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

"Tis The Season"

Busy, busy day...

Dale had to go to the dentist @ 11:30...(by himself)

I had an appt. with my heart doctor @ 1:00...(we met at a gas station for Dale to get Gentry)

Heart doctor ordered a bunch of tests for my heart, but I told them I had a 3:00 appt....

They wrote some quick orders for all these tests...

Then had to schedule an echocardiogram for Wednesday...

3:00 appt. with Portrait Innovations where we usually get our family picture taken, as well as Gentry's birthday pictures......

I was running late, so I grabbed my clothes and swiftly walked to the "dressing room" to change...

The ladies stall was taken, but I was so late I had to go into the men's "dressing room"...

We finally got started with the picture and they turned out pretty good if I say so myself...

Then on to Factory Card Outlet to find some Batman topper for his cake and pick up plates & napkins & balloons...

Then we went to Toys R Us to let Gentry pick out what he wanted for his birthday and he choose a microphone that hooks in to his ipod...

Then he chose a guitar that does the exact same thing with the ipod...

Then to Chili's to feed our ravenous appetites....

Then to Maggie Moo's to find a cake for Gentry...

He picked one with yellow cake, blue cotton candy ice cream, marshmallow creme on the outside with sprinkles of M&M's...

Groceries were bought, Bills were mailed,

WHEW!!! I'm exhausted. So......as soon as I walked in the door the shoes came off immediately,

The Pajamas are put on in less than a minute, I got my ipod & computer and am in this cozy bed.

Tomorrow will be almost as crazy, but we just take each minute as it comes and above all - try to be patient & kind with those crazy holiday shoppers!!!!

NO CAVITIES!!!

Gentry had his appointment today to have the dentist check his teeth for any cavities and they found.....drum roll....NONE!! We were so proud of him. He's always loved brushing his teeth, so now they said he has to start learning how to floss!! Pretty tall orders for a little boy who will only be 4 next Tuesday! He got to pick out three toys, his new toothbrush, floss and toothpaste. The last picture he is showing me his nice white teeth after they cleaned & polished them. On the X-rays of his teeth you could already see all of his permanent teeth in place ready to make their entrance in a few years. It kind of made me sad because I realized that my little 4 pound helpless baby is growing up faster and faster. I cherish EVERY moment with him. He lights up my world with that sweet smile & those ice blue eyes of his!!

Two Months Later

My Uncle Stan, his wife, Kathy & My Baby Gentry

Well, I have plenty of excuses, and none at all for not keeping updated on my blogs. But here we are just a few days before Thanksgiving. We have had our share of valley experiences the past month with the passing of my dear Uncle Stan who I loved with my whole heart. He had suffered for about 23 months with cancer. His homegoing was beautiful and stories I've heard about his last moments here on this earth were nothing short of truly a heavenly experience. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is in the presence of the Lord. I miss his smile, his blue eyes that sparkled. I miss his stories and jokes. He gave the best hugs in the world too. I know he is in a better place now, but I still wish he was here with us. He certainly left us way too soon. The picture is him holding my Gentry when he was 3 weeks old and his PRECIOUS wife, Kathy behind him.

We enjoyed having our best friends, Glenn, MaDonna and their children, Easton and Chapel with us during the end of September. It was SO good to be able to see them all again and visit, laugh and enjoy old memories while making new ones as well. We got to go to a Cardinals baseball game while they were here. There is a picture of MaDonna and me at the stadium. The Cards lead 6-0 until around the 7th or 8th inning and the other team (can't remember who)...started STOMPING the Cards. We stayed til the very last out with our hopes high of a major comeback, but left with a 12-6 loss over the opposing team...the Twins maybe??? Now, Glenn and MaDonna and of course, my husband are NOT Cardinal fans, but they were kind enough to cheer my team on with me...and for that I thank them!! :) :) :)

MaDonna has been working on a new project for several months and it just released this past week. I've heard all the "rough" cuts and I have to tell you...YOU NEED TO BUY THIS CD! I think it's her best yet and she sounds as good as ever. You can probably get her information and address on their church website: livingway.cc.

My sweet little grandma Sullivan (pictured in my Father's Day blog) has just been diagnosed with breast cancer on top of having pneumonia that she is being hospitalized for. I think they said she will be in the hospital for about another week. She has Alzheimer's disease, but they say she is taking all of her newly diagnosed problems gracefully. I think she will be taking some sort of chemo in the form of a pill.

This past Sunday we received a devastating phone call getting news that our dear friend, Rich Wynn passed away from complications with double pneumonia. Rich and his family were the very first members of our church out in Virginia. From the moment we met him and his amazing family, we connected and over time they became our surrogate family while we lived in Fredericksburg. So, with broken and heavy hearts, we headed out to Virginia as soon as we had packed a few things and just got back home this afternoon.

Rich was from New York originally, so we had a memorial service in Virginia and the funeral in New York. It was amazing to see how many people he had impacted over the years. He spent many years caught up in an addiction with alcohol, but when God delivered him, he became a completely changed man, committed to the cause of Christ and telling everyone he came in contact with about the great things God had done in his life.

He leaves behind a beautiful wife, Rosalind and 5 children, Ivan (&Maddie), Maggie, Marian, Danielle, & Tommy. He told us so much about his extended family and we had actually had the privilege of meeting several of them, but the ones we hadn't meant in person yet, we finally got to meet. What a beautiful, close-knit family he was a part of. So, Rich's family as well as Roz's family...you've just acquired three more members of the family! :)

I love you, Rich...you will always be in my heart.

We also got to see our good friends, Mark & Chantel who pastor at Church on the Move. It was so good to see them again as well and their 3 boys who are nothing less than handsome, cute, good-lookin' kids! Thanks for all your help with Rich's Memorial Service too!

Well, I hope this hasn't been a depressing e-mail. But life is full of ups and downs and you can't always be on top of the world. My heart is heavy with sadness for my uncle Stan & Rich, but I also find comfort in the fact that these two men followed the plan of salvation and are at peace. Thank God for the comfort of the hope beyond the grave.

I will sign off for now. I have some funny Gentry stories I'll post later on this week. Heading to Mississippi at some point this week to be with the Rutland family for Thanksgiving. I wish you all a blessed holiday season. Don't miss an opportunity to tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Those memories are the ones that will be cherished for years to come.

Thanksgiving Blessings - Mel

Spoilers & Teasers...

Lunch - tossed salad...which consisted of brown edged lettuce, two tomatoes, FAT FREE Ranch dressing, chicken noodle soup, and scalloped potatoes. Now, how bad can THIS be? You guessed it. Apparently when you're placed on a heart floor, saying the word "salt" is a VERY VERY BAD CURSE WORD!!!! Too funny...I did eat it though!!! I found one teeny tiny packet of salt in the bottom of my purse and thought I'd found a priceless, missing diamond. Amazing how a little salt can entirely enhance the taste of foods in a way no other herb or spice can!! Ok...I'm saying too much....gotta keep my cliffhanger going for a day anyway. I'm outta here and off to sleepytown!! TTYL

Come on! You know your mouth is watering from that tangy & refreshing, GREEN BLOB of..?????!!! Nurse, Do I REALLY have to eat this? :)

Here are a few pictures I took and sent to a few people. This was only a "glimpse" into what my 5-star chef was whippin' up for me this week at Memorial Hospital down in the kitchen!!!! And, they wonder WHY? people don't want to eat it!!! How you can mess up some of these dishes is hard to fathom!!! And yet they never fail to bring something each and EVERY meal that tastes like it was cooked it dirty dishwater!!!!!

Enjoy the pics and I'll post ALL the drama that's happened this past week with my hospitalization. In short, I had a rare type of pneumonia that never cleared up, fluid to be drained off of my lungs, and have what they refer to as "transient congestive heart failure".

Lots of love, prayers, & gratitude for all of you who took the time to mention my name in prayer this week.

Mel

White Shoes...Permitted!

Has it REALLY been since July 18th that I've posted on my blog???? Oh my!! I guess I could come up with some really good excuses, but I figure I'd just save my time to post about what's been going on in our life since I last posted.

The main thing (which I despise), has been that I've been in and out of the hospital twice. I was admitted about three weeks ago and had a nice 10 day stay with my hospital friends. I had been feeling yucky for about a week or so before I was admitted...starting running high fevers...got a bit delirious (according to my husband & siblings :) )...had a terrible sore throat, earaches & cough...continuous nausea & vomiting...but the last straw that had us calling 911 was that my blood pressure bottomed out to around 80/40. Now, I know you're thinking, "You dummy, why didn't you go to the doctor before it got this bad?" Well, those of you who know me well know that I can, at times, be a bit stubborn...and I just DID NOT want to go to the hospital AGAIN!! So, with every passing day I would tell myself, "If I'm not better tomorrow, I'll call the doctor." And those "one day at a time" promises turned into getting really, really sick.

So, after much cajoling from my sweet sister who happened to stop by and visit me, we called 911 to come and take me to the hospital ER. Turns out I had walking pneumonia and was slapped in the ICU for 4-5 days. I was in a total of 10 days and got to come home.

I had a week of recovering and Dale had his annual male bonding trip planned. We thought I was doing better enough for him to go ahead and go on his hunting trip to Idaho, so Gentry and I stayed with mom and dad while Dale was gone. BUT...apparently the pneumonia wasn't done with me! :)

So, this past Wednesday I went BACK to the ER via ambulance because my BP had gone from 162/113 to 82/46 within an hour's time. I started having severe chest pain and trouble breathing, so off I was carted again and this time my liver decided to act up. My enzymes went sky high and kept climbing for two days. Apparently if you have a really high BP that goes low really quickly, your organs get deprived of oxygen and they go into shock. So, I went into liver shock. I was placed again in a step-down ICU and hooked up to all kinds of monitors, having a battery of blood tests done to try and figure out what was going on. When they listened to my lungs they told me I still had some lingering effects of the pneumonia and put me back on the antibiotics for that as well.

With each day my liver enzymes started coming down and by yesterday I was begging to be discharged home and they finally let me come home. My enzymes were still elevated, but told me I could go home with the promise of getting labwork done to check the levels within a week.

So.......I am home and so glad to be back in my own comfy bed! I am weak and still in some chest pain from the lingering pneumonia, but I'm grateful and thankful that I didn't have to spend the holiday today trying to enjoy the hospital food!!

My sweet sister had a Labor Day get together at her house for our family today and I was DELIGHTED to be able to go...even though I was in my pajamas curled up on the couch all day or on the front porch watching everyone fish from the lake. We had such a great day today.

My heart is always full and I'm always a little emotional after I get to spend time with all of my family being together. My brother, Jared, has recently moved to Florida for a new job and I've missed him so much. But he flew in this weekend to surprise his wife and he got to be there with us today. It was SOOOOOO good to see him!!

The highlight of the day was when my baby boy caught the biggest fish of the day! Everyone brought their fishing poles to fish out of the lake that Charles and Christy has there in front of their beautiful country home. So, my little Gent-man would not be left out of the fun. So, we packed up his tackle box and $19.00 Superman fishing pole and he had a blast. Christy and I were sitting in the "Texas Room" catching up and all of a sudden someone comes and hollers at the window, "Y'all come out here quick!!" And Gentry had pulled in a HUGE catfish with his little, cheap fishing pole. It was over a foot long. Dale said he kept "trash talking" saying, "I'm catchin' a big one!...Here it comes...Get on my line, big fish!!...and no one was really paying attention to him. Then, all of a sudden Dale looks and sees that Gentry's about to lose his pole trying to reel it in, so he goes over there to help him...and my baby blue pulled in the biggest fish of the day!!!! I was so proud of him and he was squealin' and jumping up and down saying, "I caught the big one, I caught the big one!!" I didn't have my camera there today, but there were lots of other cameras clickin' so as soon as I get some I'll post them on here.

I got to talk to one of my favorite people in the whole world today too...my Uncle Ken. It was so good to hear his deep, soft, southern voice telling me he'd been thinking about me and praying for me. He is so special to me and plays a HUGE role in the reason that I still am living for God today. He never wants to take the credit when I've told him that over the years, but he and I both know those talks we had when I was a floundering teenager trying to decide what to do with my life changed the course of my life and the decisions I made consequently. I love him dearly and was glad I got to talk with him today.

What else??? Oh the food!!! How could I forget!! My brother-in-law, Charles fired up the grill for us today and we had what he called a "Gourmet Country Meal"...and boy did it EVER hit the spot. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Broccoli-Rice Casserole, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Party Potatoes (yummy, Christine!), Brownies, & Yellow Fudge Marble Cake w/ Milk Chocolate Frosting!! And did I mention that "gourmet country" was 5-star in my book! :) Thanks everyone!

We put candles in the cake to celebrate the birthdays we missed this year- Jared, Dale, Christine & Charles...we're sorry for the "community cake", y'all, but by September we're worn out! :) I guess next year we won't celebrate the early birthdays so that we'll have enough energy for you mid-year peeps! :)

Well, my honey is making some chicken nuggets and fries for a late night snack, so I'm gonna wrap this up for now. Dale, Gentry and I are headed down to mom and dad's "crunchy" house tomorrow to spend the day with mom and dad. That's what Gentry calls mom and dad's house they have in "the holler". He calls their house in Belleville "the city house"...and their retirement home "the crunchy house" (he means country house). So, I'm gonna load up the car with pillows and blankets and ride down and spend the day relaxing with my sweet mama!

Thanks to EVERYONE who's been sending thoughts and prayers my way over the past weeks. I cannot begin to say how much it means to me. I hope to stay in better touch than I have over the past 6 weeks. Keep in touch, everyone! :)

Love always - Mel

P.S. Funny Gentry Story -

Dale was going to church yesterday morning with Gentry and the moon was still in the sky. Gentry, being the son of an avid outdoorsman & hunter, pulled out his imaginary rifle and "shoots the moon". He then tells Dale very matter-of-factly, "I just shot Jesus' house." Dale's eyes get big and he replies back, "Gentry! Did you shoot Jesus???!!!" And Gentry replies back, "No, but he jumped off!"

New Pictures

Road Trip with Emmy, Elephant & I-pod

He's addicted to his I-pod!

Me & My Beau

My guys - Ryan, Gentry & Dale

The Gals - Christine, Courtney, Christy, & Me

The Light of My World!

C.C.C...

Posing for momma!

Another pose!

Hey guys! Not much going on here, but I wanted to post a few pictures I've taken lately. Last night we drove up to Illinois Family Camp for the Friday night service. Dale, Gentry and I rode up with my sister, niece, brother & sis-in-law. It was about 2 1/2 hours up there and the ride up and back home was the most memorable part of the evening. We shared LOTS & LOTS of laughs and some GREAT road snacks!

Jerry Jones was the evening speaker and he preached a message called "Encore". He's STILL my favorite preacher! I'd actually heard him preach that before, but it was just as powerful last night as it was the first time I heard it. We ended our evening with a good country dinner at Cracker Barrel before we got back on the road to head south. Us girls all were sacked out by the time we got back to the house, but Ryan and Dale kept conversation going ALL THE WAY home. I honestly don't know how someone could think of that many things to talk about non-stop for three hours!!! :) My throat would be sore from talking that much! ;) He said he was just trying to keep the driver awake! Yeah, right!

So, I slept in today and have been being lazy all day long. Dale and Gentry have been working and playing outside all day long. Dale got two new beagle puppies this past week, so Gentry has laid claim to them and has been carrying them around all day today. He has taken a shine to one in particular and has named him B.J.??? Don't ask! He came up with that one on his own!

Not much else going on here. Enjoy the pics! :)

Our Week In Mississippi

What a good time we had last week when Gentry and I traveled with Dale down to his old stompin' grounds. Gentry and I had a couple of leisurely, lazy days in Baldwyn while Dale had to work for a few days. We went shopping at the mall in Tupelo, got way too many cookies at the cookie shop, rode the carousel, and played a slew of arcade games together. I enjoyed so much getting to spend the day with my little guy. We stopped for lunch at the food court and all the TV screens were tuned in to the memorial service of Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in L.A. Everyone's eyes were glued to the screens, mindlessly stuffing food into their mouths watching the "show" unfold. But, all Gentry was concerned about was riding the carousel which was in close proximity. He kept jumping up and down and asking me, "Mommy, are you done eating yet?"...over and over and over!! :)

I got to visit with some of my sisters-in-law and I made a pig out of myself with the most delicious watermelon I've had this season. Gentry got to play with Harlee & Hagen (his cousins) and Gentry and Hagen even got into a "fight" over a balloon they were chasing around the living room. My, oh my, the tempers were flarin'...and all of us were enjoying the show.

We left for Jackson on Wednesday evening to spend a few nights at Camp Meeting. We went to dinner after church on Thursday night with our friends, Wally & Vicki Tiller, who we hadn't seen in probably over 10 years. Wally employed Dale with a job when we first got married. "Tiller Remodeling" paid our bills for the first two or three years of our newlywed life. We used to have dinner with them a lot when we first got married and lived in Jackson. Their girls were just little blonde-headed princesses back then. Now, one has graduated from college and is a registered nurse, and the other one is attending a bible college! TALK ABOUT FEELING OLD!!! It was so good to be able to reconnect with them again after all our years of being away. We laughed and joked and reminisced about the good ole days, and got caught up on "life".

Then Friday, we got to spend some time with our dear friends and mentors, Bret & Dedie Cooley. He was teaching the day services at the camp meeting and so when we found out they were going to be there, we knew that we wanted to make every effort to try to see them. It was SO GOOD to reconnect with them as well. My only regret is that we didn't get to spend more time visiting.

Dale's birthday was that Thursday and we enjoyed spending the day together. We went to Stein Mart and he ended up buying ME things instead of him getting birthday gifts. I told him I didn't want him to buy me anything, but he insisted, saying I never buy myself anything. So....I very happily relented and let him spoil me a bit. Can't wait to show off my new black purse he got me too. (Thanks, baby!)

Well, I've got a couple of loads of laundry calling my name, so I better run for now. More Rutland Ramblings later! :)

Baci -