. . . All My Chaosity . . .

This morning we woke up warm and cozy at the Hotel Wheeler. Bryson went to work, and stayed all night doing I don't know what (they only had a generator for power, so they couldn't actually run all the mail). Then he came home and stopped by our house on the way. The power is still off, and he noted a large tree limb on the roof. He was concerned that the branch may have gone through the roof, so he climbed up the icy ladder on to the icy roof to check that out. He determined not to remove the tree limb, in case it had done some damage and the insurance adjusted needed to see it in position. It's still really cold here (15° F), and it iced all day yesterday and snowed part of the night. So anywho, Bryson stepped onto the ladder to come down from the roof and the ladder slipped (as it was sitting on ice). So the ladder went down, Bryson and all. He lived :D. He injured his leg, his wrist, his back, his head.... but he's not positive that anything is broken. He ...

Well, we still have a home. The yard is covered with tree branches and there's no electricity, but it's still there :) . We're staying at Celeste's until our lights come back on. Her's were out for an hour this evening, but we're hoping they stay on the rest of the night (and tomorrow). I think B's going to work tonight, but I don't wanna ask in case he's going to stay here w/me and D-Ball. D is still not feeling fabulous, but he hasn't had a fever and I'm doing a fairly decent job of keeping him doped up on albuterol, mucinex and tylenol. Alright I'm going to go. Chef Donnie is making hamburgers for dinner!

That's what it is here tonight. It started earlier this afternoon, they decided to let school out an hour early because of weather conditions. D-Ball was supposed to meet with his pulmonologist, but they closed the office early and rescheduled (because of the weather again). So we went ahead and picked him up a little early, and then ran by the jeweler to pick up B's resized college ring. The traffic was awful and there were acciednts on the freeway,but we went ahead to the Sam's in Bentonville anyway and picked up the few things we needed. I think my schedule is going well- I'm *SO* relieved to ahve some organization in my day again. I didn't manage to exercise again today, but I felt awful and we had to run errands this morning. I think we were considering deep water aerobics tomorrow, but D-ball has a fever now and looks and feels awful, so that's probably out. They likely won't be open anyway because of the weather. But I *love* knowing what chor...

I love my crock-pot. It's so convenient and everything turns out so fabulous- I'm really grateful for it. :) Today we went to sacrament meeting, but then we came home because D-ball's throat hurts. Also, sometime in the last 24 hours, he developed congestion in his chest. I gave him mucinex, tylenol, his regular meds + albuterol inhaler... and turned on his vaporizer. Now I'm glad he has an appointment with the pulmonologist tomorrow. We've made a rule (again) that we're trying to stick to this time. Well, I'm trying. D-ball has to try what's for dinner, then he can have bread if he doesn't want to eat what the rest of us are having. He's basically down to just eating pizza, meatballs, chicken nuggets and hotdogs. He won't eat any vegetables unless they're fried potatoes. He will eat any fruit except bananas, but still he needs to try other stuff. When he was a baby he would eat anything- until he was about 3 1/2 years old. So...

Halloween is my favorite holiday, and white pumpkins are my favorite to make into jack-o-lanterns (Cinderella pumpkins run a close second). Anyway, I found this picture from Halloween 2007 and wanted to put this picture here so I can see it sometimes (it makes me happy). This is D-ball's first place pumpkin. He was awarded 1st in the Church Jack-o-lantern contest, which offended poor Celeste as she was a visitor and thought she should've been given preference ;o). Luv Ya 'Les!!!

So I got the floors done. I cleaned out the laundry room (took over an hour) but I feel better about it. I moved lots of stuff from the living floor to the living room couch, which is at least a minimal improvement. Now DBall & I are going to move them to wherever they are supposed to go,like his bedroom, the playroom, etc. I have a few folded things left to put away, and all the dirty dishes even from last night are in the dishwasher and not on the countertop. Last night while I was getting dinner on the table Celeste called and needed me to go to the movies with her (she mystery shops theaters). So I left B & D home with chicken strips, green beans and disgusting garlic mashed cheese potatoes that Dball hates and ran off to see 7 lbs. I was pretty confused for about the entire first half of the movie, and there was a "security guard" who came in every 10-15 minutes or so (literally) and harassed people. Made me pretty nervous thinking someone was going to bom...

I don't want to vacuum. I have no good reason or excuse, I just don't wanna. So there ya' go. Yesterday I did the laundry and cleaned the master bath as indicated on my schedule. I didn't exercise yesterday for which I have a couple of excuses. Firstly, it was a deep water running day and I was cold. Lately I can hardly bear the thought of submersing myself in that cold water. I literally have goosebumps the whole time I'm there. I don't know that anyone else is as freezing as I am- likely not, but 82° in my opinion is JUST TOO COLD. So then I rationalized that it was supposed to warm up to almost 70° anyway yesterday, so the three of us could walk to and around the park after school. So I tried to convince Celeste (you had to have known it was partially someone's fault other than my own) to walk with me from her house to the school to pick up D-ball and back. She didn't want to, whined and moaned about how now she's homeschooling and ...

But wanted to note a few things. I've lost 1 more pound since yesterday. I've had good energy and felt generally well for the last couple weeks. Until today. I was really tired and dragging, and didn't want to exercise. At all. Bryson didn't say I had to,but he didn't offer to let us stay home and skip it either. So we went. I'm so grateful for Bryson - he's so patient and supportive :o). I didn't enjoy the 40 minute walk, but I'm glad we did it. Hoping tomorrow I feel loads better. I'm organizing my/our life now. Well, I'm fixing to. I'm making a schedule for keeping the house in order (laundry on Monday, polish furniture Tuesday, etc...) and a menu as well. We have switched pizza/movie night from Friday night to Saturday night, because Poppy requested we not do it on a night he has to work (he gets tired of cold pizza,I guess). And I believe we're going to keep breakfast night on Mondays.... w/waffles or pancakes and bacon...

I *do* like it when D.Ball has a holiday from school, especially when it falls on Bryson's day off. Even though it was approximately 30° this morning the three of us bundled up and went for a walk . It was much shorter than usual, because it was much colder than usual. But we're counting it! Then we went to Fast Lanes. There was laser tag (we didn't play that), bowling (we did do that) and lots of video games to blow your money on. We did LOTS of that. Celeste and her eldest and youngest sons went- and the boys seem to have a good time. When we returned home we basically did a bunch of nothing. The boys played Lego Batman, I believe. For dinner we made waffles and bacon. Then after scriptures we put the boy to bed reading Barnaby Grimes. Turns out there are AR tests for that, "Bad Kitty Gets a Bath", plus the Magic Tree House books he's been reading at bedtime. I'm excited- he'll be on target! Now if I could just get him past level S+ on ...

and I'm thankful. Went to the Dr. for "6 wk follow-up" (at 8 weeks) this past Thursday. I've lost 53 lbs, possibly a little more. I think everything is going according to plan, neither the Dr. nor the nutritionist suggested otherwise. Our plan is to exercise 5 days/week, with Sat & Sun off. However Thursday it never got above 25, and Friday was fairly cold as well and we had an appointment that took a long time in the morning. So instead we walked to the park (Angie, Bryson, D-ball, Gizmo, India, D-ball's scooter....) and visited the library while we were there. We'll go for a walk tomorrow also, and then I guess we'll have to exercise M-F next week as well. After our park/library experience we came home and Bryson picked up the pizza and we watched the basketball game- which sucked. Now we're fixing to go to the movies. We're goign to see the mall cop one- forgot what it's called. We took some pictures since it's the 17th,but th...

And still feeling fine! I have a 6 week (more like 8 week) follow-up with my surgeon tomorrow... and a "group class" with the nutritionist. Really the group classes just drive me crazy. So a girl on another forum has a roach problem, so I shared my "roach ball" recipe with her. Thought perhaps I'd share it here as well. We haven't had any roaches here, not even sure if they have them here. On the other side of town where we rented a house to some skuzzy people, they had roaches there for sure. We had some in a rent house in Little Rock though- and I was pregnant and traumatized by them. People tried to tell me they were "tree bugs"- but seriously they look like great big old Texas roaches (water bugs) to me and they are NOT OKAY. So here it is, for anyone whose interested: Angie's Roach Balls 1 cup borax 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup shortening You can purchase Borax on the laundry isle at the grocery. Mix all ing...

In my head I had decided that we would walk on Mon, Weds & Fri... then deep water running on Tues & Thurs. The first walk we went for last week, where we walked for 40+ minutes, I wondered if maybe it was a fluke or something. I mean I was a little sore after the first half hour, (mostly my rear and hips were feeling it) but I wasn't winded; and I wasn't thinking of asking Bryson to come home and get the car to pick me up. The next time when we went to the park, I started thinking it might not be a fluke after all. But you never can be sure- sometimes those things sneak right up on you. Today after we picked DBall up from school, we went for a walk. We took both dogs, and DBall was going to learn to ride his bike. We went to the park- though the seat on the bike is apparently very hard and uncomfortable. Impressively D. rode on his own for a short distance and didn't crash on the ground after the distance. I'll look into another seat for him maybe tomorr...

Took Gizmo to the Vet, and he was not running a fever but did have a bladder infection. Got 7 days worth of antibiotics, paid $70 and came home. Hopefully this will take care of whatever ails him. D-ball was so helpful- he held the leash and kept Gizmo under control and petted him in the backseat to keep him calm. I like him. :)

Since we did deep water running yesterday, we went for another walk today. We went to the park near our home- walked all the way around it! Poor Gizmo was dragging and panting- whereas Wednesday he was pretty chipper. He also seems to have blood in his urine- it's scary really. I wonder if he has a UTI? I presume dogs can get them... he's such a tiny little thing. Think I'll call the vet and ask. We've been planning to switch to a vet nearer to our home though... So anyway we walked for 50+ mins today! And apparently, even though everyone always told me this before- you actually DO get more energy when you exercise. It's fabulous!

That may be a little optimistic on my part... But it's exciting to me. Here it is... wait for it.... I can see and feel my knees! Right where I always knew they would be. I'm quite impressed with them,I think they're cute. Bryson says they're "lovely". I was certain I had seen them there about 20 years ago, but then when it's been so long it's easy to forget. Also my ankles are quite slim, and my FEET (all my shoes are too big). And so far,though it's only just beginning, the skin isn't sagging where my knees used to be covered by it. I hope and pray every night almost that I won't have to have that lower body lift after I lose all my weight... I tried on lots of old clothes today- many are going to have to go I'm afraid. Most of the dresses/skirts that now fit are short-sleeved... and it's pretty dang cold here. I shall wear them with a sweater! I'm getting excited- and Bryson likes to watch me try on clothes (or som...

Real quick(ish) Since my surgery I'm supposed to be exercising 3-5 times a week (preferably 5, the Dr. says) and I've been doing water aerobics 3-5 x/week... though really only 3 and hoping to "work up" to 5. The Dr's office suggests walking, but I have arthritis in my knees and ankles, and my hip and lower back are usually KILLING me whenever I try to walk any distance. Since I've lost the 37 lbs, I thought maybe we should try it this morning because I didn't feel like going to water aerobics. So Bryson and I put leashes on Things 1 & 2, and we ended up walking for 40 minutes. I did take a pain pill (darvocet) before we left- and my lower back hurts a little but no more so than after water aerobics most days. I'm so excited! I bet my D.ball will walk with me (or ride his bike) in the afternoons if I want.... and I can get more exercise in and LOSE MORE WEIGHT, FASTER! WoooHooo!!!! In other news, my cranberry velour "jogging pants" (????...