Blessed

I am truly blessed. God showers me with blessings every day and I am surrounded by his love demonstrated daily by my family and Christian friends, and even by strangers I meet along the way.

Two weeks ago, Amanda and I went to the mall. These days, I get to the mall perhaps 3 times a year because I can't walk long enough to go on a "normal" shopping trip. In order to go mall, I check out a complimentary wheelchair at Customer Service, and my companion pushes me around. This is one of those things that used to embarrass me so much that I just didn't go to the mall at all. I've learned not to be embarrassed about it. I'm grateful for the availability of the chairs, and everyone that has taken me has been very gracious about pushing me around and seems to genuinely enjoy helping me. No one has ever complained, though I know the chair gets hard to push when we go into carpeted stores.

Well, back to my story. Amanda got a job as a hostess at Smokejack, a local "upscale" BBQ restaurant. They told her to dress "nicely", and that no jeans were allowed for hostesses. While the other staff often dress much more casually, the host/hostess is expected to dress a little better, as they are in most restaurants. You'd have to know Amanda to know that her closet was simply not "hostess ready". She needed a few items to mix and match so that she could dress properly for her new job.

So we went to the mall together, Amanda pushing me in the wheelchair while we shopped. We went to Ann Taylor first, and lucked out right away, finding a perfect skirt and awesome top style that she liked so much, she got two of them (in different colors). We then went all over the mall, but didn't find anythng else.

At the very end of our shopping trip, we neared the exit where the Sharper Image store is located. I asked to go into Sharper Image, because I really like their "gadgets". We went in and Amanda patiently maneuvered me around the store, taking me to each niche and corner that caught my eye. Right in the middle of the store, there were these very luxurious all-leather massage chairs. The chairs somewhat resemble recliners, but are not fashionable enough to put in a living room or den - you can tell by looking at them that they are designed first for function, and second for looks.

I sat in a black leather massage chair that had full head to toe coverage. The massage in that chair was - well unbelievable. I've been to MANY spas and paid for MANY massages, and the quality of the massage in this chair equaled any massage I've ever received. It was truly wonderful, and I thought that it would be great especially when I'm having "bad days" with my joints and muscles.

Somehow I knew right then and there that I was going to get this chair. How? I didn't know. The price was $4,000.00 - yes you read it right and I didn't mis-type - it was $4,000.00! The price was really irrelevant, however, because I had an assurance so strongly in my heart - the Holy Spirit was telling me the chair would be mine. It was as if the Father was saying "I know what you need, and I will provide it." Days went by and I shared my "chair" experience with friends and family, each time stating confidently that I knew the chair would be provided for me. I didn't know how, but I knew it would be.

Then came last Saturday (Aug 18). Amazingly, the chair was marked down to 1/2 price because a new model was coming in. On that very same day, the chair was purchased FOR ME. I was given the reciept, and the store is calling me today (Aug 20) to arrange a delivery time. I am blessed; truely blessed. God knows my every need, wish, and desire, and he provides without fail.

There aren't too many people that would go out and buy a $2,00.00 chair to give to another person who is not even a relative, and I am 100% certain that the person(s) that bought it for me was simply being obedient to the Holy Spirit - this person was obedient to God and spent their hard-earned money on what can only be described as an exquisite gift JUST FOR ME. I feel so blessed and grateful. I know the chair will help me so much when I'm in pain, and may even help me to take less pain medication! It will also help Michael with his constant struggle with back pain.

God is good, all the time.

P.S. I think my bedroom will become very popular soon! Please stop by and enjoy a massage in my new chair, and I'll throw in a Spa foot treatment - Guaranteed to please!

Living High on the Hog

It's the dead center of another hot Summer in the deep South. In my younger days, I anticipated Summer eagerly and thrived on days at the pool or the occasional treat - a trip to the beach. Church retreats and camps were also highlights, and of course, NO SCHOOL was pretty cool. Summer was my favorite time of year. Now it's different - Summer presents it's own challenges that I never had to face back in those days. Like they say - 'Growing older isn't for sissies'. Some one said that, and it gets repeated, but I don't know who to credit it to.

So, how is it that I'm living "High on the Hog" in this uncomfortable weather? One simple answer - my Father's garden.

My dad has had the most beautiful and productive vegetable garden every Summer for my whole life. We moved around a bit when I was a child, and when we were in house-searching mode, there was one requirement that was never negotiable - the yard had to be suitable to sustain a garden. Whether renting or buying, living in "small town" South, or in "big city" suburbs, garden space was a must.

He works it day after day, putting sweat equity into every seed, plant, bloom, and ripened vegetable. Mom has always been there too, helping weed, pick, shuck, shell, or can - whatever is called for, she rises to the task to ensure Dad's scrumptious bounty is properly attended to.

I admit I have been spoiled. I won't even serve tomatoes that aren't "real". My definition of "real" is that the tomato came from my Dad's garden. We are enjoying the bounty every day. There is just no comparison between the "things" they call tomatoes at the grocery store and my Dad's REAL tomatoes.

Then there is the fresh yellow squash, butter beans, broccoli, string beans, corn, sweet peppers, okra, crowder peas, potatoes, and at other times of the year - turnip greens. I could eat my weight (which is pretty considerable right now) in these gems from Dad's garden. Every time I see my parents, they have a bag or two of fresh vegetables from the garden to give me. We savor every bite.

For me, I think there is as much psychology involved as there is pure joy in the consumption of Dad's Summer treats. Every time I prepare and serve his harvest, I am reliving the feelings of my childhood when my Mom served up Dad's veggies at mealtime. Preparing, serving, and eating them gives me that warm, secure feeling from childhood that comes from knowing your parents love, care, and watch over you - AND feed you home grown goodness day after day.

So for me, indulging day after day in Dad's home grown goodness is truly living HIGH ON THE HOG, and is a genuine joy of life that can't be matched.

No Hogs were harmed in the production of this blog.

Ribs

Now that I have a walker, I'm able to cook again on my good days, and so I'm cooking about 2 times a week. On Monday, Will and I went to the grocery store and bought some ribs - that's about his favorite food. I put them in marinade and planned to have ribs for dinner Monday night. Then I was reminded that it was Scout night, and Amanda said she wouldn't' be home for dinner either. So I just left the ribs in the marinade until the next opportunity for a family meal - Wednesday night. (Tuesday night never works because Amanda has Explorers).

Wednesday came, and around 1:00 I put the ribs in the oven on 200 degrees and coated them with BBQ sauce. I basted every hour or so and turned them a few times. When I pulled them out for dinner at 7:00, the meat was falling off the bone and they were bone-sucking good!Everyone pitched in and we cooked fried okra, corn on the cobb, and texas toast to go with the ribs.

Every Wednesday night at 8:30, Will has Upward Basketball practice. They use part of the time for a brief bible lesson and memory verses. During their 'serious' time, Will got distracted by some BBQ sauce on his arm. He started wiping it off with his finger and eating it - then proclaimed loudly "My Mom made the best ribs tonight!" while the leader was reading John 3:16. Reportedly, this pretty much broke up the group and the 'serious' time. Bless his heart, he means well. Michael discreetly told him to go to the restroom and clean up his hands and arms, and Will responded loudly "Oh, don't worry Dad, I'm all clean now - I ate it all". I guess all of the perspiration didn't affect the flavor too much.

Boys will be Boys! It's a great feeling when people enjoy my cooking.

Christmas 2006

It's now New Year's eve (only 6:30 in the morning, but still the last day of the year). We managed to get through the Christmas season relatively well. We got lots of beautiful cards and pictures from our friends and families. I haven't sent out Christmas cards in over 10 years - can you beleive that? For so many years, I was "too busy". Now, I'm just plain tired. I am very stingy with my time because there is so little of it to go around; I spend more time sick or at doctor offices than I do anywhere else. I have to 'save my spoons' for things that are truely important.

We talked at length about a tree, even took a family vote. Amanda voted a definate NO to getting a tree. I was on the fence - didn't care either way. Everyone else voted YES. In the past, we've always had a live tree. This year, as time was quickly running out and we still didn't have a tree, John came home with a new artificial tree from Wal-Mart. I was very pleasantly surprised - it really was beautiful. Then there were the added benefits that Garfield didn't drink the water and kill it, no one had to remember to add water every day, there are no pesky needles all over the house, and of course we didn't have to deal with disposing it. Plus, we're all ready to go next year - Our tree is neatly boxed up and waiting for us. So all in all, it was a great idea John had and I have to say I'm a convert (I used to be a "natural or nothing" Christmas tree snob).

As soon as the tree went up and was decorated, presents begain to 'appear' under it. Garfield loved the tree perhaps more than anyone. He was forever swatting at the ornaments, garland, and lights, and even kept tring to climb up the trunk. When he did that, the whole tree would start swaying back and forth, and the spire on the top wobbled wildly. So I guess I'd have to say the tree was a big hit all the way around.

We did some furniture rearranging in order to make a spot for the tree. We moved the big green chair up to our bedroom, along with the reading table and lamp. I'm really enjoying the change, and have decided to make it permanent. Now we have a great, quiet reading nook in the bedroom. Michael gave me a pretty table top fountain which I placed atop the reading table. It is so relaxing! The only thing is that Garfield likes to drink from it, so I have to keep a close eye on the water level so it doesn't go dry and damage the motor. We put the piano in the corner where the big green chair had been - and I like that change too. I know it sounds silly, but now that the piano is more visible, I tend to play it more - and that's a good thing. Its a great outlet for me. I usually put on the headphones so only I hear what I'm playing, because there is usually a lot of noise and stuff going on in the house.

We had a more frugal gift-giving season than in the past, but no less meaningful or fun. Amanda gave me a tea set that is AWESOME. It is hand made cast iron from Japan, the type of tea set I've wanted for years but would never have spent the money on. It is warm green with dragonflies on it, and it is so perfect. Dragonflies symbolize new beginnings, and I've always been partial to them, but never knew their symbolic meaning. It reminds me of the plaque on my wall that my Mother gave me that says "Today is the first day of the rest of your life". I've been offering tea to everyone in sight. My family has been indulging me by sharing pots of tea, but I don't think anyone else really enjoys it the way I do. Amanda got me the matching trivet and two teacups with saucers to match. They tried to sell her a warmer that you put a candle in and it keeps your tea warm for hours, but I didn't think I needed it. I've changed my mind on that, and when I have $39 to spare I'm going to get it. That way I can brew a pot and sip on it all morning.

John gave me this incredible sleeping mask. It is so fluffy and soft and goes over your eyes. It TOTALLY blocks out any light, and has different sounds you can play. There is white noise, a babbling brook, the ocean, birds chirping, and some others. Plus, you can plug in your iPod and listen to that if you want to. Of course, you can also listen to nothing, just put on the mask and block out all of the light and take a nap. I've been using it every day... it's so perfect for me! Now I can take a nap in the recliner in the middle of the day in complete darkness. Plus the plush fabric feels SO GOOD against my skin and sort of 'hugs' me. I like it a lot, I guess you can tell.

'Santa' brought Will the SIMS. He's always wanting to play on Amanda's game and so we knew he would enjoy having it for himself. We were right. For the first 2 days, I don't think he ate or slept at all - he just played the SIMS. What I really like about that game is that it makes you think and really teaches life concepts in a fun way. Like if you don't work, you don't eat, or if y ou don't learn to cook you burn up your house, if you don't get enough rest you get sick, if you don't bathe you get sick - stuff like that. I'm relieved that it works flawlessly on his laptop, because it is an IBM Thinkpad and sometimes things don't work exactly right on it.

There was lots more special gift-giving - too much to recall it all here.

On Christmas Eve we had a very special time. Michael, John, Andrew, Grandpa Bill and I all went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. I think that other than Grandma Betts funeral, this was the only time the five of us have been to church together. It was mostly music and sharing. The lights were dimmed so it was comfortable on my eyes. Both John and I shared during the service, and it was just so special being all together like that. My only wish was that Amanda could have been with us, but it was her time to be with her Dad and Marsha. Afterwards, we were hungry for dinner but I was far to tired to deal with cooking, so we went out for Mexican.

Our 'family Christmas' was on the 18th at my brother, Joel's house. I knew beforehand that I was not up to going. I got several calls from Joel, Mom, and Dad, all encouraging me to go. I know their intentions were good, but I had to listen to my body - I know my limitations and it would have been very uncomfortable - plus my family wouldn't have been able to stay as long as they wanted because I would have had to leave early. Amanda helped me make big baskets for each of my brothers families and my Mom & Dad, and I sent them to the gathering. I got a lot of enjoyment from that and it made me feel like I was participating in some small way. One thing we put in all the baskets was 'Peppermint Bark'. This is super easy to make, and Amanda made it while I sat and instructed her. It's so much fun teaching her to cook things and watching her as she tries things for the first time in the kitchen. The bark was no exception. It turned out great, and we had plenty of it to go around and give to friends and family. On Christmas morning, each of the kids even had a bag of it in their stockings!

On the 27th, we got sad news. My dear uncle Drew passed away. He was my mothers only brother, and father to 4 of my cousins. He has been seriously ill for the last 8 years, due to a heart condition. He was on over 6 liters of oxygen! (I'm only on 2-3 liters). He was able to spend Christmas day with his family, and according to reports he died quickly and without pain. He has always been dear to me, kind, gentle, and caring. We never lived close enough together to form a close bond, but I love him none the less. I know he was a believer and I know we'll see him again. That is my consolation. Rather than send flowers, I went to the American Heart Association website and donated $50 in his memory; my aunt will get a card from my family for him. My parents, who just returned from Texas the week before Christmas, went back to Louisiana on the 28th for the services and to be with the family. The services were yesterday, the 30th. They had to wait until then because my cousin Nathan was in Africa and that was the earliest that he could get home.

Yesterday morning (Saturday), I made breakfast (with help), and we were all together to eat it (a rare thing!). Michael, John, Andrew, Amanda,Will, and me. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, from the cathead biscuits to the Mayhaw jelly. Afterwards, before everyone could dash off their seperate ways for the day, I asked the kids to please take down the tree. Michael brought in the storage boxes, and they all got to work. They had it done in no time. I was feeling very tired and went to bed. I kept feeling worse and worse, and about 1:00 I realized I had not taken my morning medicine - DUH! So I took it and in about an hour I started feeling human again and got out of bed.

Expensive but Worth It

Friday was a special day. Amanda and I bought tickets to a local play "Funny Money", and made plans for a girl's night out. She had to see two plays this semester fo fulfill her theater class requirements, and this was play #2. The first play we saw was "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf", so we decided it was time for a change of pace and "Funny Money", being a British Comedy, was certainly that.

To be sure I would have enough energy, I 'saved my spoons' all day, just resting and being sure to stay on my O2 constantly. By the time I picked Will up from school, I felt like I could squeeze in a trip to Wal-Mart (riding the scooter of course), to get him some warm clothes. We've been talking about it for about 3 weeks now, and he was way overdue. It is such an unexplainable simple pleasure of parenting to take the kids clothes shopping. It's such a joy to see them get excited about a pair of pants, a sweatshirt, to see their smile, to know you have a small part in making them happy and caring for their needs. I'm always so grateful for the blessing of having enough money to take care of my kids. Anyway, towards the end of our shopping, my scooter ran out of battery juice, and Will had to push me in the scooter full of clothes up to the front of the store, so he got a good work-out.

We got home about 5 minutes before Amanda, and so I dressed and took about 30 minutes of Oxygen before we started out for the play. We had never been to this playhouse before, so we left early to make sure we could find it on time. It turned out to be easy to find, and not so far away. Although it was in Marietta, it was on our side of Marietta, just down Sandy Plains Road. Amanda Drove, so I got to rest and use my portable O2 during the ride. After we found the playhouse (Centerstage Theater, I think), we went over to a nearby shopping center for a quick bite to eat. The choices were a Pizza/Pasta place, and Jersey Mike's Subs. Amanda urged for the sub place, but I prevailed - I really wanted to try the Pasta. Turns out she was right. The pasta took way too long to come and we had to pack it up in go boxes almost as soon as it arrived so we could make it to the play on time. I made a critical mistake - I ordered Angel Hair with fresh garlic, forgetting that I would be sitting in close proximity to a lot of other people for the next 2 hours. By the time I realized this, it was too late, so I pulled out the tic-tacs and tried my best not to breathe on anyone. Amanda had Fettucinni Alfredo, and it was totally yummy! She hesitated to order it because with Fettucinni Alfredo, it's either really good, or really bad. It's like a 50/50 chance with a new place you haven't tried before. But fortunately, it turned out to be good.

The play was fast moving and humurous, with only a couple of real belly-laughs. The theather ws smallish- and like a black box theater. We got seats right on the front row. We sat next to an elderly lady (Amanda was next to her - lucky for her she didn't get too close to my garlic breath!). When she sat down, she asked Amanda to help her with her sweater. It was obvious she had very bad Arthritis. Amanda was so kind and respectful to her and helped her off with her sweater. Then she arranged it around her shoulders to keep her warm. They struck up a conversation, and it turned out that this lady is a founding board member for the Alliance Theater. Of course this gave them something in common to discuss, and they talked until the show started. At the intermission and again when the play was over, Amanda helped her with her sweater. Her hands were knarled and swollen and she said she had been suffering from Arthritis for more than 20 years.

Since we went to the play on opening night, there was a gathering afterward to meet and greet with the cast and have desserts. They had this most awesome carrot cake and it was like a magnet drawing me to it, but Amanda helped me resisit. After we got home, I thanked her - I felt a small victory in resisitng the temptation.

Saturday morning the bill came due. Great pain, so much stiffness, I couldn't get out of bed. Just reached over and took my pills plus breakthrough pain pills and laid there. Never even turned on the TV, talked to anyone on the phone - nothing. I finally woke up at 2:40 PM and thought it was still morning. So, I missed a day. But it was worth it. I would do it again.

Domino

The call came from my sister in-law in the Summer of 1993. A family was moving and couldn't take their cat. Were we interested in adopting a cat? You bet we were! I have been a cat lover all my life. Since moving from an apartment to a house in March, Amanda had been begging for a cat. We wasted no time driving to the family's home in Kennesaw to meet Domino. She was clean and well cared for, pretty with bright green eyes. True to her name, her coat was black and white. The famly had selected her from a litter of kittens at the Big Chicken in December 1990, so she was almost 3 years old. After loading her and all of her "things" into my car, it was off to pickup Amanda and present her with a BIG surprise!

Amanda was thrilled. She immediately took to Domino and we headed home. For the hour or so drive, Domino roamed around the car howling and meowing - she was a bit freaked out, as to be expected. At home, we kept Domino inside for about 3 weeks. This was to try to get her well accomodated and lessen the possibility that she would roam. Finally the day came for her to go outdoors. She loved it. She ran all around the yard, darting here and there. She kept circling farther and farther from the house, and eventually went out of sight. Amanda was beside herself with fear. Would Domino come back? Would she run away? Would she get hurt? Bedtime came and went, but no Domino. With great difficulty, I finally got Amanda to sleep with the promise that I would wake her up if Domino came home.

Around midnight we heard cats outside. Opening the front door, I saw 2 black and white cats on the front porch, facing each other, backs arched, both growling. The problem was, I couldn't tell which one was Domino! We picked them both up and brought them inside. In the light, we were able to tell them apart. We put the other cat back out and I ran upstairs to tell Amanda that Domino was home safe and sound. The smile on Amanda's face was radiant. I placed Domino on Amanda's bed and they went to sleep.

Amanda entered Kindergarten in the Fall. She was in Mrs. Harris' class, and one of the highlights of the year was pet day. Amanda wanted me to bring Domino. On the appointed day, I placed Domino in a cardboard box and we drove the 2 miles to school. Carrying Domino in that box was tricky. She definately didn't want to be in the box, and was expending all possible energy to escape. I made my way as quickly as I could to Amanda's classroom and let Domino escape from the box. Now she was faced with a room full of 5 year olds - she was truely freaked out! She ran up the bookshelves to the highest place in the room and sat there glaring down at us all. Mrs. Harris asked Amanda some questions about Domino and the children watched her for a few minutes, then it was time for us to leave. I managed to get Domino back in the box and practically ran to the car. She was clawing and biting and howling, trying to get out. I barely made it back to the car before the box split open. I got her back home and she settled down. That was the last time I took her in the car without a proper pet carrier.

One night I came home late from work, in the days when I still wore panty hose and pumps. As I got out of my car, I saw Domino in the shadows fighting with another cat. I grabbed a broom and tried to seperate the cats. They started running through the yard and woods, still fighting. I gave chase, all the while trying to seperate them with the broom. Finally the cats got enough of it all and parted company, each going their own way. Panting, with ruined panyhose and muddy pumps, I limped back to the house, dragging the broom behind. As I neared the front door I looked up and saw Domino - inside the house. There she sat on the windo sill just watching everything going on outside. It was then that it occured to me just how many black and white cats there are in the world. I had just gone through considerable effort and sweat chasing 2 black and white cats around in the dark, and neither one was mine!

The maddest I've ever seen Domino was the day of the strawberry bath. Will was around 3 years old and wanted a bubble bath. At that age, he called her "Minomino", and liked to eat and drink from her dises in the kitchen. Anyway, I prepared the bath with an extra dose of bubble bath. The bubbles mounded up a good 1-2 feet above the rim of the tub. Quick as a wink, Will grabbed Domino and tossed her into the frothy mix. Like a bullet, she flew back out and ran as far away as possible. Soaking wet, she hid behind the couch in the den. She was a sight, all wet and bubbly and really ticked off! I took a picture of her and will try to find it.

Another funny Domino story is when we could hear her but we couldn't find her. It was really odd, and sounded like her meows were coming from the vents in the house. We had recently had some construction work done, and in the process the vent covers were removed for a few days. I was convinced that she had found an open vent and crawled into the duct work. It sounded like she was in the duct work under the floor in my bathroom. So Michael took a saw and cut through the floor and duct work to rescue her. After cutting a gaping hole in the floor we were disappointed when we found she was not in there. Although both Amanda and Michael had already checked the crawl space, I decided to go check it one more time. I opened the door and there she was. Domino just sat there and stared at me and let out a tiny little "meow". Then she calmly walked out of the crawl space as if nothing had happened.

At around 12 years old, Domino started having arthritic problems. It got harder for her to clean herself, and Amanda started giving her special medicine every day. We started bathing her in the bathtub since she couldn't clean herself very well. We had to hold her in the water - it took 2 of us to bathe her. After her bath, Amanda would wrap her in a towel and blow dry her hair. Domino was slowing down.

Last night, Amanda came in from the garage with tears in her eyes. She said something was wrong with Domino. I asked what was wrong and she said "I think she's dying". We put Domino on a towel and into a plastic crate and broght her in the house. She was very limp and unresponsive. I put the crate on Amanda's bed and left the two of them to be alone for awhile. Later, Amanda asked me if I would be with Domino, she just couldn't handle it. I put Domino next to me on my bed and slept beside her, my hand always touching her. I kept waking up and fearing the worst, only to see Domino still breathing, lying next to me.

At around 2:30 this morning I woke up and checked on Domino. She had pulled her little body over closer to me so that her head was on my pillow. She wasn't breathing anymore. The end had come. Her little lifeless body was cold.

Farewell Domino, we miss you. We are grateful for the many years of friendship and fun you gave our family. I know Amanda will have other pets, but there will never be one like Domino. From Kindergarten through High School graduation they were best buds.

Way Overdue

It's been over 1 month since my last post, in which I announced my hasty get-away to the mountains. Well, I made my escape, with the help of my family, and spent 3 restful nights in the Wolf cabin at George's on Blood Mountain. Being totally impulsive, I picked up the phone and made my reservation before thinking about all the help I would need to get up there and back. I can't drive that far, can't lift my bags and oxygen machine, and just generally needed a lot of help to get up there with everything I needed to stay for 3 days and then to get back home.

My family came to the rescue. Mom and Dad came over on Sunday. Dad and Michael loaded my bags and oxygen machine into the van, then Michael drove the van while Dad drove the car up to the cabin. When we got there, Dad, Michael, and Will unloaded all of my stuff and put everything where it needed to be. Will was hungry, so he had a bowl of pasta with Marinara sauce.

I think everyone was afraid to leave me alone - change that - I know everyone was afraid to leave me alone. I think they were afraid that I was suicidal. I was not. One big hint was that I took 2 suitcases. One was full of clothes. The other was full of beads and jewelry making supplies. I wanted to sit in the cabin, enjoy the view, and string beads. I don't think suicidal people do things like that. Here is a picture of my kitchen table, all covered up with beads and things----------->

They lingered for a long while before leaving me alone in the cabin. While "lingering", Will and Dad made a few trips up to George's store for coffee, cocoa, and video tapes for me to watch. The dish was out that night, so I asked for some "chick flicks" to watch later in my jammies. The lingering continued, so I finally hopped in the shower and took a looooooong hot soaking shower and put on my thermal pj's (it's still cold up in the mountains in May). It was the first thing I wanted to do when we arrived and I just couldn't wait any longer. So I politely excused myself and headed into the shower. Pure bliss. Steamy and hot, no one coming after you so you can use as much hot water as you want. Plus, I stayed in the handicapped accessible cabin, so there was a nice little seat in there I could just sit on and absorb the steam and warm water. I felt great, and somewhat like a limp noodle after that.

After everyone left, I settled in. I watched "Blue Sky", which was pretty good. It is about an Air Force family in the era of nuclear testing. The wife is very attractive and can't seem to "behave". It costs her husband a lot of trouble on the job, and eventually, his career. Then I tried my cell phone, and amazingly it worked - I got through to home and said goodnight and love you to everyone. That was the only time my cell phone worked during the whole stay. Next, I tried to watch Notting Hill, but I fell asleep. Oh well, I've seen that one before anyway.


It was very chilly at night - too cool to enjoy the deck. However, in the mornings I went out on the deck with my hot tea. The entire time I was there, it was overcast and misty - very foggy and not much of a view. I liked it anyway. It made things seem close-in and sort of cozy in a strange way.


On Monday, George and the cable guy came down to my cabin and fixed me up with TV. My craft lamp switch had broken that morning, and I showed it to George. He took it back to his office and hot-wired it so that whenever you plug it in, the light comes on - bypassing the switch. That's the kind of thing George does, and the reason we've been going back to his cabins for 13 years now. George confided in me that Michael (my husband) had already called that morning to check on me, saying that he was very concerned about me being alone with all of my health problems and making George promise to check in on me every day. Now that's a sweet husband, don't you think?

Outside my entryway, there was a huge patch of blackberry bushes just loaded with blooms. George said that around the first of July the bears would be frequenting that spot to get their fill of the delicious treats. I think that would be so much fun to be in the Wolf cabin around July 1! Here's a picture of a bit of the blackberry patch - just a tiny bit.... the patch is HUMONGUS!!! -->




On Tuesday afternoon, Mom and Dad came back up. They went up to George's store and got a Scrabble game and played for awhile. We all took an afternoon nap and ate leftovers from the fridge. They slept in the loft and drove me home on Wednesday morning. That's a real switch. We used to let Mom and Dad have the downstairs bedroom and we would sleep in the loft. Now I'm the one who has trouble negotiating the loft stairs, so I stayed downstairs and they took the loft. I think this is the first trip to George's ever that I didn't climb up into the loft at least once.
Here is a picture of the stairs to the loft. -------------------------------->



Before I got sick, I travelled all over independantly, flying everywhere, renting cars, staying at luxury hotels, all very self sufficient. It was very humbling to need so much help to take a simple 3 day trip just 1 hour away to Blood Mountain. I'm so very grateful for my family for supporting me, letting me have my space, and enabling me to take the trip. I really needed it.

HOME SWEET HOME

I've just returned home from another extended stay at 'Spa Emory'. I went to the ER last Friday because I was running a fever, which is a big deal when you are taking TNF inhibitors, Chemotherapy, and Immune suppresant drugs. So as much as I hated going down there, I did go, and they did decide I needed to be kept in the hospitial so they could "keep an eye" on me. Boy do I miss my family and my home when I am down there in one of those boring little rooms! Michael and Will came down twice and even snuck in a large Frosted Orange from the Varsity. I got to talk to Amanda on the phone and hear all about her fun trip to Gatlinburg. Those were the highlights of my stay. Then on Sunday, Mom called from MARIETTA. She and Dad came all the way home just because of me. Wow, that made me feel so cared for. I have a one in a million family! Finally after 48 hours clear from fever, the gatekeeper released me tonight and I'm back home. I feel so much better just being here with my family and in my own space. After all was said and done, the doctors were kind of stumped as to what was going on, except they felt it was some sort of virus. Anyway, here I am, home again, and happy to be here.

Gratitude List

I have a warm, safe place to sleep tonight.

I am surrounded by people who love me.

I have things I can do when I feel up to it.

I have been blessed with precious children for a time.

My parents taught me about Jesus Christ.

This life is not all there is.

3 Good Days

3 Good Days

It's Saturday night. I've just had 3 good days in a row. Wow, what a blessing. I've spent most of my time with my kids and it's been so wonderful just doing 'normal' stuff together. They are so precious and every minute with them is a gift. What can I say, except thank you God for 3 good days. And if anyone is reading this, some advice: treasure every moment with your family and friends. Those moments can never be taken away from you no matter what happens in the future. Let tomorrow come, tonight I'm counting my blessings.

Saturday

What a nice day in GA - especially for August! Everyone got up early and went to the Old Soldiers Day Parade and let me sleep in - yea! Amanda directed traffic and had to take down the barrier because a lady was having a baby in a van - really!!! She had to let them through to get to the hospital.

Afterwards we went to Mittie's and had a nice lunch and then to get our hair cut. I thought Amanda was going to go for it and get her hair cut short, but she didn't. I, on the other hand, did get a lot cut off. A new haircut always makes me feel better. My hair stylist, 'Marc', was full of wild tales about Viet Nam and conspiracies. It was a trip.

Michael is out back with sack-crete and rebar trying to shore up holes in the fence where our little digger COCO keeps digging holes. She digs the hole, then she and her brother SCOUT both escape and wreak havoc around the house until some one man handles them back into the fence. They are quite a duo. The other day they got into a bucket of TAR (left by our thoughtful construction crew). They spilt it all down the side of the yard and got it all over their hair. Scout is blonde so it shows up real good on him. Coco is black so it doesn't show on her. Amanda spent hours trying to trim the tar off of Scout, but it really was a hopeless case; it will just have to wear off.

At 7:00 everyone is going to North Park for a pick up baseball game. I'm going to stay home and stay cool. I will probably take a long soak with some bath bombs and Mango Butter and then put in a Yoga tape.

I just heard a yelp from the back yard and it wasn't one of the dogs... better go see if my hubby is allright.

Home Again

I've been away for a week in the hospital again and now I'm back home. I really hate to be in the hospital and miss my family - plus my e-mail gets so clogged up it takes me forever to catch back up! Anyway I'm trying to get my records together for my trip to Tyler. Emory is not cooperating and it's a pain. The coolest thing that happened in the hospital is that my stepson John called me on Sunday from California. He is at 29 Palms in training. He will ship out to Iraq in early October. He is going to be guarding a gate at some airport over there. I'm glad he is not going to be out in the streets too much. He is brave and young and strong and not scared at all. We are very proud of him. I can't belive Summer break is over. Amanda goes back to school on 8/9 and Will goes back on 8/16. Will has a laptop this year; at his school everyone gets a laptop starting in 4th grade. Pretty cool. He can play DVDs on it at home and he takes good care of it. Mom has taken the kids to Wal-Mart and Blockbuster so I better go grab a nap while I can... bye.