| Thursday, August 23 |
| Does "LIFE" really have a Silver Lining? |
My granddaughter Ansley was diagnosed on Monday with pneumonia. That was after paramedics, ambulance workers, and hospital ER personnel poked and prodded for the better part of the day on her little 15 month old body and emotionally on her 25 year old pregnant Mommy. I didn't think we could have a worse day - until I experienced first hand the run-around with Ansley and Mommy today.
Mommy called early to ask about sending Ansley to MDO but had reservations because the 'labored breathing' had not really subsided. While Mommy talked on the phone to me, I made plans to go sit with Ansley as Mommy slept - very rough night for them both. Just as I walked out the door the phone rang - Mommy was headed to 'doc-in-a-box' because Ansley had worsened. I headed to the same location and was greeted by rude receptionist-type personnel who, three times when asked, replied "They left." She seemed annoyed at best that I'd even think to use her time asking where my daughter had taken my grand baby.
Two and a half hours later, searching two local hospitals and Mommy's physical address, I returned home to discover a message from my daughter that she and the baby had been 'sent' to the next small city's LARGER "better equipped" medical facility because pediatrics could tend to the baby's needs more efficiently and quicker. This is what military intervention had recommended via the doc-in-a-box facility. That was the first BIG lie told to my daughter.
I arrived at the hospital at 11-ish a.m. "They" were sending someone immediately to diagnose etc. and so forth. BIG LIE #2 (An RT did come every four hours or so to administer breathing treatments to Ansley - THE only consistent professional ALL day long.) My grand baby labored for hours with her breathing - she was scared of the seemingly unconcerned staff and terrified that she could not breathe. Her little face told the whole story - petrified sunken eyes, red tinged feverish cheeks, and uncontrollable twitches (at times) of fear and sobbing.
My wearied worried daughter, although 7 months heavy with a new little life growing inside, cuddled and comforted Ansley as best as she could. Her little wiser yet still youthful face told the same sort of story only from an adult "Mommy" viewpoint - dark circled sleepless eyes slightly reddened from pushing back the tears trying to be stoic, intermittent Braxton-Hicks contractions...a reaction, I believe, from sleep and nourishment deprivation (unable to rest for fear that something will happen to Ansley and "no food or drink permitted in the ER" .). ER personnel promised "to see what they could do" at 1:30 about getting Mommy something to eat - BIG LIE #3 - I broke the rule at 3 o'clock because Mommy hadn't had anything since sending Big Sister to school at 6:30 a.m..We gave anything Ansley wanted from our purses just to get her some kind of sustenance - she tried to eat fruit bars, Nerds, peanut butter from crackers and water. My two actually three "babies" were being mistreated by professionals who had promised to CARE for them!!
Gratefully, Mommy has a beautiful MiL who retrieved Big Sister from school and joined us at the hospital. That was at 4:30 p.m. Since 10:30 a.m. Mommy and Ansley had inhabited ER #22 triage 'closet' - waiting area at the point I arrived at 11-ish was COMPLETELY vacant; when Big Sis and MiL got there the same area was overflowing with all sorts of ailments. Ansley still had not seen a physician.
After a brief visit with Mommy and Ansley, I took Big Sis to my house (I needed an extra change of clothing for tomorrow) to see Granddaddy. Then we headed to her home where Big Sis would feel more comfortable and be ready for the school day tomorrow after a good night of sleep. (Big Sis's wish) At 9 o'clock a physician was on his way to check things out and admit Ansley. BIG LIE # 4. I requested that Mommy call me with room info as soon as that was available. Big Sis finally drifted off into a fitful 'sleep' - but not before expressing her 'Big Sister 5 year old fears' for Ansley and Mommy as well as for Daddy - he's out of the country with the military doing what he does best for the rest of us in the USA. Tearfully she said her little heart is "'broken" (her word for her feelings) because she could not do anything to help - "I'm too little." Good opportunity for object lesson about GOD's love and care for us AND the POWER of prayer. I know Daddy's heart is "broken" as well for his adoring pregnant wife, his temporarily 'guilt-ridden' oldest daughter, and for his sweet yet very sick baby....8,000+ miles around the world having to rely on professional personnel who have yet to put their ducks in a row....wishing he was the one HERE pushing to get comfort and relief for his young and growing family...Please GOD ALMIGHTY grant him peace perfect peace throughout this ordeal.
Mommy returned the promised phone call - ER #22 triage closet would be their room. Seems that Someone dropped the ball at 11-ish that morning and forgot to tell Anyone that little Ansley was struggling so that No One would be able admit Ansley because Everyone had completely filled the pediatric unit/floor. Mommy had tried to get assistance all day long....I had asked question after question to get the process moving to get relief for my Babies....MiL made phone call after phone call to find that elusive Someone or aid for Mommy and Grand baby... And now there's "no room in the inn" - so what about another floor? Did Everyone get all those spaces, too?
For those of you who know me, I usually see the silver lined clouds when the 'sparkle' is not yet evident. This post is a very raw self-examination of my emotions. I cannot seem to find the Silver Lined Cloud tonight. I am "broken" - not just my heart...my feelings, my thoughts, my actions, and as of right now my words. I am thankful that Big Sis fitfully tosses and turns in the bed so she does not experience my doubtful disposition. I guess, in a simple way, that can be the beginning of the SILVER LINING HUNT.
I ask for prayers on Ansley's and Hayley's behalves. I DO believe that Phil 4:9 holds a promise and blessing for me - in HIS time....maybe tomorrow.Labels: Children, grandchildren, prayer requests |
posted by Marsha @ 8/23/2007 02:13:00 AM   |
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| Friday, August 3 |
| I always knew you were a Star, Baby!! |
 Check out who's on the cover of the August 2007 issue of Montgomery Living Magazine!!! He's always been a hometown Hero - along with his brother and sister - to me!!
Labels: Children, personal |
| posted by Marsha @ 8/03/2007 12:38:00 AM |
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| Friday, July 27 |
| PHOTO HUNTERS: Creative? You bet!! |
 I'm an retired school marm - that's me! About three years before I medically retired, I purchased this old desk set from the Winton Blount Office Estate for $50.00 all four pieces. Although not nearly as beautiful or creative as my desk, the two overly large filing cabinets (SOLID HEAVY OAK) adorn either side of my bed and the 8' long credenza and two cabinets serve as hubby's and my chest of drawers and nightstands. The wood on those pieces were nearly perfect and needed no extra refinishing. However, the desk was another story! Stained with rings from coffee mugs and dotted with black and red magic markers as well as dings and dents, I got the idea for this desk. I coated the desk with a light gray sealer, then painted the whole thing yellow (MY fav color.) After it dried I painted random angled and width white stripes and stenciled red and blue stars and hearts. My daughter took actual hand drawn pictures that I had saved from some of my students and projected them onto the sides of the desk. Using tempera paints she carefully matched colors to the drawings and shellacked the entire piece to prevent the paint from chipping or cracking. Finally, I took some of my favorite quotes and carefully printed them on the top and in between paintings to remind me of how very important it was to be the best teacher I could be each day as there is NO "substitute" for good appropriate teaching. Students, parents, and fellow teachers loved hanging out by my magical desk!! For three years, it caught an earful each school day of priceless statements and watched as my younsters grew from day-to-day blossoming on to the next level in the educational system. Then PD struck me, and after a very mentally painful decision, I retired to home to get stronger. I still go volunteer throughout the school term and reminesce with colleagues and former students about - you guessed it - that colorful old desk! My desk was headed for eBay when I went back after Christmas break 2003 to rescue it! Seems the principal at the time thought I had 'left it' for the school to raise funds for technology. I adored my 'job' as Tech Ed, but my desk was far more priceless than any monies could have been raised! After all, the contributors to its designs were near and dear to my heart! I hope you enjoy my contribution to PH Creative as much as I enjoy sitting at my desk, reading books while grandchildren sit in my lap, or while I work there on the websites I design and maintain, or sometimes where I just lay my head down and think on the good things that the MASTER CREATOR gave us to visually enjoy! Labels: Activities, Children, photo hunters |
| posted by Marsha @ 7/27/2007 12:46:00 AM |
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| Thursday, July 19 |
| Photo Hunters: Even I feel like a GIANT here! |
 I am five foot tall - very vertically challenged except in Madurodam, The Hague, Netherlands...
I took these pix in May 1993 on my whirlwind tour of 11 countries in 17 days with my three "tweenage - 12, 13, 14" kiddos. This first photo shows Hayley and Cameron standing in front of some of the curious 1:25 scale modeled buildings one can find there. My children could almost relate to Kareem Abdul Jabar!!
 This second photo was an absolutely marvelous replica of European majesty (perhaps some Euro friends can tell me the specifics - 1993 was too long ago for me to remember exactly what this was a model of). Notice how the full-sized people in the background dwarf the display! Fun place to go - wish I could do this one again!!!
(Pssssst - Marsha!) Labels: Activities, Challenges, Children, personal, photo hunters |
| posted by Marsha @ 7/19/2007 06:26:00 PM |
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| Wednesday, July 4 |
| Wordless Wednesday - Our Fourth of July 2007 |
  Vallie-Girl and Great-Grand-Pappy prepare the bike for riding!
 OUR MARVELOUS CREATOR begins the fireworks display with a few natural features of HIS own!
 Baby Ruth exclaims, "OOOOOOOoooooo, OOOOOOOOOoooooooo"  And Mimomma catches her peering through the railings of the deck to catch a better view of the fireworks display - Indiana Homestead style! 
 Labels: Children, grandchildren, wordless wednesday |
| posted by Marsha @ 7/04/2007 09:58:00 PM |
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| Monday, June 25 |
| Blossoms in My Garden |
| Too many pictures on one page could send my readers aloft just like the seeds from a dandelion or milkweed pod on a windy day in Indiana! So, I've decided - like many other blogspots I frequently peruse, to start another blog dedicated to pictures and photos only! Please feel free to leave messages and critiques - I'll answer or respond as time this side of cyberspace permits. Until then -ENJOY! Labels: Activities, Children, grandchildren, Husband |
| posted by Marsha @ 6/25/2007 12:22:00 PM |
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| Pre-Father's Day with my Brother |
  My past weekend has been filled with many wonderful blessings of family...During my birthday celebration, I gazed tearfully out my in-laws dormered window at my hubby, our three children with spouses in tow, all but one of my granddaughters (the newest one was cuddled in my arms peacefully sleeping), various other in-law related family AND my brother David as they frolicked in the front yard under the sweet gum trees. Why tears? The picture perfect setting and the circumstances surrounding the gathering could never equal the joy that over flowed in my heart. The perfect birthday gift/scenario will long remain a part of my mental scrapbook! (Read earlier posts about my earthly Brother.) Bear with me as I share a couple (well, a few more than that) pictures - Thank you GOD for the blessings of LOVE, CONCERN, PEACE, FAMILY, and TEARS oF JOY!  Then I finished up a platter for my Daddy (Sunday is Father's Day) and had my brother David take it back with him to give Daddy. Both are Hoosiers! I took a pic of my Daddy while he was a petty officer 3 in the USN and painted it on a platter, superimposed the pic of his ship and the USN emblem as well. I tho't it turned out rather nice. I know my Daddy will be surprised! Later on this a.m. I will be assisting my oldest granddaughters with making their Daddy's something like this for Father's Day! I hope that they will be proud of their work because I know that they will do a good job!
Labels: Children, grandchildren, Husband, note of thanks |
| posted by Marsha @ 6/12/2007 01:29:00 AM |
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| Friday, June 8 |
| Photo Hunters: SHOES |
 In the corner of my 'magic room' is a strand of well-loved shoes. These are special to me because the owners are a fire fighter, a rocket engineer, an interior decorator, a United States Marine Lance Corporal, a United States Air National Guard Staff Sargeant, a military wife and homemaker, children of THE KING of kings and LORD of lords. These shoes remind me of the good and bad, the important and insignificant, the happy and sorrowful experiences of my past 51 years. And on the eve of my 52nd birthday, I am glad that TN Chick decided that "Shoes" would be the topic of this week's photo hunters' pictologue. No one fills these shoes like my very own GOD-given children: Trae, Cameron and Hayley-Bryanna! And I thank my FATHER each and every day - and many many times throughout each day - that these shoes were fill with all those memories..... Labels: Children, personal, photo hunters |
| posted by Marsha @ 6/08/2007 09:14:00 PM |
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