Swimming

Today Mary and Bucky brought Tori and Ryan up to play in the pool. I think they had a good time. At first Ryan didn't want to get in the water, he wanted to stay on the ladder. But eventually, he got in and didn't want to leave when it came time for them to go to Mary's grandparent's apartment. I really enjoyed them coming up and look forward to them coming back.

Mary

My friend Mary is back in the hospital with her leg again. I certainly hope they find out what is causing the cellulitis and infection. For anybody who doesn't know Mary, she is a very sweet and loving person and doesn't need all the health problems she is encountering with this. Please join me in wishing her a speedy recovery and good health in the future. Mary, I love you and wish you only the best.

New Profession

I think I have found a new profession. Last week I had to mow with a push mower because the belt on the riding mower broke. I single handedly put a new belt on it. Of course, we won't go into how many bolts I took out and how many carter pins I removed and replaced, which really wasn't necessary. But you learn from your mistakes. I was mowing today and the blades wouldn't engage. I thought the belt had come off. It hadn't. So here I was on the ground looking underneath the mower. I found a metal thing that had another thing sticking out on it. Coming down from the top was another metal thing with a hole in it. Hmmmm...Interesting. I connected the two metal things by sticking the thing sticking out into the hole in the other metal thing. But how would I make it stay?? I found a carter pin in the garage. There was a hole but the pin wouldn't go all the way through. So I put it in as far as I could and wrapped it around using a pair of pliers. IT WORKED!!! Think I'll take up lawn mower repair. Think they'll like my terminology of parts?

My horoscope

I got this horoscope thing as a free gift for my birthday from my birthday calender. I don't usually put much belief in this stuff, but it hit the nail on the head. I think it fits me, what do you think?

Section 1: How You Approach Life and How You Appear To Others
You are a natural diplomat, reasonable, tolerant, fair, always willing to listen to varying viewpoints, and ready to see the other side of an issue. Even if you strongly disagree with someone, you will try to find points of similarity and agreement rather than emphasizing the differences. You often avoid taking an extreme or one-sided stance on anything. You have a strong desire for harmonious and pleasant relationships, and express a spirit of cooperation, compromise, friendship, and fairness. You very much want to be liked and because of your need for approval and acceptance, you are easily influenced by others' opinions, especially when young. You so much want to please that often you will suppress your own intense or unpleasant feelings in order not to offend others. Sometimes your politeness is interpreted as phoniness or wishy-washiness. Find out more with your full-length reading...

Section 2: The Inner You: Your Real Motivation
You are, in many ways, an eternal child. Your mind is bright, alert, curious, flexible, playful, and always eager for new experiences - and your attention span is often quite brief. You grasp ideas quickly and once your initial curiosity has been satisfied, you want to go on to something else. You crave frequent change, variety, meeting new situations and people. Find out more with your full-length

Mama

Well, we got home from Washington and I got sick. So I laid around for awhile and finally went to the doctor on Thursday, the day I was supposed to go back to work. He told me to stay off work 4 more days. So I went home and went back to bed. My mother called me that night and told me she was having chest pain. I went to her place and called 911. We went to the ER and she was admitted to the hospital. On the floor I work, no less. So I ended up staying at the hospital anyway. But my illness had mysteriously disappeared. I guess she scared it out of me. The next morning the doctor came in and told her she needed to have a heart catheterization. I asked her about her dog, who also had severe heart problems, and she gave me permission to have her put to sleep. So I came home and fed her dog and gave her some treats, then made the trip to the vet. I hated to do it, but she had suffered long enough. Shortly after I got back to the hospital, they came and got Mama for the cath. When they finished, they called me and my sister to come down there, instead of coming to the room like they were supposed to. Needless to say, we were scared. They had to do a baloon procedure on her and then put a stent in one of her arteries in her heart. If you're not familiar with this procedure, you have a large tube (a sheath) in your groin going into an artery. After they take out the sheath, you have to lie flat for 6 hours. Her procedure ended about 3pm. They weren't able to remove the sheath until about 8pm. So she couldn't even turn over for 6 more hours. She has arthritis in her back and legs and she was in alot of pain. Nothing they gave her stopped the pain. And they gave her lots of stuff. So when her bedrest was up, she couldn't get up because she was so loopy. Then her blood pressure took a nose dive. It got as low as 65/31. She couldn't move her left side and was talking to people who weren't there. I thought she had a stroke. Thank God I was wrong. They gave her alot of IV fluid and she got better. She came home on Sunday (mother's day). I brought her to my house so I could keep a close eye on her. She isn't recovering as fast as she should, but she's 77 years old and doesn't do anything fast anymore. Her blood count dropped drastically as if she was bleeding somewhere. I took her to Thompson Cancer Survival Center today to be checked there. She has a problem with her blood count anyway so they checked her blood and gave her a shot to help build it up. So hopefully she'll be back on the mend soon. One good thing that happened during all this is that she was approached by a nurse who told her about a study that was being done with a new drug. Plavix is the drug they put people on to prevent platelet formation which helps the blood to clot. Stents tend to attract blood cells that will stick to it if the blood has alot of platelets in it. This prevents the stent from keeping the artery open. A drug company has made a new drug which has to pass tests on patients before it can be approved by the FDA for marketing. So she is participating in the study and gets her medicine for free. She may be taking Plavix, she may be taking the new drug. We don't know. Not even the doctor knows. But she can stop the study any time she wants to. She isn't required to stay in it. She also gets free physicals while she's in it. So I feel pretty safe that the care she's getting is the best because they really monitor her closely. So that is what has been going on in my life. Exciting, huh? I'm tired of excitement! I just want to get back to my normal, humdrum life! But I love my mom and I'll take care of her forever, if I need to. Maybe next time I'll post something a little more interesting. Take care and everybody have a good day.

Washington, DC

Hello from DC! We finally made it! Of course today we spent more time getting lost than sightseeing. We spent about a total of 8 hours lost. We ended up in Maryland, downtown DC, and all over. We spent about 45 minutes at the Viet Nam memorial and the Lincoln memorial. Boy! Is that statue ever big! There's even a statue at the Viet Nam memorial recognizing the nurses there. We had planned to come home tomorrow, but now we've decided to try again tomorrow and take the tour tram. They stop at over 40 historic sites, including the White House. Wow! I'm excited now. So since we're old now and can't keep our eyes open forever, we'll drive about halfway home and then stop and rest for the night and come on home Sunday morning. Even though I wasn't in Viet Nam, seeing all those names on the wall and the messages people had left, it moved me to tears. War is such a sensless thing. Especially when it doesn't involve our country. As soon as I get home, I'll download my pictures and post some of them. Just today I made 65. So I'll be posting more about my trip soon. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Whine, Whine, Whine

Well, Mama went to the dr today to get her legs checked out and get her surgery scheduled. Guess what? Still don't know anything. And this is the last week of my vacation. They told her they would call her because the computers are down, and told her not to wait around because it could be 6:00 tonight before she hears anything. GREAT!!! Aren't drs wonderful??? And this morning my son called me because he needs a babysitter for Friday. If I can take my trip, for once I'm gonna say tough! Call in to work. Normally, I wouldn't tell him no, but I've wanted to do this for so long. He and Rose know that we have a life and encourage us to do things together. I guess that's why I feel guilty if I have to say no. Oh well, I guess I'll just sit and wait for dr call. Who knows? Maybe we'll go tomorrow, maybe we won't go at all. But one good thing. Mama gets her scooter today. At least something good is gonna happen to somebody. Oh, I need to quit whining! I'm thankful I have my mom and the rest of my family. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, 2 beautiful children and 4 even more beautiful grandchildren.

Vacation

Well, it's the time I thought would never come. My two weeks off from work. But I must have missed something...I thought vacation was a time to relax and get caught up on some much needed rest. Boy! Was I wrong!!! The past week has been spent babysitting and cleaning. But that's just one week. Next week Doug and I hope to go to Washington, DC. That is if nothing else comes up. My mom goes to the dr Tuesday to see when her surgery on her carotid artery will be. If that comes up, I guess the trip will be cancelled. But hey! I only have one mom. I bought her a scooter yesterday so she can get around better. She doesn't have it yet but as soon as she gets it, I'm taking her to the mall. I'm gonna make her ride it all over. It's so easy to take apart and put together. But I guarantee that she won't even try to learn to do it herself. I'll still have to go with her everywhere. But that's okay. Like I said, I only have one mom. I have to go chase after my grandson now. Maybe I can post again another time.

MaMaw

Tonight I went to the funeral home. My grandmother passed away Wednesday morning. I was afraid to look at her for fear she wouldn't look good. After all, I've always said that people in funeral homes don't look good. They look dead. Granted, I knew she was dead when I looked at her. And who goes to sleep with their make up on and lipstick like they were getting ready to go to church? But I have to say, the woman lying in that coffin looked more like my Mamaw than she did the last time I saw her. Even though she had on makeup and lipstick, and a fresh manicure, that was the way I want to remember seeing her. When I was a little girl, she went to the beauty shop once a week to get her hair fixed. She always dressed well, and loved her scarves. Tonight she had on a pretty blue skirt and jacket. She also had a brightly colored scarf loosly tied around her neck. Didn't look at all like funeral clothes. I'm sure it was one of her favorite dresses. And her lipstick was the same shade she always wore to church. Yes, she looked dead, but I'm glad I got to see her one last time. I cried, but it was selfish tears. She's so much happier now and can RUN if she wants to. She hasn't done that in a while. Not any 100 year olds run that I know of. But she's the only person I've ever known who lived that long. I'll miss her.

Wireless World

I have had my home phone number over 15 years. Tomorrow my number will be laid to rest. I am going totally wireless. I added more minutes to my cell phone and free incoming calls. So as of tomorrow A.M., I will join the thousands of others who are tired of paying two phone bills. It's almost like the loss of a loved one. My son grew up with that phone number. He said he will be sad to see it go. Hopefully this will save me some money as all my money seems to be going in my gas tank.
I heard on the news that the pope is near death. I'm not Catholic, but I know this man is truly a man of God. I have seen nothing but good from him. I know he will be seeing Jesus and our Heavenly Father soon. I pray that he goes easy and without suffering. He's a good man.

The Change In My Life

I have decided to change my way of living.I hope it will be a change for the better. I am going to try to live my life the way Christ would want me to and to glorify Him in the way in which He deserves. I will no longer listen to dirty jokes, even if they are funny. To be a Christian means to try to be Christlike, and I just don't see Jesus listening to stuff like that. Although I will still try to take care of my body and look decent, I will no longer put the most emphasis on outer beauty. The real beauty lies within. I will try my best to clean up my vocabulary, although I try to now. I'll just try harder in the future. I hope and pray my friends will support me in this as it means so much to me. I realize I'm going to catch alot of criticism and rude comments about this, but hey! look what Jesus put up with for me!
I will pray as much as I can safely do, and when someone upsets me, I will pray for them instead of being mad. Alot of people have told me I'm a nice person, but I just feel so unworthy. Pray for me as I go through this transition in my life. I really think I'll be a better person for it.

I'm Just Like MeMe 

Taco Salad, Anyone?

Today we went to Bucky and Mary's house to eat Taco Salad. Mmmmmmm.....Was it ever good! I have never made one and she is going to have to teach me to make it. I don't know if I would have the patience or not. Mary's parents and grandparents were there, as well as Tori, Ryan, Rebecca and Nicholas. (the latter 2 are my grandkids). We had to leave pretty early to take the kids home. Wish we could've stayed longer. We had a great time.I always enjoy being with them and Tori and I love to wrestle around. Just when I thought the kids had calmed down, here went an ice cube down my back. Ryan was a lifesaver with Nic. He played with him so good. I was afraid that Nic would be screaming the whole time. Soon I intend to have a cookout at my house and invite the whole clan here for burgers, or if I get rich before then, steaks. We had a great time. Even Doug said he enjoyed it, and he doesn't hand out compliments often. So now we have the other 2 grandkids, Billy and Shelly. I love 'em all. So this has been my Saturday. Can't wait for that cookout! But right now, I'm still full from the Taco Salad. Maybe tonight I'll dream about a good looking Mexican man. LOL Hope I don't talk in my sleep.

Pain In The Neck

I went to work the other night after being off for 6 nights. I barely made it. My neck hurt so bad I couldn't move my head and left work the next morning in tears. I went to dr. at 11:00 yesterday morning and got a diagnosis of "Neck Pain". DUH!!! I could have told them that and I don't make the big bucks. They sent me to be admitted to the hospital but guess what? No beds available. So I spent the day in the ER with sticks, pokes, prods, CT scan, etc. The worst part was the spinal tap. I jumped 3 times and I know the dr was getting very upset with me because I kept messing her up. Well...it wasn't exactly a picnic for me either. They put in an IV and gave me Phenergan for nuasea and Dilaudid for pain. I told them I didn't want anything strong for pain cause I didn't want to be knocked out. HELLO!!!! I KNOW WHAT IS STRONG AND WHAT ISN'T!! Needless to say, I was out like a light! They told me after the spinal that I had to lie flat without bending my knees up. NOT!! So now I'm the proud owner of a spinal headache that won't go away. Even with sunglasses, the light from the computer hurts my eyes. With time that will get better, until then, they gave me muscle relaxers that make me sleep. So I check my email between naps. Good news is I don't have anything serious or contagious. That's what I was worried about. I don't want to make anybody else sick. But I'm fine and I'll feel better soon. Meanwhile, I'll just be a "Pain In The Neck". (Better than a pain elsewhere?)

Death of a Miracle

Some of you may remember a post I did about the newborn kitten I found last summer and I named her Miracle because I put her with another litter of kittens and the mother cat raised her. She was a beautiful kitten, mostly gray with orange highlights on her sides. She had a white streak going down between her eyes. Yesterday some #@%*** drove his car into my neighbor's front yard and deliberately ran over her. When I found out I was devastated. I was at work and I cried like a baby. I love animals, but she was special to me because I felt like I had saved her life. Now her precious life has been taken, and there's nothing I can do. She didn't even get to enjoy a full year on this earth. Although she didn't live with me, she knew I loved her very much because I always would pet her and love on her. Sometimes I would bring her over for a visit. Sometimes, she would come over on her own. She wasn't afraid of my dog, who loves to bite. She would just walk up to him and sniff of him and he would just look at her. She was fearless. She used her first life when she was born and abandoned. She must have used the other 8 coming to visit and braving the dog. I sure will miss her. She is buried in the same place I put her when she was born. If her real mom died in childbirth, she finally gets to meet her. Some people think differently, but I feel that God has a special place for animals when they die. I just can't see them being a living being with the same organs we have and not having a spirit. Miracle, I love you and I'm gonna miss you terribly. Wait on me at the Rainbow Bridge with the rest of my pets who have gone on before.

New Home

YEAH!!!! Mary and Bucky get to move into their new house on Thursday, Jan. 27,2005. Of course, I have to work. :( This day has been a long time coming for them. They were originally supposed to move in July, I think. But the day is finally here and they will be in their home. Can't wait til I'm off so I can go and visit them in their BRAND NEW HOME!!! It must be so exciting. I have never had a new home. All my houses have been VERY used. But let it be known that no one in this world deserves this home more than they do. This family is so wonderful and dear to me. They will never know how much their friendship means to me. So look out Bucky and Mary. I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! Let's have a party. :)

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

My new computer came today and I've already got it set up and going. I've waited so long for a new machine. I finally ordered it and didn't think it was ever going to get here, although it only took 2 days. Of course, I had to wait the weekend too. I already have all my stuff put on it and all my pictures from my old computer. The monitor is so much bigger than my old one, I can actually see it! I'm posting a picture of it so all my friends can share in my joy. Sorry, Sandy, you'll get a flat panel monitor in time. God knows, I paid enough for it. Here it is!
Okay, so I don't do so well on posting pictures. When I do, they seem to disappear.
So, oh well...

Typical weekend this week, Exciting weekend next week!

Yesterday I had Rebecca and Nicholas over for the night. We took them home this evening and then went to pick up Billy and Shelly. It's hard to believe that Shelly will be a year old next month. Right now Shelly is asleep and I just put Billy to bed. But he's lying there talking and singing, anything to keep from going to sleep.

My computer has really been messing up alot lately. It seems like every week I'm having to contact Dell to walk me through fixing it. So I ordered a new one. My new one will be much better than this one. It has 160GB hard drive, 512mb memory, a dvd burner (which I just installed on this one), and a 17" flat panel monitor. I can't wait. I'll be able to see the screen without straining my eyes. It should be here Monday. 2 days! So close and yet so far away! At least it's coming before Thursday. That was the expected date of arrival. I have to work Thursday, and I want the whole day to set it up and enjoy it. Whenever I get something new, I'm like a kid at Christmas.

It's been snowing tonight and we've got a light dusting on the ground. Sure would be nice to have a good snow. But now I guess my age is showing. I don't like to be out in the cold. And since Mayfield makes snowcream now, I can have it whenever I want it without going outside.

I just saw Sandy get online so I'll go talk to her for a minute. Oh...Mary told me they're probably signing on their house on Thursday. So that means they'll FINALLY get to move in this weekend. They've waited so long for this occasion and I'm really excited for them. I just wish I was off so I could help them move. I hope everything goes smoothly. Maybe after I work the weekend, I can go help them unpack and get everything put in its place. I think I'll take my camcorder so I can tape the excitement. The kids will have their own rooms, and all new appliances! I'm so jealous! But no one deserves it more than they do.

Til next time, take care!

Medical Care

My mom went for her 2nd cataract surgery yesterday. Things went much better this time than they did last. Last time she couldn't even keep her eye open because it hurt so bad. The dr told her that her cornea was scratched and he put a contact lens in it. It finally got better and now she can see great out of that eye. She only had to wear glasses for reading. Now the other eye has been done and in 2 weeks she gets her new glasses. She will probably only need them for reading. It sure is strange seeing her without glasses. I don't remember ever seeing her without them unless she was going to sleep. It's amazing what drs can do these days. Medical technology has come a long way. It makes me proud to be a part of it. I only wish I could do more for the patients. But I would have to be a dr for that and I don't like school that much. I'd never make it through anyway. It's taking me forever to get my RN degree. I'm glad drs can do the things they do. But too many of the drs take credit for the outcome of things. They need to thank God that He's using them and guiding their hands to help people. Of course if something goes wrong, it's never the dr's fault, it's always the nurses who get the blame. But that doesn't happen very often. I love my job. I've been at it for almost 23 years now. Doesn't seem that long but time flies. Most patients are grateful for what the medical staff do for them, but there are a few who think nurses are scum and all the people who try to help them are dirt under their feet. The majority are nice though. I thank God for my job and am glad He gave me the courage to do it.

Picture Posting

I'm going to try once again to post some pictures and hope it works. If it does, I'll redo my previous blog. Anyway, this weekend I had 2 of my grandchildren, Billy and Shelly. (Aren't you tired of hearing about my babies?) Well, I'll never get tired of talking about them. I made a few pictures and I want to share them.
Shelly still likes the swing she got when she was a newborn:

And Billy still likes to change the settings to aggravate her:

It used to be Billy's swing, and I guess he still likes it sometimes, even if he is a little big:

Kids grow up so fast, seems like yesterday we couldn't even think about leaving her on the couch alone. Now she makes herself right at home:

Okay, these two are a little old to be my grandkids, but they are two good friends and they were here Saturday, too. As you can see, they're very much in love:

Again, I don't do that well on picture posting.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Last night was my very first New Years Eve party and I had a blast! Just proves you can party and have a good time without getting drunk. It was a great night at Sandy's house with her, her hubby Robert, Mary and Bucky, Lillian and Monroe (their parents), and me and my hubby Doug. We played cards, IM'd each other on our sidekicks, called each other on cell phones, ate, ate, and ate. I wish I had taken my camera, but I got some pictures from Mary and Sandy, so I'll post some of them. Right now, it sounds like a couple of cats somewhere outside are having a VERY happy new year! Oh well... Here's the pics:
Mary and Sandy's dad, Monroe, aka Roe

Me and Mary and Sandy's mom, Lillian, aka Lilly

Me acting like a daredevil standing on the railing on Sandy's front porch

Our lovely hostess, Sandy

Eating, our favorite past time

The men played against the women in cards. We won't say who won.

But then Bucky decided to play with the women (cards that is)

Mary's arrival

Lilly's arrival

Lilly and Max

Bucky being Bucky

Pictures

This is Billy looking handsome and solemn on Christmas Eve:

Another picture of my handsome Billy:

Here is Shelly posing and looking pretty and showing off those pearly whites:

My son Doug and his wife Rose (I don't know what that face was about):

Here's my daughter Bambi and Shelly telling her all about her new shoes:

Shelly and Bambi posing for the camera:

Doug looking really tall:

Miscellaneous Stuff

Wow! 2 days since Christmas! Where did it go? It seems like we waited forever for it to get here and then before we knew it, it was gone. Oh well, we probably won't turn around hardly when it will be Christmas next year. We went to Doug's mom's house on Christmas Eve and opened gifts down there. It was great to see everyone having such a good time. 2 of my grandchildren, Billy and Shelly were there. Rebecca was with her dad and Nicholas was sick, so his dad kept him at home. I sure did miss them. Bambi was there and then so was "little" Doug (all 6 feet of him) and his wife Rose. Doug and Rose couldn't stay long because they had another party to go to. Bambi stayed and I really enjoyed her being there. Believe it or not, there was no trouble this year. Nearly every year an argument breaks out. After that we came home and watched tv and went to bed. The next morning I got up and started cooking. Had my mom and Doug's mom here for lunch. As soon as I got through eating, I excused myself and went upstairs and went to bed. I was hoping our census at work would be low and I would get to stay at home. But we had a full house and I had to work. I'm off today but tomorrow go back for 3 more 12 hours shifts. I'll be off a week after that. YEAH!!! I went to Walmart yesterday after work and spent $170! I couldn't believe it. Everything was 1/2 price and I went wild. I've never spent that much before. But I have alot of new stuff for Christmas next year. I bought Bambi a new tree for next year. I hope she likes it, if she doesn't I don't know what I'll do with 2 trees. But I had a good time spending money (I always love to spend money). Bambi got me and Doug a gift card to Ruby Tuesday's. I can't wait to use it. I love their food. I think their prices are outrageous, but hey, this one's gonna be free.
Oh well, I guess I'd better go to bed now. I could keep on talking forever this morning. I don't know what got me so wound up. I'll post some pictures of my grand babies and kids. Then maybe when I get up, I'll write some more. Who knows? Have a wonderful day! Can't wait til Friday when I go to Sandy's house and bring in the New Year with Doug, Mary, Bucky, Sandy and Robert. And Mary and Sandy's mom and dad if they're there. Okay, I'll shut up now.

Christmas Eve

Tomorrow is Christmas! Oh boy! Can't hardly wait to eat all that good food. Gifts that Doug and I give to each other don't get wrapped and are usually given before Christmas. Tonight we will be going to my mother in law's to open presents. Can't wait to see all the kids open their gifts. My oldest granddaughter won't be there because she is with her dad tonight. She will be coming home tomorrow and opening her gifts at home and the gifts from everyone else then. Iam scheduled to work tomorrow so I'll be sleeping the biggest part of the day. Hopefully alot of the patients will get to go home and I will be cancelled. But if I'm not, oh well, someone needs to take care of sick people. One day, it may be me needing someone to take care of me. Tomorrow we will be having honey baked ham, sweet potatoe casserole, green beans, rolls,cranberry sauce, and whatever else I decide to fix. Oh and of course, dressing. Yummy! Makes me want to cook it and eat it now. I'm finally getting a dvd burner for Christmas. I told Doug I wanted one, he didn't get it so I ordered it. Then I told him he had ordered my Christmas present. It was shipped yesterday. So it should be getting here in about a week. I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas. My love goes out to everyone I know. Let's all remember the true meaning of Christmas. And let's be especially thoughtful and send up an extra prayer for our soldiers over seas and their families. Pray especially for the families who have lost loved ones in this war. I know their Christmas will be empty without them.

Lost Lives

15 more lives lost in Iraq. What a senseless war! Why didn't we just kill Hussien and get out of there? I am all for helping them and helping them rebuild a government, but hey! Is it worth all the lives of the moms, dads, sons, and daughters that have been lost? I am just so thankful that my son came home safely. I hope he never has to go back. He's out of service but who knows when they'll call him back? My heart goes out to all the families of the soldiers whose lives have been snuffed out by these heartless thugs. Send one of the mothers over there. Let her have her way with the pigs that killed her child. That could change the situation. Just turn an angry mother lose on them. I think we should stay in Afghanastan because of what they did to us, and I know we should have taken out Hussein, but let's get Bin Laden now. Then bring him to me. I'd see that he got what he deserves. But then, Hell is going to be worse than anything I could ever do. But I sure would like to have my turn with him.

Christmas Is Almost Here

9 days til Christmas! I can't hardly wait!! To see the looks on my grandchildren's faces when they open their gifts will be great. Okay, so I won't actually see them on Christmas as they stay at their own homes on that day. Which is a good thing so they won't be taken away from their new things. But I do get to see them on Christmas Eve at the get together at my mother in law's. I have to work on Christmas day, but still plan to cook a HUGE meal. Me, Doug, my mom will be eating together that day. Doug's mom will also be invited. She doesn't drive much so Doug will probably be going to her house to pick her up and bring her here. I always invite my sister but I know she won't come. We're not in her "circle". Don't get me wrong, I love her and all, she just never comes around or calls. She has her own little world and her own little friends. If my name was Shirley, I'd see her alot more. But I will NOT let her put a damper on my excitement on Christmas. I will eat til I pop, I will sleep til I wake up to go to work, and I will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the ones I love. I would love to have my kids here, but they have families of their own now. I have been invited to Sandy's house on New Years Eve. I have never been to a New Years Eve party. This will be quite exciting for me as well. My daughter will get mad because I'm not keeping her kids that night, but hey, I've got a life too. I just wish she wouldn't get mad so easy. Oh well, I'd better get in bed. It was a LONG night at work last night.

Happy Thankgiving

Today is Thanksgiving and I had a wonderful day with my mother and Doug and his family, my son and his family. We all ate til I thought I would pop. Then on the way home, we stopped at KMart to see what we could find. Not much, maybe tomorrow. My friend Bucky had been working on my laptop and he said to meet him there as he was taking Mary's grandparents home. It was good to see them. They are such nice people. Anyway, Bucky brought my laptop to me. I was going to watch a movie on it and I couldn't get the sound to work. Bucky was online and he told me how to un-mute everything. Meanwhile, I forgot I had turned the volume up all the way on everything. So I was sitting in the living room with headphones on so I could be with Doug and watch my movie while he watched football. When I pushed play on the movie, I about fell out of the chair. Doug thought I was having a heart attack because it scared me so bad I screamed. Bucky asked if I got a picture of it, I didn't. But I re-enacted the scene and Doug made a picture. So I will post it as soon as I get it downloaded. Right now I'm using my laptop having the time of my life. I haven't turned it off since I got it home. I think I'm gonna wear it out in one day. Anyway, the day is almost over and before we know it Christmas will be here. I can't wait, even though I'm supposed to work. I love this time of year. It's a time for family and friends to think about what Christmas is really all about. It's about the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I have been one of the most guilty of commercializing Christmas. But as I get older, I realize that we should focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I hope all who read this takes it to heart and thinks about it. Where would we be if Christ hadn't been born? What if He hadn't died for us? We would be hell-bound, that's for sure. Oh well, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. To all my friends and family, I love you all. Part of Thanksgiving is being thankful for all the people we love. And I think I have better friends now than I ever have. "As for me and my house: We Will Serve The Lord." Happy Holidays Everybody!

Helen

Last night we had the services for our dear Helen Williams. Mrs McKinney got a pass to leave the hospital again and she attended the service. Helen had on a beautiful pink dress. Found out it was the dress she had bought when she was chosen as Woman Of the Year in Iowa. She worked as an RN for 40 years in a veterans hospital. She was and still is loved by all and we will miss her terribly. But she is happier now than she has ever been. Our tears are selfish ones because she is much better off than we are. The family is a very close knit family and we need to keep them in our prayers. Not just today but the days to come. When Mrs. McKinney goes home from the hospital, she will be going home to an empty house. That will be very hard for her. She will remain in my prayers as will the rest of her family. Helen, I know you don't know or care anything about this now, but we love you so much!

Update On Family Tragedy

Today I learned that Helen Williams, who was involved in the car wreck on Alcoa Hwy, also had sustained a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and the broken leg was broken in two places. The doctor said she would never walk again. Her sister, Mrs. McKinney, got a pass to leave the hospital to go see her. Along with her other two sisters, the decision was made to remove life support. Helen died within 5 minutes. She will be missed by many. She always sat in church when I had my grandchildren and smiled at them the whole time. They will be receiving friends on Tuesday and then her body will be taken to Iowa on Wednesday for burial beside her husband. Mrs. McKinney has to have some pretty extensive abdominal surgery and won't be able to attend the funeral. We will all be praying for her. The upside to this is that Helen is in a better place and can walk, doesn't have to have dialysis anymore, and is in perfect health. That wreck has now claimed the lives of two people. Even though the streets were wet and the other lady's car hydroplaned, we should all be aware of how dangerous wet streets can be. Everyone should be extra cautious when it's raining, and slow down. Me included. When God gets ready to take us, he will. But no use in making things rough for ourselves while we're here. Helen, I know you're in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour. We will all miss you and we will always love you.

My Friend Sandy

Okay, for some reason I couldn't get the pictures of Sandy and her husband Robert to show up on the other post. So I will dedicate a whole post to her. I met Sandy through her sister, Mary, who is a dear friend of mine. She is a loving person and is married to Robert, also a loving person. They make a great couple. Anyway, Sandy, Robert and Mary's daughter, Tori came to my house yesterday to pick up a puppy. She taught me how to put pictures on my blog and some other stuff too. She didn't know it at the time, but she has created a monster. My husband complains about my being on the computer all the time, now he won't be able to pry me away from it. So Sandy, don't be surprised if you get called up as a wittness in divorce court. LOL Anyway, here are the only two pictures I have of Sandy and Robert. Today is Sandy's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY!!! I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you!!

IT'S SANDY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday To You
Happyyyyy Birthdayyyyyy Tooooooo Youuuuuuuuu
Happy Birthday Dear Sandyyyyyyyyyy
HHHHaaaappppyyyy BBBBiiiirrrrtttthhhhddddaaaayyyyy TTTToooo YYYYoooouuuu!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful day. You're a very special person and I love you.

I Can Add Photos Now

These are my friends Mary and Bucky Carver. Today is Mary's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!!
These are the nutty people I work with. They are so much fun!
This is my good friend Clarence. He is a Respiratory therapist at the hospital. He is married to Penny on another floor.
This is my daughter, Bambi and son-in-law, Jeff. Bambi is the mother of 2 of my wonderful grandchildren, Rebecca and Nicholas.
This is my granddaughter Rebecca. She was my first grandchild and she'll always hold a special place in my heart. She can come live with me anytime.
This is my grandson, Nicholas. Ain't he cute? He is Rebecca's brother and also a Nana's boy.
This is my son, Doug and my daughter-in-law, Rose, on vacation in Chicago. They are the parents of my other 2 wonderful grandchildren, Billy and Shelly.
This is my grandson, Billy at Halloween, 2004. I guess he was a pirate. He'd be a good one. He's Papaw's boy.
This is my granddaughter, Shelly. She is Billy's sister and hopefully a MeMe's girl. Time will tell.
These are all my wonderful grandchildren together. It was a real job getting them all to sit still long enough to make this picture.
This my niece Kelli and her new husband, Jeremy. They are the proud parents of Justin. Kelli is the daughter of my sister, Gerry.
This is my great nephew Justin. He is the proud son of Kelli and Jeremy.
This is my sister, Gerry, at Kelli's wedding. She sure was proud.
This is me with my wonderful husband, Doug.Hard to believe we've been married almost 34 years.Wow! Long time. It hasn't all been a bed of roses, but I'm glad we stuck it out.

This is my wonderful mother, Rowena, aka: Granny. She has been my best friend for 50 years. She is the most important woman in the world to me and I don't know what I would have done without her all these years. Mama, words can't express how much I love you.

IT'S MARY'S BIRTHDAY

Happy birthday to youuuuuu
Happy birthday to youuuuuu
Happy birrrttttthhhhhday Dear Mmmmmaaaaarrrryyyy!
Happyyyyyyyyy Birthdayyyyyyyyy Toooooooooooo Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!
May this be the best birthday ever! I love you!

Family Tragedy

Today was tragic for a family that goes to my church. Two elderly sisters. Ms McKinney and Helen Williams live together. Ms. McKinney takes care of Helen, who is in poor health and is on dialysis. Today at the dialysis clinic, the Ms. McKinney started having some problems and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital. When it was time for Helen's dialysis to be over, two of Ms. McKinney's granddaughters left St. Mary's to take Helen home in Maryville. The timing just wasn't right. On Alcoa Hwy, a car crossed over and hit them head on. One girl suffered a broken ankle. The driver of the other car was killed instantly. Helen suffered a broken leg, ruptured spleen and is bleeding into her brain. No one knows if she will make it or not. Ms. McKinney only knows about the broken leg. Hopefully, we will hear more soon. The family is keeping the rest from her for the present. These two ladies are very dear to me and the whole church family. We pray for Helen, Ms. McKinney, and the family of the other driver. Our wonderful pastor was on his way to Kentucky to preach, but when he heard the news, he turned around and came back. He takes care of his flock. He is a true man of God and can always be counted on.
There was also a fatality on I 40 Eastbound this morning. The interstate was shut completely down going eastbound. I saw the tractor-trailer, and I don't see how anyone could've survived in that or being hit by it. We all need to remember the families of the people who have died. Pray for their strength and that this will somehow open their eyes and they will see the Truth if they haven't yet.
November 12, 2004

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- A crash in a construction zone on Alcoa Highway Friday left one person dead and two more injured.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of the highway near the Knox - Blount County line.

Crews had to close both southbound lanes and one northbound lane while they worked at the scene.

Officers detoured southbound traffic onto Gov. John Sevier Highway and Old Knoxville Highway.

Flu Season

Well, flu season is here and I've got a cold. I hope it doesn't turn into the flu. I didn't get a shot this year. I could have, but decided with the vaccine shortage, I'd forego mine to let someone in a higher risk category have it. I have friends coming up this weekend and I don't want to make them sick. I'm keeping a safe distance from my mother as she hasn't had a shot yet and I don't want to expose her. As far as my husband goes, well that's kinda hard to do, living in the same house and all. I worked last night and was miserable all night. I think most of it was because of the NyQuil I took yesterday morning before I went to bed. I was so sleepy all night that I kept seeing double. And that's not good when you're using needles and drawing blood, etc. I've got to work day shift tomorrow so I'll be going to bed early tonight. Like in a few minutes. To all who read this, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. I love you all and don't want you getting sick.

Love

It was very sad that a TSD student was in a wreck and killed the other day. Her name is Viola Wooten and she was only 16 years old. We don't think of things like that happening, especially on school functions, but they do and we all need to be aware of it and tell our children daily how much we love them. We never know when the last conversation could be. I talk to my grown children almost every day and I never fail to tell them I love them. They may think that it's just habit, but I really mean it. My mother lives next door to me, and I still see her every day and talk to her several times each day. I tell her I love her each time I see her or talk to her. My husband and I can't even count how many times a day we tell each other "I love you". Remember each day to tell the people you love how you feel. Not just family, but friends as well.

Picture Perfect World

This is a song by one of my favorite groups, Avalon. They are Contemporary Christian artists. The words are beautiful and make so much sense.

Picture Perfect World

We circle winter, spring and summer to fall
Spend a lifetime trying to make some sense of it all
Trip over questions raised by fallen men
As if there are solutions for the state we’re in

In a picture perfect world there would be no crime
In a picture perfect world we’d be free
In a picture perfect world we’d be color blind
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world

Another summer. autumn, winter and spring
We grow accustomed to the nature of things
Do we chase the questions we can’t figure out
And overlook what life is all about

In a picture perfect world there would be no pain
In a picture perfect world we’d believe
In a picture perfect world love is not in vain
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world.

We are here but a moment, then the moment’s gone
So why spend precious time we can’t afford
We have only one purpose before the curtain’s drawn
With all our lives, for the cause of Christ
We must glorify the Lord!

In the picture perfect world there would be no pain
In the picture perfect world we’ll be free
In the picture perfect world love is not in vain
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world.

SideKick

I got my SideKick pager today!! I'm so excited! It took it a long time to activate, but since I'm out of the coverage area, it said try again. So it's registering (again) now and I'll just leave it alone until I get up tomorrow. Notice I didn't say in the morning. I can't wait to use it. I'm meeting Mary tomorrow to pick up my Home Interior stuff and I hope it's working by then. Oh well, they say patience is a virtue, I guess I'll try to be virtuous.

Down In The River To Pray

Here's a song that I wanted my mom to learn to sing in church with me. But she says she's too hoarse to sing.

DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY


As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear a starry crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh sisters let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sisters let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh brothers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Come on brothers lets go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear a starry crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh fathers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh fathers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.



As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

Oh mothers let’s go down
Come on down, don’t you wanna come down?
Come on mothers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

Oh sinners, let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sinners let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

For Fredy

Fredy was my first love. He was from Peru and visiting his brother who was going to UT. It broke my heart when he had to go back home to attend school there. We exchanged letters for awhile (that was the days before computers), but we eventually drifted apart. This song has always reminded me of him and I just wish he could see it. Just to know how much he meant to me.

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE
by : The Mama's and Papa's

While I'm far away from you my baby
I know it's hard for you my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
(love can never be exactly like we want it to be)

I could be satisfied knowing you love me
(and there's one thing I want you to do
especially for me)
And it's something that everybody needs

While I'm far away from you my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

If there's one thing I want you to do especially for me
Then it's something that everybody needs

Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love

May the Best Man Win!

I love the way my friend Mary always ends her comments on political issues. She always says "May the best man win". Even though we may have different polital preferences, we still respect each others views. And I encourage anyone to get out and vote regardless of who they vote for. Sometimes, there doesn't seem to be a best man to win. Heck, I voted for Ross Perot once because I didn't think there was anyone worth voting for. I just wish everybody could be treated equal and the poor people would be given a break. The sad thing is, this world is not going to get any better. It will only get worse until our Lord comes back. And then it will get alot worse for alot of people. But oh how I look forward to that day! I hope to take as many people to Heaven with me as I can. I can't save anybody but I sure do want to lead them to the Lord. I wonder how many people would vote for Jesus if he were running for president? I know that would be a time that Mary and I would both vote for the same candidate. Anyway, today is election day and even though Jesus isn't running, I did vote. If you don't vote, you can't have the fun of complaining about who's in office. You could, but you really wouldn't have a right to. Anyway, my viewpoint on voting. I don't know where the religious stuff came from. I just felt like putting it down. I've been thinking alot about that lately. I'm not in a hurry to leave the ones I love, But if He wanted to take me this minute, I wouldn't complain nor would I stop to tell people goodbye. Ain't God good????

Sorry, I Never Knew You

Here are the words to the accompainiment Cd I bought. I hope to have it learned so I can sing it in church soon.
Last night as I lay sleeping a dream came to me
I dreamed about the end of time, about eternity
I saw a million sinners fall on their knees to pray
The Lord He sadly shook His head and this I heard Him say

Sorry I never knew you. Depart from me forever more
Sorry I never knew you. Go and serve the one that you have served before.

I thought the time had fully come that I must stand my trial
I told the Lord that I had been a Christian all the while
But through His book He took a look and sadly shook His head
Then placed me over on His left and this I heard Him say

Sorry I never knew you, I find no record of your birth
Sorry I never knew you, go and serve the one that you served down on earth

There were my husband and children, I heard their loving voice
They must have been so happy, oh how they did rejoice
With robes of white around them, their faces all aglow
My little girl looked up at me and this I heard her say

Mommy we can't go with you. We must stay here on this beautiful shore
Sorry for we still love you. But you cannot be our Mommy anymore.

Now when I had awakened the tears were in my eyes
And looking all around me and there to my surprise
There were my loving babies and I knew I'd had a dream
So then upon my knees I knelt and for mercy I did scream

Father who art in Heaven I know that You gave Your only Son
Father please forgive me for I want to be ready when You come.

Sick Kids and Tired Grandma

Wow! I got my daughter's kids, Rebecca, 8, and Nicholas, 2, Friday and all day Saturday. Friday night I thought Rebecca felt awfully hot so I took her temp. It was 103.3. I gave her tylenol and the next morning it was normal. Then close to time to take her home, it started going back up. She didn't get to go trick or treating that night. But her mom treated her to a cookout of hotdags and s'mores and rented the Garfield movie for her. She was better Sunday morning, so she got to go trick or treating Sunday night. Nicholas got smart when he realized people were putting candy in his bag. When it started getting heavy, his mom asked him if he wanted her or his dad to carry it, and he said "NO!! MINE!!!" Such a smart boy! When they got back home though, Rebecca's temp was 102. After they went home Saturday, my son and daughter-in-law brought over their 2 kids, Billy, 2, and Shelly, 8 mos. Billy is Papaw's boy while Shelly is MeMe's girl. Shelly had a runny nose and a cough which she had medicine for. Sunday she started running a fever. It was 100.1 under her arm which made it 101.1 really. I could tell she felt bad because she was real fussy, wanting to be held all the time and only slept in 15 minute intervals. And I can't stand to see babies cry so you know what I was doing all day Sunday. I was holding her. She's supposed to go back to the dr. today, so we'll see what he says. He'll probably say the same thing he always says: "It's a viral infection". He never even draws blood. My poor babies! Billy was crying when they left. He hates to leave his Papaw.
Oh! I asked my friend Mary if she knew where I could get a sidekick pager cheap and she referred me to a website. I ordered one and I can't wait til it gets here! Of course she'll have to teach me how to use it. I can't follow written instructions and I'm computer illiterate. I've wanted one for so long, and now I'm finally getting one! I'm so happy! My son wanted to know why I wanted a pager when I had a cell phone. I told him I couldn't call deaf people on a cell phone, and he said "sure you could but it would be cruel". Leave it to him! Thank you Mary so much for telling me where to look. You'll be the first person I page. Then after a while, you'll be sorry you told me where to look.
I have to go back to work tonight, but then I'm off 4 nights. I usually get to make my own schedule. As soon as they find out I enjoy the days I have off, they'll probably change my schedule. I want to work 3, off 1, work 3, and off 7. Maybe I'll get it like that. I hope so anyway. I go part time in January, so I need to have some time off to do things I want to do before school starts.
I went to Pigeon Forge a couple of weeks ago. I bought a cd that has the vocals removed and I'm gonna learn it and TRY to sing it in church sometime. The only time they ask me to sing is when they want a good laugh. As you can guess, I can't sing. But I sure like to pretend I can. Well, gonna go now but watch out! I'm back and in a writing mood! I won't be posting tomorrow because of work (I'll be sleeping), but I probably will the next day. So until then, later...

A Wonderful Day

TGIF!!! I'm off tonight and the weekend. I don't know if you would call it being off or not, I'll have the grandkids this weekend. But that's enjoyable. I don't know if I'll be going trick or treating or not. I never do, and I think if their parents want them to go, they should take them. Glad I said that. I just talked myself into telling them that if they ask me to. I sure do wish I could have a weekend off every once in a while just to do something with friends. Not when I've already got something planned. I didn't get a flu shot this year. I thought I'd leave the vaccine for someone in a higher risk category. Now my mom can't get one because no one has them. I called the hospital and asked them if she could have mine. They're supposed to think about it and let me know. Since my mom is VERY high risk, I think they should. But rules are rules and if they say no, oh well... I have to work Monday night and I'm really going to miss my sign language class. She's giving a quiz that night and I was really looking forward to it. I got a new camera that makes videos. I took it to work with me last night and had a ball. I was also a blonde last night. So anytime I did something stupid, I'd say "Hey! I'm a blonde!" Anyway, maybe I'll think of something more productive to say later. Until then...be good or be good at it! Later...

I'm Back!

It has been a long time since I posted here. I forgot my user name and my password. I finally kept trying different stuff til I remembered it. Last night was a long night at work but a pleasant one. All the people I worked with were very nice and nobody threatened me. I did make one patient mad when I told him he couldn't leave the floor to smoke because he had a heart monitor on and that would defeat the purpose of being there. The monitors won't pick up if you leave the floor. Anyway, I have been attending a Sign Language class at New Life Fellowship Church in Clinton, TN. The teacher is a friend of mine, Lillian Wynn, mother of my very dear friends Mary Carver and Sandy McMillan. She is deaf and she teaches so much better than anyone I have ever encountered as a teacher before. I am so glad I took the class at Pellissippi and met the Carver's and their families. I love being around them. My husband wrecked his motorcycle yesterday. (He forgot to put his foot down when he stopped). DUH!! Anyway, he dropped the bike, landed on his head and shoulder and went rolling down the neighbor's yard. The bike is fine. I guess he is too. That remains to be seen. I have been very worried about a friend of mine who has been ill. I hope the dr's soon find out what is wrong with her and get the problem taken care of. My grandkids are getting so big! Shelly (age 8 months) has already taken steps. And she just started pulling up not long ago! Before you know it, she'll be terrorizing her big brother Billy (age 2). Oh well, now that I know how to post again, I'll post something more appropriate. But for now, Goodnight all!