THANKFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY

Well, I took a blogging hiatus, but I have returned. I've really had a hard time trying to stay positive on many fronts and tons of things have been going on. So let me try to fill you in....

SavyG's birthday was Saturday the 13th and she had her best friend Riley stay with us all weekend. That was part of her birthday wish. She got the other part, too, by the way. She wanted Cheetah Girl tickets and Cheetah Girl tickets she got. We had her birthday party at Mud Monkey Pottery and we had a big time.

Check out that T-Totally AWESOME cake!! Any ideas who made it? Why the AMAZING TODD PIERCE made that delicious chocolate cake. We usually have tons of cake left over but NOT this time. THANKS TODD AND DAWN. (Hope ya'll had a blast at Journey.)

So everybody painted their little hearts out at the party and some even painted themselves.

Aren't they too cute? Anyway, we partied all night long with 4 little girls who didn't go home until about noon on Sunday, except Riley she stayed pretty much all day.

We stayed in our PJ's all day on Sunday.

Let me see what else has been going on..

What's up with this?

This scary creature sits on top of someones brick mailbox somewhere along the way between our house and the house Jeff and Rohn are building right now. We took a little trip over there on Saturday on the golf cart. Everytime I pass this thing it freaks me out and I had my camera on this trip. That should probably be against the law.

The boys are getting ready to start another custom job. (Thank You Jesus.) It is my job to revamp the sign. They just started one across the street that is going to be for sale while it is being built as well. It has an owner, but if it can be sold, the owner will let it go. SO, I've got to make a few changes to that sign. Isn't the name of the company cool? Those are Dalton and Savannah's middle names. Jeff did that. I liked it. ANYWAY, let me see what else I can find..

SavyG has had 3 games now. They lost the first 2 and won last night. I missed the game last night because I had a little jewelry party.

Meet Sonja Lloyd, my favorite Jewelry Lady. We had a good time. Tosha was up to her usual tricks.

She was modeling a hair scarf and jewelry for everyone. She's a nut. She was actually at work yesterday. She has been in Allstate School for the last three weeks and has another five weeks to go. I miss her so much. I had to go out and take pictures of a building in Hernando yesterday so I had my camera at work and decided to take a couple of pictures around my office so I could share when I got back to the blog.

This is the lobby. Notice how clean that desk is...nobody wants to sit out there. We all hang out in my office. I'm just too much fun, I guess. HA. That's not it. It's just easier than me hollering all over the place all the time. Here is a picture hanging in my lobby of Mr. Jake Raborn and the wonderful thing he taught me, "BELIEVE". It's all over my office and is even what I structured my mission statement around. The next picture is my "Wall of Fame". I'm happy to add to it anytime.

Here is my office. I feel like I live in here sometimes.

There is Miss Tosha working at my desk while I was up playing. And here is Miss Emily at her desk or Tosha's desk or whoever's desk that is..

Go Miss Emily! She finished ALL of her computer training yesterday at work.... and guess what I did to her today....I set her up on a blind date with a little local young hottie. OH YEAH. Have fun tomorrow night Miss Emily.

Oh wait, Tosha decided to do a little posing in the office.

That girl ain't right. And just in case you are questioning me on that, she came over tonight and we permed her hair. Yep, that's right, just like old school, I rolled that mess up and we permed it.

She's a nut and she likes to have her picture taken. Here she is with Emily....

HA!

I got some scary news today. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I knew deep down that's what was going on, but I refused to believe it on the surface. My mom and two of her brothers have it as well. One of my uncles is in constant pain and has been for quite some time. My mom is having a harder time with it all the time and my other uncle who is the youngest struggles with it but he is still moving around. So far, as far as I know, I'm the youngest one in my family to develop it. I'm pretty freaked about the future but they told me there is no way to predict how things will go for me. Right now, my hands are the worst thing. My left one is worse than my right one. The steroids helped alot. I can't get my wedding ring on right now. I guess I need to see about getting it re sized. I started on a NSAID today and I go to see a rheumatologist next week. It's just another thing I guess and like all others you just figure it out.

Sorry about all of the rambling tonight. I haven't felt like talking much the last week and honestly haven't really had time either.

Hug all your precious babies tonight and share your love. Someone out there needs it.

Cya,
Kacy

3

3

If you understand, cry with me, if you don't....you're just better off. It would make you

throw up.

Dalton got his cast off today. He has to wear his tennis shoes all day everyday for the next 2 weeks. Where one of the bones has healed, it is kinda thick looking on the bone (I hope that made sense) and the doctor said that was causing pressure and that's why he keeps wanting to walk on the outside of his foot. It doesn't really hurt but it feels strange. He's actually outside playing and that makes my heart feel good. He hasn't done that in weeks.

Steroids are helping. I even got my ring back on today. I felt much better and can even close my hands today. My knuckles are still tender, but they are working much better. I'm glad tomorrow is FRIDAY. I have some regrouping to do.

Have a great night!

Cya,

Kacy

Things that make you go HUMMM.....

WELL, still no real answers which is a little frustrating but good news just the same. They didn't rule out anything autoimmune today, but they couldn't be definitive either. I've been seeing the nurse practitioner and next week I will go back and see my doctor. In the meantime, I am to take a low dose steroid and try to get rid of some of this inflammation. She still says she thinks it could be viral so I am to take this for the next week. They xrayed my shoulder and couldn't see anything but the knot there concerned her. She wants to see what happens with steroids and then said Dr. Campbell would probably send me for an MRI. While I'm glad they didn't tell me it was "something", not knowing what it is is also hard. I just feel like crap to put it quite frankly. My hands hurt and don't even look like mine and the thought of putting shoes on makes tears come to my eyes. Last night, I couldn't clap my hands at my daughters soccer game. I just want it to go away.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. You have no idea how much that means to me. I don't feel like myself, but the show must go on.
SavyG's team lost last night 0 -2. It was a good game though considering it was the first one. The girls played hard and Savy took the only shot of the game but missed. My camera died in the first 45 seconds of play. It's charging tonight. I'll get my act back together, I promise and have some pictures soon. I'm still working hard to not be afraid of my camera. I purposefully leave it sitting around now....stupid I know, but just part of me.
Have a great rest of the week. Dalton goes back to the doctor tomorrow for his foot. Keep your fingers crossed for him. I'm afraid he's going to get a real cast. They will have to give him a tranquilizer.
Cya,
Kacy

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

Nothing new today!!!! That's awesome. Still all the same stuff but no new developments overnight. That's what I was praying for. Someone once told me to be specific in my prayers. I try, it's been good advice on several occasions.
ANYWAY, thanks for the thoughts. I go back to the doctor Wednesday a.m. at 9. SavyG and I survived the orthodontist this a.m. and she has her first soccer game tomorrow night. Dalton's foot is feeling better but still not quite where it should be. We make another trip there on Thursday.
AND, Savy's birthday is SATURDAY. She's excited. Just another busy week around here. I'm headed to bed early tonight.
Cya,
Kacy

MEDICAL MYSTERY

Sorry for the lack of posting this weekend. Been a little busy and honestly just a little freaked out. I last mentioned that I've been having some swelling and stiffness in my joints. Thursday night, I was so uncomfortable I was just nauseated and didn't get much sleep. Friday morning the swelling was worse. I keep telling myself everyday that when I get up tomorrow it will be better but that hasn't been the case yet. We got out of class early Friday and I got Jeff to step on the gas and get me back to Memphis so I could see my doctor at 4. They ran a whole panel of blood work that will be back Tuesday. They said it could just be a viral thing but were just going to test for everything. Saturday morning when I woke up the swelling was even worse. I don't know how much more I can swell. My wedding ring is stuck on my hand.
We had our 2nd Annual September on the Square Saturday and I was able to make it until 2. I had to shut down early. When we were setting up, I tried to get a box out of my truck that I had put there about 3 weeks ago and I couldn't do it. I didn't like that at all. Last night we went to the mall in Collierville for dinner and were walking around a little bit. My neck and shoulder were really stiff and I was stretching my neck out and felt this big knot in my shoulder that I hadn't noticed before. This morning my left hand was knotted up. It's like there are hard knots between my knuckles....SO, I wonder what tomorrow will bring. I'm praying for a virus that is about to end. I'm exhausted and I just hurt and quite frankly am just a little scared.
We are getting ready for a busy week of orthodontist appointments, school, work and soccer games. Have a great one.
Cya,
Kacy

ALWAYS SOMETHING

Well, it's been another long day in the life of Kacy. YES, I am here tonight for comic relief. If you think you had a rough day....keep reading.
I am typing once again from my home away from home...Nashville, TN. I'm chasing Gustav. Just kidding, hopefully this is the end of my training classes for awhile.
ANYWAY, have you ever left to go out of town (like 4 hours away) on a business trip for a few days and left ALL of your clothes at home after you packed them? Well, I did. It's 11:42, I just got here so it's been a long day and, oh, about two hours ago I realized that I brought my shoes and toiletries but left all of my clothes except an extra bra and the clothes on my back at home. SO, pray that FEDEX makes this delivery on time. My clothes are supposed to arrive at my hotel before 8 a.m. and my class doesn't start until 9. It's a good thing my husband works there and was able to pull this off for me. Otherwise I would be at the Regional office in the a.m. in my yoga pants and OCC T shirt and my Croc Flops. HA. All you can do is laugh.....
Ok, one more thing....I'm having a little issue that is becoming more and more bothersome and starting to really worry me. For the last couple of months, I have had some swelling in my joints and just general stiffness. I kept telling myself it has been age and stress. It was worse at some times and just not even there at others. For the last 5 days straight, my foot, ankle and hand on my left side have been really swollen and weak and just plain hurt. Even laying in bed hurts. Today my knee on that side started to ache and tonight it is swollen. My knuckles on my right hand are a little swollen but nothing like my left one. What is this? I'm beginning to think I may need to go to the doctor....any ideas. I'm hoping this too shall pass and that I'm just getting old.
Take care,
Cya,
Kacy

FULL SPEED AHEAD

What's going on? ALOT around the ole Acree Abode. It was nice to go back to work today to get some rest.....HA.

Here is a little taste of the goings on around here over the weekend. Sorry if they are out of chronological order, but so am I.

First, did I mention Emily had a dog? Did you realize we already had THREE dogs? Well, now we have FOUR. Jackson has joined our canine family and is fitting in rather nicely. (He has even learned how to use the doggy door.

That MOUND he is sleeping on is my adorable husbands belly! Everyone loves Jeff.

Speaking of the doggy door. I decorated it this weekend.

I put two other "Signs" on the back porch. This is where EVERYbody hangs out all the time.

I warned there was NO ORDER to this....Of ALL the pictures I took this weekend (well over 150), two tied for my favorites. It is a really interesting pick.

My favorite pup, Izzy, AND

my clematis vine. (I LOVE MY NEW CAMERA.)

Trust me there is no method to this madness.

Are you wondering why I'm showing you pictures of my windows yet? It's because I freaking CLEANED them this weekend. That first picture is on the THIRD floor, holy smoke. I'm so proud of my front doors. You can actually tell that is beveled glass in them now and if you look close you can see through the windows through the foyer through the living room across the back yard and see the house behind us. Now that's clean! That took A LOT of scraping. The doors still had stain on the windows from over a year ago. PRIORITIES, enough said.

So, anyway, on to more FUN stuff, we had a little party Monday.

Where did everybody go?

In the pool, of course!!! AND then, can you guess what we did?

What in the world is that?

NO, wait, what in the world is this?

HA, cute face Ash. I'll teach you to mess with me. I'll put "cute" pictures of you on my blog!

We tie-dyed everything in sight....underwear, socks, bras, shirts, shorts, scrubs, and ourselves.

How fun!! Rohn's wifebeater turned out to be my personal favorite. I used multiple techniques on it.

Ok, that's about it for tonight...

Oh, wait, cutie pie Georgia, AND Mallory got a tattoo at the fair.

That's a wrap. I'm outta here. I'm heading back to Nashville tomorrow and I haven't packed.

Hug your babies and share your love.

Cya,

Kacy

I TOLD A STORY!

No pictures of the house today...but definitely tomorrow. I was too busy working on it today to take pictures of it. I also think I'm a little intimidated by this new camera. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE IT, but I think I'm too protective of it. I like it safe and sound in its case where it can't get hurt. I'll get over it. I'm declaring a change in attitude right now.

Dalton lost a tooth this morning. That was a little unexpected and actually a little bloody.

Is he a cutie or what? He also got a haircut today with his Daddy and I must say it was long overdue. REMEMBER, I was coming home to get him one day last week when he started running that nasty fever.

Savannah has moved out for the weekend. She went home with her best friend Riley after school on Friday and we haven't seen her since. They didn't get in the same class this year so they need their weekends to "catch up".

Here is our Emily...

Dalton loves her and is very concerned about the fact she hasn't found any new bedding yet for her room. He went to Target with her last night to try to find something but she couldn't make up her mind. Her older sisters came into town tonight and they are out shopping trying to help her make some decisions. She is too cute. I hope she can handle all of our craziness around here. She has a little chihuaua that is weight challenged. His name is Jackson. Dalton loves him too and wants to put a picture of him on the blog. I told him we would work on that one tomorrow.

This is Emily's dad and "significant other" Jo. They were here helping her get moved down here.

They went home today, but her sisters came in town tonight. I think they are a little worried about the baby in the family. I just pray SHE likes it here. I need her.

OK, way back in the summer, I planted a mixture of sunflower seeds and really didn't think anything would happen. I've given a couple of updates about them and maybe even shared some early pics. I really didn't think anything would happen with them, but holy smoke, they grew. That just cracks me up. I've never had just a ton of luck and I even have tomatoes growing in my back yard this year. ANYWAY, I really like sunflowers, they are my second favorite to tulips (which I will be attempting in the spring or should I say fall...). Here are a couple of the ones I cut and made a little arrangement out of today.

That one is a little afflicted. It's petal is pointing the wrong direction. It kinda reminds me of me. HA.

While I was blogging Dalton was taking pictures and he has two he wants me to include tonight. One is his new best friend Jackson the weight challenged chihuaua..

And here is Dalton's mom laying in bed blogging thinking no one else would see her the rest of the night:) Gotta love a great shot in your PJ's with no makeup. O well, Dalton loves me this way and says its a "good" picture. (He thinks all pictures he takes are good pictures)

That's it for tonight. Jeff is gone to the casino and Dalton and I went to Blockbuster and are having a SpongeBob Marathon.

Oh wait, I came across this today and loved it..

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said,
'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,'That is the kind of love I want in my life.' True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.' .

This made me think about so many things. One of the first things of course is that nasty hurricane in the Gulf right now. LA and MS really can't afford another direct hit by a major hurricane. Pray for all of those on the coast and their families and everyone in these states.

Be safe, hug your babies and share your love.

Cya,
Kacy

SUNNY SATURDAY

OH MY! I'm laying in bed Saturday morning and thinking about the fun things I'm ready to do today. I'm finally feeling like things are getting back to normal. I have taken control of my house and it is really starting to look and even feel like we actually live here. I'll get some pictures today. Emily moved in Thursday and is still unpacking and trying to get things in order. She has all weekend to try to get settled. She is going to prove to be a blessing. She has moved in and is going to be my helper. She'll be working for me some at Allstate over the next couple of months and filling in while my main gal, Tosha, is away at Allstate School and filling in anywhere I need help. Thanks for the gentle nudge, MO. I bit the bullet and swallowed it hard. It's really difficult to admit that sometimes you just can't do everything. Somehow, I've managed to keep up until now but I realized that I was missing out on enjoying any of it. I have been in such a hurry that I couldn't see the little moments that happen. A TON has been accomplished in the last 30 days....I had total turnover at work....I got my Securities license....Soccer started for Savannah...Football started for Dalton...Football ended for Dalton with a broken foot...A lot of travel...Tosha got licensed...wow, alot of major milestones.

ANYWAY, today, I'm looking forward to enjoying the small things with friends and family. I'll have pics later. We are still getting Emily moved in and used to things. THE KIDS ARE CRAZY ABOUT HER. Of course, she's 22 and beautiful. I don't blame them. Enjoy the long weekend. I know I will.

Hug your babies and share your love.

Cya,

Kacy

BLOGGING AWAY

I have thoroughly enjoyed surfing all of my favorite blogs tonight and living the good life through all of you. The babies are beautiful and the kids are hysterical.
On the Acree front....Dalton got a new cast today on that foot that is proving to be a little more "serious" than we first thought. Then, just as I thought I was getting somewhat caught up, I was going to take Dalton and Jeff for haircuts when I got home from work. Instead, I came home to Dalton asleep on the couch with his cast propped up and burning up with fever. I ran to get the thermometer and he rang in at 101.8. So, no haircut and a little schedule rearranging later, a few Tylenol and ibuprofen, I have come to the conclusion that this too shall pass.
I'm going to get in bed with my baby boy. I hate fevers.
Hug your babies and share your love.
Cya,
Kacy