Friday, July 30, 2010

untethered

This is going to be short because I'm typing it on my phone. Sitting in chairs is still super uncomfortable and my laptop is too heavy for my lap...so posting from the Droid it is!

I had a doctor appointment this morning and passed my test. I got to get rid of my catheter. Yay! Now the focus is just to rest and heal. And then rest and heal some more. People have been really sweet, bringing us meals. We've gotten a poppyseed chicken casserole, fried chicken, and lasagna. We are so thankful.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Can't win 'em all

Remember how I was hoping to only stay one night in the hospital, and to come home catheter-free?

Well, I only stayed one night. But I guess somtimes you can't always get what you want...I had to come home with a catheter. My bladder is either "asleep' or very swollen...or both. I go to the urologist on Friday to see if everything is working again.

I suppose the up-side to all of this is that I won't have to get up in the night to pee?

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I'm alive!

Just a quick note to let you know that I made it through sugery fine. Pretty sore, but hanging in there.

Thank you for the prayers.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Off to the hospital in the morning

It's finally here.

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:30 pm. The doctor said he anticipated it would take about 2-1/2 hours, and then I'd spend about 2 hours in recovery. I'll stay overnight in the hospital, and HOPEFULLY be home Wednesday. There is a 5-20% that I will need to stay a second night in the hospital, or come home with a catheter. If that happens, of course we'll deal with it...but I'm praying I can avoid both of those!

I've been busy getting preschool stuff together and ready, doing back-to-school shopping for Shannon, and cleaning the house...all getting ready for my down-time. My doctor told me that I should be doing NOTHING for the first two weeks. Getting up and using the restroom, walking around the house for about 5 minutes at a time...and that is it. Yikes!

Shannon's off to spend the night with a friend tonight, and we'll head to the hospital in the morning. I'll update here when I get home, and am able.

I appreciate your prayers and good thoughts!!!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Feeling the love

One of my dear friends is going out of town on Tuesday, and has been feeling bad that she won't be able to come visit me, or bring a meal after my surgery. I've been telling her that it's fine, that we can visit when she gets home, etc.

Tonight, she and her daughter brought me a feel better care package! It's this super cute reusable bag...stuffed with fun stuff!

  • "Sweet Dreams" package: eye mask, pillow spray, lavender lotion
  • Valentines Day DVD
  • big bag of pretzel M&M's
  • big bag of Jolly Rancher hard candy
  • Flarp
  • 2 SoftLips lip balm
  • One of those super squeezy balls that has like...tentacles?
  • InStyle magazine
  • Real Simple magazine
  • New pajamas
  • New slippers
  • Ghiradelli chocolate/caramel squares
  • Thin Mints
Isn't that the best? I almost can't wait for my surgery now, just so I can dive into my bag of loot!

Getting to know ME Sunday

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It's Sunday, which means it's time again for Keely's weekly blog carnival called Getting to Know You. Here are this week's questions...and my answers!

1. Thong or Granny Panties?
Uh, kind of neither? I kinda like a high-cut bikini style.
2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him? Unless it's Patrick or my dad, no. I don't need guys thinking that I'm walking around looking at their junk.
3. Spanx or no Spanx? Well, I like what they do, but I don't have any. So I guess "No Spanx" is my answer.
4. Do you sleep in your sheets? I don't understand the question. I have sheets on my bed, and I sleep in my bed...so YES? lol!
5. What is your favorite Disney character? Donald Duck! LOVE him!
6. Dream vacation spot? I would LOVE a vacation to Greece.
7. What is your dream job? Until I can get paid for napping, I have my dream job. I teach pre-school.
8. Who is your hero and why? Abraham Lincoln. Because he confronted a horrible problem, and FIXED it.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Bragging on my man

I'm so proud of my Mr. Wonderful. He really has the sweetest heart, and the fact that he continues to act on it, despite the fact he's been in pain every single day for the last 3-1/2 years simply amazes me. Seriously, if I have a headache for 20 minutes, everyone around me knows about it. Patrick has had what doctors call "daily migraine" (but only because they don't know what else to call it. His daily pain scale is about a 7-9 out of 10 every single day).

Anyway, he has been so sweet and diligent helping me get my preschool stuff ready before my surgery next week. In addition to that, he drove me to both of my pre-op appointments, just because he knows I like that.

After my appointment on Tuesday, we had to run an errand to return something, but I was on the phone with the hospital (doing registration stuff), so he just ran into the store for me. I got off of the phone while he was in the store, so when he came out, I just started talking to him about the call, etc. As I was talking, Patrick kinda waved/gestured to a lady walking across the parking lot, and said to me "We're gonna give her a jump before we go." So, we (he, really...lol) did that, and she was so appreciative.

Yesterday, we were up at the preschool, and saw our Youth Ministers van (she is on the mission trip with Shannon) sitting in the parking lot. Patrick commented that her tire looked low. Today, he went up to the preschool, took her tire off, went and got it fixed, and then brought it back and put it back on. Isn't that the nicest thing? I told him how amazing I thought that was...and he said "Well, she's looking after Shannon all this week...the least I can do is fix her car. I wouldn't want to get home from a long youth trip and have to deal with a flat tire."

I just think he is amazing. And I'm proud that he is my husband.

Monday, July 19, 2010

One down, one to go

I had my urology pre-op today. It went fine, but you know...it's never fun to hear about all the things that could go wrong. I know they have to inform you, but jeez. I trust both of my doctors, and I have faith that I will come through this fine. Having two procedures at once puts me at a little more risk to need to stay two nights in the hospital, and I *may* have to come home with a catheter...but I am hoping that neither of those will happen.

I had blood drawn, and blew a vein in one arm, and then in my other arm the vein was really deep and hard to get to. So, now I'm all bruised up. Oh well. The good news is, I got my lab results tonight, and everything was perfect.

Tomorrow is my GYN pre-op. Hopefully no surprises there. I'm just SO ready to get this show on the road.

Shannon is off on her first church mission trip. She's been away from home for a week before, but never without ANY phone contact. It's hard! I'm thinking about her so much, and sending lots of prayers to her and her group. They are the hands and feet of God!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that my parents (who live in CA) have decided to move to GA to be near to us. They are in their mid and late 70's, and it's just time for them to be closer to one of their children.

(A bit of history...my parents retired about 15 years ago, and moved up to the mountains of Northern CA. They live WAY off the beaten path, in a home that is solar-powered, fire heated, with well water. It is a very rigorous lifestyle that is getting harder and harder to for them to maintain. After my Dad's health scare last year, it became clear that they needed to move closer to medical treatment (as of right now they are FIVE HOURS from their doctors). It is cost prohibitive for them to sell their house and move back to the Bay Area, where my brother and sister live.)

Georgia's cost of living is lower than CA's, and my parents would be able to afford a home in the areas near us. I've been watching the local real estate market, and keeping track of houses that interested me.

The other night, Patrick was having a really tough time. His pain was at a horrendous level, and he was just losing hope, faith, etc. He was just...overwhelmed. I called a dear friend to come over and counsel with him, pray with him, and just...support him. His pain remained, but he was able to rest...feeling like some burden had been lifted.

The next morning, Patrick awoke and said that he felt "like his well was refilling." Then he said "And I think I've had a revelation. I suddenly realize something, and I hope you'll agree with me." He shared that he felt like my parents should move in with us. He proposed that instead of my parents buying a home of their own, that they use their money to add onto this home, to make it perfect for both households. I said "I love this idea...BUT...what if they use their money, and then we change our mind? Or you feel better? or, or, or? They won't have a down payment to buy a home of their own." He said..."I'm not offering this lightly. If we ask them to do this...I intend it to be for the rest of their lives. Where we go, they go."

(Have I mentioned how much I love him?)

So, we called my parents...(on the morning of our 20th anniversary, lol) and made the offer. They cried.

I just feel like...this is how families should be. This is how families USED to be. I can't wait for their home to sell, so that we can begin adding to this house to make it OURS. OURS, as in...all 5 of us.

They will arrive here in late September, and once their house sells, we'll begin construction! So. very. exciting!

This is the last time all five of us were together, December 2008. (I saw my parents in October of 2009, when I flew back after my Dad's accident.)

Christmas 2008

Friday, July 16, 2010

Taking Inventory

Something big is happening here.

By here, I mean...with my family, in our home. We are taking the time to take inventory of what we have, what we are...and measuring it against who/what we long to be. We are making core changes. Not only are we trimming down our physical possessions, but we're saying goodbye to old ways of thinking, and welcoming some very new (and exciting) ones!

We're working out some details, but then I'm going to something really exciting to share.

Today was Shannon's last day of Girl Scout Day Camp. It was a fun week, and the first week of camp that I can EVER remember that it didn't RAIN! Of course, we're now having a thunderstorm and under a flash flood warning, but at least the campers didn't get wet, lol!

Tomorrow, Shan and I are going to see Phantom of the Opera in Atlanta. I hope she will sleep tonight...she is SO excited!

And then, on Sunday...she is headed off for a week on her first-ever church mission trip. I know it will be hard physical work for her, but I also know that she will come back with her eyes open wide, and her heart full. I'm excited for her. She has certainly had a whirlwind summer. I love that.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Farewell, Sprocket-Man

Today is a sad day. We had to have our sweet Sprocket dog put to sleep this morning.

He's had seizures off and on for years, and they had begun to affect his behavior. He was getting aggressive, and extremely territorial. We've been trying to work through it with him for a long time. He's been starting to have more seizures, and they were lasting longer...so his behavior was getting more erratic. This morning it was just obvious that it was time. So heart-breaking. That's got to be one of the worst decisions to have to make.

Here's some pictures of our boy.

This is the day we got him:

puppy3

Cute boy...a few months old:

P0001858

Silly boy, loved to lie on anything on the floor:

youlookinatme

Play?

sohandsome

Sprocket never EVER licked us...EVER. But what he did was "hug." He would come up to us, and put his forehead down, and we would put our forehead on his. You could just feel him relax and love you...it was wonderful. I'm so happy I have a picture of a Sprocket hug.

DSC03534

Rest in peace, sweet boy. You were a good dog and we will always love you.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Happy Bastille Day!!!

Isn't that exciting and wonderful!?!

No?

OK, how about this? Today Patrick and I are celebrating our TWENTIETH wedding anniversary!!!

20 years ago today!

I love this man with all my heart. He is my Mr. Wonderful, my best friend...my soulmate. This life hasn't been what I expected...but just what I needed.

20 years ago today!

Here's to the rest of our lives, sweetheart. I love you.

candpthanks

iFellowship

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Terrific Tuesday!

Hello sweet friends! Thanks for stopping by today! I'm having a really nice day...things just seem right.

Today is my last day babysitting for the summer. I invited a little neighbor girl over to play with "E," the girl I babysit. That was fun, and kept them both entertained.

I've been sticking my toes back into my preschool work...getting ready for next year. It's such a blessing to me to do what I do. By the end of May, I need a break. I need to step away from it, to recharge. I bring my preschool things into the house, take them into my "office" (ha!), and *close the door.* Seriously. I close the door so I can't see it, and therefore...don't think about it. Come July, I begin to organize, and plan. It energizes me. I begin to seek new ideas, and to implement them. By August? I'm raring to go...and excited to start with a new group of kids. I find it fascinating that EVERY year follows this pattern. Really shows me that a time of renewal is always needed, but is then followed by energetic growth. Love it.

"E" is napping, and my laundry is chugging along. Tomorrow is a VERY important day...I hope you'll come back by to see what it is!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

She's home!

Well...she was. For about 2 hours, lol! Shannon's have such a great summer. She got home from Hilton Head this afternoon, and I had time to run a load of laundry and get her sent back off for a Girl Scout counselor sleepover. Tomorrow is Day Camp Open House, so the counselors sleep over the night before...to get everything set up, etc. Day Camp is next week...she always loves it. At least she'll be home in the evenings next week!

But check this out. Summer is just racing by. I have to take her out this week to start getting SCHOOL CLOTHES. Next week, she'll be on a church mission trip, and then two days after she gets back, I have my surgery...and won't be doing ANY shopping. Good heavens...SO FAST!

Starting tomorrow, I've got to start planning, and pulling my preschool stuff together. I just really feel like I've gotta get most things lined up be done BEFORE my operation. Later this week, I'm gonna go up to preschool and start setting up my classroom. I do get to go to the "Teacher Store," which I love...because I need a few new bulletin board pieces.

I only slept about 4 hours last night...so I'm headed to bed now. I had a SUPER fun night with some awesome friends from work. It was a night of good food, silliness, truth or dare, and LOTS of chatting. Poor Patrick didn't sleep either...but not for fun reasons. His head pain was so bad last night, that he wasn't able to fall asleep until 6:30 am. Needless to say, we've had a pretty low-key day today.

Here's to lots of rest tonight!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Spontaneous Getaway!

Also, my friend with the "lake house" invited me up for a spontaneous getaway! Another girlfriend and I went up Wednesday night and came home last night (I am babysitting "E" today, so I had to come home, lol).

Every time we go up there, I try to do something new...to push myself out of my comfort zone just a little bit. I always find that I'm so proud of myself, and love doing things!

Last time we went, I rode a wave-runner for the first time. This time, I went tubing behind the boat, and jumped off the top of a dock (like...the roof) across the cove. Also, it doesn't sound like as big a deal, but it was MUCH harder (mentally) for me to do...I swam under their dock. (I should probably explain why, lol.) They have THE SWEETEST dog, named Annie. She loves to sit out at the end of their dock, and drop her tennis ball into the lake. At one point, the ball went under the dock, and "L's" (the one who owns the house/dock) daughter "A" (Shannon's age) swam under to get it. My stomach flip-flopped...and I jokingly said "Save yourself, "A"! That's where the monsters live!" Of course, I don't really think monsters live down there, lol...but I realized I was actually afraid to swim under! So I made myself do it! The dock sits up on this floating "pier" things...so the surface of the dock is like a foot over the water. I swam the length of the dock...between the piers. My heart was beating SO fast...but I did it!

We had SUCH a great time. We just hung out and laughed on Wednesday night. Swimming in the lake, playing truth or dare, etc. We had fondue for dinner, and then MADE OUR OWN FUNNEL CAKES (OMG how fun) for dessert. We sat up til 2 am chatting, and then Annie slept with me. After sleeping with Rosie and Calvin...Annie the Rottweiler was quite the change!

Thursday morning we got up and had breakfast, and then went out on their pontoon boat. SO much fun. Eventually, we came back for a really late lunch, and then "K" (the other friend) and I headed home. I have some pictures, but I need to re-size them, etc.

Tonight, I'm going to another friend's house for a pool party. It'll be a bunch of girls from work ("L" and "K" are also friends from work, but not sure if they're going to this party). We'll do a little drinking, so it's a slumber party! SO fun!

Shannon "comes home" tomorrow. I put it in quotes because they're getting here between 3 and 4, but her counselor sleepover for GS camp starts at 5. LOL!


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To those that are here from Friday Follow...welcome! I'm so glad you're here! I hope you'll follow and come back again!

Allied Moms

My sweet friend, Steph, just recently co-founded a wonderful new online community for Christian blogging moms.

Allied Moms


It's called Allied Moms, and it's a place to find friends and support...as well as promote your blog! Just by connecting and answering daily questions, you can win front page ad space for YOUR blog!

And guess what? I already won! Go me! So, to any Allied Moms stopping by...welcome! I'm so glad you're here!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Empty Nesters

I keep meaning to sit down and blog, but I just never do! Patrick and I are home alone, and it's...kinda weird! Such a change from our regular day to day. I guess this is what it will be like when Shan goes off to college! We are kind of different from a lot of couples though...in that Patrick is disabled, and can't work...and I'm a teacher, so I'm home during the summer. So...we're home alone 24/7 right now! Good thing we're best friends, huh? LOL!!!

Our 4th of July was good! Our city is weird, and did fireworks on Friday the 2nd. (Apparently it's not a good Christian thing to do them on the 4th? (If Halloween falls on a Sunday, people don't trick-or-treat here on that day, either!) I don't know...but why not the 3rd? Maybe they got a good deal if they went on the 2nd.) Anyway. We went Friday night and saw the fireworks. I LOVE fireworks. I don't know why...but they're just magical to me. I actually get a little choked up!

Saturday we cleaned our garage. I know, how exciting right? But listen to this. We back Patrick's truck up to the garage, and just chucked in junk that we don't need. Stuff we NEVER use, etc. And took it to the dump! It's outta here, baby!!! The way they charge at our dump is by weight. You pull onto a scale as you enter, and then you pull onto a scale as you leave...and they charge by pound. We dumped 680 pounds!!! OMG! Isn't that wild? (And this is our 4th dump run this month!) I LOVE getting rid of junk! (But am slightly scared that this now makes it sound like we live in a junkyard or something. I assure you...we don't.)

So then, Saturday night, we headed over to Woodstock to the Dixie Speedway for some dirt-track racing and more fireworks. A really neat thing happened...right at 9:30, behind turn 2...the Woodstock city firework show went off! We got a bonus firework show! Neato! They were really good, too. Then, after that heat of racing, at like 10pm...we saw the Speedway fireworks. SO fun!

Something really hilarious happened at the track. We were sitting next to this grandma and her two grandsons. One of the grandsons was grown...probably 24-ish, and the other was like 10. At one point, the grown up grandson got popcorn for them. Awhile later, I happened to look over at them. The grandma was making that "I have something stuck in my teeth" face, and moving her tongue around. Suddenly, she pops her teeth out, picks out the popcorn hull...and then puts her teeth back in! OMG, it was SO funny! It just struck me SO funny...but I mean, how handy for getting popcorn hulls out of your teeth, right?

Our 4th was nice. We barbecued chicken, and ate lots of watermelon. We shot some fireworks off in the driveway and just chilled! Very nice! It was weird not having Shannon home, but knowing she was having such fun, watching fireworks on the beach kinda made up for it. :-)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Happy Friday!

Welcome, sweet friends!

I'm feeling content and blessed today.

It's a little rainy, which is nice...I love the rain, but it also means it's a little cooler outside. I know it's June, but it's just been beastly hot here for about 3 weeks. Mid-90's, with heat index around 105...every day. Yuck. I'm not a hot weather person, but I try to grin and bear it.

My little world traveler is off on another adventure. Her best friend's mom texted me on Wednesday morning and asked if Shannon was available to go to Hilton Head for TEN DAYS, leaving Thursday afternoon! Wow! Shannon had a couple scheduled events, but they were easily changeable. Shan's BFF and mom have been in HH for a week already, and step-dad was driving down after work yesterday. BFF's mom woke up yesterday with the fun idea to have step-dad bring Shannon down with him, and surprise BFF! Isn't that fun? I'm so tickled for my girl.

The rest of her summer is a whirlwind though. She gets home from HH next Saturday around 3-4pm. She has a Girl Scout Counselor sleepover beginning at 5pm! She'll get home at 4pm on Sunday. Beginning the following day is GS Day Camp, where she'll be a counselor. That gets over on Friday the 16th. On Sunday the 18th, she's leaving on a mission trip for church, and won't be back til the 24th! Then, my surgery is on the 27th. When we dropped her off yesterday, I jokingly said "See you in August!"

I have no idea why, but our town's fireworks are tonight, so P and I will go see them. It will be weird, but kinda fun (like a date!) to go without Shannon. Maybe we should have a picnic dinner or something. Hmmm.

I dunno...I just feel...at peace. Life's just cooking along, and I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be. It's been awhile since I've felt this way.

If you're here from Friday Follow, I hope you'll link up and come again!


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