We've looked forward to this for a while, and now that it's so close, it's become surreal. Well, for me it has. Greg's getting nervous. Because he didn't get the relief he'd hoped for with the injections, he's saying "I hope it works". I feel for him. I've had several surgeries, but most were emergencies, so no sit and wait time.
We continue to receive blessings through this all and I refuse to be overcome with concern about finances. My daily needs are met daily. If I don't have it today, I don't need it today. :)
So surgery and then 2 weeks later BAM Christmas. Believe it or not, I've been able to get some bargain shopping done. Still need to pick up a couple of toys for the church toy drive though.
"Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know." Leo Tolstoy
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Getting to know you Christmas version
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Love both, but since egg nog is only available at Christmas time, I'd chose egg nog.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? If it's wrappable, it gets wrapped :)
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on the tree, blue on the house (also blue) - none outside this year :(
4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No. The whole house is a *kiss me* zone!
5. When do you put your decorations up? Around Dec 10th (like to leave them up a while after X-mas)
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Candied Yams!!
7. Favorite memory as a child? Going to Mass at St. Louis Cathedral
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? There was never a moment when I *knew*. I just remember around 4th grade the kids who still believed were made fun of. I can remember thinking I didn't really believe, but I'd better believe just in case!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We usually do. I don't like opening everything at once - too overwhelming. We like to start opening one gift a day a few days ahead. I think the gifts get a chance to be appreciated individually that way, especially the *smaller* gifts. And I believe that if I have a gift for you, why wait? I want to see you enjoy it now. :)
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, lots of sentimental orniments, paper chain garland Gregory & I made a few years ago, and tinsel
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Since It's never something I have to live with, LOVE it! It snowed when Gregory was about 5, enough to cover outdoor toys and shrubs most of the day. Now he complains about it never snowing *anymore*. I remember school closing due to snow when I was in K.
12. Can you ice skate? Yep! And I get to go skating in 2 weeks!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember having to find a gift on the tree when I was almost 6. It was a smiley face ring that I wear to this day (on my pinky now). And I remember the year our cat found a real mouse under the tree! I'd dare say that was her favorite Christmas.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Making sure I don't forget the Reason for the Season, and making sure my child doesn't either. It's important to me to share our blessings with others, most especially at Christmas.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cheesecake. I know it's always there, but the holiday season is the only time I indulge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting our tree & decorating it, along with watching our favorite Christmas movies.
17. What tops your tree? A star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? GIVING!! We are so blessed all of the time that giving is a need for me.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Come O Come Emmanuel, Do you Hear what I Hear, Little Drummer Boy (can't decide on 1)
20. Candy canes, yuck or yum? So-so. The make pretty decorations!
21. Favorite Holiday Movie? A Christmas Story
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? If it's wrappable, it gets wrapped :)
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on the tree, blue on the house (also blue) - none outside this year :(
4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No. The whole house is a *kiss me* zone!
5. When do you put your decorations up? Around Dec 10th (like to leave them up a while after X-mas)
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Candied Yams!!
7. Favorite memory as a child? Going to Mass at St. Louis Cathedral
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? There was never a moment when I *knew*. I just remember around 4th grade the kids who still believed were made fun of. I can remember thinking I didn't really believe, but I'd better believe just in case!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We usually do. I don't like opening everything at once - too overwhelming. We like to start opening one gift a day a few days ahead. I think the gifts get a chance to be appreciated individually that way, especially the *smaller* gifts. And I believe that if I have a gift for you, why wait? I want to see you enjoy it now. :)
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, lots of sentimental orniments, paper chain garland Gregory & I made a few years ago, and tinsel
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Since It's never something I have to live with, LOVE it! It snowed when Gregory was about 5, enough to cover outdoor toys and shrubs most of the day. Now he complains about it never snowing *anymore*. I remember school closing due to snow when I was in K.
12. Can you ice skate? Yep! And I get to go skating in 2 weeks!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember having to find a gift on the tree when I was almost 6. It was a smiley face ring that I wear to this day (on my pinky now). And I remember the year our cat found a real mouse under the tree! I'd dare say that was her favorite Christmas.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Making sure I don't forget the Reason for the Season, and making sure my child doesn't either. It's important to me to share our blessings with others, most especially at Christmas.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cheesecake. I know it's always there, but the holiday season is the only time I indulge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting our tree & decorating it, along with watching our favorite Christmas movies.
17. What tops your tree? A star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? GIVING!! We are so blessed all of the time that giving is a need for me.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Come O Come Emmanuel, Do you Hear what I Hear, Little Drummer Boy (can't decide on 1)
20. Candy canes, yuck or yum? So-so. The make pretty decorations!
21. Favorite Holiday Movie? A Christmas Story
Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Giving Thanks
Yesterday was the Thanksgiving holiday, but this has been a season of thanks. When, from the outside, it might appear we are in a bad spot, time after time we have been blessed throughout this whole ordeal. An employer who has been very understanding and generous about Greg missing work. Soap sales that seem to come out of nowhere. And most especially when and where we least expect it, blessings are placed in our hands. Just when I think we've gotten all we will, God says, "Watch this..."
As for yesterday, it was great. All of Greg's immediate family were here. My SIL & I put together a great meal and everyone went home with much leftovers. Miss Stella was quite a joy. She's a very happy child who knows how much she's loved. It was a great day, and we all konked out a bit early. I'll admit it was nice not to have to drive anywhere!
As for yesterday, it was great. All of Greg's immediate family were here. My SIL & I put together a great meal and everyone went home with much leftovers. Miss Stella was quite a joy. She's a very happy child who knows how much she's loved. It was a great day, and we all konked out a bit early. I'll admit it was nice not to have to drive anywhere!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Surgery
We saw the surgeon today, and after talking with him, and talking it over this weekend, Greg is scheduled for surgery Tuesday Dec 9th (3 weeks). The hurniated part of the disk, the part that's pressing on the nerve and causing the pain will be removed, not the entire disk. The rest of the disk looks very healthy. The surgeon saw no problem with getting another injection between then and now, but because we were delayed at the surgeon's office, we weren't able to see the shot doctor. The next available appoinment there was Dec 2nd. And that wouldn't be for a shot, just for a visit with the doc. So that's off for now. Now we just need Greg to make it another 3 weeks in pain.
He should be in hospital overnight, then a gradual 6 week recovery. They said he should be able to be back in the office a few hours a day in 2 weeks. Which to Greg means he can work from home as soon as he can sit up. He's hard to keep down.
This whole process has been slow as molasses. Getting from the GP to the orthopedic took 2 weeks (because we complained about the original 4 weeks). Then getting to the shot doctor (again with much calling and complaning) took another 2 weeks, and then 4 days till the 1st shot. It's an outpatient procedure under some sedation, so not just an office visit thing. Then 2 weeks till the 2nd shot. That was 2.5 weeks ago.
Prayers for peace, pain relief, and a financial miracle are greatly appreciated!
He should be in hospital overnight, then a gradual 6 week recovery. They said he should be able to be back in the office a few hours a day in 2 weeks. Which to Greg means he can work from home as soon as he can sit up. He's hard to keep down.
This whole process has been slow as molasses. Getting from the GP to the orthopedic took 2 weeks (because we complained about the original 4 weeks). Then getting to the shot doctor (again with much calling and complaning) took another 2 weeks, and then 4 days till the 1st shot. It's an outpatient procedure under some sedation, so not just an office visit thing. Then 2 weeks till the 2nd shot. That was 2.5 weeks ago.
Prayers for peace, pain relief, and a financial miracle are greatly appreciated!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Mikey & JoJo
While in Metaire alone, I took the oportunity to see both of my sisters. My sister Donna had her grandbabies which was great. I hadn't seen them in person in about 3 months. They've both grown so much. Mikey & I played with his hotwheels on his MeMe's super slick hall floor. He talks so much now, and he even sounds like his daddy. And he was calling me Aunt Penny. That sound you hear is my heart melting. I was so young when my niece and nephews were born that none of them ever really called me Aunt Penny. But now I have my sisters' grands to call me Aunt Penny. Little JoJo was a hoot. He's just all smiles. He looks just like big brother Chase right now. He's not quite walking, but very ready to run after big brother Mikey!
Stella's 1st birthday
Well, Gregory stayed home with his still recooping dad today while I went off to Metairie for Stella's birthday party. The party was a Strawberry Shortcake theme. So many people! Darlene has a large family, and there were quite a few of our extended family members there as well. For all of the people and commotion, Stella had a great day. She played, she danced, she tried to feed me marshmallows, and when I left, she had nursed to sleep outside in the cool breeze. I'd say she had a good day!
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