Sunday, August 30, 2009

Project 365 - Week 15

Honestly,
I cannot believe that I managed to get a photo a day.
One day, I missed, but the photo I took was early, early the following morning...so I almost made it. This week was the first week of 10th grade for my daughter, my first week at a new job, my son Aaron flew to Washington DC to visit his brother (no photos of this)
and my husband was out of town.
Whew!
Here is what it looked like....sort of!

Sunday, August 23
My mom came to help me this week and one of her main objectives to to make sure our family ate healthy food. This was Sunday night's meal, which she and I prepared together and then she and I ate together. Aaron was at work (ate later that night) and Rebecca ditched us to have dinner with her boyfriend. The spinach salad was her suggestion and then she wasn't even here to eat it. She ate it later though. My mom had picked up fresh ocra at the farmer's market in Tulsa before she came and it was such a treat! YUMMY!
The meatloaf? Just good old comfort food, but recipe compliments of Weight Watchers!

Monday, August 24
Two pictures today!
Rebecca on her first day of 10th grade. She and I were on our way out the door for school. After I dropped her off, I went to report to work at my new job at
Cardiology Interventional Vascular Associates aka CIVA. (see coffee mug on desk)
I settled into my new desk, filled out new hire paperwork, and read the employee handbook.

Tuesday, August 25
Sorry...still focused on the job change. This is a photo of my new building as I was driving in for my second day of work.

Wednesday, August 26
(not really)
This is the photo that I took at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Wednesday, when I came home, I was so tired I could barely stand up. I did not take a picture.
I didn't do really anything and I do not remember the day.
Thursday a.m., after a good night's sleep, I woke for my normal time of prayer and when I let my dog out for his morning relief, I saw this!
This is the moon-flower plant I photographed a couple of weeks ago, but it this morning, was having one if it's more glorious show of blooms. I had to take a picture.
I love these flowers!

Thursday, August 27
My husband was back home after being gone for a few days and the first thing he did was mow the lawn. He takes such good care of our yard and I always go outside and admire it and praise him for what a good job he does.
(I have discovered that he never tires of being acknowledged for even the simplest chores!)
This is a photo of the grass in our front yard, as the sun is setting in the west.
The fragrance of grass fresh cut still soothes my soul.

Friday, August 28
It is football season...official first game tonight!
The game is an "away" game, and it is very away...about an hour and a half.
My husband and I chose to stay home and have a date, but we will be at every other game from here on out. (I will ride the band bus to all the following away games)
This is a sign that we have in our front yard and it is a very popular thing in our area.
These signs are proudly displayed all year, but are forefront during football season.

Saturday, August 29
Our friend, Jayme, turned 16 yesterday!
Here is a picture of Rebecca and Jayme at the start of Jayme's sweet 16 birthday party.
Rebecca and Jayme have an arranged friendship - that worked!
Jayme's mom, Ashley, and myself met right after I moved here and found out our daughter's were the same age during a conversation early in our friendship.
We decided that we were going to be friends, so we also decided that our daughter's would too.
We arranged a friendship date, and took our two (then 12 year old) daughters to lunch and shopping, with the hope that they would become friends!
It worked!

And here is Ashley, in the middle, the mother of Jayme with me and another friend! The three of us took nearly 20 teenage girls to dinner before the rest of the party later that night.
What a blast!

And at one of my very favorite restaurants -
Life's A Beach!


Have a great week!!!

Love,
Liz

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins

Hooray for Friday! Time for Fill-In's!
1. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing! See number 5!

2. High School Football is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend's are God, my hubby, and my mom.

4. It is easy for me to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be deceiving. I know it is a cliche', but I have been deceived before...it is something that I want to remember.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was my mom as I was leaving to come to work and she was traveling home to Oklahoma.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with my hubby who has been gone all week, tomorrow my plans include cycle class, hanging out at home, and then going with my daughter to a friend's birthday party to hang out with the girls and my great friend, Ashley, and Sunday, I want to go to worship services and hang around the house, read a book, and pick up my middle son who has been in Washington DC visiting my older son!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Healing Words or Reckless Words?

Lately, I have been trying to imagine the words that God would use to respond to me if I had a certain conversation with Him. It all started a couple of weeks ago after an email conversation that I had with a friend. I have to say, I am glad that God does not send me important messages via email, and I should probably take His example to heart and refrain from this myself. But, on this day, I did send a semi-serious message to a friend of mine. I prefaced it with "I know this sounds sort of silly, but I need your prayers..." I continued on to explain something that I was struggling with, and even though it was sort of childish, I really wanted to overcome it. When God said in His word to confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed (James 5:16), I took Him seriously and have tried to find a few people in each season of my life that I can be honest with. In my recovery program, there is a saying, "You are only as sick as your secrets." Having kept secrets at different times in my life, I have experienced this to be true. So, my friend is a believer and usually a good listener. I also know she is a faithful prayer warrior. I spelled out my dilemma and prayer request, without justification, knowing that no matter what part of the situation was not my fault, I still wanted to honor God, but I was also struggling with some feelings of unworthiness. Her response was a little, well, let's just say, cool. She did say that she would pray for me but then reminded me that I am unworthy of anything good (since we are all sinners) and I should just put on my big girl panties (in a sense) and act like the child of God that I know I am.

hmmmm.

I sat, stunned. Knowing the truth behind the words she wrote, but I just wasn't feeling the love.
And it got me to thinking, if I had just had the same conversation with my Lord, what would He have sent back to me in an email? My prayers had been saturated with asking for help in this area for weeks and I have not felt like they had fallen on deaf ears. And I wondered if I should have just kept this between me and Him. And then I remembered His word.
Now, having a bit of hurt (with the possibility of resentment) going on, I did go to my spiritual mentor, a woman older in her faith (than either my friend or myself) and shared my hurt, my questions, and finally just asked for her advise. What she said to me was like healing ointment to my wounds; words that were laced with grace, mercy, and truth. Then she suggested that I set up some boundaries in the area that I was confessing (that was really the question...was I acting unChrist-like to remove myself from a situation?). Boundaries; one's that protect me from pain that is not being initiated by God, allowing time for God to continue the healing that He has begun in me.
But I still wonder how God's words would have sounded and what words He would have used. I believe I heard them from my wise, older friend......

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

God, help me speak wise words when the opportunity presents...when others are hurting, confessing, or just trying to sort things out. I ask that you would always guard my tongue so that my words would not pierce, but that they would heal.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Just a quick question

How is it that I can be in the second day of a new job and I am so tired that I can barely stay up until this tremendously late hour of 9:00 p.m.?

Yesterday, I barely was in the office for 5 hours. I did have to take a drug test...which was odd, never having done that before. (did you know that you cannot flush the toilet and you cannot wash your hands, until your bodily fluid has been sealed?)

Today, I did work 7.5 hours...but work is a loose description of how I spent my time.

I feel like I have run a marathon! What' s up with that??

Do I need to mention that I couldn't think of an interesting blog post if my life depended on it today?

Here's what I do know.

  • Cardiology does not seem as complicated as I once thought.
  • My 22 year old son is old enough to ride a subway alone in Washington DC. (did I really doubt?)
  • Even 47 year old women like to have their mom's around to help.
  • Humility is something that God will always have me work on...or so it seems.
  • I REALLY am a morning person!
  • A phone call from a friend to ask how your day went is certain to make my day!
  • And there is no way that I can do this without God!

WHEW!

Good-night!
Love,
Liz

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Project 365 Week 14

Another week has flown by in my life!
Sometimes, a photo for the day was quite difficult, and other days, I couldn't decide which photo to use!

Here we go...

Sunday, August 16
As part of a plan to accomplish more of what I want to accomplish in a day, or a week, or even in my lifetime, I am scheduling time periods to work on certain projects.
Sunday evening is a time that I have scheduled to paying bills and doing necessary paperwork for a more efficient lifestyle.
This past Sunday, this is what my desk looked like while I was doing several projects at once...but they all got finished!
It is quite empowering to finish things that I need to finish.

Monday, August 17
My daughter went on her first date with a young man who can drive.
She has been friends with this guy for a long time and recently, the friendship was becoming a little more involved. He turned 16 recently, and asked her if she would go to the movies with him on this day (the first day he officially held his driver's license.) She seemed a little nervous and I couldn't quite figure it out. When I asked her, it was excitement.
This is the scene that evening, while she waiting (very eagerly) and then their departure.
As a mom, I felt very strange sending her off in a car with a young man. It all turned out well...he asked her "out" on this night and she said yes. So, she came home from this date with a "boyfriend", Josh.

Tuesday, August 18
I went to my favorite local Mexican restaurant with a dear friend of mine. Part of taking care of myself this week was to have some personal time. The woman I had dinner with is a little older and has walked a similar walk as mine...but a little further a head. She is like a mentor of sorts, and we had a very good, very encouraging time together.
This is a picture of a mural on the wall of the restaurant. It is sort of dark, but it is a stunning piece when you are sitting inside.

Wednesday, August 19
I worked a "relaxed" schedule this week, being my last week and all.
Wednesday morning, I was still frustrated because it took over an hour and a half for me to make my commute. Average is about 40 minutes. I was very frustrated and feeling fortunate that this does not happen very often.

Thursday, August 20
This is me and my friend at work, Janie.
She and I have eaten lunch together for over 3 years. I am going to miss her a lot!
We will continue to have lunch periodically, since my new job is only 3 miles away, but I will miss talking to her every day!

Friday, August 21
Driving to work today, I felt a little melancholy.
For over three years, this is what my arrival to work looks like.
Even though I am excited to make the job change that is underway, I still would like to remember how this looked and felt.

Saturday, August 22
The "new" couple, Rebecca and Josh.
We are on our way to dinner with Grandma, who arrived from Tulsa today to help with the upcoming week. My husband has traveled out of town for business, school starts Monday and so does my new job. Also, my middle son, Aaron, needs a ride to the airport on Tuesday because he is flying to Washington DC to see our oldest son, Adam.
I was just sort of freaking out and thought it might be nice to have help...even if it is only emotional!
But, there is driving involved this week that I don't think I can manage on my own, so....

Here is my helper for the week!
Thank you, Mom!!!!!
xoxo


Friday, August 21, 2009

Friday Fill-In's


Hip, hip, horray...it's Friday! Time for Friday-Fill-In the blank!

1. I remember, I remember exactly how it felt when we first fell in love.

2. Dear Friend I want you to know I forgive you, and I love you.

3. Is that my new car!!???

4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of eating too much.

5. I'm saving a seat at the restaurant just for you!

6. If I made a birthday list Ashley would definitely be on it!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating my last day at my old job - going to a lovely place with a couple of my very best friends, tomorrow my plans include cycle class, some pool time, and my mom is coming into town and Sunday, I want to go to church services, plan meals and grocery shop, and see a movie with my mom and daughter - probably Time Travelers Wife (daughter's pick)!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Liz

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Life - just a little update on how it is

There has been quite a lot going on lately. Not that it is big stuff, but I guess it could be big stuff if you consider a job change "big". So, maybe it is and maybe that is why I am so tired. Or it could be because I have stayed up too late escaping the reality of so much change in my life by reading the last Twilight series book, Breaking Dawn. Or, it even could be all the farming I have been doing on Facebook's Farm Town game. Seriously, I am finding it difficult to believe that I am even participating in that activity, much less, staying up past my bedtime to harvest some strangers virtual potatoes for 20 coins a pop!

Lately, though, real life is just tiring.

Many of you have asked about the resignation of my job. It would be nice to say that I am retiring, but with one child in college just a little over half way finished, and another who will be going in three years, I will be working for another 7 years or so, unless we strike oil...wait...that might not even bring enough revenue for retirement. Tomorrow will be my last day as Billing Supervisor and Coder at a large physician management company. On Monday, I will begin my new job as the assistant Billing Manager for a large cardiology practice. I am very excited! I love the clinic environment and have missed it tremendously the last three and a half years. And, I am hoping for a lot less stress. There is no way I could describe on this blog the atmosphere and pressure that I sometimes work in, nor should I do that on the internet, but I am under a fair amount of stress every day and it wears me out. (and makes me want to farm in a pretend farm town, for goodness gracious!) So, no worries, the job change is of my choice, totally orchestrated by God, and I am very much looking forward to it.

There has been change in the life of my oldest son and his girlfriend. And it is not the end of the world, it is a little stressful for me because I know there is pain involved. It was, after all, Adam's girlfriend that introduced me to the imaginary farm world...maybe she was stressed too and shared her stress reliever with me!

My middle son has the most stability in his life right now; however, one of his roommates decided not to talk to him for a week over a poker game that didn't even involve real money! As a mother, I just wanted to drive to the apartment and tell him what for...but I didn't. I held my tongue, encouraged my son to do the right thing, and prayed.

Our youngest, (sigh). What can I say? She is 15 and a half, going into 10th grade, learning how to drive, attending band camp for 7 hours a day, and talk about tired. If you ask her, she is more tired than anyone in the house! The only thing that is saving us from a really sour attitude is her new boyfriend. Luckily, she is quite enamored with her current beau, so her mood is always a little on the side of giddy. But for me, her mother? More change. This young man drives. And even though I have met him, and I really like him, and he has proven himself to be very responsible...there is something that makes my brain tired every time I watch her get into the car (a red sporty car, no less!) with a young man! AGH!

So, I am sorry that my blog has not been very creative! I am tired. And my mind seems to be whirling with all the activity, trying to keep it in control, remembering to turn it over to God when I think I can keep it in control and just to manage my calendar, I must color code events! The best I can do are my little attempts at Random Acts of Poetry, which is fun for me, but even I have to admit, the poems are not real suave!

Today, all I have is a little update on life...every day, this is what I am dealing with...life.
I am glad I have God to show me where to go, because I am just tired. Hmmmm, do you think that He would want to harvest the wheat in farm town?

Probably not.

But, I know He will go along with me.

Love,
Liz

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Rooms Outdoors - RAP (Random Acts of Poetry)

Rooms Outdoors

Big and quiet, cold and hard
place to slip away and play
Love the room at edge of yard
at Grammy's I would stay

On that porch the world looked big
my imagination soared
treasures found; a rock, a twig
my mind was never bored

A teen, the porch now focal
for gatherings of friends
At night hides good-night dawdle
love whispers, life impends

Now my porch I call my own
extends the life we live
family meals or time alone
this space it holds and gives

Memories and future fun
My favorite room to meet
when everything is said and done
My porch time's very sweet





Sunday, August 16, 2009

Project 365 Week 13

August 9 through 15, 2009
has now passed.

Sunday, August 9
While spending a little time pool side, I sat amazed at how much the ruella plant has grown. This is the plant that currently has a flower photographed in my header. I bought it two summers ago, on a whim...not knowing what the plant even was. I kept it contained for the remainder of the summer of 2007, but stuck it in the ground in the fall. It has returned every year and it spreads like a weed. However, I love it and I love the memories of when I bought it.

Monday, August 10
FINALLY! I gave my notice at my current job today. I have been waiting for weeks, for various reasons, for the perfect time to turn in my letter of resignation. Today was the day and my relief was great! I found myself going home after this day of work to an empty house. My hubby had to travel out of town, Rebecca was busy with band practice, and my son was at his apartment in Denton. I sent out a quick email to a couple of friends - inviting them to an impromptu celebration! It was delightful.
And I was able to watch a little one swim in my backyard pool...this is always an extra bonus!
I love having children over to swim! They are so much fun to watch!

Tuesday, August 11
I have set a goal of preparing a healthy, appetizing meal 6 nights out of 7 every week.
This was week one of this goal and one of our family favorites returned...
Vegetable Lasagna! I have not made this particular recipe in about 4 years.
It comes from a heart healthy cookbook and my entire family loves it!
Welcome back!

Wednesday, August 12
Facebook Fun!
I met up with two friends that I went to High School with after reuniting on Facebook. They are sisters and I was friends with both of them, but hung out quite often with the friend pictured in the middle. Stephanie lives here in the DFW area and her sister, Cheryl, was here visiting from her home in Oklahoma. We talked for two hours nonstop and decided to recommit to our friendship! It is fun having Stephanie back in my life already!

Thursday, August 13
This is me and the group of ladies that call me their boss. It is the last day that the entire group of us would be working together because one of them will be on vacation this next week - my last week. I love working with these group of ladies...they are hard workers and fun to be around!
I will miss them very much.

Friday, August 14
Something else that I will miss when I leave my current job is the trees outside of my office. Every morning when I arrive and every evening when I leave, this is the sidewalk that I walk down to go into my office building. It is like a park and there are birds, squirrels, rabbits, and who knows whatever creatures that live in the park like area that surrounds the building I work in. I really enjoy these trees!

Saturday, August 15
Every week, it is the same thing...our son Aaron spends a few days in his apartment where he attends college, and our dog mopes...waiting for his return. When Aaron returns, Rusty (the dog) is in absolute heaven. He follows him around and will not let him out of his sight. This is Aaron and Rusty just an hour or so after Aaron has come home.

Have a great week!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

RAP - The Hallway

This weeks poetry prompt at Seedlings in Stone was yet another part of the house - the hallway.
I pondered all week, having thoughts of what the hallway in my house represents, but struggled with writing a poem. Today's deadline, I sit and write...still rough, unfinished, but the feelings now moved into words.

(sigh) This one was difficult.

Connected

Am I aware
That it is where
I monitor all
Coming and going
Making certain that
Loved ones stay
Tucked in covers
Warm and safe
Top of the hall
Is where I stand
Guard, waiting
Are you coming?
Where are your books?
They roll through
Doors like bowling balls
Running, ready
At night in bed
A soft glow
Each night light tells
That sleep has come
I read and watch
No one moves
The hallway still
Connecting
Brothers
Sisters
Mom and Dad
Just down the hall

Monday, August 10, 2009

Changes

My office
Monday through Friday
this is my view
from my seat behind screens
Supervising
Coding
Solving
-
Today
Change is put under way
officially resigned
My job is good
But God saw better
and sent an opportunity
my way.
-
So, I begin the good-bye's
handing over
promising lunches
and help
Three years of work
My first job in Dallas
I 'm grateful
-
Change is good
when it comes from God
This one is visible
location, work
The others are hidden
deep in my heart
changes He makes
that no one can see
but him
and me
-
Prayers of thanksgiving
He takes care of me
Includes every part
Inside and out
I'm glad I hang on
When I really can't see
and hope that other's
see His change in me

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Project 365 Week 12

One picture a day
Week 12

Sunday, August 2
It's that time of year again...football season.
And thus for us in the Russell family, Marching Band season.
Here is Rebecca getting measured for her marching band uniform.

Monday, August 3
This photo could become an entire post because it is very significant...
but on Monday of this week, I was having my prayer time, early in the morning, as is customary for me, when I had an epiphany.
Much prayer has gone into the relationships that these little figurines represent in my life.
Two of these were given to me by friends who are no longer in my life, but at one time, were very special. One of them, was removed from my mantle for over a year, and another, was painful to look at for a few months. The third one, purchased by me, to represent the healing that God has surrounded me with, the Angel of Serenity.
God covers all the hurt and pain that surround the loss of the other two.
He revealed Himself to me in a new way on Monday.

Tuesday, August 4
Girls night...at one of my favorite local restaurants, Blue Goose Cantina.
Spending this time was part of the answer to prayer regarding Monday.

____________________________________________________

Wednesday, August 5
When my son found out that I was switching from Mozilla Thunderbird back to Outlook so that I could sync my calendar to my iPhone, he was a little disappointed. He is a computer engineer, very computer educated, and also a software snob. He really dislikes Windows products. Anyway, he talked me into going back to Thunderbird (which I always have been pleased with) and helped me install, update, and sync my calendars from every source. Now, no matter which calendar I type an event into, it syncs to all three.
It was a major project for me because I had to keep calling him and asking him to walk me through certain steps (and I messed up my iPhone email in the process), but hoorah!
The calendar project is done!

Thursday, August 6
This is a moon flower. I look forward to these blooms every summer.
The seeds that grew this plant have been gathered by me from plants year after year, originating with a plant that my father gave me when I moved to my first home and became interested in planting my first garden. He had collected seeds from my grandmother and grandfather's garden many years earlier, probably back in the mid 1960's.
I have grown one (or more) of these plants in homes in Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia, and now Texas. The bloom is wonderfully fragrant and a sweet memory for me personally.

Friday, August 7
29 Years ago on this day, I went to lunch with a guy from work. We went to Wendy's hamburgers and it changed my life.
I married him!
This sweet man and I spent a relaxing evening at home on Friday evening.
He was going to take me out to dinner, but I had to decline. I had already okay-ed my daughter having company...a young man, so we could not leave the house.
We can always have fun...even if it is just staying home!

Saturday, August 8
This is a scene that I see very often during this time of year...
marching band practice being dismissed.
This band practices 6 mornings per week, for 4 hours and 4 evenings per week for 2 1/2 hours more. This does not include the sectional practice that takes place once a week for an additional 2 1/2 hours.
The band has gathered up to listen to the instructions of one of the band teachers who is speaking to them from the tower.
And they are hoping that he doesn't call their names because if he does...
this is what they will have to do...
Add VideoIt's hard work being a Marching Jaguar!

Have a good week!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday Fill - Ins

Well, it is Friday evening already and I am SLOW getting this post up...
doing it anyway
because at this moment I am waiting for dinner to be finished.
Fill in the Blank!
Here I go....

1. Swimming in my backyard pool is my favorite summertime past time.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is The Breakfast Club.

3. The skin of people that I love is something I love to touch.

4. The full moon makes me ponder things that I don't normally think about on other moons.

5. I am ready to eat dinner right now.

6. When daylight fades the cicadas begin to sing; they create a melancholy mood in my heart.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with my husband as we celebrate the 29th anniversary of our first date (but our daughter is entertaining a young man...so we can't go out!) , tomorrow my plans include cycling class, a hair appointment for me and my daughter,after which she and I will do a little shopping and then some time spent with my dear friend, Kim and Sunday, I want to worship God with a pure heart, lay out a little bit at my pool, a life coaching session with my life coach (also my mom, which is fun and beneficial) and then rest.......

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

God Answers Prayers!

(My mom, Dr. Swenning, and Peggy-a solid friend throughout)
On Labor Day in 2005, my mom and Ron, her husband of almost 22 years, were returning home from a dinner date with friends. Ron was a motorcycle lover and had just purchased a shiny red Honda Gold wing that looked something like this.

He was proud of it and wanted to take it to dinner - gas prices were over $4.00 per gallon at the time and the weather was nice.
On the way home, only a few short blocks from their house, they were rounding the corner and hit by a car.
The driver had no driver's license because he had too many DUI's. On this day, he was driving, unlicensed, in a car that was not his, and it was not insured. It is likely that he was under the influence as well, although not notated on the accident report.
What he was arrested for was hit and run.
He fled, probably terrified.
A young couple witnessed the accident, got out of their car and stayed with my mom and Ron until the ambulance came. They followed the ambulance to the hospital to deliver the personal items that they picked up off of the street.
The next morning, my mom was in a 10 hour surgery to save what she called her "broken leg".
Her trauma surgeon called it "pulverized."
He did save her leg, but did not think she would walk again.
Ron's broken ankle was fixed, but his heart was still sick and he died on the way to the recovery room after surgery.
The road has been long and hard for my mom. She has had so many surgeries that she sometimes calls me and asks, "How many and when?"
I can't answer. I don't remember either. (I guess we should write them down)

Thinking back to that day, I drove to Tulsa from Dallas, with a map, because I had only lived in Dallas 6 weeks when I got the phone call that the accident had occurred.
My plan was to be there for two days, but it ended up being almost two months.
I watched my mom work harder than I have ever seen anyone work.
Every time she had to be moved, I cringed and I was thrilled when she got up with a walker and took a step.
The bright spot in all of this was her trauma surgeon,
Dr. Swenning.
He was kind and informative.
And without a doubt, he saved her leg in that 10 hour surgery when most surgeons would have deemed it hopeless and amputated.
Every time she asked if she could walk, or do this or that, his response was always,
"Mary Ann, we have already won the lottery. Let's just see how it goes."
He never would tell her outright (that I know of) that she would not walk, and he never discouraged her desire to do so, but one could tell that he didn't find it likely.
Yesterday,
he declared her "healed"!
No more surgeries
(unless she elects to in the future...a knee replacement)
The hardware will stay put unless problems arise.
And she can do whatever she feels comfortable doing.
In June, she danced! And I was there to witness it.
We took a photo and she gave it to Dr. Swenning yesterday!
And even though we will miss seeing him regularly (we really grew to like him, plus we did nickname him, "Dr. Dreamy" - for reason's you can figure out on your own!)
My mom has been prayed for for almost 4 years. Every time the bone would crumble inside of her leg (this happened more than once)...more prayers would be prayed.
And God answered.
The bone seems to be healed. (we will never know for sure unless she has another surgery)
And she can walk.
She can dance!
And I rejoice!!!
Publish Post

My mom has kept her own diary on her blog, Observations.


Monday, August 3, 2009

RAP (Random Acts of Poetry) The Living Room

This weeks Random Act of Poetry prompt is to write a poem about the living room.
The living room?
I thought the kitchen was stretch enough... :)
L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone
mentions in her post that she had nothing to say about the living room,
but the poem did.
I found similar to be true; possibly her comments led me in agreement, but nonetheless,
the poem found the words.
Thus
Living Walls


Living Walls


The walls wrap around

Loved ones, gathered

Conversations

Sometimes silent

Reading, napping


The floors hold memories

Of babies, crawling

Cartoon watching

Toys thrown askew

Laughing, crying


Closing eyes I hear

Digital programs

Soundtracks, popcorn

Ballgames, cheering

Dancing, music


Shielded, as message

That must be shared

A tragedy

When one must sit down

Hugging, holding


In contrast lights dance

Bright colors and cheer

Holidays

Presents and parties

Singing, giving


The room we live in

Grow up in, slow down in

Together

Abiding and searching

Cocooning, protected

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Project 365 Week 11

It has been another week and it is time again to post a picture a day from my life.
Let's go.

Sunday, July 26
I spent the afternoon transferring activities from various calendars and appointment cards to our family calendar. Rebecca has band, Behind the Wheel driving classes, school schedule pick-up, along with various appointments and invitations, the month of August was looking a little overwhelming. Honestly, I was not relieved when it was all consolidated into one location, but at least I could tell what needed to be moved or canceled. I did not take a photo, but now I am working on syncing my iPhone with my Thunderbird and Google calenders. Whew!

Monday, July 27
I drove to work this morning after a big thunderstorm had hit. Some of you know, I commute 23 miles into Dallas for my job and I really don't enjoy driving in the rain. Especially in my new car! Ewww! It got dirty. So, I drove my old car the next two mornings
(Tuesday and Wednesday)
We had thunderstorms 4 out of 5 weekday mornings this week!

Tuesday, July 28
These are my lunch buddies. They were oblivious to my photo taking! Most days, we eat together. Janie (on the left in the pink), Dorine (on the right with the purple cup) and often Elsa (in the yellow) and Jo Anne (on the far end, standing) join us.
We eat in our lunch room most of the time; it is quicker, healthier, and cheaper!

Wednesday, July 29
I picked up my new eye glasses after work today!
I was excited, but my family didn't even notice. These are very similar to my old ones (not the bold, teal ones) so my feelings were not hurt. They did notice the next day.

Thursday, July 30
Today I received an envelope in the mail from Virginia.
My wonderful friend, Linda, had sent me a card with a wonderful note inside!
When I lived in Virginia, Linda was my "spiritual mentor." She exhibited the kind of relationship with Christ that I hope to have some day. She has a peace about her that I absolutely know is from God and I admire. She was a strong confidante and counselor during some things that were very difficult and very painful. She listened with an unbiased ear and has prayed for me, probably more than any one person ever has. She still does. And she writes to me regularly to let me know. She has lost a lot of her hearing, she has arthritis, and she also is battling
Hepatitis C, so our communication is limited, but I will always consider her to be one of the best friends in my entire life. I miss her tremendously and cannot wait to send her a nice long letter to let her know how I am doing. And I will remember to (again) let her know how much her friendship means to me!

Friday, July 31
This is my poor, poor baby after she returned from having her wisdom teeth extracted. She really has done very, very well, but this photo was taken just a few minutes after our return. The oral surgeon suggested that I take her home with a milk shake to get something in her stomach and to let the cold soothe her mouth. She was still "high" from the anesthesia (she might not remember giving me permission to take this and post it!) and could not feel her mouth at all. She managed to get most of the ice cream into her mouth and is recovering very nicely!

Saturday, August 1
Another rainy morning (this is 5 out of 7)
I did get up and attend my cycling class this morning and was it ever hard! Everyone in my family looked like my dog (in this photo) and my husband and I drove to the gym in the pouring down rain. This poor guy, Rusty, is approaching 14 years old. He can no longer hear and was not even aware that I took this picture. So, after my man and I worked out, had a shower, and had lunch...I looked like Rusty for a good part of the afternoon!
Happy Day!