Happy (Sniff, Snort) Thanksgiving!

Well, I have been suffering with the sniffles, sneezes and snorts for over three weeks now. Stacey and my poor co-workers have been listening to my wild sneezing fits about every other day, I'm sure their eardrums are almost bleeding. Monday night, I got very little sleep and I left work Tuesday afternoon and was absolutely miserable because I couldn't breathe. I finally gave in and went to the doctor. Once again, a sinus infection. Fortunately for me, I got a shot and some medication and hopefully will start feeling better by the weekend.

Also, on top of getting to spend the entire day together, Stacey and I were able to go to Huntsville and Decatur to do a little shopping. We finally have Christmas shopping almost wrapped up except for a couple of items on our own wishlists and now can spend a worry-free December. We also got to hit our favorite BBQ place - Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur. I'm still full for the delicious BBQ and half rack of ribs. For the BBQ challenged and non-Alabamians, Big Bob Gibson's has won 6 or more World BBQ Championships at Memphis in May, won the Best Sauce on the Planet Award back in 1998, and hosts the All-Star BBQ Challenge on OLN. These boys know what REAL BBQ is all about and it's a NOUN, NOT A VERB! for our grilling challenged friends.

Thanksgiving day will consist of us going to my aunt and uncle's house in Crane Hill followed by spending the rest of the time with my parents. I'm sure we'll eat a ton, have a good time visiting with the kin folks, and watching football between naps. I'm sure the Cowboys game will not go unnoticed. :-)

Stacey's home

Well, for the first time since Labor Day, Stacey is back home and you can't believe how great it has been having her here in Florence. I know that the Lord has great things planned for us, but this is just a reminder of how wonderful it will be once we are in the same town for good.

As you expect, Stacey's inner-child kicked in and we ended up putting up a Christmas tree - decorated to the hilt. No surprises there, eh? Stacey loves the Christmas season more than anyone I know. If it was left up to her, we'd be putting one up on Nov. 1 every year. So, now our living room looks ready for Christmas Day.

Just an update on the insurance issue. Well, Stacey went back to the doctor and will be in the walking cast until December 14th thanks to the lack of urgency at our insurance company. Her physician prescribed another medication and we are awaiting the results of this one. Fortunately, there was no issue getting the medicine, just hoping it will work.

May the Farce Part III

Well, some things just do not change...

Unfortunately, this one is serious, but the absurdity of the situation makes this another farce. Stacey has been in a walking cast for over a month with the bursitis underneath the heel spur. Stacey's doctor prescribed medication to reduce the imflammation and the farce ensued. After the one week trial/samples ran out, our insurance company would not allow the prescription to be filled. Our "friends" at the Shield in the Land of 10000 Lakes have denoted that the medication prescribed was not acceptable, but it took them 10 days to "review" and then we get a letter through snail mail informing us of the rejection. Next, we call then insurance company for rationale and next steps to take and they tell us to get a substitute. Thus, we go back for a substitute, and it was summarily rejected by these same arrogant non-physicians. We complain again and gripe about the amount of time and inability to get treatment because of their delays and they basically tell us that it's not their problem. Finally, we get a list of acceptable medications and substitutes and what is the head of the list??? You guess it, the original prescription, followed by ibuprofren - tylenol. Now the insurance companies are getting into the "call two aspirin and call me when I care" mode.

Hello!!!?!??! What are we throwing our hard earned money away for if the insurance company won't pay for what the doctor prescribes???

May the Farce Part II

It's Christmas season and now is the time Stacey and I always make out our wishlists and then exchange them. For those of you who know me, I'm a Star Wars junkie, no I do not have a Darth Vader or Storm Trooper costume, but I have done really well about not mass collecting the collectibles from Episode III...UNTIL NOW!
The list came out and it would be like reading a kid's list. Anyone got a Spud Trooper or Darth Tater ya want to hook me up with???

Well, some things just do not change...

May the farce be with you!

I'm adding a couple of posts due to the craziness and ineptness of things we have recently endured...you will see a common theme shortly.

Happy Birthday, Stacey!!!

29 years ago today, the Texas Tornado was unleashed on the Earth.

Well, she says it will be the last birthday she'll celebrate. We'll see about that!!!

Axe 'em Jacks!

The band performed at half time. Sadly enough, the band performed better than the football team. We lost 45-23 to a pitiful school! (no names mentioned- I don't want any hate mail!! :).....)

The SFA Gang...

That's a proud mom right there! We dressed up in our SFA attire for homecoming Saturday. We all went to the parade and mom and I went to the football game. We had fun. It was my 5th year to be out of college.

Sponge Bob, Square Pants....

Ryan and his mom and dad carved this lovely little pumpkin for a pumpkin decorating contest at school. Sadly, he didn't win anything and this was carved free-handed. What a shame!!

Stick a fork in all of us...

Astros lose 7-5, down 3-0 in the World Series.

Now stick a fork in me, I'm done, time for bed (at least for 4 hours I'll get vs the 5:41 minutes spent watching game). Sad!

14th Inning - how 'bout dem 'stros!

Okay!

So, this now comes down to how did I ever let my wife talk me into becoming an Astros fan? It's almost as painful as being a Miss. State fan. I believe this is an attempt to see how many times we can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory...

Lessee, its the top of the 14th, 1:05AM, the game is over 5:28 hours old, the game is the longest World Series game in history (elapsed time and innings), the Astros have stranded 12 runners in scoring position, Ensberg and Ausmus have blown chances to win this game, the benches are empty, and I'm still awake. Thank God Ensberg and Ausmus have turned double plays in the 13th and 14th innings to keep them in the game.

I've tried to give up and go to bed twice and now (former Astro) Geoff Blum hits a home run off some no-name, last ditch reliever named Astacio. Then Astacio's control fails him and he looks like he couldn't hit a bear in the butt with a bass fiddle. Boy is it going to be fun trying to stay awake at work tomorrow....

still hobbling along...

Well, I did the unthinkable today. I actually didn't wear my walking cast and I should have. I am regretting it now. I am in some pain. I was actually doing better and thought I would be brave....wrong! I guess I'll be wearing it tomorrow!

Today was so cold here. It's about time! I actually had to cut the heater on in the car, only to find out it's not working that great. What a time for it to act crazy!

School is going good. I lost another student today. It's a bad home life situation. It makes me a little sad.

Only 11 more days till I can see Stephen again! :)

Weekend in Frisco, TX

I got to spend the weekend with my 2 sisters, niece, nephew, and new nephew, Oscar, the dog. We had a good time. Of course, we did plenty of shopping!! :)

Lauren

Future cheerleader....

WOO-HOO!!!

Man, it was a good feeling when the Astros won last night!!! If any team deserved it, they did! How awesome! Even Stephen was excited!!! Go 'Stros!!!

Another interview

Well, to give you an update on how things are going for Stephen with the job hunting process, he never did hear from the job interview here in Nacogdoches. He has had a phone interview with a company north of Dallas, and a headhunter is talking to him about a job in Lufkin. To give you a perspective of distance, Lufkin is about 30 minutes from here, Gainesville is about 3 1/2 hours from here. I guess you can guess which job we would rather him have!

We got to see each other again this past weekend. We had a really good time. We managed to find 3 malls and the teacher store, we were doing good!

Keep us in your prayers. We really need some discernment right now as to what to do next.

Hop, I mean Hobbling Along

Poor Stacey,

Just when we thought she's getting into the swing of things with school, the aches and pains took over. Monday morning she woke up in excruciating pain with her foot. Like many mornings, she often wakes up with her feet hurting. Yet, this time it was worse than usual. Thus, she decided to go to the podiatrist to see if she could get some relief. A few X-rays and a consultation later, we found out that she has bone spurs on her heel, tendonitis, and bursitis. OUCH!!!

She's in a walking cast for a month. Just pray that she doesn't kick me with it!

A house re-united

Now that the Braves have choked again, it's up to the Astros to give our household something to cheer for in the playoffs. Let's just home Berkman has another grand slam left in his bat...

How Bout dem Astros!!!

Woo hoo! The Astros won! Now I can rub it in to Stephen!! :-) After 18 innings, the Astros won 7-6! The game started at noon and just ended!! WoW!!!

A House Divided???

Well, it's my favorite time of the year in professional sports: the MLB playoffs. Once again, my favorite team has landed in the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year and is again paired with Stacey's favorite team. Last year, I shot my mouth off and the Astros did the Tomahawk Chop in. I'm keeping my mouth shut this time and maybe the Chop won't stop...