To those who chose to uphold me today with prayer.. you are truly a blessing. At around 5am when we should have been in the worst part of the ice storm, I got a message from JJ that she had gone into work early and roads were just wet. This was verified at 7am by John who said my car was icy, but roads were quite drivable. I finally relaxed, got my gear together and went out to start my car. Indeed, it was encased in a layer of ice, but it was melting with the rain coming down at that moment. Not bad.. not bad at all.
All of my patients arrived safely also. They had wild tales to tell from up north of us where they live. Tales of icy roads and cars off the highway because they'd just slid off. But Butler was just wet. Thank you Lord for traveling mercy not just for me, but for the 7 people who made the effort to show up in the office today.
There is another weather advisory out tonite..but this one is for flooding. All the rain we had today has swelled the creeks and many are overflowing their banks. Driving will be hazardous.
I see there is snow in the forecast for Saturday..
I'm very tired tonite. Not much sleep last night. I'm heading to bed early tonite to catch up on a few hours.
50 days left till retirement..does anyone know how many days till spring?

It's almost 5am.. I've been up since before 4am.. I didn't sleep very well.. not uncommon for me, but I have a full day ahead of me if my patients decide to come at all. Doesn't matter.. I still have to be there this morning early.
I am a bit tense about driving today.. Please pray for me- you know it's not my favorite time of year, though I deal with it year after year.
The advisories are still in effect here. In some areas it's canceled. How I wish it were here.
Just 50 days to go today. Not much time left with the hospital. Yippee! Then the only winter driving I'll have is on Thursdays when I go to the office.
Gotta go find something to put in the crock pot for tonite when I get home.. something tasty and quick. I know I'll be tired.

Oh, rats! There is a winter advisory out for before dawn tomorrow morning until ?? noon?? or later.. Freezing rain, sleet and snow, accumulation of up to 2 inches.. and then rain..driving will be hazardous at best..
I'm asking for prayer here.. I dont' like winter driving in the first place, but to get all my worst nightmares in one morning drive is a bit much.. can't call off.. I'm it in the office tomorrow- there are 8 patients depending on me... and the staff too.
Just pray for traveling mercy on my behalf if you would.

It's getting colder.. 30 degrees.. it won't go a lot lower, but it's enough to cause havoc in the morning.

In just a couple of hours I'll be at 50 days to retirement. It's so exciting to watch the numbers go down every day.. and now I'm watching them go down in 10's.. in 2 days I'll be in the 40s !
So wonderful.. it can't happen soon enough. I just have to hang on for a few more days..
It's one of the hardest things I've done in many years.. hanging on for a specific date. I can do this!

I know I do a lot of whining.. but I got the results of my MRI tonite and there is pretty solid reason for all of the whining I do. The left shoulder has a sac of fluid on it.. and tendonitis.. but the right shoulder is my problem.. it's got a rotator cuff tear. Not one that can be fixed with physical therapy, but one that requires surgery. I had the MRIs done this month just in case I'd need that surgical intervention. I don't want it in January.. I hope to limp along until I'm retired and then hopefully as soon as I can get on a schedule after that. I'll be making an appointment to see the orthopedic surgeon soon.
Needless to say, I'm so very sore in both shoulders. My doctor employer tells me that the left one can be injected and then ice, Aspercream and a little PT would help it along. No matter what, I'm not going to be doing any lifting for a while I'm sure.
Now I'm going to have to discuss being off Plavix with my neurologist. He isn't going to like this any more than I am.
It's been a long night at work.. I'm tired and need my comfy bed.. more later

COUNTING DAYS

The Psalmist says 'teach us to count our days and set our hearts in the way of wisdom.'
I tend to do a lot of 'day counting' these days. Today is December 11 which means that it is exactly 14 days till Christmas. It always seems that the end of the year goes fast just after Halloween, doesn't it? Thanksgiving comes on it's tail and then~ BANG~ we have Christmas.
As if that isn't staggering enough, in just a mere 21 days, we will welcome in the year 2008 !
130 days seems like it would be a long time to await my next birthday, but it'll come so fast my head will be spinning. And in that few months span we will celebrate family birthdays for Annabelle, Daniel, Amy, Charlie, Paul3, Elijah, and Paul2! Wow! Lots of days to mark on my calendar to remember.
Oh... lest I forget to mention... 52 days today till I am fully retired from the hospital.. a day of true celebration.

2008 is a Leap year.. 29 days. How fun for those born on that day. They only gain one year every 4 years! HAH!
Keep counting your days!

I could use a bubble bath about now. Ah.. relaxing in a tub of glorious bubbles and warm water!
How soothing can it get? I had my MRIs this morning.. 40 minutes of ear pounding, heart pounding.. squished to one side and then the other.. Trying to breathe in the tunnel...
Not my favorite thing in the world let me assure you. As it was, both shoulders are aching today and I normally can't lay on either side when that happens.. so I was flat on my back and when I got up my back was screaming and I was really dizzy.. Oh.. wonderful test.. hope I don't have to repeat it any time soon.

I left for my 12:30 arrival appointment at the MRI station at 11:15am figuring I'd stop at KMart for water and one other item.. I got in the check out line at 12pm with 2 people in front of me. 20 minutes later I got to the cash register to pay for my couple of small items and then headed for the MRI- 5 minutes away. Except that I didn't factor in the Christmas traffic.. and so it took me 15 minutes to get there. They took me right away. I didn't have any wait at all. So I'm done for now. I'll check results tomorrow in the office.

Not a bad day today.. no precipitation and just cold generally. Tonite Wendell and P2 will keep the grandkids while Amy, Joyce and I go to the Pioneer Girls party. It's a chocolate party! Woohoo! I am really looking forward to this one.
Gotta get going..

I wanted to share this latest note from my friend Nancy from Idaho. Her daughter in law is Barb, and Barb had a posterior brain stem infarct this summer. She just came home from the hospital. God's hand has been on her and the family throughout this ordeal, and He still is providing.


Hi All
Well the announcement were very moving as pastor Steve, who is God led and a sensitive person welcomed Barb , the church body prayed for her continued healing.. people were praying from all corners of the church...

Duane gave an update in SS .. thanked everyone.. she cried through most of the service.. they were towards the back.. I could watch and observe her if they needed dad, Dan or me. Duane explained that the crying is one of two emotions shown by stroke survivors.. crying or laughing.. he told them she's happy..

Pray Duane can find a bed ,that is more compatible they went tonight to look at one.. Don went w/ them to help them move her from the car to wheelchr.. wow.. the one he ordered from a company has bars in the wrong place and it's too short.. even tho it took the X long twin sheets. you can barely make up the bed as the side rails are too close to the bed., nor does the bed go low enough for lifting her from wheelchr to bed. Duane uses the slide board, but he's doing a lot of lifting and his back aches.

A plumber and tile gal Eric and Diane from church are here this Pm to continue work on the shower assisting our son Dan, from Nampa Id. They have to work around Barb's schedule, for when she needs to be back in bed...

She wanted to go out for lunch, so we went to chopstiks... Jill came back and got the processor.. and Duane ground up orange chicken for her! Charlene another RN from church fed her...

Charlene will be over after her hospital work tomorrow Pm to help.. She and Jill take turns helping w/ her meds., etc., tho Duane can give them.
Jill came before 7; this morn to get her ready for church.. a big help. Pray for these gals, also Ellen who comes to help.
Duane will start interviewing soon for help /pray it will be someone who loves Barb.
PT, OT and speech therapists will start coming in this wk.

Time for me to start supper.. today is Ethan's 14th birthday. Nicole baked a cake and Ethan decorated it with his name! Pray for the kids a real big change in their lives, as they have to give up their whims and joyfully help in Mom's care. A real realty check for them. Pray they continue to do well in school.

Covet all of your prayers.
Love ,Nancy for the Kellys in Santa Maria, Ca.

54 and 23

There is a time and a season for all things.. so says scripture. I am aware of the days passing by so quickly. And indeed, I'm wanting this desperately at this point. It's December and January is hot on it's trail. Like the theater ad says "COMING SOON"!
It's a mere 54 days before retirement and when I checked the calendar a few minutes ago, I realized that I have about 23 working days left in my hospital career. One of the doctors made a comment that 'you're going to miss it'.. but I don't think so.
I have a hard time believing that I could miss a schedule that prevents me from joining family occasions, time with my children and grandchildren, birthdays and holidays. No, I won't miss the hospital schedules. Nor will I miss winter driving because I have to keep that schedule.
All the people who I worked with over the years with whom I'd become really friends are all now retired and I haven't seen most of them since. Sigh... I'll join those ranks soon.
So, I wonder if he meant I'd miss the doctors? I don't think so. There are several I enjoy very much, but most are not anyone I'd miss in the long run of things. Besides, I'll still be working in a doctor's office. Not like I won't see doctors any more either.. As one grows older, the calendar tends to fill up with doctor appointments. So, no, I won't miss the doctors either.
So do you suppose he meant I'd miss the work? Yeah.. getting 'slammed' every evening with an overload of admissions.. 5 people standing in front of me asking why I didn't do their request 30 minutes ago, doctors wanting charts and taking them right out from under my pen ~ literally.
3 out of 4 phone lines ringing all at the same time and though there are 8 people standing around listening, I am the only one 'required' to answer any of the lines.. so they opt out... Miss this?
Chart rack filled to overflowing with orders left over from an earlier shift.. and then the all too frequent calls from ancillary departments demanding to know why Mrs. X was not in their department when scheduled... well.. I dunno..and then being the messenger to someone who can actually move the patients but is irritated with me for asking... I don't really think I'll miss this either..
I'm glad I was healthy enough over the years to be gainfully employed to help our family along with a house, cars, and schooling. Without the hospital, these things would not have been on our budget yet. I'm thankful for several of my superiors.. very good people in management.. they did their jobs well. But these things have come to an end. I'm thankful for that too... my health is an issue here and as I age.. as the seasons change.. so do I.
So as I see things.. there was a time for employment, but now a time for some fun.
A less hurried schedule, though just as full. I will be able to go more regularly to church..
I'm gonna love this thing called 'retirement'.

Yesterday was a bit frightful with all the snow.. I brushed off about 4+ inches off my car before I could drive. It wasn't heavy, but the arm movements to accomplish the deed was frustrating.
I got the job done.. warmed up my car and went to work. Our road was very slippery, the next road was not pleasant, but not as slippery.. by the time I got to Rt 8, it was slushy.. another miserable driving condition.
Time to take note of thankfulness... thankful for a reliable car to drive and that I have a job to go to.. an income.. and most of all that I only have 55 days to go!
It's 34 today.. not bad.

Oh.. the snow!! It's been coming down all morning and I'm wondering how the roads will be for driving to Butler today. Hmmmmm... John isn't home yet. I'll see what he says. Looks like about 3 new inches.

The forecast is "snow" "100% chance".. well.. that doesn't leave me any room for encouragement now, does it?
Guess I better get myself ready for work...
Stay warm

BRRRRRR....IT'S COLD!!!

Whew! It's cold. Yeah..here I go again growling about winter.. you might as well get used to it.
Single digits this morning.. 5 degrees I think. Didn't matter.. even when it warmed up to 21 it wasn't really warm even in the sun. I'm thankful for the operating heater in my car.

I have the little heater on in the bedroom. It says it's 55 degrees in here.. I'm certain that is correct and I'm snuggled in my warm fleece robe to keep the icicles from forming on my nose.
What to have for supper... hmmmm... maybe take out if I can get Wendell to go out in the frosty night. It's hard on him by times, so I don't ask often..Thursdays are hard on my back, though today it's not too bad, so I don't usually have supper made ahead of time. Gotta raid the cupboards or freezer to find maybe....soup?

We had a great day at the office today.. one pt had a problem, but with skill and swift action we averted a major problem and all went well after.

A weekend of gainful employment at the hospital is coming up.. 57 days today, and today is nearly ended. Hooray!!
Monday I have an MRI scheduled at lunchtime. My shoulders need examined soon. I've been holding off till there is enough time to see an orthopedic doc if I have to. I want to wait till I retire if I need surgery. I don't think I will, but gotta be prepared.

Have a super evening.. I'm going to do the same.

Driving to work today was somewhat a challenge. The snow came down in huge big flakes...but tonite driving home, it is 18 degrees and crisp.. a very clear sky broke through the dense fog I drove through a few miles from home. I looked up and gasped at the beauty of the night sky. It makes the words of the Psalmist so understandable.. "The spacious heavens declare the glory of our God"... and they do. It was the most breathtaking sight. Stars are not just visible, but clear and bright. There was a cleanliness to the sky. I'm glad I worked tonite, elsewise I would have missed this scene.

CHRISTMAS

According to theologians who are much more educated than I, Jesus was not actually born on December 25 or even thereabout. This was originally a pagan festival now adopted by Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Even so, I do enjoy this festive occasion and we do participate as a family traditionally.
Words that surround the holiday do bother me a bit, but not enough to destroy the family gatherings and giving of small gifts. The children enjoy learning that it's better to give than receive.. but then.. it's fun to receive too ~one of my grandchildren reminded me last year.

Does it bother anyone else that Christmas gets referred to as XMas? I take offense at that term, and refuse to use it, though on occasion for the sake of writing it over and over, I may use CMas in an email.

As far as I'm concerned, you can call the Christmas tree what you want, but in our tradition, a decorated pine tree in the living room around December 25th, will always be a Christmas tree.

You can wish your neighbor a happy holiday.. that's okay, but for me, I prefer the more traditional Merry Christmas.. it gives me a lift to bestow good tidings to the world.

Had you heard of the todo over 'I'm dreaming of a WHITE Christmas'?
Apparently some would try to compare snow to race or national origin?
These folks have too much time on their hands. I may be naive, but the song didn't refer to anything but S N O W- and the last time I looked, it was WHITE..

Wendell reminds me that when his dad and aunt were growing up, they didn't celebrate Christmas but New Years. They exchanged gifts then.

The Christmas celebration is much too commercialized. Too much money changing hands makes for big time bills in January. My idea is buy for the children early and keep the gifts to a minimum. I really don't care whether Wal-Mart or Target don't advertise using the Christmas word.

Where Santa Claus fits in, I don't know. I know as a child I watched for Santa till I fell asleep.. and discovered gifts under our tree when I awoke the next day. I connected Santa with Christmas like every other child. Wendell and I preferred not to discuss Santa, but the children learned it in school and from friends.. sigh.

I find the Christmas season to be one that brings joy and happiness to so many. I think Jesus' statement to Love one Another is the best advice.

Suggestions for the Christmas holiday:

1. write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. Wendell verifies that as he spent one Christmas in Viet Nam.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Pray for the president and leaders of our nation.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don'tknow who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "MerryChristmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in Christ's presence. Let people know by your actions that you belong to Jesus.

AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

BBRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Roads were getting nasty as I came home from Paul and Amy's tonite.. they have more snow than we do.. but roads were getting icy too and I watched other's slip and slide around on it.
Uh.....have I mentioned lately that I really don't like winter driving?
It's 27 degrees right now and going down to 24 tonite with 2-5 inches of that nasty white stuff that causes traffic accidents.
My little heater is on and keeps me nice and cozy.. but I'll be snuggling down into my bed shortly and that will be sooooo nice!
I pray roads will not be bad tomorrow when I go to work. It's my worst nightmare.
I don't like winter... am I being repetitious? Sorry... it's just on my mind...

The good news is that I called about my insurance for when I retire, and find that for a small price I can have my dental and eye coverage continued as it is now. Wow!!! Great news!
Nothing will change.. I have all the full coverage we will need for the two of us. My dentist was trying to get my last major work done before I retire, but this will now be able to be spread out some with the full coverage I now have. Yippee!!!!!

Oooooooo....I just looked outside....there is at least an inch on the ground now... hope it stops soon.
Headin' for my cozy bed.. good night all...

Monday.. It's a blustery day.. windy, 33 degrees (almost the predicted high of 35), and there is light snow falling here in WPA. At least it's not ice, and the accumulation is negligible. I can deal with this.
Lots on my plate today.. shower, dressed, and then the ton of phone calls I need to make... as well as getting my office schedule settled around for Thursday. I can hardly believe 6 days have gone by and I've filled them all to the hilt. Tomorrow I return to reality with gainful employment. UGH. 60 days today... till , well, you all know. (( smile))
I'm also headed to see the grandkids today after lunch. We are going to give Mom a 'day off '.. I'm looking forward to this. I hope Amy is too. She'll have the chance to go shopping at her leisure or just take a nap if that's her choice~ or both. The plan includes bringing supper tonite for them also.. Fun! Time is limited for this in December, but after January, we should be able to do it lots more frequently with at least one day a week scheduled for this.

So.... I better shut this computer down and go get my shower while I have the time yet.
Have a super day bloggers.. catch ya later!

KEEP PRAYING

I had this update on Barb Kelly today.. please remember to keep her in prayer- thanks.


Discharge date is still set for Dec 5th.
Please pray there will be an intervention on the insurance part to keep her longer.
Barb passed her swallow test this weekend.
Thanks
Love, Nancy and Don

CHRISTMAS HOUSES

We were looking for something crafty we could all do together today. We decided it was time to make Christmas houses. John, Mandy and I each made a house that actually reflects our personalities to a 'T'. I noticed that as I finished mine.
We each started with cardboard. I found a box and cut it, taped it, and shaped it the way I thought it should look.

Mandy and John used the glue gun a lot.. I used it at the end of mine, but prefer royal frosting to stick things together myself. The stuff oozes out and looks more like snow.
Mandy's house is a very reserved cottage. Simple and correct.. pastel and rich looking.
Her personality is just like that. John made a cabin and that's his personality. He wanted to put a sign outside that said "gone fishing".. that's John.

It's a start.. details would be supplied later as the houses took shape. Mine was more colorful than the others.. flambouyant and it seemed to be in motion.. That's my personality coming out!
I have to say, at the end, Wendell was giving me some pointers how to finish it- the eaves needed something.. and he was right there telling me how to correct my errors...Even Wendell's personality is reflected.
My house had all of our children in windows.. and grandchildren too..
Mandy's had a window with she and John looking out..

MIDWAY

John's cabin was made of pretzel logs. His chimney is peanut brittle with a marshmallow Santa at the top. The roof is club crackers. John was very careful about how he put his house together. He did a really great job. It was his first try. You can see he made a campfire at the rear of the cabin with pretzel logs in the fire.

Mandy chose chewing gum in various flavors to make shaker shingles on her house. The roof is frosted Mini Wheats. Really a great job I think.

My house was a candyland house. Starlight mints and my roof is Triscuits. I used jelly beans and sour lemon drops to make lights, and trummed my house with red Twizzlers.

FINAL...

Mandy's house of gum

Another view of Mandy's gum house

John's final for the moment cabin.. gone fishin'

Marilyn's Candyland house

Another view of the candyland house

Today we spent all afternoon and evening with theVulhops. They treated us to an afternoon of visiting the museum at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh, to supper, and then to a concert in the evening. We really enjoyed the Raleigh Ringers. Thanks Keith and JJ !!

Tonite, there is freezing rain.. it came down pretty hard here on our way home. We had no difficulty, but the salt trucks are out keeping the highways safe for travelers. I am so glad they were- our car was coated with a layer of ice. When we got to the front porch, we have about 1/2" of ice on it.. we had to be super careful getting in the house.
I don't know if enough of it will be gone in the morning for us to go to church.. All we need is for one of us to slip on the porch, walkway..etc.. Hopefully it'll be melted off.
I'm heading for bed.. it's late and I've had quite the day!