December @ a Glance

It is the day after Christmas, just sitting home drinking a chai enjoying they day.  We have plans to see the movie War Horse @ 3:00 with mom.   I really feel like my heart has been connected to the spirit of Christmas this year. I have truly appreciated all the music, the events, the lights, the scriptural account, the family. It has all been beautiful.
Jim and I had a gift certificate to the Zermat in Midway, which had been provided by my work.  I made reservations for the first week-end in December as there was a scheduled Creche exhibit at the Homestead that week-end as well.   We had a suite!  You know, one where your bed is turned down, chocolates, cheese plate, plush towel robes!  Perfect dreamy week-end.  We started the week-end with a hot rock massage at the Cameo school. I had a small melt down because it was difficult to get down on my stomach.  I was unable to rest my arms above my head, but with a little improvise and a kind and patient student we made it ok.  I silently cried through most of the massage because it was so relaxing. Jim fell to sleep quite quickly both on his stomach and back, so he quietly snored.  I am sure the two students found us quite amusing, I know I would have!  The drive up to Midway was quiet as we listened to Christmas music.  The nativity exhibit was absolutely beautiful at the Homestead, there was live music. It once again, made me cry.  We ate dinner at the Zermat.  It was a very cold night, with a soft snowfall.  Perfect night to turn on the fireplace and cuddle in.
I started back to work that following Monday.  I would not be starting nursing floor shifts for yet another week.   It all worked out well.  The 2nd floor shift was a little rough because it was so stinkin busy & the job can be very physical.  Overall, I am pleased with my energy level.
I attended our annual Book Club Christmas dinner at Kathy Milnes house this year.  The book was Two From Galilee. I had read this once before and thought it was a excellent pick  for the month.
We had our Christmas Bunco party at Teresa's house.  We an awesome dinner & treats, bought jewelry for each other from Paparazzi, then just spent time getting to know each other better.
Another night we took the grandkids to Temple Square to see the lights.  Another cold night.  Not quite the same experience!  Too many people for sure!  And too much whining from the kids.  We did watch a video in the visitors center based on the christmas story found in Luke 2.
Jim and I went with Marlene and Randy to listen to the Spoken Word one Sunday morning before church.
This is just a 30 minute production, it is short and VERY sweet.  We were able to hear just a snippet of the Christmas program.  I would really like to try and get tickets for that next year.  It is the best free and well produced Christmas event here in SLC.  
Another night Staci and I took, Brielle, Rowan and Daemon to the Echoes of Christmas @ Liberty Park.  It is all run by volunteer's.  You are guided by shepherds to 7 stops, where the Christmas story is re-enacted by singers.  Once again it was a cold night, but if you are dressed appropriately it all works.  Again, it snowed ever so lightly, which added to the dimension of the presentations AND cleared the smog out from the valley.  I personally like the Bonneville Christmas presentation a bit better that we went to in 2010.  Rowan was quite enthralled with the experience and really wanted to be part of it for next year.  The kids spent the night, early the next morning Rowan was waking me up to help her fill in my address on the Echoes of Christmas Volunteer Application internet site, which she had looked up upon waking!      I know there were auditions to be a volunteer, since neither one of us can sing, I made a note at the bottom of the app. to see if they would consider us for shepherd tour guides.  We shall see what comes of that!
Jim and I passed out neighbor gifts, harvest bread and jam.  The work and presidency gift was a monogram journal and matching pencil.   I say this, just so I remember what I did for future reference.
We had the Eccles Christmas Eve party @ Staci's.  Taco Bar,  fun games and white elephant exhange.
Corby was invited in person by Staci, but he did not show.  Neither did Stephanie, Marci, Matt, Misti or Mandy.  This was discouraging for Staci, but I think it's their loss and not too worry about it.  Even if the party becomes an event for our 2 families it is worth the effort.  Everyone had a great time, food was awesome!  Lot's of smiles and laughs.  She had the parents of the little ones bring a 10.00 gift from their santa stash, then the adults brought white elephants. The white elephant game was played a little different.  We all drew a number, but then our numbers were drawn out of a can to determine who went next.  When your number was drawn you could dump your white elephant to someone else, then steal (x3 max) or open a new gift.  Jenni and Josh had a new game in which a gift card was wrapped in many, many layers of boxes, with many many layers of tape.  We went around the circle rolling dice. If doubles were rolled then you put on thick ski gloves and made a go of trying to unwrap the gift until the next set of doubles was rolled. It was quite hilarious to watch.    I think I will try this one for the PCA Christmas party next year.  Also, while I am writing things down to remember, I will ask that the gift card next year be one that starts with their name initials.  
Christmas morning we slept in.  A little too long. Brielle was delighted with her Christmas. I think her favorite gift was the Barbie airplane.  We had to race to get to the 1 hour sacrament christmas program.  Which was 2 wards meeting together and the music was awesome!   We made soup and rolls and sweet rolls>   Staci, Jim and I went to a late movie to top off the day. We saw My Week with Marilyn.

Well I hope I captured it all.  Tomorrow Jim goes to have a MOH's procedure to remove the basal cell CA removed from the side of his mouth.  I, later in the day go for a tank up, which I hope is my last one.  I have cancelled the last two appointments, since I hate having that done.  Colleen got me off the schedule so I can go with Jim.
Next I need to concentrate on a party for Jim.  He turns 60!!! on January 6th.

A Week in a Glance November 20-27th

I am feeling stronger every day.  My right arm pit and ROM is still somewhat limiting, but I feel like I am moving forward.   M-W I recollect that I took the days pretty easy.
Kathie Wilde came by for a visit and brought a gift from L&D practice.  It is a battery operated facial cleanser to be used in the shower.  Kathie loves her.  It was pink!  How awesome.  I have been using it faithfully for a week and do really like it.
I dropped off some thank you cards at the hospital with Brielle, on Monday.  We picked out a few tags off the Christmas giving tree.  She and I have gone shopping this week and got the 3 gifts purchased.  Today, Nov. 27th she saw another giving tree at church, so she was excited to pick up a few more tags.  There were notes on a near by poster board, explaining the families we would be helping and their circumstances.  I tried to help her understand how we were helping.    She was excellent at church today, unlike last week.   I did not have the other kids with me today.
Tuesday we heard back from Dermatologist that Jim's biopsy on his face came back basal cell carcinoma.  He will have to have this surgically removed in the doctor's office.  There is no danger that this will spread systemically, but would spread across his facial dermis.   We do not have an appt. for surgery as of yet.
Wednesday, Colleen dropped off an awesome scarf she had knitted, along with some out of this world cooked apples.   I really, really, really liked them!!
We had a small gathering at Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving this year.  9 Adults and 4 kids.  It was extremely yummy. I made rolls, Jim worked on cooking a Turkey outside and hanging Christmas lights.  Cori and her kids came over later, as well as Jaron & Summer, and Rob & Sara and all their group, so we ended up with a houseful, by evening.  Corby is still at odds with the family, so we did not see or hear from him.   I know he was on everyone's mind.  Oh, by the way, it was mine and Kennedy's birthday this year on Thanksgiving, so Happy Birthday to us!!   We celebrated over pumpkin pie!
Staci, Martha and myself went to Target for the mn Black Friday sales.  We waited outside for 1 1/2 hours, weather not bad, thank goodness.   I was impressed how smooth it went and how organized Target was.  I saw two nurse friends at Target as well.   Donna and Jessica.    Mom and sister Staci went to Shopko.  They also had a good experience.  They did not show up until after it opened so they fore went the standing in the cold in line experience.   We then came home and went to sleep around 2:30am     We went back out to Toys R Us and Big 5 around 1100.  I then took Staci and Martha back home.    My mom, sister and I went to lunch, then did a tad more shopping.   Slept good again that night!!!!!
Saturday, my friend and neighbor Marlene called and we went to a local boutique @ Aspen Ridge.  Found a few unique gifts, then turned around and took Mom and Staci back later that day.  Mom got some good idea's for gifts to make.    Jim and I had gift certificates for a movie and dinner that we had been hanging on to for a long while.   We went to dinner at Cheesecake factory, then off to see Breaking Dawn.  
Came home and put up Christmas tree and Nativity.   Yes, my old life is back!!!
Sunday was another beautiful day.   Jim and I went over to the mall in the am, before the stores were opened and walked. Unfortunately I still cannot walk at a very fast pace, but the goal was to try & walk off some off that Thanksgiving dinner you know.   I don't think Jim would say we were very successful.  I was quite distracted with window shopping!!

Nov. 17th - Nov.-19th

Wow, it gets really hard to remember what to journal when you let so much time lapse!
These are the highlights I can remember.........
Staci's date cancelled on her on her BIRTHDAY!   It was not a good day.   Ends up he was sick.   BUT I think she liked my present to her  :  )
Colleen came over Thursday night and we had dinner together.  She brought soup and bread, I provided salad and pie.   We just sat and laughed and ate too much.  She got me caught up on my work life.  She brought another awesome gift from the IMC L&D unit and the L&D managers.   A night at the Zermatt Resort, with breakfast and dinner!!   When I write my thank-you notes I am constantly getting choked up, I tell you.  The outpouring of love is just more than I can bear some days!
Dr. Chen's nurse called on Thursday and again on Friday am, November 18th asking about output from the JP drain. She was not encouraging that it would be pulled, so when I went to my appt. Friday afternoon, I was not expecting it to get pulled.   But once again, there are small miracles that occur in the world everyday and mine was I got the JP drain pulled out!!   Yeah!!!!   Reflecting back, I am glad I did not know, thus I did not worry about how it was going to feel.   It was not near as bad as my mind would have made it out to be.
I was so happy, I had a very BUSY week-end ahead of me!   I will not be having any more re-constructive surgery, until February.   I will go in two weeks, to receive my first injection into the expander for my 'tank up'.
   Later that Friday night I went to the Time Out for Women Conference with mom held at the Salt Palace.  This conference is sponsored by Desert Book.  Friday, we heard from Sheri Dew, Brad Wilcox and Hillary Weeks spoke and sang.  It was a cold, wet day.  We had taken Trax and had to wait for 40 minutes to access a train to get home.  We decided to drive the next day.    Saturday was also very good, Michael Wilcox and 4 women speakers, plus the group Jericho Road entertained us. Michael Wilcox's wife died last year.  He read an excerpt from a journal entry that was written in 1987.  It was the only journal entry he had.  It helped egg me on to keep this, my journal, going. There were 5,000 women in attendance.  My purse was over loaded and it was crowded conditions.  These added to my discomfort, but I felt like I did ok, and thought it was well worth the time and effort.  I will plan to go next year and will be able to enjoy it even more.  
Sunday was the Primary program.  Sara, Rob, mom and day all came to support the kids and Jim.  The program went well, Rowan sang like a little champ and Jim did awesome.  They sang, Teach Me to Walk
Sharing Time went well other than Brielle was being a stinker. I had the kids write what they were grateful for on leaves, then announce their individual gratitude comment into the mike, then hang it on a pre-made tree.   We then watched a 38 minutes Christmas movie and ate the sugared corn puffs I had made & bagged.   Daemon and Rowan had spent the night Saturday night and Daemon worked feverishly on his Lego presents.   Both had over 500 pieces in them.  He is amazing with these and it is impressive to me that kids can figure these out!   I don't think I could complete one successfully if my life depended on it.
After church, we then came home, Jaron, Summer and Staci joined us.  We made haystacks and strawberry pretzel salad for dinner and sang happy birthday to Staci and Daemon.    Whew!   What a week-end.  Feels like my old like creeping back in on me!

Shopping Day November 16th

Last night I forgot to mention I went to a Relief Society Christmas Social with my mom at her ward.  It was very simple, but good & their Bishop spoke with them.     I got a call just as I was going to leave from my friend Monica inviting me to go to our ward's enrichment night!    That is the 2nd time I have done that!  Gone with mom, instead of supporting my own ward.
I really need to stay more aware of these enrichment activities and make a better effort to support them, socialize and learn from what they offer.

Today, I went shopping.   I have learned how to tuck the JP drain out of sight pretty well and load up on Aleve and 1/2 a codeine and off I go.  My pace is quite slow, I realize when compared to other walkers/shoppers, but slow and steady gets the job done right?
Tomorrow is Staci's birthday and I still need to figure out something for Sharing Time this Sunday.  This Sunday is the Primary Program.  Jim and Rowan are singing a duet, "Teach Me to Walk".   I am in charge of Sharing Time, since I have not helped with the program at all, I feel like this is the least I can offer.

Another awesome friend, Shauna from work came by with a meal and a poinsettia.  She is over the bereavement program at work and has always been a great listener.  Once again, I am in awe of the support I continue to receive.  

Off to shop.  Jim goes with me to the mall.  I have already bought Staci, some ReVital Lash, just looking for a few more items to augment the gift.   I went into the brand new H&M store and end up with a gift certificate.   I bought a silver zippered bag, thru in some socks, lotion and a card and called it good.   The parking at the Fashion Place Mall is getting more difficult all the time!  I wish I could take advantage of a handicap stall today.    Jim needs to get back home to get ready for work, so I drop him off and venture out alone.

Next off to the Deseret Book store and Michaels.  I pick up a DVD and some construction paper.  I found a cute idea for Christmas gifts for the coordinating council @ work and the women I work with in the Primary presidency.    I ran into a old friend, Jeanine Dodge.   She has always been so fun to visit and talk with.  She has retired from the hospital, but is working in home health.  She has a massive bruise on her thigh, arm and face, from trying to help her husband with a trailer.   It was good to see her and visit for a bit.

I fully intended to go next to DSW, the shoe store, but found myself running out of steam & I was quite hungry.   I went home for a quick lunch and rest, then picked up Brielle, DJ and Rowan.  

We ate the dinner that Shauna had brought over, then took DJ to scouts.   Staci went with me and we headed off to Target to get new church shoes for Rowan and Brielle and a birthday present for DJ.

Let's just say, I slept well.    

November 15th, Tuesday Jim's Turn for Uncertainity

I called this am and cancelled my appt. with Dr. Chen.   I believe the purpose of the appt. was to pull my JP drain.   The goal was to get the drainage to clear fluid and 15 ml or less per day.   Reality is the fluid is still old blood and 35 to 45 ml's per day.  The JP is still doing it's job and draining the hematoma, albeit I can tell the fluid is getting lighter and the amount is decreasing, but I feel like she will not pull it today, so why go in?     I called the office and asked if I could have an appt. for later in the week.    After a brief Q&A, they agreed to move the appt. to Friday.

Jim has an appt. with a dermatologist today to get a specific sore on the right side of his mustache area checked out.   We are wary of cancer these days!  The blemish/sore refuses to heal over the past 6 months.  The appt. went well, they took a biopsy of this area and freeze dried several area's on his forehead, arms and back.   We will need to wait a week for the results.  Time to wait it out again!

I baby sat Kaia this afternoon, since she has been running a fever she could not go to her usual daycare.  Sara had to take Daemon to his counseling appointment.   Kaia is such a stinker and so smart.  She loves to play in water and to mimic others, especially other children.

I find it amazing how fast the days are going by!

November 14th A Cloud is Lifting

I can feel my old self emerging.  It's most interesting, to come out of this cloud of fear, pain and doubt.

Today, another good friend from work, Claudia came by and brought me dinner and a gift.  She is so generous, loving and kind.  
I went to Bunco tonight, even drove myself.    I must admit, driving is quite uncomfortable, but not impossible.
I won "Travel", so the evening paid for itself.   Lot's of good food, good people and good laughs.

November 11th A New Day in my Known Recovery

It was such a beautiful sunny morning when I walked into the family room.   I saw several flocks of geese flying over head and enjoyed the beauty of the morning and the mountains.

I am alone and enjoy the moment to sit with my book in the sun and read, read, read.

I feel like I have learned how loved and blessed that I am. That, with my lessons in patience I have gained more experience and this has lead to a greater capacity to have hope, love & have faith.   I acknowledge I have a long road ahead of me with the virtue of patience!
I know that I would have learned to cope with whatever my outcome was, but I feel grateful that I dodged a big bullet.  

I went to Seagull Book with Jim to look for a movie for Primary, then had a great visit with Teresa back at the house.   She brought me.....................  Homemade bread and wild rice chicken soup   :   )