Good News!

After a sleepless night and a restless day, I got good news. My dad is aneurysm free! His doctor stressed that just because my dad doesn't have one now, he could develop one, but this would be rare to be genetic as my uncle was told his were probably present at birth (like most aneurysms).  He also stressed that just because my dad is in the clear it doesn't mean that the rest of the siblings are. He would like at least 2-3 of the kids to be tested.  Who knows if that will happen knowing how they are about doctors, but its a start!

Also, my dining room is ALMOST finished. The tile has been laid and the grout is complete. Now we just have to do trim, light fixtures, and install the air vents. WOO-HOO! Can't wait to post pictures!

Thoughts appreciated...

A few months ago, Dad's oldest brother was working in his garage and dropped a beam on his head. No one knew that day how much of a blessing his accident was. Thankfully, a neighbor was with him when his accident happened and called 911 to get the squad to take my uncle to the hospital.  He was conscious, but the hospital wanted to do a CT.  When they got the results, we were told that he had two brain aneurysms.  He then met with a neurologist in Columbus. They found 3 aneurysms with that scan. One of the aneurysms was so large and clogged that it could not be stinted. They had to actually go into his brain to correct it. Surgery was planned but of course getting two neurosurgeons to be free at the same time and getting insurance to approve the surgery took longer than expected. He went into surgery in November and was told to expect to the in the hospital for 4 days or so.  After his surgery, we were told that he would be "touch and go" for a few days. Things were much worse than expected but the doctor was certain that if he did not have this fixed, it would have burst.  I guess he was lucky to hit his head. He was on a ventilator for over a week and in a medically induced coma for that time.  He also had a stroke a day or so after surgery.  Two weeks after the surgery, he was released to the local hospital for rehab.  Being moved to the local hospital was great for him. Some of my family lives in Columbus, but most of them live in Minford.  He had so many visitors, both family and friends.  After a few weeks of rehab, the therapists wanted to take him to a nursing home but he and my aunt insisted he go home.  Uncle Bob has made a miraculous recovery so far. He still has a long way to go.  He can walk and take care of himself for the most part but still can only say a few words (yes, no, etc).  He cannot stay home alone. And, he still has 2 aneurysms to be fixed. Thankfully, the doctors think they can stint those, so this procedure will be like having a heart cath and a lot less risky. I have a large family (that's an understatement), and since my grandma died 10 years ago, we haven't really had a family member sick.  Bob getting sick has made me realize that my uncles and aunts are getting older and it scares me. I am so close to most of my family and I can't imagine life without them. If it tells you anything, out of 8 uncles, 8 aunts, 17 first cousins and over 20 second cousins, I am the ONLY one who doesn't live in Ohio and only 1 cousin doesn't live in between Minford and Columbus. 

The whole reason I am going into all this is because the doctors are concerned that his type of aneurysm is genetic. With there being 9 kids in the family, statistically, another family member has them also.  My Dad is probably the only "kid" (that's what I grew up call my dad's siblings) that goes to the doctor regularly. I guess he knows between my mom and I that we will make him go.  Dad had a CT scan December 15th. He finally has his appointment tomorrow to get the results.  My mom can't get off work to go, so I am going with him. I'm scared. I'm scared that my dad is going to have to go through what my uncle Bob has. I'm scared to go through that with my Dad.  I can't cry in front of my dad. I don't know why, I guess its looking weak in front of him (I couldn't even let myself cry in front of him at my grandma's funeral).  I'm scared to have to be the one to break the news to my mom and sister while being strong for my dad.  I keep telling myself that the doctor was optimistic that the scan would come back ok because Dad has perfect blood pressure and perfect cholesterol (shockingly!).  My only request is that if you re reading this, you say or a prayer or think good thoughts for my family tomorrow.

Wow, I didn't think this would get so personal, but it makes me feel better to get it out!

Last Deals of the Year

I know, I've been bad, I haven't updated in awhile. I wanted to earlier this week, but I wanted to add pictures and my husband left our camera in our hometown.

Earlier this week, I went to CVS to pick up a few of their deals.  I bought Pantene shampoo and condition for 2/$6.97 then I got 2 ECB for them and I had a coupon for $2.00 off 2. So that made those less than a dollar a bottle. Then I bought Dawn dish soap with hand renewal (if you haven't tried it, you need to, its amazing in dry weather).  They were regularly $1.50 each and on sale for $.94. I had 2 $.50 coupon so I only paid $.44 each.  They also had Olay body wash on sale for $6.97 with 3 ECB and I had a $3.00 coupon, so that was $.97.  Then they had Gillette razors on sale for $6.99 with 4 ECB and I had a $4.00 coupon so that one was FREE! All in all for shampoo, conditioner, 2 bottles of dish soap, Olay body wash, and a razor after ECB I paid $5.99! Woo-hoo!!!

Last night, my friend Jenna called to tell me a show was on that I had mentioned to her. Its called extreme couponing.  These people are obsessed. Yea, I love a good deal, but the ones who get 200 boxes of pasta just for themselves are crazy. I won't dumpster dive either! The guy that gave like 1000 boxes of cereal to charity, I'm ok with. So tonight, I felt like one of those people. I jammed up the cash register at Walmart. Here's why. While watching Extreme Couponing, I was going through my coupons and seeing what expires at the end of the month. I found quite a few good ones. It started when  I signed up this summer to host a party about Bomboli Pizza. Well, I didn't get to give out all my coupons, so I used them and plan to give most of the product to friends and family.  I had 14 coupons for $2 off any product. Their pizza sauce is $1.97. Guess who bought 14 boxes of sauce? ME! When the manager came over to unlock the register, he asked if I had lots of coupons, my answer was 25-30. He asked, "What? Did you have one for everything in your cart?" Yep, sure did, except for the beer and q-tips! My bill started at $92.07 before tax and was taken down to $34.62 after tax. I'm pretty proud of myself for getting 31 things for that price including shampoo, conditioner, cetaphil lotion, etc. I wish I could take a picture of all my loot!

Dining Room Remodel

Our drywaller finished yesterday, YAY! Thankfully, he sealed off the room pretty good so I had minimal cleaning. When they put up the drywall, they didn't seal it too well so I cleaned up a little then just put everything under plastic. Today, I took the plastic off then mopped the floors, dusted everything, then swept. I tried to clean the dining room, but I need an actual mop (I ususally just mop on my hands and knees) so that will have to wait until I go buy one. I can't wait to paint this week!

So far, we have torn down the drywall, re-wired the outlets, added a new place for a light ficture, added another light switch, moved the original light switch into the room, removed carpet AND tile, added some insulation, and tore down the ceiling. I feel so much better that this has taken almost 2 months now. I was starting to feel like we haven't done anything.  Originally, this room was a garage. Now, this is the room that connects the garage to the rest of the house.  The only light was on a far side of the room so it was always dark in there. The light switch was in the living room so when coming into the house from the garage you had to blindly walk across the room, up a few stairs, THEN turn on the light. Now, thanks to Kyle's papaw, we have lights switches on both sides of the room. I never thought I would be so excited! Now, for pictures!

Previous owners dining room - Yes there is regular and printed paneling, don't be jealous!

Most the paneling down and the carpet coming up

The damaged drywall under the paneling

Bye-bye drop ceiling

My "snow storm" of blown in inuslation that was inbetween the drop and normal ceilings

12 bags of ceiling tiles

Lovely tile under the carpet

Headless husband removing the supports for the drop ceiling - don't worry, I did a lot of work, he just didn't take any pictures of me doing it

YAY- Finished Drywall!

No more ugly door with a hole in it!

Deals of the week

This weekend, I've been pretty lazy. I went to a great game yesterday with my friends Sarah L and Johnny. I got to meet Sarah's boyfriend and her roomate came too. We had a pretty good time (aka chatting and eating plus a little football watching). Marshall won so that made it even better!


Anyway, today I sat down with my Sunday paper and my coupons and decided to get better at my sale shopping. I only get the Sunday paper for the coupons and the ads. Rarely, I will read the paper. I just started getting it delivered and am so happy to not have to go out early on Sunday mornings to get my paper then go shopping for the week.

Today, I went to CVS, Rite Aid, and Walmart. I am going to go to Kroger and Foodfair later in the week for a few things.

First off was Rite Aid. I picked up 4 bottles of VO5 shampoo (Kyle will use anything) for $0.67 each. They also had Herbal Essences shampoo on sale for $2.99 but then you got $2 in rebates for your next visit, AND I had a $1.00/2 coupon. My total was $8.18. I saved $4.28 and I got $4 in rebates.

Then I drove down the road to CVS. There I found cereal for 2/$4 then I had a coupon ($1.50/3) and $1.00 extra bucks off 2 boxes (limit 1). Dish soap for $0.99 then I had a $0.25 coupon. Hair spray for $2.99, coupon for $0.50 off 1, plus $2.00 extra bucks. They also had toothpaste on sale B1G1 and I had a $1 coupon. I spent $14.50, saved $21.28, and got $3 in extra bucks.

Then it was Walmart time. I bought our food for this week. Don't worry, we eat more fruits and veggies than I bought, I have some left from last week and I have lots in the freezer. AND we DO eat meat, but I don't buy it from Walmart and I only buy it on sale, so, once again, I have lots in the freezer. I spent $37 dollars BUT I found a $20 walmart gift card in an old purse that was still good, so I only spent $17! Woo-hoo! I saved $8.85. Not great, but not horrible.
 

Cooking and catching up

Lastnight I decided to get my rear in gear and start stocking my freezer again. I ended up making some homemade apple sauce (so easy and good) in the crock pot and chicken with homemade stock for chicken and noodles. I was so mad after I made the first batch of stock because after the work of cooking the chicken and taking the skin off and removing the bones (and I always burn myself when I do that), I knocked the container over all into my stove top and lost everything. I decide to not let the chicken go to waste, so I put it in a freezer bag and labeled it "Dog Chicken." I figure they won't notice if it has all over the counter/stove or not. So, I started again and made 2 more batches. Thankfully, they made it to the freezer without a catastrophe. Now, whenever I want chicken and noodles I can just make the noodles, thaw out my stock, and have a delicious dinner.

Tonight, I went to "Eat and Drink for Pink." Ever year, AMWA hosts this event to raise money for breast cancer research. This year and last year were at Fat Patty's. I mean, if you have to twist my arm, I guess I'll go to Fat Patty's. Its a good cause and all. ;) Thankfully, I got to catch up wwith a few of my friends while enjoying my beer and wrap. Unfortunately, now I'm stuffed but, again, it was for a good cause!