Hey!

Make sure you scroll down to catch all the blogs I just posted!! More to come soon, I promise! On the video below, you don't have to mute it just turn the volume down low! Isn't he adorable?!?!?!?

What's Coming In The Blog Ahead.........

Rusty and I had a dear friend come visit tonight (love ya Staci) so I am not going to do my full blog tonight. I probably wouldn't have gotten to it anyway! LOL

Just to give you a sneak peak..............
You might want to mute it. This kiddo can handle some noise, let me tell ya! I just loved sitting and watching his facial expressions. I promise there is more to come.

I am ecstatic to introduce you to Robert Eli Winsett.........our newest nephew. We are IN LOVE!

Transforaminal Injection #2

My second injection was done on the 24th of March. I'm a little late blogging about it but that is because the last week has been a doozy!

My second injection didn't go as well as the first. I had more pain after the injection, mostly at the site I think. Since I had both sides done last time, I wonder if that helped me to not realize the amount of pain I had. This time it was only the right side so I had another side to compare it to. I am wondering if that is one reason I noticed the difference. I also had pain in the immediate days following the injection, pain that was like what I normally have. Granted, not very bad, but it wasn't like the first injection. I will say that it has subsided and I am doing fairly well. My only main complaint is that my hips are sore from all the walking I did this last weekend!

I had gone almost two months since the last injection and it was too long. I made sure my doc new this and he said he didn't want to go longer than 2-3 weeks between the second and the third injection. My third, and final, injection will be on April 9th. I am hoping that this third injection will get me by for a long time, as in a couple of years. If not, I will be visiting with a neurosurgeon regarding a procedure called an ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion). The success rate is around 85% which is a great number. The only scary thing is that they go through your belly, move your aorta and superior vena cava and intestines to the side, and then work on the vertebra from the front side. eeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww If it would help, I'd do it. I would have to wait a while to build up time from work and probably wait to take off when it would be convenient. If the injections could get me by......

If you are interested, here's a link..............

ALIF

There are other articles to look up if you are interested. This is just the best explanation and I am a visual person as much as a literary person.

Ok, that's it. I am pretty pleased with my results. I hope it continues and I'll update again on that around April 9th!

Lots To Blog About

Let's just say that I have lots to blog about. Unfortunately, I am not going to do it right at this moment. I will try and get to it this evening but just know that you may have to scroll down to see all of the blogs. I plan on posting at least two! Subjects will revolve around my second transforaminal injection and ELI!!! Mostly about Eli though! It's gonna be hard to blog about meeting him because I miss him so much. I can smell him, hear him, and see him. It's super tough. I love him.

Gorgeous Weekend

What a beautiful weekend it was! Friday evening Rusty and I did some driving around. I was happy to not see a big ass Jayhawk floating around in Sean's yard...lol. We did see a cute, cute house for sale in Victoria. I'm holding out for a certain one....but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. Taking that big of a cut in pay when moving here has put a hold on many things for us, but we are as happy as can be.

Saturday we went and picked up my "Twilight" DVD that I had pre-ordered. I don't know why in the heck I didn't order a Blue Ray copy....but I'll get one of those eventually. After that Rusty and I did some geo-caching. It was such a gorgeous day and we didn't plan on doing many but ended up with 17 finds! We found one from EagleWings and HisMajesty that was so creative! Best of all time, if I do say so myself. We geo-cached up until about 3:45. We had discussed me getting my seventh tattoo (to cover my first) but I let that thought go since we don't need to spend money on it. We ran to Wal-Mart for a few things then to the mall to get Rusty's watch a new battery. I walked Marley over to Curt and Staci's to say hi and then came home!
Next was an evening of me and Edward. Okay, and Bella and Rusty and all the others! LOL We watched "Twilight" and then watched the 2nd disc that was very good also. Lots of behind the scenes and making of stuff.

Today was a cloudy, windy day which was nice for the things I needed to do. Rusty got up and went to the gym shortly before 9:00 (proud of you babe). I got up about 5 minutes after he left and started laundry, vacuumed, did dishes, and so forth. After all that jazz we decided to do a little rearranging in the living room (what LITTLE you can). All that matters is that the recliner is back in the living room. Just wish we could fit two! We received a phone call from my mom's neighbor, Becky. It was a nice surprise to find out that her and the girls were gonna be coming through on their way home from Montana and wanted to have dinner with us! She has two of the most beautiful girls in the world. Here's Chloe (with Becky, then alone)..........................

This is Kyla......................
They will be moving out of the country soon and we are both very sad about that! Even Rusty said so tonight after they left. Either way....we had a great time with them!! We will definitely have to get down to see them before they leave.

Rusty and I went and got a good scale so we could keep track of our weight after pound plunge is over. It is one that does body fat, hydration, bone percentage, and so forth. Let's just say that my body fat percentage isn't even listed on the chart for my age and height. How damn depressing is that? I know I am heavy but shit...off the chart??? And of course we are going to Las Vegas this week (yeah) and I know I won't eat "good". Maybe I will do a lot of walking. We are mostly going to be visiting, but hopefully I can get some exercise in. We are staying at the Hard Rock due to location and they have a fitness room so I know I can at least go work out! I have got to start running...they say that's the best.

Anyway, it's about 10:00 and I want to get to bed. I don't feel too hot and I can't take any meds due to my injection on Tuesday. Which, by the way, I am sooo ready for. I have a feeling I will be discussing surgery with my pain management doctor soon, if not on Tuesday. I had a taste of life without pain and I liked it. Many of you don't know exactly how blessed you are. Whining gets to me so easy, especially when it is about piddly stuff. I'll gladly give you a day in my shoes (back) any time.

Be thankful.

Friends

So, Rusty and I get home this evening after weighing in and all that jazz. I asked him how long we would go in Oklahoma without seeing some friends or just dropping by to say hello, whether invited or not and were welcomed in with smiles. Uh, too long to know for sure.

This evening we popped in on some friends (two different occasions) and they were all so happy that we stopped by. That's what I like about it here. You never have to have an invitation and you are never imposing. Friends are more like family here.

Rusty and I dropped by Becca's to see her kiddos and doggies. Tuck looks pretty dog gone (pun intended!) cute considering the surgery he had. Claudine stayed out back most of the time playing and Eli entertained us pretty well. Her dogs are too cute and so lovey dovey. Love me some animals!

After that Rusty decided we should stop by and see Staci and Curtis. They recently got their new furniture in. Of course they were so happy to see us and we sat and chatted for a while, even discussed maybe some plans this weekend. All because we stopped in, unexpectedly, because we knew we could.

That's some real friends folks. Always welcome, always included, and never forgotten.

Nice to meet you....

It's been a while so I feel like I am meeting you again! I have had a busy weekend, and a couple of days of EXTREME pain from my back, so I am lagging behind on my blogging. I am going to post backwards.....since my pics loaded that way and I don't want to have to mess with it!

My best friend (Tammy) from Oklahoma came to see me this weekend along with her husband (Allen). She is off for Spring Break. Her and I began teaching the same year and we were even "neighbors" at school. I can tell her anything, bitch to her, cry to her, cry with her, EVERYTHING. We had such an awesome weekend together. I got lots of Christmas gift ideas for her! We went to the Sternberg Museum and took some pics. Below...well, self explanatory. LOL


Of course, T-n-T had to give it a go!



We took Allen and Tammy out to "German Cave" near Russell. Allen could not believe the hills and beautiful view! He said he would have no idea he was in western Kansas if he woke up here one day without knowing where he was. See....it isn't all just flat and boring. Unfortunately, the geocache was missing!



Below is Rusty and Allen checking out shell fossils in the rock. This area of Kansas was once covered by an ocean and there is evidence everywhere!



Love this picture of Allen!!!! This is a beautiful area!



Here is my gorgeous husband at one of his favorite places.



Here is my best friend Tammy. I was so glad to have her here with me. I didn't realize exactly how much I missed her and the comfort level we have with each other!



Rusty and Allen at "Fort Hays". Allen is big into history so we went for the tour. We were so blessed to have such nice weather while they were here!



You can't see it in the pic below, but he actually has a toothbrush he carved into a knife in my back and he's smiling about it!!



I would be this happy in jail as long as I had my best friend with me!



So, here we are on to the next occasion to blog about. My best friend from high school, Leigh Ann, turned another year older. Below is, again, my sexy husband. I love his beard and longer hair, even if he doesn't!



Leigh's daughter Georgia!!



Leigh's nephew Carson. He is adorable.



So, I think that's all I'm gonna do for now. I need to call my dad and then get to bed. I have been trying to finish my book so I can start the others!! I love to read!

I will ask you to pray for Rusty......if my back can't be fixed he'll be having to dress me within the next five years. Yep, that bad. I couldn't even wash my feet in the shower, put on pants, or my shoes without just about killing over. Seriously. Sucks to be me some days...but more often than not, you can be jealous. My life rocks!

Ha

My husband is a freaking genius, or he's the only one with the balls to tell me. My previous post said SSJD stood for same shit, different job. Uh, folks, that would be SSDJ. Dyslexia or just being plum wore out, I don't know. I don't thikn I have hda a probelm befoer. Get it?? LOL

Tomorrow is Friday. I am excited. Not only is it the weekend....but my best friend from Oklahoma is coming to see me. We haven't seen each other since I moved in September, so it's gonna be fun. We will have lots to talk about (in person). We keep in touch every week on line but it's just not the same. I was with her 5 days a week all day long for 3 years! We are two peas in a pod but we refer to ourselves as T-n-T, both literally and figuratively. LMAO

On a different note, tonight was weigh in. I had kind of slacked off this week. I only worked out on Tuesday, Wednesday and today. Plus, I had a pop a day the whole week. I had really figured that I would gain. I was below 160 two weeks ago, then gained it back to be above 160 last week. So, I was not looking forward to weighing in tonight. I want so bad to stay below 160. Well, I guess taking the stress out of working out and actually coming home when I REALLY want to paid off. I lost 2.4 pounds this week! So, I am below 160 again. After weigh in Renee, Rick, Rusty and I went and pigged out on Chinese buffet. Way to celebrate, eh?

So, I guess that's it. Not much else to talk about other than this gorgeous new baby boy named Robert Eli! Can't wait to see him!

Been in bed since 8:15, watching TV and surfing the internet. It's now 9:20 and I think I'm gonna sign off and hit the hay. Going in at 7:30 for someone else tomorrow. Both docs in so it should be a doozie!!!

SSJD.........

............stands for "same shit, different job." Such is the life of a middle classed person striving to survive and so on and so forth. Welcome to life, huh?

DST is upon us and last night was wonderful...........except for having to get up early. The evening was beautiful (high around 70 yesterday) and it didn't get dark until almost 8:30. That means that time was lost and dinner wasn't even started until almost 8:00! I love it when the evenings get longer but that first one makes you lose track of time and then you are sitting here at 11:00 pm trying to fall asleep! Either way, spring is on the way and I will welcome the season with open arms.

This morning as I left for work, I pulled out of the garage to a smashed cat (flat!) in the road right in front of our house. Note to self: another GREAT reason to not let Keiko out of the house. We had him de-clawed when we moved here and I just don't like the thought of the busy street. I am going to purchase a halter collar and leash (ought to be a funny site). Hey, if the little shithead wants outside at ALL he better get used to it!

Marley is doing great and also notices the change in weather. She is antsy all the time to get out and go somewhere even if it's just to ride to the grocery store. I know she is living for the day we get to go geocaching again. Frankly, we are too. Just to be out in the gorgeous weather. I am really looking forward to the ones at the lake. I am hoping Marley gets to go for those too. She's a pretty good gal so I bet she does for some of them.

Since I am catching up.............
I have my next injection on the 24th of March. I was told I would be first on the list for March and I am wishing they would have held up to that. I have recently started to have quite a bit of pain and the pain that was in the back of my thigh is slowly coming back and that HURTS. That was one of the best things when I got the injection...
.....the almost instant release of that pull in the leg. It, alone, totally made it worth it.
So, I anxiously await my next injection which just happens to be the Tuesday before our trip to Las Vegas. I am hoping that the initial block lasts for a while so I have NO pain at all while we are there. Looking forward to the trip even if I am in pain! I am pretty good at putting the pain down in a deep, deep place and saving it for another time. Don't know where I got my pain tolerance but there are days I am thankful for it when no one can do anything to help me. Enough about that subject that has plagued me for 11 freaking years.

So, I am off to bed.....yes at the early hour of 9:00 pm. I am looking forward to reading my book. I have tons that Leigh Ann gave me and since they are short I can ready them pretty quick. I really need to read the one Becca gave me but I have a hard time starting such a long book when I know I have so many smaller ones! Doesn't make much sense when I could just read the long one in the time it takes for the two smaller ones. Don't know.........just one of my weird quirks! Believe me, I have plenty!

Great Things Come In Small Packages

at about 7 pounds 1 ounce! LOL

Today was a great day. There is a new baby in town.....we'll just call him Doozer. We are so thankful that he made it safely into our world and can't wait to meet him and the parents on the 26th of this month. That is too far away, but we can't do anything about it! So, that's it for me. Already late and I want to read. Darn Spring Forward has me wishing for summer days as a teacher!! ;op

Hump Day

So, I still haven't blogged with the pics I want to post and I wasn't going to tonight, but you are getting lucky! Yeah for you! Uh.........that's me above (a pic I actually like).

That's my hunka-hunka burning love there.

Things have been pretty much par for the course this week. Glad tomorrow is Thursday because that's one day closer to the weekend! Last weekend was a good one but I am looking forward to relaxing here at home. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 80 degrees here. It was a high of 82 degrees today. Of course I didn't get to see much of that nice weather since I went straight to the gym after work, but even when I got out of the gym at 7:00 it was still nice!

I'll go ahead and post some pics I have of me and some of my family! I have been told that my mom and I look exactly alike in this pic! Guess it's a good thing since Rusty once said "I hope you look like your mom when you get older." Geesh!


Here's one of my dad and I. I can NOT believe he actually smiled. He does NOT smile in pictures. When I say "smile" he grits his teeth and says "I am" while frowning as much as possible! Good to see his baby girl can still get a smile out of him!


Here we are again........with his wife Les. Don't ask me what happened to the smile! LOL
Lastly, here is a pic of Rusty and I snagging our "Cache Across America" for the state of Oklahoma. 2 down.............48 to go! We better get to traveling! I am accepting donations for those endeavors. Ha!


So, there's some of the pics I was gonna post. I have a couple more to get off the camera, not sure if they are post worthy or not. We'll just have to see how they turned out. So here's to family, the love of geocaching, and me going to my favorite place.....bed!

What Does Tomorrow Hold For Me?

I am not going to do the original blog that I had planned on. I imagine there is a strong possibility I may be getting up quite a bit earlier than what I am planning........so I best get to bed just in case. Sucks not knowing.............

I'm Still In Love With Him

I fell in love with him the very first time I saw him. It was love at first site. That's been what seems like a long time ago. He was my true high school sweetheart and I now truly believe that those types of love can last forever. Thoughts of him absolutely CRUSH me. I struggle with the fact that he is no longer with me. Instant tears and grief start a turmoil in my mind. Why do I feel that if he were still in my life everything would be perfect? I don't see how he could change the few things that need to be changed. I feel awful that when I come home I would rather have him there to greet me. How can I feel that way? How can those that await me not be the most important to me? There isn't much that I wouldn't give up to have him in my life again. When I visit where his lifeless body was laid to rest I can barely cope with the feelings that overcome me. I want him, I need him, I miss him, I can not go on without him. Why can't I focus on the good times we had? Why must I relive those last few days that he and I were together and how much he drifted away from me? He was my life so what is my life now that he isn't in it? I have to let the past go, at least the not-so-happy times. I must learn to focus on the times I had him with me and we were the happiest two beings in the world. One problem.......I constantly will compare those times to these times. That is not fair to those I love today. Regardless, he is the love of my life. Visits to his burial site do this to me every time. It causes distance in the moments after, it causes heartache, and it causes turmoil within my own mind for days to come. It causes the nights to begin with crying myself to sleep. Then that will fade also.........until the next time I visit him, causing my heart to break all over again.


More on my weekend later.