Costanzo Chronicles

Nora's going away party Nov 20, 2009

2009-11-22T10:18:00.004-07:00

November 2009

2009-11-11T13:52:00.005-07:00

Went to the Lake of the Ozarks for the 2009 PWOC Regional conference. Our group had a wonderful time!

More August 2009

2009-11-11T13:44:00.001-07:00

1st day of School photos!

Hayden is now in 2nd Grade!!

Quite the pose hunh??

September 2009

2009-11-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hayden played soccer this year with the Rapid City Soccer League! His team was the Flyers... and yes that is how they spelt it! lol It's named after a military aircraft.

August 2009

2009-11-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have been keeping busy on Ellsworth AFB, volunteering at the Ellsworth AFB Chapel. This year I am head of the Women's Ministry within the Ellsworth Protestant Community, otherwise known as PWOC. We offer two bible studies, a monthly program and attend what I call "Spiritual Field Trips!" We went to Denver for the Women Of Faith Conference 2009!

More May 2009

2009-11-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

May 2009 School Field trip. Hayden being funny with his friends. We rode the school bus together... good times!

June 2009

2009-11-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

June 2009: Fishing at a beautiful lake in South Dakota, with our friends/ neighbors the Vestal family.

May 2009

2009-11-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

May 2009: We ventured to Kansas to see my friend Shayla graduate from Nursing School!!

Hockey Town

2009-03-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

We went to the last Rapid City Rush hockey game of the season.

Rush lost 2-5 but we still had an awesome time!!

It's funny because the team is from a little divistion and the whole town freaks out when they play.

Winter Bazaar

2009-03-24T14:16:00.001-07:00

I think these pictures will explain it all!

Chucky Cheeses

2009-03-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

Hayden held his Birthday party this year at Chucky Cheese. I giggled as I wrote out his invitations because what could possibly be more frightening to a 7 year old then a huge dirty matted rat named Chucky!

Well, Hayden handed out 30 invitations and we had 12 show up ready to par-Tee!!

Obsessed with Masterpiece Classic

2009-03-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

It began earlier in January, TV Guide ran a little blurb about a PBS special, Tess of the d'Ubervilles. Written by Thomas Hardy, it stating that the movie was not the best way to kick off your New Years. I watched it and was instantly in love, crying and laughing through out! The following week was Wuthering Heights, about a man whose love for a woman consumes him until his death. From then on grew the anticipation of Sunday nights when the DVR would record another Masterpiece Classic and I would enjoy it in solitude Monday mornings over coffee and biscotti. It makes you aware of how lucky we are to have broken away from a society whose rules consumed it.

Some of my favorite movies:
Vanity Fair
The House of Mirth
The Dutchess
Little Women
The Affair of the Necklace
PERFUME: Story of a Murder
The Other Boleyn Girl
Girl with a Pearl Earing

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html

Best Blog on the Web

2009-02-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

I found this Blogspot today while surfing for coupons.
I think I'm in love!!

Just printed out an Old Navy Coupon save 40% off!!
Chucky Cheeses coupon for 100 tokens for $15!
Michaels Coupon for 40% Off
Quizno's I signed up and got FREE sub coupons!!

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/

Why I Don't Predict The Weather

2009-02-18T11:05:00.001-07:00

It's only early February and warmth is still only found in multiple layers, rather than from direct sunlight. I hear one gets excited over May Blizzards in South Dakota, I have yet to find out. This morning I was ready to break out of the house in a sprint. Tending to the Costanzo Zoo (the household animals of course), has me tired and ready to escape.

As I type the snow is swirling around the house, I am hoping the snow stops so I can be permitted an hour of adventure outside my home this afternoon. Walmart didn't carry Stitch Witchery so we will see if the BX carries it. I am in shock I found something Walmart doesn't carry!

I'm bundled up and awaiting James arrival!
Okay Presley just farted and I need to get far away from the computer desk.

Goals for 2009

2009-02-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

James and I have been hitting the Gym three days a week, for the past three weeks. We have the same New years goal of getting into shape. James wants to get ripped, I think my jeans had that dream a few weeks back. We're working hard towards our goals. James has lost 15-20 pounds since Christmas, we can't find them. I have gone down one jean size. Once we look awesome I'll post some full size pics. :O)

Christmas 2008

2009-01-03T22:42:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed Christmas in California this year. Above are some pictures of my Dad, Tina, Grandma Maria, US and the puppies!

Our House

2008-12-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

South Dakota

2008-12-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

We have settled into the new house. South Dakota is beautiful.

Hayden Voted!

2008-11-04T17:44:00.001-07:00

October 24th, Hayden's filled out a Voter Registration card with his Elementary school. They voted in school today. Hayden voted for McCain... Obama won the election at Hayden's school. Also here is this years school photo. I will get them out in the mail soon!

Downtown Philly

2008-11-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Down town Philly. One of a rural Pennsylvania road. A some others :)

Halloween 2008!!

2008-11-04T17:32:00.001-07:00

Hayden was a "Not Dead Lord of the Rings Soldier." It was funny to hear him say that to EVERYONE who asked what he was. He scored lots of Candy in Nana's neighborhood. James, Hayden and I went Trick-Or-Treating with my sister Jessica, her friend Cassandra. It was lots of fun.

Hershey's Chocolate World

2008-11-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from our rip adventure at Hershey's Chocolate world, in Pennsylvania.

James Re-enlistment

2008-11-04T17:20:00.001-07:00

I forgot to add these awhile back.

Fall Festival

2008-10-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Hayden and I went to the Fall Festival at Scott Lake. Hayden took 2ND in the costume contest! He was a choral representation of Jack Sparrow, when approaching the Judges he let out a loud "Arr." I entered a Pumpkin Cheesecake in the Country pie baking contest and took 2ND! Here are some pictures. I hope you are all enjoying the Fall Season with mother natures' foliage in it's peak. I will post pictures of the deer James got when he arrives home later today with the camera. Blessings, Lindsay

Princess Presley!

2008-08-28T07:08:00.001-07:00

two month post-op pictures

2008-08-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Healing nicely! I had my two month post-op appointment this morning and the Doctor said my disc cage that was inserted is perfectly aligned with the rest of my spine. It is still too early to see if bone is growing inside the cage. The doctor recommended I start therapy next week and I continue walking everyday.

Hayden's Back To School

2008-08-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Watch out first grade here comes Hayden!

Last Thursday was the first day back to school, classes were in session from 8:30-10:30. Friday was a whole day. Hayden is adjusting well! Here are some photos. :)

More pictures

2008-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here's are some pictures Hayden took with his camera while he was in Michigan. These two cute girls are his cousins, Mia and Kelsey. The other picture is of a metal he received during golf camp. <3

Finger xrays

2008-08-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some before and after xrays of James finger. He has an appointment with a hand specialist on Monday to find out if surgery is needed.

UPDATE: His finger is going to be okay, it is in a splint for the next 6 weeks.

Possible surgery

2008-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Now they are talking surgery for James finger. We will know more after the MRI is done, it hasn't been scheduled yet.

Two Gimpies

2008-07-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while James was playing softball with his Squadron he injured himself! He came walking towards me from the outfield saying, "my finger is jacked up we need to go to the ER." Apparently he went to catch the softball and it bounced off his glove dislocating his ring finger.
We went to the ER at 6:00 they were able to pop James finger back into place and were nice enough to numb it... the nurse said we were lucky to have her pop the finger back into place because the Doctor wasn't going to numb the area! Ouch. The Xray showed that the bone at the tip of the finger was fractured. We were home LATE and I was exhausted! Hayden was lucky and got to hang out with some friends while we sat around the ER.
James was up most of the night because his finger wouldn't stop bleeding from the nail. He was up and out the door this morning with a bleeding finger trying to make a Dr. Appointment. He has to follow up with a hand surgeon. I will post less pictures later and more details as soon as I find out more.
TO OUR CS Friends:: We will be at the Softball games for moral support from this day forward, I refuse to let James play! haha.

UPDATE: Now we have TWO gimps in the house.I can't lift, bend or twist. Now James is limited to chores with ONE hand. NO ONE IS ALLOWED OVER... neither one of us is fully capable of household chores. :(

Sunday afternoon

2008-07-20T14:31:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of my incisions. The picture on the left was taken after I took the tape off. The picture on the right is more recent and taken Thursday, 17 July. The bruising on my sides have gone down considerably.

Day 7 After Surgery

2008-07-07T17:51:00.001-07:00

In recent news: James is growing a beard and the Doctor said my side incision will be fine!

I guess since my side incisions have dried up they won't have to cut off my WHOLE left side. lol

I went for my walk tonight and could only make it half way. At least I went out in the 95 degree muggy weather and tried, right?

Last night I was able to get one of the bandages off the other one was being stubborn. I still don't think they are healing right. My incision looks opened and more closed at parts of it. I could gross you all out and post a pic of it!! Muuaaaahhhh HHHahaha I'm off to shower and try to pull off the other side bandage.

I want to say Thank you to our extended family at the Scott AFB Chapel for providing meals over the last week! It's been a nice break for James since I've got him busy doing all the household chores and I mean ALL of them! j/k But really it's been nice to rest and not worry about dinner every night.

Day 6 After Surgery

2008-07-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

I am walking more! I started off slowly and walked one block Wednesday, then added one block every day after that. It feels like the more walking I do the less intense the muscle spasms get. Today I walked a path that goes around our housing area. The muscle spasms sent me to bed in tears last night so I think walking more is best. It's the belt of muscles around my lower back and my whole left side around the incision that really hurt.

I haven't had a good night's sleep in what feels like forever, I’m walking up if I move the wrong way. It’s hard to find a comfortable position when you can’t really move around to begin with.

What is weird is I have a two hour window during the day where I feel really energized! I ask to run errands like go pick up grocery items, ride the electric handicap carts around Wal-Mart, etc. Problem is after the two hours are up… I'm exhausted, cranky, and nauseous. I end up lying on the couch with three ice packs and my legs propped up recovering from my little adventure out of the house. Ha ha. This has only happened Friday and Saturday! I think I’m going to discontinue with the day adventures.

James is going to help me take off the tape on my left side so the incisions can dry and heal. My side is swollen and tender to the touch within 6 inches of the taped up area and I’m scared that it could become infected if it stays in the original tape from last Friday. I am nauseous just thinking about taking the tape off!

Lost Lake Woods Golf Camp

2008-07-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

Hayden and his cousin Zoe attending Golf Camp in Michigan!

June 30th- July 2nd

2008-07-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a X-ray from the last surgery. I was terribly sore Tuesday from muscle spasms. I was miserable, walking, sitting, and especially transferring! James is keeping me motivated and encouraging me to walk. I was actually able to get out of a chair by myself today!

Surgery Phase II

2008-06-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

Here are three pictures of a model from the Doctor's office that shows the titanium rods and pins that will be inserted tomorrow. I am good in spirits and I know I will be better soon!

Link to Hayden's Summer Adventure

2008-06-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=973291214771701181/l=402039054/g=20629689/cobrandOid=1000131/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Hayden is in visiting family in Lost Lake Woods, Michigan. I hope this comcast link works so you can see him on his Summer adventure!
I am having trouble walking and typing... so that's it from me today.

Surgery Photos

2008-06-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

The x-ray pictures are of when the Doctor was actually performing surgery. They are still pictures taken from the surgical process. The blue hat picture is before surgery. The hatless picture is afterwords.

Day 1 After Surgery

2008-06-28T13:32:00.001-07:00

I went in at 6am Friday for surgery prep. The surgery began at 7:30 am and lasted 2 1/2 hours. At 10:00 I began to wake. Around 11:00 I was up and walking to and from the bathroom all by myself. The Doctor planned that I stay overnight. No one anticipated I would be up and walking so soon. Around 1:00 in the afternoon I was allowed to go home! Doctor Robson went in through my left side and inserted a bone cage with bone growing protein, between my L3-4 area.

James took these pictures at 4am this morning. The gauze is supposed to stay dry until Monday when I go back in... well as you can see that didn't happen. So James re-dressed the area.

Here it is Saturday afternoon and it's staying dry. The writing on my side says L3-4.

I am walking around with some needed assistance, the pain is bad at times, but I'm good in spirits. I thank the Lord for all his goodness and I am praying for a quick recovery. Thank you to all my friends and family, I can't thank you enough for your prayers and words of encouragement!

June 20, 2008

2008-06-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call today from the Neurologist's office… I have been scheduled for surgery!!

The surgery is a two step process. Friday, June 27th the Doctor will be placing metal rods in my spine to open up an area for my new disc. Monday, June 30th a bone cage will be inserted, it contains a morphogenetic bone growing protein so I can grow my own disc.

Hayden is traveling to Michigan Wednesday to stay with his Nana, then Pepaw, then Nana Lisa. I have packed him a digital camera so he can contribute to the family blog while he's on vacation! lol

Match Up Picnic

2008-06-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

The Costanzo family attended the Match Up Family picnic on base last Friday! There was free food, games and lots of goodies. Match Up is a game that some Airforce bases participate in. Check out www.amcmatchup.com Different buisnesses set up tents. Eckerts, Charlies, USAA, and Organizations around the base had tents set up. Hayden’s favorite tent was the Disney Radio Station tent. The Disney kids were dancing and playing games with the crowd. It was a great day! Fun, Fun, fun!