Music

Davis and I went shopping on Saturday morning for groceries. When Davis is in the car....he talks and talks and talks (Grandma can confirm that)!!!

It was very windy.

Davis asked "how can the trees move like that?"

I said the wind was blowing them.

He said "I think the trees think the wind sounds like music so they are dancing."

Well said my man!!!

Vision

I was not blessed with the best eyesight....it is a family trait. However, I am so thankful for what I can see!!

11 years ago today I had my second surgery ever (the 1st being 12 weeks prior for the birth of Hannah via c-section) for a detached retina.

I had gone to the eye doctor on Monday the 13th after a terrible weekend in which my boss (and friend) had delivered her stillborn daughter and I wasn't getting much work done and I thought my vision had changed due to pregnancy. I had discovered over the weekend that I had a blind spot in my left eye (I could only explain that it was like someone had their finger in the corner of my eye).

As I was being assessed by the nurse, I asked what the possible causes of this could be. She said it could be anything from a hernia to a detached retina.

After a long wait (there had been another emergency in the office), the doctor took a look in my eye and turned to his nurse and said "Get Dr. Frank on the phone now". I asked if it was bad....he said "it can be, you will have surgery either tonight or in the morning".

What?? Holy Cow, what do I do now? Pete was working an hour away and I needed to pick up Hannah from the sitter. I called my mom (in the lobby no less) and asked if she could pick Hannah up because I needed to have surgery possibly tonight. She asked if I could drive and I said yes. She told me to wait there, she would make some calls and come pick me up. My brother went to pick up Hannah and my parents came to get me.

When we got down to Piedmont, the office was already closed but there was a sign on the door frame that said "Mrs. Yost, follow the hallway to the end for Dr. Frank". I was so scared!!!!

The Doctor determined that the tear had already progressed far enough that we could do surgery in the morning versus having the "B" team that night (his words not mine).

I went to my mom's house after and I remember making the hardest call in my life....I called Michelle and cried over the loss of her precious daughter. I had to tell her that I would be at the service in spirit only since I was having surgery the next day.

My surgery was in the afternoon if I remember correctly. I was blindfolded after the surgery (which I was told about) and had to lay flat on my right side.

My memories from that first 24 hours:

• Asking what time it was to anybody that came in the room.
• Lisa putting flowers in my face for me to "smell".
• Lisa checking to see if I had pants on under the sheet.
• Getting a shot in the butt after complaining of a headache.
• Getting scolded by the nurses because I had my head up so Pete could tell me how to get to the bathroom (how many steps and what furniture was there)
• Anxiously awaiting the 6am doctor visit so I could get a peephole eye patch.
• Being embarrassed to have to leave the hospital with the left eye patched, right eye with a peephole patch with my glasses over it because I can't see without them.

My detached retina was caused from a tear in my retina due to be near-sighted. The doctor fixed the tear with a laser, attached a silicone buckle around my eye (I always say I have silicone in the wrong place) and then an air bubble is inserted in the eye. The buckle and bubble work together to push the retina together so it will reattach on its own.

I had to be on my left side for 20 out of 24 hours a day for the 1st week (that includes eating, showering, etc.). I am so lucky to have such a great family that kicked in and helped us....Hannah was only 12 weeks old.

I worried that I would not see my daughter get married or be able to work (I am an accountant and I don't think the market is good for a blind accountant)....I know these were crazy thoughts, after all we have TWO eyes.

I am happy to report that I still have silicone in the wrong place, but my vision in the left eye is fully correctable with contacts/glasses. I did what I was supposed to do for my healing (my dad had threatened to kick my ass if I didn't), I was able to make my daughter's 1st Halloween costume, and I am more grateful today for what I can see!!!!

Getting close

We are really close to adding a four-legged member to our family.

I am so hoping it all works out.....I just love this little guy.

Wednesday is the day we will know for sure!!!

Correction

I was corrected last night about a previous post....

Pete did not "fall" into a mud puddle....he "stepped" in the mud puddle and the mud "splashed" up on his leg (all the way to his knee).

He leaves the falling to me!!!!

I need my Mommy

Mom,

I know I am big now....I got on a plane this morning all by "me-self".

I rented a car like a big girl, drove my boss to our meeting and then drove 3 hours to West Palm all by "me-self".

But for the life of me....I cannot iron!!!! Not only do I suck at it....I HATE IT!!! I think I hate it more than doing the dishes!!!

I think I need you here Mom!!!!

Reunion Update

We made it to our reunion last weekend and we both agreed that we would have rather been at the race track (we made lots of phone calls though). We did look pretty good though :)!!! We did enjoy seeing Jeff and his wife and Richard.....we really do need to do a better job of keeping in touch!!!

We were back at the track this past weekend and wow did it feel good!!! I am sore as hell because I am so graceful and fell down when I was trying to cross the track to cheer Matt on - I swear the earth moved below me!! I couldn't even blame it on alcohol!!!

My dear, sweet husband's comment when told that I fell...

"You know how golfer's have a handicap? Well, there is mine!!"

Karma is a bitch my friend....Pete fell in a mud puddle later in the evening!!!

(No, I did not push him - he graduated from the same "school of grace" that I did)

Hannah and I met a little guy yesterday by the name of "Hunter"....he seems "pawfect" for our family and Daddy didn't say "No". I sure am hoping things work out.....

Life Goes On

This has been a pretty emotional week so far....I would be okay if it would get easier!!

Yesterday I decided to quit.....(not my paying job Mom...no worries)....on taking Matt to school in the mornings. He is just so finicky and I just can't handle the crying. Pete took him this morning since I officially turned in my resignation yesterday effective immediately. I haven't burn the bridge or anything....I just need some space!!!

Hopefully the gas situation will be getting better soon.....I have done my best to conserve as much as I could!!! I am under a quarter of a tank right now, but it seems like the lines have improved a lot since yesterday!!

We did get some exciting news on Hannah...she has been invited to join the Beta Club. She has done such a great job this year in getting involved...she is in Chorus and on the News Team. Pete and I were never very involved in school, so it is great to see her doing her own thing and getting involved!!

We also received some random news today on Matt....he failed his eye test at school. WTH? We just had them checked at the end of July. Hopefully he was just confused on the test and didn't know what the "answer" was but not because he can't SEE it!!! Awesome - 4 years old, no front teeth, shaved head (maybe Pete will let it actually grow some) and glasses!!!!

I will be traveling for work next week down to Orlando and down the coast to Miami. I think it will be good to get away for a couple of days!! I will be staying in West Palm and I may just have to sit by the ocean and remember how truly blessed I am. I am pretty sure that visiting 4 nursing homes will surely help me feel blessed!!!