August 2011 « Girly Muse

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Update

August 31, 2011

This post is for all of you who have asked for updates on my dad. Thanks for checking on us and praying.

A little over twenty years ago, my mom and I were at choir practice and my dad went back to work to get some things done. We lived in California and his job was extremely stressful~ he sold anesthesia machines to hospitals and then trained them, usually during surgeries, how to use them. Besides seeing some really crazy things during surgery, his boss was a doozy. Hello, Stress. Anyway…back to that evening~ he started feeling really bad with chest pains and drove himself to the emergency room. That, in itself, was a miracle…since he knew what happened “behind-the-scenes” in the hospital, he knew he didn’t want to be in one. Thankfully, he went because while he was there, his heart stopped…for twelve long seconds. They shocked him several times and revived him and by the time we were out of choir practice, the scariest part was over. He was in the hospital a week and man, it was scary.

They told him he had coronary artery spasms and the only way to treat that is with meds and decreasing stress.

Fast forward to now and before his bypass surgery, he thought he was having the coronary artery spasms…just a little more intense. Turns out, he was, but he had a lot more going on too. And now, after the surgery, the coronary artery spasms continue. I guess that, along with his extremely low blood pressure, has caused a lot of confusion on what is really going on now. He has chest pains, or coronary artery spasms, I guess, every day and didn’t expect that to still carry on after surgery. But they’re two different things…

The spasms scare me, because while they don’t seem as life-threatening as blockage in the heart, they can be. His heart stopped for 12 seconds with them. Blockage is so scary, but it can be repaired.

So here we are, grateful that he has been spared again and ready for him to have relief.

Stress is an evil little bugger.

Combine the bypass recovery with the spasms, low blood pressure (absolutely no energy & unable to take the right heart meds since they plummet it more) and pain with nerve damage after two back surgeries and you have a very uncomfortable, worn-out Papa. This is where we are with things and we need a miracle.

I’m wanting my parents to go to the beach and just look at the waves for days on end…anything that would bring them peaceful relaxation. A hospital needs to be close-by, but other than that, just sand and waves.

Anyone have any other ideas on how to help someone eliminate stress?

Posted in August 2011, Family | 9 Comments »

I Have Always Adored Old People. I Just Never Wanted To Be One.

August 29, 2011

Getting old scares me…actually, it TERRIFIES me. I really thought I would never grow old. As a kid, I was a morbid little thing. I truly thought I would die in a car crash or someone would come kill me in the middle of the night or I would get leukemia and die. I was not fearful of it then…AT ALL. I expected it, made peace with it and waited for that awful thing to happen that would take me to heaven. Heaven sounded magical and I wanted to go there…the sooner, the better, please.

So imagine my surprise that here I am, all these years later, ruining everything by still being alive. (I hope you hear the tongue in my cheek as I type.) Now I know how quickly time can pass and realize that even if I died tomorrow, I’d be so much older than I ever thought I was going to be…

And now that I have made it this far and realize I just might keep going…yes, I do want to keep going…I am fearful for what lies ahead. I have some amazing examples in my family~ I can list unbelievably healthy 84 year olds (Hello, you know who you are, mwuah, you don’t count in the “old” category) and on the other hand, list an 84-year old who has had every disease imaginable. I can list several who are living on their own with no trouble whatsoever and I can list another who is so upbeat and wonderful, but is going down with every visit.

Besides their age and their ties to me, the only other thing they have in common is their opinion that getting old is so hard. Don’t get me wrong, when we get together, we laugh, we cry, we sing (more on that later)…we are full of life. But the underlying theme has been growing old and what really stinks about it.

I’d like to change my perception on this…I really would. Or to die “young” before I get to the crusty parts.

I have one family member who always notices two things: how old someone looks and if someone looks like they’ve gained weight. It has been this way for as long as I can remember and it has always filled me with anxiety. I wish both didn’t exist. I wish we could live on this earth and be young all through our old age. I wish weight wasn’t an issue and that we could eat all we wanted and all be happy with whatever weight we are.

I know I just have to change my mindset…that’s the key, right?

Hello, is anyone out there?

Can someone old weigh in on this?

(Sorry, I thought that was funny…my dad’s probably the only one who got that.)

I have always adored old people. I just never wanted to be one.

If I can be healthy, look and feel young and not lose all my loved ones, I’m in. Not that we have a choice, but that is my wish. I want more than anything to be in my children’s lives and see my great-grandbabies and on down the line…HOWEVER, there better be some youth elixir or magical age-eliminating potion for me to take when we get to that point. Or I’m going to be really ticked.

Posted in August 2011, Birthdays, Confession is Good for the Soul, Family | 4 Comments »

Road Trip List

August 23, 2011

Since we last visited together several days ago, I have…

Eaten so many sweets that I should probably not have any for another year

Said good-bye to my dear friend, Brenda, after a delightful visit

Made lots of jewelry

Felt so grateful for our church~ they unexpectedly gave us a love offering on Sunday, prayed for blessings on our trip and healing for my dad.

Done a LOT of singing

Read Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (nice twist at the end!)

Been in the car for many, many hours

Visited our dear friends, Greg & Tonja and their family. We were in a band together…so many good memories, hilarious stories, and always fun music when we’re together.

Paid no attention to my computer/internet/emails

Played Scavenger Hunt on the road with the family…

The Scavenger List:

9 Eagles~ check

20 Herds of cows: check and then some

10 Red barns~ at least 13

10 Water towers~ at least 12

5 McDonald’s arches (the REAL thing, not just the billboard arches)~ 4 (we MUST have been distracted!!!)

100 Hay bails~ counted 135, but quit after that

3 Silos, concrete or stone only~ 5

3 Windmills~ 3

5 “Z’s”~ 4

3 policemen~ 4 (thank goodness, they didn’t pay as much attention to us as we did them!)

2 U-Hauls~ 0 (epic failure!)

4 yellow cars~ 6 (mostly all in Arkansas…hmm!)

NOT been able to talk the kids into counting road kill…Nate was game, but…

Consumed more junk

Felt like I was ALMOST on vacation…maybe in another few days, I’ll really feel that way

Tried to let worry go. Let it go, lay it down.

Felt like my hiney was stuck to the leather interior for GOOD

Thought we were never gonna get there

Laughed a lot

Spaced out a lot

Read a lot

Thought a lot

Noticed that Minnesota’s rare humidity this summer is still nothing compared to Arkansas’s

Felt excited to see my family

Arrived at Honey & Papa’s~ YAY!!!

Posted in August 2011, Family, Friends, Games, Life, Lists of This and That, Travel | 4 Comments »

The TRUE History of the Push-Up Bra

August 19, 2011

There is debate on who really invented the push-up bra. Frederick Mellinger has claimed the title~ Frederick of the infamous Frederick’s of Hollywood. He CLAIMED he was inspired by his fellow army mates in World World II to make a sexier bra and when he got home from the war, that is exactly what he did.

“The Rising Star”~ the “first” push-up bra~ was introduced in the early 50s.

However, London’s Science Museum uncovered a padded bra that was made in 1880, giving Frederick competition. Since we don’t know who made that one, Frederick still safely holds the title.

I believe the scene really happened with his friends…although, it’s hard to believe they were “designing” bras while away at war. I guess they needed a distraction…

But I think I know the REAL way inspiration hit…

I only know this because I have a little boy of my own.

I believe the push-up was dreamed up in his childhood when he was lying by his mom, playing cars. He had a car in one hand and “drove” them across her chest.

Driving along…doot de doo.

Driving across the road…

“Tiny mountain…”

Give that road a push…

“Humongous mountain!”

Voila! The push-up bra was born.

Posted in August 2011, Fashion, Kids | 10 Comments »

Flower-Pickin’ Days

August 18, 2011

My boy picked flowers for me the other day. I went on about them~ Oh, these are so pretty! Thank you! (Kiss) He did a semi-shrug, lifted his hands and said, “That’s the glory of scissors!”

He slays me. He would slay you too, if you could see hear him talk for just one minute.

Or see him dance. We got the best video of him going to town. Unfortunately, he’s in his underwear. I think he just might never forgive me if I posted a video of him in his skivvies. But land sakes, the boy has some moves.

Hello, Fancy Steps meets Brake-Dancing meets Robot…I always wondered what you looked like. Now, I know.

I cannot even believe we are wrapping Summer Vacation up…some of you have already started school~ eek~ I am so sorry! We start the day after Labor Day, so I am grateful for a couple more weeks! We are trying to fill up the days with fun.

Dancing has been high on the list.

A little Phineas & Ferb has been thrown in…

Play dates

Trips to Barnes & Noble

Outside expeditions

Flower-picking jaunts

We walked past the neighbor’s unbelievably perfect garden the other day and Indigo’s flower-picking fingers were REALLY struggling to not pick some flowers. He had his pocket knife handy and everything. I had to hold his hand tight as we walked by and gazed longingly at all the colorful blossoms.

I’m trying to memorize the beauty that is here in the Summer so I can recall it when I’m dying for Winter to be over in just a few months…I won’t even go there today…

We also got a trip in to the Drive-In…remember that other fantastic time? This trip was really great too~ I seem to sleep like never before at the Drive-In. It’s AWESOME!!!

Still on the list of things to do:

Go to Arkansas to see Papa & Honey

Get school clothes

Fit in all the swimming possible

Have creative moments here and there~ I’m doing the Kelly Rae Roberts e-course right now and it rocks.

One more trip to Nelson’s Ice Cream Shop in Stillwater~ it’s the best!

And all the time with family & friends that we can cram in~ think of an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet type of thing, only with loved ones instead of food…well, food will be involved too, but…I better stop there, this is getting confusing…

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” ~ James Dent

Posted in August 2011, Grateful Heart, Kids, Life, Summer | 3 Comments »

So…

August 17, 2011

I’m running late today, but wanted to give you an update on how things went yesterday for my dad. He ended up NOT having the heart cath. He got there and waited and waited…and waited. They had him just lie in the bed for the longest time. When the doctor came in, he said that he didn’t feel good about sticking a wire in any artery with the way dad’s been feeling. So they ran other tests and spent the whole day there. We thought they might still do the cath, but they sent him home and gave him new instructions with his meds, will see him Friday and discuss the test results.

I was concerned that they still didn’t get to the bottom of anything. But my parents both felt huge relief. They both had a bad feeling about the cath, without saying anything to each other about it. This was the first time they’d seen this particular doctor and they felt really good about him and that he will hopefully help in the long run.

I spent this morning talking to my parents and they sounded in good spirits, considering everything. My dad feels like God touched him when he was last in the hospital and he’s at least breathed better since then. The chest pain is still a major problem, but he was concerned about getting a stint and possibly even having another heart attack while doing the heart cath.

So, ugh. Waiting. Trusting. Hoping. Sounds like we’re still in for the long haul.

I sure appreciate all of you. Your notes made my day yesterday.

Posted in August 2011, Family, Parents | 3 Comments »

Please Pray: Dad Update

August 16, 2011

Here’s the deal with my dad…

This morning at 7:30, Dad E., otherwise known as Tomas to me and David/Papa to everyone else, will go in for a heart cath. He’s still having chest pains and just not getting enough blood and oxygen to the heart. They say he’s a hard case to figure out. It’s a long process and we’re praying they’ll know exactly what the problem is while he’s in there and fix it. If he needs a stint put in, they’ll do it right then. If not, hopefully they’ll see what the real problem is. It’s an uncomfortable ordeal because of his problems with his back, so please pray he will be able to be still and not suffer the effects afterward from laying all day.

It’s been 6 1/2 weeks since his bypass surgery and he’s so ready to start feeling better.

So…I’m asking again for your prayers, please.

Pray also for my Mama, who is by his side every moment. She’s a homebody, for sure, but I think even she is starting to get a little stir crazy by now. This has gone on a long time, even before the surgery…

We’re going to head down there in several days and breathe huge sighs of relief just by being in close proximity to them. Sigh. See? I’m sighing just thinking about it!

Thanks, everyone. It has helped so much to have you to help pray with us. All the words of encouragement, the prayers, the delicious meals that have been cooked, the groceries brought to my mom and dad (THANK YOU, Lar & Mar!!!)…so very appreciated.

Posted in August 2011, Family, Parents, Prayer Requests | 14 Comments »

Matty & Gladdy

August 15, 2011

Remember my friend, Brenda, from West Virginia? I call her Matty. She calls me Gladdy. Short for Matilda and Gladys, of course…

She’s here for the whole week! We have been excitedly waiting for her visit for a LONG time. It’s pure craziness that after wanting her to come for so long, she was actually SENT here for training through work. How crazy is that?! She came in Saturday (for extra fun) and is staying with us.

It made me want to pull out the old pictures…

I love this woman.

We’ll have to add some new pictures to our photo album this week.

At church yesterday, she met a friend of mine and they realized that Brenda has known my friend’s grandmother forever. I love little surprises like that.

The kids LOVE Brenda~ Greyley cried so hard the last time we left her, I know if she ever decides to run away, it’s to Brenda she will go. I’ll have to make at least a week long visit to go get her…and we’ll for sure have to hit Gabe’s while we’re there. Everybody holler if you love Gabe’s!!!

Company also means good cooking. It shames me~ how excited my kids get. I must cook pretty boring meals the rest of the time. No, the truth is that I don’t have DESSERT with every meal. THAT’S company for ya.

Take a look at the dessert menu, excluding any random ice cream breaks:

Lemon Icebox Pie (Check. It was GOOD.)

Grandma’s Banana Pudding

Cheese Cake Bars

Bread Pudding

Peanut Butter Pie

Makes my mouth water…yep, company is fun!

Have a wonderful Monday Funday. I’m gonna go sneak a bite of leftover pie. XO

Posted in August 2011, Friends | 4 Comments »

Still Here

August 12, 2011

Nate & I ran into our next door neighbor at the mailboxes last night. He’s my favorite neighbor and when his wife was alive, she was my other favorite. We didn’t see them very often, but the times we did were memorable. Now, when I see him, I want to bring him inside and cook meals for him and take care of his tender heart for a little while…but he’s a toughie and will only tolerate squeezes and funny stories for now. Although, I’m sure he wouldn’t turn down a pie if I forced it on him.

He talked about his 31 years with his wife. They actually married a little later in life~ their early 30s~ and he talked about how those years were the best of his life. Ann was such a wonderful woman~ truly one of a kind.

In the year that has followed since her passing, he’s gotten a lot of unsolicited newsletters in the mail about grieving and coping with loss. He usually tosses them, but for some reason, he opened one and looked right at Point #3, which was: You’re still here. This statement really resounded with him. He talked about how he has had to remind himself of that so often~ that he’s still here and that he has to take care of himself and live whether he wants to or not…

He is living too. He’s going for it and not doing anything halfway. He makes sure he is a healthy weight. He eats right and exercises. He’s trying to get out a little and make new friends. He works hard and wants to continue to do that for as long as possible. He’s quick with a smile and laughs often. He’s warm and friendly and helpful to his neighbors…

As usual, I was encouraged by him, rather than the other way around. I always walk away from him feeling uplifted and wishing that I could help him, but so far, he gets me every time.

I want to be like that. I want to encourage, see the good, uplift others, have a ready smile, lend a helping hand, make people laugh and feel comfortable, be healthy, bold, strong and not let anything get in the way of that. Sometimes, even though I’m still here, I am not fully here and I want to be. I want to engage, be present, focus on what is before me and put aside everything that isn’t important. Life is fleeting~ we are only given this one chance to fully embrace life.

So get outside today. Breathe in the air. Smell the flowers. Dance in the grass. Feel the sand in your toes. Soak it in and just be. While we’re here, let’s really be here.

Posted in August 2011, Friends, Grateful Heart | 7 Comments »

Hunger Games Trilogy

August 10, 2011

We’ve been running the roads over here…trying to fit all the Summer we can into the little bit that’s left. The kids are in VBS this week~ fun! We’ve been enjoying time at the river, grilling out, and just being together as a family.

In every possible crack, I have also been reading this…

And this…

And THIS…

I could not put it down.

The Hunger Games Trilogy~ have you read it? Let’s talk.

Posted in August 2011, Books | 5 Comments »