Organization

It's a big word, and in my house lately a very big task!    With the kids each involved in activities and sports and band...and...need I go on?    

Anyway, I find myself wanting to be more efficient, make things run smoother here.  With the 2 dogs now there are more things to do associated with care and feeding.   I am just one person, who still at this time cannot do it all.   I shouldn't have to do it all either, as I have been reminded.   The kids are big enough to learn to do some things that will only help them become more independent adults.  Hopefully preparing them for adulthood is most parents wish.  I have always taken care of everything they need and I am kind of kicking myself for doing so much for them.   Allowing them to become dependent on me for everything.   Since my surgery I haven't been able to do it all for them, and our house has suffered.   So today I came up with a responsibility list for each child, with before school, after school, after supper, and before bedtime lists of some things they CAN and need to do for themselves without reminders from me.    I honestly am tired of hearing my own voice.   I bet they are tired of it as well and I know for a fact that they tend to shut me out after awhile.   

Here's hoping this will be a very positive step towards not only teaching them to be responsible, but to get some habits ingrained in their still malliable  minds,    

I think it is time for some coffee....hoping I can get more awake and alert enough to finish some more tasks I had mapped out for myself today.

"There's no place like home" 

Completing tasks.....do you or don't you?

I don't know about you, but some days I feel like I have so many things going at one time, I never feel like I get any of them done.    For instance, this morning...I went into the bathroom and noticed the trash can needed emptying.  No big deal right?   Well I took the bag out and realized there wasn't another bag in there to put right in, I do this so a fresh bag can be put in right away.   I left the bathroom, emptied the garbage into the kitchen trash can and meant to grab another bag from the fancy little holder we have that we keep grocery bags in.  Mind you...our bathroom is not far from either the kitchen trash can, or the bag holder, but , alas....I forgot.  About an hour later I go in to the bathroom and the can is on top of the counter top, still awaiting a fresh bag.   I know I am not a Spring chicken, but sheesh....how forgetful can I be?    Oh well, I guess I can chalk it up to trying to keep track of so many things and that just got moved out of sight for awhile.  LOL  

Tattoo pictures (finally)

I am finally getting the links up for the tattoo I just got on Monday night. I am also adding the two I got before this one. The first is the one I got for my kids....and the other one is for my sister who continues to fight cancer.

My new one...(remember this is only 1/2 of the entire concept tattoo)


My Kids!!

Fall Finds

Yesterday I took a trip to Goodwill, hoping to find tables and racks chock full of Autumn color! But alas, I found just a couple of things but....what I did find I think I did pretty good at sprucing them up, and bringing our kitchen table into the FALL season!!


This other one is another great find....88 cents for the birdhouse planter and I added some silk flowers and put it in my bathroom...

Excited!!

Good morning....I am up and at em this morning!! got up about 7:15am and even went for a walk around two blocks with Angi!! Back pain is non existant this morning and I love it!! It's been forever since I woke up with no pain.
So after my posting yesterday about Tattoos....I ended up getting one...actually starting one anyway.... I have designed what I want and it will take up most of the side of my right outer lower leg. But it has meaning, as do most tattoos to the actual bearers of them. Mine is a brightly colorful butterfly and a cercopia moth with vines and flowers linking the two. Last night I got the colorful butterfly, which represents ME..my journey in life and how I finally feel as if I have broken out of my cocoon and unfurled my wings that are colorful, sparkly, fun and pretty. Because, since I got divorced I have started a NEW LIFE!! A life full of wonder, excitement, love and beauty. The moth (when I get it) will represent JR, for he too has emerged from a cocoon and erupted as a beautiful and interesting being. The vines and flowers will represent the connection we have, our life line together, our love and beautiful relationship will be the pretty little flowers throughout the vines. So I have to wait for this to heal and in a few weeks go and get the moth and vines!! The finished product will be so awesome I just know it.
Okay...I have rambled on and on....hope you could understand what I wrote...sometimes I have it in my head but it doesn't come out right on the screen. LOL
I will post a picture on the sidebar. So if you like, please check it out and comment. Thanks!

Tattoos

I know many people who don't really like tattoos, but I am certainly not one of those people!! :)
So far I have 6 of them, and I just might add lucky number 7 tonight. I hope they can fit me in...I wasn't even actively looking to get one...and the past couple of times I wasn't really actively looking either. Each time it seems there has been a significant event in my life that makes me yearn for something permanent to remember, recall and put outward to the world that I either survived it or achieved it. Every one of the tattoos I have mean something special to me. I have designed a couple of them but a few I have picked out of books that I saw and liked.
To me the art of tattooing is very spiritual. I know it sounds tacky or cliche...but really to me there is a bond you make with the person you go with, be it friend or family member. You also tap into sometimes very strong emotions. I feel like it is a theraputic thing as well, since it helps you to feel those emotions etc...you can move through the levels of acceptance, denial etc...and help you to move ahead in your life and achieve things you have wanted.
Okay enough about the tattoos...keep your fingers crossed (and anything else you can cross) for me that I can get one tonight!!

I know I changed it again.....LOL

Sorry for changing the layout...I guess I am just one of those people who needs to move things around often. I am still learning about this blogging thing so bear with me while I tweak and twist and mold my blog to something I can be super proud of !! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, hope you follow me and keep up with the goings on and happenings of our family!!!

Busy days!

I have been reading some blogs and some of my fellow bloggers are canning their harvests and I too long for my kitchen to be full of clean jars and some wonderful produce to can for winter. It's been a couple of years since I canned...I don't even have jars anymore. I moved out and got divorced and didn't take them with me. I basically only took essentials that the kids and I needed at the time.
I had so many jars, lids, seals, even pectin for jams. *Sigh* But I digress....maybe next year.

Today is Ryan's first football game! Very exciting for all of us. Also, "Rally Day", or "back to church Sunday" was today at our church. They have tons of great things planned all day. But we have to miss them as not only is this the first game, but they do team and individual pictures today as well and we have to be at the field 90 minutes early for that. So we have to miss the Swen and Dean concert!! :( Oh well another time I am sure.
The kids are getting into the swing of school, and I too am trying as hard as I possibly can to get studying done each day. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day anymore. I guess if my back were a lot stronger yet, I would be able to do more each day. I do still have to spend time every couple of hours to lay down and rest my back for about 45 minutes and an hour. Which is a big improvement actually considering just two weeks ago I was spending the majority of my day and night laying in bed resting. So Praise God for quick healing and wonderfully talented neurosurgeons!!
The past couple of days have been warmer but still we haven't turned on the A/C again. Although I wish I had one just in our bedroom or even a window fan to pull in some cool outside air. I don't sleep the greatest without the air on. Weird huh?
Well...my head is racing and I have so many projects I want to start, from Halloween costumes, to getting some yarn so I can crochet some gifts for Christmas. I am not talented enough to make socks, mittens, gloves or even hats really...(although I can make one basic hat), I do make scarves and afghans which I enjoy immensely. I also have a huge desire to start quilting, but no longer have a sewing machine either anymore. Oh well...I can just dream for now!!

Fall

Hi, my name is Melissa and, I LOVE FALL! The crisp mornings that slowly warm into gorgeous, bright, sunny afternoons. Evenings cool enough for a sweatshirt and a patio campfire. Hot cocoa and marshmallows. Sunday afternoon Football!! Kids back in school after a long, hot summer. Finally getting into a routine again, and everyone busy with activities and planning for upcoming holidays. Crisp afternoon walks with dried, fallen leaves rustling underfoot. Need I even mention the fabulous colors of Fall? I didn't think so. :)

I can't believe that September is almost half through. I always say that I am going to plan better, and get things decorated for fall & Halloween and think of great Halloween costumes for not only the kids, but I vow every year that this will be the year I dress up!! So far, no plans made....that probably isn't a good sign is it?

Now that I have had my back surgery and I am "on the mend", I really am vowing to take my recovery time to not only try to study some, but to take time to decorate and plan and really make this Fall and Holiday season the best I have ever had. Now I know that sounds kind of stressful to some, and I wish I were as organized as some of my Fall loving friends. But, alas I am not! But I am really working on it!!
So my faithful friends all 4 of my followers...I hope to be posting some pics before the 1st of October. (wow...writing it out makes it official doesn't it?)

So, here's to cooler temps, apple cider, pumpkin lattes, the smell of cinnamon and cloves wafting through the house....and last but not least to a wonderful FALL for everyone!!!

My thoughts on Country Music

So I have kind of gotten back into listening to more "country" music. Why do I ever stop listening? I mean really? Love the beat, love the message in most of the songs, and love how faith based so much of it is. Even these days where there is so much adversity in the world, so much hatred and violence. A lot of the songs are still "hopeful, heartfelt, and soulful".

The ability to actually understand the words is also a big plus!! I am unfortunately showing my age here and no longer live by the motto, "if it's too loud then you are too old"!! I like it loud...heck my hearing isn't what it used to be either. ;) hahaha!!

So in my opinion, and my opinion only.....I love country music, it makes me feel things that get numbed out by all the nasty in the world....I don't mean the, my wife left me, I drink day and night and my dog got run over by a car songs....I like things that are more spiritual and they make you think. Thinking about how good we have it, no matter how much we own or don't own, how expensive our clothes are or how many pair of shoes we own.
Nuff said :) Thanks for reading :)

Feeling like crap

I know that the world doesn't revolve around me and the earth will continue to turn even if I am laid up in bed. But, this being laid up is really getting to me. On one hand I realize that things have to get done, the things I can't do have to be done by someone else. But on the other hand...I feel so alone and segregated just laying in my bedroom. I can't sit up for too long, and I can't walk too far...so here I lay in my bed. It sucks...I hate to sound like I am complaining and ungrateful because I am so grateful and so blessed for all the wonderful help I have received. I am just lonely. I feel like nobody wants to just hang out with me, there is always something else that has to be done. Even J.R. is so busy taking care of everything around the house every day that I barely see him. I follow him around like a lost puppy just hoping that for just a minute he would rub my ears. (not literally..LOL) I feel like I am just not fun to be around. I hurt and I can't even play on the computer or study cause I can't get comfortable. This totally sucks. I can't wait till I am better....God help me through this!!!

Saturday morning....

It's Saturday...the smell of coffee brewing is amazing~!! I got up earlier, around 7:30am. I was feeling kind of nauseas. Not really sure why, but I feel somewhat better now.
The kids are camping with their dad, Ryan called to say that they were about to have french toast and bacon for breakfast. That actually sounds pretty good right now. I had some granola with vanilla soy milk this morning....it doesn't compare to french toast and bacon.
Anywho...I have been just resting my back, and thinking what I could do today. I feel like I could just sleep the whole day away, but I know that is just my pain meds talking...LOL Maybe J.R. will hang the big Tv on the wall in or bedroom so it is easier to see when we lay in bed. I feel like a contortionist some days just trying to see the screen. It's so quiet here today. Like I mentioned the kids are camping with their dad, and Shelby just went out for a walk or something...who knows....teenagers, I just don't get em!! Wow I just sounded old didn't I? LOL Well my coffee just beeped, so it is done brewing...maybe after I drink some I will know better what I feel like doing. (although my choices are kind of limited with my surgery and all) :)

BIG NEWS

I got big news today....it's official. I am Divorced!! The judge signed the papers today~!!! It has been almost a year since I filed and finally this chapter is closing. We have a fair settlement in place and have set up visitation for the kids to see their dad. Now I can move forward into my life with J.R. The man who makes me so happy I could just burst!! I truly believe we are soul mates...I could list a million reasons why...but I won't....I know what they are and so does J.R. and for that we are truly blessed!!

The Question of the day...Friday edition....

Should you have to settle for a half-assed job done by your kids?

That is my question today....I don't understand how I am 'the wicked witch of the west" when I point out something that I asked my kids to do and they either don't complete the job or they do a crappy, quick job just to go do what they want to do. What are they thinking? Perhaps my question should be...Are they even thinking? So as you know I had surgery a mere 3 days ago on my back. I still cannot sit up in a chair for more than 10 minutes or so...and I can't stand in one spot for even less time. I thought I prepared the kids, and could count on them to all pull together and help mom out this week while I am healing. Well that my friends was a pipe dream on my part. They could barely get along with each other, how in the world could they cooperate. So basically every chore I asked any of the 3 kids to do, either got done half assed, or not at all for some lame reason or another. Not only was J.R. taking care of me...but he also went behind them and re-did everything they "claimed" they did by way of chores. Honestly I didn't think I was asking too much to have each of them pick up their OWN things, or to work together at clearing the kitchen table after a meal and putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Yes...we have a dishwasher....no need to even wash the dishes. Just load em up and turn it on. Guess it is too much for them.
Somedays I feel like pulling my hair out because they are just so selfish. I didn't think I was teaching them to be selfish people, where are they getting it???? Then they wonder why mom is dubbed "fun sucker". If I don't stay the course, and keep the discipline consistent then all Heck would break loose. Well enough of my rambling for today....I had better go lay back down for a bit, I can only sit up for a short time before I am in pain again.

Back surgery day and the day after

I didn't seem to find time to post about my impending back surgery. So here is the After Surgery blog post....
Yesterday August 31st, 2010 I arrived at Mercy hospital in Cedar Rapids at 12:00, to be whisked to a room where I undressed and put on one of those very flattering ventilated gowns they have there. I was asked a million questions, sometimes over and over again. My vitals were charted and an IV was started. (took two tries I might add). Then I was told to wait on this gurney until the doctor and anesthesia doc came in to talk to me. Shortly there after Dr. Abernathy arrived and spoke to us for a minute and marked my back on the side where I had the most pain and said, "see you after a while in the OR". Immediately after that came Dr. Franklin the anesthesia doc, he explained the risks, and what he would do step by step to help me be comfortable, I then signed the final release forms and it was time to wait some more. Everyone was very kind, and J.R. was with me the entire time. Mind you my scheduled surgery time was 5pm. When all the questions and prep work was done it was about 1:15pm. I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since Midnight the night before and of course I was hungry and thirsty, not to mention uncomfortable laying upon a hard gurney with a 2 inch mattress on it. But I got lots of pillows and everyone did their best to help make me as comfy as I could be. Finally I decided to turn on the tv to kill some time and "For the Love of the Game" with Kevin Costner & Kelly Preston was playing. Not a bad movie, would love to see it from the beginning some day. J.R. poised in the hard chair by my bedside was comforting but I knew he hadn't eaten or had a drink since breakfast and he was due to take his mid day meds. He left me briefly around 2:45 pm to go out to the car to get his meds and a cup of coffee. Of course no sooner was he gone 5 minutes, a nurse arrived in my cubbyhole and stated, "they will be ready for you in 10-15 minutes so you have to get up and go to the bathroom one last time and drink this really sour lemon lime stuff before someone wheels you down to the OR. I frantically texted J.R. and as soon as I was getting out of the bathroom across the hall I heard his voice in the hallway and the nurse telling him that they were going to be taking me down in just a few minutes.
They got me back up on the gurney again, put a very handsome bonnet on my head, I handed J.R my glasses, kissed him and said I love you, and we were off. Wheeling down the hallway, chatting pleasantly with the OR tech was doing the driving. She was a CNA once before she decided to become a nurse, and we talked about kids and families etc. The OR was chilly, lots and lots of lights and machines, I asked if I would be on my stomach for the procedure and she said yes and showed me the contraption that they place people on. Face down onto a gel cushion with a hole for your face, and then you are arched upward with your knees down and legs bent upward behind you. I asked how I would get in that thing....to which she stated..."oh we do that once you are asleep". I was like OMG how are they going to get this big body of mine up there into that thing without enduring a back injury, but I didn't say anything, as just as I thought about it, Dr. Franklin arrived....putting some medicine into my IV and I felt warm all over, my ears were fuzzy feeling and I was getting a little dizzy. He told me I would feel this way and I did indeed. Last thing I remember was the oxygen mask being put on my face and being told to take some slow, deep breaths and to think of a happy place or dream. Then Dr. Franklin asked if I wanted to count backwards from 100 or he could do it for me...I opted to hear him count. LOL I don't remember anything after he said 100!!
I awoke in the recovery room, dizzy and not really aware of the surroundings. I was on my back and it burned and hurt on my lower back. A couple of times they asked me to rate my pain...it wasn't awful but it wasn't pleasant so I told them a 5-6 out of 10....who knew that their pain scale if you had a 5-6 it was really bad pain. They put a canula in my nose for some oxygen and told me to take some slow deep breaths through my nose. I did and that seemed to help wake me up more. My head was feeling less foggy and I still had no idea what time it was, how long I had been in surgery or in the recovery room.
Soon a lovely young nurse came and said that everyone was waiting outside the doors for me....My mind had to think back for a minute..."who was everyone" I asked...she stated that J.R. was out there and Pastor Julie and someone else. Well the someone else was Julie's son James. They were all a welcome sight for these eyes. Just seeing J.R. there waiting for me and the fact that Julie and James went out of their way to come and see me touched my heart deeply. James had his laptop and he turned it to show me that he was playing "farmville" on Facebook....that made me laugh.
We rode up in the elevator to the 8th floor, where all Dr. Abernathy's patients go. The room was nice, smelled real clean and everyone was so helpful getting me off the gurney and into the more comfortable bed. Pastor Julie prayed for us and held my hand, then her and James had to get going. J.R. still faithfully by my side. I got some pain medicine and rested some in the bed...not too long and I had to pee...(one of the criteria you have to be able to do before being released). They checked vitals, all still good. The shifts changed and I had a new nurse. She told me I would need to get up for a walk when we could get the pain managed. The Morphine they gave me didn't do anything that I could tell, so they gave me a pain pill. I got to talk to the kids on the phone and let them know I was ok. They made me a cake and sent me a picture message on my phone. So sweet!!
Before long I had some broth, sprite, ice chips and water...and I got up to walk the halls with my nurse and IV pole. I did a couple of laps around the unit...felt good to walk actually. We got back to the room and J.R. had gone to get something to eat, but came back with some nasty sandwich from a vending machine. They gave me a menu to peruse and I ordered enough food for both of us to eat pretty good. The food was amazing. Like no hospital food I had ever had before. 2 thumbs up there!! Then J.R. and I took a walk 1 more lap around the unit to help our meals digest. I kept the solids down (yet another criteria met)....and the nurse came in to remove my IV. I got some more medicine, and she asked if I was staying or if I wanted to go home. We opted for home. It wasn't too terribly late and we could be home by midnight the latest.
We got home about 11:20pm and not more than 15 minutes after we arrived a thunder storm started up and it was loud, with lots of rain. I got into bed and finally got comfortable. I had to get up every two hours or so to pee and walk around a bit. I think we figured out the pain management pretty good and so far I feel great. Achey and sore at the incision site but as good as I can expect to feel. I can't sit for too long, and I can't be up too long but every couple of hours I get up and walk around the house a bit. So far so good. I am so thankful for J.R. and all he has done for me...he is my Florence Nightengale and is taking such good care of me. I couldn't ask for better treatment. I love him so much!!
More later.....