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January 26, 2005
Here I Go Again
One last post before tomorrow...the big day, I got the call that my surgery is set for 12:20. I report in at 9:50. It's hard to believe that after this, I will not have this surgery looming over my head. I will not have to say I have Ulcerative Colitis anymore. I know there's still some road ahead of recovery, adjustments, etc. But, I am optimistic that I will just continue to feel better and be able to be even more active than ever. It's going to be a great Spring!!!
Posted by stacey at 01:29 PM | Comments (2)
January 24, 2005
Pieces of April
I should be cleaning because my parents arrive tomorrow. I will in a sec. I just had to post about a movie I watched this afternoon. It's called "Pieces of April". I really didn't know what to expect from it, but I thought it was a great story about love, forgiveness, and community. I found myself at the edge of my seat with concern for the characters, laughing at the comedy and tragedy rolled together, and just rooting for some of them. I also appreciated the way the events didn't transpire as expected...it didn't woo you with dramatic twists...but more like pleasant surprises.
Posted by stacey at 07:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2005
They Got Me
Tonight turned out to be much more than a snowed in Sunday. Karen and I went through with our plans to see "In Good Company" which I really enjoyed. Then, we decided to stop somewhere for dinner. We talked about a bunch of options and decided on Senorita Burrita. Little did I know...we were headed for my belated birthday party!!! I was so surprised. My brother and Karen did a fabulous job keeping me in the dark. Even when I walked in, at first I thought there was a meeting or something because it didn't seem like it was open. I stood there for a few minutes just staring. We had fun eating snacks and cake. People were playing games, but I didn' t have the attention span...I was too shocked and excited. I could hardly hold an intelligent conversation. So, tonight turned out to be fabulous. Unfortunately, some people didn't make it because of the weather...but I understand.
My brother is the sweetest. He has been planning this for a while even after already gathering a few friends together for a birthday dinner for me. He made me feel really special. Good job on your first party, Aaron...and at the coolest spot in town. : )
My friend Lisa gave me a one month certificate to Netflix. I can't wait to get that activated!
Posted by stacey at 11:39 PM | Comments (1)
January 22, 2005
It Snowed!
Do you have any idea how many churches there are in this area? I think there are more churches in the WJTL listening area than there are people in my hometown. Its 9:30 p.m and I've been steadily entering cancellations in for tomorrow's services since 7:00 am. Steadily...as in up to nuke some ravioli for dinner, and potty breaks!!! It's been a fun kind of crazy. I enjoy it. Plus, I am making up some hours that I'll be missing.
I found an old picture from either grade school or Jr. High...I think 6th grade. It's of me wearing one of those shirt/vest/tie all in one deals. It's pink with black flecks on it. I had these big black and pink triangle earrings on and some sort of hairdo requiring a curling iron and lots of hairspray...not the big bang look yet...more of a feathered puffy bang...you know what I mean, right? Anyway...yikes.
Posted by stacey at 09:32 PM | Comments (2)
January 21, 2005
Shameless Plug
I have a new poem posted at inuzemag.comCLICK HERE. It's called "Comfort Zones". Browse around while you're there. It's a great site with great staff blogs and links for movie reviews, comics, creative works and much more.
Posted by stacey at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2005
Check this Out
Now Playing: Buddy Miller "Worry Too Much" from Universal United House of Prayer. Good stuff.
We have a new futon in the meeting room section of the office...the area that was painted green the other day. I am so tempted to go over there and take a quick nap. I guess that would be inappropriate, eh.
If you ever want to read some funny stuff...check out my friend Leon's Friday column for the newspaper in the town I grew up in. CLICK HERE. He also has a book called "Good Junk" filled with some of his favorite columns HERE. Some of the things he writes are very telling of the culture I grew up in...sometimes a bit off color...but you'll have that... Most often he uses an attention grabber that leads to a deeper message. Anyway, I'm proud of his accomplishments. I often wondered if I'd see him on Saturday Night Live one day...actually, I think that was his Class Prophecy...the "in 5 years" thing. Mine was that I'd be an Italian Opera Singer. Isn't that funny...gotta love those high notes.
Posted by stacey at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2005
Answers to Some Questions That Matter to Me
1. Is it ever going to snow? YES...beautiful, white, fluffy, perfect snow fell and stayed and is still falling
2. Netflix or Blockbuster? I am going to start with the free Netflix trial the week I come home from the hospital. (beginning of February) I can't wait to link up with other friends queues.
3. Paper of Plastic? For me, plastic because I then reuse it for lunch and trash.
4. What if something goes wrong with "my appliance" at work? Today I found out and I got through...Figured things out in the nick of time. ONE MORE WEEK
5. Why is life so unfair? It is not supposed to be fair. If life was fair, would we really receive grace? Would God have allowed Jesus to be punished for what he didn't do? I learned this again at the retreat I was at this weekend...among a lot of other really great thoughts. Another one...It's better to wash dirty feet than to expose them. And another..."Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph. 4:29. Another thought I wrote in my journal..."I want to have a reputation of love"
Posted by stacey at 07:42 PM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2005
My Night Out
My evening out was nicely capped by some great music on the Rock Jam. Phil played Buddy Miller followed by Don Peris. It made for a delighttul ride home.
I did what I planned to do and took advantage of my gift certificates to Regal. Thanks again Karen!!! I saw two excellent films: Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Finding Neverland. A smile was plastered across my face the entire night...until I wept openly, of course.
There may be some spoilers ahead.
I am a fan of Wes Anderson films and Life Aquatic was another hit, in my opinion. It's another one of those movies that appeals to a particular audience, I guess. I loved it all the way to the end of the credits. Willem Defoes character was my personal favorite, him and the 3 legged dog. I will never hear David Bowie music quite the same, either. I was busting out in laughter sitting there alone at the end of the aisle. I loved it.
Finding Neverland was a really beautiful movie. It was sad. I'm an optimist. I so wished that the Barries could have included each other in their lives and befriended Peter's family together. I kept thinking she would come and see his play and see herself in one of the characters. I've always loved Peter Pan and the emphasis on the importance of dreams and imagination. I felt the movie was true to it's inspiration. Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore and Kate Winslet were excellent. The entire cast, really. I can't wait for Willie Wonka to come out!!!
I'm glad I was able to get out to the movies. I hope I can make it out at least once more before I'm stranded again. There are so many great movies out right now.
Posted by stacey at 12:14 AM | Comments (2)
January 14, 2005
Good Reports
I spent the morning in Hershey, but no chocolate was involved. Bummer. The good news is that I had my big test done to see if things were in proper working order for surgery. Nothing official yet, but lets just say my body seemed to operate as appropriate. WOO HOO. I signed all the dotted lines, got all the prescriptions for pre-op and seem to be right on track for January 27th.
In my travels from one end of the Hershey facility to the other for my appointments these past couple of months , I have ended up passing the ICU area several times. These travels brought back some really tough memories of a summer spent back and forth between home and the hospital when my friend Dave had his accident. It was a really scary time...but another moment in my life that I saw what an amazing family of friends I had made in college. That waiting room held a lot of memories. I also saw how God can turn a seeminglly hopeless situation into a miracle.
I started reading my new book, Blue Like Jazz while waiting between appointments this morning and flew through 86 pages. I'm loving this book. Donald Miller is coming at Christianity or Christian Spirituality (the term he prefers) from a "nonreligious" perspective. At first I did wonder what that would mean from him. It makes sense to me...although I also think religion can be good, too... I'm finding that everything I've read so far is really thought provoking. Perhaps I'll give a review when it I am finished.
Well, I'm off. I plan to make use of a couple of movie gift certificates that Karen gave me for Christmas. They are burning a hole in my pocket. : ) Possibly a double feature...Life Aquatic then Finding Neverland???
Posted by stacey at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2005
Smells of Wet Paint and Garlic
Too bad the paint that they are painting "Hawk Hall" (our meeting room) with doesn't smell like Sharpies. I love the smell of Sharpies...or, how about a big Magnum... oooh, or gasoline. That's one of the best smells. It is being painted a nice green...an HGTV green, I think someone said today. I like it...sorry it's not blue Karen. I think it's a calming green, though. : )
It's weird being half back to work. I mean, I'm there all day for the next two weeks...but it's hard to really settle in since I'm going to be out again so soon and haven't taken back all my responsibilities. January is pretty slow, anyway...so I guess it's not that big of a deal. Plus, I have appointments most of the day at the hospital tomorrow, next week we have the retreat on Tuesday and then the following week I'm only in Monday thru Wednesday. Time is flying by.
I'm meeting a friend for dinner at the Olive Garden. I happen to love their breadsticks. Sadly, I can't have my favorite: Ravioli diPortabella because I'm not allowed mushrooms, yet. I scored today...ok, it's a little score...but someone let me look through some coupons at work and I happened upon an Olive Garden coupon for like $3.00 off two entrees. Yippee. It's the little things that excite me, folks.
Posted by stacey at 06:07 PM | Comments (1)
January 12, 2005
Music Stuff
For my birthday, my brother got me a subscription to U2.com. It's very cool...I can watch entire U2 videos online and get to see all kinds of special features that you can't see as a regular visitor to their website. I even have a u2.com email address...although I don't use it. I can hardly keep up with one email account, for goodness sakes...but I think it's neat, nonetheless....So, anyway...part of the deal with being a member of the site is that I can get 25 % off merch. purchased from the site. I got myself an ultra cool u2 calendar with a great new photo each month to gaze at. : ) I also get special notice for when their tour info and tickets are available. I MUST get to this one. HTDAOB: (short for the title of their new album) is fabulous, in my opinion. Do you have a favorite U2 song? I really have a thing for "Love is Blindness" from Achtung Baby and "Exit" from The Joshua Tree. Their new album may add a couple of favorites to my list.
In other music news...I just found out that some friends of mine from the church I used to attend, In the Light Ministries (awesome church by the way) have a band called Moe Love. It was a funny turn of events because I happened to hear their music playing in our Promotion Directors Office and really liked their sound. I didn't even realize that it was people I knew. I also just found out that their music is getting played on Friday nights on WJTL. Woo Hoo.
I'd also like to make a plug for pastemusic.com. I just ordered a couple of cd's from them and the order went through super fast. Plus, I appreciate their website and the artists they carry. Good stuff. I just got the new Over the Rhine, Ron Sexsmith and a music sampler from them...and of course the music sampler is luring me in for some new artists I hadn't heard of before.
Anything tantalizing your ears lately?
Posted by stacey at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2005
Wow
I just had the news on for a few minutes. After reporting on the avalanche and flooding on the West Coast and the far reaching tsunami earthquake, Brian Williams said, "Is the Earth trying to tell us something"...more on this to follow. Hm...who do we really think is trying to tell us something?
Posted by stacey at 06:39 PM | Comments (1)
Black Rock, Here We Come
yay, Our staff retreat is next week. I always am very gung ho about retreats. I've always loved them.... crazy youth group retreats to New Hampshire, retreats with Water Street Youth Staff to Teen Haven Camp where we had some very very crazy team building games to our mellow Creative Ministries Staff Retreats.
Here are the reasons why I like our retreats to Black Rock:
1. Getting away from the office scene
2. Being out in the quiet where I can walk in the woods when I wake up if I want to (and if I actually wake up early enough)
3. worship by the Fireplace on those comfy couches
4. Worshipping together with co-workers. There's just something really great about that. And we've always had really good people come to help us with that.
5. Good cooking
6. playing Board Games
7. Getting a vision for the future and being reminded of what we've accomplished in the past year.
8. Late night silliness
9. Bowling-well, this year, I probably won't be able to do that...which will only benefit whatever team I would have been on.
10. Great speakers-this year I'm really excited because my pastor is leading one of our seminars.
Posted by stacey at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2005
Back to Work, On the Web and In my Head...a very scattered entry
Phew, I did it. I worked a full day in the office today. I think I'm back in the saddle again for the next couple of weeks. Whoooopeeee. What a feeling of accomplishment. I sure am sleepy. I came straight home and put on my jammies. Too bad I can't go to the office in my p.j's. Well, except for my black pajama pants. Those I can get away with, but I think my blue fleece froggy ones would be a little weird. (too much information...oops, sorry)
Last night I found a website for one of my favorite movies...Somewhere In Time. I would love to visit The Grand Hotel where the movie was filmed. I found out they actually have "SIT" gatherings for the psycho fans. That would be interesting. I'd rather just go there and enjoy the place without all the hoopla, I think.
I had a sad dream the other night involving my "ex" Uncle Kim. I miss him so much. Well, I miss the Uncle Kim that I knew. He's not the same now. Yuck. I don't like having "ex" family members. I wonder how much he thought about the fact that when HE LEFT his wife and children that he also was leaving an entire family that loved him? I've only seen him once since he left my aunt and I bawled my head off. Not in front of him, thank goodness. Although, by the look on his face when we ran into each other at the gas station, I could tell that he felt a twinge of sadness, too.
On a much fluffier note...I just ate a mugfull of black raspberry icecream. Yum. That reminds me of the great "creemee" (soft serve) place we used to go to when I was a kid. O & H snackbar, I think was it's name. They always had great creemee flavors.
Posted by stacey at 06:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2005
Netflix or Blockbuster or...other?
I need some help here...I am feeling wooed by the offers for online movie rental. For years, my friend Eddie has been whispering the benefits of Netflix in my ear. Ok, too dramatic...no whispering involved...but he says it's great. Today, I was invited to be on his Netflix friends list, which means keeping each other in the loop on our movie watching and how we rate the movies. Recently, my friend Lisa also has sung the praises of Netflix and their wide array of films and the convenience of movies at your door with a self addressed stamped envelope for returns.
Now, on a recent trip to Blockbuster where I rented 4 movies (the cost of a month of online service), I got the information about their online service. Not only are they starting with a cheaper rate, but I would receive a coupon for 2 free in store rentals for this last minute whims. Hm...what should I do? I know Blockbuster has felt the burn, so that's why they are starting their service...but I really like the in store coupon option...but I also want to make sure I have the best variety possible.
With the second surgery coming up in a couple of weeks, I'm thinking it might be worth it to try one of the companies out for at least a couple of months. I am torn. Any comments are appreciated...
Posted by stacey at 03:00 PM | Comments (1)
January 07, 2005
Cutting the Apron Strings
Well, it's official. I spoke with Wendy, my visiting nurse tonight and we both decided I was ready to be on my own until my reversal surgery. Besides ordering a few more supplies, I have pretty much everything I need. We both determined that I will be able to get about the same results with or without her help at this point. In fact, she said she learned some things from me. That was thanks to the help of the friends I have met at the various ostomy websites, and some trial and error. She was very kind and wants me to keep in touch with my progress and call if I have any questions. I thank God that I didn't have to go through this on my own. (medically speaking, I've already ranted and raved about the moral support, etc, etc, etc in previous posts).
20 days until my next surgery, folks. I can do this.
"Sometimes you can't make it on your own" -U2
and you don't have to, either. That's the best part.
Posted by stacey at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2005
Good Stuff
Last night I read a passage in "The Journey of Desire" by John Eldredge that I want to share,
"Life is not a game of striving and indulgence. It is not a long march of duty and obligation. It is not, as Henry Ford once said, "one damn thing after another." Life is a desperate quest through dangerous country to a destination that is, beyond our wildest hopes, indescribably good."
I must certainly admit, that I have uttered very similar words and worse than those of Mr. Ford. However, I am also learning that along this journey, we are blessed to receive glimpses of all that is "beyond our wildest hopes" in the midst of the seemingly pointless struggles.
Lately, the journey has seemed exceedingly dangerous...with wars, hurricanes, earthquakes, psunamis, AIDS and disease, depression, disappointments, on and on...But again, we must cling to the cool fountain at the end of the journey in order to press on when we feel like it's too much.
You know, The Grace and Hope we have are way more than enough...but we also get to experience the wonder of Creation. We are given the priviledge of having the same creativity that flowed through our Lord embedded into us...not to mention the amazing gift of human reproduction and the miracle of a newborn baby. Through medicine and miracle we get to witness broken bodies, minds and hearts becoming whole. There is so much good in the midst of the bad...glimpses along the way to get us through. I don't want to miss the good stuff on the journey, even though the road can be rough and I can't wait to see how amazing the destination is.
Posted by stacey at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2005
Must See T.V. and More Junk
I think Wednesday evening is the new "must see t.v." now. Hello...Lost AND Alias. Tonight Alias is 2 hours. Zoinks. Woo Hoo and other exclamations of excitement.
I saw my nurse today. She stocked me up with all sorts of nifty samples...well nifty for me, anyone else would be perplexed by all the paraphanalia, adhesives, etc. Anyway, hopefully Saturday will be her last visit to my home. I am actually not supposed to be working outside of the house while she is coming...because of insurance rules. I knew that, but was kind of re-reminded of that today (sigh)...thus, my plan to work in the office this week has been foiled. Oh well...life will go on, I suppose. Good thing Karen has me stocked with data entry and there is an ice storm to assist me in Operation Snow Crew hours right from my room. Not as fun as being in the office, though. Someone remind me I said that in about May when I am getting spring fever. : )
Posted by stacey at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2005
So Theres That
I'm disappointed. More than that...clenching my teeth. I can't wait for Jan. 27. The last couple of days there was some improvement on some damaged skin that I've been dealing with due to my ileostomy. Woo Hoo, I thought, "Yes, we found the solution". But alas, some of my improved skin is now back to it's yucky, stingy, bad news rawness. GRRR. Tonight was so "ouchie" and frustrating. I know I'm beating a dead horse...but this is where I'm at.
I have a goal of working at least 1/2 days in the office this week. Today I worked a couple of hours from home and a couple in the office. I would have been in earlier, except the water in my building was off for repairs. Again, Grrr. I made some headway office, though, which was great. It would be nice to get things caught up before I am out of commission again.
I do feel like there are some major postives out of this whole situation. I'm sure I've shared some of these before, but I think listing some would be therapeutic for me to do right now. I'll try for 10 and share them:
1. No Cancer
2. Possibility of feeling WAY better than I have in 15 years when this is all over
3. Learning how many people there are that for real, care for me
4. Getting to make some new friends online
5. Putting my love for writing into action and actually sharing it with people
6. Getting to see my parents for 2 weeks in November and a week in January
7. Having the opportunity to help others dealing with similar situations by offering hints, encouragement, or an ear (well, eyes, really)
8. Being TOLD to eat carbs
9. Being TOLD to sleep all the time...bring on the Tylenol PM
10. Getting to watch lots of Little House on the Prairie
"So, there's that" - Andrew and Sam in Garden State
Posted by stacey at 12:07 AM | Comments (1)
January 02, 2005
update
Update: I didn't sleep until 4 am. The good news is I wrote a short story. I'm pretty excited about that. Also, I'm feeling pretty well. I'll just be taking a nap today. I can't complain.
Posted by stacey at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)
Counting Sheep, Counting Days,
Drat. It's 2:30 am. I made the decision not to take Tylenol PM tonight because I didn't want to be drowsy in the AM. I want to go to church, finally...but here I am unable to sleep, so I will be surprised if I am in any condition in the morning to make that happen.
Ooh, spooky, I just turned my head and my bathroom door is open. I saw my reflection in the mirror only lit by the light of my computer screen. It looked ghastly.
I'm addicted to the web. I was on a chat for most of the day today. That is frightening. It was good, though. Otherwise, I would have been watching the Mummer's parade all day, wishing I was there with my friends. I met a lady from Brattleboro, VT on the chat today. This is extra funny because the chat I visit is based out of the UK. It's a small world. Even within the world of people with ostomies or issues of the sort.
25 days to reversal. Yay, another countdown.
Posted by stacey at 02:28 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2005
Too Early on New Years Day
My body just woke me up...but I'm going back to bed. I won't be fooled into getting up at 7:00 on New Years Day!!!
Anyway, New Years Eve was fun. Here's a shout out to my friends...here's how great they are...I was at a party with all married couples. It could have been a moment of "woe is me" but I didn't let it make me feel sorry for myself. We did the normal snacking, playing games, and chatting. I even got some good tips (dirt on the guys) and stories from the girls. Anyway, after the countdown when we were toasting, it was that dreaded awkward moment where all the couples kiss and I tried to wait the appropriate couple of seconds before giving my own friendly hugs. The guys all "attacked me" and hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. I think there might be a photo of proof out there somewhere. It was sweet and I felt loved...
Speaking of feeling loved, did anyone else watch "Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve" We only had it on for the final minutes before and after the countdown. At various times pre and post 10 count, different stars were wishing Dick speedy recovery...which is nice and all...except for a few of them. There were a few that seemed so fake and forced. .I could just be being cynical, but I'm not really typically a cynical person. It just seemed that way to me. It didn't sit well with me...if you're going to bother, you should really be sincere. Sigh, oh well...enough ranting.
I hope your New Years Eve was either great fun or totally anti-climactic. Whichever you prefer. It's a new day and New Year. May yours be amazing. I'm going back to bed.
Posted by stacey at 07:09 AM | Comments (1)