Awkward: The Reunion Edition

This past Saturday marked our 10-year high school reunion. One of my friends assessed class reunions by saying they are probably the most awkward situations human beings can subject themselves to. I'd have to say, I kind of agree. And that's certainly not an insult to anyone.

It's just that, after 10 years of not having talked or visited with folks, it can be kind of challenging to come up with something to talk about. Not to mention, with the invention of Facebook, we all already know about everyone's careers and kids and in what part of the country they all live, so all of the ready-made conversation pieces are out.

But even with the initial awkwardness, I had a blast. Once I warmed up and realized other people felt awkward too, it made me realize I needed to just get over it. So, I chatted up some old friends, caught up with some folks, ate some tasty food (the brownies were to die for), and just overall enjoyed a really fantastic night (the venue was Indiana Live! Casino -- fancy schmancy!).

What was kind of weird, though, was the fact that out of the 35, or so, classmates in attendance, there were several I didn't even get a chance to visit with. Time flew by! I'm pretty bummed I missed my chance to catch up with others, to be honest.

[photo provided by Missy May]

TCHS Class of 2002 (or, about 1/3 of us, anyway).

After it was all said and done, we spent the remainder of the evening hanging out with two of my very best friends (we were just missing K and P who weren't able to make the trek from Michigan). It was wonderful to spend some time with my gurrrrrls and their hubbies. With all of us living all over the place now, we don't get to do that often.

And while I doubt he'll ever admit it, I think even Cat man enjoyed himself. As much as possible, anyway. I mean, if you think reunions are awkward for the classmates, the spouses must feel reeeaaallllyyy strange!

Us. It's a little blurry. Motorola Droid 3 has a wretched camera on board.

A huge thank you goes out to all of my fellow planning committee members for all of their hard work in pulling off the big night, as well as the picnic the following day. The work was definitely worth it in the end. Another huge thank you goes out to all of the classmates and spouses in attendance who made the night so much fun. See you all again in 10 years!

No More Honey Badger

My family likes to drive an hour each way to the middle of nowhere for fried chicken. My husband thinks we're weird. Maybe so, but this is the best fried chicken anywhere. I don't even care that it comes from a complete dive with questionable sanitation. It's that good. I wish I had a picture of this place to show you what I mean, but I don't. Even Google images doesn't. But let's just say, it may be the best fried chicken ever. Between the six of us, we put down 3 whole chickens (that's 30 pieces for those counting), 3 orders of corn nuggets, 3 salads, 6 rolls, an order of fried pickles, an order of seasoned fries and countless soft drinks.

Then we stopped at a favorite ice cream joint for dessert.

It was the most disgusting, awesome eating binge I have been on in FOREVER. And I liked it. But don't expect repeats anytime soon, or I'll gain back all the weight I worked so hard to lose. It's going to take a year's worth of workouts just to burn off Saturday!

But, even with the amazing chicken, it was the family time I cherish the most. My family rocks and I'm so thankful for them!

Sunday at church, I learned one of my mom's Sunday School classmates had read my last blog post aloud during their devotional time. This triggered my mom to immediately forbid me from posting any more videos about the honey badger. :)

I begrudgingly agreed and after worship we ate pizza before visiting my great-grandma. The end.

Prayer Request

Some people don't like the idea of living in a small town. I can appreciate that, but I'd have to say that after the things I've seen out of the small town where I grew up, I am beyond proud of the way people are rising up to support a family who needs them.

Last week, a young woman I went to high school with was diagnosed with breast cancer. They found it in three places - one of them being a lymph node. As I understand it, she will undergo at least 6 months of treatment. It will involve chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation. She's a young wife and mother of two small children.

From the moment the news landed on Facebook, I have seen a community come together to pray for, support and lift up this family in amazing ways. From sharing scripture, to posting uplifting words, to creating pink ribbon photos in her honor -- even people who barely know this family (or maybe not even at all) are standing tall to show their love and support. There's something to be said about a community like that.

There's also something to be said for using unimaginable circumstances to spread the message of faith and God's good grace to those around you -- and that is exactly what this family has done.

As followers of Christ, we know God hears our prayers and we also know there is strength in numbers. That's where you come into play. Please pray for this young woman to receive favorable test results. Pray for a successful procedure to place the port. Pray for positive response to treatment. Pray for peace, comfort and strength for this family in the days, weeks and months ahead. And pray for their families and friends who are going to be an invaluable support system on this journey.

Stay steadfast in your faith, Thompson family. And know that even those of us

who barely know you are sending up our most earnest prayers on your behalf. 

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." -Phil. 4:13

Pasta, Shopping, Cheesecake and Whiplash

Monday may have ranked right up there with my small grouping of "best days ever." It started out with a successful appointment with my knee PT and since I was already almost to my parents' neck of the woods, Mom and I decided to meet up and make a gal's day of it (much to the chagrin of Cat man who was not overjoyed by how much use the debit card got at the mall that day).

 This is us.

We shopped too much, we ate too much (think: lunch at Johnny Carino's followed by red velvet cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory), we talked too much and we laughed hysterically. Especially when I decided to scale Mount Everest in my Ford Escape.

Okay, it wasn't Mount Everest. What it did happen to be though, was a massively humongous curb in the Kirkland's parking lot. Picture a curb wider than most sidewalks that's painted bright yellow (it was so bright it looked like a highlighter threw up all over it). For the life of me, I cannot figure out how I didn't see this thing. But, I didn't. Mom did, however, so she shouted "CUUURRRB!!!" But by then, it was too late. I'm still not completely sure how many wheels of the SUV made contact -- at least 2, maybe 3 -- but I definitely drove all the way over this thing.

So, at this point, we are laughing so hysterically that I'm crying. I can barely operate my motor vehicle, I'm laughing so hard. That's when I notice a security guard walking by us. She gave us the most ridiculous look anyone has possibly ever given me. Which, of course, triggered way more laughter.

Mom was sure the cops were waiting in the wings with a breathalyzer. The only thing I'd had to drink that day was water and a cup of coffee, though. Sometimes I think it's a miracle they grant me a driver's license.

Thankfully, I drive a beastly machine the curb was normal height, so my vehicle survived unscathed. I'm not sure about the curb. Mom said she may have had back damage or whiplash (I think she was exaggerating. Maybe? It was a rough ride. hahaha).

But, even with the whiplash, the curb jump was almost worth it. They say laughter is the best medicine and I'd have to say I agree. Everyone should have gal's days out with their momma's. Of course, other people's might not be as fun as ours. Mama Stewy and I are a pretty fun duo, if I do say so myself. Even still, what woman wouldn't enjoy a day of off-roading and shopping that includes these:

 The cheesecake Jesus eats for dessert.

Johnny Carino's baked cheese tortelloni. YUMMO!

A Bit of (sick) Irony

I haven't blogged for a very long time, but I must say that I felt the need to share my recent bouts with irony.

My left knee had been in pretty severe pain at times for many, many months, beginning about 3 months following my last surgery. My doctor kept injecting it with cortisone and telling me he thought my bursa was damaged. Finally, he decided an MRI was the best route (after telling me for many months that I didn't need an MRI and often acting like I'd lost my mind). So, on Jan. 3, I had my MRI. By Jan. 5 I learned my medial meniscus was torn and a cyst had formed. My pain had nothing to do with the bursa. By Jan. 6, I was scheduling surgery. As fate would have it, my 4th knee surgery took place on Friday the 13th (I love Jesus, so this didn't so much worry me, but it was sort of funny to joke about).

When I woke up from surgery, my knee felt good. My ankle did not. Yes, you read that right: I said my ANKLE hurt following KNEE surgery. I chalked it up to laying in the wrong position during surgery and figured the soreness would subside over the next couple of days. That is, until I woke up the morning after surgery and needed crutches -- not for my newly operated-on knee, but for my ankle. When the pain continued to get worse, I paged the on-call nurse to make sure I wasn't facing imminent death by blood clot. Since there was no swelling or bruising, she said I would probably live, but she was baffled by the pain. As was the surgery center nurse who called to check on me. As was the physical therapist who saw me for my follow-up appointment three days post-op (although, he did share my theory of the positioning of the ankle in surgery).

As the days passed by, the pain was becoming more of a discomfort sort of thing. It was improvement, so I wasn't complaining (too much, anyway).

Fast forward to yesterday (Jan. 24). I had my first follow-up visit with my surgeon and normal PT. This PT was also stumped by the pain (It went something like this: "Your ANKLE??"). The surgeon, however, knew exactly what it was from.

Apparently, in knee surgery, he pulled my leg off the side of the table and put my foot/ankle into a "head lock" so he could manipulate the knee joint. That explanation was all well and good until he decided it was best to demonstrate what he meant -- not once, but TWICE. FREAKING OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! And now I'm back to square one with the ankle pain. Thanks, Doc. That was sweet of you. You may be a world-renowned knee specialist, but your bedside manner sure could use a revamp.

So, as my luck would go, 1.5 weeks after knee surgery, my knee feels great. My ankle isn't so lucky. And unfortunately, that ankle pain is going to push back some of my knee rehabilitation exercises. Nice.

In other news, my office building has never been handicap accessible. It's currently under construction to add a handicap entrance to be completed God knows when. This, AFTER my 4 knee surgeries and subsequent acrobatics to maneuver the stairs.

Did I do something bad in a previous life?

Monday Morning Much Funny

I found the following on Pinterest. And I would happily give credit to the original author, but the link was broken. Instead, I'll just say that I didn't write these, I don't know who did, but that person is pretty funny. Not all are true for me, but they gave me a chuckle anyway.

Truths for Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day (<--This doesn't happen to me).

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection ... again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring, but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said.

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber and dumber every year?

29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver, I hate pedestrians and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey -- but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

A shout out to the Cat man

My husband rocks. No, really, he does. He's kind, selfless, loving and flat out awesome.

(Don't tell him I told you any of this. I don't want his head to swell.)

For example, I had both my knees hacked up in a double knee op just 2 months after our wedding. He helped me get on and off the pot for 2 weeks. That's love.

He cooks dinner each night so I can take spin class. He's a better cook than I am, anyway, so it works out. But that doesn't mean he enjoys cooking. Quite selfless if you ask me.

Last night our church hosted a Trunk or Treat event for the kids from around town. Cat man ran the highly disgusting "Guess the Guts" game for an hour and a half. With a smile on his face. It was quite the act of kindness.

Cat man also wasn't a dog man before he married me. Unfortunately for him, he not only married the Farmer's Daughter, but he also married Lenny and Frank -- an odd couple of adorable pooches. Each day Cat man beats me home from work, so he let's the pups out and takes care of their dinner, too. It's really freaking cute. Nothing hotter than a man who's kind to dogs.

And one more thing that make's Cat man the bomb is that he's a huge fan of "The Middle."

I think I'm in love.