Today, like the rest of my post op days, has been uneventful. I actually started some home work so that was good.

And… they’re “letting me out” tomorrow! I actually get to get out of the house! But I’m not too excited, it’s another doctor’s apt. I’m kind of nervous! They’re taking my stitches out and… (this is gross) they are taking two screws they put in last week in each foot… without any pain killers! Agh! The doctor says I will just feel pressur because bone has no feeling- but I’m thinking,” HELLO! My skin has feeling and will feel that screw come out!”

I just pray they don’t have to make an incision to get it out. This sucks so bad, and I will be so glad when my life can go back to normal!

My title is 8 days of ugly- and boy has it ever been. I don’t think I have ever consecutively looked so bad in my entire life. I mean, I’ve had a few days here and there, but never 8 days in a row of looking flat out scary. I have been in nothing but sweats this past week because that is all these freaking shoe cast things will fit over! Then I haven’t shaved- I mean I know it’s winter and we are allowed to cheat, but it’s getting bad. And I haven’t worn a drop of makeup in 8 days or fixed my hair besides blowdrying and straightening. Its a scary sight. My eyebrows need a wax. Bad. I’m a scary sight to see. My self esteem will skyrocket after this whole stupid ordeal is over and I can simply put on real clothes.

Anyway, wish me luck on the scary appointment tomorrow!

Our One Year Anniversary- the day, the memories, and LOTS of reflection
So much “excitement” these last few days. (sadly,not really) I’m still recovering from my surgery and have not been outside since Thursday! Can you believe that!? I’m going crazy in here. I feel like Jack and Wendy in The Shining or something- minus the whole psycho part.

Sunday was our anniversary. It was a “real life” anniversary, that was for sure. I was sad that I was literally homebound and unable to do anything at all- really… anything… but it was still special.

I woke up to clanging pots and pans that morning. Will took this week off, including Sunday, so he didn’t have to go to the church (he is a youth/education pastor), so it was a lazy day. He brought me breakfast in bed to reminisce about our Honeymoon in the Poconos, where they brought breakfast in bed everyday. We had eggs, bacon, and toast- a huge feat for Will who has no idea how to cook (unless he is a REALLY good faker)! We lay in bed for a while just talking and reminiscing about our wedding day.

We just lounged around most of the day. Will napped, and I was able to finally check my email.

After a lazy few hours, Will’s parent’s stopped by with a few things for us to eat over the next few days since I am unable to do anything- and as we have already established Will in the kitchen may lead to a Great Balls of Fire Part II (see one of Sunday’s entries).

They gave us a card and a WalMart gift card- which we have totally come to love over the past year- and then they left. Then Will ordered Applebees to go. We sat on the couch, with my feet propped up, and ate dinner together and talked about some things over this past year. Then we watched the Contender. Will is really into that show.

I was mad because I remembered that our cake top was in my parent’s freezer and I totally forgot all about it- and we’re living there this week while they are gone- and I still forgot it! How crazy. I guess we can still have it- like a belated “good luck” memory! The sad thing is, that will be the most cake I had from our wedding. I only got a few bites- and it was sooo good. :( Hopefully it won’t be all freezerburnt!

Then, I also forgot our wedding video at our house, which was a major bummer to me- even though I’ve seen it a million times. Nonetheless just being together and him taking care of me during this crappy time, and just being able to laugh together and love eachother, and realize that everyday is just as special as our anniversary helped me feel better about our great indoor anniversary. I guess it is one I will never forget that’s for sure!

and now, some reflections…

Being alive is a very expensive thing! I never realized that under my parent’s roof- but wow did I learn quick after our first few months of marriage. I never knew how “fancy“ a dinner at Taco Bueno would seem after having to buy a new air conditioner in August.

I never thought it was possible to cook a cookbook- but (and I’m totally serious) I found a way! I managed to accidentally cook our george foreman cookbook that was left in the grill. What a blonde. But it did make a funny story.

Having OU season tickets were awesome (and sadly, very expensive ) for Will and I. I think it was great for us to get out and enjoy something outside of town together.

I never knew how happy I would be to get cash for a holiday instead of a gift- cash is way better now.

I learned that usually when I say “I’m fine,“ I’m probably not. but when Will says “I’m fine,“ he really is.

I learned that no matter how many times Will has watched the ‘85 or ‘00 OU national championship game on ESPN classic- he will STILL watch it in its entirety and get upset at lousy calls. Such a guy thing.

I have learned that ESPNnews is on loop at night and basically it is the same thing over and over from like 10 at night until the early morning, but we could sit there and flip back on its rotation to watch the exact same thing and Will is like a kid in a candy store.

Boys smell

The top 3 sweetest things from Will this past year:

1. Right after we got married it was Easter, and as a kid (okay okay- even in college) I always got a special easter basket from my fam. Easter morning there was a candy trail down the stairs to our spare bedroom where my surprise easter basket was hiding. How sweet.

2. This past summer I was told to pack a suitcase because there would be a surprise for me when I got home from work. Will booked a room at the Quartz Mountain Lodge and surprised me. It was so romantic and beautiful. It was so beautiful out there that weekend.

3. We were kind of tight this Christmas with extra bills and having to buy gifts for our fam, so we thought the best thing would be to forego buying this glorious, fake Christmas tree in order to save money. I came home after school to a bright, sparkling tree- full of hundreds and hundreds of white lights, Christmas music in the back ground, and Will hiding upstairs to surprise me. Talk about a major surprise.

Okay, enough about all that, I could go on and on about our memories, but I better quit- this blog is soooo long, and I’m still not done.

I can’t believe I’ve been married for a year! How crazy! Time goes by faster as we get older. I guess because we get busier with things we feel are SOO important- but they usually aren’t. This year was awesome.  I am sooo glad we had premarital counseling Will’s pastor he grew up with before we got the job at Central. He is such a godly man with so much insight, and he really helped us be aware of soooo many things a lot of couples don’t think about before they get married. Like, I never thought that we would have to buy 2 separate tootpastes because he squeezes from the middle and I squeeze from the bottom. Or, that men and women communicate TOTALLY on two different levels- totally! I’m a communication major, and I always had the “head knowledge” of it, but wow- my professor weren’t lying.

I would recommend to everyone to read The 5 Love Languages.  The author is such an awesome man, and I really believe that everyday can be like “the first day“ when your “love tank“ is constantly being filled. That was such a good book for us to read before we got married. I know that Will feels loved through words of affirmation and gifts. My “love tank“ is full by quality time mostly, then probably touch. It made the transition of never living with someone before, or being used to real married life so much easier. This year was totally a year of learning so much about eachother, and adjustments and growth together, and it was such a blessing from God.

Hurray for an awesome year!

Today is my mom’s birthday! Happy Bday!  she and my sister are in Kuwait seeing my dad. They called on our anniversary, and it sounds like they are having an awesome time. Okay I’m a little jealous because I’m stuck here with my feet propped up, and they are over there, but hopefully Will and I will get to visit soon after they move.

Not too much planned for today- I know you are shocked!  Thanks for all who read this entire thing- you are a brave soul!

More to come…

So here is my last post (finally) before I put away and return tomorrow. This is going to be my venting and not so happy one- so if you are in good spirits, read tomorrow when I talk about my anniversary… but if you are not having the greatest of days- pull up a seat because I’m having a pity party and you are invited.

Why in the world would I choose to have surgery on both of my feet at the same time?? What a blonde. I mean, it is the practical thing to do- get it out of the way so I’m only down 6 weeks instead of 12- but it definetly isn’t the smartest. This is day 5 after my surgery and boy does this suck.

A normal 10 second trip to the bathroom now takes literally almost 5 minutes. Then I have to do this stupid butt scoot to the sink and pull myself up to the stool so I can brush my teeth and wash my face. That’s another thing (which I guess isn’t too bad) I haven’t “gotten ready” in 5 days. At first it was kind of nice, not having to really do my hair and makeup or get dressed- but now it sucks. I’m ready to get pretty. I’m ready for real shoes.

Baths suck. I really hate them. I’m sorry for anyone who likes them, but why?? Its like your sitting in your yuckiness! I have to take baths because I don’t get soft casts for a while- which I will need for a shower. Boy that is the worst. I will be sooo happy to take a shower. I will have to put a chair in their with me because I won’t be able to stand for a long time, but at least its still a shower.

Sitting sucks. My butt is sooo sore from sitting and scooting to get to places. The doctor didn’t think I would need a wheelchair- Dr.: you are WRONG! I’m supposed to keep them elevated until Thursday. That is sooo uncomfortable. There are only so many ways to stay propped up and comfortable. And then once you find the right spot you only have like a good 30 minutes because then your feet start to fall asleep! That is the ultimate worst- wearing these hideous shoes for 6 weeks will be pretty bad too.

What else? Oh yeah. Spring Break starts tomorrow. This is my last spring break. All of my friends are enjoying their last one, going places and enjoying the week… I am on strict orders not to walk at all unless I have to go to the bathroom… for 2 weeks at least. Wow, what a break. My mom and sister are flying into Kuwait to see my dad as I write and will get to see the Persian Gulf, and go to the dozens of malls, and see all of the sheik’s awesome yachts. Ugh! I guess I’m a little jealous.

I know you will be surprised to hear this- but I am REALLY trying to be optimistic. I just needed SOMEPLACE to vent all my feelings out. Just some of them. I could go on, but I won’t. I know in like 6 weeks I will be so happy that I got it done, but right now the light at the end of the tunnel seems soooo far away! I just have to trust that God will carry me through with the strength that I don’t have and everything will work out.

Today is my anniversary! That, at least, is very special. It isn’t exactly how I would have planned it, but I guess this is “real life” and things don’t always go as planned. Will is napping right now. His vacation started today, so he didn’t have to go to the church today. He is taking this week off too, so at least I’ll have some good company! I’ll let you know how our special day went! So far it’s been great, I’m sure it will finish the same way too!

So its been a long time since I’ve posted. I have a lot of venting and catching up to do. I think I’ll divide everything into a few different posts because they will all be long!

The big surgery day. Ahh, I wish I never would have done it (But we’ll get to that later)! Will and I got there at 8:00 and my mom met us there. I went in the back and got to change into a WAY SEXY outfit.  A huge hospital gown, blue footie sock things, and the best of all- a blue hair cap thing like the surgeons wear. So that was glamorous. After I changed I sat in this warm recliner with a heated blanket, which was nice but it wasn’t relaxing as I’m sure is their intent of having them there.  Then came the IV. I have never had one before- they suck. I’m pretty wimpy, but I really hated watching the plasting thing get pushed up my vein. I sat in the recliner a little longer and then it was time to go. I said goodbye to my mom and Will and made my way over to the table. It was a TINY table! I was thinking it was made for like a kid or something! I felt something cold go into my hand and they told me it was the anesthesia. Then the last thing I remember was telling the nurse that the ceiling was moving and she said something like, “Yeah, we can’t ever get it to stay in the same place.” Then I was out. I woke up and was wheeled out to the car and got to my mom’s and slept. Thankfully my feet were numb for most of that day, so I could carefully walk to the bathroom and everything- but boy was I in for a crappy next day!  So that was my big day- more to come on how much I hate this!

If you’ve been reading my posts, you know that my mom is “driving me crazy” as she prepares to move. Well, I have yet another story to add to the book.

Wednesday afternoon, the day after my surgery, my mom- who had stayed up until like 3 in the morning “punishing” P and I with her clanging and the screech of pulling packing tape, and moving furniture- was up early- with her same antics. Well, about 4 in the afternoon, she and my sister were in the garage when a man came to the house in a frenzy telling her that our back yard was in fire! My mom starting FREAKING out- I mean, she was frantic. She ran to the back yard and was yelling for help and told my sister to call 911. Meantime- I’m stuck on the couch and have no idea what is going on because I can’t get up to see how bad it is- like- do I need to get out of the house? My mom is screaming because the water hose is stuck on their lawnchair- some random man (bless you) climbed our 8 foot fence somehow and helped my mom before the fire dept got there. I could hear my mom spazzing from the living room. Wow. The firefighters put everything out. The fire burned most of our neighbors yard and started to come into ours. What an afternoon. So the rest of the evening, my mom kept going outside to make sure that everything was still fine. (she had heard sometimes fires can restart when its really dry outside) I woke up like at 3 in the morning as she was coming in from her hourly check. Talk about crazy. Praise God for the man who came to our house! Who knows how long it would have burned. I can’t handle that much excitement with my feet all screwed up

The weekend was nice. Actually, it was just “okay.” I was caught up doing homework and getting everything ready for my surgery. I am convinced I need to write out a detailed, numbered instruction sheet for Will on How to Wash Laundry, and How to Load the Dishwasher. Bless his heart, I know he thinks he is helping when he rinses the dishes, but I think he may be unaware that they don’t just “jump” into the dishwasher on their own… hopefully I won’t have a pile of rinsed dishes to place in the washer when I get home.

My big surgery “debut” will be tomorrow at 8:00. I am getting really nervous! I mean, I know the worst part of it will be the recovery, but I am still nervous about getting in a gown and getting an IV and everything else! Yikes! I am just glad that I will be too drugged up to remember anything afterwards.

So I am hearing this terrible rumor that I am going to have to wear these incredibly embarassing shoes afterwards for like 6 weeks. There is no way. Call me stupid or superficial if you want, but there is no way I am wearing these duckbill shoes for a month to school and work. I will hobble around in something, just not those PLEASE!  I guess I better see how my feet feel after everything is done before I go running my mouth about “never wearing those embarrasing shoes!“ Anybody have to wear these? I guess this surgery is common in women because we wear terrible, uncomfortable shoes on a constant basis… just because it completes our outfit.. without ever thinking of their practicality, or taking into consideration comfort.  I think it was Marilyn Monroe who said something like she wanted to hug the man who invented the high heel… sorry Marilyn… I love ya… but you could not be more wrong in this situation.

So anyway, that’s about all that is going on today. After my internship I am going to pick up our big wedding picture we finally got framed! I can’t wait to see it!

Have a good evening!!

My mom and I are alike in some ways and polar opposites in others. Unfortunately for me, we are alike in the way that we stress about details and make lists and think of EVERY possibility of ANYTHING and probably drive everyone around us crazy with our attention to detail. This is a weakness I am working on, especially after watching my mom lately.

The woman is going to wear me out with this moving stuff! I called yesterday to have a 2 minute conversation with her and I ended up on the phone 30 minutes just listening to her ramble about all she needs to do to get to Kuwait- not to mention the other 4 phone calls I got within the hour about moving questions and tidbits… wow.

I love her, but this next week when she is taking care of me after my surgery is going to wear me out! Now she is trying to get Will and I to apply and move to be with them. She is going a thousand miles a minute and my head is spinning. Yet another reason I have to make this weakness a strength in my own life!

We are going to dinner with my mom and P tonight… usually something I look forward to… now I’m just getting my listening skills tuned so I’ll be ready.

She is meeting me this afternoon to go to my pre-op appointment so she’ll know all of the precautions and everything and I think I’m going to go back to her house to help her take pictures and stuff down, which is kind of sad because that is the only house that I could call mine. Before my dad retired from the military we moved around so much that I never really had a place to call home, but when we moved here, this place became home, so it will be a bittersweet afternoon. Just hope I can make it though with my sainity!

Have you ever gotten one of those phone calls at work that so should have been answered while you were home? I got one of those yesterday.

My dad does contract work for a company in Kuwait. My mom and sister still live here, but they planned on moving over there the middle of May, after my sister finished school. Well I get this call yesterday at work from my mom all excited and energetic calling to say she got offered a job and they want her as soon as possible. They will only hold the job open for six weeks. I was shocked. I mean, I knew they were going to move, but it hadn’t really hit me until yesterday. I think what surprised me the most was that in a month my family would be gone. I was also upset because she kept saying, “We’ll you know I don’t want to miss your graduation, so I don’t know what I should do.” It was almost like she was asking for permission to not come or something. So I was just like, “That’s find,mom.” I mean, I was upset about it, but I didn’t want to say anything, especially at work. I got off the phone and lost it. I started tearing up and just unleashed everything to the lady I work with. She just listened and offered some good advice. I can’t even imagine the stress level of my family this next week. I mean my mom is going to have to pull my sister out of school and start her in a whole new school- a whole new culture!, the will have to pack- not to mention sell their house, all in 6 weeks. I just don’t handle drastic change well when it is thrust upon me, so while I was preparing to say goodbye to them in a few months, this news was a huge shock.

I’m trying to stay positive and keep it off my mind until tomorrow, when I’m going to see my mom. I have a “pre-op” appointment for my surgery tomorrow and she is going with me, so I’ll have some time to talk to her after that.

My surgery- that’s a whole other thing! My mom is going to take care of me next week while Will is still working, and then Willl is going to be off the week after next while my mom and sister go to Kuwait to visit my dad. I think I’m going to stay at my mom’s because the ease of getting around without stairs and everything. So I have a thousand things between now and Tuesday I need to do- like teach Will how to do delicates and remind him to do a thousand things , and thoroughly clean the house so it doesn’t look terrible when I come home… oh my!

We got our electric bill for the past two months- it skyrocketed- in a massive way! I don’t think we realized how nice and warm our house had been this winter. So, we had to turn the heater down a bit to compensate. I woke up this morning and thought I was in Alaska. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could see my breath. I think we’re going to have to turn it up a bit!

It doesn’t seem like it should be Monday already. Me weekend was great, I would have liked another day! Our trip was fun. It was nice for Will and I to get out of town and do something together. Lately, our dates have consisted of a dollar movie or some terrible movie on TNT or TBS. It was refreshing to spend time talking on the way up there, and being goofy and flirting with eachother. We both agree how important it is for us to “date” eachother, but sometimes we get lazy about it.

Anyway, the game was fun. We had pretty good seats too! I’ve read sooo many blogs about babies lately, so I have to add this side note onto mine. A cute family with their parents and new baby sat in front of us at the game Saturday. The whole time I watched the game, I was also watching that family and laughing to myself. I want a baby’s life! I mean, the kid sneezed and the whole family laughed and thought it was the greatest thing ever. It got uncomfortable and it was pampered in the most tender way. It was so funny to watch that family in amazement- they were talking about “their future doctor” when they referred to the baby! Okay, I can’t make too much fun, because I’m sure I’ll be the same way one day (a long time from now ), but it cracked me up during the entire game.

Anyway, after the game we went to Johnny Carinos. We had never been there, and we thought we would try something different. It was really good! <3 Then… we did a bad thing… and went to the Marble Slab for dessert. I got cinammon icecream with pecans and Will got Reece’s cups with chocolate ice cream. yum! It’s okay to splurge every now and then!

Sunday was pretty normal and busy as usual. At our Sunday evening service we watched the Passion. It was my 3rd time to see it, but the impact and power was the same as the first time. I still get teary eyed at the love Jesus has for us.

So, to sum it up (I could go on with boring details, but for your sainity, I wont )my weekend was good.

I’m battling some kind of yuck.I don’t feel sick, I just have some scratchy, yucky something in my throat. So, for this reason I suffered an anonymous embarassing moment today!

Today is my sister’s 15th birthday (which is crazy to me that she is that old)! I told my mom I would get up early to call her favorite radio station so they would announce her birthday on the air. Well, bad news for me, they had already aired them- BUT they would air hers if I sang her happy birthday!

-pause-

Just a sidenote- Singing in public is my BIGGEST fear, no lie! I would rather walk a tight rope on a 10 story building than sing in front of an audience, so that wasn’t much of an option!

Okay, so I was like, “I can’t sing! I’m sick!” And they said, “We’ll sing with you.” So, because I love my only sister dearly, I sang her happy birthday for thousands to hear- with a terribly scratchy throat. My sister called after they had played it to tell me how sweet I was and how special I made her feel… and then she said, “ You didn’t tell them who you were, did you?” I was feeling the love at that moment.  Thanks sis. Now I have to join the Witness Protection Program or something for my terrible attempt at Happy Birthday.

Tonight Will and I are going over to my mom’s house to celebrate my sister’s birthday. I’m most looking foward to the turtle cheesecake she picked out… and watching the Apprentice after she opens her presents! We got her a cd case, the girl has a thousand and they are everywhere!  I think my mom got her a digital camera, and her biggest present is their trip to Kuwait in 2 weeks to visit my dad. I suspect my dad will call sometime tonight, which will be nice because my main communication with him is email. It will be like 2 in the morning there, but at least we’ll all get to pass the phone around!

Have a great evening!