Happy Birthday, Jean!

Well, it is not quite my birthday yet; it just feels like it. Although it doesn't arrive until March 11th, I am looking forward to it with anticipation. I already know 2 wonderful gifts that I will be receiving. The first is the gift of light! Daylight Savings Time will begin that night. 


The second piece of good news arrived yesterday. The publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Family Caregivers, sent me a letter saying that the book with my Chapter, Dry Her Tears will be out on the shelves on March 13th. This is 3 weeks earlier than projected. This story describes how my ex-husband. Lou and I took care of Dani, our 23-year-old daughter when she had the unfortunate accident of breaking both of her arms. Our family worked together in a sacred time of crisis and although he is not mentioned in the book, Warner, my son, was the first one to offer to jump on a plane and bring his sister home from Florida.


I received an e-mail from my friend, Kathy Wheeler with the subject title, "I made it." She also submitted a chapter, and it will also be featured in this book. How amazing that out of 101 stories, 2 are written by Springfield people. Kathy's story is called, Changing My Expectations, about her mother with Alzheimers.


Kathy and I share a bond in that we both wrote books about our Mothers and our experiences concerning their care. Kathy has a wonderful blog and if you would like to read it just click this link.http://broughttomysenses.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/my-story-chicken-soup-for-the-soul-family-caregivers/

My birthday is more than a month away. I wonder what other surprises will come my way!

I Can't Make Up Mind -muscle testing

When I am faced with a big decision to make, like should I put money down on this house, or is this car for me to buy, I usually don't have a problem. I just turn inward and my intuition shouts a big YES!


It is the small things that befuddle me. Now I am talking in the realm of which one of these three books should I buy? Should I get the top in blue or black since I like them both? Which tea should I pick off the shelf? Which orange is the ripest and best for me?


The amount of time I waste pondering these somewhat small decisions is ridiculous. I drive myself and unfortunately my friends and family nuts.


Fortunately, I have found an easy solution using the muscle testing of my hands and fingers to quickly get a yes or no answer and get on with my day.


My friend, Candess Campbell, has made two videos demonstrating this technique. I want to share them with you. I bet you will be surprised by how many times you will implement it. I have come to trust this strategy as my subconscious yes or no.Muscle Testing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4rmyhFzAzQ&list=UU7n8PCI5WrjL_HY1aUMB41Q&index=4&feature=plcp

Muscle Testing with Tomatoes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PJjW8dBx5M&list=UU7n8PCI5WrjL_HY1aUMB41Q&index=3&feature=plcp

"The most benevolent outcome," were the words I had spoken when ...

"The most benevolent outcome," were the words I had spoken as I snapped this morning picture. I did not even finish the sentence as I saw this beautiful orb appear as the flash of the camera went off. 

I do not have to wonder if angels are here to help me. I love the tangible view they give me. If you look closely you will see the the orb on the left is encircled by a bluish aura. My intuition makes me think that AA Michael is providing protection along with other angels.

It was not until I downloaded the picture that I saw the other orb on the right.

I am ready to start the day with confidence.

Successful Hints for Orb photography during the holidays

Picture taken in front of the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield

Orbs, (Spirit guides and Angels) love to celebrate holidays with you. 

If you would like to hear a 2-3 minute talk about how to successfully take orb pictures during this special time, go to http://www.myaudiowebsite.com/?site=orbs Click on audio clips and scroll down to find Holiday Hints for Orb Photography.
 In this audio, I give you some hints about how you might add to your holiday memories this season. There is in an introduction on the first page and then you can go right into the recording. I hope you have a very happy and healthy holiday season. 
*The most important suggestion is keep your camera close by for plenty of candid pictures. Also try taking pictures of anything and everything. Have fun and experiment.

Jean Rubnitz Ferratier

Special and Thoughtful Gifts for those with Dementia

The other day in the State Journal Register, I read an article about holiday shopping when someone on your list suffers from memory loss. The article was written by Renee Lepham Collins and I thought it might be very helpful to pass on some of the information.


Myndi Milliken, director of a long-term care facility made some of the following suggestions. My mother had memory loss and I know the following would have been very helpful to her. (and to my peace of mind)

• For those who still drive, program a GPS with destinations like home, grocery store, mall, and doctor's offices.
• Cellphones that have pre-programmed and even voice command phone numbers.
• Give a new calendar with pertinent dates such as birthdays and appointments.
• Start a photo album or work on a scrapbook together. Label pictures with names, why and where they were taken, and most important the feeling of the event. (I especially like this one as it something you do together and continually add to the album. Thinking of this as a craft activity can make it a more joyful activity for everyone involved. I bet others would go through this kind of album if left out on a coffee table. (This just occurred to me; maybe family members could each make a scrapbook page of themselves that is labeled to contribute thus bringing in more attention and involvement of the family in a positive manner.)

If you have any other ideas that you think might be helpful please add them to the comments area.

Water, Water, Everywhere and Finally A Drop To Drink-for my friend Mary

Susan, Jean,Mary

This picture was taken at a Reiki Retreat in February. I have similar pictures of the three of us going back over the last seven years.

Mary is my friend, my mentor, and the grandmother I choose. She is a cheerful, inspirational warrior who has been fighting a variety of medical issues for a long time.

The last two months have been particularly difficult in terms of water retention. Her water intake has been closely monitored to the point she was hardly allowed any fluid and ice chips have been her saving grace.


She entered hospice yesterday and the fluid restriction was lifted. She is now able to have water; something that is so basic to our survival. I feel gratitude holding a glass so she can take a sip of water.  

"Friends Forever"

Tonight I went to a nursing home to see a friend. At first I was a bit sad to see so many elderly sitting in the hallway in their wheel chairs. I had to go out to the car to get a CD for my friend. When I came back in and walked down the hallway, I heard the sweetest conversation that brought a smile to my face.
Two women in wheel chairs were sitting next to each other and one said, "I am so glad you are here."
The other responded, "We will be friends forever."