Wouldn't you know it??

Yesterday I got up and faced the day knowing I could only have clear liquids. I went to Foodland and bought all different kinds of juices, popsicles and jello. I worked half a day, came home and popped the two magical pills that supposedly would get me started on my way to colonoscopyville. Four hours later I had to start drinking this salty stuff that I flavored orange. I could have chosen cherry, pineapple or lemon-lime, but I chose orange on Jimmy's recommendation.

At six p.m. I drank a glass of the stuff. Yuck! I sat on the couch all snuggled up to Jimmy and about 7 or 8 minutes later I vaguely started itching. It didn't register on me at first. Then I looked down at my chest! Blotches were all over my chest, arms and legs! Bumps started forming and my mouth got as dry as cotton. I promptly called the pharmacist. He said he had never had anyone have any problems with the liquid, but he would check. I held on for a few minutes and he came back on the line and told me that yes, reactions like mine occur in less than 1% of people who drink it. He told me not to drink any more. No kidding. I guzzled some Benadryl and clawed my way through the evening, feeling nauseous and light-headed.

On the up side, I did get a Coke icee and some fries from Burger King. (I know, I despise Burger King, but I will eat their fries and drink their frozen Cokes!)

This morning I still feel like a truck hit me. The blotches finally faded out an hour or so ago and I no longer itch. I took pictures of the rash just in case nobody believed me! It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

Thankfully I received a call from the hospital last night. They wanted to pre-register me and I had the opportunity to tell them that I would not be there this morning. Nor any other morning. Dr. D can just forget about it! It was just a screening test and I'm not going to worry about it.

Dum Dah Dum Dum...

Sounds like doom and gloom, huh? Well, it is. Tomorrow I have to prep for a colonsocopy. OMG OMG OMG. All this stems from my little annual visit with the gyno, and he is insistent that I need one just for screening purposes! OMG OMG OMG. No food tomorrow. Just stupid clear liquids, popsicles and broth. Yuck. The I start popping some little magic pills at 2 p.m. What joy that will be! And the worst...the GALLON of crap I have to drink. (no pun intended)

What I dread is the I.V. And the drugs. I despise to be drugged. I'm allergic to a lot of drugs so it scares me to death to take anything. The actual poking and prodding? Well, that doesn't bother me too much. Sounds weird, but it's the truth.

So today I've eaten some good food. Didn't need it, wasn't really hungry at supper, but you know what? Tomorrow when I'm starving I'll be glad I had that steak.

Tuesday, which feels like Monday

Kris Bell @ The Limelight

Kris again...

Us with Kris on stage

Happy Birthday to my sweet Jimmy on the 24th!! We celebrated by going to Nashville right after work Friday. We flew up the interstate, arriving in Franklin at our hotel around 7:30. We hurriedly freshened up and changed clothes and headed to downtown Nashville. It was so crowded that we thought we would never get a park, but we finally did and had a wonderful dinner at Demo's. If you've never been, you're missing fantastic food! http://www.demosrestaurants.com/

After dinner we headed over to the Limelight to meet some friends and see the Kris Bell Band. Kris is such a fantastic guitarist, and he's a really nice guy, too. He did a wonderful show, and at the end he had us come and join him onstage. How surreal, standing up there as he tore UP Freebird! Awesome!

Saturday Jimmy and I slept late and barely had time to check out of the hotel! We rode around Franklin and it was so crowded that there was nowhere to park. We ended up back at a barbecue place that Jimmy had seen called Bar-B-Cutie's. He wanted to eat there and I told him that Bo loves the barbecue from there. I can see why! It was wonderful...we got sampler platters and they had fresh creamed corn and cornbread pancakes. We'll definitely go there again! http://www.bar-b-cutie.com/

On the way home we stopped at Starbuck's. Jimmy is the world's biggest espresso lover and he always has to stop when we see a Starbuck's. He likes our local coffee shop, Jamoka's better, and I have to agree, they have better coffee. But this was good and we sat there and had our coffee before heading on home.

The rest of the weekend was spent just lazing around. We went to Mother's house to visit, but aside from that we pretty much stayed home. Jimmy and I did go to Applebee's Sunday for his birthday lunch. I made pizzas that night at Mother's for the entire family.

So I'm back at work today, a Tuesday, but it feels like Monday. But hey, I get to go home at 5! I only have two more days to work this week. I have the dreaded test on Friday...

Woozy Wednesday

That's how I feel today. Woozy. Stomach kinda hurts, head hurts, I'm freezing. Blech. I'd much rather be at home.

Last night I was banished to the bedroom while the boys and Jimmy watched Mall Cop. I watched American Idol, piddled a little bit on the internet and read. Speaking of read, I am reading the best book! It's called The Help and it set in Mississippi back in the late 50s/early 60s. The story is told from the perspective of a white woman and two black maids. Well worth the read if you're so inclined.

American Idol makes me tired. They have two very different individuals competing and one is an amazing vocalist-probably the best AI has ever had-and then there's the little humble, shy guy who is America's sweet thang. Can't wait to see who wins.

My Bo is back out there in LA this week attending finale festivities. Notice I said "my" when referring to Bo. He is mine. I have supported, voted, traveled thousands and thousands of miles to attend concerts, purchased CDs, prayed diligently, laughed and cried for this man. He has become an extension of my life in a weird kind of way. I tell people he's my hobby, for lack of a better word. Through him I've made lifelong friends. Heck, my BEST friends are friends I've made because of him. He's always been so kind to us, and he knows us "repeat offenders" by now. He calls me by my name or my screen name every time I see him. He always expresses his gratitude to us and I just love the man. It's so good to see him healthy at last, and happy with a wonderful wife and two adorable kids. So that's just a taste of why I call him "my" Bo.

Changing the subject completely, but this morning I thought I would put a glaze on my hair, one that is supposed to make it shiny and the color more vivid. Oh yeah. My hair looks like I have poured lard on it. It's as limp as a dishrag and is so greasy it looks dirty. It will be washed during my lunch hour. I can't stand it! There just wasn't time to rewash it before I came to work. That crap is going into the garbage can. Do not buy John Freida gloss. It's terrible.

I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed tomorrow. I've been letting it grow and I don't want it cut off; I just want it shaped up some. I have three weeks before CMAs so I figure if he does get scissor-happy it will have time to grow some before then.

My son is supposed to be bringing me a coke for my stomach. He's taking Seth to get his hair cut at 11:00, so maybe he'll be here before long. Coke is a miracle drug for me. It soothes my stomach like nothing else will.

Speaking of medicine, that reminds me of pharmacy, which reminds me of the little boy who got killed at our local pharmacy Monday. He was walking out of the store and was on the sidewalk when a Cadillac SUV jumped the curb and hit him. The 77-year-old driver apparently was trying to park the SUV and hit her accelerator instead of the brake. I do not know the family of the child, but it is just a horrible tragedy. And it's also tragic for the driver; I cannot imagine how she feels. I've harped at my mother about being careful driving. She actually has called me on her cell phone while she's driving!! Frankly, I wish she would just chill about driving places. She has gotten better about it; she lets Rachel take her to Huntsville and Birmingham now. It just drives Layke up a wall. She has these "spells" sometimes after she eats and feels like she's going to pass out. Sunday, after we all had breakfast together at the Food Basket, Layke insisted on driving her. He would NOT let her drive because she has passed out on him several times! Once she broke her ankle. They were staying at The Wynfrey in Birmingham when that happened. Then she did it at Los Arcos here in town. They cannot find one thing wrong with her! They call it neurocardiogenic syncope. So...how do you tie down a stubborn 76 year old????

Marvy Monday!!

Yes, it has been a Marvy Monday. I started out with a mammogram (sorry if that's TMI) then the day has been just lovely. Lovely at work, lovely at home. Great mood.

I'm all hepped up though. I'm not going to jinx it by saying what about, but keep your fingers, eyes, toes, and anything else that will cross crossed for me! I can let you know this time Thursday.

Went home and had salmon and cereal for lunch. Yes, you heard me correctly. I had salmon with hot sauce and crackers first. Then I was still hungry, so a bowl of Special K with red berries and skim milk just hit the spot. The girls at work always ask what I had for lunch because I eat some strange combos. Jimmy fusses at me, but I just go pick at this and grab a bite of that. I think I'll keep a diary of it and see what is the weirdest thing I eat for lunch this month.

It's almost time for me to be out the door. I finished up the last of the bills, made the copies of the bank accounts for Jonboy at city hall and I interpreted Roman Numerals for a lady on the phone. I entered a contest to win audio playaways, which are like books on a little MP3 player. Got the new NY Times Bestseller list posted, ordered what we didn't have of them. Also ordered some Doubleday books. I can get hardcovers there of books that are only printed in paperback. I cleared all of the old notices off of the bulletin board and straightened some bookshelves that were messy. So that's just a taste of my day. I'm smiling because people are actually USING the hand sanitizer that I put on the circulation desk!! I just had to stop and put a squirt on my hands. I'm kinda germ phobic.

We had a new restaurant open today in Albertville. A guy I went to high school with opened a wing place. Jimmy and the boys went there for a late lunch. I can't wait to hear what they had to say about it. Naturally they didn't bring a wing to me. :( I guess they thought I had eaten too much salmon and cereal already.

Spring Bash, Baybeeee

Me and Barney!

Kiddos going on a train/plane ride

Jimbo in front of a Piper

Lined up waiting their turn

Lots of motorcycles

Details on a Harley- how cool is this??

Southern Biker Boy's jacket patches

Personalized helmet :)

Business end of a fighter jet

In memory of 9/11...and also a Gordon fan!

Well, old Albertville had a great event today! We headed down to the airport around 11. We parked in a humongous field and a shuttle bus carried us right up to the gate. It was so fascinating to see those airplanes do all those aerial stunts. One of them looked like it was on a roller coaster ride!

There were food vendors, planes, antique cars and Harleys everywhere! We walked all over the place, had a BBQ sandwich, corn on the cob, and I met Barney Fife! Wonder where Andy was?

On the way out I got a decadent treat- fried Oreos. Yes, you heard me correctly. They dip them in funnel cake batter, fry them and dust them with powdered sugar. They were really, really good and I got powdered sugar all over me! My camera was covered, my shirt was covered, my jeans were covered and my face was covered with white powder! I was a spectacle, but I don't care! LOL It was fun. :)

Tuesday Morning and All's Well

.

All's Well, Thank God. Monday was a bitch. I don't know if I have some sort of psychological problem or what, but Mondays absolutely kill me. Yesterday was no exception. The day started off with me in a terrible mood at work. Then Jimmy's espresso machine came in and it doesn't work. Talk about a dejected man! We are going to send it back to be repaired. I really felt sorry for him.

I went to buy my mascara that was on sale at CVS, thinking I had a dollar coupon. Duh, I had a coupon all right, but it was for another brand of mascara. Got home and ate some wonderful leftovers, but my boys acted like I was offering them hog slop so they went out to Burger King, the nastiest fast food establishment in exisitence. At around 8:30 it dawned on me that it was the day to make Amish bread. I had gotten some starter and the first go around I had thrown it away. This was my second batch and I just couldn't do that again, so I sent Jimmy to the store for pudding mix and I baked bread. It came out of the oven at 10:00.

Hopefully today will be a good one. It is so far. And I just realized that I put up my Mother's Day blog without putting up a picture of my mother. Nice, huh? I'll put one up on today's post. I need to take her a loaf of that Amish Friendship bread that I made last night. I guess I can get the boys to drop it off to her today sometime.

This blog is totally boring. Sorry, folks.

Layke just called. He's having friends over tonight for chicken wings. Big bonus for me...he's cleaning up the house today! Whoo Hoo! LOL~

All right, I've held you poor readers hostage long enough without providing one entertaining tidbit. I'll do better tomorrow. I hope. ;)

Happy Mother's Day!!

View from the balcony of The Lodge. Pretty, isn't it?

The Rowell Grandchildren, minus Tyler and Layke (who was working.) L to R: Jordan, his girlfriend, Kindra, Ryan (fiance') and Tisha, Seth, Jordan, Chelsea (fiancee')and Justin. Matt (fiance') and Riannon are missing, too! And Rachel. And here I was thinking I had them all in one spot! LOL

Jimmy and me. Doesn't he look thrilled? He hates to have his picture taken.

My daughter Rachel and me.

These are the pictures of the wedding that was taking place at The Lodge while we were there.

This is such a wonderful day to me. I always get such sweet attention from my kids, and I get to prepare lunch for my mother. When I stumbled over to the computer this morning, propped on my keyboard was a card and a silk rose from Layke. Now how do you suppose he knew I'd find it there first thing? LOL, my boy knows me! Jimmy had a card for me also. I laughed because he said he started to get a funny one, then opted for the romantic one. Atta boy.

Last weekend I went to Georgia for a Bo show, and my family was meeting me in Oxford. My friend Debbie from Pelham was driving, so that's our meeting spot. We had just passed Six Flags on the way home and I got a phone call from them, telling me to meet them at Best Buy instead of Cracker Barrel. When I asked why, they said that I was getting an iphone for Mother's Day!! Talk about stoked!! I was thrilled to death! When we got there a tornado was passing through Jacksonville, but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm. I have played with the thing all week. I absolutely adore it. The camera is wonderful and I've bought both Scrabble and Jeopardy to play on it. Woo Hoo!

Rachel didn't like the cover I had for the phone. (naturally) I had gotten a shock-absorbing one and a military grade protective covering for the front and I was happy. But now I have a hot pink skin for it. Guess I'll just swap them out! Seth has a Palm Treo and he's quite envious of my phone. His is nice, but the touch phone is much easier than his which requires a stylus.

Anyway, enough about my phone! Yesterday afternoon we met with Jimmy's family and went to the graveyard where his mother is buried. Of course we took pictures of one another. I have got more pictures of myself in graveyards than any other place on earth! Then after we put flowers on her grave, we all went to the State Park Lodge and had dinner on Ray Daddy. We then went over to his house for awhile.

While we were at the lodge, a couple was getting married out on the terrace. It was kind of sprinkling rain, but they got through their vows before they had to move inside. I sneaked a couple of pictures of them. It was a sweet wedding and I hope they'll be very happy, whoever they are!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Mother's Day. Lots of love goes out to my mother, who has always been there for me, strong, loving and supportive.