tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81837854709267828442024-02-22T02:26:58.468-05:00Faith, Works and CraftsMarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-73526946795440762122011-07-09T19:26:00.000-04:002011-07-09T19:26:52.628-04:00Bed Time<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up! Down! Up! Down!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Twist and turn and toss.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bounce and look over your shoulder</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At your sleeping companion and ask</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are we there yet? Have we found it?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is only one store we’ve been in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Innerspring to the right.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Memory foam to the left.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And don’t forget the hybrids</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the adjustable mattresses, too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firmness, plushness, and warranty,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Construction and materials used.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Delivery? Set-up? Free haul-away?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok, I’m officially confused.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Queen size is all that will fit the room</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But look at the space on that king.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do we really need the wardrobe,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dresser, the tables, the door?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Massage will just give me a headache</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it’s nearly heaven for him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feet up, head up, flat out,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the push of a button</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He changes position again,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I come along for the ride.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My head hurts!</span></div><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">© 2011 M. C. MacFadyen</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 9, 2011</span></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-78574770678407083852011-01-29T19:33:00.000-05:002011-01-29T19:33:05.634-05:00SONNY<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing, dancing, dancing on legs that are straight and long,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can hear him singing with a voice that is pure and strong;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gates of Heaven have opened and Sonny has come home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To walk with his Lord forever, where he has always belonged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was born not perfect in our sight, twisted and halt from the start.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some who thought they were wise suggested a special home would be smart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But Sonny was embraced by his family, by sisters who were always there;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He wasn’t tucked away in some corner, hidden and shunned in his chair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He never ran or danced in this life; he never played football or hit a home run;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He never did a lot of things we take for granted; but Sonny was always SOMEONE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was out and about in the home town, appearing at many an affair;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From parades to the paving of sidewalks, look around and Sonny was there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the start he would shove that old wheeled chair his mother had labored to make</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Backwards through house and on sidewalks, looking over his shoulder to navigate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then modern technology and helping hands intervened to allow Sonny to move</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Forwards instead of backwards in the electric chair he came to love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Constrained only by the strength of the battery Sonny would wander the streets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In his marvelous electric wheelchair loaded with umbrella, drinks, and treats.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Weather was the only curtailment, along with his sisters’ decrees,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That limited Sonny’s excursions along those McMechen streets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter meant Sonny stayed indoors when the weather got messy and cold,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But Sonny had loads of companions and TV shows that never seemed old.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spring, summer, and fall he would make the break and escape womanly care for a time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was safe on the streets of McMechen but his sisters never knew what they’d find.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He carried the mailbag for the mailman; Lou was his friend for so many years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They paved an alley for Sonny so he could visit his friend Ed without fears.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sonny was part of the city and part of more than one church, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were always strong arms to lift him and put his chair alongside a pew.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Sonny and his sisters grew older, and the four sisters were now down to two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hard choices were made by the family and Sonny’s wandering days were through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But he found new friends in the Care home and for a time was joined by sister Ruth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sonny had new halls to wander, new faces, new women, new foods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As in every life there were good times and bad;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were struggles, joys, laughter and tears.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this last little boy of the Walton’s</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fully lived every one of his seventy-eight years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing, dancing, dancing on legs that are straight and long,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can hear him singing with a voice that is pure and strong;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gates of Heaven have opened and Sonny has come home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To walk with his Lord forever, where he has always belonged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">© 2011 M. C. MacFadyen</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In memory and celebration of my uncle,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charles E. “Sonny” Walton, Jr.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">September 27, 1932 – January 29, 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-82268321887074718902010-08-20T09:28:00.000-04:002010-08-20T09:28:47.986-04:00Roof Racer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWPeyEIKe15sIkB6VvvxUg5y17sOmsIWBus9uKvXfs3u5S2lajhWZGfOWpYSqKllrr74-8WMbiCj0JBnOdQPpT0XuoERL4gZlmUzYVLWrcf5bb_Uto9DWZt_nfmrTRhPVBmQhsG5v5Kj-/s1600/IMG_2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWPeyEIKe15sIkB6VvvxUg5y17sOmsIWBus9uKvXfs3u5S2lajhWZGfOWpYSqKllrr74-8WMbiCj0JBnOdQPpT0XuoERL4gZlmUzYVLWrcf5bb_Uto9DWZt_nfmrTRhPVBmQhsG5v5Kj-/s320/IMG_2561.JPG" /></a></div>Roof Racer<br />
<br />
Gallump, gallump, gallump, gallump!<br />
No little cat's paws tiptoe on my roof<br />
As the midnight roof racer chases his invisible shadow<br />
From porch roof to house peak and over the ridge.<br />
<br />
Gallump, gallump, gallump, gallump!<br />
Black on black with golden eyes he watches me<br />
As I, foolish human that I am, try to tempt him<br />
Back to ground level as he sits aloof on the steep incline.<br />
<br />
Gallump, gallump, gallump, gallump!<br />
"Watch me, watch me, Lady! I am up soooo high!"<br />
He swats a twig down the slope and gallops<br />
From peak to flat porch roof to meow pitifully.<br />
<br />
Gallump, gallump, gallump, gallump!<br />
Back to the peak and chase the cardinal,<br />
Back to the porch roof to tease the Lady.<br />
Braveheart has no fear except not being watched.<br />
<br />
Gallump, gallump, gallump, gallump!<br />
Daylight and the pathway down is revealed.<br />
Over the arbor and through the evergreen<br />
Down to the ground and look up asking plaintively "Feed me now?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmQcHtGPfCKTMyAZQj1xHwl03NilPTIvbaPapgK7YPAy3MMeZUwGZ7VVFOcV-WlQN_NjELtj99BmqrIN3bbdwzw4RiwEjejLcxFFcYqNwZkI0AyR44PYLfjMK6zTtuWwQbFU3QIZBGxBm/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmQcHtGPfCKTMyAZQj1xHwl03NilPTIvbaPapgK7YPAy3MMeZUwGZ7VVFOcV-WlQN_NjELtj99BmqrIN3bbdwzw4RiwEjejLcxFFcYqNwZkI0AyR44PYLfjMK6zTtuWwQbFU3QIZBGxBm/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">8/16/2010</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">M.C. MacFadyen</span>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-13610654492099452752010-06-05T05:14:00.001-04:002010-06-05T05:15:07.086-04:00Another up all nightHi, y'all. Things have improved medication wise but I still have bouts of insomnia. Tonight is one of those nights. I slept about an hour and a half then was wide awake again. Tried a few things with no luck so I left the bed and sleeping husband and cats and came in to the computer.<br />
<br />
Some good news! The two female kittens were adopted last weekend. I learned a new description for tortoiseshell cats. The little boy who claimed her says she is a camouflage cat. I think that is so cute!<br />
<br />
So we are left with the two now 12 week old black male kittens. One is still being called Braveheart. The other has earned the name Pantclimber - no explanation required but you better be wearing long pants around him. He loves to be cuddled and turned on his back to have his little belly and chest scratched. Lady Jane is still with them and us. She takes them out on overnight hunting trips and brings them back in time for meals. The great-nieces and nephews love coming over to play with the kittens. I have tied jingle balls on the ends of dowel rods and they play "fishing for kittens" under the big evergreen bush by the back porch.<br />
<br />
Marco, one of our indoor males, got out today when DH was putting the dog out. He just scooted underneath her and around her legs and out the door. DH told me when I called him during my lunch break. I told him not to worry, Marco will be back. Sure enough, about a half hour later DH called back and said he went to the back door and opened it and in dashed Marco. Fool cat has it good in the house and gets scared everytime he goes out but he still does it. I think the kittens scared him today. He sees them thru the screen on the door and has even been nose-to-nose with them at various times - but up close and personal those little things can be pretty frightening!<br />
<br />
VBS starts June 14th. With the medication problems I am running behind on craft preparation but I will have things done in time. All supplies except the last few bottles of glue have been purchased and the few extras I need like moist wipes and paper towels, etc. I hope I have the necessary energy to get thru the week.<br />
<br />
My energy has improved on the Cymbalta and my aches and pains are less than they were. But the insomnia can still leave me dragging or else the sleep medication leaves me groggy and unsteady for hours in the morning. But the lovely side effect of loss of appetite continues. I rarely experience any hunger pangs and have no interest in snacking. In fact, DH has to remind me to eat. Unfortunately, I also don't ever feel full or satisfied after eating. Go figure.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-56737300854127062862010-05-01T02:47:00.000-04:002010-05-01T02:47:01.066-04:00Wide Awake at 2:30 a.m.I have been going thru some medication changes in the last few weeks. Unfortunately, both the med I have just weaned off of and the new one I am just starting have a side effect in common - insomnia. I seem to be experiencing the side effect on the new one, too. If this keeps up I'll just stay awake all the time except for little naps which do not rejuvenate me. The side effect I would like to happen - decreased appetite - may be showing itself also. That one I could live with. I often wonder if the medications are worth the side effects. I should have left well enough alone but now I have to go thru with something. More doctor visits coming up.<br />
<br />
The kittens will be 7 weeks old on Sunday. They are active and loving little things and I will hate to give them up but I cannot have any more cats. We have several too many now. I have taken to calling the two "black" ones Bravehearts as they were the first to do most things and were the first to venture along the sidewalk in the back yard. One of the two just loves to be cuddled and will climb pant legs to get picked up. The tortie has become quite adventursome also. She was the last born and was a little runty at first but has caught up with the others and holds her own quite well in competition for food and playing. We discovered them on top of the concrete block wall between our house and our neighbors on the north this morning. I watched until I figured out how they were doing it and then removed the climbing aids. If one of them should fall off the wall on the wrong side it would never make it back on its own and Lady Jane is not always around to fetch a wanderer back home.<br />
<br />
Last night Lady Jane deposited a gift at the back door for the kittens. Thankfully the chipmunk was deceased when I found it and disposed of it. I am glad she is training them but could do without the gifts.<br />
<br />
Well, the cup of hot chocolate may have worked. Back to bed to try sleeping again.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-90245639735785227492010-04-12T18:54:00.005-04:002010-04-12T19:02:54.774-04:00We Are CatOne month old and already very much Cat!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3okQi7VdqEXWC3auwjOKnS75FwdaUDB-zl4ZLp_pweGeDUVXTQBJV9FT8RvHGmz-BAoWVS-GXiq1e9r7AfxnVVPZZosNYQW2kLbTMzEPFyB2WnrKkOX8t-GrOe439bQk3ZZ-o_D8xlLY9/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459389140373790770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3okQi7VdqEXWC3auwjOKnS75FwdaUDB-zl4ZLp_pweGeDUVXTQBJV9FT8RvHGmz-BAoWVS-GXiq1e9r7AfxnVVPZZosNYQW2kLbTMzEPFyB2WnrKkOX8t-GrOe439bQk3ZZ-o_D8xlLY9/s400/IMG_1433.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcJjgqjjbfB5Wf5-P6eE9kWStHh9xFJn25k4NQuNwPaZu2ECgnB2VlUpKzuSsJ3IxRdK9oE3BSFjZBQdZp5zg6VYcAc6GXY4ZNZ7kJ-jKgder3lA2eqvxpnhir8Gh31i8MebdMAbC9-Mj/s1600/IMG_1447b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459388973300708722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcJjgqjjbfB5Wf5-P6eE9kWStHh9xFJn25k4NQuNwPaZu2ECgnB2VlUpKzuSsJ3IxRdK9oE3BSFjZBQdZp5zg6VYcAc6GXY4ZNZ7kJ-jKgder3lA2eqvxpnhir8Gh31i8MebdMAbC9-Mj/s400/IMG_1447b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i65h3wFSCZCagVdWmLRc1VaLnDvxBydbnqgGNV_hiTeMXw2uAf9n35QKEEi0-HWpsk11ceAiwJIuZOvnKdSeT24DmeK4IxFCUv01bWxx3RhV6YHkPeJLfI4X7fZDwtxELMK8Hlh-lzox/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459388745630814034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i65h3wFSCZCagVdWmLRc1VaLnDvxBydbnqgGNV_hiTeMXw2uAf9n35QKEEi0-HWpsk11ceAiwJIuZOvnKdSeT24DmeK4IxFCUv01bWxx3RhV6YHkPeJLfI4X7fZDwtxELMK8Hlh-lzox/s400/IMG_1423.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjkxg7C79dT78mAiU21hPA8WnQfJ7Zu7J8tRVlA-oHwIN9IeXkDp6QpNPXf-yHt6Wr6szgD9bP956DYSsyCD1Mnw1HSlrLzKJMpiN5haZ7mrqZH4mFHMnvUekUOZlaleeQI9xj_bXSYCW/s1600/IMG_1425cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459388589458721426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjkxg7C79dT78mAiU21hPA8WnQfJ7Zu7J8tRVlA-oHwIN9IeXkDp6QpNPXf-yHt6Wr6szgD9bP956DYSsyCD1Mnw1HSlrLzKJMpiN5haZ7mrqZH4mFHMnvUekUOZlaleeQI9xj_bXSYCW/s400/IMG_1425cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Three of the 4 have started eating either dry or canned food. The little tortie has not quite decided such things are edible. They just came out from under the porch this weekend and both Lady Jane and I are not quite certain we like this new development. They were safe and contained and now they are loose!</div></div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-9306929696054514872010-03-31T16:38:00.023-04:002010-03-31T17:37:34.841-04:00VBS Egypt beginnings<p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMC_Z6WumVXXFp6cIsJ9tpiSKNCjlKiI9Zdtod9_zbTI0LdULj2-1qHBPeHwrixAePIOXEMGr-kmupVL9aDOqGMYT1Sk-tXbRry15hJI0X9RQGg5eW5pOWfpg-sQLnI_-_unJDN1mUSoJ/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG"></a></p><p>I got my last outstanding order for craft supplies for VBS Egypt today. (The full title is Egypt - Joseph's journey from prison to palace.) I have been having a good time planning the crafts and ordering supplies. There are still a few things I need but I will probably purchase most of them locally.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTrSvhC04jwdJHqm1wBorlt-h3MzkKph0VUjRGwMKLJbwghHd1C3dCGKSvHd5t3IYkCUskA8uOUxd-pCYFU9kh1zCv6oTemNthRtmWITxpzGEfeF705HbZIM8yE2obMoEwdqamssWhKLW/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454909285497636818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTrSvhC04jwdJHqm1wBorlt-h3MzkKph0VUjRGwMKLJbwghHd1C3dCGKSvHd5t3IYkCUskA8uOUxd-pCYFU9kh1zCv6oTemNthRtmWITxpzGEfeF705HbZIM8yE2obMoEwdqamssWhKLW/s400/IMG_1380.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I made a senet game box from a baseball card storage box. The sample looks nice and I think both kids and adults will h<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMC_Z6WumVXXFp6cIsJ9tpiSKNCjlKiI9Zdtod9_zbTI0LdULj2-1qHBPeHwrixAePIOXEMGr-kmupVL9aDOqGMYT1Sk-tXbRry15hJI0X9RQGg5eW5pOWfpg-sQLnI_-_unJDN1mUSoJ/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG"></a>ave fun making them. I have heiroglyphic stamps we can use to decorate the playing board as well as the sides. I am also considering using a heiroglyphic font and printing out stickers the kids can use on the playing board. We will use flat back glass stones for the gaming pieces. I still need to decide what we will use for the throwing sticks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqYfznrv5lqMFmWie9tMZU8KneLTFUymkxJjOw7-yzKq8IcKJLFTAXUKcxsiCPSYucGVeUEYumjgKX0Uzel-OcHJ-0zgQpyURgFa1Vm6dFZKQJvFXQ5Kyuc0FsRyjoZMp3XMtA-OgpugH/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454908469166122690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqYfznrv5lqMFmWie9tMZU8KneLTFUymkxJjOw7-yzKq8IcKJLFTAXUKcxsiCPSYucGVeUEYumjgKX0Uzel-OcHJ-0zgQpyURgFa1Vm6dFZKQJvFXQ5Kyuc0FsRyjoZMp3XMtA-OgpugH/s400/IMG_1417.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have also crocheted two beaded headdresses and may make more. I may also try just a headband with beads crocheted into it. The kids will make simpler headbands from fun foam and will have "jewels" to glue on as well as beads to dangle down in strings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwARVogsh1azTq59njNLNrRel-T9HxXG5PdBCdFyntkAEeCnlDbK6tpAuh1oz6K8c4X1v5eK_4xYz2q_Hd80TComWSfkXW_loE04F-0Ig3nsGBHaqiVTUbIHXH6N_4XLGKbQluerF3FHBR/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454907384170736962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwARVogsh1azTq59njNLNrRel-T9HxXG5PdBCdFyntkAEeCnlDbK6tpAuh1oz6K8c4X1v5eK_4xYz2q_Hd80TComWSfkXW_loE04F-0Ig3nsGBHaqiVTUbIHXH6N_4XLGKbQluerF3FHBR/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" border="0" /></a>And I have made several beaded collar style necklaces that the leaders can wear. I am enjoying making these from my stash of beads and memory wire. Some of the beads are from disassembled garage sale necklaces and some are from costume jewelry I have inherited from various relatives. I am also still using the large supply of plastic beads I inherited from my grandmother.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHitkIP8KxsFdwj1Fg4jTG_TgT_zG4pTElNI5UrYOYyn4_CbpwS8SkLl1b3vxCXKJ3vcN_vWGH0O3frT7Fr9CGDVEcSut0mHYgQN68OOAlo7vMdc8ayw0jO8JTY7El4YY8rtajTwqvvrZE/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454905902607863378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHitkIP8KxsFdwj1Fg4jTG_TgT_zG4pTElNI5UrYOYyn4_CbpwS8SkLl1b3vxCXKJ3vcN_vWGH0O3frT7Fr9CGDVEcSut0mHYgQN68OOAlo7vMdc8ayw0jO8JTY7El4YY8rtajTwqvvrZE/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids will make their broad collars from material which I have yet to locate and purchase and the quilling paper I have purchased. The collars should be really colorful. We may use some of the "jewels" left over from the headbands on these as well. </p><p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1RjynlvGoB6wqMQtr5kr86Uyzs3ELwj7-xI-T30NThODRruiDn_APQ3BxsDXhGyVpj9omzN__9-LUPnW3iOp6utHoFiOmy5romUKXTU9xvdQcPr7NdLT0R3yQ_U8E8NoB2J576JmI6EU/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454905467474592498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1RjynlvGoB6wqMQtr5kr86Uyzs3ELwj7-xI-T30NThODRruiDn_APQ3BxsDXhGyVpj9omzN__9-LUPnW3iOp6utHoFiOmy5romUKXTU9xvdQcPr7NdLT0R3yQ_U8E8NoB2J576JmI6EU/s400/IMG_1409.JPG" border="0" /></a> The older children will make their own cuff bracelets using pony beads and memory wire. The younger children will use pony bead bracelet forms I found on-line. The order I received today was 8000 pony beads in gold, copper, turquoise, and pearl colors. I have other pony beads as well that can be used but I really wanted the gold and turquoise beads for these and the headdresses. </p><p>I never realized until I was researching online that red was not a favored color in Egypt. The Egyptians actually liked black more than red because black represented the good soil deposited each year when the Nile flooded. Red, on the other hand, was the color of the desert sand.<br /><br />I still need to purchase the oven-bake clay for the cartouche necklaces but I know what I want to use for these. Sister Beth told me the kids (and adults) really enjoyed making the clay necklaces last year. They always enjoy something they can wear or make for a relative. I want to find the same stone colored clays I did last year to make their cartouche necklaces.</p><p></p><p>I hope to have a few quick and easy crafts for the kids who show up early as I usually try to do. We usually do four nights of crafts and have the pizza party on the last night so there is only time to finish up crafts on Friday. So the planned crafts will most likely be the senet game box; the broad collars; beaded/jeweled headbands (and maybe armbands); and the cartouche necklace. The extra crafts will probably include the pony bead bracelets and fun foam picture frames (we plan on taking pictures of the kids and printing them out right at VBS) that can also be decorated with heiroglyphics and quilling paper. We also hope to be able to use face paints to give the kids Egyptian eyes on one or two (or all five) nights if possible.</p><p> </p><p>Now, if I can just make it through without any major health issues for either DH or me. That is going to be the challenge. Prayers, please.</p>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-13063121259494993022010-03-22T17:53:00.011-04:002010-03-22T18:05:05.694-04:00Hail, was that fun or what?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0cEY131OO3MYInr0xh_tBC46lC-QF7jAMe2UcZoehuaA2UkoNDeheXYyZfrdmsrYlH8zZNmHnrkO7nA6I3MQrlfGvwsYPUBY0TohxDY8ED0vu6e8Ezgjog21zDtNgf2HE6dwGUgW5tVz/s1600-h/IMG_1309.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451581981492192802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0cEY131OO3MYInr0xh_tBC46lC-QF7jAMe2UcZoehuaA2UkoNDeheXYyZfrdmsrYlH8zZNmHnrkO7nA6I3MQrlfGvwsYPUBY0TohxDY8ED0vu6e8Ezgjog21zDtNgf2HE6dwGUgW5tVz/s400/IMG_1309.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTR6DDSDvPwWr3vpwEjqvuejvzu_xVFsrcxyRMKHBWDwsPXDxzzVYY7-b12wXpdqtZPnJKmhO3TnKexdD_gGqvo_6IrhkMvN6O6Od4l_jSP3Zbo2QbV1czbCNsQDsdPBQA38K_z5O0tk7/s1600-h/IMG_1314.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451581569835764306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTR6DDSDvPwWr3vpwEjqvuejvzu_xVFsrcxyRMKHBWDwsPXDxzzVYY7-b12wXpdqtZPnJKmhO3TnKexdD_gGqvo_6IrhkMvN6O6Od4l_jSP3Zbo2QbV1czbCNsQDsdPBQA38K_z5O0tk7/s400/IMG_1314.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVqfdMOK60thXTjuYSHVV6Ghnd8myaGSPo_59iqUekOYO6JsGWizXZsddcILQIHOeBuaPTQoVIxbrCFmQxEIfTGSvSho6W0BIKpbVHuleZuAvl9VH6cRTbgXnvnN82-Mxu-sf5VCfsC2z/s1600-h/IMG_1315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451581345557016626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVqfdMOK60thXTjuYSHVV6Ghnd8myaGSPo_59iqUekOYO6JsGWizXZsddcILQIHOeBuaPTQoVIxbrCFmQxEIfTGSvSho6W0BIKpbVHuleZuAvl9VH6cRTbgXnvnN82-Mxu-sf5VCfsC2z/s400/IMG_1315.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59B-VoOTmX3_jJe_GJUDJCKsRqDEOEVRXWUjtv5cPz8W7MyUafA2jwskekfwRs7o7WWYRHuR4b0leKy2iEIioH_e2sRJ2ZfftJWXgJq4oisOugdnBYWF-E_EzsL39-oazF6IgCyTL6xN6/s1600-h/IMG_1319.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451581192434986546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59B-VoOTmX3_jJe_GJUDJCKsRqDEOEVRXWUjtv5cPz8W7MyUafA2jwskekfwRs7o7WWYRHuR4b0leKy2iEIioH_e2sRJ2ZfftJWXgJq4oisOugdnBYWF-E_EzsL39-oazF6IgCyTL6xN6/s400/IMG_1319.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhyphenhyphenpKK5RmYexSgH6jwFyeyZsQyACnxDNOFDxvzq9_vuGPGpyo9kNWe9ExQrDJTrrSaBjI-m8YvRdULF2i-GmjFcW4jv7JUzOAgWBrfA8_W41zStZEPprHiyYED7wxwaZNQb__JQQ4XSPe/s1600-h/IMG_1327.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451581031193224946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhyphenhyphenpKK5RmYexSgH6jwFyeyZsQyACnxDNOFDxvzq9_vuGPGpyo9kNWe9ExQrDJTrrSaBjI-m8YvRdULF2i-GmjFcW4jv7JUzOAgWBrfA8_W41zStZEPprHiyYED7wxwaZNQb__JQQ4XSPe/s400/IMG_1327.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1CoAQsNZsNq6iNRy3iM9sHBhmBJOLKk4iv1MM2kDAXJMIUEL9519anC6boFvJU0yCn2Sg85DN7AQNPdTqZ8PW_g9rDl0O-D5d6Bsf2AC9EBQEwDEA8y-SSFVmDQ6N0QRs3kppxJpIvP4/s1600-h/IMG_1332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451580696818118482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1CoAQsNZsNq6iNRy3iM9sHBhmBJOLKk4iv1MM2kDAXJMIUEL9519anC6boFvJU0yCn2Sg85DN7AQNPdTqZ8PW_g9rDl0O-D5d6Bsf2AC9EBQEwDEA8y-SSFVmDQ6N0QRs3kppxJpIvP4/s400/IMG_1332.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2FpR8QfTIVIUh-rPZm0jvTrDGXHm0grT5EUOLpf2HkjMnuVphFFn0nTvhyphenhyphenmpcITDQf17z8-yNHfiBVGR2-S-tWiQskdDQa3rXS9nezdTedH59Y2OMQGFW8jDpQfkXC94e0m3bUeS1D_n/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451580158580096930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2FpR8QfTIVIUh-rPZm0jvTrDGXHm0grT5EUOLpf2HkjMnuVphFFn0nTvhyphenhyphenmpcITDQf17z8-yNHfiBVGR2-S-tWiQskdDQa3rXS9nezdTedH59Y2OMQGFW8jDpQfkXC94e0m3bUeS1D_n/s400/IMG_1335.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgik2hWK_uN4CTQEZTxMb-8tuFCZCvQyirSvo1Z5fWVioj8-UvpzsM6rYNeaL66Viu6xiDjOWJ-vos0J0TnkukGVDZRraxZWVRg_fqUqZf0yT3o5YO6DuV_BFOI0DSEXy5ZblW22FAQoz/s1600-h/IMG_1337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451579961267719778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgik2hWK_uN4CTQEZTxMb-8tuFCZCvQyirSvo1Z5fWVioj8-UvpzsM6rYNeaL66Viu6xiDjOWJ-vos0J0TnkukGVDZRraxZWVRg_fqUqZf0yT3o5YO6DuV_BFOI0DSEXy5ZblW22FAQoz/s400/IMG_1337.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-52019271324082497722010-03-20T11:02:00.005-04:002010-03-20T11:31:58.942-04:001, 2, 3, ...4!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe-QyZc5c1A7-jPIOc8uwp5-oaXrOAJM_TOKYLoyyN-rI4IyqxP1GqYMdGRSBtYpwCXjLJobeh5qtrxas8kyjfsP9l-syM-UPCUphmBfpz9XYTiSi3EnbYZt2Md9tQZyiWee7jcxCR8Bs/s1600-h/IMG_1305.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450731762940649170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe-QyZc5c1A7-jPIOc8uwp5-oaXrOAJM_TOKYLoyyN-rI4IyqxP1GqYMdGRSBtYpwCXjLJobeh5qtrxas8kyjfsP9l-syM-UPCUphmBfpz9XYTiSi3EnbYZt2Md9tQZyiWee7jcxCR8Bs/s400/IMG_1305.JPG" border="0" /></a>There are 4 kittens and, as cats will, Lady Jane moved them the other day. At first we were not sure where she went but knew that she was close as she still showed up for meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!<br /><br />We have now discovered she and kits are behind the garbage can under our bedroom window. The can is one we do not use and there is a stack of concrete blocks there as well as other materials forming a nice little den as long as it does not rain. Rain is predicted for late tomorrow, of course. So I made her another shelter out of a covered litter pan and placed it close to the garbage can hoping she will see fit to move into it when the rains come.<br /><br />And in the continuing saga of DH and my "conditions", I tripped going UP the basement stairs yesterday and injured the large toe on my left foot, and I already have what is probably a heel spur on my right foot. So I limp on both feet right now. LOL.<br /><br />VBS crafts are progressing nicely, too. We are doing Joseph in Egypt so I have been looking for alternative ways of making the crafts offered by the company as I usually do. I am making a senet game box from a baseball card storage box and quilling paper. I have a set of hieroglphyic stamps and we will order a few more sets and use those to decorate the boxes along with some metallic quilling paper as well. I am really pleased with this so far. It will make a nice sturdy treasure box for the children to keep after VBS.<br /><br />I am also crocheting Egyptian headdresses, the kind with long bead fringes. I have used gold metallic crochet cotton and pony beads in various colors to make multicolored headdresses as I have not been anywhere to purchase just gold beads yet. This will not be a kids craft as it is. We will make a simpler version with the children. Probably a headband of some sort with strings of beads, either pre-strung beads or pony beads they tie on themselves.<br /><br />We are also going to make the broad collars out of light weight material and metallic quilling paper cut into squares, diamonds, jewel shapes. This should be a nice craft for the kids as they will get to use scissors and glue. I plan on having plenty of hand-wipes available for both this and the senet game box.<br /><br />The other nice craft I am planning is a cartouche necklace out of oven-bake clay and using the hieroglyphic stamps to stamp a version of the child's name into the clay.<br /><br />I am hoping to get the rest of the VBS shopping done soon so all will be ready before the beginning of June and we can concentrate on the decorating which has so many possibilities!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-13164246704871222232010-03-14T09:01:00.003-04:002010-03-14T09:38:06.116-04:00New LifeSpring is almost here! The daffodils along Mom & Dad's driveway have broken thru the ground and are climbing higher. Until the recent wind many of them were wearing leaf caps. I found a small bunch of blooming volunteers in my yard in one of Sassy's favorite spots. They look like a flower that grows from bulbs so I wonder where they came from. Temperatures have moderated and the snow is mostly gone and the gutters have unfrozen. We have had some rain and now worries about the creeks and river are being voiced.<br /><div></div><br /><div>And Lady Jane, the cat who adopted us this past winter, has delivered three kittens in the winter shelter we made for her on the back porch.</div><br /><div></div><div>She was supposed to go to the local animal shelter before this happened but I have been battling a cold or sinus or allergy problems and then last week we lost Sassy so I have not been functioning as I should.</div><br /><div></div><div>Three more kittens! Lord, have mercy.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448483077449016178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuywOXrLiofzff5VsW89zLrSzeU0Z_OrtTfB-eNj9HHCdcxXYcb2aJHMOTp9F1Sul7LhI3mNcVM9s-eoD1Wq4MKbnjSxej9rLG2Hiaq-KfQNHs4PfE1BPXoHmb4jNJXeHJAdugm0L4lh-u/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" border="0" />Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-59379685220055623902010-03-13T08:46:00.003-05:002010-03-13T08:55:42.843-05:00Thank youI want to thank everyone for their sympathy comments about Sassy.<br /><br />She was my dog for 16 years and I will miss her for a long time. I have no children of my own but do have wonderful nieces and nephews and their families that I love very much. But Sassy was my baby. She was conceived on my birthday during a birthday party that we still talk about. She and her littermates were born in my sister's bedroom closet with family watching. Four of the litter stayed in the family: my Dad's dog, Sam; Beth's dog Sugar; Nancy's dog Peaches; and my Sassafras. Only Peaches remains now.<br /><br />Sassy had been losing ground for a few months and had had an episode that may have been a seizure or stroke a few days earlier in the week. Saturday morning she seemed okay, she ate, and took care of business as usual but did not want to leave my side. Then she started yelping and could not walk. We got her to the vet within an hour but she died before the vet could do anything. The vet said it was probably more strokes. Both Joe and I were with her petting her and holding her until we realized she was already gone. I miss her. I still look for her when I get up in the night or when I hear someone else's collar jingle. My baby.<br /><br />"Just a Dog" is an expression of grief and a rebuttal to all those people who say "well, it was just an animal, not a person." She and all the other loved pets are more than "just" anything.<br /><br />Thank you all again.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-23105440988122081022010-03-06T18:30:00.002-05:002010-03-06T18:37:20.362-05:00Just a Dog<div align="center">Just a Dog</div><br />She was just a dog, my Sassafras,<br />The only one of the litter who looked like her mother, long and lean and fast.<br /><br />She was just a dog, my hollow-dog,<br />Pat her on the side of the ribs and she sounded like a loaf of bread fresh from the oven.<br /><br />She was just a dog who followed from the front,<br />And stood in the way and didn’t come when she was called unless food was involved.<br /><br />She was just a dog, all skin and bones,<br />Who shivered during thunder storms and shook the bed and barked at the wind.<br /><br />She was just a dog who liked to sleep between<br />So we called her sandwich-dog because she was the filling at night in bed.<br /><br />She was just a dog, my Sassyfrassy,<br />Who would wait at the front door for me to come home even when Pa was home.<br /><br />She was just a dog, a worry-wort like me,<br />Who told me when the microwave dinged or the cat was where it shouldn’t be.<br /><br />She was just a dog we called jack-rabbit<br />Because she could jump as high as the fence, but never jumped over it.<br /><br />She was just a dog who loved to ride in the car<br />And feel the wind in her nose and barked at everything she saw.<br /><br />She was just a dog who thought she owned the world<br />As far as she could see or smell and had to protect her people from everyone, everywhere.<br /><br />She was just a dog who got old<br />After sixteen years of being my faithful, loving companion no matter what.<br /><br />She was just a dog who loved me.<br /><br />She was just a dog.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">For Sassafras, March 6, 2010</span>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-39293021535003688152010-02-21T08:38:00.013-05:002010-02-21T09:02:16.113-05:00Ice ScupturesThe snow has ended temporarily at least and the sun has come out to warm our hearts and streets and sidewalks - and aid in the further creation of ice dams in the gutters that are unfortunately causing some so far minor indoor problems. But the wonderful outdoor creations are what I concentrated on on Friday. Ice sculptures by nature. <div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440692737234304818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWY5O3IKjir4zSwX_cfxP7x3uFckPPTiFy6sDNeoD8r9BQCVg5Yy5DrBW2wCBPFZXF7iM5iANRYvstMWDDpSPILrYBPgCFRal4lDjz1SmHiyFuvWA5dmCtNMShsMuybB5aTSydtYH9JtG/s400/IMG_1251.JPG" border="0" />Somewhere in the above photo is a single tall weed that has been coated in ice from water dripping off the frozen gutter overhead.<br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440692335103865106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6E006R9nZnDJshIzu67j0XmO69q3Rvjfo4hldcK4DL5GGXZiLkXcBUZRwf3F_HqXcvM029pdg5Evaqijx9wN61rlxNmDZZsOBEZv-lD50UpM7PjGwMKK_whQcbZ1-qNjsCNMURPnZgsc/s400/IMG_1261.JPG" border="0" /></div>The above photo and the two following are ice that has fallen from the frozen gutters and from around the window frames.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440692026235053538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVBJDtx1HkFA3iS5IzE51RDRoyWFqZYfKQlnD_ZjWYfg9V0O45MTQ-DQD7bwnA4fkiulvfBymb6EA3j16H62f5dQzaf8qla7tH0F8NzfVq2FQYZ1YlfESU15KcMpozHaS8k0ORjtY-pZf/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440691790047782978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeU_0KLSqybnZokflByNnD9fHG6VnPyusp2ct5eQ7wM192C6dcufQmkGkWQMuy7_jt5aYTbvDmT4wthk-VQ5cOI3Xy_2AWoBKm-ZCCKpsRwyCUjeNWbf2aNOtWGehae2hXZyg2Q-BN7WY/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" border="0" />When we drive thru town on our way somewhere I am fascinated by all the icicles I see hanging from the eaves of buildings and homes and from some overhead wires. So many houses have ice dams along the roof edges. With our own troubles with ice dams right now I pray for all the people in those houses, too. Water - so essential and so troublesome.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We have a leaks/leaks in the smaller bedroom we use for an office. Everytime we leave the room we cover all electrical (computer, etc) with plastic sheeting in hopes of preventing any tragedy. So far the leaks have confined themselves to the front window (where the ice dam is) and a few small drips elsewhere. Yesterday DH and I went to the attic (he went all the way, I stayed on the folding stairs and handed him stuff). Not altogether bad. Found the leak. Found a huge wasp nest (not currently active). </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Today we will have to try to do something to break thru the ice dam and let the water drain off the roof. The gutters are completely frozen. Have read some things on line and think we will try snow melter filled socks or pantyhose tossed on the edge of the roof and allowed to hang over. Supposed to melt a channel thru the ice to allow water to flow off the roof instead of damming up behind the ice. Worth a try. If we do it, I'll have to take pictures of socks and pantyhose hanging off the roof. </div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-8969535503012873872010-02-14T11:18:00.002-05:002010-02-14T11:21:36.930-05:00Snowbird<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQS2PJcjRu4yiYotaHvUkMJx3k23KyLeYkoPRj-eoxHhAx3lHYGF4Ii9KE3JVADjYh3xlHTNQtW_PTeT5BjADUgeUcwiMN3oZAP9pMAipDu4jyc3wLHHsRZnKn1n1C_qAkl4gTH5KxgnsH/s1600-h/IMG_1239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438135034492820706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQS2PJcjRu4yiYotaHvUkMJx3k23KyLeYkoPRj-eoxHhAx3lHYGF4Ii9KE3JVADjYh3xlHTNQtW_PTeT5BjADUgeUcwiMN3oZAP9pMAipDu4jyc3wLHHsRZnKn1n1C_qAkl4gTH5KxgnsH/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-61715315725126289382010-02-08T17:39:00.005-05:002010-02-08T17:59:10.834-05:00Spiffy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSPGKA8F-FtDvvqoS5N6koLLJTDZVuUZ_clbSAUHOWBw0pfEWvszKAzqm8QQ2_KFpNi8M31kGGcfcfQLaLZee-z9TmFwWKTxZJlym9ggeo3mf6LHP-_JoSfc32a43gu2lzvE4XdjNbjY/s1600-h/IMG_1222.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436010304190783010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSPGKA8F-FtDvvqoS5N6koLLJTDZVuUZ_clbSAUHOWBw0pfEWvszKAzqm8QQ2_KFpNi8M31kGGcfcfQLaLZee-z9TmFwWKTxZJlym9ggeo3mf6LHP-_JoSfc32a43gu2lzvE4XdjNbjY/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" border="0" /></a>Got a couple of cute pics of Sassy in her "spiffy" sweater after shoveling the sidewalk yesterday. Lady Jane put her appearance in too. She followed me across the sidewalk as I was shoveling slowly toward Mom and Dad's. Every time I stopped she sat down and meowed at me until I started shoveling again. I guess she wanted the path cleared so she did not have to "walk" in the snow (more like wade through it). Nancy and Richard came down and cleaned off Dad's vehicle so I only had the sidewalk to Mom and Dad's, our front steps and walk, a small path to the street, and our vehicle to clear off. I took my time and enjoyed the scenery.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The last big storm we had there were any number of younger, stronger souls out in the neighborhood asking if they could clear walks for cash. This time I did not see anyone walking with a shovel. Thankfully, several neighbors have yard tractors or ATV's with plows, etc., and took care of the street (and Dad's driveway, thank you). I did not even see or hear kids out sledding this time. I remember sled riding down the lane when we lived "on the hilltop" and getting soaked to the skin and loving it. Today the kids stay indoors and play videogames. Times change. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Today both DH and I went to the doctor. He has been in misery this weekend with another bad headache and pain all down his left side from hip to foot. Diagnosis - sciatica. So he got a cortisone shot and Rx for pain meds and was told not to go to work at least tomorrow. I got another "gentle" probing of my bursa in the left hip and Zipsor samples and Rx to fill later. The doctor also talked me into trying a fibromyalgia medication called Savella. He gave me a two-week starter sample of the Savella as well as an Rx for it. Read up on both online and does not sound too bad for side effects so going to give it a try. Both the doctor and I think the bursitis could be partially fibro pain or could be triggering some fibro pressure points. I know I really hurt right now - worse than I have in a few years. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Weather prediction for the next few days says another 4-8 inches of snow is on its way. They already cancelled school in a number of local counties. </div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-49755446313091395292010-02-07T10:23:00.011-05:002010-02-07T12:41:01.533-05:00After the Storm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeoLfU1QTncvf4ptLmfoOz_WE6Kge-dONPaC0AnByfCo1m-UQpj-pJtAyw0VFy-0LSm1wscyDYa5t_g9s_xoYhNEqQOTybqgTFicpl0LZpBq5UfCsOhjoOQbDvh2gaRJlrnUhJIybuxkZ/s1600-h/IMG_1178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435529955994048450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeoLfU1QTncvf4ptLmfoOz_WE6Kge-dONPaC0AnByfCo1m-UQpj-pJtAyw0VFy-0LSm1wscyDYa5t_g9s_xoYhNEqQOTybqgTFicpl0LZpBq5UfCsOhjoOQbDvh2gaRJlrnUhJIybuxkZ/s400/IMG_1178.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>The snow finally stopped falling yesterday afternoon although it was flurrying when I got up this morning. Today we will have to dig out - sidewalks and steps but not Dad's driveway as some kind soul has done that for us. A newscaster yesterday estimated that a 10 foot by 40 foot driveway with the snowfall we have had (8-14 inches) comes out to about 5400 pounds of snow to be removed.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435530255347203058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCPLxi22KV68q69u1fqZl6fRFKcN4c7LDY5Va96uNIrbaYON1NmIJvNj4ZpFZhyjyBu2rdUqXpwhQluWxwzwyk84m4l9GSRaDPP0yTNgQArj1hKden0pVJGRT_E5ByGIWQyxBMCY6lxNS/s400/IMG_1187.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Took some pictures thru the bedroom window yesterday and this morning.<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435530632790014482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_nBsjhyknOgN3D8fGia8CLuw-2z6rLBlkwhYazqGcX8Bij7xNtMr12Az3Y70a2GVNayYo8atxljmTp54BqHMZRjglTet5Ir7nqwmDQAyhhHNiZwcT1Dxp58x3qRTaqmdB4sF37x9anEv/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" border="0" /> <div><br />It was beautiful coming down and piling up as long as no problems developed. DH and I and Mom, Dad and Beth all stayed home. But Jen had to work Friday and Saturday. The last I heard she stayed near work overnight Friday and would stay again last night if need be. Hope to hear more of her story soon. I have to wonder if the store even had any customers on Saturday - a level 3 alert in that county means no one on the road unless it is an emergency. </div><div><br /></div><div>DH has another bad headache today. We had hopes that the neurologist was right and the medicine he prescribed would take care of the headaches but today he is in real pain again. And I have bursitis in my left hip. The hip and leg had been getting progressively sorer for a few weeks and at my regular check-up last Monday I told the doctor. He gave me a cortisone shot and said let him know if not better in a week. Well, it was a little better for a day or so but still really giving me a hard time so I guess I have to call tomorrow - especially after we do the shoveling and car clean-off today. </div><div><br /></div><div>Took some photos of the snow but am missing the one of my dog Sassy in her "spiffy" (DH's description) new sweater. Sassy is and always has been so skinny. I call her my hollow dog as she sounds like a drum when you pat her on the ribs. She also has had some health problems this year and I recently bought her two winter sweaters. She adapted to wearing them very easily and even wears them in the house when it is really cold out. I got a picture of her in one of the sweaters but still need to get the "spiffy" picture.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435529314239254146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cMmZXu11zCKmzF7IeDNen4HuWQvOI5sD_vevV3O6yvHdhhkwbjlvV1nHY7T7asKdi4kw0DMb_M468MINEMtFab4UUn48gr2qIeqvNYlmSKcxHcOiGTpbBNenCNIv0AGsIjMoGqP5QE2c/s400/IMG_1168.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>The outdoor cat who adopted us has hung around through all the bad weather. I made her a better winter shelter (not what you see in the picture) and have filled it with pine and cedar chip bedding that she can snuggle down into. She smells like cedar now and I wonder if that will have any impact on her hunting. She spends time over at Mom and Dad's too on either of their porches. I broke down and began feeding her when it snowed the last time and have continued to give her dry food and a bit of canned on the colder days. She is now known as Lady Jane Grey. Very friendly and loving once she is certain you mean her no harm. </div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435527781163652098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyGhm0b0udk3YJMD4NGWaGY9tiT_5y5avlSDYubZryDWSvQG88LhU4pu9O_4uG23NHq9ZFd2Ahm-UzHZyvhRgcxXce51Q1iWPDuNs7pvSZl3_tzbA2p5ht5o901m3TuI6knloesVb4Tx2/s400/IMG_1161.JPG" border="0" /><br />Beginning to plan for Vacation Bible School this coming June. The theme this year is Joseph in Eqypt. Looks like fun but I am not shaving my head to get in character. I may wear the eye make-up though. LOL.</p></div></div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-46613165774944651352010-01-02T07:39:00.004-05:002010-01-02T08:05:19.971-05:00I'm Still AroundI have been remiss in posting. Got out of the habit during the time I could not be on-line on my own computer and so much has been going on since we got the new computer that I have not gotten back into the habit.<br /><br />Happy New Year to all! And thanks to Linda for reminding me I have friends out there who care about what happens to me and mine.<br /><br />Lets see ... since my fall experience - which I am still recovering from, not as young as I used to be and those pesky bruises have left some deep seated pains behind - DH has had cataract surgery which went very well, he continues to get good reports on his PSA and blood sugar has improved too.<br /><br />We have been adopted by another cat who is NOT NOT NOT coming in the house. She is a sweet grey and white bundle with a nice thick coat and must be getting food somewhere as she has been with us several weeks now and is still nicely padded along her ribs. We have provided a warm shelter for her as it has been very cold recently. In spite of no food from us she comes running up to us and purrs and even rubs against the dogs who have accepted her presence too (resignedly, I think).<br /><br />Sassy, my going on 15 year old dog appears to have had a stroke just this past week. We came home from shopping Tuesday night and she was having balance problems and weakness in her rear legs. She had been fine that morning. Wednesday I took time off from work and got her to the vet who diagnosed stroke and gave her a steroid shot and other injections as well and gave me pills for her nausea. There has been improvement and she should continue to get better over the next several weeks from what the vet said and what I have read on-line. She finally started eating a little again last night and this morning is not looking so miserable. She was drinking fluids all the time so I was not too worried (sure, I wasn't) but am relieved she is showing interest in food and keeping it down again.<br /><br />There are so many more things that have gone on but I don't want this to turn into a litany of woes (too late).<br /><br />So on the brighter side - I have taken another step into the electronic age and have a digital photo frame which I figured out how to use by myself and an mp3 player the size of a credit card that also displays photos, videos, etc. I even discovered that my little mp3 player will plug into my bedside clock/radio/cd player and play through the speakers. I feel so empowered (lol).<br /><br />I have a cell phone and have, with some trepidation, learned how to text and add minutes to it. Now I have to figure out how to clean up old messages I no longer want (just have not taken the time to do it).<br /><br />I am still taking photos but not on a steady basis. The recent snows have provided some good shots.<br /><br />I have let my hair grow for the first time in my adult life and now have hair that reaches below my shoulders (almost below my shoulder blades I think but hard to tell looking in the mirror myself). I want to get it trimmed/cut into layers that sweep back from my face and bangs to camo what I think of as a high forehead. All I need is the courage to let someone do it to me.<br /><br />There were a lot of good and wonderful things that happened in the last year. There were also some not so good and wonderful things that we have survived. I'm sure the new year will be the same. Looking forward to new joys and challenges.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-87929236411433213232009-10-02T12:18:00.002-04:002009-10-02T12:42:30.306-04:00I can't flybut I can fall!<br /><br />Thursday morning, the 1st of October, was an experience I hope never to repeat. DH left for work between 4:30 and 5 a.m. as usual. I did not get up until about 5:30. I had done laundry that had not been brought up from the basement yet so I was going downstairs to get clothes for work. Somehow, someway, some something, my foot slid off the top step and I went all the way to the basement concrete floor. I remember grabbing for handholds all the way down and screaming. Halfway down I thought I had caught myself but then went the rest of the way and ended up on the floor at the bottom with my legs still on the steps.<br /><br />Alone in the house except for cats and dogs at 5:45 in the morning and no one to know what happened until at least 8 a.m. when I was due to walk across to Mom and Dad's for Dad to take me to work. I could have been there for hours.<br /><br />I got up and walked away from it!<br /><br />A gallon plastic bottle of weed killer accompanied me down the steps from its place on a ledge to the right and that is what the back of my head landed on instead of the concrete. I also managed to miss the garden weasel tool that was at the foot of the steps with all its lovely spikes (it has been moved since).<br /><br />I have bruises and scrapes that are developing "nicely" but no broken bones or even sprains in my wrists or ankles.<br /><br />I still went to the other end of the basement and got my clothes for work then went back up the stairs and took my blood pressure (147/92) then went back down the basement stairs for looser clothing and then took a shower before I came to the conclusion that I needed to go to the emergency room. So I called sister Beth on her cell phone - got voicemail. I called on the land line and she answered on the first ring. She had heard the cell phone but could not get to it before it went to voicemail. Within 45 minutes of falling I was at the hospital and being checked out. My pressure was higher there (white coat syndrome contribution) but the doctor concluded that all my injuries were soft tissue and no bones were broken.<br /><br />Today I am really, really, really sore but still not as sore as I had thought I would be. A nurse called from the hospital to follow up this morning and I told her I wasn't screaming - just grunting when I move.<br /><br />Most of my injuries are to my arms from the stair rail and the post at the bottom. I also strained and bruised my ribs on the right side. I feel it from my neck to my butt and also my right leg as I did scrape my knee (nothing near as spectacular as <a href="http://jmariegems.blogspot.com/">Jen</a>'s boy did on the playground) and bruises around the knee as well. Even my toes hurt.<br /><br />But I GOT UP AND <u>WALKED</u> AWAY!<br /><br />After we left the emergency room Beth and I went to breakfast and then to Wal-Mart to pick up some cold packs and such. The man at the checkout asked how we were and Beth told him what had happened to me. He expressed his concern and said after something like this happens he always asks people what they learned from the experience. I told him I learned that God loves me - He sent that gallon plastic bottle down the steps with me for my head to land on instead of the concrete and I GOT UP AND WALKED AWAY.<br /><br />Thank you Lord.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-60297474708310365932009-09-30T06:02:00.002-04:002009-09-30T06:05:32.384-04:00Good News!The eye doctor says my eye is improving. His words were to the effect that there is very little swelling left and I am one of the lucky ones. I don't go back to see him for a month. So I made arrangements for my next appt to be the same day as DH's cataract surgery since he will have the surgery in the morning and be back at the dr's office that same afternoon. Life has been so interesting for the past year or so.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-10285910125892941182009-09-26T06:24:00.002-04:002009-09-26T06:38:49.449-04:00Quiet TimeHaven't done much with the new computer yet. No photos downloaded from the camera or music to work with. Using just the programs that came with the computer when we bought it right now and trying to wait for the Windows 7 upgrade in October. We are hoping to have a better experience that way for the install. Vista seems to be fighting with our Brother printer, too. If we leave the printer on all the time, it works. If we turn it off and then back on when the computer is already on the printer has been locking up on its boot. Went to the Brother site and found out about updated drivers but have not done anything further yet.<br /><br />I go back to the opthamologist on Tuesday afternoon. The last appt went well from my perspective. I thought my eye was not much different from before. He seemed surprised I said that and I got the impression he was seeing more damage internally. I suppose since I live with it every day I don't really notice small changes. I still think I am not seeing any worsening of the shadow. I do get a little dizzy sometimes after looking back and forth at the computer screen at work and at the papers I am working from. Could be the eye or could be my vertigo saying hello again. OTC meclazine(?) takes care of it.<br /><br />In further developments, DH is going to have cataract surgery in October - right before his 60th birthday. He goes for pre-op on the 21st and surgery on the 27th. He is also supposed to get his driver's license renewed before the 30th of October. The eye doctor says he "should" be able to pass whatever eye test the DMV has people taking now.<br /><br />Missing posting photos. Missing taking photos. Missing playing with photos and music. Looking forward to getting everything computer wise straightened out soon. Missing going yard saleing. This summer got lost with the surgery and recovery period.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-66992088117767396652009-09-12T07:38:00.002-04:002009-09-12T08:20:08.948-04:00And Life Goes OnThanks for the welcome back from Jen, Kim, and Linda. I really missed you all. Kim, I need a new invite to your "new" blog as the old one expired.<br /><br />Our lives have been so interesting lately that I often think of the blessing/curse "May you live in interesting times." I would settle for some boredom right now (but not too much, Lord).<br /><br />Some wonderful things have happened since January. We finally were able to get a newer vehicle thanks to DH's temporary VA benefits (lemonade from lemons). We got new TVs for the living room and bedroom (he can watch football and I can watch HGTV, NGEO, etc.). And of course the new computer. We have been eating out more often (I love that part) and eating better, too. There are other good/nice/wonderful things, too.<br /><br />But what stands out right now are the challenges.<br /><br />You know how much I look forward to Vacation Bible School each year. I love doing the crafts with the children and plan all year long to have good, easy, enjoyable, keepable crafts for them. This year I made it all the way to the Friday before the week of VBS. I had a regular doctor appt that day and DH and I went together (any excuse to take time off work). I mentioned to the doctor that I had had an upset stomach the day before and unusually for me I did actually upchuck. He said at first that it was probably just a gastro-intestinal virus. But as he was almost out the door he turned back and said "You know what, my wife had symptoms like this and it turned out to be appendicitis." Since he was going to be out-of-town for the weekend he wanted me to go over to the hospital and have tests done right then so we could <strong>rule out</strong> any problems with the appendix. That same night I had surgery to remove my appendix. That was June 12.<br /><br />I missed all of VBS and dear sister Beth and niece Jen had to take over the crafts. They did a wonderful job but I will not hear the end of it for a long long time (probably every time it gets close to a new VBS).<br /><br />I then spent the next month recuperating. I had hoped to get back to work quickly as we had just had a new database installed the same week as my surgery and I needed to be there to learn it the same time as everyone else. No such luck. My appendix was not in the "normal" location so I was not able to have the scope surgery but had to have the old-fashioned full incision so the pesky thing could be located and removed safely (Thank you, Lord, for CAT scans so they did not have to go poking around too much). So I did not get back to work even part-time until a month after the surgery. Part of the incision did not want to close and I have had to continue doctoring for it.<br /><br />Two months later it has finally healed ... just in time for the next part of the saga.<br /><br />Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy ... I have developed a "shadow" in my right eye that the opthamoligist says is due to this four word condition. It just happened this past week and I got to the eye doctor the next day. There are at least two versions of this thing and I seem to have the less nasty of the two ... the non-arteritic form rather than the arteritic or giant cell version which can be really bad. But I have lost part of the vision field in my right eye and there is a chance it could get worse or even appear in the left eye in the future. There is also a chance it could improve somewhat over the next few months. A little depressed right now but coming to terms with it. At this point I still have good forward vision and hope to retain that. As long as the shadow does not spread it should not impact my reading, computer useage, or photography too much. Driving should not be a problem (if DH ever gets my car running again - it has not been driven since my surgery).<br /><br />So life does go on and we are enjoying as much of it as we can. There are wonderful things every day. Clouds and sunshine that just take my breath away (I love light and shadow playing together). The cats running around the house in insane antics (and DH and I have the wounds to prove it). Children and babies (almost always make me smile). Flowers and trees and even insects (isn't the imagination of the Lord wonderful!). We will prevail.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-57078885109181795722009-09-06T07:31:00.003-04:002009-09-06T07:40:06.633-04:00Hello, Hello, HelloI'm back at last!<br /><br />We got the computer virus and spyware infestations in January and have been unable to safely go on-line since then until just recently. The solution for us was a new computer so I am now adjusting to Vista and will soon have to re-adjust to Windows 7 when it comes out as we get a free up-grade.<br /><br />The old computer was gone over by our computer savy nephew and he succeeded in taking care of most of the problems but some remained. He told us the solution may be to reformat the hard drive so we have been saving files (photographs! music! crafts! and so much more!). But when it came time to do the reformat we lost courage. So we will be asking him to help us once more.<br /><br />I have missed you all! It was difficult to try to get computer time elsewhere and I have had to read blogs on the sly and not very often.<br /><br />It has been such an "interesting" time for us. So much to share. But right now I want to catch on what I have missed on your blogs.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-8750387111406215612009-01-19T12:15:00.001-05:002009-01-19T12:16:53.365-05:00Computer TroublesWe have been down since Jan 1 with virus and spyware. Doing this brief post on borrowed computer. Hope to be back up and running at home soon.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-20523098761149192342008-12-25T11:30:00.003-05:002008-12-25T11:38:13.974-05:00More Christmas Present<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQGLgEZsonDLrzNq5-J-vvr8rINbUuCR5IQEOCQs9M4n1ExQW4_0_uIKhHS3EHXhb-ZhKtHyBbjjdYxb-rqQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>A gift from my mother and father. I get lots of Santas as I collect them and have well over 150 at this point. Some are antiques and family heirlooms, some were found at yard sales, most were gifts from family and friends. Jen is going to take pictures of many of them in the future.</p>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183785470926782844.post-51857068096081734232008-12-25T09:56:00.007-05:002008-12-25T11:21:15.848-05:00Christmas Present<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fpDsr7Dw4hGwCF7XBwEyUry9jYxHLJ8OBmLtIc6ziSltnxvjzhKxIc9cgQpufqtURJ98eAUciNnuZvVmIOChR0F6jAAY49YPV-NR_w8nb5af9ZajcCqcwCRNK1xplWCZR7ECrF-aUKV4/s1600-h/IMG_9251+cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283743360145986546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fpDsr7Dw4hGwCF7XBwEyUry9jYxHLJ8OBmLtIc6ziSltnxvjzhKxIc9cgQpufqtURJ98eAUciNnuZvVmIOChR0F6jAAY49YPV-NR_w8nb5af9ZajcCqcwCRNK1xplWCZR7ECrF-aUKV4/s400/IMG_9251+cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a> A present to me from sister Nancy.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCh1IO1VCEjQm2XZjnR1-gtwgysVJv4NVnlppzaZE8kgmG32DnqCJV1FA8Yiq-yjE5xoUsR7zXbZ2YcRqkeDh6f2kAHMmX48NZ2aYeKSyfrldcUwBni_W0C-xq3tPwEESB1LtPT6O0va/s1600-h/IMG_9228.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283743011666784322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCh1IO1VCEjQm2XZjnR1-gtwgysVJv4NVnlppzaZE8kgmG32DnqCJV1FA8Yiq-yjE5xoUsR7zXbZ2YcRqkeDh6f2kAHMmX48NZ2aYeKSyfrldcUwBni_W0C-xq3tPwEESB1LtPT6O0va/s400/IMG_9228.JPG" border="0" /></a> The hit of the family gathering last night at sister Nancy's - a pony tire swing to go in Nanny's yard for all the kids to play on.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL3JiuUOUV1XE70A9bIz9VnUrVCL4pnrZxjoryKW5QJ3-Zl0SRndQJJ8LetnwJKsTN1B7AsKER7Ad_3xBxF7Qh7FW16CPnBhQJXvILAQBw3qK-Rn3-WMhAH6KlLVsQkajE6TcH5suiUHy/s1600-h/IMG_9170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283742587660043250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL3JiuUOUV1XE70A9bIz9VnUrVCL4pnrZxjoryKW5QJ3-Zl0SRndQJJ8LetnwJKsTN1B7AsKER7Ad_3xBxF7Qh7FW16CPnBhQJXvILAQBw3qK-Rn3-WMhAH6KlLVsQkajE6TcH5suiUHy/s400/IMG_9170.JPG" border="0" /></a> My fiber-optic Christmas tree which is the only "safe" tree with 5 cats (3 of them just 6 months old now) in the house. </div><div></div><div>Merry Christmas to all!</div></div>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03955835974564426526noreply@blogger.com2