Good morning.

Good morning everyone! Today, I actually feel like I might be able to do some productive stuff. Feeling more like myself than I have in a few months now. What a relief.

The kids spent the weekend with their dad and are now back home. We need to get to the store for some ingredients for dinner, and I was thinking about maybe taking them to the show and for a haircut. Have to play it all by ear, don't wanna overdo and wind back up in bed again.

Well, that's it...was just saying hello! Hope everyone is having a good day!!!

Update as requested.

Well, I've made it through the surgery. I can't say with flying colors, but I've made it through. The first day was Vicoden filled and I really can't remember too much of anything. I don't even remember being rolled into the operating room. All I do remember is the doctor telling Brian that it was a "very bad gallbladder", and that it was filled with infection. I also remember trying to wake up from the anesthesia and just feeling like I'd never be able to, but I just kept saying that I wanted to go home. The nurse told me that I had to drink something and get dressed, then I could go. I got dressed and took a few swigs and I was out of there. Don't remember the ride home, or much of that night.

The next few days were not that great, but I felt a little better with each passing day. My stomach muscles have been very sore and getting up has proved to be one of the biggest challenges. Here I thought that this being done laparascopically would make it very easy...I don't think so. It's still surgery, and your body still pays the price for it.

Today is Sunday, 6 days after the surgery and it hasn't been a great day. I almost passed out in the shower, and had to call Brian out of church to come home and tend to me. I'm feeling a whole lot better, as the day goes on, but I think today will be another day of sitting around not doing much.

We only have a few days left until we leave on our boat trip, and I haven't started packing or even prepared, at all. I'm hoping tomorrow and Tuesday find me feeling up to it. If not, I guess Brian will have to pick up the slack for me. I just might be spending the entire 10 days sitting on the houseboat, just soaking up the sun. There could be worse ways to spend a vacation, I guess. LOL I'm sure that the next few days will find me feeling much better though.

So, all in all it's been a little bit of a rough ride, but I am making little strides each day.

I'm also ready to blog again, if that tells you anything! I must be a tad bit better! LOL Hope everyone has had a decent week. On my way to try and catch up with what's been happening, right now.

Now you knew I'd find a way! LOL

Yes, I managed to get the computer upstairs! LOL It was no easy task either, just so you know. This crap is heavy, and made me swear that I would start saving now for a laptop! My kitchen was the only choice I had...there is just no room anywhere else. It took a while, and rearrangement of the entire kitchen, but it's here. I'm grateful too, because I really don't wanna lay around just watching tv all week.

Anyhow, it's 9 am and the boys are still sleeping. We all went to bed rather early lastnight, but I haven't heard a peep coming from their rooms as of yet. I worked alot around the house yesterday, and I enlisted their help. Three people folding clothes, really gets the job done in a hurry! Brian came over last night and we took all the kids to ride the 4-wheeler for a while and then went and got an ice cream. Was a good productive day, all in all, but by the time we got home, I was pooped. Pain kinda sucked yesterday too, but I can't even take a Motrin until after the surgery. Nice!

And yes, I'm aware that I'm rambling...I know. Today, as much as I look forward to having this surgery done, a little trepidation has worked it's way in there. I suppose it's all normal, but I did wake up in a sweat this morning. I've never been cut before, except a few years back, when I had some dental surgery (but for some reason that seems vastly different than this). I really think that is what's creeping me out the most. I asked at the surgeon's office, if I would have to come in for suture removal and they said, "no, you won't have stitches". Ok, that REALLY gives me the willies. So, let me get this straight, I will have 4, approximately 1 inch long incisions, and no sutures???? Give me sutures....close me back up...please! I'm sure they know what they are doing, but that just doesn't seem right to me. I know, I need to chill out. My visions of my innerds creeping out...well, it isn't pretty though. The surgeon also said that I should be good to go for the boat trip...did I neglect to tell him that the vast majority of this trip will entail jetskiing? Oops, my bad! Yeah, I didn't mention that. I've already decided that I won't even be going out on them, unless it's a very calm day! No jumping, or throwing myself off, no riding in wakes of other boats or skis. None of that! Hope everyone will be kind enough to chill and wait for me, when traveling! If not, hell, I might not ever find my way back from Dale Hollow Lake. LOL My vacation just might become permanent.

Well, one child has made his way out here now. I should run, have lots of stuff to do today!

Be back soon as I can!! Have a great day!

Last day!

Today is my last day of work until September 6th. I have no idea how much I will even be able to get on the computer, considering it's located in my basement, and I don't know how long it will be before I can climb stairs. Plus, I'm leaving on 8-24 for that houseboat trip. So, this is probably it, for a while. I don't really know how I'm gonna manage...I am quite the addict here! (Might be finding a way to move my computer upstairs this weekend...LOL) What a loser, eh?

Hopefully, I can catch up with everyone soon! Will see!

The verdict is....

I have finally found out why I'm having so much pain! I have gotten a true diagnosis! It's about time! (doing a happy dance!)

I have gallstones, kidney stones and also a cyst on my left kidney. I saw a surgeon today, and will be having surgery on Monday to remove my gallbladder. He said that we will deal with the kidneys after this gets done.

It's relieving to at least know what is wrong and to actually have a plan to make it better. The pain has been sometimes unbearable, for the past 2 months. After working all day, I just wanna crawl into bed and sleep...it's the only time I'm really comfortable. Even though, at night now, I can't sleep too well anymore. Could that be because of all the napping? I don't know, but it's a possibility! Could it also be the nagging ache under my right rib, that just refuses to leave me? Maybe! Regardless, it should be taken care of by next Monday!

The surgeon also had some concerns about the cyst and fluid in my left kidney and the stone in the right, but says we will deal with that after the gallbladder is done. He says my kidney's are still functioning good for now, so we'll leave it be.

I'm actually excited to have the surgery, if you can believe it! I know I probably sound like a crazy woman, but living in pain for months on end, just isn't right! I'm tired of wigging out because the pain gets so intense that I just can't stand it and start taking it out on whoever is closest to me. Not fair to the kids, Brian, or the patient's that call or come in the office. I've been doing my best to keep it under control, but sometimes I just can't take the pain and lash out.

So, hopefully, all will go well and I can be happy and pain free very soon! Will keep you posted, when I can. Have to run and fill out a bunch of papers for work. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Game time!

This was taken from Cy's Blog (see sidebar).

1) Reply with your name, and I'll respond with something random about you.
2) I'll tell you what song/or movie reminds me of you.
3) I'll pick a color/flavor of jello to wrestle with you in. (Maybe)
4) I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5) I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6) I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7) I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
8) If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog. You MUST. It is written.

Hope you play along.

Have a great day and will post something real tomorrow.

=)~~

Doesn't add up...

Yesterday when I got home, I did have a very long talk with Corey about what had happened the night before. I asked for as much detail as I possibly could. This is what he told me...

Apparently, Jody went to take a shower and when she got out she walked into the bedroom and basically collapsed on the bed. She wasn't unconcious, but was talking crazy and acting very strange. Al (the ex), called 911 and she was taken to the hospital. After arriving at the hospital, I guess they did check her out and then she couldn't find Al, so she left and walked home. He looked for her for 2 hours, before going back to the apartment and finding her there. When he got there, she was furious and kept saying, "you and the boys just need to go!" She was under the impression that he wasn't going to meet her at the hospital and since she had to walk home, she wasn't a happy camper. Corey did also say that she's very stressed out because she works ALOT! He says that she's usually gone from 6 am to 8 or 9 at night, and hardly ever has a day off. He went on to tell me that her oldest daughter also really has her stressed because she got into trouble with the law! (Ok, this girl is 14, red flags going up!) I asked what the heck a 14 year-old could do to get in trouble with the law, he tells me that she was going to illegal sites on the internet. (Don't think I even wanna know just what that entails.)

Right after talking to Corey about all of this, I get a call from Al. He says that he is still staying with Jody and that things are fine. He goes on to tell me that she feels very bad for what had happened and that the hospital told her this was a result of her not eating for a day and a half and just working too much. She wanted to make sure that the boys were okay and apologize for what had happened.

I relay the message to the boys, telling them that apparently her sugar had dropped to an extremely low level and that was the reason for her acting so strange. Corey's reply, "hmmmmm", with this strange look on his face. I ask him what he's "hmmm'ing" about, and he says, "that's odd!" "What's odd, Corey?" "It's odd that they are saying she had really low sugar from not eating, she ate a bunch that day!" I say, "really?" He's like, "Yeah! She had chinese for lunch and dinner...shrimp fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and cookies!" (More red flags!)

Now I am absolutely stumped. I am inclined to believe my son, if he said that she ate, I'm sure she did. So, did she have a nervous breakdown after all? Is he just wanting to hide it from me, because it could come back to bite him in the ass??? Because I could say that my boys shouldn't be around her (and her punk daughter)??? Was she lying to Al, so she didn't have to admit to him that she's gone batty??? I DON'T KNOW!

It seems that none of this is adding up and I now have more questions than answers!

Who's going to the funny farm?

At 3 o'clock this morning, my phone was ringing. That always makes me jump right up and immediately start freaking out! It turned out to be the ex...who has the kids for the week. My heart was about to pop out of my chest. I answer the phone, barely able to choke out the word, "hello", with all these horrible visions running through my head. He says to me, "Stace, I need you to wake up!" That didn't help my anxiety, at all! I said, in this shrill voice, that hardly even sounded like my own, "what happened???" He finally assures me that the boys are okay, but VERY upset, and that he'd like to bring them home, so they can get to bed. I told him that was fine and proceeded to ask what was going on and why the heck, (at 3 am were they up), let alone upset! He says, "I had to take Jody (his g/f), to the hospital, and my best guess is that she's had a nervous breakdown". In my head, I'm now wondering what the heck my kids have seen and heard, and I'm not too happy. He then goes on to tell me that once arriving at the hospital, she left without anyone knowing, and that she couldn't be found for about 2 hours. To boot he also throws in that he will take the boys back in a few days, once he "makes new living arrangements". We hang up the phone, and I just have this stuff playing in my head over and over, I am wired.

I start trying to figure out the scenarios...did he make her freak out and get to that point? Is she just stressed from trying to do it almost all on her own? (His job pays very little, he gives me some child support, and she also has 2 kids of her own to take care of.) Did they get into some knock-down-drag-out argument just tonight? (And in front of the kids???)

The kids got home around 3:50 this morning and appeared to be calm, cool and collected. They didn't seem distraught by any means, didn't look as though they had been crying. I talked to them for a few. I asked Tyler what had transpired and he just said that she had gone to take a shower and then dad had to take her to the hospital because she had a nervous breakdown. That bit of info really didn't help me out too much. I asked if they had been up all night, and had gone to the hospital too, which he said they had. That kind of pissed me off. I don't know exactly what happened, but he could have called me and I would have picked the boys up. I wouldn't have cared what time of night it was, they are more important, and I don't want them around anyone, who is so unstable that they "may have had a nervous breakdown!"

So, hopefully today the boys will catch up on some sleep in their own beds, and will give me some more answers when I get home. I feel it's my right to know exactly what they may have seen, heard, or been exposed to.

My other fear is that this might cause him to start harrassing me again, which scares the crap out of me! His g/f was my savior because once he met her, he finally stopped obsessing over me and the kids. I just have no idea what is in store...you never know with him!

Ugh ugh ugh!

Painting the town red, or maybe just the bathroom!

So, since I am all by my lonesome this week....I'm bored to frickin' tears here. On Monday I came home from work; took a nap, and then just got really sick of staring at the same 4 walls. I needed dishwashing detergent, so I decided I'd make the trek to Target. Big stinking mistake! LOL Yes, I got the detergent, and 40 other things. I found a bikini marked down to $6...and had to have it! I got 10 new pairs of underwear, some lingerie, new mascara, and a toy for Max. Ugh! I'm such a sucker!

Yesterday, I went home...pulled off my shoes, curled up in bed, and thought how great it would be to nap for a while, AGAIN. Instead I laid there for about an hour or more and finally decided, I was going to get my butt up and bleach the entire bathroom. I cleaned the bathroom from top to bottom! Literally. I scrubbed the ceiling, floors, toilet, sink, tub, walls. After I finished with this, I had this brilliant idea that I would paint. Right then! LOL I did not think this out or plan it, at all. I ran to Sears Hardware, picked up some paint, rollers, tape, and then headed home to start on my wonderful project. I taped and then painted the first coat of trim. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you the color I picked, (though I'm sure you've already caught on, with the blog title), red! Yes, the color I picked for my bathroom was bright red! Don't know where I got the inspiration, but I just went with it. I have no clue what type of pictures and accessories I'm going to get, but hey, that's okay. I'm sure I will figure it out, and soon. I want it completely finished by the time Brian and the kids get home. So tonight, I get to go home and paint the second coat of trim and then start rolling it. I'm hoping to finish all of the painting of the walls tonight, and then start working on painting the cabinets! Fun fun. Tomorrow I think I will start looking at accessories. We shall see. When all is complete, I will post some pics for ya.

Wish me luck!

And the wild sunflowers grow!

Sunday the 31st was the 11th anniversary of my mom's death. On my way back from the family reunion I was going to be passing right by the cemetary and decided I wanted to stop off there and pay a visit to mom and dad.

I pull in and start walking over to their plots when I notice something odd...it looks like there are these big stalks right around my dad's headstone. As I get closer, I realize that they are sunflowers. There is one on each corner and it looks as though someone deliberately planted them. I made a note to myself to call my aunt, figuring that it had to be her! I busied myself for a while, cleaning off their stones, stuff like that, then I left.

On the way home, I did call my aunt. We talked for a few and then I asked her about the sunflowers. She told me that she didn't plant them, nor did anyone else. She's talked to her kids and all of my brothers and sisters and it is a mystery how they got there. To add to all of it, shortly after noticing them at the cemetary, she went home and went to weed her flowerbeds and noticed 2 stalks of her own...yes folks, she also has 2 mystery sunflowers that she did not plant...Hmmmm! Isn't that ironic???

My aunt happened to be the closest one to my dad before he passed and they both have sunflowers from unknown sources. The only thing I can think is that maybe one of my dad's floral arrangements that was left there after the funeral had some sunflowers in them and they seeded. That's my best guess. Still a little strange though!