Urgent Prayer Request

Today we got an unexpected email and telephone call regarding one of our very close camping club friends, Carol. Carol is the pretty woman with the long brown hair...


Carol and her husband Paul were in Lake Havasu and she discovered she had been bitten by something (they think it was a scorpion although it sounds like a brown recluse to me). I guess she let it go for a few days until it was clear that she needed to have it looked at. Paul took her to an urgent care where they said she needed to be taken to the hospital. She was air lifted to a hospital in Las Vegas and is in critical condition right now. She's had to be resuscitated once and her kidneys have shut down. My husband talked to Paul earlier tonight and it doesn't look good at all. If she survives, her foot where she was bitten will be amputated.

Please take a minute and say a prayer for my dear friend Carol. She has 2 grown sons, 2 grandchildren, a loving husband, and is a doting mommy to a dog that she's crazy about. She got Rusty because she saw how much joy Jake brings to me. Carol will be 50 years old this September so she's still got alot of living to do!

It's Starting To Feel Like Old Times

It will be 6 weeks tomorrow that I broke my ankle. Although I think I've done extremely well and taken it all in stride, it hasn't been fun and games that's for sure. In fact, it's been one big drag! Thankfully though, the end is in sight and the doctor says it's healing up nicely. He told me at my appointment on Thursday that I can start putting pressure on it as I see fit. So far I'm too chicken to put any direct pressure on it (without the boot) but I will soon. I'm taking it slow.

The good news is that I'm starting to feel like my old self again. This last week I discovered I could get around fine with the boot and using only one crutch or none at all. It just made all the difference in the world in my independence and I've been on the go ever since. I got a haircut, took Jake to get groomed, have been to the bank, doctor's office, to the mall and on multiple shopping excursions, out to eat, and to the movies. Yep, it's starting to feel like old times.

Speaking of movies, we went to see It's Complicated. How can you not love a movie when it's starring Meryl Streep! I just love her and I really enjoyed the movie. It had some very funny scenes and I found myself laughing out loud alot. Oh, and the house in the movie is beautiful. I read recently that the interior decorator that did the gorgeous house in the movie Something's Got To Give (with Diane Keaton) was the decorator for this house too. The property was stunning and I can just picture it situated there in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a gorgeous part of California and it's only about 1 1/2 hours from us. In fact, my daughter spent New Year's Eve in Ventura with one of her roommates from college and they went to visit the girl's grandmother in Santa Barbara on Wednesday before New Year's Eve. Come to find out, the grandmother is neighbors with Oprah! Courtney said Oprah's house is pretty well secluded but you could see the helicopter landing pad on Oprah's property from the grandmother's backyard. Pretty neat huh!


You should go see it, you'll enjoy it.

How About Some Updates...

Happy Monday all! Can you believe Christmas is only 11 days away!?! Yikes is all I have to say about that!

We came home at the end of last week with Brandon in tow. He had an 8 day hospital stay and was treated for Pancreatitis. He's doing much much better now and is watching his diet very carefully. He has to be careful to not eat greasy or fatty foods and drink absolutely no alcohol or he could have flair ups from time to time. Trust me, he doesn't want any flair ups, ever!

Macey is improving daily and is a Christmas miracle for sure! She came out of her coma and has her complete memory in tact from what they can tell. She was also extubated recently and is now talking, but in a low, raspy voice. At least 2 surgeries are needed but they we're waiting for her brain pressure to stabilize, and thank goodness it has. Macey's family is so thankful for all of the prayers on her behalf, and say thank you to all. They have literally felt covered in prayer and give all the glory to God for sparing Macey's life. They are so grateful.

Although Macey has shown great improvement, they are praying for signs of movement on her left side. They've seen no movement there at all. She has come so far in such a short time but does exhibit problems associated with right side brain injury. She has a long, difficult road ahead of her but she definitely is our Christmas miracle!

As for me, I'm hobbling right along (with crutches) with the best of them. Believe me, this is such a royal pain but really, what can you do about it. It just makes me appreciate my health all that much more and I'm looking forward to and counting down the weeks until I can walk normally again. I feel like my life has been put on hold but I don't for a minute forget that I'm at least at home and not laying flat on my back in a hospital bed like Macey and so many others out there. My problems pale in comparison and I know it.

So much has transpired since Thanksgiving but there have been highlights, and yesterday was one of them. Do you remember last Christmas when my best friend Cindy moved to Oregon? Well, yesterday I got to see her and spend time with her, along with some other very close friends. I just love these women and spending time with them was great for the soul. It's so true that you don't know what you've got until it's gone because let me tell you, I've missed Cindy (and Kathy!) beyond words.
















(Lee and her grandson, myself, Cindy, Gina, and Kathy)

Cindy, Kathy, and I were the 3 musketeers at work for alot of years. Boy, those were the days! Last year Cindy moved to Oregon, Kathy started doing dialysis in the hospital setting, and would you believe those 2 girls left me high and dry...well not exactly, at least I've still got Lee and Gina!

Take care friends and Happy Monday!
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Update on Macey

First of all, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of support you have shown to Macey and her family. I knew the blogging community would band together in prayer, and you certainly have. I'm sure the family can feel the prayers that have been said for them. Thank you so much!

Mckenzie and Courtney made it to the hospital safe and sound at about 1:30am this morning. Mckenzie's longtime boyfriend Tim was already there. He also goes to Arizona State but luckily had been attending a meeting in Los Angeles. He was the first one to get to the hospital. It's still sketchy how anyone was notified of the accident because they don't think Macey had any ID on her. I do know her roommate became worried when she didn't come home and that may have started it.

Mckenzie, Tim, and Courtney were allowed to go in the room alone to see Macey and of course they just lost it. Macey is in very very bad shape. Stitches, bruises, broken bones, punctured lung, head trauma, tubes coming out of everywhere, and they had to shave off all of her gorgeous long hair. My heart breaks for Mckenzie. It's certainly not a way to see your one and only sibling, and cherished sister. It's heartbreaking for Courtney and Tim too. These 4 kids are like siblings themselves having been best friends for many years.

So right now, this is what we know. No alcohol was involved by the driver. Apparently Macey was wearing all dark colors, jogging when it was dark, and the driver didn't see her. The doctors are saying it can go either way. She is in a drug induced coma due to her head injuries. They did remove part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain and as of this morning, the swelling had decreased somewhat. Prayers are already being answered!

Again friends, thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for this family. The doctors say if she pulls through she could be in the hospital for months. It will be a very long haul for all of them.

(You will never hear me say one more word about my measly little broken ankle. Things were suddenly put into perspective when we heard about Macey, and rightfully so!)
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Well, I Had My Cry...

And I do feel a little better, thank you. I was doing ok until I started reading the beautiful, heart-felt comments you all have left me and well, that did it. The tears started rolling! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment to encourage and lift me up. I appreciate every single one and I certainly appreciate every single one of you. Blogging friendships are real and I treasure this part of my life. I think about my blogging friends constantly and when you hurt, I hurt, and I know you feel the same. That's just one thing that makes blogging and bloggers so unique and special.

I had my ortho appointment yesterday and all went well. I was thrilled when the doctor said I'd do fine without a cast and that I could use the big black boot instead. At least I'm able to shower and not have to hang my leg over the tub like I did yesterday. So much easier!

Brandon is still in the hospital and looks like he may be there for a few more days. They are giving him pain meds for his stomach and back pain but all of his tests have come back negative, thank goodness! They thought he may have ulcers but I think they've ruled that out. It wouldn't surprise me. Brandon keeps all of his worries and stresses inside, just like I did when I was younger. I probably still do to an extent but the difference is that I've learned to give my worries to God. That's exactly what God wants us to do but it's not easily done, especially when you're young and want to be in control. Brandon is very quiet and sensitive and it's like pulling teeth to get information from him. He gets anxious and stresses easily but keeps it bottled up inside. Poor thing needs to realize that it's futile and just not necessary. As much as I tell him to give things to God, to let God carry his burdens, he obviously still carries the load on his shoulders. It's not easy being young but Brandon makes it harder. It breaks my heart.

It's funny how kids from the same family are so different. My daughter is very open and discusses so much with us, often calling and asking for advice or for us to pray about something for her. Brandon on the other hand, completely opposite. I don't know why he feels like he has to go it alone. Again, it breaks my heart and it's something that can reduce me to tears in nothing flat. It sure didn't make me feel any better that I couldn't go be with him in the hospital yesterday but hopefully he'll come home to recuperate for a few days. No matter how old you are or how in control you think you are, you need your mother at certain times (even if she is on crutches!)

I didn't mean to spill my heart out like this, I'm sorry, but our kids can make our feelings so raw sometimes. Thank you for listening and especially thank you for your prayers. They are very much felt and appreciated!

When It Rains It Pours!

We got a phone call last night that our son was at the ER with severe stomach pains. He is no wimp so we knew the pain must have been really bad for him to actually go to the hospital. They did an ultrasound late last night so we're waiting now to hear the results. In the meantime, Howard is on his way to the hospital to be with Brandon, who lives 3 hours away. Needless to say, I'd appreciate it if you'd please keep Brandon in your prayers.

I'm doing ok. I have an appointment today to see the orthopedist and will more than likely get a cast put on. I'm hoping for the big boot instead of a full on cast.

Howard may be gone for a few days with Brandon so I'll need to be independent, broken ankle or not. Again, the timing couldn't be worse. I'm not a crier but I feel like crying right now. I'm feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed!

Unbelievable and Just My Luck!

How was your Thanksgiving? I've been away from the computer for days and feel so out of the loop. I've got alot of catching up to do!

My Thanksgiving was very nice and relaxing. I was able to spend some time with my son and lots of time with my sister so I was in heaven. This year was definitely different though. My son and I went in one direction and my husband and daughter went in another. Howard wanted to see what Colorado was like in the winter since we hope to be moving there this summer, and wouldn't you know it, no snow! He was able to look around at different areas though and is growing to like Colorado more and more. It was also really nice for my parents to have family there for the holiday.

My sister Debbie and her SIL are veteran thrifters so we had a ball visiting all of Debbie's favorite thrift shops on Friday. It was a perfect girl's day out! Debbie's SIL is a doll and I just love getting together with her each Thanksgiving. So different from my SIL, but that's a whole different story.

Early Sunday afternoon Debbie and I took the dogs outside before we were heading out to do some running around. I don't know exactly what happened but the next thing I knew I was sprawled out on the driveway and I wasn't sure what hurt the most, my left ankle or my right knee. After a few minutes, I hobbled upstairs and right away my ankle started swelling up. This is what it looked like Monday morning. Just look past the scaly leg. My legs are dry and peeling from Hawaii and in need of a good shave.


Stubborn person that I am, I insisted that I could drive Jake and myself home yesterday, and I did. I drove straight to my job to show them my foot and let them know that I wouldn't be in today. I then dropped Jake off at home and headed to the ER. They of course took x-rays and yes indeed, it's broken. I can't believe it! Could the timing be any worse!? I had such plans for this week and for the weeks ahead. Christmas is only weeks away and here I am with a broken ankle. Unbelievable! I go to the Orthopedist either tomorrow or Thursday for my cast. Hopefully I can get a walking cast after 3 weeks and can get things in gear for Christmas. Thank goodness I have alot of my shopping done already. As for work, there goes my perfect attendance. I just may have gotten myself an extended vacation!

I'll keep you posted!