Photo credit: My dear and precious friend, Frieda Hudson.
You're always in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers Frieda. Heartstrings are never severed. I thank you for all the wonderful photos and treasure them now and always. You're my hero Frieda Hudson! Keep pushing forward! God didn't bring you this far with no purpose in mind...so, we wait, right? We're a couple of patient gals when we need to be! We will resume the laughter, the love and the good things we enjoy on our terms before we know it! You can bank on that! I'm saving up all the movies, waiting for you!

An incredibly inspiring friend of mine in Alabama sent this to me this evening. She's like my own personal "ray of sunshine!" It was an email forward, but I felt the content was worth sharing as a blog post. I forwarded it to many people and then decided to share it here as well.
I shared with the folks who got the email that one wonderful part of today's fast moving technology (that I love a bunch!) is that it keeps those distant from us quite close, it helps shrink the world so much and it's a fast, easy way to keep in touch with friends and loved ones. So many of us would completely lose touch over time and space, if it were not for "the net!"
Here's hoping that you all look forward to a happy week ahead. I wish you peace, safety, good friends, lots of love and plenty of happiness for you and those you love!

Here's the email:
There are 3 things in life that ...once gone, never come back:
Time
Words
Opportunity

Three things in life that are most valuable:
Love
Self-confidence
Friends

Three things in life that are never certain:
Dreams
Success
Fortune

Three things that make a man or a woman:
Hard work
Sincerity
Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man or a woman:
Alcohol
Pride
Anger

Three things in life that, once lost, are hard to rebuild:
Respect
Trust
Friendship

P.-----pray
U.---- until
S.---- something
H.---- happens

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you
find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a
shot!
All you do is simply say the following small prayer. (The email said to say it for the person that sent you the email. Just say the prayer...for yourself, your family, friends, even those who persecute you.)

"Father God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that
You know they may be needing this day!
And may their life be full of
your peace, prosperity and power as he or she seeks to have a closer
relationship with you. Amen."

Here's hoping to start your week off on a great note! Thanks for stopping by!
Till next time,
Annie

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We're home. It was a whirlwind and I'm so glad to be here!
We left on Monday to head to Duke for Wayne's surgery. Peepaw came to pick us up and we endured the ride to Sanford listening to Wayne rationalize how he was going to be "out of the hospital and back home before the 4th of July." Yeah, right.
Peepaw and I did a lot of smirking and eye-rolling. Wayne was clearly out of his mind with pain or plain just out of his mind.
We left early on Tuesday to get to the hospital. Wayne had to be registered and do all the things you must do to enter the hospital.
We got him back into pre-op and once the staff took him away, we sat in the lobby to wait it all out. I was delighted to know that there was access to the net. I could read, email, etc. and keep myself occupied while Wayne's surgery was going on. I had plenty of time to do that according to what I had been told. Or so I thought.
When Wayne was taken away to be prepped for surgery, I was given a little disc. It looked sort of like a video game or one of those things restaurants give you when you're crazy enough to stay and wait a really long time to eat. I put the disc in my pocket, and knew it would be a while before it buzzed and all the lights would go off. I sent an email to our pals saying HE'S IN SURGERY NOW...more later. Talked to my mom, looked at the weather, wondered what was happening to Wayne and said prayers.
Frieda and I were IM'ing and all at once, MY TABLE WAS READY!!! The little disc started buzzing! I pulled it from my pocket and the lights confirmed that I needed to go to the nurse's station. Honestly, it scared me. It was much too soon for the surgery to be over.
When I arrived, the PA was giving me a update to say that the surgery was in progress, Wayne had a very large hematoma and that had been removed. The repairs were about to start. I put the disc back in my pocket and went back to wait. It all gets fuzzy from here...
I think I was chatting with Frieda again and the disc started to buzz and flash. I hurried back to the station again and never made it that far. I heard Wayne's voice through a curtain. Praying I didn't open the wrong one, I opened the curtain, peeked in and there he was....ginger ale in his hand and a big grin on his face. I was totally confused. Wayne was yacking it up with the nurse, then he looked at me and said, "See? I told you I was going to go home!" I was sure it was the anesthesia talking...until the nurse confirmed his statement. Hmm. No way. No how. Then the doctor walked in and started discussing being fitted for a hip brace, what to do, how to move about, etc. He WAS going home! I learned later that my charming husband had a card up his sleeve and he negotiated the 4th of July holiday with his doctor and his anesthesiologist! MEN. Hmph. He bargained his way right out of that hospital and I didn't even get a chance to get my seat warm!
We agreed to stay in Sanford (part of the deal) for a night "Just in case." So, the next thing you know, we're back in the vehicle driving away from the hospital. My good friend Flavel even emailed just to be sure when she read that he was out. She was really sure that the type of surgery Wayne had was NOT outpatient...and I assured her that she was correct. I am also still wondering if Wayne anesthetized the doctors and put some sort of "LET ME OUT OF THE HOSPITAL" mojo on them.
So, we're actually at home. It's the wee hours of Friday am, he's sleeping and I'm listening out. He's very sore, but his theory is that he can be more "comfortably sore" at home. I tend to agree with that, so he gets no argument there.
The hip brace will help him behave. Prayer will keep me from doing mean things when he doesn't mind me and be still! HA!
Wayne's brother Brian and his wife Freida came to Sanford to help out and be with us. We had a great visit and I had some extra help...which was more than welcome. We all ate well, marvelled at the fact that Mr. TYPE A POSTERBOY was not in the hospital and were all glad to be together.
We're home. I'm glad. Frieda Hudson came over and brought dinner. WOW! It was great! I mean GREAT! She and I ate like piggies!
It was great to see the animals, great to feed them, great to feel normal and it's great to be in MY BED!
Wayne slept for several hours, ate some cereal, talked, talked talked with Frieda H. and went back to sleep again. I'll be sleeping shortly too. I know I need pretend these are "baby hours" and sleep when he does, but I wanted to get a blog out, so here it is.
There's no place like home...cliche, yes. But, it sure felt great coming down the driveway today. Everything was fine here and we were more than happy to be right back on this wonderful farm that we love so very much.
Thank you for the thoughts, cards, emails, calls and prayers. Wayne is totally digging the emails and has even been heard asking if he has any!
We both deeply appreciate all everyone has done and let's cross all digits and send mental telepathy to keep Wayne SLOWED DOWN!
I just have to shake my head...he gets by with the doggonedest things!
He's either tough as nails or crazy....or better yet, my husband is a little of both! But, he's safe, he's home and all is well this night.

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