CissaLynn's Friday Update On My Brother

So........are you all sick of hearing about my brother and his foot?! Well, guess what?! There is more!!!!! I know it is INSANE!!!!! Anyway, he is having surgery on his foot AGAIN!!!!! It is scheduled for tomorrow morning (Saturday). The infection is some kind of rare infection and is not going away and the dr. thinks it is dangerous to leave the metal plate in there. So........the dr. is going to be taking it out! The dr. hoped that by cleaning the area out yesterday - that it might help the infection. It didn't work so the metal plate is now coming out. And........Heath is probably going to have to get a second opinion, too. My mom has a friend who is a nurse and she suggested OSU, but someone else mentioned Mt. Carmel. Either way - he needs another opinion.
I know you all have been praying and thinking about us!!!! I hope you know how much we truly appreciate it!!!! Heath is going through so much right now and is just hanging on! He has good days and bad - so your prayers really matter!!!! I know I sometimes question (when I am praying) if it really matters sometimes. I know I shouldn't question, but, hey, human nature. Anyway, I know from this personal experience - that IT DOES MATTER!!!!!! It matters in all sorts of ways!!!!! I just want to say thank you to everyone for caring about my brother, my family and me!!!!!! It means a lot!!!!!!
I will keep everyone updated!
Have a good weekend - and maybe I will get a chance to blog something else for you guys to read! LOL! :)
Oh, btw, GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Update On My Brother

Hey guys! Well, I was in Circleville pretty much the whole day yesterday (came home for an hour to change and then right back again). Anyway, Heath was supposed to have his foot surgery yesterday by 3:00 p.m. He ended up not having it, but we (and he) were all understanding. I guess a little old lady came in the ER screaming and moaning. She had fallen and broke her hip and/or leg. She was in lots of pain and her surgery took like 5 hours!!!! By the time the dr. was finished, he told Heath they should wait till this morning. The dr. was exhausted and needed to rest. And I myself would prefer a "fresh" doctor working on one of my family members (anyone else can have a tired dr)! :) LOL!!!! Just kidding. I think ANYONE would want a "fresh" doctor!!!! Sooooo.......Heath had his foot surgery this morning and all went well. The dr. left the metal plate in his foot for now. He is going to wait and see how things go. Heath may need a 2nd surgery again on Sunday!!!!!! Whew!!!!! That is pretty much all we know for now. It is a waiting game for the next couple of days. And to make things worse - Heath's girlfriend, Stacey, had a "boil" on her back. Some of you may be thinking "what?" My dad gets them. A boil is basically a big sore and it is very painful. You usually have to get them removed by the dr. and that hurts too! The dr. will lance it and then pack it and leave a string hanging out (I know - GROSS). Then you go home (it is done in the office fairly quickly) and after a couple days - you pull the string - ever so gently - and remove the packing. I just know my dad winces when he gets one. It hurts before, during and after. And boils can be reoccurring which means you can get one or two a year!!! So.........Heath and Stacey need a lot of prayer!!!!!!
Sorry to be so vivid! I hope I didn't gross anyone out! LOL! :)
Thanks for caring!
Love ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just realized that some of you may be wondering why my brother is having surgery AGAIN!!! Well, he has been real sick and getting high fevers. It turns out he has a staph infection most likely caused by the metal plate they put in. His body is rejecting it. He may have to have surgery again on Sunday, too! The dr. is keeping him at the hospital to wait and see how everything goes. So........just wanted to let you all know. Thanks so much!!! Hope all is well with everybody else! :)

Update on Heath

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that Heath is going back into the hospital again! Some of you may know that they already put a metal piece into his foot about a week or so ago. It is a 6 in. by 1 in. piece of metal with seven screws (one in his ankle) to hold it in place! OUCH!!! He has been in tremendous pain and has been to the doctor. Last week he got a real high fever (he just thought he might be sick), but turns out his foot is infected. He went to the dr. last week when he was sick 'cause his foot started - how do I say this - oozing! YUCK!! The dr. sent him home and he was okay over the weekend, but got real sick again on Sunday (he has actually never been "well" since his foot was hurt). Anyway, the culture came back from last week and he has a staph infection and will be going back to the hospital on Wednesday. The dr. is going to re-open his foot and clean it out and go from there. I went to see Heath on Saturday evening (after Moriah's ninth birthday party - previous post). Mark and I drove to Chillicothe to see Heath and take him a present. We stayed till after midnight and didn't get home till after 1:00 in the morning! Anyway, Heath unwrapped his foot and showed it to us (per my request of course). :) OH MY GOSH!!!!! IT IS NASTY!!!!!!!!!!!! Words cannot describe what his foot looks like! His foot will never be the same! I guess he said that the dr. told him he will always have to take pain medication on and off from here on out! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I, myself, knew it was bad, but not that bad! It looks awful! And it was all red and oozy from the infection! I feel so bad for him! And I am also a little more scared at this point! We figured he would be on the way to recovery by now and it's like he is back at square one AGAIN! So, please keep my brother in your prayers! And Stacey, too (his girlfriend)! She is working long hours and taking care of him and she was sick over the weekend, too!
And btw, I was sick today myself!!! No one is immune!!! LOL! :)
Hope all is going well for everyone! Thanks for your prayers!
Love ya!!!

Silly String

Hey there! I am finally getting to blog again!! Yeah!!! My aunt celebrated her grand-daughter's birthday Saturday night at Donatos Pizza. My aunt, Dena, has one son named Chris. He and his ex have two girls, Moriah and Cailey. Cailey is six and Moriah just turned nine (it was Moriah's birthday we were celebrating). The girls live with their mom in Kentucky and my aunt (their grandma) takes them for a weekend about every six weeks or so. Their dad, Chris, is my cousin and lives in Florida. So.......we are all at Donatos - in the party room - which is just a little room with about six tables - and we have pizza and are ready for the cake. Well, Mark had brought the candles, but we forgot matches. So.......Mark asks the waitress if they have anything to light the candles with. The waitress comes back with a lighter - she got it from one of the delivery guys and he wanted to make sure he got it back (it was his favorite lighter). I told her thank you so very much for finding a lighter and that we appreciate it and we would definately give it back - it only took a minute to light the nine candles anyway. LOL! :) So......as I am telling her thank you - we are talking about how loud our group is - we ask her if we are driving her crazy and guess what she says?! :) She says "oh, no, not at all!" She said she was just glad that we weren't like this group that came in last year and had silly string! She said they made such a mess! Well, we start dying laughing and looking at each other and tell her - guess what? - THAT WAS US!!!!!! She was so embarrassed!!! We laughed soooooo hard! She said she was new back then- this was back in March for Cailey's sixth birthday! My aunt surprised the kids and had the adults spray silly string all over them! It was hilarious!!!! And very messy! The waitress said that she had just started when this group came and sprayed silly string everywhere! I, of course, said that we had cleaned it up real good (we certainly didn't leave it for the waiters). She was like "trust me, there was more!" CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!!! It was just soooooo funny! :) She was the embarrassed one when we should have been! But were we?! Oh, no! We are laughing ourselves sick and talking about how funny it was! Anyway, the story makes for a nice blog! I tell ya - everywhere I go - something new to blog! LOL!
Btw, Moriah got a new parakeet for her birthday!!!! She was so excited! It was a nice surprise! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORIAH!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Some Good Advice I Read

Okay - I have had a long, hard week myself, but got an email that perked me up! :) It literally brought tears to my eyes! I was sitting at my computer reading it with giant tears coming down my face! I'm not sure, but I think I forwarded it - so, Miranda, you may already have read it, too. Basically, it just reminded me to appreciate life! Life in every way! Here were some examples it gave: 1)when you hear the alarm in the morning and if you are like most people (and groan) - say a prayer of thanks that you can hear that alarm! 2)when you see the morning light and grumble for more time - say a prayer of thanks that you can see! 3)when you don't feel like getting out of bed (b/c you are tired) - be thankful that you have the strength to rise! 4)when the mornings are crazy and you are running around trying to get yourself and/or everyone ready - be thankful that you have a family! 5)if your house doesn't look like the magazines or your neighbors (all spotless) - say a prayer of thanks for this as well! And, finally, 6)when you feel like your job is monotonous - say a prayer of thanks for that, too! Because there are many who can't hear; many who can't see; many who can't get out of bed (bedridden); many who are lonely (with no family); many who have no home; and last, many who have no job! For some reason this email was so touching! Just a reminder to be thankful for ALL that I have!!! Oh, and I saved the best for last! The very last thing it said was this, "BE KINDER THAN NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING SOME KIND OF BATTLE!" Wow!!!!! It truly hit home for me! God is saying that YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO KIND!!!!!! Anyway, I just wanted to pass it on b/c it was inspiring to me! I hope you guys like it, too!

Snake Man

As you all know from my previous blog - my brother was the announcer at a wrestling event this past Saturday in Circleville. Mark and I were the photographer/videographer for the event. Now, for those of you thinking.........wrestling?.............no, thank you!..............we actually had a fun time! I must say it WAS loud, but awful impressive. The routines these guys do! They really have to prepare. And I tell ya - some of it totally looked real! And as I mentioned in an earlier blog - I almost got my camera smashed into my face! These guys are flinging around the ring and I, of course, had my big head clear up inside the ring! I know, I know...........but I had to (no other choice) b/c the lighting was sooooo bad in the building............I tried to take pictures (in the beginning) from farther away and it just did not work! The only thing that worked (and still only halfway decent) was to get as close as I could! And for those of you who don't know it - wrestlers (unlike boxers) come OUT OF THE RING!!!!! I had to run a couple different times b/c I was in the way! LOL! :) Anyway, the wrestler in these pictures is Snake Man (aka Devon Michaels). His snake's name is Jezebel. As you can see - he was one of our favorites (or at least he was mine)! LOL! Look at his arms!!!!! Not too shabby!!!!! After the pic I told him that not only did I get a picture, but I got to put my arm around a handsome guy, too!!!! What more can a girl ask for?! :) My mom will have a cow, but Jackson totally loved the wrestling! FYI - for anyone interested - there is going to be another match in December (the 9th I think). It is actually pretty mild - just mostly fun mixed with loud music! It's a boy thing. Oh, and btw, the snake weighs in at about 75 lbs!!!! She was cool! Who would of thunk that I would like a snake?! Wrestling! Can't live with it - can't live without it!!!!!!! LOL! :)

Oops! I Did it Again! :)

Okay - this story happened the same day as the lawn mower incident! I swear I have new stories to blog every day and usually more than one! LOL! I must just have a nice big "I am a goof" cloud that follows me everywhere I go! But I don't mind - it just gives me more material to write! :) So, here goes: as Mark and I are leaving the Pickaway Fairgrounds we (well, more me) decide that I am thirsty. Conveniently, there is a UDF right there! Yeah, my favorite carry-out! Anyway, we both go in to pick out a nice little snack! We pick out our snack and the cashier rings up our items. I am ready to sit down and "chow down" so I grab my stuff (Mark is paying so I told him I would meet him in the car). Now a little background information (don't really know if it needs to be told, but I don't want to leave anything out). I drove to UDF from the fairgrounds, but Mark was going to drive from there on (so I could eat better)! No comments, please! LOL! :) So, as I was coming out of UDF I told Mark that I would sit on the passenger side (I guess it was then that I informed him that he would be driving). Now, remember, he is still paying as I walk out the door. So, I walk right on out the door and right up to the passenger side of my truck - well, what I THOUGHT was my truck and I reach for the handle. As I am reaching for the handle I notice that the passenger window is down (and I am thinking why would Mark leave the window down? I didn't notice him leave his window down when we got out? Why would he leave it down when I took precautions to make sure the car was locked b/c we had some of our camera equipment still in there). I wasn't mad or anything - these thoughts were just going through my mind as I reach for the handle. It all happened so very quickly! :) So, as I am reaching for the handle and thinking these thoughts - I finally look up (thank goodness)! And what do I see?! I nice young man looking back at me!!!! A young guy was in the driver's seat and I was now facing him eye to eye 'cause his window is down and I am reaching for his door handle!!!! So, I start laughing so hard and tell him that I almost got into his car!!! He was sweet and said that would have been okay! I said wouldn't you have just died if I had just opened your door and hopped on in?! He just laughed with me and said it would have been fine! I am telling you ----- it was SOOOOOOO FUNNY! And for the record - my truck was parked right beside his! I think since I was driving and then when I came out I wasn't going to the driver's side (I was going to the passenger's side this time) - anyway, I think it sorta got me disoriented! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! When Mark got out to the car he could tell something was up and was like - so, what did you do now?! He knows me too well!!!! LOL! I swear I don't do these things on purpose! These things just seem to happen to me everywhere I go! Oh well. My stories are always interesting to say the least. I hope you enjoy them and maybe my stories will make people smile!!!
Love ya!

Lawn Mower

Okay - here goes my lawn mower story that just happened yesterday. First off - you must have the details - Mark and I were in Circleville for most of the day (for my brother's wrestling event). Heath is still in a wheelchair and sometimes uses crutches. My mom watched my kids all day and Jacob stayed the night with her. Jackson came down to Circleville around seven in the evening with my dad for the big wrestling event! :) Mark and I had to be there early to set photography equipment up. We were the official photographer and also Mark videotaped the matches. I photographed most every wrestler beforehand and then took TONS of photos during the match (I almost got my face slammed many times due to getting too close, but that is another story altogether)! LOL! So.........here comes lawn mower story (which doesn't really have anything to do with anything I just told ya)! ROFL!!!! I just had to let you know the kind of day Mark and I were already having! It wasn't a bad day - just very long and a lot of work! We didn't get home until after midnight! So.........Mark and I get a "little" break after setting up our equipment and before we actually start taking photos. So.........Mark decides we should stop at Lowe's to look for lawn mowers (our mower that we have had for almost nine years finally quit)! Mark hasn't had much luck finding a new one (time of year I guess). He hadn't had a chance to look at Lowe's so that is what we did on our break! What fun, huh?! So.......we come all the way back to Grove City to Lowe's and walk in. Right there not too far from the door are VOILA.........lawn mowers!!!!! And some are for sale on top of that! Yeah, I say!!!! So, we find one that was a "return" from a previous buyer and Lowe's fixed it and put it back on the floor - only they sale it for less due to it being a return. It was $168 (originally $279) - not bad. But there was one that a "kid" (he was maybe 20) - he worked there and was bringing out another used one. Now this used one was a better more expensive one so they were asking $279 for it (originally $379) - not bad again. Well, I knew Mark liked the 2nd one so I go and say to the kid: can the price come down any lower?! Now remember it is already $100 dollars off at $279! The kid says no way! I say are ya sure 'cause I would really like this one (more expensive one), but I was hoping maybe you could come down on the price. He kept grinning and saying no ever so nicely. I finally ask him what the manager would say and at first the kid said his manager would say no. But, alas, I get the "kid" to call his manager and guess what?! Manager says - he'll sell it for $210!!!!!!!! Hot Dog!!!!! I am proud to say the least at this moment!!!!! :) So, we say we'll take it! But wait, my friends, 'cause there is more!!!!! Right then another guy walks up to us and starts talking. We (well, I) think he is another customer so I ask him if this is a good lawn mower and is the price good at $210! Now I know that the original price is $379 so it is a darn good deal at $210! I am just asking this in front of the kid to "play" and "maybe" get more off! Well, this guy says yes that it is a good deal and then I realize that he works there at Lowe's! I am soooooooo not observant!!! Anyway, I ask him what he does there at Lowe's and he says he is some kind of assistant manager. So, do I let that one pass on by?! Of course not!!! I say I don't suppose you can come down any LOWER on the price can ya?! LOL!!! Well, he walks over to their computer and farts around for five minutes and I ask the "kid" what the guy is doing. The kid walks over to check and the man (a minute later) tells us $195!!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!!!!!!!!! They came down on the price AGAIN!!!!!!! Needless to say - I am very proud of myself!!!! This assistant manager had just told me (when I thought he was a customer) that it was a good deal and then sells it to me cheaper when I bargain!!!!! Whew!!!!! HAVE I GOT IT OR WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess my point of this story is: you all need to take me shopping with you 'cause I can help you pay less!!!! I must just have that special charm about me!!!! What can I say!!!!! LOL! :)

GOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE THE BUCKEYES!
MIGHTY, MIGHTY BUCKEYES!
EVERYWHERE WE GO!
PEOPLE ALWAYS KNOW!
WHOOOOO WE ARE!
AND WE'RE PROUD!
(SING AGAIN)! :)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a sand castle that Jackson and his cousins, Justin and Taylor made last summer (2005) at Alum Creek! As you can see - these boys are big Buckeye fans!!!!!! Yep, we taught 'em right!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, No, I Didn't! :)

Oh, yes, I did!!!! LOL! I have a real funny story to tell and the funniest part is that it happened TODAY!!!!!!! :) Okay - by now you all know that I am working at the pre-school (in Commericial Point) as a helper to the 4 and 5 year old class. Jacob and I are liking it and adjusting pretty good. What more could we ask for?! Sweet kids, great teachers and lots of learning mixed with tons of fun! Anyway, back to main topic. First off, you must know that Jackson and I overslept this morning. We woke up and it was 7:40!!!! His bus comes by 7:45! Naturally, he missed the bus!!! Soooooo - we get dressed and ready as fast as we can and at the very last minute we wake up Jacob (Jacob had had a long nap the day before and, therefore, couldn't sleep that night and was up till after midnight)! I know - INSANE!!! Needless to say, I figured Jacob would be a bear so I woke him up as late as possible. To my surprise, Jacob did very well and got ready fairly easy and quickly, too. Sooooo - we all pile into the car and we drive Jackson to his school where we check in as "tardy." Thanks to me!!! :) I am the mom - I should have gotten up!! Oh Well. It's not the end of the world or anything! LOL! So, we drop Jackson off and go on our merry way to pre-school! So far - so good! I get about halfway there when I realize that I am on "E"! And I don't mean "E" for entertainment television - I mean "E" for EMPTY!!!!! I am practically out of gas!!!!!! So what do I do? Hmmmm. This is Heather we are talking about so there are so many possibilities! :) I am thinking that I am already late due to taking Jackson to school. I don't want to be any later than I already am! I look back at my gas gauge and I notice I have a teensy bit. Now - I am familiar enough with Commercial Point to know that there is a gas station right by the school (about a block away). Sooooo - I figure I can make it to Commercial Point and since there is a gas station right there - I can get gas when I leave pres-school instead of on my way. Pretty good plan! I thought so, too! Sooooo - Jacob and I get to school and things are good! We have a fun day and I must say it went very quickly! So, the time comes to leave and we say bye to everyone and head off to our car. We get in and drive to the gas station and everything is going well. I roll down Jacob's back window so he can watch me get gas and I hop out. I open my gas nozzle and turn around and hit unleaded (yes, I always get the cheap kind). :) It takes a minute, but I suddenly realize that the gas numbers (the price) isn't lit up! Hmmm, I think to myself. Why aren't the gas numbers lit up?! I am confused! I look towards the store and I can't see anyone (it is dim inside so it was hard to tell from where I am). So, I check the gas numbers again and, sure enough, they are still not lit up. What is going on? I ask myself. I finally after a few minutes think this isn't right. I tell Jacob that I will be right back (the front door is only a few steps away) and I walk to the door. When I get to the door - yep, that's right - it is locked! Does this clue me in?! Of course not! I am thinking what could be going on?! Did they take a lunch break?! I figure it doesn't really matter b/c, either way, I'm not getting gas here. I am a tad bit annoyed just b/c I know I am on "E" and can't think of any other gas station close by. That certainly isn't MY fault that I am low on gas and waited to the last minute to get some more! It is anybody else's fault, but definately not mine! LOL! Soooooo, as I am walking away from the store I notice that the shelves look empty! I am floored! Does this mean this gas station is closed permanently?! I still don't know as I write this, but am dying to know!!!! LOL! Can my Ashville buddies clue me in b/c I am a little slow! :) I mean, come on, who drives up and gets out and opens their tank and tries to start pumping before noticing anything is wrong!!!!! I am telling you - I am totally clueless!!!! And then - my first thought is that the store workers took a lunch break or something! LOL! Anyway, I was telling my friend this story earlier and realized that I just HAD to blog it!!!!
Let me know what is up with the Commercial Point gas station?! Curious minds would like to know! And for those wondering - I made it back to Grove City at Hoover and 665 and got my gas there! :) And one last question if you don't mind: is there any closer station to Commercial Point besides Grove City or Ashville?! I couldn't think of any, but then again, I am the clueless one!!! LOL!!! :)
Oh, and this is priceless! As I am leaving Commercial Point - driving down Hoover towards Grove City - I look out my rearview mirror and notice my gas door hanging open and the cap just hanging there, too! I totally forgot to put it back and shut the door! PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Okay - first off - I have to say "sorry" to Miranda for posting this picture! But there are two good reasons why I did! :)
1)I was looking for a paper girl pic to post of me (no such luck finding one)! :)
2)Voila - I did find this pic instead and it was just too adorable of us NOT to post! :)
Tell Angie not to kill me, either! LOL! :) How does everyone like my cool Teays Valley jacket?! Doesn't it match my shirt perfectly?! Yeah, I must have thought so, too! I think this pic was taken around 1987 or so. I am pretty sure I was a junior! So, how old would that make you, Miranda? I am guessing maybe 7th grade. And Angie maybe just graduated! I'm not sure! Anyway, enjoy everyone, but don't get too comfortable b/c, maybe, just maybe I have more and it could be one of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! :)

Paper Girl (Part Two)

I left out one small thing I wanted to say! I have thought about Brian through the years and wondered how he is doing. I tend to this with people who have been a part of my life. I just don't forget - they stay with me in one way or another! I will usually say a little prayer when these people come to mind. People we knew at a certain time in our life and then they are gone. Some people come and go while others stay! Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say that if or when you think of an old friend or special person from your past - stop and say a little prayer for them! Maybe they need it. And even if they don't necessarily NEED it - prayer never hurt anyone! We all can use prayer during good times and bad! So, stop, and pray for an old friend or someone who was once a part of your life (especially when they come to your mind). You might just be saving a life - you never know. I just know that I wouldn't mind if someone from my past thought of me and stopped and said a prayer for me! How wonderful is that?! My second point for today: pray! Think of someone you haven't talked to in many years who you cared about and say a prayer for them! Maybe someone is out there doing the same for you! :)

Paper Girl

All righty then! :) Are you guys ready for yet another embarrassing moment in the live of Heather?! LOL! I don't know about you all, but these stories NEVER get old for me! I laugh every time I think about them! I figure (or at least hope) that they make someone else laugh as well (especially if you have had a bad day)! It always helps to laugh: a frown is a smile upside down - so why not turn it over?! I know - kinda corny, but it's all I got! LOL! Okay - here goes: in this story I am about 14 years old and I have been a paper girl for over a year. I delivered on two streets that covered about 172 homes. Now.......you gotta get a mental picture of this.......I was little back then. I matured late so I was probably the size of a 10 year old. Can you picture a ten year old with a huge sack over them that held newspapers in the front and back?!!!!!! Not a pretty picture - I tell ya!!! I was certainly weighted down with all those papers, especially since I was so small! I did get GREAT tips, though, b/c my customers all thought I was only about 12 years old and doing a paper route! They seemed impressed. I, of course, HATED looking that young! I was 14 yrs. old after all! Imagine!!! Anyway, if you are picturing me all bogged down with over 100 and some newspapers not only in the front, but in the back as well - then - picture this as well - imagine how I looked in the winter in the snow? In the winter I got to wear a big winter coat PLUS the huge sack that carried papers in the front and back!!! Attractive, I know! If I had a picture I would post it - I swear! Anyway, there I am doing my route and I am about half way done. Thank God! At least half the papers were gone so I looked a little less dweeby! :) So.......I walk up to a house and lay the paper down and turn around and there is Brian Newsome WAVING AT ME!!!!!! I know you guys have no idea who Brian Newsome is so - let me explain it like this - he was basically the first boy I EVER liked!!!! I was in the ninth grade and this was probably around Nov. or Dec. when this story happened. Brian rode my bus and that is where I saw him for the first time ever!!! I just thought he was to die for good-looking!!!!! He never did like me back that way (as a girlfriend). I think he thought of me as a little sister - pretty much all the guys did - I only looked ten or twelve after all!!!! Funny now, but not then at all! Anyway, back to main story. So I have just turned around and see gorgeous Brian waving at me!!!! At me!!!!! And I must have been in shock b/c what do I do?! I turn around and look over my shoulder to see if he was waving to someone else!!!!!! That is what I do!!!!! I mean - come on - why would gorgeous Brian be waving to me?! Well, I look back and no one is there and I finally realize that he was waving to me after all! I just wanted to die!!! I don't really remember for sure, but I think I waved back and kept on doing my route. I just kept thinking - stupid, stupid, stupid! :) Oh, I must also mention two VERY important parts to this story! 1) Brian didn't live on my route - he was visiting his friend who lived on my route and 2)this is good and very funny - of all the times he had to see me - this is what I look like! Winter coat that is huge with huge knap sack over my shoulders with papers in front and back AND..............this is the best part.................I had on GIGANTIC PINK SNOW BOOTS!!!!!!! You know - the nerdy kind!!!!! I only wore them to do my paper route in! And this is the day I run into Brian Newsome!!!!! The boy I am madly in love with!!!!!!! What a big friggin' dork!!!!! LOL! :) This story has been so fun to tell b/c I think it could be in a sitcom!!!! A Jerry Seinfeld moment!!! It is everyone's biggest fear (well, for us girls at least) to run into someone we like at a time when we look bad!!! The one time we wear our pajamas to the grocery store - BAM - there is someone important who we wanted to impress!!! :) It is soooooo true!!!! For me - at least - there isn't much since the Brian incident that could top it! It was a crucial time in my life - just starting high school, liking my first boy, adjusting to teenage life, etc. - I feel as though I got my most embarrassing moments out of the way early - it has been down hill since then! LOL! Maybe this is why few things tend to REALLY embarrass me. I mean - I say that I am embarrassed and maybe I am - but not ever to the degree I have been in the early years of my life. Maybe I should thank Brian. He was a real nice guy from a good family. He was so sweet to wave to a new freshman and be nice to me! I moved the next year (Brain had a girlfriend, anyway, but I did get to sit beside him in French class). OOOOOOO LAAAAAAA LAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! French class! :) I was still embarrassed when I walked into French class (at the beginning of tenth grade), but I told myself to walk with my head up high and sit down right by him!!!! I wasn't going to let him know I was mortified!!! Keep your cool - pretend you are confident! It worked for me! Oh, I must backtrack a little. I was even more embarrassed by the beginning of tenth grade b/c he knew I liked him by then! And the feeling wasn't mutual. Looking back - I was so young looking and probably acting, too. And, even though, he was only a year older - he simply thought of me as a little sister! But I must admit - he never said anything to me - ever (about me liking him). He just continued on as did I as friends. Which was good! I learned valuable lessons from this experience: 1)to always notice new people the way he noticed and waved to me!
2)sometimes things should NOT be discussed - just continue on like nothing ever happened (sometimes you should acknowledge - the key is knowing when and when not too).
3)People aren't always going to like you the way you like them. Don't take it personal. God has a plan for all of us!
4)Find the good that may be hidden somewhere between the bad! Good stuff is usually there - it may take time to see!
5)I have said this a lot, but: LAUGH AT YOURSELF!!!!!!! This is the only way to live and learn from each experience. If you take things too seriously - like this story - then you will really have trouble down the road with the BIG stuff! I am talking about REAL problems that will come with life! Learn to laugh at the funny things - the little things - the small stuff in the grand scheme of life!!!!! I don't want to look back some day and see how much of the fun stuff I missed out on from being too uptight or too embarrassed! I learned these lessons young and they have stayed with me and helped me throughout my life! I hope my stories help someone else as well.
My final point for today: Enjoy every part of your life!!!! Especially the embarrassing or funny parts! They happen for a reason. Don't let fear stop you from trying something you really want to do! And I will say it one hundred times - learn to laugh at yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you laugh - others laugh with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think about it: maybe the embarrassing moment happened for a reason in order to help somebody else! We don't always know the answers, but please, learn to laugh and be happy!!!!!!!! Life is so much better this way!!!!!!
Love you guys!!!!!

A Snickers Moment! :)

Okay - most of you already know this story (sorry to repeat). I can't think of anything else to blog and when that happens I just think of an embarrassing moment and presto! A STORY!!! :) So, here it is (in my own words): I am about 25 or 26 years old. I am given the responsibility of teaching the one and two year olds for VBS at Pickaway Church. I like kids and so I am happy to help. Plus, I am lazy, and you mostly just play with the kids this age anyway! LOL! So, we (Mark and I) have about five little ones that come regularly for all five days. We have a good time and the week is nearing end. For those of you who might not know - at the end of VBS - the parents come to see a show (put on by the kids). Each class does their "skit" to show what they have learned that past week (about Jesus)! :) At this point you may be thinking, "what skit could the one and two year olds do?" I thought the same thing, but lucky for me, my mom had the cutest answer! She had babysat little kids for years and had lots of cute ideas up her sleeve! She suggested we have the little ones hold up little snicker candy bars and sing, "I love Jesus better than Snickers and Snickers are really good!" You sing it four times and the fourth time you end with: "I love Jesus - better than Snickers!" Sounds cute and adorable for the wee ones to do!!! I thought so, too! LOL! Well, the big night arrives and it is our turn to go on stage! The lights are down low with the spotlight on us..........okay, so I'm exaggerating a tad......anyway, Mark and I lead the wee ones on stage. Mark stays on one side and I stay on the other. There are five wee ones getting ready to sing! Yeah, right!!! The wee ones just stand there as "I" start singing and, thankfully, Mark sings along with me!!! Thank goodness b/c I CANNOT sing! Plus, the church is full - full of VBS parents. And a lot of these parents don't go to church regularly. That is kinda what VBS is for. You introduce church to children and their families who don't know about it or just haven't taken the time to go. By going to VBS, the kids get to see how much fun church is! So.....Mark and I are singing (Mark following my lead, of course). I have sung about two verses (out of the four) when I look up and see my mom all disgruntled and mouthing something to me! I am thinking, "woman, can't it wait? Can't you see I am kinda busy singing right now?" I am thinking this as I am watching her and singing the third verse. And then I realize......it just hits me........I don't know how or why, but.......I am singing........."I love SNICKERS BETTER THAN JESUS 'CAUSE SNICKERS ARE REALLY GOOD!" I have sung it this way for three out of four verses!!!!! And, stupid Mark, he just sang right along with me!!!!! Duh!!!!!! Thank the Lord above that I figured out what my mom was mouthing to me!!!! At least I sang the fourth verse right!!!!! LOL!!!!! To this day I am not sure how many people caught it!!! More than not - I am sure!!!! :) I learned from this experience to laugh at myself!!!! I mean - come on - IT WAS FUNNY!!!!! It STILL is funny whenever I think of it!!! Can you imagine what some people thought?! Certainly, they knew it was a mistake?! Oh Well. I just know it was funny and sometimes you just gotta laugh!!! :) Oh, and for the record, Mark had NO IDEA we had sung it wrong AT ALL until I told him!! Doof!!!! But then again, for those of you who paid attention to the story, you could say that I was a doof, too! Not just b/c I sang it wrong (I was the lead, you know), but b/c I didn't know I was singing it wrong, either, until my mom told me! LOL! :)))))
My point for today (I usually have one): LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TOO!!!!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOOK 'EM HORNS DOOOOOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck to the OSU Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio State Buckeyes - #1 Team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jacob's 1st Day of Pre-School :)

Today was Jacobs's very 1st day of pre-school and what a FUN day it was! I, of course, had to take a picture at home (for his first day in school EVER)! Can't miss that!!! :) He had a great time and so did I!!! :) The kids in his class are really sweet not to mention the teachers! :) Ms. Carleta just has a way with children! She does a fantastic job! Her skill combined with her heart make for a wonderful combination! As you can see from the second picture - Jacob and the kids had a good time playing outside today! This darn fall weather (it was colder this morning and then got real hot this afternoon)! It was nice out at recess, though - not too hot and not too cold. Hey, Carleta, I had to post this last picture just for you! I love it! It shows what a fun time the kids are having! And don't worry - I will take plenty more!!!! LOL! :) It was a very good day and Jacob did very well! I feel we are where we're supposed to be! This is good not only for Jacob, but for me, too! :)
Thanks Ms. Carleta and Ms. Jennifer for a terrific 1st day!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to Jacob on growing up - you are such a big boy! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on my brother! :)

Just wanted to let everyone know that my brother is having his surgery tomorrow! Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end with his foot! After his surgery it will just be a long healing process, but no more hospital visits!!!!! And his work may have a job for him to do (so he doesn't have to sit at home). He gets bored too easy and doesn't want to stay home! Now, me, on the other hand, I would have NO PROBLEM staying home and doing nothing!!!! LOL! Seriously, though, his job has a desk position for him and he is happy about that! Oh, Carleta, thanks for putting him on the prayer list at church (Miranda told me you guys did). I truly appreciate that! And, you know, some good things are starting to happen for him - so thank you all for praying for him!!!!!!
My point for today is: Remember that good things may come in small doses!!!!! But they do come! You might not be hit with "one" big dose - good things may come a little at a time! Keep your eyes open for the little things that come your way! :)

The One Where I Go To The Dentist

Okay - I just know that you are all sitting there waiting to read my blog! You have been patiently waiting all day to hear my latest dentist story! Well, sorry to disappoint you guys, but I have no story for today! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now who in their right mind believed that?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! :) I ALWAYS have a story to tell! And today is no different! :) Yes, I did go to see the dentist today (for those two cavities I have) and, yes, Mr. Friggin' Good Lookin' was the one to fix them! Lucky me, huh?! Well, the technician takes me back and within a few minutes Mr. FGL walks in! And, yes, he is just as handsome without his mask, but I could just look at those eyes all day!!!! So, he lowers the seat ALL the way back (way farther back than when they are cleaning your teeth - it felt a little weird laying completely back that far). I could make a crack about this part alone, but I will let it go! :) I think they lay ya back that far b/c they are giving you a shot in your mouth. Oh, first (before he laid me back) he swabbed a Q-tip in my mouth which started to make it a teensy bit numb (this makes the shot less painful). We made small talk (and I said a lot of stupid stuff) - for example, I said I wasn't gonna chew gum anymore - like that is true! That sounds like something a little kid would say after getting hurt ("I'm not gonna ride my bike ANYMORE!" the kid would say after falling off)! As soon as I say these goofy things (out loud) I have to ask myself why I said it! :) Anyway, he gets all ready with his mask and all and the next thing I know there is a HUGE needle headed my way!!!! And towards my face of all places!!! Not fun! Then, Mr. FGL has me open my mouth and says that it might pinch a little. Now I have had shots several times in my mouth before, but I tell ya! I'm not sure if it was because of Mr. FGL or what, but I barely felt it at all! He gave me two shots and I thought he was done (one on top for the top cavity and one on bottom for the bottom cavitiy). But no! He starts coming at me again with ANOTHER needle! And I say, "another one?!" And he says, "oh, yeah, we're not done yet!" And I get one more shot to say the least. I must say - they let me sit there after that while it got numb and it got numb pretty fast! That whole side of my face was numb!!!! Even my eye!!! I had to ask, of course, if that was okay - was my eye supposed to feel this way?! Oh, yeah, when he told me that I had to sit there and wait for it to get numb I go and say, "out in the waiting room?" and he says "oh, no, you're staying here." It is almost as if he knows I am nervous and plays with me - ya know?! So, I know this is long, what can I say?! :) You gotta love me!!! So, it gets numb and he comes back in with the technician - dang her - can't I have two minutes alone with Mr. FGL!!!! She follows him everywhere! I know, I know - she is just doing her job - but she better back off from my man (my man, that is, in my fantasy world). Don't tell Mark!!!!!!! LOL! Just kidding! They set me back (normal) this time so it feels better. Then he starts drilling. It only takes a few minutes and he is done and he even says to me "all done" - but do I just let him do his job and take his word for it?! Of course not! It only felt like he did the bottom tooth - so I say, "what about the top one?" And he says, "what about it?" I say, "what about my cavity on top?" And it seems as if he is getting a kick out of not answering me so I say, "don't you have to do the top?" And he finally says with a slight grin "we already did it - it's done!" Can you believe it?! I had no idea! I seriously thought they had only done the bottom one! So, once again, I feel STUPID!!!!! LOL! :) At least I get a kick out of myself, too! Do you know that when he laid the seat back in the beginning I say (b/c it felt so awkward) - I say, "I'm pretending I''m on vacation." WhatEVER - you big doofus Heather!!!!! Instead of saying, "this feels awkward like a normal person would say - I have to say that! I must mention as well that the technician was NOT very friendly! She just did her job and didn't talk much! At least Mr. FGL toys with me and gives me something to feel stupid about! :) Anyway, my mouth is still (as I type this) completely numb and it is several hours later. He numbed me good!!!!! (No pun intended - I just can't help it - that is funny)!!!! ROFL!!!!!! Somebody stop me!!!!! :) I know you guys will be disappointed, but this will be the end of my dentist stories for awhile. No more appts. until February (I'm sure there will be "one" more story then). I just don't seem to be able to go ANYWHERE and NOT have a story to tell! I just tell myself I'm special!!!! :) The truth is more like I talk too much! If I just said nothing, then there would be a lot less embarrassing moments! That is for sure! But what would you guys have to read and talk about then? Life would be soooooo boring! So, for now, I think I'll keep on talking! :) It may be embarrassing, but it sure makes life more fun!!! And it gives me many stories to tell! I usually end up having some kind of point so here is one for today: Don't be afraid to talk! It is way better to talk (and sometimes get embarrassed), than to say nothing at all! I must say - I have met all kinds of people and learned a lot by talking! Just don't be too afraid and be too shy to make conversation with people! I always feel good in the end after making conversation (even when I'm embarrassed). Life is short - make the most of it!!!!
P.S. And people are busy living their own life. So, when you end up doing or saying something dumb - it is okay - people will go on and it will make for great "conversations" in the future! :)

Reverse Living

Some of you may have already heard this before, but I came across it (again) and thought it would be good to post!

Life is rough.
It takes up a lot of your time, all your weekends,
and what do you get at the end of it?
...Death, a great reward.
I think the life cycle is all backwards.
You should die first, get it out of the way.
Then you should live 20 years in an old-age home.
You get kicked out when you're too young,
you get a gold watch, you go to work.
You work for 40 years until you're
young enough to enjoy your retirement.
You go to college, you party until you're ready for high school,
you become a little kid, you play, you have no responsibilities,
you become a little boy or girl, you go back in the womb,
you spend your last nine months floating,
And you finish off as a gleam in someone's eye.

Norman Glass, submitted by Tony D'Angelo
From Chicken Soup for the College Soul

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang on Sloopy - Sloopy hang on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Honor Defend
We Will Fight Till The End
For O-HI-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fight the team across the field!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Dentist :)

Just thought I would make a quick update on my previous dentist story! :) I know you are all dying to know the next episode!! Well, I was supposed to go and have my two cavities filled this past week. Didn't happen - hot dog - thanks to my brother getting hurt! FYI: I'm not saying I am glad that Heath got hurt - I am just saying, yippee, for me! However, this isn't entirely a good thing. You see for 1) it would already be over with by now and for 2) I have all weekend to wonder if Mr. Friggin' Good-Lookin' is gonna be the one to quote "fill my cavities." LOL! :)
Truthfully, with the week I have had - I hope he will be the one - b/c I have been through sooooo much - I would probably just tell him how friggin' good-lookin' he is! And if I chickened out and didn't - at least I would have his sweet eyes to look at for an hour! (Man - I hope Mark doesn't read this one). :) I LOVE YOU, MARK!!!!!!!!! Is it MY fault if the dentist is Mr. Friggin' Good-Lookin'?! So, that is the update - I have a new appt. scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon so be thinking of me around 3:00! :)
Thank You and Good Night!