Celebrating Lesley

After dating for several years, Lesley and Jason are getting married!  They are having a destination wedding in Costa Rica.  I was going to go but when the house didn't sell, I had to change my plans and cancel.  But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate!  Stacy threw a fantastic Bachelorette party for Lesley.  She invited Lesley's friends and we had a "low key" party at Stacy's house.  Stacy knows how to throw a good party!  She decorates and has all the finishing touches just so.  You know I believe photos tell the story best.  Here are a few.

Me, Christine, and Jennifer

Julie and Me.   We've been friends for over 20 years.

Me and Lesley.  Isn't she beautiful?  We've been friends since our boys were born!

Me, Stacy, Lesley, and Julie.  Lesley broke her foot last week
while in Hawaii on a business trip.  What a bummer!

Check out all these ladies!  Lesley has lots of friends!

This was probably the biggest Bachelorette party I've attended.  There were about 50 of us there.  It was a great group of women.  It is fun to see how everyone gets along, laughs, and has a great time together.  I just love these ladies.

Congratulations Lesley.  I hope you have a great time in Costa Rica!  I will be celebrating you from here and can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.  Love you girl!

Flooring Faux pas

I've been waiting....months...to get my kitchen floor fixed.  I had the leaking fridge fixed at Christmas time.  Then I had to find flooring, get estimates, work out supplies, and wait for the (bozo) flooring company to schedule.  Wednesday was finally the day to have the flooring installed.  On Tuesday, I had my cabinet people come pull up the toe kicks so I can hopefully avoid quarter round all the way around my kitchen.  Wednesday, the installers showed up.

I got a call from the salesman.  He said the installers speak Spanish and not much English but they were clear on the work and were all set.  I just needed to check in periodically to make sure it was going well.  Fine for me.  They came in and brought 11 boxes of the flooring in.  They set up tools.  I showed them what I needed done.  I tried to show while I talked and they kept nodding and smiling.

I asked them to pull out the fridge to make sure it was still dry (it was).  I had some work calls so I left them to it.  After awhile, I heard them sawing and nailing.  I was a little puzzled because...well....you can see this photo and decide yourself.

What is wrong with this picture?

Much to my surprise,, they were installing the new floor over the old damaged floor!  I found myself saying...NO..NOOO....NOOOOOOO.  You need to take the old floor out!  There was something they understood because they replied...No.  No...No Ripout.  I'm nodding...yes...yes...rip out.  Can you imagine?  I would have huge transitions to the other areas!  Plus the floor is damaged and lifting!  So I called the salesman and he came up to set them straight.  I guess they didn't understand the job after all!  It was a good thing he came up because the job wasn't clear and some of the things they were doing anyway were not as we discussed.

They started ripping out the old flooring.  I was in the living room working away.  One came running in with huge eyes.  Lots of water.  (Arms flailing in the air.)  I went in to check it out.  Between the old old vinyl flooring and the plastic foam under the old laminate was standing water. DAMMIT! So we stopped work and I called the appliance repair people and begged them to come that afternoon to check the fridge again.

Before they came, the water had dried.  I could not see any water.  And neither could they.  They tested the drain, the water supply to the fridge and house, the ice dispenser, No leaks.  He said it wouldn't be the line coming in because it would continually leak and there was no leaking.  He decided that it was residual water from the prior leak.  Seems unlikely because it has been since December but then again, there is no where for the water to go.

So we left the floor undone.  The fridge is pulled out so I can look for water.  I have fans blowing to try to ensure the floor is dry.  And we will try again Monday unless I run into any issues.   My kitchen looks like hell.  I forgot what that was like.

Lovely old flooring.  Brings back such good memories.

I swear things aren't going very smooth for me lately.  I'm not sure why but I am patiently waiting for better times while I work through each issue with as much grace and determination as I could muster....and cuss words under my breath.

Long weekend of love

Much to my surprise, I found myself with a long weekend with plans that sort of fell apart.  (Sorry you got sick Fritz.  I hope you are better soon.)  I had planned to head to St. George for a visit but because Fritz couldn't come, I decided to pack quickly and head out of town on Thursday afternoon.  I've been on the road so much, my suitcase was already out and 1/2 packed so that was a simple thing to do.  I skipped the coat and headed out.  I got to Mom and Chuck's by 8:00 pm!!

John and Marsha were there visiting.  Chuck had cooked a pot roast (he makes THE BEST POT ROAST) and saved me a plate.  We visited a bit and went to bed way later than we should.  In the morning, I was enticed outside by clear sky and sunshine.  In fact, I went out and sat on the porch.  I could hear tons of birds chirping and the sun was warm.  It felt divine on my skin!  Salt Lake is socked in with the worst inversion.  Our air quality is the worst in the nation.  In fact, they say the air quality is worst in Salt Lake than Bejing!  So this is a very welcome thing.  I sat with my feet and legs in the sunshine and enjoyed breathing clean air.

Sunshine and blue sky in Toquerville

Piggies that haven't seen the sunshine and warm air in a really long time!

Friday I was able to work from the house which was wonderful.  I had a few meetings and a few projects to work on.  But we decided to sneak away at lunch and head up to Springdale for lunch on the patio at Oscars.  We were able to convince John and Marsha to join.  It was a beautiful day. There is something about those red rocks that is so healing.  Almost all of us decided to enjoy one of their delicious burgers!  We also spoiled ourselves with chips and salsa and bottomless fresh made guacamole!  If I wasn't working, I would have got a margarita for sure.

Marsha, John, and Chuck

Mom and Me

After lunch, I went back to finish working but when things were winding up for the long weekend at work, we headed to St. George to see Grandma.  Grandma is doing pretty well.  She constantly surprises me how content she is and she loves her routine.

Grandma is getting this selfie thing down!  Love these women!

That night, we went over to Marsha's house for pizza and beer.  We stopped at the store and I found some absolutely fantastic looking chocolate covered strawberries that we enjoyed.  They were a fun special dessert and so delicious.

Saturday, we got ready and went to meet Grandma for lunch.  It is really sort of a brunch because she goes early.  In fact, we got there at 11:05 and she was already sitting with her friend eating some fruit. But we found her and asked her to move to the regular dining room so we could join her.  Grandma can't hear much but I still enjoy seeing her and being with her.  We also worked in the puzzle she had in her room.  We also read Valentine's she got in the mail.  We left her reading her book.

Mom mentioned she would like to plant some pots on her porch so we decided to spend a little time on that project.  Although it was in the 70s, it was still a little early for patio plants but we had some success at Walmart.  We got some strawberry plants, pansies, snowdrift, and primroses.  I could barely wait to get to Mom's and start digging in the dirt.  There is nothing quite like getting in the dirt and planting flowers to bring up your spirits.  It is one thing I've found I can do that no matter how much time I spent, it shows and pays rewards with smiling plants.  I spent a few minutes soaking in more sunshine on the porch.  Each time I felt myself irritated with the sunshine in my eyes, I reminded myself it will be awhile before we get that at home so enjoy....and I did.

Mom's pot planted

That evening, I had made reservations at the Cliff Restaurant in St. George for an early Valentine's dinner with Fritz.  Thank goodness Mom and Chuck were willing to join me.  As we got there, they gave each woman a long stem red rose.  We were lucky and got a table in the window.  This restaurant is one of my favorites in St. George.  It is moderately priced yet so so delicious.  I decided to get a nice glass of wine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chicken Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, with Hurricane Gravy.  Oh....EM....GEE

View from the restaurant.  So very pretty.

Dinner was absolutely delicious. We were rewarded with a spectacular sunset.  After dinner, we went to Marsha's house.  She had made rhubarb pie and jello for dessert.   Simply delicious and very fun company.  It is nice to spend some time with her and John.

Simply WOW

Sunday found it Valentine's Day but also time for me to head back to reality.  I did enjoy sleeping in a bit but then packed up the car and headed North.  Luckily, it seemed the weather was cooperating and the traffic was luckily not too shabby.  Something that will not be true tomorrow.  I made it home in good time but it is hard to get excited to come home to this.  No it isn't a pending storm.  That is smog.  ICKY!

Makes me want to hold my breath!

It is sort of weird spending Valentine's alone when the last 10 months has been spent in a relationship. But what I find really sweet is no matter what the day brings, I am surrounded by people who love me.  My heart is fully supported.  I spent the weekend trying to recharge my batteries and heal.  I certainly did that.  I hope everyone has a good Valentine's Day spent surrounded with feelings of love.

P. S.  You might wonder about my nose.  Thursday, I got the splint off in my follow up appointment. Dr. S was thrilled with my progress.  It feels good to have the splint off but it is also pretty scary. My nose won't be healed for another 5 weeks.  I need to be so very careful to not bump it or manipulate it in any way.  It is sore.  It is tender to touch and I have a pretty consistent feeling of pressure/throb at the bridge of my nose.  I believe there was significant work done there.  The inside seems to be quite...messy.  Dr. S does lots of work inside.   But honestly, I don't think my nose has EVER been this straight.  It looks soooooo good even though it is still swollen. It is only going to get better!  Now just to be careful and let it finish healing and be sure to never break it again!

I'm famous!

Today, I was surprised to hear from Best Friends Animal Society.  They do a monthly newsletter and wanted to highlight me as the Volunteer of the month!  I am certainly honored and was happy to answer a few questions.  I realized I don't have many photos of me with my cats but I did find one featuring the back of Sissy's head.  Haha.  She is a little camera shy.  I can't wait to volunteer again this kitten season!  Click below to see.

BFAS Volunteer Newsletter

On the nose flip side

Yesterday was the "D" day to get my nose fixed.  We reported to the hospital at 8:00.  I got all prepped and waited to go back.  Dr. S came to check and see if I had any questions.  Then the anesthesiologist came to talk to me.  We had a long talk about how to keep me from being sick through and after the anesthesia.  And then back I went to the OR at 9:25.

It is funny they make you walk back yourself.  Totally sober as I sat outside my OR 1 room.  Listening to them get all the supplies ready.  They counted scalpels, gauze, etc.  Then the lead OR nurse came to talk to me.  What is really sad is I remembered her from my surgery on  my eyebrow...was that 2014?  I jumped up on the OR table while they prepped me.  I tried to lift my legs while they put on the leg pressure things but realized I was already firmly tied to the table.  They put oxygen over my nose and boom.  I was in recovery.  It was 10:38 they said.

I was fully expecting to be barfing based on my prior experience but nope.  Nothing.  She gave me a cracker to eat, then another.  Then could give me some Lortab pills.  I already had some in my IV while I ate crackers. I couldn't see because they had a lovely ice eye mask over my eyes to help with swelling.  She taped a gauze piece under my nose.  They call it a mustache cover.  Because Dr. S doesn't pack my nostrils, there is a continuous drip which is normal.  And I have a splint on the outside of my nose but none inside...thank god.

Getting ready to go home.

It wasn't long until they wheeled me back to the post op area and there was Mom.  She is such a sweetheart to help me through all these surgeries.  I started with a Diet Coke to help my headache. Then more crackers and cookies.  I think about noon, we were going to the car.  Still not sick.

At home with the eye ice pack.  My best friend the first 24 hours.

 The drive home was brutal but okay.  I went to bed as soon as we got home to let everything settle and my tummy rest.  I kept on pain pills on schedule.  Cleaning the tip of my nose like requested.  And taking it easy.  My throat was very sore from the intubation.  But I could breathe again!

1 day post op.  Much better!!

Today I feel pretty good.  I've gone most the day without pain pills. I have significant pressure in my nose. I do have an allergic reaction to the antibiotics they gave me but they said to keep taking them.  So I have terribly itchy skin.  They said keep taking them unless it is too troublesome, then stop after tomorrow if so.  They are precaution.  I'm still taking it easy and spending lots of time on the couch or in bed.  My cats aren't real keen on the extra pillows.  I have to sleep elevated for at least a week. I can't bend over for several weeks.

I am glad this whole thing is behind me.  Just a few weeks to heal and I should be as good as new again.  I really want to blow my nose but no blowing for at least 2 weeks.  Maybe longer.

Oh your hands on my body feel so good!

Hey it's February, the month of love, so I can be a little provocative right?

Several years ago, Philip and I found a fantastic massage therapist while we were playing with Groupons.  Ellie gave one of the best massages I've had.  Philip loved her too.  But one can't have a massage every day.  And before we knew it, it had been awhile.  When I went to make an appointment (about 2 years ago), I learned that Ellie had left and they would not tell me how to reach her.

I've got pretty good internet stalking skills but I just couldn't find her.  I would call back every once in awhile to see if someone would tell me where to find her but no luck.  In November, I found her business card to her old place again and decided to Google her.  And suddenly, BINGO, I found her. I finally made an appointment for a massage, and it was tonight.

I've not had a massage since last May.  That is forever ago in massage land.  But with the stress I've been under, it was time to invest in myself.  If you aren't into body work, you probably don't need to read any further but I want to share because it was great.

Ellie didn't work on me long before she said my body was sending very strong signals of being way stressed out and highly frustrated.  She also asked who the female figure what I was missing.  I was surprised but not shocked.  Some massage therapists are self proclaimed healers and Ellie is one of those.  She can somehow read your body to some degree and can tell what is going on based on that. We decided to switch over to some aromatherapy and work on my "fascia" to clear some of the overwhelming feelings I currently carrying.  She used hot rocks to help penetrate my muscles without hurting me.

She spent 2 hours working over my body and trying to get the muscles to release.  She spent a good hour on my back alone which really needed it.  She said my spine was practically crying for help so she worked on it to release my nervous system.  I know.  All mumbo jumbo.  But what I do know is I really needed to feel cared for and nurtured even if it is through massage and hot rocks with a semi-stranger.  There was a point when she told me to release and said "I've got you".  I needed that.

She gave me a few tips I wanted to share to help with grieving.  Before she left the room, she put a hot towel rolled up on the center of my chest.  It was up high right to my neck.  She told me that spot is very open when grieving and to use warmth and touch there.  She suggested aromatherapy there or even just lotion rubbed there.  So for anyone grieving, try it and see if you feel better.

She also gave me what she calls a heart hug.  Instead of a chest hug, line up your hearts with your arms out to the side and touch hearts.  It is a different kind of hug and it felt very different.  Almost connected.  Pretty interesting.

As I put on my pants to leave, I realized this was exactly what I needed.  I needed to let myself go and have someone else help me for an hour or two.  I needed someone else to help my body relax and let go.  As much as it sounds like a huge luxury, I'm going to bump this up in priorities for a little while. I've been searching for something...anything to help me feel better and this appears to be it for now.

I just wanted to share.  Namaste.