I'm Baaack!!

Have you missed me?  I got back online to find several messages in my email and Facebook account asking where I was. 

As some of you know, I've been wrestling with cataracts for about a year now, then they started getting bad enough that I couldn't see enough to use my laptop.  You can imagine how bad that was for me, it was like telling me I couldn't eat!  So I broke down and had my surgeries.

The first one was three weeks ago on my right eye.  I had it done in Evansville at the Tally Eye Care Center.  They were W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!   Patient, funny, calming, and I only had a little discomfort through the procedure.

I had the left eye done this week at Fairfield Memorial Hospital by the same surgeon.  The pre-op staff were great.  The nurse that did my eye drops (FYI:  there are TONS of eye drops for a cataract surgery), but something was different.  The eye drop used to numb your eye must have been different than the one they used in Evansville because half way through the surgery I could feel it.

They had told me that if I felt pain tell them and they would give me more.  I told them and the response was, "No it's alright, it's just a little discomfort."   EXCUSE ME?  I think I know whether or not I'm having pain or discomfort.  The surgery in Evansville had discomfort, the surgery in Fairfield had PAIN.

Another huge difference.  I'm a twitcher.  I have trouble getting comfortable and laying still.  I told the staff this in Evansville and requested that they restrain my head.  They obliged by taping my head down.  It wasn't going to stop me if I was determined enough, but it was enough to gently remind me.

In Fairfield I told them the same thing and they said they would restrain it for me.  When we got to the OR I was simply told, "Don't worry, you'll be fine."  Apparently after the pain set in I did start moving, because I suddenly felt somebody leaning on my forehead.

But enough of the complaints, I had some really fun side effects that apparently are occasionally part of the healing process.  With my right eye I saw red for days, literally.  It was funny, because everything blue was purple, and everything had a red or pink tint to it.  It past after a few days, and I didn't have the same thing with the left eye.

Now I can see!  I currently have 20/30 vision, and my doctor says it will continue to improve every day.  I have to use reading glasses, but that's alright.  The idea that I can drive without glasses is amazing for me.  Now I can get some of those adorable sunglasses that I couldn't get before because I had to have my glasses to see at all.  =D

Congratulations Liz Pryor!!

I'd like to send out my fondest congratulations to Liz Pryor for being the Advice Guru selected by Good Morning America!  I haven't had the opportunity to talk to her myself yet, but I have heard from another former contender that she is a wonderfully friendly person.  I've seen her on GMA and she seems so well suited for the job, I think they made a great choice.  Go get'em, Liz!  =D

Do u have AIM?? Also did u know about this site lol www.j.mp/e37Mjh it actually works they mailed an iphone to me for free yesterday I'm getting it this week

No, I don't have AIM. I have my hands full with so many other sites that I communicate with others through, I don't think I could handle another! I'm fairly happy with my current cell phone, so I don''t need a new iPhone, thanks.

Ask me anything

What's your favorite quality about yourself?

HHhmmm.... tough one. I would have to say my integrity. If I make a promise I do my best to keep it. I've been feeling guilty lately because I haven't been able to follow through with a few promises because I'm having vision issues, but I intend to complete them as soon as I have my surgery to correct my sight problems. I have interviews to finish!

Ask me anything

UPDATE on ME

UPDATE: My vision has deteriorated to the point I can barely read my computer any more, and I can't proof read my blogs. So, I'm going to be on here less and less until after I get my cataract surgery done. Then I'll be back with a passion! I go see the doctor to schedule the surgery next week. =D

"Fireflies" in ASL

I know I've been out, I'm still getting my strength back up, but I found this video and just had to share it.  A YouTube user that goes by ChrisCalifornia does these great videos that are creative, eduational, and entertaining!  I hope you love it as much as I do.  For me, sign language is beautiful as dance.  =D

Here is Chris' version of "Fireflies" by Owl City with his interpretation and translation in to American Sign Language.

Have You Missed Me?

I apologize for not being on to post anything recently, but I've been sick as a dog for a few weeks now.  I had to interrupt my sick time to speak out on the Tuscon shooting, but other than that I seem to be doing a lot of sleeping, coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling sorry for myself. =D

I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to go to the doctor about it, but I promise that as soon as I can regain my concentration I will be back to resume interviews, exchanges with all of my friends, and bringing updates on Gabby Giffords and the ABC advice guru contest.

Thanks for checking in on me! I'll be back!

Congresswoman Giffords Shot in Tucson, Innocent Child Died

I'd like to open with offering my deepest, sincerest sympathies to the friends and families that lost somebody in yesterday's shooting. Especially the family of Christina Taylor Green.

Christina Taylor Green, Washington Post

Little Christina was born on September 11, 2001, just two months before my own daughter. So for me, her death is two fold. She was one of the 50 miracle babies born during the nightmare that changed the shape of our nation. For her life to be cut short feels like an attack on our survival after that great tragedy. Was that the intent? I doubt it, but that is still how it feels to me.

The second part is the death of a small, innocent child. A child just like my own. Had I not been able to give my daughter a hug and kiss last night I don't know that I would have been able to get up this morning. For me, focusing on the adults that were the focus of the attack will be difficult, because an innocent child was caught in the crossfire.

This attack was focused on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). Was it because she is Jewish? Was it because of her political views? Only time will tell. But one thing we can be fairly certain of is that it was because somebody, or a group of somebodies, fed into this man's pre-existing mental illness.

Meet Sophia Venable!

Before introducing you to Sophia, I'd like to take a selfish moment. Since I started this series of interviews I'd had the opportunity to chat a bit with several applicants. Some made the finals, some didn't, but all of the people that I've had a chance to talk to are extremely down to earth, so easy to talk with.

Not just to talk with, but to laugh with. These are people you fire up the coffee pot and sit down to talk and laugh with for hours on end until the children think you're both gabby and a bit nuts. You know what I mean, you see that look on your own kids faces when you and your best friend get together.

They really are average people, some not really knowing why they stood out in the crowd with the producers, but thrilled to get the chance at the position. And they've all contacted me, I didn't have to go begging for an interview with some famous, or quasi-famous, person. They're every-day people that felt I was doing something really nice that they'd like to be a part of. Like the rest of us, they're just looking to connect with people, and I'm honored to help them do that.

Sophia with her daughters this Christmas, 2010.

NOW...

Meet Sophia Venable! Sophia, Sophie, or just Soph, she's a riot to talk to. She's very casual, very laid-back, and as funny as they come! When she isn't working, doing household chores, or spending time with her kids, she loves to dance! It's her outlet, her stress relief, her touch-stone to her childhood. Dancing is her personal passion.

Family and friends are very important to Soph. She wants to do what she can to help others, and while her friends and family are included in those she wants to help, they are also the ones that keep her grounded and give her the strength to offer help to others. She can help so many because she's been through some of the same problems they face, she's been in the position to learn from her experiences.

Here is Sophia's interview with me, your chance to get to know her through her own words.  Enjoy! =D

GMA Advice Gurus Narrowed Down to Top Seven Finalists

This morning GMA announced the Top 7 Finalists for their Advice Guru competition.  Meet the finalists!



Carla Barnhill from Minneapolis, MN



Carla Barnhill



Author

Parenting guru on "The Doug Pagitt Radio Show"

Former sex and dating advice columnist

Blogger at themommyrevolution.com

Former editor of the now-defunct (not her fault) "Christian Parenting Today" magazine

Actress and show-tune singer

 

Liz Pryor

Author

Professional giver of advice both on radio and online

Write a parenting column for Munchkin Baby.com

Regular monthly guest on Leeza Gibbons nationally syndicated radio show Hollywood Confidential



Dr. Fran Harris



Fran Harris from Dallas, TX

 

Author

PhD

Public speaker

Life coach

Recently hosted "Home Rules" on HGTV

WNBA & NCAA Champion 
Former Fortune 100 sales executive

Blogger



Bette Alkazian

 Bette Alkazian from Westlake Village, CA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Counseling and Guidance.

Author, a speaker, a nationally recognized parenting expert

 

 

Amy Kean



Amy Kean from New York, NY

Former advice columnist, New York Post

Television reporter/ contributor/ love advice expert (programs listed below)

Blogger

"My TV credits include: The Today Show; The Early Show; CNN; Fox News; VH1; Good Day New York; Maury; Politically Incorrect; Entertainment Tonight; Living It Up!; The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch; Geraldo; Montel; Good Morning America (!); and The View which I co-hosted seven times when I was chosen as a co-host finalist by Barbara Walters."



Cooper Boone

 Cooper Boone from New York, NY

Two masters and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology

Award-winning song writer and performer

Online show called Cooper's Kitchen

 














Philip Van Munching


Philip Van Munching, from Darien, Conn. 

Author, humorist

Heir to beer distribution company

Liz Pryor from Studio City, CA

Second Cut Coming Tuesday on Good Morning America

Good Morning America will be making their second cut during Tuesday morning's airing of their program.  Go to the Advice Guru pages and cast your votes on their answers, on the candidates you like the best, and comment on their pages.  Share your thoughts on the candidates in their comment sections.  Help bring your favorite candidate to the forefront!

Check back tomorrow for a list of the second cut finalists.  Best of luck to all of them from me and all of my readers.  We're rooting for you!

My interviews will continue to run with the candidates, those that have made the cut and those that haven't.  Get their thoughts on the process and on life right here.

Happy New Year friends!  =D

Have an amazing 2011 !!!!! Looking forward to keeping in touch and learning from you. Carla

Thanks, Carla! I hope you, and all of my other readers, have a wonderful 2011!

If anybody would like to do an interview with me, you can contact me directly at gayla.tanner@gmail.com =D

Ask me anything