...GLOVER TIMES BLOG...

Up-Cycle Old Bi-Fold Closet Doors

2011-12-08T14:58:00.001-08:00

Suggestions/Instructions posted Here:
http://4srz.zapd.co

The Parable of the Owls....

2011-03-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

A wise owl, troubled at what he saw on his morning flight through neighboring nooks, decided to help... Being wise, he knew sharing counsel wasn't the answer, so he decided to share by example. He sent out a decree welcoming his neighboring Owl Leaders to his tree on the first morning after the next new moon. His neighboring Owl Leaders explained this day would be impossible for them to attend, as this was the day set aside in the forest to settle disputes, and creatures would gather at their own trees for their counsel. As he had planned, he welcomed the Owl Leaders to invite all needing counsel on that day to come to his tree instead.
On the appointed day, great hordes of creatures made their way to the Wise Owl's tree. The neighboring Owl Leaders were astonished to see that no creatures from the Wise Owl's nook were gathered around his tree. "How can this be possible?" One Owl Leader asked. "Why isn't he up to his beak in disputes to settle?" Another Owl Leader asked. "Why are none of his creatures here today?" The last Owl Leader asked.
The Wise Owl called the first seeking counsel to appear before him. "What is the nature of your dispute?" he asks. The weasel begins to tell a tale as long as his own (tail, that is) about the rabbit... and the Wise Owl waits patiently for him to finish. The Wise Owl, already knowing what this creature's response would be, asks, "And who have you shared this tale with before me?" The cunning creature states boldly, "No one, of course, I won't be found gossiping among my peers."
The Wise Owl turns to the other Owl Leaders and shares his counsel. "My friends, you see, this is the reason my tree stands silent on this day, as it does every morning after the new moon. Listen and heed my example." To the weasel he says, "Your words will be your judge. You say you have shared your dispute only with me, I know your nature and know that not to be true. I also know you have not spoken with the rabbit about this tale, as he is not here to defend himself. You have broken the sacred vow for peace in the forest.... 'Do unto others as you would have done unto you.' You may seek counsel in the future ONLY, if first, you have discussed your concerns with the rabbit,.... and then, AND ONLY THEN, may you spin your tale for your Owl Leader. Counsel will only be given to those willing to make our forest a peaceful forest, but we will turn a deaf ear to those who choose to spin tales.
Seeing the example, the hordes began to disperse into the forest, no one worthy to seek counsel from the Wise Owl. As the last of the creatures turned away, no words were shared among the Wise Owl and his neighboring Owl Leaders..... there was no need..... his example said it all. ---Harriette Glover

iPad Tutorial - Transferring eBooks from eMail

2010-12-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

There are many types of eBook files, I prefer PDF's or ePUB, and for this tutorial, you will need my two favorite and most used iPad apps, GoodReader ($1.99) and Stanza (free) available from the App Store... This tutorial is also specifically for downloading eBooks from your eMail....

After downloading the two apps, open GoodReader.
Touch "Browse the Web" from menu on the right.

Touch address bar and enter your email provider address....
And login to your account.

Locate and select the email with your eBook attachment. For this tutorial, I will show an ePUB attachment, since this attachment cannot be read in GoodReader, and will have to be opened with Stanza.
Touch the highlighted attachment at the bottom of your email.
Select DOWNLOAD LINKED FILE.
Then, touch MY DOCUMENTS in top left corner to return to the GoodReader home page.

Now, locate your downloaded eBook, then select MANAGE FILES from the right side menu.
Touch and highlight the circle beside your downloaded eBook.
Select "OPEN IN" from the right side "Manage File Menu."

Choose STANZA.... GoodReader will close, then Stanza will open and download your book.
After download is complete, simply touch your book title to begin reading!

Acupuncture.... My experience

2010-12-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Recently, I made an appointment with Dr. Alexander Ly for acupuncture to treat my chronic neck pain, right shoulder blade pain, weight loss and hot flashes. I am very pleased with the results! Immediately, I was pain free and (knock on wood) I'm still pain free 2 weeks later! In conjunction with the weight loss procedure, I was placed on herbs for energy and hot flashes... I can say, I have not felt this good in a long time, my appetite is greatly reduced, and I have not had a single hot flash... Not one.... No more waking up at night in a sweat!! Furthermore, I have cut my caffeine intake to one or less diet sundrop per day!
The actual weight loss is going extremely slow, though, although I have a noticeable change in the way my clothes fit.... I will keep you posted, with portion control and little or no snacking, I do hope to see great results!

Kindle How -To -- Using Your Own Books!

2010-11-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

There are several ways to transfer your own books to your kindle, this is how I do it. Kindle accepts several formats, however, I've found that books or documents converted to .mobi flow the best on the kindle reader.

First, you need a program (FREE, of course) to convert your books or documents into .mobi format. I've found CALIBRE as my favorite. After you have downloaded this program, you can convert your own files to be read on your kindle. Then proceed in CALIBRE:

1. Select Add Books in upper left hand corner as shown below:

2. Select your book/document that you want to convert to .mobi format for transfer to your kindle:

3. After adding the documents/books to your CALIBRE library, HIGHLIGHT the book you want to convert. Now select the little arrow beside the 3rd button on the top labeled "CONVERT Ebooks."

4. Choose convert individually (or bulk convert for the more avid Calibre User).

5. Select "MOBI" format from the drop down menu on the upper right hand corner, then click "OK" at the bottom of the screen.

6. Wait patiently, usually about a minute, for your book/document to be converted to .mobi format. Then, with the book still highlighted in your CALIBRE library, choose SAVE SINGLE FORMAT TO DISK from the drop down arrow beside "SAVE TO DISK." Slide your cursor over to select MOBI as your selected format to save.

7. Choose where you want to save your book collection in MOBI format, and you're done! Simply plug your kindle into your computer and drag and drop your MOBI format books/documents into the "documents" file on your kindle!

My Precious Other Daughter

2010-11-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

Just when you think your kids and their friends never pay attention to you, you get something like this in your inbox.... It was simply titled "A Little Surprise" from our oldest daughter's best friend and phi mu sister...

Mrs. Harriette Glover

Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times”. I am lucky enough to have been blessed with a wonderful best friend that loves me unmistakably. For her I am very thankful, however, where would she learn this virtue and charisma from, other than her mother? My best friend’s mother, Mrs. Harriette Glover, holds a dear spot in my heart. She was born the youngest of three girls into a house based off Christian values and headed by her pastor father. In coordination to be the youngest, she was also the most rebellious child. Even if she was a small thorn in her parent’s foot growing up, their persistence, patience, and prayer made her into the excellent woman she is today. After graduating high school, Mrs. Harriette attained a nursing degree and now works as an RN in the NICU Unit at Huntsville Hospital. Her job comes home with her daily and she has a love for each one of her tiny patients. She is selfless in all aspects of her life and will go out of her way to help anyone in need. Her creative nature and artistic ability is something that I appreciate and I believe it makes her elaborate personality even more vivid. She always has an optimistic outlook on everything. When I visit her home, she never fails to greet me with an excited smile to make me feel as if I were stepping into my own house. She has the best sense of humor and is always striving to make people laugh. I could go on and on about her virtues and character. She is someone that I truly look up to and appreciate for all that she does. I believe that she loves me like she does her own children, and I am proud to be able to call her my second mother.

(I had to do an "Encomium" Speech, an Encomium is a person outside of your immediate family who has had a particularly valuable influence on your life! I picked you! LOVE YOU! (:
-- Chelsey Harbin)

I thank God every day for family and friends and could not be blessed more to have this precious girl in my life...

Christmas Cards

2010-11-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

A relatively recent phenomenon, the sending of commercially printed Christmas cards originated in London in 1843. Previously, people had exchanged handwritten holiday greetings. First in person. Then via post. By 1822, homemade Christmas cards had become the bane of the U.S. postal system. That year, the Superintendent of Mails in Washington, D.C., complained of the need to hire sixteen extra mailmen. Fearful of future bottlenecks, he petitioned Congress to limit the exchange of cards by post, concluding, "I don’t know what we’ll do if it keeps on." Not only did it keep on, but with the marketing of attractive commercial cards the postal burden worsened. Today more than two billion Christmas cards are exchanged annually, just within the United States. Christmas is the number one card-selling holiday of the year.

We all have fond memories of opening Christmas cards, anxious to find the goings-on for the year with our loved ones.... We are especially touched when we receive a photo that we cherish the entire year.

With the advent of Photo Cards, we have been doubly blessed to be able to read special Christmas wishes, but also have a photo to share with family and friends! In years past, and this year, also, I take a simple frame, dangle two ribbons from the bottom and proudly display all the Christmas Cheer for everyone to see!

This year, I will be sharing Christmas Photo Cards from Snapfish, my favorite online photo service! Here's some direct links to my favorite Snapfish products! Enjoy! AND....

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, FIND YOUR FREE OFFER HERE: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

holiday cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Thanksgiving cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thanksgiving-cards

photo cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

Hanukkah cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/hanukkah-cards

My Recipe Book (Scrapbooked)

2010-10-07T21:08:00.000-07:00

All of these recipes and more can be found at my recipe blog at http://recipesbyharriette.blogspot.com
Enjoy!

Mexico's Immigration Law (Simplified)

2010-09-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

1. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools.

2. All ballots will be in this nation's language.

3. All government business will be conducted in our language.

4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long
they are here.

5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office.

6. Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no
food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs.
Any burden will be deported.

7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at
least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage.

8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted.
Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for
citizens naturally born into this country.

9. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a
foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president
or his policies. These will lead to deportation.

10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively
hunted and, when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be
arranged. All assets will be taken from you.

PLAYING FOR PREEMIES

2010-09-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

PLAYING FOR PREEMIES UPDATE AND T-SHIRT ORDERING INFORMATION

Friday, September 24th will be “Playing for Preemies” Night at the Ardmore vs. Clements football game. Ardmore High School Athletic Department is dedicating this night to raising money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund and the Huntsville Hospital Neonatal ICU. This event is being organized by Rusty Bates, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Ardmore High School and his wife Kristin Bates, teacher at Cedar Hill Elementary. Their daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Bates, was born at 28 weeks gestation and weighed just 2 pounds 12 oz. She spent 51 days in the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital. You can help the Bates family and AHS Athletics give back a small portion to the wonderful people who help babies like Lauren develop and grow into healthy, happy babies.

Game T-shirts will be sold as a fundraiser to help raise money for this event. T-shirt orders will be taken until September 14th. The shirts will be back in time to show your support that Friday night at the ballgame. The shirts will be grey with the game logo on them. Youth sizes are $12 and adult sizes are $15.

Please return this order form and your money for shirts by September 14th. Make checks payable to Ardmore High School.

Name _____________________________ Grade ___________

1st Period Teacher ______________________ School ___________

Shirt Size: YM _____ YL _____ AS ______ AM _____

AL _____ XL _____ 2X _____ 3X _____

Join this event on Facebook

Or you may print this order form. Thanks!

PLAYING FOR PREEMIES SEPTEMBER 24

2010-08-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

On Sept. 24th at the Clements/Ardmore football game, we are having "Playing For Preemies" Night. Ardmore High School Athletic Department is teaming up The Melissa George Neonatal Fund and The Huntsville Hospital Foundation for this event. We have some special things going on that week and that night. All proceeds go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Huntsville Hospital.

1st Event: We are going to pre-sell game t-shirts in the weeks leading up. (Grey shirt with Melissa George and game logo).

2nd Event: Four businesses to sponsor one quarter of the game for $250. Those 4 sponsors would get their logo on the back of the game t-shirts.

3rd: Amy George will be our special guest for the pep rally that day. High School Pep Rally will start at 2:15. All three administrators are going to take a pie in the face from 3 lucky students. Students can buy a chance to "Pie the Principal" for $1 during the week.

4th: Mr. Johns, Principal at Cedar Hill Elementary is taking a pie in the face too. Students can buy a chance to "Pie the Principal" for $1 during the week. We are doing a mini pep rally at Cedar Hill at 8:30 that morning to draw the winner.

5th: Dr. Casey Lewis, Principal at Johnson Elementary is taking a pie in the face too. Students can buy a chance to "Pie the Principal" for $1 during the week. We are doing a mini pep rally at Johnson at 9:30 that morning to draw the winner as well.

6th: Huntsville Hospital Foundation is setting up an informational and donation booth at the game that night. The NICU nurses will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss.

Special Invitation: You are all invited to participate in any and or all of these events. The NICU is very special to me and my wife as our 5 month old daughter spent the first 52 days of her life there. We are so grateful for the nurses and doctors that made our stay as comforting as it could be in such a stressful time. We are excited about the opportunity to give back to such a great group of people.

Father's Day 2010

2010-06-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

We are blessed...

Beach 2010

2010-06-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Once again, we are blessed as a family to vacation on the beautiful white sands of Ft. Walton Beach.... Once again, we are surrounded by friends and family... Once again, we are reminded of what's really important in life.... Our thoughts and prayers go out to the lives and livelihoods lost because of the BP oil spill...

I love my iPad....

2010-04-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows my electronic gadget fascination... But I have to say that Apple has outdone themselves with this new beauty! Just thought I'd pass along a few helpful hints I discovered lately for my friends that have digital books....
Transferring your own books to your iPad is as easy As 1, 2, 3! Download the free iBooks app from your app store. Download the awesome eBook utility, calibre from here: http://calibre-ebook.com/download . Convert your books to the ePub format with calibre, save them to your computer, then add them to your iPad via iTunes! They will show up on your "bookshelf" in your iBooks app! Enjoy!

The Supreme Court v. President Obama - ABC News

2010-03-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

The Supreme Court v. President Obama - ABC News

Wow.... my nephew, Joe, is about the 1:07 mark of this video that was on all the national news channels!

CHRISTMAS 2009

2009-12-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through OUR house, every creature was stirring, thanks to Jasper the cat.....

The stockings were still hanging, that's amazing in itself, but only because Jasper hadn't noticed them yet.

The children were visiting and their pets came with them, to share Christmas joy with all of their kin.

We'd all settled in to watch a movie or four, when to our surprise, came a knock at the door.

Then the children did settle in for a long winter's nap, at Nana's and Papaw's, to arrive home Christmas Morning as quick as a snap!

And much to their wandering eyes, Santa had left... gifts of Edward and Jacob in a new DVD game set!

Away to the TV, they flew like a flash, to start up a game of Hunky Vampire Monster Mash!

With determination, they played all through the day, each one vowing to win to the last stake...

Only one can be crowned the official Twilight guru, today it's big sister, tomorrow twil be you....

On Jerry, on Harriette, on Kaitlynn, and Emma, we're off to Nana's and Papaw's for Christmas Dinner!

To the couch, to the chairs, each grandchild is seated, texting away until Papaw proclaims, "Let's Eat!"

There's always one Aunt in the crowd that's for sure, that still wants to be a teenager like many years before...

Oh, Emma, please give me your hat for a minute, I won't keep it for long or do anything with it!

I just want to wear it for old times' sake.... to remind me of my younger years when I was your age!

'Twas time for the reading of the Christmas story, straight from God's word, Luke 2:1-20, for all ears to be heard....

And just before leaving for each one's home, the traditional picture is attempted to be done.

After several attempts to calm the group down, Nana and Papaw step in, and they act like clowns!

Words cannot express how blessed we feel, as we're gathered together at this time of year.

My Brother and Me

2009-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, LOVE AS BROTHERS, be COMPASSIONATE and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

As the holidays draw near, we are blessed to have a special visitor every year..... my husband's brother, James. The week is filled with laughter, for Jerry never misses an opportunity to crack a joke... nor does he miss an opportunity to remind his older brother of his special "youngest" brother status in the family! This is a time that is cherished by our whole family, as we get to share in their memories of the important things in life..... love, sharing, and family....

GOLD PARTY This Monday 12/14/09 at 6:00 p.m.

2009-12-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for this Monday, December 14th, at 6:00 p.m.!! We had such a blast with the last one, we're having another one! If you can’t attend, you can leave your things with us and we'll bring you a bag o' cash! This is the only party everyone left with lots of money and didn't have to spend a dime! You can only imagine the cheers when he gave us our appraisal price(s)!

We will be dealing directly with GoldPartying.com, again, so we don’t have to deal with a middle man! They will be paying CASH that night for our scrap jewelry!! Check with your friends and family and bring their old jewelry, they will love you when they get their reward!

They purchase the following in ANY condition:

Bracelets

Necklaces

Earrings

Rings & Class Rings

Silver Jewelry, Silver Coins, & Ingots

Platinum, Sterling Silverware

Yellow, White, Rose & Black Hills Gold

10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k gold items

Dental gold, Gold Coins, Gold Ingots

Gold watches & Estate Jewelry

Reason, Season, Lifetime

2009-11-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

"A Reason A Season and A Lifetime"

© author unknown.

People always come into you life for a reason, a season and a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, or to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend to you, and they are. They are there for a reason, you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die, Sometimes they just walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.

Lifetime, relationships teach you a lifetime of lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a slid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

GOLD PARTY = SUCCESS!

2009-11-11T08:51:00.001-08:00

We had a blast and there was Christmas Cash for EVERYONE! Already went to the bank! Just a few pics of some special guests.... note Emma is running (literally) from the camera!

My beautiful mother! Milo stayed with her all night long!

And Jerry was soooo tired from getting everything all together..... NOT!

Pretty sure I'm gonna have another one... No other party like it.... everybody leaves with much more cash than they imagined, and didn't spend a penny!

Ready for Christmas Cash?

2009-11-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

Ready for some Christmas Cash? Just a reminder, I will be hosting a gold selling party NEXT Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30 p.m. at my house! We will be dealing directly with GoldPartying.com, so we don’t have to deal with a middle man! They will be paying CASH that night for our scrap jewelry!!
If you can’t attend you can
leave your things with me and I will call you with their offer. I will be serving appetizers and
refreshments as well.

These are some of the items GoldPartying.com will be buying at my party:
Bracelets
Necklaces
Earrings
Rings & Class Rings
Silver Jewelry, Silver Coins, & Ingots
Platinum, Sterling Silverware
Yellow, White, Rose & Black Hills Gold
10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k gold items
Dental gold, Gold Coins, Gold Ingots
Gold watches & Estate Jewelry
Diamonds (To sell high carat diamonds let me
know beforehand, so I can tell them and let you
get paid the same day).
Also: Please bring all papers and certifications.
If you don’t have the proper paperwork for the
diamond, it will devalue the stone.
All items may be incomplete, damaged,
tangled, missing stones

Additional information:

They will pay us cash on the spot!!
They pay 25% higher than Jewelry Stores,
They pay 40% higher than Pawn Shops,
They pay 60% higher than mail-in companies!
They are certified and have professional testing and weighing equipment.
They will take out any stones from your jewelry on the spot
They test & separate your scrap jewelry FOR YOU while you wait!!
It only takes 10-25 minutes per guest to analyze your valuables!

email me at jhglover@gmail.com, facebook me, or call me to RSVP!

Suspicious Hooded Person Lurking at School

2009-10-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

OK.... I admit it..... sometimes when my hair is dry, I'll do a hot oil treatment and leave it on my hair.... NOT attractive, but it works. So, with the change in temperatures and having to use the heat in the house, I've experienced severely dry hair, so I have a treatment on my hair and don't plan to wash it off until later today..... which leads me to my latest debacle...

Last night, my sister, Allena, used my computer to print off some lyrics to a precious contemporary Christian song that she needed.... of course, all of you that know Allena, can understand that she left without taking what she had printed off..... HENCE, being the nice sister that I am, I waited for her at the back parking lot at school this morning to give her the printout.

BUT.... since my hair is in this special state, looks like I haven't washed my hair in months, I took Emma to school this morning with a hoodie on and hood pulled up.... Now you can only imagine what happened..... a suspicious hooded character in non-familiar car is parked in the back parking lot at the high school.....

While I wait for my sister, who is about 15 minutes behind me, I think every male staff member available made a "pass" my way to see if they could tell who/what I was.... Panic is starting to set in... I don't want anyone to see me like this, so I'm trying to look nonchalant as I'm calling her on her cell phone telling her to hurry before they call the police! She's laughing so hysterically that she's in danger of having a wreck, while I'm under surveillance!! She had difficulty making her way to my car window (the hysterical laughter impeding her approach) while I'm trying to hurry before the Deputy arrives! Well.... I made it out about 3 seconds ahead of the Deputy... and as I made my way past the watchful eyes of a group of school bus drivers, I saw his vehicle approaching in my rear-view.... during my escape, I was thinking of this quote and how true it is:

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.

The Waiting Room....

2009-10-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

This past week, my nephew, Dylan, was found to have a detached retina during a routine yearly eye exam. Only if you know my nephew, can you even begin to understand how he didn't slow down long enough to report his visual disturbances.... On Thursday he was seen by the retina specialist and out-patient surgery was scheduled for today (October 12) at 9am to repair his completely detached retina. As usual, our family, church family, and friends that were able to attend showed up in the waiting room to offer prayers and support. We had no idea what blessings were in store for us on this day.

For the last two months, our entire church family and friends have been praying for the miraculous recovery of a sister in Christ (aka Tot's Mom on my regular facebook prayer requests). She continues her fight for life which started during the birth of her firstborn son, a son she knows has been born, but has never been able to see. When I say "see," I mean that literally. She and my nephew share the same retina specialist. Our family received the good news today that most likely Dylan's sight will be restored; this specialist was not able to deliver such news to them a few weeks ago.

As this new mom has been hanging onto this earthly life, her tot has been growing by leaps and bounds. When one family member is with her, someone else is at home with this little bundle of joy. Although she is unable to see, hold, talk to, or care for her baby, tears will flow down her cheeks when he is brought in her room. She attempts to move an immovable arm to cradle him when he's laid upon her chest. To see and hear this family sharing these precious moments brought tears to everyone's eyes. But even before this little tot went home from the hospital, he began his own journey..... and his 2nd surgery (of 3) was scheduled for on or around his two month birthday.

As we walked into the waiting room this morning, we walked straight into a circle of friends. I heard my name, turned, and was immediately embraced! Not only were our friends and family gathered, but also, our brothers and sisters in Christ were gathered for this little tot's surgery that (unbeknown to me) had been scheduled for today! We quickly overtook the back section of the waiting area (good ol' Baptists) as everyone met, prayed, reunited, and shared with each other.... all made possible by our heavenly Father. Entertaining "preacher" and "dad" stories filled the air, with laughter to be had by all! My family and friends were finally able to place faces with those they have been fervently praying for..... and share a moment that can only be described as seeing God working in "Real-Time."

As positive post-op reports rolled in and our time in the waiting room together drew to a close, I thanked the Lord for allowing us this special 'moment in time.' A moment in time shared by family.... an extended family brought together by Christ through trials and tribulations. Through teary eyes, I thanked Him for His word that He placed on my heart:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

¹ There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

**Disclaimer: In no way is this blog post to be construed in any way other than sharing of a family 'moment in time.' All photos and parties involved have given explicit consent for the sharing of this story. Feel free to contact this author for contact information for verification.**

1st Day of College

2009-08-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

"NO MOM.... DON'T YOU DARE!"

Those were the last words the Kaitlynn said when I asked for the 50th time if I could come and take pictures at her first day of college.... I then vowed to her that I would get some pics, but I would be camouflaged... no need to worry, she'd never see me....

So.... I couldn't resist.... and started the texting around 10 a.m.:

Me: "Oh, I got some great pics, and you didn't even see me! I cut my leg pretty bad in the bushes, they had to help me out, and I think I might need stitches, but I got some good pics!"

Kaitlynn: "LIAR" (followed by....)

Kaitlynn: "What was I wearing?" (I then quickly text'd her roommate, Paige, and asked her what Kaitlynn was wearing and responded with...)

Me: "I'm at the doctor right now, gonna need stitches... but you were wearing a transformers T-shirt and shorts..."

Kaitlynn: "Mother, you are awful... you need more help than just stitches!"

Me: "Call me later, he's working on my leg right now...."

I let her stew for a little while, allowing her to replay scenes of her mother falling out of some bushes, having to have help by UNA staff, etc..... then I 'fessed up.... BUT OH, what fun I had for a little while!

1 Funny Sick Day Story

2009-08-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well.... budget crunches and bailouts affect us all... even the kids who need to rush to graduate since so many folks will depend on them for support! Ugghhh!

Monday night at work, I'm assisting Dr. Davison with a new 1 pound 1 ounce tiny tot, and instead of securing the baby with tape, I just secured the baby with my hands and the sterile field was built on top of my hands.... Then.... "Sweet Home, Alabama....." is ringing in my pocket. I have Rachael answer the phone, and it's Emma.... "Mom, I'm sick, my head hurts, my ears hurt, I'm stopped up...." I reply, "Do you have a temp?" She says, "No, I don't think so..." To which I say, "Well, you don't have the swine flu, get your dad to give you some tylenol and cold medicine, drink plenty of fluids and you'll be fine....... gotta go... love you, bye." Now, Dr. Davison is shaking his head and saying, "Man, I'd hate to be your kid...." To which I reply, "Paaaleeaassee.... you know as well as I do that no doctor is going to do anything more than that unless she's had a fever for 3 days!" Got him on that one (he conceded)....

Then, "Sweet Home, Alabama....." again.... new text message.... Rachael gets my phone back out, and it's Emma....

Emma: What's a temp? -- to which we laugh hysterically as everybody is amazed a child of mine doesn't know what a temp is..... So, I have Rachael text for me....

My text: It's a fever.... --a few seconds pass and, "Sweet Home, Alabama....." again... Rachael retrieves my phone and reads:

Emma: No duh.... I know it's a fever, what's the numbers? -- we continue to laugh hysterically as I have Rachael text back:

My text: What's YOUR numbers? --as I explain to the younger ones, how a Mother never gives out more information than she has to.... kids will always give you the worst case scenario.... Then, a few seconds later..... "Sweet Home, Alabama......" new text message from Emma....

Emma: 99.0 --"whew, dodged the bullet, PTL, no high fever" I'm thinking, so I have Rachael text back:

My text: Nope, no swine flu for you, you'll be OK! Love ya, Mama

Poor baby, she is better now, but this weather is going to be the death of us all!

FaceBook....

2009-08-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

I know everyone has their own opinion of "social networking sites" but, I've found FaceBook to be very easy to use and EXTREMELY convenient for my busy lifestyle! I've really enjoyed being able to keep up with friends, family, and co-workers.... all in real time. Once I mastered every little trick in the book to make my FaceBook experience quite pleasant (by blocking applications, hiding all the silly quizzes, and even a few "friends" that don't inspire me) I've found that I prefer quick "status" updates and picture uploads to writing a blog post.

Occasionally, I find time to post here, but not very often.... Sooooo, if you're looking for me, you know where to find me.... and please, add me as a friend!

Obama's Accomplishments

2009-08-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

Obama's First Six Months Accomplishments
1. Offended the Queen of England.
2. Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia .
3. Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4. Kissed Socialist Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5. Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
6. Sided with Hugo Chavez and Communist Fidel Castro against Honduras .
7. Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions while they're building their nuclear weapons.
8. Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
9. Expanded the bailouts.
10. Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
11. Doubled our national debt.
12. Announced the termination of our new missile defense system the day after North Korea launched an ICBM.
13. Released information on U.S. intelligence gathering despite urgings of his own CIA director and the prior four CIA directors.
14. Accepted without comment that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two other nominees withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
15. Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who identified military veterans and abortion opponents as "dangers to the
nation."
16. Ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used and instead refers to such acts as "man made disasters."
17. Circled the globe to publicly apologize for America 's world leadership.
18. Told the Mexican president that the violence in their country was because of us.
19. Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from the Department of Commerce.
20. Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion to Cuba of a 9-year-old whose mother died trying to bring him to freedom in the United States .
21. Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration may stand trial for "torturing" three 9/11 terrorists by pouring water up their noses.
22. Low altitude photo shoot of Air Force One over New York City that frightened thousands of New Yorkers.
23. Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure them that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims.
24. Praised Jimmy Carter's trip to Gaza where he sided with terrorist Hamas against Israel .
25. Nationalized General Motors and Chrysler while turning shareholder control over to the unions and freezing out retired investors who owned their bonds. Committed unlimited taxpayer billions in the process.
26. Passed a huge energy tax in the House that will make American industry even less competitive while costing homeowners thousands per year.
27. Announced nationalized health care "reform" that will strip seniors of their Medicare, cut pay of physicians, increase taxes yet another $1 trillion, and put everyone on rationed care with government bureaucrats deciding who gets care and who doesn't.

His "friends" say:

Bloomberg: Daschle says, "Health care reform will

not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that

come with age instead of treating them," while former Colorado Governor Dick

Lamm says seniors have "a duty to die."

If this does not sufficiently raise your ire, just

remember that the President, Senators and Congressmen have their own special

gold plated health care plan which is guaranteed the remainder of their

lives and they are not subject to this new law if they pass it.

Kitty Rescue 911

2009-08-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Work can be stressful.... but it wasn't for me last weekend! All my babies were stable.... and I even got a little exercise outside on a break... little did I know that I was going to be part of a "Kitty Rescue 911!"

The tiniest little kitten started following Tiffany and I during a walk... Mind you, this hungry little baby was in Downtown Huntsville, in a busy parking area, checking out the dumpsters! There was no way we were going to leave that baby to be flattened by the next delivery truck.... so this precious little bear followed us all the way to pick out the box we stashed it in to take it to my house the next morning! Life at my house for cats is not easy, but the odds there are better than a busy parking lot anytime....

We taped up the box, stored it on top of my car in the parking garage, and returned to work to scrub up again! Of course, I called security to alert them that the moving box on top of my car was not a bomb, but a kitten.... that got more than a few laughs! Lo and behold, one of our nurses was looking for a kitten and our little rescue fit the bill! She called her daughter (who arrived in about 10 minutes) and now this precious baby is living at a posh apartment in Huntsville with a Cocker Spaniel that has already decided they are friends for life!

I just love the little things in life that bless us all.....

Ben Stein on CBS Sunday Morning

2009-07-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show andJane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet?

Happy Father's Day 2009

2009-06-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

After a wonderful day with family, I'm reminded of just how precious the Fathers in my life are..... We are truly blessed....

I love all God's Creation... but

2009-06-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

as I was relaxing (and texting our oldest) sitting on my carport.... the cutest fluffy little kitten came up to my chair from the side of the house! I was thrilled, we need a kitten, but the hubby reminds me how our's don't fare so well with the coyotes, so we haven't replaced the last two...

But I really got my hopes up! I said, "Hey, baby..." to which the (kitten) responded with some little "eek, eek, eek's" and I look a little closer..... IT WAS A BABY RACOON! It saunders off under the grill, then under the car, then up the tree to the treehouse. I ran insided, grabbed my camera, and this was the only shot I got with even part of it in the frame. Then, after I thought about it.... I ran as fast as I could back into the house.... surely, there was a mama that was gonna come searching for her baby! Think I'll stay inside for a few weeks!

Beach 2009

2009-06-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful vacation we had! Great times with our family and friends, and lots of laughs!

We are blessed...

Kasey and Lucas' Wedding

2009-06-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

Well, we've been blessed beyond imagine by our family and friends and we were so excited to FINALLY get this one married off! This love affair started many moons ago and our oldest was supposed to be the flower girl... then our youngest was looking forward to that role.... but it took 'em so long that our daughters were bridesmaids!

We couldn't be happier for these families, each is gaining a precious soul....

We are blessed....

2009 12 & Under Fastpitch Tournament Championship

2009-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well... they did it! They remained undefeated and took home the County Tournament Championship! We're so proud of our youngest and especially thankful to our coaches Lori Whitt and Beth Faulkner! Thanks and congrats, guys!

2009 AHS Graduation

2009-05-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Senior Awards Day '09 and a birthday, too!

2009-05-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

Spring Middle School Dance 2009

2009-05-22T23:54:00.001-07:00

We were so proud of our baby! We managed hair, makeup, and a dress with very little protest!

2009 12 & Under Fastpitch County Championship

2009-05-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the quality photo.... of all nights to forget my camera! Well, our Lady Tigers did it again! Undefeated season, and clinched the county championship in a nail-biter tonight! They all did so good and were so proud of themselves! Tournaments starting Thursday... woohoo! Will keep ya' posted!

AHS Middle School Concert Band Spring 2009

2009-05-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

Just one of the videos I captured tonight of our baby's first concert band performance. This impressive middle school band was spectacular, according to all that were there!

We were super tickled that some of our softball buddies came to see our youngest in a dress with a hairbow! They said they were coming for the concert, but they were super impressed with her dress!

A sad night for the senior band members.... they're growing up and moving on... several of them are moving on to college bands!

26 Days and Counting....

2009-05-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

This is not my living room.... BUT IT WILL BE in 26 days!

And if I weren't afraid of sharks, I could get a picture like this when we get there.... but you'll have to settle for this brochure pic, because I'll still be afraid of sharks!

Can't wait... the beach is calling! Not sure how I'll be able to stand myself until then!

Mother's Day 2009...from the husband's perspective...

2009-05-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

When I came home from work Mother's Day morning.... I gave the hubby ample time to just say it.... I was feeling sorry for myself, the girls weren't home.... I just wanted him to say it....

SO.... as I'm about to head to bed... I say, "You know, I know I'm not your mother, but I could really use a "Happy Mother's Day" right now; I'm missing the girls, and I really need to hear it..." To which he responds, "You didn't see your card? You looked straight at it when you were in the kitchen." Tickled to death with his sensitivity, I head back to the kitchen and search for the card that was in plain sight! And then... I open it....

We laughed and laughed! His gesture could not have been more perfect, completely sensitive to my petty little needs! I am blessed.....

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

Words cannot express how blessed we are.... We have all that we need, we have our health (most of the time), and we have.... most importantly... love for each other. We don't always get along, we have our ups and downs, but the ties that bind our hearts together are laced with love.

My two beautiful daughters found a smidgen of time to surprise me before work on Mother's Day with this beautiful wall hanging that I will cherish forever.

I was blessed to share Mother's Day, not with my own children, but with precious little souls who need inpatient medical care. I missed my children dearly, but I trust God has many reasons we shared only a few precious moments together this year.

I missed my sharing time with my own mother, but my precious husband was able to spend time with her in my place.

So.... for many things I am thankful.... I'm thankful that I have a wonderful family that loves each other when we're together, and when we're not. I'm thankful that our two beautiful daughters are growing up into beautiful young ladies that I'm proud of.... and mostly, I'm thankful that God has seen fit to place this wonderful family in my life....

Happy Mother's Day to all.... we are blessed....

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.~ Psalm 127:3

Hole Challenges

2009-05-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

.... well, this time, it's just a hand splint to correct a bad jammed right ring finger knuckle! A hole jumped right up in front of the youngest in the old gym today, and the cement wall provided the impact! God bless our GP, he's a precious soul, and didn't say, "What now?" when he came in the room..... although, I must confess, those words were on the tip of my tongue..... I'm thinking a full body cast until she's 17 would work!

1st Broadcast Journalist Report

2009-05-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well.... our oldest daughter is quite a fun one, and when plagued by a little bad luck she usually recovers and comes out looking like a pro!

I would have loved to have bee a fly on the wall when they discovered the fate of the T-shirt she was supposed to be wearing!

2009 - 2010 Limestone County School Calendar

2009-04-30T13:06:00.001-07:00

Praise the Lord.... The kids don't start back until August 10th... I can't remember that late of a date in a looooooong time! I just created a Google calendar with next year's school schedule and you're more than welcome to share or refer to it! It will be permanently hosted at the bottom of this blog page (scroll all the way down) and you can CLICK HERE to view it also!

Praying for Shackles

2009-04-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that right.... I've worked Neonatal ICU since 1995 (minus a year and a half sabbatical) and NEVER had a hard time getting as many or more hours than I wanted.... but something strange happened with the economy and I'm praying for the ol' ball and chain....

A "guaranteed hours" position in my unit.....

FOR YEARS, I've worked "PRN" two to three shifts per week, not needing the extra benefits (health insurance, vacation time, etc.) that go along with that ol' ball and chain, and overall, my position has cost our hospital less money.... but with an onslaught of new "economic initiatives" I (and several other hundred nurses at my hospital alone) have been faced with drastic cuts to hours we have been able to pick up. Unfortunately, this has caused those already bearing the ol' ball and chain to be unable to take time incidental time off.... a huge benefit they enjoyed that allowed them to take off after our schedule was posted. Now, they are locked into scheduled days for about a 6-8 week period of time when we (the PRN) previously picked up alot of those shifts for them.... So I'm forced to pray for some shackles on my feet! I'd prefer a nice shade of green or purple, but I'll take whatever I can get....

With that being said.... I am praying that God will open a door and nudge (better yet, push) me through it! I've always known that I have a ministry in the NICU and can't bear the thought of leaving.... as long as that's where He still wants me.... So join me in praying that God's will in my life be done.....

Using Google Search Engine to find Shared MP3 (and other) Files

2009-04-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

This is how I find shared MP3 files, Ebooks, and texts that are shared on the web instead of using programs such as Limewire. This search engine works similar to Limewire type programs, but with no programs to download and slow down your computer. The search engine is able to find files that are uploaded and shared online. Most of the time, you have to do a little "digging" to find just what you're looking for, some sites are hosting files that aren't shared, and you will not be able to download the files. The creator of this google super search engine does state: "By downloading from google we mean searching the google index in a specific way to find "index of" directories which may contain the file you're seeking. If you know or suspect a site you want to download from is not an authorized distributer or is distributing files illegally do not download from them. Do not use this service to knowingly try to acquire copyright media from sources that you know aren't authorized distributers."

**Please note the safety precautions, disclaimers, and instructions on the search page**

Download MP3 files / files using Google

Utilizing the link above.... type the song, artist, title, etc., into the search box and click "Super Google Search," (I typed in Rocky Top...)

Several matches to your selection will appear:

Then start choosing which site has the best match for your selection and click on it.... I chose that second link and was sent to this:

Now... important.... RIGHT CLICK (as shown above) on the MP3 file you find and choose "Save Target As."

Now, just save your file where you normally save these type files!

You can also find great educational articles, texts, and books with this engine, too, by using the drop down menu as shown below!

Download MP3 files / files using Google

Happy 18th Birthday to a very special young man...

2009-04-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our oldest daughter's beau! We just love this young fella, and couldn't resist wishing him the very best!

MRI is Normal!

2009-04-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:6-7).

I love that verse, and try to remind myself of it... frequently! I have a hard time with the anxious part, not intentionally, I pray for peace every day... peace from this mind the Good Lord has given me! Praise be to God, the hubby's MRI was normal. He finally went last week and got checked out for the his partial hearing loss in one ear that he's been experiencing for YEARS. The ENT explained that this could be due to an aneurysm or tumor since he only had one side affected and ordered an MRI to rule that out.

We got the call this morning.... MRI was normal, most likely the hearing loss is related to hunting with long guns in his younger years.

Can I say it again, PRAISE THE LORD!

Will it ever end?

2009-04-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well, been a little busy around these parts.... Our life could definitely be described as a series of unfortunate events..... Between work, ballgames, and trips to the emergency room, we've not had time to sit down! The oldest took a fall at work on Wednesday... her knee is healing nicely.... the youngest had a collision on the ball field at Clements on Saturday.... it was quite a show... she was doing her best to avoid the significantly smaller player in the baseline that was attempting to catch her fly ball... laws of motion won that battle!

Praise the Lord, after getting her previously casted foot checked out and X-rayed at the ER, diagnosis was bad sprain, but no fracture seen; with the help of some crutches for a few days (hence the picture) she's good to go! She maneuvers quite well with them.... and Praise the Lord for friends that have crutches... sorry they had a reason to have them.... but saved us one more expense, of which we are so thankful!

Softball... fun and games.... yeah, right!

2009-04-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we take it a little too serious.... but not tonight! The girls had a great time, right to the end! Another victory for the Lady Tigers... and this was only a one blanket night, woohoo!

Our silly girl won't be serious for much of anything, especially pictures!

We sported a good base hit....

and our faithful teammates brought us home!

University of Alabama Law School

2009-04-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our nephew was literally on his way to be finding an apartment in Virginia Beach to attend law school there, after not being accepted by UofA's law school.... Non-refundable deposit already been sent since it was due TODAY.... BUT he got a call this afternoon from his alma matter, and we could not be happier for him! This is an amazing blessing for this special young man, and that has not gone unnoticed by him, for sure! God has been so good to our family, there's really no explaining this one, except must have been another "God" thing!

University of Alabama School of Law

Graduation Invitations

2009-04-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

It's almost that time! There'll be the flurry of envelopes and stamps and return address labels, and fancy handwriting.... all descending upon our kitchen table in the next few days! Just thought I'd share the super cute Graduation Invitations we found at Peartreegreetings.com ! We ordered them on April 2nd, received them via UPS on April 13th , and we couldn't be more pleased! You know us, no possibility of the normal... they're quite different from the traditional graduation invitations (BTW, the tiger paws, etc., are just for a little security) and we hope everyone enjoys seeing them as much we had fun in creating them! BOLO.... They're coming to a mailbox near you!

Family Pics of Second Prom of 2009!

2009-04-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

another cold spell.... imagine that! And wow, it was cool... Thank the Good Lord the severe weather passed just before the kids had to get on the road!

the prettiest flowers at the prom!

Our youngest daughter with one of her teachers.... they are quite a pair together... guess who could get in more trouble? Not the 6th grader!

Friend pics of Second Prom of 2009!

2009-04-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Beauty Walk 2009

2009-04-07T22:37:00.001-07:00

Although we had other priorities (the first of TWO proms) we did have a family member participating.... our nephew! He was chosen to run for "Prom Dream Date." He didn't win the title, but he did get voted "Favorite Escort" and we were so proud of him! Here's some of my favorite pics!

.... and my friend, Mel's, beautiful daughter!

Happy Senior Moments

2009-04-06T22:49:00.000-07:00

..... and I'm not talking about the moments I'm reminded of when I look in the mirror at my gray hair! Just havin' a little fun with PICNIK online photo editor with some of my favorite pictures from the oldest daughter's senior year.... I'm sure there'll be more to come, this just a blast!

My friend, Mel and her fam....

Random pic I found of the youngest that she took herself with another random twilight quote.... she'll never smile like that for me!

Football at West Limestone.... it's always 20 degrees colder over on that side of the county!

Another quote from twilight.... and some girls that are getting tired of me snapping pictures!

... and our baby... it won't be long and we'll be taking senior pictures of her too! BOOHOO!

More First Prom of 2009 Pictures

2009-04-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

First Prom.... OF 2009!

2009-04-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I said it.... first prom... of 2009! We've got TWO this year! Two weekends, back to back! Enough to drive a mama crazy! But the kids sure seem to be enjoying themselves! This weekend is the boyfriend's prom... and next weekend is our baby's last senior prom... some tears will be rollin' over that one!

I'm really lovin' this neat online photo editing website, PICNIK... it's responsible for all the cool effects I added to these pictures!

Camoflage, screen savers, and payback

2009-03-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

By now, you know our family is filled with practical jokers.... and payback is usually pretty good.... but this one takes the cake! My oldest nephew (the oldest sister's son) just recently graduated from Alabama and is in between College and Law school.... so, he's currently residing with Mom and Dad. This has turned into such a blessing for them during Mom's recent rehabilitation. But not such a blessing for him.... as my middle sister and I are constantly messing with his space while he's at work. My pranks consist of tampering with his computer, while my dear ol' sis tends to do things such as short sheet his bed (last week) and hide his underwear (today).... He's a staunch Conservative Republican, and it's well known around town, unless you are fully prepared, don't even attempt to engage him in any political topics of conversation. So... I thought it would be really funny while my sis was hiding his underwear today to change his desktop background to this:

To which his well rounded, military trained, self began thinking of this:

And I officially received the best payback I've ever received....

At 11:30 p.m., of course, my chronic insomniac self is not in bed, yet... the precious hubby had left for Memphis earlier today, the kids are with their dad, so it's just me and the dogs.... Someone begins banging on my front door loudly... I'm scared, I'll admit it, nobody should be knocking on my door like that unless their life is in danger. I glance at the clock, it's 11:30, too late to wake up my Dad, but never to late to wake up my oldest nephew; so I place the call:

Me: Somebody just banged really loudly on my front door, I'm gonna keep you on the line while I investigate... are you awake?

Him: ...uh..yea.... do you want me to come over there?

Me: (Hesitating) No.... I can't see any vehicles outside, though.... This is really weird..

(Now, knocking on my back door begins...)

Me: ...uh...yea... they're knocking on my back door now and I can't see who it is....

Him: Do you have a gun?

Me: No.... I wouldn't know what to do with it...

Him: OK, I'll be right there... (hangs up).

(Then knocking on my back window starts and I call him back)

Me: ....hurry, the fool is knocking on my back window now! (knowing he should still be 5 or 6 minutes away) Where are you?

Him: I'm on your front porch... and I've got one thing to tell you.... DON'T EVER MESS WITH MY COMPUTER AGAIN!

I open the front door and let my camoflaged nephew in... and I give credit where credit is due, so I have to admit to him that he accomplished the best payback I've ever got..... we're officially "even" and I think I'll keep it that way! My middle sister is the next scheduled payback recipient, can't wait to see what he does... I'll keep you posted....

PREEMIE PARTY 2009

2009-03-28T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! After all these years I've worked NICU, this is the first Preemie Party I've been blessed enough to attend! I'm always scheduled to work on this weekend for some reason, but this year, I managed to get someone to swap with me! Hooray!

It was a wonderful two hours of getting to see how our two-year-old graduates are doing for themselves..... and believe me, they are doing great! Just another reason why I love my job!

Here's just a tiny sample of the toddlers I could manage to capture today!

The Meeting, "Ah-ha's" and God's Hands....

2009-03-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

SO.... I had the big dreaded meeting with Hospital Administration this afternoon about Mom's inpatient care; it went really well, they were very sympathetic, empathetic, appropriate, just overall completely positive and appeared to be 100% on board with educating the nursing staff so that these things do not occur for someone else.

So now for the God's Hand in real time.... About the "meeting"..... when they asked how Mom was initially, I said (truthfully) she's getting better every day, but didn't elude to how amazing she has healed from all this. So, after reviewing all the problems, and showing them a picture of mom's 2 day post-op, huge, raised, red-streaked, hot to the touch, grapefruit size hematoma on her hip, they asked what it looked like now..... and I was able to share: Today there remains a beautiful, tiny scar, that looks like nothing more than a long scratch. That whole area just healed; swelling went down gradually, but it never looked discolored or anything. They were amazed, literally, amazed, to which I explained with perfect confidence that the only explanation was that God had His hand in all this. Despite all our efforts and the multiple failures of care, in the end, prayer was more effective than any human action that took place.

I'm sure, in the back of their minds, they quickly thought, "whew, we probably won't have to worry about a lawsuit..." but I was tickled to be able to give that fleeting testimony, if only a tiny testimony that might have been thwarted by selfish concerns; but the look on their face was priceless, one of those "ah-ha" moments. Although this has been a very difficult time, I know lots of good will come out of this now... and in the future....

SUGARSTATS and the dreaded meeting....

2009-03-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Just got a call from the hospital administration office.... the meeting's been scheduled.... it's 1:30 on Friday... here's a link to my original post about the meeting... Please keep us in your prayers for a positive meeting that will truly bring about change for care given to ortho-trauma patients, or all patients for that matter! Despite all that was done/not done for Mom, she's looking like a million bucks, and there's no one other than God that can get all the glory for her recovery! We're excited that she's got an appointment with a new internist on Wednesday, and she and dad have been given explicit written instructions on the major questions to ask him for his opinion on follow up, such as:

Mom had a d-Dimer test drawn while inpatient at HH, with a result of 2.53H. Peripheral venous US studies were done as a result that showed, “No DVT;” but he did report “some pulsatility noted in the common femoral veins.” From what we can find, that could indicate possible cardiac problems, but more likely a proximal clot. Is follow-up testing indicated to make sure she doesn’t have a clot?
A pulmonary consult was ordered for Mom while inpatient at HH and said she most likely had OSA (at that time, only one of her symptoms, her drop in H&H, had been treated with 1 unit PRBC’s…. her post-op chest x-rays continued to show unchanged bilateral infiltrates, she had a large hematoma on her right hip, a fever >101.5 requiring numerous doses of tylenol, and a klebsiella UTI infection that had not been treated). Once the klebsiella infection was cleared up via ABX started at the Nursing Home, spot checks showed she did not need 02 during the day. She was discharged on 2L 02 that she uses now only at night. Of course, the nasal cannula does absolutely nothing for her when she has periods of sleep apnea, can a CPAP machine/sleep studies be ordered for her?
Prior to her hip surgery, Mom required anti-hypertensive meds; but her blood pressure was very low in the hospital, and slowly increased to low normals in rehab. (In the attached printouts, we’ve recorded some BP’s she has had since she’s been home.) At what parameters should we become concerned, and when would you like to be notified?

..... furthermore, my parents were given explicit instructions to be able to report back with his thoughts on those issues..... Parents.... can't teach 'em anything.... we'll see how well they follow instructions! I'll keep ya' posted!

AND.... just thought I'd share another really neat thing I've started for Mom that has helped tremendously to evaluate her blood sugars, insulin dosages, and changes. It's SUGARSTATS, it's completely free, online, and you can export all the information to an excel document to print off and take to the doctor with you! Just click on the picture to take you to her shared profile and create your own account if needed!

Also, to help me with recording information to be tracked, I made Mom this form, if you need it, you're more than welcome to it, just click on the picture to download!

Or you can download it from Google Docs HERE.

Chloe and Rocky Top....

2009-03-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well..... our Boston Terrier, Chloe, can be the most annoying animal on the planet from time to time.... actually more than she is not..... but I'm starting to wonder if she has betrayed the oldest daughter and I.... You see, I'm beginning to think she doesn't like my cellphone ringtone, "Rocky Top." BECAUSE.... IT APPEARS EVERY TIME SHE WAKES ME UP EARLY, I HAVE A MISSED CALL ON MY CELLPHONE! Gonna have to try turning the ring volume down to see if she will ever let me get a full day's sleep again!

So, sure 'nuff, she repeatedly knocked on my door around 1:30pm today, after I had been to bed for only 3 1/2 hours... she knocks, she knocks, and she knocks, until I get up. At 1:38pm, I'd had enough... so I proceed to carry out the ritual...

I jerk open the door, before I can start screaming at her, she has promptly jumped onto the couch and is making her best attempt at looking innocent. Milo (the schitzu) is prancing proudly, completely oblivious to my anger.... he's just glad somebody is around.
I scream at Chloe.
I go to the kitchen to get a sip of water and a handful of animal crackers or something.
I check for missed calls on my cellphone.
I confirm, once again, somebody has called my cellphone around the time she starts waking me up!

She is just too smart for her own good, I think, or she can't stand "Rocky Top - Bluegrass version!" She's such a traitor...

Which leads me to my missed call that I promptly returned....

I returned the call of a very caring Nursing Administrator regarding mother's care.... I was assured each issue will be addressed immediately, they were looking forward to our meeting next week, and would be letting me know what they had been doing to help make sure this doesn't happen to other patients....

The "Big Meeting" Time/Date TBA......

Please pray for all involved, especially for mom, that she is healed from any harm that might have been done.... Will keep you posted!

Hippy Saga Continues.....

2009-03-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord... Mom is doing so good! Her hip looks like a million bucks, and her home physical therapist had her walk up and down the beautiful long wheelchair ramp at their house today! We weren't expecting that long and challenging of a trek for a while! Except for a few blood sugar spikes every once in a while, she is doing much better than expected! I can't say it enough... Praise the Lord! God is good....

Yet.... the saga continues.... well, we've been a bit busy with all the goings on around here! But, I desperately needed to follow-up on the care Mom received while in the hospital.... so I sent this email to our CEO, COO, and VP (I think those are the correct titles)....

First of all, thank you all for your prompt responses during my mother's hospitalization. Due to unfortunate events that followed my mother's abrupt discharge immediately after receiving this email, I have been unable to follow-up until now. I did leave a message with office staff for Ms. *****, on Wednesday February 18th, but I have not been at home since that time to be able to make phone contact. We were anticipating an excellent rehab situation with HealthSouth and were approved for a bed, but late Wednesday afternoon (18th) my parents were told that the HS bed "fell through" and ***** Nursing Home was their only option for rehab, although we asked specifically not to go to ***** Nursing Home. My mother was discharged via private car without oxygen despite orders to discharge on 2L oxygen to rehab/SNF by Dr.'s Johnson and Smith. Needless to say, she wasn't doing very well when they made it to the nursing home, her oxygen saturations were very low, in addition, she was also battling a Klebsiella infection (although antibiotics were not started until she got to the nursing home) of which the results had finally come back from her testing done two days earlier at ********** Hospital. Since she was discharged to a "MUCH BELOW AVERAGE" facility (according to Medicare - 40 citations for serious events last year alone, our national average is only 9) a member of our immediate family was present with our mother 24/7 during her 21 day stay there.

I've attached a very easy to understand table of specific problems my mother encountered during her inpatient stay at on*****. These problems are serious, and the only reason I have spent the time to gather all this information is to prevent anyone else from having the same experiences we encountered. If we had not been with my mother while she was in the hospital, she very well could have experienced even more serious complications, or even possibly lost her life. I am concerned for the patients that do not have family members with them, and hope that this situation will offer learning opportunities for the staff of ****)*.

My mother is recovering, had a slow start and a few set-backs, although we are very concerned that she might have developed a thrombus that could prove catastrophic in the future; a catastrophe that could have very well been avoided. However, we are people of prayer, and feel confident that prayer is what has brought her through all of this with a smile on her face.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I've also attached copies of my original emails in the attached documents for easy reference.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOCUMENTS OUTLINING THE ACTIONS/INACTIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MOM

This was the response I received:

Thank you for taking the time to send this. I believe the best way to
follow-up might be for you, **** ****, ***** ****** and myself to meet
and discuss your concerns in person. You have a unique perspective in
this case as both an employee and customer of our hospital.

I have copied my assistant, *****, to contact you and find a time
when the four of us can meet. We'll try and find a time convenient with
your work schedule to make it efficient for you, but we'll probably need
to do this next week at the earliest given people out on spring break.

I hope you mother is doing well. Best wishes to her and your family.

****

To which I responded with:

Thanks so much for your prompt response again! That sounds great! I wholeheartedly believe that we all have the best interest of ************ patients in mind; also, I firmly believe that one should never present a problem without having a solution. I am more than willing to be a part of generating helpful staff teaching tools if needed. I am a nurse, but a teacher at heart, and am willing to help in any way.

If you will pass on to your assistant, I am easiest to reach via email, as during my off time, I'm burning up the roads to be with Mom and/or picking up or delivering needed supplies for them. Also, I am available any time next Monday or Friday, but I'm scheduled to work next Tues and Wed night, so I'll sleep Tues-Thurs during business hours. If convenient, she can just email me a time and place and I'll be there.

Hence.... the picture of the board room at the top of this post.... Boy, do I dread those kinds of situations, but these are issues with specific consequences that can be life altering or even fatal to persons that do not have family to push for these things to be done. With that being said, I have all faith that through answered prayers, God placed His hand on Mom to protect and heal her, there's no explanation other than divine intervention if you put 2 and 2 together.... this time they didn't add up to 4, and all the glory will be given to Him!

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:14-16 NKJV)

Broken...... but not bones, this time!

2009-03-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to reap that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3: 1

Our oldest daughter blessed the church with this special song today, but noticeably absent was Nana and Papaw.... always on that first row. They were with us in spirit, though, although homebound for a short while while mom is getting back up to par! The youngest didn't get to go to church, she's got a touch of the cold that's been going around, but feeling pretty well this afternoon. Anywhoo.... she was so tickled with the special visitors that were with us today.... Her other set of grandparents and her father and step-mom joined her "Big Mama" in service this morning.... and her precious beau's family shared service with us and lunch, too! A great day.... Mom is doing well, and being surrounded by loved ones.... we are blessed.....

Oooooh... I'm Scared....

2009-03-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

This is the text I got from my sister when she found the sign.....

Oh, well.... to watch and wait!

I'll be ready... and watching.... and when I least suspect it.... she'll get me back... and good.... she always does.....

Calling all cat lovers.... NOT!

2009-03-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Especially for my sister.... the cat lover.... NOT! I'm not actually going to leave catnip under our cot, but I am going to leave this sign for her to find tomorrow nite! If you missed the whole cat story... here it is....

Mom's doctor appointment with the ortho surgeon went well today, took the staples out and checked out her hip via x-ray and all looks well... now if we could get those sugars to cooperate! It's simply been a miracle (and to God all the glory is given) that she's healed up so well with so many things that have went wrong, and worked their way out! Monday is the official day for discharge and it can't come fast enough! We're so blessed to have such great family, friends, and church family that have prayed unceasingly for her healing....

Nine months after....

2009-03-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

I didn't write this, but had to pass it on....

Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and cattle ranch just outside Roswell , New Mexico . This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.

However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:

Albert A. Gore, Jr..

Hillary Rodham

John F. Kerry

William J. Clinton

Howard Dean

Nancy Pelosi

Dianne Feinstein

Charles E. Schumer

Barbara Boxer

I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.

Now You Know.

Sugar, Cats, and Dogs!

2009-03-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

Mom's blood sugar was up yesterday, requiring additional insulin twice.... But, praise the Lord, it's down this morning, hopefully this will be a great day for her! She's getting stronger every day, but when her blood sugar goes up , it just wipes her out... Counting down the minutes, she should be coming home next Monday, CAN'T WAIT! We're so ready for some R&R at home with no interruptions! The only things getting to relax around us now are.....

"Baby" the nursing home resident cat.....

....she/he decided to take a long nap in my lap Sunday night.... Yes, she comes in and goes out as she pleases at the nursing home where mom is at rehab.... I'm not joking....

.... and Milo held down the couch yesterday protecting his fearless leader during a nasty stomach bug....

.... and Chloe, who will NOT get out of bed before 10! She would have stayed in bed the entire day on Sunday while the ground was covered with snow if we didn't force her to get up and out!

On a funny note, my middle sister is terrified of cats.... she's not seen "Baby" yet... thinking a catnip toy attached to the cot in Mom's room might be on the list of things to do before I have to report to my real job this weekend....

In Like A Lion....

2009-03-01T07:22:00.000-08:00

.... out like a lamb? Does this count as a lion? We awoke this morning to beautiful, but bitter cold blowing snow. I'm thinking this should count!

Hopefully, we're headed for some calm March days and early spring!

Well... we can dream, can't we? Tornadoes just south of us yesterday and snow today.... we always tell folks, "wait around a little bit and you'll get some kind of weather you like.... it changes with the wind."

"Bones Jones" will be missed...

2009-02-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a small town, one of my favorite memories was going to the men's fast-pitch softball tournaments. The stands would be packed as our team faced off against some big city team! My favorite player was Ronnie "Bones" Jones... he could pitch so fast you could hardly see the ball... a legend (as far as I was concerned) in his own time. Earlier tonight, he passed away.... way too soon for his family and friends. My friend, his neice, just summed up this really tragic night with some precious words to her daughter, "don't you know that MawMaw (Ronnie's Mother) is so happy to see him?" To which we all agreed. His last moments were at home, playing with his grandson, and he was taken away in an instant, far too soon for us.

"Bones" will be missed, sorely, by his large family of friends and loved ones. He was a Christian husband, father, and friend to all who knew him.....

The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Isaiah 57:1-2

Praise Report and a little Funny to boot!

2009-02-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

Mom's blood sugars have been near the 150's for the last couple of readings, so we're still praying that she's turned a corner away from "sugarland!" Please continue to keep her in your prayers...

As you all might remember, the  youngest daughter broke big toe/foot and was in a bright pink cast in Jan/feb.... then mom fractured her hip 2 weeks ago. then last week, the youngest dd broke her arm/elbow and is now in another cast... it's a pretty blue.... WELL.... my best friend, Marie, called me Thursday morning at work about 1 am and said, "what color is the E's new cast?.... because they're almost finished with me down here in the ER... I broke my right wrist in 2 places and I go to get my cast tomorrow, but I wanted us to match!"

Presently... it's getting scary to be associated with my family! BUT, for the funny kicker.... The oldest daughter is singing a solo at church this Sunday, she's been preparing and practicing for a few weeks now.... guess what the title of the song is?

"BROKEN"

Marie said to tell her to choose a song with "Healed" or "Millionaire" in the title next time!

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Please pray for sugar....

2009-02-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

....to leave us alone!

A big thanks to you all that have been praying for mom.... now it seems that her blood sugars are running amuck! Her blood sugars have been giving her a fit, she's very tired, wiped out, and weak; they made some changes that will hopefully help! She's doing very well with her physical therapy, but the energy/weakness thing is interfering BIG time.... so please, please, keep her in your prayers... hugs...

They're Back!

2009-02-23T17:17:00.000-08:00

So glad to have them crazy kids back! This is just a funny random picture I found on the oldest daughter's camera... our daughter... never missing an opportunity to get a laugh!

Winterfest was uplifting, according to our oldest.... we've been so busy, haven't even had time for a full run-down, but from what we've heard so far, we can't wait to hear the rest!

Winter Wonderland at Winterfest.... Leaving the snow was no problem for our child! She's cold even in the summer time!

Although she was missed, we were really tickled she got to have her 18th birthday at a prayer retreat!

Happy 18th Birthday

2009-02-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalms 127:3

It's our oldest daughter's 18th birthday today.... and we're missing her terribly! But... she's at a youth prayer retreat with her boyfriend's youth group, and I know he and his family are making this a very special day for her. Can't wait 'til she gets home, but have to admit, I'm very proud she chose to go on a youth prayer retreat for her birthday weekend festivities! And I'm really comforted that she is surrounded by great Christian folks that love her, too! Of course, I've talked to her 3 times, her sister has talked to her once, soooooo we're pretty sure she's having a good time! Happy 18th Birthday to You!

Fracture times 2!

2009-02-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

Well... I'll update more tomorrow, but in a nutshell, while I lay sleeping the 4 hours of sleep I got on Wed after working Tues night, I had 8 messages (about 2 different situations) before I got up......

1. The youngest (who got her pink leg cast off her foot last week) had a friend that fell on her in the cafeteria at school and she fractured her arm/elbow, and her precious step mom (i'm serious, I love her) went ahead and took her to the orthopedic doctor and now she's got a pretty blue cast up to her armpit and down to her fingers on her right hand.

2. and... from my dad from the hospital with mom.... "well, the pulmonologist was consulted (because they couldn't get mom off 02 and she kept having a fever) and he came in and said all her tests looked good, she must just run a low sat, and pulled her off oxygen. (still not treating any of her signs and symptoms of infection despite our pleading, and when they took her off her oxygen, they took her off the monitor, too.) OH, and btw, the good rehab center we were sending you to doesn't have a bed, now, so you can just take her by private car to a nursing home in your home town.... we'll call them some orders....)

THEN, on my way to work, they arrive at the nursing home, mother's 02 sat is 82 (very low), they put her on 02, didn't have ANY orders other than a report that she didn't need 02, and they ordered that she needed antibiotics. WE COULDN'T GET ANTIBIOTICS OUT OF THEM FOR ANYTHING WHILE SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED!

Don't worry, I'm takin' notes.... and when I get caught up there will be a meeting to attend to..... heading back up there in a minute to spend the night on a fold up cot by her bed.... she looks 100% better after 3 doses of antibiotics, no more fever, been doin' 02 sat checks and she's running mid 90's so far on room air. Will update you more soon, not out of woods yet.... please keep everybody in your prayers......

Hip Update....

2009-02-16T22:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for your continued prayers for mom.... this letter I just sent to our CEO should sum up what's going on today...

"My father said you had stopped by and appreciated your concern. I'm at a loss at what to do about this situation. We are very concerned with mom's care and progress. Her oxygen had to be increased (now keep in mind, she has never required oxygen before in her life) and her temp has continued to spike and be treated with tylenol. We had the same night shift nurse, ****, tonight. When she entered the room for the first time this shift, mother told her she felt like her fever was up again, she NEVER looked at any part of my mother other than her face. She does not check her incision site, nor check her pulses to her legs. She told mother that the tech would be in shortly to take her temperature. Mother's temperature was 101.6; after waiting 15 minutes we called for the nurse, ****, to PLEASE bring her some tylenol. When she arrived with the tylenol, my father asked her to please call the doctor, as we are very concerned that she's been running a temp for several days off and on and doesn't seem to be getting any better. In the meantime, my nephew and I had went to the desk to wait for some skin protectant that was being tubed over from neonatal to put on mom's nose where the nasal cannula had caused a blister. We overheard **** stating to some staff in the chart room behind the desk, "...he jumped down my throat and demanded that I call her doctor...." We simply walked away, appalled and upset. My father's request could not be construed as "jumping down my throat" in any way, hopefully she wasn't referring to my father, although we should not have overheard that conversation as visitors. Shortly after, **** walked back in my mother's room and said she had called the doctor on call and "he ordered a UA and some blood cultures and to keep giving you tylenol for your fever."

When I was about to leave, I checked mother's right hip; normally, I visualize it when I first arrive. What I saw caused great alarm. Her right hip incision is covered by a bandage; however the skin around her hip is red, streaked, and hot to the touch. My mother called for the nurse, a few minutes later, **** entered the room, and mother asked her to look at her hip, raising her gown. She completely dismissed the obvious abnormal appearance of mother's hip. Mother reported she still felt feverish (by this time, it had been an hour since the tylenol) **** never offered to take her temperature, just smiled and said "call me if you need anything, the lab will be in shortly to draw your blood cultures."

We literally don't know what to do, and we feel that mother will not receive safe care if we are not there to ask for it. Any suggestions are appreciated, as we are very worried about mother's condition deteriorating while we wait to be assigned to nurses that will appropriately assess her and pass along vital information to the physician. Definitely, we do not want to get **** (or *****) in trouble, and have every reason to believe that education issues will be addressed with them. However, after dismissing mother's abnormal wound site, we do not want **** to be assigned to mother again. Moving mother to another floor might be the best solution. Please advise and thanks so much for your concern..."

Letter to the CEO....

2009-02-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

Just a little update about what's been going on.... this is a copy of the letter I just sent our hospital's CEO:

"Thank you for your time. My mother, ******************* (Room **) is currently an inpatient at ********** Hospital. There are several life-threatening or life-altering concerns related to my mother's care I have been encouraged to share with you by our family friend, ***** *********. Please feel free to share this with ********** Nurse Manager, as important post-op complication education issues need to be addressed.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at approximately 4:15 p.m., I received an urgent call from my father, stating that my mother had fallen on their tile floor on her right hip. When EMS arrived we insisted to have them take her to ********* Hospital. After several hours in the ER, our worst fear was confirmed, her hip was broken, explained to us as being a compression fracture of the long part of the femur into the head of the femur, and a partial hip replacement would be needed. She was transferred to room ** for surgery the following day. We were told that Dr. Michael Cantrell (ortho trauma surgeon) would be doing her surgery Thursday afternoon.

I arrived back at the hospital a few hours later early Thursday morning. I was very impressed with the NP's for Anesthesia, Angie, and the Ortho Trauma Surgeon's NP, Cindy. Both were very professional, explained everything in detail to my parents, and answered all questions we had relating to the surgery. It was explained to us, since mother was being followed by internist Dr. Bobby Johnson, the Trauma surgeons wanted medical clearance for her prior to surgery, but as soon as he gave the OK, they would proceed with the surgery that day.

Mother was in excruciating pain, IV pain meds were ordered by Dr. Cantrell for every 3 hours. Her pain was well controlled for 2 ½ hours up to 4 hours, but when it returned, it returned with a vengeance. There was normally a 30-40 minute delay in response time for pain medication by our nurse, *****; this was very frustrating for us. At that time, we did not know the frequency the pain meds were ordered, ***** would not come in mother's room to let us know it was too early to receive more medication, I would wind up finding another nurse, Peggy, in the hall, who would also have to give mother her medicine.

As we continued to wait for surgery, on 3 occasions, I asked ***** why Dr. Johnson had not been in yet, or called, to clear mom for surgery. Each time, ***** would state that, “They left him a message.” I asked her on the 3rd occasion if she had called back to make sure he actually got the message, she reported we had to just wait on him to call them back. At 2:15, I called Dr. Johnson's office and left a message with the receptionist that we were waiting on medical clearance, asked her if a message had been given to Dr. Johnson regarding this, and she was unaware of any messages regarding my mother, but took our room phone number. At 3:45 p.m. I talked to Dr. Johnson's clinic nurse, who put me on hold, spoke with Dr. Johnson, and apologized for any delay, but denied knowing he needed to give mother clearance for surgery. Dr. Johnson was in our room within an hour or so, but unfortunately surgery had to be put off until Friday.

By the end of the afternoon, when it became evident that mother's pain would not be controlled with PRN injections and delayed administration, I asked ***** what could be done regarding inadequate pain control, especially since surgery had been delayed, she just said that she could only give the pain medication every 3 hours. She did not offer to contact the physician (Dr. Cantrell) regarding the inadequate pain control. I made contact with the Ortho's NP regarding inadequate pain control and was told that they would go ahead and start a PCA pump since she would need one for surgery. Mother called for pain medication around 5 pm and ***** did respond to say that Dr. Cantrell had ordered her a PCA pump and mother could wait for that. At that time, I asked her to please give my mother her pain medication (it was due) as we had no idea what time the PCA pump meds would get to the floor or be set up. A few minutes later, I found Peggy and she gave mother her medication.

Her 7p-7a nurse, ****, entered her room sometime after 7pm, and asked mother how her surgery went today and if she had been using her PCA pump. Mother explained to her that she didn't have surgery yet and she was still waiting on her PCA pump. She said she must have gotten the wrong information during report, asked mother a few questions and left the room. I found the whole incident disconcerting and strange, and was also concerned that **** never laid a stethoscope on my mother. By this time my mother was 2 days out from her last BM, and was now requiring oxygen, but **** never auscultated her lungs, heart, or abdomen. A day-shift nurse, Peggy, then entered the room and set up mother's PCA pump. (Peggy was also orienting another nurse, Tim, that day, and was extremely busy attending to mother who was actually assigned to *****.)

After the PCA pump was set up, mother's pain was well controlled, and only had to “hit the button” once during the night. The next day, ***** was assigned to my mother again; surgery was completed by Dr. Howard Miller (Cantrell's partner) that afternoon.

Mother was brought back to her room from recovery about 4:15 pm. The PACU nurse told me and ***** that we needed to let Dr. Johnson know that mom would need to be evaluated for sleep apnea, and she definitely needed to stay on her oxygen because she couldn't keep her sats up without it. A spot check showed that her sat was 93 on 2 liters O2.

Mother returned from surgery with “foot pumps,” an immobilizer on her right leg, and NO TED hose on her left. I asked ***** for a TED hose (anti-embolism stockings) for her left leg, she said she would get one. She returned with no TED hose, but took mother's vital signs, her BP was 111/45. I was very alarmed (mother's diastolic is usually high 80's and 90's while ON BP medication, and she hadn't had any in 2 days). I asked her 3 times for TED hose over the next 2 hours. I was very afraid of thromboembolism and mother is at high risk for that. We continued to give mother sips of water, anything we could think of to help her blood pressure, thinking it might be related to fluid loss during surgery. Frustrated, after my 3rd request for TED hose , I sat down on the other side of mother's bed and noticed very little urine output in her foley, and an IV bag clamped, not infusing, and laid on top of an 02 flowmeter. At that point, I went out to the nurse's station, ***** was talking on a cell phone in the charting area. I asked another nurse, Peggy, what rate IV fluid my mother's post-op fluids should be running at (should have been 50 ml/hr) and said I would be waiting by the tube system until a TED hose dropped for my mother and would somebody please go in and start my mother's post-op fluids, as I was very concerned with her low blood pressure, little urine output, and risk for embolism. I received a pair of TED hose from the secretary around 1830 (the misogram attached showed it had been requested at 1812, 2 hours after I asked for it) and placed one on my mother's left leg since an immobilizer was in place on her right leg, and her post-op IV fluids (Lactated Ringers) were started shortly before 1900 (almost 3 hours after she got back to her room). Her IV pump showed that 64 ml of LR had infused (at 50 ml/hr) at 2000.

Shortly after 8pm, ****, came in, asked a few questions, and again, never placed a stethoscope on mother. A short time later, mother started having uncontrollable tremors (very likely could have been post anesthesia shakes) with increased confusion, nausea, pale, and bluish around her lips. I called the nurse, told them what symptoms she was having and also requested her O2 sats and blood sugar to be checked. A short time later, **** and another nurse arrived with Zofran for nausea, checked her blood sugar (slightly high, but unremarkable) and did a spot check on her O2, which was 86%. The other nurse increased her O2 to 4L to get her sats to stay above 92. I asked for a pulse oximeter to be left on my mother, stating that I did not feel comfortable with her being on that high amount of oxygen without monitoring it. **** stated they never use pulse oximeters on their floor, I asked who the house supervisor was that night, and the other nurse said they could call respiratory to get a pulse ox put in the room.

Mother continued to have periods of dropping her sats to high 80's - low 90's, shaking, and shallow breathing. Sometime after all that, **** brought in an incentive spirometer and said we'd need to get mother to do it every few hours. Being elderly and high risk for post-op pneumonia, she should have been given an incentive spirometer immediately post-op. Still never once did **** lay a stethoscope on my mother. My father stayed with my mother that night, she did have one episode of apnea during the night with a desat to 86 that corrected when my father aroused my mother.

I arrived the following day, mother was still needing 4L O2 to maintain sats above 92, temp was elevated >100 to 101 and being treated with/relieved temporarily by tylenol, and a Chest X-Ray was done late afternoon. Joy, Physical Therapist, came late afternoon, and after looking at mother, she explained with her high temperature, need for so much O2, and weakness she would not proceed with helping her walk, but was able to help mother sit on the side of the bed. We were very impressed with Joy's professionalism and caring approach to mom. Mother's BP continued to run very low for her, with diastolics in the high 40's low 50's.

I knew that mother's home meds included high blood pressure medication, as well as a fluid pill, and both of those could further lower her low blood pressure. Mother asked the oncoming 7p-7a nurse, ****, if they were giving her blood pressure and fluid medicine. **** responded with, “well, I don't know, but if they are, they give it to you in the morning.” I then asked if she could look to see what medications were being given to mother, she responded with, “I guess I could look in the computer, but if they give her that, it is in the morning, we don't do it on this shift.” I then say, “I am very concerned with mother's low blood pressure that is not normal for her. Will you please look and see if blood pressure medication and fluid pills are ordered and being given to her? Her blood pressure can't get much lower without being life threatening and if she is being given medication to lower it, it needs to be brought to the doctor's attention.” She told us that we could ask the day-shift in the morning.

Elderly patients with bone fractures, large bone surgery, and immobility are at increased risk for life threatening complications of thromboembolism, fat embolism, and pneumonia. The potential for these complications is greatly reduced by (1) anti-embolism stockings, (2) appropriate fluid management, and (3) use of an incentive spirometer. Had I not been a nurse, I would not be aware of these things. Knowing that failure to utilize these interventions can actually set a patient up to have a blood clot, stroke, fatal embolism, or pneumonia (not to mention delayed healing) is extremely upsetting to our family. WE HAD TO ASK FOR THESE THINGS to be done for our mother repeatedly, even while we knew they should have been instituted immediately. Even after asking, we encountered a delay. This is not acceptable, and hopefully, mother is not already developing life-threatening complications. It will be several days (up to months) before we will know, and her physical therapy has already been delayed.

I would like to share the good news as of treatment of mother's anemia and low blood pressure. At 0230 Sunday morning, a hemoglobin and hematocrit was drawn. Apparently that early morning test showed anemia, and at 1500, a unit of blood was started on mother, and by 1800, mother was looking much better and was able to have her O2 turned down to 2 liters. My father is staying with mother tonight, and we have a different 7p-7a nurse, I can't remember her name, but she knew what medications mother was being prescribed and reported that her blood pressure medication had been decreased by 50% for tomorrow's dose."

Hip Fracture continues....

2009-02-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

we really need the prayers.... going to try to make another long story short... it really stinks being a nurse right now and knowing what is needed to prevent post op complications, asking for them after they are not done, and having to wait to get them when I know it really should have been done in the first place....

First off, surgery went well according to the surgeon. She came back from OR without any TED stockings on and a blood pressure of 111/45. Her normals are 150/88 or higher being treated with high blood pressure medicine. I asked for TED stockings and her nurse didn't think her blood pressure was anything to worry about. 2 1/2 hours later, after multiple requests, and me scratching my head trying to figure out why she had no urine output and why her B/P was low, I noticed her IV fluids had been clamped off when they moved her back to her room and had not been re-started after surgery. Needless to say, I demanded some TED stockings, found another nurse to start her IV fluids, and noticed she was looking pale and bluish around her lips. Her oxygen level (sat) was 86 on 2 liters of oxygen (no oxygen needed prior to the fracture... EVER)... so after getting a few nurses and respiratory in the room, her sat finally came up in the 90's on 4 liters of oxygen. After pretty much demanding an oxygen monitor (pulse ox) since I explained there was no way I would feel comfortable with a patient on that much oxygen without one, we finally got one.

THEN, after all that fiasco, she was still looking pretty rough, I had my friend on the code team come check her out and she asked how she was doing on her incentive spirometer (little breathing exercise machine to prevent post-op pneumonia).... and I realized.... THEY NEVER GAVE HER ONE! So 7 hours post op, we got that on our own.

Now, imagine.... she's had had a temp 101 all day will drop to 99.8 or so with tylenol, still requiring oxygen to keep her sats up, chest congestion, and feels really bad. They got a chest x-ray and said they would probably do blood cultures (to check for infection) about 4, but we've not seen anybody yet.....

Needless to say, I'm about to pull my hair out and I'll keep you posted on what happens when we finally get to see our night shift nurse.... OH, and by the way... she's not on any antibiotics...

Hugs and keep them prayers coming, that's the only thing giving me any sanity...

BUT.... as I was driving in today, I realized... from 3 out of 4 of the most common post op complications (Blood Clot, Fat Embolism, and Post-op pneumonia.... still a little early for post-op infection to rear it's ugly head) she was placed at risk for all those, I knew it, I tried to get the things to combat that, yet there was still a delay in getting those things. Yet, I know, that God is in control, and He's probably shaking his head (yet again) at me and saying, "You can jump, you can holler, you can demand, but I am in control." Prayer is the only answer to fixing this situation, and I know the power of prayer will heal faster than anything we can do.... So, I'm feeling calmer, I know folks are praying for me and mom, because it is so out of my norm to be calm in the midst of this storm, I'm definitely not doing this on my own! Thank you sooooooo much for your prayers!

Just some mis-communication....

2009-02-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Please keep mom in your prayers.... to make a long and scary story short... Mom could have had surgery today if she were cleared by "medical" -- being her personal internist. According to her nurse, they had left a message with her internist first thing this morning. After 4 additional hours and multiple requests/suggestions to mom's nurse to please call and verify that the internist had actually received the message (which were countered by, "but we left a message")... I called mom's internist's office and basically wouldn't get off the phone until I spoke with someone who could guarantee me that the message had been delivered to the physician.... and wow.... no one at the internist's office could state they had ever given the MD the message. We finally saw him at 5 pm and he gave her the ok for surgery, but too late for today, it will be sometime tomorrow (still no definite time) and, BTW, the surgeon has changed, too!

She is experiencing lots of pain, being as brave as she can, but never experienced anything like this before. We had difficulty getting pain meds within a 30-45 minute time frame after requesting them, and each time, another nurse was the one who had to get them for mom after I would find her in the hall. Thank the good Lord for this other nurse, she was way over worked today and not only had to back up Mom's nurse, but had her own patient load and was assigned an orientee, too!

After suggesting that Mom's (actual) nurse might want to call the surgeon (around noon) and let him know that her pain was not being covered adequately, we were finally told that they got those orders for a pain pump at 5:00. Shift change time rolled around, still no pain pump, so you can imagine my surprise, as the 7p-7a nurse came on and asked how her pain pump was working (it wasn't started yet... blank screen with no syringe in the pump), also didn't notice her O2 was out of one nostril (dropped her sats in the ER last night after pain med, oxygen is just a little important) and followed with the next question, "How did your surgery go today?" I thought I was going to lose it, until the only nurse that was any help for us today walked in the room to start mom's pain pump. At that point, I took dad out in the hall and gave him a brief nursing lecture on early detections of any and all complications I could think of, including with the explicit instructions on just what to say when he pressed the call button to attract the largest crowd in the event of a HINT of an emergency.

Sooooo, we all really need some sleep and we really need some prayers for healing, God-guided hands, patience for me, and for God's Hands to surround Mom for her surgery on Friday the 13th! What a special way for God to dispel any negativity surrounding the world's thoughts of just one day... just like any other day in the year.... just like any other day He chooses to give us...

Sometimes, plans change, but we have the assurance that, ultimately, God is in control....

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Mom Fractured her Hip... Please Pray...

2009-02-11T22:19:00.000-08:00

Mom slipped while trying to put on her shoes this afternoon, has a compression fracture from the femur (leg bone) up into the ball of her hip... just got home from the ER to catch some zzzz's before her surgery in the morning.... Please remember her in prayer... and thanks so much....

Remember: Turn the Ignition Switch OFF!

2009-02-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

I got this email forwarded to me today, and it held such important information, I had to post it! Prayers going out to the family and friends of this young lady from here....

Friends,

Concerning the terrible wreck that happened in Huntsville last Friday
where the young girl burned to death in her car because her legs were
pinned and those who stopped to help could not put the fire out with a
portable fire extinguisher, the newer fuel injected vehicles have their
fuel pumps mounted in the fuel tank. These fuel pumps operate any time
the ignition switch is in the "on" or "start" position; they put out 40
pounds per square inch (psi) and between 1 and 2 gallons per minute flow
rate.
The excess is bypassed by an engine pressure regulator back to the fuel
Tank since the engine at idle and at slow speed does not need that much
fuel,

Should a wreck occur, particularly a head-on, the engine will probably
Stall or be mechanically stopped from running; however, the fuel pump in
the fuel tank will most likely continue to operate. Should one of the
fuel lines under the hood be broken by the impact fuel will be sprayed
on to a hot engine. This would undoubtedly cause a fire which no
portable fire extinguisher could possibly put out.
Consequently, I have been telling my friends to always "turn the
ignition switch off immediately " in case of a wreck.

The picture in the Huntsville Times showed such extensive fire damage to
the front end of that vehicle that I believe there had to have been fuel
being added to that fire.

Both the supply and return fuel lines between the car body and the
engine are rubber hoses. These are considered the most likely items to
rupture in a collision. They are between the rear of the engine and the
car body fire wall.

This is something we all should try and remember--- AND FOLLOW IF ABLE
in the event of any kind of automotive collision.

PLEASE....TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF!!!!

Black Out! Lady Tiger Last Game

2009-02-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

Our Area Champion Lady Tiger Fans were all decked out tonight... or should I say, "blacked out" tonight? In extremely boisterous form, they cheered the Lady Tigers on until the very end... actually even after the game! We can always count on them to keep us goin'!

The crowd was absolutely wild, with every fan cheering for our girls, and of course, pointing out the minor (major) flaws of the official's decision making skills. Of course, yet, once again, we not only played the other team, that we've defeated once already, but we were forced to play the referees even harder.... you can imagine how that turned out.....

Our "blacked out" Tiger cheerleaders kept the crowd roaring!

And my favorite ballgame buddy did his best to keep this Tiger Mom calm, but failed miserably several times.... let's just say, some heated emotion might have crossed these lips after numerous, strategic, POOR calls by the officials.

Keeping the situation light, our oldest daughter will always find time to clown around.... but she's ever quick to flash a smile, too! Especially while she's getting to visit with her precious one (me, of course..... NOT) during half-time!

So... tonight, I'm sad.... really sad... this was a night of many "lasts.." Our Senior Lady Tiger's last game.... Possibly the last game I'll watch my baby cheer-leading since work is interfering with the rest of my weekend.... and the last time this particular set of fans will be cheering for their home team... on their home turf. Looking at the student section, I realized that this experience might be a "last" for some of them, too.... love their hearts... growing up is a hard thing to do... but hopefully, they'll be blessed, as we are, to get to experience this small town life again, with their kids......

My Review for my new favorite piece of furniture!

2009-02-04T21:43:00.001-08:00

Accent Furniture Direct

This is a GREAT piece of Furniture!

EmbroideryRN USA 2/4/2009

Pros: Attractive Design, Functional, Easy Assembly, Stylish Design, Easy Storing, High Quality

Best Uses: Small Collections, Dining Room Addition

Describe Yourself: Midrange Shopper

Primary use: Personal

This is a great piece of furniture! I assembled it myself, with the husband watching.... great construction, a very trendy upscale looking addition to a small space in my DINING room! It is just perfect holding trendy trinkets and a bread basket, too!

gotta get something added to that bottom shelf, though!

Another Senior Night.... Basketball!

2009-01-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

The 'Ol Alma Mater.... Did anybody know this stands for "Nourishing mother of studies?" Guess that goes right along when I say one of my favorite phrases (right now)... "Mother of All...."

Well, tonight was another one of those lasts.... our oldest daughter's last "Senior Night." It was sad, and many tears were cried (some of sadness, some of pain, and yes, even some for joy)....

A quaint reception for the senior basketball players, cheerleaders, and their parents was held before the games. I must admit, it almost got to me..... well, actually it did, I just acted like it didn't!

Our squad boasts 10 Seniors! It seems like only yesterday that alot of these girls were tumbling around as pee-wee cheerleaders; some of them have tumbled together since they were 4 and 5 years old!

Our fearless Senior Basketball leaders, played with heart and soul tonight!

And... with a little zooming in, I was able to locate one certain young lady conspiring with the enemy! NOT, she's still a tiger... but she happens to be completely smitten with one of the opposing team's fans!

As usual, our fans supported their teams, giving the refs and opponents lots of grief.... And... a few quiet moments of reprieve while they were wanting their favorite player out on the floor... it finally worked, and the coach caved to their demands (or so we think)!

Our favorite Clements Colt Fan was indeed the perfect boyfriend... gaining aahhhh's from both sides when he showed up to present a plethora of balloons and goodies to his favorite Ardmore Tiger.... can't say enough about that precious young fella...

Got my good friend and her fam still long enough to snap a photo, too; almost had to hog-tie her son to get him stopped long enough to pose!

We got to watch our final dance on our home floor performed by our girls, as usual they were spectacular... made their mamas proud!

We're super proud of all the Seniors and all they've become.... and blessed to be able to share these moments with them....

Strep! It's in the house! Yikes!

2009-01-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

With our kids..... if it starts out with a headache, minor complaints of sore throat with or without sinus drainage, and progressess to stomach complaints.... it's almost always strep throat! Sometimes a fever, sometimes not, but with prevailing stomach complaints, it's almost always gonna be strep... are we weird or what? Our poor baby even had an initial rapid stress test that was negative, but coupled with bilateral ear infections, and worsening of her symptoms, another trip to the doctor confirmed what I knew to begin with.... strep is in the house!

Amazing that such a tiny organism can wreak such havoc.....

Thank the Lord for giving man the ability to diagnose and treat these litte creatures that can cause such harm. Thankfully, while I've been working, we're blessed to have a super step-mom that loves the girls like they are her own... there's nothing to compare to knowing just how much love is in our girl's lives. It surrounds them, wherever they are.... We are blessed....

Clean Your Room!

2009-01-23T16:38:00.000-08:00

Well..... I'll learn not to tell the youngest daughter to "go to your room and not only clean it, but organize it, too." Which is what I did shortly before Christmas.... after about an hour and coming back out to get a screwdriver, she comes through the den with the bedframes to her bed under her arms and says, "Well, I'll never have to clean out from under that bed again!" SHE PUT HER MATRESS AND BOXSPRINGS DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR! I've handled it for as long as I could... a completely made bed with the bedskirt flaring out onto the floor... and then it had to go! We ordered her some "dorm room" furniture and she couldn't be happier... "I'll never have to make a bed again, either!" The mattress and boxsprings were delivered to a needy family Sunday after church and her new "couch" came in on Tuesday!

It's really neat, folds out (as shown below) to a whopping 4ft x 6 foot and is just perfect for the kid who had rather crash on the couch... not to mention it's bright color fits in perfectly with her loud decor!

Click on the above picture to take you to this neat budget bed!

Mini-Cheer Dance Off

2009-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

What a treat we had at the basketball games last night! Our varsity cheerleaders recently held a mini-camp and the mini-cheerleaders put on two spectacular shows!

Obviously, there are some future cheerleaders in this crew!

....and obviously, there might be a little more room for work, too!

Even the boyfriends seemed to have a fun time, too...

Our daughter's little buddy had a hard time walking on her own two feet, but no complaints from these two!

The grand finale was a super dance to a Hannah Montana song, and those little girls looked like they had been practicing 24/7! I'm betting there are some moms that could vouch for that!

Of course, our tiger fans were out in force, cheering our Varsity Girls to victory to claim the Area Champs Title! They held up through the Varsity Boys game and kept the game hopping, cheering the guys on to another win!

Casting Call!

2009-01-17T15:07:00.001-08:00

....and I'm not talking about trying out for the leading role in a play! You know how, as parents, unless there's lots of blood and/or disfigurement, we tend to want to believe it's not broken? Well.... we'll be re-thinking that around our house!

After a minor trip-up in the kitchen by the family pet (the hyper boston terrier, of course) our youngest daughter realized that the dog won this round! A couple of fractures near the growth plates in/around the great toe/foot was the diagnosis and a hot pink cast was ordered right up!

The youngest daughter gives it a thumbs up for style, but function scores a resounding thumbs down.... hopefully, with a few weeks of immobilization, we'll be able to start softball without a hitch!

Simple Prescription

2009-01-12T15:27:00.000-08:00

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! Psalms 113:9

Sometimes we forget the small stuff... the important stuff.... like how precious our children are. Sometimes, our youngest daughter is a normal child, just about to make us pull our hair out...I suppose that's normal.... but sometimes, she's the most precious thing known to man! I've been slightly down in my back... much better as of this afternoon.... but yesterday while I was feeling my worst, she knew just what to do... a little card to brighten Mama's day!

We are blessed.....

CHROME Browser - How to add gadgets

2009-01-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite new thing.... Google Chrome Browser... is still my favorite new thing! I figured out last night how to add gadgets to my email page! I'm not a fan of iGoogle home pages, just want a simple page to open up that doesn't take much time to load and has just what I need, and I've found out how to do it!

1. Under settings, select gadgets (you can see the ones I've already added).

2. Do a search for gadgets, and click on "find gadgets for my webpage."

3. In the search box, type in what type gadget you're looking for.

4. See the gadget you want.... RIGHT CLICK and copy the URL address of the gadget.

5. RIGHT click, and paste the URL into the "add a gadget" text box.

The gadget is automatically added to your page!

Happy New Year 2009

2008-12-30T23:17:00.000-08:00

You know that ol' sayin' about whoever you are with at midnight when the new year rolls around is who you're gonna spend the rest of the year with.... well.... I guess that means I won't have a layoff in my future (PTL!) because I'll be at the hospital... gotta love nursing... weekends and holidays... our job never stops!

BTW, that picture is one of my silly embroidery designs... I'll monogram anything! The family fears I'll monogram their underwear if they leave it laying around!

But, I'm thankful... thankful I was called into this profession, and especially thankful for how God has blessed my entire family this year. We are truly blessed...

Google Chrome Web Browser

2008-12-28T17:29:00.001-08:00

I LOVE this new web browser by Google! It's super fast and I love being able to save my favorite sites, such as my blogger dashboard as an application right to my desktop! I haven't opened internet explorer since I downloaded this! For the demonstration, I'm showing how I saved my gmail inbox to my desktop. Here's how to do it:

1. Visit the site you want to add to your desktop. Then, click on the page icon as shown and select create application shortcut.

2. Select where you would like the shortcut added and click OK.

3. Here's a screenshot of my desktop. On the upper right are the icons I've added that will automatically start those webpages!

Here's a very informative, easy to read, manual explaining Google Chrome and the benefits of this browser over current browsers.

Christmas Day Passing

2008-12-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Little can comfort us when a loved one passes... early Christmas evening, one of our oldest daughter's friends experienced tremendous loss... his father passed away. Our hearts and prayers are going up to this family as they grieve their loss.. and prayers for peace in knowing something good will come from this experience....

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

And His name shall be
the hope of all the world.
~ Matthew 12:21 (The Living Bible)

Our Christmas Festivities started off with sending the oldest off to celebrate with her group of friends. They had a wonderful time and met at PF Chang's for a reportedly scrumptious dinner!

Then... came the yearly sleep-over at Nana and Papaw's with ALL the grandkids! They must have had a great time, 'cause I had to call and tell them to "Please" come on home! Santa comes to our house on the morning of Christmas Eve and did he ever (courtesy of big sister) leave "the perfect" life-size gift for lil' sis!

Santa brought some real cool night vision goggles, too!

Somebody was pretty proud of his Civil War documentaries and Godfather DVD collections, might I add....

....and tickled with his license tag frame, too!

But I do believe the hit of the party was "Rock Band..."

Notice who immediately set it up and started playing with it!

The silly one in the bunch had a list for Santa a mile long.... most of which were redecorating supplies for her room for college, soooooo no interesting pics for her!

We shared our evening with the whole fam..."over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's house- we went!"

It looked like text messages were flying in and out of there as fast as they could hit send!

Until the practice.... the grandkids sang together at a precious Christmas Eve program we had at church. It was a great time for our family to get together and focus on what Christmas is all about. There's no better place to be on Christmas Eve than together worshipping God's Son....

There was plenty of time for gift-giving, horsing around, and of course, eating, when we made it back to Nana and Papaw's... We were extremely blessed to have the oldest nephew home this year, as many other military families were not able to be with their loved ones. Our meal was graced by this special young man (my nephew) with a tearful prayer asking grace for our meal and peace for his fellow service men that were not able to be home this holiday season.

Guess who got the biggest toy? He could hardly wait to get it out of the box! Men and their toys... they never change, do they?

For He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (Ephesians 2:14-17)

First Christmas for AC

2008-12-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

“Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.” - Psalm 127:3

I had the precious opportunity to stay a few hours with one of my NICU babies today and was it great, or what! There's nothing like holding a baby, having them look up and smile while you're making goofy faces and noises, and realize just how blessed we are! Their house was so perfectly decorated for Christmas and everyone was in the Christmas spirit and of course, on their best behavior! I don't know how their mom does all she does, and constantly on the look-out for more ways to do for others! You can click on their fireplace above to see what she's up to!

But these little angels are just as happy as can be... life size pictures of children being raised in a home where love abounds.... We are blessed....

Big Brother's Vacation

2008-12-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Twice a year, we're blessed to have a special visitor... when my precious husband (left) has a few days off, he'll go get his older brother and bring him up to share some time with us. It's such a happy time.... with lots of smiles and lots of laughs. Of course, there's constant picking and constant ribbing from little brother to big brother, but the smiles outshine the Christmas lights! Except for the gallon of sweet tea in the fridge and Turner Classic Movies playing in the background, you'd never even know big brother is here! He's a quiet, simple fellow, but hearing him laugh is one more reason Christmas time around this house is such a blessing!

Alabama Graduation Day

2008-12-15T15:40:00.000-08:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

After several long years of starting and stopping, going off to four tours of war, our nephew was finally able to complete his college degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, we were beyond proud of him!

After serving active duty, he remains in the Air Force Reserve and was able to graduate college courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.... via the GI Bill. Serving our country has always been his priority.. and for that we could not respect him more.

Boasting the largest graduating class to date, UofA's Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, December 13, 2008, was inspiring.... and long! But we made it through, and even had some smiles to share after it was all said and done.....

The biggest smile of all was to be seen when we finally made it home Saturday night... Oh, well....one nephew down... 3 more plus 2 daughters to go!

It's The Most Wonderful Time

2008-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

It's almost that time again.... the most wonderful time of the year! What an amazing testimony we can be to our neighbors and friends as we remember the true reason for the season.... Of course, with the hustle and bustle, it's hard to keep the focus on Him, but one of my favorite verses reminds me of exactly what our Heavenly Father did that Christmas morn'....

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,

And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

Full of grace and truth. John 1:14

These special ornaments (plus a couple more..) adorn our tree this year... they were sent to me by a precious Christian sewing friend from Texas and will be cherished for years to come!

Just a quick pic before the hometown Christmas Parade today....