Stupid summer colds...

As if things weren't already miserable enough for me, I now have a cold. Boo! I haven't been sleeping well the past week or so and I think that it just wore me down and now I'm sick. Still not sleeping well, but luckily cold medications tend to make people sleepy so I'm able to sleep through my extreme discomfort. Anyway, for the past few days I've just been laying around (even more than usual) and I've not bee talking on the phone much because my voice isn't so hot and I just don't feel like it. So if you've called and I haven't called back, that's why. I will be making a lot of catching up calls when I feel better.

Less than 2 weeks until I go back to the doctor to get this neck brace off...hopefully for good!!

Things I LOVE!

I've had a little bit more free time this summer than usual (I wonder why...geez!) and so I've been able to spend an almost obscene amount of time doing things that I really like to do. I've decided to share some of the things I've been doing this summer that I love and some of the things that I would love to have been doing this summer.

FAVORITE things this summer!

#1 : MarioKart Wii

For anyone who has never played a Wii...you are missing out seriously! My wonderful little brother was kind enough to allow Shawn and I to borrow his Wii this summer since I'm stuck at home. Early in the summer when I still had my cast on my arm, MarioKart was the only game I could play, and not well. Once the cast was off I was able to play MarioKart like it is intended to be played as well as Guitar Hero and Rockband. Let me just say this...I will KICK YOUR ASS at MarioKart so don't challenge me unless you are prepared for the heat!! haha!

#2 : The Library

I have always liked having a library card...it is something I've always had since I was a kid. Mom always used to take us to the library and I still remember how cool the library was that we used to go to in Brandon, FL when I was in elementary school. Shawn has never been much of a library guy, but I have managed to show him the greatness that is a library. One of my favorite things to do is read...I do love to own books, but the library is a great resource for all the books I want to read but don't think I'll ever read again. I have made good use this summer of the books in the library, as well as the CD's, DVD's, and books on CD. Shawn never realized that you can get graphic novels at the library, plus he is super excited to be able to get movies and tv shows to watch!

#3 : The Olympics

Michael Phelps. Enough said!

Well...gymnastics was pretty cool too but the new judging sucks! Don't even get me started on the scoring system! That is a whole blog of its own!

WORST things this summer!

#1: Not working

I absolutely love being a nurse and not being able to do that these last few months is driving me insane! I miss taking care of my patients and making a difference in their lives. I miss feeling like I am serving a purpose each day. I have felt so useless all summer and I'm tired of it! I'm SO ready to go back to work...now if only I physically felt ready to go back to work and the doctor would give me permission! Also...not working means having no money and as someone who works in healthcare you'd think I would've known how much hospital and doctor visits cost! I had NO IDEA! It is insane the amount of money they charge. I get if that's what it takes to be still walking and talking today, but geez!

#2 : No swimming

Last summer Shawn and I spent a ridiculous amount of time at the pool and it was awesome! It was the only summer I can ever remember having a nice tan and not sporadic burns! This summer has been no swimming for me :( We even got to go to the lake with Andrew's family and I had to watch everyone else ride the wave runner and go tubing and swimming. I was glad to at least have been part of it, but it still would've been nice to have been able to swim some this sumemr.

#3 : No activity

Not having to work would typically allow for some time for outside activities, like bike riding. Shawn loves to ride his bike and I have never really had time to go along, now that I have time and would like to have been able to ride on the greenway with him, I can't! I can't even go walk outside by myself because I can't turn my head to look before crossing the street. I can't do even non-cardio workout videos! I never realized how much exercise I got from working until I was forced to sit on my ass for 2 months straight! Lets just say, I hope my scrubs fit when I go back to work!

So...when I go back to the doctor in a few weeks hopefully I will get good news about the healing of my neck and will be able to start doing more of the things I love again (but I'm not giving up MarioKart! Eric is gonn have to fight me for his Wii back!)

Can't Mimi come visit everyday??

This past weekend was a bit of an adventure! Grandma and Grandpa Manning celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary so Dave wanted to surprise them by flying Mimi in for their party. She and I decided to make it an all around surprise, and as usual it was hard for Mimi and I to keep secrets...but we did it! Dave took Eric and Sara to the airport to pick her up Saturday morning and they were so surprised! It is reported that Eric was giggling...haha! He denies it though. Mom was probably the most happy to have all her children together for a few days. We always have fun when Mimi is home, but it is sad when she has to leave again :( Why can't she move back closer....Everyone else ask her that too!!!

Saturday afternoon Mimi, mom, and I went for a mini-reunion of sorts with a few of Mimi's friends from high school. We went over to the Moore's house in Farmland and got to visit with Amanda and little Luke who came down from Michigan for a visit. Plus, Rachel was in town for some family birthday stuff, so we got to spend some time with her as well. Mimi and I absolutely love reading Amanda's blog so we can keep up with Luke (talk about an adorable little guy!) so it was great to get to sit and talk with her and to finally meet Luke in person! Here is a picture from our afternoon.

The anniversary party was Sunday and we were going to be setting up after church, so Mimi and I got up early and headed to church. It's been awhile since I went to church and I forgot how much I enjoy Pastor Sherrie's sermons. She always makes it easy to understand by using real stories from her life that everyone can relate to. She has had some trying issues in her life recently and it really helps to make sense of your own problems, no matter how different, when she is able to show you how God helps her through her life. She is funny but at the same time can make you cry...and we all were this Sunday! After church we got the fellowship hall all set up and the party started. Teresa Cox made the cake and it was beautiful and delicious! Grandpa and Grandma had a great time and they loved all the people that came by to wish them well. Michael and Colleen made a picture slideshow of all the kids and grandkids and they all loved that. They did all the silly wedding reception stuff, like cutting the cake and feeding each other and intertwining arms to drink the punch. It was about the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! They were so happy to have Mimi home for then event and to have the whole family together. The party was a hit! Here are some pictures of the day.

Grandpa the pimp :)

Haley, Holly, and Eric being "cool."

Shawn helping to "clean up." Haha!

So, since the accident and the stupid neck brace I have been putting a very small limit on the number of pictures allowed of me. Since this was a very special event, I was not allowed to have a picture quota for the day...boo! On the upside, Shawn and I managed to get a really cute picture. We usually take pictures of us all the time, but it's been awhile (I mean its been like 11 weeks since the accident now and I don't exactly feel very attractive with this neck brace on) so I'm glad that we did take this picture and it turned out so cute! Shawn had Friday off of work so we went to visit his family. The Star Wars: Clone Wars animated movie came out and he wanted to go with his Dad and take his little brother Shane. Shane really enjoyed it, so I'm glad we went there to take him. It was a pretty good movie, definitely tailored to children, but still very entertaining. We had a good time with his family and Shawn was able to go through some of his stuff to bring stuff back here for the rummage sale we hope to have next month sometime. Also, he needed to clean out his old room because his older brother is going to be moving home for a little while and needs that space. Shawn has not been enjoying his job much, but it is good money and it is keeping him busy. We are both anxious for me to get better so we can get back to Chicago. We loved it there and are SO ready to get back. My next doctor's appointment is in a few weeks and hopefully the xrays will be good news!!

Another update...

I went to the neurosurgeon today for a checkup. So far no changes from the original plan. I have another 4 weeks with the neck brace then I go back for a lot more Xrays without my neck brace. At that point we will have some more information about what will be happening with my rehab. I may not need physical therapy, but it'll probably be another month after I get the neck brace off before I will be ready to go back to work. I'm going stir crazy!!

I decided that in my time off now I am going to learn how to play the guitar! Eric is gonna let me use his acoustic guitar and I'm gonna teach myself with a little help from Eric. Anyway, the guitar lessons will help give me something to do besides just read and watch tv all the time. I have basically dominated MarioKart Wii now, so that isn't as time consuming for me. I am rated overall two stars and I have unlocked everything I can (I think) so now I just play live against people all over the world. That is fun, but the guitar will be sweet! I'm pretty excited to learn to play. It is a good thing I'll be around here for another couple of months too because Eric is going to be doing high schoo algebra this year so he will have a live in tutor for awhile :) Shawn is working now, so that is good for him. I'm sure in this house full of people he could use a break from my family! Sara will be moving into the dorms at Ball State in a couple of weeks, so that is pretty exciting for her. Also, Grandma and Grandpa Manning are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next weekend! That is really exciting for them. 50 years...WOW! I will try to take some pictures and post those after the party.

At the end of July Andrew was in town for a visit from California! The JLP was reunited for the weekend. Andrew's parents own a lakehouse up north of Ft. Wayne. We spend the weekend their. Everyone (except me) went tubing and on the wave runner. It was fun to watch them all though! We all got too much sun but we had a blast all being together. We tried to convince Andrew to move back home, but he is staying out in LA :( He came down to Muncie to hang out with Shawn and I one more time before he went back to LA. We miss him! Theresa had her graduation from Ball State last month. She actually finished last year but she needed to finish her exam to get her teachers license before she could officially graduate, so she has finally walked the graduation ceremony now. Last weekend Theresa moved to Indianapolis because she is starting her teaching job next week in Lebanon. Shawn helped her Dad and brother with the big stuff in the move and helped her get some stuff organized in the house. We're gonna try to go see her again this weekend before she starts teaching. Good Luck Theresa!