Change

I have changed the name of my blog.  When I first started this blog I have to admit I was a little lost.  I had just gotten out a really terrible situation and I felt like I didn't know where my life was headed.  Fast forward a couple of years and things couldn't be more different.  I am engaged to the love of my life and I cannot wait for our life together to begin.  I am in such a good place and I love my life.  Once Jon and I are married and I move from Florida (it is inevitable) there will be so many more wonderful adventures in store for us.  Even though I chose the title "meanderings" it doesn't mean that I am lost.  I might not know what my life has in store but I am definitely looking forward to the ride!

Many friends have asked about the name "Michelly".  It is a combination of my given name "Michele" and my childhood nickname "Shelly".  No one actually calls me this but I respond to both names.  I never introduce myself as Shelly anymore.  I don't know why.  It just happened in college.  Everyone in my family (with the exception of my Mom) and friends I have known before college call me Shelly.  Everyone else calls me Michele.  Jon calls me neither.  He calls me Peetie.

Thirty Days IN A ROW!

I went with Jon last week to the VA Hospital in Augusta, GA. He had an appointment with the Neurosurgeon for the bulging disk in his back. This has been going on for a year. A year of chronic back and leg pain. The disk is pressing on a nerve that goes to his right leg. Being the man that he is, or any man for that matter, he thought this might get better on its own. Wrong. A year of therapy, steroid injections and nothing changed. Surgery is really the only option at this point. He is tired of being in pain and being on "profile". "Profile" in the Army is when you don't have to perform certain tasks like PT because of your health. He hates being on profile. So we met with the surgeon. Jose Santiago. Yes, I have already googled him. He is legit. Graduated from Tulane Medical School. Anyhow, I digress. Surgery is scheduled for November 9th. Then Jon will have 30 days of convalescent leave. When the PA said that my ears perked up. 30 days? IN A ROW? Please don't get me wrong...I hate that Jon is having surgery. Hate it. I do not like anyone to go under general anesthesia especially the man I love but having him home for a month is wonderful. I don't care that he will be recovering. I get that. Just having him home is all I care about. Being able to care for him and baby him is all I want. I know that it won't all be roses but I will take that too. Except for the two weeks he was home in March the most that we have been together is four days. Four days is not enough. A month won't be enough either but I will take what I can get.

P.S. Please keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers on November 9th. I know that it will all turn out fine but it doesn't hurt to have all the thoughts and prayers you can get! :)

For Melinda

I got my hair cut and colored last night. Wow! It is AMAZING how much I love having this done. I have a standing appointment every five weeks whether I need it or not. I have been going to my hairdresser FOREVER so it is like a therapy session and pampering all rolled into one. Jon actually notices when I have my hair done and he always wants me to send him a picture. I seem to be challenged when it comes to taking a picture of myself with my phone so I went into the bathroom so I could look at the phone in the mirror and surprisingly it worked! Too bad it didn't take away my puffy eyes.

This was taken this morning of Roxie and I. I am meeting Jon this weekend in Jacksonville and she watched me getting a few things together. If I put anything in the car she gets so anxiety ridden that I wait until the last moment to pack anything. Of course, she doesn't realize that she is going with me; I wish she understood human :) I had just taken apart an extra crate and I saw her watching me. I laid down on the bed and she jumped up to snuggle. I couldn't resist taking a picture.