The next morning or should I really say all through the early morning hours I was extremely anxious and still in L&D. My new Day RN’s are Noel and Nicole. They were all so sweet in keeping up with me and my weepy moods. My mom called me and told me she wasn’t going to be able to make it over that day and I’d probably see her tomorrow. Needless to say, that did disappoint me but what could I do right? Well about 40 minutes later, came a knock at my door…yep you guessed it..it was my Mom and she had roses for me. I was so teary just seeing her. She put the flowers in water for me and sat down next to me and at that point I called Noel in the room. I whispered something in her ear so my mom couldn’t hear (I asked her to turn the volume up on the monitor, because mom had never heard the baby’s heartbeat) and she did. Mom was like..what’s that??? I said “your granddaughter”. Mom started tearing up and just squeezed my hand. She was so happy. I left it on until they disconnected me from the monitor. Dr H came in to check on me to see how I was feeling and told me that I graduated from L&D and was moving to the maternity wing. Mom helped in getting everything together (my clothes and personal belongings) to make the transition easy. She went home and about 30 minutes later Noel and Nicole moved me to Room 330 (my new home). I was transferred to a new nurse named BJ who was so sweet in getting me adjusted.
Justin and Sherri came over to visit that evening, they got there before Dave did. Sherri brought me some really great cake. YUMMMY. Shortly after they got here they had to go in the hallway because it was time for me to get my second (and final) steroid shot..yeah in the butt. But the medicine was for the baby and a must. OUCH did that smart. But it was over fast. I had a wonderful visit with both Justin and Sherri and they left after some time hanging out. My evening nurse was Arlene…she was charge nurse that night and she knows her stuff. I really like her. I insisted that Dave go home again..to get some rest at home, he’s only .5 miles away and could get here fast if I needed him here. I took more ambien and I was able to get a solid 6 hours of good sleep. Only being disturbed a few times for vital signs, antibiotics and visits from resident and attending doctorsWednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Journal Entry: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Just a normal day getting started. I woke up, took a shower, got dressed and headed off to work. On the previous day, Wednesday, I was off work due to the ice/snow storm. However I spent the whole day in bed, feeling off and rather crampy. I thought originally that I just had an upset stomach and that was all. So I just continued on with everything so when I woke up Thursday…I felt fine so I just went about things as normal. I got to work and was doing things like normal, I started getting rather crampy again…so this time I decided to call the doctor to ease my mind and let them know what I was feeling. Originally the nurse said they would call me back…I had to call back and get her to talk to the doctor. They originally said it was just probably gas and that I needed to ‘use’ the bathroom. I informed them that there was no issue with that at all and I had already ‘used’ the bathroom. I was put on hold, and they asked me how fast I could get over to Dr M’s office. I told them a half and hour, and they told me they wanted me to be monitored for an hour and have some measurements done. So I went home and waited for Dave and we went over together (I’m so glad I asked him too). We got there, I was monitored for only 30 minutes because nothing (contraction wise) showed up. So they got me into another room and told me they were going to measure my cervix and see how things were looking. So the technician came in and started and the first sound she made was “Oh?” and that was it…of course my interest was peaked at that point..and then asked what was she measuring at that point and she just nicely said “oh..that’s the amniotic sac” so I just went..”Oh, that’s nice” all the while in my mind I’m thinking ‘WTF????’ and she measured a few more things. Grabbed a few pictures from the machine, smiled at Dave and I and said “the doctor will be right in, to share the measurement results”..which they always say there..so it was nothing out of the ordinary. Dr M came in a few minutes later, shook both of our hands saying hello. Then his expression changed and he said “unfortunately there is a problem” and at that exact moment I wanted to vomit. He informed me that my ‘cervix had become severely shortened and that the amniotic sac was trying to funnel through and causing me to start dilating.’ He told me to get dressed and that he’d explain more outside at the monitor. He walked out of the room, and I literally lost it, emotionally. Dave just hugged me, feeling the shock just as hard. We walked out and Dr. M explained what the picture showed and then said “you are going to be going up to L&D” at that point my expression must’ve been crazy cuz the only thing I was thinking was ‘WHAT?!?!?!’ He said that he was calling my doctor and they were going to be admitting me directly from their office.
We were escorted upstairs to L&D and we were warmly greeted by the nurses, and my doctor just happened to walk by..I said hello to Dr. W and she looked at me (please keep in mind there are 4 doctors at my OB office) and she was shocked to see me standing there…she asked me what I was doing there and at that point, it hit me…something was wrong and I started to tear up. She came over to hug me, to which I proceeded to openly cry. She asked me “so why are you here hun?” and I told her about what Dr. M’s office told me and at that point she said “oh hunny…you aren’t going home.” (which at that point I interpreted as, I was just staying the night). She led me into my room and I changed into the fashionable gowns and such and made my way to my bed. I looked at Dave at that point and said something to the effect of “maybe I’ll only have to stay a night or two” to which he shook his head and said “the Dr said you won’t be leaving until the baby is born”. With more shock on my face I started crying again. My nurse Marylou came in and got me tissues and consoled both Dave and I and proceeded to get me fully admitted and set up on an IV and monitor. Apparently, all the cramping I was having the night before and such were Contractions. Yep..contractions. I’m only 27 weeks then..waaaaaaaay to early to deliver. So Dr H took over that evening for Dr W in L&D, so we went over a plan of treatment for what was happening to my body and the baby. I was going to be given medicine to stop contractions (or at least slow them down) and also set of steroid shots for the baby to help her lungs develop faster, so just in case she delivered early that she would have a better chance of breathing on her own. That night was a long one…I was admitted with the clothes on my back and just my purse. I sent Dave home to get me some things. He brought me some clothes, books, my laptop and my body pillow. That night I also got 2 visitors, Elyssa and Cristen. Seeing them both really helped me relax and make it through the night easier. After they left, it was just Dave and I and I sent him home to get some rest. We only live .5 mile from the hospital, so he could’ve been back in a flash. I wanted him to get some good rest at home and such. Besides there was no point to both of us being miserable. I was also given ambien (5mg, half a dosage) to help me sleep, but I only slept 2 ½ hours that night. Mostly because I was really restless and the baby was moving like crazy too. But the nurses were wonderful during the night in helping me adjust.
Journal Entry: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Just a normal day getting started. I woke up, took a shower, got dressed and headed off to work. On the previous day, Wednesday, I was off work due to the ice/snow storm. However I spent the whole day in bed, feeling off and rather crampy. I thought originally that I just had an upset stomach and that was all. So I just continued on with everything so when I woke up Thursday…I felt fine so I just went about things as normal. I got to work and was doing things like normal, I started getting rather crampy again…so this time I decided to call the doctor to ease my mind and let them know what I was feeling. Originally the nurse said they would call me back…I had to call back and get her to talk to the doctor. They originally said it was just probably gas and that I needed to ‘use’ the bathroom. I informed them that there was no issue with that at all and I had already ‘used’ the bathroom. I was put on hold, and they asked me how fast I could get over to Dr M’s office. I told them a half and hour, and they told me they wanted me to be monitored for an hour and have some measurements done. So I went home and waited for Dave and we went over together (I’m so glad I asked him too). We got there, I was monitored for only 30 minutes because nothing (contraction wise) showed up. So they got me into another room and told me they were going to measure my cervix and see how things were looking. So the technician came in and started and the first sound she made was “Oh?” and that was it…of course my interest was peaked at that point..and then asked what was she measuring at that point and she just nicely said “oh..that’s the amniotic sac” so I just went..”Oh, that’s nice” all the while in my mind I’m thinking ‘WTF????’ and she measured a few more things. Grabbed a few pictures from the machine, smiled at Dave and I and said “the doctor will be right in, to share the measurement results”..which they always say there..so it was nothing out of the ordinary. Dr M came in a few minutes later, shook both of our hands saying hello. Then his expression changed and he said “unfortunately there is a problem” and at that exact moment I wanted to vomit. He informed me that my ‘cervix had become severely shortened and that the amniotic sac was trying to funnel through and causing me to start dilating.’ He told me to get dressed and that he’d explain more outside at the monitor. He walked out of the room, and I literally lost it, emotionally. Dave just hugged me, feeling the shock just as hard. We walked out and Dr. M explained what the picture showed and then said “you are going to be going up to L&D” at that point my expression must’ve been crazy cuz the only thing I was thinking was ‘WHAT?!?!?!’ He said that he was calling my doctor and they were going to be admitting me directly from their office.
We were escorted upstairs to L&D and we were warmly greeted by the nurses, and my doctor just happened to walk by..I said hello to Dr. W and she looked at me (please keep in mind there are 4 doctors at my OB office) and she was shocked to see me standing there…she asked me what I was doing there and at that point, it hit me…something was wrong and I started to tear up. She came over to hug me, to which I proceeded to openly cry. She asked me “so why are you here hun?” and I told her about what Dr. M’s office told me and at that point she said “oh hunny…you aren’t going home.” (which at that point I interpreted as, I was just staying the night). She led me into my room and I changed into the fashionable gowns and such and made my way to my bed. I looked at Dave at that point and said something to the effect of “maybe I’ll only have to stay a night or two” to which he shook his head and said “the Dr said you won’t be leaving until the baby is born”. With more shock on my face I started crying again. My nurse Marylou came in and got me tissues and consoled both Dave and I and proceeded to get me fully admitted and set up on an IV and monitor. Apparently, all the cramping I was having the night before and such were Contractions. Yep..contractions. I’m only 27 weeks then..waaaaaaaay to early to deliver. So Dr H took over that evening for Dr W in L&D, so we went over a plan of treatment for what was happening to my body and the baby. I was going to be given medicine to stop contractions (or at least slow them down) and also set of steroid shots for the baby to help her lungs develop faster, so just in case she delivered early that she would have a better chance of breathing on her own. That night was a long one…I was admitted with the clothes on my back and just my purse. I sent Dave home to get me some things. He brought me some clothes, books, my laptop and my body pillow. That night I also got 2 visitors, Elyssa and Cristen. Seeing them both really helped me relax and make it through the night easier. After they left, it was just Dave and I and I sent him home to get some rest. We only live .5 mile from the hospital, so he could’ve been back in a flash. I wanted him to get some good rest at home and such. Besides there was no point to both of us being miserable. I was also given ambien (5mg, half a dosage) to help me sleep, but I only slept 2 ½ hours that night. Mostly because I was really restless and the baby was moving like crazy too. But the nurses were wonderful during the night in helping me adjust.
In case you didn't know
In case you didn't know, and I know some of you don't...I'm pregnant and due in late April.
My pregnancy has been very normal and have had no major complications (until recently).
I'm now in the hospital and will remain here for the duration until the baby is born...almost 2 weeks ago I had a very uncomfortable day of cramping...and apparently a lot was happening. After some tests it was discovered that I have been having many contractions and have started to dilate but in addition to that the amniotic sac is trying to push through as well. Both baby and I are just fine...she's strong (and yes..It's a Girl!!) but still too little to be born yet, if we can help it.
Today marks 29 weeks...and it is very exciting. I've been here 11 days already and making my room as much like home as I can (because I'm going to be here a long while).
I've decided to start a journal about my stay here at the hospital, to share my experience and also use it as a form of therapy (so to speak).
I have made an outline so far about each day being here...so I'll back track and make an entry for each day I'm here, explaining the day..my visitors, the doctors the nurses and tests.
Many of you have sent some great messages of support that I really appreciate from every part of my heart and just ask please to pray for this baby to keep on cookin in there. We take all of this one day at a time and each day that goes by is one less day and one less test this little girl has to endure in the NICU.
So without further ado...I present you with my hospital stay journal, as I get it documented. (Oh and if you or someone you know has experienced what I've gone and am currently going through, please share with me. I find each story very motivating and gives me hope.)
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Very Caps Wedding
http://capitals.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=859&id=25323
here is the direct link to the video the Washington Capitals made on our wedding.
Enjoy. Let us know what you think.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
A guilty pleasure
I read the articles yesterday and saw it on the news tonight.
Holly AND Kendra have both BROKE UP with Hugh Hefner.
Which leaves only Bridget and thus the end of the show "The Girls Next Door", or atleast I hope so because I can't imagine watching the show with anyone other than the original 3 ladies. No thanks.
I must say I'm not surprised that Kendra is leaving the mansion (by the end of the year, according to Hef). But Holly leaving kinda shocked me. However I completely understand. She wants to have children and after an attempt that failed with Hef, he finally said he did want to get married (to anyone) and didn't think any more kids were in the cards for him. And from watching the show you would know that Holly really wants to get married some day and have a family. Hef has no bad feelings for the girls leaving at all, he's just really down because he cares so much about them. He said he will always care about the girls as he does all of his ex's.
God Speed ladies.
The rumor mill has been saying that Holly has been hanging out with Chris Angel ('Mindfreak') and Kendra has been rumored to be dating a Philadelphia Eagle Football player.
I do not see any problem for these ladies in the future...however I do wonder if Holly will still be a Senior Photo Editor for Playboy (i'm thinking she will, because she's good at her job).
Friday, October 03, 2008
For the Women in your life
Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply. If you give her sperm,she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home . Ifyou give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile,she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.So—if you give her any CRAP, you will receive a TON of SHIT.
Love and appreciate all the women in your life.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remembering 7 Years Ago
It's amazing when you look back 7 years what you see. I know for me, my life was COMPLETELY different. I was on short term disability and awaiting my first back surgery. I was married at that time also to a man who is now my ex-husband. That morning I woke up and because I was having such difficulty moving my mobility was very limited, I spent most of those days crocheting and making gifts for the holidays. I usually turned on the news in the morning and watched it as I worked on a blanket I was making but that morning I didn't and was just listening to a CD on the stereo. My ex called me and asked me if I was watching the news. I told him that I wasn't and at that point he told me to turn on the news and to tell him what I saw. As I turned on the news I literally watched the 2nd plane go into the second tower of the World Trade Center. At that time I told him what I saw and he said no only 1 should be on fire and I corrected him saying no that BOTH were on fire and I watch a plane crash into the other one. At that moment I heard alarms go off at his work (keep in mind at the time he worked at a gov't building that was considered a high target but not the pentagon) and he said they were evacuating. And he had to cut the call short.
Other being worried about him, reports started coming in about a possible explosion at the pentagon. And I was worried about people I know who worked in that building too. All land lines and cell phone service for the entire area were pretty much knocked out and reserved for the emergency services. Reports from the news were saying that a plane from Dulles Airport bound for California was probably the one that crashed into the Pentagon. Then I started freaking out. My father was leaving Dulles Airport that morning for California. His plane was schedule to leave (if I remember correctly) around 9:30 or 10:00ish. I started to really freak out because I wasn't able to reach my mother to find out if Dad's plane took off or not, thanks to no phone services.
Apparently right before boarding or right after boarding had begun is when all of the flights were starting to be cancelled but a few flights had taken off already, including the one that crashed into the Pentagon. I didn't find this out until after many hours of crying and not hearing from anyone that I finally go ahold of my mom who told me my father was with her and she told me what had happened. Then when my father got on the phone I swear it was literally the sweetest sounds I had ever heard. Then shortly afterwards my ex arrived at home and I was able to breathe a little easier.
I know not everyone was as lucky as I was to have all of my family accounted for and home safely. And I've prayed for their comfort and strength in those dark days.
As a country after this day 7 years ago, we have come together with a new purpose. Because our way of life was threatened. This entire nation was held hostage and our freedom was compromised. Our brave men and women of the armed forces fight for us everyday against the very people who caused this event. I do my best to never forget that, All have given some but some have given All.
This country will Always Remember this day and we will NEVER Forget.
God Bless America.
Friday, August 29, 2008
"Lord Stanley" Ace of Cakes Episode
Well there ya go. If ya didn't get to see it check it out.
A really good friend of mine who's extremely talented at video editing, he edited out commercials and the other stories from the episode and linked our whole story into the video you can now see on YouTube. Thank You Sam!!!
We were so excited last night when we were watching the episode.
My favorite quote from Duff was "Man, I don't think anything could top this."
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Such a great evening. So happy.
Hope you like it. Let me know what you think of it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
So excited
The Washington Capitals have posted a video preview of the episode on their website. www.washingtoncaps.com
It's located on the upper right hand corner.
The great hockey blog site On Frozen Blog (www.onfrozenblog.com) has put up a little article about our episode as well.
I've been playing a lot of catch up at work since taking off work to care for my hubby, while and after he got out of the hospital.
We've reached the point of the summer where we are in a true lull of the post-hockey season. But with training camp looming around the corner there is hope yet. The newer players are buying homes in this area (and wow are they big, yes we've seen a few of them), and a few already live here (Ovie, Johnson, Gordon, Green and a few others).
I'll be all over the place tomorrow and will make it home in time to see the episode.
Don't forget if you haven't signed up yet...register and log on to The NHL Arena and "Rattle the Boards" (www.thenhlarena.com). No matter what hockey team you support, One Arena for All Fans!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ace of Cakes - Update
We found out the title to the Ace of Cakes Episode that we will be on. It is:
"Lord Stanley" Cooking
Holy S**t, they named the episode after OUR Cake!!!!!
You should've heard us both when we read it on the TV. We both went crazy (not literally of course) and rode the excitement of it all for the rest of the evening.
Damn I'm still smiling.
For those who need a reminder the episode with our cake is airing (Next Week) Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 10PM on the Food Network.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
MAJOR, Major update
While he was in the hospital we both decided that it was unfair to Glinda for keeping her home alone and not spending very much time with her. So I took her to her favorite place "WOOFS" for 5 days. They were so nice and told me not to worry a bit. I must admit it was a relief off my shoulders not having to worry about her and making sure she was entertained and played with enough.
He's now home..and getting stronger each day. He's resting well and I've got him out of the house a few times. And we're testing things out. His vertigo is still around, but only here and there. So we are taking things easy for now too. Keeping a low profile this weekend and a bit of a relaxing, olympic watching weekend.
When I brought Flipper home his only request other than picking up his medicine was picking up Glinda. Cuz he said he missed her. So I did just that. Glinda was so happy to see us both and equally happy to sleep on the bed during the day and keep her daddy company.
knowing that he's alright and home, I've finally been able to relax a little. But there comes the bad part for me. My back has caught up with me and it now telling me that I've done too much and I must slow down and spend some time laying down (which I've still been fighting) and time on the heating pad. I've been taking some little time resting and such but keeping up with cooking and also doing the best I can in keeping up with cleaning.
Today we've opened the windows to the main level of the house. It's really niiiiiiiiiiice today. We've got some fans circulating air. It's a nice day.
I think that's enough for now. I'm sure I'll update more later. I hope you are all having a great weekend.
P.S...I'm laughing at Men's Badmitton Doubles...dude..the audience has thundersticks??? WTF..LMAO!! Flipper is joking that it's a bloodsport...LMAO.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Frustration with ones-self is.....
Un-happiness is getting a parking ticket. When you were just trying to run a simple errand.I'm not pleased.
But, I still did it...and I got a ticket. It happens, and it happened to me.
I'm still not happy but I'll get over it.In the meantime, I'm still pissed but I'm coming down from it.
Has this ever happened to you?? or someone you know??
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A day off
It has been one crazy week to say the least. With one friend in and now out of the hospital (thank goodness she's feeling and doing better), work being crazy, myself with all of my stomach issues and doctor visits, lack of sleep, etc....I figured since being near a bathroom is a must for me that just hanging home today would be an ideal thing to do.
Watching a few chick flicks on television, surfing on the internet, chatting through various IM's and resting. Nice day.
How is your weekend so far?? Do tell.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Health update.....
I'll be honest, I'm pretty freaked out by all of this and hope I'm able to be helped or that whatever is going on works it's way out of my system and I'm ok after a bit of time.
*knocking on wood*
I've got some pictures I'm trying to scan onto my computer...so excited they are from when I was a baby all the way to high school. So liking it. (it's the bright part of my nausea filled day)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nausea...ewwwww
Yes I do know there is still a chance, but with my digestive history and such I need to make sure it's not something more serious. Especially in light of what has happened with my sister lately.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Nausea sucks
I'm thirsty but I'm afraid to drink water for feeling to full, does that make any sense?? Oh well.I'm hoping this is just temporary. Maybe I should just make myself lay down and hopefully I'll go to sleep. Ugh I hate feeling like this.
I've been perfectly fine all weekend and all the way through Tuesday. Today was good too...it was after I got home and relaxed. Ick.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Pain, pain go away
But you know how my back reacts to weather...and if you don't I'll explain. When the barometric pressure has major shifts when it trying or getting ready to storm, the titanium in my back tells me and I have a lot of aching in my back and/or leg(s) or instead of aching...it's pain. Each day this weekend there was at least a little storming or raining each day and I sure did feel it.
I woke up this morning to EXTREME discomfort, my right leg hurt and my hip and lower back were not feeling well at all. I thought maybe I just slept in one position all night and my body was stiff....uh...NO. It took me 10 minutes to get out of bed to use the bathroom and get my cell phone to call my boss and work. I was able to grab my laptop an put it on my bed so I could use it later.I took a muscle relaxer and its helping a little bit, it sure did make me sleepy. I took a nice nap, but the muscle relaxer doesn't do anything for the pain, so now I need to determine if I'm going to take a pain pill too or not. But I haven't got out of bed since I got my phone and laptop this morning.
Ugh. I don't like pain. This is the first time I've had to take major medication in about a year. Because I usually just take Aleve or Advil. But that won't do today.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
My turn for the "Book List"
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According to The Big Read, the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books on their list.
The instructions:Look at the list and bold those you have read.Reprint this list in your own blog
1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. 1984 - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis [isn't this part of #33?]
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare [Er, is #14 really complete without Hamlet?]
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
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24 Books for me.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Air Conditioning Drama...has come to an end.
The original company that came to try and fix the problem (and will NEVER set foot on our property EVER again) said we needed a new unit. Our warranty company requires a second opinion from another contractor before replacing and entire A/C unit. Well the second company came out, literally, right away and with two guys who looked at EVERY nook and cranny of our A/C unit. The first question they asked was WHO was the other company that came out and said we needed a new unit. When Flipper told them the company name, they said "say no more" that the company did not have a very good reputation or track record at all. The problem that they found was the new circuit boards that were installed by that company were COMPLETELY wired wrong and that's why our old thermostat was completely fried. We have a new thermostat, keep in mind not as nice (in our opinion) as our other one, but it's still digital and does it's job. The guys re-wired the unit, CORRECTLY, and we had our A/C working in under 45 minutes of them being here.
So we now have our A/C back and all is finally well back at the Casa De Flipper.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Have you ever been......
I know business is business, but when an employee is defiant and doesn't listen simply because I'm a woman and treats me and other woman here with little to no respect as well....that pisses me off. And when one of the upper men in the company called him telling him the EXACT same thing and the employee is nice to the man and said he understood, screw you...you bastard.
It's bad enough that I have to fight the fact that I work for my fathers' company and prove I'm in my job for a reason other than my daddy runs the company. I have to face a sexist bastard too. He's lucky we're not filing a formal complaint.All I know is I'm a true believer in karma...and it's gonna come bite him something awful. I can't wait. It couldn't happen to a nicer person when it does.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Air Conditioning woes....continue
The receptionist at the company called Flipper and told him that a new part is being ordered and it will not be in until Monday and our original repairman will have us assigned to be his first job that morning.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Thank God for the window units...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Race!!!
Him (Race) and I discussed yesterday how we both had little faith that things were going to get resolved tomorrow. I agreed with him, but my hope was that they would prove me wrong. And they proved both of us right.
We were going to have a cook out this weekend at the house but we're going to cancel it. I just don't feel comfy having people over on a hot day with not adequate cooling for the house. Even though it's cooled of inside at the moment, but people going in and out all day and such will not keep it that way. Oh well, we can celebrate my b-day another time.
I just want this crap resolved. Grrrrr
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Air-conditioning part 2
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Well, now it's my turn. And I'm going to work from home tomorrow. Thanks to my kind boss (Thank You Race) and he's even offered that if they can't fix it tomorrow that we can borrow a few window A/C Units for Friday and the Weekend because the temp is supposed to go up again. Hopefully it won't come to that but who knows. Damn this is annoying.
*raises my glass of water* Here's to hoping for the best tomorrow.
Monday, June 23, 2008
UN-Happiness is....No A/C
But now for the really SUCKY news...
due to the build up of water in the system (from the blocked condenser drainage line) it started leaking IN the furnace unit and completely shorted out the control board of the system. So we're screwed until they get a new board, install it and check to see what other problems there might be. They fixed that clogged drainage line but cannot start the unit to see if that was the only problem. The board will not be in until Wednesday and they will be at the house between 10 and 2 that day....UGH. I had that window time frame CRAP.Oh well. Thank goodness for the few storms we've had lately, it's been bringing the temperature out at night. We bought a whole crap load of fans and we've been trying to keep the air circulating (which is not as easy as it sounds) in an already warm house.
So now it's a waiting game.
I just hope my hubby doesn't have any breathing problems or asthma issues between now and then.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Happiness is...
my pilates instructor let me try it out after my session this morning for 5 minutes...I almost fell asleep.OH MY GOODNESS, I wanted 10 more minutes.WOW. If you ever have the opportunity to try it out, you will NOT be disappointed.Now I'm trying to figure out if I want to get a package so I can use it when ever I want.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sore Throats SUCK
Well, this morning...and so far all day, my throat has been dry, itchy and on fire. Booooooooo. Makes me sad. I'm thinking the fan in the bedroom is the cause of this. Might have to get our humidifier out for the bedroom and hopefully stop this in its tracks.It not allergies cuz there are no other symptoms and usually if there is a flare-up, I have more than one symptom.
I hate sore throats. makes me feel yucky.
Ramblings from Tuesday
I've been trying to be more attentive with what's going on with me lately, especially with all of the headaches too. I laugh because ever since I have been doing a headache diary...I've not had any migraines to write about...LOL. Go figure. But you know...as soon as I post this...watch me have one today. (but I really hope I don't)
Going out to dinner with a friend tonight. Not sure where yet, we've narrowed it down to a few places but I'm going to leave the time up to her. Her work hours are much more constrained than mine are. It's gonna be nice to be able to sit with her and talk a bit. I've been so busy lately, I've not been able to do that with hardly anyone. Now is the time to play catch up with mostly friends and a few family members.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Mark Your Calendars - Ace of Cakes
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
AUGUST 28th
hee hee...so excited.We have no idea what is going to be in this episode and will not get a copy of it until after it airs...so it will be a surprise for us all.
Doctor Update
I haven't had any migraines since Thursday, but I have had a few nagging headaches, which sucks. I now have to start a headache diary, which is to include everything from what I've done that day to what I ate (even where I am on my menstral cycle). To maybe see if we can find a trigger for my migraines. We'll see for sure, I've never done that before so it'll be a new experience.Here's to hoping for success.
It's HOOOOOOOOOOT Outside
YUCKY.on a different subject,We are organizing all of the gifts we got from the wedding and getting the old stuff out of the kitchen. Yesterday we got all the new plates, glasses (not the wine glasses) and coffee cups. Then we did the flatware and cookware. Damn we have a lot of stuff. We are going to try and have a yard sale some time during the summer. Maybe we can get a few of our neighbors in on it too, but not now it's to HOOOOOOOT.
Friday, June 06, 2008
New Doctor Jitters
Sooo now that I need a doctor to address my migraine issue..I'm off to a new doctor today. I'm hoping it will go very easy and not many (if any) tests will be needed. I just hate not being able to do normal everyday things and have to lie in bed with a pillow over my head
Thursday, June 05, 2008
WTF??? Another one?
I've got another goddamn migraine.
3rd one in 4 Days.
I don't even have a doctor yet....
I called the doctor I want to start going to and by some grace of God (thank you) I got an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.
WTF is up with this??
Thunderstorms in NoVA
Even my house got messed up a bit of water damage...now we are looking to get someone out there to take a look at the front window and such...because last night water came in through our front living room window and soaked the back of the couch...went through the floor and leaked into the basement. So that is our next repair and upgrade for the house. ( I have a feeling they are going to find some mold in that wall..ewww, but we'll deal with that when the time comes.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Bringing you Up to Speed and My Big Fat Hockey Themed Wedding
Yep SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much has happened literally since I last posted.Now I'm going to get it all up to speed.
April...Well the Washington Capitals really had on helluva run and unfortunately didn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, but seeing the first round go all the way to a game 7 was impressive by all standards. The Capitals had a GREAT season this year and grew by leaps and bounds. With the sheer amount of UFA's that we had and such it will prove to be a very interesing post season. I know that Olie Kolzig will NEVER wear a Capitals uniform again and that makes me EXTREMELY upset...he will always be my favorite all-time Capitals Player. "The Power of Kolzig will Always Compel Me". But with the Caps season over...more of my focus went to the final planing of my Big Fat Hockey Themed Wedding.
When May finally showed up...everything got REALLY busy. The first weekend of May brought a huge birthday party for my great friend Peg. It was a Hawaiian themed party that was awesome. GREAT sun and surf cake, really yummy.The following weekend the 10th was the Bachelorette weekend. My girls picked me up about 10am took me to two different vineyards, at the first one we had a chocolate and wine paring and at the second one we just had a normal full wine tasting. Then we all went and had 4 full courses at the MELTING POT...mmmmm mmmm yummy cheese and chocolatey goodness. it was such a GREAT day.
Then with a week left to go before wedding and lemme tell ya, without Kirsten (wedding day coordinator) I would've completely lost my mind. I almost did a few times but thanks goodness I didn't.The rehearsal went really quickly and was just a physical walk through so everyone knew where to stand and go on the day of. The rehearsal dinner was held at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (yep that's the Capitals Practice Facility), we had a suckling pig and a mobile sushi station with a moderated open beverage station. We got to watch everything from speed skating, broom ball to hockey. A few handfuls of interviews from the Capitals Film crew were on hand to interview family, friends and us. Many spirits were consumed and then they had to separate the bride and groom for the night. (which was much harder than I thought it would be)
But the morning of the wedding was fun. Got up..my sister, friend Christy and her daughter had stayed over then night before and helped keep me centered and focused (as much as they could) but let me tell ya I had one monster case of butterflies that morning. My stylist came to my house and did all of our hair... I did about 90% of my make up and let my stylist finish off the fine details and I looked GREAT. The car arrived around noon and Kim rode with me in the sedan up to the Knight of Columbus hall where we got dressed. But when we got there Duff Goldman from Charm City Cakes was there setting up the cake and had the food network film crew there as well. I got to meet him and he told me that the NHL brought the actual Stanley Cup to their bakery so that they could get an accurate comparison in making our cake. Isn't that just KICK ASS?? And he took a picture with us and everything but had to go because he had to go set up another cake at another party. He wish he could've stayed, but he couldn't. I got dressed and put the finishing touches on me and my girls.
My father arrived and then it became REAL. The weather was soooooooooo beautiful and sunny and perfect temp too. We walked across the street and then I could hear the music coming from the church...it was perfect. I made my procession and at the aisle was the man I love waiting for me. Beautiful service and we were both able to keep it together and not cry (but it was hard). I felt so pretty and he looked so handsome. Then it was done.
And it was TIME TO PARTY.....After many pictures and stuff...we had our GRAND Entrance into the reception with the BIG Cake reveal. We all put hockey jerseys over our wedding clothes and our attendants got hockey sticks and we were announced in by Wes Johnson (PA announcer for the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center) and we went in under an archway of hockey sticks. It was fun. Then the Cake...OMG that amazing cake. The food network had their cameras right on us for our first reaction and when the flag was lifted...it was INCREDIBLE. OMG a more than full size replica of the Stanley Cup with the entire wedding party listed on the cake. Such a great cake and it tasted good too.If you want to see candid photos (from the disposable cameras) private message me directly and I'll send you the link.It was such a great time and we were overwhelmed by guest and generous gifts. We left the Monday after for two islands of Hawaii and we spend a wonderful 10 days between Oahu and Maui.We were able to see Pearl Harbour, snorkling in Molokini and we made it through the Road to Hana and back. Beautiful weather, glorious sites a trip to always remember.Now we're back to the grind. And getting back to the swing of things.But I still can't stop smiling. Life is truly good.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Rambling of a musician
I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea last week. And I get to see, this week, if a CPAP machine will help me. I'm not looking forward to the test on Wednesday night, again. And finding all of this out really upset me and I need to talk and calm my nerves. I'm still really upset about it, but like flipper says, he's rather I breathe than not breathe at all. But come on...how sexy is that...ugh. I'll get over it I guess.
This past weekend was another busy one...but now that it's over, my holidays are now 'smooth sailing'.Last weekend, 2 holiday performances in 24 hours (for the Flute Choir), we got our Xmas Tree and decorated it. This week many hockey games, rehearsals and xmas shopping. This weekend, work xmas party, holiday baking, final and largest holiday performance (Flute Choir) and all Xmas Cards. Now all that is left is wrapping all of the gifts. UGH, i'm awful at that.I can now have a *sigh* or relief. Thank goodness.
I'm proud of the cookies I made on Saturday. I made over 110 cookies (from scratch) on Saturday, and homemade icing as well. 8+ hours doing all of that. But I did have fun doing it. Baking is one of my favorites.
After the concert yesterday, the winds came....OMG...the winds. That was crazy...we got home and just started doing our xmas cards, well we lost power. yep, for over an hour and the house started to get cold too, but it came back. Thank goodness. If not, we would've had to go somewhere. And that would've stunk. But we didn't have to.
RANDOM THOUGHT: Have you ever listened to a song and liked it so much while you were doing something completely unrelated to find yourself either nodding or swaying to the music?? I just noticed myself nodding....LMAO.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Getting Married and getting on TV
My fiance and I got out pictures taken today at Kettler Iceplex with the new Capitals Jerseys. We knew the Washington Post writer...Dan Steinberg was gonna be there, but we were surpised when the CSN Crew showed up. OMG. WOW.
We are having a hockey themed wedding in May 2008 and our announcement photos we wanted something different. And we sure got it.
Watch SportsNite tonight at 6:30pm, 10pm or 1AM. We'll be on there, tellin our story.
Is this real???