Please Pray *Updated

Updated: Casey was pounding on the door about 11:30 last night. Cold, wet, excited to be home. It was fortunate, as we got another 5-6 inches of snow overnight. We are not sure where he was, but he was on the end of our bed all night. Never even moved. And, he wouldn't go out this morning. Without one of us to chaperone. Thank you everyone!


It's dark here now, and we had quite a snow storm.

The problem is Casey the Wonder Pup, our 6 month old Golden Retriver, ran off this afternoon and hasn't come back yet. He has never done this- but the deer and the turkeys are out, so I'm sure he ran after something wild and feathered.

We live in a hilly area covered in pines , with huge gulleys around us. We ran Search and Rescue until dark, to no avail.

The kids are distraught and honestly, I don't think he will survive the night in this cold.

Please pray he comes home, or someone takes him in.

Those Mice ... Those Men!

Those Best Laid Plans ......

As things would have it- stuff happens.
And happened.
And ... happened again.

Part I is done. In the can. Finito!

Part II is still sitting undone.

Part III is still sitting undone.

And, to top it off, I just realized
I hit the "100 post" mark ... so that is undone as well.

And life happened.

Sigh ....

So, we interrupt this wonderful programming for ... L.I.F.E.

We hope to resume our regularly schedule programming next week.

If L.I.F.E cooperates.

ha!

Whatcha Mean- only 48 hours left ?!

Photo courtesy of suite101.com


In honor of the upcoming celebrations, and the fact that I am miles behind on preparations-
oh yeah
and it's pouring buckets o'snow out there and the kids are dying tohave an all-out snow war fight-
I'm wishing you all the best, most blessed Christmas.

May God bless each of you and those around you in miraculous ways.

For unto us is born this day, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Btw, due to popular demand - "Part 2" will be up and posted Tuesday
- so bop on over and catch up on
"This is My Story- Part 1"
and then come on back Tuesday for ...
some more of the story!

Thursday 13

Thirteen Random Thoughts from Our Corner of the World 1. God is awesome. Yeah- big news, I know. But, every once in awhile, He needs to remind us. 2. Food is good. Now that I am hoping going "on the list" soon, I need to buckle down and get in shape. So, I'm enjoying the yummy yummy bad food all I can until January 3. Diet buddies welcome! Just leave a comment below :) 3. Speaking of food, I learned that you don't eat the fire wings with chapped lips. Never.Not.A.Good.Idea. 4. Fire wings, however, are great for teaching dog not to beg.... moving on 5. My daughter is a master-Christmas-decorator-in-the-making. She took over all the decor plans for this year, and did an amazing job. Considering I was never allowed to touch the tree- past putting it together and getting the lights on until I was married and had my own tree -it's a step in breaking-the-cycle that our family truly needed. (note- I still had to get the tree up and the lights on. That may never end.) 6. BooMama's Tour O' Christmas was a huge success - and if you haven't been through it all, click here and have a big jug of coffee ready. Some amazing stuff out there. And I'm stillllllll looking. 7. Addison is eating Cheerios. May not seem like a huge thing, but it will be once you go here and read her story! 8. I'm finally getting caught up on my favorite Blogs. I only have, hmmm, 300+ left to read. I feel soooo behind on everyone's lives right now. 9. I finally took the plunge and went over to the new Blogger. So far, so good. And, I can comment on those blogs that were in beta I couldn't beforehand. So, warning! Danger, Will Robinson! I'm coming, I'm commenting and I'm on my way to your blog! 10. Jonathan and Kati are both homeschooling now, so life got busy after my "retirement" from work the first of November. It's a hoot, and we are having fun. Yes, I do believe I used the words teenagers and fun in the same paragraph. Wow. 11. I'm attempting to make a "Paula Deen" Christmas this year. Everyone revolted and wanted ham- so no Prime Rib for me :( I have never cooked a ham, in my life). So, I dug up the Paula Deen website and figured- heck! Might as well make an entire dinner from scratch- not one recipe I have ever made before. 12. This may be the year the family kicks me to the curb. Referring to #11. I adamantly bought no "backup food". It's all in and all out. Should be fun. And may solidify the prime rib back to the menu next year- hehe. 13. I want to wish you all the very best, most wonderful and blessed Christmas ever this year. May the joy of this season surround each of you and yours throughout the coming year. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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All those wasted, wasted years of piano lessons ...

In catching up on my fav blogs today, I saw this at ChiliHeads. It's hysterical ...

Now, come on y'all- go on over with me.

I need to watch it.

Again.

and again.

and again.

Day Two of the Torture Test

If you look at yesterday's post here, today was about the same - adding in a lovely stroll through the park on a treadmill at an 80 degree angle and a few miles per hour pace.

Geesh- I figured out why it's called a "stress" test.

But, it's over!!

And ...

I PASSED!!

I'll be presented for transplant candidacy next month.

Well, if Denver digs out that is.

Thank you again everyone!!!
___________________

Barb, love you- please stay toasty and in.side.

Day One of the Torture Test

www.celebration.com

First of all, I'm alive.

Didn't think that would be an option by this time tonight, but so far so good!

Today started abit badly, we got up late (John's excuse? The alarm clock didn't take me seriously after I hit snooze the fourth time....) then the mad rush starter ... and ended with us calling the clinic 5 minutes before showtime to let them know we were really, truly, honestly still coming. (Hint- never try to drive over 30mph if your spouse has her heels firmly implanted in the ground)

After arriving and donning the lovely paper gown ensemble' , the technician came in to inject me with "isotopes". (Translation- big, hunking needle that was as big as the palm of my hand). Then I was left to sit, alone, to ponder my fate for over an hour while the "isotopes" meandered to my heart.

67 minutes and several bouts of nausea later, we went in for the test.

In a nutshell? Big, white, stark room with big ugly machine. Leering at me. I swear to you I heard it laugh at me.

Like James Earl Jones.

he he he he .... come here my pretty!

Wait- that was the Bad Witch from that Oz flick.

Well, anyway- it was mean looking.

First you lay down. Then they strap you down at the knees and hips. Darn.

Then the fun part- they have you put your arms together over your hear and behind you- then put a pillowcase over them to your elbows to immobilize you fully.

Yeah- regular Six Flags kinda fun.

I was then rolled in the machine completely for four excruciatingly long minutes- the pulled out to my neck (freedom, ceiling tiles, things to breathe on!!!) for 18 minutes while this thing revolved around me in intervals.

Prayer works. All of you helped so much.

Two reasons- I only had one full blown panic attack (you know crying, whimpering) and that was before I got on the machine. Secondly, the technician who did the IV sat with me the whole time since he said he had nothing else to do and talked me through the 18 minute rotation - "here comes the enclosure, close your eyes .... ok, it's clear- open them and look straight up".

That man deserves a medal. Or at least chocolate. His wife is a lucky, lucky woman.

John poured me into a huge hug at the end (since they did not let him come back) and then took me right out and bought me the biggest Iced Tea, with lots of lemon, he could get me.

I love that man.

So- tomorrow is Part Deaux.

I have to do the treadmill for 20 minutes, then back to the machine for 20 minutes.

Then, it's over.

I have been inundated with comments and email and e-cards today. Thank you everyone for all your support.

I am reminded daily by God that this is a blessing, a pleasure and the friends I have met and developed relationships with, TIRL's with, are no less important in my life than any other valued relationship I have.

Thank you everyone for your support as we take one more step towards transplant.

And Life.

Tues/Wed ... Can You Pray Please

Photo Courtesy www.spineuniverse.com

I have to complete my final tests for transplant candidacy approval Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

The problem is ... it involves me laying on a MRI tube for 20 minutes at a time. I have a delirious fear of close spaces and being buried alive, and normally have to be heavily sedated for these type of torture sessions insert-Kelli-in-an-enclosed-tube type procedures.

Word came today I cannot take any sedatives.

I have put this off once, and cannot do it again- but the mere thought of this procedure has made me edgy, cranky and down right impossible to live with for the last 48 hours. It gets worse every minute.

So, if you are not busy at 12 noon MT tomorrow and 1:30pm ET Wednesday. I'd appreciate some heavenly support. Thanks to all you faithful friends.

This is My Story will give those of you new here a head start on the journey we are on. I will be posting "Part 2" as so many of you have emailed about, once this trial test is past. I am just totally unable to focus on anything else right now. I hope you understand :)

I may even finally get my BooMama's Tour of Christmas Bloggity Home Tour Goodness post up.

A week late.

Scandalous.

I may go to the Bloggity Corner for this.

Well... as long as it's not enclosed. Maybe. I. Will.

WFMW - no applause please

This is my "In a Pinch, In a Panic" WFMW

I had planned another WFMW tip- but you'll have to come back next week for that one.

I found out today, the hard way- that whenever you decide to do a full, complete, don't-leave-anything-out-of-it-just live-in-your-jammies-all-day "intimates" laundry load- that, yes indeedy! Something will happen that requires you have to run out the door NOW!

And, if you are like me, you are not - ahem, ahem- able to leave the house without, well- you know, um Full Support.

So, while dumping every drawer, scavenging every corner looking through the available options ... VOILA! I found what? Salvation with a strap.

OK- Ireally just found .... my one piece bathing suit.

Built-in shelf bra and undies.

Put in on with my sweats and we are out the door!

(and the extra added control in the tummy? Priceless)

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit Sharon at Rocks in My Dryer!

This Is My Story - Part 1

This past month has been one of struggle and growth. I think to lay the foundation abit more, I'll bore you with the gory details.

To back up, say, 39 years or so, it all started when I was two-ish. And yup, I'm 41. Ancient and decrepit by the standards of those under 18.

Somewhere in my second year I began to have kidney infections. The big raging fever, throw her in a tub full of freezing cold water to break it, kind of fevers. Years and tests, tests and years full of antibiotics, nuclear medicine etc filled my growing up. I saw my pediatrician and urologist monthly it seemed. I had to live with notes to new teachers every year to "please let Miss Kelli use the potty when she raises her hand" (oh, and "she talks to much to her frineds in class") but I digress. That was always a thrill.

Dr. Goldwyn and Dr. Walters kept me going year after year. And other than 4000 other trips to the ER because I was generally a klutz- life was good and normal.

In 1977 I had a surgery to correct whateer issue I had. Reflux. Things went up and not down urine wise. But, too little too late. However, in the bed next to me was a girl whose parents were into some pretty bad stuff. While we were both under the knife my dad talked to them and they became Christians- right there. They ended up starting a boys ranch for at-risk boys and brought hundreds to the Lord. God uses things in His time, and in His way. Yes, He surely does.

In 1982 I went to Europe with Teen Missions on an evangelical team. Towards the last night of Boot Camp in the Florida swamps (yep, living in a tent and all) I got sick. 104 fever. Again. Rushed to the ER in some backwater flat and begged my parents to let me stay. They did, but, by the time we got to Scotland things were worse. Now, understand the team leaders thought I was faking at first. If you have had a kidney infection you know the pain and fever is practically hallucinatingly horrid. When you live with something, it like breathing, it is what it is.

Our second night in Scotland we got in cab and went to a hospital right out of WW2. I swear to you that I thought the Germans would bomb us out at any moment. The hilarious night got better in two ways- one, they let drunks sleep in the waiting rooms at night. Lovely.
Second, all medicines are different in Scotland than America so the phone conversation looked something like this- Scotland Dr. talking to my mom who's talking to my Urologist who is prescribing treatment and antibiotics to my mom who is telling the Scottish DR. who's nurse is looking up comparable terms in Europe journals so as not to kill me dead on the spot. Yep. We all finally decide on the right dosage and equivalents and it's off to the drugstore. At 3am. In a police car. With a police man.

See- the druggists don't work at the hospital. They have their own shops. And only open up at night for police. Around 4am this nattily dressed older gentleman, with a suit on and his hat/cane shows up and opens for us like it's 4pm. He fills my order for drugs and gives me candy- friendly chatting away like nothing is weird- at 4am. Then, the police takes us back to the church where we are housing-all friendly like it's every day in Scotland. Truly a night to remember.

Oh- and on the klutzy thing? On the smae trip I also cut my foot open on a canal rock in the middle of nowhere. The only Dr. in the next hamlet (in a thatched roof cottage even) didn't do novacaine. So, he sewed me up with 5 stitches- no meds, no painkillers. Told you- I'm a walking disaster. I survived the trip, although I believe my parents paid off that phone bill with a second mortgage. At 18 you have no concept of what "I'd like to place this international call collect" really, really means. Especially when you do it over, and over, and over again.

Fast forward to 1987- 5 years with no problems. About this time, I had just met John and came down with the flu. However. after being unconscious for 48 hours with a 104 fever they decided to check me out further. Bam- kidney infection. For the next 4 years it was one after another. It got to the point where I would go to the ER and tell them what I needed. Shot of antibiotic or a stay in the hospital.

We were married (yep, he stuck around) in February of 1990 and started trying to have kids. We knew that there was a strong chance I couldn't get pregnant- but, that was not the case. We could pass in the hall and I was conceiving. 6 times in 2 years. But, around 10 weeks or so I would lose it. Miscarriage. That was a devastating time for us and a really rough time for our marriage. I lived through it by the grace of God and this book- "I'll Hold You In Heaven" by Jack Hayford, the pastor of the church I grew up in.

In 1991, we made the decision to remove the left kidney. It was no longer functioning but simply a diseased organ. So, in July 1991 I went in and they broke all my ribs- and out it came. The right kidney was healthy, and anyone cna live with one healthy kidney- we are wonderfully and glorifully made.

But, within 7 days of getting home, the two pinks lines were back. I was pregnant. Again.

An Interesting Biblical Truth at Christmas ....

Wrapping paper is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.

The first Christmas gifts were presented as is - with no wrappings, no ceremony.

This brings us to a very important lesson for the Season-



What were the two main charachertistics of these gift-givers?

1. They were wise.

2. They were men.


Hence, the documented origination of the
"WalMart plastic bag wrapping job"
we all experience on Christmas morn.


Happy Holidays!

It's a SURPRISE!!!! Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!

Today, my baby girl is 14!
I don't know where the time has gone.

She is an amazing writer, on fire for the Lord and one of my best friends (being a teen and all) ... and 6 months from getting her driving permit. 6 months!

She has a blog, and I think it would tickle her to death if we could
get 14 comments on it for her BIG DAY today.
She has never had anyone comment on her blog- except me.
And how exciting is that?

CLICK HERE to link to her site!

Thank you everyone!
I know it will just make her day :)

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Well, bless your hearts!

I've been inundated with requests for my Christmas Prime Rib recipe. It's not hard, it's really so easy I feel guilty taking the praise and adulation for it's magnificence year after year-but, I somehow I manage.

So, don't be intimidated. Just look that rib roast right in the eye and do it! Then, be prepared to be worshipped and adored by all your guests. Throw a little flour around and look weary upon serving. They will think you got up at 2am to prepare such a tribute to them.

Where Do I Get My Roast?

First of all, where you get your "Standing Rib Roast" doesn't seem to matter. I have always gone to the meat market and gotten it- but last year they sold it out from under me, so I had to beg the local WalMart meat manager to order me one in last minute. It was just as great!

How Do I Pick Out A Great Roast?

The key is to get one that has a really nice "fat cap"-the layer of fat along the bottom. That is where your flavor will come with this cooking method.

How Much Do I Need Per Person?

With bones (the only way I buy it), allow 12-15 ounces of uncooked meat per person. We but a larger one, since we LOVE the leftovers on sandwiches and leftovers for days!

What Else Do I Need?

Gather your supplies:

Rib Roast
Garlic (the number of cloves depends on your personal taste and the size of the roast)
Roasting Pan with shallow rack
Meat thermometer (don't try it without this!)
Courage

Ok! Now what?

1. Unwrap the rib roast, leaving it strung together and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. It's key to make sure the oven is fully preheated before you put the roast in.

2. Dice your garlic and make small slits all over your roast, about 1/2 - 1" deep. Don't do this to the fat cap along the bottom.

3. Insert the diced garlic in the slits.

4. Place the roast on the rack fat side up (bone side down). DO NOT COVER!

5. Once fully preheated, move the oven rack to the lowest position. Put the roasting pan in the center of the rack and close the door.

Now, this is the MOST IMPORTANT PART! It must be followed precisely. I warn you, the first year is the hardest to do. But, you must. I know you can!!

6. Cook the roast at 500 degrees for 5-6 minutes per pound.

7. Without opening the door to the oven to peek ever! Turn off the oven and let it continue to cook for two hours exactly.

If you open the door before step 8, it will be ruined. It has to be sealed in the oven exactly as described.

8. After 2 hours, check the meat thermometer. If you are at 140 degress you done! If it's cooler than that, turn the oven to 375 and check every 5 minutes until it reached 140.

9. Once done, let it sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes to rest before cutting.

Voila!

I'd love to hear how it comes out for everyone :)

"The" Christmas Meme

Well, as they say ..... Everybody's doin' it, doin' it, doin' it .... so, why don't you do it, too!

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Oh Lord- hot chocolate. With.Marshmallows. John does egg nog by the water-tank truckload. I can barely stomach the smell.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa most definitely wraps. While I watch infomercials on Christmas Eve til about 4am. Spending too much money on after Christmas cabinet stuffers. Every year.

3. Colored lights or white? 15 strands of white wrapper around the inside of the tree to make to glow, then 20 strands of colored on the tips to make it festive. And yes, I place every one of them myself.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? To quote Big Mama - There's enough kissing in this house without mistletoe.

5. When do you decorate for Christmas? Once I get up the nerve to dig out the boxes.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? I make the BEST, and I mean it- the BEST, Prime Rib Roast every Christmas. I'm happy to give everyone the recipe.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? I have so many- but here are the highlights:#4- watching our Pastor play the marumbas every year at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. We went home 4 years ago, and after almost 40 years he still plays. I bawled like a baby to the chagrin of my kids.... #3- the year I got a full, life-size (for a 4 year old) cardboard kitchen ..... #2- the year I knocked over mama's fully, meticulously, certifiably well-decorated-she-places-every-one-of-those-6,000-ornaments-precisely-the-same place-every-stinkin'-year-while-everyone-else-vacates-the premise trees over. Splat! all over the floor.... #1 Daddy would film me walking down the hall every Christmas morning with his Super-8 and this jimmy-rigged light pole (a piece of 6 foot board with 6 halogen-bright bulbs attached). So, we have years of me, in my jammies, covering my eyes and banging into walls trying to get to the tree. Man, those lights were like walkin' into the headlights of a Mac truck. Now, I know how a deer feels.

8. When and how, did you learn the truth about Santa? That he was married? Well, when I was about, I think, 6. Married to an immortal- that's a commitment.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? What- before Santa comes??? How is that possible?

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Lots of love, patience and absolutely NO regularly place ornaments. Oh, and a step ladder and the Mitch Miller Christmas Sing-A-Long album. Every year. Can't decorate without it.

11. Snow. Love it or hate it? Love, Love, Love it! Except now when it's all ice.

12. Can you ice skate? "if only in my dreams...."

13. Do you remember your favorite Christmas gift? Kati, born just before Christmas 1994. She will be 14 next week.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Making it a special, family time for everyone. Especially now. I may not have too many left in me.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Dutch Apple Pie. Not home-made by me. Someday, I'll tell you about the apple pie I tried to make this Thanksgiving.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Every year, around the first of December we get everyone new jammies that can only be worn on Christmas Eve. The kids begs every night to wear them- but it's magical.

17. What tops your tree? My Prime Rib. Oh. You mean, like an ornament? A crystal heralding angel my mother-in-law gave us years ago.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. I never really wanted anything after the kids came along. However, every year I get one appliance and bottle of Shaper Hairspray. It's tradition. Look forward to it every year.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Come Let Us Adore Him. Makes me bawl like a baby. Otherwise? Jingle Bell Rock and anything on the Mitch Miller Christmas Sing-A-Long album, circa 1960 or before.

20. Candy canes. Yuck or yum? Stuck to someone's kid? Yum.

If you're here, you're tagged!