I'm Thankful for Many Things

I'm thankful to be healing fast. I'm also thankful for many other things, like family, home, resources, and countless other things. I decided now was a good time to do Shannon's Thankfulness game.

Rules for this game. You will be given two choices of things you may or may not be grateful for. Choose the one which you are more grateful. You must choose one, no neither or both answers acceptable. If needed or desired, you may explain your choice. Enjoy.

Which are you more grateful for?

Ghirardelli or Guittard? Guittard. I'm not really a chocolate fan, and haven't had much Ghirardelli, but I do like Guittard milk chocolate chips.

Morning or Evening? Evening. I'm a night person.

Bagels or muffins? Bagels. I really like both, but you can't beat a good bagel.

Computers or Cell Phones? Computers. They do so much more.

Cotton or Polyester? Cotton. It is so much more comfortable.

Tennis or Bowling? Bowling. I actually took tennis lessons as a kid, but I never could really get the hang of it. I really enjoy going bowling.

TV or Radio? Strangely enough, I think I'd choose TV. It's good company when you live alone.

Military or Police Force? Military.

Electricity or Plumbing? I would have to say plumbing, in agreement with Shannon's rationale.

Spiders or Snakes? Snakes. Mostly I can avoid snakes, and spider bites get huge on me--I hate them.

Elementary teachers or high school teachers? Elementray teachers. I have more fond memories of them, and I enjoy being in elementary schools more now than high schools. I never did really identify with high school agers.

Books or Magazines? Definitely books.

Money or Time? This is a really hard one. I would say time, I think, although life can be really challenging without enough money to be comfortable.

Pumpkin or Pecan pie? Pecan. However, if you had said Squash rather than Pumpkin it might have been a harder choice.

Summer or Winter? Why not Spring or Fall? That would be easier for me. I guess I would choose summer because of the light and free time. However, I prefer the cold of winter to the heat of summer.

Sewing machine or Washing machine? I guess I'd say sewing machine because having clothing is pretty essential and you can't make clothing with a washing machine. However, I got really tired of hand washing my clothes while I was on my mission!!!!

Board games or card games? Board games. We were taught not to use cards as kids, but I must admit there are some card games I really enjoy.

Mountain or Beach? Beach. Even though I grew up in the mountains, I have a fascination for the beach.

Spring or Fall? Oh, here's my Spring or Fall!!! I'd say Fall--love that football and apple weather.

Christmas or Thanksgiving? Christmas. I must admit, lately Thanksgiving almost seems to be a part of Christmas--the initial event?!?

Blogging or Facebook? Since I don't use facebook, blogging.

Chili's or Applebees? Chili's. I haven't been to either one lately, but I'm really fond of Mexican food.

Carpet or Hardwood? Carpet. I do like hardwood, but carpet is easier on the feet when you get old :).

Dishwasher or Microwave? Dishwasher, saves me more time to spend on blogging.

Boston or Las Vegas? Boston, weather is better, historically interesting, and they have beaches.:)

Ballet or Baseball? Ballet. I think baseball is boring unless you're playing.

Mashed potatoes or Candied yams? Mashed Potatoes. I like candied yams, but you can't beat good mashed potatoes.

Milk or Juice? I would have to say juice. I'm lactose intolerant, but I do like milk products like cheese and ice cream.

Lincoln or Washington? I'm going to break with everyone else and say Washington on this one. Without him, we may not have had our great country.

Homemade or Store bought? Homemade! Especially when it comes to food.

Thanks, Shannon for the fun game. It's a really great idea, especially for this time of year. I would encourage any of the rest of you to try it out.

Flowers and Light

This is for Jane!! Thank you so much, sweetheart, for your thoughtfulness in bringing me these gorgeous flowers. They are so pretty today that I had to take a picture for you to see. Every time I look at them they make me so happy. My shoulder is getting better every day, and I'm happy for that, too.




I have been extremely blessed with people wanting to help and bringing food and flowers and things, and this is a general thank you to all who said prayers for me, sent flowers, and everything else. I am doing well, regaining use of my arm, and feeling optimistic. I spoke with my physical therapist today, and he thinks he can help me get fairly good range of motion and preserve the joint for quite a while without having to have a replacement


These are some more flowers that were sent to me by people from work. They are really pretty, too, and all of the flowers really brighten up my day.

And, speaking of brightening, I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the new lamps I bought for my living room. The other ones have been sent downstairs to brighten up the basement. Any of you who have not been to my house lately may have a little bit of a hard time recognizing it. If you wait another couple of months, though, there will be even more changes.


.

Lists, Lists, Lists . . .

Awhile ago I responded to Joanna's list by email, so I thought I'd put it on my blog now that I have one. I agree, these are fun. I'll do Shannon's later.

1) Do you like blue cheese? yes
2) Have you ever smoked marijuana? No
3) Do you own a gun? No
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I don't go to Sonic often enough to have a favorite.
5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Always!! My blood pressure is usually off the charts. I have to take proof that it is normally fine.
6) What do you think of hot dogs? Mostly I can leave them, but every once in a while they taste good.
7) Favorite Christmas song? I have a hard time choosing a favorite--I guess it's between Silent NIght and Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Some kind of fruit juice
9) Can you do push ups? I used to be able to do them from my knees--I haven't tried for years.
10) Can you do a chin up? never have been able to
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? In general, I have a liking for rings
12) Favorite hobby? Well, I sometimes like to do handwork, but mostly in my spare time I read.
14) Do you have A.D.D.? nope
15) What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I am sometimes wishy-washy about doing what I should
16) Middle name? Jean
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm enjoying letting myself just watch TV, It's about time to go to bed, I'm tired.
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday: chair rail, baseboard, paint primer
19) Current worry? What I'm going to do for a job after June
20) Current hate right now? having my house in disarray as I do some renovating
21) How did you ring in the New Year? With my sister Kathy and family
22) Where would you like to go back to visit? Israel, Armenia, Hawaii
24) Do you own slippers? Yes, but I hardly ever wear any of them
25) What shirt are you wearing? plain black t-shirt
26) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never slept on satin sheets, but I think I might like it
27) Can you whistle? Yes, since I was less than 2 years old
28) Favorite color? Depends on the day and what it is (e.g., clothes, walls, food)
29) Would you be a pirate? I can't imagine ever doing such a thing
30) What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't recall ever singing in the shower
31) Favorite girl's name? I used to like Emily
32) Favorite boy's name? I don't think I've ever thought of one
33) What's in your pocket? nothing right now--most often, keys
34) Last thing that made you laugh? A good funny movie
35) Best bed sheets as a child? I can't remember much about bed sheet when I was a child--mostly they were white
36) Worst injury you've ever had? broke my right arm
37) Do you love where you live? mostly yes
38) How many TVs do you have in your house? 4--if you count the 6 inch black and white that I haven't used for years
39) Who is your loudest friend? Becky Sanford
40) How many dogs do you have? 0
41) How many cats do you have? 0
42) Does someone have a crush on you? Not that I'm aware of--alas :)
43) What is your favorite book? This has varied a lot during my lifetime--difficult choice. I'm enjoying Ellis Peters as an author right now
44) What is your favorite candy? caramel
45) Favorite Sports Team? don't have one
46) What song do you want played at your funeral? Never thought about it--maybe O My Father
47) What were you doing at midnight last night? probably reading
48) First thing you thought about when you woke up? What time is it?
49) Favorite Bath and Body fragrance? Warm Vanilla Sugar
50) Favorite childhood memory? Christmas Morning

Surgery Update

This will be very brief. Surgery went well for what he was able to do. I went to the hospital at noon, into surgery at about 2:30, out about 4:00, and home by 5:30. The doctor was not able to reattach the rotator cuff. He said it appeared to have been detatched as much as 10 years ago, and was considerably atrophied. He cleaned up arthritis damage and put more space between the scapula and the joint. His comment was that the joint was "kind of beat up" and that I will probably eventually need a shoulder joint replacement. Meanwhile what he did today should relieve my pain and restore some, but not all, range of motion. The good news is my recovery should be somewhat shorter and easier. Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes.

So tomorrow I'm headed for surgery on my right shoulder. I don't know exactly what time I'm going--I had a call yesterday telling me to call tomorrow at 11:00 and they'll tell me then when to come. I guess it will be sometime in the afternoon. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive this little adventure. I can barely imagine living for a couple of months without the use of my right arm. I've been practicing doing some things with my left hand, and all I can say is I hope I get better with practice. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post on my new blog, so it may sit for a couple of weeks or so with little on it. If I can manage a left-handed message, you might hear sooner. Prayers are always appreciated.