Love Birds

This is a picture that my handsome feller had painted for me for our 49th anniversary last month. The style is the artist's unique and different way of painting birds.

I especially like the female bird. She's red and she has a crown. Red is my absolutely favorite color. I have a disproportionate percentage of red garments in my closet. And I love the crown on the female bird's head. Wonder what that means? Queen of ...?

Brown is one of Paul's favorite colors. And Paul has blue eyes as does the male bird.

These birds are really a good representation of us in this our last year before our golden anniversary. (Gosh, that sounds so very old. Aren't golden anniversaries for white-haired, inactive seniors? =)

We put this picture over a table in our entryway where we have pictures of all our grandkids and our great-grandchild. It's our nest of offspring's offsprings. I know the rule of decorating is that you don't put any personal pictures in your formal living area, but we're not known for our stylish decorating, so it's okay. We love it!!

Thought I would just share a fun event we're enjoying. My handsome feller loves surprises and loves to surprise me. This was my surprise for our 49th anniversary.
MB

Home, Hoarse, and Healing

Paul came home on Thursday after two surgeries, one Monday and one Wednesday. I wrote e-mails to those who had inquired and to the boards of Paul's ministry. I used this title as the subject in the e-mails. I thought the alliterated subject line was clever. But, that's just me. =)

The whole experience was very positive. Mistakenly, we thought these surgeries might be more minor surgery than major surgery. Wrong! The first surgery was so major, I wasn't sure it was smart to do a second one two days later. But it was done and the second one was not so major.

We discovered that the anesthesiologist had been a member of our son's church and actually knew who we were. He didn't discover that until they were in surgery. Paul and he had a good talk between surgeries. The physician's assistant, Annette, plays the orchestra in a church where our nephew is a member and is a former staff member. She knew him. Such a small world.

The doctors were great. The care was exceptional, and we made some new friends including a nurse's aide who is on the OU baseball team. We'll probably go watch him play next season. How fun is that?

Also enjoyable was the waiting room experience. I learned how to play Crazy 8's with Dara, my granddaughter. (She insists she's my favorite granddaughter. I continue to tell her that yes she is, she is one of my six favorite granddaughters. =) All the kids were there and it was fun visiting and catching up. My brother stayed up there the whole time Monday and Wednesday, and Wednesday was his birthday. Imagine! Spending your birthday in a hospital waiting room. Very special!!

I learned lots of new information, mostly trivia. I do think I'm an information junkie. I learned that the operated-on arteries are sewn up with a cow's pericardiem patch. Isn't that interesting? I also learned that the risk of these carotid arteries clogging up again is very low. Usually they don't.

Wouldn't you think that a better blood flow through the carotid arteries would make you able to think better? We asked the doctor that, and he chuckled and said no but that a lot of people think it does. He said it's just a preventative measure to reduce the risk of stroke.

We're home and Paul is hoarse, but improving. He had the breathing tube inserted twice, and that made him hoarse. His throat is swollen on both sides where the incisions are and underneath in the middle under his chin. Another trivia note: after surgery the area under the chin fills up with fluid, which is a natural result from the surgery. The PA warned us and said that is natural and will go away on its own.

You can imagine how he looks. Both sides of his neck swollen from the incisions, and swollen with fluid under his chin. Really, he doesn't look that bad, but he thinks he does.

All is well, and we're glad last week is over. Paul thinks he'll be back to almost normal in a couple of days. We'll see.
MB

Paul's Procedure

I'm an information junkie. I "google" anything I want to find out more about. I want to know.

Interestingly, I have relatives and friends who don't want to know. I find that curious. I want to know anything and everything about what's happening. Not sure why. I think it's because I think I can make informed decisions. I also know that the type of person I am that I do not like surprises. That's probably more it than anything. Hmmmm...

Today Paul is having his first of two endarterectomies. And that is?


Looks pretty scary, doesn't it? But, I like to know what's happening to him when they roll him away on that stretcher.

If all goes well, I have a picture to know what happened. If all does not go well, I want to know what and why. I want to know exactly what the doctor is saying and understand it.

I'm so bad about this that one time I was arguing with my doctor, who was also a friend and fellow church member. He took me by the hand and led me out to the waiting room and introduced me to the waiting patients as "Dr. Burleson." I thought it was funny, but our child I had with me got angry and then started crying because it was so embarrassing. I actually thought the doctor was intimidated and switched to teasing me because maybe he didn't want to answer my questions. It was all in fun and we remained friends.

That's just a fun example of my way of dealing with doctors. That same doctor asked me what medical school I attended when I was questioning him about something else. I said I didn't, but I still wanted answers. This happened years ago, but it illustrates that I'm a question asker and want to be informed. Why is that so hard to understand? =) I really can't understand why everyone isn't that way? JK

Well, that's my self-revelation for today plus information about Paul's procedure. Thanks for stopping by.
MB

A Special Birthday

Today is Kelly's birthday.

I wanted to use this space and take this opportunity to express what a special person she is and to wish her a very happy birthday!

As I've observed Kelly over the last three years, here are some admirable traits that are evident:

Energetic: She is always "up and at 'em." She has energy to stay up with, entertain, and have fun with a five year old and an eight year old and her grandson, who just turned one. She keeps her home and is always decorating and redecorating. She has a beautiful yard and is always helping or planting new trees and flowers. It's fun to drive up and see the new look.

Loving: Kelly is very loving. She always hugs us when we come and when we leave. Her two stepchildren always want her to hold them or carry them. Her two grown children are very close to her and those relationships are fun to watch.

Physically beautiful: Staying in shape as you get older is a real challenge. Kelly is one of those rare women who cares about how she looks AND keeps herself in good physical shape and always looks beautiful and attractive.

Forgiving: Kelly came into our family during some tough circumstances. Yours truly was the worst offender. Kelly has repeatedly said to me that all of that is forgiven. That is a rare quality, especially forgiveness of your mother-in-law. I'm especially grateful for this trait in Kelly.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I am so glad that Kelly is a part of our family. We're fortunate to have her as one of us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KELLY!!
HOPE IT'S THE BEST EVER!

Love you much,
MB