SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008 STILL OKAY!! COULD THIS BE THE WEEK?

I am trying to get better at this Blogging thing!!

This week I worked very hard on completing the reorganization of my "Stitching Sanctuary!! And, I think this is THE WEEK!! Hopefully, next weekend I will be posting the new and improved "Stitching Sanctuary"!!

I finally gave in and have extended my "Stitching Sanctuary" to "That Room"!! This is against my better judgment!! But, the inn is full!! I have to put all the Plastic Canvas charts and several older charts of Cross Stitching. I also am going to keep all my smaller kits in cross stitch over there also.

I have attached the pictures of FRANKEN-ORT!! I just decided to start FRANKEN-ORT as I "thought" it would be a quick finish!! HA!! HA!! HA!! HA!! HA!! That is what I get for thinking!!

And, Miprezious and I are okay for the most part!! The first part of the week I tripped over Miprezious!! She was ever so innocently just taking a nap on the living room floor and I simply did not see her. I was absolutely almost hysterical that I may have hurt her!! Mi was simply more scared, than hurt thankfully!!

BUT, then on Wednesday night I fell asleep at my computer!! I have that awful lean to the right with me since my stroke in 2006. And, evidently I fell asleep and tipped over the right side of my armed office chair that I have at my computer desk. This chair is on wheels.

I landed on a pile of things waiting to be put away on floor!! The desk chair toppled on top of me!! I just woke up suddenly and tried to decide "what to do next"!! So, I just layed there for awhile and then started to try and crawl out from the rubble!! It took awhile, but I did it. When I got loose, all I wanted to do was get myself up and into bed!! And, I did get myself into bed!!

However, I woke to finding blood on my favorite night gown!! I immediately went into where I fell and checked to see if there was blood and there was an amazing amount that I can not under stand how I could not have seen it!! And, I immediately went back in to my bedroom to check my lovely bright white Laura Ashley quilt bedspread on my bed to find it having an amazing amount of blood on it!! Now, I was truly mystified!! But, in checking myself out it appeared the blood had come from my nose!! Well, I guess I am glad I missed it, but just wish I could have been a bit more tidier!! So, I began to trace the red droplets on the carpet and began clean-up!!

Eunice came by and was quite upset that I did not wake her at 4:00 a.m. when this occurred!! She is a real trooper!! Then, Wanda arrived and she took over spot treating my quilt and washed it!! And, I am just glad I only have a few scrapes and brusing remaining!!

Wanda, my new Caretaker, is working out splendidly!! She took my out shopping to Wal-Mart Thursday evening and it was a great shopping time!!

Friday started out with another round of Depositions for Court!! I had attorneys "hammering" me and my near Eunice suddenly stood up and said, "She needs some water!! We are breaking now!!" The attorneys agreed with her thankfully!! I understand she got quite nervous during these Depositions!! Eunice said she just cringed when I was asked about what driving I had done since I was injured. This had nothing to do with any thing!! But, the attorneys went from my driving to how many times I had been hospitalized each year!! I can not believe how this went from bad to worse!! The attorneys had me totally confused between actual year dates and number of hospitalizations!! Just too many numbers!! The attorneys finally came down to "how many times had I been hospitalized this year" to "had I been hospitalized this year". I thought it over for quite awhile and finally said, "I don't believe I have been!!" This is where Eunice said, "Enough"!! My own attorneys and Eunice had me alone and then asked "did I not remember the major surgery I just had" and I truly did not remember it until Eunice refreshed my memory about it!! VERY eerie feeling, that I could forget this and this soon!! Gee, I hope my upcoming oral surgery will be the same!!

Please pray today, Monday, any who read this as my endeared, Eunice, is going into the hospital in Davenport, 50 miles south of us, to have an angiogram of her heart. The Cardiologists believe she will need stints, but we are praying not. However, them finally finding any thing would finally put an end to the awful way Eunice has been feeling for about the last six weeks!! She is quite apprehensive about this!! I told her I was going to go with her and talk her through this!!

I did not know if she would really want me by her or not, but her best friend did contact me and tell me she was so glad I was going to be with Eunice and that Eunice had told her she was glad I would be with her!! I have learned so much from Eunice and I think she knows that I now do most things the very same way she would do them and that I will not let any thing happen to her!! And, I intend to do exactly this!! I assured her I was packing up my stitching and that I would be perfectly happy sitting by her side stitching as time flies by while I am stitching!! I also told her, that if she had to stay, I would stay with her until if, and when, she says she is okay alone!! I am prepared to sit the night with her if needed!! This woman has been there for me for over a year and it is high time I can be there for her once!! I am hoping, and praying over and over that Eunice just flies through this procedure and feels real ridiculous afterwards for being so apprehensive as this will be an easy thing for her to get through!!

AND, tomorrow is Granny Lou's official 85th Birthday!! I am so sorry that none of us will be around for a celebration!! I am racking my brain to all ends to think of some thing that would be an all out surprise and some thing very special for a birthday celebration!! Any ideas out there?

For sure, we will be celebrating this very soon with all of this neighborhood together!!

And, another week gone by, almost three whole months alone, and

MIPREZIOUS AND I ARE OKAY!!

Love and Hugs!!

Deborah

and

Miprezious, too!!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2008 KATHY SAYS "I HAVE TO UPDATE MY BLOG"!!!

I have been BAD, BAD, BAD!!! Kathy told me last night to post "something" to my Blog and to let every one know how I am doing!!

The GOOD FAIRY did not appear at my home while I was hospitalized!! And, EVERYTHING I had left undone was still waiting for me!! I promised every one I would not go back to finishing my perfecting my kitchen until I was healed up considerably more than I was when I came home!! I stuck to my word, and decided to just "pick", pickup here, pickup there, clean out one shelf, box, etc., etc., etc. in my "Stitching Sanctuary"!! This wonderful room is going to be ready for a "Kodak moment" by the end of next week at the latest!! And, I must say, for myself, it is absolutely wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! I will be able to sit and stitch and have any thing I want at a hand length's distance from me!! Far better yet, I have taken out all the duplicates, triplicates and whatever "ten of some thing is" from my pattern binders!! My threads are all inventoried and boxed by it's own type!! I am absolutely thrilled with my self, but it is going to make it very hard for me to want to finish the rest of my home!! This is a task, that I have been working at what seems like forever!! But, I can see the end in sight!!

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, I am becoming obsessed compulsed and in the mode that every thing HAS to be perfect again!! I thought I lost this "nasty" trait years ago!! After Max's "departure", I just had to have every single thing of his out of here and, par to course, he has left it up to me to do as usual!! I just fell short of having the kitchen completely cleaned and reorganized from top to bottom and side to side!! I just had the big pantry and lower part of the refrigerator left to have to be gone through, in addition to having the carpet cleaned!! I started it July 16 and I worked steady through just dropping on that Saturday late evening on September 06!! This is a very small kitchen, but every thing is slow from a wheelchair and/or walker!! But, where there is a will there is a way!!

Hopefully, I have got some good news!! Well, I have gotten several bits of good news, but unfortunately most can not be shared at this time!! But, the BIG good news is I have secured "another" Caretaker finally!! I "think" this one is going to work out or be the biggest disaster since the Titanic!! Eunice's best friend, works for federal government and this particular Department has had it's funding cut!!
And, even though, Eunice's friend, Wanda, has the title of Director, she, too, is needing to pick up as many hours as she can at another part-time job!! She tried working 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each evening at a convenience store, but could not stand this type of work!! Eunice approached me, with possibility of Wanda picking up part-time hours with me!! To quote, "this gal is just your type, as she gets down on all fours and scrubs every thing when she cleans also"!! I am still deciding on how to take that one!! Only kidding, as this was said by Eunice and there is nothing in this world she could ever do to make me mad!! Thus, the "other perfectionist" and I spent our first four hours together last evening!! Eunice has told her to fix meals for day she is actually here and ahead for days she is not so all I have to do is simply take out of refrigerator and "nuke" them!! And, she is also assigned laundry and the heavier duty cleaning, "I have no business trying to do"!! I "think" we are going to get along splendidly!! Let's say we better!!
Wanda is Eunice's best friend and I don't think it would be good for me to complain about her!! And, Eunice knows what she wants done by Caretaker when she is not here, so I can not see Wanda doing any thing, but what Eunice wants done either!! So, it appears Wanda and I better get along, or have to tell Eunice why we do not!! I sure am not going to touch that one!!

Wanda is an extremely nice person and very friendly!! She is a very good cook and we decided last night, we both want to get this home shaped up to perfect, so we both can teach each other new recipes and cooking techniques!! Now, if I can just talk her into trying the little "x" this could really be PERFECT!!

My dear friend, and Caretakers, as well as best neighbor in the entire world, Eunice, has been down sick for most part of about five weeks now!! She finally came "clean" with the Quad-Cities Cardiologist specialist's findings late Monday to her husband, Wanda and my self. Eunice has to have an angiogram, and probable stints, this coming Monday!! It is the first time, I have ever seen even a glimpse of fear in this woman!! She does not want me up as much as necessary to travel to out-of-town hospital with her, but I told her I would camp out in front of her own driveway Sunday night if necessary!! She has since asked, if I think I can go with her and I told her easily!! She has NEVER let me go any thing alone, since she took over my care!! Even, when she could not come to the hospital during this recent surgery her self, she sent her husband to make sure every thing was going okay!! I have been through two angiograms my self, both with complications that landed me in the hospital, and I can still assure her it was no big deal. I still breezed through and I keep telling her she will easily do it, as this woman has "pure guts" where I was pure "whimp"!! Honestly, I sure will be glad when we are all back in the car headed north for home again though!!

And, by now, you all must be wondering what in the world is with the "train" most likely spread all over this posting!! Well, the digital camera and posting on this Blog are yet two things on my "learn to do" list!! I intend to perfect them also, just don't ask me when!!

As for the train, I just put the finishing stitches in it and it is now the official "JONES Railroad" that runs in the "JONES" home!! But, more importantly, it is yet another total finish for me!!

And, what do you all think about my "JONES Railroad"? It is to be shortly followed up by the RAISE THE ROOF "The Other Side of the Tracks" Railroad!!

Presently, every thing seems very right in Miprezious' and my world!! However, the little one was sleeping in the living room the night before last!! I came through trying to toddle along on the furniture and I fell over her!! I was instantly hysterical as I thought I had hurt her and I could never live with myself if I ever did such!! As it turned out, she was more upset with the fact I was upset and after doing some of her "emotional vomiting" later that night, we both we able to settle down again!! I am sure she was not hurt, and I was not enough to even worry about, however, I did acquire a few cuts, scrapes and lots of bruises.
And, this has brought about the subject of Eunice demanding I wear a "Medic Alert" again!! I hate that thing!! But, if that is the worse thing that happens to us, we will count our selves once again very blessed and lucky!!

Miprezious is finally settled down again, almost, from the ten days she was left alone while I was hospitalized!! I have NEVER allowed Mi to be put in a cage!! I have sat for an entire day at the Vet's office while she was spade, simply so I could sit with her on the floor, than she be put in a cage!! When she goes to the Groomer, she is only gone for a hour ideally, but her Groomer really loves her and readily volunteers to "Mi sit", if she knows I have an appointment or need to go some where while she is with her!! She will always tell me that Mi is most welcome to stay on with her after she is done grooming her if I need a bit more time than the hour!! I do appreciate this gal for offering this and have taken her up on her offer a few times. She locks her "gated" area in the shop and allows Mi to run freely and taunt the poor other "clients" who are in the cages!! Mi is always most happy to play there!! So, placing Mi in a "kennel" was just not a possibility!! Thus, it was decided to let her stay home with the big screen television playing the cartoon channel!! Mi thinks they are talking to her!! Eunice's husband, Marion, and Granny Lou came in several times each day and evening to check on her and feed her!! Mi was spoiled even more!! Marion would always stop after work, which can be from 11:00 p.m. to about 3:00 a.m. depending on how busy his restaurant was each evening!! A good deal of the time, Marion would sit down to hold and cuddle Mi and he would end up falling asleep in front of the television with her!! She yet goes out to the kitchen entry door about 10:00 p.m. and begins her "door watch" and waits for Marion!! When Marion heard about this, he began to start stopping every night when he sees my lights on yet when he comes home from work!! He is always so tired and she is always so wild and throws toys at him, baiting him to play!!

A few days ago, my in-home nurse called to say she was coming!! In turn, I have to call Eunice, if she is not already here, and tell her that she is on her way!! Poor Eunice, had slept in that morning, so she just slipped a sweater on and run across the street in her granny length nightgown!! Eunice came in and told me just to go along with story that she had stayed the night with me!! So, the nurse shows up, and Eunice just goes around the house picking up this and that and acts like it was a regular morning ritual!! After she left, Granny Lou came over to visit and see if we had gotten caught yet. Thus, the three of us were together, so we decided to just sit down and chat for awhile!! We started discussing all the things we have had to do and say to make it appear some one is always here with me!! Then, I brought up, I wondered what an old, and rather cranky, woman directly across the street and atop a hill must be thinking about this time!! I said, first my husband comes up missing!! Then, Eunice's husband has been surely been seen by her coming and going at all the very odd hours he has in the last recent weeks from my home!! And, then first thing each morning, Eunice comes running across the street in various night clothes most mornings!! And, all the while, Granny Lou had to be seen coming and going at all different times also!! I had been going out very rarely before going to the hospital. Granny Lou, managed with the help of some good friends, to get me to the hospital with out the Paramedics assisting so the old woman probably did not have a clue that I was gone!! Good thing she does not really talk to any one in this neighborhood, as I would hate to think what the "rumor mills" would have conjured up over all these comings and goings!! But, just verbalizing it, made Granny Lou, Eunice and I sit and just "belly laugh" over it all for quite some time!!

But, things continue to get easier for Mi and I every day!! I truly think Wanda will be a real big blessing in our lives!! Last night, Wanda had to bring Mi into me as she would not leave her alone!! Wanda was using some bleach in the bathroom and she did not want Mi breathing the fumes, otherwise Mi had "helped" her clean almost the entire time she was here!! Wanda and Eunice No. 2 resemble each other very closely and I think Mi believes it is her. Mi does not take to strangers all that well, and she totally adored Eunice No. 2!!

And, I got REALLY GREAT NEWS yesterday!! There is a charitable organization here called "Hearts and Hammers"!! They contacted me yesterday to tell me that if it was okay with me, they would be sending a representative over to my home to
draw up plans for a wheelchair ramp to be built here!! I will finally be able to get out in my Hoveround Power Wheelchair!! And, this organization contributes all the materials and labor to build this ramp for me also!! PTL!!! Having my Hoveround accessible to me to use with our Municipal Para -Transit will be giving me really new found freedom!! I do not have enough strength to push myself for any real length in my regular wheelchair and this puts great limitations on me!! With the Hoveround I can go do some serious shopping and all kinds of new things I have forgotten I am missing!! Hoveround Technician that delivered the chair to me said it was capable of doing 40 MPH!! I always wanted to just "rev" it once to see if it really had any speed in it, but Eunice and Max always forbid me to do so!!

Seriously, I have come a long ways!! Recently, one of you, brought some thing to my attention that I had never considered for my self prior!! Max went to all lengths to "put on" a good show!! I learned, and, unfortunately relearned over and over that Max was a "pathological liar" to quote my father. My father was in charge of the "lie detector" services at the local law enforcement center for over thirty years. And, I can remember, VERY FEW times ever, in my father's entire life, that he ever said any thing negative about any one!! But, as was pointed out to me Max went to all lengths to put on a good show, however, in all actuality he was a "self-centered A$$ who only delighted in telling me I could not, should not and he would do for me" in order to keep me home bound and an invalid"!! Well, I found out for my self, I can, will and am doing quite well for my self!!!! And, I am loving and cherishing each and every moment of this change over!! I had an in-home Physical Therapist that worked with me from minimum of three times per week to five times a week, depending on how much I could do!! Max did every thing he could do to sabotage these efforts!! He would do every thing from criticizing the Physical Therapist in what he was trying to teach me to simply calling him while I was napping, or even on the cell phone out in the yard and telling him to cancel me out that day as I was not feeling up to doing therapy that particular day!! The pity of this is six years have went by and my muscles have atrophied to some extent, but I am trying to be up and bearing full weight on my legs each day while bracing my self with the walker. I recently told my regular doctor that he could rest with ease through this winter's snow and ice as I would continue to allow Eunice to keep my van keys (she took them after finding out I did drive to the hospital one night at 3:00 a.m. as no one else was around that particular night and Max was critical-little does she know the pain was so excruciating, I would never have tried it again for quite some time!!), however, come next Spring, I am going to find me a driving teacher to teach me to drive my van even if it requires getting special hand controls!! My doctor simply said, he has learned to never bet against me from here on out!!

And, I also had more good news, at least, I hope it is going to be good!! While growing up, my mother was a "SNOB" in the highest degree!! My father had a Cousin who married quite a "woman" who did not believe in soap, water, bathing, cleaning, etc., etc., etc.!! This couple had 8-10 children and, needless to say, the family lived in one of the very worst imaginable conditions you could ever imagine. I don't remember a whole lot about these people as we were NEVER allowed to know them!! Worse yet, they were kept from even knowing who my brother, sister and I were even to the best of my mother's abilities!! When ever there was any family function such as a wedding, funeral, etc., we were not allowed to accompany my parents to these functions!! My mother feared these Cousin's children learning our identities, and God forbid they would come up to us at a school function or some where!!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine who does not own a computer, begged me to go into the State of Iowa's website that listed unclaimed monies owed to people in Iowa from various means. It took me quite a bit of time and trouble to look this information up for her, but this "hunt" resulted in my friend being able to claim about $1,500 from a previously owned Prudential Life Insurance Policy!! Some demutualization process, I believe it was called. Needless to say, my friend was very happy as she promptly ordered her first computer with the pending refund she is getting!!

Thus, I thought, "WOW!! I have a couple of Prudential policies........"!! I then went back into site and began to research "JONES"!! Well, thus far, I only came up with my father's cousin, who is now passed, along with his mother and also his grandmother!! They have all passed!! I knew of one of my father's Cousin's son's name. Between the three of them, their refunds totalled $2,200.00!! My friend told me that since the names were still on the list, that the refunds had remained unclaimed!! I at first thought, "stay out of their business, Deborah and my mother would kill me if I did make contact"!! Well, I slept on it the first night, but awoke with my normal reaction when I think I can fix a wrong - like a bull, with a red flag waving in front of me!! So, I began a search for the "son"!! I had run into this son at a Farmer's Market in 1992, or I should say he run into me, and he came right up to me and introduced himself and his daughter!! I was very ill at this time, and I looked it also!! After a brief introduction, the daughter was offering to help me as she was a nurse. I was politely "thanks, but no thanks" at that time!! The daughter told me that I was "family, and family help each other out"!! I remember being just blown away with how nice this girl was being to me, a literal stranger though to this very day!!

So, I have been leaving voice mail at a number I thought this son to be at for the past few weeks!! Last night, I got a telephone call from this son, David!! Turns out he has been out to the University of Iowa Hospitals where this same daughter is hospitalized. She is in critical condition, not expected to live and at the age of 35 has no will to continue to try any longer!! David had just come home to get a few needed things taken care of and was returning back to Iowa City this morning again to stay with his daughter!! David broke down and began to cry while talking to me last night!! He told me he simply had not had any one to talk to about this with. Nosie ole me, had to know every thing about this woman, and David wanted to tell about her also!! I learned additionally that David, him self, had just had four stints put in his own heart just before his daughter went down!! He said he had a wife when he went in the hospital, however, she took off "on vacation" before his surgery and he has not heard from her since!! I told him I definitely could relate to the waking up from major surgery and not having any one there with you!! David simply said, "should I ever have the misfortune of needing more surgery, that I was guaranteed the fortune of having some one there when I woke up, holding pink roses as that is what family does"!! He simply left me "blown away" once again!!

I am praying his dear daughter, Michelle, does pull through this medical crisis she is now having!! And, irregardless if it is the nicest restaurant we have in this one-horse town or if it is a McDonald's, I am going to have dinner with hopefully both David and Michelle and try to learn about the rest of my long neglected "Cousins"!!

David thanked me so much for giving him so much last night. I told him, I was only sorry, I had not discovered the $2,200 sooner for him to have gotten the papers filed and had his money by now!! David said, he truly appreciated the found "treasure", but said my listening to him and his finally being able to "vent" regarding his daughter meant more to him than any amount of money!!

Thus, I am beginning to think I actually may have some true "family" yet!! David told me he has three sisters living yet, although three brothers and one sister have already passed on!! I will be anxious to meet them, as I remember or know nothing about them!!

Miprezious and I are OKAY and we intend to stay that way!!

Love and Hugs!!
Deborah
and
Miprezious, too!!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 - I AM OKAY!!

Hello All My Dear Friends and Family,

I don't have much to post today, but have promised so many of you to keep up daily via my Blog as to how I am doing!!

I am feeling okay, but all appears quite unwell!! My stomach is very extended and hurts very badly when poked or prodded!! My Nurse tried to get through to my Surgeon today, but his office personel did not think it worth their mentioning to the doctor!!! He told me, if there were any changes or concerns that I was to call him immediately!! Well, we tried and as long as I am not in pain, I am in no big hurry to see him as it irregardless is going to mean further hospitalizations!! I can't stand the thought of this and it will surely just push me over the very edge!! Next week's re-check was moved up from next Thursday to this Monday!! Oh, please pray that this turns itself around!!

But, I am just following Nurse's orders of doing nothing!! I am SITTING in my "Stitching Sanctuary" and either sorting things, reorganizing and/or just simply stitching!! I am making slow progress just straighting my chart binders and re-organizing my threads!! Then, I have about four very large plastic storage bins of kits to sort and organize. All that will be left is getting this carpet cleaned and then I will have both my "Stitching Sanctuary" and my kitchen absolutely perfect and just the way I want them!!

So, all I can say is "I am okay"!!

Love and Hugs!!
Deborah
and
Miprezious

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 - NEVER, SAY NEVER!!

Well, I could not get Outlook Express to connect last evening so I was unable to post the few ramblings of my mind!! Since last night, I have had a great change in my condition and it has changed my ramblings!!

My Nurse was here today, and she told me "complete bed rest and extreme caution" until some thing changes!! My stomach is very, very distended once again and a large, and very solid mass is showing and can be easily felt right under my incision!! My Surgeon was a bit leery of this and I can only pray to God it is a fluke that will pass!! I simply can not go through additional surgery either physically or emotionally at this time again!!

As for this posting's pictures!! The above left picture is of my "SCREAM HOUSE" progrss. The frogs, need some one to blame, invaded and made me blind to using called for color of "Taffeta" instead of the "Fire" I did use!! I have had to go and "frog" out the "Fire", but as you can see I am restitching this outer edge of the "Netty Nightshade" wall!! I simply had to put this aside, as it is 30-Count Weeks Dye Works Linen, which is some thing way out of my comfort zone!! I was just too upset about this mistake. Thus, I decided to "frog" and replace stitches a few at a time and try to make it seem like not such a big thing as it obviously is!!

Thus, I picked up my Hallowbiscornu to immediate left above and put in some additional stitches last evening. A major part of last evening was also taken up by my computer deciding to give me a bit of grief also!! I promptly called my Internet Service Provider, my cable company, and spent almost two hours of my morning trying to straighten out my Outlook Express!! Computer was successfully

taken care of, but cable company had no idea of what had happened!!

Also, yesterday afternoon was my second outing via my city's Municipal Transit Authority!! I had an appointment with my General Practitioner. His office is located clear across town and almost to the western city limits, about a 20 minute commute!! I knew the Scheduler had a real tough job of trying to find a spot available to pick me up as I learned Mondays are usually a bear!! Note to remember this tidbit of information!! So, I packed one of the very lovely little canvas totes that Mare Penner had made me about a year ago. I found a set of Halloween ornaments in the JUST CROSS STITCH MAGAZINE's Special Halloween Issue that calls for "Trifles and Tokens" as the material to be stitched on. I found this just perfect as they are quite sturdy and yet small in size. I put my pattern, white, gold and yellow floss bobbins, needles and scissors into my little tote and was prepared for all delays in my Municipal Transit journey!! I did have to leave a bit early for my doctor's appointment and arrive about 30 minutes early at his office. He was not back from lunch at my arrival time, so I assured his receptionist that I would be just fine over by their large window so I could begin my piece of "candy corn"!! My doctor has always been ever so interested in my stitching endeavors, as after my stint of THIRTEEN hospitalizations in 2006, he was quite familiar with it!! I did feel pretty stupid trying to answer, "what was I presently stitching on" as how do you say "a piece of candy corn"!! Dah, another blonde moment!! I was actually with my doctor for about twenty-five minutes so it was nice that I was early and that he had the extra time for me!! Upon my getting done with my doctor, the nurse had his receptionist call for my Municipal Transit Bus. I was told that since this Clinic was way off the normal bus routes that it could be a bit of a wait. This did not bother me in the least as I just went into the entry way and got my wheelchair positioned with help of a nurse to side of entry foyer which is all glass enclosed and was a perfect spot to continue onward on my "candy corn"!! I only had to wait a bit short of fifteen minutes!! This was yet another, actually only my second time ever, of riding a Municipal Transit Bus, however, I found it again to be very pleasant experience. I was quite apprehensive about my first trip, but now it does not bother me at all and will be a welcome and positive thing in my life as I will soon be able to go places simply to just get a break and to get out of my home for a change of scenery!!

My visit with my family doctor was quite interesting!! I was doing very fine!! My doctor was in complete disbelief of how far I have come in such a short period!! He told me he really thought that I would be still hospitalized or have been transferred to the Rehabilitation Unit!! NO WAY!! This doctor was the very one who was adamant that the best placement for me was in a permanent Rehabilitation Center or more likely a "hellhole" Nursing Home just a short time ago!! He told me, he had to admit he had been wrong and that there was no doubting this!! I was so very proud at this very moment!!

My doctor then got on the subject of Max!! He first asked if I was able, or did I want to, discuss Max!! I told him that I had no problems talking about this subject. The doctor told me that he was absolutely "clueless" to the fact that Max had to be such a very great "stressor" in my life for too many years!! I agreed and told him THIRTY years to be exact!! My doctor then told me that he did realize what it was like to try and live with a bi-polar person who would not take their anti-psychotic medications regularly!! He said it must have been more rough on me then he was even beginning to pick up on!! He told me that although Max was a "likable" person, he had complaints from office, as well as hospital, Nurses concerning Max's mouth!! I told him I only knew this all too well. Then, he said, "Max was likable, but..........." and he began to stop and start to try and finish his sentence. I asked, what was he trying to say. My doctor said, he was "trying to find some nice way of saying" and I stopped him. I told him he no longer had to try and find "nice" when it came to discussing Max!! My doctor laughed and then said, "Well, his elevator did not go quite to the top floor"!! Then, I had to laugh!!

My doctor then asked me if I had any idea of taking Max back. I told him that was the one thing I could be absolutely, positively sure about and that I was absolutely NOT ever going to take him back into my home nor did I want to be with Max ever again, not for any reason!! My doctor said, he could not argue with that, and would support me all the way, as he could see such wonderful and shocking changes in me that he never began to expect!! He said he would never "bet against me ever again"!! I felt like a new woman and was super charged leaving that Clinic yesterday!!

And, I got home, and I really craved a cheese omelet!! I have cooked six-course gourmet dinners many times, but an omelet I had never done!! So, I got my good ole cookbooks out for the first time in six long years and I figured it out!! And, I must say it was also a very good success and was quite tasty!!

Kathy and I then began a long after dinner chat last evening also!! Kathy sits back in New York and can assess what is going on here in my life much better than any one else as her vision is not muddied up with every thing else that is going on here!! Kathy pointed out to me that after six years of being told I could not and that I should not that I suddenly WAS!! Kathy said, that Max was nothing, but a self centered unkind and uncaring person who only wanted every thing his way and how he wanted every thing!! She said he continually just hammered in to me all the COULD NOTS and never even gave me a chance at all!! She said, I am simply ot even any semblance of the person I was one year ago at this time. She told me I amazed her at all the things I have been able to do and do very successfully!! I went through this major surgery pretty much on my own with really no support or back up!! And, I did it all most successfully for the most part, or we shall continue to hope!! And, she pointed out all the little accomplishments I have done, and most especially so successfully considering I do not have use of my legs!! Kathy had me feeling very proud of myself and eager to just continue to make progress on this recuperation and reorganization of my home and overhaul of my entire life!! I am so very, very happy once again!! It has probably been at least twenty-five years since I have felt this good about myself and looked forward to each new day of life!! And, to think, I have only just begun!! Max, don't EVER tell me I can't again as NEVER, SAY NEVER to me again!!

And, even though I was in "frogging" mode last evening I still made so real progress on my projects!! As of this afternoon, my Nurse has ordered me to do absolutely NOTHING, but sit still and stitch so I intend to take full advantage of these orders in trying to save myself from another hospitalization and further surgery AND to be able to just stitch, stitch, stitch!! It don't get any better than this!! But, I did get comfy in my lift recliner this afternoon and ended up falling asleep for a rather long nap!!

Now, I am just praying very hard, that whatever is happening in my stomach will pass and work itself out!!

I had so much to say last night, but my mind is clouded with threat of "Unknown" due to stomach!! What a waste of good thought process!! I must work immediately on changing this direction!!

Well, my new Caregiver is going to begin work with me on Thursday, and I must begin to compose a list of things for her "to do" and when to do them!! I want to start her out right and hopefully will have her with me until I can find another to complete my staff totally!! I "think" I have every thing I will need covered that I can not do for my self now and it is the most fantastic feeling in this whole world!!

Well, enough drone and that is what this is amounting to tonight, however, I have promised daily updates so every one knows I am okay!! And, I do feel fantastic and hopefully every thing is just great!! But, time will tell!!

Thank you for dropping in!!

Much Love and Hugs!!

Deborah

and

Miprezious, too!!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

Well, it appears that the photos and my editing still leave a whole lot to be desired!!

I had a real wonderful day today!! I continued to sort and reorganize my chart three-ring binders. I am seeing real good progress!! It will be a slow process!!

Well, the pictures above show "Scream House" in various views. Also, there is a picture of actual progress on my fabric.

Also, I have a photo of a Thank You note that I received in the mail. This Thank You note is from the "the Nurse's and Staff-Surgical Unit" of the hospital that I was in for my surgery. I was absolutely stunned!! I have never heard of such a thing!! I was as kind and considerate as I possibly could be, but I felt I left a whole lot to be desired, especially during the horrific pain time!! The card says, "Dear Mrs. Markham It was a pleasure to take care of you during your stay on the Surgical Unit. Best wishes as you complete your recovery at home. Sincerely, The Nurses and Staff-Surgical Unit".

This card brought on a lot of emotions for me!! These nurses and staff of this Surgical Unit were my whole life line, both physically and emotionally. Of course, this surgery was not planned or expected in any way!! Essentially, I did this surgery alone!! Granny Lou never failed to come by each day and this was a great comfort. Eunice's husband, Marion, came in place of Eunice as she was at home with complete bed rest from illness herself. Marion was very pleasant company and it was so comforting of him!! And, my mother, did come the night of the actual surgery, after ordering my brother to bring her to the hospital in that very, very late hour of the night!! My mother was kept downstairs at the hospital in a waiting room as my brother convinced my mother that this was the proper place to wait!! All this while, I was upstairs in my room yet being comforted by the nurses and staff of the Surgical Unit!! The Anaesthesiologist found my mother and "brother" in a front lobby of the hospital quite by accident as he was enroute to my room upstairs to assist staff in transporting me down to Surgery Suite. Thankfully, he inquired who they were as it seemed unusual for any one to be in the lobby at that late hour. He did put my mother in a wheelchair and brought her up to my room!! I don't know what happened to my brother during this time, nor do I care!! My mother was able to see me for a few minutes, before I was taken down to Surgery Suite as this Anaesthesiologist arranged for this!! He also allowed my mother to go with me down to the Surgery Suite and stay with him and I until I was taken to the Operating Room. My brother was seen lurking in the Holding Area. My mother was allowed to wait and speak to the Surgeon after the operation, but my brother insisted she go home immediately after speaking to him. I awoke to all strangers!! It was a very scary and uncomforting feeling!! The NG tube needed repositioning, a very painful process, and I was aware some one was holding my hand. It turned out this was an X-Ray Tech that was an ex-friend of my sister. (My sister robbed our home while I was hospitalized and connected to full life support in 2004 and I have had NO contact with her since.)

My mother, very carelessly for herself, managed to get out to her car and drove back to the hospital the next day after the surgery. She was in horrible shape upon reaching my room. It was a strained visit as she was in such bad shape from taking this trip that I had to figure out a way to make her return trip safer. My mother insisted she would make it home by her self and essentially did!! I was able to call and get a volunteer to come up to my room with a wheelchair and wheel her down to her car at least so she was not so out of breath!!

My mother was able to make my brother bring her back to the hospital again on Thursday night. However, he put her in a wheelchair to bring her the long distance from the front lobby to my room. Upon reaching my room, my "brother" simply stopped the wheelchair outside my door threshold and gave the wheelchair a shove to get my mother actually in my room!! He allowed her about fifteen minutes to be with me and then came to entry of room and whistled for my mother to edge her way towards him with her feet on the floor and pushing herself in the wheelchair!! How very juvenile!! I have no idea what in the world is wrong with him, and quite frankly, I don't give a damn!! My mother says she does not know, but I do not know whether to believe her. I was in a "hellhole" Nursing Home in 2006. Max found my brother attempting to make a deal with the Nursing Home Director to keep me forever, instead of agreed upon rehabilitation time. I think my brother is VERY upset with the fact I am still "Executor" of my mother's

affairs!! Max found out what was going on and he just up and took me out of that Nursing Home immediately!! My brother threatened to never speak to either of us or help either of us again. It was not like he had ever helped us before!!

But, nevertheless, I had a good visit with my mother!! Other than this, my only communication with my mother was over the phone.

I did not want my name printed in the local paper as a hospital admission as my home was simply occupied by Miprezious. After my own sister, breaking in and robbing our home for drugs, I did not want my hospitalization to be news!! Consequently, very few of my friends knew I was hospitalized. I was really too tired and in too much pain to notify them either!! Thus, there were few visitors the entire ten days I was hospitalized.

It truly was Nancy and Meari's visit that turned things around for me!! I truly felt like I was human once again!! And, it was the lovely tea cup full of beautiful flowers from Debra Hall!! And, it was the many, many emails and personal telephone calls from so many of my I.L.C.S. Group that kept my spirits up!!

However, when it came right down to it, I felt it was "the nurses and staff" that truly kept me going day to day!! But, yet, I received this Thank You note from them!! This brought on a whole lot of emotion for me!! Then, I received another telephone call from Kathy K. and she pointed out to me that I have come along so far. She told me that if this surgery had taken place about two years ago, about when she and I became such good friends, that I would never have made it through it like I have. I had never stopped to think about this all. I really have had a very successful recuperation thus far, and I foresee absolutely no further problems!! I am just thoroughly exhausted all the time, however, I continue to put one foot in front of the other in making progress, yet not doing any thing too over taxing!! But, I do have to admit Kathy was absolutely right and I have come a long way!! This feels just like a start in my fight for my independence from my handicapping legs!!

Well, I must get a sincere "Thank You" gathered in my thoughts for all the wonderful members of the I.L.C.S. Group who were such good friends and family to me in place of having my own!! But, I do intend to post each day from now on so no one has to worry about "how I am doing"!! It is impossible for me to write every one so I hope for at least awhile this Blog will suffice in allowing every one know where and how I am!! This is also going to make me responsible for some progress each day with my project "Scream House" or some other one, as I will have to post some progress picture!!

Enough rambling!!

Love and Hugs!!

Deborah and Miprezious

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 DUST CLOTH - PERHAPS

Happy Saturday!!

Well, this was too easy!! I should of had a contest of "Name This Rag"!! No, this is not a dust cloth or a rag!! It is my soon to be attached to me forever Weeks Dye Works piece of linen!! I opened my "Scream House" and was very, very skeptical about this piece of cloth!!

I immediately mailed MoM Rene and asked for clarification!! She assured me "yes, it is simply Weeks Dye Works Linen"!! And, she gave me assurance it would be all right!! Wait till her piece arrives on Monday!!

And, this my friends is the entire sum of many hours spent on "Scream House" last evening!!

I have a real darn long way to go with this project to have a dislike for the linen fabric it is to be stitched on!!

Well, 30-Count Weeks Dye Works Linen we are going to learn to be friends!!

Today, was another spectacular day for me!! I can not believe how hard it was to get to surgery and how incredibly easy it has been for me in recuperation!! I finally had to take a pain medication tonight as the actual incision is giving me a bit of the "OUCH" factor!! But, if I could just get over this extreme bout of pure exhaustion, I think I will feel real good!!

And, I got to thinking today, who in the world could get so sick and to have the main cause be that I was full of Sxxx, forget that, POOP!! Oh well, go figure!! Talk about stuffing, 5# of in a 3#............!!

I spent most of today pouring through three four-inch high three-ring binders that were just my Christmas related charts! It is downright crazy the number of duplicate charts I have acquired.

I do not even particularly care for the Just Nan's "Jolly Old Elf", however, I have found TEN of them!! And, I continue to downsize...............

Well, I am signing off tonight so I can continue "Scream House"!!

BOO to all!!

Deborah and Miprezious

BOO WEEKEND!!! September 19, 2008

Hello!!

I have just had a major "bump in my road", unfortunately again!! But, I am a survivor and I have just set my mind that this is going to be a perfect recuperation period for me and my beloved Miprezious!! Yes, Miprezious needs recuperation time also as she was severely traumatized by being left alone for these eleven days!! So, we are going to have some real bonding time, just the two of us, this entire weekend!!

I have a million thank yous that are long over due, but I need to think on this just another day or so and I will be making a hopefully more correct post the first time through!! So, please do not feel each, and every one of you are ever so dearly appreciated!! I will try to be making a long story as short as I can also so every one understands just what did happen!! So, please just know I have not forgotten a single one of you!!

I received my "SCREAM HOUSE" by Just Nan about a hour ago!! It is detailed, detailed and more detailed!! I tried to take some pictures as I ever so carefully unwrapped each lovely piece!! However, the pictures turned out very poorly!! Not going to take the time to fret over them as I have a whole lot of stitching to do, after hours and hours of instructions!!

Okay, this calls for 30-Count Weeks Dye Works Tin Roof Linen for exterior of house and 30-Count Weeks Dye Works Peoria Purple Linen for the interior of house!! It also needs DMC White, 209, 310, 581, 947, 971, 972, 971/972, 3032/3782, 3787, 3819, 3828, 3833, and 3837 floss. It needs Weeks Dye Works Molasses, Basil, Charcoal, Taffeta, and Fire threads. And, it needs DMC #12 Perle Cotton in 310, and Striped Pumpkin Bead, Spider Bead and Halloween Moon Visions Charm Embellishments!!

There is pages and pages of instructions and "warnings"!! There is a regular Just Nan chart for "SCREAM HOUSE". There is a large booklet that is Stitch Guide and another very large booklet of "Pamela's Final Touch Finishing Instructions"!! This list requirements needed of Skirtex,

Fusible Interfacing, Snap, Weeks Dye Works overdyed wool in Chartreuse, Pumpkin, and Terra Cotta, Template Page, more finishing instructions, Aleene's Tacky Glue, Black Nail Polish (available at Walgreen's or WalMart), fiberfill, DMC Floss 581, 971 and 310, DMC Perle Cotton 310, Basic Sewing Supplies, Manual cording drill for twisted cord. It also calls for Mourning Pins!!

And, all I can say to all this is EEK, BOO-HOO, and a general "Oh, Good Lord, Girlfriend what have you gotten your self in to?"!!!!! I may be calling in all spook lovers to help me get this house constructed!!

I will attempt to post what pictures I did get, such as they are!!

And, I had much more worry this past two-three weeks than my self!! My Best Friend, Best Ever Neighbor and beloved Caregiver, Eunice, went down into bed very ill!! She has went through endless tests continously during this time!! Nothing, was being found and she continued to get worse each new day!!

Yesterday, I will tell you I raised a whole lot of concern with my friends and neighbors!! Eunice, at first hearing this rumor told me she knew it could not be true and that if it was she was absolutely forbiding me to carry out a plan I had formed. I needed to get my staples and stitches taken out yesterday at a Clinic I absolutely hate!! My Surgeon just has the misfortune of being connected with this "know nothing" group of medical providers!! I knew that Granny Lou (85-year old neighbor right next door) had been on a bus trip that kept her away from 5:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. the day preceding yesterday and I knew she would need to sleep in to get enough proper rest to catch up again as she would be quite upset if she missed her daily workout at Curves Fitness Center!! She also forbid me and said she would get up to take me to Surgeon.

Eunice had to have another round of tests and she was "XXXX bent" to get a bit of strength as she is adamant she is going to leave tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. for a 7-day Bahamas Islands cruise again!! And, as of now she is still saying she is going!! And, she told me I was forbidden to "break out" yesterday and that she also would be home between tests and would take me to my Surgeon!!

Well, I had already decided that I had pretty much made it through those ten horrific days of my surgery and hospitalization alone and SURVIVED!! Thus, I called this city's Municipal Transit System and arranged for a handicapped bus/van come to my driveway and pick me up in my wheelchair and transport me, yes alone, to my Surgeon's office!! And, much to dismay of all, I did do just this!!

I had very pleasant transports both to and from by two different very nice van drivers!! It went very smooth and I just took another huge step towards my INDEPENDNESS once again!! Every thing just went absolute perfect!!

Upon arriving on my street in the return home trip I noticed Eunice's garage door up. This garage is like the closet you would like to nail shut!! It is FULL side to side and top to bottom!! It is down right dangerous to open that door!! I wondered why!! Well, one very nervous "MOM" was sitting in the doorway and was over in my driveway giving the van driver instructions on how to handle my wheelchair faster than a speeding bullet!! I could not believe she could make it across the street that fast!! But, you know, I honestly was completely apprehensive about whether I actually could make this trip alone yesterday and was ever so relieved and happy to know my beloved Eunice's hands were once again in control of my wheelchair and I knew I was again safe in transferring over my two steps into kitchen doorway!!

But, I had SUCCESS, I DID IT, and I am ever so proud of my climb from crawling on the basement floor to do a load of wash to actually scheduling and using public transportation for the first time in my entire life!! Something, about this, had me panic stricken and I was quite unsure of what would take place yesterday!! This made this victory just all the sweeter!!

After getting me transferred and in the house Eunice told me the doctor had just called and that they thought they "finally" knew what was the matter with her!! Praise the Lord, I thought, but only ever so briefly!! Eunice said, "the doctor says she has a blockage to her heart"!! My heart sank!! Oh, how I wanted a reason, but not particularly that one for her!! All I could think was the many, many times she had wrestled my wheelchairs, and me, to the point of exhaustion!!

She said the doctor wanted her to see a local Cardiologist immediately yesterday, but Eunice said "No way a local"!! She told him she wanted my Quad-City Cardiologist who has been caring for me for some 40 years and had gotten me through my heart failure and life support in 2005!! Eunice has seen this Cardiologist work with me several times and she really liked him from first time!! Eunice said her local doctor said she would have to make a long drive to see my Cardiologist and Eunice said "well some things are worth the extra effort and she wanted an appointment set with my Cardiologist"!! So, the local doctor said his office would be in touch!!

Well, about 8:00 p.m. last evening, Eunice got a call from my Quad-City Cardiologist and she was to be seen by him at 8:15 a.m. this morning!! Eunice and our "family" a.k.a. as neighborhood began immediate chats on this!! Eunice was quite cool, calm and collected!! But, she was extemely apprehensive about locating the hospital where she was to be seen at!! I finally got another "brain fart" and said, "forget all the different directions, as she was going my route as I was going to make sure she got there in calm shape without a single wrong turn"!! I was still a bit frazzled from the 50+ staples that had just been removed that morning and no one was really letting me move very much even!! I got looks like my morphine was peaking out again!! I then added that I fully intended to just ride along with Eunice and keep her company as well as for once finally being able to tell her what to do, even if it only amounted to left, right, right!!! Eunice asked "now, how do you think you are going to travel with that belly being barely a week out from post-surgery"?? I told her she was going to telephone me after she got out of her morning shower, as I can not shower yet, and wake me to just ride along and getting a full hour for private chat to catch up these last ten days!!

And, I did get up at 6:30 a.m. this morning after Eunice's wake-up call, although I really slept none as I was so panic stricken for Eunice as I truly felt this Cardiologist was just not seeing her this morning for simple fact of her wanting to leave for Bahamas tomorrow!! And, Eunice did come over and helped me out of house and we were off to Quad-Cities, U.S.A.!!!

We had very pleasant drive and arrived only ten minutes late!! Eunice simply brought my light transport wheelchair, which is great for ease in handling, but I have no control over it at all and Eunice must push it!! It was quite funny as all the nurses were just naturally starting for me to assist me in getting out of chair!! One asked could I stand by myself and I told her "Yes, I can and thank you for asking"!! She looked very strange!! Then, she said, "Well, do you think you can stand on this scale for just one minute"? I told her, "Well, yes I probably could, but if she thought I was a bit heavy that perhaps she should just say so, instead of picking me out of this office to want to weigh"!! She looked at me again, and said "have she offended me or some thing"? and I told her "No, not at all"!! Then, she said "Was there a problem and poor Eunice is just back of me cracking up"!! I told her "No problem, but she should be a little more careful in asking some one what they weighed as some one could take offense"!! And, she just looked at us so strange and darn Eunice burst out laughing!! Then, nurse says, "Oh, are you not the patient"? I told her, "Poor Save"!! And, then the nurse suddenly started apologizing as "she just thought I was the patient"!! And, I simply told her "Yeah, just pick on the handicapped one of the bunch"!! We all just laughed like idiots who knew no better!! Sure broke ice for Eunice though!!

Cardiologist came in and he could not understand the "north locals" we deal with here a.k.a. our doctors!! He said he had not been sent any of the important tests results, but he thought he wanted to see test results him self as he did not feel Clintonian could maybe read them correctly!! After much ado to try to get records faxed the doctor came back in and said he from what he did have and after checking Eunice out that he feels her problems are "muscular and not cardiac"!! Oh, I sure hope we have answered prayer right there!! The doctor is to call her prior to some time this evening and see if he gets her help for this or would she need an angiogram!!

We then left Quad-Cities and came back to Village Inn and had a great big and wonderful breakfast!!

I just hope my dear friend gets much rest on cruise and comes back ready to hit Physical Therapy and get feeling better again!! Or, if she needs an angiogram she feels stronger to get through it and get her feeling better again!! Eunice has seen all the Islands and hates shopping!!

She intends to stay on cruise ship in bed!! She even says she is planning on ordering "room service" and stay in bed!! Sounds like fun to me - NOT!!! But, whatever it takes for her!!

Her best friend from Clinton and from Chicago are going on this cruise as well as her favorite son from Chicago so I think she will be gently nudged from that bed before she knows it!!

I am feeling quite well with needing NO additional pain meds than my usual daily morphine dosage that I must take for any quality of life!! So, I feel right now that life is good!!

I have my darling little Miprezious who is much overdo for a grooming and is ever so cuddly!! I plan to just let her sit on the leg rest of my lift recliner while I try to get through all the "SCREAM HOUSE" instructions!!

I Am Going To Be Okay!! I Am A Survivor!! I have my darling Miprezious to cuddle!! I see much improvement in my dear friend Eunice!! So, my life is great and I can just blame this "SCREAM HOUSE" for any thing that can possibly go wrong this weekend!!

Now, let's see about these very less than adequate pictures!!

Much Love and Hugs!!

Deborah

and

Miprezious Dee Dee II