Wonder if I Glow in the Dark?
December 29, 2008 by Steve Elledge
Well……..latest medical report for anyone who is following:
* Have had alot of tests recently trying to figure out the discomfort i have been experiencing in my chest area.
* Had a chest x-ray.
* Had an EKG
* Had the proverbial blood tests.
** Diagnosis: Shingles – one of the most painful and uncomfortable illnesses I have been privy to at my young age. A little different than many cases in that I never have actually broken out with any kind of skin lesions or pox! Bad news is – even with what medication they can give me I’m looking at 2 – 4 weeks of this stuff! I’m well into the 2nd one already.
* Today I took a Nuclear Stress Test for my heart. You heard me — NUCLEAR —–I have radioactive junk in my veins! Poor Vickie wont be able to sleep tonite if I give off too much of a glow!
Hopefully they are just confirming what we already suspect – my heart is strong and healthy. Doc just decided as long as we were doing all this stuff we might as well get a stress test done since I hadn’t had one since 2002. Anyway – what a miserable feeling that stuff gives you when they pump it in to your veins– instant sweat, chest contractions, nausea, the whole 9 yards. Then after they get you all pumped up its a total of about 25 minutes of laying perfectly still – first on back, then on stomach while they take pics of your heart from 64 different angles. Whole ordeal took about 3.5 hours. Results in a few days I expect – I’m already breathing easier since it happened this morning and no emergency has arisen LOL. I am confident it is all good!
* It has already proven one thing for you possible non-believers —- I really do have a heart! LOL ….yup……they found one in there!
* Now to just get rid of this Shingles crappola and all will be good once again. Got some new meds today —— feel a little better this evening (I should because both of them appear to be painkillers). Docs are helping me to become a non-alcohol kind of guy – can’t imbibe with the medication ……..Happy New Year eh!
* Wind is currently gusting between 40 and 60 mph – could peak at 70 tonite I have been told. Vic and i spent 30 minutes today looking for our trash can after they emptied it. True story – we found it 2 houses east of Kingsbury on 18th laying in a yard. For those unfamiliar that is 3 blocks away AND around a corner. Don’t know if Scotty next door ever did find his. Hadn’t last i heard.
* R & R & BGE here for 6 days and I just don’t feel like i got any time with Braelyn. Need some more of those Braelyn, Courtney, and Ashley hugs! Gonna start referring to my granddaughters as “G-Paw’s Angels”. Kinda catchy I think.
* Well — work officially started again today as my weeks vacation is over – but i only did half day because of the Stress test. And i am taking Friday off so only 2 more days to work this week. Hope i can handle it.
* Anybody wanna talk about those Broncos? I haver a theory and it isnt all “bad defense” like I have been reading. Cutler claims to have a stronger arm than even Elway and i tend to believe it. I’m just afraid his thought processes, and possibly his leadership ability, tend to be closer to Plummer than Elway. You can have the power, and even the agility and accuracy, and still not be effective. Somebody’s gotta tell the boy it’s not only “what you got” but “what you do with it”. Okay ….. just my opinion die-hard fans.
* Tired of reading? I’m tired of writing too.
The Dad
My First Christmas!
December 26, 2008 by Braelyn
Boy did I get a good night sleep last night! Finally, because I have been so tired having had so much to do for the past week. I flew to Denver on the 19th with my mommy and daddy, and we rented a car and drove to Fort Collins and picked up my cousin Courtney who rode to Casper, Wyoming with us. We got to grandma and grandpa’s house where we spent almost a whole week. It was really fun, but there were so many people around that I didn’t sleep much because I didn’t want to miss out on a thing!
While in Casper, I got to spend time with a lot of my family that I never get to see, so it was so much fun! I played at Great-Grandma Hotshot’s house with all of her Christmas toys. They play music and I like to dance to it. I also like crawling around her house and exploring all the really fun stuff. I got stuck a few times! Daddy is going to put some pictures up on his website, maybe on mine, too. I loved seeing my great-grandma. She loves me so much and I love her, too!
I also got to see my Great-Grandpa Carlen. This funny guy just keeps kissing and loving on me. He gave me so many kisses this past week that I won’t know what to do without them. He is so lucky… he is going to spend a whole month in California. I haven’t ever been to California, but my mommy and daddy said we’ll go there sometime and go to Disney Land and see our family out there. I can’t wait!
I also got to see my Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Mikey and my cousins Stephen and Ashley. They all love me, too! It was really fun spending time with them and going over to their house to party like the rockstar I am! When I grow up I hope I can dance as good as Ashley. Ashley and Courtney both tell me how hot Zac Efron is. He is cute, but I don’t like boys yet. I also am going to learn karate like Stephen so I can keep all the boys away from me!
Of course I also got to spend a lot of time with my Grandma Vickie and Grandpa Steve. Boy, I sure love them and wish I could see them a lot more. I have been lucky to see them a lot this first year of my life, especially considering how far away they live from me. They love me lots and it was sure fun seeing them in person instead of on the computer like we always do.
I can’t forget to mention that my oldest cousin Brandon “Big B” was there for some of the time and so was my cousin Keegan. They were fun to hang out with, too! I just wish that Big B, Nathan, and my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Tony could have been in Casper for Christmas Eve with us. It’s ok, though, because I got to go see them on Christmas Day in Fort Collins. It was weird to see them all at the hospital because Big B had surgery on Christmas Eve morning. His surgery went well! He looked different with a bandage all over his head, but I got to see him after they took it off and he had cheeks just like me! Big B loves me lots and kept holding my hand. He is so special, I love him so much. Nathan thinks I’m pretty cool, too. He always likes to hold me when I see him. I can’t believe how big he is now! I will get to see him in May when he graduates from high school. It was really fun seeing all of the Lechers, even if it was at the hospital.
Besides seeing everyone for Christmas, I had a lot of firsts while in Casper. I went to church for the first time and I was such a good girl. I really liked it and want mommy and daddy to take me to church more often. I think God is pretty cool! I also took two steps on several occasions. Everyone clapped and told me how big I was — they are so weird! And, I got lots of presents! Aunt Stephanie cheated and gave me one of my presents a few days early. It was a really neat play purse full of fun stuff. I also got a coat and a bunch of clothes from my grandma and grandpa. I got a really pretty (even if my daddy doesn’t think so) leopard print outfit from the Lovatos and Ashley. The Lechers got me some really cute purple overalls and matching shirt. Great Granpa Emmett gave me one of my great-grandma cookie’s collector beanie babies, and my great-grandma hotshot gave me money that mommy and daddy are putting into my savings account for me. While all of the presents were neat, I really loved playing with the wrapping paper and bows! I also loved dancing to all the music that was played.
On Christmas Day we flew back home where I got even more presents. None topped seeing my Bubba again! I really missed him but was happy to see him when we picked him up from his Daddy/SD’s house. When we got home, I got to open more presents from Santa, Mommy, Daddy and Bubba! I got a big kitchen to play with, a really neat musical stand with a computer just like daddy’s, an awesome Dave Matthews Band shirt and more! It was a great first Christmas, that’s for sure.
This morning when I woke up after a long, really great sleep in my own bed, I got to see my Hoover (and the other dog) again! I really missed them, too.
Well, I think I need to go take a nap. I am exhausted just thinking about all of the wonderful time I got to spend with my family and all of the fun and pretty presents I got. I can’t wait for Sunday because I get to have another Christmas with my Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw, my uncle Chris, Aunt Sandy and my cousins Cayse and Wyatt. I bet more people will be there, too. And then, in just a couple of weeks I will get MORE presents because it will be my First Birthday! Oh, the excitement. I am tired. Watch for pictures and probably even some Hoover videos coming soon!
Love,
Braelyn Grace
Well I think it’s time for me to take a nap. I am so exhausted just thinking about all of the
Mom: It’s that time of the year again
November 28, 2008 by Lovatos
I loved your thankful list. Quite an assortment.
I too am thankful…for you and Mike and Ashley and Stevie.
I am thankful for Wendy and Tony and Brandon, Nathan, Courtney, Keegan.
I am thankful for Ryan, Rebecca, Spencer and Braelyn.
I am thankful for the love of a wonderful husband.
I am thankful for salvation through what Jesus has done for me in my life. Thank You Father.
Wow so much to be thankful for.
We are truely Blessed
Ryan: Three Diamonds and a Green Belt
November 28, 2008 by Lovatos
Congrats, Ashley and Stephen!
You too, Tally.
Grandma Vickie: Winning Weekend
November 28, 2008 by Lovatos
Congratulations to Ashley for an awesome weekend of dance. You did so well. Watching you dance is such a pleasure and you are so beautiful.
Brother Stevie the green belt. Hurrah for you also. Loved the picture you sent.
Ryan: Winning Weekend
November 28, 2008 by Lovatos
That was awful nice of McKenna to give her flowers! How sweet!
Congrats Ashley… and you, too, Stevie!
Monday Monday
November 10, 2008 by Steve Elledge
Kind of a typical Monday here in Casper, WY. Looks like it will be a nice day – a few clouds but looks pretty sweet out there. Just having my morning coffee – trying “Green Mountain Nantucket Blend” this morning. Not too bad. We sure are enjoying the Keurig Coffee Maker The Mom gave me for my birthday.
Have two new clients today. First meeting will be at an Attorneys Office with a potential wind farm developer. 2nd one will be this afternoon at my office with one of those mystery people who can’t tell you what they want to do over the phone because they are afraid someone will “steal” the idea. I have probably met with a few hundred of those through the years and I can’t think of one that has worked out yet. Okay — enough of boring you with work.
Happy belated 10 months old birthday to BGE. It is absolutely incredible how much they develop in that first year. I was looking at a picture of me holding her on the cruise last spring — she has come a long way since then and it wasn’t that long ago. Sure could use a BGE hug occasionally.
Nate & Keegan wrestled this weekend, Ashley danced, B worked, not sure what Courtney was up to, and Stephen vegged with his Dad while his mother played alot of volleyball. I did hear that while Stephen was teaching the game of Texas Hold ‘Em to B and I, that Nathan was cleaning up at the Lecher’s Friday night poker party in Fort Collins. Way to go Nate.
So … I guess it is time for work. Another week – another advenrure. Weird week however, have a holiday tomorrow to honor our Vets. Gonna say a prayer or two for all of those on active duty also. David is over there now – God Bless him and his comrades. Thanks David.
The Dad
Obama vs. DOOL!!!! No way…
November 7, 2008 by Lovatos
A lot has happened since the last time I have given everyone my two cents worth. I buried another student on Thursday. It seems like Brad Johnson died while text messaging. Scary thought since I now have a teenagae driver at home. Brad was a wonderful kid. He made me laugh every day and when I saw that he graduated with honors two year ago I was somewhat proud thinking that I had a little to do with that. What a great kid…what a great memory…what a tragic loss for his family especially his twin sister who was equally as wonderful.
I sent my daughter to Denver today to a dance competition. It is the first one I have ever had to miss. I feel somewhat like a dead beat parent. I always want to be there for my kids. I really wish I wouldn’t have committed to the volleyball tournament that I signed up for this weekend. I know Ashley will thrive and do well but I love to be there and watch how well she does. I do take great pride in all of her accomplishments even though I am only the person who signs the check so that she can go to these things. Her talent is definately not inherited from me.
Both of my children did exceptionally well in school this quarter. I am so very proud of them. I learned this quarter that perserverence is often better then the letter grades that a child receives. A valuable lesson as a parent and teacher. Thank God that I was blessed with these wonderful human beings that can still teach me so much in my (what I consdider) extremley well educated 42 years of life.
Mike is now entering his one year anniversary at Wyoming Machinery. What a great gift that has been for him. He is finally reaping the benefits of being a wonderful, kind human being. I know more wonderful things will come for him thanks to his job and the happiness it gives to him. I still hate the 9-6 shift though.
As for me I have been blessed? with my greatest challenge this year as an educator. I truly believe it is time for me to make a decision about my future in education. I am facing the most difficult class of students I have ever had. I find myself involved in too much drama thanks to their little, complicated lives. I wonder daily how parents can treat their flesh and blood so evily. I have more sleepless nights this school year then ever before. How can a legal system let little children endure what these kiddos live day to day. I can’t even begin to share with everyone the heart wrenching day to day struggles these little beings go through. I know that wishing I was in another situation is a sin…but I am truly envious of my son’s second grade teacher. It seems like he lives in the perfect little world of what I wanted when I became a teacher. Stephen is truly lucky to have a teacher that gets to be an awesome teacher each and every day thanks to the caliber and well being of his students.
OK enough of the whoa is me crap…As I look upon the upcoming holiday season I am looking for the splendid feeling that I always get with enjoying the spirit of the season. 48 days to go until…Christmas! C’mon feeling…I am so ready!
Oh, yeah…Obama is already on my bad side. He interrupted thirty-two minutes of Days of Our Lives today thanks to his stimulus speech. I am so looking forward to the Clinton vs. Palin cat fight in 2012!!!!
Tally Turns 2!
October 6, 2008 by Lovatos
Talladega will be 2 on Thursday. It is hard to believe that she has already been with us for that long. She is really a sweet girl. I think she may have calmed down sooner then any other dog I have had. I also believe that she was the most destructive puppy I have ever had. Whew! We seem to be passed that for now.
Ashley did well in the pageant. She is already planning for next year. She didn’t make the top 15 but had a wonderful time anyway. She looked beautiful and we are really proud that she tried something like this. However, she does work a stage pretty well.
Stephen is another step closer to his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He received his Blue Belt last Saturday. He has red and brown left before he can test for his black belt. He has really learned control and matured in Tae Kwon Do lately. He has two weeks of flag football left and is up to 9 touchdowns for the season. Look out Brett Favre!
Hug your children!
The Pageant and Blue Belt
September 26, 2008 by Lovatos
The Miss Teen Wyoming Pageant is finally here. Ashley has been getting ready in her mind for this event since June when she decided she wanted to try it out. We have had a hectic week getting ready. She has to have four different wardrobes just for the pageant. She is very excited and very apprehensive. It should be fun to watch. The new competition dance season is also in full swing. She is up to 12 dances for competition so far this year. Oh yeah…she got her Learner’s Permit. It is very scary. I have let her drive to school which hasn’t been too bad yet. Tonight however, I let her drive from Stephen’s school to Tae Kwon Do. I should have used better judgement because rush hour and a new driver don’t mix. I so wanted to visit the bar after that little trip. So far… we are all still alive. Ashley also found out today that she made the dance team at Kelly Walsh High School. I would have been very worried if she didn’t. Freshmen can only be on the JV team but hey, she will get her JV letter in dance before actually attending the school. I’m not sure when she will have time for this added committment but she usually makes it work. Thank goodness the gas prices have dropped a little bit.
We found out yesterday that Stephen made the testing list for his blue belt in TaeKwon Do. We were really surprised because he just tested for his purple belt in July. It usually takes 3 to 4 months to demonstrate the compentency to move up a level. Testing is next Saturday. I can’t believe that he has moved up so quickly. September 29th was this first test for the yellow belt. If all goes well next weekend Stephen will only be 3 belts away from his black belt.
Talladega is an absolutely wonderful dog. Her second birthday is October 9th. She has really settled down into a big old lovable lap dog. She’s a keeper!
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