My Sweet Niece

Ok, so it's Wednesday, which means I just finished feeding 100 people, and I got a brain flash!!! I was reading on Phyllis Renee's blog, and noticed she had a poll--the question was "did you have an imaginary friend as a child". Well, no I didn't, BUT it reminded me of my niece's imaginary friend when she was 4 (she's now 19). She had these two imaginary friends, Rocky & Jutin--that's right, Jutin, no s. Rocky & Jutin actually lived in Oklahoma City with their grandmother, but sometimes they would spend the night in her closet, or sometimes they would spend the night in her trees outside. But, they always came to visit at least 2 or 3 times a week. One day she & I were talking about them, what they looked like, etc., and I told her that Rocky was a pretty common name, but I hadn't heard "Jutin" before. I asked her if he was perhaps foreign. She put her hands on her hips, looked me in the eye with a very stern look, and said, "No Aunt Pam, Jutin is NOT foreign---he is fiven!" I nearly cracked up!!!


Another time she went with my son & me to get him a new gerbal--again, she was around 5. On the ride home, we were talking about naming the gerbal. I suggested the name "Barney" as we had just recently seen the movie with the little whatever they are things, Barney & Bianca. My son said "no, I'm not naming it Barney; it'll remind me of Barney Fife". To which my brilliant niece replied "Yea, don't name it Barney Fife, name it Barney Sixf!"


She continues to delight us to this day. She is a drama queen deluxe (takes after her Aunt Pam), and when she tells a story, you'd better have a couple of hours to listen cause you're going to get every stinkin detail of the story--from what someone ate while the story took place, to what she was thinking during the event!!! We have even been known to put her on a "word limit" when she starts talking!!!


Anyway, my niece is one light of my life---I absolutely ADORE her, and she is such fun to have around. She certainly keeps us on our toes. She's now in college, and is going into nursing---believe me, when she has patients, they'll get better just to keep from hearing her long winded stories! hee hee hee


And, hey Kari, it's about time you quit making pies and got back to blogging!!! That Kari has such a cutie patootie dog, Sydney---go check him out at Just Livin Large. I don't think Sydney is an "only child" but I never see pics of Blu!!!


Enough rambling---gotta rest for the cooking marathon ahead this week!

You all have a great weekend!!!

Fun Stuff

Got this from Tuesday Update. I love fill in the blank things. If you answer these, let me know!!!


Finish the sentence with the first thought that comes to your mind.

I know....I am trying the best I can.

I believe...in miracles.

I fought.... can't remember cause I don't like fighting! It makes me nervous

I am angered....by pretension, name dropping, unfair treatment of people

I love....my husband and kids more than anything & my furry kids & soap operas, & naps & my friends


I need....some time to organize all my "stuff"

I take.....time to blog & pm painkillers!

I hear....the television blaring as husband watches!

I drink. . .hot tea, Dr Pepper, sweet iced tea, all the wrong things I know

It is . . . colder than blue blazes!

I hate....being late!

I use.... too much sugar!

I want.....things in order

I like.....baking & cooking.

I feel....tired

.I wear....flannel pjs, lots of bling
.
I left....????
.
I do..... believe in God, and like to call Christmas by it's given name!!!

I hope...I see Hank soon
.
I dream....crazy, crazy things--like the other night I dreamed I was at the prom with a guy I worked for over 25 years ago!!!

I drive....a Trail Blazer--or--my family nuts!!!

I listen....to music, sweet blissful music!


I type..... every stinkin day

I need... me time

I wish...my head would quit hurting for good!

I am.... loyal, compassionate, Christian, and still concerned about what my mom says!

I need . . . time to clean.

I regret.... too much effort to regret; doesn't make sense

I care.... how others are treated.

I should....do the dishes, NOT.

I am.... best at who I am.

.I said....hmmmm.

I wonder....who wrote the book of love.

I changed....my hairstyle this summer

I cry...not often--after all I have British blood--we are known for being cold

I lose....my keys!

I leave... worrying to someone else.

Boy, am I boring, or what?????

Aww Cute!!!

I just think this is cute!! Not bragging, just well, bragging!!! ha ha ha I did this cake for a baby shower today and thought it turned out quite well! When I delivered it, the hostesses thought it was cute too. Ok, enough already!!

It's cold, COLD, here today. I think the high was 32. And considering that this past week it was in the high 50's, it's COLD!!! All I have wanted to do was hibernate today!! I had to meet with a couple for a "cake tasting" for a wedding cake in April, and it was all I could do to get dressed & get my tush out the door! I was going to fix spaghetti tonight, but I'm feeling too lazy--so Sonic here we come!!! I think the past few weeks back & forth to medical facilities, and putting up with that "cluster" wore me out!!! But, last night was the first night I haven't taken something for pain---I think I see the end of the tunnel!!!!

I need some blogging advice. I want a new blog page look---who do you out there recommend? I don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want something, well, classier---give me some feed back.

Ok, I'm going to go back to the sofa!!! It's cold & I just want that blanket over my bod!!!

You all have a safe, secure, great weekend!!!

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.