Patti Katter

Dear Diary,

I’m confused.  I can’t go into detail online, but its weird.  It’s not like me to be confused.

Love,

PK

I recently have been thinking about diving into a Bible Study.  Since our last move I’ve felt like I’ve had no time and honestly, no say in the situations I’ve been in.  I’ve felt hurried, harried and pressured into things that I’ve had no control over.  When going through books at Family Christian bookstore, I picked up one that particularly caught my eye.  Esther, by Beth Moore.

On the back of the book, it states that this Bible study is for women that have felt inadequate, threatened or pushed into situations that seem over powering.  It’s a nine week study, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit that many weeks into a study.  Normally, I pick a Bible study that is short and to the point.  But, I couldn’t help but keep thinking that indeed… I am a hurried, harried and pressured military wife.  My husband is no longer in the military, however – my heart will always be that of a military wife.  The things our family deals with daily are because of my husbands military background.  PTSD and TBI play a big part of our lives still.  A stressful part of our lives to say the least.

I picked the book up, looked at it and set it back down.  I walked around the Bible book store, glancing at other Bible studies and music CDs.  Eventually, there I stood… looking at Esther again.  I decided to buy it and to begin the study.  On January 19, 2012 I started the study of Esther.  It has been a little harder than I thought it would be.  Right now, I only have two nights under my belt with a third one that will be finished tonight.  I admit, its sort of difficult learning the names of the Kings and places the story of Esther talks about in the beginning of the book.  Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes and Darius… Wow, what names to learn.

I’ve already learned a couple things I didn’t know about the book of Esther.  One funny little thing I learned is that the book of Esther talks about a seven day party.  Every military wife likes a good party, and if you are like me – you like being the hostess of the party… decorating and making sure everything goes well.

I’ve been warned that the book of Esther in the Bible never mentions God one time.  To me, this is weird – and I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before.  I’m wondering what I will learn from this Bible study.  I know God has really laid it on my heart to read this book and to study the book of Esther – I just don’t know what His plans have to do with me reading this book.  I hope I will learn more about my relationship with Christ, and I am hoping to be encouraged – as Lord knows, right now – I need the encouragement.

Ever so often I will write a follow up article to let you know how I am doing with the study.  Have you read the Beth Moore book, Esther? If you have, did you learn anything? Please share your experiences with me and other military wives interested in learning about the book of Esther.

You can also follow my progress on my Facebook Fanpage or Twitter.

Dear Diary,

I have quite a few frozen apples in my freezer from this past fall and realized I better get-a-cookin! Tonight, I doctored up an old Apple Cake recipe, changed a few things here and there… wah-lah… I came up with Pattis All American Apple Cake recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour pan… set it aside.

Take apples, sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

• 6-7 apples – cut/peeled and cored
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 5 teaspoons sugar

Then… in a separate bowl mix:

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons baking powder

Add the following to the flour mixture:

• 1/4 cup orange juice (I use freshly squeezed, its about one orange)
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup of melted butter

Last but not least, throw in:

• 1 cup broken walnuts

Pour half of batter in cake pan (or tube pan).  The batter is thick! Add about half of the apples to the first layer of batter.  Pour remainder batter on top of first layer of apples, then top cake with the rest of the apples.  Bake at 350 degrees for aprox 40 minutes.

Dear Diary,

This morning one of my daughters had a small surgery.  I was SO surprised at what a wonderful hospital we went to.  It was clean, the doctors and workers did not lose one shred of paperwork, the care was top notch… nothing like the Army hospitals we have seen.

Why are military hospitals so far behind civilian learning hospitals? Very sad!

Sincerely,

PK

Dear Diary,

Today was a pretty good day.  My oldest daughter started her second semester of college.  The younger kids are back at their school work and I am running here and there again.  I think I spend more time on the road running after kids than at home some days.

After dropping my daughter off at school, I stopped by McDonalds to pick up a Diet Coke.  I parked in a parking spota few minutes, glancing over to the left side of my vehicle.  I noticed a van pulling in next to me.  A man and a lady sat, unpacking the McDonalds food they had just ordered.  They pulled three large fries out of the bag, and they both had sandwiches.  I couldn’t see what the driver very well.  I could tell it was a man, very heavy set.  Then, on the passenger side of the van sat a woman.  She was very obese.  She was eating a large sandwich.  I couldn’t tell what it was for sure – but it was big.  Her fries were super-sized, so was her pop.

I snapped a quick photo...

Not that it was any of my business, but I couldn’t help but look at the woman as she tried to eat her sandwich.  She was having a hard time putting the sandwich up to her mouth because she was so big.  Her belly was huge.  I couldn’t help but actually feel really sorry for her.  She must not be happy, how could she be? I’m betting she couldn’t even get out of the van to go inside McDonalds.

Why am I telling you this?

I’ve struggled with my weight.  It has been a very difficult journey at times.  When I first started my “diet” (this last time) it was in February of 2011.  I decided I needed to cut carbs and sugar.  Sugar to me was like crack to a crack addict.  If I ate a little, I craved a lot.  So, last year – I quit eating sugar and haven’t had any since.  I’ve not only lost weight, but I have more energy than I did and I feel a lot better about myself.  No one could have talked me into starting my “diet” – I had to do this by myself.  I had to want something better for myself.

When I looked at the lady next to me, a thought crossed my mind.  I thought, what if I hadn’t done something for myself – I could have been like that in the years to come.  I’m so thankful I worked extra hard to change my life.  I had realized if I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren someday –  I should at least TRY to take better care of myself.  For the last year, I have been watching what I eat.  Recently, I decided that I will have to add more fruit and salads into my diet and cut out a little of the butter and popcorn I indulge in on occasion.  I also need to drink more water, and I’m sure a work out program would be beneficial.

Even thought a year ago I began my transformation, I’m not finished yet.

Til next time,

PK

Dear Diary,

Recently – we found out my dad, myself and my youngest daughter all have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  That explains a lot actually.  My dad has had joint pain for quite a while, but just figured it was… well…. just because.

I knew I had joint pain here and there, I have stretchy skin and I’m flexible.  My joints are not as bad as my daughters.

My daughter, age 11.  Shes had joint and muscle pain for over a year.  She has stretchy skin, she’s very flexible – or, hyper mobile.  She gets tired of walking easily, and needs a wheel chair if going really long distances.  She was the first one in our family to be diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos.  It did explain much for my dad and I… it runs in the family.  My little girl has a bad case of it.

Just to be on the safe side, shes going for a muscle biopsy next week to make sure she doesn’t have something like MD.  It took months for us to get this far in her diagnosis of what was going on with her.

For more information on Ehlers Danlos, visit the Ehlers Danlos National Foundation website.

~PK

Dear Diary,

This year has been a roller coaster.  Ups and downs.  New experiences, new terrain to climb.  Making new friends, connecting with old friends.  Here are a few things in my life that has really made an impact in 2011.

• At the beginning of the year, we spent time in Florida with my parents – my brother and his family.  It was a great time at the ocean.  We thought we were going to buy a house down there.  The house fell through, I know things happen for a reason – but, man I miss my family and the beach! LOL
• I began Voice of Warriors in February of this year.  With much help and coaxing from Beth Pennington from Military Missions, Voice of Warriors is going strong, and in places we never thought it would since conception.
• Dana (my oldest daughters step mom) and I have become good friends, in fact – she plays a vital role in Voice of Warriors.  With her help, we are reaching many veterans.  Dana is a prior Army vet.
• I’ve met so many cool people this year who have turned out to be good friends already! Mollie and her husband, “Prozak the Hitchcock of Hip-Hop and his boys,” Monty, Jim Fitzpatrick, Patty Goodrich and so many others!
• I had Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve with my grandma… my grandma means the world to me! Thats the flip side of not getting the house in Florida, I have been able to spend time with grandma!
• I met so many proud supporters of our troops, it has been amazing to see how many people DO care and its amazing to see they are thirsty for information.
• I had fun working on the Hunker in the Bunker website… very cool.
• I’ve enjoyed watching my children grow.  One in college, one in high school and one on the way to high school.
• I’ve continued to bond with friends I’ve had for a long time… especially my ww wives.
• It brings a smile to my face when I think of the great activities I’ve been able to participate in, such as Veterans Appreciation Day – The Red Wings Hockey Game and A Haunting On Hamilton Street 2.

Lame experiences in 2011…

• Something I really can’t post publicly has really been bothering me for a few years… but, I know when someone does something wrong – the truth will always come out…. just waiting for that truth to come out so people can finally move on.
• My mom was told she has cancer again – though this is lame, she’s a tough cookie!

We normally don’t go out on New Years Eve, for various reasons.  One thing about the whole military experience is, its so good to be home – in our little house, together… especially to bring in the New Year together.

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

The past two days have been busy.  I’ve been running here and there, trying to keep up with household chores – work and I just made a terrific survival forum.  Survival? Yeah, I’m not one of those people who thinks the world is going to end in 2012, but I do think its smart to be prepared in case of emergencies.  Natural or man made.

My parents went through a few hurricanes.  Tornadoes, snow and wind storms as well as severe thunderstorms can knock out power and can make road ways difficult to pass.  Instead of being one of those people who has only 24 hrs worth of food, I think its important that every house hold have enough stock to hold them over for a few days.

When we lived in North Carolina, I remember before a hurricane – food and water would fly off the shelves days before the hurricane was scheduled to hit.  Isn’t it a feel good feeling to know you don’t have to rush into the crowds of people to gather supplies ICE?

When I say ICE – I don’t mean what Mr. Frost brings us… but, it stands for “in case of emergency.”  :)

How do you prepare for emergencies?

Just curious.

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

I had a very lazy day today.  I don’t think I’ve had a day like this in… well, years! I tinkered around on my websites, was a little snippy on a Facebook Fanpage to someone trying to tell me how to diet and then ordered pizza for the kids tonight.  See, I didn’t even cook dinner.

It was nice, but here I am sitting in darkness in my living room feeling a bit too lazy.  I kept my pjs on all day, no make up and my hair is crazy I’m sure.  Before I go to sleep, I’ll grab a quick shower – but that’s it.  Done.

So, here’s to my lazy day… cheers!

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

I just realized… my parents may read this someday.  My mom likes reading my diary, she used to “sneak peak” read it… now, I share my dairy with the world – go figure.  I’ve been keeping an online diary since 2007… and, it occurred - I don’t think I ever told my mom.  That was dumb. LOL

Anyway, today is Christmas…. and, here’s how it’s been so far:

0700 – my son tries to sneak in my room to turn the internet on (yes, I turn it off during certain hours so the kids don’t veg out on it all the time)…

0705 – I tell him no way, then – it hit him… “It’s Christmas, wake up!”

0706 – Everyone gets up, and heads to the living room where the Christmas tree is.

After that, it was on.  Wrapping paper flying everywhere.  Gifts open, kids disappeared for quite a while as they were consumed with their new toys.

I made a video of the ciaos this morning, it was lovely ciaos. LOL

Now, to check on the Christmas turkey…

Love,

PK