Weekend starts with a BANG!

Okay! I mean literally by the bang. Here is what Friday was like and so on.What a nice day to be swimming the pool. We had fun. My families pool is my neighbors pools, which is actually my aunt and uncle. Swimming in their pool was fun. Ryan came over to their house when he got home from work, and swimmig with him is always some kind of adventure. Adventure is an understatement of what happened. Now that I have peeked your interests. Here is what all went down.

First I was in a tube just relaxing in the sun trying to get a tan. And before you ask. Yes, I put on sunscreen before you ask. My cousin Lauren and I were chililng out in the pool. She was hanging on the tube, and we were talking. Then we started making fun of Ryan and her brother Troy, my other cousin. Big mistake. They had the BRIGHT idea to throw each other into the tube to see if it would flip or to get us wet. All was good and fun until I was at the side of the pool. My cousin Troy whipped Ryan into the tube, I felt the tube start to tip, I closed my eyes, then BANG my head and arm hit the side of the pool. My first thought was "my neck isn't supposed to bend this way," second thought was "if my aunt and uncle were home to see this they would have freaked out." So I went under water. Came up and Ryan and all asked how I was. I just glarred at Ryan. It freaking hurt. He said stay in the pool, I said no (actually different words were said but I am being nice), I got out and sat in a chair. My two cousins got out of the pool also. I had a flipping headache. They, my cousin Troy and Ryan said they were sorry. I was pi$$ed for the time being. Was a little miffed when we went back to his place, until I saw how hard he was taking it by hurting me. He wasn't in a good mood. I told him I know it is an accident, you didn't mean to hurt me. I said also I will heal, you didn't break me. The last thing I told him was that seeing how he took hurting me on accident made me feel good that he won't ever beat me up. He would never. I knew that, but he never intentionally hurts me.

So don't give him a hard time about this, I am really fine. The bruises are going away. The one on my arm looks better than what it did. And the one on my head is getting better. He got me right above the right ear, just missed it. I will point it out to you if you ask me. You can't see it so don't worry.

His co-worker thinks I am still mad at him. How can I still be mad at him for something that happened last Friday? I was mad for about 5-10 minutes when it happened, was a little miffed after, but got over it. I didn't get hurt bad, were I was knocked unconcious. Or there was no blood in the pool, or I didn't stay under the water when it happened. So I wasn't hurt that bad. I could never stay mad at him. I love him too much to stay mad at him.

Life is too short for me to stay mad. So that is what my title means. Until next time!

Jodes

Father's Day/family wedding

This past weekend was kind of low key that is until Sunday hit. We went to early church, then went to Ryan's apartment, changed, got ready for the road trip to Chippewa Falls, looking at a map so he knows were he is going, and having a "discussion" on the way.

So our "discussion" was him getting impatient with me with not knowing were we are going. I am like "Hello! Never been here before so we both don't have a clue were we are going." He said, "Well, you should learn how to read a map and not second guess yourself." I said, "I only second guess myself when you get mad at me or raise your voice." Then the whole learning how to read a map came into play yet again. Thank God for cell phones. I called my aunt before we left to make sure we knew were the church was. Before hand that morning or night before I had Mapquested were the hotel was. Thank God I did because the map we had, didn't help at all. Was wrong. I got us there with one little late direction. Got yelled at yet again.

Okay we are checked in, in our hotel room, he is resting, and I am texting my cousin Lauren to see how she is and how the bride is. Then we get ready and leave for the church. My uncle told me how to get there. Well, okay we head out the way he tells me, and then we are at the lights and the road he wants us to stay on veers to the left, and the other goes straight into Eau Claire. I tell Ryan take a left. Then I text my aunt asking her which road to take. Then I tell him to turn around in the Walmart parking lot, oh and it is raining out. My cousin tells we should head toward Eau Claire. That is what I thought. Then at the other light I tell him to turn left again, and going downt he road I think "oh crap! I think we should have gone the other way." I tell this to Ryan. He is livid with me at this point. So I tune him out. We are driving then thank God, the road we needs comes up, turn onto that road. Well, we are on the right road, but we find the church once we are right on the driveway. Then it is too late. Crap! Drive ahead turn around in a driveway, then head to the church. He is so paranoid that we will be late. Umm it is like 3 pm when we got there, the wedding starts at 3:30. I wasn't worried. I was laughing on the inside. I laugh when he gets stuck, or we get lost. Or he gets us lost.

Wedding happened. Little tears shed. Happy times. Reception time we head from our room to the hall. Just have to walk several feet. We get to eat, appetizer type food. But there was a lot of it. Everyone took two small plates. We were all hungry. Ryan especially. He yelled at me for having a soda. One soda. I ask him why he is so pissy with me, he says I am hungry. I said then get more food. And if you want to talk about what we are drinking. I can tell you not to have anymore alcohol if you want to play that game. My mom came out in me on that one. Then he shut his pie hole, got more food, and all was quiet on the western front. Never yelled at me again for drinking soda that night. I was a little miffed at him, but he backed down. Cuz I wasn't. I only took like 8 pictures of the reception. My camera started acting weird. The screen is like tinted dark but the pictures turned out okay. I didn't want to chance it. Plus my family took many pictures. So I can copies that way.

I feel bad for not being home for Father's Day for my dad. I did though find a nice card that spoke about him always being there for me. I hope he liked it. He didn't throw it away. It is still on his table. I also owe him some hand cream that he likes. So that will be his belated Father's Day gift from me and from Ryan as well. I sign his name to all my cards. Birthday and any other cards for my dad, brother, and SIL, also did that when my mom was alive also. Also sign his name to Christmas gifts for them also. He does the same with my name for his family.

Well, I am off to bed. Night all! I will post a funny pic or two of Ryan. And will post one later if one was taken of me and Ryan at the wedding. Not sure.


This is Ryan acting goofy per my request. Then my cousin Missy had to give him bunny ears. They love "trying" to beat Ryan up.


This is one of Missy playing with Ryans hair. She did the same to me. Felt amazing. After this was taken he told her to not mess his hair up. Fun times when her and her sister are around us. I have endless laughter and smiles.

Jodes

Health Update and what not!

Well, today's labs came back and all is still great. I am so thankful everyday for the gift that God has blessed me with. Not sure if you know this, but when I got my call for the transplant, someone had to die for me to receive it. Okay, most of you if not all of you know that one. I never realized what my fonor family went through with trying to make that hard decision. At least not until my mom was in the ICU this past winter, and we decided it was in her best interest to just let her go peacefully. The next decision we made, I mean my brother and I insisted on if we could do it, was to see if anything of my mom's could be dontated to someone who really needed it. Deep down I thought, more than likely not, but what the heck. It is worth a shot. Why not check? So my dad said that was fine, the nurse called UNOS (United Networking of Organ Sharing) or she called OPO (Organ Procurement Organization), don't remember. All right, I had no clue what those letters stood for, I had to do a search on the internet to see what it meant. I actually did know what OPO stands for. Okay laugh at that.

Now, we waited for about an hour, that is what the nurse told us. So while waiting for more family to show up to say their good-byes and hang out with us so we weren't alone. She came and told us that it was not an option. After that, when she passed. I thought at least we tried. She would have wanted that also. If anything could be donated, she would have wanted it that way. But I didn't realize until it was after the funeral, that it really is a hard decision.

Now back to what I was getting at. I mean with all that, I feel like I have a better understanding with what my donor family went through to donate their loved one's organs. See before I really didn't understand what they went through to do that until we tried to do that.

So anyway's I feel blessed with what God granted me with. Oh the one piece of news that you didn't know when I got my transplant. Not sure who I all told. But here it is. The kidney I received was a perfect match kidney. See they have to match 6 DNA characteristics, blood type, and some other tests I think like 8 or 10 in general. I don't really remember. That was like over 2 years ago or more when we did all that. I can't be expected to remember all that. I just know my kidney matched me 6 out of 6, the kidney before that was 3 out of 6, and the one my brother gave me was 3 out of 6. I hope you understand that.

So my labs are all good, health is perfect, and feeling great. Sorry for all the rambling or information, but like Becky said. This is my blog and I can write on it what I want. I could say more after that comment but I will be nice. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I am happy to answer them. So until next time!

Jodes

Go T-Ratts Go!

Last night was our LAF (Lutheran Adult Fellowship) or also known as our young adult group. We went to a Timber Rattler game last night. They are the minor team up in Appleton that is affiliated with the Brewers. Which is awesome. And last night I got to see Steven Braun (Ryan Braun's little brother). Hmm! I can honestly say he looks like his brother, and totally stands like him. Plus he is cute also.

Back to the gmae. We had a blast. Granted the T-ratts lost 2-1 to the Kane County Cougars, but the Fireworks show at the was AWESOME! And the game was good but wow was it long. I didn't think it would ever be done. I love going to Fox Cities Stadium. It is also nice to see the minor team that could one day become a Brewer.

Oh last night. Phil Niekro who used to play for the Brewers threw out the first pitch. In all honesty, I have no flipping clue that guy is. I thought at first it looked like Bob Uecker. I was like SWEET! But no, the Brewers were playing at 7:05 also. So nope not him. Oh, the Brewer's won 7-2 against the Chicago White Sox. So at least one team from WI won. That is about it for now.

In attendance we had Tracy, Melissa, Diane, her two nieces, me, and my cousin Lauren. All chicks. We had a blast though. Now I can't wait until the Brewer game in August with church. Until next time. I am waiting to hear from Ryan, go to his palce to hang out until Jessie's party at 4, then babysit at 8pm for my cousin's two kids. I will take pictures tonight of us babysitting. They are always so much fun. Whenever Ryan chases them, they hide behind me like I can do something to him. Yeah right. We will be playing hide and seek. Can't wait. Fun times.

See some of you at church tomorrow for our 9:30 outdoor service.

Jodes

Life's A Beach!

Hmmm! Where have I heard that phrase before I saw this when changing my background. I know. It is a song by Blake Shelton "Some Beach."

Well, life can be a beach. Some days more than others. I am not thinking this because I am mad or anything. I am thinking this in the sense that I want to go to the beach on this nice beautiful day. I am in a really good mood. Eventhough my aunt flow visited me. Damn women! I hate it when she visits me once a month. Get it? You had better so I don't have to explain that one. She is such a beach.

But today was better than others. I got to play with one of my favorite toddlers. Sorry Kathleen, I am Kamryn's favorite also. But I love the two of you equally. And then there is my little buddy and flirt, Isaiah (Ryan's competition). Also, I can't forget Mallory, my other favorite little one.

Tonight I am going to Lonewolf with my cousin Lauren to eat supper, then we are going to the 6:20 showing at Regal of Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian (sp?). Can't wait. Since I got gipped to see Terminator. I will explain that one when you see me. But am gatting over being gipped.

Tomorrow night we are meeting Ryan's co-workers at Good Co for a birthday, then going to the bar area at Sergios to hang out. This will be fun times. Last month we all went bowling and I did crappy. But with my first throw had them laughing. I try! We were Gallactic bowling, and I went to throw my ball, well stuck my thimb in to far and it got stuck in the ball and ball when bomb halfway down the lane. I have to say, Ryan was embarassed, my thumb hurt, and all were laughing. Then my bowling went downhill from there. But we had fun. Sunday is the start of VBS at 5:30 with a meal, then VBS starts at 6. Can't wait. My lovely assistant will be once again helping me.

For those of you coming to VBS Sunday, we will be in the gym if it does rain. Also, in there Monday if it rains again. We will be on the half by the dessert room, that half. Well, going to relax until time for supper.

Jodes

The time is coming!

First I would like to say to everyone reading this. Sorry it has been a while since I blogged last. Last weekend we were kinda having internet issues. Stupid AOL decided to take a crap on us, and with my dad putzing with it Monday. On Monday he got it were we had dial-up internet through Netzero. Not a real big fan of dial-up. I dispise it, but at least I could check my over abundance of emails. Like Becky knows. I just clicked to select all, then unchecked the addresses I knew. Everything else got deleted. Also, on Monday my dad was trying to get AOL to start, not happening. Then with being on the phone to Time Warner, he decided to go with Road Runner, I was like yes finally. Couldn't get what he needed to work, work. Crap! Stuck with dial-up for one more day. Then a guy from Time Warner called on Tuesday to see how everything was going with my dad, and he did something were Road Runner worked. Pretty cool! I love high speed internet.

Now, to what the title means. Nothing serious or scarry news is about to be posted. So don't freak. Couldn't think of a title and that popped into my head. The title means that the time is coming for me to really, really break down in front of Ryan about my mom's death. See I was talking to a friend via email about how hard it is sometimes for me. As some of you know with me telling you and writing it on here. Well, I told my friend that I can't bring myself to cry in front of Ryan. Or even my dad. I don't know what it is with me. I should be able to cry in front of Ryan. But I can't. What goes through my head is this. 'If I cry in front of him, then he will think I am weak, and I want him to think I am really strong and can handle anything.' Well, I know I can't handle everything, and that thinking is just stupid for me to think that. Ryan would never think of me as weak. I know that. I also know that it is something I have to work on. Okay, so I said all that, and more in my email to my friend. Then Sunday rolls around for us to be at church. We went to the Graduation Stepping Stone service. Every year the slideshow makes me cry, had technical difficulties showing it. Okay, so service started I was fine with the opening song, then the second song. And then we had to sing the third song. It was "Bourning Cry." I was like are you kidding me. I wanted that song to be played at my mom's funeral, but Catholics don't know that song, so fine. So her funeral service was playing in my head, and tears normally just lightly flow. Well, not this time. I was getting close to getting up and having a meltdown in the back of church in the community room. I pushed them down. Was fine. Then at communion, another song, one that was played at her funeral. So another crap goes through my head. This time I don't even bother singing the flipping song. It was "On Eagle's Wings." And yet again the same thing happens. And what flashes through my mind again? Her funeral service and her face. The first time I cried, I thought God now is not the time for me to meltdown in front of Ryan. Not in front of people at church. At his apartment is the better place.

So I swear I get to the point were I am good with her death, in a good place, I think I am close to accepting it, and then WHAM! God says, "Nope, your not ready yet. You need to go through this to heal. Too soon for acceptance. Go through all the grief stages frist." Emotions come flooding back to me. Then when I cry, it is like a dam bursts. I can't see, I can't talk, my eyes turn red, and my nose runs. But I do know the time is coming were it will happen in front of him. I just don't know when. Going through this makes me happy to have a strong faith. I didn't have a strong faith when she died. To be honest. I knew in my heart that it was for the better, and she must have been needed by God for something in heaven. That is why she had to leave us so soon. Well, I normally think that way with all my family members that have died. It was really hard to think that and also to think of her in a better place right away. I even got mad at him, but also apologized to him for getting mad at him.

That is why. Listen to the song for my slideshow. Truly everything that is in that song, fits my family and my mom's death. I went to her grave today. I didn't talk to her. I don't think I will, it just isn't the same as when I used to talk to her. I went to look at the plaque that someone put on her grave. It says, "Forgotten forever, remembered in our hearts." I think that is what it says. I could be wrong. I don't remember.

Would it be weird to take a picture of it and post it here? Please let me know. Cuz if it is I won't take a pic of it. If it isn't, I will take a pic of it. Just let me know. I am not sure either way. Well, that is all from the peanut gallery. Until next time.

Jodes