Christmas in Hannibal

My Brother Aaron is in Hannibal for a few days and I have been staying up here with my Parents too. so much of the family except Andi are here. She is comming back up here tonight. It has been really nice. Aaron's boys are 7y.o. A.J. and 31/2 y.o. Levi.... love playing the wii. My Dog 2 y.o. So Tuguchi is providing dog like entertainment. and here it is 11:28 am and I am still in my P.J.'s   talk about fun!  Edgar had gotten my parents a Garmin GPS... and the look on my dads face was priceless. ...So all in all having fun in Hannibal..... and it is supposed to snow today.... A.J. prayed this morning for "soft snow" so they could go out and play.... I thought that was very cute. 

No snow yet though....  anyway... Merry Christmas. 

Tagged...in a tell all...

My sister in law Bethany "tagged" me in one of those tell all about me questionairs... so here it is....

Eight shows I watch:

1. Survivor (Gabon) yes I still love it...

2. re-runs of Gilmore Girls...would also watch reruns of Everwood if they where on TV

3. History detectives, antiques roadshow, biographys on public television.

4. Sunrise earth, or other nature shows...esp about national parks, beaches, wonders of the world...

5. cbs sunday morning

6. HGTV anything

7. Survivorman...or anything like it

8. jon and kate +8

Eight restaurants where I like to eat: (all local)

Blues city deli

Norton's or 1860's

Tequila's or any other margareta Wed...type place

Bubble tea

Scott Air force base Sunday Brunch

Pi

Pappy's BBQ

Lotawata

Eight things I did today:

1. Slept in 12 extra minuts...then washed my hair in the sink

2. Backed off and let my P.T. student see patients without me hanging around interupting.

3. Finalized plans for my work groups christmas party.

4. Explained to my Student Karen my beliefs about teenage victims of violent crime and how we should not treat them as adult victims...and we should let them have their childhood, while understanding their "normal" is different than yours.

5. Dictated a few notes...yes I did do some paperwork...miracals never cease!!!

6. Plugged in the outside Christmas lights when I got home from work.

7. Made sloppy joes

8. Watched Survivor (Gabon)

Eight things I am looking forward to:

1. Having my Brother and his family come home for Christmas

2. Vacation...florida? in late May

3. Margarita Wed...

4. Grass to grow in the back yard...next spring.....

5. Finishing the scrapbook

6. Edgar to get home from school

7. Snow days

8. The day I can get a hot tub.

Eight things on my wishlist:

Hot tub

bath tub...we only have a walk in shower now

medicine cabinet

handheld shower head

new bedroon furniture

redecorated computer room

space saver drawer system for the kitchen

stainless steel trash can

new laundry hamper..choclate brown

(that was easy..)

Eight people I tag:

self i cheat...but don't know 8 people that read my blog...

Aaron

Sarah

mom

dad

Andi

Brian

anyone who wants to!

Scrapbook

So I am putting together this electronic scrapbook for christmas for the davidson family...and boy has it consumed me.... its all I have done today!!! here are a couple of samples....

some of the pictures are very old. but a fun project ...back to work.

Giving Thanks

Thanks giving arrives in just 3 hours!!


I had the day off today...and mostly I read... I read a book that had come highly recommended several years ago...."The five people you meet in heaven" It is a quick read....took only a few hours..with breaks well worth it. I really enjoyed the idea of continued growth and learning after death... although I don't think we need to wait to die to find out why we came to earth.

Things have been a little stressful in my life recently....While I won't go into any details, it has taken its toll on my general optimism about life.

I like to think that in general I take a very "Pollyanna" approach to life....If you have never seen the movie...go rent it! It is a classic...a little Corny...but classic none the less. I really try to always look for the silver lining. I know that something good can come of any situation when you play the glad game.

I can get so mad at Edgar when he looks into the future and only sees the negative. the truth is...We have no idea what the future holds. And that is the first thing I am thankful for this thanksgiving... Thankful for an uncertain future with room for alternative endings to what we think they might be... It leaves room for miracles, optimism, pessimism and the chance to live just today...because we can't know what tomorrow brings.

With the economy being so volatile...I am thankful for a stable job, with an income that meets my needs. I am thankful that people don't seem to be panicked....I am glad that I can give this holiday season. In many ways to many organizations. This year I am giving a new coat to winter warm up, adopt a family at work, and food drives and I really want to give to an organization that provides recreational opportunities to inner city youth. I hope I can encourage anyone who is reading to give generously....skip expensive christmas presents and remember those in need.

A few years ago some really yukky stuff happened between one of my best friends and I and we slowly drifted apart...until we didn't talk at all for a couple of years.... Well this year both of us were finaly able to forgive and let go of the past. Although we are both pretty different people now than back then..... It feels so good to have her back in my life. I am thankful for my friends and the chance I have had to have such close friends that know ALL of my "secrets" and like me still anyway!

It has been a wonderful year filled with both the usual and the unusual ups and downs. This year in particular I felt more close to my family. I had the chance and honestly a desire to spend more time with everyone. I think family group things where hard when I was married to Paul, I always felt so alone. Now whether by myself or with Edgar I feel more a part of my family...I have really enjoyed it. I am very very thankful for my family!

Although anyone standing on the outside looking in at me would have a hard time finding religion in my life....I am still a believer....I just need a lot more practice! I have never forgotten my roots. I love My heavenly father very much. I don't feel like I fit very well in church. This year I have prayed more than in the prior few....I am So thankful and Glad that he is there for me despite my sins and attitudes. Thank you dear lord for all the blessings and gladness this world can and does bring. Heavenly father, please bless those children tonight who suffer so much pain in the hospital from cancer and other diseases.

Where in the world was Brenda this weekend?

Guess!

Halloween, elections and such....

Working chronologically backwards here....
Yesterday Saturday November 8th... Curtain making day at Andi's house. Andi needed some new curtains...so...I had called her some weeks ago to set up a curtain makeing day...never in my wildest dreams did I think it would turn into such an even....



Mom and Dad and Sarah all joined in for the sewing fun.... My dad can out sew any of us...I think that is way cool... and he showed us how to sew a straight hem with no pins!!!

These are the living room curtains we did these back in Feb of last year...but this was my first time seeing them up!

Grants bedroom curtains...trains per his request...

We also made curtains for Andi and Brian's room...but My camera ran out of batteries befor I got pics.

Halloween (:

I wanted to go as the water cube this year... and wanted Edgar to go as the birds nest...from the olympics this summer remember.... I really enjoyed the Olympics and wanted them to last a little longer.... So anyway it turns out when you sew a square fabric to round cloths and put it in a round body...it turns round...no matter how much support you put in. so .....a few quick changes and I was the Future Phelps...(future olympic swimmer)

Water Cube...my costume picture will be at the end of the post....gotta make you wait....its fun that way.

So Diana had her annual Halloween party... It was great fun as always. This is Diana and Her boyfriend Travis...in the Devil made me do it..... He is the devil and she is a pregnant angel with a beer and a cigarette...(no she is not really pregnant)

Angie and Bob...at the party

Edgar...as Pimp Daddy
I never even tried to make the birds nest...and he didn't want to go as that anyway...

And ...here it is...the Future of Olympic swimming.....once she gets the staying afloat part down......Brenda "Olympic" Swimmer

Halloween is upon us.....

So Halloween is a pretty great time of year for me... I mean it is October... and that means anniversary... Although my marriage is well....pretty much self destructed... still the day comes round every year... and I like it... See we got married as near October 12th as was possible since that was the anniversary of my car accident. That day has always been special to me- as a new beginning and a celebration of life... and I wanted to make my marriage a new beginning as well. Although the marriage didn't last the new beginning has.

The Jewish new year Rosh Hashannah is in Octoberish...

I had a patient (Jenny) who came back to visit the hospital a couple of days ago. Her mother is a Jewish rabbi. When Jenny was 12 years old she was at summer camp when she suddenly became very ill. She was in septic shock from a bacterial infection. It got very serious very quickly and she had to be placed on ECMO the heart and lung bypass machine. Her parents where told she had a grim prognosis... Many prayers where said on her behalf. She lived. She did suffer some lasting damage to the nerves in her lower right leg. Now she has to wear a brace on her leg in order to walk without dragging her foot. I was her physical therapist both when she was in the hospital and after she was discharged she came back for treatment. I had told her and her mother about my annual celebration of life after surviving my car accident. When it came time for Jenny's Bat-mitz-va at 13 years of age she asked me to speak at her ceremony and that in addition to the Jewish ceremony she would also celebrate life.... I spoke as did Dr. Pinada who helped save her life by putting her on the ECMO. That was in October.

When Jenny came to the hospital the other day she told me it was the anniversary of her Bat-mitz-va. That felt really neat...she mentioned that she celebrates life annually now. That this year she wants to start a program at children's Hospital where kids who had spent some time in the hospital can talk to other kids who are undergoing treatments or extended hospital stays to help encourage and lift their spirits. I thought that was a wonderful idea!!! New beginnings again....

One more new October beginning... I don't know how many of you watch extreme makeover home edition... but this past Sunday the Make over of my friend Job's house aired... While the actual makeover took place in August... it aired Sunday.... October 26th. Job was also a patient... I was not his primary Therapist... Carol was... but I did see him regularly during his year long hospitalization. Job has had many many medical issues including cancer, deadly infections bone marrow transplant and after broncholitis obliverans destroyed his lungs... her received a bilateral lung transplant. Job finnally got to go home after more days in the hospital than out.... since he was 6 years old. He was from Bigalow Arkansas. When he went home it was quickly discovered that he could not live in his home as it was infested with mold....deadly for immunosuppressed lungs. After many letters to ABC's extreme makeover... they came and the home they built along with the contractors... was nothing short of amazing. Job looked so happy... and although they never mentioned St. Louis Children's... they did show video clips of Jobs therapy at our hospital. The neatest part they used some of what I wrote in as their closing lines of the show.... I had written that Job has gone through so much and managed to maintain a positive outlook that it gives so many other people hope... that they too can survive. I don't look at any diagnosis now as a death sentence.... I look at a deadly diagnosis as a new beginning....with an unpredictable end.... but one that Prayer can and does clearly influence.

Family time

Brenda and Edgar

We went to Hannibal today... for the folk life festival. We met at my parents house around 11am. Unfortunately, at 3:30 it was time to drive back home....Mizzou game tonight and Edgar has some of his buddies here. Probably why I am blogging now!, anyways... we Had such a good time with the family we never made it to the folk life fest. Here are a few of the pictures.....Andi, Brenda and Sarah...playing ring around the rosies.

Aunt Kathy and Marianne....trying to food...umm umm good.

Sarah and Aunt Kathy

Susie, Aunt Lachricia and Uncle Dick

Susie... She looks so good for 92



Grant opening birthday presents with his mom Andi

So Tuguchi...always needs his picture taken.

Christian just lookin cute. Why yes that is a giant cockroach he is holding....(fake)

Grant and Sarah Play Wii bowling


Okay we mostly enjoyed family time....

It was really fun....I took some of my scrap book pages and got more info from Suzie for the book.... also got a ton of genealogy info on CD from my dad...Thanks dad. it was really cool.

Accepted the challenge!

My sister-in law (pabstadventure.blogspot.com) had blogged about accepting a challenge from another blog to post the 6th picture from your sixth file. So here it is... a picture of a hotel room! we had won a one night stay in this suite. it was really nice.. complete with a river view... if you didn't mind all the construction! Okay... the picture is a bit boring but this room was the inspiration for my bedroom... which is still a work in progress.

Wow Its been a while!

This is my picture journal... of those activities I have been up to lately, and that I remebered to bring a camera to.

Scott Air force Base Air show: Thunderbirds...really hard to get a picture they fly too fast!

Cards-cubs game blecher seats! Cards Won!!!

Man and Dog...so happy together....

Big Muddy Blues Fest

So thats my story.....I have been spending some time working on a christmas scrap book with all the old pictures from Susie's house... it has been cool. I need to scan in some more I have gotten to a bit of a stuck point. Its been a really neat project.

Also Halloween is in the air and nothing says Brenda but a homemade creative costume... I want to make the water cube and the bird's nest from the olympics.... Not sure how to though... exactly?... Edgar thinks we should rent costumes.... how lame anyway... I better close for now. TTFN

September 11, 2008

I don't think that too many American's will ever forget 9/11/2001. Exactly where they where when...it happened. I was on my way to school running seriously late...damn traffic on I-70. and just as I was parking my car. I heard a radio announcement an airplane had flown into the world's trade center. I didn't think too much about it... so little that I hurried into class, and sat by my friends Shelly and Jean just like usual and whispered to Jean the news I had heard before I came into class. Then after class was over one of our professors came down to the classroom... Washington University's P.T. school classrooms are all in the basement. They announced that the second plane had hit the world trade center and there was concern that this was a teroist act. That was the first time that thought even crossed my mind. I never would have even dreamed about a terrorist act. I had assumed it was a horrible accident. Soon everyone in class was talking about it. Our school had planned to continue classes and did so untill after lunch... there was lots of rumors during every break in class. I remeber it was Jean's Birthday... Happy Birthday Jean. We had a little cake and such for her. It wasn't much of a celebration. One student in our class was from NYC and her brother worked in the World trade Center. She stayed at school... but spent much of her time trying to find out what happed to her brother. They dismissed class right after lunch. I drove the 44 miles home and watched the news for the rest of the day. That night I gave Laurabeth a big hug. (I was a live in for her she is a girl with severe autism) Today, at worked totally sucked if it could go wrong it did. The kind of day that kept me on edge. But once I came home and Edgar got home... I felt a lot better. just because I feel safe, and at the moment 7 years later... secure. It made us all want family and brought us back to what matters.

I don't know if the war in Iraq is right or wrong. I don't know who to vote for in the upcomming election. I hate war... but know that it can be a nessasary evil sometimes too. I am greatful for everyone who is a hero. And I think you are all hero's in one way or another.

God bless us all tonight.

bless us with unity, and a great understanding of one another. Although our differances are profound...help us to see the light shining from one another. Keep us safe and well and secure.

May God bless our world.

Beyond the Cure....

Taking on Life: During Treatment and Beyond the Cure

September 06, 2008 The Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront Hotel St. Louis, MO

This conference focuses on issues and concerns experienced during childhood cancer treatment and beyond the cure. Medical professionals and families will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research and best approaches for survivorship and wellness. Parents of children with cancer, survivors age 14 and up and health care professionals are invited to attend the conference.

Guest faculty: Paul Nathan, MD,MSc,FRCPC Staff Oncologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Associate Scientist, Research Institute: Child Evaluative SciencesAssistant Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto

Greg Pacini, MS,LPC,CGPLicensed Professional CounselorAuthor of "Journey Beyond Diagnosis"

Rebecca Katz, MSChef and Cookbook author of "One Bit at a Time"

Brenda Witte, MSPT and Amy Downes Westfall, OTD,OTR/L St. Louis Children's Hospital

I had to boast for a second. I presented at this confrence today. I was the only person who presented who wasn't a pubished author. I thought Amy, my co presenter wasn't either... but she told me today that her research for her doctorate degree just got accepted for publication. Leaveing me the only unpublished speaker!!!! It was really cool and felt like a huge honor to speak in such company. All the speakers where very dynamic and interesting. And I think our presentation was as well. We had lots of fun slides and an activity session. Guess I better get busy planning that research or writting that book.

I have to admit it was the first time I have worn a skirt in quite a while. Pantyhose are weird! can anyone really ever get them totally straight?

Edgar is out "camping" in military TLF with his boys... He called this morning to tell me his phone wasn't working it got wet... because he fell in the river while fishing! Sounds like fun to me.

The Big Hair Cut!!!...and Susie's 92nd Birthday Party

Sarah and I went to the Botanical Garden's today....It was the Japanese festival. Very crowed so we explored other parts of the garden...Had a great time... I really want to try my hand... and patients at growing a bonsi tree.

Happy 92nd Birthday Susie!!!

A little over a week ago Diana and I got the big hair cut.... Donated our 10-12 inch pony tails to Beautiful lengths for women with Cancer. (locks of love doesn't do kids with cancer) Here is our before during and after photos....

The beautiful girls.....

I loved my hair the first couple of days..... then the natural (mean) curls set in... now its a bit like me wild and unsettled. But... next year I will have enough to donate again.... Lord willing. My hair tens to grow quite fast.

We had a great time at Susies birthday party... I was glad so much family could make it. There was a little excitement with a glucose meter no one could figure out.... It could do everything except give us a blood sugar number!@!! then when it did it said 48... thats awfully low!!! Susie took a normal dose of insulin and seemed to feel pretty good for the duration. She never felt like her blood sugar was low. I have had a chance to get to know Susie over the past couple of years like I never did before and its been great. I feel blessed that she has lived so long and still has no signs of dementia... My Great grandmother... Susie's mom had Alzheimer's for a very long time. So I know that it was always a concern of Susie's. ....