Spring Break 2012

The kids have been on spring break this week. They got out of school last Thursday and do not go back until this coming Monday. We had big plans for this spring break. We were supposed to be on the Norwegian Epic on a 7 day Carribean cruise. Instead, I got staph infection and here we sit, literally. Yesterday, I was supposed to be laying on a beach in Saint Maarten, and instead I was sitting in my orthopedics office learning that my surgery has been rescheduled once again. April 10 is going to be the date as of now, subject to change once again of course!!! Not the spring break we had so hoped and planned for.

Chuck took the boys to Atlanta on Saturday and they went to Six Flags and the World of Coca Cola. They came back home on Monday and have been somewhat occupied since. Hunter went to Pensacola today with his grandparents and tomorrow he is going to see The Hunger Games with several of his classmates. Zach has been hanging out with his friend Travis.

We have looked into booking another cruise for next years spring break and hope to get that booked here shortly!!! Usually we cruise on Royal Carribean, but this year we were going to try out Norwegian Cruise Lines. I am thinking we may end up back on Royal Carribean next time. We are also supposed to be going on a cruise in June to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary. Depending on my surgery, I may or may not be able to go...time will tell.

We did buy season passes for Six Flags so I told the boys we would make several trips to Atlanta over the summer and go spend some time there!!Even if I have to ride my scooter, we will go to Six Flags this summer!!!!!

Staph Infection - An Unexpected Bump in the Road

I had all intentions of doing a better job of keeping up with my blog this year...obviously the year has not gotten off to a great start in that area!! After graduating in December I was so excited to be able to look for a "real" teaching job and get back to substitute teaching. I did apply for several jobs, went on an interview, and also did some substitute teaching up until Jan 13!! Things were going great.

I woke up on Saturday, Jan 14 not feeling the best, but I was also not able to put much weight on my right leg. I had this ankle fused about 2 years prior. It would bother me from time to time but the day before I had subbed first grade and had NO problems walking or getting around. By that evening, I could not out any weight on it and I was feeling awful!! We went to the ER where we sat for 4 hours with out even being called back to a room to wait!! Went home and took some pain meds and then went back to a different ER on Sunday. They did ultrasounds, xrays and lab work and said all was fine, no sign of infection or anything unusual. I had an appt with my orthodic dr that Monday so home we went again. I am also starting to run a fever at this point. Went to the ortho on Monday and they said I had the flu and sent me on my way! I did not have the flu!!! On Tuesday, I went to my family dr who said that I probably had a touch of cellulitis in my right ankle/leg. I had also started throwing up by this point too. was given meds and sent home and asked to get some lab work on Thursday and come in for a recheck on Friday. That evening, an abcess started forming on the back of my right heel, it was NASTY!! I called my family dr back on Thursday on they told me to go straight to the ER. This time when I showed up they finally decided that yep, I had a problem.

As a side note, Chuck was also out of the country at this time!! He was able to make it home before I went into surgery on Friday evening!! I stayed in the ER all day and my ortho finally called and said they were going to transfer me to another hospital because I would be needing the services of the infectious disease drs and they would be doing surgery on Friday to drain the abcess. After my surgery late Friday night, it was determined that I had a staph infection and it appeared to have gotten into my bone...not good.. I went back into surgery on Tuesday afternoon and they removed all of the hardware that was in my right ankle/leg/foot. Before the surgery they kept telling me that there was a very real possibility that I would lose my leg. Of course that sent me into panic mode and I started looking at other places where I could get a second opinion. After the surgery on Tuesday, it was decided that even though the infection had gotten into my bone, amputation was no longer on the front burner...huge relief.

Long story short, I spent 9 days in the hospital. I was sent home with a PICC line and IV antibiotics until March 7. As of now, my surgery to refuse my ankle is scheduled for March 6. I have a "hole" on the back of my heel where the abcess burst open that is still not healed yet but the area is not infected! We are doing wet/dry dressing changes twice a day and the area is healing so I am hopeful the surgery will take place as planned.

Stay tuned for updates!!!

My Birthday!!!

Well, yesterday was my birthday!! I turned 45 years young!! I really do not think of myself as being 45 years old...I so not usually feel very old at all!!!

All the boys in my family took the boat out yesterday and went fishing. That left Sommer and me at home alone with not much to do!! My mom and dad came by right after lunch and brought me a birthday cake - German Chocolate that my mom made for me!! Sommer and I then went to Tallahassee for a little retail therapy. It was my birthday but I bought her a pair of Five Finger shoes!! I had actually ordered her a pair for Christmas but they were too big. We then went and looked at her new townhouse that she and 2 friends will be moving into in the next couple of weeks. She then took me out to eat at the Mellow Mushroom...LOVED it!!! The boys called when we were paying our bill and wanted to know where I wanted to go for dinner!!! Ugh...I was so not hungry at that point!!! Anyway, we went home and then Chuck took me out to eat at Miller's Ale House. I was so full when I went to bed last night I felt horrible!!!

Not much else went on yesterday. My bestie Stacy called to wish me a Happy Birthday and my brother Chris and SIL Kim both texted me a birthday wish. Chuck brought me back a secret locking box from Bahrain, a walnut camel and then he also got me a Pandora necklace...LOVE it!! I also got a lot of FB love from friends yesterday!!!

Tomorrow starts a new school week. I am subbing 2 days this week and 2 days the following week. I really did enjoy being back in the classroom last week when I subbed in 2nd grade. I have applied for 2 jobs in Leon County but have not heard anything back, although I am not really expecting too. I will be happy to sub the remainder of this school yeear and then start looking for a job for the 2012 school year.

That is all for now!!!

Another Fun Day!!!

Well, today was another fun day of doing absolutely NOTHING!!! I am BORED out of my mind!!! The boys are still in Georgia hunting and Sommer is just spending time with her friends. She and I did go out to dinner at El Jalisco this evening. I am thinking tomorrow I may go get a manicure...I really need one!! My nails are getting so long and I do not want them to break off.

Hard to believe in 3 days it will be the end of 2011. This has been an eventful year at our home. Sommer graduated from high school, I graduated from college, Hunter lost 30 pounds at camp this summer, and Zach made a trip half way around the world and had a blast. Oh yeah, Chuck went back to his first love...FLYING!!!

2012 should be equally as exciting. I hope to be able to find a teaching job with the new school year. I am certified to teach general education K-6 and ESE from K-12. I also have endorsements in reading and ESOL. I would love to teach 7th grade but not sure that will happen. I would have to go back and take more tests to get that certification for general education. The state of Florida no longer offers the Integrated Middle Grades exam so I would have to do subject area exams in all subjects. Otherwise, I would love to teach somewhere in the 2nd through 5th grade area!!

That is all for now. The doing of nothing is calling my name once again!! More later!!!

End of the Year...finally!!!

Well, Christmas has come and gone. All the time spent preparing, wrapping presents, cooking food, and it is all over with in the blink of an eye!! We did our Christmas early this year because Chuck had to leave town on Dec 22 to go fly in Bahrain. He will not be back home until January 05, 2012. He has basically missed all holidays since Thanksgiving. Christmas has been very bittersweet this year. This is the very first year that I have not spoken with my brothers or their families during the holidays. We had a bit of a disagreement over Thanksgiving and I guess that I am now the awful sister. Oh well, what can I do. Your family is your family. You do not get to pick and choose. I did sent them all a text message to wish them a Merry Christmas. I thought about calling but honestly did not think they would answer the phone. Oh well. I love them all deeply, and maybe one day they will realize that. Until then, there is nothing I can do.

Christmas went well. We had to rush to get things done early, but overall, it went very well. On Christmas Day the boys and I went to see a movie and then went by and saw both sets of grandparents for a little while. Sommer quit her job at Subway before Christmas so it has been nice having her home and around for a change. She and 2 of her friends are looking at moving into an apartment close to campus at the first of the year so it has been nice having her around!!

Not much else going on. I am subbing the first day back to school so I am looking forward to getting back to the classroom!! I have applied for a couple of jobs but no luck yet. I m not really expecting to get anything until the start of the school year in August.

The End of a Journey!!!

Well, it is hard to believe, but my education journey is finally at its end!! On Sunday, December 11, I will graduate with my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education. I started back to school in 2007 and I am finally done...what an accomplishment!! I would not have made it this far without the support of my wonderful family...I love you all so very much!!!

I am very excited to be in the position to one day soon have my very own classroom. I have already applied for a couple of jobs in the 3rd grade. I am more than qualified, but there are so many teachers applying for jobs that it is getting harder and harder to find a position. I will keep my fingers crossed and see what happens!! I will keep substitute teaching in the meantime!!

Now, what to do with all the free time on my hands since I do not have a project that has to be completed!!!

Whats going on in our world!!!

Well, it has been awhile since I last updated!! Hunter came home from camp and has been doing great!! We are all on program with him and things are going very well. Basically the program is just cutting the fat out of your meals. We eat no more than 4 grams of fat at any meal. The only thing I am missing is my peanut butter!! I am now using PB2 which is actually not too bad!! He has lost a few more pounds since being home. The biggest problem is getting in the activity. He has started participating in an after school physical fitness program so we will see how that goes.

Internship is more than half way over for me!! I can not wait until Dec 2!!! I will be DONE!!! I am back in my boot because I was not allowed to sit down any during the day!!! As a result, my ankle swelled beyond belief and I could not walk. I am now wearing my boot and riding my scooter while at school. I do get up to teach and walk around while I am teaching but no more just being on my feet to be on my feet!!

Chuck is back flyng full time and loving every minute of it. He is currently in Rome and Germany and will not be home until the end of the month. He has been spending time in Belgium and Dubai also. Life is rough for a pilot!!

Sommer is doing great in college. She is participating in Model UN and they are going to New York and Atlanta after the first of the year...she is ready to go now!!

Have so much more to write but I have to go take dinner out of the oven. More to come!!!