Prayer Request, please!

I am a mess right now. I know I will make it through the night only because I love God. I am tired and frustrated and upset. I can't say about what. I just am. I can't stop crying, and my head feels like it is going to explode.

I am making an appointment for some sort of counsel tomorrow.

Bitterness and unforgiveness only does one thing and that is rip people apart.
I can't take it anymore. I really can't. I am broken.

I guess I'm O.K.

Yesterday I set my alarm for 8 a.m. At 7:14 a.m., the dogs decided I'd had enough sleep. Who needs an alarm clock? LOL

I tried my best to wake up, let Daisy and Rocky out and then took Mollie outside to do her business and tried to run around with her a little, but it was just too cold to stay out very long. I was wearing a nightgown, jacket, snowboots and was wrapped in a blanket. I must have looked quite adorable to the early crowd driving down the street. I live on a main street, so I am hardly anonymous when I go out like this. I wonder what people think when they see me, and yes, they do know where I live. LOL

I had planned to try and make a woman's Bible study at 9:30 and was leaving just about in time to barely get there ontime. One of these days, I will remember that in the winter I have to allow time to scrape ice off my car. I got out the scraper and realized there really was no ice on the outside of my windows. It was all on the inside. Sunday I had a leak in my car somehow. My husband did me a favor the night before and warmed my car up. I think that just increased the humidity inside the car even more. So the ice froze inside my window. Let me tell you that scrapers do not work on the inside. At any rate, I finally cleared a spot and headed out to the study. It was in progress when I arrived, but I enjoyed the fellowship. The topic was probably pretty pertinent to me, as it dealt with being surrendered to Christ. IT's right to the heart of the matter.

I had a few nice conversations with some of the ladies at the church, one of whom was a nurse and she and I talked about my surgery and she assuaged a few concerns.

Afterwards I headed for the post office to check my box and to mail my husband's driver's license renewal. As I was preparing to write the check I noticed it said that it takes 8 weeks. I decided he should do this in person and just checked my P.O. Box instead. I had two packages waiting - a dvd and two books. It's Christmas in January. :) One of the books is "What to Expect When You're Expecting" for my youngest daughter who is now expecting (about 9 weeks now) and is due at the end of August.

I came home and had some lunch, checked my e-mail and facebook, etc., chatted for a short bit with my dear husband, and then headed for my post op appointment. When I arrived, I noticed that I'd forgotten my purse and was afraid I would not be seen without a copayment. As it turned out, you don't need a copayment for post op. Phew!!! Fortunately, I wasn't pulled over. :)

As I was waiting, I started reading "The Orphaned Anything's" book that I had just received. Before too long I was called in and saw the surgeon. He had me lie on the table, and then he looked at my incisions. He said the "bumps" were normal. I told him I wasn't really concerned about that. Then I mentioned the sharp pains that felt like I was ripping or tearing something. He said I probably was, and something about scar tissue and adhesions (scar tissue actually was what I was thinking) and that it happens, and it will usually be sore for a day or two and it wasn't to worry about. It's a good thing, because I woke up today, stretched really big and "tore" something else. Just when I think I'm better! For the most part things are better everyday, and yesterday the surgeon sent a note to my doc saying that I'm o.k.

So, I'm officially o.k.

If the surgeon really knew me, he might want to rescind that. ;)

Peace out,
Melanie

Four Chords, 36 Songs

I saw this posted on Dan Castady's facebook and thought it was pretty cool. So, I thought I'd share it as well:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=126693415857&h=RErff&u=BQ_eE

O.K. so some of the vocals get a little crazy, but you have to admit it is a pretty good demonstration.

When I'm Alone

I'm sitting here at my computer desk ... alone, well, unless you count Mollie who's in the other room taking a siesta. Anyway, I started listening to Brandon Heath's
Song, "When I'm Alone" and there is a line in the song that really just touched me a whole lot.

You know, sometimes when you are alone, and you have these certain thoughts, you wonder if you are the only one who feels that way, and then someone like Brandon Heath sings this: "...but sometimes I get scared that somehow I'll cease to belong anywhere.." and you realize that this is where you are at, and that you really aren't the only one that feels that way.

I first heard of Brandon Heath when he was touring with Bebo Norman. I was working catering for that show. In fact, I am usually not the one that does the whole thing, but the people who usually planned everything were both back in New Orleans helping with the Hurricane Katrina clean up. So, I planned the meals, bought the food, and was in charge of preparation. So, I was a little dismayed when 6 days before the show I ended up sick. Of course, I worried... I was worried about making Mute Math sick as I fell ill just after their show. I consoled myself thinking that the show with Bebo was nearly a week away, and that as long as I wasn't running a fever or coughing I should be mostly over it by then. That was on Sept. 30. Fast forward to October 4, the day before the show. I coughed the entire night. I couldn't go, I couldn't not go. I had all the food. It was a disaster, but the funny thing is that this show had been bathed in prayer (I was praying desperately, and a few others had been praying as well) and I felt strangely calm. The meat in the freezer wasn't thawed out, so I had to do a cold water thaw before leaving. I downed more dextromethorphan (sp)than anyone should (yes, I did follow dosage recommendations, had a zillion cough drops and throat coat tea. Things went wrong, but they were all handled and with surprisingly little stress. I made way too much food (usually we also fed some of the people from the church, but things were more closed off for that particular show, and no one ate a lot, suprisingly), but the food was loved. I was worried the whole time about making others ill. I only had to go outside and cough one time which was miraculous. All of that long, involved story to say that I saw Brandon at the kitchen and warned him about my illness. His comment to me was that "he loved germs." LOL I've loved him ever since. :) Then when it was time for the show, Bebo introduced Brandon as the man with the "stupidly beautiful voice." I had to agree. CD's do not do his voice justice and he has an amazingly beautiful voice.

After the show, I was able to pose for photos with everyone. I followed the tour blogs, etc., for about a month and prayed no one would get sick. No one did. I was relieved. :) I did have bronchitis, but I did recover after a round of antibiotics. LOL

At any rate, I recommend the song. Here are the complete lyrics for anyone interested"

"When I'm alone, the faces they come and they go
I wonder if they think I've changed
I wish I could stay
and be where you are
The countries and cities so far
This is my dream and my gift
but sometimes I get
Scared that somehow I'll cease to belong anywhere
So I need you when it all starts to show
When I'm alone

When I'm alone
I sleep late, it's crazy I know
The world's only passing me by
I guess that is why
I'm tellin' you now
That I haven't figured it out
The depth of the things that I've missed
that leave me like this
Scared that somehow I'll cease to belong anywhere

So I need you
when it all starts to show
When I'm alone

Is it true that you can find me anytime
Cause I'm feeling like I'm there it's about that time
Cause I'm scared that somehow I'll cease to belong anywhere
So I need you
when it all starts to show
When I'm alone
When I'm alone
When I'm alone"

****

Hebrews: 13:5
"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have ; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER * DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER * FORSAKE YOU,"

Peace out,
Melanie

Impatience

O.K., I am ready to be completely healed now. LOL I guess it is unrealistic to expect that a week after surgery I would be ready to get back to normal. After all, the doc did say if I was working that I'd be off 2 weeks. Fortunately, I'm still on furlough.

While I am much better, I am still pretty sore. I still really can only sleep on one side, which is interfering with my sleep somewhat. I'm on a really weird split sleep schedule now that I have to somehow get back under control.

Yesterday was rough, but today has been better. I think perhaps I overdid things a little on Saturday. Fortunately things have been better today. And for the first time in a few days I actually feel really hungry for something besides oatmeal. I need to go to the store.

Isn't this exciting? LOL Really, there isn't much else happening in my life right now. I watched a really weird version of one of the CSI shows this morning, and some weird game called Trivial Pursuit, read a little, did a few crossword puzzles and am generally bored.

I have a little bit of a Bible Study to do this evening and some prayer time at 2 a.m. as part of a 24 hour prayer chain.

Some of the media coverage of Obama's inauguration (coronation?) has really almost turned me off to it altogether. Some of the rhetoric I've seen on the event coverage almost makes him sound like the Messiah. I'm sorry, but no matter how one feels about Mr. Obama (hours away from being President Obama) he is not Jesus Christ, and the linguistic comparisons I'm seeing almost make me bristle. (Please note, while I don't agree with Obama on many things, this is not necessarily his doing.) On the other hand, I have to admit I am not seeing anything that really separates Obama from any other politician other than he speaks better than most and he has perhaps more charisma. I guess I've become rather cynical.

O.K. Now that I've stepped into it with both feet.. I think I'll leave it at that.

God's blessing,
Melanie

Day 5 after surgery

This morning I am up, way earlier than I intended. Mollie the dog thought she couldn't wait an hour to go outside. So, I got up and put something on besides comfy pj's today. I still picked something soft, a teal velour pantsuit, as I am still definitely sore, but it is way better than day 1 to be sure. I am still not sure what to eat anymore, but I've been eating a lot of oatmeal because it just sounds good and it's easy.

My daughter has a doctor's appointment this morning, so I am going with her. She is picking me up in a bit. At least I'll be ready to go. I really need time to flat iron my hair, anyway, and it's heating up as I type. Yesterday morning I took a shower and went back to bed with damp hair, so my hair looks like something out of a horror movie. ;)

Anyway, I am very slowly getting better. The bruising around the incision is starting to lighten, and I can almost lay for a brief moment on my right side --
almost. Never take small things for granted. My body really is tired of being able only to rest only one side.

I made an appointment for my follow up on Jan. 27 in the afternoon.

I was invited to take photos for a local band opening up for Rookie of the Year on Jan. 23, but I don't think it would be a terribly great idea, especially since the venue has no barricade to hide behind. It's also my husband's birthday. I feel kinda badly since this is the second time I've had to turn them down mostly due to just bad timing. They really have a lot of potential, and are nice people.

I have a ticket to see Anberlin and Between the Trees a couple of hours from here on the 31st, and I am starting to question my sanity if I go. I figured I will wait until the 27th and then decide. I obviously will not be able to stay long in the front, if at all. I may contact the venue to see what the setup is like. I was there once last year, and the venue ended up not being ready, so they moved it elsewhere. I've never seen the inside. I would really like to see Between the Trees again. It's been a while.

Anyway, nothing much exciting to report: only that I am still alive, and slowly but surely recovering.

Peace out,
Melanie

Surgery update

Just going to post this real quick. Not sure I should be on yet.

I got home yesterday about 4:30 p.m. so from the time I arrived at the hospital until arriving back home again was about 7 hours. I was 1/2 hr. early getting there, was admitted, prep was done 1/2 ahead of schedule, so then I had to wait about 1/2 hr. from doc.

Anesthesiologist talked to me about anesthesia. I mentioned anesthesia and extreme nausea ran in my family and it was an issue, but he said it was common and wasn't too concerned. He said they'd put a tube down my throat and the only way I would know would be a bit of a raspy throat. Maybe it wasn't that easy, however. I have a small bit of a fat top lip (not really visible except to me, but I can feel it) and my bottom lip feels like I bit it or something.

I was told by hubby that surgery went well, though he's always way to sketchy on details. It's like pulling teeth. Ugh!!! When I came to in recovery, it wasn't long before I felt some really bad abdominal pain. The nurse seemed a bit surprised because the pains were lower, not where the surgery was. She gave me morphine in my iv, but ended up giving a little more because it was still bad. It took the edge off most of it. It was still there a little, but mostly gone when I left. At any rate, I managed to get my gown off, and asked for the kidney basin. I missed with part of it, so I had to be cleaned up. Then I gingerly got dressed. On the way out I tried to go to the bathroom, and just ended up filling the little kidney basin twice.

I did make it home, to find out my name wasn't on the pain med prescription, and they couldn't call it in, so hubby took me home and then went back to the hospital.

As it turned out, I took it one more time, had lots of nausea and finally when the meds wore off I decided it was tolerable pain (mainly if I move) and the nausea was worse. I took one more nausea pill, waited a bit and had something to eat. I have managed to keep all food down. This afternoon, I am quite groggy, but o.k. I feel like someone kicked my sides in rather like some tv detective that gets to close and gets the stuffings kicked out of him. LOL But it's mostly when I move, especially turning to the sides. In fact, I need to get off here because I don't think typing is helping!

Anyway, I've been on here to long. I am doing well, just recovering. Thanks to those who prayed for me! I appreciate it greatly!!

Tomorrow is the Day

At 10 a.m I am supposed to report to the hospital to have my gallbladder removed.
I am a bit nervous about it, but I wasn't feeling actually scared. I think I am most nervous about getting all the preop instructions right, getting to the hospital, what to wear, and having some things done at home so I won't have to worry about it later - timing mostly. I have friends praying for me.

And then I start having second thoughts because of things I've read, and I am talking to someone at church who's husband did a "gallbladder purge" instead, (had to do it twice) about 5 years ago. Because I think the circumstance is somewhat
different, I'm not sure that would be the best thing for me, but should I have tried it? I hate these second thoughts.

I used to sidewalk counsel outside abortion clinics and the one thing I would tell women is it's still not too late to change their minds. Just because you have an appointment doesn't mean you have an obligation to undergo surgery. So, I was thinking that I need to be careful to remember that. Still, my WBC was high, and maybe it should have been out already. I have a 2 cm gallstone (not exactly tiny) and things haven't been right for a while.

I know I will have to change my diet, either way. I am already trying to work on that end of things. In the end, I know I am planning to go ahead with the surgery, but I hate all of the doubts.

I think I will leave this one in God's hands and pray for the best. HE knows what it is. I have no idea. So, if the surgeon suddenly can't be there, maybe I'll take it as a sign? LOL

Pray for me tomorrow.

Thanks.

--Melanie

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby...

Happy Birthday Bethany!

My baby is now 25 years old. And yes, for those of you who do the "new" elderly math, I had her when I was 4 years old. LOL

On January 4, 1984, I was at home on a Sunday morning having pains. It really felt more like a bladder infection than labor, and I figured, "Oh great, I'm about to go into labor, and I have an infection." To make a long story short, I was in labor. It was a cold January morning in North Highlands, California, and we really couldn't afford to keep the house overly warm. I woke up, went to the ladies room and told my husband I didn't think I was going to make it to church today. I was right. I didn't make it to church.

I didn't make it to the hospital, either. She was born an hour and 10 minutes later at home. A few minutes after that, there were firemen in my bedroom wearing full gear (they had been called to a fire, but ended up at my place) and two ambulance drivers. Looking back it was somewhat comical. My husband always said he wanted to deliver the baby. He got his chance. LOL The ambulance guys cleaned her up and then we took an ambulance ride, sans sirens, to Roseville hospital. The hospital had been trying to push the sibling program so my older son could be there. As it ended up, he was outside in pj's directing the ambulance and her sister Dee was there. For years after she always talked about babies being born with blood on their forehead (as if it was the most natural thing in the world) and this was what she knew about babies. It's funny how things work out sometimes. And so it was that Bethany came into this world, and how we both had our very first ambulance ride on the same day.

And I'm quite sure Bethany will be thrilled that I related this story. LOL

And she really isn't a baby any more, I suppose. But she is my youngest child.
Trust me, they grow up way too fast.

Happy Birthday Bethany.

A farewell of sorts... so long gallbladder

At 1:45 p.m., I had an appointment with the surgeon. We were discuss the fate of my gallbladder. The verdict was that I have a gallstone (a 2 cm gallstone, to be exact, which I was told was a rather large stone - as well as the fact that even though it's the only one on the ultrasound, it could have "friends") and there were three treatment options given to me. The first is to basically wait it out with a pretty good chance of it recurring within 2 years, or to try to break it up with medication, and most of the time surgery ends up being necessary down the road, and the third option is to remove it (with is not without possible side effects.) I opted for removal. I figure surgery is better now than later, and since the gallstone incident on December 26, I've been queasy off and on. I've also cut out all but a really, really small amount of fat and while I need to cut my fat intake, it's ridiculously low right now. Anyway, I did ask for a copy of my blood work info. from the hospital, and when he saw that my white blood cell count was 13.5 (ref. 3.6-10.6), and he said he probably would have kept me. He was on call that day, so if I had seen him I probably would have been admitted.

Anyway, I was concerned about having to go back to work soon, and having to wait a long time to get into have the surgery done, but I am able to have it done this Monday!!! It's a relief that I don't have to wait too long.

So, come Monday, my gallbladder will be history. Prayers welcome. :)

Peace out,
Melanie

Going to the Dogs

So, I did make an effort this afternoon to take some dog photos. I did get a few, but I think I really need to go out a little earlier when the lighting is a tad more even. It was really bright in the sun, and much, much darker even with a little shade, and it was pretty much one or the other. I'm hoping I can get out when the lighting is a tad more even, if I can stand it. Unfortunately, the weather has been in the teens today, and according to Yahoo right now it is 8 deg. F outside. It's too cold for man nor beast. LOL

Anyway, here are the pics I was able to take of Mollie.








And this is one I took of Rocky.



And one of Daisy Mae:


I took a few other miscellaneous outdoor shots - a few that are o.k., probably nothing to write home about. LOL Like this one, for instance:



Hope you like them.

Oh, btw, the mystery of the unknown artist has been solved. The song "20 Cities" is by The Daylights. I knew it was very familiar. LOL BTW, if you haven't heard The Daylights, DO check them ought. They are very good!!!!

20 Cities

O.K., so I am listening to "unknown artists" on my Zune (I tend to label the artist manually, but for some reason it doesn't leave artists labelled quite often) and I ran across a song entitled, "20 Cities" and absolutely love it. It is definitely familiar, but I just can't place the artist. Usually I can plug in song lyrics and pull up just about anything, but I've tried alls sorts of portions of the lyrics and the song title, with no result whatsoever. So does anyone know who does this song? It's gonna drive me to distraction!

These are the lyrics:

If there's an ocean, if there's a valley if 20 cities stand between us
Keep holding on, You'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you

What can stand between us, not tomorrow not today
And if a shadow falls down on us then we'll laugh in it's face
And if a shower starts to flooding, and a spark becomes a flame
We won't let it touch us not tomorrow, not today.

If there's an ocean, if there's a valley, if 20 cities stand between us
Keep holding on, You'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you

What can stop us now, no surprises, no shame
No angels and no devils are gonna to take this away
And the highs won't rise above us and the lows won't change a thing
From here on out I promise no suprises, no shame

If there's an ocean, if there's a valley, if 20 cities stand between us
Keep holding on, You'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you

If there's an ocean, if there's a valley, if 20 cities stand between us
Keep holding on, You'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you

Keep holding on, you'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you.
Keep holding on, you'll make it through, I promise I'll get back to you.

Very pretty song, and I know I'll be kicking myself going, "oh yeah" as soon as
I find out who sings it, but if anyone knows can you please fill me in? LOL

--Melanie

P.S. The next song that comes up on my Zune is "Taken by the Storm by Article One. It's an awesome song also. :)

New Year's Resolutions

I really didn't start out to make any resolutions this year, but I think I may make just a few. The first one is that I really want to get a handle on this messy computer room. Then I hope it will spread elsewhere. This is the worst room (ever) so if it is under control, I think good things will follow. LOL

Anyway, here is a new pic of my desk. I know it probably doesn't look like a lot of progress, but trust me, it is. The stack at the back of my desk is half of what it was. The "junk" next to my keyboard used to be mostly papers, now it's a few books some dvd's and a couple of papers. Still haven't figured out how I will sort and store all of my dvd's, but I think that will be tomorrow's project. I figure if I do something everyday, I will make progress. I already emptied a basket and threw away two trash bags full of trash, mostly paper.

Anyway, my second resolution is to finally find a good home for Mollie the dog.
Mollie is adorable. She's about 3 years old and is a black and white cocker/basset mix. I have to tell ya, she's a tad neurotic in that she tends to attach to a female in the household and barks/growls at others. For some reason I think it is just because she's a little fearful. For this reason, though, I am not too sure really small children in the home would be a good idea. I do think this is overcomeable if someone spends the time to work with her a little. She is house trained but she will sometimes go if she smells urine from another dog. Otherwise, she will jump up, bark and drive you crazy if she needs to go out. She likes to give me baths. She just cleaned my feet. (Yuck, the things dogs will do. LOL) She's been pretty much an indoor dog here, but she was outdoors during the day and inside at night when my daughter had her. The reason I have her is that my daughter had too many dogs, so the city cited her for it and she had to give Mollie up. I have two other dogs (I am only supposed to have 2) and Daisy, the chocolate lab, doesn't like competition, so they don't really get along - hence the reason why Mollie is usually indoors. Anyway, I already feel she is too attached here, so the sooner she finds a new home, the better. I took a few cell pics of Mollie, and I blogged about her a while back where there are some better pics. I think tomorrow, I'll try taking a few good pics of her with my better cameras. I really want to take some pics tomorrow anyway.



So, if you or anyone you know could make a good home for Mollie, please let me know. If you are not really close by, then don't totally rule it out, either, as if there is a way, (and I like you) it still might happen. With a lot of love and attention, I know Mollie will be a great dog for someone!!

And my resolutions for Monday are to finally get ahold of my doc,to get an appointment for Daisy's vaccinations, and make a trip to the post office. LOL
I think I need "daily resolutions." LOL

Peace out,
Melanie

P.S. I still want to do a 2008 recap eventually, hopefully before 2009 ends.

Six more minutes...

Six more minutes and the first day of 2009 will be officially behind me. So what did I do for most of the day? Sleep. You got it, I slept the day away. Well, techically I didn't go to sleep until well after 6 a.m., but I don't think I got up until around 4 p.m. I missed most of the daylight today.

I did get toast the New Year's entry with Martinelli's with my husband.

I did get a load of dishes in the dishwasher.

I did shred a lot of paper I didn't need - slowly but surely making a dent in this huge mess of a computer room of mine.




I attempted to say Happy New Year to my top 40 friends, but never finished.

I suppose today I should have done more. And it would be a good time to reflect on the events of the last year .. but that will have to wait until tomorrow. After all, I wouldn't want to ruin my standing in the Procrastinator's Club.

Happy New Year and Peace Out,
Melanie

Day After Christmas No Bargain

Yesterday morning I was awakened by Mollie the dog at 9:30 a.m. I think she needed to go out, so I reluctantly got up and took her outside. My right side was really painful. I slept on it a little, so I figured it was my shoulder injury, and the pain was radiating. It almost felt like my back, stomach and everything was involved. I took Mollie out, went back inside and got my gift for the neighbor across the street who wasn't home on Christmas day. She said she was at the next door neighbor's watching Prince Caspian. Anyway, we chatted a while, and the pain wasn't subsiding at all. I went in and took a flexeril I had left from the car accident in May.

About an hour later, the pain was getting worse, and I threw up, repeatedly.

I'm thinking gallbladder. Personally I think I've had issues for a while, but nothing ever shows up. So, I was afraid they wouldn't figure out what was going on once again.

The doctor's office wasn't open, so Ed took me to the Emergency Room. I was moaning and crying by then and asking for somthing to get me out of pain. Now, I've had three children, 2 of them with no pain meds. I'd rather have a baby any day. It seemed an eternity before they put in an iv, determined it was likely gallbladder and gave me something for the pain. Then I had the lovely privlege of giving a urine sample via catheter (gratefully pain meds came first), and then was wheeled in for an ultrasound. I slept for a while, and I have no idea how long.

The doc finally came back in and told me the verdict - gallstones. I was almost surprised, but not at the same time. I wasn't surprised it was gallbladder, I was surprised that it showed up. He said that the stone had dropped down so the pain should be better, and sent me home with an instruction to avoid fat, and to call a surgeon in 4 days. I have a prescription for vicodin, but I'm afraid it will make me nauseous.

I've read that there can be some negative side effects from having a gallbladder removed, although I know two women who've had it done that were singing it's praises. I'm not sure I would have welcomed the surgery, but after yesterday, they can't yank that thing fast enough!

So, I know I need to eat something, and I'm afraid to. :( It's going to be a long 4 days.

Say a prayer for me. I feel like I've been hit by a Mack Truck today.

--Melanie

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

(Photo taken last winter in my front yard.)
I woke up to find that the weather reports were correct in predicting a 90% chance of snow today. It was snowing, and it snowed pretty good, but stopped after a few hours. I was singing, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one..." and then I hesitated since I was born and raised in Sacramento. I think in Sacramento it would snow and melt before it hit the ground about once every 5 years. I only really remember one white Christmas before moving to Northern Utah in 1999. So I chuckled and went about preparing our turkey dinner.

It's funny how traditions are sometimes. We didn't really follow them at all for
Thanksgiving this year, and ended up with ham and not so many trimmings because of a little miscommunication. LOL But Christmas, was a full blown, turkey with all the trimmings. My daughter came over to share it with us, so I basically cooked all day for an army of 3. :) But the food and company were good.

My daughter and her dad (aka my husband, Ed) were watching the ever popular Christmas movie C.H.U.D. (which I am told stands for "Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers.) I have a feeling I don't want to watch. LOL So, I took my Christmas gift over to the next door neighbors and they invited me in, and we chatted for a few, and she introduced me to all of the cats. The dogs and I are already acquainted. When I stepped outside my front door, it was raining. Wait, rain? What happened to the snow? Most of the snow was already off the sidewalks and what was left was reduced to slush. Just before I left the neighbors pointed out that it was snowing pretty good. I looked out at their back porch and it was already covered, and there were some pretty good-sized snowflakes fluttering to the ground. I finally excused myself and headed back home, and probably an inch of snow had already blanketed the sidewalks and the roadway.

I came back in the house and and reported my findings to my daughter and spouse and chatted a bit about the meaning of CHUD - and really exciting stuff like that. :) So she decided she'd better head back for home while she still could, so I loaded her up with leftovers before she headed out. She went out and unburied her car, and I cleared her headlights and she slowly drove off into the snowy night. Afterwards I ran across the street to greet my neighbor there, but alas, she didn't appear to be home. I was soaked. LOL

My daughter brought me a nice warm pair of fuzzy slippers and pjs. I think I'll wear them shortly and sip on some hot apple cider. It will be a good, warm ending to my usual, but rather unusual Christmas day.

Hope you all had a very, Merry Christmas! :)

God's blessings, Melanie

P.S. If you have a Xanga account, please check this out. I really enjoyed it and hope you will as well: http://weblog.xanga.com/emprise34/686961288/christmas-gets-a-bad-wrap.html

You might be able to read it without Xanga, just not certain.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Friday it snowed. It snowed, and it was very cold. At one point in the late afternoon, early evening, my husband reported that it was 24 deg. outside, but it felt like 11. (It was the internet;s conclusion, but this time I think he agreed with their assessment.) I know there are colder places, but suffice it to say that it was icy out. Saturday, I had plans. I hoped for clear roads and clear weather.

Saturday, the plan was to head for Provo to see John Allred's Christmas shows. The first started at 7:30 p.m., and the second was supposed to start 1t 9:30 p.m. The first was an acoustic set, while the second was with a full band. The name of the venue is The Velour. John has asked me to take photos. I was nervous because there is a difference between taking photos and hoping for good ones, and taking some for someone who would probably like a few good shots to come from the set.

Provo is about an hour and 18 mins. from me, if you believe Google Maps. But it was Saturday at around 4:37 p.m. when I left, and it was snowing lightly, and it was cold and icy. The roads were mostly clear, but not completely. People were driving like it was a sunny day, possibly in an attempt to finish up their Christmas preparations. For the most part the trip was rather uneventful, other than two traffic slowdowns, one of them most likely due to a few cars being cleared from the side of the road. But I made it to Provo and to the venue safely, in a little over an hour and a half.

It was cold outside the Velour when I arrived, and one of the guys was unloading their vehicle from the curbside, and I parked behind him trying to make sure there was plenty of room between us. There were a few kids already waiting outside, and I started a conversation with them. I finally caught someone's attention and left my camera inside. Down the street, I could see one of the lighted signs announcing the time and the fact that it was 26 degrees outside, then 25 degrees, then 3 degrees C. I know it gets colder sometimes, but I was plenty cold enough. I took out my cell phone and snapped a pic of the temperature, then went two doors down for some hot apple cider and to use the ladies room. I got a kick out of the bathroom I used because it was a cafe/music place called The Muse, and the bathroom was decorated with old 33-1/3 rpm records. I chuckled when I saw Peter & Gordon. I used to like them. I'm still a fan of vocal harmonies. Not long after I arrived back at the door of the Velour, John let me in to wait.

The Velour is an interesting place. When you enter the room you notice just how eclectic everything is. Someone was moving a small "buddah" to a new location and rearranging things to ready for the show. In some ways the decor reminded me of things you'd find at a 70's garage sale. At the far end was a stage decoraged with white Christmas lights. There was a curtain at the back of the stage. To the side, was one strange piece of artwork, which if I recall correctly, was on a yellow background. There were some strange charicatures on there that I would have difficulty describing without looking at it directly. However, the first character in the picure was shaped like the bottom of a hand, or probably more intended was another part of the anatomy that was less seemly. The place did have a certain charm, however, weird paintings and all.

Just around the corner from the front door, there was a very small "stage-like" area with a chair and mike. A green velour sofa was at the front and a burnt orange chair sat next to it. On the left wall were some "benches" of a sort, that look rather like steps. Behind the sofa were rows of metal folding chairs. On the wall behind the mike was a oval mirror, and on the right side in front, there was a plastic lighted santa. He definitely could have been 70's. There was a light on the left side of the stage, that was just a cirle light with colored lights. That was the stage lighting. I knew I was in trouble. LOL

Once it was about time for things to begin. I sat down in the orange chair on the right side. There was a group of teens already sitting on the couch, and people were filing in. As people entered, there was a sheet of paper where people could write their song requests and tally songs they wanted to here. It was to be an impromptu set list of sorts. The place filled up rather quickly. Once everyone was in, the show started. John was very engaging onstage and the vocals were good as always. Parades was very memorable with everyone singing along. Several times he made comments about people choosing the depressing songs. LOL It was a long set, although I didn't count how many songs, and when John asked what time it was, it was 9:40 p.m. People were lined up in the cold waiting for the 9:30 show. So he played one more song and the transition from show one to show 2 began. Chairs were quickly moved, people filed out, and the doors were opened once again.

I just happened to be standing pretty much dead center and started a conversation with a couple. People filled in around me, and I figured I'd let people know I needed to move about. I didn't think I'd get the best pictures where I was. IT worked. I moved several times, but never could make it to the right side of the stage. I don't like to disturb people too much. I planned to move between songs, but sometimes there wasn't much of a break between them. LOL For the second set there was a backup band and there was a good mix of band, acoustic, and piano driven songs, and John played Parades (a favorite of mine) with a cellist backing him up. At one point he mentioned that a lot of people thought the concert was going to be all Christmas songs at first, and that he was only going to play one and proceeded to sing a very nice rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. He also did a round of "cheesy 80's songs" using a looping machine, ala Jon Foreman style (well, Allred has his own stlye with it, but Jon Foreman is the first person I saw sing into a guitar.) John does it really well, and it's always amazing to listen to.




One thing funny I've noticed here is that occasionally a crowd will want an encore, but I think it just kind of gets lost at the end. I saw that happen at the fair with Natalie Grant. At Natalie's show, it seemed like most people didn't really expect an encore, and so they were tepid in asking for one. In John's case, I think the crowd knows him and rather expects an encore to just happen. There was a call for one more song, with someone in the back shouting 50 more songs, and then it just stopped. It's kind of awkward, but John did come back out and do an encore and everyone pretty much was waiting and expecting it. LOL

After the show, John had promised a song to 3 ladies, and it didn't make it to the set list, so he stayed after, sat on the side of the stage and played it for them. I thought that was pretty cool, and I know they really appreciated it. I talked to John and Shane (bass player, video, sometimes merch guy) for a while before saying my goodbyes and heading for home. I wasn't relishing the drive home. I managed to find the street that leads to the street the freeway was on (I thought the hard part) rather easily, but missed my turn, and had to come back around. I was starving, so I decided to stop at Arby's and get something to eat. I ended up parking in the Carl's Jr. lot to eat my Arby's meal. The funny thing is I would have stopped at Carl's, but it looked closed. It wasn't. So, I finally got back on the road, eventually found the street I'd missed and headed for home. I had to stop once to clean my glasses so I could see, but made it home safely with no major problems. I was tired, and glad to be home, but it was a great night. :)


I worked on pics a bit, and then finally went to bed around 6 a.m. I'm a glutton for punishment. I was up at 9:30 a.m., and I asked Ed to drive me to church as I really hadn't enough sleep for driving. He was gracious enough to give me a ride.
The service was about love, and I'm really glad I didn't sleep in. :)

At any rate, if you haven't checked Allred's music out, you should do so. I have a video clip on one of my blogs around here somewhere. LOL

Merry Christmas and a have a blessed and happy New Year!!

--Melanie

All I want for Christmas is normalcy?

I am sometimes my own worst enemy. I want desperately to get something done. I know the key is starting, but it seems like it is 2 steps forward 3 steps back.

Just thought I'd post again and say that Daisy had her visit with the vet, who thinks it is just a virus, and felt antibiotics would help with one of the issues she was having. I had virtually no sleep, so my daughter picked her up and took her to the vet for me. The vet gave her a shot, and some pills. She weighs 71 pounds (that's after being sick and not eating for 2 days.) She seemed better within hours. Tonight she was jumping on me (well... somethings I would prefer not be back to normal.) She ate a dog biscuit, so her appetite is back. She is sleeping on the floor by the computer.

I didn't sleep much, as Mollie (another dog) was whining most of the night - she hasn't done that in a while. So I was up after a couple hours of sleep, and then finally made it to bed after Daisy got back home. I think it was almost 2 p.m. before I really slept. I woke up at 7 p.m.

I've done almost nothing for Christmas. I think I'm in trouble. LOL

The only thing worse than a sick kid... not pretty to read about...

is a sick dog. Now I don't mean that in the sense that the child who is sick
is of less concern. Quite the contrary, I would be much more concerned about a
sick child. I guess I am discriminitory that way - I give preference to humans
over their pets. However, when a child is sick it just seems so much easier to
deal with. Babies don't travel far from their beds, and older children can to some
extent find the bathroom, or bedpan most of the time. Not so with dogs. The closest they come is the back door.

So, I've been going to bed around 6 a.m. or later, ocasionally working on photos
and taking catnaps on my keyboard. Today I was all set to hit the sack at 5:15 and congratulating myself. So I was getting ready to crate the dogs for bedtime, and noticed a less than pleasant aroma. It's obvious one of the dogs is quite ill.

I'm concerned about Parvo (and I think the dog I have that had Parvo as a puppy is the sick one) although she isn't fading fast, she isn't getting sick really often, and she doesn't seem excessively thirsty, but it almost seems like it in other ways. Her vaccinations expired about 3 or 4 weeks ago, and I was planning to take her in this week for them. I will feel like dog owner of the year if she this was preventable. Anyway, I think she will be o.k. until morning or at least I hope so.

In the meantime, I cleaned up the mess and I have to wind down now before I can go to sleep. It is 6:25 a.m.

Say a prayer for me and Daisy. I think we both need it.

Thinking and Over Thinking.. Pt. 2

By the time I arrived home from Graywhale, it was already near or past midnight. I didn't exactly check my watch (or it's equivalent, which in my case would be my cell phone.) I got on the computer for a short bit, did a load of dishes, and threw a load of laundry in to wash, got the dogs ready to sleep, got my clothes ready for the next day, and all the other mundane, small tasks I needed to do before sleeping. Before long it was nearly 4 a.m. and I figured I'd better sleep soon, or I would be sleep driving.

I fell asleep rather easily, but woke up at 9:30 a.m. I tried to go back to sleep for a little bit to no avail. I finally just got up and started my day. I rather took my time getting ready. I figured I was in for a long day. It was nearly 11:30 by the time I left the house, and I had to make a pit stop at the post office to give them a package misdelivered to my P.O. Box the day before. I checked my box and found Mae's Destination Beautiful anniversary edition waiting for me.

Then I headed out for the Salt Air Pavilion. By 12:30 p.m. I was already there. There were a few workers about, and just a few cars in the lot. The gate to the lot was closed, so I parked in a small area outside the gates and waited a bit.


Then I decided to use a restroom up the road a bit and come back. So I took care of business and filled up my gas tank. I arrived back at the venue by 1:30 p.m. I walked down to find out what time the lot would open and was told 4:30 p.m. So I hung around the venue, watched the radio guy lay out and inflate "Smitty, the corporate rat" and watched Smitty deflate, watched him inflate again... then I heard the generator sputter and Smitty took another "nap". Finally, they generator was turned off and the blower was plugged in and Smitty was back on the job. It kept me mildly entertained. Finally about 3:30 or so, a few others arrived and people trickled un until a little closer to door time and the crowd started to build. Finally 6:30 arrived and we were able to go in. I was front and pretty close to center, barely to the right of center. Tuyen was standing next to me, and her cousin, Diane next to her. There was a lot of chit-chat with others, until finally the show started.


The first band to play was a local band called, The Market. They were really pretty good. At the end, the lead singer wadded up a set list and tossed it falling sort of clearing the barricade. No one else seemed too interested in it, but I figured it must be a set list, so I was able to get security to hand it too me. It was, as I had predicted, a set list.
http://www.myspace.com/themarkettunes




Next to play was the band, The Brobecks. I saw them quite a long time ago at a small place called, Solid Ground Cafe, but they have had personnel changes since then. I really liked them quite a bit. The band was very solid with good vocal harmonies.


Then it was time for Anberlin to play, and the crowd started getting really tight and very, very pushy. Ping came out to set up the stage and Tuyen and I shouted our hellos to him and he did a quick wave and went about his business.

Christian came out and sound checked his guitar, etc. and another guy came out to check out the drums. The gals next to me commented on him being a former drummer for The Almost.


Then it was time for the rest of the band to take the stage and the crowd went pretty crazy. Then this tall, blonde kid pushed his way up between Tuyen and her cousin and I tried to get security to make him back off. I thought he was going to, but then he didn't do anything. As a result he and a couple of other guys pushed in and pinned my arm against a vertical bar on the barricade, and really tweaked me in a few places around my neck and left shoulder (front and back.) It was quite painful. I really couldn't clap the rest of the night. It is still pretty painful, but I can at least move a little and type now. I got kicked more than I can ever remember being kicked as the security guard that was in front of me at the first of the show couldn't seem to lift people over me all the way. It did take away from the show a bit. I couldn't get much in the way of a photo under the circumstances, so only a handful turned out, but at least I was able to take the camera in this time and make the attempt. LOL


Anberlin proceeded to put on an amazing show. At the end of their set there was a very loud call for an unrequited encore. A number of people left the area, including Tuyen who didn't like all the pushing much. I can't say I blame here. I decided to stay for at least part of Hoobastank's set. I did want to hear The Reason Tuyen and I saw Ping and hollered at him again. He had promised me a set list (said he would save his copy and I saw it in his back pocket) and Tuyen a guitar pick. He was true to his word. He handed the set list, and to Tuyen and it fell, and then a guitar pick of Christians, and it fell short also. Others were trying to get it so I said to security he handed them to her and he promised them to her the night before. Then he took Christian's set list off the floor and handed it to me.

Security added more people for Hoobastank's set but overall, things loosened up quite a bit. The lead singer for Hoobastank used quite a lot of vulgarity, but the music was good, if you could overlook some the crass language. They did put on a good show and give it their all. About 4 or 5 songs into the set, the lead singer for Hoobastank decided that he wanted more action, so he said the security guys looked bored and he asked for people to crowd surf. I got kicked in the head a song or two later, and my nose smashed into the barricade. I wear glasses, so it made it really quite painful. I cried a little because it hurt. I was asked if I was o.k. and I said not really, so then I was asked if I wanted to leave, and I really didn't. But then everyone kept asking me, so I just decided to leave. I was afraid to leave because if I were lifted out I know it would be a killer on my previous injury. Sometimes I hate to be right. So I stood to the side for about half a song which wasn't a bad view, but then I went back to look for friends and found them. Then I decided to get some ice and ended up talking to a paramedic. About the time I went to the back again, Hoobastank played the Reason (which was awesome live, btw.) One more song after that, and an encore and the show had ended.




We waited to see Anberlin, thanked Ping, etc. I had my Anberlin set list autographed. Deon decided to add punctuation to the set and had me laughing.
Then I told Stephen I had the Dr. Pepper and he said awesome! (I tried to get it to them before the show because they had flown in, but I guess my message didn't get to them at all, but then security guy said their bus had broken down and they were sharing with Hoobastank, which turned out not to be the case.) I still didn't know what I was going to do with all the Dr. Pepper. LOL Then I struck up a conversation with Conner of The Brobecks. I really enjoyed our conversation quite a lot, and I'm looking forward to seeing them again, hopefully in Feb., work permitting. I did ask him if he liked Dr. Pepper, and he said that he in fact did. I told him about it and said he could have whatever Anberlin couldn't use.

So, we finally left and I had help taking the Dr. Pepper (Nicole and friends) to the bus to see if they wanted it. That's when I found out it was just Hoobastank's bus. So, we had a short 30 sec. conversation with them. I told one of the guitarists that he reminded me of Angus Clark of TSO, and he said awesome. I said he didn't look just like him, but his smile looked like Angus. He said something about was he good looking, and I said yea, he's cute, and he rather liked that. LOL Then we went back in to find Stephen to find he was showering and it would be a while. So we talked to the manager who took the Dr. Pepper upstairs. He said they had to fly out so they couldn't really take it with them, so I said that whatever they couldn't use or didn't want they could give to The Brobecks (he said they were still there.)

Then we all headed to our cars and headed for home. Then I realized that it hurt like mad to look behind me to change lanes. Mostly it is lifting my arms up that hurt the worst, turning my head, or carrying anything with any real weight to it. I took 2 asprin and an hour later it had barely done anything. I almost fell asleep at my desk and felt really nauseous, so I laid down and that really hurt. So I went to hunt for a muscle relaxer I had for my car accident in May. I took a Flexeril, waited for it to kick in and went to bed. It wasn't the world's best sleep, but at least I had some rest. It really did help. I am still pretty sore, and all this typing is not helping, but I'm grateful that the small bump on my nose leveled out and it is not black and blue, and I am at least doing better.

This made me think (and perhaps overthink) about what I am doing there. I wonder if I should go to anymore shows, and I think how sad it is that things are so out of hand at some of them. Then I wonder if my focus is right and my mind started spiraling everywhere at once (the overthinking part) and wondering if God trying to tell me something. Then I think about the friends and people I'd miss if I just quite going and that sends me another direction. Still, some concert photo doors have opened, and I wonder what they mean? Should I ignore that or go with it? Anyway, still trying to figure out how to balance my unbalanced life. Pray for me. I only have one unused concert ticket purchased currently, and it is to see Anberlin with Between the Trees in Pocatello at the end of January. God have mercy on me! LOL

If you've stuck with my saga this long, you are to be commended. :) Thanks! :)

Love, peace and survival,
Melanie