more prayers are needed...

doing Christmas Is A Child, God has led me to many things and many people...

encouragingly brave, strong and soulful people...

who have been walking through their trials here below...

I want to share this one story with you...

a mother called me last week...

was it ok for her to come to get toys for her daughters?

oh, yes, I said...

a couple of others had mentioned her name to me...

she was born with her skull being too small...

the pressure is intense...

the pain...

she just got back home, to her mother's home, the first of the week...

surgery in Chicago...

to remove part of the skull and to work on the vertebra in her neck...

her boyfriend, by her side...

holding her hand, taking care of her...

yesterday afternoon, he was deer hunting...

he fell 15 foot out of the stand...

laid there for hours, but another hunter found him...

lifeline copter flew him out of there...

broke his back, ribs and wrist...

the doctor says he will never walk again...

there are several vertebra involved, in the T section, so that's lower...

there are surgeries to go through...

she cannot be by his side...

she is still recovering from her surgery...

she was supposed to meet us up there today to get gifts for her 2 girls...

I told her we will take care of it...

I have an elf who knows her and her kids...

she will do the picking for her...

she is a child of the king...

during her hospitalizations, she has been ministering to others...

she has fed the hungry from her own hospital tray, sending food down to those on the streets...

she is heart broken and weary...

she needs prayers for her healing and his...

and for peace in her soul...

for her tears are full of pain...

physical pain is one thing, but soul pain is so much more...

its the soul pain she needs prayer for the most...

she is trying to lean on Him...

she is learning to trust Him more and more as each day unfolds... 

He has great plans for this one...

there is a reason, its not in vain...

and God will see her through it all and bring her out the other side...

stronger, better and more faithful...

he is molding her...

to expand His kingdom...

prayers from us, lift up those who are crawling...
her name is Lori...

lift her up...

lift him up...

to Him the glory forever and ever, amen...

Tori...

keep Tori in your thoughts and prays...

they are doing her amputation this morning...

they had a scare with her PetScan last week...

found 2 more spots on the lungs...

but they weren't cancer...

they did a biopsy Monday...

so they went ahead with her amputation plans...

taking her foot, ankle and part of the shin...

her grandpa is home now and doing well...

2 tumors, prostate...

but they are doing radiation and hormone shots...

and that should take care of that...

so, this family is facing some really trying times...

their faith is being tested...

prayers for all of those facing life choices and those who have to sit and watch a child in a hospital bed...

Tori right before surgery...

back home again, lickety split...

well, what a day...

started off with a head full of stuff and a head ache...

got that nipped in the bud and then this afternoon...

it was off to the doctor again...

got meds for this cold and ear infection...

got to be cleared up by the 11th...

got a Z pack and a shot in the butt...

cuz I have my surgery scheduled for the 11th!

gall bladder out and hernia fixed...

got a call from the cardiologist office yesterday and the sweetest little lady went through it all with me on the phone...

I am good to go...

wanted to know what sports I played...

hee hee...

I have no damage at all, and what they thought might have been a previous heart attack was a big NO...

so...

between all the calls and visits to the doctors...

CHRISTMAS IS A CHILD has been marching on...

and toys and money are coming in...

wrapping paper and tape, too...

looks like we will be good to go...

and I have secured an amazing shopper elf who will be taking the cash donations and filling in all the holes...

she will do that Friday after work...

so, that night, there will be a mad dash, when she gets back, to get her unloaded...

and tomorrow, Craig is picking up all the donation cans and boxes...

got a gal running the change to the bank to cash it in...

and we will be open for business beginning Saturday afternoon...

but supper time Sunday, it will all be over and clean up done...

Craig can turn the key back into city hall on Monday and another year will be under the belt...

so, HO HO HO to all of you...

and remember those who might not have something under the tree...

or a roof over their head or full tummys...

its time to step it up!

today...

got the living room cleaned and moved the furniture around...

then out came the tree...

and one snowman...

so far, that's it...

I am sure more boxes will be sneaking out over the next week to find a place to sit...

so, do you have your tree up yet????

I still have the one to go in the kitchen, but not over doing it in case they want to over haul me this week...

then, I can sit and order the guys around...

just like I did this morning...

no football until it was done...

they worked pretty darn good...

I will have to remember that...

elfing it...

how we will spend our spare time until the 1st of the month...

today we went up to the Columbian Building and washed off the tables...

sorted what toys we do have...

we used to have several programs in town...

all giving out gifts a couple of days before Christmas...

but the names on the Angel Tree weren't always far to siblings...

and you never knew what your child was getting or if they already had it or not...

so, I prayed about this and thought long and hard on how I would want it to be if I were in their shoes...

so for everyone involved, it has to be fun...

and for it to be fun, you have to let everyone do what they like to do...

donations are easy...

we take money...

and toys, brand new toys that do not need batteries...

so, you are allowed to buy whatever you want in whatever age group you want...

from a box of crayons to a bicycle...

its up to you...

us goofy elves then take it all and sort it out...

we have 3 sections...

high priced, medium and low...

then the parents get to come and pick out 2 toys from each section...

because the parents are the ones who know what the child likes and what they already have...

cuz its just not fun getting things you already got...

or getting a toy for the wrong age or sex...

we have shopper elves that take the parents around helps them shop for each child...

handing toys off to wrapper elves to gift wrap and name tag each gift...

we even have elves who carry out the items...

and we also deliver...

you have to live in our district and the child must live with you...

if you need help, all you have to do is come in...

this is not a hand out by any means...

its a hand up...

the city lets us use the community building for free...

the newspaper prints all our news for free...

the businesses allow us to put donation cans and boxes in...

and our school helps us out, too...

it takes everyone of us in these 4 little towns to make this work...

together, we make sure no child wakes to nothing under the tree on Christmas morning...

we never get to see the faces of the children on Christmas morning...

but we know they are there...

and we get plenty of hugs from the parents...

there are tears, relief and the most wonderful feeling you can ever feel this side of Heaven when you hug each and every one of them...

its up to each and every one of us to make a difference...

so, how are you elfing it this season?

Christmas Is A Child...

is a program I helped create a few years ago here in town...

a program that finds little arms for new toys at Christmas...

our goal: that no child wakes to nothing under the tree on Christmas morning...

this year, my son took over role as lead elf...

distribution is scheduled for the 1st and 2nd of December, with the deadline for donations on the 29th of this month...

donations are slow coming this year...

money is short...

it is christian based and done by faith...

we always have what we need, when we need it...

because a child does not need reality every minute of the day...

they still need to dream and wish and believe in something beyond their scope...

if you have a local program that gives a hand up during the holidays...

and you are able...

pitch in...

you never know what wish you may be granting...

what dream, fulfilled...

what cherished memory, made...

remember those children who have no food, warm clothing, toys from Santa...

God can always use earthbond angels to answer prayers...

Happy Thanksgiving!

may God bless and keep you and yours safe this holiday...

and may you find everything you need in the ones around your table...

thankfulness is catchy...

so spread it around...

I am thankful for many things...

and that includes you...

saw the cardiologist today and the initial check went great...

had to do an echo cardio thingy...

waiting on those results...

if that's good- I get that stinky old gall bladder out!

we didn't get anything done today...

so will be cooking all day tomorrow...

probably won't have time to get on here too much...

so have a great day and enjoy it...

a sunny Sunday...

still have roses blooming...

despite the frosts in the mornings...

might even put some on the table for Thanksgiving...

sedum has the "fall" look to it and soon the snow will fly and cover it over...

Snuggles is out and about...

climbing trees, chasing leaves and bugs...

our plans for this next week are still in limbo...

should know more tomorrow after the phone call...

just ready to get this all done and over...

got some really good news about Zigs and Lazarus last night...

they have been at PetSmart in Mattoon for awhile...

and they have been adopted, by the same couple, so they will be together forever...

the only thing is is that these people are moving...

and I am going to kitty sit for anywhere from 2-4 weeks while they get moved...

and then they get their furever home for real...

they are signing the adoption papers tomorrow and paying all the fees...

so, just need to find out what they are going to name them and start using their new names so when they get to go home, they will know who they are...

if all goes well, they will be back here sometime tomorrow...

I had photos of the new babies last night, but they didn't come out...

little buggers moved too fast...

so I will try again today...

stay tuned for cuteness...

I need prayer...

I know you all can do this...

doctor called...

have to go in...

EKG not right...

they want it checked by a cardio dr before surgery...

called Steve and he's on his way home and then we will leave...

got my bag packed...

don't think I will be home tonight...

keep us all in your prayers...

gall bladder attack happening on top of it...

which, is what is causing it I'm sure...

too much pressure and crowding in the chest cavity...

keep praying...

Craig will keep you posted...

OMGosh! Its brrrrrr out there!

well, if you have been listening in this past weekend...

you know we were in the 70s the last couple days...

welp...

not anymore...

ok, so it doesn't really look like this...

but it FEELS like this...

ok, ok...

so it really looks like this out there...

and this...

but its 3 pm and we still have ice on the steps...

but the roses are still blooming...

and budding...

this is one tough cookie, let me tell you...

and I have one die hard snap dragon keeping up...

so maybe the 30 degree drop in temperature has something to do with this...

I stuck ONE little Christmas thing out this weekend...

or maybe its because I got this for Craig at Walmart on Saturday...

his new official cookie dunkin' cup...

whatever happened, it feels like frozen tundra in my neck of the woods...

but we did get the outside work done for the winter...

so that's cool...

the guys can put up the lights and stuff while I watch from inside...

but that will be later on...

DH seems to wait for a blizzard to do it in...

we did have a chance of snow mixed in with the rain last night...

so I pulled the curtains closed and refused to watch...

if you're scoopin' snow...

I'm sorry...

if you're sun bathin'...

I don't want to know...

Have a good one!

Craig's getting ready to head to Champaign for an Illini basket ball game with one of MY friends...

and DH is in PT right now and should be home before long...

a nice quiet night...

I think...

so I might be back in here to poke fun at you...

if you've been good, you can look- if not, well....

did you know that they make a sock monkey for ALMOST every occasion???

me either!

until we were shopping in Walmart yesterday...

guess who's going to the hospital with me?

won't Stever look funny holding him in the waiting room?

LOL

I so love revenge...

he's been telling everyone that they are deflating the POP N FRESH DOUGHBOY on the 21st....

didn't know he was so bad, did you?

ok, while we were at the clinic/ hospital on Friday the volunteer guild had a little Christmas shoppe going on...

yeah, I went shopping, even sick I can do pretty good...

and I bought this little angel for me...

she is call 'HAPPINESS'...

reminds me that no matter what, that's one thing no one can take from you...

you may give it away or let it go...

but you have the power on whether you have it or not...

I have chosen to keep mine...

in the last few weeks, events have unfolded that will change the rest of my life forever, either way it goes...

the doctors I had 15 years ago should have taken this fool thing out way back then...

but why didn't they?

HMO?

or was it God's timing?

of course its God's timing, sillies...

He has led me to where I need to be...

to the surgeon, doctor and staff there that will take care of this...

the ones who are the best care givers I have ever had, ever...

their compassion for my pain, my life and my well being is nothing like what I have had in the past...

they are working with me and not against me...

I have not had to beg for help...

not one time...

not from them...

15 years gone?

no...

15 years of being molded into the person you know today...

15 years of being crafted into something greater than what I was...

15 years...

Mosses waited 40 before being delivered from the wilderness...

yeah, if you are somewhere you don't like...

hang on...

and learn what you need to learn there...

you can't move on until you do...

and anyone, in any situation...

can either be a blessing or a curse to others...

I hope I have been the blessing to you...

you know, the best part about it?

I'm not finished yet...

not until I leave here...

and when it comes my time...

nothing here will hold me back...

I will soar!

Love you guys!

its a beautiful day here!

in the 70s!!!!!

having a fantastic day...

went to Walmart this morning for groceries and some Christmas lights...

you do know that is coming up...

got most of what we need for Thanksgiving dinner, too...

I did good, stopped at McDonald's and got a plain fish sandwich and that did just fine...

made a few more small stops and headed for home to put it all away...

rested about 20 minutes and then we went out to take down the Halloween...

store the totes, cushions in the shed...

furniture put up for the winter...

just the typical get ready for the snow thing...

still doing good and need to grab something for supper soon...

did not have the camera in my hand at all, so there's no fun photos today...

but I did get something cute at Walmart and I will show you tomorrow if you're good!

Have a great night!

another update...

Surgery is set for the 21st...

gall bladder is coming out...

stones...

spent the whole day there seeing doctors and having tests done...

now, I am tired and sore and heading for bed...

thank you so much for remembering me in your prayers and for praying for the whole family, too...

will let you know how things go when the time comes, but I should be back to regular blogging tomorrow with some really cool stuff!

promise...

ER update...

I want to thank you all for all the prayers going on my behalf...

as you can guess, they didn't keep me, which was ok by me, hate being there...

but we did get a blood test while this was going on...

and it showed very high liver counts, which I told them it was malfunctioning, so know they know for sure...

have to follow up with my doctor this morning...

I will call as soon as they open up...

this spell was the worst one yet and I hope there are no more...

but probably won't get that lucky...

I hope they xray my back and find out what's going on with the pinched nerves there...

I do not do good with meds and refused nausea meds in the ambulance...

which was a good thing...

because they gave them to me in the ER...

and my nurse was super great...

I asked for half a dose...

and she only gave me half with no problems with that...

before she got out of the room, I had an allergic reaction...

she had put it in the IV and my forearm started burning and turned a blotchy red so fast...

then it welted up, she hollered down the hall for the er doctor and he was right there...

I got a half a dose of benedryl for it...

there were more meds over there to be given, and I passed on the pain killers and told her I could handle it...

didn't want another reaction to anything else...

so no pain meds, and it eased up and BP and everything went back to normal...

could the blood and urine tests back, so they sent me home...

I came home, got sick again, had to hit the shower...

crawled into bed and was back up at 3am...

finally got some baked chicken down and some 7up...

so I am on my way back to bed...

will feed the babies on the way so we are on the same schedule...

I will let you know what the doctor says...

BIG HUGS!

The ER

This is Tete's son, Craig with this post. Mom was taken by ambulance to the ER for what we believe is to be a pinch nerve in her back. It's located in the spot that controls her gall bladder and she had a nasty spell today. We're praying that the doctors are able to fix what is wrong.

changing it up...

re-did the mantle today...

not much to do...

just pulled the halloween and put out the turkey...

I have had this bittersweet for several years now...

I have no idea how long it will last...

and Craig and I got 3 donation boxes wrapped and ready to go...

before I pupt out...

he dropped these off and the one for the school for the kids to donate hats and gloves...

check out the polling place, and he said there was no way he could get me close to it...

he had to park on the square and walk...

so with the rain and a fever, they thought it was best for me to stay home...

they were digging up the street in front of the polling place...

must have been a water line break...

so it left parking to a minimum to say the least...

not a good day for that to happen...

but Steve was excited about being the 499th voter in our little town of 1000...

and Craig went up after him...

that's pretty good for us...

I am going to go back to voting absentee like I have done in the past...

just in case something comes up to where I can't get up there again...

I was just so sure I could do it this time...

just didn't count on getting sick...

the road tore up...

and the rain...

meet the babies...

this is Elmer...

he had a bath...

pre poof here...

half poof...

full poof...

do you think he will grow into his whiskers?

and Stevie...

a little girl...

who is now wearing a cone...

because we put the babies back together...

and she won't leave Elmer alone...

and we had hail yesterday mid morning...

when it first started, I thought we might have a squirrel on the roof, but soon enough, it hit hard all over...

moved some things around this past week...

and added a few forgotten things...

going to be a couple weeks of changes around here...

putting up the halloween and fall things...

getting ready for the Christmas invasion...

trees and nutcrackers...

snowmen and angels...

lights and bling...

without glitter, I might add...

and so it goes...

from one season to the next...

birds and roses...

got to fill the feeder again...

poor birds had to wait on a perch to eat...

and can you believe roses in November?  

awesome!

its not the same around here...

just not the same...

3 babies left here yesterday at noon...

and its just too quiet now!

no crashes...

no galloping...

no oops...

no saying no all the time...

its just not right...

hope they get adopted...

will know on Saturday...

well, I think I will take a nap with all this silence...

making plans for demoing the halloween decor on Saturday...

looks like DH is out of harvest mode and off the overtime...

and so far, he's got 2 whole days off this time...

gona put that man to work!

Have a great day...

keep praying for the ones effected by Sandy and all the weather since...

doesn't look good in some areas at all...

and don't forget to give a smile away today...

someone might have misplaced theirs...