Louisiana in Tennessee writes to her friend's latest letter. This is one of three women she writes to who live in Alaska; Anna Arnette lives in Anchorage, as does her friend, Jenna Aurora Doucet.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 4:10 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Anna Arnette and Bob~
Hello, there! I hope this finds you both feeling well; Anna, I was sorry to hear that you have lupus erythematosus. That sounds like such an awful disease! I have taken care of patients who have lupus, and some of them have really suffered from it. I hope this finds you feeling better!
I am kind of in a sad mood today: heard from my friend in Finland, Sari Annika Gustaffssenn, and she hasn't been well; she was recently in the hospital herself after having tests, and it turns out that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She is having a very hard time dealing with the symptoms of the disease, and she is having problems adjusting to the fact that she is now using a cane for walking. I wish I could just reach through the computer and give her a huge hug; she sounds so despondant! I also am in a sad mood because my one daughter, Ronee', is in the hospital suffering from a flare of her JRA, and she was really hurting when we left her earlier (we just got back from seeing her), and she really feels miserable. She will be in for at least several more days, according to her primary pediatrician, Dr. Emmons. She went in two days ago, and she will probably be out by Saturday or Sunday if she is feeling better. I really miss Ronee' when she isn't home! It is so quiet without her around!
Speaking of Ronee', you were asking what show she was on when she went to California for taping. Well, she was on "America's Most Talented Kids", and she placed third place out of seven acts; and she did a very good job, according to my husband, who went out with her to California. The show will be on later this season on PAX, and we are looking forward to seeing our daughter on tv!
My back is about healed; I still have a ways to go before I am up to where I was prior to when my back troubles first started back up, but I am no longer using the Lofstrand crutches (they are currently sitting in my closet!), and I hardly have any pain. Best of all, I have no sciatic pain running down my legs, and it has been sheer bliss! There's also the possibility that once I am all healed, I will be off the cane for good (unless I hurt myself, God forbid! LOL), and that will be a Miracle! I am back to work; I am still working part time, but I should be back to my full-time schedule by the time summer arrives! It is so nice to be back to work, I have missed my co-workers, my bosses, and my patients!
While I have been home, healing, I have been taking it easy, but it is still hard with fifty kids running amuck (thank GOD for husbands and support from friends and neighbors! :) ), and speaking of kids, we are adding two more to the fray: this weekend, sometime, we are getting our two newest children, Rani Kalpana, five, and Arjun Ravi, one, from Sri Lanka; I met them when I was in Sri Lanka back in January, helping with relief and medical efforts, and I just fell in love with them and wanted to adopt them right on the spot! Now they are nearly mine, and I am so excited it is all I can do to keep from crying with sheer happiness! I have been busy trying to get the house in SOME semblance of order, and it has been quite a daunting challenge, what with fifty kids, my healing body, and working! LOL
I loved the picture of the little Pomeranian you put on your letter; it reminds me a lot of my little dog, "Cajun Gold". She looks very similar to the little dog in the picture. She is very small in size, but she has a big, yapping bark that takes people by surprise, and she doesn't fool around when it comes to protecting her family or her property! We also have help in the form of a goofy, 100+ pound Great Dane, who is her bestest buddy and compadre, and it is so funny to see this huge horse of a dog and this tiny powderpuff, poufy dog with cat legs palling around together! It's hilarious! LOL
I am sorry your husband had such a bad experience with dogs, but I can understand his fear wholeheartedly. I have never been scared of dogs, but one did bite me on the ankle when I was a teenager, but he soon learned to leave me alone because at the time, I had a brace on my leg, and he bit the brace more than my ankle; but I still felt his teeth rub against it, and it was like, "WEEOUCH!". He was mad because I trespassed on his property, and he was going to get rid of me, but even after he tried to bite me I have never had a fear of dogs, strangely enough! I love both dogs and cats, and I enjoy the animals we have in our family.
The weather here is sunny, but tonight and tomorrow, we may have some storms come through (including a chance for some severe weather, which I really don't relish all that well; we just had a round of severe weather roll through the weekend, and we had some small damage to some of the trees in our yard and some loose shingles; but thank GOD nothing like we had back last year in June, when we lost part of the wall! That was SCARY!). I pray we don't get anything more than gentle showers; I don't NEED any of this tornado-ey stuff blowin' on through here! Tornadoes are terrifying; thank GOD we have our storm shelter and basement! I just don't know how people can live in tornado-prone areas without adequate shelter; I would be going ape-s*** for sure! LOL Sounds like you are warming up that way; good for you! Heard y'all had a rough time of wintery weather up there in the Far North!
Well, dearie, I will go for now. My dog "Cajun Gold", is standing there, her legs all twisted around her body and whining pitiously; I think she has to use the outside for her business..so before there is an unfortunate incident in our hallway, I'd best let her out before she bursts! *BOOMMM!* (Would she then be known as a "BOOMeranian" instead of a POMeranian?? LOL) LOL Take care, and God bless you always! Thanks again for writing; I shall write you again soon!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your Tennessee friend, Louie May. :D
I'd swear you are an RN Karen!;-) What a mind you have. You are also an expert juggler the way you keep all your characters humming!;-) I must say Karen I'm in awe of your talent! Kudo's!Bet Ed loves your boomeranian;-) hahaha very cute!love your humor!
Another winner... any story involving pets, is always a winner...
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
3/30/2005
I love dogs too and yes they help you deal with lupus as I well know this disorder. It takes time and rest to get over and this has been a bad week for me. A good write as usual though.
Reviewed by Tracey L. O' Very
3/30/2005
Karen
I really liked this one. Alot of good news all 'cept one and the Boomeranian ~~ Perfection! I can see the best friends there.
Animals are the neatest!! Always smiles to bring!
Great letter.
Thanks Karen for the smiles you brought to me.
Tracey
hope you are getting these all in a book together. All these letters are great! Sorry I don't get on here as often as I'd like, the joys of life. Excellent letters. Thanks and keep smilin'.(C:)
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton
3/30/2005
Quite a correspondence going on here. A lot of stuff to tell the other, it is like hanging over the clothesline in the backyard and doing a little gossiping.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 4:10 p.m., C.S.T.~
