I was tough in the beginning...

I went to my second orthopedic surgeon today for the mass/cyst on my wrist.  It was not a fun experience from the start.  When my prior orthopedic surgeon's office called me with the appointment I confirmed on the phone that my appointment was for 7/14 @ 1pm.  I was in the car on my way to see my man, but I distinctly remember confirming the day and time.  Well, that following Tuesday I called to get the new doc's address and phone number and specifically confirmed the date and time of today's appointment.  Needless to say I was shocked when the CSR (clinical service representative) who finally called me to the window said I missed my appointment as it was scheduled for 11am.  WHAT?!  

Of course this happened after I signed in, waited 10 minutes and then proceeded to go up and advise I was a new patient and wondered if there was paperwork I needed to file out only to be told, "Yes.  We will call you up when we are ready for you to begin your paperwork."  I found this strange and rude, but whatever.  The blonde CSR apparently wasn't a fan and I'm sure once she found out I was over 2 hours late she became even less of a fan.

Once back in the exam room the nurse or medical assistant inquired as to the location of my x-rays.  I advised that my prior doc's office told me that I did not need them that her office would want to take their own.  She said that it was okay, but they would have used my prior x-rays.  Opps...strike #3!  

The new doctor came in, examined my wrist thoroughly.  Looked at the x-rays with me and then offered to aspirate the cyst as there is a 50/50 chance that this would take care of the problem.  I was totally down with this and originally wanted that all along over surgery.  If it doesn't work, okay...next step.  But if it does, holla~~no surgery baby.

Well, the aspiration was a little more intense then I expected.  I was tough at first.  The doc even confirmed that fact as he had the 23 gauge needle stuck in my wrist moving it around trying to aspirate the cyst.  Well, after a couple minutes of digging around and his inability to withdraw any fluid from my cyst he decided to puncture the "sac" to allow the fluid to drain from the sac in to my wrist.  When I started saying, "mother" the doctor concluded I was tough in the beginning, but that my toughness was fading.  He continued to jab around inside there and it continued to hurt.  Finally withdrawing that huge needle, the doctor started squeezing my cyst in hopes of getting some fluid to come out in the hold now in my wrist.  He then applied a pressure dressing to my wrist, told me to keep it on for a day or two, and then said he would see me next week.

Guess we will know then...my wrist was hurting, but after 800mgs of Motrin it felt a bit better.  I'm afraid it might be really sore tomorrow, so I will be taking more Motrin before I go to bed tonight, which is just minutes away!

Congrats AL for winning the all-star game & belated congrats to Prince Fielder for winning last night's all-star home run derby!  Also, congrats to my munchkin for batting 1000 tonight!  He hit all three times up tonight and was at least on base each time and scored once!  I stopped counting after 8, but know we won tonight!  Woo-hoo!!!  Way to go kids!  Especially M, who fouled twice tonight, and my munchkin~~baby, you rock!!

Popsicles in the Park

Tonight was the night we were able to meet the munchkin's new teacher!  OMG, my baby is going to be in the second grade this year.  Yikes!  His teacher is very nice and is young, which I think sometimes is good, especially with the problems we have.  We were the first ones there for her.  The other second grade teachers were there and already had kids sign in.  There seemed to be a ton of kids running around the playground.  The munchkin found some friends from "church school" (CCD) and then found a kid that was in his class last year at the old school.  I don't know if it was just me, but his mom didn't seem happy to see us.  Oh well....get over it!  Especially after I determined who this little boy was...he was the one that encouraged my munchkin to use not so nice language (dog poop, poop-poop, basically anything related to poop).  So now I need to determine...do I email the new teacher and give her a heads up as to these two, because we know they will want to sit next to one another...  Ugh, stress already?!  Doesn't the kid know what stress does to my blood sugar?!

Speaking of such...I took it tonight before I ate dinner, which is when I'm trying to take it...before I eat and before I take the 2nd half of my pill and it was the lowest it has ever been...169!!!!!!  I was so excited, especially since this morning it was 302.  Yikes!  Apparently taco bell is out (Sunday night's dinner) and turkey smoked sausage is in (today's lunch)!  I was talking with my aunt and she said she thinks I'm just really sensitive to sugar until I get my stuff under control or she said I could be like that from here on out.

An example of confusion with diabetes...my dad (adoptive/step) is a diabetic (yes, Mr. Skinny who is about the same size as my man who weighs in at 150lbs!) and my mom said that he could eat a donut and his sugar barely goes up, but he could eat a piece of pizza and it will skyrocket.  Or like my papa, he could eat cookies and his sugar only went up a little, but he could eat a small orange and his blood sugar would skyrocket.  It is a confusing thing and I'm just trying to learn what triggers my blood sugar and what doesn't.  I know I won't be able to be perfect all the time, but I am working on getting it down to around 100 and trying to maintain it.  

I am proud of myself...tomorrow will be a week since I first took it and that night it was 397...tonight it was 169, pretty damn good if you ask me!  ;)  Hell, the fact that I haven't had a regular coke in 6 days is a HUGE thing for me!

Last Practice of the Season

Well, today is it.  It is munchkin's last baseball practice of the season.  I'm very excited that this is the last Sunday that I have to get dressed and go somewhere.  And of course our last practice has to be our worst.  The munchkin has hit his brick wall when it comes to baseball this season.  Funny thing is...while I think about it now, last year the only game he missed was the last game of the season, so I guess we need to shorten the season by one week for him.  

But the best part of today's practice was the fact that my second favorite team member got her first hit all season today!  This little girl is just so neat and when her dad, who graduated high school with my man (small world), told me that she was high functioning autistic I almost fell off that ass-injuring bench!  You would never know it until someone tells you.  She is just really neat and my heart goes out to her.  She has been upset because everyone has hit the ball at least once and she hasn't.  Well honey, you did it today!  Congrats M!!!  Way to go girl!

2 games to go this week and baseball is over....woo-hoo!

Calling All Trekkies

Gosh...I hope I spelled that correctly.  Well, today (Saturday) we opted to take the munchkin to the our city's Science Center for the Star Trek Exhibit.  First of all, we are not trekkies but we thought this could be fun and my son thinks he could be a trekkie.  As for the exhibit itself, I was not impressed.  Actually, I was disappointed.  I expected more or different or something.  It was not worth the cost and maybe if you are in to Star Trek and do not have a 7 year old rushing you through the exhibit so you could stop and look at the uniforms, gadgets, etc. and read about them and the actual history of the series.  

But...the money was well worth the 3 other floors of hands-on fun we were able to experience!  That made up for the not so great experience with the exhibit.  We ended up spending 5 hours at the Science Center and less than 30 mins at the exhibit, so what does that tell ya?!  

The munchkin's favorite thing was the 4D Toyota Theater with the simulator seats, the spraying water, the blowing air and the smells!  That was my favorite too.  We also went to the planetarium, which was exactly what I remembered.  We enjoyed that too.  

After we finished there, the munchkin opted to head to the local Hard Rock Cafe for dinner over my vote of our favorite chips & salsa place.  Oh well...  It was still really good.  The Hard Rock isn't my first choice, but they have decent food and great tunes while your munching!  And I will admit, I had a sirloin and it was delicious!  

By the time we got home we were pretty exhausted.  I hope you had a great Saturday too!  

Bad Coworker?

Okay, in my position there are 3 of us.  We all basically do the same job.  There are always little twists and turns but the basics are required of all of us.  I always feel like I get more work than the other two and get the more difficult assignments, but in all honesty I'm sure they feel the same way and none of us know what the truth really is to that statement.  

When I entered the office I had 8 closing memos to do on my desk.  One of my fellow paralegals has been swamped all week with closing memos to do, practically buried.  The two of us went to lunch together at 2pm and I had mentioned earlier in the week that if I got caught up and finished my closing memos (I did 12 prior to today) I would come and get some of hers to do too in order to help her out.  So when she inquired how my closing memos were coming I lied and told her I was about half way done with them.  The truth was that I was finished with all of my closing memos...

If I wasn't so far behind on my own personal stuff I would have helped her, but I knew it was my opportunity to get some of "my" stuff done plus I had done 20 of my own closing memos.  No one offers to help me and to be honest...if I didn't have to write out bills, balance my checkbook, etc. then I would have happily taken some off her hands, but I promise if I'm on top of things and have time this coming week I will help when I can.

So, am I self-ish and a bad coworker or what?!?  LOL

Blood Sugar Results

So Tuesday night I was able to test my blood sugar for the first time and I almost died at how high it really was.  Of course I hadn't really been paying attention to anything because I was so preoccupied with my procedure.  I was super scared of my procedure and to be honest, I'm really glad that I was able to cancel it and am treating my problem medically instead of surgically and it is really working.

Well, my first blood sugar test (after eating for the day, of course) was 397.  YIKES!!!!  Of course I had coke and apple juice, etc. because I was on clear liquids for the first half of the day!  So far my test results, in order, have been:

397--pm

310--am

256--mid-am

264--pm

239--am

203--pm

319 (apparently marinara sauce isn't good for me either!)--late-pm

242--am

223--pm

222--am

I have been trying really hard not to have any sugar and watch what I'm eating.  I'm doing the best I can for now.  That is all I can ask for, right?  I am also on the medication only half of the amount people normally are.  

Scheduled Day Off

So obviously I scheduled today off from work because of my procedure.  Well, since I canceled the procedure I opted to go to work today since I have so much to do.  Of course after working 10 hours straight today, I'm not sure how I could have afforded to take the day off form work, because I'm still swamped even working 10 hours I wasn't suppose to today!

Prepping for a test that doesn't happen

Well today I started prepping for my procedure tomorrow.  That consisted of eating a strictly clear liquid diet all day today, then consuming some pills around 4pm when I get home from work and then at about 8pm I need to drink some nasty stuff to empty my system...

The surgery place was suppose to call me first thing in the morning to give me my start time for tomorrow's procedure.  By late morning no one had called with a time, so I called and after talking to the nurse I was becoming less and less sure about this procedure.  Especially when she told me it wasn't going to solve/fix the problem I was having and that I would have to wait three more weeks doing certain unmentionables to ensure a continued clean system weekly and on the third week have a second procedure done.  So I called to talk to the surgeon but was told he couldn't talk to me but could see me at 4pm.

After some discussions with my aunt, the nurse, and my mom we opted to cancel the procedure and my appointment with the doctor and seek another doctor for a second opinion.  So I did.  Especially when the doctor's office made the statement, "I don't know why the nurse told you that.  She shouldn't have, because we don't even know if we can repair your problem."  

Um yeah...I'm not going through all of these procedures for something that I was under the impression that could be done in the office.  Call me crazy, but I'm not down with those types of invasions, especially if you can't fix my problem.  What is the point?!  

At least this allowed me to go to the munchkin's baseball pictures and game tonight!  :)

Returning After a Holiday Weekend

Back to the grind today! I love my three day weekends, well actually this one was a 4 day weekend. But I hate coming back to work from it. I think I was made to not work but my bill collectors disagree.

Of course it would really help if we weren't so damn busy at work these days. I'm not sure why, but we are just getting slammed every single day. Of course it doesn't help that I'm needing to miss some work for all of my medical issues...that just makes it busier for me. :(

Who else feels like once the 4th passes summer is almost over. :( I have less than 7 weeks before I'm back to school. Yikes!! This summer is just flying by.

Our 4th of July

Yesterday went better than anticipated. I scheduled our BBQ for late because my bro's maybe wife had to work until 5pm and wanted to take a shower before she came over and my aunt had to work until 7pm, so I decided on a start time of 6pm and with my family that meant people would arrive around 6:30pm.

Our menu was simple:

**hot dogs, hamburgers & brats

**baked beans

**macaroni salad

**spaghetti salad

**potato salad

**chips & dip

**ice cream cake & a strawberry cheesecake thing for dessert

The attendees were: my munchkin, my 2 aunts, my uncle, my mom, my dad, their best friends, my bro, his woman, their two kids and me.

We had great conversation, a wonderful cookout and some pretty sparklers. It was a super fun 4th of July except the mosquitos. My goodness, they were horrible...so 10 bites later we moved the party inside until sparkler time!

The only "bad" thing that happened all evening was when my uncle and bro sprayed some bug fogger and my uncle had a bad reaction to it. His left hand began to tingle and go numb, his chest tightened and he had an immediate headache. His remaining time was in the house trying to feel better. It took a while. He makes me nervous with his heart condition....I sure hope that he gets better soon....

Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July and is able to spend it with their loved ones! I bought our fireworks and have the hot dogs ready to go!! Woo-hoo!!!!

Movies and Mohawks

Today was my day with my munchkin!  And I have to admit, I loved every single minute of it!  Sometimes it is difficult to spend the day with my son, but I have been waiting for today for a while so I was happy to do it.  We went to the movies this afternoon and saw Ice Age 3D and it was a blast!  Then after that I took him to my stylist and did for him what he has been begging for...I let him have a mohawk!

This is so out of character of me.  I don't mind other people having mohawks or funky style...heck, I'm the girl that for years had a purple streak running through the back of her blonde hair, but this isn't what I want for my son.  But I finally gave in...my baby now has a mohawk!  And I do have to admit that I love it!  My stylist out did himself.  He promised me I would be happy with it and I totally am!  

Of course I totally forgot to take my camera and after the cut we did dinner with my aunt and they went off to see fireworks and stay the night with her so I can sleep in and get ready for our cookout/birthday party tomorrow.  Hopefully she remembers to take his picture so I can send it to my man...he is never going to believe I did this!  hehe  

Munchkin, I love you and I think you should always be an individual; however, you must learn to conform too...if I can teach you that, I'm going to be happy.  Enjoy your mohawk baby and thank you for spending the day with me today!

My Rock Bottom

This morning I had to report to the hospital at 7:00am for two tests. The first being an abdominal ultrasound and the second being a hidascan. I made it through the ultrasound and then started the hidascan. An hour and a half in to the hidascan as they started the CKK and gave me the first 3 minutes someone decides they need to have the onstaff radiologist look at the ultrasound to make sure I do not have a gallstone. So I sit there with 1/3rd of the CKK pumped in to me with the other 7 mins worth waiting to go in and had to miss a call from my man while she runs to the radiologist.

Three minutes later the tech comes back to tell me I'm done for the day. WHAT??? I've already been through the hardest part and been nauseous and now you are going to "dismiss" me?!? Ugh. Apparently, if there is a gallstone or an inability to clarify if a gallstone exists, they run the risk of pushing that gallstone through with the CKK. The radiologist was unable to determine if there were gallstones or not, or so the story goes, and it is too risky to continue the test.

I decided to go and follow up with my PCP, get the results of 2 of my tests, to see what he had to say about them stopping my hidascan today and address a new situation that arose a week ago. Well, that is when I started to hit my rock bottom. The new situation has progressively gotten worse and has been bleeding for almost 7 days, so when he inspected that he advised I needed to see a surgeon immediately, as in this afternoon. So an appointment was made for 2:00pm. Then he looked up my bone scan and that came back fine.

My blood work on the other hand...not good at all. I am now a diabetic...this is only the 4th time I've said those words. And each time I do I come to tears. It isn't to the point of being on insulin or anything like that and actually my blood work is only 1 point over the high end. So it is only the beginning, but I must get control over the situation now!!!! Of course related to this, my liver enzymes are a little elevated too. Ugh... So he tells me I need to start an oral diabetic medication, change my diet and start exercising. I will need to check my blood sugar twice a day. Doc also said that he would be sending my results to an Endocrinologist and also questioned if I was ever diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome). I was years ago and then the next OB/GYN told me I didn't have it...how the hell am I suppose to know?!?

Of course all of this is on top of the elevated blood pressure and swelled feet.... Ugh...talk about frustration! My PCP said he will wait for my ultrasound and hidascan results to come in to move forward on the whole gallbladder/stomach issue...so that hangs in the balance.

In between my PCP and my appointment with the surgeon I called my aunt and lost it. I'm so mad at myself and really disappointed. So I talked to her and then told her I'm just not in a position with the holiday weekend coming up to deal with this situation yet. I know that probably sounds horrible, childish and a total excuse, but I'm just not. I didn't even consider this would be the type of news I would be getting today. And I was feeling like every time I went for something or talked to someone it got worse.

Since I had not ate since last night at 8pm and it was noon I was starving. Heck, I hadn't had anything to drink since 11:30pm. I was dying of thirst too. I also had about 2 hours before my next appointment, so I went to a local sports bar to grab a burger and a coke (yes, I know these are soon to be non-existant in the immediate future) and that is when my man called. I lost it again while talking to him. He put an immediate stop to that. He repeated the same exact things my aunt told me. How there are other circumstances affecting this outside of just the things I've done alone. He told me to think of those things before I sit there all upset and kick my own butt. He also said that I can change it and it is only 1 point over, not 100, so not to let it defeat me and to turn around and kick its ass, instead of my own. He and my aunt are totally right.

So off to the surgeon I go...well, I thought something was going to be done right then. It wasn't. He has to scope it and then fix the problem, but he wants to make sure it isn't something more than what we are praying it is. So that is suppose to take place on Wednesday this week. Another day, another dollar. :( So it appears I will be having a surgical procedure done this coming week. And less than a week later I go and see the 2nd ortho... I mean obviously these are issues that need to be addressed and I have to take care of the problems, but what really sucks is that I'm missing time from work and it is all unpaid, because I'm out of time-off.

So now...I'm like living on credit and stressing over paying bills. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but it is summer time and I'm paying for daycare too, which is an extra $540+ a month. I'm not even looking forward to balancing my checkbook this weekend, but I might as well face that music too... I say, let's put it all out there so it can be dealt with.

Maybe America's Independence Day this year will be my independence day too....

...but I'm pretty exhausted so the munchkin and I are off to bed in the next hour.

Welcome July

Another day, another month.  Another walk from the parking garage that I survived.  I'm beginning to get back in the swing of things with being back home from my visit.  It usually takes me a few days to get back to basics.  Of course I'm starting behind the 8 ball in more ways than one.  I'm totally out of sorts...

I think we all must hit rock bottom before we can go up and this month is shaping up to be my rock bottom...

Back to Work

When I left work last Thursday, early for the ortho, I had a list of what I had left to do:

1. 10 closing memos

2. 1 ROR letter

3. 77 emails to paste in to our computer file

4. 1 file to refer to an outside counsel

So I had hopes of jumping in to those things when I returned today.  Ha!  I should know better, but there is always hope!  After I walked to work (yes, I am still walking from our horrible parking garage) I grabbed my incoming mail out of my in-box and sat down to see what I had "new" added to my above list.  After I open all of the mail from my in-box I discover that one of my piles grew, so I discover that my boss's secretary hasn't learned that an in-box does have a purpose, really.  So when I thought I was done adding to my list I had to open more mail...Ugh.

I discovered that my mail brought me 9 new files to deal with.  So all I did was deal with my new files and never even had an opportunity to touch my left-overs from last week.  Got to love work...  My LSBFF has told me to stop planning things at work because they always get screwed up.  Maybe some day I will learn.  C'est la vie!

The Ride Home

Well, I drove home today and it was truly amazing to leave at noon and be home before 6pm!!  Woo-hoo!  But needless to say I'm totally exhausted.  My ride home is almost always very emotional.  I hate the thought of coming home, but when I walk in and see my munchkin's face I'm happy to be here.  I will just be happy when I can experience both and not be sad for either one at any time during my travels....

A Tearful Goodbye

Well, today was it.  I had to say goodbye to my man and it was so hard.  I've had so many visits and trips to see him, but I have never broke down during the visit or in the visit room...now when I'm out in my car that is a whole different story, but this time was different.  I knew all day while we visited that I was having a hard time keeping it together, but I kept trying.

About 40 mins before our visit was over I just lost it.  I mean totally lost it.  Tears dripping off my face landing on my honey's arm.  I couldn't stop either.  I had my face buried in his shoulder and everytime he touched me I think it made things worse, even though he was trying to make it better...finally he knew exactly what to do to make it stop...make me laugh!  LOL  My man started to crack little jokes and made me laugh and was able to get the tears to stop.  

I told my man if I didn't turn around after I walked through the first set of doors when we said goodbye, it was because I couldn't bring myself to.  The reasoning was because I didn't want to upset him.  The thing about prison life is the fact that he cannot cry, so why am I going to push him to cry or put it in his face.  I wanted him to know and I needed to say it out loud so we were on the same page.  

I was kind of upset because every other night the CO announced a 10 or a 5 minute warning before visits were over.  Tonight, we received a 1 minute warning.  Maybe he saw how upset some of us were and didn't want us to agonize, I don't know.  Anywho, we got that last minute warning and I thought I might be sick, because it seemed to happen so quickly!  I took our Uno cards up to the desk, grabbed our paperwork and my man's ID, and walked back to him.  And then it happened.........my man grabbed me, pulled me to him, looked me in the eye, told me he loved me and then kissed me.  OMG...it was a kiss of all kisses.  It was a hard, passionate, dirty kiss...the best you can have in the situation we were in.  It curled my toes and needless to say, he wasn't the only one to moan tonight.  He couldn't have gave me a better kiss!  When we finally ended the kiss, we embraced for a deep hug, expressed our love for one another and then I had to walk away.  When I got to the first set of doors I had tears streaming down my face and my legs were shaking...after I checked in with the CO in the control room before I had to go through the next doors I knew I had to turn and look at my man.  With a smile on my face I turned and blew him a kiss and mouthed, "I Love You!"  I wanted him to know I was okay and for him not to be too upset tonight while we were both alone...

I hate leaving him there even though when he comes home he will not be coming home to me.  It is just different.  I hate having to leave alone and knowing I won't be able to see him for another 3 months...that phone calls are intermittent and limited and that letters never come and go fast enough.  I just hate saying good bye with tears, heartache, a kiss and a last "I love you."  

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! She knew I wouldn't be in town and I did call and leave her a voice mail wishing her a Happy Birthday! We will be celebrating next weekend when we do a dual 4th of July cookout and a Birthday celebration. :)

I know my mom and I have been going through a difficult time, but every now and then we have a great moment and seems like the days of old...but regardless I wish her a Happy Birthday and I will always love her and be thankful that she had me...

Happy Birthday Mom! Love & hugs to you.

Conveniences taken for granted

It is a matter of convenience.  We all have them in our lives and some of them you get so used to you can't even imagine your life without them.  In my normal life I keep long hours and count on my local Wal-Green's.  Whether I need a coke, soap, a book or a medication that is behind the pharmacy counter, I head to my local Wal-Green's because I know that they will be there for me.  Well, I guess I began to assume there was a Wal-Green's in every town that would always be there for me.  I was wrong...

Last night I attempted to go to the local Wal-Green's and RiteAid to get my allergy pills, which are maintained behind the counter.  Well apparently they close at 10:00pm, because at 10:02pm they were both closed.  I knew I would have to wait till morning.  I showed up when they opened at 8am, but there was still no pharmacist.  I would have to wait another hour.  So I went to breakfast and then returned for my allergy pills.  Once I had those I was ready to go and see my man.  

We had 10 hours of visitation today.  It was wonderful.  We spent the first 6-8 hours talking and then decided to try our hands at Uno.  OMG...I haven't played Uno in forever!  It was so much fun.  We both did remark how we were together for years and would never have picked up a set of Uno cards to play, but we both love it.  Plus it is something that the kids could play too.  

Our 10 hours together were fantastic.  I was so happy we were together.  My only concern was/is my stomach and the complications I seem to be experiencing.  But I will admit that leaving tonight was really hard...I was on the verge of tears for the last 30 mins I was there to visit and once I was back at the room, my verge continued on the edge.  On top of this, we only have 10 hours left with one another and then we have to say goodbye again...

Honey, I'm back...

This morning I left my house knowing I had to get my oil changed and my tires rotated before I hit the road.  I left my usual time and went down to my local Ford dealer and signed up for my oil change and tire rotation.  I was told it would take an hour.  I was on the phone with my man and we were shocked at how long it was going to take, but we continued our conversation.  We were both excited to see one another later that day.

Well, at the 45 minute mark the service guy came out and asked me where the lock was for my wheel locks.  Duh!  I totally forgot that I had those on.  I gave him a couple of options of where to look in the car, but as soon as he walked away I knew it wouldn't be there, but my feminine products would be.  Opps!  Finally in the end I told him nevermind, I would locate the lock and come back later on.  After an hour and a half I was finally on the road!

I was very excited to see my man that afternoon so I put the pedal to the medal and was off...  This was an exciting trip since it was at his new facility.  It was also going to be a faster trip up and down, because instead of being 10 hours one way it was only going to take 5 & 1/2 hours one way!   Of course the whole snafu with the oil/tire situation put me on the road later than planned, so I did not get a chance to go to the room before visiting started, so the first thing I did when I hit the area was go and see my man, without my hair did or my makeup on!

It was so good to see him.  Five whole hours that night!  I was so happy...we kissed, hugged, held hands, talked, laughed, listened...  It was great.  The COs were very relaxed too.  The most shocking thing was my man was bald!!!  He shaved his head.  I couldn't believe it!  He looked great though.  I just wish I could have reached over and rubbed his head, but that was not allowed...  

I was so happy to see my man, but sorry to have to go so quickly.  But alas, the clock struck 8:30pm and we had to say our goodbyes for the night.  I hated leaving him there, but I'm glad I could go in the morning to see him again.  Off to the room I went and then off to dinner alone.  That is the hardest part.  You go and you are with your loved one and feel so complete and then you have to leave and go and eat alone or go back to the room alone and lay down alone...  That alone is some of the hardest alone, but we get past it so we can go back the next morning full of smiles.  :)

PS:  My munchkin lost tooth #3 today!  Way to go munchkin...  :)  

Tornados & Limbs

I left work early today to appear for my appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.  My appointment time was 2:30pm.  I was not told to appear early for paperwork, so I was on time and was shocked when I walked in to the office and saw 17 people sitting in the waiting room.  Are you kidding me?

Of course I had a full afternoon planned.  I figured I would be out of the doctor's office no later than 3:15pm.  This would allow me to go to the drug store and to get my oil changed and tires rotated before my appointment at the salon at 5:oopm.  Well, since I didn't get out of the surgeon's office until 4:15pm, my plan fell apart.

Of course when I walked out of his office, I hadn't ate yet for the day and the sky was a dark blue filled with horrible looking clouds.  So I ran to grab a quick bite and made my way to the salon since if I did anything else I would have been late and caught in the rain.  So I was sort of hoping I could get an early start at the salon.  Well, I was there but my girl wasn't.  She was at lunch.  Then the rain started...and then the tornado sirens went off.  

Needless to say, I did not get half of the things accomplished that I wanted to and I did not get an early start either...such as life.  But hey...my manicure and pedicure looked perfect and my waxing went great and my facial was relaxing...can't ask for much more than that!  ;)

Oh yeah...the doctor's appointment lasted all of 5 mins for a decision to be made that I need surgery on my right wrist, but I need another doctor...one that works out of a hospital not in my hometown.  We, as in the family, do not like to go there since they killed my grandmother a few years back...so I have another appointment with another orthopedic surgeon next month!

LSU wins national title

In the hopes of my munchkin watching baseball to learn more about the game and at his request when flipping it around, we landed on the College World Series Finals-Championship Game.  Well, he went to bed and I've been sucked into the game.  Well, now I can converse with the rude grandpa at the munchkin's baseball game next week about the fact that LSU won (over Texas) and add my opinion on the crack of the aluminum bat vs. the wood bat (from back in the day!).  

As for the rude grandpa...that is for a future post!

A pain in the butt?

I am starting to realize I'm old...  Last night the munchkin had a baseball game and apparently sitting on the metal bleachers 4 times a week for 2 hours each time has finally gotten to me.  After sitting there for 2 hours last night sweating our asses off, I commented to my aunt that my butt hurt.  Well, I woke up this morning with a pain in my ass...not the usual "pain in the ass" but a literal pain in the ass.  I'm not sure why, what or how, but it has hurt all day today.  I'm chalking it up to very uncomfortable bleachers for several hours several times a week, a big butt and being old.  I hope I will wake up tomorrow with not quite such a pain in my ass!

Well, tomorrow I go to the orthopedic surgeon in the afternoon.  Then I'm going to get a manicure, a pedicure, my eyebrows/lip waxed and a facial.  Then I have to pack for my weekend with my man!  Woo-hoo!!!  I'm very excited.  I'm also hoping that they have comfortable chairs and I do not have a continuing pain in my ass!

PS:  I walked day #2...the hottest day yet...and I survived again!  Woo-hoo!!

I walked and I survived

Today I decided it was time to stop forking out money to park right next to my office building and to park where my parking is paid.  That and I'm broke.  LOL  Well, I picked one of the hottest days to take on this challenge, but I walked it and survived...both directions!  It wasn't horrible, but I still do not understand why my employer has to stick us in a parking lots that skeeve me out!  Ugh...

Oh well...tomorrow it is suppose to be even hotter and my fat ass will be walking the streets twice...to and from my office to my car!  Feel free to step over me if I fall out.  ;)

Bone Scan

Well, I had to leave work early today for medical tests.  Today was the bone scan.  It took 4.5 hours.  I had to go and register at 3pm, be injected with dye at 3:30pm and the scan was suppose to take place at 7pm.  It actually did not get started until 7:15pm  I was still home by 8pm.  

The test wasn't hard or anything, but I sure wish someone would have told me ahead of time that I did not have to stay there once the dye was injected in me.  Oh well...I got a kick ass parking spot, hauled my bag in so I went to the cafeteria and went through some of my papers and wrote a letter to my man.  

Then at 6:40pm I headed back to radiology and finally went in to be scanned to see if I have any broken bones that would contribute to the pain I'm having in my side.  Of course I did get concerned when the tech kept needing to clarify which side I was having my pain...  He did say results would be ready in 48 hours.  I couldn't get them to understand that this was being done only to rule out a fracture.  So I said thanks and came home.  

This is just one of many tests in these next two weeks...

Happy Father's Day!

Just a shout out to all of the Dads out there!  Holla!

Munchkin had a reading at church this morning in honor of all fathers and this afternoon we all went to his grandpa's for a little pizza over the fire cook out!  Yummy....  It was fun, but I was kind of a bitch in the beginning.  I didn't change after church because my parents do nothing outside, so I was not happy when I got there and they wanted to sit outside...next to a fire...in 88 degree heat.  

Then after my brother finally showed up, over 30 minutes, I asked him what the 4 of them wanted on their pizzas.  Of course, my brother being himself replied that they were having friends over so they weren't staying.  HUH?  It is Father's Day...you don't come over for five minutes, refuse dinner which was always the plan, and say that you are having friends over.  Whatever...but apparently he kept telling the wife to go in the house and finally she blew up at him and told him she didn't want to go in the house and why did he want her to go in the house so bad and if he was so obsessed with the house he could go in there!  LOL...

A week ago tonight while shopping for father's day cards the munchkin asked if he could buy his Daddy a card too.  I told him absolutely and only did it after I had previously talked to the munchkin's psychologist about the situation.  So he picked out a card, but when we tried to find it Tuesday night to write it out to mail out it was gone.  I thought he handed it to me and I put it with the cards I was buying for my man, my dad and my uncle, but it never made its way to the check out or home.  Needless to say my munchkin was crushed.  So we had to rush and find an alternative option.  Thank goodness Chuck E. Cheese had sent an email earlier that day about Father's Day cards.  I printed it out, the munchkin colored it and I mailed it.

Of course thanks to the budget crisis in our state Friday was a state induced furlough day and therefore there was no mail received by my man and in turn he didn't receive any of the mail I sent Tuesday or Wednesday, including my long-ass letter or our father's day cards.  :(  Hopefully he gets them tomorrow!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day and was able to spend time with the fathers in your life...  Happy Father's Day & Love to the Daddies!!

A Soccer Picnic to a Baseball Bat and Golf Balls

Today was the annual soccer picnic for the munchkin.  And it was a blast!  I didn't get to participate and watch my munchkin as much because I offered to be the volunteer parent for my son's team for an hour.  I knew no other parent was going to step up and since I wasn't sure if Coach was going to be alone there with his son and I could not expect him to work for an hour after all he has done in the last year for us.

So I worked while the munchkin went with my aunt and played and then the last ten minutes of my hour the munchkin picked up his lunch and ate, so that way when I was done with working and ready to eat my lunch he opted to go and play.  I guess we weren't very coordinated.  As I finished eating and walked out to meet them to watch him play on the huge blow up things those two are walking back and the munchkin is ready to leave because another kid pushed him while they were playing in one of the bouncy houses.

Off we went and we wound up at a Play it Again Sports store.  We picked up a new bat for munchkin, which fits him much better.  And I picked up a mit in the hopes that we will play a little catch.  Of course my munchkin who plays baseball and soccer was more interested in picking up golf clubs and balls...go figure!  I think if munchkin could he would play every single sport out there!  

A Night Off

Finally a break...It feels like for weeks now we have had something to do every night until tonight!  Monday night was dinner with friends, Tuesday and Thursday nights were baseball games and Wednesday night was a parent vs. players soccer game.  So it was awesome that tonight all that we had to do was grab dinner and sleep!  

Of course it was another stressful week, especially since my boss was in London for the last 10 days and the person covering for her needs to begin taking Airicept.  It was very stressful and I'm so glad she will be back on Monday!  What happened to the days when your boss going on vacation meant you almost had yourself a little vacation?  Apparently they do not exist any more.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and welcome back Boss-Lady!  ;)

Sponsoring a Sponsor

Tonight was the second baseball game for my munchkin this week.  It was a rough one for him too.  He just doesn't do well at night.  :(  So those 2 hours are really long for us and afterwards all we want to do is eat dinner and go to bed.  This year's sponsor is a local pizza place that none of us have been to, so we decide Thursday night to go there hoping we could just order and eat there, come home and go to bed.

Of course there is no place to eat inside, so we place our order, wait for 15 mins and then bring it home.  OMG...it was the best pizza I've ever had.  I couldn't figure out why it was so delicious until I discovered that all of the ingredients were fresh.  They cut up their own toppings and don't process it.  As we inspected the pizza we discovered that all of the green peppers and onions were cut in different sizes...oh yeah, so was the ham!  

I'm glad we discovered this new pizza place and we could support the munchkin's sponsor!

Doctor, Doctor

Well, I had my bi-annual ultrasound for my peri-ovarian cyst today.  I've only had one incident of possible problems and symptoms since this cyst has came to light.  So after under going both the external and internal ultrasound I decided to see if I could get in to see my PCP.  

I checked in with my PCP's office and after an hour was finally seen.  I told my PCP that I just do not feel well.  I cannot explain it, but I just do not feel right.  I haven't for several months and I think I need to do something.  I asked him if he could refer me to a nutritionist or for a lap-band or to get my lips sewn shut!  He said first he wanted to address the other issues first before he referred me for such things, but first he needs to send me for a whole battery of tests and a referral to an orthopedic surgeon for the mass in my wrist.  

Next week I will undergo a bone scan for the pain I'm having in my side, which is unrelated to my cyst.  He suspects that I'm having gallbladder problems again, but because I also hurt when he pushes on me he wants to make sure there isn't a cracked rib or something.  I also see the orthopedic surgeon next week too.  Then the following week I'll go for an ultrasound of my gallbladder and a hydascan.  I also have to have fasting blood work and urinalysis, including a pregnancy test, which I find hilarious since the last time I could have gotten pregnant was that hook-up almost 2 years ago between me and my man before he went down.  Oh well...one test result I know how it will come back.  

I kind of hope it is my gallbladder and that upon removing it the same thing happens to me that a co-worker claimed happened to her...she lost 80lbs because of having to have her gallbladder out!  (Allegedly)

As long as I have answers as to why I feel like shit, I'll be happy and feel like I can move forward...  I'll update everyone on my situation when I can!  ;)

Just like high school

Well it has been 7 days since I heard from my man.  Then this morning my phone rang and it was him.  He wanted to update me as soon as he could...he had been in medical for 7 days.  :(  I don't know all of the details because prison phones are not the best means of communication.  All I do know is that the following things are involved:

**roommates

**hooch

**a hit

**a fake psych kite

**accusations of being a "cutter"

**a snitch

This is what I have developed in my head as the story...my man's new roommates at the new facility were making hooch in their room and they were busted and thought my man had became a snitch and turned them in, because he wouldn't partake in the hooch.  So they put a hit out on him and then sent a fake psych kite that he was a cutter hoping MDOC wouldn't act quickly and when the hit took place it would look as if the cutter got carried away...

Of course this is only my take on it.  I will find out more when I visit soon...  If I'm close to the truth I would say that little do they know, my man isn't a snitch and fears my wrath of him drinking hooch more than he fears them making it in his "cell".  

I did tell my man that prison is worse than high school and as any "prison wife/girlfriend" I'm so tired of the prison games...but we keep pushing through.  Even if we don't make it, I must commit myself to helping my son's father make it out of prison alive...

Dinner with Friends

Tonight I had dinner with former co-workers and my goodness was it fun.  The conversation was great, the food delicious and both my incorrect and correct drinks were super yummy!  The only thing that could have been better were the chips & salsa.  It wasn't our usual chips & salsa, but sometimes you have to pick a place for more than chips & salsa.  

I felt better this time meeting with them too.  Last time seemed strained, but this time there was none of that.  I definitely think it was me last time.  Of course I was in a funk last time and I think I didn't really feel good, which has been my problem since December...but more about that later!  

I was so happy to meet with my two friends and can't wait to do it again.  I'm so blessed in the friends department!  ;)  I am really lucky to have met them and am so glad we stay in touch.  I love you guys!  

One word of advise to everyone though...do not expect a frozen margarita when you order a margarita at your local Mexican restaurant.  From here on out I will be ordering, "A frozen strawberry margarita."  

Maybe next time my friends and I will spice it up with Chinese....  ;)  We will have to wait and see.  

"The Boys"

I haven't updated you all about my x-sil and my nephews in some time, so let me do that now...

My nephews are doing wonderful. Their foster parents have been great. Last Thursday was another family court hearing in their case and boy, oh boy...lies were flying right and left by their momma. On top of all of that, she reached a plea agreement on her criminal case. Her two charges of 3rd degree child abuse were dismissed and she plead guilty to one count of 4th degree child abuse and was sentenced to 1 yr probation, 180 days jail to be served at the court's discretion (a suspended sentence), 1 day immediate credit for 1 day, court costs over $600. Then that same week she failed her drug test for family court.

At Thursday's hearing her excuse for failing the urinalysis was not because she smoked dope, it was because she was in a room with other people smoking it. Isn't that what they always say?

When questioned why she only produced one paycheck for the last few months is because she was fired from her job as a result of the abuse charges. Yeah...when you are convicted of child abuse you usually cannot work in an adult foster care facility. Duh! She did also apply somewhere that a cousin of ours works. This cousin is a friend of hers as well...and a mother to friends of my x-sil that she attended high school with. When my x-sil applied she put down my cousin as a reference and when the boss called my cousin she said, "I am no reference for her and if you put her where I work I will walk!" Wow...now that is a reference for ya!

When questioned about why she has not moved in to her "new" apartment as promised would be done by the 5th of this month, she said she was working on that still...and still staying with a "friend" on their couch. When asked for the "friend's" address she said it wasn't for her to give that. HUH? Sorry honey...that isn't satisfactory for a court.

When asked if she signed a document presented by my mom when she gave my oldest nephew away right after my brother filed for divorce she stated, "That's not my signature." The referee asked, "Are you telling me that you did not sign this document?" She replied, "Yup. That ain't my signature. I don't sign my name that way." Too bad that it is the same way she signed other documents that are in the file.

Other information that came out during this hearing that I find disturbing is:

**She had to be told she is not allowed to sleep when the children are in her presence, because apparently since my family is no longer allowed to go during the one hour a week visitation my x-sil attends at CPS all she does now is come in, lay down on the floor and tell the boys how "tired mommy is." She doesn't interact with the boys unless they come to her. She of course kept her back to the two-way mirror so they cannot say for sure if she was sleeping or not.

**My oldest nephew no longer wants to be in the room with his mom alone. He wants the door open at all times and he prefers when a "guard" or worker is present in the room.

**As to her boyfriend who she was not allowed to have any contact with as of February, because of this and that, she confirmed that "as of yesterday, I am no longer in contact with him." HUH? Guess better late (4 months) than never...

At the end of the hearing the referee told her she has 2 months to get it together and that come August he would be making a recommendation of what should happen with the children. I do not know if it did any good, but I think it may, my mother wrote a kick ass letter to everyone involved in the case and stated that our entire family no longer support the idea that the children be returned to their biological mother.

RIP~Our Little Angel

Today was the funeral for the little girl who was missing and later found encased in cement in my hometown.  After the celebration of her short five years here on earth and laying her to rest today.  When the prayers are finished, the balloons no longer visible, and the flowers laid at her feet the real work begins...

The work now focuses on finding the kidnapper and murderer that appears by all accounts to be local to our town.  Hopefully next week the police will release more information and point us towards a suspect.

I didn't know this little girl, but she equally touched my heart as if I've known her everyday of her little life.  God Bless Our Little Angel...

Better Luck Next Season!

Well, I don't know what just happened, but my Red Wings just had their ass handed to them in Game 7.  :(  

After working late, which is becoming a habit more than a fluke, I raced to the munchkin's baseball practice.  Practice was cut short so we could all make it home in time to watch Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Of course after practice it was discovered that several of the parents graduated with my man!  LOL @ the small world and dinky town I live in!  I didn't get a feeling of what they knew about him and part of me was really curious and then part of me feared what they knew.  I'm really anxious to tell my man about this new turn events.  Of course, he called Monday twice and once on Tuesday, but I haven't heard from him again, so I have to wait to give him this piece of news.  :)

Then the munchkin, my aunt and I went to our local Mexican restaurant, which we love!  We watched the first 2 periods while we ate dinner and realized that the Wings were going to lose.  Before the 3rd period started my munchkin went with my aunt for the weekend and home I came...I sat here and watched the Wings lose...it wasn't fun, that's for sure.  But watching their play in Game 7, they didn't deserve to win.  They were out played.  

I'll keep hope alive for next season....  We still love our Red Wings though!

Second Grade

My munchkin officially became a 2nd grader Tuesday after 11:30am.  I am so proud of him.  I have to admit I never thought days like this would come.  I guess I never imagined myself with a seven year old 2nd grader.  I just never did...I don't know why, but I am so happy he is mine and so proud of him.  Even when he is acting like a crazy wild child, I still love him and am still very proud of him...

Thank you for being my son munchkin!  I love you!  I am proud of you!  And you have given me a great month so far and a wonderful week my love!  

Due East

As you all know I went from an Explorer to my new car, an Escape.  Well, on my way home the other night I got lost because a road I was on became another road and didn't end up where I thought it would.  Now mind you, I'm usually pretty good at direction and recovering myself when I'm lost.  However, once I had my Explorer I really started relying on the directional information provided on the instrumental panel.

So when I got lost I called my aunt to arrange dinner at a local new German & Irish place, which by the way was totally delicious, I told my aunt that I needed to read the book for my new car and might have to take it to the dealer, because no matter which direction I was going my car kept reading "E" for East.  I found my way back to where I needed to go, got home and we had a wonderful dinner out.

After dinner we had to return a birthday gift of the munchkin.  After leaving the store and driving back home my aunt tells me that when I turned that the corner that my car flipped and said we were headed NE and I looked and it still said E.  Then she pointed to what she was looking at...she was looking at the dashboard screen.  After I busted out laughing I realized why I always thought I was headed Due East....it was actually telling me x-# of miles to "E" for Empty!  LOL  

Needless to say I need to read my Escape book for other reasons, but not because I'm always headed East.  My explorer is still on my mind and in my eyes...and my aunt is more observant than me!

Little Red Bumps

Tonight my aunt called to tell me that her neighbor feared her little boy had chicken pox and requested my aunt to come over and inspect his newly forming rash, because my aunt is an RN.  Well my aunt is very paranoid over chicken pox, because she is in her mid-late 40's and never had them.  So she sent my uncle to do the inspection.  He concurred that it did appear to be chicken pox.  :(

Why would she call to tell me this?  Well, it is likely because this little boy was one of the 17 people at my munchkin's birthday party Saturday.  This wouldn't be an issue except that most people are contagious 1 to 5 days before they show symptoms.  So now I have begun chicken pox watch....

Ring, Ring, Vibrate, Vibrate

The sound of a ringing phone, well actually it was the feel of a vibrating phone, never sounded so good than it did this morning when my man called.  Finally out of the hole and on to a new location.  The best part is that in one direction his new "digs" are 4 hours 10 mins closer to me.  Woo-hoo!!

Of course the call almost didn't happen...after we came home Saturday from the outlandish birthday party I realized that my phone was not working properly.  The 9, 6, and 3 wouldn't work and when I hit the 0 the numbers 8, 5, and 2 also came up.  Off to the cell phone store I go and I came home with phone #4.  Yes, phone #4.  Since 12/5/2007 I have been through 4 phones.  I could see if I was unusually hard on phones, but I'm not.  Apparently LG products and I do not get along.  December 5th can't come soon enough...

Aren't Buffers Standard?

If you ever work where I currently work you can confirm that the best "stories" come from our restrooms. We have had stories about people talk to themselves while they are using the facilities. Some quotes have included "Shoot it for me Winchester" but the most recent development in our work restrooms is the fact that buffers are no longer standard. I'm not sure when or how this has happened, but it has.

We have 5 stalls in our restroom. Four regular stalls and the last stall as a handicap stall. There are certain people who use certain stalls. Our semi-receptionist/secretary uses the first stall. If you met her you would think she would use the handicap stall because she usually has to walk with a cane or single handed walker, but then I began to think it is further to walk, so she probably prefers to walk less and use stall #1. There are several other secretaries that use the handicap stall.

What stall do I use? #3...there are several reasons why I pick this stall as my usual stall but the primary reason is because this allows 2 other people to come in and use the restroom with the standard one stall buffer. However, there is one person in our office that refuses to use the buffer standard. I have figured out that every time this person comes in she has to go in the stall next to someone. You can be in stall #5 and she is going in to stall #4...or if you are in stall #1, she'll go in to stall #2. If you are in #3 she will go in to #2 or #4. It doesn't matter where you are or how many are free...she is going to sit next to you. I often wonder if in a movie theater, will she come and sit next to you or is she going to give you a buffer there...

This also reminds me of when I started the Spring semester this year in January. On Mondays I had a 4pm and a 6pm class in the same room. My LSBFF was also going to be in my 6pm class, plus I am a person who likes her personal space, especially when I need to spread out books, notebooks, etc. Each table sits 3 people, there were 7 rows, each row had two tables separated by the walk way. I sat in the 4th row the seat furthest to the right and put my bag on the middle seat and someone who I didn't know sat in the 3rd seat. This was fine and I carried upon my business of getting ready for my class to start...at least until that guy says to someone else, 'Hey, sit next to me.' She told him she couldn't because someone had their books there. That's right!! They were my books. If there were no other tables free I would have gladly moved my books, but there were 10 other free tables....if you want to sit next to one another I suggest you move there, because me and my buffer are staying where we were first.

Am I the only person who expects a buffer? Or at a minimum that prefers one? Is that so bad?

Happy Birthday My Baby!!

On 6/6/2002 @ 11:28pm the light of my life took his first breathe!  My munchkin came in to my life and I am so happy he did.  He has changed my life so many times and in so many ways.  Every breathe I take, every decision I make is done with him in the forefront of my mind.

Thank you for letting me be your mommy, my son and my munchkin!!  Hugs to you my baby!!

BTW, even with 17 kids @ a Chuck E. Cheese for your birthday party I am still glad you belong to me!!  And my goodness...we had so much fun, I'm so glad you held your ground and pushed for your party to be at Chuck E. Cheese!

I love you!!

Numbers

When I got ready to post this little update, I wanted to title it 5, but I have done so many posts with a number as the title so I thought I would just call it "numbers"!  LOL

Anywho...the #5 is for the number of envelopes I've received yesterday (4) and today (1) from my man!  And the great news is...he will be transferred from the facility he is at!  Woo-frickin'-hoo!!!!!  I am so excited that I finally started getting some letters and he has confirmed with 2 people there that he will be leaving there!  Let's just hope and pray that it will be less than a 9.5 hour drive one way...

102

emails in my in-box now...  UGH...I can't even get one thing accomplished!  Yikes!  If you emailed me, please know I'm behind and not ignoring you.  

Preoccupied and Paralyzed?

You know when you have so much going on you can't think straight and feel overwhelmed?  Or when you have something going on or are witnessing something and you feel almost paralyzed?  I am in that spot right now.  

In my town we have a missing 5 year old little girl and that hits home.  It is scary.  It is very upsetting.  And since the little girl went missing approximately 2 blocks from my pediatrician's office and a van, which was searched and seizured, was less than a quarter of a mile from my home.  Understandable that there are a couple of persons of interest that the police are holding on parole violations, which are people that the little girl's mom knew; however, that doesn't make it any less scary to me as a mom of a 6 year old... So needless to say, most of my time has been consumed with staying up with the story and listening to the local rumors.

On top of being practically paralyzed by this situation, I feel like I have so many things going on right now I'm starting to feel overwhelmed.  Yikes!!  Hell, I even have 98 emails in my personal in-box.  Between work, baseball for the munchkin, soccer for the munchkin, planning the b-day for the munchkin, helping my mom draft letters regarding my nephews...no wonder I'm feeling overwhelmed!  I was so exhausted last night we were in the bed by 8:30pm!  So I'm not quite as tired tonight, so I guess I just need to sit down and make a list and tackle it one at a time, but my goodness...it has been so crazy that it took me over 2.5 weeks to get in to get my monthly waxing and facial...

Profound statements can come from the strangest places

As you all know, I have major issues with my brother and his new wife. I really don't know his new wife and the most time I've spent with her in one setting was yesterday at the Memorial Day Cook-Out. I still am not a fan...actually, I can barely speak to her and I cannot bring myself to look at her. I don't know what all of my issues are.

I've had issues with her since day one...she allowed my brother to move in immediately upon meeting him and got knocked up. She had a 5 month old son, (allegedly) did not know my brother before he separated from his wife on 2/16/2007 and yet moved him in to her home with her son in less than a month and was immediately pregnant (baby born 12/20/2007). Plus she has shown psychotic episodes in the past with my brother.

But my dad made a profound statement last night when I said, I just didn't know what it was about her, but there is just something there that I can't get past. My dad, who is not the most keen person in the group, said, "I think we fear liking her because of what the x-s-i-l has done, because we all came to love her and the boys and now look what has happened." I agree with my dad...this one has an uphill battle and between our fear of liking her and the rocky beginning of their relationship, combined with her highly psychotic episode last fall, I just don't know if even her delicious dessert will get her past a foot in the door...

That's a Lot of Brats

I survived the Memorial Day Cookout even though by the time we left for the parade at 1pm I was unsure if I would survive or not. In case you didn't know, I am a bit of a control freak and when I say something I expect people to listen and to follow directions. Is that so hard? So when I discovered that not just one, but three people had not listened to me I was very upset. The deal was (and always has been whenever I have a family function) that if I want/need you to bring anything I will tell you what to bring. If I don't ask, that means I have a specific menu planned and I have everything and everyone covered. So when I learned that 3 people were bringing additional food, I was upset. I was actually mad.

I was serving:

Meat:

Ribs

Beef Kabobs

Chicken Kabobs

Shrimp Kabobs

Brats

Hot Dogs (for the kids)

Salads:

Macaroni Salad

Spaghetti Salad

Chips & Dip

Veggies & Dip

A dessert

Much to my dismay when I discovered that my mom was bringing Brats when all I asked her to bring were sliced onions and green peppers to cook my ribs with. Then I learn that my brother was bringing an ice cream cake and more brats. WTH? We were going to have a ton of brats. Ugh... Then my aunt dropped the bomb that she was bringing potato salad. Now I was pissed. If I wanted them to bring all of this, I would have told them. By the time I was on my way to the parade I was vowing that this would be my last family gathering!!

It all worked out...I sent everyone home with their brats because we didn't use them. I didn't blow up with my brother and his family here (more on that later!) and I have to give props to his wife (I assume) because her dessert was to die for...maybe she will make it in this family yet!

Of course my aunt & uncle never made it...she apparently had a need to stay at the local club after the parade and drink, so there was no potato salad (and honestly, it was never missed) and they missed yet another family gathering...their loss, not ours. :(

I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday.

Happy Memorial Day!!

I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day. Remember to thank all of your veterans for today! I know I will!!! Love to my aunt, uncles, dad, cousins, my man and my friends on their Memorial Day and thank you for all you have done as veterans!!!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!!

The 2:00am Phone Call

Last night I continued preparing for our Memorial Day Cookout. I made my mom's macaroni salad, which took a couple hours. When that was finally finished I poured myself a glass of wine and sat down to relax since my munchkin was at the neighbor's I decided to do something that I never do...have myself a glass of wine while home alone. I took one sip of the wine, looked to my left and remembered I can't drink...I'm on antibiotics. Opps... So much for sitting down and relaxing with a glass of wine.

Finally at 2am I thought it was okay, so off to bed I went with the plan to get up in the AM to clean up the kitchen, pick up the house, do laundry and finish preparing for Monday's Memorial Day Cookout. I laid down in bed thinking that my munchkin was successful with his first friend sleepover. In 4 minutes my phone rang (2:04am exactly). My munchkin wanted to come home. He was crying and missed his mommy. So I got up, met them half-way on the walk and brought my baby home. I was okay with the idea he came home primarily because of my earlier questioning of whether I should have let him actually stay over.

It is okay that he really didn't accomplish his major milestone...he can remain my baby a little while longer.

Major Milestone, Major Mistake?

Well, today has been a crazy day.  Even with going to bed last night by 11pm I was totally exhausted this morning.  I didn't even want to get out of bed!  I finally got up around 10am when my mom called.  Lately I've been extremely tired and can't seem to motivate.  Even when I know I have to be some where with something done by a certain time.  I don't know what has happened to me.  I used to be the person that was always 10 mins early and considered that late!!

Today, I did it again.  Even knowing I needed to go to a minimum of 2 stores today before we attended a 3pm and then a 4pm birthday party.  What time did I get in the shower?  1:30pm, of course.  So needless to say we were about 35 mins late to the 3pm birthday party.  We stayed a little over an hour and then left for the 4pm birthday party, which we were about an hour and fifteen minutes late for that one.  Of course no one was there so I'm not sure if the party ever happened or if we just missed it.  I felt really bad, but I have a feeling it never took place because who is able to have a 7 year olds birthday party at a public park, clean up and leave in less than an hour...come on people, you can hardly get a group of 7 year olds out the door in less than an hour let alone through a birthday party.

So after this snafu I took the munchkin to a park to play for a bit and then we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a few hours and then back home.  Of course there were still people at the original birthday party, so the munchkin went back over and then ended up getting invited to stay the night over there.  I wanted to tell him no so bad, but then I just knew I would crush my muchkin's heart...  And when I finally gave in my son danced around the house yelling, "OH MY GOD!!  My first sleep-over with a friend.  I'm so excited!!!!" (over and over again!)  Then the bottom dropped out...

I packed the munchkin's bag and walked him over to their house.  His buddy and two big guys were in the bouncy house and I swear no one else was outside.  I swear!  So Zach knocked on the door and buddy's cousin let us inside.  Buddy's dad came out and talked for a bit.  We laid down some ground rules for my munchkin and I assured them that they can call if I'm needed for anything.  Well, I don't know which thought came first in my head, but I started thinking, "Buddy's daddy looks stoned" and "Does it stink in here and if so, does it have an underlying smell of pot?"  So I'm not sure if it smelled because he looked stoned or if he looked stoned because it smelled.  :(  I wanted to instantly grab my baby and run home.  I also thought he came from another room in their home and suspected that the women were in that room.  I started having crazy insane thoughts of what might be going on in this alleged room....

I made the decision to let my son stay over because I just couldn't come up with a polite way to "change" my mind and my gut wasn't telling me to pull him out of there...my paranoia was.  I tried to use my head and thought it was one night and we could survive this.  Next time I will be better prepared with a reason behind my "no".  So I leave the house and sitting outside are the 3 women...where the hell did they come from.  Were the female voices I heard Buddy's sister and her friends staying over or did the women sneak out of the room through the window and walk around the back of the house to be sitting in the chairs in the front when I left?!?  WTH was happening to my mind!  So maybe he wasn't stoned and maybe their house didn't stink, maybe I'm just losing it....

Okay, the house did stink, but I'm not sure what or why it stunk!  And congrats to my munchkin for another major milestone in his little life even though I question my sanity in agreeing to it...

What a relief

Tonight was baseball practice and I was a little nervous.  You see the last time I was at a baseball practice for my munchkin was last year's team and it wasn't fun.  Hell, the games weren't even fun.  I don't know what was wrong with that team, but it was definitely off.  The parents did talk to one another.  Everyone wanted to be the coach's best friend.  These things didn't get to me, because I don't have to have the other parents talk to me and I don't care if they are all vying for the coach's friendship.  He was a great coach and a nice guy, but I didn't need for him to be my best friend.  The thing that pissed me off the most was the fact that the "dads" of the team would only go out and assist the coach when their son was up to bat.  

Okay, once you've been to a t-ball or baseball practice you learn quickly that the coach has no control of these 13 little kids (average age 5) and he needs assistance.  They need help getting the kids together, ready to bat, to sit on the bench, to get to their designated position, etc.  Well, since the actual normal family has became what I currently am, a single parent, and this is a "daddy" sport, the least I expect from the daddy helpers is for them to help with all of the kids.  Well, apparently that is too high of an expectation, because it didn't happen.  These guys would only come out of the stands when their little one would come up to bat, would become 1st and 3rd base coaches when their child was on base and then would return to the stands when their child was done running the bases and batting.  Heck, they didn't even assist the coach's daughter.  :(  

Well, so much has changed this year!!!!  :D  There were two or three dads there tonight helping.  One dad was out on the field with the coach and the other dad was controlling the kids on the bench and warming up each batter before they were up in the batter's box.  It was so nice to see these dads helping the coach and helping all of the kids!  Thank you daddy helpers!!

As for the parents in the stands...OMG, they talk to one another!  Me included!!  There were 4 of us "moms" sitting around chit-chatting.  It was fun, entertaining and I couldn't believe it when I looked and we were already an hour in to practice!  Woo-hoo!!  I'll be looking forward to going next Friday too!

Embarking on a very busy weekend...

Well, tomorrow is the beginning of a 3-day weekend. The unofficial start to summer. And are we busy...dang! My aunt leaves town tomorrow through Sunday night, so it is just the munchkin and I and we just keep getting busier and busier.

Here is the tentative schedule for our weekend:

Friday:

Work & School

6-8pm Baseball Practice

Saturday:

9:30am Meeting up w/my friend DM, which we haven't been able to do for a few weeks and we are just hoping to meet up for a bit this week. (Tentative)

3pm Munchkin's neighbor friend birthday party

3:15pm My monthly facial and waxing, which I had to cancel. :(

4pm Munchkin's classmate's birthday party

Sunday:

Grocery shopping for our Memorial Day Cook-Out

Monday:

2pm Memorial Day parade

4pm Memorial Day Cook-Out

& then Tuesday it is back to work already...dang!

I also need to work on getting some of the things on my "to-do" list done in preparation for the summer, for the munchkin's birthday party, and preparing for the whole furnace snafu.

What is on your Memorial Day weekend agenda?

Part vs. Whole

It appears that I need to purchase a new furnace.  Actually I have a choice to make.  There is a part that has cracks in it allowing gas to seep in to our home.  That piece is still under warranty but for only one more year.  (My home is 9 years old.)  I can have this piece replaced for labor only, which is estimated at $1,200.  Or I can opt for a new furnace for approximately $3,000.

There are pros and cons to both.  If I opt to replace the piece it could be a cheaper option that could last for years.  However, I could replace the piece and it could crack again in a year and I'm having to replace it again or something else breaks and I'm having to spend $3,000 for a new furnace now.

If I opt to put in a whole new furnace it is really expensive, but it will likely come with a warranty for several years and I will not have to worry about it for some time (or so I hope).  Plus depending on which one I purchase I could be eligible for tax credits at the end of the year.  But it is approximately $3,000.

Ugh....when it rains it pours...any thoughts are appreciated.  

Wow...what a difference

I remember on my way in to the office this morning I thought of a great post for today's entry. It was something that happened to me or around me and darn it to all...I can't remember what it was! Ugh...I hate it when that happens. I'll remember later I'm sure of it and as soon as I do I will let you know. Anywho, a few family phone calls later in the morning gave me another great entry, so here goes...

In my battle against my continuing illness I thought maybe something in my house was making me sick or vulnerable to illnesses or producing horrible, horrible allergies, so last week after going back to the doctor a/k/a Urgent Care (yes, I seem to visit Urgent Care more frequently than my doctor, but the schedule is much more applicable to my life...if only my PCP would stay open till 10pm and wouldn't have a 4 hour wait then I might see him more often!) and being put back on antibiotics for a "nasty" sinus infection and tonsillitas I decided it was time to take some household action.

I started by stripping my bed and spraying it with lysol. Then I moved on to my humidifier and cleaned that all up and changed filters. Then last, but certainly not least, I called and scheduled an appointment for someone to come out and service my furnace and central air unit, which is occurring today.

I had my uncle come over and sit to wait for the service people, which then lead to him calling me and asking me about a lock on an electrical box outside. Of course I had no clue what he was talking about. I then proceeded to call my aunt, who then spoke to my mother and called me back about this mystery lock. The story that finally came to me was when I kicked my man out back in 2004 I feared "someone" would do something to my electrical box and I took the lock off my shed and put it on this outside electrical box and put a new lock on my shed to keep my man out of my stuff! Of course what this really means is my mom and dad took the lock from the shed and put it on this electrical box to prevent my man coming and messing with my electrical stuff and to keep him out of the shed too.

Do you see all of the holes to this story? I do!! First of all, "I" did not do any of this. I may have been a consulted party, but trust me in the fog of filing for divorce and kicking my man to the curb and losing my step-son in the process I have no memory what-so-ever about a lock being inter-changed. Second...by taking a lock that my man had a key to and putting it on the electrical box really doesn't stop any potential horse-play does it? I'm thinking he would likely have recognized the lock and knew he had a key for it. It just does not come off as such a deterrent to me. Lastly, maybe someone should have marked this information somewhere or labeled a key, because I now suspect that I no longer have a key for this lock.

Luckily Mr. Fix-It can get his job done without really entering that electrical box...because the talk of bolt cutters and strange men at my house was going to send off all sorts of other alarms at my house today...alarms I really don't want to deal with today.

Of course I'm not sure if I would hear all of these alarms, since as of yesterday I can no longer hear out of my left ear. :( Back to Urgent Care I went last night clearly frustrated with the fact that I can't seem to get better, especially since the last few weeks I had thought "this" was simply allergies. I told the doctor that I traded a sore throat for a blocked ear and everything else remained the same and that my frustration level is really high right now. He proceeded to proscribe me a different, much stronger antibiotic, which I find funny because it is what he originally proscribed last week that he ended up canceling when the pharmacist advised my co-pay was going to be $40. (All of this was done without my knowledge, of course. And I do understand his position when he explained last night that he made a judgment call, because so many of the people that come in to see him really can't afford that co-pay.) I told him I didn't care the cost...just give me something that was really going to work.

Wow...what a difference 2 pills have made! I took this new antibiotic with the newly proscribed heavy-duty decongestent when I got home last night and when I got up this morning I was like a new person! Holy smokes!! My ear remains blocked and I'm certainly not over my sickness as I am "really, really sick" according to the doctor last night; however, I feel like things have turned a corner. I took my morning decongestent before I left for work this morning and can't wait to get home to take a second dose of my antibiotic, so hopefully tomorrow I will feel even better!

Of course the munchkin woke up hacking this morning, which isn't surprising since mommy has been sick, Chica and her girls have been sick and he is with all of us everyday. So he will be seeing his doctor at 4:30pm today...

What is missing and What is out of place?

Okay...let's play a little game! So all I wanted today for lunch was a burger. I would have preferred a bar burger, specifically Mr. Joe's, but that was really out of the question for today, so I decided to go to the uber-expensive restaurant in my building because I know that they have decent cheeseburgers. So I ordered a cheeseburger with a side of their delicious chicken enchillada soup. 20 mins later it finally comes out to me and I bring it up to my office. I began taking my lunch out of the bag to eat. There is....

• a cheeseburger on a toasted onion/cheese bagel with lettuce, tomato and onion and nothing else
• a side of seasoned fries (maybe they can't substitute...okay)
• and a fork

In the smaller bag inside the big bag, there is...

• a cup of chicken enchillada soup
• a bag of fried tortilla strips to go with the soup
• a side of ketchup
• a side of mustard
• a side of sour cream for the soup
• and a capri sun

Okay...I would have rather had mayo for my burger than the sour cream for the soup, but whatever. I most certainly would have rather had a bun for my burger. And maybe next time...a spoon instead of a capri sun that I can take home to my munchkin.

You do know this is a sign right?! This is God's way of saying, "Get off your fat sick ass, pack a healthy lunch and get back to your WWs girl!!!" (If only he would have said it without the stupid bagel...yuck!

Wedding Bells????

Nope, not mine! Apparently my brother is hearing wedding bells (again). The entire family was informed by his application in our local paper for his marriage license. (nice...) After a few phone calls and voice mails it was determined yesterday that the ceremony is this coming Friday. I guess my invitation was lost in the mail. Ha!

My only comment was "I'm not paying for this divorce too, since he still owes me $425 from the last one!"

May 16th is a big date in our family

Well, today is a big day in our family.  I guess I should say the date is a big "date" in our family.  Today is my grandma's birthday.  She would have been 83 today!  Happy Birthday Nana!  We miss you and love you!!

It is also my aunt and uncle's 22nd wedding anniversary today.  Happy Anniversary!!  Some days I'm not sure how they have made it this long...they certainly surprise more than just me!  Regardless I'm glad my aunt found my uncle, because I love them both and I'm happy that they are a part of my family.  Love to you both!

A cousin of mine joins the magical date in my family today when she marries her guy!  I'm not invited and will be at the munchkin's soccer game this afternoon (I sure hope it doesn't rain unless it is going to cancel the game before we leave for the game!) instead.  But I wish R&A all the luck in the world.  It took my cousin almost 33 years to find the love of her life, so I am very happy for them!  (PS. I hope it doesn't rain until they are inside their venue, because that just sucks!)  

So...I hope May 16th is as happy of a day in your life and family as it is in ours!  Happy May 16th!!!!  :)

Selfishness Gets You Every Time, Damn It!

When I overheard a conversation at work this morning between a support person and a coordinator I instantly thought of myself! Yes, this was the selfishness in me that made their conversation all about me. I saw how their topic of discussion would benefit me and how I could check 3 things off of my newly forming, extensively heavy "to-do" list even at 15 feet away and inside of an office. So a few hours later I approached the coordinator and brought up the subject of her earlier conversation. After the conversation I had I became sorry I had overheard the conversation and realized selfishness does have a price...

j'lynn: Did I hear a rumor that you are going to the post office?

PC: Yup. Do you need something?

j'lynn: A book of stamps would be great!

PC: They don't sell stamps in a book anymore.

j'lynn: Yes, they do.

PC: No I don't think they do.

j'lynn: Yes, they have always sold books.

PC: I think they stopped. I only buy rolls.

j'lynn: I only buy rolls too, but they didn't stop selling books.

PC: How many stamps used to come in a book?

j'lynn: Books have 20 stamps in them.

PC: So you want 20 stamps.

j'lynn: Well, if they have rolls, I'll take a roll of stamps. But since I suspect that they will not have rolls yet with the recent change of the prices I'll take a book of stamps.

PC: And if they don't have books?

j'lynn: I'll take 20 stamps.

Main points behind this conversation:

1. Selfishness gets you every time.

2. Overhearing conversations aren't really about you.

3. Just because you do not purchase something doesn't mean they no longer make it.

An In-Box Does Have a Purpose, Really.

Today was the longest day of the week...  OMG!  When you are away from work for 2 weeks, staying up late, sleeping in you do not want to go back to work, especially if you stay up until 2:30am the night before the day you return.  I did not want to get up this morning at all!  But I did...got ready, didn't get to eat breakfast, and ran out the door.  

When I got to work and walked in my office I knew it wasn't going to be a happy day.  Everyone I work with knows that I'm particular about my office.  I have an in-box for a reason, so lets use it people!  I walk in and there are new files spread out on my desk.  Yes, it was in an orderly fashion but there wasn't a reason for it.  Then when I pulled out my chair there were other new files on there.  If you want to bring something to my attention, don't put it on my chair, because I will either sit on it or pick it up and throw it to the side, because now I'm not happy.  What is the point of having an in-box if you aren't going to use it?  It isn't for in-coming mail only or else I would have called it a mailbox not an in-box...

So I was instantly irritated and it just went down hill from there.  There were stupid calls, stupid requests, and stupid questions.  By the time noon came around I was ready to come back home.  Finally at 1pm I was starving because I still hadn't ate yet today, so I ordered a horrible sandwich from Jimmy John's.  It was yummy, but horrible for me. So much for getting on track with WWs today, but tomorrow is a new day.  By the time the day came to an end, I was exhausted.  

The munchkin had his May Crowning tonight for religious class, but I was unable to attend.  I left work late and when I got home my stomach wasn't feeling all that great and I didn't have enough time to settle it to go, so my aunt went with the munchkin.  :)  I relaxed for the rest of the night, went thru some papers and am trying to get organized a bit.  

Now it is off to bed so I can get up and hopefully have a better day tomorrow at work.  I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow, good luck!  ;)

Mother's Day Coming to an End

What a beautiful Mother's Day. :) I started the day by going to Mother's Day mass with my two aunts to watch and listen to my munchkin who did a beautiful job in the first reading. Way to go my munchkin. :) I'm just so proud of you and even though you told me when you went to bed that you love me more than I love you, I hate to tell you my son, you are wrong! I love you more than life itself and you make me so proud to be your mommy!! Thank you for being my son!

From church we went to lunch. We went to one restaurant and we weren't feeling it so we left there and went Mexican instead. It was delicious and I love me some Mexican! ;) Then we had to go to Game Stop to get the munchkin a new game (because if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be a mom!) and then on to home. After that we just kind of sat around, he played his game, I watched some TV and after my aunt went home I took a little nap on the couch and then we grabbed a little KFC (their grilled chicken is yummy!) for dinner.

Mother's Day is wrapping up, but yet again it was another fabo one!! Thank you baby!

PS: Back to work tomorrow! Yikes! After 2 weeks off, it is hard to get back in the groove and I fear tomorrow is going to be one of the longest days of the week to come!

Happy Mother's Day

to everyone! Even if you aren't a mom, that doesn't mean you don't deserve to celebrate Mother's Day, so please enjoy today and Happy Mother's Day Everyone! :)

Combining Holidays...

Well, today I was up before my alarm...shocking! In to the shower I went and out I came. As I was attempting to get ready I hear a knock on the door. I open the door and there sat a flower box! I opened it up and there was a mixed dozen of roses. :) They are beautiful. My son sent me flowers for Mother's Day. :) Munchkin, I love you and thank you baby! I've enjoyed all of your gifts to me. :) I will post pictures in the future of all of my wonderful gifts...roses, seed-plant, and hand poster!

Then off to register the munchkin for the 09/10 soccer season. Doesn't that sound weird?! OMG...in less than a year it will be 2010! Yikes! Anywho...I rushed up to register him, running late because I had to get my roses in to the beautiful green vase they came with. Luckily it was much easier to register him at noon then it was last year when I went at 10:30am, thirty minutes after they opened, because last year it took me hours to get what it took me to do in 10 mins today!

And from there the family met for a family dinner @ 3pm. Mom, dad, aunt, uncle, other aunt, munchkin and I attended. I had planned it with the intention of the entire family going to dinner. It was my treat for both Mother's Day & Father's Day. It seems that we always do something for Mother's Day and don't always follow up on Father's Day. I think primarily because my man isn't here and since he isn't involved with my munchkin I don't press the "holiday" to bring it to the forefront of my munchkin's mind and since it appears that so many times if I don't plan the family "gathering" it doesn't get planned...or so it feels! So I decided when I took all of the mothers, fathers, mother-figures and father-figures in our family out for a Mother's Day dinner I would double this up and make it dinner for both Mother's and Father's Day. Unfortunately my brother and his family opted not to participate, because he thought he couldn't afford it. I couldn't chance ruining my surprise because NO-ONE knew about it. Regardless, dinner was good and I think everyone had a good time.

From dinner on to Ladies Night @ The Harley Dealer. This is my mom's thing. From 6pm-10pm the dealership is turned in to a ladies-only haven with various vendors, drinks, food, and music. This year it was a Vegas Casino Night theme. Mom, my aunt and I went and for whatever reason my mom can't be happy over anything. I don't know why, but she wants to be involved in nothing and just is very unhappy. I hope she finds her way through this moment of hers. We didn't gamble, but we did stand in the most popular line of the night...to see the tarot card readers! It was better than last year. **This is for another post at another time!

Then back home for the night! The munchkin asked my aunt to stay over and we will all go to church together in the morning, because the munchkin has a reading during mass! :) I'm so excited...

Exhaustion and Relief All Rolled Into One

Wow...I did absolutely nothing today. Hell, I didn't get up until my aunt called me around 12:30pm. I had my alarm set for 1pm, just in case. After she called and I got up I was so drained I really couldn't move all day. The combination of finishing this semester and my horribly hacky cough has exhausted me today. Well, I better get lots of sleep tonight, because I have a full day tomorrow...registering the munchkin for next year's soccer, family dinner @ 3pm, and then ladies night at the Harley Dealer @ 6pm. Then I'm back to work 2 days later...Yikes!

On a separate note...I received two pieces of mail from my guy today. :) I almost didn't get my mail today and didn't decide to get it until 9:30pm when I needed a Sweet Tea from McDonalds! I am very happy I opted to go out tonight even though I wasn't up for it and wished I was wearing a burka because I was looking nasty! LOL Anywho...my man was attacked by a co-worker in the kitchen and was almost sent to the hospital as a result. Of course he was sent to the hole (a/k/a segregation) and given a major ticket for fighting, which he has been found guilty on. He sent me all of the documentation because he has filed an appeal, plus he sent me like 3 or 4 letters inside the large envelope and a book that I sent him months and months ago that I said I wanted to read when I was done with classes this summer. The second envelope was a Mother's Day card! Like a real card, one that you or I would buy in the real world. On the inside he asked if he surprised me~~hell yes!! Where do you get such a card in prison and even in seg!?! Even being in the hole my man has tricks up his sleeve!

I have a feeling that I'm gonna sleep like a baby tonight...

Amen...It is Finally Over!

I am finally done! I submitted my Crim Pro final at the cut-off time tonight...11:55pm! Yikes! I used the full 4.5 hours. I thought for sure I would be done early...but as always that never happens and I always could really use an extra 30-60 mins. Oh well...c'est la vie!

Of course as soon as I finished my first thought was...gosh, if the munchkin wasn't here I think I would go to the gym. Yeah, that thought disappeared quickly! LOL Watch out next week...

Not only TGIF, but also...Happy Summer! Here I come!! ;)

One Down, One To Go...

Crim Pro must be completed in less than 24 hours....please say a little prayer for me...I will need it! ;) No one knows how glad I'll be when this one is over...

At Least 1 Wrong Answer

Criminal Sentencing is over!! I actually enjoyed the class for the most part. But as always, I'm glad it is over. Of course I made one huge stupid mistake. Needless to say, I will never forget the Tanner Rule again! Ugh....stupid, stupid, stupid me. You know when you are answering a question and you finish and then someone says "Oh yeah, that was "x"..." and you want to slap yourself. Well that was me, because when I answered the question the Tanner Rule never came in to my head. I just thought it was a strange question and gave the only possible answer in my head and it wasn't even close. Shit...and I should have known that too! For 15 weeks I always knew that answer...why the heck it never popped in to my head, even for a consideration as a possible response, you've got me. I wish I knew...

So at least I know I didn't get everything right on my final tonight...hehe ;)