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!