Before and after

Obviously I am obsessed with food.

I am always taking pictures of my food and I really, really enjoy eating it.

Here's last night's dinner that Paul, Aaron, and myself feasted upon:

BEFORE:



AFTER:



Hot Sausage Sandwiches topped with Grilled Onions and Roasted Hatch Peppers. Served with a side of Jalapenos stuffed with Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Garlic and then wrapped in bacon.

Seriously, this meal was delicious!

Keeping it simple

Sometimes the things in life that are simple.....are the best. Or in this case the best tasting.

Just add Ranch dressing and this simple little dinner was not only scrumptious....but incredibly healthy at the same time!



Last night's dinner was a simple baked potato topped with Cheesy Hollandaise Sauce, Bacon, Broccoli, Green Onions and a little pepper.



Who said simple can't taste good?

I hired an office assistant! (sort of)

I have this irritating cat who won't let me work at my desk.

She insists on jumping up and laying across things.

I think she really likes laying where she can look out the window.

She likes to curl up in boxes......so I think I've solved the problem:





She's happy. I'm happy.

Breathing a sigh of relief

I can't even put into words how lucky we are feeling today.

Paul's surgery went well. The hernia on one side was WAY worse than what we thought. But he's been put back to normal and all stitched up. He has a 5" incision on each side of his lower abdomen.....but he's healing well.

His recovery has been nothing short of amazing. The pain is being controlled with his 2 Aleve/2 Extra Strength Tylenol regimen (no narcotic pain medication) and he's able to move around pretty well. He's been up walking the last two mornings.....around the block. He even managed to work for a couple of hours last night.....although he has STRICT rules (set by me) as to what he can and cannot do while he's there. The staff has also been informed.

We are so thankful that this has gone so smoothly and that he was able to get it taken care of so quickly without complications. I think he's getting a little bored hanging out at home all the time, but he knows how important it is to follow the rules for a complete recovery.

Now we are just waiting for him to get better so we can take off for a couple of days and get some "alone" time and some real rest and relaxation!

Nursing 101

Well today is the big day. We're both nervous.

I've tried to be a great nurse and get everything ready that we think he's going to need to get him through the next few days.

I've got the bed washed so he has a comfortable, nice clean, and smelling fresh place to rest and recover.

I've got all the medicines that they've told us to be prepared with.



I've got my sister's famous chicken soup recipe and all the ingredients to make him a nice comforting bowl of soup Monday night when he's ready to eat.

We've got him loaded up with reading material.

And we've got the stores staffed up (hopefully) so that they'll be able to handle almost anything this week without him being there.

Will post an update on our patient later after we're done and he's resting comfortably!

Dueling Computers

Don't you just hate it when you have a million things to do and your equipment doesn't cooperate with you?

I got a few important "to do" items that have to get done today......and of course my computer is giving me fits and won't let me use the internet.

But being the quick thinking genious that I am, I came up with a plan. I just hooked up the laptop and am using it. Now I just need to learn to be working on two computers at one time and I'll be able to get all caught up with my work.



Looks like sometime this week I'm going to have to diagnose exactly what the problem is with my network connections. Yeah......like I'll really have time for that.

A Letter to my Husband

Dear Husband -

For almost 16 years I have loved you more than anything. I will continue to love you forever.

I know that you are really nervous about your surgery on Monday. I will do whatever you need me to so that you can have a fast and speedy recovery. Don't worry about a thing, I have it all under control. When I married you I promised "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and sickness and in health".....we've lived through a few of these.....but we've always gotten through everything together as a team.

I am so sorry that you are going to have to go through this, but the only thing you need to worry about these next couple of weeks is getting yourself better....and DON'T TRY TO DO THINGS that you shouldn't be doing.

I love you. I will take care of you. Now is the time that you need to take care of you too!

Love,
your wife

Today I lost over 100+ pounds

Seriously, that's the amount of weight that is FINALLY off my shoulders. I feel so free all of a sudden!

I really stink at getting things done and caught up. That's the reason it's August 17th and I FINALLY got the business tax stuff all caught up for 2011. My appointment with the accountant is this afternoon and I am so thankful to be at this point.

Let me state it here and now for an eternal record.....I AM NOT GOING TO EVER ALLOW IT TO BE LIKE THIS AGAIN!

In fact, next week after I get caught up with some other stuff....I am going to begin working on all the data entry that needs to be done and start working on stuff NOW.



Oh it feels so great to see this!!!

Another date night

Well the social life of the Gainor's has really been full lately. In addition to playing trivia one night a week, we've been going out on Saturday nights and listening to live music. Just lately it seems, all our favorites have been at our "usual hangout".

Two weeks ago we went and saw Echoes (Pink Floyd Tribute Band).

Last weekend we saw Spare Heart (Heart tribute band).

Tonight it's Fab 5 (Beatles tribute band and one of my very favorites).

We're meeting up with some friends we met after we kept running into them at all of the Beatle Tribute Bands venues. I like hanging out with them and they're really just like Paul and myself. They like to dance and they love to travel....my kind of people.

So another great date night out with my husband.....good end to a busy week!

Ring...hello....

"Hi, what are you doing? I'm still sick what should I do"?

"Hi, what are you doing? I've got a problem, I've lost my credit card."

"Hi, what are you doing? I'm so stressed out about this place, what should I do?"

"Hi, what's going on? Did you get that stuff sent to Grant yet?"

"Hi, what are you doing? I need a favor."

That's what being a mom and a wife is.......answering their phone calls all day long.

But seriously guys, why you always ask what I'm doing? I'm trying to get my work done......but I keep getting all these interruptions.

P.S. I'd really feel bad if they didn't need me for something. I really like helping each and every one of them out when they call.

Subliminal messaging. How good does it work?

If you are the person for whom this subliminal message is directed....pay close attention.

To the rest of you......enjoy my presentation and cross your fingers that it works!

On the road again....

....I just can't wait to get on the road again (singing like Willie Nelson)

I have been craving a road trip. There is nothing better than loading up the Mustang and me and the hubby being together in the car for hours on end racing down the highway towards our destination. Filling up the cooler and picnic basket with all kinds of yummy things to snack on while driving. Singing along to the radio.

We haven't been on one since last summer when we went to Little Rock. That was a great trip!

It's a great bonding experience. We get lots of talking and planning done. We get some REAL days off.

I have a great road trip planned in my mind. Just waiting to execute it.

But alas.....there is no road trip planned on our horizon YET.....BUT HUSBAND IF YOU ARE READING THIS.....do you think we could plan a little road trip SOON?

Maybe I need to start leaving subtle hints around the house.....like road maps, packed suitcases, the car running and loaded up in the driveway?????