A fitting activity for a gruesome holiday . . .

For Halloween, Daddy decided to get some crabs. And the good kind. The kind that taste good and cost lots of money - sorta -

What it ends up being is a really big mess that to me is soooo delicious, it's worth all the mess.

Luckily, Daddy pulled the backs off of the crabs, and the claws, so when I got them they were dead. Yes, folks, if you don't know about cleaning blue crabs, well you do it while they are alive.

So, I went over and got a pot full and then had to bring them home and clean them the rest of the way, which consists mainly of scraping a LOT of goooo out of some sea spiders. LOL

AND - as it was Halloween - I thought I would get some GROSS pics - well maybe one GROSS pic for ya - to share the joy. (Many thanks to my handy cameraman Brent who helped with the shots.)

The pile before cleaning

All the orange and gray stuff - well - ewwwwwwwww

Scrape Scrape Scrape Scrape

Just a SMALL sample of "scrapings" - we likes to call em GUTZ . . .

Riley and Colin and Halloween

Here are a couple of pics. I don't know if it's me or the camera - but everything's getting blurry - let's hope it's something i've "unset" on the camera - lol

Colin was Pinocchio
Riley was Luigi (Hunter - not pictured - was Mario)

And another thing . . .

I KNOW that many of you are familiar with my crazy ass neighbors and their desires to rid their yard of trees -

Well today they had probably a 50+ year old oak taken down - why I have no idea - but it's sad really - am thinking of taking the long way to EVERYTHING from this point on to avoid having to see where this beautiful big oak used to be . . .

I just know Mrs. Graves is rolling over in her grave . . .

Odds and Ends

Just a few notes for my loyal readers . . .

Last Friday, Brent went back for another radial ablatement (I have probably misspelled both of those words). What that means is that the treatment he had two years ago wore off, and his doctor decided to do this again. This treatment involves going in and actually burning nerve endings in Brent's back. The funny thing is that it has really helped him feel better. The general ache and pain is still there from the injury, but not the constant nagging, so his prescriptions are working and helping him manage it.

I went back to the doctor last week as well, and am finishing up a series of steroids for my back pain/sciatica. It is more nerve wrecking than anything, because if you know me, you know I'm a terrible worrier, and all I can think is - make it through this Christmas and I've broken the cycle of a surgery every two years - and I laugh as I type that, but still I worry too.

Also, today I went for the first annual smoosh lisa's boobs appointment. And either I am totally numb, or just was totally tired from feeling bad, but the appointment was quick and easy. \o/ yay. Sept had hers done too - yay being forty - and I am HOPING Miss Sally did too - oh the small joys of being a woman and 40.

The boys came over for Halloween. Mary decided to bring Riley and Colin over - Hunter was left on Daddy's computer and Neil sat out front with Mama to hand out candy. It was a nice visit, and I will post a couple of pics here in a little bit.

Travel is geared down now for Brent and me. Our next big event will be Thanksgiving at Mama's with Mary's crew. I'm thinking easy breezy mac and cheezy - so at least we won't have to do too much cooking or worrying. :)

Thursday night - ECU v. VA Tech at home - say a little prayer if ya can . . .

And that's it - be well and prosper . . .

Just a quick shot of Monkey . . .

OMG - finally used up the disposable camera we bought on the trip to FLORIDA. I forgot to tell you guys what a superb job Monkey did with his part of the driving. You know . . .

Once you get on the Florida Turnpike . . .

Pretty much anyone can handle the driving. Gave Brent a GREAT opportunity to catch up on his naps.

And she slipped in under the radar . . .

Sorta Kinda - It's hard to remember EVERYWHERE you have to celebrate somebody turning 40.

September joined the club on the 23rd of well, you know, September. LOL

She had a great birthday from all reports. Had a surprise party with her family and then got to come to the ECU game on Saturday! YAY - and they won! Even better!

So we're all here now. What's next? LOL

Island Time is so Much More Fun

Okay, okay. Here it is. If nothing else, the link to the pics I took. We took some pics with Brent's camera - no idea what's actually on there. We also ended up taking some pics with a disposable camera, because well, I totally forgot my camera when I went to meet my friend Habibi, so I had to rush and get a disposable one. Those pics have yet to be developed. LOL
Developed. ewwww it's been so long since I've used that word in regards to pictures.

Anyway, here's the link to the pics . . .

http://picasaweb.google.com/leaseuhd/FloridaOctober?authkey=Gv1sRgCO2I4ozwndmYSA&feat=directlink

Enjoy!

Brent gets tagged and not in the good way . . .

So Brent and I spent a lovely Sunday afternoon in Greenville shopping for things for our upcoming trip to Florida. We had a wonderful time, got some things done, and were coming home to do some stuff around the house.

We pulled up and saw a note on the door. Joking about what the note said, we got out of the car, and I went over to read it. It pretty much said, "Your truck has been spray painted. The police have been by and have filed a report. Call me. David" David is our neighbor on the corner. His family is super nice and they are always sorta on the lookout for things, which really makes things nice.

WELL. I immediately walk around to the other side of the truck and there it was.

NICE right?

Apparently David came out of his house about an hour before we got home because he saw some kids walking down the street with spray paint cans. He hollered at them when he got outside, and they took off. So he walked out into the street and looked down our way and TA DA - he could see it from there - so he called the police.

Welllllll, needless to say BRENT was PISSED. Well so was I, if for no other reason than NOW everyone that walks down the street is a potential criminal. No more feeling comfy with passing kids - you gotta think every time - is that the dumbass that spray painted the truck.

Apparently - at like two freaking o'clock in the afternoon - these kids decided to walk through and just mark up whatever they could - everything else was like marks on the grass in yards and street signs - lucky us. What did we do to make us so special I wonder?

Of course Brent immediately gets his rags and the GOO GONE and goes out and guess what - it wipes right off. THAT'S HOW FRESH IT WAS!! And of course the GOO GONE helped. I feel like writing them a note of thanks.

And for those of you that don't know - I don't live in a bad neighborhood. Unfortunately, I live on a street that connects ONE bad part of town with ANOTHER. MMMhmmmmmmm.

So now another horror story for Brent to tell his parents. And another reason to move to the country . . .

At the Dairy Palace

Sorry it's been so long. No excuse. So suck it . . .

But seriously, here's a funny story that happened the other evening.

Brent and I had dinner at one of the Mexican restaurants in town and decided to ride around for awhile because it was a gorgeous afternoon/evening kinda time. And I decided we should get ice cream from the Dairy Palace.

For those of you who do not know what the Dairy Palace is, it is a drive up food place here in Washington that is like two blocks from where I grew up. There are always interesting people standing outside and working inside - it's a little country - rednecky (yes I'm pretty sure that IS a word), but they make GREAT egg sandwiches and have twist cones.

When I was young, we'd walk up and buy a cone, you could get vanilla and chocolate twist cones for less than a dollar. And it's the kind of ice cream that melts fast - more like ice milk. But I digress.

Anyway, we pulled up and I got out and went to the ice cream window - cause they like for you to order ice cream from the ONE window - and Brent saw a friend from his small engine repair class so he got out to speak to him.

After I ordered I walked over to be introduced to Mr. Jessie, who is actually the instructor of the class, BUT on my way past the "hot food" window, a boy stuck his head out and say "Hey GIRL, I haven't seen you in forever." I of course said something along the lines of "Well, HEY!" because he was soooo excited to see me. He even leaned out of the window to give me one of those half hugs.

Now for a side note. I've been teaching in and around Washington for almost 18 years, so I've known a LOT of kids. Well he LOOKED familiar, but I really didn't remember his name, which is happening to me more and more lately. But he sure did remember me. Even went on to tell me about his Mama and how she was working full time at Craven now and how they wouldn't pay her what she wanted at Beaufort, so she left and how she would be off on Thursday, and I should come by the house to see her. He also said, "That is if you can remember the way - it's been so long since you've been by to visit."

Now understand that the whole time this reunion is going on, I'm being introduced to Mr. Jessie, walking back to the ice cream window for two ice cream cones, and wildly going through all the faces and names in my head to TRY to remember this boy who is sooo happy to see me.

Finally, Brent and I head back to the car, with me leaving that unnamed boy with the promise that I will try to get by to see his Mama on Thursday. Needless to say I did NOT visit her as I HAVE forgotten the way to her house. LOL Brent and I talked about this for an hour - I'm still wondering who I am SUPPOSED to be. Brent says there is a woman here in Washington that looks so much like me he almost went up and pinched her on the ass in Wal-Mart, so I guess she needs to go by and see her friend. LOL

So there ya go - just another day in the life of me . . . LOL

And Birthday Wishes Go Out to . . .

I am TOTALLY going to blame the BAHston trip on me forgetting to welcome ROB to the 40's. ROB turned FORTY on August 29th (while I was trapped in a four story mall with my father). Welcome to the club ROB!!!!!!

Yesterday - September 8th - was Daddy's 68th BDAY - damn, and I drug his butt to BAHston (and yes I WILL be spelling it like that FOREVAH). Yesterday was also Keith's BDAY, so Happy Birthday to both of them.

That only leaves us ONE MORE TO TURN FORTY - AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - if you do not know who has yet to turn 40, well here's one hint - this is SEPTEMBER RIGHT?

*evil laugh*

And still he improves . . .

Well, after a trip to the local Urgent Care yesterday, and another prescription, more blood taken and such, Brent is still recuperating.

The pain is pretty much gone - except that he has muscle spasms in his legs and feet and toes - that come and go and hurt. What is worrying us now is a severe burning and itching in his lower right leg. The medicine from Urgent Care is working on it, but so far there has been no relief.

Because we live in BFE, and there is apparently only one machine in all of Beaufort County that can do the blood work he was supposed to have done, we have to wait another day for results as THAT ONE MACHINE broke down. The ONE MACHINE at the hospital broke DOWN. So if you were say - IN THE HOSPITAL depending on TEST RESULTS - SUCK IT -

So it's a waiting game now until tomorrow . . .

On a lighter note - NOT - tomorrow is my annual visit with my favorite gynecologist Dr. Kroncke. *Rolls Eyes* Wish me luck . . . LOL

Brent on the Mend

Well he's doing better today - still sleeping a lot - but I blame the pills. The pain is not totally gone, but he's feeling better.

Working on the tiredness now, but doing better.

Thanks to everyone who has called or emailed.

:)

Another ACTION PACKED Saturday Night at the Bakers

Well Brent didn't go to the ECU game because he was out fishing with a buddy. Around 2:30 Sunday morning I got a call from Brent who was on his way to the ER in Morehead City. Apparently he had a very very bad pain come up in the lower half of his body - the ENTIRE lower half of his body.

I got there around 3:30. Thank GOD his friend Tony was with him and took him to the ER. Tony stayed with us until 6:30 at which time the nurses had shot Brent up with enough medicine to at least give him about an hour's rest.

I got a friend of Mama's to pick me up and take me to Brent's truck so that I could bring him home in it.

The doctor seems to think Brent just over did himself and has over-stressed his legs and joints. Brent is afraid it's much worse as the pain is still there. He's resting for like twenty minutes at a time - on the bed - in his chair - in a chair in the living room - back to the bed - and so forth and so on - he says it's not getting any better, but I am hoping it is.

If it's not better tomorrow, we're gonna have to go to the ER here in Washington or something.

On the BRIGHT SIDE - Frances actually went with Daddy to Morehead to get my truck and drove one of the vehicles back. Soooo her strength is obviously returning.

More news tomorrow - fingers crossed that he'll get some rest eventually.

ECU Wins

Saturday was my first football game at ECU in like seven years, and it was a blast.

ECU played Appalachian State University. The game was sold out. The temps ranged around 95 degrees. AND IT WAS A BLAST. ECU did as usual and only played one half, but luckily ASU made a couple of bad plays in the last quarter to actually let us keep our lead and win.

I went with Rob and Todd and sat with Todd's family, and I am sooooo looking forward to the rest of the home games this year. Hopefully in cooler weather - LOL. The worst part of the whole experience was the walk back to the car which almost killed me, but was actually probably good for me.

Let's hope that they do well next weekend against, I think, West Virginia.

GO PIRATES!

Back from BAHston

OMG - it was a good trip - Daddy and I only got on each other's nerves a little bit - LOL - but seeing Uncle Von's family, meeting Kim's family, and seeing a very very SMALL part of Boston was great.

Pictures can be seen at this link -

http://picasaweb.google.com/leaseuhd/BAHston?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjT7vKYyrDFxQE&feat=directlink

For Monkey's fans - he had a GREAT time - although he stayed in the room more than he would have liked to -

And I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane. . .

Me, Daddy, and MONKEY will be leaving Washington tomorrow morning around 8 for BAHston where my cousin Jason will be marrying his woman of a million years Kim.

And now with the big to do over Ted Kennedy - well we're really excited. lol

I think Monkey is the most excited - he's never flown - and Daddy - well he's traveled more recently than I have - remember he went to Australia a few years back - so o o o o

Say a little prayer for me . . . .

:)

OMG She's ALIVE

no - seriously . . .

I called Daddy at the house yesterday to check on our patient's condition. The question "How's Mama today?" was answered with "Frances - get the phone."

Yes - she's home - and yes - she's doing well. I will go over after school tomorrow -we had open house tonight and i just couldn't do it today - and will be able to get a visual on her.

Thanks to everyone that called and emailed. Really. :)

Day Five and She's a Little Disoriented

I would like to say, first of all, thank GOD for nice nurses. Mama has had some nice ones, that have dealt with lots of stuffffffffff . . .



So at 4:30 Saturday morning the nurse called Daddy and asked him to come sit and talk to Mama as she had refused to lie still (she had to be prone while the balloon pump was still inside and then four hours after it was removed). They actually had to put restraints on her. Shocking, yes, but it reminds me that my Grandmama, Mama's Mama, had to be restrained, too, and actually pulled her catheter (pee tube LOL) out herself in a drug induced craze. So this isn't too surprising, cause if you think I'm hard headed, you haven't talked to Fran recently.

Today she says she is going home tomorrow, which of course the doctor will get straight with her tomorrow morning. LOL. Daddy came in and got a little upset at first, but he calmed down and we talked about how it was just the time spent in the hospital and the drugs working themselves out of her system.

I did not make it up there yesterday - Mary and Daddy bore the brunt of that - but the nurse said she was MUCH WORSE YESTERDAY - so I am actually glad I wasn't there to see that.

She is doing better physically - although she probably needs to eat and drink more, but they are pumping the fluids to her and tomorrow may move her out of cardiac intensive care. So, hopefully we're pretty close to getting her back home.

We can rebuild her. We have the technology . . .

For those of you that do not recognize the title - here is the entire quote -

Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.

-Oscar Goldman

Of course Mama is not the six million dollar man, but her heart is now well on it's way to being a million dollar heart I am so sure.

She is doing well today - she made it through the night. Dr. Carlson lowered the pressure in the balloon pump, and her heart took over on its own without any attacks, so that's good. They will take the balloon pump out tomorrow and then she'll be on her own. They will start her on coumadin - a blood thinner - after the pump goes and will need to keep her for two or three days to monitor her platelet levels (or something). Coumadin is something Daddy is on - and Brent's dad is on it now too. If it's not monitored - you could BRUISE yourself and bleed out - so we're hoping they'll get Mama's stuff straight before letting her leave the hospital.

She was awake and happy to see us - I think - lol - and a little out of it - good pain medications can do that to you - and of course she was craving a cigarette - but Mary talked to the nurses and they were ordering her a nicotine patch, so hopefully that is going to help out with that for a bit.

The funniest part of the trip to the hospital was Daddy telling us about where he was when we got there. He had gone to the cafe in the lobby for a piece of apple pie, and the lady said it came with ice cream, so he got two small balls of something he says was not ice cream, which only put him in the mood for real ice cream, so he went to Baskin and Robbins. AND since the best deal was on a quart, well, he got a quart. And since there wasn't anyone there to help him eat it - YES, folks, he ate THE WHOLE QUART! LOL - you just gotta love the man!

Anywho - more updates as things happen. But know that we're doing better now and are hopefully out of the woods.