I am SO Lucky...

Maybe after reading this next story you will believe me when I say if it's going to happen to anyone, it'll happen to me!

I'm checking my bank account online this morning and to my amazement we were $1100 IN THE NEGATIVE! What the heck...I'm starting to do the live chat to find out what is happening when Pam-BFF at work-hears my phone ringing and brings it to me. I miss the call and have a message to call the credit union regarding some transactions. I call...they ask if I'm in Spain...SPAIN?! No, I'm in little ol' South Carolina. Someone had gotten my check card number (not just a credit card mind you-my bank account debit card) and was living the good life in Spain. Only one transaction got through, they blocked a second one because it was "suspicious." So...I get my happy little bottom on the phone with the credit union (where I happen to be pretty close with a VP and an AVP) to figure out what was going on. It seems that several transactions had occurred with several other members as well, so it does not look like my identity was stolen, thank goodness. Some smart loser is probably sitting in Spain having fun hacking into computers-smart jerk! I promise...if they want my life, they can have it! Anyhow, we are going to cancel our cards even though all Spain transactions have been blocked, I'm afraid they'll hop on over to some other country and we can't afford that-literally-so we'll take care of that early next week. It just figures...

And, it was a nasty day and it rained all day...figures on a Thursday...when we don't have a break...and we can't go outside for recess! I'm pooped! Until next time, as always, Remember Jackson!

Nichole, who almost got her identity stolen

The Promised Patio

I know it has taken me forever, but below are pictures of the "Promised Patio." I'm so proud of Joseph for all of the hard work and time he put into this patio even though I complained the entire time because it was taking too long. However...it was very worth the wait and I'm excited to show off how crafty my hubby is...

This is a view of the whole patio (muddy backyard included)

This is the "circle" part...it was a little tricky, but it looks great

And this is the steps and another "circle" area for the grill.

All in all...I'm completely impressed with Joseph's ability to build this patio by himself...with a little help from the guys on the weekend. I think he did an awesome job...and I can't wait to furnish and enjoy my new patio come the spring and summer...it'll be great!

So...while I was looking through pictures I found one of us from our Halloween Party last weekend. I did enjoy the party, and am very sorry I missed oh...probably 2/3 of it...if you look at my eyes, you might figure out why...

Hard to tell, but I was an "Intoxicated Indian", Joseph, a Cowboy! We had a blast! I've given up wine for the time being though. Just because there is a really cute penguin on the bottle does not mean I should drink the whole thing, before I eat.

So, that's all for this time around. I'm off to get ready for another week. I hope everyone is doing great. Hopefully this week I can bring you a picture of the two turkeys I made for my little turkey Jackson. Until next time, as always, please Remember Jackson!

"Awesome"

No...not the results of the election, that to me is a little scary. "Awesome" is the quote of the day from Dr. Sanders regarding my eye. He was very pleased with how it looked and I have dropped down to 4 drops a day, for a total of 8 in both eyes. I'm actually still on a steroid drop for my right eye too...so hence the 8 drops. I go back in 2 weeks for a recheck.

I'm very nervous about people voting Obama as our next President. All I can do is pray for his safety and ask God to give him wisdom and knowledge when it comes to running this country. I feel he lacks experience and this was not the time to elect an inexperienced person...in my opinion. Any how...it's done and over with, and like I said, all any of us can do is pray for him and our country.

I'm off to relax...it's been a weird day...I think having a random Tuesday off really threw me for a loop. But I bet it will be great come Friday since today seemed like a Monday again. Hope everyone is well...I am good. Now I get to really focus on training my eyes since I no longer have to dilate them every morning...I think I'll go try to read some now. Until next time, pray for our country and as always, please Remember Jackson!

Nichole

Did You Vote?

It's your duty as an American to vote...did you?! Joseph and I went this morning around 9 and had to wait about an hour, which wasn't horrible. Some friends waited MUCH longer then that, and we got to sleep in! My parents walked right in and voted...and they live in Charlotte, so I thought for sure they would have long lines...not so. I'm excited to see how everything turns out. I hate how the media seems to favor Obama, but I'm holding out hope for a McCain upset...did I just tell who I voted for?! I will be so glad when all this election stuff is over...I'm sick of commericals and phone calls-I had 5 messages yesterday and 3-4 more calls after that-leave me alone! Any how...it was a little difficult voting...I started getting nervous that I would not be able to read all the ballot and stuff...but thankfully the writing was big enough. Wouldn't that have been a little scary?! Anyway...it's a historical election and I hope you make your voice heard by casting your vote...every vote does count for something! Now I'm off to make soup for a girls night...I love having election day off (but it's only once every 4 years-still a nice treat). Back to the doctor's tomorrow afternoon for a checkup, I'll let you know how it goes! Until next time...go vote and Remember Jackson!

Nichole

The Real World...

STINKS! Next time I ever complain about being bored at home or being on bed rest (which I pray will never happen again) please tell me to shut up! Today I returned to work...nothing like being thrown back into a job involving teaching, managing, answering questions, listening to, entertaining and transporting 23 kindergartners for 7 hours. That is real work people...trust me, as I barely have enough strength left to continue my post. I don't really know how I do it 5 days a week...but I do, and I wouldn't change it for the world because when my 23 students saw me the look of excitement and the hugs were unforgettable, for about 2 seconds before the questions about the eye began, the tattling began, and the recap of what I had missed all week began...man, what a job! I love you little kindergartners...and Mrs. Rector too!

Anyway...my eye is doing great! The drops are really starting to get bothersome, but I continue on so that I can make a full recovery. Tomorrow is another crazy day with trick-or-treating added to my list of things I must do with 23 kindergartners-wish me luck! Tonight we are off to dinner (who cares that I gained .8 back this week...bring on the Mexican, next week I'll get back on the elliptical). Then we are going shopping for our Halloween costumes for our "Whatever AnnualSometimes Bi-Annual Shannon Halloween Bash." Have a great night, and thanks for checking in on me...I promise a post about our AWESOME patio soon. For now, I'm off to take a nap-a peaceful nap where I do not hear the words "Mrs. Hedgepeth" (or any variation of it)...

Nichole

Free At Last...(again, hopefully for good this time)

So I just got home from the doctor and I have been given the all clear to resume all normal activities...YAY! My eye is looking great, so he says, since I can't see it, and he is very pleased with how my recovery is going. My vision was much better in my left eye today (20/25) but we will not know for several weeks how or if the surgery was successful. They have to keep my eye dilated so that no scar tissue develops, therefore, my up close vision will be effected for several more weeks. I'm feeling pretty confident that everything will go good...I can see so much better already. I get to drop down to 24 drops a day-so that's still fun and entertaining. The doctor did express some concerns about doing my drops at school because of germs and stuff, but I will just have to be extra extra careful. Speaking of school...yesterday a wonderful goody basket was dropped off-I work with the greatest people. I got some gift cards to some favorite food places, so reading won't be required-yay! The basket was also filled with eyeball gummies...they think they are pretty funny over there at Oakdale! I'm excited to get back to work and be with my second family again...I just hope I can stay awake since I've been pretty lazy these past couple of days! Thanks for checking up on me during this rough little batch. I'm excited to be on the road to recovery and getting back to a normal life. The patio is even finished, so that'll be my next post...got to build up the suspense since it took several weeks to finish! Until next time, keep me in your prayers for a full recovery! Thanks!

Nichole

Off to the Dungeon

It's not as bad as it sounds, but I'm off to the cold, COLD dungeon, otherwise known as Room 219 at Hotel DE' Widrick (otherwise known as my parents house). Since my Mom is now "in charge" of getting me where I need to go I've decided to save myself a lot of stress and go stay the night up there so she can take me to my appointment in the morning. Otherwise, I'd be waiting here for her to come pick me up, and many of you may or may not know this, but my Mom is notorious for being late. Therefore, I'm taking that chance away by staying at her house, therefore ensuring I get to my appointment on time. I'll be leaving all 4 boys at home to bond for the night. I'll let you know how the appointment goes tomorrow! Until next time, thanks for checking in on me again...

Hedge

PS-I feel like my vision is getting better and better...hopefully I'm on the road to full recovery!