Fabulous Friday!

Lucas showing the cat how to play the Mobi

Poor Zach attack passed out in dad's chair, with the puke bowl handy

So we'll rewind momentarily to Thursday since I was too preoccupied to get a post in here yesterday. Woke up to Lucas telling me to hurry into Zach's room to look at his bed...'it's either puke or poop mom'. LOVELY!!! It was puke, and Zach was sick...wonderful! I'm not allowed to lift more than 5 pounds, and not supposed to be doing household chores...what a great day it's shaping up to be. Called in sick to swim lessons...called grandma and decided that Lucas could still do a playdate with her, but definitely not Zach! To make a long story short, he only puked one other time that day. He did spike a fever, but it was only 99.7, and with fever baby, that's nothing! My pic of the day from yesterday is of him, passed out in daddy's chair. He's so stinking cute...but oh so sad when he's sick. Watching him sleep yesterday was kinda fun, it took me back to the good ol' days when he'd sleep in my arms for hours. But it breaks my heart when my babies are sick. He's back to normal today, thankfully!

We finished another disc of the final season of 24 last night. What in the world am I going to do without Jack Bauer???? Only 2 discs to go...talk about sad!! I've really enjoyed that show, but I'm glad that we're watching it on Netflix, instead of in real time...it would drive me nuts to have to wait a week in between episodes. We generally watch 2 each time we watch it. It's amazing how much faster it is without all of the commercials!

I also managed to get another set of workshop pages done for my new catalog celebration that is already next Friday! I LOVE these pages, and cannot wait to share them with my girls!!!! I wish I was as passionate about my real job, but alas...

Today was beyond wonderful! I started off the day with another major postop milestone...decided to try and see if I could get a shirt on that has to go on over my head...and VOILA!!! I succeeded!! Was getting tired of wearing button up and zip up shirts! WOOHOOOO!! Now I can get a postop pic as soon as I have a real bra, and not just these stinking grandma bras that I get the pleasure of wearing for another week and 4 days!

We went to the Summerwind Chicks program this morning. I think it is going to be a great fit for Mr Lucas. They did a tour of the school, which included his two favorite rooms...the science room, which had their brick project on display and the gym, complete with a low basketball hoop, and a tall one! The brick project was way cool...the kids were challenged to build a green city using legos. They drew up blueprints on gridded paper, and then built their green buildings with legos. It was love at first sight when Lucas saw all of those legos!!!! And when he saw the low basketball hoop in the gym, he was hooked! I love my son!! Today was an eye opener for me though. Most, if not all, of my friends have their kids in preschool AND work with them at home on pre kinder learning. This is not evidently the norm in Idaho however. To kick off the events today, they had the kids do an assessment. They were to write their name, identify the letters of the alphabet, identify some pictures and then tell their parent if the names of the objects rhymed. Lucas had no problem, and got it all correct. Some kids couldn't write a single letter, had no idea how to spell their name, and didn't know most, if any letters of the alphabet. WOW! I'm not trying to sound stuck up or pretentious...but seriously...WOW! I was relieved that Lucas isn't the only smarty pants in the group though, I did hear a couple of others doing very well too. The only drawback to this program is that if there are more applicants than there are seats in the program, it goes to a lottery system. I have THE crappiest luck in the whole world! I'm secretly hoping that it doesn't go to the lottery system, because I'd really like for Lucas to be in the program. Fingers, and toes, and everything else, CROSSED!

I've got the papers cut, and 4 of the 6 pages glued down...time to get busy on this next workshop. Can't believe that February is here as of Tuesday...where does the time seriously go? My pic of the day for today is of Lucas playing on his Mobi, with our CAT! He is an animal lover like his dad and I, and it was comical when I walked past and saw him showing the cat how to play on the Mobi! Did I mention that I love that kid?!?! Anyways, until tomorrow...

The countdown begins!!!!

Zach's Ponseti brace--his expensive shoes!

Zach attack had another follow up with Dr Showalter this afternoon. Dr was very impressed with how good his feet look! I told Zach to ask Dr if he could stop wearing his shoes/brace to bed every night, and Lucas informed me that 'duh, he's going to say no, that he has to wear them until he's 4' because I've been preaching that for the last 6 months. It was quite cute nevertheless!! Dr said that he has to agree with Lucas! But we can stop on his 4th birthday!!!!!! Yeah baby!!!! That leaves 172 more nights until we're free of the shoes! Thus, my pic of the day...the damn shoes...the damn expensive shoes no less ($750 a set)!

That was the first really good bit of news for the day. The second bit was when we arrived home, and there were my CTMH packages on the doorstep...a DAY EARLY! It's like Christmas every time I open those! Even more so today, because I had more free product in there! I worked hard to earn it, so it felt even better! Spent the afternoon playing with my new stuff!

2 days completely percocet free! It has helped my sleep to not take it before bedtime, but I'm still sleeping like crap! I'm sure that once I'm no longer flat on my back ONLY all freaking night long that I'll sleep much better. Problem now is that everytime I try to move I wake up. I can roll up onto either side, but the pressure/tightness in the center of my chest becomes too painful after about 5 minutes and I have to roll back onto my back. And by 3 or 4 in the morning my back is killing me!! That, and I'm having this stupid recurring dream about some Wings workshop layouts for scrapbooking that won't stop. I was hopeful that once the percocet was gone that the strange, vivid, recurring dreams would go away for good...evidently that's not the case.

Oh, and one last funny story for the day. I told Lucas this morning to stop being so bossy because it's annoying. He looked at me funny and asked where he gets that from. I snickered to myself, and asked if he really needed to ask that question, because it was obviously his dad! Heh heh...he bought it, hook, line and sinker! I always tell them that Daddy wears the pants in this family, I'm just the one that tells Daddy which pair to wear!!!! That makes Daddy the bossy one, right?!?

Until tomorrow...

A day of firsts!

First day that I was able to undress, shower and redress...ALL BY MYSELF! It's so nice not feeling like a child or a total invalid again!! I did it just before Casey came home for lunch though, just in case I wasn't able to pull it off!

First time scrapbooking (and for 5 hours no less) since surgery! I was able to complete 2 of the 4 months of workshop pages that need to be ready for my party on the 4th. It wasn't really bad except that I'm used to sitting in my chair and turning and reaching for stuff off a nearby shelf, or up off the floor, and that really freaking hurt to try that! I had to get up out of my chair for either of the above...and more importantly, had to remind myself before just reaching like previously! And of course any pushing with my arms at all, and my pecs were screaming at me, so I just had to tone that down!

First time out of the house since surgery!!!!!! Exciting, even if it was only to go get the boys from daycare!

First time driving since surgery! Difficult...had to scoot the seat waaayyy up so I wasn't reaching as much for everything. Almost had to leave the rearview mirror at Casey's setting, but finally managed to lift myself up to get it without stretching too much...sheer pain I tell you what. Turning was not fun either...SMALL and steady hand over hand action I'm telling you. Putting the boys' seatbelts on was NOT fun by any stretch of the imagination...both the reaching and the pushing KILLED me! Lucas had to finish his own, and I seriously debated leaving the last buckle of Zach's undone. You seriously do not realize how much you use certain muscles until it hurts like hell, and then you'll never forget!!!

First time cooking dinner since surgery! It was only spaghetti and garlic bread. Cutting bread, stirring stuff, lifting the pot on/off the stove...all involve pecs, who knew!?! ; ) Guess maybe those pecs wouldn't be so mad at me if I hadn't shoved almost a pint of saline under each one of them!

Got my presentation formatted for the 4th. Have my make n take project planned. Now I just need to get one last order in. I'm exhausted and ready for bed after such a big day! I've got to stay strong for tomorrow...my first day with my bubbas, all by my lonesome! Thank goodness they're good kids (most of the time)!

Wish me luck, after a wild night of sleep last night, due in part to the percocet...I'm going to try another big first...first night without percocet!! Until tomorrow...

Lacking MOJO!

Now that I've got the pain under control, my biggest problem that I'm dealing with postoperatively is the complete lack of motivation to do anything, and the physical protest of my body to actually do anything. I sorted the kids laundry, Casey washed it, and I folded it yesterday...that was the true extent of my efforts yesterday...and sad as it may be, I was very proud of myself for accomplishing that much! I was in turn rewarded with much swelling and discomfort today, so much so that I look like a preggo. Thus, I took it extra easy and took an extra nap today since I sorted our laundry and folded it too. It is seriously driving me crazy to not be constantly on the go, accomplishing one million things per day!!!!! I haven't left my house since arriving home Wednesday night, haven't been able to drive, haven't felt up to going anywhere anyways. The boys are going to daycare tomorrow, Casey is going to drop them off in the morning, and drum roll please....I get to go pick them up! : ) Never would've thought I'd see the day when I was so freaking excited about driving to daycare and back!!! Living on the edge...that's my style!

I told Casey tonight at dinner (that he cooked), that I could get used to having a house husband!! To which he very quickly responded with "Don't!!" I'll take it as a back handed compliment...people always say you don't know what you've got until you lose it...the hubby is finding this out the hard way. People always think that stay at home mom's don't really have a job, and how easy it must be. I LOVE my job as mom and wife...but it sure feels good to know that your efforts are appreciated, even when it's not a straight forward compliment! My hubby and friend Misty used to joke about Pete and I being the bread winners while they stay at home and care for the kids...Casey could no more be a stay at home dad than walk on the moon! He cannot wait to go back to work tomorrow...it's amusing! : ) He should consider a career in nursing however!!!! He was been awesome, taking care of me! I seriously appreciate and love him more than he could ever imagine! Even though he has done a good job, and I joke about having a house husband, it would seriously drive me up the wall! It would kill me to not be able to do everything!!

I did also get some stuff done for my scrapbooking business. Another major deadline looms for me, February 4th is the new catalog celebration. Still have 4 months worth of stuff to finish up, and my presentation to prepare! I'm getting really excited though!

I figured out what my mental and physical mojo needs for a jumpstart...MY MUSIC!! Casey always teases me about how terrible it is, but the beat lifts me up and gives me mental energy! Since we left last Sunday for Utah, I haven't really listened to my music at all. So I decided to change that today, and cranked up some Black eyed peas, Lady Gaga and some of my fave zumba tunes! While it kills me to listen and not be able to dance around the room to it, or go for a run, it's amazing what it does for my head! I'm totally missing exercise...running and zumba... but know that I only have a couple more short weeks before I'm back in the saddle!

Anyways, catching up on what I missed from this week's Biggest Loser. Until tomorrow...

Holy cow batman!

This is pretty much how Thursday and Friday were spent at home, post op!

One last before pic, just minutes before surgery!

I had absolutely no idea that this was gonna hurt so bad! A brief recap of the last few days events. Tuesday morning, up and at em extra early because of course I couldn't sleep! I arrive at the surgeon's office all excited and perky. Meet with Dr Young, go over everything briefly again. Meet with the anesthesiologist, go over stuff with him, and then it's off to the OR. I remember him starting my IV, very painlessly...he was GOOD! And he was asking about my ablation surgery in May, the next thing I remember is telling the nurse postoperatively that I'm REALLY nauseated and her giving me some zofran. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hotel room several hours later. I hurt sooo stinking bad. And I'm super sensitive to narcotics, so I was really apprehensive about taking the percocet, but did anyways. We bought latex gloves, and filled these with ice to help with the inflammation and pain. The afternoon was no fun at all, but the evening was TERRIBLE! I was incredibly nauseated, and not wanting to take more pain meds, but was worried that the intense pain was making the nausea worse, and thus had started a vicious cycle. I hurt so bad that I was continually asking myself WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE, and wanting to rip the implants out. Doctor Young called to check on me at 9:30pm, but didn't have a lot of suggestions. I somehow managed to make it thru the night.

Wednesday morning brought my postop appointment with Dr Young at 10. He took the bandages off the sutures, and took the binder and bra off so that we could see the results. They look wonderful, but still oh, so painful. It was amazing though how much better it felt without that darn binder on! I told doctor that this was waaayyyy worse than either experience I had with natural childbirth, without epidural or drugs. I then found out that he has a sense of humor...he tells me that's because I hadn't had twins yet! Ha, ha funny guy! Anyways, armed with post op instructions and another rx for zofran we were on our way back to the hotel. We asked about late check out again, and were once again told that we could NOT check out any later than 1pm since the hotel was full. Casey went and filled my zofran rx, and I rested again. I was soooo miserable, and totally dreading the day at the airport. We stayed right up until 1 and then headed off to the airport. We dropped off the rental car, and then checked in at the Southwest counter, after a brief rest on a bench in between the two. I looked and felt like a little old lady, and I'm quite sure I was moving slower than a little old lady! I must've looked like hell because the lady at the Southwest counter immediately asked if I'd like a wheelchair. Best decision I'd made all day was to accept the wheelchair ride across the terminal...it also got me to the head of the line at security. The dingbat security guy made me take off my hat after walking thru the scanner, and show him my hat...the hat was to hide my seriously terrible case of bed head. WHATEVAH!! We made it to our gate, and got to sit for 4 hours!!!! I was beyond miserable between the pain and the nausea. I was even so desperate that I had Casey go buy a huge glass of ice and fill up a couple of gloves so I could ice the girls in the airport! I figured that I'd never see these people again, and even if I did, who cares, the girls were in serious need of ICE!! The one hour plane ride home was even more miserable due to nausea. But I survived. I was seriously hoping that the plane would explode in mid air so that I'd die instantly and not have to worry about the pain anymore. Still wondering what the hell I'd done to myself, and questioning the need to have traveled to Utah for the surgery to save money. Lynn picked us up at the airport, and I scared him to death because I looked so miserable. Came home, took some more meds, and literally crashed. It's amazing how wonderful it is to be home, in your own bed. I was able to catch up on ice, pain meds and zofran, so the night was a vast improvement over the day, and I was able to move on!

Thursday was an even better day. I got to take the binder off permanently! And I got to take a shower!!!! I slept off and on quite a bit, stayed caught up with my meds and I was finally not regretting having had the surgery. Went to bed early, and slept so much better!!

Today was the best day yet...I was able to progress to puttering around the house! I was sitting up and walking around the house quite a bit today, which totally wore me out, but it felt oh so good!! I got to watch a movie with my boys, who have both come down with a cold. The hubby got a pic of Lucas stretched out on my lap while we were watching Despicable Me, so it will be my pic of the day for today. I'm glad that I'm able to interact with my little men more today, and I'm sure it will keep getting better from here! I'm very fond of the results, and for the first time I can honestly say I'm glad I had the surgery. I'm sure in a few weeks, when all of my restrictions have been lifted that I will finally be able to say that it was all worth it...I'm not there quite yet though!

I am sooooo thankful that I have such a wonderful husband! He has been a wonderful nurse, and has done a great job being Mr Mom these past few days. Unfortunately, he still has a few more days to go though, and I'm afraid the kids are driving him nuts...but I know he can do it. Thanks babe, I love you more than you will ever know!! Until tomorrow...

Enjoying the peace

Ready for some Green Hornet in 3D!

This was a hilarious little bit the hubby found in the SkyMall magazine...potty training your cat... a very interesting concept indeed!

So even though the doc tried his best to screw up my universe when he made me make an extra trip here for my consult last week, we're enjoying the extra kid free time together here in Salt Lake! Since we bought the nontransferrable, nonrefundable tickets...aka the cheap ones...we decided to keep things the same and come down on Sunday as previously planned.

We enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory last night. And then we went to see the movie The Fighter with Marky Mark...I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but I did like the movie. Christian Bale did a fabulous job portraying a crack head.

Today we did a little shopping, at Fashion Plaza right next to the Fashion Place mall, and of course at the mall. We also found a Super Target...and that makes me laugh just typing it...the garmin told us to turn right, to arrive at destination of Super Tar git...haven't heard the voice mispronounce anything yet, but it was hilarious!!! We also did some furniture shopping at RC Wiley. Casey still isn't sure that he's ready to let me get new couches for the family room...I am!!

Checked into our hotel room that will be my recovery quarters for the next 2 nights. And took a nap! Ahhh, the beauty of not having children to prevent me from enjoying a mid afternoon nap! Besides, I'm so excited and scared about what the morning has in store for me, that I doubt I'll sleep much tonight!

Off to dinner at Hopper's Bar n Grill. They had fabulous fish n chips, and decent watered down beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but it sort of sucks that you pay the same amount of money for a beer here that's got half the alcohol content of the beer we drink in Idaho. Oh well! We decided to kill the evening with another movie. We had to choose between Dilemma with Vince Vaughan that will either be a hit or a complete flop, and the Green Hornet in 3D. Casey chose the 3d movie at the last minute. I was waaaayyyyyy apprehensive that I'd even find it remotely entertaining, and I don't have my scrapbooking room to retreat to when I find that I'm bored to tears with the movie. I'm glad that I kept an open mind though, because I really liked it. It was quite funny in several spots, and I like Seth Rogen. I snapped a goofy photo of us in our 3d glasses at the theater, it shall serve as the photo of the day!

Less than 10 hours until surgery...sooooooo freaking nervous, soooooo excited at the same time! I'm sure that it will be at least Wednesday, maybe even Thursday before I'm able to post again. Until my next post!

Clean at last!

I'm such a terrible procrastinator! I don't know why, but I like to feel the flames burning my butt before I get stuff done...probably because I work well under pressure! Got the whole stinking house cleaned today, and it's a good thing, because with all of the limitations of recovery it is likely to be the last time until my new catalog party with the girls on the 4th of February. While not being allowed to do a lot of my chores is a plus, my OCD and type A tendencies will ignite and it will drive me crazy to not get some of it cleaned up before then!

My kids are so excited to go stay with Grandma and Grandpa for 4 nights that they can hardly stand themselves right now. But OH EM GEE...they are ultra clingy right now!! It's kind of cute that they're going to miss me, but did I mention CLINGY!! After this surgery I'm going to need one to remove two tumors from my legs/hips...one is called Lucas and the other Zachary. I had the hubby snap a picture of them literally attached to me (thus, my pic of the day)...jinkies! Grandma had a suggestion to help them understand how long mom and dad will be gone, so we went to Target today and let them pick out three small toys. Each morning they get to pick one new goody from their bag and when the new goodies are all out of the bag, then that means mom n dad will soon be home. Between that and the calendar, I wish Grandma lots of luck! Lucas has reviewed 'the plan' with us at least 5 times daily for at least the last week.

Our airport shuttle on this end, our house sitter (my sweet lil baby brother), and our baby sitter (Grandma) all seem to be in order. The house is clean, the boys stuff is packed...I'm wiped out, but I'm betting I'll hardly sleep a wink tonight because I'm so excited about everything (I'm such a kid at heart)!!!!! ; )

Until tomorrow!

The power of a shower

The boys went to daycare today so I could rest, and continue to feel sorry for myself. I slept for almost 12 hours last night, and it was awesome!! Had some breakfast and started working on boring, mindless computer stuff, and straightening up my mess of papers in the office. I decided that I'd have some lunch, watch my DVR'd episode of Biggest Loser, and hop in the shower. It's seriously amazing to me just how refreshing a shower is when you're sick! Even though I'm not dressed to go out on the town, I seriously feel better! I think the steam helped open up those sinuses, so I can breathe a little better...and the hot water was just heavenly. Should've done it earlier in the day!

I signed up to get my horoscope (YES, I'm still a sagittarius...always have been, always will be), it's posted on my facebook page daily now. And today it talks about 'strained nerves and trepidation about unpleasant tasks'...couldn't be more accurate on a day like today. I'm so stinking excited about the surgery on Tuesday...but I'm terrified of the pain and recovery period...and now add in the fact that I'm sick going into all of this! UGH!! I am totally an excited bundle of nerves! A friend had her reduction surgery on Tuesday and said that she feels human again today, and that the past 3 days were terrible for pain and such. I'm imagining that since her surgery is much more involved that that is good news for my team, since I have an incredibly high pain tolerance (2 all natural childbirths...one with the help of Pitocin, but nothing more than Ibuprofen for pain), and I'm just getting the implants. Please, let it be so! I'm trying to calm myself down, but it's amazing what the fear of the unknown can do to a person.

Anyways, I got a good start on the first of the new pages for the new catalog celebration last night. I figured that since I was just going to be sitting on my butt watching tv I might as well do something productive! I got the paper cut for 4 pages, and 'painted' and glued down the first 2. Now to glue down the other two and embellish away!! I also spent a good deal of time on the lap top surfing the artwork on the consultant bulletin boards, and the consultant's blogs. Feeling all kinds of inspired to create some fun workshops with this next catalog! Cannot wait!!!

I was finally able to download pictures from my camera to the desktop. And get the pictures of the day posted to my blog. Now to get my huge snapfish order together, and figure out what pictures are worthy of going on the boys' webpages for December. I had originally planned to do this after surgery since it's a good down time activity...but now that I've got some extra downtime I might as well do something with it, after another nap!

My picture of the day for today shall be of my bath and body works shower gel...a breath of fresh air during my amazingly awesome shower today! Until tomorrow!

Feeling sorry for myself

Today I sit here at home, no swim lessons, no work...pj day...because despite my best efforts to keep healthy for my surgery, I've failed, and I've been taken hostage by a stupid cold virus. The only good thing about this is that I've got lots of time to spend on the laptop and catch up on some computer stuff...that I was previously going to wait and catch up on the Monday before, and the 2 weeks after surgery. I'm blaming this all on my surgeon...if he would've kept my consult on the 17th, and not made me fly down on the 10th for the consult instead, I probably wouldn't be sick right now. I tried desperately not to touch my eyes, nose, mouth or face without having first washed my hands during my my flight down and back on Monday, but obviously I failed there too...oh, woe is me! : ( This is gonna super suck, healing from surgery, and getting over a cold. The only thing that could possibly make this worse...the hubby and/or the kids getting this too.

Hosted my first card workshop last night. I think I'll be doing more in the future! Love getting together with the girls and scrapping and chatting! They are chicken soup for my soul! ; ) They renew my excitement about my job every time I have a workshop...if only I could say the same thing about my real job.

Anyways, the boys need 'help' trying to get through a level of Super mario brothers that they are stuck on...so here I go! Until tomorrow. My pic of the day today...the boys playing, trying to entertain themselves since mom just doesn't have the energy to do it!

Life is totally unfair

Just finished the first draft of a letter of recommendation for a friend who is adopting. And while doing so, I was reflecting on how ridiculous this whole process of adoption is. She already has one child who is thriving, and they are unable to conceive despite several infertility treatments, so why in the hell do they have to go through hell to be blessed with another child???? SOOOOO unfair when you stop and think about all of the children that are abused on a daily basis in this country, how many babies are born to parents that don't want and or deserve a child, how many parents can't afford a child, etc....I know she's already been down this road....and has several friends that are currently pregnant, and how hard it must be for her, and that nothing about life is guaranteed to be fair....but seriously?!? Sorry, must vent for her...with her.

On a brighter note...had the consult appointment with the surgeon in Salt Lake yesterday. He's a typical surgeon, but I like him, and feel comfortable with him. Selected saline for the upgrades. And proof that I NEED upgrades, we're going with 425cc's. I thought they'd feel heavier, but they weren't that bad. I also thought they'd bounce around a whole lot more, especially since they're just sitting inside a support bra, on top of my girls. But he had me jog around the exam room to see if I wanted to go down in size or up in size since I'm still planning on doing that half marathon in May. It was a blast trying on different sizes! My friend had her's done back in September, and she told me to do the consult close to the surgery because once I did the consult I'd be super anxious to do the surgery, and right away. Boy she knew what she was talking about!!! I can't believe I still have a week to go until surgery!! Paid my fees, and surgery is on!! 7:45 on the 18th!! WOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!

Another workshop under my belt tonight! Card workshop tomorrow night, and then another Magnifique scrap page workshop on Friday night. It should help this week fly right on by!

I must go finish cutting paper for tomorrow night's workshop! While finding pictures for other posts I came across a hilarious picture of my hubby using Zach for a pillow...it's pretty cute, so it will serve as my pic of the day today. Until tomorrow...

What was I thinking????

Proof that my laundry room needs a makeover!

Zach attack and his out of control flock of seagulls look!

I know I like to think that I can do it all...wife, mom, pharmacist, scrapbooking consultant, friend, etc...however, I think I'm pushing my outer limits this month! With my consult in Salt Lake tomorrow, and my surgery a week away I cannot seriously believe how much I have to get done. Of course, it doesn't help that I took time to watch a movie last night with the hubby and our friend Ryan...nor that I ran 3 miles today...nor that I spent an hour playing Angry Birds (I hate that game anyways, so explain to me why I continue to play it...it makes me ANGRY). I have 3 workshops this week (squeezing them in before surgery and the unknown recovery period)...I work Thursday evening and Friday morning, and also the usual preschool shuttle, and swim lessons on Thursday morning. Oh, and the fun of packing for all of us, since the boys will be staying with Casey's parents while we're in Utah for surgery. I'm FREAKING out, but also trying to remind myself that what gets done, gets done, and the rest will wait...might be 3 weeks, but it will just have to wait. And to think that just yesterday I was entertaining the idea of a new challenge...100 layouts in 2011! Crazy woman I am!!! If it were 100, including those that I make for workshops, not a problem...but 100 just for me, my own personal scrapping...might be a bit too much to expect of myself! I'll wait to challenge myself until I see how recovery is shaping up to be.

I'm just up from the scrap room again...this time I was prepping for workshops. Got all of the stuff cut and ready for Tuesday and Friday night's classes, just have the card workshop to finish up. I had to sort through the box of goodies to get the rest of the supplies out to prep for the workshops. I'm so bad...I'd rather play with all of the new stuff than get the stuff ready for the workshops...but I know how much I hate to scramble the day of the workshop, so I resisted all temptation, and got right to work instead!!

I'm getting really nervous about recovery from the surgery. I'm worried about the kiddos...I so love to rough house with them, and carry them around upside down and such...how will we ever survive at least 3 weeks of me not being able to do it??? They love a good tickle session, but they're pretty wild...and the thought of getting hurt really does NOT appeal to me! Hoping that it's harder on me than it is on them, and that 3 weeks flies by, and that I recover quickly...like I usually do! Going to try and enjoy the down time! But I know that it's going to drive me absolutely crazy to not be able to go and do like I'm always doing...and no strenuous exercise for at least 3 weeks...that may kill me!

Today would've been mom's 61st birthday...hard to believe that we last got to celebrate with her 11 years ago, for her 50th! What I wouldn't give to have her back just for a short time, to meet her son in law and her grandkids, and to stay up all night talking with her......... Lucas told me that even though we can't party with her that she's still having a party up in heaven...LOVE the innocence and sweetness of youth! Miss you mom!!

Anyways, I still have 3 more things that must be done before bed tonight, so I must get off the puter and get some shut eye before flying out to SLC tomorrow morning. Just occurred to me today that I haven't flown anywhere by myself since I was 13 weeks preggo with Lucas (6 years ago in February), to go to Carolyn's baby shower in Lewiston. And it didn't make me at all nervous since they met me at the airport, and I knew my way around, etc. I've become accustomed to having Casey by my side to help me navigate my way around foreign territory! I'm sorta nervous about tomorrow...I can do this!!!! I think I can, I think I can!!!

My pic of the day for yesterday is of Zachary's wild hair...we call it his flock of seagulls look! And my pic of the day for today is of the laundry folding couch...how I long for a laundry room makeover, to be able to fold clothes in the laundry room, rather than out in the family room on the couch! : )

Until tomorrow!

In design mode

Just up from the scrap room...just finished the 6 pages for my February workshop with the Wings paper pack. I made 4 traditional pages, and 2 with snow flakes. I used all new patterns... and a new technique or 4! ; ) I made one hell of a mess with the new spray pen, and sprayed much of the table and wall with Vineyard berry...fun, but oh so messy! And I don't like messy when I'm the one that has to clean it up!! Am loving the little tag book on the one page...thus, it shall be my picture of the day...it's freaking adorable, if I do say so myself!

Made progress on the design of my new Scrappin Mama website! Casey isn't nearly as thrilled about this as I am...I'm sure if I had to do the computer crap behind it all, I wouldn't be either. I looked into it today, and it sure isn't cheap to pay someone to create a website for you, especially if you want custom, and not some cookie cutter template that anyone can use! I'm going to have to settle for somewhere in the middle of custom and cookie cutter, but I can live with that!!

Zach and Lucas were on a roll making me laugh today...from telling me that 'it's 8:53 and time to get the party started'...to telling dad that he 'should be good at work so nobody wants to punch you in the face'...to dancing up a storm to the Bee Gees Saturday night fever, and the B-52's Roam...to laughing hysterically at these stupid new books we got in the mail today (because I forgot to decline one of the selections of the month from their children's book club) all because of some horse pooping on a toilet, and some pig saying BANANA...kids these days! I do LOVE their hysterical laughs, when something is so funny that it brings tears to their eyes, and they can barely laugh or breathe...and they just can't stop laughing! LOVE those moments with them!!

Dr Young's office called to confirm my consultation appointment for Monday...cannot wait to go try on boobs! 3 days to consultation!!!!!!

Off to CTMH training in the morning...home to clean up my house...out to dinner with Ryan and his mom Paula! ; ) Until tomorrow...

Creative = messy

Started today off with swim lessons, the first week in this session, after a two week break for the holidays. It was interesting to watch my boys, Lucas had previously been holding his breath under water for 9 seconds, but today he would only do 4 or 5. Zach would previously do the astronaut walk under water, but today would only sit on the bench under water, for just a couple of seconds no less. I thought it was just my kids, but the other two boys in the class were the same way. Coach Amber said that after a couple more sessions it won't happen like this, but since they were just finally feeling comfortable in the water at the end of the last session that she isn't surprised that they regressed a little...and that it won't take as long to regain that comfort level. They had fun, and that is the important part!

Spent a ton of time online today, looking at other consultant's artwork...there is some amazing talent amongst the CTMH consultants. I found one whose website was way more impressive than her artwork. I'm looking forward to revamping my website (my personal one) to include some of her ideas, and hopefully jump starting my business in 2011! The bad news is that Casey will have to be bothered to help me with the technical side of all of this. I wish that I could do the computer geek thing...I just really don't think it's possible though!

After looking around at the artwork I was feeling more than inspired to create away tonight, but my scrap room is a complete disaster...seriously looks like a hurricane came through that room. So my pic of the day is the before shot of my scrap room. It seriously took me over an hour to clean up that bad boy! Who knew that the creative process was also such a messy one?!? I guess Casey is right when he says that the messiest kid alive (Zach) gets that from me!!

My hubby and I have been watching 24 thru Netflix. We are on the final season, now that they finally released the discs. We are on disc 2, and finishing it up tonight! They have not disappointed with this final season!!! I'm just sad that it has to be over after this season...how will I ever survive without more Jack Bauer?!?

Must get to creating...until tomorrow!

What a day!

I got so very much accomplished today, but still so much to do. I'm starting to freak out about how little I'll be able to do for about one month after surgery. I'm gearing up to make some meals to freeze so that Casey won't have to stress about the cooking that first week postop. Am hopeful that I'll be feeling good enough to manage after that first week! We're making a Costco run this weekend, maybe I'll just stock the freezer with premade stuff from them, rather than worry about trying to get more stuff done. It's amazing how busy life is when you try to stuff 4 weeks of a month into 2 weeks!!!!! Guess it's a good sign if I can survive this part without killing myself!

Had a very tragic thing happen to a friend's family member today...just a quick reminder that you never know when today is your last day. I'm not a sappy person usually, but sure makes me want to hug and kiss my boys more than ever, and tell them how much I love them. Tell my friends and family how grateful I am that each and every one of them has been an important part of my life. And hope that nothing tragic takes me before they all know this!! It's hard to wrap your head around what if something happened today, and there was no tomorrow...all your hopes and dreams...plans for the future...out the window. I'm sure that with Sunday, Jan 9th rapidly approaching that I'm a little more sentimental than usual too...mom would've been 61. So hard to believe that she's been gone 10 1/2 years, yet seems like yesterday too!! God, how I miss that woman!!

Cleaned out the kid's toy room today. Several bags of toys to go to Idaho Youth Ranch. I was proud of the boys for getting rid of so many things. That is my picture of the day today...the donated toy pile (and the bag of crappy kid's meal toys that will be round filed). Watched Despicable Me with them AGAIN today...that movie is hilarious, but watching my little men watch that movie is freaking hilarious!!

Good day...until tomorrow!

Back on track

I have learned one very important lesson today...do blog post first thing in the morning, to ensure that it gets done for the day (unless I work early that morning, and we all know there is no way in hell I'm getting up 10 minutes earlier than usual just to do a blog post). When I started this 'challenge' I found it so hard to believe that the other lady that had done this same challenge had a difficult time always coming up with a picture...it's just one picture a day after all! When I can average 200 pictures a month, most months, how is it that I don't average 1 a day! Especially with my two silly, adorable sons!! Must get back on track, not only with the posts, but with the whole picture thing too!

So, since Sunday in a nutshell....my dad and stepmom came over to celebrate Christmas after dinner on Sunday. It was fun visiting with them!! My dad looked pretty good, but he sure is losing weight...and teeth! Not sure how many he has left, but if I met him on the street, I'd guess he's from Atlanta, Idaho! ; ) The boys adore Papa Ron and Gran, and were spoiled rotten by them for Christmas! I'll use one of the pics of them with their new tool set for Sunday's pic of the day. They got them a frog game, that is way over Zach's head if played as it's intended...but Lucas really kicks butt at it. He must've gotten his sense of logic from his dad, because I really had to think about how to move the frogs to win...and sometimes that kid had it figured out faster than I did! He really is a smart kid! That being said, I called Summerwind school of Math and Science. We'll be doing a tour and attending an info seminar on the 28th to see what we think. It's a magnet school here in the Meridian school district that focuses on the importance of math and science, starting in kindergarten. I think the kid will be a perfect fit, and a natural! I truly hope he continues to like learning so much for many more years to come.

Sunday after the kiddos were in bed, my friend, and CTMH consultant Jeny came over to talk shop about the new catalog that is being released in February. We had originally hoped to share some of the cost, but we like too many of the same things, and hated the same things too! : ) It was good times though catching up with her, and chatting about everything! She was here until midnight, and as Casey said, 2 hours and 45 minutes of chatting, 15 minutes of actual 'working'! He's not far off from the truth...but it was fun!

Monday...work...first Monday of the year, first Monday of the month...mid tech called in sick...not a fun day, nuf said, we'll leave it at that! Glad that I don't have to do that again for another year!! Picture of the day for Monday is of my fat cat. Who jumped square in the middle of my back/butt in the wee hours of Monday morning, quite soon after I'd managed to FINALLY get my freezing cold butt to sleep...I was so cold and hyped about CTMH that I could not fall asleep for the life of me!

That brings us to today! Best things about today: 1) Starbucks pumpkin spice latte and cinnamon swirl coffee cake, 2) ZUMBA, 3) new season of Biggest Loser!!!!!!! I had a girlfriend and her friend join us tonight for their first class ever...they had fun...I had fun too! I have made several new friends thru Zumba, and they are such happy people and fun people to be around. And, Crystal's energy was awesome tonight! She is sooooo good for my soul after a crappy, long, exhausting day at work!! I really didn't want to go, but had talked myself into it since Trish and Ann were going to meet me there. Then Trish texted me and said that Ann had a pet emergency and wouldn't be able to make it. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually entertained the thought of not going, because I was sooo wiped. But then she texted back and said that they were going...game on! I'm so glad that I went! It's fun, it's refreshing...it truly is my attitude adjustment!

And then after the kiddos are all tucked in, I get to sit back and enjoy a new season of Biggest Loser. I keep saying that I'm done watching, pretty much every season for the last 4 or 5 now... but it's like watching a train wreck, I can't look away! Plus, it's intriguing to see who these new trainers are this season, and how this new format will pan out.

Anyways, I found a picture of the day for today...my fat cat, Chloe!! I want to be a cat in my next life, someone to feed me, clean up my crap, sleep the day away, and be treated like princess of my house!! Until tomorrow...prepare for one butt kicking busy day...that I'm totally going to conquer!!!!!!!

My new year is off to an AWESOME start!

Decided to kick off the new year on the right foot! And prove that I'm slightly crazy, all at the same time! Went for a 5 mile run today...but it was only 25 degrees outside! While I thought it was unbearably cold, evidently I was alone in the running world on that thought...passed a guy who was running in short sleeves and shorts, no long sleeve layers that had been removed, no hat, no gloves...FREAKING CRAZY for sure!! I have decided that I am going to register for the half marathon as soon as it opens, or tomorrow if it already is. That way, I'll stay motivated to keep this effort up! I continue to surprise myself with what I can accomplish that I previously would've said I absolutely could NOT do!

And then it was off to a fabulous date night with the hubster!! I wanted Cool Hand Luke's, but they are closed for the holidays, until Tuesday. So, I had a gift card to Chili's, and that's where we landed...totally cheap date I am! Then we went to see Little Fockers...cute, but not nearly as funny as the original Meet the Parents! There were a couple of scenes where I wanted to roll on the floor laughing my butt off...but I didn't want to scare any of the other theater goers! We booked our baby sitter early so that we had time to get to the Neisen's for dinner with them and Joe, but then found out Joe had to leave today, and it would just be us. I spaced having her come a little later, so we were done with the movie by 8:30. In an attempt to not appear to be complete losers, we stopped at The Ram on the way home for a night cap. I had a fabulously tasty Mango Mojito (only 80 calories, or so the menu said)...and Case enjoyed a Total Disorder Porter (that was way more than 80 calories). We watched the Fiesta bowl, gave up trying to get a self portrait of us from my iphone, and settled on my picture of the day...Case enjoying his porter.

And as I checked my email while at the Ram, my day improved even more! I won $80 in the Snow better time to exercise challenge!!!! I have THE crappiest luck in the whole world, and it was a drawing for 2nd and 3rd places, so I was quite sure that I wouldn't win, but I actually managed to get my name drawn...it's a Christmas miracle!!!!

My new year is off to a fabulous start! Hope 2011 continues to knock my socks off! Until tomorrow!