Expressions of thanks

Thank you. I often have to talk around words that I can not think of. Are there any other words to use besides thank you? I am kind of getting sick of just saying it over and over. I don't want people to think I am just saying it out of habit. So I am going to try to list any words that may use express how I feel about all of my friends, loved ones, and complete strangers that have helped me lately.

Grateful

Gracious

Beautiful

Strong

Loving

Helpful

Encouraging

Uplifting

Happy

Smart

Caring

Healthy

For now, that is all I can think of. So If you have talked to me, helped me, encouraged me, picked up my kids, fed me, gave me an umbrella, an x-box, drove me to the store, or provided for our family in any way....Those adjectives are describing you and you are wonderful! Thank you for being in my life.

Freedom, sweet freedom

Just a cute puppy pic

Okay....Today is the day....I got a little freedom back! Mrs Pat permanently loaning me her electric cart. Yesssssss....Now I don't have to depend on others, all the time, if I need to do something. I can also go meet the kids when they get out of school in the afternoon. Anything to get out of the house. Another bonus, when the I don't have a migraine, I can help in Weston's classroom in small spurts. Yeah!

So Mrs Pat picks me up early in hopes to beat the heat. The weather is nice. We get to her house, she shows me all the bells and whistles. This thing has a horn and a light people. It is big time. It has a speed control from minimum to maximum. Where do I put it? It is pegged to maximum. Then I am off....I look to the left (West of Prescott) and the sky is black and I hear a loud thunder. I have 2.5 miles to ride home. Oh goodness, here goes----pegged. Luckily, there is a bike lane most of the way. Sprinkles start about a quarter mile into my journey. The clouds are building and following me. It is almost like they are taunting me. The thunder is louder and louder. I keep thinking "If I can make it to Waters Nursery, I can get under their balcony" then "If I make it to Wal-mart, I can go inside". So I was setting little goals along my route. Then as I passed by the Iron Springs Cafe, an employee saw me and said, "You had better hurry". Then he ran toward his car and said, "I have an extra umbrella in my car". I said, "thanks, I will bring it back". He said, "No, Just keep it on your cart". People continue to amaze me! Everywhere there are little angels. So and I kept going with my red cart and new red umbrella and all I could do is SMILE. I was so happy. I am sure it was a funny site but again, I don't care. I was out of my house, had an umbrella, a lovely red electric cart and singing the song "Go Speed Racer" in my head. It is the little things that make me happy these days.

By the way, the sky opened up when I got home.....

Thank you for your prayers

Well my dad is right where he needs to be. He has been admitted to St Joe's. I am not sure what is going on but I am assured that he is slowly getting better. They are the best neurological hospital in AZ so I am comfortable that they will do their best with him. Thanks to all of you that have been keeping him in your prayers.

I did too much yesterday and it was stinkin hot and humid. I had to get Kyler's hair cut and buys some cloths for our family pictures and buys some groceries. My friend Toni took me. Big thanks to her for running me around.

We got our family pictures taken downtown Prescott. I can't wait to see them and how they turned out. It will be a couple of weeks. We did them in the alley behind Whiskey Row. There are beautiful red brick buildings, an old wagon, a bench with old license plates and metal signs. It was a cool place. Can't wait to share them! By the time we got home, it was straight to bed. Not even enough energy or strength for dinner.

My coworkers at the VA have been absolutely AMAZING! They fed our family every week for three full months. That saved us so much money in groceries. It really does help. They have also donated hundreds of hours of annual leave to our family. Thank you wonderful coworkers! I made banana bread for the first time yesterday and took it to them in thanks and it was actually really yummy! Stephane also printed up flyers for my fundraiser and hung them up all over the VA. She has been very helpful!

I can never say enough THANK YOUS!

My daddy is sick

Dad, me, Justin, Nelli

(look at my body language. I am leaning back toward my dad. I love him so much!)

My dad had a stroke this weekend. Unfortunately, he was in a small town. It is very, very, very frustrating. He was told that if he were at a larger hospital, he would be on the surgical table, WTH? Then fly his butt out. What is wrong with people? I did not get called until the next day at 3:30pm. Otherwise, I would have been jumping up and down making them move him! There are things they can do in the first few hours that they can not do otherwise. The hospital was just going to release him home yesterday, to the middle of nowhere. and 3-4 hours from any hospital with surgical/neurological/ care. Again, WTH? I STRONGLY suggested otherwise. Usually, a stroke is a "warning" sign for the "BIG" one. I am getting info second hand so I am not sure how much is even correct. Remember the old game of elephant? My dad is at St Joe's as I sit here and the last I heard, they were waiting on an MRI. He had lost control of half his body. Not even sure if he has gained that back yet? At first, when my stepsister called me, she was more concerned about some thyroid nodules they found. I said listen, "If he is dead, his thyroid doesn't matter! Even if it is cancer. We can deal with that later." I am so sad and so frustrated that the healthcare workers did not work harder to get him a bed in Phoenix. Hell, I would have done it myself if I would have known. That is one of the jobs I did at the VA for goodness sakes! I am not below calling around for a freaking bed!!!!!! My dad is so special to me. I have all these memories flashing back from when I was little and even when he has rescued me as an adult. He loves me and I love him. Lord, please be with him and let him be okay....

Limited human interaction

Dondi, Kristi, Dad, Me, 2008

(Two of my sister and I have really crazy dresses on. We did not plan that, guess it was the style.)

Friday I did a little laundry but rested as usual. My human interaction consisted of a cute 12 year old and 8 year old laying on my bed looking at video games on the internet for about 30 minutes. Then they were off....They went with Shanna to do errands and to rent video games. I never saw them again until evening. Then my husband came home in the afternoon. Grumpy would not even begin to describe his mood. I was so excited when he got home. I was trying to talk to him, lay by him, kiss him, anything to get his attention. But his mood was vial! The more I stay home, the more I feel kind of like a puppy that needs attention! I just need someone to pat my back, talk to me for a minute, maybe take me for a ride. Then I would feel better after being cooped up all day..Kinda funny but true!

So then I was rested and showered and all ready and excited to watch Karra's game. The first full game I would see all year! Plus, as an added bonus, my friend Elizabeth and her cuties (the ones that brought me cupcakes on the 4th of July) would be there too! Yeah! So I knew that someone would be soooooo excited to see me. I packed my goody bag full of snacks and drinks in preparation for my kids and the cuties. Then.........the rain began......crap---there goes any chance of any quality human interaction today! I almost started crying. The rain just kept falling....I was so sad. Luckily the game just got delayed an hour and a half but they still had it. Karra did AWESOME! They won, YIPPEE. And I got to see Elizabeth and the cuties. They were happy to see me and I was happy to give them treats. Now I know why my sister gets excited to come see my kids. It is nice to be wanted!

Walmart adventure

Weston and his best buddies 4/2010

Weston has a soul-mate best friend. They were in the same kindergarten class and first grade. Somehow I doubt they will be in the same second grade class. Weston's first grade teacher had been teaching for 29 years when she had them. She told me that they were so "in-tuned" with each other that sometimes they were in their own world and did not even hear here. She also told me that sometimes she would just say, "you are wearing me out". These boys LOVE Star Wars. I think their true friendship began in the summer between kindergarten and first grade when Jared's mom had a "Star Wars" party for a bunch of boys. They brought their favorite Star Wars toys and watched the movies. Like I said true friendship began..... There are about 5 boys (pictured above) that are probably going to be friends from kindergarten to their senior year. They are that connected! It is so cool to see. Jared's little brother Zack is just a year younger and is right in there with them. Jake, Weston's bonus brother is just a year older. Then there is Taylor. She is Jared and Zack's little sister. She is four but will be five in the fall. So all five are between the ages of 4-8. (Scary thought, they may all be in high school at once!)

Deborah and I have been friends since Weston and Jared became friends. Well, what can I say? Weston did good picking his friend and his friends mom! I love her. She is very similar to my sister Kristi. She is so kind and has been asking what she could do to help me recently. She emailed me the school supply list. Yep, the dreaded school supply shopping...With 5 kids under eight. Holy out of control! Actually, they were pretty good but it was a little crazy. Thank goodness Deborah (she must be the most organized mother in the world) had brought another copy of the 2nd grade list. My goodness--we have to supply the whole school these days! Weston was coming at me with supplies like a little hurricane on crack! The list helped me keep him on budget.

Once that was under control, we got his little white hair cut. He has this cowlick in the front. People just love it. However, everyone ALWAYS want what we don't have, right? He finally grew out the front so that it lays flat and he was so adamant that he did not want his hair cut short. He is at the age that they start worrying about image. Too weird. Well, when his haircut was almost done, Taylor came into the salon and gave him the "thumbs up" so he immediately felt better about his hair cut. If she thought it was good, he was good with it. Kids are too cute.

I had rested for three days prior to the Wal-mart trip and I am sure it will take me a couple to recover but it was worth it. Kids are so fun and amazing. They really brought a smile to my face.

Karra has a softball tournament this weekend here in Prescott. Can't wait. I think I will finally get to watch a full game of hers. I don't think I watched a full game this whole year. First of all, we had three boys playing at the same time during the regular season, then I got sick and missed the end. So, come hell or high water, I am attempting a full game this weekend!!! So-Good luck Karra and the Lady Hawks 16U softball team!

Love the good days!

I feel much better today! Thank goodness. Last weekend must have really done me in. My body was protesting and I had a hard time getting comfortable enough to sleep. I finally got a full nights sleep. Wow, it feels wonderful to sleep! Today Weston, Jake, Jared (Weston's best friend), his sister Taylor, brother Zack, and mother Deborah are attempting Wal-Mart. We need to get school supplies and hair cuts.

Monday night we are getting family pictures taken. I am so excited. Deanna is going to take them. I have seen some of her work and it is amazing so I can't wait! It was important to me to have the pictures taken before Ky moves and before I have surgery. If the weather is good, we will take them downtown Prescott. Oh, I just CAN NOT WAIT. My family is so beautiful. I will be sure to share the pictures too.

Have a wonderful day everyone! Love the good days!

Tetherd Cord info/Video link

Tethered Cord= the connective tissue in the base of the the spinal cord is attached and pulled too tight. This caused problems with urinary function, leg weakness, etc. Then it causes problems by pulling the brain down into the spinal cololmn causing symptoms such as migraines, dizziness, numbness in hands and feet, nausea and many other symptoms. If you are interested, there is a video on The Chiari Institute website that explains this more in detail. http://www.chiariinstitute.com/Videos/index.html It is 40 minutes long but if you keep track of were you stop, you can stop and start again. It is really informative.

I had a very rough night last night and day so far. If it were not for my spine, my brain would be in my butt! So, my spinal cord is pulling down so hard that my brain is being pulled into my spinal cord. The bones and muscles know that this is not right so they are fighting back. This causes intense pain and burning. It is just uncomfortable. I can't find any way that I can lay that feels right.

I have a few things to look forward to though! Saturday the 31st we will be having the first fundraiser at Plaza Bowl in Prescott from 2-5pm. Hopefully it will be a good turnout. I have sent flyers to all my Facebook friends, emailed others, and sent letters to the local radio stations and newspaper. The other thing I have to look forward to is my trip to NY, many people have to wait much longer than I have. I am pushy though and started sending my paperwork as soon as I left the hospital on May 4th. Thankfully, my sister advised me on what I needed to get done and what needed to be sent. I do have a lot to be thankful for but sometimes it is hard to remember when everything hurts so bad.

Worn out!

Justin and I at the Firehouse in Prescott July 2010

Justin's reunion weekend has been fun but I am now worn out! He is officially the BEST husband now. When I got sick in April and did not get better, we thought that going to his 20 year reunion was out of the question. And when I weakened and required a walker to walk, I decided that it was definitely out of the question. As the time grew closer, I could see that Justin really wanted to go and I really, REALLY, REALLY wanted to get out of the house. So a few nights before we discussed the possibility of him just walking everywhere with me to stabilize me and me just bucking up and going. I figured that if he missed this, he may have hard feelings as this is something that only comes around once every 20 years! My sister Dondi (the one that has the same illness as me) also told me to just "rest up and take the medicine" that that is "what the medicine is for". True true. I DID IT. I went out with Justin two nights in a row. Now I was not cutting the rug but we did get one, partial, slow dance in. Most of the time we were hanging out with his old friends chatting and having a few drinks. It was so fun. I don't know if it was as fun as it seemed or if it was blown out of proportion due to the fact that I have not been out of the house in THREE MONTHS PEOPLE!







I woke up the other day and realized that three months of my life have gone by since I was hospitalized. That means that I have not worked, that I have not driven, and I have not done much else for three full months. The weird thing is that I can't even remember most of it. A quarter of a year has been lost. The good thing is that I have been able to spend time with Kyler before he moves to his dad's in Arkansas. He has grown up a lot this summer. He has fed me, laughed at me, protected me, and laughed with me. He is in Texas right now. The little turkey got to fly, last minute, with his grandmother to a wedding last Saturday. When they lost the district championship, his grandma turned to me and said "Can he fly with me in the morning to Houston for my dad's wedding?" I said sure. So we were fumbling around trying to get him a ticket late at night, the day before he was to fly out. The round-trip price was $800! Holy cow! That was way too much. So we played around and found a way to get him a one-way ticket and have him drive back with his aunt. So we were totally teasing him that he was going to get the "cavity" search since we bought the ticket the night before and it was a "one-way" ticket. He just smiled at giggled at me. His dad was driving to Texas from Arkansas and he has not seen him since spring break. Ky was sooooo excited to surprise his daddy and baby brother and sister. You should have seen us running around the house throwing his cloths together. I am sure it was a funny scene.







Back to the reunion....Mike Loll, Justin's long-time buddy just rekindled an old flame with an awesome girl named Deborah. I am so excited to have "couple" friends. We talked and laughed all night. Way to go uncle Mikey! There were also so many awesome people that went to school with Justin. It was so fun meeting you all. I hope to keep in touch. Please feel free to call or email when you are in town. I can see why he wanted to go to the reunion to be reunited with you all! I do have to say I think I got the best catch from the class of 1990 though! ha ha ha

Unexpected angel/Justin's 20 year Reunion

The other day, Ky and I were sitting around waiting for his game when I got a call from Holly. She was out running around and wanted to know if I needed anything. Justin, my hubby, is so busy with work, the ranch, running kids around, etc, that I hate to ask him to do simple Wal-mart runs. So I said, "Please.....Take me to Wal-mart". I also needed to run by the dr's office. So when she came, I asked Ky if he little ones could stay and watch TV with him while we ran around a little bit. He is so cool. He loves little kids and he is really good with them. So he watched the three little ones while we went and did our thing. Then when we got home, I was exhausted and had to lay down. Holly and I don't know each other that well but she is the one that brought us the groceries the other day. She put away the groceries, cleaned out my fridge, emptied my dishwasher, and filled it! Now I would say that is pretty amazing!!!!

Last night was Justin's 20 year reunion. Wow, what happened? I remember when I eight years old going to the family picnic for my mom's 20 year reunion in Clifton, AZ. I fell and skinned my knee and Mike Schade (may he rest in peace) put some kind of drinking alcohol on it. Hey, it must have worked cuz I did not get an infection and I am still here today. However, I remember those people being OLD! Holy cow are we really in that age group? What the hell happened? All I can say is that I am like a fine wine and have gotten better with age! ha ha ha ha ha I left my walker at home (speaking about getting old, oh darn, I'm old). We did arrive early and found some high stools to sit on. That way no one would see me shaking. When I did stand, I would use Justin to steady me. He was really good to walk with me to the bathroom. At one time he was not around though and I really had to go. I looked at the door a few times in dread. I figured I could make it to the door but was not sure how I was going to make it from the door to the bathroom. Lord have mercy, I was off. I used the chairs along the table to stable myself. Then I made it to the door and turned the corner in hopes of seeing Justin. I did not see him anywhere. I did, however see an angel. Oh my goodness, it was Chris Wilson. I whispered to her, "Will you walk me to the bathroom?" A friend of her said jokingly, "What you can't go alone?" For a brief moment, I was defeated but quickly told her "I have a neurological problem." She felt bad. That was not my intentions but people should not be so catty. I could not say enough "thank yous" to Chris. I was so glad to see her. Justin was sure to stand by my side the rest of the evening. It was so great to be out and about among adults.

I hope to see you all at the fundraiser on July 31st in Prescott. Please feel fee to email KNitschke@hotmail.com. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bowling and Baked Goods Fundraiser

Who: Kelli (Nitschke) Carter, Blue Team RN Prescott VA
What: Bowling and Baked Goods Sale
$5/per game
Why: Kelli has a rare congenital disorder warranting an out-of-network neurosurgery in New York
When: July 31st, 2010 2pm-5pm
Where: Plaza Bowl in Prescott, AZ
Come join us for some family fun for a cause!
___________________________________________________________________________________
* Please contact Kelli at KNitschke@hotmail.com if you would like to donate a baked good item.
____________________________________________________________________________________
If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute:
An account has been set up at Arizona State Savings and Credit Union
Account # 450139781
1335 Gail Gardner Way
Prescott, AZ 86305
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
To follow Kelli’s medical journey, you can find her blog at KelliUnderPressure.blogspot.com

Praise the Lord, I am on my way to New York!

Wessy and I at the aquarium in Rocky Point 3/2009

They finally called this morning. I have an appointment for Monday, August 23rd and Tuesday, August 24th. They will do all the testing and evaluation in two days. Thank goodness. So, Justin, my sister Dondi and I will fly out on the 22nd and fly back on the 25th. Let the fundraising begin. I am shooting for the 31st. So clear your calender on the 31st of July. Not sure what yet, but some kind of fundraising will be going on in the cool weather of Prescott AZ. I am working on the bowling alley, newspaper and radio station. Busy, busy, busy. I went from sitting to a working little bee. One big problem.......I have a migraine! Darn it. To bad, it will just have to wait, I have things to do today. I already called the HR department at work. I need something in writing that states that my health insurance is not going to end prior to surgery. They can say all the nice things they want but I want it in ink! This is my families life here people. I also contacted AZ ST CU to set up a fundraising fund. I will be sending out flyers as soon as I have something set in stone. Thanks for all of your incredible support!

Kyler's little team is playing their hearts out. They keep plugging away. Tonight they have a rematch against Verde Valley. That is the only team that has beat them so far. I think we can do it though! They will play every night this week until the 15th or until they lose. Lets go for the WIN. I usually rest all day and then go to the game. It is definitely taking its toll on me. I don't care. The team needs their "good luck" charm cheering in the stands, walker and all! My pride is way less important than the support I am giving Kyler! That is what I tell myself anyway....ha ha ha

Well, I am off to get things done......

Ky's game/More kind friends...

Kyler is the third kid in from the left on the top row.

Prescott South 11-12 Allstars 2010.

Prescott South and Prescott North 11-12 year old baseball allstars went head to head on Saturday night. It was an awesome game. Luckily Kyler's team, the South, came out on top. However, I cheered for both teams. Jose had an amazing catch in center field. He ran and dove to catch a ball. Then Zach was running into home plate and was going to be out when he leaped over Taylor and landed right on home plate. It was all so amazing! We will play Williams on Monday night at 6:30 in Chino Valley. I will be rested and ready to cheer!

Yesterday my sister Traci and uncle Timmy came up from the Valley to watch Ky's game. We were all laying around when there was a knock at the door. Weird? I wasn't expecting anyone... When I opened the door, it was Holly and Todd, Justin's friends that go back to high school days. I also work with Holly's mom at the VA. They have several bags of groceries for our family! She had put a lot of thought into it too. A lot of the food are easy options for the kids to make themselves. Yay! Times have not been easy for anyone these days but people have sure been kind to us. Then Todd and Holly met up with us for Ky's game afterward. Justin and Todd were like two chatty teenage girls. blah blah blah. Todd and Holly have four kids. One is a boy that is almost 16 and two younger girls and boy. They are too cute and busy busy busy!

Thanks again to everyone that has helped us in this time of need!

I am doing fairly well considering I was out at the ballfield two nights in a row. Today and tomorrow will be days of rest in preparation for my job as the team "Good Luck Charm" on Monday night. I have a lot of cheering to do.

One small victory!

I got a call from Simon Med this morning. They re-read my MRI and sent an addendum to my current neurologist. One small victory! For those of you that have not been following me, I had an MRI done of the head and it came back "normal for age". That was after a lower quality MRI had showing low-lying cerebellar tonsil". The translation into English is: The back on the brain is being pulled down into the spinal column. However. The new god, I mean neurologist, did not order the MRI as "rule out Chiari" or "Cerebellar ataxia" or anything to do with the cerebellar region. He just ordered it due to speech problems and viral meningitis. Therefore, the radiologist quickly reviewed the overall brain and did not specifically look at the cerebellum. So, being the RN and pushy person that I am, I called the outpatient radiology clinic and told the manager the symptoms that I was having. I told them that I knew they had the best equipment and the reputation of having the best radiologist. I also let them know that I did not want to go back to my neurologist with a MRI report that showed "normal for age" when I had the prior, lower quality one showing otherwise. ha ha. I know how to work them! Now seriously, the manager was really good. He got the records and actual mri's from YRMC and had the radiologist compare the two images. And, what do you know? I have a new report on its way to my neurologist. They were not able to tell me what it said but I know what it says. The manager and the radiologist are aware that I have been accepted in the meantime by the Chiari Insititute in NY. Yippee! Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get the oil. Now I need to get a copy to be sure I have one in hand on my next visit to the neurologist on August 3rd. Now I want him to try to tell me that it is anxiety!

In the meantime, I have sent an email to NY. Maybe that route will get me a date faster than phone messages. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!!!

Rainy day lunch with friends

Yavapai College nursing graduation. Pictured here receiving an award for a one-year membership to the Arizona Nurses Association.

I slept until 10 am this morning! The medicine I take for nausea knocks my butt out!!! As you may have read, I was worn out from going to the game and a little sad about Ky moving to his dad's in Arkansas. I was nauseated, tremoring, and somewhat achy from the ride and sitting through the game. That is a lot for my body to go through. The emotions affect me too! When something upsets me, almost immediately my body starts to shake and a stabbing pain goes from the base of my skull through my left eye. It is kind of weird. The human nervous system is really amazing when it is working correctly and when it goes haywire, it is even more amazing. Drs are perplexed. No wonder they are scared of me!

It was a good thing Kyler woke me up at 10am. My friends and coworkers from the VA had invited me to lunch today and one of them had planned to pick me up @ 11:15. It is yet another baseball cap kind of day and my legs are not getting shaved! My poor husband. About seven of us met for a nice lunch at the Rooster Cafe. Yummo! The really nice thing is that we sat on the porch and it rained. Prescott has such perfect weather in the summer. I brought Kyler home some lunch too and had to remind him that he has the best mom in the whole wide world. I will not let him forget that and I even made him say it with a smile. ha ha That was because dessert and a drink was part of the deal too.

I left a third message for the Chiari Institute in New York. This time it was for the surgical coordinating nurse. If anyone is going to be accountable, I would think it would be the nurse ;). The message was left yesterday at 9am and now it is 2pm (5pm NY time) the following day. What the heck? Maybe the whole place is on vacation (for two weeks ha ha)? I really want to give them the benefit of the doubt. At least I know that I am approved to go there. That is a relief in of itself!

Have a wonderful relaxing day!

One loss closer to Ky moving...

Two days in a row, I preserved. I stayed in bed all day so that I could go to my sons allstar games. It takes everything I have to get up, get dressed, ride in the car for 30 minutes, walk from the parking lot, and sit in the bleachers for the game. It takes everything I have to use my walker in public. I know it is not politically correct to say that I am embarrassed, but I am. However, I am rising above it to be supportive for Kyler.

Kyler started playing t-ball when he was three. He has always loved baseball. Infact, I took him to a Diamondbacks game when he was just two weeks old! It was the D-backs first season in 1998. This kid has loved baseball since birth. When he moved to Prescott, I thought the love would continue but unfortunately, the opposite has occured. He has learned a lot of painful lessons playing baseball here. On the positive side, he will be going away with a lot of life lessons. If you did not already know, Kyler decided last December, that he will be moving to Arkansas. He will leave a few weeks after allstars are over. This loss tonight is one loss closer to him moving and it has hit me hard. He is an awesome player and an awesome kid! I'm going to miss him!

Still waiting on a date....

Still waiting.....

I have called three times and left two messages. Is it too much to ask to get a call back? When a dr's office calls you, they expect a call back or expect you to follow up on your end right? I get that it has been a holiday weekend. I get that they don't work on Fridays. I must be the most impatient person in the whole world! I don't want to bug them and make them not call me at all. So, if they do not call me by the end of this week, I will call them again. After all---my surgical coordinating nurse sounded surprised that they had not called me yet two weeks ago. In the meantime, I just sit and wait......

Last night, my body began to wear down. Apparently it had hit its limit. Not that I actually went anywhere but being out of bed too much. All the kids were here last evening. At 8pm we had to pick up Tielor, Karra's friend that is a 16 year old girl. She reminds me a lot of myself. She is built exactly like I was in high school, she plays sports, and she lives with her sister. She works at Fry's to support herself and pays for most everything. I just can see myself in her eyes. She will make it in the big bad world, if anyone will! We also picked Ky up from practice at the same time. We were all hungry so we picked up pizza from Domino's. Which is so rare. I can't even remember the last time we had pizza! We had to wait forever because the girl in Domino's was by herself. Anyway, my body started to tremor and ache while we waited. It was as it it was protesting being in an upright position for too long! Come on, its not like I went dancing or walking a million miles!!!!! Well, I ate when we got home and crawled into bed. That is when the aching go worse and the tremors continued.... When I woke up this morning, it was still there. Dang, it looks like I will be in bed today.....But come hell or high waters, I am going to Kyler's game. He almost cried when I told him I didn't feel good and said, "You did too much yesterday!" My response is "I guess, if doing too much is getting out of bed." Well, hopefully I will have good news to report from Ky's game tonight. Hope you all have a good day :)

Little lights/ 4th of July

A few weeks ago Kyler needed a ride to physical therapy and Justin could not take him. I told him that if all else failed, "Grab a helmet and sit in the middle!". We have an SUV and I was teasing him that I would drive. Ha ha. He smiled but did not see the humor as I did!

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. My husband and I were a little sad that we didn't get to be involved in any of the community festivities this year. However, there were some really bright spots in my weekend I want to tell you about! Justin took Ky down to participate in the parade Saturday. All the allstars were in it. When they left, I flipped on the TV just in time to see the Matt's Saloon float being pulled by the T & H Construction (The company Justin works for) transport truck. Justin and several others worked so hard on Friday to make sure it looked good for the parade. Then I got to see my handsome man Kyler and his teammates too! Yay! The upside was....when the crowd was too loud, I turned the TV down. Another upside was that I was in the house with my fan on me so I was not too hot. And finally, I did not have to park or walk a million miles. Thank goodness for whoever decided to put the parade on TV. Yeah!

Sunday I had some little visitors. I hope I can remember all of their names. If not, I have the excuse that my brain is being squeezed! Well the story starts back in high school. I went to high school with Mike Watts. His wife Liz, works at Costco. Love her. When I first met her (many years ago), I felt the honesty and kindness in her soul. We have both had busy lives and have not gotten together but always talk when we see each other. She has Alex 14, Addie 9?, Tyler 8?, and Erin 3. Three girls and a boy. Kyler knew we were having visitors but didn't know that one of them was going to be a 14 year old girl. His face was priceless. The really funny thing is that he almost came out in his underwear and I said our company is coming up the driveway so he ran back in and put his pj's on. Guess what they were? SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS pjs! How funny is that? You can't try to be cool in those. He was in and changed faster than I have ever seen a kid move. Funny. Well, back too all the little ones...They had made me "Princess and The Frog" Cupcakes. They are so cute and sooooo yummy. We all sat down and ate them together. The kids were all on their way to the water fun at the 4th of July celebration but they wanted to stay with me! Oh, I loved them. They can come brighten my day any day!!!!

Later on the 4th, my in-laws came over. We had a BBQ, ate on the porch, and had a nice visit. Later, Justin and I sat in the hot tub. The weather was just PERFECT!

Look out though, next year.....We will be out on the town.....

Joke

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Rodeo History/ Dance

Kyler went to the Rodeo and dance last night. Oh my, he was so cute! He has that 80's style longer hair and had a black cowboy hat on and boots. He put on his little wranglers. Well, I say little but they are adult size. He is so handsome. I should have taken a picture but we were in a hurry. Justin and I had just rushed to take Weston to his dads. Kyler had just finished practice, quickly ate, showered, and dressed. Then he was off. He is so lucky that Shanna includes him in EVERYTHING. Thanks Shanna and Clint. I guess when you have so many kids, what is one more? And for those that do not know, Shanna is my husbands ex-wife. I know we are weird! Clint's cutie pie Collin stayed the night with Jake, Lexi, Weston, Ky, Justin and I the other night. Collin is 5 and he kept saying "I cant believe I am staying the night. I am riding in you truck Justin!" and cute things like that. It is nice for the kids that we all get along. Kyler is alone with us a lot and Shanna lives a block away. So, he is over there almost daily. He is pretty easy though and keeps Jake entertained. Shanna also helps by taking him to and from some of his physical therapy appointments for his ankle. He twisted it near the end of the regular season.

Prescott is buzzing with people. The rodeo has been going on all week. It is cool. Justin's family has been ranchers in this area for 5 generations. I believe it was in the 1860's when they moved here. They were among the ranchers that got together for fun and began making a game of their work and that is how the rodeo began. Yep, Justin's relatives invented the rodeo and now every year in Prescott they celebrate "The Worlds Oldest Rodeo". We have a few books on the history of Prescott and it has the story of the Carter Ranchers. I think that is neat!!!!

Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend. The weather should be wonderful. I checked the 10 day forecast and it said 83 degrees. Wow-couldn't be nicer!!!

New Crazy lady in town....

Kelli and Mrs Pat-------------->

nursing school graduation

This weekend is the 4th of July. Usually I love to load up for the day and go to Pioneer Park for the day. Not this year. All I can think is I want to stay home. I want to be in my comfy bed away from the noise and the crowds. Don't feel sorry for me though. I have a weekend I get to look forward to. My hubby will be working around the house but hopefully we can grill a little and get in the hot tub! Sounds much better to me. :) Weston will be in Phoenix with is dad. Kyler will be in the Parade. If you will be there. He will be in a gray pinstripe uniform (not costume) with the number 14 and has kind of long hair. Cheer extra loud so he thinks his mom is there, k! I am going to attempt to go see his practice game Friday night. We will be loading up the walker, blankets, and lots of pillows. As long as my head is not hurting, I can lay in the grass at the ball field just as well and I can lay in my bed at home. Kyler's first real all-star game is Tuesday. I can't wait but hope I can make it through the practice game. In a way, it is a practice game for me too.

Yesterday I called my favorite instructor from nursing school, Mrs Pat. I love that woman! We talked for over 45 minutes. She has had her own share of neuro complications. So, she understands all of the issues that I am faced with on a daily basis. She went an entire year unable to walk. However, she has recovered and is able to walk now. She has a fantastic electric scooter that has a 30 mile radius. She is going to permanently loan it to me while I need it. Look out Prescott, here I come! Don't you remember growing up, there is always that one crazy person in town on the electric scooter? Well, Prescott has a new crazy lady in town! ha ha ha

Loves and Kisses to all! Keep smiling until next time......