Breakdown Rant, Another Saturday Night and Sequins

I have been staring at my computer for hours trying to figure out where to begin. So, I got up, walked away and began to think how to explain the past few weeks of my life. There have been ups. There have been downs. There have been moments of emotional pain, physical pain and there have been some of the highest of highs. The past few weeks have not been documented well with pictures, but only with memories that keep being played over and over in my mind. It is the song stuck in my head and I find my self singing it in my sleep unless I am in a medically induced slumber. 
The past few weeks have been trying.
Who ever said becoming an adult was fun is a big fat liar.

Before this sounds like a spoiled little brat pity party, please know I have a wonderful life. That is hard to dispute. There are just certain points when in a person's life when he or she just needs to have a breakdown. A mental, emotional, physical, take a hot shower, crawl in your bed and cry breakdown. 
I am on the verge of this.

Maybe it was the recent suicide of Robin Williams. I broke. How can we not beat this? Is it because he channeled all his love, laughter and energy into other's happiness? It isn't the fact he will never add lib while presenting an award or he will never be able to play Mrs. Doubtfire again. It is the simple fact of the people who were close to him will never have him on earth again. 
While I was watching coverage of his death on the trash TV channel the anchors showed his last tweet. It was to his daughter, Zelda, on her 25th birthday in July with an Instagram picture of she and him when she was a small child. They both looked so young and happy. It got me thinking about my own parents and how lost I would feel if something happened to them.
My relationship with my dad is a strained one. We have both made life choices causing us to be distant. People make mistakes, but we are given the ability to think, reason and learn from those mistakes to become a better person. He is working on himself and I should must do the same. 
Burning bridges is not an option.
Even though my dad is by no means a social media guru and doesn't know Instagram from a Teddy Graham, I do want the social media world to know I do love my ornery dad. 

And then there is my mom. What did I ever do to deserve such a selfless person as a mother? She is my favorite person in the whole wide world and I would have given up on so many things if it weren't for her and her unconditional love and support. Our relationship has become such a blessing over the past year. I would rather be with her than anyone else. We are partners in crime, road trip buddies and creative cohorts. Together we can conquer the world or just make it a little bit prettier. Thanks for everything mom. I love you to the moon.

Now for the pictures.

One of my former students came to see me before he left for school. We saw this. Jesus is such a back seat driver.

Make note.

Fabulous Level: EXPERT!
My dear friend Shannon just randomly came across this beauty. It is from Miss Jackson's in Tulsa. Get ready for a black cat suit and this gem!

I went somewhere. That is all you need to know.
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer
Necklace: Marley Lilly

I look like a rapper's bae.
Top: Banana Republic
Pants: Ross

I found this at Nordstrom Rack (bank account ruined) and I couldn't leave it on the rack. I will have to check the designer but who doesn't love an orange and cream tweed with leather trim?!

 GuyJack started PreK a few weeks ago. This is his first day. When he came home he told his dad, "I just want to lay my head on a cold pillow and you read Moby Dick to me." 

Football season is close.
Top: Game Day Couture

Halloween Decorations!
It is the gateway holiday to harder holidays.

Top: Pazza Bella
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Kenneth Cole

This was what I looked like Saturday night. I hadn't been feeling very well since Thursday. I thought I had eaten something and it didn't set well with my lap band. I did what I normally do and went on a liquid diet but it didn't seem to help. I was in Tulsa Friday evening and Saturday afternoon my mom and I headed to Talihina. I kept getting more and more uncomfortable and that lead to pain. Finally it was so unbearable my mother took my straight to the hospital. The location of the pain made us think it might be a gallbladder attack. After being hooked up to monitors and an IV started the doctor came in to examine me. He ordered a CT Scan along with some heavy pain medication. I am usually a lightweight when it comes to pain meds. It seems to make me loopy with just a small dose. Tonight was not the same. I might relax for 5 minutes and then the pain was back again. I had to sit up. Laying on my back was out of the question; however, I had to do this for the CT Scan. That was misery. When the results from the CT Scan and my blood work came back the culprit was actually my lap band. My stomach was extremely swollen and causing me pain. Because my hospital in Tulsa is a specialty hospital and doesn't have an ER, an ambulance was not able to take me. My mom drove me right back to Tulsa to meet my bariatric surgeon but first I was given enough pain meds to make the trip. I couldn't thank my mother enough for making the late night trip to Tulsa. When we were a few miles outside of Tulsa the pain medication was starting to wear off. We met my Aunt Kalyn and friend Shannon at the hospital. The nurses hooked me up to monitors and started the regular questions. When my doctor came in he said I was the last person he thought this would be. My lap band experience has been wonderful and I wouldn't take it back for anything. He immediately started to unfill my band. I had to lay back for this and he said he would make it quick. The moment the saline started to come out of the band I had instant relief. My eyes popped open and I could breathe. I did a swallow test after the unfill. There was still saline in my band. Because of the severe swelling of my stomach he decided to completely unfill the band and put me on a liquid diet to heal.
I have an appointment in a month to have another swallow test to see how my band looks.
Many people have asked if I will have the band removed. The answer is no.
My world does not revolve around my next meal. I can focus on so many different things other than my life long addiction. I feel like a million bucks right now and I am taking this time of just having slight restriction to focus on eating healthy and becoming a healthier person. Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, texts and good vibes. You people sure know how to make a lady feel loved.

I sent a SnapChat of my monitors and this is what
Jamie Fink sent back. How sweet.

Monday was so much better except for the catch in my right shoulder from being so tense Saturday.
Top: J Crew (I think)
Pants: Banana Republic
Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Fall is so close I can taste the pumpkin.
Top: Kate Spade
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Sperry Topsider

Born in the USA but Canada Was Nice

I travel. 

That may be an understatement.

I travel a lot.

Since the middle of May I have been to Italy, Jamaica, and Canada and that isn't even adding in the trips around the state and surrounding states. I might have missed my calling as a truck driver. My radio name could have been Diamonds and Diesel. These are the things going through my mind while burning up the highway.

Little Miss Small Town America
Top: Francesa's
Shoes: Madden Girl
Sunglasses: RayBan

After posting my last blog I realized I never posted anything about the Fourth of July and my family reunion. Fail. Way to go, Jones! So, since I just got back into the great Ole U.S of A, I thought this would be the perfect time to share some of the moments that make me proud I was Born in the USA but Canada was nice. 

Cheers,

C

GJ's turtle "Speedie" for the Terrapin Race at the Red Oak Independence Day Celebration

This gal is a beyond fabulous. She has only been in our family for a little over a year but I can tell you she fits right into our family of strong women. 

Love.

Wild Women

I wouldn't trade my family for the world.
 We take Kick Ass to another level.

Awkward Family Photo with Peyton and Shelley.

I love this picture for many reasons.
1) Reed's tongue hanging out while I cracked crab for him.
2) I didn't recognize myself at first.
3) My family knows how to eat.

What can I say about this young woman? Maggie might be the most kind hearted person I have ever and will ever know (with the exception of my mother). She radiates grace and beauty... with some witty remarks thrown in the mix. It still boggles my mind that she will be starting her sophomore year of college in a few weeks.
Delta Love.

This is what a Fourth of July Hangover looks like.
Until next year...

These are my grand littles, Madison and Heather. Let's just say the apple doesn't fall far from the fabulous tree.
Top: Gap
Shorts: J Crew

Bought the Dahlias at a Farmers Market in Tulsa.
They made Monday a little bit more tolerable.

Are these not perfection?
Brand: Seychelles
Not so much with these pants, but I can just see them paired with skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer.
I am not sure if it is a sign, but I have been seeing poodles everywhere I go. I saw one in the Buffalo airport, all throughout my trip to Canada, in fashion and in my dreams. I know I do not need to have a pet right now, but this could be a sign of what is in my future.

 Super Prep. I can't help myself sometimes. It just happens. 
Oxford: Talbots
Pants: Lilly Pulitzer
Shoes: Gianni Binni
Watch: ToyWatch USA
Belt: Talbots (It is reversible)

What do we do while in Buffalo, New York?
EAT CHICKEN WINGS!
Anchor Bar is the originator of the chicken wing. Quincee is looking at Brian while he eats the suicidal wings on our first visit. Yes, we ate there more than once.

My brother's family take wings very seriously.

I love this picture.

You. Are. Welcome.

Queen's Clock

Love this kid.

Q and I Behind the Falls

Niagara Falls

Traditional English Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel
Top: Banana Republic
Shorts: Vineyard Vines

Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake.
This was a ridiculously picture perfect town.

Starbucks and a Chandelier
Oxford: Banana Republic
Jeans: Banana Republic
Sunglasses: RayBan
Purse: Kate Spade

My family on the Hornblower right next to the falls.

Mom and I at the American Falls on the US side of Niagara Falls.

GJ was the bravest 4-year-old at the American Falls! There are about 5 different levels of decks at the base of the waterfall. After each level I would ask, "Do you want to go higher?" Each time he would say yes or no. Right before the last level, which is known as the Hurricane Deck because the water coming down is that of a level 1 hurricane, I said, "OK, GuyJack. This is the big on. Do you want to go up there?" He looked me straight in the eyes, smiled and just pointed up and said, "Let's do it!" He lasted about 3 minutes until the wind coming off the falls was a bit too much for he to keep his footing. My Aunt Kim took him to a walk way where the wind wasn't so intense. 

This is NOT the hurricane deck.

Buck and GJ at the American Falls.

My nephews are so freakin' cool. Oscar is about to start his first year of high school and GJ is going to Pre-K this year. 

When Mom and I got back to Tulsa we ate Thai food.
I can eat peanut sauce as my meal.
So good!

Today, July 30, 2014

I have to leave work early for a doctor's appointment in Tulsa and then I head to OKC for grant training. I basically came home just to unpack, do laundry and repack for my next adventure. 

Warning: I will be spending this weekend celebrating Sharry Mouss' Dirty Thirty. It will get a little wild.

Top: Gap

Skirt: Gap

Sandals: Kenneth Cole