Yesterday morning I discovered something very disturbing. It was a rather large, scary looking place on my upper gum. I had plans to spend the day with a friend, but I managed to find time to whip out my computer and look up...yes, mouth cancer. I kept clicking on things which promised pictures, but never actually saw any. Amazingly, I was able to put it out of my mind for the day.
This morning I remembered, checked it, it was just as bad, and lo and behold, there was another place on the lower gum--not quite as bad but looked like it could be. I started through my options. I could wait until tonight and get Belinda Cole to look at it while at choir. (Belinda is my dental hygienist/friend.) I could go to her office and see if she or Dr. Mark Marchbanks would look at it. Or, I could go to Barbre Orthodontist and get someone there to check it out and make a recommendation. I opted for #3. I just showed up at Dr. Barbre's, hoping they could squeeze me in for a peek at my gum problem.
Lynett at Dr. Barbre's was so sweet to me, telling me I had come at a perfect time. She checked me in and had me sit down. Thank goodness I didn't have to wait very long, because I began to just go weak with fear about what this thing could be.
I was ushered back, and Dr. Barbre himself came to look at my problem. He asked for a probe! Now doesn't that sound scary? However, with that probe he healed me!!! He removed a very thin popcorn hull which was adhered to my gum like a contact adheres to the eye. And he didn't even crack a smile. He was so kind, assuring me that this was not the first case of gum "disease" that he had healed in this manner.
I made Lynett promise she would not tell anyone about me. Then on the way home I realized it was just too funny not to tell on myself. I actually said out loud in the car, "This is TOO funny, too embarrassingly funny!"
And, by the way, my teeth are really getting straight! It is amazing how these little trays can move teeth around--faster than I thought. I love Invisalign, but I'll be very glad when I'm finished.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Travel Perks
One of my favorite things about travel is seeing places I've been in movies, on television, or in magazines. Sometimes it's after we've visited, and sometimes I rent a movie after visiting its locale.
Some examples. After we visited the mansions in Newport, RI, I rented True Lies and Reversal of Fortune, which were filmed or had scenes filmed at two of the mansions--too lazy to look up which ones! I display a Conde Nast magazine on my antique reading stand featuring beautiful photos of Milford Sound, New Zealand, one of the most beautiful places we ever visited. The Amazing Race had a stop at Rotorua, New Zealand, at the exact place Jack and I stood to have our picture made. When I visited the set of The Mentalist at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles, I came home and began recording and watching every episode.
Well...you should have been here last Monday night while Charleigh-Girl and I were watching The Bachelorette. Emily had a one on one date with Joe. They climbed on a fabulous private jet and took off for West Virginia. As soon as I saw the town, White Sulphur Springs, I knew where they were headed.
Here it is as pictured on my TV Monday night--The Greenbrier Hotel where I spent last July 4th.
And here's the picture I took last summer:
When Emily and Joe pulled up in front of this beautiful hotel I shouted, "I've been there!" Charleigh was NOT impressed. So..would you please be impressed? I'll show you another picture or two to help.
If you don't have a private jet like Emily, it is rather difficult to get to White Sulphur Springs. This summer the railroad was actually going to start running again from Washington, D.C. to the hotel. It would really be a neat trip. So would the jet, of course. Here's what I took:
Please still be impressed, o.k.?
Some examples. After we visited the mansions in Newport, RI, I rented True Lies and Reversal of Fortune, which were filmed or had scenes filmed at two of the mansions--too lazy to look up which ones! I display a Conde Nast magazine on my antique reading stand featuring beautiful photos of Milford Sound, New Zealand, one of the most beautiful places we ever visited. The Amazing Race had a stop at Rotorua, New Zealand, at the exact place Jack and I stood to have our picture made. When I visited the set of The Mentalist at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles, I came home and began recording and watching every episode.
Well...you should have been here last Monday night while Charleigh-Girl and I were watching The Bachelorette. Emily had a one on one date with Joe. They climbed on a fabulous private jet and took off for West Virginia. As soon as I saw the town, White Sulphur Springs, I knew where they were headed.
Here it is as pictured on my TV Monday night--The Greenbrier Hotel where I spent last July 4th.
And here's the picture I took last summer:
When Emily and Joe pulled up in front of this beautiful hotel I shouted, "I've been there!" Charleigh was NOT impressed. So..would you please be impressed? I'll show you another picture or two to help.
If you don't have a private jet like Emily, it is rather difficult to get to White Sulphur Springs. This summer the railroad was actually going to start running again from Washington, D.C. to the hotel. It would really be a neat trip. So would the jet, of course. Here's what I took:
Please still be impressed, o.k.?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Another Memorable Adventure
I'm home from UIL OAP in Austin. You don't know what that is? Well...it's University Interscholastic League One Act Play competition. (I certainly hope that I, Miss Smarty Pants, got all that right!)
For anyone out there who might have been able to miss hearing the details of this event from me, here they are. For the second year in a row Martin High School has advanced to the state finals with their one act play. Both years Madeline has had a leading role. Both years the groupie grannies (Shirley and I) have traveled to Austin to share in the excitement. It was especially exciting to us that we had "fan" shirts this year. Here I am waiting outside Bass Hall on the University of Texas campus:
All of us thought they would win last year. They didn't. This year we all KNEW they were going to win. Each and every member of the cast was spot on perfect. Best performance EVER. I wasn't even nervous because they were hands down so much better than the other 7 schools.
They were the lst runners up. I don't know what to say, except that the majority of the audience appeared to agree with me. They got probably 10 times more audience response than any other play. The place seemed mesmerized for 40 minutes as our kids enacted a script that was heavy, emotional, physically demanding, complicated (but clear), and sometimes very funny. They received tremendous laughs, and one huge "Ohhhh," when it was announced that "Little Charles is Ivy's brother, not her first cousin." (You would just have to have been there!)
Now this event lasts for HOURS. The first play started at 4:00, and there were eight! Each lasts 40 minutes--not one second over or it is disqualified. Then there's the presentation of awards, with many behind-the-scenes categories presented first. There are signs up which say "No food or drink allowed in auditorium," but of necessity we packed pounds of snacks in our bags! On the walk from the parking garage to the auditorium, Susannah insisted that Nanny and I give her our bags to carry. Actually at the time I was grousing about mine and wishing I had brought wheels for it (the biggest one), cause it weighed A LOT. Hers, the one on her right shoulder, had 3 bottles of water in it! She's in her matching shirt but has her jacket and Nanny's over her shoulders. So here she is, our little pack mule:
Madeline (Barbara) won a place in the All Star cast (one of 8), as did Taylor Whitworth (Violet.) Courtney Balke (Mattie Fae) won a place in the honorable mention All Star cast. I'm giving you their names because their play, August Osage County, is being released in movie form. Julia Robers will be Barbara, and Meryl Streep will be Violet.
We got to stay at Hardin House, where Madeline is going to live. A portion of the rooms are converted into "bed and breakfast" type accommodations in the summer. It was lovely. We even had eggs benedict for breakfast this morning. Hardin House is Madeline's kind of place. She loves vintage everything. This place is vintage. It was built in the same year I was born!
Yes, a lid to my water bottle from yesterday was stuck in one lens. Couldn't have done that on purpose for a million dollars.
Off to get ready for the senior awards program. I may have an empty nest, but I still have a full schedule! And I love it!
For anyone out there who might have been able to miss hearing the details of this event from me, here they are. For the second year in a row Martin High School has advanced to the state finals with their one act play. Both years Madeline has had a leading role. Both years the groupie grannies (Shirley and I) have traveled to Austin to share in the excitement. It was especially exciting to us that we had "fan" shirts this year. Here I am waiting outside Bass Hall on the University of Texas campus:
They were the lst runners up. I don't know what to say, except that the majority of the audience appeared to agree with me. They got probably 10 times more audience response than any other play. The place seemed mesmerized for 40 minutes as our kids enacted a script that was heavy, emotional, physically demanding, complicated (but clear), and sometimes very funny. They received tremendous laughs, and one huge "Ohhhh," when it was announced that "Little Charles is Ivy's brother, not her first cousin." (You would just have to have been there!)
Now this event lasts for HOURS. The first play started at 4:00, and there were eight! Each lasts 40 minutes--not one second over or it is disqualified. Then there's the presentation of awards, with many behind-the-scenes categories presented first. There are signs up which say "No food or drink allowed in auditorium," but of necessity we packed pounds of snacks in our bags! On the walk from the parking garage to the auditorium, Susannah insisted that Nanny and I give her our bags to carry. Actually at the time I was grousing about mine and wishing I had brought wheels for it (the biggest one), cause it weighed A LOT. Hers, the one on her right shoulder, had 3 bottles of water in it! She's in her matching shirt but has her jacket and Nanny's over her shoulders. So here she is, our little pack mule:
Madeline (Barbara) won a place in the All Star cast (one of 8), as did Taylor Whitworth (Violet.) Courtney Balke (Mattie Fae) won a place in the honorable mention All Star cast. I'm giving you their names because their play, August Osage County, is being released in movie form. Julia Robers will be Barbara, and Meryl Streep will be Violet.
We got to stay at Hardin House, where Madeline is going to live. A portion of the rooms are converted into "bed and breakfast" type accommodations in the summer. It was lovely. We even had eggs benedict for breakfast this morning. Hardin House is Madeline's kind of place. She loves vintage everything. This place is vintage. It was built in the same year I was born!
It is also Madeline's parents' type of place. The sign is hard to read, but it says, "No male visitors
beyond this point!"
Shirley and I got to tag along with Rob, Susan, and Susannah. It was so nice not to have to drive and park. From my comfy back seat I pulled out my sunglasses this morning and put them on. Imagine my surprise at the view they provided:
Yes, a lid to my water bottle from yesterday was stuck in one lens. Couldn't have done that on purpose for a million dollars.
Off to get ready for the senior awards program. I may have an empty nest, but I still have a full schedule! And I love it!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I've been thinking...
My life now is very different from the majority of my years spent as a mother and wife. Something about it impresses me every morning--the sameness of routine.
I groggily get up, make my way to the kitchen with Charleigh-Girl close behind, get a bottle of water and start drinking it, get her bowl, measure out her food, try to get it on the floor before she knocks it out of my hand, turn off the outside lights and the alarm, turn on the coffee maker, and let C-G outside. Every morning. Exactly the same. I'm not only on a fixed income, I'm on a fixed routine.
What impresses me about this is that it lets me know how quickly the remainder of my life on this earth is passing by. I no more than turn around and I'm performing that routine again. Only a weirdo like me would figure something like this out, but...if my life were a clock, and if I were to live 100 years, it's 45 minutes past the hour! Or, if it were a football game, I'm in the last quarter!
There are sooo many great things about this stage in my life. I am blessed with health. I am blessed with freedom. I am blessed with the most wonderful of families. I am physically responsible only for myself and my canine companion. Actually, I am blessed in about one million ways. But...the greatest blessing of all is this:
"When I've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun...
I've no less days to sing God's praise...than when I first begun."
Yes, I'm not really in the last quarter hour or the last quarter of the game. I'm living a life which will never end. I have a mansion in glory. And what did I do to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. I placed my trust and my life in the hands of Jesus who died that I might be forgiven my sins and live forever in the presence of God. I am blessed most by amazing grace--God's unmerited favor.
I groggily get up, make my way to the kitchen with Charleigh-Girl close behind, get a bottle of water and start drinking it, get her bowl, measure out her food, try to get it on the floor before she knocks it out of my hand, turn off the outside lights and the alarm, turn on the coffee maker, and let C-G outside. Every morning. Exactly the same. I'm not only on a fixed income, I'm on a fixed routine.
What impresses me about this is that it lets me know how quickly the remainder of my life on this earth is passing by. I no more than turn around and I'm performing that routine again. Only a weirdo like me would figure something like this out, but...if my life were a clock, and if I were to live 100 years, it's 45 minutes past the hour! Or, if it were a football game, I'm in the last quarter!
There are sooo many great things about this stage in my life. I am blessed with health. I am blessed with freedom. I am blessed with the most wonderful of families. I am physically responsible only for myself and my canine companion. Actually, I am blessed in about one million ways. But...the greatest blessing of all is this:
"When I've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun...
I've no less days to sing God's praise...than when I first begun."
Yes, I'm not really in the last quarter hour or the last quarter of the game. I'm living a life which will never end. I have a mansion in glory. And what did I do to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. I placed my trust and my life in the hands of Jesus who died that I might be forgiven my sins and live forever in the presence of God. I am blessed most by amazing grace--God's unmerited favor.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Another April 10th
Before Jack passed away, I was an expert on grieving--at least my own. I told everyone that I had had ten years to prepare. I very genuinely appreciated all the beautiful cards and words of comfort I received, but I turned down any offers of support groups or anything of the sort because I was going to be fine. It's been two years today, and I think I'm still not exactly fine.
If you're on Facebook you may have seen Susan's beautiful post yesterday--a rather bad day for me. I really clung to the precious encouragement she gave me, as well as to the responses of so many treasured friends.
I remembered this morning that I am doing better this year than last. I didn't go to sleep last year until after 2:00 A.M., the time he breathed his last breath. I still was surprised that this feeling of sadness has been creeping up on me for several days. Actually, I had listened to a song on my iPod a while back and foolishly thought I would be able to post it as applying to me on this anniversary:
Sometimes a day goes by, one whole entire day, when I don't think of him
Twenty four hours pass, I look around and find...that I haven't thought of him
Not even when I'm somewhere we used to go, not even if there's someone we used to know
It's hardly every day, it's most unusual, in fact, I can't remember when, but
Sometimes a day goes by that I don't think of him, til morning comes and then...
There he is again.
Forgetting Jack for a whole day? This is not happening, oh grief expert that I am! I can't believe I ever thought it would. We were together every day for 52 years. He was and is an integral part of everything that is important to me! The good memories surround me. I think of him many times every day.
I read a great book this year called Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The major was a widower, and I underlined something said about his grief which impressed me. "It surprised him that his grief was sharper than in the past few days. He had forgotten that grief does not decline in a straight line or along a slow curve like a graph in a child's math book." I think that sort of decline is exactly what I was expecting.
God just placed a scripture in my mind as I was writing this. It is Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
If you're on Facebook you may have seen Susan's beautiful post yesterday--a rather bad day for me. I really clung to the precious encouragement she gave me, as well as to the responses of so many treasured friends.
I remembered this morning that I am doing better this year than last. I didn't go to sleep last year until after 2:00 A.M., the time he breathed his last breath. I still was surprised that this feeling of sadness has been creeping up on me for several days. Actually, I had listened to a song on my iPod a while back and foolishly thought I would be able to post it as applying to me on this anniversary:
Sometimes a day goes by, one whole entire day, when I don't think of him
Twenty four hours pass, I look around and find...that I haven't thought of him
Not even when I'm somewhere we used to go, not even if there's someone we used to know
It's hardly every day, it's most unusual, in fact, I can't remember when, but
Sometimes a day goes by that I don't think of him, til morning comes and then...
There he is again.
Forgetting Jack for a whole day? This is not happening, oh grief expert that I am! I can't believe I ever thought it would. We were together every day for 52 years. He was and is an integral part of everything that is important to me! The good memories surround me. I think of him many times every day.
I read a great book this year called Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The major was a widower, and I underlined something said about his grief which impressed me. "It surprised him that his grief was sharper than in the past few days. He had forgotten that grief does not decline in a straight line or along a slow curve like a graph in a child's math book." I think that sort of decline is exactly what I was expecting.
God just placed a scripture in my mind as I was writing this. It is Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
Friday, March 30, 2012
Charleigh-Girl's Trip to the Salon!
Friday is always hair-do day for me. Today it was for Charleigh-Girl too. She went to The Pines Pet Pampering to get beautified. Now the Pines is miles away in Joshua, but her highness must have the best.
She very willingly went in the front door, but once she realized I was not staying, she changed her mind. Here she is, however, looking pretty content in her "waiting room." (All photos were graciously taken by the groomers.)
Now here she is being de-shedded. As you can imagine, Charleigh-Girl sheds profusely!
As she gets situated for the bath, I can't tell what this look is. A yawn? One of her lopsided smiles? Seriously, she smiles at me. I have witnesses. At any rate, she looks very relaxed!
Here she goes--rub-a-dub-dub!
I actually have this same pose of Maddie and Susie!
And this one--in her Turbi-Twist!! Isn't she adorable?
After blow-drying it was time to pick the girl up. When I arrived, there was no one at the front desk. I had to open the front door several times before the young man on duty heard the buzzer and knew I was there. When I said the first word to him, Charleigh-Girl began barking from back in the recesses! She couldn't see me but recognized my voice--from quite a distance. So here she is in "her" car (Jack's Navigator) all clean and fluffy and ready to go home!
And here she is ready for Easter dinner!
This is where she headed when we got home. From the time we got C-G I have insisted this be referred to as her "palace." I've only recently realized that she actually likes it, even though various people and family members tried to convince me that she would.
A day of beauty can be exhausting!
She very willingly went in the front door, but once she realized I was not staying, she changed her mind. Here she is, however, looking pretty content in her "waiting room." (All photos were graciously taken by the groomers.)
Now here she is being de-shedded. As you can imagine, Charleigh-Girl sheds profusely!
As she gets situated for the bath, I can't tell what this look is. A yawn? One of her lopsided smiles? Seriously, she smiles at me. I have witnesses. At any rate, she looks very relaxed!
Here she goes--rub-a-dub-dub!
I actually have this same pose of Maddie and Susie!
And this one--in her Turbi-Twist!! Isn't she adorable?
After blow-drying it was time to pick the girl up. When I arrived, there was no one at the front desk. I had to open the front door several times before the young man on duty heard the buzzer and knew I was there. When I said the first word to him, Charleigh-Girl began barking from back in the recesses! She couldn't see me but recognized my voice--from quite a distance. So here she is in "her" car (Jack's Navigator) all clean and fluffy and ready to go home!
And here she is ready for Easter dinner!
This is where she headed when we got home. From the time we got C-G I have insisted this be referred to as her "palace." I've only recently realized that she actually likes it, even though various people and family members tried to convince me that she would.
A day of beauty can be exhausting!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Untitled Hymn
It was Wednesday--choir rehearsal night--several weeks ago. We got out music for the first time for an "Untitled Hymn." The minute we started singing I got all excited! (Can you imagine? Me...excited?!!) I had placed this song on my iPod several years ago. I still remember the first time I heard it. I was at Grubbs Infiniti getting an oil change. Grubbs is a Christian owned company which plays Christian music on their waiting room speakers. The receptionist helped me figure out what it was.
I loved this song for the beauty of its melody and words. However, when Jim Parks, our minister of music, asked what the song was really saying, I couldn't answer. Jim walked us through the words very thoughtfully. He showed us the progression of the verses with profound insight.
It begins with a person who does not know Jesus.
Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die; O, raise your head for love (Jesus) is passin' by.
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live!
Then that person meets and embraces Jesus.
Now your burden's lifted and carried far away, and precious blood has washed away the stain.
So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live!
That person then begins a walk with Jesus, not being afraid to start as a child, with small steps.
Like a newborn baby, don't be afraid to crawl. And remember when you walk sometimes you fall.
So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus and live!
I can particularly identify with this verse, as can many of you--a time of troubles.
Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain, so if your sky is dark and pours the rain,
Then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live!
And right now praise the Lord, I can heartily identify with this--immeasurable joy!
And when the love spills over, and music fills the night, and when you can't contain your joy inside,
Then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus and live!
Because of this verse, I may have to add this to the songs I wish to be sung at my funeral.
And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye, then go in peace and laugh on Glory's side.
And fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live!
Now that I understand this song as the story of a weak and wounded sinner who comes to Jesus, lives for Jesus, and will live eternally with Jesus, I love it even more--if that is possible! Come to Fielder Church this Sunday morning and hear me and almost a hundred others sing this with all our hearts and souls. I will be feeling like I'm flying straight to Jesus! Services are at 9:30 and 11:00.
By the way--it is listed on my iPod as "Untitled Hymn," but I think it can be found as "Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice on iTunes.
I loved this song for the beauty of its melody and words. However, when Jim Parks, our minister of music, asked what the song was really saying, I couldn't answer. Jim walked us through the words very thoughtfully. He showed us the progression of the verses with profound insight.
It begins with a person who does not know Jesus.
Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die; O, raise your head for love (Jesus) is passin' by.
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live!
Then that person meets and embraces Jesus.
Now your burden's lifted and carried far away, and precious blood has washed away the stain.
So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live!
That person then begins a walk with Jesus, not being afraid to start as a child, with small steps.
Like a newborn baby, don't be afraid to crawl. And remember when you walk sometimes you fall.
So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus and live!
I can particularly identify with this verse, as can many of you--a time of troubles.
Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain, so if your sky is dark and pours the rain,
Then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live!
And right now praise the Lord, I can heartily identify with this--immeasurable joy!
And when the love spills over, and music fills the night, and when you can't contain your joy inside,
Then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus and live!
Because of this verse, I may have to add this to the songs I wish to be sung at my funeral.
And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye, then go in peace and laugh on Glory's side.
And fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live!
Now that I understand this song as the story of a weak and wounded sinner who comes to Jesus, lives for Jesus, and will live eternally with Jesus, I love it even more--if that is possible! Come to Fielder Church this Sunday morning and hear me and almost a hundred others sing this with all our hearts and souls. I will be feeling like I'm flying straight to Jesus! Services are at 9:30 and 11:00.
By the way--it is listed on my iPod as "Untitled Hymn," but I think it can be found as "Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice on iTunes.
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