YEEEE HAAAAA!!!!!

Oh, I'm dancing the dance of joy!!!! Today is the first day I have actually been "pain free" since Dec 10!!!! Whooo Hoooo I am soooo excited!!! In fact, I started to catch up on some of the vast aray of things I have let slide, but I thought "heck NO, I feel good & I'm just going to sit and enjoy!!!" So after this post, it's butt on the couch time!!!!

I know I have whined about this for, hmmmm, all the posts since Dec 10, but you can just not imagine the pain. And the frustration. And the exhaustion!!! I did some internet research on cluster headaches, and many said the closest pain comparable was childbirth!!!! Now, when I had my kids, (back in my day--ha ha) epiderals were new and not readily available, which means I had a "spinal block". You know, the baby is out winking and they decide to give you something before you tear the Dr's ears off!!!! So I DO remember the pain, and by golly, this does come in a close second!!! Also read that there is not much that can be done---just need to run their course. I talked to a person who had actually had one of these tormented episodes, (I have only found one close by) and they agreed. So I guess mine has been textbook. Wow, that's the thing I have to have that is textbook---couldn't be intelligence, creativity, compassion, had to be cluster headache!!!

On to brighter subjects, Penny the Queen and I had a "skip" day today!!! Boy was it fun!!!! We both left at noon for our, um, "Dr's appts", and had a good lunch and some power shopping!!! We can power shop like no other two gals on this planet!!!! We can do more damage in 15 minutes than some can do in a lifetime!!!!! But, I think this added to my relief and healing!!!

Got a very busy week ahead---cake Saturday, pasta buffet Thurs (putting Penny to work on that one, ha ha), cake Friday, and Chamber Banquet on Sat. Back to the grind!!! But, it's been nice having a break after the holidays. That means I had one weekend off!!! And, it's always new territory, and I love it mucho!!!

We're planning Hank's 2nd birthday!!! That is so strange---just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital!!! This year it's "Bob the Builder" theme---and, of course, I AM making the cake.

Well, I'm off to the sofa for some major vegitating!!! Have a good Thurs---CSI starts soon!!!

My Litte Buckaroo!!!

OMG!!! I am so totally, helplessly, embarrasingly in love with this kid!!! And, as of this past weekend, he says "YA YA". You have never heard it said so darlingly!!!!! He stayed with me Friday afternoon and we had sooooo much fun.

We took him to eat at a Mexican restaurant, and he LOVES salsa. Once chip acts as a funnel, and he slurps it up---like a little piggy at a trough!!!!!

Oh, woe is me!!!! I had another "killer" headache today. After the MRI, and the medical community finding "nothing"--careful now, no comments on that!!!, and having been prescribed meds, I thought I was on the road to recovery!!! I let the headache get away from me before I took the meds, and suffered several hours this afternoon. BUT, I had nasal pain spray, used it, and was able to sleep.

Now--here's the kicker!!!!!----the prescription for headaches, which I am to take at the very, very onset, come in a six pack. Ok, you can take up to 2 a day, which I don't, so they will last at the least 3 days, at the most 6 days. Went to get a refill on them Saturday, cause I don't want to be without them and MY INSURANCE COMPANY REJECTED THE REFILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Said I had to have 12 days in between refills----ok, sure, I'll just DECIDE NOT to have a migraine!!! Like I schedule these things!!!!! I'm calling Dr tomorrow---something HAS to be done about this. Either that or I'll get her home # and have her on speed dial when the pain is tooooo great!!!!! Now, this med is neither habit forming or a controlled substance, and it prevents a trip to minor emergency, so WHAT'S THE DEAL? Oh I am angry!!!!

But, the headache is gone for today, (skipping along here), and I do have enough meds for 2 more days (gee, that should make a person happy!!!!). As long as I can get through tomorrow I'll be fine!!!! (that's my new mantra!!!!)

Have you guys seen the video that Bill Engvall does called Dorkfish????? If not, go to youtube and check it out. The other night I was watching TV in bed, saw the video, and CACKLED. Yes, I was levitating out of the bed laughing, tears streaming down my face, and woke hubby (who is quite deaf!!!), and he jumped up and screamed "what is it---are you in pain???" Well, I couldn't say much at that point, and he didn't think it too funny at the time. But, seriously folks, it was funny, the adrenaline was necessary, and I felt much better the next day!!! So, check it out!!!

Well, gotta run for now. Off to watch TV in bed!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!

Yep That's It!!!!

This is what I spent the better part of the last 3 weeks looking like!!! On 12/27, if you read my blog, you will recall that I visited minor emergency for a headache that was MAJOR!!!! That was followed by a visit to Dr., meds, and then last Sunday, 1-6, another trip to minor emergency, where they determined I needed a CAT scan and sent me to ER.

After spending 4 hours in ER, hooked up to IV's (I HATE shots & IVs!!!!!), was sent home and advised to see Dr. No CAT scan--said they didn't do them for that type of headache (what the one that hurts in the head?????) So, Tues, went to Dr, and was sent for MRI. Guess what??? They actually found a small, small brain--hee hee hee. No, after all was said & done (and MRI normal), it was determined I had a "cluster" headache that caused a migraine. Have struggled with migraines all my life, but never medicated for such. And, believe me---a cluster induced migraine will send you looking for a steel wall to slam your head into!!! It has left me confused, jittery, sore, and wiped out! But, now that I'm on meds, the head doesn't hurt. Ya know, when I feel even a remote sign of discomfort in the head, I start getting palpitations! I don't ever want to feel that way again. I was telling my dear one last night, I feel so good!!! I don't think I realized how much it had taken out of me. But, life is GOOD!!!!

And, during all of this my prayer life took a turn for the more active!!! I kept asking God "please give me my miracle, and let my headache stop", but of course, in His wisdom, He knew that if the pain just "spontaneously" left, I wouldn't have followed up with treatment, and by golly, isn't that why he gave some the ability to be Drs????? I also discovered I am, again, anemic!!! If I don't take my iron pills, and have bloodwork done again in 4-6 weeks, I'm in deep do do with Dr.!

So, now that you have a glimpse into my life of excitement-------I am sooo excited!!! I got the bid to cater the Chamber banquet!!! It's a bit smaller crowd than in past years--only about 175, but I'm back in the saddle!!!

And, now that I feel good again, I'm going to actually enjoy this weekend by finishing some projects!!!

Well, it's late, but wanted to check in with all my blog homeys!!! Have a great sleep tonight!

Hugs to all.

Baking Muffins

It's 12:15 am & I'm baking muffins---what do you do when you can't sleep????? Watch TV? Read? I bake!!! Tonight it's Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins!!! They'll be all ready for breakfast when we get up.

Speaking of getting up---for the second time in the past 4 days, our phone line (which is currently not working on our end), has placed a "hang up" call to 911! Both times at midnight!!! And both times, we have been awakened by a police banging on the door, wondering if we were all right! Now, while this is comforting knowing the local police are efficient, it's also rather aggravating---Peter & the Wolfe aggravating!!! Next time, if we SHOULD have to call 911, they may not arrive!!! The first night we accused the dog & cat of playing with the phone (ha ha), but I was actually awake tonight and can confirm the animals were asleep!

Had the kids over for burgers & fried potatoes tonight. Hank is just getting too cute, and now he has started calling me "ya ya". That kid can have whatever he wants when he looks at me with those big blue eyes, grins and says "ya ya". Boy, does he have me wrapped.

Speaking of ya ya---I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" this afternoon---love, love that movie!!! Anyhoo--I did notice that when a cousin comes in and sees the grandmother, she says "Hi ya ya". Told you I knew it was Greek for grandmother!!!

I found this little quiz a few months back, looking at a journaling website, and now, let's play along!! I'll answer the bold questions, and you let me know if you answered. I'll visit your blog & read your responses---K??? What better do I have to do at 12:15 am?????

I love the smell of fresh cut grass, powered babies, the after-smell of rain.

I love the sound of my kids voices, Christmas music, old hymns, my husband's laugh, Broadway musicals

I love the taste of Orange Spice Hot Tea, gravy, bread, Dole Orange Pineapple Banana juice

I love the sight of my kids cars pulling in the drive, snow, Friday on the calendar

I love the feel of towels fresh from the dryer, my husband's arms around me, Hank's little hand on my cheek, a bright sunny day

Ok--muffins are done and lookin good!!! Gotta catch some shut eye! Have a great Sunday.

Last Night of 2007

Well, here it is, the last evening of 2007! And what are you doing?

We decided to just stay at home & "veg" out this New Year's Eve. After all the hustle & hurry of "the storm" and Christmas, and all the rescheduled catering events that took place this Fri - Sun, we are POOPED!!! Just can't head out to one more place!!!

Saturday evening my sis & I catered an event about 40 minutes away. All went very well, but for the past 2 1/2 weeks I have had this horrid headache--a migraine that just would NOT stop. It would get a little more bearable, I'd sleep maybe 3 hours at one time, and on Saturday it just began to get progressively worse.

Now, I'm not one to go to the Dr. I grew up going each & every time I sneezed, (mom always worked for Drs), and I just HATE going. But sis insisted we stop by minor emergency on the way home. She said it was just stupid to try to live with this pain, and that maybe there was some infection there. Ok, I let her take me---the Dr was a bit surprised at the intensity I described, and also at the idea of dealing with this for the long term. After a lecture (during which my head was bursting) about getting blood work done & seeing my primary care DR, he finally got around to the good stuff!!! A shot in the hiney of pain med, some dissolving tabs for the onset of migraine, and an Rx for both pain & the migraine pills. He said I would begin to feel better within 20 minutes. So, on the way home, I was griping & groaning about how that didn't do any good, when LO & BEHOLD, the world became a much better place! That old pain shot began to sink in!!! Oh was I excited!!! I just kept telling sis, "I'm gonna sleep tonight--ALL NIGHT LONG!" You just can not imagine the thrill of that thought unless you have gone through this!!! I just smiled and smiled all the way home, I felt GOOD!!!!!

Well, next morning I got up, and whoops! Here comes the pain again! So I tried one of the "dissolving delights" and GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!!!! This stuff works!!! My headache is officially gone!!! I can't believe it took me this long to wake up & smell the roses!!!

So, today sis, niece & I headed for Edmond, and had a terrific lunch at a place named "501"---yummy to the tummy!!! It was super--we had dessert too!!!! Man that place was heaven!!! Then we shopped for a couple of hours. Spent some moolah!! Got a new purse, necklace, B & B hair products----needless to say, we had a super fantastic time!!!

And so, blogger friends, I wish for you a restful, peaceful New Year. Make it great in 08---(OMG that is sooooooo cheesy!!!!). Hugs to you all---I look forward to developing the new friendships I have made on this cyber town, and to meeting new friends!!! Have a terrific week!

Post Christmas Day!

I wonder if that really is a term? "Post Christmas"???? Well, it's after (post) and I'm posting!!! hee hee hee So this must be "Post Christmas"!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We spent the major portion of each day EATING!!!!! I'm going to look like Santa's Wife!!! Better just move on up to the North Pole--at least there the clothes cover the lumps!!! We had dinner Sunday at the in-laws, Christmas Eve after service at Lonestar Steak House, brunch here on Christmas Day, and dinner at sis's that evening!!!! Usually I cook on Christmas Eve and everyone comes here after the service, but I have fought a Killer Migraine for the past week, so we all opted to eat out. Have to share a recipe I found for brunch---yummy---it's called

"Orange Marmalade French Toast"

24 slices of sourdough bread, buttered

1 12 ounce jar orange marmalade

6 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

Layer 12 slices bread (butter side down) in sprayed baking dish. Spoon marmalade on top & spread. Top with 12 slices bread (butter side up). Combine remaining ingredients, pour over bread, cover & refrigerate at least 8 hours. Top with pecans or walnuts, bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

I think you could use other jams, preserves, etc and it would be just as heavenly!!!

We had Chicken Piccata for Christmas dinner. Always made by my brother in law---yummy! This year we added a baked turkey & dressing cause some of the grown "kids" are PICKY!!!! But, it's Christmas, and one should have what they want to eat on Christmas. Dinner at inlaws always consists of teryaki steak & fried rice, with a variety of sides. Now you can understand why I'm getting "lumpy"!!!

Have to say, watching a child open presents is magical!!! Hank loved opening his presents, and playing with all of them at once. He got some John Deere tractors which proved to be his favorites!!! He loves to line them all up and then take them "out in the field" one by one. He also found a balloon he had a blast bouncing around. I'm posting a picture (don't know where this one will fall on this post!!!)--it's Hank and his cousin, Michael. Michael was in his "pack-n-play" and it struck me that Hank was explaining how big boys don't have to be in those anymore!!! Another pic is of the cousins watching a top. My mother in law finds the best toys!!! This one has a train that rotates and makes train noises as it spins. Everyone, adults & kids, was mesmerized by this!!! The other winner was a "Curious George Jack in the Box"!!! I chose this one---yoo hoo, winner!!! Both little cousins got one, and my 29 year old son liked it soooo much, that instead of Santa bringing one to Hank, he brought one to my son!!! And son loved it!!!! Christmas does bring out the children in our family!!! And, I think we should all get some kind of toy, regardless of age!!!

Well, better run for now. This house isn't going to organize itself. And, Pushing Daisies is on. Does anyone else like this show??? I find it fun! But then, I have a strange sense of humor! My hubby doesn't like it at all, but then, some people just don't "get it"!!! I like it.

Have a restful night! The Christmas push is over for a year. We can all go back to laziness!!!!!

Dog Tired!

Bet you thought this was my furry friend, right? Actually, it's a photo of ME this evening!!!! Ok, so it isn't actually me---but it's actually how I feel! Anyone want to take a long winter's nap with me????

After the ice storm & no power for a week, which of course, set everyone here back that week on Christmas prep, I was informed the church would go through with the weekly dinner--just happened to also be the "Christmas Dinner" for church family. Rush, rush, rush to purchase & prepare the food for over 200 people! Then, as we had the Baptist Disaster Relief Crew here working on the trees in town, and as they were staying at our church, and as we were responsible for feeding them, I helped 3 nights with the evening meal. After working all day!! Then, Friday, my kids came home for the weekend--which I wouldn't trade for all the tea in China, and they just left. We had the big celebration at my in-laws today. That plus, it snowed again yesterday & was colder than the artic here!!! Plus, I had a killer migraine Wed through Sat. One of those where you see double, the affected side eye tears constantly, nausea sets in, and I slept for 4 hours over 72 hours!!! No, I'm not complaining--so many have worse stories, I'm just explaining why I feel like Abby right now!!!

I have learned a few life lessons over the past 2 weeks: mainly that in times of disaster, discomfort, or distress, true personality traits manifest themselves! I have learned that there are quite a number of persons I don't want to be stranded with on a desert or artic island! I have learned that complaining only serves to make us "unattractive" to those around. I have learned that there are some who are so abused in their workplace by the general public it is alarming.

Case in point--my good friend L works for a local utility company. She doesn't usually take calls, but was called in to work as the storm qualified as a disaster. L worked over 73 hours last week---missed her son's birthday completely. When I saw her, she looked like she was on the verge of a nervous collapse. She related story after story of people calling in and complaining that someone out there should "just flip that switch" to restore the 5000 homes without power. Yes friends, there is a big switch that utility companies flip off and on in dire weather for our inconvenience!!! And the "flippers" sit around playing cards, drinking hot cocoa, while the residents suffer. Mean times we live in--ha ha ha. L also told of call after call that let her know, in straight talk, that her job was on the line; they "knew" a board member who they would turn her in to for her inability to control nature, and that those who have been utility members for long periods of time expect to have their power restored PRONTO---doesn't matter where they live in relation to downed generators, power stations, etc.; their longevity of account awarded them top of the list, priority service. And, not one person, no, not one, ever thanked the men & women who worked hour after hour, day after day, missing their own meals, families, health, for keeping the phone operable, answerable, etc. No, the common thought for these persons is "well, that's their job!" Yes, I agree, that is their job, but no one signs on for the worst part of any job. And, after all, we can't all have the SAME job, right? Someone has to fill those positions. Sometime we take jobs because we have a desire to work within the confines of the convenience of the location, hours, etc. We don't all have the "choose or leave" benefit.

I digress. Anyhooo---thanks to all those who worked so diligently.

I have also learned that we are such spoiled whiny babies! In this day and age, there are still locations in America and abroad, where utilities are a luxury item-either because of location or lot in life. And I have learned that in the cold, quiet hours of darkness, families can enjoy one another, look at life's journeys with bitterness or with anticipation. I choose anticipation.

I have learned that this was a short time of discomfort, and that there are thousands upon thousands who would trade this small window of discomfort for the pain of watching a child, spouse, mother, father, etc., suffer with physical and/or mental health. Perhaps they would trade this time of ours for the unemployment that is hung around their necks like an albatross; or maybe they would trade for time given back with a lost loved one. In the big picture of life, this was just a pimple---not a tumor!

Ok, enough already!!! Good grief Charlie Brown, is life all gloom with you???? Not at all. I have had a wonderful day with family, exchanging food & small gifts; watching our children's children learn to play together ( they are 21 months, 12 months & 6 months). I have been blessed to sit and watch my kids, nieces & nephews eat, drink and be happy. And I was blessed to sit through a morning sermon reminding me that faith is a day to day life, hope is the future hope I have that God is in control, my church is a place of refuge and solice, and my heart can be warmed by the knowledge of the enormity given me at that manger so many thousands of years ago. Sometimes I just have to be reminded.

Merry Christmas to all--may God bless you as you meet the day with whatever challenges or rejoices you face. And may He bless you with his steadfast presence in the coming year.