Our Crazy World

What a week....Glad it is FRIDAY!!!

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Been a busy, busy week. Lane & I didn't feel good Monday, so we stayed at home. I got a VERY long nap Monday afternoon. Barry has been building our new entertainment center this week and I'm so excited to see it finished. Got our new dishwasher installed last night. Never thought a dishwasher would make me so happy, but it has. YAY for clean dishes!! My physical therapy has been discontinued due to it not helping any. While it did teach me some exercises, it did NOTHING to reduce my pain levels. Go back to the rheumatologist on Monday, so I'm not sure what the next steps will be. We have decided that I am going to go ahead and file for my disability through work. I will be able to keep working while waiting on the decision. Was very dismayed at the estimated timeframes for a decision ... 6-8 months!! Praying that it does not take that long. I hope that being out from under that stress will help some. We know that it will not stop the Fibromyalgia or the arthritis, but maybe it will help.

The Disease That is Tearing Us Apart

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-06:00

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last near. I know, it's not a brain tumor or a terminal illness, but it was still a diagnosis I dreaded to hear. First of all, there is no "cure" for Fibro. Second of all, it is usually progressive. Thirdly, I never know what is going to hurt from day to day. The chronic pain causes me to spend a lot of time on the couch or in the bed. That leaves Barry to do EVERYTHING. I thank God daily for sending me such a compassionate, selfless, understanding, and loving husband!! He NEVER complains!!! The other problem with Fibro is how it messes with your mind. I have problems concentrating, with memory, motivation, depression, and anxiety. I am being treated my a wonderful Rheumatologist and an amazing Neurologist. They are both suggesting that I stop working because the stress just makes it all worse. I am undergoing physical therapy (torture) and am on a laundry list of medications! The stopping work...this is something that Barry and I have been discussing and praying about. If you don't mind, could you say a prayer as well. As the chief breadwinner, this is an extremely difficult decision to make.

"Buddy-isms"

2012-01-29T10:18:00.002-06:00

We are constantly remembering things that my Daddy would say. Barry suggested we write them down. I'm constantly forgetting where I have written things down, so I immediately thought of the blog! I will be updating this all along, as we remember things.

KISS - Keep it simple stupid
It's your monkey, you can s@#$ew it any way you want to.
Don't write a check your butt can't cash!
Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.
I'd treat that like a possum does a hoe handle.
That is one determined child. (He was referencing Lane.....just didn't realize how true that prediction would be!)

Guess I'll Just Start From Here

2012-01-23T19:12:00.002-06:00

WHOA!! Didn't realize it has been 2009 since I last posted!!!! Guess I will re-enter the blog world slowly. I can't remember so many things now, so writing them here will be much better!! Look forward to more posts soon. I promise!! (I know, I've said it before!)

Lane is THREE!

2009-02-10T13:00:00.001-06:00

Where has time gone???? My sweet little man is now a testy three year old!

His birthday party was 1/10/09 but his actual birthday is 1/12. (That night was spent at his favorite restaurant.....Hooters!)

His birthday theme was CARS and all things Lightning McQueen & Towmater. The Oak Grove Senior Center was transformed into Radiator Springs! He had a wonderful party with all his family. More loot too!

Pictures......soon! I promise!

Christmas 2008

2009-02-10T12:00:00.000-06:00

Well, we don't do anything "normal" in our family! Christmas Eve was spent at home with 3 unexpected houseguests. Barry's dad, Pop, had to be put in the hospital Christmas Eve because of pneumonia that just wasn't improving. We had planned to attend a candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve and after Pop's prodding, we went. We finally got home, with Jake, Savannah, and Austin in tow. Santa had sooo much help! It sounded like quite the party Santa and his elves had while setting up Childersburg's newest ToysR'Us in our living room! Hits: Thomas the Tank Train set; Radio Flyer Big Wheel; ESPN Better Batter Baseball.

We got up Christmas morning, saw what Santa brought; Barry & I exchanged stockings; and we loaded up. We went to Birmingham first, to have Christmas with Pop & Nonnie in the hospital. We left there, headed to Barbour County. We missed Christmas Dinner with my family, but arrived just in time for presents. I think my brothers attempted to out-do Santa! They almost succeeded. Lane came away with a lot of loot! His favorite.....The "Trigga Gun" his Uncle Allen carved for him and the John Deere Camoflauge Boots his Uncle Jimmy got him.

My Birthday is the day after Christmas. Barry & I woke up early and got camo'd up. As we were getting the guns out of the truck, Barry noticed deer practically in my Mother's backyard. I hurried and got in position and took a doe. My first deer! Barry made me cry when he reminded me that I had gotten my wish.....my first deer - on the farm I grew up on - with the gun Barry gave me - with a bullet my Daddy bought me - on my BIRTHDAY!!!!

We left Barbour County that afternoon. Barry, Lane, my mother (Nana), and me. We drove 2 vehicles..... almost a requirement due to all of Lane's presents. We stopped in Montgomery for my Birthday meal. Steak! Yum! Barry & I decided to split from Nana & Lane and let them head on back to our house and we would go straight from Montgomery to Birmingham (saving about 1 1/2 hrs). Lane went without a fuss (probably helped that we put his new Cars PJ's on him before putting him in her truck). Barry & I were well on our way to Birmingham, when Jake called to report they were stranded due to truck problems. So much for our saving time! We rode backroads and picked them up and then headed for the hospital. I think we got in bed sometime after midnight!

Overall, I'm thankful for all the distractions we had for Christmas. Made it a little easier to deal with since it was the first one since Daddy died. Things will never be the same, but from experience, we know they do get a little easier.

Pictures.....soon!

Big Boy Undies

2009-02-10T11:22:00.002-06:00

Yep, Lane is potty training. FINALLY!!!!! He has been doing the poop on the potty for months and months now. The pee-peeing.....that's been hit or miss (pun intended). On Thursday night, I promised him that if he stays dry all day he could buy Madagascar 2 at Wal-Mart (he saw the commercial last night and had a fit!) . Yes, I've stooped to bribery and I'm not ashamed at all!!!! He didn't stay dry, but per Miss Felicia, only had a "little bitty" accident because he couldn't get his pants off quick enough. So we bought Madagascar 2 of course.

Yesterday, I sick and went to the doc (walking pneumonia). I was in a semi-coma when Lane got home from daycare. He ran to the couch waving something in my face....two little matchbox cars. Cars! Miss Felicia had promised him a car if he went dry all day. I said, "Is that a car from school???" He said, "It is Mommy....I've been dry all day! Miss Felicia gave me a car and then Daddy bought another one". He was so proud of himself. This Mama is too!

He wants an "Undie Party" when he's fully trained. The problem is that he told us that everyone has to come to the party in their undies! Ummmm, don't think so!

WHY??????

2009-02-10T10:54:00.003-06:00

Why can I not keep up with this blog??? I can find the time to do everything else! Be looking forward to posts about Christmas, Lane's 3rd Birthday Party, and other big news from our family! I'll try to get these up by July 4th!

Do what?

2008-12-19T09:07:00.002-06:00

Lane and I were talking the other day. He was trying to pronounce someone's name & it didn't come out exactly right but close enough since it's a very difficult name. I didn't correct him and told him he did good. He said, "No Mommy. When I talk like that I am not speaking well." Whatever Webster!

This is the last day of daycare before Christmas. Lane was so excited this morning. He kept talking about his "par-tee" at school. We took gift bags for his classmates, goody baskets for his teachers, and his gift for the gift swap. For the gift swap, each child brings a wrapped "Little Golden Book". Lane will love a new book! He can't get enough!

Posting will be hit or miss for the next week or so. I can only post from work since our home computer decided to crash on us last weekend. Here's hoping that Santa will put a new one under the tree!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

2008-12-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Barry-
Happy Birthday! I hope you have many many more and that I'm here to celebrate them all with you. You are the love of my life. You are such a wonderful Daddy that I fall in love with you all over again all the time. Hope your day is great!

More than numbers,
~Laralee

I just said what??

2008-12-12T15:00:00.000-06:00

There are times when I find myself saying, “I cannot believe I just said that”. I imagine most parents do that at some point. The other morning, I look up to see little white butt cheeks sticking out of the Christmas tree. Before I could say anything, Barry yelled, “Lane, what ARE you doing?” To which Lane replied, “I’m gonna pee pee on the tree”. To which I said, “We don’t pee pee on the Christmas tree! We don’t pee pee on the floor! We pee pee in the toilet! Now get your wee wee to the bathroom.” UGH!

I have, of course, many more instances where I have said things I never thought I would. I really need to write some of them down. But here’s a question from Lane that left me utterly speechless…… “Mommy, why you got hair on you butt?”

2008-12-10T20:37:00.001-06:00

It's been over a year????

2008-12-10T14:05:00.001-06:00

Yes, I realize now that it has been well over a year since my last post. And what a year is has been. Let’s see if I can summarize……

October 2007 – Lane was Mickey Mouse for Halloween. Too cute!

November 2007 – Barry was laid off 11/1 with no notice. Looking back, it wasn’t so bad since he had to have sinus surgery and wasn’t able to work. At least we were able to get unemployment compensation for most of that period. His sinus surgery went well. I went through a lot of testing for what we thought was a pinched nerve in my neck. Turns out it was an inflamed nerve root. Epidural helped that! We had Thanksgiving at my parents’.

December 2007 – Ummm…… Lots of birthdays and Christmas! Oh, and we had a very short period where we thought we wanted another kiddo. Reality kicked in and our sanity returned…… Lane is it! Barry was rehired with a new owner.

January 2008 – Lane’s 2nd Birthday & Party. Mickey Mouse theme, of course! It was a rough month for Poppie. He was in and out of the hospital.

February 2008 – On Feb. 9, 2008, Lane’s Poppie (my Daddy) lost his battle with emphysema, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. He fought a long, hard battle up to his last breath. I miss him with every fiber of my being, but am so thankful at the same time, that he is no longer suffering and is now in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. This is a copy of the obit…
Mr. Grover N. "Buddy" Knight of Blue Springs died Saturday morning, Feb. 9, 2008, in Flowers Hospital following an extended illness. He was 62.Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, from Spring Hill Baptist Church in Blue Springs with the Revs. Bill Hassell, W. M. Todd and Elder James H. Bass officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. His body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time Monday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.Mr. Knight was born June 15, 1945, in Troy to Anna Laura Hudson Knight and the late Aaron Samuel Knight. He was raised in Blue Springs and attended Enterprise Junior College, where he received a degree in criminology. Mr. Knight was a former Alabama State Trooper and received both the Distinguished Service Award and the Meritorious Service Award for heroism. These are the two highest awards granted by the state Department of Public Safety. He later owned and operated Knight's Welding in Blue Springs. He was an avid gun and knife collector and a wonderful "Poppie" to his adoring grandchildren.In addition to his father, Mr. Knight was preceded in death by his daughter, Kara Knight Evans.Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Kay Easterling Knight of Blue Springs; one daughter and son-in-law, Laralee and Barry Pennington of Childersburg; his son-in-law, Mike Evans of Ariton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Aaron Allen and Amanda Knight of Blue Springs, and James Daniel and Michell Knight of Dothan; his mother, Anna Laura Hudson Knight Bowdoin of Blue Springs; his mother-in-law, Kathryn Pullen Easterling of Northport, Alabama; one sister, Anita Knight Helms of Blue Springs; one sister-in-law, Jane Easterling Weaver and her husband, Marshall, of Cottondale; seven grandchildren, Drew Knight, Amanda Evans, Tommy Knight, Kimberly Evans, Lane Pennington, Theresa Phillips, and Austin Foxworth; and Buster, his black poodle, who was his constant companion.

March 2008 – Don’t remember anything eventful. Just muddled through that month. Oh, Lane was sick the first part of the month. Horrible croup & cough. His asthma glared up as well. He was diagnosed with trachemalacia. Basically, his trachea is weak and can collapse easily. Just great!

April 2008 – Have no clue what happened this month!

May 2008 – Barry’s grandfather, L.D. Pennington (Lane’s named for him), passed away May 3rd. He was 85. He was a giant of a man; meaning that he was truly the patriarch of the family. He taught Barry so much; from hunting to fishing, from how to shave to how to be a man. He was a wonderful, wonderful man that is sorely missed. Godspeed Papaw. Also in May. my oldest neice, Amanda, graduated from high school. That just about killed me!! We had a graduation party for her and it turned out beautifully! I am so proud of the young woman she has become…… so much like her mother. I know Kara was smiling down on Amanda.
June 2008 – We took Lane, my nephew, Austin, and Nana to the Georgia Aquarium. We had a blast! Well, we did once we got there. Driving in Atlanta was no fun and I don’t want to do it again any time soon. We also took them to Centennial Olympic Park and let them splash around in the rings. We were all exhausted by the time we got home. My niece, Amanda, had her 18th birthday. Ugh! Making me old!

July 2008 – My brother Jimmy got married July 5th. I got the honor of making the wedding cake, grooms cake, and taking pictures. I was soooo out of my element with the picture taking. Barry was a groomsman and Lane was a ring bearer. He was quite the character!! My niece, Kimberly, had her 16th birthday. She’s driving!!!! Just yesterday, she was only driving me crazy!! Lane also had us squashing rumors all month. He told any and everyone at daycare that he was getting a baby sister. When I asked him why he thought he was getting one, he said, “Cause I need one. I need five babies!” It finally dawned on me that Tyler, a classmate at daycare, was getting a baby sister. After leaving daycare that day, I took Lane with me to vote. The ladies at the polls were asking Lane his name, age, etc, when he blurted out, “I want a baby sister”. One of the ladies asked if he was getting one and he replied, "My mommy won't let me have one". I also had to listen to 30 minutes of inconsolable crying at bedtime about his wanting a baby sister. I finally gave him a baby doll that he clutched all night long!

August 2008 – Must have been a very boring month. Can’t remember a thing that happened!

September 2008 – Lane started AWANA’s at church. He looks so cute in his little vest. His class is named Cubbies. He learns a different Bible verse every week and has to recite it to the teacher. The verses are very interesting at times once Lane puts his spin on them… "While we have sinned…Christ died for us". Lane made it into "While we were in centers, God made heaven and earth"! We had a scare with Nana this month. She had been having spells with chest pains. She had to have a heart cath done and they put stents in because an artery was blocked. Seems to be much better now.

October 2008 – Halloween, that’s about all that went on in October. Well, besides my brothers’ 40th Birthday. That was fun fun!! Lane was a black and white cow (“Otis” from Barnyard) for Halloween. He was cute as a button!

November 2008 – Lane got to go on his first hunting trip on Nov. 22nd. He was so funny, saying, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…”. He finally asked, “Can I be loud now?” When we told him that he could, he started hooping and hollering! Thanksgiving was at my mama’s again. I got to prepare most of it again. Totally worth it though. Amanda, Kimberly, and I went shopping on Black Friday. Found lots of good deals. Barry and I watched the Iron Bowl together again this year. Of course Alabama whooped Auburn…just never imagined it would be a shut-out. Oh well, maybe next year!

December 2008 – Whew! What a year! At least I am caught up now!! Hopefully I can keep up to date with the blog now.

Picture Day!

2007-10-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

10/4/2007

Early morning this morning. Lane decided he wanted to get up when I did at 5:15. He would have nothing to do with his Daddy or the bed. We spent a little while on the couch and I finally coaxed him back to bed. We slept for a little while and I was able to extract myself in time to get to work by 7:20 (Lane was left in Dixie's protective paws…too cute!). I had barely logged into the computer at work when my cell phone rung. It was Barry informing me that our rotten child refused to have his picture made this morning at school. I have no idea why. He was dressed so cute, in a royal blue and white gingham jumper that had a puppy dog on the front of it. He was excited last night to wear “Hi-hee” (apparently the dog on the outfit looks like Uncle Allen’s new Brittany Spaniel puppy, Heidi). Lane wouldn't let go of Barry and then wanted his book in the picture. His "Potty Book". Not happening!!!! Barry said he and the photographer gave up and said they would try again later…yeah, when his clothes and face are covered with yogurt and snot!

When I picked Lane up from school today there was a hairbrush from the photographer in his cubby. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN! He took his pictures! When I asked him about it he said, “I smile Mommy!” and gave me the cheesiest grin ever!

We rushed home to get ready for Childersburg’s football game. Lane’s Aunt Savannah was going to be singing the National Anthem prior to the start of the game. Lane was excited to go to the “putball” game but he had food on the brain. We stopped at McDonalds for “hom-burgers and frenfries” so we wouldn’t have to spend a week’s daycare tuition at the concession stand. Lane discovered the wonders of ketchup tonight! He saw Uncle Jake dipping his fries in ketchup and had to do the same. Needless to say, it took a half a box of baby wipes to get him cleaned up to go to the game.

Lane had a pretty good time at the game. Unfortunately, we were running late and heard the National Anthem playing as we were getting out of the truck. Once we paid a mint to get into the game, we found out Aunt Savannah didn’t sing after all. Oh well – Lane got to watch the game and got quite upset if someone blocked his view. The kid loves his football! He danced to the band in Pop’s lap but refused to go near the Tiger mascot. Go figure!

Getting Started

2007-10-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

10/3/2007

I have been asked to start writing down some of the day to day happenings in the Pennington household. I swear that my life is better than a soap opera! I spend several minutes each morning updating a friend of mine on what Lane did the night before...she laughs all morning, so it must be good stuff. Actually, writing it all down is somewhat cathartic!

I went into work early today so I could earn some credit time. Barry is having sinus surgery in 2 weeks and I need all the leave I can get. I got to work at 7:15, leaving Barry, Lane, and Dixie in the bed, asleep. I called Barry at 7:25 to make sure he found the clothes I had laid out for Lane. He proceeded to tell me about his morning up to that point… Dixie decided to have runny poop in the hall (ever seen how much an adult Lab can poop?). He cleaned it the "best" he could and put carpet foam on it (should I mention that he scooped it up with the dust pan, put it in an empty pizza box, and tossed it off the porch!). He then got in the shower and mid way through, heard little feet coming down the hall – Lane found the poop! They both got back in the shower. As Barry was getting dressed, Lane found an almost empty bag of Turtle Chex Mix. He dumped that on the floor. Barry cleaned that up and started dressing Lane. I use the term “dressing” very loosely – it’s almost like wrestling a greased pig/octopus into a wet bathing suit. He paused long enough to locate Lane’s shoes and that was enough time for Lane to find a bag of tortilla chip crumbs and scatter the floor again. Barry said that mess was waiting on me once I got home. I then got reprimanded for leaving food where Lane can reach it (I guess I will start tossing it on the roof – the kid’s got a reach like Inspector Gadget).

Barry finally got Lane to school, where he had tons’o’fun painting his clothes & a pumpkin picture and playing with dolls all day. I picked Lane up around 5:15 and we went to Sylacauga to buy something for him to wear for Picture Day tomorrow. Found nothing. We took him to Quizno’s because he was screaming “I wanna EAT EAT!!!!”. We knew there was no way he would wait until we got home and actually cooked dinner. He devoured a kid’s ham and cheese sandwich! The child did want to “EAT EAT”. He fell asleep on the way home, so Barry and I drove around the metropolis of Childersburg to make sure he was “good and asleep”. Didn’t work…the minute we pulled into the driveway, he was wide awake. It was only 8:00, so we knew we were in for a long night. Much to our surprise, however, Lane demanded to “go night night” and went to the bedroom. We played in the bed, cuddling, tickling, etc. to wear him down. He said his “payers” and made sure to say an extra prayer for Poppie. Too darn sweet!