And view looking up from my lounger around the pool....in January.....ah, love.....
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Yummy!
To celebrate the maiden voyage of the newest Disney cruise ship, The Disney Dream, we celebrated at work by eating cupcakes and entering for free cruises! I hope I see a flashing light on my phone soon!!! :)
Check out her stats, pictures, and where she cruises here: Disney Dream
I even have a friend from Webster who is Mary Poppins on-board the Dream, small world indeed :)
Check out her stats, pictures, and where she cruises here: Disney Dream
I even have a friend from Webster who is Mary Poppins on-board the Dream, small world indeed :)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Paging Nurse Bibee
If you didn't know, Brandon had hernia repair surgery last Thursday. We had the consultation with the surgeon before the holidays but since the surgery doesn't allow air travel for about three weeks, Brandon decided to wait until the new year since it was not an urgent situation.
We arrived at the surgery center at 6am and they took him into pre-op at 630 - surgery at 730am. I was a nervous wreck! I had a book to occupy most of my time and could hear the doctors being called into surgery over the PA system - so generally, I knew where Brandon was. Where it got tricky was when I knew he should be out of surgery any minute - other family members were getting regular updates about their loved ones but since we aren't married, I couldn't get them. They could tell me, "he's in surgery" or "he'll be in recovery soon" but come on! I was allowed into recovery with him. While there, I started asking questions, the easy ones: was the surgery successful? does he have stitches or staples? when will the doctor come speak to us?? I was told, "I don't know" and "the doctor doesn't see his patients after his surgeries." Seriously! He schedules back to back surgeries and doesn't speak to patients until his back in the office - one word: RUDE. But rude doctor, no bedside manner = highly reccommend surgeon. Go figure.
I got Brandon home around 1030am and had my neighbors Sean and Don on stand-by to help get him up the stairs and into the apartment. He was in so much pain and the vicodin was just really kicking in. We got him settled on the couch and I starting working on his #1 request: COFFEE! It's all he could talk about since coming out of the anetesia. By the time I had his first cup ready, he was asleep. Poor baby :(
He woke up an hour later and needed to use the bathroom. I very slowly and patiently helped him to the bathroom and was SO worried - I have never, ever seen someone turn so many shades of GREEN! He became extremely nauseous from walking, the vicodin, and the anestia. I thought, "OH HEAVENS! He's 6'-1" and I'm 5'-1" and weighs much more than me - this is gonna be bad!!!! He can not throw up after having that surgery!!!!" Luckily, all was fine and after some deep breaths and resting, we headed back to the couch. He lived on the couch for the next three days with a 1/2 gallon milk jug by his side - it is TRUE LOVE to dump someone's pee! :)
After 24hrs we were able to remove the bandage. Let me preface this by saying at the consulation, the doctor told us he would perform the surgery laproscopically - three small holes and a few stitches. When we got the bandage off, he had a 3 inch incision and 9 staples!!!! I wanted to bust into tears!!!
And again, no one could answer my questions in recovery....
Here is a picture a few days after the surgery:
We arrived at the surgery center at 6am and they took him into pre-op at 630 - surgery at 730am. I was a nervous wreck! I had a book to occupy most of my time and could hear the doctors being called into surgery over the PA system - so generally, I knew where Brandon was. Where it got tricky was when I knew he should be out of surgery any minute - other family members were getting regular updates about their loved ones but since we aren't married, I couldn't get them. They could tell me, "he's in surgery" or "he'll be in recovery soon" but come on! I was allowed into recovery with him. While there, I started asking questions, the easy ones: was the surgery successful? does he have stitches or staples? when will the doctor come speak to us?? I was told, "I don't know" and "the doctor doesn't see his patients after his surgeries." Seriously! He schedules back to back surgeries and doesn't speak to patients until his back in the office - one word: RUDE. But rude doctor, no bedside manner = highly reccommend surgeon. Go figure.
I got Brandon home around 1030am and had my neighbors Sean and Don on stand-by to help get him up the stairs and into the apartment. He was in so much pain and the vicodin was just really kicking in. We got him settled on the couch and I starting working on his #1 request: COFFEE! It's all he could talk about since coming out of the anetesia. By the time I had his first cup ready, he was asleep. Poor baby :(
He woke up an hour later and needed to use the bathroom. I very slowly and patiently helped him to the bathroom and was SO worried - I have never, ever seen someone turn so many shades of GREEN! He became extremely nauseous from walking, the vicodin, and the anestia. I thought, "OH HEAVENS! He's 6'-1" and I'm 5'-1" and weighs much more than me - this is gonna be bad!!!! He can not throw up after having that surgery!!!!" Luckily, all was fine and after some deep breaths and resting, we headed back to the couch. He lived on the couch for the next three days with a 1/2 gallon milk jug by his side - it is TRUE LOVE to dump someone's pee! :)
After 24hrs we were able to remove the bandage. Let me preface this by saying at the consulation, the doctor told us he would perform the surgery laproscopically - three small holes and a few stitches. When we got the bandage off, he had a 3 inch incision and 9 staples!!!! I wanted to bust into tears!!!
And again, no one could answer my questions in recovery....
Here is a picture a few days after the surgery:
The next few days were exhausting and I was probably more tired from worry! I think I watched him more when he was asleep just so I'd know he was okay! Geez louise....
Getting up and off the couch was a definite problem so I called my favorite nurse, Nurse Pat! (Amber's mom) She told me to give him motrin along with the vicodin and it would help with the inflammation. Boy did it work! Not overnight, but he became much more mobile over the next few days - but only to the bathroom and back to the couch!
If you know Brandon at all, he LOVES to be outside and hang out at the pool! Here's how he stayed up on all the action over the weekend:
It's been a week since the surgery - his staples were removed on Monday and that will be the last visit to the doctor - kind of baffling isn't it? Consult, surgery, check-in, done! He even went back to work this week and is doing very well remembering the most important point: NO LIFTING of ANYTHING!! And I remind him every day :)
Feel Better!
And I was able to do one speed painting in between nurse duties!
Really, while he was sleeping....
High Falls State Park, GA
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ordinary Sunday
I'm keeping on track with my speed painting exercises:
And Brandon plays poker - don't worry, all with fake money :)
We also watched the movie Secretariat tonight - if you haven't seen it, get it! Very good, especially for the horse lovers :) And lovers of Diane Lane & John Malkovich.....
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Speed Paintings
The first week of 2011 and I've completed three speed paintings!
I give myself an hour or less to work and paint these in the computer. Hopefully I will get better and in turn have a better relationship with Photoshop!
To quote Dory from Nemo - "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...." I can do it!
Let's see how I progress and if I can stay on the bandwagon ;)
I give myself an hour or less to work and paint these in the computer. Hopefully I will get better and in turn have a better relationship with Photoshop!
To quote Dory from Nemo - "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...." I can do it!
Let's see how I progress and if I can stay on the bandwagon ;)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Work at Disneyland
I had to go to the park for work today with my friend Liz! Here's where we worked:
Tomorrowland!!!
Here's where we parked:
DANGER!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Late Christmas Present
Our neighbors, Sean & Michelle, stopped by to give us our Christmas presents. I got a bottle of wine and Brandon got a six-pack that Michelle decorated. I couldn't resist this picture!!!
Manly bow. :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Hello 2011!
We left Atlanta at 8:20am and landed in Los Angeles at 10:30am! Quick flight!
A quick 5 hour flight :) Our neighbors Sean & Michelle picked us up at the airport and in return we are taking them to dinner sometime soon.
We got home, dumped our stuff, and started cleaning! The Christmas stuff started returning to boxes and we eventually began to unpack and put stuff away. Funny enough, our apartment was really cold from being away so we had to turn the heat on for the first time since moving in last March! I know, we are weather spoiled....it was in the high 50s.....
Reflecting on the upcoming year, I've made some resolutions/goals:
1. read one new book a month - my new Kindle should help, thanks Mom! :)
2. update the blog at least once a week - thought this would happen more when I was posting about the more odd things I'm learning at work but in reality, I can't post a lot about work....will have to update more about us! And work when I can.
3. take more pictures
4. sketch, draw, and paint more
5. share the above - my friend at work, Liz, does speed paintings everyday and posts them online. I love this idea and would love to say I'd do it too but I know once a week seems more realistic. I'll start there and see where it goes :)
6. exercise more regularly and stay heart healthy!
That's it! Let's see where 2011 takes me! Happy New Year!
A quick 5 hour flight :) Our neighbors Sean & Michelle picked us up at the airport and in return we are taking them to dinner sometime soon.
We got home, dumped our stuff, and started cleaning! The Christmas stuff started returning to boxes and we eventually began to unpack and put stuff away. Funny enough, our apartment was really cold from being away so we had to turn the heat on for the first time since moving in last March! I know, we are weather spoiled....it was in the high 50s.....
Reflecting on the upcoming year, I've made some resolutions/goals:
1. read one new book a month - my new Kindle should help, thanks Mom! :)
2. update the blog at least once a week - thought this would happen more when I was posting about the more odd things I'm learning at work but in reality, I can't post a lot about work....will have to update more about us! And work when I can.
3. take more pictures
4. sketch, draw, and paint more
5. share the above - my friend at work, Liz, does speed paintings everyday and posts them online. I love this idea and would love to say I'd do it too but I know once a week seems more realistic. I'll start there and see where it goes :)
6. exercise more regularly and stay heart healthy!
That's it! Let's see where 2011 takes me! Happy New Year!
Love you, Grams!!!
Leaving is always so hard and the worst part :(
But I always cherish the time we have together, the memories made, and the stories re-told.
So, I needed a picture! I LOVE YOU, Grandma!!! We will see you soon, promise!
But I always cherish the time we have together, the memories made, and the stories re-told.
So, I needed a picture! I LOVE YOU, Grandma!!! We will see you soon, promise!
Don't you love Brandon in the mirror....
Let's try another.
That's her frog garden behind us on the picnic table :)
LOVE.
Goodbye, 2010.....
Our New Years Eve was very low key this year especially since we had to be at the airport by 6am the next day - oy! We knew earlier was better since during the online check-in I asked if I would like to exchange my tickets for flight vouchers - going to be a very FULL flight! First time any of us had seen that during a check-in!
We ran errands with Mom, said our goodbyes, then had an early dinner with Mom & Dad at the Downtown Grill in Tyrone. Yuuummmmyyy! SO good :) We didn't even see the Peach drop as we were in bed - but, that's okay ;)
2010 was a big year:
Di goes to Cali for a Disney contract.
Then Brandon goes to Cali :)
We found a GREAT apartment in a FANTASTIC location with GREAT neighbors/friends.
Brandon begins school at UTI and has been top of his class for 5 out of 9 classes - way to go!
Brandon finds a good part-time job with a great boss who works with his school schedule - this boss also have us tickets to the show La Reve in Vegas - good deal :)
Di accepts a full-time position as a Production Designer from Walt Disney Imagineering.
And an international project on the horizon for us.
Big changes, amazing accomplishments and time being under the same roof :) Doesn't get much better....!
We ran errands with Mom, said our goodbyes, then had an early dinner with Mom & Dad at the Downtown Grill in Tyrone. Yuuummmmyyy! SO good :) We didn't even see the Peach drop as we were in bed - but, that's okay ;)
2010 was a big year:
Di goes to Cali for a Disney contract.
Then Brandon goes to Cali :)
We found a GREAT apartment in a FANTASTIC location with GREAT neighbors/friends.
Brandon begins school at UTI and has been top of his class for 5 out of 9 classes - way to go!
Brandon finds a good part-time job with a great boss who works with his school schedule - this boss also have us tickets to the show La Reve in Vegas - good deal :)
Di accepts a full-time position as a Production Designer from Walt Disney Imagineering.
And an international project on the horizon for us.
Big changes, amazing accomplishments and time being under the same roof :) Doesn't get much better....!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tyrone Veterans Park
The city of Tyrone dedicated a veterans park on Memorial Day 2009. Since it's opening, family members have been able to purchase memorial bricks for loved ones. It's a lovely park! Mom purchased a brick for Grandaddy Charlie and Brian & Myrna purchased a brick in Grandaddy Mike's memory.
Here is the project description from the City of Tyrone's website and meaning to the layout:
Here is the project description from the City of Tyrone's website and meaning to the layout:
The Tyrone Veterans Memorial will be developed around a concept to cultivate a public understanding of the sacrifices made by all Veterans and their families during their service to our country, especially to those Veterans who served on the battlefields in order to protect and maintain the freedoms we enjoy today.
The veterans recognized are from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and POW/MIA who served our Country during War and Peacetime.
The “Memorial Bricks” are engraved to honor those heroes who served or made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for our freedom. Each brick will be engraved with the Veteran’s Name, Branch and dates of Service , with a third line for the War of Service for those Veterans whose service was on foreign soil.
The Eagle sculpture represents strength, and courage, of those soldiers who served our country. The Eagle is the symbol of Independence of the United States of America.
The Red Rose Garden represents the Blood shed by all.
The White Azalea Garden represents the tears shed for the sacrifices by our soldiers and especially the POW/MIA’s.
Tyrone Veterans Park
If you notice, to the left of Charlie's brick is the name Patrick W. Skelly - to the right and on the top row of Mike's brick is the beginning of Patrick....
They are neighbors! It warmed my heart and made me smile :)
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