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“I have given skill to all the skillful, so that they may make all that I have commanded you. “ Exodus 31:6


“O Thou who art the all pervading glory of the world, we bless Thee for the power of beauty to gladden our hearts.
We praise Thee that even the least of us may feel a thrill of the creative joy when we give form and substance to our thoughts and, beholding our handiwork, find it good and fair. “.
Walter Rauschenbusch


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"Come, and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.
I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the LORD woud not have listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, Who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!" Psalm 66:16-20
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Friday, November 29, 2013

I ain't dead yet, praise God !..........................

.............and I KNOW that, because although I haven't touched a rotary cutter in weeks, I still can't let Black Friday pass me by without ordering something for 50% off from Connecting Threads !


Yep, I wound up just ordering a couple of strip sets of the batiks, but that was enough to satisfy the after-Thanksgiving crazed feeling.

Cyber Monday has been pre-empted !

  Last night, I did my Walmart run.
Got there at 4:30 p.m. and the wristbands had all been passed out to pick up the Funai, 32 inch t.v.s for $98.00 that were in stock.   The electronics guy said I could still get the one-hour guarantee (and pick up a t.v. later when it shipped to the store) if I got in line at 6 p.m. "Don't worry, the line won't form for another hour", he says. Ha ! I thought I'd just wander over and peek at the line location, and uh, there were already 20 people or so in line, so I joined it immediately. At about 5:40, a young man came along passing out the one-hour guarantee cards to take to the register. I sailed up to a cashier, and, of course, she told me that I couldn't pay until 6 p.m. So, with no one waiting to make regular purchases, I began a line right then and there at her register, and people started filing in behind me. At precisely 6 p.m., I paid for my t.v. and booked it on home. I went on line and registered the purchase. Now let's just wait and see what happens when 750,000 people all over the country do the same thing. Think we'll get them before Christmas?

  I went back today and leisurely browsed, found a couple of cheaper flannel shirts for my husband to live the winter out in, and saw that everything was thoroughly picked over.  Glad that hubby and I did our main shopping weeks ago, even if we did miss the 'special' prices.  I think it's kindof sad that everyone will have the same seven or eight gifts under the tree that were in the special ads. 

Thanksgiving came with Jeff and Judy blessing us with two plates heaped over with goodness.   I tried, I really did, but couldn't eat anything........back to the Ensure bottle !    Doctor is talking about putting the tube in the belly come December 30 if I'm not able to eat by then.  DON'T WANT THAT,.........but.....what will be, will be.   It could be worse.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Happy Birthday to granddaughter, Zoe...........

...........and to ME  !

I was just in here catching up on some blogs that I follow, and doing a little pre-black-Friday snooping, when a knock came on my front door.

  Lo and behold...........haven't you always wanted to say that?..........there was a beautiful arrangement of flowers for me,.....sent by my dear best friend, Wanda, out in Oklahoma !    What a sweet, sentimental sap I am to break into tears !   Thank you so much Wanda, I love you
........it's dreary here, and I was in the middle of another one of the never-ending, but much appreciated, tube feedings, and you lifted my spirits greatly.

  Much like the surprise a couple of days ago when I received a priority flat-rate envelope from other best friend, JoAnn.........containing the CUTEST Vera Bradley cross-body wallet.............and THE funniest letter I have read in EONS !   Thank you........I love you so much, Jodie ! 

  This is already the best week I've had in a very long time !

WAIT---------it gets better !   Wanda says that the florist left out my roses.......so they had to come and bring me another bouquet !  Squeeeeeeaaaaaaaaal !

Friday, November 22, 2013

5 weeks post tumor surgery............

..........found me hospitalized again !

I went up to Vanderbilt on Monday for my one month post surgery checkup.   I thought I'd save my brother the trouble of driving me up there, and just take the public transportation that they offer here at home.   I booked a round trip for $30.00, but my doctor decided that he could save me a trip back up there another day by hospitalizing me overnight for a procedure that I needed.  So, I wound up having to pay the return trip fee, AND staying 2 nights ! 

   My vocal nerve has not recovered at all, so he injected silicone or something into it to protect my airway and give me a little more of my voice back.   Scheduling got aggravating, thus the extra long stay. 

  I've thrown up the last two nights since being home, so it's been quite trying.  I've lost 14 pounds in 5 weeks, and need to stop and maintain my weight from here forward, but I can't eat anything much by mouth except for creamy tomato soup.  The tube feedings make me sick when I take the amount they prescribe, so I've got to develop an alternate method.  Sleep is still difficult without aspirating saliva into my airway.   My dentures are causing sore places in my mouth because of all the weight loss/ misfitting now.

One day at a time, with the grace of my Lord, I WILL get better.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

3 weeks post surgery

Monday, I had a new swallow study/X-ray performed at Vanderbilt Hospital.  The specialist seemed to think that I was improving right on schedule, praise God .  She released me to start eating soft foods, but left the feeding tube in as I can't eat enough to get the nutrition I need from solid foods right now.


I've had potato soup for a couple of lunches this week, and overcooked some macaroni and cheese today (just the way I like it) and I ate a half cup of that.  It's actual work, with a lot of coughing and clearing my airway just to get through a little meal like that, so I have quite a ways to go.  As of this morning, I weigh 145 pounds, down from 158 on day of surgery.

I see my actual doctor on November 18th.  I hope he can explain the pain and modified movement I have in my left arm/shoulder.  Fun days !

Keep the faith !