I Need A "Silent Night"

Whew!!! Where do I start??? With the good stuff, always! I just got back from Lake Charles, Louisiana where my best friends Glenn & MaDonna live. I got to stay about 5 or 6 days and it was so good to be able to go this time of year to enjoy all the holiday decorations and beautiful Christmas trees. When I landed in Houston and MaDonna picked me up, we literally hit the ground running. Our first stop was one of the greats in Houston...Pappacittas. (sp?) They made the most fabulous guacamole dip right there at the table, and it was oh so delicious!!! We had a chance to catch up on the little things on our drive back to LC.

Then, when we got home that day we started helping MaD's mom, Brenda McFall work on a 50's and over progressive party where the main meal was to be served at their house the next night.

Then it was getting close to dinnertime so Glenn & MaDonna treated me to a wonderful restaurant called Pat's of Henderson. I had a big bowl of gumbo with potato salad and it really hit the spot. I LOVE that kind of food, so my goal was to try to get to eat as much cajun cookin' as I could while I was down there.

Then on Saturday MaDonna came into my room and asked if I wanted to go with her and help do the food or if I wanted to sleep in a little more......I opted to sleep, but then didn't wake up until 2:08 p.m.!!!!!!! I was so embarrassed that no one had awakened me, but it also felt REALLY good to get to sleep that long too!!! So, I got up and got ready as soon as I could and a then it was like stepping onto a hamster's wheel for the rest of the day making sure everything was ready for the over 50's party. I got to meet several of MaDonna's good friends from the church as well, so it was fun visiting with them and getting to know them a bit too. We served 2 separate groups of about 50 people and had a LOT of fun. Those older folks still have a LOT of pep in their step!! Then started the clean-up, but as my mom always says, "Many hands make for light cleaning." And before long all the workers were sitting around the table, the house once again quiet save the sounds of the holiday music and light conversation at the table. And man do these people KNOW how to cook down here! I've never been to any other part of the country where the flavors of each food is so intense. We served Rice Dressing, Beef Brisket, Baked Beans, Rolls & Sweet Tea. Mmm Mmm Good!!!!

Sunday was church. They had a guest speaker come in and preach that weekend. His name was Dannie Hood and he did a terrific job. I really needed to hear that sermon and took it to heart. Unfortunately, MaDonna had a Christmas concert that night and we couldn't attend the night service. After lunch we headed up to north Louisiana to Harrisonburg for MaDonna to do a concert for a church Christmas banquet. It was a good time and gave us 6 driving hours to talk, & talk, & laugh, & stroll down memory lane, & talk some more, then deciding we needed something from Dairy Queen, then deciding we needed coffee!!! We finally made it back home by 1:00 a.m. and collapsed in our beds!!

Monday we did a little shopping. Then we left around 5:00 that evening to drive up to Alexandria, LA to watch a Christmas musical called, "Imagine Christmas". It was like a broadway show. The lights, costume, & art design were top notch and the praise and worship in the building at the end was palpable. They told us this was their last year to do it, so I was so glad I got to see it.

Then Tuesday was our huge day to go shopping! We did mostly boutique shops and she took me to a store called "S&M" which is like a VERY upscale Hudson's store...if you know what kind of store that is. I bought several Christmas gifts, so it was a very productive day.

Then in the evening, Glenn wanted to have a family night at home, so we got the stuff to make smothered pork chops and went home and cooked at home. Mama McFall made the smothered pork chops and they were SOOOOOOO good and tender. She also made a hashbrown casserole that was so good too. MaDonna whipped up a couple of pumpkin pies for dessert and we could hardly stand to wait to let them cool enough to eat. I made some homemade sweetened fresh whipped cream for the top and we ate that while we watched "Julie & Julia". We got so tired as soon as the movie was over we just shut off all the lights, barely said good night to each other and again, just fell into unconsciousness in our comfy beds!!

That night as I was going to bed I was feeling a little weird with my stomach and my heart. I laid down and went to sleep, but I felt like I was going to drown if I laid on my back too much. Then about 3:00 in the morning I got so sick the closest I could make it to the bathroom was throwing up violently in the sink. I was shaking with the chills trying to think of what I needed to do. So, I got myself a bit together and found my way into Glenn & MaDonna's room and told them to start praying for me. I finally got settled down and went back to my own bed and the next day I was wiped, but not nauseated. Now, THAT'S how you know you have good friends...people who you can barge in their room at 3:00 a.m. and know they won't mind!!!

So, next day was my day to leave. I was sad already because I knew I would be missing everyone so much! I had bought WAY too much stuff, and we had to add an extra check=in bag PLUS an extra carry on!! Needless to say my shoulders are very sore today from having to carry all that weight all day.

We left Lake Charles in PLENTY of time to get to Houston, but there were two fatal wrecks on the way coupled with construction and it was a mess!! By 3:15 I knew I was going to miss my non-stop 5:15 flight to St. Louis. So I called and they said if I could get to the airport they would put me on standby for the next plane. Long story short instead of getting in @ 7:00 p.m., I got home around 10:00 p.m.! But, all is well and I have all my luggage so "all's well that ends well"!

I had to have a bunch of tests done at the hospital today. Things are not looking good for me, but something I've known for about three weeks...just didn't want to deal with it while I was gone. The thing that broke me down today was the imminent fact that dialysis is something that we're seriously facing within the next 1-2 months. Chemotherapy may also be started again. It's been the big elephant in the room for the past couple of weeks, just didn't want to dwell on it, as I've said. We will see what the labs show tomorrow and go from there as far as what the next step will be. I am devastated and concerned, so please continue to keep me in your prayers. I don't want the light at the end of the tunnel to be the light from the oncoming train!! :) :) :)

My wish for you is the happiest & most cherished holiday season with your family & friends. Cherish all of your moments together and HAVE A PARTY!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by - Melanie