Looks Like Christmas-ish

There are certain people who cannot resist mint chocolate – especially during Christmas season and, well, during St. Patrick's/Shamrock Shake time either. Me. I am those people!

Today, since I was actually home on a Saturday with no solid plans, I checked out some holiday expo that was being held at the Hotel Mead. Well it was HUGE this year with 80+ vendors spread out all over the first floor of the hotel, filling conference/banquet rooms and the lobby. I ran into so many people I knew, too, making it the best social hour (er, 90+ minutes) ever!

I had no real agenda or shopping list in mind (rookie mistake) but I found plenty to buy – including the homemade mint-chocolate bark pictured. Also, Millers' Amish farm had Coconut Creme fry pies as their featured flavor of the day. I bought 2 for the "deal" and said I didn't plan on sharing them! I did buy some fresh garlic beef sticks for hubby (possibly to appease my guilt) and a few stocking stuffers, but not really that much. 

Still it really got me in the mood for the upcoming season. I may have to turn on Hallmark tonight!

When I got home, Jim and I went up to Stevens Point to visit an old newspaper friend we very much keep in touch with – who just had some back/neck fusion type surgery. Great to see Scottie, but wow, I would not do well being in a neck brace for 12 weeks! So many hugs and prayers, my friend.

Got home and decided to work on our family Christmas card because Walgreens has a 70% off deal until 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT! Well, that's been interesting. I asked the boys for pictures of them and their ladies. I didn't think I had to point out "from 2025" but Mr. Smooth had a nice picture from early 2024 in Raleigh, N.C. Nope. Mom says no. Follow the basic rules of family Christmas cards everywhere. Also, while I think he and his girl are super photogenic, people can be hyper-sensitive so I am respecting that.

And sending them the bill if they can't agree on something well before midnight for this discount!

You're right, that is pretty Grinch-y. Maybe I will just head to the basement for a 2-hour Hallmark timeout. 

Looks and feels like the Christmas-y thing to do! Embrace the season, my friends.

Get In Line

The beautiful sunrise commute inspired me this morning as I made my way back to office for the first time in a week. To be honest, my body was not ready to return but I wanted to deliver that darn birthday trifle. 

Another night of coughing (for both of us) so I was pretty exhausted. I think that's our unfortunate current state of existence.

I did give it the old college try though and made it until lunchtime before deciding to drive home and work remotely for the afternoon. Since hubby had went back to the walk-in clinic this morning and got some prescriptions, I figured I better head over there, too, as my first order of business.

Turns out we are not the only ones with respiratory predicaments. Get in line! Thank goodness they had the Hallmark channel on in the waiting room!

My appointment took forever and, turns out, I have some prescriptions of my own. But here we are 6 hours later and the pharmacy doesn't have them ready. According to my app, they are super busy and "Sorry, we're running behind schedule." So we'll see what time we get our goods. 

And how quickly they produce any results.

I'm not going to be a birthday hero or any type of martyr tomorrow, that's for sure. If my coughing is the same as today I'll just stay put. I feel super blessed that this is something I can do with my current job. 

Hope you all are escaping the fall crud!

This Is Why We Go Through Crappy Mondays

While I was clearly griping and whining about my second round colonoscopy prep going like the first (Up-Chuck City), I came across the announcement about our Royals Volleyball team's annual Spike It To Cancer night...

The recipient of this year's fundraiser is the woman the exact same YOUNG age as me – and she's battling stage four colon cancer. Wow. That was a wake-up call.

How dare I complain about my literally crappy Sunday and Monday and this is her "every day"? Please help spread the word so we can fill the gym and help support Christine. JV game starts at 5:30 and Varsity game will be at 7 p.m.  Basket raffles and 50/50 will be drawn during the Varsity game. We should all be feeling lucky about right now. 💙

As for my experience today, they did do the procedure. Thank God I didn't feel anything this time (another nightmare). And they only found one thing they gotta get tested. Was home by late morning and took a little nap on the recliner.

Our Hack-A-Thon in this house did not take a break during this other crappy drama. Right now I feel like my cough got worse. Dang!! I did manage a second nap and will go to bed early with actual cough syrup I can now have that my procedure is over.

I did have one task to get done this afternoon. No worries. Did not work at all. Wise advice. I did however promise to whip together for a birthday at work tomorrow. 

First I masked up because no one needs what we've got going on here!!

Secondly, I followed doctor's orders and did not operate heavy machinery. My mom's rolling pin was the heaviest!

The result...

The ugliest and most sloppy-looking trifle I've ever laid claim too. All my layers are merging. Ugh. Maybe the anesthesia hasn't totally warn off. I mean, they'll still probably eat. Hopefully I'll have more normal stomach and appetite back tomorrow so I can too!

Have a great week. Hope to some of you at volleyball Thursday night! 

Getting Pumped Up Around Here

Yesterday was a gorgeous fall day so I finally got little pumped up and pumpkin-ed up with holiday spirit.

Yup, headed back over to our neighbor's Pumpkin Shed. When I purchased the painted witch one up top – the one I call my self-portrait pumpkin – I had idea for some even smaller pumpkins...

Ta-da! Halloween decorating is done! Of course when these giant alphabet stickers do fall off, I may have to give painting a try. At least bring out Mr. Sharpee.

Yesterday was also a beautiful day to watch OTHER PEOPLE run! The Wisconsin Rapids high school hosted a cross country meet and our Royal Runners were taking part. Our girls team finished in the smaller school division! Finish strong. It's playoffs time1

Speaking of playoffs... to congrats to any friends who are Brewers fans! Onto the next round!

Today was even cooler than yesterday. Hubby and both stayed home from church. Him with his cough and me with cough – but mainly getting pumped up... with colonoscopy prep stuff. Trying the pill form instead of the yucky drink. But so far I have not kept any of them down. Not good. I start round two in an hour. Hopefully that goes better. Hate for them to turn me away in the morning. I've sacrificed so much already!

Alright I gotta keep this short so I can stay much closer to another room in the house! 

Hope you had a good fall weekend. Let's have crap-free week, shall we? (Yes, I had to go there.)

Home Hack-A-thon

So here's an interesting fact. Large companies like the one I work for often have huge IT departments and they occasionally have a "hack-a-thon" to test our company's cyber security. This week, though, it's been a bit of a different kind of hack-a-thon between hubby and me.

He wins. 

Or loses really. Coughing so much it's insane. I think I'm a day behind on this. So today I worked from home with my stuffed up head and sore throat while he went to the clinic to see what the heck was up.

All we know is that we are COVID-free. Sometimes we forget that's still an option. And there's just "crap going around" that we'll have just have to "let it run its course." Which according to Dr. Not Helpful could be 7-14 days. Boo.

Anyway, so here we are stuck at home after work. No golfing for him and no choir practice for me. Just trying to cheer on the Brewers in the post-season. But that didn't turn out so well. Sorry, friends.

Now we'll just see what we should eat for supper. Since stuffy noses lead to no taste. But don't feel sorry for us. Neither one of our teams our baseball teams are losing the playoffs.

Mainly because they've been eliminated! LOL. 

Yeah, someday I'll find humor in that. For today, just welcome any prayers for good health!

Annual Checkup Challenges

So step one of the annual physical is getting some blood drawn to capture your current body situation as it relates to cholesterol and various unnamed things.

I fasted Tuesday night and went there Wednesday morning to "donate" blood. I have acknowledged many times over the years that I faint either at the sight of blood – or the lovely needle. So why stray from that pattern? 

So here I was and they poked my right arm... then my left arm... apparently I inherited tiny veins just like my previously mentioned tiny Hedberg eyes. Then I acknowledged I may faint soon and the ice pack for my neck became a reality. This is old habit for those of us who always faint.

Unfortunately, the phlebotomist then said the only option was the more painful blood draw from my hand. And it was. But I got a firm compression bandage and juice box out of it to keep me upright. Yay for physicals.

Of course, one of the outcomes of a physical at a certain age is the dreaded colonoscopy appointment. Sounds simple-ish but when you have to get in the drive-thru line at the pharmacy, you realize everyone on the planet needs their drugs, er meds.

I mean, I waited in line for close to 40 minutes for my "prep medications" and there were cars behind me. I feel bad for how much our society needs and relies on medications of some sort.

Unless we're all in line to clean out our plumbing in 2 weeks. 

Spare Ribs or Just Misplaced?

I was thinking a bit about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden today. Why? Well, funny story, turns out my back pain this week is caused by a rib out of place!

Can that happen? Apparently so. 

I remember this happened to Carter many years ago and I thought his chiropractor was a quack. But I trust mine to the moon and back, so it must be true.

Had an appointment after work today. As soon as she touched that area on my back, I let out a yelp. And was reminded that no wonder that Shiatsu massage chair hurt so much. It was digging in right where that rib was out of joint. She did her best (and quite painful) ministering to push it back into place. I did not feel immediate relief but I should know come morning if that did the trick. Otherwise, it's another try on Friday.

What could cause this since there was no trauma?

Probably lots of things. But ... she almost hid behind her desk when she said, "It could be too much golf with no stretching."

The nerve!

Since most of our twisting in golf is one-directional, she said I need to do specific stretches for the "other direction" to help compensate and keep muscles loose. "Do these stretches and that's the only way I'm going to let you golf."

Yes, ma'am. Anything you say, ma'am. I have league tomorrow!

I'll keep my fingers (and apparently my ribs) crossed.

Friday the 13th Doesn't Have to be Unlucky

 

I'm not super-stitious. Just a little-stitious. Still, I'm always a bit wary about full moons and Friday the 13ths. 

When you think about it, a lot of hotels and buildings omit the 13th floor due to a superstition called triskaidekaphobia – the fear of the number 13. This aversion is rooted in historical and cultural beliefs that the number 13 is unlucky and, naturally, that can cause some anxiety and unease for some people. 

But as the Friendly Reminder above tells us, we don't have to focus on the negative part. I mean, 13 could be lucky.

Today, in fact, my sister Rachel – in a rehab facility after what was probably her 8th surgery following her near-fatal accident last year (this one to re-break and straighten her leg) – managed to walk 20 steps! What a lucky day. Well a little luck and a lot of grit and determination!

This evening, Jim and I got to eat dinner in Stevens Point with our old friend Toni, who we worked with at the newspaper years ago and at Krause Publications in Iola. It was great to catch up. How lucky we are to have long-lasting friendships!

Then when we got home, our boy called. They're coming up Sunday for Father's Day. Double lucky.

POSTIVE-ly lucky!

A Few More Requests, My Prayer Warriors

First of all, I thank all of my friends and family who have prayed on demand when I've asked for it. Secondly, I send super hugs to all of you who follow up later – even months later – to see how the situation is going.

I love you for that – and so does my family!

It's been almost 11 months since my sister Rachel was in a life-threatening, almost life-taking car accident. After 3 months in a trauma center then several months of rehab, we were encouraged with her progress. I mean she took several steps at Christmas unaided by a walker or cane.

But sometimes your body takes a minute to reveal what's happening internally.

She now faces a minimum of 3 more surgeries – starting with one tomorrow – and I don't know how her mind and body can handle it. I'm asking for prayers for physical, mental, and emotional strength for her. 

And frankly, please God, make these the last medical efforts to help her whole-y heal! I don't think I'd have the physical or mental power to endure what she has. That's why she's awesome. And I'm just the praying sister.

Thanks for your past and future support!

Just Coughing, er Checking, Things Out

Since my dear hubby was diagnosed with bronchitis this week, he urged me to get to the Walk-In Clinic this morning after a night of coughing, etc.

Turns out I just have a cough/cold that needed some nasal spray and a night-time cough medicine.

That's a relief. I also realized I have the perfect method to eliminate double chins – just cover them up with a mask!

But seriously, since I had a few raffle baskets to deliver to our hockey team's Stick It To Cancer Night, I was glad I didn't have anything too serious happening.

And really, can I pass up a date night with Mr. Zamboni? And even though I didn't win any baskets, our team won! And I will have to wait until normal human hours to go through the pictures. In other words... sometime Sunday!

100% Kick Ass-ery

I started my road trip up to Luck early this morning with an attitude inspired by my new air freshener courtesy of my friend Sara.

But it didn't take me long after arriving at my sister Rachel's house to realize SHE is the one who's a bad ass and kicking ass -- if I may say so.

I'm here for 3 days and she is so Miss Independent I can't believe her progress. As I type this, she has somehow wheeled herself into the bathroom and is able to take a shower. All without my assistance.

I was a bit nervous signing up for duty for a few days, but now I'm just in awe. However, I did kick her butt in cards tonight so I'm not THAT nice of a sister.

The afternoon was spent catching up with my twin, who I tagged off on the mild care duties, and Rachel's son (my cowboy nephew Zach) who came by with his wife and they smoked a seriously tasty steak for dinner. I also started scanning some pictures for our mom's memorial service -- which is in Grantsburg on August 10.

In the picture above, my new superhero Rach is lower left and I am middle right -- realizing I still wear my hair that way when I'm hot or don't have time to curl it. Ha.

I'll be working from my legit HOME office in Luck, Wisconsin, the new couple days. I literally can see my high school from here. I guess some things come full circle, Too bad there isn't summer school going on so I can teach those kids about writing for the school newspaper.

Or prepare them that even if you're from Luck, you won't always have GOOD luck on your side. 

Have a great week, everyone!

And Then What?

What a week! Oh wait, it's only Tuesday! Well thanks to the current wicked weather, they rescheduled some sports to yesterday afternoon and evening.

So thanks to that, I shot pictures of the Lady Royals 18-0 regional round 2 victory over Alma Center. And shot some of our boys Senior Night and final regular season game of the baseball season. They won, huge!

I was editing lots of pictures last night and didn't get the time to blog. And tonight, well, it could go anywhere if I blog too soon.

Major severe weather warnings here and there – not the least of which is high winds, maybe hail, maybe a twister. Also, I'm dealing with the uncertainty of Mom's health.

Got a call today that she's really, really struggling. I'm not surprised after seeing her this weekend, Bacterial pneumonia when you have COPD is not a good combo. And now, despite the oxygen, she just can't catch her breath and be the mom who kicked my butt in cards just a little over 48 hours ago.

So I left work at noon and came home. In case I received news that turned me into an emotional mess. No news of that sort yet, but I'm still an emotional mess.

And now severe weather is surrounding us and I'm cocky like that's nothing compared to what we've been dealing with. Still, at the first major flash of lighting or a power outage, I'll take cover. I'm cocky but also practical. 

Be safe tonight! 

Roller Coaster Weekend

Not to sound like old hat, but I'd prefer a boring weekend with nothing to do and no place to go over a roller coaster of a ride through ups and downs and loops of emotions.

Saturday morning dawned sunny and warm – and about to get hot. 

My only mission was getting hanging flower baskets. I always wait until later in May, hoping to miss the risk of freezing temperatures.

I was not the only one with this line of thinking. Apparently hundreds of people – at one store alone – thought it was National Spend Too Much Money on Hanging Flower Baskets Day. I was happy with my purcha$e$. 😀 Got home, hung them up, mowed around the house, clipped the long grass close to the curb and front landscaping area, then took a shower. 

That was an "up" the roller coaster part.

Then it went "down." My twin called me and let me know that Mom had gone from the nursing home to the ER and had pneumonia. But it did not look good. Like "maybe you better drive up and see her" type of not good. 😟

Nothing like trying to make a 4-hour trip in less than 4 hours when there's road construction and detours! Two promising signs on my drive: 

These clouds were opening up like God was saying "I got you" when it comes to prayers for my mother, sister, and close friend with scary health issues. 

Then, as I was scanning channels, some song named LeRoy came on and I figured Dad was guiding my drive and watching over Mom, too!

Got there just before visiting hours ended to see Mom and see that thankfully their emergency administrations of oxygen and whatnot (not to diminish it, I just don't know) were helping her. She was able to communicate again. And though she had a tough cough, I was there when the tele-doctor was visiting her. 

When he asked her about what she thought might be bringing on her bouts of nausea, she answered, "I know one thing it's NOT. I'm not pregnant." The doctor got a good chuckle from that and said, "Marlys, if you're still making jokes, you're doing just fine."

That's my mom! 😀

After that, I called hubby to update him and learned that we got hail twice in the evening and the future state of my new flower$ was que$tionable. 😟

I slept at my sister Nell's place nearby and was able to get back to the hospital before 9 a.m. She just finished breakfast and was very tired. I offered her a chance to nap or play cards and she responded, "I think you know what I'd rather do." So I retrieved her cards from her nursing home room.

And she proceeded to kick my butt. (I'm embarrassed to show the score!) There's a fine line between luck and skill, but I haven't determined what that is yet. Her nurse said Mom has basically played cards against every nurse on every shift and even taught a few how to play. She's definitely not ready to give in and miss her play time!

On my way out of town, I had a quick lunch with my sister RoAnn, her son Travis and his family.

My great-niece is pretty much the cutest lunch date I could have! 😀

I managed to find a route home with minimal construction – thankfully! And was still an hour from home when Jim called me asking if I got a text. I said my phone dinged but I was waiting to stop at a gas station to check them.

Turns out I won the Assumption grand raffle of $5,000! Well that's something to end this roller coaster ride with! 😀 Before today: "I never win anything!" Now: "I might not beat Mom at cards but I can win something!" Based on all my "medical trips" to see family, I'll count this is gas money for now.

And maybe hail-damaged flower replacement. We'll see. 

Thanks for all your continued prayers. Let's all have a normal, even-keel week, shall we?

Beating the Odds

Sometimes life is like the Kentucky Derby. We all start out with the notion we all have an equal chance at surmounting our challenges.

Even when we're aways into our journey, we think we have a chance.

And sometimes we can overcome it. Not be a nose, but maybe by a nostril. Pretty insane.

Congrats to Mystik Dan for winning the Kentucky Derby. 

And congrats to my sister that today – 5 weeks after her head-on collision – she has her IV's and her feeding tube removed. If anyone has beat the odds and deserves a crown of roses around her neck, it's Rachel. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all your prayer and positive thoughts. Thanks to you, she keeps beating the odds. 

Life Detours

There's two seasons in Wisconsin – Blaze Orange and Orange Barrels. If you know, you know. 

Even though I'm facing a detour on my commute the next 7 months, I didn't realize we'd get simultaneous major detours in life. My family has had quite the orange barrel season the past month.

The good news is that my mom is out of the hospital. Yay! But she is going to the nursing home section of the same hospital. She's having a positive attitude, so that's good. It will be different to visit her where Dad was living in his last days. I hope that she's there much longer than Dad was.

The other good news is that my sister Rachel had some 8 hours in surgery today and she survived just fine. Hopefully, that means her left elbow and foot are fixed. The last of all those broken bones. Praise the Lord! 

I guess when we see how much work HAS to be done, we sometimes have to remember that we have to trust it will be done. Maybe not on the timeline we wish for, but it will be done. 

Thanks for all the prayers for my family. But we still need them. I can't imagine what it will be like when Rachel tries to take her first steps when both legs have injuries. Just like I can't imagine what Mom will go through the first time she wants to bake something or tend to all her African violets.

We'll need prayers for just a bit longer as we navigate these detours. Thank you!

The Medical Marvel Tour

Our interstates always have safety messages. But the one today was a real "no kidding" one. That could be for any time of year. Plus, there are other things to watch out for.

It was 4 weeks ago today that my sister and a friend left her house to go to Saturday afternoon church service to celebrate Easter. Never realizing that that drive would change her live irrevocably. In some ways, the last 4 weeks have felt more like 4 months – at least. But thankfully, all of our prayers seem to be working.

Hubby and I smartly decided to do our "hospital rounds" over two days instead of one like I did last week. So we headed north after work yesterday.

We stopped for a delicious dinner at Milwaukee Burger Co. before going onto Rice Lake – our destination of the evening. This framed print was hanging in our hotel room. Really tempting to walk off with it for a birthday present for Carter, who collects license plates. 

But, we were law-abiding citizens, of course, when we headed up to Grantsburg hospital this morning.

My twin sister met us there so Mom got to visit with both of her babies. Even though Raylene found some reason to remind me she's 9 minutes younger. Ha.

Mom is looking 100% better than when I visited her last week. And, most importantly, she's feeling better. While we were there, she demonstrated how sharp her mind still is by beating both Jim and I in cards. And we were really, really trying! That made me feel good, though, that she still has her wits about her despite the trauma to some of her body.

But, for a strange flashback, one time when it was my turn at cards, she said, "Your turn, Reuben." That is something she hasn't called me since childhood. You can Google this, but there was a song that went like this:

Reuben, I have long been thinking,
What a good world this might be,
If the men were all transported
Far beyond the Northern Sea.

But she'd only sing the first two lines to me and we'd fill in the rest. I distinctly remember this one:

Mom: Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking what a grand world this might be...
Me: If only one thing had been invented.
Mom: What's that?
Me: I don't know. It hasn't been invented yet!

Thank you, Mom, for bringing a long-lost memory to the surface! She was also forward-thinking today. She is improving so much, they could release her next week from the hospital unit to what they call the Continuous Care Center – in the same building. Like a nursing home, but we won't call it that. And she's OK with it because her recent fall, in her words, scared the "H-E-double toothpicks" out of her!

Just thanks for praying for my mom and her recovery!

From there, we headed to St. Paul to see Rachel. She's the one who was in disbelief that it had been 4 weeks since her accident and in some ways couldn't believe it was that long ago – and in other ways, it has felt like forever ago.

She was in good spirits today. Since she loves singing and listening to music, Jim had a great idea to stop and get her a blue-tooth speaker. She absolutely loves it! Hopefully one small thing to keep her mind off of the long road ahead. She was also grateful that next week she'll have her 7th ( I believe) and final (fingers crossed) surgery when they address her left shattered elbow and ankle and foot. 

Oh, what she's been through and what lies ahead.

After living through this excruciating 4 weeks, I firmly believe both her and Mom are medical miracles. And praise the Lord for that! 

And all your prayers of support. If you're willing to keep it up, we'd all appreciate it. It's working!! 

Half Empty or Half Full?

When I noticed a half-moon on my way home tonight, it instantly brought to mind the question of whether my glass (attitude) is half-full or half-empty. With all the challenging situations on my plate, am I focusing on the positives more than the negatives?

It didn't take me long today to realize I was exhausted. Not just from the physical driving yesterday but all of the emotions attached to it. At that moment this morning, I was thinking about me and my empty tank. 

Later, I realized that all I can do about my sick family members is think the glass is half FULL and offer a positive attitude and prayer. Thankful for their progress. Hoping to fill that cup.

My struggle with coping with what's happening to my mom and sister is nothing compared to what they are literally going through. I need to remove ME from the situation and focus on them. 

If my "glass" is only half-full right now, I need to fill it up with prayer and positive thoughts. I need to realize that my prayers will be effective.

And as I told my sister yesterday, let's thank God for how far He's got us now!

At the end of the day, many of us should just thank God for what we have and for miracles he's performing that we don't even know about.

P.S. Extra prayers will still help!

Thank God for Modern Medicine

After passing several Amish conveyances on my way to and from the Twin Cities today, I was especially grateful for modern medicine.

Even though I've been sharing facts about my sister's condition this week, nothing could have quite prepared me to see it and her in person. 

As I'm pretty sure I've stated previously, if I had a rock band with Carter we'd be the Fainting Goats. As in we cannot handle the sight of blood or anything traumatic. My victory today was that I did not faint in the middle of Rachel's room. Thank God as they had way more important things to attend to with her!

After Thursday's surgery on her left leg, that was now bound with typical bandages you see on an athlete with a sprained ankle. But her left elbow and foot were still held together by vise grip type screws. I am sure there's a medical term for them. But that's what I wasn't prepared for.

So I just concentrated on looking into her eyes and talking to her. By the way, her glasses survived the crash without a scratch! 

I read to her from some daily devotion books we both like. It was by pure coincidence that today's totally hit home.

This was a great reminder for her to not worry about the future, but just concentrate on the moment. Be grateful for where you are right now.

And she's in such great hands at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. She even had nurse named Robyn with a Y! We bonded over that! It's a Robyn thing. Some of you might understand.

I gave her some time to rest after she enjoyed a Fudgesicle. Then our mom and sister Rayna arrived. (and sister Nell shortly after.) This was also Mom's first time seeing her. As she basically told Rachel's son and daughter-in-law last night: I'm coming no matter what. This is one of my babies. (I get that!!)

I'm so glad both Mom and I chose today so we could actually have a conversion with the Rachel we know. Though her voice is still just slightly above a whisper, we know she's in there. Thank you, God! 

One more shout out to Regions Hospital. You all are freaking amazing! From the surgeons to the personnel feeding her pudding and ice cream, we can't thank you enough for your tender care!

She's in the best hands and that is a comfort to her son, daughter-in-law, our Mom and the other 7 R's. Amen!

Coming A Long Way

My sister Rachel has come a long way since we took this picture with our puppy Dixie. And this week, it feels likes she made decades' worth of progress in just 6 days.

She got through Thursday's surgery on her leg just fine. And the doctor indicates it's looking good. Today, she was comprehending things pretty well and able to actually speak some words instead of just mouthing them – like right after the breathing tube was removed. 

She's still in ICU, but I might actually have a conversation when I visit her tomorrow. If you asked me 3 days ago, I would not have thought that was possible by the weekend. Definitely due to all your thoughts and prayers! Thank you from all of us.

Today, her son and daughter-in-law got a Caring Bridge site going. If you're unfamiliar, first, lucky you. It's an easy way for them to share updates without having to field lots of texts and phone calls about her condition. 

Click here to view Rachel's page. If you set up an account, you'll get notifications. Also, if you see pop-ups asking for donations, just know that those don't go to Rachel. They go to support the Caring Bridge organization.

I still plan to update you occasionally – especially after I finally see her in person.

Never underestimate the power of prayer! Thank you!

Making Tracks... Forward

As it happens once in awhile, the weather dudes were right. And we got a bit dumped on in the greater Wisconsin Rapids area. Enough for them to call off school today. Which means enough for me to think working from home is a good idea.

It wasn't terrible. Just a deep slushy, wet, slippery mess. As of this photo at 6 p.m. our street and the main road it leads into hadn't been plowed yet. 

But I wasn't upset because seeing these tracks was reflective of the day my sister had. Making tracks – slowly but surely – and still moving forward.

As a family not quite attuned to how tragedies work (thank you, God), we're quickly realizing that any tiny baby steps forward reflects progress!

Today was a good day for my sister. They removed her breathing tube and she was able to breathe on her own! Maybe with a little help, but mostly on her own. 

AND... yes, there's more... she opened her eyes and could communicate nonverbally (thanks to that breathing tube traumatizing her vocal cords a bit) and appeared to be aware of what was going on. And they already have therapists on the scene, so to speak, to start moving her arms, legs, whatever can move now. 

She undergoes yet another surgery Thursday so it's not like today's good news solves for everything. But it sure feels good to be heading in the right direction.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!