Like I Need Another Hole in My Head...

I know that it has been quite some time since my last post.

Once again, I find myself apologizing for the the lack of communication. However, for those of you who know me best, I'm sure that you aren't surprised.

I tend to be the type of person to go into hiding and lick my wounds in relative quiet and privacy.


The shunt was placed in my head and it appears that everything is going okay at this point in time. It is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Also known as a VP shunt. It has a valve to regulate the cerebral spinal fluid as well as a port where samples of fluid can be taken directly from the shunt. (*whew* - hopefully I'll never to have to go through another spinal tap again) The line runs down my neck and my chest and then enters my abdomen where the CSF empties.

And yes...

This thing is designed, and is intended, to stay in my head and body for the rest of my life.


This Thursday I will see the doctor for my two week check-up.





These pictures were taken shortly after I got home from the hospital.

I couldn't "see" my wounds, so I got the kids to take a picture of it all so that I could see what it looked like.





I have to say that that stray gray hair in the picture is really bothering me by quite a bit.


So far I haven't experienced any CSF leaking out of my head (rhinorrhea) since the VP shunt has been in place. Which means that the shunt is doing its job. Hopefully this will be the fix that I need and avoids a surgery that would entail going into the original acoustic neuroma brain tumor site.

The doctors all wanted to go and try to fix the leak at its source, but I just couldn't bear the thought of it at all. The first tumor surgery nearly cost me 100% of my facial nerve. The thought that I could lose what facial nerve function I have now is just unbearable to me.

The doctors said that we couldn't leave things the way they were with CSF washing over bacteria in my sinuses and throat and then providing a tract back to my brain. They said that I would eventually die of meningitis if nothing were done.

I've had meningitis once already and I've been on antibiotics going on three months now because of the risk. Plus, there was a colony of psuedomonas cultured near my eustachian tube as well.

The antibiotics have been very problematic for me too. I have experienced all manner of problems from the long-term use of these various high-powered drugs. Especially since there are only a few drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier and effectively treat meningitis. Thank goodness, though, I haven't suffered from a secondary yeast infection.

Sometimes I wonder if long-term antibiotic use wears your body down and makes you feel tired. I would think that it is possible since organs such as your liver and kidneys are closely monitored for any long-term side affects from the drugs.

The Levaquin caused me to have a very severe case of tendonitis. It is my understanding that about only 1% of patients taking this antibiotic have this kind of problem which can lead to ruptured Achilles' tendons and the like. Thank goodness I didn't have that happen and only suffered from about one week of extremely severe joint pain.

All in all, things seem to have settled down by quite a bit for the time being.

I have been blessed to still be alive and well, and I'm thankful that the shunt appears to be fixing my problem.

Hopefully, I will get the okay soon to D/C (discontinue) the antibiotics and be able to get some normal bacterial flora back into my body.

And some semblance of normality in my life as well.

later...

Happy Mother's Day 2008...

It's the little things...
Of every day life.

Happy times...
A few with strife



The proud moments...
Accomplishments, Achievements.

Disappointments are there..
Try not to despair.



Watch them grow...
And guide and admonish.

Life is layer upon layer...
A foundation is made.

Brick upon brick...
Apply the mortar of love.



Wonder at their uniqueness...
A person is in the making.

God has a purpose...
For your child in this world.

Let them grow, explore...
Fulfill their calling.

Marvel at their beauty...
God gave you a precious little pearl.

The best Mother's Days are the regular "ho hum" days. The "every days", when you realize that your child was thinking of you. Carrie and Parker took a walk to the lake a couple of weeks ago. On their way back home they picked these wildflowers. Parker braved the prickly pear cactus and picked the beautiful rose-like blooms for me. Yes... he did get a few stickers!

Silly boy.

I was quite impressed by the beautiful bouquet that they had collected for me. And it touched my heart. Imagine, a 15 and 17 year old picking wildflowers for their mother.

Carrie proceeded to make some arrangements out of the flowers. She then got the camera and took some pictures of them.

This day, a cloudy cool day in April, was a Mother's Day to celebrate.

I'm so blessed to have Mother's Days throughout the year.

Because having Mother's Day, once a year, is just not enough.

later...

My New Backyard...

I pray that everyone is having a wonderful Easter!

It is cloudy, windy, and quite cool out today, and so I am being a bit lazy. I have been going over some landscape ideas in my head as well.

You know... daydreaming.

Yesterday I put out two hummingbird feeders in hopes of attracting some hummingbirds to my backyard. You may remember that last year I had to wait many, many weeks before I saw my first hummingbird visit my feeder at my home in Oklahoma.

You can only imagine the surprise and excitement that I felt when I saw not one, but TWO Black-Chinned hummingbirds at my feeders by early evening!

This afternoon, I was privy to another amazing sight that I have never before seen. I saw the pendulous acrobatic flight of a male Blacked-chinned hummingbird courting a female.

I will most certainly try to keep an eye out for any hummingbird nests! That would be sooo exciting for me if I found one.

Hopefully I will also see some other hummingbird species come and visit my feeders other than the Black-chinned Hummingbird!


I am really enjoying my new backyard which is now filled with a great variety of birds who are visiting my feeders and birdbath. The birds that I have identified so far are:

The American Goldfinch

The Tufted Titmouse

The Black-crested Tufted Titmouse (Which, by the way, there were a pair inspecting my little bird house today!)

The Inca Dove

The White-winged Dove

The Northern Cardinal (I don't know why they call it the "Northern" Cardinal as it is a very common species here in the Texas Hill Country.

Bewick's Wren (Click on the "bird call" button on this page to hear what the bird sounds like. I must have quite a few of these as this is a common call that I hear in my backyard.)

The Carolina Chickadee

The Loggerhead Shrike

The Mockingbird (This is the Texas state bird.)

The House Finch

The Downy Woodpecker

Overhead, gliding through the skies, is the buzzard. Also known as the Turkey Vulture.

Of course I have a multitude of sparrows which help to empty my feeders on a regular basis. I also have a few grackles that show up. And then there are the dreaded Brown-headed Cowbirds that are "brood parasites". This means that they don't make a nest of their own, but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. This reproductive habit of the Brown-headed Cowbird is a serious threat to other bird species as it often leads to the death of one or more of the foster parents' brood.

I believe that I have listed all the birds that I have seen in my backyard to date. I am anxiously keeping an eye out for the mysterious Painted Bunting which is usually only fleetingly spotted in the Texas Hill Country.

I'm also considering purchasing some meal worms so that I can hopefully attract some beautiful Eastern Bluebirds. Mom has quite a few at her house, but she lives in a less wooded area of the Hill Country so I don't know if I'll see any here or not. They like open pastures quite a bit. Mom has also has put out quite a few Bluebird houses out on the fence posts as well. If I see one I might put out a house for them.

In the evenings I get about six or more bats that come to my backyard. Since there are 32 different types of bats in Texas, I cannot tell you which kind I have. I would have to probably capture one and look at it up close to be able to identify it. However, since I live fairly close to Longhorn Caverns the chances are that my bat visitors are the Mexican Free-tailed bat which numbers are in the millions in the areas surrounding my home. I have observed their flight in the evenings and have surmised that they are the type of bat that eats insects. So that's what they probably are, the Mexican Free-tailed bat.


My house is near Ink's Lake. Not at the water's edge of course, I can't afford waterfront property! But nonetheless I can see a small part of the lake from my driveway and the water's edge is about 1/2 of a mile from my house. A very nice walk on a beautiful day. My neighborhood also has two "POA's" (point of access) to the lake where I can access the water free of charge.

Large bodies of water attract all sorts of wildlife. There are deer in my neighborhood which means I will need to be selective on the plants I choose for my landscape. So I think the chances of me seeing a large variety of bird species is pretty good. I live almost directly across from Inks Lake State Park albeit it is on the other side of a narrow part of the 800 acre lake. I can see the park's golf course from my driveway. Here is a neat video put out by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife about Inks Lake State Park.

I am very thankful for the house that I have and consider it to be a wonderful blessing.

Hopefully I will capture some photographs of the critters that visit my backyard. If I do I will most certainly share them with you guys.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

later...

Imperial Moth Caterpillar...

Imperial Moth Caterpillar...
Originally uploaded by itsmetj

I received a friendly e-mail telling me that "the bug needs to go".

So...

I have replaced it with an "autumnal" creature. The Imperial Moth caterpillar.


Here is a great picture of the moth on Wikipedia.

The moth, Eaclis imperialis, is not very widespread and according to some reports that I have read it may be in decline in a few areas.

We found two of these caterpillars here at my parents' home in Burnet County, Texas.

These caterpillars burrow into the ground or crawl under leaves. I have some dirt and leaves in a mayonnaise jar and I am keeping the caterpillars in there. Early this evening, the first caterpillar shed its skin revealing an auburn colored pupa. I will try to get pictures of the pupa soon, but I want to be careful to not injure it. So I will leave it alone for a few days to allow the shell sufficient time to harden.

It is my hope that we will see adult Imperial Moths this spring. Which is a creature that I have never seen before.

While I was trying to identify our caterpillars I ran across a very interesting and interactive website that I wanted to share with you guys.

It's called What's That Bug?. If you find a bug, or a caterpillar, and you don't know what it is you can search their website for its identity.

But the best thing about this website is that you can send them an e-mail with a photo of your "magnificent finding", and they will post it on their website along with its name.

It's a really cool website and some of the photos that people have taken of insects from all over the world are really, really good.


I suppose I should also include an update about what's going on with me and my family.

For those of you who don't already know, the kids and I have partially relocated to the Texas Hill Country.

The kids are attending public school. Something that they have never done before.

I have started a new job at a veterinary clinic down here as well.

My home in Oklahoma is up for sale and all of our stuff is still up there too. We are currently living with my parents.

So...

Having lived in Oklahoma for almost 30 years (my entire adult life) I now find myself back home in Texas.


Dad is doing some better. At least he can see to walk around the house and the ranch. He still can't read, see the TV, or drive.

The kids and I have been helping around here. The kids do most of the chores after school.

The kids seem to have adjusted really well to a completely different type of school environment. I have been blessed to have found employment that is only 23 miles away. I was afraid that I would have to go to work in Austin and commute 65 miles one way.

But as always...

God has been good to us and He has been faithful.

I'm waiting for that perfect family to come and buy my house so that Sue will have a great neighbor. At least neighbors that won't cause her as much aggravation as I have.

;+ )


I also want to thank all the people who are currently helping me through this transition... Taking care of the house while I am gone, those who have helped do some much needed repairs and painting on the house, yard work, cleaning, and so much more.

What would I do without all of those wonderful Oklahomans?


God Bless You All...


later...

Hurricanes in Oklahoma...

Well, we didn't have an actual hurricane in Oklahoma...

But a tropical storm?

Here?





By "hurricane and tropical storm standards", it would be considered a small one.


Even so, the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin certainly did cause some problems for us this Sunday.








And sadly, there were those who did not survive the storm and its flood waters.


Our prayers are with those families as they mourn their loss.


Here at my house I was quite fortunate.

And I have to admit that I slept through the entire event and wasn't aware of what was going on.

At all.

I woke up to quite a surprise this morning.

The high wind had torn off one of my porch lights...

And twisted off a fairly good sized tree limb and countless other smaller limbs and leaves.




And the rain flooded my yard.





But only it was only a few inches deep.

I had other plans for my Sunday, but I ended up picking up the yard instead.



Once again I find myself counting my blessings...

And have been protected from the severe forces of nature.


You guys have a great week.


later...

Reflections...

There are times when we all need to just sit down and count our blessings.

The problems in our lives try to overtake us and keep us preoccupied...

Causing us to miss the important things in life.


And when we try to reflect on the positives it seems that we only look for the "big blesssings".

The things that appear to be of substance...

On the outside that is.

We look at the stuff that could possibly impress our friends...

People at the mall or at work.


We look to money way too often and depend on it for our happiness far too much.


Missing what is truly important.


The loudness of a quiet, hot summer evening...

Cicadas singing in the trees.

We should be thankful that we can hear them.


The cool green leaves of a stout oak that provides us with shade from a dutiful sun.


The joy of water.

It feels so much wetter in August, don't you think?


I'm thankful for my lawn chair...

And my backyard.


It's one of my most favorite places...

And provides me with a respite from the outside world.


It's a place of solitude that provides ample room for soulful reflection.


What a blessing it is to me.


Be still...

Be quiet...

So that you can truly hear.


Find a quiet spot...

Close your eyes...


And listen to the 23rd Psalm like you've never heard it before.





It will bring tears of gratitude to your eyes.



later...

Big Hearts in Oklahoma...

Big Hearts Live in Oklahoma …


Americans are generous people. They give their time, their money, their physical strength, and their love.

But how many of us can say that we are able to give away our hearts.


Who has ever asked you to give something that was dear and precious to you?

How would you respond to such a request?



What if you took a pet into your home and cared for it, took it to the veterinarian, paid its bills, loved it, and treated it as one of your own for two years.

What if you believed that it was your pet, forever?

How much of your heart would be invested in your pet?



What if someone came to you and said, “We have found the original owner of your little dog…

And she wants it back.”

Could any one of us give away a pet that we dearly loved?


How big is your heart?


This scenario is real.

The people are real…

The dog is real…

And so are the emotions.


Get your favorite beverage…

Grab some tissues.

I have an unbelievable story to tell…


When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, there was utter devastation. Families' lives were literally uprooted. Many were separated from each other. Not only were the lives of the people in total disarray, chaos, and anguish, but there were thousands of animals who were in great need as well. From people, to wildlife, to farm animals, to household pets, it seems that not one living being was left unaffected by Hurricane Katrina.

So great was the destruction that separation from family and friends lasted for months. Communications were non-existent. Thousands of people had lost everything, including their pets. Several animal rescue teams were formed and spread themselves along the devastated coast in order to provide support for the animals in desperate need of rescue, medical care, and eventually reunification with their owners.

In August of 2005, our hospital had two of our staff members at Neel Veterinary Hospital volunteer to help in one of the greatest natural disasters that our country has ever seen. Dr. Chris Logan and one of our veterinary technicians, Nadia Rizzo, went to care for pets that were separated from their owners and help relieve the widespread suffering of the animals that were caught in the storm. They joined forces with United Animal Nations (UAN) Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), and with a trailer of donated veterinary medical supplies and other much needed items, they arrived in Louisiana soon after the hurricane had struck.

If you would like to read an eyewitness account of where they were and what this team encountered, you can go HERE.

Many of the animals that were rescued did not have any identification on them. No collars, no tags, no microchips. There were so many animals without a place to go that volunteers took many of them back to their home states. Our team brought several dogs back to Oklahoma. Photographs of all of the pets were taken and posted on the internet. Soon networks of people were diligently trying to reunify families with their lost pets.

Louie72
Originally uploaded by gteans

That has been almost two years ago.

Most of us have forgotten about Hurricane Katrina. Two years is a long time for most folks. Time passes. Memories fade.

Unless…

You were someone who was directly affected by the storm.

Yes…

There are people still living in FEMA trailers.


People like Betty.

Betty


There are people who are still trying to rebuild their lives, nearly two years after the monstrous storm.


Betty lost many things because of Hurricane Katrina. She also lost her little dog, Howie. Betty moved back to New Orleans in hopes of finding her small companion.

Eileen lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is a volunteer with Best Friends Remote Reunion who tirelessly works to reunite Hurricane Katrina victims with their pets. Eileen posted the pictures that Betty had of Howie on the
Petfinders’ website in September of 2006. Eileen and Betty were hoping that someone would recognize him so that he could be returned home to her in New Orleans.



PetFinders’ Poster

One day a woman from Belgium named Ingrid saw Howie’s picture on the PetFinders website. She thought that he looked awfully familiar to a picture of a rescued Louisiana dog that she had seen before on the EARS website. Ingrid e-mailed Eileen and told her that she believed she had found a link.

But where was the dog from the EARS website now?

Nobody knew.

For the next seven months Eileen made telephone calls, sent e-mails, and questioned people who were involved in the rescue efforts after the hurricane of 2005. She was able to locate the photographer who took the picture of Howie and finally…

A link was made to the triage center in Monroe, Louisiana, and its team of volunteers.

But who were they?

Where were they from?

Due to the undying investigative efforts of Eileen, she ran across Dr. Logan’s name in the eye-witness article written by Molly Gibbs. An internet search and finally… she had a direct link to Howie.

In May of this year Dr. Logan received an e-mail from Eileen asking for help in locating and positively identifying Howie.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In October of 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina had destroyed so many homes and lives, Patti Landers was at her veterinarian’s office in Norman, Oklahoma. She had her dog “Elway”, a 115 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, with her. While she was at the Main Street Veterinary Hospital she saw a veterinary technician playing with a little dog. The technician was Ashley, who had gone with the Oklahoma team to Louisiana as a volunteer. Ashley had brought the homeless dog back with her to Oklahoma and had renamed him Louie. Louie was one of several Louisianan dogs that had made the trip to Oklahoma in hopes of finding a new home.

Ms. Landers asked Ashley about the little dog. Ashley told her about Louie’s plight. How he needed a real home to stay in, because he had already spent many weeks in a crate at the Main Street Veterinary Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma.

Would Ms. Lander’s keep him for “two weeks only”?


It was an impulse.

It was a commitment.

It was love.


Louie wasn’t too demanding of a dog.

Although when Patti had bought him and Elway nice new beds, he insisted on having Elway’s bed. Elway’s bed was much bigger than his bed, and Louie wanted a big bed too.

So the Landers bought Louie a bed just like Elway’s.


Rather timid at first, especially with Mr. Landers, Louie also became a very good watchdog.


And Louie helped Elway overcome his fear of thunderstorms too.


How do the Landers feel about Louie?

Patti says, “We just love him.”

Empty nesters, the Landers are very attached to the little guy. Their only grandchild is a rescued “grand-dog”.

When asked about sending “Louie” to New Orleans to be “Howie” once again, Patti simply responds.


How could they not give him back to Betty?


The Landers’ love of the dog is overshadowed by their love for their fellow man.

Louie/Howie in his Norman, Oklahoma, home.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


This story isn’t over yet.

Betty is financially and physically unable to make the trip to Oklahoma to positively identify Howie. Funds are needed and many coordination and travel arrangements are yet to be made and finalized.

Dr. Logan has contacted Continental Airlines in hopes that they would be kind enough to donate round trip airfare for Betty’s daughter to come to Oklahoma. And hopefully return with Howie.

But we haven’t heard anything from them yet.

We were also hoping that a local television station would pick up the story and help us find some generous benefactors to help with the expenses.

Even Eileen has offered to make the trip with her own funds.

But wouldn’t it be nice if we could help Eileen instead?

She’s already done so much and has invested almost a year of her time and funds in this magnificent adventure.

If you are interested in helping with this endeavor…

Or you know of someone who would be willing to reunite Betty with her dog Howie…

Please contact us at 405.947.8387.

You can leave your contact information for Dr. Logan and he will be more than happy to get back with you.


We would really like to have Betty and Howie reunited as soon as possible.


**UPDATE** 01July2007

Dr. Logan has informed me that everything has gone well at the airport this morning.

It ended up that none of Howie's family members could make the flight. Eileen, who lives in Greenbay, Wisconsin, flew in to New Orleans and then to Oklahoma City where she then picked up Howie. It is hoped that she made the connecting flight in Houston at 1pm and will be in New Orleans by 5pm this evening.

After such a long journey in time as well as distance, Howie will finally be home.

Best Wishes to Howie, Betty, and Eileen...

And God Bless You All.


**UPDATE** 29June2007

The Channel 9 reporter and cameraman came to the hospital this morning. Both Mr. and Mrs. Landers came as well and they brought "Howie" with them. They surrendered Howie to Dr. Logan.

I have gotten to meet Howie and he is a very sweet little dog.


**UPDATE***

Dr. Logan and Eileen are going to share the costs in flying Betty's daughter to Oklahoma City and then back to New Orleans with Howie.

Channel 9 is going to cover the story as well, tomorrow, Friday, 28June2007.

D-Day Prayer...

Today was the 63rd anniversary of D-Day, the Battle of Normandy.

Unbelievable numbers of young men lost their lives on that day.


The United States was unified.


We had a common cause...


A common belief.


We were all Americans.


Today, it seems that many have lost what it means to be an American.


To be an American you must have a strong sense of right and wrong...

And believe in justice.


To be an American you must be willing to help yourself by using your own hands...

Not holding your hands out for free help.


To be an American you must understand what it is to be a neighbor...

And how to be there when you're needed.


To be an American you need to have faith...

For that is what America is, a refuge for the faithful.


To be an American you need to believe in the Constitution...

And have faith that God truly guided the hearts of our Founding Fathers.


To be an American you must be able to pray...

Pray for our country and that our leaders use wisdom.

Pray for the safety of our soldiers...

And pray that we continue to be blessed.


To be an American you must realize what you have...

That your life in the United States is unique and rich...

Unlike any other on earth.


To be an American you must know that you live a life like no other...

Because of those who paid for it.


To be an American you owe a debt that you cannot repay.

America doesn't have a debt that is owed to you.


To be an American you must be respectful...

And honor those who gave you this country.


To be an American you must be willing to do what is necessary in order to guarantee that those who come after you will enjoy the blessings that you have enjoyed.


To be an American you cannot take...

And expect not to give back.



What will you do...

To ensure that the United States of America continues to exist and prosper...

Long after you are gone.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Prayer

June 6, 1944

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

Spring Rains...

We've had some very, very nice rains here lately.



Soft, gentle, and steady...



Perfect for God's delicate creations.



How intricate His handiwork is.



To think that He has put so much thought in the tiniest of details.



Beauty intertwined with function.



Food for the heart and soul.



And to think that he made us with such attention to detail.

Thank you Lord for the rain.

Thank you for Your Bountiful Blessings.


~*~*~*~*~*~*

These are my Bearded Tongue flowers. They are a perennial wildflower that can withstand heat, drought, and cold winters. They like full sun, but they don't like fertilizer! I've had these plants for about 5 years now. They are slow growers and are not invasive at all. I really enjoy them a lot.

Today...

Today was a nice day. Warmer than yesterday, and with quieter winds.

The kids and I got the front yard raked.

Stephanie came over to help us as well. She's my neighbor Sue's granddaughter, and her help was very much appreciated!

No, we didn't get the backyard leaves and winter debris up, but we did fill 25 lawn and leaf bags from the front.

We have a nice big yard. Our house sits on a 1/4 acre lot.


A lot of my crocus are behind schedule, but the ones that have bloomed are beautiful. More of my daffodils and jonquils are blooming as well. By the time they're almost finished the hyacinth blooms will open. And then the tulips will show off their color.

It feels good. Spring is well on its way.


We worked hard this afternoon.

The kids wanted to roast some weiners outside. And they wanted all of the fixin's too.

So we roasted weiners, decorated them with mustard, relish, onions, cheese, and chili.

And we had some S'Mores as well.

:+ )


It's also that time of year when the kids start getting things pulled together for convention. The black and white photographs were taken by Carrie this afternoon.

I don't know why, but the kids are fascinated by black and white photographs.

I remember being fascinated with color photographs when I was a kid.

Especially Polaroid cameras!

That was probably because we were surrounded by black and white television and photographs all of the time.

Today, you just don't hardly see black and white images.



Parker is fascinated with capturing the movement of the stars with the digital camera. He likes to see the streaks that they form on a 60 second shutter delay.

We need to go out to the country to get some really cool pictures like that.

When you see how much those stars move in 60 seconds, you have to admit...

It really puts a perspective on how fast the earth is actually moving.


I had a video link e-mailed to me.

And this afternoon reminded me of it.

It's about a man who is doing a wonderful thing for our returning soldiers.

ABC did a little piece on him. His name is Bert Brady and he wants to make sure that our soldiers come home to a hero's welcome.

I'm ashamed at how the Korean and Vietnam veterans were treated.

There weren't any ticker tape parades, no cheering, no pats on the back.


I'm also ashamed at how our elected officials are acting in Washington right now.

Don't they understand what they're doing?

Don't they remember the "Killing Fields" in Cambodia?

Don't they remember the slaughter after we left?

Don't they remember that we didn't want to win the war in Vietnam?

And look what happened.


We let the mainstream media dictate to us how to fight the war. We let someone else's agenda tell us what we should do.

War's aren't for the media to decide and direct how they are fought.

I'm really sick and tired of the puppet strings that they pull on our politician's. And I'm tired of our politicians not standing up to the media.

We have to support our troops 100% with our money, our thoughts, and our words.

We also can't afford to leave Iraq in the state that it currently is in.

We have to want to win this war, and we need to get busy doing it too.


Today, I was very thankful.

I felt blessed beyond measure.

I am so happy that my children live in such a country as the United States.

But in all of these blessings, I am well aware that it can be taken away in an instant.

I am not blind to the fact that there are people out there who want us dead and totally destroyed.

I pray to God that more of our country's leaders wake up and realize that.

And I thank God for those who have given me and my children the opportunity to live life as we know it...

Blessed...

Happy...

And carefree...

later...