The Weekend

Sorry I've been MIA friends.  My Mom came down last Wednesday to help with things and give me some TLC.  I don't care how old I get, a Mom-made home cooked meal will always make me feel better!  My Dad drove in on Friday so Bugs and I had a good, parental filled weekend.
My Mom got to meet my physical therapist Friday morning and get her insight, which is good, because Saturday I was down and out for the count.  Back spasms all over the place.  I'm kinda glad my parents got to see how much pain I'm in sometimes but I'm sad I slept most of the one afternoon they both were here!  Back pain knows no boundaries...
On the bright side, I did wake up to a newly painted downstairs wall (thank you Daddy!!), fully stocked fridge and dinner in the oven (thank you Momma!!)  Love. My. Parents.
It was a good weekend and I'm so grateful for my family.  I think I've talked to at least one family member since my "accident," whether it be my parents, my sisters, my Granny or my Aunts and Uncles.  We may be all over the country but I know if I called and asked any of them to come help me, they'd be there.  There are no words to describe how comforting that is. 
Now, of course, with a new post, comes a new dilemma. 
This is serious. 
My shoes are mocking me. 
99% of the pairs I own are heels.  (Nevermind the fact I'm 5' 8 1/2" and self conscious about my height. Details people.) Obviously, I can't wear these said shoes.  Lucky for me, it's 2012 and I can shop for flats from the comforts of my own couch, on ice and with wine.  Done, done and DONE.
I bought these gems yesterday:    

Sam Edelman Beatrix Flats

Today I decided I needed "Yay, my back is cured and I can wear heels again!!" shoes so I got these:

Studded Peep Toe Heels

I love them! (And to be fair, I've had my eye on them for a while.  I just needed a good reason to buy them.)

If ya'll know of any good place to buy flats, please share!  I am quite desperate and don't want to spend a ton of money.  Plus, I just don't have the same love for flats as I do heels. (Now boots...boots is a different story.)  But all the same, please let me know of any favorites you may have that will help me through the next 5-6 weeks! 

I hope ya'll are having a fabulous week. Happy Wine Wednesday :o) 

To those who have been there for me throughout this latest physical crisis: from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Thank you for checking on me, thank you for caring, thank you for offering to bring me meals, thank you for offering to sit with me even when I wanted no one there.  THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU.
I know life gets busy. And we all have our own stuff going on.  I haven't been much of a daughter, sister or friend lately.  The past few weeks have been a lesson to appreciate those who care, accept those who don't and get the hell out of bed no matter how much pain you're in physically, emotionally or mentally because the only one suffering if you don't is yourself. 
I don't think I'm  a tough person but I do think I'm strong person and yes, there is a difference.  I won't ask for help when I need it but I expect those who care about me to offer it.  There is nothing simple about me but yet people love me anyway.  Thank you to those who do.  I don't know how you do it, but I appreciate it more than I can say.    

9/11

Anything I say won't do this day justice.  So I leave you with an image and hope you are remembering those we lost and hugging those you love a little tighter today.

Monday, Fun---, Well...Monday

How was ya'lls weekend?
I'm thinking of switching around my couches because I'm pretty sure one of them has a permanent butt indentation on it.  But the thought of moving furniture is about as likely as a snowstorm in Dallas tomorrow so I'll settle for just flipping the cushions.  Yay for easy fixes!
First and (most importantly to me) I have the best doctor in the world.  Not only did the rehab facility call to schedule my assessment when my doctor said they would but her assistant PICKED UP THE PHONE today when I called because she recognized my number and was concerned.  Uhmm... I LOVE THESE TWO.  They also called me back later with a referral to an orthepedic surgeon.  My appointment is Thursday at 8:30.  If these two brought me wine and well, just wine, I'd call them my new best friends.
Saturday night I was beyond tired of hurting, so I took hydrocodone and was fast asleep by 8 PM.  Livin' the life here, people.  I woke up for good at 5:30 Sunday morning and happily watched Saved By The Bell with Toby until my doorbell rang at 7:30.  Twice.
In a normal circumstance, it's a neighbor or friend who needs something.  In my case, it's a man in a suit.  WITH A BIBLE.  How do you yell at a man carrying a bible about ringing your doorbell at an UNGODLY hour on a very GODLY day???  Simple.  I turned the lock, opened the door, looked at him for 2 seconds, said "no thank you, peace be with you" and went back to bed.  Amateurs.
I started my day shortly after that and stumbled across my new favorite page on facebook.  If you know me, you know I love dogs.  All of them.  This specific rescue page hosts "tips of the day" with two of the most well behaved dogs EVER (name 2 dogs you know personally who would pose with props and whiteboards around their necks.)  HILARIOUS. Among my personal favorites....

On the left is every foster I've ever had and on the right is Toby...

Twinkle had a sweet proposal...below is her response :o)

Laters Baby???  Greatest line ever...FROM A DOG!

My most favorite ever.  Black dog ninja...hahahaha

If you want to join this amazing facebook page, here's the link: Peace and Paws Dog Rescue

Well, crap.

There are two sides to every story right?  On the bright side, I got a diagnosis last night as well as a projected treatment plan all of which are hopefully starting next week.  YAY!!! 
On the not so bright side,  I now owe God my first husband, my first born AND my second born.  (See my last post in case you're confused.)  Do we think  God would settle for a puppy?  Or possibly a Nissan Maxima?  I'm willing to work with him.  Just putting it out there...
Just to gently recap the week...on Tuesday I got a call from a doctor's assistant I never met who told me a doctor I never met reviewed my scan and saw nothing wrong with my back.  To put it mildly, I was not happy.  My doctor was on vacation until Thursday (also not happy to wait that long when I was told I'd know Tuesday) but I called her voicemail on Wednesday anyway and begged her to review the scan herself because I was/am still miserable and if nothing is truly wrong then I need a specialist b/c something isn't right and blah blah blah.
A different assistant called me last night, first to apologize for my mis-diagnosis then to confirm that something was actually seen on my MRI.  Uhm, hello? You had me at mis-diagnosis.  MY doctor diagnosed me with trauma lumbar spondylosis.  Here's a link if you want to read more about it!  Basically, my fall accelerated something I probably already had.  Given my history of back pain, I'm willing to bet that's accurate.  The doctor prescribed hydrocodone (SUPER happy about that!) and physical therapy to start with.  I'll try that for 2-3 weeks and if I'm still in pain, we'll go for the cortisone injections.
I'll be honest, I've had the injections before and I plan to convince my physical therapist to let me go ahead and get them.  I'm miserable, I've been down this road before and I'd much rather just get the shots and start on the road to recovery than prolong the experience.  They're not fun (patients are put under and I, personally, am usually out of commission for 1-2 days) but the relief is almost immediate.  And at this point, I would've done them today if I would've been allowed.
So we'll see.  Physically, I'm still a mess and in a lot of pain. I'm supposed to be in Colorado and I'm not and I'm still really upset about that.  But I know it was the best thing for everyone. 
Mentally and emotionally, I'm back to myself.  I'm beyond relieved there's a diagnosis and a treatment plan and while the interim still sucks, I can deal. 
I realize if you don't suffer from back pain then I probably sound like a whiney, wimpy brat who is just looking for sympathy.  I'll tell you the same thing I tell myself when I see those questionable people we get e-mails about at Walmart.  Don't judge.  You don't know what they've been through.  (Although, I stand by my right to say sparkly leggings on someone over 250 pounds is NOT okay.  End of story.)
I hope ya'll have a fabulous weekend.  We Texans are getting a cold front with a high of 88 degrees tomorrow.  (Yes, I'm serious.)  I think after I take my car BACK to the shop tomorrow (don't ask) I may cook some white chicken chili in the crockpot, turn the ac on low and cuddle up with a few ice packs and blankets for a wedding movie marathon. 
Be jealous ya'll.  Be jealous.
Happy Weekend!

This Week

Not much new to report.  I'm not really sleeping and yes, I'm STILL miserable so I'll keep this short and sweet.  THAT'S how much I love ya'll. (A selfish blogger would try to make ya'll miserable too.  Just sayin'...)
*I'm 85% sure I won't be going to my "sister's" wedding this weekend and I'm devastated.  Abby is my best friend's youngest sister whom I've know since I was 13.  She sent me the sweetest text last night and of course, I cried when I read it.  I would do anything to watch her walk down the aisle but back pain and travel don't exactly go hand in hand.  I'm terrified if I get on that plane, I'd be nothing short of miserable all weekend and I believe a bride's day is a bride's day.  I don't want her (or anyone else) to worry about me and how I'm feeling. 
*I think I barely spoke 2 words today.  I didn't fall asleep until 2 am last night and at 12:30 I started bartering with God.  I think I may owe him my first husband, my firstborn and quite possibly my second born too....I kinda forget what the stipulations were though.  I think I was trying for at least 3 hours of sleep and a resolution to this ridiculousness within the next week.  When my alarm went off at 6, I seriously contemplated calling in sick so I could sleep.  But considering that's what I do on weekends these days, I decided to be "normal" and drag my booty to work.  Please don't ask me why I was at Target after work.  I really couldn't remember why I went in the first place.  I left with self tanner and wine.  Win-win.
*Toby escaped when I came home today.  Again.  I can't chase after him and OF COURSE he doesn't come when I use my stern voice (not that I blame him, I wouldn't either) but I was so tired and in so much pain I burst into tears and smacked his butt right there on the street for all the neighbors to see when I finally reached him.  I'm waiting for animal control to come knocking on my door.  And if they don't, I have a shock collar on order.  (Yes, really.)
*I think I just have to accept the fact I have bad ridiculously terrible luck lately.  First, the obvious (I won't say it.)  Second, no wedding.  Third, I walked out to my car today to find a flat tire and the service engine light on.  Fourth, a colleague at work swung her arms during one of her stories and hit me square in the jaw.  I should've gone home.  But I didn't.  And now I have self tanner and wine and I'm going to bed.
So far, not a fan of 31. 
Goodnight!