Examination

Today at lunch time I am writing my College Placement Exam for Alberta College. I'm not worried per say but I am a little nervous about it. It's a full 3 hours and I've been out of school since 1991 and I can't say there's any way to prepare, so much has changed. One time, in grade 12... I smoked a J at lunch time then went and wrote the Social 30 mid term exam. I really didn't study and I was positive I would pretty much fail. I sat there and for the answers I didn't know I simply BS'd. And I aced it with 96%. Somehow, though, I'm pretty much sure I won't see Fat Jack at the smoking door at Alberta College offering me the enlightenment of the day. I may need to fall back on my OTHER life experience and hope that all the things I've done so far have had some relevant purpose in bringing me to this place in time and will some way, some how benefit me on this exam. I don't know why I am fretting over it. I guess I just don't want to do poorly...I don't want to find out I really am stupid! I remembered doing fairly well in school, and I guess when seeing my transcripts recently- my memory aint so hot... because my marks weren't as good as I thought. I did buckle down for grade 12 but didn't end up writing my finals and finishing the year. Boo me! Well I have the chance now, and my enlightenment comes from above now, so there is hope. I'm actually excited to get my High School and not just GED, and I'm REALLY even more excited to go to Grant McEwan afterwards. I think things are really starting to look good!

Ode to Jill

My lil' sister is celebrating her birthday on Monday...

Happy Birthday Jill!

Since I dished out the dirt on Ryan, it's Jills turn now...

Grossest Thing she ever did:

There were a few...but I think the tops goes to the time we built a fort under the basement stairs and we had everything in there but the kitchen sink...oh, and a toilet! Her and Janette Werbitski decided a tupperware salad bowl was the next best thing so they # 2'd in it, put the lid on and stashed it in the corner. Well did we (I!!) ever get in trouble, even though I never participated in the doing, I should have Known Better! and stopped them from doing it

Worst time in trouble:

Oh there were so many. I wouldn't know which one to pick. We usually were in trouble for staying out too late, and/or fighting over clothes.

Scariest moment:

Probably out at Carson Pegasus Lake when we decided to sneak the canoe out in a storm. By the time we got to the middle of the lake it was pouring and started to thunder and lightning. It turned really dark. at one point Jill got in the water on the side of the canoe and her legs floated up on the other side. When I looked into the water all I saw were a pair of legs coming up and thinking it was a dead body, I let out a curtling scream. Two old men in a rickety rowboat came to our rescue and brought us back to land. telling us the hazards of going in the lake in a lightning storm and Dad was furious we took the canoe without asking!

Funniest moment:

Jill was in the hospital all hopped up on something...and suddenly over the intercom we hear:

"paging doctor Siemen...Paging doctor Siemen"... Jill completely lost it and then we all did. It was pretty funny. Guess you had to be there!

Proudest Moment:

That she let me be there to see Braden come into this world!

Worst Ouch:

I was giving Jill a piggy back ride across the street. Stepping off the curb and seeing a car coming dangerously fast around the corner, I decided to run for it rather than wait. Unfortunately, my next step was straight into a pothole and we never made it. We were both bleeding heavily but we managed to hobble back home. Ouch that hurt. I still have a scar on my knee to this day!

Then there was a time I fell out of a truck on St. Albert Trail (we ran out of gas and decided it would be best to jump out and start pushing while we still had momentum.) Jill took the wheel. The guys jumped out first. Looked easy enough...I took the plunge and nosedived. And Jill was so busy with the rearview mirror she didn't even notice. My whole right side of my body was roadrash and I look up and she's fixing her hair and makeup... That was a pretty big ouch too!

Best Memory:

Was the night we went out with Jason, Ricky, and Jenn and partied on the golf course in the river valley. That was so much fun, we ended up being blasted out by the sprinkler system but we built a fire and got drunk anyway. The whole night was one big laugh!

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY JILL!!

My Summer Holidays

It's been a pretty good summer so far, lots of sun and lots of fun!

Fireworks at the Leg., I didn't get any good pics this year Canada Day was spent down at the legislature grounds with Craig and the fireworks were spectacular this year. The kids were with their dad for the long weekend so it was a really good break for all of us.

The next weekend was my birthday.

Thought I'd try a lucky lines scratch ticket since my birthday was 7/7/7 this year, I think I won a whole 4 dollars!

It wasn't very eventful but mom made me the best dinner and Craig and I went to the Purple Onion with about 6 others and played pool and did lots of shooters! Whoop whoop! 34 isn't that bad. Then Craig and I took off the next Friday and spent the day down at Allan Beach floating on the lake on an air matress all day! It was so hot, and the lake was perfect, ahhhh. I smile just thinking about it! Our next event was going out to Pigeon Lake with dad and Craig for 4 days of camping. The weather was amazing and the kids had a blast and other than a massive thunder and lightning storm that kept us awake for the whole last night it couldn't have been more perfect. We returned home fairly unscathed but poor Tyler had 340, yes 340 misquito bites that required baking soda baths and a stinky cream I picked up at the pharmacy. poor guy looked like he had the chicken pox! Since then I have been busy getting ready and registered to go back to school...so much paperwork, so little time! I need to find childcare QUICK to get my grant application in and that's my last immediate hurdle before my skills appraisal next week. Then I will spend the next week getting the kids ready and off to camp. They're pretty excited about that! There's also a couple of weddings and possibly a trip to BC still so it's far from over. It is SO HARD to keep the kids occupied and happy... even the other night at Chuck E Cheese and time at Capitol Ex yesterday wore off way too quick and if I hear the words "I have nothing to do!" ONE MORE TIME I 'm pretty sure I'll lose it.

the kids at capitol Ex yesterday

Art!

FAMILY GALLERIA

Tylers' rendition of Mona Lisa

Tylers' rendition of Van Goghs' Starry Night

This was my remake of Picassos' Three Dancers, made with a few pieces of the original.

It's a Long Hot Summer!

The kids and I went to moms for a deee-licious spagetti dinner and hung out in the back yard

Proud Tyler with the table and chair he made out of the deck we were destroying...

Shay checkin out grandmas camera

Craig came with me one day to cut moms grass, it was HOT that day!

We've had a pretty good summer so far! And as it seems it is ending all too soon, another chapter for me is beginning as I'm going to Alberta College this September to finally get my high school diploma. And on a full grant no less. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully it will open some new opportunities for me.

Vow of Silence

At a remote monastery deep in the woods, the monks followed a rigid vow of silence. This vow could only be broken once a year on Christmas, by one monk, and the monk could speak only one sentence. One Christmas, Brother Thomas had his turn to speak and said, “I love the delightful mashed potatoes we have every year with the Christmas roast!” Then he sat down. Silence ensued for 365 days. The next Christmas, Brother Michael got his turn, and said, “I think the mashed potatoes are lumpy and I truly despise them!” Once again, silence ensued for 365 days. The following Christmas, Brother Paul rose and said, “I am fed up with this constant bickering!”

Potato Story

Well, Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.'

Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.

When it was time, they told her about the facts of life. They warned her about going outand getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and end up with a bunch of Tater Tots. Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her! But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either.

She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her Shoestring cousins.When she went off to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Potato told Yam to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland. And the greasy guys from France called the French Fries. And when she went out west, to watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped.

Yam said she would stay on the straight and narrow and wouldn't associate with those high class Yukon Golds, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all the trucks that say, 'Frito Lay.'

Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P.U. (that's Potato University) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips. But in spite of all they did for her, one-day Yam came home and announced she was going to marry Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw! Mr. and Mrs. Potato were very upset. They told Yam she couldn't possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just A COMMON TATER!

MEXICAN HACKER

Caramba!

BUENOS DIAS!!! JOU HABE YUST RECEIBED A MEHICAN BYRUS. SIN WE NO HABE GOOD TECHNIOLOGICAL ADBANCES IN MEHICO, DEES IS A MANUAL BYRUS.

PLEESE DELETE ALL JOUR FILES ON JOUR HARD-DRIVE JOURSELF AND SEND THEES E-MAIL TO EBERYONE JOU KNOW.

TANK JOU FOR HALPING ME.

JULIO MANUEL JOSE RODRIGUEZ-GARCIA

----MEXICAN HACKER---

Trip to Stettler

Last Saturday mom took the kids and I to go visit Jill, Jay & the kids and see their ranch. It was beautiful, peaceful and quiet.

I caught up on some reading (celebrity gossip magazines), lounged while the kids played and we had a fire before bed. What a nice little break! I even had brooke lead me on a little trot on Bandit.

Thanks Jilly, we have to do this more often!

"Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!"

Two Indians and a Tennessee Hillbilly were walking through the woods. All of a sudden one of the Indians ran up a hill to the mouth of a small cave."Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" he called into the cave and listened closely until he heard an answering, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Woooooo! He then tore off his clothes and ran into the cave. The Hillbilly was puzzled and asked the remaining Indian what it was all about. "Was the other Indian crazy or what?" The Indian replied "No, It is our custom during mating season when Indian men see cave, they holler 'Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!' into the opening. If they get an answer back, it means there's a beautiful squaw in there waiting for us." Just then they came upon another cave. The second Indian ran up to the cave, stopped, and hollered, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" Immediately, there was the answer. "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" from deep inside. He also tore off his clothes and ran into the opening. The Hillbilly wandered around in the woods alone for a while, and then spied a third large cave. As he looked in amazement at the size of the huge opening, he was thinking, "Hoo, man! Look at the size of this cave! It is bigger than those the Indians found. There must be some really big, fine women in this cave!" He stood in front of the opening and hollered with all his might "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" Like the others, he then heard an answering call, "WOOOOOOOOO, WOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOO!" With a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face, he raced into the cave, tearing off his clothes as he ran. The following day, the headline of the local newspaper read .....NAKED HILLBILLY RUN OVER BY TRAIN!!!

Labels

An interesting read about kids and labels, click to view enlarged.

As the saying goes...

Talent Show

Today I went to the kids' talent show at school to watch Breanna perform her Spice Girls Routine. It was too cute! (She's the one with the white hat on the right!)

Though I left at intermission I got quite a few chuckles, It was quite entertaining.

Maybe I have a star in the making!

Another Birthday Come and Gone

Yesterday was Shays 7th birthday!

We didn't have a huge party but he had some friends over for cake after supper

(and grandma came too!)

I can't believe he's 7!

Cute or what?

Blonde Joke

A blonde female traffic cop stops a blonde for speeding "Can I see your licence? "The blonde rummages in her handbag. "I can't find it. What's it looks like?" "It's square and it's got your picture on it. "The blonde finds her mirror and peers into it. "Ah, here it is. "She gives it to the cop. She looks into it and says: "I didn't realise you were in the force, honey. You can go. Have a nice day."

For a good laugh go to:

http://emuse.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/21750

Smile!

My personality test results

ESTP -- Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving-- The Adventurer Adventurous, dramatic, active... and sometimes reckless, ESTPs have a flair for fast-living. If they aren't leaping out of a plane, climbing a mounting or hacking a path through the jungle, they're likely be sulking in their living room wondering what they're going to do next. ESTPs are highly competitive and are always looking for a chink in an opponent's armor -- even when that opponent is a close friend. They're exciting, fun and full of life, exactly the kind of people who make you realize that there's always another goal to achieve, another trail to beat and another part of the world to be explored. While ESTPs can be tiring to be around, and their desire to always finish first can be irritating to some, their love of the dramatic usually makes them great company, their enthusiasm is infectious and their straight-talking attitude is always welcome. With more zest than a bag of lemons, ESTPs are full of life... and live for adventure. They're happiest when they're hanging from a cliff, snowboarding down a mountain or running in Pamplona. And then telling you about it.

The Lonely Brain Cell

Once upon a time there was a female brain cell which, by mistake, happened to end up in a man's head. She looked around nervously because it was all empty and quiet."Hello?" she cried, but no answer."Is there anyone here?" she cried a little louder, but still no answer. Now the female brain cell started to feel alone and scared and yelled at the top of her voice,"HELLO, IS THERE ANYONE HERE?"

Then she heard a faint voice from far, far away..."We're down here.........

Can't wait to go camping!

I have the greatest boyfriend!

This summer Craig is taking the kids and I to meet his sister and go camping in Elkford BC. I can't wait!! Besides my trip last summer I haven't been anywhere in ages!!

One Time- A Story of True Love

In the summer of 2005, I was in Abbotsford BC and I was packing up for the move back to Edmonton. The flies out there were terrible, huge and really really loud and they weren't afraid of confrontation! I don't know how but one day they were all over my place. They were so bad I put up some fly strips and continued packing.

There were 2 flys I just could not kill. They buzzed all around, like they were playing, all around me, flying right into my hair and buzzing around in circles (In my hair!) They were driving me nuts. This went on for quite a while.

Finally, one of them caught a little leg on one of the fly strips. It was buzzing so loud I couldn't figure out if it really was the fly or something outside. I went over to look and the second one, who had evaded the death trap was on the end of the cupboard about 2 inches away and it was as if they were talking to each other, back and forth and back and forth.

Over the next few hours the stuck flys' buzz got smaller and smaller until the last dying breath and tiny leg jerk. And the other fly did not move the whole time. It must have been love.

I thought AWWW! The other fly sat there until the very end and in a way I thought it was cute so I went and grabbed my camera. After the flash went off, he became enraged and started flying at me again and as I snapped a few pictures he seemed to get angrier. It was as if he wanted revenge. Though I respect the effort... he was no match for me and my newspaper.

His family can take comfort in knowing his tragically poetic death made the headlines.

(For you, Aunty Trudy!)

But of COURSE??

I got the weirdest phone call the other day!

Apparently I left my mark on someone many years ago... Someone (a guy) I barely remember from my youth is trying to get a hold of me, because he has a friendship ring for me that he's been holding onto since he moved away in 1989. I would have been 16!

Of course I got the call while Craig and I were having a fairly nice evening together, and after the last blast from the past incident with Craig, he doesn't know what to think but he's obviously not very pleased about it.

I told the person just to say they couldn't get a hold of me when the guy called back because I don't even know what to think about it. That was like 18 years ago and sadly, I can't even place his face exactly. And for the life of me I don't even remember being more than an aquaintance. I guess he was only back in town for a few days, so he's probably gone already but honestly I'm a bit curious, but not sure if I should be flattered or worried. You know my luck with the freaky-deaks!

What would you have done?

UPDATE!

After days of trying to remember who this person was, I decided to call my sister to see what she remembered about the guy and lo and behold HE'S A CONVICTED KILLER. Hmmm. Who woulda thunk.

Seriously. I'm not joking. Whattheheck. Why me? And after all these years? Actually I take that back, I don't wanna know.

Now I've been stuck in memory lane back to when I was 16...

Yes this is me, scary huh?

This is about as 80's as you can get. Notice the AquaNet helmet hair, baggy clothes, big dangly earrings and the staple of every girl, gleaming white slouch socks. I was probably even listening still to the Bangles and Tiffany tapes I got for Christmas.

Nice hair!

Finally, an Update!

Ryan & Char

Me and little Seth

Shay & Gabe

Ty & Gabe

Shay, Emma, Breanna and Avery

Pictures of Ryan and Chars visit on May 7th, which also happened to be sweet Emmas birthday! Look at all of our adorable lil peeps! I love them all! We had a great (but short) visit but it was so good to see everyone!

Also, I am still slowly getting better but now I'm at the achy sore phase. I've been going to physiotherapy for a few weeks and that seems to be helping too but I imagine I still have a way to go. But I am so much better than pre-surgery and I'm glad I had it done. My foot is still bad, I'm still limping around, I'll be glad when everythings' back to normal. Whatever normal is.

Sometimes the truth hurts

Yesterday I went to Walmart to buy a new pair of shoes and also to exchange Tylers new jeans that I got him for his birthday. I found the cutest pair of sandals for like $12.00 and a pair of cheap canvas slip ons for $4.50 so I grabbed them, found the right size jeans for Tyler and headed over to customer service. I didn't have a long wait but the lady at the counter just LOOKED like she was having a bad day, and was just going through the motions, but not really there. First she refunded the jeans and then I told her I was buying the shoes so she rung them in. The difference was $2.23. Then she picked up the new jeans and put them in the bag saying "OK these were just exchanged", then turned, looked at me and said "that's $2.23". I knew right off the bat my shoes alone came to $16.00 or so and there was a slight difference in the jeans price so I had a $20 bill in my hand.I said (big sigh) "No...that is wrong!" She says, "nope that's right", then checks the reciept, and hands me the bag. Again, I said "No, that's wrong, it's not enough." She checked the receipt again, and says "nope that's right", I argued again. Then she rolled her eyes at me and sighed. I tried to explain she refunded me the money for the first pair of jeans but then didn't ring in the other pair, and the shoes alone ahould have been like $16.50. She could just not get it, and the people in the line behind me looked just pissed that I was holding up the line by arguing that I wasn't paying enough. You should have seen the looks. Anyways, I did the right thing and even though I could have paid a mere $2.23 for one pair of jeans, cute flip flops and tennis shoes I was an honest citizen. Then, I went to the truck where Craig was waiting and after I tell him he says "For someone who's so POOR you're a pretty honest person." Later on in the evening I was asked a question that I didn't want to answer, knowing this info would really hurt the other person. I was so tempted to twist my answer somehow, to not have to tell the truth and I froze... I did the right thing even knowing it could possibly change things. But it didn't feel the same as when I was honest about the Walmart purchase. Shouldn't doing the right thing always feel good?

I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed ... "Lord, it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery." And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was! God is so Good!

-------------------------------------

A man was walking in the street when he heard a voice, "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you." The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was astonished. He went on, and after awhile he was going to cross the road. Once again the voice shouted, "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step a car will run over you and you will die." The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him. "Where are you?" the man asked. "Who are you?" "I am your guardian angel," the voice answered. "Oh yeah?" the man asked, "And where were you when I got married?"

I'm bored!

I'm going crazy from boredom. I just played with photoshop for a while. Here's my latest creation.

More Seth Pics

What a handsome little guy!

Emma and Seth cuddling, Awwwww!

Career Cruisin

A few years ago I took a Career Desision Making Course in B.C and we were given access to this program that will match up your skills and intesests to a career that suits you.

According to a questionaire about my intesests, these are my top job matches.

Then I did another quiz about my skills and they told me which on the list below matches my intesests with the transferrable skills I already have. So these are my job matches: (the ones in purple are the top matches for skills)

1. Office Machine Repairer 2. Locksmith 3. Industrial Designer 4. Technical Writer 5. Website Designer 6. Interior Designer 7. Tilesetter 8. Exhibit Designer 9. Welder 10. Boilermaker 11. Desktop Publisher 12. Lobbyist 13. Sign Maker 14. Cabinetmaker 15. Security Systems Technician 16. Food Inspector 17. Immigration Officer 18. Fashion Designer 19. Potter 20. Craftsperson 21. Electronics Assembler 22. Animator 23. Model Maker 24. Jeweller 25. Cartoonist 26. Plumber 27. Electrician 28. Autobody Repairer 29. Criminologist 30. Pet Groomer 31. Sports Official 32. Multimedia Developer 33. Correctional Officer 34. Chef 35. Driving Instructor 36. Professor 37. Butcher 38. Cook 39. Elevator Installer and Repairer 40. Electronics Repairer

What do you think I should do once I recover?

Follow up

Follow up with Dr. Henderson

I had my follow up with the surgeon yesterday and he explained what happened with my back...

He said that the disc was very degenerated for my age and the disc itself had hardened & the disc space is very narrow. And the disc bulge wrapped up and over that bony part on the back of the spine and it was compressing my spine and nerves. (It probably looked more like the herniated disc in the picture above) That explains the hook like scar I have, too. He also said I have arthritis in my back, yikes, that makes me feel so old! Anyways, he also took more x-rays of my foot and recommended I wear a foot support for the next 6 weeks but everything is coming along fine. The hardest thing for me is to get my proper posture back, it's really hard because I'm still kinda hobbling on my foot. The underside still has a fairly tender black bruise and the top of my foot feels like it was crushed.

By the way, if you watched the UFC fight last weekend?? Well, the most recent one, where the guy got kicked in the face , and BAM instant KO!!! and he went straight down on his foot and it went the wrong way... well that's what happened to me!! I am sure, though I don't really remember the fall it would explain the big black bruise in my, uh, private personal area... and the bruise patterns on my foot also follow that theory. And how I landed. Anyways... I CRINGE every time I see a replay of that fight KO, it even hurts my foot to WATCH!! I feel for the guy. I wonder if he got a robo-boot too??

Message for Men!

I found this on the net, too funny!

Police are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties and local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. Many females use a date rape drug on the market called "Beer."

The drug is found in liquid form and is available anywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, or from taps and in large "kegs."

Beer is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and sleep with them. A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of Beer and then simply ask him home for no strings attached sex.

Men are rendered helpless against this approach. After several beers, men will often succumb to the desires to sleep with horrific looking women whom they would never normally be attracted. After drinking beer, men often awaken with only hazy memories of exactly what happened to them the night before, often with just a vague feeling that "something bad" occurred. At other times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings in a familiar scam known as "a relationship."

In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer term form of servitude and punishment referred to as "marriage."Men are much more susceptible to this scam; after beer is administered and sex is offered by the predatory females.

Please! Forward this warning to every male you know. If you fall victim to this "Beer" scam and the women administering it, there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter with similarly victimized men. For the support group nearest you, just look up "Golf Courses" in the phone book.

Seth

Just look at this sweet little face! This is my brand new little nephew and though I don't know when I'll ever be able to hold this little bundle I already love him with all my heart!!

Welcome to the family little one!!

Happy Birthday, Tyler!!

Tylers' 10th birthday party

We had 10 kids over for the party! What a headache when it was all over!

Shay and another guest, I can't remember all the names!

Breanna and her big sister! I haven't seen Linds in almost 4 years...She's all grown up and soooo beautiful!

Thank you God for little Seth!

IT'S A BOY!!

Seth Elijah Jackson

April 20, 2007

12:20 am

20 in, 6 lbs 14 oz

Prince George, BC

Congratulations Ryan and Char!

I can't wait to get pictures!!

This is REALLY Funny!!

Go to google.com

Click on Maps

Click "Get Directions"

get directions from: New York, New York

to: Paris, France

Then read line 24

teehee

Soon...Very soon!

My brother and his wife drove to Prince George today to have the baby, It was due today, but nothing was happening but Chars rising blood pressure, so they decided to induce. Yay Baby!! I can't wait to be an aunty again!! I'm saying prayers that everything will go good and the baby will be healthy and happy. I'll post pictures as soon as I can!

I love you Char!! Hang in there, it'll all be over soon!

Update

Well, the recovery process has been pretty rough but is now underway and I've been getting a bit better each day. I don't use the crutches anymore, I just wrap my foot up real tight, or if I go outside I have a nifty "Robo-Boot" air cast, which has been great. I took my first car ride to the south side this morning to go see my lawyer and mom bought breakfast at Timmys which was badly yearned for over the past week. Mmmm. Timmys coffee! It was just most of all great to get out of the house and do some of the things I needed to do. Shay ended up in emergency on Friday the 13th...The doctors were convinced he had contracted Hepatitis A but thank the Lord they ruled that out! He has something going on inside his small intestine. Tomorrow Shay and I see the doctor and hopefully his results are back so we can get him on medication if he needs it. He seems to be getting a bit better, but it's been off and on for 6 weeks straight and I'd like to see him back to his regular energetic chipper self for good. Tyler turns 10 next Monday, it's amazing how fast your babies grow up. I've decided to plan the absolute best party for him this weekend that I can but I still don't know what to get him. And more good news I am going to be an aunty any day now...I CAN"T WAIT!! I can't wait to meet this tiny little precious person and have some good and some excitement!! CHAR...DO THE MACARANA!! I SWEAR IT WORKS, JUST TRY IT!! Have a good day everyone!!

Standing Ovation Please!!

Well sad to say but I nominate myself for The Best Dummy of 2007 Awards!! The night that I got out of the hospital, I was feeling better than I thought I would, I apparently had a little too much morphine, and got up in the middle of the night to pee and walk around. I went into the living room to get the phone # for the hospital and on the way back to my room I totally passed out. I don't know what happened...I was fine one minute, and the next, I knew I was going down fast. The next thing I knew, Craig was trying to wake me up and called an ambulance. And my foot was throbbing unbelievably!! They took me back to the hospital where I had my surgery done and it was a nightmare!! They pretty much completely ignored me for 11 hours, (only giving me an x-ray on my foot and a percocet for the pain after being there for over 8 hours!).They finally came in and told me it wasn't broken or fractured, just badly sprained and bruised, but they Didn't feed me, give me blankets, help me to the bathroom, ask how I was doing... nothing. Finally I decided I was leaving and mom had to hound the staff to help get me some crutches or whatever so I could leave. So here I am, a total wreck. But my foot hurts worse than my back and I can get around pretty good with the crutches so I guess I have to look at it that way. I guess things could be worse but I don't dare say that out loud!

I'm Alliiiiive!

I made it! Phew. But that was definately the worst operation I have had to date, and the most painful. In every way! I got to the hospital for 10:30 am Monday morning but of course, in true medical fashion, it didn't actually happen until much later...by noon they had a bed and a room for me, which kinda surprised me because it was only a day surgery. But I figured at least I didn't have to sit on those sucky hard waiting room chairs! So I got pampered in a bed with warm blankets and pillows and Craig to keep me company. And we waited...and waited. Well not much longer then we were introduced to "Mrs. Mills"....the wailer! OMG! She had a creepy creaky crackly horror movie old lady voice and it started out "I have to go peeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Somebody come, I have to go pe-he-he-he, WAAAAAAAAAAA! There'd be moments of silence then "Nobody cares about meeeeeeeee, I have to go peeeeeeeee, WAAA. So the first time the nurse came she asked what she needed and she said she wanted a MUFFIN. So the nurse leaves again, and she starts crying again, for way too long, this time screaming she had to go pee, but the nurse took so long to get there that she peed the bed. Then she wailed about that, rightfully so, but AHHHH! Anyways she wanted everything, she was cold, she couldn't reach something...whatever it was was wailed out in that scary voice. Finally at 4:00 the OR called for me. They brought me to the cold shiny room down the long hallway and left me parked in front of a wall full of clowns on tightropes paintings. I didn't much care for them but I ended up staring at them until after 5:00 because they were waiting for my surgery instruments which were apparently wayward. Then to the other cold shiny room with the lights when they were found. Now we were ready to go but the doctor was missing, so I watched them all get everything ready. I watched as the nurse asked for a #10 blade and put in in the scalpel and then set it on the tray. Not long after that the doctor came in and put the mask on me, put the dose in the IV and said "see you later" I knew as soon as he said it I'd go, I tried to last that extra second but it never worked...lights out. I think it was about 8:30 when I woke up, I don't remember much but my doctor came in and said I was staying overnight, a needle coming towards me, and Craig saying he was going to phone mom. I don't know when I woke up next but I was really hurtin and they gave me morphine and gravol like every two hours. The wailer wailed, the lady beside me kept waking up, it was not a good sleep. Anyways, they sent me home sometime after lunch time. I've been getting around but am definately tender and sore. But I made it, thanks for all the prayers, everyone. I'll write more later when I'm not so drugged up.

I'll be BACK!

In the bunny hutch at the farm

On Easter Monday I am going under the knife and having surgery on my back. I was pretty okay with the idea until about a half an hour ago when the hospital called to make the final arrangements. Hmm. Maybe final arrangements isn't the best phrase. Ok, called to make the final confirmation. Anyways, NOW I am nervous! But also excited that though it is not guaranteed, that I have the CHANCE to live a pain free life. That I'll be able to drive again without constantly looking for a place to pull over, or be able to sit through a TV show or a movie, pick something off the floor without tears in my eyes, to play with my kids, do laundry, walk normally again, be able to work... Anyhoo, I'm excited and scared, and I really really really really really hope that it works! My biggest fear so far was that I was told I would be Stapled back together and my regular doctor would be taking them out in a few weeks, but last night I talked to Belinda and she said it was nothing cus she's had them herself- so she made me feel a lot better. (Thanks Bee, I love you!) So I don't know how next week is going to be but I'll update as soon as I can. And I have lots of offers for help if I need it so thank you everyone. I love you all.