Ohhh...the things that I could do if I had the time!

being off work for the past couple of weeks has been so relaxing...would have LOVEd to get more things done, but....well...just haven't felt like it. I LOVE to craft. And...I love it more when it's for someone I care about.

The two stockings are just the unfinished project that I apparently promised Shawn & Ang LAST Christmas....sorry guys...they are ALMOST done! Just need to bind them!

The Disney princess's are barretts for our little princess's. Kallie LOVEs them...walks around pointing to them..."it's a princess, it's a princess! I tried to take a picture of her with her hair all done up with Snow White in it, but she was jumping all around and it was nothing but a blur...got to catch her when she's not expecting the kodak moment. Angela's Mom made her the first one, and I fell in love and said, those are so simple...yeah...NO! After I got the hang of it- they were, but not so much at first. I still want to make tinkerbell...she's my Favorite, but I'm out of green ribbon. Maybe next week! The last two pictures are baby seat covers...I made one for Mick in U of U print and have had SOOO many comments on how cute it is, so I have played around with it some. Gave the Monkey print to a past Young Women who is about to become a Mommy...the pink...just saving it for that lucky someone. The kids say I should sell them...maybe...but marketing them, NOT so fun! Next project...a scrap book for a lucky couple...(hope they feel so lucky upon receipt)...and some sewing for our little princess's. Dang...I only have one week left...should have held out for MORE!

Had my follow up appointment with good ol Dr. Roth this past week. Have I mentioned how much I like this guy. Really...if anyone who reads this needs a new OB/GYN....this is the guy! Really, he's awesome in all ways!

His comments to me were..."gee, you really were messed up in there! I feel bad that we didn't operate sooner!" You even had a cyst, that was benign of course, but man...it was all corjungled in there...(is that even a word?). It sounds like I'm making fun of him...I'm not. I really love the guy! He talks to you like your a real person, and not just a person on the chart. He has true compassion and concern for not only me, but my family. He asks about them all the time. He remembers everything about us! He's amazing! The rest of the visit was about Rick's back and bad knee...he noticed that he was hurting when he came to talk to him after surgery! He wondered how he was feeling? Really...what Dr does that! Of course he asked about the time off and if I needed more....that's another story.

The Hewitt Company who handles short term disability for Discover was willing to allow 2 weeks off...that's the norm for a lap. surgery. They argued with me about the additional time off, until they spoke with his office. They actually called me back and apologized and encouraged me to request more time if needed and to be sure and take the proper paper work to the Dr's just in case! Dr Roth gave me more due to the mess that he found. He would have given me more I think, but I don't want to push it. I'm feeling fine, other than this STUPID cough that hit me the day after surgery and is still kicking my butt. Today I threw in the towel and went to see our family Dr...or should I say the Medical assistant....which is ALWAYS there versus the Dr...not sure what his schedule is....anywhos....cough horrible, really kicks up when out in our NICE FRESH AIR (NOT) and at night. Feels basically like I'm coughing up a lung. She put me on steroids, mega antibiotic that ran us $55 bucks with insurance and lots of vitamin C and liquids. Says I should feel better within 3 days! I hope so! Was hoping for more energy during this time off...lots of laying around. Tended Preslie and Hayden for just a few hours the other day...you would have thought I ran a 5K...came home and took a 3 hour nap! Today...just lots of laying around...now REALLY restless! Gonna hang with the Heartland ladies for a bit...don't worry girls...Doc says I'm not contagious!

Daddy's princess!

Being a parent is hard...no matter what situation your in. Chris dove into parenthood the minute he met Kallie and has NEVER turned back. She's so blessed to have him in her life and it's a joy to watch him relish in her 110%! She loves her Daddy and is lucky to have him!

bye bye lefty ovary...didn't need you anyway!

first picture is the bad ovary...second is the good one...I think!

For the past few months, maybe 6 or more...I've had a pain in my lower left abdomen. I spoke to my general family Dr about it and he ordered all the 50 year old tests...colonoscopy, ultrasound...etc etc....and found a cyst on my right ovary...but wait, it's the left side that hurts. He suggested I speak to my OB. Oh good...I like him sooo much better..good ol Dr. James Roth. They looked at my reports and said they weren't worried about the cyst...pretty small, have it looked at in 6 months and if it's still there he'll remove it....hmmm...wait a minute, but what about this pain. He said, well....it could be scar tissue caused from your hyterectomy in 2005, and I can remove it through a lapascopic surgery. Should we schedule you? I hesitated, didn't have any PTO left from work, and wasn't real excited about the well...it could be diagnoses...so I said, let me think about it. Maybe it will just go away. It didn't. It actually got worse. Several times, bringing me to tears and wondering....should I just go to the ER? But, I would take 4-6 ib-brokens, and it would ease up. Not ever really going away, but would just go into the background and I could ignore it. In November, it was real bad, and I called the Dr and they were ready to schedule surgery immediately, but wait...no PTO...ugh...I'm waiting until January. The end of December came, and I was hurting...so I gave in and scheduled. First they gave me the end of January and I begged for sooner....she gave me 1-11-11....I grabbed it and was ready. So now I have one ovary and no pain! YEAh...other than it has kicked my butt and I'm not feeling like dancing yet. Off work until 2-7-11...yeaaah...hoping to feel stronger soon!

I'm FIVE years old!

Talan...aka T-ray turned 5 on 1-16-2011. Wowsers batman...already! Really! Wasn't he just walking around with the "binkie" face???

T-ray is so much fun to have around and will have you laughing most of the time. He's tender, a thinker, witty, a home body, and well, he's just our favorite 5 year old. We can't wait to celebrate with him in a few weeks at Disneyland! He followed in his big bro's footsteps and had a birthday celebration at Classic. A new found favorite place of the Schneider household. Gramma and Grampa showed up for just a few moments to say hi, and wish him a fun party, but too much bumping around at a place like that for good ol gramma who had surgery two days prior. Besides, the kids wanted her to play and that was not happening! Sorry dudes, later time!

ENDURE TO THE END

I fed my Mom today, then I cried on the way home. Emotions come from out of no where when it comes to my Mom. Lately I've been numb, but today, I just wonder what is her test, my test, or whoever's test? Why does she have to endure to this end?

Her food is pureed, looks appetizing doesn't it. No wonder she would rather chew on her bib! Her skin is a mess, and has everyone at wits end. Dr. Canfield is beside himself, can't figure what it is. Now she has a skin tear on her hand, most likely from her scratching at it. Lyndsey tells me the social worker for our Hospice is trying to find a dermatologist that does house calls...yeah, bet that exists!