Christmas Pics- a month later

Here are several pictures from our family get together on Christmas Eve. First are all 5 grandkids together- couldn't get them to stay for long. They are (L to R): Deb & Ray's kids Ryan (12), Grant (9) and Mallory (5); Mitch & Cindy's daughter Rachel (7) and my Allison (13) in the back!

Rachel and Mallory waiting to open their presents

Allison on Christmas Eve at Mitch & Cindy's house

Crazy Girls

OK here is the first "official" video of McThorton Sisters productions. It's Alli and her friend Dawn spoofing a day in the life of the vampire. Be sure to watch all the way to the end- it's 6 minutes long but there are hilarious bloopers at the end! It's talking a long time to post so hopefully it works. I've never posted a video before- I don't even know how to use moviemaker but Alli is really good at editing. It took all day to shoot for the 6 minutes of footage.

We had a busy weekend with the SAT yesterday and she ended up getting to play in the volleyball tournament as their club played in the afternoon wave. Not a bad first tournament, they made it to the quarterfinals and then lost, but held their own. We didn't get home until nearly 11 pm! I was the assistant coach for their 3 matches and scorekeeper for 2 others. Talk about work! My throat hurt so bad I could hardly talk when we got home.

Other news around here- my 20 year high school reunion is next weekend. I'm getting ready- I got a totally new hairstyle last week- was really tired of the same 'do that I've had for so long...amazingly I actually have some curl in there with all the weight of the length gone. Then on Sunday Alli has a volleyball tournament. Soccer practice starts this week, most of her team came back (all but one) for the spring, so they're looking forward to a good season. Hopefully she won't have to miss too many games because of volleyball tournaments.

Reactions

Well I ventured out in public by myself yesterday after I visited the doctor and got cleared to drive. The doctor said I was doing very well and suspected that I received the test drug vs the control drug during my surgery, as my pain has been very manageable during my recovery, and I haven't had to take much medicine other than the Tylenol to control pain. I go back on Tuesday to get my stitches out.

It's funny to notice people's reactions when they see me now. Even people I don't know seem to treat me differently than they did before. Maybe I'm just more sensitive or observant right now but the little things are quite interesting. For instance, I went to Double Dave's and the guy behind the counter was overly nice in asking me if there was anything special that I wanted to see on the buffet! Then catching guys sneaking a peek at me when I walk by is kind of fun! And I didn't even have anything revealing on, just a button up blouse that had never fit right before...funny how things work out.

I then ventured to Kohl's to shop for new clothes. That was fun! I definitely tried everything on cause I had no idea what would fit me. Bought a few blouses and a new purse, lighter since I'm still restricted to lifting 10 lbs or less. Once I got home I realized that I was not back to 100% yet, as I was exhausted and crashed on the bed for a nap!

Bill came home yesterday afternoon after being in Austin all week and was very happy to see me. It's a good thing he hasn't been around this week or I wouldn't have gotten too much rest! We went to dinner with friends and my brother's family as usual, and had a great time.

Well it's time to get ready for our busy day. Alli's volleyball practice got moved up (great...) so that it now overlaps with her soccer game. Good thing they're 45 minutes apart! We'll head to the soccer game first and if they have enough players without her for the game, then we'll take her to volleyball. If the soccer team needs her, we'll just miss volleyball practice or be late. Good thing we only have 1 kid! Can't imagine what we'd do if we had more than one.

TO my sisters in law, have a safe trip to Galveston to honor your dad's birthday. Bill is with you in thoughts. We miss you Grandpa Bill.

48 Hours in...

Well I am officially 48 hours into the pain study. Funny thing about participating is that it makes me very aware of the passage of time. I am now reporting my pain experience every 12 hours, with a brief pain inventory every 24 hours. Thought I was doing well yesterday but about 5:30 when my parents came to take Alli and her friend Dawn for volleyball practice I was starting to hurt pretty bad. I hadn't taken anything but Tylenol all day, and had been very awake and "active" (as much as I can be in this state) all day. I can't lift more than 5 lbs and its difficult to reach anything above shoulder level, so there's not a whole lot I can do. But I did sit in the recliner, read and watch TV all day. So before they left I took some prescription meds and decided to lay down for a while. That pretty much did me in- I got up long enough to get Alli some dinner when she got home and shepherd her into the shower and to bed by 10- then I was gone again. Good thing she can pretty much take care of herself! Woke up in the middle of the night needing more medicine, so it wasn't an easy night. Now that the bandages are off and things are starting to swell I'm really feeling the pressure on the incisions.

But overall I am thrilled with the results. Tried on my bikini today after I showered and realized what it was supposed to look like all this time! Can't wait to start working out again and get the rest of me back into shape. I think we'll be hangin' out at the pool alot this summer...don't think Alli will mind now that she's 13 and I think boys are starting to be on her mind even though she won't admit it.

We have a busy couple of weeks coming up. Alli has an indoor soccer game on Saturday, volleyball tournaments start next weekend, along with the SAT, and then following weekend is my 20 year high school reunion. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Not sure who all will be coming to the reunion or how long we'll be staying as there is an indoor soccer game and a volleyball tournament that weekend. Depending on which vb team Alli makes (red or blue) we may have to adjust our schedule! I really want her to make it to the reunion with us. She was only 3 at the last reunion. Then the following week she starts practice for her club soccer team (outdoor). I hope there aren't too many conflicts with practices & games/tournaments. Part of me just wants all the scheduling to get settled so we can work out which events we can't make it to, but that will come with time.

Wow, I dont' think I'll be able to keep up this pace of posting when I go back to work next week...they actually want me to be productive!

A New Me

Well, everything went well yesterday. We arrived about 1/2 hour before the appointment time and of course the doctor was running behind schedule (already) so around 11 am I finally got called back, and right around noon I went into surgery. I was very sleepy yesterday and had trouble getting comfortable. My main problem was my upper back hurting between my shoulder blades. Was nauseous a few times but never got sick. It was really good to be able to eat and drink something after 16 hours of no food or water! Today is much better, I slept well last night, only got up once and didn't have to take any pain meds during the night. This morning I only took Tylenol, we'll see how long that lasts! I'd like to be coherent for a while before I zone out from more pain medicine. The nurse is coming by my house later this morning to help me get my dressings changed and show me what I need to do. My mom stayed with Alli and I last night and was a big help as I was pretty out of it.

My dear friend and college roomie, Melissa, has been a great support through my deliberation and decision to do this for myself, as she went through it about a year and a half ago. She's been very encouraging- Thanks a bunch!

I'm participating in a pain study as part of my post surgery recovery. It's actually making me more aware of my progress as I have to chart my meds and pain at particular intervals over the first 4 days of recovery. I don't know if I received the trial drug or the standard drug during surgery, but the trial drug is supposed to extend the effectiveness of the standard pain medicine used during the surgery, from an original 4-6 hours to about 4 days. I'm feeling pretty good, so I'm hoping that I received the trial drug and its working well. Either that or I have one heck of a tolerance for pain!

Well I'd better go rest now, will update again when I can.

Random Thoughts

OK I chose this picture for today, 'cuz how often do you see a 50 year old man with a purple trimmed hat on? This was from Bill's birthday last year and I just found the photos on the computer this week. Kind of scary the things you'll do after a little encouragement from your friends & family!

SO things are coming together here, volleyball practice this week, things are gearing back up at work, and I'm having the most exciting surgery on Monday. I've decided to make up for what God didn't give me. Those who have seen me know that I am not well endowed. After meeting my birthmom and her family I know that I had no chance at all...it's just not fair when your 13 year old is bigger than you are! Bill and I finally decided that it was time I did something for me. I'm not going anything huge, just enough to give me some curves! With my frame I can handle it and not look too awkward. Everyone I've told has been incredibly supportive and excited for me. We'll see how I feel in another few days.

I've stocked up on easy to eat snacks, comfy button up pj's and shirts, books and movies. Frozen pizza that Alli can fix us for dinner...prescriptions filled, laundry is being done and house actually got cleaned today with more than just my efforts! That was the shocker. No one ever helps me clean, but Bill & Alli just pitched in when I asked them to. Believe it or not you can actually see our kitchen table, and that is rare. Everything seems to pile up there as its the first thing we see when we walk in from the garage. Knowing that I won't be up to cleaning for several weeks it makes me really want to be sure everything is in order before Monday. Tomorrow I'll finish laundry, wash our sheets dust the house and mop the floors. Planning to make a vegetable beef soup that we can eat on for the rest of the week. Running errands took up a lot of time today. I relate all of this to the nesting instincts that many women get in the weeks just before going into labor. (I never made it that far, Alli came 3 weeks before her due date!) Bill is actually out of town for the whole week, so my mom is taking me to the surgery and staying with us the first night. Lucky for Alli she may actually get a dinner cooked for her that night.

My FurBabies

This is Oscar- he is the king of the house. No matter what, the dogs don't mess with him! He boycotted the inside of the house for over a year after we got Penny. He just now has gotten to where he will come back inside. He is Alli's cat all the way. Loves that girl- has since he adopted us when she was 3.

This is Autumn- she is such a Mama's girl. She is so jealous if I pay attention to anyone but her!

Penny and her "Ball". She has 4 of these but this one is her favorite. Somehow she can tell the difference between this one and the green ones. Someone forgot to tell her that dogs are color blind.

Tangles found a soft spot to sleep in Alli's room. Ninja Kitty...

Happy New Year- Finally!

OK I know it has been a long time since I posted anything, but we've finished up volleyball and soccer, made it through Alli's 13th birthday and christmas, and now we're gearing up for starting it all over again.

The soccer team ended the fall season in 3rd place- best finish they've ever had. Great job by our new coaches- Tammy and Irene. The team got to play in the eastern district playoffs in Beaumont the first weekend in December, and I tell you there is a reason they don't play outdoor soccer in the wintertime! The first game started at 7:30am and it was all of 37 degrees. Way too cold to be out there, especially for those of us on the sidelines. Anyhow, they played well, won one, lost one, and tied one so they didn't advance but overall it was a great experience. This is the team after the first game- all smiles!

Alli is playing club volleyball for the first time- it's the club's first season to play competitive ball. There have been a few glitches, such as not getting the teams formed as early as they intended, having to put together a "temporary" team for the first power league tournament this weekend, and a flurry of emails from angry parents whose daughters couldn't make it to the evaluations which were held the week of christmas, when many were out of town. We missed the second night of evaluations as it was Alli's birthday and she wasn't feeling well either, so Bill said she didn't have to go.

I'll try to post more often- there is alot going on and I should probably write more but I haven't been really good about posting.