And so, last night was the Big Event of the weekend, the Pot Luck Dinner at the Smith Family Home.
WOW! There were probably 30 or more friends and family gathered at this event. The children that so many of us have
witnessed growing up, are now parents themselves, with their own toddlers, who were all there. This alone would have made for a special
time for me, as I love being in the presence of children, each one so precious and unique. The fact that so many of Sara's friends were there is a testament
to how many people's lives she touched.
Everybody brought something delicious and that had been a favorite of Sara's to eat. Devon, Sara's daughter passed around
a small voice recorder for each of us to share our memories on. At this point,
many tears were shed hearing this testimony. Mostly we laughed and thoroughly enjoyed our evening together.
A good time was had by all.
I look forward to Christmas time, when we will likely see each other again at the annual Smith Christmas Gathering!
Thank you Sara for enriching our lives so. We love you girl!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Sara's Family of Friends Weekend Celebration
My cherised dear friend Sara, passed away March 23rd of this year. She would have been 68 yrs. old yesterday, September the 23rd. To honor her memory, it was decided that we would invite her "family of friends" to come to a pot luck dinner as a memorial Birthday
Celebration.
One of the group ladies, Susan, held a dinner party at her home on Friday night, for Sara's daughter Devon who came in from Puerto
Rico and a small group of us. This was such a lovely evening. Susan is an incredible chef as well
as the most gracious entertainer. She served gazpacho for starters, followed by the most delicious orzo salad with roasted vegtables and another beautiful composed salad of pieces of chicken breast with fresh sugar snap peas, red and white wine
were poured. YUM! We then retired to the outside patio for custom made expresso's or cortadito's and a perfect apple tart.
Two of the highlights of the evening for me, personally, were Susan's animals. Marley, her gorgeous, black, Spanish Water Dog, who
runs around with a lime green ball in his mouth and his red tongue hanging out...too funny and cute. Susan said they call
him "The Baby Jesus". Then there is Miss Eleanor Roosevelt, a Maine Coon Cat. She is huge and will keep growing until she
is 3 yrs. old. I chanced upon her sitting on the dining room table after the dishes had been cleared. Seeing her there was
such visual impact, that dark big, fluffy, elegant cat just posed on the orange and gold tablecloth. To me it was such a
Halloween statement. Unfortunatly my photograph skills are slightly lacking in composition and cropping.
The group photo is missing about 5 of us...oh well. This documentation really is for myself. I have no clue as to who will
land on my blogspot and actually read or view this stuff. I am just happy to have these records to reflect back on these
moments.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Afton Elected 1st President of Her School!
My most adored Niece, Afton, who turns 11 on November 2nd, was elected the 1st School President at her Montessori Charter
School in Islamorada, Florida. She has been attending this school since kindergarten, 6 years ago. This is the first year they
held school elections. Five children ran for President and Afton was elected! Hoory for Afton. We are so proud of her many
accomplishments, this being but one of them.
Afton is the only grandchild in our small family. Her Dad was my younger brother, Jerry, who was in a fatal car accident
when Afton had just turned 3. Because of this and for so many other reasons, she is really so very special to us. She is the sunshine of our lives, my Mother's
and mine.
Her Mother Katherine remarried several years ago and her new Dad, Joe is a great guy. My Mother and I are so grateful
to have Afton in our lives.
The one photo is of Grandma and Afton. One shows the table set with her CAKE. Another photo is of the campaign signs
she used and the other is an image of our living room.
I'm goiing to add another photo now of Afton, that for some reason did not publish with the others.
Myra's Blog
Myra's BlogSo this is Friday,
September 22, 2006. Big changes are underway in my life, I am happy to say.
For starters, on Monday I am scheduled to undergo psychological testing to determine if I will be accepted to undergo gastric bypass surgery. This is by no
way a small thing in my life. The past 6 weeks have led me to finally look forward
to this very day with great anticipation. I have no doubt that I will pass this test
with flying colors. That will then put me 1 step further towards the end result of
scheduling the actual surgery. Yes! Oh my gosh, I can't believe the whole thing
really. How this all came to be, I mean. This is life changing big time in my life.
My health has been a burning issue, especially, I would say in the last 6 months.
With the swelling in my legs and ankles, I was convinced that I must have congestive heart failure. My shortness of breath upon any type of exeurtion and
my wheezing, led me to believe that I must have enphseyma too.
How relieved I was upon finally being forced to visit my MD, because of an
infected finger that was throbbing for days, before I became willing to finally
bite the bullet and see my doctor. I was so afraid because of my blood sugar
isssues that I could possibly lose the finger or even the whole hand if I did not
address this infection professional.
On the morning of my doctor appointment, an article appeared in our local
newspaper regarding a less invasive type of bariatric surgery, referred to as
the sleeve. This procedure was performed orthoscopily (sp?). Wow, I thought
to myself, I should really disscus this procedure with my doctor and ask if
he thought it was a possibility for me to have this done and would anyone consider surgery on me because I'm a smoker and am having such difficulty breathing.
With my list in hand I drove in the pouring rain with rush hour traffice to my
doctors office. After urine and blood tests, my doctor informed me that
I did not have congestive heart failure and that my kidney's were fine. The
swelling was a reaction to medication I take. He went on to tell me that I also
did not have emphysema. I have a brochical blah, blah, with asmatic tendencies.
When I asked if I would be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery, he
turned around and looked me in the eye and said YES, it will save your life.
He told me that if I had it done it would be likely that I would get off all the
medications that I take and that further more, one of the reasons I'm having
difficulty with me breathing is because I am so fat!
So there you have it. This is what happened that fateful day one month ago
exactly today. I just looked it up on my calendar and see that it was on August
22nd, that I visited my doctor.
Also of note regarding the changes in my life, is that one week prior to the 22nd, on August 15th, I went for my first acupuncture treatment. This was
actually my first step in reaching out for help with my health.
Since the 15th of August, I have had no more coffee. I drink tea instead.
I also drink 160 oz. of water every day. These were specific requests from
the acupunture practioner. She also asked my to walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 more at night. With this I have not been as successful.
I am making progress though and I am feeling somewhat better.
But the really big, big shift - and I mean large - stellar - is about to emerge
with the completion of this highly anticipated gastric bypass surgery.
I no not, that anyone will ever read this entry in my blog.
It matter not to me.
What matters, is that I have documented this to the best of my ability, for myself, for future reference.
May I never forget the agony and despiration that I have felt for so long, that
lead me to make this decision in my life.
As the Jewsih New Year begins tonight, may God bless me and inscribe me in
The Book of Life, for another year.
Amen.
September 22, 2006. Big changes are underway in my life, I am happy to say.
For starters, on Monday I am scheduled to undergo psychological testing to determine if I will be accepted to undergo gastric bypass surgery. This is by no
way a small thing in my life. The past 6 weeks have led me to finally look forward
to this very day with great anticipation. I have no doubt that I will pass this test
with flying colors. That will then put me 1 step further towards the end result of
scheduling the actual surgery. Yes! Oh my gosh, I can't believe the whole thing
really. How this all came to be, I mean. This is life changing big time in my life.
My health has been a burning issue, especially, I would say in the last 6 months.
With the swelling in my legs and ankles, I was convinced that I must have congestive heart failure. My shortness of breath upon any type of exeurtion and
my wheezing, led me to believe that I must have enphseyma too.
How relieved I was upon finally being forced to visit my MD, because of an
infected finger that was throbbing for days, before I became willing to finally
bite the bullet and see my doctor. I was so afraid because of my blood sugar
isssues that I could possibly lose the finger or even the whole hand if I did not
address this infection professional.
On the morning of my doctor appointment, an article appeared in our local
newspaper regarding a less invasive type of bariatric surgery, referred to as
the sleeve. This procedure was performed orthoscopily (sp?). Wow, I thought
to myself, I should really disscus this procedure with my doctor and ask if
he thought it was a possibility for me to have this done and would anyone consider surgery on me because I'm a smoker and am having such difficulty breathing.
With my list in hand I drove in the pouring rain with rush hour traffice to my
doctors office. After urine and blood tests, my doctor informed me that
I did not have congestive heart failure and that my kidney's were fine. The
swelling was a reaction to medication I take. He went on to tell me that I also
did not have emphysema. I have a brochical blah, blah, with asmatic tendencies.
When I asked if I would be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery, he
turned around and looked me in the eye and said YES, it will save your life.
He told me that if I had it done it would be likely that I would get off all the
medications that I take and that further more, one of the reasons I'm having
difficulty with me breathing is because I am so fat!
So there you have it. This is what happened that fateful day one month ago
exactly today. I just looked it up on my calendar and see that it was on August
22nd, that I visited my doctor.
Also of note regarding the changes in my life, is that one week prior to the 22nd, on August 15th, I went for my first acupuncture treatment. This was
actually my first step in reaching out for help with my health.
Since the 15th of August, I have had no more coffee. I drink tea instead.
I also drink 160 oz. of water every day. These were specific requests from
the acupunture practioner. She also asked my to walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 more at night. With this I have not been as successful.
I am making progress though and I am feeling somewhat better.
But the really big, big shift - and I mean large - stellar - is about to emerge
with the completion of this highly anticipated gastric bypass surgery.
I no not, that anyone will ever read this entry in my blog.
It matter not to me.
What matters, is that I have documented this to the best of my ability, for myself, for future reference.
May I never forget the agony and despiration that I have felt for so long, that
lead me to make this decision in my life.
As the Jewsih New Year begins tonight, may God bless me and inscribe me in
The Book of Life, for another year.
Amen.
Monday, June 19, 2006
So it's Monday...
myra's thoughtsAh Monday, so full of hope. The first day of the work week. Clean slate. How will
the week unfold?
Friday night's excurtion was great fun. The Gay Men's Chorus was a very entertaining evening. The men looked like an ad for Gap, all in khaki pants and
different solid, brightly colored T's...red, hot pink, orange, mango, yellow, gold,
greens and such. What visual impact this made with the 40 men on stage. The
singing was mostly good and the camping and dancing was hilarious. Afterwards,
Bill, Jose and myself went to Cafeteria for a late dinner. This is a restaurant on
South Beach that originated in New York. The place was stellar looking and is known for serving great "comfort food". We had fried chicken with waffles, shrimp
with grits and macaroni and cheese. Pretty yummy and oh so not dietetic. Got home after 1AM, which is the latest I have been out in ages.
Last night was the 5th game in the NBA playoff's. Go Miami Heat. What a game!
Basketball is so amazing. Fast and furious and you can never tell what's going
to happen next. The game was a once in a lifetime, going into overtime and
YES, the Heat finally winning by 1 point. I was so wound up I couldn't fall asleep
till after 3AM.
Had a wonderful surprise when I visited my eBay listings this morning. Three
out of the 4 cards listed have bids. Proof, therefore, that indeed there is a God.
Just kidding, of course, but what a delightful miracle. Here I am complaining about how slow things have been. This is a great relief for me and provides
the encouragement I need to keep on with this art posting stuff. Hooray.
To anyone who is reading this, perserverance pays off. Put one foot in front of
the other and just keep going on. Eventually it works out, I think.
That's it for now.
Keep good thoughts and do the next right thing.
Imagine peace. Say your prayers and remember to eat your fruits and vegtables.
the week unfold?
Friday night's excurtion was great fun. The Gay Men's Chorus was a very entertaining evening. The men looked like an ad for Gap, all in khaki pants and
different solid, brightly colored T's...red, hot pink, orange, mango, yellow, gold,
greens and such. What visual impact this made with the 40 men on stage. The
singing was mostly good and the camping and dancing was hilarious. Afterwards,
Bill, Jose and myself went to Cafeteria for a late dinner. This is a restaurant on
South Beach that originated in New York. The place was stellar looking and is known for serving great "comfort food". We had fried chicken with waffles, shrimp
with grits and macaroni and cheese. Pretty yummy and oh so not dietetic. Got home after 1AM, which is the latest I have been out in ages.
Last night was the 5th game in the NBA playoff's. Go Miami Heat. What a game!
Basketball is so amazing. Fast and furious and you can never tell what's going
to happen next. The game was a once in a lifetime, going into overtime and
YES, the Heat finally winning by 1 point. I was so wound up I couldn't fall asleep
till after 3AM.
Had a wonderful surprise when I visited my eBay listings this morning. Three
out of the 4 cards listed have bids. Proof, therefore, that indeed there is a God.
Just kidding, of course, but what a delightful miracle. Here I am complaining about how slow things have been. This is a great relief for me and provides
the encouragement I need to keep on with this art posting stuff. Hooray.
To anyone who is reading this, perserverance pays off. Put one foot in front of
the other and just keep going on. Eventually it works out, I think.
That's it for now.
Keep good thoughts and do the next right thing.
Imagine peace. Say your prayers and remember to eat your fruits and vegtables.
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