After TWO LOOOOOOONG years, Lance and I are finally going on a real vacation!  With the heart surgery, the leg surgeries, the walker, the wheelchair, the shower chair, blah blah blah…all of that CRAP kind of gets in the way of traveling.   You CAN do it, mind you, but it isn’t easy. 

The best way to stay safe and happy when you’re handicapped?  Predictability and consistency…Knowing what to expect.  Are there going to be crowds?  How will we know what is accessible and what isn’t (you’d be AMAZED what isn’t)?  When eating out, can a wheelchair maneuver between tables and chairs?  What if there isn’t a ramp?  How is Lance going to carry ALL our luggage?  That kind of stuff…I’m a worry wart anyway, and while I am a Christian, I worry like a Jewish mother – trust me!!  We stayed in a couple of hotel rooms that were handicapped accessible, but it’s still difficult.  Plus, I don’t think I need to tell you, that showering with a shower chair that you don’t know who’s bare ass might have sat on???  EWWWWW….Trust me, when I HAD to take a shower in that situation, I layered many towels down before sitting.  Gross….

Anyway, the point of this post is not to relive tougher times…the point is that is symbolic of me being able to move on, to show how much things have changed, and to prove what I am able to accomplish now!  I am traveling to the busy city of San Francisco, CA with my hubs to have a blast with some friends.  I don’t have to worry about if I can fit through a tight area, if I can get onto the BART, or Lance having to push me everywhere…FREEDOM is the only ONE word that I can use to describe the feeling.  If you’ve never been in that situation, you have NO IDEA….I can’t even imagine how people who have a permanent handicapp live with it from day to day.  Ever notice how you don’t really see THAT many handicapped people out in public…it’s because it’s a pain.  I am so blessed and I thank God for my freedom. 

Lance and I need this trip so badly.  It’s almost as if we are going to be leaving this past life here and when we come back, it will be back to normal…While I know if doesn’t work that way EXACTLY, it’s a nice thought!!  LOL  Anyway, there will be tons of pics when we get back!!  Get ready!  I’m going to photogragh all of our adventures!

Look out, San Francisco…Here comes Melanie Dewey!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a happy memorial day!!  We are so lucky to live in a free country and I am just so grateful for the troops fighting for us today that help our country stay that way.  I also want to take a moment to honor and appreciate those who have died for us and for our country.  God bless them, their families, and our country!!

So on the 17th, I wore two (NEW) shoes to work for the first time – HORRAY!!  On the 18th, I did it again – DOUBLE HORRAY!!

After that, my ankle started to feel a little weak, so I am back in the boot for a while, giving my stuff a rest.  I definitely do NOT want to overdo it.  LOL

I kind of equate this to pulling weeds.  You get out there, you’re pulling weeds, and while you’re not feeling anything now, you know you’re gonna feel it later.  Well, it’s later!! LOL

No worries….I’m not worried about my ankle right now.  I just should have thought things out a little better.  Since I was not only starting to wear dos zopatos to work for the first time, they were also NEW zopatos, I should have worn them for like half my shift for the first few days to let my feet get used to them. Ahhhh…you live and you learn!

I need some extra time on my hand to list all these new items!!  Ugh…

You see it first here!

A few new supply items in my shop today!

Chipboard buttons – $3.00 for each set of 30

A new Father’s Day card listed as well!!

Ohhhhh!!  What dear sweet people who visit my blog!  The sweet comments and well wishes meant so much to me and really boosted me on to the road to recovery! 

I DID visit the doctor this weekend and found out that I have “multi-itis” (which apparently is Sinusitis, Bronchitis and a couple other itis-es).  I also had ear infections in both ears. 

The fix?  A steroid shot, a prescription of antibiotics, and a strict diet of breathing treatments (so this doesn’t interfere more with my asthma).

PLUS – the thing about my boss?  We found out today that we will be getting our NEW manager on June 1st and it’s a guy we are all familiar with.  So, while we’re upset about the loss of our previous manager, we are happy about the man that was hired to take his place.

Thanks again to all my sweet friends who look out for me and care for me.  I really appreciate your kind words.  You all know who you are!

yuck…being sick just sucks!  I’ve been dealing with this for about a week now…The scratchy throat, the congestion, the exhaustion, some insomnia (which I so rarely have), the “heavy chest” feeling, and now some stomach problems as well…UGH…plus I have asthma to boot, so it just intensifies the everyday struggle with breathing easy.

Oh and it gets better…   

So, on Thursday of last week (April 30th), my boss was suddenly terminated so the stress level, as well as emotions,  in my workplace is extremely high.  On top of that, Friday of last week (May 1st) was the 5-year anniversary of my dad’s death. 

While each year is getting a little easier, I’m still rushed back to the day he died.  I was almost 24 when it happened and I was his medical power of attorney.  I have two uncles, an aunt, and an older sister that he could have chosen, but I was his MPOT.  I had to make the decision to remove him from life support, and while nothing more could have been done for him, I still felt so guilty, as if I personally was killing my daddy.    At times, like the anniversary of his death, those feelings feel so fresh…

So, anyway…that was Friday.  On Sunday, I started feeling pretty sick and I just can’t get better.  So, here I am, not able to sleep, and I’m feeling crappy and miserable.  The after hours clinic at my doctor’s office opens in about 4 hours, so I think I will finally head there. 

Go on…you can tell me – I’m pretty pathetic!  LOL…Am I feeling sorry for myself a little bit?  You betcha!

Thanks so much to Goshengirl /Charmingwren for suggesting the name of my new line of cards! 

Check back to my shop tonight to see my new cards – More Than Words – listed!

Thanks, goshen!! 

Okay…several people have suggested names for my new line of cards.  If you haven’t seen them yet, see my post from earlier today.  Here are the options:

1. Digital Designs
2. Fun4All
3. More Than Words
4. Reproducables

So what do you think?  Please vote here.  If you have any other suggestions, let me know too and I can add that to the line-up!