Trying to get back in the swing of things

     I know it has been a long time since I have posted on this blog; but I am trying to get back in the swing of things.  My life has been turned upside down for the past couple years, in Oct. 2012 my Mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she had surgery and luckily they got all of it.  In that Dec. she was on her way to lunch with the girls and wasn't feeling so good, she pulled into the hospital parking lot tried to walk to the ER and literally fell flat on her face.  They said she had a heart attack, her heart actually stopped beating, she was dead and thanks to God and the medical professionals at Southeast Georgia Hospital in Camden County they saved her life and transported her to Shands in Jacksonville.
     So this sounds like a bit of a shake up; but you haven't heard anything yet!  In Feb 2013, my husband, Don had a severe toe infection leading to a partial amputation of one of his toes, my Dad tore his rotator cuff and required surgery,  Don had just gotten back to work in the end of May and we were looking forward to a quiet Memorial Day weekend when Don was involved in a life altering accident which he is still recovering from.  Later that June of 2013 I found out my Mom had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which I am proud to say she is kicking Cancer's @ss.
     Many of my friends are also fighting their Battles against that B*tch they call cancer and I am sad to say we have lost loved ones along the way, including my brother in law.  Don spent 5 months in 4 different hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida.  Once he came home, he required many months of in home therapy and was confined to a wheel chair for quite a while.  We also had numerous trips back to doctor appointments and follow up procedures such as the placement of 4 stents in his heart and trying to determine how he can get rid of his trach.  That one has been unsuccessful as of yet.  Then, my Mom had a second heart attack and my Dad was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism.  Ah, my life, not mundane to say the least.  But I happy to say Mom is doing well, Dad never slows down and is always ready to help me with anything I need.
     So you say, Debbie what does all this have to do with the Beauty that Surrounds Us?  These last couple of years I have learned that Nothing is guaranteed, not today and certainly not tomorrow. 
     The Beauty is how you realize how Blessed you are to have so many caring people in your life.
     The Beauty is in the Power of Prayer. 
     The Beauty is in the Miracle of Healing.
     I have been Blessed with the best coworkers and most understanding supervisors, who stood behind me, supported me, donated time and money to help us with bills and the expense of gasoline driving to and from Georgia to Florida.  I missed five months of work while Don was in the hospital and I have missed much more time during his recuperation for the many bumps we have hit in the road to recovery.
     Blessed with parents who are always there for me, even during their own personal struggles.  They never turned their back on me, never turned me down, never stopped coming to the hospital to support me.
     Blessed with friends who stepped up and took care of things at my house, hosted fundraisers, took time to visit with Don.  Friends who took on the task of setting up and selling my photos for shows I couldn't attend.  Friends who have helped during Don's recovery:  taking him to therapy appointments, cutting the lawn, fixing my vehicles and building a ramp for Don.
     The friends who listened to me cry on the phone every night, sometimes in the middle of the night.  Friends I haven't heard from in ages getting in contact to help me through the difficult times and to offer prayers.
     I have been Blessed with renewed friendship and the Love and support of the Best people on earth!
     We have been Blessed with the finest, kindest and most understanding medical professionals during this time.  They have reassured me, educated me, followed us through this bumpy road and have never lost faith in Don.  I can't ever Thank them enough!
     Everyone says I'm so strong, they can't believe what I have gone through, they don't know how I do it; let me tell you it's not about personal strength, physical or mental.  It's about doing what you have to do!  And you can do anything you set your mind to, especially if you have the love and support from family and friends!
     Now that life is starting to regain some normalcy, I am once again exploring the natural beauty of our surroundings and I fully intend on sharing my adventures with you!
    So I will leave you with some photos of the important events of the last few years:

 

  This is what remains of a 1988 Dodge after having a blow out on the front right tire, taking down a highway sign, traveling down a ditch and being stopped by a large pine tree and after extracting Don from the truck.

Don and Susie seeing each other for the first time since the accident, It had been almost 3 months.  Susie and Gracie had been in the truck with Don during the accident.  Susie did suffer a back injury, but our Vet at Southeast Georgia Vet Clinic was awesome and helped her with her recovery.  Gracie had some bumps and bruises and pierced her tongue, but some rest at home with Grandmom and Grandpop healed her quickly.  But they sure did miss their Daddy.

Mom and Dad on Christmas of 2013

 Mom Ringing the Chime and Mom and Dad celebrating her last sessions of Proton radiation therapy.

 Don doing some exercises in bed at Brooks Rehab

 Don and his therapist Shaji helping him stand for the first time since the accident,

Don and our friend Randy working on the motorcycle when Don came home and Don and his outpatient therapist Steve working on exercises and balance over a year later.
The road to recovery is a bumpy but with family, friends, faith, Love and God all is possible!  It is not possible to name all the people who helped my family, but I'm going to try!  Thank you and you mean more to me than words can ever express:  Monica Gibbs, Eric Hodge, Chuck Hiott, Lisa King, Mike Baker, Dave McEwan, John Parker, Mark and Linda Grooms, Chris and Shelly Williams, JD Noyes, Randy and Brenda Jeffcoat, Ricky, Linda, Rebecca and Jerica Davis, Cort Harold, Don Lockhart, Judith Marshall, Lynda Gallagher, Dennis and Donna Reynolds, Sandi Sentell, Sherrie Jo Hendricks, all of my art show family, Al Bradley, Rick Lavoie, Donna Lavoie, My Mom and My Dad.  The wonderful health care professionals at Shands, Memorial, and Brooks Rehab the Doctors and Nurses that went above and beyond to help me and my husband such as Dr. Varun Rimmalapudi, you will never know how you touched my life, Dr. Kevin Hayes, Dr. Van Crisco, Dr. Basil Ramadan, Dr. Christopher Wixon and Dr. Richard Beck.  Thank you to all of you!

Camden County Dirt Roads

What a beautiful weekend. I don't think the weather could be any more perfect. On Sunday my hubby and I went for a ride just to pass some time and maybe get a few pictures. I asked him if we could go by Burnt Fort Chapel. So we took the scenic route.

I love to travel dirt roads. While riding down Bailey's Mill Road, I saw an adult raccoon cross the road. So I slowed way down to see if any babies were following. I stopped and looked up in the trees and there I found two young raccoons. I got out of the truck and snapped a few pictures. This was a treat. I love raccoons. We raised three of them when I was child.

Then we continued on our way and headed to the Chapel. I have photographed the Burnt Fort Chapel before, but it was a wet and rainy day before and I wasn't happy with the pics. But I had clear blue skies on Sunday.

This is the Chapel. Well actually a replica on the old Chapel.

Then we drove down 251 to the Camden County/Charlton County line where the Satilla River passes under the bridge. We drove down the little dirt road leading us under the bridge. Usually there are always people camping there. Unfortunately, when some people camp here, they forget how to clean up after themselves. This has always confused me a bit. They obviously like being outdoors, enjoy nature, appreciate the boat ramps and the fact that the county allows them to camp here for free; yet they trash the place and won't even clean up after themselves. Oh well, enough said.

But, today we had it all to ourselves. This is a beautiful place. The contrast between the black water. green trees and the blue skies, the river was high and wide. Just a glorious day.

Well once you pass under the bridge and pass the boat ramp, there is a gate with a no parking sign on it. No Parking not No Trespassing. So I drove thru the gate and within fifty feet or so I saw I lovely butterfly. A Spicebush Swallowtail I believe. So I jumped out of the truck, camera in hand and took this picture.

While out of the truck, I noticed it stopped running, I just assumed my hubby turned it off. That is not what happened. My truck, my trusty 1996 white Chevrolet pickup with 330,000 miles on the odometer, died.....I could not get it to start.

My white knight whom usually rescues me, is right beside me, what is a girl to do....all else fails, call Daddy!! My Dad, bless his heart was out fishing at the other end of St. Marys. He dropped everything to come help us.

Dad to the rescue.

Pulling my truck out. Thanks to Dad and my wonderful husband they towed my baby home...and fixed her THAT NIGHT!! Woohoo lucky me, only the fuel pump. They worked until dark to get her up and running. I'm a lucky lady to have wonderful family.

It just goes to show that family, people, places and such are all a part of the beauty that surrounds all of us. Thanks again Guys..Love ya!!