Jane Austin, Christian Encounters

A new series of books from Thomas Nelson, Christian Encounters introduces or familiarizes us to legendary figures of our past. From writers, important religious figures, to politicians and more, readers are given a concise history of those who can both influence and enlighten us. A biography of the writer Jane Austin is one of 5 in the first series released in 2010.

As a dearly loved and widely read author, Jane Austin's short life was greatly influenced by her faith. The child of a pastor in England, faith and religion were a large part of her large family. She began writing as a child and was a very prolific writer, if only in letters. She began most of her most famous books early in her life and tweeked them over many, many years. She became discouraged by continued rejection, but after finally being published, experienced great success.

If you want a concise biography, this book is suitable. I found it difficult to keep Jane's relationships straight, so many people are referenced. There is an appendix in the back that lists all of the people in her life, both friends and family. It follows her life chronologically although he does jump around some. It is a quick and easy read but may require some referring back to the appendix. I could have lived without some of the quotes, quotations and outside references, but for some, that might be appealing. All in all, if you want to learn more about a famous author with a closer look at how her faith influenced her life, then this is a good choice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Early Senility

Here is a dose of humility, for me that is! I tend to share stories that are amusing and fun and this one is the same, I suppose, but not for me.
We traveled to Vienna the other day for work and also to visit friends. While we were there, I went into Hungary with the women to get a haircut and eat and go to Tesco (the British Walmart that Germany doesn't have.) As we were buying our things, I put in my PIN for my card and the sale didn't go thru. I am not sure why because I only speak a few words of Czech and no Hungarian! I put my PIN in again and there was still a hang-up. She calls over a manager. I start to worry that I had put the wrong PIN number in. I had no Hungarian money,and just a few Euros, so I was thinking I would have to borrow money, ugh. After about 5-6 minutes, the sale went through and I left with my things. The next day, we needed cash to eat out and Jason asked that I run down to the bank and get some out. After I put my card in, I panicked that I didn't know the right PIN and so I never put a number in. The machine said it would take my card, but fortunately, it gave it back. Now, I am thinking desperately, what is my number? I can think of mine and Jason's social security numbers, and even my address from Houston from 25 years ago, but my 4 digit PIN number that I use about 2-4 times a week, nothing! So, Jason gets out the money and I continue to think on my number. I suggest a number, it is just one from Jason's social, I suggest another number and it is too close to my social. I am getting really frustrated with myself.
We get back to Dresden and we go out to the store and I try to pay and... false PIN number. Jason comes to my rescue again! I give up!!!
I know that the bank doesn't have my number, and if I have to get a new number, that it will be very inconvenient and probably time consuming. This is getting ridiculous! I even remember my phone number from Sweetwater. Why can't I remember. I used to carry my PIN in my wallet (cleverly disguised!) but after a change in our American banking card, took it out, stupid!

Thankfully, I tend to keep everything I think is important and my PIN number was safely filed away and easily accessible after Jason reminded me to look! AHHH

So, my mind is going at just 35 and I fear by 50 I won't remember my name, let alone any important number, which seems to me the only way any company, business or the world can identify me. My wallet will be full of more numbers than money!

Shopping in Germany has never been an exciting thing to do. I used to love to shop (except for groceries) in the states to snatch up great bargains. I miss Target and even Walmart, because we have only one store like it and it is not convenient. (nothing is really convenient here, thus one of the hassles of shopping.)

I usually go grocery shopping with Jason to help speed the trip along and keep it from being entirely loathsome! I have discovered almost everything in the store now, but like any store, it continually gets new products. I stumbled on these at my grocery store the other day.

Just in case you don't know, this is yogurt. [The other two are coconut (not bad, just different) and christmas cookies (like shortbread), yummy] I am not sure who their target consumer is? but no matter, YUCK!

Wake up!

Jason and I have a clock in our bedroom that gets its time from radio waves. So, it should always have the correct time. I have noticed at least once in the past, that the clock had an incorrect time. Our alarm is set for 6:35 am in order to get Jonah out the door at 7:05 and the other 2 students out at 7:30 am. I usually press snooze at least once.

This morning the alarm rang and I pressed snooze. It rang again 5 minutes later and again, snooze. I continued to press snooze till I looked at the ceiling (the clock beams the light onto the ceiling) and saw that it was 7:20! Agh!!! I yell at Jason and Jonah that they have to get up NOW. Jonah begins to cry out, I am going to be in so much trouble... I get up and go downstairs to wake up Caedon and Ashlyn so that they have 10-15 minutes to get ready. As I am trying to get the very tired kids up, Jason yells from downstairs to check a clock. I do and it reads, 3:35! Stupid clock was wrong and the alarm went off to boot! Thankfully, we all were able to go back to sleep but it gave us a good story to tell!

I have put in another clock that isn't radio controlled in our bedroom, just to keep this from happening again!

It has been a trying week. As most of you know, Ashlyn went to the hospital on last Saturday with a stomach ache. After 7 hours and three consultations from 3 different drs., she was rushed into emergency surgery to remove her appendix. During the 2 1/2 hour surgery, the Doctor had to dig around to find the large, infected appendix tucked under her liver. As she was trying to remove the nasty thing, it ruptured. They flushed it with saline and antibiotics and inserted a tube to allow for drainage. After midnight on Sunday morning, she was wheeled from the OR in one building, outside in freezing weather to the intensive station on the other side of the hospital. She was in a very small room till 2-3 hours later, when she began to wake up and then vomit. The vomiting lasted off and on for 2 days, I think in reaction to the anesthesia. She was put into a room with a 6 year old girl who had her finger operated on shortly after Ashlyn's surgery was done. The doctor said she was very glad that she did the surgery when she did and was glad that Ashlyn's appendix hadn't ruptured before she got her into surgery. Ashlyn had 5 days of antibiotics and pain medicine. After Tuesday, she was able to begin to eat and drink a little, things such as jello and soup. By Thursday, she was feeling much better and we thought she might get to go home by Friday. We were prepared to make a defense for letting her go home (doctors tend to keep patients longer here), but the doctor said she thought she could go by then. By Thursday afternoon, the doctor went ahead and released her and we were happily bringing her home by 4 pm. By just 8 pm Ashlyn had spiked a 102 fever. I was concerned that her infection wasn't gone so we called the hospital and they recommended we bring her back in. So, just 5 short hours at home and she was back in her same bed at the hospital. They tested her blood but gave her nothing for her fever. They just observed her for 36 hours during which her fever went down to normal and they never gave her any antibiotics, fever reducer or IV fluids. Finally, Saturday afternoon she was back at home. TO STAY. The doctor said it was a virus she must have picked up from one of her brothers, but i find that a little strange.

She is doing really well and will have just 2 small scars. She goes back to the doctor tomorrow to check on everything. She must stay out of school for another week and no PE for 4 weeks, which she likes!

I tell this story for several reasons. The main one was to tell about how sweet the boys were to her while she was at the hospital. When they talked to her they were so concerned and asked how she was feeling and doing and would always say, I love you. (they don't say this). Caedon has continued to ask her if she feels okay and told her he keeps asking because he thinks she looks sad. He keeps asking if she has another stomach ache, ....? It was a good time for the kids to think of their sister rather than themselves. Jason and I are glad that everything is better now and we get to sleep in the same house and bed again. My family is intact again. And Ashlyn wouldn't show the doctors how much pain she was having and was very shy. She had to stay a couple nights alone and by the end was saying how she was okay because she knew the doctors and nurses now.

Thanks for reading, if you got this far and thanks for your prayers, if you got updated. October was crazy busy and now that November has been rather eventful, I am hoping that the rest of the month and December will slow down!