Sunday, December 28, 2008

COLD!!

Jake & I just went for groceries and the reader board at Fred Meyer's said -41 F.
I hate anything past -20... If you've never experienced anything below 0 be happy you are where you right now. 'Cuz the temperature here in Fairbanks is dropping tonight and we're supposed to get even colder.

ER disappointment

Arrgh!!!!
My incision site was sewn up, and then 13 staples were used across the incision to keep it from pulling apart and creating a nasty scar.
The staples around my incision have been driving me CRAZY!!!
They itch like two rows of nasty little mosquito bites.
I've called & called & called the surgeon's office in Anchorage to find out when I could have them removed. And it's Christmas break. And no one's talking... I've left messages with secretaries and nurses, but he's on vacation...

So, I coerced Jake into driving me to the ER so they would pull the *** things...
And they refused!!!!
Said their policy was to wait fourteen days, and it had only been 11.
11 days with these nasty painful itchy staples in my back!!!
I told Jake if they were anywhere but in my back (where I can't see them!) I'd yank them out myself.
He's glad they're in my back. He told me so.
So, I'm a tad bit angry.
Ridiculous policy.

The PA suggested perhaps that I'd misunderstood or not remembered what the surgeon had said about the removal date for the staples. I had the release paperwork with me so they could see for themselves the paperwork didn't say.
The PA suggested perhaps that it was the incision itself that itched so badly. I told them I knew how many staples there were before Jake counted them for me...
The PA suggested perhaps that I should be taking benadryl to counteract the itch. I told them I already was, and that's the only reason all the surrounding skin wasn't red and swollen anymore.
I think I left the PA with the impression that I'm not quite stable.
Perhaps I'm not.

I wish my surgeon was here in town. We'd have visited the office and requested that the nurse pull them out. Nicely requested.
I promise.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Silliness

Little short silly:

Okay, so I'm wearing a really big bandage on my back right now. The incision was 3 and 1/4 inches long and the bandage is bigger, as you can imagine.

Tonight, as Jake went to check the bandage, he freaked out 'cuz the bandage was a weird color... Kinda dark purple. And he couldn't figure out how on earth I'd gotten purple on the outside of the bandage.

So, he hands it to me, and I look at it and say, "Oh, it's from my shirt! The black sparkly shirt I wore to the Christmas thing." And he's like, "your black shirt?"

And I say, "Yeah, that's how people get black. They use purple."

So, he says, "So, I should tell people to watch out... If they don't want to turn black, they shouldn't wear purple shirts..."

"I'm talking about dye, silly! Not race..."

"I know. But I couldn't pass that one up."
***

Anyway, don't be offended! I just thought it was silly. 'Cuz he's right. That's what it sounded like I was saying....

Merry Christmas!

May the hope and peace of the Christ child be yours now and throughout the year.
May His grace and mercy abound in your life.
Peace,
Rebecca

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Post Operation

We got home yesterday from the surgery trip to Anchorage... I'm fairly miserable, yet somehow, not as miserable as I was before...

I had a synovial cyst in my lower back blocking 60% of my spinal cord, around L4. Upon opening my back up, the neurosurgeon discovered the cyst had ruptured, which explains why the pain had gotten noticeably worse. While no one knows the exact chain of events, it is possible the cyst ruptured during or right after the car accident.

Joy of joys: Synovial cysts have a tendency to reform, so I will have to be aware of my symptoms recurring. And if they do, the surgeon said he'd recommend fusing those two vertebrae.

So, I'm back home. Sleeping a lot. Taking some serious pain medication. And barred from a lot of things- lifting, bending, twisting...

I'm also dealing with a wicked headache that comes and goes. And blecky nausea... Which seems to be related to getting dehydrated, keeping something in my stomach and missing my pain meds... So, I'm sticking to my schedule. And right now it says I should be in bed.

Good night!
Rebecca

Friday, December 12, 2008

Imminent surgery

I am looking at having a very serious surgery on my spine next week.

I was in a moderately severe car accident back in September and my symptoms have gotten more and more severe and downright weird- just back pain at first, but then I started losing feeling in my right leg and having difficulty walking. After completing some tests, we saw my doctor today. I have a funny looking dark spot completely covering and pushing aside my spinal cord in my lower back. I got to see the MRI picture and it's really freaky looking...

My doctor immediately called a neurosurgeon in Anchorage and had us wait until he called back. I am scheduled to fly down next Monday to meet with him, and then have surgery on Tuesday. This seems so fast to me that I'm practically reeling...

While it is mostly likely a ruptured disc, there are other possibilities...

Please pray for me that I will be calm and not panic... That my mom and sister will be able to take care of Deborah and Abigail while my husband and I are gone... That my recovery will be quick, so I can get back home to my girls... That it won't be a tumor and that my doctor will have wisdom and grace...

I'm allergic to almost everything having to do with surgery- nickel (so I have a bad reaction to surgical steel), narcotics (so I throw up & throw up & throw up), and the tape they use to hold bandages on incisions. When I have surgery it gets pretty ugly.
Please pray that I will recover miraculously well.

Old TV Shows

You've probably received this in a forwarded email and deleted it. ;) I thought it was fun, so here it is... You may choose to participate or ignore.
*****
Add ONLY 1 and keep it going!! ENJOY THIS DAY!! This should be fun and jog our memories. No repeats only one show per person to allow others to think ofsomething.
Lenny-Benny Hill
Bob -Lost in space.
Jodi -The Munsters
Melanie- The Magic Garden
Kelly- Romper Room
Ingrid- Dark Shadows
Debb- Bewitched
Greg- I Dream of Jeanie
Lydia- Petticoat Junction
Bob- Price is right
Lynn B.- The Ed Sullivan Show
Hilda- Father Knows Best
LeRoy –Wha’ts my line
John- Leave it to Beaver
Ruthie -The Red Skelton Show
Linda- The Carol Burnett Show
Laurie-The Partridge Family
Renee -SOAP (remember that one)
Betty Bonanza
Jodi- Unsolved Mysteries
Tana - Dr Quinn...Medicine Women
Sharon – Land of the Lost
Carolyn - Starsky and Hutch
Bob S.- Palladin
Randy K.- Gunsmoke
Maryann T. - Captain Video
Homer- Lone Ranger
Muffin- The Flying Nun
Jen- Truth Or Consequences
Donna- My Mother the Car
Gail - Night Gallery
Jackie-Twilight Zone
Michele- Doctor Who (loved it as a child)
Annie - The Little Rascals
Debbie E - ALF
Deb R.- Shock Theater
Lisa K. - Julia & Eddies Father (couldn't decide:)! )
KK – Big Valley
Linda C. – Gilligan’s Island
Sue K. – The A Team
Dorothy S. - Dallas
Corine - I Led Three Lives
Rebecca (ME)- The Brady Bunch

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Follow Up on North Pole Bazaar

Yay! We're glad we went. Not our best bazaar, but definitely not our worst. We both did well, and we weren't next to any candles! :)

The Books I Read in November

Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs A+
Most everything thinks Ward of Hurog is a simple-minded fool-and that’s just fine by him. But few people know that his foolishness is (very convincingly) feigned. And that it’s all that’s saved him from death at the hands of his abusive father, who’s always seen Ward as a bitter rival for power.
When his father dies, Ward becomes the new lord of Hurog... until a nobleman declares that he is too dim-witted to rule. Ward knows he cannot play the fool any longer. To regain his kingdom, he must prove himself worthy- and quickly.
Riding into a war that’s heating up on the border, Ward is sure he’s on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly serious turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possess them...
Loved this one! One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Wonderful characters, delightful magic, interesting & believable world. An all around good book.

The Snow Queen by Mercedes Lackey A+
Loved this. Takes the Russian fairy tale and reinvents it from the Godmother perspective. Magic, polar bears, a light touch of romance... A fun light escape with some serious touches about responsibility and character.

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix A
A historical look at the Cinderella story. Enjoyed this very much. Looks at the basic aspects of life during that time and how much more restrictive life would have been for young women moved from poverty to royalty. No fairy godmother, so Ella must save herself.

The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey A
Excellent. Takes the swan fairy tale (a bunch of women transformed by an evil spell- swans by day, human by night) and turns the tale on it’s ear. Fairy tale, fun magic, despicable evil, a touch of romance- what more could a girl want? ;-)
Seeing Redd, Book 2 in The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor A
Better than the first! No slow entry into the world- Starts right off and keeps going. Interesting and compelling fantastical world. Freaky and delightful characters. Sidenote: I just found out that he’s been writing a graphic novel series called Hatter M about the backstory of the wars- I’m looking forward to ILL-ing from the library.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs A-
Urban fantasy. I like this author- a little more sensuality and moon eyes than I’d prefer, but an interesting story... Mercy is a were-coyote living in a world of were-wolves, and suddenly murder and mayhem show up in her day to day life.

Howl at the Moon by Christine Warren B
Urban fantasy + spies. Interesting combo and idea. Follows Samantha & Noah. Samantha is the personal assistant to the Alpha of the Silverback clan. Noah is the spy who loves her, and has been given the task of stealing her clans’ secrets. Oh, the woe and tragedy! Too much sex, passion and trauma for me, but honestly, it’s a good story.

Sight Unseen by Samantha Graves C
Man, this one could have been good, and it was just lousy... An art thief who steals things back from the bad guys, a cop trying to avenge his partner’s death... A despicable bad guy... Too bad the book was so lousy. I read it 'cuz the art thief has a touch of psychic powers which allow her to determine whether the art is real or faked, but it didn't make up for the convoluted story line...
Harvest Of Changelings by Warren Rochelle Yuck
Didn’t finish this- Worked very hard on it but couldn’t get through it. The evil was too real for me, the characters too chilling & unsympathetic, the fantasy was too cold & detailed... Felt like a horror novel, and not a good one.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Think Test

Honestly, this is kind of fun. There are 25 questions and it takes about 5-10 minutes.
The questions are all about things you see and do every day, but don't really think about. Put on your thinking cap! :)


Give it a try... CLICK ON THE BELOW LINK AND TAKE THE TEST. THE NORMAL RATE IS 7 OUT OF 25. GOOD LUCK! DONT BE EMBARRASED IF YOUR SCORE IS LOW. NOT MANY PEOPLE SCORE MORE THAN 5.
Click HERE --------> A Think Test

God's Christmas Letter

I received this email... I HATE forwards and often trash them without reading them, but I liked this one.
****

Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks are. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know; they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit people in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you regularly.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone who has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take his or her own life this season because of feeling so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local hotline; they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me, and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and I can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember.

I LOVE YOU.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Follow up on the Pioneer Park Bazaar

We weren't next to the candle guy this time... He was downstairs.
Instead we were next to a Gold Canyon lady.. ;P You can't win!
At least her candles are all securely sealed and don't smell as strongly. :)

We did well- not our best bazaar ever, but not our worst either...

Two Bazaars

Our next two weeks in bazaars:

During the first weekend of December- the 6th- we will be out at the North Pole mall. Out there we see a lot of people we never see anywhere else. It's only a 20 minute drive for most of us, but quite a few people have jobs, schools and everything located there and don't come in to Fairbanks. So, it's good to see some totally new faces. For more info: http://northpolealaska.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=2
The city of North Pole is working on building up their "Christmas in Ice" extravaganza on this weekend and we're hoping it pays off with more people at the mall this weekend. We'll wait and keep our fingers crossed- we went last year and barely made table. Bonus: we'll get to stop in to Ben Franklin's which moved out there when JoAnn's moved into the huge new building.

And on the second weekend of December- the 13th- we will be at the Farmer's Market bazaar, held at West Valley HS. We'll get to see most of our Farmer's Market friends, plus get the 'two-weeks-before-Christmas!' crowd. For more info: http://www.tvfmarket.com/

We'd love to see you!
Come join us for the craziness. :)

Monday, December 01, 2008

Pioneer Park/Alaskaland Bazaar

We spent two days at the civic center, and I had a camera in the money drawer. And I forgot to take any pictures. Blaah. :-p
I'm disappointed with myself.

We did well, though. Both of us made more than the cost of renting the table, which is the very least you want to do. So, Thank you, God!

And now I'm wasted. Why am I awake at 1:32? I don't know...
I do know I am going to bed. Now.

And I promise that I will get my November reads up in the next day or two. :)