ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

I have long been a believer in alternative medicines and homeopathic remedies. I have a great book on all of these "Off The Wall" therapies that I frequently peruse. Most doctors turn their noses WAY up in the air when you mention some of these alternatives, but then I find the occasional "Believer" One such recent surprise was my Plastic Surgeon. He gave my Sin Ecch which is Homeopathic Arnica Montana that decreases bruising and swelling after surgery or traumatic injury. Based upon my pictures, I would hate to know how bad I would have looked had I not taken this remedy. He also gave me a list of herbs, vitamins, etc to not take two weeks before surgery and recommended a multi-vitamin with minerals following surgery. MY KIND OF MAN! I have an entire handful of "Supplements, etc" that I take everyday. I AM A BELIEVER!


It appears that after all of these years perhaps BC thinks I may be on to something. He has a cold-a bad cold. He went to the Health Food store across the street from his office and they recommended Collidal Silver. Now believe it or not, I had never heard of this before, but they Know their stuff at The Old Wheat Barn, so I am hoping it will help. You know on second thought, I would bet anything that someone else talked him into this-He's not known to really listen to me much!

After all, my standard remedy for ANY respiratory illness is "A Week On The Beach". It never fails to dry up those pesky running noses and nagging coughs. What better remedy could there be?

A REAL LIVE PRINCESS

We have our very own "Princess" in our running group! This weekend is the inaugural running of the "Disney Princess Half Marathon" at Disney World in Orlando, FL. Buddy, Stephanie, or the "Flash" as I like to call her will be running Sunday morning bright and early with her daughter, Jessica. I would love to run a "Big Race" with # 1 daughter and perhaps we will get that opportunity. In the meantime, I am really excited for Steph & Jessica as they travel the Blue Skies to Florida and run this race together and then see Disney World. Although I will have to admit that I at first REALLY chuckled when she told me that she was running "The Princess", I must say Steph has gotten into "The Spirit" of the event. Running with a tiara, a sash, and hot pink shorts-she is dressed for the occasion. I WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE TO SEE THAT SIGHT!

I have trained along side Steph for several of these big events including the first marathon we trained for in 2001 in New Orleans. This will be a repeat performance for Steph as we all did the Disney Marathon together two years later. A seasoned marathon runner, this half should be no challenge and we all expect her time to be great. The toughest thing about Disney is the continuous flat course. Flat may sound good, but when you use the same muscles over and over and you are running on lots of concrete-it can be tough.

It is NEVER a dull moment when you run by Stephanie as she has the gift of gab and the art of glib down to a fine science. She is a running Comedy Act and keeps you entertained as the miles roll by. We are all wishing her GOOD LUCK and know she and Jessica will do us all proud and come home with "Crowns on their heads."

Third from the front on the left side-ALWAYS WITH A DARK TAN

Susan is on the left and Miss Steph-The Flash on the Right

Somehow over the years I have missed getting a picture of her signature mini-ponytail that she wears to run. Stuck on the top of her head-it reminds you of a rooster's comb when she is bobbing down the road with the running style that only she has perfected-NO UPPER BODY MOTION. NOW THAT IS A NEAT TRICK!

THE CHANGE OF SEASONS

As I leave my drive and turn unto the road, this beautiful scene greets me-
Before I have gone but a few feet and turned the first curve, I see-

Even the down town businesses of Ruston are surrounded

And the lane seems to be from a storybook, as you pass down it

With the contrast of red and yellow buds among the ocean of white blooms

And as we return home, the Vienna Town Hall seems draped in blooms with the back drop of the blue sky and the blue of the building.

With the arrival of March, Louisiana is beginning its transformation from Winter to Spring. It is almost like Mother Nature looks at her calendar and flips the switch. In the short 10 days that I stayed close to the couch, the trees have magically bloomed and the breeze from the South is bringing the sweet smell of Spring. While out for a drive this weekend, I caught a glimpse of the promise of the world turning green once again. After the blooms blow away in the wind, the leaves appear and the world once again appears alive. The hardwoods are beginning to show the small buds that will open into the rich verdant growth of the warm days to come. I love the change of the seasons and the sweet reminder of the cycle of life. As a wise old friend once told us, "When the leaf buds on the oak are the size of a small squirrel's ear, the bream are biting." Yes, Spring is here!

FACELIFT-TWO WEEKS DOWN!

Day One-Nothing else needs to be said about that!

One week pictures with stitches and staples still in, but the bad swelling is gone. Eyes and chin are still taped into place.

Two weeks down and counting. I am finding myself in-patient with the swelling going down. My hair is crazy and since I cannot really style it I can't do much with it. It may have something to do with the fact that my scalp is still swollen. What I have ALWAYS desired was to have a neck the size of a Linebacker! Most of my face, scalp and neck are still numb from the surgery trauma, BUT my ears have been VERY sore (probably due to incisions all the way around them? The yellow skin is beginning to go away and the bruises are almost completely absorbed. I am not wearing any make-up for now. My prayer is for healing-relief from swelling & PATIENCE! Worth it all-jury is still out!

The red in my eye will take up to six weeks to absorb and as the nurse told me, "Sometimes just happens." OH GOOD-I'm one of the lucky ones!

TALENTED #1

#1 Son seems to have gotten ALL of the artistic talent and ability for the family. He has a wonderful "Artistic Eye"-is quite the carpenter, a talented photographer, a decorator with vision, and a musical ear. I am not sure where he came from since I do not seem to have any of those abilities. My Dad was a very talented musician, and my brother is a talented photographer-so it is in the genes somewhere. IF I EVER DISCOVER MY TALENT, I will be sure and let you know! The one thing he DEFINITELY inherited from his dear old Mom is my OCD. YOUR WELCOME- REALLY NO THANKS NECESSARY!

His latest project is a shop for his wood working tools, etc. I secretly suspect it also may be his "Man Shack" as our neighbor calls it. I place to hide away at times. At any rate here are the pictures from his facebook page showing the progression. I am QUITE PROUD of him and his abilities!

THE FLOOR-to the left is the boat house he built.

The Frame
Roof is On
Windows & Doors Framed In

The Door & Windows in Place

On goes the siding

Garage Door and Complete Siding

Inside Finished -NOTE the Signs of OCD

Inside Looking The Other Way-I especially like the natural light

We are VERY impressed. He tells me he intends to add an arbor and some trellises that he will plant around to hide the shop. SO TALENTED-don't you think?

Tomorrow-two week face pictures. I CANNOT believe it has already been two weeks!

THE BLACK HOLE

Friend, Mona, sent me the link to this YouTube site this AM. I chuckled as I watched it and thought of the female mystique associated with "The Hiding Place". Not many of us girls are so endowed to share this marvelous wonder-but the ones I know that are -well let's just say they use it well.

My first memory of "The Hiding Place" was as a young girl. I would see older-Grandma-age women come into the store and pull their money out of their bosom. I WAS FASCINATED! There were some that not only kept it tucked away-but also pinned it to their underwear. This meant when it came time to fork over the dough, they had to first dig and then unpin before counting out the mullah. Then they repeated the process-ALL IN FRONT OF WHOEVER happened to be in the store.

My latest encounter is with Mona. She is generously endowed North of the Border. It is always a dilemma where to put your "Gu" (running fuel) or water while running with no pockets in running clothes. Mona never has this problem! I always laugh and say she has deposited it into "The Black Hole". Now I never been bothered with this problem-I pray for STURDY ELASTIC or anything deposited will end up on the ground. Perhaps some of the swelling I am still experiencing will fall south of my neck and stay. That is definitely wishful thinking. Let's just say when you are thin and muscular-you are thin. As the plastic surgeon said, "Why would you expect someone who has no butt to have boobs?"

ENOUGH SAID ON THAT SUBJECT-I will be in trouble if BC reads this post as it is! ENJOY THE VIDEO!

NON-CELEBRATION!

Some of the "Small Group" got together last night at BC's favorite spot to eat together and non-celebrate BC's BD. We had a great evening, even though we all were wrapped up to sit on the Patio in the cold and it was closed for a party. (OK-WHO plans a party on the patio in Louisiana in February?) We are having a little touch -perhaps final touch- of winter here in LA. The temperature is hovering around freezing early in the AM, but warming during the day. The wind is VERY cold-well for us Southerners anyway! A few pics of the evening-

A Man & His Car-(We women just don't get the love affairs with cars)

BC & His Favorite "Young Sundowner"-Sarah
"The Group"

More of "The Group"

Waiting for the food

It was a good evening & a quiet celebration. The best part of the day-talking with all of the kids & grands. It just does not get much better than hearing from them!