
"If ANYTHING matters..then, EVERYTHING matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important." ~The Shack
Aug 31, 2008
Aug 20, 2008
"When you volunteer it means you give yourself without any regression, without condition, but with full devotion..."
(I am not permitted to post pics of specific campers....sorry it seems so impersonal!)
Some of the characters in our play; Richard Simmons, the guy from Loveboat & Doc from Back to the Future. Clearly.
Melissa Chedid...was originally my kindergarten buddy (when I was in 8th grade), then in my Youth Group, now a great friend at Camp!
From Camp, we flew out to Syracuse for Michelle's wedding. She and I were in FrancisCorps together. It was awesome to see all the people who were such an important part of my life when I lived in Syracuse. Here are some pics from that...
Can you believe this is how hot we looked the day Camp ended?!?!
FrancisCorps 5..only missing Kassie
The group of us with Br. Jim
From there, we went to visit Rick and Dawn. It was soo relaxing to be with them and the kids. I love escaping to their house. Plus, it's always fun to tease Patrick about his many girlfriends! :)
Ok....we are all caught up now!!! haha, That wasn't too bad! :) Still debating the hair thing....I am undecided.
Aug 6, 2008
The hair is the richest ornament of women. ~Martin Luther
I have been kicking around the idea lately that maybe I should cut my hair off. Growing up (in hs) I always loved having long hair. My hair color looks so much nicer when it is long. However, I am finding my tolerance for it is not the same.
Any ideas? Suggestions? Should I go for a new 'do? And if so, how short? What should it look like?
Jul 26, 2008
And they said I couldn't drive.....
So, first Lexy and I drove around the block just to test the waters. We fell right back into step and picked up where we left off. It was comfortable for me and it came with ease to be with Lexy again. Which is why I decided that I should pick up a D and D coffee for me. After that, I brought Lexy to the car wash. She loved driving there with the windows down and feeling the wind blow all around us. As we were coming back home, I thought...why not stop at the shoe store? I am having a hard time with shoes right now. They need to be flat. I want them to be strappy/sandals. But they have to have a strap around my heel...aka no flip flops. Lexy waited in the parking lot as I picked up a new pair of shoes (great buy, too!). Which is when Danielle called...so we drove over to Panera to meet her for lunch. We were even nice enough to bring Boyfriend some lunch.
Now, I am resting at home. About to do some exercises and ice my knee. I have a date with boyfriend tonight. So far, this weekend is turning out to be great!
xoxo
Jul 21, 2008
The Lovely Bride & Groom- Kelly & Steve
All 8 of us Together! Di, Katie B, Erin, Kel, Tracy, Sarah, Me & Katie D
Pre-Cocktail Hour! D, Me, Erin & Sarah
Come on, you know I had to have one of us! During cocktail hour...
Jul 14, 2008
FINALLY....SOME GOOD NEWS!
I love this quote. Come to think of it, there are many classic quotes from Pooh Bear that I can relate to. For some reason though, I have not been able to find any on the many Tigger and Pooh videos we have watched since Erin came into town. Weird. Before I get to Erin and Maeve, let me tell you about my doctor's appointments today.
First, I went to PT and I felt good and ready for some healthy pain. I know whatever they are going to do to me is going to hurt but I was ready for it because it is terrible not to be able to bend my knee! Terribly inconvenient and I am dying to just stretch out my leg in normal ways! As I expected, the knee bending is the major thing we need to get out of the way. From there, it is a lot of stretching and muscle training again. She gave me exercises to do twice a day. I will be going 3 times a week for the next 2-3 months. That seems like a long time but imagine the difference by the time it is over! I will be able to move again!!! She made a comment that I may not be ready for Camp by the time it came around. I brushed that aside and simply ignored it. Doc said I will so I chose to believe him.
Next, I went to see my doc. He is finally back from vacation and wanted me to check in and see how the recovery was going. It was nice to see him again. haha Like an old friend. He was happy with how my knee looks and my ability to lift it and put pressure on it. (I am only using one crutch now!!!). But, agreed that I do need to work on bending. So, he was ready to send me off but I had to ask some questions before leaving. First, when can I drive? His response was "Soon!" He even sounded excited about it. It gave me confidence so I pushed a little further. "So, like maybe next week around my neighborhood?" " I would say you can try by this weekend". Wait....did you hear that??? THE HEAVENS ARE REJOICING! I can finally drive again. He assured me that as long as I can apply pressure and lift my leg, I am ok to drive. Oh, the relief and joy. Now, the next question. "What do you think about Camp? We are like less than a month away now..." "I think you will deifnitely be fine for camp. You will see a big difference in your leg over the next three weeks. Camp won't be a problem." Yay! Now you know why I love this guy! :) I feel like today is right before Pooh Bear got to eat the honey!
Aside from that, the days and nights have been filled with Maeve. I am including some pictures just because I haven't sent them out to anyone yet. I knew you would enjoy them! :)
My Goddaughter and I hanging out...one of the few times she wasn't crying around me!
Maeve working it for the camera early this morning...she clearly has her mother's love for pictures of herself!

Jul 10, 2008
"Everything in moderation, including moderation."
So, I called yesterday for the PT to be scheduled and I am waiting for them to get back to me. (Thinking it shouldn't take this long so I am going to call back once I post this.) My knee is looking good. Now, that is all relative. But, I think it looks good! We went to visit Jun's God daughter yesterday and without me even realizing she noticed it, she told her mom all about my boo boo. And why was it so big? And what happened? Little kids are funny about this stuff. I am still working those leg lifts....but still can't bend the knee. I can't wait until I can bend it!! It is so stiff and I just want to stretch it out! Soon enough I suppose. And I am sure it will hurt when I do so maybe I shouldn't rush it!
Best news of all today...Erin comes home tomorrow. It's sooo corny, but things in this house just seem more fun, more upbeat when she is home. I guess any of you who know her can agree. She makes anything silly! So, I am looking forward to the new company and to squeezing my little Maeve!
Jul 7, 2008
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss
So, this weekend was a holiday for me in different ways than most of you. Most of you probably went to BBQs, did some swimming, sat on the beach or whatver joyful summer thing you could think up! And, I can't lie...part of me wishes I could do that too! But, for my holiday, I left the house! Friday and Saturday I went to boyfriend's house. We relaxed most of Friday, played Guitar Hero, watched tv, ordered in and we loved every second of it! He is busy during the week so it was nice to catch up with him on the weekend. Saturday, I helped him with some camp work while he painted the bedroom upstairs with Stacy. It was nice to just be around friends, silliness and I still got something accomplished! We hung out all night and some friends stopped by....I didn't even get home until 2am!!! Like a big girl!!! Sunday I went to church. That was nice..Dad has bringing me communion so it was good to feel like...not an invalid really. And then, Ter and Heather came over with the girls. Maggie wouldn't go near me most of the day. That was a little sad but Brigid was such a good little helper. Everytime she thought I wanted a piece of cheese, she got one for me and her. haha. In addition, she explained to me that "Maggie is probably just afraid she will hurt me if she gets too close". haha.
Anyway, this week I am going to try and clean my room. Picture doing that on one leg while holding crutches! ha, It consists of a lot of throwing things on my bed, walk to the other side of the room, sit on the bed and reach to where it goes. Yeah, it will take me the week. But, I don't mind because by the time I am done with that...Erin will be home with my baby!!! :) Happy Monday all!
xoxo
Jul 4, 2008
Nothing is worth more than this day. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Anyway, here are my plans for the weekend....boyfriend is coming to pick me up today so I can spend the day at his house. Different scenery and I can finally spend time with him! I do want to go to church on Sunday. And we are going to meeting some friends for dinner one day this weekend. But, I am only taking it one day at a time!
I had lots of visitors yesterday so I was able to sleep well. First, G came to visit me with some yummy iced coffee. It was so good to see her and almost as good a a visit from my own sis! And then, Kevin came over with the boys. They may have been here more for the pool but that's ok. Then, Matt came over to take me out to dinner. It was a great day! I showered, straightened up my room and shaved a leg!! haha.
On this terrific holiday, another day I can shower and another day we can celebrate the gift of our lives, let's remember "Nothing is worth more than this day!" XOXO
Jul 2, 2008
Smile, breathe and go slowly. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
I went back to the Doctor today and I can shower now, which is a blessing for all of us! He did not take the staples out yet. I will wait until the 14th when my doc comes back from vacation. They did say, however, that certain muscles in my leg are becoming atrophied (sp?). I need to start working on those leg lifts which is a bit painful but if it means I can walk faster, then I will do them! He told me to keep the immobilizer on when I am walking. But, keep it off when I am at home. I will begin my physical therapy after the staples are out. So, on the road to recovery.
Last night Scott came over with sushi and balloons and A LOT of candy. I laughed a lot last night which was great. I did not sleep well which seems to be a challenge for me this week. My friends have been SO GOOD about coming to visit and bringing me gifts to cheer me up. And of course, my parents have been terrific. My mom was even nice enough to stop at Starbucks on the way home today to get me a White Chocolate Mocha. So, I am content right now. I plan on showering tomorrow morning and possibly even shaving my legs (it has been two weeks!!!). haha.
Jul 1, 2008

Jun 29, 2008
Pain is never permanent- Teresa of Avila
1. Even though some things don't work the way we plan them to we don't always have someone to blame.
2. The people who deal with physical adversity every single day are the strongest people in the world. They overcome challenges physically but they are strong enough to ignore the mind games that come with it.
3. My friends and my family are full of support and love and give it abundantly when it is needed most.
4. My parents, despite Dad's blog, are a walking definition of love without limits.
5. People you haven't talked to in a very long time can still prove to be the best of friends.
6. Vera Bradley purses and pretty jewelry really do make me feel better :)
I would say these are all very positive things. I have no room left to prop up cards or put another vase full of flowers in my room. My spirits are lifted. My leg may still be in the same spot but I feel better about it and that was really all I needed. I thank you all, again, for the prayers and thoughts you have extended. You have no idea how important it is to me. XOXO
Jun 26, 2008
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -Christopher Robin
I went back to the doctor today and I did not get such good news. No doctor gives any guarantees and I quickly learned why. The surgery I had last week did not work and I need to go back tomorrow so they can take out the graft they put in last week. I have screws left in my knee from the surgery I had back in Allentown. The top screw was in the way and added a complication during the surgery. Dr H told us it was going to be a longer recovery because of it. The screw only allowed him to go into the knee half as deep as he normally would go into it. He worked around it enough so that he could put my graft into place to replace the ACL. However, the reason my recovery has been so easy and painless is because it shifted. He took an Xray of my knee and you could clearly see that what he put in was very much out of place.
So, the next step...I am going in tomorrow to undo what was done and then going back to the doc next week. My doc will be on vaca so I am going to his associate. He will give me a prescription for PT and a brace which will need to be worn when there is any type of physical activity. . But that leaves me with questions...what about heels? dancing at weddings? Will there be any of that again?
The Doc recommended that I go the Hospital For Special Surgery in NYC. I am planning on going for a consultation. I just don't know how far my insurance, my sanity or my summer days will stretch to cover all of this. I am trying to remain positive but at this point, I am having a very difficult time finding anything positve.
Please pray for me. I don't know what else I can do right now.
with <3
Jun 25, 2008
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”
There it is. My ups and downs. The last pic was taken three days before my surgery. I must say, I am lacking when it comes to pics of myself. I guess that always happens though when you are the one who takes all the pictures! I must say, the eating habits while not moving...not so good! I have decided though before I go to bed tonight...crunches galore! Why not?!!? I need to fill my time, right?
My parents were kind enough tonight to take me out to dinner. I have not showered in two days so I was not looking for a fancy dinner. I was looking for a scenery outside of my own house! I was pretty miserable all day today and the later part of yesterday. I am having a difficult time with this sit and heal part. So, being outside of the house lifted my moods wonderfully!
My father was driving us today and my mother was kind enough to ride in the backseat so I can sit shotgun. As we were driving, we were listening to the 50s station and a song came on that I had never heard before. As soon as the classic crooning began, both my mom and dad started to sing along. Each knew all the words and sang in their own beautiful tones. While some may find this corny and most pre-teens would be mortified with embarrassment, I sat in amazement listening to the two of them. I can't say I would sign them up for American Idol anytime soon but I was struck with the authenticity of their love. I wondered, at what moment, so many years ago, did they feel comfortable enough with each other to sing out loud in the car? At what moment did they first hear this song together and realize they both knew all the words? It's funny, I can't even realize moments like this with Victor and it's not even 3 years! But I liked knowing that at some point, my parents didn't stop to realize it. They just know it happened.
I set all these goals in my life and I have so many ideas of what should have already happened for me. Sometimes, I neglect to understand the destination I want to reach is just an excuse to journey. Here's to the journey with all of it's many twists and turns, lbs lost and gained, goals achieved and failed, deadlines passed and met.....to knowing that one day, it will just happen.
Jun 24, 2008
How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward.
I showered for the first time yesterday since Friday morning. That was exciting. In my mind, the next shower is scheduled for Wednesday night since I go to the doctor on Thursday morning. I have watched a countless number of Law & Orders, corny movies, E! network countdowns, VH1 video countdowns (New Kids are currently #1), and multiple Mad TV reruns. Sadly, there haven't even been very many good lifetime movies. I have played hours of Nintendo DS, read 8 out of the 10 magazines Ben bought me, made my bed every morning, recounted money that was raised about 10 times before I passed it on to be deposited and checked myspace about a thousand time. I am at this point where I don't know what to do next.
So, here is my game plan for the rest of my time sitting. PLEASE feel free to offer suggestions on what I can do to fill time.
1. Scrapbooking: I have let this go a long time and I have a great book I can use. I will order pictures from snapfish since there are so many to choose from. I just need to decide what to do it on.
2. Lesson Plans: I have decided I will take time to redo all of my lesson plans for next school year. What better way to get all organized then to update and review all my lessons?
3. Reading: I did buy a book called Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. I know as soon as I read it, I will zip right through it because I love her books. I am trying to hold off on this in case Doc tells me I will be on crutches for 4-6 weeks.
Any other ideas? I am stuck at this point and I am thinking this will not take me as long as I need it to...especially if this is a slower recovery!! Keep updating your own blogs...I AM CHECKING! :)
Jun 22, 2008
“When the goal is in sight, all your physical pain disappears, and your mental determination shall carry you the rest of the way”
Let me tell you about the surgery. First of all, we got to the hospital at 8am and sat around for basically two hours. The surgery was scheduled for 10:10am. A piece of advice for anyone who may have surgery on their leg in the future, do NOT shave the day of your surgery. Those antiseptic wipes do nothing but make your leg itch and burn if you shave that morning. Learn from me. After sitting around and listening to other people watch Maury on the tv's, they FINALLY called my name at 10:45. Running late. Not good. And you can just imagine how patient Dad was during this time. :) They roll me into the operating unit in a wheelchair and this was the FIRST and only time I felt nervous. Mostly because it felt like I was being brought to my death. No one on staff said a word to me and the nurse who was pushing me did not even introduce herself. The staff at this hospital was clearly seeing my operation as a matter of business and they did nothing to make me more comfortable. Would not recommend this hospital in the future to anyone.
Finally, the anesthesiologist meets me and inevitable has difficulty finding a vein to use in my arm. My doc shows up and in order to indicate my leg, he draws a heart around me current scar and a happy face in the middle. haha. Now you know why I like him! They bring me into the operating room and the nurses are still having a difficult time making small talk. The silence was making me more and more comfortable with each passing moment. (note: sarcasm) But, in the end, I was drugged so that is all I can remember.
I woke up shaking the tears out of my head. I was freezing and my ankle hurt. When I told the doc, he simply stated he didn't know why it hurt and it will probably go away. He must have thought I was crazy. In my mind, I was thinking, it is just stiff. I kept thinking, where is Stacy? I want Stacy to massage my ankle and foot! lol. (How's that for a shout out Stace?!)
I am home and the numbness has worn off. I am taking my meds (cutting them in half just in case) with multiple advil every four hours. I am sleeping well. Boyfriend and Ben came over all day yesterday. The toughest part so far was figuring out this cooler they gave me. It took until this morning to realize we should be draining the ice pack in addition to turning on the cooler with the power button. lol. Sad, but true.
All in all, I feel great! The doctor did warn that this recovery will be longer than expected because the screw that was left in my knee from the last surgery. He originally planned on removing it but could not because it is lodged in too far. So, he stapled in the new acl and the screw is left from the last one. So, recovery will be slower. I don't know what that means exactly but I will go back to see him on Thursday. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CALLS, TEXTS, MESSAGES AND KIND WORDS! YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS REALLY MEAN SO MUCH TO ME!!! :) xoxo
Jun 19, 2008
"Pain is no longer pain when it is past."
I am having surgery tomorrow and I'm not gonna lie, I am a bit nervous. How can one tell that I am? Well, I woke up at 9am and cleaned my bedroom, my bathroom, and even straightened up underneath my bed. I rearranged my nightstand so that a book, my nintendo DS, my laptop and a bottle of advil can fit comfortably within reach. I am doing laundry and getting ready to go grocery shopping so there is food in if the percocet allows me to digest it. I am not sure why I am so nervous. I mean, I have done this before and I got through it, right? I just am a different person now. I don't like the idea of being a burden on anyone. Knowing that someone will have to drive me anywhere for the next 3-4 weeks. Knowing I cannot walk downstairs to get my own food for the next 2-3 days. I don't know. I guess I am just nervous that I will want to do it on my own and I won't be able to. On the other hand, the support so many have given me already has been humbling. Friends sending emails from different states, people rearranging schedules to just sit in my house in case I do need something, prayers of support and words of encouragement everytime it comes up in conversation. Ultimately, I must see this. Whether I asked for it or not, people are there to help. That is a gift. I will be updating again once I am coherent enough to spell check. :)
Money collected: $1937.60 Still looking to collect about $1200 more! Get that money in! :)
Jun 12, 2008
We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ~Kenji Miyazawa
I am writing this to update you guys on the knee craziness. As you have guessed, the title doesn't indicate good things. I am trying to remain positive but it's not working. lol I went to the doctor this past Monday with MRI results in hand. Doc confirmed that I will need surgery. I have torn my ACL, meniscus, beginnings of arthritis and a cyst on the back of my knee. All of it can be taken care of with the surgery but my only option besides surgery would be "live with it". Live with it includes never wearing heels, feeling a strain in my knee everytime I am going up or down stairs, and not being able to dance at weddings, etc. No, thank you!
So, surgery is scheduled for next Friday. I know that the big picture is, I will not have problems with my knee when it is over with. However, I am seeing my summer like this: crutches 1-2 weeks. PT 2-3 months. Working for a full recovery over 6 months. This may be a good thing because I know what the physical therapy entails and it will definitely keep me on track with the exercise weight loss thing. But, it is my right knee so I am not sure when I will be able to drive again. Thus, relying on others. However, last time I got this surgery, I was off crutches much sooner than I expected. In addition, my knee was feeling really terrific when I was on top of my working out. I was even running at one point! So, this is my goal. I want to be able to go jogging by October. Doctor said it should happen by three months. Say prayers for me that I don't get down on myself. That is my biggest fear at this point.
I must get back to cleaning! :) I want to be out of here in two hours! Money update: A dear friend changed her $2/lb to a $500 donation!!!! I am thinking I am going to hit $3500!!! Make sure you all get that money mailed to me! I will be working on pictures for the next post (Dawn!)
Pax e Bene! :)
Jun 9, 2008
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.
I went yesterday to get weighed "out" for the Fat Off. You will be proud to know that I lost 16 lbs in two months. I was not the person who lost the most weight. There are two others who lost 20 lbs. But, I guess that winning wasn't really the goal now was it? We have not counted totals yet for money. That will take place once we collect all the money. I am estimating (through the donations pledged) I am going to end up somewhere around$2700. I will let you know that once it is collected. So, I took advantage of yesterday to eat all the crap I had been missing. First, chicken quesedillas. Next, mozzarella sticks. Later in the day we took the boys to the Liberty Science Center. I got chicken fingers and fries for dinner. Finally, finished it all off with friendly's ice cream. haha. Talk about extreme!!! I am not going to lie though, I felt like crap after eating it. Not the guily. More so the physical nature of it all. I felt lethargic and sooo full. Not a good feeling after all. Who knew?!?!
So, here's to you my friends and family who have been supporting me tirelessly the past two months. I will blog on and hope to lose another 16 by the time camp rolls around! We decided (truest to the biggest loser) we want to weigh in again at camp and see who kept it off. That gives me two more months!!!!
Jun 6, 2008
I don't think anybody can be a success who doesn't like what they do.
It has been two (official) months today since I started my healthy habits. 14 lbs in two months. Just think, by the time Camp rolls around, I can be down by a 15% weight loss! I could be into that 160's range I dream about! lol (see last post). That is something. I have been thinking a lot today about how the end of this fundraiser is coming at the same time as the end of my school year. I began looking up quotes about endings and they all seemed so...complete. I don't like that thought. I feel like I am finishing Phase 1. I am beginning my summer, beginning my weight loss without $$, beginning my knee rehabilitation. "Every new beginning comes from some beginning's end". This is true, so instead of focusing on my initial motivation being gone or letting go of 117 of the most amazing teenagers I have ever met, I am focusing on a new beginning.
So many people complain about diets and exercising. To them, I say this; you are doing it wrong. If you eat well and exercise even just a little bit, you do feel good. You will be successful. If you measure success by your weight, it may come slow. Don't stop doing it. After two months, I can say I feel good, I look good and I am proud of myself for accomlishing these goals. YOUR support are the words I needed to get here.
Check back in next week for the totals....I will be weighing "out" on Sunday. I will report back with weight loss and $ raised. Also, I will tell you what happens with my knee. I go back to the doc with my MRI results on mondays...say your prayers!!!
xoxo