Wow. It's been over a year since my last post. First a non-cancerous brain tumor was removed from my husband, then 8 months into his recovery he was hit by a car which broke his nose in two places and more seriously one of his lower legs in two places.

But, God is good and Tom has improved to the point of independence. The only exception is he doesn't drive anymore. Fortunately, I love to drive so this is something I enjoy doing for him.

After having been confined for so many months we are joyously enjoying life again.

On February 25th we celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary with a weekend trip to the beach cities. Friday Tom walked in the surf while I lay on the sand before we went shopping at a nearby upscale mall which recently put up wrought iron signs outside the shops like they have in Western Europe.

Saturday (the actual anniversary) we bought some home organizing items at the Container Store before visiting the Getty Villa Museum in Malibu. We had lunch on a beautiful terrace. After 10 years of refurbishing by adding structures that dwarf the villa, it has been remodeled beyond my liking on the outside. But we were awestruck by the antiquities inside and the gardens. Tom bought me three beautiful long stemmed blown glass roses in the gift shop.

After driving around trying to locate friends to return a borrowed wheelchair (they moved to Malibu from Redlands---we found them), we ended up at our grand-daughter's college basketball game--her last game as a cheerleader. She's giving it up next year. The program isn't what she anticipated, and she can use the exercise time to take dance lessons.

One nice bonus was that Roxanne, Eric and Grant also reserved a room at our hotel on Saturday night. Their 16th anniversary was Friday the 24th. At a late restaurant dinner after the game, they gave us a cute wood block "C" monogram she decorated.

Sunday morning we attended Vanessa's favorite church, Rock Harbor, in a nearby city. The service was amazing---very young crowd, awesome worship and Bible teaching.

Then we went to Vanessa's cheer competition at a college sports arena---a modern pyramid---really impressive. BIOLA came in second and beat USC! It was fun, but breath-taking to see girls doing flips in the air and landing in teammates arms.

Finally, home to watch the Oscars. A wonderful weekend.

A new reality

2010 was the year of surgeries for Tom

December 2009 and January 2010 was cataract surgery on each eye

September 2010 was hernia surgery

December 2010 was brain tumor and blood clot removal surgeries.

2011 will be the year of recovery.

After ICU we will go to a regular hospital floor,

then possibly to an acute rehab facility for 2-3 weeks

of physicaly and occupational therapy,

then home physical for up to a year to regain

90% of facial function.

We have much to be thankful for...

excellent mental alertness,

strong arms and legs,

and a strong body going into surgery

which aids in his recovery.

So this will be a Merry Christmas.

Very Merry.

Waiting...waiting.

Piano Student Elves

Four students and a sister came this morning to help me decorate.

First we had to undecorate--put all the Thanksgiving decorations away to make room for the Christmas decorations.

One of several manger scenes were set up in the front hallway.

Then the trees were set up---one was a disaster and fell apart after 14 faithful years---the musical ornament tree. This is the one I specifically wanted my music students to decorate. They loved decorating and want to come back to decorate this tree--after I buy a replacement.

But we got Tom's tree decorated. Yes, Tom has his own tree. He got tired of the music tree and went to Mozart's--an amazing home decorating shop in town--and found some elegant decorations for "his own tree."

We also dressed up the table. I like to use the Christmas dishes all month long. If I'm going to the trouble of getting them out of box and washing them, I want to use them more than one or two days.

Here are all the elves who brought Christmas to my home this year.

Life interrupted.

The events of the past week have told to family and close friends in emails. Won't repeat them here.

All lessons are cancelled for two weeks. I spend the mornings sleeping in (7:30 --if you call that sleeping in). Then reading and replying to emails. No energy to do much else. Some piano practice for Scrooge. Fell asleep in the lounger last night listening to Christmas music.

I go to the hospital around noon and stay until about 9 p.m. First Tom gets a shave, then we take a walk with the walker around the ward, read the mail, and I work on the computer while he naps. His appetite has returned, his spirits are better, and his speech is less slurred. An answer to the many prayers taking effect? I think so.

I had no idea it was so tiring to sit all day, but it must be the emotional energy. Roxanne & I laughed when last night Tom said to her about 8:30 p.m., "When you get finished with what you're working on, I'm about done." In other words, "you can go home now." First time he's kicked one of us out of the room. :) He actually really appreciates that we are there for hours on end.

This morning my batteries were somehow recharged---got 3 huge loads of laundry done and put away, washed and vacuumed the car, cleaned up the kitchen, finished the recital program, copied it, and delivered it to the mom who is taking charge at tonight's recital in my place. (Maybe now they'll realize how much work it takes to put on a recital. Nah, I doubt it. There's much more work than just the day of the recital.)

The mom who made the recital happen emailed me that the recital went well at the convalescent home and she said,

"At the end of the recital, one of the elderly residents called out, "Who are the teachers who have been teaching all of these children?" I said, Mrs. Carrier is their only teacher. She answered, "Well, Mrs. Carrier deserves a 'Brava!'" Everyone cheered. We are so thankful to you. You have such a gift, not just in music, but in the joy of the Lord. Thank you for sharing it with us."

That made me cry with thankfulness for my sweet piano families.

They've asked what they can do for me, so I've invited my 4 teenagers to come help me decorate the house and trees and bake some cookies together. It's no fun to come home to a dark, undecorated house when so many homes are lit up with Christmas lights.

Took street clothes to Tom today, and he appreciated not wearing that ridiculous hospital gown. We read the mail, paid bills, wrapped a few Christmas gifts, then I took him outside in a wheelchair (not able to walk that far) to enjoy the sun. His room is really quite cheery. The hospital staff enjoy the little decorated Christmas tree, Christmas music, and little treats we have for them as they serve us so kindly. They stay and chat with us and tell us about their families. Very sweet.

Here Roxanne & I are applying rhinestones to Vanessa's cheer outfit while Tom enjoys sitting in a chair for awhile.

This evening two elders from church and their wives came and anointed both Tom and me with oil and prayed for us both. "Why me? I'm not sick." I asked. "Because you two are one, and what happens to one affects the other," they replied. Very true. These are all precious friends with whom we pray during 2nd service each Sunday. Tears and hugs all around at the end.

A New Experience

My two Muslim friends both came to the

Thanksgiving church service tonight.

It was eye-opening for them.

The man drove himself in case he wanted to leave early.

I kept praying he would stay, and he did.

Because the children and teens were in the service

the music was more like a rock band.

Many people clap to the music

and some raise their hands into the air.

Several international students were present,

whom they have seen at the International

Friendship Connection get-togethers.

We had communion. The young woman asked what it was about.

I told her.

Then before the two baptisms our church has those being baptized

write out their testimony and read if beforehand.

So they heard two people explain

how they realized they needed Jesus

and how they came to faith.

They were VERY surprised when the people

were submerged into the water.

So I got to explain that too. Pretty cool.

I told them this was not a typical service at all,

and they should come on a Sunday morning

when our pastor is here and the music is less raucous.

The young lady said she would like to come back.

I'm afraid our pastor will be out of town this Sunday visiting family,

and she might not get to hear his amazing preaching.

Oh well, she'll just have to come back a third time!

Preparing...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.

One of only three Christian Holidays in America.

Next to Easter, it is my favorite holiday of the year.

A family time. A calm time--except for the cook.

Today is a very busy day of preparation,

because the Thanksgiving Feast is always at my house.

I found a wonderful Classical Christmas station

(on the TV of all places),

so I've got the music turned up while cooking and baking.

Fresh green beans are on sale, so I'm taking an Internet break while eating my "breakfast" of hot tea and steamed green beans sauteed in fat-back. I'll munch on these while making more fattening dishes for tomorrow. It's less fattening (I think) than a typical breakfast of a large cinnamon bun covered in icing.

You can tell we don't live in the deep South--I had to explain to the young butcher what fat-back is.

The turkey is brining in it's salt/sugar bath, and the fresh tortilla soup is in process.

Now on to baking cornbread for turkey stuffing,

making lemon pie (the meringue will be added tomorrow),

gathering, chopping, covering and setting aside all the ingredients I'll need tomorrow,

making gingerbread dough and sugar cookie dough

for our annual Gingerbread House and fancy decorated cookie day on Friday with Vanessa and Grant.

If I have time, I'll make a breakfast bread rolled up with sugared-cinnamon apple slices inside and drizzled with icing and chopped pecans on the outside.

I picked the apples from our friend's tree in Oak Glen earlier this fall.

If I don't use them quickly, they'll get old.

Later we'll put up a long table and dress it up for the holiday.

Then tonight we'll go to church and give thanks to God for his Best Gifts to us.

My Muslim friend Noor is coming with us to church tonight!

Her first time there.

There will be much joyful singing

and several baptisms.

O, Holy Spirit, fall on us and know how thankful we are.