All's Well that ends Well!!

I'm pleased to report that my surgery went very well and none of the horrible side effects that were possible actually happened. I know they have to inform you of all the possible side effects, but do I really need to know that as a result of my surgery my brain fluid could leak or I could die? Um, no thanks, I'd rather be surprised. Haha!

I received a phone call Wednesday night informing me my surgery was going to be moved from the Day Surgery Center to the ER operating room due to technical difficulties. Those of you who have ever been to an emergency room know that there's usually never a dull moment in the waiting room. As Pam and I arrived in the emergency room, we took a seat across from a man and his 2 1/2 year old daughter. The man promptly went to sleep. I'm not talking about a little snooze, I'm talking about an all out snoring and drooling on your arm type of snooze. The little girl would watch him until he went to sleep then get up and run around the emergency room. She wasn't bothering anyone and obviously knew she was not to disturb her dad. As she got braver, she got closer and closer to the automatic door. We were afraid she might get hurt, worse yet someone might take her. The hospital clerk finally gave her a coloring book and I proceeded to color with her. A couple of minutes later a nurse came and took her back to her mom. I couldn't help but think that she could have easily been taken and the dad would not have known for at least an hour.

As I began to ponder that fact, I noticed that they were almost an hour late taking me back to the Operating Room. I feel like God knew that she needed someone to care for her and knew that we would take good care of her until someone could intervene. God is good isn't he?

Surgery, Allergies, and Camp, Oh my!!

Well, after years of informing doctors I have Chronic Sinusitis, I had a CT scan done of my sinus cavities. It showed that I either have a cyst or polyps in my left sinus cavity.

I had sinus surgery about 12 years ago to no avail. Tomorrow I'm going in for Endoscopic Sinus surgery. I am actually excited about it, because I hope it will help me to stay well for longer periods of time. I also had an allergy test done Monday in which I found out I was allergic to: cats, dogs, dead cockroaches (seriously), all ten types of mold, and several different kinds of trees, including mesquite and pecan. I'm hoping to get on allergy shots before I leave for camp this summer.
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On that note, I only have 3 days of school left. While this is a very exciting time for me, it's also a little bittersweet. I am leaving the job I've known for 2 years, one which I thought I would love. I do LOVE the children and the bond I now have with them. I do LOVE the fact that I met Donny in a town of only 700 people in the middle of nowhere. However, there were times where I wondered if it was worth it. Those of you who have been teachers will know what I mean. I will always treasure the memories of the last two years.
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I am leaving next Friday for Nashville. My little sister is graduating from High School on Saturday. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were sharing a room. While I was living at home, we fought all the time. It wasn't until I went to college, and then when she moved to Nashville this year that we really became close.

Brette, I am SO proud of you! You are a beautiful and amazing woman. Congratulations on your graduation!! I love you!!

Motorcyclists, Bicyclists, and Strange Tattoos
I work part-time at a heavily-visited gas station. It's not the coolest job, but there are some perks to it. I've decided to create a list of the best and worst things about this job.

Best:
1. I am a people watcher and this job gives me the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life.
2. I can leave everything at work when I go home (unlike teaching).
3. I've seen some really cool tattoos.
4. I have extra money at the end of the month.
5. I was introduced to the book Enrique's Journey ( I don't know how to under line things or I would underline the name of the book.).
6. I get a discount on gas. It's only 2 cents but hey, it's better than nothing!
7. I get to talk to people that ride their bicycles 100 or more miles in a day.
8. I've seen some really cool motorcycles.

Worst:
1. I have to clean the restrooms. I won't go into detail but I'm sure you can imagine the things I've had to endure.
2. I've had to endure the seemingly "cute" comments from the old men.
3. I have to listen to people say, "I don't care what lotto ticket you give me as long as it's a winner" multiple times a day.
3. I've seen some really obscene shirts and tattoos.
4. I've come to realize how much of an addiction some people have to cigarettes, food, and caffeine.
6. I've seen some of the worst behaved kids, and parents for that matter.
7. I've been pre-judged just because I work in a gas station. You'd be surprised how many strange looks I get when people learn I've got a college degree.
8. I work with people that don't know what a "two week notice" is.
9. I've given up almost all of my weekends since September to work (including missing two trips to UT football games) and....
10. I have to clean the restrooms.

New Job!!

After much prayerful thought, I have decided to accept a position with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network as a Recruiting/Marketing Specialist. I've spent the last two years teaching and coaching and have decided to embark on a new adventure! I am starting at Northwestern in August, after spending the summer working at camp. Thanks to everyone who prayed for me to make the right decision. It is going to be extremely hard to leave my students and I could never replace their impact in my life.

I am torn because this means I will now be a part of a long distance relationship. I am fully confident Donny and I will survive the distance. I hope to plan date nights, etc. so that we have something to look forward to (besides seeing each other of course).

How many of you have been/are in a long distance relationship? Any tips?