MY THURSDAY

This morning I felt yucky when I woke. My back still hurt. I guess the RX hasn't kicked in yet? I'm kinda worried since I only have one more pill to take. What if the last pill tomorrow doesn't do it? What if my self diagnosis wasn't right? Maybe it's not a kidney infection. And tomorrow is Friday and I'll be traveling ALL day. And then it's the weekend. I spent all morning in the bed. I felt bad, especially since George had to walk alone and then exercise alone while I slept the morning away. I took some Aleve when I got up and it helped. The RX is an antibiotic, so the pain med is helping. We went for a nice lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then saw a great movie, Notes of a Scandal. Really disturbing, but a great movie. Judi Dench was incredible! Cate Blanchett too. Tonight we had dinner at Mama Gina's (Italian)....wonderful. Several of the tennis players were there too. Andy Murray and his brother were there and Andy's coach, Brad Gilbert, who used to coach my all time favorite, Andre Agassi. We're watching Grey's Anatomy now and then we're off to bed since we need to leave by 6:00 AM for an early flight. We've had a ball, but I'm actually ready to go home.

SORRY TOMMY

We had a great day. We slept a little later than normal and had breakfast in the room. We took a long walk and actually stopped during our walk at a neighborhood tennis club and watched some good tennis. After our showers and getting dressed, we went to P. F. Changs Chinese Bistro (one of our favorites) for lunch and then did some shopping. We went to the evening session for tennis tonight at Pacific Life. We saw an awesome match between Shahar Peer and Daniela Hantuchova (I know the names are different...I've had a time pronouncing so many of the players this year). The match took almost 3 hours and was very intense. Hantuchova won in a third set tie breaker. We had a wonderful time, but I couldn't stay for the next match between Tommy Haas and Fernando Gonzalez. My back is still hurting and it's hard sitting in the hard stadium seats. I guess the new medicine hasn't kicked in yet. I can't believe I left without seeing cutie pie Tommy play. He's a definite "hottie".

I got a special treat earlier today. My 7 year old grandson, Landon, sent me the cutest e-mail (his first). It made my day and I still smile when I think about it. In one part he said they were having a "grate" time and he "shore" hoped we were having fun. So cute.

POWERFUL STUFF

Update...the pharmacy came through for me. My precription was ready first thing this morning. It must be powerful stuff 'cause I only take one pill a day for 3 days and they cost about $10.00 each. Well worth the money if it helps.

We're going back to watch more tennis this afternoon and we will stay for the evening session. So many of the top seeded players are out already. We're seeing some awesome tennis though. Lots of fun!

WONDERFUL (and bad too)

First, the bad:

My back right at waist high on my left side has been hurting for a few days and I just thought it was from sitting on the seats with no backs at the tennis tournament. Last night, it kept me awake and I figured it out (duh!). I think I have a kidney infection brewing. On the way back from Arizona, I called and got the number to a pharmacy near our timeshare in Palm Desert and then called my doctor's office and spoke with the nurse. She called back and said they had called me in a prescription. But....as luck or un-luck would have it, when I went in to pick it up (4PM this time, 6PM at home) no prescription was waiting. It seems Walgreens phone and fax lines were down all day, so anything called in wasn't received. Of course, by then, the doctor's office was closed. It's not an emergency yet (I hope), so they will call the office early tomorrow morning for me. Hope Aleve will do the job tonight. I'm drinking extra water and cranberry juice too.

Now, for the wonderful:

We woke this morning to a beautiful sight and the most wonderful temp. The sky was blue, blue, blue and no clouds in sight and it was sunny, but just perfect for sitting outside. Our stay included a buffet breakfast like you wouldn't believe! We ate outside by the pool surrounded by beautiful flowers everywhere and the gorgeous Camelback Mountains as a backdrop. One thing I can say truthfully about George and I...we don't take our life (not one single day) for granted. We're constantly saying to each other how happy we are to be living the life we do. As I sat there this morning, I couldn't help but think about this time last year. I was just home from the hospital after my breast cancer surgery, scared and sore. Then just five months later, I was in the same hospital again after breaking both bones in my lower right leg. I've always tried to be thankful for what I have, but going through these two times has truly made me appreciate every single second of every single day. While George drove back to Desert Palms this afternoon, I read more from my book IN AN INSTANT written by Bob and Lee Woodruff. What a beautifully written story. Our lives can truly be changed "in just an instant". Thank you Heavenly Father for every day!

3 BULLETS

I had to share this e-mail message I received today:

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused. However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused. So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed , then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, "the past." Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear.Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor. Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow. Don't worry about tomorrow, God is already there!!!

AT THE FOOT OF CAMELBACK

What a place to practice your putt!
Ain't it the truth!

The sign is right..."Where Time Stands Still". This is the lobby entrance to our hotel.
We had our meals out by the pool with Camelback in the background.
Beautiful views...everywhere!

Wow! I just logged in to my dashboard and saw that I have posted exactly 500 post since I first start blogging! Amazing!

Today we traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona. What a beautiful country we live in! It was fun just riding along looking at the desert and how deserted areas were as we traveled. I sure hoped we wouldn't have car trouble....that would have made for a bad day for sure. Hot, hot, hot, but so beautiful. We arrived without any trouble, thank you God. We had a wonderful lunch, did some shopping and went to an excellent movie (free...they were passing out free passes in the mall for a sneak preview of a movie Tom Hanks directed) and then returned to our hotel, Camelback Inn, for dinner. We ate outside under the stars listening to a great singer and had a glass of wine. Heaven! I feel like we're on our honeymoon.

ROAD TRIP

This morning we took the aerial tramway in Palm Springs...oh my goodness! So high...so scary...so unbelievably awesome. More about that later when I have time and lots of pictures too. (update - pictures posted on 3/18/07 post)

Then we were back at Indian Wells for lots of tennis. We didn't get home until midnight! I can't believe Roger Federre lost in the first round of singles! We got to watch him win in the doubles though! Awesome tennis and he's a "hottie" for sure!

We're going on our road trip in the morning to Scottsdale, Arizona and will spend the night.

DIAL-UP ISN'T FUN

We've had three good days with our friends, Rex and Jo. We've watched lots and lots of great matches, both day and night, at the Pacific Life tournament in Indian Wells. We're loving the weather. Our seats have been wonderful...much better than last year. I'm taking lots of photos, but I won't even attempt to post any since I'm having to use dial-up and it takes FOREVER! I guess I've forgotten how frustrated I used to get before I got DSL cable. I'll post lots of pics once we're back home. Rex and Jo flew back home this afternoon, so George and I will have until next Friday by ourselves. We're planning a trip to Scotsdale, AZ on Monday and will spend one night there and we might go later in the week to San Diego, but just for the day. We'll see.

CALIFORNIA FUN

We watched Tim Henman and Lleyton Hewitt warm up. Martina Hingis warming up. Look at that background!

When it got too hot, here's how Jo and I watched the matches...frozen margaritas outside by the big screen! We're no dummies!

We're having a ball! Watching lots of tennis at the Pacific Life tournament in Indian Wells and we're enjoying having our friends, Jo and Rex, here with us for a few days. The weather has been incredible.

BACK AT SHADOW RIDGE

Look at the views! It's so gorgeous here.

No kidding...this was our view from our balcony this morning!
The golf course is unbelievable. George and Eric played it last year, but George doesn't plan to play this year since we're going to be watching tennis almost every day.

We're so excited to be back at our time share at Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert. We only come once a year, but it feels like home when we're here.

A SAFE, BUT LONG DAY OF TRAVEL

It was a long day of travel for sure. We drove to Atlanta, then flew straight to Palm Springs, got our rental car and then drove to Palm Desert. No problems anywhere along the way. Everything went so smoothly...amazing! Our friends, Jo and Rex, arrived a few hours before us and now we're all tired and ready for bed.

PACKED AND READY

My Mom and Aunt arrived this afternoon and will house-sit while we're on our trip. We had a nice afternoon of playing games and spending time together between my packing and doing last minute chores. Tonight George grilled some yummy burgers and Sherry made the best baked beans.

We're all packed now and ready to leave right after an early breakfast in the morning. California here we come!

THIS IS SCARY!

Following my friend Tracey's lead, I thought I'd give this a try. Scary! Wow...from one extreme to another. Just a few points seperate me from Mary-Kate Olsen and Camilla Parker Bowles...oh my!

Go here and get one for yourself.

SUNDAY

I do love Sundays. I'm so thankful for our church and for the way I feel each and every week after I go. I feel nourished and refreshed. Thank you God for this gift and the privilege to worship when and where I choose. Let me never take it for granted.

Today our Worship Team sang a favorite:

Michael W. Smith ABOVE ALL

Above all powers above all kings

Above all nature and all created things

Above all wisdom and all the ways of man

You were here before the world began
Above all kindgoms above all thrones

Above all wonders the world has ever known

Above all wealth and treasure of the earth

There's no way to measure what You're worth
Crucified laid behind a stone

You lived to die rejected and alone

Like a rose trampled on the ground

You took the fall and thought of me Above all

THE HARD PART OF TRAVELING

I spent most of the afternoon deciding what to take on our trip, which basically is the whole closet. It's amazing that I feel I must take everything I own, you know, just in case I might need it. I'm not kidding. We'll be gone 10 days, but you'd think I was packing for a cross country move. I need help!

I FOUND THIS PROFOUND

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to get a hold on my over-eating (can't you tell by all my posts about eating out, eating in, etc.). It's frustrating...and hard....especially living where we do where EVERY day feels like we're on vacation so we act like we are and we eat like we are. I just read my Mountainwings message for today. Wow...very profound. Here's just a part of it, but what a message!

One definition of a fool is a person who keeps doing the same thing and expecting different results.
If you want something you've never had...
Do you?
Want something you've never had.
If so, then maybe today is the perfect day to start.
Why today?
Because it's March 4th.
March forth on March 4th.
Boldly go where you've never gone before.
You've got new life to discover.
March Forth!

Okay, I don't want to be a fool who keeps doing the same thing and expecting different results. I must stop doing the same old thing...overeating!

GEORGE'S PLAY PALS

Since moving into our new house in November, one of the perks has been getting to know our new neighbors. The couple living next door has three sons, all of whom are just adorable. Twin boys, Taylor and Jackson, just turned 8 and the youngest, Noah, is 3. All three think George is their play pal and come and get him to play all the time. It's so cute. Since none of our grandchildren live in town, it's been wonderful to have these kids around. George goes next door almost daily to play something....usually basketball.

This morning, we went to watch one of their real game. It was so fun to watch (especially since they won) and amazing too to see just how good some of the kids are. They were thrilled to see us there.

PIZZA NIGHT

Another fun pizza making night at Dick and Barbara's. Yummy pizzas...we're getting so good at this! Afterwards, the guys all watched TV and the girls played Mexican Train.

DEATH BY WEATHER

It amazes me to think that weather in this day and age can cause such distruction...and death. Every day when you turn on the news, you hear or read about a disaster in some part of the world. Today, my friend Tracey in Montgomery, Alabama posted in her blog about one family's life that is forever changed by the terrible tornadoes that raced across the south yesterday. A beautiful young 16 year old girl, Katie Strunk, lost her life when a tornado hit her high school. I can only try to imagine what sadness this has brought to her family and friends.

I was so busy yesterday getting ready for my upcoming trip to California, running errands and getting to my hair appointment, that I never even heard the news about this tradegy. We met friends for dinner last night and they were telling us about it. This morning when I read Tracey's blog, I realized just how small our world really is. Tracey's son, Zach, went to school with Katie last year. Suddenly, this just wasn't any news story, it was a very personal story. My heart hurts for not only Katie's friends and family, but my friend, Tracey, and her son. Go here to see how you can help. Please include them in your prayers.

I GRADUATED!

Jeremiah 30:17A
But I will restore you to health, and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.

Hip Hip Horah!

My foot felt so good today that I decided it was time to graduate from my yucky black brace I've been wearing when I play tennis or golf into a less bulky one. (My doctor okayed this.)

George and I rode our bikes this morning over to the village and had breakfast at Starbucks - breakfast of champions (yeah right?!) I played three sets of tennis in the smaller brace and I did just fine. It is still sore at times, but it's getting better every day. Thank you God! Afterwards, we did our 6.1 mile ride around the big loop here in the neighborhood and went back to the village for lunch. It was a gorgeous day...perfect for being outdoors. George and I are having the most fun doing things together...we always have, but living here gives us more things to choose from.

Of course, I had to play "catch-up" this afternoon to get my errands and chores done. Lots to do getting ready for our trip to Calfornia, since we're leaving next Tuesday.