December Already??

Last weekend we were coming back from KS so I wasn't able to write a post. This weekend we were lazy at home for most of it, so I was able to catch up. 

It was a lovely visit with gma and gpa. We even got to visit downtown this time around and check out the new claw machine shop. You can buy Japanese stuffies or you can buy tokens and try to win them! My claw machine savant of a hubby won me a duck!

What duck?

We even got to catch up with my friend M from high school. It was very nice. She kind of gushed a bit over my hubby, as she said she never thought I'd get married. A sentiment I'm sure many share.

We had some great pizza ar Rudy's after checking out a used book store (the dusty bookshelf, which has a Dina, a bookstore cat). It was great seeing gma and gpa. Gma hasn't lost any of her cooking skills, she made us a great lunch of a roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, and carrots. It was delicious. Gma also sent us home with banana bread and we went to aldi for other snacks. We helped bring in her groceries and spent lots of time chatting with her and gpa in the living room. Gpa even caught me up on some family history, we cone from a long line of characters, i must say. I did get my Taco John's on the way, which is always a treat.

We also were able to stop at free state brewery for a meal and a brew, which was nice. 

I had a brat burger with saurkraut and mustard. The brew was an Ad Astra, which happens to be Dads favorite, too. Ask J about his plate of beans, also known as the black bean quesadilla. Lol. On the way home we stopped in Denton at Portillos and I had a polish sausage and salad. 😁

It was delicious. 

We also got to see my older sis and brother in law before they quit truck driving. So that was nice. I was able to give Mo her Christmas presents, tho I did forget to bring her any of gmas banana bread. Oops. Lol. J and I have enjoyed it immensely.

We spent Thanksgiving at J's sisters, and then enjoyed a rather lazy weekend together. It was lovely, tho my stomach and associated systems were not being nice to me. I've been having some pains in my right side over the past few years, and I've gotten them checked at my doc's. The problem has been that by the time I have an ultrasound the pain has been gone. This time, I was able to get the ultrasound done while I was having pains. Turns out, this is called a 'positive murphys sign' which is an indicator of an inflamed gallbladder. We talked to the surgeon at work who ordered a HIDA scan to see what % my gallbladder is working. He said below 30 is abnormal, between 30 and 40 we'll talk options, above 40 is usually ok. Well, the HIDA came back at... drum roll please... 4%. So the eviction of my gallbladder is scheduled for Jan 2. 

For those who don't know, the function of the gallbladder is to hold bile and release it to aid in digestion when you eat something fatty. If it isn't emptying (like mine) it can become inflamed and, if it gets bad enough, burst. So we are gonna get rid of it before it bursts. The stomach issues I've been having have kinda freaked me out because I don't want emergency surgery. Especially since we don't do that at my hospital. I also wanted our current surgeon to be the one to do the surgery, and he's planning to retire soon. So here's hoping my stupid gallbladder holds on until Jan 2 when it can be properly evicted as planned. Saturday my stomach played nice, so 🤞🏻🤞🏻

I had also tweaked my back a few weeks ago when we were in San Antonio and while that is doing better, it's not 100% yet. I was able to get some muscle relaxers, which help, and my shark that hubby got me is perfect for putting under my knees at night, so that also helps. Hopefully with some yoga the disc will slip back into place. Or I'll be able to get an appt with my chiropractor. I may have to *shudder* call his office. So yeah, all the medical crap just continues to hit the proverbial fan. Still have an appt for the endocrinologist in feb, followed by the follow up with my neurologist to check on the cyst on my pituitary gland (the tiny gland all up in the brain that controls a lot of hormones). Fun fun. 

Work-wise I finished my rural grant writing course with 100% (lol and woot, it wasn't meant to be difficult). I also am now a certified just culture champion, so I can add that to my resume. Next will be taking the CPHQ in Jan (certified professional of Healthcare quality). After that, my boss and I may be looking at getting a CHC. Certificate in Healthcare compliance. Work in a small hospital, wear a LOT of hats. 

So that pretty much brings you up to speed. I highly recommend Richard osman's The Thursday Murder Club book series, but be warned, they can and will rip your heart out. The movie is coming out sometime in 2025, I believe, with Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirran, and Ben Kingsley, so you can be sure I'm going to watch it. I think hubbs and I will be getting out the Christmas decorations today. He wants to go somewhere today, and as long as my stomach cooperates I'm ok with that. I have a thing that I need to send to AZ before the 25th, bets on if that happens? It's a cool present for her tho. 😁 much love to all. This has been one helluva roller coaster of a year. Between all the wedding stuffs, the wedding, the moving in together, all the medical stuff, work crap, figuring out meds, organs crapping out, and bring afraid my brain was gonna need surgery... and then all the things I don't blog about ... wow... 2024 really kicked my ass. Like... holy crap. RUDE. 2025 better be nicer... or maybe just... less. Course I'm not gonna be planning a wedding, getting married, or moving in with someone for the first time ever, so it's already gonna be less. I'm telling you, something happens to J, thats it for me. No more dating. I'm gonna be looking at big houses to live in with my female besties and our pets. 🙃😉😆 Golden Girls style, babes!!

I hope all of you are staying warm, enjoying the holiday season, and staying somewhat sane. Lol. I have beverages and a sympathetic ear when you need it. Much love ❤️❤️