Welcome to January 2006
1/4/2006:
As this new year begins, we are both finding out HOW we can best love and care for one another. (And, as one of my friends <Jenn> commented, yes, I AM becoming so domesticated....something that neither I nor my friends would have believed back in undergrad!)
A week ago, on the Monday after Christmas, I came home from work to find Bruce (who normally is ALWAYS warm) laying on the couch, wrapped in blankets and his new robe, and still shivering. To me, it sounded like (and his forehead felt like) a temperature, and sure enough, the thermometer registered at 101.1 degrees. SO, after taking care of other people all day long, I found that the most important person in my life was waiting for me to care for him. After a lot of TLC, lots of rest, and the right concoction of DayQuil/NightQuil, soup, milk and orange juice, he was fine by Wednesday morning. :)
Now it's his turn. I'm nursing my right foot that I sprained in November, let it heal, and then, when it was almost at 100%, on Christmas morning I sprained it again (even worse). Of course, I ignored the pain and worked a LOT this past week, weekend and Monday; so by Tuesday (yesterday), my foot was yelling in pain. SO, Bruce took care of me last night, and primarily did everything while I laid upon the couch. (I now have a new ACE bandage and IcyHot patch on my foot.) Later, we went grocery shopping, and while I just pushed the cart and sometimes stood there on my one GOOD foot like a bird, he did all the running around, comparing fiber amounts on everything (to satisfy my ovary problems I need at least 35 fiber grams per day). This morning, Bruce rose to get ready for work, trying hard to be silent so that I would keep resting. Well, eventually I did wake up, and there I stood in my robe, with my wild morning hair, sleepy eyes, and foot all wrapped up (not a pretty sight, mind you). Bruce hugged and kissed me and told me, "You're beautiful! Yes, right now! I love you!" :)
As this new year begins, we are both finding out HOW we can best love and care for one another. (And, as one of my friends <Jenn> commented, yes, I AM becoming so domesticated....something that neither I nor my friends would have believed back in undergrad!)
A week ago, on the Monday after Christmas, I came home from work to find Bruce (who normally is ALWAYS warm) laying on the couch, wrapped in blankets and his new robe, and still shivering. To me, it sounded like (and his forehead felt like) a temperature, and sure enough, the thermometer registered at 101.1 degrees. SO, after taking care of other people all day long, I found that the most important person in my life was waiting for me to care for him. After a lot of TLC, lots of rest, and the right concoction of DayQuil/NightQuil, soup, milk and orange juice, he was fine by Wednesday morning. :)
Now it's his turn. I'm nursing my right foot that I sprained in November, let it heal, and then, when it was almost at 100%, on Christmas morning I sprained it again (even worse). Of course, I ignored the pain and worked a LOT this past week, weekend and Monday; so by Tuesday (yesterday), my foot was yelling in pain. SO, Bruce took care of me last night, and primarily did everything while I laid upon the couch. (I now have a new ACE bandage and IcyHot patch on my foot.) Later, we went grocery shopping, and while I just pushed the cart and sometimes stood there on my one GOOD foot like a bird, he did all the running around, comparing fiber amounts on everything (to satisfy my ovary problems I need at least 35 fiber grams per day). This morning, Bruce rose to get ready for work, trying hard to be silent so that I would keep resting. Well, eventually I did wake up, and there I stood in my robe, with my wild morning hair, sleepy eyes, and foot all wrapped up (not a pretty sight, mind you). Bruce hugged and kissed me and told me, "You're beautiful! Yes, right now! I love you!" :)
1/8/2006:
Today is our three-month anniversary. We didn't do a lot except to recognize it, of course, but it IS amazing that it's already been THREE months!!! This morning, I came home from working an overnight double shift, and it was great to have Bruce there, waiting for me at home with a warm hug and kiss. Then, we went to church together, and we prayed together. Let's see...we also have the house 1/2 cleaned up from Christmas (it's amazing how many needles fake trees produce when you take it down). Maybe tomorrow I can get some Christmas photos on here....
This evening, while I'm back at work, Bruce will be watching the Steelers/Bengals football game (he has his Steelers t-shirt on right now in preparation). I told him that it was probably good that I'd be gone tonight, anyway, since for this Browns fan, the only thing worse than a win for EITHER the Steelers or the Bengals would be those nasty RAVENS! I think I'll wear my Browns sweatshirt to work tonight. :) As I've said before....for some reason, isn't it odd how opposites totally attract? :)
Today is our three-month anniversary. We didn't do a lot except to recognize it, of course, but it IS amazing that it's already been THREE months!!! This morning, I came home from working an overnight double shift, and it was great to have Bruce there, waiting for me at home with a warm hug and kiss. Then, we went to church together, and we prayed together. Let's see...we also have the house 1/2 cleaned up from Christmas (it's amazing how many needles fake trees produce when you take it down). Maybe tomorrow I can get some Christmas photos on here....
This evening, while I'm back at work, Bruce will be watching the Steelers/Bengals football game (he has his Steelers t-shirt on right now in preparation). I told him that it was probably good that I'd be gone tonight, anyway, since for this Browns fan, the only thing worse than a win for EITHER the Steelers or the Bengals would be those nasty RAVENS! I think I'll wear my Browns sweatshirt to work tonight. :) As I've said before....for some reason, isn't it odd how opposites totally attract? :)
1/9/2006:
I need to place an addendum to yesterday's ranting:
Last night, Bruce watched the Steelers game from home while I watched it from work...and BOTH of us were greatly cheering on the Steelers....(I know, I know....my dad would gasp and perhaps disown me for even thinking that way....)
As Bruce put it, "and, of course, <the ending score> was 31 to 17...'nuff said."
During the game, Bruce did his husbandry duties by winning some more dichroic glass for me on Ebay to make stuff in the kiln. I think he's really getting into Ebay! :)
I need to place an addendum to yesterday's ranting:
Last night, Bruce watched the Steelers game from home while I watched it from work...and BOTH of us were greatly cheering on the Steelers....(I know, I know....my dad would gasp and perhaps disown me for even thinking that way....)
As Bruce put it, "and, of course, <the ending score> was 31 to 17...'nuff said."
During the game, Bruce did his husbandry duties by winning some more dichroic glass for me on Ebay to make stuff in the kiln. I think he's really getting into Ebay! :)
Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers....in harmony!!
(Did ya ever think THAT would occur???)
(Did ya ever think THAT would occur???)
The Kentucky Sunset, 12/23/05 View of our Christmas forest
Our First Christmas Tree
Our First Christmas Tree
Opening Presents!
Carla Benton (sister), Jessica Van Bruggen (niece), Justin Benton (nephew), Sheri Van Bruggen (sister-in-law), Kevin Benton (brother-in-law), Jared Benton (nephew), Cathy Van Bruggen (sister-in-law),
Jackson Van Bruggen (nephew)
Carla Benton (sister), Jessica Van Bruggen (niece), Justin Benton (nephew), Sheri Van Bruggen (sister-in-law), Kevin Benton (brother-in-law), Jared Benton (nephew), Cathy Van Bruggen (sister-in-law),
Jackson Van Bruggen (nephew)
Opening Presents!
Jack Hedrick (grandpa) , Debbie Matthews (mom), Debby Gerth (sister), Ethan Gerth (nephew), Phil Gerth (brother-in-law), Mary Hedrick (grandma)
Jack Hedrick (grandpa) , Debbie Matthews (mom), Debby Gerth (sister), Ethan Gerth (nephew), Phil Gerth (brother-in-law), Mary Hedrick (grandma)
Some Family Photos from Christmas, 2005
Informing Grandma!
Natalie Gerth (niece) and Debbie Matthews (mom)
Natalie Gerth (niece) and Debbie Matthews (mom)
Hug Time
Cathy Van Bruggen (sister-in-law) and Jackson Van Bruggen (nephew)
Bruce getting his i-pod from Diana
Diana getting her Bible from Bruce
Opening presents!
Lorraine Van Bruggen (mom) and
Bob Van Bruggen (dad)
Lorraine Van Bruggen (mom) and
Bob Van Bruggen (dad)
Showing off reindeer horns!
Sandy (mom's best friend),
Brett Matthews (step-dad),
and Debbie Matthews (mom)
Sandy (mom's best friend),
Brett Matthews (step-dad),
and Debbie Matthews (mom)
1/13/06:
Here it is, Friday the 13th, and what did we do to celebrate? Well, Bruce took the plunge and had a root canal done...yes, exciting, I know, but it's just funny <to me!> that it was scheduled for such a date. :) It took about 45 minutes, and they gave him 4 shots to numb his lips and jaw, but in the end, he did absolutely fine. He'll be enjoying a cocktail of Tylenol and Tylenol 3 for a few days if any pain starts, but for now, about 4 hours post-op, he's "just a tad" still numb, with no problems.
I spent the morning bantering with a woman who bought a CD from us on Ebay, and then claimed that it was scratched, had a "gummy substance" on the CD, and that the plastic case was busted. She was just an incredibly rude and demanding type-A personality, and stated that she had no other alternative than to take me to the Ebay court of sorts. When she finally realized that both of my responses were calm, factual, and she saw that I wasn't going to do or say anything negative that could be brought against me, she wrote another email, and apologized. Sometimes it DOES help to not get upset and type-A....... :)
Here it is, Friday the 13th, and what did we do to celebrate? Well, Bruce took the plunge and had a root canal done...yes, exciting, I know, but it's just funny <to me!> that it was scheduled for such a date. :) It took about 45 minutes, and they gave him 4 shots to numb his lips and jaw, but in the end, he did absolutely fine. He'll be enjoying a cocktail of Tylenol and Tylenol 3 for a few days if any pain starts, but for now, about 4 hours post-op, he's "just a tad" still numb, with no problems.
I spent the morning bantering with a woman who bought a CD from us on Ebay, and then claimed that it was scratched, had a "gummy substance" on the CD, and that the plastic case was busted. She was just an incredibly rude and demanding type-A personality, and stated that she had no other alternative than to take me to the Ebay court of sorts. When she finally realized that both of my responses were calm, factual, and she saw that I wasn't going to do or say anything negative that could be brought against me, she wrote another email, and apologized. Sometimes it DOES help to not get upset and type-A....... :)
1/20/2006:
Last night was interesting for us, as we both went to the dentist right after work (and before my evening therapy group). As our dentist put it, "looks like it's family fun night around here!" <NOT!>.
Bruce had his last two teeth filled, and the dentist made a decision that the tooth that received the root canal last week will now need a crown. Also, she wrote him a script for one of his wisdom teeth to be pulled. And, somehow, both of those things are supposed to happen within the next 6-8 weeks. Talk about NO extra money around this house!! One "good" side effect of this? You can be 100% sure that our kids WILL be going to the dentist EVERY six months (and HIGHLY encouraged to do so after age 18 or whenever they are no longer on our insurance!). Sorry, but no 15-20 year gap between dentist visits for them.
Bruce was a little numb (from the Novocaine) afterward, but he was okay. I, on the other hand, walked out of there with my entire lower face (whole jaw/tongue/cheek bones/nose/upper neck) completely numb, and just a TAD on the upset side (okay, more than a tad) at what had been done to me and what needed to be done to Bruce. For only 3 fillings (though they were on both sides of my mouth). And then, somehow, I rushed right to OSU to run my art therapy group...with poor verbal skills AND the inability to know when I needed to wipe my mouth or nose; AND the inability to kiss my husband or eat anything but yogurt (slowly) once I got home 5-6 hours after the initial Novocaine treatment. Pleasant. Then, I worked the overnight shift last night, completely drugged up on a LOT of extra-strength Tylenol and Tylenol 3 (with lovely Codeine). This morning, the very back of my jaw (where the top and bottom hook together) is still quite sore, even with all the Tylenol.
One good thing that we found out this week (on Wednesday evening) is that Bruce's mom appears to be doing good. A few weeks ago, cancer cells appeared on an X-Ray. This week, the CT scan showed nothing unusual, even though the X-Ray still detected the same unusual cell. So, it will be watched, but she's been declared fine.
Last night was interesting for us, as we both went to the dentist right after work (and before my evening therapy group). As our dentist put it, "looks like it's family fun night around here!" <NOT!>.
Bruce had his last two teeth filled, and the dentist made a decision that the tooth that received the root canal last week will now need a crown. Also, she wrote him a script for one of his wisdom teeth to be pulled. And, somehow, both of those things are supposed to happen within the next 6-8 weeks. Talk about NO extra money around this house!! One "good" side effect of this? You can be 100% sure that our kids WILL be going to the dentist EVERY six months (and HIGHLY encouraged to do so after age 18 or whenever they are no longer on our insurance!). Sorry, but no 15-20 year gap between dentist visits for them.
Bruce was a little numb (from the Novocaine) afterward, but he was okay. I, on the other hand, walked out of there with my entire lower face (whole jaw/tongue/cheek bones/nose/upper neck) completely numb, and just a TAD on the upset side (okay, more than a tad) at what had been done to me and what needed to be done to Bruce. For only 3 fillings (though they were on both sides of my mouth). And then, somehow, I rushed right to OSU to run my art therapy group...with poor verbal skills AND the inability to know when I needed to wipe my mouth or nose; AND the inability to kiss my husband or eat anything but yogurt (slowly) once I got home 5-6 hours after the initial Novocaine treatment. Pleasant. Then, I worked the overnight shift last night, completely drugged up on a LOT of extra-strength Tylenol and Tylenol 3 (with lovely Codeine). This morning, the very back of my jaw (where the top and bottom hook together) is still quite sore, even with all the Tylenol.
One good thing that we found out this week (on Wednesday evening) is that Bruce's mom appears to be doing good. A few weeks ago, cancer cells appeared on an X-Ray. This week, the CT scan showed nothing unusual, even though the X-Ray still detected the same unusual cell. So, it will be watched, but she's been declared fine.
1/23/2006:
It's now EARLY on Monday morning (12:38am), and I just arrived home from work; soon to go to sleep for a relatively long NAP, and then work again from about 7:30am until 11:30pm (teaching in the day, and direct care in the night). Joy upon joy.
I just wanted to note here that Bruce is now VERY happy.... his *Pittsburgh Steelers* won tonight, so two weeks from now, Bruce will be watching the **Super Bowl** with a smile upon his face! :) He watched the game from home, and I watched it at work....Denver had hometown advantage and everything, and STILL the Steelers beat Denver most of the game, and won. Bruce is smiling....well, technically, he's SLEEPING right now, but you get the picture. (Recently, he's even been calling one of our cats (Abbey) his Steelers kitty because of her colors...but she was born in urban CLEVELAND! How can she be a STEELERS kitty?!?!?!? lol!) :)
It's now EARLY on Monday morning (12:38am), and I just arrived home from work; soon to go to sleep for a relatively long NAP, and then work again from about 7:30am until 11:30pm (teaching in the day, and direct care in the night). Joy upon joy.
I just wanted to note here that Bruce is now VERY happy.... his *Pittsburgh Steelers* won tonight, so two weeks from now, Bruce will be watching the **Super Bowl** with a smile upon his face! :) He watched the game from home, and I watched it at work....Denver had hometown advantage and everything, and STILL the Steelers beat Denver most of the game, and won. Bruce is smiling....well, technically, he's SLEEPING right now, but you get the picture. (Recently, he's even been calling one of our cats (Abbey) his Steelers kitty because of her colors...but she was born in urban CLEVELAND! How can she be a STEELERS kitty?!?!?!? lol!) :)
1/26/2005:
More financial fun:
While driving between jobs yesterday, my "check engine now" light came on (even though the car SEEMS to be driving absolutely fine and I'm still 1,000 miles away from the next engine check-up). Worried, I called Saturn, and the maintenance guy said, "oh! that's not good!," and scheduled an emergency check for Monday. Well, so be it, and I went onto work, getting home at midnight w/out problem.
THEN, only 7 hours later, I left for my morning job, only to find that my car was vandalized last night. Some JERK (or likely, jerks plural) broke into many cars in our apartment complex. They broke open my car window, opened the glove box, and grabbed out everything (hoping to find something valuable, I guess). Lucky for me, there was nothing worth taking in there. Unlucky for some of our neighbors who were also vandalized, the one had his radio totally RIPPED out of his truck, another (lawyer, or something similar) had all of his legal papers spread all over the parking lot, another had $4,000 worth of computers stolen from her backseat, and another had their window busted in (like mine) for the second time in TWO days!!!! As the officer stated, "yeah, we've had a LOT of break-ins in this area recently ever since they opened up Refugee Road; so the inner-cities come out here now." And, our expensive apartment with the "great security system" told one of our neighbors today that 'yes, we have security cameras, but they just aren't working right now.' REALLLY???!!!?? Bruce said that he was just thankful that we were both safe, and that I came home when I did instead of later (to then witness or be caught in the middle of their crime spree).
Our lease is up on June 30th, 2006. Guess which day the Van Bruggens are moving? I just want to move out to the boonies. Low crime, low insurance rates, and low housing costs. Sounds good to me.
More financial fun:
While driving between jobs yesterday, my "check engine now" light came on (even though the car SEEMS to be driving absolutely fine and I'm still 1,000 miles away from the next engine check-up). Worried, I called Saturn, and the maintenance guy said, "oh! that's not good!," and scheduled an emergency check for Monday. Well, so be it, and I went onto work, getting home at midnight w/out problem.
THEN, only 7 hours later, I left for my morning job, only to find that my car was vandalized last night. Some JERK (or likely, jerks plural) broke into many cars in our apartment complex. They broke open my car window, opened the glove box, and grabbed out everything (hoping to find something valuable, I guess). Lucky for me, there was nothing worth taking in there. Unlucky for some of our neighbors who were also vandalized, the one had his radio totally RIPPED out of his truck, another (lawyer, or something similar) had all of his legal papers spread all over the parking lot, another had $4,000 worth of computers stolen from her backseat, and another had their window busted in (like mine) for the second time in TWO days!!!! As the officer stated, "yeah, we've had a LOT of break-ins in this area recently ever since they opened up Refugee Road; so the inner-cities come out here now." And, our expensive apartment with the "great security system" told one of our neighbors today that 'yes, we have security cameras, but they just aren't working right now.' REALLLY???!!!?? Bruce said that he was just thankful that we were both safe, and that I came home when I did instead of later (to then witness or be caught in the middle of their crime spree).
Our lease is up on June 30th, 2006. Guess which day the Van Bruggens are moving? I just want to move out to the boonies. Low crime, low insurance rates, and low housing costs. Sounds good to me.
1/28/2006:
We woke this morning for Bruce to go off to his men's Bible study, as I flipped on the Today show. There, we were reminded that today is 20 years since the Challenger explosion. 20 YEARS?!? HOW!?!? Made me think about everything that I chose for my life at that exact moment, and then how much my life has changed since then.
On that day, I was sitting in my 6th grade classroom in Hanby Middle School in Westerville, giggling about something with my friend Jama Haggenmier (now Jama Jennings). Our teacher was called out into the hall, and when she returned a few minutes later, her face was red and full of tears; as she said, "Class, something horrible has happened. The space shuttle has exploded. Everyone needs leave everything here and come right now to the library." As this was before there were televisions in every classroom, approximately 200 students and teachers crammed inside of the tiny library (we WAY overstepped the fire marshall's code of how many people could be in that room at one time!); and we watched it play out over and over on a single television while listening to the commentary. At that moment (12 years old) I decided that I was going to be an astronaut when I grew up. I instantly studied and did everything I could to be like those seven astronauts. But then, a few years later, life changed, and I soon understood that my purpose was to help others, not to be a scientist. I still miss the excitement that I felt when I believed that I had suddenly found my calling. Perhaps that's why now, I most enjoy teaching and sharing in the excitements of middle schoolers.
We woke this morning for Bruce to go off to his men's Bible study, as I flipped on the Today show. There, we were reminded that today is 20 years since the Challenger explosion. 20 YEARS?!? HOW!?!? Made me think about everything that I chose for my life at that exact moment, and then how much my life has changed since then.
On that day, I was sitting in my 6th grade classroom in Hanby Middle School in Westerville, giggling about something with my friend Jama Haggenmier (now Jama Jennings). Our teacher was called out into the hall, and when she returned a few minutes later, her face was red and full of tears; as she said, "Class, something horrible has happened. The space shuttle has exploded. Everyone needs leave everything here and come right now to the library." As this was before there were televisions in every classroom, approximately 200 students and teachers crammed inside of the tiny library (we WAY overstepped the fire marshall's code of how many people could be in that room at one time!); and we watched it play out over and over on a single television while listening to the commentary. At that moment (12 years old) I decided that I was going to be an astronaut when I grew up. I instantly studied and did everything I could to be like those seven astronauts. But then, a few years later, life changed, and I soon understood that my purpose was to help others, not to be a scientist. I still miss the excitement that I felt when I believed that I had suddenly found my calling. Perhaps that's why now, I most enjoy teaching and sharing in the excitements of middle schoolers.
1/30/2005:
Two nights ago, I was doing the overnight shift at work, when I SUDDENLY had a VERY upset stomach at 4:45am. It was simply overwhelming, but, being at work, I chose to eat a little cheap cereal, lay upon the couch, and tough it out. It decreased, but continued throughout the day; so in the afternoon, when I went back to work, I accomplished very little (and ate nothing), especially when the feeling began to re-emerge with a vengeance at about 9pm. When I got home, the feeling was increasing, so I slept on the futon so Bruce could sleep peacefully all night. About 2am this morning, I woke with a horrible start, and this time, I did (finally) get sick. (And Bruce ended up not sleeping peacefully, as he worried about me.) I wonder if I just have a weird cold or ate something bad, because I haven't had a fever at all since this has been going on! Now, during THIS day, I stayed home, and am feeling like I did during the mid-day yesterday. I hope that tonight isn't part three of this fun.
Also, last week, one Bruce's closest friends in Cincinnati (Wanda), emailed us. She told us that her husband (Denver) has had back problems for some time, but has now been told that there is nothing left for the doctors to do for his extreme pain and walking difficulties, and that they expect Denver to be wheelchair-bound within about 6-8 months. As he has quite the tough, macho, and independent personality, this is quite a blow. In church yesterday, the details hit Bruce pretty hard; and Bruce asked the church to pray for Denver.
Two nights ago, I was doing the overnight shift at work, when I SUDDENLY had a VERY upset stomach at 4:45am. It was simply overwhelming, but, being at work, I chose to eat a little cheap cereal, lay upon the couch, and tough it out. It decreased, but continued throughout the day; so in the afternoon, when I went back to work, I accomplished very little (and ate nothing), especially when the feeling began to re-emerge with a vengeance at about 9pm. When I got home, the feeling was increasing, so I slept on the futon so Bruce could sleep peacefully all night. About 2am this morning, I woke with a horrible start, and this time, I did (finally) get sick. (And Bruce ended up not sleeping peacefully, as he worried about me.) I wonder if I just have a weird cold or ate something bad, because I haven't had a fever at all since this has been going on! Now, during THIS day, I stayed home, and am feeling like I did during the mid-day yesterday. I hope that tonight isn't part three of this fun.
Also, last week, one Bruce's closest friends in Cincinnati (Wanda), emailed us. She told us that her husband (Denver) has had back problems for some time, but has now been told that there is nothing left for the doctors to do for his extreme pain and walking difficulties, and that they expect Denver to be wheelchair-bound within about 6-8 months. As he has quite the tough, macho, and independent personality, this is quite a blow. In church yesterday, the details hit Bruce pretty hard; and Bruce asked the church to pray for Denver.
