For right now, he does not need any more gatorade or hot chocolate packets. He also does not need stamps, he can mail for free.
Snackwells Cookies
Beef Jerky
Combos-original
Laffy Taffy
Flavored Tootsie Rolls
Chicken in a Biscuit Crackers
Cashews
Salted Peanuts
Home made Peanut Butter Cookies
Home made Sugar Cookies
Fruit Rollups
Airheads
Granola Bars
Pez
Lemonheads
Friday, September 18, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
We are back in debt again!
We bought a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring today.
Its silver outside with two tone grey interior, with some wood grain stuff.
Its got every bell and whistle you could dream of, including three automatic doors, a keyless key fob, THREE DVD screens, stow & go seating, an electrical outlet, satelite radio, a rear view camera, etc.
Other than the fact that its a minivan, it ROCKS!
We bought a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring today.
Its silver outside with two tone grey interior, with some wood grain stuff.
Its got every bell and whistle you could dream of, including three automatic doors, a keyless key fob, THREE DVD screens, stow & go seating, an electrical outlet, satelite radio, a rear view camera, etc.
Other than the fact that its a minivan, it ROCKS!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Richard's Orders
Richard received word today that he has been awarded orders to the USS Eisenhower. People call it the Ike and that's what I'll be calling it from now on, so don't be confused.
He is to report to the Ike on February 10, 2010. He was supposed to transfer in early January, and we're not sure why his report date is February 10th, other than the Lord heard my many prayers and performed a miracle. Really. This is very odd. But VERY good. They are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan on January 4, 2010. We're assuming that shortly after he reports on Feb 10, they will fly him out to the ship. This will make his deployment 5 months instead of six.
This also means he will be home for Lillian's second birthday! And we will possibly be able to go home for the holidays, whereas it wouldn't be possible if he deployed Jan 4.
It will make his first month on the ship harder, as he will get grief from the other crew as well as having to catch up on learning stuff, but he's up for the challenge.
He should get some holiday leave, as in past years, either the two weeks before Dec 28 or the two weeks after. He is also entitled to up to 30 days of transfer leave. We're trying to find out if that is to be completed by Feb 10 or if that starts Feb 10. He might also not be granted both periods, he might have to choose. We don't know yet, he is trying to find out some more information.
We do not have written orders yet. PLEASE pray that the Feb date is not a mistake and that his written orders come through ASAP and have the Feb 10 date on them.
He is excited about these orders. And is excited that his reputation is good enough with a couple senior chiefs already on this ship that they pushed the orders so that he would get the job over any other applicants.
He will be on "sea duty" for three years beginning February 10, 2010. As far as we know right now, the Ike will deploy Jan 4, 2010 for six months, returning the beginning of July, 2010 and go directly into the yards. This means the boat will go into dry dock to be worked on. Richard will still report for work directly to the boat, in the yards, which will be in our area, but not directly at this base. It will either be in Portsmouth or Newport News.
The boat is also scheduled to go on deployment sometime in 2011, although we don't have dates yet.
Other than the cruise deployments, which typically last six months, he will have to be on the boat every time the boat pulls out of the dock. The ship has to stay "qual'ed" so they will be pulling out of the dock for several days each month when they are not on deployment.
The Ike has an "8 duty section". Duty on the Ike is different from his duty now. Now for duty, he has a 6 section rotation. When he's on duty now, he's basically "on call"-he can't leave his 'recall number' (our house) unless he calls in for an errand (church, grocery store, etc) and sometimes, he will be required to work a shift on a weekend he has duty or do a watch or flag duty when he is on duty. However, on the Ike, a "duty" lasts 24 hours and he is required to be on the ship the whole time. So once every 8 days, he will be spending 24 hours on the boat. of course, this 24 hour period for example, would start at 6am Tuesday and end at 6am Wednesday but then he would have to still work Wednesday so he would be gone from 6am Tuesday until 3pm Wednesday. We're not sure how they do the weekends. At his command now, they only schedule Fridays. If you have duty Friday, you have it all weekend long. This command might assign each day separately though, we don't know.
Moms-Here is a site that says its the official website of the "Ike Moms"
Others- Here is the official website of the Ike
And here is the wikipedia entry for the Ike and here is another navy site on the Ike
None of them are super informative with anything really helpful, but all that info is classified of course.
Richard will need several things for cruise that he will be adding to his Christmas wishlist in the coming weeks. And he will also be compiling a list of things that will be good to send him in goodie boxes while he is gone. Because he will be on a ship, space is very limited, so he would like to request certain things, and ask that not much more than that is sent. I will have him constantly keep a list updated so you know what he would like at that specific time. He can always use phone cards but needs specific kinds. He will find out exactly what kind and we will post that information also.
These orders mean:
1. We will be staying in Virginia until early 2013.
2. R says we will look for orders to Florida at that time. (I have three years to compile arguments against that and create stunning protest signs.)
3. We will not be buying a house in Virginia. (Our good friends are taking $15-18,000 to closing in two weeks to get rid of their house.)
4. Lillian and I will be staying in Virginia, in our current apartment, while Richard is gone. We might travel some. (Plane tickets or gas cards are welcome.)
5. As R's leave gets figured out we will know what our leave plans are before he goes.
6. We plan on keeping both vehicles we currently have until he gets back from deployment next July at which time we will replace my Pacifica with trade in and cash with something that is a 2008/2009. We will probably keep the truck until it costs more to fix it than its worth.
7. We will be having some sort of a birthday party for Lillian (hadn't planned on it if he was going to be gone) and you are all welcome to come.
8. Lillian and I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE company Feb 2010 to June/July 2010. I mean we would LOVE it. More than you know. And I would love some boogeyman scaring away powder I could spread around my house :-)
We're very happy about these orders and all the things they mean. Although this will be not only our first deployment while married, but also our first with a child, so it will be difficult but its going to happen sometime and we feel like we'll be adequately prepared. The next three years, Richard will be "gone" meaning sleeping on the ship, whether off the coast of Virginia, or elsewhere, for almost two years. Lots of prayer, letters (to Richard) and visitors (to me and Lil) will get us all through.
Yay!
He is to report to the Ike on February 10, 2010. He was supposed to transfer in early January, and we're not sure why his report date is February 10th, other than the Lord heard my many prayers and performed a miracle. Really. This is very odd. But VERY good. They are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan on January 4, 2010. We're assuming that shortly after he reports on Feb 10, they will fly him out to the ship. This will make his deployment 5 months instead of six.
This also means he will be home for Lillian's second birthday! And we will possibly be able to go home for the holidays, whereas it wouldn't be possible if he deployed Jan 4.
It will make his first month on the ship harder, as he will get grief from the other crew as well as having to catch up on learning stuff, but he's up for the challenge.
He should get some holiday leave, as in past years, either the two weeks before Dec 28 or the two weeks after. He is also entitled to up to 30 days of transfer leave. We're trying to find out if that is to be completed by Feb 10 or if that starts Feb 10. He might also not be granted both periods, he might have to choose. We don't know yet, he is trying to find out some more information.
We do not have written orders yet. PLEASE pray that the Feb date is not a mistake and that his written orders come through ASAP and have the Feb 10 date on them.
He is excited about these orders. And is excited that his reputation is good enough with a couple senior chiefs already on this ship that they pushed the orders so that he would get the job over any other applicants.
He will be on "sea duty" for three years beginning February 10, 2010. As far as we know right now, the Ike will deploy Jan 4, 2010 for six months, returning the beginning of July, 2010 and go directly into the yards. This means the boat will go into dry dock to be worked on. Richard will still report for work directly to the boat, in the yards, which will be in our area, but not directly at this base. It will either be in Portsmouth or Newport News.
The boat is also scheduled to go on deployment sometime in 2011, although we don't have dates yet.
Other than the cruise deployments, which typically last six months, he will have to be on the boat every time the boat pulls out of the dock. The ship has to stay "qual'ed" so they will be pulling out of the dock for several days each month when they are not on deployment.
The Ike has an "8 duty section". Duty on the Ike is different from his duty now. Now for duty, he has a 6 section rotation. When he's on duty now, he's basically "on call"-he can't leave his 'recall number' (our house) unless he calls in for an errand (church, grocery store, etc) and sometimes, he will be required to work a shift on a weekend he has duty or do a watch or flag duty when he is on duty. However, on the Ike, a "duty" lasts 24 hours and he is required to be on the ship the whole time. So once every 8 days, he will be spending 24 hours on the boat. of course, this 24 hour period for example, would start at 6am Tuesday and end at 6am Wednesday but then he would have to still work Wednesday so he would be gone from 6am Tuesday until 3pm Wednesday. We're not sure how they do the weekends. At his command now, they only schedule Fridays. If you have duty Friday, you have it all weekend long. This command might assign each day separately though, we don't know.
Moms-Here is a site that says its the official website of the "Ike Moms"
Others- Here is the official website of the Ike
And here is the wikipedia entry for the Ike and here is another navy site on the Ike
None of them are super informative with anything really helpful, but all that info is classified of course.
Richard will need several things for cruise that he will be adding to his Christmas wishlist in the coming weeks. And he will also be compiling a list of things that will be good to send him in goodie boxes while he is gone. Because he will be on a ship, space is very limited, so he would like to request certain things, and ask that not much more than that is sent. I will have him constantly keep a list updated so you know what he would like at that specific time. He can always use phone cards but needs specific kinds. He will find out exactly what kind and we will post that information also.
These orders mean:
1. We will be staying in Virginia until early 2013.
2. R says we will look for orders to Florida at that time. (I have three years to compile arguments against that and create stunning protest signs.)
3. We will not be buying a house in Virginia. (Our good friends are taking $15-18,000 to closing in two weeks to get rid of their house.)
4. Lillian and I will be staying in Virginia, in our current apartment, while Richard is gone. We might travel some. (Plane tickets or gas cards are welcome.)
5. As R's leave gets figured out we will know what our leave plans are before he goes.
6. We plan on keeping both vehicles we currently have until he gets back from deployment next July at which time we will replace my Pacifica with trade in and cash with something that is a 2008/2009. We will probably keep the truck until it costs more to fix it than its worth.
7. We will be having some sort of a birthday party for Lillian (hadn't planned on it if he was going to be gone) and you are all welcome to come.
8. Lillian and I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE company Feb 2010 to June/July 2010. I mean we would LOVE it. More than you know. And I would love some boogeyman scaring away powder I could spread around my house :-)
We're very happy about these orders and all the things they mean. Although this will be not only our first deployment while married, but also our first with a child, so it will be difficult but its going to happen sometime and we feel like we'll be adequately prepared. The next three years, Richard will be "gone" meaning sleeping on the ship, whether off the coast of Virginia, or elsewhere, for almost two years. Lots of prayer, letters (to Richard) and visitors (to me and Lil) will get us all through.
Yay!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Richard's Shoulder Update
UPDATE AUGUST 3: Richard saw the Orthopedist, Dr. Bischoff again this morning to discuss the results of the EMG.
The EMG report officially stated "suprascapular neuropathy with involvement of supraspinatus and infraspinatus."
Dr. Bischoff said today:
1. He doesn't think surgery is going to help. But he is referring to an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion.
2. The nerve grows 1mm a day. At that rate it is going to take 6-10 months, more, to fully heal.
3. The bike accident fractured his shoulder. Yes, BROKE HIS SHOULDER. Yes, in February. Yes, they are just finding this out now. He said the fracture is now showing as healed, so there's nothing we need to do about it (other than know the Naval Hospital ER who turned him away was COMPLETELY WRONG TO DO SO).
4. He put in a prescription for more pain meds, Richard is on them almost 24/7 now.
5. He wants to see Richard every 4-6 weeks for the next ten months, to measure any improvement.
6. He wants Richard to go to Rehab 2-3 times a week until this is fully healed (6-10 more months). Rehab will last from 1-2 hours each session.
7. He said probably in January Richard would have to do a Limdu Board. That is a review board that will determine the status of Richard's injury at that time, and MAY keep him off the boat. We do not know if this means he would be on "sea duty" but not go out to sea, extend his shore duty until he is healed-and then transfer to his 3 year of sea duty, or he would start his sea duty on time, but his sea duty time would just be extended to add on the amount of time he is not eligible to go out to sea.
Next:
Tomorrow, Richard will pick up his prescription.
Wednesday, he will have his first Rehab appt.
Friday, He will have his next rehab appt.
Monday, He has an appt with his primary care physician, just to keep him updated. And he will have his third rehab appt. (Every M-W-F from now on).
August 25th, he will meet with Dr. Ellingson, the orthopedic surgeon.
The EMG report officially stated "suprascapular neuropathy with involvement of supraspinatus and infraspinatus."
Dr. Bischoff said today:
1. He doesn't think surgery is going to help. But he is referring to an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion.
2. The nerve grows 1mm a day. At that rate it is going to take 6-10 months, more, to fully heal.
3. The bike accident fractured his shoulder. Yes, BROKE HIS SHOULDER. Yes, in February. Yes, they are just finding this out now. He said the fracture is now showing as healed, so there's nothing we need to do about it (other than know the Naval Hospital ER who turned him away was COMPLETELY WRONG TO DO SO).
4. He put in a prescription for more pain meds, Richard is on them almost 24/7 now.
5. He wants to see Richard every 4-6 weeks for the next ten months, to measure any improvement.
6. He wants Richard to go to Rehab 2-3 times a week until this is fully healed (6-10 more months). Rehab will last from 1-2 hours each session.
7. He said probably in January Richard would have to do a Limdu Board. That is a review board that will determine the status of Richard's injury at that time, and MAY keep him off the boat. We do not know if this means he would be on "sea duty" but not go out to sea, extend his shore duty until he is healed-and then transfer to his 3 year of sea duty, or he would start his sea duty on time, but his sea duty time would just be extended to add on the amount of time he is not eligible to go out to sea.
Next:
Tomorrow, Richard will pick up his prescription.
Wednesday, he will have his first Rehab appt.
Friday, He will have his next rehab appt.
Monday, He has an appt with his primary care physician, just to keep him updated. And he will have his third rehab appt. (Every M-W-F from now on).
August 25th, he will meet with Dr. Ellingson, the orthopedic surgeon.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Richard's Shoulder
Note: Of course, we are not medical professionals, or spelling experts nor do we have perfect memories. What follows is the best of our recollection of what the doctors have said thus far.
Richard had an MRI of his right shoulder which showed a "Nonspecific atrophy of supraspinatus and infraspinatus" and a "globular intermediate high signal seen in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus near the tendon insertions." The orthopedic doc said this is bad because it basically means they (the MRI techs) see a "something" but don't know what it is. You don't want to stump them. The MRI "result code" was "Abnormal, Immediate Attn Needed". They did say it definintly is not a rotator cuff tear. This is good. There is much "degenerative atrophy" meaning his muscles are rotting. Not ever good.
The orthopedist, Dr. Bischoff, referred him for an EMG test to be done by a Neurologist to hopefully clarify what damage has been done, and where.
His EMG was today at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
We had a great doc, a neurologist, who performed both parts of the test. The first part involved shocking various parts of R's hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck and recording the results. This part was uncomfortable and mildly painful. The second part of the test involved sticking needles into the muscles, starting at the hand and working all the way up to the shoulder, recording first with the muscle resting, and then with the muscle engaged. This part was mildly painful at the begining (the hand/wrist/arm) but became extremely painful when the doc neared the damaged areas of the shoulder and neck.
The doc gave us several answers:
1. The damage was absolutely, positively a result of the motorcycle accident Richard had in February (yes, really, FEBRUARY).
2. The subscapular nerve was damaged due to blunt force trauma (ie hitting the pavement) but the damage is "incomplete" which means it is not completely broken, just damaged.
2.5. The subscapular nerve feeds impulse signals to two muscles, one above it and one below it. The one below is severely damaged, the one above, not as much, but still significant damage. The upper muscle controls the lower 15% lifting power of the arm, the lower muscle controls the movement as if you have your arm in a sling position and then are pushing outward as if pushing a door open with your forearm.
3. The nerve damage happened immediately but was not evident until weeks later when the muscle stopped geting impulse signals from the nerve. (See straw analogy below.) This was the time during March when Richard had such severe pain that he was in two ERs and a doctors office, all within two days.
4. The muscle not getting whatever it gets from the nerve is the reason the muscle is atrophying (rotting). Richard has a severe concave hole in his shoulder, where that muscle used to be.
5. If it was a "complete" tear, surgery would absolutely be required.
6. Since it is "incomplete" damage, it may or may not require surgery. Sometimes these things heal on their own, although they take "a very long time-six months to a year" to do so. It has already been six months.
7. The neurologist said the next step is to make an appointment with the orthopedist, Dr. Bischoff, to review the EMG results and decide what the next step is. The neurologist's guess was that Dr. Bischoff would refer Richard to a surgeon.
It seems that we can wait another six months and it may heal on its own, still requiring physical therapy after that time. Or, we can opt to do surgery, which may or may not be able to help, and would also have an extensive recovery time and would require much physical therapy afterwards.
The straw analogy. The nerve is like a straw. When Richard hit the pavement it flattened the straw, but did not tear it. So there were some impulse signals still left in the first portion of the straw that was able to feed into the muscles. However, a few weeks later, all the impulse signals were either already in the muscle, or on the other side of the damage to the straw. That is when the huge pain happened and the muscles started to rot. Now, we are waiting for the straw to re-inflate, which may or may not happen on its own.
Richard had an MRI of his right shoulder which showed a "Nonspecific atrophy of supraspinatus and infraspinatus" and a "globular intermediate high signal seen in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus near the tendon insertions." The orthopedic doc said this is bad because it basically means they (the MRI techs) see a "something" but don't know what it is. You don't want to stump them. The MRI "result code" was "Abnormal, Immediate Attn Needed". They did say it definintly is not a rotator cuff tear. This is good. There is much "degenerative atrophy" meaning his muscles are rotting. Not ever good.
The orthopedist, Dr. Bischoff, referred him for an EMG test to be done by a Neurologist to hopefully clarify what damage has been done, and where.
His EMG was today at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
We had a great doc, a neurologist, who performed both parts of the test. The first part involved shocking various parts of R's hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck and recording the results. This part was uncomfortable and mildly painful. The second part of the test involved sticking needles into the muscles, starting at the hand and working all the way up to the shoulder, recording first with the muscle resting, and then with the muscle engaged. This part was mildly painful at the begining (the hand/wrist/arm) but became extremely painful when the doc neared the damaged areas of the shoulder and neck.
The doc gave us several answers:
1. The damage was absolutely, positively a result of the motorcycle accident Richard had in February (yes, really, FEBRUARY).
2. The subscapular nerve was damaged due to blunt force trauma (ie hitting the pavement) but the damage is "incomplete" which means it is not completely broken, just damaged.
2.5. The subscapular nerve feeds impulse signals to two muscles, one above it and one below it. The one below is severely damaged, the one above, not as much, but still significant damage. The upper muscle controls the lower 15% lifting power of the arm, the lower muscle controls the movement as if you have your arm in a sling position and then are pushing outward as if pushing a door open with your forearm.
3. The nerve damage happened immediately but was not evident until weeks later when the muscle stopped geting impulse signals from the nerve. (See straw analogy below.) This was the time during March when Richard had such severe pain that he was in two ERs and a doctors office, all within two days.
4. The muscle not getting whatever it gets from the nerve is the reason the muscle is atrophying (rotting). Richard has a severe concave hole in his shoulder, where that muscle used to be.
5. If it was a "complete" tear, surgery would absolutely be required.
6. Since it is "incomplete" damage, it may or may not require surgery. Sometimes these things heal on their own, although they take "a very long time-six months to a year" to do so. It has already been six months.
7. The neurologist said the next step is to make an appointment with the orthopedist, Dr. Bischoff, to review the EMG results and decide what the next step is. The neurologist's guess was that Dr. Bischoff would refer Richard to a surgeon.
It seems that we can wait another six months and it may heal on its own, still requiring physical therapy after that time. Or, we can opt to do surgery, which may or may not be able to help, and would also have an extensive recovery time and would require much physical therapy afterwards.
The straw analogy. The nerve is like a straw. When Richard hit the pavement it flattened the straw, but did not tear it. So there were some impulse signals still left in the first portion of the straw that was able to feed into the muscles. However, a few weeks later, all the impulse signals were either already in the muscle, or on the other side of the damage to the straw. That is when the huge pain happened and the muscles started to rot. Now, we are waiting for the straw to re-inflate, which may or may not happen on its own.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Bed training
Lillian jumped out of her crib twice tonight, landing with a HUGE thud on the floor and getting right up and running, laughing, down the hallway to the living room.
I think she has a death wish.
So far, we cannot tell that she has hurt herself, but we know its just a matter of time if she keeps up the diving act.
We have a "big girl" bed in her room for her, which we lay in with her each night to read books and try to get her to go to sleep there, but she refuses to lay down when anyone else is in the room. This is true for any bed.
She will not be held to go to sleep, she will not be rocked to sleep. She must be in her bed (her crib), by herself, and then, when she is ready, she will go to sleep.
We are desperately trying to figure out how to bed train her.
We have tried "the supernanny way" of putting her in the big bed, sitting outside the door, putting her back in the bed, when she gets out. She lasted 5 hours before we gave up.
My only thought is to move EVERYTHING out of her room, except for her "big girl" bed, and the crib and just put her in the big bed, shut the baby gate on the door, and leave her there til she falls asleep. But we really have no other place to put the rest of the furniture in her room so I don't know.
I think she has a death wish.
So far, we cannot tell that she has hurt herself, but we know its just a matter of time if she keeps up the diving act.
We have a "big girl" bed in her room for her, which we lay in with her each night to read books and try to get her to go to sleep there, but she refuses to lay down when anyone else is in the room. This is true for any bed.
She will not be held to go to sleep, she will not be rocked to sleep. She must be in her bed (her crib), by herself, and then, when she is ready, she will go to sleep.
We are desperately trying to figure out how to bed train her.
We have tried "the supernanny way" of putting her in the big bed, sitting outside the door, putting her back in the bed, when she gets out. She lasted 5 hours before we gave up.
My only thought is to move EVERYTHING out of her room, except for her "big girl" bed, and the crib and just put her in the big bed, shut the baby gate on the door, and leave her there til she falls asleep. But we really have no other place to put the rest of the furniture in her room so I don't know.
Lillian's Word List
Dada
Mama
Ba (ball)
nigh-nigh (night night)
puppy
hi
ooo ooow (yellow)
mo (more)
mo (NO!)
Mama
Ba (ball)
nigh-nigh (night night)
puppy
hi
ooo ooow (yellow)
mo (more)
mo (NO!)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Ear surgery went well.
Richard's still working a retarded amount of days/hours.
His EMG test on his shoulder is the 28th.
Lillian peed on the potty for the first time today. She now regularly sits on it for about six hours a day, or at least it feels like it. She sits on it before and after any nap or bedtime, and before and after a bath and after a meal. Kylie is also doing really well. Which makes me want to move the tv into the bathroom since I spend so much time in there, but I think they're helping each other figure it out faster, which is great.
Lillian's new favorite thing is Ring Around the Rosy. Its super cute. She will take your hands and do it with you or just spin in circles by herself. (I taught her that because I get dizzy by repetition #2.) She falls down by herself about half the time and the rest she wants you to shove her down and then she laughs uncontrollably.
Richard's still working a retarded amount of days/hours.
His EMG test on his shoulder is the 28th.
Lillian peed on the potty for the first time today. She now regularly sits on it for about six hours a day, or at least it feels like it. She sits on it before and after any nap or bedtime, and before and after a bath and after a meal. Kylie is also doing really well. Which makes me want to move the tv into the bathroom since I spend so much time in there, but I think they're helping each other figure it out faster, which is great.
Lillian's new favorite thing is Ring Around the Rosy. Its super cute. She will take your hands and do it with you or just spin in circles by herself. (I taught her that because I get dizzy by repetition #2.) She falls down by herself about half the time and the rest she wants you to shove her down and then she laughs uncontrollably.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Mom and Dad wanted an update.
Here's your update-
The time is currently 10:53 on Saturday night July something 2009. I am exhausted and need a live in babysitter because my husband is currently employed 12-14/7 by the US Navy.
Lillian had pictures taken at The Picture People today. She was a brat. But the pictures turned out cute anyways. Those people are good. Expensive, but good. We are currently accepting gift cards for said photo place.
Lillian's ear surgery is on Monday. We have to be at the hospital at 6:40 am. That means we need to leave our house at 5am. As if surgery wasn't bad enough on its own. And I'm betting Ihop doesn't deliver to the waiting room. Darn! And french toast sounds SO GOOD right now.
Our very good friend Britt just left for "the place you would never want your husband to go" for an "undetermined amount of time" (not to be less than 45 days). He does super secret (ie VERY SCARY) stuff. Pray for his safety. And Whitney's sanity. And everything inbetween. He just got back less than three weeks ago from another trip. This was going to be the first year since they've been married that he was going to be home on her birthday. Oh wait, the Navy just changed that.
Here's your update-
The time is currently 10:53 on Saturday night July something 2009. I am exhausted and need a live in babysitter because my husband is currently employed 12-14/7 by the US Navy.
Lillian had pictures taken at The Picture People today. She was a brat. But the pictures turned out cute anyways. Those people are good. Expensive, but good. We are currently accepting gift cards for said photo place.
Lillian's ear surgery is on Monday. We have to be at the hospital at 6:40 am. That means we need to leave our house at 5am. As if surgery wasn't bad enough on its own. And I'm betting Ihop doesn't deliver to the waiting room. Darn! And french toast sounds SO GOOD right now.
Our very good friend Britt just left for "the place you would never want your husband to go" for an "undetermined amount of time" (not to be less than 45 days). He does super secret (ie VERY SCARY) stuff. Pray for his safety. And Whitney's sanity. And everything inbetween. He just got back less than three weeks ago from another trip. This was going to be the first year since they've been married that he was going to be home on her birthday. Oh wait, the Navy just changed that.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Richard's Shoulder
Richard had his follow up (from the MRI) appointment with the orthopedist yesterday morning. There is a "globular mass" that he is very concerned about, but there is NOT a tear in the rotator cuff. They have scheduled him for an EMG test, where they stick needles all over the muscle and test it with electrodes to monitor reaction to try to narrow down where the root of the problem is. That test is scheduled for July 28th. Yes, this is Navy medicine at is quickest, people. But we are probably still looking at surgery, they just have to do this test first to narrow down exact location. Then it will be followed up with months of physical therapy.
So, that's the story, until it changes again at least.
So, that's the story, until it changes again at least.
Re-Enlistment Ceremony
Richard's Re-enlistment ceremony was last Friday and one of his co-workers took some photos for us. (I was sure we had a family photo at the end, but apparently not.)
Lillian was perfectly happy using Richard's desk, but refused to be held and be part of the ceremony. They (the US Navy) also had a certificate for me. Promptly after these photos, Lillian puked all over me and her, both. It was spectacular.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
It's looking like we will probably be paying $1700 to $2000 out of pocket to take care of the bike. And it sounds like we're going to have to pay it all when the insurance check comes through. The bank says that since we no longer have the bike, we can no longer have a bike loan and therefore must pay the balance off in full.
Whee!
Whee!
If I ever get married again (to the same man, of course) and I'm a millionaire, I'm going to do it up like these people did. (The last part of that sentence is a link to the fabulous wedding I speak of. Click on the words "these people" to go there.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Motorcycle
Richard's motorcycle was stolen sometime between 7pm last night and 11am this morning. The police came out to do a report and say it is probably already chopped up in pieces across the water.
Insurance has a mandatory waiting period (they won't tell us how long) to wait and see if it is recovered or they see us driving it before they will offer a settlement. They will not disclose the amount of the settlement until that time.
Insurance has a mandatory waiting period (they won't tell us how long) to wait and see if it is recovered or they see us driving it before they will offer a settlement. They will not disclose the amount of the settlement until that time.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Late June Update
Lillian is having surgery to have tubes put in her ears on July 20th. She does not have to have her adenoids out though, at this time. She may later, but tubes may do it on their own so we're trying that first.
Richard has a MRI scheduled for midnight tomorrow night and an appointment with an orthopedist the following Monday. We're sure he's looking at surgery. His shoulder is so bad now that you can see the shoulder blade is in a different spot when looking at his back. It is typical now that he can't open a door with that arm, pick up Lillian and the other day he couldn't even pick up a can of soda.
I am doing good. But I have been having carpal tunnel problems again. I had it while pregnant and they said it would probably go away when I delivered. It did. For a year. Now its back with a vengeance, worse than it was when I was pregnant. However, its not to the point yet where I'm willing to tell any Dr. and risk getting another cortizone shot in my wrists.
I am in need of new tv shows to watch, I'm bored with everything I've been watching.
I made cake balls the other day, they were amazing!
Richard is re-enlisting on Friday. Lil and I are going. To collect the big bonus check. Oh wait... But we are going.
We switched from Blockbuster Online to Netflix. I'm very happy so far.
We're on house arrest for June, July and August by order of the US Navy. They say no leave so we're staying put for the whole summer. It seems soooo long. Especially when all of our friends are going to be gone for so much this summer. We're the only ones out of 6-8 families that are going to be here for the 4th of July weekend. Whee!
Richard's parents are stopping by the first week of July though. They will arrive Wednesday the first in the evening and leave Friday morning the 3rd. We're excited for that. But we're wishing they could stay longer. We're itching for visitors, especially since we're stuck here. The year seems so long with only getting to Michigan at Christmastime.
I think that's it. Not much exciting lately. Hence, no updates.
Richard has a MRI scheduled for midnight tomorrow night and an appointment with an orthopedist the following Monday. We're sure he's looking at surgery. His shoulder is so bad now that you can see the shoulder blade is in a different spot when looking at his back. It is typical now that he can't open a door with that arm, pick up Lillian and the other day he couldn't even pick up a can of soda.
I am doing good. But I have been having carpal tunnel problems again. I had it while pregnant and they said it would probably go away when I delivered. It did. For a year. Now its back with a vengeance, worse than it was when I was pregnant. However, its not to the point yet where I'm willing to tell any Dr. and risk getting another cortizone shot in my wrists.
I am in need of new tv shows to watch, I'm bored with everything I've been watching.
I made cake balls the other day, they were amazing!
Richard is re-enlisting on Friday. Lil and I are going. To collect the big bonus check. Oh wait... But we are going.
We switched from Blockbuster Online to Netflix. I'm very happy so far.
We're on house arrest for June, July and August by order of the US Navy. They say no leave so we're staying put for the whole summer. It seems soooo long. Especially when all of our friends are going to be gone for so much this summer. We're the only ones out of 6-8 families that are going to be here for the 4th of July weekend. Whee!
Richard's parents are stopping by the first week of July though. They will arrive Wednesday the first in the evening and leave Friday morning the 3rd. We're excited for that. But we're wishing they could stay longer. We're itching for visitors, especially since we're stuck here. The year seems so long with only getting to Michigan at Christmastime.
I think that's it. Not much exciting lately. Hence, no updates.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Disney by the numbers!
3 of us
3 friends
3 days of travel
9 days of vacation
7 days of rain
1 lunch at Cinderella's Castle
1 surprise private meeting with Minne and Donald
5 hour behind the scenes tour of Magic Kingdom
93 pictures taken by the Disney staff
800+ pictures taken by us
$124 for five day park hopper passes for six people
2 vehicles
1 car accident
2 hotels
2 times in the pool
4 ponchos purchased
2 stroller covers purchased
5 umbrellas
24+ inches of rain
4 puke incidents
2 dinners at Boma
2 Upper Respiratory Infections
1 ear infection
6 MRSA spots
2 strollers
25+ bus, ferry, monorail rides
2 rides co-piloting the monorail
3 free fast passes because we were on our honeymoon
3 friends
3 days of travel
9 days of vacation
7 days of rain
1 lunch at Cinderella's Castle
1 surprise private meeting with Minne and Donald
5 hour behind the scenes tour of Magic Kingdom
93 pictures taken by the Disney staff
800+ pictures taken by us
$124 for five day park hopper passes for six people
2 vehicles
1 car accident
2 hotels
2 times in the pool
4 ponchos purchased
2 stroller covers purchased
5 umbrellas
24+ inches of rain
4 puke incidents
2 dinners at Boma
2 Upper Respiratory Infections
1 ear infection
6 MRSA spots
2 strollers
25+ bus, ferry, monorail rides
2 rides co-piloting the monorail
3 free fast passes because we were on our honeymoon