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Hi Everyone!

I've made it through most of the emails and comments on my last post. I thank everyone for the good wishes and prayers... they were very much appreciated.

I came home from the hospital Friday of last week feeling pretty good. I had been walking up and down the long hallway of the hospital with my walker. I was a bit tired when I got home, so I went to bed for a couple of hours. I took some Darvocet at about 5 pm and felt good enough to get a bath. During my bath my stomach started churning and I really didn't feel well. Being I'm suppose to have back support when I can, I thought it best to get back to my chair in the living room as soon as possible. I made it about half way and started feeling faint. I managed to give Frank enough notice for him to get a chair underneath me. He said it seemed like forever before I came to. Then I threw up... eww! Somehow we managed to get me to my chair and I rested a while. I kept throwing up though. Then I made it to my bed and still continued to throw up. Saturday morning Frank called my surgeon and got a prescription for Phenergan. That stuff usually works quickly, but this time it didn't work at all. So Frank called an ambulance to get me to the hospital (I was too weak to walk to the car). I spent Saturday and Sunday night back in the hospital and came home Monday morning. Basically... the Darvocet is was what made me sick. I haven't taken any more of it... sticking with extra strength Tylenol.

I'm feeling much better... my energy level is slowly coming back. Today I'm walking pretty steady without my cane. Coffee is tasting like coffee again. It does seem to irritate my stomach a bit though, so I'm limiting it :-)

I'm hoping this afternoon I can walk outside for a bit. I think the high today is suppose to be 67 degrees, which is much warmer than the past couple of days. Fresh air would be nice. I hope in the next few days to start catching up on your blogs and with my friends at Flickr.

The plant in the picture is an OUTDOOR SATUSUKI AZALEA that my sister sent to me. My sister has a few beautiful items for sale at eBay . Check it out... you might find that Special Christmas Gift :-)
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If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. -- George MacDonald
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Embroidery Project / Surgery

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Click on image for a larger view.

This is an embroidery project that I started a few years back. I forget exactly why I stopped... maybe my bad wrist. Anyway... I hope to finish this project before the year is out. It is a dresser scarf. This is one of the side decorations. I finished both sides and have one of the end decorations started. The end decorations have this design with the addition of a bird on either side with the ends of the bow's ribbon in their beaks. There are a few stitches in this design that I have never done before, so a real learning experience.

I will have back surgery this next Tuesday (Nov. 11) I had hoped to avoid this surgery. I tried two different types of injections in the area and no relief. I need relief! It is so hard to walk or sleep.

I had surgery in this same area, L5-S1, in 1993. With degeneration there is basically no disc left and there is scar tissue on the nerve from the first surgery. The chances of me having relief from pain with this surgery is 70%. I'm sure with my family and friend's prayers and good thoughts my chances will increase. The doctor assures me that I will be no worse off with the surgery... and I pray he is correct. My stay in the hospital will be from 2 to 4 nights. I'm sure it will be a few days after coming home before I will feel like using the computer.

I am so grateful for each of you, my friends. I'll be back as soon as I can.

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Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. --William Arthur Ward

My Name, Zaroga

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Some of you have asked about my name. I usually start by telling people that I have weird parents.


Both of my parents came from large families. My Daddy was one of 13 children and my Mama was one of 11 children. There was also a slew of cousins. Both my parents had brothers named Ben. Then there were Williams and Marys.. so many names were repeated throughout the family. It was sometimes hard to figure out who the rumors were about amongst the family. My parents wanted their children to have unique names so they would know if their children were the ones being talked about... just kidding, but they did want their children's names to be unique and they did that.

I am the fourth of five Zs. That is why you will see me sometimes listed as FourOf5Zs. I have three older brothers; Zoral, Zane and Zarone. Zoral, pronounced Zōr-əl, was actually suppose to be Zorro, but Daddy or Mama ,,, I cannot remember which way the story goes...messed up the spelling. My Daddy was a fan of the Zorro movies. My Daddy was also a fan of Zane Grey books, so my next eldest brother's name comes from Zane Grey. It used to be an uncommon name, but now it is a common name for both males and females. My brother Zarone... his name is taken from Aaron and is pronounce Ză-rŏn. I'll skip to my sister, Zawanda, pronounce Ză-wŏn-də. Well... the story goes.. it "was a wonder" she was here at all. There is three years difference in my and my sister's ages. My Mama had a hard time with my birth and was not suppose to have more children. My name is pronounced Ză-rō-gə.. the family slurs it to Zrō-ger. My parents just made my name up.

Some people want to call me Z. I prefer no nickname, but if you address me as Z I won't holler. Just don't be surprised if I address you in response with the first letter of your name.

I usually get asked the question "what is your middle name?" My middle name is Clora, pronounced Clōr-ə.. rhymes with Flora. If someone calls me Clora I won't answer. Clora is my Mama's name.

Over the years my name has been a pain at times, but I'm glad my parents named me Zaroga. I don't really think my parents are weird.


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A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. -- Proverb 22 - 1