Aaryn's early present

******************************Happy Thanksgiving!!**************

I hope everyone has a wonderful, family and fun filled Thanksgiving.

I know I'm usually the pessimist, whining, complaining, wishing I had this or that, but I really am grateful with all I've been blessed with. I have a wonderful husband (though I admit I DID take the long road to finding him) 4 healthy and beautiful children, parents that I don't know what I'd do without, and friends (near and far) who mean the world to me.

We'll be spending tomorrow at my big brother's with the entire family. It'll be lots of fun and there will be tons of yummy food too; can't get better than that!

.......................oh, you caught me!

"Did you really....for really reals, still want this bath poof? sowwy!"

Crazy dog. Somehow she got the poof out of the bathtub and absolutely had a BLAST tearing it apart. Yes, it was naughty, and she normally gets scolded for such behavior....but for some reason this hit me as too cute and funny and I just grabbed the camera instead. Sometimes ya just gotta let them be kids I guess. I replaced the poof for a buck, the 5 month old Ally had fun with that one and all is well.

Nothing new around here really. Basketball has started up so I'm the mom-taxi lots and it's ok....mostly. She still has to take it slow until after xmas, but she's healing nicely and has a new titanium brace fitted specifically to her knee....she thinks it's cool....if it keeps that new ACL intact, I think it's cool too.

All 3 older kids got EXCELLENT progress reports. I was very happy. Crossing my fingers that report cards look as good. (please, please, please, please)

LittleE has started her first "bay-cation" as she calls it. Today was her last day of preschool until after Thanksgiving. She's been counting down the days, I'm not sure why. I'm not sure what exactly she thinks is going to happen, and when she realizes that it actually means that she can't go to school she's going to be pissed! Oy, what a kid.

Up to 6 hours of work, 5 days a week. After next week, I should be back to 8 hours. I'm ready, I'm PAST ready......grrrrrrrrrrrr

Jamie's work is going well too....I may actually have good news soon. I'm not going to jinx it and talk about it until it's 100% for really-reals!

Major Life Changes

That's what's going on in this household....trying to make huge decisions......well one mainly.....ya know? Like a real adult? blech, I hate that!

My mind is centered on that right now, nothing more really, except day-to-day stuff.....

Soooooooooooo, what do you think about Florida?

Hope you had a great Halloween!

We had fun. Wish Jamie had been home, but he'll be home tonight. YAY

Here's Cinderella....yes, I know that Cinderella didn't wear Adidas, but just go with it. And this is a pudgy Cinderella because she has THREE shirts on underneath....it's COLD here. LOL

As we were leaving to go trick-or-treating, she noticed that there was a deer in the meadow behind the house. Ally was outside at the time and didn't care and neither did the deer. LOL

Hope you all had a great-scary-night!

Everyone's doing ok here. Anxious for Jamie to come home! The oldest has a horrible cold/sinus thing and the youngest is just getting over it. And guess who's getting it now? Yup, me. And I start back to work tomorrow....fun fun with a horrid cold.

Clear to go back to work!

Next week! LOL Can't WAIT! Dang, am I sick or something? No, just broke....and going a bit stir crazy.

Saw the surgeon today; 4 weeks post-op. He wanted to see me off it for another 4 weeks! HUH? I think he could tell by the look of "are you f__king kidding me?" on my face that it wasn't going to work for me. He compromised and said I can go back starting next week but only 4 hours a day. There's still a bunch of healing to be done and I have 2 toes that are numb (like I care) so he's a bit concerned. Will go back in another 4 weeks and hopefully everything will be fine.

The fun part? I get to wear my boot another 4 weeks! Jealous? I know....I have an extra for anyone who would like to make such a fashion statement.

Nothing else new. Jamie will be home saturday....YAY. The day after Halloween; which LittleE just realized today. She's sad about daddy missing her being Cinderella. She's been sick the last 2-3 days. YUCKY nose (gross) and fever. So she's not sleeping well....I'm tired! and so is she, lol.

Alrighty, have to go get the oldest from basketball.....have a great night!

boring blog....still...

Nothing new around here. Same ole, same ole. One week down, one more to go!

Have a great weekend.

Nine words women use....MEN: pay attention

I received this today from Kimberly and KNEW I had to put it on here. Just hoping that any man that reads this will memorize it....this knowledge will help you immensely in the future.

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something,and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint . Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true,unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bringon a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement,meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Ladies? Am I right? You know it!

Only in VT

See the white house on the right? Our house is directly across the road from it.....like the construction sign?

The sexiness, that is ME....at the moment.

So I have a gimp foot, but I've got HOT nails! LOL Had them done yesterday....as a hopeful pick-me-up.....it worked, I'm loving them. Weird that fingernails could pick me up like that.....just shows what a weirdo I am. (oh, and yes I'm still in my pj pants....not much else fits over that leg! ha!)

Nothing new on this front really. Jamie's gone all weekend, and I've been dreading it....actually making myself sick about it....but so far so good. It's 10:40am and I'm ok! phew! Next will be the 2 weeks stint on my own. Jamie's home this week, then gone for 2 weeks. I'm scared to DEATH. I just have a hard time doing ANYTHING and it's making me mad and frustrated. I CAN'T do what the Drs say and keep off this foot when I'm on my own with the kids. It just isn't possible. So I'll do the best I can and pray that I don't ruin anything in there....it's all I can do and need to stop worrying about it.

It's a beautiful fall day here in VT and I'd love to take the kiddos to an orchard and get some pumpkins.....guess that's out this year....we'll do it next year for sure (if no one's on crutches). I LOVE this time of year! Halloween is my fave and I have tons of decorations in the basement....maybe I can get one of the kiddos down there to get them for me....that'd be fun!

Puppies....yikes! It's been ups and downs, but they're doing very well. FINALLY 98% potty trainined....VERY few accidents, if any now which is great. They're growing so much and SO fast. They are presently at the "I'm all legs and big feet" stages and very clumsy....funny. Both are love bugs and crave attention. I'll try to get some pics soon and post them.

Have a great day and weekend my friends! Run and skip and play for me! K? thanks!

Two posts in one day?!

WHOA! Cool huh?

Not really. Just wanted to update you all on my dr. appointment today. NOT good.....not good at all. Dammit. They didn't like what they saw, and I admitted I'd been putting some weight on it. I told them I'm a freak of nature on crutches and am going to hurt myself and others! They didn't care. I'm supposed to be NON-weight bearing for 4 weeks and I'm just out a week from surgery today.

IF I continue putting weight on it, the repairs they made will be ruined and it'll have to be done again. NOOOOOOOOOOO I can't go through this again. So I'm going to be good....but it's so hard. I HATE HATE HATE asking people to do things for me; I think they hate it when I do, but I can't get a glass of water AND carry it to my chair on crutches.....say nothing about laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc, etc.....what am I going to do?! Jamie leaves on the 18th for 2 weeks....I want to go with him! I'm going crazy sitting in this house all damn day.

I asked about work; was hoping to go back at least part time maybe next week. Nope, she said "NO work until further notice, probably after your appointment on the 27th" Nice, tell that to my employer (they're NOT going to be happy, though I warned them weeks ago it might be a possibility) and someone PLEASE explain to the bill collectors....K? Thanks.

SO, so much for puttering around town while I was out and about.....putting NO weight on my foot makes that impossible for me. I know other people do it, but seriously, I was worried I wasn't going to get to the car. GRRRRRRRRRRRR

Going to sit in the recliner and take a nap....maybe.....since I've been up since 3am.....we'll see.

I'm loved!!

YAYYYYYYYYYY! My friend Caren of citymommacountrymomma.blogspot.com tagged me and gave me an award.... "I heart your blog" award AND tagged me to list 6 random facts about myself.

That's not an easy feat for me....I think the few of you that do read my blog, know everything (the good-the bad-the ugly) about me. LOL

1. I hate snakes. Caren prolly knows the medical term for it....but it's almost debilitating. I can't breathe, my heart races, I'm a pile of mush. Even to see them on TV makes my heart skip a beat and I close my eyes real quick.

2. Like someone else I know, the idea of a new tattoo is STUCK in my head and I can't get it out. Time to get that puppy done!

3. I have an ear fetish.....HAHA. Just ask my husband. Even when he just gets home from work and wants a kiss, I HAVE to touch his ear....just a touch, then I'm good.....but don't come near me for a snuggle thinking I'm not going to cop a feel.....of an EAR! What a freak I am.

4. I'm addicted to TV. Especially Reality shows....Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother, Project Runway....LOVE them....and will NOT miss an episode. Oh, and Army Wives.....totally addicted. And you better believe the DVR is set to record ALL episodes of the CSI's (all 3), NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, Heroes....oh heck, there's more....but you get the idea.

5. (this is getting hard) ummmm, lets see....I'm very picky about pens. If I find a pen that writes the way I like, don't touch it!! Even at work, my pen will be out all day, but when my shift's done, I have a special hiding spot so the next shift doesn't use/lose it!

6. I can't think of anything!! hmmmm, well, I love my morning coffee, but will NOT have it if I'm out of creamer....and it HAS to be Coffee Mate either Hazelnut or French Vanilla.

That's it!

Ok, I'm supposed to pass this award on to 6 other bloggers that I love. Well, I don't HAVE that many!! LOL The couple I do watch have already been given this award and been tagged.

------

That was fun.....what am I up to today?

Finally going back to the surgeon and getting this damned cast off....hopefully! It's driving me nuts! So I have that appointment at 10:15am and then it all depends on how the ankle's feeling. If it's doing ok, and I'm in the walking boot, I may stop and get some groceries....if not, it's back home to the recliner for me.

Other than that, nothing planned after the kiddos get home this afternoon....homework-dinner-baths-bed-laundry-dishes-etc, etc etc.

FUN FUN!

Yeah, I'm still here....

......and OH-SO-BORED!

Surgery went fine. Not supposed to be putting any weight on it, but seriously, if it doesn't scream when I touch it to the floor, do you really think I'm not going to hobble around? when I'm such a freak on crutches?

It's a little achy here and there, but all in all, better than I thought. Of course, I'm still in a cast....that could have something to do with it. Hopefully that will come off tomorrow at morning dr. appointment.

Ok, for the first few days, I was an emotional mess. Sometimes I struggle with depression, anxiety, etc....but it doesn't last long.....this time it was at least 3 days! I cried at the drop of a hat; yelled just as quickly; anxiety would hit my like a train and I couldn't breathe. Now it's gone.....don't get me wrong, I'm SO happy to be past it, but WTF was THAT all about?


Now I'm just bored-bored-bored! I REALLY should be enjoying the quiet of the house during the day when the kiddos are gone.....am I? Hell no, this sucks! I want to crawl out of my own skin!

K, nuff bitchin (even though this IS a bitchin' blog) Off to warm up the recliner again....yeee haaaa.

Tomorrow's the day.....

.....and I'm not skeered....


Gotta be at the hospital at 6:30am.....glad to get this over with and look forward to an ankle that works better than this one....but.....

Nothing new....

.....but wanted to check in. Count down to surgery and I'm REALLY dreading it now. Jamie's going to be gone for 2 weeks; 2 weeks after my surgery. I'll be on crutches and alone with 4 kids. I'm scared to death about that most of all. He has been told that he may get his next rank soon after deployment if he finishes the school he started a few months ago. I know that's good; just bad timing.

PLUS he's leaving day after tomorrow for the week. Some work that needs to be done is Massachusetts. Yay for me.

Dang, do I wallow in self pity tonight? Someone slap me! LittleE's just in a really hard phase right now. She's so hard to deal with in EVERYTHING. She wants to negotiate everything and there's no happy medium to make her happy. She either gets HER way, or has a complete meltdown, screaming fit. Needless to say, she's having lots of meltdowns.

She is loving school. But because it's only 3 days a week, that causes more fits. If she wakes up and says "is it a school day?" (which she does every morning) and you cringe and say "no honey, sorry" she screams at the top of her lungs and is a bear getting ready for daycare. UGH

So that's about it. This will be my last full week of work for awhile. Have lots of things to catch up on there....but not sure why I bother. Nothing will get done while I'm gone, so I'll have tons to catch up on again when I get back. (damn, another gripe!) Maybe I shouldn't have gotten on here tonight. LOL


more animals

What are your faves?

Help! What are the best ones?

Ok, dammit. I give up. I'm tired and have to get up at 4:30am. But I THINK if you click on "view all images" you'll be taken to the slideshow.

Why I can't figure this crap out is beyond me. I normally don't have many issues with computers but I'm hating Blogger alot sometimes.

Nighters!!

While driving in the car....

.....LittleE in the backseat, me in the front.....

E: Mama? When are you going to have another baby?

me: (thinking:EEEEEK!) Mommy's not having any more babies E.

E: (all sad and pathetic) You're not? Why not?

me: (remember, Jamie's broken ;) ) well, you better ask Daddy.

E: But God makes babies.....(insert whiney voice) and he's running out!

me: (no response.....total silence)

Surgery rescheduled....

.....till 9/30.

I saw the surgeon on Monday, surgery was scheduled for Tuesday. He explained to me (finally) exactly what is going on. There is a piece of bone that has been broken off and it IS what's causing the pain and my ankle to lock up. He said simply that he'll be going in and taking that out. I said "well that sounds easy". He smiled and told me he wasn't done yet. No, of course not....how could I be so optimistic?

He said that he cannot leave the bone with a "pothole" (his word, not mine, LOL) It would leave my ankle unstable and painful, especially later in life. Crud.

There's nothing to do to fill that "hole" except this: He's going to drill holes in the bone at that point, causing the bone to bleed. That will form scar tissue that will fill in that spot and I should be good to go. Sounds like a good time. Blah. If he were able to just take that piece of bone out and be done, I'd be putting weight on that foot within a couple days. But now I'll be on crutches, non weight bearing for 4-6 weeks. This means that I cannot work full time. My job simply is on my feet 75% of the time. Well ALL the time really, but I can do a few hours sitting. Hoping they'll let me work part time during that period. Cross your fingers.

I explained to him that I had NO idea that I was even scheduled this quickly and wasn't even planning on coming in to see him till the 15th. He was as irritated as I was. He suggested that we wait it out for 3 weeks; giving my employer time to get coverage. He said that it does have to be done soon, as it's getting weaker each day. If it locks up before then, I'll call and he said he'd get the surgery in sooner.

That's it, that's my story. Life sucks sometimes and I'm just trying to suck it up and drive on.

Though I hate to admit it....

.......now I'm glad the surgery is so soon. My ankle's killing me. Been feeling odd; a little more each day....and yesterday at work it really popped. Seized up again, but was able to get it back. Now it aches like hell. Definately not as bad as it could be (I can still walk on it!) but it's just going to keep getting worse if we don't fix it.

Still worried sick about finances without me working....I have no idea what we'll do....can't think about it, can't think about it, can't think about it........

Jamie's been very busy with Guards. Blech....they're already getting them ready for deployment and it makes me sick. This is his 2nd weekend gone in 3 weeks. The only good thing is that it's extra $$ that I don't really budget in.....so that REALLY helps right now. Yesterday they had dentist detail.....some of the guys had almost all their teeth pulled! ouchy! Luckily, Jamie had just one filling that needed to be repaired. phew! Today is filling out tons of paperwork; medical crap; legal crap; will; all that fun stuff. I hate it...it makes it all real.

Ok, off to feed the LittleE-monster. Hopefully will be back today with some trip pics!! Cross your fingers!

Surgery? and didn't even know it!

Ugh. So, OldestA had an appointment w/ her surgeon yesterday....just a follow up. She's doing great. He tested the strength of the new ligament and said it feels just like her other knee. YAY! She can start light jogging; working up slowly and hitting the gym to build those muscles back up. No twisting/cutting motions yet. Another follow up early November and be fitted for her brace to wear when she's playing ball.

So we go out and make the next appointment; great. While we were there, I asked about my appointment with the surgeon for the 15th, just wanted to confirm. She looks up my name and says "oh, you have a phone-appointment for pre-op with the nurse at the hospital today at 10am".....ummmmm, HUH?

I said "are you sure? I'm not even scheduled for surgery yet. I haven't even seen the surgeon yet"

"yes, you're scheduled for surgery on the 9th and are seeing the surgeon the 8th" .......again....."huh?"

I said "wow, it would have been nice to know about this. The last I was told, I had my first appointment with the surgeon on the 15th and it would go from there. What kind of surgery is it? What's the recoop' time? etc etc?"

"you'll find all that out when you see him on the 8th"

"well gee, thanks. That makes it easy for my employer now doesn't it?" (actually didn't say that part outloud.....but sure wanted to!)

So that's the scoop! UGH I really want to put it off, we can't afford for me to be out of work right now. BUT, if I put it off, we REALLY can't afford for me to be out of work during the heating season w/ fuel prices. I know I can't wait indefinately, as my ankle has been acting up recently....I think the steroid injection is slowly wearing off.......WHAT TO DO?!

Oh, they're calling a Ankle Arthroscopy. Just tiny incisions....taking out those two pieces of bone that are being PITAS. Then checking to see where those came from and making further repairs if necessary. Hopefully it's nothing too intensive and I can get back to work within just a few days.......cross your fingers!!