Type A

I am often asked, "Doesn't being alone drive you crazy? What do you do all day?"


Work. I am busy. With important stuff. I mean, who else is going to wait for hours to get just the right picture of Cupid peeking through the railing? I bet most people would give up way before they got such a quality shot.


And to prove my dedication, I took not just one picture but two (three actually but the other one did not meet the extremely high standards these two did. I work hard to keep you entertained. Not just another hack here, no siree).

After such an exhausting endeavor, I could have taken a nap but no, I forced myself to watch a movie. I even nuked some popcorn to go with it. We type A personalities are nothing if not multi-taskers. Always on the go, always looking ahead.

You don't have to thank me. I enjoy putting myself through this for you. I live to serve.

Happy Thanksgiving

This is the view from the upstairs master bedroom. 'Golf course with lagoon views' is how the brochures would describe it. Me? I describe it as a pretty nice place to spend an autumn afternoon.

I think this is the first Thanksgiving I have spent alone. It is odd. It would be too sad to try to attempt a typical harvest type dinner for one so I am cooking the non-traditional spaghetti. Still a lot of work but without all the holiday baggage attached to it. My holiday will be tomorrow when the baby finally gets released from the hospital. What a welcome home celebration we will have!



Of course (pun intended) this is Hilton Head so what would Thanksgiving be without a round of golf? This is the busiest week of the year for the hotels and golf courses. One of the benefits of having 70 degree days in November.


I hope everyone out there in internet land is enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving.

UPDATE - Stacy just called and they are springing the baby early. Truly something to be thankful for!

She has arrived

I went to the hospital Friday morning at 8 am (which, by itself, is a definition of how excited I was simply by the fact that I was up and dressed that early). By that time, Stacy had been in labor a bit over an hour.

At 10:30 am, she still hadn't progressed any further with the dilation. I asked the nurse if I would have time to go back to the apartment and walk my dogs (10 minutes away). The nurse said the doctor would be in to break Stacy's water soon and after that, it might begin to move quicker but I would definitely have more than an hour.

Off I went. I was on my way back to the hospital when my son-in-law called me and told me they had done an emergency C-section and he now had a baby girl. I sincerely thought he was kidding.

"Bullshit!" I said. "You're pulling my leg, right?"

"No. They broke her water and the cord came out. They immediately sent her off to a delivery room. They even threw me out," he said.

I still wasn't sure he was telling the truth until he said, "I have a perfect baby girl," and his voice broke.

I have no idea how I drove the rest 0f the way back to the hospital. I do know that I did it in very good time.

Stacy was still in the delivery room when I got there. Ron was standing outside the nursery white as a sheet. He showed me where their baby was. It was impossible to see her because there were so many people working on her.

The obstetrician came out and gave us a quick synopsis of the events. She broke the water, the cord came out, and she had to reach back inside to get the baby's head off the cord. She rode to the delivery room on the gurney with Stacy to keep the baby's head up. The doctor's partner (who was luckily in the hospital) joined them in the delivery room and made the incision for the C-section.

It all happened incredibly quick but the baby still suffered a lack of oxygen. No one knew how long or if it was going to be a problem.

I went back to the labor room to wait for Stacy and Ron spoke with the doctor some more.

When they rolled Stacy into the room, she was terrified. She couldn't stop crying. She said, "I only got to see her for a second and they took her away. I don't even know if she is okay."

For the next few hours we couldn't get an answer as to what was going on. The baby had iv's and was placed on ice bags. Ice bags! The pediatrician had contacted the hospital in Charleston and that was what the specialist recommended. Apparently if they can cool the baby and keep her that way, they can minimize the chance of brain damage.

Unfortunately Hilton Head Hospital was not set up to continue that treatment. They started it but then the baby had to be helicoptered to Charleston. To be put in NICU on an ice blanket.

NICU is an overwhelming place. So many tiny babies, so many machines beeping and clicking. It was so hard to see all the other babies under warming lights but Stacy's baby completely uncovered. With an anal probe to ensure that her temperature remained cold. She couldn't be fed or held for at least 48 hours.

Stacy was discharged from the hospital less than 48 hours after having a C-section. They knew she would want to be with her baby.

The baby is now at regular temperature and bundled in a blanket. She began eating late this morning but only 20 cc's at a time. She will remain in the NICU for a few more days.

But the tests all come back good. The baby is off the morphine (to help deal with the pain of the cold and lack of food other than iv). We all hope that she will be home for Thanksgiving. And I want to thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.

OHMYGODITISFINALLYABOUTTOHAPPEN!

Tomorrow is the day. Stacy has to check into the hospital at midnight and then she will have the baby tomorrow. I am so excited I can't see straight.

I am a person who is fairly tight with her emotions (I don't want anyone else to see I have them lest people infer that I may be human) but it is all that I can do to keep from spilling tears at the drop of a hat. I am just so goofy, giddy, happy!

I think sleeping will be difficult this evening. But I have a long day tomorrow so I will certainly try. Hopefully I will have pictures to share by evening.

Granny

I headed south this winter because my daughter and her husband are expecting a baby. A little girl who will be named Rachael (after my mother) Diane (after her other great grandma). Today Stacy went to the doctor and learned that she will be induced on Friday unless she goes into labor before that.

I am sure that what I am feeling is what a million other grandmoms-to-be have felt. It's crazy scary, wondrous, amazing. I hate seeing my baby so uncomfortable. Knowing what she has yet to go through.

If the way she has carried herself the last month is any indication, I know that the rest of this pregnancy voyage will continue with the utmost grace and dignity. She is truly amazing.

Paradise Beach

I had been here for a week and still hadn't made it to the beach. The thought of fighting through the tourist crowd usually makes it a no brainer for me. I don't go. But occasionally there comes along such a perfect beach day that I can't refuse.

This was one such day. Foggy, cool, almost dusk. Not the picture that Hilton Head puts in their tourist brochures. No bikini clad babes, no children with sand castles. Just those of us who love our beach a bit spooky.

Fans of gothic novels. Older lovers. People who know that sometimes perfection is in oddities.

Welcome back.

Travelogue 26

As I head south to Hilton Head, I begin to understand why so many people head to the Smokies at this time of year. The colors are absolutely stunning. My only wish would be a few less cell phone towers (at the top of the photo).


Tuesday is the perfect day to travel. Not a lot of fellow sightseers trying to horn in on my viewing pleasures!


The rest area just over the North Carolina border is a pleasant place to stop. Lots of room for the dogs (or kids) to roam. Magnificent vistas to soothe the soul.



A hint of lenticular clouds over the mountains. I just learned what they are and now I get to see them. Travel is just so doggone educational.


At this point as we head out of the mountains, I always tell the Bassman, "I can see the ocean! You know, it is right there on the horizon where the earth appears to flatten out."

I am so incredibly lucky to be able to spend time driving through, to, or at so many different Paradises. Truth be told though, everywhere is Paradise. When we remember that, life becomes much brighter.