Who Does This Stuff Happen To?

Me. Me. Me, that's who!

It's finally sunk in this weekend... the Murphy's Law Event...

Waking up from your very first surgery EVER to find out that the planned "you'll be just fine" organ removal did not actually take place, you still have the organ plus four new holes, one of which is thru the bellybutton which makes you nauseous every shower, and now you have to go thru another surgical consult in another hospital with another doctor with another pre-op nurse and have another surgery scheduled where two doctors are going to attempt to remove the organ thru four small holes but if they can't, you'll be cut open. Can you say tweaked, to say the least?

Just had my very first sneeze since the surgery. Ever since my dad mentioned how fun sneezing was going to be when I told him how coughing felt, I've been dreading it. Sneezed right after talking to my friend J... about allergies of all things. Go figure.

The Universal Being's Court Jester is ROTFL @ My Sitcheeashun

So I had a gastritis attack end of Jan into Feb. 14 days of Prilosec and invalid food. Done.

Then on Mar 8th at night I had what I thought were the beginnings of another gastritis attack, same pain just not as bad...

• which led me to think of nipping it in the bud myself, so I started a home treatment of Prilosec and invalid food remembering how well it worked last time,
• which ended up not working because all hell broke loose Sunday night into Monday pain-wise,
• which led me to go to the doctor on Wed the 16th to be poked and prodded,
• which led to an ultrasound on the 17th where I got to see my kidneys, liver, spleen, bottom of my heart, aortic artery, bile duct, and gall bladder with two stones,
• which led to being told that I needed further testing because not only did the ultrasound find a possible gallstone in the neck of my gall bladder which was "very inflamed", they also found a "shadow" on my liver,
• which meant a surgical consult was scheduled on the 21st (Mon) for the gall bladder issue and an MRI was scheduled on the 18th (Fri) to determine the nature of the "shadow",
• which meant I had to wait the weekend to find out the MRI results,
• which meant a very rocky start to my weekend as the pain was VERY bad,
• which led to me calling the on-call doctor Saturday who gave me the max doses of Aleve/Tylenol I could take in a 24hr period,
• which helped immensely as I was being "too cautious" and was then able to work out a pain med regimen and stop thinking of taking myself to the ER,
• which led to finding out Monday that the "shadow" on my liver is benign and something I was born with so no worries,
• which meant I was then off to my surgical consult to learn all about what's going on, worst and best case scenarios, surgical procedures, etc, and that they couldn't get me into surgery until Thurs 24th as gall bladder surgeries are only held on Mon/Thurs and I told them if I had to wait until Mon I was going to start crying,
• which led to meeting with the pre-op nurse to be further educated about the surgical procedures, detailed instructions of what I had to do the night before and morning of the surgery,
• which then led to having pre-op bloodwork,
• which meant waiting until Thursday for my surgery,
• which came faster than I thought,
• which meant I was thoroughly tweaked all during the pre-op waiting time answering redundant questions, forgetting the plethora of people's names, getting hooked up to the IV, waiting, waiting, waiting,
• which ended and I was wheeled off to the OR where apparently I was all loopy from the "happy juice" and introduced the surgeon to MrL "in absentia" (the surgeon told me this afterward, I have absolutely no memory of this),
• which led to me waking up in the recovery room where the nurse told me that I still had my gall bladder and that the doctor had explained this all to me after the surgery
• which I did not remember,
• which led to my first reaction of "are you fucking serious?" but because the hospital is Adventist and prayer-positive, I managed to not say that out loud and just croak out "I'm sorry, I'm confused, I still have my gall bladder?" to
• which the nurse replied yes and that the doctor would explain it all to me again once I was back in the ACU,
• which meant waiting and waiting again while sipping water and eating applesauce and Jell-O while my father and MrL waited with me,
• which led to the doctor finally coming in and telling me that my gall bladder had been very sick for a long time, connective tissue has built up around it, and he didn't feel confident in doing it by himself lapriscopically so he was referring me to another doctor so both of them could do it together lapriscopically and if they were unable to be the dynamic duo, they would end up having to cut me open,
• which made me upset to say the least.

And so I have to go to another surgical consult next week and find out when they can schedule me for the dynamic duo surgery.

How's that for Murphy's Law? I had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy but everyone was telling me that I was going to be fine, the surgery would be fine, and everything was going to be just fine, so I just told myself to stop being pessimistic but that little voice wouldn't go away. Guess I was right...

Golden side of the coin at least it's not life threatening, just a pain in the ass and I made it through my first surgery even if it wasn't finished.

And Snow It Goes...

These were taken before the rain started last week. Notice how the snow pile is as tall as my Fit? Super. Fun. Shoveling. My ass! Glad it's going down. I can actually see a strip of lawn below the bush that is featured next to the car. Not to mention my asphalt...

The lovely town plowers had a grand ole time making my life abysmally miserable. I was way too angry to even think of taking pics of the immensely high messes they would leave at the bottom of my driveway. All I can say is they were lucky I was asleep when they pulled that shit coz I woulda flicked their auras out of the stratosphere. My wonderful neighbor with his riding snowblower helped out several times and he and his wife will be getting a gift certificate to eat somewhere nice from me!

Sorry for not posting, bro o' mine. I spent all of February being sick: The first two weeks of February I had a severe attack of gastritis (I seriously considered taking myself to the emergency room several times coz my upper tummy hurt so bad) and once I was done with the Prilosec and invalid food 14-day regimen, I got one of the various flu strains and was sick for another two weeks. I think my immune system was compromised by the gastritis because everyone around me had flus/colds etc going on the beginning and middle of winter and I was fine until I enraged my tummy.

And just this Wed I had tummy pain at night which told me the gastritis was revisiting. I'm on Prilosec and invalid food again. Yeah me. I plan to cheat on Friday when Lman takes me out for Chinese food and to his parents' house on Saturday for a family dinner. I will be careful, but I'm not going to say no to something I like, just eat it in moderation. I've been asked to make a dessert. I'm thinking of making a spring-colored checkerboard cake with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. When the cake is cut, they will see a pink, green, blue, purple, and yellow checkerboard - so cool!

Some New Photos for the New Year

Happy New Year!

Firework-y photo courtesy of a blurry daylight no-flash picture of my Xmas tree.

My new year has begun with a pretty even mix of positive and negative and finding the golden side of the negative coin has been a good thing.

If how you go into the new year is any prediction of it's going to be, apparently my new year is going to consist of :

1) lots of out-of-the-box problem-solving

2) being a source of help and comfort to close friends

3) getting projects done with minor procrastination and pajamas (Mom passed the spend-your-day-in-jammies gene onto me and my brother, only he favors his robe)

4) mucho reading (nice!)

5) not much actual TV but lots of movies

6) laughing

7) shoveling (in the winter) which will translate into yardwork in the spring

8) making/creating things

9) not doing much in the cleaning realm but the bare minimum

and finally

10) getting a move on photo presentations so I can show my pics since an IDEA finally presented itself fully formed (thanks SubConscious) in my head about two months ago but my home DIY project trumped starting it.

Compromised Heating System

As if the world needs additional proof that cats are all about themselves and getting their wants met before anybody else... here's the trio placing themselves strategically in front of hot air registers simultaneously around the house when the furnace comes on, baking their furry little biscuits to the utmost maximum and blocking the flow of warm air into the rest of the house. As I said, it's all about the cat. Humans? Eh.

Meowy Christmouse! Happy Tissue Paper!

Oh, the fun one can have with tissue paper! I gave this to my kittos for their present and they were all most happy. As you can tell...

One of their best Christmas mornings ever!

Off Road and Off Leash for Xmas Day

I spent the day with my parents. I got perfectly cooked/crisp and buttery Pierogis for lunch - heaven! A wonderful walk in the woods. Talking, laughing, brother called, dinner, Farkle (which Dad tolerated better than Scrabble coz it was faster although he didn't much care for the noise factor the shaking of the dice created and Riley was one confused pup as he wanted his dinner and thought we were shaking treats!), and pumpkin cheesecake (which is hugely more delicious than pumpkin pie!).

A suitably snowy Riley.

A super fast dog is he bounding out of the woods.

Getting a treat coz he came back on his own.

And we walk while Riley (aka Tigger) bombs ahead.

Tree Finally Finished

Today I finally took off the dud lights and put the new LED strands on. Typically I decorate in a massive "red and gold" theme but as I only had dregs for lights to choose from, I picked the best of the lot which was multi-colored minis. Which are pretty, don't get me wrong, we always had multis growing up. It's just that my tree is usually redNgold everything. But tis the season this year for all things different. Out with the rigidity and inflexibility and in with the totally flying by the seat of my pants. Lighting and decorating my tree on Xmas Eve is a big first, and very seat of my pants. The only reason it's decorated is because it has to stay up until New Year's for luck and I couldn't have a nude tree going into the new year. (See, not entirely gone, the rigidity and inflexibility rear their heads for that tradition!) Anyhoo, I couldn't take a non-blurry photo of the tree, so here's the best of a smeary lot and then an experimental one which looks very cool!

It's like candy cane lightning!

I have to get ready, going to Mr. L's family for Xmas Eve. Another first!

Winter Wonderland

So this is what I woke up to this morning!

Just finished shoveling and showering, off to work I go! HiHo HiHo. HOHOHO!!!!

Crafty Christmas

I've already posted about the Party Pretzels.

Here's my Secret Santa gift to give at tomorrow's Xmas potluck. Who doesn't like a bit of sparkle for the holidays. I made the wreaths out of wire hangers (which I will be actively soliciting for thruout 2011, wanna make some more) and garland.

I made these for Mr. L's boys - all three of them love Zombie movies and Mr. L's Z-shirt that I made for him went over bigtime with the boys this summer... so now they can be the the Zombie Twinkies!

It's Not Really Feeling Like Xmas

I'm having a hard time catching the holiday spirit this year. All of my friends are having a really difficult time this year emotionally, financially, and family-wise.

I got a whiff of it when J2 and I managed to connect last week, lots of laughs and looking for that perfect gift for special people and finding unexpected perfect gifts. And another whiff when I got my tiny wild tree with tiny needles that is absolutely the cutest tree I've had since I moved into my house. And a small charge when I hung packages of party pretzels on my two neighbors' doors this morning before work as well as dropping off a beautiful Xmas card/pretzels off at Mr. L's parents who'd sent me a card earlier in the month.

Saturday, I got my Xmas tree after walking the dog. I didn't think it would fit in my stand but it did.

Sunday, was a pajama day all the way. Developed a minor breakout which is oh-so attractive.

Monday, I procrastinated and watched taped TV shows and tried not to think about the home things I needed to do.

Tuesday, I got halfway up my Xmas tree when I ran out of lights. I tried three pre-LED era light strands and all three strands only lit up half way. I spent two hours trying to find the damn light that was preventing the last part of each strand lighting up before I got so frustrated I rolled them up in a big ball and put them in the dump pile in the basement. Let me amend that, THREW them in the dump pile.

Wednesday, the head cold I'd been sort of flirting with the beginning of the week, stopped flirting and slammed me. Snot and headache and post-nasal drip and tired and cranky and behind at work and no attention span and irritated beyond measure that all the stores do not have any Xmas stuff other than dregs coz I tried to find the same lights to finish my tree but no such luck. Had to buy 4 new sets. A store DooBee gently suggested I start my shopping for Xmas decorations in November. NOVEMBER! Humbug! At least the tentatively predicted messy weather didn't arrive.

Today, still battling the head cold but I think I'm making some progress. Not to mention I'm feeling downright fugly right now - mood-wise and physically! Still behind at work. Still have to remove the lights from my tree and put the new sets on it.

Off to bed.

Party Pretzels 2010

I've been invited to this year's Yankee Swap Xmas Party at L's friend's house. L relayed a "strong" request from the party-goers that I bring my Party Pretzels again. I can't resist such enthusiasm! This year's pretzels are as follows:

White chocolate covered pretzels dipped in mini choc chips and festive holiday sprinkles.

White chocolate covered pretzels dipped in mini choc chips and Andes Peppermint Candy bits.

And for the grand finale for which I cannot take any credit for, the chocolate covered pretzels dipped in mini choc chips and crumbled bacon.

Click on the pic for an upclose experience that you can almost smell right thru the photo! Idea courtesy of the Food Paradise show on the Travel Channel, featuring Bacon Paradise, a show all about restaurants that just have bacon items on the menu. One of the places was a candy store and they featured choc-covered bacon strips which is their best seller. All the eaters of this treat said it was the perfect mix of sweet and salty. I decided to take it a step further and put the bacon on an already sweet-salty mix of choc-covered pretzel. I tried it and it was good. L told me to not tell them what they are covered in, just surprise the party-goers and see what they think after they've tried it. I'll keep you posted!

Thanksgiving Exhaustion

Thanksgiving agenda:

1) Wake up, dawdle, and then things get rushed.

2) Must bake: Have brainwave while mixing ingredients for pumpkin bites and use mini-muffin tins as this will be the easiest and shortest way to make 4 dozen (actually more than 4 but who's counting at this point?).

3) Get ready in between baking trays of pumpkin bites.

4) Receive call from Mr. L saying he's at his parents and when are you coming. Tell him you are finishing up the bites and will be there shortly.

5) Take a breath, pop the last of the bites in the oven.

6) Finish getting ready while fielding another call from Mr. L asking where I am as his family eats at 12:30pm and it's 12:35pm.

7) Bites done, cool, pack, and drive.

8) Arrive at 12:45pm, apologize for being late and Mr. L's sister said it worked out for her as she is a football fan and wanted to watch the game.

9) Eat Thanksgiving lunch with Mr. L's family (plate filled with little portions of turkey, stuffing, corn, peas, yams, squash, cranberry sauce, roll, mashed potatoes, and gravy). Chat.

10) Eat pie after playing with Mr. L's cat. His niece's Very Berry Pie is most excellent and even better when eaten with a slice of cheesecake!

11) Mr. L's cat makes a break for it to go under the boat across the street. Much chaos ensues. Mr. L sticks head out window, yells "hey" and his cat hightails it back home.

12) Mr. L leaves to go back to work and you get hugs and give thanks as you leave too.

13) Get home and make dinner rolls for family dinner.

14) Get to parents around 3pm.

15) Chat. Dad shows new blog and panty-wetting laughing ensues, must remember to put on favorites.

16) Parents have repair job for you, fixing the gingerbread house, 5 min tops.

17) Dinner (another plate filled with awesome turkey/gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, acorn squash half, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, stuffing, and rolls). Very Very FULL.

18) Watch clean-up, talk to Mom while Dad recovers.

19) Play BananaGrams with Mom. Ask for this game for Xmas.

20) Head home smelling like two turkey dinners, feed kitties, and then head to where Mr. L is house-sitting so he can enjoy the turkey bouquet.

Riley trying to rest after all the cooking excitement. See his paws peeking out from under the dino?

Hiding his face - warmth? Sleeping? Trying to block it all out? Self-soothing? All of the above? What a sweetie! and so good!

Pie and Ugly Sweater Party

Mr. L and I were invited to a party at my friend J2's. Her hubby came up with the idea... he said that one never really gets to enjoy pie/dessert after Thanksgiving dinner because everyone is too full of dinner. So for his birthday, he wanted a party of pies, nothing but pies so one could eat all the dessert they wanted and enjoy it. AND he wanted everyone to wear the ugliest sweater they could find and prizes would be given to the fugliest. L and I got to the party late, but we were told we'd have been VERY strong contenders for first place and winning a prize. As you can see below.

I found Mr. L's at Salvation Army. Tomato red with pixelated golfers in various poses all over the damn thing - front, back, and sleeves. Mr. L was extremely excited to wear it... NOT! but he did it for me. Sweet right?

My mom found this one for me at Goodwill. It's like a Mexican fiesta threw up all over me!

Wonderful Dogwalkin' Day

For November, you couldn't ask for nicer temperatures, more sun, bluer sky, a happier dog, or better company! Not to mention the puddles to jump/run in...

Mr. L is wearing orange so he doesn't get mistaken for a deer. I've got red on.

Sunshine smoochin'

Awesome vista of blue sky, left over green grass, and tons of sun. And not a cloud in the sky.

Riley was fascinated by the floating leaves coming thru the pipe... As you can tell by his expression!

It was a great day... no more of these til springtime.

Rainy Rainy Rainy Days

Thought I'd try some wet web work. Not so successful but it gives some idea of how dreary it is here.

Fun With Fall Foliage

Fall Festivities With My Pseudonephew

So J2 and I tried something new this year. Our usual fall festivity venue has turned touristy, crowded, and unfun so we decided to give another town a try. We watched the Pumpkin Catapult launch large produce into the water where it satisfyingly splattered and the Pumpkin (air-compressed) Cannon which shot perfectly grown/measured produce at a car where it did some SERIOUS damage! Then we tried to watch the Giant Pumpkin races - basically hollowed out mammoth pumpkins made into boats/rafts/paddleboats/kayaks raced for two laps in the cove - which was next to impossible given the sheer amount of people. I lifted TJ up on my chest so he could see over everyone but he totally thought they were racing rafts and didn't believe J2 and I when we said the "rafts" were actually pumpkins. We ended up at a very cool farm stand and I splurged on two pumpkins (only $6 for both of them, who could pass up beautifully grown large pumpkins, not me!) and a bag of the last of the season's freshly picked green beans. Here are some pictures of our Grand Adventure which ended with us eating lunch at the third restaurant we stopped at, bowling one game, and stopping in at TJ Maxx where I splurged again but on Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark Chocolate Squares - 5 bags of absolute heaven which cost more than my two pumpkins but will last much longer.

Can you say Holy Giant Winning Pumpkin, Batman?

I just had to take a pic of it's mammoth pumpkin buttocks!

TJ's costume and "face" for the day.

Disturbing (hee) how TJ has no idea how much his expression resembles my favorite of all the decorated behemoth pumpkins scattered around the town.

Getting lost and found in a mini hay maze.

And a good day was had by all despite minor behavior bumps and less-than-met expectations, but then again, J2 and I always manage to salvage the day and have a great time regardless of what happens and how rude the enormous crowds of people are!

Ghost Cat

I was messing around with my camera, gave up trying to take pictures of the almost full moon shadows, and started bothering the crap out of Hobbes. My bedroom was pitch black so I was shining my "lantern" in his face and snapping with slow shutter speed to catch what little light there was.

Feeling super prickly today, veering between okay and so not okay at the speed of light. Not in the mood to post anything delightful and witty.