Here is goofy picture of Harley drenched in Christmas tooling while I prepared my house for Holiday Open Houses for my business, The Copy Collection.After traveling 15 hours both ways with two dogs and Brad in tow, I can safely say we survived, NO, better yet, I survived! Actually, the trip wasn't that tricky at all. As I mentioned in a previous blog, we had make arrangements to stay with Brad's sister, Julie in Atlanta on the way down and back. We made two stops going down and three on the way back. Our trip included: going on our boat and witnessing dolphins up close, taking the dogs to the doggie beach twice, watching the sunset on the beach, and eating endless amounts of food and of course seafood! They say "pictures are worth a thousand words," so I will just hush now! Enjoy the pictures!!!
Fabulous news!!! We have officially set our wedding date and location. It will be July 11, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH at the Hilton Netherlands Plaza hotel in the Hall of Mirrors ballroom, which is absolutely breathtaking! The wedding will be in the ballroom and after that, everyone will transition into a holding room, where you will be served cocktails and appetizers for one hour (that's how long that can confirm that our wedding area will convert into our reception/party area), next you will be served dinner, after that...let's get the party started!!! We can't reserve the block of rooms until 6 months before the actually wedding date, so I will keep you posted on that date.
September 17, 2008: Harley's TPO surgery to repair his severed ACL was successful with no complications or issues. I received the call from Dr. Kennedy around 1:00 confirming that everything went routine. He explained that he would give Harley a complete check-up the next morning and call when it was time to come get him. Mom had driven up that morning to relieve my Dad since this wasn't a planned emergency, we all had to adjust our schedules and I'm very thankful my parents were able to help me out! KUDOS to Mom and Dad!!!
September 18, 2008: Homeward bound!!! Today was pick up day for Mr. Harley! As I have said before, the recovery period for this type of surgery definitely teaches you to be patient. Obviously, Harley can't treat himself or perform his own physical therapy so that's where Mom comes into play. For the first two week, Harley must receive physical therapy from me three times a day, 3 exercises, 15 reps each followed by icing the incision 15 minutes after every therapy session. This also includes 2-3 brief walks followed by icing. Three to four weeks, Harley must receive physical therapy three times a day but without icing and 3-5 brief walks per day. Four to six weeks, multiple short walks, 20-30 minutes three times a day and sit to stand exercises. We are required to see Dr. Kennedy for our 6 week check-up appointment for him to review his progress and hopefully be released. However, we do have certain exercises we must perform during the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th week. Good gracious, I love this dog but he has definitely taught me a valuable lesson: patience!
I will keep you posted on his progress through these trying times! We've got a game plan going here so we are staying focused because we've got our Florida trip coming up in early November and we have to hear good news at our 6 week appointment!
Harley just chillin' in the room
September 16, 2008: Today was a very stressful day for me. My dad and I packed the car and loaded up Harley off to Columbus we went. Harley's consultation was scheduled for 2:30, which we promptly arrived 30 minutes early for. Dr. Kennedy (the surgeon) confirmed what we already knew but now it was game time! We were asked to have him back in the morning at 7:30am for prep work and they would proceed with the surgery an hour after that. The procedure only takes 45 minutes which does equal out to the recovery period of 6 weeks that we must go through. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites which allows pets without a fee. Pretty cool, huh, especially for a Sheraton?! This was Harley's first experience in a hotel room (Baylee was the world traveler so this was nothing new for her!) so of course pictures had to be made.
Brooke, Sherry and Cathy toasting the occasion!
September 14, 2008: The Sunday after the Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee we sent the men on home and Mom, Cathy and I decided to stay a little longer in Lexington to shop and check out the Bridal Expo at the Embassy Suites for pre-planning ideas! It made for a very interesting day, considering this was the day of the huge wind storm that was pushing through western and central parts of Kentucky and Ohio. It was well worth the trip to see everything and I did come up with a few neat ideas that I will probably use in my wedding. I have attached a few pictures of us checking out the endless possibilities of transportation from a church to the location of your reception.
Here's Mom checking out the white Rolls Royce! 
Kelli, Aunt Brookie, and Miss Hallie Lou
September 13, 2008: After the stressful that I had with Harley, Vivian and Charlie (Brad's parents) were gracious enough to watch Harley and Tex for us so we could take part in the tailgating festivities and of course the game! While there I received the best surprise EVER, Miss Hallie (my cousin who calls me Aunt Brookie because we are WAY closer than just cousins) choose to come sit with Brad and I for the first half. I probably haven't seen Hallie in almost a year, so needless to say I was thoroughly enjoying myself as well as Hallie's company. We chatted about her playing soccer and softball, her unusual way of putting ketchup on her meat and cheese taco from Taco Bell, her summer vacation where she was stung two days in a row by a jellyfish. When I asked her what she did to make it angry that it stung her, she quickly responded with, "Aunt Brookie its probably because I peed on him!" Only from an eight year old would I have received such an answer, but I did ask it though!
At one point, Brad looks over at me and says, "You are having way too much fun, aren't you?" I quickly answered with, "Yes sir, I am!"
Brookie and Hallie
