December 28, 2006

More stress for me.

Okay, so the deal with W's back. The new surgeon we saw has recommended further surgery. He is positive that the fusion failed. Basically, he'll go in, yank out the rods/screws, flip him over, spread stuff around, inject some goo designed to harden up and then close him up, flip him BACK over and put the rods/screws back in. Twice the pain and twice the recovery time. Sounds like fun, huh. We've agonized over what to do, but the only other real option is to live the way he is now, and that isn't really an option. We're awaiting worker's compensation approval, and trying not to worry whether they'll try to not approve it. The guy in Florence has agreed to take the case, because we do not want the original surgeon to touch him. We need to get a list of questions/concerns together and hopefully meet with the surgeon to address them.

I'm very scared about all this. Same risks are involved, including paralysis. W is worried about that the most. Mostly, we're angry that the first surgeon blew us off so much with our concerns that he wasn't getting better. We're leaving it alone for another week, then will start making the calls about setting up appointments and what not.

I am not looking forward to spending at least a week in Florence, over an hour from home. Most, if not all, of W's family will come down for surgery, and hopefully some will stay after. Bubba can go stay with G-ma or Nanny when we're in Florence, but someone will have to also take care of the dogs. I'm hoping to be able to stay in the hospital, and not have to go to the expense of getting a hotel room since I can't afford to do that. I surely don't want to have to drive back and forth every day. It's just a logistical nightmare for someone like me, who likes to have every little detail planned out, so I know exactly what is going to go on, etc. I've tried to loosen up in that department, but it's not so easy.

Pictures

My newest favorite of Bubba












The house I grew up in. I miss it.










Such a cutie.










Ack! Avert your eyes, it's my ugly mug.

Glad to be home

We had a wonderful time, but boy was it good to get home. Trip up was uneventful, I drove for a two and a half hour stretch while W rested, through Virginia and West Virginia. I managed to stay awake about the whole time, much unlike the last trip.

Friday we spent the day at Grammy's, then went to Hoser and Mitch's house (the little brother I married on the beach in October) and got showers and went shopping. They big boys went power shopping, Bubba, Mitch and I just headed to Walmart for supplies. Bubba went straight to bed, quite late when we got home. They were so totally awesome to let us have their HUGE king bed, and we all slept great. Bubba in the middle, and for once, no issues with him kicking/hogging the bed.

Saturday Mitch had to work, and I was promised by W a peaceful day, as he and Hoser were gonna take Bubba shopping all day. (Someone was unprepared for Christmas, can ya tell?) I did some cleaning, in preparation for the birthday party later, then relaxed in their glorious whirlpool tubby. I was going to attempt to take a nap, but W called and I joined the boys for the rest of their shopping excursion. Then we headed back to get set up for the party. Details are boring, but it went good, fun was had by all, and the food was phenomenal. I overate the whole damn time, and boy am I regretting it. Now I have FIFTEEN pounds to lose to get back to where I was! ACK!

We shipped Bubba off to Grammy's for the night, and all crashed hard, hoping to sleep in, but Grammy had planned a big family breakfast for Christmas Eve morning. We all overslept, too, and luckily they were running late as well, so after a delay, we all met up and overindulged some more. Mitch was off to her family's house, I helped Hoser wrap a ton of his gifts, W napped and Bubba watched Cars. Again. Oh yeah, while the boys were AGAIN shopping, I took an exhausted Bubba for a car ride to my hometown, to visit the cemetery and take flowers to my grandparents' graves. I also swung by the house I grew up in, snapped a picture and dropped in on the neighbors from when I lived there. Their kids weren't around, bummer, but I talked with them for a few minutes. Bubba had crashed out in the car, and didn't wake up until I pulled back into Mitch and Hoser's.

Got the car all packed back up with all our stuff, and headed to Grammy's to get ready for Christmas Eve mass. Not at midnight, but at ten. W had reached his exhaustion point in his cycle, he won't get much sleep for days, then it all catches up to him and he crashes hard for a day or so. So he didn't make it to church, but he put Bubba to bed while I went with Grammy, Uncle M and his knocked up girlfriend/fiance/whatever. She still hadn't told us all she was pregnant, but we all knew anyway. I am NOT going into all that mess.

Christmas is now a blur. Do you know how hard it is to keep a three year old from opening the gobs of presents that were piled everywhere until the whole family was there and/or awake?!?! Distractions of donuts and cookies only lasted so long. Once we finally got started opening, it was a long slow process, and we had to, get this...take a break so the ham could go in the oven. Then we opened and opened more. Somewhere in there, W and Bubba went upstairs for a nap, I crashed on the couch and dinner got all ready and put together. Heh. THEN, after dinner was cleaned up, we started in on the stockings. I am totally not kidding. It was an entire day affair, with some people leaving to go do whatever, and others arriving later.

As if that wasn't enough excitement W and I had to get the car loaded all back up. After getting Bubba bathed and reluctantly into bed for the night, we started in trying to get the immense piles of stuff back into my car. Amazingly it all fit.

Leaving for the morning wasn't too dramatic, but things went downhill. We had to go to Sears to return/exchange our gift of a portable DVD player, because the wrong thing was in the box. It took them an HOUR to sort all that out, and we had promised to stop at Chippy and Jan's for breakfast. Ugh. I hate getting out of there behind schedule. I didn't want to spend all day in the car and get home in time for bed, but that is exactly what happened. Granted, breakfast was great, and they loaded us up with ham sammiches for the trip home, but still. We didn't hit the highway until 11:30, and I wanted on the road by 9.

I started out the driving, hoping to be useful before I got to tired to help. HAHAHAHAHA! I drove until about 3:30, or so, we had stopped a few times for gas/pee breaks/windshield wipers. And I drove all through the mountains during SNOW!!! Bubba got to see snow, but not play, cause there really wasn't much. W ended up with a migraine, because he chose to take over driving through the worst traffic. He made about 3 hours, and I was back behind the wheel. Keep in mind, until our trip up in October, I have NEVER participated in driving on our trips ANYWHERE and we've been to and from the beach at least a dozen times. So not only did I drive, I about drove the whole fricking way home. Now I know why I prefer to be a passenger and sleep if I want to. I was so worn out by the time we finally made it home. But I am very proud of myself for making it, and hope I haven't ruined it by having to do it all the time now.

So that's it. Lots of good gifts were given and received, lots of good times with family, way too much good food was consumed.

Best gift: the portable DVD player. Bubba was entertained the entire way home. Cars, Curious George, Thomas the Train, and Cars again. Had a nap in the middle when we told him the player needed a break.

Other notable gifts: A bunch of the music/DVD's I had on my wish list; ink for the printer; cowboy boots *which technically haven't arrived yet, but we picked them out and are waiting for shipping*; chocolate; toe socks; and I got FOUR loofahs. hahahah, guess I'm stinky or something.

Bubba's haul included FOUR remote control vehicles, three of which are rather large construction trucks. He got oodles of Cars stuff, matchbox cars, some clothes, movies, a Leapfrog system with educational games *whee* and the biggest, a FULL kitchen playset. I'm not talking about just fake food and plates, but the actual kitchen thing. Grammy had it shipped to our house because we wouldn't have been able to get it home otherwise. W had that all set up by the time we got home last nite, and then he opened the rest of the gifts we didn't take up with us, a mix of stuff from us and Santa.

Oh yeah, K is somewhat on the mend. They are waking her up for brief periods, but she can't talk, still has tubes down her throat. She is improving slowly and I want to thank all of you that have added her to your prayers. She is not out of the woods yet, but things are NOT looking as grim as they were. I hate that she had to spend Christmas in the hospital, in almost a full coma, but if she pulls through, it won't matter all that much.

Sorry this got so long. I haven't posted in a week, sooooo. Both bosses are out of town the rest of the year, so I'm doing catch up stuff, and the list of crap one of them called in with for me to do yesterday. So basically, I'm goofing off as much as possible. I'll post some pics in a bit from the new camera. Still haven't picked up a memory stick, but soon.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that the new year is better than ever. I need to talk about W's appointment last Monday, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of it.

December 20, 2006

I have...

the best bosses in the world!

Check my gift, y'all:










The battery is charging away, I'm stopping for a memory card either tonite or tomorrow before we head out. Or maybe I'll wait until we get to PA. I also want to get a case for it, so I don't damage it. I can't WAIT to be able to take oodles of pics and get them in the computer. I just need to learn all the features and stuff. I've never had a GOOD camera before.

Oh, and I didn't just get the camera....I got cold hard cash to go along with it! Damn my boys rock, even tho I grumble about them a bit.

Ok, I must go back to pretending to work, instead of reading my owner's manual and searching for accessories. This will most likely be the last post for a while, unless I'm inspired tomorrow.

P.S. Please, if you have done so, please, please please keep praying for Nanny's daughter, K. She had QUINTUPLE bypass surgery yesterday, and things are looking a little bleak. We need a Christmas miracle, honestly, so I'm asking for help in the prayer department. I know enough people find their way here, so maybe.....I'm hoping to not have to explain to my three year old why one of his favorite people is just gone. Ack, I'm gonna cry again. Bye.

December 16, 2006

At the station

Never got around to posting during the week. Been a bit busy at work, so that was mainly why. Other reason is nothing is going on.

I'm at the station now, finally getting a shift other than just taping my shift. Ran a remote on the spanish station and working on one for my station now. Our Christmas party was last nite, and I got a bit snookered, but not a bit of a hangover. The food was amazing. I ate way too much, but needed to so the alcohol would soak up.

The office party was Wednesday during the day, at work. LAME. The food was great and the gift giving was fun. My secret santa did a great job. After that stuff finished we convened in one of the small conference rooms, my bosses, and some others, with some booze. Was an interesting afternoon, that's for sure.

One of Nanny's daughter's is really really sick. She's been in the hospital since Tuesday nite. Heart issues. She is deep in my thoughts lately. I hope she pulls through, they are talking about bypass surgery not being enough, and she might need a freakin' transplant!!!! Ugh. Spare prayers, anyone? She helps out with Bubba all the time. How do you explain to a three year old that level of illness??? What if.....I'm not even finishing that thought. I can't take Bubba in to see her, because she's in ICU. No kids. Grumble.

All systems are go at this point for travelling to PA. Bubba is at G-ma's, and we are going down there after I get done here, to do his presents from them. And dinner, of course, but I don't know what we're having. I left my cell phone at home, because I got called in early and had to rush to get here on time.

Ummm...not much else to say. Oh, wait! I'm going to be an aunt again, courtesy of W's brother. And NOT the newlyweds, either. This is the older brother and his on again/off again fiancee. And the kicker? He told us Thursday nite....she's due early May. Check the math...yeah, she's four months along.

Okay, I'm not rambling on any more. I'll try to write before I leave, Thursday nite depending on weather. Then I won't be back near the computer til sometime Tuesday. Hopefully most people won't be writing tons, because otherwise, I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do.

Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas to those that do. Hope you all have a safe and healthy one, and your hearts, homes and lives are warm and cozy.

Oh yeah, I meant to say something about the weather. After complaining about how cold it had been, it's warmed up considerably, and we've been having gorgeous days, for how close to Christmas it is. Now, it's probably going to freeze in PA, and boy will I hate it. Better pack extra socks and gloves or something. CYA!

December 09, 2006

Just another day

It's brutal cold down here in the South lately. My not cooperating at bed or naptime son has been asleep for almost three hours. Fell asleep on the way home from shopping with G-ma and Papa, and hasn't stirred even after the transfer from car to bed. I have a roaring fire going in the fireplace, a huge pot of G-ma's amazing turkey soup on the stove and I've been able to do some reading for the first time in months.

W's test appointment was a fiasco on Thursday, but I won't get into it all here. Spent ALL freaking day at the hospital almost two hours from home. We are really hoping all this drama will come to a head with some real answers at the follow up appointment. Which I will most likely not attend, because I can't take the day off. GRRRR.

Back to my fire, I'm sure Bubba will be up soon. Have a good weekend y'all.

December 04, 2006

A few things

Happy December y'all. Goodness, I can hardly believe it! Hurricane season is over, as well, HOORAY!

Someone had his first trip to see Santa this weekend. Pic will follow at end. He did so dang good, I'm so proud of him. Waltzed right up and gave him a hug, had a great conversation, which I did *not* overhear! This age is so fun, with Christmas. We tell him, hey, don't throw that tantrum boy, Santa is watching! His little eyes get big, and normally he calms down. After Christmas, we're gonna be screwed however.

I neglected to give a HUGE welcome to the world post. My friend, K, in Ohio, who was pregnant with twins, bedrest, all that drama, gave birth to happy, HEALTHY babies on November 14. I hesitate to print the names, or the adorable pics she just emailed me, because I haven't asked if I could. So, instead, WELCOME to our huge scary world, A and J. Your parents are so happy and so deserving. And you are undeniably filling their lives with cuteness, poop and love. I can't wait to meet you in person, and smoosh those baby cheeks. Tho by the time I get to meet you you'll probably be 8 months old. We are thinking maybe in July, since I can't swing a plane ticket anytime soon.

Moving on. Christmas shopping is completed. I still have unreal amounts of things to wrap. I may pick up some little things for W, but really, the thingy I ordered him from Woot and what he picked out as what he wanted, should be enough. I know he keeps buying me silly little things, so I feel like I need to do more. We still don't know if we are going to PA for Christmas, gonna be a last minute thing due to weather. The old neighbors will most likely handle dog care, since the wonderful, new, I love to pieces neighbors WILL be in PA for sure. Big BUMMER.

We put our tree up last nite, and Bubba got to really help decorate. Very fun. He did pretty good, and I'm the only one who broke something. And I dropped a ton of ornaments, for some reason, I couldn't hold on to them.

W's test is set for Thursday, and I may have to take the day off. It depends on how long after the procedure until he's allowed to drive. If it's only a few hours, then his buddy will take him to and from, and he'll hang out there until he can drive home. If it's like a whole day, we still may do that, with him just crashing up there. Otherwise, I'll take the day. I'll also take the day for the follow up appointment with the doctor to discuss the results. I'm really hoping we get some information that will lead to healing/whatever. Two years is long enough to have been dealing with this. However, we are prepared for not so good news, considering what he had already told us when we first saw him.

That is all, must go back to making the attorneys some money.

P.S. I got paid for my 'clothes' challenge from the new attorney. If I didn't explain all that, I can if anyone is interested. I did my shopping his weekend, and plan on sporting a new outfit every day this week. I love HAMRICK'S. Five dresses AND a pair of pants for less than fifty bucks. PLUS I got bras and panties at one place, then a shirt and more bras at another, and still have money left over. WOOT! We're also gonna carry the challenge onto next year, too, so I will have to keep dressing up. I was hoping to slack off a bit. Okay, really I'm done now. Bye.

Here's Bubba and Santa:



Isn't he just adorable? And what an awesome Santa!