**.. headaches ..**

I have always had an issue with headaches, technically they are neck aches.  I always assume that they are stress induced and try to keep myself relatively calm.  Not very easy though.  On Wednesday this week I had one start so I took an ibuprofen and went on with my day.  I hate taking pain meds so I always try to suffer through them.  On Thursday it was still there so after my brothers basketball game we went to Wal-Mart and I got some extra strength Tylenol.  I took one and we got in the hot tub.  I took a shower then went to bed and I felt okay.  Friday I had to teach and then work (waitress) very stressful day.  My headache/neck ache was pretty bad so I took 1 Tylenol early in the day then one before bed.  Over these days I would also heat and ice my neck and sit in my massage chair.  Nothing seemed to really help.

Saturday was really bad for some reason.  Jack had a game and I went to that.  I took a Tylenol while I was there (close game, very tense).  Then went to Wal-Mart with my dad, debating on whether or not to tell him about my dream, which I didn't and haven't yet.  Came home and watched tv and just tried to relax.  Jason came home and we decided to see 'Just Go With It' (very good we both loved it).  Well we got there at the last minute and had to sit at the end in the very first row.  Did not help my neck situation.

We came home and I couldn't take it anymore.  Jason started to rub it and I just started bawling.  I called my parents and asked what I should do, my dad said he had some pain pills from his headaches and I could take one of those and we could get in the hot tub.  (He had called our family doctor and he said that's the same things he would have called in for me.)  I had contemplated going to the emergency room but thought I was just freaking out.  Maybe I should sleep on it and see how it goes in the morning.  I couldn't go to my parents and I was even afraid to go to the er at that time because the thought of traveling made me nervous.

I called my doctor at home after my dad talked to him (best doctor ever) and he asked me some questions.  Said it was probably just muscle spasms but he would call in a prescription for a muscle relaxor.   He asked if I had taken anything and I said, "I have taken 3 Tylenol in the past 4 days." and he laughed at me.  He said, "Kaitlin, you know you can take 8-10 of those a day."  I said, "I know but I hate taking meds."

Jason went to Walgreens at 11 and got my prescription for me and a heat patch to stick on my neck.  When he got home I took one and went to bed.  He slept on the couch so I could have the whole bed (so nice!).  I woke up this morning around 5 to a text from my mom at 4:17 am asking if I was awake.  I was so tired I didn't text her back.  Talked to her later today and she said I had a dream that I was crying so she called to check on me, how sweet is that?!

Jason called my mom this morning to say that I couldn't work and asked if she would let my boss know.  They really helped me out a lot today.  Jason talked to my parents last night because I was crying and then sleeping, he really helped a lot.  He got up and went grocery shopping this morning then suggested we go out and see my family since my parents were gone last week.  Very nice.  We spent a couple hours out there and it was very relaxing.

Now I am sitting at home and I feel okay, kind of nervous that it will come back.  If it comes back I am going to go get x-rays to see if I have something more serious wrong.  Praying it goes away.

**.. dreaming ..**

I woke up this morning sobbing, not something that happens everyday.  Before I begin I should say that I have a horrible fear of losing my parents.  Probably because of everything going on with my dad and this traumatic brain injury.

I was having a dream about my dad flying a jet.  (He is in the Air Force but he is in avionics, not flying so that was kind of weird.)  I was at a party and my dad was flying over the party doing all kinds of tricks.  It was near the end so he made the wings of the jet go back and forth to say 'goodbye', the end.  Then he flipped the jet upside down and flew across with it like that.  Then out of nowhere it just crashed.

All of the sudden I was at the base and I took off running towards the accident.  It seemed to be a drill weekend because there was a bunch of people there.  These guys kept trying to hold me back and they said, "Kaitlin, this is not something that you want to see" and I kept saying, "Please I have to go, please let me go".

I finally get to the accident and my dad and the jet are gone and I am in a little room with all of his things.  (My dad has a ton of things from his past, all kinds of neat treasures that have been passed down)    In the room there was stuff from his racing days, important coins and just random things.  I started ripping all of the pictures down and trying to take everything that I could.  I knew that my dad was gone and I didn't want someone else to go through his things.

Then my dad was there and he started talking to me.  He said things like, Kaiti it's going to be okay.  I am fine and you guys will be fine.  Don't spend time thinking about this you just need to move on with your life.  These things aren't what's important but I want you all to have them.  etc... Then my uncle appeared and he said it's crazy to think that all you have been through and a freak jet accident is what took you.  we all sat there and agreed that is was weird.  Then another one of my uncles appeared and he had letters that he had written to his kids and that his kids had written to him and he said, You know what Tony, we never had a relationship like you have with your kids.  The things that you guys say to each other and the things you guys do together, we don't have those kinds of memories.

And I woke up in tears.  I was rolling back and forth across my bed and I was sad.

My brother had a game this morning.  When I got there I went over and told my mom my dream and I started crying again.  She said, "Kaitlin, you should write that down.  When I had the dream about my dad I didn't write it down and I couldn't tell anyone because it hurt so much and now I can't remember exactly what he said."  (My mom has lost both of her parents in the past 5 years and she really struggled with it.  She had a dream a few months ago where her dad came to her and said, "Mar, you have had time to grieve but it's time to move on.  We don't want you to spend your life thinking and missing us.  We are here and in a better place where we are both healthy and we love it.")

So I wrote it down and I cried again while typing it.

**.. Day 9 ..**

My parents came home today.  

The tests are complete.  

Now we patiently wait results.  

I am not sure when those will be coming but they should be here soon.  

Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers and nice things said.  

We really appreciate it.  

I will post more when I know what's going on.

I taught today from 12-3.

Then I worked from 4-10.  

I am home now watching The Jersey Shore with Jason.  

So tired.  

Jack has a game in the morning.

Championship game.

Hopefully they win!

** .. the reason for all of the *days*/ day 7 ..**

I wrote this post long ago when we were in the 'beginning' stages of the TBI process.  This post is to help those of you following our story and praying to know better what it is you are praying for.  Yes it has been nearly 5 years since the beginning and we are hopefully getting the answers we need this week.  Thanks again for everyone praying.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009

A Post For My Dad **

In 2006 my dad was injured in Iraq, he was working on an f-16 and the wing came down and hit him on the top of the head. Which has since lead to horrible back and neck pain, brain issues, and some memory loss. In the beginning I didn't think that it was too bad, but over the past couple months he has been going to appointments to meet with a neurologist, a speech therapist, and a couple more that I don't remember. He has had multiple tests done, including an EEG, a CT scan, an MRI and several others. For the most part I am the one taking him to and from appointments, because my schedule is the least conflicting and easiest to switch around.

In July he went and spoke to a group of people at a church. After he left he was driving home and he began feeling very weird (he said it was like he spun around 100 times and then stood still). He pulled over, waited for it to stop then went home. When we were on our way to Las Vegas he had the same thing happen again while we were waiting in line to figure out whether we were going to make it on the flight or not. He turned gray and his eyes were very weird and he just acted really odd. We ended up not making it on that flight and we got switched to a different gate. Dad said that he would not be able to walk, so we got him a wheelchair and when we got to the new gate the lady that pushed him had him sign this thing, that was like signing for a package, and his hand could not grab the stylist. It seemed like he had just had a stroke. I was immediately freaking out, he called his speech therapist and she told him to go to the VA in Chicago, but our flight was in 20 minutes and he refused to go. So, we went to Vegas and everything was fine and dandy. He told me he has had one more incident since then and that was in the garage at their house.

If he doesn’t write things down, he simply forgets what it is that ne needs to do and sometimes even say. For example, if he’s trying to recall a recent event, he’ll try to describe it then just say, “oh yah know, whatever, it doesn’t matter.” He does this, like all the time. You may not think it sounds bad, or that I might be exaggerating, but I am not.

Last week I decided to make him a schedule with what everyone was would be doing for the next month, practices, games, work, school, and whatever else I thought he might need a reminder of.

On Monday, he emailed me, and I decided that now was the time to bring up how much worse I think he has gotten recently. I am too much of a chicken shit to talk to him in person, so email seemed like a reasonable idea. I told him that as I know things are so tough for him, things are getting tougher for us now too. He constantly asks us where we are going, what we are doing, etc. even if he just asked us 15 minutes ago, he forgets some things that quickly. Which is why I made the calendar, but I think that maybe this whole traumatic brain injury may be worse than any of us think.

So, I suggested to him that my whole family go visit his neurologist or speech therapist, someone who could help us better understand what’s going on and what else we can do to make things easier for him. I haven’t heard if he has gotten a response yet, but I am hoping that they can come up with something to help us out soon. I really wish they could just figure out what the hell it is that is wrong, and fix it.

However, that is not happening right now, no matter how hard we are trying. So, I guess right now, I am just asking for your prayers for my dad and patience for my family. I know that we don’t make it as easy as we should for him, but we have never had to deal with anything like this before.

**.. weekend review/ Day 6 ..**

This weekend I stayed at my parents since they were out of town.  My sister came home from school, so we decided to have a weekend of games! 

We made a pact to play an entire game of Monolpoly and we played until my brother mortgaged himself out and Alex and I owned nearly the same amount of places and just added up how much we had.  She beat me by like $1000.  It was fun and did not take forever! 

Alex and her pooch Daphne

Playing Scategories .. basically our favorite game ! 

Alex went to dinner with her boyfriends family on Saturday night so Jack and I played Yahtzee .. notice I had 6 YAHTZEE's in one round and 4 two rounds later .. I haven't had that many in my entire Yahtzee playing days total !  I don't even know if that is technically allowed but we let it slide .. because it was AWESOME!

We played some card games, GOLF, 2-man euchure, war and speed.  Didn't get pictures of everything and the ones I have are kind of blurry (camera phone).  

Great, relaxing weekend!

Haven't heard anything today.  I know he only had one appointment, tomorrow and Thursday are the all day appointments.

*praying*

:) 

**.. Day 4 ..**

Last night we went to get stuff for Alex to make cupcakes and I woke up this morning to the smell of freshly baked cupcakes!  Jack had another game today, they won 41-30.  After his game I had to go straight to work.  We were pretty busy, I made $125, much needed.  I have to teach tomorrow, I told the school I can't teach on Mondays anymore because I am getting behind this semester. :/  I will still teach on Friday's though.  

Dad and mom went to the River Walk today, it was 75*.  It got up to 43* here felt like a heat wave.  People were walking around in t-shirts and light jackets, glorious!  Tomorrow dad goes back to testing and appointments.  I was glad that they were able to have a nice time today after dads bad headache all day yesterday.  

Tonight when I got home from work Jack and I got in the hot tub.  Then played some card games and cleaned up.  Now he is laying on the floor and we are watching tv before we go to bed.  It's already after 1 .. we will both be dragging ass tomorrow. :/ 

Thanks for your prayers and please keep them coming!  

**.. Day 3 ..**

Today my brother had a game at 9 am.  Way before I am usually up but I made it! (I did take a nap afterwards though:/)  The other team only had 6 players and they weren't a great team.  We won 28-16.  Then Jack and I went to see Alex at work and ate breakfast.  Came home, I took a nap and Jack watched basketball.  We went to church at 5.  Not very happy with the homily and Gospel reading.  (Whole other story).

Alex went on a carriage ride and to dinner with her boyfriends family.  So Jack and I came home and played games.  Basically all night.

Dad didn't have any tests today but laid in bed all day with a horrible headache.  They are hoping to make it to the River Walk tomorrow.

Please keep praying

:)

**.. Day 2 ..**

My parents arrived in San Antonio, Texas yesterday afternoon.  They are there to begin some 'serious' testing on my dad and his traumtic brain injury.  This will be the deciding factor on whether or not he is allowed to stay in the Air National Guard.  Hopefully they get all the answers they need from this week or so of testing.  Today he only had one test and of course they don't know anything yet.

While they are gone I am staying with my brother for a couple days then he will be staying at our cousins next week.  Our sister Alexandria is on her way home from college for the weekend so we plan on staying up and playing some board games tonight!  She has to work tomorrow so it won't be a late night.  Tonight is the 8th grade Carnival, at the school I teach at, to raise money for their trip to Chicago.  Since I am taking Jack I will just stay (it's only for two hours).

I will keep you updated on the week of tests.  Please pray for him and the people performing the tests as well.

:)

**.. a little help ..**

From today until next Friday is a huge week for my family.  

Please please please keep us in your prayers .. 

I will post more about it tonight or tomorrow.  

Thanks 

:) 

**.. curling ..**

Tonight (after day one of yoga training which I will blog about tomorrow) we went out to my parents house.  My sister is home from school and one of my moms sisters, my uncle and their two kids came over to go curling.  

My dad and my brother made a curling 'court/rink' on our pond.

You can see the red rings, of course ours isn't regulation size.  We would NEVER get a game done if it was! 

Since we all couldn't get together til after dark we used lanterns!  My dad has a whole bunch of classic Coleman lanterns and we use them all the time.  We love them! 

That's kind of a better picture.  These were all taken with my phone and my fingers were freezing so I only got a few.  We use milk jugs full of water that have been frozen and I managed to not get any pictures of those :( 

We had a great night and more of a family celebration for my dads birthday :) 

**.. happy birthday ..**

Today my dad turned .. 48!  He's been through a lot in these 48 years.  Today I taught and Jack had school.  After school we went to get cards (I already bought the gift).  Alexandria had a test that lasted until 6:15 so she just got home and my mom had to work til about 9.  While we were at walmart we got dad a cake (but he's on a diet, so he can't eat any).  He's not much of a cake eater anyway.  For me it's all about the candles!  

My brother picked out the cake because he will most likely eat it alone.  It's a Reese's cake.  

After we sang happy birthday, we went out to the pond.  My dad and brother set up a curling area on the ice.  It's pretty darn neat.  We use milk jugs, filled with water and froze.  Each team has 4 jugs (4 are spray painted red to tell whose is whose).  You take turns shooting and the one closest to the "button" scores one.  Of course my hands were frozen so I didn't get any pictures but I will try to get some soon! 

Oh by the way we got my dad a weather gauge, he said it's the only thing he wanted and a massage chair type thing, which he will love.   

**.. Wednesday Highlights ..**

Today I had to clean a house at 10 am.  I got done around 12.  Went to Target where the cashier was RUDE.  I almost told her she could put all my stuff back, but I had found my dads birthday present.  All he wants it's a remote weather gauge and I found a great one, I think!   I had picked up some snacks for Jason to keep at work and surprised him!  I went and picked him up for lunch and we ate at Panera.  My FAVORITE place to eat!  It was delicous as usual.

I ran home and got my stuff for school.  Went to my two classes for today.  Then I headed out to BINGO!

My dad suggested it this week and I was super excited.  We always decide to split whatever we win.  He hit a $50 pot early on and the second to the last game I hit a $100 pot!  I blogged about our bingo-ing adventures earlier over here.  (Thank you Abra for teaching me how to do this!)

I took my dad home and then called my brother and we called my sister to talk about my dads birthday gifts.  She was going to bed so Jack and I called my grandma.  Had a nice chat.

Now Jason and I are watching some television (scrubs) before bed.

Hope you all had a great Wednesday! :)

** .. a little help .. **

Today Jason went to teach gym with me!  He helped the kids strategize and he would be on a team that needed an extra player.  It was so sweet and pretty cute to  watch.  We had lunch with my brother and my sister came in too for a little bit.  She went back to school this afternoon :(  At the end of the day the principal asked to talk to me and said that if I was going to bring anyone in that they needed to have a criminal background check beforehand.  I apologized.  I didn't realize until last night that he would be helping me because he didn't have to work for MLK day.  I understand her concern however the secretary is the bartneder at a local pub and she knows Jason.  She saw him walk in and it shouldn't have been an issue.  It's not like I am bringing in random crazies.

After school we took Hannah home then took Jack to my parents.  They are on this 17 day diet so we had perch for dinner.  I've never had it, but didn't really care for it.  We also had salad, asparagus and those of us not on the diet had red potatoes.

Then we went to see 'The Dilemma'.  It was pretty good.  I really like Kevin James and Vince Vaugn (? :/).  I won't spoil it for you.

I am getting ready to go out to dinner with my girl friends now.  I'll post tomorrow on how that goes.  I haven't been out in a while!  I'm excited to go!

**.. what do you think ..**

Do you think that you put more on the internet then you talk to your family about?  Or that it is easier to put things on the internet and get others opinions?  If so why or why not?  I would really like to hear your thoughts, feelings and opinions about it.

**.. thankful thursday ..**

My first Thankful Thusday.


I am thankful for a lot of things in my life, my family, boyfriend, friends, job, the opportunity to go to school, having saved enough money to pay off my car when I bought it (NO car payments!), having nice things, having a warm home, the list goes on and on.  I guess this is the opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude for these things, which I so seldom hear from people.


My facebook status last night was, 
"‎.. it seems like all people do on facebook is complain .. are there any positive/happy people out there ?! .. **"  
Which is not a complaint (I was accoused of that), just a thought.  


I know nearly all of these people as good friends and all they ever do is complain about goinging out and getting drunk and how horrible it ended up being.  The same guys they date and go back to over and over are still screwing them over .. MOVE ON!  They have crappy friends who betray their trust then turn around and tell them the world and their 'friends' do the same thing again. I know it's hard to let people go, but you need to.  (P.S. I am college student, so of course this is all people care about right now.)


Maybe I need to rethink who my friends are?  Do I want to be friends with such negative people that complain all of the time?  I don't go out and drink anymore at all because I'm in a new place in my life.  I want to focus on school, work and making my life better with my boyfriend and family.  I want to be dependable not hungover.  


By no means are things perfect in my life.  I struggle daily with a dad that has a TBI and no answers.  He is in and out of meetings and tests all of the time.  They just found out last week that he may not be able to drive anymore now too.  We don't sit around and wait for answers to show up on our door step, we are taking the necessary actions to move forward.  


There are bigger things to worry about and more people need to realize how good their lives are and be thankful for that.  This is your life.  Things won't be handed to you, but what will you do to make it better?

**..picture time..**

Semi Wordless Wednesday

For my parents 25th anniversary Alexandria, Jack and I went and got pictures taken to blow one up and have it hang in their house. (Something my mom had really been talking about.)  Their anniversary was August 23rd and we got these done a couple days before.  We chose the second one to be the lucky one!  The rest were put into a video slide show also for their anniversary :) They were so surprised and very happy with both!  Oh by the way we took over 250 pictures! It was crazy and my sister had been diagnosed with mono earlier that day :/ She is such a trooper! 

I love my brother and sister so much ! 

** .. it's been 5 years today .. **

In 1998, I was in the fourth grade.  I had been at a girl scout meeting after school, my dad came and picked me up and said that my mom had something to tell me when I got home.  I went straight to my room to start working on my homework and wait for her to come talk to me.  I remember I was sitting in one of those blue inflatable chairs when my mom came in.  She asked me about my day then said, "Kaitlin, do you know what cancer is?"  It caught me off guard but I drudged through an answer and she said, "Yes, that is correct.  They think that grandma Ruth has colon cancer."  I immediately started to cry and assumed that my grandma was dying that week.  We talked a little bit more and she told me not to talk about it at school because my other cousins might not know and it just wasn't something they wanted going around so quickly.  (My grandma didn't like for people to talk about her.  She pretty much kept to herself.)

She went through chemotherapy and radiation and treatments and all kinds of other things.  Tons and tons of appointments and meetings.  It was just never ending.  The next couple years are hazy as far as doctor's appointments and treatments.  I know she beat the cancer at least once, maybe twice.  As soon as she beat it another form would come on and it would be worse than the first time.  She lost her hair and wore wigs, but remained beautiful through it all. 

In the Fall of 2005 my grandma got pretty bad.  We decided to get a family picture taken.  I don't have a copy on my computer, but it was gorgeous.  There was my grandma and grandpa, all 6 kids and thier spouses, and all 22 grandchildren and 1 great grand child.  We all wore jeans and white shirts it was so neat!  November 7th grandma turned 68 and her kids and their spouses threw a surprise birthday party dinner for her in THEIR basement, becasue she couldn't really get out.  They had food catered in and I heard it was just awesome.  

By this time all she wanted was to make it through the holidays and she did just that.  On Christmas Eve she sat in her chair with swollen ankles and patchy hair and she watched us open gifts, then opened her own and we all sat around and hung out.  She was happy but in pain and everyone could tell.  Around NewYear's she started to get really bad.  We all took turns going to visit her individually and to say good bye.  

I was 17 years old and had never lost anyone close to me before.  I was afraid to go over there alone (not because she was a scary person .. I was afraid of losing her).  I asked my brother who was 8 to come with me.  Before we left to go over there,

Jack asked my dad, "What do I say to her?" 

Dad said, "She is your grandma, just say what ever comes to your mind.  You can begin with, "Grandma I know you are sick and the cancer is taking over your body.  You are going to a better place soon and I will miss you."  

Jack said okay and we got in my '97 red cavalier and made the 2 minute drive to my grandparents house.    We got there and everyone was gone, as we had planend out when people could have their alone time.  We walked in through the garage and into the living room.  

She was sitting in her rocking chair all alone.  I didn't get the door shut and I was crying like a baby.  I stood by the door and turned around.  She said "Oh Kaiti, it's okay, come in here."  

Jack went straight over to her, stood by her chair and said, "Grandma I know you are sick and the cancer is taking over your body.  You are going to a better place soon and I will miss you." (Exactly what dad said)  It was quite possibly one of the saddest momements of my life.  

She responded with something sweet, I can't remember because I was too busy crying.  Then she said to me, "Kaiti look at it outside, it's rainy and gloomy and the sun hasn't been out for days.  I am ready to go.  I know that I am going to a better place and I am ready for that.  I'm sick and tired and ready to go."  I just sat there and cried and cried.  I went on about how unfair it was that it was her time.  She was too young to die (68) and to have been through all of this crap.  

She was ready though, her time here was complete.   She had impacted people's lives in incredible ways.  She was a wise, strong woman, who worked hard her whole life, she was married for 48 years, had 6 wonderful kids all married to wonderful people, with 22 grandchildren and 1 great grand child.  She was thrilled with all she had been given.  

We sat there for an hour or so and watched football (the Bengals).  We left and I gave my grandma a hug and kiss goodbye (which we typically did not do, that's just how that side of the family works).  The next couple of days I skipped my intership to spend the afternoons at their house with family and friends.  At some point during the week she was moved to a hospital bed in a bedroom (she didn't want to be in the living room for everyone to see her).  

On Friday afternoon I went there straight after school and so did Alex.  Alex was leaving for Florida in an hour and wanted to say goodbye.  My dad brought her over and they left and my mom had just left to go to work.  Jessica (my cousin) and I were sitting in her room reminiscing when grandma started to breath very slow, deep breaths.  Jessica said the hospice nurse mentioned that when she was breathing like that it meant the end was near.  So we got up and went into the living room where Jessica's mom, two sisters and my grandpa were.  She said something to my aunt and we all went back there and in those 2 minutes she had gone to Heaven.  

It's been 5 years today.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about this wonderful woman.  Grandma Ruth, you were truly an inspiration and I would give anything to be the woman you were.  I love you.

My mom, my great grandma, my grandma Ruth and me.

(not a great picture but 4 genertaions!)

** .. b . i . n . g . o .. **

For the past year or so I have been playing bingo occasionally Wednesday nights at a local Legion.  Sometimes my dad or sister go with me and  every once in a while my mom and Austin (Alex's boyfriend goes too).  Jason normally doesn't go because he has to work and that kind of gives us some time alone too.

They hold this Bingo tournament every Wednesday with the Early Bird tournament starting at 6.  We always get there around 5:45 to sit together.  There are about 24 different games and it takes nearly 4 hours to get through all of them with a couple intermissions and prize give aways.  Each game is worth $50 - $100 and it costs $25 to play ($20 for newbies).  The final coverall game is worth about $650 each week.

Usually when we go we agree to split what we make to increase our odds.  Tonight me and dad agreed to share our winnings and Alex and Austin agreed to share their winnings.  Well Alex hit a $50 pot early on and that was it for our luck tonight.  There were 70 people there tonight which is quite a bit for this little place.  We had a good time though and I got to spend time with my sister and her boyfriend before they go back to college for the Spring Semester.  I always miss them when they go.

I also always try to get my dad to come with me because I think that it is good for him, since he has the TBI.  He struggles sometimes but I like to think that it helps and it gives us some time together.

So for all of you who always wonder about my bingo adventures, there it is!

** .. new years resolution .. **

I decided last night that one of my new year's resolutions for 2011 would be to blog more frequently.  Blogging for me is like a journal, where I write quite a bit at once then let it go for a while, then come back and write another big post to catch up, and no one likes that.  It's a pain to read and even to write.  Therefore I would like to better my blog and allow my readers to follow my journey through life one day at a time, instead of weeks or months at a time.  I am very excited and hope that I can manage to keep up with it!

Tonight I waited tables.  I made about $70, which isn't too bad for 5 1/2 hours of work.  All of my customers were polite, which helps a ton!

I have waited on this particular group of 6 since I began working here, about 6 or 7 years ago, nearly every Sunday night.  It is 2 couples and 2 other ladies, all of the 4 ladies are sisters and the one couple Moe and Marlene were close friends to my Granda Jim and Grandma Ruth.  Anyway, tonight 5 of them came in, minus one husband and I asked where he was?  They looked at me and looked down, finally Moe said that he had passed away.  (I have been on vacation and had family Christmas's the past few Sundays so I haven't been around recently, I obviously hadn't heard).  I felt horrible and the wife looked like she was going to cry and I apologized.  I have never felt so bad in my life.  They could not have been any better about it though and I am extremely grateful!

Other than that it was a great night, I brought home chicken gizzards and wings to share with my brother.  Everyone else was in bed, they went gambling today!  I am staying at parents house tonight because I go back to my gym teaching tomorrow.  Hopefully the kids aren't too crazy from Christmas Break!

** .. new year's day 2011 .. **

Today we decided to go bowling for New Year's Day ! 

Me and Jack (I bought him this sweet shirt on Spring Break) ! 

First game scores .

My sister, her boyfriend and my mom were on a team.

Jason, me and Jack were on the other team .

We got the first game ! 

Austin (Alex's boyfriend) and my momma .

Alexandria

Second game scores . Jack started to work on spinning the ball .. didn't work out for the best ! 

Alex, Austin and Mom got this one ! 

Me and Jason :) 

Alexandria and Austin :) 

Thrird game scores .

They got this one too ! 

We had a great time bowling today and other than Jack working on his spinning game .. we did pretty good for only bowling a couple times a year :)