Well, I was trying to get good ones of his whole body with all black backgrounds and that just didn't work. I took the pix by the windows in the kitchen nook and the lighting just wasn't as good as I thought it would be. There were a ton of people outside next door because all of their 12 grandchildren are here visiting - so I didn't feel comfortable doing it out front and the people behind us and next door on the other side were all outside doing things and I didn't feel comfortable doing it out back either. Plus I really don't have a way to set up an all black background outside. It is very cloudy today. They took the rain out of the forecast and say just overcast all day. I don't know if I will be able to try again when we get home or not.

This is the first I am taking Justin to the doctor. He worked hard on the furniture over the night Saturday night and Sunday his hand was bothering him. I just figured it was sore and told him to rest it and take Advils. It wasn't until Weds. night that he showed me all he couldn't do with it and that he was reading up on compressed nerves and thought that was what was wrong. I couldn't take him yesterday because I had all those kids. He could have gone himself, but I want to be there to ask questions. Besides, since I was sure they would send him for x-rays at the hospital I knew I would have to be with him for that. When you are under 18 they like a parent present. Here if you are under 18 a parent must accompany you into the examining room at the skin doctor. Not sure why, but they say it is law. Maybe it has to do with Accutane or something.

I bet your hubby was freaking out when your dolls fell When I first picked Milo up he seemed more wobbly. I always found him hard to stand up on his own. It is a balancing act for sure. Glad your gang is OK!

Can't wait to see Pru's new outfit! I hope the shoes come soon! My stuff from China has been coming faster than it used to for some reason, so maybe the shoes will arrive sooner than you think!

Talk to ya later and have a great day! Cross your fingers that we get good news about Justin's hand!

Good luck today! Hope all goes well!

Sadly it did not go well . I will be putting the info in chit-chat. I need to read more about it. Needless to say, Justin really screwed up his hand and maybe permanently We hope not, but we will not know for awhile. Not until after we see an orthopedic hand specialist.

Oh no my lady. I bet you are very upset.

How on earth did he do that just doing woodworking?There has got to be more to the story. Will watch for your update in the other thread.

Hi!

I hope you have a great day! I have been baking brownies and muffins to take to my mom's. We are meeting some cousins there and we are going out for Italian. I am really looking forward to that. Happy Ann. to us! It is super hot here already! You can tell the dog days of August are upon us!

Justin is still sleeping. He and I were up until almost two talking. He needed to wait until 2:00 AM to take the last of his six pills. It is important to take 6 the first day and to space them just right. Since we didn't get home with the meds until 4:00 yesterday it made for a late first day. I found out the meds are like taking cortisone shots. Eric has to work, but I am hoping since Justin is not allowed to work that he will opt to come out to eat with us! Though something tells me he will choose visiting his friends and maybe go to the movies. He still hasn't seen The Dark Night. Eric did though and really liked it. So we shall see if free food with us or a night out with friends wins! How much you want to bet I know the answer to that question

Hope you have a great day! Got to go check on the muffins!

Happy Anniversary to you and hubby!


Hope you have a special day/evening celebrating despite all the other stressors.

Maybe the movie would help Justin get his mind off his hand today. Tht might be some good medicine for him.

The muffins sound yummy!

I am very excited that we are getting pea gravel to finish our landscaping in our back yard area after living with dirt for almost 12 years today! Sometimes it is so great to have company come to force you to do the heavy cleaning and other projects that have gone undone
and been procrastinated forever!!!!!!

Thank you! Congrats on the pea gravel!! As a home owner I know how exciting that can be!

Yep, company and parties! It took Eric's graduation party to get us to finally paint our master bedroom - after 7 years of talking about it! It will be interesting to see what we get done for Justin's graduation party next June. My guess is after all the medical bills for the boys this year - we won't get to do a darn thing. Just CLEAN!

Well, did you have a nice anniversary? I bet you did despite all the issues with other stressors. Good food and good company is always helpful in changing one's focus for a little while.

I have been trying to get all my photos done for the contest this weekend and to try to get a few good ones of Pru in her gothic circus outfit. Man, that doll is not being cooperative being photographed! I have gotten some good shots of both Mal and Val, but only one half-way decent shot of Pru and it does'nt even show her outfit! Frustrating to say the least. The black background and using artificial light is very unforgiving and makes it more difficult, but I need it to give the under the big top, gothic feel. I will try to take some outside tonight at dusk and see if I have any better luck. Fortunately, I don't need many shots of her since she is not a main character.

It will take me a good week or so to edit, photoshop, and write the story which will take me right down to the deadline. With my company coming next Friday, I will only have a few days this week to work on it. I am having a ball as usualy working on this. I really would have enjoyed being a graphic artist I think. I love what I do now, but also could see myself really loving graphic arts.

Well, I have a busy day planned for today. I am taking my horse ARdeo out for a ride with the dog. It will be the first ride out since he was injured about a month ago. It will be great to get him out again. He is getting fat, so I need to get him back in shape again!

Have a great day and hopefully I will post some Pru pics later tonight

Hi!

Yes, it was a nice anniversary. We had a really nice time out with my cousin and her hubby and my mom. Great food. Justin did go out with friends, but met us at 6:30 to eat with us and then left to go back out with friends. I knew he would not turn down a free Italian dinner! We had some Mudslides too! (not Justin ) Went back to my mom's for dessert and coffee. Stayed late talking. Got in about 11:30 PM. Justin got in shortly after us. Who knows when Eric got home That kid usually stays out until about 2:00 AM. Oh to be 19!

Yes, I am quite stressed about Justin. He said last night he has even less use of the hand than the day before I am hoping that I can get him in to the younger specialist on Tuesday and let Eric stay here with the daycare kids. I honestly do not think I can make it until Weds. before talking with someone The more I read, the scarier it all sounds. I need some action to be taken soon or I will lose it.

Good luck with your photos. Sorry I wasn't able to get any good ones of Milo. I have lots to do today around the house and cooking. Taking photos is just not in my plans or desires today. I just want my kid's hand to get better He cannot do a thing with it right now. It is so weak and numb he cannot even button his clothes.

Gotta get back to work.

Glad to hear you had a great dinner and time last night. You so deserve it! Mudslides? I bet that took a little of the edge off things!

I know you will not be able to think of much else though, until you talk to one of the specialists. I hope you can get in quickly. Is the young one in a town nearby?

I am really pleased with some of the photos I have taken of Mal especially! They really capture his fiesty expression and the customizing I did to him. I think Dollzone will like that since they are selling an entire line of the pet dolls now and people can see how they can add to the custom face-ups to make them unique. I have'ne seen many of them with eyebrows or whiskers like mine, so if nothing else I can showcase my fox which is always a kick. Val is so photogenic too. Pru-not so much.
I don't know what it is about her face that requires just the right light or it does'nt come out.

Dont' work too hard!

Both of the specialist are in the same Orthopedics center where my Dad's doc who did his amputations is. That is Batavia (the town Justin works in) and it is about 15 to 20 mins. from us. 15 if we make all the lights So not bad at all. I'm just leaning toward the more aggressive doctor as meds. and therapy take a minimum of 12 weeks before you know if there will be improvement going that route. He can't type so I do not know how he will get his homework done for that length of time. From what I have been reading the use of the hand comes back almost immediately after surgery.

The Fox Valley Orthopedics has an outstanding reputation for surgeries. I am far more concerned about doing permanent harm by putting off surgery (if that is what he recommends) than any concern of mistakes in surgery. The success rate for this type of surgery is very high.

Pru is gorgeous! I am sure you will capture her beauty! You always do! Yes, I am sure Dollzone will love your foxy little fox!!

Hope you enjoy your ride!

(yes, I love Mudslides )

That is great the specialists are so close! Yes, I agree that it sounds like surgery is definitely worth looking into...sooner vs. later.

No Pru photos tonight, too windy and too tired! Definitely need to get some in the next few days, if possible.

I found this over on DOA...an AOD tiny called AiAi or something..He id pretty adorable I must say!

Oh goodness he is a beauty! There are so many super cute wee ones, but I just couldn't bring myself to pay so much for such a tiny thing. I wish they were more reasonably priced.

Sorry you weren't able to get Pru pix. We've been dealing with wind it seems all spring and summer. It is almost never calm anymore. What's up with that?

Well, I hope to get into the younger doc tomorrow. I will know later today. If he says he doesn't need surgery than I will trust that since our doc says he is the one who treats the issue more aggressively. So I would feel more comfortable with the less aggressive treatment if the advise came from that doctor. Justin has taken the meds for 3 days now and no change at all. He only has two more days of meds - today and tomorrow.

Yes, we are lucky to have such good doctors so close by. We are out in the farmlands, but we are only 15 to 20 mins. away from lots of good stuff!

Hope you have a great day! TTYL

Have you found out if you can get Justin in with the specialist yet?

I am going to have the longest day of my life here at work today... had to drop off some things at the credit union on my way to work and they did'nt open until 9:00.

Have a good day!

No. I got through to them at 10:15 (I was supposed to wait for them to call me, but yeah like I could do that) - it was busy until then They of course are completely booked until the middle of August, but our doctor has sent everything to them and she said that the secretary for the "more conservative" doctor will call me with a day and time they will "squeeze" him in. She felt it was more likely I would get in Weds. with the older doctor then tomorrow with the younger doctor. At this point I will be happy with either. I just want him seen soon! There is no change at all since the meds. Though we pretty much didn't think there would be. In reading about problems with nerves it really is a long and slow process. When Rob got his drop foot it took more than 3 months to get better. But it is going on 2:00 here and I am getting antsy for a call back. I will have to sit on my hands to prevent myself from being a pest I just want the freaking appointment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to compensate for my frustration I am eating a ton of Chocolate Chex Mix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry you are going to have a long day