For the first half of the summer, we had REALLY dry weather. Everyone's grass was brown and people with flowers had to water them everyday. THIS month, it's rained almost everyday. I feel like a duck - living in the water!!
Today seemed like it was going to be a pretty nice day, and I was excited about that...Kelsey was going to be in the local parade with her dance class for our annual town festival. The sun shined all day today, right up until 15 minutes before the parade was to step off and head downtown.
All of a sudden the sky started getting dark and the wind picked up. My friend Erica and her daughter were with us since both girls take classes and all kids under 8 had to be accompanied by at least one parent. We asked the girls if they wanted to go home or if they wanted to walk in the parade and take a chance of it raining on us. They said they wanted to walk. Jordan said, "You made me come to this, Mom - I'm not going home because of a little rain!" So it was settled - we were walking anyway.
The parade started - so did the rain. Sprinkles at first. Then it started picking up more and more. The further we got downtown, the faster the rain fell and the darker and greener the sky got. The sky changed from light to gray to black to an eerie green color. The wind picked up and the rain drops began to fall so hard that they stung when they hit us.
When we were about 2 blocks from the end of the parade route, Kelsey's dance teacher came up from behind us and told us that we needed to go in the Senior Center and that everyone needed to get inside because a bad storm was coming (obviously).
We started jogging toward the center and then the tornado siren went off. It scared me, I can imagine how all the kids were feeling. A lot of them started crying. Jim scooped Kelsey up and put her on his shoulders. Erica grabbed Jordan and we all started running. We got into the Senir Center and assured the girls that we were going to be just fine. Erica was shaking, she was so nervous.
We sat there for about a half hour with all the other "refugees". I've never had to utilize a community storm shelter before, and although I appreciate the fact that they opened their doors for us, I really hope I never have to do it again. I'd much rather be at home in my own basement than crowded in with a ton of other people. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY appreciate the fact that we had somewhere to go this evening!!
Eventually they made an announcement that we were clear to go. There had been no tornado in our area, just extremely high winds and the city officials didn't want anyone to be injured, so they sounded the alarm and urged us all to go inside. Although the siren scared a lot of the kids, they were probably much more comfortable inside the Senior Center than they would have been outside during that storm!
I don't have any pictures from the parade - the weather was too bad. But we have an adventure to remember. On the way home Kelsey said, "We're not going to walk in the rain anymore!"
Friday, August 24, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Slacking
Ok, I've been slacking again - please accept my apologies!! I'm going to back date again through 7-15-07, so be sure to read back to then if you want to catch up on everything.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Kenny Chesney, Baby!!!
Today Barb and I went to the Kenny Chesney Flip Flop Summer concert. It was soooo much fun!!
We started the day off at the Flip Flop Hotel Party, hosted by a local radio station at a hotel downtown. The party we pretty fun - the best part about it was that we got to see Pat Green, an up and coming Country star in person. How cool is that??? We got some good pictures of him!!
Pat is the one in the brown
The concert started at 4:30 and lasted until after 11 - that was a long concert, but it was amazing! Pat Green played, then Sara Evans, Sugarland, Brooks & Dunn and then finally Kenny Cheseny!!
Pat Green Live in Concert!!!
Sara Evans Live in Concert!!!
Kenny's about to come on stage!
Kenny Chesney coming out on stage!!!
We had sooo much fun!!!!
Barb and me with the Flip Flop necklace
We started the day off at the Flip Flop Hotel Party, hosted by a local radio station at a hotel downtown. The party we pretty fun - the best part about it was that we got to see Pat Green, an up and coming Country star in person. How cool is that??? We got some good pictures of him!!
Pat is the one in the brown
The concert started at 4:30 and lasted until after 11 - that was a long concert, but it was amazing! Pat Green played, then Sara Evans, Sugarland, Brooks & Dunn and then finally Kenny Cheseny!!
Pat Green Live in Concert!!!
Sara Evans Live in Concert!!!
Kenny's about to come on stage!
Kenny Chesney coming out on stage!!!
We had sooo much fun!!!!
Barb and me with the Flip Flop necklace
Monday, July 23, 2007
A Trip Up North
This weekend we traveled up to Manistee and Muskegon with Kelsey's Mom and Brother. I know, it seems strange that we went somewhere with my husband's ex-wife, but we all get along and we feel that it's good for the kids if we do things together once in a while. We drove separately and stayed in different places, so it's not like we were acting like one big family the whole weekend.
Jim and I drove up by ourselves and Kelsey rode with her mom. They left before us since I had to work. We decided that we were going to take our bikes with us because all of the literature we read on the area mentioned the bike trails. So, we packed our suitcases in the trunk and then loaded the bikes up on the bike rack:
That picture is before we came back home, but on the way up there the concept was the same, only the bikes both faced the same direction. We tied the front tires to keep them from bouncing against the car and damaging the paint. It's a good thing we did, too. About an hour from home, I was sleeping and Jim woke me up saying, "Oh no! We just lost a bike!"
I bolted up and looked behind us, expecting to see a HUGE accident from people hitting or trying not to hit it. But traffic was fine. Then Jim told me that it was being drug behind the car. We pulled over and I jumped out to get the bike out of the road. Jim couldn't open his door because there was too much traffic. When I got to the back of the car, the bike was still in the road, but no one had hit it! I drug it out of the road by the rope that was barely holding it to the other bike. Amazingly, the bike is still usable! The right brake handle was shaved to a point, a chunk was shaved off the seat and the reflector on the front handle bars was mangled, but that was it! God was watching over us and all the people on the expressway!!
Here is a picture of some of the damage:
The rest of the trip was pleasantly uneventful! Our hotel room was amazing! The walls and ceilings were knotty pine, the furniture was all natural looking wood. Every room had an animal theme and ours was the "Deer Blind".
Everything was so beautiful up there!! Saturday we drove to Muskegon and spent the day at Michigan's Adventure. What a blast! The park is owned by the same company the owns Cedar Point, but this is smaller, less crowded, has shorter lines and allows you access to the water park and theme park with just ONE ticket. Kelsey even got to meet Charlie Brown!
Sunday morning Jim and I went for a bike ride. It wasn't as nice as we'd anticipated - I was expecting paved bike trails like what we have around home. But no, these bike trails were natural, and northern Michigan is hilly and sandy - do you have any idea how difficult it is to maintain control on a bike in sand when going down hill??? I was so scared that I was going to crash!!
On the way home, we saw a race car at the gas station - Kelsey was really excited about it, so we stopped and took a picture of her and Jim next to it.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip!
Jim and I drove up by ourselves and Kelsey rode with her mom. They left before us since I had to work. We decided that we were going to take our bikes with us because all of the literature we read on the area mentioned the bike trails. So, we packed our suitcases in the trunk and then loaded the bikes up on the bike rack:
That picture is before we came back home, but on the way up there the concept was the same, only the bikes both faced the same direction. We tied the front tires to keep them from bouncing against the car and damaging the paint. It's a good thing we did, too. About an hour from home, I was sleeping and Jim woke me up saying, "Oh no! We just lost a bike!"
I bolted up and looked behind us, expecting to see a HUGE accident from people hitting or trying not to hit it. But traffic was fine. Then Jim told me that it was being drug behind the car. We pulled over and I jumped out to get the bike out of the road. Jim couldn't open his door because there was too much traffic. When I got to the back of the car, the bike was still in the road, but no one had hit it! I drug it out of the road by the rope that was barely holding it to the other bike. Amazingly, the bike is still usable! The right brake handle was shaved to a point, a chunk was shaved off the seat and the reflector on the front handle bars was mangled, but that was it! God was watching over us and all the people on the expressway!!
Here is a picture of some of the damage:
The rest of the trip was pleasantly uneventful! Our hotel room was amazing! The walls and ceilings were knotty pine, the furniture was all natural looking wood. Every room had an animal theme and ours was the "Deer Blind".
Everything was so beautiful up there!! Saturday we drove to Muskegon and spent the day at Michigan's Adventure. What a blast! The park is owned by the same company the owns Cedar Point, but this is smaller, less crowded, has shorter lines and allows you access to the water park and theme park with just ONE ticket. Kelsey even got to meet Charlie Brown!
Sunday morning Jim and I went for a bike ride. It wasn't as nice as we'd anticipated - I was expecting paved bike trails like what we have around home. But no, these bike trails were natural, and northern Michigan is hilly and sandy - do you have any idea how difficult it is to maintain control on a bike in sand when going down hill??? I was so scared that I was going to crash!!
On the way home, we saw a race car at the gas station - Kelsey was really excited about it, so we stopped and took a picture of her and Jim next to it.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Luau Party
Yesterday we went to Luau Party at the home of a close family friend. It was a lot of fun, especially for Kelsey. She got to see her two boyfriends who moved to Ireland last year, Justyn and Tyler.
She hadn't seen them since our wedding - but she didn't forget them and they didn't forget her! Here are some pictures:
The Angels
Tyler watching Kelsey swim with the alligator
Tyler in the tree
Uh oh...in the tree with her boyfriend!!
Kelsey with her boyfriends
Kelsey (the clown) with Mom-Maw and Baby Jordan
Kelsey with Pop-Paw
She hadn't seen them since our wedding - but she didn't forget them and they didn't forget her! Here are some pictures:
The Angels
Tyler watching Kelsey swim with the alligator
Tyler in the tree
Uh oh...in the tree with her boyfriend!!
Kelsey with her boyfriends
Kelsey (the clown) with Mom-Maw and Baby Jordan
Kelsey with Pop-Paw
Busy Busy Bumble Bees
Wow, have we been keeping busy lately!!!!
I'm going to attempt to backdate some posts starting with the 4th of July - we'll see how it works!!!
I'm going to attempt to backdate some posts starting with the 4th of July - we'll see how it works!!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Thunder Over Michigan
Yesterday we went to the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show at the Willow Run Airport. It was miserably hot (over 100 with the heat index), but we still had a lot f fun!!
Of course, the Blue Angels were amazing, as always! But this year there was another act that I really really enjoyed! It was a plane called the Oracle Challenger. The plane was a red single propeller plane with the old-fashioned double wings. This guy was amazing!! He flew upside down only TEN feet above the runway and under poles with ribbons on them. He also made the nose of the plane sticking straight up in the air and he hovered like a helicopter!! Okay, so none of it sounds nearly as amazing now as I'm typing it out, but I PROMISE you that it was incredible!!!
Kelsey playing Pilot - helmet and all!
The Oracle Challenger - upside down and REALLY low!!
Fat Albert - part of the Blue Angels team
The Blue Angels
The Blue Angels again - and you can almost read the words on them!
I'd like to thank my wonderful husband for his great photography - it's hard to catch the planes in the frame when they're going so fast, and he did a wonderful job!!!
Of course, the Blue Angels were amazing, as always! But this year there was another act that I really really enjoyed! It was a plane called the Oracle Challenger. The plane was a red single propeller plane with the old-fashioned double wings. This guy was amazing!! He flew upside down only TEN feet above the runway and under poles with ribbons on them. He also made the nose of the plane sticking straight up in the air and he hovered like a helicopter!! Okay, so none of it sounds nearly as amazing now as I'm typing it out, but I PROMISE you that it was incredible!!!
Kelsey playing Pilot - helmet and all!
The Oracle Challenger - upside down and REALLY low!!
Fat Albert - part of the Blue Angels team
The Blue Angels
The Blue Angels again - and you can almost read the words on them!
I'd like to thank my wonderful husband for his great photography - it's hard to catch the planes in the frame when they're going so fast, and he did a wonderful job!!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Fourth of July
God Bless America!!! I would like to start this post by thanking all of the brave men and women who fight to make our freedom a reality!!!
My dad throws a party every year for the 4th, and we really look forward to it around here! One of my best friends, Barb, and her family came with us this year.
Here a some picture highlights of the big day:
Brave Kelsey on the water trampoline
Kelsey, Mariah and Kelsey
Dad preparing to do the "Flag Ski" (6 Ski Club members ski around the lake w/ America Flags - it's the greatest!)
Kelsey and Grandpa Frank - very patriotic
Jim messing with Barb while her boyfriend Jason laughs
Smirnoff caps on noses - yeah, we had fun!
The girls again!
See what fun we had???
My dad throws a party every year for the 4th, and we really look forward to it around here! One of my best friends, Barb, and her family came with us this year.
Here a some picture highlights of the big day:
Brave Kelsey on the water trampoline
Kelsey, Mariah and Kelsey
Dad preparing to do the "Flag Ski" (6 Ski Club members ski around the lake w/ America Flags - it's the greatest!)
Kelsey and Grandpa Frank - very patriotic
Jim messing with Barb while her boyfriend Jason laughs
Smirnoff caps on noses - yeah, we had fun!
The girls again!
See what fun we had???
Friday, June 29, 2007
Dance Camp
Kelsey had dance camp last weekend. She was gone for the whole day with the other kids in h camp. Even though it wasn't the traditional overnight camp most people think of, it was her first experience like this and she really seemed to enjoy it!
They learned a new dance routine, had pizza for lunch, played group games and went swimming. At the end, they did a performance for the parents.
The Hula Hoop Game - Kelsey really likes this one. They passed the Hula Hoop around the circle while holing hands the entire time, they had to climb through it to pass it to the next person.
Part of the Dance Routine
See the little boy to the right of Kelsey? He kicked her in the mouth on accident right after this was taken. But she was a trooper, instead of crying, she kept n dancing and her eyes only watered up. Bless her heart!!
The Group Shot - see how Kesley has her hands on the little boy's shoulders? She forgives quickly!
They learned a new dance routine, had pizza for lunch, played group games and went swimming. At the end, they did a performance for the parents.
The Hula Hoop Game - Kelsey really likes this one. They passed the Hula Hoop around the circle while holing hands the entire time, they had to climb through it to pass it to the next person.
Part of the Dance Routine
See the little boy to the right of Kelsey? He kicked her in the mouth on accident right after this was taken. But she was a trooper, instead of crying, she kept n dancing and her eyes only watered up. Bless her heart!!
The Group Shot - see how Kesley has her hands on the little boy's shoulders? She forgives quickly!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Free At Last
I'M FREE!!!
I'm free of all the doctor's visits - I'm healed!! And even better, I'm free of my old job!! Let me start from while I was on medical leave...
My old employer has a policy for paid medical leave. As payroll processor, I saw firsthand the kind of payments that were made - and I know that they have paid people 100% for 6-8 weeks. So, since I've been there as long as the people I've seen them pay that way, I figured I would be treated the same. WRONG. I only got 100% for a few weeks and then I was knocked down to just a percentage of my pay. When I called HR to ask about it, I was told that I wasn't entitled to the 100% pay for as long as the other people. THEN I was informed, rudely, that FMLA rules don't apply to me (as far as being able to be off for up to 12 weeks and still have a job to return to) because my position is one that no one else is trained to fill - I took that as a threat to my job security. After that, I was chastised for "stringing" them along - they thought every week that I would be back the next week and then they would find out that I was going to be off for yet another week. I told them that wasn't true - that I had informed my boss and another HR representative that I would be out for an undetermined length of time. It wasn't my fault if they ASSUMED that length of time would only be a week.
Anyway - this horrible conversation happened on a Friday, and I felt sick all over again afterward because I was afraid I was going to loose my job when I got better. God was watching over me though....
The recruiter I had been working with before I fell ill called me and told me that a company I had previously expressed an interest in had an opening and they wanted to interview me. By this time, I knew that I was going to be returning to work after my next Dr visit AND I was afraid I'd be losing my job, so I agreed to meet with them. The meeting went well and they called me in for a 2nd interview the day of my doctor appointment. That meeting also went very well. When I went to the doctor, I was told I could return to work the next Tuesday. I informed my current employer the same day.
The next day, I received a phone call from my recruiter stating that the new company wanted to extend an offer of employment - he told me what they were offering, and I tentatively agreed verbally. The next morning, I received an official offer letter from them via e-mail. I signed the offer letter and wrote my resignation letter to my old employer. Then I went to the plant to deliver the letter personally. I was only giving them a week's notice, partly because I was so upset at how they had treated me and partly because the new employer wanted me to start 7-2-07. They accepted the letter and said that they wanted me to work the following week so I could complete a few tasks and train someone to handle my responsibilities.
However, when I arrived to work on Tuesday, I was summoned to HR before I even made it to my desk. When I got to HR, I was informed that they had decided to accept my resignation effective immediately. I was thrilled!! I didn't really want to go back to work for them anyway - I was only agreeing to do it so that I was so unprofessional as to quit without notice. I packed up my personal belongings and came home. I just wish they would have told me that Friday when I brought the letter in - it would have saved me some gas!
When I got home, I called my recruiter and told him the news. He then called my new employer and they asked if I could start the next day. So, I started my new job 3 business days sooner than planned.
And I love it!! The people are great - the company is strong - the job will be challenging yet do-able - the pay is much better. I am so happy!! My old job had me absolutely miserable for a very long time - it's great to finally be in a happy, stable environment!!
I'm free of all the doctor's visits - I'm healed!! And even better, I'm free of my old job!! Let me start from while I was on medical leave...
My old employer has a policy for paid medical leave. As payroll processor, I saw firsthand the kind of payments that were made - and I know that they have paid people 100% for 6-8 weeks. So, since I've been there as long as the people I've seen them pay that way, I figured I would be treated the same. WRONG. I only got 100% for a few weeks and then I was knocked down to just a percentage of my pay. When I called HR to ask about it, I was told that I wasn't entitled to the 100% pay for as long as the other people. THEN I was informed, rudely, that FMLA rules don't apply to me (as far as being able to be off for up to 12 weeks and still have a job to return to) because my position is one that no one else is trained to fill - I took that as a threat to my job security. After that, I was chastised for "stringing" them along - they thought every week that I would be back the next week and then they would find out that I was going to be off for yet another week. I told them that wasn't true - that I had informed my boss and another HR representative that I would be out for an undetermined length of time. It wasn't my fault if they ASSUMED that length of time would only be a week.
Anyway - this horrible conversation happened on a Friday, and I felt sick all over again afterward because I was afraid I was going to loose my job when I got better. God was watching over me though....
The recruiter I had been working with before I fell ill called me and told me that a company I had previously expressed an interest in had an opening and they wanted to interview me. By this time, I knew that I was going to be returning to work after my next Dr visit AND I was afraid I'd be losing my job, so I agreed to meet with them. The meeting went well and they called me in for a 2nd interview the day of my doctor appointment. That meeting also went very well. When I went to the doctor, I was told I could return to work the next Tuesday. I informed my current employer the same day.
The next day, I received a phone call from my recruiter stating that the new company wanted to extend an offer of employment - he told me what they were offering, and I tentatively agreed verbally. The next morning, I received an official offer letter from them via e-mail. I signed the offer letter and wrote my resignation letter to my old employer. Then I went to the plant to deliver the letter personally. I was only giving them a week's notice, partly because I was so upset at how they had treated me and partly because the new employer wanted me to start 7-2-07. They accepted the letter and said that they wanted me to work the following week so I could complete a few tasks and train someone to handle my responsibilities.
However, when I arrived to work on Tuesday, I was summoned to HR before I even made it to my desk. When I got to HR, I was informed that they had decided to accept my resignation effective immediately. I was thrilled!! I didn't really want to go back to work for them anyway - I was only agreeing to do it so that I was so unprofessional as to quit without notice. I packed up my personal belongings and came home. I just wish they would have told me that Friday when I brought the letter in - it would have saved me some gas!
When I got home, I called my recruiter and told him the news. He then called my new employer and they asked if I could start the next day. So, I started my new job 3 business days sooner than planned.
And I love it!! The people are great - the company is strong - the job will be challenging yet do-able - the pay is much better. I am so happy!! My old job had me absolutely miserable for a very long time - it's great to finally be in a happy, stable environment!!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Long Awaited Update
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted! I've just been so frustrated at the lack of answers that I haven't even wanted to bother with creating a post. Basically, the doctors still have no idea what's wrong with me. I am, however, either starting to feel better of growing used to feeling dizzy so much that I don't notice it as badly.
Last week my family doctor told me that they had decided they're not going to do any more tests that aren't already scheduled. She said that since they'd ruled out all the really bad stuff, they can't justify running more and more tests. Whatever - I AM going to get a second opinion when that UofM doctor returns from vacation next week. She also told me that I could go back to work, but she didn't want me driving yet, so I can only work from home for the next two weeks. But my employer vetoed that idea - they said I either come back to the office or stay out on medical leave, so I'm still on medical leave until further notice.
This weekend Kelsey became ill and was vomiting a lot, so we spent the night at the ER with her Friday night/Saturday morning. The doctors gave her a shot for nausea and did an X-Ray of her abdomen. They said they saw some "glowing" spots in her bowels and that normal food doesn't glow,, so they wanted to know what she might have gotten into, such as paint chips or rocks or something. After some extensive questioning, Kelsey finally admitted that she had eaten her fingernail polish off, so the doctor said that was probably what had made her so ill.
NOT the case, though, as we found out the next night when I became ill too. Apparently we had both caught some sort of stomach bug. No worries - we're both doing fine from that now!
Last night I was back at urgent care with Kelsey. Her mother called me around 7pm and said that she had been bitten twice on the arm by a neighbor dog and that the neighbor refused to say if the dog was up on its shots or not. UGGG. That poor kid!!! So, I met her at Urgent Care and we saw a doctor. The wound wasn't too bad, it actually looked more like another child had bitten her than anything, I guess it was a really small dog. And her skin was barely even torn. The doctor gave Kelsey some antibiotics and sent her home. Kelsey taunted her mom as we left saying, "See? I told you I wouldn't get a shot, Mommy!!!" I'm just glad she was okay and it was nothing too serious. I hope those people learn to keep their stupid dog chained up though...
Today I went to the hospital for the Tilt Table Test that was ordered weeks ago and took forever to get in for. It was miserable, being strapped to a table in an upright position for 20 minutes at a time (twice) while they checked my blood pressure a million and one times. I couldn't even move to itch, I felt like a prisoner, and it made me really anxious. In the end, they found nothing. What a waste of time...but my doctor will say "At least we can rule heart problems out now".
Whatever, I just want some answers. I want to get back to my normal life and stop being trapped in my own home all the time!! At least I've got a loving husband, wonderful step-daughter, lovable dog and great friends and family! I don't know what I'd do otherwise!!!
Last week my family doctor told me that they had decided they're not going to do any more tests that aren't already scheduled. She said that since they'd ruled out all the really bad stuff, they can't justify running more and more tests. Whatever - I AM going to get a second opinion when that UofM doctor returns from vacation next week. She also told me that I could go back to work, but she didn't want me driving yet, so I can only work from home for the next two weeks. But my employer vetoed that idea - they said I either come back to the office or stay out on medical leave, so I'm still on medical leave until further notice.
This weekend Kelsey became ill and was vomiting a lot, so we spent the night at the ER with her Friday night/Saturday morning. The doctors gave her a shot for nausea and did an X-Ray of her abdomen. They said they saw some "glowing" spots in her bowels and that normal food doesn't glow,, so they wanted to know what she might have gotten into, such as paint chips or rocks or something. After some extensive questioning, Kelsey finally admitted that she had eaten her fingernail polish off, so the doctor said that was probably what had made her so ill.
NOT the case, though, as we found out the next night when I became ill too. Apparently we had both caught some sort of stomach bug. No worries - we're both doing fine from that now!
Last night I was back at urgent care with Kelsey. Her mother called me around 7pm and said that she had been bitten twice on the arm by a neighbor dog and that the neighbor refused to say if the dog was up on its shots or not. UGGG. That poor kid!!! So, I met her at Urgent Care and we saw a doctor. The wound wasn't too bad, it actually looked more like another child had bitten her than anything, I guess it was a really small dog. And her skin was barely even torn. The doctor gave Kelsey some antibiotics and sent her home. Kelsey taunted her mom as we left saying, "See? I told you I wouldn't get a shot, Mommy!!!" I'm just glad she was okay and it was nothing too serious. I hope those people learn to keep their stupid dog chained up though...
Today I went to the hospital for the Tilt Table Test that was ordered weeks ago and took forever to get in for. It was miserable, being strapped to a table in an upright position for 20 minutes at a time (twice) while they checked my blood pressure a million and one times. I couldn't even move to itch, I felt like a prisoner, and it made me really anxious. In the end, they found nothing. What a waste of time...but my doctor will say "At least we can rule heart problems out now".
Whatever, I just want some answers. I want to get back to my normal life and stop being trapped in my own home all the time!! At least I've got a loving husband, wonderful step-daughter, lovable dog and great friends and family! I don't know what I'd do otherwise!!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Some Weight Off, Some Worry On
So, I went to that appointment with the different doctor this morning. It went fairly well, I suppose. There was some good news: I'm 17 pounds lighter than I was 2 weeks ago!! Woot!!
Other than that, they still don;t really know what the problem is. The doctor suggested that perhaps it's a virus that has stuck around for a long time. The she suggested maybe I should increase my salt and caffeine intake...WOW!! Never heard a doctor suggest THAT one before, LMAO!! Apparently, she thinks that will help raise my blood pressure and as a result decrease the dizziness. I hate salt and all I drink is water really, but I guess a Coke a day won't hurt, and I'll eat some pretzels for the salt. We'll see what happens. She also wants me to do a tilt table test, for real this time, so I put in a call to schedule that and I'm waiting for a return call. I'm off work for at least another week.
After we came home, the doctor called and said that the results of the 24 hour Holter Monitor had just been faxed to her. She said that it looks like there are times where my heart skips a beat, so she referred my to a cardiologist and made an appointment for me - that will be tomorrow. The doctor says she doesn't think this is too serious, but she wants to have me see the cardiologist to make sure. I have to admit, this is scary.
That's all the news for today. I'm tired, so I'm going to lie down and read my book and munch on pretzels. I'll write more tomorrow evening after the appointment.
Other than that, they still don;t really know what the problem is. The doctor suggested that perhaps it's a virus that has stuck around for a long time. The she suggested maybe I should increase my salt and caffeine intake...WOW!! Never heard a doctor suggest THAT one before, LMAO!! Apparently, she thinks that will help raise my blood pressure and as a result decrease the dizziness. I hate salt and all I drink is water really, but I guess a Coke a day won't hurt, and I'll eat some pretzels for the salt. We'll see what happens. She also wants me to do a tilt table test, for real this time, so I put in a call to schedule that and I'm waiting for a return call. I'm off work for at least another week.
After we came home, the doctor called and said that the results of the 24 hour Holter Monitor had just been faxed to her. She said that it looks like there are times where my heart skips a beat, so she referred my to a cardiologist and made an appointment for me - that will be tomorrow. The doctor says she doesn't think this is too serious, but she wants to have me see the cardiologist to make sure. I have to admit, this is scary.
That's all the news for today. I'm tired, so I'm going to lie down and read my book and munch on pretzels. I'll write more tomorrow evening after the appointment.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Welcome to JOKEwood Healthcare Systems....
I had an appointment with my doctor at 4:15 this afternoon. Or so I thought....
We got to the clinic and Jim signed me in while I took a seat (still feeling really dizzy when standing/walking). About 15 minutes later, we heard them call my name. But they weren't calling for me to go back, they were calling so the receptionists could talk to us. They proceeded to inform us that there was no appointment for me in their computer system, and it was the girl who had scheduled the appointment who was telling us this!
Kids in the waiting room were running all over screaming, my head was pounding. Then they say they'll see what they can do to try to get me in. I told them that I need to be seen, it's be over a week since I saw the doctor last, my symptoms are still persisting, I still haven't gotten t test results from my hospital stay on 5-10 through 5-12, and I turned in paperwork to the clinic last Wednesday that they assured me would be filled out by today since it is already past due to my employer. I also mentioned that if I don't have that paperwork turned in t my employer by tomorrow morning, I stand a chance of being fired. Let me see what I can do, the lady says, and then she disappears and never comes back.
Maybe she could tell just how livid I was and she was afraid...several other nurses stopped by before the head nurse finally came and told us that they can schedule me to see a DIFFERENT doctor from the clinic tomorrow morning. I asked how that's supposed to work, since my doctor as been the only one seeing me since 5-3 and she knows what's going on with me. They said, "We'll just have this doctor take fresh look at your case." Really.... Why then, could you not have scheduled me to see this other doctor sooner? Why did I have to wait a full week to see "my" doctor, only to find out no one ever put me in the system and now I have to see someone new anyway?
These people are running a circus in there. I don't think they know their heads from a hole in the ground. All I know for sure is that as soon as that ER doctor I saw at U of M returns from her two week vacation, I'm changing doctors. I'm sick of this, and getting stressed out like this sure isn't helping my situation any.
I also know that I am going to find out who I need to speak to in order to file a complaint, and I might even see about notifying someone at a higher level than just the clinic about this. This is no way to treat a person, especially someone who's been ill for three weeks and still doesn't know what's wrong with her.
I could just scream right now....AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! I think I'm going to need to be committed to an insane asylum.
We got to the clinic and Jim signed me in while I took a seat (still feeling really dizzy when standing/walking). About 15 minutes later, we heard them call my name. But they weren't calling for me to go back, they were calling so the receptionists could talk to us. They proceeded to inform us that there was no appointment for me in their computer system, and it was the girl who had scheduled the appointment who was telling us this!
Kids in the waiting room were running all over screaming, my head was pounding. Then they say they'll see what they can do to try to get me in. I told them that I need to be seen, it's be over a week since I saw the doctor last, my symptoms are still persisting, I still haven't gotten t test results from my hospital stay on 5-10 through 5-12, and I turned in paperwork to the clinic last Wednesday that they assured me would be filled out by today since it is already past due to my employer. I also mentioned that if I don't have that paperwork turned in t my employer by tomorrow morning, I stand a chance of being fired. Let me see what I can do, the lady says, and then she disappears and never comes back.
Maybe she could tell just how livid I was and she was afraid...several other nurses stopped by before the head nurse finally came and told us that they can schedule me to see a DIFFERENT doctor from the clinic tomorrow morning. I asked how that's supposed to work, since my doctor as been the only one seeing me since 5-3 and she knows what's going on with me. They said, "We'll just have this doctor take fresh look at your case." Really.... Why then, could you not have scheduled me to see this other doctor sooner? Why did I have to wait a full week to see "my" doctor, only to find out no one ever put me in the system and now I have to see someone new anyway?
These people are running a circus in there. I don't think they know their heads from a hole in the ground. All I know for sure is that as soon as that ER doctor I saw at U of M returns from her two week vacation, I'm changing doctors. I'm sick of this, and getting stressed out like this sure isn't helping my situation any.
I also know that I am going to find out who I need to speak to in order to file a complaint, and I might even see about notifying someone at a higher level than just the clinic about this. This is no way to treat a person, especially someone who's been ill for three weeks and still doesn't know what's wrong with her.
I could just scream right now....AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! I think I'm going to need to be committed to an insane asylum.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Second Opinion
As you all know, I haven't been getting any answers from my doctors as to what's making me sick. Yesterday I had an appointment with my doctor. I was SOO short of breath I felt like I was going to pass out just from walking about 20 feet. They got me a wheelchair and wheeled me the rest of the way to the examination room. Normally, my breathing slows back down once I'm sitting or laying, but it took a while this time. There were about 5 nurses and 2 doctors swarming around me checking me out, and everything went back to normal eventually.
Sometime after my doctor came in to start talking to me, my face started feeling really numb and tingly - it was scary. She put a wet paper towel on my face and it went back to normal after about 10-15 minutes. She never did say what may have caused that feeling though.
Later that evening I decided that I was fed up with not knowing anything and that I was also growing more concerned about the worsening of my symptoms. So I called Jim and asked him if he would take me to a different ER after he got off work - he agreed that we should go in somewhere else.
When Jim got off work he took me to St. Joe's, the hospital that I wanted to go to, even though he doesn't like it. When I was taken back to see the triage nurse, she was extremely rude with me. She told me, "I can tell you right now that you're making yourself sick breathing that way - you've just got anxiety." And she said it in a very rude manner - I wanted to smack her. When she was done making me feel like I was worthless, I told Jim that I wanted to leave and what she had said.
He and Barb (my best friend, who had come up to the ER to wait with us and be there for me) both said that we should go to U of M instead of just giving up and going home like I was ready to do. So we went to U of M. Erica (my other best friend) was there waiting for us before we even got there. I felt really bad because I knew there was nothing Barb or Erica could do for me and that they couldn't really visit with me in the ER, but at the same time I was thankful to have their love and support.
The ER department at U of M was MUCH better than St. Joe's. They seemed genuinely concerned about my well being. After they finally got all of the records from Oakwood, they reviewed them and came in to talk to me. By this time they had already given me medicine for nausea, so I was pretty much out of it, I could barely hold my eyes open to talk to the doctor. So she talked to Jim instead.
She explained to him that they felt Oakwood had run the same tests that they would have started with and asked that we relay the results of the tests to her after they were received. She also explained that because my vital signs were okay and because Oakwood had already run the preliminary tests needed, they couldn't admit me to the hospital because my insurance wouldn't cover the same tests twice so close together. After this discussion, the released me and Jim took me home.
I don't really remember the trip home at all, but I know it was about 5 am when we left the ER, so it was probably 5:30 when we got home. I slept like a zombie until around 3:30 this afternoon, and I still feel like I could sleep for 4 days straight, but I forced my self to get up for a while.
It's good to know that U of M agrees with the steps that Oakwood has taken...I was starting to think that Oakwood wasn't helping me at all. So it's back to the waiting game. I'll post again when I hear some results from some of the tests that have been run so far.
Sometime after my doctor came in to start talking to me, my face started feeling really numb and tingly - it was scary. She put a wet paper towel on my face and it went back to normal after about 10-15 minutes. She never did say what may have caused that feeling though.
Later that evening I decided that I was fed up with not knowing anything and that I was also growing more concerned about the worsening of my symptoms. So I called Jim and asked him if he would take me to a different ER after he got off work - he agreed that we should go in somewhere else.
When Jim got off work he took me to St. Joe's, the hospital that I wanted to go to, even though he doesn't like it. When I was taken back to see the triage nurse, she was extremely rude with me. She told me, "I can tell you right now that you're making yourself sick breathing that way - you've just got anxiety." And she said it in a very rude manner - I wanted to smack her. When she was done making me feel like I was worthless, I told Jim that I wanted to leave and what she had said.
He and Barb (my best friend, who had come up to the ER to wait with us and be there for me) both said that we should go to U of M instead of just giving up and going home like I was ready to do. So we went to U of M. Erica (my other best friend) was there waiting for us before we even got there. I felt really bad because I knew there was nothing Barb or Erica could do for me and that they couldn't really visit with me in the ER, but at the same time I was thankful to have their love and support.
The ER department at U of M was MUCH better than St. Joe's. They seemed genuinely concerned about my well being. After they finally got all of the records from Oakwood, they reviewed them and came in to talk to me. By this time they had already given me medicine for nausea, so I was pretty much out of it, I could barely hold my eyes open to talk to the doctor. So she talked to Jim instead.
She explained to him that they felt Oakwood had run the same tests that they would have started with and asked that we relay the results of the tests to her after they were received. She also explained that because my vital signs were okay and because Oakwood had already run the preliminary tests needed, they couldn't admit me to the hospital because my insurance wouldn't cover the same tests twice so close together. After this discussion, the released me and Jim took me home.
I don't really remember the trip home at all, but I know it was about 5 am when we left the ER, so it was probably 5:30 when we got home. I slept like a zombie until around 3:30 this afternoon, and I still feel like I could sleep for 4 days straight, but I forced my self to get up for a while.
It's good to know that U of M agrees with the steps that Oakwood has taken...I was starting to think that Oakwood wasn't helping me at all. So it's back to the waiting game. I'll post again when I hear some results from some of the tests that have been run so far.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Heart Monitor
I just got back from the hospital and I have a heart monitor on now that I have to wear for 24 hours.
Man were they mad in the cardiology department.....for one thing, I should have had an appointment rather than the hospital telling me to come in whenever I felt like it Monday. For two, they should have put the monitor on me before I left Saturday instead of telling me there were none available when there were. For three, the EKG tech said they never should have released me with how bad I looked and how I was walking and out of breath. She was SOOO mad. She took down the names of the doctors and nurses that released me Saturday and she said she's going to have it investigated.
Jim says he's calling MCare to have me added to his insurance (we chose mine after the wedding because it's cheaper and I'd never had any problems with the associated doctors before) so he can take me out to U of M and get some additional opinions and hopefully some answers.
This is getting ridiculous.
Man were they mad in the cardiology department.....for one thing, I should have had an appointment rather than the hospital telling me to come in whenever I felt like it Monday. For two, they should have put the monitor on me before I left Saturday instead of telling me there were none available when there were. For three, the EKG tech said they never should have released me with how bad I looked and how I was walking and out of breath. She was SOOO mad. She took down the names of the doctors and nurses that released me Saturday and she said she's going to have it investigated.
Jim says he's calling MCare to have me added to his insurance (we chose mine after the wedding because it's cheaper and I'd never had any problems with the associated doctors before) so he can take me out to U of M and get some additional opinions and hopefully some answers.
This is getting ridiculous.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Home Sweet Home
Well, the doctors still don't have any idea what's wrong with me, but they sent me home yesterday evening anyway. I guess I was just wasting space in their eyes since I'm not critically ill.
Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital and they're going to put me on a heart monitor to wear at home for 24 hours - they think I may be having irregular heart beats when I stand, causing my blood pressure to change and me to then feel dizzy. After that's done they also want to have me do a Tilt Table test. The doctor asked if I'd ever heard of that before and I said "Yeah, I saw it on House once." She started laughing and said that was probably the worst example possible - it would be nothing like that.
It's nice to be home instead of being in that dumpy hospital room with the mean night nurse who didn't know how to start an IV. Yet at the same time, I'm going stir crazy here at home. There's so much stuff I want to do that I can't. I REALLY want to get outside and plant my flowers for this year, but I can't do that. I get worn out just going out to the backyard to sit on the swing for a while! And today I fell in my bedroom - I didn't get hurt, but it scared Jim pretty badly. He hates going to work at night an leaving me alone. I'm so thankful that I have such a wonderful, caring husband!
Okay - I need to get off here. I'll let you know when I know more. Hope all is well with all of you!!
Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital and they're going to put me on a heart monitor to wear at home for 24 hours - they think I may be having irregular heart beats when I stand, causing my blood pressure to change and me to then feel dizzy. After that's done they also want to have me do a Tilt Table test. The doctor asked if I'd ever heard of that before and I said "Yeah, I saw it on House once." She started laughing and said that was probably the worst example possible - it would be nothing like that.
It's nice to be home instead of being in that dumpy hospital room with the mean night nurse who didn't know how to start an IV. Yet at the same time, I'm going stir crazy here at home. There's so much stuff I want to do that I can't. I REALLY want to get outside and plant my flowers for this year, but I can't do that. I get worn out just going out to the backyard to sit on the swing for a while! And today I fell in my bedroom - I didn't get hurt, but it scared Jim pretty badly. He hates going to work at night an leaving me alone. I'm so thankful that I have such a wonderful, caring husband!
Okay - I need to get off here. I'll let you know when I know more. Hope all is well with all of you!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Hospital
Well, the doctors still don't have any idea what's wrong with me, so today they decided that running the tests would go a lot more quickly if they put me in the hospital.
I just got to my room about an hour and a half ago. The best part is that they have wireless Internet access and I have the laptop with me. So even though I don't feel like doing a lot of typing, I can still check my e-mails and play some games to help pass the time.
Hopefully they'll figure out what's wrong with me soon! My thanks to everyone for the well wishes and prayers!!
I just got to my room about an hour and a half ago. The best part is that they have wireless Internet access and I have the laptop with me. So even though I don't feel like doing a lot of typing, I can still check my e-mails and play some games to help pass the time.
Hopefully they'll figure out what's wrong with me soon! My thanks to everyone for the well wishes and prayers!!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Request for more writing
So, Melanie has commented that it's time for me to write some more. I couldn't agree more, I still have a lot left to write about. However, I want to first start by explaining why I haven't been writing.
To start with, the first few week days of every month are hogged by my job. This is the time when we close the books, and doing so usually consists of a 50-60 hour work week. So I usually don't feel up to doing anything but going straight to bed during this week.
To top that off, I became ill Wednesday. While I was at work, I started feeling extremely hot, weak and dizzy. I went to the nurses station and she took my temperature - no fever. So why was I so uncontrollably hot??? I wound up leaving work "early", after 9 hours rather than 12, and going to urgent care. A co-worker had to drive me because I was too dizzy.
The doctors at urgent care couldn't figure out what was wrong with me either. They verified that my temperature wasn't elevated, my blood sugar level was good, and my blood pressure wasn't too bad (it was elevated, but most likely a result of my severe discomfort), and I'm not pregnant. So they wrote me a script for an anti-dizziness medicine and told me to stay home from work the next day and follow up with my family doctor.
Stay home from work?!? During month end close?? Are they crazy??? I thought for sure that my boss would have a fit. But he didn't - he told me to do what I needed in order to get myself back to a healthy state. WOW!! That's the first boss I've ever had there who said something humane like that!!!
Thursday I went to my family doctor - again it was determined that my vital signs were normal. She then told me that she wanted to run a battery of blood tests and for me to stay home from work for the next week and follow up with her again next Thursday. So that's what I'm doing.
I'm patiently waiting to hear the results of the blood tests, and if they don't show anything unusual, I'm going to request an MRI. I have plenty of TIME to write now, but I'm not really feeling up to sitting up and writing too much. We rented a bunch of movies and got me some books and a word search magazine to keep me busy. I'm going crazy wanting to go outside, so Jim just went to the store and bought me one of those swing/hammock things to put in the backyard - I think some fresh air will do me some good! But I can't move around too much, I have to hold on to Jim or the furniture or the walls when I walk through the house or I topple over like a new born fawn (ie - Bambi at the beginning of the movie).
Well, there you have it - I'll write more when I'm either feeling better or I know more about why I feel this way!!
To start with, the first few week days of every month are hogged by my job. This is the time when we close the books, and doing so usually consists of a 50-60 hour work week. So I usually don't feel up to doing anything but going straight to bed during this week.
To top that off, I became ill Wednesday. While I was at work, I started feeling extremely hot, weak and dizzy. I went to the nurses station and she took my temperature - no fever. So why was I so uncontrollably hot??? I wound up leaving work "early", after 9 hours rather than 12, and going to urgent care. A co-worker had to drive me because I was too dizzy.
The doctors at urgent care couldn't figure out what was wrong with me either. They verified that my temperature wasn't elevated, my blood sugar level was good, and my blood pressure wasn't too bad (it was elevated, but most likely a result of my severe discomfort), and I'm not pregnant. So they wrote me a script for an anti-dizziness medicine and told me to stay home from work the next day and follow up with my family doctor.
Stay home from work?!? During month end close?? Are they crazy??? I thought for sure that my boss would have a fit. But he didn't - he told me to do what I needed in order to get myself back to a healthy state. WOW!! That's the first boss I've ever had there who said something humane like that!!!
Thursday I went to my family doctor - again it was determined that my vital signs were normal. She then told me that she wanted to run a battery of blood tests and for me to stay home from work for the next week and follow up with her again next Thursday. So that's what I'm doing.
I'm patiently waiting to hear the results of the blood tests, and if they don't show anything unusual, I'm going to request an MRI. I have plenty of TIME to write now, but I'm not really feeling up to sitting up and writing too much. We rented a bunch of movies and got me some books and a word search magazine to keep me busy. I'm going crazy wanting to go outside, so Jim just went to the store and bought me one of those swing/hammock things to put in the backyard - I think some fresh air will do me some good! But I can't move around too much, I have to hold on to Jim or the furniture or the walls when I walk through the house or I topple over like a new born fawn (ie - Bambi at the beginning of the movie).
Well, there you have it - I'll write more when I'm either feeling better or I know more about why I feel this way!!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Talking about Arkansas
Yesterday morning, Kelsey showed her toes to Jim and said, "Look, Daddy - Poppa was right, the red still isn't washing off my toes! That's why he calls me Twinkle Toes." It was so cute to see that after two weeks of being home she's still thinking about the good times we had on our trip to Arkansas!
Then today she got out of the shower and said, "When are we going back to Arkansas?"
Jim said, "You want to go back to Arkansas already? Why?"
Kelsey said, "Because it's my favorite - I want to go there everyday!"
All I could do was smile - hearing her say that just melted my heart!!!
Then today she got out of the shower and said, "When are we going back to Arkansas?"
Jim said, "You want to go back to Arkansas already? Why?"
Kelsey said, "Because it's my favorite - I want to go there everyday!"
All I could do was smile - hearing her say that just melted my heart!!!
Friday, April 27, 2007
JoJo's Boyfriend
Jim called me while I was at work today, and he was teasing me about Tony Stewart being my "other man" - but he didn't say Tony's name at first, and Kelsey got REALLY upset. This was the end of the conversation at home:
Jim: (to me) So, are you going to have your boyfriend stay the night?
Kelsey: DAD! Her don't have a boyfriend! Her only love you!!
Jim: Yes she does have a boyfriend - wanna know his name?
Kelsey: No she doesn't!! (more quietly) What's his name?
Jim: Tony
Kelsey: (gasps) STEWART?!?
Jim: Yep - can JoJo date Tony Stewart?
Kelsey: No! Her only love you!!
Jim: Can Daddy have a girlfriend?
Kelsey: No, you don't need more - you only need one, JoJo.
Jim: (to me) So, are you going to have your boyfriend stay the night?
Kelsey: DAD! Her don't have a boyfriend! Her only love you!!
Jim: Yes she does have a boyfriend - wanna know his name?
Kelsey: No she doesn't!! (more quietly) What's his name?
Jim: Tony
Kelsey: (gasps) STEWART?!?
Jim: Yep - can JoJo date Tony Stewart?
Kelsey: No! Her only love you!!
Jim: Can Daddy have a girlfriend?
Kelsey: No, you don't need more - you only need one, JoJo.
Calling Boyfriends
Okay, I'm not done posting all the stuff from the past few weeks, but I HAVE to share this conversation Kelsey and Jim had tonight!
Kelsey: (Playing with her toy cell phone) I'm calling my boyfriend.
Jim: I'll take that phone away if you're calling boys.
Kelsey: Why?
Jim: Because. Besides, you're not supposed to call boys, they're supposed to call you.
Kelsey: Well, they don't have my phone number. But I have my boyfriend's phone number.
Jim: What are you, Mrs AT&T?
Kelsey: No, I'm just calling my boyfriend.
They went on this way for a while, bantering back and forth. It was cute - but I sense that she's going to be VERY popular when she gets older!
Kelsey: (Playing with her toy cell phone) I'm calling my boyfriend.
Jim: I'll take that phone away if you're calling boys.
Kelsey: Why?
Jim: Because. Besides, you're not supposed to call boys, they're supposed to call you.
Kelsey: Well, they don't have my phone number. But I have my boyfriend's phone number.
Jim: What are you, Mrs AT&T?
Kelsey: No, I'm just calling my boyfriend.
They went on this way for a while, bantering back and forth. It was cute - but I sense that she's going to be VERY popular when she gets older!
Tea Party
One of my fondest memories about trips to Arkansas as a child is having Tea Parties with Grandma and Poppa. We would make sandwiches and cut them up really small, serve Kool-Aid from the little tea pot and eat with little bitty silverware and plates from the tea set too.
Well, we had to host one of these parties for Kelsey too while we were down there - it just wouldn't be an official trip to Grandma and Poppa's without one!
Kelsey absolutely loved it - and so did the adults. It brought back such sweet memories for me, and I'm so glad to be sharing the tradition with Kelsey now!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Easter Sunday
Okay, I know this is REALLY late, but things have been crazy-busy, as you'll see once I get all of the posts I'm behind on posted!
Saturday night we colored Easter Eggs at Grandma and Poppa's house. It was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures:
Saturday night we colored Easter Eggs at Grandma and Poppa's house. It was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures:
Sunday morning Uncle Scott, Jim, Kelsey and I got up early to go to a sunrise service on the river. It was really cold, especially for Arkansas - only 27 degrees that morning! So we bundled up and even put jeans on Kelsey UNDER her pretty Easter dress. She may have looked funny to some, but she was warm and that was the whole point!
Several people gathered at the river and we waited and waited and waited for the preacher to come. FINALLY, someone came by in a car and told all of us that the service had been moved indoors due to the weather. So we all packed up into our vehicles and headed to the church - we got there just in time for the last hymn and the final prayer. At least we had the right INTENTION - being from out of town, we weren't on the "phone fan" the previous night. LOL. Oh well, we got some really great pictures on the river bank and had some time to talk to Kelsey about the real meaning of Easter. The Bible says, "where two or more gather in My name, there is worship" - so we just had our own worship service.
Here are some of the pictures of this:
Several people gathered at the river and we waited and waited and waited for the preacher to come. FINALLY, someone came by in a car and told all of us that the service had been moved indoors due to the weather. So we all packed up into our vehicles and headed to the church - we got there just in time for the last hymn and the final prayer. At least we had the right INTENTION - being from out of town, we weren't on the "phone fan" the previous night. LOL. Oh well, we got some really great pictures on the river bank and had some time to talk to Kelsey about the real meaning of Easter. The Bible says, "where two or more gather in My name, there is worship" - so we just had our own worship service.
Here are some of the pictures of this:
After the service attempt, we had breakfast with Uncle Scott and then headed back home to take a nap before our family festivities. Kelsey hunted for Easter Eggs and we all had a blast with that! Every time she found a plastic one with money in it, she would hunker down over it to hide it as the looked inside and then she would QUICKLY put it in her bucket. She acted like she was afraid we would take her money or something, silly kiddo! Here are some pictures of the hunt:
Poppa, Uncle Scott, and Jason were working on brush-hogging the field. Poppa came in by the house on the tractor and Kelsey was just amazed by it. I told her about how he used to take Jason and me for rides on it - the next thing I knew, she was on his lap riding away, in her Easter dress and all. They were both tickled pink!!
When we came back inside, it was time to look at what the Easter Bunny had brought for us. We ALL got spoiled by that nice Bunny :-) Kelsey had two baskets and a tub full of stuff - she was really excited! Here are some pictures of this part of our day:
Of course, after this we were all getting hungry, so we finished cooking dinner and then we sat down to eat. We had ham, Swiss steak ( my FAVORITE), mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, salad - I'm sure there was even more on the table, but you get the drift. It was a WONDERFUL meal! Thanks, Grandma, for all your hard work in the kitchen - and for teaching me the recipe for the Swiss Steak, I need to try making it soon. It was so nice having everyone gathered around for dinner. The guest list was as follows: Grandma, Poppa, Mom, Jay, Uncle Scott, Jason, Jim, Kelsey, and me.
Let me just note that my Grandma is VERY particular about her table settings - they're always immaculate, and she has different dishes for ever occasion imaginable too. Well, for Easter, she even had bunny shaped salt and pepper shakers - that's how detailed she is. We had Oreo pie for dessert, and someone made a comment about the bunny shakers and what would she do if they left droppings behind (yeah, we're a crazy bunch). SOOOOO....then some Oreo crumbs were strategically placed around the back side of the shakers - it was so funny (even though it's gross), that I had to take a picture:
After dinner, Jim, Mom and I did the dishes. We all visited a little more after that, but it was early to bed in the long run - it was a big day for everyone. A big wonderful day!!
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