During the past few days (or is it weeks?!), while having my head buried in sand, some friends needed me but I was not there.  I hate it when I get so busy that I cannot visit blogs and I hear about something that has happened - where my support was needed.  

One friend, Monica, who has gone through hell to get her daughter back from her ex-husband, she suffered another minor stroke after she got her daughter home.  Where was I?   

I was swamped at work between catching up for being gone for two days of work and then preparing for October since I'll be off of work for two weeks (I'm having surgery on my left calf to extend the muscle - no worries - it's a scope and outpatient).  Then I came home, answered what email I could, then spent the rest of the night doing homework and doing what my parents needed me to do.  I'm down to two weeks of school now; the one good thing about having the surgery is more time to study for my finals.

Monica had to call me and her first words were, "don't freak out, I'm fine," when she was not fine and dandy.  The stroke affected her left side of her body, however, she assures me that she's making progress and WILL get her mobility and speech back.  My heart broke for her yet I knew she was OK.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers that she does make a full recovery and that they figure out what is causing the strokes, besides stress.  She actually had the nerve to ask me how my knee was after what she was going through ;-)  Thanks Monica - my knee is still big but it's improving.  

Then Monica told me that Kayla, Susan's niece had undergone surgery again and a biopsy.  She has two more surgeries ahead of her. Please send her healing thoughts - she's a special young lady who has been through so much.

I'm sure I'm missing more - and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for not being there.  If I failed to mention anyone, please let me know.   

As you gather from me posting this photo, I have returned from my long-awaited trip to the cabin. I had a great time and I have a lot to write about but since things are crazy, I will write about my adventures as soon as I can. I hope everyone had a great weekend and are having a good week! *HUGS*

If you'd like to see who is who in the photos, click on each photo and it will take you to my Flickr page. My mouth is zipped as far as the years these were taken ;-) TTFN!! See ya'll next week!

Have I mentioned that I'm excited for my get-away to my aunt's cabin this weekend? The idea of being there, in this magical place, away from the internet (I will survive, believe it or not), away from a regular phone, away from civilization (well, somewhat!), and away from my crazy life, makes me tingle with anticipation.

Three days and counting.

The cabin was built in the 1920's and there is something special about it; it's more than a fun place, it's healing for the weary soul. The only thing I don't like about it is having to leave.

The weather is supposed to be rainy off/on with temps around 65 - 70 F. PERFECT. The lows will be in the mid 30's at night but that doesn't bother me because I LOVE snuggling under a big pile of quilts and we'll have this wonderful fireplace to keep us warm. We also have electric heaters but I'd rather have the fireplace.


This wood-burning stove makes the best pancakes; IHOP doesn't have anything on this stove.


I don't have any good photos of the outside of the cabin scanned in so I'll post some when I return.

Here is the spring of the Snake River (about a mile away from the cabin); one of the biggest (or biggest) natural spring on earth and the water is crystal clear and it flows so beautifully.



This is an old photo of my family (I'm the cute blond) in front of the cabin, before we had to move it 20 years ago. This location was right across from the campground and a hop and a skip down a hill to the springs. I miss it there - especially because we had our own dock. It's all protected area now, which is keeping it beautiful. We're a mile down river now and close to a boat landing and where the protected area ends.


I called my aunt yesterday to discuss menus, etc., and she said there was a grizzly sighting in Big Springs (which is where we'll be) last Monday. Luckily the hunter sprayed pepper spray on the bear and was able to get away. There was also another bear (not grizzly) that broke into a camp ground but the campers didn't have their food stored properly. Due to the dry weather, the bears are coming down from the higher elevations for food. It's not keeping us from going - we've been up there when there was a grizzly scare before and the bear ended up getting into some sheep 50 miles away and we never saw it. Besides, I'm taking several DVDs with me to keep me occupied and West Yellowstone is only 30 minutes away so we can go gallivanting, which we'll do anyway.

I am pleased to say that I got almost all I wanted to done this weekend. The next three days will be crazy between work, class work, doc appointments, and getting ready for the cabin. W00T!

The Gee Whiz of To Do Lists - what I have to do before my get away next week:

Get my car lubed *snicker*

Attend concert Friday night in Salt Lake for Music Class (will write my report while I'm gone or when I get back)

Two weekly Music quizzes

One Music Listening quiz

One Visual Arts quiz for 6 chapters

Read 15 chapters for Music and Music Reflections (will have to more while I'm gone)

Read 4 chapters for Visual Arts (VA)

Watch four movie video clips for (VA)

Participate in four discussions for VA (which include watching videos and reading articles for four artists) and two for Music.

One VA response paper

Work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

See my cool doc Tuesday at 2:15 then get my Remicade treatment at 3:00 

Pack my cameras! 

Pack clothes, personal stuff, DVD player, and DVDs.  Note to self:  cabin already has kitchen sink - do not take one from home.  Don't forget favorite pillows and blankets. 

Charge my iPod

Check weather forecast and pray for some rain so I am lulled to sleep by the sound of it hitting the roof.... heaven 

Check for cell phone coverage in the part of Idaho where I'll be or throw caution to the wind and just see when I get there.  I know I'll get coverage in West Yellowstone and it's only 30 mins away.  I think I'll throw caution to the wind. 

Get some groceries together

Load car

Make a "do not forget" list of things not to forget

Gee whiz.... what am I forgetting?

First of all, he worked me in at noon on a Monday.

Second, he is very thorough and ordered an ultrasound to make sure there wasn't vein blood clots like I had in my other leg in 2003 (DVT, deep vein thrombosis) or to see if there were any bleeding pockets of blood.  He could hardly believe how my leg looked, even six days after he saw it last. 

Third, while I was waiting for an urgent care appointment for the ultrasound, he insisted that I eat lunch.  He gave me a taco salad from the lunch they have catered - how sweet was that?  Not many docs would think about having a patient eat lunch. 

The ultrasound didn't show any DVT - YAY. It did show a haematoma so wide that it couldn't be measured on the ultrasound screen; the tech had to measure it by hand then take four different shots of it. I'm the proud mother of a 12cm haematoma, 3.5 cm tall, surrounded by many little haematomas then down my leg and to my foot are a different type of haematoma (not as serious). 

I have antibiotics to take and I'll see him next week to follow up.  Until then, I am supposed to take things easy and keep my leg propped up as much as possible.  .  It's a good thing I have loads of homework to do at home as well as light duty work at work.   

Last but certainly not least, no more icing, heating, and wrapping.  He's the best doc ever.   

It was my niece Elyssa's 6th birthday over the weekend and we had a little party for her. We started with one of her favorite meals, long spaghetti and a salad.  Who else besides a mother could love this face?  Probably Auntie Karen, aka "Dude," that is, as long as I don't have to clean her face ;-) (click on photos to EMBIGGEN)  She was a hoot during dinner and was so excited. 

Then my sister Susie dropped by with a Barney cake and Dora ice cream - she was in heaven.  My brother J Dee and SIL Patti brought two of their grandkids over, Mylee and Taegan for cake and ice cream.  We had fun with the icing, the edging of the cake was green and the coloring made their mouths turn green.    

It was a lot of fun and Elyssa loved the gifts that Susie and I gave her, a Dora with baby brother and sister, and a Princess piano that plays , "Bippedy Boppedy Boo."  She got some cute clothes too but she was more interested in the toys.  Go figure.  

As J Dee and Patti were leaving, they pointed out that my mouth was bright green... gotta love it.   

The rest of the weekend, I spent in my PJs doing homework.  I did get my PJ day yesterday for most of the day (I was a good girl and worked on my concert report).  

I finally began to see an improvement in my knee/leg yesterday but this morning, I believe I have an infection because I've got bright red splotches and they're hot and itchy!  I think Dr. B misses me so I'll pay him a visit if I can get past the receptionist.  The massive bruises are now fading slightly and the goose egg on my knee is now a lovely shade of yellow... at least it matches my teeth ;-)  (they're pearly white again, it only took one brushing.)  As you know, I love purple... but I have to admit, the color of my leg is not pretty to me.  The bruising spread up the back of my thigh, about half way to my butt, then it bled down and most my calf is purple as well as my heel.  It's quite attractive. 

I was going to go to the pool to work out and sit in the hot tub Friday morning but after my parents saw my leg (as well as Vickie who I sent a pic to) Thursday night, they put the kibosh on that.  My dad freaked out somewhat and kept saying there had to be more wrong but, he feels better now that it's improving. 

Is it Friday yet?  Oh wait... I don't seem to have any fun on weekends either and this Friday, I have a concert to attend in Salt Lake for my Music class (so you know it's not anyone I would normally to see).  I'll be about two blocks from where I fell last weekend so let's hope that I've been punished enough for making fun of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and that there won't be any more falling... 

 This wonderful lady is one of my best friends - more of a sister, really.  Hula  is having a rough time with her health right now so I ask that you keep her in your thoughts and/or prayers.  She is special to me and I'm sending all the healing energy I have.  I wish I could jump on a plane to Denver just so I could hug her and assure her it's going to be OK.  I know it will, Hula.  When something goes wrong, it feels as if the wind is knocked out of us and that we'll never catch our breath again, but we do. 

Hula - you are meant to be a doula and help those in need and I truly believe you will again.  Your children are your gifts from above as well as that wonderful husband of yours.  You have so much family that are rallying around you now and I too, am there in spirit.  You all have touched my life in many ways and made me feel a part of your family.  Again, I know that you will get through this, just as you have before.  Your grandma is there too, to comfort you and care for you, just as you cared for her.  Perhaps you can take her guitar and keep it with you and she will soothe you with music. 

I love you so much, sweetie.  Please know that I understand how hard it is to be blind-sided and again, I know you will beat this and the doctors will give you the best treatments available to keep it under control.  Keep the faith and remember, I am here for you.     

1.  Yesterday, the lovely Hula called me to see how I was after my "trip."  I explained that I was probably being punished for making fun and dreading seeing the choir on Sunday.  We laughed then she said, "That was definitely a 'Come to Jesus Meeting' that brought you to your knees!"  How true it is!  Gee whiz, Hula cracks me up every time... thanks for checking on me! 

2.  This past weekend, my dad has done some weird things during the night.  One night, he got up to go to the bathroom, which is next to their bedroom.  Mom noticed he didn't come back to bed right away and didn't remember hearing the toilet flush.  The bathroom light wasn't on so she began looking for him.  There he sat, in his recliner in the spare bedroom/his TV room holding Mom's Bra, poking and stretching it.  She left her bra on the inside doorknob of their bedroom door that night.  When she asked what he was doing, he replied, "Going potty."  She pointed out he wasn't in the bathroom then they had a good laugh and he did his business in the bathroom then went back to bed.  Mom hung her bra back on the doorknob and went back to bed too.  Later the same night, Dad did the same thing so they were really laughing about it the next morning.  He doesn't have a clue what he was doing with her bra... perhaps practicing how to unhook it?!  Or perhaps slingshot practice?  As I told Vickie this story, she said, "Maybe he was thinking back on the good old days."  Gee whiz... I cracked up.

3.  Dad did something else odd and Mom or I can't figure out why or how.  Mom went to use her disposable razor to shave the back of her neck a bit (she's got short hair) and there was something hard and pink between the blades.  The she realized it was denture adhesive.  She asked him about it but he has no clue.  He's always had wild dreams but since he got Parkinson's, his dreams are whacked!  Gee whiz, they're a good source of entertainment though!

4.  The outpour of caring and concern you all give me always makes me feel so good - thank you again.  My knee is much the same - looking sexier and sexier and more purple, which is part of the process.  I saw my internist on Tuesday and all is good (no blood clots in the veins - just in the tissues).  He gave me extra instructions and I'm behaving... well, as much as I can possibly behave.  Gee whiz, I'm such a source of entertainment for my doc; he gave me a couple of zingers as I was leaving.  But then he had to admit, he fell on his bike last week so I'm not the only klutz. I went to work yesterday and did OK - I had my heating pad and icepack and kept my leg propped up. 

5.  Monica's daughter is back home but please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, it's been a rough 10 days. 

6.  I am taking Sept 20 - 24th and running away to one of my favorite places - my aunt's cabin.  Gee whiz, I can hardly wait!   

7.  I will have two weeks (possibly three) off of work in October but the first few days won't be fun, I'm having some surgery then six weeks later, I'm having the second surgery.  No worries, I'll be fine.  My finals are hopefully on Oct 8 which will be great, then I'll have more time to study for my finals than I would have if I was working.  I'll probably be high on pain meds so I won't be stressing!  Gee whiz, sounds like a great plan to me!  

I think I'm out of gee whizzes for this week... have a wonderful weekend!  I know I will... homework, homework, and hopefully a PJ Day.  

For Julia & Monica... may the love you two share get you through anything.

Sunday morning, I dragged my behind out of bed at 6am to go to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the 4,096th performance, for my Music class.  I got there about 8am which was 30 minutes early since I didn't know what to expect with traffic.  I took a few photos with my little camera I keep in my purse.  The photo to the right is the Tabernacle (click to EMBIGGEN), which was built in 1887, the pipe organ has over 12,000 pipes.  The choir was started on June 15,1929 and is the longest running worldwide radio broadcast.  The gardens are beautiful at Temple Square; filled with flowers and trees.  One of these days, I'll get my photos of Temple Square uploaded to my Flickr from when I took my parents down there for their 50th Anniversary on Aug 23. The photo on the right is the Salt Lake Temple which is so grand and beautiful.  The gold figure on top is the angel, Moroni. 

The doors to the Tabernacle open at 8:30 and the choir and orchestra were already in place where they rehearsed until 9:15 when the doors were closed and everyone had to be seated.  The photo to the right was taken right before the concert and broadcast that is held on almost every Sunday morning.  It was actually really nice; the acoustics were incredible and I enjoyed seeing the orchestra play and how it is all arranged.  So - I admit that it was much less painful than I thought it would be. 

I was taught that when I do something, to do it good and Sunday morning was no exception.  After the choir was done, I stopped off at the Visitor's Center to go potty.  As I walked (I use that term lightly!) through the two automatic opening doors, the tip of my right shoe caught on something (obviously I don't know how to pick up my feet!) and fell.  Flat on my face.  My right knee took the brunt of it as I went down then followed by my left hand/wrist and shoulder, and the finale, my face.  I laid there for a couple of seconds (which felt like 2 minutes) in shock of what happened.  Two ladies behind me were kind enough to make sure I was OK and to help me get up. It was quite embarrassing but they were very nice and concerned. 

The greeter/volunteer came over at that point asked if I needed security to check me out.  Normally, the thought of a sexy security guard would be fun, however, it would have been an older man LOL  I declined because I thought I was OK.  My knee hurt but I'm used to that and I was pretty numb all over, probably still in shock.  I went to the restroom and then walked to my car then drove home.  

When I arrived home, it was really difficult getting out of my car.  I generally stiffen up anyway but this was "holy cow" stiffness.  Then I went in the house and changed clothes and discovered what a lovely color purple my knee was and saw that it was swollen and hard as a rock - and hurt like hell.  I immediately iced it but it continued to swell and bruise.  About an hour later, I decided I better go to the local Instacare to make sure I didn't chip a bone.  Lovely, isn't it?

Mom and Dad were gone to my great-nephew's blessing so called my sister Kathy to ask her if she knew the number to the Instacare and the hours they're open on Sundays.  She said she just talked to Mom and Dad and they were on their way to pick up my niece Elyssa to bring her over here for a while.  I told Kathy that I fell so they better come home first and she panicked and said, "I'll call them right back and send them home," not giving me a chance to explain.  About five minutes later, Mom came running down the stairs to see if I was OK.  I felt bad that I freaked everyone out but Mom agreed that I better go get my knee checked so she took me.  

The doc was really funny and helpful; he ordered an x-ray and thank goodness, nothing is broken or out of place - just the usual RA stuff.  He gave me some pain meds to last a couple of days, through the worst of the pain, and told me to ice it and keep it elevated/comfortable. 

I had a nice surprise when I got out of the shower yesterday too; another bruise.... on my left boob!  Sorry - no photos of that one ;-) 

You know, I wanted to rest on Sunday and Monday but I didn't plan this kind of rest!  Gee whiz, it's no fun to rest when I have to.  I managed to watch some movies between naps so I can't say it was all bad.  My sister Susie is doing well after her knee surgery and she came over for dinner yesterday.  Between her and I, we're starting a chapter of the Gimp Squad LOL  Dinner was yummy, corn on the cob (a big no-no for me but I indulged), fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden, and hamburgers.

The rest of the weekend, I did homework and read my textbooks.  The thought of being SIX weeks from being done is keeping me going.  I am enjoying both classes and getting lots of culture, there may be hope for me yet.  I need to write my report on the concert/performance but that will have to wait a couple of days.  I received my tickets in the mail on Saturday for my next concert; Andre Watts at Abravenal Hall on Sept 14, which I'm looking forward to (in a weird way). 

My Visual Arts class is interesting; each week we take a "webtour" of a couple of artists.  This past week, we studied James Turrell and I'm utterly fascinated and stunned by the beauty of his natural light projects, especially the "Roden Crater" and "Friends Meeting House" (there are video clips to watch).  We've had some lively discussions online about his art as well as others.

Onto other things...Dot tagged asked that me to list my five favorite smells... so I will, just for her and I have it on good authority today is her birthay so go over and wish her a great birthday.

1. Fresh baked bread

2. A good men's cologne

3. Vanilla  (especially Warm Vanilla Sugar from Bath & Bodyworks)

4. Leather *snicker*

5. Rain 

Speaking of birthdays... I believe it was Margie's birthday over the weekend so please go over and wish her a belated birthday.  *HUGS* to you!! 

I believe I've rambled on enough and better get to back to bed (I'm in too much pain this morning to go to work).  I hope everyone had a great weekend!!