Trip to the ER
Current mood: calm

I woke up Thursday morning, around 2 AM, having some sort of chest pains. Not like a heart attack, mind you, but definitely not something I wish to ever happen again.

It hurt to lay down, to roll over, to stretch out my arm...let's face it, I was in some weird, serious pain. Kevin woke up, and tried to soothe my fears, by giving me a back rub. He had thought that I had fallen back asleep, and did so himself.

But, I was just trying to concentrate on relaxing, and wondered what the problem was. I have heard of people taking trips to the ER with chest pains, just to find out that it was only gas. So, I considered this as a possibility. After all, I am pregnant, and unfortunately, excessive gas is an embarrassing factor I have come to live with.

Not to mention that we had a very southern dinner of white beans, fried taters and cornbread for dinner! LOL

So, I am up by 2:15, taking more Gas-X medicine and drinking more water while I pour over the pregnancy books/magazines I have, trying to see if maybe, just maybe, an article had been written concerning this type of pain. None was found.

I decided not to go back to bed, as it was around 4AM, and miserably propped up with pillows on the couch. My two male cats, Bob and Frankie, stayed close by. When Kevin's alarm went off at 5:30, I attempted to crawl back into bed, but the pain was not subsiding any.

I had told him to keep an eye on me...like I really needed to tell him to do so. He had to take Gavin to school at 7AM, and I then called Mom (aka boss) and told her what was going on. She asked me if I was going to call my doctor, and I told her I would when the office opened.

But, after I got off the phone, I wondered if I should even attempt to drive. I called Rena, my sister, and she told me to go immediately to the ER. Kevin had come back in to tell me he wasn't going to work, so I got dressed, brushed my teeth and attempted to make my nappy hair look like something resembling a style. (No luck there.)

I was taken back immediately, hooked up to an EKG machine, and heart monitor, and all other types of gadgets. They even put in an IV, just in case....THAT thing was horrible!!!

On the night before, I sat out in the martial art studio, watching Kevin and Gavin take up the mats that had been on the concrete floor. Everyone knows that concrete is porous, and moisture had build up underneath the mats, creating horrible, nastly mildew.

I told the ER doc of this, but he ruled out that the exposure to the smell could have caused my problem. He did order another test, some kind of doppler test...still nothing. Kevin and Rena took turns keeping me company throughout this time. I was in the ER from 7:30 to 11:30. It felt like an entire day.

I left with a prescription for some pain meds in my hand. Kevin and I were both starving, so we made a detour to Wendy's for an early lunch. Once I got home, I did call my OB, and left word with them as to what happened.

The only thing is...we don't KNOW what caused the pain. Hopefully, it will not happen again. I am better today, just very tired still. And, thankful that Rachael is okay.

7:30 AM - 6 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

I’m Still Around...

Hello, Everyone! I hope everyone is doing well...I do get a quick chance to check to see if I have any messages, but rarely do I get to spend much time in replying. (Well, not the way I would like to, anyway!)

As for me, I seem to be doing okay. Getting anxious to find out just what name to give this kid, lol. Thursday is the big day for that...and hopefully "Peanut" will be willing to let us all know. Yes, I have picked out names...but, I may change my mind. Again.

I do hate to complain, but, I tell ya, my backpain seems to be getting worse. I know, I know...it will only GET WORSE, too. I feel like some ole granny getting out of bed in the mornings, LOL. Or, when I just simply get up from a sitting position.......

I have decided to do some maternity portraits a bit later. Right now, I am just in the stage where I look as fat as I am feeling. Naturally, I want my hair to look good in these shots, and I haven’t gotten it cut in awhile. We women are so vain, aren’t we? :P

Lots of things going on at my house. Gage will be taking the extra room upstairs, since the room he currently is in will be the nursery. He has been hard at work getting it painted, to match his stuff. Once he is moved upstairs, we will begin cleaning that room up, and getting it painted as well.

We are getting a split-unit system put into our home. No more window air conditioners for the upstairs or garage area!!! Woo Hoo!

And, since weather is looking nicer, Kevin will be putting the final coat of paint on the last wall of the house. (The weather was not kind to us last summer/fall when we started this project.) I could still use some landscaping ideas, as my house is totally without any plants adorning it!!!

See, nothing too exciting going on. As for me, I’m just trying to take it easy for a bit!

Much love to you all,
Cheryl

11:58 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Quick Update

Hey, Everyone! I am sure I have already mentioned this (personally) to most of you by now, but...I currently do not have internet access at home.

Sometimes, you just have to look at what is more important, ya know?

Well, anyway, I just wanted to write a quick blog regarding this matter. I do check my messages at work, but am only allowed a few minutes to do so.

But, I do try my very best to respond to all my messages. So, please bear with me! LOL

Much love,
Cher

12:19 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Ramblings...

Long ago, we used to call our friends on the telephone.  We'd plan get-togethers and actually interact with each other, go shopping, see a movie, have cookouts.

But, then the new age came upon us...the internet and the cell phone.   We started having online relationships, versus actually doing things together anymore. 

And, instead of talking to ppl...most of us text.  Have we forgotten how to use our voices?  What about sending a message to someone, and waiting for their answer, when the easier thing to do is simply CALL THEM UP?

I joined Myspace in January of 2006.  Why?  Because it seemed as if everyone was online, chatting.  My husband was actually working nights at the time, and while my friends were busy with their families, I became a member of an online community to interact with.   It saved me from my boredom, not to mention my loneliness.

I used to feel that I had to check and see if I had any messages...EVERY DAY, so that I could respond as quickly as possible.  That is what good friends do, right?  I (ashamedly) became quite addicted to this nonsense.

But, let's be realistic here...shall we?  The majority of "friends" on a list are usually people that live in the same town as you.  We add our friends to our list, and then usually hardly ever speak in person anymore...sad, isn't it?

I do feel, though, that I have made a true friendship with a small number of people on my list that I have never met before in my life.  I should hope that these few individuals know who they are, and how I feel blessed to have met them, even if over the internet.

I don't check my messages everyday, like I used to.  But, oddly, in the past few days, MySpace has started to feel...well, like a ghosttown.  No messages, no stupid surveys to pass the time with.  No new pictures to look at....Not to mention, no PEOPLE to chat with.  (Unless you browse for new friends...*sigh*.)

Maybe this is just a sign of growing up, lol.  There is still a world out there, outside of the bedroom offices-away from the computers and cellphones.  I implore you to get out, go visit (in person) your friends, send real hand written letters to people who live far away.  Take TIME to show your friends you care. 

Oh, and BTW...Tuesday, I will be 12 weeks pregnant!  So far, so good!

Thanks for reading...hope I made sense to some of you, lol.

Love, Cher

12:53 AM - 7 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

38 and Pregnant

After my miscarriage 3 years ago, I truly never thought that I'd ever be pregnant again.  Most of you know of my battle with depression, being on medication, and finally battling the thought that something was wrong with me.

But, some Christmas presents don't come wrapped in a box with pretty paper and ribbon.  I found out, the week before Christmas, that I was pregnant again!

A mixture of fear and excitement came over me.  I immediately put my nephew, Gage, on the litter box duty.  I purchased a bottle of prenatal vitamins.  And, I am attempting to break my caffiene addiction.

I chose Dr. David Watlington as my OB/GYN.  I met with him last Friday, and so far I am pleased with my choice.  He scheduled an ultrasound, and the baby looks to be growing just fine.  I am exactly 9 weeks pregnant today!

The other day, I posted a bulletin, requesting that my myspace friends send me their favorite names.  I am loving the choices some of you have sent. 

One thing I considered (after posting the bulletin) was my last name...Gunter.  For instance, I love the name Hunter, but I could never name my son Hunter Gunter...I would have to allow him to choke me later in life for something like that! lol

So, with the last name (now) in mind, if you have any other ideas, I would love to hear them!

3:52 PM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

The Bounce of the Ball

Recently, I photographed 9 month old twin girls...all by myself!  I was a bit nervous, but the session was awesome!  I took lots of great images.  I felt good about it, and couldn't wait for the family to come in for their proof viewing.

Today was the day, and I anxiously awaited to see what was ordered.  My mom (who does the sales) came in with the order form.  They only ordered 2 8x10's... 

I know, I know...most money being spent right now is on other people for Christmas. Rod told me my work was great.  I know that it was, too.  I guess this is a good lesson to learn...No matter how fabulous your photography is, you can't force anyone to buy it.

4:59 PM - 7 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

"Are you the picture lady?"

Yesterday was Black Friday...the first official shopping day of the Christmas season.  You know the day, where all retailers open their doors at the crack of dawn, luring customers with special discounts during those very early hours.

I used to be one of those on the other side of the counter...a retail employee.  Up, before the crack of dawn, to try to make myself resemble a human being, and, manage to be chipper and energetic.

This year, no longer employed by the retail world, I was able to SLEEP IN!  (Can you hear the harp playing in the background?)   It was great...crawl out of bed, read a few chapters while my husband snored away.  No plans to rush out the door...no plans at all.

Which is great, until boredom sets in!  We finally decided to de-zombie ourselves, get cleaned up, and head for...Lowe's.  And a few other places, too, but with no agenda.

We were going towards downtown when we spotted a little this-n-that store.  I love to shop in stores like these, because you never know what you might find.  Sure, usually it is lots of 70's or 80's style furnishings, the harvest gold refrigerator, the once bright brass and etched glass chandelier. 

But occasionally, you come across some discarded, forgotten treasure that just needs a little facelift in the form of sanding and fresh stain.  I found this adorable little rocking horse that...once Kevin has done a bit of work to, will be a great new prop for the studio.

As we took our find to the counter, the woman, who did look familiar to me, asked me..."are you the picture lady?" After a brief discussion, I learned that her grandson was in our baby plan, and that is how we knew of each other.

But, as I got into the car, I looked at Kevin and said, "Yes.  Yes, I am the Picture Lady."  I know it sounds quite corny, but it felt real cool. 

9:53 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Meeting Kirk Voclain

As most of you know, I am being trained as Rod's assistant at McAfee Photography.  I have learned quite a bit over the past 10 months, but know that there is still SO much more knowledge to gain.

So, Rod found out that Kirk Voclain, a photographer from Houma, Louisiana, would be speaking/teaching a class at a seminar in Columbus, Indiana.  He made the reservations, and we (Mom, Rod and I) traveled to the Hoosier state this past Saturday.

We arrive to our hotel, check in, then go have dinner.  Plenty of time to unpack later, have a nice bath, and get a good night's sleep for our first class on Sunday. I, being a Virgo...unpacked everything.  Turned on my bath to fill the tub...

The water was cold.  Okay, maybe the knobs were backwards, right?  So, I try again the other way...still cold.  Hmmm. I go to the sink.  You guessed it, cold water.

So, I knock on the adjoining door.  Tell my mom...she checks her water.  Guess what? Her's was cold, too.  After a call down to the desk, we discover that maintenance is working on the problem. Great...just great.

I set the alarm for 5 AM...the next morning, the water was still cold.  The poor clerk at the front desk was already stressed from other calls coming in.  Sorry that I don't know ALL the details, but...something on the water heater had quit working for the entire 6th floor, and they would be moving us as soon as other rooms became available. *SIGH*

I improvised the best I could.  I heated up some water in my little...tiny...4 cup coffee maker! LOL  Yep, I sure did.  But, 4 carafes later and I still didn't have much water in the tub.  So, wanting to be clean...braved the cold tap, and took a very fast cold shower! BRRRRR!!! (oh, and repacked my stuff.)

Rod and I went down to get registered and meet some of the photographers in the Indiana group.  I am not sure why, but...well...I just felt a cool reception from them.  Maybe it was the shower, who knows? But, really...they just weren't too friendly with us.  Oh well.

Onto the classes.  The first speaker was Ron Zimmerman, who discussed his nature photography with us.  Beautiful work!  The next guy was Jim Chagares, who showed us some really good Photoshop stuff.  Soon, it was 5 pm, and time to go back to our (new) room.

Mom, Rod and I went to a nearby town to have dinner.  The town name...Nashville, lol.  Oddly, Nashville, Indiana is like Tennessee's Gatlinburg.  Very quaint shops set up in old victorian or cottage style homes.

Finally, it was Monday morning...I had taken a long, hot bath, and was anxious to get the day started.  For those of you that aren't  familiar with Kirk Voclain...well, it was a bit like meeting your favorite celebrity. 

This fella's work is beyond fabulous, and he has also started an online forum  for professional photographers. But, putting all that aside, the class was more than I expected.  Not only did he educate, but...the dude is hilarious!  Our class started at 8:30, had a couple of breaks and two hour lunch, and ended at 6pm.  I could have stayed until midnight!  

I won't bore you all with all the interesting stuff I learned. I am just STOKED to get to the studio and back to doing what I love!

3:49 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

I’ve been tagged...your next!

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I've been tagged...your next! I've been tagged, list 8 Random facts about yourself. Here are the rules. Each player starts with 8 random facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog, about their own 8 things, and post along with these rules...:At the end of the blog you need to choose 8 people to get tagged,and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged, and to read your blog...

1.  I am married to husband number three, but...my name has changed seven times...LOL.  Okay, here's the scoop.  I was supposedly adopted by step-dad number 1.  Went by his last name from age 2 until grade 5, took back my maiden name.  Married 1st hubby (lasted 6 mo) and took back maiden name.  Married a second time (I MUST have been on drugs.) Kept that  name after the divorce, to save having to change it again, haha.  Then met Kevin, and still using his last name! :)

2.  I currently have three cats, but I have owned a total of ten over my lifetime.

3.  I was born in California, but moved when I was too young to remember anything.

4.  I freak out during most holidays, as a result of my past, but am trying to get over that.

5.  I have acted in several theatre productions, done in McMinnville, and all were southern-based plays.  Good thing, since I have the perfect southern accent!

6.  Seven years ago, I was going to go to nursing school.  Passed the test with flying colors, but...I was having trouble with financial aid, and gave up. Just think of where I'd be today...

7.  Was on the newspaper staff during my 10-11th high school year...learned some photography back then.  Ironic, because now that is my full time job. I am the assistant photographer for McAfee Photography in Morrison, TN.

8.   My family calls me Cher.  I once received a Cher doll for Christmas, but traded with a friend who had gotten a special edition super size Barbie.  

There you have it. I am tagging....

1. Stacia

2. Dooley

3. Sherry

4. Flutter

5. Donna

6. Gina

7. Denise

8. Poisonous Blue Eyes

6:06 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment