 I want to start this note off with a HUGE note of gratitude for who you are, who you’ve been and who each day you wake up are becoming. Having you in our lives has made more than a difference. We do NOT take your sphere of influence lightly.
We (well, mostly Care) has been in the throes of some serious technical/computer issues, so if you don’t hear from us, you’ll know why. Never be afraid to call: if you get voice mail on the cell, please leave a message. If the land line keeps ringing, it means Care is resting or that our phone company, (who have become almost our second family) are working on our rural lines. One of the challenges of living in Alaska is things don’t always get done quickly. After 8 months of weekly technicians, engineers and repair people at the house we are often hard to reach. I continue to look/feel better than I have in over FORTY YEARS. The price of “obedience” is steep, but the rewards are immeasurable! As each year passes (we have lived up here TWENTY YEARS!!) we love it more and more. Even the 6-7 FEET of snow last year! The slower pace and laid back attitude of those around us have taught us life lessons we hope to pass along. Keeping it simple, taking one hour at a time, our tenets of faith, family, friends, FUN make each day special. Living somewhat “off the grid,” getting mail and a quick stop at the store have spoiled us. Respite, renewal and enjoying all of our blessings around us, near and far, fuel us in more ways than ten. Snow is on the mountains, soccer has turned to hockey for the grandkids, and the garden is 90% processed. The moose helped themselves to many heads of LARGE cabbage, peas and beet tops – luckily after we had what we needed. All 100 hills of potatoes came up, so we are not at a loss of things to do. Bill fills his days with outside projects as well as doing what he does well: “I play with food.” I actually got a shirt made with that saying as people keep asking for recipes, and he doesn’t follow anything – he just “plays!” This week it’s the pears, apples/sauce, and golden raspberries – canning, dehydrating, smoking turkey and creating various blends with the many herbs he grew. As the seasons change, while you might not “hear” from us, you are never, EVER far from our hearts. It’s time for me to go snuggle by the woodstove with a cuppa, and enjoy at least one episode of The Chosen. If you haven’t seen The Chosen, we HIGHLY recommended it! We think their mottos of “get ready for different” and “sometimes you just have to stir up the water ,” pretty well sums up who we are. We love being real, being us, plus you are/have been) a major influence in that. Remember: YOUR faith CAN (and DOES) move mountains (Matt 17:20). Blessings and s’mores! PS: Fall/)holiday special on Don’t Wimp Out! Orders of ten or more books are $10 with no shipping fee!) Prayerfully www,caretuk.com is back up! Let me know?
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A must–read book for anyone asking: “How can I do more than just endure the pain and adversities in life?” “How can I find faith and courage?” This is a book of hope and encouragement from the Alaskan author of Loose Screws and Skinned Knees Book available at: www.caretuk.com/store Paperback (discount on orders of 10 or more) Kindle Questions? text info@caretuk.com  Okay, you can agree with me. Time flies when you are having fun AND and getting old(er).
The last blog shared how we were going into spring. We “think” it lasted for 2 weeks, and April, May and June were record-breaking heat and no rain – 70’s/80’s, while many of you lamented you wanted it to STOP raining in the lower 48. Then suddenly in July and August, it flipped and we’ve had rain, more rain, high waters, and last week, a flood, and you are scorching! What do YOU do in your spare time?! Yes, the river changed our landscape, but that’s what happens when you live on a river and get 4-6inches of rain! Now, after a VERY successful remodel of my bionic right shoulder, I am using my days learning marketing, getting books out (yes, it is on Kindle OR through www.caretuk.com/store.) If any of you would like to be a point of contact in your area for the books, drop me a text. I am able to tailor to your specific needs. You might want books available for book clubs, work, medical offices, events/studies, thank you gifts, holidays and the list goes on!! (I discount the price of books if 10 or more copies are bought.) I have several different options on how you can help. I have been very humbled and thrilled that people who have read the book are saying is a book for the times we are in. It will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Thanks for being a special part of Team Tuk. I so appreciate EACH of you!
My Alaskan heart is full – just like the hearts Bill found yesterday when putting up our winter wood.
As I shared in my last update, no news IS good news this go around! Thanks for granting me grace if you get this via blog AND my book/update list. Just because I have GREAT news, I'm asking for your amazing encouragement. I have new strategies to learn – and I’m not quite there yet. The objective of #12 remodel surgery, stemming from the drunk driver injuries 37 years ago was met: PAIN RELIEF! I hadn’t realized how amazing it feels to be ‘pain free’ – almost through my whole body! This surgery was basically a “tune-up” on the shoulder: replacing defective parts/shock absorbers. (It might've help if I hadn’t been refining the skills of my new hobby of falling!) For the first time in over 10 years, I can touch the top of my head with my right arm! I had adapted that when I realized I was shampooing my head with my right am, it even took ME by surprise! Thanks to each of you. Your thoughts, prayers, love and support continue to spur me on. When I realize I’m doing something I haven’t done in eons; the grin on my face is as big as Alaska. A second, unexpected blessing is gaining the ability to raise my arm one/two inches. It doesn’t take much to excite me, but it means I am able to raise my arm, allowing me to hang shirts on a rod, without help or adapting. No small feat for me over the years. Okay, so it’s a “mom thing.” I will have some life-long trade-offs - like a two to five pound lifting limit on my right arm. My new assignment is investigating new ways to communicate. Maybe there ARE some good things about technology! Due to the multiple surgeries the last 35 years, my vocal chords are damaged and most voice activated programs will not recognize my voice, as it changes through the day. I will be delegating texting and typing as I do not have 3 major muscles and 4 necessary tendons/ligaments that allow handwriting and texting. (No comments from the peanut gallery, whooping it up – I see you!) Less screen-time is a actually a gift to this old geezer, plus a chance to learn to "let go" so others offering to use their their gifts. Book sales at a steady pace. Many items have been done “Bassackwards” – but I’m on God’s timing, not mine! You can now get a Kindle version. A paperback copy will still be through the blog: www.caretuk.com/store. I’ve been blessed with positive feedback, done more podcasts and Zoom events. If you enjoyed the book, please feel free to point them to my website. If they give me your name as a referral, I will sell the book for $10.00. There is a spot for special instructions on the order page. We give discounts for bulk order (anything over 10 books), ministries/501(3)c/and civic events. Have a great summer – and don’t forget to eat a s’more or two for ME! Keep me posted to your fun - use the comment area below! DON'T WIMP OUT!  At LAST! It looks like we will be catapulted (BOING!) into Spring in Alaska!
Bill loving shoveled the remaining several feet of snow off the deck outside my “Refuge” (office) and mounted our two versa-loungers to make them safe for me. Ahhhhh! The warm sun filled my soul to over-flowing! We have almost 12 hour of light now, which tends to make it easier to come out from under the warm covers…that is, until the next morning, “Hey! Wait a minute! They didn’t forecast five inches of new snow overnight!” I hollered to Bill. “Guess I won’t be napping on the deck today,” I mutter to myself. The snowy day was a fluke (we hope!) as the sunny days made for great times to watch the grandkids remodel the “snow house” they built over the winter, then come to the Blessings and S’more’s to roast marshmallows until golden brown and then slide between two graham crackers and chocolate pieces. (This is for our “down under friends who didn’t know what a s’more is!) It’s the little things that loom large and that fill my soul. How about YOU? I so appreciated all your love, prayers and encouragement as I prepared and then interviewed on TV/Zoom with Sheila Walsh, about my new book, Don’t Wimp Out! It was a BLAST! The Life Today "Family" is EXACTLY that!! FAMILY! If you missed the episode you can still see it at: https://lifetoday.org/video/courage-through-the-pain If you or your family/friends would like to order more books, just go to my website: www.caretuk.com. HAPPY SPRING!! Blessed Holidays for our friends and family celebrating Easter, Passover or other Holy days!  Here goes another "Care-Tuk-it-is" ride!! Am asking you to join me starting March 28th - the blog will explain!
***For some of you this may be a second "I've already ready this!" The information is important enough to me, NOT to get books out, but to help keep some kids from the sex trafficking atrocity here and abroad. Thanks for reading again. All emails aside, I know you can figure even Goggling "LIFE TODAY" will lead you where you want to go!*** You know the word “Godcidence” (the way I spell it – not my editor’s!) is one of my favorite words, because there are NO “coincidences.” Never in a million years would I have thought how God and technology would use my newly released book: Don’t Wimp Out! Finding Faith, Courage and Victory in Life’s Daily Battles. The book shares “How can I do more than just endure the pains and adversities in life? How can I find hope and encouragement?” Recently, I was invited by one of my favorite and world renowned author, teacher and musical talent Sheila Walsh, of LIFE TODAY, for a feature TV/Zoom interview about the book. The episode will air the week of March 28th. The show can be viewed on their website at www.lifetoday.org. For TV viewing, go to www.lifetoday.org/life-today-tv/stationguide to find day/time/station. It is shown in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. GODCIDENCE! For over 20 years, Bill and I have supported LIFE TODAY and are passionate about their LIFE OUTREACH projects. They bring the message of God’s love to millions, in the form of drilling clean water wells, feeding programs, getting kids out of human slavery and sex trafficking, Christmas shoes for kids and disaster relief all in over 100 countries – including the United States. Because of this interview, LIFE TODAY has given TEAM TUK (that would be YOU and those you know) a generous opportunity to assist RESCUE LIFE, the program to rescue those in human slavery in the sex industry. For a donation of any size you can request a copy Don’t Wimp Out! FOR FREE from March 28- April 15th (Good Friday.) To donate, go to wwww.life.org/give or call 1-800-947-LIFE. To find out more about RESCUE LIFE, go to their website: www.LifeToday.org (and attachment below.) The theme verse for Don’t Wimp Out! is Matthew 17:20 Faith can (and does!) move mountains. So, what about it, TEAM TUK - Ready to move some mountains? Let’s free some kids from human trafficking and show them what Good Friday is really about – saving lives and showing Eternal Love? One final request: Would you not only join us in making a donation, but send a note, message or email to individuals you care about and let them know about this offer from LIFE TODAY? Let’s see how many lives we can save together! For more information about Don’t Wimp Out! go to my website: www.caretuk.com Blessings and s’mores!  As the daylight FINALLY creeps back into our neck of the woods (we’re up to 10 hours a day, moods are changing and it makes it harder to justify ‘NOT staying in because it’s still dark out.’ Yes, we still have feet of snow on the ground, and more will come, but the sunlight is refreshing! It also helps that the flu (NOT Covid) that literally almost took me out, literally forever, is gone. One more bounce back, promising both Bill and the doctors I will PACE,
This is a short blog to let you know to save the date of March 28, I have an announcement I am excited to make. I have a few more things to polish up on, then will let you know the news So: mark March 28 on your calendars, phones, computers, whatever! And enjoy those daffodils wherever they are blooming! From time to time, someone will contact me, asking if I would be willing to share/write a guest blog. This is one of those times! I highly agree with Roberto's information, especially since many of us know people who have been exposed to asbestos over their lifetime. If you have any questions, please reach out to him - his information is at the end of the blog.
"A cancer diagnosis can change your life in many ways. From the second you leave the doctor’s office you’ll have to navigate decisions regarding your care and personal life, as well as tough conversations with friends and family. Throughout this process you also want to maintain your power and sense of agency in regard to decision-making. Self-advocacy for cancer patients can mean anything from switching doctors if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe to attending support groups to meeting other people going through the same thing you are. Mesothelioma patients can take self-advocacy even further. Those exposed to asbestos may be entitled to financial compensation and can advocate for themselves by pursuing legal options. Here are several ways cancer patients can advocate for themselves. It’s important to advocate for yourself throughout your diagnosis and treatment. - Ask Questions: Some patients may become worried that they don’t have enough information. - Choose Your Doctor Carefully: You want to make sure you trust your care team and feel comfortable discussing your concerns. - Ask for Help From Loved Ones: You can’t navigate a cancer diagnosis and treatment alone. Your loved ones will want to be there for you. - Learn About Your Diagnosis: You can advocate for yourself by taking the time to understand what’s happening to your body. Also take steps to learn about your prognosis so you can make the necessary plans. - Communicate Your Needs and Feelings: Communicate your needs openly, honestly and fairly to avoid conflict while ensuring you feel supported throughout this process. " For more information contact Roberto Sanchez at rsanchez@asbestos.com  Greetings from the finally “warmer” and NO wind (for the day!) and the great White North!
As you might know, there is very little in my world that is ‘normal.’ In fact, I’m not sure I would recognize ‘normal’ if it gob-smacked me upside my head! Why would I think that the start of 2022 would be any different? With power outages for a couple days (even with a generator and woodstove, ‘tis hard to stay warm when it gets to minus 20F and wind gusts were clocked at 90+ mph. Yep – it looks in places that the hurricane force winds hit with a vengeance around town. Unbelievable. As I huddled under a warm blanket, watching the wind whisk the flying snow in sheets across our acreage, I was glad I had nowhere else to venture but in front of the woodstove. I made an executive decision that with the weather and the ongoing medical adventures I get to travel, THIS was a PERFECT time for a declared “Staycation.” Disclaimer: some of you in my peanut gallery thinking: “since you are home-bound, medically, aren’t you on a permanent “staycation?” Point taken, but you are out of bounds, so sorry – no score! I do get out for regular glow-in-the-dark-by-now appointments (CT/MRI/x-ray) While I enjoyed my ‘staycation’ I spent some of the limited time (but growing daily) light, to sit and ponder. Towards the end of each year I ask God to give me a “theme word or two” for the year to come. Often, the full meanings of the word(s) are not comprehended to their fullest until December. God’s timing, eh? The year Jamie and Baby Girl went Home my word was “LEAN IN” – man…was that ever appropriate. Last year, God gave me seven letters….and when re-arranged they were: silent and listen. Both words extremely appropriate for the daily battles and finishing Don’t Wimp Out! This year, my theme word is COURAGE. I made more than several attempts to ask God for a different word/theme, but to no avail. The word alone conjures up visions where no visions of sugar plums dance in my head. So, here we go! I share the word so that you can cover my keister in prayer as I face each day with COURAGE, counting on you to (lovingly) encourage me when I stray! I have a difficult time pacing between my passion of writing and marketing Don’t Wimp Out! and listening to my body. I know I will need COURAGE as I venture into marketing the book – something I was NOT intending to do, but have multiple affirmations we made the right decision. So here’s to 2022 – with the verse found in Matthew 17:20: Faith CAN (and WILL and DOES) move mountains. Thanks for being a special part of Team Tuk! May it be as blessed for you as you are to me! |
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AuthorCare Tuk is a nationally known speaker, educator, and retreat/workshop leader. She has been a school, hospital, and home health occupational therapist for more than 30 years. She has been named as a Top Business Woman in America and recognized for her work with youth, disability outreach and awareness, and the American Cancer Society. |
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