ELIJAH VALENTINE

May I direct you to Wendy's blog for the first 4D sonar pictures of our next grandbaby.. Elijah. These 4D sonars are like photographs taken inside the womb.. incredible technology.
He looks so much like Isaac.. I'm just amazed and in wonderment.. can't wait to see the next one at .. 35 weeks??
Most 30 week gestations are about 3# of baby.. this little guy is already 4# and has to grow yet.
I love the chubby cheeks!
Wendy told me that while they were doing the sonar, Eli reached down and pulled his feet up and was playing with his toes.. awwww... is that sweet or what? And they could watch him doing it as if he were on the outside world.

WENDELL ARTHROSCOPY

Wendell is doing well post surgery..home and not even using the crutches.. He has a cane that he's using for balance, but the pain is so much less. He had a bad tear that the doctor repaired.
Thanks, JJ, for providing his transportation and moral support too..

THUMBS UP !

If you don't think prayer is not effectual.. read on...
I did a lot of complaining about my thumbs this week and last night had so much pain and soreness and frustration, I had to share it with you all.. and though I feel sorry that I have been complaining so bitterly, you have apparently heard my request for prayer..
This morning the swelling is down and the pain is substantially reduced with just general discomfort. I picked up my coffee cup gingerly this morning and immediately noted that there was no sharp ripping pain in my thumbs or wrists. The redness is gone..and the joints have cooled down. Indeed, even my shoulders and back are more settled today.
I thank you all for prayer and I thank the Lord for the relief.
It is 2:30am.. I'm awake and don't plan to go back to bed at this point.. I've slept 6 hours and am feeling so much better. I have paper work to take care of for work today, and then after seeing my dear patients, I'll do some general cleaning of my office areas and get things back in order. Next week Kathy will be covering for me (her regular day) and I'll just do some clerical work.
Today JJ will be picking Wendell up for his surgery on his knee. Keep them all in prayer please.. the surgeon, anesthesia, etc.. all those who will be caring for him.
On to the day.. early as it is.. good to get a head start..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY

Amy is our daughter in law married to son Paul,
and precious Mom to 5 of our 8+ grandchildren.
My wish for you today is to have a most wonderful one
full of smiles and happy times.
God Bless you
and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

CLUMSY

I believe in giving fair warning.. I'm feeling upset and sore.. and if you don't want to read about all my complaints.. well.. then just shuffle on to something else... 'cause I feel like complaining.
It's my thumbs.. yes, I know, I have been complaining all week about them.. but they are so SORE. It makes life so difficult. The little things one takes for granted, I CAN'T DO!! I can't get my hose on, can't get my shoes on using my hands and getting dressed this morning left me sweating and totally wiped out. I went out to do the grocery shopping and to pick up Wendell's med.. the name on the check I would verify as my own, but it bears no resemblance to my signature. Thankfully I wrote the check in front of them and they know me.
I got the groceries, but had them pack them lightly, and then carried them in the house 2 at a time.. just too heavy for my hands.. Supper has been interesting.. can't open the can of mushrooms to put in the cassarole. Can't rip the packet of flavor seasoning without scissors or a knife..
I'd like to know who the cruel person was who invented the lids for the bottle of arthritis strength Tylenol?? He needs to be shot. By the time I get the lid off, I'm in tears.. then I put a number of them in a smaller bottle that I can remove the lid easily... but that initial opening is so bad.. and aggravates the already screaming thumbs.
What were they thinking!!!???? Did they not think to test these lids with arthritic people??
Truly, any packaging that says "just tear here".. is a joke.. Try it yourself.. bandage up your thumbs so they are unusable.. and see.. try opening the simplest packages.. you won't be able to do it.
If you really want the full effect you could hit your hand with a hammer..and then try to open them.. It is not possible !!!! Scissors?? You must be kidding! Those little loops on the back of the scissors.. you know, the ones you put your THUMB through?? AAAACCCKKKK!!!! So I use a paring knife.. sharp one.. it works for paper wrappings. but not the medicine bottles.
Tonite is not good.. I've had enough of sore thumbs.. I'm actually thinking about taking a leave of absence from my hospital job because I can't handle the heavy charts.. and I'm clumsy with the raft of papers that come with the patients.. and the amount of writing that has to be done.. chicken scratch..
Tomorrow is my office day.. perhaps the good doctor will see ME.. and perhaps inject these thumbs so that I can function normally again.
It's peculiar to me that typing is not as stressful as writing with a pen. I use mostly my fingers..and the thumbs are reserved for the space bar.. it just isn't as bad.
Okay.. getting off my soapbox now.. sorry for the tirade.. I'll do better next time..
Have a great evening all..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL

TODAY IS DANIEL'S BIRTHDAY
HAPPY HAPPY DAY TO YOU

ANOTHER TASTE OF WINTER

Well, it had to happen sooner or later.. eh? So it's 17 degrees.. and going down to 12 tonite.. So.. it's winter. I'm not thrilled, but at least I didn't slip and slide on the mud trying to get in the house at midnight tonite. Roads were clear and dry.. but the closer I got to home,the backroads got a little more snowy looking.. not bad.
I'm home safely and that's what counts.
What I didn't like was coming home and walking into a 44 degree bedroom..yike! I turned the heater on.. I keep a space heater in the bedroom that also reads/measures the temperature. Right now I've got it up to 50.
A little chilly yet.
I like the bedroom a bit on the cool side..not cold.
Better check and see if I can locate some rice bags.. I'll likely need a couple to warm up the bed.

A HINT OF WINTER

We have a hint of winter. It's cold..30 degrees.. and the white stuff on the ground is almost negligible. It's sort of a reminder that it is winter and it's a mild one. No complaints here.
I'm having a cup of coffee, and that seems to be warming me up satisfactorily.
Another day of gainful employment today. Last evening was back to normal again, thankfully. It wasn't bad.
Not much happening here. I think I'll hit the shower and try to loosen my joints again.

I DON'T DO MORNINGS WELL

I think it's a good morning. I'm planning on it being a great day. Not sure yet.. I'm feeling bogged down by dampness.. it's raining again and 56 degrees. It doesn't feel like spring though.. more like.. a cool unseasonably warm mid winter day. A good hot cup of fresh coffee should help.
Today is a federal holiday. I'm not impressed. I'm so unimpressed that I 'm only mentioning it because you won't get mail today and all the governmental offices will be closed.
It's a sleepy day.

CLOUDY AND 44 DEGREES

It's nearly 3am.. I'm awake.. I fell asleep a while ago, but awoke with my fingers aching and refusing to bend without some degree of pain. It's the weather again.. seems to play a huge part in the aches and pains I experience.
I wont' be writing long.. it is mildly uncomfortable now to try to type on a keyboard.
Wendell had a better day yesterday. His GI problem seems to be alleviating now. Thanks for all your prayers on his behalf.
My grandmother had a treatment for diarrhea- barley or barley water. She boiled the barley and then drank the water.. it works. So for 2 days I've made chicken barley soup .. or maybe I should say Barley chicken soup? It had a LOT of barley in it. We like that grain so it was a pleasure to add twice as much to our soup. I'll be getting more in the near future. Wendell said he actually is feeling some better. That's a good sign.
Today, Monday, will be a busy one after the good rest we got yesterday. I'm gainfully employed, but have some responsibilities to deal with before I leave for work. One of these is making sure our new medical insurance cards get to the orthopedic surgeon. They arrived Saturday, and though it's just a name change and not a benefit change, it still has to be reported to our doctors. So, yesterday I sat down and figured out how to send a fax. Now I know that seems silly to you if you have a lot of computer knowledge, but for me it was a major accomplishment. The fax is in the computer and also on my printer. I had to bring up a program and fill out the information it required, and then I called one of the girls at work and sent a fax to them with the request that they return it so I would know it got through. I did it! Fabulous. Now I can just fax the card to the doctor.
I have been wanting to know how to fax with my equipment here because of the office also. I make 2-3 trips into town /week that would be unnecessary if I could make the fax work.. so tomorrow we shall see if it is feasable to do so. I'm all for time savers !
JJ sent me an email .. she says Palm Springs is unseasonalbly chilly, but sunny. Glad to hear it. She will attend her seminar today and then do some sight seeing while they are there .. they arrive home late Wednesday night. Pray for a safe journey if you would.
I'm headed back to bed.. I hope I can go back to sleep.Morning comes swiftly, and I want to have enough rest to make it to midnight.
Be careful if you are driving tonite.. dense fog warning out there..

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY

It is the Sabbath. We will not be going to church this morning...sigh... It is a disappointment to me, but some things just can't be helped. Growing older brings a lot of physical problems forth that we didn't anticipate even 3 years ago. Some are overwhelming.. others can be dealt with as long as there are Tylenols in the bottle.
Wendell was up many times during the night, but not as many as the previous nights.. I would suggest this is an improvement in a way. He eats very little.. mostly drinking water now. Yesterday I made a pot of chicken barley soup which should help with GI trouble, and I think perhaps it did make a difference. We'll see today.
Last evening I went to the grocery and got him semi-ripe bananas and yogurt too. These things should be good for him.
Of course, his knees are giving him fits with the rainy weather.. and today more is anticipated. Lake Blair is full to overflowing. I burned papers yesterday (long overdue) and noted Lake Blair II in the back of the house. I'm glad we don't flood in the basement. I wonder how much snow this would have been if el nino hadn't run interception? We expect 50 degrees today, but with more rain and tomorrow too. Tuesday should settle into 'winter mode' with a high of less than 30. Sure is bizarre weather.

It is 19 days till Ground hog day.. and just one month to Valentine day..yes.. today is the 14th of January..in just one month, Valentine Day will be here.. time to start thinking about doing something nice for your honey. I'm doing just that.. On the mend....

• Uncle Bob is still in the hospital..pray his renal problems will be healed and the host of other problems that have plagued him.

• Aunt Mary Jane and Janet who are also on the mend..

• Wendell's surgery on his knee is this Thursday
• Perhaps remember me also.. having difficulty ambulating this morning.

That's about it for now.. perhaps I'll catch y'all later..

WAITING EXPECTANTLY

O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.… Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:1-3 NLT


In World War I, Field Marshal Foch, the Allied commander in chief, could not be found when a military conference was about to start.
An officer friend said, "I think I know where he might be."
Foch was found praying nearby at a bombed-out chapel.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I would be the greatest fool on earth if I did not realize that I could never satisfy the demands of the high office without the help of One who is greater and stronger than I am."

David realized this truth too. Although he was a powerful king, he daily acknowledged his dependence on someone far greater and stronger than he was.
Not only did David begin each day depending on the Lord, but he waited expectantly throughout the day to see how God would work on his behalf.
When you live each day looking upward, God often sends delightful surprises.

When we don't pray, we quit the fight.
Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright.
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

WILLIAM COWPER

adapted from The One Year® Book of Psalms by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen,, Tyndale House Publishers (1999), entry for February 7

GOOD MORNING, GOOD NIGHT

It's almost 1am.. I can't believe how fast time flies.. I'm about ready to go to bed, but wanted to blog before I did.
When I get up in the morning, JJ and Keith will be half way across the country headed for Palm Springs.. Pray for their safety please and that their trip would be a time of refreshment for them.
I had a great day today.. nothing special happened, just that I'm feeling God's blessings.. I guess I started counting them today after yesterday's fiascos.. and realized that these things are 'bumps in the road'.. and the important things are the blessings that surround them all.
This morning I struggled with this computer. I'd lost all the audio on it before Christmas, and it was a frustration to me, but I let it go till today. It occurred to me that I have an application recovery disk, so I put a new audio driver on the pc. It was a dismal failure.. so I thought. I thought I did every thing it said to do.. over and over, but when I'd check, it would say I had an undisclosed error, and I didn't have any sound.
I left for work and was delighted to be a mentor tonite for a new secretary. All I had to do was BE THERE.
Happy day..no stress. The night did go quickly and I came home. My habit is to turn on the computer and get a drink of tea/ water and read my email.. but the computer had to be restarted again.. so I turned it completely off and when it came back on.........THERE IT WAS !!! The sound was back!!!! Well don't I feel silly... I was hitting the restart button when I should have been hitting the shut down button.. Oh, happy day!!! I wish I could solve my CD ROM problem that easily.

My friends, it is literally warm here in WPA.. 53 degrees as I type. It will drop to the mid 40s tonite and stay there with rain tomorrow.
Wendell is in bed sleeping.. I do hope he had a better day today too..
I'm off to bed.. G'nite all...

MOVING RIGHT ALONG AGAIN..

It's a lovely day today.. cloudy and 46 degrees- there is a 20% chance of drizzle?? hehehe.. I like the odds.
Today we are 3 weeks from Groundhog Day, and at the moment, I'd guess that Phil won't see his shadow indicating winter would be over.. and nearly no snow !
Last week I heard someone fretting over the lack of snow this winter.. and voicing concern over the water table.
"You know you HAVE to have snow to replace the water".. well, I think that has been successfully accomplished and will be even more so in the coming days with all the rain we have had. Funny how people can get in that mindset that says it has to be melted snow and not just rain. I laughed. This is my favorite winter of my life!

After a pretty good nights sleep, I'm feeling more refreshed, though still achy from the stresses of yesterday. That will iron out with some activity today, and of course, a couple of good ol' Tylenols. I'm hoping and praying for a really encouraging day today. I'm setting my heart and mind in that direction.

Gainful employment awaits me today.. and I need to get to the pharmacy for Wendell and then some minor shopping done too.. all before work. I do hope the hospital is in a more normal mode today and the scourge of the full moon is done. We could use the break.

Gotta hit the shower.. do have a mighty fine day today.. we shall try to do so also..moving right along.....

SPEAKING OF BIRTHDAYS..

I know I've mentioned it before, but I was named for my Aunt Grace. Her birthday would have been
on January 9th, 102 years ago ! I can't begin to fathom 100 years.. .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL IMM
OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER
HAVE A SUPER FANTASTIC DAY !
If you see Paul today, wish him a fabulous birthday and give him a hug from Aunt Marilyn
I don't seem to be close enough from here.

ENCOURAGING WORDS

"For the Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat him. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be careful to love the Lord your God."
Joshua 23:9-11 NLT

GLADIOLIAS

I'm not sure I spelled that correctly, but at this point I just wanted to look at a picture of something quite beautiful and smile. It's been a rough day. Things went well, but not well in other ways. I'm exhausted. 9 hours on my feet with a 10 min break has done me in for the day. I put all my paperwork away and will look at it over the weekend.

When we got this land where our house sits, we were told it was probably the richest soil around. It is yet. No matter what we plant, it grows well. Charlie has taken over a plot for the garden for many years now, and has learned how to revitalize the soil. Sometimes he plants big sections of grains to kill weeds, and then tills the crop under to nourish the soil.. he's an amazing farmer. We like what he does and what he plants. Now that Mandy and John own it all, they still enjoy and encourage Charlie to keep up the garden.. it's so lovely to walk through in the summer when the flowers are all blooming.

Gonna take a nap..

BRRRRR!!! IT'S COLD!

Whoa! The temperature dipped last night.. to 16 degrees !!! Brrrrrrrrr! That's the "bad" news... the good news is that it should reach all the way to 47 today..and tomorrow too.. Strange weather. We need that cold snap to help kill off the viruses around us. People seem to get much more ill with mild winters. It's 18 degrees at the moment, and clear.. no precipitation.
Progress is slow taking down the Christmas decorations.. I have the ornaments off the tree, but the tree is still up and I'm still working on getting the little village under it put away. I try to take it all down and pack it so carefully. The pieces belong to the Zombecks, and I don't want to chip or break them. I noticed the boxes aren't as sturdy as I remembered from last year.. bubble wrap should work to protect them.
Wendell must have felt just a bit better yesterday.. he went for some groceries- just a few things we needed. He did pretty well. I try not to ask for too much when I send him out. He has difficulty carrying them and walking, and won't ask for help. His GI problems continue, though perhaps just a wee bit better? Perhaps, and then perhaps not really.
Gainful employment awaits me today..at the office. I'm delighted to be back after missing the past couple weeks. I'm so grateful to Kathy for covering me there.
So.. I'm off to start my day.. enjoy yours!

• Uncle Bob has been readmitted to the hospital with renal problems..please pray for God's hand to rest on him and guide the doctors who make the critical decisions regarding his future and his health.
• Aunt MaryJane and Janet who are recuperating
• Maggie who is also recuperating
• Sandi, who has that respiratory bug, Mandy and JJ too. Pray for a swift recovery
• Wendell's GI problems- pray it will be resolved soon. He has surgery scheduled for next Thursday.
• Pray also that JJ will have her work completed enough to make her trip this weekend.. pray for a safe flight for her and for Keith.

• Pray for my patients today that they will be successfully infused without difficulty, and that I will have the ability to start the infusions easily also.

Gotta go find my mittens.. it be cold out there !

ANNABELLE'S FIRST HOME BATH