This is a video of an 8-month old baby who hears for the first time after his cochlear implant is activated and he hears his mother’s voice. I watched about a dozen or so of similar videos and the joy brought tears to my eyes.

God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform’. From a hymn by William Cowper (1731-1800)

For almost twelve years I’ve had a very good friend that I’ve talked on the phone with several times a week. I met him online though some business ventures and we became very good friends. This wasn’t a romance or anything – it was just a very good friend that I made. We never met in person, but that didn’t mean we weren’t very close.

I hadn’t been able to get in touch with him for awhile. I knew he was very sick and had been for a long time. I entered his name and where he lived into Google and was heartbroken when I saw the information that he had passed away. The man went through so much. He survived being shot at many times in Nam. He was involved in the oil business – not sitting behind a desk but out in the fields. He had owned a logging company, and did so many other things that were just incredible. While I knew him probably the most remarkable thing was that he beat Prostate Cancer and had survived for over five years.

I’m not sure exactly what happened, but the last time I talked to him, about a week or so before he died, he was having a great deal of difficulty breathing and had just found out he had a hairline fracture in his back. He was in a great deal of pain from many others things – more than anyone should have to endure. Perhaps that’s why the Lord called him Home.

I will miss you, my friend, falcon, and all the times we shared. I know that you are in a much better place and are free from pain. I’ll never forget you, my friend.

Last week at this time I was at a very scary point in my life. I didn’t realize until I thought back about it, but I had been having troubles all day. There is a setting on my microwave for Frozen Entree and I remember now that I just couldn’t find it. I had problems figuring out how to access my remote website that I do nearly daily. But it was when my left hand went numb and I had some numbness on my lower face that I realized – something was wrong.

I don’t know why – but I called my son at work and asked him if I should call the ambulance. He said – of course – and to get off the phone and do it.

Within about ten minutes the paramedics were in my living room and checking me out. Then it was off to the hospital to get me checked out. I have to say that the guys who were here were wonderful and made me feel safe and that they were going to take care of me. My son did call during this time and I told him I was on the way to the hospital. I asked one of the paramedics to take my purse with us. He said it really wasn’t his style, but he’d carry it out for me. lol

At the hospital I had the typical EKG, a chest x-ray, some blood work done, and then saw someone from the Heart Hospital. She was with the Stroke team. By this time my son had arrived after going to my place and letting Bootsy out of the bedroom where I had put him when online with 911. I didn’t want him being scared and spooked by the EMTs. Dave took Bootsy to his place then came to the hospital.

They decided to give me a CAT Scan and after they got those results they told me they were going to admit me for further observation.

During the next two days I had quite a few tests including an MRI and an MRA where they give you a contrast dye to help see what’s going on in your brain. It turns out I had several small strokes. My doctor explained that I had a blood clot that was roaming around my brain and small parts of it broke off, did some damage, and then disappeared. I was further tested to see if I had any other blood clots and thankfully they couldn’t find any. I even swallowed a camera! They do that since they can get a better look at the heart with it. Luckily you are given something to make you groggy enough that you don’t really know what’s going on.

There are still some tests that my Neurologist has sent out to California that we are waiting on – like a DNA that will show markers for blood clots – or something like that. She also told me that aspirin is my friend, and I’m taking one daily now.

So, in the end, I had several strokes. But, as I said, I’m very thankful because I have no signs of damage – other than being a bit more tired than usual. But I have no problems with my speech or movement and have no restrictions put on me other than to go at my own pace.

I really do believe that I have been given a Miracle. Things could have been so much worse for me. I thank God for the wonderful people who helped me. The staff at our hospital is just incredible and deserve all the high praise and awards they have received.

As my doctor said, he likes to put a positive spin on things like this – and I agree with him. It’s time to continue my weight loss (15# so far) and work on getting my blood pressure down and my glucose readings to where we want them. I know I can do that – I’ve done it before.

23rd Psalm

1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I thought I’d come up with a great idea – only to discover that others were there before me. Taking online house tours and such I found that many people were doing the same thing. What is it? Giving up the big tree in exchange for the a bunch of smaller trees that had a specific theme.

It took me awhile to come to this realization. Last year I went out and purchased a great six foot tree – but didn’t get my son to put it up until the 30 return policy was over. Sure enough, the center part of the tree didn’t light up. We did put some other lights on that section, but it was such a hassle to put up the big tree and then take it down. The year before this I was living with my son while my condo was remodeled and he got a real tree. It was beautiful, but he didn’t get to enjoy it very much since he was in California on business most of the month. I was in bed most of the month recovering from a serious fall I’d taken just after moving in. The year before I was quite sick and didn’t get a tree up. I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see a tree in my hom again.

This year I got a very nice 4′ white tree at JoAnn’s and it’s in my bedroom and is decorated with some pink ornaments that I will add to each year. I’ll be posting pictures of it this Saturday.

The other night we were sorting through decorations – going over the ones we wanted to keep, some we felt would be good to donate, some for Dave, and some for my special pink tree. We were discussing putting up the big tree and I just wasn’t up to it. It takes up so much room in my living room. I said I’d like to put up a small one, like my tree in the bedroom – which lead to the decision to donate the big tree and replace it with a smaller tree. To be honest, part of the reason for this is then I can do them by myself and don’t have to bug my son to put up the big tree. lol Plus, with the smaller trees I can take a day or two, get it set up and then move on to the next.

The tree in the living room will be the “traditions” tree – with the ornaments we’ve accumulated over the last 30 or so years. This will be a green tree. In front of the small entry way landing I’m going to put a white tree and just might make that a “tree of the year” with new ornaments – or preferably with ones I make myself. Then in the corner of the kitchen I’ll have one that will be decorated with tea chps and silverware (thanks to Debi at My Romantic Home for that idea.) In my studio I’m going to have a tree with ornaments that are based on the things I do in there – doll making, embroidery, and sewing. And I’m even thinking of putting a tree in the bathtub in the front bathroom. lol

All of these trees will be something I can do on my own and will give me something to work on throughout the year.

As I said, I thought I’d had an original idea – but even my Chiropractor who I saw yesterday said that they had given up their big tree and had small trees spread out through their home.

Oh, and now I’ll have a place to put each of my nativities – and an excuse to buy one or two more. lol

Hmm, do you think it would be going overboard to put a small tree in the laundry room?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Grandmas, Great-Grandmas, and the special people who aren’t family but have been a mother to us.

I got a call from my mom yesterday. She got the card I sent – a cute one with Snoppy on the front. I’m the kind that likes mushy sentimental cards, but Mom likes the funny ones. My parents live in Florida in a really nice retirement complex. I don’t get to see them very often.

Today has started off very nicely. My son took me to see the 11am showing of Star Trek. He knows I don’t like crowds and don’t really enjoy going to the theatre, but after a good talking to myself I screwed up my courage and went. And I’m very glad I did. It was a great movie and a lot of fun to do something with Dave.

On a side note, he’s been through a lot with me and anxiety attacks, agoraphobia, etc. But he’s always been patient. Couldn’t ask for a better son and it makes Mother’s Day very special.

We stopped back at my place to pick up Bootsy “da pup” as we call him. We then went and picked up lunch, and now it’s nap time. Oh, and watching the Cubs, of course. Tonight we’ll put in an order for pick up at one of the best Italian restaurants in the area and watch the finale of The Amazing Race.

All-in-all a very nice and enjoyable Mother’s Day. Hope yours was as well.

While surfing for something I ran across a website and signed up for their mailing list and just love the daily hints I receive. (I’m not affiliated with this site – I just think it’s very helpful.) The site is Tip Nut. It’s a mixture of all kinds of handy hints on everything from housekeeping, crafts, recipes, and more. The daily newsletter links to articles that are on the Tip Nut site or to other sites that have interesting articles.

One thing I’ve done for sites like this is to set up a Gmail account that I use for my email address. This keeps them all in one place and Gmail has a great spam filter. Plus, if I ever change my Internet Provider I don’t have to go through the pain of changing all these email addresses.

I live just outside of Chicago and am wondering if we are ever going to see Spring. It’s early Saturday morning and the temp is 30 degrees and we’ve got a storm warning for tonight and tomorrow for snow. And in Colorado it’s snowing like crazy and then there’s all the flooding in Minnesota.

Is it too much to ask for about six weeks of nice 72 degree days with no tornado warnings? Well, I am a dreamer.

I missed out on Pink Saturday today – but will be back next week. I wanted to get a digital SLRs like the new one my son got – a Nikon. As always, he wants the fancier version, so we’ve worked out a deal where I’ll buy the one he’s had for a few months (and know it works well – see the past Blue Monday) and then he’ll buy the camera that his buddy bought and realized it was too much for him. Then, if I can find it, we’ll give Tom my old digital camera so he has something.

Oh, and on a happy note – my son was going to put together just my new dinning room table and then do the chairs on Sunday, but once he got going he realized how easy it was and finished the job. So, now I have my new dinning room set all put together. I’m still getting used to it – but it’s a lot better than the harvest table I had in the dinning room. So, I should be able to get some pictures of it up this week.

One of the big problems I have with my dinning room is – too much furniture. lol The area for the dinning room is about 10′ x 11′ and I’ve got two sideboards and a curved glass front cabinet (all antiques.) Then in the corners of the room I’ve got two small tables (done by my friend Debi) with two Seraphim angels on them (the huge ones.) Now add to the a table and four chairs – it’s a very tight fit in there. I’m hoping to see the two antique sideboards and get a sofa table or something else for where the bigger sideboard is.

Anyway, it’s taking time, but I am finally getting my place set up the way I want. Next big purchase – a new sofa.

This past weekend was a very special day for my son and two of his closest friends. Erik and Jen celebrated the christening of their daughter, Natalia, in the church that Erik’s dad used to be the pastor. For my son, it was a special day because he was asked to be Natalia’s Godfather.

The Friday night before the baptism, he was over for dinner and I asked, “Did you get her a gift?” To which my son gave me a look like “huh?” lol So, I proceeded to tell him that it was appropriate to give the baby a gift. I suggested something like a silver rattle or maybe an engraved silver cup (two things I had received many, many years ago when I was christened.)

Well, Dave did better than I suggested. Dave got the baby a simple gold cross with an adjustable chain so that when she’s old enough to start wearing it the necklace will grow with her. He said there were a few fancy crosses that he looked at, but he liked the idea of the very simple cross. I guess I did pretty good raising him. Oh, and if you’re familiar with their commercials, “He went to Jareds!”

I got a call from him on Sunday. He’d gotten to the restaurant for the lunch before the rest of the party. He had a few questions. He asked, “So, who do I give the present to?” LOL I told him to give it to Jen. Then he asked, “I’ve got the cross wrapped, but it’s in a bag, do I just give her the bag?” By now I was grinning at the questions my son was asking. He may be in his 30s, but he still asks me for advice. So I told him, “Take the present into the restaurant, then take the package out of the bag and hand it to Jen.”

Needless to say Jen and Erik were thrilled – though in the picture I have below of Natalia and the cross it appears she’s kinda tuckered out from all the excitement. Isn’t she just adorable?

Here’s a picture of her in her christening gown.

And here’s a picture of my son, Dave, with the God Mother (sorry I don’t know her name. Will ask Dave and add it later.) And I also need to get a picture of Natalia wide awake.