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.... :)