Some might assume I'm just cynical...

But it's not cynicism when it's reality! My strep test yesterday came back negative, but Dr. Brown sent it to be cultured because there is a 3% chance of a false negative. Even he admitted that I tend to fall into the shocking minority, lol. I won't hear back on that for a day or so still, but at least they're checking. I the mean time I'm just dealing with it. Good times.

This morning I took Lizzie and Sabrina both in to the pediatrician . Lizzie tested positive for strep. Sabrina got a prescription for eye drops since she has pink eye. I was suspicious of it on Tuesday morning, but then I thought maybe it was just irritated. Last night it started looking definitely goopy and this morning it was crusted shut. Just for kicks and giggles they did a rapid strep test on her too. It was negative, but they said that since we have two positive tests in the family and they have seen her that if she gets a sore throat and / or fever in the next couple of days they can call something in now. Ain't life grand? LOL.


Here eyes actually don't look so bad at the moment, but I took pictures of the little grumps anyway.

I am just that good.

Friday I kept Kate home from school. We were expecting something to develop with Grandma Spendlove and they had an exhausting night the night before, so I just kept her home. By Friday evening she had a bit of a fever. Saturday she felt pretty icky and fell asleep on the couch in the evening. She had been complaining of a headache and other aches and pains. By Saturday evening I was starting to think 'strep'.
Sunday she stayed home from church with Daddy. Sunday night was kinda rough for her and Monday I took her to the doctor. I was betting on strep at this point. Sure enough, I was right. I'm just that good :P Now she's taking medicine so if she feels well enough she can go back to school tomorrow. Unfortunately I feel really rotten. I am supposed to go see the doctor tomorrow or the next day anyway for my weight loss follow-up so maybe I'll ask them to test just to be sure.

Grandma Spendlove

Yesterday afternoon Michael IM'd me and told me that his grandmother had taken a turn for the worse and was unlikely to last out the weekend, if she lasted a day. I told him that Kate would be home from school in a few minutes and then we could go up whenever he wanted to. After debating with himself a bit he decided we'd go in the morning. Once Michael got home, though, he decided we'd better just go, so we hopped in the van and drove to the care center in Salt Lake City.
It was so nice to visit with Grandma Spendlove for a bit last night. We spent about 45 minutes in her room with just MommaLee and Janice and Jennifer. She recognized that we were there and talked to us a bit. After a bit she started to lightly slip in and out of sleep it seemed. I realized while we were driving home that I've really only ever seen her at large gatherings where she has already been exhausted and overwhelmed. She seemed so collected (even though Jennifer insisted that she was much more lucid earlier) and just really at peace. I waited all night to get The Call which didn't come. I'm glad it wasn't last night since she shooed all of the family out to go home and get some sleep.
I was really touched by how much it affected Michael to see his grandmother. He doesn't like to go to large family gatherings and we haven't been to very many so I haven't seen him with his grandmother much. He is so tender with his own mother and I noticed how much he really cares for his grandmother too. I am so blessed to have a husband who is so sensitive to these women. I know that he will always treat me with that same sensitivity, love, and compassion. What more could I want? To see him sitting by her bedside with his hand on her shoulder telling her proudly about his wife and children one last time was really precious. Dang it, now it's making me tear up!
Grandma Spendlove is the last surviving great-grandparent for our little girls. About a year ago they lost two great-grandfathers within a few weeks of eachother. I don't think I even met any of my great-grandparents and I hope that my daughters will be able to have some memory of the generations that precede them of strong and often faithful men and women. As their great-grandparents have passed on to the other side of the veil I know that my girls have the love and support of their spirits helping them. How blessed they are!
It is now more than 24 hours since Grandma Spendlove took her turn towards death. They thought she was on her way out yesterday at about 3 am. It is now after noon and so far as I know she is still hanging on. She has had a blessing releasing her from this life, and has said a beautiful family prayer with her children and grandchildren asking to be allowed to pass on. For some reason she is still here, even though she desperately wants to go meet her husband who long preceded her. I pray that she will be comforted as she lingers a little while longer and will know how much her family -- several generations of it -- love her.

(by the way...)

Just a little note for anyone who cares to know --

I had my follow up appointment with my urologist yesterday. I've still been in a lot of pain more or less, so I knew the stones weren't all gone. Sure enough, there is at least one stone still present. It is fractured, but still mostly in one piece. Of course it is.

So, I'm on Lortab as I'm able (I can't take it today cause I have had to drive, but otherwise I would have) and just praying that it passes. I go in again in two more weeks and if it is still there, and if I still have bleeding and infection (infection was gone for the moment yesterday which was good) then they should do the lithotripsy again. The doc quoted me statistics of something like 98% of the time it goes smoothly the first time, etc. Yeah, that leaves 2% for ME.

Fingers crossed and, more importantly, prayers sent that this thing goes away. Even though we've already met our deductible for the year it would still cost close to $1,000 to repeat the procedure.

So there you have it. Good times.

Bet On It

Michael claims he isn't ever referred to in my blog. Like he would even know! This is a picture Sabrina took of him recently she and I dropped by to see him during the day.

1. Put your music listening device on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.

4. Title this post what the answer to your last question is.

5. Good luck and have fun!


Note from Janelle --- I have to admit that I don't have a lot of music on my iPod. I've mostly been using it to listen to audiobooks, so this isn't necessarily indicative of what I typically listen to. Maybe some day I'll have it revamped ;)

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'IS THIS OKAY' YOU SAY?
My Wish -- Rascal Flatts
-- So do I wish things were okay? or do I wish I could make things okay?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
You've got a Way -- Shania Twain, Notting Hill Soundtrack
-- I'm not gonna tell you what that way is ;) but apparently I've got one.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
As the Bridegroom to His Chosen -- Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Consider the Lilies
--Good thing I'm married to him, huh?! I do like being married, and I wouldn't like it if Michael wasn't .

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
God Bless the USA -- Lee Greenwood
--Fitting since I've been worrying about the state of the nation today.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Where are You Christmas? -- Faith Hill, Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
-- I guess December 25th is the culmination of my life!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Because you Love Me -- Jo Dee Messina
-- Yup, it's all because of me.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Gotta Go My Own Way -- High School Musical 2
-- Independent little stinker, I guess

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
Symphony 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica" - Scherzo: Allegro Vivace -- Beethoven
--Hmmmm, maybe something with a more fitting name? Let me see what's next instead...
She -- Elvis Costello, Notting Hill Soundtrack
-- Okay, still a little bizarre. I guess it must refer to The Daughters!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
What Dreams are Made Of -- Hillary Duff
--awwwwww......

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I Don't Dance -- High School Musical 2 Soundtrack
-- yes, this is thoroughly ironic since I love dancing and did it for many many years! Maybe I shouldn't dance?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
No Matter What -- Boyzone, Notting Hill Soundtrack
-- So I guess I'm gonna grow up no matter what?

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Buy Me a Rose -- Kenny Rogers
-- I do like roses. Lilies are my favorite, though :P

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
When You Say Nothing at all -- Ronan Keating
--PERFECT! This is "our song"!!!!

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Ain't No Sunshine when She's Gone -- Notting Hill again
-- sorry guys, when I die it's gonna be dark a lot I guess

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
The Day Before You -- Rascal Flatts
-- I do fear being alone and without Michael.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need -- Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Consider the Lilies
-- not really a secret! It is one of my all-time favorite religious songs.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I can be Your Hero -- Enrique Inglesias
-- Wow, I don't think much of me, do I! LOL.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
Bet on It -- High School Musical 2 Soundtrack

Oh so Humble

Lizzie is funny. She just is.

Several days ago we were all sitting at lunch and Michael leaned over towards Kate and said "You are cute!" then he leaned over to Lizzie and said the same thing. She put her hand out to stop him and said in a bit of an exasperated voice "Dad, I know it. I know I'm cute."
When we were able to breathe again he told Sabrina that she is cute too.

Then, a day or so later (or maybe later that day?) Jenn was over to visit in the evening. She pulled Lizzie up onto her lap and was playing with her. Lizzie asked why Jenn wanted her on her lap and Jenn said "'Cause you're just so sweet!". Lizzie wriggled and shook her head and said in a very silly (and loud) voice: "Snap out of it!"

I'm Back... more or less

Okay, so it's been a while. Monday I had an appointment with the Urologist. Kidney stones had moved a bit and I have another infection. Goody. Tuesday was the lithotripsy early in the morning. Doc said it went well. I have a follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks to make sure they're cleared out. Well, me being who I am, I was fully loaded on pain killers when I went home. I spent the rest of the day mostly asleep. I hurt quite a bit. Okay, a LOT. The percocet helped at least. Unfortunately I also couldnt' keep anything down.
So eventually everyone else went to bed. I think I remember a point where Michael kept waking me up cause I was breathing strangely. At one point in the night I got up and threw up some more and decided to take my temperature. 102.8. By morning I was below 101, so I didn't worry too much about it. By late Wednesday I was finally able to keep food, and more importanly - water, down.
Now it's friday evening. I'm mostly off the pain meds, which is good. I am still running a low fever and the nausea has dialed itself up again. I have kept food down today, but mostly cause I haven't eaten much.
Anyway, that's my excuse for not being around much. For a day and a half I didn't even touch the computer. That's serious for me :P

On a less squeamish side of things: I did sell a few yards of ribbon to one woman (and made about $.40) and sold a set of valentine's day necklace pendats to another woman for a birthday party. Since I was drug free (well, pain med free at least) today I got to drive them to the post office even :) The pendants made me some actual money. I also submitted my online form to The Quilted Bear today. I should hear back within about a week to know if they're going to let me rent a booth.

Sorry we missed sayikng Happy Birthday yesterday Momma-Lee. I was still rather out of it and didn't get around to processing what the date was. Happy Late Birthday! Love ya!

Time to go feed the masses. XO