Surgery News

I finally heard from my doctor's office about my surgery. Perhaps it was the call I made today.

I have known for two weeks that my insurance has approved the gastric bypass surgery that I have been working toward for the past three months. My oriental doctor, Dr. Syn, spends a couple of weeks every December with his family in China. He told my that in my initial orientation. So, as the weeks have gone by, I have known that we were going to have to be pretty dedicated to pressing forward with the process or we would have to postpone until after the first of the year and lose our deductible. I called this morning announcing that I was invited to Florida for the Shuttle launch in Feb. and I needed to know whether to confirm. That was evidently the correct button to punch with the office staff. This afternoon they called and we are in motion for a November 30th surgery date.

Keep all fingers and toes crossed that nothing gets in the way of this!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I had a wonderful birthday which lasted all of last week. I ate out with Reed's family and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Appleby's. Then a lovely evening meal with the Bacon's at Lujan's Mexican Restaurant.

Later in the week we had a birthday meal here at home and presents. I have such a generous family. We had a great time.

Then this Monday my big present came in the mail. I LOVE my new Kindle! What a great little electronic item. I am enjoying reading more now that I am not having to hold heavy books (this is hard because of my neck pain problem). I have downloaded the scriptures and several free books. Most classics are free as well as many, many other books. It is great fun shopping for books from my bed! I never thought that would be possible.

Why it's so hard to learn English

I saw this on the net and thought I'd share. Anyone who has ever coached an elementary school student in their spelling has run into this difficulty, too. Maybe I should back off of my attitude about immigrants (legal or otherwise) learning to communicate in this country in English.

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. At the army base a bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
22. You park in a driveway, yet drive on a parkway

23. NOTE: Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.

24. Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
25. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?
26. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?
27. Why is it called "after dark" when it's really "after light"?
28. Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds?
29. Why do they call it a TV set, when you only get one?
30. How come abbreviated is such a long word?

Halloween 2009

We began our Halloween planning early last spring. You see, Halloween in our family is a "Happening" and not just one of many yearly holidays. It is an "Extravaganza" requiring many hours of careful planning and consideration.

Our considering and mulling began with ideas about our costumes. Maggie, Ellen, and I discussed many options, but our first "working plans" were settled by the beginning of summer when Ellen decided that she would like to be Moses in his Egyptian period. Maggie chimed in with Miriam, Moses' mother in her grief filled moment of placing her sweet babe in with the bulrushes at the mercy of the elements and an all knowing Heavenly Father.

By the time Halloween rolled around, plans had firmed up with Ellen as a vampire princess and Maggie as Pharaoh's wife....or "a" Pharaoh's wife...maybe Cleopatra.

I wish I had taken pictures... but, we had a wonderful seasonal activity with the younger grandchildren. The kids helped me as I took pieces of cut up wienies and we pushed several uncooked spaghetti noodles through each piece of hotdog. When we had a bowlful of them we boiled the whole mess making hotdog pieces with hair which we called "Witchie wienies" Adding spaghetti sauce made "Witchie wienies with blood" which we consumed at a family home evening along with a lovely fresh veggie plate. I think we had brownies for dessert. You had to be there to truly appreciate it. When we got home from Reed's house and reported to our at-home family the boys ( almost in unison) informed me that: "Ma, witches don't have wienies." in droll voices.

See Vicki's blog with a report on Josh's activities.

Clever

Here are some illustrations. Can you tell what their meanings are????

Just a joke

I saw this joke at Sal’s Not So Secret Ramblings. Hoh hoh, this is gooooood!

The Pope and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were on the same stage in front of a huge crowd.

The Pope said, “Did you know that with just one little wave of MY hand I can make EVERY person in the crowd go crazy with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display like that of your subjects, but will go deep into their hearts, and they will forever speak of this day and rejoice.”

Pelosi seriously doubts this, and says, “One little wave of your hand, and all people will rejoice forever?? Show me”, she said.

..so the Pope slapped her.

Hmmmmmm....

Obama??? Nobel Peace Prize??????