Jeff Driving Penske Truck to Texas

Tatum Clark-Newman, My Cat

My Life with Drama in Trama...

Okay, don't faint, it really is me...I know, you probably figure I have been busy with life, but it's really that I haven't had a life, much anyway except with Jeff, since I arrived in the Big "D". First, obviously you are already well aware if you have been keeping up with my blog, the rug was pulled out from under me by my gallbladder which I have recovered from quite quickly...but, of course, based on my luck (of lack there of) and medical history, I cannot expect everything to work properly for me...it's just a fact of my life that I came to terms with years ago...so, I should have known the gallbladder would not be the end. I MUST have drama...lots of drama...you know I've got to have something to talk about! j/k

So........after my gallbladder removal, yes, everything went well and as I said above, I have healed rather nicely even though my insides are still sore from time to time...I hope to have some pre-surgery pictures to share with you once I figure out how to download them from Jeff's phone. Anyway, as I was saying, I MUST have drama...so, here it is! My left calf began hurting the day after I arrived home from my surgery, but I didn't think much of it because I always have charlie horses in that calf and I just figured it was a cramp. Well, as the week went on and through the weekend while we were out browsing through antique stores at a local town, the pain kept increasing and then I began to worry. Jeff's brother, Mike, wanted to know if I had a blood clot and I laughed it off saying, "I don't think so", but after his comment I did begin to wonder if something else was up...so, Tuesday on my way to work...the drama began. I was trying to park in the garage at work when the security guard on duty proceeded to tell me I couldn't park there without a badge...now, I have been parking there...so, I became somewhat irritated and sped away doing a u-turn and leaving "the scene of the crime". I decided to drive around and gather myself together to go back to work, but it turned out I had a total meltdown. Between the move, the surgery, and the pain in my leg, I was just a mess. I called Jeff and probably scared him half to death because I was sobbing and he wanted to know where I was and I couldn't see the street sign and I kept saying "I don't know", but I was finally able to get my bearings, somewhat, and drive back home. In the mean time, dear Jeff, the wonderful man that he is, made me a doctor's appointment, called Mary Kay to let them know that I was on my way to the doctor and we would give them an update once we knew something, made his mom an appointment as well. We gathered ourselves, Jeff, Lisa, and I, and headed to the doctor. It seemed as if my leg pain was increasing every minute and I was really worried.

Once at the doctor's office, of course, I had to fill out mounds of paperwork while Jeff and his mom went in for her appointment. About the time they were done, it was my turn and I was more than ready. After the dreaded "weigh-in", Jeff joined me. Once the doctor arrived and realized Jeff was back in the room with another woman, he accused Jeff of picking women up in the waiting room and walking them back to see the doctor and staying with them during the visit. However, the doctor informed me that he thought Jeff was harmless and not to worry...it was rather funny!!! The doctor was really nice and he was concerned that it might be a clot as well, so he sent me to Richardson Regional Hospital to have an ultrasound done on my leg. So, we jumped in the car and Jeff drove us there. After arriving and finally figuring out where we needed to be, the woman who we had to deal with was a bit loopy, confused and thought we were speaking too softly...so we RAISED our VOICES and told her the much needed information....some people make me wonder...

After some time passed, I was called back for the ultrasound and the technician told me that I did indeed have blood clots...now see...it had to be dramatic...not only did I have one blood clot, I had THREE!!!!! THREE!!! At this point the technician told me that the doctor would want to admit me back into the hospital because one clot was right behind my knee and anything from the knee up is very dangerous...so, the doctor was called and I told him I wanted to be admitted into Medical Center of Plano and he had me arrange that with my surgeon, Dr. Kantor..wonderful man! So, once again, I was admitted to the hospital and immediately given a shot in my side of Lovonox (a blood thinner) and hooked up to a heartrate/oxygen level monitor...what fun! When Dr. Kantor came in, he told me he wanted me to stay in the hospital until the levels were right for me to stop the shots and just use the coumadin. COUMADIN?!?!?! I remembered David, our Youth Pastor, was on this because of a heart issue and I wasn't the least thrilled to hear this news!

After spending Tuesday through Friday in the hospital, I was released with six more shots to give to myself and at least six months use of Coumadin...which I may have to be on a low dosage for the rest of my life! I will post more later, my hands are tired and I go back to work in the morning!

Photos...I think

A Couple of Pics for You...

Here are a couple of pics that Daniel did for me...enjoy!

1. Where I work....MaryKay Headquarters! Awesome place!

2. My moving vehicles after we arrived at the apartments where I am staying for now!

My Gallbladder...or Lack There of...

Well, for those of you who have been wondering where exactly I wandered off to and haven't heard about my incident, I will share with you where exactly I have been hiding...mind you, this was not by choice, but by extreme discomfort and excruciating pain, that I have been away.

Let me start by saying that the rest of my week at MK was grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! Jeff was able to meet me for lunch one day and I got off early Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 3:30 p.m. which was really nice! Well, Friday when I got off of work, I was feeling kinda funny in the tummy, so when I got home I went and laid down on the bed for about three hours. I figured I just ate something that was gonna give me distress. So, for dinner I had a bowl and a half of cheerios (I say a half because there was a gob of milk left after the first bowl so I added more cheerios to use up the milk) and sat down on the couch to get ready to enjoy the evening. We all decided to retire for the night around 11 p.m. and after arranging my bed on the couch, I leaned back and began watching t.v. until I could doze off. Well, the dozing never happened. About five minutes after I laid down I got this sharp pain in my back...like a severly pulled muscle on the right side...so, I tried stretching it out, but nothing seemed to work. (Side Note: Back in December, while visiting my aunt and uncle after Christmas, I had this same pain...it lasted for about an hour and then went away, so I decided it was the same thing and it would subside; however, I was wrong...really, really wrong!)

I finally decided to get Jeff and let him know how I was feeling. He came out and tried to massage what we decided was a "kink" in my back...he said he could feel it in my muscle. By this time, it was after midnight and I just kept thinking if I could throw-up I would feel so much relief. So, I made my way to the bathroom and sat on the floor and laid my head on the toilet seat with the lid down. It was so cool in there and the floor and seat felt so good to me...after about 10 or 15 minutes Jeff asked me if I was okay...he kept good tabs on me...and I told him I felt like I was gonna be sick..so thereafter I was....only...I was sick like clockwork every 15 minutes after the first time. By this time, the pain had made it's way around to the front of my abdomin and I asked Jeff if I could turn on the computer to look at WebMD...because I thought for sure this was my gallbladder acting up. So, I turned on the bright, blinding computer screen and proceeded to diagnose myself with a gallbladder issue. Not knowing how long this issue might remain one, I decided I needed to go to the Emergency Room.

So, I threw on some clothes and clipped my hair back as best I could and Jeff swept me away to the ER which seemed like it was an eternity away. He cautiously drove through several red lights realizing that my condition was not improving one bit...at this point the plastic bag I was clutching to was getting far too much attention...if you get my drift. When we finally arrived at the ER, Jeff dropped me at the front door and I finally found my way to the check in window and proceeded to try to write my name when Jeff arrived to take over. They took me back for the general screening of your temperature, blood pressure, and questions about exactly why you have decided to make your way to the ER at 1:40 a.m. so you can writhe in pain until they have a place to put you. So, I told them my thoughts on the issue and they proceeded to continue with agonizing paperwork while I stood up, sat down, and wanted desperately to just lay down on the nasty hospital floor...anything to relieve the pain. "So, what is your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?" 11?!?! Hello? Can you not see that I keep repeating "I hurt", "Owweee", and another number of painful words while grabbing at my side and leaning over to try to relieve some of this PAIN....this all ends with "I'm sorry, you'll have to go back to the waiting room because all our beds are full (what??? I'm dying here!!!), but you are way ahead of most people on the list." Who, everybody but the old lady who keeps staring at me like I have three heads??? So, we sat...or Jeff sat and tried to hold me and calm me down, but when you're in pain like that...or at least I felt this way, I didn't want anyone or anything touching me. I told him I was sorry, but I just hurt................like the fiery inferno below us.

As I continued to be sick, I could hear these ladies behind me saying how I needed to go to the bathroom to throw up and didn't they tell me that at the desk. Then there was a guy with his son there...and he was just staring at me like he had never seen a sick person before...I am sorry, but I am ill. I have every right to be here...just as much as all the other sickies do...I just happen to be a little sicker!!!!!!!! Anyway, after making my way to the toilet to proceed with my problem....there I am again...being riticuled by the eyes of the old lady who kept staring at me that was sitting outside the toilet door. Geez, people, get a life. I hope I don't stare at people in Emergency Rooms...it is so impolite!

So, after sending Jeff to tell them I was heaving blood...they decide I am worth their time and find me a room....five hours later...after having an abdominal ultrasound, blood taken, hours of Jeff sitting there with me...loving on me and telling me I am beautiful despite the fact that I'm sure I look like death warmed over...let me repeat myself....FIVE hours later...we finally see a doctor. Nice guy. Tells me I need to have my gallbladder out immediately so I don't suffer anymore pain. He came back a few minutes later to tell me they could schedule the surgery for Saturday afternoon....and I said "Go for it!" I didn't want to deal with this pain ever again!!!!

To say the least..the rest of the night and next day are somewhat of a blur. Between pain meds and rides on a gurney, poor Jeff stayed up 38 hours without any sleep to be with me, by my side, answering questions for me, taking good care of me...I think I owe him about a million kisses...so I guess I better get started...he's worth every one! I couldn't have done this without him!!! =)

Soooooooooooooooooooo....that's where I've been hiding. I will report back with more details later....I am recovering well at home for now and won't go back to work until next Monday so I can fully recover.

The Slacker is Back....er...I think

Yes, you can all breath easy now...I am still very much alive...just very busy and very tired. I am enjoying everything and enjoying sleep although my sleep has been a bit of a problem the last couple of nights. (Note: Jeff wants me to let you all know that he is not running around the house at night like a banshee waking me from my sleep...it's not his fault in other words. =)) And it's not that I don't like the couch because it's super cool, it's leathter and it's really comfy...not quite as comfy as my chair, but close.

I have been trying to use the "hello" picture thing to post pics on here, but it is still not agreeing with my computer, but I WILL work on it when I have a chance....maybe tomorrow night.

Okay, let me tell you about Canton! It was H-U-G-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A monstronsity! I was rather amazed! They say it takes three full days to see everything and I believe that. I'm not even sure we covered 1/3 of it because it's so BIG! They have a little bit of everything there....junk...good finds...crafts...food...new items...food...antiques.. we had big, juicy hamburgers and later Jeff and I shared a footlong corndorg! It was the best! I did buy a couple of things...the first one is a scary wreath that reminds me of the movie "The Village" every time I look at it, but it is just so cool! I know you are thinking "a scary wreath"????? But it's true...from what we could figure it is made from an Elka bush/tree. Jeff hung it above his bed for safe keeping until I get moved and it fills the space really well. He has been very relieved that it has not fallen off the wall and attacked him in the middle of the night, the scary beast that it is...really...I will have to get a pic on here so you can understand what I mean...I am not crazy!!!!!

Second, I purchased a package of spicy dip...it tasted really good!!! We are going to get some sour cream and mix it together this week and enjoy it!!!! Yum! Yum! Finally, I bought a sterling silver ring that is very unique. It has a square on the front that features a square turquoise with different colored stones around it. I will picture it when I get the pics up as well.

Well, onto MK! My first day was..........................fantabulous!!!! I really enjoyed myself! I work on the 6th floor for the Sales Dept. in the Sapphire Sales Development Division. I have a really great cubicle-like area by a big window...so I get to see outside...how awesome is that?!?!?! I am going to be answering the phone in that area...which is a breeze because once I learn the business, the phone calls are very minimal compared to RBC. I am also using a database there called PROD...it reminds me of ACS (automated church system) that I used at RBC, but some of it is manual and some is mouse-friendly. Most of my work involves mail-merges, mailings, etc. It is going to be very busy at times, but the girl who is training me, Traci...her last day is next Tuesday and then I'm going to be in the Dept. "by myself" for the rest of the week! I think they thought that I was going leave after the first 1/2 day because one of the sales team members said, "Oh, I am so glad you came back! We thought you wouldn't after you went to lunch!" Of course, she was more kidding than anything...but it made me feel good! I told them I understood that this was a busy time and that things would be different in a couple of weeks after everyone is back from Career Conferences.

So............that has been my life for the last few days! Before I go, just wanna give a "shout out" to Resa for her continued support of my blog even when I'm not consistent! To Mom & Dod for the great emails about the "culvert" and sending their love! To my dear friend, Sarah, who hopefully still likes me even though I didn't call her when I arrived to TX...and to Jeff...who is sitting here with me because he has done sooooooooooo much to make my transition a lot more bearable!!!! I love you all!

Canton Trade Days

http://www.cantontradedays.com/index.htm

This where we are going on Saturday! I am soooooooooooo excited! I will post back with more info later!

Mary Kay Girl, On Her Way!

Well, I guess you can tell by my heading that I got the job! I do want to share my experience of this interview with you. As I was driving down the tollway with my change cup in hand (I have to wait until I get my license/registration to get a "toll tag") looking for the exit to Mary Kay. It's the enormous building that I have seen from the tollway several times, but Jeff wasn't sure exactly where it was. So, I got off as soon as I saw the building which I must say was quite intimidating. I was thinking to myself how I've never worked in a building that large, but I was pretty excited as well.

I had a bit of a problem locating parking though. Because I came off at the exit past MK, I ended up driving under the building and out the other side and doing a u-turn and going back to the parking garage. The lady told me yesterday to park in front of the building and go in through the front doors...but for the life of me I couldn't find the front of the building. I know that sounds hilarious, but I pulled up the the parking garage and pressed the "call" key and a nice gentlemen directed me to exit the parking garage and make three rights and then I would be in front of the buliding. I told him I was "a bit confused" and he chuckled which eased my mind for the moment. So, I made the three rights and sure enough there I was at the front of this beautiful building! Of course, there were pink cadillacs all over the place which struck me as odd since the parking I was directed to was for Human Resources and Visitors-but I guess if you have a pink caddie you want others to know it. However, there were not any parking places there, so I ventured out the the other side of the building and ended up having to make a parking space next to a handicapped space. I am quite sure that was against the rules, but a truck behind me did the exact same thing. There just wasn't any parking available!!! That would be my first suggestion to MK-get more ground level parking. The parking lot is rather stunning as well. The entire thing is brick. There are waterfalls outside the main entrance as well as a circular drive all done in brick. Yes, quite stunning indeed...

...but that was only the beginning! I walked up the the building to find these massive glass doors with gold handles, as I walked in I began to realize that everything was done in marble. It was absolutely fabulous and immaculate! I didn't even see the smallest fingerprint or smug on any of the glass doors which lined all the corridors, it was quite amazing!!!! As I made my way to the front desk manned by three security officers, I passed the MK Credit Union and a tiny (well, it seemed tiny in the scheme of things) MK Museum which I will have to visit one day on my lunch break. So, I made my way to the front desk and asked for Rhonda "Tillis"; however, there is not a Rhonda Tillis, but there is a Rhonda Willis...opps, I goofed! And it's not that I was nervous because I honestly was not nervous at all. After Rhonda arrived she took me over the the Human Resources office and I was tested for MSWord, Excel, Powerpoint and typing speed. Word and Excel were a little nerve wracking, but I just tried my best. I guessed on a couple of things and got them right which was nice. I sure was glad I brushed up on my Excel skills last night because that helped a whole lot!!! I ended up scoring pretty good all around and can still type 59WPM accurately....amazing!!! I then had to fill out some lovely paperwork up on the eighth floor and take some more testing on my grammar and math skills. Let me tell you...when you don't use it, you lose it! I was having a real problem dividing and multiplying! I had to think really hard about how to figure that stuff out. Sad.

Well, I start the job on Monday which gives me time to get my other stuff worked out and buy a couple of new suits, any excuse to go shopping!!! =) And, thanks to Resa for her really wonderful comment...that means a lot to me!

Monster.com

Wow! I am living proof that Monster.com works! I have an interview with Mary Kay's Corporate office tomorrow which is so interesting and so strange. I am not by any means a MK kinda girl, but the position sounds good. Fast paced, busy, busy, busy, multitasking job using MSPublisher (which I love), Excel (gonna have to brush up on those skills a little tonight), typing, mass(ive) mailings, answering phone for consultants which sounds fun, etc. The only thing really scary about the whole thing is I have to wear suits...matching suits....of which I own two plus one that I could make into a suit. I've always liked suits, but never really had a reason to wear any. Watch out Ebay..here I come! I almost had to say "no way" to the lady who called because she orginally said "skirt suits", but then added that you can wear "pants suits"...whew! Also, no opened toed shoes which is not a problem either since all my dress shoes are closed toed.

I do think it is pretty awesome that they actually do search resumes on Monster.com. I posted mine there about 3 weeks ago, but never really expected to hear anything from anyone. The pay for this job is much, much better and the hours are the same as my previous job which is cool.

Well, off to CVS and the Honda Dealership for the much dreaded inspection...as noted in my last post. Hopefully, it won't be like I remembered since I will be the driver. Oh, yippee! Jeff just told me that the honda people do all the testing for you! Praise the Lord! See, God is good! As if I didn't know that already...and he used to be a state inspector which I didn't know either....wow, been fretting all this time and he knew all along...I think I'll go have a talk with him now (j/k).