People I LOVE

Here are a few things in my life that I love and have made me who I am

Generation pic 19 years ago

Generation pic 6 years ago

Large family pic 6 years ago

Ma - Maternal grandmother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My grandmother means more to me than almost anyone in my life (I did say almost).  We moved in with her when I was two, so I don't remember a time that Ma wasn't a part of my every day life.  She is more like a 3rd parent than a grandmother.  I have always said that when/if something happens to her that I would need to be admitted to the psych unit, and I'm still not sure that it won't happen.  Ma has always been so active and on the go until 2-3 years ago.  She had her carotid artery stinted 4-5 years ago and we found out 2 years ago that it was completely occluded again.  She once again had the surgery, but this time it wasn't successful.  She had a mild stroke a few days later.  It took a lot out of her. 

She then started to notice that her vision was changing a year ago.  She went to the eye doctor and he immediately called The Duke Eye clinic and told her that her retina was detaching.  Well he fibbed a little to her so that they wouldn't completely freak out before she went to Duke the next day.  We soon found out that it wasn't her retina, but that it was a metastatic melanoma tumor in her eye.  Numerous testing have been unsuccessful at determining where the primary tumor is.  Now the surgeon isn't sure what it really is.  Praise God that it hasn't changed or grown in the past year.  It is stable.  And for now, so am I.  Please pray that she is miraculously healed or that it continues in the same pattern

Sunday cooking

I just spent a good three hours cooking quite a few meals for the next month.  I have been very tempted to try the once a month cooking method.  I haven't quite gotten brave enough to go there completely.  Today I browned 2lbs of turkey w/ 2 onions.  1 lb is going in the freezer.  I made chili with the other lb.  We will eat half of this and the other half will go in the freezer.  I boiled a few pieces of chicken and made enough for The Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti which I am going to freeze.  I also baked another dish of chicken w/ low fat sour cream and healthy request cream of mushroom.  We will eat that this week.  I'm tired, but we have quite a few meals ready.  I will post pics later (when my kitchen doesn't look like a bomb went off; DH will be the first to admit that when I cook I make a HUGE mess).  Luckily, since I cook, he cleans up.  He doesn't complain though.  At least I won't have to cook when I get home from work this week.

Quick Hello

I've been trying to get well for the past week, but I couldn't help dropping by here.   My beautiful DD is a featured model on one of my favorite Etsy sites.  Here's the link.  Drop by and check her out.  We are so proud

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68565315/hot-pink-fairytale-on-sale

Ear infection

So I finally went back to the dr Monday since my ear didn't seem to be getting any better.  Turns out that I have an inner and an outer ear infection.  I have to go on another 7 day antibiotic and ear drops.  Yay for me!!  I really hope that as the weather gets warmer all of the horrible sickness goes away. 

I started the meds last night and thought things were better until this morning.  I got up, heated Celia's bottle and fed the cats.  I had to take one of the cat food tins into the mud room to fill it up and when I bent over, the room started spinning and I got sooooooo nauseated.  So add vertigo to the list of things wrong w/ one of us this winter.

Oh well.  Things will get a lot better very soon. 

Such a typcal date for me......

Yesterday, DH and I went out for our Valentine's Date.  My in-laws kept DD for us (Thank God for Grandparents).  We went to The Olive Garden for lunch.  Fabulous!!!  We then went to see The Rite w/ Anthony Hopkins.  I was so sleepy in the beginning I told DH he would have to wake me up.  Something exciting happened in the movie that woke me up though.  However, when the movie ended and we stood up, I lost my hearing completely in my R ear.  I have been fighting a sinus and an ear infection all week.  I had been feeling much better, but my sinuses were definitely still bothering me.  We left and went to Target where I actually felt drunk (haven't been drunk in years).  We came home last night and laid down to watch True Blood.  I laid my ear on a heating pad and it helped some, but I still can't exactly hear.  I think it is in both ears now.  I can hear, but it is very muffled. 

So there goes my dream date, but I was still with the best husband in the world.  We only watch True Blood when DD is not in the house at all.  Not exactly the cleanest subject or language.  Good, but not for those easily offended at all.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!  hope your date goes better than mine.  

Wordless Wednesday - Cousins

Christening - Father's Day 2010

1st time for them to meet Baby Celia

6 months

Christmas 2009

13 months

Christmas 2010

ready for sickness to end

Once again, I have been absent because we have been extremely sick around here.  Celia started running a high temp last Sunday night/Monday morning.  We took her to the ped. Monday morning.  She tested neg for strep and the flu.  They told us to just keep alternating giving her tylenol/motrin and it would be OK.  Well my mom kept her for us since she had a fever.  It continued no matter what we gave her.  She stayed at my mom's during the day until Thursday, when my mom called to tell me she thought we should take her back to the ped.  She and I took Celia back to the ped Friday and were immediately sent to the ER.  She had the flu (never actually tested positive, but found out there is a 30-60% failure rate on the test) and a double ear infection.  The main problem was that she was SOOOOOOOO dehydrated.  It took 2 bags of fluids before she perked up at all.  She was so lethargic.  Once the 2nd bag was done, she was finally our Celia again.  She was playing and smiling which she hadn't done all week long. 

Thank God that she feels better, but now Mommy is sick.  :-(  I have a sinus and an ear infection.  Maybe we'll all feel better soon.  Now my mom and dad are sick as well. 

I can say that I never want to see my baby in an infant hospital gown again.  It was the most pitiful sight ever.  I thank God that we don't have a child w/ horrible health problems.  I can't imagine what that would be like and my heart goes out every time I hear of a sick little one.  I pray that we never have to deal with that and that the day will come when none of us  have to.

WW - Oldies but goodies

I think you can tell who does our photography.  Thanks Drea!!  We love our pics.