This week

OK, so I'm a wee bit behind in my blogging duties. I do try, but days go by and I can't even turn on the computer. I was back in the hospital on Monday. Awful time. The nurse couldn't find a vein and stabbed right through it in my wrist. I'm still all swelled and bruised. Finally, she moved up to my inside of the elbow and got one going. Took 4 different IV meds before I was able to sit up and leave. While we were there, the neurologist from Cleveland called our cellphone and discussed the case (me) with the ER doc. Told him what to give me. Demerol is my new friend. :) They aren't use to getting calls from doctors like that, so now they will never treat me like a junkie looking for a fix again. Any migraine patient who has ever had to go to the ER will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

I'll be back at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday for more tests and probably get all the meds changed. The last ones gave me horrid side effects. It felt like needles were being jabbed into my eyes the entire three weeks I was on them. Then Sunday night, electric shocks were going down my arms and my fingertips went numb. The evil Darth Mittens was licking my eyelids and Aphrodite was going crazy trying to rip the door down to get into me. Once that sensation went away, they both were ok and went back to sleep. Animals know things. They knew something was really wrong. I couldn't sit up or move. It was not a fun night.

I'm feeling pretty decent now, so I did a couple articles for the paper. There is a chainsaw carving rendezvous here in town all week. I stopped by and took photos and talked to a few people. The carvers are really nice people and all are willing to talk, even if their English is broken and my German, Spanish, French and Swedish are beyond broken. :)

Tonight, I went to a BMX bike show with the Rise Above BXM team. They are all nice kids. I guess 24 is still a kid when you're my age. :) I would NEVER do the crazy stuff they do. I'm lucky to be able to ride a bike on a flat road.

Not sure what will happen the rest of the weekend. We leave for Cleveland on Sunday, so packing and all that good stuff will take up most of Saturday. If you're in that area and want to say hello, email me and we'll see if we can arrange it. I have to eat at Outback Steakhouse in Independence and then Hard Rock Cafe. We plan to take Arielle's car and she demands a case of White Castle burgers for the honor of that. KIDS!!!

Valentines Weekend

We had a good Valentines weekend. I didn't take my meds, so I was able to enjoy the weekend. Isn't that something? The stuff they give me to function makes me so miserable I can't stand up most days, but it's for my own good? How does that work?

Anyway, we went to see Friday the 13th and Taken on Saturday and met the kids for dinner at Hoss's. Yes, my kids were on a double date! How did that happen? Stop laughing Kim! They all went to see Friday the 13th when we were at Taken.

Yesterday, we went to State College for a minor league baseball winter welcome back festival and met some of the players and coaches. Arielle's boyfriend went with us. Got lots of autographs in my scrapbook and on posters and schedules. Took a ton of photos. I interviewed the new head coach of the State College Spikes. Gotta love a press ID. I'm a freelance writer/photographer for those who don't know and people who work with media always mark me as a reporter. Guess it's the huge camera around my neck and the way I look? I don't know. :) Anyway, the All Star game is being held in State College in August and the general manager has me on the list for press credentials for that! Woo Hoo!!!

We stopped at Hot Topic, of course. I had seen a Twilight bag last weekend when I was there and was so good and didn't buy it. Mentioned it to Randy and it was my Valentines' present. (I'm a purse addict for those who don't know) I just love it! Got another fairy shirt, too. We went to my favorite restaurant for dinner Outback Steakhouse and I ate way too much. I always share a meal with Randy. We had prime rib this time. Oh, it was soo good! We went to a few stores and stopped by to see my new little cousin Layken on our way home. What a great end to the weekend! She is such a little sweetie! Can't wait to start spoiling her. That's my job in the family. All the cousins' kids call me when their parents won't let them get something. They know I'll find it and they'll end up with it for a birthday or Christmas. That's the only positive about being so ill, nobody has the heart to yell at me for spoiling them. Of course, I use that.

Happy Valentines' Day!

Hope everyone has a very happy Valentines' Day filled with Love and lots of chocolate! We're going out for dinner and a movie.

Flat Stanley/Landon

I spent the last month and a half hosting a sweet little boy named Flat Landon. Barb asked for people to help out her grandson by hosting him. It was a lot of fun. I took him to work with me, so he got to meet several politicians, radio djs and the Pittsburgh Pirates; we went to a movie and just hung out with my family. He went to the eye doctor, the bank and pharmacy and learned about what he'll have to do once he gets to high school.



Some people I showed him to knew immediately who he was, while others had never heard of him before. If you ever get a chance to host him or one of his friends, go for it. It's a lot of fun!

Camera Critters 43

Do sports' mascots count as critters? I think they should, so this week, I'm sharing the Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot. :) I met him and several other players and broadcasters earlier this week when they were in the area. It's fun to interview celebs. The guy under the parrot suit told me he enjoyed what he does and especially likes being able to walk around when he's not in costume and nobody knows who he is. He says he's really a private person.





If you want to take part in this fun meme, stop over at Camera Critters and learn all the details.