2009/01/11

Within Walking Distance

DaGoddess @ 20:19

I’m up and walking and talking again. No more medicated haze for this girl. I decided to cut my single dose of meds in half (as opposed to all three, which I’ve never stayed awake long enough to take) and take it even earlier in the evening. That’s helped a great deal.

And it helped me get up in plenty of time to make a portrait shoot today. (We cheer a myriad of little things around here. Waking up being one of them.)

I have no photos to post from that session yet, but I do have a few photos to share from around the ghetto. Every photo was taken within walking distance of my front door. Walking without the walker or brace, that is. Yep, the brace is mostly gone today! (Baby steps. Can’t go without it 100% just yet.)

A Leafy Walk

Leafy Base

Sunny and Moody

Moody Flowers

In all honesty, the flowers are within three feet of my front door. Didn’t have to walk too far to get those. You forgive me, don’t you?

2009/01/08

Quick Post Now, Longer Later

DaGoddess @ 23:56

Sorry to be calling in sick this week. (Thanks for covering today, Pam!)

I saw my doc on Tuesday and he changed some meds around, which have left me feeling out of sorts in all the worst ways. I’m sleeping 10+ hours on these things. I mean, I did say I wasn’t sleeping well and this is what I get for opening my big fat mouth.

Also, regarding my daughter: she’s doing pretty well. She got home Monday afternoon and is safely tucked in with my sister watching over her. Mo’s out of school for at least this week and probably part of next. She sounded better today than she has since she got hurt. Each day brings a little more good health her way, which is all we could hope for and more.

Little Dude is with his dad while I get used to the meds. Miss having him around, but he’s safe and that’s what matters.

As for me, I’m off to take my next dose and continue adjusting.

Plus, I have to mourn Craig Ferguson’s Christmas wedding.

Croton, dark and light

pamibe @ 11:32

Morning light is a wondrous thing… Even I, the roughest of amateur photographers, know that. Standing in the dark, shooting into the sun lit croton… wow. I do admit to photoshopping out two nasty weeds; otherwise it’s all Ma Nature’s work.

Click on the image if you’d like to see a larger one.

croton

Pam

2009/01/06

Oooh! Shiny Stuff!

DaGoddess @ 23:43

Long day and I can’t string together a complete sentence without major effort. I’ll be back.

In the meantime, here are some pretty, shiny things to look at.

Shooting star

Cool skull

Horns of one

Big horns and snake

The talons

2009/01/05

If Wishes Were Fishes

DaGoddess @ 20:10

If wishes were fishes, Temple, and I would each have enough money for us all to attend this workshop.

I’m actually considering playing the lottery to win enough money to take us. Except I can’t really afford to do even that.

Scroll down that page and look at some of those amazing images and tell me you wouldn’t want to go too if you were me.

Drool city, folks.

She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain

DaGoddess @ 15:07

Or rather, she’ll be coming home from the hospital today.

Yes, the daughter is going to be discharged at some point today.

After a long night of little sleep (and when I did sleep, it was all bad dreams about me not being able to keep Mojo safe or get to her before something bad happened), I called my sister at the respectable hour of 9am. That’s as long as I could wait.

She said they had a night similar to mine (don’t know about the dream part, just the waking up stuff) and that Mo was sleeping right then.

Couple hours later, my sis calls me back to say they’re going to let my daughter go home today. Makes me very happy.

You know, it’s funny how having kids can turn your life all sorts of inside out, but in a good way. Yeah, you hurt sometimes and you laugh other times, but life is like that anyway. And even though our living arrangements aren’t typical, I’m really grateful my daughter is in a place where she wakes up knowing she is loved and goes to bed knowing the same thing. It’d be true whether she were here or there. Just as long as she’s safe, relatively happy, and with people who look out for her, that’s all that matters in the end. (For those who don’t know the situation, it’s in my archives somewhere if you want to find it.)

I’m hoping that she gets settled in okay and that I’ll be able to spend a little time with her tomorrow. I’m not going to rush over today because I know how exhausting it can be to get all checked out of the hospital and then try to get comfortable at home again. Plus, she really is tired and sore and she’ll have lots of meds.

I’m still feeling a little this, but am thrilled that my daughter is going to be okay.

Thank you for all the prayers.

New Crew For Deadliest Catch?

DaGoddess @ 14:49

like it!

The Incentive (great name for a crab boat, eh?) is said to be full of hard core Kodiak natives with tons of personality. Can they keep up with the rest of the bad boys of the (vast) Bering Sea? We’ll find out in a few months when Deadliest Catch returns in April. (It better be April. I can’t wait much longer than that.)

Thanks to Erin for sharin’!

2009/01/04

Put the Lime in the Coconut

DaGoddess @ 18:04

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one, she paid it for the lime
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank ’em both up
Put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up, and said

Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I said
Doctor, to relieve this bellyache, I said
Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I said
Now let me get this straight

You put the lime in the coconut, you drink ’em both up
You put the lime in the coconut, you drink ’em both up
You put the lime in the coconut, you drink ’em both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you’re such a silly woman

Put the lime in the coconut, you drink ’em both together
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink ’em both down
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning

Oh how I wanted the Sprung Monkey version of this song. It was in my head the whole time my kid was telling me her belly hurt. Thankfully, she didn’t have to resort to limes and coconuts. No, she had Vicodin. But that made her nauseated. So I went looking for her nurse and got her some phenergan. Then she got tired and started eating crackers in her sleep. Her mouth was dry. I held out her Sprite toward her and she drank in her sleep. Yeah, lemon-lime soda. You put the lime in the coconut…

Here’s the deal: she’s going to be fine. Thank God!

Here’s how it happened: She was out in the desert on her quad (I think…chances are good that’s what she was riding) and she saw a big bump of dried mud. That’s the last thing she remembered before she woke up. ( Girl lives up to her name once again.) That was on January 1. By yesterday, she wasn’t feeling so great, so when I called and talked to her, she was in pretty bad shape (not that she told me the whole story — she was afraid her aunt would hear). After she got off the phone with me, she went back and forth on whether or not to tell her aunt. Finally, her boyfriend decided to share the news for her. Thank goodness this kid has a good head on his shoulders! He ended up having to carry Mojo out to the car because she couldn’t walk at that point. Too much pain.

In addition to her liver laceration, she has abrasions on her face and chest and shoulders and it looks like there are a few on her legs, too. Then there’s the concussion. And the big ol’ nasty bruise on her ass. Thank God for wearing protective gear 24/7 when you ride. Extra thanks for uncles who taught her well.

Not exactly how I’d prefer her to start the year off, but if this is the worst thing that happens in our family the entire year, I’m okay with that.

Regarding her future desert adventures? I’m okay with that, too. As long as she maybe slows down just a little. And keeps that safety gear on. And doesn’t scare the shit of her mom any further.

We had a good talk while I was at the hospital. I sent LD and Mojo’s boyfriend out of the room so we could have a few moments. They were good moments. I cried. Hate to admit it, but I did.

And then the boyfriend came back in and she heaved a huge sigh of relief. She rests better when he’s by her side. He’s a damn good kid and she’s lucky to have him, that’s for sure. I gave him a big hug before leaving and my card so he could call and keep me updated. If Mo’s still in the hospital tomorrow when he gets out of school, he’ll take me down there when he goes.

Can I fall apart now? Do I get to cry and thank God my kid’s alive and then collapse in a heap from the emotional exhaustion? Cuz, I think that’s what’s gonna happen anyway.

Like I told her, we may not be together every day, but she’s with me all the time. She’s a part of me. Always will be. I think about her morning, noon, and night. I worry about her. Just because we’re not in the same house doesn’t mean I’m not fretting and fussing over what she’s doing. I am! I just try to keep it all well-contained as much as possible and try to remember that she already has someone fussing over her — she doesn’t need to have me call and hear it from me, too. She kind of turned her head and looked at me at that point and said, “don’t worry about what Aunt C’s doing. You know you can call and bug me all you want.” Get that? Bug her? Guess I’ll meddle and pry a little more in the future. We’ll see how long that lasts! She’ll be sick of it in no time.

Thanks for the prayers! Keep ’em coming because she’s really not out of the woods just yet. Until she’s home and 100% healed, it’ll be a concern.

Although blunt liver trauma accounts for 15-20% of abdominal injuries, it is responsible for more than 50% of deaths resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. The mortality rate is higher with blunt abdominal trauma than with penetrating injuries.

The reason those numbers are so high is usually due to the reluctance of people seeking medical care if they don’t see blood. No blood? Oh, must be okay then. Well, not so much. Internal bleeding is very dangerous and if not caught in time, it can be fatal. Not that Mojo’s in that category anymore. (Thank you, Lord!) Still, if she’s too active too soon, she can further damage a weakened portion of the liver and cause the bleeding to begin anew.

Like I said, for now, we wait and see. Whatever the trauma surgeon says is what we’ll go by. Even though they say she may go home tomorrow, I’d kind of rather she stay at least another day so they can monitor her closely. I don’t get a redo if I lose her. Better safe than sorry is our motto.

Now I’m going to go sit in the corner and cry.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Mommy

DaGoddess @ 11:07

We’re not gliding today. Not even close. We’re going to the hospital instead.

I’m going to shower in a few minutes here and then… My daughter was admitted overnight with a lacerated liver.

Yes, a lacerated liver.

She fell a few days ago while out riding in the desert. Yesterday, we were talking about the glider ride on the phone and she said she didn’t know if she was going to go because she fell, but she’d probably go because she didn’t want her aunt to know about it. I told her she had to tell her aunt about the fall because 1) she’d find out eventually anyway and then she’d be pissed, and 2) if there was something really wrong, it would be better to know sooner than later. Well, she listened to me and told her aunt. And she started feeling worse. So they ended up at the hospital and, in addition to some other injuries, there’s that liver thing.

She’s on my old floor. The trauma unit. (I was on the other side with the transplants, but it was still my floor.) Good golly, Miss Molly.

My sister says, “she’s doing fine now. She’s sleeping. Don’t come down because I’m just sitting here watching her sleep.” Yeah, right. I’m still the kid’s mother. You’re not keeping me away. I’ll watch her sleep, too. I sat up many nights while she was a baby, praying that she’d sleep after spending days upon days trying to calm that colicky girl. I’ve sat in the ER with her, when she would go into her eye-rolling, coughing, gagging spasms that I was sure were major seizures (they weren’t, but they were something). It doesn’t matter how many nights we haven’t spent together over the last few years. She’s still my baby and I’m going to the hospital whether auntie likes it or not.

Back soon, I hope.

Some of My Favorites

DaGoddess @ 10:15

Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

That big “diamond” is from Pier 1. I know this because I found a basket full of them there the other day and wanted to buy one — until I found out they were $12 a piece. So much for that dream!

Shapes on Steps

I loved these shapes, the textures, everything about this little spot on the stairs. The colors and the way they were lined up, looking like they were just waiting for their turn in the sand made me smile.

Bicycle

This bicycle was just too perfect. The color of the wall, the color of the bike rack, and the bike itself just seemed to scream, “take a picture of me now!” And so I did.

Bruisin’ the Old Scapula

DaGoddess @ 08:00

Sometimes I leave a comment somewhere that I like so much I just have to steal it back and post it here for everyone to see.

This is one of those times.

Left at Eye Reality:

…nothing wrong with having a smart kid. Until, that is, they look at you one day and say, “quit hyperbolating already, would ya?” Seriously. My kid pulled that one on me a few months back. Took me by surprise the same way his onomatopoeia speech in Kindergarten or 1st grade did.

Let’s face it, our kids are going to be smarter than we are sooner than we were and we’re going to have to pretend that they aren’t until they’re well into adulthood.

Yep, that’s how it’ll be with LD until the time he’s grown, married, and raising kids of his own. Then and only then will I admit that he was smarter sooner. No way I’m letting on sooner.

Little stinker even filled me in on “moving rocks” in Death Valley (which I vaguely remember seeing on TV or reading about, but couldn’t immediately recall when I saw a photo of one), hoodoos, and other geological stuff. That’ll earn him an early bedtime all week. Smart ass. Though, actually, I’m really pretty proud. Shh. Don’t tell him.

Philler Dyllis

DaGoddess @ 06:00

C’mon. Catch up. Yeah. That was intentional. And really, it refers to filler, not Phyllis Diller. Filler. As in content filler.

More photos.

Why? Because I can. And also because we’re scheduled to be heading up to Perris or some such place so the kids can go for glider plane rides. They got them for Christmas last year from my dad and we’re just now getting around to being able to get everyone in the same place at the same time.

So, onto the filler!

Middle of labyrinth

At the center of the labyrinth again.

LD lights candles

LD lights candles.

Artist Kirkos

The artist, Kirkos.

Danger Danger

Danger, danger, Will Robinson!

There are a lot of stairs here

There are a lot of steps!

Stone Steps

And this is what awaits you at the top of the stairs.

Hey, Take My Picture!

DaGoddess @ 00:59

Little Dude was holding the camera, trying to get a photo of his green rock, when this guy walks by and says, “Hey, take my picture!” LD and I looked at each other and I said, “go ahead, take his picture.”

So, LD took the picture.

Is this a freakin’ holiday ad for Coke or what?

Taken by LD

2009/01/03

From the Labyrinth

DaGoddess @ 18:00

From the top of Stone Steps, we looked down upon the beach and the crowd walking the labyrinth.

First glimpse of Labyrinth

In the time it took us to walk down the many stairs to get to the beach, even more people had made their way to the gathering. They came from everywhere. North, south, and from the east. About the only thing missing was someone showing up via boat.

More people arrive

This was one of many small labyrinths others constructed near the big one. Sand drawings, colorful designs, flags, stars, all manner of creativity was present. Everyone wanted to contribute something.

One of many small labyrinths

Told ya there was a flag

One of many creations on the beach

Rays of stone

There were even labyrinths within the labyrinth. They were made of many different things — shells, flowers, stones, candles, candy, whatever people had with them.

Labyrinth within a labyrinth

Messages to loved ones or sometimes just a name were scattered about. Everyone looking for a way to add a little bit of themselves to create an even greater work of art.

Blues mama

There was something new and different waiting to be discovered at every turn. Not unlike what some of the attendees hoped to find within themselves.

First Photos of the Year

DaGoddess @ 16:10

Found these on the way from the car to the labyrinth on the 1st. Not sure what kind of flower this is. Looks like a hibiscus, but it has too many stamen/pistil thingies and they’re shaped all wrong. Anyhow, the blooms are enormous and the buds are as big as my fist.

Big ass flower

Two big ass flowers

The big ass bud

Check out the wild color of the stripes inside the flowers! Very bold. I wish I knew what these were called. If you know, feel free to shout out the answer. We don’t stand on formality around here when it comes to things like this.