6/29/04 gearing up

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

gearing up

Can't wait to see all that our journal community will come up with to celebrate the 1st year anniversary. I have come up with a couple of haiku's and have sent them on to Mumsy. I have given my permission to copy, quote, steal anything from journal that might be useful to whoever is interested. I keep checking the journals and the boards to keep on top of the action. Getting more and more excited!

I took John Scalzi's advice regarding the net browser, and downloaded Mozilla Firefox, and love it so far. It does seem faster than IE for some reason. I sign onto AOL, then sign onto Firefox and do my web surfing from there. At the present time I am putting my favorite places on there. I am trying this entry by way of Firefox also. Will see what it does.

Went to see S yesterday after work. She continues to do well. Got a call from her psychiatrist on Friday evening, Dr. A, he wanted my permission to try her on another memory drug. He and I discussed the fact that her memory is very good, and what was he hoping to accomplish. His thoughts, that they would assist her with her learning new things now, and remembering them. I asked, what is she not remembering? His response: well, the nurses state she wont call them when she wants to get into and out of bed, and many times they find her on the commmode without calling them. I reminded him that she is almost blind, and that she does go to the nurses station to ask for assistance with the commode, but many times cannot find someone to assist her. She is not incontinent, and will take herself in there rather than soiling herself. Also, she is a nervous type person, used to moving a lot, she is used to getting up and down off the bed and into her wheelchair when she wants. She is transfering safely, and there is no reason for them to try to keep her in one place. He did agree with me, and we will wait on the medications for a while to see how things progress with her. I reminded him that she is very sensitive to medications with a long list of allergies, and that if it is not absolutely necessary, I would rather not puther on meds. At the end of our conversation, he concured with me. (Thank God!)

I never thought of what it would mean to take power of attorney/health care surrogate for someone before, especially when they are not even related. At times I think it is way more responsibility than I can handle, but at the end of the day, I know that I am doing my best with S's needs. She is so appreciative of all that I do, and that helps. She trusts me to do what she would want done, and many times apologizes for the inconviences to me. My response: S...when you get to heaven and look back down, send someone to take care of me with my interests in their heart. That will be payment enough for me.


lab2401 at 11:46:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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{{{{{Auntie Lynn}}}}} I'm new to your journals and have fallen in love with your graphics which I've recently seen in other journals as well as here in yours now. I'd like to thank you very much for displaying the torch and helping light the way to the AOL Journals 1st Anniversary Festivities.

You have the spirit and thank you for spreading it!

Vivian (aka JlandAnniversary AKA VivianSulliNwank)
Comment from jlandanniversary - 7/2/04 9:03 PM

Thanks for this allowance of using your "stuff!" We included your banner in our regular journal entry today ... Just seems to fit our sparkly mood with all that is going around in L-land! Love too your picture of a very happy niece ... Very precious! Thanks again for being such a good sharerer. You'd make your kindergarten teacher proud!

http://journals.aol.com/aynetal3/AynsMPDWorld/entries/557
Comment from aynetal3 - 7/2/04 2:21 PM

omg, I like the new birthday party graphic just as well. I'm tellin' the powers that be.
Comment from haikulike - 7/2/04 2:11 PM

cool, cool-- I still say this is the best graphic. I'm not waitin' any longer to see if all those supposed graphic artists come up with one. this is MY fave!
Your peacock poem is up in the #2 journal! <<== thanks so much!! 'kumumsy, hai'leigh Comment from haikulike - 7/1/04 10:52 AM

You`re doing a wonderful job! I know God thanks you.
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/29/04 11:56 AM

6/25/04 the world's loss

Friday, June 25, 2004

the world's loss

The Language of God
by Mattie Stepanek

Do you know what
Language God speaks?
God speaks Every-Language.
That's because God made
Everyone and Gave
Everyone different Languages.
And God understands all of them.
And do you know what is God's
Favorite Language?
God's favorite language is
Not grown-ups's language,
But the Language of Children.
That's because children
Are special to God.
Children know how to share,
And they never lose
Their Heart-Songs.

© Hyperion. All Rights Reserved.
borrowed from "My Hero Project-Mattie Stepanek" by Jim Hawkins

The world lost a young 13 year old "old soul" on Tuesday, June 22, when Mattie Stepanek slipped quietly from this world into the next. He was world wise beyond his years ... in my mind it's almost as if he was blessed with this incredible wisdom to show those of us, who take so very much for granted in this world, that there is more to life than what we can see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. My heart and prayers go out to his mom, Jenni, his dog Micah, and all those who loved this precious child and were touched by his wisdom.

Here is the story from CNN: Child poet, Mattie Stepanek dies -- Jun 22, 2004.

Matties website

Order his books from Amazon

lab2401 at 10:10:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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His poetry must be special...I`ve seen others commenting on his passing.
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/25/04 1:17 PM

6/23/04 doing good

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

doing good

Things are still going well around here. :o) Got the yard finally mowed Monday afternoon, after I got home from visiting S at the nursing home. State surveyors are in the nursing home right now, doing their inspections, and I know the nurses and administrators all held their breath when one of the surveyors came into to S's room and spoke with me. We have been having a few go rounds about the way S is being treated, or not being treated. One thing is that I can't seem to get it thru their head that S is legally blind, and they need to help her with her dinner tray and eating. At least tell her what her food is, and where it is on her plate. Also, they are using a 3" thick foam pad at S's bedside to cushion her should she fall. That is all well and good, but... S has not had a fall or even a near fall in 8 weeks now, and she is totally with it mentally. What it amounts to is keeping her in the bed, as they put it in place and move her wheelchair out of her reach. There are a few other things like keeping her bathed, teeth brushed and assisting with bathroom duties.

This is a picture of S when we had gotten back from a shopping excursion to WalMart a couple of weeks ago. The psych dr. was in last week, and S said they talked for a long time. She said he thanked her for telling him some things he wasn't aware of. She said he left and came back about 30 mins later and spoke with her some more, telling her that he was discontinuing some of her meds. I checked at the nurses station, and sure enough, he had gotten rid of 2 of the psychotrophic drugs. This should make her feel even better. So all is well in my world this morning. And if I don't get this closed and get to bed, I will never get up in the morning.

lab2401 at 12:54:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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Love the T-Shirt!!
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/25/04 4:24 AM

She looks so happy after the excursion to Walmart but probably more that you're helping her so much. I love to see others do good deeds. Wonderful! Oh, I signed another of your entries...something about adoption. Poor guys!
Comment from wildflower121764 - 6/25/04 1:15 AM

Oh, no wonder you just lub dis woman! Does she look fun!
ppssstt.... go to "Argument" immediately.
Comment from merelyp - 6/24/04 10:16 PM

Wonderful Pic & good news `bout the Meds.
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/23/04 10:16 AM

6/20/04 a million bucks huh?

Sunday, June 20, 2004

a million bucks huh?

Now, according to the resident guru with the newest weekend assignment, Mr. John Scalzi has proposed that I have somehow come into some considerable change. His suggestion is that I have come into one million dollars to be exact. As daunting as that might be for me to even dream about it, here are my thoughts on how it would be spent.

I have very little debt so my first thought would be to pay my car off and purchase some play things for the house. (You know, a new kitchen, a pool, the master bathroom redone.) That would probably come to about 50,000 (mol). I would help my parents and sister reduce some of their debt and provide for a cushion (25,000 each), and give about 10,000 to each of the nieces and nephews to help them (50,000). That accounts for about 150,000 so far leaving me with plenty to figure out. My dream is to own a home on the coast of Maine for the summers, and I am assuming that might cost up to 450,000 to 500,000. I would like to take some of the money and set up a nonprofit organization to pair young adults who are trying to make it in school and in life on their own, with seniors who have no one to be there for them. Sort of like a big brother for seniors and young adults. The rest I would invest for a rainy day. I would continue to work, I love what I do, and I don't do it for the pay as it is.

Now Mr. Scalzi has also proposed that I have somehow been so good that I have a second million in addition to the first, would I do anything different with the second? I would probably take more vacations and include my friends and family in the plans. More money would go into my nonprofit to offer such things as housing assistance to my blended families as it is needed, money set aside to cover emergency situations that might arise, transportation assistance, etc. Give more to homeless shelters and food banks.

Now to the extra credit portion of this ... the proposal is that we have two million that must all be donated, where would I donate it and why?

1). My blended family idea above would be first. Why... These are the two groups of people in our society who desperately need to know that someone cares about them, and need the resources to assist them to help each other.

2). Stem cell research. Why: I have lost 2 members of my family to Lou Gherigs disease ... and that was 2 too many. I treat patients with Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Dementia and Alzheimer's, among many others ... and many of these patients are way too young to be so burdened. We have the knowledge to cure within our grasp, we just need to reach for it.

3). College stipends for 2 or 3 students per year who want to go into Physical Therapy at my alma mater, University of Florida, that need help financially with books, labs, housing and food. Why: I was the recipient of just such an award and without that money I would not have been able to afford to stay in college.

4). I would donate to local homeless shelters to increase their number of beds and have food and clothing enough, and stock the local food banks with the necessities. Why: One of my oldest friends froze to death in his van waiting for room in a shelter 12 years ago.

There you have it Mr. Scalzi, my homework assignment is complete. Now to go to bed and dream of my inheritance...

lab2401 at 2:33:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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I'm thinkin' the million dollar bill should have your picture on it. Good move! and good answer. Will you be my friend?

I posted your haiku comment (late, but oh well) for Father's Day in IH--but I still gave myself top billing. I've noticed lotsa haiku in lotsa journal comments from you! You are, indeed, hooked.

Send as many contest entries as ya like, by the way.

Let's kick Alzheimer's in the butt, k? (although I am so fascinated by it...)
Comment from haikulike - 6/21/04 12:14 AM

Good Work! A+ !
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/20/04 4:37 AM

6/17/04 at peace

Thursday, June 17, 2004

at peace

It's almost too calm. The kind of calm that can give you the heebie jeebies, but... things seem to be going smoothly in my life at the present moment. Makes me want to wait for the other shoe to drop, but it is so peacefull, it's not worth waiting for. I went to see S last night and she is doing so well. She is a little nervous, but nothing really serious, nothing she is not handling well on her own. Lately she has been dismissing me when I am visiting her rather than me saying, S I need to get going, it's getting late and the animals need their dinner. Instead, for the past 2 or 3 weeks, she has been saying to me, ok Lynda, you need to go home now, thanks for coming by, drive carefully, etc. Last night I accused her of having a boyfriend in there. She just smiled and said, I wouldn't know what to do with one. Then she added, but I wouldn't mind trying it just one more time before I leave this world! Sometimes I can't believe the things that comes out of her mouth. But she is back to her old self, and doing very well considering the many difficulties she has.

Saturday I'm off to a dance recital for my great niece, , who is the 6 year old daughter of my oldest nephew and his wife. A has been taking dance classes since she was 4, and my mom, dad and I travel the 2½ hours to go to her recitals every year. This year when she asked me, she said "and I'm going to be in 2 numbers this year Auntie Lyn, tap and ballet. You are going to come see me dance aren't you?" I made out like I had to really give it consideration, finally saying, "I guess we can get there if we try hard enough." (As if you could even begin to resist them when they ask so sweetly.) Little does she know that I wouldn't miss it for the world, and it warms my heart so when she asks.

So all in all, things are good for me presently. I'm at peace at who and where I am.

lab2401 at 9:07:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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It is good to have found the peace I know I searched and it didnt come till I quit searching and just let it happen. ANyhow also thanks for visiting my journal. I have added yours to the list I visit john http://journals.aol.com/dymphna103/LosingIt/
Comment from dymphna103 - 6/19/04 3:11 PM

Good for you.
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/18/04 4:55 AM

6/13/04 celebrate!

Sunday, June 13, 2004

celebrate!

Yes world, the news is Great!

It is official, the counts on the hormones were more than double what they expected! When Da asked with some trepidation and fear what numbers they were looking for she was told some where in the 22-28 count. Then she was told hers came it at a whopping 49!
Now, this auntie is asking herself...
... could this possibly mean more than one????

We don't care!
We will gladly accept all that God has to offer us.

July 8th is the date set for the first sonagram. At that time we will then get to know the details of this little one's arrival plans, and for certain see how many buns just might be in that oven. But there is even a more important reason to celebrate on that day! It will be the 61st anniversary of my parents wedding, and without that particular event, none of this would be happening.

Yes, there is reason to celebrate and give thanks.

lab2401 at 3:22:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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cute from Dangs computer. to see if it works.

Comment from bbalen3844 - 6/20/04 4:11 PM

Yea, hormones! Multiply!
V
Comment from deabvt - 6/16/04 5:11 PM

6/11/04 good news

Friday, June 11, 2004

good news

Well happy birthday to me one day early! From my nephew, good news.

It appears that I may become a Great Auntie once again, thanks to my nephew S, and his wife D. They have been trying so desperately since their son was about 1 year old, (G, or better known as Auntie's 'bear' will be 5 this November), but D had so many miscarriages and couldn't seem to get a little one to stick. But it seems that has all changed about 4 weeks ago. They have been undergoing shots, in vitro, artificial insemination, just about anything and everything that science can throw in their direction for almost 2½ years now. It had gotten to the point that even I voluntered to stand on my head if it would help! ;0)

I am praying that this little one ... or little one's, what ever the case may be, stick, and that the blood tests tomorrow show that all the numbers are multiplying at the rate that they are supposed to. I did find out that D will have to give herself a blood thinning shot every day up until the 36th week of pregnancy, that is apparently part of the difficulties. Don't ask me, too futuristic for this old Auntie. Should everything go according to plan, will welcome another wee one or one's for a birthday in Feb. As it is, my dad, brother in law, great niece, and niece are all in Feb, so one or two more wont make much more of a difference!

Here is a picture of niece D with the bear in the hat, and my other great nephew, rabit. This was taken last year at G's 4th birthday. Two weeks later it was little blondies birthday, he turned 4 also.

lab2401 at 11:44:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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Happy Birthday and such great news!!!!


Here's praying that the whole thing goes well and you get that great neice or nephew as planned.

:)
Comment from ckays1967 - 6/12/04 10:19 PM

Happy Birthday, GREAT auntie lyn! YESTERDAY? crap.
Wishing you all your wishes come true...

bunches of squeezes~~
mumsy
Comment from haikulike - 6/12/04 9:15 PM

6/10/04 gas prices

Thursday, June 10, 2004

gas prices

I had to stop and get gas yesterday, and that is how I came across this site. May not be new for all, but it sure is for me. As I was gassing up, the gentleman across the pump, said "how did you find your way here? gas buddy?" I said, "pardon me?", and then I proceeded to learn all about a internet site called gasbuddy.com. Thank goodness I was at one of the advertised cheaper stations. They rely on customers reporting prices as they travel around the area, to give the least expensive and also the most expensive. Really makes sense to check it out if you know you need to get gas anytime soon, and can plan to get by where it is cheaper.

lab2401 at 8:37:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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6/4/04 Homework assignment

Friday, June 4, 2004

Homework assignment

John's homework assignment for this weekend is
"Weekend Assignment #8: Name the book that you feel would best describe you to a total stranger. It could be any book -- a novel, a non-fiction book, a cookbook, or heck, even a textbook (if you're an academic type). The idea, however, is to present a book that would offer up some insight about you as a person.
One restriction: Please refrain from choosing a primary religious text of your religion -- the Bible, Torah, the Koran and so on. The reason I put in this restriction is for the very reason that these texts are no longer listed on bestseller's lists: They're so popular and pervasive that they'll swamp the other books. Let's take as a given that these books are absolutely important to people -- and of course rightfully so -- and set them aside for the purposes of this assignment.
Extra Credit: List a book that someone swore would be a book you would love -- and you didn't.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Ok John, here goes. I'm not nearly as avid a reader for the past 8 years or so, I just can't seem to concentrate as consistently. When I was young I used to devour books, all kinds, all subjects. I loved romance, mysteries, biographies, but was never enthused with science fiction.

One of my favorite books when I was younger, was "Mrs. Mike" by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. The book was originally printed in 1948 or 1949, but it is still being printed and read by new readers every year. And many like myself who originally read "Mrs. Mike" when I was 12 or 13, have re-read it again and again. Mrs. Mike was a romance novel about a young Irish woman, Katherine Mary of about 17 who travels from Boston to the northern woods of Canada to be a mail order bride of sorts to Canadian Mounted Policeman, Sgt. Mike Flannigan. The book involves their falling in love and the joys and hardships that all entails; illness, fires, births and deaths, fights and making up. The descriptions of scenery, and animals catches the reader and holds your attention. All in all, I relate to the essential story line that love triumphs in the end. I amof the firm belief that love is the end all and be all to mankind, and to find that person in this world who is your other half is the ultimate satisfaction. To have a spouse who is your best friend, lover, confidant, conspirator, guinnea pig, biggest supporter and best critic is the ultimate in love and life. Katherine Mary and Mike had that romance, and I remember dreaming very early that that was what I wanted, and I am so very blessed to say that was what I had with Bob.

Now for my extra credit Mr. Scalzi:

My niece thought I would really enjoy this book by Dan Brown. I had not read the Da Vinci Code, but I took her word that this was a good read. I have had the book over 6 weeks now, and am only to the middle of the book. I can read one or two paragraphs, then put it down for days and have no desire to pick it back up. I am finding the story line dull, the characters weak and lifeless. Half way thru the book and I just want it to end. This is one that I doubt I will get finished.

lab2401 at 11:17:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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I read that book, Mrs. Mike, I don't remember how old I was, maybe in my early teens, hmm, junior high. Wow, that brings back memories, I'll have to read it again to remember it all.
Penny
Comment from lucylouladybug - 6/16/04 2:19 AM

6/3/04 thumbnails and links

Thursday, June 3, 2004

thumbnails and links

Figured out how to make thumbnails and links to larger pictures today. If you click on the picture it should take you to a larger one, then use your back button to come back to the journal. Or you can right click on the picture and click on the link that says open in new window, that will open the picture on a separate page you can just x out of when you are done looking at it. So I am trying it all here. This is a picture of my sweetie peatite great niece, M, whom I affectionately call "stinky girl". Stinky girl and her brother C, or better known to his Auntie Lyn as "rabit", had their pictures taken by a local photographer by the name of Brooke Charlton. She is a wonderful photographer who takes their pictures in totally natural settings, and without stopping the kids to pose them. She has no web site as of yet, but should she get one I will include it in my journal. She got some wonderful pics of them this past March 15. Hard to believe stinky girl is 2 years and one month in these pictures. She is a tiny one, just getting into outfits that are 18 month sizes this past month. Will add another thumbnail here. This is of the two of them in the metal wash tub, rabit is explaining the finer points of flower make up to his little sis. Rabit is 4 years old, going on 24 now. They are a big part of this Auntie's life, and don't they both know it. I see them most every week on Saturdays for dinner and cards. This Saturday we are celebrating their daddy's and my birthday. Big C will be 35 on Saturday and I will be remembering 35 fondly the following Saturday. Actually I will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of my 29th birthday then! Well, guess I will get this closed for now and see if it is turning out like I am hoping it will.

lab2401 at 8:41:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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Wow, it works! That's with Ofoto? I have that! Maybe I should try that!
Comment from haikulike - 6/4/04 12:54 AM