We were warned we might get some of the lake effect snow here in central Michigan, although we wouldn't get it like those west of us. When I got up it was snowing which was no surprise. When I took Sweet Pea out for a walk, it was not snowing...it was blizzarding. The snow was falling so thick and heavy, I was glad I was not out on a road somewhere trying to get to some place else.
We talked it over and decided we'd probably stay in for the day. By breakfast time, although the snow had slowed, we had a good six inches on the ground. Since my shoulder surgery, I can't manage a snow shovel so that meant Jamelah would have to do the heavy work. It was left to me to go outside and clean off the cars. The snow was light and airy and moving it was easy. Jamelah took Sweet Pea out to play in the snow before she began shoveling. I had one car cleared off when I saw a guy with a blade on the front of his truck plowing out the neighbors drive. I figured it was a good idea to have him come over and plow us out. He said "sure" and we got the cars moved and in 10 minutes he had all of Jamelah's work done.
Nothing left to do but celebrate. Jamelah went out to play catch with Sweet Pea (she loves catching snow balls, go figure) and I ran in to get my camera. I had a feeling there would be some fun pictures to take. I was right about that. Now it looks as one point that the dog is trying to eat Jamelah's head, but I assure you that no people were harmed in the making of this slide show. It could have happened, sure, but it didn't.
I had to go to the store and had told Mom to let me know what she needed and I'd pick up her things. She called back later and said for me not to stop. She didn't want anything from the store and she DID NOT want me to drive into her driveway. Her neighbors had shoveled it clean and she wanted to keep it that way. Well, OK then.
That's just so you'll know that Mom is doing fine. We went to visit the neurologist last Wednesday and his diagnosis regarding the "heaviness" in her leg was that she has neuropathy. He also wanted to get a scan of her lower back and we will have that done tomorrow, but won't get the report back until later this month. Aside from that, Mom is feeling better than she has in a long time and is enjoying her independence more. She likes being able to do for herself.
So all is well on this wintry day in Michigan. Enjoy the slide show as you watch Sweet Pea eat Jamelah's head (although, not really). Click on fun below for show. Because the slideshow moves quickly it is good to set the speed at the slowest possible speed to see clearly, well, at least on my computer, it may be different on yours.
fun
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
5 Things You Didn't Know About Me (a meme)
I love reading these things but am bad about doing them... but since Caryn tagged me, I'll do my thing. So here goes...
Five Things You Didn't Know About Me (I think)
1. I love to design and make clothes. When "the kid" was small, I did this a lot. My greatest creation was the flower girl dress she wore to my neice's wedding. At that time we just didn't buy stuff new. But since I was "gifted" I could pretty much look at something, find a pattern with similar basic lines, and tailor make clothes for my daughter. She had really neat outfits when she was growing up. I made costumes for her school plays, her prom dress, and usually a new outfit in the fall for her birthday. She had a thing back then and thought she should always get a new red dress for her birthday. Anyway, here is the flower girl dress.
We still have it.
2. Caryn mentioned the bridges thing. And along with that, I'm rather squeamish when it comes to heights, too. I rather die on parking ramps if I'm past the 2nd level. There is something flip/floppy that starts happening inside my internal organs, and then I start getting light headed. I guess the technical term for this is "panic attacks". Well, whatever! It sure is uncomfortable. Now, I handle heights better when I have solid ground under me (like on top of mountains); but tall buildings, and those stupid glass elevators. Whoever came up with that idea anyway? I even have trouble with motion sickness in theatres when they are doing that swoopy scene thing from up high, I have to close my eyes. Isn't that the silliest thing?
3. My age. I mean that's something about me not every one knows, because most people think I'm younger than I look. Yeah, the deal is to list 5 things you DON'T know about me. IT doesn't say I have to tell you what my age really is, now does it?
4. I have a bachellor's degree. That's right I do. I attended college and graduated with a BA degree in theology. Because I am not the preacherly type most people are rather surprised by this. I worked most of my life in an office setting. However right out of college I taught Theology and English at a small Indian Bible school in Phoenix, Arizona. I stopped teaching when I married at the "old maid" age of 28. After my husband died I did not go back to teaching but instead worked in the "real" world and have stayed there.
5. I still love to teach. I just don't have the opportunity to do so right now. But teaching is my most favorite thing to do. I taught in church settings until recently and now am the church secretary. But, I would like very much to have an opportunity to teach Biblical truths again. My special interest is digging into theological concepts. Yeah, that's fun. Really it is. Enjoy setting around the table and just talking about these truths that are so vital to me. You see, I really do believe that God is real, that He likes me a lot and enjoys hanging out with me.
Five Things You Didn't Know About Me (I think)
1. I love to design and make clothes. When "the kid" was small, I did this a lot. My greatest creation was the flower girl dress she wore to my neice's wedding. At that time we just didn't buy stuff new. But since I was "gifted" I could pretty much look at something, find a pattern with similar basic lines, and tailor make clothes for my daughter. She had really neat outfits when she was growing up. I made costumes for her school plays, her prom dress, and usually a new outfit in the fall for her birthday. She had a thing back then and thought she should always get a new red dress for her birthday. Anyway, here is the flower girl dress.
We still have it.
2. Caryn mentioned the bridges thing. And along with that, I'm rather squeamish when it comes to heights, too. I rather die on parking ramps if I'm past the 2nd level. There is something flip/floppy that starts happening inside my internal organs, and then I start getting light headed. I guess the technical term for this is "panic attacks". Well, whatever! It sure is uncomfortable. Now, I handle heights better when I have solid ground under me (like on top of mountains); but tall buildings, and those stupid glass elevators. Whoever came up with that idea anyway? I even have trouble with motion sickness in theatres when they are doing that swoopy scene thing from up high, I have to close my eyes. Isn't that the silliest thing?
3. My age. I mean that's something about me not every one knows, because most people think I'm younger than I look. Yeah, the deal is to list 5 things you DON'T know about me. IT doesn't say I have to tell you what my age really is, now does it?
4. I have a bachellor's degree. That's right I do. I attended college and graduated with a BA degree in theology. Because I am not the preacherly type most people are rather surprised by this. I worked most of my life in an office setting. However right out of college I taught Theology and English at a small Indian Bible school in Phoenix, Arizona. I stopped teaching when I married at the "old maid" age of 28. After my husband died I did not go back to teaching but instead worked in the "real" world and have stayed there.
5. I still love to teach. I just don't have the opportunity to do so right now. But teaching is my most favorite thing to do. I taught in church settings until recently and now am the church secretary. But, I would like very much to have an opportunity to teach Biblical truths again. My special interest is digging into theological concepts. Yeah, that's fun. Really it is. Enjoy setting around the table and just talking about these truths that are so vital to me. You see, I really do believe that God is real, that He likes me a lot and enjoys hanging out with me.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Ice Storm
Well, the weatherman told us it was going to be awful. Imagine my surprise when I awakened on Monday morning and realized it wasn't horrible at all. I was NOT iced in, so without further ado, I had no choice but to head off to work. I arrived in good form... ready to tackle the day's chores. But alas, despite the clear roads, the ice had knocked out the power and I had no phones and no heat, so put my coat on, and sadly (ahem) headed back home.
I did note on my way there and back that several large trees were down on the route, but things didn't seem awful or anything. I got home and we decided on ice storm days you watch Pride & Predjudice, so we began. We were really getting into it when our lights went out. Then back on. Then out. then back on. out. on. out. on
OUT! OUT! OUT! No! This can't be any fun. I called my Mom. Her lights were also out.
My daughter decided to start a big pot of soup, since we couldn't do anything else and it would help keep the house warm. (We, have gas cooking which is a blessing in power outages). So, we pulled out our crocheting and went to work and chatted and decided it was not so bad, anyway. After an hour I called Mom again and asked her to come over to our house. She has an electric cook stove and I thought she must be getting cold. She decided to just stay snuggled under a blanket, sure the power would be back on soon.
Well, after a couple more hours, we were beginning to wonder just when the power would be back on. I called Mom again, but she was determined to wait it out. We decided to call the power company for one of those automated messages so we would at least have an idea as to how long we would be waiting in the dark. The message said the power would be back on by January 16th at 11:59 pm. HOLD ON! That would be the next day! I called Mom and told her to pack her little bag. She now had no choice. She would have to abandon the cold comfort of home and head to our house. This time she relented.
I returned home from picking up Mom to find the house feeling warm and cozy with the warm light of our "way too many" uncounted candles. They twinkled from every flat surface. The soup was done and the aroma made us unwilling to wait; and why should we. IT was already supper time. We settled around the table with out soup bowls and hot garlic bread and ate by candlelight and Mom told us stories of the good old days. It felt like this really was a good old day and we just enjoyed ourselves.
After clearing away the table we began wondering what we could do all evening to keep ourselves entertained and settled for scrabble or more stories. When all of a sudden... ON... the lights came back on. then off. Then on... then ON! And this time they stayed on. I managed to convince Mom to sit a while until her house would have a chance to warm back up... so we watched the weather channel to learn how "not so bad" we had it when so many were worse off then we were. We were glad we would not be 2 days without lights.
I took Mom home and came back to see the Golden Globe dress splendor. And, as usual the gowns were awesome; the jewelry outstanding. It's always fun to see the glamor. But it wasn't nearly as glamorous as the scenery the next day. The ice storm turned everything magical and Tuesday dawned sunshine bright turning everything into crystalized splendor. Not even the camera could catch the prisms of color dancing from electrical wires and chain link fences. It is totally awesome. Here are some pictures. We spent the afternoon trying to catch forever the day and wound up in our favorite place along the banks of the Kalamazoo River. Enjoy.
Winter Ice Storm, 2007
If you want to see the pictures in more detail, simply click on the link "Winter ice storm 2007" above and it will take you to the full album.
I did note on my way there and back that several large trees were down on the route, but things didn't seem awful or anything. I got home and we decided on ice storm days you watch Pride & Predjudice, so we began. We were really getting into it when our lights went out. Then back on. Then out. then back on. out. on. out. on
OUT! OUT! OUT! No! This can't be any fun. I called my Mom. Her lights were also out.
My daughter decided to start a big pot of soup, since we couldn't do anything else and it would help keep the house warm. (We, have gas cooking which is a blessing in power outages). So, we pulled out our crocheting and went to work and chatted and decided it was not so bad, anyway. After an hour I called Mom again and asked her to come over to our house. She has an electric cook stove and I thought she must be getting cold. She decided to just stay snuggled under a blanket, sure the power would be back on soon.
Well, after a couple more hours, we were beginning to wonder just when the power would be back on. I called Mom again, but she was determined to wait it out. We decided to call the power company for one of those automated messages so we would at least have an idea as to how long we would be waiting in the dark. The message said the power would be back on by January 16th at 11:59 pm. HOLD ON! That would be the next day! I called Mom and told her to pack her little bag. She now had no choice. She would have to abandon the cold comfort of home and head to our house. This time she relented.
I returned home from picking up Mom to find the house feeling warm and cozy with the warm light of our "way too many" uncounted candles. They twinkled from every flat surface. The soup was done and the aroma made us unwilling to wait; and why should we. IT was already supper time. We settled around the table with out soup bowls and hot garlic bread and ate by candlelight and Mom told us stories of the good old days. It felt like this really was a good old day and we just enjoyed ourselves.
After clearing away the table we began wondering what we could do all evening to keep ourselves entertained and settled for scrabble or more stories. When all of a sudden... ON... the lights came back on. then off. Then on... then ON! And this time they stayed on. I managed to convince Mom to sit a while until her house would have a chance to warm back up... so we watched the weather channel to learn how "not so bad" we had it when so many were worse off then we were. We were glad we would not be 2 days without lights.
I took Mom home and came back to see the Golden Globe dress splendor. And, as usual the gowns were awesome; the jewelry outstanding. It's always fun to see the glamor. But it wasn't nearly as glamorous as the scenery the next day. The ice storm turned everything magical and Tuesday dawned sunshine bright turning everything into crystalized splendor. Not even the camera could catch the prisms of color dancing from electrical wires and chain link fences. It is totally awesome. Here are some pictures. We spent the afternoon trying to catch forever the day and wound up in our favorite place along the banks of the Kalamazoo River. Enjoy.
Winter Ice Storm, 2007
If you want to see the pictures in more detail, simply click on the link "Winter ice storm 2007" above and it will take you to the full album.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Mid Winter Ramblings
Well, there's not much to report, but "not much to report" is a good thing.
We had Mom's checkup with the oncologist, Dr. Shen, this past week. He shared that her blood count (hemaglobin) was at 14 (very good) her platelets were at 99 (dropping still), and her bone scan shows that the cancer is still inactive.
She has complained with heaviness in her legs and stated that they seemed better. Dr. Shen said this is a side effect of the predazone and since she is not off the drug she will probably continue to improve.
The doctor stated that much of her symptoms are simply signs that her body is wearing out and are not cancer related. She will need to accept that she must be cautious and take things easier from here on out and not plan to plant a full flower garden in her yard every year.
But spring is down the road and Mom does love her flowers. Hopefully we can help her get a least some of her planting done so she can still be proud of her yard. I'm not much good, except for encouragement purposes, but Jamelah has inherited the love of growing things from her grandmother and does a lot to help her out.
In the meantime, all seems well here. Well, mostly! We have not had winter hit yet this season but the weathermen tell us it is on its way and will be arriving this weekend. I have come to realize that I just don't like living in this cold climate and this year to understand how much I really destest that beautiful white stuff called snow. Yeah, I'll change my mind the first beautiful snow covered day we have, but I won't change it for long.
Altogether, all is well here. Hope it is the same with you where ever you are.
We had Mom's checkup with the oncologist, Dr. Shen, this past week. He shared that her blood count (hemaglobin) was at 14 (very good) her platelets were at 99 (dropping still), and her bone scan shows that the cancer is still inactive.
She has complained with heaviness in her legs and stated that they seemed better. Dr. Shen said this is a side effect of the predazone and since she is not off the drug she will probably continue to improve.
The doctor stated that much of her symptoms are simply signs that her body is wearing out and are not cancer related. She will need to accept that she must be cautious and take things easier from here on out and not plan to plant a full flower garden in her yard every year.
But spring is down the road and Mom does love her flowers. Hopefully we can help her get a least some of her planting done so she can still be proud of her yard. I'm not much good, except for encouragement purposes, but Jamelah has inherited the love of growing things from her grandmother and does a lot to help her out.
In the meantime, all seems well here. Well, mostly! We have not had winter hit yet this season but the weathermen tell us it is on its way and will be arriving this weekend. I have come to realize that I just don't like living in this cold climate and this year to understand how much I really destest that beautiful white stuff called snow. Yeah, I'll change my mind the first beautiful snow covered day we have, but I won't change it for long.
Altogether, all is well here. Hope it is the same with you where ever you are.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year and all that Jazz! Yeahhhh!
Well, here we are all the way up to 2007. Makes me remember my youth when I picked 40 as the age to die. Those "old people" were so sad and boring! Well If I had bit the dust at 40 I would have been gone 25 years already.
I have learned a bit about aging. For one thing, I have never felt that I was older than 35. I guess that is why I didn't die at 40. Just never arrived at that ripe old age. For another thing, I am totally amazed at how old people my age are when I see them. I go home stare at myself in the mirrow. I guess the doctor inserted rose colored lenses at the time I had to have both eyes "done" because of cataracts. I still don't think I'm as old as any of the people my age. Of course, the arthritic pain when I have to get up makes me think sometimes that I am actually 90.
Anyway, this isn't a growing old theme. This is Happy New Year talk. Here's how our evening celebration went.
The kid was on antibiotics which means we didn't buy our usual bottle of wine to toast in the end of the old and the beginning of the New. But, we determined to have a good time, whatever!
We saw in the year with a game of Scrabble. By some slight miracle I won by just a couple points. The miracle being that the kid got stuck with the Q and could never unload it. And it didn't hurt that despite the fact that with my 7 tiles allowed on my stick, 13 of them were usually vowels. I never could spell much more then 7 point words, even if I were on triple point squares. Until I got a D which fit in just the right spot, joining together two words and getting me triple word points to boot; gifting me up with 54 points for just one play. If not for that miracle... I would have been completely embarrassed when the final score was tallied.
When we put away the Scrabble tiles we watched Little Miss Sunshine. You don't need a New Year's Eve drink to enjoy this movie. I laughed so hard I came close to losing my breath a couple times and definitely had tears streaming down my cheeks. I think it just reminded me of some road trips I had taken in my youth, and I totally felt the pain and the love of the characters in the movie. If you haven't seen it. You should. Got to become a classic and a movie that I will pick up to watch over again and again.
Then Dick Clark counted down slowly to 2007. The neighbors began shooting off fireworks and guns. Sweet Pea got a little agitated and had to bark at the noise, but I choose to believe she was just wishing us a Happy New Year too. Altogether it was a fun night.
Hope the same for you. Hope you had a grand time last night and that the year ahead will be filled with more laughter than tears.
Happy New Year!
I have learned a bit about aging. For one thing, I have never felt that I was older than 35. I guess that is why I didn't die at 40. Just never arrived at that ripe old age. For another thing, I am totally amazed at how old people my age are when I see them. I go home stare at myself in the mirrow. I guess the doctor inserted rose colored lenses at the time I had to have both eyes "done" because of cataracts. I still don't think I'm as old as any of the people my age. Of course, the arthritic pain when I have to get up makes me think sometimes that I am actually 90.
Anyway, this isn't a growing old theme. This is Happy New Year talk. Here's how our evening celebration went.
The kid was on antibiotics which means we didn't buy our usual bottle of wine to toast in the end of the old and the beginning of the New. But, we determined to have a good time, whatever!
We saw in the year with a game of Scrabble. By some slight miracle I won by just a couple points. The miracle being that the kid got stuck with the Q and could never unload it. And it didn't hurt that despite the fact that with my 7 tiles allowed on my stick, 13 of them were usually vowels. I never could spell much more then 7 point words, even if I were on triple point squares. Until I got a D which fit in just the right spot, joining together two words and getting me triple word points to boot; gifting me up with 54 points for just one play. If not for that miracle... I would have been completely embarrassed when the final score was tallied.
When we put away the Scrabble tiles we watched Little Miss Sunshine. You don't need a New Year's Eve drink to enjoy this movie. I laughed so hard I came close to losing my breath a couple times and definitely had tears streaming down my cheeks. I think it just reminded me of some road trips I had taken in my youth, and I totally felt the pain and the love of the characters in the movie. If you haven't seen it. You should. Got to become a classic and a movie that I will pick up to watch over again and again.
Then Dick Clark counted down slowly to 2007. The neighbors began shooting off fireworks and guns. Sweet Pea got a little agitated and had to bark at the noise, but I choose to believe she was just wishing us a Happy New Year too. Altogether it was a fun night.
Hope the same for you. Hope you had a grand time last night and that the year ahead will be filled with more laughter than tears.
Happy New Year!
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