So it's official! Bubba comes home this week! I'm a ball of nerves. He leaves from Afghanistan on Wednesday, and says he should get home on Thursday or early Friday. Then I thought, "Wait. He's 10.5 hours ahead of us! His Wednesday starts on our Tuesday evening. Does he mean that he'll be here late Thursday night instead of early Friday?" I can't decide it I should sleep with my clothes on or not! What if he calls in the middle of the night, and we have to up and drive to Atlanta? Not that I wouldn't gladly do that, but ahhhhh I can't stand not having everything planned out! He's supposed to be texting and letting me know something.
I guess that for 7 months I have dreamed of when he would come home and what it would be like. In my mind I imagine Jason and I getting there just in time to wait for a few minutes. Then, from afar, we see him coming with his sweet little uniform on. In that time we will grin and embrace each other while everyone in the airport claps. Now, that's a hero's return! Ah, do you think I've been watching too much Army Wives? Why is it that moments you dream of never can reach the level of perfection you created? Then, every day little moments that you never expect are what you'll remember forever...
FYI: I STILL haven't heard back from the tendon transfer lady. I've left her a message and emailed. I'm dying. Once again, can you tell I'm a control freak?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Penelope:Lying Down on the Job
Heidi, the Bed Bug Burrowing Beagle, is having her own segment on the news today. I'm watching her, and looking down at Penelope who is lying on her side, covered in the same blanket that I am, and attempting to sleep to the click of the keys on the keyboard.
I have to laugh, as we just took Penelope to the "dogtor" only to find out that the reason she's missing a spot of hair above her tail is because, yes, she's allergic to fleas! Now, what mother wouldn't be proud? That's like finding out your child is allergic to alcohol, right? But here's this beagle, sniffing out bed bugs, and my dog is allergic to fleas! Ha! Now that's funny!
I have to laugh, as we just took Penelope to the "dogtor" only to find out that the reason she's missing a spot of hair above her tail is because, yes, she's allergic to fleas! Now, what mother wouldn't be proud? That's like finding out your child is allergic to alcohol, right? But here's this beagle, sniffing out bed bugs, and my dog is allergic to fleas! Ha! Now that's funny!In addition to finding out about her aversion to fleas, the "dogtor" suggested we consider having the knot taken out that has grown on her back. 
I'm scared. It's been there and has been growing for about 2 years. Originally, they told us, "Fatty tumor. Don't worry, as long as it's not hurting her." She never whines or complains when you touch it, but the "dogtor" says that he thinks it could be growing into her muscle and could eventually cause trouble in her back. If you know anything about weenie dogs, it's that they can have bad backs...my worst fear. However, if the "dogtor" gets in there and it's too far into her muscle, he could do damage removing it and said he would just back out. UGH! It hurts me to think about it. We haven't made up our minds, but I'm afraid that not trying could have worse results than trying. So maybe next month, after Bubba leaves, we'll have to focus on the baby going under the knife...
I'm scared. It's been there and has been growing for about 2 years. Originally, they told us, "Fatty tumor. Don't worry, as long as it's not hurting her." She never whines or complains when you touch it, but the "dogtor" says that he thinks it could be growing into her muscle and could eventually cause trouble in her back. If you know anything about weenie dogs, it's that they can have bad backs...my worst fear. However, if the "dogtor" gets in there and it's too far into her muscle, he could do damage removing it and said he would just back out. UGH! It hurts me to think about it. We haven't made up our minds, but I'm afraid that not trying could have worse results than trying. So maybe next month, after Bubba leaves, we'll have to focus on the baby going under the knife...Monday, July 6, 2009
4th of July!
We had a great 4th spending it with our church family, Jason's family, and our friends. I added a few pics of the weekend.
However, I couldn't help but be a little sad for my soldier son. It seems unfair that they're over there fighting for our freedom, while we sit around and enjoy it. The 4th is his favorite holiday, and I've never gotten to spend it with him as he was in basic last year.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that none of his planes are delayed next week when he comes home for his 14 days of R&R. I plan on hanging on to his leg and letting him drag me around. I don't want him to get out of my sight! I can't wait!
As of now, I've made my first "honey do" list ever to get everything ready for his homecoming. That's why now I need to go outside and pressure wash while Jason mows...
Tendon Transfers???!!!
So it's been since the summer of '07 since I've had a surgery; I think I'm about due for one, right? Let me explain:
If you know me at all, you know about my thoracic scapula fusion surgeries. If not, please visit http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?section=879and learn more without my having to relive those horrid experiences! But having those painful surgeries has brought me wonderful results, and for that, I am thankful!
I received a call from a lady whose daughter was considering having the surgery. She had tons of questions and wanted to see the results, so we agreed to meet with the both of them in Ft. Payne. I was nervous about this. They both had the same kind of MD has I do, and truthfully, they were the first people I have ever met with FSH (Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy) besides my mother, of course. I didn't know what to expect. What if they were much worse than I? What if they were much better than I am?
I went in to Cracker Barrel looking for someone who walked like me or who was in a wheelchair. I walked right past them! The daughter, Lauren (age 21) walked up to me, tapped me on the shoulder, and asked if I was Nia. I was shocked. She was beautiful, and I had walked right by her. Nothing about her seemed "different." Her mother Sandy was the same. Of course I watched them walk, and would you believe, they didn't even have a limp! Darn! I was the weirdo in this group!
We sat and talked for about 2 hours and I told them every detail I could think of about the surgery and the recovery. Jason helped to recount the caretaker's point of view. They were receptive but scared, naturally, and were surprisingly, less open to talking about MD than I am. However, the mother was very connected with the FSH Society, which I knew nothing about! She gave me some info about joining the group and told me that she had a friend who lived in St. Louis, Missouri who had foot drop like I have. (That's where the tendons in the top of your feet weaken and cause you to sling your feet when you walk instead of rolling the foot from heel to toe. It's what causes me to trip over my own feet 95% of the time.) Now for the good news...can you stand it? Cause I can't! The lady from St. Louis had surgery to correct the foot drop, and it worked. SHE DOESN'T HAVE FOOT DROP ANYMORE!!!!! AHHHHHH! If there would've been a surgeon in Cracker Barrel that day, I would've knocked our biscuit and apple butter out of the way and said, "Hand him the butter knife!" If I had to choose between the shoulder surgery and the foot surgery, I would choose the foot surgery, hands down (no pun intended). I can deal with not being able to reach up high, but walking? Now, that's different!
I've been trying to do some research online about it. I can't find much, but what I have found is good with positive results. Sandy gave the St. Louis woman my email address, and she has offered to talk to me about it. I'm going to call tonight. I'm nervous and sure don't want to get my hopes up, but wowowowowow! I think it's too late for that!
Here's a link with some gross pics, but at least you can see the difference in before and after pics. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2384039
If you know me at all, you know about my thoracic scapula fusion surgeries. If not, please visit http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?section=879and learn more without my having to relive those horrid experiences! But having those painful surgeries has brought me wonderful results, and for that, I am thankful!
I received a call from a lady whose daughter was considering having the surgery. She had tons of questions and wanted to see the results, so we agreed to meet with the both of them in Ft. Payne. I was nervous about this. They both had the same kind of MD has I do, and truthfully, they were the first people I have ever met with FSH (Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy) besides my mother, of course. I didn't know what to expect. What if they were much worse than I? What if they were much better than I am?
I went in to Cracker Barrel looking for someone who walked like me or who was in a wheelchair. I walked right past them! The daughter, Lauren (age 21) walked up to me, tapped me on the shoulder, and asked if I was Nia. I was shocked. She was beautiful, and I had walked right by her. Nothing about her seemed "different." Her mother Sandy was the same. Of course I watched them walk, and would you believe, they didn't even have a limp! Darn! I was the weirdo in this group!
We sat and talked for about 2 hours and I told them every detail I could think of about the surgery and the recovery. Jason helped to recount the caretaker's point of view. They were receptive but scared, naturally, and were surprisingly, less open to talking about MD than I am. However, the mother was very connected with the FSH Society, which I knew nothing about! She gave me some info about joining the group and told me that she had a friend who lived in St. Louis, Missouri who had foot drop like I have. (That's where the tendons in the top of your feet weaken and cause you to sling your feet when you walk instead of rolling the foot from heel to toe. It's what causes me to trip over my own feet 95% of the time.) Now for the good news...can you stand it? Cause I can't! The lady from St. Louis had surgery to correct the foot drop, and it worked. SHE DOESN'T HAVE FOOT DROP ANYMORE!!!!! AHHHHHH! If there would've been a surgeon in Cracker Barrel that day, I would've knocked our biscuit and apple butter out of the way and said, "Hand him the butter knife!" If I had to choose between the shoulder surgery and the foot surgery, I would choose the foot surgery, hands down (no pun intended). I can deal with not being able to reach up high, but walking? Now, that's different!
I've been trying to do some research online about it. I can't find much, but what I have found is good with positive results. Sandy gave the St. Louis woman my email address, and she has offered to talk to me about it. I'm going to call tonight. I'm nervous and sure don't want to get my hopes up, but wowowowowow! I think it's too late for that!
Here's a link with some gross pics, but at least you can see the difference in before and after pics. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2384039
It's FINALLY Summer! Boat Saga:Take 2
It's been a couple of weeks as I have been LOVING that summer school is officially over and my summer can begin. Several things have happened, but I'm gonna narrow it down to the top three and list them in different posts. I know how daunting a long post can seem.
1. First of all, Jason's boat is NOW RUNNING! Well, I say that, but not really. Here's the deal with the ongoing saga of the money pit...oh, I mean, the boat. He worked continuously on it. That is to say, the yard began to look like a tropical rain forest from days of neglect, but he miraculously, as I knew he would, revamped that boat until it looked almost brand new. New wood, new carpet, new wires, the works! I think it even held its motor a little higher because it was so proud of itself!
He took Uncle Buster out on it first. I thought that was fair, since that poor good-hearted soul has spent more than enough of his time helping Jason. He even gave him some basically brand new boat seats! (Thanks Uncle Buster, for helping me save a little money for groceries! :) They went out, caught a couple of fish, and as far as I was concerned, stayed too long at the fair. I mean come on, it's not like this is the most reliable vessel in the water, and I was worried that I should call the cops, or the water police, whomever it would be. But after a few hours, he came home, with only a few minor concerns.
The VERY next day he took Gabe, his fishing buddy, on the boat. They headed toward Twin Lakes (Stevenson), and wouldn't ya know that they ran out of gas. Thank goodness for Greg, who came and saved the day.
So the day after that, he takes out Chad in the boat. Are you noticing anything? What's that? Me? Oh, yes, that's right...the little wifey has yet to be taken out in it. So he and Chad get up at 5:15 A.M. (that's ante meridiem, when I hope I don't even have to roll over to go to the bathroom.) Around 10:30, I get a little text from a hub who is stranded. Yep, the starter is torn up on the boat. They have had to "troll" (not as in spikey hair and a jewel in their belly button) but as in barely creep to the dock in Long Island, Tennessee. Who needs the wife now? He does. I jump in my trusty Lincoln, grab them a Sonic combo meal, and head to their rescue. I have to take Chad all the way back to Bridgeport to get his truck and the trailer, and poor Chad has to drive back, get Jason and the boat, and then come back home. All in all, Chad had to drive about an hour and a half. What a friend! Jason comes in, burned and disappointed. I was sympathetic, but in my head, I can't help but wonder, "How much more is this going to cost?"
He's buying a starter today. Should be in tomorrow. I should get a trip on the boat soon!
1. First of all, Jason's boat is NOW RUNNING! Well, I say that, but not really. Here's the deal with the ongoing saga of the money pit...oh, I mean, the boat. He worked continuously on it. That is to say, the yard began to look like a tropical rain forest from days of neglect, but he miraculously, as I knew he would, revamped that boat until it looked almost brand new. New wood, new carpet, new wires, the works! I think it even held its motor a little higher because it was so proud of itself!
He took Uncle Buster out on it first. I thought that was fair, since that poor good-hearted soul has spent more than enough of his time helping Jason. He even gave him some basically brand new boat seats! (Thanks Uncle Buster, for helping me save a little money for groceries! :) They went out, caught a couple of fish, and as far as I was concerned, stayed too long at the fair. I mean come on, it's not like this is the most reliable vessel in the water, and I was worried that I should call the cops, or the water police, whomever it would be. But after a few hours, he came home, with only a few minor concerns.
The VERY next day he took Gabe, his fishing buddy, on the boat. They headed toward Twin Lakes (Stevenson), and wouldn't ya know that they ran out of gas. Thank goodness for Greg, who came and saved the day.
So the day after that, he takes out Chad in the boat. Are you noticing anything? What's that? Me? Oh, yes, that's right...the little wifey has yet to be taken out in it. So he and Chad get up at 5:15 A.M. (that's ante meridiem, when I hope I don't even have to roll over to go to the bathroom.) Around 10:30, I get a little text from a hub who is stranded. Yep, the starter is torn up on the boat. They have had to "troll" (not as in spikey hair and a jewel in their belly button) but as in barely creep to the dock in Long Island, Tennessee. Who needs the wife now? He does. I jump in my trusty Lincoln, grab them a Sonic combo meal, and head to their rescue. I have to take Chad all the way back to Bridgeport to get his truck and the trailer, and poor Chad has to drive back, get Jason and the boat, and then come back home. All in all, Chad had to drive about an hour and a half. What a friend! Jason comes in, burned and disappointed. I was sympathetic, but in my head, I can't help but wonder, "How much more is this going to cost?"
He's buying a starter today. Should be in tomorrow. I should get a trip on the boat soon!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
If Daddy Ain't Happy, Ain't No One Happy
So hub has been harassing me for a boat for about 2 months. He's recently taken up fishing and swears that the fish will bite more if there's a big shiny thing in the water above them drawing them in. Sure, I believe that...
Well, I've been the debt attacker this year, and a boat was not in our budget. I'm steadily trying to get us closer to building a house, and I've thrown down the gauntlet..."Jason, I'll be 29 this September. By the time I'm 30, I want us to be living in the house we've dreamed of building." I know, I know. We'll be going into debt to build, but I don't want any extra to tack on to it. So as he's been begging for a boat, I've been steadily shaking my head "no."
Well, I've been the debt attacker this year, and a boat was not in our budget. I'm steadily trying to get us closer to building a house, and I've thrown down the gauntlet..."Jason, I'll be 29 this September. By the time I'm 30, I want us to be living in the house we've dreamed of building." I know, I know. We'll be going into debt to build, but I don't want any extra to tack on to it. So as he's been begging for a boat, I've been steadily shaking my head "no."
Bless his heart, he told me that was fine and he wouldn't mention it again. Funny, how he kept talking about something that sounded just like a boat...yep, I'm sure he didn't switch to talking about goats, so...
He found a $500 boat. Well, that was better than the $3500 he was originally asking for, so...I caved. I acutally laughed out loud when I saw it. Whoever has been playing "Catch the Pineneedles" in this thing must've won big. The wood on it is rotten and the carpet is well, almost nonexistent. But if I know anything about Jason Randall Stivers, it's this: when he sets his mind to "fixing up" something, it's going to soon shine like a new penny. I have faith in him and his skills.
I came home today from teaching summer school, and he was in the back yard with Uncle Buster.
I heard the motor start up, and I praised God that the THING was alive! A little while later he came running into the house, sweat pouring, and said, "Do you want to come out for its maiden voyage?" Well I stripped off my blue jeans right there in the dining room, threw on some shorts, and we were off, with Uncle Buster and his years of fishing experience at our sides.
I heard the motor start up, and I praised God that the THING was alive! A little while later he came running into the house, sweat pouring, and said, "Do you want to come out for its maiden voyage?" Well I stripped off my blue jeans right there in the dining room, threw on some shorts, and we were off, with Uncle Buster and his years of fishing experience at our sides. We arrived at the boat dock to meet a family that was swimming in the river. Gag, I'm sure they had to knock corpses out of the way along with having snakes nibble on their toes, but whatever floats your boat! HA! No pun intended!
Uncle Buster backed the trailer to the dock and loaded her in. 
Well, there J and I were, in the river...floating! I was happy and felt successful! Apparantly, that's not enough. We weren't looking for holes in which to sink us, we were waiting to see if the engine would start. A turn of the key...sputter, sputter. Again, clackety clack. The Clampets yell from the water, "You're about the 3rd boat today that's come down, got in the water, and not been able to start." I wanted to hit them with the boat paddle. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Poor Jason tried everything, and with every crank, I could see the disappointment grow in his face.
Well, there J and I were, in the river...floating! I was happy and felt successful! Apparantly, that's not enough. We weren't looking for holes in which to sink us, we were waiting to see if the engine would start. A turn of the key...sputter, sputter. Again, clackety clack. The Clampets yell from the water, "You're about the 3rd boat today that's come down, got in the water, and not been able to start." I wanted to hit them with the boat paddle. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Poor Jason tried everything, and with every crank, I could see the disappointment grow in his face. Eventually, we had to give up, paddle back to the shore, 
and load back up on the trailer. Uncle Buster welcomed us back with his usual jovial self. His advice was, "Jason, we have to crawl before we can walk." I'm not sure if Jason appreciated this, but I felt better.
and load back up on the trailer. Uncle Buster welcomed us back with his usual jovial self. His advice was, "Jason, we have to crawl before we can walk." I'm not sure if Jason appreciated this, but I felt better. So they came home, and continued their quest for crankage. Wouldn't you know it cranked right up? I think we've got ourselves a boat that doesn't like water.
Bless my poor baby's heart. It's amazing how this marriage thing really does multiply our joys and divide our sorrows.
The best part of the experience was the view.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A Wild Weekend
After a long, hard week of teaching Vacation Bible School and summer school, who doesn't need a break? We upped and decided to go to Panama City with another couple from church and their children over the weekend. Now FYI, I have begged my poor hub for the past 5 1/2 years that I wanted to go on a spontaneous vacation. Being the "rule follower," I can see the beads of sweat pop up on his forehead when I mention this. Now here we were, driving through the night, on our way to sandy cracks and bathing suit tops full of seaweed. Ah, it was the life!
We stayed until Sunday and drove back that night, as I had to be the ONLY one in the group who had to work on Monday. Well, I got home with two hours to look forward to of sleep before I had to get up to go to school. Wouldn't you know that after being asleep for one hour, I woke up with the most violent pain in my stomach. I proceeded (trying to spare the details) to sit on the toilet and scream and beg God to take me home. It was awful. Jason just stood at the door in shock. Keep in mind, after I've had endometriosis coming out of my wazoo (literally) and my ribs scraped down just to have them tie-wrapped with metal as they fused my shoulder blades down, it takes a lot to get the ol' girl writhing in pain. I thought I was dying. At one point I actually thought, "God, is this some miracle? Have you grown another uterus inside of me, and I'm really giving birth right now?" Another time, I thought Michigan J. Frog was going to leap from my belly button and sing, "Hello my baby, hello my darlin', hello my ragtime gal!" I can't say enough how horrible it was. After an hour of bonding with the toilet, it eased up, just in time for me to go teach summer school. Thrill.
We stayed until Sunday and drove back that night, as I had to be the ONLY one in the group who had to work on Monday. Well, I got home with two hours to look forward to of sleep before I had to get up to go to school. Wouldn't you know that after being asleep for one hour, I woke up with the most violent pain in my stomach. I proceeded (trying to spare the details) to sit on the toilet and scream and beg God to take me home. It was awful. Jason just stood at the door in shock. Keep in mind, after I've had endometriosis coming out of my wazoo (literally) and my ribs scraped down just to have them tie-wrapped with metal as they fused my shoulder blades down, it takes a lot to get the ol' girl writhing in pain. I thought I was dying. At one point I actually thought, "God, is this some miracle? Have you grown another uterus inside of me, and I'm really giving birth right now?" Another time, I thought Michigan J. Frog was going to leap from my belly button and sing, "Hello my baby, hello my darlin', hello my ragtime gal!" I can't say enough how horrible it was. After an hour of bonding with the toilet, it eased up, just in time for me to go teach summer school. Thrill.
Here are some pics. Of the trip to the beach, not the trip to the toilet:
Here we are in Alvin's Island. I was trying out Cameron's crocodile, and J was trying on a golfer's hat.
Here we are in Alvin's Island. I was trying out Cameron's crocodile, and J was trying on a golfer's hat.
She put us to shame in that bathing suit. Look at those baby abs!
Jason and Chad wrestling the crab legs. The boys won.
Our last day at the beach...about 10 minutes before a storm rolled in.
Our friends, the Case's, Chad, Heather, and Kaleigh minus Cameron, who was sitting with on our side of the table.
And our side of the table...
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