Under the weather

Friday afternoon, I went to Dr. Biteman's office in Arcata to have that nasty little crypt removed from the right side of my throat.  I was supposed to go on Monday, but he was ill, so it was pushed to Friday.  Turns out, that was probably a good thing, so I had the weekend to recover.  I was very nervous about having the procedure done while I was awake.  For my tonsillectomy years ago, I was out cold in the hospital, as it should be!
David drove me in, which was great, because after just the consultation a few weeks ago I felt woozy!  I went to the back, and Dr. Biteman sprayed the numbing stuff in my throat.  Then off to another room where the procedure would actually take place.  Here we go!  They were prepared for me this time.  A cold washcloth for my neck AND my head, and they had me take my shoes & socks off to help keep me cool.  After donning very stylish protective glasses, I was as ready as I was going to be.

I kept my eyes closed as much as possible, so I wouldn't see all the scary stuff coming towards me.  First was the numbing shots, which weren't bad since the spray had already numbed me up.  Then, I was told to inhale, and on the exhale, he would laser so I would blow the smoke out of my mouth.  The person who went before me took about 15 minutes.  I took closer to 40 :(  Turns out, my tonsil had grown back halfway, and as he lasered away, the tissue underneath would be bad, so he'd have to take more.  It also took quite a while to clean out the crypt.  My simple procedure was not turning out so simply!

Dr. Biteman did a great job.  It was much more extensive than he anticipated, but he got the job done.  He and his staff did great keeping me calm through it as well.  Now I have to see how I do tomorrow and into Monday.  I was hoping I wouldn't miss any work, but this turned into WAY more than I'd planned.  I'm on Vicodin for pain, which he said to expect for 7-10 days.  I certainly don't want to be on it that long (I really don't care for Vicodin) and I don't want to drive on it.

So for now, I'm down for the count, and hoping my problem is solved.  I go back for a checkup on the 26th, which is during Spring Break.  At least I won't miss any work for that!  My mouth tastes and looks like charcoal, and is very, very sore. Talking is painful, so I'm doing a lot of texting and Facebook.   David has been great, driving the kids everywhere they need to be, as well as doing the grocery shopping, and a couple of other events I was going to help with, or we were going to do together.  Thanks honey!

People are stupid

I think I am finally old enough, and experienced enough to figure out sometimes people just aren't very nice.  I tend to always see the best in people, and am often surprised when they don't live up to my expectations.  I know I don't always think before I speak, and apparently it isn't just me!  I'm also figuring out that I shouldn't really take it personally, and there isn't a whole lot that I can do about it.  Sometimes people are just insensitive!

Fun in the Snow!

During that crazy cold weather spell we had a few weeks ago, we didn't have to travel very far to find the white stuff!  Andrea, being the responsible girl that she is, chose to stick to her FFA committment rather than go play with us.  Smart choice Andrea, but we did miss you, and I was sad you didn't get to come play with us.
We drove on up the hill, and asked one of the local ranchers if we could play in his snow.  He was very pleased to be asked, rather than trespassed on, and away we went!

Janelle's little snowman (sorry it's sideways)

Emma beheaded her snowman so she could throw it at somebody.

Janelle is about to get nailed!

One of Emma's many snow angels.

A good time was had by all, and we were ready for hot chocolate when we left!

Andrea's 15th Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Andrea's 15th unbirthday at the end of February.  Being a Leap Year baby, she doesn't get a real birthday until next year.  Time goes by so fast, I can't believe she's this grown up already.  She's really turning into a lovely young lady, and it makes me very proud, as well as a little sad to see her growing up.  I remember being 15, and it doesn't feel like it was all that long ago..... was it?

I love you Andrea!  Happy Unbirthday!

Tragedy

My heart truly breaks for the people of Japan.  Being a night owl, I was up when the news came on about the massive 8.9 earthquake there.  Living where we have a lot of seismic activity ourselves, I CAN imagine how scary that quake was.  The neverending shaking, the uncertainy and fear.  Thank God they are such a prepared country.  I wish California had the strict training that Japan does.

Then, the wave came..... watching, with absolutely nothing I could do about it, the massive wave came ashore.  It washed over farmlands, houses and cars.  Some parked and empty, and some trying desperately to drive away.  A 30 foot wall of water moving over 500 mph.  Can you even imagine?  Those poor people.  This morning I read the news of over 9,500 people missing from one town alone.  Unbelievable.  We waited at home yesterday, under the advisement of the local fire department, for our own tsunami.  They did come, but we were lucky that they were small, and did not to do any damage here.  We got to school at noon, and it was rather eerie having only 1/3 of the kids there.

I hope Japan has a swift recovery, I pray for the lives that were lost, and hope it's not our turn next.  Mother Nature is indeed, awesome.

The lazy days of vacation!

Ah, vacation days!  For the most part, lazy mornings, pajamas, and very little movement!  I can't believe it's Wednesday already.  While I'd rather be on a warm, sandy beach, this is the week we always stay home, usually with no plans.  David has to work, and the weather is generally yucky, so what to do?  So far, I've managed to have my car NOT move for one entire day.  With the price of gas these days, I'm doing whatever I can to conserve.  Last time I filled up it was for $3.59 a gallon at Costco, the cheapest place around.  The tank was pretty empty, and it cost over $60.00 to fill it up.  With the gloomy forecast of even higher gas prices, I see us staying home much more often.  Driving to Ferndale (sometimes four times!) every day really adds up.  I was thinking the other day the money we'd save in gas might make it affordable to live there!

Emma had a friend over yesterday.  She lives only a few blocks away, so we walked up to her house to get her.  It was raining, but we had our umbrellas, and it was a fun walk.  The girls had a really good time together, and I think we might do it again sometime.  We certainly got our exercise walking to her house and back twice!  The big girls were gone, so Emma and friend had the run of the house.  Good times!  On the way back, we walked by a cute little house that's for sale down the street from us.

It needs some TLC, and it's pretty small, but a good coat of paint and some new porch handrails would make a big difference to this house.  It has a huge backyard (not to mention a good sized front yard) so even if the house is small, there is certainly room to expand.  I'm trying to get my sister to take a look at it, as she is starting the adventure of house hunting.  We'll see what goes.  The houses around it are cute, and it's on the sunny side of the street.  I hope she'll at least look at the inside before really saying no!

We have a chance of snow here again tomorrow.  The next few nights are supposed to be REALLY cold.  I know it's a pain, and I'm glad I don't have to go driving in it, but it would be really fun if we at least got enough for the kids to play in.  Maybe if the mountains get it (which they should) we'll take the girls up to play in it.  Believe me, I love not having to live in it all the time, but it's a real treat to get some.  We haven't had a good snow here in some time.

Next, we gear up for Andrea's 15th Un-Birthday!!!

What a great weekend!

Mmmm!  Is there a better way to start a weekend other than aebleskivers?  I think NOT!  Yummy!  Today we had them with coffee, juice, ham and fruit.  Fantastic!


We've been SUPER busy this week.  David had to go to Portland, so I was single Mom with a schedule!  Thursday night Janelle had a dance.  Her cousin Abbi came over and they got ready together.  They turned out beautifully and had a blast dancing!

Cousins!

So pretty!

So Janelle!

She's growing up too fast!

This weekend was also the Poultry Show at Redwood Acres.  Emma was the only one at our house who wanted to enter her chickens, so in we went Friday night with her two cornish hens, Queen & Princess, as well as the chicken she created with her daddy.  They had a ball putting it together.  We got the ladies settled into their cages, and had a nice visit with my nephew Cody and his friend Zach.  They came down from Oregon to participate in the show too.  They did great and won 4 Best of Breeds!  Way to go Cody & Zach!

Emma and her prize winning Cornish Hens!

Emma did FANTASTIC in her very first show!  The hen on the left won 1st place & Reserve Champion, and the hen on the right won 2nd place!  Emma was so happy!  I think the icing on the cake was the 1st place blue ribbon Emma spotted on her 'chicken' she made with her Dad.  That smile lasted a long time!

I'm so happy her first exhibition was such a success!  Way to go Emma!!!!!

Also today, we went to Fortuna and four of us (because Emma didn't need one yet) got our Whooping cough boosters.  Sore arms all around, but it's worth it.  Better a sore arm than pertussis!

Tonight, (Saturday)  Andrea is at her Semi-Formal in Ferndale.  She looks beautiful in her dress, and I can't get over how grown up she is becoming.  She's a lovely young lady, and I hope she is having a wonderful time!  Meanwhile, we are sitting at home waiting until it's time to go pick her up.  Has it really been that long since it was David and I were the ones going to dances?  I guess so!

Looking all grown up

Look!  Her eyes match her dress!



Tomorrow, we will have a tired Andrea, chicken pickup, and laundry.  David mowed the lawn today, so we are ready for the rain coming later this week.  Good job, honey!

Sorry the blog was so long, I was a little behind!  I will talk about the sassy new haircut next time!