LisaAnnsPlace's Xanga

This and That

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:37:35 GMT

We have had a lot going on here and I just haven't got around to updating my blog until now.
On Sunday we had my family over for lunch to celebrate Father's Day. We had a very nice visit. I recently bought a Flip video camera so I decided to use that and skip the photos. Turns out the video camera is defective so I'm not very happy. I won't make that mistake twice.

My brother gave me the Sims 3 game so I spent around 18 hours downloading that, it downloaded twice for some reason, only to discover that my video card wasn't good enough to play the game. So my main computer is in the shop. I really hope I love this game. I don't play computer games but this one looked like fun.

Chelsea called me on Thursday night and asked if she could stay with us if she comes home early from her mom's. Nothing would make me happier. She was supposed to let me know but she hasn't brought the subject up since. I miss her so much. Another month seems like forever.

I did get around to doing a layout. This is for my Heritage Album. It's about two of my Great Aunts. I was like five and six in these photos.

I'm happy to report that my new medication is helping with my pain level and sleep. Please continue to pray that it will keep working.

I hope everyone is having a great week.

Sweet 16

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:04:25 GMT

Today is my nieces Sweet 16 and I'm really missing her today. We are planning a big party for her when she gets home. I made a little slide show in honor of her birthday. The years have gone by much to quickly.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our Weekend

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:50:36 GMT

We had a busy weekend. Since Chelsea is with her mom we decided to celebrate my birthday now and then have a big family party when she get's home.
On Friday we both had doctor's appointments early in the morning. Afterward we went to Christiansburg for lunch at the Olive Garden and did a little shopping.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Winston Salem, NC to the Mens Warehouse to look for some work clothes for Michael. I went to Marshall's and AC Moore. Everything I bought was either for our nephew or nieces. I got a great deal on a scrapbook for the baby. It's a 12 x 12 Winnie The Pooh album and I paid $4.00 for it! I'm ready for her to arrive! My sister is due in four weeks!

Since today is my 42nd birthday I thought I would share some photos of past birthdays and when I was younger. Time goes by so fast.

My first birthday.

I'm not sure what birthday this is from.

I was ten in this photo. I slept with that doll for years.

My senior picture from 1986.

This was taken on my 30th birthday. I was diagnosed with MS a couple of months latter.

I have to show you this picture of our blue rose bush. I love this one!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Clearing Something Up and More Photos

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:52:26 GMT

In my last post I mentioned how I"m feeling about not seeing my niece on her birthday because she is with her mom in NC. I understand that she needs time with her "mom" but what you don't know is that she is not a good role model. I don't want to go into a lot of details but she is a party girl. She takes my niece with her to clubs/bars at all hours of the night and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Her ring tone is "Gold Digger!" Do you get the picture ?
Since the summer visitation is in the custody agreement so my brother has no other choice but to let her go. She would never forgive him if he tried to keep them apart.
So what you have here is an aunt and uncle who have taken her into their hearts and lives as their own. I took care of her from the time she was two months old until she went to school. Weekends and holidays she's here. The house is so quiet without her right now. She spends most of the summer here unless she's at her moms.
I'm not trying to be selfish in wishing her home for her birthday. It's killing me to be apart from her for the sweet 16 milestone. She called the other day and gave us her mailing address in case we want to send her something.
When she comes home we will have a big party and she will get a huge surprise when she opens her laptop.

Michael is taking me out on Saturday for my birthday since he's working on Monday. I will miss celebrating with Chelsea but I will live.

I took some more photos the other day. The weather was so beautiful that I went for a walk around our property. I hope you enjoy the photos.

A Lot Going On

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:00:08 GMT

We have had so much going on here the last few days! It's just been a little crazy.
On Saturday my niece left to spend the summer with her mom. I will not be holding my breath on it lasting that long. Last year she made it three days before we had to go to North Carolina and get her. I'm going to be very upset if she's not home for her birthday on the 12th. We always celebrate our birthdays together. Her's being four days after mine. This year is extra special because she turns 16 and we got her the pink laptop she wants. We are so excited about giving it to her. We have both been a little down over the weekend. She's such a big part of our lives that when she's not here our world isn't the same. If she stays all summer.....I'm not even going to think about it.

My sisters baby shower was on Saturday. She had a really wonderful turn out. There were around twenty five people. Our aunts, uncles and cousins came in from North Carolina so we had a nice time visiting with them. A lot of her friends came and some of their parents came as well. She received some really nice things.

On Sunday we went to Wal Mart to do our shopping for the month. Michael finished putting out the white marble rocks in the rock garden. We still need to find some cute statues for it. Right now it's just shrubs and rocks.

The first of our roses are finally opening up. This is my favorite rose bush.

There are several more that are almost open so I should be able to get some pictures of those soon.

On Monday night we planted the flowers for the planters on the deck and put out our new solar lights in front of the house. I think they look great and can't wait to until they get charged up.

It's supposed to be in the nineties on Tuesday! So summer is definitely here!

Handmade Cards

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:27:12 GMT

I thought I would share some the cards I've made over the last couple of months. I've been working at improving my skills.

This one is for my sister's baby shower this weekend.

I made this one for my mom.

I made these just practicing. Sooner or latter someone I know will have a boy.

There's not much going on here this week. My sister's baby shower is Saturday I'm trying to get ready for that.
It's been doing nothing but raining here so I haven't had a chance to plant the rest of our flowers. At least everything we planted the other day is getting plenty of water.
Hope everyone's week is going well.

Weekend Project

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:32:13 GMT

Michael was off for three days so we spent most of our weekend shopping for flowers and building a new raised flowerbed. Michael did all of the hard work and it turned out great.
Here's the before shot.

This is how it looks now. I can't wait for them to grow.

We started working on the rock garden but ran out of rocks and steam so we will finish it next weekend.
On Monday we got caught up on some housekeeping and finished a little project inside. I will share that with you latter.
My rash is gone PTL! I started the new medication, Cymbalta, last night and I seem to be doing okay today. I'm a little sleepy but other than that I'm okay. I would appreciate your prayers that I will tolerate the medication and that it will help with my pain.
I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sun, 24 May 2009 02:49:24 GMT

I just wanted to take a moment to post this video. It's a very moving tribute to our men and women in the military. I hope you will enjoy it.

We are working in the yard this weekend. I wish I had inherited my grandmothers and mothers green thumb. I will have some pictures to share next week.

Just Shoot Me Now!

Fri, 15 May 2009 02:36:56 GMT

I think it would feel good compared to the way I feel right now. Last night my back kept itching when I pulled my shirt off for hubby to scratch my back he about freaked out. My back was covered in large red welts. By the time I went to bed I had it on my face and almost in my right eye. So I get up this morning to get dressed and look in the mirror and my backside is covered in this rash as well as my thighs.
I had to call Michael home to take me to the doctor. He was only two hours away! The doctor called it Idiopathic Urticaria. Which basically means a rash of unknown cause. I haven't used anything different for the laundry, no new cleaning products,no new foods, etc. So I have Benadryl and a prescription my insurance won't cover. Hopefully this is just a one time thing but he warned me that it could be something that will come and go. Just what I need.
We also talked about the neuropathy pain which is mainly causing pain from my lower back down my backside. It's gotten to the point where I'm having trouble coping with it. There is no comfortable way to sit and nothing so far has helped it. The only time I get any relief is when I sleep. We have tired a dozen medication and nothing is touching it. There's not a lot you can do about it and we are running out of things to try. He gave me some Cymbalta to start in a week after the rash is gone. I'm praying for a miracle...again.
So this has been a fun week. I saw my therapist on Tuesday and was so stressed out she asked me if I'm suicidal. I'm not in case your wondering. Yesterday I had to go to the dentist and today the doctor. I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday!

The only good news is I lost six and a half pounds since March without trying!

Mother's Day Weekend

Tue, 12 May 2009 23:59:54 GMT

As you can see from the picture above we had a beautiful Mother's Day weekend. This is a shot of the view from our home.
On Saturday Chelsea and her boyfriend, DeVae, came over for dinner and a movie. Since Chelsea isn't allowed to car date yet we have to keep an eye on them at our house. Hopefully that will change soon. She will be sixteen next month and DeVae will seventeen this fall so they are chomping at the bit to be on their own.
On Sunday we spent the afternoon at my parent's house with my mom and family. My sister came over with her family so I got to play with my nephew Colby for awhile. He's four years old and all boy. I took a few pictures. My mom is like me she hates having her picture taken so I have to be sneaky.

This is my baby sister Kim and my nephew Colby. She's expecting a baby girl the first week of July. I can't wait to meet my niece!

This Chelsea and Colby. They are very close despite her being so much older.

This is the best shot I could get of my mom. Colby was trying to get her to look at me and say cheese. He knows Auntie Lisa has her camera at all times.

He's trying to mow the lawn in this one. I wish I had some of that energy.

It's been pretty quite here this week. I had an appointment with my therapist this afternoon and I see the dentist tomorrow. So lot's of fun for me this week. My pain level is way up this week. It's looking like the next step is a pain clinic.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Hugs,
Lisa Ann