Looking back over the weekend past.....

I woke up on Thanksgiving morning with all intentions of fixing us the usual fare but I just couldn't do it. The body was not ready to cooperate...yet. BUT I did get us a turkey roasted! We went to Daniel's in-laws family get-together and had a great time. The food was delicious and we played games afterward. We played a new game that Erin's mother brought....Apples to Apples. It is so much fun! If your family likes to play games, this is one you need to get!
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On Friday, Ed took me out for lunch at our fave chinese restaurant and then we went to Walmart for just a little bit and I do meet a little bit, because I just couldn't it, even in a motorized cart, so we headed home. I spent the day at home Saturday, too, though I had hoped I was up to going to see the annual Christmas parade at three in the afternoon. Again, the body just wasn't cooperating, so I called my family and let them know that I wouldn't be there...maybe next year. One really neat thing: My nephew Brian took his three sons to the Christmas parade and they had a ball!! He has the most precious boys! I told him to make sure he brought bags because they would be getting gobs of candy thrown to them during the parade and, sure enough, they did! My sister Debbie said their bags were full when the parade was over! Here is a picture of Brian's three sons and then one of him and the boys!

Aren't they precious? And Brian is such a great dad!
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I don't know why I was having such pain, but Ed prayed for me at different times during the day and my pain eased, thankfully. I am so thankful for a praying husband, for a husband that cares for me so.
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Come Sunday, I was able to go to church both services and do the music. Isn't that great? Sis. Pam and Sis. Courtney were praise singers and our harmony was so beautiful. I love, love, love beautiful, annointed harmony and the three of us seem to meld together so well, not just vocally but in every other way, too. So, though I wasn't able to do some things that I had wanted to over the holiday weekend, I am so thankful that I was able to go to the house of the Lord and to sing praises unto His name, and to worship Him, to feel His loving presence with the family of God around me.
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Thanksgiving

T..... is for our thankfulness for many joys and blessings...

H..... is for our homes so warm and bright...

A..... is for autumn, time for harvest and abundance...

N..... is for nature's beauty and delight...

K..... is for the kitchens where good food is cooked with love...

S..... for spicy fragrances in the air...

G..... is for the gathering of family and friends...

I..... for the inheritance we share...

V..... is for the vision that the Pilgrims held so dear...

I..... is for high ideals in all they planned...

N..... is for our native country brave and great and free...

G..... for God's great goodness to our land.~~~~~~~~

HOW TO OBSERVE THANKSGIVING

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

~~Author Unknown.~~

To all of my friends and family!!

A wonderful recipe!!

I don't even really care for Peanut Butter Fudge but this is scrumptious!!! And so easy to make!!! Oh, and as you will see, it is not low-calorie, low-fat, low-anything!!! *smile* Oh, but it is oh so delicous!!
Peanut Butter Cheese Fudge
Prep Time:
10 min
Inactive Prep Time:
15 min
Cook Time:
5 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 36 squares
1/2 pound sliced easy-melt cheese (instead of Velveeta we used the Walmart brand)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners' sugar
Lightly spray the bottom of a 9 by 2-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt cheese and butter together, then add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and nuts.
Empty confectioners' sugar into a large bowl and pour cheese mixture over sugar. Stir until completely mixed. Candy will be very stiff.
Using your hands, remove candy from the bowl and press evenly and firmly into the pan. Because of the amount of butter in this recipe, pat top of candy with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Place the pan in refrigerator until candy is firm.
To serve, cut into squares.

What is going on???

Would you believe that we have freezing rain here this morning and school is on a two-hour delay? I just don't know when winter has hit so early here in southeastern Ohio and it has been like this since the beginning of November. Brrrrr....We usually don't have weather like this until January or February. And there doesn't seem to be any end in sight.....at least not for this week! Double Brrrrrrrrrr!!!

Well, last Thursday, after blogging, I was walking in the kitchen, going over to get something out of my purse, when I slipped or tripped or did something equally ungraceful and fell against the counter at an angle, SO I was able to catch myself, sort of, so that I didn't completely fall, but I kind of jammed my right leg (the one just operated on) at an angle. Thankfully, Ed was home. He helped me up, checked me out and helped me lay down. I've had some extra pain in both hips and my back but I am sure that I didn't damage anything to the point that I need to go to the doctor to have things checked out. Today, being Monday and three days later, I feel that I am pretty well back to a normal post-operative level of pain and discomfort. *feeble grin*

We went to church last night because I just HAD to go seeing as how there isn't a service on Wednesday night. (Our pastor cancels the night before Thanksgiving, which makes it nice for ladies who are cooking and who have family and company coming in for the holidays and all). It was so wonderful to see everyone and to worship with the family of God. Is there any place like the house of the Lord and spending time in His presence with the precious saints of the Lord? I was so strengthened and refreshed afterwards.

Ed and I HAVE to get some Thanksgiving shopping done today or tomorrow. More than likely, it will be ED! *grin* I would just love to go into the stores and just browse but I am not quite up to it yet. It feels like it has been AGES since I've done any shopping. AND I don't even like to shop! I shop because I HAVE to! And now, here I am, whining a little about wishing I could go into the stores and look around. See? I HAVE been cooped up too long!!! *smile* But it will be worth it, when I am finally able to walk normally and get around. I'm still finding it difficult to imagine!

But, as I was saying, we don't even have a turkey yet!! Though we won't be home here for dinner, I always cook Thanksgiving food for us to have over the long weekend. Oh, and I'm cooking my turkey using this method, found at Sis. Tracy's holiday blog. We are going to our daughter-in-law's family dinner for Thanksgiving. It is always held at her Aunt Darlene's and we have a wonderful time. I always look forward to the time after dinner when we gather around the table and play games! I love playing games and that is one of the things I miss most about Daniel no longer being at home. We played games all of the time. In the winter, we always had a game of Monopoly going on....it never ended! Well, because we did the banking thing where you could borrow money and all. We had so much fun!!

Well, that is it for now! Have a blessed Monday, everyone!!

One week today

I have been home for one week today after having my second hip replacement. I've been kind of overdoing it, in all honesty. You see, I was in my 7th week of recovery from my first hip replacement. I was virtually pain-free on my left hip. I could hardly believe it. AND I was used to my left hip being the one that I had to favor. Then, all of a sudden, I had my right hip operated on and I had to switch to favoring my right side and all.
Well, for some reason, I've just been thinking that I should be recovering more quickly on my right side. I shouldn't be having so much pain. I shouldn't be needing to take so much pain medication. I should be able to get around easier and to do more. I don't know how my thinking got so disjointed.
So, today my pastor's wife called me to see how I was doing and SHE reminded me that I had only been home for one week, I had just had another major surgery and I needed to slow down and take care of myself. I really just had to kind of get hold of myself, shake myself and just back up a little. I just don't know what I was thinking.
Sooooo, today, I've rested more and taken my pain medication as needed and it's made a world of difference.
Even Ed has had a little difficulty remembering that it is my right hip that is now the sore one. I was standing at the kitchen counter and he came up behind me and hugged up to me and in the process, patted my right hip and asked me how I was doing! Wellllll......I told him that if he patted THAT hip one more time, HE wouldn't be doing so well!!! *grin* Seeee???? Even he has trouble remembering that it is my RIGHT hip that is healing now.
Anywayyyyy.......I don't know if it is having two hip surgeries so close together that has me all confused but I think I am getting my thoughts straightened out. Take my time. Take care of my body. Take my medicine. Rest. Move. Do my exercises. Rest. Move. Remember....it is the RIGHT side now. *sigh* AND my body needs time to heal.

A couple of tried and true recipes

Charity, whose husband has a blog here, asked for my dinner roll recipe the other day when I mentioned on my blog about making the rolls , sooooo I thought I would post it here for those of you who might like to try it.
It is from my trusty 1969 Betty Crocker Cookbook. As I told Charity, Miss Rigby, our Home Ec. teacher, purchased them, for those of us who wanted one, for $2.95 each way back then!!
I still have mine all of these years later and use it often!
Here is the dinner roll recipe:
Traditional Roll Dough

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water (105 - 115 degrees)
1/4 cup lukewarm milk (scalded then cooled)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/4 cup shortening or butter or margarine softened
3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured board, counter, or table; knead until smooth and elastic, about five minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Punch down dough; pull off pieces of dough about the sizes of walnuts. Place in greased baking pan or dish. Let rise 20 minutes before baking. Heat over to 400 degrees. Bake rolls 15-20 minutes. Brush tops of rolls with butter.
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Also, here is the recipe I use for making noodles.
Homemade egg noodles

2 cups flour
3 egg yolks
1 egg
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 to 1/2 cup water
Measure flour into bowl; make a well in center and add egg yolks, whole egg and salt. With hands, thoroughly mix egg into flour. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. (Add only enough water to form dough into a ball.)
Turn dough ont well-floured board, counter, or table. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Roll dough, 1 part at a time, inot paper-thin rectangle, keeping remaining dough covered. Roll rectangle around rolling pin; slip out rolling pin.
Cut dough crosswise iont 1/8 inch strips for narrow noodles and 1/4 inch strips for wide noodles. Shake out strips and place on towel to dry, about 2 hours.

I've come to find out that not very many people consider noodles a traditional Thanksgiving food. Well, our family certainly does! *smile* We wouldn't dare have a family Thanksgiving dinner without homemade noodles! *smile* Seriously. AND rolls. AND Cheryl's cherry whip. Those three things are a must. Well, besides the turkey and stuffing, of course. Oh, and now my oyster dressing/stuffing has been added to the list!

It once was lost.....

I took some pictures of the first snowfall of the season on Monday and had been unable to find my camera since. I looked EVERYWHERE! I tried to retrace my steps mentally but had a little difficulty. (that should come as no surprise...*feeble grin*) Sooooooo, this morning, I decided to bite the bullet and look through the trash. Yes, look through the trash because I have been known to throw things away accidentally. I just didn't know where else to look. Soooooo, I proceeded to sift through the trash. Yuck! Well, it wasn't in there AND would you believe that just a couple of minutes after I was finished cleaning up, here comes my wonderful husband with a silly smile on his face and my camera in his hand! I thought he had been keeping it from me but not so. He happened to be looking out the hallway window, looked down and there it was on the window sill right where I remember putting it!!! When I came back in the house the other day from taking pictures, I remember laying it down there while I tidied up my hanging plant that is in that particular window. Sheesh! I don't think I would have ever remembered putting it there but I probably would have found it this coming Monday because that is when I water my plants....on Monday mornings.
Now I'll share those pictures of the snow with you! And this morning it was only 19 degrees! Brrrrr!!!

A Big Bird Thanksgiving

We hadn't been married very long. Daniel was just a baby. I was so excited about cooking Thanksgiving dinner in our new home. It was just going to be for me, Ed and Daniel. Well, actually, we were going to be having a big dinner with my family at one of my sibling's homes but I've always cooked dinner for us so we have leftovers and all AND the smells of delicious Thanksgiving food fill the house!

Anywayyyy......we were shopping at Festival Food in Lancaster for our Thanksgiving food and they had turkeys for $ .19 a pound!! Wow! So I ended up getting our turkey for just under $5! What a bargain! What I didn't take into consideration.....until I got home....was that I had purchased a 26lb. turkey for the THREE of us and one of us was a little toddler!!! Oh my!!! Ed asked me what I was thinking when I bought such a big turkey and I told him that I was just thinking of what a bargain it was!! LOL He had to buy me a new roasting pan to cook it in because I didn't have anything big enough. I can't remember what we did with ALL of that turkey but we've certainly never forgotten it!

A Thanksgiving Meme

I found this meme at Barbara's blog, Stray Thoughts, and thought it looked like fun!

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
I like both. You see, I always cook for us whether we are actually eating dinner here at home or not. That way, we have leftovers and all the trimmings for the rest of the weekend!

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
Frozen

3. What kind of stuffing?
Bread stuffing and I usually make a small dish of oyster stuffing for me!

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
Well, my guys don't care for either so I usually make fruit pies....peach and apple.

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
Turkey leftovers are the point of the whole thing! Absolutely!!

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
Noodles or homemade rolls.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
No, I give it to our dog, after I've picked all of the meat off of it which I use to make soup.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
More energy!

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
I get up early and put the turkey in the oven. A tradition we had when Daniel was still home was that Ed and Daniel would have slices of hot, juicy turkey around 10:00am on Thanksgiving morning. This would hold them over until dinner.

10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring?
I don't really have one.

11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?
I usually don't expect them to bring anything but if they insist, they could bring a beverage that they like.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see?
Oh, no drama here. Just a nice, relaxing day enjoying one another's company!

13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?
We don't do cranberry sauce at our house, whole or jellied!

14. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
Noodles and rolls

15. Share one family tradition.
As I said above, when Daniel was home, he and his dad would have turkey for a late morning breakfast snack. Also, later in the day, I like to go and visit each of my siblings and their families, if they are home, and have a little nibble of their Thanksgiving leftovers!!

Let me know if you do this as well and I’ll come by!
I am linking this to Kelli’s Week of Giving Thanks at There’s No Place Like Home — a festival of Thanksgiving posts — poems, quotes, decorations, crafts, recipes, etc. You can have fun there perusing lots of Thanksgiving inspiration.

I've been tagged!!

Barb at Just Between Us has tagged me to list 15 things that I'm not afraid to admit. Okayyyyy......here goes:

1. I am 57. I just turned 57 last Saturday! And I think I am doing very well for my age!

2. My drivers license are overdue to be renewed. BUT I can't drive for awhile anyway, soooo, for now, I'm safe! *Smile*

3. I'm one of those people who just doesn't care for Rachel Ray. *feeble grin* I know that she is no doubt sweet and adorable in real life but I just can't bear to watch her show. She just needs to turn it down a notch or two.

4. I am a big eater! I mean, like a really big eater. My friend, Kaitlin, and I have said that we would like to just sit and eat Big Macs until we just don't want anymore!

5. I eat because the food tastes good, not because I'm full. Like, you don't eat pizza...good pizza anyway....until you're full. You eat until it is GONE! *smile* Because it tastes soooo delicious!!

6. I've actually had people ask me if I am oriental because my eyes are so small. Hmmm....looking at my profile pic, I can kind of see why they would say that. What do you think?

7. I belong to the Over 200 Club. Okay, okay. I weigh 216 with my clothes and shoes on. Most people just can't believe I weigh that much. All I can say is that I must carry it well. I've been on every diet, lost lots of weight on every one, and gained it all back eventually. So now, I am trying my best to keep my weight stabilized and be active and healthy. Hopefully, after I recover from the hip-replacements, I will be able to at least get below 200, BUT if anyone would like to join my club (Over 200 Club), you are welcome to! *smile*

8. I don't have pretty hands. And though I play the piano, I don't have what you would call piano player hands. My hands are short, stubby and wrinkled. (It's from all of the hard work I've done through the years! *smile*)

9. I can't watch scary movies or fighting of any kind. I can't sleep if I watch a scary movie and fighting of any kind makes me kind of sick to my stomach.

10. I've never read my Bible all the way through, from beginning to end. *sigh* I still have my 2004 BREAD program schedule and just have a few books to read to finish.....maybe 6 or 7. I figure this is my best chance of reading it through, so I need to just do it! I read and study my precious Bible but I've just never finished reading it all the way through! Perhaps this will be the year!! I'll keep you posted!!

11. When we have a big family dinner and some family members go outside to smoke, I can still remember how good it felt to have a cigarette and a cup of coffee after a big meal BUT I would never light up again after the Lord so wonderfully helped me to quit! Thank you, Jesus!

12. I can fall asleep most anywhere. I am not kidding! My DH says I could sleep on a fencepost.

13. I love being an empty-nester. The first few months after Daniel married and left home were really rough, BUT then we got over it! *smile* AND they just live next door!

14. I hate to take a shower when it is really cold weather.

15. I sweat. And I'm a girl. *sigh* None of this pretty, lady-like perspiring for me. Oh no. The sweat pours off of my forehead, blinding me, runs down my back, soaking my clothes. Sooo, I do try to stay cool in hot weather, but just let me step outside and exert myself a little and I am soaked. They say a person is healthier is they "sweat". So, I must be like REALLY healthy? LOL Sure, that'll work!



So, there you have it! Fifteen things I'm willing to admit! That was kind of tough but I did it! Now, to tag five unsuspecting people!!! Here goes:



Chantell

Becky

Theresa

Stace

and

Sir Nottaguy

I'm home

...and recovering. They kept me an extra day because I was having quite a bit of nausea and vomitting but I am better. I got home yesterday, Thursday, at about 2:30. It is so good to be home. I'll be posting again perhaps later today. Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Take Two

I am having my second (right) hip-replacement tomorrow at 12:45pm. Here we go again. *feeble grin* I know that it is going to be worth it all once I get through the surgery, recovery and physical therapy.
We've been busy today getting things done and ready for after my surgery, when I come home.
Daniel has been very sick the past couple of days with a pretty severe case of bronchitis. We've been staying away from eachother so I don't contract his sickness.
I'll be back blogging as soon as I am able to but for now, there will probably be a few days of respite. I covet your prayers for my surgery and recovery and for my DH as he helps me through all of this. He is a treasure.

Miracle Monday

Beth, at A Mom's Life, hosts Miracle Monday where we share a miracle that has happened in our lives or is in the making. I just had to participate in this meme. The Lord has done so many wonderful things for us, our families, our church families, and friends.
Now, what I am about to share may not compare to some miracles but to me, it was wondrous.
As many of you know, I have been dealing with debilitating back and hip pain since 2005. In order to continue walking, I had to start using a walker about two years ago. Also, my DH has had to help me with putting on my shoes and just taking care of my feet and lower legs also.
Well, I have always had a tendency to get ingrown toenails on my big toes. I have always been able to take care of them myself but with my range of motion now limited the way it is, I am no longer able to do so. Both of my toenails were getting ingrown and very tender. I couldn't bear to even think of having Ed touch them. I was sitting on the foot of the bed, wondering what I was going to do. I had never been to the doctor for this, because I had always been able to take care of it myself. And the thought of going to the doctor for something else, just seem overwhelming on this particular morning. I started talking to the Lord and asked Him to please touch my toes and heal them. I just felt as though I had reached the end of my rope. Dealing with the hip and back pain, being limited in so many ways in what I was able to do, becoming more housebound......after talking with the Lord and just pouring my heart out to him, I called to Ed and asked him if he would please come and help me finish dressing. Just out of a natural reaction, I told him to be careful with my toes, when I noticed that they weren't tender or sore anymore. The Lord had healed my toes! Right there, right then. We both started thanking the Lord and tears of gratitude flowed.

And, if that isn't enough.....about a week and a half ago, my left big toe started feeling tender again. Sure enough, I was getting another ingrown toenail. Well, with my hip replacement coming up I just couldn't see having to deal with this, too. I called my family physician to see if they could get me in to take care of the toenail but they couldn't but said if they had any cancelations, they would call me. They've never called. But this morning.....my surgery is tomorrow at 12:45pm.....as Ed was helping me put my hose on, I realized my toe was no longer sore!! Again!! Thank you, precious Jesus! You are the all-sufficient one!

I am so thankful that the Lord is concerned about everything that is a care to us. That we can cast ALL of our care upon Him. He is an awesome God!!! Please don't ever think that God couldn't possibly care about your little problem. He does!!

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
~I Peter 5:7~

The kitty of the house

Ellie likes boxes. Plain and simple. There's no need to buy her some fancy schmancy kitty bed. She likes boxes. Big boxes, little boxes. As evidenced here:

She'll squeeze her chubby little self into any box she can find. This is an old shoe box which I keep right by her food and water bowls. Oh, and inside of it is an old plastic grocery bag. She likes bags, too. Here's the proof:

When we get home from the grocery store, we always throw a bag on the floor for her to crawl into, and then Ed takes her for a swing and a ride.
Back to the boxes. Here she is sleeping in an old Aldi's macaroni and cheese box, in front of the wood stove, into which I've put a little blanky that I got for a quarter at a yard sale.
BUT, I've gotten her to the place where every morning, after I feed her, she stands by this box waiting for me to "make it"! Can you believe it? Soooo, I make a semblance of straightening up her little blanket and then she hops right into it. I didn't mean to start this thing of making her bed but one morning I was sitting in my chair having coffee and noticed her just standing by her box looking at me......You know the look......Staring...... Relentlessly. I noticed that her blanket was a rumpled mess. And she just kept sitting there. Staring at me. So I thought, okay, maybe she wants her blanket straightened up. I folded it nice and neatly and, as an added bonus, I laid it on the stove for just a few seconds and got it all nice and toasty warm for her. That did it. She laid down in that box so fast, it made my head spin. And that was the beginning of the whole thing. *grin*

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Amy, at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders hosts a Saturday meme as shown to the left and, loving music as I do, I wanted to participate.

After giving my heart to the Lord 33 years ago, I was sitting in church one evening feeling the need to draw even closer to Him, when a ladies trio began singing this song and it just broke my spirit before the Lord. It has continued to be a favorite of mine and, as the Lord leads, I still play and sing it in church.

The title of it is "Whatever It Takes" and was written by Lanny Wolfe.

There's a voice calling me from an old rugged tree,
And it whispers draw closer to me,
Leave this world far behind there are new heights to climb,
And a new place in me you will find.

Chorus:
And whatever it takes to draw closer to you, Lord,
That's what I'll be willing to do,
And whatever it takes to be more like you,
That's what I'll be willing to do,
I'll trade sunshine for rain, comfort for pain,
That's what I'll be willing to do,
And whatever it takes for my will to break,
That's what I'll be willing to do.

Take the dearest things to me if that's how it must be,
To draw me closer to Thee,
Let the disappointments come, lonely days without the sun,
If through sorrow more like You I'll become.

I was 23 and single at the time, dating a rather unsavory young man but finding it difficult
to make the break with him. After talking with my pastor and really praying about it all, I went into service this particular night and this song was sung so beautifully. Oh my, but how the Lord spoke to my heart about needing to let go of some things in my life and draw closer to Him. I can honestly say that this was the first time that the Lord spoke to my heart so personally through the words of a song and I am forever thankful that He still does.

Hospital happenings

When I went in on the morning of Oct. 1 at 5:15am to have my first hip replacement, I was a bit unsure of what to expect but I wasn't particularly nervous because I felt that I was in a very good hospital with a very capable staff.

Sooooo, they took me back to the pre-op area, drew the curtain around my bed and told me to undress and put on my hospital gown and little cap thingy, got situated on my bed and all covered up. Danielle, my nurse came in, took my vitals, hooked me up to a thing or two and then proceeded to get an IV started in my left hand. A cute, young Dr. Reno came in and introduced himself as my anethesiologist. You know you are getting older when all of your doctors and nurses are young enough to be your children or, God forbid, grandchildren. Dr. Reno informed me that he would be giving me a spinal in a few minutes and helped me set up on the edge of the bed. Danielle was getting ready to put something in my IV and I asked her what it was. She said it was just something to help me relax so Dr. Reno could give me my spinal. That's the last thing I remember. Oh yes, it helped me relax alright! Whew!!

The next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery, sooooo groggy and my mouth soooooo dry. I heard this *beep....beep.....beep* and a nurse saying, rather loudly, I might add, "We need you to take nice, deep breaths, Jewel." Breathing deeply. Breathing deeply. I don't want to breathe deeply. I want to sleep. Drifting off again. "Jewel, we need you to breathe deeply. When you hear the beep, that means you're not breathing deeply enough." Uh-huh. N-k. Breathe deeply. Wanna sleep. Breeeeeathe deeply. So sleepyyyyy.......*beep...bee...* Breeeeeathe. Oh, please just let me sleep. "We need to get you awake, Jewel." N-k. Breathing deeply. Deep breath. Didn't know it could be so difficult to breathe deeply. *beep....beep...beep* Will someone shoot that beeping thingy? Drifting off to sleep.....*beep...beep....beep...* Okay, getting a little aggravated as much as I can get aggravated in this numb, groggy state. *deeeep breath....deep breath...* This went on and on until they were finally satisfied that I was coming out of the anesthesia sufficiently, so they took me to my room.

I don't remember caring about how I looked, where I was going, who was going to be there when I got there. I just wanted to sleep. Right. It was not to be. Except in pain pill-induced small increments. But it was good sleep, let me tell ya. They were constantly doing something to me, checking something, giving me something, asking me something. I have never and let me stress NEVER in my entire life been asked by so many perfect strangers if I had passed gas in my day and a half stay in the hospital. But I came to find out that this was a pre-requisite to going home. Really? LOL Oh yes. Now, this might be a little indelicate but it used to be that you had to have a BM but now they just want you to pass gas. My, but they have lowered their standards, hm? LOL

To be continued......

Friday's Fave Five

Though it is a bit late in the day, I thought I would still participate in Friday's Fave Five.

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details.

1. There were still enough leaves on the trees at the beginning of the week so that when I road with Ed to do his transport route, we were able to enjoy and savor some beautiful, breathtaking scenery as the evening sun shone through the trees.

2. We now have new president-elect and the campaigns are over. *big, deep cleansing breath* No more campaign materials in the mail or relentless phone calls.

3. I love seeing the fall and Thanksgiving decor and such in the stores and the roadside stands all decked out with pumpkins and mums. I was in New Albany last Friday and there were so many beautiful displays around the town.

4. The smell of autumn! How to describe it? Sweet, ripened apples, leaves burning, their smoke wafting through and filling the valley with their signature aroma, fresh, cold apple cider, the smell of cinnamon and baked goods as the first chill of autumn makes us want to turn our ovens on again and bake.

5. Helping my sister, Debbie, celebrate her 59th birthday. Talking and laughing with her, sharing thoughts and our thankfulness for all of the good things in our lives.

One week and counting

Ed and I went to the library yesterday evening and, once there, we realized we had forgotten my walker, but I was determined to get some books. Ed held on to me and helped me as much as he could but I probably should have just stayed in the car and went another day. It was painfully difficult for me to try and walk without my walker. I've paid a bit of a price for my little outing by having to rest most of the day today while still taking the time to do my required exercises. I am virtually pain free in my left hip now, which I find amazing. Of course, my range of motion is limited and will only improve after I am able to do physical therapy. It is indeed a process. We are endeavoring to get everything done and in place for my surgery next Tuesday....hip replacement #2. *sigh* I've had people ask me if I think this one will be easier because I've already had one done and I know what to expect and I said, kind of whiningly..."Nooooooo...." *feeble grin* Actually, I don't think it will be THAT bad. I mean, I know it is going to HURT. Like, helloooooo. LOL BUT, there are these wonderful things called PAIN PILLS! Thank you, Jesus. AND I have this wonderful husband who is an absolute angel. I do get concerned about him having to help me so much and especially when I've just gotten to the place where I can lay down and get up by myself and now we start all over again......AND we have to switch sides of the bed AGAIN. (Have I told you how patient and kind and helpful this wonderful husband of mine is?) Okay, I won't go on about it all anymore. At least not for this posting. *smile*
The chest muscle that I pulled is almost back to normal which is so great. I can now just about sneeze normally, and trust me, this is a good thing.

Bear turns Democratic

This photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect wildlife in the US.

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democratic Party... as they have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance.

Halloween Candy and Thoughts

So, what was your favorite Halloween candy as a child or as a grown-up, for that matter. Like I said in the post below, I loved Sugar Babies, Sugar Daddies, Taffy, AND does anyone remember Milk Duds and Cowtails? I liked those, too. And if you have a Halloween memory you'd like to share, please do so in the comments. Another Halloween memory I have is of me, Debbie and Johnny going from house-to-house in Logan and we tired of WALKING up the sidewalk, then BACK down the sidewalk, so we started running across the lawns....for a short while, that is, because one of the yard-owners had put fine guage wire or string around his yard and we couldn't see it in the dark....ya think?.....we tripped over it, going thump, thump, thump all on top of Johnny! LOL Needless to say, we started walking BACK up the sidewalks. And, yes, our parents were following us in the car and Dad got out and after checking to make sure we were alright, reprimanded us for taking shortcuts and told us to stay on the sidewalks. *sigh* Okayyyyyyy, Dad. *smile*
If you'd like to take a trip down candy memory lane, just google "retro candy". You can actually buy gift boxes of candy by decade, like the 50's and 60's. Remember candy lips and those little parafin bottles with some kind of drink in them? *sigh* What memories!

Halloween Memories

I may have posted something similar before but this time of year always evokes fond childhood memories for me. The only costume I remember wearing is a mouse costume. It was red and made out of the windbreaker-type of material. It had a black plastic tail coming out of the back, a hood that came up over my head and a gray, plastic mouse face mask. I thought it was great. The only thing I didn't like about it was the fact that my face would get all wet behind the mask from my warm breath mixing with the coldness of the mask. Yuck!!!

We always carried brown paper grocery bags to carry our treats in. None of these cutesy bags or carriers that they have now. Huh-uh.

I loved most every kind of candy, with the exception of sour or hot stuff. No fireballs or sweettarts for me, please. So, I usually traded those for something else. You see, after we returned home, Mom and Dad would help us get cleaned up and ready for bed. Then we...the five of us kids.....would sit down in the middle of the living room floor, dump our candy out and begin sorting through it, swapping eachother for our favorites and, of course, passing off the really undesirables to Mom and Dad, like apples, crackers, pennies, and the like.

Myself, if I am going to eat candy, I prefer for it to be chocolate or caramel and nuts are an added bonus! Some of my favorites were Sugar Daddies or Sugar Babies, most candy bars, and taffy.

I remember one Halloween, this little old lady had just made a batch of fudge. She told us to hold our hands out....we didn't know what was coming.....and she slapped a piece of this soft fudge in the palm of our hand. Yuck! Of course, we ate it because we didn't have any other choice. There were others houses to get to and more candy to collect!! Needless to say, we didn't offer our open palms for any more handouts.

Daniel was pretty ambivalent about trick-or-treating until one Sunday afternoon when we lived in Logan. He had a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and a Mickey Mouse mask. They weren't bought with the intention of going trick-or-treating nor were they bought at the same time. Anywayyy...this particular Sunday afternoon, one of our neighbors had told us to be sure and bring Daniel over for candy, so we dressed him up in bright blue sweatpants, his Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and we took the mask along. We took him next door, slipped the mask on his face, told him to knock on the door....he liked THAT! *smile*......and say "Trick or Treat". Well, when he saw that by doing so he could get FREE candy, he was hooked!!! *smile* We took him most every after that till he was about 10, though sometimes not because trick-or-treat here is done on Sunday afternoons and sometimes it just didn't work out with our church schedule.


Now, you talk about being a discriminatory candy eater, that is Daniel. Most years, I would end up throwing out most of the candy he had gotten or giving it away or taking it into work or to church for the SS classes. But he loved going out and getting it!! *smile* And we made some wonderful memories in the process.

The next two or three years, he was a clown. I made his costume from old material and yarn I had here at home and I had clown make-up from when I dressed up as a clown for Sunday School promotions and so on. Then he decided to be a pirate and I put his costume together with things here at home and added a couple of items that I bought. His last two or three years, he decided to be a karate/ninja guy and I made that costume, too.

Daniel always knew what he wanted to be like a year in advance and then he would want to be that particular character for two or three years, so it was easy to make him happy.

He's at it again!

As we were driving home from church this morning, Ed was reading political signs and are there ever plenty of them to read! One in particular caught my attention. It read: "So and so for Hocking County Persecutor". WHAT???? Me: "Ed, I believe that's PROSECUTOR." Ed: "Prosecutor..Persecutor.....not much difference." LOL He is so funny. He does this all of the time, as I've said before. He uses words that are ALMOST pronounced the same but not quite. AND sometimes when he is trying to get a point across or say something I don't necessarily agree with, I'll ask him just where he got THAT idea or where he heard it or I'll say, "And just where is THAT written?", to which he will reply I Cavinee Chapter 3, verse 12 or some other fictictious scripture reference! LOL He is a hoot! And he keeps me smiling and laughing for which I am thankful to the Lord above each and every day.
Oh, let me share another funny little thing we do. When one of uses an out-of-the-ordinary word, it usually goes something like this: Me: "Whenever she tells something, be it a story or anecdote or whatever, she is soooo repetitious." Ed: "Yeah, and I bet she tells it over and over again alot, too, hm?" I love being married to this precious man! He's one-of-a-kind and he's mine! Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Bloggers are terrible writers???

Bro. Jordan, our Ohio UPC District Superintendent, had THIS POST at his blog, which I found very interesting and amusing. I realize there are correct procedures to writing BUT I choose to write the way I would talk in a normal conversation AND I've been told by family and friends that that is just the way they find my letters, emails and blog posts: they read the way I sound when I am talking! *smile* Soooo, it seems I have accomplished something, hm? AND I was on the English scholarship team all through high school. I was the top student on the team, so I do know a thing or two about grammar and such. But I like writing freestyle. The end.

'Fessin up!

Okay, I wasn't going to blog about this but I WILL. I just don't want to appear to be whining too much about my physical ailments. BUT last week, somehow, someway, I managed to pull like a major muscle on the right side of my chest. Owie. I don't remember like doing it where it popped and I was writhing in pain, so I think I must have strained it repeatedly while possibly endeavoring to get out of bed by myself, INSTEAD of waiting for Ed to help me and by pushing myself up out of chairs or by pressing down on my walker as I ambulated along. Anywayyyyy, the pain got so bad, I wanted to be sure that it WAS indeed a muscle strain, so Ed took me to the ER this past Monday and , sure enough, that is what it was. Sooooo, I have been trying to rest the muscle, ice it and do what the doctor said. BUT do you know how much you use this particular muscle???? Sheesh!!! Coughing, sneezing, laughing, yawning, stretching......all of these and more affect this muscle. I almost go into a panic when I feel a sneeze coming on!!! *feeble grin* And with it being so dry here at this time of the year, I've been sneezing more than usual, it seems or perhaps it is just because of the muscle strain, I am more cognizant of sneezing?

Now, as to my hip replacement? I am doing great!! I HAVE NO PAIN IN THAT HIP ANY LONGER!!!! Can you believe it???? My incision is no longer red and puffy. I can do all of my assigned exercises, which Ed is very impressed with!! *smile* I no longer need to take pain medication though I am taking an anti-inflammatory for my muscle strain. I still have to use my walker but I no longer have to exert pressure on it like I used to. I just hold on to it lightly for balance as I am walking. (Okay, okay....I know there are those of you OUT there who are saying..."she needs more than a walker to be considered "balanced"! LOL)

Dr. Berend said that I will need physical therapy after my second hip replacement to help me regain the proper gate for walking normally and so on. I was a bit puzzled by this because I thought once I was no longer in pain, I would just naturally go back to walking like I used to before all of this happened. Hmmmm......not so. You see, I've altered my walking pattern so much over the past four years, because of the pain, that now it will be a matter of needing to learn to walk correctly again. *sigh* BUT, I can do it!!! AND I am going to do it!!! I told Erin Maree yesterday that I might even be able to wear some cute dress shoes with SMALL heels again one day and go struttin' my stuff!!!! LOL I'm just jokin' around but it would be nice. Dresses do look so much nicer with a small-heeled dress shoe, you know, girls???? *smile*

Well, I've rambled on enough for now but be prepared. I just feel like blogging like crazy for some reason!!! You have been warned!! *smile* Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!!!

Telling it like it is

I found this very interesting, after receiving the link from a dear friend.

No matter who wins....

TEN PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?
(Amen!)

Ed had a birthday!!

My wonderful husband turned 66 this past Friday! Daniel and Erin baked him a yellow cake and with chocolate icing....his favorite......and brought it over. AND they were determined to put 66 candles on it! Oh, and they were the kind of candles that you blow out and they keeping lighting back up. He had a time!


This past Saturday, Ed and I went to Walmart to get a few groceries. We entered the side where the florist shop is and, lo and behold if it wasn't Sweetest Day. There were flowers everywhere. I hopped on a motorized shopping cart and went on my way and when we finally got home, Ed had gotten me a pretty bouquet of red carnations. He doesn't do flowers very often, so it was a sweet surprise.
Actuallyyyyyy, my dear husband has been known to mutter, on occasion...."I'd like to find the guy who came up with all of these days I'm supposed to remember and, and....."
But, through the years, I've discovered that it isn't the flowers or candy or gifts that truly express his love for me. It is the day-to-day, small, meaningful things that he does that shows me he truly cares for me. *sighhh* Happy Birthday, Bro. Honey! *smile* (Last Friday, Oct. 17)

A milestone!

I slept the whole night through for the first time last night since having my hip replacement! We went to bed at 10:00PM. Now, mind you, I have to sleep ON my back with a pillow folded and placed under my left knee and two pillows supporting my left foot. I vaguely remember waking up at some point in the night, just a little, but I went right back to sleep and did not wake up until 5:00AM!!! Of course, I was ready to get up and so I did. I'm also able to get out of bed by myself now, too. But Ed still has to help me get into bed and get settled but hopefully that will not be the case after this week. I'm making progress!!!! Yayyyyyy!!!! And don't worry, I won't be over-doing it! I don't want to have any setbacks!
(Ed has always said that I could sleep on a fencepost....*grin*)

While Colin Powell, a life-long Republican, has chosen to support Obama, here in SE Ohio, I've seen another dynamic taking place among "life-long", strict party-line voters. I cannot say that I am pleased about this at all. Because I'm not. In fact, I'm apalled. Nevertheless, I know of "some" white Democratic voters who have been VERY vocal about the fact that they will NOT vote for Obama because he IS black. I mean, we are talking "dyed-in-the-wool" Democrats here, folks. Generational Democrats. But they will not vote for Obama because of his skin color. I honestly felt like someone punched me in the stomach. Not because I am an Obama supporter. I'm not. But it has nothing to do with him being black. I will be voting for McCain because the Republican party most closely adheres to supporting christian values that I feel are of the utmost importance.
There is a part of me that would love to vote for Obama. He is passionate. He is a great speaker. In my opinion, he has picked a better VP. Overall, he is a much more "attractive" candidate. His running against McCain reminds me so much of when Clinton/Gore were campaigning against Bush/Quayle in '92. Clinton/Gore made Bush/Quayle look old,boring and stale and I tell you, I felt myself WANTING to vote for Clinton but when it came time to punch that card, I HAD to go with my christian convictions and vote for Bush. I don't understand how christians can say that it DOESN'T MATTER who you vote for based on "christian values". Do we think God is not interested in how we vote? Do we think He turns a blind eye in the voting booth?
I hear people talking about the financial state that our country is in and so many are distressed, wondering where all of this turmoil is going to lead. I know this one thing: the government is not my provider. The Lord is my provider. He expects us to handle our finances wisely, conservatively and to be faithful to Him. He will see that we are taken care of. I believe this with all of my heart. I am reminded of the children of Israel when they left Egypt. They left with only those things they could carry but they never went hungry or thirsty or unclothed. Now, they may not have been happy with WHAT or HOW the Lord provided but He did provide. I believe the same is still true today.
Let me end this post by saying that you might be thinking that the voters I spoke of above are just SAYING they won't vote for Obama but when they get in that voting booth, they will. I don't believe so. While I wish with all of my heart that it wasn't so, even after all of the strides we've made as a country in overcoming racial prejudice, there is still a dark under-belly of racism alive and well in America. Needless to say, it will be more than interesting to see how this election finally turns out.
God bless America and may your hand of mercy be upon her in the coming months. Thy will be done.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Jana, at Psalm 126 tagged me, so here are my six unspectacular things about me. I'm not going to tag anyone but if you would like to play along, please do. Just let me know in the comments.

Meme terms & conditions
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. List 6 unspectacular things about you
4. Tag 6 other bloggers

Here are 6 unspectacular things about me.

1. I like to take an afternoon nap.
2. I am one of five siblings and a twin. My twin and I are the youngest, me being the oldest of the two by five minutes.
3. Red is my favorite color and I love animal prints.
4. I love to sit around a campfire.
5. It doesn't take much to amuse me. *grin*
6. I love dumb jokes. You know....the ones that make people groan when you tell them? I love it!!! *smile*

Autumn in the hills

I had a very good day yesterday, physically speaking! I was feeling a little "cooped up", so I decided to traipse over to Daniel and Erin's house where Ed and Lew were doing some carpentry work and also installing windows blinds. It felt so good to get outside and breathe in the fragrance of autumn. I used my stationary walker and took it slowly and did just fine. Here is a picture I took of the front part of our yard on the way back home.

Later, after I had been home for a little while, I could feel the muscles in my legs....both of them.....begin to tighten up but I kept walking about the house and doing a few things here and there. Yesterday was the first day that I did not lay down for a nap AND I didn't need to take any pain medication either. Until yesterday evening at about 8pm. By this time, my body was just so tired, I couldn't stay up any longer. I can't say that I was sleepy, just physically tired. So I took a Vicodin and Ed got me all tucked into bed

The Notebook was on TV last night and I recorded it but Ed wanted to watch it, so he turned it up loud enough so I could lay in bed and listen to it while he watched it. I drifted off to sleep waking up at a little before eleven o'clock, so Ed helped me up to the bathroom, tucked me in again and I slept until 4:30am, at which time I was ready to get up for the day. It is now 2:15pm Friday afternoon, I definitely feel a nap coming on, so I'm going to close this post and wish all of you a wonderful weekend!!! Go Bucks!!

The Upcoming Election

I've said very little....actually, I don't believe I've said anything about the on-going presidential campaign OR upcoming election. But, after receiving an email and checking its validity, I felt compelled to post a link to it HERE. I urge you to check it out and also Mr. Brown's website which you can access HERE. Of the utmost importance is that we each vote according to the will of the Lord. Not OUR will, but HIS will be done.

Some thoughts to share

Before having my surgery, I was more than a little concerned about taking possible addictive pain-killers. I was just so concerned about getting hooked on them and then not being able to get off of them when I didn't need them any longer. *biting my nails*
Wellllll.....any ambivalence I had flew right out the ol' proverbial window immediately after coming out of recovery. Hello. And I didn't even have to ask for them. Those precious nurses were in there every few minutes, it seemed, giving me another pill to take. They sent me home with three different pain pills and I took everyone of them. LOL Two of them I only took for the first week after I came home. Now I am just on Vicodin and I am just taking it when I need it, where I was taking two every four hours, no more than eight in 24-hour period.
I am actually amazed that my pain has diminished so quickly, considering the gash..er,uh, I mean....the incision I have on my left hip. Oh, and they don't do stitches or staples any longer. They used what Dr. Berend calls SUPER HUMAN GLUE! *smile* I love progress!
And another thing......I'm not allowed to cross my ankles when I sit. I never realized how difficult this would be NOT to do! I catch myself crossing my ankles all of the time!!! Specifically, I put my right foot behind my left ankle. *sigh* This is really going to be difficult when I have my right hip done!
AND I can only sleep on my back. Now, this wasn't so difficult to do when I first came home but now that I am getting better and have almost no pain at all in the night, I am getting a little antsy, wanting to roll over onto my side. I loooooove to sleep on my side! BUT....no can do at least until after my first check-up which is not until Oct.31. "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. " I'm sure all it would take is me rolling over onto my side one time to make me not want to sleep on my side just yet. (ya think?) *grin*
ANDDDDD.......Ed and I had to switch sides of the bed when I came home. We have slept on our respective sides of the bed our entire 22 years of marriage. This was no small feat! But we made the adjustment without a hitch! Ed actually LIKES sleeping on MY side of the bed better!!! And I ACTUALLY like his side of the bed! So it has worked out really well. There is only one little problemo. When I have my next surgery....on Veteran's Day, November 11.....I just think that is so funny for some reason....like I'm taking one for my country or sumthin'....LOL...just kidding.....but anywayyyyy.....as I was saying.....when I have my next surgery, we will once again have to switch sides of the bed and Ed isn't too happy about this. But, being the wonderful, understanding husband that he has been, I know that he will do what he has to do. And besides, we can always switch back when all of this is over with!!
I believe that is all of the thoughts I have to share at the present time! *smile*

I had said in my previous post that I was going to post SOME pictures of Elder Bro. Martin's birthday party, but then I noticed how blurry they were BECAUSE the resolution on my camera somehow got changed and I just couldnt' see posting a bunch of blurry pictures for you all to try and focus your eyes on, sooooo....I just posted the one. Whew! Talk about a run-on sentence! *smile*
Here is a picture of Daniel and Erin's mobile home next to us! I took this just about a week and a half ago and we can't believe how quickly the leaves have changed. I'll have to take another picture and show you the difference. It feels so good to have them next to us even if we don't see them every day. They have really decorated it so beautifully, wanting to get their first "real" home just the way they wanted it.

Here are some pictures from Elder Bro. Martin's 90th birthday party at church yesterday. It was a carry-in dinner at our morning service and it was truly a surprise party! *smile* Ed's birthday is the same day as Bro. Martin's....October 17th! Ed will be 66, so he has a few years to go to catch up, hm? *smile*

x

This is just a short post to say that my recovery is just a little more difficult than I thought it would be. BUT I am getting better day by day. I think I may have overdone it an eensy bit yesterday....Friday....meaning I probably didn't rest enough and prop my leg and foot up.....so I ended up being completely worn-out last night when I went to be at about 10pm and thusly, didn't sleep or rest very well. Also, I now have a urinary tract infection that I am dealing with but I have an antibiotic as of this morning so this should be under control in no time. I've never had this kind of infection ever in my 56 years. Yuck....
Ed is still taking excellent care of me and friends and family have been wonderful to stay in touch and check on me and all.
Daniel and Erin are spending their first night in their new home next door TONIGHT!! They are so excited. Hopefully, I am going to be able to go over and see it tomorrow. Ed and I are going to endeavor to go to church in the morning and we'll go over to Daniel and Erin's afterward.
Hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post and share.
Oh, and it is also Elder Bro. Martin's 90th birthday tomorrow and they are having a carry-in dinner in honor of him after service in the morning. I'm hoping I'm up to all of this but if not, I know enough to limit myself and come home. I really do. But anywayyyyy.....I love birthday parties!!! *smile*
Goodnight to each of you and God bless!! ((HUGS))

Recuperating

I do have to say that recovering from surgery is alot more difficult than I thought it would be. I mean, I had been in pain for like three years but this is totally different. I just didn't think it would be this rough. I know it will get better and Ed has been absolutely wonderful to me. As I was preparing to leave the hospital, I was asked several times where I would be going and I told them that I would be going home and that my husband would be helping me. The response was always the same: "Wonderful...wonderful!" "That is great..." And it has been. Ed is a licensed STNA, so his training has come in very handy. :-) I'll keep this short because it is time for me to go back to bed for awhile. I'll keep you posted. God bless each of you!

Hi Everyone..........my hip replacement surgery is set for 7:15am Wednesday morning. That means we have to get up REALLY early. *feeble grin* I covet your prayers and I will be back blogging as soon as possible. Of course. *smile*
I will probably post again before tomorrow, but I wanted to let you all know as soon as I found out!

Never say never!

Two amazing things have happened in the two Cavinee households! First of all, Ed put the electric service in Daniel and Erin's mobile home: the box and wires and all that goes on the post outside of the house and then ran the wires into the breaker box in the house. He had never done this before. The amazing thing is that he READ THE DIRECTIONS and did it perfectly the first time!! Yayyyy!

Secondly, Daniel put two new ceiling fans up in their mobile home and also replaced most of the other light fixtures. He had never done anything like this before and I asked him if it was difficult and he said, "No, I just read and followed the directions." Yayyyy!!

And they say that real men don't read directions! My "real men" do! I'm so proud of them!!!

My girlfriends, Pam and Jody, and I went to Sonic last night for some refreshment and they each ordered a $.99 banana split! I thought...."Wow, what a bargain! I'm gonna have to bring Ed here 'cause he loooooves banana splits AND a bargain." Little. did. I. know. Here, folks, is the world's smallest banana split......TADA!!!!

Me? I had a strawberry-banana smoothie! Yum! They are the best!!

Ed and I went to see The Lion King this past Saturday and, though I had seen it before in NYC, it was just like seeing it for the first time all over again! It was absotively, posilutely wonderful!! I was teary-eyed from the start and Ed said he even welled up a couple of times. The Ohio Theatre is gorgeous and here are a couple of pics that I took...I turned off the flash on my camera ;-)
Becky, my adopted granddaughter, was there with her family, too. We were chatting about it on Skype and she said, "Man, was Simba ripped or what?" LOL Ohhhhh, to be young again...*sigh* (Just kidding.....I have no desire to be young again. *grin*)

Welcome fall with your colors bright,
Crisp clear days, and frosty nights,
Wild geese flying on the wing,
Colorful leaves, makes my soul sing,
Days are shorter, a nip in the air,
Nights are chilly, days are fair,
We rake up the leaves, the garden lies bare,
We remember the flowers that once bloomed there,
Thank God for this beautiful time of the year,
For family and friends and hearts filled with cheer.

Yes, Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

Welllll....Ed and I made the trek to New Albany for my appointment with Dr. Berend concerning my arthritic hips. Dr. Berend said that he had seen many hip x-rays but mine were definitely some of the worst. (Do I get an award or sumthin'?....uh, no.....) Anywayyyyy......in his opinion, much or possibly most of my pain is because of my hips and not my back. He is very hopeful that once I have both of my hips replaced and go through rehab and physical therapy, that I will be able to have a good, normal, active life once again.....without a walker!!!! He was so upbeat and optimistic! My first surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 at the New Albany Surgical Center. Ed will be able to stay the night with me as they have private rooms and a bed will be made available for him. I will be discharged the next day. My next replacement is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11.
I was a bit surprised that they scheduled my surgery so soon because I had mentioned to the young lady who does the scheduling that we had tickets to The Lion King this Saturday and she chuckled and said not to worry because Dr. Berend's schedule was full six weeks out. I am thankful that they were able to get me in so soon.
Well, I am worn out from a long day and pain. Oh, but we do have electricity once again! I am so thankful. AEP has really had their work cut out for them. First, going to Texas to help out and then heading back to Ohio when we got the remnants of Ike. Ed took our refrigerated food to the church yesterday and put it in the freezer and refrigerator there, so he'll be bringing it back home tomorrow. I'm going to take this opportunity to clean the fridge thoroughly, so it is off to be with my tired self for now! I hope you are making progress in recovering from the storm, wherever you might be. ((HUGS))

Some things to think about ;-)

I can't take credit for the following post because I received it in an email from my friend, Amy, and I loved it! Just had to post it for your viewing pleasure! *smile*

Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately:
Illegal immigration
Hurricane recovery
Alligators attacking people in Florida ...
Not me.
I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win-win situation.

1. Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.

2. Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies.

3. Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today ?
Yes? Think about this one:

1. Cows
2..The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

C O W S.......Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N..........They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq .... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

T H E TEN C O M M A N D M E N T S.......The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment.

..........THE END.

Remembering..............

Here's a picture of Erin Maree and little Jaylin (in her tummy)! She has really popped out there during this past month. She looks so adorable!
Here are a few pictures of their mobile home next door to us now, being moved and then after it was set up. They've been painting and Ed, Lew and Brian have been helping with a little bit of everything inside and out! I am not able to help over THERE but I have been trying to keep everyone fed and watered over HERE. *smile*

Just what I thought!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth....*little grin* I am still here. This morning, Ed and I went to Circleville where I had an appointment with a back surgeon, Dr. Bassoro. Now, last Friday I went to see Dr. Gedeon, my chiropractor, and I asked him if he thought I should still keep this particular appt., which his office had made for me, as it has been said that I need to have my hips taken care of first before having any procedures done on my back. He (Dr. Gedeon) said that I should still keep the appointment and see what he has to say.
Sooooo, Ed and I went on our way this morning with my trusty x-rays and MRI's in hand. I was in the examining room for maybe, mayyybeeee five minutes. I'm not kidding. Dr. Bassoro came in, after looking at my x-rays and MRI's and said that I definitely needed to have my hips taken care of first, asked if I had arrangements to take care of them...yes, I do....and proceeded to tell me that I am more than welcome to call him after they are all taken care of.
See? I knew that was what was going to happen! And I paid $30 to have him tell me that? This is what kind of gets me about the medical profession. If you aren't careful, you get sent here and there and everywhere and I so don't like it.
The doctor was very nice and understanding but $30? Oh well......the next time I WILL cancel the appointment. AND I just have to reiterate here that my hips still would not be an issue had I not asked to have them x-rayed. *sigh* BUT I am so hopeful that I am going to feel soooo much better once they are fixed!! I can hardly wait! Not that I am looking forward to the surgery, being laid up and so on BUT after having lived with this pain....(nooo, not ED.....*grin*.....the hips, people, the hips AND back....AND legs...) for so long..... I just can't imagine being able to walk without my walker and all. Yayyyyyyyy!!!
Just please pray for me and with me because I am beginning to have some difficulty with my left knee and I know it is because of the concessions I am having to make because of the pain in my hip. *feeble grin* I don't know how I manage to laugh about all of this but I just can't help myself sometimes because it is like first it was my back, then my hips, now my knee. A couple of weeks ago it was my right wrist and hand from leaning on my walker. Last week my left arm was killing me. Sunday night my left shoulder kept me awake and my right hand was hurting and tingly. Somebody shoot me!!!! LOL
Someone told me that they heard of a horse that had what I have and they found just the cure for it.......and you know that rest of THAT story and it involves bullets. No thank you.......LOL
I'd rather compare myself to the old addage....."You can't keep a good horse down...." thank you very much. *smile*
Anywayyy.....with the help of the Lord.....I press on....well, more like "hobble on"......but I do. The joy of the Lord truly is my strength!

The Zen of Sarcasm

I received this in an email from my sweet sister-in-law and thought I would share it with you! It is great! *smile*

The Zen of Sarcasm

1. Do not walk ahead of me for I may not follow. Do not walk behind me for I may not lead. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
3. It is always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can 't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.
10. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.
11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
12. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
16. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
17. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
20. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
AND........

21. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.