must be doin' somethin' right...

Well, since I can't sleep anyway

2012-01-26T02:21:00.003-06:00

Might as well catch y'all up on my little corner of the world.

I've been silent about this on facebook and only hinting of it on twitter. And since (most) everyone who reads this doesn't know me IRL I figure I might as well talk about it somewhere so I can stop whining to those who are done caring. (And if you are my friend/follower on either, please respect my wishes to keep it off there. Thanks!)

Two days before my last post, P and I went to a bar in Austin to watch my beloved Badgers stumble and fall short of my optimistic Rose Bowl victory dreams.

That night I had some of the worst stomach pain/nausea that I've ever had. I chalked it up to greasy bar food and/or food poisoning.

Until it lasted for days on end. I started reading more and more (and took a pregnancy test, which was negative) and freaked myself out that I had everything from meningitis to salmonella.

That Sunday, I worked a long shift without a break (short staffed and super busy, and I was the only manager). We had dinner plans, so by the time we got to the restaurant, I was STARVING. I ate my first full meal in days, and it was ah-may-zing.

When we got in the car to drive home, almost immediately I made P pull over where I promptly lost most of the dinner. After some discussion, we decided to go to the ER that night. After three hours of waiting, we finally got back to see a doctor.

He suggested it might be gallbladder related based on symptoms, pain, and that oh-so-lovely press on the belly in various areas test. After a quick ultrasound and hours (6 total!) of waiting around, he determined I didn't have gallstones and released me with anti-nausea medications and instructions to follow up with a primary care doctor in 3 days.

Unfortunately P and I were still getting my insurance under the Army straightened out, so I decided to see a doctor covered by my insurance and also by the Army insurance. I made an appointment for Thursday morning. The doctor complimented me on my pain tolerance, did the same press on the belly test, and assured me he was going to order a scan to ensure my gallbladder was or wasn't functioning for next week. I decided that despite the fact that I wasn't eating, the pain was tolerable, so next week should work.

I was thrilled, because how simple was that? Famous last words.

Monday came and I still hadn't heard from the referral. So I called the doctor's office to check in, and they called me back later that day and assured me the referral was in-process. But if I hadn't heard by Friday to call back.

Meanwhile, the pain was getting stronger and more frequent, no matter what I ate or didn't eat. Friday came, and out of frustration, I called the office again and told them that. This time I was told that the doctor had not ordered the test the previous Thursday, like I had been told, but he had ordered it on Monday when I called to check in. However, they would flag it with the highest priority and get back to me as soon as possible.

By the end of my shift at work, I was in severe pain, unlike anything I've ever experienced before, and called the doctor's office back a third time. I (not so politely) explained that I didn't understand how I can tell them that if I eat, I hurt. If I don't eat, I hurt. And that it was interfering with my daily life to the point that I wanted to go back to the ER. She told me she would do everything she could to get me in ASAP, but it would likely be Wednesday before I could be seen, because the doctor had not signed his order for this test, so therefore they couldn't schedule it.

I drove home, and after calling the Army hospital nurse advice line, P and I decided to head back to the ER, where I again waited for almost 3 hours and saw the same doctor. He again ordered an ultrasound, which again showed no gallstones, but gave me some medications to help manage the pain. One stronger med for when I didn't work and ibuprofen for when I "need to function."

Luckily I had three days off from work, in which I used the pain medication sparingly, only when the pain became unbearable. I worked today and tolerated the pain most of the day. I have a doctor's appointment with my new PCM under Army insurance for tomorrow morning.

My phone rang this morning, and guess who it was? The doctor from 2 weeks ago, finally had an opening tomorrow to get me the test. I said, "thanks but no thanks, since it took 2 weeks for you to do this for me. I ended up back in the ER and have decided to change doctors." No argument on their part.

So here I sit, awake, thankfully not hurting much due to the wonderful medications, not able to sleep.

I haven't felt like doing much of anything when I have free time. So blogging, including any changes or transitions this blog may undergo has been low on the priority list.

I'm hoping for some answers tomorrow, since most of the signs point to needing to have my gallbladder removed. I was anti surgery at first, but after dealing with this pain for 3 weeks and not being able to find anything I can eat without pain, I am all for it.

So there you have it, folks. How I spent my blogging vacation. Rambly and random, thanks to the lovely painkillers.

2012

2012-01-04T09:55:00.000-06:00

Oh well, hello there 2012!You snuck up on me this year.

2011 was a year of many changes. I should do a full on year in review with pictures, but I'm not feeling so hot, so we'll just hit the highlights.

February, we went to CA so P could meet my mom, and we went to Disneyland! It was a blast!

In March, his beloved Poppop passed away, and P made the trip solo.

In April, we said goodbye almost a year to the day after I welcomed him home from Iraq.

In May, he told me he didn't get me a birthday present because he "wanted to get me something bigger." Then he told me to go ring shopping.

In June, I went to visit him in ~~Misery~~ Missouri, and at the very end of my trip, he proposed. That's about when we learned we were headed to the South West. :)

In July, we went to Tennessee to see my dad and stepmom and started wedding planning. I also had my bridal shower and bought my dress with the help of my mom and future MIL.

In August, I left my job and moved to Missouri where I was bored for the next three months.

In October, we went to Vegas and I became his wifey! A few days after the wedding, the movers came and packed all our stuff.

The first week of November, we packed our cars and drove 13 hours (should have been 11, but someone told me he had checked the closets and he hadn't, leaving my wedding dress in the closet, so I had to turn around and get it...) to our new home. Three days after we arrived, I started my new job and have been insanely (happily!) busy getting adjusted.

December was a blur of work, time with my husband and getting ready for the holidays.

So here we are, 2012. What changes will you bring us?

What I have done so far this year is started a "grateful journal." Every night before bed, I've written down 1-2 sentences about what I am grateful for each day. I'm trying to give myself a little perspective and keep myself happy about what I have.

I am very blessed and I just need to remind myself of that. Last night I wrote down how grateful I am to have employees who can self-direct when I'm not feeling well and keep the store running smoothly. And that I am so grateful to have a husband who takes the recycling to post the day I ask, rather than waiting for it to pile up.

Simple little things, but they are what I am thankful for.

My other "goals" for 2012:

1. Pay off my debt (again-- although I am SO close now!)
2. Get back into a workout routine, CrossFit, Insanity, whatever. Routine is what makes me happy!
3. Adapt to married life (socks on the floor of the closet vs. the hamper means my husband is home, safe with me!)
4. Take time to do things for myself.
5. Worry less and enjoy more
6. Learn to fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow like my husband
7. Take our honeymoon!

Oh and of course to attempt to blog more!!

Based on a conversation with P, this blog may move to private or I may archive all my old posts and start fresh. He is a very private person, very concerned about PERSEC, and I want my blog to reflect his wishes.

Not that I really have that many readers out there anymore. *grin*

Ok I lied again

2011-12-19T22:49:00.000-06:00

Things have been nuts lately. I live 48 miles from work and work 39-40 hours a week. So I commute for close to 8 hours a week on top of my work.

My car broke down Friday, and thankfully should be back to running tomorrow. I hope. It didn't cost us too much to repair, so we're hoping for a few more months out of my trusty rusty. The bright side to the breakdown was that it happened on a Friday and P had Saturday/Sunday off from work.

I love my new job. I love my new team at my job.

I love my new husband.

I love my new house.

I also love the giveaway that I think I have to do by Friday before I break the terms of the giveaway.

What little free time I've had has been devoted to Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, thank you notes and trying to determine if the pain in my foot is actually just an annoyance or if I have a stress fracture. (Really hoping it's the first, not the second.)

I'm not going to make any promises that I'll be around more in 2012, but I do promise to do my giveaway.

Hopefully I'll do it via a year in review post. :)

In the meantime, go grab a cup of coffee. I'll be back here soon. :)

Wedding weekend part 2

2011-11-23T16:28:00.001-06:00

My mother in law, maid of honor, bridesmaid and the best man's date all met in my room to head to dinner.

My mom and sisters were supposed to meet us right away, but ended up arriving an hour late to dinner.

Memorable quote from dinner: My maid of honor said to my mom that her daughters are "like cosmopolitan ice cream, dark, blond and red!" After a moment, I asked her if she meant Neapolitan.

My mom and sisters took off after dinner, and the girls and I went to a few clubs. The one we had the most fun at was the piano bar, where they got the guys to sing "Like a Virgin" to me.

After we closed the piano bar, we met up with P and the guys, and then called it a night.

Friday was just as busy, with family arriving, rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. It was so much fun having the families together. One of our groomsmen was driving in from Arizona, so my bridesmaid's boyfriend played him during the rehearsal, and so everyone called him J all weekend.

Crazy moment of the night: my mom and stepmom meeting for the first time. Definitely a moment that many people breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was a civil introduction and no fighting broke out.

P decided to stay with his brother that night, so his brother's date stayed with me. I'm so glad I got to meet her, there are very few women in my life that I instantly connect with but she is one!

When we got back to the room, she discovered my love note from P, which I of course have saved. :)

When we woke up, she headed back to her room to shower and change since all my girls were coming to my room for hair and makeup. When she got there, she climbed into bed to nap for a bit, next to who she thought was P's brother, the best man. Nope... much to her shock, ut was P, which she didn't discover until she woke up! So now we joke about how she slept with the bride, the groom and the maid of honor all in the same weekend! (my moh crashed in her room after the bachelorette party)

All right, typing on my phone is making me carsick, so part three, the big day coming soon!!

Why hello there!

2011-11-22T16:44:00.001-06:00

I realize I have left Blogland in suspense about the adventure of us getting married a whole month ago, but ladies and gents, I have been a busy girl!

However, to make up for my absence, I will be hosting a giveaway AND posting our wedding story and some photos!

Sadly not today, but check back tomorrow!

It's always an adventure

2011-11-06T15:25:00.001-06:00

Traveling with me, that is!

Thursday, P and I woke up early to finish packing the cars and get on the road. We made a list the night before with all we needed to do and felt good.

We woke up to rain, but no big deal, right? What's a little rain to two former Seattle residents? Oh wait, it's turning into a rain/snow mixture. Yay, it's more fun that way!

So what does this outdoor store employee do? Why I grabbed my hiking boots, down jacket and waterproof jacket to finish loading the car.

We get in and he calls me to tell me my headlight is out. Fantastic.

Anyway, we get on the road and 40 miles in, I remember P giving me a hard time about my wedding dress being in the hall closet, so I wouldn't forget it. He had assured me he checked all the rooms and all the closets, so I called him to make sure he had it. Nope.

So after my extra 80 miles, with my wedding dress now tucked securely in the back, I followed him. Until the Oklahoma border, where I saw a sign for tolls. Great. I don't have cash. P pays for both of us at each booth. Thankfully only two.

In Oklahoma City, I glance in my rearview mirror and notice an unmarked police car is following me. I check my speed, not speeding. I know my tail lights work. Suddenly, I see flashing lights in my rearview. My first instinct was oh he must be headed somewhere, I haven't fine anything different.

Nope. He pulled me over. I've never been pulled over before, so I try to stay calm and pull out my license and insurance card. After what felt like half an hour, he finally walks up to my window and says "Are you Lisa?" Yes, sir. "Well, Lisa, I've been looking all over for you!" I panicked for a second, then realized he was joking.

He gave me a hard time about my Wisconsin alumni plate, asked why I was following the car ahead of me (P) so closely, warned me about my cracked windshield and finally took my license back to his car. P called while the cop was there, having finally realized I wasn't behind him anymore.

After a bit more chit chat, the cop tells me he's not giving me a ticket or a written warning. He asked about the license number and chatted a bit more as I nervously told him I had never been pulled over before. Finally he lets me go, and we continue on.

We hit the Texas border and stop for dinner a little ways in. I insist that we go to an auto parts store because I really didn't want my first and second time being pulled over be the same day.

It took us over half an hour to change my headlight. As we start to pull out, I realize P's headlight is out too. He mistakes me trying to flag him down for me telling him to pass me. I call him, he returns to the store, we quickly get his fixed, and hit the road again.

He gets ahead of me and takes the wrong exit. I didn't have directions, but vaguely remembered which road I was supposed to take. He finally catches up to me and we continue south.

When we finally reach the town, we start looking for a hotel. P calls three and none accept cats. I google and find one that does.

So here we are a week later, I started work two days ago, and we are continuing our adventure!!

Little rant

2011-10-30T01:39:00.002-05:00

I know you're all waiting with baited breath for the rest of the wedding story, and it's coming, I promise.

But first I have to share my frustration.

As some of you know, we got married in Las Vegas. We were extremely pleased with the chapel in the hotel that we selected. What we weren't pleased with was the photography requirements. You are required to use their photographer for any and all photos in the chapel. No cameras from any guests or outside photographers.

They wanted an extra $1000 for one additional hour of photography. Ummm... no thanks.

I have several friends who are professional photographers, and after a bit of debate and consideration of other factors (children, jobs, etc), we selected my friend Cameron. I will (probably) share his blog once he finishes our photos. For around the same cost, we flew Cameron out for the weekend, had him photograph the rehearsal dinner, and basically the entire day of the wedding, plus a few snaps the morning after. And what I've seen so far is phenomenal!

Anyway...

So we met with the photo company the morning after the wedding and looked through their 180 images with them. After what felt like a very pressured meeting where we weren't ever given the option to discuss privately what we wanted to do, we purchased the dvd of photos, and a package that included the rights to print the photos, several enlargements and some frames.

Tonight I looked through the "professional" photos from the chapel.

The original off the CD photo of me and my grandmother:

Now don't get me wrong, my posture is not stellar, and Grandma doesn't stand as tall as she used to. But I'm pretty sure we don't lean quite like that.

My quick edit in iPhoto, 9 degrees of straightening, according to their leveling tool. It also crops the photo as you level it, which in this case didn't matter too much.

Are you joking? We paid a ridiculous sum of money for these photos that we were NOT given another option to have taken. And every single one. EVERY SINGLE ONE is slanted. And in many, there's 3 feet of empty space above our heads, giving us waist-up shots with tons of negative space.

To say I'm angry is putting it mildly. I'm taking the disc to the store tomorrow to test print a few photos, because on my screen, even the "high resolution" photos are grainy.

I don't completely blame the photographer, because she openly admitted to us that we were her first wedding. And she took a ton of photos, giving us a lot to choose from. But I do blame the company for putting us in a high pressure situation, instead of offering us an opportunity to look through the photos and make a decision at our leisure.

P admits he doesn't know much about photography, and while I'm no professional, I can tell when photos are decent quality and when they aren't. I plan to call the company on Monday to demand at least a partial refund.

What would you do in my position?

MilSpous Friday Fill-In #63

2011-10-28T00:05:00.000-05:00

This is my first Fill-in as a spouse!

The best part of October was getting married! And spending several days with incredible friends, old and new!
The worst part of October was a tie between getting sick the day after the wedding and the family drama that happened before and after (but not during!!) the wedding.
For Halloween, I’ll be sleeping-- we PCS a few days after so we don't plan to do much.
I hope that in November brings awesome new things for our new little family!
Wifey has posted MilSpouse Secret Santa. I WILL!! be participating.