A Visit with Porsche

I visited my ancient horse for the first time since my surgery in March. She may be old but she's strong so I was afraid to visit until I was sure my back could handle her.

Now we both have back issues: she's sway backed and I'm numb in places! Anyway, she looked great, especially for a lady of her years. She was glad to see me but not overwhelmed. Now I know why... a friend had offered to look after her while I was in treatment. Well, she has been washing, grooming, and walking her.... and giving her special treats. I am really going to have to step up my game to keep up with that! Thanks, Dana, it meant a lot to know someone was checking in on her.

It was really good to be out in the open air again. There was a light breeze despite the fact that it will get to 100 degrees this afternoon. And the grass is still green enough to be a treat for Porsche; later in the summer we'll have to look longer to find a green patch.

When I rub her forehead she rests her chin on my shoulder. I remember when she was young and frisky I was afraid of her... and she knew it. But now we have both mellowed.

And They're Off!

This is a guest post from Elaine Douglas.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever hear myself say “I hope to get my braces off by my 64th birthday.” But I did. Many times. And it almost happened. They actually came off a couple of weeks after the birthday. How did I get here? Definitely a F(requently)A(sked) Q(uestion)!!

About two years ago when I was in for my (almost) semi-annual appointment, my dentist decided to develop a “long range plan treatment plan” for me. Actually it is quite encouraging to begin a long-range plan when you’re nearly ready for Medicare. Anyway, one of the first recommendations was orthodontia. Most of us probably remember from junior high school: metal bands, regular tightening of the brackets, wax to prevent the wires from poking the inside of our mouth, etc. Not fun!! But this time it was a lot different. I didn’t spring for the more expensive Invisalign braces. I figure they aren’t truly invisible so I might as well not try to kid anyone. Today the brackets are applied directly to the teeth, skipping the awful metal bands. Fortunately, each adjustment only resulted in a day or two of minimal pressure, never any actual pain. It always amazed me how many adult patients I saw in the waiting room, and how many people I encountered in other places who were also in braces. I guess I just never noticed before. This journey has been worth it. Whether you had braces a half-century ago and have noticed some shifting of your teeth, or just always wished you could straighten them, I can definitely recommend considering seeing an orthodontist.

Finally, one week ago the braces came off, I got my retainer, and now I’m ready for the next step in my long-range plan. This will involve “restorative work”, ie a little cosmetic dentistry. But why not? The kids are grown and flown (certainly with memories of their own braces) and I guess now it’s my turn again. I have fond memories of incredulous stares at the 45-year high school reunion. I must have been the youngest looking one there with braces and (now) glasses! It was like I was in junior high all over again.

But for the 50-year reunion in a few more years, I hope to have contact lenses, or at least snazzier frames. Now about these few extra pounds. This will really require some dedication.

The Big Sink Cleaning

I cleaned the kitchen sink today. Not just the quick wipe around the edges, but the disposer, every little part of the faucet, scrubbing the stainless with a real stainless steel cleaner.

I was inspired by the healthy housekeeper. Laura Dellutri has a Website at www.healthyhousekeeper.com with lots of organizing and cleaning tips. She suggests rinsing your sink with bleach and water after you've cooked with raw food. Did you notice recently that they never found the cuprits in several food poisoning cases? Instead food manufacturers recommend cooking food at higher temperatures.

Well, I'm thinking I should be more careful with food preparation. I've also discovered that Victoria has developed some bad habits while I've been in Houston. She feels free to get on the kitchen counters!

Laura also suggests you use paper towels when handling raw meat. If you wipe your hands on a cloth towel you may be spreading germs. Clean counters with a disinfecting wipe that says it kills 99.9 percent of germs & bacteria. Clean sponges by soaking them in a bowl of water with one teaspoon of bleach. Or microwave 2-3 minutes in bowl covered with water (Make sure the sponge doesn't have a metal scrubber side.)

And, of course, wash your hands! A lot.

What you need to know when caring for the elderly

If you care for an elderly family member, do you know what documents you would need in an emergency? I had never really thought about things like this until my cancer treatment. Better to think about it ahead time than to wait until you really need it.

Imagine that your loved one living with dementia has unexpectedly fallen and is in need of medical attention. Imagine your loved one has wandered and
you need to contact the authorities. Will you have your medical information
about your loved one readily available to share with the professional who could
save their life? Will you have their legal documents readily accessible should
you need them in an emergency?

Amy Praskac is the founder of On the Record which helps families compile
critical information notebooks to help when an emergency strikes. Come and
learn what information you need to gather to be prepared when a personal
emergency strikes.

When a Personal Emergency Strikes–Will You Be Prepared?
Free & open to the public
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Call 512-918-2800 or email austin@arden-courts.com for reservations.

Seating is limited, so make your reservation early. Adult day care will
be provided by qualified staff. Please ask for this service when making your
reservation. Light refreshments will be served.

Event to be held at:
Arden Courts
Alzheimer’s Assisted Living
11630 Four Iron Drive
Austin, TX 78750

Looking for a Job?

Several years ago when I was laid off from my job as an Air Force contractor, I needed help getting back in the job search mode. My resume needed to be updated. I felt I needed interview tips. I got lots of tips from the classes at the Texas Workforce Commission on Airport Blvd. Kathy L taught the classes and told me about the Launch Pad Job Club.

I am hearing about lots of young adults getting laid off now and they might benefit from this. You only have to attend one meeting to have access to their (and here is the important part) job listings. As people, especially Kathy, hear about openings they are posted on this Yahoo! based club. Quite a few of the listings are tech-related but some are government (what I was looking for) and other areas.

So glad to be back

I am so glad to have finished my cancer treatment(9 months!)and I am so glad to be back writing. Many thanks for all of the prayers. I have spent a lot of time at M.D. Anderson undergoing chemo, radiation, and surgery. I met some wonderful caregivers and patients there. The staff at M.D. Anderson are incredible! We are so lucky to have this facility in Texas. And cancer patients are some of the bravest (& most determined) people in the world.

My doctors are very pleased but I understand that there are no promises in life. I so very grateful to God and my family and friends who kept me moving forward when I was just plain tired of being sick. It was a rare and aggressive tumor in my back next to my spine.

I had always been in perfect health so this was a real shock. I will never take health for granted again. In fact, there are many things that I will not take for granted.

Making a Difference: Wells in Ethiopia

Dick Moeller, Joyce's husband, is making trips to Africa for Water to Thrive, a new Texas nonprofit that partners with A Glimmer of Hope, to bring water wells to Ethiopian villages.

This is the note he wrote from his most recent trip with his daughter Meredith. Just had to share it....

"It is Wed morning with a little down time before we head to Kellum this afternoon.

As you might expect.....our emotions have run the complete spectrum.....joy, fatih, trust, love, concern, overwhelmed, thankfulness, helplessness, respect, honor, blessed......and on and on.

Our celebration at the 3 completed wells was totally overwhelming. Such joy, hope and thankfulness with blessings shared all around. Truly remarkable......beyond words really.

On Sunday afternoon, we headed east out of Addis to visit several Glimmer water points and schools and then on to two communities in need of access to fresh water.

Monday was travel to Axum (Tigray region) in the morning, then visits to 3 completed wells, one in progress and one stop at a water collection site in need of fresh water. The attached "amateur" pictures are from that portion of the trip. Adi_Nefas was the first completed well visit, and Seyabo was the second. We were totally exhausted by the end of the day and emotionally drained. It was an easy sleep!

Tuesday morning we traveled back to Addis. We visited the Glimmer office and then two afternoon meetings with John Halvorson at LWF and Zerihun Desta, Development Director for Mekan Yesus. Both started a little tense, but in the end they were good meetings. At least we are communicating openly and have a path of cooperation. Time will tell how well it will work. I felt good about the outcome of the meetings. More when I return.

We had dinner last evening with some of the Glimmer team to get to know them better. A very enjoyable evening. My respect continues to grow for the Tameru and the whole Glimmer team. They have their values truly aligned with the people they serve. So great to see it in action.

We are off to Kellum later today and should be back in Addis Saturday afternoon. Tameru has a relationship with the Mekane Yesus church in that area as some of Glimmer's early projects were done in cooperation with them. We will meet them on Friday after visiting potential new fresh water points on Thursday.

Blessings to you from the people of Adi-Nefas, Seyabo and Ketema"

Dick and Meredith

For $3,500, Water to Thrive provides a first water well for 400 Ethiopians.
That's $7 per person (2 lattes or 2 bottles of water at your local airport)
100% of contributions go to changing lives. They have proven partners with local management. Go to www.watertothrive.org learn more.