Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Price Check On Aisle 3, Please.

Since I was able to handle an actual trip out in public last night to go to Lulu Bean's school concert (posting about that later, I promise), Den and I decided that I might be ready for an outing. Where did we go? Wal-Mart! I spent the morning cruising around our local Wal-Mart in one of the handicapper carts. Murphy's law being what it is, I of course ran into my girlfriend Tammy. At least I wasn't still wearing my pajama pants. We finished our trip off with a trip to Sonic for a brown bag special. Heaven! Speaking of Heaven, did you know that Hersheys is now making BUTTERCREAM filled kisses? Yum-O!

Aren't these bruises awful? I think they are from the tourniquet that the doc used during the surgery.

Look, I'm in the automotive department. Who's surprised that a trip to Wal-Mart with the hubs would find me there?

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Fat Toes and Other Ramblings

So these are my fat toes. I couldn't resist the urge to peek just a little. I won't be uncovering any more than these until Dr. Contreras give the OK, though. Aren't they funny? They look like little sausages!

Oh happy day!!! Stephenie Meyer is coming out with a novella! It is the back story of Bree, the young vampire from Eclipse. I can't wait to read it! Click here for more info.


Finally, I am not really a Dancing With The Stars fan. I don't not like it, I just never really got into it. That being said, I may have to vote and vote often this season, because none other than BUZZ ALDRIN, astronaut and American Hero is a competitor! He's not to shabby either, given his age, that is.
I know that I said finally in the last section, but I am watching New Moon for the first time while I am writing this and I can not believe how it ended! AHHHHHHH! How many more days until Eclipse? Wait, let me see if there is a countdown clock online yet. There is! 92 days, 12 hours, 51 minutes, and 30 seconds to go!



One Step Closer

Today the Cryo-Cast, which has been providing constant cold therapy since the surgery came off. I feel so much lighter! I am so tempted to peek under the bandages and check out the carnage, but the doctor told be hands off until my post-op on Friday, and I am following his instructions TO THE LETTER. He put the fear in me with stories about failed procedures and surgeries having to be repeated because the patient didn't follow directions. I will do anything to not have to do this again.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Say Hello To My Little Friend

"Mommy, there's a spider on Paige's bed!!!!!" Actually, no, it was not a spider, it was this little guy - the milkweed assassin bug. Despite its violent sounding name the milkweed assassin bug is actually pretty good to have around the house. They eat aphids, armyworms, stinkbugs, houseflies, etc. I am especially happy to see him since it seems we will have another infestation of stink bugs again this year. Unfortunately, he had to go because their bites are extremely painful to humans and he really had no place in Paige's bed.

Such High Hopes

I called the doctor this morning begging for stronger painkillers. He put a prescription for dilaudid into the pharmacy. Me, being the masochist that I am immediately googled it to learn everything I could about it. The most common side effect of dilaudid is euphoria. Sadly, I do not feel euphoric. Equallly unfortunate is the fact that after 2 1/2 hours it is wearing off just like the darvocet did. Dang. Maybe it needs time to build up in my system. Now I have to go because Dennis just informed me that he let a bird in the house. Duck and cover people.

If Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body Then I Am Wonder Woman!

Because I am in so much pain right now and this is pretty much my only outlet for whining, I thought I would share with you some inspirational quotes.

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually, it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."
--- Lance Armstrong

"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."
--- Kenji Miyazawa
I like this one. What journey can I fuel with this pain? I can feel some kind of deep and spiritual answer to that question lying under the surface, but unfortunately the pain is too bad to focus.

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."
--- Unknown
Hmmm, this one seems relevant. How do you separate the two, though?

"Pain is deeper than all thought; laughter is higher than all pain."
--- Elbert Hubbard
Maybe laughter IS the best medicine. The hubs is pretty funny. Maybe I can talk him into doing some standup for me.

Oh, well, pain is only temporary. In a few days the worst of it will be past and I can focus on getting back to normal life. Busy week this week. There should be some pictures and fun stuff to blog about later.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Meet Frankenfoot!

For those of youhave not already been introduced, meet Frankenfoot. It has been cut open, chiseled, bone grafted, had screws drilled into it, and stitched up. Now it hurts. A LOT. I am lucky, however to have an amazing hubby who is helping me stay on top of the pain by making sure I am getting my meds every 4 hours on the dot and changing out the water in my cryo-cast. More about that later. He's so awesomesauce. I'll be in this lovely device until next Friday when I have my post-op appointment. Then Dr. Contreras will unveil Frankenfoot to the world before re-containing it a cast. Anyone want to come sign me?

This is Frankenfoot.


The little hose coming off of Frankenfoot attaches to....


This modified Igloo cooler filled with ice water that circulates the water through the bladder of the cast, helping with pain and swelling. Genious, right?





Friday, March 26, 2010

Before


Sorry for the less that catchy title. I am a little preoccupied this morning. I am going in for my foot surgery this morning. This is my farewell to my nice, unscarred, albeit painful left foot. When I come home this afternoon I will be introducing FRANKENFOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Welcome To The World Baby Boy

Bryson Daniel Hargis
March 25, 2010
Congratulations to Brent, Syndee, Chloe, and Brayden on your new little man to love!!!!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Seven Years of Summi Lulu

I can hardly believe that my baby girl turned seven today. Wow how time has flown. In her seven years, Summi has lived in three different states and visited several more. She has been to Korea, Japan, and Guam. She's been through a typhoon and a North Korean missile launch and her picture taken on the subway like she's a rock star. She's discovered that soccer is definitely not her thing and cheerleading definitely is. She's made the honor roll. She decided in Kindergarten that she didn't like being Summer #2 so she started calling herself Lulu at school. She's been overjoyed to have a pet all her own and crushed when it met an untimely end. She's a Daddy's girl and the family princess. She's a total drama queen already. And she's mine (OK, ours). Happy Birthday sweet baby.

Welcome to the world baby Summer! 5 lbs. 8 oz. that turned Daddy to mush on the spot.

6 months old and already a diva!


1 year


2 years


3 years. Are you noticing a trend?


4 years


5 years. No pink this time, but check out her movie-star hair!


6 years


7 years old!

Monday, March 22, 2010

I Do Not Like The Cone of Shame






Poor Daisy Dog. She always seems to get herself into these things. A bloody gash on the top of her head means a bald spot and the doggy-on-the-mend accessory of the year, the cone of shame.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Party Animals!

Today was Summer's birthday party. After watching WAY too many episodes of Ace of Cakes, she decided that for her birthday cake she wanted a monkey sitting on a pile of bananas and holding a sign that said Happy Birthday Summer all made of rice krispy treats. Dennis took on the challenge (that will be a separate post altogether) and we designed a low-key eco-concious party around the cake. We used biodegradable plastic cups and utensils, held the party outside so the kids got plenty of fresh air and beautiful spring sunshine, and sent each child home with a flower that they planted themselves instead of a plastic bag full of more plastic.

Welcome to Summer's Party! (I know, I know. Balloons are not exactly eco-friendly, but to me it just doesn't feel like a birthday party without balloons.)

The much-anticipated monkey cake.


Thank you for all the wonderful presents!


Blowing out the candles


Den and a gaggle of 7 year olds


Opening presents


Amelia and Lauren enjoying the see-saw


Mary Jane's just a swingin'


They made up some crazy game on the trampoline called Dead Man Rising


Summer and Mary Jane


Madi, Summer, and Kyla


Summer and Caroline


MacKenzie and Summer

Friday, March 19, 2010

Self Portrait in Crayon

Not to be outdone by Paigie's artistic endeavors, Summer brought home this self portrait from school. We were totally blown away.

Festival of the Arts

Every year, Poquoson Elementary School puts on their Festival of the Arts fundraiser. It is a huge event that brings in local artists and is really a great time. This year, Paige and some of her friends were involved in Reader's Theater as well as exhibiting their art.

Kaylie, Sydney, Paige, Summer, and Emma play civic-minded mice.

Narrator #2



Playing Bibi the artist from Sideways Stories from Wayside School



Paige's art on display. I may be a little biased, but I think it was one of the best ones there!

Oh Crappie!

That's what Den and the girls were fishing for last Sunday while I hosted a yummy Tastefully Simple party here at Haggis Manor. They didn't catch anything with their Barbie rods, but then again, neither did the guy fishing further down the pier with a thousand dollars worth of equipment! How funny would it have been if they had caught something and he didn't?

Rockin' the Barbie rods

Whatcha got there Paige?


What's all over your mouth?


Wanna see?
Moon Pie! The perfect fishing snack.
Love this one of the Lulu


What's so funny?



The fish weren't biting, but the scenery at Sandy Bottom Nature Park sure was nice.


Paigie on the pier