Dull Moments

Yesterday, my dear sister-in-law got married. The Brack wedding machine was in full swing. There were pretty dresses, good food, lovely centerpieces. There was laughing and crying. There was the post-wedding hang-out. After an exhausting but joyful day, my husband and I and our 2 guests, Clare and Liz, headed back to our home. Robert stopped on the way, so we arrived first. I was putting sheets on a bed for a 3rd guest on their way when I hear these immortal words... "Chrissy! I need you... and the first aid kit." I hurried downstairs to find my husband, still only about a week post-op from having gallbladder removed, hobbling around our foyer. To make a long story short, he slipped on the ice and cut himself. Luckily, friends, I am CPR certified and used to be first aid certified. They aim this training to be something that "kicks-in" as a first response to a crisis. I did the very first thing they tell you to do -- assess the situation. Well, we need a cha...

As Christmas quickly approaches, I think both of what the next 2 weeks bring us. It's our own 12 days of Christmas around here, and trust me, I'd take geese a layin'.  As you probably know, I had PRK done to my eyes back in October. I am pleased to announce that I have fully recovered and see wonderfully. I once was blind, but now I see... very literally in this case. Every night, I get ready for bed and I am struck by the miracle that is my new eye-sight. It's wonderful! All of the complications -- dryness, soreness, blurry vision, distance trouble, and night vision trouble -- are gone. Good thing, too, because it's my turn to be the healthy one. As you may know, we are not finished with major medical procedures here in the Brack house. I may be up and running, but my sweet husband will have his gallbladder taken out on Thursday... Merry Christmas, right? I'm a little nervous about the rest of this week.  I am worried about preparation, recovery, and a ...

Have you been baking, friends? 'Tis the season! This creation comes from a place of being a health coach. And you can't bring fatty dishes to health coach parties, friends. Especially not for breakfast.  These are hearty and fulfilling, and we love blueberries around here, so I keep them in our freezer year round.  1/16 of the recipe is less than 200 calories (I'm guessing around 150). I use Land O Lakes light butter, because that's the only  light butter in the grocery store around here.  As a note, served warm as a dessert, they would benefit from just a little teeny-tiny bit of ice cream . And this health coach won't tell on you... Enjoy! Blueberry Breakfast Bars CRUST AND TOPPING: 1 cup whole wheat white flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1/2 cup Splenda  1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted light butter, cold and cut into small cubes 2 1/2 cups quick-cook oats 2 tablespoons apple or orange juice FILLING: 1/4 cup dark brow...

Christmas is my very favorite holiday. I love Christmas. I love Christmas for the right reason -- the hope we have found is so very, very precious. The other things I do with Christmas all remind me of the importance of this season. AND I GET INTO IT. Come to my house -- it's a Christmas explosion. Anyway,  I love this season, okay? The past month or two, we haven't exactly been receiving a lot of good news. Don't get me wrong; we are so blessed and I am not complaining. It's a simple fact. And it isn't slowing up in time for Christmas . This morning, when I came downstairs in my house, I saw my "ever-green" (and very artificial) Christmas tree. I thought, Oh Lord, your love is ever lasting. I saw our St. Nick's Day filled stockings on the mantle. All I hath needed, thy hand hath provided . The boughs on my windowsills outlined our sun room, and I am surrounded and carried by grace . My pom-pom garland entry announces joy. Joy that in our dar...

Thomas is known for doubting. This morning, I feel for Thomas. No one is recording these actions in the Bible, no one will discuss (for centuries) my actions and their implications. When presented with the news that Jesus would be leaving them, Thomas asked, "Lord, if you go, how will we know the way?" Thomas' issue was Jesus leaving them. Obviously, that's not my issue today, but I have a different circumstance that I am looking at and saying, "Lord, how are we going to do this?" Lord, how do I have faith in this situation? I have already cried, prayed, slept and read the Bible. James MacDonald says Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter how I feel because God promises a good result. Today, I believe this with all my heart. And today, when I don't, I will go to Jesus, like Thomas did, and I will say, "Lord, how will I know I the way?" Even as my heart is breaking and my eyes are filing with tears, I will ...

I had my surgery on a Friday afternoon at 3PM. When I woke up the next Monday morning, I felt like a different person. My eyes no longer felt like "something" was irritating them. They were dry buy manageable. They were tired but I could see. Light wasn't painful. The worst thing that Monday morning? THOSE BANDAGE CONTACTS. So gross and dry. The steroid drops you use with PRK are cloudy and gross and make the contacts equally cloudy and gross. You are not allowed to remove or touch the contacts, so... lots of artificial tears. On Monday, I was able to go shopping with my mom, function around the house, and start making goodies for a family from church thad just had a baby. I am glad I didn't choose to go back to work that Monday or Tuesday. my eyes just needed... down time. Non-computer-screen time. I felt fine, but my body wanted rest. This is going into my 3rd week of recovery. My night vision still isn't quite perfect. I need the light to see details an...

I'll finish telling you about PRK soon, promise. Today, though, let's talk about my life. My life with boys*. *When I say boys instead of men, I mean no disrespect. It's not a matter of age or maturity. I say girls instead of "women" all the time. It means nothing. As you may know, we have a friend and his 2 year old son living with us. It's cool, it's not a thing, and that's all I'm saying.  With this, I have become out-numbered 4:1 by the men. Because even my dog is a boy. A few ways my life has changed....  The house is always messy. Not horribly so, but there's always... something odd that needs to be cleaned up. I'm slowly accepting this fact and trying my hardest to realize it's not a big deal. I am frequently called emotional or catty. This isn't mean -- it's fact. But other girls aren't like, "What is wrong with you today?" or "Chrissy, you are being mean. You are overreacting...