I am ready for a relaxing weekend. We are still getting storms on and off.. but nothing like the other night.
Herb and Janet are staying with us this weekend. However Herb received a call from his family about Farmor (his mom) . She's not doing so good and they are talking about moving her into hospice. She's 91yrs old. The cousins were going to Salt Lake for their dad's bday (uncle Ben) so they offered to take Herb so he could see Farmor and evaluate her condition with their siblings. We want to remember her the way she was the last time we saw her in Salt Lake. It was actually one of our best visits. Her and I have had our differences in the past but I think they are long forgotten. She is a fiery spirited lady. I think she means well, most of the time. She has HER way of doing things- the Swedish way! LOL! Not that there is anything wrong that! I hope and pray that she is not in pain.

Otherwise things are good. I have to work tomorrow, but the cousins will be back tomorrow and I think we're bbquing in the evening. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Labor Day!

it's ain't over till the lady sings...

and she's not singing here- HOLY MOLY They thought we were done with monsoons! I can remember when we were kids and lived down here we would get some really impressive thunderstorms. Where the lightening would lighten up the sky like daylight and the rain comes down in sheets. Tonight is something I've never seen before. The only way I could describe it is a light strobe across the sky. The lightening has not stopped since about 8:30 it's now almost 10:00. We have warnings going till midnight. We live for these kinda storms here! We were supposed to get parts of the hurricane Julio- I suppose we are. We keep watching the doppler and are stunned at how big this storm is and how much lightening there is. I am shocked we still have still have internet and power!Knock on wood!
We also get what's called microburst. A storm on top of a storm which develop over the desert!

I am one of those who LOVES bad weather. I think I've posted about it before. As long as it's not dangerous or causes harm to people and homes. We desperately need the rain.

The only other problem we have is the dogs! They HATE HATE these storms. Bilko trys to run away because he doesn't know what it is and what all the noise is. He's either under the bed, the desk or on top of Carls head. He gets a benedry when it gets this bad. Maggie just gets hyper then lies down and stays that way.

I did get to stay home today. I traded a shift with someone. But it was nice to get the house put back together and clean. I feel better today than I've felt in a while and my head feels clear. It's just a one day at a time thing. I have to remind myself to take the medication and carry my (nitro) patch with me. I think I mentioned earlier I've gotten my scrapbooking grove back. I got a coupon for 50 free prints from Costco. I need to print some pictures too for the living room!
Lots do this weekend - rain pending. Carls parents are going to stay with us through Labor Day.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Labor Day!

must need fixing...

I am apologizing for being a bad blogger. It seems like since I got home and recovering I am not online nearly as much as I used to be. It seems like I don't have enough time in the day to accomplish what I want to. Most of that is because I've slowed down A LOT! I take a lot more breaks then I used to. I am able to make up some hours at work, which has been nice.

I have been doing some scrapbooking lately. I did get my Thank You cards done. I just have a few more to deliver. It has been nice to get to know more of our neighbors and ward members. I now feel like I know a few of them well. Like Sis. Barney who lives directly behind us. Then I also know the people on each side of the corner at the end of the street. It's kinda funny though. I can't take naps for long periods of time because someone calls or comes over if I haven't answered the phone in an hour! LOL! Like on Monday I stayed home because I was still feeling really light headed and a little spacey. I thought if I take a nap it will go away. I guess I had fallen asleep for about 3 hrs and work called about four times -both my cell phone and the house phone and then got worried when I didn't answer the phone! Same thing last week. I slept in one morning and didn't hear the phone I had the neighbor kiddy corner from me show up on my doorstep. I guess I am glad they are checking on me to make sure I'm okay!

My schedules been a little wierd this week, so I'm off tomorrow. I normally am off on Wed but I switched to help someone out. Tomorrow I want to sleep in. At least for a little while! I better take the phone with me to bed! LOL!But I do really appreciate that they check in!

I have been watching a little bit of the democratic spectical on t.v. I don't like either candidate. The only thing I do know is I really dislike Obama. I don't understand the media hype with him either. They are obsessed with him!! Bring back the Olympics I say!! It's wierd not having them on!

MyHotComments

This Totally made me laugh out loud today! And it about sums up the last two weeks!

i hope it's not Monday!

Cause it's been feeling like a Monday all week. Just trying to get back in the swing of things and trying to make up hours at work. Fortunately I've had some fun projects going on, including a cute acrylic dog book.

I'm also working on some Thank You cards to give to people who have been there through my little health breakdown there.

Don't worry - I'm taking it easy. I take more breaks at work, when I used to not take breaks at all.
I'm learning to sit when I get tired and trying really hard not to stress about bills and other things that might elevate my heart rate. Part of me is more scared now that it will happen again, but I suppose that's normal. I just am trying to keep a positive attitude
and hope it doesn't.

is a happy heart!

I had my follow up today. It was good. Everything looks like it should. The heart is pumping like it should, my oxygen and blood pressure were good. So the medication seems to be working in that department. I have a little trouble sleeping at night. The doc says that my be due to some of my sinus issues and my pulmonary hypertension. That makes sense. He said the short explanation of what happened was that I did have spasms. Which leads to a heart attack. Explaining my symptoms. Coronary Angima? I think it's called. I am not sure I'm spelling that right. Everything shy of full blown heart attack except that I had no blockage but everything else was the same. What happens is you get a calcium build up. He said your body produces calcium (not like milk calcium, like we think of calcium but a different kind of calcium) and that's what stops the blood flow and loss of oxygen to a certain part of the heart. Causing the spams/ heart attack. When the spasms are severe like mine where it can lead to the heart attack. The good news is that there is some damage but they think that some of it may be scar tissue and some of what happened from the attack. He wasn't totally clear on that. It may stay that way. But everything is functioning normally.

I will keep taking the calcium blocker medication and have the nitro patches as needed. I was very relieved about that. I didn't like the nitro stuff AT all! Even though it stopped the pain. The head ache was yucky too, but I guess I'd rather have that then the heart attack! So I just keep a patch with me. I am relieved. I can for the most part resume my normal activties. I will take it slow -don't worry. I am not walking home in the heat now and Carl and I are going to work on my driving more. So there is a lot we need to change. Being more cautious and not overdoing it. Everyone can learn to pace themselves and learn when to slow down and take a break. It's easy to get going during the day - but it's also really important to teach ourselves how to relax!

Are we there Yet?

I am ready to get life back to normal. Being down for a week takes it's toll. I still can't fathom what this has done to me. I keep saying to myself I am just fine. Just exhausted all the time. I can get up and do little things like do a load of laundry. I feel very productive after doing that. I can straighten up the house. I can't vaccum yet. Maybe in the next few days I can without tiring out. It sounds so silly just typing it out.

I even took a bath today. Carl wasn't happy that I did it by myself at home. But it made my legs feel a WHOLE lot better. I also don't have an open wound. It's just black from the heart cath and very sore. They didn't want me to swim or anything for a week. Today I hit my week mark and I did just fine soaking it.

I am hoping to go into work and try and get out of the house for a little tomorrow. I am starting to have cabin fever a little, I think. I have gotten dressed for a little bit each day. That helps too. I started doing research on heart attacks/pulmunary hypertension/cardiac spams and reading the books they sent me home with. There isn't much information on cardiac spams (what they thought I had originally). I have a follow up Monday afternoon so I am sure the dr will be able to explain more.

I am enjoying watching the Olympics, I missed gymnastics last night because I got sick again but I did catch a little of the track and field today and the river rafting thing. I have very much enjoyed most of it.

We have also officially met all of our neighbors. I had a rough last night -so this morning I wasn't in a hurry to get up. I guess I didn't hear the phone ring. Karen my neighbor kiddy corner from me came over to see if I was okay! They have been awsome. But I feel kinda silly! I hope things get back to normal soon for the most part. I am ready to get back to work, but I don't know if my body is! Here's hoping!

THANK YOU!
I feel very lucky and very fortunate! I have wonderful family and friends and co-workers and doctors and nurses. After four days of the unknown, we are finally getting some answers. It was indeed a heart attack. A week before my 35 birthday. The first day was the scariest. When I woke up, I thought I had slept wrong. My neck was VERY stiff and I had a pain in my chest and my back. It would not loosen up. When it increased to my neck and my jaw I got scared and knew something was WRONG. Then my left hand went numb and began to tighten into a fist. Maggie would not leave me. She also knew something was wrong. Looking back we probably should have called 911. But I was trying to keep myself calm and alert. I talked to carl and my mom on the phone until he got there.
We are now finding out that they are calling it a heart attack.But the good news is the arteries were totally clear. The bad news is there was damage done to my left ventrical wall. They don't know if it will regenerate it self. What do we do? Hope and pray it doesn't happen again - I have to start taking medications three times a day everyday. My diet and my wieght were good so they weren't too concerned with that. My legs are very sore, mostly my right leg from the heart cath. I can't do much walking. My arms are black and blue because they were poking me every 6hrs. I told them this morning they were going to have start using my feet because I don't have any viens left in my arms! But man I sure missed having cheese and salt for four days!! I was the youngest person in the entire wing of the hospital. They all kept telling me I'm WAY too young to be havin a heart attack! I was the only person in the entire wing of the hospital watching cartoons!! HA HA! I also was able to watch a very good portion of the Olympics.

I feel very lucky first and for most for Carl. My mom (who made record time driving from Salt Lake to here in less than 10hrs only briefly stopping in Flagstaff to sleep for a few hours!)my family who's been calling and sending flowers and cards and visiting. The doctors and nurses (especially my night nurses) were awsome!

Please please if you have chest pain of any sort call 911! My situation could have been a whole lot worse! I was very lucky. Someone is definately looking out for me!

Well, we are starting Day 4 much, much better than any of the others. Late yesterday afternoon, her Cardiologist was very enthused with how well she had been responding to the new medication that he had put her on earlier in the day. By the time that I left last night, she was up and walking around the floor without a walker! Her balance and strength in her legs are back! This morning when I came in we walked around the floor. Things seem to be looking up. She had a GREAT night last night and slept most of it. So, for right now we think that we are waiting for her doctor to issue the discharge orders, hopefully she will be home in time for tonights Bengals v. Packers game on ESPN.

On a very serious note, both Amy and I want to thank each of you for all of your thoughts and prayers, they have each been felt and have helped to strenghten both of us through this very difficult time. We have been reminded that we have such great family and friends that we are blessed with. Words truly cannot express our gratitude.

We are starting our 3rd day in the hospital. Her first night was a difficult one but then she seemed to improve throughout the day and it looked very likely that she would be released on Sunday. Last night, she began to have leg cramps and a reaction to one of the medications that they gave her in the night to help out with the leg cramps. This morning she has been complaining of a little bit of chest pain and a difficult time taking deep breaths. A CT scan has been ordered and we will see what happens from here. There is still an outside chance that she will be released today if the CT scan comes back normal.

Are You Ready for some Football?

It seems as though the drama has come to an end. He is now offically a member of the New York Jets. I like the title from ESPN.com "JET SETTER" . I told Carl at least I can still keep my green tshirts! But I am again still sad at what has transpired over the last few weeks. Carl asked am I Favre fan or a Green Bay Fan? I am both. I suppose that's why I have been distressed over this issue. I know what Green Bay stands for. The team and the history. I've mentioned it over and over and over again. I still have to see Aaron Rodgers really play. I am excited that Ryan Grant is back on board. I got a little nervous when he had some things going on as well.l They have a young team now. It's gotta start again somewhere.
So my only dilema now is where do I go for a quarterback for fantasy football this year?

I am so ready for the weekend and ready for some football. It's my favorite time of year!!

ha ha ha ha!

That's what I feel like right now. I am so frustrated with Favre I could scream! I don't think he's thinking clearly. I think that some of that is clouded by his driven passion to play football. But my number one question to him is if he still had that passion and the health to sustain him "why on god's green earth did he retire?!"

I give kudos to the Packers organization for the way they've handled it- I think. I am also wondering what drove Favre to retire in the beginning. Coach Mike Mccarthy has handled the interviews well but has not given specifics of their conversations. Which in itself is really frustrating as fan. But at the same time understandable. He has stated that Brett is not in the right mind to play for the Packers! I'm still confused as to what that means. Except that maybe Brett does NOT want to compete for his position. He wants things to be back the way they were. That's not going to happen.

So what's next if anyone cares? Now there is talk of the Jets. Or the Buccaners. Now the Giants, I think I could handle. I've always liked the Jets. But I still stand firm in my decision that I think Favre should have stayed retired. I hope this doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth of the fans. I hope it doesn't damper the memories and the records and the legend that Brett Favre left for the Green Bay Packers. I feel for the team. I hope they can focus on the team. I feel bad for them.This media frenzy has gone on too long and it should have been done way earlier in the off season before camp or practices have started. I am just ready for football! First preseason game starts this weekend! I will always be a Green Bay Fan. I love it for it the tradition, the family organization and the young talent and the history. I would love it for Favre again but if that's not going to happen I can have too favorite teams and continue to root for the Giants (I've always liked them anyway!)

Oh in other news, I did try to load my pictures up tonight but my memory card reader on my computer is not working for some reason.

Oh and I did see Mamma Mia before we went camping. LOVED it! I love Abba anyway and grew up listening to the music. I bought the original soundtrack in NYC, the day it opened on Broadway. I just wish I could see the musical! My only wierd suprise was seeing Pierce Brosnon
singing S.O.S! He sure can't sing but he's aged graceful! And Merryl Streep wasn't bad either.

Forgive me if I have typing errors. I try to go back and fix them but sometimes when I post this my eyes are half asleep!

a new week...

Fortunately since last week was such a bad week -there's always the start of a new one!

We had a good time camping. We did get rained on, or should I say poured on for about an hour or so on Saturday. But it was nice, the sun had been out and hot most of the day so it was really nice coold down. We did a lot of dutch oven cooking. Although I tried to do the pork in the dutch oven. It would have worked but we had a few issues. 1. I bought a bone roast instead of boneless. It took A LOT longer for it fall off the bone, not making it nearly as tender as the other times I've done it. 2. it rained! Making it really hard to keep the coals hot. Although I will say Carl and Zane got a good job of keeping the fire going - even through the downpour! 3. we needed to figure out the heat so there isn't so much on the bottom so the sauce has time to sit. We may try it again but taking out all the wrong elements. We are talking about going again the 2nd week in Sept. Before it gets to cold. I thought this time was perfect tempt. even at night!
I only have a few pictures. I'm still exhausted so I may not get them up till tomorrow.

Yes, I've been keeping up on the Favre situation/drama/soap opera! I am more confused on it than I was before. There is still a possiblity he could get traded to the Vikins. It's not very likely but he is good friends with Vikings coach. I still feel for Aaron Rodgers. I am not a Aaron Rodgers fan yet. But I would find it hard that once again he might have to compete for his job.
We did watch the scrimmage tonight on NFL network tonight! DANG it's good to see some football!!! Carl and I both totally thrilled to be watching football! Are you ready for some football.

staying busy...

We just got home from camping. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I am also changing my blog. If you haven't noticed. I would like to add a whole lot more to it. If I have the time and the energy. Lately I haven't had either.
Our friends and family are doing better. Everyone is trying to heal the best can. They have a long road ahead of them.

I will post more this week.