Monday, December 28, 2009
Why Facebook Is for Old Fogies
Had to share, thought this was funny and oh so accurate, it was on one of my friend's (Toby) Facebook ...
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
~ A Bologna Sandwich and a Sweet Memory ~
Saturday, December 05, 2009
~ Photo Post ~
A baby dedication, my great niece was dedicated recently. We had a gathering at my niece's house afterwards ....
Memories from Thanksgiving, kind of melancholy without my Dad, but we had a happy time together.
That's all I got.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
~ Blessing the Children ~
~ I am inspired by this woman ~
Monday, November 23, 2009
~ Simple Woman's Daybook 11.23.09 ~
FOR TODAY...
Outside my window... overcast, dreary, with a big smear the window cleaners left on my window last week ...
I am thinking ... I have a dull headache and hoping it will go away soon.
I am thankful for... for day with friends on Saturday.
I am wearing... black jeans, black shell, pale blue sweater.
I am remembering... the art show which I meant to go to this past weekend :(
I am hearing ... Sir Elton John singing Benny and the Jets
I am going... visit my niece at her first apartment tonight.
I am reading... After the Fire by Belva Plain
From the learning rooms ... I heard this weekend that peocock feathers are bad luck to bring into your home. It has to do with the beautiful, eye-shaped markings on the peacock feathers. Many cultures associate them with the evil eye, and to bring the evil eye into your home is to invite trouble and sorrow. Most of the info I read was all based on mythological origins, so according to how much stock you place on mythology, well... you decide for yourself. :)
I am hoping... this Thanksgiving will be a happy celebration even though we have just recently lost my father - his life was a true celebration and we know he is resting in Jesus' arms.
On my mind ... the upcoming holidays.
Noticing that... the leaves around my office are mostly gone from the trees.
Pondering these words...
From the kitchen... Thanksgiving foods - what will I make besides the sweet potato dumplings.
Around the house... needs a thorough cleaning which it will probably get when I put "christmas" up.
One of my favorite things ~ still this: the happiness my dogs show when I come in the door at the end of the day.
From my photo memories ...
My daughter and her sons, whom I miss very much. They live too far away!
Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
~ Where are the kleenex? ~
"The Rescue" was good. Just don't forget to have a tissue handy at some point in the book, you will need it.
Monday, November 09, 2009
~ Simple Woman's Daybook 11.9.09 ~
I am going... get ready for my Red Rooster weekend;
Noticing that... my desk is a mess!
Remembering a fun day with my daughter, several years ago up on Monte Santo Mountain, one of our favorite places to go, just me and her.
Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
~ Some beach memories ~
~ A Visit to a Friend ~
Friday, November 06, 2009
~ Happy Birthday to Me ~
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
The Simple Woman's Daybook 11.2.09
Outside my window... sunshine, clear skies, beautiful shades of autumn on trees.
I am thinking ... how beautiful this day is; how productive I hope I will be today.
I am thankful for... for friends and family.
I am wearing... long grey skirt, black blouse, black scarf, black jacket, black boots ...
I am remembering... a very pleasant weekend.
I am hearing ... the quietness of morning.
I am reading... The Rescue (Nicholas Sparks)
From the learning rooms ... I really don't know what this means ... but something I am trying to change is to try to take life a bit more slowly, quit over scheduling myself ....
On my mind ... my attitude needs to change.
Pondering these words... Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
From the kitchen... I have no menu plans this week; I made steamed crabs last night and they were pretty tasty.
Around the house... still haven't started on my dining table and chairs, may have to start with a smaller project just to test my distressing skills first.
One of my favorite things ~ the happiness my dogs show when I come in the door at the end of the day.
From my photo memories ...
Remembering a fun camping trip with my grandson, wish we had more of them.
Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
~ For Today ~
Thursday, October 22, 2009
~ The trees ... they are a changing ~
I am thankful for this day, this season, this moment.
Monday, October 19, 2009
~ IT'S MAMMIE MONTH ~
Sunday, October 18, 2009
~ Its been a week ~
Friday, October 16, 2009
~ I thank you for this day ~
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things that you ordain, and the wisdom to pray for those things you would change. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over, and help me to grow as you walk with me during the trials of this life.
And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Rest Sweet Father
My sweet, wonderful, awesome, strong, loving, loved, adored, God fearing, God loving, inspiring, my rock, my role model, my blessing, the one who showed me Jesus everyday of his life, FATHER, passed away today.
It just don't seem right writing that. We were just so sure that he would make it through this and be home soon, playing with his dogs, cat, riding his tractor, getting ready for hunting season, thinking about his garden next summer, playing, living, breathing, sleeping, talking, walking and even arguing (some) with us for several more years.
I know he's with Jesus and that is my comfort. But I am human, I am flawed, I am jealous. I want my Dad here, alive and healthy.
He was loved, he loved, he was my father, he is my father. I will miss him.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Dad 10-7-09
The fluid in his chest is responding well to the breathing treatments.
They are continuing to wean him from ventilator.
They are still working on getting the fluid off of him.
The dialysis has been working well, but they may discontinue it for a little bit to see how he does. As the toxins have left his body, he is beginning to feel more pain unfortunately, or is it fortunately, it is a double sided sword.
Eventually, they will move him from CICU to a rehab unit, not sure when that will be yet.
Thank you for your prayers for my father on his long road to recovery.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
DAD 10-6-09
Just wanted to give an update for all who are keeping track of Dad's progress. They are trying to wean Dad off of his ventilator. They turned it down to C-Pap level yesterday for several hours and he did well with that, they will continue working on this weaning until Dad is on oxygen only. His problem with the fluid in his chest is better, breathing treatments are continuing to help.
He will remain on dialysis for now because his kidneys continue to need this help, they may put a port in, but would still be a temporary thing. Today they are going to ultrasound his extremities to rule out any vascular problems there because he has been unable to move his hands, legs, and arms (although he did lift his right arm a little for me one time). They feel fairly certain his inability to move his extremities is due to the extra fluid he is carrying there (he has between 40-50 lbs of fluid on him now - that is a lot to try to lift when you are as weak as he is!).
Dad is still having pain and they are really good about trying to ease his pain. His nurses have all been great, we have even gotten attached to a few of them and they with us.
When I started this blog a year or so ago, it was just for silliness and fun, I never thought I would be using it in such a resourceful way, but there are alot of friends and family we (the family) want to call individually and let know about Dad because we know they want to know and have asked to be updated, and sometimes it is difficult to make these calls, so I am glad this "blog thing" has come into a better use than just the silliness and fun it has been for in the past.
Thank you again for all who are continuing to remember my Dad and my family in your prayers. God is truly an awesome God.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Dad 10-4-09
Dad is improving in so many ways, but everyday is a new day and a new problem to worry about. He is conscious and is responding still but no more than with his eyes and his feet. He did move his right arm, but not his hands. He moves his lips and we can't read them. This is so frustrating for all of us. If he could move his hands, he could at least write out what he wants to say. He is still on a ventilator through his tracheotomy - this is not permanent, but it will be there for a while, a least another week, maybe more. His kidneys were working and put putting out a good amount with good color, BUT they were not clearing his toxins, which can cause you to be unresponsive, so they have put him on dialysis. Slow and gentle - also not permanent, not yet. This is to clear out the toxins and bad stuff that he was not doing on his own. Once the dialysis started, his blood platelets dropped, meaning his blood thinned, way to thin, and his wounds started oozing blood, so they are having to figure out how to deal with this without giving him platelets, because that could cause him to clot, which could block the stent they just put in because of the heart attack after his surgery. Does any of this exhaust you yet? It is exhausting and Dad is so tired.
Now, just got a call from Mary. Dad has fluid in his lungs and they have started breathing treatment. I don't know how they do that when he is on a ventilator and a trach. They have told us pneumonia would be fatal to Dad.
I am not sure what all Dad understands about what is going on around him. We all take our turns talking to him and we just want so bad for him to be able to talk back.
This is my Dad, just wanted you all to have a visual of who you were praying for. This my Mom, she has been great, and I know its because of the prayers. Keep em coming, the battle's not over.
Friday, October 02, 2009
~ Just a little venting ~
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know who this man was until this extradition matter came up and his crimes were made so public again after a 30 year lapse. This crime was horrible … see below -
“On March 10, 1977, then 44, he had taken Samantha Gailey, a 13-year-old child model, to the home of Jack Nicholson in Mulholland, California, where he said he was going to take photographs of her for the French edition of Vogue. After taking the photos, he gave Gailey champagne and a sedative and performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her while she said: "No, I don't want to do this." The original charges against Polanski were "rape by use of drugs, sodomy, and a lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14". As part of a plea bargain Polanski got it reduced to "sexual intercourse with a minor". (copied)
Over 138 people in the film industry have signed a petition against the arrest; citing the crime was so long ago, he has been through so much, etc. (FYI, he survived communist Poland, his mother died in a concentration camp, his wife Sharon Tate was murdered by the Charles Manson cult). Wow, that is a lot to live through and I hate that he did, but I’m sorry, since when does going through a lot pardon you from doing a crime as horrendous as above outlined? Whoopi Goldberg on The View kept saying, he wasn’t charged with “rape” just [did you get the “just”] sexual intercourse with a minor, uh wrong Whoopi, that is just was he and his lawyers plea bargained this heinous crime down to. Whoopi let me down, as did Debra Winger, Natalie Portman, and so many others. What a sad world we live in today. I usually live inside my safe little bubble and don’t let the big outside world make me so upset, but this story just pierced my bubble a little bit.
I was 13 once, I can’t imagine the horror of this crime; I have a daughter who was 13 once, I cringe even writing it.
One thought that keeps coming to me, is, how many other times did he do this and get away with it? Can you be a child molestor only once? Someone that powerful and well funded? It makes me sad for the other unknown victims.
Sorry, I am venting. This is upsetting and I guess I needed something to think about to get my mind off of my Dad for just a little while.
Saw this in one of the articles: “Fugitive. Child. Rapist. Just keep saying it until it sinks in. I'll wait.” (copied)
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Daddy is wiggling his toes!
Dad Update
Still can't talk to us. They had about 15 IV bags of medicines at the beginning and they are down to 4 at last count.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
" I am cool "
And we are cool. Thank you Isaac and Stephanie.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
MY DAD
I drove to Vanderbilt yesterday afternoon after spending a teary morning in my office worrying about Dad. My boss came in around 1:00 PM, heard what was going on and said come on Velda, we are leaving, me to lunch and you to the hospital to be with your Mom and Dad. He has been very good about my time off and I appreciate it very much. I was about 45 minutes into my trip and I got covered with absolute peace. I knew I was going to hear positive news and I was not disappointed. They are still worried about his lack of responses, but it may just take time. There is a new worry every day with Dad.
I was able to take Mom to her home last night and stayed the night with her. Mary stayed at hospital and Tim is bringing Mom back to hospital this afternoon. She needed a break. Hoping Mary will go home tonight and allow and trust Tim to take over as "watch dog and protector" of both Mom and Dad. She needs a break too. We are all taking our times and have a tentative schedule to take turns ...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
DAD
They have had to put him on another sedative because he is moving his head back and forth a lot and they are afraid this will dislodge his air tube. They just want him to be calmer than what he has been.
They put in a second feeding tube, but it had to come out and they are now going to feed him through an IV, but will try the feeding tube again later.
Mary and Mom have been talking to Dad and they both feel that they have gotten responses from Dad, but his team of doctors want to see more response than what they have.
This is what they are most concerned about now - his brain activity.
I don’t know how to pray any harder than I have.
Monday, September 28, 2009
~ Update on Dad ~
My sister and Mom are at the hospital alone now. I am at work. I plan to go back one day this week and then back to stay Friday through Sunday, unless something takes me back sooner. My brother is going to stay with Mom on Thurs and Friday, as Mary needs to work. We are all doing well, exhausted but good. Mom has been amazing, she has broke down a few times, but that is expected. She has been sleeping in Dad's room (they have a chair that lets out into a full flat bed which she says is fairly comfy) she says she has been sleeping well, but Mary is going to try to get her out for at least one night soon. We are trying to get a room at hospitality house, hopefully that will happen today or tomorrow.
Thank you all for your prayers. If you are continuing to pray, the doctor are most worred about his risk of infection and the possibility of brain damage.
Hope you are yours are all doing well too. I love you guys.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Just from Me
Dad still not doing well. They have paralyzed him, hoping to give his body a rest and give his heart a chance to heal some. They are not acting very hopeful at this time, but it's in God's hands, always has been.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
~ FILLED ~
Bear with me .... but it brought to my mind this song ...
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His Love
I can hear the brush of angels wings, I see glory in each face,
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I think I still have a little angel dust on my shoes ...
Wowed even now
How precious are thy thoughts unto me O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand...
Wow, just Wow.
I've been sitting in Dad's CICU room reading scripture out loud to my mom and even in our moments of worry and anxiousness, He has opened my eyes to something new in my favorite Psalms. I've read it, just not focused on those verses before ... HIS thoughts of us; of me; of my dad ... are more in number than the sand.
Just read it again and be wowed with me, or is it just me?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
~ Wicked ~
Friday, September 11, 2009
~ A weekend get-a-way ~
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
~ Ughhhh ~
Monday, August 24, 2009
~ Finally Tried It ~
I made this .....
into this ....
I showed the bottom water color to my 14 year old stepson without showing him the black/white photo and asked him what he thought. He thought it was very cool, so then I asked him what he thought it was, he thought it was some pieces of fruit, and oriental writing .... then I showed him the black/white, and he goes oooohhhh now I see it.
Hmmm.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
~ A good day ~
But today, I had to go. I have missed my chuch. I have missed my sunday school. I only made it to SS, but it was awsome and inspiring. I didn't have much to add to the class, I just listened, but it was enough. I was fed. Thank you ladies for all sharing so much. Sometimes, it make me feel lacking in my own walk to hear others sharing so much, but's that's okay, I needed the encouraging words I heard today.
I did spend the day with my parents and Dad was amazing. He had energy, he was not like the same man I spent the evening with just past Wednesday. It was so good to see him feeling good.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
~ Dogs are expensive ~
Monday, July 20, 2009
~ An afternoon spent with women ... ~
Of course, Dad was at the height of an almost perfect Sunday afternoon himself; he had a living room full of men; all there just to spend time with him and swap stories, some true and some untrue I’m sure …
As I sat there enjoying myself; I knew I had to leave, I still had too many things I had to accomplish before the day was over; but hating to leave this group of awesome women and ending this “moment”; because it truly was a “moment” in time for me, something special and out of the ordinary for me to be able to sit there with these women, these wonderful awesome beautiful amazing strong courageous funny witty intelligent fabulous spiritual and loving women; I wanted to suspend time and make it go on just a while longer, I hadn’t absorbed enough of them.
Sadly, our time was over, but it was a truly wonderful afternoon; one that I am still hugging to myself today.
I hope you all have these experiences too. I, obviously, don't have enough of them.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
~ A quote ~
You know how on Facebook, the posting about go to page 56, 5th sentence and post it ...
The above was posted on a friend of mine's Facebook, it is from the Screwtape Letters, which I have attempted to read and put it aside several times ... until I finally just gave up, but this is such a strong quote.
Worth repeating here I thought.
Personally, I have repeated it over and over in my head already ...
Monday, July 13, 2009
~ Time for a color job ~
Don't you just love the honesty of little children?
Thursday, July 09, 2009
~ Blessings ~
Of course, what is a tense and stressful situation without a little humor ... so here it is ...
I stayed the night with Mom at the hospital last night, we stayed in the ICU waiting room, which is actually pretty nice, it has recliners, big screen TVs, computers with Internet access (for email only though), a break room, nice bathroom, and showers (they provided towels, shampoo, bath jel, blow dryers), plus they give you blankets and pillows to stay they night (you actually can't bring your own, they have to be theirs because they are fire retardant), so that is all nice. For overnight you are assigned a recliner, in case they have to come get you for any reason, they will know exactly which recliner to go to.
My recliner wouldn't stay reclined, but oh well, at least it wasn't a straight back uncomfortable chair. The unfortunate and embarrassing part of this story is that at some point I after I fell asleep, I woke myself up "breaking wind" (and unfortunate for me it was rather loud - that is probably what woke me up... ) in a room full of people ... and yes, I heard snickers ... I had to fake sleep forever before I could even move! Talk about embarrassment ... Argghhh!
Oh well, we were a room full of exhausted people with loved ones in ICU, I hope it gave them something to smile about and take their minds off of their troubles even if only for a few minutes.
Thank you for for the love and prayers. Thank you God for the answered prayers!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
~ Family Photos ~
Saturday, June 27, 2009
~ Random Thoughts that I post and will probably wonder why I did later, I am tired ... ~
On another subject, I am really sad about Michael Jackson; I liked his music, but was never really a big fan, but he was just so HUGE, king of pop and all. He seemed to have had such a struggling life; it must truly be hard to be "normal" when you are that huge. I am sorry for his family; and his kids. They have been very protected from the limelight and the media and I can't help but wonder how much longer that protectiver barrier will hold for them.
And poor Farrah Fawcett, her struggle is over. I hope she found her peace.
And also Ed McMahon I used to dream about him handing me over an American Family Publishers Sweepstakes Million Dollar sweepstake check ...
The only good thing I can think of to end this post with is, at least - hopefully - we won't have to hear about Jon and Kate ... for a while, I truly did not know who they were until their marriage fell apart. Hope that don't sound harsh, but really, aren't y'all tired of hearing about them too?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
~ Other Stuff ~
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
~ A Beach Trip with a Good Friend, Ain't Life Grand! ~
It was a fun trip. Getting together with an old friend. We went to college together, we have been friends for 30 years and we try to get together at least once a year. No photos of me and her, just didn't happen, we were too busy yapping and catching up; well, I did get a couple of her, but she would probably disown me if I posted them here, we were pretty scruffy most of the time we were down there! :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
~ I am a Martha ~
I read up on some from other studies on Martha v. Mary, below are some excerpts, which I felt were noteworthy and made sense to me, these are all copied and I didn't keep track of the authors, so I hope copying to a blog doesn't constitute breaking any copyright laws, these are about Martha - because I felt empathy for her and I identified with her too much:
1) She tried to make up what she lacked by activity.
2) The saddest thing about Martha is that her attitude caused her to miss out on so much:she missed the opportunity to sit at a Bible study led by Jesus; she mis understood the comfort He offered her at her brother’s grave; left up to her own devices, she would even have missed the miracle of her brother’s resurrection; and finally she missed the opportunity to lavish love and attention on Jesus’ just days before He died.
3) Martha’s problem was not that she lived an active life, as opposed to Mary’s contemplative one. She was, after all, doing what any good Jew of her time would do – providing hospitality and serving a guest. Her problem was that she gave in to resentment over Mary’s choice. The problem for those of us who are active – providing service in our place of work and in our homes – is more than just avoiding resentment. We must also find a spirituality that helps us find and serve God in the midst of noise and confusion. (this is what I needed back then and even now.)
So, what I get from this and from the story in the Bible, is that while Martha wasn't a bad person, she missed out on a lot by trying to DO all and too many of the right things or at least what she considered the right things, by making sure all of her to-do list were done, and done right - she didn't take time to smell the roses, so to speak...
You know, we are supposed to learn by our mistakes; now, my home is not perfect (not that it was before, but I tried my best (exhausted myself) to make it), now my couch pillows are not fluffed on a daily basis, I am soo imperfect; but I am more REAL now than I ever was before, as the saying goes ... "I am not what I ought to be,I am not what I wish to be,But, by the grace of God,I am not what I used to be"
The Martha in me though, wants to ask, if she had quit and joined Mary to sit at Jesus feet instead of making sure the household chores were done and dinner prepared, who would have done it? Yeah, I know in the big picture the chores and dinner were not (and are not) as important as sitting at Jesus' feet, but still, that is just where my mind goes ....
See ... I am still a bit of a Martha, I need a little bit more of Mary still in my life I guess. I am a work in progress, aren't we all?
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
~ Me Relaxing ~
Sunday, June 07, 2009
~ Dog Bath Day ~
Wish I had a photo of my boxer, Maggie, after her bath. I wrapped a towel around her and told her to go have Dad dry her off and she went running into the living straight to him. I swear sometimes I think they really can understand english.
Camping was great. The weather was sooo perfect. We slept with our windows open, and actually got chilly and went to the pool during the day; and just hung out and was generally lazy! I didn't over pack for the first time in a long time .... food or clothes, so unpacking when we got home was a breeze! YAY!
I had cleaned house before I left and it was almost as clean when I came home. (Stepson came by to feed dogs and stayed a while, cooked a little, wallowed around in the living, took a shower and probably stayed the night ...) but all in all it was still pretty clean; so that was good. Worth it knowing my babies were being fed and taken care of! And definitely cheaper than putting them in a kennel! Gets expensive when you have 3!