madameblogalot

I came across the website of Dr. Emily Pollard, Philadelphia Plastic Surgery Specialist. I think what I like most about the site is the tone of the information. You can tell that Dr. Pollard is a true professional. She has been in the business for over a decade now as well as coming from a family of doctors. I think you can feel the professional yet caring attitude that her site carries. I would feel it’s important to find a surgeon that can treat you with respect and also cares about your needs.

I also like the ease with which you can maneuver the site. The information is laid out in a fashion that can be accessed according to your particular needs. You can get more information by calling or by filling out the online form. I really like the added touch of Dr. Pollard’s office providing info on where to stay and eat while in the area. It seems like this would make things easier while under her care.

I also found out that you can order certain products directly from Dr. Pollard’s website. There are many items listed by brands and/or condition. I noticed that you can even save 5% by reviewing the products!

I’ve never really submitted anything for publication. But my sister, who is getting pretty well published, encouraged me to submit some poetry for an online site which will likely become a publication. She has had several things accepted. I have submitted three poems on the subjects. One was rejected because of the format (it is a shape poem and would not fit their template.) One other is said to have some potential! The editor liked my approach and has encouraged me to work on it a bit and then resubmit it. I am thrilled that it was not a total rejection!

My great-grandparents lived in Bordentown, New Jersey. That was a different world to us. They had a very cool house because the whole upstairs was one big room. I remember playing up there and I remember scooting down the stairs on our bottoms. My great-grandmother always had those orange slice candies stashed away to share with us!

The last time I visited my great-grandmother and her house was on Sept. 11, 2001. We had planned a family trip to the D.C. area. That was quickly cut short. We did not really know or understand what all was going on. The kids were so small so we did not turn on the radio; we did not want to scare them. Since we did not know what to do, we did not feel safe turning around and driving back to Texas from D.C. just then. My dad decided that we were close enough to his grandmother we would just head there and spend the night and decide what to do.

In spite of all the tragedy and fear we went through at that time, I am grateful that I got to see my great-grandmother one last time. I am glad my kids had a good time playing Indians in her front yard. (I even remember the names they made up for themselves-Singing Bird and Lone Wolf-very fitting!)

When my grandmother died, her house was sold. I almost thought I would like to have bought that house and moved up there, even though we were not looking for 
New Jersey Jobs at the time. I know that it would have been hard for my husband and I to acclimate to that. At any rate, I am glad that I have those memories.

Since my granny died over a month ago, I’ve been thinking about her, my other grandmother, and even Granny’s mother quite a bit. I have been able to go through some really old photographs with my mom. We have found photos from the 1920s, items from the 1930s, and many more since then! It really is incredible to me! But one thing that I have in my memory is my granny’s voice. I can hear her on the phone, or just calling my name. It makes me miss her even more. But one thing that makes me sad is that I cannot remember my other grandma’s voice (although a week or so ago my dad said he heard her voice quite clearly in mine!) I hate the thought that these memories fade so quickly. I am so lucky to have known all my grandparents and even almost all my great-grandparents. I hope that even if I cannot recall their actual voices in my head, that I will treasure the memories and heritage I have gained from those who have gone before me.

As it begins to warm up, folks are thinking of “spring cleaning” and landscaping and getting their homes spruced up in general. For quite a few folks, those with blue tarps still on their roofs, it is a time to just be getting things back into general working order. It won’t be long until hurricane season is upon us again. I am sure that as people start thinking back to just a few months ago, their ideas of fixing up their homes have more to do with how well it can withstand a hurricane. For example, our neighbors realized just how important a good roof is. As for us, I think the only outside upgrades we could make would be to install some hurricane proof exterior shutters. I am really happy that we had gone ahead and had a new roof put on the summer before last. These type of upgrades are really important where we live and I think more and more families will be investing in these type of home improvements this year.

If children are “like arrows in the hand of a warrior” (Psalm 127:4), I think I have forgotten my job. I heard a couple of times last week how our job as parents is to be like that of an archer, to align our children and shoot them forth. I also heard someone refer to what many parents do is to play the part of a goalie instead of that of an archer. We get so busy defending our home territory, that we forget it is our job to aim for the target and let our children fly. I know that for me, I too often find myself in the position of goalie and have forgotten that I need more training in being a precise archer. My kids are at an age when being a defending goalie almost provides more grief to them, and to myself, than letting them fly and miss the bullseye would. I need to go back over just what my role in their lives really is at this point. When my daughter chooses writing prompts that allow her to tell me how to be a better parent (”sometimes you need to just chill out!”), I think I need to reexamine my approach! I guess in letting the arrow fly, it’s wise to point to the center of the target, and let them know (and remind myself) that sometimes missing the bullseye is in fact training for one day hitting it-hopefully on their own!

A few years ago the kids and I planted a small backyard garden. I have been wanting to do that again. This year seems like it might be a good time to give it a go, though I will have to decide soon. My grandpa is an avid gardener. He has the best garden-yard in town! His house is on a corner lot and everyone drives by to see all the flowers and plants he has throughout his yard. In the back he grows vegetables and more flowers. Why, he even has stuff grow out of his compost pile! So if I am ever in need of gardening tips, I know just where to turn.

My few and feeble attempts at gardening have not been nearly as successful as his (though I do not put in the time that he does, either!) I have had some plants that never came up, and tomato plants that burned up. I even tried growing some herbs and flowers, but those did not do so well either. So far, the squash has been the best thing I’ve grown! In my gardening skills, I guess what I need most is plant disease info and tips for organic bug control .

As spring rolls into our area, I need to decide if I am going to put in another backyard garden. I love the results, but I am not sure I have the time.

I have not had much time to do much reading (including my favorite bloggers!) I read most of my Reader’s Digest and Does God Exist magazines this month. I have kept up on my bible reading too. That is about the extent of it. But I did have time to get done with one book, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. I have never read this play nor seen it performed before. I really enjoyed the story. It was a short, easy to read play. I love how the stage manager narrates the story. I love the simplistic use of props (as using a ladder to represent a second story room.) I love the simple style and the simpler times the story is about. I was fascinated on reading the thoughts of death, both those who survived during the play as well as those spirits in the grave. Perhaps this resulted from the recent death of my grandmother, but I was really drawn in. This story was a HIT for me and I would like to see it performed sometime.