Stitches

So, I have this rash...on my face. It has been there for over a year now, coming and going. Now it seems to be staying. So I went to the Dermatologist about 4 months ago. Antibiotics, ointments and all was supposed to be better... except it isn't. So, at my visit on Cinco de Mayo, I mentioned my frustration, she took a much closer look and after many questions...mentioned Lupus...next thing I know, I am having a biopsy of one of the bumps on my left temple. And that is how I ended up with stitches... 2 of them to be exact. Needless to say, not quite what I expected when I went in that day. Should have the results back in 10 days or so. I just want some answers. Tired of dealing with this...

That's it for now, I have more to write, just too tired and unmotivated to type it out right now. Maybe later...

Alaska anyone?

Well, not just yet, but Ed will begin his journey north in 2 weeks. So of course that means a trip to Bass Pro for essentials. This trip will be a little different than past bike trips. He and Bob will actually be camping some as there aren't hotels around every corner on the Dalton Highway. So, he has been laboriously gathering all the things he will need and that will fit on his motorcycle, for camping.

Today the purchases included a battery operated fan/light combo, space saver bags, a special blanket in case the sleeping bag isn't enough and a special little gadget that is supposed to make a high pitched noise and scare any animals that might be thinking of running onto the road in front of you!! Who knew?

He didn't however buy the "Bear Spray", seriously, bear spray? Who thinks this stuff up? I had no idea how many things were essentials for camping. You have to have special toilet paper even! My job is to put together a first aid kit.

You know, in case the bears attack because they didn't buy the spray.

I am not kidding here folks, they really make and sell this stuff!

We are trying to find the best mosquito repellant, apparently the ones who reside in Alaska can carry away a moose or something. I am just a little (ok a lot) afraid of Deet. That is some powerful poison and I really don't like the idea of him spraying it on himself. Especially since they won't have access to showers EVERY day to wash it off. But that's just me...

Fortunately he and his buddies are coordinating and we don't have to purchase everything, they are going to share stuff so they don't have to carry so much. But I still shudder to think how much has already been spent on preparing for this trip...

I could probably have a great time in Hawaii for what has been spent to this point.

Again, not kidding here folks... Motorcycling is a very expensive hobby... And he has TWO of them. Of course they are very different bikes so they need very different accessories. What works for one will in no way work for the other. I may have to adopt the UPS guy, he is here that often!

Pictures, why of course I have pictures, let me just drag them out for you.

This is the firstborn, he isn't getting much attention since his little brother joined the family...



This is the newest addition. Of course he is naked as a newborn in this shot, but believe me, he has quite the wardrobe now...



I will take a pic of him when he is "fully loaded" and post it. You won't believe the difference!

90 days...

My first grandchild is due in 90 days
90 days!!
You hear 90 days all the time
90 days, same as cash
90 day warranty
90 day probation period
90 days to better abs, butts, hair... you get the picture
But now it's 90 days until....

MY FIRST GRANDCHILD!!!!

: )

DJ is on his way

That's what the cake said at Alissa's shower this past weekend. The baby is jokingly being called "Darwin Jesus" (Spanish pronunciation) by his soon to be parents. So Brek's Aunt ran with it putting it on the cake and writing it in blocks for the centerpiece. It was very cute as the pictures below show.





The shower was very nice, I was last at Debbie's house for Alissa and Brek's wedding shower eight years ago. I thought of an interesting coincidence as Ed and I were driving down on Saturday. Eight years ago, I left my Mom in the hospital to drive to Texas for a shower for Alissa and Saturday we left Ed's dad in the hospital to drive to Texas for a shower for Alissa. Thankfully the circumstances of Ed's father's hospitalization were much different than my Moms. I know, I know, I always read too much into things, can't help it, just see a lot of symbolism in things.

Speaking of symbolism, I just found out my brother and his wife are pregnant! No, that isn't symbolic, but the background and due date are. My brother's first marriage ended and he met a wonderful woman and decided to have a reversal. It worked!! And the best part is their due date... December 14th...my parents wedding anniversary! You won't be able to convince me my Mom didn't have a hand in this pregnancy! She truly is an Angel watching over us. I even found something for little DJ's room to say just that.



Kaci had this made for Alissa and Brek as a housewarming gift. I thought it was so sweet of her.



Ok, enough for now, still feeling nauseous, not sure why, going to find some crackers...

I think it was the spinach....

Yep, think I am going to have to add spinach to the list of things I can no longer eat because it gave me food poisoning. And I really love spinach! We went to dinner Saturday night with Greg Parks and his family in order to give him his District Technical Rep Man of the Year Award. All dressed up, we had reservations at Bob's Chop House in Dallas. Everything was wonderful, the shrimp especially. I didn't even order steak because the appetizers were so wonderful(and I don't like steak), I just ordered a spinach salad and their garlic potatoes for my dinner. No one else had a spinach salad. About 2 and a half hours later... well you probably know what happened. I was up and down pretty much all night in the hotel. Poor Ed, he didn't get much sleep that night either. I managed to sleep for a few hours and then it started all over again. At this point, I am doubting I will be able to attend Alissa's baby shower. Fortunately my symptoms finally disappeared and even tho I was weak and still a little nauseaus, I managed to get showered and we made it to the shower. Alissa's tummy had grown in just the 2 weeks it had been since I had last seen her. My daughter from another mother was there as well, sweet Somer! We had not seen her since her wedding. She looks wonderful and is so happy. The shower was very nice and Alissa, Brek and little DJ received so many nice gifts. She loved the bunny made from her bedding fabric. It was a nice surprise I think. We went to dinner afterwards and then all headed our seperate ways. I think we made it home a little after 11 that night.

Ed's dad had his hip replacement surgery on the 13th and did pretty well until the pain meds got to him and then we were right back where we were last fall. Ed stayed with him Friday night and I stayed with Ed's mom. On Monday he was moved to a Rehab facility to try and get his strength back and get him walking again. Tuesday morning, MaMa called to ask if I could come up. PaPa did not have a good night and she wasn't feeling well. So I started getting things ready to be gone for a while and got on the road. I was almost to the turnpike when MaMa called to say things were much better and she would rather I wait to come when he comes home and she will need more help. So I turned around, came home, changed clothes and got on the riding mower. Our yard was pretty overgrown and with the threat of rain for the rest of the week I had to take advantage of the window of opportunity. It always makes me nervous to mow when no one is home ever since the "unfortunate lawn mowing incident" of 2004. But don't worry, I learned my lesson tho and stay far away from the swingset and anything else that can trip me up. But the yard looks great and I didn't have any accidents.

Yesterday was Alissa and Brek's 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has already been 8 years since we were in Tahoe and I watched my first born marry a man she loves very much. I am so happy for them and for the family they are about to begin.

I booked our trip to Boston for May. Alissa and Brek have bought a house and my friend Cindy and I are going up to help them with the move. Of course there will be some fun and sightseeing as well! We are thinking either Bar Harbor or Martha's Vineyard. I am leaning towards Bar Harbor since neither of us have been there yet. Need to start doing some research on that....

Whew, it has been a while since my last post and it shows with how long this is. Sorry for that, guess I need to write more frequent, less wordy posts. But at least we are caught up for now!

Friends, Fish and Fun

Spent several days last week with my amazing friend Cindy. She was kind enough to let Kari and Isaac stay at her home while they were fishing with my Dad. Daddy doesn't have enough room for them and since Cindy only lives 15 minutes from my Dad, it worked well. We had so much fun, staying up way too late and just having a great time.
On Friday night we went to my Dad's and cooked all the fish they had caught. Everyone agreed it was pretty good, I stuck with the veggies, just not a big fish fan...at least not without a lot of tartar or cocktail sauce...
We came home Saturday evening after Kari left to go back to Tulsa. They flew out Sunday morning at 6am. Ed's parents took them to the airport.

Tomorrow Ed's dad is having his hip replacement surgery. Sure hoping it goes better than the surgery he had in October.

This weekend we will be in Texas for Alissa's next baby shower. Excited about getting to see her again and hopefully feel little boy Poynor kicking again.

It's another beautful Spring day here in the hills of Arkansas. So thankful...

Showered!

I had 3 wonderful days with my 3 wonderful daughters!

We shopped,we laughed,we showered Alissa and Baby Poynor and Alissa and I sang along with the Beatles! I felt my first grandson move inside his Mommy, patted the belly every chance I had,kissed all 3 of my girls goodnight 2 nights in a row and the Easter Bunny didn't have to rely on the Post Office this year!



Life is good!!