So, exactly a week ago, I had my accident. I see the chiropractor on Monday and hopefully he can tell me the root of these non stop headaches from the accident. The hospital didn't seem to care, it was the bare minimum. When I spoke to the chiropractor's office, they were both caring and kind. They answered any and all question's I have. And they assured me they would find where the damage was done on my body that is causing these never ending headaches. They said it is usually from compression either in the spine or neck.
All I can say is I hope it goes away. I hope they fix it. I really do.
I am so confused with the whole insurance process, I don't even know where to start. No one on the other end gives me clear cut answers and I feel they want way too much personal information. I think after my visit to the chiropractor on Monday and what I am told, I will then decide if it is in my best interest to avoid stress and just have a lawyer to the hands on. I don't understand the paper work or the releases, and I don't trust anyone to be honest. Never have, Never will.
When it comes to my health I don't trust the person trying to cut corners, sorry, I just don't.
If the lawyer charges 30% in contingency fees, it's worth it to me. All I really want is my medical bills paid. I did nothing wrong. Not a damn thing. I had been stopped for a good few minutes before this girl even sped up on me and rear ended me. I am just so bitter over it all. I told myself I wouldn't be, but after a week and having more stress from being given the run around and catching her insurance company in a lie, I don't trust them or trust they will do the right thing.
I feel they are acting on bad faith and I have my recorded conversations to prove it all.
I am not very smart, but I have enough common sense to know when to record something when someone is being fictitious with me.
Sitting on the brick steps outside watching my kids play has began to put so much stress on my mid back (which is also semi sore). I tried to browse craigs list to find a patio chair set, but really no such luck.
I won't pay full price for one, they are way too costly. So used is my way of life pretty much.
I think I am going to go to bed before I frustrate myself even more. Good night and good weekend to you all!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
headache, headache, go away!!
It's so annoying to sit with my children and have these sporadic knife/ ice pick like jabs in my head. They are mostly in the back left, but just seem to radiate all over when they feel like it. It will be interesting to find what the chiropractor finds. I pray I never get rear ended again. Actually, I pray I never get in a car accident again. I pride myself on being a good driver. I have never in my life had a speeding ticket or any other kind of ticket.
Just today as I dropped MiMi off to school some one wasn't looking and cuts me off. I beep the horn to let them know "hey look out, I saved your butt". They just waved and smiled. (shrug). Who wants to get in an accident? Not me (again). And would avoid one at all cost. This sucks.
The backs of my ankles feel strained too. I wonder if it's because I wore healed boots when she hit me? Probably unrelated. Who knows? My ankles don't concern me. My head does. I can careless about any other minor petty stuff that I have going on, but the headaches are just beyond aggravating.
Especially when you are the only caregiver for your two kids, you just can not rest. and it linger and lingers. I will be happy once I find relief from this all.
Doug is out money from a day of work, I am going to be out money for a baby sitter and a prescription and I am just thankful I actually have money to cover this at the moment, but it's so aggravating that money that SHOULD be for your children is going to something someone else caused. :(( NOT NOT NOT happy about this.
If I am grumpy and complaining, I apologize. I am just having a "woe is me" moment. I'll get over it once all is said and done. I guess in hindsight it could of been way worse. My kids weren't with me so that is the best blessing of all.
I want to get my chubby hands on home projects and I can't. Delays, delays. You never realize how much you do when you can't do as much. Oh well, accidents happen, it's a part of life. I just want it to be over with. :/
The car is being fixed as we speak.
Just today as I dropped MiMi off to school some one wasn't looking and cuts me off. I beep the horn to let them know "hey look out, I saved your butt". They just waved and smiled. (shrug). Who wants to get in an accident? Not me (again). And would avoid one at all cost. This sucks.
The backs of my ankles feel strained too. I wonder if it's because I wore healed boots when she hit me? Probably unrelated. Who knows? My ankles don't concern me. My head does. I can careless about any other minor petty stuff that I have going on, but the headaches are just beyond aggravating.
Especially when you are the only caregiver for your two kids, you just can not rest. and it linger and lingers. I will be happy once I find relief from this all.
Doug is out money from a day of work, I am going to be out money for a baby sitter and a prescription and I am just thankful I actually have money to cover this at the moment, but it's so aggravating that money that SHOULD be for your children is going to something someone else caused. :(( NOT NOT NOT happy about this.
If I am grumpy and complaining, I apologize. I am just having a "woe is me" moment. I'll get over it once all is said and done. I guess in hindsight it could of been way worse. My kids weren't with me so that is the best blessing of all.
I want to get my chubby hands on home projects and I can't. Delays, delays. You never realize how much you do when you can't do as much. Oh well, accidents happen, it's a part of life. I just want it to be over with. :/
The car is being fixed as we speak.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday Updates
Today I heard from the at fault person's insurance company. I gave a recorded statement on the accident itself, I am sure I left off some details as I have given the story time and again while trying to reach an adjuster to begin with. Very frustrating. I also told about going to the hospital and my current pains (the headaches that do not subside but seem manageable, the neck aches that have gone away, the abdominal contusion healing on it's own and soreness in my back.
Later tonight while Doug drove us to pick up dinner I started to notice my lower back was stiffening up and feeling "bruised". It's now 10:45 PM EST making it exactly 5 days and 45 minutes post accident and my lower back is killing me. I don't know what the hell..I really don't. I really assumed since the only real bother that night was my head (even though in the confusion of it all I forgot all about hitting my legs until I seen the bruises the next morning) that I would be fine. My swollen contusion showed up Sunday night and I waited to be seen for it until my follow up Monday morning.
Nothing else seemed a miss, the swelling from the contusion has all but faded away, my knee bruises had started to fade as well into a yellowy bruise. my headaches were constant until Wednesday, then they went away and came back all day today.
While thinking about this, I took the advice of my sister (who has been in a few rear end collisions and said the back pain down the road was not worth settling because it gets worse) and I scheduled to see a chiropractor.
I specifically asked if the headaches were something they could treat bc the hospital did a CT scan that later showed up normal. The person I spoke with reminded me that a CT scan only does certain look overs but the chiropractor will do his own x rays and that headaches are usually from spinal or neck injury. I never knew headaches were related to that, and am kind of mad the doctor's did not tell me.
I really hope the chiropractor can pin point the location that is causing them and resolve it. I also disagree with the police report that said she was doing 35, after seeing her in my rear view and looking at both our cars, there is no way. There really is no way. I literally sat there waiting to turn left and 3 cars had already passed as I was waiting for a few more to go so I could make my left turn (while fully stopped) i see her in my rear view speeding towards me, i look down and back up and she's not even slowing down. I look down and BAM.
I was so confused for a while until her passenger asked me how I was and I told him I hit my head really hard and didn't now if i was okay. I asked him to call 911 for an accident report to be done. When I called 911 myself after a few minutes and not being as confused I told the 911 operater I didn't know if i was hurt but I hit my head really hard and had a headache.
I thought this would be cut and dry. I wasn't even expecting to feel back pain 5 days later. It's ridiculous what someone's uncarefulness can do to you when you are obeying all the traffic laws.
Then getting hold of someone at her company was like a 3 ring circus. I and Doug both left messages on the original claims adjusters VM I will leave his initials (MB). He never called back. Tuesday I believe it was (maybe monday), I spoke with a guy named K. at insurance company and gave him my statement anf frustrations (unrecorded I believe) he told me my story matched hers and they accepted liability. He said he would email the info I gave him to MB. By Wednesday, I was still confused because I've never dealed with this before (accident/'insurance companies) and I called yet again, I believe the woman I spoke to was T. I told her I wanted a (insurance co name here) email invite to view my claim online. She then told me MB was not able to handle medical claims and got me a new adjuster (MBS). While talking to her I told her I spoke to K (which I did not recall his name at the time, she later gave it to me by the records). I told her he told me that they accepted responsibility. She says "he must of had his notes mixed up because our driver did not call yet".
I told her, "to stop right there, because he told me my story matched with hers 1. and 2 when state farm called geico to see if a claim had already been made, THEY (state farm) had given me the claim number, insurance adjusters name and his number).
Right after I tell her this she says, "actually miss murphy, she is calling in right now, can you please hold". STRANGE.
At that point I did not trust her and broke out my camera nad recorded the remainder of hte conversation. I figure if they are willing to lie that early on I may need it later if I need it.
Today *THURSDAY at 10:37 am* MBS calls and talks to me for a bit then I agree to give a recorded statement. I told her the jist of the accident but probably not every single detail as I was rushed to get it out since my son was in the room and to be honest when she initially called I was on the phone with my sister and when I clicked over before saying "hello" I heard her say "Oh my GODDDD" in a sarcastic tone. Which kind of set the mood for me that I was probably going to be in over my head. I also told her about going to Cape Fear and my follow up apt. When asked how I felt now, I said I still have headaches, my neck soreness is subsiding or gone, my abdominal contusion is healing on it's own and my back is sore but probably hearling (but what do I know I am not an MD). I don't recall what else I said. Oh, the damage to my an dthe other drivers car, to which I said I am not a mechanic, but I described what I seen and told her I uploaded photos on the claim to their website. She did seem nice at the end and even answered questions about the medical billing process with my own insurance company since I had false info.
While picking mimi up from school, Ethan was asleep so I called a chiropractor to set up the apt. So far this is what's going on. I figured I'd keep track of it on my blog, because my memory is kind of in the here and now with two kids I can hardly remember where I put my keys most days when they are in my own hand.
I called an attorney but I am still debating if I want to use one. I figure if the insurance company compensates all my bills and is truly fair in the settlement I don't want to go out of my way to get an attorney, I am not out to make money but I do expect full compensation since none of this was my fault and I don't know what other help I will need in the future. One of the manyh mailers I got from attorneys and chiropractors stated some soft tissue damage can show up to 2 weeks afterwards. grief. I really hope that this isthe final pain to show up because I am over it. I have no help with my kids and I need to be the best mom I can be for them.
Later tonight while Doug drove us to pick up dinner I started to notice my lower back was stiffening up and feeling "bruised". It's now 10:45 PM EST making it exactly 5 days and 45 minutes post accident and my lower back is killing me. I don't know what the hell..I really don't. I really assumed since the only real bother that night was my head (even though in the confusion of it all I forgot all about hitting my legs until I seen the bruises the next morning) that I would be fine. My swollen contusion showed up Sunday night and I waited to be seen for it until my follow up Monday morning.
Nothing else seemed a miss, the swelling from the contusion has all but faded away, my knee bruises had started to fade as well into a yellowy bruise. my headaches were constant until Wednesday, then they went away and came back all day today.
While thinking about this, I took the advice of my sister (who has been in a few rear end collisions and said the back pain down the road was not worth settling because it gets worse) and I scheduled to see a chiropractor.
I specifically asked if the headaches were something they could treat bc the hospital did a CT scan that later showed up normal. The person I spoke with reminded me that a CT scan only does certain look overs but the chiropractor will do his own x rays and that headaches are usually from spinal or neck injury. I never knew headaches were related to that, and am kind of mad the doctor's did not tell me.
I really hope the chiropractor can pin point the location that is causing them and resolve it. I also disagree with the police report that said she was doing 35, after seeing her in my rear view and looking at both our cars, there is no way. There really is no way. I literally sat there waiting to turn left and 3 cars had already passed as I was waiting for a few more to go so I could make my left turn (while fully stopped) i see her in my rear view speeding towards me, i look down and back up and she's not even slowing down. I look down and BAM.
I was so confused for a while until her passenger asked me how I was and I told him I hit my head really hard and didn't now if i was okay. I asked him to call 911 for an accident report to be done. When I called 911 myself after a few minutes and not being as confused I told the 911 operater I didn't know if i was hurt but I hit my head really hard and had a headache.
I thought this would be cut and dry. I wasn't even expecting to feel back pain 5 days later. It's ridiculous what someone's uncarefulness can do to you when you are obeying all the traffic laws.
Then getting hold of someone at her company was like a 3 ring circus. I and Doug both left messages on the original claims adjusters VM I will leave his initials (MB). He never called back. Tuesday I believe it was (maybe monday), I spoke with a guy named K. at insurance company and gave him my statement anf frustrations (unrecorded I believe) he told me my story matched hers and they accepted liability. He said he would email the info I gave him to MB. By Wednesday, I was still confused because I've never dealed with this before (accident/'insurance companies) and I called yet again, I believe the woman I spoke to was T. I told her I wanted a (insurance co name here) email invite to view my claim online. She then told me MB was not able to handle medical claims and got me a new adjuster (MBS). While talking to her I told her I spoke to K (which I did not recall his name at the time, she later gave it to me by the records). I told her he told me that they accepted responsibility. She says "he must of had his notes mixed up because our driver did not call yet".
I told her, "to stop right there, because he told me my story matched with hers 1. and 2 when state farm called geico to see if a claim had already been made, THEY (state farm) had given me the claim number, insurance adjusters name and his number).
Right after I tell her this she says, "actually miss murphy, she is calling in right now, can you please hold". STRANGE.
At that point I did not trust her and broke out my camera nad recorded the remainder of hte conversation. I figure if they are willing to lie that early on I may need it later if I need it.
Today *THURSDAY at 10:37 am* MBS calls and talks to me for a bit then I agree to give a recorded statement. I told her the jist of the accident but probably not every single detail as I was rushed to get it out since my son was in the room and to be honest when she initially called I was on the phone with my sister and when I clicked over before saying "hello" I heard her say "Oh my GODDDD" in a sarcastic tone. Which kind of set the mood for me that I was probably going to be in over my head. I also told her about going to Cape Fear and my follow up apt. When asked how I felt now, I said I still have headaches, my neck soreness is subsiding or gone, my abdominal contusion is healing on it's own and my back is sore but probably hearling (but what do I know I am not an MD). I don't recall what else I said. Oh, the damage to my an dthe other drivers car, to which I said I am not a mechanic, but I described what I seen and told her I uploaded photos on the claim to their website. She did seem nice at the end and even answered questions about the medical billing process with my own insurance company since I had false info.
While picking mimi up from school, Ethan was asleep so I called a chiropractor to set up the apt. So far this is what's going on. I figured I'd keep track of it on my blog, because my memory is kind of in the here and now with two kids I can hardly remember where I put my keys most days when they are in my own hand.
I called an attorney but I am still debating if I want to use one. I figure if the insurance company compensates all my bills and is truly fair in the settlement I don't want to go out of my way to get an attorney, I am not out to make money but I do expect full compensation since none of this was my fault and I don't know what other help I will need in the future. One of the manyh mailers I got from attorneys and chiropractors stated some soft tissue damage can show up to 2 weeks afterwards. grief. I really hope that this isthe final pain to show up because I am over it. I have no help with my kids and I need to be the best mom I can be for them.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Accident updates
My head hurts. It hurts so bad. It's like a never ending LITERAL headache since Saturday night. First it throbbed and was achy all over. Now it's like someone is taking a knife, or ice pik and shoving it in my brain and twisting it and pulling it out. It's aweful. I would not wish it on anyone. It's hard to focus on my kids when my head just won't stop bothering me. Sunday night I took my first dosage of TY3. It made me puke so hard Iwill never take it again. I am NOT a fan of medication anyway, but this pain just lingers. My 118/77 blood pressure days have turned into 158/102 days. I now it's the pain causing the spike.
Other times it feels like my head is a water balloon being filled with water and it's so stuffy and full. :(
After puking my TY3 up last night I noticed swelling the length of a water bottle under my right breast bone. It was so painful when I sat or leaned forward. Today (Monday) I went to the doctor's for a follow up. They diagnosed me with Motor vehicle related cephalgia (from the headaches) and abdominal contusion.
I just want the headaches to stop:(
The worst part of all of this is Geico has yet to call me, yet to return Doug's phone calls and the adjuster is impossible to reach. Because of this we went through our agency (State Farm), who says they will go after GEICO. And apparantly when GEICO feels good and ready they will contact me to settle. To be honest? I don't now if I will. Their lack of compassion is ridiculous, as far as I am concerned I can just keep visiting the doctor for this pain on THEIR tab.
You don't even realize how sore you are when you hit your head until the following days. When I hit my head so hard all i could focus on wast he immense pain and immediate headache. It was so bad I didnt even remember hitting my knees (which are now bruised up as well). Or that the seat belt shoved so far into my ribs that it swelled up my liver area.
I really do pray none of this gets worse and it works itself out. And I am thankful to State Farm for causing less stress by taking this over. I really despise GEICO at the moment, 3 days after my accident and no contact? Someone needs to lose their job :/
Other times it feels like my head is a water balloon being filled with water and it's so stuffy and full. :(
After puking my TY3 up last night I noticed swelling the length of a water bottle under my right breast bone. It was so painful when I sat or leaned forward. Today (Monday) I went to the doctor's for a follow up. They diagnosed me with Motor vehicle related cephalgia (from the headaches) and abdominal contusion.
I just want the headaches to stop:(
The worst part of all of this is Geico has yet to call me, yet to return Doug's phone calls and the adjuster is impossible to reach. Because of this we went through our agency (State Farm), who says they will go after GEICO. And apparantly when GEICO feels good and ready they will contact me to settle. To be honest? I don't now if I will. Their lack of compassion is ridiculous, as far as I am concerned I can just keep visiting the doctor for this pain on THEIR tab.
You don't even realize how sore you are when you hit your head until the following days. When I hit my head so hard all i could focus on wast he immense pain and immediate headache. It was so bad I didnt even remember hitting my knees (which are now bruised up as well). Or that the seat belt shoved so far into my ribs that it swelled up my liver area.
I really do pray none of this gets worse and it works itself out. And I am thankful to State Farm for causing less stress by taking this over. I really despise GEICO at the moment, 3 days after my accident and no contact? Someone needs to lose their job :/
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday night accident..
So I went to take MiMi to spend the night at my parents house Saturday night, it was about 8 pm. I stayed to watch a movie and left 10 before 10 pm. I was sitting at a complete stop waiting for cars to pass so I could make a left hand turn to go home when I look in my rear view mirror and see this car hauling you know what. I think, well they will slow down, when i realize they aren't slowing at all, I look down close my eyes and say a prayer. It happened so fast I don't remember every detail, just throwing my hand in front of my face as I was shoved forward but not having enough time to block my head as it was thrown back into the head rest. I remember my knees hurting but the pain in my head quickly made me forget all about my legs. I sat there with my hand on my head shaking. I couldn't even call the cops. I just sat there confused. At some point someone came to my car and asked if I was alright or hurt. I said my head hurt really bad when I hit it and could they please call the cops for an accident report.
I remember calling my Dad to call Doug since I never get through on Doug's phone. and I remember calling 911 after that, 10 minutes must of gone by and I was so confused I don't remember exactly what I told the 911 operator, other than I was trying to remember the name of the road and my head hurt badly but I didn't know if it was my blood pressure or what.
Eventually when I got my composure as cars sped past us, I pulled over to the grassy shoulder and put my E lights on.
I got out of my car and as I did the ambulance and fire dept showed up. I didn't know what to say other than I was shaken and I didn't know much else. I told them to go on and I didn't want to take their time if someone else needed them more. I said I would have Doug take me to the hospital to check my head.
The cops asked questions, and I honestly don't remember much else. I remember the driver telling me in her exact words, "I am so sorry, I told my mom I needed new tires". All I could think is, you didn't even stop, or try, she was speeding, I know that much, she was going so fast.
This is what her car looked like after she hit me while I was at a dead stop (courtesy of Doug):
I have no clue how they were not hurt, but I am thankful they were not.
My car was pushed so far. It wrinkled the top of my car up by the back glass, it pushed my trunk open, pushed the wheels off the ground, knocked the tail lights out of the sockets and the bumper was a mangled mess of evidence of where her car road on top of mine.
The tow truck showed up, and the officer gave me an exchange slip. I went to the hospital where they did a CT scan, I tried to avoid it but they said they needed to do it. I as given a prescription and told to come back in 2 days to do a follow up.
We called our insurance last night, I guess we call the local office tomorrow since nothing will be open until Monday. I don't know if my vehicle is salvageable, I just pray they cover enough to replace the exact same kind of car.
I will say from the looks of the car, I am so thankful God answered my prayers. I am most thankful that I decided at the last minute to leave Ethan with Doug. Had either of my kids been in the car I would of gone insane.
I just pray this is not going to be a long drawn out process. I have no car to take my daughter to school so she is staying with me tomorrow (it was a half day anyway) and I have to call to figure out how to get her on the crowded bus schedule now.
My head is still pounding, my neck and lower back started with the stiffness, but those aches are manageable and not too severe. The only thing I hate is this never ending headache. I took one of my prescriptions but I am not a fan of medication so will only take it again if it becomes worse.
I am so thankful it was not worse..
I remember calling my Dad to call Doug since I never get through on Doug's phone. and I remember calling 911 after that, 10 minutes must of gone by and I was so confused I don't remember exactly what I told the 911 operator, other than I was trying to remember the name of the road and my head hurt badly but I didn't know if it was my blood pressure or what.
Eventually when I got my composure as cars sped past us, I pulled over to the grassy shoulder and put my E lights on.
I got out of my car and as I did the ambulance and fire dept showed up. I didn't know what to say other than I was shaken and I didn't know much else. I told them to go on and I didn't want to take their time if someone else needed them more. I said I would have Doug take me to the hospital to check my head.
The cops asked questions, and I honestly don't remember much else. I remember the driver telling me in her exact words, "I am so sorry, I told my mom I needed new tires". All I could think is, you didn't even stop, or try, she was speeding, I know that much, she was going so fast.
This is what her car looked like after she hit me while I was at a dead stop (courtesy of Doug):
My car was pushed so far. It wrinkled the top of my car up by the back glass, it pushed my trunk open, pushed the wheels off the ground, knocked the tail lights out of the sockets and the bumper was a mangled mess of evidence of where her car road on top of mine.
The tow truck showed up, and the officer gave me an exchange slip. I went to the hospital where they did a CT scan, I tried to avoid it but they said they needed to do it. I as given a prescription and told to come back in 2 days to do a follow up.
We called our insurance last night, I guess we call the local office tomorrow since nothing will be open until Monday. I don't know if my vehicle is salvageable, I just pray they cover enough to replace the exact same kind of car.
I will say from the looks of the car, I am so thankful God answered my prayers. I am most thankful that I decided at the last minute to leave Ethan with Doug. Had either of my kids been in the car I would of gone insane.
I just pray this is not going to be a long drawn out process. I have no car to take my daughter to school so she is staying with me tomorrow (it was a half day anyway) and I have to call to figure out how to get her on the crowded bus schedule now.
My head is still pounding, my neck and lower back started with the stiffness, but those aches are manageable and not too severe. The only thing I hate is this never ending headache. I took one of my prescriptions but I am not a fan of medication so will only take it again if it becomes worse.
I am so thankful it was not worse..
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
American Heart Association
My daughter's school is participating in "Jump Rope for Heart" with the American Heart Association. Would you be so kind as to donate? Even $1 helps SO MUCH. Both MiMi and I appreciate ANYONE who will help the cause (and her school) in achieving goals.
The American Heart Association does SO MUCH for others, and this would be a prime opportunity to give back. Heart disease effects so many of us, and you never know where there may be a time you find yourself in need and an organization like the AHA steps up to help save your life.
Here is a link to MiMi's personal fundraising page with the AHA: http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR?px=3521604&pg=personal&fr_id=1683&et=6cgY4333YASrm-hdDZup4w&s_tafId=119316
Thank you, for your consideration :)) Bless you!
The American Heart Association does SO MUCH for others, and this would be a prime opportunity to give back. Heart disease effects so many of us, and you never know where there may be a time you find yourself in need and an organization like the AHA steps up to help save your life.
Here is a link to MiMi's personal fundraising page with the AHA: http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR?px=3521604&pg=personal&fr_id=1683&et=6cgY4333YASrm-hdDZup4w&s_tafId=119316
Thank you, for your consideration :)) Bless you!
Friday, March 16, 2012
A little bit of spring..
The spring has finally come out of hiding to stay. This has been evidenced by the fact, I washed my car two days ago and the very next day it was covered in thick yellow dust (pollen). Today I sat staring out of my triple window, eyes wandering into a place of deep thought when the pine trees across the street kicked up a cloud of yellow pollen I've never seen before. It looked like a pollen tornado fell off all the trees and busied itself right into my car, porch, home, and even the dog.
The dog - once pitch black, was now dusted in pale yellow yuckiness. Bless his heart.
The bumble bees were out buzzing in the azalea bushes and the HUGE Bradford pear trees that line my neighbors and our adjoining fence were in full bloom.
They are so beautiful. God's painted pictures for me to enjoy. Only, if you have ever had a Bradford pear tree, you know they smell like FISH when they bloom. - It's pretty funny.
And so, with that thought in mind, I share with you some photos of the Bradford Pears outside my house. Natures eye candy.
Some Azalea's In My Yard:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
MiMi's 7th Birthday Party
(But first, photos :) -
There needed to be a budget, but I was broke and if I held it at a venue, it would only be an hour at most, and in a rush and if no one showed I was still out money per kid up to 10 kids.
hmm...
I even thought against a party at one point.
But my WWMMD? (what would my mama do?) conscious kicked in. Yes, what would my mama do.
Well, at that age, she'd throw my a party at the house.
And, after all, you are only a child ONCE. May as well make the most of your child's childhood.
So with 4 days left to plan, I stalked bounce house venues, until I found one that suited my needs. I found True Value in Fayetteville, NC. For $288 (taxes and delivery/set up) I had rented a bounce house/slide combo, 3 8 foot long tables, 20 chairs, a Cotton Candy machine with enough to make 30 spools of cotton candy (the cotton candy they gave us actually made waaaaaaay more), & a bean bag toss game.
I know - it sounds like A LOT of money.
It is, BUT, let me tell you, I had it from 12 pm Saturday right up till Monday morning when the friendly staff picked it up. It was the best party I have ever had, and ended up being cost efficient. I'd pay $288 bucks taxes included ANY DAY not to have to clean my house after a bunch of little ones ;D Plus, the kids had a blast. When the party was over, we enjoyed the bounce house ourselves! - The next day the kids had a few more friends over to have fun all over again. My daughter truly had a blast. 4 days planning was short notice, BUT it was one of the best times I've had in my life. I made home made cupcakes, we ordered cheap $5 pizzas from little ceasers and served dollar store soda in 3 liter bottles and Hawaiian punch for the guests.
So was $288 a lot of money? When you take into account the fun had by all, the fact you don't have to clean a house up after an army of children (and adults), it was worth EVERY red cent :)
Tile Done!
I have a plumber coming today to check out our leaky valves. Hopefully it goes with out a hitch :) we'll see :) My daughter also had her 7th birthday party (that I planned in a mere 4 days). It went fantastically well and I can't wait to share some photos with you all:) But for now, the tile:
To see all the progress our old bathroom has made over the last 8 years, please click HERE :)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tiling the bathroom..
It basically consisted of a new vanity/sink/counter, a mirror, and new light bar and LOTS of painting.
Phase II has FINALLY gone underway! The tile I bought 3 years ago has finally been put to use. We went with a standard tile lay on the floor and a 12 x 12 ceramic tile brick pattern lay in the shower & bath with a mosaic glass tile border (border courtesy of Doug's friend). Here are a few photos (mind you my photos aren't too great b/c my bathroom is smaller).
Tomorrow Doug's friend will lay the remainder of the shower tile and grout it. Then we will put the baseboards back up and touch up and re spackle the drywall that was damaged. Can not wait!
Some Before Photos:
Before: vinyl sticky tile and old 60's mini tiles
Before: Check out that water damaged stud when the tile was peeled off! THANKFULLY
that was the only tarnished stud:) - It was replaced..
After (floor, all grouted and pretty) Standard tile lay.
Gorgeous mosaic glass tile! (cut in half for border in shower)
12 x 12 ceramic tile in a brick pattern with mosaic border.
Letting this set over night then Doug's friend will add the rest of the tile and groute tomorrow.
I was skeptical on the 12 x 12 brick pattern tile lay for the shower and bath, but have to
say it has turned out amazing!!
What a difference! Can't wait until it's all grouted and finished. Adding more tile tomorrow.
I will enjoy this!
So, in short, that's what has occupied our weekend. Doug and his friend exhanged labor jobs. Doug will do his car engine and he has done our bathroom tile. I love the work he has done so far:) If you can TRADE labor with a friend, I HIGHLY recommend it! No sense in paying full price when you can trade skills! AND save money! :) I hope to post more photos as this job is completed.
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