Shake, Rattle, and Roll

I found this video on YouTube. H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S



-Daily B-

Shaken Up

We had an earthquake this morning that nearly threw me off the bed! I was staying home from work in the morning to care for my mom, we had just settled on her bed and she was getting ready to doze off when it hit. Normally the quakes are rolling. It feels like you're on a boat in the middle of a rocky sea; this one was jerking and lasted for a good 15-20 seconds . Talk about joggeling your brain, is joggeling a word? Anyway, I am very scared of quakes. Hurricanes and Tornadoes can pretty much be prepared for, earthquakes sneak up on you and are done before you can make a plan. The last big one we had was in 1987! Oy.

I was no help, thank God my brother was with us at the time and he was able to get my mom out of bed and under a doorway.

I just called out "Jesus" and prayed that this wasn't the "Big One". During and after a quake everyone in the whole county gets on the phone. Literally. The lines go dead from the quake and the usage. The phone rings off the hook with everyone calling, "Are you okay?". Yes, we made it. lol.

If I can just kick the jittered feeling I'll be able to get some work done. Did I mention that I hate earthquakes?

-Daily B-

A Curveball

Life threw us a curve ball this past Friday. I've lived at the hospital since Friday and was home for the first time last night.

As most of my blog readers know, my mom has a pituitary tumor that is very rare and there is one known treatment besides surgery. She's been taking shots three times a day for almost a year. Last week she stopped taking the shots because they found gallstones in her gall bladder. Before this tumor my mom was the healthiest person I knew. No meds, ever. No aches and pains, no nothing. Even with the tumor she had no symptoms. The meds she was on were too much for any body to handle and effected her liver which in turn effected her gallbladder.

On Thursday she went in for her weekly blood test to check her liver and it showed that things were coming back to normal. Friday morning she begin to have pain. Now, if you know my mom, she never complains about pain. Ever. She won't tell a soul. That is what almost happened here until my brother mentioned to my other brother that she had a stomach ache. The pain increased to the point that she decided to call her doctor, they told her to get to the emergency.

My sister and I met her and my dad at the emergency and we waited and waited for 2 hours while my mom was out of it in severe pain. She said that the pain was so bad at one point that she nearly passed out. My mom's #4 pain is like my #15 pain. She can stand anything.

To make a long long story short, she was admitted and put on serious antibiotics. Her gallbladder and pancreas were inflamed because a gallstone was being passed. We found out later that the gallstone was stuck in a duct and the surgeon had to squeeze it out because it was too large to pass. That explained the severe pain she was in.

She had surgery yesterday, her gallbladder removed and a biopsy of her liver. She came out of it perfectly. She was even able to go the bathroom last night and "eat" soup and drink for the first time since Friday morning.

She is really good this morning and the surgeon said that he's pretty sure she can come home today! Yay!

All in all, I am drained emotionally and just exhausted. Saturday was a very hard day, I don't think I've been more scared than I was.

Sigh. I am so glad this weekend is over. Once I get more sleep and things settle down I will post some pictures of her "hotel like" hospital room.

Keep her in your prayers these next couple of days! =)

-Daily B-

It's all about the food

Last night we went to the OC fair. Fun Fun Fun! It was jam packed; we had to walk a mile to get to one of the gates. I kept telling myself, this is how I am going to be able to stuff my face. Walk it off before and after. A big group of us went and stayed together pretty much the whole time. Not an easy task since the place was crawling with people. Our first stop was dinner, The One Pound Bun. I stood in line where it said, "Get your buns in line here" and waited for my garlic and cheese 1/2 pound bun.

While everyone else finished their food my mom and I went to check out the Mexican Funnel Cake. Instead of normal funnel cake batter, this was made with a churro! One of my favorite desserts. One guy ordered the jumbo, it was so big it wouldn't fit through the window. We ordered the regular which was about 1/3 the Jumbo... We split this between 8 people!

By this time we were getting full, but I was determined to have a cinnamon roll. We went into Building 10, known as the Product building. You can find anything from tortilla warmers to diamonds in here.

I ate my cinnamon roll so fast that I forgot to take a picture. Trust me, it looked good and tasted good.

I walked past this sign and felt nauseous...

Fried Avocados, Fried Frog Legs, Fried Twinkies, Fried Pop Tarts, and the worst, Fried Spam!!! Who in their right mind would eat some of this. Frog legs, maybe.

I saw a sign that said Cheese Curds and ran over to buy some. Never tasting this before, I didn't know what to expect but they were so good! I ate a few and then passed them on to everyone else who said, "what's this?". Cheese curds aren't to common in the OC.

I didn't get to see any of the theme demonstrations, cheese making, cheese tasting, cheese everything. We will be heading back to gain another 5 pounds.

(My sister-in-law and I)

-Daily B-

Random Nothings and Then Some...

It has been a long two weeks! I haven't blogged very much or checked out everyone else's blogs.

After the 4th it seemed like everything was happening. This past Friday my mom found out that her liver didn't look normal, after her blood work was checked. This is caused by the excessive amount of meds she is taking to shrink her tumor. Her specialist wanted her to cut back until she could see her first thing Monday. She did another rushed blood test and was scheduled for an ultrasound the following morning. Come to find out she has gallstones. My mother, the lady whose never been on meds before this tumor and the lady who is as healthy as a horse... even with the tumor. She was not too happy, but at least she doesn't have to take anymore shots as of right now! Woohoo!!!

The doctors are going to find another way to treat this rarest of the rare tumors. How? I don't know, that's why I am NOT an MD.

::

On the 4th I was peeling raw shrimp for a ceviche with my cousin. We were all pretty sick over the 4th weekend and figured we caught some bug that was going around. My cousin developed a weird rash on her hand and a day later I did too... puzzling. The weird looking rash looked like I was badly burned or bruised. I started getting concerned so I called the Doctor, went in and was told that it looked like it might have been an allergic reaction... weird. My cousin went in to the doctor and was diagnosed with Vibrio vulnificus. Her Doctor told her that our family was lucky because someone could have died from it! Hello! I called my doctor and she still thinks I have a rash and antibiotics are needed. I thinks she's wrong but hey, what can you do? lol

::

I am so excited this time of the year. The OC Fair started last week. I love, love , love the Fair. Once I walk through the gates I leave my diet and good eating habits outside. Cinnamon Rolls, Grilled Corn, Strawberry Shortcake, and a million other yummy things to add to your thighs and deriair!

I'll have a ton of pictures to post. The OC Fair is pretty big and packed. The food is good, weather is good, good concerts... It's got it all.



-Daily B-

Camera... Suggestions?

I have been on the lookout for a GOOD camera. Anyone that knows me knows that I L-O-V-E to take pictures. Not just family events and such but pictures of the outdoors, odd and ends, trees, and old buildings... anything that looks good.

I've tested out a couple of cameras and am leaning towards the Nikon D40. BUT, I want to make sure that I get the right kind of camera, one that will last for years to come and continue taking great pictures.

My goal is to join City Daily Photo and become an area photographer. I can't do this with a point and shoot Nikon that jiggles so bad it looks like I'm having seizures.

I am looking at cameras between $400 - $700. This is part of a birthday gift from my family, aren't they sweet?

Give me your suggestions, what kind of camera do you use and how do you like the picture quality and speed?


I NEED SOME HELP! =)

Eventful 4th of July Weekend

I had an eventful 4th. I woke up early to the house running around. My Gramps heart stopped and was shocked back.

Seeing my Gramps in the hospital is not easy. I don't remember one time visiting him in the hospital. He's always been at home sitting in his chair with his tea.

We rushed to the hospital, about 35 minutes away and met with everyone in his room. My Aunts and Uncles and cousins... the room was packed out. How we were able to sneak us all into his CICU room puzzles me.

On the way into the hospital we bumped into a lady decked out in patriotic clothing and a blue wig. She was having each person that walked by grab a piece of candy out of her bag, I put my hand in and grabbed a Mr. Goodbar, my Sister-in-law put her hand in and grabbed a Hershey Bar, my sister put her hand in and grabbed...

A nice little pack of sugar.

I went on a coffee run and mosied into the chapel where my sister, sister-in-law, and brother were. By that time they were done praying and just chatting. I found a cute red-haired professor under the pulpit... oh wait that's my cousin.

And my brother found a hymn book...

(You'll need to pause the player at the bottom)

So... we had some fun while at the hospital. lol

On Saturday my Gramps heart stopped again. Gave us a little scare because he was sure he wasn't going to make it through the night.

Sunday morning we found out that he stayed awake through the night because he was afraid to sleep. He was extra chatty but exhausted. The Doctors talked to him and reassured him that they were doing everything they can to prevent his heart from stopping again. After some anxiety medicine and tranquilizers he refused to have any visitors. Sleep was much needed.

As of today, things are just going minute by minute. I was able to see him late Sunday night. He was in good spirits but sleepy. Please keep him in your prayers.

::

We had several people coming over for a Bar-B-Que. We cancelled in case we had to rush to the hospital again. My cousin and her family came over and my brother and his girlfriend and friend.

We swam and ate hot dogs and hamburgers and lots of yummy salads.

My nephew was pooped from swimming and jumping, all by himself, in the pool. At 2 years old hes very stubborn and independent. He SITS in time out and LISTENS very well. If you tell him not to do something he doesn't do it, but if you let him go he is willing to try anything! By the time we were out of the pull he was pooped.

We had fireworks, not very many since we didn't have time to buy any in the morning. My brother Peter is our "Fire work lighter" every year. He's the one that lights the wicks of the legal and illegal. lol. My brothers made these tiny little bombs that are so loud they set off car alarms

This is what was left...

That was the end to my eventful, earsplitting 4th of July!

-Daily B-

Whom Shall I Fear?

My Irrational View:
Trusting isn't always easy... Leaving things in His hands is impossible sometimes. I can't do it...

My Rational View:
Believing in His Word is the only thing that will pull you through. Fear halts the purpose of God. Faith puts fear in a box.

Psalms 27
1
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
they stumbled and fell.

3
Though a host should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear:
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.

4
One thing have I desired of the LORD,
that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.

6
And now shall mine head be lifted up
above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice:
have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face;
my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9
Hide not thy face far from me;
put not thy servant away in anger:
thou hast been my help;
leave me not, neither forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

10
When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the LORD will take me up.

11
Teach me thy way, O LORD,
and lead me in a plain path,
because of mine enemies.

12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:
for false witnesses are risen up against me,
and such as breathe out cruelty.

13
I had fainted, unless I had believed
to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the LORD.

-Daily B-

My Brother The Bum

"Will work for food!"

Well, it's happened. I predicted that this this day would come here.

I told the story of my brother having to fetch gas after my dad forgot they needed gas. I also mentioned that I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to hand him money considering the condition of his work clothes. Covered with urethane, rips and holes from the chemicals. When he's in his work clothes he actually looks a little like Smee from Peter Pan... without the high rise shirt.

It happened today!

My brother works for my dad and they carpool together. My dad had to rush to the hospital to be with my Gramps (another story for another post) and of course, my hypochondriac brother did not want to go.

My mom, sweet mom, offered to pick him up by the freeway so my dad wouldn't have to go out of his way.

Anyhoo, there's my brother, waiting by the side of a busy street, he sees my mom pull up in her luxurious car, known to us as the Black Widow.

Before he can head over, a couple pulls up next to him and pulls down their window. Out comes the woman's hand with some money.

My brother says, "Oh... no thank you."

She was confused, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." He quickly moves to get in my mom's car.

My brothers a bum... at least to be general public.

::

Update 7/03

Apparently today is April 1st and no one sent me the memo. I guess gullible is my middle name.

-Daily B-

Go Ducky, Go!

A couple of weeks back we had a Ducky Race in the pool for our Jr. Campers.

We had several kids short on money so my sister, the director for the children's department, pulled her creative juices out and decided to have a Ducky Race at the last minute.

The entire church was given the opportunity to buy rubber ducky's and put their name on them. Each person was to race their own ducks across the pool. First one to finish line received a gift card to Starbucks.

The above picture is some of the kids and adults getting ready to throw their ducks in. "Kickers" sat on the sides of the pool to help make waves.

This worked so well! The ducky racer helped with the kids deposit and ALL the kids were able to go.

The winners! Aren't they cute?

-Daily B-