Another Attempt at the Tree

This time the appetizer tree worked even better - hubs cut the cucumber shapes, even hearts. He kept going to our tree to look at the ornaments, and tried to copy shapes. He did a great job on the star for the tree top.The bottom of the tree had packages of cucumber boxes and kumquats.
Gathering at Dolly's house - minus Anderhoff's who are in California for Christmas, Jordan who is in Maui, and Jason who was Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. I love my family and am so thankful for each and every one of them. Glad that Dolly's cousins Andrea and Abby could join us too.

Edges and Crumbs

Bar NONE - my favorite thing at Christmas time baking session is the apron my three boys made for me when they were little. I treasure it and it makes everything well in the world.
I have a rule when cooking - burned or dry edges and crumbs must be eaten, and they have no calories. I am now stuffed.

This was my first try at Tri-Colored Mochi. I love how they turned out, and how I can get 2 colors by turning upside down. Makes my mind race on how I can have fun with these. For those of you who don't know what mochi is - it is an acquired taste for sure. They are basically made of mochiko flour (sweet rice flour), sugar, coconut milk, water and vanilla, and are super gooey, so must be rolled in potato starch. I think they must do that to Aplets and Cotlets too. Mochi can truly freak people out on their first try. -
Lemon Bars - cannot leave them out - we all need our fruit.
I have been making this recipe for Peanut Brittle since 1973 - it is the not-break-the-teeth-kind.

At the risk of leaving out good protein, these are peanut butter balls made in a pan. I call them Lazy Balls

Edible Christmas Tree

This turned out so cute! It was eaten all gone at our Quantivate Christmas party. So thankful for all that God has given me this year.

WHAT a year it has been! It started out with anaphylactic shock and near death from celery, and ended with me busting myself up real bad in my mom's hospital room. LOL I couldn't even MAKE this stuff up!

In spite of the beginning and end of 2011, I am so blessed.

Funny Christmas card story:

I ordered the Costco Christmas cards - after I clicked ORDER, I realized the picture was from LAST year, which I did not send out. Oh well, we all look basically the same.

As I started to think about addressing the 100 cards, I asked Joseph if we can just make labels - "we don't have labels or the program, just do it by hand like you always do". I thought about it for about 5 minutes, and realized that since I work 60 hours a week and he does not, HE should do it. I turned the job over to him to execute the next day.

After many failed attempts of trying to print in our printer, etc..etc..HE HAD LABELS MADE! Not only did he have labels made, he had an assembly line to putting labels on, sealing envelopes, and adding the stamps.

Gotta love him <3

How Could This Happen? REALLY?

My plane was 45 minutes EARLY landing in Phoenix. HOW can this possible happen???

My dear friend Willy died, and his memorial service was set for yesterday at 1pm. Since I was on total hip precautions I could not go to be with Trish and the girls. I was dying.

Wednesday I went to doctor, and he said I had a few more days of the hip precautions - I begged, and said "what is a few days?" (the hip precautions mean I could not sit at 90 degrees, bend over, lift my leg, etc. etc) When he agreed to lifting them on Wednesday at noon, day before thanksgiving, I thought to myself "Hmmmm....I wonder if I can arrange a flight for Friday's service?"

I had to go to physical therapy after the doctor...they killed me - this is going to be a process for rehab. I went home and got online - found the only flight that would work for Friday - after a layover in San Fran, it would put me in Phoenix 45 minutes too late - but I was willing to do it - I would be able to show up at the memorial at least.

I decided to surprise Trish (with the help of her girls). The plane was to land in Phoenix, then I get the car, and drive 30 minutes to the church.

Imagine how astounded I was when the pilot announced "Folks, we had a great wind, and will be landing 45 minutes ahead of schedule".....REALLY??? HAVE YOU EVER EVER HAD THAT HAPPEN???? PTL!!! I wanted to jump up and cry - but I couldn't jump, so I sat in my seat and quietly wept tears of gratitude. PTL.....truly.

I got to the service only after one song! I was THERE - I sat right behind Trish - she didn't know I was there. Then when they passed the mic around, I finally asked for it, and I said "Hi Trish" and she nearly had a heart attack. Priceless.

There was a sweet gathering at their house after, where they lighted 2 big fireworks that Willy was saving for his birthday. It was illegal - but if the police came, we would blame Willy.

I love these girls, who now will move ahead without Willy. Please keep them in your prayers, especially Trish - she has been with Willy since she was 16 years old - never been alone! This will be a new game for her.

There is a plan to go to Maui to sprinkle Willy off of his beloved Maui. I will start looking for places to stay for them.

God is good -

Willy - We WILL Ship Some Fellows Again One Day

My sweet friend Bill is in liver failure. His wife and three daughters are loving on him in his last few days on earth. Sleep will not come to me tonight, as I wait with my phone by my head, and this family in my heart.

They were our best friends in Maui. When we met them, they had just become Christians after years of drug abuse. What a wonderful journey we had together, having our first babies and growing in the Lord through Bible study with our sweet British pastor Blomerley.

Joseph and Bill worked together, and Bill is an amazing guitarist and musician.

Last April Trish called to tell me that Bill (whom I affectionately call Willy) just found out he has hepatitis C, liver cancer, and a myriad of other horrible illnesses. The Hep C festered unknowingly for many years.

As I lay awake praying for my friends, this verse clearly came to me, and is my comfort for them during this time:

God promises: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

This perfection of God's good work looks differently with each of His children, but we can rest assured that it is true.

Blessed comfort to my sweet friends.

We always called "fellowship" - "shipping fellows" - I will forever smile at that and cannot wait to one day, ship fellows with Willy again.

OCCUPY STARBUCK'S!!! OH YAH BABY!

The original Starbucks at Pike Place Market.

Walking - Piece O' Cake

Not really - went to out patient physical therapy today.

New hip joint not THAT much longer than my other leg - it may be do-able without much trouble. We shall see....

I walk goofy - not putting my core strength on my left hip - got some great exercises.

Electrical currents on my scar to help wake up my nerves. Why did they have to do such a huge incision without doing lyposuction? (I thought of something! I have an ultrasound machine at home from my foot surgery! YES! He said use it! It will help the lumpy, yucky scars I have.

Amazing how little work can produce such aches - I will never use the word PAIN again, after experiencing the real pain that I did in this accident. Pain? Let me tell you what pain is! Wow - I shudder.

When I see shiny tiles I cringe.

Baby steps. I asked about walking a half marathon in April - it takes ONE YEAR for all the tissues to heal. Hmmm....doctor appointment with "ball bearing specialist" next Wednesday - will tell all.

Until then, day by day. I am not a day by day kind of person - at all. I am learning, trying to embrace this time that makes no sense to all of me. I feel like I am in the middle and twirling in a giant quastion mark.

God is good. I have great family, great friends. I love learning - there is a lot to study all the time. Culturally, things certainly shift around.

Eternity is real - and the most important aspect of this life. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Yes - what a comfort this is.

I have 3 close friends who are looking into passing into eternity - I pray for them and their families. Joe Spencer, Bill Carroll, and Siri Shapiro's mom - God bless you and your families as you await this. How blessed the peace and hope in Jesus you have.

11-11-11

Note to Occupy Movement - feel free to move to Afganistan. Please.

CHRISTMAS Trees, for Pete's Sake!!

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .



The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.


My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Recovery

I think our nation needs more recovery than I do. As I wait patiently (of course) for my swelling to go down, my hip to get stronger, doing my exercises, following the 70 degree hip precautions perfectly: I am watching all these "Occupy" movements. They are not getting a whole lot of traction.

College professors are volunteering their time to "teach them how to formulate what they are doing and be able to speak and write about it" THANK YOU TEACHERS UNION! Last free class offered there were an entire TEN people who showed up!

This is the most uneducated and uninformed group of protesters in history, I believe.
This picture says it all:













A friend of mine posted this, it speaks alot. Of course, we all know there are various views of the same issue - but I am thankful for people who fight for our right to speak our minds and to think our own thoughts. Thank you servicemen and women! I hope America fills you with pride of country and the courage to persevere for even people who disagree with everything you stand for!
Choose which you are: a positive force or a negative force for change. I think this contrast is striking in this picture.

Dude!

The most happy news is my Labradude got groomed by the amazing Amanda, and she could keep his hair long and fluffy! I love him so....

Second happy news - I got REAL clothes on today and went to the doctor. Exray shows perfect healing (how else would I do it?). Another 3 weeks (haha I kinda tricked the doctor and am pushing things up by a few days) and I go back again to hopefully have my hip precautions lifted.

Oh! And Joseph no longer has to put this cool plastic cover on my wound for showers! I can let the water run over the steri-strips now!

Some sad things to learn: I asked if, when I am completely healed, if I fall (like roller blading, etc) will it be like a normal fall? NO - I am at a greater risk of greater injury for the rest of my life. Will I ever WANT to ice skate, go on ATV's, snowmobiles, or anything like that again? I wouldn't want to risk it!

I forgot to ask about SKYDIVING! I am sure that will be OK - I gotta ask next time.

Walking is fine. Walk walk walk..I can do that.

I was assured (NOT on drugs) that the doctor in Wenatchee did everything he could to save my head (bone head that is), but the blood vessels were torn and severed along with the head, so there was no hope of it. I felt better that they really tried and consulted with several specialists, since I was in no condition to make any decisions.

I also forgot to ask if he will send me to Maui for rehabilitation!

The WORSE thing is: these particular replacements last between 10-20 years, at which time the next replacement will be less successful because the femur gets mucked up. IF I live to 95, I will have to have yet another replacement. Lovely thoughts.

HEY! At least I didn't hit my REAL head! But then again, that could have been a super handy excuse for many things.

Funny of the day: Joseph got 2 bones for our 2 dogs. He got a white one for Jaxton, and an off white one for Kona. He is sure the dogs will know which one is theirs. It isn't working..so I told him it may be easier to put name tags on them, and teach the dogs to read.

Graduation Tidbits

SO, I have two major milestones!

I had my last SHOT this morning!! I am super happy about that - and Joseph is even happier than I! I made sure this last one hurt really really bad and for a really really long time.

The physical therapist graduated me to my cute pink cane for OUTSIDE now too! I get to "walk" down the street to next intersection once a day. I am so happy to get rid of my bling crutches!

Tomorrow I go to doctor to see if he lifts any hip precautions from me. This 70 degree angle at all times is for the birds!

I am so looking forward to sleeping NOT on my back - probably not for 8 weeks - but still I can dream about it!

GROSSEST story ever: my sister in law has a friend who had a scheduled hip replacement same day as me. This week her hip fell out of joint, caused her to fall, was ambulanced to hospital, had surgery and is in a body cast for 6 weeks! ACK! PLEASE do not let that happen to me...PLEASE!

Oh yes - I almost forgot! I am UP as in out of bed MOST all day long now too! Got out of that bed today at 6:30am - hoping to make it until BED time to go back in. Oh what a relief - such a joy.

STILL - tomorrow I shall ask the doctor if it is feasible/reasonable to be able to WALK the half marathon that I was going to run on April 1. Oh I hope he says YES.....I promise I will follow all precautions! I will!

Are You Serious????

SO truly, the bottom line for the rest of my life is:

"You can walk as much as you like. The best recommended activities are walking and swimming. You can ballroom dance, play golf, and ride a stationary or mobile bike. It is best to use spikeless shoes for golf, and to use a golf cart (so that you don’t have to carry a heavy bag of clubs). Bicycling on a level surface is less stressful then biking in hill country"

HAHAHAHAHA THIS MAKES ME LAUGH! Ballroom Dancing? Joseph and I take private lessons and I do not sweat. Golf? Really? The bike may work - really? Only on level surface? Swimming - uhhhh not so much, but walking - that will be my main squeeze.

I DID find a THR (Total Hip Replacement) rehab specialist in Maui - she modifies pilates, which I love, to include hip precautions. I will ask if my insurance will send me there for rehab.

My mom is back in her home now - with 24 hour care. So far so good! I am so thankful for each day...

My Goal

A beautiful hymn that Marji Peterson found, and had her son Matt arrange - the tune is beautiful, the words simply bare.

My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace. Nor even blessing but himself my God.
'Tis His to lead me there not mine but His. At any cost dear Lord by any road.

So faith bounds forward to its goal in God and love can trust her Lord to lead her there
Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard 'til God hath fulfilled my deepest prayer.

No matter though the way be oft-times dark, No matter though the cost be oft-times great
He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark - The path that leads to Him, it must be straight.

One thing I know that "no" I cannot say - One thing I do, I press towards my Lord.
My God my glory here, from day to day - and in the glory there my great reward.

The Princess and the Soap

YAY! Today in my shower I did not drop my soap! Each shower I take, my prince waits on the bed for my beck and call. So far, it has been fruitful waiting for him, since I ALWAYS drop the soap in the shower, and being that I cannot bend down, he has to come to me rescue.

Today I was drop-free! Huge victory. I hope my prince does not think he can ease up to my beckoning - I will have to drop something else to keep him on his toes.

Physical therapy again today - I like Dana, who comes to my house. I am worried about possible nerve damage in my arms (I KNOW I have a lot of nerve, but really, must you make yourself known at all?)

We switched the shots from tummy to arm - I think it hurts less.

I am so thankful that i have medical insurance, and a job that I can work from home. God is so good!

Hours and Hours to Pass By

Wow - this time for the next 6 weeks here is reminiscent of my pregnancies - I had 4 pregnancies that I had to lay in bed for 6 months each. Just lay there - waiting. Now mind you, this was BEFORE laptops, cell phones, and DVD's.

I would check each day of the calendar as it passed, hoping to get to the half way point. Once to halfway, I could much more excitedly cross each day off, seeing the end of the confinement.

This time for me is amazingly different than those times. I have a TV in my bedroom with more channels than I need (I think it is called HD? - it is nice), cell phone, laptop with internet on my lap, chat, and instant messaging! I even have a cool walkie talkie to call Joseph in case he happens to be out of my voice range. OH! The biggest time-taker-brain-stunner is facebook! I cannot believe how much entertainment that provides!

I am WORKING from my bed! How cool is this?

Another good thing is I am free to call my parents all day long to see how they are doing - as my mom is in stroke rehab hospital (where I broke myself), waiting to be released Saturday to 24 hour in-home care. My dad has been home very sick for one week. I am thankful I can call them both all the time.

However, this time seems to be dragging on and on and on and on. Julz keeps me entertained, along with her new friend Vande ;) Visitors come and cheer me and break up the hours and hours that just drag on.

Waah waah waaaaaah....and I fight anxiety when I think of the accident that put me here. The sound of breaking bones, and then the muscles in my leg contracting for the next 24 hours trying to force 3 broken bones into place.....just makes me shudder. yuck - halloween stuff for sure.

Without faith in Christ, I really don't know how I would go through this.
Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." I am waiting.....

Functionality

So my sweet sister stopped by here on her way from Wenatchee to Arizona, bringing my car to me that I had to leave behind in Wenatchee when I was transported by ambulance back to Kirkland.


My most pertinent dilemma of the day is how to reach my "things". I am not supposed to twist in any way, shape, or form, and having things on my headboard did not do the trick. We needed to get something set up next to my bed so I could reach things without twisting.


We got a wooden low kitchen stool, and she put a cute Italian divided pottery dish on it, and placed all my necessary items on it. There are pain pills, remote control, cell phone, walkie talkie, gum, mints, hair brush, and those wonderful stool softeners. We though it looked pretty darn cute.


Excited to show the head caregiver our creation - he looked at it and quickly said "You will knock things off of that." I insisted like I always do, that being cute doesn't mean it HAS to be impractical! It is PERFECT - I LOVE the dish!


My practical, function-before-style man left the room and appeared with HIS most recent purchase for the cause:











We GASPED! I argued - pleaded, then gave in - and I STILL knock things off!

Babysitter Today

Today I had my first babysitter in a long time - for me. I mean, the babysitter IS for me.

Joseph got oldest son Jason to come watch me while he had to leave for a few hours. Like a good parent, he had me showered, clipped my toe nails, prepared my food, and gave Jason instructions how to move my leg in and out of the bed. He even remembered to charge the batteries on the walkie talkies. (I am trying my hardest to wait until the Seahawks game is over before I summon my babysitter)

Babysitters have it way too easy.

I am thinking of doing a family Mount Rainier climb - that could be a great goal!