The Pain! Oh the Pain!

It started out like any other day.  Well, any other day that I am traveling for work in Washington state or Nevada.  On this particular day, I flew from Seattle, WA to Fallon, NV.  The day began bright and early at 5am and I hit the bed in Fallon at 10:30pm - a typical travel day for me.  I was in the middle of a 5 day work trip, trying to pace myself and missing my hubby terribly.  I had already endured the scariest plane ride of my life. I flew in a little commuter plane from Yakima to Seattle, WA with a snow storm chasing me the entire way.  I had never experienced such turbulence.  SCARY!  But I made it and had only two more plane rides that week.  I figured, if that plane ride is the worst I have to experience, I'll be fine.

Well,  I had no idea what was coming my way. 

As I said, I hit the bed on Tuesday at 10:30p and was looking forward to a very restful sleep.  Then 2 hours later I woke up with the worst pain I have ever felt.  The pain was in my right side and I immediately began getting sick - the cool little commode was my best friend.  I could not stop getting sick and the pain would not stop.  This continued for an hour.  When there was nothing left in my stomach, I finally was given a reprieve.  I immediately called Cece, my nurse traveling with me who also just happens to be an emergency room (ER) nurse.  It's moments like this you know there is a God.  She rushed down to my room and immediately knew what was going on - Kidney Stones!

I'd always heard people say it's a pain worse than child birth, but I always thought they were just making more of it than it really is.  They were so right!  It's the worse. 

I was terrified because I had no idea what was going on.  But Cece saved the day.  She threw me in the rental car and rushed me to the ED we were in town to visit.  They pumped me full of pain meds within 5 minutes of my arrival and I could finally begin to relax.  After about 4 hours, I was stable enough to discharge.  I was so full of pain and anti nausea medication, I could barely hold up my head.  But I slept all day and I needed it.  Because the next day, Thursday, I had to get on a plane back home.

Keep in mind I still had not passed the stone and was still experiencing nausea.  Now talk about a nightmare!  I was so scared I would get sick on the plane.  But I had to get home to my sweet worried hubby.  Cece pumped me full of drugs, so I was pretty groggy through most of the experience.  I was given first class service - I was escorted through both airports in a wheelchair and it was heaven.  I have to say that the Reno and Houston George Bush Airport personnel are so caring.  I was never made to feel like a burden.  But, just my luck, I had another very turbulent plane ride home.  Apparently, the snow storm I had barley missed earlier in the week was again, hot on my trail.  But we just experienced some turbulence and did not get stranded. 

We finally landed Thursday around 7p and I have never been so happy to be home.  I saw my sweet man and finally felt peace.  He has taken such awesome care of me.  I already know I have an incredible husband, but it's always so wonderful when I'm sick and he becomes the great caretaker that he is.  He's cooked all my meals, made special trips to the store for cravings (Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes), waited on me hand and foot.  He's takes that in sickness and in health vow seriously.

It's Monday and I am still home on the mend.  I go to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully this whole ordeal can be put to bed and I can get back to life. 

Well, that's my harrowing story.  I know many people have been through much worse, but to be over 1,000 miles from home and to be so sick, for me is just about the worst thing that has happened to me so far.  I am so grateful for the people who put themselves before me and took such great care of me:  Cece, Cindy and Traci (the other two nurses traveling with us), the ED nurse and doctor, the flight attendants and personnel who helped get me home.  And of course, D.  God shows himself so clearly through these circumstances and he showed up time and time again.

VIRUS!!!!!

Hey Everyone,

I'm not quite sure of all the repercussions, but my Blogger account has been hacked.  I just had to delete a very strange entry I did not post.  I also have a ton of Mail Delivery Errors in my personal email.  So if you receive something very strange from me DO NOT OPEN it, just delete it immediately and probably do a virus scan on your computer. 

Thanks.

Frequently Friday

It's been another very crazy week, but hopefully I'll have some down time soon.  So not much time to look at blogs, but I did find these three awesome posts.  Hope you enjoy.

1. I think this is just so smart.  What a great way to get organized and clear away all those little loose pieces of paper from around the house.  Thanks ThriftyDecorChick!  A Hidden Memo Board.
2. This little lady is an answer to prayer.  If any of you struggle with planning your weekly menus and/or getting it done in time to eat, then check out Make 5 Dinners in ONE Hour.  Make sure to tell her I sent you.
3. Make sure you visit BigMama and read all her beauty product wisdom - such a great post.

Please leave a comment for these ladies and show some bloggy love, and tell them I sent you.

Hey Guys - Susie Davis, The Good News Girl is having a great giveaway.  Check it out and her Joy Challenge!

I just found her blog and really enjoyed it, so I had to give her a quick mention.

Enjoy!

Frequently Fridays

I am back y'all!  Whew, what a whirlwind of a week.  So much to tell - moving, unpacking, cars breaking down - it's been an adventure.  But more posts on that to come.  Let's focus on the cool posts I found this week.

1. Centsational Girl's Learning to Sew post - so helpful!  As one who is about to jump into the sewing arena, I found this extremely helpful.  Now I am not scared or intimidated by the prospect of buying my first sewing machine and teaching myself to sew.  Yay!  I already have a huge list of projects, can't wait.  If you have any suggestions on machines, please share them with all of us in the comments.
2. Centsational Girl was on a roll this week, I love this Artist Canvas turned to Inspiration Board - my anal, organized side is salivating over this.  Love it!
3. So, this is a total brag, but I love my cousin, Stacey's, Etsy shop!  She makes the cutest baby and children's clothes/decor/blankets/etc.  Here is a look at her latest creations, with lil Fritter as a precious model. 
4. And if you are looking for super awesome and beautiful Christmas wreaths or any wreath or anything gorgeous, check out my friend Erin's latest blog introducing her Christmas creations.
5. Becky's totally convicting and helpful post on Gossip.

Happy Blogging!

Moving On Up...

Well, we finally closed on our new home...after 2 delays.  I count us lucky since we've had friends who have had closings delayed for up to 2 months, so 2 weeks was fine.  I'll post pics next week because it is fast and furious right now.  The Hubs and I were up bright and early Saturday morning to meet the security system install tech at the house at 8am.  Then, the painter came by.  We did not finish with them until 1 and then we had some shopping to do.  And we got some great deals ya'll, that always makes me feel good because I really don't like to spend money.  But we bought some needed pretties for the house, mainly a new King comforter.  It took all day, we did not get home until 8p.  We were zonked and then we got up bright and early on Sunday and started over.  After church we made a few more shopping stops, bought groceries and crashed.  I'm still not recovered.  I'm walking around work like a zombie.

It's all worth it though.  We met several of our neighbors while we were at the house and it was awesome!  Everyone is so friendly and apparently, our new neighborhood is Trick or Treating central.  It was packed with kids, parents and grandparents.  I see that as a good sign.  It feels like a real community, I can't wait to get to know everyone.

But I cannot wait for you all to see the house, especially after the painting is done.  So there will be no Frequently Friday this week, but I will resume next week because we move Saturday!  So I'll be busy all week packing and such. 

Talk to you all next week.

Frequently Fridays

Good morning Bloggers!  It's a wonderful, cool, crisp Autumn day in Houston, TX.  It's amazing.  Today is also the day the winner of the Scentsy giveaway is announced.  But before we go there (hehe! I know the suspense is killing you) I am going to begin a new regular post called Frequently Fridays.

On Frequently Fridays I will post other bloggers posts I've read throughout the week that I found interesting, stuck a chord with me, or I just thought were really cool.  So here we go!

• Nester's 31 Days to a Less Messy Nest.  Don't we all need a little help in this department.  These posts are full of great, simple tricks o' the trade so to speak.  Very helpful.
• BooMama cracks me up on a consistent basis.  So in the same vein as Nester but with some pretty funny anecdotes you can get some Less Messy Nest ideas in the Little Bitty Mini-Makeover.
• Pioneer Woman.  I could not have a list of my fav posts from the week without PW.  I read her religiously.  She cracks me up, plus, she cooks and is a super talented photog.  This week she wrote about her sweet Charlie, the Basset Hound and George the Lab (there are obvious reasons why I love this one).  I also have to suggest Bakugan - anyone with a young child in their life (my nephew) will love this.
• Centsational Girl has some awesome tips on getting ready for the (gulp!) holidays.

Please visit these ladies and comment, comment, comment.  Let them know I sent ya.  Let's share the bloggy love.

Ok, ok, I know you are just sitting on the edge of your seat to find out who is the winner.  Sooooooooooooo, here it is......

(drumroll please)

It's Lindsey at Louisiana Livin'!  Thanks Lindsey and everyone for participating, this was so much fun! Lil Sis thanks you very much as well.  And if you have any product you'd like to promote let me know and we can do a giveaway (free of charge).

Lindsey send me your mailing address to grumpypantskelly (at) gmail (dot) com.  I know we used to live in the same city but I hear you are moving or have moved or are thinking about moving.  Whateve, I'm terrible and do not have your address.  Or lil sis and you can meet up if that would be easier since she lives there too.  Just let me know girl.

I will leave you guys with my memory verse from this week.

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:12-14  

May we all strive to live this way.  Have a wonderful Friday ya'll!