Let it snow..and snow..and ice...

So, first off let me say that I hope 2010 is starting off well for everyone! Ours has been a little crazy, but that is ok. Chris has filled you in on the flooring situation and we are really doing well. We need to do our utility closet, our bedroom and the guest room and all the trim. I am feeling good. We are finally over the halfway hump. Our visit to SC was good; cold, but good. I found a futon at the WOW! store that I want. We just staying in mostly, but it was cold! We had a nice trip up and back. I am glad we got to visit with Steve and Peggie. Work has been going well. Of course we have had our share of illnesses. This always happens when the kids get back together. Our most recent work hiccup was the SNOW!!!!

Beginning Monday, the forecasters were predicting a winter storm to come through TN. In Columbia, we weren't supposed to get more than an inch of snow. It was supposed to be a sleet/ice mix. (Notice I keep saying "supposed" to get.) I had to go grocery shopping Thurs night because we were out of food. That was a mistake! The "french toasters" were there. School was called off for Friday due to the impending weather. Friday morning was nice. No snow. Around 10am, it starting snowing. A lot. By 3pm, we had over FIVE inches of snow! Shortly thereafter, it began to sleet and get icy. Chris and I took Shiloh out in it for a while. We had almost finished the kitchen flooring by that point. :) Shiloh wasn't too keen on it at first, but when we started throwing sticks, she got into it. When we first went out, we started walking toward the fire pit and a rabbit ran out from under it and through the fence! I guess he was trying to take refuge from the snow! I made a nice BBQ meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner. Yesterday, we had a nice quiet day. It was nasty out and I knew that Chris might have a long day today. He did go out and dig his truck out, though! I made from scratch chicken pot pie for dinner. It was yummy! Chris left the house this morning around 15 till 5 and made it safely to work. I kept hearing things falling and smashing today. I went out with Shiloh and discovered it was the ice from the trees crashing down. It was beautiful! There was 5"-6" of snow with a frozen layer on top and all these pieces of ice on it. It almost looked like broken glass! I dug my car out and then took Shiloh for a walk up and down the street. She had a blast! I couldn't believe that I was ready to come in before my cold natured dog! We have had a nice quiet day today, as well. School has been cancelled for tomorrow and central office is closed, so I don't have to go into work. Chris and I are going to tackle the utility closet. Hope everyone is staying warm! Enjoy the new pics!

God Wink

I know I have a lot of catching up to do, but today, I just want to share my God wink. About a month or so ago I had a dear friend at work who lost her dad. It was a battle that lasted over a year. I was unable to attend the funeral, but I did want to send something. I wanted something from the florist, but they closed at noon on Saturday. So, I ended up at Kroger. I looked at everything, but kept coming back to the Star of Bethlehem plank with the beautiful white flowers. I left it at the funeral home. I had not thought about it since then. Today, my friend and I were talking and she said her plant was doing great. I laughed and told her that particular plant had spoken to me at the store. This is when she told me that she cried when she saw the plant. Of all the things I could have chosen, I picked the Star of Bethlehem. He dad's favorite Christmas song that he sang every year was "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem". This was my God wink. Things like this really mean the most. Hope everyone is preparing for a wonderful Christmas time!

Part two (the not fun part)

Ok, now onto the big event that happened this week. We got back from Gatlinburg on Sunday and made a pot of vegetable beef soup for dinner. It was very yummy! Monday I went to work and busted my hump to get things done for my absence this week. My parents came in Monday night. On Tuesday morning, we all got up early and headed out to Vanderbilt. I was scheduled to have a catheter ablation done that morning. We got checked in and I was taken back to the prep area and got my IV started and some tests were run. I think everyone else went to get breakfast. They all came back at different times to see me. After waiting for a while, a nurse came back and told me I was pushed back. (Apparently, they had an emergency.) So, around 1pm or so, I was taken back to the OR. It was kind of freaky that I was awake and alert when they took me back. (I didn't even have an IV bag or any medicine at this point.) They put me on the table and I was strapped across my calves, thighs, and stomach. My arms went into "troughs" and were strapped in. I swear I felt like I was getting lethal injection! They gave me something to "relax" me at this point. They put IV ports in my groin area and ran catheter leads up to my heart. They began to use electrical impulses to manipulate my heart rhythm. I had to tell them when the rhythm felt like the arrhythmia I had in the past. They found it pretty quickly. They put a 4mm laser in one of the ports next and ran it to my heart. When they found the place to cauterize, they used it. It felt very odd and uncomfortable. It was my worst heartburn x100! I was over in 60 seconds. I think I was in the OR for 1.5 or 2 hours. They took the leads out and I went back to recovery. There, they took the IV ports out of my leg. I was very nauseous at this point. (No food + narcotics will do that.) I got some phinagrin (sp) and pretty much slept after that. I know that my parents left to come back to our house to take care of Shiloh and I kind of remember the trip to the cardiac observation unit. I slept when we got there, too. When I finally woke up, dinner had arrived for me. I was special and not on any diet, so I got the chicken Parmesan with strawberry shortcake. After, I was able to get up and go to the bathroom and move around a little. I put on my pj pants and talked with Chris a little. I went to sleep fairly early. I was visited every 4 hours and poor Chris had to sleep in a very small recliner chair that wouldn't stay reclined. :( The next morning, the doctor was in around 7:30 and said everything looked good and I would be released. I got breakfast while waiting on release papers. I had to be off work until Monday and will need to have a follow up in 6 weeks. For the past few days, I have been tired and have an almost constant feeling of heartburn and the area where they put the 4 IVs is sore. Otherwise, I have been doing very well. Chris goes back to work tomorrow, but my parents are coming in tonight. My dad has some things to do with the Army this weekend and so my mom is going to keep my company. A friend I work with is having a yard sale next weekend and she has agreed to take my stuff, so I am going to price it all and she will sell it. That is about all I am planning to do with my weekend. Oh, and Chris and I got to pick up our flat screen TV from the repair shop today. Yay!!! Hope everyone had a great week and will have an even better weekend!

First half...

Sept 23rd marked the 5th anniversary since Chris & I got married. We did dinner together at home. The big party was last weekend. We left on Friday to go to Gatlinburg and see the families. We had a bit of a snag checking in on time, but it was all good. Chris and I were very excited with the cabin and with everyone who was able to make it. Friday night was laid back with hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Saturday the weather was not cooperative with downpouring rain. My parents made a wonderful breakfast for everyone. However, despite the weather, Chris and I were able to get out and have our picture made. Since we were doing a cowboy theme, we decided to have the old tyme photos made. Chris is holding a sign that says "Still Hitched". We had fun doing it. (We also played Ski-Ball and other arcade games at the place where we had our photo!) Everyone kind of did their own thing during the day on Saturday. When we got back, we brought our friends Jason & Brandy with us. After getting everyone acquainted, we wished Nancy a happy birthday and had a cake for her. Then, we began the decorating and preparing the food for the party. Steve made some great margaritas for us! I think that everyone had a great time and enjoyed the food and the company. I know I did! Sunday was just a laid back day with everyone packing up and heading out. Chris & I had breakfast with my family and then did a little shopping before we headed back home. It was a good weekend. Chris and I have decided that we definitely want a large jacuzzi when we decide to build our house! I could have stayed in there all weekend!!! Thanks to everyone who helped make our anniversary special!

Crappy Thursday

Ok, so here goes. Yesterday at work, I was talking with the principal and she said that both she and the assistant principal, and the backup administrator, would be out today. I was joking and told her I'd be out, too. Then I did ask her what we were to do in a crisis. We kind of went over it. So, today, I went in and it was chaos from the beginning. We had a teacher who was out and we didn't know it, so I began my day in 1st grade. When we got that covered, I went back to my office to begin on paperwork and got a call from a concerned parent. I was going down to the ag shop to check on the child. As I got to the bottom of the steps and was stepping to the floor, my foot turned and I stepped full weight on my ankle. It hurt so bad I sat down and cried. I was smart enough to have taken my radio with me, so I called for the nurse to come. She got there with the SRO and a wheelchair. I was wheeled to the office in the middle of high school class change. (That was mortifying.) By this time, my left ankle was 3 times the normal size. We got ice on it and got it wrapped with an Ace bandage. I filled out an accident report and called the Board. Our HR person told me to come by there and then go to the doctor for an Xray. (This happened at 9:15am.) I drove home to get Chris and he took me to the Board. I filled out paperwork and then went to the doctor. We got there around 10:30. It was almost 2:00pm when we left. I got an Xray and took a drug test. Nothing is broken; it is just a bad sprain. However, I am on crutches for a while. I have never had to use them before, so it is a learning experience for me. If I take care of myself, I will be A-OK by Gatlinburg.
Speakiing of Gatlinburg, here's a little update. We are going with a Western theme. Wear your blue jeans, boots and stetsons if you got 'em! Peggie and Steve and Bill and Deb have offered to bring their Margaraitors, so we will have margaritas and daquaris, too! Thanks to everyone who is helping to make this a great weekend!
I hope that everyone has a great night tonight and a good Friday!

Very Busy Weekend!

This has been a very long weekend for me. I went into work Friday morning to do a few necessary things, then I went to the doctor. I have been battling a sinus infection for a week now, so I went to take care of it. A shot and three prescriptions later, I came home. Chris and I went out to Ruby Tuesday for lunch and then we just hung out. Saturday morning we got up and decided to do some geocaching. The weather was nice. Our cell phone contracts are up, so we have decided to upgrade. We decided to go buy Chris an iPhone so we would have an additional GPS if we needed it. (Also, Chris just wanted one!) They were out the phone I wanted, so we just got his. We came home and put the collar on the dog to take her with us and IT STARTED TO RAIN! And rain...and rain. So, we went and picked up something for dinner and got a couple of movies. It was a rainy night at home. Chris worked yesterday and all I accomplished was doing the weekly grocery shopping. (At this point, we were out of everything at our house!) Now, today has been exciting.

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!! We went to Downtown Nashville Nissan because they were offering a guaranteed $5000 trade-in on any car. We figured this was a way to come out ahead on my Cougar. So, we looked at the Altimas and came away with a white one. It is very nice. It is a little weird, though, because it is a push button start. Today, Chris was driving it and I had the key in my pocket. This is my very first ever "brand new" car. It only had 71 miles when we drove out of the lot. Chris really likes driving it and so do I. I am very excited about it!!!! Here are a few pics for you to enjoy!

okay...

Ok, so here goes. Today, my car broke down again! It was the same thing this time as last. The engine maintenance fuse blew again. We replaced it three times and it blew every time I turned the key. I was on the side of the road, blocking a lane, under the hood in a skirt and heels. I really appreciated the police officer who drove by without a second look. (and the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th! ) One man stopped just before Chris got there. Another stopped and helped push my car to a side road. Anywhoo...we had it towed in and will find something out tomorrow!

On to better things. Here are some pics for everyone to enjoy!

This is me and Julie. She was a good friend from 6th-12th.

This is Lindsey. She organized the reunion. She and I have known each other since Kindergarten! We were Girl Scouts together.

It was a very nice reunion. It was outdoor at a historic place in Morristown. There was a gazebo. We had a buffet BBQ dinner and took a group photo. There was only about 40 of us there out of 285. They had a DJ who tried to get us to dance, but most weren't having it. :) It really was a fun night.

Now, as for my mom, she called when we were driving in for my reunion and told me she was in the hospital becuase she had started having severe chest pains. She has some issues with her heart anyway, so they kept her overnight for observation. The hospital did not find anything to be immediately concerned with. On Sunday, my brother Charlie turned 30. Chris and I stopped at Smokey Mountain Knife Works before we headed to my brother's house for a BBQ. I ended up outside with a bag of kettle korn and a book! The BBQ for my brother was good with their family and friends. My niece Emma was a mess!!! She is 17 months old now and getting into everything!

She definatley kept everyone entertained!

We headed out after lunch.

School has been interesting to say the least. We have had a host of illnesses and we got to start off our week with a prankster who decide to pull the fire alarm! We had already had 2 drills this month, so we knew it wasn't planned. We have a new schedule for the HS this year and we are still not positive on how effective it is, but we are halfway through the quarter. I got my audit results back and am going to have to do some research to challenge some of the items they have put on there. After a principal's meeting, we have found out that it is a problem county-wide. There are some things that different bookkeepers have gotten written up for that we have done in complete opposite ways! Oh well. It will work out.

So, there. A glimpse into my world over the last 5 weeks. Hope it kept you entertained!

Preview...

I am just gonna give the basics. I am at work now, so I can't put any pics up. We have my car posted for sale on Craigslist. I am really hoping to be able to sell it soon. Keep your fingers (and toes!) crossed for me. We have looked at a couple of cars and even went in to see about buying one, but it did not work out, so we are still on the lookout. Chris and I went to the Melting Pot last night for 80's night. The wait staff was dressed in 80's outfits and they played theme music. I even ventured to dress for the occasion. It was really fun and the food was great. I have a picture I will post later. Also, I had my 10 year high school reunion on the 15th. (Again, I have pics at home and will post them later.) It was a lot of fun. My brother, Charlie, turned 30 on the 16th and we got to see him. My mom was in the hospital with chest pains when I went in for my reunion. (more on that later) My younger brother, Gregg, works at a CVS and was held up at gunpoint last week. Our school is plauged by strep, a stomach virus, and type 1 flu. So, there are the basics. Keep reading for a follow-up tonight! Hope all is well!

Updates...agian

We have found a place to have out party! It is an 8 bedroom cabin through Sugar Maple Cabins. It is called the Big Timber Lodge and it sleeps 32. I have posted all the info on our website. It is www.momentville.com/AprilandChrisShore if anyone needs it. I have called and found out that the cabin is in the Wears Valley area. It is near an entrance to the Smokies. We will be mailing formal invitations next week. PLEASE let me know if you will or will not be coming as I need to figure out lodging and plan on food. Our plan right now is to do BBQ. (It seems good for Sept in Gatlinburg.)

In other news, I am making beef jerky in the dehydrator today. It is so full. I used 3 pounds of ground beef. It smells goood. Tomorrow, I am going to do some fruit in it and try to make my own trail mix.

I would also like to say that I am very proud of Chris. I will let him fill in the details.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!