Congrats!!

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my aunt Ruth... the nursing home she manages got a 5-star rating... I'm sure this is in large part due to her.

So congrats Ruthie!! I'm sure it's nice to see your hard work rewarded.

Read about it here she works at Parkside Meadows.

Broken

About 15 months ago something horrible happened to me... I broke my leg.

First let me tell the story (even though I'm sure most people know it) and then I'll explain why I'm telling a story from 15 months ago...

On a lovely evening on September 20, 2007 Chad wanted to go outside and play catch. I suggested that we should go roller blading since I always want to go but never actually do. He thought this was a good idea and we both laced up. Almost immediately I didn't feel comfortable on the skates, but pushed on b/c I've skated hundreds of times. We decided to skate up the slight hill in our neighborhood. We got nearly to the top and then turned back for the house. Chad was in front of me and he lost control and fell... I went to avoid falling on top of him and aimmed a crash landing in the grass... I mean falling in the grass is much better than concrete right? So I fell into the grass but my left leg got stuck... and I twisted my body with my leg stuck... I head an undeinable pop and was in pain... I screamed, but it felt like I couldn't make any sound...

Chad rushed over to me and I was afraid to turn over... I was so worried I would look at my leg and the bone would be sticking out of the skin... and if that were the case I did not want to see it... but I had to... so Chad helped me turn over... thankfully no bone visual... but the next difficult task of taking the skate off... I'm not sure how I was able to do that... but we managed to get the skate off. I was hoping I had just sprained my ankle although I knew deep down it wasn't my ankle. Chad went down the street and grabbed my car to pick me up...

Side Note: I happened to land in the crazy man's yard... every neighborhood has one... the guy that clips his yard with pruning shears... either way he came out of his house and said if you two don't move you're going to get wet (he was watering his lawn) I told him that I hurt my leg and Chad was going to get the car and pick me up since I couldn't walk. He's like how far is that? (this is the guy who walks around the neighborhood and knows where everyone lives...) I'm like we are at the end of the street... then he was at least nicer to me... but continued to talk... about how he's had both his hips replaced and walks 5 miles a way and was in the army... and then he talked about how Chad was in the military (news to me) but I was in too much pain to want to correct him... or even really have a conversation...

Chad brought the car up and I limpingly got in the backseat. I knew we had to go to the ER... it's just one of those things you know... so we ran back to the house so Chad could grab a few things and we headed to the ER. Of course we went to St. Anthony's when we should have going to ANY OTHER HOSPITAL, but whatever I was in pain and not thinking...

We got to the ER and they let me lay down... I tried to fall asleep or anything to get my mind off of the constant pain in my leg and thumb (I must have bent back the nail when I feel b/c it hurt pretty bad too) They finally took me into an exam room where the gave me a pain killer than did not help and ordered me to get X-rays. While I was waiting the nurse told me not to drink much or eat anything "just in case"... I was like just in case of what?!? And she's like in case you need surgery... I told her I could wiggle my toes I did not need surgery... When those finally came back it was confirmed... I had broken my tibia (the shin bone) but not the smaller one... go figure... but not bad enough that I needed emergency surgery.... thank god!!

They put me in a temporary cast until I could see an orthopedic doctor... and they could decide my treatment plan. I had been laying with my leg turned out b/c that was the most comfortable... and in order for them to put me in the cast they had to straighen my leg... oh boy did that hurt... I nearly passed out from the pain... (side note: I was wearing jeans and didn't want them to cut up my jeans so they had to put me in paper scrub pants... it also meant I had to take off my jeans... great...) but when it was done... it did feel slightly better... they wheeled me out on a wheelchair. My mom took me home while Chad grabbed some food and my pain meds.

When we got back to my house I suddenly realized how NOT handicap accessable my house truley is... and I had to use crutches for the first time in my life. She I had played around on them before, but actually having to use them is another story... getting up the steps in my garage way tough... and I nearly passed out from the pain AGAIN!!

My mom was able to get me in the house and changed and settled... Chad soon came home with the pain meds... I ate a little something took a pill and went to bed...

In the morning my mom graciously agreed to come over and take care of me... We were able to get in and see a doctor... I would not have to get surgery... which was a relief... but he put me in this boot and was heavy... and by that time the pain meds were wearing off... I was once again in major pain... It was quite an ordeal getting me back in the house... b/c with the new boot I was not nearly as agile... but she managed... since she does that kind of thing all the time... one of her friends even brought me a walker which was much easier to use...

Over the next few weeks I slowly got better... but it was tough... I mean I couldn't stand up to shower... going to the bathroom was a pain... for about a week it was tough to lift my leg up and down off the couch... I slept on the couch... I had to learn how to sleep on my back...

And evenually I got all better... and now I hardly think about it...

Now why did I write about this?

Well last night I was laying on the couch and my leg all of a sudden started to ache... it does this every once in awhile... but it was strange last night for some reason and reminded me of the whole experience... really makes you appreciate the little things... like walking or stand up showers.

I didn't think it was possible...

But I think I'm watching a Seinfeld I've never seen before... weird...

Dollar Store Find

I know I haven't written as much as I usually do but it's been a busy week... hopefully more soon but I had to write about this...

I went to the Dollar Store tonight to purchase some picture frames... I buy ugly ones there and then decorate them... it's one of my hobbies and something I think I'm pretty good at... random talent I know... I'll take pictures of some if I ever think about it...

Well... I went to check out and right by the register are all those random purchases and things you always forget you need... I love this area of the store b/c it's all so random and fun...

Anyway hanging in the random stuff section is a pregnancy test... yes... can you believe that? Who would go to the Dollar Store for a pregnancy test? And who would pay a dollar for it? It's so strange the things you can find there... once I saw a sign they were selling ground beef... um, no thank you!!

Oh the weekend

I had a very enjoyable weekend...

Friday during work the last few hours were just frustrating... so it was very nice to finally get out of work. All day I said I was going to go home and crawl into bed... and I pretty much did just that. I fell asleep for awhile... and then was in and out of sleep... suddenly the dog (being as the good guard dog she is) starting barking like crazy and then I started to hear footsteps. Which was strange since Chad was suppose to be at work until 11 and I was the only one home... suddenly Chad came into the bedroom with Krispy Kremes. It left work early to spend some time with me... and brought me doughnuts... it was so sweet.

Saturday I went out to my aunt's house to take my Grandma on our annual shopping trip. We first ordered something for my mom and then we headed to Steak n Shake were we had lunch... let me tell you this... there were some goofy looking people working there... We then headed to Kohl's where we were able to get everything!! It was really nice spending time with my Grandma... we had a very good time!!

While I was out there I found out they were celebrating Alayna and Adin's birthday (my cousins, Alayna was my flowergirl) So I stayed out there and celebrated with them. I wish I would have brought my camera... they are two very adorable fun kids.

After I got home on Saturday Chad and I just hung out... we didn't do much of anything, but it was nice being able to do that together...

Sunday we slept in way way too late... we got up and got Quiznos... I got two kinds of sandwiches since I couldn't decide. My normal Turkey, ranch, and cheddar, and a meatball... mmm was it good!! We then watched some football... and decided to watch the Dark Knight... which was as good as I remembered it to be... and it was easier for me to watch knowing they cut away before the gory stuff...

Sunday night was Survivor (see other blog) and I wrapped Christmas presents while doing that. I love to wrap Christmas presents... we have them all under the tree and it looks so pretty.

The weekend was great!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

How bittersweet finales can be... I mean it's exciting to finally have a winner and know how everything played out but at the same time it's sad it's all over...

Last night's finale did not disappoint.

First up was the immunity challenge... which is hard to even remember at this point... Oh yeah... there was an obstacle course and a puzzle (I know you're surprised) There was also a pretty crazy maze. It all came down to Sugar and Bob... and Bob ended up winning it... 5 in a row... that's craziness!!

At tribal Kenny continued his attack at Bob's word about giving him immunity... Kenny was like I didn't know there was fine print and then Bob was like well there's fine print when I found out you were going to blindside vote me out. Zing!!

Kenny was voted out... over Susie. I think it was a smart move I mean Kenny is the bigger physical threat believe it or not... plus he needed to go... He thought he was playing them all... then people get cocky in this game it's time to pack your bags. So we were down to the final four.

Next up was the Survivor rememberance thing. Where they go through and remember each castaway. It always amazes me how many of them I forget. Some of them had very profound things to say and I go back and forth on whether I like this part. It is kind of nice to remember the course of the game.

Onto the final immunity challenge. Building a house of "cards" 10 feet high or whoever is highest after 30 minutes. I knew this would be good since in one of these type of challenges can change winners in just a second. And you wouldn't believe but Susie pulled out a win.

It seemed that Bob's fate was already planned... Then Sugar and those damn emotions got involved... She didn't want to see Bob go since he was such a nice genuine person. Sugar decided she would force a tie between Bob and Matty and leave it up to a fire making challenge.

The challenge was exciting but Bob ended up building a fire quicker than Matty and it was Matty's time to go.

I thought at this point Bob had it all wrapped up. I mean he had was more "friends" on the jury. But final tribal was just as interesting as always.

The problem with this year's jury was nearly every one of the people on the jury was blindsided, which left a lot of bitter Bettys. Usually a jury can come to respect a way another played the game, but I didn't get that feeling from this years jury... they all wanted revenge...

By far the meanest of them was Corinne... who said perhaps the meanest thing to Sugar I've heard on a Survivor. There was so many times during the finale and reunion where I wanted to bitch slap her. I don't get those type of feelings often... but I did. The sad thing is we learned that she enjoys her horrid self... she's like the wrestlers who get a kick out of all the booing.

I was surprised at all the bad feeling toward Sugar and Bob. I know there's a lot lost in editting, but we seemed to be missing something.

So the votes came out... 4 Bob to 3 Susie. I was incredibly surprised that Sugar did not get any votes... but Sugar did not do a good job defending herself at the final tribal. She was all like whatever... I think she figured she was losing and was like why bother... but c'mon girl there's money on the line here... I was also shocked 3 people voted for Susie... I mean she didn't do much of anything to deserve 3 votes... I think they were just picking the person they were least mad at... which again... goes back to the bitter bitter jury.

Bob deserved to win... he was an amazing castaway and was really crafty and smart and just pretty durn amazing. So congrats Bob and winning!!

I think that a lot of people didn't like the fact that Sugar was actually smarter than they gave her credit for... I think they got back they got outplayed by her... Just goes to show you should never underestimate anyone.... judging a book by its cover if you will.

I always enjoy the reunion and I could seriously handle another hour of it... I love hearing what they all have to say.

Some short thoughts on the reunion:

• Randy seems to have a big underlying issue, but at the reunion was the first time I actually had some feelings of like toward him...
• Corinne seems like a huge huge bitch... I can't believe she didn't even apologize to Sugar about the mean comments she made... I'm glad I can finally stop looking at her
• Sugar still seemed very likable... I enjoyed her on the show... she played a game unlike any other castaway ever... and did it wonderfully, except the whole final tribal thing
• Kenny seems to really have learned what he did wrong out there... nice to realize his mistakes.
• Crystal really is a gold medalist... go figure
• Matty's financee looked much cuter this time around... I like him as a person too
• Ace's accent is real... I never really doubted that though
• Marcus is a pretty guy... but there's something there I don't like
• How much do you love Jeff? I mean... he gets the answers... and geez... he's adorable and really is a great host
• Oh and speaking of Jeff how awesome was it he went back and saved the fake HII Bob made that he had to throw in the fire... so cool.
• Bob and his explanation of the making of the HII was classic... go Bob!!
• And to the rest of the people I don't remember know... it was enjoyable your one liners

Overall I really enjoyed this season and I cannot wait for the next season in Brazil. I'm always holding my breath at the end of the reunions to see if they are making a new season... it will be a sad sad day when Survivor is gone for good... luckily we have at least one more season... thank goodness!!

Week 15 Football Picks

I know I'm really late on posting these... but here they are...

New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
Green Bay Packers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Rams
Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers
New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Me
Chad
Both

I'll do the season recap next week