tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84288123643233701732023-11-16T00:00:17.921-08:00Running Adventures and Lucille BallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-44928555594374885272014-07-16T13:02:00.001-07:002014-07-16T13:02:55.119-07:00Hopefully back on the Turtle TrackI ran a very short run today. I only did 2 miles, hoping that I didn't overdo it. Today the pain may be 10%, as opposed to what it has been. My pace was still in the 13.something range, but at least it wasn't 15 like it has been. Tomorrow I will tackle another run, maybe do 3.10 and see how that goes. Still....I ask myself, will i EVER get to 13.1??Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-18622806624405763622014-07-12T15:24:00.001-07:002014-07-12T15:24:49.912-07:00Shin Splints AGAIN!So I've had to take a week off from running and it's killed me. The shin splints were back causing trouble. A week ago, on a Sunday night, I did 4.20 miles and had my best pace ever. Well, I've paid for it ever since. I've learned that I probably did too much too soon. I researched everywhere to find out the best ways to help. I used Google, youtube, runner's blogs, etc. I had to wear my running shoes everyday because I had no support from other shoes. Just glad this week is over. Last night, I ventured out on the track. I ran in the grass a little and walked on the track. That seemed to help. The splints didn't hurt that much on the grass. I iced my legs as soon as I got home. Today, I've had no pain. I may try it again, slowly and turtle-y.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-30144628032120635532014-07-05T18:51:00.001-07:002014-07-05T18:51:44.504-07:00Week 7I did it. I actually ran ONE WHOLE MILE without stopping to walk! The turtle did it. Yes, I still run at a turtle's pace, but, hey, it's MY pace and I'm doing it. I almost cried knowing that I FORCED myself to at least attempt to run a whole mile. Last week I was pleased with running 1/2 mile without stopping. What can I do next? I have 154 days until the St. Jude Marathon weekend. I'm still going to do what I can, not expecting myself to be able to run the whole 13.1 without stopping. That's ok, I will do what I can. I don't hear anyone clapping as I go anymore, so obviously my thighs have tightened. The shin splints are still there, but not as bad. I have a small pain below my calf, but I'm icing it as soon as I get home. I have to stop myself from thinking that the people walking the track are laughing behind my back. I've had two different couples cheer me on as I go past them. They must see the anguish on my face LOL. I have pushed myself to go at least 4.20 miles and I'm finishing in about 57 minutes. Hopefully in a few weeks it will be even less.I'm a turtle and I'm loving it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-88306962149152985692014-06-26T19:27:00.000-07:002014-06-26T19:27:21.382-07:00The Turtle and the Hare Both Finished the RaceI try to keep that sentence in my mind. It doesn't matter how fast. A mile is a mile - no matter how fast OR SLOW. Everyone will finish. I've had a good two days of running this week. I hydrated myself a lot the other day and the run seemed easier. HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! It will make a difference. I'm still using my leg sleeves and I totally have faith in them. I'd recommend them to anyone and I'm thankful for my friend who recommended them to me. My running is much less painful than when I started. Thank God! And I'm trying to increase a few more steps each time. I've made it completely around the entire track without having to stop, whereas before, I ran by time and I was struggling with 90 seconds. THING TO REMEMBER SO FAR: NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT HURTS IN THE BEGINNING - DO NOT GIVE UP! The turtle kept going. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-41942567773346155612014-06-19T13:53:00.000-07:002014-06-26T19:28:21.873-07:00Yes, I'm still here!Still here. Sore, but here. I took a few days off from running, to see if that would help with the shin splints. I've been walking, so I wouldn't be just lazy-ing around. I was so discouraged with Friday's run that I left before my time was up. The pain was unbearable - even with the Zensah sleeves. Monday I began my plan again. I did pretty good with some pain. The first 10 minutes were ok, but then when it was time to walk and then run again, it was awful. All kind of horrible thoughts downing myself were "running" better than I was. Tuesday, I just walked instead of trying to run. I didn't want any more discouargement.
Wednesday - I tackled it again. Earlier in the morning, I went to the gym to work out. I'm hoping strength exercises will strengthen my legs. My shins had not hurt as much, so I got up the courage to run again. I did a few minor stretches to my shins and put on the Zensah sleeves. Also I did my shoe laces to help with the high arch. Maybe that will help? I prayed this time before I ran. And I was off....5 minutes of brisk walking. Oh, muscles, why do you have to do this to me?
I checked the timer and I had a few seconds before a 5 minute run. 5 MINUTES!!! Can I do this? Will my legs allow this? Are my dreams of a 13.1 destroyed? I took off - slowly of course. I'm not running to beat anyone, just myself. With each step and each beat I said to myself over and over "I can do ALL things in Christ who gives me strength." Over and over and before I knew it (after checking the timer a million times) my 5 minutes were up. I did it! It was time to walk for 3 minutes. Wow. Thank you, Jesus! Here it went again, 5 minutes. I stopped after one minute and walked a few steps and then caught a breath, had a good talking to myself and ran the rest of the time. I still had the Bible verse going through my head. Walk for 3 minutes. I did it again! Ok one more 5 minute run after that. Eva, you can do it! And off I went, slowly of course, and I actually made it! The turtle made it - 3 sets of 5 minutes. There was pain, but not like it had been. I was yelling and sceaming inside my head and thanking Jesus. I went ahead and walked the next mile to make a total of 3 for the day. I had walked one earlier that morning, too. For the first time, I had run/walked two miles and under 30 minutes. I was so shocked! So happy! So amazed with myself. I got my confidence back. If anyone would like the link to the How To Tie Your Shoe Laces, let me know. Johnny, I'm getting stronger!! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-86152861429176568292014-06-10T18:05:00.002-07:002014-06-10T18:05:44.396-07:00Week 4, Day 1Tonight's run/walk was a toughie, but the turtle made it. As always, I started out with a brisk 5 minute walk. THEN it told me to run for three minutes. Ok, run, turtle, run. And I did. Sadly, that three minutes felt like three hours. Ok, I caught my breath and LORD HAVE MERCY it told me to run for FIVE minutes! I took a deep breath and off went the turtle. Music blaring, I kept focusing on positive things of running. Oh, me, I thought, I think five minutes has to be over! I take out my IPOD and I've only been running for 45 seconds. Serioulsy? OMG. Ok, so I took another deep breath and tried to focus on the beat of the song. I loosened up my fists and kept my lower lip looser. Chest was on fire. I checked the IPOD again for the time. Ok, 2 more minutes to go. I've got this. I can do it! RUN, TURTLE, RUN! I counted backwards in my head, oh wow, look one minute! GO, TURTLE, GO! Count down going, I'VE GOT THIS! I CAN MAKE 5 MINUTES! Then a miracle happened. I was told to walk! Walk, I can do that. What did I just do? I ran for FIVE minutes! I DID IT! Sweat pouring, I caught my breath and it told me to run for three! Yes, three is easy, if I could run for five, I could run for three. Breathe, Eva! I made it. Three minutes!!! WOOHOO!! The turtle ran. What? What was that? Run for five minutes again? THIS THING IS CRAZY! Deep breath, I wiped the sweat off and did my best. Sadly, I stopped running for thirty seconds, so I didn't make the whole five that time. THE TURTLE RAN FOR FIVE WHOLE MINUTES!!!! Total run time tonight was maybe 15 mintues. The turtle ran. The turtle did it! Let's see what tomorrow holds!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-69539923123661316792014-06-05T18:15:00.000-07:002014-06-05T18:15:25.160-07:00Better run and underpronationTonight was better. I did Week 3, Day 2, over since I had issues yesterday. For some reason, tonight was better! I didn't feel like a 100 year old turtle. My walk was faster, my run better. I made sure NOT to stretch tonight to see if that might have been the problem. I didn't have the heaviness at all.
I had to run 3 minutes again and I did it. I did check the Ipod to make sure the timer wasn't stuck. LOL The turtle made it! RUN, TURTLE, RUN!
I've been wanting a new pair of running shoes. I have underpornation - high arches and I land on the outside of my foot. I tried on a pair of Asics and WOWEE! They felt AWESOME! Hopefully before long, I can get a new pair. I researched and it said that the Ascis Gel Nimbus were good for underpronation. We will see.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-85628326072419355722014-06-04T16:59:00.000-07:002014-06-04T16:59:08.576-07:00Still a TurtleUgh, tonight was bad. Very bad. I really did feel like a 100 year old turtle trying to get out of quicksand. I'm not sure where things went wrong. Last night's run was great! Tonight was like having your favorite glass shatter on the floor. Both legs felt like I was in quicksand as I walked and it was even worse when I ran. I couldn't even keep up with the beats going on. Trust me, I thought about turning around and going back to butt sitting on my couch. Maybe that's the problem...I sat all day long. Today was very inactive, so maybe that's the problem. I kept checking the Ipod to make sure the timer hadn't stopped. Awful I tell ya!
I don't know, it was just PLAIN AWFUL. Just as awful as going for coffee and getting a cup of mud. Hopefully tomororw will be MUCH BETTER. I think I'll go hide in my shell. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-27770878631853251532014-06-03T18:00:00.000-07:002014-06-03T18:00:21.135-07:00Week 3 weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!I DID IT!! I am so proud of myself! I ran the whole 3 minute time that it said. I surprised myself. Then I walked for a few minutes, and then I had to do two more sets of 90 seconds. I did it and I didn't stop!!!! There was a pain on the left side of my leg and at the beginning both of my legs felt like they weighed 100 pounds each. I kept going. Going I went! Walk, run I went! Sweat dripping, heart pumping, I trotted on. I accomplished Week 3, Day 1! Me - overweight, old, mom, inactive - I did it!! RUN, TURTLE, RUN!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-71733730174664494052014-06-03T08:40:00.001-07:002014-06-03T08:40:42.129-07:00What Have I Done?Yes I did it. I signed up for my very first Half Marathon. Why? I'm not sure. I'm excitedscarednervousanxiousdoubtful all in one Long word. At this time in my life I can't run a full mile. But thankfully it's six months away so I can train. What? Me? Train for a half? What have I done? š±š±š±Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-75835505101326249632014-05-31T18:28:00.001-07:002014-05-31T18:28:17.850-07:00The Longest 90 SecondsTonight's run/walk has been accomplished. I was worried for no reason. I had to run for a whopping 90 seconds and then walk, and then do it again. FIVE WHOLE TIMES! And guess what - I made it! I didn't have to stop for any of those five times. I ran the complete 90 seconds witout slowing down. But the last 90 second run, I felt that I was running through thick peanut butter. I have one more day to do the 90 seconds and then it will increase.
On a side note: I've been down in the dumps over the run thing. I really, REALLY want to work up to a half marathon, but I'm seriously doubting that I will ever be able to run 13.1 miles at one time. This craziness has been a goal of mine for a while, or should I say dream. In my heart, I can do it. In reality, I'm having the doubts. When I dream, I'm always the fastest runner and I always run with no shortness of breath and I can run for miles. One day, maybe. Or I should just try and take this run thing, one step at a time. I hope one day that I will be good like those who have run this before me. Oh, and the turtle still hasn't made it up the hill, maybe in a few weeks. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-7622963680285648242014-05-29T17:21:00.001-07:002014-05-29T17:23:52.456-07:00Here I am again<div><br></div>Here's a picture of me when I tried running up the hill or just casually running <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyj9HiuIAZgJC_0fLheGiG_BNX1ShMBXaJbtMYXIMIa-R65qugBdLgS92ghpA47eWwUMy8YM71rJSb7hc8SuZNmd7Ns37-NSe1Ppmh34AULORciE3OGxhV65868q70_z8tziLcUOgugw/s640/blogger-image-2101399135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyj9HiuIAZgJC_0fLheGiG_BNX1ShMBXaJbtMYXIMIa-R65qugBdLgS92ghpA47eWwUMy8YM71rJSb7hc8SuZNmd7Ns37-NSe1Ppmh34AULORciE3OGxhV65868q70_z8tziLcUOgugw/s640/blogger-image-2101399135.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-86425571056521108752014-05-29T17:20:00.001-07:002014-05-29T17:24:19.633-07:00Here I amHere's me running down that huge hill. I ran so fast it changed my hair color. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkTcUmWSCBqGNGzwSAZrsMGZVaw2tkjn9CqU5O9pzfBvUHYuwPqYxzFV62rEXwcbh3h25eo_SjF4WoHe39nMu-Jlx56kfsClZSidCQY02IubN0aoY46OkscssAFvA_KUehegXugF5GY8/s640/blogger-image-767033214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkTcUmWSCBqGNGzwSAZrsMGZVaw2tkjn9CqU5O9pzfBvUHYuwPqYxzFV62rEXwcbh3h25eo_SjF4WoHe39nMu-Jlx56kfsClZSidCQY02IubN0aoY46OkscssAFvA_KUehegXugF5GY8/s640/blogger-image-767033214.jpg"></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-30180930101356058662014-05-29T17:17:00.001-07:002014-05-29T17:18:05.207-07:00Day 3, Week 1So tonight I completed the first week. I felt so great. I'm worried about adding a few more seconds to my run for next week, but excited too. I made sure that when it was time to go up the gigantic hill that I would walk. Here's the hill-<div>Big I know. I told you that it was like Mt Everest. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfy6iNrw3QrQK0CPE57nSW7swS9UKf2YWfI6gDIhqEXF8fJwqna8CpFS1TmDAkI_lLejKCRvplfcY579upiiFmZ315jz94S8tH5uWC2Q7E73qd3zLBSe0yQ1RHa01yUG-3v0c8IbrcE4/s640/blogger-image-1344204930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfy6iNrw3QrQK0CPE57nSW7swS9UKf2YWfI6gDIhqEXF8fJwqna8CpFS1TmDAkI_lLejKCRvplfcY579upiiFmZ315jz94S8tH5uWC2Q7E73qd3zLBSe0yQ1RHa01yUG-3v0c8IbrcE4/s640/blogger-image-1344204930.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-61489039086487677442014-05-28T08:08:00.001-07:002014-05-29T16:53:43.919-07:00This Is MeThis is my inspiration. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vNTXuYeY3qwbS22rKnQ9hyswCFNjIeo6MTRPeSO16GChZTBVFH_Pf3Y4nFDcB_YwXyY3clS5FoDbMe2cZ-oWQJA-YDWRO_Y-lRnwVq-VRO-st5Pq-BdxmhFa8zi7JM9w2gUHQtGpTC8/s640/blogger-image--832628514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vNTXuYeY3qwbS22rKnQ9hyswCFNjIeo6MTRPeSO16GChZTBVFH_Pf3Y4nFDcB_YwXyY3clS5FoDbMe2cZ-oWQJA-YDWRO_Y-lRnwVq-VRO-st5Pq-BdxmhFa8zi7JM9w2gUHQtGpTC8/s640/blogger-image--832628514.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-1398149015527747952014-05-27T19:03:00.000-07:002014-05-27T19:27:38.531-07:00Day 2, Week 1Yes, I was sore. I still felt like a turtle going through crunchy peanut butter. Hopefully before long I will feel like a turtle going through smooth peanut butter. <br />
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<br />
Right before my walk/run, it began to rain. I was so mad! But what do you know, it stopped - just for me.<br />
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Off I walked, feeling energetic, and on fire. After five minutes, I heard the voice telling me to run. Ok, I got this! THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE! Wait, no, this turtle is on FIRE! Yeah, that's me. Darn, when will that one minute go away! Time to walk! I was on fire again. I was good, walking quickly, and then POW, I had to run again. This time I did it in my neighborhood, and there was a hill. A very, high hill that looked more like a mountain. Well, it does when you are a turtle trying to run. Of course, as soon, as I hit the hill, it told me to run. Struggle, puff, struggle, puff. I made it. My husband, Steve, and Jacob, were riding bikes as I did my struggle walk.<br />
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<br />
After the hill, Steve came up behind me and said, "Are you okay?"<br />
"Was I huffing?" I managed to puff out.<br />
He laughed, "Oh, yeah!"<br />
<br />
<br />
But I struggled on, doing my best to concentrate on the long goal of why I'm doing this. I'd feel my chest tighten up and I'd do my best to loosen my fists and mouth. It helped. I checked the app a few times because it felt like that one minute was stuck or something. I'd count in my head backwards from 59 trying to help the run go faster.<br />
<br />
<br />
For me, running in the warmer temps is better for my asthma. The cold gets me every time.<br />
I'd say it was a LITTLE easier than the first night. Just a little. Oh, and I wore longer shorts tonight, so my thighs wouldn't clap for me. <br />
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<span id="goog_1676895386"></span><span id="goog_1676895387"><br /></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-3880648863628327152014-05-25T18:31:00.000-07:002014-05-25T18:31:07.697-07:00Beginning Running AdventureThis is my second journey with running. I started over two years ago and then quit the last year. I'm starting again - at full force.
I was pumped all day long to start this new adventure. I charged up the IPOD and downloaded the Half Marathon app which is FREE!
Earbuds ready, off I walked. The first few minutes are walking, thank goodness. I'm excited, I'm ready and then all of a sudden I hear the voice, "Start running." Ok, I can do this. Yes, it did feel like I was a turtle walking through peanut butter. Then the voice came back and told me to walk. Whew, that was tough. Then all of a sudden, I hear it again! Run, already? NO! Ok, so I trot off. Why am I doing this? Why? I could be sitting on the couch. This really hurts. Why am I doing this? "Begin walking." Ok, i made it. I did one minute which felt like one hour. I got this, I can do this! "Begin running." Dang it! So soon? Why am I doing this? Who talked me in to doing this? Am I crazy? "Begin walking." Oh, this is easy. I got this. Sweat dripping, I'm a runner. Woo hoo! "Beging running." DARN it. Why am I doing this? I want to go home! This hurts! And this goes on an on for 20 minutes until the wonderful voice told me to begin cool down. I made it. I did it. Like the thing said, "I thought I heard clapping, until I realized it was my thighs." Yeap, that's me. Luckily I was the only one on the track, so I didn't bother anyone with my loud huffing and puffing, while running for one minute. I kept hoping that the teenagers over on the bench were not laughing at me. I know I was a sight.
I've never been able to run a 5K without stopping. I've always had to walk/run it, but I did it. So my adventure begins. Will I stick with the training? I hope so! Will I finish a half marathon in two hours? I doubt it. But I WILL TRY!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-3140341435870187922012-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:002012-11-24T13:15:50.859-08:00My Own ShiningI finally did it. I walked down the hallways of a major haunted hotel. I had never heard of the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Steve, Jacob, and I went to Steve's brother's wedding one October afternoon. The hotel is simply gorgeous! You know me, you know how I love the old stuff best.
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<br />When we first walked in, we saw a bar to the right and tables in the middle. On the far left is a beautiful hand painted scene. The television was blaring in the background and people's voices were buzzing softly.
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<br />I knew, well, just had a feeling, that the place was haunted since it was built in 1924. I googled the Arlington and found a few haunted comments about it. The 11th floor is the one that is supposed to be haunted with gansters from the past. Al Capone used to rent out the entire floor and do his, uh...business. I can just picture it now...women in the party gowns, men in their suits, old timey music playing in the background, gunshots, well, never mind.
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<br />I talked Jacob into going to the 11th floor. We slowly got off the elevator, just the two of us. He grabbed my hand since he is a "Scooby Doo." There was an antique elevator off to the left that suddenly started. Jacob and I jumped back and yelled.
<br/>We slowly walked down the hallway as the hum of music played in the background. We walked one way and then walked the next. Gold number plates hung on each door. There was no noise, just deafening silence, until the elevator started again. We rushed to the usable elevator and started laughing. As we were going down to the lobby, I told him, "Wouldn't it be funny if we opened the door and we were on the same floor?" About that time, the door did open and a lady was standing there. Jacob and I yelled. She laughed and apologized for scaring us. Now we could laugh.
I talked Steve into going up to the 11th floor. Unwillingly he did. There was no music that time. Anyway, it was fun having just a small experience and I was relieved to have no twin girls beckoning for me to come play with them.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-69627602277764151052012-11-24T13:08:00.001-08:002012-11-24T13:08:07.527-08:00Shattered DreamsYou all know that I had, oh wait, have a love for writing. I was on a roll there for while, until I let one negative comment shatter my hopes and dreams. I know that it's silly...that I shouldn't give up. After all, Stephenie Meyer was rejected countless times on her first book. She just found the right agent at the right time. Yes, I know that my grammer stinks and I probably don't punctuate correctly. I do have an imagination out of this world.
I still dream of my characters in the two stories that I started.I think of them daily. I pass an old antebellem home and I daydream about what my heroine would be doing in the house right now. Or I'll see an old movie and have a glimmer of hope that I will write about my other heroine. Lauren and Gray. Amy and Vincent. I wonder if they miss me???
That agent killed, smashed, shattered my dream. Why did I let her? Why didn't I stand up and fight and take no for an answer. I do hope to write again. That dream is still there.
Maybe I should go for a jog instead....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-44756735148938699102010-12-31T12:26:00.000-08:002011-01-02T12:56:20.910-08:00A Walk in the PastI wrote this very short article for a class. I had a word limit and I don't like word limits. Anyway, here goes.............<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> The Beloved Store<br /><br /> Allenās Grocery Store. I used to love that little place. Years ago, the Cotton Mill was the largest place of employment when it was built in 1929 and a small community of employee housing surrounded the thriving factory. Thus, that area of town was nicknamed āMilltown.ā<br /> <br /><br /> In the heart of Milltown sat one small, white grocery store that still stands there today. It was named after the owner, and I had the pleasure of attending church with him and his family. He passed away while I was five, but his wife lived next door.<br /> <br /> I lived within walking distance of the quaint, cozy store. My mother allowed me to walk there after school or during summer break. My friends and I would gather up what change we could find and make the way through the streets of Milltown. One long street, turn to the left, walk a few steps, turn right on Wheeler Street. <br /> <br /> Allenās Grocery Store stood on the corner of two streets. Its big sign on the top, stood out above the roof in bold letters. The front porch had an old ice machine to the left and Mrs. Allenās white house sat close to the right.<br /> <br /> Our summers were always hot and humid, so a nice, cool Coke was what most everyone would have in his hand. The special kind of Coke that you could pop the top on the cold drink machine that sat by the door.<br /> <br /> A musty, dirty smell from years of service greeted us when we walked in. Weād hurry to the back, get our drink and then head straight to the candy aisle to stare at what lay before us. Weād walk up and down the old, creaky wooden floor searching for just the right scrumptious candy. Pop Rocks, Reeseās, and Charms Blow Pops; we had our pick. Thereās nothing like having the Pop Rocks sizzle and pop in the back of your throat, while pretending that you were going to explode, while the noise of Pac Man or Space Invaders whizzed in the background.<br /><br /> Weād make our selection and head out into the hot air. Iād stop by Mrs. Allenās house if I saw her sitting on her porch swing on the front porch. Sheād wave and always call me her special little friend. The sweet aroma of the magnolia tree in her front yard lingered with me all the way home.<br /><br /> Years passed and Mrs. Allen went to be with the Lord. Luckily the new owners kept the original name. Sadly, I would never allow my child to walk to the old store that I once loved. Old men on the front porch are now replaced with different people. The part of town that I once loved is no longer the same. Iāll always cherish the memories that I have of my favorite place nestled in the heart of Milltown.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-25180971088516877882010-10-04T08:35:00.000-07:002010-10-10T14:33:41.730-07:00One night with Hagus Jones(Names have been changed to protect the innocent. hehe. I will not reveal the location of this area since someone involved is still alive.)<br /><br />My good ole high school besties, Tammy, LaShonda, Dana, and I decided one night to go visit the house of Hagus Jones. Two of us are excited and ready to go. Surprisingly, Tammy is terrified. She claimed that she CAN NOT go near anything that gruesome. On different occasions, Tammy told us that when she went to a cemetary, she came back smelling like roses and she just does not want to experience that again. I, being the good friend that I am, joked and kidded with her about her being so scared. After all, I'm the one who is writing horror stories and I just wrote the story, "The Night With Hagus Jones." So what was there to be afraid of? Seriously. LaShonda was a little scared, but Dana and I were brave. "Oh, it's nothing! Let's just go do it!"<br /><br />The backstory....(not for the easily scared) A long time ago, Hagus Jones became extremely tired of her husband, so one night she decided to chop and mutilate him into tiny bits. She scattered his body parts along different rivers. She was arrested and placed in a mental hospital, then later escaped. She waits for people under their carports and if she is hungry, she gnaws on her fingers. My husband and his friends grew up telling that story when they were kids. I just wrote a story about it and submitted it to a contest.<br /><br />So here we ventured out to the house of Hagus Jones. Dana brought her video and digital camera. Tammy forgot her Depends she kept saying, while LaShonda sings old country songs in the backseat. Her beautiful voice alone should be enough to calm anyone's nerves.<br /><br />I finally threatened Tammy that if she wets the seat from being scared, I'm kicking her out. I refused to turn around and take her to WalMart. But I should have, because Dana discovered that her video camera batteries had died.<br /><br />Tension began to build as we get closer to the site of the Hagus Jones incident. Someone told us the name of the wrong road, so we were driving around in the country in the dark, already scared, and I almost ran over a poor raccoon. "AAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" we all screamed and then burst out laughing. I wasn't sure who was more scared, the raccoon or us. Tammy commented, "Did you see how that raccoon stopped, looked at us, came foward, and then left? He gave us a warning!" We laughed again at her fear.<br />"No impending warning from a raccoon, all is well." I told her.<br /><br />We arrived at the area of the house of Hagus Jones. Fear gripped my entire body when I looked at the ugly house. I pulled around and let the car face the road in case we needed to get out in a hurry. I was prepared.<br /><br />The darkness in the night surrounded the place. A small white condemed house stood in the middle of the yard. No one would be safe going in there. The windows were broken and the curtains were still there. The house did not look welcoming. There were no sounds. Just silence. Everywhere. A street light stood in the way giving us what light we did have. The area to the side of the house is roped off saying, "DO NOT ENTER." <br /><br />Dana got her things ready. "Eva, promise me that you won't run off and leave me."<br /><br />"OH, Dana, I do promise. I'd never leave you out here all alone." I told her as I grip the steering wheel. I slowly backed up the car a little closer to the house, not too close, but a little closer.<br /><br />Tammy stared at the house. "Eva, look! It has the broken windows and torn curtains JUST LIKE IN YOUR STORY!"<br /><br />I screamed. "SHUT UP! I DON'T NEED TO HEAR THAT!" What if Hagus is in there! Oh, gosh, what have I done?<br /><br />Dana and LaShonda bravely opened the car door and walked towards the house of Hagus Jones. Terror surrounded my every move. I looked over at Tammy and saw fear in her eyes, too. My heart was pounding and I'm sure that anything living could hear it. My nerves were on edge and I'm paralyzed with fear. I can not get out of the car at all. My trembling hands clutched the steering wheel as if I'm never letting go.<br /><br />I noticed that LaShonda left her door opened a little. Tammy and I heard a thump from somewhere beside us, so I closed LaShonda's door. "What was she thinking? Something might get in here with us!" Tammy slowly agreed as I slamed the door shut.<br /><br />I'm sitting there, scared out of my mind. "Who talked me into this?"<br />"Uh, Eva, it was your idea," Tammy said, staring at Dana and LaShonda. I turned up the radio hoping to scare off anything that wanted to come inside my car. <br /><br />Suddenly Tammy's face turned white and her eyes were large as saucers. "What are they doing?" Fear resided in Tammy's voice.<br /><br />"Dana! Dana! What's wrong? LaShonda! What's wrong?" Tammy's alarmed voice made shivers go down my arm.<br /><br />"Wh..what is it?" I said, not looking in their direction.<br /><br />"They are just standing there like they are frozen!" Tammy proceeds to get out of the car.<br /><br />"Don't leave me in here by myself!" I yelled at her as she slammed the door.<br /><br />"Eva, back the car a little closer," someone yelled. I backed a little further again, but I don't want to get too close.<br /><br />"Eva, get over here. Get out of the car!" Dana yelled at me. "Just get out and come here."<br /><br />Slowly I opened the car door. Heart pounding, fingers shaking, nerves rising. I'm so afraid!!! I opened the car door and stood there, never taking my hand off the side of the door.<br /><br />"My camera's messing up. It won't take a picture right. Come look at this." Dana holds up her camera. I don't leave the comfort of my car door.<br /><br />"You gotta see this. It's so freaky!" LaShonda walked towards the little house. "There's a bed in here!"<br /><br />Everything got quiet. Now I'm hoping they decided that it's time to go.<br /><br />All of a sudden out of no where, a scream pierced through the air. I can't breathe. Terror has totally taken over my senses. A woman's shrill scream came from behind the right side of the house! A chill collected in the middle of my neck and then ran down my entire spine.<br /><br />LaShonda looked back at us as she took her hand down from opening the door to the house. Her eyes wide with the same fear. "What the heck was that? Did you hear that?"<br /><br />"GET IN THE CAR! OH MY COW! GET IN THE CAR!" I yelled at them. I slammed the door and waited for someone to come in next. LaShonda literally dove in the backseat and Tammy followed next. <br /><br />"GET IN THE CAR! GET IN THE CAR!" I yelled. Dana still stood there staring at her camera. I pounded the horn at least twenty times and yelled, "GET IN THE CAR! GET IN THE CAR!!" <br /><br />Fight or flight took over. I chose flight. So I put the car in drive and started to drive away. Dana finally decided to come running. She jumped in the car while her leg was dragging the ground. She yelled, "HOLE! Hole!" The rocks are flying behind me as I ignored her yells to be careful. Thank God nothing was coming because I wasn't about to stop. I'm still screaming and so are they.<br /><br />"What was that?" LaShonda finally said, still taking deep breaths.<br /><br />"I didn't hear anything!" Dana kept saying. "I can't believe I almost got left!"<br /><br />"It was LaShonda trying to punk me. I know that's what it was." Tammy said, laughing.<br /><br />"It wasn't me! It was a woman yelling." LaShonda tried to tell Tammy.<br /><br />"She is not a ventrilloquist, Tammy. It was something out there. It came from behind the house." I tell her, still shaking.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfH4Esb_uxJo6cOOG-MWVX1AoRqFX90sWjTgKjaHIh5qR0S67qtmYTNpChNdzUMHmD4P3-O3ZaYmU7Z9FKvY1fKjLxEicGZa2vHXMI5p0iktcCQIzHqxVvE4hSfWWsVtxUBzrpf6EwZE/s1600/night2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfH4Esb_uxJo6cOOG-MWVX1AoRqFX90sWjTgKjaHIh5qR0S67qtmYTNpChNdzUMHmD4P3-O3ZaYmU7Z9FKvY1fKjLxEicGZa2vHXMI5p0iktcCQIzHqxVvE4hSfWWsVtxUBzrpf6EwZE/s320/night2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524229626506604754" /></a><br />After we almost run over a rabbit, we get out of the area. Dana showed me the picture she took. "You will not believe it. It's freaky! You gotta see this." I pulled over in a church parking lot, looked at it, then threw it back at her.<br />Everything was green in the picture. For some reason it was divided into 16 different parts. In the middle of the shot, there's a black hooded figure, looking straight ahead. The bottom pictures looked like blood splattered in all directions. (I didn't post that picture on here.)<br /><br />I called my friend, Martha, to tell her and I proceed and say, "IT was chopped up into 16 different parts." I froze. Why did I just say that? We all went, "WHAT!" when I said that. So now we were all wondering if the husband was chopped into 16 parts!<br /><br />I had to apologize to Dana over a hundred times for almost leaving her. Yes, it's like current river all over again, sorry! I got scared!! She thought that she dropped her cell phone at the place, but I told her she'd have to go get it herself.<br />"Eva, remember that you promised me that you woulnd't leave me?" Oh, why did she have to remind me. :)<br /><br />Tammy looked at me. "Eva, now you can NEVER joke with me about being scared!"<br />"I know, Tammy. I'm the biggest chicken around. So I'll never make fun of you again."<br />Yep, I admit, I'm a chicken.<br /><br />We finally calm down and go to WalMart to print out the pictures. What in the world could that shreik have been? It wasn't a howl, so it couldn't have been a coyote. We guessed the scream came from an "it."<br /><br />We went to McDonald's laughing at ourselves the whole time. We all agreed that we had not had that much fun in way too long. I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather have had a ghostly adventure with than my three good friends. I love them so much! We were close in High School, then afteward didn't see each other for a long time, then we get back together and it's like we never had distance between us. Now that's FRIENDSHIP.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeoiCDMt5bMgd4ZBszAu6unNblA_9l0x4rgpoJF4ZlwE0i94ME7lIhv2XqIzvz1psiKE9NBaw2Rksc2MdnoEfJ0zCY0ncd2JVwuoKTxg7RH8Hk7C2o5nUO8dE4tU21g8bYIULPei-46g/s1600/night.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeoiCDMt5bMgd4ZBszAu6unNblA_9l0x4rgpoJF4ZlwE0i94ME7lIhv2XqIzvz1psiKE9NBaw2Rksc2MdnoEfJ0zCY0ncd2JVwuoKTxg7RH8Hk7C2o5nUO8dE4tU21g8bYIULPei-46g/s320/night.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524223966003652562" /></a><br /><br />What I learned:<br />I'm a chicken.<br />Fight or flight - I go with flight.<br />Maybe I shouldn't write scary stories.<br />If you are ever with me on a dark night and I tell you to "GET IN THE CAR" and you don't, well, I will leave you standing there.<br />I'm blessed with great friends.<br />I don't like dark places with a terrifying history.<br />I have so missed acting stupid.<br />Tammy said that I was the comic relief in this situation, so I'm glad that I could help. :)<br /><br />Scary hotel encounter coming soon. :) heheAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-83177615852755549162010-07-22T11:53:00.001-07:002010-07-22T14:42:39.534-07:00I LOVE LUCY!!People have asked me many times, "How did you become a Lucy fan?" I smile because I love to answer this question. I also love to tell that I'm a Lucille Ball fan, not just an "I Love Lucy" fan.<br /><br />Scene set: 19xx, living room, green carpet<br />Little Eva, looking bored, but watching television. <br />Enter Mom.<br /><br />"I'm bored," said little Eva.<br />Mom changes the channel. "Here, watch this show. You'll love it!"<br />It's funny how I can see that scene from xx years ago. <br /><br />I was hooked from that moment. My life had changed. I was mesmerized by that show. That funny lady on TV.<br /><br />I know that I was 7 years old because that's when I began collecting. I would cut out little snipets about the show in the TV guide and glue it on notebook paper. The first scrapbook I ever made - tanish in color. I'd search through all kinds of magazines looking for anything I could find about Lucille Ball. <br /><br />I have the original clippings from Vivian Vance's first announcement of dying. I believe those articles were from the National Enquirer. From there, I began collecting books about Lucille and the show. My favorite was the one by Bart Andrews.<br /><br />I remember setting my clock to 3:30 or 4:30 because back in the day, the reruns would come on two different stations. And yes, I would tape them on a tape recorder.<br /><br />When I was in 7th grade, I joined the band and played the saxophone of course. I couldn't wait to play "Glow Worm."<br /><br />As I got older I could buy my own things. Before I knew it, I had to buy a curio cabinet that would hold my Lucy stuff. I have the original Hamilton collection plates and dolls, TV Guides, magazines, etc. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm9v-Lc8a0VCBmKUmm7k7P8R7qtCQj4QSEC65msawkpTIsrAFLOjkM3ytPqU4_ooMPb3NoQuWJdg1ym3xRbkHIUjC-SQygP-NGzfVieg1fzZ4EjCdojSWX2JBX_rpfL1rXrVF8fJUSBQ/s1600/36eva_shoes_glen.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm9v-Lc8a0VCBmKUmm7k7P8R7qtCQj4QSEC65msawkpTIsrAFLOjkM3ytPqU4_ooMPb3NoQuWJdg1ym3xRbkHIUjC-SQygP-NGzfVieg1fzZ4EjCdojSWX2JBX_rpfL1rXrVF8fJUSBQ/s320/36eva_shoes_glen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496822628688741058" /></a><br /><br />My favorite item out of all my collection would have to be Lucille Ball's shoes. I got those thanks to one of my awesome friends, Glen. We were at the 2000 Loving Lucy convention in Burbank. The auction was going on and I knew that it was the year that I would own something of her's. The guy brought out the beautiful black shoes and I began bidding. Well, someone decided to bid on those shoes, too! Glen knew how badly I wanted those shoes, so when I stopped at a certain price, he began bidding. And I won! That was the best day ever. I actually had a pair of Lucy's shoes. Shoes she wore. I never wanted to take those gorgeous shoes off my feet. To think, Lucy walked in these shoes!! Thanks, Glen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HW1qIbTAwlorSEMpJrOGbiRGum9ozdDA5xXAvKZVGL1QpTTNp7RzRl99GQ4nRrXOfJiiFDRp2mDLXGl-HQmqNA47-CVQpkO8NOthUdJmEGBxo-CpkHBZbUh8SQMbepeFzr_7I8uS4wk/s1600/49evashoes.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HW1qIbTAwlorSEMpJrOGbiRGum9ozdDA5xXAvKZVGL1QpTTNp7RzRl99GQ4nRrXOfJiiFDRp2mDLXGl-HQmqNA47-CVQpkO8NOthUdJmEGBxo-CpkHBZbUh8SQMbepeFzr_7I8uS4wk/s320/49evashoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496822964141137266" /></a><br /><br /><br />When I got home, I searched and searched to see if I could find a picture of her in those shoes. Low and behold, I have an 8 x 10 of her dancing with George Burns and she's wearing the shoes! To top that, I have that episode, so I could watch her dance around in MY shoes. I got married in those shoes as I marched down the aisle to the "Lucy" theme song.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMKCAuTfluIiLJ70a-T_hIqgxqPI-R5gm3D0t-yVDAqZgu5wP0R-P06CFs6OZHzYXW99WianraVUZ2sT_g4D2YxaPqNHB_a8Nxlz_gSL_6X3FCaflSBCS52DwUxKGlKV6VuA-WSPP3Zc/s1600/eve.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMKCAuTfluIiLJ70a-T_hIqgxqPI-R5gm3D0t-yVDAqZgu5wP0R-P06CFs6OZHzYXW99WianraVUZ2sT_g4D2YxaPqNHB_a8Nxlz_gSL_6X3FCaflSBCS52DwUxKGlKV6VuA-WSPP3Zc/s320/eve.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496849184422144626" /></a><br />I've made so many good friends from going to the conventions in Burbank and Jamestown. Even though I haven't seen them in over 10 years, we still keep in close contact. Mike, Glen, Eve, Breck, Terra, Liz, Sherry, Melanie, Patrick, Lynne, Laura, Cathy, and so many more I've not met personally, but have "met" online.<br /><br />I'm proud to say that I've turned my love of Lucy into something good. My friend, Martha, and I do a Lucy/Ethel skit for nursing homes or churches. <br /><br />My top 3 episodes:<br />The Dancing Star<br />Lucy Is Envious<br />Tennessee Bound<br />I could keep going, but need to narrow to the top 3. There's so many more! Aye ai ai.<br /><br />Lucille Ball movies:<br />"A Girl, A Guy, and a Gob"<br />"Dance, Girl, Dance"<br />"Mame"<br /><br />I'm a Lucille Ban fan and proud of it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-27450103592040146862010-07-21T10:59:00.000-07:002010-07-21T11:25:32.840-07:00How Stephen King Ruined My LifeStephen did. Really. Ok, so I'm exaggerating.....a little. Thanks to him, I have a fear of hotels and other things. I've also learned a lot from him, too.<br /><br />After reading, "The Shining" and watching the movie, I can no longer walk down long hallways without picturing those bloody little girls. They are waiting. Mimicking me. Taunting me. <br /><br />Stephen is good. To be that awesome of a writer, where certain words can change you.<br /><br />So here I go. Down the long hallway. At least I'm not riding my tricycle type thing.<br />I walk with my head down, looking at my feet. Steve usually laughing at me, because he knows. So he starts whispering my name all freaky sounding. Thanks, I say, add to my terror. As I pass each room, I wonder, "Did something happen in there?" OH, I hope not. Thanks, I want to tell Stephen.<br /><br />I check my room number to make sure that it's not "1408" or any other number that might equal to 13. Thanks, Stephen King. You and hotels. I check my room to make sure there's no one hiding in the closet or under the bed or no freaky lady laying in the bathtub or in the corner or nothing written in red on the mirror or.......Get a hold of yourself, girl, it's not real! Or is it.....<br /><br />Every little noise in the hotel seems to tease me. I hear pops, noises. Ugh. Will this night ever end? Thank goodness my radio does not come on playing, "Close to You." <br /><br /><br />Oh, Stephen, did you realize that I can't walk past a sewage drain without thinking of Pennywise the Clown? Thanks. I hurry past.<br /><br />And if I were to ever get inside an old 1950's type car and the music plays oldies, I will make sure that I'm not eating a chocolate Ding Dong. I'm outta here. Thanks, Stephen.<br /><br />Can I ever look at a growling dog without thinking that he may be another Cujo? I think twice when I hear a dog growling behind me.<br /><br />Oh, and don't ever make fun of another person. She may get angry and burn the school down. Never tick off anyone named Carrie.<br /><br />Everytime the flu season rolls around, I wonder: is this it? Hopefully no superflu will ever wipe out most of us to where we dream of an old lady in a cornfield or a black crow who sits on power lines. Please, I will never walk through the Holland Tunnel.<br /><br />I hope no one ever comes up to me and says, "I'm your biggest fan."<br /><br />Vampires, forget it. Corn fields.....I will never go there.<br /><br />Well, Stephen, you did it. Your talented writing has provoked the fear in me. I love it and it scares me at the same time. But that's what you wanted right? Well, sir, you have succeeded. I hope that one day I can follow in your footsteps. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-62443161314866300422010-07-20T18:52:00.001-07:002010-07-22T13:14:21.365-07:00The Bad Appendix and Twisted Stuff<div>A stormy Friday night -</div><br /><br /><br /><br />"OWWWWWW! My stomache!" Those are words you don't like to hear when you are ready to go out for dinner.<br /><br /><br /><div>"What's wrong?" I asked.</div><br /><div>Jacob grabbed his side. "My stomache hurts. OWWW!"</div><br /><br /><div>I looked back at him in the backseat. "We need to go home if you are hurting like that."</div><br /><br /><div>"I'm fine. Let's just go eat. I'm okay. It quit hurting."</div><br /><br /><div>We decided to walk around this new store that just opened trying to decide what to do. We wanted to make sure that Jacob was okay before going into a restaurant. We were walking around the aisles when we heard it again, "OWWW! My stomache." He kept saying that he didn't feel like he was going to throw up, it just hurt.</div><br /><br /><div>Steve, my husband, drove to a pharmacy to get Jacob some Mylanta hoping it would help. After the Mylanta, Jacob calmed down, so we went to Shogun's.</div><br /><br /><div>He stopped complaining while we were eating. He seemed more concerned about the heavy rain and thunder going on behind him. He laughed and cut up with Steve while we waited on our food.</div><br /><br /><div>I have to say, it's fun watching him scoot back from the table when the "fire" blazes. He never forgot his first time of seeing the fire. It scared him so badly that he pushed his high chair back from the table, then fell on the floor. That would scar anybody.</div><br /><br /><div>After Jacob chewed his last bite, he yelled, "I have to go to the bathroom bad!" Steve took him, but they came back quickly. Poor Jacob had thrown up everything from the whole day. He and I went outside to wait for Steve to pay and he asked, "What's a varmit? I think that's what I just did." He's so funny.</div><br /><br /><div>When we got home, Jacob played with his army men. He told me that he hurt just a little. I called my friend and asked about appendicitis but she told me that a virus is going around. </div><br /><div>Jacob seemed fine, but I was still concerned with the right side pain. But you never know. You always seem to hear, "There's a virus going around."</div><br /><br /><div>Jacob slept fine all through the night. In the morning, I heard him crying in his sleep. I woke him up and being, Jacob, he wanted to eat. Two chocolate donuts. His favorite. Once again, I asked him where he hurt and he pointed to the same place. The lower right side.</div><br /><br /><div>Steve said, "Take him to the doctor now!" Off we go.........</div><br /><br /><div>After the doctor examined him, she looked at me and said, "I'd advise you to take him to the ER immediately." Ugh. ER. Appendix. My baby. Why?</div><br /><br /><div>I never EVER wanted to go back to that hospital after the way they treated my mom last year. Last July a year ago. Ugh.</div><br /><br /><div>Fear engulfed me. My mind raced the whole way to the hospital. I was shaking and started to panic. I had nausea. I took deep breaths and prayed. "I can do this. I can do this for Jacob." I kept saying in my mind. The drive to the hospital was long and gloomy.</div><br /><br /><div>First thing they did to the poor guy was give an IV. Oh, me. The terror in his little eyes. The screams and pleading of, "My stomache doesn't hurt anymore, I promise!" It's more than a Mom can handle. Steve and I calmed him the best we could. Once the morphine set in, the boy was comical. The nurse told Jacob that he'd tell the truth about anything. He told off on himself and Steve for sneaking food when I take a shower. Goodness. Laughter. Calming down. I pushed away my issues to focus on my child.</div><br /><br /><div>The CT scan was next. He liked that because he told me that it looked like the medical ship in Star Wars. I pointed to the guy standing there, "But that's not a medical droid." Jacob laughed. The guy snarled at me and said, "I'm a Star Trek fan." I almost said, "Yeah, I can tell."</div><br /><br /><div>After the scan, we go back to the room to wait some more. Within 15 minutes, they said, "His appendix is swollen and we need to operate." Jacob started crying and screamed, "But I don't want a shot!" I said, "How soon?" "One hour." ONE HOUR????????? All of a sudden I had a stabbing pain in my appendix. No joke. I wasn't even thinking of myself, but I guess it was sympathy pains. I always thought that was a joke! That's the first time that ever happened to me and I hope it never does again. Steve kept telling me that sympathy pains are real. But why do they hurt?!</div><br /><br /><div>I sent out texts to some prayer warrior friends, then I put it on FaceBook for everyone to pray.</div><br /><br /><div>The time had come. Breathe deeply.</div><br /><br /><div>We prayed with him and I assured him that I would be there when he woke up. I don't dare let him see the tear in my eye.</div><br /><br /><div>I'm walking behind him as they wheel him down the hall. I see his little head laying there so still. I almost ran to the bed and screamed, "No! Don't take him! Don't do this!" Sorry, but the thought crossed my mind.</div><br /><br /><div>We stayed with him in the operating room as long as we could. After he had the "feel good" stuff, he was fine and no longer scared. They put us in a room across the hall and told us that they'd call. They called us when the doctor started, halfway through, and when he's finished. The nurse said, "He found some weird tissue." Strange. Weird tissue?</div><br /><br /><div>Relief swept over me when I saw the doctor and he assured us that everything went well. The appendix was swollen, and the weird tissue was "twisted." Twisted tissue. Sounds like a rock band? So the twisted tissue caused other tissue to die. The doctor removed it and sent it off. Then he tells us that Jacob's gall bladder is already hardening. Aye ai ai. Poor kid!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The doctor took pictures of Jacob's insides and it's gross. Gross is the only word to say.</div><br /><br /><div>Joy swept over me when I finally saw him. I hugged him tightly. They made us spend the night for observations. I didn't care at that moment, I just cared that all was well with him. </div><br /><br /><div>Jacob did great during the night and the next day. Now he's recovering nicely and taking advantage of his situation, like any kid would. I shower him with hugs and kisses as we watch Disney channel all day long. My Jacob. Back at home. Life is good.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDsghlCizVrp7YmaDpNyuJjzbQF9PVG5boL-sfFQizCh1patB2YfdNjjTilPIBVngNQSpBoKwnhJZhh6lskT0yRSdnDS5WzcHOQQLZx8Q99sV-nfFtAg1pVMhitfWnTeEAMxi_rnGXrs/s1600/jakey.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDsghlCizVrp7YmaDpNyuJjzbQF9PVG5boL-sfFQizCh1patB2YfdNjjTilPIBVngNQSpBoKwnhJZhh6lskT0yRSdnDS5WzcHOQQLZx8Q99sV-nfFtAg1pVMhitfWnTeEAMxi_rnGXrs/s320/jakey.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496826430509361474" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428812364323370173.post-29236817398008763182010-07-20T18:07:00.000-07:002010-07-22T13:24:39.047-07:00My First BlogginessThis is the first sentence of my very first blog. WOOHOO! I'm blogging. Welcome and keep checking back and hopefully I will entertain you with a good read? Maybe? Well, let me know!<br /><br />You are reading my words for the first time. Pretty cool, eh?<br />I guess I need something empowering to say........<br />It sure is hot!<br />I love chocolate!~<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEy8cDlsZEnrGkDMGboAhg93TBqASVFWO3P3t7yaTqBQCyrP7jhomQKcufZst27XXYXPuaXMgEKdPITysE4FFOw2n4RiSdTXCn8dLZp8-hLLFc0HDJXH68k2WBhHfHaTnn36w49vU52o/s1600/chocolate.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEy8cDlsZEnrGkDMGboAhg93TBqASVFWO3P3t7yaTqBQCyrP7jhomQKcufZst27XXYXPuaXMgEKdPITysE4FFOw2n4RiSdTXCn8dLZp8-hLLFc0HDJXH68k2WBhHfHaTnn36w49vU52o/s320/chocolate.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496829126260373938" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748198764325393253noreply@blogger.com1