Oh little bloggy - what has happened??

I've forgotten about you!

This is the big week - surgery week.

I'm nervous, scared and anxious.... I've been reading a lot on line about my surgery and it looks like it could take up to 12 months to fully regain 100% strength in my shoulder. But each case I've read, each patient has said totally worth it.

I'm nervous about the anesthesia (more so about vomiting after) and also that for some reason it won't work on me and I'll feel everything.

I'm scared because well...it's surgery

And I'm anxious to get it over with and be back to normal life with no pain. It's been killing me lately but that's probably because I unloaded all my Christmas decorations from the attic by myself and moved a 500 pound piano by myself. I also moved a bed and an inversion table.... maybe I should have asked for help.... oh well too late now.

I'm not looking forward to being out of commission for a few days. From reading it looks like pain meds are going to be a definite for the first 3-4 days. Pain meds make me soo sleepy so I'll probably just be lazy through the weekend. I'm hoping to get back up and working on Monday, at least from home if nothing else, and be driving the following week.

PT should start a few weeks post op....

Come by and see me... I'm sure I'll be in my Rx la-la-land but always enjoy the company!

Have a Happy Monday!

Pic of the week....

I'm sure you are all wondering why I have a picture of a shoulder with an area that's highlighted in yellow.... that yellow part on my shoulder is completely torn from front to back (or from 3 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position in medical terms)

I also have a frayed rotator cuff....

All of which will have to be repaired on December 2 when I have surgery.

I have NEVER had surgery in my life; minus my wisdom teeth being taken out which doesn't really count.

It will be arthroscopic, a 2 hour procedure.... my Ortho will repair the torn labrum and rotator cuff and I'll be on my way.

Over the last few weeks my shoulder has been really bothering me... I was swimming in the pool at the gym about 2 weeks ago and heard a loud pop... it hurt but I kept on swimming. I called our family ortho the next day and scheduled an appt for last week. He sent me to have an MRI last week which showed all the tears and frays... awesome.

This is the same shoulder I hurt in 6th grade when I dislocated it rolling down a hill at the Dallas convention center during a church trip. Apparently if you have a dislocation before the age of 16 you have a 90% higher chance of having a second dislocation later in life. So I've pretty much had a "loose shoulder" since then. But it has been exacerbated over the last year since I've been swimming so much.

Apparently this injury is most common in baseball pitchers...

Anyway - say a few prayers for me in two weeks when I go under the knife...

Happy Thursday!

November 18, 1999

November 18 holds a very sad place in many Aggies hearts.

It was on this day that Bonfire fell at 2:42am and 12 Aggies lost their lives.

I was not on campus on 11.18.99 nor was I in College Station - I was at home in Lewisville; folding laundry at nearly 3:00am when I saw the news come on that Bonfire had fallen. I was a freshman at UNT - only a few months prior I had forgone my acceptance to A&M to stay home because I was not ready to leave home just yet.

Many of my now best friends were on campus that day and have recounted their stories to me many of times. From hearing the sirens in the dorms to running out on the polo fields and attending the candlelight vigil.

I remember distinctly trying to get ahold of a boy I had dated in high school. He was in the Corps at A&M and I knew there was a possibility of him being on stack that night. I wasn't sure when his outfit was going to be out there but I remember thinking "Oh my God he could be there."

I never saw a Bonfire burn but I know the special place it holds in my heart as an Aggie tradition and a legacy of the 'Ole Army Days.

I love Texas A&M and today I think about all the history, tradition, and wonderful times I had there. I also remember the 12 that lost their lives on stack that day and say a prayer for each and everyone of them and their families.

We Will Never Forget....

I heart Ellen...

This will make your Monday... sorry I missed the pic of the week last week...this should make up for it!

Go Watch...

THIS VIDEO

and...


THIS VIDEO

leave comments....send the links to friends... win my friends some $

Pic of the week...and some super excitement

Pic of the week:

My dear friend, a partner in crime, Karen - laid out in her kitchen with trash all over her. By far the funniest, and most entertaining part of my Halloween evening....

Just thought you may need a good laugh on this Thursday - LOVE YOU KAREN!!!

Super excitement today because Sarah is coming into town!! YAY!!! She gets here in just about one hour!!!

Can I tell you how much I LOVE November...

Almost as much as I love DECEMBER!!!

I seriously love this time of year - the weather, the food, the holidays, EVERYTHING!! My goodness I get so excited!!!

This weekend is my 10 year reunion, the following weekend is C's bday weekend, then the Baylor/A&M Game with the Castleberry/Bland Clan, THEN THANKSGIVING!!!

This month is going to FLY by!!!! Before you know it will be my most favorite time.... decorating for Christmas :) whoo-hooooooo

I'm thinking about changing my Christmas theme this year - my tree is traditionally gold and white.... very sleek and pretty (and I only get REAL trees)

I'm thinking something different this year - I LOVE my grandmother's santa clause collection I have so I'm thinking about doing a red/green tree with Santa influence... but I also LOVE LOVE LOVE a peppermint tree.... Garden Ridge - watch out HERE I COME!!!

Halloween Weekend...

What a weekend... So FUN!!!

Friday night I kept my precious Shelby while Nick coached and Paige attended the Garland H.S. homecoming. Shelby and I had so much fun playing and reading and eating and just spending time together!

Sweet girl fell asleep in my lap while reading her Pumpkin Halloween book.... I wasn't going to see her on Saturday so I put her costume on her Friday so I could take pictures... she is just about THE cutest kitty-kat you ever did see...don't you think???

*Don't mind her crazy hair - we had been playing hard!*

Her cute little black tutu and tail :)

Precious is the one word I can use to describe her.... Love her to pieces!!!

Saturday was packed with errands and cooking - and then C&K Halloween Fantasy Factory... so fun! Everyone was dressed up and we had a blast....

.... I was Tina Turner for 1/2 the night and Ciearra for the other 1/2... my costume wasn't very comfortable after a few beers (I mean red bull and vodkas) and one too many pizza rolls.... Ciearra's drawers were WAY to accessible so I helped myself to sweat pants and a hoodie...Thanks C!!!!

Coop Spiderman came over to Karen's to trick or treat....

Mario and Julie were the men and womens bathroom signs... HILARIOUS!!!

Octomom and Bob Lumberg - a.k.a. - Pat and Zoe

Roomie pic - me (Tina Turner), Tommy (old civil war guy) and Deuce...

Balloon Boy Karen and Me.... I mean Tina

We had so much fun.... hint for Thursday - pic of the week - involves Karen, the Kitchen and a possible dog pile..... Munch on that for a while.... :)

Pic of the week....

At the Challenge last weekend they had all these boxes of chalk for kids and spectators to write things on the concrete with at the finish lines and through the course of the race. They were giving the chalk away also to take home... and since my new home project was chalk board/magnetic section of a wall in my kitchen I took some... but not before leaving my mark on LS'09...

I love you Jess - and miss you every single day.

Livestrong Challenge Picture Overload...

I thought I should dedicate a post solely to the pictures we took over the weekend... you can read the recap HERE


Before the Race - so early it was still dark :)

In front of the capitol

Our whole group...

Dave and Della

Newbs and Zeke

Cay and Newbie

Cayla....

After the 5K - Cayla, Newbie and Me

Newbie and Me after the 5K

Holding our posters of our bf we share....

He loves me more :) j/k

Zeke, Papa and Mama Newbie, and Newbie

The 5Ker's... (minus Ciearra's momma)

Just us girls :) Ciearra, Della, Newbie, Cayla and Me

Newbie and Zeke

Cayla, Newbs and Zeke after finishing

Before the race in the staging area


We look so serious...

Headed out for the ride

Lance Armstrong finishing the 90 miler

Me, Newbie, Ciearra, and Cayla after the ride

Me finishing the ride

Newbie crossing the finish line

Ciearra after just finishing

My Favorites....

AH - MAZING.....

Is the one single word to describe this past weekends events.

I participated in the LiveStrong Challenge this weekend with a handful of lovely friends - we all united together to raise funds for cancer research and the LAF (Lance Armstrong Foundation) and also take on a physical challenge of running and biking.

If you are not familiar (although I presume most of you are) the LAF is a non profit organization, founded by Lance Armstrong in 1997 that inspires and empowers people affected by cancer.

Just a brief overview (I stole from the website)

The LAF believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. Read LAF Manifesto here. LAF also provides the practical information and tools that people with cancer need to live life on their own terms and also take aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent suffering and death due to cancer.

The LAF unites people to fight cancer and pursues an agenda focused on:

• Prevention
• Access to screening and care
• Improvement of the quality of life for cancer survivors
• Investment in research

It truly is becoming a passion for me; especially after this last weekend.

To see the community of cancer survivors, individuals who are still fighting the battle, loved ones, care givers, etc was truly amazing. The camaraderie amongst this group of individuals is truly a testament to the impact that cancer and the LAF has had on each person that was there. Cancer, like the LAF, not only affects those that are diagnosed... but all.

We (Cayla, Hunter and I) arrived in Austin late Friday checked into the hotel, visited with Della and Dave, Newbie and Zeke and then headed to bed (we had an early morning).

Saturday morning we arrived at the race site at 6:45ish to pick up our packets and get ready for the 5K. There were over 3,000 people there to participate in the run. The support was also unreal. The streets were lined with supporters, volunteers, friends, family, yellow balloons, signs, etc.... It made running a whole lot more fun for me :) (I hate running remember)

I enjoyed looking around and reading all the signs that were on people's back... let me explain.

At the race start they had a table with little signs you could pin on your shirt that said "In memory of", "In Honor of", and "Survivor". You could take these signs and put the name of the person(s) you were competing for. Most people pinned them on their backs so as you were running you could read who that person was competing in the Challenge for. One little boys said "In Honor of My Mom"... so sweet....

Mine said "In Memory of Jessica Gage Bonesio" (pics to come later)

It made the time pass quite nicely to read these; and also read the shirts of the many teams who had them made. Also very inspiring.

After the 5K we headed for a fantastic post-race breakfast at Austin Java... delish! Then went to the convention center to visit the "LiveStrong Village". The convention center was set up with booths, tables, etc for vendors. (It was basically a vendor-expo). There were all sorts of bike shops, doctors, fitness equipment, cancer centers, etc there advertising and giving free goodies... I loaded up on Aquaphor (which I have an addiction to), cliff blocs and bars, LiveStrong bracelets, and water bottles (seriously every booth was giving out water bottles)

Then we headed back for a much needed nap.... then dinner...

Sunday was the 20 mile bike race and probably the most sobering and awe-inspiring event of the weekend.

The race finish was lined with supporters (again) and yellow balloons - as you came across the finish line they stated your name over the loud speaker and how much money you raised. The lines of people cheering you on was crazy!!! It was so motivating and un real. I just kept thinking... I wish Jess was here to see this!!!

The bike course was hilly (hence the name HILL COUNTRY)... it started at Dripping Springs high school and wove through Dripping Springs... there was a 10mi, 20mi, 45mi, 65mi, and 90mi course. Lance was there... he rode the 90mi. course....pics to come of him coming in from the course.

OMG - speaking of Lance... I totally forgot to tell you that we saw him, up close and personal, on his bike on Saturday riding through downtown... he was literally an arm's length away....so YUM-O :)

The bike start was a little hectic.... we were on about a 15 minute delay...but really didn't start riding until about 1.5miles into the course.... it was so back logged with riders at the start that you ended up walking your bike until it thinned out. It was frustrating.... but it is for such a good cause you couldn't get too upset! We had a hectic morning that morning anyways so we may have all been a little on edge...

Our morning started out just fine... drove 30min. out to the course, parked without hardly any issues. Began getting ready for the ride into the staging area (about a mile or so) then I realized I had lost the car keys. While tearing the car apart and every bag in the car I still couldn't find them.... Cayla realized she had a flat tire on her bike so we had to change that.... meanwhile I'm still looking for the keys. I was about to say "f" it and make Zeke and Hunter look for the keys when I realized that I put them in the pocket of my jersey... seriously Allison??? These pockets are supposed to be handy dandy - but I clearly never use them or else I probably would have checked there first...oops! But we found them and were on our way.

The staging area to the start line was PACKED with riders of all levels, a ton of pros that were riding the 90miler with Lance...I wish I could have been up there to see all of them. Then towards the back were all of us 20milers and 10milers. There were riders of all shapes, sizes, and ages... There was one kid who participated in the 10mile ride that I swear had just taken the training wheels off his bike. There were dads that had the carriers strapped onto their bikes in back with their kids in tow... professionals, grandparents, all sorts of people... all riding for the same cause.

Seriously - you should all join my team next year and participate in this incredible event.

Registration opens December 1 for next year and you bet your ass I will be on that list.... Team Tri for a Cure in full effect!!!

OH AND...THANK YOU THANK YOU TO ALL MY DONORS.... PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS; YOU WILL BE RECEIVING SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL FROM ME AND OUR TEAM SHORTLY :)

Pics to be posted soon....keep checking back!!!

Pic of the week....

Well .... it's a video really....

You should go here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/4thCollective

and watch the videos from my friend Nick's Comedy Troupe 4th Collective.

This summer they won the Houston 48 Hour Film Festival with their video Subterfuge (which you can watch by clicking on the You Tube link above or click HERE)


Anyways....enjoy :) Happy Thursday!

Three posts packed into one....

Pic of the week, Weekend Re-Cap, "Not Me" Monday....

We will start with "NOT ME!" Monday - a forum by which to admit your dirty little secrets... inspired by Erin B and MckMama...

This last week was a whirlwind for me, physically (fighting allergies and onset of flu like symptoms), emotionally (this will remain unsaid), schedule wise... too much to do. So it was not me who said "F" it and hopped on a plane to Houston to escape...and visit with friends and celebrate a wonderful woman's (and second mom) birthday at a surprise birthday party.

It was not me who, at this said birthday party, enjoyed watching a shirtless gentleman jump out of a cardboard cake that Kristin and I constructed from scratch. (description below)

It was not me who stayed a day and a half longer in H-town just because I wasn't ready to come home... and it certainly wasn't me who didn't do half of what I should have done today regarding work initiatives.

It certainly is not me who sits here on the couch and updates her blog and catches up on tv rather than clean and do laundry as she should...

*Not too exciting Not Me's today --- but stay tuned*


Weekend Recap:

As you can tell from above; I was in Houston this weekend. I hopped on the plane Saturday morning and headed south to celebrate Mama Lu's bday. Kristin and Nick had lovingly put together a wonderful surprise bday party for Lu and I was very happy when I was able to make it for her party. I headed out at 8am Saturday and made it to H-town with no problems... Kristin, Nick and I ran errands and got the last minute necessities for the party and then Kristin and I went to work on the cake.

Kristin had this brilliant idea to have a friend of theirs jump out of a cake to surprise her mom at the party; he agreed; but the problem was no one had a pop out cake (go figure). Luckily enough, K&N had enough cardboard to build a shelter out of so we went to work. We constructed the below cake out of cardboard, duct tape, staples, and scotch tape... excellent!

I forgot to mention it took a saw as well

The base of the cake...

Testing the "Popping Out" effect...

The first layer Iced....aka... tablecloth

The second layer iced....

FINISHED...complete with streamers :)

PIC OF THE WEEK:

Cayla and I at U2 - we had so much fun after a major ticket debacle was corrected.

Long story; but the short of it is that we were given counterfeit tickets (unbeknownest to the purchaser) and were kicked out of our seats. We eventually got the issue settled and was able to enjoy the show :) But not after a very irritated Allison and Cayla let them have a piece of our minds :)

I hope you have a wonderful week! I found my camera cord (as you can see) and I will be sure to post a Pic of the week on Thursday -

This weekend is the LiveStrong Challenge :) I am very excited!