Girl's Day Out at Vanderbilt

I didn't know that a yearly screening mammogram could be so much fun, but Vanderbilt has pushed the bar to the top beginning with a brunch to entertainment.

First you checked in, and answered a few questions.  Then you got a pager; I haven't experienced the pager at a doctor's office before, but you did get to roam the building and even shop at the "Pretty in Pink" store.

Look at the waiting area, and all the inspiration words, and you even get to wear a lovely robe before they come to get you for the mammogram.  Vickie was my technician; she has a daughter that had my same birthday, and talked/joked/laughed with me throughout the awkward process of these type of x-rays.  She even told me that her daughter used to make her have her birthday party in July instead of December; that way it wasn't so close to Christmas.  I may have to try that!

 They would come get you at the waiting room, and they brought you back to the waiting room, but you didn't get to keep the robe.  Darn!

Vickie was nice enough to make sure that I had everything before I left the x-ray room, and even walked me back to the waiting room.  All those long hallways do get a little confusing. 

After Robin and I were all done; we had the opportunity to get a massage, but I was too tired. So we left, and took a long drive before going home.  I know that Vanderbilt gets paid quite well for doing these "Girl's Day Out" events, but it was nice to enjoy some food, getting some information about breast cancer, talking to other participants, and being about to do this all with my Sis!

While we were there, we got to be part of a presentation of a check being donated to 

"Breast Cancer Awareness" !

Mowing - Why?

New Liberty Cemetary was established in 1896; my great grandparents, grand parents, aunts, uncles, and some of my other family are buried in this cemetary.  It's a beautiful old cemetary located within the countryside of New Libery, close to Ashphalt, Kentucky.  There are head stones that are represented by rocks; tangled metal, but there are many foot stones that are missing. 

There is someone who hires the grounds keeper.  One previous grounds keeper decided it would be easier to mow if the foot stones were not there.  So he pulled up all the foot stones; that way he would not have to mow around them.  That way it wouldn't take him as long to mow.

Why would someone do this?  The tree picture above shows all the foot stones that were found that couldn't be identified and returned to the corret grave.  Even some of the head stones fell after the foot stones were removed. 

Needless to say, this grounds keeper was let go.  The community pretty much ran him out of town; he still believes he didn't do anything that would hurt anyone to this day.



Larimar - The Carribean Gemstone

This unique gemstone has fast become the Caribbean's most famous gemstone, and one of the most exciting gemstones discovered in recent times.  (Commercially in 1974).

The only mine in existence is in the volcanic mountains of the Dominican Republic.  It is a rare ble Pectolite Na Ca2 SI3 08 (OH) and has a similar hardness to jade.

It displays a striking translucency similar to Opals.  Rarity, beauty and durability define Larimar as an exceptional gemstone.

Metaphysically (archaic) it is also known now as the "Atlantis Stone", a healing stone to soften stress and tension. 

My boss got me the bracelet pictured above with a pair of matching earrings on her last visit to the Dominican Republic; I don't know if she knew it was a healing stone, or just thought it was pretty.  Either way it was really nice of her to think of me.