New Year's Eve....

So long 2007! It has been quite a year! I'm ending the year and starting a new one in Israel. Shalom! Boka Tov! Hello! and Good Day! Today we will be heading south to the Dead Sea. We started off by seeing a wonderful sunrise over the sea of Galilee! We headed off to Bel Voir. This was a former fortress high on a mountain! And yes, the bus made it all the way up there. The view was wonderful, except for the haze. From here you can see over to the boarder to Jordan. The Jordan valley goes all the way down to Africa! This old fort had a dry moat. Only men were here, no women or children were. There was a cistern to collect water. The Muslims were sneaky and went up the mountain and dug tunnels under the fort and placed logs there and burned them and most of the fort collapsed. I think the crusaders at that time were also trying to attack this fort. It is cold and windy up here! As we left and headed down the mountain we saw two gazelles. We learned that Israeli cows produce 40% more milk. They are milked 3 times a day and are fed while being milked and have music played and have a mist of water sprayed on them! Interesting. Also, seedless fruits were genetically produced in Israel. They also make a square watermelon! They also have different colors in cotton! We only have white! hmmmmmmm..... Anyway, we head to a Bedouin Village and go to Mount Tabor. This is very high, and how Jesus had the strength to go up here to pray is beyond me. The Franciscans have once again preserved this area. There are awesome views from here, and we are able to see the snow cap on Mt. Herman. We had read from the book of Judges. We then went to a Kibbutz. When they were digging several years ago they came across a mosaic floor which belonged to an old synagogue. The story was fascinating. Our guide is awesome, we weren't even scheduled to stop here and he is very knowledgeable! We went to Bet She'an National Park. This was a most interesting place because the city of Scythopolis. This was a fantastic ruin of a city! Also it is the city where Saul and his sons where brought (dead) and their bodies hung on the wall upside down....ewwwwwww. It was ruined in 749 because of an earthquake! They even had they're own sewer system and running water! There was a hippodrome that had awesome acoustics, you could even hear when the person on stage whispered, we tried it out! There were three layers of mosaic tiled sidewalks. It is called the WOW city, because every where you look you say "wow"! It was built by the Romans and Christianity did in the Romans! From here we left and drive through the Jordan Valley. I'll tell you this country is rich in agriculture, it puts our country to shame, all the food is fresh everyday! We did go thru a few check points, the scenery changes from lush to dry dusty dirt, yet, it is farmed and beautiful plants and trees grow. We passed Mt. Gilor and it was cursed and nothing grows here, just like the Bible says! The west bank means that it is in relation to where the Jordan River flow. There are wire fences that are very high tech. and have all sorts of sensors, don't mess with them. The Israeli air force was flying a lot today, and sonic booms where heard quite a bit. We eventually came down to the Dead sea about 1300ft below sea level. We'll go for a swim or should I say float, tomorrow. We had spa treatments today. I had a deep muscle massage...OWWWWWWW! But, I am pleased to say that my neck moves, I have a bobble head! We will be celebrating the New Year here! All the best to you for a Wonderful 2008! Love ya!

Baptism

The Jesus Boat
The Sea of Galilee

December 30th
This is probably the most awesome day. We spent at the Sea of Galilee! It started out hazy with a sunrise. Boca Tov means Good Morning. We went to see the ancient boat that was taken out of the sea in 1986! Amazing. This boat was from Jesus' time. We went to the Mount of Beatitudes. This was awesome. Mussolini commissioned and paid for this to be built. It has 8 corners (8 stands for monuments in the bible). Then we went to St. Peter Primacies on the sea of Galilee, while we where reading the bible Matthew 5, a fishing boat was there with it's nets cast and the fish were jumping! There was a rock preserved in the church where it was believed to be the one used to feed the 5,000. Jean and I had gotten in with Father Girard to received communion! Awesome! The Jewish symbol for eternity is the SHELL! We went to Caphernaum where Simon Peter lived. A lot of archaeological info here. Even a Christian built synagogue! The Star of David is only a recent symbol of the Jewish faith, the true symbol is the Menorah. Lunch on the edge of the sea of Galilee and yes I had fish!!! We went to the Jordan River and several of us were reBaptised, and the water was freezing, have pictures and DVD! Amazing! We then took and old boat and sailed on the Sea of Galilee! What a FANTASTIC DAY. Tomorrow we travel to the Dead Sea. I'll get a message!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Caphernaum in Synagogue

Baptism at the Jordan River

Arrived in Israel

December 29, 2007
At long last the adventure continues and I arrived in Tel Aviv! The airport is new only 2 years old and clean. We arrived at 3am, we got thru the passport check, pictured up our luggage and met our guide Roni (Ronny) (which means "rejoice" in Hebrew). Off we went by 5am we were on the Mediterranean Sea and having breakfast and then off to Jaffa. The highways are very nice three laned with street lights. The bus is brandnew....God had a plan! We walked around in Jaffa and saw Simon the tanner's home as well as the center of where all roads more or less lead to in Israel. We left Jaffa and and headed for Caesarea's National Park. This was King Herod's City. This is an amazing place and I'll update blog when I get home. We saw the former area where the place was. The amazing thing was the stone (Large) that was found engraved with Pontias Pilate! This is yet another proof of the Truth. They even has water brought in from 7 and 10 miles away! Did you know that Israel is part of Asia? We went to Mount Carmel which overlooks the Mediterranean. We went to Nazareth and went to The Church of the Enunciation where Mary lived. Where she lived the Catholic church build a church over it to preserve it. The church next to it was St. Joseph's and they have preserved where the Holy family lived which was actually a cave and Joseph had a workshop there! The Franciscan order has maintained this area. Some of the others went to the Synagogue where Jesus spoke, it is a windy path to get there in very narrow walk way that was a street back in the day, and there are merchants on both sides, I got all the way back and close to the synagogue but then got a bit unnerved in the area where I was, so walked back, had I kept going up just a bit further I would have met up with the group. We went to Cana to purchase wine, this is where Jesus changed water in to Wine and then we were off to the hotel!

Athens, Greece

It is Friday - I can't remember the date. It is around 8pm time in Greece which is 1pm EST.

Well, we finally got out of the US and were on Olympic Airways heading for Greece. We went over the Cape Cod National Seashore at an alt. 10,100m speed was 1,011 km/hr and the outside temperature was -48c. So for those family members in Cape Cod, I flew right over you at about 18:45 (6:45pm). Wine on the plane is FREE! The white wine was Moschofilere Boutare, it didn't have a lot of taste. Dinner was good however. After dinner the lights in the cabins were turned off. Now to sleep. There is a challenge. The seats had t.v. screens like Jet Blue, but the leg room was tight, and my legs are long and kept hitting the bar in the seat pocket in front of me. I really didn't get much sleep at all. By the time we landed, I didn't feel well. But, we are in Athens! The city is surrounded by three different mountains. It is sunny and warmish, however, breezy! The highways are similar to ours, traffic was fine. The signs are in Greek and English! That makes it nice. We left the airport with one of our tour guides Yani and then he trained office with a woman whose name more or less translates to Alice. She took us the Acropolypse which means the highest point. The Parthenon is there. It looks most impressive as we get closer. The interesting thing is that the Acropolypse with the Parthenon is actually the second highest, the Greeks used it because there was water there. How can you have a fort without water? The streets are narrow and some of the cars are so tiny! We make our way to the Acropolypse and walked to Mars Hill. The Apostle nPaul spoke here. It is amazing. The view is breathtaking. I can see out to the to sea, and then over to the Oldest Temple which is below us. There are ancient buildings mixed with the modern, and the buildings stretch all the way up into the mountains. The Parthenon. What can I say, I've always wanted to see this, and it is magnificent. It took 10 years to build, and with out modern tools! We can see out to the City's highest point where a small Greek Orthodox Church, St. George, is perched! We looked over to see an area where there were rock steps and this was where democracy was born in the 5th century before Christ! It is called the Abema or tribunal and can accommodate 10,000 people in the pnyka! There is what appears to be another small relic which is an old monument mausoleum to honor a rich prince of the 7th century! It was struck by lightning so there are now lightning rods around it! All this was built in the golden age. I walked up into the Parthenon. The Parthenon was built as a tribute to winning the war against Persia (Iran). It is currently being taken apart and refurbished, because the last renovation caused other problems. Further back is another smaller building with female statues that are columns they are called Caryatids. We saw the temple of Nike (they pronounce Nikki). It was just breathtaking and amazing. Pictures you asked....LOL tons!!!! I love architecture, so this was one place that I could get some close ups. There are are parts of an amphitheatre or "Theater of Antiquity" which was used for only music! There were many other places that we went in a short amount of time. One of which was the original Olympic stadium, which was just used again in the last Olympics. Being a fan of the Olympics and having attended the 2002 Winter Olympics, it was wonderful to see where it all began. The "Modern" Olympics restarted in 1896! The stadium like most of the other ancient buildings are made of Marble. We saw the embassies of the US, Turkey, and Portugal! We went by the Presidents residence (the former Kings Palace) and the guards. The President is only a figurehead, he has now power. Greece is run by a Prime Minister and a Parliament of at least 151+ members of his/her party! Greek Orthodox is the religion of 98% of Greece, and amazingly they too have a few million illegals living in their country! They are part of the original European Nation and use the Euro. Oh yes, we saw what was left (some columns) that were the temple to Zeus. We went by the Prime Ministers residence which is next to the Presidents Palace, The Parliament building, and the tomb of the unknown soldier, and many other interesting places. By the time the tour was done, I was really ready for a nap, I didn't really sleep on the plane at all, so it was a welcome relief to go to the Tatiana Hotel, and get a shower (love my hot showers) and brushed my teeth and took a 2 hour nap. I'm now killing time, because we'll be eating dinner soon (we are 7 hours ahead of EST). We'll be eating here at the hotel - a Mediterranean Cuisine. We did go to a restaurant here in the hotel called the Olive Garden and on the terrace we are able to look over to the Parthenon which is all lit up! It's off to the airport again, to get our flight to Tel Aviv. Did you know that if you get your passport stamped in Israel, it could prevent you from getting entry into other countries such a Egypt, etc.? How sad is that? You can have the stamp on a paper added to our passport! Can't the world get along? What a phenomenal day!!!!

Life is an adventure....

It started off being a foggy Florida morning. Things went smoothly until I got to the airport and was at the baggage check in! Then there was something about a delay and perhaps not making the connecting flight. So, I had to go into the airport and met up with my group all waiting. Apparently there was a mechanical issue with a plan coming in from New York. There were many signs, small as they were, mine was I spilt a whole cup of coffee and nothing splattered on anyone or any of the suitcases. There was talk of Jet Blue sending a plane down from Tampa. Then it was the flight was coming but instead of leaving at 10:55 am it was going to be 2:10. There was another Jet Blue flight at 3:00. Well, Jet Blue reps. worked very hard and out plane arrived at 2:10 and they were quite efficient in getting us loaded on. Half the plane in one line the other loading the plane going outside and up the stairs into the back of the plane. We did get a free lunch. Jean, Rosemary, Bill and I ate at Chili's. Anyway, after the long wait we were finally getting ready to taxi down the runway. We were on the runway, and then we turned around and headed back to the terminal. There was a mechanical issue with an electrical generator which needed to be checked out, then signed off. Finally, after 5pm we were up in the air. We landed after 7pm at JFK. We missed our flight to Greece, but we were given accommodations and will now be taking a tour of NYC before heading off to the Airport. It is cloudy and in the 30's here. I guess God had other plans......

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

Well the day is finally here. After months of planning a a few bumps along the way, my much anticipated trip to Greece and the Holy Land is about to commence. I leave this morning to JFK and then fly off to Athens, Greece! There will be some sightseeing and rest time before heading off to Tel Aviv, Israel! I'm so excited. Then on Jan. 4th I'll be heading back to Athens for a couple of days before coming home! I've been so busy with everything else, I just haven't been able to have all the information sink in, but it is at last. I'm packed, rather lightly, I'm kind of nervous. The big suitcase is only 1/2 full, and I have two small carry on items which could be placed in the big suitcase and fit quite nicely. One is like a big purse (like a computer bag purse) and the other is a small not much bigger a real small suitcase, but I have two days worth of clothes and stuff packed in it! If I'm able I will try and keep up with the blog, otherwise I'll have to update the blog when I get back....the Adventure begins!

Merry Christmas!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Merry Christmas! Today is one of those days that is planned out for weeks if not for months and before you know it, it is here and over and done in just a little more time than it takes to say "Merry Christmas". This year was no exception. I start months in advance in planning on what I'm going to give, and I was done a few weeks ago. It's so good to be done with shopping before all the rush occurs. My biggest obstacle this year was baking. I haven't baked in months, which is highly unusual for me, and maybe this was part of the problem. I've never made so many baking errors in my life! I burned cookies, I even made 4 pumpkin pies (including the crust), baked them, and then at 9pm last night figured out that I left out a key ingredient....SUGAR!!! Good Grief! So, I had to start in again, making the crust, and thankfully I had the pumpkin etc. to make another 2 pies. The kids were on each others nerves and arguing ensued, which doesn't keep with the season of peace on earth goodwill towards men, however, it was resolved with some good nights sleep. The last of the wrapping took place and the presents magically appeared under the tree with a few helper elves. I didn't get much sleep, watched the "Holiday" and downloaded more songs into the iPod, and finished up some odds and ends. The morning was a fresh new start, and everyone was in good spirits, sleeping in helps. I've made a smilebox to record the events of today. There was much smiling, laughing, and joy, and it was indeed peaceful. There were many surprises indeed. It was then time for lunch, a nap, and getting things cleaned up! It's done, over, only to start again for next year. I'm off to pack, I have an early day tomorrow! Peace to all of you and Merry Christmas!

Tired, tired, tired.......

I've been very tired for a week. I've actually been taking naps! I guess things are finally getting caught up with me. I usually go, go, go and then when I have to slow down....I collapse! I give it my all though. I went to the gym, a new one, it just opened, I've been doing curves faithfully for a year going 3-4 times a week. The new gym opened and it's associated with the health food store called Ada's. It's really nice. I decided I'd just try the treadmill....it's great. Was on it for one hour, watched a movie although I didn't get to see the end of it. I felt good, even walked briskly on an incline, my heart rate went up and broke out in a sweat....ewwwww! I had that weird feeling when I was done that I was still moving, but it passed. I got my fruit smoothie, a Paul Bunyan (banana, strawberries, mango, and pineapple juice), went home, showered and I was off to have my hair done (gotta look decent for the trip!). Today, I'm so stiff! My glutes are screaming, my shins aren't much happier. I went to church, did pretty well, but as the day went on....OUCH! I think I hurt more now then after my surgery! I did take nap, and managed to make 2 batches of cookie dough, and 2 batches of pie crust. Tomorrow I'll bake. I haven't done that in ages!!! I had an issue with Microsoft word.....I'd used the Avery Labels (I think I mentioned that a few days ago). Well, all my Word documents looked like the format of the address labels!!! AGGGGHHHHH!!!! I did after awhile solve the issue. Up in the Microsoft word program I only had to unhighlight the paragraph symbol, and voila, fixed! Thank goodness, because all my papers for school would have been.like.this.along.with.paragraph.symbols! Well, time to finished up on the Christmas emails.

Funny things....

20th December, 2007
There are funny things that just bring a smile to my face. Some are so dumb, it's hard not to laugh. One of them is "elfyourself.com"! If you haven't tried it, you should! Basically you just need to upload a picture or 2 or so depending on how many elves you have (up to 4) and be sure that the picture is a straight on shot, because it works best and then that's pretty much it, just following directions, then preview! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1634204778 My husband and I don't dance well together, I think we're all left feet, it continues on with this elf thing. But, it is funny! Other than getting ready to go on my trip, I have only been to the doctor's office, and he said my gallbladder was really bad, and that I must have been having symptoms for a long time. I don't think I was, but maybe I was!!! Then I got my teeth cleaned....I hate going to the dentist, but I love having clean teeth. After the dentist appointment I ran an errand, or two, or more. My intention was to take back one pair of Victoria's Secrets back to the store because the alarm was left on and there was a hole in it. I was able to exchange the item, but it cost me money at Chico's, J.Jill, Williams and Sanoma, Bath and Bodyworks, AAA, Crispers, and the Christian Bookstore! Now, how does that happen???? I made out well though. Maybe I'll bake tomorrow.....

I LOVE THIS WEATHER!!!!

17th December, 2007

Usually the weather in Florida is hot and sticky! I don't like hot and sticky weather. I've gone around in circles with my husband about this for years. There's something about hot sticky Florida weather that the "Y" chromosome just thrives in! I don't get it. I just love the weather in Spring and Fall. I want to spend part of the year here and part in a cooler climate with hills, trees, lakes, etc. We don't have seasons in Florida, it's hot and humid or hotter and more humid! Today, it was beautiful. The weatherman is practically jumping up and down on t.v. telling about the "cold front" we're getting "there's been a 20 degree drop in the past several hours". Truth be told, it's good breathing weather. The kind of weather that has a bit of nip in the air, one where a cozy sweater and socks are required. I LOVE IT! I've been feeling tired, worn out, and cranky with the hot weather, December is no month for having 88 degree temperatures unless you're in the southern hemisphere where it's approaching summer. I was able to get some cleaning accomplished, I love when the house sparkles and the dust and grime are gone. I was able to get rid of several bags of clutter. In the midst of all my joy, Caitlin came home! She looks so cute. She had a list of things to do, like trying on a bridesmaids dress for an upcoming wedding in March, getting together with friends, and shopping! She did manage to help me resolve the iPod issues - it did require 1 hour on the phone with technical support, but I now have tunes on my iPod and the sound is fantastic!!! So as I write, I'm multitasking, I'm downloading tunes from a CD in the computer - wow progress! The camera works like a dream. I got pictures of the cat walking across the pool on the rolled up pool blanket. I'll download that picture tomorrow. My biggest challenge was to get Christmas photocards printed. Okay, I could have gone to one of the stores to have them printed, but NO! Being the independent determined sole that I am, I was going to conquer this task even if it took every ounce of strength. Well, okay, I'll be honest, it took hours, my fuse became short, and a few not very nice words passed repeating over my lips. May the good Lord forgive me. I don't know what the issue the HP printer was having but my issues compounded. First, I wasn't able to get 4x8 size in print set up, the stupid thing. It would give me 4x8(tab), do you know what this does? I'll tell you, it prints a miniature picture on the 4x8 photocard paper!!! Oh, I tried all sorts of things. I went and bought a special program $20.00 + tax later, I still wasn't able to print more that a 4x6 this meant that 1/2 my kids were in the picture! The rest was taken up by the greeting and 1/2 of the other kids!!! My temper boiling, I went to the HP website. Okay, so they have photocards there, I'll give up the notion of putting the cute one that I made several days ago (a big accomplishment) and I'll forgo the one I made with the purchased program. All seemed to go well until I tried to download my picture. Let me tell you what happened. My picture was 2.19Mega pixels and the HP only allows 2MP! AUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! So, searching thru my pictures I hardly have any pictures that would apply. I was ballistic at this point and it was about 1:30am, hours spent on the confounded pictures. So, I resorted to the newsletter with pictures. And printed out pictures for the family. I'd had it. Then to top it all off, I'd spent hours the night before typing in all the addresses from my 14 year old address book! I even made a Christmas card address list. The challenge then came trying to "merge" the list with the Avery labels, after several printed attempts with only getting 3 columns of Name, Address, City, State, Zip for a full page, I finally got it to work! My saving grace was watching Forrest Gump. The part where he kept running from one state to another sounded most appealing. The cards (newsletters) are done and sent! Another battle won. The scars a minimal. I hope the weather holds out for days! Tomorrow, I may just start tackling the gift wrapping.....

Sometimes things are just so frustrating!

December 12, 2007

I love taking pictures, I have boxes and boxes of them. I started taking pictures when I was nine years old when my friend, Greta, gave me a green box camera. I think the film it took was 625. I can't remember how many cameras I've had over the years. I've had Kodak, Olympus, Canon, Fuji, and Nikon versions. I have a small Nikon digital since I've broken 3 Kodak ones all within a few months of each other. I prefer the Kodak ones. This Nikon is a slow clicker (shutter speed) which annoys me to no end. I have recently bought a Canon EOS Rebel Xti and I can't wait to start using that baby! I've been good, trying to get my homework done.....grrrrrr

Then what to do with the pictures. Those old magnetic things just ruined pictures. I then learned of another hobby, scrapbooking. I have been a scrapbooker for quite a number of years. I love it! I love gathering all the materials and putting my creativity to work to make some awesome pages. I have a whole room organized with the scrapbooking material. And then you know what? Some cleaver individual figured out that you can do this on the computer. It's called digital scrapbooking and it is done by "layers" which act as if you had paper, ribbon, buttons, pictures, etc. on a traditional page. How cool is that? Well, it's cool okay if you can figure it out. Well, I've been to the scrapbooking conventions and took the photoshop classes they offered and spent a mint with Epson. I bought the personal photolab which I love and the superdupper printer to print out 12x12 pages. I bought a scanner, and I have to say for those old pictures, this is a wonderful piece of equipment to bring the old pictures back to life. I collected and downloaded all sorts of digital paper, elements, you name it. I took a photoshop class once again when I was on the Alaskan Cruise. Now, in class I buzz right along and get things done. However at home, I become the world's biggest dunce!!! What is it about being at home and not being able to do the simplest thing (or what seem to be the simplest of tasks). Well, it didn't deter me from downloading, organizing, and collecting, more, and more, and more digital scrapbooking bits and pieces!

Some kind hearted person designed the Quick Page (QP), which means that the page is done, you just have to add your pictures and journaling. Okay, sounds easy enough. I tried, and tried, AND TRIED and about all I could do was to get the page up with the picture on top of it and NEVER would the two merge to become one! AUUUGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! Until, today! Yes, today was the day of all days. I can dance around and whoop it up! I did it! I did it! I have been working on trying to get a Christmas photocard done. (I don't know who the kind creative person was but I love the card). I have the card on the screen, I had the picture on the card, but as hard as I tried I couldn't get the picture in the confounded box to get the photocard! Sigh! Being the stubborn individual that I can be, I wasn't going to let this beat me. So, today, I went to Scarpgirls.com and the are tutorials, and I had bought them, but today, I watched the FREEBIE one, and I did it step by step. I set up my things, stopped their video and when over to mine, and today, I HAVE A PHOTOCARD!!!! I was even able to put writing on it! WHOOOOHOOOO! Then, I had to make sure the I mastered this technique and I went to Heather Roselli's Blog and picked up her latest digital calendar that can be used as a screen saver and I DID IT! I feel gooooood! I feel, relieve, accomplishment, proud, and at peace! Determination won!

Now to finish my paper for school....yeah, I've been procrastinating on getting it done and turned in! Bad me.....

School's out!!!!

11th December, 2007

YEEEEHAAAWWW! School is out for winter break! Not for my kids, for ME. Ahhhhh, I just had my final for doing a physical exam. I was so nervous that my stomach was hurting, I was diaphoretic (sweaty), I swear I could hear the ocean inside my head,are my hands getting numb? Am I walking in sloooow motion? Panic was starting to rear its ugly head. However, I did it! I'm done, okay there is one paper I have to finish for my on-line course, but I'm more than half way done with that. I'm free, now maybe I can do a crash course on getting my iPod to work and play with my new camera! I can actually have fun!!! A celebration dinner was at Chili's with Candy, Liz, Leslie, and Roseann. Of course, in the New Year, it starts all over again, but for right now - I'm 1/5th of the way done for my BSN!!!! Ok, don't push the MSN just yet! ;-)

(grafix by snogirl http://www.snogirl.snoville.com)

The EVENT of the Year!

9th December, 2007

Last night was the EVENT of the year! Candy had her 2nd annual Christmas party and it was FUN! Here are Manuel and I in our foyer right before the party. Some friend that we work with were in attendance. The odd thing is how small the world is. You expect to be in a room full of strangers, and the next thing you know you see some old friend there, out of the blue, unexpected. That's one of the things that makes life things interesting. One of my co-worker's husband has known my husband for years!! Who knew?

The event started out with getting caught up with the latest happenings. Here are Liz, Sharon, and Candy (the hostess). Sharon is the glue that holds our unit together. Liz, Candy, and I are study buddies (NSU SHARKS).

This picture is an assortment of friends singing Karaoke! I'll let you in on a little secret, there will be no quiting of the day job so that we can stand in line for American Idol, although, we could have given them some pretty good competition!!!


There seem to be a few pictures of me with a microphone. I'll just have to clarify this. I hate to get up in front of people! Scares me to death. However, Leslie kept writing peoples names down with songs, and wouldn't you know those people who's names where picked wouldn't go up and sing, and so then it ended up being in a group, and I was just in the group! We did get Leslie back by making her sing "Play that funky music". Many of the songs - who knew what they were, so when all else fails, make up words and tunes! I'm sure someone will be on top of this for next year. :)

Now it just seems that some people did a lot of dancing. Hey, you know who you are! The Cha Cha Slide, YMCA, and the Macarena are still big party hits! I think I'll have to practise the Cha Cha Slide, too many people bumping into one another, and there were a few toes squished. (Okay, note to self: singing lessons, dance lessons, list of songs....)

I'll just clarify one more thing. WARNING! Some things aren't as they appear!! Now take the picture with Liz and Candy with Capt'n Morgan! It all started out completely innocent! Then along comes my husband with the bottle of Capt'n Morgan! He's been hanging around me far to long, since I'm always taking pictures and sometimes there needs to be an focal point....truth people, is stranger than fiction!


The time flew by, I don't know where it went, but it was 8pm when we got their and when I looked at my watch it was 12:05am! Time flies when you're having fun. Candy, thanks so much for the fun and the memories!

Out and about.....

8th December, 2007

I was out and about today. I haven't been out and about for almost a week. I enjoy my home surroundings but it was time for a change. I was motivated this morning to get up because I had an invitation to Linda Barry's. She is so creative! I just love her primitive items. There was an open house for the Fall and this one was Christmas themed. The handcrafts are phenomenal! Such talent. She and some of her friends out do themselves. I did some shopping there, look at the cute stuff, how could I resist? The refreshments were wonderful, and I just love her new kitchen! I can only dream to one day have a island in my kitchen. As I was leaving Debbie and Judi drove up. I haven't seen them for ages, okay, I saw Debbie when I was in the ER! We always promise to get together and then life gets in the way. It's very important to set a date and keep it. The goal is to have fun, which we always have when we're together. My sides ache from laughing so hard when I'm with them. Of course, we always try to solve the worlds problems, life would be so much better if people just did what we wanted them too!!! I know, that isn't how it's suppose to be, because then we wouldn't have much to talk about. So girls, if your reading this, lets plan a date to get together, perhaps a destination, we always seem to have an adventure when we do that. I did get some Christmas shopping in, I'm about done. I was done when I went to the Mall. I don't care for crowds. Didn't look like a lot of big buying going on. By 2:30pm I was jittery, and realized that it would be good to have food, so I convinced the husband that I'd pick him up from the office so that we could have a late lunch together. PANERA of course! Then it was time to head home. I need a nap. Candy is having a Christmas party tonight, which is suppose to be the EVENT of the year, so I'll have to attend. She told me she'd sit me in a chair and prop me up so I didn't have expend to much energy...what are friends for????

today is another day....

7th December, 2007

Today is another day. Thank goodness for a new day and a new start. It's post-op day number 3. It's going well. Yesterday I was very tired and did sleep but felt that I was wasting time sleeping because there is so much else to do. Not that I'd have the energy to proceed with doing anything, it's just the thought of missing out. I did speak with my co-workers. They were very busy and today was another busy one. Today Liz called and we chatted for quite a while. I believe I have another project for school done and can be crossed off the list. This school thing is exhausting. I talked with Caitlin today. Yesterday she was at the Oaks Mall in Gainsville where there was a shooting. I just don't get all the anger that people are expressing. I'm glad that she is safe. I did get out of the house, went to Quilt Lover's Hangout. I picked up a kit and couple of other things. It was nice to get out and see cheerful friendly faces and get in some giggling! The husband drove me. Now that in itself is an adventure. I have no control over how he drives. He makes me nervous and he says "trust me". To me those are loaded words! It would be fine except he feels the need to answer the phone when he is driving and tends not to have his full attention on the driving. It's bad enough some SUV driver just slid over three lanes at the last minute only to be at a stop light with half his vehicle in one lane and half in the other....from Indiana! Okay, at the next light the black pickup truck towing a boat that was on our left pulls right in front of us and then another right in the next lane only to then make a left a McDonald's. Hello people! Think safety. Okay, so my hands aren't embedded in the dashboard yet, and NO my feet aren't stamping on the floor as if I'm slamming on the breaks. I was behaving myself. Holly, Jolly! It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas. I don't know many people that have the Christmas spirit this year. Some years are just like that. My shopping is almost done, however, the tree isn't up. I think the tree just makes the difference. So today while I was shopping for quilt fabric, the husband was off purchasing a tree. It'll be up tomorrow since it's soaking in water right now. The lights that he wasn't going to put up, they're up. Perhaps the 84 degree temperatures have something to do with not feeling as jolly. All in all, it was a good day, and tomorrow will be another......

My kids.....

12/6/2007
My kids are my world. It's amazing how time passes. You plan one day for their arrival, they're here, they grow, and change, and then they are out the door to start their own adventures. They are each unique yet have similar qualities. They have a sense of humor that is as crazy as mine. They are beautiful, fun, creative, aggravating, kind, playful, ambitious, and patient (well sometimes). Some are reserved, some are outgoing, some need the world to revolve around them, others are more at peace. They are concerned, compassionate, thoughtful, and human. Of all the things I've done, I'm the proudest of my kids. I have learned alot from them (shhhhhh don't tell them, their heads will start expanding)! They are strong, and I hope that they know the unlimited potential that they hold within them to meet any challenges they face and that they can reach any goal that they set. Sometimes I think they need a little push, but that's a mother for you. When the mother bird has chicks she knows when it is time for her to push them out of the nest, it's only the mother that knows that the chicks have the ability to fly....so my little chicks, spread your wings and fly, make your lives the best they can be, make the world a better place, set goals, and never give up and don't be afraid to fail because all of these will make you stronger. Always remember that I love you!!! It isn't easy to get them all together and to have them all smiling! This is the annual challenge!!!

A day in the life.....

12/5/2007
A picture of my friends Leslie and Lisa waiting for me as I had surgery! Today I got up, a new day! Life is good. I still feel good, all systems working! I feel like a space launch! LOL. I did some folding of laundry, swept the kitchen floor, fed the cat, made the bed. I sorted through some things that were set aside when the house was being painted. I need to get more organized. Talked with Liz. Tried to rest. I showered and shampooed. Worked some on a paper for school, this school stuff takes up way to much time. I feel really good, still haven't needed anything for pain. Yipee! Had Panera for dinner!!! Yum. Still no Christmas tree up, though I have a few decorations out. Wrapped some gifts for Miss Ava (she is sooooo cute). Talked with Caitlin, she attempted to help me get my iPod up and running....hmmmm I think I may be techno challenged, but I won't give up, I will master it!!! Next will be my new camera! 20 days until my big trip to Greece and Israel! It'll be here before I know it, and be over just as fast! Lisa called too, she doesn't think I should work out tomorrow. Maybe I can go and watch! :-)





12/4/2007
Today I had surgery to have my gallbladder out. It's very different to be the patient than taking care of them. The biggest deal was that I had 3 IV sticks! OUCH, my veins are good what's the issue???? I was a bit nervous, however, I had a wonderful anesthesiologist and great drugs. Not using drugs, they hit pretty quick! "You've given me stuff in my IV haven't you" I say to my nurse, Susan. I know that Pepsid and versed and an antibiotic were on the list! I don't remember to much except I did see my surgeon, they won't let me keep some stones, I asked, and no I can't have a tummy tuck with this surgery, bummer, and off I went, wheeled down the corridor in my lovely custom made gown, with ted hose, and sequential leg devices (to prevent blood clots), adorable booties, and a pretty blue bonnett on my head complete the ensamble and I'm accessoried with plastic bracelets adorning my wrists (how stylish). I entered the operating room and I don't remember much else. I think I got on to the OR table and then I think I had EKG leads placed, but I'm not sure! The surgery took place (I think). I do remember being in the main recovery room, people were talking and my kind anesthesiologist bid me good bye. I hope I was polite and remembered to Thank him. One of the oldies, Bill, RN (one that has been with our hospital for 18 years or so) was to my left taking care of another patient. I don't know the dark haired nurse was that took care of me. I woke up feeling good, I was sitting up a bit and I was looking around the room and then became a bit nauseated, and being the best vomiter around, I did tell her I was feeling nauseated and she mentioned phenergan and I said only 12.5mg! She had to ask another anesthesiologist and get the medication. I don't remember much else, I feel asleep. The next thing I new I was in the day surgery recovery room. I woke up to the nurse telling my family they couldn't see me because I was sleeping, and I'm telling her I'm awake, and she's telling them to go get lunch! "I want to go home", I said. I then asked to use the restroom, she said I couldn't walk because I was slurring my speech!!! I got up, and had to sit in a recliner chair and be wheeled to the bathroom - then I was to use the light to call her back, I got finished and opened the door and the pink lady nabbed me, and my nurse was walking down to get me telling me I was told to use the call light. "I want to go home" I said. I was wheeled back in the chair and given water. I kept dozing off. You can't go home if you keep sleeping the nurse said, and I kept saying, "I want to go home and go to sleep in my bed with clean sheets that I made this morning and I'll rest quite well there". At about just after 11:30 I was finally getting sprung. I did she Charlotte the house supervisor, it's good to see old friends! Soon Manuel was in to get me, of course with pictures, because that is always a joke where I'm concerned, and off in the wheelchair to the car, and home I went. I rested for while until my friend Lisa stopped by. She and Leslie got kicked out of the hospital because a rumor got started by someone that I was vomiting and got put under again! Well, I did not!!!! Lisa brought me a pretty poinsettia and some fruit. We talked for a bit and I was up walking around. She left. Liz called and we chatted. I went back to bed. I slept for several hours and woke up at 6:10 pm. My class was already in session and I was missing it. Candy did call to check on me, she's at school....such good person. Manuel gave me the bag that Leslie gave me, she's too much, lotion and soft comfy slippers! I felt really good. Still not needing any pain medication. Whooohooo!!




12/1/2007
Thimbleberries Club at Quilt Lover's Hangout, has run it's year. Lisa and I signed up with the best of intentions! Well, I sort of got the first two months done, I have all the material for the rest of the quilt and then some! How does life get in the way? I don't know where it went, but there were a lot of obstacles one way and another. Anyway, the send off was really nice, the girls did a fantastic job. It was fun and the food was delicious! The store has also expanded and looks fantastic. Of course I had to buy more fabric and order a kit! I'll have to squeeze in some time somewhere to get it done....



11/30/2007

Callie is in her second year of dancing at Maranatha School of Dance. She is in Modern and Hip Hop classes. She is a very shy girl but is starting to come out of her shell. Here she is with her awesome dance teacher, Jorie at an auction at the First Baptist Church. Dance your heart out. I got a couple of the auctions! :-)





11/29/2007

Manuel had another birthday. He's now 6 x 10! He wants to know where the time has gone. Who knows, but it's gone very fast and it's been spread over three countries, one wife, four children and it hasn't been dull! Happy Birthday! Feliz Anos!




11/22/2007
Thanksgiving. I just love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. I've always loved it because our family got together. I don't have a big family, but they're fun to be with and I just love my cousins. This year was special because my cousin Susan and her family were able to come to Florida! It was a treat for them and for me as well. We were able to get together and have our family's together. However, we were missing Manuel and Paul, as they were in Portugal. It was nice just being together and having fun watching our kids have fun together. It was relaxing and enjoyable, just as the holidays should be.




11/18/2007
Manuel and Paul are off to Portugal. They want to sell the Terrageena Mud that they have been working on for years. I hope that they have has success since they have worked very hard on this product. Marketing is the worst thing. It all has to click and if it doesn't it's all down hill.



11/16/2007

Some days just start off as other. They start out the same and continue on and then, out of the blue something happens to change them. I was at work, it started like any other day. My patients were taken care of. I had lunch, Subway because the hospital food is the pits. Within an hour or so I was having a dull ache on my upper right side. I was sitting at the computer charting and a patients family member came out asking for help, I hurt, but got up and assisted them and then went out and continued charting. I was tired, just wanted a nap. It was slow at work and I offered to go home, I just wanted a nap. The pain became more intense and a co-worker asked me if I was okay, and I said I'd be fine. I went to go to the other room to give report and the pain got worse. I just want to go home and take a nap! My co-workers were concerned and were offering to drive me home, but I said I could do it. I just want to go home, and the pain got to the point where I had to breathe with it. Then I hear co-workers saying that I should go to employee health. I don't want that, I just want to go home. Well, someone calls them, while my boss wants me to hop on one foot, which I did. See, I'm fine, I just need to go home. Well, employee health won't see me they want me to go to the ER. The next thing I know I'm in a wheelchair being whisked to the ER. "I hope it's not gas, I'd be mortified if this was just gas pain" I say. "It is worse than labor too." Down in the ER I have to sign it...good grief people get the IT updated and scan my card!!! I'm in pain! With registration taken care of I then get to wait out in the waiting room, oh joy, only to then be paged overhead to the triage room, all in a matter of a few minutes! There I get my b/p taken and questions asked and my pain seems to be subsiding. Yep, it's going, my head hurts, but the pain is almost gone. To late, I'm trapped, I get a little cubical #5 I think. There I get a 20g IV heplock with labs drawn and I wait for an Ultrasound. My husband arrives. There is hazelnut coffee brewing in the room across from me. It smells so good. I could go for a cup of coffee. My friend Debbie (from Employee Health) stops by. At this time I'm feeling fine, I harass her for not seeing me and sending me here to the ER and now I'll have a whopping co-pay! She just laughs and is glad to see I'm doing well. Time passes and the helpful husband feels the need to try and get the process sped up with helpful comments like "she's a nurse, she should be seen", ahhhh yeah that'll work! "What's taking so long, she should have had the Ultrasound, who do I see...." I have to apologize and tell him to stop or I'll be put at the bottom of the list. The helpful, ever smiling volunteer, Dave has stopped by "still here", yes I smile, still here, boy that coffee sure smells good.... and then I'm off for the ultrasound. Poor Trina had to drive all the way from Healthpark and the traffic is horrid at this time of day. She is very nice and I was in and out with a scan of my liver, pancreas, kidneys and the gallbladder, hmmmmmm the gallbladder looks to me like a bag of marbles....hmmmmmm somehow I don't think that's how it should be looking! I'm back to my cubical and not to long my ARNP is in to give me the news. Labs look good, Ultrasound shows gallstones, no edema, no duct blockage, but it should come out, especially with my future travel plans. I'm discharged, dressed and go back up to the unit to share my news. I'm alive and well and have the FAT, FAIR, FORTY DISEASE! Getting old stinks! So it goes. This day was more eventful than others and I never got my NAP!!!
(clip art illustrated by Mark A. Hicks http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/oowie4c.html)





11/10/2007
One of my newest favorite things on Cape Cod is my beautiful niece, Ava Rose. She is the most adorable baby in the whole world. She has the biggest brown eyes, and the most fantastic grin, with the long brown spikey hair! Oh, and she drools! She is wonderful! Who knew having a niece could be so awesome. I can't go by the baby department without purchasing something for her. She is a sweetie. She has beautiful big sisters, Sabrina and Arianna, also. Scott and Gina you have a wonderful family. Ohhhh, and I just love breakfasts at Grumpy's!! Yum, yum!!! Thank you!!!






11/9/2007
Cape Cod. I grew up here. Couldn't wait to move away. It's always nice to go back. The architecture is different here. I love the bouys on the buildings, the signs with the gold leaf painted words, the pine trees, the church buildings with the white clapboard sides and steeples, the curvy roads, the beaches. I visited with family which is always nice and the time far to short. I always have to walk on the beach although there is not much beach left at high tide. I miss the cloudy skies, the breeze, the white caps, the chilly nip in the salty air. Ole Cape Cod....