Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Where Did I Leave Off?

Ok, so it's not really proper grammar, but I write like a speak...

A good bit has happened since my last post. I thought I would spend a few posts only adding pictures, but for some reason it won't upload all of my pictures. :(

So, it's words only for now. Sorry!

Let's start with St. Patrick's Day, shall we? That was Brad's first follow-up appointment after his surgery. His appointment went well (all 5 minutes of seeing the doctor and the therapist--- after waiting an hour). The nurse removed his three stitches (one on each incision) and took the foam block out of his sling. She let him put his shirt on under his sling (a first since before the surgery) and he felt much better. Then the doctor explained the surgery and the therapist showed him a few exercises to do at home until he could start physical therapy in Corinth. We scheduled the next appointment (for Friday) and then headed out. I sweet-talked him into stopping at a store I've been wanting to visit for a while, Monograms Plus, but sadly didn't buy anything.

The next day, Thursday, Levi came in and we went to Tupelo to eat at Logan's. {If you have a queasy stomach do not read the rest of this paragraph}. We got a table and ordered. I forgot how good their rolls are. I won't tell you I had two of them, with butter. Oops. Then, those of us that ordered salads as a side got them and those were good too. Next up it was meal time. I got my steak and yummy sweet potato and Brad got his ribs (poor guy only has one arm and he orders ribs?? Levi got his steak and his friend, Crystal, got her "anything and everything salad". I took two bites of one of the best sweet potatoes I've ever had and one bite of the yummiest steak. {Like I said, stop reading if you gag easily}. Then, I notice Crystal take something from her mouth and put it on the side of her plate. I thought nothing of it until she picked it back up and sniffed it. Y'all, there was SPEARMINT GUM IN HER SALAD. It had already been chewed some and was IN HER SALAD. The poor girl at first thought it was the blue cheese crumbles until she took it out and looked at it. She was in shock, Levi and I were gagging, and I'm pretty sure Brad just kept eating his ribs. The waitress was speechless and the manager was speechless. I was grossed out and ticked off. I really wanted my food, but just couldn't eat it then. BARF.

Friday, Brad headed out to Birmingham for the weekend to take a ground school to learn about instrument ratings. He took his written test on Sunday (it was on computer so he only had to write notes) and passed!! Now, he's one step closer to having his instrument rating. I watched Twilight and New Moon while he was gone. I spent the weekend being embarrassingly lazy and loved every minute of it! We've had so much company lately that I really did deserve a break.

Monday, Levi came over with two movies- Armored and New Moon. We watched both! Yes, Brad watched New Moon. I was shocked. Tuesday was the pizza party with Chloe's dance class. Thursday, Whitney and I went to see The Bounty Hunter and it was good.; not as good as I was expecting though.

Saturday was Dani Paige (one of my cousins) 9th birthday party. It was the Skating Rink in Corinth. Let me just tell you that it was fun, but painful. I haven't been skating since I was probably in junior high and every muscle in my legs reminded me of that soon after. Chloe had her own skates and had the best time! She did much better than I was expecting! If blogger was being friendly, I'd upload the pictures. After the party, Lori and I went to Tupelo. We hit several places {Petsmart, Old Navy, Kirkland's, Bed Bath and Beyond, and then the mall}. I spent more money on Amos than I did on myself. SAD. I guess that's what happens when you have a 160lb dog that just hit a growing spurt and you can't find yourself anything because the mall is stocked with people on a mission for an Easter dress. I did buy three lamps for my living room!



I also got a few solid color tee's to wear this summer. I wasn't lucky enough to find any clothes though. I'll have to try again after the mad dash for Easter clothes are over. Once we got back, Brad, Levi and I went to the rodeo here in town. It wasn't the best night for the rodeo people, but the clown was stinking hilarious. He's been the best rodeo clown I've seen in years.

Sunday was super busy as well. First church {trying to get TWO men ready for church is impossible, but we were on time!} then to a baby shower for another cousin, Sara. She's due May 5th with her 2nd little girl, Emma Kate. Her first daughter is Ally Grace and she is a spitting image of her mom. Levi headed back to Louisiana after church and he won't be back for about three weeks. After the baby shower, Brad and I met my mother, grandmother, sister and niece and went to the Passion Play. Oakland Baptist puts it on every year and they never disappoint. They were so crowded this year, I think some people were turned away. The pastor said they had as many people in that building as the fire code would let them. The Play was a little different this year, but still good.

Monday was back as usual for me. Work then grocery shopping then home to try on clothes I bought on my lunch break. I lucked up with not one, but two {!} Easter dresses plus a few other things. Brad cooked supper- bbq chicken, grilled garlic cheese bread, corn on the cob and broccoli and cheese. YUM. I'm thinking about letting him quit his day job to become a house husband. It would be nice to have someone to cook and clean my house all the time!

Yesterday was about the same except I started to work on my train-wreck of a house {Brad didn't cook again; he had leftovers and I had cereal}. Wait, let me elaborate on what this boy ate. First {keep in mind the order he ate these things}, he ate a large bbq chicken breast, then peaches, then 4 pieces of fish, then a large glass of milk then he topped it off with a huge oatmeal cream pie. YUCK.

Today is more work then more cleaning. Hopefully, I'll get finished and get to rest a few minutes. We have another guest coming- Pug- and he'll be here Thursday morning and stay until Sunday, probably. Brad's second follow-up appointment is Friday so I won't get to work on Good Friday {for the first time in 7 years}. Woohoo!

Think that about fills you in for now. We don't have big Easter plans; my grandmother is cooking after church on Sunday. Other than that I should be free! Yippee!! :)

Hope you have a Happy Easter!!


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dixieland Dance Pizza Party

Tuesday, March 23rd, Chloe's dance group met at Pizza Inn to show off their dance moves and have a pizza party. Chloe was hestitant at first, but the she got out there and had a great time!

Chloe getting ready to dance

There were so many little dancers (and it was so loud and so hot in the building) that we had to move outside. Much better!


Chloe doing her twist and shake!



Some of the dancers out there...
I took several more, but blogger is being difficult to deal with!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Letters

Dear family in Shoe Department,

I have a few issues to discuss with you!

1. Shoe Department is a store that you browse through and look for shoes. It is not a daycare center.
2. Children do not raise themselves; last time I checked, it was the parents' job.
3. Your six year old is not a babysitter so please don't scream at the child when you finally notice that your other 3 kids are running around like they're all jacked up on Mt. Dew.
4. Shoe polish is not an acceptable toy for your 1 year old to chew on.
5. It is not safe to let your 2 year old run around the store holding your "hooker heels". What if the child fell and landed on that heel? It would definitely puncture a lung or kidney or some other very important part of their body.
6. Pay attention around you and do not grab a shoe that someone is standing in front of looking at. RUDE.
7. If you cannot control your 4 children under the age of 6 years old, please do not bring all of them in the store and let them run loose like crazed monkeys while you ignore them to try on "hooker heels". Find your "baby daddy" and let him babysit!

Dear Shoe Department,

I was in the mood for retail therapy today so I just knew shoe shopping would do the trick. However, after dealing with screaming, crazed monkeys and cute summer wedges with 4 inch heels {!!!!}, I left with nothing. Must you only sell shoes with 4 inch {or more} heels? Do you really expect me to wear shoes like that to work? It's unacceptable. Please discuss this with the person that is in charge of picking and choosing which shoes your store carries. I know you would sell more shoes if you considered your market. We are not all teeny boppers that prance around in "hooker heels".


Update on Brad

Thursday, the 11th, Brad and I drove down to Columbus for his surgery. We were there in time for his 12:30 appointment and he was called back a few minutes before 1:30. The surgery lasted about 45 minutes and then the doctor came out to fill me in about the surgery. He had torn cartilage from "10 to 2" and they "tacked it up" in three places. OUCH. 45 minutes of recovery and we were out the door and on our way home.

Those of you that know Brad {ok, so I have like 2 readers, but still...} know that he is a quiet person around people. That was not the case on the way home! There is a gas station a few doors down for the surgery center so I stopped there to get Brad some water (he wasn't allowed to eat anything after midnight the night before and it was now 3:30!!). I get back in the car and he's on his cellphone talking to a friend. I have no idea why he called him, but anyway, he did. Then he gets off the phone and calls his mom. At this point, I'm in tears laughing at him. He gets off the phone with her and calls someone else! He said "I just want to tell them the doctor said I did exceptionally well" and I busted out laughing. He never talked to the doctor and I never told him the doctor said he did exceptionally well. Ha!

He wasn't up for eating while we were in Columbus {they did a nerve block and his neck, throat and ear area was numb} so he waited until we got to Tupelo to request a Big Whopper w/ Cheese! He refused to go in and refused to sit in the parking lot and eat so I got back on the highway headed home- holding his whopper while he ate! I know we got a few looks, but I can multi-task pretty well.

Thursday and Friday were ok. He stayed numbed up for the most part so I didn't have to worry about that. I worked half a day Friday and then went home to help my patient! Friday night we had three friends come in from Arkansas to stay with us for the weekend to turkey hunt. They even brought food! Saturday, the numbness had worn off and he was definitely feeling the pain, but he handled it like a champ. He was stubborn, though, and didn't take his pain medicine like he should have.

We spent most of the weekend resting and recuperating. After our hunting friends left, Brad's parents came to visit then another couple and their little girl came then it was back to work for me on Monday. :( We go back to the doctor tomorrow {St. Patrick's Day} so hopefully we'll know more about the recovery after the doctor's visit.

I would love to post a few pictures, but I only have one of Brad at the surgery center and he told me I was not allowed to show it. In the picture he is wearing his gown and "blue bonnet" and he has "YES" written on his left shoulder. They had to shave his chest, but only the left side?, and his left armpit! HA! Poor guy looks funny...


Friday, March 5, 2010

Friday 55

Survey of Me:
1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:45am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the Movie Theater? Dear John
4. What is your favorite TV show? Bones, House, Mercy
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal
6. What is your middle name? Linn
7. What food do you dislike? A lot! I’m picky!
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Not Lady Antebellum (long story)
9. What kind of car do you drive? Grand Prix- she just turned 7.
10. Favorite sandwich? PB&J J
11. What characteristic do you despise? Selfishness
12. Favorite item of clothing? My new Nike shorts
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where? Greece?
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Not really a brand person
15. Where would you retire to? Probably stay around here (since I’ll never retire!)
16. What was your most memorable birthday? Probably my 25th since it was most recent. I’m pretty sure I cried. It was hard changing age brackets {18-24 or 25-35}
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football
18. Furthest place you are sending this? Blogland… ha.
19. Person you expect to send it back first? ?
20. When is your birthday? May 3
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Definitely a morning person. I like to be in bed before 10pm!
22. Favorite Color? Blue, usually, but lately I’ve been going toward purple and orange
23. Pets? A 160lb English Mastiff, Amos Moses
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Brad’s having surgery Thursday, the 11th. We just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. That’s about it….
25. What did you want to be when you were little? A lawyer
26. How are you today? Tired and sleepy! Plus my allergies are driving me nuts.
27. What is your favorite candy? I recently discovered {thanks mom} a new obsession with Cookies-N-Cream Hershey bars.
28. What is your favorite flower? None at the moment {see #26}
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? March 11; not really looking forward to it, but ready to get it over with.
30. What's your full name? Cassie Linn Taylor
31. What are you listening to right now? The AIR CONDITIONING running! My boss is hot natured.
32. What was the last thing you ate? A slice of an apple
33. Do you wish on stars? I used to
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Turquoise?
35. How is the weather right now? Nicer than it has been in a long time!
36. The 1st person you spoke to on the phone today? My mom
37. Favorite soft drink? I’ve been on a Dr. Pepper and Mt. Dew kick lately.
38. Favorite restaurants? Outback
39. Real hair color? Dark Brown
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Hmmm, I’m too indecisive
41. Summer or winter? Neither. Fall!
42. Hugs or kisses? Depends who it’s from?!
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla ice cream and chocolate brownies
44. Coffee or tea? Tea
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? If they want
46. When was the last time you cried? My eyes have been watering for about two weeks now. Does that count?
47.What is under your bed? Ha! Tubs filled with purses and bags, a large framed picture, extra bedding, dead lady bugs, a Rubbermaid tub filled with Brad’s junk, and a gun
48. What did you do last night? Vacuumed the living room, cleaned the kitchen, worked out with Jillian (she’s designed to torture people), played with Amos, watched two guy movies, entertained Levi, etc…
49. What are you afraid of? 8 legged creatures and mice
50. Salty or sweet? Both
51. How many keys on your key ring? 5
52. How many years at your current job? September will be 8 years
53. Favorite day of the week? Saturday and/or Sunday
54. How many Towns have you lived in? 3
55. Favorite smell? I have a ton, but I’ll narrow it down to vanilla/caramel and a clean house!


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

These are the places we visited! We stopped for lunch in Columbus at McAlister's. Then, we headed for Tupelo to do a few things. Amos needed more food (imagine that?) so we stopped there first. Then we ran in Bed Bath and Beyond so I could pick up a few pants hangers. We made a quick stop in Wal-Mart (Brad's looking at their new phones) and Sam's. Next up was Old Navy (disappointment). I don't have the body build to wear the maxi-dresses and that's all they had. Finally, we decided to eat at Red Lobster. We sat in Old Navy's parking lot for 30 minutes trying to decide where to eat. We finally took out a quarter and started eliminating places. We got home at 7pm (after leaving at 6am)-- which was just in time to watch "The Bachelor". Complete let down, even though I heard who he chose. It was a long day, but a good day. I don't remember the last time Brad and I spent that much time together in one day. And we didn't even threaten each other! HAHAHA!

This week is already full for me too!

I didn't get a picture of Brad and me on Valentine's or yesterday. I thought about it last night as I was washing my make-up off. I'll try to get one today though! We don't have many pictures of us :( Speaking of pictures, February has come and gone and I haven't finished my February to-do list. I'm making that my March goal now... ha!

Lost Cause?

I thought I would do a quick re-cap of events since the last I posted, but I realized it was the 10th of February. That's too much work so I'll hit the hi-lights...

Valentine's Day- the day before I cooked a nice meal for some friends. I finished reading "Twilight" so Brad and I watched the movie on Valentine's Day after church. The movie didn't live up to my expectations. That's all I'm going to say about that. V-Day night, Brad and I went with 5 other couples to Kyoto to celebrate {Curtis and Deonne Henry, Landon and Marley Ashe, Josh Richardson and Mary Beth Anderson, Justin and Julie Little, and DC and Bethany Parvin}.

The next day (the 15th) it snowed; not much, but enough! It was also President's Day so I didn't have to work. Super nice!

On the 19th, Brad and I left before 6:30 am headed to Columbus, MS for Brad's doctor's appointment. He saw Dr. Linton with Columbus Orthopaedic about his shoulder. The doctor scheduled a MRI for a week or so later.

On the 20th, Brad flew a family friend, Olivia, around for her 16th birthday. She loved it!

On the 21st, we grilled hamburgers for Kenny and a friend. YUM. I love Brad's grilled burgers.

Kayla and I went to see "Dear John" at the theater on the 24th. I read the book many years ago so I couldn't quite remember all of the details. That's probably a good thing since the movie is never as good as the book! Levi also came in on the 24th so he and Brad had a guys night out while I was at the movie.

Levi came over on the 25th and I cooked. We watched "Gamer" and it was absolutely terrible. Don't waste your time or money!

Friday, the 26th, Pug (our friend from Arkansas) came in. Saturday the 27th was busy. I cooked pancakes and bacon for the guys then two more of Brad's friends came over. We had our anniversary gift delivered... gravel! If you have seen my driveway, then you know why I was happy to get that for my anniversary! I did a little shopping with my mom then went back home. Brad, Pug, Levi and I watched "Couples Retreat". I thought it was funny, but it wasn't as funny as I was expecting. Most of the funny parts were in the previews! Then we got ready and went to eat at Cafe Mike's (local sports bar). Kenny met us there. {Yes, there were 4 guys and me. What's new?} After we ate, Pug and Kenny left and Brad and Levi played darts. Levi had a friend, Johnna, join us so I wasn't completely bored and lonely. They played until midnight! Then we went to pick up Pug. He had met up with some other friends. We made a quick trip to Huddle House {there were 11 of us I think}. We finally got home around 2 or so, but since the guys were awake (that never happens-- they always fall asleep after eating. Ha!), they decided to pull out the cards for a while. It was about 3 when I got in bed!! I don't remember the last time that happened. It was hard getting up at 7 the next morning for church. After church, I came home and tried to take a quick nap. It was a much needed, much deserved nap. Then, Brad went flying and I worked around the house. Ok, so I did a little work around the house. Mostly, I read. We met in town, at Mi Toro, to eat then back home.

Monday, March 1st was our 2nd anniversary! It started out at 5am! :( We had to leave by 6:30 to get to Columbus for Brad's MRI. His appointment was at 8:45 and we got to town a little early so we stopped at Wal-Mart {the only thing open at 8am!}. I found Brad's anniversary gift, Open Range, for $5! Then we went for the MRI. We got out of there at 10:30- just in time for Brad's 10:30 appt with the doctor. We found that Brad will need surgery to repair the torn cartilage in his arm. Surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, the 11th. We stopped for a quick lunch then headed to Tupelo to celebrate our anniversary.

This post is getting long so I'm ending here. I'll start another one later on...