The story begins...again. Part 1 (just catching up)

Ohhh boy, this one might take a while...and could possibly be separated into different parts. :) I suppose the most interesting time to start would be January 7, 2011, which was the day of my bi-lateral knee surgery. FUN! As many of y'all know I've had bad knees most of my life from dancing. When I was 14 yrs old a doctor told me I would probably need surgery on my right knee. However, the technology wasn't the greatest at that time, and the doc said I might never dance again after said surgery, so we decided against that. I guess I didn't think the pain was bad enough to risk not being a dancer. So, I danced, and danced, and danced. I started college when I was 28, with a major in elementary education and a minor in dance. Well, after attending a few education classes and learning that the education system really sucks I decided to drop that major and concentrate on another major. Betcha can't guess what I chose...yep, DANCE! For the record, I am SOOOOOO GLAD I made that decision. The education system is continually becoming worse! Well, I was on my way to an Arts Degree, with a lot of dance involved in getting me there. So you know, most of my 20s were spent dancing off and on due to moving around a lot and/or just not being able to afford classes, but when I started college it all came back to me. Despite being the oldest dancer in my classes I thought I fit in fairly well. Most of the girls/guys had no idea that I had a good 5-10 years on them! :) I had to wear a brace on my right knee for most dances, but then my left knee started to bother me a bit. I was always so scared to go back to the doctor for fear of surgery and being told I could never again do what I love. Dance is the only thing I've ever wanted to do and it's really all I know. It has always been the biggest part of my life. After dancing in college for a few semesters I became engaged to my now awesome hubby and we moved to Cali for his work. I took a tap class while in Cali, but it just wasn't the same. I missed jazz, hip-hop, modern, and yes, even ballet (which kills the knees). When we finally moved back home (to TEXAS) we bought a house. My hubby had taken a job in Dallas with decent health benefits so we decided to finally have a doctor look at my knee(s). We thought it might be a good idea before I signed up for more dance classes...just in case. Dr. Montgomery was highly recommended by a friend, and a few others, so how could I go wrong with him? And yes, he truly is amazing! I went to see him and after an x-ray for each knee he told me that my cartilage had mostly shattered, and that is why it was so painful for me to do anything. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't even squat down to pick up my Clark Kent "Superdog", who is an 8.5 lb Pomeranian. Dr. Montgomery said the damage in each knee was almost identical. Weird, right? He then told me that I would need Arthroscopic surgery (a scope), which isn't a huge surgery, but something that should be done, and hopefully, take away that horrible pain I've felt the majority of my life. I seriously thought it was normal to be in pain every time I squatted, walked up/down stairs, and bend to sit in a chair. Any pressure on my knees about killed me, but I was a dancer so I was supposed to suck it up...right? Wrong. The doc assured me that I would, absolutely, be dancing again. I gained quite a bit of weight after not dancing for a while, so I'm sure that was contributing to the pain, but I was so ready to get back to my dancing, and was willing to do almost anything to fix that horrible pain! I had my surgery on January 7, 2011 on both knees...yes, I said both...at the same time. I didn't want to go through therapy more than once. I gotta say, it wasn't all that bad. The operation took about 2 hours for both knees. They went in there and cleaned out the shattered cartilage and smoothed my knee caps. My cartilage wasn't replaced with anything, so now I have two knees with no cushion, which is fine because there isn't as much pain as before. The doc did tell me that the pain will go away but the crackling might still be there. He told me the healing process will take a while. I was on crutches for a few weeks but was walking on my own in February. I was able to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding, which was awesome! (We never thought he'd get married, so I was thrilled to do that. And he married someone I actually like). To be continued...

oh goodness...ha!

Well, holy crap! I promised an update over a year ago. I'm such a slacker. I really am determined to start up this blogging thing again. However, I'm really sleepy and probably wouldn't write anything interesting at the moment, so it will have to wait...only a day or two this time! :) Anyway, I'll keep y'all informed. I actually have a lot to write about. There were quite a few events in 2011 that I'd like to share. Don't worry...I'll be back!

been a while...

Wow!!!! I haven't written in a while. I have so much to talk about, but so little time at the moment. More to come very soon!!! :-)

Summer

Ahhhh...summer is over and the cooler weather is on its way. Autumn is my third favorite season. I love the colorful leaves on the ground and that cool, not quite cold yet, weather. The time of year when one puts away the tank tops and brings out the sweaters, jeans and boots (or in my case, winter flip-flops...yes, I have fuzzy flip-flops).

Let me go back to summer for just a minute...

June was GREAT! When I came home from visiting Will in CA, Mom, Scotty and I got started moving things into the new house! It was a bit of an ordeal since we moved things from the storage facility in Weatherford, then picked up our bedroom/office stuff from my mom's in Fort Worth. I bought a few items of furniture during the move so there was also McKinney, Denton and Azle. It took us a few days, but we finally got everything moved in!!! I didn't have much of a choice. Will was coming home June 21 and Halle would arrive on the same day. That only gave me a few days shy of 2 weeks to get everything set up! I really wanted Will to love the house as I do and of course, wanted our little guest to feel at home.

Ok, when I say "little guest" I'm not exaggerating. My little cousin, Halle, is 14 (now 15) and is only 5' tall and weighs about 98 lbs. And I have to say it...her mom is even littler. Hehehe Anyway, Will arrived on June 21 around 8:00 p.m. at DFW and Halle was arriving around 10:00 p.m. at Dallas Love Field. I was so excited I could hardly stand it! She had never been to Texas and she was as excited as I was, I think. She is my favorite little cousin. I suppose it is because we are so much alike. She is a dancer and a total goofball. No denying that we're related, huh?? Actually, when I describe her to people, I tell them to remember (or imagine, if they haven't seen it) me at her age and that explains everything. I wanted her to love it here and have a great time! We introduced her to Texas food (she LOVES fried pickles), friendly people and our infamous weather. I was so happy to discover that she LOVES it here! We Texans love to show off our state!!! Seriously, just ask a Texan. ;-) She is also the only one of the CA clan to meet Escher!! They had so much fun playing. :-)

Devyn Rayne arrived at the end of June. Boy, that was interesting. It looks like those people have done a bit more brain-washing. That poor girl has no clue as to what goes on in the world and has absolutely no guidance whatsoever. She sent my mom a letter after she'd been home a while that basically said she hates most of us and never wants to see us again because we are horrible people. Yes, it hurts, but we know that has all been put in her head by those people. The only thing we can do is pray for her.

July came and went. My mom's birthday is July 15th so she came to Mesquite to spend the day with us. That was fun, but just days before her then boyfriend went nutso on her and she was kind of emotional. I hope we helped her a little. I just don't know where she finds these whack jobs. We liked him until he went crazy! Oh well, everything happens for a reason, I suppose.

August was uneventful...

I finally made the dreaded appointment with the orthopedic surgeon about my knees. I have been working out lately and it has gotten to the point that I can barely walk some days. I can't do lunges or squats anymore. I can't bend my knees, even slightly, without that horrible cracking. I think it's about time to at least have someone tell me what the heck is wrong with me. I am way too young to be in this much pain. I am taking it easy this week but I really want to work out. Maybe I can fix the problem and get back to tapping!!!!

My house, my cousin and my trip to Hollywood...again.

Hmmm. Where to begin...

To catch up...I haven't visited my good friends Steve (in Austin) or Hillary (in Waco). I was a bit too busy to go anywhere for a while. I did, however, find a house!!! We closed May 14!!! This is really exciting because this is my first, his second and OUR first house!!! So, it's in Mesquite, which is beautiful (I had no idea). I found us a cute little 3/2/2 brick house that was built in 1987. It is in an established neighborhood with big, beautiful trees and sidewalks! Yep, I think I picked a good one. Most of our friends think Will might be crazy. He bought a house sight unseen. Talk about trusting your spouse! :-) He obviously felt confident in my choice and didn't really question it. I did send him many pictures and even recorded a walk-through video for him. I really think he'll like it. Now we just need to furnish it! When we left CA last June, we sold or gave away almost everything we owned. I did just buy a living room set, which he and I picked out on craigslist. We have the same taste in some things so that made it a bit easier for me to buy it while he was still in CA.

Other good news: My little cousin, Halle, is visiting for 2 weeks at the end of June!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. She is 14, full of energy and so much fun!

I'm actually writing this from Hollywood, sitting across from Will while he works at the lot. I'm all packed and ready to go home. I have mixed feelings about going home, though. I really hate leaving without Will but I do miss the dogs and I can't wait to move into the new house! Wilson will be here until June 19, so that will give me time to get the house all fixed up for him. I suppose that will keep me busy while I wait for him to come home. I'm very excited about seeing our little monsters. I bet they miss me, too. Cowboy doesn't do very well when I'm not there, from what I hear.

Ohhhh, I almost forgot (although, I'm not sure how that would be possible)...Will took me to the set of HOP (the movie he's working on now) and I met James Marsden. And I gotta tell ya...NICEST celebrity I've met. Seriously, just down to earth and very sweet. Found out he's from OK City, so we're almost neighbors. hehehe Anyway, that was so fun! I also got to see a stunt scene in the movie that was only shot once, so that was really neat.

I've had a great visit with my hubby. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary last Wednesday night with dinner at Micelli's and a movie. Yes, yes I know...how "normal", but we've had the "Hollywood" experience and just wanted to be together, so that's how we did it. It was awesome!

Well, guess that's about it for now...

Recent stuff...

So much has happened in the past few months. I've been subbing at Eagle Mtn Elementary. I'm learning that teaching is not really my thing but it's been a good way to make some money on the side. :-) I will be going back to being a housewife after this school year. I'm just so much better at that, I think. The dogs miss me, too.

Will and I have decided to stay in Texas, which is awesome!!! We've been looking at houses because renting is just not an option anymore. So, we're going to buy our very own home! I'm SO excited! However, house hunting isn't as fun as I thought it might be. He has the credit and income, but because we haven't been back home for 24 months, or longer, it's more difficult to be approved. It's possible, just a bit harder. If he had a steady, full time job, it would be different. It's all because he works from home. Hopefully, that will change soon. I think he might be taking up steady employment very soon. We'll find something perfect for us...I can feel it.

He was just asked to take a job in Cali for 10 weeks, so that's where he is until mid June. He only left tonight so I have to keep myself busy while he's gone. Now that I have my Wii it shouldn't be too difficult. hehehehe I also have a few friends who want to hang out, so that should be fun. I might go to Austin to visit my good buddy, Steve. I haven't seen him in a really long time, so we're due some catching up. I am also thinking of going to Waco to see Hillary!!!

Our cousin, Halle, will be here at the end of June. We're going to have SO much FUN! I have a lot of things planned for us to do. She's 14 and never been to Texas!!! Can't wait!!!!!

We are really praying for Escher right now. He is in the hospital and will be flying to Miami probably tomorrow night. It seems there is some moderate rejection from the transplant. I keep thinking they made a mistake, but the doctors are saying there are a lot of dead cells in his small intestines (I think that's correct). He's such a tough little guy. I just know he'll make it through this. A few weeks ago we met the lady who made it possible for Escher to live, his donor's mom. She is an awesome lady. She spent a few days with the family and she and Escher have an amazing bond. It really was fascinating to watch. It must have been difficult for her because her visit was close to the 3rd anniversary of Colby's (the donor) death. Wow, I couldn't even imagine...

So, that's about it for now...

Happy New Year!

Well, the holidays are over and it's a new year. 2010!!! Wow. Where are the flying cars and the space suits we are supposed to be wearing? Hehehehe Anyway, it really isn't much different than the 20th century, except the technology has improved and most things are done with computers now. Most companies have machines to answer their phones and most employees don't seem to know how to do anything with a computer. Good customer service is out the window and counting back change is a lost art. Granted, this isn't every business, but it's becoming more common.

So, here we are...a new year and it has started really well. Will and I are still living with my mom while he's making his movie. He can't seem to find an investor, but that's only because of the economy. People just aren't investing in anything right now. He is, however, working freelance for a company in Dallas. He seems to really enjoy it and says the people are great to work with. The owner is very impressed with him and might want to offer him steady work, if he can. So, I'm crossing my fingers for that. His career is cool but the hours can be a little crazy at times. For example, he went the office Saturday morning and I didn't see him again until Monday morning at 6:30am. I didn't even get to spend time with him. I was on my way to work and he was on his way to bed. He only had 2 hours of sleep that weekend. When I came home from work, he told me he had to go back to the office that evening to finish up a few shots because there was a deadline. Since I didn't have to work the next day, I decided to go with him. I fell asleep at the office and ended up driving home around 1:30am. He told me he had to stay a few more hours but that was 16 hours ago and have yet to see him. I guess I'm used to this, but it still sucks. At least it only happens when there is a serious deadline. I should be happy I have a hard working hubby. I am, it's just difficult at times. Especially now that I've started working part-time. Yep, I am now a substitute teacher for elementary school. I was hired the week before Christmas vacation and I worked every week last month! I am already booked to work a few days in the first two weeks of February. I don't work everyday, but usually 2-3 days/week. For the record, I LOVE and MISS being a homemaker, but if I have to work, I'm happy I can teach part-time. I hope to go back to school next Fall.

Our next goal is to find a place to live very SOON. I love my mom but I really don't want to live with her. We live in a large space above the garage, but it still isn't OUR place. I really miss our things and my kitchen stuff.

I have started the new year by eating better and working out more regularly. I need to keep up with that. My birthday is coming up and I want to look good again. I'm also determined to get into that Wonder Woman costume for Halloween this year. :)

So, here's to a brand new year!!!!