The post-op report...

Note: For your convenience, there will be no pictures during this post...

6 days ago (Tuesday at 8am to be exact), I paid someone (a highly esteemed plastic surgeon) to cut me apart from hip to hip, pull my stomach as tight as can be, and sew it back together. I also paid him to pulverize the fat in my hips and thighs and suck it through some disgusting apparatus - leaving the entire middle of my body bludgeoned and bruised. And I remind you once again - I actually paid dearly for this treatment...

For the first two days I stayed religiously on pain medicine while unable to consume any food for fear or vomiting. On the third day, mom and husband played hardball and told me no more drugs until I had nourishment. So on the third day, I started to singlehandedly support the local Smoothie King. And the drugs were administered. Also, on the second day - against my will, I was forced to walk around - with the help of a walker to help diminish the excruciating pain ripping through my torso (remember - I asked for this).

I have made it to Saturday, day six of this glorious journey - I am happy to report, that I am walker free, I'm moving around pretty quickly, and both girls have actually cuddled on my lap. I dressed and went to a neighborhood birthday party today.

If you know me at all - you will understand the difference between my recovery timeline and the doctor's. My doctor told me that most patients are back to a normal schedule in three weeks. He said that some of his younger, more active patients are back in two weeks. I took that info and decided I would be back to normal after one week. The eternal optimist right?

As I get closer to the one week mark, I am more realistic about the recovery. I know that I won't be at the mall at the end of week two buying an entire new wardrobe, because I will still be swollen and bruised, but I probably will be back at work. And today, when I wanted to stick my head in the pillow and cry due to the pain, I didn't - because I asked for this - so I better save the tears for something out of my control. I have severe feelings of guilt for making my wonderful husband bear all of the responsibilities around here - all in the sake of vanity. When I glance in the mirror, I can see that the outcome will probably be awesome - but the jury is still out if the war was worth the battle. I'll keep you posted...

And for once - I'm trying NOT to laugh out loud - because it HURTS too much, so find something to laugh about for me!

Halloween - the unscary version...

or maybe it's scary if you are looking at Collin and Shane...

and, yes, Avery is heading to "hack" into someone with her "bloody" hatchet - thanks to Daddy...

Some things are better left unsaid...

I just got these photos of Morgan riding the Harley with Pops (Shane's Dad if you couldn't see the resemblance). Had I been there, I'm sure I would have needed extra meds. I'll end up scrapbooking these, but I'm still glad I wasn't there...

The blurriness of the photo implies movement - and Morgan is smiling! I'm panicking just looking at these...

Home safe - thanks for small miracles!

Sorry... No new pictures

Just some stream of consciousness thinking....

I voted yesterday - since I'll be sedated and sliced and diced on election day (of my own choosing). While in line, I read this delicious sounding recipe for acorn squash. Since my children only eat fruits and vegetables, I thought I could throw a new one into the mix. So I ran to the farmer's market and bought a bag full of stuff - including the acorn squash.

This morning, I tried to cut the damn thing open - no luck! Maybe it's not ripe? Or maybe it's b/c my knives were a wedding gift and are 11 years old... Not sure, so instead, I baked sweet potatoes. Then topped them with spray butter, cinnanmon and sugar free syrup (yes, these are the type of things stocked in our house - so why don't I weigh 100 pounds?). The girls won't usually eat pancakes or french toast, but they were all over the sweet potatoes. They were delicious! It's the same way I was going to make the acorn squash, but I'll have to wait until I can cut into that one... Now run out to the farmer's market and buy some stuff!

Mid-October...Still in bathing suits...

After Morgan's birthday party, Molly, Shelby, Sarah, Hannah and Parker came back to our house. That's 6 girls including Morgan and Avery! - we had to keep counting them to make sure we had them all - because of course they all went in separate directions. Here are the highlights...

Hope you find something to laugh about today...

Morgan's 5th birthday party - finally...

Poor Morgan had her 5th bday party cancelled because of the power outages after Gustav. We finally rescheduled this weekend and she had a blast. The party was at "Pretty in Pink" in Gonzales and I would suggest it to everyone! The girls chose dresses, shoes, jewelry, etc, had makeup, fancy hairdos and a dance party. They were precious!

Shameless EBAY plug...

I have listed three items on ebay. I'll be adding more soon. The albums are one of a kind, but I have multiple card sets. If you want one, just let me know, and I can get them to you directly. Thanks for humoring me...

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/heatherbell74

I'll have completed layouts listed soon. Should I show them here first? Let me know...