Pardon the Dust

I am attempting to remodel my blog. I am educating myself in HTML code to change my blog to 3 columns. So far, no luck. What a yawner this is. I don't know why Blogger doesn't have a 3 column template to begin with. I find HTML code boring and intimidating. Stick with me and hopefully I will have something pretty to look at soon. I also have a new title coming soon but I have some header work to do.

Some Encouraging News

Tuesday morning at 8:30, Dr. Bell performed a tracheostomy on my brother Jody. After having a tube in his throat for almost a full month he was growing weaker as the days went by. Last Sunday, I spent some quality time with Jody and he cried an awful lot. It was so difficult to stay with him as he tried to call out in pain but couldn't. I sang to him a lot and prayed over him. Then Monday evening I went in to see him and he looked so peaceful it was almost scary. Every other visit I have felt very connected with his big blue eyes and felt like I could sort of read his emotions. Not Monday. He was curling more into a fetal position and was all surrounded by white pillows and his eyes just looked off into space. He would make eye contact with me but I couldn't get a "read" from him. I decided it must be peace he was feeling and thought maybe Jesus was finally going to take him to his heavenly home. The nurse was very rude and made me angry more than once. After I was there for more than an hour, another nurse came in and they started talking about "the procedure" he would have in the morning. I was taken by surprise to learn that my father had signed a consent form to have him trached. I cried all the way home and was fearful this would end up being a bad thing for him.

As afraid as I was yesterday, I gathered enough courage and strength to go see him. I remember my mother being on a ventilator before her death and I wasn't loking forward to seeing my sweet little brother the same way. I was very surprised to see how much better he looked. He was a little more awake than before and tired to talk a couple of times. (that made him very agitated). He was attempting to scratch his forhead but I noticed he had no use of his fingers and was only able to use the back of his hand. He was still curling up in the fetal position while I was there. I left him not knowing what to think. I noted he looked more comfortable but I could not say I thought he looked better.

What a difference 24 hours makes. Mike and I went up at lunch time today and he was much straighter in bed and very alert. I handed him a photo and he was able to grasp it pretty well with his fingers and he was able to nod yes and no. He was so happy to see Mike, he hardly noticed I was there. I hope and pray the doctors are able to get him off the ventilator soon.  I don't want him to have to learn how to live with a breathing tube coming out of his throat. Jody loves to talk and it will make him so sad if he can't talk anymore. The doctor said this will be his best shot at getting off the ventilator. So far so good. Thanks be to our Loving God!  I know He is in control and has Jody's future all planned out. This boy just may have some more important work to do for God before He calls him home. He is in charge and we are not.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

My comfy chair

I got a piece of fleece from Hobby Lobby to throw over a super ugly chair I had in my scrapbook room. I am in love with the chair now! It was a comfy chair before, just ugly. Now it is SUPER comfortable and I love to sit in it and read or watch TV or just veg out. It is even a good napping chair. The pink and brown is a perfect fit for my scrapbook room. I'm such a lucky girl.

Card Therapy Maybe?

Life has been pretty overwhelming lately. My loveable younger brother, Jody has been hospitalized for the past month in very critical condition. Only God knows what His plans are for Jody but I feel like he is so close to going to heaven and I get excited for him. He has endured so much pain in his 44 years but always manages to smile and he is all about love. He has done some important work for God here on earth and I anxiously wait for God to take him home where he will be free from his broken earthly body and rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus. With that going on (and dealing with being sick myself - I'm all better now!) I have not had the time or the desire to even go into my room and be creative. Yesterday was a very emotional day. I cried for hours and after I was finished I wanted a distraction so I went upstairs for about an hour and whipped up a couple of cards for my special co-worker friends. I think they came out rather nice considering I had no plan. I needed the time up there to clear my head and I believe I may do a little more tomorrow!  

I'm Still Kickin'

Let me see, life has been rather busy lately so the only scrapping I have done is in my mind. I started getting a cold last Monday and by Thursday I was coughing my head off. Thursday morning me and 42 of my best sister's in Christ headed up to beautiful Kerrville to set up for the Women's Fall STARS retreat. 37 women arrived that evening and then the fun began! We spent 3 long action packed days getting closer to Christ. What a great experience it was (again)!! I love this ministry so much!

By the time we got home, my sinuses were beginning to hurt and I had an awful kink in my neck. I called the doc yesterday and went to see her. She gave me a good shot of steroids and an antibiotic. I am feeling so much better. I am trying to stay on the "down low" so I can get rid of this.
Unfortunately I haven't been home before 10:00 all week. Some rest will do me good.

I hope to get rested and healthy and do some more scrapping and posting in the next few days. Wish me luck!

Boo Book

I got this mini book out of a clearance bin while we were in Florida. I think it is 5"x7". All of the inner pages are covered with paper from a DCWV Halloween mini paper pack.

                           This little guy is my boyfriend! I had such a fun time with the Paper Doll Dress Up Cartridge! A definite favorite cartridge

                                                                    

This house is from Stretch Your Imagination .

 Look at his little shoes!    

I have no idea why my pictures are all over the place. I don't think Blogger is my friend any more. I always get a headache when I want to put more than one photo in a post. Hmmm. What's a girl to do?

BOO!

I got these letters  for $1 at JoAnn Fabrics and painted them black and put paper on top with Mod Podge. I have no idea what I am going to do with them but they were fun to make!

Blah Blog

While looking for a new fall background tonight, I decided I need to rename my hum drum Ritten by Robyn. Every time I type it I feel uneasy mispelling a word intentionally. Now, don't get me wrong, I have no issues with the everyday typos for which I am very familiar with. But I like to use proper spelling when at all possible. I have a few ideas for a new title but nothing firm so stay tuned to see what I come up with. I am also open to suggestions.

I will post some handmade goodies this weekend. I have had a blah week and still haven't unpacked from last weekend's crop. Maybe it is my blah blog's fault.