I'm Feeling Better!

I'm not completely over this bug but I am feeling a lot better and was able to work on some projects today. Not a whole lot has been going on around here and I think Norm and I are suffering from the summer doldrums. The two of us were watching TV together last night and there was this commercial showing kids skipping along a pathway. Without really thinking Norm says to me, "Do you like to skip?" I said, "What?" It suddenly dawned on him what he said and then we both were laughing hysterically. He told me how much he enjoyed skipping as a child and realized of course that I have never skipped before. Wheelchairs just don't do that sort of thing. I told Norm that I wanted to see him skip but he said it's been too many years so he'll have to practice first. Now that I think about it I'm not sure I want my six-foot four-inch, soon to be 62-year-old husband to skip around the house. Norm's a wonderful man but he's never been athletic or physically coordinated. One thing very special that did happen this week is the letter I received in the mail from my five year old niece Mackenzie. She drew a lovely picture of me and her. A few weeks ago I also received a letter from my eight year old niece Hannah. I love receiving letters from my girls. It's hard to be away from them -- they live in San Diego. I hope to go visit them soon.

I'm listening to The Fish on XM satellite radio and the song playing currently is "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns. I love that song because it really speaks to me. Sometimes when things aren't going well or when I'm sick I pay too much attention to the voices in my head telling me of all of my failures and how bad things are and how they're never going to get better, etc. etc. I thank God that he reminds me not to listen to those voices because they are telling me lies. This song I'm listening to has the following chorus:

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story. The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

Amen!

I hear Norm driving up with our dinner! Tonight we're having Schlotzsky's Deli! Yummy. 2 Comments: At July 28, 2005 7:43 PM, It's me, the guy in the back room said... I remember also that I had magic shoes when I skipped around Denver.I will look for them and practice....oh no.....I don't remember where I put them. It might be hard to skip without my magic shoes. At July 28, 2005 9:01 PM, songstress7 said... Yay for feeling better! And yay for Schlotzky's - mmmm.

Cough, Cough -- I'm Still Here

My nasal infection is still here and now it's draining into my lungs which causes me to have to cough a lot. For those of us with SMA coughing takes every ounce of strength we have. My doctor gave me Singulair today to help dry up my drainage so I don't cough so much. It's a once a day tablet so I probably won't notice anything for a few hours. I have one more day of antibiotics which gives me a dizzy feeling a few hours after I take my daily dose. So, I'm not doing a lot these days except resting. I'd like to be able to blog about all that's going on in the news and fun stuff but I just don't have the energy. I appreciate your continued prayers. A friendly hello from any of you would be nice too. 2 Comments: At July 27, 2005 2:19 PM, Mr. Karen said... Just a friendly Hello from the back room! At July 27, 2005 10:59 PM, songstress7 said... Oh, goodness! Here's hoping you feel all better soon... being sick just bites. :P

Good News and Bad News

By the time I got to the doctor my lungs had cleared and she said they sounded good. The bad news is that I definitely have an infection which appears to be in my sinus and right ear. I have a fever of 100.6° and my heart rate is higher than normal. The doctor put me on antibiotics and took some blood tests to see what's going on with me. She also said it could be a strep infection. I have to go back on Wednesday. I still don't feel all that great but she said that's because my body is fighting an infection. She gave me samples of the antibiotic so I don't have to get them at the drugstore. I like that because it saves some money since I don't have supplemental insurance. Thanks for your prayers! If I feel better tomorrow I'll try and post something more interesting than oh woe is me stuff. :-) I'm going to take a nap now.

I feel terrible.

I woke up this morning with a runny nose and coughing. I was able to clear it out and thought I was okay but now my lungs are filling with congestion so something is definitely wrong. Because of my disability it is very hard to cough and it takes all my energy. I'm going to the doctor today because I get pneumonia very easily so she wants me to start on medication right away to keep the infection from getting worse. I don't think I'll be able to post anything for a few days. I'd appreciate your prayers.

Outer Space -- The Final Frontier

Back in 1969 I was five years old and I remember a momentous event took place -- the first manned Moon landing. Today is the 36th anniversary of Apollo 11. In honor of that event Google has created a map of the moon which you can see here. Use the zoom controls by pressing on the plus sign and you will learn what the moon is really made of.

Also I was saddened today to learn of the death of James Doohan better known as Scotty of Star Trek, dead at the age of 85. He was one of my favorite characters on Star Trek. I remember being very young and watching Star Trek with my dad. I don't know if I really understood what was going on but I enjoyed every episode. I think I have seen every original series Star Trek episode at least 10 times. There was something special about Star Trek that intrigued me. In my mind other sci-fi programs and movies of the 70s couldn't hold a candle to Star Trek. I've seen all of the Star Trek movies and every one of the spinoff series.

I've never believed in extraterrestrial life so I'm not sure what it is that really fascinated me about Star Trek. Perhaps it might have been the excitement of the future possibilities of technology. Having been disabled my entire life I have benefited greatly from advances in engineering and computer technology. When one is limited, such as myself, in the physical realm advanced technology brings a freedom to one's ability to be creative and purposeful in society. As I watched Star Trek as a child, all those many years ago, I never imagined that one day I would be sitting in front of a computer speaking words that are typed on the screen just as I'm doing this very moment. As one of my other favorite Star Trek characters would say, "Fascinating!" How much do you know about Star Trek? Can you guess which character often used that phrase? Let me know your responses in the comments section.

2 Comments: At July 21, 2005 10:22 PM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said... As the guy with whom you watched most of the Star Trek series, I would say it was the one with the "pointy ears"!

At August 03, 2005 2:25 PM, March Hare said... Hi Karen,I found your blog via LaShawn Barber. I noticed that you read Michelle Malkin, too. Two other blogs I recommend are The Anchoress and Happy Catholic (who also enjoys science fiction). Links are on my blogsite: http://www.marchhareshouse.blogspot.com. My favorite Star Trek character was Dr. "Bones" McCoy, although I had a soft spot for Scotty as well!Regards...

Video Blogging Weenies

The link to the video is at the end of this post.

My handsome and talented husband, Norm, has continued searching through the family film vault to find more 8mm clips of me when I was a wee lassie ("little girl" for you non-Scottish types). This week's collection brought back some old memories! The first part of the clip you'll see my mother and my grandmother on a merry-go-round at the park with me and my cousins. I had such a little tiny wheelchair in those days -- I was probably about four or five years old so I would say it was around 1968 or 1969. They put the wheelchair on the merry-go-round so I could ride with the other kids! (Mom and I had matching dresses that she made herself.) I remember that event because as you will see the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile showed up at the park and they gave us kids tiny whistles that looked like hot dogs. If you're over 40 you might remember seeing those whistles as a kid.

The next part of a video shows me with curls sitting in a little rocking chair holding a kitten. Unfortunately 8mm film didn't have audio capability in those days so I have no idea what I am saying but I seem to be pretty excited about that kitten. My mom and dad are in the clip as well and boy did they look young way back then. The last part of the video shows me being pushed in my tiny wheelchair, holding onto my lunchbox, going to the school bus and my mom picking me up to put me on the bus as I wave to the camera.

I was bused to school in another town. It was a school for the handicap and I went there for kindergarten, first and second grades. This was while we lived in Costa Mesa, California but the school was in Santa Anna. It was not anywhere near my neighborhood. I think the name of the school was Carl Harvey School for Crippled Children. Yes, back in the day I was known as a crippled child. Definitely not politically correct terminology today. Who cares! I'm proud to be a crippled kid! (Note to you "PC" types -- for the self-esteem of a young child I would never use that terminology today but in those days nobody knew any different and I don't ever remember being ashamed of that title.)

Okay here it is -- click here to see this video of me. It's a little over a minute long and don't forget to turn up the volume and click play. Enjoy!

Previous video blogging: A Blast from My Past and Karen Visits Scottsdale Firehouse

Anybody out There?

Have you ever made a change in the way you look and no one noticed? Did you get a new haircut or hairstyle and no one noticed? How about buying a new dress or suit that you wore to church or a party and you were sure that somebody would say something about it but no one said a word? Doesn't it make you feel like people aren't really looking at you? Or how about when you rearrange the furniture in your house and your spouse or roommate or friends you invite over don't even notice? Well... I've done some major remodeling here (and I'm not talking about the right hand sidebar) and no one has said a word! What do you think of my new header? (The image on top of this page.) I'd like to hear some feedback please. If you don't like it please tell me, I can take it. If you do like it let me know. If you don't care then let me know that to. Just say something, please. There are two ways you can let me know: (1) click on the comments link and type something there but be sure and put your name or some identity that I might catch on to instead of using "anonymous." (2) use the e-mail link on the right hand side of this page and send me a message or use my supersecret private e-mail address if I have given it to you previously. Thank you! I await your responses. 4 Comments: At July 17, 2005 7:58 PM, An Internet sort of Guy said... No, I have never bought a new dress and no one noticed. In Fact I have never bought a dress for myself. Pants and Shirts are more my style.I like the Header. It adds a Professional look to your blog. At July 17, 2005 9:26 PM, songstress7 said... I did come see your new header yesterday... but for some reason I didn't decide to comment *forehead smack*...I like it - very nice graphic... it really adds a lot to your look.And yes, that has happened to me more times than I care to count. At July 17, 2005 10:39 PM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said... Well I wish I could tell you I noticed the header was different but the truth is I thought something looked different - brighter and fresher - but had no clue what it was till now. I can tell why men don't say much - we can't figure out wht it is. Whatever it is I like it. At July 18, 2005 9:51 AM, Father of 3 said... I didn't notice the sidebar. I did notice the header... only because you told me. I'm a guy, what'd you expect!

Island in the Sky

Norm and I watched this 1953 John Wayne classic this evening about a transport plane that crash-lands in the frozen wastes of Labrador and the pilot, John Wayne, has to keep his men alive in deadly conditions while awaiting uncertain rescue. I had never seen this particular John Wayne movie before so it was fun to see an old movie that was new to me. It was black-and-white and we enjoyed it because there were so many old but young familiar faces in this movie. I don't know what his real name is but one of the characters was a young copilot who was played by Alfalfa from the old "Our Gang" kids movies from the 40s. He looked like he was probably about 20 years old in this movie. John Wayne's character was of course the leader type and the hero of the story but he was also a man who showed he had doubt and fear which is unusual for John Wayne movies. If you've never seen this one you gotta do it because it's a good one. It was definitely refreshing to see a movie where no one used constant profanity and no one committed adultery. They just don't make movies like that anymore.

Cat Blogging

I have two cats -- Miss Ellie and GG. Miss Ellie is a 12 year old calico tabby and she has been with me since she was four months old. She loves to be outdoors and even when it's really hot, like today, she still insists on being outside for as long as she can tolerate it. However, she does come indoors quite frequently so I play "doorman" a lot with her. She is a very sweet cat and enjoys cuddling when it's not hot so I won't be holding Miss Ellie until the winter weather comes. Miss Ellie is also a very friendly and easy-going cat. She likes to lay in the front yard under the shade of our 60 foot pine tree and watch the neighbors go by. Several of my neighbors who take walks in the early evenings always make a point to say hello to Miss Ellie because she will come and greet them verbally and let them pet her. GG is a totally different kind of cat. She is a 3 year old tabby Siamese mix and has some sort of a paranoid complex that makes her the true fraidy-cat. Norm and I adopted GG when she was nine weeks old -- he gave her to me for my birthday. Contrary to what we had intended GG is really Norm's cat. When she was a kitten she was my baby and let me hold and cuddle her all I wanted. As she matured into adulthood something drastically changed in her personality. She hates to be held and will only let Norm pet her if the moon is in line with Venus and Mars. She demands his attention by rubbing on his legs and meowing at him, but when he tries to pet her she runs out of his reach -- definitely a flirt. GG hides when people come over so no one but Norm and I have ever seen her which is why we call her GG -- short for gray ghost. She is very mischievous and likes to steal things. Often in the morning when we get up we will find ink pens, pencils, and various small items all over the floor because she has pushed them off of our desks. GG prefers to stay indoors because she is afraid of everything -- however she will go outside in the backyard and play when the sun goes down and Pluto is in line with Saturn. I have always had a cat as a pet and I enjoy having them around. My kitties provide us a lot of entertainment. In my life I have had 11 different cats and all of them have had distinct personalities. Norm had never owned a cat before we got married and I don't think he really liked them very much but during the six years of our marriage he has come to enjoy having them around. That's very typical of cats -- they might be aloof but they certainly know how to worm their way into your heart. 2 Comments: At July 14, 2005 8:33 PM, Anonymous said... You have a great story telling ability but I am wondering what will happen if all those planets and moon ever get lined up together. I think I would want to be out of the house! At July 15, 2005 11:18 PM, songstress7 said... Aww, gorgeous kitties! GG sounds like my Anastasia a bit - scared of everyone but myself and hubby!

Hot and Dry!

It is 113° Fahrenheit and 8% relative humidity in Scottsdale right now. I'm getting a drink of water!

Campaign-Finance Reform Is Really about Free Speech

Another reason why I dislike Senator McCain and the havoc he has wreaked on our nation with his so-called campaign-finance reform is what has happened recently in the state of Washington. A judge in the state of Washington has ruled that on-air editorial comments by Seattle talk hosts Wilbur and Carlson of KVI-AM are considered in-kind campaign contributions and are subject to reporting under state disclosure laws. Campaign-finance law is an outright regulation of the press just as Justice Scalia and Justice Thomas warned in their dissent of the Supreme Court ruling that the campaign-finance reform law would stand. The Seattle mess has to do with a campaign for a ballot initiative to repeal a gas tax. The talkshow hosts, as talkshow host always do, we're talking about their opinions on the gas tax and were in favor of the ballot initiative. You can read more about this and what others had to say at Michelle Malkin's site. I don't understand how anyone will be able to talk about anything and it not be considered in-kind campaign contributions. Will newspaper editorials now be considered in-kind contributions? Will the citizens who go door-to-door volunteering for campaigns and urging their neighbors to vote for the candidate of their choice be considered in-kind contributions? Will those of us who blog our political opinions be considered in-kind contributions? If I put a sign in my front lawn saying vote for so-and-so is that considered an in-kind contribution? How about the bumper sticker on the back of my van? We were lied to when when we were told that this campaign-finance reform business was just about money. Where I put my money is really no different than what I say. The Conservatives on the Supreme Court were right just as they were right about abuses of eminent domain. Please, President Bush, put a conservative originalist judge up for nomination to the Supreme Court before we all lose our homes and our free speech rights. free-speech campaign-finance reform 1 Comments: At July 12, 2005 8:35 AM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said... You are getting to be big time with notices about your posts being spread around. Don't forget your old dad when you get famous.

A Blast from My Past (Video Blog)

This week's video blog was created by Norm, my hubby. He's been converting old family videos to DVD so he put together a short series of 8mm clips from my childhood. Click here to see the video which is about one minute long so you might want to replay it after the first time through because some of the clips are very short. Turn up your volume and then click play. Enjoy! 2 Comments: At July 11, 2005 12:04 PM, Anonymous said... enjoyed! At July 12, 2005 6:25 AM, Michelle said... Blowing kisses and driving at the same time? You're amazing! :) Enjoyed the video!Be blessed.Twinkling for Jesus, Michelle

How to Deal with Bad Customer Service

My blogmom, SarahK of Mountaineer Musings, was complaining about her problems with a VAIO laptop computer and trying to get Sony to provide service. I totally commiserate with her frustration and I hope she gets satisfaction soon. Her experience reminds me of a situation I found myself in at the ripe old age of 14 years old. This was back in the day when computers were only found in very large rooms and were used for punch cards. My story isn't about computers but it is about dealing with inept customer service. I was in high school and preparing to take the ACT which was a test you could take instead of the SATs. About a week before the exam my electric wheelchair broke down. There was no way to get it fixed locally because we lived in a little town in southern Louisiana called Morgan City. But my dad took it to a friend who was an engineer at some electronic factory in town and asked him to look at. He figured out that it was the "brain box" that had malfunctioned. The brain box contained circuit boards that ran the chair. Dad got on the phone to Everest & Jennings in Los Angeles and asked them to send a new brain box. They told him it would take about two weeks to get one to us. Two weeks? Impossible! I was taking my college exam on Saturday and I did not want to have my mother push me into the exam room. No! I needed to have my electric wheelchair working so I could be independent. Dad wouldn't take no for an answer. By the time he was through with Everest & Jennings he was on a conference call with five vice presidents of the company and all of them were telling him there was no way they could get us the part any sooner. Dad insisted. He told them that it only took six hours to fly from Los Angeles to New Orleans -- so why couldn't they get the part on the plane and fly it to New Orleans the next day? It just didn't work that way they said. Then my dad did something that you could never get away with today. Dad told them that he would get on an airplane himself and fly to Los Angeles and break the legs of the company president so he could be in one of his own wheelchairs and then he would know what I was going through. Go Dad! We had the part the next day and I went to take my ACT in my electric wheelchair without my mother's help. Dad always said it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease whether it needs it or not. Maybe that's why I squeak so much? Thanks Dad! 1 Comments: At July 09, 2005 8:35 AM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said... Actually I remember it a little differently, however my rememberer is not as competent as it used to be or maybe it has never been all that competent. I think the electronics company I took it to was talking to the repair dept. at E&J trying to fix it and discovered it was in the circuit board (a none repairable piece) and then they were told it would be about 2 weeks to get the part. That is when I called E&J myself. They told me the same thing – it would be about 2 weeks - I argued about that with the order or shipping dept. or whoever it was I was talking to and got nowhere, I think they said there were none available or that they were on back order but don't really recall. I then ask to speak to someone higher up who could make a decision and they told me the same thing. That is when I ask to speak to the president of the company and got his secretary who said he was out of the office and I ask her to give him a message for me - that perhaps I should come out there and break his legs and put him in one of his own chairs and see how he liked it. Within the hour I had a return call from E&J with several people on a conference call - I think I talked to about 5 altogether and as you mentioned we had the part the next day. I don't know where they got the part but we had it. Today I would probably go to jail for making such a threat (it was not really a threat but a way of getting attention to the urgency of the need). BTW we certainly could have pushed you in your chair, we did for years, but this was as much, if not more, about self esteem and independence than about mobility. I do appreciate the fact that when they recognized the dilemma we were in they found a way to make it happen. They later sent 3 more of the brain boxes, I kept one (which we later used) and donated the others to MDA in case of a need. Also to their credit, I don’t recall they ever sent a bill – at least not to us. Oh, I forgot to mention that you are the greatest daughter in the world and I was not about to see you disappointed if I could help it!!

News Story Flashbacks

I was watching the news this evening and a story came on about a baby leopard at the zoo that had surgery on its heart. My mind flashed back to a funny thing I remembered about seeing a news story on zoo animals a few years ago. It was probably 12 years ago when I was living in San Diego. I needed dental work done and I went to a new dentist. He did a good job but was extremely fast to the point of my feeling a bit rushed during the procedure and I told him I thought he was rather rough on me because he was going so fast to complete the procedure. His name was Dr. Faust and he apologized but said that it was just the way he worked. About a week later I was watching the evening news and a story came on about a gorilla at the San Diego Wild Animal Park that needed dental work. A local dentist, Dr. Faust, performed the procedure even though he was not a veterinary dentist. The person reporting the news noted how quickly the procedure needed to be performed because they could only keep the gorilla sedated for a short time. I couldn't believe it -- there was my dentist working on the gorilla at the zoo. Now I understood why he worked so quickly. I guess I would too if I was inside the mouth of a gorilla.

Happy 4th of July America!

and happy birthday to Mom, my own firecracker!

Video Blogging -- Visiting a Scottsdale Fire Station

Our local fire station had an open house Saturday so Norm and I decided to check things out. I haven't been to a fire station since I was in the fourth grade. We didn't go inside the firehouse but we were in the garage area which reminded me of scenes from that old 70s TV show Emergency. Rather than describe to you all of the sights and sounds of our experience I thought you might enjoy my first ever video blog. This is a Polaroid snapshot taken of Norm and myself with Dan an engineer/paramedic (engineers drive the fire engines) in front of an American La France fire engine. Click here to see the 1 and 1/2 minute video and be sure to have your volume turned up because the music starts right away.

We enjoyed making the video so much that I've decided to make video blogging a regular feature on my blog. I'll try to do one video blog per week. Please let me know what you think of it!

2 Comments: At July 03, 2005 10:05 PM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said... Loved it. Good to see what you really look like. Glad no firemen harmed in the making of the video.Sorry you missed the other party!

At July 05, 2005 5:46 PM, sarahk said... that was great! i especially loved the "no firemen harmed" thing!you're so lucky to live in arizona... my dream state...definitely keep up the videoblogging.

You Never Know Who Lives in Your Neighborhood

The doorbell rang as I was working at my computer. Norm was in the back of the house and didn't hear the doorbell so I answered the door myself. I pushed the button on my door opener and the door opened. There was a very tall man standing at my front door. My first thought was he was a salesman but I was wrong.

He said, "Hello ma'am, how are you today?" Before I could answer he continued, "My name is Thomas Smith* and I'm with the Federal Investigative Service."

I must've looked a little stunned because then he said, "Here is my badge and identification." And he showed me what looked like a very official gold shield and photographic ID card that read "Federal Investigative Service."

I think I said, "hello," and then, "oh?"

The badge and identity card looked real so my next thought was I must have said something on my blog about Senator McCain that got me in trouble. Wrong again. Before I could say anything he preceded.

"I'm doing a background check on one of your neighbors -- William Avery*."

"Oh, I never heard of him," I responded.

"He rented a room from your neighbor across the street last year."

"Yes, I remember seeing that another man lived there besides Bill*, the owner, and is girlfriend Jennifer*, but I didn't know his name and I never spoke to him."

"Mr. Avery is a Native American man, about 5'10" tall, with dark short hair and a muscular build."

"Oh yes," I replied, "that describes the man that I saw there, but I have not seen him around here for several months. In fact I think there is a new roommate there now."

By this time Norm comes to the door and I fill him in on the conversation. He also says to the investigator that he did not know that man.

"What's he done?" Norm and I say together.

"He's in the military and he's being considered for a special position for which we are required to do a background check. I'm in the neighborhood because I have to check on all his places of residence."

"Sorry we can't help you," I say.

Norm decides that it's time for one of his off-the-wall remarks -- "I'm in the service myself, and I've just returned from Cuba."

The man laughs and then he says, "I've just returned from Cuba myself. Thank you for your time. I think I'll go and talk to one of your other neighbors."

We say goodbye and then we shut the door. I say to Norm, "I think he really did just come from Cuba -- he is a federal investigator. I wonder if he's been to club Gitmo?"

It's kind of exciting knowing that somebody who used to live across the street from me is now in the military and being considered for a "special position." A position that requires a background check must be something important and perhaps requires a special security clearance. I pray that God will be with that man and protect him from evil as he serves our nation.

*All names were changed to secure their identities in case they are serving as undercover agents. Unlike news reporters I take such things seriously.

3 Comments: At July 03, 2005 11:36 PM, malachii said... You sure live an exciting life over there Karen.

At July 05, 2005 5:47 PM, sarahk said... did norm really just return from cuba?

At July 05, 2005 6:04 PM, Karen of Scottsdale said... As far as I know Norm has never been to Cuba (but he doesn't tell me everything especially about his life in the CIA). He's very good at pulling some leg now and then!