Wednesday, October 31, 2007


TRICK OR TREAT !
We are in the middle of Trick or Treat night here where we live.. so far,
no kids.. sigh...
Kids just don't have the time to walk back our driveway to receive a
great treat. We are always prepared.
So what do you give your little TOTers?
We have full sized Hershey bars.. both the regular and large size.
We have large sized candy bars too.. no minis.
Too bad no one wants to come to claim them.
Wendell says there is a car parked at the end of the driveway,
but likely so they can go to our neighbors ..


TOT was so much fun as I remember as a child. We could go out many nights the week of Halloween and we did. We'd dress up in old clothes or just put a sheet over our heads, and Mrs Henry or my mother would walk with us with a flashlight to make sure we were safe. We didn't go in cars.. but we walked up one end of the road one night and the other way another night. It was so delightful.
I remember Mrs Ewing, a schoolteacher, who always got her box of jewelry out for us and we could pick any thing we wanted from the box.. Oh, we thought we had such treasures!
You could trust all of our neighbors too.. they joined in the fun and didn't seem to mind that we didn't have a 1 hour one night dedicated to TOT.


Our own kids went out too.. we took them in the car and kept track of where they were.. In later years, there were problems and kids had to take their 'loot' to the local XRay scanner to check for razor blades and such.. People can be so weird and make a fun time a real misery.
It's not safe to go trick or treating any more unless you really know the family well.
Mrs Petanovich lived about a mile down the road from us and knew Wendell's family.
We took the kids when they were little, down over the hill and back their long drive. Mrs. P had nothing for the kids, but found some Cracker Jacks and a couple apples. We made it a tradition to go there every year. One year the kids were sick and couldn't go.. Mrs P called us and asked what happened to the children? She had their treat ready and waited for them but they never came... she left their treat in the mail box the next day. Mrs. P has been gone many years, but the kids never forgot how sweet she was.

SURPRISE!!!

We just got our first kids! 2 neighbor kids.. How delightful!!!!
ANOTHER SURPRISE !!
Another little neighbor child and
2 more again behind them!!!
WOW!!
More than we've had in the past 10 years!!!

I woke up at 7am feeling chilled. No wonder.. it's only 33 degrees this morning. Brrrrrrrrrrr!
I guess I should have put the extra blanket on the bed. Now what did I do with my granny flannel nighty?

I left the hospital at a little after 7pm last evening. It was quiet. I was falling asleep at my desk again. It's not that I don't get enough sleep- I do.. I just don't understand why I'm so dead exhausted these days other than the effects of the weather. I'd consider chronic fatigue syndrome, but there are so many others who seem to be this way too.. It's so annoying.
Just 93 days to go and I can sleep for 2 days solid if I want.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Just look at our poor little tomato plant.. and one lonely tomato turning red.. maybe. Yesterday there were new blossoms and hope for the future.. hehehe.. now, just one lonely tomato and a very frozen plant.. it won't recover I assure you.
Usually a walk outside with the camera cheers me up and invigorates me to finish the day well..
Today, it was just sad.. leaves everywhere but on the trees.. (that's an exaggeration actually)..
But when you live on the edge of a big woods, leaves are EVERYWHERE in the fall.

Planning our Thanksgiving dinner here.. hoping it will be a good one. I've got the list of items for the meal made up and I've had offers for what some will bring..
Tonite we had mac 'n cheese... institutional style- home made. Wendell and I agree it's our favorite way to have it. We had left over peas and then some frozen green beans.. and we opened a jar of JJ's home made stewed tomatoes !!! Delicious!
I'm considering apple pizza for later.. anyone ever have it or made it?

Sunday, October 28, 2007

I've been trying so hard to be pleasant tonite.. I have to work at it because I'm just so exhausted. Gotta be the weather ~ everyone was the same way tonite.. and crabby too.
The night seemed to go on and on and on forever.. I think I worked 24 hrs in one shift.. ?
I asked to go home at 10pm, but the charge nurse thought I should stick around for while... so I didn't ask again.. she let me go at 11:10pm.. 15 min early.. for joy.
Things were painfully slow tonite.

I walked outside and realized that the temperature had dropped severely.. and now I see it's 35 degrees and heading for 29 tonite. No wonder I'm cold. I didn't wear my jacket either.. I'm stubborn too, ya know? But tomorrow is going to be different. I have my jacket out now and I'll be wearing it for the cold temps to come. I noticed the tomatoes aren't covered, so I guess Mandy has given up on them. I don't have the strength to go out and cover the plants now.
....sigh.......

JURY DUTY

I don't consider 'jury duty' a duty. It's for those who are more capable than myself.
Seems the jury commissioners have sent me my 3rd questionnaire for my lifetime, and I'm a little annoyed at how they handle things.
My first jury summons was way back in the early 1980s. I went in every day to the courthouse and sat with other prospective jurors. Toward the end of the week I had this headache that nothing would touch. It was a killer head pain. I was a bit concerned but went in anyway. I got called to be interviewed for a jury that day and it was very frightening to me. The fact that I knew the person personally that was being sued didn't help matters. Each juror was asked these questions- Full name, age, address, place of employment.. and it took me till the guy next to me before I could even remember my name! I was horrified. They didn't select me.. obviously. Immediately after, I went to the woman at the desk and asked what would happen if I had a stroke during jury duty? She told me that they would remove me from a courtroom and reschedule me to make up the lost days. Pretty sick society we live in here, eh?
Anyway.. I went to see my PCP and he checked my blood pressure and found it was through the roof! He told me I'd not be serving any more and wrote a letter to the local judge who after some very long consideration, finally permanently excused me from jury duty.
Now it was some years.. maybe 6? later that I again was called for jury duty. I was really upset when they told me if I didn't serve, I'd be fined $500 and then imprisoned for 10 days.. Nice sick sick society we live in.. I told them I had the letter from the judge, but that didn't matter- their computer had my name and that meant the letter didn't exist as far as they were concerned.
I finally called one last time... their reply: "oh.. we had a computer typo and your name was on the list. We have removed it".. Not one word of I'm sorry we didn't let you know.. or whatever.
Now I have received the 3rd notice. It's not going to make me freak out like the last time.. I'm going to make a copy of the letter from the judge and just send it in. I'm tired of playing games with this bunch who should be docked in pay for not doing their job correctly.. but it won't happen.. our society is too sick to notice or care.
So how did my name get on the computer list again? I know my voter registration is where names are selected from, but when you remove a name permanently from the computer, how does it get selected again?
My next question is why not Wendell? He's never been called .. there are others in the family and lots of friends too who have never had this enlightening experience... and those who would give their eye teeth to serve.. what about those folks? I'm in a fog over this... any ideas? Why and how do they call someone whose name (according to them) is not even on their list for the last 2 times?

96 days to go


Let me be among the first to wish everyone a happy holiday season.. huh? Oh, yeah.. it's not QUITE there yet.. am I pushing things? Hmmmm..
The sooner we get through the holidays, the sooner I will reach retirement.. there is method to my madness. But it IS only 4 weeks to Thanksgiving, and my last vacation week I shall ever have to schedule against 50 other people vying for the same week off. No more "Uh.. I know you have seniority, but I have reservations for my vacation in ( fill in the blank) for this week and this week.. effectively taking away my choice of weeks. After all, I wouldn't want someone to lose the $2500 they put down on their vacation now, would I? So, in recent years and past ones too, though Wendell and I would have loved to celebrate our wedding anniversary on the date, we have had to give it up for someone else's reservations. So how does one make up for this nonsense every year? I choose Thanksgiving week when NO ONE else wants to select that week. I've done it for as many years as I can remember. The funny thing is that every year I ask around if anyone wants that week, and they look at me as if I have a few screws loose and say "No.. are you kidding? Vacation in November?" So I sign up for that week and when it finally arrives, there is a mad scramble to get the day off, and the usual groaning and moaning about how unfair it is that Marilyn has the whole week off... to which I usually reply "get over it".
It is sooooo chilly out today~ 37 degrees this morning according to NOAA. Brrrrrrrrr!! And the frost warnings are out for the next 2 nights- we expect 32 degrees~ freezing.
I think I better get some warmer clothes out. Along with this change in temperature comes a tiredness I can't seem to shake. I sleep fine and for a little longer than usual, but I'm still so very tired. Better get the vitamins going again.. I need them anyway. Glad I got my flu shot too. With tiredness brings a lower immune system and that means I can pick up any virus or bug that is circulating. So, vitamins it is!
I made coffee this morning to warm up my insides, and then heated up 2 rice bags to warm my cold body. Gotta get a space heater for the bedroom. I don't like sleeping in a warm room at night, so we don't turn the heat on here at all. The space heater takes the edge off and it's just right. I borrowed John and Mandy's last winter, but need one of my own. Shopping is not my favorite thing, but I do need this item.
Today is Sabbath and though I am gainfully employed today, Wendell is planning to go to church. Good for him!!
On to the day.. Pray for us

Friday, October 26, 2007


FROGS SINGING IN THE RAIN...
It's gonna be 52 tonite.. it's 53 right now.. I have the fan going. Air needs to move here. Wendell tells me that frost is coming this weekend.. Sunday and Monday. Sigh.. I was just noticing 2 more little tomatoes ripening outside.. and a bunch of new blossoms coming on. I'll have to try to remember to cover them this weekend so they don't get nipped. The plants have really slowed down to about 3-4 tomatoes a week, but they are still ripening. Wonder how long they will keep going if we can get through the frost?!

It's been a sleepy kind of day.. I could just drop where I am. Rain does that to me. I went to the post office to mail a package today and when I got home, I left my lights on. I just don't do stuff like that.
Wendell peeled more apples today and then wanted another apple pie.. I made him one. The crust was really good this time. I got a recipe from the internet that called for oil and milk.. hmmm never used milk before, but it was so flaky.. it melted in your mouth. Enough for me.. no more pie!

I think it's time for that nap I've been trying to take all day..



OCTOBER 26

I got a shock earlier this week when I got a 'reminder' email that October 26 was coming soon and it was Gayle Imm's birthday and would I like to purchase a gift for her? Well, yes, I would, but she has been gone from this world for about 4 years now, and I'm sure nothing I could give her would be even close to the joy which she is now enjoying in her heavenly home.

Aside from that, there is another birthday of note here...



HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF !
HAVE MANY MANY MORE..


Thursday, October 25, 2007

WONDERFUL DAY


It's been a wonderful day.. Wendell and I decided to go out for lunch and then made a couple stops before going home.. fun!
I really love my days off, and in 98 days, I'll have a lot of them to play with.. so I got out pork chops (the ones we bought on sale last week) and baked them along with an apple pie! Oh, supper was so good!
It was chilly today.. but comfortable.. Our beautiful maple has lost all it's leaves, but the other trees all around it are still full of them.. another wind storm and they will all be gone. Sigh....
I keep reminding myself that I have to have winter before I can retire.. so I hope it's not a rough winter.. just enough to get me to January 31st.. then I'm staying inside till it passes...hah!
Today I also wrote my letter of resignation.. but can't send it till later in November. I'm anxious to get it all done.
Time for me to hit the sack..

DOUBLE DIGITS


DOUBLE DIGITS START TODAY
99 DAYS
TO RETIREMENT !!!!

FLU VACCINE

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

There are two types of vaccines:

  • The "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
  • The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age* who are not pregnant.

Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

  1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
    • Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
    • Pregnant women,
    • People 50 years of age and older, and
    • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
    • People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

  2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
    • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
    • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
    • Healthcare workers.

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include

  • People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
  • People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
  • People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
  • Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
  • People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
  • Fever (low grade)
  • Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

LAIV (FluMist®): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

  • runny nose
  • wheezing
  • headache
  • vomiting
  • muscle aches
  • fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

  • runny nose
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • cough
*On September 19, 2007 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use of the nasal influenza vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) for healthy children ages 2-4 years old (24-59 months old) without a history of recurrent wheezing, as well as for healthy persons ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant. Previously, approval was for healthy persons ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

WHAT'S UP DOC?

The rain has ceased, but the wind is blowing pretty hard right now. I looked outside to see leaves blowing by. Sigh.... Tomorrow the beautiful leaves will all be on the ground~ at least most of them. Sad to see them go.

I saw Dr Harry today.. check up and registering my complaint about my shoulders. OOOhhh ... they hurt!!!! He says we still need to look into Xrays of them and also an MRI...


Ah.. but the good news is that I am off the Advair inhaler now and that means steroids! Woohoo! He gave me the word today and it pleases me. He also gave me some stronger pain meds for the shoulders till we find out just exactly what is going on in there.
I have to get an authorization for the MRIs, so I can't get my appointment just yet, but soon.
Anyway, my lungs are sounding normal now with NO wheezing or crackles. I still have some cough and drainage, but not bad. I think I'll live.
I got my flu shot today too..

On the way home I stopped at a local farm and bought 2 bags of apples. MacIntosh and Cortland. I plan to make a pie. I was going to do that today but ran out of time.. so tomorrow is the day for sure. The apples are so delicious!

UPDATE ON BARB

From Nancy from Idaho:

We're asking for prayer, this news came through as a shock this morning..Duane had let his pastor know.., this is where this letter is coming from. Let's storm the gates of heaven again on Barb's and Duane's behalf. They evo Barb every Tuesday.
We were there last wkend with the grandchn, Barb's complexion looks great, and we can tell you she's working hard to rebuild.. we know it will take many months as the dr said. She is considered total assist.
Pray the insurance will listen to the doctors.

thanks
Love, Nancy & Don Kelly


----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 9:49 AM
Subject: insurance
Barbara's progress is slow, but steady. Although she continues to improve,the insurance company has denied an appeal to continue to pay for hertherapy. As of early last week, the Kelly family will be responsible forall the expense of her care at the rehab center. Many thanks to those ofyou who have donated money for her medical expenses. Please pray that theLord will continue to provide a way for Barbara to get all the care that she needs.

100 DAYS

I made my call to Personnel (or Human Relations) today. I spoke to the head of the department... the person who will help me sail into retirement without any glitches. She is going to send me the final paperwork next week.I can't get the ball rolling until 90 days before I plan to be done finally. The day is set in stone now- January 31, 2008.. it's a Thursday. I don't work Wednesdays or Thursdays at the hospital, so my final days of work will be that last Monday and Tuesday of January.
She did a quick recheck of dates to make sure Wendell's COBRA insurance would get him to the next phase- Medicare. It does.. and now we are ready. Finances will be tighter after the first of the year, but we figure we won't be using the car much for the first few months anyway because it'll be the middle of winter.
Tonite was so busy and I'm so tired of it all. I kept reminding myself that I only have 101 days to go.. and that kept me afloat for the evening.

It's raining here yet.. all day a gentle soaking rain.. it's chilly too- 51 degrees and expected low is 46. I'll want to get my warm comforter out tonite to make sure I'm cozy. I'm off for the next 3 days and have no real plans except to keep my appointment tomorrow with my PCP for a checkup. I want him to take a good look at my shoulders. I'm still icing them every few hours. The left one is now worse because I'm not able to use the right arm for much of anything.. UGH.
It will get better. I just am so impatient.
Perhaps I'll get some apples locally and make an apple pie tomorrow? That sounds tasty. I'm waiting for John to buy the next round of cream cheese for a cheesecake. You reading this , John? Hahaha

It's time for bed.. Good night all.. more tomorrow.. and an update from Nancy in Idaho too.

Monday, October 22, 2007

FALL AND PUMPKIN CARVING

Every season has it's own brand of beauty.. even winter..Fall is a glorious time when leaves turn brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.. such blends no man could think up on his own..


My burning bush is becoming scarlet at the bottom and is bearing seed


One cannot appreciate this maple in our front yard, but
when the sun shines on it, it's spectacular

PUMPKINS
Every year Mandy and John carve pumpkins. They have a kit that gives them an assist, but the carving is all done by hand. We have had some pretty unique ones in the past.. but here's what they did tonite:


John and his 'little friend' or is that 'fiend'?


Mandy and her buddy


John's has a mean face


Mandy's has a happy smile


Finishing up.. cleaning out the guts


John cleaning the guts out of his


Frick and Frack
with the flash


And without
God as house-builder

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
Psalm 127:1 NLT"


Unless the Lord builds the house

"Benjamin Franklin is best known for his inventions (lightning rod) and his aphorisms ("early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"). But he was also a key figure when the thirteen colonies were giving birth to a new nation.
At the age of 81, Franklin was the oldest representative at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
Weeks after the convention began, representatives were still haggling about the relative voting power of large states and small states.
Then Franklin stood up and said,
"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the divine protection.
Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.…
Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend?
Do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?
I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.…
We have been assured, sir, that 'except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it,' and without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
The verse from Psalm 127 had its effect. A compromise was soon worked out, and a Constitution ratified by the states the following year.

adapted from The One Year® Book of Psalms with devotionals by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen (Tyndale) entry for October 27"

Yeah... I know... I am whining.. I just hurt and I don't like pain if I can avoid it. Compliance has gotten me to this morning with relatively little pain, but I know it's not gone yet. I feel the little twinges of pain in that shoulder and the twinge makes me cringe!
It's 45 degrees this morning.. it's chilly, and the very thought of applying ice to my already cold body leaves me wondering just how hypothermic one can become with an ice pack.
Today starts a week of gainful employment that I hope I can stall. It's not that I can't do my job, it's that I need some little changes made to accommodate my problem. Like moving a chart rack to a place where I don't have to reach over my head to obtain the heavy charts. I have my name in for the day off and I do pray they will let me off today. It's Monday and that means it doesn't look very good for a day off. Well, stranger things have happened.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

ACUTE BURSITIS

THERE IS NOTHING "CUTE" ABOUT BURSITIS

Well it wasn't a dislocation even if it felt like it.. and I'm assured by my employer doctor with whom I spoke today that it isn't a torn rotator cuff. I had 2 more horrors .. 2 more acute events occur this morning. Wendell had to dress me and we were going to go to the hospital.. and then my doctor said not needed- it is actually an acute bursitis..and the requirements are thus:
Ibuprofen 800 mg 4x/day, prednisone 30 mg today, ice off and on throughout the day, rest with a sling to remind me not to use the arm.. and he says tomorrow I'll be good as new. If not, he'll inject it tomorrow morning.
In the mean time, I have some pretty good relief for the moment at least, but it can't be trusted.. so I'm being compliant.

WORLD LEADERS TAKE NOTE

Driven to humility before God responds

"The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. So the Lord sent the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner.
They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and cried out humbly to the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request for help.
So the Lord let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Manasseh had finally realized that the Lord alone is God!
2 Chronicles 33:10-13 NLT


I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility.
John Ruskin"

Manasseh's example

"Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings ever to rule in Judah. He encouraged his own people to do so much evil that they became more wicked than the nations they had once driven out.
God sent warnings through his prophets, but Manasseh ignored them.
Then God sent the Assyrian armies, and they seized Manasseh, bound him with chains and hooks, and carted him off to Babylon (33:9-11).
Finally Manasseh came to his senses and cried out to God for help. God in his mercy listened and restored Manasseh to his kingdom. Manasseh went on to accomplish much for God after that.
In his prosperity, Manasseh was proud. In his nothingness, he was humbled and cried out to God.
Have you learned to be humble, even when you have much?

from the TouchPoint Bible with commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 401"
I'm not what you call sick.. just hurting. Yesterday was a good day for cleanup and I have 3 big trash bags to show my work. However, when I sat down last evening, I suddenly had a severe pain in my shoulder that led me to produce a war-hoop or primal scream that shook poor Wendell to the foundation. I think I may have dislocated it temporarily and in my panic and pain pushed myself against the file cabinet and pushed it back in place (not the file cabinet, the shoulder). It's very tender this morning. I had ice on it last evening and that helped some.
That and I seem to be more congested today than before.. ?dust? It kept me up a lot last night.
When it rains, it pours...
I'm heading for the shower with plans to go to church anyway.. I just hope the shoulder doesn't do it's trick again during church... that could be really embarrassing.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

It's a BeeGees kind of day. I need the music to keep me moving. It works, don't laugh. Love those BeeGees !
So far the dishes are washed and put away and I've been doing hand laundry and picking up the 'trash' in the bedroom.. where does this stuff come from? I seem to be overwhelmed with it.

It's a beautiful day.. wish I had a clothesline. I love the smell of clothes hung on a line. Try it, you might get hooked. Most of the problem here is that when you live in the country, you risk bird doo on clean clothes.. Ugh !

I just had lunch and am getting psyched for round 2 here. So much to do.

Wendell was in touch with his family.. Joy has another tumor. Remember to pray over this please? Her visit here is put on hold obviously for a while.

On to the day!

Friday, October 19, 2007

RUSH~EBAY

the EBAY site for Rush Limbaugh's charity auction.
It's less than an hour and the bid is now $2,100,100 !!! Astounding!
Rush is going to match dollar for dollar the winning bid.
Take a look at the site for all the information.
Rush.. you're a great American.

GOD BLESSES HUMBLE PEOPLE

Do you pray like the Pharisee or the tax collector?

""The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'"
Luke 18:11-13 NLT"


The lesson of two prayers
"These two prayers stand in sharp contrast to one another.
The Pharisee barely acknowledges God at all.
He used his time in the Temple as an opportunity to justify himself.
In the guise of thanking God, he cut down others and congratulated himself.
There was no humility in him.
The tax collector, on the other hand, was rightfully aware of his sin before the most holy God. He made no claims for himself. He didn't try to justify his action. He only admitted he was a sinner.
Jesus declared that it was the humble tax collector, not the proud Pharisee, whom God was willing to justify.
May God give us the courage to admit our true condition before him.
Take time to meditate on God's holiness, and give up justifying yourself.
In humility, cast yourself on the Lord's mercy.

A prayer for today:
O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner…

from The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton (Tyndale) entry for March 8"

UPDATES

From Nancy from Idaho:
Thursday Eve.. Duane just called to say the insurance has rescinded their previous offer to extend her care to Nov 6th,
Please pray diligently. I expect to have more updates, after we visit this wkend.. I'll be offline till Monday.

From: Treasure Valley Bible Church

Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:02 PM
Subject: Update on Sally Sticklin's request
The doctors have determined that Sally and Chuck's grandson, Zachary, is having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic he is taking for the MRSA that he has instead of the original thought that he had taken a turn for the worse. He will be in the hospital a couple of days while they change his medication and moniter his progress. Please continue to pray for him. His 11 year old sister, Esprit, is making progress but will probably be in the hospital until sometime in November. Please pray for her contined healing.
A third request is for Chuck who recently had surgery on his toe(s) and has developed an infection. Pray for healing.

THURSDAY'S NEWS


It's morning. I did sleep well, but sometimes wish secretly that I could just sleep till noon. It wouldn't be a good idea because I'd have more stress afterward trying to catch up with all the morning chores.
Today is the last day this week of gainful employment. My weekend awaits and I think my bedroom needs addressed this Saturday. I am so far behind again.
Yesterday was a wonderful day in the office. I do have the best patients. They are such fun, and yet, I take my job of infusion nurse seriously. While I'm enjoying their stories and laughing with them all, I'm observing each one for the first hint of a reaction to the biologic that I'm infusing ~at all times ready to intercept a problem.
I pray for my patients regularly before they receive their infusions. I pray for my hands to do what is required with the least amount of pain for them too. I don't know why I have this skill, but it is honed and has provided an income for Wendell and me for many years. Working as a hospital secretary doesn't give me any opportunity for using it, but working in the office 1-2 days a week keeps me on top. It's something for which I thank the Lord.
Thank you too, for praying for me and for my patients too.

John is doing okay. He came home the other night with an air splint. No fracture, but badly sprained ankle. They gave him a set of crutches that fit him. Wendell's were good, but John is 6'3" and W's crutches didn't extend far enough for him.

It's supposed to rain again today. I've been wanting to wash my car, but see no point in doing so when it'll have mud all over it as soon as I'm done if it rains. Maybe Saturday.

I really need to shut down the computer and get to work here before I have to leave for the hospital.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

MRSA

As you know, I work in a hospital and we are progressive in working around MRSA.. more so than many hospitals. Butler Hospital got some bad press earlier this year because of our % of MRSA patients. There was good reason for this.. we screen every patient on admission and discharge~ so we know who has it and who needs isolation.
Most hospitals don't screen patients unless they have a suspicious infection. We have a large percentage of nursing home patients and nursing homes (community living) is where you will find rampant MRSA.
Having MRSA is not the end of the world. There are worse things you may have to deal with.
I looked up some articles in the Mayo Clinic (my old tried and true favorite) and this is long, but worth the read if you are concerned that the next time you go to the grocery store you might get more than the best meat bargain.
By the way MRSA is pronounced "Mersa".


Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — often called "staph." Decades ago, a strain of staph emerged in hospitals that was resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it.
Dubbed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it was one of the first germs to outwit all but the most powerful drugs. MRSA infection can be fatal.

Staph bacteria are normally found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. If you have staph on your skin or in your nose but aren't sick, you are said to be "colonized" but not infected with MRSA. Healthy people can be colonized with MRSA and have no ill effects, however, they can pass the germ to others.

Staph bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then they often cause only minor skin problems in healthy people. But in older adults and people who are ill or have weakened immune systems, ordinary staph infections can cause serious illness called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.

In the 1990s, a type of MRSA began showing up in the wider community. Today, that form of staph, known as community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for many serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia.

Vancomycin is one of the few antibiotics still effective against hospital strains of MRSA infection, although the drug is no longer effective in every case. Several drugs continue to work against CA-MRSA, but CA-MRSA is a rapidly evolving bacterium, and it may be a matter of time before it, too, becomes resistant to most antibiotics.

Signs and symptoms
Staph infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

Risk factors
Because hospital and community strains of MRSA generally occur in different settings, the risk factors for the two strains differ.

Risk factors for hospital-acquired (HA) MRSA include:
A current or recent hospitalization. MRSA remains a concern in hospitals, where it can attack those most vulnerable — older adults and people with weakened immune systems, burns, surgical wounds or serious underlying health problems. A 2007 report from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology estimates that 1.2 million hospital patients are infected with MRSA each year in the United States. They also estimate another 423,000 are colonized with it.

Residing in a long-term care facility.
MRSA is far more prevalent in these facilities than it is in hospitals. Carriers of MRSA have the ability to spread it, even if they're not sick themselves.

Invasive devices.
People who are on dialysis, are catheterized, or have feeding tubes or other invasive devices are at higher risk.

Recent antibiotic use.
Treatment with fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or levofloxacin) or cephalosporin antibiotics can increase the risk of HA-MRSA.

These are the main risk factors for community-acquired (CA) MRSA:

Young age
.
CA-MRSA can be particularly dangerous in children. Often entering the body through a cut or scrape, MRSA can quickly cause a wide spread infection. Children may be susceptible because their immune systems aren't fully developed or they don't yet have antibodies to common germs. Children and young adults are also much more likely to develop dangerous forms of pneumonia than older people are.

Participating in contact sports.
CA-MRSA has crept into both amateur and professional sports teams. The bacteria spread easily through cuts and abrasions and skin-to-skin contact.

Sharing towels or athletic equipment.
Although few outbreaks have been reported in public gyms, CA-MRSA has spread among athletes sharing razors, towels, uniforms or equipment.

Having a weakened immune system.
People with weakened immune systems, including those living with HIV/AIDS, are more likely to have severe CA-MRSA infections.

Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions.
Outbreaks of CA-MRSA have occurred in military training camps and in American and European prisons.

Association with health care workers.
People who are in close contact with health care workers are at increased risk of serious staph infections.


Screening and diagnosis

Doctors diagnose MRSA by checking a tissue sample or nasal secretions for signs of drug-resistant bacteria. The sample is sent to a lab where it's placed in a dish of nutrients that encourage bacterial growth (culture). But because it takes about 48 hours for the bacteria to grow, newer tests that can detect staph DNA in a matter of hours are now becoming more widely available.
In the hospital, you may be tested for MRSA if you show signs of infection or if you are transferred into a hospital from another healthcare setting where MRSA is known to be present. You may also be tested if you have had a previous history of MRSA.

Treatment

Both hospital and community associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain medications. In hospitals and care facilities, doctors generally rely on the antibiotic vancomycin to treat resistant germs. CA-MRSA may be treated with vancomycin or other antibiotics that have proved effective against particular strains. Although vancomycin saves lives, it may grow resistant as well; some hospitals are already seeing outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant MRSA. To help reduce that threat, doctors may drain an abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs.


Prevention

Hospitals are fighting back against MRSA infection by using surveillance systems that track bacterial outbreaks and by investing in products such as antibiotic-coated catheters and gloves that release disinfectants.
Still, the best way to prevent the spread of germs is for health care workers to wash their hands frequently, to properly disinfect hospital surfaces and to take other precautions such as wearing a mask when working with people with weakened immune systems.
In the hospital, people who are infected or colonized with MRSA are placed in isolation to prevent the spread of MRSA to other patients and healthcare workers.Visitors and healthcare workers caring for isolated patients may be required to wear protective garments and must follow strict handwashing procedures.

What you can do

Here's what you can do to protect yourself, family members or friends from hospital-acquired infections.
Ask all hospital staff to wash their hands before touching you — every time.
Wash your own hands frequently.
Ask to be bathed with disposable cloths treated with a disinfectant rather than with soap and water.
Make sure that intravenous tubes and catheters are inserted and removed under sterile conditions; some hospitals have dramatically reduced MRSA blood infections simply by sterilizing patients' skin before using catheters.
Preventing CA-MRSAProtecting yourself from CA-MRSA — which might be just about anywhere — may seem daunting, but these common-sense precautions can help reduce your risk:
Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.
Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores often contains MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.
Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in hot water with added bleach and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.
Wash your hands. In or out of the hospital, careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water.
Get tested. If you have a skin infection that requires treatment, ask your doctor if you should be tested for MRSA. Many doctors prescribe drugs that aren't effective against antibiotic-resistant staph, which delays treatment and creates more resistant germs.

BCPs FOR OUR CHILDREN

It's amazing the way things are going in this world. At a time when our little children are to be enjoying 'childhood', the schools want to insure that they all have their birth control !
I, for one, am waiting for the lawsuits to begin when the first of our little girls throws a blood clot and dies.. I suppose that's what it will take.
I'm irate that schools can be so abusive to children and actually get away with it.

from the Mayo Clinic:

How do birth control pills affect your risk of cancer?
Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer, but it also decreases your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.
The effect of birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't quite clear. However, some studies do show a link between pill use and breast cancer.
Key factors seem to be how many years you take the pill and how recently you last used the pill. In one study, use of birth control pills led to a higher risk of premenopausal breast cancer in women who took the pill for four or more years before having a baby. Other evidence suggests that 10 or more years after you stop taking the pill, your breast cancer risk returns to the same level as if you had never taken birth control pills.
Do birth control pills affect blood pressure?
Birth control pills may increase blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure in women who take birth control pills also increases with age and the duration of use.
If you take birth control pills, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have high blood pressure, consider an alternative form of birth control. If you do choose to take the pill, have your blood pressure closely monitored by your doctor.
If you develop high blood pressure while taking the pill, give serious thought to switching to another form of contraception.

My comments: So let me get this straight. The schools are taking the responsibility to give our little children birth control pills. The studies have shown these increase the risk of cervical and liver cancers. Start 'em early and the risk will be greater over time.
Some studies have actually shown a link to breast cancer and the schools want to give my child this pill encouraging recreational sex??? Are they nuts?
BCPs may cause an increase in blood pressure. Does your child really need this? Why not eradicate the chance from this source. It's not necessary. And who is checking the child's blood pressure to assure that it is normal???? HUH?

Low dose birth control pill raises heart attack risk, especially in some women
Women's Health News
Published: Monday, 11-Jul-2005


My comment: Does the school know which women or are we playing Russian Roulette with our children?
Get yourself a good attorney- you're gonna need one.
Well, not a LOT of news actually.. just my mind rambling along..
I was so tired yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to even blog. I'd had about 3 hr sleep the night before and just had a slow start on a busy day.
Wendell and I went out for brunch, picked up my scripts afterward at the local pharmacy, and then I stopped for a ream of computer paper at KMart. When we got to the grocery store, Wendell was about panicked with a GI problem facing him squarely. I took him back home.
Mandy volunteered to go with me to get the groceries and finish the shopping we needed to do.
She's off work right now since she had carpal tunnel surgery. She's done very well- hasn't needed any pain meds at all.
We found some super fantastic deals at the grocery store and then bought what we needed at the dollar store too.. mostly soaps- detergent, dish detergent, shampoo, shower soap, etc
We were going to wash the car, but it started to rain, and I was really weary.. so I'll be thinking about doing that next week some time.
Anyway, Mandy and I quickly froze the meats we'd found on sale.. WOW! We did get some really fantastic sale items.

Mandy had put some chicken in the crockpot at noon, and by 5pm, we were having supper together. It was a group effort. Wendell and I worked on the salads. Mandy's hand/wrist still has the Ace bandage on it.
After supper, I was making a BC order for Mandy and JJ when Mandy asked me to come and look at John's ankle. He had slipped and fallen earlier in the day (and later also). The grass was just slippery due to the rain we'd had and he had lost his footing.. By the end of the evening, Mandy took him into the ER because he couldn't bear weight on it. They are back at 4am, but I don't know what the verdict was- I'm guessing a bad sprain.

I never did finish the things I needed to do for the day, but that's okay- I have a little time today and on the weekend.
I did sleep like a rock by the time I got to bed. I had planned since breakfast to take a nap to help me along in the day, but it just never happened and the day raced by.
I was glad to have the day off from gainful employment, but I still had to work here.

106 days today I believe.. heading for double digits within the week !!! YIPPEE!!!!

Today is Thursday- office day. Pray for my patients if you would.. that they would do well with their infusions and that my expertise would be evident.
Gotta hit the shower!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

What is YOUR favorite website or blogsite? I am looking at a lot of new ones..
Conservative blogs?

I really try every day to keep that verse in mind. Prayer is sooooooo important- a lifeline.
There are so many to pray for and so many issues to confront in our daily lives.. and then the world situation that would seem to be going from bad to worse to just plain evil.
I feel like I have to 'buckle my seat belt' every time I set foot out of bed in the morning.. it's being prepared day to day..
My habit is to check email, Drudge, and then later Beck to see what is happening.. I also look at the articles at the Jerusalem World News.. and others. Of course Ann Coulter is high on my list weekly and then the regular news I get the highlights. And yes, I do listen to Rush- I don't like his personality, but I do appreciate what he says.
It takes a while to go through it all, but I feel like I need to do this daily just to keep up.
It does no good to bury your head in the sand and pretend that things are just wonderful- they aren't. So I urge you to pray. Pray for your family, friends, and those in need. Pray for your pastor and the 'flock'. Pray for local leaders and world and national leaders. We need some open hearts here.
We are pounded every day by the liberal media.. attacked on every side by forces we cannot even see. God is on his throne and He alone is the answer to these problems if we but get on our knees and acknowledge him as Lord and our Savior.
Be vigilant and be prepared.

BARB UPDATE

Here is a note from my friend Nancy in Idaho in re: Barb

Barbara is having a lot of pain in the stomach where the G-Tube was installed. They have been treating it with Tylenol however it is not getting any better. So tomorrow they are going to have an ultra sound on the stomach and a GI consult to see if they can figure out what is wrong.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Duane and Barb

Monday, October 15, 2007

Today is my day off from gainful employment. That doesn't mean I'm not working, for I am indeed. I'm working on office schedules this afternoon and needed a break from it all. Things will work out well .. I know this, but I've never been very good at rearranging schedules any time or anywhere. I am solely alone in this. I have to get it right or there will be very unhappy folks calling me. **smile** I'm doing okay. The next 2 weeks are fairly under control and I'm now looking at the Thanksgiving week schedule which my patients all realize must change.. Thanksgiving is on a Thursday and so is the office day. Now, I could have one patient bring in turkey and one mashed potatoes and gravy, but the consensus is that they prefer their real families to the office family.

It's a beautiful bright and sunny day here in WPA.. about 66 degrees. I swept the leaves off the porch and walkway and enjoyed a little fresh air this morning.
Work last evening at the hospital was slow.. I left early. It's feast or famine there. I have to make note that the last admission I had was at 11pm.. someone must have heard me complaining?!

Despite the fact that I got out early, I didn't get to sleep till after 3am. I was finishing up a rather exciting novel by Joel Rosenberg called 'the Last Jihad'. Fabulous and exciting and worth the read!
I'm now ready to start another of his books called 'the Last Days'. I know it'll be worth the effort.

Back to work.. gotta call some patients to let them know about the schedule changes.. they will all be relieved!

SUFFERING

God blesses in the midst of suffering

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Psalm 126:5-6 NLT


For he has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help.
Psalm 22:24 NLT


Those who suffer the same things from the same people for the same Person can scarcely not love each other.
C. S. Lewis"

Suffering—the soil of spiritual growth

"The Bible does not promise that Christians won't suffer.
In fact, the Scriptures give much evidence that we can expect to suffer, given the evil that is in the world around us and the sin that is in us.
What God does promise is that our suffering can become the catalyst for new growth.
God promises to redeem our suffering into his glory.
What griefs are you currently suffering?
Can you entrust them to God, confident that he will use them to bring new growth into your life? The worst kind of suffering is that which we experience alone.
When we suffer with another person who is sympathetic to our problem, the suffering is easier to bear.
Throughout history, God has sympathized with suffering people.
He hears our cries.
How would your life and outlook be different if you become convinced that God never failed to respond to your pain?

from the TouchPoint Bible with commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 538, 479"

Sunday, October 14, 2007


The weather reports today seem to be not agreeing for the current moment. One said 39 and one said 46. The even odder thing is that the one that said 39 is now creeping rapidly to the 46 mark- something I've never seen before.. the ascent of temperature gauge.
Oh well.. it's chilly~ I can attest to that.

Yesterday at work was supposed to be calm- well, that's what I was told. But for me, it was quite busy. One after another came the admissions and the daily work had to be done too. It's my job and I try not to complain. Yes.. I do have one complaint which I am going to address with my boss next week. It seems like every evening I work there is one or 2 admissions that arrive on my department at 11:15 or just a few minutes after. I leave at 11:30..and it annoys me that they wait to bring these patients at this time. Let me correct that- it isn't that it SEEMS like it, but in the past few weeks it actually HAS occurred at that time. I'm tired and want to go home, but have to make sure there is a night secretary working to to that. If she is used for some other purpose I have no choice but to stay and complete the work. I am not one who goes for the overtime. I do my work in a timely fashion and then I want to go home.
Weekends are always short handed and I'm often the only secretary on the unit. Now, they don't seem to take into account the fact that nothing changes on my department from one day to the next. .. ie Mass discharges followed by the 'grand admission slam'.
Making matters worse is that some ancillary departments close for the weekend. Hello?
I thought this was a hospital giving care to the patients who are needing to be there.
Holidays are even worse. The pharmacy usually closes at 11pm sharp and on holidays can close at 4pm. AND ancillary departments all over will have the DAY or WEEKEND off.. what are these patients supposed to do for one day when they can't have the proper testing done because someone wants a day off? I understand outpatient procedures, but INpatient? UGH.

Sorry for all the complaining. 110 days to go.. getting ever closer to that day when I can hang up my secretary hat. I pray for the strength to get through the next couple of months.

Friday, October 12, 2007

THE FIRE SOCIETY BLOG
On Glenn Beck today:
"Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize---are you at all surprised? No doubt he is taking a victory lap around the globe in his private jet as we speak. It wasn't going to be close, considering Al's stiffest competition was just a woman who risked her life and saved 2500 Jewish kids from being sent to their deaths by Hitler. But hey, Gore did talk about .7 degrees temperature change."

INTERESTING INFORMATION

from US Presidents Lists and Records


Presidential religions

Baptist presidents
Warren Harding
Harry Truman
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton (Southern Baptist)

Congregationalist presidents
Calvin Coolidge

Deist presidents
Thomas Jefferson

Presidents belonging to Disciples of Christ
James Garfield
Lyndon Johnson
Ronald Reagan

Dutch Reformed presidents
Martin Van Buren
Theodore Roosevelt

Episcopalian presidents
George Washington
James Madison
James Monroe
William Henry Harrison
John Tyler
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
Chester Arthur
Franklin Roosevelt
Gerald Ford
George Bush

Methodist presidents
James Polk (originally Presbyterian)
Ulysses Grant
William McKinley
George W. Bush

Presbyterian presidents
Andrew Jackson
James Polk (later Methodist)
James Buchanan
Rutherford Hayes (also attended Episcopal and Methodist services)
Grover Cleveland
Benjamin Harrison
Woodrow Wilson
Dwight Eisenhower

Quaker presidents
Herbert Hoover
Richard Nixon

Roman Catholic presidents
John Kennedy

Unitarian presidents
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Millard Fillmore
William Taft

Presidents without church affiliation
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Johnson
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Actor
Ronald Reagan
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt
Bank Clerk
Harry Truman
Barker
Richard Nixon
Bookkeeper
Harry Truman
Busboy
Gerald Ford
Businessman
Harry Truman
Jimmy Carter
George Bush
George W. Bush
Canal Boat Laborer
James Garfield
Career Military
George Washington
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Ulysses S. Grant
Dwight Eisenhower
Carpenter
James Garfield
Cattle Rancher
Theodore Roosevelt
C.I.A. Director
George Bush
Circus Roustabout
Ronald Reagan
City Solicitor
Rutherford Hayes - Cincinnati, Ohio
Clothmaker
Millard Fillmore
Coach
Gerald Ford - football, boxing
Ronald Reagan - swimming
Collector of the Port of New York
Chester Arthur
Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives
James Madison - Virginia
Andrew Jackson - Tennessee
William Henry Harrison - Northwest Territory, Ohio
John Tyler - Virginia
James Polk - Tennessee
Millard Fillmore - New York
Franklin Pierce - New Hampshire
James Buchanan - Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln - Illinois
Andrew Johnson - Tennessee
Rutherford Hayes - Ohio
James Garfield - Ohio
William McKinley - Ohio
John F. Kennedy - Massachusetts
Lyndon Johnson - Texas
Richard Nixon - California
Gerald Ford - Michigan
George Bush - Texas
Construction Worker
Ronald Reagan
Continental Congress Delegate
George Washington
John Adams
James Madison
James Monroe
Cook
Gerald Ford
Delivery Boy
Martin Van Buren
Deputy Sheriff
Theodore Roosevelt
Diplomat
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe
John Quincy Adams
William Henry Harrison
James Buchanan
George Bush
Dishwasher
Lyndon Johnson
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
Editor
Grover Cleveland
Woodrow Wilson
Warren Harding
Elevator Operator
Lyndon Johnson
Farmer, Farm Boy
Millard Fillmore
Abraham Lincoln
Ulysses S. Grant
Benjamin Harrison
Warren Harding
Calvin Coolidge
Herbert Hoover
Harry Truman
Lyndon Johnson
Jimmy Carter
Ferryboat Operator
Abraham Lincoln
Fruit Picker
Lyndon Johnson
Geologist
Herbert Hoover
Governor
Thomas Jefferson - Virginia
James Monroe - Virginia
Martin Van Buren - New York
William Henry Harrison - Indiana Territory
John Tyler - Virginia
James Polk - Tennessee
Andrew Johnson - Tennessee
Rutherford Hayes - Ohio
Grover Cleveland - New York
William McKinley - Ohio
Theodore Roosevelt - New York
William Taft - Philippines
Woodrow Wilson - New Jersey
Calvin Coolidge - Massachusetts
Franklin Roosevelt - New York
Jimmy Carter - Georgia
Ronald Reagan - California
Bill Clinton - Arkansas
George W. Bush - Texas
Horse Handler
Ulysses S. Grant
House Minority Leader
Gerald Ford
Insurance Salesman
Warren Harding
Janitor
James Garfield
Lyndon Johnson
Judge
Andrew Jackson
Harry Truman
Launderer
Herbert Hoover
Lawyer
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson
Martin Van Buren
John Tyler
James Polk
Millard Fillmore
Franklin Pierce
James Buchanan
Rutherford Hayes
Chester Arthur
Grover Cleveland
Benjamin Harrison
William McKinley
William Taft
Woodrow Wilson
Calvin Coolidge
Franklin Roosevelt
Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Bill Clinton
Lieutenant Governor
Warren Harding - Ohio
Calvin Coolidge - Massachusetts
Lifeguard
Ronald Reagan
Mailroom Clerk
Harry Truman
Male Model
Gerald Ford
Mayor
Andrew Johnson - Greenville, Tennessee
Grover Cleveland - Buffalo, New York
Calvin Coolidge - Northampton, Massachusetts
Member of House of Burgesses
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Mining Engineer
Herbert Hoover
Newsboy
Herbert Hoover
Newspaper Publisher
Warren Harding
Office Boy
Herbert Hoover
Oilman
George Bush
George W. Bush
Park Ranger
Gerald Ford
Postal Clerk
William McKinley
Postmaster
Abraham Lincoln
Printer's Devil
Warren Harding
Lyndon Johnson
Professor
Woodrow Wilson
Bill Clinton
Radio Announcer
Ronald Reagan
Railroad Timekeeper
Harry Truman
Reporter, Journalist
Warren Harding
John F. Kennedy
Road Construction Laborer
Warren Harding
Lyndon Johnson
School Principal
Chester Arthur
School Teacher
Millard Fillmore
Franklin Pierce
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Grover Cleveland
William McKinley
Warren Harding
Lyndon Johnson
Secretary of Commerce
Herbert Hoover
Secretary of Northwest Territory
William Henry Harrison
Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
James Monroe
John Quincy Adams
Martin Van Buren
James Buchanan
Secretary of War
James Monroe
William Taft
Senator, U.S.
James Monroe - Virginia
John Quincy Adams - Massachusetts
Andrew Jackson - Tennessee
Martin Van Buren - New York
William Henry Harrison - Ohio
John Tyler - Virginia
Franklin Pierce - New Hampshire
James Buchanan - Pennsylvania
Andrew Johnson - Tennessee
Benjamin Harrison - Indiana
Warren Harding - Ohio
Harry Truman - Missouri
John F. Kennedy - Massachusetts
Lyndon Johnson - Texas
Richard Nixon - California
Sheriff
Grover Cleveland
Shoeshine Boy
Lyndon Johnson
Speaker of the House

James Polk
State Attorney General
Bill Clinton - Arkansas
State Comptroller
Millard Fillmore - New York
State Legislator
John Adams - Massachusetts
Thomas Jefferson - Virginia
James Madison - Virginia
James Monroe - Virginia
John Tyler - Virginia
James Polk - Tennessee
Millard Fillmore - New York
Franklin Pierce - New Hampshire
James Buchanan - Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln - Illinois
Andrew Johnson - Tennessee
Theodore Roosevelt - New York
State Senator
John Quincy Adams - Massachusetts
Martin Van Buren - New York
William Henry Harrison - Ohio
Andrew Johnson - Tennessee
James Garfield - Ohio
Warren Harding - Ohio
Calvin Coolidge - Massachusetts
Franklin Roosevelt - New York
Jimmy Carter - Georgia
Store Clerk
James K. Polk
Abraham Lincoln
Grover Cleveland
Surveyor
George Washington
Tailor
Andrew Johnson
Tavern worker
Martin Van Buren
Toymaker
Calvin Coolidge
Trapper
Lyndon Johnson
Trash Collector
Lyndon Johnson
University President
Woodrow Wilson
Dwight Eisenhower
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Presidential Families

Presidents related to earlier presidents
James Madison: half first cousin twice removed of George Washington
John Quincy Adams: son of John Adams
Zachary Taylor: second cousin of James Madison
Grover Cleveland: sixth cousin once removed of Ulysses Grant
Benjamin Harrison: grandson of William Henry Harrison
Theodore Roosevelt: third cousin twice removed of Martin Van Buren
Franklin Roosevelt: fourth cousin once removed of Ulysses Grant, fourth cousin three times removed of Zachary Taylor, fifth cousin of Theodore Roosevelt
Harry Truman: great-great-great nephew of John Tyler
Richard Nixon: seventh cousin twice removed of William Taft, eighth cousin once removed of Herbert Hoover
George Bush: fifth cousin four times removed of Franklin Pierce, seventh cousin three times removed of Theodore Roosevelt, seventh cousin four times removed of Abraham Lincoln, eleventh cousin once removed of Gerald Ford
George W. Bush: son of George Bush
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African-American PresidentsNote: Several presidents were allegedly of mixed European and African ancestry, which by U.S. reckoning would designate them as African-American. See The Five Negro Presidents by J.A. Rogers and Six Black Presidents: Black Blood, White Masks by Auset Bakhufu.
Thomas Jefferson
Andrew Jackson
Abraham Lincoln
Warren Harding
Dwight Eisenhower