March 2010

March 1, 2010

Well - last year this time it was snowing.  Yep, March 2, 2009 - snow in Virginia.  Well guess what.  They're calling for snow AGAIN tomorrow.  So, enjoy today.  It's getting up to 50 this afternoon.

Brittany and Logan's pajama party was soooooo much fun.  Amazingly enough - instead of video games, movies, computers, Facebook or anything that required electricity - they ALL had a blast playing "Taboo" a sort of charades game. They played for hours and hours and hours - and laughed and laughed, and just had good ole fashion fun.  And - very little text messaging - if any - was going on.  AMAZING. Then Sunday they rode and rode and rode.  They had the best time.  Lucy and Emma Claire even rode "Rocky the Pony".  For some reason, last year Kristin (Vdorick) made him a "project" .  She rode him for a while.  I'm not sure why - but she did.  Anyway - the kids wanted to pick up where she left off, so they took him out yesterday and rode him.  He was actually pretty good considering he's just - well - a pet pony.  He IS the cutest thing, with his bushy mane and forelock, but a "real" pony he's not.  They trotted and cantered, which I found amazing !   I had to make them stop because they were having so much fun with him, but he's really in no shape to do all that.  Anyway, I have a feeling he's going to be a summer "project." 

Lucy & Rocky

Keep Charlie in your prayers.

God bless,

Nardeen

March 2, 2010

Charlie Update

Mon.Mar. 1, UPDATE by Brian Simonson: Sorry I haven't posted this weekend, we had a few set backs. Saturday they moved Charlie from the Roto Bed to a normal hospital bed and at the same time they were trying to wean him from the ventilator gradually. He had some trouble with his saturation levels (his oxygen levels) through out the day and night, it could have been too many changes at one time for him. He struggled with difficulty breathing which in turn led him to have a lot of anxiety. We regrouped on Sunday and started a little slower. They decided to stop the weaning process for the time being to concentrate on regaining consistent O2 readings. Sunday he got his beard shaved off even though it looked great . The collar that he has on to stabilize his neck was making him itchy with all that hair, we tried to get him to keep it and told him the lumberjack look was all the rage but he wasn't buying it. Today was a quiet day (which is always good!) His oxygen levels held steady all day and he was comfortable and pretty relaxed. Santos and Fefu came to visit this afternoon armed with camcorders and laptops to show him all the rounds from the horse show from the last two weeks that they have been tirelessly filming. Charlie was happy to finally see how well all his horses have been going after only being able to hear about it. You all have no idea how much all of your love, prayers and thoughts mean to us. We love checking the Facebook site through out the day and showing them to Charlie. We get a lot of laughs and thanks so much to Kim for setting up and organizing this site, it has been such a treat and we are so indebted to her for bringing us all together.

Love,
Brian
 

Keep Charlie in your prayers.

God bless,

Nardeen

March 4, 2010

Okay - I've made several changes to the James River Prize List - so here is the latest and greatest.  I've added classics for the Hunters, Amateurs, Juniors, Pony Hunters and Green Pony Hunters.  I'm still waiting on a few ads to finish it all up before it goes to the printer.  The final ads are coming to me tonight so hopefully the printer will be able to get it done next week.  But remember - we are going green so we are only mailing them on request.  So email me at jamesrivershow@aol.com if you would like me to mail you a prize list.

2010 James River Prize List (almost done !)

waiting for the printer to send ads.

So - do we think winter is behind us ?  I'm going to stay positive .  I'm sure we are heading into spring now.  I just spoke with J.P. who has been working in Palm Beach this winter and he says it's even been cold there.  He said it's in the 30's in the morning and only gets up into the high 60's during the day.   Brrrrrr - in Palm Beach, that is cold.   I'm hopefully going down the end of March to visit Caroline and see her show "Walter".  He won a class last week in the adults, his first show in years.   Caroline isn't that into showing anymore, but she told me she'd put the clothes on one more time if I come down.   I'd love to see her show Walter, the most beautiful horse in the world and certainly one of my favorites. 

Okie dokie - I'm off to the barn.  It is a beautiful, sunny, wonderful day.

God bless,

Nardeen

Most of the James River prize list is done.  Go to www.jamesriverhorseshow.com . 

I'm just waiting on a few pages from the printer. 

March 6, 2010

It's time to be thinking of a name for the baby !   B.G. (Smallwood Sparkle) will be having her baby in just a few weeks and we have no ideas of what to name it.  The father is Meadowbrook's Special Edition.  So H E L P please.  We are all so excited.  It is sure going to be one spoiled little baby.  Hmmmmm - I can only imagine. 

Keep praying for Charlie. 

Love and blessings,

Nardeen

March 7, 2010

CHARLIE UPDATE

Thursday, March 4th UPDATE (Part 1) from Jenny Dunion:
Don't know where to start... Ok I'll do the update first... Not a lot to report on Charlie since Brian posted last on Monday. Tuesday was "a rough day" in Charlie's words. He didn't sleep that well Monday nite which didn't give him a good start to Tues. And as the day progress it just proved to be more a difficult day. I don't want to scare anyone. He is doing very well physically, and we only are getting positive feedback and progress reports from his ICU Dr's and Dr. Green (who I love!). Even though his numbers are all consistent and holding steady he has days were his breathing feels more difficult to him than others which can lead to anxious feelings and when you compound that with a being tired or coming off a sleepless nite like Monday you have the recipe for a bad day. We know we are going to have our ups and downs. This is a roller coaster ride we are on. Everyday is different. You don't know what to expect till you see him for the first time each morning and try and gauge what the rest of the day will be like. Which is exactly what happened yesterday am (Wed). Every morning I approach his room on tip toes with fingers crossed that he will have slept well the nite before and be in good spirits when I find him. When I turned the corner into his room yesterday I was in for quite a treat. He was sitting up in his bed watching Kelly and Regis with the most relaxed and serene look on his face I have seen yet. His color was great and he was upbeat and comfortable talking about what a difference a day makes. Indeed it does! He stayed that way pretty much through out the day except in the late afternoon when he started to get tired and heavy chested which makes him a bit anxious. But the day ended how it started. Calm and relaxed. Brian and I capped off the evening by watching American Idol with him. ( I know I don't have an aptitude for this show or a good ear for that matter! But this seems like a pretty lame group of singers so far!) Today is a new day and I hope for another day like yesterday. Before I leave for the hospital this am I wanted to try and do an update and thank everyone but I am running out of time so I will send this update in 2 parts.
xoxox Jenny

PART 2 of Thu, Mar 4 UPDATE from Jenny Dunion:

Ok I'm back for Part 2 of today's update (mailed & posted earlier today) ... I really want to take this opportunity to thank everyone especially for what you have all done in the past few days. The three deliveries that have been organized from Wellington to Miami this week overwhelmed us. There was so much generosity, kindness and love that extruded from the care packages in the form of home made dinners, prepared foods, groceries, healthy snacks, libations :), a beautiful orchid, magazines, a vegan book, Burt's Bees and cards. And that was just for Brian and me! We also have received almost 100 cards for Charlie along with pictures and posters to adorn his room. I want to thank Robert and Robert for the first food drop off, Kim for organizing the second delivery via Kelly K and John Talley for organizing and delivering the third. (I hope I'm not forgetting anyone and so I am hoping Kim can edit me.) Thank you to Denise Maynard, Stephanie Riggio, Joan Jacobs, John Talley, Rob Jones, and Caroline Collie for cooking all of these amazing meals and sides. Julienne Vard for the custom cupcakes shipped for arrival today (YUM) ( Kim wants to give a shout out to Rachel Kennedy for cooking meals that unfortunately didn't get picked up in time & therefore became defrosted ---A+ for effort!) We are also indebted to my Mom, Mrs Rogers, Visse, T Whitehead, Georgina B, Heather Hays for all the thoughtful grocery shopping and gift card buying that they did. ( We got such a good laugh over the wine called "Mommy's Little Helper!" and I'm looking forward to having virtual K1's with HBH) We are so well nourished and stocked now. We have been continuously enjoying great meals and snacks without leaving our condo when we come back between shifts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts I hope this email will be able to convey the depth of our thankfulness. We feel so loved and supported by all our friends. No one said it better than John Lennon; 'I get by with a little help from my friends".

xoxo Jenny and Brian
 

Keep Praying !

Nardeen

March 8, 2010

Yesterday was a day from heaven for Sam.  He got to ride all his "favorite" horses.  Laura let him ride Sparky, Denise let him ride Sydney and of course, his very favorite Toby aka "Supernatural."  Sam is really learning how to ride.  And having the opportunity to ride  different horses has been a wonderful blessing.  Britt and Lucy are gettin' it too - also from being able to ride different horses and from riding more often.  We are looking so forward to summer when they can ride, and ride, and ride.  And we have a barn full of horses who need to be ridden because most of our CNU team will be home for the summer.   We're looking forward to summer but we sure are going to miss our CNU group !  They have been so much fun.

God bless,

Nardeen

March 13, 2010

It's a BEAUTIFUL day !   Sunny and warm.  We couldn't ask for more. 

You should see the new horse we have at the barn.  He's a "Bashkir Curly" from Russia.  He is the cutest thing you've ever seen.  He's big - probably 16.1 or 2, he's chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail AND my favorite part - he has lop ears.  His hair is CURLY. He belongs to Danta.  She also brought her other horse Peanut who is sweet. 

Hopefully the week will be DRY and warm.  We have a horse show scheduled for the 20th so we need everything to dry out.  We already have some entries and it should be a fun show.  So if you're planning to show remember to get your entries in by noon on Wednesday.  If we don't have enough entries we won't hold the show, so be sure to let us hear from you if you are planning to come.  It is VHSA Associate rated and Whitney Brooks is the judge.  Hope to see you there.

Yesterday was an absolutely WONDERFUL day and today is going to be another one !   Tonight we're going to see Alice in Wonderland - Johnny Depp, my favorite.  Come with us if you can. 

Take care, God bless and lots of love,

Nardeen

March 14, 2010

When I left the barn last night I was dying at how much standing water was everywhere.  Then I got this picture from Palm Beach, Florida - where the weather is always PERFECT.  This is on the bridle path on Equestrian Way.  They had to cancel showing on Friday.  Unbelievable.  I feel bad for all my friends down there but it sure makes me feel better about what's going on here.  AMAZING !

We had a WONDERFUL day at the barn.  It was so beautiful out, but we didn't ride because it was too wet.  So we beautified a lot of the horses and they all look so pretty.  Then Sam, Brittany, Agita and I went to see Alice In Wonderland and to Plaza for dinner.  Alice was wonderful, and because of Alice we have a name for B.G.'s baby.  "Looking Glass."  And if it's a filly, her barn name will be Alice.  Of course !!!   Now, a boy name ?!?!? 

CHARLIE UPDATE

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't been able to update in a while. I was having problems (and still am) with my wireless connection. I wanted to start this update with a statement last night from Charlie. When I told him I was going to try and do an update today and asked him if he would like to include anything and he said, "Please thank everyone!” and so I am! Even though the trach doesn't allow air to travel up his vocal cords and produce any noise when he is speaking he can still mouth the words and communicate pretty easily with us. Brian and I will be lip reading pros by the time he is off the ventilator. Maybe we can hone our new found skill and be hired out for parties just like in the Seinfeld episode when George and Jerry bring a lip reader to a cocktail party to see what people are saying across the room... But I will need to get my B's and V's straighten out first. I still trip over those…

Since we updated last, Charlie celebrated a birthday on the 5th of March. That day came with its ups and downs. It wasn't a particularly great day for him. He had endured a difficult nite on the 4th with shortness of breath paired with some other minor complications. After a long nite with little sleep he was left exhausted and drained in his words. Being fatigued often leads him to feeling anxious which is how he spent most of that Friday. I think it was also not an easy way to spend his birthday, being in the hospital. Birthdays often lead us to reflect on past and future stages in our lives and I think that day led to more observation on his part than he would have liked. But I do know he appreciated all the cards and gifts that many of you have sent and I apologize for not being able to send you each a hand written note or even an email letting you know that they were received here in Miami. Please know that if you use the address on his facebook page or deliver/contact Kim Tudor directly everything makes it to us. We are in such good hands with Kim and she manages everything brilliantly. I told Charlie last nite he is going to have to pay her a retaining fee soon! From food, gift and card deliveries, handling emails and phone calls to PR, she does it all and we are indebted to her.

In the last week Charlie endured a minor procedure to received a “J” tube, a feeding tube that goes directly to his stomach. This procedure has allowed the feeding tube that was previously in his nose and traveling to his stomach to be removed. He is now free and clear of any obstructions in his nose, mouth and throat, which is a huge relief to him. He is also drinking water now. But an even bigger milestone occurred Monday when he was moved to chair for the first time. He stayed for 1 hour and 45 mins in a completely upright sitting position while we watched Oprah's Oscar show followed by Ellen. His body tolerated this change easily and he is looking forward to moving to the chair again this afternoon. The reason this has so many positive indications is that as soon as he is able to sit in the chair for up to 3 hours at a time he will move to Rehab. You can still be on a temporary ventilator and go to rehab, but you need to be sitting up in the chair for 3 hours first. I know that moving to the chair yesterday was a big boost to his spirits. It was obtainable progress he could really feel and hold onto. It also represents the move off of the 8th floor I.C.U in his near future.

This past Friday was Charlie's 3rd week since the accident and this experience has taught me a lot about friendship. We have such an amazing network of friends and family that have rallied around us during this time. Brian and I want to continue to thank everyone for the endless support and love, knowing that all of you are behind us allows us to become stronger everyday.

* * *
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
* * *

Thank you for letting us be sure of all of you ... xoxox Jenny

We love you Charlie. 

God bless,

Nardeen

March 15, 2010

What a great day on Sunday.  It just couldn't have been better.  Well - it would have been better if Sam hadn't been sick and could have come out to the barn.  We missed him.   And he must be really sick to miss a day at the barn.  I don't think I've ever seen anyone LOVE THE BARN and the horses as much as Sam. 

Church was very good, with Healing Waters honoring our Carrollton rescue squad and fire department.  They sure do deserve praise.  They have a hard job.

Kendall came out today and rode perfect Sydney. And Sydney WAS perfect, as always - and lazy as always.  She is so funny.  She will land after the jumps in the trot if they don't squeeze her constantly.  Then after Kendall jumped her over nine - yes nine jumps, she was exhausted.  She is too much.  Denise has a cute video of her on her Facebook page.

Laura Mumford has been riding Rex and oh my goodness she is turning him into a new horse.  She is doing dressage work with him and "making" him use his hind end.  The difference is incredible. 

Dinner at Golden Corral was good.  I went with Ma Helen, Ry, Hunter, Denise, Glenn, Britt and Agita.  Denise might be one of the funniest people I know.  I love her.  Who doesn't love Denise !

God is good,

Nardeen

  Poor Faith - so much wants to be a small little lap dog !

Thank God that Snuggles LOVES Faith. Imagine if she didn't !

James River Prize List

Troy leaves in the morning for his new home in New Jersey. Everyone is sure sad to see him go.  He's been a barn favorite. 

March 16, 2010

Today was one of the nicest days I've ever had.  It was sunny and beautiful - and warming up.  The horses are wonderful.  We are so blessed to do what we do.  Today at Magnolia Nursing Home we made flower arrangements with the Alzheimer's patients.  It was AMAZING !!!   They were given flower pots and the most beautiful fresh flowers. Debra - one of my students and her friends cut the flowers from their yards.  They were gorgeous.  And those precious people - oh my goodness - the look on their faces when the saw all those fresh flowers was so heart warming.  And you know what - they made some beautiful arrangements.  Flowers are something that makes everyone happy.  It just did my heart good.  I was so happy today. Precious - just precious.  I love old people.  Thank you God for blessing me so much today.

Lots of love,

Nardeen

March 17, 2010

CHARLIE UPDATE

Hi Everyone,

Sorry its been so long again. We have decided that we need a time machine and/or the ability to stop time between hospital shifts in order to get everything done that we need to here!

Charlie has continued to remain stable minus one set back last week. Last Thursday he underwent surgery to address some stomach/digestive track issues. His belly was quite distended to the point where it was pushing on his diaphragm and causing him to be short of breath. At first the doctors suspected that the "J" tube he had received the previous week might have perforated his colon. Cat scans were done but produced no definitive findings. The next step was to take him to the O.R. that night with hopes that the problem was reversible and manageable. It was a stressful time waiting through the surgery since we had no idea what they would find or what the outcome would be. After a projected three and a half hour wait the surgeon emerged after just an hour to let us know that they had found the source of the problem and had corrected the situation already. What a relief! It turned out he had a twisted bowel very low in his gut, so low in fact that it didn't show on the cat scan. The twist was similar to what horses encounter when they colic. The twist was released and the colon was healthy with no section having to be removed. The twist was so significant that it wasn't allowing much to pass through and backing up his whole system. The distention in his belly that was making him short of breath was all a result of this impaction and had also pushed the Peg (part of the J tube) loose. The Peg was reattached to the stomach wall and twist free he was stitched up and brought back up to the 8th floor to recover. We were all breathing easier, including Charlie, following this procedure!

He continues to tolerate the move to the chair and sits upright for around 2 hours each day. Sitting up will encourage his lungs to expand and strengthen. He has returned to the process of weaning from the ventilator which was suspended while we sorted out his stomach issues.

The doctors' goals in the next week is to significantly lower the ventilator settings. During Physical therapy sessions we also discovered that Charlie had pain in his right shoulder so the Dr's took an x-ray and realized that his shoulder had been broken during the fall. Surgery is not needed since it is already starting to heal itself after 4 weeks. Hopefully the next time we report back here we will have moved to either the 7th floor or to rehab, which would be a down grade from the I.C.U.but to us that is a step up!

Thank you for all of your continued support and caring!

Love, Brian and Jenny

March 24, 2010

It doesn't get any better than today.  Perfect, perfect weather.  The trees are blooming, the birds are chirping and it is just AMAZING out !  Most of the horses are laying down "sunning" in the paddocks.  So cute.  We sure are blessed with what we do.

My nephew Josh is home from Afghanistan.  He's stationed in Hawaii (poor thing), so he hasn't made it to Virginia yet.  Next week or so.   I thank the Lord for keeping him safe and sound. 

Bethel Temple is having an amazing program on Sunday so if you get a chance please come out.  We'll be at the 9:00 service then heading back over to Carrollton to Healing Waters for their service.  Then next week - Easter - Healing Waters has a special service and Bethel is having their service at the Hampton Coliseum !!!   WOW - that is amazing.  I probably won't make it to that one because I want to be at Healing Waters for Easter.  Hope to see you at one of them.

We need a medium or small large pony, so if you know of something let me know.  It can be a bad size - doesn't matter.

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful day.  God bless,

Nardeen

March 30, 2010

Good morning.  Hopefully today is going to be the end of the "miserable" weather and we will get on with SPRING !!!   All the trees are blooming and are so pretty - but this windy, chilly, cloudy weather makes it hard to enjoy them.  So because it's so yucky out  Ryann and I are heading over to Ma Helen's house to spend the day with her and cook a good ole' fashion country dinner.  Hunter and Brittany will come this evening.   Then American Idol !!! We like to watch that with Ma Helen.  It makes for good family time. 

Sam has given up Facebook.  Brittany only gives that about a week.  Sam decided it is way too time consuming and taking away from his school work.  You know what - he is right.  I know that when I get on I end up being on there for hours.  Time just gets away from you when you start answering friends messages and writing to friends you haven't heard from in years.  It is a great tool but it can sure turn into an addiction. 

Logan rode Sam's horse Ashleigh on Sunday and it was soooooooo cute.  Ashleigh loved Logan. I told Laura that it reminded me of Dublin - a great pony we use to have.  He was something else.  The rider had to be a beginner or a really good rider like Jeffrey Welles  who showed him a few times for us.  He either wanted to do it himself or the rider needed to know how to ride him so that he "thought" he was doing it himself.  Well, you know what - a really good rider knows how to "let" the horse do it himself and not interfere.  Jeff was a master at that.  It never looked like he was doing a thing and the horses and ponies all went around to perfection.  Anyway - back to Logan and Ashleigh. It's like Ashleigh knows that Logan is just learning and she was taking good care of her.  And Logan never interfered and just rode sooooooo good.  Her equitation is adorable and she LOVES IT.  Logan and Emma Claire are the two cutest little girls and we LOVE them both to pieces.  We are looking forward to this summer when they can come out and ride, and ride, and ride, and ride.  Come on summer. 

Bethel Temple was amazing on Sunday.  There is so much talent at that church.  I loved Pastor Glenn's message about how we measure time in the world by BC and AD.  BC - before Christ.  He had a point that we don't measure time in before Mohammad or before Buddha. Well Brittany tells me that now in school they are changing BC to BCE.  Instead of it meaning before Christ it is going to stand for Before Common Era and AD is being changed to CE for Common Era.  UNBELIEVABLE !  And people wonder why our country is in the shape it is in.  We are taking God and Jesus out of everything.   No wonder He's not there when tragedy strikes.  He has been pushed out.

We want to invite you to a couple of things.  I sure hope you can make it.

Thursday - April 1 at 2:00 - Magnolia Center - we are going with Debra to decorate Easter eggs with the Alzheimer's patients.  Let me know if you'd like to join us.  It is quite a rewarding experience.  I think it actually does more for us volunteers than it does for the patients. 

Easter Sunday at Healing Waters Church.  Service starts at 10:45.  The youth group are doing a short performance to a song called "Thief."  It is about when Jesus is on the cross and a conversation He has with the thief on the cross next to him.  It is quite good.  Brittany plays one of the angels and Hunter plays Jesus.  Ryann is the director.  Ryann learned so much when she was at the Master's Commission.  That was such a great time in her life.  I wouldn't trade those years for anything.  Actually - I enjoyed those years as much as she did. 

Amazing Grace Horse Show - April 17.  Be sure to pre-enter by Wednesday before the show.  The judge is Teresa Beebe. 

The show is VHSA and THSA rated.  Click here for the prize list.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you,

Nardeen

March 31, 2010

It's over.   The month of March and hopefully the horrible weather.  Boy - it was the worst winter I can ever remember . But even as horrible as it's been we sure have been blessed compared to what other people have gone through - even though at times it doesn't seem like it.  How about the poor people in Pennsylvania and New England?  I feel so sorry for them with this flooding.

We sure enjoyed church tonight - and it wasn't a message about hope and prosperity - which all of us love to hear.  No, this message was about how trouble is going to come our way.  No one ever said life is going to be easy.  And just because we love the Lord and are good people doesn't mean we are exempt from problems in life.  Life is definitely one challenge after another.  I must say I have learned that lesson well.  But you now what, every time something happens I learn a new lesson and love God even more for helping me get through it and ALWAYS being there for me.  God has NEVER let me down and He always gives me peace.  He's the best !!!

B.G. is going to have her baby any day.  We are soooo excited.   Her due date is April 17.

Be blessed,

Nardeen

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."   Romans 12:12