Do you want the good news or the bad news or crappy news first?
Good News
It was a very long day of fasting and taking the 'prep' for my IVP. I almost got two hours of sleep with thanks to my angry gut. It took them 45 minutes before they could even find an nurse and/or tech who was willing to even try for a vein on me. I was living and no parts were rotting off - so they figured I must have veins! Finally, a dear sweet soul, who took her time, checked my arms and legs - took my advice and got it on the first try. I have one spot where - if they go deep enough - there is a decent vein. They have to try for it on blind faith. Thank God for guiding angels! A visit to my urology doctor who declared my kidney operating normally and wrote on my chart "DNP". I asked. It stands for "Darn Near Perfect". He is a an interesting soul who faces the bad things head on with an underlying sense of humor. (This is also the doctor, who upon our first meeting, explained that I should be dead already) His advice upon hearing of my recent injuries? I was advised to buy a lottery ticket. He was very serious. He says I'm due for a serious streak of good luck. I like him. And I will probably buy a lottery ticket.
I pulled an all-nighter last night. Trying to get my body to accept food and beverage again. My body doesn't snap back from the abuse of "presps". Everything that goes in makes a very quick trip through. Still went to work today. Had too much to do to miss. Driving is a rather interesting adventure in the midst of this sleepless marathon. Sometimes I wish I drove an inconspicuous vehicle. Times like this when I do semi-stupid things. Whether I'm in my Toyota Prious Hybrid or my Jeep Scrambler, they are just the kind of vehicles people can remember.

Bad News
After my IVP was over I went to see Miranda (Cousin Bryan & Tina P.'s daughter) who is a patient at Mercy Hosp. She and her brother Kenny were involved in a car accident last weekend. The car they were in was rear ended on Hwy 34 in Lucas County. They were waiting on oncoming traffic to turn and the car behind them never noticed them. They were hit at highway speed. Their car rolled - end over end. Kenny got away with a severe road rash, scratches and bruises. Family friend Cathy who was driving only recieved bumps, bruises, and the pain one cannot avoid when the body is so assaulted. The other driver and passenger walked away uninjured. Miranda has not a visible scratch, bump or bruise on her. But she received the worst of the impact. The violence that impacted her body was life threatening. She was unconcious at the scene. Hanging upside down in the car from her seatbelt. Gasoline pouring from the car onto her. Miranda wasn't breathing. She was life-flighted to Mercy Hospital. Her heart stopped a few times on the way and she remained unconcious in the peds ICU for a few days. She has a bruised lung among other internal injuries. She is now out of the ICU, but has lost function of her right side due bleeding and swelling of the left side of her brain. Miranda has short term memory loss, doesn't recognize familiar people and has lost the ability to speak. She will probably spend the next couple of weeks in the hospital and faces probably close to a year of physical therapy and speech therapy. It is too early to determine how much she will be able to get back, but the doctors are cautiously hopeful.
As bad as all this is, the rest of the story is much worse.
Immediately following the accident, Cathy ran onto the busy highway trying to flag down a car for help. (Neither driver involved in the accident had a cell phone.) Kenny was on the roadside bleeding, Miranda was hanging in the upside down, crushed, car; unconcious and gasoling was pouring down on her. No one would stop. For over 10 minutes Cathy frantically tried. Finally a passing car, (who also chose not to stop), did decide to call the local Sheriff's Office - just to make sure someone knew. By the time the paramedics had arrived over 16 minutes had passed. Miranda wasn't breathing and her heart was failing.
I cried buckets when it came time to leave friendly southern Iowa to move up here in the big city. Now I am ashamed to admit I ever lived there. When did everybody quit caring down there? What? Nobody wanted to get involved? I have had so much compassion shown to me by my big city neighbors and co-workers this past year during my health problems. And "small town Iowa" can drive by accident victims (consisting only of women and children) and figure it isn't thier business. Cain also remarked he wasn't his brother's keeper. That idea didn't fly real big with God then and I doubt that it does now. Shame on all those who were able to pass and chose not to be "The Good Samaritan".

And finally: The Crappy News
I am supposed to be froliking in the pool at Timberline Campground, even as I type this. We got all pack and headed out. We had already reserved and paid for our favorite spot almost two weeks ago. Much to our surprise and the Timberline's owner's as well - the camper that was to be our neighbor, took our spot. And they were not there or they would have been told to move by the campground owners. (It was a fifth wheel, so were weren't equiped to move them.) We didn't want to pay for a spot we weren't real fond of.They even offered to let us pick any other spot we would like and move who ever was there for us. But we weren't going to ruin anyone else's weekend. So we're home now. Crap.
We both are going to work tomorrow. I am helping with the backroom. Somthing new - should be interesting. Jake begged for my help and promised all sit down duties. We have an extra truck coming in. 'Back to School' is filling our stockroom fast and furious. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm Back
I am surviving work. They are being wonderful and finding a lot of sit down things for me to do. I get to spend a few hours on the floor, but they make sure I am just working in one spot, not running all over the store. I can tell each day I am losing a little of what I gained in the pool. I am headed back this weekend for more pool time. Rand has to work the entire weekend. I'm making Willie be my camping/pool buddy. He's been screwing off a bit and calling in to work with a million excuses, instead of say - going to work. As a result he has no work hours this weekend. He thought it meant some real free time with his buddies. I told him it meant camping with the folks. We'll be back at Timberland Campground. I really love it there! (Be sure to check my previous post for my camping diary.)
Happy Birthday
Willie is now 17 - his birthday was yesterday. We had a bunch of his friends over for a barbeque, and the usual cake and ice cream. Grandpa and Grandma came. And even those world wanderers, Rob and Megan, managed to find their way here!
OH NO!
Last year is coming back to haunt me. Not that anything is wrong, but it is time for a recheck to make sure I'm still getting better.
I'm on a medical fast today. I'm so hungry I have a headache! I'm trying to numb it with diet Mt. Dew. I also have taken my colon cleanser: X-Prep. I have an IVP early tomorrow morning. It is a test of my kidney function. This is one of those things where the prep is so much worse than the actual test. After a very long night, I get to arrive at Mercy Hospital at 6:30am; I get to watch radiology people freak out because no one can start an IV on me. Eventually they call in backups. When they finally do find a vein (and proof that yes, I'm actually alive) They will shoot me up with a couple of syringes that are so large - they are the bases for cartoons. Then I get to lie around in a thin gown, on a hard x-ray table, in a cold room, and techs will take pictures for the next few hours. I go directly to my urologist, and he will know the results immediately. By the way - this is the same doctor who last year said I should be dead already. I'm not looking forward to any of this. (Can you tell?)

Our Vacation
Friday the 13th
Despite the date and the "family curse, we are pleasantly surprised. We are surrounded by popcorn showers and we remain mercifully clear skied.
The 13th date arrived a bit early in the week. While preparing the trailer for the vacation, a bottle of Coors Light fell from the fridge, hit the floor, and didn't break. Nope - it didn't break. Instead it blew its cap like a champagne bottle spewing its cork. Our camper is thoroughly christened in beer. And we had to mop the floor and wipe down walls, including in the bathroom.
While readying for this trip; I couldn’t have dropped, hit, or stubbed my sore and still un-healed toe if I had tried.
Upon arrival at our campsite, I entered the trailer with my sunglasses still on. I can see objects all over the floor. Hmm…..the pop must have rolled free. I took of my sunglasses. Not pop. One dozen eggs (now newly scrambled) and most of the contents of the fridge had rolled free. To add to this “mixture”, the cap to our brand new cooler hadn’t been properly fastened. As the ice melted, water ran everywhere. This wet mess reached where the egg mess hadn’t, including - under the couch. So upon our arrival and the very start of our vacation – we got to wipe down the walls and mop the floor again – this time twice! (Even the bathroom!)(It was really a big mess!) We also got to find the laundry area right away to wash all the rugs. So much for hitting the pool.
We finished the evening with a wonderful steak supper prepared over an open fire and watched a full moon rise over the trees from our bedroom window.
June 14th
It was Rand’s last day of work before his vacation officially started. I awoke early, bought my morning paper, ate breakfast, and did some cleaning. By 9am, I was in my lawn chair settling in to read my paper and wait for the pool to open at 10 am. Yea! Swimming!
Sleeping Beauty
I woke up. I went in to check the time – NOON! I quickly changed in to my favorite hot pink Speedo. I arrive at the pool to find it a bit busy. Lots of kids in the water, lots of parents sunning. I, of course, get in the pool with the kids. I slip into the tepid water and try not to think about why the water may be that temperature. I try to convince myself it has nothing to do with the amount of short people in the shallow end. It felt great to be in the water again, made me really miss my lifeguarding days. I only stay an hour. The pool population continued to grow and all those kicking legs near my sore limbs were making me nervous.
Rand had to work late and he made a stop at the house to grab a VCR and some movies. I had only requested ‘comedies’. He arrived back at camp with all our Star Trek movies and Terminator. I had to ask, “Where are the comedies?” He replied, “Star Trek movies are kind of funny.” Areas around us really filled up today. Some of our new neighbors were pretty noisy. Peace returned as the day grew warmer and most turned on their air conditioners silences the noises within.
We enjoyed our supper listening to the live band, Haywire, at the gazebo. We were getting ready to roast marshmallows when the down pour hit. I ran to cover my jeep seats and get the bikini top on it. Randy hurriedly began to take the awning down. We were amazed at the rain – we were still seeing the moon and stars! It didn’t last long, but it really poured down. It wasn’t until the next morning we realized we had forgot about the truck windows. All its windows were wide open.
June 15th
It’s Sunday – let the mass exodus begin! Wagons Roll! All the weekend campers begin to leave. We have almost total privacy in our area. We only have to share the pool with a couple of other families. I awoke to a scratched forehead. I have matching parallel lines running up the center of my forehead. I have a vague memory of jumping up in my sleep and hitting my head on the overhead fan.
June 16th
I’m really missing my computer. I’m filled with lots of ideas I wish I could put out there in the world. Most of it is on current events - by the time I could get it anywhere - it would be a moot point.
We made a trip into Waukee today. We were out of sour cream…..and watermelon. I rank watermelon right up there with Peanut M&M's.
We made friends with the other two families at the pool. Both families were leaving in the morning. We spent our last evening all together talking around the fire and eating S’mores. They made a “white-man fire”. We prefer an “Indian fire”. The difference? White man builds a big fire, must sit far away. Indian builds a small fire, sits close. Unfortunately we couldn’t get any further away than we were and we were roasting more than the marshmallows. We shared testimonies of faith and were surprised that at some point all of us had belonged to Mo-Synod Lutheran churches and all had left. It was a wonderful evening and we all hope to meet again at the campground.
Mom and Dad visited us. We gave Dad his Father’s Day gift, a tripod for cooking over the fire. They surprised us with an early Christmas gift. A black water receptacle – better known to us as a “turd hearse”.
June 17th
Slept until 8:30am. This is sleeping in! It is a beautiful summer morning with the promise of being a scorcher of a day. Our friends were already gone. We had the pool to ourselves.
Randy is attempting to use our new turd hearse. Unfortunately, I am too busy journaling to help. For all the years I’ve had my Jeep, I’ve always wanted to pull something behind it. Today that dream came true. I pulled the turd hearse to the dump station. Okay, it wasn’t my original dream completely.
My knee is looking much better; my toe was just now showing some sign of maybe wanting to heal. It is too large to scab; it was going straight to scar tissue. Notice the verbiage “was”? I managed to hit my toe on the door of my Jeep. Split it open - right down the middle. I drove us back to camp with blood running down my foot. I was in so much pain puking was a serious thought.
Before my act of grace; we had done the laundry, played ping-pong, sat in front of the campground office and watched the ground squirrels play. One even came up to check out our sandals. I ended up missing a swim.
June 18th
A quiet day of storms - all around us, but never touching us - we only saw a few sprinkles. Very strange for us – given the “Family Curse”. We played a lot of cards while waiting for the storms that never came. We hit the pool finally, late afternoon. Then we made a run to Waukee again for ant poison. We were seriously invaded and can’t understand why. The ants do not seem bothered at all by our choice of weapon.
June 19th
I slept until 9:30am. Rand, while I slept, got to the bottom of our ant invasion.
When we first got our Jayco Kiwi, we made a newcomer error - which resulted in an entire box of melted popsicles dripping everywhere. We had cleaned up the original mess of course, but the ants were everywhere that particular mess had occurred. He did a deeper cleaning - hopefully this will help.
We got new neighbors today. - an older gentleman and a nice older couple. All are friends who were on maiden voyages with their new RVs.
June 20th
We were joined for the weekend by the rest of the family. Dad and Mom showed first with our nephew Wyatt (2) and later Jeff, Tina, Derrick and our daughter Sandra all showed. The rest of the weekend we swam – I gave Derrick and Wyatt lessons. We also played Bocce and Croquet. Later, after the old and very young folks had gone to bed, we enjoyed my own special kool-aid by the fire.
June21st
It was getting very warm as we finally packed. I ended the week by stubbing my toe and busting it open – once again. It still hurts bad when I do that and still bleeds all over.
Home again.
Kids, pets, and house - all survived. Work in the morning. Time for a nap.

OW!
I predicted it correctly yesterday. I way over-did and even broke down and took my very last coveted darvocet before going to bed. I got the shopping done, even got in a visit with the neighbors and the trailer loaded except for our clothes. I've been up since 6am finishing laundry so I can finish packing. As soon as camp gets set up - I'm thinking it will be nap time.
Survivors
Rob finally emailed and let us know he and Megan are home and they survived quite nicely. Megan has already updated her web page with tales of their adventures.
College days
Sandra checked the last of her GED test scores on line. She did extremely well on all tests. She is very excited and motivated. Sandra has sent in her application to attend DMACC. She has decided to pursue a 2-yr degree in nursing.
Looks like we will have both girls studying nursing at the same time. We have all been trying to decide how to rearrange beds and living space to accomadate everyone better. The girls suggested bunk beds in Kara's room. I have a plan to turn the bath-half of our basement into a giant dressing room/bathroom for the girls. Read that as get all their "piles" into one central location where I can mostly ignore them. Rand's going to have to wait a little longer for his work room. But, I don't mind...Willie's still in my sewing room/office!:) Yesterday, Rand and I (read that as ME. Someone else, male, hates building lofts) even had the idea of instead of bunks - to build lofts! Treat that bedroom like a dorm with lofts and desks. A quiet study/sleep area. That is what it's duty needs to be for the next few years. And just because that room is directly across the hall from our room - that has nothing to do with naming it a "the quiet space". Right. :)
A camping we will go
Time to dig out The Camping List and double check my lists. Fold some clothes and start hauling stuff out to the trailer again. My girls (the dogs) seem to sense I'm leaving for awhile. The girls as in Sandra and Kara know we are leaving. The canine girls are very clingy and act very worried every time I go out to the trailer. I wish I could bring them. Kizzie would do fine. Girlfriend really hates change and new places. But if I took Kizzie and not Girlfriend, it would break Girlfriend's heart. Randy says no dogs in the camper. Even as I'm typing this - Girlfriend came over for reassurance.
A Willie Story
Last evening Willlie went bounding through at one point. Saw a cooler, groceries, freshly washed camper rugs and linens, groceries, and other assorted stuff in a big pile to go out to the trailer. He looked at it, looked at us, and asked, "So, you guys going camping or something this weekend?" The entire room in unison replied, "Where have you been?" We have spent many of our evenings in the last few weeks studying maps, looking up destinations on the web, talking almost non-stop of trying to figure out what to do on our vacation. Even more so lately when my injuries demanded we change our plans. Rand told him we were leaving on a weeks vacation. Willie said, "So you'll be gone the next weekend too." We explained we would be gone on the days between the weekends as well. Willie: "Oh, so you're going for the whole week>" Anyone who has ever held a conversation with Willie knows this is pretty much the way it always goes. We then explained that his sisters, grandparents, and neighbors were all in charge of him for the next week. I hope that's enough people to keep up with him.
Talk to you all in a week or so.....

TaDa!
Well, after way too much thinking, worrying, planning, and starting all over (multiple times) - our vacation has finally been decided on and the deposit has been made.
We will be spending a glorious week at the Timberline Campground near Waukee, Ia. It's only 15 minutes from home, which can be good or bad. We visited it last night on the advice of a very nice lady who workes at the Adventureland campground. By the way, if you were hoping to camp at Adventureland this year, but didn't set it in stone on April 1st with a reservation, it's probably not your year. As we learned on our visit - beautiful campground - but no room at the inn. We had no plan to visit the park, we were just looking for a nice campground. Doctor's orders: Stay off my feet and out of lakes.
Timberline Campground
My first thought was "Wow!. This is almost beautiful enough to bring tears to my eyes!" The rates aren't cheap, but it promises to be worth every penny! Even the prime spots here were taken. We'll be on site #79. Next weekend, the folks will join us on site #78. It's a newly developed area, but has lots of grassy areas and a fire ring. On the down side it has immature trees. The area is nicely landscaped, but needs a few years to develop it's true beauty. There was a nicely timbered spot, but it had only 20amp elctric available. It laymen's term that would mean no air conditoner. It is early in the year, we may not even need it, but once again - with my history, it's better be to be safe than really sorry. At our site there is only water and electric service available. There are full hook-ups available, but they get reserved first. We had hoped to travel further away from home, but my recently injured knees get very cranky riding in the truck. They don't really want to even crawl up in the truck, but it can't be avoided in our life. I'm thinking of taking my Jeep Scrambler along. I haven't drove it since I got hurt, but I hate to be without it for a week. I'm not dead yet - I'm feeling better - really!
I've often wondered why I'm not a Park Ranger (okay, maybe my history of heat strokes and deadly allergies to insects make that not a smart personal choice) or at least the owner of a campground. That thought has crossed our minds more than once. Everytime we have considered buying a small acreage through the years, we have always had "campground" in the back of our heads. Our current retirement plan does involve a fifth wheel camper, a big truck to pull it, and a sign that says "campground host".
Still On The Injured List
I had my recheck with my doctor yesterday. He properly poked and proded and nicely increased my pain levels. He extended my medical leave until the 23rd and warned even when I do return to work, I won't be able to do a full day for awhile. It looks like I have no permanent damage from my little wrestling match with the truck, but knees and both feet are still pretty sore. The knees abrasions are pretty well healed, but you can tell I was hurt. The right knee got it the worse. The left side was just nicely exfoliated. The feet still have a ways to go on abrasion healing. They are smaller areas, but I lost a lot more,...umm...."meat" off of them. Knee ligaments are very tender. Every joint in my feet are screaming at me even as I type. Yesterday was the most I been up and out since I was hurt. It was too much. The pain pretty well messed up my sleep and even this morning is not very pleasant. And I have to start loading the camper today. I'm going to really need a vacation by the time I get us ready to pull out.
Time to start - something.....

Family Curse?
Wow! That was some storm we had last night! Massive thunder, lightening striking all around, a hard driving rain - Sounds like camping weather to me! Wonder if Rob and Megan feel that sense of adventure? And just because our camper is still parked in front of our house so we can prepare for our next adventure....THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FAMILY CURSE!
Bragging Rights
Sandra finally decided to pursue her GED. She signed up for classes at DMACC, first class was yesterday. They had her take pre-tests so they could assess where she was in her education. She tested so high - they had her go ahead and take the final tests and........half-way through day two..... She officially is done and has her GED. She scored a perfect score in the reading section. Her instructors were awed. They do have an offical graduation ceremony once a year, but she just missed it. So next May we will have Sandra's GED graduation and Rob's ISU-BA graduation. Sandra plans on enrolling in DMACC nursing classes as soon as possible. I'm am patting myself on the back for a teaching job well done (she was home schooled). We celebrated at Granny's Frozen Custard. *very good treats*
summer time
Rand and I are trying to come up with a new game plan for our vacation next week. With my recent injuries and my lack of earnings lately, we needed to lose Plan A (Explore Iowa)and Plan B (Smithville, Missouri). Still thinking on plan C. Probably will start at Saylorville and will end up Rock Creek near Newton. We love Rock Creek and the Valle Drive-in movie theater is a nice way to spend an evening or two. But, I won't go swimming there. Promise! Taking a dip at the Rock Creek beach last summer is why I got treated non-stop for parasites when I didn't have any, which in turn - slowed down the proper diagnosis.
the rest of the family
Willie and Kara are settling into their summer routines. Kara will be working full time at HyVee. She is now considered a Grandview College student with a photo ID to prove it.
Willie in the always constant search for a better job and we are tending to agree with him these days. IHOP is not highly recommended by our family these days as a source of employment. (Got to love the country omlet with a side of corn cakes!) They always seem to want something for nothing. But then, who doesn't?
The dogs desperately need a bath and there is no way I can physically do it. Any volunteers? Also, I still need to get my garden in and the fish pond needs a make-over. Hello? Where did everybody go?

Eric gave the perfect end to my last entry; "When life gives you lemons - make Willie squeeze them." Very cute - (and true)!
I see Rob hinted a bit about a "family curse". Just because it was supposed to be a beautiful weekend according to the forecasts,... and just because we were camping AND Rob and Megan went camping elsewhere in the state,... And just because the entire state was blanketed with non-stop "popcorn showers",... there is NO REASON to assume there is a family curse!
Rob update...it seems they got lost on/along the way, something about traveling a very bad "B" road the car barely survivied, and they were so wet.... he had to by new shoes! A family curse ? No Way! ; )
We were ejoying our little get away enough for me to stay an extra day. Randy still had to go to work. I figured I would treat my body better in the camper than at home. There's always too much to do and too much that needs done at home. My right toe is still a mess. Swelling, red, painful, and draining daily. My knee has started peeling and itching. Good signs for the knee, mostly. It is still pretty sore on the inside, even though the outside wounds seem to be healing well.
The Bob Shetler campground at Saylorville was nice. Not too busy, but a bit noisy. We had a "premium" site (means we got to pay a little more), but in hindsite it was too close to the main road by the spillway. That made for the source of most of the noise. The spillway was loud but a good white noise. All the people who went to the spillway were too loud to a very late hour. Maybe camping a little further in would've been nicer. I spent most of Saturday morning sleeping in a lawn chair in the warm sun. Didn't rain until Randy came back to camp after work. Maybe he's the source of the curse.....hmmm.....
Came back to a slightly disheveled house, dirty dishes, and piles of dirty laundry. Yeah, the kids still seem to need us. Darn it.

Still on my butt.
I was checked out Wednesday by my regular doctor. He wants me off my feet for another week. It is so hard to feel useful in this position. It looks like both knees have suffered damage. There is still too much swelling for the docs to make a call on how much though. The right knee is an 'obvious' injury. The epidermis is healing nicely though. My big toe is worrying me. It is still draining a lot - and looks and feels very angry. The injury to the left knee, which is not a visibal injury, came at point of impact. I was standing on my left leg when the truck knocked me over. The knee twisted as I went down. When I am up, I use my cane to support the right side. More pain there and more injured joints.I checked in at Target and let them know I'm down for a while longer. Luckily, this is a slow time for the plano team. They did offer to let me do a sit down job, but since I am unable to wear shoes or pants, even that won't work. (stop going there - I'm wearing shorts)
Rob and Megan came for supper Wed. and to pick up their camping equipment. They remembered most of it. :)
Yesterday I started cutting back on the pain pills. They won't last forever : ( and it actually slows me down more to have some pain. No pain and dopey - you get fooled into thinking you're feeling better and then you over-do. Anyways, that's what I always do. :)
We also brought the camper home from Aunt Harriett's yesterday. It was a very long and seemingly (to this bear) bumpy ride which my body protested loudly about. My big toe chose the trip home to open up and drain again - YUCK! I am trying to get packed today. But really, I'm just sitting here trying to get the laundry caught up first by way of Willie. It's a very slow and frustrating process.
Rand has to work Saturday, of course, so we are just going to Saylorvile. Keeps him with an easy commute. The Bob Shetler campground this time, below the dam. We noticed on our drive through that it lacks mature trees - probably as a result of the floods of '93.
Whoopee! An appliance just buzzed! Time to find Willie! When life gives you lemons......

I am so dopey today.
I slept better last night than I did the night before. I even had a morning nap. :)
I am wondering if I should rethink my whole "aversion to doctors" thing. If I hadn't been concerned for my half-a-million-dollar foot, I wouldn't have gone to the emergency room. I wouldn't have even gone to my regular doctor. I would've just suffered out my injuries. Because I did go, I have prescripitons for an anti-inflammatory and pain pills. Yes, I still hurt, but - I don't seem to mind as much.
My "get out of my way I can handle anything" attitude doesn't seem to work as well in my middle ages. I'm learning (too slowly) I don't "bounce back" anymore. The fall I took 2 yrs. ago while loft building at ISU left permanent damage - only because I DIDN'T seek medical help. I probably would've played this injury game the same way had it not involved my right foot. At some point, I'm going to have to learn it is OK in the game of life to ask for help.
And I am so very aware of the fact that I'm very lucky to be alive this week. Not the first time I've looked death in the face and I'm sure not the last. People seemed amazed at what a "survivor" I am. Being a survivor isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's expensive, painful, and does leave a mark. And it requires a lot of down time. I have lost decades of quality time. And I still don't have any tomatos planted.
I have officially put up my shingle as a web site. I am still learning, and this will be (hopefully) continually evolving. At this point my guest book is the only place to leave messages. Not as hip as Rob's, but I'll get there! To see photos that may (or may not) correspond with the story, check out my photos pages. You'll find my Photo Friday pics there as well as current family events. I plan on updating my pictures frequently.

I assumed my next posting would be about Kara's graduation reception on Saturday. It was a very nice day, followed by a lovely visit with everyone's favorite - Aunt Harriett.
Sunday was going to be a "work day" - building a few more flower beds and finally getting my spring planting done. I have been delayed by first - a severe chest cold, and secondly - a bee sting. (Okay camping has taken a priority as well) Each knocked me off my feet for about a week.
My planting didn't get done yesterday either.
I've chose to title this entry:

I'm Not Dead Yet
subtitled: I could have swore the truck was stopped when I exited the vehicle.

Sweet husband and self had headed to my parent's to pick up what was to be the first truck-load of dirt. They recently enlarged their driveway. This involved moving back a retaining wall. (This wall is improtant to the story.) We are using the dirt to build-up raised beds and our garden. Randus backed the truck up their very steep driveway and turned off the truck. (Okay kids - it's a stick shift) It started to roll forward. The emergency brake had snapped a couple of weeks ago and we hadn't fixed it yet. Rand had me slide over and hold the brake while he blocked the wheels. It still didn't look like it would hold, so I shifted it into reverse - thinking that would hold it better. I then begin to exit the truck. One foot was on the ground - when -
It shot forward. I fell and I knew - this was bad! I frantically grabbed the door - anything, something, and the pain hit. I was being drug by the truck, bare legs and feet along the new cement drive. I was also pinned between the truck and the new retaining wall. I knew that if I let go, I would've been forced, by the wall, under the wheels of the truck and I would die. My feet were barely clearing the rear wheels at it was. As soon as I reached the end of the retaining wall (meaning: the pain on that side decreased some) I literally threw myself to the sidewalk. I wanted to be free of the truck before it entered the street or struck anything. I hit the cement and rolled, watching as the truck tire missed my head by a very few inches. Dad says the tires missed my feet and legs by much less. I was giving blacking out some serious thought, but Rand and Dad were determined to get me off the sidewalk. Poor Mom had stepped out on the front porch just in time to witness all this. Her screams are all I can remember hearing.
I refused to go to the emergency room right away. Mostly it looked as if I had just donated a lot of flesh to the new drive. But as the afternoon progressed, my half-a-million-dollar foot with the steel plate (souvenior from a bone tumor) was looking kind of a funny color. Scary-funny. So I ended up in the ER after all. The good news is nothing was broken. And they gave me good drugs and a tetnus shot. They were less worried about my foot and more worried about my knee. I am to stay off my feet and use a cane when I do have to be up.
Today I'm feeling everything. Both shoulders, arms, hands, hips, name a body part - everything took a beating. I even damaged my wedding ring during my landing. But, I'm not dead! But I am nicely drugged, so please ignore the spelling and grammer errors, thank-you.