FEELS LIKE HOME TO ME: July 2011

Hi all, I hope your week is going well. I have been playing the role of nurse to my husband who had surgery last Friday. If you know me, then you might laugh at me having to be nice, patient and non-sarcastic for a four-day period. Talk about hard work!

Drew had out-patient surgery to repair his Deviated Septum. Or if you are the medical type, Septoplasty. We had to arrive at the hospital by 6:30 am ~~on my day off.~~ We were really lucky -- Drew was called back very quickly, like within 30 minutes of our arrival. Impressive! Once he was prepped for surgery (snazzy surgical cap and all) we got to go back and see him. We waited a while in this area, but once the anesthesiologist and doctor briefed us, it was go time. From the time they wheeled him off until the doctor came out to tell us he was out of surgery took around 50 minutes. A little more waiting and then we were allowed to join Drew in the recovery area.

If you're not familiar with this surgical procedure, let me tell you, it's not glamourous. It was invasive and gross at times. However, we're told that this will change Drew's once-limited breathing and terrible allergies for good.

Once released Friday afternoon, we got Drew home and settled. The couch was his bed for the next few days. I fetched water and pills and food. I fluffed pillows and got extra blankets. I was a modern-day Clara Barton!

And I have to admit there were some perks. We had some food dropped off and check out this home made peach pie. Yum!

Our parents were AWESOME and kept Libby entertained while Drew was recovering. She had so much fun spending time with both sets of grandparents. I made a trip the library to get Libby some books to keep her busy when she was at our house.

She loves to read and the books did keep her occupied for longer than I thought.

Drew is doing great! He was a trooper and is back to work, with limited activity, already. We're both glad the worst is over and I'm really proud of him for facing this surgery. I have faith it will change the way he feels for the better.

6:45 AM
5 Comments

Backwaters

6:23 AM
1 Comments

Fridays

12:48 PM
0 Comments

She jumps!

4:54 PM
4 Comments

The Forgotten Coast

We have been traveling a lot this summer. Almost too much, but it's been adventurous, for sure! Between packing, long car trips with an extremely talkative toddler, unpacking and laundry, I'm ready to stay home for a while.

But how 'bout I recap our last trip instead of boring you with all the tedious details?

Our most recent trip was to Appalachicola, FL. They call the area The Forgotten Coast. I wondered why they use this tag line...so I Googled it.

According to Wikipedia, Florida's Forgotten Coast is a registered trademark of The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce. The Forgotten Coast got its name in the early nineties when a Florida tourism group "forgot" to include information on this area on their map. The area includes the coastal communities of Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, St. George Island, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, Lanark Village, Alligator Point, and Panacea.

This prompted a local group to create their own brochure and map and call this area the Forgotten Coast.

But we haven't forgotten it. It's one of Drew's favorite places on God's green Earth!

We arrived Friday afternoon and jumped on the boat for some early evening fishing.

Funny, Libby knew just what to do.

The picture above reminds me of a country song that's popular right now, Just Fishin', by Trace Adkins. To be honest, I'm not a fan of Trace, but the lyrics are touching:

I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel

She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still

Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels

And her kittens

And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout

What’s really goin’ on right now

But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in

And she thinks we’re just fishin’

Yeah, she thinks we’re just fishin’

We ain’t only fishin’

(This ain’t about fishin’)

Excuse me while I dab my tears. Alright, I'm better now.

Saturday after everyone got back from early morning fishing, we took a boat ride and found a sand bar up the river. It's a good spot for swimming and playing in the sand. Libby took a break to eat watermelon. Mmm, good!

Sunday we helped the Parkmans shuck corn for the annual cook out hosted by Bay City. Libby assisted with approximately three ears of corn. Then she was over it and went in search of a squirrel.

By the way, the cookout was great - patriotic cupcakes and all!

Monday morning Drew and his buddy Brett brought in this catch of red snapper. Wow!

It was a fun weekend. I took an extra day off to recoup from our travels. I hope you're holiday was good. Fourth of July feels like the halfway point of summer to me. It sure has flown by! I plan to take it easy and STAY HOME for a few weeks. See you soon, blog readers.

*All pictures were taken on my phone. I almost had a heart attack when I discovered that I had brought my camera, but left my card at home, sitting by the computer. Grrr! After I had a stern talk with myself, I forgave myself and vowed not to do it again.*