The Cookie Nap

My dear little Jake. I picked up some snickerdoodles while shopping at the local farmer's market (along with lots of other goodies.) I stopped over to visit Jake and deliver the cookies, since that's what good grandmas do... and I'll take any little excuse to visit Jake & Steve & Amy.

It was a beautiful afternoon so everyone was outside enjoying the day. And of course I was enjoying my visit.

Of course Jake dug into a snickerdoodle with his usual gusto, and actually dozed off while he was eating it. Gee I wish I could sleep like he does!

It Only Happens to Me - Story #1 - Always Carry A Great Purse

Since I really don't have anything interesting going on today, I'll share something that happened to me just a few short years ago... maybe 4-5 years, can't remember for sure.

I was in New York City for a conference. I noticed an uncomfortable pain in my hip as I was walking but didn't pay much attention to it until it got to the point of almost making me cry to take a step. So I started loading up on the Tylenol, Advil... whatever pain reliever I could get my hands on (legally of course). Nothing worked, and the pain got so bad I literally couldn't walk. The decision was made that I should go to the E.R. So the hotel loaned me a wheelchair, but of course wouldn't push me to the door (apparently there were some 'liability' issues), so one of my friends pushed me to the door and helped me get into a waiting cab.

The cab took me to NYU Medical Center ER, but of course dropped me off at the wrong door. I shuffled myself inside to be told that I was in the wrong place; I was at NYU Medical Center, but not the ER. The ER was down the block further. And naturally they couldn't help me get there (liability issues again apparently). So obviously in a considerable amount of pain, I shuffled myself back outside and headed to the ER. As I made my way along, a young lady came over to me and smiled; I thought "gee there are nice people in NYC, she's going to offer to help me". But she said "that's a great purse, where'd you get it?"

Well I do like a great purse, so I paused in my shuffle and told her that I thought I got it in Chicago but couldn't really remember because I was in so much pain because of my back, and that I was trying to get to the ER. So she said "ok" and walked away.

I finally got to the ER and after the appropriately lengthy wait to see a doctor, he finally appeared to examine me. He asked me some questions, poked around a little, and told me that I'd need an MRI. But since I'd be going home in a day or so, to just wait until I got home and have my regular doctor do it. I guess I was ok with that. But told him I wasn't sure how I'd get home, not being able to walk and all. He generously gave me 2 pain pills to get me home. And a prescription to get filled if I wanted more.

Now mind you, I was a visitor in a very large city, and virtually couldn't walk. I understand (now) that he didn't know me, and could have thought I was a druggie just looking to score some pain meds. And I understand (now) that there are hospital policies and all. But all I could understand at that time was a body full of excrutiating pain, having expanded from my hip down my legs and was out of control. I had no clue where I could get the prescription filled, and had no desire to shuffle my way from the hotel to a pharmacy (no matter how close it may have been to the hotel). So anyway they packed me back into a cab, and sent me back to the hotel.

I shuffled back to my room, and took one of the golden pain pills immediately, saving the 2nd precious pill to hopefully get me through the airports the next day.

A very kind-hearted friend wheeled me through the airports, and another friend met me at the airport to drive me home. Getting home never felt so good!

My doctor and physical therapist took great care of me and got me back on my feet (upright, no shuffling). Diagnosis: cracked vertebrae and exposed nerve, but no surgery (thank goodness).

I know this probably sounds crude, but now I understand why God created drugs! And why they can sometimes be our friends. And of course the importance of always carrying a great purse!!!

An Award!

WOWEE! Look what I got... an award! Thanks to my most delightful friend, Lori. Gee, I wish I would have prepared a speech (checking my pockets to see if I might just have one tucked away, but no luck).

I'm honored, and thank my family, friends, pets, plants, trees, along with my director and producer, and my fans... wrong speech? oops.

Thanks, Lori. I hope my future blogs live up to the "fabulosity" expectation.

The Art of the Nap

Here is the King of my house, Mr. Blink. He rules my other cat (Baby Grace), me of course, and even my big lumbering chocolate lab, Fannie May.

Mr. Blink is 20 years old, and still goes outside daily to hunt. He's a little slower and a little chubbier than in his prime, and takes more naps now. (Hmmm... sounds pretty familiar!) But he's still going strong.

Funny thing about our relationship; Mr. Blink and I have lived together longer that I've ever lived with anyone! My son even moved out to live on his own when he was in college... well at least as much as college students ever really live on their own, as most of you will understand.

Blink and I understand each other. I make sure he's well fed, plenty of water, and am always available to open the door when he feels he's on the wrong side of it. I welcome him home when he spends an occasional 'night out'... he's always waiting at the door when I let the dog out in the morning. By the way, a scene that is taken directly from the opening of The Flintstones.

And I'm totally envious of his ability to complete relax.

The Totebag!

Yippee... Voila... Ta-Da (those are for Keetha)

I finished the tote bag in time to give it to my friend Lori for her birthday. Of course I immediately started noticing all of the flaws that need to be fixed. So I let Lori know that she could trade it in for a new-improved, model at a later date if she wants to.

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I was momentarily motivated to get rolling on my other waiting projects. But then I fell asleep on the couch.

I'm having trouble editing my pictures (cropping, etc.) ... keep getting errors when I try to save them. Any tips would be welcome.

Another Project - Canvas Shopping Tote

It's Saturday, kinda gloomy outside, and I'm having a low-energy day.

I started a new project today - I'm making a new canvas shopping tote. Of course when/if I finish I will most certainly post a picture. I wanted some totes that were more sturdy than the 99 cent bags I purchased at the grocery store, so decided to make them myself. I've already bought several pieces of canvas fabric in great prints in anticipation of my successful venture. So if all works out well, it will probably be the gift of choice for my best friends for Christmas or birthdays. (Cover your eyes, Lori.)

Progress so far; I've cut the appropriate fabric pieces and loaded the thread into my sewing machine. And am on a break right now.

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One of the results of suffering from chronic insomnia and depression (as I do) has been an 'abbreviated' attention span. But I'm workin' on it!

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Well ... back to the sewing machine.

Pam's Law #1 - When Will I EVER Learn????

We all know there's a law of the universe that basically says that "when you look your worst, you run into the people you'd really like to look your best for", right? I'm going to officially name it "Pam's Law #1" since I'm probably the #1 offender. And every time it happens I wonder if I'm ever going to learn!

This weekend I received a last minute invitation to a friend's son's college graduation party at a local pub. I was showered, so I was at least clean, but didn't have time to curl my hair, so just pulled it back in a braid/ponytail. Nor did I fuss with my clothes, since this pub is very casual, and I honestly didn't expect to see more than 1 or 2 people that I knew. And of course the worst offense... minimal makeup. But I figured, what the heck, I'll only be there long enough for a brief "congrats" to the grad and family, an ice tea, and then back home.

OK... so now you see where I'm headed with this...

I saw friends there that I hadn't seen in years! The stars were aligned such that one of my best friends from grade/high school was in town from Texas, and my college roommate (who happened to be the grad's aunt - which I had completely forgotten) was in town as well. The three of us were the best of friends in high school and college years.

I also saw a couple of mom's that I hung around with when my son was in school. Along with a bunch of other people.

And I looked like I just came in off the farm... straight from the fields... parked my tractor outside the bar. Well I don't actually have a farm or a tractor...

Well we had a good time and took pictures anyway. So here's to surprise reunions with good friends!