it's a good thing
I got my forty hours in for this week and was home by 10am. This is now officially the start of my vacation! A week of no alarm clock and plenty of cleaning and other stuff. I hope to get a lot of home and yard projects done so that we will have our weekends freed up for camping season. We miss camping so much! While on vacation this week we will get the new truck wired up and trailer brakes put on so we can haul our camper home soon. Camping!
Rand will start his vacation with a road trip to Minnesota with his mom this weekend. Yes, she is actually going this time!

waiting is the hardest part
For those who don't know - Sandra has been dealing with some serious health issues. It began when she flunked a pap smear. My first thought was to re-do the pap, but they said they used a very sensitive, accurate test on her. She needed to have a cervical biopsy.
Two thoughts here are:
1. If they used a better test on her - they must have saw "something" during the exam.
2. For everyone else, the less accurate test is more than sufficient.
Sandra had her biopsy and there were several abnormalities. They were unable to go deep enough to get everything. They gave her nothing for pain and then had to "cut" into her cervix much more than anticipated. She was very sore for several days.
The biopsy results were a mixed blessing. It was a pre-cancerous condition, but it was not cancer at this point. But because there is still abnormal material they couldn't get - she still isn't off the hook. She must have a more thorough procedure to finish removing the abnormal tissue and it must be tested as well to make sure it isn't cancerous.
We haven't scheduled that appointment yet. We carefully picking and choosing on who to do the procedure. Any carelessness of the doctor on the next procedure could damage the cervix permanently. Sandra could be left unable to conceive or unable to carry a child to term. We will probably get something at least scheduled next week.
A bonus
Sandra must quit smoking now. By smoking, she raises her risk of getting cancer now by over 70%.

on the sick list
Tina did get her gall bladder out. She had a stone the size of a golf ball. She is now the reigning gallstone queen. Those with the biggest stones rule. :)
Uncle Jim's recovery to home was short. He's back in ICU and it's not looking good. Emphysema will always win. Always.

speaking of medical stuff....
I had my tests and haven't heard back with results yet.

one of a kind now
Rob and Megan are no longer Rob and Megan. He has alluded to this on his website, but it needed to be just said plain and simple. And the house Rob is moving to is a reunion of the old gang on the seventh floor Wallace Towers dorms. Please say a protective prayer for the intelligence of the house mates. Seventh floor Wallace had the lowest GPA of ISU.

Only three days until Willie starts Drivers Ed.
Consider yourself warned.

Jeep Jeep Jeep Jeep Jeep Jeep
I have a short somewhere in the wiring of my new stereo. Not only did my stereo quit working - it drained my battery! Last Friday I came home already to jump in the jeep and enjoy the beautiful day. And it was dead. My Jeep has never not started before. I was in tears! Rand unplugged the stereo and charged my battery. I'm back in driving mode, but haven't had a chance to figure out what my wiring problem is. I miss my music.

I know
I'm late updating. I've been told repeatedly by many.

too much of a good thing
The down side of feeling better is over-doing. I still have pain, but almost feel like a spring chicken (okay - maybe a late summer chicken) compared to how bad it has been. I'm using my new found "health" to extremely overdue. I have found that when the pain doesn't stop me; my body will find "other ways" to rebel. I need to slow down and find a balance.
This Thurs. I have an ultrasound and a small bowel series. If these go well - I will successfully avoid a surgery in my near future. Good news - They decided I don't have to do the bowel prep the day before! WooHoo!!
I also have the head/chest flu thing going on now.

monkey see - monkey do
Tina says she is spending way too much time with me - I'm rubbing off. If her doctor visit goes as expected tomorrow, she will get rid of her gall bladder this week. And that is how Jeff plans to spend his spring break.

more woo-hoo!
My new Jeep parts arrived! I spent all day yesterday putting in my new heater/temp/defrost cables, all new dash indicator lights, new wiper switch, and a new glove box. The only thing left undone is the new fan switch. I think the yahoo that previously owned my toy - had glued on the fan knob. It took me half an hour to just get the knob off and the switch nut seems to be forever on. More than likely he was sloppy with his glue. I was hoping to finish today, but today the flu won. The weather calls for colder temps and snow. We are under a winter storm watch for tonight. My jeep repairs are not probably to be finished until next weekend.

bad toy
Rand's new toy has already had it's first major repairs. The water pump went out and while they were inspecting it seems the wheel bearings needed replaced. The water pump was under the engine warranty. The bearings seem to be a national problem. A lot of news stories recently seem to cover the wheels falling off things (Mostly the Jeep Liberty and Ford Explorer). We decided to replace them all rather than risk a wheel falling off while pulling the trailer.

answered prayers
Uncle Jim is seems to be doing better. Last week he had an angiogram and they placed a stent in. He went from an critical care ICU and an oxygen set on 15 - literally dying - - to oxygen at 6 and maybe going home.
*climbs on soapbox*
This man has been in the hospital for over a month. He has spent almost all of it in ICU. And it took them that long to think of this?! Granted, he has emphysema and a heart condition, and he is never going to get better; but let's get real! There is not a long term fix, but let's not let him suffer needlessly from other things. This is health care in this country. Some might say it is because he doesn't have health insurance. But that should only make you angrier. Your tax dollars are paying for this level of incompetence. We also pay in higher medical costs. And insurance has very little to do with it. I have decent coverage and still have to fight for basics like needed tests and pain control. How about respecting the right to life with dignity?
*climbs off soapbox*

boom!
Grandpa Dave got hit last week while out in the new Buick. He and my adorable little sister, Buffy, were returning from a walk at the fair grounds. The other driver ran a stop sign.
check out this boom!

kid stuff
Sandra is loving nursing school and already is showing promise of being the top of her class.
Ryan has several good leads on jobs. He is hoping for at least two. He is still amazing us almost nightly with his skill in the kitchen.
Will begs nightly for driving lessons and is consistently showing improvement. Feel free to come on over and let him demonstrate with you!
Kara and Rich stopped in last evening. Let me be among the last to wish Kara a Happy Belated Birthday! :) They are talking about a wedding date within the next sixty years!
Rob - you still owe me a phone call!

Jeep Fever
Last Friday's nice weather finally brought a bit of relief to our cabin fever. I got home from work about noon and spent almost 30 minutes trying to find the keys to the Scrambler. When I know she is done for the winter, I usually put the keys in a more secure area. I should try to remember where that is year to year.
I finally did find them and my wonderful old friend fired up after just a couple of tries! I backed her up into the drive and did basic spring maintenance. Changed the oil & filter, checked all the fluids, tightened a few hoses and other things. I took her out on a cruise and she ran like a top. I swear my Jeep just keeps getting better with age. (like me!)
When Rand traded in his old truck he kept this huge set of rear speakers (set in one huge case) he had added to it. His new truck lacks for nothing, so I decided they were going in the Jeep. I took out a back seat heater (has never worked as long as I have owned my jeep) and after much wrestling and pretty much having to remove the seats, I have it wedged (and I mean wedged!) in there - centered and everything. To be able to steal it they will have to take my seats out first! I got them all wired up to my dirt-cheap stereo (hey -when you drive a vehicle with no doors - you got to be willing to lose things) and was disappointed. My cheap stereo could barely make noise come out of it. Saturday Rand and I were shopping and at Super T they had a very nice stereo (am/fm/cd) on clearance -50% off. By the time you subtract my discount, it cost the same as my cheap stereo. I also picked up clearance seat covers and a steering wheel cover. My jeep is now themed "Blue Hawaii". We got the new stereo in and wired - - - and my Scrambler can now Rock with the best of them! Meatloaf - Bat out of Hell on CD - does it get any better than this?!?!
Among other repairs we finally put on a new wiper washer pump. That thing that hasn't worked for as long as I have owned my toy. Rand generally is quite happy ignoring my jeep and discourages budgeting repairs on my toy. Since he has been feeling a little more generous (I think it is because he has a toy now) - yesterday, I ordered all new dash indicator lights, wiper and heater switches, and heater cables. Currently to go from defrost to heater and vice versa, I must pull over and reach under the dash to make the necessary adjustments. I need new duct work as well. Maybe before fall it can finally happen. My wipers - I can make them go on and off, but I can't control anything else - speed, etc. I also am missing a horn button. Everything in my jeep catalogs requires their new steering wheel. I shall keep looking for what I am missing. If I did decide to replace the steering wheel I would want original equipment. A little more expensive.
I noticed that 4wd.com does have a wish list sign up. I'm thinking I should register!
I lost a snap on my bikini top. I need to hit a fabric store to see if I can get a replacement. They sell replacement snap kits in my catalogs - I'm thinking a fabric store will be much cheaper.
My jeep is back in the garage waiting for the rest of spring to arrive. I did get her out for three days.

and on the third day...
I got sick. So did the whole plano team. Our mighty leader showed up last week really, really sick, but convinced he had to there because this is such a busy time of year for the plano team. Yesterday, the whole team was sick. Way to share.
I'm better today, but my body feels like it was hit by a truck. And trust me, I know what that feels like! I figure I'm not rebuilding domestics is I can't lift my arms above my shoulders or turn my neck. My gut is still tender as well. That nothing in - nothing out' rule I like to follow only works for so long. At some point - something has to go in.

Woo-Hoo
Angie and Nick are getting married Memorial weekend!
Sandra starts nursing school Monday.

Please pray for.....
Uncle Jim. He is in the final stages of emphysema. Machines are doing most of his breathing now and even that's not going well.
Max & Pam, our dear siblings in Christ who lost their son, Scott. He was killed in a Marine training exercise at Camp Pendleton.

belated birthday list
Don & Vera (28th) and Dale (1st)

and finally...
I've seen and talked to a surgeon and did more on-line research. At this point - I'm willing to have surgery for life-saving measures only. I have had too many surgeries. And to go in and remove adhesions for pain control, will only eventually get me in more trouble.
For example: Yes, my bowels are really messed up; but I don't have a colostomy. It could be worse. And repeated surgeries could make other things, like a colostomy, a a very real threat for me.
I'm supposed to have an ultrasound in the near future. If my kidneys and other vital organs are holding their own - then I'm not going to have surgery.
My family doc has agreed to help me with pain control more. We added another anti-inflammatory and upped another med. I'm willing to live with the problem, but the pain can't always win. We also agree I won't use top of the line pain meds yet. I have the rest of my life to live with this. I don't want to peak out on drugs too soon. I also now have a permanent parking disability permit. Up until this latest flu, I could tell I was feeling better with the med changes. Note the energy I had for the Jeep! For the most part as long as I don't sit, stand, or walk - I don't feel too bad. Walking is the worse. I've learned to use shopping carts like a walker quite effectively.