Prayers Work

Just a quick update on Sherrie....she had surgery on Tuesday...14 1/2 long hours, can you imagine? She went in at 8:30 AM and came out just before 11 PM. The surgery went well. Bill kept me updated all day which I REALLY appreciated! The plan was to leave her in a drug-induced coma until Friday, but as usual plans didn't work. Her blood pressure dropped extremely LOW so in order to get it up they had to bring her out of the coma. So on Wednesday after less then 12 hour out of surgery she woke up. According to Bill she is alert and doing great! They took her off the ventilator in the afternoon. I know that is a huge relief. Bill got to see the new tongue and for the lack of a better description he said it looks like chicken...It is white?? For some reason I thought muscle tissue would be pink???

He is planning to go back down on Saturday and spend the weekend there. Like he said leaving her on Wednesday was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do....he called me earlier and had talked to both the nurse and the doctor and she is doing great!

She will probably be there until next Friday or later but thanks to my friends for all their prayers...they do work!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Greg! It is hard to believe he is 21 today!!! Where has the time gone??? Happy Birthday!

Saw this on another blog

Saw this at another blog...
All you have to do is copy and past this and then highlight the things that you have done! Easy!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

there is some good news!

O.K. I do have some good news...Sherrie had her biopsy and they are 99% sure it is begnin. There is a small tumor behind her lung that will need to be taken care of but for right now they are going to concentrate on her tongue. Her surgery has been rescheduled for next Tuesday so I am gonna save my days up and go visit after CHA. But continue to keep her in your prayers.

I did manage to snag tickets for the Bonnie Hunt show on the 27th! I am very excited! I really want Ellen tickets but this will also work, she is very funny and I also LOVE her show.

I also received a $250. refund from our cruise!! WOOHOO!! I can't believe they have a special somewhere and we still get to reap the benefits!!!

So today has been a pretty good day overall!

Update

I talked to Sherrie last night and the news so far is not good. She spent all day Monday in Ann Arbor being poked and prodded...the decision was that she will be admitted on Thursday and have a large portion of her tongue removed. They will take some vein tissue from her thighs and reconstruct her a new tongue. That in itself sounds scary. She will have a trach and have to relearn to talk and eat. ...Then today they called her and want her back in Ann Arbor today (she should be there now) to biopsy a lymph node on her shoulder. I have to tell you that not only is she scared but so am I! Her brother and father both passed away from lung cancer that started with a lymph node biopsy taken from the shoulder. PLEASE! PLEASE keep her in your prayers!! I have rearranged my schedule to go up to Ann Arbor Sunday through Tuesday and spend some time with her and to give Bill what I am sure will be a much needed break.

PICTURES?

Here are some pictures from our cruise...it is freakin' freezing outside and I thought these might warm me up.....Only a little over 3 months until our next one!!!! I can hardly wait!

The top pic is Joe & Ken taking a well deserved nap...Joe missed his poppa!

We are back in port...I am not happy to be back!

The Florida sunrise coming into port.

A seagull in Nassau...one of these buggers stole bacon off my plate!

McDonald's in Nassau...I wanted a picture inside but security wouldn't let me...menu was pretty much the same, but pictures of the food were different.

A gambling boat in Freeport.

Ken & I on deck somewhere.

The gang of us at Cocoa Beach on Saturday before we left!

I will try to get more pics up soon...I have an order from Jillian to do this...I am doing project 365 and am taking a picture daily so I will get some of them up soon I promise!! I also really am challenged at getting them on here:)

I forgot!

I know only a few people know about this blog, I basically do it for myself but I am asking for a huge prayer request for my closest, most dear friend in the world. My friend, Sherrie was just diagnosed before Christmas with oral cancer. She only told me over the weekend because she didn't want to ruin my Christmas. She was to make an appointment in Ann Arbor today to get the sore on her tongue checked down there to see what they will need to do...so please keep her in your thoughts...she has had this sore for over a year and just got it checked. Thanks!

Happy New Year!

Another year is upon us...already! December was another cold month! We enjoyed a great Ptak Christmas party on the 14th, followed by Ken's work party at Stancotto's on the 15th. I took the girls from the store along with hubbys to Shintos on December 5th. It was a lot of fun and of course very expensive!! but it was worth it. I don't splurge like that very often.

Christmas was WONDERFUL! I have to admit I think it was our BEST ever! I got both things that I asked for and more. I wanted some Jaclyn Smith towels from Kmart and a Wii and got both of them. I also got a HUGE calculator that I have also wanted but just wouldn't buy it for myself. I got a couple of Olive Garden gift cards and a gift card for Game Stop to buy Wii fitness. We received gift cards from Mom & Ron and cash from Ken's mom that we are going to use to buy a new smaller freezer. I also had a winning lottery ticket!

I also had the BEST year giving! Greg got new tires and a muffler for his car. I also got him a Harbor Freight card, Giant Eagle gift card and a couple of odd restaurants gift cards. Melissa got a digital camera and printer. We also got her a Walmart gift card. Jeff got Cavs tickets, $$ towards the TV he wanted (something 32") He also got some odd gift cards for restaurants (that he just got:) I had them hidden away because he is as snoopy as me and I forgot about them...just found them yesterday!) The best gifts were for Ken...of course they were for me too. I got us tickets to see Jeff Dunham in May and of course our 7 day cruise in April. I can't wait...he wasn't even mad which is good I would have to trade him in:) Jake & Joe got him the Jeff Dunham videos. The boys also all got new underwear and the boys and Melissa all got new socks. Yes, it was a good year!

New Years Eve we had our usual get together for the family. Darla and the kids were here too! Other then having a head cold we had a great time and welcomed the year in with our dearest friends and family.

I am hoping that 2009 will continue to be a great year too! So far it is off to a good start. I signed a 6 month lease at the same rent for the store and in less then 3 weeks leave for sunny California with Jeff for CHA. I am sooooooooo looking forward to the warm weather. It is a mini vacation for Jeff too. We have a 2 hour layover in Vegas so we can gamble a little then on Saturday night we are going to Disney. I couldn't believe he wanted to go...and being that close how could we NOT? I also have a request to get tickets to an Ellen taping...now that would be a dream for me. I hope to hear something soon on those. It will be a busy few days but I know he is up to the challenge, and as Barb said he can easily be replaced!!

Well I am gonna run...write more soon!

Is it really December?

Well another month has come and gone....soon they will be starting over. November was a pretty relaxing month. We didn't really have a lot to do but get ready for the moonlight madness sale and eat turkey!! Moonlight Madness and the Black Friday weekend was different from last year, not quite as busy at 11:00 like last year but steady throughout the night and day. We actually ended up about $500 shy of last year which wasn't bad.

We did have a LOT of snow this month! It was the snowiest November that I can ever remember! I am sure not ready for that!

The best part about November was starting and almost finishing my Christmas shopping. I am so excited that I can't wait for Christmas. I got the best gifts this year for Ken...of course they are for me too!! I booked us on another cruise! We leave April 27th for 7 days and 6 nights out of Baltimore. We are going back to the same place we went which is ok with us. I figure this is it until our 25th anniversary in 2012. Then I am thinking we will take the boys with us. I also got tickets to see Jeff Dunham in May. I also ran into Walmart today and got his dvd's. I got Greg new tires and a muffler system for his car. I also got him some fast food gift cards and one for Harbor Freight. Jeff is getting Cavs tickets and $ towards the TV he wants. I got Melissa a digital camera and printer. They also are all getting new socks and undies:)

I have been making candy to give as gifts. I would really like to make some cookies but I know I will eat them and I really have to watch my sugar....it has been running high again, so if I make anything it will be stuff I don't like. I have been good so far but that is because this is mint stuff...mint only belongs in Junior Mints not all that other stuff!!!

As Jillian knows I am a blog lurker...well I entered a "contest" on one of the blogs that I lurk and won! I am being shipped a box of goodies...I can't wait to see all the fun stuff.

Well I am off to lurk...have a good week!

Well....

I am having a much better day! Sorry about the vent, but it was just something I needed to do.

I am going to try to update since my last normal post... Let's see... I spent 4 days in Michigan at the beginning of October.. It was great. I got to hang out with Darla, Tanya, Mom and Sherrie. So it was a good trip. I watched Kailen march in the homecoming paprade and then actually watched the football game, and for anyone that knows me they know I HATE FOOTBALL! This was my first game I sat through (I didn't say watched:) since HS. It hasn't changed much...BORING!!! Darla adn I went to Scrapbook Peddler and did a card make & take for National Car Making Day. We made 10 cards for $10. It was fun and I got some great ideas.
On Saturday I went up to the campground and surprised Mom, Ron, Marlene, and John. They took me to the new casino in Standish where I lost a few dollars:(

I also went and spent a few hours with Sherrie on Saturday. She is my oldest and most dear friend in the world!! So it was good to see her.

On Sunday I went out to Tanya's to help her with a layout and to get Ashley in trouble...the little stinker didn't tell me she was grounded from the TV. No wonder she sucked it up!

Monday was spent with Darla...doing a whole lot of NOTHING!! Tuesday was time to go home....

We went south on the 17th to close the camper up and have one last hurrah. We had Thanksgiving over the fire...YUM YUM!

That weekend was also monumental because Greg & Melissa rented an apartment! I can't believe he really MOVED OUT!! I have been looking so forward to this day and then I cried! How is that possible??? It was sadder then I thought it would be. But I am over it now!! I sure took that room over fast. Jeff wanted to knock the wall out and annex from his room...is he kidding???

There wasn't much else that happened in October, we had trick or treat at the mall and didn't have many treaters. Croptoberfest was held on the 25th and was a fun time.

I think I have updated October so I will post it and write more later.

Have you ever....

had one of those days? I think I should have stayed in bed!! It all started at work with the pigeon POOP!! There it was outside the door again...and by 10:00 NOONE had come to clean it up again. So I went out and scraped it up with some chipboard then took my broom and water and scrubbed the sidewalk to clean it up. I can't have customers stepping in it and dragging it all through the store. Then I made a little call to the office and let Trinity have a piece of my mind...I don't care that they are short help, I don't care, I don't care! I let her know they need to deal with it and get the CRAP cleaned up daily before I open and I don't care what their excuses are...They don't care when we are told YOU WILL BE OPEN FOR 23 STRAIGHT HOURS AND ONLY HAVE 3 EMPLOYEES- YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. SO they will need to learn to deal with the poop or take care of the pigeon and find him a new home other then my sign!!!! OH it still pisses me off and it is 9 hours later!!!!

Then just when I am starting to have a better day April calls...Dallas is sick and can't go to the sitters tomorrow so I will need to work. She will come in at 4 when Matt gets home. I know it's not her fault but I am so ready for 2 days in a row off and this is the 2nd week in a row it has been screwed up. Maybe the doctor is right...maybe I am DEPRESSED! Well I am hoping for a better night. I'll get you updated soon...just felt the need to vent and had noone to call.

Where, did the summer go?

I wish I knew it sure went fast! I am not ready for the cold weather to come. We have one more camp weekend and then we will close the camper up until next spring.



There is such turmoil going on right now...the train has already had an accident, an 18 month old boy has gotten hurt, and while I don't think the mall is totally to blame...I mean WHERE are the parents???that a baby this old can fall out? These cars are enclosed, not open like at the zoos and such. Rumor around here is that rent is skyrocketing...which is not good. I will either have to consider moving or closing and I hate the thought of that!! (all though there are days when i wonder what was I thinking????)



Today the House voted down the $700 billion dollar bail out for banks and the stock market has taken a nose dive which is scary for everything. I don't understand how these things happen and not sure I want to know, I mean who is going to bail me out if I fail??? It makes me glad we had nothing yesterday as there is nothing for them to take!!

Well I am off to get some work done...check back later!

Wonderful Weekend

Well Barb & I had a wonderful weekend at the property. We went on Thursday and spent Friday & Saturday scrapbooking...I actually got quite a bit accomplished and made a good dent in Mom and Jeff's scrapbook from the cruise. I actually need only about 6 more pics and Mom's will be done.

It was nice to just relax and not worry about anything...and my phone only rang 2x...once was April the other was Ken.

I actually got the battery in the camper by myself and didn't even get zapped which I was sure I would!! Getting it out was easy too...other then it getting caught in my shorts...Barb did think I had got zapped! It was actauly quite comical...a 50# battery attached to me:) We ATE some delicious food!! Fresh tomato sandwiches! Oh is there anything better? Maybe a 2nd one:) Steak and ribs...mmm good!

We will have to plan this again next year!!

By now you all know I got the printer that I saw at the show. I really splurged on myself with this one. I have not been a fan of personal printers...I just think they are too expensive by the time you buy ink and paper, so I have always sent them to Walmart to be printed. But I have to admit I fell in love with this printer! It is all self contained...ink & paper in one cartridge. Now I just need some pics to play with. I didn't know but you can hook it to your computer and print pictures from there. I will so need to do that as I had emptied my memory card onto a cd and the computer.

Well I am off...it is PAYDAY!!! So much shopping to do!!

See you later, have a good week!

Tuesday....

is the day that I predict you will find out what it is that I ordered! :0 :)

Oh Jillian!

You will find out soon!

P.S. Jillian

I ORDERED IT!!!!! SHOULD BE HERE BY FRIDAY!!!

P.S. Jillian

I ordered it!!!!

Bad Blogger

Well, I had good intentions when I started this but the days just get away from me. I promise to try to be better.

Last time out we were 5 days from the cruise...obviously we have gone and are back and all I can say is when is the next one? I LOVED IT! I think more then I really expected to. Even Ken will go again which is good:) It was the greatest thing for me since sliced white bread. The crew and staff of Carnival were also great. I am doing this at work but when I get home I will post pictures. The only down part of the whole trip was losing my glasses. That happened Monday night when we were leaaving Freeport so it kinda put a damper on that night but I knew I couldn't let it ruin my trip and as my mother-in-law said there are some fish there that can see a little bit better! The food was as good as everyone has said and really is unlimited and available 24 hours a day.

We got back from the cruise and worked a couple of days and then went south for the Fourth. We had a wonderful time camping and the fireworks the guys put on were as awesome as ever.

We came back from that and I actually had to work 2 weeks before I got to go away again....I am loving the traveling more then I would have ever thought (poor Ken, I have been telling him for years I wouldn't go on the road when we are old but it's looking good...too bad we have SO MANY years before we are OLD:)

The next trip was to Chicago and CHA. We stopped in Mishawaka at the huge scrapbook store. It is huge and very sleek looking, but also unorganized! I am still wishing I knew what rent was in that strip mall! Even with it's unorginazation I managed to spend $60....how is this possible when I have my own store???

CHA was an adventure of shopping and checking out all the new goodies. There was a gang of us there...Barb, Christy, April, Jillian, and Debbie. I am so glad we were able to go as the show is being moved to Orlando next year. I will have to tighten my budget because now that means both shows are fly to sights and more costly. I think it is great to see the new stuff in person but it's also getting more costly, so we are going to have to check out our options about the shows.

I came home for 4 days and left again. this trip was to Michigan for Melissa's wedding and Jeff's graduation party for the Yaggie/Pittman side of the family. It was nice to see everyone but also it is always great to be home!

I don't have any trips planned in the near future other then going to Cambridge and hanging out with Barb for a few days....I managed another 6 days in a row off! I love the person doing my schedule!!!

Well that is pretty much the news here. We had our 1 year anniversary sale yesterday at the store and it went good, it's hard to believe it has been a year. Time sure does fly!

I promise to try to be a better blogger and will get some pics up soon.

5 DAYS!

Only 5 more days! till we are Bahama bound! I can't believe how fast the time has flown! This time next week I will be sitting in the sun having a hot cabana boy (or pool boy) delivering me margaritas. It will be so much fun!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!
Yesterday was our 21st anniversary and I got a wonderful surprise from my hubby! I had scheduled myself to work since he has soccer on Wednesdays...but little did I know they would cancel practice this week due to the holiday, so I had to let him know on Tuesday I was working and we wouldn't be able to go to dinner. To my utter surprise Ken came into the store about 6:30 and brought pepperoni pizza twist (a FAVORITE of ours!) for us to have a special anniversary dinner together!! It was very special and I am very LUCKY to have him. I thank God every day for him. Love yah Ken!

Today was Jeff's last day of school. He had a senior breakfast at the career center then he is free! Of course that is only until the graduation ceremony tonight from the career center and commencements on the 1st from Brunswick. What a great feeling it is to have both boys out of school!! Now if they could find somewhere else to live:)

This weekend will be our first campout in the new camper, I am VERY excited. It is also supposed to be a good weekend weather-wise.

Well I've got work to do write more later!