Well, all those years of gardening have finally caught up with me. As my stepmom would have said, "the wages of sin, my dear" and then laugh. She had such a sense of humor.
I met with the surgeon in Savannah today. Here’s the doctors report in a nutshell (with deepest apologizes to all my medical bloggy friends, consider me medically differently disabled) …
My C-3 is degenerated from age. Between C-4 and C-5 there is a tear. Between C-5 and C-6 there is a tear and a herniated disc. The nerve is bulging out and getting pinched. Thus, the pain.
Doc takes the disk from out between C 5 and C 6, cleans the area, removes a teeny tiny piece of bone, crumbles the bone, lay that aside, screws a small titanium plate to hold C 5 and C 6 in place and properly spaced, sprinkles the powdered bone on the area. The area quickly grows back like new.
He said I don’t have to wear a neck brace and I only have to spend one night in Hospital. I could go home the day of the surgery if we lived closer to said Doc but he will be 2 hours from our home. Since we live so far out in the country, Doc worries about my going home and having a problem and not being near medical care.
All I know is, I want ice cream afterwards! LOL
Boy, before you know it, medical care will be like on Star Trek after all. We’ll have medical personnel that can wave a wand over the affected area and you’re healed!
Dr. "Bones" McCoy
Cool deal.
But for now, we must rely on the “old” methods of anesthesia, a sharp knife and a skilled hand. Updates to follow. The Doc's office sent me home with some Celebrex is calling me Monday to let me know when to report to Hospital.
** UPDATE 26 January 2009: Surgery is scheduled for February 4th (Wednesday). It will done as an out-patient procedure. God bless! ***
PS: Many of y’all have very kindly been asking about our 4 year old niece, Amberlee. Happily she is on the road to recovery. Poor little thing has pneumonia. The fever broke yesterday and the doctor has her on a nebulizer inhaler and multiple antibiotics. We’re praying for a rapid recovery. Thanks y’all for your prayers!
So, I was sitting here, talking to Sweetie about current events, and I asked him, "I wonder what Condoleezza Rice will do now?" Sweetie said he heard that Miss Rice signed up with the William Morris Agency of New York.
I found the article about her signing with the Agency ... isn't the internet wonderful!? We have access to instant information at our fingertips.
Condoleezza Rice is a former professor and Stanford University provost has been in the Bush administration since its beginning, first as national security adviser and then as secretary of state. "In addition to her political career, Rice is an accomplished concert pianist as well as a big-time National Football League fan." I didn't know that but I do know that Miss Rice speaks fluent Russian. She certainly is quite accomplished.
Well, I hope that whatever her new career choice is that she can do something that is enjoyable and fulfilling. She certainly deserves it. The liberal press and other small minded people had a hayday ridiculing this fine lady. I'll miss her gentle way of speaking, and insightful interviews.
God speed Miss Rice and Thank You for serving our country so well. You are one Class Act that will be hard to follow.
I learned of this nifty little machine today. It's called the Zero Motorcycle. "Zero" for the zero emissions, I guess. I think it's wonderful! Right now it can only go 40 miles on one charge, but the inventor said the battery is completely non-toxic. It's not heavy on the horsepower but the bike can smoke the tires sitting still. The "CC" designation, if it was a fuel type vehicle, would be around 250cc (according to the video). Anyway, watch the clip. It's pretty interesting. I like quiet vehicles and this may be the wave of the future.
I tried to embed the video here, but for some reason it wouldn't work this time (computer gremlins again). The link will open in a new window so y'all won't lose your place. Enjoy! :o)
I'm all primped and dressed. My ride has arrived so I won't be late for all the festivities.
The Pelosi Car
But first, a little history about the Inaugurations of years past.
1st President George Washington
Our beloved country became "a more perfect union" also known as the United States of America in 1776. Before that we were governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was agreed to by Congress November 15, 1777; ratified and in force, March 1, 1781. The Constitution was ratified in May 1787.
This week's 44th U.S. presidential Inauguration in Washington, District of Columbia, will involve a cast of thousands and an audience of millions.
At the beginning of the formation of our government, the populace had to hear the news through the written word and could take months. This inauguration will be televised and on the internet, ready to be viewed by billions in the blink of an eye.
What will happen today? There will be a church service, a procession by the President-elect to the Capitol Building, an oath of office administered by the chief justice, and a 21-gun salute. The newly sworn in President will give a speech and the members of Congress will host him at a formal lunch in the U.S. Capitol. The President will lead a parade of more than 10,000 people and dozens of floats back to the White House.
There will be nine official balls and nearly twice as many unofficial parties. The First Lady's inaugural gown will likely be presented to the National Museum of American History in Washington.
The National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., collects inaugural ball gowns worn by First Ladies. On the left is the gown worn by Lucretia Rudolph Garfield in 1881. Next to it is the gown worn by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in 1961. Source
The whole shebang will cost 40 million U.S. dollars, paid for by private donations solicited from President Barak Hussein Obama, Jr.'s supporters.
This one didn't come anywhere near that amount! In a mural of the first U.S. presidential inauguration to take place at the Capitol Building, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall administers the oath of office to Andrew Jackson in 1829. Source
The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that the term of the President expires at noon on January 20. Other than the date and time—and the wording of the oath of office—the transfer-of-power protocol is based on traditions going back to George Washington.
How a few "firsts" in Inaugurations trivia? Are you up to the task? :o)
Some Noteworthy Inaugurations: Firsts and Other Facts
April 30, 1789: George Washington On the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, Washington was sworn in wearing a dark brown suit, steel-hilted sword, white silk stockings, and silver shoe buckles. During the oath of office he placed a hand on the Bible, beginning a tradition that nearly every U.S. President has repeated.
March 4, 1801: Thomas Jefferson Jefferson is thought to have been the first and only president to walk to and from his Inauguration. Wanting to draw a distinction between royal events and simple, democratic ceremonies, he declined to ride in the customary carriage. He was the first President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. It was the first time a newspaper (the National Intelligencer) printed the inaugural address on the morning of the Inauguration.
March 4, 1861: Abraham Lincoln The secession crisis required tight security for the new President and his parade. Army sharpshooters were on the rooftops overlooking the parade, and people complained that they could not see the President in his open carriage, as it was completely surrounded by cavalrymen. April 12, 1861 he led our nation into the War of Northern Aggression. His poor leadership led to a war of brother against brother.
March 4, 1865: Abraham Lincoln His Inauguration was the first time blacks participated in the Inaugural Parade. Tragically, April 14, 1865 he was shot and killed. May 26, 1865 the War ended.
March 4, 1905: Theodore Roosevelt He was President since 1901 due to Pres. William McKinley's assassination, Theodore Roosevelt did not have an inaugural parade until 1905. Veterans of Roosevelt's Spanish-American War Rough Riders charged along the parade route at full gallop. Some 35,000 people took part in the parade. [I'll bet that was a hoot to watch!]
January 20, 1949: Harry S. Truman His was the first Inauguration to be televised
January 20, 1981: Ronald Reagan His was the first Inauguration that was held on the west terrace of the Capitol. It was the first closed-captioned TV broadcast for the hearing impaired. It was also the warmest Inauguration on record (excluding President Ford's, which was on August 9, 1973, after President Nixon resigned).
January 20, 1985, and January 21, 1985: Ronald Reagan As January 20 fell on a Sunday, festivities were held on Monday, January 21. Reagan did, however, take the oath of office on Sunday, January 20. It was the first time a TV camera was placed inside the President's limousine. It was also the coldest Inauguration on record.
January 20, 2005: George W. Bush It was the first Inauguration since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He had the tightest security of any Inauguration (more than a hundred square blocks closed off, 6,000 police officers and 7,000 U.S. troops deployed, fighter jet patrols, chemical sensors). Source
There's a whole bunch more trivia at the Source link. I found it interesting that very nearly every President has a "first" on record.
That's enough history for now. Let's come back to the present.
Have a happy day folks!
Our prayers go with the new administration that for the good of our country they be the best representatives of US possible. That they be humble and seek God's wisdom in all things. That they love our country more than themselves, more than their family's and more than any 'religion'. May Jesus bless and keep America safe from harm under His care. ~ Amen.
You are very orderly and fact driven. You aren't concerned much with theories or dreams... only what's true or untrue.
You are brilliant and incredibly learned. Anything you know is well researched. You like to make lists and sort through things step by step. You aren't subject to whim or emotions.
Your friends see you as a constant source of knowledge and advice. (But they are a little sick of you being right all of the time!)
And this result is after I got took in by the Joke today!? Go figure!? Well, when I make a mistake, I make it BIG!! ha! I did check with snopes.com first, honest Injun. Deepest apologizes buddies. I think what happened was our little 4 year old niece is very ill and I'm quite distracted. She has pneumonia and is very sick. Has me very, very, very concerned.
This is a nonsensical post today. My good friend Muse-Swings and cohort for bloggy 'trouble' (substitute 'fun' there), had a good idea recently. She was making some yummy orange sherbet and 'challenged' us to post our favorite coffee cups.
Good deal.
We must be REALLY bored this weekend! It's the weather ... right!?
I have one in particular that is my favorite and I always hone in on it if it's clean. No big surprise, but it was purchased at the Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, NC.
The Girls (2008)
When said cup is in the dishwasher, I gravitate to the ones below.
This one Steve bought for me recently. It is so heavy it takes both hands! So, this one is just for looking at.
Suzuki
I bought these at the Jeff Davis Memorial here in Georgia.
The south shall rise again! :o)
Steve also has a bunch of fav's. His, of course, have Triumph emblazoned on the front or his name and BellSouth / AT&T (his former employer).
Steve's favorite cups.
I have these two below just for sentimental reasons. The one of the left was a gift from my 1/2 sister before I lost her in the 1980's. The Kliban cup on the right is an 'antique' from the 1970's.
Gift cup and Kliban cup
Now, this cup I salvaged from the Dad's house when he died. That definitely has sentimental attachments. I wish Myra had had one with her name. She had some favorite dishes, but I gave them to her housekeeper as a gift. Myra loved her plates.
Donald Willard Ackman (1924-2006)
And that's it. So what's your favorite cup or cups? Might as well stay inside and be warm this weekend. :o)
Have you ever counted the number of shoes in your possession? As I gingerly sip on some adult libation, I did this very thing tonight. I have shoes for dress, gardening, dress boots, riding boots, mules, sandals, flip flops, sneakers and everything in between. Footwear for every occasion. Know what I wear 99% of the time? You guessed it, the sneakers! I have all these nice dress shoes and all I wear are tennis shoes.
My contribution to high fashion.
My husband frequently teases about all the shoes in our closet. He laughingly calls me the Imelda Marcos of Patterson.
"I need a little more room in the closet again honey!"
Ok, I don’t have THAT many … yet ... there are only 31 pairs that I confess to. Pretty good for a gal who went barefoot most of the time growing up in central Florida.
“But I have an excellent reason for all this footwear“, I retort to my husband with a whine. “I have to match my outfits.“ Outfits?! What outfits!?! I no longer work outside the home. When I put in my time with High Finance I had very nice clothes with matching accessories including purses and hosiery. It was expected. But now I don’t have ’outfits’ unless you count my usual fair of blue jeans, a print t-shirt, and the afore mentioned sneakers with white socks as an ‘outfit‘.
Shoes have been around for thousands of years, you know. Our ancestors first began wearing shoes around 40,000 to 42,000 years ago, about the same time they developed more sophisticated toolkits and began creating elaborate art. I’m told that anthropologists and archeologists can tell all this because the toes of East Asia’s oldest modern human skeletons show that they wore shoes.
"Do you feel a draft too?"
Doesn’t that sound like an unusual job … studying toe bones!?
Ladies, can’t you see yourself at a party with nice people all impeccably dressed, sipping adult beverages (like the one I’m nursing now), and speaking in hushed tones with classical music playing softly in the background. Up saunters a handsome man and he says “Hello” smiling with his straight, white teeth.
What was I saying? My ‘brian’ slipped away for a moment (that’s for you JBA). Tee hee
“Well,” you smile back sweetly to him and say, “and what is your occupation sir?”
“I study toe bones.”
Blank stare as you think, “Riiiight. Unusual pickup line bud. Move along now before I call the cops on ya … pervert!”
So back to the shoes … how can they tell all that about how long we’ve been wearing shoes from our ancestors toes? Seems that robust leg bones and thick toes denotes being shoeless. It’s because when one walks barefoot, the middle toes curl into the ground to give traction during push off. Gracile (slimmer) toe bones means the individual wore shoes. When wearing a shoe, a person pushes off with the big toe, placing less stress on the middle toes, resulting in less-developed toe bones. This gracility develops during childhood.
… caught ya lookin’ …
Well, that adult beverage has kicked in … but that’s my defense for having so many shoes. It’s my 40,000 year old ancestor's fault!
Can you see the heavy frost? This is usually as close as we get to snow in Southeast Georgia. It's suppose to get down to 23 degrees tonight, 16 degrees tomorrow (Friday) night! I think we'll stay inside and drink lots of hot tea.
On the lighter side, my husband finished remodeling our dog washing area! YAY!
For those of you new to my blog, we have three dogs: two miniature schnauzers (Maxie & Sam Jr.) and one boxer (Lucy). The two schnauzers are small enough to pick up and bathe. Unfortunately due to a persistent neck pain from a ruptured disk, it's become impossible for me to stoop over long enough to care for them and they must be groomed sometimes twice a week (there's nothing worse than schnauzer smell!). The boxer still can be bathed comfortably on the ground but she only needs bathing once a month or so. I know I've said this before but Boxers are super! Not only do they have angelic personalities, they're low maintenance.
Anyway, below is a pic of what my Sweetie and his injured shoulders has done for lil 'ol me:
Our new dog washing area
This spot in our home used to be the laundry area and it's also the entrance from the carport. I grew so weary of having guests walk into our home through the laundry room! So, when Sweetie tired of hand loading, he sold said equipment and it freed up an entire room which is secluded away and to the end of our home. I repainted said room. Then a dear friend moved the washer and dryer there and re-plumbed. It looks really professional now. And my laundry days are nice and quiet too having them out away from the living room. No more weaving guests past our dirty laundry into the living room. Sweeeet.
Next project: the gate electric fence opener and field fence are going to be redone down by the front entrance. This is a dream I've had for quite some time now to have our entrance look friendly and clean. I'm having black 4 rail wood fencing (like the ones on horse farms) and a walk-thru gate down by the road installed. The existing electric gate will be redone also to match. It will be painted black to match the 4 rail, the lighting rewired for the lights on the posts, etc. I'm hiring a local well known fencing company for most of this project. Even though it costs a little more, sometimes it pays to hire a professional.
Our old existing mailbox has become rotten, so, it will be dismantled and Sweetie will build a new one with flower planters on each side. It's quite involved.
Part of what the area looks like now
So stay tuned Sports Fans. I think all the 'fun' starts next week ...
I think the 'lighter side' of this is our wallets are lighter. :o) Just doing our part to keep the economy going!
As the 13th generation since the pilgrims takes control of the mightiest country alive today, America the Super Power is quietly fading away. Japan has also quietly been making itself a financial lean, mean, fighting machine. They have not experienced any of the serious Wall Street shakeups that American companies have. While our nation woos and courts the known failure of communism and the upcoming administration of unproven leadership, Japan is traveling in another direction and is experiencing strong economic turnarounds. They do not have the personal freedoms that we have in most of our States but apparently they are financially very stable.
Kenichi Watanabe
One case of their financial stability is that of Chief Executive Kenichi Watanabe, head of Japan’s biggest brokerage Nomura Holdings. He has bought the ailing Lehman Brothers for a reported $200 million. Also, happily, 8,000 of the former Lehman workers are being integrated into the Nomura workforce. An article I read in my last issue of Forbes magazine (January 12th, pages 94 & 96, “Is Wall Street Going To Teach Nomura A Lesson?”) said Mr. Watanabe is giving himself three years to stabilize things.
Stockholders, of course, want a quicker return. My fingers are crossed that it can happen at a much faster pace.
There’s also the case of Eizo Kobayashi, President and CEO of ITOCHU Corporation (page S-16 “On The Record“). ITOCHU Corporation is celebrating its 150th anniversary. They are Japan’s sogo shosha (general trading company), diverse conglomerates of business around the globe. I agree with what Mr. Kobayashi is quoted as saying in the article, “[Our] job is to develop the very best people - regardless of age, gender, race or nationality.” American companies could learn a lot from this gentleman. It’s the work that needs to be done and your work ethic that matters, not anything else. That’s the way it should be.
Part of the problem with trying to run a successful business in modern America is there is way too much government interference. If the government would just get out of the way, our economy would be more stable. The US government (both parties) by definition is anti-business, especially concerning small business. But that's another post.
And there are other financially healthy Japanese corporations profiled in this weeks magazine.
Well, if anyone can survive the next economically volatile years, it will be the Japanese. As one who watches the Stock Market daily, I find this as very encouraging news.
Maybe we should all be learning to speak Japanese?
One of my favorite newspaper cartoons that I read almost daily is Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. It's been in syndication since 1985.
The strip follows the richly imaginative adventures of a little boy named Calvin and his trusty tiger, Hobbes. The tiger is actually a stuffed toy belonging to Calvin. Whether a poignant look at serious family issues or a round of time-travel (with the aid of a well-labeled cardboard box) the two have many adventures together. I know it always brightens my day to remember how much fun it was to be a kid. C&H is a real delight to read.
Do you ever have one of those days when nothing seems to get done? When you feel like your wheels are hanging up in the air and you can't move? I'm having one of those days. I'm usually a very productive person. True, we finally had a deep tub type sink from Lowe's installed in our old laundry room but I had to pay someone to install it. This is so frustrating. We both know how to plumb, do electricals, work with wood, install phone lines, performed shade tree mechanics, etc. but because of our collective physical limitations, we must rely on others to achieve such results. [sigh] Aw well, no point in looking back. I still feel very blessed and am oh so thankful for everything.
But like I said, I wasn't getting anything done today. I've worn quite a fanny groove in my recliner nursing this &*(^% ailing neck.
Then my usually very unfunny father-in-law sent us a good e-mail.
It went thusly:
ENLIGHTENED!
I became confused when I heard these terms with reference to the word 'service'. Internal Revenue 'Service' U.S. Postal 'Service' Telephone 'Service' Cable 'Service' Civil 'Service' Customer 'Service' State, City & County Public 'Service'
This is not what I thought 'service' meant. But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to 'service' a few cows. BAM!!! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those 'service' agencies are doing to us.
Now I get it!! And I hope you are as enlightened as I am! [lol]
Now that THAT is cleared up ... you'll never think of 'service' in the same manner.
Well, maybe tomorrow will be more productive.
Perhaps the surgeon will call me about my upcoming neck surgery. Then I can go see him and make final arrangements for pain relief.
And I'm scheduled to meet with a fence guy. We're having some of the field fence that encircles our 7 acres redone, at least down by the dirt road. A post about that to follow. The new fence is gonna be so cool!
And now that you're totally bored with my doin's I'll let you go. Hey, a country girl has to have something to look forward too other than watching the caulk dry around my new sink. [grin]
Oh my goodness! Y'all have got to see this YouTube video! Sweetie shared the video below of Robbie Maddison where he achieves the impossible, jumping his motorcycle to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Las Vegas. Then he came down the same way! It's truly amazing.
December 31, 2008
Is this guy nuts or WHAT!!?
And NO I am not going to attempt this on my V-Strom! [lol]
Alrighty then, so, my bloggy friend Cynthia at Muse-Swings had one of these Personality Tests thingy's at her blog, and I just had to try one! Monkey See, Monkey Do (that's me)!
Here's my results ...
You Are Mr. Burns
Okay, so you're evil... You have big plans to rule the world, and you'll destroy it in the process if necessary! You will be remembered for: the exploitation of the masses. Life philosophy: "One dollar for eternal happiness? I'd be happier with the dollar."
Well that was enlightening! And a little troubling since I am an Accountant ... don't you think?!? [roflol] Now you'll go into work Monday and look askance at all your Bookkeepers and Comptrollers. Hmmmm .... maybe that's actually a good idea ...
Anyway, I enjoy visiting Blogthings website. It has so many funny 'tests'. And can be quite revealing.
The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren Thryothorus albinucha. Following a 2006 review[1], these are the only wrens remaining in the genus Thryothorus. T. ludovicianus is the state bird of South Carolina; its specific name ludovicianus means "from Louisiana".Wikipedia
We have a 'pet' Carolina Wren or two living at our home. This little darling sleeps on our open front porch almost every evening. I delight in its song as night falls for Carolina Wren is one of my favorites (after the Cardinal, of course!). I find this so pleasurable that I don't even care about the leavings that must be cleaned off the porch. He's keeping all those nasty bugs off our porch! Every Spring for many years now, a nesting pair have raised at least one brood in our open carport. I have purposely secured baskets on the walls to ease their yearly nesting dilemma. I want them safe and out of the reach of predators.
We have no less than four squirrel proof feeders with bird baths that encircle our home, so that no matter what time of day, one may look out and watch our little 'friends'. There are nesting boxes artfully scattered around our 7 acres for the local Bluebirds, Chickadees, Titmouse, Great Crested Flycatcher, etc. They are all such a comfort to watch and hear. We also have Purple Martins. It's always sad when they leave.
One of our all time favorite hobbies is the coastal migratory bird watching. Every January and February, we trek to the wilds of southeastern Georgia with photographic equipment and binoculars in hands to do just this. I may not get to go this year because of a persistent neck ailment.
The way in which I enjoy caring for our Georgia wildlife, reminds me how much God must enjoy caring for us, His children, if we only let Him. He loves us so much and proved it on the cross at Galilee. Most of the time, we probably don't even realize that it is His care that has protected us. I have a desiccated disk and a ruptured disk in my neck. The learned doctors my insurance company is paying good money for are discussing surgery. I know in my heart that God is laying out a path for me that I must travel if I want to be pain free. I know that all will be well, no matter what the outcome, because of Him and His care. Jesus is our refuge and the great caregiver. His feeders are never empty, He will keep me from the reach of predators and there will be a nest in which to rest when weary.
Mockingbird Nest
"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded. They shall be as nothing. They that strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and shall not find them that contend with you. They that war against you shall be as nothing." Psalm 41:10-13 KJV
I feel so blessed that our loving Lord Jesus cares for someone as insignificant as little 'ol me. And just remember, my friend, He loves you too and desires only your affection in return.
Does anyone ever visit the Blogs of Note under your Reader's List here at Blogger? I visit them occasionally to see what's recommended that month. Sometimes they recommend fun ones but mostly they're not as good as the one's I visit daily ... like y'alls. :o) They should recommend all of ours, shouldn't they?!! We're all much more fun, especially when there's a BlogLand Tour taking place.
This time Blogger did link to blog I enjoyed called Art Car Central. It's just the way it sounds: the guy collects photos and videos of unusual cars and motorcycles. It's really well done. The most interesting post to me was The Phone Car. As some may or may not know, my husband is a retired phone man with BellSouth (41 years service). I would love to have something bizarre like that to ride around in, but I have no shame. [smile] If you have a some time to kill, pop on over and give the guy a visit. It's really interesting.
Dr. "Bones" McCoy
Amberlee
