She said YES!!!!

This is Ryan Donohue.  He just asked Tabitha to marry him and she said YES!!!  We will let you know when the date is set.

Recovering...again!

You are probably thinking "Amy, what did you do this time?". Again if you don't like tmi (too much information), just move along and we will catch you on the next post.

I am a firm believer that women needs to talk and share more. Since telling friends exactly what and why I am having this surgery, soooo many people have opened up and said "I have that exact same problem! I didn't think anything could be done." I went in on Wednesday to have bladder neck sling surgery. It was out-patient surgery so I was back in my own bed that night. Here is what I did http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/urethral-sling-for-stress-incontinence-in-women . Mine was a synthetic mesh. So far my feedback - dang! I didn't know such small incisions could be so painful! As my friend told me "yes, the incisions are small but the tubes and instruments they use are bigger. And skin stretches!". Gee, thanks!! But at least there is a reason for the pain. Well, and being sent home with a catheter wasn't the most exciting thing to have ever happen to me either. I've never been so excited to pee on my own as I was when I removed the cath that morning.

I think the most difficult part of this process so far has been having my family do everything for me. I couldn't even lift my legs up on the couch by myself it hurt so bad. I also think this will be a challenge for me: "expect a 2- to 4-week recovery period, during which you should refrain from doing too much work or strenuous activities of any kind.". Ummm, yeah! But I WILL do it because I want this surgery to be successful.

Back to watching movies on Netflix!

Please Tell Me!

Who said this little girl could grow up too fast?

Take Something Ordinary...

...and make it EXTRAordinary!!

A wonderful strawberry, banana and orange smoothie made with Greek yogurt.  Served in a "special occasion" glass.  I needed something to make me feel special - the rain is getting to me.

PS - Sorry for the unannounced break from the blog.  Needed to step away for a bit.

More San Francisco

After we got all the business taken care of we went sightseeing.  Can you believe it?  I've lived in So. California all my live and have NEVER been to San Francisco.  So much to see!!
But first - I met up with my dear friend, Sue.  Sue and I grew up with each other.  We haven't seen each other since our 20th high school reunion.  Now that doesn't mean we haven't been in touch with each other over the years, because we have.  But I tell you, we literally picked up right where we left off.  Catching up on things and nonstop laughing.  Our time went way too fast!

Of course we had to ride the cable car

The cars all lined up to go down the famous Lombard St.

The cable car took us down to the Wharf

And this to me just sums up what it means to be down at the wharf.

All the while being serenaded with music

Eating sourdough bread

Going into the original Gharidelli candy shop

 Walking along the bay

Yes, it really was that cold and windy

We took a tour of the WWII Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien.  It was one of the ships at the battle of Normandy in 1944.

And yes, I had some unexpected emotions when I saw the radio room.  My Dad served in the Navy during WWII and he was in a room just like this!

Then we tours the submarine USS Pampanito



 Rob would not do well on a submarine - he is too tall!

We had a fabulous time!  It went way too fast and so much more to see.  That will be for the next trip.

It's the Simple Things...

...that make life fun!!  Such as....
...going to the car wash

...Valentine's candy

...Funny restaurants across the street from each other

...Talking with a solider in Afghanastan

...Chocolate 

...Chocolate 

...and more chocolate 

..and brand new towels for our bathroom!



This Just Cracked Me Up!!

And is so true in many different ways.

Especially for my kids! 
Robert = Horn
Tabitha = Flute
Amber = Bassoon
David Trombone

San Francisco sans children

Yup!!  It's true!  Rob and I actually got away without the kids.  Even though it was business related it was wonderful to spend some time together - just the two of us.

Once we got into the city we checked into the hotel room and went to go meet Chloe Doutre Roussel.  Chloe has been a great supporter and tremendous help over the years as Fresco Chocolate has been developed.  It was truly an honor to get to meet her.  She wrote this book, is owner of this store and you can Google her name to find out what an amazing influence she is in the chocolate industry.  Not to mention we just loved listening to her French accent when she spoke.

Later that night were the Good Food Awards. 

One of the main purposes of this trip.  Two of our bars were in the finalist category - Fresco Chocolate 214 Madagascar and Fresco Chocolate 217 Chauo. 

Here is Rob receiving the award for our Madagascar 214!!  These are all the chocolate makers that won awards that night.  We also received the Gold Seal Award for the bar being organic and using sustainable ingredients.

The next morning we had to get up bright and early as all the award winners were selling their winning bars at the famous San Francisco Ferry Terminal Farmers Market. 

 

Phew!  Were we ever tired!!  Such a long day but fun getting to meet people and talk chocolate.

Afterwards we eat a late lunch before our Fine Chocolate Industry meeting that night.  Yes, there really is such an association.

Our view at lunch.  Yes - we ate outside and LOVED every minute of it!  The rest of the trip will wait for later.  Time to continue to rest and spend some time with David.

HAPPIEST NEWS!!!!

You know when you have a surgery that is going to tell you that you may have cancer it can be difficult to keep your mind from thinking about the test results while recovering.  I felt much comfort from all your prayers and good thoughts.  And I am happy to tell you that I am

 CANCER FREE!!!

The doctor called me this afternoon with the wonderful news that the polyps and additional tissue she removed all returned benign.  That also explained why I am still having discomfort and soreness.  I was not aware of the additional tissue she removed.  I am slowly getting back to "normal" (if there really is such a thing) activities.  When I feel that twinge of pain, I know I am doing too much and that I need to listen to my body and slow down.

For now, I will take advantage of "taking it easy" and following the orders of no heavy lift or housework until my follow-up appointment on Wednesday.  And will continue to say prayers of gratitute for the blessing of my health and no cancer.

Back from Surgery

Resting, recovering and being spoiled!!  My hubby, Rob is great and taking good care of me!  The kids are awesome and pitching in!  And the sun is shining.  What more could a girl ask for?  Oh, yeah to not hurt.  It's not too bad.  The pain can be controlled with Ibuprofen and Tylenol.  (Which seemed to be a bit of a surprise to the nurses).  Sorry, no Vicodin for this gal.  I can really tell where I was poked, prodded and scraped.

But what really made me feel better was seeing this little sweetie.

Thanks Jessica for sending the photos.  Now back tot he couch for me.