Where did the weekend go?

Back home, after our weekend in Ocean City. Back to all of the REALITY. Back to the loads of laundry awaiting us, the house to tidy up, and alas; all the drama that has become my life. (our life).

We had a great few days "down the shore". We ate all the junk we sink our teeth into and really had a great time. Baby M went on so many rides at the kids' amusement pier.. We were really shocked. She's never been a big fan of the rides anywhere.. even carnivals, where my sister has bought armbands on family night, only to leave not having gone on a single ride. We had dinner at the anchorage the first night we got into town and it was really good... we got lucky and were seated on the deck. That place is really happening - I can't remember how long we waited to be seated but it was A LONG TIME.. and with an active 2 year old, it was even longer! She was so well behaved considering how long we waited and how bored she must have been.
We went on the boards a few times, had a visit from another one of Baby M's aunts that she hadn't seen since she was about 6 months old or maybe a year.. so that was really nice! I loved being down there and away from reality for a while... even if only to come back to it today. Life was wonderful!
Have lots of great pictures that I hope to post in the next few days once I get settled with them.

I'll keep this posted limited to just mini-vacation stuff.

On the way to...........

Nope, not Cape May. Ocean City. (NJ)

Gotta go finish my laundry and pack my bag. Yep, just one.
Only going from Friday til Sunday so I need just a few outfits, and the other obvious necessities. I'd like to say I'll be back on Sunday to blog but I'd be lying. There's no way my sister or I could survive without the laptop for 3 days!

Sure, we did it for months before when it was broke but hey, it's fixed!

So anyway, I'm off to pack and tidy up the house before we leave.

I really need this escape! Can't wait to get to Ocean City and relax.
Our room is poolside so that's nice. I don't "do" the ocean so I'll be taking advantage of the pool mostly. I'm off.... gotta go seek out that BIG bottle of sunscreen!!

Updates on Dad -- Part 2 or 3?

I forget which part this is so ............
anyway, Dad's surgery went ok today. It's really hard for me to remember EVERYTHING the doctor said. It's kind of like when someone tells you something and after you heard the part you REALLY wanted to hear, you just daze off. Well it went something like that. We just wanted to know that he was ok and that the surgery was a success. It was and it wasn't. The cardiologist said that the leg they were there to work on was not such a success. I wish I could tell you what the name of the surgery was but I honestly don't know. I've pasted what could very well be the jist of what the hell it is I'm trying to relay here... so please use this link to understand it better.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4692


So that "said" or should I say "read"... the left leg was very blocked and the cardiologist couldn't maneuver enough with it to get the "job done". He did say however that the right leg had severe PVD and that he was able to put a stent in there. He thinks that the pain and discomfort my dad has been dealing with, may be alleviated now... then again, it may not. They just have to wait and see I suppose. Ultimately, I think that the doctor thinks that ByPass is the way to go but I think my dad is being a little apprehensive right now. For reasons unknown to us.
He is supposed to come home tomorrow (Tuesday) so we'll see how he feels in the next few days. He needs to take it easy for a while.. and he may be out of work for a while as well. If not indefinitely, which will be a real culture shock for my dad because he has been such a hardworker all his life.

Heart Disease is a really scary thing.. and I've got to stop acting like I'm not susceptible to it. It's hereditary.. but I can take the preventive measures to live a healthy life.
Thanks for checking in and seeing how things went today.. I appreciate everyone's prayers and thoughts.

Updates on Daddy-O

Dad goes in for surgery tomorrow morning. If you read my previous post about his surgery, you'll see that the last appt was canceled. They're going to go ahead with it this time. I tend to wonder if the doctors are that convinced that it is a go, or if my dad is just sick of the pain and discomfort and just wants to get it over with. From the sounds of it; his bloodwork was not all that better in his pre-op tests the other day... so it wouldn't be a total shock if they will not perform the surgery. It is VERY RISKY. I should be scared to death, but for some reason, I'm relaxed about it. Trying to think positive and place it in God's hands. Prayer always gets me through things, so I'm counting on that to help. I will update as soon as I can when things are all over... even if it isn't for a day or two.
I'm off work Monday so I can be there for this... so look for something on Tuesday. But in the meantime, PLEASE SAY A PRAYER.

Summer of '08

It's finally here. Sat June 21st, Summer finally arrived. Could have fooled me; given these EXTREME heat days that we've had in the weeks prior. Not many plans in order yet for this summer but I usually play it by ear anyway. Can't wait to get to the boardwalk! I'm not going to get into a rant about the importance of using sunscreen, even though I was all ready to. I'll just leave it short and sweet..... USE SUNSCREEN! I am a huge advocate when it comes to Sunscreen protection. Trust me, I'm as white as a ghost on my legs, but I'm not taking the chance with that sun. And those aweful tanning beds!!!? No wonder they're shaped like coffins. There's my mini-rant. I'm done. (and just so I'm being honest, I did lay out on the beach, at the pool, on our rooftop one year, and also had some sessions of indoor tanning...in years past. But when things start to show up on your body and you have to go to a dermatologist and get them cut off and biopsied, you start to realize that it's not really worth it anymore.

So anyway - I hope everyone has some great summer plans all laid out.
Make it a summer to remember.. take lots of pictures.
I so need to get my digital camera fixed! It just will not turn on. Any input?

Cody

It is with the HEAVIEST of hearts that I post this farewell to Cody. Our beloved Yorkie. He died on June 9th. I pray that he's in Heaven where he no doubt belongs. He was the cutest and most LOVING dog one could ever ask for. I always told him that I would have to die first, because if he ever died, I'd be crushed - utterly lost without him. And I am. We all are. I'm sorry Cody.
There are people who will NEVER understand the bond that some humans can create with an animal. Cody was so much more than a just a domestic pet... he was a huge part of our family. The running to see him or calling after him when we got home, never got old. It was still as if we just brought him home.. (5 years ago). I love Cody more than I've loved most humans in my life thus far. I'm really sad and angry all at the same time...

Nostalgia

I couldn't resist buying Jiffy Pop yesterday when I was at the grocery store.
I can't speak for everyone; but I think every kid loved this growing up! I know I did... So it only seemed appropriate that I get it and make it a big deal for my niece! She loves popcorn to begin with and Jiffy Pop is one of the coolest ways to go! It seemed like it took longer than it should have, but it turned out perfect. No burning! What fun that was.. My sister and I stood at the stove with my Maya and took turns shaking it "in circular motions"..as noted by the instructions.. Now I want a good old fashioned Pop Corn machine. Our Pop-Pop had one and we LOVED it.


( FYI - I could only steal a few minutes at work to post, so I'll come back later and catch up) ... If it applies - Happy Father's Day!
Extra special "Happy Dad's Day" to Nate Lawrenson. I do believe (and I may be wrong) that this is by far going to be his Favorite Holiday now!

Think happy thoughts

Just trying to catch up on my blog. It's been a while as usual. Just when we got the laptop fixed and had it for a bit, we got yet another virus and it's out of commission again. Sucks big time.. especially when you've got email to check, MySpace to be addicted to, bills to pay, and most importantly BLOGS to update!

This is a really busy month for me... it seems as if all year was pretty quiet, well maybe not with all the things I had going on.. but anyway, back to the busy month of June... My brother graduates this month. I can't believe he's graduating high school.. he's still a little kid in my eyes (sometimes! lol). I know I'll cry at the ceremony, try as I might, to tell myself NOT to; it's just inevitable. We're having a little get together for him and some friends/family on the 21st. Every one gets a graduation party, don't they? That following Monday after the party is my Dad's surgery. Yes, they are going to attempt it again. Well, last time there was no real attempt,since his lab readings weren't desirable. So we need lots of prayers for this one! It's the risky one and I can't help but wonder if my Dad has just decided against Dr's advice to go ahead with it... ?? He's in a lot of pain these days and just can't deal with it anymore. The surgery is supposed to "fix" that. I pray it does. If all goes well, we're set to go to Ocean City for the weekend on 06/27. We've got a place for the 2 nights and we'll stay late into the day on Sunday so not to rush home. It's just the girls... my sisters and I, my mom and my niece. Should be a good time. I'm not a beach gal, I prefer the boardwalk at night and all the lights etc.. My sister is a beach baby and so is my niece. I think I'm just too hyper to lay still for any extended amount of time. Especially as long as most of the beach-goers do! Plus, I'm petrified of sunburn/skin cancer.
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There just seems to be so much going on in my life right now, I don't know if I'm coming or going most days. I've been so pre-occupied, it's starting to affect things even though I'm trying not to let it. It helps that I have been going to the gym 3 or more times a week because it's a chance for me to really work out the stress and I do believe it works. For the most part, it's nothing that I'm willing to talk about at this point, but one day I might share it just to offer some insight.
It's a personal struggle that I've been dealing with a while now, but that I shouldn't be.
I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and Lord knows I wear my heart on my sleeve, which makes it all the more difficult to hide from those who know me best.
No, this is not a pity party that you missed the invite for! lol
I'm just blogging and getting things off my mind.. isn't that what it's here for?
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Look for updates on Dad's surgery ... I hope to get on here before that and very soon after.

God Bless ~
Dawn

Back again

The last place I want to be updating my blog, all my personal, and inner most thougts from, is work! But sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do eh?
The laptop at home is messed up again. Love that thing! (if LOVE constitutes wanting to take a hammer to it!) Just (half) kidding.

So let's see: I can't remember the last time I updated, besides last night, and I don't know if I've posted anything on my dad since then either.

In any case, he still hasn't had the surgery that I mentioned in a previous post. He went to the Hematologist - and now my step mom tells me yesterday that it was decided my dad has Lupus. What?! I don't know if I believe that. It's not one of those classic cases of denial either. I truly don't believe he has it. It just doesn't make sense. I think it's just a combination of things that are giving off bad readings with his lab work. He's on several medications and I can't help but to think that there's just a lot of "confusion" in his body right now. I mean, my dad works at a refinery and has for 30 years. It's company protocol that he gets blood work, chest xrays and regular physical check ups, each year. So to all of a sudden, come out with this Lupus DX, it seems peculiar. As always, my dad's in pretty good spirits, considering all of the pain he's been in. We went over on Memorial Day and I just hated how much discomfort my dad was in. He was determined to play a game of horseshoes and he did! He lasted the whole game. The pain in his legs is caused by the PAD. (Peripheral Artery Disease) ... read about it here... It's not fun. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3020249

The dr/dr's think that they're going to go in do the surgery in a couple weeks.
(My dad mentioned the date, but I was not focused when he said it, and now I forget). I was too busy still trying to comprehend the LUPUS dx. Before the surgery they're going to treat him with Coumadin again. (Coumadin (warfarin) is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in veins and arteries). Hopefully, his PTT's are down this time and there will be little or no serious risk when performing the surgery. PTT means Partial Thromboplastin Time. In layman's terms, it refers to the amount of time that your blood takes to clot. My dad's were way too high when he went in on May 8th to have the surgery. That means he could bleed to death, so the cardiologist canceled the surgery and sent him to the hematologist.(blood specialist).. I know that I don't have to put definitions and explanations in here for everyone, but I know it helps for anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about.. and to be honest, it helps me too!

I just don't like the state of health that my dad's in and I wish I could help him feel better. He has his days where he just wants to say forget it all and let things be as they would. I would say "let things be as God wills"... but my dad is not in touch with Faith at all. It was very disheartening, when he was at the hospital and the social worker doing his paperwork, asked which religion he practiced or preferred and my dad answered "I don't have one".

Well, that's the update on my dad so far. I'll keep it all posted. I promise I'll try. I have lots of other things to post, but will do so in seperate post or posts.
I know that this post has gotten long enough. Please keep us in your prayers.
Gotta run - Check back later! I did it for you Shannon! :)


Sorry I can't post any cute icons or clipart this time around.. I can't get on the photobucket site... We have this nifty new spam filter at work (Barracuda) and it blocks A LOT!

GOT FAITH?