Please Pray!

My apologies to Constance for posting this after her wonderful news about her new grandson, but I really need your prayers.

This morning my husband woke at 4:30 with pain in the right side of his chest...it hurt to lay down, but as he got up and moving about, it intensified. He said it felt like someone was sitting on his chest.

I took him to emerg just after 6 and at the moment (10 am) he is still there in observation. They've given him medication, and his inital tests looked okay, but they are still concerned about the pain and shortness of breath.

I've just popped home with Madeline to make some calls and I'm taking her to a friend's house and then I'll head back to the hospital. I'm worried, scared, all that stuff...I know Andy will be fine, but it's just not a fun way to start the morning.

I appreciate your prayers for Andy.

BiG NEWS

I just have to share the bigs with my Scarf Sistas. Dave and I are going to have our first grandson! Jennifer had her ultrasound yesterday and found out that it is indeed a bun and not a bun-ette. "Kit-Kat" & "Sweet-Tart" are excited and told Jennifer that "God heard their prayers for a baby brother". Isn't that sweet? Will it still be sweet when he's aggravating the snot out of them in few years? Hmmm... I need to start thinking on his blog name now. Any suggestions? It has to be candy related.

Aaahhhh!!! It's me! It's me!

Today when I checked the mailbox, I got a very pleasant surprise! The scarf was there! It may seem kind of silly, but when you've watched it go from sister to sister, knowing that your turn is coming, it's a little surreal when it actually gets here!

I've not had time to do much with the scarf yet, since I've only had it less than two hours, but since I checked the mail on my way to do my afternoon bus run, it's already had it's first ride on the bus! No pictures yet, but stay tuned...

This scarf is going to be busy...I have one place in particular I want to take it...so that I can show off where I live to you all!

MY LAST THOUGHT...

I don't want to take any of the next sisters space, so before she gets the scarf....which should be any time....I want to leave you with one last thought of how I feel about each of you.

If you read what I've highlighted in my Bible, underlined by the yarn from the scarf...you'll know that I truly thank my God each time I think of you!

(Philippians 1:3)

SEE YA!

The scarf is now on it's way to it's new home, minus the couple of threads I kept for myself!

Where will it go next, eh?

Snow in Carolina

Hey all! I was thinking that our poor little scarf was freezing in Michigan and PA, and that it would be like a day at the beach when it arrived in NC. Well, not this week. We got a rare snowstorm here and NO ONE in all of eastern NC went to work or school for 2 days! Of course, my sweet little son and I took full advantage of the time off! this is us in front of our house.

No, that is not my real hairdo LOL! You can see more pics at my blog. We got about 4-5" of snow and that was a VERY big deal! Folks here can't even drive in rain, let alone snow LOL! Of course, the temperature is supposed to go up to 50 today, so the snow will be a thing of the past. So maybe our scarf will get a to take a trip to the beach after all!

Stay warm! Drink lots of cocoa!

MY TURN IS almost OVER ~

It's close to that time when I put the scarf into an envelope and send it on it's way to the next scarf sister. Although I've been sick most of the time I've had the scarf, I've managed to get out a few times with our knitted friend.

I managed to pretend to blow the snow, and I've had lunch in a Mexican Restaurant with my friend and former boss. I know..... she's sooooo young!

I also took a meal to my friend KayMac who is recovering from surgery.

Don't tell anyone, but I cut off a few loose threads from the ol' scarf (only where it was unraveling!). I will twist them together into one thread, place it in my bible and always be reminded of this scarf that knit us together.

Who's next?

STAYING IN

The actual temperature right now is 13 degrees below zero with a wind chill of 30 degrees below zero.
It's one of the days the news people tell you if you don't have to go outside....don't! I don't and I won't!! The scarf is staying in the nice warm house...for today anyway!

I just got this poem from my Aunt (who lives in Florida now). I thought it would shed even more light on why I'm staying home today!

**MICHIGAN WINTER**

It's winter here in Michigan
And the gentle breezes blow,
Seventy miles an hour, at twenty five below.
Oh, how I love ole Michigan
When the snow's up to your butt.
You take a breath of winter and your nose freezes shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around.
I could never leave my Michigan
Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

GOT A HAT TO GO WITH THIS SCARF?

So far the scarf and I haven't had any exciting adventures, just every day life as it happens. It's extremely cold here, right now it's 7 degrees. I'm beginning to think I will have hat hair through this entire adventure!

In the top picture, that lump covered in snow behind me is Hal's truck, and my car is in front of that, equally lost in the snow.

The next picture is me pretending to use the snow blower. I just posed in front of it and had Hal take my picture, then I went back into the house and had a bowl of soup.

I don't know what's next for the scarf and I. I sure hope it's more exciting then what I've done so far, but probably not...it's January, and that's my time of hibernation!!

ROLLER COASTER PRAYER REQUEST

I haven't shared a whole lot on my health, dealing with a chronic illness is the pits I tell ya! My platelet count has dropped VERY low, 12K to be exact and my Oncologist was even using the "T" word: transfusion. For the record, I LOATHE getting transfusions!!! I haven't had one since having my spleen removed nearly 4years ago. Anyway, I have had to up my steroids to 600 mg a day (they had been 200mg daily). I feel especially crummy when they are upped but I am scheduled for some minor Orthoscopic knee surgery next Thursday and he feels it's necessary to take me up that high so I can hopefully have a better platelet count going into this procedure. I could use some prayers that my count will be high enough so I can have this done as well as my mental outlook is kind of going south over this whole thing. I am almost 5 years into this auto-immune disorder with no end in sight and it gets to me from time to time.
Thanks!

HELOOOO SISTERS!

I just pulled into the drive from a quick trip to house # 2 and had the camera with me to take some pictures of the progress over there. Guess what was sticking out of my mailbox when I got home? Could it be???? If not, I just took a picture of mail from someone else.

Yes it could, and it is! The scarf has arrived back in snowy Michigan via snowy Pennsylvania! It can't seem to catch a break! Deb sent some goodies just to make it even more special. She sent some of her fantastic cards created by her own talented hands, and some Mexican Chocolate just to sweeten the deal. Thanks Deb!!

I will be wearing the scarf with a sense of awe for the miles it has traveled and the people who have worn it; and great anticipation of where it will go when it leaves me. And maybe...though I can't promise it...I won't have hat hair the next time I have it on.

I have nothing exciting planned, in fact I have nothing planned which means it will be an adventure for sure! Stay tuned!!!

I'M HOME, SAFE & SOUND!

Despite the rumblings of earthquake warnings (Yellowstone has them regularly!)we got back to Denton, Texas at noon today. We drove from Chico Hot Springs, Montana to Amarillo in 17 hours and spent the night there last night. We hit the road at 7AM for the last 5 hours. I will have some pictures to share and fun stories as well. The highlight was definitely the dog sled ride!


The temperature in West Yellowstone was -24 degrees! This was the morning we were waiting ofr our snow coach to take us into the park. You can see that the warmth of my breath has frozen my hair!!

The King of Soup

He says all he needs is his chef's hat. Here's Brillo Man. We've finally convinced him to pose with the scarf. It's Friday night and he's making soup. For he is, after all, the King of Soup. Olivia says, "Daddy's the King of Soup, Mommy's the Queen of Soup and I'M THE PRINCESS OF EATING SOUP!!" (I blacked out the microwave door to eliminate the very bright reflection from the flash...looks funky, but it works.)



Then we ALL had to pose with the scarf one last time....



Not the most flattering photos of any of us.....but...we had fun! I had just gotten out of bed after sleeping all day since I worked all night! In my jammies (again) posing with the scarf!



Well....I worked seven of the ten days that I had the scarf, so we didn't get to go on any grand adventures. Tomorrow, it's time to pack the scarf up and send it on it's next journey. It's traveling again...perhaps your direction?!?! Everyone watch your mailbox!

It's been an absolute joy to be a part of this Sisterhood. As those of you who have had the scarf have commented, I too, feel a great connection to each one of you as I touch the woven threads of our scarf. Mrs. Mac couldn't have come up with a better idea, nor chosen a better scarf. Fashioned with so many different threads of various colors and texture, woven together to make a beautiful thing....much like each one of us. The unlikeliness of women - from all over the world - coming together in one common bond - our love for the Lord and for each other. Truly, I have grown to love each of you more through this experience. Perhaps one day we'll all meet on this side of heaven, but if not, there's going to be one GRAND reunion in Gloryland!

Look for me there. I'll be the one wearing the scarf.

The Scarf Goes to Church

The scarf had a tremedous time yesterday worshipping the Lord in church! As did I, worshipping alongside my dear friend, Dawna. Dawna and her husband, Dave, have been praying recently about attending a different church from where they have been attending and consequently are gracing us with their presence at Bethel Life Worship Center. I'm trying to not get my hopes up about where they will end up for I know that it's all in God's hands, however....I can not tell you how marvelous it has been to have my friend there beside me...our voices blending together during worship just as they once did when we sang on the praise team at Lifeway. It makes my heart smile. God has blessed me with such a dear friend - a sister of my heart (who I tried desperately to convince to join us in this scarf adventure and since she didn't join in on her own, I'm dragging her in on my watch!)

Here we are --up close and personal!



Here are Olivia and Dawna sharing a scarf moment. Olivia had a great time draping it all over her head all morning....as evidenced by her "scarf hair!"



Here's Dawna with her husband, Dave and Dave's youngest son, Joey.



And here they are again....in a more serious pose. ahem.



Here's Olivia and the scarf with Miss Kris. Miss Kris is on our praise team and is one whom Olivia admires greatly. Olivia LOVES anyone who can sing...which is why she is so enthralled with Dawna as well! In fact, frequently, she falls asleep listening to one of Dawna's CDs. (Yes, Dawna has recorded CDs...and yes, they're awesome!)



Here's Olivia with Miss Elaine, one of the many dedicated children's workers who give of themselves each week to teach our kids all about the love of God. We love Miss Elaine! ....many Jewels are added to her heavenly crown as she gives of her time and talents each and every week!



And finally....here are Dawna and I posing one last time.

The Scarf Goes to Work

I took our scarf to work last night, thinking that since that's where I'm spending the majority of my time this week the scarf should accompany me and see the lab.

Here I am with two friends with whom I really enjoy working! Barb is on the left. She is, as she referred to herself, the "neophyte" of the group. Hired several months after I was, she is the least senior person in our laboratory--the newbie of the group! Debby is on the right. We often refer to ourselves as the Debbie Duo. She is known as Debby and I am Deb. She was hired just one month before I was, so we say she has the most seniority! Both of these women are simply a joy. They're rarely grumpy, always smiling, and much fun to be around. I always enjoy working with them, even though it's only for a short time from 9:30 pm until they leave me to run the lab by myself at 11:00 pm.



When Tracy, my favorite lab assistant in the whole, wide world, walked into the lab, she exclaimed, "Oh my, you're wearing my glasses!" To which I replied, "No...I'm wearing MY glasses..." After running out to her vehicle to retrieve her glasses, we both enjoyed a good laugh. I tease Tracy all the time telling her that I know we could be friends! She always replies, "But we ARE friends!" And then it's my turn to say, "No, REAL friends...like if we weren't working here friends..." We both have very similar tastes (obviously) and would fight over EVERYTHING if we ever were to go antique or flea market shopping together! She wears the coolest, vintage jewelry, most of which I believe came to her from an aunt or a grandmother and doesn't think for one moment as she's walking around the floors of a hospital, bursting into patients' rooms to draw their blood, that she's "wasting" this great jewelry on a bunch of sick people who may not notice a thing. She is class to the max - ALWAYS with a smile on her face and a willing heart - first to step in and cover the workload when need be.

In fact, all the women in these photos are class acts. I'm blessed to know each of them and thank God for putting them in my life. They can be counted on to lend an ear when I need a soundboard and they do more than their share of work, always looking for ways to be helpful - which is often rare to find in the workplace these days.

We had time for just one or two photos before another lab assistant brought me a stat crossmatch for four units of blood on an inpatient who was bleeding internally. Time to get to work...

Oh...one more thing...it turns out that Tracy and my best friend, Dawna went to school together and have been friends for years! Small world!

...until next time...the scarf and I...signing off...

Excitement at a Fever Pitch!!

Here's me and the scarf....I got home from work about 2.5 hours ago and am waiting for Brillo Man to get out of bed so that I can go crawl in and get some sleep. In the meantime, Olivia is snapping photos of me asleep in the chair with the scarf.

Yes, indeedy, it's excitement at a fever pitch here in the Erskine household (that's pronounced, Er-skin. Not Er-SKYne or Erskstein or Erksskin or...) Anyway...

Olivia had a "really, really, really, really good idea" to pose with Pepsi. Now THAT's exciting!!



More excitement to follow...keep checking back....

In the Box

....oh no...the scarf spent the day all alone in the box while I slept. What fun is that?! I'm working my five nights of ten-hour midnight shifts. Needless to say, I am completely drained of energy while I'm working. Here's hoping I have enough energy to do something fun with the scarf soon!

...keep checking back!

Are you SURE there's nothing else?

I hope everyone had a terrific and blessed Christmas and New Year's Day. I just want to share this one photo of our sweet little son trying to crawl behind the tree and make sure there is nothing else! Notice there is a TON of gifts in front of the tree that he already unwrapped. LOL! Life is good.

Can't wait to hear what our scarf is doing up in frozen Pennsylvania!!