Memorial Day Sunday

I was rather depressed the past week and got myself in an isolated funk. I came home from work Friday at 5:39 and missed aquarobics. I didn't go to my AA meeting which I really should have, but I just wanted to close the world out totally. I had a headache and my back and legs and neck were killing me. I had to go back to work at 7:00 and decorate a bus for the parade Saturday, then I got up and drove in the parade. After awhile I was actually laughing and enjoying myself! Then I got mad at myself for allowing myself to get in that funk!

Our pets are angels sent down from Heaven. I truly believe that. I came home from the store and threw the paper bag on the floor.
IT didn't take but a minute for Elliott to discover the new play thing.
He came up to it and sniffed then turned and made an attack dive and scooted into the bag!
Yep, it makes me smile watching that cat. He is such a tomcat and is so cute being himself.

I went to Church today and heard exactly what I needed to hear. We welcomed our new pastor Todd King and his wife Karryn. They are both in their mid 30's and have great personalities! I feel like I have known them all my life.
The Church has kept the congregation all these months after Pastor Terry left in January. We are a close group of people and we feel like family. Next week we will have a potluck after Church to welcome them. I was told I will bring "Miss Maude's baked spaghetti casserole"! It is always a hit at potlucks.
Well now that I am off my "pity pot", I must get moving and get something done in this pigsty of a house!


After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching in every joint,
you are probably dead.

OH! P.S. Be sure and hop over to Esther's place and wish her a happy birthday on Monday!!

My blog is worth $12,419.88.
How much is your blog worth?

This-N-That

Well thank goodness that week is gone!! It was something every day. Monday I went to the pool and did the aerobics then went to the hot tub. Tuesday morning I woke up with the horrendous burning rash again!! I had an AHA moment....it is the hot tub!! It has alot of extra chemicals in it, and is much hotter than the pool. So I did not go on Friday to be sure the rash is all cleared up, then I will go just to the pool tomorrow and see what happens. SHEESH!
I was driving home and noticed how beautiful this field is, so I just had to take this photo! I believe it is cabbage seed.
I heard about a barn that burned down a mile from my house on Thursday so I drove by to see. There was a beautiful kodak moment! Chief Biller at the nozzle!! Better yet, Chief Biller at the nozzle, not wearing his helmet or bunker gear, facing the wrong way with a sissy spray coming from the hose!! HAHAHAHA No wonder they lost the barn!! HAHAHAHA
Yes, I emailed the photos to the fire hall!! hehehehe
It has been rather stressful, and nothing better to relieve stress than a soak in a tub of hot water. I turned on the faucet to fill my jetta tub Wednesday night and then went to give the cats their treats. I went to get in the tub and BRRRRRR!! I ran out of hot water!! WHAAAA??? It is a brand new hot water heater bought January 22!! That is when I posted the crying baby! Other things happened but it is over now and life is good.
Our new Pastor starts next Sunday, and we are all excited. He is a young man (30's) married with 2 young boys.
Two guys from Church came over today to look at my hot water heater and said one element is not working, so I will get a new element and they will install it for me.
It is great to have friends like that.
Well I am all excited to start my new week.
I am.
Really.
Really I am!!

A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

WAH!!!!

I have had one of those weeks!

Chapstick

I got this email today and thought I'd share it.
Somehow I thought of Brenda when I read this. I don't know why!! HAHAHAHA
I don't know where it originated, but it is hilarious!

"So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died.
Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and
nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on this
mat in our bathroom.

Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old,
3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves
chapstick. LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing
it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my
chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to put
it right back in the drawer when he was done.

Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around and
try to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two
boys are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my
little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a
mess and everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor
me and the amazing job that is motherhood.

We finally have the older one and and the baby loaded in the car and I
am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the
corner to go into the bathroom. And there was Eli. He was applying my
chapstick very carefully to Jack's . . . rear end. Eli looked right into my
eyes and said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he is
right--their little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't
seem to mind.

And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was
the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth.
And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us
that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures,
there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your
chapstick on the cat's butt."

I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.

Sunday

This picture of Elliott was taken two weeks ago. He was playing his macho cat routine then he started growling. I looked over at him and he was trying to turn around on the fence and was growling. I reached out and touched him and he was shaking. HE WAS AFRAID OF THE HEIGHTH!!!
What a pussy!! I helped him down then he was fine.

Today was a do-nothing-type of day. I went to Church and came home and took a four hour nap, now I am ready to do the same for tonight!
It was foggy and drizzly and cool all day so it didn't matter that I slept it away. I was up late last night passing a kidney stone. (swell). I'm better today.
Hope y'all have a great week!!

Sometimes, we just need to remember what the rules of life really are:
In life, you only need two tools - WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move but should, use the WD-40.
If it should not move and does, use the duct tape.

Leavenworth

As I was driving down the main road in Leavenworth I noticed three goats by the fence.
Of course I had to make a U-turn and go back to get their pictures!
They are so cute. I sure wish I had their balance, however I fall just stepping down from a curb!I had a great time there and learned alot from the conference. I won't get into the meat of things, but the conference was for Paratransit issues and answers. I learned alot.
Of course I had to call home and leave a message for my kitties. They appreciated that I'm sure. Actually I'm sure the neighbors appreciated it if they heard it!
I worked all day today and went to my prayer meeting then to the bible study. I am pooped, so will hit the hay early tonight!

If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives.
Then you will be afraid to cough.

Heading to the Mountains!

Tomorrow after Church I am heading to the Mountains again. Every year there is a Conference for Paratransit providers for the State of Washington, and this seems to be the central part to meet. Oh heck!
I love the drive especially at this time of year. We spend most of the times indoors but the evening we go out to eat and see the town before it closes up at 6:00pm.
We stay at the Icicle Inn, which has an indoor pool. I'll miss the Monday night water aerobics at home, so maybe I'll get one going at the Inn. We'll see.

I hope everyone has a quiet week.

Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

Clamdiggers

What I love about this Island is that we can still go clamdigging and smelting. When I was a teen here we could just go to the beach, dig the clams or rake in the smelt and cook them right on the beach with a bonfire going. Well you need a permit now and no way can you have a beach fire! They are the worst to put out. I was in the Fire Department here and at least twice a year we would get a call to extinguish a beach fire. It isn't that easy. There is alot of dry driftwood on the beaches, and under the rocks. So we need a penetrator to get down under the rocks.
I wonder how we all got away with it in the 60's? Hmmmm.

Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of OLD
LADIES running around with tattoos?
And RAP music will be the Golden Oldies!)

SUNSHINE!!! WARMTH!!! AHHHHHH!!

Oh my gosh, it got up to 70 degrees today! It felt so good to sit outside and soak in the rays. I even let Elliott and Punkin outside to explore.
I looked over and noticed Elliott in his usual sprawl on one of the chairs. What a character!
My friend Debbie came over to pull the weeds by my fence for me 'cause I can't get on my knees, and she is just a kind person!
The sounds of kids playing and giggling outside, and their parents working in their yards was intoxicating. In fact Debbie and I were drinking rootbeers in dark bottles and giggling pretending it was beer!
Now to go pluck those eyebrows & chin whiskers while the sun is still out. (better lighting). Ah it is great getting old, I don't really give a hoot any more.
I feel better than I have in ages!! YAHOO!!!

If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.

P.S. My very good Italian Pastor friend Tom brought over this homemade lasagna because he knew I was sick and needed some tender loving care!!


I am so rich with friends and family.
GOD IS GOOD!

Enough already!!!

Sheesh, enough already!
I got sick Wednesday night again and stayed home from work Thursday & Friday!
If I didn't know better I'd swear I was being poisoned. I get this burning rash on my face, then my muscles and joints hurt like heck, then I get diarrhea and vomitting for two days along with a slight fever. This happened December 5 or so and about a week ago too. It feels like I am toxic inside and my body tries to get rid of the toxins. I feel guilty whe I stay home sick. I have about 8 more years to work before I can retire and I get scared that I might get too sick to work. Then what will happen? I don't even want to think about it. In fact I am not supposed to think about it.
I place my life in God's hands.
His will be done.
I have Faith that all will be well.

So I get a phone call today and I answer it:
Rrrring
"Hello"?
"Hello, this is Joan from the Island County Health Department, Is this Phyllis Brett"?
"Yes it is"
"I am calling to ask you a personal question".
"Uh....okay"
"well we were wondering if you have worms in your stool"?
WHAAAAAT???? How in the heck did they know about me being sick? OH MY GOSH, could I possibly have worms??? EEEEYYYYUUUUU! Do others have this? YIKES, how in the world....?
"Wait a minute....is this Merrily"?
"giggle how did you know"? My nurse friend that knows I was sick decided to pay me back for some of my practical jokes, well it worked for minute there!! HAHAHAHA
No folks, I do not have worms!! (I don't think) (EEEEYYYYUUUUU)

I'm better today, but still weak. I hear of other's that are much, much sicker than I am and feel bad for being on my pity-pot!
Okay, enough of that blather!!
Have a great Sunday!!

The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.

Sneezing Panda

My little Mexican boyfriends Chris and Brian came over and showed me this cute youtube video. The funniest part was watching two 13 year old boys giggling like little girls!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtLzvOsQ80k

If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.

Sleepy Time

Today was just one of those days!

I had today off to make up for time I worked the last few weeks, so I did just what my cats did! I got up at 9:30, did the morning stuff, got dressed (NO BRA) and stayed home all day. I had plans to go into Oak Harbor and do some shopping and go to water aerobics, but those plans went away. I just vegged all day. I didn't even check the mail. Now I am going to take my shower and go to bed to read!!
Everyone needs a day like this once in awhile!! I know I sure did.

A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

This-N-That

Good grief, it is Thursday night already!!
I have had another busy week.
Monday (as my sister told on her blog) I went to the pool for water aerobics and on the way to the car I stepped down from the deep curb and my knee went out on me and I lost my balance, and KA-BOOM!! I hopped a bit then fell flat on my face in the parking lot. Luckily I was holding the big towel in front of me which saved my face, but I still hit hard. It seemed like I was going in slow motion, I had time to think (well, my right knee is bad so I don't want to fall on that, so I twisted a bit to land on my left side, NO!!...my left hip is bad so I tried to put my hands out..NO!!...last time I did that I hurt my shoulders, arms and neck...)so I just went limp and hit the pavement yelling NOOOO!!! I was stunned for a minute and my sis and my friend came over asking if I was ok. My pride was hurt more than anything. I said I was ok, just let me sit for a minute. Then two guys came running over and asked if I was ok. I said yes, then they asked to help me up. That was a good idea because I had no idea how I was going to get up! They got me up and then one of the guys started praying right away for God to reach down and heal my knees and keep me from hurting! I thought that was so sweet of him and I prayed along with him. The people in my Church does that but I have never seen anyone else do that in public like that. I feel like I am protected by angels. I could have hurt myself really bad the way I fell, but I am only bruised a bit and my left upper arm tendons hurt but I am just fine. The chiropractor adjusted me Wedenesday and again tomorrow. I will go to aerobics again tomorrow night.
Tonight I had a meeting in Oak Harbor with developmentally disabled people from 14-21. We help them get in the public and learn how to ride the buses to and from work giving them the freedom to live their lives in the community. I love that part of my job. It is so rewarding talking with these people knowing that they really feel like part of the community! They have their independance!
Tomorrow after work is chiropractor, AA meeting, then rush home and make a big Greek salad for Sat night.
Saturday morning I have to be at Deception Pass State Park telling people about our buses and how they help the environment by keeping cars off the road. (Earth Day). Then after that I run home and get my salad and run to a potluck for our new Pastor-to-be-maybe. He is coming here from Colorado to meet us and see if he will pass our test. The leaders of the Church (can you imagine ME a leader of the Church????!!!) Well I guess I am, 'cause I am included in the dinner Saturday night. Then Sunday he will give a sermon. We are trying out a few prospects before we hire for good.
I am off Monday because I worked tonight and again this Saturday.
Well I better get to bed! Have a great weekend!!
Please keep Rocky and Ellen in your prayers.
Thank you!!

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

Easter

Today is Easter.
What does Easter mean to you? I mean what does Easter REALLY mean to you?
I know as kids we were brought up with the Easter bunny and candy and new shoes and frilly dresses with bonnets. I never really thought of the true meaning of Easter as a kid. My mom taught us about Jesus and talked about Him, but when she got into her heavy drinking she didn't have the time to spend with us kids, and my poor younger brother suffered the most through her drinking. Don't take me wrong, I loved my mother dearly. And I truly forgive her her drunkeness.
For years and years I spent my life in fear. A day didn't pass without me thinking of death. I don't know when the fear started, but I was neurotic with fear. I had panic attacks when I was in my teens. I'd go to bed at night and lay in fear of falling asleep in case I didn't wake up.
"Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take."
Maybe that prayer gave me the fear of falling asleep. Who knows.
I know one thing, when I finally surrendered to Alcoholica Anonymous, and started working the 12 steps, it was step three that helped me get rid of my fear.
3. Give my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him".
That was the first time I had a Spiritual Awakening. I didn't feel the earth quake under my feet or hear the Angels singing, but I realized one morning that I went to bed without fear the night before. I It was also about the time my mom died, and I was feeling empty inside. I truly surrendered to God and gave Him my life. I told God that my life is His now, and His will be done. It's amazing how much easier each day is now just by giving up MY will and accepting things as they come along. I trust in God and trust His will. I found a Church to go to and from there I found a small Bible study that has helped me understand the story of Jesus Christ. The study I go to has a mix of people from different Churches and backgrounds, (Lutheran, Catholic, evangelical, Methodist, etc. We read out of about 6 different Bibles. Mine is called "The Life Recovery Bible" a new living translation from the Tyndale House Publishers. It is a great Bible for FRecovering Alcoholics, and has little footnotes on the 12 steps in each chapter.
They all mean the same. I am in awe of the stories, and understand alot more now. I do not go preaching to others or shun their Faiths, as I don't want to be shunned either, but I am at times. I just pray for that person and feel so very very grateful I found God when I did. I feel the holy Spirit strongly at times and feel at peace with myself and my life. I am no longer afraid. I celebrate today with a great feeling of hope for eternal life, and have a great appreciation of what Jesus went through to give us eternal salvation and the gift of forgiveness.
Thank you sweet Jesus!
I found this site a few months ago and enjoy the sermons he gives. This is one on Easter.
Enjoy if you'd like, if not, Happy Easter anyway.
http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/stone_speaks.html
Click here

A Fun Tuesday

Today I had a great day! My favorite neices came over for 6 hours. They are so adorable and FULL OF ENERGY!!
I was teaching May here how to use the nifty knitter and she is busy making a scarf for her mom. Five minutes later she got tired of that and wanted lunch., so I fed them.
Mimi & Tai here are busy playing my drum. As you can see, I am the only one interested in the cartoon I was showing. I think that one was Aristocats. I also showed Happy Feet and another cartoon of Penguins. Then they were hungry again so I fed them. I also gave them sugar free jello with miniature marshmallows in it. They were happy.
May wanted to do her nails so I agreed to let her. She did a great job on hers and her sister's, then wanted to do my toes so I let her. I was watching the cartoon and she asked me what color, and I told her I didn't care. Well I ended up with blue, purple, pink, red & orange!! I'm sure glad I didn't fall asleep, no telling what I would look like!
Their dad came and got them at 5:30. I was tired but a good tired. They are three miracle kids!!

Oh my gosh, look between my big toe and the next one...is that a web growing? Am I getting web feet from all this rain?!?!?!
I went to check my mail and saw a houseboat at the dock.
I found out from my next door neighbor that it was a real house they were moving from Tacoma or somewhere around there up to Victoria!! Why I have no idea, and why they came through the Saratoga Passage instead of the straits is beyond me, but they ended up here because the house was sinking! Now they are looking for a way to transfer it to another barge and get it through Deception Pass (which is treacherous) and up to Victoria. I want to be on the bridge when they bring it through!

Tomorrow I go to Toby's Tavern for lunch with an AA friend. I had my first "legal" drink there on Feb 4th 1970 at midnight. The place hasn't changed at all since then either. Who'da thunk 37 years later I would go there for food and talk about AA.
HAHAHAHA I am having a heck of alot more fun now too!

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Ahhhh, another beautiful day in Paradise!

I just can't get over the beauty of nature in the Springtime! How a tree can burst into such beauty over night baffles me!
Today is the first day of 9 days off. I slept in until my phone rang at 10:00am. I answered in a grumble and the person asked for Brian. I said wrong number he then asked for someone else, and I again said wrong number. He said wait! Is this Phyllis in Washington? I said yes! He said "This is Donny, hold on, I have another call coming in, I'll call you back", and he hung up. I'm thinking who in the heck is Donny? I got up and went to the bathroom and my mind was wandering all over the place! First I noticed a southern accent and thought it might be my cousin Donny from Texas. Then my mind told me maybe he hit oil and wants to share it with his loving cousins!! Whoot! Then I was thinking how I was going to go to work and tell everyone I was rich but was going to keep working because they needed me there! HAHAHAHA Then I thought to go check my phone and see what the caller ID said. Well it wasn't cousin Donny, it was a guy I met from email jokes a few years ago. He called back and explained he called my number by mistake, so we talked a bit and hung up. Well shoot, it was a fun fantasy!
I went to Oak Harbor and got my hair done then went on into Mount Vernon to Costco. Along the highway there are groups of daffodils blooming in the median. They fall off the bulb trucks when they harvest them. I didn't see the tulips, then again I wasn't going to battle the traffic getting to the fields.
On the way home tonight I noticed the water was calm and the sun was going down so I swung through Coupeville and got this shot of the waterfront. It looked so serene.
We sure are lucky folks to live in this beautiful part of earth!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing.
If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!

Spring!!????

My goodness, today we had snow in a neighboring town by the foothills, and more predicted tonight!! It is 39 degrees now and the wind is blowing pretty hard.
The pink blossoms on the trees are blowing around looking like pink snow. It is actually rather pretty. I think Spring is here regardless of the nasty weather outside! Sunny days are coming......are they? What if..., nah I won't go there.

We got quite a workout last night at water aerobics, and I was a bit sore today but a good sore. Friday night I will go again before the AA meeting.

Well I have nothing exciting to blog about today. Ta-ta

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE OLDER
1. Sag, you're It.
2. Hide and go pee.
3. 20 questions shouted into your good ear.
4. Kick the bucket
5. Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over.
6. Musical recliners.
7. Simon says something incoherent.
8. Pin the Toupee on the bald guy.

Thursday!!

Whew, tomorrow is my favorite day...FRIDAY!!
I worked a split shift today. I came home at 11:30 and napped for 2 hours then went back to work. This afternoon I visited a lady in an assisted living complex. I saw her in the lobby and introduced myself. I signed her up for Paratransit and was leaving when a gal from the office came out and said "are you the Phyllis that blogs" I think I might have turned beet red, that took me by complete surprise!! I said "uh...yes" she smiled and said she doesn't know how she found me, but she reads me and my sister all the time! She said she tagged me on her favorites!! She told me that my sister and I are so funny! She also said she likes how we are going to the water aerobics. I told her to join us, so maybe she will. Her name is Laurie, or Lori. Say "Hi" Laurie!!
HAHAHAHA Ya gotta be careful, folks, ya just never know, huh? I'm just eternally grateful that I found this blogging thing in my "Sobriety Years"!!
Have a great weekend!!

OH!! It's Leigh's birthday! Go wish her a happy one! http://prismofwhispers.com/mtblog/

Don't audit life.
Show up and make the most of it now.

I'm ok

The test went just fine.
My sister picked me up and took me in about 1:00pm and I finally got into the operating room at 2:30. I was out by 3:00pm and home sleeping at 4:00pm.
Doc Z said all is fine, I have a few polyps but nothing to be concerned about. He took a biopsy of a couple and is sending them in. He will have the results by Friday. He's not concerned nor am I.
The funny part is, (most of you have heard this)I went to have a colonoscopy in 1999 and was all embarrassed because I know Doc Z pretty well, and I am very, painfully shy!! To have a friend (doctor or not) look up my butt was/is devastating! To ease the tension in the room I decided to pull a joke on him by writing hi or something on my butt. Well a few days before the procedure I was shopping and saw these wax lips with fangs.....

hehehehe my mind says to me...go ahead, buy them! So I did!!
I was wheeled into the room and I asked the crew to go along with the joke, so they did, reluctantly.
Doc Z came into the room and was very nice to me and was explaining everything to me. He was so kind I actually was feeling like a big heel with these wax lips sticking out my butt under the sheets. hehehehe
He gave me the drugs via IV and lifted the sheet, and all I remember is him yelling "OH MY G--D" and the crew giggling before I went under the effects of the drugs. He probably gave me an extra shot just to get back at me!
When he woke me up he was explaining the procedure and what they found, then he gave me the pictures of my diverticuli and the last picture was...yep..the wax lips! He said that was a copy, and he is saving the original for blackmail!! YIKES!
Back to today....Three nurses came up to me and asked if I was going to do anything this time, and I said no. They wheeled me into the operating room and the man that works the machines said "oh lookie here, what do you have for us today"? I said nothing. I think everyone was disappointed. Doc Z said that it startled him so much that day that he still has nightmares about it!! Then they made me gargle this thick icky liquid and then swallow it, then they sprayed me with more numbing junk. He was smiling, and I said you are really enjoying this aren't you!?! He just smiled.
I came home and ate a sandwich and slept for three hours. Now I am going to finish this and go back to bed.
Have a great Wednesday, folks!!

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway.

Blah blah blah and more blah!

Well I have been delinquent in posting, but I get here when I can.
This morning I went to Church and came home to do chores and the power went out. Wind gusts over 60mph!! Whooppee, naptime!!
I napped all day yesterday too because I was up all night with severe tummy ache and then sat on the toilet for an hour, then I was fine. Something going through my system (it is going around). I felt drained...hahahaha...really!
So this weekend was literally shot!
Tomorrow is Water Aerobics which I dearly look forward to now! Miracuously so does my sister!! It is so good for the both of us, and extra good for her to get out and see some different people other than Bob and her animals. Don't take me wrong, Bob is a good guy, but he is WEIRD and a steady diet of Bob is bad for your mental health!! HAHAHAHA Sorry Bob, if you read this, but you know what I mean!! And is it me, or is she actually talking like she is talking to her animals? You know, in that sweet wittle smoochy talk we say to our doggies? Nah.

Tuesday I look forward to an EGD!(explanation below). Since I had a month of severe esophagitis, they want to check out my esophagus. No problem, says I. Doc Z (Zavaruha)explained it to me and I smiled when he said he will give me some happy juice to get me through this. Well a die-hard alcoholic would tell the doctor no way will they take the drugs because of their sobriety. Well I have been sober for 19 years and 9 months. I am not afraid I will go out and get druink over this, so give me a double dose please, and send me home to sleep it off thank you very much!!
And no, I am not going to change my sobriety date over this!
It's MY program, so there!

Well time for bed! I need to try and get that hour back we lost last night! I will be pissed for the entire time until the Fall when they give it back to me!!

Gastric endoscopy

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat.

You will be given a sedative and an analgesic. A local anesthetic will be sprayed into your mouth to suppress the need to cough or gag when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect your teeth and the endoscope. Dentures must be removed.

In most cases, an intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to administer medications during the procedure.

You will be instructed to lie on your left side.

After the gag reflex has been suppressed by the anesthetic, the endoscope will be advanced through the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. Air will be introduced through the endoscope to enhance viewing.(oh swell, that's all I need is more air down there! Look out folks)!! The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum is examined, and biopsies can be obtained through the endoscope. Biopsies are tissue samples that are reviewed under the microscope.

After the test is completed, food and liquids will be restricted until your gag reflex returns.

The test lasts about 5 to 20 minutes.

Fasting is required overnight (6 to 12 hours before the test). An informed consent form must be signed. You may be told to stop aspirin and other blood-thinning medications for several days before the test.

The local anesthetic makes swallowing difficult. This wears off shortly after the procedure. The endoscope may stimulate some gagging in the back of the throat. There may be a sensation of gas, and the movement of the scope may be felt in the abdomen. Biopsies cannot be felt. Because of the intravenous sedation, you may not feel any discomfort and may have no memory of the test.

This test is helpful in determining:

The cause of upper GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding
The cause of swallowing difficulties
The presence of ulcerations or inflammation
The cause of abdominal pain
The condition of the stomach and duodenum after an operation
The presence of tumors or other abnormalities of the upper GI tract
Narrowing or tumors of the esophagus

The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum should be smooth and of normal color. There should be no bleeding, growths, ulcers or inflammation.

What abnormal results mean Return to top

An EGD may show:

Ulcers (acute or chronic)
Tumors
Inflammation of the stomach and duodenum
Diverticula (abnormal pouches in the lining of the intestines)
Mallory-Weiss syndrome (tear)
Esophageal rings
Esophagitis
Strictures
Gastric masses
Obstruction
Gastric ulcer
What the risks are Return to top

There is a small chance of perforation (hole) of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus; There is also a small risk of bleeding at the biopsy site. A patient could have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic, medication, or tranquilizer. This reaction could cause:

Respiratory depression (difficulty breathing)
Apnea (not breathing)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Excessive sweating
Bradycardia
Laryngospasm (spasm of the larynx)
The overall risk is less than 1 out of 1,000 people.

Special considerations Return to top

If any of these conditions arise after the test, contact the health care provider:

Difficulty swallowing
Pain
Fever
Black stools
Blood in vomit

Update Date: 5/8/2006

Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like
every two hours?

A Cheap Saturday Night Date

For cheap thrills, if you have a cat, just throw some packing paper on the floor, wait awhile, then let the games begin!
Elliott is such a funny cat. He can amuse himself (and me) for hours on end. I never tire of watching him. Here he is sneaking up on his tiger/birdie toy. He walks by it then turns and pounces on it!
Then he "kills" it for a few minutes then stuffs it somewhere and leaves, then he walks by it again and acts like he didn't know it was there then sees it and pounces on it again!!
I can spend alot of money on toys, but his favorite is the tiger/bird first, then paper and then cardboard boxes.

Of course Punkin would have none of that nonsense! She is above that! She would never be caught dead acting like a kitten! No way!!
I had a busy Saturday. Mary Lou gets mad when I do too much. I only have one day a week to call my own so I try to make the most of it. I had an hour meeting at noon then went shopping and got home at 6:30 tonight. I started doing things in the kitchen, sat down and did some crochet, got up and did some more in the kitchen, crocheted, kitchen, then went to the computer. I called FTD to order some flowers and was on the phone for a long time (their computers were down) As I was ordering, I heard a POP...POP...POP.POP...I jumped up and cursed and ran in the kitchen, and sure enough, the 6 eggs I put on the stove (on high of course) decided 20 minutes was way too long to burn so they popped out of the very dry pan all over the kitchen!! I mean ALL OVER!! The guy on the phone was trying not to laugh, then I started laughing, and we both were hysterical!! I got my wallet to get my credit card and egg pieces were even in my purse. That got him laughing harder! DANG, I should have taken a picture of the mess, but it is all cleaned up now.
I called my sister and asked if I could borrow her dog, but she said Sadie doesn't like eggs. Phhffft!
So how was your FULL MOON Saturday night?"

Be eccentric now.
Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

Aerobics class #2

Well my second night of water aerobics went much better! Not once did my face go under water!!

It came close a few times though. It feels so good getting in the water and feeling weightless for once, bouncing around for an hour. I tried to get my feet out of the water like the instructor did, but my weight kept shifting in the water and wanting to turn my bod over!! HAHAHAHA Boy did we laugh!!
My sister went with me and I think she had fun! I'll let her tell her story! You gotta read her story of trying on her aqua tard!! HAHAHAHA
As we were bouncing around in the water, I had to let a poot. (fart) The water was all choppy with everyone jumping up and down so I thought it was safe. Well my bike shorts are tight when wet, and letting a big bubble of air loose just stays in the shorts!! In fact it was traveling around in my shorts frantically looking for a way out! It travelled in front and back, then finally found an escape route. I was giggling so hard I was crying!! We finished in an hour then we slowly stepped out of the pool. I hate that part!! We gain 200 pounds in a minute!
I saw the hot tub so plodded over to that and stayed there for about 15 minutes. ahhhhhh that was the best part!
Darn, we have another week to wait to go again!!

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,
severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and
with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is
a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Jay Leno

Saturday???

I woke up today at 10:30 and walked around in a slumbered daze then at 1:30 decided to do the linens. When I came back to the bedroom I was chilled, so I jumped on the bed and pulled my down comforters over me and settled in for a long Winter's nap!! I woke up at 6:30 tonight and for the first half hour I was wandering around wondering what day it was, then when I sat down to watch the Oscars, Forest Gump came on. WHAA??? I walked back to my bedroom and saw that the sheets were off the bed and the cats are waiting for me to make the bed. Oh...it's still Saturday!!

Whew! Well that's great, 'cause I have a potluck to get ready for tomorrow. I am taking ham & cheese and turkey & cheese wrap sandwiches cut in small portions and some teriyaki wasabi meatballs. YUM!!
I have a few hours left of my Saturday so I am putzing as usual. Elliott just loves to watch me on the computer. I have a chair close by so Punkin & Elliott can sit close by me when I'm playing on the 'puter.

I found out yesterday that another friend of mine has been in the hospital since last Sunday on life support! She had flu like syptoms for a few days and finally her boyfriend made her go to the hospital and now she is barely hanging on to life.
She was sick for so long that her kidneys failed from dehydration. This is a wake up call for all of us. She is young, but the flu can still kill! Do not take it lightly. When you get sick go to the doctor!! Keep sports drinks in your refrigerator, and homemade chicken soup in the freezer. Theraflu for feverish symptoms, and drink lots of water, and CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! People need to be aware that even if it is not the bird flu, it can still kill. Two 2nd grade students died of this flu just about a week ago in the Seattle area.
Take care of yourselves folks!!

I was at a two day course this last Wed & Thur. NIMS ICS 300 This class follows the ICS 100, ICS 200 & ICS 700 which I took online. Egads, but the government can get pretty confusing!! Because in 911 we lost over 300 rescue personell, and during Katrina numerous lives were lost and everything was chaos, we are now required to take this training. I know, I am no longer in the Fire Department, but with the transit system here, were are the lead in Island County as transportation. So if any disaster happens, they need to know who to call, and we need to know what to do in a moments notice. Well this is Coupeville, and EVERYONE knows to call Phyllis when in doubt, but the training is necessary.
I thought it would be great to get my sister involved in the CERT program and in the Red Cross. She is retired and wanting to do something, and this volunteer effort is right down her line. Well maybe some day after we get her through the water aerobics on Monday nights!!
I sure know what I am going to be doing when I retire!!

Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
But don't worry; God never blinks.

My trip to Camano

I had to go to Camano Island today for a meeting with the Department of Emergency Management. I just love the drive. An hour and a half of country driving.
On the way over I saw this field of Snow Geese feeding on a farmers field. It was on the news tonight that the Geese are stripping the fields and making the farmers rather frustrated. I can see now why they are allowed to hunt there.
Although it is a pretty sight. I opened my window, and was listening. Boy, are they noisy!!
On the way home the weather started to get bad and I saw this rainbow and another one faintly above it. If you look real close there is one on the left.
I also noticed that the colors are reversed on the second rainbow. I don't know if I blogged about this before or not, but it is something I noticed this last year for the first time. Oh well something to ponder.
I have another busy week ahead of me....hey, it's half over now. Oh well, I have been busy as usual. But busy is good. Bored is bad.
Have a great week everyone, I will try and stay home and visit everyone this weekend. HA!!! (my sister says)!

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.
You are special.

Wednesday's Wambling's.....er.....Rambling's

My sister told me I needed to blog. Ok, ok!!
I have been b-u-s-y! Saturday I went to lunch with some of Hannah's friends. Well one of them is stuck in a wheel chair so I came and got her and took her to lunch.
It was nice, but it took a big chunk out of Saturday. I took this picture of an old run down barn on the way home from her house.
Sunday was Church, then clean house. Monday was busy at work, and so was yesterday. I came home from work at 5:00 then got called back in at 6:30 and got home at 11:00pm. I can't tell you why. If I do, I'd have to shoot you.
Today I got off at 4:30 then went to a Bible study at 5:00, then another meeting at 7:00 and got home at 8:30. Now isn't that just exciting as heck?

Come on Friday!!!!

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Friday AT LAST!!!!

Whew, what a week! I worked 13 and a half hours on Wednesday. I was at a disaster Preparedness meeting for the community. As I was driving on the Island I noticed van set-ups for all the local television stations. Hmmm, I thought...how did they know I was coming, those sly little devils! I got to the office and as I got there our bus called in from Everett and said the bus stopped right in the middle of the busiest intersection in the City and of course it was 4:45pm!! Oh great! We finally had to call for a tow truck to get it to the Everett Station to get it out of the way of rush hour traffic! Our mechanics had to drive 60 miles to get there and fix it and drive it back to the Island! Ok, that was cool.
I was sitting in the office waiting for time to go to the meeting and two S.W.A.T. team guys came in asking when the bus gets to a certain road. I told them and asked why, and they said they are looking for an armed and dangerous guy that could be on the bus or trying to get on the bus. swell. Well he wasn't on the bus!! I went to the meeting on the south of the Island and as I was leaving the meeting at 9:00pm in the dark and rainy night I was walking across the parking lot all by myself and my mind says "Gee Phyllis, isn't this the neighborhood the cops are at looking for that ARMED AND DANGEROUS guy?" DOH! So I ran to my car (by the dark woods) and jumped in, locked the doors and got outa there lickity split!! No, those aren't drums I hear, that is my HEART!!! Okay, that was fun! I got home at 10:30 that night.
I checked the mail yesterday and got a package with a bottle of Extreme Lean Rx. WHA??? What kind of joke is this?? So I went online and asked Google to look it up: It is a FRAUD company!!!
I went to my credit card site and looked up my statement, and sure 'nuff there is a charge for $79.99 from Leanrx!! I got the phone and called my credit card company and told them, then they looked up my account and told me there were two more charges from and extremelean, and something else all totalling $239.45!! They told me to cut up my card. They are sending me a new card with a new number and are crediting me the charges. WHEW! I'm sure glad I caught that! Keep track of your bills folks! Check each statement and call your card company!!
I got that all taken care of and sat down to crochet and had two cats on my lap right away! I tried to get a good picture but couldn't! as you can see!

Elliott had to peek right into the camera as I was trying to get them both!!
Then my friend Bradon stopped by to see me! I hadn't seen him in months! Their family moved away, but they were visiting friends in the park here and he ran right over to see me! Awww, how sweet is that?!!

I just love my little friends that visit me!! Bradon is 12 and in the 6th grade.
Chris is 13 now and Brian will be 13 next month. I want them to know they will always be welcome in my house and this is a safe place! They will grow up in a few years but hopefully there will be other kids to visit me. I'm sure my house is marked!!
Well time to get to my AA meeting!! Tata folks!

Tip for the day: Pay off your credit cards every month.
I will, once I get these paid off in three years!!

It's my Birthday!!

The secret's out...I am a year older today!!
My brother and his wife Sherry stopped by and gave me this darling angel that Sherry made special for me.
I got this Tibeten pillow case in the mail from a special friend so I went to Wal-mart and got the stuffing and now it is a pillow in my living room!!
My three adopted Neices came by with their mom (my boss) & dad and gave me these darling gifts! The fuzzy puppy is from May (7) , the Unicorn is from Taichen (6) and the Raggedy Ann doll is from Meme (3). They picked them out all by themselves!!

How good can life get???


And hey, it did get better! My sister came over with this "Willow Tree" figurine that represents Good Health!! And I sure need that!! Thanks Mary Lou!

After the fire!

After the little fire I had in my house two weeks ago I am getting the after effects of it! All that yellow very fine powdery stuff that I sprayed out of the fire extinguisher is making my skin all rashy and ITCHY and my esophagus very painful!


I thought it was just nerves from the many memorials I have attended with the little fire on top of that. But I came down with a virus of some kind last week and stayed home Thursday. this last Wed I was at work and my chest was very painful. I was trying to burp, but the air bubble felt like it was stuck in my chest. I got home that night and was feeling feverish and the pain in my chest radiated around my back, and it felt like a big spasm. I called in to work and told them I might stay home again tThur. I woke up Thursday and could hardly swallow without my chest and back going into that painful spasm! I went to the doctor, and I did have a slight fever and I told her that I inhaled some fire extinguisher powder a week before. I looked up esophagitis and it can be caused by chemical irritation. She and I both agreed that it is the cause of the chemiclas that got in my esophagus and irrited it enough to cause all this pain. The virus I caught just made it seem much worse. If the pain is still with me on Monday, they will do an upper GI (YUCK) to see if there is anything to be concerned about.
The fever is almost gone today but the lump in my throat is still there.
From one thing to another. Such is life!
I am grateful today that this is just a passing thing!
There are so many other people that can't say this. My heart goes out to the people like Ellen that battle pain and sickness on a daily basis! God bless you, Ellen.