Some of the strange quotes from the last narcotic induced week:
Heather to Ted(completely out of the blue, post op): I used your toothbrush! Hahahahahahah.
Heather to every living soul including the maintenance crew at Cabell Huntington to enter her hospital room no matter what hour (in an effort to appear with it and alert):
Good morning! How are you? I am fine. Ok, have a great day!
Heather to nutritionist: I had Jello last night.
Nutritionist: Oh! Well you can move to solid liquids, i.e, oatmeal.
Heather: Um, I'll take the Jello. Thanks anyway.
For anyone who wants a bit of humor, slip Heather any form of narcotic and you will see what a cheap drunk she is. And weird too!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Comedic Relief
Posted by Happy hippo at 6:07 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
She's back!!!
So there is no need to enforce my living blog will. I survived.
Apparently there was a little extra blood loss and a hard time with some stitches, but I woke up!
Yippee!
I was discharged Tuesday by 3:30pm. Wild, but true. You can have virtually any surgery these days and be out in half an hour.
I have had my first shower and feel a little less greasy. Note to anyone who is interested: Don't take it upon yourself to view your incision. Especially if you are already feeling good. It just makes you a little queasy.
Thank you all for your well wishes and kind words.
Now get back to being mean or go away... LOL
Love
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 8:43 PM 1 comments
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I should have been a Boy Scout


At least when it comes to things involving anesthesia and the potential (I stress only potential) of meeting ones maker.
As such, I have decided I must relay to all of you exactly how to handle my demise. (I am so not a control freak :0)
First off, believe me when I say I am not planning on checking out of this earthly plain anytime soon. But then again, we all know how these things just aren't quite up to us. So rest assured that I am not afraid of the great beyond. While I may qualify as a heathen in many views, I am confident that the higher powers are benevolent and caring. I have no fear (other than your basic mild fear of the unknown) about my soul.
Secondly, I love life and life has loved me. I have made wonderful friends, married a tender and kind man, and given birth to the most beautiful children on earth. I wouldn't change anything (and I mean ANYTHING). I wouldn't be happy and where I am if life hadn't thrown me a curveball now and again. So if you ever felt I was angry with you or that I hadn't formally forgiven you of something be at peace that I have.
In that vein, I would like to know that those I have offended have forgiven me. I extend my apologies to those who have been on the wrong end of my bad moods and ill tempers.
As far as my earthly remains, I would expect my usable parts to be distributed to people who could use them. Whatever is left over, just cremate and spread. Please, oh please, don't let Ted stick me on the mantel. He already vetoed my wish to be taxidermied with hinged knees and a bobble head, so I could rock on the porch and wave to passersby. The nerve.
He is only allowed to have a memorial service if it is to save his sanity. But, to help ease him through the stages of grief, the only songs I wish to have played are "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peavey and "You Lie and Yo' Breath Stank" by the Infectious Grooves. No mournful hymns and no sad ballads. If you must cry, cry with laughter at memories of my goofy life. PLEASE. I BEG YOU.
Ted will have plenty of memories of me. He and Cory will be able to picture me in their mind years from now if necessary, but the little ones will need to see my face. Show them. Help all three of my babies remember my laugh and not my bark. Help them remember how much I loved them, instead of how often I was angry. But if you see them doing stuff I wouldn't have let them do, jerk a knot in their tail.
Now, if I am able, I will try to communicate from the beyond.
You will recognize the following as signs of such:
1. Cans of Campbells soup appearing in your pillowcase
2. Being goosed by unseen hands
3. Your small children telling you "That lady says I am so cute she wants to eat me!" when no one is around.
4. Getting annoying, little known songs stuck in your head for days!
5. All of your chocolate disappears under mysterious circumstances.
So, now you all know how things should proceed, IF I should go. But I wouldn't count on it happening anytime to soon. I kinda like hanging around here and getting my feathers ruffled by each and every one of you. Besides, I have years of aggravating left in me to get out.
LOVE
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 4:18 PM 4 comments
Monday, April 09, 2007
She flung poo
My daughter is a self-confident, assertive, grab the world by the balls kind of righteous chick.
This is what I tell myself so I don't think negative thoughts ALL the time. :0)
In the past weeks, we have had a steady deterioration of our much welcomed good nights sleep. Our sweet little pumpkin face has destroyed all hope of a normal human baby gate being enough to contain her to her room for the purpose of rest. She hurdled a chest high gate without so much as a thought to the amount of clearance below. She could have walked under it, but was so peeved it didn't occur to her.
After constructing many obstacles to her exit, we waited. She screamed, whined, begged, stripped herself, her bed, emptied her dresser and then peed in the floor. Twice.
Next night.
She repeated the above (minus pee, add poo).
Tonight. Tonight she is wearing zip up pj's (thank you donutbabe) backwards. Two hours, but she is asleep. FOR NOW.
Stay tuned. There's more where that came from.
My next blog will be instructions to all of you ne'er do wells about how I wish to be handled and mourned should my date to meet my maker fall on my surgery date. (Disclaimer: I plan to be around a long time. I am not planning on croaking. If I do, I am not afraid.)
So check in tomorrow, all you crazy cats, to see what tunes will be piped in.
Love
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 9:56 PM 2 comments
Monday, April 02, 2007
yup, mm hmm
Fisher Price Fun To Learn Potty: $34.95
2 packs of C batteries from the local convenience store: $10.48
Training underwear/pretty incentive underwear: $1,000,000.00
An afternoon of your nude child running around like a loon, pretending to flush her turkey sandwich (realistic sounds courtesy of Fisher Price) while the MOTION SENSOR in the bowl continue to tell her she is GOING POTTY and doing a GREAT JOB: PRICELESS!!!!!
Posted by Happy hippo at 5:32 PM 2 comments
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Hostess with The Mostest
My daughter has been described as the hostess with the mostest by her birth to three workers. She is constantly bringing them things and swishing about making sure she is being seen. So it was no surprise when yesterday my neighbor-friend Jenny was babysitting that she was catered to in a most thorough way. Aurelia escorted our guest to the restroom and then offered her a fistful of extra absorbency tampons. SIGH.....
This morning, she was handing out the super sleek thin maximum absorbency sanitary napkins to Melanie, her 2 year old daughter Lydia, myself and then graciously she went last.
So, if you come for a visit and are offered any type of hygiene item, please don't take offense. I am trying to train her that cookies are always much more well received.
These things take time.
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 10:32 AM 5 comments
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Crazy kids and dreams
Night before last, I had a dream. Not your average dream of daisies and sunny skies, but a weird dream. I was in my current house, only it seemed like my childhood house. The bed I was in was my supersingle waterbed from that childhood and I was sleeping. I woke to find a high school friend had sidled up beside me to chat. Groggily, I listened. Then Ted flung open the door and said,"Don't come check on you, huh? I'll kill you!!!" (UNTED-like behavior).
It seems after much conscious thought this high school friend lent a movie to Ted and I years ago. It was called American Hollow. The director of that movie was Rory Kennedy and she also directed Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (which I recently taped and saw the director on the View the day before). Such is the working of my sleeping brain.
In other news:
Daniel says today to Ted:
"My gym teacher's name is Mr. Cunningham. I wonder if that is his name because he likes to cut ham?"
Later, Ted says to Daniel:
"Ask him tomorrow."
Daniel replies:
"I already did and he said yes. He likes to cut ham."
THAT BOY.
Posted by Happy hippo at 9:04 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Cradle of Love
This baby girl has the rhythm down in her heart.
Posted by Happy hippo at 9:40 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I am fine
Today was my laproscopic doo hickey. I went in around 8 am and came home around 12pm. From what has been relayed to me through the family my doctor spoke with, I have stage three endometriosis. There are a few options for dealing with that and I will discuss them at length with him in our followup appointment. Endometriosis is not deadly, but mostly causes pain. It seems that some of the cells that should slough off of your uterus during menses wander out and make new homes in other places. Then they slough off there too, except they have no escape route and irritate other places. No biggee. Again I am fine, I feel good, and love you all.
Love
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 7:24 PM 1 comments
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Lately
I hear you all asking, "What has that Heather been up to lately?"
Well, today, I worked my son's book fair. Made multiple telephone calls. Picked up prescriptions. Had fingerprints taken for volunteer work. Had blood drawn for upcoming surgery. Cleaned aforementioned son's room with a trash bag and a ruthless cold heart. Then took poor son and even poorer son to see Bridge to Terabithia.
All the while, my husband had our daughter at his parents. It was a busy day, but nonetheless BABY free!
Daniel explained that he was going to date me. I felt I should let him in on the fact that when Daddy dated me he had to hold my hand, feed me, and kiss me. This did not deter my little interfamily dater. Apparently, while he will wed his little sister, I am ok for the dating. Cold chill, vaguely ill feeling.
My clothes arrived from the Indian website. I will share that I am VERY pleased with the fit and will post some pictures soon. I don't plan to be the spokesperson for this site, but if you feel the need to buy some custom fitted clothes that are very comfortable I will refer you. The site is www.eshakti.com and if you use my name and email address with your order, not only will you receive a $25 gift certificate from the company, so will I. Not too shabby.
Night all.
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 10:44 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
My dad is sick, my brother is having a 7 millimeter kidney stone surgically removed, and my grandma is selling her house to move to Lewisburg. I hope my dad feels better soon. Shannon, I hope you have a speedy recovery. Granma, I hate to see you go, but as long as your happy.
ENJOY LIFE!
Posted by Happy hippo at 9:59 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 02, 2007
Self Affirmation
I am a good person. I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I take good care of my children and I love them. Just because I stay at home does not make me less than. I have skills. I can type faster than most front desk secretaries and with greater accuracy (including spelling). Just because I can do other, more domestic, tasks does not make me mentally dim.
I am working on a bachelor's degree in social work. I want to help people. It may take me a long time to finish, but I am DOING something in the mean time. I am trying to raise loving, responsible, intelligent, creative, beautiful children. I can't cook well. SO WHAT?! Does it make me less of a good wife? Hell no. If I forced my cooking upon us every night, I could be arrested.
Like so many of you out there like me, don't take the poopy anymore. I wipe shit daily, I don't need it from any of the holier-than-thou working force. I don't need to be reminded that I don't have an income check with my name on it. I don't need to be asked time and again when I will graduate and START my career. My life is good. I like it. So suck it up and face facts. I am fulfilled and happy. Maybe, just maybe, if you have to ask me questions about what I am NOT doing, it may reflect your less than happy life. Just a suggestion.
LOVE to all
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 5:22 PM 2 comments
Monday, February 26, 2007
Smile, you're on Candid Camera!
My daughter spent a little time in the basement with her daddy. He's been disassembling the transmission to our vintage VW Bug and she got a spot of transmission fluid on her finger. This is the snapshot that followed. :0) So while she spends "quality" time with her daddy taking walks, painting, and flipping the bird, I have been reading. I am almost done with the third book in three days. They are all dismal with very little sunshine, but I feel almost like I did when I was little. Like I can't put the books down. I love that feeling.
Night all
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 9:28 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Shed this outer layer and be free
My wish for my next life
If it is possible to have a next life, I wish to come back as something very flexible. Can I come back as wind? No obstacle would stand in my path; I would simply blow around it. How about a ribbon on the end of a child’s stick? I could fly through the air gracefully at the whim of a little one. I wouldn’t mind being clothes hung out to dry. The breeze and the sun on me as I bask in and absorb it all. Water, I could be water, with its fluid movement and the ability to wear down anything in my path given enough time.
Tonight I will dream I am these things. Tonight I will peek into a world with no restrictions, no limitations. Tonight, I fly, I bend, I flow!
Posted by Happy hippo at 7:13 PM 3 comments
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Crying over spilled milk
I called birth to three about my daughters speech progress. I was making sure I was doing all I could to get our communication to it's highest level. The other day I was teasing her in the kitchen and telling her to give me "my" spoon. She kept saying 'mine' and then, apparently fed up, shook her head, placed the spoon behind her and said:
Don't take my poon.
Going to sleep last night she rolled over and said (while holding her chin),"MMMmmm, Lesseee."
I think she's coming along.
My son played at his friends house all day. He cried and hid when I came to get him. I even tried to bribe him with McD's. He said, " I wanna go to Toys R Us". Little shit.
So with Fazoli's and McD's in hand, I returned home.
I parceled out food while on the phone with my father-in-law. This entails trying to listen over the squeals and background noise of the poopers. I try to block it out. But the noise that prompted an end to our conversation was a pouring sort of sound. I looked all over the table, nothing. UNDER the table were the entire contents of a McD's regular milk jug.
I AM TIRED. But sleep comes less than two hours from now.
Night all.
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 6:52 PM 1 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
Things Done Wrong Lately
No posts for days.
I labeled all the original Valentine's for the youngest boy with the name's of the recipients in the FROM box.
I bought a purse with Tinkerbell on it. Aurelia has confiscated it.
I bought a wallet to go with the purse. It turned out to be a cigarette case. (Lesson learned: don't shop with a two year old.)
A total lack of checking with truly loved family members.
There are a few things I may have done correctly:
I rebought AND relabeled Valentine's for the boy. He seemed to prefer the newer ones.
CASA volunteering.
Telling the kids I love them EVERYDAY.
Making time for myself.
And there are some decisions that remain to be categorized:
The decision to forego standard dress and try out custom made Indian (East, not Native American) attire. Something tame and modest. And not wedgie-riffic.
Deciding I think a hysterectomy is the most all encompassing solution to my simply annoying female issues.
Thoughts?
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 8:56 AM 1 comments
Saturday, February 10, 2007
My dad's girlfriend
This is the picture my dad would pull out of his wallet. He would tell all the kids it was his girlfriend just to watch them scrunch their faces. It is actually a picture compiled of different peoples facial features. Notice the eyes are different. Anyway, this picture scared the hell out of me. But my dad was like that.
He hired my aunt to sniff the farts out of the seats of his car when she was little. He used to fart in church and say loudly "Oh Faye!" which never failed to mortify my mother. He is the worlds most notorious pull my finger man. But he came by it honestly.
My grandfather, my dad's father, would tell us we were Shinn kids. (This was an insult mixed occasionally with being a Myers (my mom's maiden name), a Wiseman, or a Bishop.) If we got hurt playing, he would furrow his brow and ask why we had hurt his buddy. But most unforgettable to me was EVERY Saturday night. I always spent Saturday night at their house. My brother had Fridays. Hee Haw was a Saturday night staple and there was a woman who wore rag curlers and a tattered moo-moo. My grandpa would always say my mom had dropped me off at their house to go to work (as the Hee- Haw woman). Now I knew he was pulling my leg, but my brother would get fired up!
Apparently, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I say things to my children (and other people's children) that are clearly in jest. But today my daughter was being evaluated by birth to three. The lady was showing some pictures and getting her to say the names of the pictures. Most responses were some unintelligible generic word and a few clear ones thrown in. Then I heard Aurelia say very clearly and quicly MOMMY. She wasn't looking at a woman's picture. It was a picture of ..............
a clown. That's my girl.
Heather
Posted by Happy hippo at 11:33 AM 2 comments





