Jill and Kevin's Wedding Entrance

This video has been all over YouTube. I thought it was very creative and fun. Enjoy it.

Update on my knee:

The MRI showed I tore my meniscus, have water on my knee, worn cartilage and arthritis. I need to see an orthopedic doctor for an evaluation.

My daughter is in visiting and I've been enjoying having her being home, even if it is for just a week.


You know what they said about imitation is a form of flattery. Someone posted this version of the dance but in divorce court - it's all in fun. I'm a big fan of marriage. I think Jill and Kevin will be happy forever. They started off great.

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to . . .

I know I have been absent from blogland. My knee has gotten the best of me this month. I’m a bit tired of dealing with it. I had a MRI yesterday. Hopefully I didn’t tear anything on top of the arthritis. I should know the results next week.

There is a big highway called Sunrise by me and this was where the MRI place is located. There are three lanes of traffic going both directions (six in all).

On my way I noticed lots of police cars parked on smaller side roads leading to Sunrise Hwy. I turned onto the highway and noticed on the opposite side traffic was stopped. Why? There was some type of bicycle race going on and the cops cornered off the streets. I checked the building numbers on my side of the street and noticed that they were even. This was not a good sign. I knew then the place I was going to had an odd number and was across the street where traffic was stopped.

I parked my car across the street from the building because I didn’t want to be late. I had to now cross this street with my bum knee. Just for the record, they don’t give you enough time to cross before the lights start to flash that you only have 20 seconds and the count down began.

I had my MRI after waiting around for over half an hour (half that time spent in the gown they put you in). I had to turn off my cell phone because of the machines. It was getting late when I finished and I knew Tom would be wondering what was happening. I tried to put my phone back on but it wouldn’t turn on. Not good. I tried plugging it into the car charger when I finally made it back to my car. Nothing. I decided to drive to the church where Tom was. I tried to take the charger out but it wouldn’t budge. I see Tom and I cry. Why? I had enough. I had enough of that day. I had enough of my knee interfering with my energy and creativity. I had enough of everything.

Nothing is more healing than the arms of your husband, who loves you and can comfort you like no one else can. He held me. Loved on me. Fixed my phone. He’s my hero.

I look back on the day and I can laugh. My knee is getting better. I feel more like myself again. I’m grateful for my wonderful hubby who loves me. I’m grateful to wonderful people at our church who provided meals for us this week. I still have leftovers from those meals. I don’t have to cook again for a week. I’m a blessed woman who has had a frustrating week. When I look at things from the side of blessing instead of feeling sorry for myself life’s much clearer. Hmmm. You would think I would have learned that by now.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Ugh! That Blasted Knee

Before my doctor went on vacation he told me I have arthritis in my left knee and gave me medicine. He would discuss with me what to do about it when he gets back on the 27th. Fun right?

I took my medicine and was starting to feel better when I stepped on the knee going down the stairs and suddenly saw stars. I was in lots of pain and I had a long car ride ahead me (I was upstate for a family gathering). Tom wanted to take me to the ER but I thought I would put ice on it and it would be better in the morning. It wasn’t and I stayed home from church.

Tom came home and took me to the ER. They took X-rays and the good news was nothing was broken, but I have severe arthritis and need to follow-up with my doctor.

I did get to take home the cool brace pictured above. Truly looks worse than it is. I’m grateful to all the people at church for their love, prayers and offers of help. Thanks guys.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Quote Me This . . .

I love quotes. On my fan page on Facebook, I’ve been posting writing quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money. - Jules Renard (1864-1910)

There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you. - Z.N. Hurston

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one. ~ Baltasar Gracián

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~ Elmore Leonard

What makes a quote memorable is it touches something inside of you. It sparks emotion, hope, laughter or a memory among other things. It makes you think especially if you connect with the quote in some way.

Scripture verses do all of that and more. When I feel like I’m just floundering and feel like God has forgotten me, this verse comes to mind:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

God has a plan and purpose for my life. I matter to Him. When I look back on the things that happen to me I realize how true Jeremiah 29:11 is. Sometimes in the midst of the confusion, I just can’t see clearly enough to see the end game. I’m glad sees the end game on my behalf.

My friend, Larry Randolph, once said: “God factors our stupidity into our destiny.”

What are some of your favorite quotes or scripture verses?

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Everyone Loves Raymond

Have you ever watched the TV show, Everyone Loves Raymond? It’s hilarious. Tom and I have been watching the show in the afternoons. Tom is not a big comedy guy so he never watched it before. I would have it on while I cooked and laugh out loud and thus pulled him into my comedy net.

One of the funny aspects of the show is Raymond himself. He usually does stupid man things every episode. This makes Tom look very good. The other day he pushed his wife too far and she said, “Do you know how close you are to death right now?” If you want to know how to be a good in-law or spouse watch this show and do the opposite of what you see.

As hard as it is to believe sometimes Tom pulls a “Raymond.” For instance today I bumped my head really hard on the refrigerator. He asked if I was okay and I replied, “Yes, but it hurts.” His response, “Is the refrigerator okay?” Yes, he was being funny.

I love my husband. I think Tom is the best man God could have ever given me to be my best friend and the father to my children. He’s a good man and I love him to pieces. I think he’s handsome and just looking at him makes me smile.

I love you honey even when you pull a “Raymond.”

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

How Well Do You Handle Correction?

Correction is never an easy thing. I have not met one person in my 47 years of life that loved or welcomed correction.

When I was a child, I didn’t deal with correction well. It wasn’t easy for me to take correction because I saw it as being rejected. I would shut down emotionally. If that was a problem still then editing my book would have been torture. I learned so much during that process and believe it or not it was a pleasant experience.

I’m grateful that God helped me to learn that this was part of life. If I want to be a writer then rejection is in my future. One of my favorite authors, besides Ted Dekker, is Frank Peretti. His first novel was rejected 17 times before a publisher took a chance on him. I’m so glad he didn’t give up.

Correction is hard to take, but I do believe I handle it much better now. After I stick my head in the sand and realize it’s hard to breathe down there, I brush myself off and forge ahead. Whenever I do this, my reward comes quickly. I’ve grown as a person. There is satisfaction in not quitting and completing a task.

Dealing with correction gets easier, but still it’s not fun. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Forge ahead to the end of the rainbow.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Not Quite Myself

I haven't been around much lately and I'm sorry. I've been busy and I'm having trouble with my knees, especially at night. Sometimes it's difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time. I'm trying not to let it get to me and still do what I need to do. I'm seeing a doctor next week and hope to find out what is going on. I'm not worried, I trust that God will take of me.

I just didn't want you all to think I disappeared and forgotten about you. I'll try to visit but my energy and creativity levels are at a low. I'm doing okay, just a bit tired at time.

On a totally separate subject, Tom's uncle sent him this link and I thought it was really neat. Tom always says, "Life's a musical." This proves it.