october 18, 2007 - His goodness, mercy, and grace are abundant....

top of the morning, friends....



i hope you had an opportunity to enjoy yesterday's weather. i took the dogs for a walk in the neighborhood (of course, i was in the wheelchair), and then built a fire in the fireplace on the back deck. the weather was absolutely perfect!



i got visits yesterday from majors bob booker and mark atkeson. they gave me updates on whats going on in the division. thanks guys, i really appreciate that and your fellowship!



thanks to everyone for your continuing kindness. thanks to the jack holland family for their kindness even during their time of grief. may God bless you....



i am looking forward to this evening - alan and wendy forbes are coming over to watch "ice age 2." alan's birthday was last week, so we're celebrating with pizza and snacks.



my knee is looking better than ever....only an area the size of a dime needs to heal before my surgery. hopefully, it will be closed by next week and i'll get a date.



please continue to pray for retired captain walt ashbridge. i got an update yesterday from terri west. here is an excerpt:



"he is top on the transplant list now, his potassium has been high so they have been trying to control that because it can effect his heart. They did tell us that the second transplant would be more difficult 1: To match the antibodies he currently has from the new lungs, to the lungs he has now and 2: they are not sure they will be able to get the lungs he currently has out due to the scaring he has incurred from the previous surgery. So there are some big obstacles but we feel God will bless him."



i have therapy today. my hand is doing much better! i still have alot of work to do on my knee and ankle, but i'm getting there. i'm evening using crutches more now.

congratulations to my niece erin and her new husband jessie. they were married yesterday.

jan lawrence - thank you for keeping mary and me in your thoughts and prayers.

dan richhart - i'm standing....just not walking yet! i'm still non-weight bearing on my left leg.



be blessed.....



lisa - 1095

october 15, 2007 - thy kingdom come, thy will be done....

top of the afternoon, friends....

i hope you all had a nice weekend. i got to go home and visit my sister and dad on saturday and sunday. we all had breakfast together at the cracker barrel. it was very nice.

i also attended my 25th class reunion for madison high school in middletown on saturday night. it was funny how everyone got older but me....lol seriously, it was great seeing everyone, however only about 25 or 30 showed up. still - a good time had by all.

fortunately, i get to skip my plastic surgeon appointment this week (yeah!) - but he wants to see me next thursday. i do, however, have therapy twice this week - on tues and thurs.

i promised you a photo update on the progress of my left leg - so here it is. i think the change is no less than miraculous! God is so good!

please keep retired captain lt. walt ashbridge, of the OSP in your prayers as he has been admitted into Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 660 S Euclid Ave #8052, St Louis, MO 63110. Walt has been placed on a ventilator, awaiting another lung transplant.

also please keep mary pfeifer in your prayers. i know she's anxious about returning to work, but her dr. has not released her yet. she still suffers from lingering effects (leg, neck, etc...) from the crash.

also, keep the len gray family in your prayers. len's mother in law (shelly's mom) passed away sunday morning from what they believe was a stroke or heart attack. the graveside service is tentatively scheduled for thursday at 10am. shelly's dad has been in the hospital since thursday for emergency gall bladder surgery. the family is in desperate need of thoughts and prayers.

laura mourne - you're the first to notice the counter! actually, it has only been on the blog for 3 weeks. i'm so humbled to see that there have been over 7,000 "hits" in that short period of time. i wish we had had the forethought to put it on at the beginning of this ordeal. thanks for your attention to detail!

dale & naomie robirds - thanks again for your kind words! you guys have been such good and faithful friends! i hope things are going well for you and yours down south!

colonel & brenda collins - welcome back from your trip - i hope it was beneficial both personally and work-wise! good hearing that colonel julia and her husband, jimmy are faring well, as is colonel campbell. those are great alliances! thanks for always checking on me. i appreciate you keeping me "part of the family."

OSP senior staff - thanks so much for your calls and visits. it means more than you know.

blessings,

lisa - 1095

october 11, 2007 - keeping the faith....

top of the morning, friends....

it's been a few days since my last update, so i thought i'd post a few more of the benefit pictures for your review.

i've been told that over 100 motorcycles and 135 riders participated in last saturday's benefit ride for mary and me - and that didn't even count the people who simply showed up and paid to eat breakfast! mary and i thank each and every one of you from the bottoms of our hearts! unfortunately, i don't have a list of all the riders and eaters, so please forgive me.

as promised, i am posting a list of people and/or businesses who assisted with the event by donating auction items or cash. please forgive me if i've failed to list anyone, as i've attempted to collect as accurate information as i could from several people. on the items with no name, i didn't receive the name of the person who donated it.

Mill Creek Golf
Mobile Cycle Works Gift Certificate/ Ron Kuszmaul
Oakehaven Golf for four/Ron Kuszmaul
Handmade decorative blanket/w wooden bucket / Terry Ernst
Silpada necklace and $40.00 gift certificate/Steve and Lori Click
Silpada necklace and $40.00 gift certificate/Lori and Steve Click
Longaberger napkin basket/Lori and Steve Click
Longaberger purse/Lori and Steve click
Longaberger pie plates and rod iron rack, Joe Carson HD mug and t shirts etc/Joe Carson HD / Lori and Steve Click
Texas Roadhouse certificate for dinner for two and a free app.
Pampered Chef basket
Mary Kay basket
Cleveland Browns signed football
Vest and riding gloves
Joe Carson HD cup with shot glass
Mens Captain Morgan sign
Handmade wreath and wall hanging
A.D. Farrows HD gift card
$20.00 DSW gift card, $25.00 Motor Sports gift card and $25.00 ASK gift card
Handmade quilt flag
Athens HD leather coat
Speedway Gas card and Highway Patrol key fob
Tastefully Simple basket / Melissa Fellure
Joe Carson’s HD t-shirt and shot glasses and dealer pins
Ask Motorcycle gift certificate
ASK Motorcycle t-shirts and hats
4 gift baskets of Wobers Mustard / Tammy Getz
Lancaster Sportcycles 2 t-shirts and 2 hats
Athens Sportcycles 2 t-shirts
Dr Scott Schumann (dentist) 4 pack whitening kit
2 Harley Davidson helmets from Motorcycle Ohio
2 Cleveland Browns vs. Houston tickets / Don Grimwood
Weekend stay at Hocking County log cabin / Dianna White
Milo’s Deli and the 3rd Texas Roadhouse certificate / Christy Clark
Rice Bowl gift certificates / Christy Clark
Tommy’s Diner / Christy Clark
Spaghetti Warehouse gift certificates good for and entrée and drink / Christy Clark
3 months @ World Gym / Christy Clark

Funny Bone 2 admissions
Ballet Met Dracula Capitol Square on October 17th
Roosters 10 wings
Tim Horton gift certificates
Amazing Promotions golf savings sheet
Misc. crafts / Tina Massey
DSW gift certficates
Embassy Suites 2 night stay / Sharon Arthur
Hampton Inn
Gift Basket Evelyn and Crabtree / Steve and Lori Click
Motorcycle Hall of Fame tickets 10 tickets
Big Dog gift certificates
AD Farrows HD gift cerificate
Highway Patrol mug, shot glass and key fob / Dianna White

$40 Bath and Body works basket / Lori and Steve Click
OSU purse
Iron Pony misc.
Highway Patrol hat and t shirt by Ohio Troopers Coalition (OTC)
OSP t-shirt and key fob / Dianna White
Handmade necklace and earrings / Margo from Ricart Ford
OTC t-shirt and Bath and Body flip flops
OTC bear
Good Year oil changes
Pumpkin

Ken & Sandy Morckel - cash

Melinda (Massey) - cash

Mr. and Mrs. Tronerud - cash

Mr. and Mrs. Bruso - cash

Lin Herd - cash

Michelle Himes - cash

Laura Mourne - cash

Carla Cottrell - cash

Vicie Reynolds-Bitler - cash

Doris Bloomfield - cash

Rev. Ellsworth - cash

Tom Paster - cash

Tom Reffey - cash

Tami Norton-Fair - cash

Melanie Schropp - cash

Frances Huggins - cash

Paula Paulins - cash

larry balla - cash

heath & maura trester - cash

marla gaskill - cash

ronald & sharon sills - cash

blue knights of ohio - cash

laura pascuzzi - cash

mike cardinal - cash

gerald & glenna pfeifer - cash

michelle henderson - cash

sue rance-locke - cash

jeanie kelly - cash

thanks again to dianna white and don & ty grimwood as well as "rich the lube guy" for planning the benefit, and thanks to all who contributed in any way. you folks have no idea how much you've helped both mary and me with our many out-of-pocket medical expenses. while we are both blessed with excellent state medical insurance, it is still shocking when the hospital, physician, prescription, therapy, and medical supply bills roll in. we pray that you never experience such a catastrophic ordeal.

i think i failed to thank marsha rigsby for helping out saturday - please forgive my oversight, marsha! if i have failed to mention anyone else, please let me know and i'll post it as well.

well, today is a busy day. i'm having lunch with cindy kollin and staff lt. rick fambro, then a dr's appt., followed by therapy on my hand, ankle and knee. my knee is close to being healed, so i'm optimistic about the timing of the next surgery.

last night, i was supposed to have guests - jeanie kelly, robyn darden, donna wood, and eric rowland - but i was battling nausea again, so i asked for a rain check. they were very understanding and will reschedule.

dustin - thanks so much for your kind words - and yes, i'm thrilled that marsha didn't pass out again. i guess i must have looked a bit better saturday than when i was in the hospital! and yes...we will ride - just give me a while to recouperate!

yvonne - good hearing from you. sorry you couldn't make it to the ride! we too, shall ride together next year!

george - mary was thrilled to hear from you!

we'll, i'll write more when i have news. mary and i appreciate everyone who follows and writes to the blog.

be blessed,

lisa - 1095

october 7, 2007 - ...that a man would lay his life down for his friends...

top of the morning, friends!

wow! the benefit that our friends planned for mary and me went very well! a special thanks to don & ty grimwood, dianna white, and rich - "the lube guy", and quaker steak & lube for planning such a great event.

also thanks to the people who helped with registration, prizes, and the auction - lori & steve click, carla cottrell, jan yates, marla gaskill, and christy clark.

another special thanks to the OSP motorcycle unit for their support and participation in the event.

thanks to margo roby of ricart automotive for assistance with the 50/50 drawing.

mary and i appreciate all the people who helped, participated in, or simply attended the benefit. it was one of the most touching and humbling events of our lives. we are amazed at the support of our friends, family, co-workers, and our "patrol family." we were also very touched by the number of people who attended, yet had no affiliation with the patrol or law enforcement, but wanted to support us.

once i receive a list of all the people or businesses who donated auction items as well as the people who purchased them, i will publish it on the blog as well.

we will be forever grateful for the financial assistance, as the medical bills have been extensive. our goal is to return to full duty as soon as we can.

mary and i thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, cards, calls, and visits, as well.

may God bless you and your families....

lisa - 1095

&

mary - 709

october 4, 2007 - He is Jehovah.....

top of the evening, friends....

another beautiful day! this has got to be one of the finest indian summers that i've ever experienced. and...i don't have to mention that I'M NOT ON A BIKE!!!!

just a rundown on what's been going on:

wednesday - i traveled to jackson for the first annual "retiree's luncheon/cookout." several other senior staff and GHQ members were there, along with a multitude of D9ers and retirees. i don't know the actual count, but i wouldn't been surprised if 150 people showed up. the local ambulance service did the cooking while everyone socialized. what a nice event! thanks to captain paul pride, staff lts scottie borden and jeff carman, and their staff for putting on such a class act event! thanks for the invite.

after i left the luncheon, i traveled to 4-winds nursing home to visit a dear friend - ernestine abrams, who is in her 90's. i used to check in on her several times a week when i lived in jackson. it was great seeing and visiting with her. even more importantly, another friend of mine, joyce channel went and spoke with ernestine a few days ago about God. joyce tells me that ernestine gave her heart to the Lord that day! the angels must be rejoicing now!

thursday - i had physical therapy on my hand, ankle, and knee today. the physical "terrorists," as they like to be called, put me through the mill! it was a great workout, however. i'm hoping to start ramping up my workouts at home even more so i can be prepared to walk when the time comes.

i later went to the dr - plastic surgeon. he indicated that my knee graft is healing well and he'll see me next week. no mention of my next surgery. he did, however, give me some phenegran for the nausea. boy, i hope it works....i continue to have trouble keeping things down.

this evening, i attempted to mow my grass again. after i stopped to talk with a neighbor, my mower wouldn't start again. i'm having a bit of trouble with disengaging the deck. i'll work on it again tomorrow.

sounds as though my dad and sister are coming in for the benefit on saturday at quaker steak and lube. i think i'm going to have a full house!

things are good here...i'm staying extremely busy to keep my mind off things. my plan is to go back to grad school (i have 5 more classes) after i have my next surgery - providing the meds don't keep me from focusing.

wendy - look forward to seeing you guys this saturday too!

elzie - don't be too hard on major bob booker about his derrogatory comment about harleys. remember...he carries a gun for a living!

dianna white - who thought of the name of my book? certainly, you're not clever enough to think of that one on your own. lets face it....other than being "eye candy" as you've described yourself, you don't have much going on....lol - love ya man.....yes....that makes everything okay now...lol

doug rink - thanks for the blog entry! i'm so sorry you lost one of your feet. i will continue to pray for your healing and positive attitude. i'd love to talk with you more about your ordeal. please send me your email.

cuz taylor (from iowa) - sorry we missed the conference....there's always next year. i'm also very sorry no one could convince that poor girl that suicide was not the answer!

shelly - i did get to see len yesterday. he looked great! can't wait to ride with you guys next year. dad says hi.

enough for now....keep the shiny side up and be blessed....

lisa - 1095

october 1, 2007 - we have been "grafted" in....

top of the afternoon, friends....

october 1st? can you believe it? summer has been so short for me this year. the leaves are changing so rapidly too. i do hope you get the opportunity to view some of God's beauty before the leaves all fall.

this weekend was quite eventful. my sister, terry came up and spent the weekend with me. we shopped, ate out and went "thrifting." she is always an interesting character to have around. she was mad at me, however, when she came outside last night and found me washing her car via my wheelchair.

my dad, his wife, mary, my brother, allen, and his girlfriend, brenda came up saturday to deliver a treadmill i have purchased. i know i can't use it yet, but when i am allowed to walk - watch out!

i plan to attend a retiree's event at D9 on wednesday.

i have a dr's appt. on thursday. hopefully, the plastic surgeon will have good news for me.

i plan to attend a portion of our staff & command meeting later this month. i look so forward to seeing some of my patrol "family."

i also just received word that my 25th class reunion is scheduled for this month. i'm debating on whether to attend or not.

dan richhart - you ARE good, my friend. i know of no one who can tell a BAD joke like you. lol

myra james - thanks for the encouraging comments. sorry we had to miss the conference this year, but we will do our best to attend next years - providing we've not been hit by another car...lol we may also take you up on a visit to canada. you have a beautiful country too!

terri west - do i know DIANNA, or what? i'm not sure what stories she's telling you, but be wary of what she says....

sylvia martinez - thanks so much for the card and prayers. i look forward to seeing you this weekend as well.

enough for now....

blessings....

lisa - 1095

september 28, 2007 - ...and the most important of these is love

top of the evening, friends....

hope you got out and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather today! two friends and i took chrissy and amy to deer creek for a nice hike this afternoon. boy, the leaves are really falling quickly.

when we got home, i CAREFULLY climbed aboard my riding tractor, with the intention of simply starting it, as it was in the shop this and last week for repairs. when the engine cranked, it sounded so good, i decided to try and mow my lawn - and i did!!! i only rode in 2nd gear and took it very slow, but i have to admit, i did a respectable job on the lawn. and it sure felt good to have a "mission." my friend and caretaker, trish, was NOT happy with me. she read me the riot act when i finished! i didn't have to bend my leg, and it didn't jar me any more than the wheelchair, so i figured no big deal. boy, was i wrong!!!

i wanted to take this opportunity to thank several people who have planned a very thoughtful benefit for mary and me. dianna white, don and ty grimwood, steve and lori click, and ron kuszmaul (those that i know of) have spent countless hours working out the logistics of this event, and have contacted vendors for door prizes and raffle items. the benefit breakfast/bike ride is scheduled for october 6, 2007 at quaker steak and lube at 8:30am. everyone is welcome. mary and are are both humbled by the incredible generousity of our many friends. we will both be there and look forward to seeing each and every one of you who have supported us with thoughts, prayers, visits, cards, etc... a copy of the flyer has been posted on the blog and it can be enlarged and printed.

lt. colonel finamore called today to see how i was doing, and major mark atkeson called yesterday. major chris minter left a message on my machine yesterday. i really appreciate these guys checking on me.

the dr's appt. went well. the dr. feels that i should begin hand therapy and continue to go to therapy to help break down the scar tissue and improve the range and mobility in my ankle and knee. he wants to see me again next week. but things are progressing.

my dad and brother, allen are delivering a new treadmill tomorrow morning. while i know i can't use it yet, i want to have it on hand for when i learn to walk again. i'm not sure i will be able to use my eliptical at first.

i think my sister, terry is on her way up now. her husband is looking for his missing wife...lol

terri west - what are you talking about???? me??? instructing another law enforcement officer to drive through the apple festival???? are you kidding me? unless you have photographic proof, this discussion is OVER!!! when are you ever going to believe that when dianna's lips are moving, a STORY is about to occur????

mike hunter - i may take you up on the 4-wheeled motorcycle, unless of course, my dad loans me the harley trike with a hand shift conversion kit!

dan richhart - i dunno....what do you get when you cross a turtle and a porkupine? you know, i really miss your BAD jokes!

tina phillips - no...the graft didn't take, but my knee is healing on it's own. the dr. thinks i'm probably 4-6 weeks out from the bone surgery. good hearing from you today! give me a call later.

wendy forbes - you're an angel! thanks for all your encouragement!

enough for now, friends....be blessed!

lisa - 1095