DJ and I had a great day today at Rock Ranch!
Let me tell you, if you live in Georgia and you have never been, you need to go!
We arrived about 330, and were non-stop until the fireworks at 9:15.
I know I said it when we went last fall, but it is totally worth the admission price. It helped today that it was admission by the car load, but we would have still paid the per-person price.
Hopefully I can get pictures uploaded tomorrow. I am too sleepy right now! :)
Our life as an Air Force Family *Retired*, in words and photos.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Home Sweet Home's National Geographic/Energizer Battery Photography contest
Energizer and National Geographic are currently extending an invitation for any level of photographer to enter their most inspiring photographs for a chance to have the winning photo published in a special Energizer advertising section in the December 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine, and win the ultimate grand prize: A 10-day National Geographic Expeditions trip for two to the Galapagos Islands. Acclaimed photographer Jim Richardson will be judging the contest.
In honor of this contest, Dawn over at Home Sweet Home, is hosting a photo contest giveaway sponsored by Energizer and National Geographic. The winner will receive a one-year subscription to National Geographic magazine and a sample of Energizer lithium batteries.
So I decided to enter this picture that I took while I was exploring Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, Florida.
Go over to: http://myhomesweethomeonline.net/2009/06/26/enter-your-photo-to-win-a-one-year-subscription-to-national-geographic-and-a-sample-of-energizer-lithium-batteries/ to enter Dawn's great contest and check out all of the entries.
And go here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/energizer/index.html To enter the contest sponsored by National Geographic and Energizers contest.
In honor of this contest, Dawn over at Home Sweet Home, is hosting a photo contest giveaway sponsored by Energizer and National Geographic. The winner will receive a one-year subscription to National Geographic magazine and a sample of Energizer lithium batteries.
So I decided to enter this picture that I took while I was exploring Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, Florida.
Go over to: http://myhomesweethomeonline.net/2009/06/26/enter-your-photo-to-win-a-one-year-subscription-to-national-geographic-and-a-sample-of-energizer-lithium-batteries/ to enter Dawn's great contest and check out all of the entries.
And go here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/energizer/index.html To enter the contest sponsored by National Geographic and Energizers contest.
Friday, June 26, 2009
To all of my friends in Arizona!!! If you have kids or grandkids you need to do this!
All my friends in AZ:
Tomorrow, Saturday June 27th at 9AM we need every friend of education to come down to the legislature to protest the backroom deals being reached by the Governor and the Republican Leadership. This will be detrimental to public education!
If you have kids, or grandkids this should be important to you! Please go out and support the kids!
Yes I know I have posted ALOT today. But I couldn't let this one go by without putting it out there!
Tomorrow, Saturday June 27th at 9AM we need every friend of education to come down to the legislature to protest the backroom deals being reached by the Governor and the Republican Leadership. This will be detrimental to public education!
If you have kids, or grandkids this should be important to you! Please go out and support the kids!
Yes I know I have posted ALOT today. But I couldn't let this one go by without putting it out there!
Congratulations K&V!!!
Remember last spring (as in 08) when I asked for prayers for my dear friends V and K? They had lost their baby boy at about 20 or so weeks.
Well today they had a beautiful baby boy!!!
I am so happy for them!
Congratulations to Mommy V, Daddy K, Big Sister D!!!
Welcome to the world Baby Matthew!!!!
Well today they had a beautiful baby boy!!!
I am so happy for them!
Congratulations to Mommy V, Daddy K, Big Sister D!!!
Welcome to the world Baby Matthew!!!!
So I guess freedom of speech doesn't exist anymore
WOW, just wow.
I never thought that expressing my thoughts and opinions on my facebook status would cause such a stir.
Early this morning I posted this:
Pretty much what I posted on here later on.
I had pleanty of people agree with me. And I am the first to admit that most of them listen to either country or rock music, and are of a certain race.
However one of my former co-workers took it to the extreme. She got into a debate with another friend of mine over Michael Jackson. Invoked the name of Elvis, and his wrong doings (which as I posted on there, I don't get the whole Elvis infatuation either!) and it just went on from there.
To the point this co-worker slammed me in her repeated status updates for the next several hours, and to where a friend of hers requested to be my friend on facebook to slam me. I did not accept that request! But all over my home page when I got home from VBS was this former co-worker slamming me right and left, and raising cane about how to delete me from her page (its not that hard!)
What I find hard right now, is the fact that I am not posting on other people's tributes to Michael, telling them my feelings on the matter. I just voiced my opinion, on my status update, and on my blog, that the never ending news about a person that led a long, hard, rough, drug filled, alcohol filled, life, is getting old.
I have removed this former co-worker as a friend, so if she feels the need to continue this nonsense she can.
I wont see it.
I understand that to some Michael Jackson was "the man". But I wish that those people could realize that to a LOT of us... he was a horrible human.
People can disagree with me all they want. I really don't care, hold your tributes all you want, just get it off of my tv when there are many more life altering things going on in the world.
I never thought that expressing my thoughts and opinions on my facebook status would cause such a stir.
Early this morning I posted this:
Really thinking people need to get over the whole Michael Jackson thing! He was 50 for goodness sakes, not 25! Plus he lived a rough life with drugs, sex, and alcohol, why would we expect that he should get a free pass to live any longer than a different person that led that type of life?
Pretty much what I posted on here later on.
I had pleanty of people agree with me. And I am the first to admit that most of them listen to either country or rock music, and are of a certain race.
However one of my former co-workers took it to the extreme. She got into a debate with another friend of mine over Michael Jackson. Invoked the name of Elvis, and his wrong doings (which as I posted on there, I don't get the whole Elvis infatuation either!) and it just went on from there.
To the point this co-worker slammed me in her repeated status updates for the next several hours, and to where a friend of hers requested to be my friend on facebook to slam me. I did not accept that request! But all over my home page when I got home from VBS was this former co-worker slamming me right and left, and raising cane about how to delete me from her page (its not that hard!)
What I find hard right now, is the fact that I am not posting on other people's tributes to Michael, telling them my feelings on the matter. I just voiced my opinion, on my status update, and on my blog, that the never ending news about a person that led a long, hard, rough, drug filled, alcohol filled, life, is getting old.
I have removed this former co-worker as a friend, so if she feels the need to continue this nonsense she can.
I wont see it.
I understand that to some Michael Jackson was "the man". But I wish that those people could realize that to a LOT of us... he was a horrible human.
People can disagree with me all they want. I really don't care, hold your tributes all you want, just get it off of my tv when there are many more life altering things going on in the world.
Really? Nothing else has happened other than Michael Jackson in the world?
I swear looking at CNN.com and the like the ONLY thing that has happened in the last 24 hours is Michael Jackson's passing!
You wouldn't know that President Obama met with the Chancellor of Germany.
You wouldn't know that Iran is still prosecuting people for their disagreements with the election results.
You wouldn't know that North Korea, is still, well, North Korea and threatening the United States.
You wouldn't know that Farrah Fawcett died yesterday too.
You wouldn't know that Arizona still doesn't have a budget.... and the one they are talking about cuts money to education... our future... where are their priorities....
You know what?
I am tired of hearing about Michael Jackson! I mean really, let it rest already!
Michael Jackson was 50 years old, not in his early 20's or even 30's.
Which means in my eyes at least, he lived a decently long life. He was not snubbed out in his prime. Yes he is leaving behind fairly young children, but with the life he led, I can't see how they are worse off with him gone.
Michael Jackson was a known pedophile. He preyed on young children, and did unacceptable things. If he had been an every day joe shmoe on the street, well he wouldn't have been on the street, he would have been in JAIL!! But no he bought his way out of it.
I understand that he was the biggest name of our childhood. And the first of our idols to pass. BUT he was not a GOOD person! He had major issues! I personally am suprised that he lived to be 50!
I don't understand the need of these people to "celebrate" a child molester.
You wouldn't know that President Obama met with the Chancellor of Germany.
You wouldn't know that Iran is still prosecuting people for their disagreements with the election results.
You wouldn't know that North Korea, is still, well, North Korea and threatening the United States.
You wouldn't know that Farrah Fawcett died yesterday too.
You wouldn't know that Arizona still doesn't have a budget.... and the one they are talking about cuts money to education... our future... where are their priorities....
You know what?
I am tired of hearing about Michael Jackson! I mean really, let it rest already!
Michael Jackson was 50 years old, not in his early 20's or even 30's.
Which means in my eyes at least, he lived a decently long life. He was not snubbed out in his prime. Yes he is leaving behind fairly young children, but with the life he led, I can't see how they are worse off with him gone.
Michael Jackson was a known pedophile. He preyed on young children, and did unacceptable things. If he had been an every day joe shmoe on the street, well he wouldn't have been on the street, he would have been in JAIL!! But no he bought his way out of it.
I understand that he was the biggest name of our childhood. And the first of our idols to pass. BUT he was not a GOOD person! He had major issues! I personally am suprised that he lived to be 50!
I don't understand the need of these people to "celebrate" a child molester.
Another I Heart Faces Giveaway!
I Heart Faces Is doing another cool giveaway! A one-of-a-kind camera strap from “Pepper: Spice Up Your Camera”!!
So go on over and enter to win!!!
http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/06/spice-up-your-camera-strap-giveawayand.html
So go on over and enter to win!!!
http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/06/spice-up-your-camera-strap-giveawayand.html
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What a great week!
This week was one that I wasn't really looking forward too.
At the end of the school year, we teachers were told that we had to attend several workshops over the summer as part of our contract for this coming year.
Which are words that no self respecting teacher wants to hear, that their summer vacation has turned into training. Plus when I added in the fact that Jerry was going to be 10 days out from surgery at the start of the week, and the girls would not be here to help him take care of DJ (they are in Mississippi until the 8th with Jerry's mom, long convaluted story about how I am not too happy that DJ had to stay home, but thats for another post another day), I just didn't really want to go to this training this week.
But let me tell you, Middle Georgia RESA, ROCKS!
This week was titled Elementary Academy grades 3-5.
It all revolved around economics and teaching it in the classroom.
Let me tell you, they did a great job, showing us how to get this concept across to our students.
Since I found out for sure that I would be teaching reading and social studies this coming year, I was nervous. Mostly because our social studies curriculum is almost non-existant. We discovered in about November that we had materials that we could use, but nothing as a whole class set, so I winged it a lot this past year.
Now thanks to this class this week, I know where to find resources to use. I feel 100% more confident teaching the standards for this year in social studies.
The other reason why this week was great, was Vacation Bible School with DJ. Our neighbors Z, N, C, Miss M and Mr. D (as in DJ's hero Z's family) invited DJ to attend their Vacation Bible School. Monday was a bit rough for him, because I, in my infinate wisdom, thought he would be ok staying while I came home. Um not so much. He got upset, and ended up staying with Miss M all evening.
So Tuesday I promised to stay with him and help his class. And we have had a great time! We have come home each night talking and singing in the car.
Everyone has made us feel very welcome and everyone is so nice.
Which I know, its a church gathering, thats how it should be. However, a friend of mine's daughter is having a horrible experience with a group of kids and even the one girl's mother at another church in the county. Her experiences with this group of people is why even though we have been reached out too by two of the families from that church, I have not even pushed the girls beyond the basic we have been invited to attend such in such service, do you want to go. Mostly because I know if Kelsey or Natalie was treated the way B has been treated in the last 6 months or so, it would turn them off of church forever.
I will have pictures from VBS to share later!
At the end of the school year, we teachers were told that we had to attend several workshops over the summer as part of our contract for this coming year.
Which are words that no self respecting teacher wants to hear, that their summer vacation has turned into training. Plus when I added in the fact that Jerry was going to be 10 days out from surgery at the start of the week, and the girls would not be here to help him take care of DJ (they are in Mississippi until the 8th with Jerry's mom, long convaluted story about how I am not too happy that DJ had to stay home, but thats for another post another day), I just didn't really want to go to this training this week.
But let me tell you, Middle Georgia RESA, ROCKS!
This week was titled Elementary Academy grades 3-5.
It all revolved around economics and teaching it in the classroom.
Let me tell you, they did a great job, showing us how to get this concept across to our students.
Since I found out for sure that I would be teaching reading and social studies this coming year, I was nervous. Mostly because our social studies curriculum is almost non-existant. We discovered in about November that we had materials that we could use, but nothing as a whole class set, so I winged it a lot this past year.
Now thanks to this class this week, I know where to find resources to use. I feel 100% more confident teaching the standards for this year in social studies.
The other reason why this week was great, was Vacation Bible School with DJ. Our neighbors Z, N, C, Miss M and Mr. D (as in DJ's hero Z's family) invited DJ to attend their Vacation Bible School. Monday was a bit rough for him, because I, in my infinate wisdom, thought he would be ok staying while I came home. Um not so much. He got upset, and ended up staying with Miss M all evening.
So Tuesday I promised to stay with him and help his class. And we have had a great time! We have come home each night talking and singing in the car.
Everyone has made us feel very welcome and everyone is so nice.
Which I know, its a church gathering, thats how it should be. However, a friend of mine's daughter is having a horrible experience with a group of kids and even the one girl's mother at another church in the county. Her experiences with this group of people is why even though we have been reached out too by two of the families from that church, I have not even pushed the girls beyond the basic we have been invited to attend such in such service, do you want to go. Mostly because I know if Kelsey or Natalie was treated the way B has been treated in the last 6 months or so, it would turn them off of church forever.
I will have pictures from VBS to share later!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Home from VBS
And boy am I tired!
I now believe (or really am reminded) that Pre-K teachers are angels on earth!
I spent the evening with DJ's group of 6 kids, with 3 adults, and they wore me out!
I don't know how Mrs. H and her entire crew at school do it day in and day out.
It was a great night of fellowship, and fun. Thank you to Mindy, Candy and Karen for inviting DJ. He is having a great time, and so am I!
If you are local, and want to come for the rest of the week, let me know and I will get you the details!
I now believe (or really am reminded) that Pre-K teachers are angels on earth!
I spent the evening with DJ's group of 6 kids, with 3 adults, and they wore me out!
I don't know how Mrs. H and her entire crew at school do it day in and day out.
It was a great night of fellowship, and fun. Thank you to Mindy, Candy and Karen for inviting DJ. He is having a great time, and so am I!
If you are local, and want to come for the rest of the week, let me know and I will get you the details!
Monday, June 22, 2009
I heart faces~Let's hear it for the boys!
Kids entry: DJ running at Cassidy's pond:
And Adult: Jerry the week before his surgery:
Head on over to I Heart Faces and check out all of the great entries!~
 |
| From 2009-05-25 memorial day weekend |
And Adult: Jerry the week before his surgery:
 |
| From 2009-05-25 memorial day weekend |
Head on over to I Heart Faces and check out all of the great entries!~
Win a Trip to Blogher!
Win a trip to Blogher! Go to http://www.blogher.com/special-offer-ford#comment-107096 All you have to do is be registered with blogher, and tell them in the comments which Ford you would want to drive on a road trip!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Vintage Pearl: handmade goodies giveaway!
The Vintage Pearl: handmade goodies giveaway! Go enter to win a bunch of handmade goodies! 
Too many cucumbers
and not enough people to eat them!
Hamburger slices
Slices and wedges waiting for the pickle juice.
Pickle juice ready to go in jars
Hot water bath
Finished product. 
The one jar without a lid. Grrrr. ;)
What's a girl to do?
Make pickles of course! My grandma and great-grandma are smiling down from heaven right now! ;) They used to make pickled everything it seemed when I was little.
Between Jerry still not being able to eat real food, and the girls being in Mississippi, we have more cucumbers than DJ and I can ever eat! Trust me, I didn't even like cucumbers until we moved to England, so us having between 3 and 5 ready to pick each day since we have been home from Jacksonville, that is tooooooooooo many cucumbers!
I have given some to all of the neighbors, and still we had more than I knew what to do with.
I even added some to my left over spaghetti the other night, as well as squash.
The other day when I went to Dublin and to Kroger I noticed that they had the dill pickle spice in a ready to go mix where all you do is add it to boiling water and vinegar, then do the rest. I didn't get any then, becuase I wasn't sure if we had enough cucumbers to make it worth my time.
The answer to that was yes, but I gave some more away... ;)
Then today we went to Dublin to go out to eat for Father's Day (not that Jerry really ate a lot). Then we went back to Kroger and I showed Jerry the dill mix. He said its a PITA, but I decided that I wanted to try.
We wont know for a few days how they turned out. But so far so good! I had a couple of the jars not seal properly, so I redid them. Now they are cooling.
Here are the pictures of my adventures for the day:
Example of one of our cucumbers (this is a small one compared to the rest). 
Slices and wedges waiting for the pickle juice.Pickle juice ready to go in jarsHot water bathFinished product. The one jar without a lid. Grrrr. ;)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Pictures from the last day of my parents visit...
Which are the only pictures I have, since I was in Florida for most of their visit. 
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Beauty of Life: The Blessings of Blogging - My 300th Post - And a Give-a-Way....
The Beauty of Life: The Blessings of Blogging - My 300th Post - And a Give-a-Way....
Go over and visit Shari's blog! She is celebrating her 300th post by giving away a gift certificate from http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/!!! The necklaces are some of the cutest I have seen in a long time!
Go over and visit Shari's blog! She is celebrating her 300th post by giving away a gift certificate from http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/!!! The necklaces are some of the cutest I have seen in a long time!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Just for me
Shellie at Blog 4 Mom has challenged the MomDot community to Write 4 You. In her words she says ” I challenge ALL of you to write and post from the heart, and focus on building relationships verses looking for the next big thing, big review or big stat. Can you accept this challenge and get back to why we blog?”
What she means is that we put so much pressure on ourselves to be invited, to be the next big thing in the blog community, to have 100s of comments, big reviews, and judge ourselves by our stats.
Instead, write a post for you and only for you. Talk about your life, your family, your dreams, whatever it is that is “you”.
Now we all know, or anyone who reads my blog on a semi-regular basis, my blog is all about me. I don't put on airs, I don't write about what I think other people want to hear. I write about our lives, as a military family, my life as a mom and a teacher. But I wanted to join in this challenge, as a chance to meet other bloggers, and see if there are other bloggers out there like me still, the ones that write for the same reasons I do.
I use my blog as a way to vent my feelings, express what I am thinking on an almost daily basis.
Do I sensor what I write about?
Sure I do. Because as a teacher, military wife and mom I am fully aware that someone out there could read what I write and I could suffer from it.
I could suffer proffesionally if I were to write about every little thing that happens at work, that I don't agree with. Or if I were to write about other teachers, or my students and their lives.
We could suffer as a family if I were to air all of my complaints about the Air Force, and the military.
We could also suffer as a family if I were to complain about every little thing that happens in our lives. Where would the trust be then?
I treat my blog as a journal, for the most part. A journal that I share with family, friends and even strangers, so I have to watch what I think and say. I try not to think a whole lot about what someone would think if they were to read my blog, but I know that I do.
Right now our family and therefore my blog are in constant state of change and worry. I worry about Jerry's surgery and health.
I worry about Jerry's recovery.
I worry about the girls being in Mississippi alone with MIL for a few weeks.
I worry about Kelsey falling off the horse this morning, less than 24 hours after getting to Mississippi.
I worry if DJ is ready for kindergarten, and what can I do to get him prepared in the next few weeks, since he didn't go to the prek summer program (at my choice since we were out of town.)
I worry about getting the lawn mower running again so I can finish mowing the grass. Z started it for us, and got most of it mowed, but the mower quit and now it wont restart. It bugs Jerry when the grass is long, and he so badly wants to get out there and cut it himself.
We really need a riding lawn mower to do the entire yard in one go, but who can afford one of those these days?
I worry about the house in Florida. It is trashed on the inside from what my MIL said after stopping by last week. I worry about making the payments on a house that we cant rent like it is, and I worry about finding the money to fix it up the way it needs to be fixed up in order to rent it out. I worry about the fact that the mortgage company will not help us, and will not talk to us until we fall further behind. I really think that they want us to go into foreclosure.
So thats all about me right now, my fears and worries.
What she means is that we put so much pressure on ourselves to be invited, to be the next big thing in the blog community, to have 100s of comments, big reviews, and judge ourselves by our stats.
Instead, write a post for you and only for you. Talk about your life, your family, your dreams, whatever it is that is “you”.
Now we all know, or anyone who reads my blog on a semi-regular basis, my blog is all about me. I don't put on airs, I don't write about what I think other people want to hear. I write about our lives, as a military family, my life as a mom and a teacher. But I wanted to join in this challenge, as a chance to meet other bloggers, and see if there are other bloggers out there like me still, the ones that write for the same reasons I do.
I use my blog as a way to vent my feelings, express what I am thinking on an almost daily basis.
Do I sensor what I write about?
Sure I do. Because as a teacher, military wife and mom I am fully aware that someone out there could read what I write and I could suffer from it.
I could suffer proffesionally if I were to write about every little thing that happens at work, that I don't agree with. Or if I were to write about other teachers, or my students and their lives.
We could suffer as a family if I were to air all of my complaints about the Air Force, and the military.
We could also suffer as a family if I were to complain about every little thing that happens in our lives. Where would the trust be then?
I treat my blog as a journal, for the most part. A journal that I share with family, friends and even strangers, so I have to watch what I think and say. I try not to think a whole lot about what someone would think if they were to read my blog, but I know that I do.
Right now our family and therefore my blog are in constant state of change and worry. I worry about Jerry's surgery and health.
I worry about Jerry's recovery.
I worry about the girls being in Mississippi alone with MIL for a few weeks.
I worry about Kelsey falling off the horse this morning, less than 24 hours after getting to Mississippi.
I worry if DJ is ready for kindergarten, and what can I do to get him prepared in the next few weeks, since he didn't go to the prek summer program (at my choice since we were out of town.)
I worry about getting the lawn mower running again so I can finish mowing the grass. Z started it for us, and got most of it mowed, but the mower quit and now it wont restart. It bugs Jerry when the grass is long, and he so badly wants to get out there and cut it himself.
We really need a riding lawn mower to do the entire yard in one go, but who can afford one of those these days?
I worry about the house in Florida. It is trashed on the inside from what my MIL said after stopping by last week. I worry about making the payments on a house that we cant rent like it is, and I worry about finding the money to fix it up the way it needs to be fixed up in order to rent it out. I worry about the fact that the mortgage company will not help us, and will not talk to us until we fall further behind. I really think that they want us to go into foreclosure.
So thats all about me right now, my fears and worries.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sugarland and the B52s.
I missed this last night when Jerry and the girls turned the show off. Caught it tonight. LOVE IT!!!
Florida Wildlife
Since I have nothing really new to report today, other than the fact that the older two are safely in Mississippi for a few days or weeks (depends on how soon MIL is tired of them!), and Mom and Dad are on their way to Iowa. I figured I would post a few of the pictures that I took last week.
I love this guy! He walked out in front of me when I was on my walk, and just stopped. He wasn't super concerned about me!
I love this guy! He walked out in front of me when I was on my walk, and just stopped. He wasn't super concerned about me!
Frog!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Have you seen this?
Bill Maher's Obama rant,
So what do you think? Is Obama spending too much time being a celebrity?
So what do you think? Is Obama spending too much time being a celebrity?
Home from the base
This morning Jerry and I had to run into the base to check in with Mrs. W his Tricare Case Manager.
She talked to us for a few minutes, then walked us down to the clinic so Jerry could get and fill out the paperwork for his convalescent leave. While he was filling that out Mrs. W, DJ and I walked down to the travel managers office so I could turn in our receipts, so we could be repaid for everything.
The travel manager, the same one that made a point to tell me in an email last week to bring everything into her as soon as we got back?
Yeah that one!
Well she is on leave this week, and wont be back until Monday. Convenient considering that they have training all this week on base.
Anyway I left everything with the fiance lady, and she said if she got a chance she would do it for me. I hope she will, because it sure would be nice to have that money back, sooner rather than later!
I just have to hope that the package doesn't get misplaced on one of the two desks!
Mrs. W then had E (Jerry's PCM's nurse) check Jerry's blood pressure, which was actually lower than E has ever seen it. So I have to take him back in tomorrow to have it checked again. They also want to keep an eye on his weight since he had lost 15 pounds between Friday and Sunday.
We were going to go to the BX, but by the time we went to BK and got lunch, Jerry was hurting so we came home. We can do the BX tomorrow.
My mom and dad are going to drop Kelsey and Natalie off at MIL's house tomorrow, for a couple of weeks. The girls asked Mom if they would mind driving down I20 to MIL's so they could spend time there. They had wanted to go for the entire summer, but that fell through, then they wanted MIL to come by here and pick them up on her way home from Jacksonville, but she wanted to go straight home. Either I will go get them around the 4th of July, or MIL will bring them home. Just depends on Jerry, I guess.
So it will be just us and DJ for a few weeks.
Oh and the animals, to include 3 new kittens that were born yesterday. Anyone want three pure white kittens? ;)
She talked to us for a few minutes, then walked us down to the clinic so Jerry could get and fill out the paperwork for his convalescent leave. While he was filling that out Mrs. W, DJ and I walked down to the travel managers office so I could turn in our receipts, so we could be repaid for everything.
The travel manager, the same one that made a point to tell me in an email last week to bring everything into her as soon as we got back?
Yeah that one!
Well she is on leave this week, and wont be back until Monday. Convenient considering that they have training all this week on base.
Anyway I left everything with the fiance lady, and she said if she got a chance she would do it for me. I hope she will, because it sure would be nice to have that money back, sooner rather than later!
I just have to hope that the package doesn't get misplaced on one of the two desks!
Mrs. W then had E (Jerry's PCM's nurse) check Jerry's blood pressure, which was actually lower than E has ever seen it. So I have to take him back in tomorrow to have it checked again. They also want to keep an eye on his weight since he had lost 15 pounds between Friday and Sunday.
We were going to go to the BX, but by the time we went to BK and got lunch, Jerry was hurting so we came home. We can do the BX tomorrow.
My mom and dad are going to drop Kelsey and Natalie off at MIL's house tomorrow, for a couple of weeks. The girls asked Mom if they would mind driving down I20 to MIL's so they could spend time there. They had wanted to go for the entire summer, but that fell through, then they wanted MIL to come by here and pick them up on her way home from Jacksonville, but she wanted to go straight home. Either I will go get them around the 4th of July, or MIL will bring them home. Just depends on Jerry, I guess.
So it will be just us and DJ for a few weeks.
Oh and the animals, to include 3 new kittens that were born yesterday. Anyone want three pure white kittens? ;)
Monday, June 15, 2009
I Heart Faces~ Sepia Toned
Kids Entry: This cutie belongs to my friend Sherri:
And then for the adult entry: Kelsey and Cassidy
Head on over to I heart faces and check out all of the great entries!
 |
| From 2009-05-25 memorial day weekend |
And then for the adult entry: Kelsey and Cassidy
 |
| From 2009-05-25 memorial day weekend |
Head on over to I heart faces and check out all of the great entries!
We are home
And Jerry is resting. He didn't want to lay down right away and didn't want to take any more pain medication so by the time he did he was hurting.
The labs that were scheduled for today were ran yesterday at the hospital, so as soon as I ran to Evil Empire to get a money order for our rent, and got that in the mail we left for home.
Let me just say that the beds at the hotel on Mayo were so much more comfortable than the other hotel! I slept like a baby. :)
I was hoping that Jerry would not need to go into the base for a few days, but I just talked to his case manager and she would like to see him tomorrow some time. :sigh:
I don't think that Dr. B's secretary understood what I needed when I called and asked her for a letter outlining to the Air Force what Jerry can and can't do for the next few weeks. She said she will mail one out to me, but I asked Mrs. W to call Nurse R and get something from them.
Our trip home was uneventful, Jerry slept most of the way, thanks to his pain medication. Good thing too, since on I95 you can't avoid all of the potholes. ;)
My mom and dad are going to stay in the hotel down off the interstate for a couple of nights, so that Jerry can sleep in his own bed tonight.
The labs that were scheduled for today were ran yesterday at the hospital, so as soon as I ran to Evil Empire to get a money order for our rent, and got that in the mail we left for home.
Let me just say that the beds at the hotel on Mayo were so much more comfortable than the other hotel! I slept like a baby. :)
I was hoping that Jerry would not need to go into the base for a few days, but I just talked to his case manager and she would like to see him tomorrow some time. :sigh:
I don't think that Dr. B's secretary understood what I needed when I called and asked her for a letter outlining to the Air Force what Jerry can and can't do for the next few weeks. She said she will mail one out to me, but I asked Mrs. W to call Nurse R and get something from them.
Our trip home was uneventful, Jerry slept most of the way, thanks to his pain medication. Good thing too, since on I95 you can't avoid all of the potholes. ;)
My mom and dad are going to stay in the hotel down off the interstate for a couple of nights, so that Jerry can sleep in his own bed tonight.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Search question of the week was....
Does Tricare pay for you to go to the Mayo Clinic? (according to sitemeter)
Long answer short....
Sometimes.
Long answer long...
The individual case has to go before the Tricare panel, and they make the final determination.
In our case Jerry's specialists in Warner Robins and Macon all agreed and wrote to the panel that the best course of action for his surgery was to come here and have the best doctors, the ones that pioneered the surgery, do the surgery. As they all (6 of them total) felt that with Jerry's history with high blood pressure, the severity of the hernia/esphogeal erosion, potassium problems, the best solution was to have him taken care of here.
It took Tricare almost 6 months to agree to send us here for even the consultation, and then another couple of weeks after that for them to agree to allow the clinic to do the surgery.
Your best solution is to ask for an active duty Tricare case worker to be assigned to your case. This is usually an RN that works closely with your military doctors, Tricare approved off base doctors, and Tricare. They are supposed to look over your records and coordinate with all of the medical parties concerned to make sure that Tricare and all of the doctors know what is happening.
The caseworker in Jerry's case is a wonderful woman Mrs. W, who has fought for him tooth and nail to get him the best care possible.
Long answer short....
Sometimes.
Long answer long...
The individual case has to go before the Tricare panel, and they make the final determination.
In our case Jerry's specialists in Warner Robins and Macon all agreed and wrote to the panel that the best course of action for his surgery was to come here and have the best doctors, the ones that pioneered the surgery, do the surgery. As they all (6 of them total) felt that with Jerry's history with high blood pressure, the severity of the hernia/esphogeal erosion, potassium problems, the best solution was to have him taken care of here.
It took Tricare almost 6 months to agree to send us here for even the consultation, and then another couple of weeks after that for them to agree to allow the clinic to do the surgery.
Your best solution is to ask for an active duty Tricare case worker to be assigned to your case. This is usually an RN that works closely with your military doctors, Tricare approved off base doctors, and Tricare. They are supposed to look over your records and coordinate with all of the medical parties concerned to make sure that Tricare and all of the doctors know what is happening.
The caseworker in Jerry's case is a wonderful woman Mrs. W, who has fought for him tooth and nail to get him the best care possible.
Sunday evening update, out of hospital
Its been a long day!
Jerry's blood pressure was high all night, so the nurse and tech were in and out about every hour. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. I don't think for the most part they really woke Jerry up. Go figure.
This morning his blood pressure was still running high, but not to where they were worried about it. So about 8:45 I told Jerry I was going to go back to the hotel, take a shower and a nap, and would be back.
MIL and BIL met me at the first floor elevator. I think I upset MIL because I wasn't waiting for the Dr. Howsers* to come and check in. But I needed an escape for a few hours. MIL stayed with Jerry long enough to meet with the Dr. Howsers and ask them questions. She said it sounds like they are going to wait until we come back in July to see what happens with his potassium as he is being weaned off of the reflux medicine. Which sounds like a decent plan to me.
I went back to the hotel, took a shower, and then relaxed for a bit. I couldn't fall asleep like I wanted so I ended up packing up all of our stuff and putting it in the car. I figured if Jerry stayed in the hospital I could get up early and check us out in the morning, not having to worry about getting our stuff.
While I was grabbing some lunch Jerry called me and said that they were releasing him. So I came back to the hospital and waited with him.
Jerry was released from the hospital about 3 pm this afternoon.
Since it was so late in the afternoon, and since we are not sure if he has an appointment tomorrow or not, we are staying again tonight. We have schedules that have an appointment for in the morning with the doctor, and another that does not have one until July. Plus we need to get a note from Jerry's doctor about his restrictions and what not for work. Goodness knows that some of the idiots that he works with will expect him to be back to normal on Tuesday!
I asked Jerry about the three flights of stairs at our hotel, and he said they had an elevator, but I think it was broken more than it worked, since I never saw anyone use it. Plus I was going to have to ask for clean sheets for the bed, and we would have to share a bed tonight, or more than likely I would be sleeping on the floor. I decided that we should check out from there and check in to one of the hotels on Mayo property. If we have to pay for it ourselves we will.
After I got Jerry comfortable at the hotel on Mayo, I went to check out of the other hotel, then to get his prescriptions filled. I went to the Evil Empire by the hotel, and they didn't have 3 of the medicines. The tech called the two Evil Empires that are closer to Mayo, and one of them had all of the prescriptions.
The only problem then was that the one reflux medicine that the Dr. Howsers gave him is not covered by Tricare, without prior approval. Luckily the pharmacist called over here to the hospital and talked to the Dr. Howsers and they changed that medicine, plus changed the dosage of the potassium prescription so that the strength that Evil Empire had in stock would work.
Now we are relaxing at the hotel. Jerry has taken a nap and a shower. I have eaten dinner from the restaurant.
Tomorrow I will get up early and call to double check Jerry's schedule, and put in a call to Dr. B's nurse about the letter for the Air Force. Then we should be on our way home. It will probably take us a long time to get home, since I don't know how long Jerry will be able to ride.
Jerry's blood pressure was high all night, so the nurse and tech were in and out about every hour. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. I don't think for the most part they really woke Jerry up. Go figure.
This morning his blood pressure was still running high, but not to where they were worried about it. So about 8:45 I told Jerry I was going to go back to the hotel, take a shower and a nap, and would be back.
MIL and BIL met me at the first floor elevator. I think I upset MIL because I wasn't waiting for the Dr. Howsers* to come and check in. But I needed an escape for a few hours. MIL stayed with Jerry long enough to meet with the Dr. Howsers and ask them questions. She said it sounds like they are going to wait until we come back in July to see what happens with his potassium as he is being weaned off of the reflux medicine. Which sounds like a decent plan to me.
I went back to the hotel, took a shower, and then relaxed for a bit. I couldn't fall asleep like I wanted so I ended up packing up all of our stuff and putting it in the car. I figured if Jerry stayed in the hospital I could get up early and check us out in the morning, not having to worry about getting our stuff.
While I was grabbing some lunch Jerry called me and said that they were releasing him. So I came back to the hospital and waited with him.
Jerry was released from the hospital about 3 pm this afternoon.
Since it was so late in the afternoon, and since we are not sure if he has an appointment tomorrow or not, we are staying again tonight. We have schedules that have an appointment for in the morning with the doctor, and another that does not have one until July. Plus we need to get a note from Jerry's doctor about his restrictions and what not for work. Goodness knows that some of the idiots that he works with will expect him to be back to normal on Tuesday!
I asked Jerry about the three flights of stairs at our hotel, and he said they had an elevator, but I think it was broken more than it worked, since I never saw anyone use it. Plus I was going to have to ask for clean sheets for the bed, and we would have to share a bed tonight, or more than likely I would be sleeping on the floor. I decided that we should check out from there and check in to one of the hotels on Mayo property. If we have to pay for it ourselves we will.
After I got Jerry comfortable at the hotel on Mayo, I went to check out of the other hotel, then to get his prescriptions filled. I went to the Evil Empire by the hotel, and they didn't have 3 of the medicines. The tech called the two Evil Empires that are closer to Mayo, and one of them had all of the prescriptions.
The only problem then was that the one reflux medicine that the Dr. Howsers gave him is not covered by Tricare, without prior approval. Luckily the pharmacist called over here to the hospital and talked to the Dr. Howsers and they changed that medicine, plus changed the dosage of the potassium prescription so that the strength that Evil Empire had in stock would work.
Now we are relaxing at the hotel. Jerry has taken a nap and a shower. I have eaten dinner from the restaurant.
Tomorrow I will get up early and call to double check Jerry's schedule, and put in a call to Dr. B's nurse about the letter for the Air Force. Then we should be on our way home. It will probably take us a long time to get home, since I don't know how long Jerry will be able to ride.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday night update
We just turned out the lights to see if Jerry can go to sleep unaided. I doubt it, but its worth a try.
He is still in quite a bit of pain, and his blood pressure is higher than they would like.
They are just not sure if his blood pressure is a result of the pain or not. I am thinking not, since it does not seem to be coming down after they give him his pain medication. It might come down a little bit, but not a ton.
Not that either of the Dr. Howsers have been to see him since this morning.
I have a feeling he will not be discharged tomorrow, not that I want him to be, especially with his blood pressure and what not being high!
I also am not looking forward to having to try and get him to the third floor of our hotel! So hopefully they will keep him until at least Monday. That is when we are supposed to check out anyway, so if we are to stay for a couple more days, I will check us out and then move to the hotel here at the clinic. The hotel here has elevators if they have to put us above the first floor! Plus payday is Monday, so even if Jerry isn't released I can check us in with our debit card, and not stress too much about not being able to use Jerry's card. The military can just pay us back, rather than pay the card (its what will happen for the hotel we have now!)
I am staying with him again tonight, his blood pressure is high enough to worry even an old hat like me. Plus its easier on him to get me to do for him, than to have to call for the nurse or tech to come, and have to wait on them.
As for my BIL, Jerry thinks he is more nervous and upset about Jerry having this surgery and being in pain, and thats why he is sooooo talkative. Could be, I haven't ever spent this much time with him, but I know that he is always a talkative one. I just normally have an escape route. ;)
Well Jerry has stopped wiggling around, so maybe he is asleep. I guess I should try to get some too.
He is still in quite a bit of pain, and his blood pressure is higher than they would like.
They are just not sure if his blood pressure is a result of the pain or not. I am thinking not, since it does not seem to be coming down after they give him his pain medication. It might come down a little bit, but not a ton.
Not that either of the Dr. Howsers have been to see him since this morning.
I have a feeling he will not be discharged tomorrow, not that I want him to be, especially with his blood pressure and what not being high!
I also am not looking forward to having to try and get him to the third floor of our hotel! So hopefully they will keep him until at least Monday. That is when we are supposed to check out anyway, so if we are to stay for a couple more days, I will check us out and then move to the hotel here at the clinic. The hotel here has elevators if they have to put us above the first floor! Plus payday is Monday, so even if Jerry isn't released I can check us in with our debit card, and not stress too much about not being able to use Jerry's card. The military can just pay us back, rather than pay the card (its what will happen for the hotel we have now!)
I am staying with him again tonight, his blood pressure is high enough to worry even an old hat like me. Plus its easier on him to get me to do for him, than to have to call for the nurse or tech to come, and have to wait on them.
As for my BIL, Jerry thinks he is more nervous and upset about Jerry having this surgery and being in pain, and thats why he is sooooo talkative. Could be, I haven't ever spent this much time with him, but I know that he is always a talkative one. I just normally have an escape route. ;)
Well Jerry has stopped wiggling around, so maybe he is asleep. I guess I should try to get some too.
5 minutes for Moms and HP are working toward Blogs can change lives
5 minutes for Mom, and HP are working together to give a special military member a new laptop to take with them on their next deployment.
Here are all of the details:
We wish we could slip an HP Mini in every soldiers bag before they sling it over their shoulder and board their plane. But, we can slip it into ONE soldier’s bag — one special soldier who may need an extra boost of encouragement for themselves or their family.
HP is providing one HP Mini 1000 for us to giveaway. Because the Mini is designed for people on the go, we want to give it to a member of the military so they can keep in touch with the world they had to leave behind.
The HP Mini 1000 retails starting at $299.99 and at less than an inch thick and weighing little more than 2 pounds, it won’t weigh a soldier down!
The HP Mini 1000 includes Genuine Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3 for getting things done and staying connected in a protected environment, an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities as well as a built in webcam and microphone. It also boasts a keyboard that is nearly full size at 92% of a regular keyboard.
All of these combine together to create the perfect station for storing photos, music and files while giving you access to the internet and to family even when far from home.
If you know of a deserving member of our military go over to 5 Minutes for Mom and nominate them!
Here are all of the details:
We wish we could slip an HP Mini in every soldiers bag before they sling it over their shoulder and board their plane. But, we can slip it into ONE soldier’s bag — one special soldier who may need an extra boost of encouragement for themselves or their family.
HP is providing one HP Mini 1000 for us to giveaway. Because the Mini is designed for people on the go, we want to give it to a member of the military so they can keep in touch with the world they had to leave behind.
The HP Mini 1000 retails starting at $299.99 and at less than an inch thick and weighing little more than 2 pounds, it won’t weigh a soldier down!
The HP Mini 1000 includes Genuine Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3 for getting things done and staying connected in a protected environment, an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities as well as a built in webcam and microphone. It also boasts a keyboard that is nearly full size at 92% of a regular keyboard.
All of these combine together to create the perfect station for storing photos, music and files while giving you access to the internet and to family even when far from home.
If you know of a deserving member of our military go over to 5 Minutes for Mom and nominate them!
Saturday afternoon update
I realized that I never said where we are at in case anyone needs to get a hold of us.
Jerry is in room 308 of the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic.
We have both of our cell phones if you have those numbers. Or obviously you can email me.
Right now Jerry has only been out of bed twice, the first time he walked down the hall about 10 feet, then the last time we went about 20 feet.
His swallow study came back clear, so Dr. Loogie Howser* said he could start clear liquids today. So about 11:45 or so they brought him some water.
He was having pain when he swallowed so he was not drinking a whole lot. The nurse vented his stomach tube, and that helped. Jerry forgot that it was in, or what it was for, so she taught him something new (Dr. Doogie Howser* told MIL, BIL and I last night.)
BIL has hardly shut up since he came in the door this morning. You can tell Jerry is out of it, because he has not told him to shush. I am not sure why he is even still here. I know he came last night to support his mom and check on Jerry, but he is still in the room with us, and is talking almost non-stop.
MIL went back to the hotel to rest, and to let Jerry get some rest, I think she was hinting to BIL to let Jerry get rest, and he didn't get it. The thing about it is that this is Jerry's older half brother that he really never grew up with. He has had a rough life, so a lot of his talking deals with that, or fishing, or politics, or reality tv (he and MIL had an hour long discussion about "cheating" and Judge Judy, earlier today).
I almost feel like asking Dr. Loogie Howser* to give me pain meds. ;)
Jerry is in room 308 of the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic.
We have both of our cell phones if you have those numbers. Or obviously you can email me.
Right now Jerry has only been out of bed twice, the first time he walked down the hall about 10 feet, then the last time we went about 20 feet.
His swallow study came back clear, so Dr. Loogie Howser* said he could start clear liquids today. So about 11:45 or so they brought him some water.
He was having pain when he swallowed so he was not drinking a whole lot. The nurse vented his stomach tube, and that helped. Jerry forgot that it was in, or what it was for, so she taught him something new (Dr. Doogie Howser* told MIL, BIL and I last night.)
BIL has hardly shut up since he came in the door this morning. You can tell Jerry is out of it, because he has not told him to shush. I am not sure why he is even still here. I know he came last night to support his mom and check on Jerry, but he is still in the room with us, and is talking almost non-stop.
MIL went back to the hotel to rest, and to let Jerry get some rest, I think she was hinting to BIL to let Jerry get rest, and he didn't get it. The thing about it is that this is Jerry's older half brother that he really never grew up with. He has had a rough life, so a lot of his talking deals with that, or fishing, or politics, or reality tv (he and MIL had an hour long discussion about "cheating" and Judge Judy, earlier today).
I almost feel like asking Dr. Loogie Howser* to give me pain meds. ;)
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