now just lauren

Well the last two days have been crazy. I am finally feeling a little more human thanks to a quick trip home for a shower and food. Sleeping in the hospital with J is hard and not because it isn't comfortable...which it isn't ha. but mostly because whenever he moves or groans or anything I want to jump up and make sure nothing is wrong. Guess that is the wife gene. I do love taking care of my husband but I can not lie and say it is easy. I am blessed to have my MIL coming into town next week. So I will be able to go back to work and not worry about what he is doing at home or if he needs anything. I think now it is almost time to get settled back in for some more sleep. The goal tomorrow is to go home and let the dogs out, shower, get a few things for Jared and be back before the doctor does rounds. Love and miss you all and am struck with a feeling of wishing states were closer together so my bff could be here with me. So happy my sister is able to be here and help me not feel so overwhelmed. Do not know how I would make it with out her. Peace out cub scouts!

if i had a million dollars.

This is a Lauren and Jared post. As we sit here in the hospital trying to take Jared's mind off of pain and being uncomfortable we wanted to do something together and we thought we would blog together. So after trying to think up a topic Lauren read a few google tips and here was what she wanted to try.
If you had a million dollars to spend (besides yourself, your family, and friends) what would you spend it on?
Here are the things we came up with. The environment. The gulf is obviously a major issue but even here you look on the side of the road and people are throwing trash out everywhere. It is like people do not care about their own town. Another idea would be a program to get homeless people jobs and teach them life skills to keep their jobs. Giving money to schools so that the lunch program could go on all summer for kids who are not able to get healthy meals at home. Money for the church to expand teaching the Word of God.
Not to shabby of a list we have going. Now how do we get this on the bill in front of congress or something to get these things more money and more attention? Why does it take an oil spill to remind people that we do have a duty to take care of our land? Sad and true things people. <><

My First Night in the Hospital.

This is my first blog/entry ever, Jared.  So I've never had surgery and never stayed over in a hospital before in my whole life.  It's been interesting, I was out before they wheeled me into the OR and I awoke in the recovery room all drugged up and happy.  My doctor had a emergency right after my surgery so I had to stay in the recovery room longer than usual and that didn't matter to me.  Finally I was taken to my private room (well worth paying extra to have privacy) and set up there.  Everything was fine, I think it was like 5 or 6 in the evening.  But then around 8 I started having really bad pain and I couldn't help moan and cry.  My evening nurse Jennifer was great and she gave me a combination of drugs that really helped knock it out, yea for awesome nurses.  I wanted to sleep but sleep seemed to be elusive and wouldn't come.  So I was in between talking with Lauren, kind of watching TV, and playing on my laptop.  Again thank goodness for the Private room because Lauren is able to stay with me.  Bless my sweet wife's heart, she is so awesome, she was taking great care of me and I know she didn't get tons of sleep cause of all my noise and bright TV and such.  Finally I know Lauren got some sleep and I got another dose of morphine and finally got some sleep at 12am.  I slept till my next dose at 230-3 and slept in and out cause the nurse also came in at 4 to give me some Toroidal.  Then it was in and out and feel like I might of caught up on some kind of sleep.  All I know is that I tried to watch Willie Wonka and all I know is I awoke with the laptop still on my lap and no movie playing.  So I know everyone is thinking of me but also think of that wonderful woman that is the better part of me and I don't know how I could make it without her.  Just wanted to share my thoughts of the past day and hope today will have less pain.  Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be eating normally again. This is Jared signing off from my hospital room @ big baptist feeling great from the meds. :)

The house update.

Well I wanted to give an update on the house. So far as you know painting has taken place in the kitchen and it looks amazing if you ask me.  Ha. Now the kitchen has been loaded up with dishes and a hutch and the kitchen table. So it is nice to have one room complete and even the decorating part done. The only thing that is missing...a refrigerator. So let the tax rebate check hurry it up already. The living room has now had all the yard sale stuff kicked out. Not that the yard sale was a big hit but next time I think that I will put a free ad in the news paper and then pick a day where it is not 105 degrees. Ha. The bathroom is pretty well complete for now but what I want to do is change out the countertop and possibly add a second sink. I also want to put more of a carmel color on the walls and make it more spa like. Now on to the bigger ticket items like a couch, new bed, and the ultimate is redoing the office and getting it organized. Over all it is really wonderful because we have plenty of space and since things are pretty well unpacked and put away the house seems bigger now even. My goal next month is to get the roman shades bought and put up so that I can take down the ever so stylish sheets from the windows! <>

is it really only tuesday?

Whew I feel like it should be later in the week than it is but alas it is Tuesday and this is the day that the Lord has made so even though I am not thrilled I will be glad. Ha. Today is a good grocery shopping and doing some returns kind of day and then the season finale of Glee is on. Yay. J is home today resting and tomorrow is a consult for surgery. There are so many things going on but having our own home is most totally my favorite part of the day right now. My mind is buzzing with all the plans and things we both want to do.
Have any of you ever come accross the do it yourself magazine that is a product of Better Homes and Gardens? I have fallen in lust with it. So man amazing ideas, tips, and even how to rewire a lamp. I even saw a great idea to turn old Mason Jars into outdoor lights. I am like a kid in a candy shop and am trying to gather enough jars to light up the yard! Well I guess I need to get motivated to get through this work day so I can get home and start plugging away at the to do list. Have a great night!

homesweethome

the to do list:
1. Till, dig, and wage all out war in the slice of the yard which will play home to our garden
2. Paint...the kitchen is done and we do want to paint more just not sure where to start now
3. Buy a couch
4. Buy a refrigerator
5. Unpack and sort through boxes
6. YARDSALE
7. Work on front flower bed...it needs some new brick, a few more shrubs and some flowers

I am sure there is much more but as of right now I can not remember. Oh and I guess I should say we are now home owners PTL.
There seems like so much to do but all of it is fun and new and exciting so lets hope that feel lasts for a long time and it doesn't turn into chores any time soon. The puppies are getting used to the new digs and they are happy to have the entire yard to sniff and roam but when the garden starts to get going they will have a little less yard because I know my Baxter he is a nosey dog and likes his veggies ha!
It is hot as all get out yikes but still plugging along. Much more to come!

vinyl

My husband has been slowly building up a great collection of records and I have loved looking through them and checking out the pictures, cover art, and hearing music on the record player. I love that slight crackle it makes as it turns song after song. However, thanks to my husband I learned that a lot of current music can be bought on vinyl as well. So I am on a quest to find new and old records because we need to keep this amazing tradition alive. Maybe I need to invest in a new record player as well just to ensure that I can always play my records. Funny how things always come back around. Trends and styles that we thought were for sure on there way out never to be seen again somehow always make it back around. I am all for progress and technology but there is something very comforting to get lost in stacks of records. <><