Ellie roughing it

As you can see by this picture, Ellie, the kitty of the house, really roughed it during the past few days, dealing with the power outage, ice storm and all. *grin*

Playing catch-up

I'm so behind on my blog-reading. *sigh* I've tried to catch up but I'm thinking that perhaps I'll just start from here. I have managed to read most that I follow and leave a comment here and there.
Also, I've sorted through and read most of my email and responded to those that required it.
You see, I have my blog here which is my priority online. I also have a MySpace page which is probably my second online priority because I have so many family members there, friends and church family. Then I had to go and sign-up for Facebook! (What was I thinking?) AND lo and behold if there aren't a kazillion people THERE that I know. On the fringe I have a page at Everyone's Apostolic but I'm thinking about deleting it because I just don't have the time for it. Soooo, as I discuss it here, I'm thinking I am going to pare it down to just my blog, MySpace and my email because the MAIN MAN is coming to our house Monday morning!! That would be Jaylon Daniel Cavinee! *smile*
We will be taking care of the little guy Monday-Friday from about 7:15am until 5:30ishpm. Please remember to pray for us as we begin this new phase in our lives and also for Erin Maree as she goes back to work. I remember well just how difficult it was to go back to work and leave my little one even though he was being cared for by his "second mommy", his Aunt Sandy. I've also planned to fix supper for them two or three nights so they will have plenty of time to spend with their little guy when they get home. I'm confident all will be fine. It's just a matter of getting our routines down and so on.
Here are a few pictures of the snow and ice that we have here this week. Also, a couple of in-house happenings, too. *smile* We had minus something-or-other this morning. I opened the back door to feed Rocky this morning and I told Ed it looked and felt like outer Siberia! LOL Frigid and Frosty!!!! Brrrrr!!!!

The bailout in terms we can understand

How the bailout works..this is brilliant

We have all heard of the US bailout of the crooked banks.
And here is how the bailout works...something akin to Bailout for Dummies:
Young Chuck moved to Texas and bought a Donkey from a
farmer for $100.
The farmer agreed to deliver the Donkey the next day.
The next day the farmer drove up and said, 'Sorry son,
but I have some bad news, the donkey died.'
Chuck replied, 'Well, then just give me my money
back.'
The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I went and spent
it already.' Chuck said, 'Ok, then, just bring me the dead donkey.'
The farmer asked, 'What ya gonna do with him?
Chuck said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.'
The farmer said, 'You can't raffle off a dead donkey!'
Chuck said, 'Sure I can Watch me. I just won't tell
anybody he's dead.'
A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked,
'What happened with that dead donkey?'
Chuck said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at
two dollars a piece and made $998.'
The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?'
Chuck said, 'Just the guy who won. So I gave him his
two dollars back.'
Chuck now leads the US bank bailout team.

One of the best emails

I received this in an email today and just had to share it. It is soooo precious and funny, too. *smile*


An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful. sweet dog is
and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.

Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Hellooooo from Hocking County!!

We have electricity again! Yayyyyyy!! *sigh* It started snowing first. Then the freezing rain and ice began sometime Tuesday evening....I'm pretty sure it was Tuesday....and continued through the night and the next morning and then came more snow. I'm so mixed up on my days, I'm not sure when it all started but we are doing fine.... much better than so many others, who still do not have power, heat, water. The town of Nelsonville and Buchtel still do not have power. And I've never known ALL of the Logan to be without electricity but it was certainly so yesterday. Here is a link to 10TV's coverage.

Daniel, Erin and little Jaylon came over and I fixed supper for us on the woodburner. Daniel said it was the best food he'd ever eaten! *smile* The next morning I fixed french toast, bacon and eggs, coffee. I told Daniel that I would have to fix steaks on the woodburner and have them over for dinner. Thankfully, I had kept a stovetop coffeemaker that we used when we used to go camping. It still makes great coffee! *smile*

I got to love and hug on that sweet little grandbaby of mine. Oh my. He is a darling, let me tell ya. *sigh* Here's a picture of him sleeping in the Pac and Play we have here for him:
And one of him on Grandpa Ed's lap:

Are you tired of baby pictures yet?

Like I think you are really going to be honest? *smile* Well, of course you will be, huh? *grin*
Here is an adorable picture I took of Jaylon yesterday as he slept on grandma's big bed:

Erin and Jaylon came over and had lunch with me and Ed yesterday. They spent the afternoon and then Daniel came home and had dinner with us. We had such a good visit and I could just hold that little bundle of baby forever! *smile* Jaylon just looks at me with those beautiful eyes and acts like he would just love to say something back to me when I'm talking to him. I love him to pieces!

Handbag stress

Beth, at A Mom's Life, posted a meme about handbags and I thought I would participate since I have been having "handbag stress" of late. *grin*
I have about six purses/handbags......okay, are they purses, handbags or what?......AND all of them are black. I figure black goes with everything and I don't change purses with outfits and shoes. I carry the same purse until it either wears out or I grow tired of it.
BUT, what do you do when you've purchased a new handbag and a day or few later you discover that you don't care for it? *sigh*
So, here's a picture of my current handbag:

Now, I don't necessarily go for "Labels" when looking for a purse but discovered Liz Claiborne purses at Value City in Lancaster and found that I like the way they were organized inside. They have a place for everything and so on and I could get them for half-price. Most generally I could purchase one for around $25-26.00. Wellllll, Value City went out of business, so what to do? I was needing a new purse and I just couldn't find one that I liked. Would you believe that I went to a yard sale at Nelsonville UPC and found this Liz Claiborne purse, brand new, for $1? I snatched it up! You can't see it too well in the picture but it has a zippered flap on either side and inside of each are little pockets for credit cards and so on but I don't use either. I just use the center inside and it is fairly organized though I am not particularly fond of this purse but I just haven't felt like looking for another one. I've thought of getting out one of my older ones but they all of little things wrong with them...that's why I bought THIS one when I did. *smile*

Anywayyyyy.....if you would like to participate and show off your current handbag/purse, here are the rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.
2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge, because I’m honestly telling you I was ready to put down some cash; I just got lucky. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.
3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

So, I believe I will tag: Becky, Liz, Tersie, Theresa, AND Chantell!

And finally....

A string walks into a bar. The bartender says "Get out, we don't serve strings in here." The string goes outside and thinks about it. Finally he has an idea. He contorts himself in a weird way, messes up his ends, and goes back in. The bartender says "Hey, aren't you the string I just kicked out of here?" The string says "No, I'm a frayed knot."

Go ahead....you know you want to groan or maybe laugh, but more than likely, it would be groan. In my neck of the woods, this is known as a "Jewel" joke. At least people are thinking of me , hm? *smile*

My friend, Theresa, who has a blog HERE, asked for a Jaylon update and I have been a bit lax here on my blog of late. Soooo, here goes!

He's doing wonderfully! He isn't gaining weight quite as fast as the doctor would like: 1/2 oz. a day, so Erin is going to increase his feedings. He is a contented little thing! :-) And strong! He just holds his little head up and pushes his legs and arms about!
He made his debut at church last night! Well, actually, he was at prayer Monday night, but there weren't as many people there, so he got the royal treatment last night! :-) Jaylon finally made it to church!! Yayyyyy!!!

I've had a busy week with physical therapy on Monday and Wednesday and it seems like just alot of little things to do in between, you know? But I'm not complaining because I am getting so much better and I am able to do so much more than I used to....by myself!! To God be the glory!!

Winter in Ohio

It's winter in Ohio.

And the gentle breezes blow,

Seventy miles an hour,

At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Ohio,

When the snow's up to your butt,

You take a breath of winter ,

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful,

So I guess I'll hang around,

I could never leave Ohio,

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

~Author Unknown~

How neat is this?!

Ed and I went grocery shopping this afternoon and when we entered Walmart, the young man passing out the carts immediately went back, unplugged the motorized shopping cart, and got it ready for me! This young man was so used to me needing a cart BUT I no longer need it!!! Isn't that great???? I can now push a cart and walk all over the store!!! Almost pain-free! After all of these years of being in pain, to the point that I almost quit shopping altogether, I can now walk around a store with my cane or a shopping cart. Even sitting in one of the motorized carts long enough to do my shopping had become painful and riding in a car, so Ed was doing most of our errands and shopping. He never complained one time, either. He has been more than wonderful to me during these past few years when I have had to relinquish so many of things that I used to do, but I am gradually regaining the ability to do so many of the things that I like to do AND have to do. *smile* The Lord is so faithful and so unbelieveably good! I will praise Him for the rest of my days for making it possible for me to once again walk!

What a life! *smile*

Ellie, the kitty of the house.

Jaylon is home!!

Did we ever get a surprise last night!!! We came home from church and as we drove by Daniel and Erin's I said to Ed, "Wouldn't it be something if they had that little baby in there with them?" But we knew that that wasn't very likely. They had gone up to the hospital earlier in the afternoon to spend time with him and endeavor to get some of the paper work done and so on in order to bring Jaylon home today. Once we were home, we talked to Daniel on the phone and he said they would be over in a little while. We assumed that they wanted to talk to us about me taking Erin to the hospital tomorrow (Monday) morning so she could get everything done in order to bring Jaylon home TODAY. Daniel was going to leave work early and go to the hospital to bring his wife and baby home TODAY.

Wellllll.....a few minutes after ten last night, here they came in the front door carrying that little bundle of joy!!!!! We were over joyed, overwhelmed.....WOW!!!!! It's so unbelievable that he is finally home!!! Thank you, Jesus!!!

I am wanting to know.....soooo much....how their first night at home together went, BUT I know they need their time together this first night and day at home, so I will be patient. I WILL BE PATIENT. *smile*

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!!!

My favorite picture

I'll miss you, OSU Medical Center

Okayyyyy, I must tell the truth. It's the cafeteria that I'll miss most! (I can't believe I'm admitting this!! LOL) You see.....they have the most awesome, to-die-for Reuben Sandwiches!! Oh my word!!! On rye bread! Corned Beef stacked so high I can hardly get my mouth around it! Swiss cheese, lots of it, melted down over the sauerkraut, thousand island dressing oozing around the edges. *sighhhhh* Okayyyy....so you get this humongous, delicious sandwich accompanied by more Ruffles chips than I can eat AND a huge dill pickle spear.....all for the incredible price of $3.29!!!

Okay, I'm going off topic here for a second.......Ed just came back inside singing..."I'm dreaming of a white January 11th, just like the ones I used to knowwwww!" It's snowing AND cold AND windy outside and, well, that was just hilarious! LOL

Back to my food story: I mean, I love Reuben Sandwiches and I can get them at local restaurants here in Logan but not for $3.29!!!!!!! Hello!!!! Forget about the chips and pickle. Those would cost me like two or three dollars extra!

Okay, I'm done. I just had to share the experience with you. I feel better now. *grin* Oh, but they were soooo good. "They" meaning the two that I had during all of the days we were at the hospital. *sigh* BUT Jaylon Daniel is coming home tomorrow!!! And that's better than ALL of the reuben sandwiches in the world!!! *smile*

One more quick post!

Here's two new pictures of our beautiful grandson! He is doing so well! He is taking regular feedings now. He is in an open crib. He is not hooked up to anything now, though in the picture above he still has the PICC line in. Sooo, if all goes well over the weekend, Daniel and Erin will be bringing their baby boy home Monday!! And he now weighs 7lbs. 4oz.!

Ellie, the kitty of the house, has noticed a few changes taking place around the Cavinee household this past week. First, we now have a pack-n-play for when we start keeping little Jaylon here when Erin goes back to work.

Anddd...Erin brought this baby bouncer over. I got it put together, then placed it beside Ellie's box and next to the woodburner, for the time being. Ellie sniffed around it and checked it all out. She just can't figure out what is going on. *smile* Little does she know. .....*grin* Baby bouncers aren't for kitties.....they are for babies.

Please be gentle

I have wonderful news! I am doing wonderfully in my continuing recovery from two hip-replacement surgeries! My last one (the right side) was done on November 11. I am now walking with just a cane, most of the time. Sometimes, here at home, I take off without it. Meaning, I am walking so well, that I simply forget to grab it! I only use my rollating walker when I go to the grocery store, library or when I know I am going to be doing ALOT of walking.

That's my trusty cane in the picture. I believe it was Erin that pointed out to me that the handle was a snake's head! She's right! I hadn't even really noticed. I bought it a few years ago when I first needed assistance in walking. I bought it at a local craft mall and just liked the way the handle felt in my hand. Guess you could call me a "snake-handler"? LOL

I went for my first and only follow-up visit this past Monday and the doctor was simply amazed at how well I am doing.
He has prescribed physical therapy which I will begin next Tuesday here at our hospital in Logan. I will be going three times a week for four weeks.

I'm just a little anxious. I've heard these horror stories about physical therapy. That it is worse than the surgery and on and on. Now, I am not a wimp, okay? I've dealt with pain for the last 4-5 years. And then there were the surgeries. Someone actually asked me: "Is hip-replacement surgery very painful?" Uh....compared to what? LOL Uh......that would be a YES! They are very painful but very well worth it because I am now almost pain-free!!! The pain I have now is muscular because I have to get my muscle strength built back up again in my legs, hips and back and also my range-of-motion, which the physical therapy will indeed help me do.

Still, I don't want to be a wimp. I've heard that I will probably be dealing with higher pain levels once I begin therapy. I haven't taken pain medication for over a month except for an occasional tylenol. I've taken pain medication for 4-5 years!!! I am so grateful for the progress I've made and you wouldn't believe how fast I can go with my cane! LOL Don't worry! I'm very careful!!! *smile*

I know, I know...no pain, no gain. But just how painful might it be? I will probably just have to wait and see, hm? I know it will be worth it! To think that I might be walking without a cane before long!!!
Thank you, Jesus, for the surgeries I've been able to have, for the good doctors, for our insurance and for watching over me through it all and for my amazing recovery.

Okay, now about my purse

I endeavor to keep my purse organized. I really do. But somehow what I need at any particular moment seems to invariably end up on/in the bottom and I end up having to take everything out in order to find said item.

I've often said that I don't carry this purse for me. I carry it for everyone else. Examples:

"Honey, do you have nail clippers?" "Yes, of course, just a sec, honey."

"Mom, do you have a couple of quarters?" "Sure, here they are, sweetie."

"Does anyone have a bandaid?" "Yep, got one right here!"

"I need a needle and thread....quick!" "Here you go!"

"Hey, babe, do you have any lip balm. My lips are sooo dry." "Sure, let me get it for you."

"When, where and what time is that special service?" "Let me get my date book..."

"Do you know so-and-so's phone number?" "Let me get my address book..."

I could go on and on but the bottom line is: I don't carry this purse for me. I carry it for everyone else!! *smile* I don't mind though. I really don't. I would just like a little more understanding when I accidentally whop you in the back with it or when you might have to carry it for me while I get situated with my walker. (And the walker is almost history, everyone!!! Yayyy!!)

Or when I'm trying to situate it on the seat beside me or I'm driving and I ask whoever is in the passenger seat to please put it over there somewhere for me.

I've tried to downsize a little but I just feel comfortable with a certain size handbag. That way I am more confident that I will have what I need to take with me AND for those around me. *smile* AND you just never know what you're going to need or when you might need it! Always be prepared, is my motto!!! Have purse, will travel!! *smile*

Please pray for Denise

I have a dear friend, Denise, that I only know through blogging. Her blog is Shortybear's Place. She usually posts at least once a day and sometimes more. She has not posted since Jan. 1. I am a bit concerned as she has health issues as does her DH. Please pray earnestly for them both. I would appreciate it so much. And I am praying that we hear from Denise soon. She is such an encouragement and blessing to others through her blog and her comments on others' blogs.

A new blog find

I discovered Ivman's blog through Barbara's blog whose blog I found through a blog party or something that was sponsored by Five Minutes for Mom. You know how it goes! Anywayyyyy.....Ivman's blog is worth a look! I love humor. Have to have it. It's like I cannot live a day without laughing or smiling or finding humour in something. Well, Ivman has plenty of humor on his blog, let me tell ya! AND bits of wisdom, some recipes.....a little bit of alot of things. You MUST read his post about the medical field's take on the bailout of the financial giants and the auto industry.

The most recent update on Jaylon

I just got this email update from Erin's mother. Sounds like Jaylon is getting alot better as he is getting active and antsy. *smile* We will be going up tomorrow afternoon to see the little guy once again. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

"The baby is getting active and continuing to get better! X-Rays are being taken only every twelve hours and will soon be taken only once a day. The IV was finally put in his scalp and fed down to his chest cavity where the doctors want it. It should be good in that spot for fourteen days. The new plan is to give Jaylon antibiotics for seven more days and start feeding him a week from Saturday.

The poor little fellow is not happy with all his tubes and wires! He tries to remove the feeding tube from his mouth and takes off his heart monitor. The nurse has attached his pacifier to a towel hoping he will play with the towel instead of his wires and tubes. I would think the pacifier would be a little hard to suck with the tube in his mouth. Erin says he arches his back and rolls over from his stomach already. Evidently he is getting bored in his present situation and trying new things. J Erin also says he seems to realize he is supposed to be eating something, but he will have to wait."

Happy New Year

Ed and I spent the evening with Daniel, Erin and little Jaylon yesterday. We arrived at the hospital shortly before five, I believe it was. They were just starting to put a new IV in his arm, called a PICC. Well, he didn't want it in his arm apparently, because the nurse.....bless her heart....said he yanked his arm and made it virtually impossible for her to do. So she inserted it in the side of his head. The side that he is laying on in the picture above. This is inserted into his head and threaded down to one of the central veins in his chest. These IV's can withstand about 2 weeks of use if necessary and he won't have to be poked and prodded all the time getting new IV's every day or so. We can tell a definite improvement . He is more awake and lively now.

Well, last night when Daniel and I were in with Jaylon, he was just restless and you could tell that he didn't like the tube down his throat. I began humming "Rock of Ages" to him softly and almost immediately he quieted down, until, when I was finished, he was laying so peacefully with his little eyes closed. Daniel said softly, "Wow, Mom....". Yes, the soothing sound of a song can bring such peace. I did this many times with Daniel when he was little and restless or not feeling well. I would rock him and hum to him or sing softly. Or walk about, carrying him and singing to him softly. It quieted him almost without fail.

Daniel and Erin came by this evening when they arrived home and told us that Jaylon is doing so much better even today. He's more alert and active and he's awake more. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House last night and are planning to stay tomorrow night as well.

Thanks to all you for praying for Jaylon. It means so much to us that you've taken the time to join with us in prayer for our precious little grandson. Goodnight and may your new year be off to a wonderful start!