Rose Thorns

Bret Michael says that every rose has its thorns... I never thought too much about it until the last few days.

My wonderful husband decided that for Valentine's, he was going to get me a massage for taking care of him and his bum knee lately. I'm not complaining. I love a good massage and it had been awhile since one.

It was set for 2:00 on Saturday at the Renaissance Spa downtown (I highly recommend!). At 1:10, I go to my car and realize that the battery is dead. I could just take the other car, but it's with Chris. At work. I frantically call and he speeds home. Cautiously as to not get a ticket. I drive him back to work and head downtown. I make it there just in the nick of time.

I enter the parking garage and see that I have $3 cash. If I stay longer than 2 hours, I don't have enough money. But, kind, nice attendant informs me that they do take a card. Great.

This spa is one of the nicest ones I have seen. Seeing that I love a good massage, I have had several in my lifetime. I was relaxed, enjoying the atmosphere, and truly enjoyed my massage. It was one of the best ever.

Until Sunday morning.

I am sitting in church and see that I have itchy red dots all over my arms. Not totally unbearable, but not pleasant either. After getting home, I discover they are on my legs as well. When I woke up from my nap, they had grown in size and number.

By the time I went to bed, I had taken as cold a shower as possible and prepped for a long night. Going to school this morning proved a little challenging, since I couldn't figure out which long sleeve shirt would cover it but not be too hot. And my poor kids froze. Luckily, I made it through the day.

A quick visit to the doctor determines that I have probably reacted to whatever they used during the massage. A few days of exfoliating and some cream and I should be good. Too bad they look hideous in the meantime!

So, sad to say, this might have bumped my massage experience down a notch or too. Still up there, but I don't know if it can contend for the best now.

I'll just have to check and see what they used, so I can keep it from happening again. All in all, this rose might have had its thorn, but was definitely worth every minute of it!

Sidenote: The attendants were not there when I left, so I did not have to pay anything at all!

Life in the Fast Lane

As I typed the title, the theme song ran through my head. No, this is not another episode of Cops ( I think that's it, but a very sleepy Chris cannot verify it for me at this time). This is my life and everything in it. Though I don't have pictures to accompany it, I'll try my best to paint the picture in your minds...

We'll start with the New Year. The month of January was crazy at school, getting back into the swing of things. Thrown into the mix of the new year was out first weather day the Friday we came back. Three day week there. The next week, we had a leak at school and they had to dig through the middle of the main hallway. Another day out. Chris had surgery that week as well (more to come in a second). Three day week number two. The next week was MLK day, so a four day week there. Had a followup appointment later on. Another 4 day week. I have just now finished my first 5 day week since being back. Except for the writing workshop I had to attend for 1/2 a day. Counts, right? We'll just say that I am EXTREMELY blessed to have a group of students that can roll right along with me!

Chris' surgery. I do not think that either one of us was completely prepared for or aware of what this would require of us. He had a lateral release on his right knee that had dislocated last fall and would not stay in place. Little did I realize that I would become primary care giver for these next weeks. After two nights, I decided I never wanted to have kids. This was after getting up every 2 hours or so to give medicines or to help him back in bed. Three nights and I was done! Things have improved so much over these last three weeks, though. Rehab is going well. He is able to do more each time he goes. We are no longer using crutches at all! He still needs help with a few things only because he can't reach, but has come so far. We're staying positive as we count down the weeks. He still cannot drive for at least another three weeks. This is one area that we were concerned about, but are SO thankful for some great friends who have stepped up and helped us out more than we could ever imagine or think to repay. David takes him to and from work each day and Paige and the boys take him to rehab three days a week after they get out of school. I couldn't do this without them! Thank you so much for everyone's prayers!

So, seeing that I am a teacher, home health nurse, maid and chauffeur, my life has not yet stopped! This is the first time I have had a chance to update, so is definitely a good sign that I have a little free time. But now, it's time to ice a knee and get ready for bed.

Until I get the energy, strength and time to update, my life will continue to be in this fast lane!

By My Side

I walk in the back door and before I put my bags down, I have to stop and acknowledge him. Hello, I missed you, I love you.

As I eat, he waits beside me until I finish so we can start our evening.

I open the shower curtain to step out and see him waiting for me. Patiently.

He lays on the bed and watches as I move through the room.

He joins me on the couch while we watch tv or play on the computer.

I lay in bed at night and before turning off the lights, say goodnight. He sleeps facing me.

When I wake up in the morning, he just wants to snuggle before we start our day.



Love him!

My Resolution

I'm not one for resolutions- that's more things I have to think about and remember. Instead, I'm hoping for a different outlook this year. Maybe a different perspective. I figure if I change my way of thinking and change my attitude about life, that will encompass all I aim to achieve this year.

1- LIVE like there's no tomorrow. Take one day at a time. Life has enough worries of its own. Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. You do a lot of it but get nowhere. I'm going to live and enjoy my life and what I have now.

2- LAUGH. A life without laughter is a life that does not know true joy. Don't sweat the small stuff, but take time to laugh. I'm going to laugh and see the positive things around me in what can be a negative world.

3- LOVE. Love God, love my family, love my friends. I will do all I can to love and show love. Every day and in every way I can.

Happy New Year from our World!

November

I just wanted to post something so that I don't go an entire month without posting anything. Yeah. That's life right now. So much going on, but not too much to say. I mean, after October, I thought November would slow down. Now I'm not too sure!

Gearing up for Thanksgiving- only a week away and I'll get Mom's turkey and noodles! This is my favorite holiday. I need to slow down and thank God for everything that I am so thankful for. I know this next week that I need to take time to do this. Thank you for all those that have blessed my life. Happy Turkey Day to you all very soon!

1+1+1+3+6=

Exactly what all I had on at the Alabama game on Saturday! Each year, I get a new shirt to wear to an Alabama game. I had previously purchased the cutest sleeveless top, white around the neck with a crimson body. How cute!

Well, when we found out and began to realize that it would be too cold for it, plan number 2 comes into play. Look for a sweatshirt. Back in the clearance section at Sports Authority was one for $20! I bought it.

Saturday morning proved to be a little colder than imagined. We stopped at Academy Sports in Prattville on the way out of town and bought thermal pants to wear under our jeans.

Arriving in Tuscaloosa at around 1, I put on my other t-shirt, the sweatshirt, and a fleece. We walked and met some friends where we hung out for awhile. Temperatures getting to us some, I then bought a red and white hounds tooth toboggan and put on my scarf and gloves.

We made our way into the stadium and the game started. Despite the cheering and jumping up and down, I still got chilly. At halftime, on came the extra sweatshirt and pants. I was finally warm. I had a blanket left, but used it to separate the cold metal bleachers from my backside.

We had a terrific time at the game! Alabama won, and I managed to stay warm and not freeze. Thus the answer to the problem: 1 pair of gloves, 1 toboggan, 1 scarf, 3 pairs of pants (thermals, jeans, sweatpants), and 6 tops (tank top, long sleeve t-shirt, short sleeve t-shirt, zip up hooded sweatshirt, zip up fleece, pullover hooded sweatshirt) = what I took off throughout the evening before eventually crawling into my nice, warm bed!

Hectic Times...

... call for hectic measures. Either that, or a lack in communication of any form. You know it's bad when your sister (sorry Morgan) blogs more than you do. A quick update:

- had the last two days off. Fall Break!
- took Chris to the doctor in Birmingham today about his knee. Rehab should do it!
- sick dog. Runny nose and allergies. Yuck!
- went bowling on Sunday with the Bible Bowl group. Still sore!
- got 7 cakes donated for the Cake Walk at WES Fest Thursday night. Thank you Winn-Dixie!
- have WES Fest Thursday night. Am in charge of it. PRAY FOR NO RAIN!
- Bama game on Saturday. First one of the season for me. Yay!
- Trunk or Treat coming right around the corner. Go kid's area!
- second quarter starts at school tomorrow. Time has flown!
- will start teaching 3 year olds on Wednesday nights soon. Love that age!

Hope this gives you a slight update on what has been/is going on here. Let's hope that things will either slow down or level off here soon. People always tell me, "Wait 'till you have kids." I don't have to wait. I'm already 90-to-nothing all the time anyways! Have a terrific October and I hope your fall decorations look great. I haven't even pulled mine out yet!