Friday, December 14, 2012

TRABULECTOMY-AKA- TRAB

I sat in Dr. Lewis office for a post op check 
and across from me sat a 31 year old woman
who was legally blind.
Her son had just gotten his drivers license 
and drove her to the appointment because she can't drive.
She sat excitedly talking about the 
new "blind" classes she was beginning the next day.
As I listened to her and watched her look about
my heart sank for her.  
I felt so sorry that at a young age she was 
literally going blind-but she seemed to be
 somewhat cheerful about it.
One of the other waiting room patients 
asked her how she coped with it.
She proceeded to tell us that she has 
been suffering with glaucoma for 10 years.  
She has endured several surgical procedures on her eyes 
( a couple of Lazer procedures and then a Trab)  
When the last one- the Trab - didn't work, 
she was very depressed.  
For a couple of years she felt sorry for herself.  
Then three years ago she had a change of heart.  
She faced the fact that she would eventually go blind.  
She was sharing her experience  with a happy countenance 
and a smile on her face. 
 Then her next amazing words were:
"I thank God that he has given me the opportunity to see life in two different ways.  One as a seeing person and one as a blind person.  Not many get to experience life
in 2 different ways! It's an exciting challenge! And.... at least I don't have stage 4 cancer.  
I am alive, 
just living a little different"  
Wow!  all I could think is WOW! 
What a wonderful outlook on life.  What bravery.
I watched as her son hold her arm they left the waiting room.  
 The rest of us sat in amazement and awe.
Then it was my turn in to see the doctor.  
 Wouldn't you know that my eyes....
would be one of the 20%
that the surgery would not work on as well.
My options?  well, they are slim.... 
back to the drops that do not work.
That is the only treatment at this point.
As I write this, I can't help but feel that depression setting in that she described. It's definitely hard to know eventually you will go blind.
I hope that through prayer Heavenly Father will help me find the strength to find that same resolve she did..........
Hopefully it won't take years.


A CHRISTMAS BAIT AND SWITCH

Christmas is for kids....
But we are thankful for a Ward Party that brought the 
"TRUE" meaning of Christmas.
It was fun sharing this time with Acey and Gunner.
But after the caroling, and the stories of Jesus 
and Pres. Monson's story of the "Train"
 We knew we would have to do a quick "bait and switch" 
to get lil Gunner's pic with dear 'ol Santa.
Hurry and get the shot before he screams- 
even with a binkey in his mouth!



TIS THE SEASON

ITS' TRUE... TIS THE SEASON
TO DECK THE HALLS
SO THAT IS WHAT I DID.....
Fake Tree.... That's just about all I can do these days. 
But I purchased these little scented sticks to place in the tree and we actually have that "Pine" smell going on.
I needed a new tree skirt......Plaid, my new obsession!
So Easy Peasy! Thanks Heavens for glue guns.  
Not a stitch sewn here.
 I purchased a bunch of new flowers and ribbons and bows thinking I needed new wreaths for my doors... but when I got the boxes (12 of them) of Christmas stuff down.... 
Look what I found.
I had forgotten I made new wreaths last year... DUH!
 

So what do you do when you have a
 grizzly bear in your living room?
Make him a family of snow men!
 Nothing can replace the beauty of 
fresh gorgeous glowing poinsettias! 
Thanks Costco! 


 Let me tell you about this nativity.  
It was hand made by my mother in law. 
She made it for us when we were first married 
before I had any children
The Camels are about 10 " high, so it is large and in charge.
It has adorned our house every Christmas for about 30 years. 
It holds all the secrets and memories of 
ALL of my Children's past Christmas's.
Although we take great care in packing it away 
it has a few chips here and there,
But it is still the thing we ALL cherish 
as we decorate the house. 
Now my g'kiddies are loving it just as my children did.
Merry CHRISTmas to one and all

Sunday, December 2, 2012

I SHUDDER FOR SHUTTERS!

Love the local Junk in the Trunk Trio sales
I've been several times.
My most recent purchase is two shutters
(for $30- oh ya!)
Perfect colors, 
Perfect distress
Perfect hardware
All ready for me..... : )
Just standing there calling my name....
Look close to see the multi colors of paint
several greens, a splash of red/rust, some dusty blue.....
natural wood showing through!
 BOBBI- COME BUY ME
 When I walked in the door with these my hubz reaction.....
you paid $$ for those two worn out trashed shutters??!!
I could have gotten some for free!!
(now he tells me)

 I couldn't get one side of the white perfectly clean, 
so I'll have to fix that so they match.

These 2 jewels required just a little cleaning up, washing off the dirt, minimal sanding (because all of us "junkers" know its all in the natural distress), balancing out the white painting, added some poly to keep them from flaking all over the place, added a little more hardware, picture hangers and 
Waaaa-laaaa
my newest family room addition. 

Stop by and see them sometime!






BLACK FRIDAY

BLACK FRIDAY
is something we usually stay away from
But my girles and I decided to "give it a go" this year.
After we had a belly full of turkey dinner
we dawned on our tennis......
and darted off to Wally World
This was the Scene...
Let me reiterate....
the is was "nice" scene.
But all in all it paid off.
Kisha Scored this for $100 off- Her kiddo's are gonna love it!
Kelsey scored this for $100 off
and this for $100 off
 and this for $200 off
What did I score?
My score was even better than their was...
Some fun times laughing running standing chatting
with two of my favorite people.



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UPDATE ON THE TRAB

If you have been keeping track of me....
thank you
If you wonder what has happened to me
Thanks for all the love and support
as I was SCARED TO DEATH
of what might happen......
But it appears all is well....
After months of the "drops" that are worth their weight in gold, here are what my bright blue eyes look like just before the surgery.
Dark Grey brown blue....
Surgery performed on 11/13/2012 by the brilliant Dr. Lewis of Southwestern Eye Center.
(I was lucky to have just gotten in to see him.  It was a fluke.  Once he became my eye Dr. I found out he is one of the best in AZ!)
If you are interested in seeing what surgery was performed check out THIS link.
(beware of the strange creepy background music)
Eye patch off the next day to help my brain
 "re-learn" how to see out of the newly shaped eye.
 A week later, my eyeball is blood shot and the eye is still full of blood so all I see is cloudy fuzzy images. 
This picture really doesn't quite do justice.
 No I am not on drugs!!
(note the size of my pupils)
 Two weeks later, eye lid still drooping, 
and pupil still as huge as a dime.
I am starting to see in the center of my vision field..
the clouds are still there all around the outside of my eye.
If I had to describe the visions, 
It seems like I am seeing through a telescope on a very snowy day.  
Three weeks later....
Pupil is starting to get smaller. I guess my brain is still working! HA!  Vision is getting less cloudy but still very blurry.  Sometimes it makes me a little nauseaus, but I do see progress.  I can feel the little pouch on the top of my eye.  It bulges and makes my eye lid droop a little when its full. Its a little disgusting to look at.  With exception of the drooping eyelid, no one (except me) can tell its there. 
More later....




I JUST CAN'T STOP!

From one room to another I just can't stop 
repainting, refurbishing, refinishing.
Will it ever end?
Here is one of my latest projects
Here is the old "1980's" TV hutch 
just plain tired of it and its so outdated!!
Got my master craftsman to cut the top off.

 moved the top molding down 
to base the console top

 some wood glue and a few nail guns later 
 Added a brand new piece of wood to the top
added vinyl lettering and stained and poly'd it.
(sorry can't get this picture to turn the right side up)
Annie Sloan - duck blue, with antique glaze
Even kept the same hardware.....
 LOVE LOVE LOVE my brand new 
flat screen TV stand



Giving Thanks for so many things......

We are all so thankful for so many many things.
Our God, Our Church, 
the roof over our heads, the food we eat, 
our health, the Plan of Salvation
(Grandpa and Mom and Dad I know you are looking down at us)
but up at the top of the list...
is our FAMILY!
I've tried to make it easy to "share" my family with the "in-laws" by
having thanksgiving the week before
having Thanksgiving breakfast
not having thanksgiving dinner at all.
So I was thankful that THIS Thanksgiving I was able to have all my family with me.
As my kids said.... It was "MY" year!
So I decided to make a nice table scape this year.
This is the "before pictures"
 Don't you just love my little candy corn, oreo cookie, 
peanut butter cup, whopper 
Gobblers.....



And here are the after pictures.







The only one missing was this guy who was spending his Thanksgiving with a nice family in Virginia!

And while the "big boys" are watching(sleeping thru) football, 
some of the little kiddies
are gather around the laptop watching "Brave"