I am in the midst of trying to re-decide whether or not to take a new position at the place where I work. I decided to take it and all seemed well although I had kind of a funny feeling that I might have made a mistake. Now I am being offered more money to stay at my old job and not start my new job on Monday. I have prayed and I fasted. Still I am no closer to knowing what I should do than I was before. Both have good opportunities and I would be good at both. Each position people tell me how wonderful and good at it I am or will be. Truthfully I have been sucking up all the praise but now it comes down to what should I do.
For the first time I can actually say that the additional money is nice that it is not what is confusing me. I am at a place in my life where I so want to do what God wants. I want to honor God in what I choose and what I do. I want to be in his service and am not sure which job would be the best for that. I know I ended up at the place where I work because God placed me there. There is not doubt about that at all. But now what? I have to decide by Monday morning. I so don't want to make the wrong choice - I know that wrong choices or choices that you are not supposed to make have consequences that I so don't want to go through. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. And I wanted to be an adult why???
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Mom
I wish I knew that we would see each other again. I wish I had known Christ before you died so that I could have shared his endless love and forgiveness with you. I wish you could see Patrick and see how handsome and special he is. I wish you could see how much I've grown & changed to become the person you wanted me to be. After 13 years I still miss you very much. I love you Mom.
Gladys Bertha Kurdt Morris Borthwick May 17, 1917 - June 27, 1994
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Flow
As I was driving into work this morning, I noticed a small piece of paper in the road that was being tossed around by the cars. I love watching things that somehow end up in the road. My favorite things are leaves or white puffy dandelion seeds or those white cotton ball puffy things that come from trees that are around TN. I love watching them because they look like they are dancing. They twirl, twist, and float around so gracefully that it is mesmerizing to watch sometimes. That something that is inanimate can be so animated and graceful almost as if they are so joyful that they can not contain the emotion. These items go with the flow. They sway to and fro and may end up in the road or on the side in a grassy area where they might be able to plant and grow again. They can't feel hope but it seems they can. That they are dancing their hearts out just to survive.
People do that. Although not as graceful at times. We twist and turn and instead of joyfully dancing we fight the flow/current. We don't always have hope that it will work out in the end or that it all means something. Even if we know that it will all work out, we still put up a barrier and fight that current. Humans are creatures of habit. Change even though accepted whether at the onset or after the change occurs troubles most of us. Why? If anything our motto (if we were to have one) should be that "The only thing that stays the same is that things change." Whether we want it to or not. So why are we surprised when things change? Maybe, because sometimes it's around the corner and jumps out at you when you are just minding your own business, walking by all happy in your own little world. Kind of like a monster in hiding waiting to suck your breath away. We all know though that if we flowed with the change and gave it over, things would be better and we would feel better - yet some of us hold on to what was instead of what is ahead and what can be. Sometimes it's a leap - like a motorcycle jumping over cars and sometimes it's a baby step.
There is always a chance that you may fall but there is hope that you also might make it. Floating and dancing makes the chance more probable and more comfortable. Swaying to change like it was a dance partner has such tender soothing thoughts. That saying is true. "Go with the Flow." dude.
People do that. Although not as graceful at times. We twist and turn and instead of joyfully dancing we fight the flow/current. We don't always have hope that it will work out in the end or that it all means something. Even if we know that it will all work out, we still put up a barrier and fight that current. Humans are creatures of habit. Change even though accepted whether at the onset or after the change occurs troubles most of us. Why? If anything our motto (if we were to have one) should be that "The only thing that stays the same is that things change." Whether we want it to or not. So why are we surprised when things change? Maybe, because sometimes it's around the corner and jumps out at you when you are just minding your own business, walking by all happy in your own little world. Kind of like a monster in hiding waiting to suck your breath away. We all know though that if we flowed with the change and gave it over, things would be better and we would feel better - yet some of us hold on to what was instead of what is ahead and what can be. Sometimes it's a leap - like a motorcycle jumping over cars and sometimes it's a baby step.
There is always a chance that you may fall but there is hope that you also might make it. Floating and dancing makes the chance more probable and more comfortable. Swaying to change like it was a dance partner has such tender soothing thoughts. That saying is true. "Go with the Flow." dude.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Fathers
When I was a little girl I used to play with my dad after he came home from work. We would play restaurant - I was the waitress and I would bring him plates of imagined food and drink. Or we would play shopping or some other made up game. I knew I was loved especially after we did Eskimo kissing. As I grew up and my mom and dad separated I was told some things that made me turn from my dad - things like he never wanted me and other stuff. Becoming a teenager didn't really help either. I was not respectful and well was plain nasty at times. He of course responded in kind and we began 15 years of not getting along. Six months after my mom died my dad became very ill. By the time I was told he was in the hospital he was very sick. I went to visit him in the hospital and I talked because he wasn't able to and I told him I was sorry and that I loved him. His eyes became wide and I knew it was going to be ok. He died that night. My memories of my dad are totally of the good times and my heart warms whenever I think of our Eskimo kisses.
When my son was born I so wanted his dad to have the perfect relationship with him. I criticized a lot because I didn't want my son to be hurt or disappointed like I was. I was very neurotic about it. It took years for me to realize that no father or mother was perfect and as long as you tried your very best things worked out. It was something that I had to let go. I prayed for a father for Patrick and somehow without realizing it found that we had one. He wasn't perfect and was different than what I thought I wanted or Patrick needed, but he is a good father and has really come a long way. He loves Patrick very much and that shows in many ways.
No dad or mom is perfect but I think God has placed us with the child that he wants us to raise. My husband is not perfect but he is a great dad, he takes care of Patrick when he is sick, he plays with him and they wrestle. They talk computers and games and other things. Michael is the father that I wanted him to be - it just took me awhile to realize it.
Happy Father's Day!
When my son was born I so wanted his dad to have the perfect relationship with him. I criticized a lot because I didn't want my son to be hurt or disappointed like I was. I was very neurotic about it. It took years for me to realize that no father or mother was perfect and as long as you tried your very best things worked out. It was something that I had to let go. I prayed for a father for Patrick and somehow without realizing it found that we had one. He wasn't perfect and was different than what I thought I wanted or Patrick needed, but he is a good father and has really come a long way. He loves Patrick very much and that shows in many ways.
No dad or mom is perfect but I think God has placed us with the child that he wants us to raise. My husband is not perfect but he is a great dad, he takes care of Patrick when he is sick, he plays with him and they wrestle. They talk computers and games and other things. Michael is the father that I wanted him to be - it just took me awhile to realize it.
Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Ruth Graham 1920 - 2007
Oh, lovely lady. You may never know what inspiration you have given generations of women. How supportive, faithful, strong, and caring you are. I honor you as one woman, wife and mother to another. I think without you, Billy Graham would not have been such a force and would not have reached as many people as he did. That old saying holds true in your case - behind every great man is a great woman. I know you are hearing "Well Done" from our Lord. You were a graceful lady that will be missed. I thank you for the inspiration that you gave to me and many, many people.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Thoughts
It amazes me almost on a daily basis how my thoughts can get me in trouble, make me angry or have whatever emotion. Sometimes I over think things, sometimes I just do not think enough. I try to have a happy medium between the 2 but sometimes it seems like such a struggle. Take today for instance. I am happy that Patrick's surgery went well and it is over. At Vanderbilt it is so obvious how very lucky we are. Children are there for days, weeks, months. They have every disease known to man. Some recover and some do not. I am truly blessed that Patrick's surgery went so well and he got to come home the same day. Many parents do not have that and many parents children will never leave that hospital. It saddens me and yet I am so very happy that my child got to come home.
It is all in the perspective. Patrick is used to pain, medicine and hospitals because of the tumor that was removed from his nasal cavity almost 2 years ago. His nurses praised him because he was such a good patient and didn't complain and didn't make a fuss. Of course it is all relative, having had major surgery and being in the hospital for almost a week and being poked and prodded and everything else, this last surgery seemed almost like a piece of cake. So it is all perspective. What do you choose to see and do. Do you choose to milk it for all it's worth or just brave through it until it goes away.
My thoughts and feelings are like that. If I am hurt I tend to get nasty thoughts and so want to vent and just rant and let everyone know that has hurt me that they hurt me. Other times I take it in perspective and am hurt but I can just let it go. Today even though things are good and I am off from work so that I can have a mommy and child day I seem to be hurt and angry. I would like to have the perspective that I am fortunate to be able to take a day off to take care of my child. But thoughts of I wish I could do this all the time come into play. I love to work and I like my job but I would love to be a stay at home mom - it overwhelms me sometimes. Also, I know that I have good friends that care about me and my family, but I have anger at those people that have said they cared for me and yet never call or email. Of course I guess I am not the greatest person either because I don't call and check up on people either unless I have some kind of relationship with them. It's hard for me to make that connection because of all my past baggage - which by now probably would fill up a room. I'm tired of cliques where adults should be. Don't get me wrong I know that adults form little groups with who they are comfortable with but it seems so juvenile when someone doesn't quite fit into a group that they are ignored or just brushed away. I belonged to a small group that had wonderful people who were in charge, they brought us all together and they were the glue. Now that the group has separated it has become cliques and if you are not in a clique you have been left behind. The few that are in a group are there because they have been accepted for whatever reason by that clique, those of us for whatever reason that have been left out are left out for whatever reason. Angry, yes sometimes, don't care - sometimes.
My thoughts are killer sometimes - they get me in trouble and sometimes they are a great asset. Sometimes I wish I could just turn them off.
It is all in the perspective. Patrick is used to pain, medicine and hospitals because of the tumor that was removed from his nasal cavity almost 2 years ago. His nurses praised him because he was such a good patient and didn't complain and didn't make a fuss. Of course it is all relative, having had major surgery and being in the hospital for almost a week and being poked and prodded and everything else, this last surgery seemed almost like a piece of cake. So it is all perspective. What do you choose to see and do. Do you choose to milk it for all it's worth or just brave through it until it goes away.
My thoughts and feelings are like that. If I am hurt I tend to get nasty thoughts and so want to vent and just rant and let everyone know that has hurt me that they hurt me. Other times I take it in perspective and am hurt but I can just let it go. Today even though things are good and I am off from work so that I can have a mommy and child day I seem to be hurt and angry. I would like to have the perspective that I am fortunate to be able to take a day off to take care of my child. But thoughts of I wish I could do this all the time come into play. I love to work and I like my job but I would love to be a stay at home mom - it overwhelms me sometimes. Also, I know that I have good friends that care about me and my family, but I have anger at those people that have said they cared for me and yet never call or email. Of course I guess I am not the greatest person either because I don't call and check up on people either unless I have some kind of relationship with them. It's hard for me to make that connection because of all my past baggage - which by now probably would fill up a room. I'm tired of cliques where adults should be. Don't get me wrong I know that adults form little groups with who they are comfortable with but it seems so juvenile when someone doesn't quite fit into a group that they are ignored or just brushed away. I belonged to a small group that had wonderful people who were in charge, they brought us all together and they were the glue. Now that the group has separated it has become cliques and if you are not in a clique you have been left behind. The few that are in a group are there because they have been accepted for whatever reason by that clique, those of us for whatever reason that have been left out are left out for whatever reason. Angry, yes sometimes, don't care - sometimes.
My thoughts are killer sometimes - they get me in trouble and sometimes they are a great asset. Sometimes I wish I could just turn them off.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Say that Again?
I was at a training this week for juvenile court staff. Usually I work the whole conference and am running around and taking care of things. This conference was no difference except for today's training. We only had a half day and everything was taken care of and I decided to sit in on the session. It was an update on alcohol & drugs that are used by children who appear in juvenile court. As a mom of a newly fresh teen I thought it would be informative and interesting.
The speaker used to be a Youth Services Officer in Juvenile Court and now was in charge of that counties Juvenile Drug Court and some other juvenile programs. She was so informative and knowledgeable in her field. She started with Depressants: Alcohol - she showed us what your vision is like when you are on alcohol. Normally your vision is peripheral and you can see something coming from behind somewhere around your shoulders, when you are on alcohol your peripheral vision is actually between your shoulders and elbows. She then went on to prescription drugs like Xanax and Valium, GHB and Ketamine. Did you know that kids can go online and buy follicle shampoo that will mask their follicles in a drug test. In addition they KNOW other agents that mask urine drug tests - like pectin, stat, detox, golden seal, bleach, milk thistle and pickle juice. Most of which can be bought at GNC. AND when they use drugs they call it tweeking or geeking out.
Next was Hallucinogens: PCP, LSD, Rohypnol and shrooms. Did you know that a Blunt is a hollowed out cigar that can be used with all of these drugs. Premos are cocaine laced blunts. Did you know that a 4" piece of paper dipped in acid is called a blotter. Did you know that just one try of LSD can produce a permanent bad trip. An example was Orange Juice boy. He always stands in a corner because he thinks people are going to drink him - he has these thoughts every day. Did you know that Rohypnol is not only a date rape drug but child molesters are now using it to molest children especially boys.
Third was Stimulants: Nicotine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine/Crack. Did you know that 98% of children that appear in court are on Meth. Did you know that the chemicals in Meth rots your teeth. Did you know that the life span of someone on Meth is 7-9 years. Did you know that children in jail will ask a new inmate when they last used Meth and if it was within 24 hours they will barter for their urine to drink or scabs to eat because they both will contain Meth. Did you know that Meth now comes in flavors and is being made like pop rocks. It comes in Strawberry Quik, grape, lemon and coke flavors and when put on the tongue reacts like pop rocks. A dealer will give a bag out to children for free because they get hooked automatically so when they come back they will have to buy. Did you know that there is a company called Dance Safe that will attend raves and check out your drugs and tell you what is in them, then give them back and tell you to have a good time. Did you know that you can get your Ecstasy pills in designer form with different logos, like cats, superhero logos and smiley faces. Gangs put their logos on them. Did you know that one use of Cocaine can make the user not feel normal ever again. Did you know that a hit of Cocaine only gives a 5-10 minute high then a crushing low.
Fourth and Fifth were opiates and other drugs. Did you know that poppies are grown on the side of highways and in medians in TN. Did you know that children are buying Dayquil, Robitussin and Coricin because they contain DXM (Dextromethorphan). Did you know that Coricin tablets are called skittles. Did you know that children use these products to sleep to forget.
Lastly were Steroids, Marijuana and Inhalants. Did you know that joints dipped in embalming fluid are called Fryers. Did you know that doctors give a prescription called Marinol which is a synthetic version of marijuana to children for various reasons. Did you know that children are inhaling computer dusters and glade scented candles (especially mulberry and cherry). Did you know that children are putting white out on their notebooks. They re-wet the whiteout and then put their head down in class and sniff. Girls are hiding stuff in scrunchies, placing them on their wrists and sniffing in class.
One important thing though is Did You Know? Well there is a good possibility that your child may know. Your child might know what parents leave their kids alone, what parents will share alcohol, who the dealers are, what other kids use. Don't you think you should know!?
I can not believe how naive I am regarding all of this stuff that my son MAY experience in school. I knew their was evil in the world and I knew it targeted children. BUT strawberry quik flavored pop rocks that looks so much like candy that a classmate might share. At first this session shocked and scared me. But then I started thinking and as long as we stay active in our sons life, as long as we stay educated, as long as I pray every night we just might get through this obstacle. Becoming more knowledgeable and investing time in my child is more than worth what I can save him from. I need to ask questions, be knowledgeable (know slang, know what it going on). My son is worth it.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/home/
http://www.facingthedragon.org/index.htm
The speaker used to be a Youth Services Officer in Juvenile Court and now was in charge of that counties Juvenile Drug Court and some other juvenile programs. She was so informative and knowledgeable in her field. She started with Depressants: Alcohol - she showed us what your vision is like when you are on alcohol. Normally your vision is peripheral and you can see something coming from behind somewhere around your shoulders, when you are on alcohol your peripheral vision is actually between your shoulders and elbows. She then went on to prescription drugs like Xanax and Valium, GHB and Ketamine. Did you know that kids can go online and buy follicle shampoo that will mask their follicles in a drug test. In addition they KNOW other agents that mask urine drug tests - like pectin, stat, detox, golden seal, bleach, milk thistle and pickle juice. Most of which can be bought at GNC. AND when they use drugs they call it tweeking or geeking out.
Next was Hallucinogens: PCP, LSD, Rohypnol and shrooms. Did you know that a Blunt is a hollowed out cigar that can be used with all of these drugs. Premos are cocaine laced blunts. Did you know that a 4" piece of paper dipped in acid is called a blotter. Did you know that just one try of LSD can produce a permanent bad trip. An example was Orange Juice boy. He always stands in a corner because he thinks people are going to drink him - he has these thoughts every day. Did you know that Rohypnol is not only a date rape drug but child molesters are now using it to molest children especially boys.
Third was Stimulants: Nicotine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine/Crack. Did you know that 98% of children that appear in court are on Meth. Did you know that the chemicals in Meth rots your teeth. Did you know that the life span of someone on Meth is 7-9 years. Did you know that children in jail will ask a new inmate when they last used Meth and if it was within 24 hours they will barter for their urine to drink or scabs to eat because they both will contain Meth. Did you know that Meth now comes in flavors and is being made like pop rocks. It comes in Strawberry Quik, grape, lemon and coke flavors and when put on the tongue reacts like pop rocks. A dealer will give a bag out to children for free because they get hooked automatically so when they come back they will have to buy. Did you know that there is a company called Dance Safe that will attend raves and check out your drugs and tell you what is in them, then give them back and tell you to have a good time. Did you know that you can get your Ecstasy pills in designer form with different logos, like cats, superhero logos and smiley faces. Gangs put their logos on them. Did you know that one use of Cocaine can make the user not feel normal ever again. Did you know that a hit of Cocaine only gives a 5-10 minute high then a crushing low.
Fourth and Fifth were opiates and other drugs. Did you know that poppies are grown on the side of highways and in medians in TN. Did you know that children are buying Dayquil, Robitussin and Coricin because they contain DXM (Dextromethorphan). Did you know that Coricin tablets are called skittles. Did you know that children use these products to sleep to forget.
Lastly were Steroids, Marijuana and Inhalants. Did you know that joints dipped in embalming fluid are called Fryers. Did you know that doctors give a prescription called Marinol which is a synthetic version of marijuana to children for various reasons. Did you know that children are inhaling computer dusters and glade scented candles (especially mulberry and cherry). Did you know that children are putting white out on their notebooks. They re-wet the whiteout and then put their head down in class and sniff. Girls are hiding stuff in scrunchies, placing them on their wrists and sniffing in class.
One important thing though is Did You Know? Well there is a good possibility that your child may know. Your child might know what parents leave their kids alone, what parents will share alcohol, who the dealers are, what other kids use. Don't you think you should know!?
I can not believe how naive I am regarding all of this stuff that my son MAY experience in school. I knew their was evil in the world and I knew it targeted children. BUT strawberry quik flavored pop rocks that looks so much like candy that a classmate might share. At first this session shocked and scared me. But then I started thinking and as long as we stay active in our sons life, as long as we stay educated, as long as I pray every night we just might get through this obstacle. Becoming more knowledgeable and investing time in my child is more than worth what I can save him from. I need to ask questions, be knowledgeable (know slang, know what it going on). My son is worth it.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/home/
http://www.facingthedragon.org/index.htm
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Pookie
Well today is the day. My little boy is 13 today. It is hard to believe that 13 years ago I gave birth to this boy that is sitting near me on the couch. This boy who is almost taller than I am, this boy who is starting 8th grade in August.
13 years ago I started to have pre-eclampsia and my doctor scheduled me to induce labor. I checked in to the hospital in the evening of June 1st and they woke me up at 6am on June 2nd to start giving me petocin to stimulate contractions. After 12 hours I still had only dilated about 1/2 an inch so the doctor broke my water. That didn't work so they upped the petocin. After they peeled me off the ceiling it was decided to go ahead and do a cesarean. They gave me an epidural and after I started to have uncontrollable shakes and started to throw up my doctor showed me this little white fuzzy little thing and told me it was my baby and it was a boy. After that I fell asleep (who wouldn't after 18 hours of labor). When I finally woke up and they brought me this little boy I fell totally in love. I felt something that was so new to me - I had overwhelming feelings of love, protectiveness and I was scared beyond belief.
Through the years this has never waived. Trust me, this boy has brought out feelings in me that I never thought were possible. I have been angry beyond what I thought I was capable of, I have been disappointed and even hurt - not to mention the pride and joy. Through all this, I love this boy with all of my heart and I so want what is best for him. He has grown up so fast and has been a challenge sometimes and an absolute joy other times. Even though he has reached the teenage years and I miss the baby years sometimes - I look forward to see this boy become a man. He is so full of love, compassion, empathy and humor. It is with much love and pride that I look at him and see my influence and know that there will be hard times to come, nights when I won't be able to go to sleep and times when I will want to cry, days & nights when I will pray unceasingly - and yet I know this boy is becoming a man and I played a part in that happening. I give him over to the Lord knowing that whatever happens, happens for a reason.
My boy is 13 today. Happy Birthday Patrick!
I love you with all of my heart, Mom
13 years ago I started to have pre-eclampsia and my doctor scheduled me to induce labor. I checked in to the hospital in the evening of June 1st and they woke me up at 6am on June 2nd to start giving me petocin to stimulate contractions. After 12 hours I still had only dilated about 1/2 an inch so the doctor broke my water. That didn't work so they upped the petocin. After they peeled me off the ceiling it was decided to go ahead and do a cesarean. They gave me an epidural and after I started to have uncontrollable shakes and started to throw up my doctor showed me this little white fuzzy little thing and told me it was my baby and it was a boy. After that I fell asleep (who wouldn't after 18 hours of labor). When I finally woke up and they brought me this little boy I fell totally in love. I felt something that was so new to me - I had overwhelming feelings of love, protectiveness and I was scared beyond belief.
Through the years this has never waived. Trust me, this boy has brought out feelings in me that I never thought were possible. I have been angry beyond what I thought I was capable of, I have been disappointed and even hurt - not to mention the pride and joy. Through all this, I love this boy with all of my heart and I so want what is best for him. He has grown up so fast and has been a challenge sometimes and an absolute joy other times. Even though he has reached the teenage years and I miss the baby years sometimes - I look forward to see this boy become a man. He is so full of love, compassion, empathy and humor. It is with much love and pride that I look at him and see my influence and know that there will be hard times to come, nights when I won't be able to go to sleep and times when I will want to cry, days & nights when I will pray unceasingly - and yet I know this boy is becoming a man and I played a part in that happening. I give him over to the Lord knowing that whatever happens, happens for a reason.
My boy is 13 today. Happy Birthday Patrick!
I love you with all of my heart, Mom
Friday, June 1, 2007
Vacation - Day 3 & 4
We left Maggie Valley after breakfast. We hooked up with the Blue Ridge Parkway and that was spectacular as well. Again we stopped at almost all of the view spots and I took loads of pics. Halfway through we stopped at a restaurant near Mt. Mitchell. The view was spectacular and the food wasn't to bad either. I felt so relaxed and by some miracle my Fibro hadn't acted up. I had thought since I had done so much exercise and moving around that I would be hurting but strangely enough that wasn't the case. I was for the first time in a long time with out any stress. Anyway, we stopped and did some sightseeing and hiking. Then when we made it to Little Switzerland we got off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and made it onto SR 226.
Now where the parkway had places where if you veered to much you would hit trees and go down the side of a cliff, 226 was very scary. There were places where this could happen and no trees to catch you. Anyway, we made it to Spruce Pine, NC around 2 p.m. We got a hotel room and since we had so much time we went to one of our first mining spots. We went to the Rio Doce Gem Mine http://www.riodoce.com. This is more of a store with a spot to do some sloushing. What they do is import dirt and rocks from their mine in Brazil and put it in buckets for people to sift. The visiting miner gets a sifter pan and they put dirt & rocks into it and then shake it in some running water and clean off the rocks to find rough gems. We bought a huge bucket and sifted for about 2 hours. It was so much fun because we found all of these beautiful colorful rocks and we knew that they were something but didn't quite know what. After we had done this we went inside and they told us what we had found. We found emeralds, rubies, citrine, many different kinds of quartz, tourmaline and amethyst. Michael found an emerald and since we got a free gem cutting with the large bucket we decided to have that one cut so we could send it to Michael's mom. We then went and had dinner and went back to the hotel and crashed.
The next day (Wednesday) we had a reservation at Gem Mountain http://www.gemmountain.com/. Our reservation was to do some actual mining. We covered ourselves with sunscreen and packed up some water, got in a van and were taken to a spot to mine. Basically the owners dig up a side of a mountain and then let you dig it up. We each got a bucket and spent four hours digging in the dirt. It was in the 90s and were were very dirty. But all 3 of use had a lot of rocks that we thought were gems. We went back to the store and did our sloushing of all of our treasures. I had the most rocks because I stayed the whole 4 hours in one place in a little hole. Between all of us we ended up with aquamarine, amethyst, garnets, ametrine (one of my favorites), etc... We then bought a small bucket of stuff that had been mined by the owner. We found more gems. It was such an exciting day. To dig and dig and then come up with pretty rocks that could be cut and made into jewelry was awesome. I decided to have one of my amethysts cut - I should get it in 10 weeks.
After all of that we went to have dinner and then back to the room. We figured we would get up around 8 or 9 and start our way back home with some more sight seeing. Unfortunately I woke up at 1:30 a.m. with my head itching. I scratched and scratched and it would not stop itching. I figured that when I took my shower I did not get all of the dust out of my hair so I went in to take a shower. During the shower my hands started to itch as well. My face started right after that. It was such a burning itch that I started to cry because it just wouldn't stop. I noticed that my lips, tongue and finger were swelling. I got out of the shower and woke up Michael. I figured I needed Benedryl asap. By the time he woke Patrick up and we were in the car I realized that Benedryl wasn't going to help that we needed to get to the hospital for something stronger. Of course we were in a small town, nothing was open and I couldn't remember where I had seen the hospital sign from our earlier drive around the town. Thankfully they had a 24 hour Walmart. When we got there we saw 2 police officers in the parking lot and Michael asked where the hospital was. On our way there my throat started to close and my tongue was so swollen that I could only breathe a little. When we got to the ER I could barely breathe. The nurse helped me to a bed and the Dr. came in right away while Michael and Patrick went to register me. Right before the nurse and Dr. I broke out into hives all over my body. I could barely speak because my tongue was so swollen. They gave me a shot of Prednisone and Benedryl. The swelling stopped and breathing became a little easier. We were there until about 3:30 a.m. It was one of the scariest moments in my life. The Dr. said we may never know what caused the allergic reaction. We went back to the motel, went back to sleep and woke up around 10 a.m.
Michael drove all the way home in one day. He wanted to get me home as soon as possible in case I needed anything and knowing that after that I just wanted to be home in my own bed.
So here we are back at home a little early. Funny - but it didn't ruin the vacation. I was scared but I knew it was going to be ok either way. The drive and whole vacation was wonderful and I have 2 more days left before I have to go back to work. So we will have to think of something else to do - to keep the party going.
Now where the parkway had places where if you veered to much you would hit trees and go down the side of a cliff, 226 was very scary. There were places where this could happen and no trees to catch you. Anyway, we made it to Spruce Pine, NC around 2 p.m. We got a hotel room and since we had so much time we went to one of our first mining spots. We went to the Rio Doce Gem Mine http://www.riodoce.com. This is more of a store with a spot to do some sloushing. What they do is import dirt and rocks from their mine in Brazil and put it in buckets for people to sift. The visiting miner gets a sifter pan and they put dirt & rocks into it and then shake it in some running water and clean off the rocks to find rough gems. We bought a huge bucket and sifted for about 2 hours. It was so much fun because we found all of these beautiful colorful rocks and we knew that they were something but didn't quite know what. After we had done this we went inside and they told us what we had found. We found emeralds, rubies, citrine, many different kinds of quartz, tourmaline and amethyst. Michael found an emerald and since we got a free gem cutting with the large bucket we decided to have that one cut so we could send it to Michael's mom. We then went and had dinner and went back to the hotel and crashed.
The next day (Wednesday) we had a reservation at Gem Mountain http://www.gemmountain.com/. Our reservation was to do some actual mining. We covered ourselves with sunscreen and packed up some water, got in a van and were taken to a spot to mine. Basically the owners dig up a side of a mountain and then let you dig it up. We each got a bucket and spent four hours digging in the dirt. It was in the 90s and were were very dirty. But all 3 of use had a lot of rocks that we thought were gems. We went back to the store and did our sloushing of all of our treasures. I had the most rocks because I stayed the whole 4 hours in one place in a little hole. Between all of us we ended up with aquamarine, amethyst, garnets, ametrine (one of my favorites), etc... We then bought a small bucket of stuff that had been mined by the owner. We found more gems. It was such an exciting day. To dig and dig and then come up with pretty rocks that could be cut and made into jewelry was awesome. I decided to have one of my amethysts cut - I should get it in 10 weeks.
After all of that we went to have dinner and then back to the room. We figured we would get up around 8 or 9 and start our way back home with some more sight seeing. Unfortunately I woke up at 1:30 a.m. with my head itching. I scratched and scratched and it would not stop itching. I figured that when I took my shower I did not get all of the dust out of my hair so I went in to take a shower. During the shower my hands started to itch as well. My face started right after that. It was such a burning itch that I started to cry because it just wouldn't stop. I noticed that my lips, tongue and finger were swelling. I got out of the shower and woke up Michael. I figured I needed Benedryl asap. By the time he woke Patrick up and we were in the car I realized that Benedryl wasn't going to help that we needed to get to the hospital for something stronger. Of course we were in a small town, nothing was open and I couldn't remember where I had seen the hospital sign from our earlier drive around the town. Thankfully they had a 24 hour Walmart. When we got there we saw 2 police officers in the parking lot and Michael asked where the hospital was. On our way there my throat started to close and my tongue was so swollen that I could only breathe a little. When we got to the ER I could barely breathe. The nurse helped me to a bed and the Dr. came in right away while Michael and Patrick went to register me. Right before the nurse and Dr. I broke out into hives all over my body. I could barely speak because my tongue was so swollen. They gave me a shot of Prednisone and Benedryl. The swelling stopped and breathing became a little easier. We were there until about 3:30 a.m. It was one of the scariest moments in my life. The Dr. said we may never know what caused the allergic reaction. We went back to the motel, went back to sleep and woke up around 10 a.m.
Michael drove all the way home in one day. He wanted to get me home as soon as possible in case I needed anything and knowing that after that I just wanted to be home in my own bed.
So here we are back at home a little early. Funny - but it didn't ruin the vacation. I was scared but I knew it was going to be ok either way. The drive and whole vacation was wonderful and I have 2 more days left before I have to go back to work. So we will have to think of something else to do - to keep the party going.
Vacation - Day 1 & 2
We left for vacation on Sunday. This was my first vacation that I didn't spend at home or visiting family. We started in the morning and headed toward Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. We made it there in about 4 hours and decided to stop for the night so we wouldn't be driving through the Smoky Mountains at night. I thought that if we stopped in Sevierville, which is before Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, that we would save some money on the hotel. WRONG! Because it was a holiday weekend prices were up. We finally settled on a La Quinta just before Sevierville, but even that was more than we expected. It was a brand new hotel so they were reasonable but still more that what we wanted for our budget. The desk clerk was very friendly and we figured since we would be saving money on breakfast that it was worth it. When we left in the morning we found out that I was wrong, rooms in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg would have been a lot cheaper - by about $40.
Anyway, we drove through Pigeon Forge first and it reminded me a lot of Orlando/Kississimee. Very touristy and with so much to do. They had rides, outlet stores galore. We wanted to stop at a couple of places. Michael wanted to stop at a huge outlet section that had a store just for knives, one for cast iron products and one for swords. I wanted to stop at a Quilt outlet store. They had beautiful quilts on the front porch. Of course Patrick wanted to stop at the helicopter rides and all the cool mini golf spots. We decided not to stop, but if on the way back we had money and time we would stop. Next was Gatlinburg. This is also a cool place because it is right and the beginning of the Smoky Mountains. It had some attractions too, such as Ripley's Aquarium and other spots. We stopped to get gas then started to drive through the mountains. It was absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was on top of the world and so small at the same time. If ever there was proof of God it was in this place. His presence was felt everywhere. I felt so close to him as I looked at such breathtaking beauty. How anyone could think that the existence of humans and this earth was a cosmic accident is beyond me. A master plan is all I could see as we drove through. We stopped at almost every spot. One spot was at a river with huge stones. We put on our water shoes and waded into the cold water. An when I mean cold I mean ice cold. We hopped from rock to rock and made our way across the river. A second spot was at the highest point in the park at Clingmans Dome at 6,643. Our last spot was another river spot with a bridge and huge rocks. By this time we had been climbing, hiking, walking for several hours and we were all very tired when we made it out of the Smoky's and into North Carolina. We stopped in Maggie Valley around 4 p.m. A little town with no grocery stores and no Walmart. Maggie Valley is between the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We stopped for lunch/dinner since there is no place to stop in the Smokies and we had not known this so hadn't brought any food but some snacks. We then got a hotel room and walked over to a rock shop that had different gem rocks that can be found in North Carolina - that was interesting because that was our main goal in North Carolina, to go gem mining/hunting. The place was small but very interesting and the young man that owned the shop was full of information.
Then we went swimming and into the jacuzzi at the hotel. This was awesome - sitting in the sun and being able to look and see the mountains. The view was breathtaking and very relaxing - THEN all 3 of us crashed and went to sleep around 9 p.m. It was a nice ending to a very awesome day.
I took so many pictures and will have a link up as soon as I download the pics from the camera.
Anyway, we drove through Pigeon Forge first and it reminded me a lot of Orlando/Kississimee. Very touristy and with so much to do. They had rides, outlet stores galore. We wanted to stop at a couple of places. Michael wanted to stop at a huge outlet section that had a store just for knives, one for cast iron products and one for swords. I wanted to stop at a Quilt outlet store. They had beautiful quilts on the front porch. Of course Patrick wanted to stop at the helicopter rides and all the cool mini golf spots. We decided not to stop, but if on the way back we had money and time we would stop. Next was Gatlinburg. This is also a cool place because it is right and the beginning of the Smoky Mountains. It had some attractions too, such as Ripley's Aquarium and other spots. We stopped to get gas then started to drive through the mountains. It was absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was on top of the world and so small at the same time. If ever there was proof of God it was in this place. His presence was felt everywhere. I felt so close to him as I looked at such breathtaking beauty. How anyone could think that the existence of humans and this earth was a cosmic accident is beyond me. A master plan is all I could see as we drove through. We stopped at almost every spot. One spot was at a river with huge stones. We put on our water shoes and waded into the cold water. An when I mean cold I mean ice cold. We hopped from rock to rock and made our way across the river. A second spot was at the highest point in the park at Clingmans Dome at 6,643. Our last spot was another river spot with a bridge and huge rocks. By this time we had been climbing, hiking, walking for several hours and we were all very tired when we made it out of the Smoky's and into North Carolina. We stopped in Maggie Valley around 4 p.m. A little town with no grocery stores and no Walmart. Maggie Valley is between the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We stopped for lunch/dinner since there is no place to stop in the Smokies and we had not known this so hadn't brought any food but some snacks. We then got a hotel room and walked over to a rock shop that had different gem rocks that can be found in North Carolina - that was interesting because that was our main goal in North Carolina, to go gem mining/hunting. The place was small but very interesting and the young man that owned the shop was full of information.
Then we went swimming and into the jacuzzi at the hotel. This was awesome - sitting in the sun and being able to look and see the mountains. The view was breathtaking and very relaxing - THEN all 3 of us crashed and went to sleep around 9 p.m. It was a nice ending to a very awesome day.
I took so many pictures and will have a link up as soon as I download the pics from the camera.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)