It's Been and LONG Time

I knew I had a blog around here somewhere.  Looking back, it appears that I have been gone from it for just over four years now. It was interesting to read about my pulmonary embolisms particularly because I am now recovering from a second episode.  This time is was a clot in my left leg, a DVT or deep vein thrombosis.  Regardless, after two strikes, it's Coumadin for life.  Guess that makes me a lifer taking rat poison.

I had no lasting issues from the last episode.  I see that I never followed up with anyone about the results, nor about the Walk to Emmaus that I led.  I spent six months on Coumadin and was released from medical appointments with the hematologist then.  I had no problems until March 13, 2013.  On that day I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot.  It wasn't as scary as the first time and I only had to stay two days, but I had so many visitors, including people I never expected to see come walking through.  I was very blessed.

The Walk to Emmaus, #1510 in the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church which I led in August of 2009 was amazing.  There was a group of 26 women who mostly didn't know each other that by the end of the weekend were the best of friends.  As their lay director, I got to see the fruit of my labors for the previous 8 months of preparation and planning, and for the previous 15 years of participating in Emmaus, ripen on that weekend retreat.

The next election year for our Emmaus community put me in the office of community lay director, which was another huge blessing.  The community trusted me enough to lead them each month in a gathering and sharing worship together.  It is a time I will always remember and cherish, but am glad it is in the past.  I have served as the board representative to another Walk and am currently leading the music team for Walk #1714 this August.

Finally, on this past Monday, May 13, my older son, Kevin, walked the stage at the UTSA commencement exercise.  It has taken him eight years to get through, but it was so worth it.  He still has to do an internship before he receives his diploma, but he's got it lined up and ready to knock out.  His degree is in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business.  And now he's working in professional baseball as a professional mother/babysitter to the local double-A team.  I think he's loving it!

If you happen to get alerted to a new post here, please accept my apologies for being away for so long.  I'll try to get back here more often.  If you find anything of value, please leave a comment.  It's a good way for me to know whether I'm wasting my time and yours or not.

Have a blessed day.

Photo Tag

I was tagged by Ginni for the 6th photo in the 6th folder meme. My sixth folder only has four pictures in it, so I'm going to use that 4th picture. So here are the rules:
Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder.

2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.


These are the ladies of my accountability group. I haven't been able to meet with them for a long time because my job is downtown and I ride the bus. The group meets on Mondays at lunchtime at the church. It would be a four-hour lunch every Monday if I were to try to join them. I know they still love me because they still invite me to the luncheons and parties. We've lost a few to people moving to different churches and some to changing their birthdays (for their new life in heaven), but we still hold each other accountable on our Walks with Jesus. I believe I'm still the youngest member of the group, but not necessarily the youngest at heart.

I don't know that many bloggers, so if you read this and haven't been tagged, consider yourself tagged. And if you do take the challenge, post a comment here and let me know. I'd like to read about your picture.

And The News Keeps Getting Better

Yesterday I had the followup with my hematologist from the CT scans on Wednesday and the news is very good. All of the emboli that were in the lower portions of my lungs have either dissolved or there are now scars where they were. (It's okay, my lungs are still working fine!) There's still a big blood clot in the left pulmonary artery where it first divides, but they say it appears to be cohesive, which I take to mean it's not going anywhere in a hurry. All of my organs are fine. I saw my pulmonologist, who wasn't able to see me in the hospital that weekend, but was satisfied that my treatment plan was in good shape and that there's nothing to handicap me, so I see him again in three months.

There's still one area of concern, but I'm seeing a specialist on Monday about that. After I know what's going on there, I'll be sure and let you know. But I must stop right here and praise the Lord for good outcomes thus far and thank all you prayer warriors who've been interceding on my behalf. The battle is almost over, I hope, although the war continues.

On Tuesday, the Team Selection Committee met to choose people to be on my team for the Walk To Emmaus. I'm so excited about this. I've already spoken to a few people in person, who've said they would serve. Today I'll be calling the rest. I pray that God will touch the hearts of those who are being called to serve to say yes. I'll probably know by the end of the week who will be on the team. It's a big job, but the rewards are immense.

Happy Valentine's Day to those of you who care about it and have a blessed day for the rest of you whom Valentine's Day is just another day of loving your loved ones.

Thank You, Tammy

Tammy called me this evening to see how I was doing. "No blog updates and I'm not afraid to use the phone."

I'm doing so much better. I feel like I've got all my strength back, but just out of shape. They are still running tests to figure out what caused the blood clots to form. I'm hoping that they are able to figure it out and that's is not something sinister.

I've been back to work for two weeks now, so I'd say things are pretty much back to normal. It's interesting with a scare like this how your family reacts. I think my boys were pretty scared, which I don't blame them. I was a little scared, too, but whenever I asked them to do something, there was no argument or procrastinating. I guess now that I'm better, they'll start taking me for granted again. My husband, who knew everything that was going on, was a little frightened, too, but he's been so supportive and kind. He even got me an early birthday present. He's taking me to see Gordon Lightfoot at the Majestic Theatre, one of San Antonio's most beautiful venues. He's not taking me for granted.

I am still asking for prayers that the source of my illness may be found and that it's not something that can't be easily fixed. My family history, though, makes me concerned. Thank you, my dear readers and friends, for your support through prayers, cards, and phone calls. I love you.

25 Random Things...And an Update

So I've discovered Facebook and like Lisa, decided to put this on my blog since some of you aren't on Facebook, yet (Ginni!).

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I'm a fifth generation Texan and still live within 100 miles of the family homestead.
2. I'm BOI (Born on the Island...Galveston Island, that is).
3. I've worked in four different industries doing the same job for the last 21 years.
4. I've been married for 27 years and we just passed the 28th anniversary of when we met.
5. Both of my sons are over 6'2" tall and as far as I know have never hit each other.
6. My worst fear is drowning.
7. I've only been paid to play an instrument twice in my life, but I play or sing almost every week.
8. I used to be an alto, but switched to soprano when most of our church sopranos left. I still consider myself a "switch-singer" (think baseball, folks).
9. We expect to be out of debt by next summer, living like no one else, then we can live like no one else. (Dave Ramsey)
10. I went to three different schools in 2nd grade because my 1st grade education was so bad.
11. I learned to read when I was three or four years old.
12. My parents took us on a three-month vacation when I was seven and so many of my experiences there still inform my life today.
13. I was the spelling champion in my junior high in 7th grade and was 7th in the city of Austin that year.
14. I've been in band since 6th grade and started playing piano in 4th grade. And I still play an instrument as often as I can.
15. I have the most amazing church family. I always have a place to go no matter what's going on.
16. I have the dumbest dog in the world, but he sure is sweet, if needy.
17. My brother and brother-in-law both waited so long to start their families that I am old enough to be my niece's and nephew's grandmother.
18. My mother bought her mother-of-the-bride dress in Greenville, MS and my mother-in-law bought her dress in New Braunfels and the only difference between them was the color. And they wore them to the wedding.
19. I was 19 when I got married.
20. I almost got a pilot's license.
21. I was on a boat that almost sank in the middle of the Mississippi River. If you want to hear the story, just ask me.
22. I was on a boat that went through a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico during a sailboat race. If you want to here THAT story, just ask me.
23. Misspellings make me crazy. Especially when I find them printed in books or in a newspaper or some kind of professional writing on-line. I know how to spell most words, so any misspellings you find in here are because I probably fat-fingered the keygoard.
24. Sometimes my friends call me Cliffette Clavin. (Think "Cheers")
25. I love getting mail, but I'm horrible about sending it out. I guess I get what I deserve.

And now for the health update. I'm not afraid, I have faith in God that all thing will work out as He has planned for me. Since they're not sure where the blood clots in my lungs came from (ultrasound of my leg veins and heart were clear), they're going to do a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. I was told by my doctor today that they're looking to make sure there's no cancer, particularly ovarian cancer, which can cause blood clots. She sent me to get a CA125 blood test (I believe it's a test for ovarian cancer) and a mammogram. I was going to schedule it for later this month, but she insisted I get it done today. She is pretty confident there's nothing wrong, but she wants to be sure.

Since I will be leading a Walk to Emmaus this summer, the opposition will be great, or so I've been told. And I believe them because since I accepted the position I have been sicker than I have ever been in my life with pneumonia, blood clots, and now the myriad tests I must go through. If you pray, I am asking for your prayers. Prayers for strength in the face of adversity and prayers for good health so that I can be an effective leader in helping develop leaders for local churches through the Walk to Emmaus.

Queen & Co is Going Green

Take a look at what Queen & Co. has come up with for this year. They now have coordinated bulk embellishments in a single container. They come in different themes, so just pick your theme and off you go. I think that might revolutionize packaging for some of these companies that have more package than product. It's a great idea.

I Survived

Since my last post (you know when I told you about getting pneumonia?) I have had a survival experience. Because of my inactivity during the pneumonia and some hormones I was taking, I developed pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. Those are blood clots. They are life threatening. I had no idea they were there. All I know is that it was hurting more and more to breathe and my doctor told me the day before that if it got worse to go to the emergency room. It got worse.

When DH got home from work on Thursday he took one look at me and the grimace of pain I had trying to move or breathe and he said let's go. They did x-rays and a CT scan and discovered, what one doctor later described, impressive blood clots. I asked him if he was surprised then that I was able to walk into the ER, he said we get about six cases a year like yours and half of them don't walk out. Praise God for miracles!

So I went into the hospital on Thursday evening and got home yesterday afternoon. I'm on blood thinners now for the next six months. This morning I even gave myself an injection. That's only for a few days, but the home health care nurse came by to help get started. One came last night and gave me the injection, but I figured it would be easier on everyone if I could just do it myself.

Some of you knew what was going on and I want to send a special thank you to each of you lovely friends who have been praying for me. Your prayers are being answered and I am most grateful, as are my husband and sons. I will happily pray for your special needs any time you need, also. Although I do pray for my friends regularly anyway.

What's Been Up?

Six weeks. A lot has happened since Thanksgiving. Here's a rundown:

• My truck was broken into and my external hard drive was stolen, which had all my pictures from the last five years on it.
• We had 19 people for Thanksgiving dinner at my brother and SIL's home, including DH's family from Pittsburgh. My niece and nephew (not related to each other) got to meet for the first time.
• Our church choir's Christmas Cantata was absolutely beautiful and we had the help of our choir director's high school choir and orchestra students to really make it spectacular.
• We had Christmas day at home with just the four of us for the first time. It was the first time in the 27 years we've been married that we didn't have someplace to be on Christmas day.
• New Year's Eve was totally uneventful, except for the fireworks being exploded on the street behind our house despite the total ban on fireworks in the city and county due to drought.
• Jan 2 I was diagnosed with pneumonia, so I spent a whole week in bed. I'm still recovering from that.
• Jericho, one of the cats, got out and got into a fight, which of course resulted in an abscess, which necessitated putting the Elizabethan collar on him, which resulted in him laying on me all week. Normally he'll lay next to me, but I guess that was his way of protesting the collar.
  
• I went back to work yesterday and when I got home I was totally exhausted. And Jericho slept on me last night.

I have been trying to get photos to rebuild my library, but every once in a while, I'll see something and remember that I had a similar photo that is now lost. I'll leave you with pictures of my precious niece and nephew from Thanksgiving.

I'm a Marilyn

I saw this quiz on Ginni's blog and took it on a whim. I was bit surprised at the results. Who are you most like?

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

The Top 100 Songs of 1980

I saw this on Cori's blog and thought that this would be a really cool one to do. Thanks, Cori!

Since Blogger doesn't have strikethrough, anything that's not bolded I either don't like or don't care about. You can be sure that most of the disco-style music from 1980 would be on the "I really hate that song" list.

The Rules:

A.) Go to Music Outfitters.

B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year (the top link).

C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you REALLY hate.

1. Call Me, Blondie
2. Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyd
3. Magic, Olivia Newton-John
4. Rock With You, Michael Jackson
5. Do That To Me One More Time, Captain and Tennille
6. Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
7. Coming Up, Paul McCartney
8. Funkytown, Lipps, Inc.
9. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Billy Joel
10. The Rose, Bette Midler
11. Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Rupert Holmes
12. Cars, Gary Numan
13. Cruisin', Smokey Robinson
14. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl, Spinners
15. Lost In Love, Air Supply
16. Little Jeannie, Elton John
17. Ride Like The Wind, Cristopher Cross
18. Upside Down, Diana Ross
19. Please Don't Go, K.C. and The Sunshine Band
20. Babe, Styx
21. With You I'm Born Again, Billy Preston and Syreeta
22. Shining Star, Manhattans
23. Still, Commodores
24. Yes, I'm Ready, Teri De Sario With K.C.
25. Sexy Eyes, Dr. Hook
26. Steal Away, Robbie Dupree
27. Biggest Part Of Me, Ambrosia
28. This Is It, Kenny Loggins
29. Cupid-I've Loved You For A Long Time, Spinners
30. Let's Get Serious, Jermaine Jackson
31. Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer, Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes
32. Sailing, Christopher Cross
33. Longer, Dan Fogelberg
34. Coward Of The County, Kenny Rogers
35. Ladies Night, Kool and The Gang
36. Take Your Time, S.O.S. Band
37. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough), Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
38. Too Hot, Kool and The Gang
39. More Love, Kim Carnes
40. Pop Muzik, M
41. Brass In Pocket, Pretenders
42. Special Lady, Ray, Goodman and Brown
43. Send One Your Love, Stevie Wonder
44. The Second Time Around, Shalamar
45. We Don't Talk Anymore, Cliff Richard
46. Stomp - Brothers Johnson
47. Heartache Tonight, Eagles
48. Stomp, Brothers Johnson
49. Tired Of Toein' The Line, Rocky Burnette
50. Better Love Next Time, Dr. Hook
51. Him, Rupert Holmes
52. Against The Wind, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
53. On The Radio, Donna Summer
54. Emotional Rescue, Rolling Stones
55. Rise, Herb Alpert
56. All Out Of Love, Air Supply
57. Cool Change, Little River Band
58. You're Only Lonely, J.D. Souther
59. Desire, Andy Gibb
60. Let My Love Open The Door, Pete Townshend
61. Daydream Believer, Anne Murray
62. I Can't Tell You Why, Eagles
63. Don't Let Go, Isaac Hayes
64. Don't Do Me Like That, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
65. She's Out Of My Life, Michael Jackson
66. Fame, Irene Cara
67. Fire Lake, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
68. How Do I Make You, Linda Ronstadt
69. Into The Night, Benny Mardones
70. Let Me Love You Tonight, Pure Prairie League
71. Misunderstanding, Genesis
72. An American Dream, Dirt Band
73. One Fine Day, Carole King
74. Dim All The Lights, Donna Summer
75. You May Be Right, Billy Joel
76. Hurt So Bad, Linda Ronstadt
77. Should've Never Let You Go, Neil Sedaka and Dara Sedaka
78. Pilot Of The Airwaves, Charlie Dore
79. Off The Wall, Michael Jackson
80. I Pledge My Love, Peaches and Herb
81. The Long Run, Eagles
82. Stand By Me, Mickey Gilley
83. Heartbreaker, Pat Benatar
84. Deja Vu, Dionne Warwick
85. Drivin' My Life Away, Eddie Rabbitt
86. Take The Long Way Home, Supertramp
87. Sara, Fleetwood Mac
88. Wait For Me, Daryl Hall and John Oates
89. Jo Jo, Boz Scaggs
90. September Morn, Neil Diamond
91. Give Me The Night, George Benson
92. Broken Hearted Me, Anne Murray
93. You Decorated My Life, Kenny Rogers
94. Tusk, Fleetwood Mac
95. I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince
96. In America, Charlie Daniels Band
97. Breakdown Dead Ahead, Boz Scaggs
98. Ships, Barry Manilow
99. All Night Long, Joe Walsh
100. Refugee, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

How Fast Can You Type?

I got this from Pam's blog:

79 words

Speedtest

And The Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last blog entry. There are some really great suggestions and I've already done my shopping for the stuff I'm going to use for the layout of the photo. I'll be going to a scrapbook retreat this weekend and I've already got all my stuff packed. When I return, I'll post a picture of the layout itself.

And without any further ado, let me announce who won the drawing. I took all the names from the comments (one per person), put them into a bag and had one of my trusty co-workers draw the lucky slip of paper. The winner of a handmade (by me) mini-album is...


Ginni G! Congratulations, Ginni! I'll get it right out to you when I get back from my weekend.

Calling all Scrapping Friends!

I found this picture in one of the many boxes of photos I snagged from my parents' home last Thanksgiving. I have yet to actually make any pages with any of these old, one-of-a-kind photos because "I don't want to ruin them". I have some nebulous ideas about what I want to do with this one, but I would like to hear from you some suggestions for titles, colors, point me to a really cool sketch, techniques for adhering it, etc. And in appreciation for your help, I will send you a hand-made accordion mini-album. Leave a comment with your suggestions and at the end of September, I'll draw a name for this little RAK. Oh yes, the actual photo is about 5x7.

This is a picture of me and my little brother at my grandparents' home. I was about three, he was less than a year. What can you make of this?

Thanks for looking and thank you for your inspiration!

Thank you, Suzanne!

Thanks to my friend, Suzanne, for this lovely gift! It means a lot that you consider me a friend, as I consider you my friend, too.


And what good is friendship if you don't pass it on?

The rules for the "Blogging Friends Forever" award are:
* Only five people allowed
* Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog
* One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog or lives in another part of the world.
* You must link back to whoever gave you the award.
* The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

Tammy - Life on Possom Trot
Colleen - Scrapping Granny (Yes, I know you already got it, but you are a faithful reader!)
Pam - Blah Blah Blog
Ginni - My Scrappy World (You too!)
Rach - Dutch Femka

Happy Anniversary, L'il Darling

Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. We really believe that God chose us for each other and we are so happy that we found us. If I hadn't been a music major required to play in the basketball band in college and he hadn't had a bad day at work and wanted to play his sax, he would never have sat next to me at that basketball game and asked me out. There are so many "coincidences" that brought us together that we can only believe that we were led by the Holy Spirit to each other.

We've had our ups and downs, but then what marriage hasn't? Those things that have caused us pain have only worked to make a stronger marriage. And the good times have only cemented that strength. We have two smart and loving boys that are growing into smart and wonderful men. What more can we ask for, but many more years of loving each other and having more fun?

I love you, dear.

Weekend Creations

I was kind of busy creating things this past weekend. I belong to a reunion group (an accountability group) made up of women who have been on the Walk to Emmaus, a spiritual retreat. I've been with this group of ladies for almost 12 years now. Some have gone, others have come, but there are a few of us that remain together. Although I don't get to meet with them often, because of my job, I still feel part of the group. We had lunch together in July and I always take a picture, either at Christmas or in the summer, and send it to each of them. I made cards for each of the ladies in the group and sent them the photos in the cards. I made eight of these:

Part of scrapbooking is to use, well, your scraps. And an efficient use of scraps is to make greeting cards from scraps leftover from creating a layout. Being the backwards person that I am, I created the layout after making the cards. I wanted the layout to have the flavor of the cards, including some matching elements, like the quotes and stamps. I really like the way it turned out:

In addition to those projects, I am trying to keep up with a Challenge A Day on 123-Scrap, so this weekend the challenge was to make a layout from the pictures and papers we gathered in a different day's challenge. I had just gotten some pictures from my SIL from her trip to Germany with her best friend and their sons that I wanted to scrap. They'll go in my nephew's album for him someday, but I had fun with it. Without further adieu, here's familie:



(Sorry for the scanning issue and their names were put on the layout after I scanned it) Love you, DB!

Here's A Good Attitude Reminder

I read this on Pam's blog this morning. I hope you'll take the time to read it because it's a way of life in making choices. And it's based in part on my favorite scripture in Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So go out today and live your life with the choices you make, but not worrying about tomorrow, because worry won't change a thing!

Time For Another Blog Quiz

What kind of fruit are you?

You Are a Strawberry

You are friendly, outgoing, and well liked by many people. You are popular, but there's nothing you ordinary or average about you. You a very interesting person, and you have many facets to your personality. Sometimes you feel very conflicted. Your different sides of your personality pull at you. You are a very sensual and passionate person. You are fiery... you can't help it. In general, you keep your passionate side under wraps. You are only wild in private.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

If You Care

I received an e-mail link to this, but instead of forwarding it to everyone, I'm putting it here. It won't get any more coverage, but I would like it to be here as long as I can keep it.




God Bless Our Troops.

This Will Make You Smile

I saw this video on Jennifer McGuire's blog and she was right. It made me smile. I even laughed. I hope you enjoy the enthusiasm in it.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.