The carpet fiasco, the most fabulous girl in the universe, and my daddy

Me and the magnificent Marissa Grace

Thursday I had our carpets cleaned. They really needed cleaning after months of trying to house train Charlie, and I wanted them to look and smell especially good for David's party on Saturday. I was so proud of myself and my thriftiness. I had found a special for 4 areas for $39.95. I only wanted our living/dining room and two small hallways cleaned, so I thought it was going to be perfect. When the men arrived Thursday morning, one of them pointed out that there were stains that needed to be pre-treated. He said that the carpets needed to be sanitized and deodorized too. He also asked if they had a protectant and said that we really needed to do that to prevent future stains. Then he gives me an estimate of $310! I couldn't believe it. I said that I would love to have all of those things done, but unfortunately I couldn't afford it. I asked him how much it would cost for just a basic cleaning. He completely ignored my question and went on to convince me that I needed the deodorizer, at least, because if not the house would smell like a kennel. I had to wake David up to ask him to pay for it because I did not even have enough money in my account to pay for the additional costs. I ended up spending $152. :( I was so upset that I stayed in the bedroom with David and cried the entire time they were here. David said at least I learned my lesson, that if something sounds too good to be true it is. Probably not!
After that, I was in one of those moods where I am sad about everything and just want to cry. I started thinking about how long it had been since I had seen Marissa. The last time I saw her was the end of June/beginning of July when Dad was in the hospital in Mobile. 3 or 4 months is a long time when you're 4 or 5 years old. I hadn't even seen her since she turned 5. I was convinced she had changed so much since the last time I saw her. I feel like I'm missing out on so much of her life, and before I know it she'll be a pre-teen, just like Skylar.
So imagine my excitement yesterday, when Jennifer tells me that Marissa is coming with Mom and Dad for Dad's appointment today!
Well, needless to say, Marissa and I had a wonderful time today. I was right, she has changed a lot. Not so much physically, but she is so much more mature now! I am so proud of her and much she's learning. It was so great to see her. :)
Speaking of Dad's appointment, for those of you who don't know, my dad "blacked out" one day at work, the end of June. He was taken to MCH, and they released him and told him to have his doctor refer him to a neurologist. That evening, I was talking to him on the phone, and he dropped the phone and I could hear Jennifer yelling in the background. That night, Charlie and I drove home to Monroeville, while Mom drove Dad to Mobile. He had another "episode" that night while he was waiting to get admitted. He stayed in the hospital several days and underwent a battery of tests, but the doctors could not find the problem. He got a referral to a neurologist here in Birmingham for about a month later, but he didn't make it to the appointment date. One day, about a month after the first "episode" he "blacked out" again. This time, unlike the times before, he was standing and fell flat on his face. Mom brought him to Birmingham that night, and he stayed in the hospital several more days. He had another slew of test, some of the same ones he had in Mobile and a few additional ones. Still no clue as to what is causing this. Since then, he has had appointment after appointment, with cardiologists and neurologists, trying to get to the bottom of it. Some of the procedures have been invasive. He had to wear a contraption attached to his head for 72 to monitor his brain. He even had a recorder implanted in his chest to monitor his heart. It is so frustrating to not have any answers. The worst part is not knowing whether or not it can happen again. If so, when? What it happens when he's driving? It is really scary! Just keep him in your prayers, and hopefully the doctors will eventually have the wisdom to figure out what is wrong.