Through the Lips

Through the lips and over the gums, look out tummy, here it comes! That was the prominent thought running in my brain today. Back in August when the family was celebrating my birthday, one of my gifts was a ticket to an 'Austin Eats Tour'. Because this involves walking and eating outside, we decided to do this in the autumn. (NOTE: After living with older folks these past four years, I've learned that 'fall' is not a good word. In fact, it's included in the list of bad four letter words. Thus, I call this season 'autumn.') So here is how the tour proceeded:

I'm hoping that you can see the van that we traveled in to the various eateries. There were 14 in our group, including the driver/guide. We met at a large park in downtown Austin where a Farmers Market is held. Scott, our guide, brought us some pastries to start the day. They were from a bakery owned by Sandra Bullock and her sister. Her sister is the pastry chef. I'm hoping you'll see them in the next picture. They were very tasty (sweet).

From there, we walked across the park to one of the booths where the owner made specialties from some form of a bean shipped to him from South America. The samples we tasted reminded me of obese M&M peanuts. He told us the history of chocolate. Very Interesting, if true. The samples were made of four types of chocolate. He also told us how the different type of chocolate are made. (So this makes the tour educational, too.)

Next, we went to the previously pictured van. (Not going to post the picture every time we get into the van.) We drove to someplace near downtown to a food truck which specializes in Italian sandwiches called Puccias. "Lucky" of "Lucky's Puccias" makes the bread as you approach the trailer. Therefore, it is very warm, fresh and delicious. He makes a variety of sandwiches. We had the Lucky Special, made of a variety of things (meats, veggies, bread and sauces). It is one of Chris and Susan's favorite places to eat. I can see why. NOTE: Lucky and his puccia truck is going to be featured on TLC next Friday, Nov. 1st. on the show called Secret Princes.

After the puccias, we returned to the van to head to what was to be my favorite stop, LaBarbecue. (Must be my Memphis influence) This is one of the most popular 'eateries' in all of Texas. We were told one of the top three barbecue places in the state. Several months ago a barbecue place here (Franklin's Barbecue) was featured on national TV. Apparently there was a rift between 'Mr. Franklin' and his pit chef. The pit chef left (or was fired) and started his own barbecue business. Hence, LaBarbecue was 'born'. At this point I must say that having lived in Memphis over four decades, I think I am qualified to 'rate' barbecue. I've eaten so called barbecue in Kansas City, Memphis, and Austin. IMHO nothing compares to The Rendezvous dry ribs and Corky's wet ribs in Memphis. Texans barbecue brisket at the drop of a 10 gallon hat and rave that it is the best ever. Now there is a lot, and I mean A LOT, of good things about Texas, but give me pulled pork or dry rubbed ribs any day. With all that being said, I have to admit that the brisket, sausage, and ribs that we had today at LaBarbecue were the best I've ever had in the Lone Star State. When we got there, there was a line of customers longer than any I've seen at any eatery ever. Here are a couple of pictures. I wish we had taken a picture of the line.

Our group licked that platter clean!!!!! Next, we just walked across the street to the Dock and Roll Diner. It's not really a diner. It's another food truck with tables and chairs outside. Now what would you think we would have there? No, not sushi. We had ....... are you ready for this?........Lobster Rolls. OMGosh, they were soooooo good. After eating all that barbecue, I didn't think I could eat anythings else until I saw the lobster rolls.

Now one would think that the tour should end right then and there. How could you top surf and turf? How could our stomachs hold any more? Not to be......there's more, so back to the van we go. We drove to Congress Street. If you've been to Austin, you know the place. If you haven't, just let me say that it's kinda like going back in time to the 60's. There are two of the oldest motels ever. One advertised 'No Vacancy' and that it is celebrating it's 75th anniversary. I noticed that one of the stores was named "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". I didn't ask what it specialized in. It was sorta hard to tell by looking. At first I thought it might be a head shop. SHAME ON ME!!! But I digress. The next eatery was called Burro Cheese Kitchen. The truck specializes in food with cheese and a taste of France. We ate something called 'Croquet Madame', I think. I think this would be a wonderful breakfast treat. The 'bread' was similar to two waffles with smoked ham, mozzarella, a fried egg, and sauce placed between them. Soooo goooood!

I think that the next time I go there, I may try the Waylon and Willie or the GQ or maybe both. And on we go to our last stop, Sugar Mama's. You may have heard of Sugar Mama's if you watched The Cupcake Wars on cable. They won the contest with their Marilyn Monroe Cupcake. It's a vanilla cake with vanilla icing and crystal sprinkles on top. They had 15 varieties of cupcakes from which we could choose. I chose a Strawberry Love, similar to a strawberry shortcake. (I have to admit that I haven't eaten it yet. I got mine 'to go.') I also bought one of their specialty bars to salute Tennessee and Texas. It's made with Texas pecans and Tennessee Bourbon. (I thought I would wait until bed time to try that one.)

I forgot to mention that all of these places except the last one were BYOB places. Our guide had large cooler in the van filled with drinks of our choice ranging from water and sodas to 'exotic' beers and ales. After cupcakes we rode the van back to the city park/farmers market, tipped the guide and waddled to the car. Now don't you wish you had gone with us? I'm closing with the thought on Sugar Mama's mailbox:

Labor Day Historically Has Not Been a Day of Rest For Me.

It occurred to me that I should strike Labor Day Weekend off my future calendars. Labor Day Weekend, 1995: I was hospitalized with pseudomembranous colitis. I don't remember how many days I was at Germantown Methodist Hospital, but I do remember that I missed six full weeks of school because of it. Labor Day Weekend, 2008: I flew to Denver, CO to attend a second cousin's beautiful outdoor wedding in Ft. Collins, CO. All was fun until I prepared to fly home. My direct flight was cancelled and I had to hustle to find an alternative. Eventually, I was placed on a flight to Detroit (not the most pleasant place to be at midnight) and connected with a flight to Memphis (an even scarier place to be at 2:30 A.M.) Labor Day Weekend, 2012: I flew to Nashville, TN. to eventually join the Crenshaw Family Reunion at Kentucky Lake. While there, I received a phone call that a matching kidney was being flown from Philadelphia to Austin and I needed to be at the hospital in six hours for transplant surgery. Since I'm a Republican, Air Force One was not available to me and I had to decline the offer. BTW, I think that my request for AFO would have been declined even if I had voted for Obama. ;-) Labor Day Weekend, 2013: If you read the immediately previous post, you know the problems I've had today. If you haven't read it, suffice it to know that both Susan and I are slated for surgeries tomorrow.

So this is what Murphy's Law is like?

OK, so here's the deal: If medical procedures make you queazy, stop reading here. Since today is a holiday (Labor Day), Atria (formerly The Village) can only provide transportation for me TO dialysis. Plan A = call a cab to get back home and Atria will pay fare. Arrived at clinic and requested that I not have a 'trainee' connect me to the machine. (I have a fistula which is difficult for most techs and nurses to find the vein portal.) Last week a newly hired former trainee was assigned to me. Monday and Wednesday 'sticks' were difficult for her, but she managed. Friday, she maneuvered the needle around in my arm and couldn't succeed. She called a new nurse (also unfamiliar with my 'uniqueness') to help. She couldn't find the vein either. So a nurse who knew my arm, came to the rescue, but after the damage had been done. My arm is terribly bruised and sore. Thus, my request for someone who knows my arm to hook me to the machine. One problem......the nurse could not find a pulse in my arm! This means that there is either a clot somewhere in my system or more probably damage to my fistula. Therefore, I could not get dialysis today. Scene Two: I need emergency angiogram and surgery. Problem: I ate breakfast and the surgery cannot be performed today. Scene Three: Surgery scheduled for tomorrow. Problem: Atria drivers are booked for tomorrow and cannot provide transportation. I called Susan to ask her to take me. "Sorry, Mom, I'm having surgery myself tomorrow morning." (Explanation later...just remember her in your prayers.) I called Joann. She is booked solid with conferences tomorrow. (willing to change if necessary, but many people would be inconvenienced if she did) So I put her on hold. Chris will be with Susan. Wes and Haley will be working. Hayden and Tyler have school. Scene Four: I convinced the assistant social director to drive me to the surgical building tomorrow at 7:15 am for my 9:00 am arrival appointment for my 10:00 am surgery. I told her I would just take my iPad and play Candy Crush for 90 minutes. Scene Five: I realized that with all of this happening, I will have gone 5 days without dialysis, if I have to wait until my regular time Wednesday. (If you know anything about dialysis, you know that 5 days without dialysis is a death wish!) So I called the treatment clinic and asked if they could 'squeeze me in' for a treatment after my surgery. They agreed. The surgical team is going to provide my transportation to the dialysis clinic since Atria can't. Scene Six: After my dialysis, I am to call Atria. If they cannot pick me up and bring me home, Haley will be off work and can come provide my transportation. I know this is a long rant and I'm truly sorry for bending your ear/drying your eyes/boring your brain. When it rains, it pours. I just thank God that I'm still alive to have these problems, but I surely would like a break from all this mess. I want to truly enjoy my golden years instead of thinking of them as my twilight years. In the meantime, please pray for my Susan and her 'procedure' and for me and my 'procedure'.

It's Been A Year, Now What?

One year ago this weekend, I was at The Crenshaw Family Reunion. I'm not really blood kin to them, but I gave birth to two who are. So, kindly, I am invited to their family functions. We gathered at Kentucky Lake and had a wonderful time reminiscing and meeting all the youngsters who have joined the family by birth or marriage. While there, I received a phone call that a kidney was on the way to Austin from Philadelphia. I had just a few hours to get to the Austin hospital to receive it. Alas, it was not to be. Kidneys only stay viable for 13 hours and I couldn't get to Austin in time. I cried. Strangely not from disappointment, but from finally having proof that I was indeed on the transplant list. What a joy in what was also a disappointing moment. Since that weekend, I have 'chained' myself to Travis County. I didn't want to miss the next kidney. My kidney surgeon advised me to lose a few pounds around my mid-section to help the surgery go better. So I have been working out in the pool a minimum of two hours a week. I usually get in 3 or 4 hours a week, plus I walk at a brisk pace the 'long' way to most activities here. I cut down my eating and generally stick to my renal diet. I have been losing weight slowly but surely. I try to stay away from 'germ-ridden' areas and people. It's hard to do living with a lot of old folks. But I think I know the sanitized folks around these parts. I feel that I am doing all the right things and am ready for the next call. Where is it? It's been a year since the first and last call. Now what? I'm tired of being chained to Travis County. I miss seeing my family in all parts of the country. I miss my dear friends of 40 years in Memphis. I miss the wanderlust of my life. I never missed a summer of traveling before I got sick. Whine, whine, whine. Yes, I know, I should be happy to be alive after battling the M&Ms (M.R.S.A. and Meningitis). I know I should be happy to live in the same county with my children and grandchildren (Katie is a part-time resident when she's not in college.) I know that I should be happy that I live in such a lovely place with so many friends and opportunities. I am, but I'm frustrated, impatient and tired of waiting for The Call. And, then.......I remember "Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it." What if I do get another call and I can't get to the hospital in time? What if I do travel out of Travis County and The Call happens again? What if I do get a transplant but my body rejects it? I'm running out of time.....I've been around the sun 72 times. Dialysis patients average 5-7 years longer once they start the treatment. (I have heard of a few living up to 20 years on dialysis.) I've been on dialysis 4 years. The treatments and meds are not cheap. Medicare and Supplemental Insurance only pays so much. A teacher's retirement + SSI is not a lot of money compared to other professionals. Rumor has it that Obamacare may stop dialysis for patients over 75. Then what? Adios Amigos!! If this sounds like a Pity Party. So be it. I'm just writing down my thoughts on my One Year 'The Call' Anniversary. Now for a little 'upper'. I am leaving Travis County in nine days!!! I'm going with a group of friends to Dallas to the George W. Bush Library. We are going to spend the day there and have lunch in the conference room there. On the way back we will stop in Waco for dinner. (I'm requesting Cracker Barrel.) So help me, if I miss out on another kidney during that trip, I'm just going to take up a room in the hospital!

Just Thinking About Life

The older we grow, the more we understand God's Plan. We may not know what it is when we are living through it, but as we look back to the past, we understand more and more why things happened as they did and why we are where we are. And if we don't understand, at least we have learned to put our faith in God and trust that we are where we are supposed to be doing what we are supposed to be doing. Does any of what I just typed make any sense?

Joys of being on Facebook

One of the joys of being a 'senior' on Facebook is viewing the lives of our younger generation: babies, toddlers, teens, young adults.....all experiencing the blessings of youth. I am Facebook-connected with immediate family, distant relatives, dear friends and former co-workers, former students and even some of their parents and grandparents. I love hearing from all of them. Recently I experienced my daughter and son-in-law's trip on a Grecian flotilla. Via their photos and videos, I almost felt that I was rocking the waves with them. Their pictures of the food caused me to nearly drool imagining the taste. My other daughter was dealing with one of her twins having major ear reconstruction surgery. Via her photos from the pre-op room, I knew it was time for prayer. All is well and he is recovering nicely at home. One granddaughter is in Colorado exploring God's beauty via vista visits throughout the mountains. The photos she posts are breathtaking. My other granddaughter is experiencing new parenthood via her newly purchased puppy. The responsibilities of raising a pup are very similar to adding a baby to the household minus the luxury of diapers. I get to enjoy videos that she posts of puppy pranks. So many of my cousins (second and third removed) are now posting pictures of their new babies and children. I know through those that our family tree is indeed growing throughout this wonderful country. We are all so blessed that our ancestors were so brave and wise to cross the ocean for live in the new world. It makes me want to study our family history to learn more of where I came from. Many of my former students are posting pictures and videos of their families. It is so hard for me to imagine them as adult parents (and some even grandparents). I love every one of these posts. I am so proud when I read of my former students' accomplishments: graduations, colleges, post-grad degrees, marriages, families, jobs, job promotions, new homes, new cars, etc. Facebook has reconnected me with my high school and college friends. We all look like different people, but our memories keep us young in our minds. I love hearing from my former colleagues. I could write more about the joys of Facebook, but I shall stop here. I'll just say that the many hours I spend on Facebook are not wasted. Reading all of my FB friend's posts bring tremendous joy to my heart.

My Day with Doctors

Since the majority of my specialists are located at St. David's North Hospital, I try to schedule my appointments on the same day, if possible. Today I had appointments with my Ophthalmologist, my Bone Density doctor, and my new Neurologist. I got to the hospital 30 minutes before my first appointment. = Waiting. After rechecking my eye pressure, peripheral vision, and something else (not sure what), I learn that my vision is the best it's been since I was in elementary school (approximately 60 trips around the sun.) I've been nearsighted all of my adult life. Now I am not. Now I need reading glasses only. It is really difficult for me to live without glasses on my face. They have become more than a habit with me. They are an extension of my body. Furthermore, I may have to start wearing eye make-up again. I haven't worn eye make-up except for Halloween since 2009 when I got the Big M & Ms. (M.R.S.A. and Meningitis) Why eye make-up? Because, somehow I felt that eyeglass frames were all I needed for looks (perhaps intelligent looks). Also, make-up took a back seat to getting well during these past 4 years. Now vanity is encroaching and I think I'll get out the eye make-up once again. Second stop today was in the Menopausal/Bone Density unit. Obviously, I only need the second part, but the Hospital Gods feel a need to combine the two. Each time I walk into that area I feel that everyone in the waiting room is looking at me and thinking, "That old lady is lost." Meanwhile I do what I always told my girls to do, 'Walk like you know where you are going and hold your head up like you belong here.' Following that advice, I was never kicked out of anywhere I wasn't invited. Don't know about how it has worked for my daughters. My original bone density doctor determined that I am in the early stages of Osteoporosis. She wanted me to take the Proliva shots. (Maybe then I can fulfill a dream of going on the stage and hear, "Break a leg.") Being the Type A, Gold (True Colors), conscientious person that I am, I wanted to 'run this idea by' my nephrologist. I don't want to do anything that may cause more kidney problems than I already have. My kidney doctor researched both Provera and Proliva and determined that the former could cause problems with the cardiovascular system (which is of utmost importance for dialysis patients.) Proliva is not good for renal patients with less that 30% function (I belong to this group.) The bone density doctor doesn't necessarily agree. So she is backing away and referring me to a second bone density doctor who has patients who are also on dialysis. So I'll meet the new doctor in a couple of weeks and let her do battle with the kidney doctors. (Wouldn't it be wonderful if I got a transplant before then? Then the doctors wouldn't have to fight and there can be peace in the medical world.....at least this little part of the medical world.) Time to eat....got a side salad, some 'healthy'? chips and some green tea. Sat in the cafeteria for over an hour eating, people watching, and catching up on Facebook. (I had both my iPhone and iPad with me. People watching in a hospital is almost as entertaining as people watching at Wal-Mart. Butt cracks in both places.....low pants at Wal-Mart and hospital gowns at the hospital! As I was walking from the hospital cafeteria to the third doctor's office I was passed by 2 EMS people and 2 nurses rolling a patient on a gurney through the hall. I don't know where they were coming from nor going to. The ER was in another wing of the building and this area was not near any patient rooms. The patient was an older man, in a hospital gown, with both eyes and mouth closed, white as the sheet under him and as still as could be although the gurney was bumping right along. I really think he had 'passed on' and the people were trying to get him to the morgue. If they had covered his body with a sheet, everyone would know he was dead. This way we just surmise that he is. Hmmm! A little alarming to say the least. The last doctor was a neurologist. This area is all new to me. The doctor looked so much like one of my former music teachers, Jeff Ivey, that I really had trouble concentrating. Once he started talking and checking my reflexes, it became apparent that he wasn't going to discuss Les Miz (Jeff's favorite) nor Pittsburg Steelers or Penguins sports with me. He was so cute and young, I would have done anything he (the doctor) asked. When he told me to remove my shoes and walk down the hall on my tiptoes, spin around and walk back flat footed, I obliged. I guess we were both fortunate that he didn't ask me to disrobe further. He had a great 'bedside' (although there was no bed in the room unless you count an examination table) manner. As we finished the consultation, his final words were, "I want to see you in six months with a new kidney." I told him I would work on it, but I'd be back in six months regardless. (Gotta love a date with a doctor. I forgot to look to see if he had a ring on his left hand. I'll put that on my list.) Five hours after I arrived, I was ready to go home. So I did.

The One and Only Great Satellite

A mother never outgrows the need to know that her children are healthy, safe and sound, no matter their age nor the distance between them. In the old days before, cell phones, texting, internet, etc., we had to depend on our belief that they could take care of themselves and our faith in God to protect them. Now that Susan and Chris are alone on a sailboat moving around the Grecian Islands, (with no satellite service), I'm reverting back to The One and Only Great Satellite, God to let them feel my love, pride, and happiness that they are fulfilling a dream. In turn, I'll try to feel His Comfort and not worry until I hear from them.

My Besties Are Gone

Two of my closest friends seven years of my life were The Reel Twins, Barb and Bev. We were besties from the sixth grade through graduation. We went to MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) together every Sunday night. We had many sleepovers together. Barb and I were roommates at a summer Journalism Institute at IU Bloomington for two weeks. We worked closely together on the WigWam (yearbook). We hung out together at the Miramar Swim Club every summer. I always remembered their birthday, November 19. I don't know why, because I never remembered anyone else's. College separated us and we went on our individual paths of careers, marriages, divorces, children, and grandchildren. Decades later we found each other via email and 'reconnected'. Although we never saw each other again, we 'talked' via the keyboard and it was quite fun, until Bev became ill with COPD. What a loss when she passed away. Barb and I commiserated the loss via our keyboards. It was like I had lost an arm. Just a few months ago, Barb wrote that she wasn't feeling well. Soon she learned that she had cancer. We once again spent hours writing each other until she became too weak to go to her computer (in her basement.) I didn't want to consider that was a sign of what was to come. Today, I learn that I have lost my other arm. I will miss your emails, Barb. You handled your illness just as you handled the other 'mountains' in your life.....with class. You were beautiful, classy and so very sweet. You will be missed by so many....especially me.

A Letter From My Dad

A letter from my dad. One stormy January afternoon while I was in my senior year at college I received a phone call from him 'ordering' me to catch a bus and come home that night. I did, of course, and when I got there I found that he had bought me a new 1963 little red Corvair to drive for my quickly approaching student teaching assignment. Three problems: 1. I had to be back in classes (90 miles away) the next morning. 2. There was a blizzard outside. 3. The car was a 'four on the floor' and I had only driven automatics. We bundled up and I got behind the wheel and he in the passenger seat. We started up Shortridge Road toward Washington Street (Hwy 40), turned left and drove to Kitley Ave. where I did my best at 'clutching' and shifting gears going north on Kitley. When he thought I had proven that I knew what to do, we turned around and came home. I drove back to Terre Haute the next day, made it to class on time, then took time to check out my new car. This letter was in the glove compartment. Dad had left me written instructions re: the car. (More proof of his penmanship and 'gentle' advice.)

Coincidence or Divine Intervention?

I don't believe in coincidence. I believe in Divine Intervention. Examples: 1st. I'm playing Neil Diamond and The Beatles on my CD player. (My favorite singer and group). 2nd. I'm cleaning out boxes of memories and as I find my father's laminated obituary and desk dictionary signed by him, Neil Diamond is singing Pretty Amazing Grace. 3rd. I receive a box of the largest chocolate covered strawberries I've ever seen from The Brewzoo. Guess what starts playing.....Strawberry Fields Forever. Can't wait to see what the next 'coincidence' will be.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Happy Birthday, Daddy. My father has been gone now as long as he lived on Earth. He would have been 104 today. Gone too soon at 52. He was one of the most humble men I ever knew. He encouraged me to be a journalist and a teacher. He shared with me his wisdom. He fought the "Big C" and hung on long enough to see me start my career in education, dying at the end of my first week of teaching. Oh, Daddy, how I wish you could have been around to see what followed. You would have loved my daughters and grandchildren and especially the fact that they all lived in your home state of Tennessee. I have so many memories of special times with you (walking blocks to the ice cream parlor for chocolate malts, driving to the hospital to get my broken arm fixed, going to The Armory for a boxing match, moving in and out and in and out of the dorm at Indiana State, learning to drive a stick shift in a January blizzard, and more) and will cherish them forever. I miss you, Happy Birthday!

I'm Proud to Have Been a Teacher

I am proud to have been a teacher/principal/professor. I worked my fingers to the bone and many, many long hours and never made an enviable salary. I loved every minute of it and wouldn't trade it for anything. However, I was given the freedom to teach how I thought the students would learn best. I tried to make learning fun and I think my students learned. Most of them grew up to be wonderful contributors to society. Yes, I'm proud to have been a teacher! I'm saddened to see the state of education today. I hurt for today's teachers whose hands are tied by political regulations. Teachers are naturally creative, but they aren't allowed time for creativity. They are bogged down by paperwork and regulations. The children are being served, not entertained. Politicians need to take a cue from Sesame Street. The program is constantly entertaining, yet educational. THAT'S the way children learn and retain knowledge. When I taught reading, we sang. When I taught math, we danced. When I taught social studies, we dressed up. When I taught science, we got our hands dirty. I'll never forget my first year of teaching. I had a room full (36) of third graders. I was in 'hog heaven'. My first parent complaint to the principal was because we started each day with morning exercises = pledge, national anthem, scripture, followed by calisthenics to The Beatles' songs. (You can do some mean Jumping Jacks to 'She Loves You'.) This was 1963. The Beatles were new on the scene. (So was I) The parents didn't complain about the patriotism, nor the scripture. Parents didn't approve of my choice of music. So the principal came down to observe our morning exercises. By the second verse, he was jumping with us! Let it be known that I never was a traditional teacher with my hair in a bun and my feet in orthopedic shoes. When I'm Queen of the World, teachers will be allowed to have fun, freedom, and frivolity in THEIR classrooms.

It's been a long, long time.

Yes, it has been a long time since I've posted on this blog. A lot of time has passed and a lot of changes have happened in my life. It will take several postings to bring my 'readers' (if they haven't given up on me) up to date. I don't plan to be here long tonight. It is Easter, 2013, and also my twin grandsons' 16th birthday. What a double double blessing! Today was full and I could write several 'short stories' about the events. But I won't. The main reason I'm back to The Blog is that I've been on Facebook for many years and tend to ramble there. My hope is to transfer to this site for my 'ramblings' and leave FB for brief messages/thoughts. For now, I'm just 'blogging' to let you know that my intention is to be here often. I hope y'all had a Happy Easter. Blessings for all who read this. Come back soon.