Let There Be Light

The hubby and I have the outside lights in operation. We cut back this year in the amount that we put on display. Saves us time and people drive by so fast that they don't have time to see all of it anyway. I do try to have them on early in the morning, especially for all the kids who pass on the buses. Makes me feel like we double the exposure.

Happy Beef Day

We celebrated our more immediate family Thanksgiving dinner by going to the Beef House last night. (Remember that my kids didn't want me to stress out with having to cook the big meal, clean the house, and entertain the group so they chose eating out.) The place was not as busy as one would think, but it didn't matter because we had reservations for the 18 people who met to eat. The whole experience was very pleasant as well as the food was delicious. I think most of us brought home a carry-out of our meal. I would have been happy to have eaten just the rolls and salad. We made it through the two hours without a negative happening. Maybe we could consider doing this again for a big holiday meal.

Diaper Material

I'm one of those after-Thanksgiving-early-Christmas shoppers, but not the way most people are. My husband and I were at Jo-Ann's fabric store at 5:45 this morning in pursuit of flannel material for the diaper mission. We stood in the 13 degree temp waiting for the doors to open, wishing that the wind would stop blowing for at least 15 minutes. Once inside we put our plan into action and were able to buy 131 yards of flannel material, mostly white, for 99 cents a yard. We were in and out in twenty minutes! So now we have enough material for more than a year's worth of sewing diapers for the mission in Haiti.

You Win by a Nose

I got the bandage taken off of my nose last Thursday. They had prepared me for the worst saying it could look like the skin graft is dead. Well, it looks simply fantastic. I am so pleased. The only marks visible are the stitching marks from having the bolster bandage sewn on. The kids at school asked me numerous questions yesterday about the whole process. Guess they were just being kind before by not mentioning the elephant in the room. Last week one girl told me that it (the bandage) rocked. I reminded her that it was a bandage and not a piercing. Imagine me with a nose piercing that stuck out more than a half inch and was larger than a dime.

Oh, We Need a Little Christmas

My husband and I just finished putting together the shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse. For many years now my dad has given us money to put with ours so I can purchase the items for the boxes. I found that if you buy things such as socks and underwear, pencils, pens, and toys in bulk packages, you can contribute to many boxes economically. Since many people like to buy for little girls, we have always targeted the 10 - 14 year old age group for boys. I enjoy this Christmas shopping far more than any other. If you haven't experienced this way of giving, I highly encourage you to try it.

Mission Workers

Today at church we will get to see the two missionaries that we visit on our trips to Honduras. The two men are in the states to gather financial support for the upcoming year as well as garner interest in mission trips. Trevor has been to our church several times, but this will be a first for Oscar. It will be good to talk with them and catch up on what has been happening in Honduras since we were there in August.

Don't Try This at Home

Just found this on one of the blogs I read. These are fake public service announcements from the cast of The Office. I didn't read all of them but some are pretty funny, especially if you are a fan of The Office.

Shine on Moon

Our granddaughter, Tootsie, attends the child daycare at our church. Whenever there is a behavior or accident report written up on a child it eventually crosses grandpa's desk because of his job at the church. Tootsie has had many reports because of accidents such as someone hit, pushed, or bit her. Well, papa came home with a copy of one from this week to share a laugh with me. It seems that when Tootsie and another little girl went to the bathroom, the girl mooned Toots, who, not to be outdone, mooned back. So both girls were written up on bad behavior reports. Now understand that both girls are three years old. I'm not saying that Toots doesn't know what it means, but knowing her daddy, I'm sure she has seen the moon before.

Round Two

I had the second part of my surgery on Friday. The mole was benign, in fact, the doctor said they found it was not pre-cancerous! Good news. Anyway, I had a new anesthesiologist who talked to me before the surgery. She listened and did not give me any pain meds while still in the operating room like the other guy did. So this time I did not vomit. Only problem was a tickle deep in my throat that caused me to cough. Had to do asthma meds because all that coughing caused an asthma attack. At least I woke up in the recovery room and did not vomit. And the best part is that neither the nose nor the donor skin site hurt. I had several people share with me their horror stories about how bad it hurt. Now it may begin throbbing at some point, but for now it is okay.

Can You Spare a Dime?

Had a melanoma removed from my nose yesterday and the wound is about the size of a dime. I didn't think that was such a big deal before, but hold a dime up to the side of your nose and you'll see that is is. (I've had it removed twice before by freezing it, but it kept growing back.) The biopsy said it is pre-cancerous tissue. So my dermatologist decided it was time to send me to a plastic surgeon. He took it off yesterday. He sewed a cotton bandage over the temporary cadaver skin graft. I return on Friday to have him read the path report and either take off more or use my skin for a graft to finish the job. Wonder what that bandage will look like? Worse thing about all of it is that I don't do well with the anesthesia. I woke up easier and earlier than usual, but I was dizzy and vomiting. The vomiting has passed, but I still am dizzy. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to having anesthesia again this week.

Determined

We went to lunch as a family last week and rode in fewer cars than normal. My granddaughter, Toots, was not happy with our choice of restaurant. She wanted to go to Mario's and not Hacienda. On the drive to Hacienda she voiced her discontent. Here is how it went. Mimi: You will have to walk there by yourself because we are eating at Hacendia. Toots: That's okay. I can do that. Mimi: It is in the opposite direction. We are getting farther away as we drive to the other restaurant. Toots: That's okay. I can walk. Mimi: Do you have any money? Toots: No. At this point she stopped talking about it until we arrived at Hacienda. Toots: Mimi, will give me some money so I can walk to Mario's by myself? Did I ever tell you that she is persistent???

My Dad

My dad is not doing well physically after his mild heart attack this week. The waiting to hear if he is improving or something else has happened is unnerving. My sister calls often to update me while I am at school or at home. I dread looking at her name on the caller ID for fear of what news she will deliver. Sometimes I think life was simpler before cell phones. Today I will not depend on the phone but will visit with my dad in person, enjoy his company, and cheer him up. I know that will lift my spirits as well.

Big Fire, Move Back

The birthday party for my dad was great last night. My brother and nephew, the original fire starters, made a rip roaring fire. (And we didn't have to call the fire department once.) Since it got cooler/colder as the evening wore on, the heat was much appreciated. My dad enjoyed himself very much while dressed in a hooded coat with a down blanket on his legs. Almost all of the family were able to attend to celebrate the big "88." Happy birthday, dad.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is my dad's 88 birthday. Happy birthday, Dad! He is hoping to live to be 97. But his hopes may not be realized. My dad had a heart attack while sitting at his breakfast table yesterday. It was mild attack, and he is alright. The doctor and visiting nurse said we could take him to the hospital, but he would not be able to take the medications due to the bleeding he has on the brain. Dad said he wanted to stay at home. So he is at home using oxygen. Only God knows when dad's time will come. But until then, dad will continue to do things his way.