Living In Grace

It’s like Camp! Announcement! Time! .. without the mail.

Yesterday was a hoot and a half, but boy! it wore me down. Of course, that and the vast that I woke up at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep. That probably helped me along.  Rather than wake John, I unhooked from dialysis and just finished manually when it was time. Thank goodness for Mary! She awarded us a 6 month Netflix membership and we are loving every minute of it!

I didn't think I could take one more BUY! IT! NOW! infomercial this morning.

We made the drive down to the Infusion unit, about an hour or so away, for my first infusion appointment. I'm hoping this will start to boost my counts up so I'm feeling better more often.  It took two nurses and three sticks to get the IV Started. Evidently, my veins are "going flat" from the constant poking around.  We have two more approved IV sessions over the next two weeks, then we'll do blood work to see if it's helping. We're also going to talk to the Dr. about Procrit. The senior Infusion nurse mentioned they have some better luck with it over Epogen, so it's an option to look at. Right now, they have me dosing 70,000 units of Epo every week-  the side effects and potential cardio concerns with that high a dose  is a huge concern for us.

Some specific things that can be targeted for prayer would be appreciated so much :)

• I am beginning to have a decline in my vision.  Dialysis, from what they say, can cause varying pressures in the eyes so it's not unexpected. However, it's really become an issue in the last month or so. I'm waiting to get in with an ophthalmologist in Phoenix. It requires a full day or travel, so we're trying to work out the details.

• Tingling and numbness in my feet has been more pronounced, and i moving into my ankles. This has been an ongoing issue since almost the beginning of dialysis, but has progressed to the point where I clobbered my foot the other day into a door edge, and didn't even feel pain. Just the pressure of the hit.

• Continued wisdom on the part of my medical team. I am still not confidant that the PD nurse is doing the right things. But, without getting her onboard, I can't make changes to my care.  The last tests called for a drastic change in my prescription for dialysis, and I'm retaining much more fluid than before, and feeling crummier. When she gets back from vacation, I'm going to sit down and chat about re-doing the baseline tests again and double checking where we are at.  Unfortunately, we have no other options for PD nurses, so I have to make this work. Period.

• Most importantly, please pray for my husband. My care, or lack thereof, is really taking it's toll on him.

Lastly, I know I promised pictures of our monsoon damage ... however, we had more storms today so I'm waiting til things clear up LOL.

Get Your Kicks On Route 66

** Updates for historical accuracy included below **

We drove up to Oatman today, and old mining town on Route 66, about 20 long, treacherous, no-guard rail-it's-straight-down-the-cliff roads. This car looks like it's been there since the 60's..

The road there, although treacherous, is beautiful.

The town is an old mining town, with resident wild burros. They are the direct descendants of the original mining burros, left to fend for themselves when the mine closed down a hundred years or so ago. It's also home to the Oatman Hotel, famous for being the Honeymoon destination for Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.
Now, they come down in the mornings and stay all day to entertain and mooch carrots off the tourists. Then, come 5 o'clock, they head for the hills again to rest for another day :) We got to meet several, and Jonathan was chased down the road by four who didn't think he was handing out the goods fast enough. Unfortunately, the camera didn't get the shot. But, here are a few we did get ...

" Downtown Traffic Jam"

"Jackie and Lauren" - Lauren was born on Feb 17, 2007

"Brewster waits for the handouts"

Although it was hot and humid, we had a blast. We walked through the shops, reveled in the ones with air conditioning and shared a few, scattered benches. The kids ran all over the place, while we just enjoyed being together.

Lunch was at the "Olive" restaurant, Est. 1867. I sense Olive and her girls were in charge of, uh, entertaining the menfolk at the mines .... solely based on the picture of her painted and peeling on the entry facing of the building.

********* Updated to add: Thanks to FiFi, voracious reader, historian and daughter of Grafted Branch for the following link regarding Olive Oatman. Interesting stuff, and all true :) Take a look!

We had hot dogs, grilled cheese and chili fries- all served on foam plates. The drinks were cans of soda and foam cups of ice. Olive is my kind of gal.

The sidewalks roll up at 5, so we clambered off to the car, dodging the burros cause we were out of carrots. they don't take to kindly to that and will follow you and snuffle right through your purse or tote. Ornery little things, they are!

Frankly, I was kindof proud of myself. I walked the whole town (OK, it's like a football field long) but I went both ways with rest. That's huge, huge, huge for me! Now, I'm off to put my swollen feet up. Darn gravity. Fluid always heads south.

Hope you and yours had a great weekend.

I'll be back tomorrow with stories! and pictures! of the huge monsoon that went through last night.

Wrecked the town, I tell ya!

Testify to Love

And the winners are ….

Thanks to everyone that came by!

I have so many new friends to go and visit, and have enjoyed those I've already been to!

Thanks to Random.org .... the winners have been picked and notified via email!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to:

 

Becca at Of Bluebirds and Roses and Mandalyn of Grace and Hope

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Now, a special award!

The winner of the

MOST CREATIVE WAY TO CHOOSE A GIVEAWAY WINNER

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee! 

Be sure to watch the video ....

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dog Days of Summer Giveaway!

UPDATED TO ADD: Comments have been closed and winners will be drawn through Random.org tomorrow :)Thank you all so much for entering! I plan to spend the next couple of weeks catching up with all of you that came by. Honestly, I think meeting new friends will be the BEST prize of all to come from this! Kelli ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's a

BLOGGITY BLOCKBUSTER GIVEAWAY-A-PALOOZA!!!

Welcome to Living-In-Grace!

I'm Kelli and I'm so thrilled you've come by :)

I invite you to grab a cup of coffee and have fun reading through some of the archives.

But, before you go off for some fun reading ...

 

TAKE A LOOK!!!

There's FREE PRIZES!

(just click on the picture to enlarge)

 

and it's Soooooooo easy to enter :)

Bloggers and non-bloggers are all welcome - no matter where you're from!

I'd love to come by and visit, 'cause making new friends is what this is all about!

Just leave a comment with your site link or email address.

I'll draw TWO, count them, TWO RANDOM COMMENTERS on Friday, July 27th and announce the lucky winners!

 

Thanks again for coming over! For more Dog Days of Summer Giveaways just click on the puppy :)

 

 

I’m just sayin’ ….

Should you take it personally if the doctor you are talking to spends an hour trying to convince you that you're a bigger handful than he cares to deal with?

Saying things like "Well, I only see about three patients like you" or "Well, if the nurse says she'll take you, I guess I can, too" ...

and sure his accent was really, honestly so heavy no one could understand a word he said...

and had to say "I'm sorry?" over and over two or a hundred times ...

Not sayin' that we actually spent an entire HOUR today dancing around with this guy ...

But, it could happen.

A Rainy Afternoon

For the Dog Days of Summer Giveaway, just click here!

 

Today has been one of those lovely, relaxing days.

 

We slept in abit, and lingered over breakfast - just the four of us. Then we ran into town to clear off a few errands. We got some lovely fresh vegetables to use in our new steamer. We wandered around the WalMart SuperCenter and offered up thanks that we have one near to us now. Grovery shopping in our last town was about 40% more expensive than normal. When I saw nectarines at $1.29/pound, it was all I could do not to get down and kiss the hallowed ground I was standing on.

 

On the way home, we stopped at our new favorite place - a Little Debbie's Thrift Store! Now, understand that we live on the old Route 66 now in the middle of absolutely nowhere. But, there is a distribution center out here and two days a week they throw the doors open and let you shop! for sugar! at low, low prices! cash only!

 

Today, we finally we out in time to go before they closed. It was fun!

 

Look what we got -

 

 

Take a guess at how much?

 

By the time we got home, the clouds we rolling in. It was so pretty! The sky was full of thunderclouds. Sure enough, within the hour we had thunder, then a monsoon rain. Our patio and deck were covered in water within about 15 minutes. The dog is a huge chucken, so he was running around the living room looking for a lap to climb into. Did I mention he's n 80 pound golden retriever?The rain lasted for about an hour and half, while we all just sat in the living room and enjoyed it.

 

Now, John is out running errands again and getting the last of the kids school papers faxed for registration next year. We are using Connections Academy for Jonathan and IQ Academy for Kati. With Kati wanting to move into medical for college as a requisite for becoming a trans-cultural nurse in Africa, we needed a solid AP prep curriculum for her. I've talked at length with the principal, and I'm really impressed with their programs. So much. in fact. that I have done some media interviews for them regarding homeschooling and why we chose IQ. I'm waiting for the copy to come in from the paper, and will post it up :) Jonathan will be using Connections this year, due to their GT program. Then. next year we will transfer him to IQ (they currently only offer 9-12th grade).

 

Tonight, it's burritos for dinner and a movie with the kids. I think tonight it's the Astronaut Farmer.

 

Honestly, lazy days like this are wonderful. Continual bed rest and the lack of being able to drive, or be more active can be tiring. But sometimes, it's refreshing. It allows you the time to reconnect with those around you in a more intimate way.

 

I may not be able to get up and be a part of everything, but I'm here, alive and able to witness my family's life every moment.

 

That's makes the rest seem trivial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Rainy Afternoon

For the Dog Days of Summer Giveaway, just click here!

 

Today has been one of those lovely, relaxing days.

 

We slept in abit, and lingered over breakfast - just the four of us. Then we ran into town to clear off a few errands. We got some lovely fresh vegetables to use in our new steamer. We wandered around the WalMart SuperCenter and offered up thanks that we have one near to us now. Grovery shopping in our last town was about 40% more expensive than normal. When I saw nectarines at $1.29/pound, it was all I could do not to get down and kiss the hallowed ground I was standing on.

 

On the way home, we stopped at our new favorite place - a Little Debbie's Thrift Store! Now, understand that we live on the old Route 66 now in the middle of absolutely nowhere. But, there is a distribution center out here and two days a week they throw the doors open and let you shop! for sugar! at low, low prices! cash only!

 

Today, we finally we out in time to go before they closed. It was fun!

 

Look what we got -

 

 

Take a guess at how much?

 

By the time we got home, the clouds we rolling in. It was so pretty! The sky was full of thunderclouds. Sure enough, within the hour we had thunder, then a monsoon rain. Our patio and deck were covered in water within about 15 minutes. The dog is a huge chucken, so he was running around the living room looking for a lap to climb into. Did I mention he's n 80 pound golden retriever?The rain lasted for about an hour and half, while we all just sat in the living room and enjoyed it.

 

Now, John is out running errands again and getting the last of the kids school papers faxed for registration next year. We are using Connections Academy for Jonathan and IQ Academy for Kati. With Kati wanting to move into medical for college as a requisite for becoming a trans-cultural nurse in Africa, we needed a solid AP prep curriculum for her. I've talked at length with the principal, and I'm really impressed with their programs. So much. in fact. that I have done some media interviews for them regarding homeschooling and why we chose IQ. I'm waiting for the copy to come in from the paper, and will post it up :) Jonathan will be using Connections this year, due to their GT program. Then. next year we will transfer him to IQ (they currently only offer 9-12th grade).

 

Tonight, it's burritos for dinner and a movie with the kids. I think tonight it's the Astronaut Farmer.

 

Honestly, lazy days like this are wonderful. Continual bed rest and the lack of being able to drive, or be more active can be tiring. But sometimes, it's refreshing. It allows you the time to reconnect with those around you in a more intimate way.

 

I may not be able to get up and be a part of everything, but I'm here, alive and able to witness my family's life every moment.

 

That's makes the rest seem trivial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things They Didn’t Teach in Kindergarten ….

or ...

100 (or so) Things I Learned While Moving

 

1. No matter how many times you check the list, things are gonna happen.
2. Picking up the keys to the new house on Friday the 13th is not a problem.
3. At least, not on Friday the 13th.
4. Monday the 16th can be a different story.
5. The vortex of "things to come" simply builds over the weekend.
6. Going back to bed Monday morning would have been a better plan.
7. Never move when it's 119.
8. And the humidity is over 60%.
9. And it's only 9am.
10. And you don't think to make sure the Uhaul yard attendant put oil in the 26 foot truck.
11. And you have to drive a fully loaded truck up in elevation about 1000 feet.
12. And it's still 115 at 7 o'clock at night.
13. And there are no highway lights to see by.
14. Jumping in the pool several times to cool off is a great idea.
15. Especially when you're fully clothed.
16. But not good if you forget to take off your socks and shoes first.
17. And they are the only pair of each you didn't pack.
18. So you have to wear them all day.
19. You'll get blisters.
20. Which make teenagers whine more than normal.
21. Which is annoying.
22. Make sure you have the right keys to the new house before you drive an hour or more to get there.
23. And can't get in.
24. Without breaking in to your new house.
25. In the dark.
26. Cause there's no streetlights for miles.
27. Or a moon.
28. Teenagers recharge about midnight.
29. It's takes til 4am for them to run down.
30. Changing your utilities online is easy, simple and fast.
31. Confirmation emails from said utilities mean nothing.
32. 13 and 31 look alot alike to someone processing turn on requests.
33. Coming home at 10pm to no power after a second day of moving - stinks.
34. It's only $50.00 to have someone come out in a truck at 11pm to turn on the power.
35. Cellphone lights work well for flagging down an electric truck.
36. Did I mention we have no street lights for miles?
37. Ringtones and cellphone flashlights make for amusing entertainment while waiting an hour for the electric man to show up at 11pm.
38. In the dark.
39. The pitch black, we have coyotes out here are those glowing eyes I see, dark.
40. I heart the electric man.
41. When the DSL / telephone guy says Wednesday from 12-5, he means Friday 8-5.
42. When the DishNetwork guy says Wednesday 12-5, he means Wednesday 6:30pm.
43. A simply install can take 6 hours.
44. The TV guy will stay until 12:30am getting a simple install done.
45. Then he will ask if you want him to train you on how to use the remote.
46. Your husband will jump in quickly and say NO! before you hit him.
47. Hard.
48. Through your stupor.
49. Hard.
50. You will get enough sympathy regarding all your headaches with installations to get all install charges reversed and some free upgrades.
51. Crying never hurts.
52. Especially when a man in on the other end of the phone.
53. I can't function on 3 hours sleep a night.
54. My teenagers can.
55. Loudly.
56. Sitting by and watching everyone else work since you're on bedrest - stinks.
57. Your family makes several comments throughout the ordeal that they sure are providing alot of fodder for your blog.
58. And they aren't mad.
59. They actually point out things to remember.
60. By Thursday, you're looking forward to sleeping a whole night.
61. You realize you should always thing about what you wear to bed.
62. You never know what may happen.
63. Like say, the backup battery to your smoke detector goes dead, the alarms will sound.
64. At 2:15 am.
65. After you all just got to sleep.
66. And won't stop.
67. After you spend an hour and half trying to find the fire or smoke, the alarms still go off.
68. So you call the fire department.
69. Who tells you your address in not on their map.
70. And they ask for directions.
71. Which you give them.
72. The response time for the local FD to your house is about 30 minutes.
73. Nothing says "HI- we're the new neighbors" like a herd of fire trucks with their lights on in full glory.
74. Outside your house for about 30 minutes.
75. While firemen walk through your house with their hands in thier pockets.
76. Looking up at your smoke alarms.
77. And decide which one has a dead battery.
78. And you are singing "SpiderPig, Spiderpig does whatever a Spiderpig does" to your kids.
79. Out loud.
80. Cause you didn't see the firemen walk in the bedroom.
81. And you can't do more than huddle under a blanket, cause you're tied to a dialysis cord.
82. In utter humiliation.
83. And the fireman says "How long has this been going on"
84. And you answer "I don't know- we just moved in Tuesday".
85. And he says "Uh, no. I mean, how often TONIGHT has this been going off".
86. And you know you have to shop out of town.
87. Cause they will always remember you.
88. As an idiot.
89. Whose daughter decided that this was the perfect night to put rollers in her hair.
90. And wear a shower cap to bed.
91. And she's 14.
92. And the firemen are cute.
93. And she's humiliated.
94. Moving is not conducive to grocery shopping.
95. So you eat out alot.
96. And since you live out of town you're excited to find a truck stop close by with a restaurant.
97. And you go into to eat.
98. And your daughter points out the logo on the menu for the restaurant.
99. It says "Crazy Fred's Wh*reh*use Truckstop".
100. And you look around fast thinking you have made a huge mistake.
101. And the old man trucker at the next table is complaining that the "Doll House" in the back is closed.
102. Because there is too much turnover.
103. And you know at that moment you have sealed the deal on the Parent of the Year award.

Oddly enough - these were just the highlights. I'll post pictures once I can find the USB Connector to the camera :)

Things They Didn’t Teach in Kindergarten ….

or ...

100 (or so) Things I Learned While Moving

 

1. No matter how many times you check the list, things are gonna happen.
2. Picking up the keys to the new house on Friday the 13th is not a problem.
3. At least, not on Friday the 13th.
4. Monday the 16th can be a different story.
5. The vortex of "things to come" simply builds over the weekend.
6. Going back to bed Monday morning would have been a better plan.
7. Never move when it's 119.
8. And the humidity is over 60%.
9. And it's only 9am.
10. And you don't think to make sure the Uhaul yard attendant put oil in the 26 foot truck.
11. And you have to drive a fully loaded truck up in elevation about 1000 feet.
12. And it's still 115 at 7 o'clock at night.
13. And there are no highway lights to see by.
14. Jumping in the pool several times to cool off is a great idea.
15. Especially when you're fully clothed.
16. But not good if you forget to take off your socks and shoes first.
17. And they are the only pair of each you didn't pack.
18. So you have to wear them all day.
19. You'll get blisters.
20. Which make teenagers whine more than normal.
21. Which is annoying.
22. Make sure you have the right keys to the new house before you drive an hour or more to get there.
23. And can't get in.
24. Without breaking in to your new house.
25. In the dark.
26. Cause there's no streetlights for miles.
27. Or a moon.
28. Teenagers recharge about midnight.
29. It's takes til 4am for them to run down.
30. Changing your utilities online is easy, simple and fast.
31. Confirmation emails from said utilities mean nothing.
32. 13 and 31 look alot alike to someone processing turn on requests.
33. Coming home at 10pm to no power after a second day of moving - stinks.
34. It's only $50.00 to have someone come out in a truck at 11pm to turn on the power.
35. Cellphone lights work well for flagging down an electric truck.
36. Did I mention we have no street lights for miles?
37. Ringtones and cellphone flashlights make for amusing entertainment while waiting an hour for the electric man to show up at 11pm.
38. In the dark.
39. The pitch black, we have coyotes out here are those glowing eyes I see, dark.
40. I heart the electric man.
41. When the DSL / telephone guy says Wednesday from 12-5, he means Friday 8-5.
42. When the DishNetwork guy says Wednesday 12-5, he means Wednesday 6:30pm.
43. A simply install can take 6 hours.
44. The TV guy will stay until 12:30am getting a simple install done.
45. Then he will ask if you want him to train you on how to use the remote.
46. Your husband will jump in quickly and say NO! before you hit him.
47. Hard.
48. Through your stupor.
49. Hard.
50. You will get enough sympathy regarding all your headaches with installations to get all install charges reversed and some free upgrades.
51. Crying never hurts.
52. Especially when a man in on the other end of the phone.
53. I can't function on 3 hours sleep a night.
54. My teenagers can.
55. Loudly.
56. Sitting by and watching everyone else work since you're on bedrest - stinks.
57. Your family makes several comments throughout the ordeal that they sure are providing alot of fodder for your blog.
58. And they aren't mad.
59. They actually point out things to remember.
60. By Thursday, you're looking forward to sleeping a whole night.
61. You realize you should always thing about what you wear to bed.
62. You never know what may happen.
63. Like say, the backup battery to your smoke detector goes dead, the alarms will sound.
64. At 2:15 am.
65. After you all just got to sleep.
66. And won't stop.
67. After you spend an hour and half trying to find the fire or smoke, the alarms still go off.
68. So you call the fire department.
69. Who tells you your address in not on their map.
70. And they ask for directions.
71. Which you give them.
72. The response time for the local FD to your house is about 30 minutes.
73. Nothing says "HI- we're the new neighbors" like a herd of fire trucks with their lights on in full glory.
74. Outside your house for about 30 minutes.
75. While firemen walk through your house with their hands in thier pockets.
76. Looking up at your smoke alarms.
77. And decide which one has a dead battery.
78. And you are singing "SpiderPig, Spiderpig does whatever a Spiderpig does" to your kids.
79. Out loud.
80. Cause you didn't see the firemen walk in the bedroom.
81. And you can't do more than huddle under a blanket, cause you're tied to a dialysis cord.
82. In utter humiliation.
83. And the fireman says "How long has this been going on"
84. And you answer "I don't know- we just moved in Tuesday".
85. And he says "Uh, no. I mean, how often TONIGHT has this been going off".
86. And you know you have to shop out of town.
87. Cause they will always remember you.
88. As an idiot.
89. Whose daughter decided that this was the perfect night to put rollers in her hair.
90. And wear a shower cap to bed.
91. And she's 14.
92. And the firemen are cute.
93. And she's humiliated.
94. Moving is not conducive to grocery shopping.
95. So you eat out alot.
96. And since you live out of town you're excited to find a truck stop close by with a restaurant.
97. And you go into to eat.
98. And your daughter points out the logo on the menu for the restaurant.
99. It says "Crazy Fred's Wh*reh*use Truckstop".
100. And you look around fast thinking you have made a huge mistake.
101. And the old man trucker at the next table is complaining that the "Doll House" in the back is closed.
102. Because there is too much turnover.
103. And you know at that moment you have sealed the deal on the Parent of the Year award.

Oddly enough - these were just the highlights. I'll post pictures once I can find the USB Connector to the camera :)