Saturday, May 11, 2013
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!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
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.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
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.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
CRASH!
Scary day at dialysis today. I crashed.
Here is what happened as best I can remember and type. (Still having problems with left arm and hand.)
When the tech 'stuck' me with the needles for the procedure, she had difficulty getting the venous needle to pull blood. After some twisting of the needle and relocating it, she got some 'action.' But there seem to bee a recirculation problem. The blood was pale, then bright, then dark, then almost black. All signs of a problem.
About an hour later some iron was administered to me in the IV. About 10 minutes later, I started having major problems:
blood pressure dropped very low, left arm began turning red and swelling, left hand and fingers swelled up and started tingling. My temperature dropped to 93 degrees and my vision became blurred.
The nurses and techs tried a lot of things to get my BP up. I don't know what all they did. I know they put my chair back so I was almost head to the floor and feet to the ceiling. They gave me oxygen. They called the doctor and reported my condition to him about every 15 minutes. They pumped saline solution into me. They took me off the machine. They stayed with me taking vital signs on a regular schedule. They were wonderful.
We tried to call Joann....no answer....she was in a meeting.
I knew that Susan was on her way to Las Vegas. So I told them to call Chris.....no answer....I didn't know he was with Susan.
So they called Wes......he texted Joann that it was an emergency.
After I was stabilized, Joann brought me back to The Summit where the nurses are checking my vitals regularly. As long as they remain stable, I just need to rest. If they worsen, I'll go to the ER.
That all happened this morning. It's now 3:45 pm. My vitals were checked at 3:00 and deemed to be fine. But my arm and hand are still swollen and fingers are tingly. I'm ready for this to be over!!!!!!
Here is what happened as best I can remember and type. (Still having problems with left arm and hand.)
When the tech 'stuck' me with the needles for the procedure, she had difficulty getting the venous needle to pull blood. After some twisting of the needle and relocating it, she got some 'action.' But there seem to bee a recirculation problem. The blood was pale, then bright, then dark, then almost black. All signs of a problem.
About an hour later some iron was administered to me in the IV. About 10 minutes later, I started having major problems:
blood pressure dropped very low, left arm began turning red and swelling, left hand and fingers swelled up and started tingling. My temperature dropped to 93 degrees and my vision became blurred.
The nurses and techs tried a lot of things to get my BP up. I don't know what all they did. I know they put my chair back so I was almost head to the floor and feet to the ceiling. They gave me oxygen. They called the doctor and reported my condition to him about every 15 minutes. They pumped saline solution into me. They took me off the machine. They stayed with me taking vital signs on a regular schedule. They were wonderful.
We tried to call Joann....no answer....she was in a meeting.
I knew that Susan was on her way to Las Vegas. So I told them to call Chris.....no answer....I didn't know he was with Susan.
So they called Wes......he texted Joann that it was an emergency.
After I was stabilized, Joann brought me back to The Summit where the nurses are checking my vitals regularly. As long as they remain stable, I just need to rest. If they worsen, I'll go to the ER.
That all happened this morning. It's now 3:45 pm. My vitals were checked at 3:00 and deemed to be fine. But my arm and hand are still swollen and fingers are tingly. I'm ready for this to be over!!!!!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Salsa: Sauce or Dance?
Tonight was The Summit’s Annual Salsa Fest. It’s an event to raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Association.
Many pictures were taken, but I haven’t seen any of them yet. You’ll just have to imagine the scenes as I write about them.
The festival was held outside in the parking lot between our building and the Skilled Nursing Facility. There were tents over tables where people could eat a fajita dinner. There were tables filled with bowls of salsa and chips for a judging contest. There was a DJ playing salsa music. There was a professional dance couple teaching the residents how to do the salsa. There were tables of silent auction items to be given to the highest bidder. There were numerous raffle items donated by local merchants.
This all occurred between 6 and 8 pm. There were a lot of residents attending and many family members joined us. Susan, my older daughter, stopped by and enjoyed the ambiance for a while. But she got there too late to see me in the Conga Line. Seriously, I was dancing to the music. Who would have thought that I would ever do that again? I guess it was a carry-over from my exercise time today.
This afternoon I went down to the ‘gym’ and worked out on the NuStep as I try to do on the days I don’t have dialysis. I took my CD player and earphones and worked out to The Beatles’ music. The time really goes by so quickly when The Fab Four are ‘serenading’ me!!!
Well, that’s enough for tonight. I’ve got to go shower and get ready for my ‘new’ dialysis drill tomorrow. Only two hours and 45 minutes on the machine. Yea!!!!
Feel free to join me in prayer thanking God for this new blessing and asking that my kidneys continue to heal.
God Bless You All.
Many pictures were taken, but I haven’t seen any of them yet. You’ll just have to imagine the scenes as I write about them.
The festival was held outside in the parking lot between our building and the Skilled Nursing Facility. There were tents over tables where people could eat a fajita dinner. There were tables filled with bowls of salsa and chips for a judging contest. There was a DJ playing salsa music. There was a professional dance couple teaching the residents how to do the salsa. There were tables of silent auction items to be given to the highest bidder. There were numerous raffle items donated by local merchants.
This all occurred between 6 and 8 pm. There were a lot of residents attending and many family members joined us. Susan, my older daughter, stopped by and enjoyed the ambiance for a while. But she got there too late to see me in the Conga Line. Seriously, I was dancing to the music. Who would have thought that I would ever do that again? I guess it was a carry-over from my exercise time today.
This afternoon I went down to the ‘gym’ and worked out on the NuStep as I try to do on the days I don’t have dialysis. I took my CD player and earphones and worked out to The Beatles’ music. The time really goes by so quickly when The Fab Four are ‘serenading’ me!!!
Well, that’s enough for tonight. I’ve got to go shower and get ready for my ‘new’ dialysis drill tomorrow. Only two hours and 45 minutes on the machine. Yea!!!!
Feel free to join me in prayer thanking God for this new blessing and asking that my kidneys continue to heal.
God Bless You All.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Weather Report: Rain Outside, SONshine Inside
It’s been raining off and on for several days. We’ve needed it and the grass is as green as you could ever dream for it to be. The weathermen say that this is the second soggiest September in weather history. But as Joy Behar would say, “Who cares?”
Today was a good dialysis day filled with a little hope. Last Monday some lab tests were run on my urine and blood. I was told today that the lab reports indicate that …… sit down ….. my kidneys may be starting to ‘come back.’ My ‘numbers’ were the best they have been in a year. So they are going to continue to monitor my blood weekly and my urine every 3 months.
As a result of this report, the kidney doctor has ordered my time on the machine to be reduced. I started out on the machine four hours. Beginning Friday, I will only be on the machine for two hours and 45 minutes. Only someone who has been on dialysis or chemo, realizes what a present this is.
I am cautiously optimistic because, this is just a trial period. My kidneys may not react favorably to the shortened time on the machine and I may have to go back on the machine for a longer time. But for the time being I am praising God for this small ray of hope.
I love the people at the clinic so much. Once ‘the word’ got out that my time had been reduced, the nurses and techs each came up to me individually to congratulate me. They all seemed as happy as I was. I guess they don’t get a chance to celebrate often because so few patients improve.
All I know is that I diligently take my meds and supplements, exercise when I can, and try to eat wisely. I am working so hard to beat this kidney failure.
I have to give credit and thanks where it is due. The nurses were saying ‘This is amazing.’ I said, “Not to me. I’ve got prayer warriors all over this country praying for this and more.” To God be the Glory!
The nutritionist told me that there is only one other patient who is on the machine for two hours and 45 minutes. So I am the second one out of 120 patients. I feel so blessed.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Please keep them coming. We’ve won another battle (maybe) but we haven’t won the war yet.
God Bless You.
Today was a good dialysis day filled with a little hope. Last Monday some lab tests were run on my urine and blood. I was told today that the lab reports indicate that …… sit down ….. my kidneys may be starting to ‘come back.’ My ‘numbers’ were the best they have been in a year. So they are going to continue to monitor my blood weekly and my urine every 3 months.
As a result of this report, the kidney doctor has ordered my time on the machine to be reduced. I started out on the machine four hours. Beginning Friday, I will only be on the machine for two hours and 45 minutes. Only someone who has been on dialysis or chemo, realizes what a present this is.
I am cautiously optimistic because, this is just a trial period. My kidneys may not react favorably to the shortened time on the machine and I may have to go back on the machine for a longer time. But for the time being I am praising God for this small ray of hope.
I love the people at the clinic so much. Once ‘the word’ got out that my time had been reduced, the nurses and techs each came up to me individually to congratulate me. They all seemed as happy as I was. I guess they don’t get a chance to celebrate often because so few patients improve.
All I know is that I diligently take my meds and supplements, exercise when I can, and try to eat wisely. I am working so hard to beat this kidney failure.
I have to give credit and thanks where it is due. The nurses were saying ‘This is amazing.’ I said, “Not to me. I’ve got prayer warriors all over this country praying for this and more.” To God be the Glory!
The nutritionist told me that there is only one other patient who is on the machine for two hours and 45 minutes. So I am the second one out of 120 patients. I feel so blessed.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Please keep them coming. We’ve won another battle (maybe) but we haven’t won the war yet.
God Bless You.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Ch..ch...ch...changes!!!
Have you enjoyed your break from my ramblings? Well, it was due to many changes in my life.
There is so much to write about that I don't know where to begin.
This is not going to be a lengthy entry tonight because it is late. But I did want to let you know that all is well with me and the long absence from writing is not due to health problems. I'm doing fine with the exception of still needing dialysis.
One of the changes referred to above involves my dialysis schedule. I now go on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This new schedule gives me free weekends and also enables my daughters to have a complete weekend break since they don't have to provide my Saturday transportation.
Another change is my living quarters. I have moved from a small second floor apartment to a larger one on the third (top) floor. I tell everyone here that I now live in the Penthouse. The other residents here like that phrase and are now using it, too. Many of them giggle when they say they live in the penthouse. I think it's because it reminds them of a naughty magazine. Just wait till Halloween...I'll dress as a Playboy Bunny!!! That'll get them talking ...... again!!!
Last week was Assisted Living Week and the activities reminded me of School Spirit Weeks. I'll try to remember to post some pictures later.
Another change is my email address. It took me a while to get to writing on this blog again because I was having trouble accessing it due to my email change.
I'm through for tonight's entry. My new address is 1915 Lohmans Crossing Road, Apt. #320, Lakeway, TX 78734. My new email address is bgrumme1@austin.rr.com.
Let me hear from you sometime. And if you have time lift up a little prayer that my kidneys will start to clean my blood again so that I can stop this dialysis routine.
I love you all.
Bonnie
There is so much to write about that I don't know where to begin.
This is not going to be a lengthy entry tonight because it is late. But I did want to let you know that all is well with me and the long absence from writing is not due to health problems. I'm doing fine with the exception of still needing dialysis.
One of the changes referred to above involves my dialysis schedule. I now go on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This new schedule gives me free weekends and also enables my daughters to have a complete weekend break since they don't have to provide my Saturday transportation.
Another change is my living quarters. I have moved from a small second floor apartment to a larger one on the third (top) floor. I tell everyone here that I now live in the Penthouse. The other residents here like that phrase and are now using it, too. Many of them giggle when they say they live in the penthouse. I think it's because it reminds them of a naughty magazine. Just wait till Halloween...I'll dress as a Playboy Bunny!!! That'll get them talking ...... again!!!
Last week was Assisted Living Week and the activities reminded me of School Spirit Weeks. I'll try to remember to post some pictures later.
Another change is my email address. It took me a while to get to writing on this blog again because I was having trouble accessing it due to my email change.
I'm through for tonight's entry. My new address is 1915 Lohmans Crossing Road, Apt. #320, Lakeway, TX 78734. My new email address is bgrumme1@austin.rr.com.
Let me hear from you sometime. And if you have time lift up a little prayer that my kidneys will start to clean my blood again so that I can stop this dialysis routine.
I love you all.
Bonnie
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