BINGO!

Well, the chiro really didn't do much for the pain I've been dealing with. Although the electrode massage/ ultrasound/BioFreeze treatment could easily become an addiction. Or maybe it was just the fact that I DID'NT spend those 2 hours hauling temper tantrum throwing kids up and down the stairs for timeouts.... Hmmmmm.....

Anyway, prayers were answered. This morning.

My neighbor (a surgeon) finagled his colleague's schedule this morning so that I could be seen at the hospital bright and early for a fifth opinion. They took a 3rd set of xrays, and BINGO, third time is the charm -- I have a fractured rib! There's both good and bad to this since there's really nothing that can be done to treat it. But at least I have a reason for the horrendous pain, and I know I'm not just losing my mind. Ok. Maybe I am losing my mind, but that's another post for another day.

Makes me wonder what doctors 1, 2, and 3 were looking at when they examined my first 2 sets of xrays??? Anyhow.... I have doctor's orders to take it easy, rest lots and LOTS, consume 6 oz. of chocolate 2x daily, don't do any laundry, bathroom cleaning, dishes, etc. Hey, I'm sure that's what I heard him say....... and no one else was there to prove otherwise.

So please excuse me, it's time for my prescribed chocolate truffles and R&R.... ta ta!

Prayer Request

I have been dealing with severe pain in my rib/side since coming down with bronchitis well over a month ago. The actual pain began exactly one week before Thanksgiving, so I'm going on week 5 now? I've seen 3 doctors, had two xrays and the most I've gotten is "take 3 ibuprofen 3x a day" later changed to "take 2 alleve 2x a day.... and don't call me. Some people just have to take alleve for the rest of their lives......".

Well, the pain has remained unchanged/increased and I cannot resign myself to a lifetime of Alleve. So, out of frustration/desperation, I made an appointment to see a chiropractor for this morning.

We are currently getting the Mother of All Snow Dumps (8 in. since about midnight and still going strong). However, the pain was so bad yesterday that I simply must make the trek to the dr. today. So, I would appreciate prayers for two things: 1. Safety while driving in this incredible snow storm (and that the office is actually open when I finally arrive there!) and 2. That the visit will go ok. I have to admit I am completely. freaked. out. by the thought of going to the chiro. I've never gone before and the thought of someone placing pressure the equivalent of an elephant's body weight on my ribcage about makes me want to crawl back in bed and put the blankets over my head. After I throw up first. Yes, the fear is that great.

I only hope that I come out of there walking upright and without cringing in pain any longer. Oh, and a spring in my step would be kind of fun too. Lydia, for one, has been telling me lately that she sure hopes I feel better again sometime soon. Is it possible she's tired of hearing me say "I just need to lay on the couch for a few minutes....".

So, here's to getting better soon. I 2nd that motion.

Metamorphosis

met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis:
1. Biology. a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism
2. any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.


In honor of my 2nd Wisconsin winter I purchased a fluffy red hat. I haven't owned a hat since I was approximately 8 years old and my 3rd grade teacher wouldn't let me go out for recess without one.

When dropping Lydia off at preschool this morning, the thermometer read 9 degrees F.... right now it "feels like" 0 degrees F. Having lived here for a little over a year, I have come to realize that death comes quickly to those who deny the reality of Wisconsin winter. Gone are the days of worrying what my hair looks like. Honestly, if the hat doesn't destroy my best grooming intentions, the 45 mph wind will. I may as well take the reins in determining the exact moment of destruction.

I fear that I've embarked on a slippery slope. One where, ulitimately, I dress up in my Green Bay Packers sweatshirt for a nice dinner out... and order *gasp* deep fried cheese curds and brats.

Fluffy Red Hat, you have set the wheels of metamorphosis in motion.

Who let the bug in?

It's been a little quiet around this here blog..... Let's just say "bronchitis-pleurisy-costochondritis-sinus infection-pinkeye-ear infection" and leave it at that.

Hopefully there will be some more pleasant updates soon as the antibiotic(s) seem to be finally kicking in.

Oy vey.

6 + 3 =

9 inches of snow to date.

Marcus' observation: "Trees White!"

Brandon's observation: (after his 1-1/2 hr snow removal extravaganza) "I... need... a... bigger... snowblower..."

Lydia's observation: "Mommy, it's SO cold out there! It's like Antarctica..... only it's.... Wisconsin. The coldest place in the world!"

It happened....

UPDATED:
In answer to grandma's post... This is NOT a black & white photo. This is a color photo, straight from the camera... no edits. Yep. Wisconsin winter in all its glory.

Six months of Wisconsin winter commences.... NOW.

The fact that I loathe winter with such intensity is slightly dampened by the sheer joy Lydia displayed upon awakening this morning. She has declared 3 times this morning that this is "the BEST day of her ENTIRE life!"

After managing to build one 6 inch show fort and consume 12 mittenfuls of snowy goodness, she was ready to come in for some hot cocoa. Me too.

Overheard by the fly on the wall......

Daddy: What are you going to be when you grow up Lydia?

Lydia: A Cowgirl.

Daddy: But what are you going to do?

Lydia: Ride horses.

Daddy: But how will you make money?

Lydia: Cowgirls don't need money.

Marcus: Yup!

Lydia: Marcus, what are you going to be when you grow up?

Marcus: BIG TOWWWWWW! (translation: BIG COW!)


Yes, we raise our kids to believe they can be anything they set their hearts on...

I'm a little dutch girl dressed in blue.....

Lydia has been learning about different parts of the world in preschool this month. As a special celebration, her class had a Parade of Nations today. The kids were asked to come dressed in an ethnic costume and they would parade throughout the preschool. Since I'm such a procrastinator Since I strategically waited until the day before to put together her costume, I had to work with supplies purchased at Walmart during a post-lunch / pre-nap frantic well-planned shopping spree.

Two sheets of yellow foam, one yard of calico material, one lacy table runner, one set of cafe curtains and 2 hours later... Voila! A Dutch girl! Complete with "wooden" shoes, a skirt with apron and a shawl. And the cutest little dutch girl I've ever seen.... if I do say so myself.

I. WORK. BEST. UNDER. PRESSURE.