Andy and Diane Lucas

Wow... it has been a long time since I have blogged

2011-06-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

This week we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. My fibromyalgia was bad most of the week and kept us home. Today I was feeling some what better and we went for a day trip to get out of the house. We enjoyed our trip to Newaygo, MI. where we visited a store that has just about everything you are looking for, and some things your not! Then we had pizza pockets for lunch :) mmm...they were sooooo good.

2009-08-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

It saddens me to say that our friend Dave has passed away. Please continue to keep his family in your prayers.

Wed. Hospital Visit

2009-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

I had yesterday off, so I spent a few hours at the hospital visiting Dave. The tracheotomy had not been done as of then.

Prayer Request

2009-08-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

On July 27th our friend Dave had a artery collapse and lost oxygen to his brain. He remains in ICU in a coma. Dave (age 42) is one of Andy's co-workers at KCRC. He is married with a 3 year old daughter, he also has 2 older girls from a previous marriage.

Andy and I have spent many hours at the hospital with Dave and his family. We know how much each and everyone of them need our support. If we can not make it to the hospital we call and get a update. Even if it is no change, we want them to know we are thinking of them and Dave.

Dave is breathing on his own but has been and continues to be assisted with a ventilator. His temp. has gone down, and he has good blood pressure numbers. He does open his eyes and blinks, but they say that is normal. They say there is brain damage. We are unsure of how much. The Dr.'s and nurse's have not given the family much hope.

I spoke with his father yesterday afternoon, he said they would be doing surgery for a tracheotomy. I am under the understanding they do this after a week so the tubes they have in his throat do not damage the vocal cords and throat muscles.

If you are reading this we know there is power in prayer, and this family is sure in need of those prayers.

I will continue to update, once I have more info.

Opps...

2009-06-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

I forgot to send my friend Tracey a 45 th Birthday card! I did remember her birthday as it is on my Dad's birthday (I called and left him a voice mail Happy Birthday song) and the day we graduated from high school. Sooooooo sorry Tracey! Hope it was a great day!

2009-03-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

I am back to work. It has been very slow. Makes for a long day even when you only have a 5 hour shift.

This last weekend we started cutting trees from the back lot and one huge one by the house that is interfering with the sewer line. I am itching for a bonfire, but Andy says it is still to early.

I have enjoyed finding classmates on facebook. I often wonder about there lives and where they are. I hope overtime more classmates become available.

Follow up Dr. Appointment

2009-02-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (Wed. 2/25) I had my follow up Dr. appointment. Andy took the day off and went with me. I got the okay to do what I want. I can drive! I return back to work on March 9th :(

Have you heard or seen the movie FIREPROOF? We have heard nothing but good about it and both wanted to see it. So after the Dr. appointment we came home and watched it. What a awesome movie. If you have not seen it, we both recommend it! This will be a movie that will be watched over and over in our home.

Update on my cousin Cathy's Surgery... surgery was yesterday, they found the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes of one of her breast. She was in a great deal of pain yesterday. My mom actually talked to her today and she was doing some better. Please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers.

Michaels, Home Depot, and The Brown's House...

2009-02-23T06:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I finally got to go someplace other than this house. I have been inside since my surgery on the 12th. I was ready to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy the change of scenery.
Andy worked on Saturday and Sunday due to the snowstorm we got on Saturday. He was home before 2pm on Sunday which meant he still had time to drive me into town.
So our big outing was 1st to Michael's to buy some yarn. I thought I had bought enough yarn to keep me busy while off work, but I seem to have used almost all that I had bought in that first week, and I didn't want to be without something to do this week. I have been crocheting baby hats and donating them to the hospital.
Our 2nd stop was to Home Depot, where Andy bought some dremel piece to sharpen the chainsaw chain, and a tool box for his dremel and its parts. I found different light switch plates for the bathroom, nothing fancy but now they will match. Now I will need to save and find a different light fixture, door knobs and towel bars.
We then decide to come back home because I was tired and ready to relax after my burst of energy was gone. I have had a craving for cheese popcorn, so Andy stopped by the party store and picked up a bag and a newspaper.
When we arrived home, we unloaded the truck and walked next door to the Brown's house for a visit. Rick and Andy went to the garage (Rick's man cave), while Cindy and I stayed in the house and visited. I was nice to sit someplace else and have a person to talk to. We were truly blessed when we moved and got the Brown's as our neighbors !

Prayer Request Update

2009-02-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

My last post was a prayer list, here is an update to some of those.

My brother came thru his surgery and found that it was not as bad as they had first thought. He is home recovering. He has since had a dr. appointment where they removed every other staple. Next dr. visit he will have the remaining staples removed.

My surgery last Thursday went well. I am doing well and home recovering. I see the dr. on the 25th for my follow up appointment.

My cousin Christy's friends little girl that was bit by there dog sent an update, here is part of that email:

i just wanted to update everyone. i had lunch with stacy and ashlyn today. we stopped there after our mom's group/school at the kids' insistance. their other choice was a soft pretzel at the mall. this means they really love ashlyn!! haha

she looks great considering the circumstances. the only pics stacy had of the injury day were ones from her cell phone and WOW it's a world of difference from the injury until now. she is playing and acting great and her marks are healing so quickly. the before pictures we saw with the swollen and sad little girl are now replaced with a smiling dancing girl who crawled through tunnels and mimicked my kids. the injury is on the right side of her head mainly and the little wounds from the teeth marks are almost disappearing. the stitches will come out next week and let me tell you - that dog got her good just beyond the hairline. the saving grace is that she's healing unbelievably well and that makes me sooo thankful for any little prayers you said. the bruises are still there and stacy has no idea why the dog did that to her and it's a sad situation since she had to lose her dog in all this, too. she has to keep reminding herself what he did that caused him to go. the saddest thing, too, is that it was totally out of his character to do anything like that.

she also said that the trip through the library to the fire station was so helpful since when the ambulance arrived she was familiar with one of the faces that showed up - AJ from the firestation who did the tour. what a blessing! she said seeing him immediately put her at ease and after they checked her over they said they were pretty certain there was nothing so deep that it punctured her eye or got to her brain. when they got to sparrow hospital there were approximately thirty people waiting to fix up her baby! that was also a relief. ashlyn is not bothering the stitches at all and although she had a VERY rough second nite *(first nite the sedatives helped her sleep) second nite she was up every half hour...but despite that she's back to normal and played peek a boo with me and laughed and showed off those adorably perfect dimples! i also want to add that i think that the work the plastic surgeon did on her nose will make it hard to tell this ever happened. praise God!

Thank you all for your prayers and for your well wishes.

Prayer List Request

2009-02-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

This year has found family and friends with medical problems.

Nephew - Ammi - neurofibromatosis - With NF it is a wait and see game. You can have epilepsy, scoliosis, leg bone deformities, high blood pressure, cancers of the blood, brain tumors, blindness, deafness, mental retardation, learning disabilities and it is said that there is a link between NF and autism. He also has sensory integration disorder, low muscle tone and speech delays.

Friend - Dave - Heart problems - currently on medication.

Brother - Brian - Hernia - surgery today 2/6/09
(he also has MS)

Cousin - Cathy - Breast Cancer - will be having surgery, date unknown.

Friend - Woody - Heart Attack - had 2 stints put in.

My cousin Christy has a friend that her 1 year old was attacked by there dog. This is part of the her email :
would you mind adding my dear friend stacy to any prayer list you can. she has the sweetest little one year old baby. her dog (stacy's own dog) attacked the baby today unprovoked (that we know of) she had to be ambulanced to the hospital and will have about 20 stiches on her head tomorrow and a plastic surgeon did some work on her little face today. when i spoke with stacy earlier she was still in shock. i met her about this time last year (funny story - another day!) and we instantly hit it off and i've photographed ashlyn a couple times since i love doing patriotic themes and the father/husband is in the navy. stacy is going to need strength and understanding. the dog bit her a few months ago and she intended to put him down but she had accidently stepped on him under the chair when she stood up and the dog reacted when he awoke from being asleep - which i would say WAS a provoked bite, the dog being startled like that. spencer has never done anything to worry her about the baby but when she saw what happened today it must have been horrible for her. i'm afraid the guilt might get to her (for not having him put down before) so if you could just pray for her family to trust God and for the doctors to be knowledgeable in this matter. they were home tonite but she just was having a really hard time and have to return to hospital in the morning for the headwound to be stitched.

Christy sent me another email about a friends daughter, here is some of that email: On the 10th she was having her cleft palate repair surgery. Brianna will have to eat soft pureed foods for 6 weeks and can only use a traditional cup. Nothing can go past the teeth. The first 3 weeks, she will also have to wear “No-No’s” on her arms. These keep her arms straight so she does not put anything into her mouth. Please pray that we make it. She has always been a trooper and she is resilient, but we are nervous. The Dr’s. tell us to prepare for weight loss. Ryan, and I are getting ready for a smoothie diet as well. Being that Brianna is almost 2, she wants to try and eat everything we do. We are right in it with her. Bring on the yogurt, protein, frozen fruit and blender. If any of you have any good pureed food recipes, we could use them.
So please pray for the following –
No sickness prior to surgery (so she can have it).
Successful anesthesia and surgical procedure
Smooth recovery with good adjustment to new diet
Patience
Unfortunately, we also will have to endure another hip surgery in the future. We found out 2 weeks ago that when Brianna is sitting in a “frog” position, her hips are in, but when she stands or straightens her legs out, the hips pop out. One good thing is the sockets are forming nicely. It is just the ball of the hip that does not want to stay in. This means, they will cut the bone, realign the hips, and place her in the lovely spica cast for a minimum of 6 weeks. We find out in May when this procedure will take place.

I will be having surgery next Thursday 2/12.

Not to mention all the people that have lost there jobs, or unsure of there jobs at this time.

Trying to catch up...

2009-01-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

It has been some time since I have sat down to post anything. The holidays have come and gone, and things are getting some what back to normal.

We have decided to stop our Mona vie business, that was a tough decision for us, and believe me it is NOT because we do not believe in the product, because we DO! There are many reason for this decision, maybe even some excuses, but we will just leave it at that.

Winter has been very busy for Andy, he has worked day after day after day. He is hoping for a weekend day or even a weekend off. However it does not look like it will be this one :(

I am still working 20 hours a week unless payroll is a issue and they cut hours, then it can be about 15.

Holiday Baking

2008-12-02T11:43:00.001-08:00

Mm...the smell of homemade cookies. This is going to be a busy week with making cookies for orders, my cousin in the service, and some Christmas gifts.

It snowed here on Sunday and Monday. We have about 7". It was a heavy wet snow so it is beautiful outside with all the trees covered. The roads have been slippery and Andy has been working overtime.

Today I called my best friend Jane, it was great to visit with her and hear about the family and the new house that they are working on. Thanks Jane, Miss you so much!

Black Friday ... Gone to far

2008-11-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of November . Wow...where has this month gone? I can hardly believe that tomorrow rings in December 2008. There will be plenty to do with the Holiday fast approaching. I am no where near done with my shopping!

I must say this whole BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING DAY has gone to far and has gotten way out of hand. I heard of a Wal-Mart employee in New York that died from customers breaking down the door and trampling him. I can honestly say that there is no item that anyone purchased that was more important than that persons life. My heart goes out to his family.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON... not any products on any shelf, in any store, at any price!

Feeling Better...

2008-11-20T07:37:00.001-08:00

I am going to work today. I have a voice so far, I just hope it last through the night. I am feeling much better since going to the Dr. on Monday.
Andy continues to hunt but as of last night no deer.

Just another Monday

2008-11-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

I have been sick since last Wed. with a sore throat, stuffy,cough, no voice,etc... I went to the Dr. today Monday and I have the "Michigan Crud". It seems every year when the weather changes fall/ winter and spring/summer I come down with this. I had been doing so good. I didn't even relize that I had not been to the Dr. since June, unless you count the chiropractor. I was excited to find I had reached a weight mark that I had been aiming for! I am on medication now so hope to be back to myself in a day or so.
Frozen Cokes are my friend this week, helping with the sore throat and so tasty..mmm...

Opening deer hunting day was Saturday and Andy along with his dad and two of his brothers (Randy and Dean) went hunting on the 20 acres that Andy and Randy have. In the morning none of the great hunters seen anything! In the afternoon his dad seen 1 doe and Andy seen 5 but no shots were fired as it was to hard to tell what they were so he came home with none!
Today Andy went back out hunting and seen 2, but to far away to even take a shot at.

Having a rough time...

2008-11-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

Thursday the weather started to change and I started with the fibromyalgia pains kicking in big time. Sore back, legs that just ache...I wanted to cry they hurt so bad. Friday I spent some time in my craft room but most of the day I was just trying to get comfortable. Thank God I don't work on Friday's. Saturday I worked and it was a nasty rainy/snowy day. Aches and pains continue...
Today I had a 6 dozen cookie order to complete. I completed 4 dozen of the six and the other 2 dozen are going to have to be done later.
I wonder how the winter will effect me this year. I certainly have had some rough days when the weather changes and hope that I can continue this battle without medication.

November warm weather

2008-11-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

Wow...Can you believe this warm weather? It is great. I know it will not stay but in the 70's in November. I am off today and was going to do some baking but think I will push that back to Friday when it is suppose to turn cooler. Much like Michigan should be in November.

First Weekend in November 2008

2008-11-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

This last weekend we worked on clearing the woods behind the house. We are taking out the woods up to our property line. This is making way for the garage (pole barn) that we plan to build in the future. My parents were here, along with my nephew Charles and his family and my nephew Michael and our friends/neighbors the Brown's.

Fall is in the air...

2008-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

October 08

Wow...It has been awhile since I took time to post anything. Where do I start? Guess I will start with today. Most of you know I work part time (20 hours a week) for a major retail company. Today they called and told me not to come to work because they are cutting payroll. Hm...I have been there 12 years and I must say that was a first! I have been at work and asked to leave early but never called. I was like oh, okay! I wasn't to disappointed at first, but then as I thought about it more and more, I was! If they are cutting payroll then why did they hire people this week?

September 08

Twins 1st Birthday Photos . We had a small birthday party here for them on the weekend after there birthday.

I just got to say...

2008-09-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

I just got to say... Jessica Price Awesome song last night on America's got Talent. You got our vote!

Happy 4th Birthday Josie

2008-08-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today is my neice Josie's 4th Birthday! I hope she has a awesome birtday at Chuckie Cheese's tonight. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Josie, Happy Birthday to you!

Photo taken 7/08 Josie and her Daddy (Charles).

Hi...

2008-07-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

No we have not fallen off the face of the earth! We have been busy with the yard, garden, and summer itself. We hope that everyone had a safe and Happy 4th of July. We started vacation on the 4th and will return back to work on Monday 14th. This week has gone by way to fast! We enjoyed a neighborhood picnic and fireworks on Saturday the 5th. The fireworks were awesome! However the grand finally did not go off as one of the workers was injured. Please keep Chris in you thoughts and prayers. He has a broken hand and a banged up face from his hand flying back and hitting himself in the face.
Wed. and Thur. my parents were here from the east side of the state. It was to short of a visit but it was nice to see them. We enjoyed Wed. out with the Brown's (neighbors) at Rick's fathers house out at Gun Lake on his pontoon boat. We had 7 adults, 1 child (my nephew Liam) and 1 dog! It was a awesome day! Liam enjoyed himself so much. His sister Josie had surgery on her tear duct that day so he spent it with us and got a lot of one-on-one attention. Josie did well through her surgery. When Charles and Mandie stopped to get Liam after Josie surgery. The twins were proud to show us that they are starting to stand and let go and take a few steps. Wow! How they have grown in the last 10 months.
Thursday Mom and I played in the scrapbook room with her Cricut she brought with her. What a cool machine. Andy and Dad went fishing, caught some but not keepers. They worked on the boat we borrowed from Randy and got that up in running. So maybe I will try my hand at fishing this weekend.
We picked our first green pepper from the garden on Tuesday! Not much planned for the rest of vacation, just enjoying the time off!

Drink it. Feel it. Share it.

2008-06-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few months back. Which explains a lot about why I have been so sick in the past. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that affects the muscles and soft tissue. Fibromyalgia symptoms include chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points at certain parts of the body. Fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms can be relieved through medications, lifestyle changes, stress management, and other fibromyalgia treatment.I have been following a sugar control diet and cutting out most processed foods. I have decided not to take prescriptions for this and have been working ever so hard on the natural way to feeling better. A family friend recently introduced us to Mona vie. Have you heard of this? Mona vie is a delicious and healthy blend of 19 fruits. We have been taking 2 ounces in the am and 2 ounces in the pm. Wow! What a difference! I have so much more energy, less pain, and my husband is now back to sleeping through the night!
Drink it. Feel it. Share it.

2008-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

This has been one rough week! Tuesday I was under the weather with a migraine. Wednesday started out okay but turned into another one by late afternoon. Today so far so good! I had a Dr. appointment this morning for my ears and my shoulder. Well the ear issue is from my allergies, and the shoulder issue, is going to put me in therapy. I had a x-ray today and just waiting on therapy to call and schedule my first appointment. Something is going on in the joint of the left shoulder. I was so happy to find out it was not my rotator cuff!
We are getting some booming thunderstorms today, raining hard and looks like it is dark outside with the street lights on. I am not a fan of storms and looks like it will be doing this until next week! YUCK!
I soon will have to go to work so I guess I better get some house work done.

Busy Holiday Weekend...

2008-05-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Wow! Summer has officially started with Memorial Day weekend now over with. We had a very busy weekend helping the neighbors split and stack wood, working in the yard and planting our first garden. I have planted some flowers in pots around the yard and in the garden we have planted tomatoes cucumbers, zucchini, cantaloupe, and peppers (red, green and yellow). It will be fun to watch the plants grow and produce vegetables and fruits.
June will be a busy month for us with graduation open house's,starting this Sunday with my nephew Michael's and continue through the end of the month. Not to mention my birthday and our 1st wedding anniversary :)

Home from the Vet's Office

2008-05-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday May 16, Ace had a appointment with the vet. I had not taken him to a vet since leaving my job in Kalamazoo in 2006. Many of you know he is often sick after he eats. I had test done on him shortly after i got him to see what was wrong. Basicly I was told he had a narrow esophagus and there really wasn't much I could do. Well the new vet seen him Friday and kept him till Monday night to examine him and placed him on some antibiotics with steroids. So far so good! I did not realize till late Friday night they were keeping him! Not only keeping him for the night but through the whole weekend. The first night was very rough and Monday could not come fast enough for me. He was very cautious when we first got home. He didn't eat much till yesterday evening, but this morning he is starting to act like his old self. Waking me up so he could eat. I have the next two days off and believe there will be many hours spent holding him. The house was not the same without him here!

Fibromyalgia

2008-05-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations.

Above is info on what I haev been diaganosed with. This should help those of you who were looking for info about it.

On a brighter note Ammi & Eliora are now 6 months old. They sit up, and scootch everywhere. Eliora has 2 teeth and Ammi has 0. They were here last month when I took these pictures .

Today...

2008-04-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up so sore. I had to call off from work :( I have a tremendous amount of pain in my left arm from the shoulder to the end of my fingers, all the way down my left leg, my back hurts, and now my right ankle is starting to ache. I have faithfully followed the sugar control diet I have been place on. So why do I hurt today??? My Dr. is out of town this week, and my chiropractor is not in on Tuesday's. I hope and pray tomorrow is a better day!

Spring Break 2008

2008-04-14T06:13:00.001-07:00

Diet, Rest, Exercise

2008-04-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

I went to my Dr. appointment last week and she is having me follow the strict (sugar control) diet that the Chiropractor gave me the day he told me I had Fibromyalgia. She took time with me and went over the list of food I can and can't have. Gave me ideas for lunches on the go (work). I am to call back next week if I think I need to see a dietitian.
Three things to help with fibromyalgia Diet, Rest, Exercise...
Saturday morning before work I was cleaning out the pantry of things that I can no longer have, which is almost everything in there. Andy sat at the table telling me what he still wants me to keep, for the nights he has to make dinner for himself, because i am closing at work. I sat there sorting through all these baking supplies and the tears just started rolling down my face. I struggle with the idea of not making cookies anymore. That has been a part of my life for many years and something I truly enjoyed. Some people say sure you can still make them for others, but the temptation would still be there!

Loss...Health...Life...

2008-04-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

Loss...I was sadden by the news of a former boss, Wally Bronner from Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland passed away. I had the opportunity to work at Bronner's for about 5 years. He was always a happy man with a warm hello, a joke, or a story to share. My heart goes out to the Bronner Family in there time of loss.

Health... I have a Dr. appointment today. I was recently told I have Fibromyalgia.
I have been place on a Sugar Control Diet. That means no processed foods, soda, candy, cookies, wheat products or wheat like products, potato's, noodles (pasta), etc...

Life... I have reflected on a question a friend was asked!
"When you going to grow up and do something with your life?"
I think of things in my life that I would like to be different.
I want to be a better christian!
I want to be a better wife, family member and friend!
I want and need a different job!
I often wonder...
"What is my purpose in Life?"

Snow again...yuck!

2008-03-28T06:49:00.001-07:00

Happy Spring...or at least I had hoped! Not yet...we got another snow storm last night. I am over SNOW!

We recently put in a wireless doorbell! Hurray! You can now tell if someone comes to the door. Funny how a working doorbell can make you Happy!
We also put up a carbon monoxide detector. I had recently seen a couple of stories about them on the news and decide that was a must. So we took our Home Depot Gift Card from Christmas that Tony and Amy bought us and used it to purchase these important items.

Brrr... it's cold in Michigan

2008-02-22T05:28:00.000-08:00

A photo of our house with icicles on a cold winter day in Michigan!

Wish I had the the whole weekend off to spend with Andy, but I work on Saturday. I think this might be his first or second one off since winter begain!

I am so happy it is Friday! My mom came to town yesterday to see my nephew and his family for a few days. Today I will spend some time with her, I am sure we will hit a few scrapbooking stores and do some other shopping.

Silly Photo's

2008-02-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

My cousion Christy emailed me these photo's of her recent day spent with my nephew and his family...

Picture 1) Liam, Josie, Tyler, and Brooke making silly faces.

Picture 2) Charles making a silly face.

Looks like they all had a fun and silly Valentine's Day!

How cute are these!

2008-02-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

2008-02-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

Okay...test results - they can not find anything wrong. They did see that my lower back has some arthritis in it. That however did not cause the pain in my left side. I have no idea what it was or is so I returned back to work on Thursday. I talked with the chiropractor about working less hours and he thinks it would help my body. Andy and I discussed it and we have decided that I will still work at Sam's Club, but I will only fork 4 days at 5 hour shifts per week. I will continue to seek other employment that would not be so demanding on my back.

I hope every one had a great Valentine's Day. Check out these pictures that my cousin Christy took of the Oliver twins. I just love these!

Sick, Sick, Sick....and then it Snow's

2008-02-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

Okay... I have been so sick!

Week 1) It started with pulling my back out and having 2 days off due to that.

Week 2) On Tuesday while getting ready for work I got this headache that just would not quit. I took some medicne and thought it should go away in a little bit. I arrived at work feeling much worse and was having problems with my vision. I worked for 2 hours when I just could not function and had to leave work. I called Andy and told him he would need to take me to see the Dr. because I could not drive. I sat in the parking lot and thought I think I can drive, so I drove (safely) to Andy's work and parked in fron of his truck and waited for him. He came and took me to the Dr. and 2 shots later one for each hip (guess she didn't want one hip to feel lonely) ouch! I was sent home to rest. On Wednesday and Thursday I was still having this same problem so I was scheduled to see a Opthamoligist for further testing. I did will thru my test and Andy brought me home and back to bed I went. ( Oh! did I mention that on Wed. I went to bed at 11pm and got up at 2:36pm when the phone rang and told me I had to see the opthamoligist that day. ) Friday morning, I wake up with good vision... Thank God! I still have the headache but it has lightened some. Saturday morning, no headace...Thank God! However I woke up with this stabbing pain on my left side, hmm...toughen up and go to work. Andy was at work so I had no one here to tell about it. Maybe it will just go away!

Week 3) Pain from my left side is still there and dare I say worse. I was not as lucky today...Andy did not have to work and when I bent over to get something from the freezer and the pain was like a knife stabbing me, Andy was you are going to the emergency room...no I will be fine. When he said he was calling the ambulance thats when I said ok I'll go. As we pulled out the drive, Andy said well I must love you here it is Super Bowl Sunday and we are headed for the hospitial. We arrived at the er at 2:14pm and got out at 7ish. They gave me some drugs, took some blood, and a cup-o-pee, I had a ct scan for my abdomin and then they ask how you feeling...hmmm! You drug me up and want to know how I feel, does this make sense. I was released with a pain killer script, with a unknown reason, and orders to follow up with my dr. the next day. Monday Andy takes the day off and takes me in to the dr.s office. She is stummped also. So I was sent home to take the pain killers for 24 hours and then to follow up with her if there is any change whatsoever. Andy took off Tuesday and I slept more than I was awake.

Wednesday morning, the only change is it is not as intense of a pain and Andy was called in to wo to work at 6am. Ice, Sleet, Snow and winds...Good Day to stay inside! I call the dr.s office to get a appointment for a recheck. Ok, bad roads and I am on my way back to the dr.s office. I get there and get to give another cup-o-pee and chest xrays. See the dr. to find I have a slight infection, so I am given some samples of meds and a order for another ct scan for my chest area on Friday.

I follow up with my dr. on Monday!

Thursday morning, Andy had to be at work at 4am today. No change with me other than I am so sick of beign SICK all the time!

Okay...anybody got any suggestions?

What a awesome god!

2008-01-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

I want all you blogger's to check out this site on my space...

MySpace URL:
http://www.myspace.com/kristyreynolds

This is about a little boy that was injured by a babysitter. People from everywhere have been praying for him! How awesome is our god!
I check for updates on him every few days and tonight was so happy to see a video posted!
As I watched the video tonight my eyes were filled with tears.
All I can think of is How Awesome is our God!

I enjoyed my 3 day weekend off. Stayed home mostly and relaxed. I did go with the neighbor Cindy to the meat market in Lowell on Saturday. Andy wanted some beef sticks. They are really good. I was not so sure at first but I will buy them again. I also got Andy some spicy meat stick and some turkey jerky...think I will pass on those.
Sunday night I bent over to get a piece of paper to print something from the computer and pulled my back out! I was in so much pain and having spasms that neither one of us got much sleep. I went Monday to Dr. Newmyer for a adjustment ( dad Lucas took me). I stayed home today and will go back to Dr. Newmyer on Wednesday. Hope to return to work on Thursday.
So my 3 day weekend has now turned in to 6.

2008-01-18T10:41:00.001-08:00

Happy 50th Birthday Brian...

2008-01-17T14:31:00.000-08:00

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Okay, so I never did post pictures from my last visit to see the twins. They were sleeping and I was waiting for them to wake up! Maybe next time.

Work has been slow and been cutting hours. Retail after the holidays...yippee! I finished work today and have a 3 day weekend. Hum! What shall I do? I am so looking forward to one day in my pj's. Oh yeah! I think that was yesterday when I also had the day off :)

2008-01-09T05:14:00.000-08:00

Good morning,
I am doing much better today! I have today and tomorrow off from work :)
Today will be busy, I need to go to the chiropractor, I have a appointment for a haircut, and I have errands to run. I am up early so I can get busy, because today I am going to see some of my nieces and nephews. I am so looking forward to it. I hope to take some pictures to post later today. Till then ta-ta!

Memories of January 8th

2008-01-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

I made it through the day, however not without crying many tears in the last two days! Today marks the 14 th year since John passed away. Last night at dinner Andy and I discussed that night. I sat there with big crocodile tears running down my face as we talked. Someone at the funeral told me it gets easier in time, at that time I didn't see how! It does get easier as time goes on, but it is something that you never forget. Each year on this day a million questions and memories come rushing back into my life. I know that God does things for a reason, I am just not sure what that reason is or was!

2007 - 2008

2007-12-30T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hello... wow here it is almost the end of the year! Guess we are ringing out 2007 with a cold. I started getting sick this last week and now Andy is starting with it! We want to wish everyone a Safe and Happy New Year. We will be staying in on New Years Eve, and most likely will be sleeping long before midnight! They are calling for snow, so Andy may have to work on Tuesday. I work New Years Eve until 2:45pm and the I am off Tuesday ( a paid Holiday :) ) and off on Wednesday. The Lucas Family will be having a New Years Day get together and we plan to go to that, or maybe I should say I do if Andy has to work. We enjoyed time with both family's for Christmas this year. Andy's niece Jessie had everyone to her home in Hastings on the Saturday before Christmas. We enjoyed our time with the family members that was able to attend, and missed the ones that were unable to attended due to Christmas schedule conflicts. We just want to say, Thank You Jessie!

We had another year that Andy could attened Christmas Day at my parents on the other side of the state. This makes 2 in a row. He thinks I am his good luck charm since in the last 13 years he has only had last Christmas Day and this Christmas Day off.

We received many nice gifts and many beautiful Christmas cards and photos and letters. Thanks to all for those.

We celebrated 6 months of marriage on 12/23/07. I can hardly belive it has been that long, seems just like a day or so ago.

Please be safe ending 2007 and Happy 2008 New Year !

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

2007-12-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

December 2007 ...

Where has this year gone?

I can hardly believe Andy and I have been married almost 6 months :)

We are getting the house ready for Christmas. Andy put up lights along the roof and we have some in the living room windows. I have the tree up with just the lights on it, hope to get that decorated by the weekend. We still have a metal star to get up out side that Andy's brother Randy gave us. Then I hope to take some pictures and post.

Andy has been called into work for snow and ice this week, and sounds like more through the weekend. I have today off. We need to get some of our Christmas shopping started. I hope to have a day that we can both go and get it done in one day! Working retail I sure have no desire to shop on my days off.

Black Friday - Payroll Cut

2007-11-23T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone one had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to my parents house and Andy deep fried 2 turkeys. It sure was good.
So they call today black Friday and all the stores are suppose to be busy. We were steady and then just died down. I worked the 10:30am to 6:30pm shift, but payroll was cut so I left shortly after 4;30 pm. Hey okay with me, Andy's home and I don't mind spending a Friday night home with my man...maybe watch a movie and have some popcorn in my pj's of course.

2007-11-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

Thursday 11/15/07 - No deer.

Friday 11/16/07 - No deer.

Saturday 11/17/07 - No deer. Today is my first day back to work. I have mixed emotions about going back.

Sunday 11/18/07- Happy Birthday Mandie Oliver !
No deer. I am so sore from work, but the day went fairly good. Today we had church and we took in our two shoe boxes for Operation Christmas. We decided to do one girl and one boy. I had a lot of fun shopping for things to go inside the boxes. Tonight were going to Charles and Mandie's for cake and ice cream for Mandie's Birthday.

Monday 11/19/07- Work wasn't all bad today...just bits and pieces. It is time for a new job! Any one know of one please let me know. Once again...no deer!

Good Luck Deer Hunters!

2007-11-15T04:07:00.000-08:00

First off Good Luck to all the Deer Hunters! I hope everyone has a safe season.
Andy was gone shortly after 5 to get to there property. He was so excited he forgot the book he was taking with him. They (Andy, Dad L. and Randy) will be here for lunch today so...
I have been up since 5:00am. I have the chili in the crock pot, the pumpkin pie baked and a pan of peanut butter bars topped with chocolate in the fridge cooling, the coffee is ready to be made again. All by 7:00am!

2007-11-14T18:33:00.000-08:00

Monday 11/12/07
Today Andy had the day off for Veteran's Day! So we went to see Mandie, Liam, Josie, Ellie, and Ammi. The babies are growing so fast. Josie is fighting a cold. Charles was busy that day so we missed our visit with him.
Tuesday 11/13/07
I have therapy today, then going to stop at Sam' Club to make some pictures of the Oliver kids and get my next 2 weeks schedule. My mom is over visiting the Oliver's today and will stop by on her way home. We had a nice dinner with mom tonight and visited a little before she headed back home.
Wednesday 11/14/07
Andy is now off work for Deer Hunting! He is off almost 2 weeks! Just when i have to go back to work :( He is excited about hunting season, opening day he will be hunting with Dad Lucas and brother Randy. I have a dentist appointment and a therapy appointment! Yippee-Skippy!

2007-11-11T11:55:00.002-08:00

Sunday 11/11/07

2007-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

What a chilly breezy fall day. We raked leaves...again! I asked Andy when we were raking, tell me again why we didn't move to Arizona where they just have cactus. Yep...getting more like my dad every day. Each time I go outside I wonder which tree's we can cut down!

Although today we did have some help.It was a little breezy and we needed help holding down the tarp. Jenny and Buster had such a good time playing in the leaves and running in the yard.
Hope you enjoy the pictures!

2007-11-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Thursday 11/8/07 Happy Birthday Ben Walls!
I talked with my best friend Jane today.... That made me so HAPPY!!!

Friday 11/9/07 Dave and Lory get married today! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I worked with Dave and Lory at Sam's Club. They have both moved on in there employment. However we still remain friends and today is there big day. I am so Happy for them.
Tonight we will go to there dinner at Bran's Steakhouse and then to The Crazy Horse.

Saturday 11/10/07 We went to the dinner and then the bar for Mr. & Mrs. Dave Sheldon's wedding reception. Lory was just beautiful and Dave was very handsome! We had a great time. As Andy always says "FUN HAD BY ALL"!
Once again... CONGRATULATIONS!! goes out to Dave & Lory Sheldon.

2007-11-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

Wow... last night I chatted online with (Brenda) one of my friends from school. We have not seen each other since 2002. It was great to start catching up on the events in both family's. I really enjoyed the many hours we instant messaged back and forth. I have been trying to locate her since moving from Waterford, amazing we finally found each other again.

Today so far no plans, just a quiet day around the house.

Return To Work 11/17/07 :)

2007-11-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Saturday 11/3
This was leaf raking and burning day. Now I know why my Dad doesn't like trees in his yard!

Sunday 11/4
We went to the early church service as we were having company. My friend Linda, her friend Matt, and her son Ryan. We had chicken and steak fajitas, Andy cooked the fajita meat and vegetables on the grill....mmm. We enjoyed our visit with them!

Monday 11/5
I went to see the Oliver Family today. Liam and Josie were so excited to get there trick or treat bags from us. Eliora and Ammi's trick or treat bag had Thanksgiving bibs inside.

Tuesday 11/6
Today is cold, rainy, and just a nasty fall day. The winds have been blowing for two days and now we have a yard full of leaves, again!

I went to therapy today and then seen the Dr. I get to return to work on Saturday,11/17/07.
I stopped at Sam's Club on the way home and got the schedule for that week. It has been a extra 4 weeks in my healing process and am looking forward to getting out of the house.

Congratulations! goes out to Daniel and Dawn Deshetsky on the birth of there little girl!
That makes 3 girls and 1 boy for them.

Wed., Thur., Fri.

2007-11-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

I am back... I went to blog on Wed. only to find that it was being checked for spam, now that they know i am a person i am able to start blogging again! So let me get you caught back up!

Wed. 10/31 HAPPY HALLOWEEN !
I get to visit the dentist for 2 1/2 hours for a root canal and a crown today. Then i get my eyes checked. Then it will be our 1st Halloween to hand out candy. I hope we get some kids.

Thu. 11/1 We had about 20 - 25 Trick or Treaters last night.
My mouth is still sore and my eyes, well lets just say i need bifocals.

Fri. 11/2 Today is just a quiet day and i am working on laundry.

2007-10-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Andy's Dr.s appointment for the dog bite went well, he is on antibiotics for 10 days, and received a tetanus shot. We will know 10 days from today if the dog has rabies. If so Andy will then be treated for that, if not he will not need to go back to the Dr'.s office. Andy's back is still sore, but he did go to work today. Not much else going on here.

What a Monday...

2007-10-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

First off lets get caught up from the weekend...

Saturday morning we met Dad Lucas, Amy, Jessie, Randy, Gerry and Vicky for breakfast at a small restaurant in Dutton. Dad Lucas invited us all for a announcement... He Paid Off His House :)

We are very proud of him!

Andy's back was bothering him so he took it easy, I sorted thru some off the stuff in the computer room and did some laundry.

Sunday- Andy's back still bothering him so he took it easy. I did rake some leaves and burned them in the fire pit out back. It was just a quiet weekend.

Monday morning Andy stayed home from work to go to Dr. Newmyer the chiropractor today.

We had a stray dog outside today, so Andy thought he would go shoo him away. He came back in and said call the humane society because it bit him. It bit him in the stomach and he does have puncture wounds. The puncture wounds do not look like they need stitches, but better safe to have him looked at and it checked out. I called the Kent County Humane Society and the Kent County Police - Sheriff's and we had them all out here. They got the dog and we have a card from the police with the report number in case the dog has rabies. Please keep us in your prayers!

Andy has a appointment at 2:15 with the Physicians Assistant (Erin) and the his appointment with Dr. Newmyer at 4:30.

Hope everyone has a better Monday than us!

2007-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday, I had therapy on my hand and the Dr. was so busy i didn't get to see him or get a answer on my rtw (return to work date). I was so bummed!
So I did call Sam's Club to find out when my rtw date was and the told me November 29. That's like another month! They will send me a copy of the paperwork from the Dr.'s office. So i am still to do nothing with the left hand except scar massage and the exercises they gave me.

I have never heard much good stuff about my space, I never had the need to check it out.
I had been trying for years to get into touch with Brenda Smith from my graduating class. We both were looking for each other at the same time, and we ended up finding each other. I just sent her a very long email about my life since we last seen each other. If you are looking for a friend, or family member you might want to give it a try. I am happy I did!

I don't have any plans for today (Friday). Maybe as the day goes on something will interest me.

PJ Day

2007-10-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Monday was just a quiet day all around!

Tuesday was very busy! I had therapy on my hand in the morning. I have another appointment on Thursday and see the Dr. about when i go back to work or if he is extending my leave. Then picked up some Halloween candy for our donation to the church. I had a Dr. appointment in the afternoon as did Josie. So I also picked up Mandie, Josie and the twins, so that they could go to Josie's Dr. appointment.

Today (wed.) i am just a bum! I still have my pj's on....gotta love flannel!

Our Fall Afternoon - Sunday

2007-10-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after church we went and picked up Liam and Josie. On our way back to our house the kids were looking for animals. We seen cows, baby calf's, pigs, and a surprise detour to see buffalo!They really enjoyed all the animals.
Uncle Andy and the kids had a blast in the front yard with Jenny and Buster (our dogs). But,
when the were inside they were trying to get Ace (our cat) to play with them.

For lunch, I made hot dogs that were wrapped with crescent rolls that looked like mummy's...the kids thought that was so cool! They had a blast with there mummy's which had eyes made from ketchup. They said "My mummy has eyes" and then would laugh and say it again and again. You could not help but laugh right along with them.
Then came quiet time, Josie and Andy both were out like a light. Liam just watched cartoons, while I cleaned up the kitchen.

After quiet time, they played with the dogs for a few minutes. We started getting ready to take the kids home but neither one was to happy about leaving the dogs!

I am not sure who had more fun the kids or us!

Friday Night with the Oliver Family

2007-10-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last night, Andy and I went to a pork fundraiser dinner along with Charles and Mandie and there family. It was held at TVC (thornapple valley church). It was for a young man that had been shot in the face when someone broke into his house in 2006. The money will be used for more surgery.

We went out to Charles and Mandie's house afterwards and just enjoyed the evening with there fanily.

Liam is 4

Josie is 3

Eliora and Ammi are 3 weeks.

2007-10-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

October 19, 2007
OK...Today is my first day at blogging. My friend Tracey sent me hers and I have been thinking about creating one since I received hers. Thanks for the great idea Tracey :)

For those of you who do not know, Andy and I moved to a house at the end of September. I am still not all unpacked, and most definitely not all organized! This is so not like me!
So our new info is:
6949 McCords Ave. SE
Alto, MI 49302
616-868-6563

I recently had CTS Surgery (carpal tunnel syndrome) so I am still home recouping from that. May have 2 - 4 more weeks off :(