tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44493597120729106652024-02-07T13:56:06.015-08:00The Palmer Family*Edward*Stacy*Oliver*Eden*Jaren*Phineas*Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-3784097522930393752014-02-16T23:16:00.000-08:002014-02-16T23:16:18.343-08:0038 Week OB Appointment & Phineas Edward Palmer<div>
<i><b>TUESDAY, December 1, 2009</b></i> - This morning at 9:20 I had my very last OB appointment with Dr. Susan Wing. I measured a 3-4 and was still only about 50% thinned. She said she had stripped my membranes and that the baby could come any time from then on. I fully expected that he would stay where he was until he was 'kicked out' on the 8th, his 'eviction day', but he decided that he would shock us all and come when HE wanted to.</div>
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<b><i>WEDNESDAY, December 2, 2009</i></b> - I didn't get to sleep until after Ed got home from working 2nd shift at 4:30 am. At around 8 am I woke up and realized that I had some serious pressure when I walked to the bathroom. I sat down and felt the contractions starting. The plug had finally come out and I knew then that it was the real thing. I called my OB and got the answering service, and was then transferred to the OB nurses at the hospital. They said to time my contractions and call back if I was coming in. We did, and they were ALREADY less than 2 minutes apart and very strong. We called back and were on our way. I must say that I was in a lot of pain and just remember praying that Ed would get to the hospital as quickly as possible. It was a blur getting out of the car and up to the maternity ward, I seriously remember very few things! I remember that it was extremely painful to get out of the car, that I got halfway into my gown and then I was checked and they told me that I was already dialated to an 8!!! I asked if it was too late for an epidural and the nurse said not if we hurried. YEEAAAHHH... no epidural... he was coming too quickly!!!</div>
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I can't even remember getting into the bed at all or anything that Ed said to me. I remember that I had a cold washcloth on my forehead and would periodically rub it on my face and neck to cool down. I was just in such pain and was trying to breathe through it, but it was so much worse than any of my other labors. There were several nurses there trying to calm me down by reminding me to take long deep breaths and try to take it easy. I felt like I was going to break in half. I vaguely remember them putting an oxygen mask on me and telling me it was for the baby as well as for myself. I also vaguely remember grabbing onto Ed's hand and holding it while I was breathing. I kept having the urge to push and they'd tell me not too, but it was just coming on its own. </div>
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Oh... the pain was so intense!!! I do not handle pain well and was so scared when I knew that I would have to give birth this time without an epidural. They were rushing around the room trying to get things ready for this kiddo and waiting for the doctor on call to come, but HE was not going to wait. I finally said that I have to push and I felt tons more pressure. I didn't push many more times and his head was out. The frustrating thing was that I never knew when my contractions were, because I was in so much pain it was like one constant contraction. No one was telling me when to push so I just decided to push and stop, etc. It took a few pushes and the rest of his body was out. </div>
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He was born at 9:05 am about 20 - 25 minutes after we had arrived in the hospital room! He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 3/4 inches long. I still can't believe how stinkin' fast he came! I'm still in shock a day later! Although it was intensely painful, I know I was blessed to have had such a quick delivery!!! I was also blessed to have gone into labor when Ed was home to bring me to the hospital and to be with me. I was worried since he'd started 2nd shift that I'd go into labor when he was working. It was interesting because I had started to feel different earlier that night when I was at my friend, Meghan's house. As I was driving home, I had thought about turning around to go back to her house and sleep on her couch because I just felt like I was in the beginning stages of labor. I'm still in shock that he came and seriously... almost 2 weeks early. Crazy!</div>
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I called my mom at work and told them that it was important so if they could page her at work that would be great. I guess she was in an assembly, but they paged her. She started tearing up on the phone and said she was sad that she was only there for one of my children's births (Oliver). I just told her that he came sooooooo quickly that I couldn't call as I was in so much pain. It happened sooooo suddenly! She came up on her lunch break so she could see little Finn. My step-mom, Ellen, was visiting her niece a few doors down and stopped by to see us as well. It was a nice surprise. Meghan Gillespie also came up and took lots of pictures for us as well as Meghan Horan, her little girl, Bella and my friend, Jenelle Shamrell. Later on, Grandma and Grandpa Palmer came up as well. We called a few other people... I'm so bad when it comes to calling people. We just were not ready at all! I seriously did not think he would be coming on his own!!! I didn't have a thing packed! Good thing I always carry my camera in my purse with me!</div>
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The sad thing is that the other kiddos couldn't come up to see Finn because they were sick, especially Ollie and Jaren. We had lots of visitors come and see us though, which was nice. </div>
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<i><b>*Visitors to the hospital:</b></i></div>
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Grandma Young</div>
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Grandma Boardsen</div>
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Meghan Gillespie (and Kael)</div>
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Lindsey Eibey (She had her baby boy, Camden, on the SAME day and was two doors down!!!)</div>
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Meghan Horan (and Bella)</div>
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Jenelle Shamrell</div>
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Grandma & Grandpa Palmer</div>
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Uncle Chad</div>
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Reggie Esplin (and Eliza) & Malissa Pedersen</div>
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Chris Oesterle</div>
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<b><i>THURSDAY, December 3rd, 2009 </i></b>- Today I woke up with a sore throat, congestion and had a fever of 100 degrees. So... now I'm on antibiotics. My rapid strep test came back negative, so it may just be a bad cold, who knows. They wanted to rule out uterine infection and they did so that's good. I just feel like crap. So... my cramps are still horrible today and they keep saying that with every child the cramps get worse and worse. I honestly don't remember them being anywhere NEAR as bad as they are now. Holy cow!!! Lots of meds (that don't do much) and lots of hot, hot baths is pretty much all I can do for it. </div>
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Phineas was circumsized today. When the nurse came in and checked him out, he had bled so much. I was kind of worried because it looked horrible and there was a huge blood clot. The nurse actually got another nurse to come in and check him as well. I hope that it doesn't get any worse! Poor little man! </div>
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Reggie, Eliza and Malissa came to visit today as well as Meghan Gillespie. Grandma Young came up today with my brother, Chad and Grandpa Palmer came up to give Finn and myself a blessing. Lots of visitors!</div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-15510447304404176902009-11-22T09:58:00.003-08:002009-12-07T21:27:04.031-08:00The Nutcracker - Minnesota Ballet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfCoUVfSYMFKvr_4uvVqdaspG8hdPSvIZmMOiHQ8jdzaaiK1V1A7c2nzYp9iuslAhXtjcvEA3hJCWhA4X4zWUmDspbEpTGmueL2LG6kfwokxP3FOJa0j9KOVHk9n40sFJadPK1XcA2pw/s1600-h/The+Nutcracker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412731132790654770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfCoUVfSYMFKvr_4uvVqdaspG8hdPSvIZmMOiHQ8jdzaaiK1V1A7c2nzYp9iuslAhXtjcvEA3hJCWhA4X4zWUmDspbEpTGmueL2LG6kfwokxP3FOJa0j9KOVHk9n40sFJadPK1XcA2pw/s400/The+Nutcracker.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Saturday, November 21, 2009 -</strong> </div><br /><br />Today I went with Oliver and Eden to see "The Nutcracker" performed by the Minnesota Ballet with the rest of the cub scouts. It was performed at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus. It was FANTASTIC!!! Not only were the dancers great, but the talent that went into the stage decorations and costumes were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I loved the dance of the snowflakes in the woods and where it started to snow. Gorgeous! It was funny because Oliver and Eden both asked, "Where are the words???" I laughed and told them that they were telling the story through music and dance. I think they enjoyed it although they were laughing at some of the dances and the tight leotards that the men were sporting... go figure! HA!<br /><br /><br />This was on the Gallagher-Bluedorn's website...<br /><br />"Over the course of the Gallagher-Bluedorn’s 10 years, this performance has become a family tradition. Join us again for the Minnesota Ballet’s perennial favorite, “The Nutcracker.” Joined by many local dancers, the Minnesota Ballet will bring the holiday spirit to life once again with the story of Little Clara, the young girl who received the Nutcracker as a gift, and her enchanted dream of princes and princesses, sugarplums and toy soldiers. Tchaikovsky's romantic score, the colorful scenery, lush period costumes, and skillful ballet performances make “The Nutcracker” a must-see for the holiday season."Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-23700742947344036792009-11-22T09:58:00.001-08:002009-12-07T21:38:04.311-08:00"NEW MOON"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs27vrN_ICqXs_GKTBu_impN5I1HBt5E68x2K3lt1gF78SqDK7bw6vIuvgdnlkV4HMmphedCaa7d7pA1FdO6j1_DfDxHh1o_jOavyPzHB8wsa4tz-xykJTWJHZtT6o881Jfg9BJaYt1Ao/s1600-h/NewMoon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412734044288886066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs27vrN_ICqXs_GKTBu_impN5I1HBt5E68x2K3lt1gF78SqDK7bw6vIuvgdnlkV4HMmphedCaa7d7pA1FdO6j1_DfDxHh1o_jOavyPzHB8wsa4tz-xykJTWJHZtT6o881Jfg9BJaYt1Ao/s400/NewMoon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Since Ed has been working 2nd shift, we went out on a date during the day and saw the most recent installment of the Twilight Saga, "New Moon". I've been waiting so long to see this movie as I read all four books in less than two weeks last April and loved the storyline! I was surprised to see so many older couples there! My favorite part was when the character, Jacob Black took his shirt off to help Bella mop up some blood on her forehead and there were several gasps and ohs and ahs erupting from the crowd. The funniest thing we heard was from an old lady near the front of the theater saying, "Now what was THAT for?!?" Ed and I were dying laughing! It was definitely well worth seeing! I was glad to get to go with MY FAVORITE Edward... Thanks, Babe!!!<br /><br /><div></div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-12079050599259794942009-11-22T09:57:00.002-08:002009-12-07T21:18:30.040-08:00It's Official... I'm Getting Old...November 18, 2009 - Today I found my very FIRST gray hair. Yeah... AWESOME. It was about 3/4 gray with about an inch of brown left on the tip. It wasn't goin' down THAT EASY!!! Time to dye my hair out of necessity and not just for fun... UGH!!!<br /><br />Also, today was my friend, Meghan's birthday and I got to spend several hours with her tonight! Thanks for dinner and I hope you had a Happy Birthday!!!Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-56246505013697125572009-11-22T09:57:00.001-08:002009-12-01T15:39:16.169-08:0036 Week OB AppointmentWell... we got another ultrasound to see how this baby was growing. They say he's about 6 to 6 1/2 lbs. so far. They could even see that he has hair! She also said that it's 'still a boy'... well that's good!!! HA!!! Everything looked normal and I'm dialated to a 2 and 50% thinned. She said everything is looking good! We are set to be induced on the 8th of December at 8 in the morning. YAY!Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-80902785217137938132009-11-12T15:42:00.004-08:002009-11-30T23:34:15.756-08:00Happy Birthday, Mom!!!November 12, 2009 - Today Ed and I took my mom out to eat lunch at the Olive Garden for her birthday. We had a fun time!!! Happy Birthday, Mom!!! Hope you had a great day!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410166206952040338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI-C-HhCGHkPsqvIZHdJRWNnB1ncGdSVgjgIz3r85PmexuENwhJbCIPSQLYRqvNWXZ1cfjFA-Ad5O7FmdGd7scizKDzbY-LN9wNff9fXqmUUCXYQxkLHj2vQl5N_bMiYdPqsZOgUXhd4/s400/036.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Cute boy!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUe-dHZ3WhZbd2zF1DMsQE3jK5JddBeYqa1m1I_mODfpK89cL5Y9v1fkPtZCaQ9ZBWDwSTpR1qhPVO6mQOSl5BfuuIsRvns2j-GsCfwz_oX0YbE4_SbSyuOssJ2Qi3wRidWi4JFKiwww/s1600/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410166416750046386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUe-dHZ3WhZbd2zF1DMsQE3jK5JddBeYqa1m1I_mODfpK89cL5Y9v1fkPtZCaQ9ZBWDwSTpR1qhPVO6mQOSl5BfuuIsRvns2j-GsCfwz_oX0YbE4_SbSyuOssJ2Qi3wRidWi4JFKiwww/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Ed and Jaren<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410166065807601490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V1v05KSl8FpL4C_QtUq3arMqUBmd2TuwGDvgRowjBXhqM29UD2h4ykZjlX77RVNKfrtdhs0dlDNjj_CzzV5u-O-hYCwW7KjLyl-1FjPDfLk2N_HJVnb9sWHydlzFRmTzK_86vgy2LRM/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /><br />Me and my Bear!!!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410165904871864882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMclJHu2BAED5KCgB5MTYCoyurAMquOXlioLCsBtg3aeCug4AYUuDVhWCAFRU7FYR29f3fxw5kWHuOCuvr9J3izgN6MjBKlU6dfy9wq8JOSJZqsbzCAwmMtDySsGl0G-o3BilioOeYqQ/s400/038.JPG" border="0" /></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-35508184907623685882009-11-12T15:42:00.003-08:002009-11-30T23:25:51.727-08:00Famous Dave's BBQ<div align="center">I just love Jaren's toothy grin!!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410164810921986514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOjk8gKrIN4I-QWAgzEvDj_5s9L-i5bawZO9EyaMT0rGJE67xktD8K49hzVtHUYhasDS3SyT4KAH6mU-xLIMfRyVj-UBFXDkvrI1kQtHPSiD847AJq76Zq11txrC4JJeUmsNsTPio6XE/s400/004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">"DOH!!!"<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgu0E31d_yKDK3BID86d2GYPI1Nt7xLvszyl7jntg81UzJnzpcMU1eMUiICMsKVn-mHEdZzf4TM5I0SNnNHBrQzV8s0t4MiQDaWWcctzc0gfovBUFPuI-vFccJBJmX3fSDOwl5S8gO1s/s1600/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410164699037840322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgu0E31d_yKDK3BID86d2GYPI1Nt7xLvszyl7jntg81UzJnzpcMU1eMUiICMsKVn-mHEdZzf4TM5I0SNnNHBrQzV8s0t4MiQDaWWcctzc0gfovBUFPuI-vFccJBJmX3fSDOwl5S8gO1s/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jaren took this doozie of a pic!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgYXAbVeFObJWy1SFneinBlMxhUvJ2gyPSv1HTN_SdGO1r52HqUi5SCJcOc6er6DEO3vtOewq8KJsLrYzk0WriXJJuWwlk-qwRyNquQNVOv-6-MqAj1x70LlpYrPRbK2M4wdfnJnst4E/s1600/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410164529519048066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgYXAbVeFObJWy1SFneinBlMxhUvJ2gyPSv1HTN_SdGO1r52HqUi5SCJcOc6er6DEO3vtOewq8KJsLrYzk0WriXJJuWwlk-qwRyNquQNVOv-6-MqAj1x70LlpYrPRbK2M4wdfnJnst4E/s400/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Papa and Bear<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mZgrM0ia2OrGOSbH-BhKYQFjp2Qrm7wvXFO62f_iXfPilShT94AgbgK9KmSLhxtGrjTQs7DoHbt-dTyffpp_uSswG9M7EMh1K-9u4mdzl8SnI6mZG1VTk-GE4S3A6ascheEGWsqtuus/s1600/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410164414590289474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mZgrM0ia2OrGOSbH-BhKYQFjp2Qrm7wvXFO62f_iXfPilShT94AgbgK9KmSLhxtGrjTQs7DoHbt-dTyffpp_uSswG9M7EMh1K-9u4mdzl8SnI6mZG1VTk-GE4S3A6ascheEGWsqtuus/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jaren smacking the bear goodbye!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-RTJeLp52Fkimp1Qof9WeSprAleghGLhSr3gYEvuNYdRqRhLOjtwHz8lZQyEeqdMfFvUzfZ4D_c6gkOvaGN78q-laJtMkRiGD6efbOybDsZjbwj_0GUo1E4iF3uJGyeLt-E7SWDpFTg/s1600/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410164187606507026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-RTJeLp52Fkimp1Qof9WeSprAleghGLhSr3gYEvuNYdRqRhLOjtwHz8lZQyEeqdMfFvUzfZ4D_c6gkOvaGN78q-laJtMkRiGD6efbOybDsZjbwj_0GUo1E4iF3uJGyeLt-E7SWDpFTg/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-54078195874599945162009-11-12T15:42:00.001-08:002009-11-30T15:44:59.944-08:00Painting Pumpkins... Better Late Than Never...For our Family Home Evening activity we finally painted our pumpkins... post Halloween as I was in the E.R. the day we were going to originally paint them. The kids had a ball... and so did we! I'm glad I have a husband that enjoys doing these fun little things with our kids!!! :O)<br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Jaren painting his pumpkin AND he still manages to have his hand down his pants... er... diaper in this case. Our little Al Bundy!!! :O)</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOXo5Q4lEO7HyVJUj-pi3Mnafi2B6Wnfqlk6N9HCJDuRrca46YerDKb_dFDMKfCd6-iju3ywFWa8snlsOkn4bPd5Ho_wqgXsG012MeXMP2v2-2OsW9e3gcmLfc2z5cGpU4qapZU8b6XI/s1600/538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410044659440245250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOXo5Q4lEO7HyVJUj-pi3Mnafi2B6Wnfqlk6N9HCJDuRrca46YerDKb_dFDMKfCd6-iju3ywFWa8snlsOkn4bPd5Ho_wqgXsG012MeXMP2v2-2OsW9e3gcmLfc2z5cGpU4qapZU8b6XI/s400/538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Eden choosing some paint colors. Sweet smile!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEybvq_3zgDM4xV0dxoucBDAH1_0Bo3tfLjzNhD88hz1toKSLSLhg4Ag-zndA4nisGwNLppUCkLxo5BxhYq3PIYUNoVmhgktVaUytC1DY_RtD-ENkP3hOonwYeqOIO_qA1wFVyMHv8NWI/s1600/539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410044419311513218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEybvq_3zgDM4xV0dxoucBDAH1_0Bo3tfLjzNhD88hz1toKSLSLhg4Ag-zndA4nisGwNLppUCkLxo5BxhYq3PIYUNoVmhgktVaUytC1DY_RtD-ENkP3hOonwYeqOIO_qA1wFVyMHv8NWI/s400/539.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My two lovable dorks... Ollie and Ed!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIwXhv0r48bpfxMaJJQKPXlXURdhdJkMAKuyN7kDf5wfnNSpF581hyexOaTSyTcYU6dvobsRFTLd7Kl_hm-7H5rCsrxNwUXtxJ19kZxVCq2jN_lcZfF4iw9Jcgwxr8_Enqnm206YfWu0/s1600/564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410044146783868130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIwXhv0r48bpfxMaJJQKPXlXURdhdJkMAKuyN7kDf5wfnNSpF581hyexOaTSyTcYU6dvobsRFTLd7Kl_hm-7H5rCsrxNwUXtxJ19kZxVCq2jN_lcZfF4iw9Jcgwxr8_Enqnm206YfWu0/s400/564.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Me, Jare and Edes. Jaren wanted to help me paint MY pumpkin...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcX94oY8KaQIFo5J4y3piX50TDqNE1983jCGVEwk9Qqim7a_K1dKE0RBJVchATU1yMQZQvqm7yoKSET_Po7f4PeLjg9G804qTpC0STs5NvqkK4GRr2Niy6EBZW58tJfebpuiD1mdCA_M/s1600/552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410043917573933266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcX94oY8KaQIFo5J4y3piX50TDqNE1983jCGVEwk9Qqim7a_K1dKE0RBJVchATU1yMQZQvqm7yoKSET_Po7f4PeLjg9G804qTpC0STs5NvqkK4GRr2Niy6EBZW58tJfebpuiD1mdCA_M/s400/552.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />LOVE this proud face!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiELU4gMMfbG4O51fz0lQT1dQsagNnY6WD2Gumxosgl4TNmsxnExtDvz3oFkiZVLDIZ-EkXWXDYMGHAeg_N_4tT6hek-gOa0HTsIrjTWIafQ39X_Q2_uEzTeQendLU5T4VGeTRx6YWQUI/s1600/571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410043702690790850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiELU4gMMfbG4O51fz0lQT1dQsagNnY6WD2Gumxosgl4TNmsxnExtDvz3oFkiZVLDIZ-EkXWXDYMGHAeg_N_4tT6hek-gOa0HTsIrjTWIafQ39X_Q2_uEzTeQendLU5T4VGeTRx6YWQUI/s400/571.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Oliver and his ghost pumpkin!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifppu-iYC78-LETGKqTwKFuHwEW6WUcCLyijhvWJxCdPO_bljkUIW3pcT6f63aR0P6wBHUEHVXArUXooutSVBF-5da2kSCPzSiQZL9-ZLWgS1IefxgNHbndtoc9GgPrGLm1VgS35v3e-0/s1600/573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410043506098356674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifppu-iYC78-LETGKqTwKFuHwEW6WUcCLyijhvWJxCdPO_bljkUIW3pcT6f63aR0P6wBHUEHVXArUXooutSVBF-5da2kSCPzSiQZL9-ZLWgS1IefxgNHbndtoc9GgPrGLm1VgS35v3e-0/s400/573.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Eden posing with her pumpkin masterpiece!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyzW8jGzDDDDYj8U0FYORzcG7BoIl9Ot4Vh_YEvyAlRpXfWKXaBxReUhMIS8i5Llts8ipg5A6kuXhWXm02KnWZIfsA-tngtt8rkRjQ2sRhVUmpH0S_skbiqNkOA1shrh76cO5QLQQm0Y/s1600/574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410043265318815970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyzW8jGzDDDDYj8U0FYORzcG7BoIl9Ot4Vh_YEvyAlRpXfWKXaBxReUhMIS8i5Llts8ipg5A6kuXhWXm02KnWZIfsA-tngtt8rkRjQ2sRhVUmpH0S_skbiqNkOA1shrh76cO5QLQQm0Y/s400/574.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I don't think Ed was thrilled with his finished product...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSepMYZmiRQlCMAggTP-lfc51rVzRZuQ2Tu5w3a0NyzNHid5PrpKZvyDDv3aJ_m2luZwv3GT8p1BDiP9ewHtmpVgHSvSU_TsJsT_7t2ClcPe92AAdlPkQ6Il48EAg_ixAAkvESdlfwwE/s1600/575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410043086389264546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSepMYZmiRQlCMAggTP-lfc51rVzRZuQ2Tu5w3a0NyzNHid5PrpKZvyDDv3aJ_m2luZwv3GT8p1BDiP9ewHtmpVgHSvSU_TsJsT_7t2ClcPe92AAdlPkQ6Il48EAg_ixAAkvESdlfwwE/s400/575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My ghost squash and Jack the Pumpkin King!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8By-hxHLn_X0xu10vRsEebXpCQH0ecH9UPyJRdZSVVRP21mSs62sQJgUxIwkFoOIoeYXStUfdmHRD3gXiXiaOTwbQcifyfonjGeV0Rc9ohO81Sipg1U-WFrRFu670JjS_AxU-EsRWFw8/s1600/576.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410042889690447138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8By-hxHLn_X0xu10vRsEebXpCQH0ecH9UPyJRdZSVVRP21mSs62sQJgUxIwkFoOIoeYXStUfdmHRD3gXiXiaOTwbQcifyfonjGeV0Rc9ohO81Sipg1U-WFrRFu670JjS_AxU-EsRWFw8/s400/576.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Crazy kiddos!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lqZguaqmwztF2vFtcvA74InoQhWAl1potUT8u4NH-2I10MeBRDvyOS20QPIUOtlFbf1eZX-WvzR1PgWfNfyxSqha2sC0eql0XJBmKmvCQwkDFDPdrVzGAVXImD_NlFo2zM7raKeXt2M/s1600/578.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410042678331480770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lqZguaqmwztF2vFtcvA74InoQhWAl1potUT8u4NH-2I10MeBRDvyOS20QPIUOtlFbf1eZX-WvzR1PgWfNfyxSqha2sC0eql0XJBmKmvCQwkDFDPdrVzGAVXImD_NlFo2zM7raKeXt2M/s400/578.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Couldn't resist posting this sweet picture!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410042441499815314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLCWLNcigptYIOb3MxTJFUskPTJi9iV9XFyfup8ZPisCIz7Ge4_0hEqOrYC3CHKuGgquL2Ovb0wCDvp1KeUK5cd8MWVtymuhAj-6jotpQQYFZIdY0M1ONvarerBnscfMCfP6aZnLxtQ0/s400/582.JPG" border="0" /><br />Jaren doing a little table dancing during our judging of the pumpkins...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410042159179094370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUum0NlfeHR7cerRM2W5ZC82zHHc7kh7kwXKM8a171MEWN5QtGFrBaKLaMB4Oz4OTNANraEi2LeeCPt-r8eH_t6lo96P2Z_bSkHa1ap5k5rSRau2H0wYYqW19LhAGutDzPbpiCZxK5aM/s400/590.JPG" border="0" /><br />The lineup...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410041996590490786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZiWTjwgiBH2yEJFZygRZVoKmkIDcDWCPWg-IIO-SgRAORhVBwCs4bkjRDdCynhYopwQueEk178p9Sn9YffCCTz1lFKxsjuOlsa1MnQnTH7X6VgN97__qQpC47XzLjM1KwXGVl4YLV8/s400/598.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-33994981665654515512009-11-06T04:50:00.001-08:002011-10-05T17:27:20.834-07:00Recap of 2009- Pains, Pains and More PainsSoooo... a quick recap of the last year and maybe then people will understand why I've been in such a bad mood this year...<br /><br />*<strong>December 22</strong> <strong>- </strong>Heel Spur Surgery (after a year of horrible pain I FINALLY got surgery.)*<strong>January 3</strong> <strong>- </strong> Found out I had parathyroid problems (extreme fatigue, wretching, diarrhea, bone pain, etc.)... at Covenant hospital for a week (MANY tests). Transferred to Iowa City for a week (MANY tests). Had two ambulance rides to the hospital this month! Rode to Iowa City twice in an ambulance. All this while recovering from recent foot surgery... on crutches... yeah... awesome.<br />*<strong>January 22 -</strong> Parathyroidectomy (aka: surgery on my neck) still in Iowa City... Had the most painful I.V. meds that felt like my veins were on fire... HORRIBLE PAIN!<br />*<strong>January/February</strong> <strong>-</strong> Healing from both surgeries and using a walker because of short term osteoporosis which is actually really painful!<br />*<strong>March/April -</strong> Still healing after two surgeries and being sick for 3 years without knowing what was wrong.<br />*<strong>April 10</strong> <strong>-</strong> Found out I'm pregnant and NO we weren't trying for anyone who really wants to know.<br />*<strong>April - Now:</strong> Pregnancy issues... Emotional issues (deal with on a daily basis - Mental Illness and with crazy hormones my regular meds aren't cuttin' the mustard. Anemic = very tired.<br />*<strong>August - Now:</strong> Hurt my back (see Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, massage therapist) worse than my regular back pain from the last 10 years. Some days can't walk. Hurts to breathe. No meds take the pain away. Think it's sciatica.<br /><strong>*September -</strong> Strep and other nasty seasonal craptasticness... gestational diabetes scare.<br /><strong>*October</strong> <strong>- </strong>After an Endocrine appointment, found out my parathyroid hormone is back up again. Which means I may have to have another surgery... this time with a newborn... what timing!<br /><strong>*October -</strong> During an OB appointment... found out I have H1N1. Wouldn't be so bad, but I'm pregnant... not good... and I have two children with chronic asthma... not good.<br /><strong>*October 31st -</strong> Horrible vomiting episode in the morning. My face was swollen, glands were HUGE, throat felt like it was closing and extremely painful, felt like my eyeballs were going to pop out of my head. Went to the E.R. found out I had pharyngitis which is an inflammation of the pharynx and extremely contagious. Had I.V. meds and was there for several hours.<br /><strong>*November 1st -</strong> Horrible headache and bloody eyeballs resulting from nasty vomiting episode. The eye doctor said what most likely happened was from retching so forcefully causing a spike in my blood pressure thus causing my blood vessels to rupture in my eyes. Sooooo nasty. It took over a month to fully heal.<br /><strong>*November -</strong> Pregnancy pains... extreme ligament pain, feeling like the baby will fall out at any moment. Lots of insomnia and back pain.<br /><strong>*December 2nd -</strong> Pulled over by cops on my way home from a friend's house resulting in two tickets adding up to $227.00. Just in time for Christmas... BOO! Then... several hours later... having contractions TWO WEEKS EARLY, heading to the hospital, being dialated to an 8 resulting in all natural child birth... OUCH!!! I'm wondering if it was related to stress.<br /><strong>*December 3rd -</strong> Recovering from child birth... LOTS of horrible cramping in my abdomen. Woke up with a sore throat, congestion and fever of 100. Great.<br /><strong>*December -</strong> Still recovering. I have forgotten how painful recovery from child birth is. I'm happy that this is the last time I will feel this way, but I'm sad that this is my last baby...Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-53435784059217026592009-11-04T15:54:00.001-08:002009-11-04T15:56:35.893-08:00Maxine Moments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirJFhrJGL3RCu6DMk6rhgNYuDxQeLaRLvAjzwPpOtBDLQ9tYgd2z71ZQYViieUgrH5vYYXiNvyB8_V0_cdrdyGt93T7PqFV0c6vRvp5EkDdr6FeTd2VIna1KXg0w4nwTzhgP77yqqw8o/s1600-h/maxine+nutty+neighbors.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400401300851089586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 380px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirJFhrJGL3RCu6DMk6rhgNYuDxQeLaRLvAjzwPpOtBDLQ9tYgd2z71ZQYViieUgrH5vYYXiNvyB8_V0_cdrdyGt93T7PqFV0c6vRvp5EkDdr6FeTd2VIna1KXg0w4nwTzhgP77yqqw8o/s400/maxine+nutty+neighbors.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThqtOf9fwXGOuQNriQhUsE4iCi4Mxi4vUtI8pU3oNZRKnRcMWMHv6ArOvk8CPmI7b_KuFpuCdvG3mQ4WDRk7ALZDbmiHA_NEdZ_WEtxi_eq56aymu4O64yKc9wV3nezwQV-jWxpHBEro/s1600-h/maxine+rake+leaves+or+move.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400401204159835490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 380px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThqtOf9fwXGOuQNriQhUsE4iCi4Mxi4vUtI8pU3oNZRKnRcMWMHv6ArOvk8CPmI7b_KuFpuCdvG3mQ4WDRk7ALZDbmiHA_NEdZ_WEtxi_eq56aymu4O64yKc9wV3nezwQV-jWxpHBEro/s400/maxine+rake+leaves+or+move.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-66183721763724740362009-11-02T20:19:00.000-08:002009-11-02T20:21:26.990-08:00Everyday People<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OXZRRjj0biCGZzKw4t5jPMwFY-Qff7L4GvkYXnwn0lKm0tJLgnUurpWxvoO-T-nxOWgWegdEWxTxQmROt6MqumxWd3IvaBZ1_9ergsyamJT2j68Ye2pV137VxE-LWyh0QTV6MPFj3as/s1600-h/nagging+cartoon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399727630629158930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OXZRRjj0biCGZzKw4t5jPMwFY-Qff7L4GvkYXnwn0lKm0tJLgnUurpWxvoO-T-nxOWgWegdEWxTxQmROt6MqumxWd3IvaBZ1_9ergsyamJT2j68Ye2pV137VxE-LWyh0QTV6MPFj3as/s400/nagging+cartoon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-31063496120480327812009-11-02T19:34:00.000-08:002009-11-02T20:26:45.428-08:00Eye Dr. & OB Visits<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYvFSiUfKKWh05B7FGQfYL7noWCa-p4b2EKBjj1E4-jVctiVTWTy-EL0nCRqfAs2H-IuHv9ng4Gy2DUycN-tG1jZm3o_iDbQFAJ5WDIXGYgE6ieliYjlnOVISly6gCF6_6P4ValsRKM/s1600-h/optometrist+norman+rockwell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723332454064322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYvFSiUfKKWh05B7FGQfYL7noWCa-p4b2EKBjj1E4-jVctiVTWTy-EL0nCRqfAs2H-IuHv9ng4Gy2DUycN-tG1jZm3o_iDbQFAJ5WDIXGYgE6ieliYjlnOVISly6gCF6_6P4ValsRKM/s400/optometrist+norman+rockwell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gD2kvSDCzRje9rH5jguRegtieSANnBhIwCmx5JCT9tJl8LgPakzVEF-0LZ_mRJ6p8-EE0X3T_RYxU0xTz_QiV_Q1GVeBSrYQm_NrWQKBlbNkxSEV4sVXC2NBjRu9-JjmJw8rQMPNf2c/s1600-h/optometrist.jpg"></a>So... last night I noticed that I popped some blood vessels in my eyes, which FREAKED ME OUT! I don't like the sight of blood... ESPECIALLY in my eyes! So... I went to bed kind of scared and hoped to be able to get in to see a doctor the next day. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>EYE DOCTOR VISIT</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">9 am - We went to see Dr. Boeke, my optomatrist to rule out anything serious. He checked my eyeballs and my vision and found that things seemed to be okay. I asked him if it was normal to feel that my left eye felt different than my right eye... like there was more pressure in that one. He said that there was more pressure in that one, but not to worry. He told me that the blood vessels probably broke when I was wretching on Saturday morning and my blood pressure most likely spiked, causing them to rupture. He said not to freak out if I see more blood on the white part of my eye as gravity will pull the blood down and then it will turn yellowish as it's healing. I'm so glad to know what to expect so I won't be so freaked out! I seriously was in such a silly mood today! He walked us up to the front desk and said to call him if anything happens. I told him I'd let him know if my eyeballs explode in the meantime!!! He's like... "Let's not go there!" HAHAHA!!! (As Ed and I were laying down for a nap later, Ed was like... "You hardly have any white left on your eye! Don't look in the mirror or you might freak out! It might be how you are laying though." Yeah... I will try not to look in the mirror any time soon! BLECH!!!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>OB VISIT</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">10 am - Next stop, my OB's office. I wasn't scheduled this week, but we really needed to find out about what was going on with my glucose levels! Dr. Wing was so great as she explained soooo much to Ed and I. I seriously felt such a weight lifted off of my shoulders after we left! She said that when they check for glucose levels in the urine it's MUCH different than when they test the blood, so it didn't even really compare. Which means that I WAS NOT on the verge of a diabetic coma! *SIGH* She said that the sugar levels can spike when someone is sick, which I am and in pregnant patients because the kidneys often leak causing a spike as well. She's also not concerned because I did pass the second gestational diabetes test within the last month. I failed one of the tests, which you have to fail two in order to be considered to have gestational diabetes. She said that we just need to work on getting me feeling better, eating more protein and whole grains. So glad I went today. I just wanted to come home and sleep. She also prescribed me some anti-nausea meds since I've been feeling so bad for the last couple of days. Also... I'm not sure if I could find a Norman Rockwell painting of an OB office visit... who knows... ;o) hehehe</div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-73821078007185125482009-11-02T01:26:00.000-08:002009-11-02T01:35:08.826-08:00Sunday, November 1 - The Day AfterLike I said in my last post, I woke up at around 1 pm when Ed said that his dad wanted to check my blood glucose level since it was at 500 yesterday in the E.R., verging on diabetic coma... NICE. They tested it today, although I had nothing to eat all day since I was sleeping and it was 89. That's what I'd like to hear. My throat was feeling better, my tooth was feeling better, but my headache was killing me and my eyes were still very sore from vomiting yesterday. Ed and his dad went back to eat lunch with Ed's mom and the kids. I went back to sleep until about 4 o'clock. Ed came back home without the kids, since I'm contagious once more... with something different. UGH! So... another week without the kids.<br /><br />Tonight after we went to bed, I was missing the kids terribly and I started crying. I couldn't breathe because my nose was congested again so I went into the bathroom, blew my nose, cried some more, blew my nose again and washed my hands. As I was washing my hands, I noticed that my eyes were really bloodshot... I mean like... the white part in the corner of my eye was red. I lifted my eyelid a bit and there was tons of blood. SCARY!!! I told Ed that I think I broke a blood vessel in both my eyes. I was a bit worried. He got out of bed and looked up broken blood vessels in the eye and said that it could just be from rubbing them, crying, coughing hard, pressure, etc. I thought back to how hard I puked yesterday and the feelings I felt in my eyeballs and thought that the crying just made it worse. It may take up to two weeks to go away. Then he read about broken blood vessels due to being diabetic and I had to stop him from reading because it was making me queasy and scared. UGH... I don't know what more I can take. Now I can't cry from stress of being sick and missing my kids for fear of busting up my eyeballs... GREEEAAAT! :O(<br /><br />Please... be better tomorrow... please.Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-50945611191463742762009-11-02T00:30:00.001-08:002009-11-02T01:25:56.207-08:00Saturday, October 31 - Emergency Room Halloween<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zk0S9Y-xmWo2Ibu3HO_xCSYYFFok9t0xRoS6qWqftMI_iJVYN0i7nxjC4rd7HfQA1jrBFsxSAnvew0AN_QM99YWibEVcyTRwGoTc5BVrB6IsRMaQ8pmyp7MR5SnnJo6QheFvIDPzMHw/s1600-h/root+canal+tooth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399435027193032786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zk0S9Y-xmWo2Ibu3HO_xCSYYFFok9t0xRoS6qWqftMI_iJVYN0i7nxjC4rd7HfQA1jrBFsxSAnvew0AN_QM99YWibEVcyTRwGoTc5BVrB6IsRMaQ8pmyp7MR5SnnJo6QheFvIDPzMHw/s200/root+canal+tooth.jpg" border="0" /></a>I had only about two hours of sleep, due to my pregnancy insomnia and other ailments as of late, when I woke up at six am to extreme pain in my tooth! I've had pain in that tooth on and off for the last couple of months and so I figured I'd deal with it AFTER the baby is born. This pain was HORRIBLE! I've never experienced tooth pain this bad in my life! It's the bottom right molar, the last one which is hurting so badly. It was hurting even when my mouth was open, but the pain was severe when I closed my mouth and my teeth met. Holy cow!<br /><br /><br />I got out of bed and looked up tooth pain and pregnancy to see what it could possibly be and if I could even do anything while I'm 8 months pregnant! From what I saw online, it seems to me that I'll either have to have a root canal or an extraction if it's a fractured tooth. I called my friend a few hours later who happens to be a dental assistant to ask her what it could be and she said the same thing. I called my dentist on the emergency number, but hadn't heard from him today at all. Anyways... I took my hydrocodone (for my back pain), and tried to do anything I could to ease the throbbing pain! Ed got up with me and called around to various dentists offices to see if I could get in anywhere, but since it's Saturday... no one is open. ARGH... why couldn't this happen YESTERDAY?!<br /><br /><br />Anyways... after a bit, I felt like I was going to puke, and finally at around 11 am, it came. Let me tell you that this was the WORST vomiting experience I've ever had! I've had a sore throat and congestion anyways... but bring on the vomit and holy cow... I thought my head was going to explode. I was seriously scared because I couldn't breathe! I was laying on the couch just heaving into the garbage can while the whole family is looking on! I hadn't had anything to eat yet today, but I just kept heaving and heaving sooooooo forcefully! I couldn't breathe because I got sooooo congested and I couldn't breathe out of my mouth since I was vomiting so I seriously thought I was going to pass out. VERY scary. I felt sooooo much pressure in my eyes and they felt like they were bulging out of my head!!! Afterwards my head was seriously swollen, my glands under my neck were HUGE, my eyes were swollen into slits which felt like they were popping out of my head and they were really itchy! My throat was on fire and felt like it was closing. I still felt like there was a pukeball lodged in my throat, but I couldn't puke anymore. No matter how much water I drank, I couldn't get that feeling to go away. Ed was just staring at me because of how weird my swollen head looked! He said that my eyes looked chinese because they were sooooo swollen. I have to admit that I was really scared because I've never felt this way during or after puking. It lasted for over an hour afterwards!!! I had a horrid headache, my eyes were killing me and my glands were still pretty large and my throat was killing me.<br /><br /><br />I called my doctor's office and spoke to the triage nurse who didn't seem to be bothered by it. Ed had taken the kids over to his parents to get them out of the house. I was bummed because I had a fun day planned before we went trick-or-treating. My other symptoms felt like they were going away and so I was planning on going out tonight with them since I'd be outside anyways. We were going to paint pumpkins and make caramel apples as a family since we hadn't done anything this year since I've been so sick. Anyways... I posted my symptoms on FACEBOOK and a doctor friend said that I should go to the E.R. I was going to try and go to sleep and see if I felt better afterwards, but after I read that I decided to call Ed and have him take me to the E.R.<br /><br /><br />We got there and they took some blood and urine. They had to get it by catheter because there would be less bacteria in the urine... OUCH. Come to find out later... they put the wrong label on it, but luckily I could just pee in a cup that time. UGH. So... the doctor came in, we told her the brief version of my medical history and what happened that morning. She looked in my mouth and said that my throat looked horrible and that I most likely had Pharyngitis. I'd never heard of it. Anyways... she hooked me up to an IV, so I wouldn't get dehydrated because that is one of the biggest risks for fetal complications. The IV had antibiotics in it as well. We got there at around 1:30 or 2:00 and didn't get home 'til around 7:30 that night.<br /><br /><br />Anyways... I laid on the bed for awhile and Ed and I watched the Game Show Network while we were there. I tried to sleep a bit since I only had two hours sleep, but to no avail. I had to get up an pee several times while the IV fluids went through me. The nurse came in again with the results of my blood and urine test and said that my hemoglobin was low (I already figured that) and that my glucose level was a little high. She said that it was 500 and I asked her what was normal and she didn't know. So she left and came back and said around 100 is normal. I'm like... okay... what do I do for that? She just said to lay off the sugar. Okay... whatever. So... she gave me another bag of fluids and left again. She really didn't seem to know what was going on. I should have listened to my friend and gone to Allen hospital's E.R. instead, but I went to Covenant because IF anything were to happen, that is where my OB will deliver the baby. I had to ask if I was contagious, what to do for the symptoms, what I could eat and drink, etc. They weren't good about giving me any information. So, we got the paperwork and prescription for antibiotics and left.<br /><br /><br />Right after we left, my lips started tingling and I was like, "Oh, great! Why couldn't this have started before we left?!" Any little change has been freaking me out lately! We went to Walgreens and got my meds and some throat friendly foods and drinks and came home. Thankfully, my friends took the kiddos out trick-or-treating for me so they wouldn't have to miss out on that, too. THANK YOU!!! Then Ollie and Eden spent the night with Grandma Young and Jaren was still with G&G Palmer. Also... Ed was supposed to work his last overnight, but luckily Dan said he'd take his shift so I wasn't alone... just in case Ed needed to take me to the hospital again. THANKS, DAN!<br /><br /><br />We got home, popped in a movie, heated up some tomato soup and laid down. I was sooooo dang tired and feeling crappy that I went to bed at about 8:30ish. I didn't finish my soup because I was feeling urpy again and reeeeaaaallly didn't want to puke again. So... off to bed I went with my puke bucket right next to the bed. I slept most of the night (minus two hours) and slept until about 1 pm Sunday afternoon when Ed and his dad woke me up to check my blood sugar level since in reality I was verging on diabetic coma with a level of 500 at the ER the day before. It was 89. They gave me a blessing and I slept until about four. The kids are off to G&G's house for the week since I'm contagious until my symptoms go away. Another long sick week is ahead of me... *SIGH* :O(Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-74794583139053362992009-11-02T00:02:00.001-08:002009-11-02T00:29:19.917-08:00Friday, October 30 - Trunk or Treat / Ward Halloween Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtT7E8L3tIVKD8DLh8Talbelp__UXS2lUssOIqkNQdulJOC1ByPZjieK0lenBAN4xWG2jVSjbjU9BeH0gYrhFUblbTd9-O3oMR3_vA5aYzQsaZQVSmW7nZ0aiURH_OyQ-hoxeYW41kDo/s1600-h/jack-o-lantern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399417574711414226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtT7E8L3tIVKD8DLh8Talbelp__UXS2lUssOIqkNQdulJOC1ByPZjieK0lenBAN4xWG2jVSjbjU9BeH0gYrhFUblbTd9-O3oMR3_vA5aYzQsaZQVSmW7nZ0aiURH_OyQ-hoxeYW41kDo/s400/jack-o-lantern.jpg" border="0" /></a>Let me start off by saying that I LOVE HALLOWEEN! It is my favorite holiday! I love all of the food and activities associated with the holiday and this time of year in general! So... you will understand why I'm mad that I have to miss out on all of the fun things going on! I love seeing the kids in their costumes and their excitement for all of the activities they get to participate in! This is the first year that I've missed their school halloween party and parade. It makes me so sad! :O(<br /><br /><br />Anyways... since I didn't want to freak anyone out by going to the church Halloween party and trunk or treat, I asked Ed to take them! I know he's not as into these things as me, but he understands that I would do it if I could. I miss doing things together as a family... whatever it may be. So, he brought the kids home for a bit to get their costumes and see me for like an hour and a half (they had gotten their flu shots a few days before). The kids got into their costumes and I helped Eden put on some make-up, which she LOVED!!! I drew on some chin whiskers for Oliver and some whiskers and a black nose for Jaren. I had to get some photos of them in their costumes, of course! Then, I got some hugs and good-byes and then they were gone. :O( I miss them soooooo much it hurts.<br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Hannah Montana (6), Dalmation (2), Shaggy from Scooby-doo (8).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399418811725762706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHzhSfzUk6EWOnsTsIpORASDrj0QoWVrYwvNmzKk1IcZrTMN_npO7zvGp88HIhfXp_5yhOet4WaHLf0MDLs6zAFnnpzL6xnSUe0fYe3sV53lHlzvMtFghQ6LKryDO_FrLOT3QV6DOKwo/s400/234.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><br />Here's a better view of their costumes!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399419004550530322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRewERK7Vtv1J2dJBszpUDNGj3gWnsFGop9Ge7xwN_YWeTvu7qLvqVlnCq4uJ7WEQspVdxLaBGp6hewi-bw9GGxnDI5uv_aayUxGHmIxUWZcvEnZtRTXBTOKRoXorsmn1VhuJXRT5LUY/s400/233.JPG" border="0" /></div><br />Ed called me from the party and said that the kids were having fun, but Jaren was ready to leave! He's my only kid that never wants to stay anywhere for very long. At friend's houses, the park, anywhere... it's crazy! Ollie and Eden would stay anywhere all day long!! :O) They had hot dogs, played games, did the trunk or treat, had an ugly tie contest and a best costume contest!<br /><br />I saw some photos on FACEBOOK of the fun that my friends posted! It looked like they had a ball! :O) I'm sad I missed it, but I'm glad that the kids still got to go and have fun with their friends! (Thanks, Meg and Krista for the photos!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Oliver during the Trunk or Treat at the Youngblut's.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399416996838784802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzHzZkWSRkYpoujWTKkNV3Y5qXt6YZTur9fGijzcV_Dv5eTXRh2WlabuC-GIKqwUFf1mmsqgrVZXRq2v_2CXuTTvchnAKPeOc4wCX6G5TmWvZmrb7gaNeP9rDTD51AFzFDPa6_abpWuA/s400/ollie+trunk+or+treat+shaggy.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Jaren staying by Papa's side. True to form as 'man's best friend'...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399416876068988290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_-mCRFJ46Ah8bWFkcJNrKYSlArA3bRG6-Vi-J3KXH-FE1xk9vAMFQ9UTk7i7gVXle8qkq4P4beAcLsTEzrd7XuGZ6GIrELnxRCi1ShpTDuJI2-u6Qp6mb7TA2p22zHzFo9V-5wN7nI8/s400/Jaren+trunk+or+treat+dalmation.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Haylie and Eden. Such cute girlies!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399416747469432402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 374px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_UeOTpW0KuVQfnH5j9MNvV6gcjcYu_1UvdxlyOwvFYA-6G1-y6NKNbDGVeAzFW7ewMMiw_2p5k_5uWtmDexVKIgT8M8L_sqSLP5dCyeMVe19haIbKU6JzD6mUCDngkG0hFqF4Md2WO0/s400/eden+trunk+or+treat+hm.jpg" border="0" />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-23324015119950089192009-11-01T23:43:00.001-08:002009-11-02T00:01:52.900-08:00Tuesday, October 27 - OB Appointment and H1N1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXFdoC-Szd3b4hMZ9Nl4GLumz-B711kznCmjc5U8HXU_rC9cBflRXbRvNfQcBXtjAmkCvEZexzrS6fW8isLvQaqCSjigM7MMbIuTRCQg5TiKoVKOrgM4yvmi99IZ7jWtrhfXSllpv2ZU/s1600-h/swine+flu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399412641632235858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXFdoC-Szd3b4hMZ9Nl4GLumz-B711kznCmjc5U8HXU_rC9cBflRXbRvNfQcBXtjAmkCvEZexzrS6fW8isLvQaqCSjigM7MMbIuTRCQg5TiKoVKOrgM4yvmi99IZ7jWtrhfXSllpv2ZU/s400/swine+flu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYbA19-qn5zJRuOjVBrCFqCeEh5W4x4W-VID2DQfGg_TBDE3-3NJirzR90-6JRPwUKMtyJ5JrSefWZmLwR9xehvAfB0uIkgV00AwjmJmtgZ5Gxi97d3ELNwcAMRmicWs3F0rJeauma1M/s1600-h/swine+flu+cartoon.gif"></a></div><div>So, today started like any other day. I got up for my now weekly OB appointment at 9:20. Outside of the waiting room there was a table set up with some hand sanitizer, some face masks and a paper saying that if you have any of the following symptoms to put a face mask on. I had a headache, sore throat, congestion and slight cough, so I thought that I would go ahead and put one on. I entered the waiting area and talked to the receptionist only to find that my appointment was scheduled for yesterday morning. UGH. Luckily, she got me in to see someone anyways since I was 32 weeks along and obviously looking like I had just gotten hit by a MACK truck. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I sat in the lobby, I could see everyone just staring at me like I had the freakin' plague! I'm thinking to myself, "I'm wearing this for YOUR benefit! I already feel like crap so stop freakin' starin' at me or I'll take it off and cough on ya!!!" I was annoyed because I missed my appointment and felt like an idiot, annoyed because everyone was staring at me, and annoyed because it was hotter than hell wearing it and every breath I took fogged up my glasses. I didn't want to touch any magazines because if I did people would freak out, but I had to grab one and start fanning myself as I felt like I was going to pass out any minute! A man came by and told me to follow him to a room. I don't know if it was from a sincere desire to help because he could tell I was miserable or if it was to get me to a room to quarantine me!! Either way, I was happy to get to a room and away from the penetrating stares.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I waited for a few minutes only to be greeted by a nurse wearing something that resembled a HAZMAT suit! She had on rubber gloves, a face mask and a robe of some sort. I had to laugh to myself!!! Later, the doctor came in looking similar to the nurse. I was thinking they were going to strip me down, shave me, shower me and put me into a plastic bubble! (I envisioned a scene from Monster's INC.) I told her my symptoms and she said that I probably had H1N1 (swine flu). I was like, don't you have to test me for it? She said that it's so rampant now that they just assume people have it and treat it as such. I'm like... GREEEAAAATTT... now I REALLY feel like I have the plague! Since it had been several days I couldn't have Tamiflu to help it. I just had to let it run it's craptastic course. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So... last week it was my parathyroid hormone level that was back up and now I supposedly have the freakin' swine flu. Anything else to worry about? CRIPES!!! Soooo... back home, kids are going to G&G Palmer's for the week while I deal with this crap. Even though they've been exposed to me already it's just safer for them, especially Oliver and Jaren because of their asthma problems. Even more to worry about. I just want to scream.<br /></div><br /><div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-25625294903153026212009-11-01T23:28:00.000-08:002009-11-01T23:41:04.957-08:00Friday, October 23 - Surprise GNOToday was a normal day. I felt like I was getting a cold. Tired as always from not being able to sleep the night before. Ed's at work, kids are at school and Jaren is at G&G Palmer's house. Another lonely day to sit and think about my crappy luck lately. My good friend, Meg calls and wanted to bring me lunch, but I was asleep. She called back later and said she had something to drop off. She came about 5:30 or 6ish with a basket of goodies for me. She said it was the 2nd Shift Survival Kit... since Ed was about to switch from 1st to 2nd shift at work. She knows that I've been worried because of my health, but also because I don't like to be alone at night in our horrible neighborhood. A friend who works for the sheriff's department here in town said that our neighborhood is the worst one in the city now... YAY, US! ARGH!!! Anyways... she began pulling various items out and explaining their significance to me! I got a kick out of the Sweet and Sour gummy bears as I would have some sweet days and some sour days and also the eye patch because I will now have to sleep with one eye open!!! I was DYING LAUGHING!!! I soooo needed a good laugh! Thanks again, Meg... H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!! <br /><br />By that time the kids were all home, but Ed wasn't scheduled to get home until around 8:30. We chatted for a while and then someone else knocks on the door and it's my friend, Jenelle! I'm like... "Okay... what is going on!?" :O) She comes in with some bags of stuff and then puts a casserole in my freezer and some other food and then plops down to give me a foot massage. I opted out of the foot massage as I'm weird about my feet, but she gave me a hand massage instead! They said that they had called Ed and were kidnapping me for a girl's night! Ed was coming home a little early from work so we could go out and eat and chat! A MUCH NEEDED NIGHT OUT!!! :O) We sat and chatted for a while, I got ready and then Ed got home and we went out to eat at Las Margaritas. I could have eaten chips and salsa all night long!!! :O) After dinner, we went back to Jenelle's house and talked for several hours... laughing all the while!!! THANK YOU, LADIES!!! I sooooooo needed a night out to forget about my problems and just LAUGH!!! And THANK YOU, HONEY for coming home early so I could go out! *LOVES*Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-18182991623592590632009-11-01T23:20:00.000-08:002009-11-01T23:28:29.193-08:00Wednesday, October 21 - Endocrinologist AppointmentI've been seeing my Endocrinologist every four to six weeks to check my vitamin D level, calcium level, and parathyroid hormone level (PHT). Everything was going well up to this appointment. I had my blood drawn the day before so that it would be read for my appointment. She said that my vitamin D and calcium levels were okay, but my PHT level was high again. That was quite a shock to me! I asked what it was and she said 86.3. Since I didn't know how high that was I asked what the normal range was and she then told me it was anywhere from 17 to 70. I figured okay... it's a little on the high side, but I can deal with this. Then I asked what it was when I was there four weeks ago and she said 23. Okay... I was thinking that it was crazy to have jumped sooooooo high in only a month's time! She said that it may have been a mistake at the lab, but I really wasn't going to get my hopes up. I was fighting back tears as I thought to myself, "What freakin' timing... If my calcium and vitamin D levels go haywire then I will have to have ANOTHER parathyroidectomy WITH A FREAKIN' NEWBORN!" I held it together as long as I could. We talked for a minute and she said that I needed to come back in two weeks to have my blood work done again. I made it out the front door and just burst into tears. One more thing to have on my plate. As if I'm not dealing with enough physical problems right now. We'll just have to wait and see what happens I guess. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-42942179510887810052009-11-01T23:08:00.001-08:002009-11-01T23:19:06.590-08:00Wednesday, October 21 - Student of the Week - OliverOliver was Student of the Week this week at school and so today, my mom, Ed and I went to eat lunch with him at school. He wanted McDonalds, but the last couple of times we've eaten there, he went to the ER once and almost had to go back there the second time for his asthma problems. I suggested Granny Annie's because he LOVES their soup. He was all over that!!! HA! He was in luck because they were serving his FAVORITE soup that week which I rarely see there... Chicken with Dumplings! So... we all got some good soup and sandwiches and had a nice lunch with Oliver! We love you, Buddy!!!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Oliver enjoying his Chicken and Dumpling soup!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399400580068150818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd9lbMQKUX7WcRUKKs1L9GxxalILXJedZ0FBrC2sKkDsMKrWmF_JWOlydD_gInmaQgFaqZi-USJdNZhilj42OqB7uus7IkrXyRjfOuDKFl8-SJx6avzdeXYjRSWZxGem9BdSa444g7GA/s400/214.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399400674598996034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NNE2YKKDFIwe7FW30Hcd3e_PB9R2cW_TjYK3ZISBaMHj-zTQU8qJAYH1FX4yOD8umdTHotGsHLrV_1QboJwqZoH-Gm3dgN8aQRRw0a22JM5H2emBn-zev6srB6fhLpK3Mz8wBUIWaQI/s400/215.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399400920574129634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrJpSHASIe5o6rjxIzCf21lVcbGtz_AndxiIr44hBimlXcRPxdYc2WXA8BaJnkvVD4vNLRhrLkglQ0vAMya6s81aLr-uBXYLoX7abk5LsM4eVxxlxd9hu4becLa8-VceANPq3b-8NMto/s400/217.JPG" border="0" /></p>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-18212499021421199072009-11-01T18:37:00.000-08:002009-11-01T22:41:51.679-08:00Tuesday, October 20 - Kid's Fun Fair at SchoolTonight I mustered up some energy and took the kiddos to their Annual School Fun Fair. Since I was by myself (Ed was working), Jaren stayed back with G&G Palmer, aka... his 'other' set of parents! :O) I also invited my friends to join us but two of her kiddos were sick so I offered to take her oldest, who is four! I knew he'd LOVE to play the games, but I forgot how much energy four-year-olds have as well!!! Oliver was GREAT and helped me out with keeping an extra eye on Cullan. It was like he was an adoptive big brother for the night! It was seriously so sweet to see how they interacted with one another!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div align="center">Ollie and Cullan waiting in line to play some games in the gym.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399338385391001922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUVt7UokSt7v6GKjM12-151dcadCTF6bJmTO4Uxi1Kk81BYMZCqUgD3t1Tr6oaFAc66jPMet8ggpJKRfNI3GQ8_6LzlIsReK7SWUEGyOROoDEAGEMsdm5vupLWFkCK-1JpmahLIzBI4Y/s400/220.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>My friend, Brenda, is the PTO president this year and her two boys were sick at home and her husband was out of town so she brought her little girl, McKenzie, who I used to babysit, along with her. She asked if she could hang out with us for the night while she made sure the fun fair ran without a hitch! She even gave us an extra punch card for games for each of the kiddos! How sweet was that?! I didn't mind since McKenzie and Eden are good friends, so they had a ball together! </div><br /><div>First, we went to the cake walk and Cullan WON the very first cake!!! We all cheered for him but then he got very shy and didn't want to choose one. I chose one for him which was a green cake with a large spider on top and ran it out to the car so I didn't have to carry it all night long! We walked through the school playing the games, getting tattoos and jumping on the inflatables. They all were having so much fun! </div></div><br /><div align="center"><br />The hockey game. The boys loved this one!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399335328661097378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd52JFW3IEI9_tx6fS6gS8cp3uMT4jnPxMbK2sTge-ckATpGlcsKiPL1Z-bYU6uQgB6V5E9x0kVbTu-79iz9DPWJ2yCP5GT_n0yPqdIefkU7DZhyphenhyphen075OneKEZFCGca8MoFTfFon-IW4M/s400/209.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Eden playing a game.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399341903258642674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtA8fA7BCTDsuxvAPG-ZWNsDFfZNI4EUCzugEGRWv7008U1p1q3W9IIPS0WAHk1zJUOvzVEySiroQ9ntt4YAxihyphenhyphenmAbQkJIDU5CCEhmMYAWGegHGxYDtRkTFvVBQBg_N2rAYKC0WH84/s400/206.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Cullan playing the ring toss game.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399341385190473186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsKsZs3CxnvagG0T1D9zAAmasMWeCBfP4WTDMRIPx1aZqQpFgswEVkPIM_ybpCP1_MwccbR5IPehtgPYV1n1rVDeynPZW_pIXPXYaog9ZjEXGHzsrOI7pG3OpyN1NqGc0rDyB6jjjXMo/s400/217.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br />We took a break to have pizza or hot dogs for dinner in the cafeteria. It was nice to get off of my feet for a bit! We did the cake walk again and this time... I WON! I've never won a cake at a cake walk! Oliver was the one that drew my number, too!!! HA! This time, Cullan wanted to choose the cake so I let him choose and we swapped cakes later! He chose a green one with spiders all over it! It was funny because Oliver's teacher, Mr. Galloway, made both of the cakes that we chose! ;o)<br /><br /><p align="center"><br />McKenzie and Eden during dinner. Goofy girls!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399336457748596274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDFY0Dz-p0BH7PDD5Py0qAfhhTtxsMcC-nzPk2hqp2uN60hTEY9L4qD0E_Qk6FHfoEsCr5QKzHXh6fBg-HxBVjjBOOAR43Ta8ZaLXHzl6AtD9PrYxGQrVE_phhs8RHGidQyefpWtyYow/s400/224.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><br />I still can't believe that I won a cake! I was like, "I'm cravin' me some cake tonight!!"<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399337101389606818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JCG0cJijQrTni16l0e7BBICGRWB7O4hhMvznAt8Y5eCJrP4MsUFgUNwShYsg5ZUUtFpSOnDTKTqLejzZDWh9t0d6KOfEEjAobmg5QYqGnDVirhFvAolQHaSmqb8ce4oDqm4xQPiJ4ls/s400/251.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br />In one of the rooms they had a "Musical Petting Zoo" which the kids LOVED! They had an array of instruments laid out for the kids to try. They all loved trying the violins!!!<br /><br /><p align="center"><br />Oliver getting a mini violin lesson.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399337838473325170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmIHvbuobIXGqZAVY2wGb_xQOu-v4-ogxaY7TZ_4bFvN6pTC_e3dFn5bYnS4bfeY-DYJNVoJtX6bNKvsIbDvSBoVyKCSf_k7iRYLCCHubLZqhjdd3hfn5LFiKpe_sgPKpQfkw2k98gmA/s400/233.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><br />Eden trying it as well!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399337578053101586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gB2FQUzCTq_IMM5iXQpV6LK-MuDnfwVgCLrIEy-WkzlYbDHOIoWvuhkVklUUSFzSmC_HUyz2e81JZkVrEvJmZQFfLQgLxiAOfzd1kBv1QyeCzwHQZ8ZjWgcSAx_91p4O1rRRTQ4_TN0/s400/231.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><br />"Hey Mr. Tambourine Man... Play a song for me..."<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399337334490533186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6_5wtp6dbDMeHpQg-G3xEISSWeRUWBnv-XcZEVBUMDvCI1C8WkPDLG7mxwLb2UkGTvo2SNq3emiHDMqvuEUvcw3s9-Ie_uW_5SYFbyUqfY2-u_aQTazLbelhPPKzIAjHKcDykwy6H8I/s400/246.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Ollie trying to play... hehehe...<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWDdzPv04ST_QVfv3FzNxmNaGtzfgL-frOi8PEiAuojVMcPMkZWvauJbpfcxhI5jOJlz9XCfAzYq6VvL9ehQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="left">I'm glad that I was able to feel well enough to take them so they could have fun. I feel like they've been missing out on alot with me feeling crappy all of the time. I'm glad we went! It was a really fun night!<br /><br /></p>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-2774733697949007472009-10-15T21:10:00.000-07:002009-11-06T01:53:32.981-08:00Ramblings and Rants - TrialsI just got done reading someone's recent blog post and all I can say is... WOW. I feel as if I could have been the one sitting at the computer typing it. Although we haven't gone through the same experiences in life, the outcomes and feelings of helplessness are still the same. I hate trials. I really do. I know that we are 'supposed' to love them, but in all honesty... nope, I don't. Maybe it's because I'm right smack dab in the middle of many... MANY trials in my life and I can't see what the point of my going through them is. I know that my heart has hardened toward people because of it. I know I'm supposed to be going through this period in my life gracefully, but I'm not. I'm fighting it tooth and nail. I just feel like I'm in a rut and no one 'gets it'. This has honestly been the worst year of my life and I hope... that 2010 will be better. Hope is all I've got people... that is all.Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-75644500320345652172009-10-15T20:31:00.001-07:002009-11-06T01:54:16.782-08:00Ramblings and Rants - UrineWow... I really have to pee... like... A LOT. Which brings me to the following picture of Harry piggybacking Lloyd on his sweet, sweet scooter in the movie "Dumb and Dumber".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD9lFY28kKSyV5rMhrSBD_Q8j980n54c4HSP5GowDhfc8UxEPiGIYzid6gPQbtKtLRThSaBMaQ2I8DmUuYbpn9o4h2fIo5hY02PcyrwTBfMRBjfd4Odx9B4JPmD-PT5tL2MfA-QJ_3iM/s1600-h/dumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393037020224260386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD9lFY28kKSyV5rMhrSBD_Q8j980n54c4HSP5GowDhfc8UxEPiGIYzid6gPQbtKtLRThSaBMaQ2I8DmUuYbpn9o4h2fIo5hY02PcyrwTBfMRBjfd4Odx9B4JPmD-PT5tL2MfA-QJ_3iM/s400/dumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3FAEcrWGYqX3-yzhTbKOamtKV-PuUy3qN-yccngAE2kpUXoqt8JFA4H2ODLdLnjOvlTf6MNpJuVSkRD02Qf7xtf2PlilvWGNeZftvCv1KgMi3_8pV5531CHcmjf_6KgNTv1my_5l0PE/s1600-h/dumb+and+dumber.jpg"></a>They are driving through the mountains in the crisp winter air and Harry has to pee so Lloyd says, "Just go man...". This is what I've been feeling like lately. I hate having to interrupt my TV watching or my Facebooking to head to the privy and do my business. Why can't I just pee my pants... and be done with it??? :O)<br /><br /><div></div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-90584656584776845502009-10-15T20:18:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:25:25.440-07:00Jaren Quote<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WCZdCDcztcG29NmgkfuonMk2OuLEVhXlWqzvZ13OYeiJc5U1Ye2GoqpxrNHUGDns5ExJWN5UMeii2b5jPkSADu-QLxF2eOhVXI5d7l8m03c18RzmENPE60LjLzCt1cB0L-MiDQBZY2Dp/s1600-h/chocolate+cake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033558828909618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 106px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WCZdCDcztcG29NmgkfuonMk2OuLEVhXlWqzvZ13OYeiJc5U1Ye2GoqpxrNHUGDns5ExJWN5UMeii2b5jPkSADu-QLxF2eOhVXI5d7l8m03c18RzmENPE60LjLzCt1cB0L-MiDQBZY2Dp/s400/chocolate+cake.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So... a few nights ago Ed and I were watching "The Biggest Loser" and they had a temptation challenge. It was a "Wheel of Fortune" type wheel with covered platters in each divider. Under only ONE of the covers was a 'golden ticket' of sorts to be able to pick the new teams. A highly saught after piece of paper! The hitch was that whatever you uncovered you had to take... mainly high calorie goodies. The first guy was up, spun the wheel and landed on a 1,000 calorie piece of chocolate cake. All of the other players were saying things like, "Oh, no..." and such. About 4 players later... another player uncovered a large frosted cupcake and Jaren, our 2-year-old mournfully laments, "Ooooooooooh noooooooo........ chocolate cake!!!" I was DYING laughing!!! It's so dang funny hearing some of the stuff that comes out of my kids' mouths! HA!!!</div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-24840763529344762342009-10-15T17:58:00.000-07:002009-10-29T20:14:52.254-07:00MORE MOVIE FAVORITES<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uzNoHbBaRTIgVZ2Vz37DkEfEPJqjSnrvkYUVreEELFWt7sId57akv4hF76FmZ1vBKwiKXgMfGzVQMu7tAW5y-U3xYI9lsjMNe1ot7JL7YI2JVtbR-q7Gj1ipZ7Lh4ZYvca2zW6EjxFQ7/s1600-h/becoming+jane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996491348337122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 101px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uzNoHbBaRTIgVZ2Vz37DkEfEPJqjSnrvkYUVreEELFWt7sId57akv4hF76FmZ1vBKwiKXgMfGzVQMu7tAW5y-U3xYI9lsjMNe1ot7JL7YI2JVtbR-q7Gj1ipZ7Lh4ZYvca2zW6EjxFQ7/s400/becoming+jane.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Becoming Jane" - 2007**</span></strong><br />Starring Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen and James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy.<br /><br />"The year is 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year-old and emerging writer who already sees a world beyond class and commerce, beyond pride and prejudice, and dreams of doing what was then nearly unthinkable - marrying for love. Naturally, her parents are searching for a wealthy, well-appointed husband to assure their daughter's future social standing. They are eyeing Mr. Wisley, nephew to the very formidable, not to mention very rich, local aristocrat Lady Gresham, as a prospective match. But when Jane meets the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy, sparks soon fly along with the sharp repartee. His intellect and arrogance raise her ire - then knock her head over heels. Now, the couple, whose flirtation flies in the face of the sense and sensibility of the age, is faced with a terrible dilemma. If they attempt to marry, they will risk everything that matters - family, friends and fortune." - IMDB<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzd49XkXG1PaJuhuUiT5KupN7lHm1LnRu9QBYvlTzxx4ZVOcH86nDHGP7aJ-Ug3WJV3J_9EwaSS30CIDc524cWawNUMPC53TX6jwD0DnqUnAbD8Eq7dTo6gOKjlAYmEVhiJzaagAnZKGd/s1600-h/miss+austen+regrets.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997271895546914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzd49XkXG1PaJuhuUiT5KupN7lHm1LnRu9QBYvlTzxx4ZVOcH86nDHGP7aJ-Ug3WJV3J_9EwaSS30CIDc524cWawNUMPC53TX6jwD0DnqUnAbD8Eq7dTo6gOKjlAYmEVhiJzaagAnZKGd/s400/miss+austen+regrets.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>"Miss Austen Regrets" - 2008</strong></span> (appeared on Masterpiece Theater)<br /><br />This is another film version of Jane Austen's life starring Olivia Williams as Jane Austen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP_GfkJMhf1-Pp5ZY6H8EJBFUc7oLtLhRfOYh0B2voro16seFrgUfNaZ0SkyM7Y-WhfzEElbze2SGa6J8hCbpNDIj9xdKYW_7rCwfT9au-OnSaxxefKpUDni0aWT7Jgk5VEHR-eRyQoSk/s1600-h/Lost+in+Austen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997139950910882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 92px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP_GfkJMhf1-Pp5ZY6H8EJBFUc7oLtLhRfOYh0B2voro16seFrgUfNaZ0SkyM7Y-WhfzEElbze2SGa6J8hCbpNDIj9xdKYW_7rCwfT9au-OnSaxxefKpUDni0aWT7Jgk5VEHR-eRyQoSk/s400/Lost+in+Austen.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Lost in Austen" - 2008</span></strong> (TV Miniseries)<br /><br />"Amanda, an ardent Jane Austen fan, lives in present day London with her boyfriend Michael, until she finds she's swapped places with Austen's fictional creation Elizabeth Bennett." - IMDB<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYgU3FtH91QQcHM9nD2-SJ11opPB9-FovTXq_y8JW_ZtuJfr7i8qFzs7lwnFLZfzw8NgDKB32-wqhUnaKbIts8Oq02JAtM8e4syy_8hdvk8iCEdzTETnPmKtKE5GiWAwBEfKHIjmVUjRB/s1600-h/cranford.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996560758555378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYgU3FtH91QQcHM9nD2-SJ11opPB9-FovTXq_y8JW_ZtuJfr7i8qFzs7lwnFLZfzw8NgDKB32-wqhUnaKbIts8Oq02JAtM8e4syy_8hdvk8iCEdzTETnPmKtKE5GiWAwBEfKHIjmVUjRB/s400/cranford.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Cranford" - 2007</span></strong> (TV Miniseries appeared on Masterpiece Theater)<br />Based on the novel by Elisabeth Gaskell. Starring Judi Dench.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StfFreYkX0I/AAAAAAAAE_c/cKBg_M1PXn4/s1600-h/Wives+and+daughters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996429480615746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StfFreYkX0I/AAAAAAAAE_c/cKBg_M1PXn4/s400/Wives+and+daughters.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Wives and Daughters" - 1999</span></strong> (TV Miniseries)<br />Featuring Justine Waddell as Molly Gibson.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBfsI38XG14APyHN_jfUYxPKAJ029R69mcxSOeWtj_1pgpBbT0wVWK6wgbLzPX7YMuQz8hXmgmOaHghxn7xR1FA2GqprJAtJW3EpdngoHvR9mWTP7VnVK_rEedH-tVpFcLbyY9CZu086l/s1600-h/north+and+south.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P83Ujf3_ZzvNAdsUV3EbDa8N7zgPlz38meeRxRyskJESB86FthDmGHVlN8NN7OkECuSHevgvpwY69J4yMScCZfS0QESwvO_GapHc6jI5n0KK5y-DEyXgao3n2n_IrDyr0EULNEzY2f_y/s1600-h/little+women.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997067112736306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 88px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P83Ujf3_ZzvNAdsUV3EbDa8N7zgPlz38meeRxRyskJESB86FthDmGHVlN8NN7OkECuSHevgvpwY69J4yMScCZfS0QESwvO_GapHc6jI5n0KK5y-DEyXgao3n2n_IrDyr0EULNEzY2f_y/s400/little+women.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Little Women" - 1994**</span></strong><br />Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Starring Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst/Samantha Mathis, Susan Sarandon and Christian Bale.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzXvb1tSdMNo2vBLnAJa1Nygcl5Pbk2l09PznTlGZnyNogc4YlqXGVHpoN5jNQQ3J8h0bPWE2tK5Ond5y-aXHiwDhWJK6kn3ezQiJ0jH0D-ZQp7UzLjQpov4mHoJCl34SlPihs4cD2ldE/s1600-h/the+inheritance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997502004729506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 93px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzXvb1tSdMNo2vBLnAJa1Nygcl5Pbk2l09PznTlGZnyNogc4YlqXGVHpoN5jNQQ3J8h0bPWE2tK5Ond5y-aXHiwDhWJK6kn3ezQiJ0jH0D-ZQp7UzLjQpov4mHoJCl34SlPihs4cD2ldE/s400/the+inheritance.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"The Inheritance" - 1997**</span></strong><br />Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott.<br /><br />"At the lush Evenswood estate in Concord, Massachusetts, Edith Adelon, a beautiful orphan, lives as the paid companion to the daughter of the wealthy Hamilton family, although they regard her as one of their own. Years ago, Henry Hamilton saved Edith from an Italian orphanage at the request of his long-deceased brother. Now, Edith is his daughter Amy's prized friend and confidante. As the Hamiltons await a trio of visitors for the annual Greens Cup horse race, Beatrice Hamilton asks for Edith's help in finding a suitable husband for a cousin, Ida Glenshaw, with one of two visiting eligible bachelors. But when it becomes clear that both the young men have affection for Edith and not Ida, jealousy soon develops, leading to malicious conniving and brutal backstabbing. Despite the growing love between Edith and one of the young suitors, because of their conflicting social classes, the couple is reminded time and again that their love can never be. The Inheritance is a story that centers on an innocent young woman's struggle to make sense of her position within the Hamilton household and in society, and the love she feels for her patrons, as well as for a young man she can never marry." - IMDB<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBfsI38XG14APyHN_jfUYxPKAJ029R69mcxSOeWtj_1pgpBbT0wVWK6wgbLzPX7YMuQz8hXmgmOaHghxn7xR1FA2GqprJAtJW3EpdngoHvR9mWTP7VnVK_rEedH-tVpFcLbyY9CZu086l/s1600-h/north+and+south.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997343559897842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 91px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBfsI38XG14APyHN_jfUYxPKAJ029R69mcxSOeWtj_1pgpBbT0wVWK6wgbLzPX7YMuQz8hXmgmOaHghxn7xR1FA2GqprJAtJW3EpdngoHvR9mWTP7VnVK_rEedH-tVpFcLbyY9CZu086l/s400/north+and+south.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"North & South" - 2004</span></strong> </div><div>Based on the novel by Elisabeth Gaskell.</div><div></div><div>"This series operates on many levels. At the heart of the series is the tempestuous relationship between Margaret Hale, a young woman from a southern middle class family who finds herself uprooted to the north, and John Thornton, a formerly poverty-stricken cotton mill owner terrified of losing the viability of his business. Around them are class struggles between the workers and mill owners and ideological struggles between the industrial North and the agrarian South. After moving North, Margaret's father befriends his student Mr. Thornton. Margaret has already formed her opinion of Mr. Thornton independently after seeing him treat his workers harshly. As the series progresses, she and we the audience begin to learn that his strict treatment is due to an overarching concern for his mill and by extension, his employees. John Thornton, on the other hand, is attracted to Margaret's independence and position in society as a well-educated Southerner. As in "Pride and Prejudice" the marriage proposal comes in the middle of the series and is rejected by Margaret. Contrary to "Pride and Prejudice" it is mirrored in social upheaval as the entire town is brought to its knees by a strike. The latter half of the series is an unraveling of the former misunderstandings ending in a romantic reconciliation which is again mirrored by reconciliation between workers and mill owners." - IMDB</div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5lj0OX2utzHg3IeJqXktXtnUnm-pm5HepdZbkWrdpWBY31JXCMTS7MB4pS8xC68Ie-F4aUoH-AkbASqyDMbqG283q9nVjNPjSVyaYDKjKMr6nCC82pCkqFL3WN665a1_A-dEVYPkIhT_/s1600-h/The+mayor+of+castorbridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392997570917826306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5lj0OX2utzHg3IeJqXktXtnUnm-pm5HepdZbkWrdpWBY31JXCMTS7MB4pS8xC68Ie-F4aUoH-AkbASqyDMbqG283q9nVjNPjSVyaYDKjKMr6nCC82pCkqFL3WN665a1_A-dEVYPkIhT_/s400/The+mayor+of+castorbridge.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"The Mayor of Casterbridge" - 2003</span></strong></div><div>Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. Starring Ciaran Hinds.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIOouWZ2IlgdukV0HnrF0qllm6H439E0Mx1R1W-UbhshJtS-GJfHyys4pFpdfZkigJ5PT9VPzi3EWJoJMlOgBzd4RHqXpMgHReQ4_s6bavci4a1zRufJ2bqEpBPQufUWIFlOoxTVAO98t/s1600-h/jane+eyre+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996999955390690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIOouWZ2IlgdukV0HnrF0qllm6H439E0Mx1R1W-UbhshJtS-GJfHyys4pFpdfZkigJ5PT9VPzi3EWJoJMlOgBzd4RHqXpMgHReQ4_s6bavci4a1zRufJ2bqEpBPQufUWIFlOoxTVAO98t/s400/jane+eyre+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Jane Eyre" - 1997<br /></span></strong>Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte. Starring Samantha Morton as Jane Eyre and Ciaran Hinds as Edward Rochester.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DrL-dRV-KyQ96VkoxgMr8QrNgJvEOOdY_PfJoiA3HmICSnX9Soj55dQzaUj3yBdvySEz4v4ofIT_G_MIGw3pe2rgPLFyJ34R9zsvxsg5_Ej7RD8enWpQVCLMnZ3-C735B7sgxpymw4X1/s1600-h/jane+eyre+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996932211071666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DrL-dRV-KyQ96VkoxgMr8QrNgJvEOOdY_PfJoiA3HmICSnX9Soj55dQzaUj3yBdvySEz4v4ofIT_G_MIGw3pe2rgPLFyJ34R9zsvxsg5_Ej7RD8enWpQVCLMnZ3-C735B7sgxpymw4X1/s400/jane+eyre+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Jane Eyre" - 1996</span></strong><br />Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte. Starring Charlotte Gainsbourg as Jane Eyre and William Hurt as Edward Rochester.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHESNe-DwMwU248rECtSxm5PDM6ytljxw2M7ehuf7DjiGNksR3elwO8SiOewcpEMXRjPZcY0AHk3k2auXpDltxoQxlyVVPPatrG-tpDdNbMPhZdspo8zMVbsTruvZ5mPGG3Za8iz8g7_Nf/s1600-h/jane+eyre.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996851077738274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHESNe-DwMwU248rECtSxm5PDM6ytljxw2M7ehuf7DjiGNksR3elwO8SiOewcpEMXRjPZcY0AHk3k2auXpDltxoQxlyVVPPatrG-tpDdNbMPhZdspo8zMVbsTruvZ5mPGG3Za8iz8g7_Nf/s400/jane+eyre.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Jane Eyre" - 2006</span></strong></div><div>Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte. Starring Ruth Wilson as Jane Eyre and Toby Stephens as Edward Fairfax Rochester.<br /></div><div>"After living a miserable life with her aunt, orphaned Jane Eyre is sent to Lowood, a residential school for children of limited means. Jane takes the advice of her friend and over many years takes her studies seriously, eventually advertising for a position as a governess. She obtains a position in the home of Edward Rochester, where his ward, Adele, has recently come to live. She soon realizes that there is something odd in the house and she regularly sees shadowy figures in windows or hears voices. No one will admit to their being anyone else in the house, however. As she and her new employers develop a deep affection for one another, the secret of the Rochester household threatens to keep them apart." - IMDB<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwDZ7cGH1AdOVF7aZ-80PAk3VDEwS-y2J1dXM12-i65AkHnpVkV1_hfOj3fqK0jVL2wajHMlNyomRfy74z95NcGIX5sxh9Js3n7zwpP2tQUu7meJa8qzs85C5FZPPoGMHosVD59pHB_uq/s1600-h/everafter.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392996728274254114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwDZ7cGH1AdOVF7aZ-80PAk3VDEwS-y2J1dXM12-i65AkHnpVkV1_hfOj3fqK0jVL2wajHMlNyomRfy74z95NcGIX5sxh9Js3n7zwpP2tQUu7meJa8qzs85C5FZPPoGMHosVD59pHB_uq/s400/everafter.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Everafter: A Cinderella Story" - 1998**</span></strong></div><div>Starring Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott.</div><div></div><div>"Danielle, sole daughter of a deceased French nobleman, is raised - more as a servant than as a stepdaughter - by cruel and snobbish Rodmilla together with her own two daughters Marguerite and Jaqueline. One day, she accidentally meets Prince Henry, the future king of France. A little later Danielle has to pretend to be a noble person and meets the prince again. This time, his interest in the young lady grows. But the day of the prince's marriage draws closer and closer without an official bride at hand. Actually, her stepsister Marguerite seems to have the best odds to win the race. But they all underestimated the power of true love, especially when a genius is at hand..." - IMDB</div></div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4449359712072910665.post-87156148821255524972009-10-14T16:47:00.001-07:002009-10-29T20:13:24.220-07:00Jane Austen FavoritesThis post was inspired by my friend, Meghan, who is just now falling in love with Jane Austen! :O) She wondered what ones Jane Austen wrote and what ones I specifically liked since there are many versions of her classics! These movies just make me happy... plain and simple!!<br />(** - means that I own it if you'd like to borrow it!)<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1. PRIDE & PREJUDICE (My favorite movie of all time!)</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"Pride and Prejudice is a humorous story of love and life among English gentility during the Georgian era. Mr Bennet is an English gentleman living in Hartfordshire with his overbearing wife. The Bennets 5 daughters; the beautiful Jane, the clever Elizabeth, the bookish Mary, the immature Kitty and the wild Lydia. Unfortunately for the Bennets, if Mr Bennet dies their house will be inherited by a distant cousin whom they have never met, so the family's future happiness and security is dependent on the daughters making good marriages. Life is uneventful until the arrival in the neighbourhood of the rich gentleman Mr Bingley, who rents a large house so he can spend the summer in the country. Mr Bingley brings with him his sister and the dashing (and richer) but proud Mr Darcy. Love is soon in the air for one of the Bennet sisters, while another may have jumped to a hasty prejudgment. For the Bennet sisters many trials and tribulations stand between them and their happiness, including class, gossip and scandal." - IMDB (Internet Movie Database)</span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjx_bocfI/AAAAAAAAE90/XFifaR3XB8A/s1600-h/P%26P+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607314314818034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 86px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjx_bocfI/AAAAAAAAE90/XFifaR3XB8A/s400/P%26P+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em>**I probably go against the grain as I prefer this version to the older version with Colin Firth portraying Mr. Darcy, although I love that movie as well! This one stars Keira Knightly as Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Matthew MacFayden as Mr. Darcy. I can feel the passion of the actors in this one and I don't know... I just LOVE it!</em> </div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZj4o3fyLI/AAAAAAAAE98/TL2Z8rwOj7I/s1600-h/p+%26+P.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607428516759730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 91px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZj4o3fyLI/AAAAAAAAE98/TL2Z8rwOj7I/s400/p+%26+P.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em><span style="color:#000000;">**This is the 6 hour version starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I love this one as well, but you need to set several hours aside if you want to sit down to watch this one! Mr. Collins just cracks me up in this one! HA!</span></em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2. PERSUASION</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"In 1814 England, 27-year old Anne Elliot lives an oppressive life with her father, Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall, and her elder sister Elizabeth, both of whom are incurable snobs. Eight and a half years ago, Anne been persuaded to refuse an offer of marriage from the man she loved, a young naval officer of no position or fortune. Now, after the Napoleonic wars, Captain Wentworth has gained both rank and money, and chance has thrown them together again. Anne finds herself confronted with thoughts of might-have-been as she watches Wentworth court her brother-in-law's sister, Louisa. But an accident causes Wentworth to realize whom he truly cares for, and he follows Anne to Bath. But her cousin William (the heir to Kellynch Hall) is also pursuing her and is rumored to be engaged to Anne. And she must overcome this last obstacle before she can persuade Captain Wentworth as to the true nature of her affections." - IMDB</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkNBCb7HI/AAAAAAAAE-c/8S4ZnKLFkM8/s1600-h/persuasion+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607778602478706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 84px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkNBCb7HI/AAAAAAAAE-c/8S4ZnKLFkM8/s400/persuasion+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em>**I love the 2007 version that appeared recently on Masterpiece Theater. Didn't you just love this movie, Meg??? This one stars Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry Jones as Captain Fredrick Wentworth. *Sigh* </em></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkGhASFsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/zQtRz0LOnY8/s1600-h/persuasion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607666924295874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkGhASFsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/zQtRz0LOnY8/s400/persuasion.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em>I love this version from 1995 as well. It stars Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciaran Hinds as Captain Fredrick Wentworth. I love this movie... what can I say?</em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">3. MANSFIELD PARK</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"At 10, Fanny Price, a poor relation, goes to live at Mansfield Park, the estate of her aunt's husband, Sir Thomas. Clever, studious, and a writer with an ironic imagination and fine moral compass, she becomes especially close to Edmund, Thomas's younger son. Fanny is soon possessed of beauty as well as a keen mind and comes to the attention of a neighbor, Henry Crawford. Thomas promotes this match, but to his displeasure, Fanny has a mind of her own, asking Henry to prove himself worthy. As Edmund courts Henry's sister and as light shines on the link between Thomas's fortunes and New World slavery, Fanny must assess Henry's character and assert her heart as well as her wit." - IMDB</span></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjpXsVwkI/AAAAAAAAE9s/tmY6ttntrb0/s1600-h/mansfield+park+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607166208524866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 88px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjpXsVwkI/AAAAAAAAE9s/tmY6ttntrb0/s400/mansfield+park+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em>This is the version that recently appeared on Masterpiece Theater. It is the 2007 version starring Billie Piper as Fannie Price and Blake Ritson as Edmund Bertram. </em></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZlGVFimYI/AAAAAAAAE_E/4Gm7GW9TGFM/s1600-h/mansfield+park+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392608763236751746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 91px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZlGVFimYI/AAAAAAAAE_E/4Gm7GW9TGFM/s400/mansfield+park+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>**<em>This is the 1999 version starring Frances O'Connor as Fanny Price and Jonny Lee Miller as Edmund Bertram.</em> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">4. EMMA </span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"Based on the Jane Austen novel, "Emma" tells the story of a young woman in England who plays her town's matchmaker. When attempting to match up her friend with the Reverend Elton, Emma starts to run into complications, which multiply amongst themselves with cases of mistaken intentions of love, a cast of supporting characters who each love someone else, but Emma doesn't know who loves who, and Emma finally realizing the one person she truly loves." - IMDB </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZj8-nVpTI/AAAAAAAAE-E/wNH8H6woTLE/s1600-h/emma+gp.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607503074043186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 93px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZj8-nVpTI/AAAAAAAAE-E/wNH8H6woTLE/s400/emma+gp.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a>**</span><em>I prefer the 1996 version of Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma Woodhouse and Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley. As foolish of a girl as she is, she is still likable in this version.</em></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkAcljQ-I/AAAAAAAAE-M/gFWFHE9RB1k/s1600-h/emma.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607562659218402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 70px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkAcljQ-I/AAAAAAAAE-M/gFWFHE9RB1k/s400/emma.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em>This version stars Kate Beckinsale as Emma Woodhouse and just does the character no justice. I wanted to slap her throughout the whole movie.</em></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">5. SENSE & SENSIBILITY</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"When Mr. Dashwood dies, he must leave the bulk of his estate to the son by his first marriage, which leaves his second wife and three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars, his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery Willoughby more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried. But this is a romance, and through the hardships and heartbreak, true love and a happy ending will find their way for both the sister who is all sense and the one who is all sensibility." - IMDB</span> </div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZqbK7nw4I/AAAAAAAAE_U/G3uGcKGghFQ/s1600-h/sense+%26+sensibility.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392614618846184322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 88px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZqbK7nw4I/AAAAAAAAE_U/G3uGcKGghFQ/s400/sense+%26+sensibility.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZkAcljQ-I/AAAAAAAAE-M/gFWFHE9RB1k/s1600-h/emma.jpg"></a></div><div><em>**The 1995 version starring Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood, Kate Winslet as her sister Marianne Dashwood and Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars. LOVE IT! </em></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZqSr6jkBI/AAAAAAAAE_M/u9XneRw9wCU/s1600-h/sense+%26+sen..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392614473081262098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZqSr6jkBI/AAAAAAAAE_M/u9XneRw9wCU/s400/sense+%26+sen..jpg" border="0" /></a><em>This version was recently featured on Masterpiece Theater and I loved this one as well.<br /></em></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">6. NORTHANGER ABBEY</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"Catherine Morland is taken to Bath, England by the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Allen and introduces her to Georgian society. There she meets the social-climbing Isabella and John Thorpe, the handsome Henry Tilney and elegant Eleanor Tilney. After making an impression on Henry and Eleanor's father, the Tilneys invite her to their country mansion, Northanger Abbey. Catherine falls in love with Henry but realizes that love can be fickle and that money - and not just love - is an important consideration in the marriage business. The story is based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name, "Northanger Abbey"." - IMDB </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjhUsFT7I/AAAAAAAAE9k/pxARgQbcRJQ/s1600-h/northanger+abbey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392607027963187122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 86px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7XB4YkTq0gE/StZjhUsFT7I/AAAAAAAAE9k/pxARgQbcRJQ/s400/northanger+abbey.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>I have to admit that this was my least favorite Jane Austen flick. It didn't really hold my interest and I felt that it ended way too abruptly.</em> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897536520581066280noreply@blogger.com1