experiences.

Fresh Find: Wow, this is a great bag-seat!!! 

One is beautiful.

Two is doubly beautiful!

This is how God's children are. When we work together in His name, we light up the world with beautiful colors! He shines!!!

Fresh Find: Find spring without the work with these wooden flowers.

I have been doing a Bible Study on Red Hot Faith with Cindy Bultema. First of all, her testimony had me crying with the ugly face including red eyes and a runny nose. A good cleansing, God anointed boo-hoo session.

There are a few things that God has brought to my attention while listening, well, watching and listening. Since I am wired differently than the norm, I pick up different thoughts that are typically not the key points of what is expected to be taken from a study.

One thing that has me thinking is our broken hearts. Y'All, I have one. I have a heart that has been broken into a million pieces many times over. I know you all know some brokenness, as well. In thinking about all the things we hear about how God uses the broken, how He is close to the broken, and how God heals the broken, it leads me to how does this happen.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 134:18

He binds up our wounds and saves us.

Cindy said little stitch by little stitch. My mother was a meticulous seamstress. Although she worked in retail and sold fine garments to the wealthiest of Plainview, she made most of her clothing, especially in her early married years. Her garments looked reversible because the inside finish was as nice as the outside. She used small even stitches.

I also remember when my father died and in my healing process God allowed me little "stitches" of standing on my own to face my sorrow until I came full circle and found myself "stitched" up to complete healing. Stitch by stitch, little even stitches; God upholds us to newness, usability, beauty, and wholeness.

Behold, I am making all things new. Revelation 21:5

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Fresh Find: This sound like an interesting mayo that I should try, Avacado Oil Black Garlic Mayo!

There is “A time to keep silent, and a time to speak” - Ecclesiastes 3:7

Have you ever taken the time to look at the art of the bird's nest making? Have you ever wondered how they know how to create something so strong out of things so fragile? How they weave it all together into a safe place tapestry for their prized eggs? The Divine overlay of creation is such a mystery. The wonderful thing is it is so simplistically beautiful in its intricacy. Amazing God the Creator.

It is good when I am blessed with lovely things for my eyes to see.

An average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute. In comparison, a human's average heart rate is only 60-100 beats per minute at rest. At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 breaths per minute. Their breathing pace will increase when they are in flight. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell but have very keen eyesight. Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their long bills; they lick it with fringed, forked tongues. Capillary action along the fringe of their tongue helps draw nectar up into their throats so they can swallow. A hummingbird can lick 10-15 times per second while feeding.

They are very small and extremely active. All this activity causes them to lose a lot of heat across their body surface, which creates another problem: they are not able to supply their bodies with enough energy to remain active for more than 12 hours at a time. To counteract this, they go into a deep sleep for 12 hours every night. This allows them to control their energy requirements.

We need to keep in mind that all the hummingbird’s features would have to work perfectly from the very beginning for it to survive. From its long bill, special tongue, unique rapid wing-beat, all to be able to gather its highly efficient energy food. The migratory behaviour—energy storage, flight endurance, long-distance navigation—must also have been perfect from the beginning so the adults could reach their nesting grounds and return with their young.

We cannot doubt the hand of God the Creator in the design of the Hummingbird, God’s tiny miracle.

Fresh Find: A fun Hummingbird swing.

We visited our out of area grandsister lovelies this weekend. Their aunt Beverly sent their Easter gifts so, we baked.

They read a lot, too! So proud of this!!!

And, we played games...but, this one was hilarious!

And, we drew a lot. Both girls are very good with their sketches! We played three color challenge. You draw a picture and then draw out three colors from the box, and those are the colors you get to use in your illustration. Harder than you think! Miss A had a slumber party, so Miss D and I had some extra quality art time!!!

I love this window! The light that was my Etter grandparents and then my parents lights it perfectly!

It is always nice to get home. We pass this each time. A pretty picture.

Fresh Find: Sweet little mother ring.

To know something does not mean you know it all. I pride myself in knowing nothing other than by the grace of God I see, share, and prayerfully desire to show kindness. I fail. I seek forgiveness, and I dust myself off and try again. The beauty we find in the bloom should be our focus.

There are some people...

We should not go there. It doesn't matter what anyone else does or doesn't do. What we control is ourselves, not others. Be the one that is willing to change the one we can! We need to work on that one thing, ourselves, with the One that will change us for the better. 

There are those who know a lot. I admire that. It isn't me, will never be me, and I'm okay with me being the best me I can be! When we trust God to drive our day, he blesses.

There is not much I know. I do know my Savior. I do know my story. To know me is to know that my journey with Jesus runs deep and wide.

MY  TESTIMONY

Seven, 7 the number reminds me of half a cross.  Seven is the age I was when I asked Jesus into my life, to be my Savior.  The only thing was, all said and done; I only gave him part of me.  I didn’t realize it at the time.  I knew I wanted to go to heaven when I died and I wanted to be forgiven for all my wrongs.  God showed me that he wanted more from my life.  Between my junior and senior years in high school, our church youth choir went on tour to the northwest.  One evening during a performance God showed me that my age seven decision needed to be an age 16 commitment to complete the giving of myself to him who died on the cross for me. He revealed in evidential ways his ministry of servanthood through the Holy Spirit alive within me.  Each day I am in awe of the opportunities for growth.  Growth for me as well as others that he places in my life as I am sensitive to his desires for my life.

Fresh Find: Adorable passport bag & for a good cause!