tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25461882247241869722024-02-19T02:23:17.529-05:00Living the Lyme LifeLiving life as full as I can with the skills that I have and the love I receive.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.comBlogger926125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-48947064781827736552015-05-12T09:26:00.001-04:002015-07-22T16:47:39.434-04:00NC Lyme Advocacy Financial SupportNC Lyme Advocacy needs your support. Recently, we just renewed 4 domains and will need to do that again next year, but we need your support now. Any support we can get will help tremendously. Below is an easy to use shopping cart with different options. Once we receive the funds needed for the domains, we will change this to indicate where else we need your help. We appreciate your willingness to help us continue to help you. Please visit our websites:<br />
<br />
And these are our costs for 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.nclymeadvocacy.com/">www.nclymeadvocacy.com</a> - cost about $15.17 to run for one year<br />
<a href="http://www.nclymeadvocacy.info/">www.nclymeadvocacy.info</a> - cost about $13.17 to run for one year (covered by bracelet sale)<br />
<a href="http://www.nclymeadvocacy.net/">www.nclymeadvocacy.net </a>- costs about 17.17 to run for one year<br />
<a href="http://www.nclymeadvocacy.org/">www.nclymeadvocacy.org</a> - cost about $18.17 to run for one year<br />
4 new ink cartridges - $55 to $65 each - Our color cartridges are completely empty. <br />
<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
Here is a way to help by simply donating.<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Please help us with these things." />Please help us with these things.</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0"> <option value="6 months for 4 domains">6 months for 4 domains $35.00 USD</option> <option value="12 months for 4 domains">12 months for 4 domains $70.00 USD</option> <option value="6 months for 1 domain">6 months for 1 domain $10.00 USD</option> <option value="12 months for 1 domain">12 months for 1 domain $20.00 USD</option> <option value="Ink Cartridge (Cyan)">Ink Cartridge (Cyan) $60.00 USD</option> <option value="Ink Cartidge (Magenta)">Ink Cartidge (Magenta) $60.00 USD</option> <option value="Ink Cartridge (Yellow)">Ink Cartridge (Yellow) $60.00 USD</option> <option value="Ink Cartirdge (Black)">Ink Cartirdge (Black) $60.00 USD</option> <option value="any little bit helps">any little bit helps $5.00 USD</option></select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /><br />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----<br>" /><br />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" type="image" /><br />
<br />
If you'd like, you can also order some bracelets.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_607223531"><br /></a>
<a href="https://nclymeadvocacy.wordpress.com/fundraisers/">https://nclymeadvocacy.wordpress.com/fundraisers/</a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></form>
<br />
<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /><br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-2791086667585644862014-09-26T15:42:00.001-04:002014-09-26T15:42:43.117-04:00<br /><br />Today is Mesotheilioma Day. What's Mesotheiloma you ask? Find out from my friend Heather at her blog.<br />
<a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/#.VCXBqRYVG0Q">http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/#.VCXBqRYVG0Q</a><br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-51860133779254183252014-02-12T06:51:00.000-05:002014-04-27T09:24:20.757-04:00New Blog & New Bracelet DesignHI everyone! Remember to go check out the new blog at <a href="http://livinglymelife.wordpress.com/">http:livinglymelife.wordpress.com </a><br />
There have been several new posts since I opened it up including information about my newest treatment & reactions. <br />
<br />
However I haven't figured out how to add a paypal button to wordpress quite yet so I updated my paypal button for my We Fight Lyme Together bracelet sales on the right and wanted to post something here as well. As soon as I find the card reader, I will post new pictures - However, I ordered a "new design" for the bracelets. So I now have two design options and two size options. The original design is Lime Green & White swirled. The new design has Lime Green/White/Blue segmented. There are many "variations" in the new order so each one is unique. Some of the designs start the We on the white portion, while others start on the green or blue portion. I will randomly pull bracelets for orders for the Tri-Color option. <br />
<br />
You may want to know what I use the proceeds for. I use the proceeds for a variety of different things. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>proceeds help pay for my new treatment protocol. </li>
<li>proceeds help raise awareness for Lyme in North Carolina</li>
<li>sometimes proceeds help pay for the original cost of the bracelets. </li>
<li>sometimes proceeds help pay for shipping if it exceeds what I've requested.</li>
</ul>
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
<br /><br /><br /><table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Quanity" />Quanity</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0"> <option value="5 for $20.00">5 for $20.00 $20.00 USD</option> <option value="10 for $40.00">10 for $40.00 $40.00 USD</option></select> </td></tr>
<tr><td><input name="on1" type="hidden" value="Sizes" />Sizes</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os1"> <option value="7 inch">7 inch </option> <option value="8 inch">8 inch </option> <option value="Combination of 7 & 8 inch">Combination of 7 & 8 inch </option></select> </td></tr>
<tr><td><input name="on2" type="hidden" value="Colors" />Colors</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os2"> <option value="Original Design of Lime/White Swirl">Original Design of Lime/White Swirl </option> <option value="New Design of Lime/White/Blue Segmented">New Design of Lime/White/Blue Segmented </option> <option value="Combination of the two designs">Combination of the two designs </option></select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /><br />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----<br>" /><br />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" type="image" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></form>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-62592953260392322212013-12-16T07:23:00.001-05:002013-12-16T07:23:27.169-05:00New posts at LTLL WordpressSince sharing that I began a new blog, I've written a few new posts. Come check it out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://livinglymelife.wordpress.com/">http://livinglymelife.wordpress.com</a><br />
<br />
I have yet to work on getting some old posts from this blog over there, but I will. <br />
<br />
On the new blog, I discuss my most recent follow up, discuss the difficulties of daily living of having a picc line and also how I was trying my best to be patient. <br />
<br />
Please come join me over there as I will try to update more frequently, especially during the journey of the 2nd PICC line.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-75749857865072200212013-12-10T09:02:00.001-05:002013-12-10T09:02:45.433-05:00The Time To Ask For HelpA lot has happened over the last day. I have been in and out of treatment for over 6 and 1/2 years. I am hopeful that insurance will cover at least a small portion of my upcoming treatment, but I also understand the realities that many Lyme patients get denied coverage for IV antibiotics. In order to fight, I need help. I never dreamed that I would ever ask for outside help, but the time has come. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Any contributions to my paypal account would be greatly appreciated. Below is an easy to make contribution button for my treatments. I want to send something back for your help so for those that donate $25.00 - they will receive 5 We Fight Lyme Together Bracelets. For those that donate $50.00 - you will receive 10 We Fight Lyme Together Bracelets. For those that donate $100.00 - you will receive 20 We Fight Lyme Together Bracelets. This will continue while supplies last. <br />
<br />
If you want to contribute an amount that isn't listed below, you can send it directly to the paypal account -<br />
livinglymelife@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />Thank you so much. Even the smallest amount will help. <br /><br /><br /><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<br /><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br /><table><br />
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Thank you for helping me pay for treatments" />Thank you for helping me pay for treatments</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0"><br /> <option value="Donation for treatment">Donation for treatment $25.00 USD</option><br /> <option value="Donation for treatment">Donation for treatment $50.00 USD</option><br /> <option value="Donation for treatment">Donation for treatment $100.00 USD</option></select> </td></tr>
<br />
<tr><td><input name="on1" type="hidden" value="We Fight Lyme Together Bracelet Sizes" />We Fight Lyme Together Bracelet Sizes</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os1"><br /> <option value="Size 7 inch">Size 7 inch </option><br /> <option value="Size 8 inch">Size 8 inch </option><br /> <option value="Combination of both">Combination of both </option></select> </td></tr>
</table>
<br /><input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /><br /><input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----<br>" /><br /><input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_paynowCC_LG.gif" type="image" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></form>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-14580045249479927112013-12-09T19:59:00.002-05:002013-12-09T19:59:38.326-05:00New Blog WebsiteI have been thinking that since I am on wordpress for NC Lyme Advocacy more often than I am on blogger, that it might be better for me to open up Living the Lyme Life on Wordpress. So I have. I will be putting some of my older posts from here on the new website over the next few weeks, but for now I have a welcome post and information from when I got my first PICC Line in 2008. Please feel free to visit and I hope to be posting on a more regular basis. For a while, I may post in both places. However eventually I suspect that I will taper off blogger and use only wordpress. <br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1411508433"><br /></a>
<a href="http://livinglymelife.wordpress.com/">http://livinglymelife.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-75428464062542964992013-12-09T04:57:00.001-05:002013-12-09T04:57:09.511-05:00Yes, I'm alive!I'd like to say I have no excuse for not blogging, but truth is I have a few reasons that I've not blogged. <br />
<br />
The first one is the absolute worst thing that can happen - I forgot my log in and my password - and my email address for the blog. I couldn't log in. I woke up at 3am - and REMEMBERED - and because I had a Lyme moment before I went to bed and didn't put the heater on a timer, I woke up to an almost 80 degree room. Sweltering hot. So I got up - piddled on the computer and just now decided to try to see if I actually did remember the log in and password. Maybe I need to write that sucker down! The next reason I've been quiet is that I've just not felt like sharing. <br />
<br />
Let's go back to that heater - I stay chronically cold. However, it is not economically affordable to keep the house at a temperature that would keep me nice and toasty. So during the day, I pretty much stay covered up with a blanket. If I get too cold, I turn on the fire place and it helps slightly. However at night, I freeze. I do have an electric blanket and it works well, but if I scooch it around and it isn't on me directly, I shiver until it wakes me up. So last winter, we got the bright idea to get a small heater for the bedroom. It has a timer - and a thermostat. So what I do - is turn it on for 75 degrees and set it to run for 2 hours. <br />
<br />
If I do this right as I get into bed, the room is cool enough for me to get to sleep and the room warms up so I'm cozy the first couple of hours. If I get to sleep quickly, I sleep well through the night. And then the heater turns off - and the house heater continues to run when the rest of the house is cooler than 68. So in the winter when I wake up, it is likely still 70 to 72 in the bedroom when I wake. It works well for me. However, last night. I failed to turn it on for 2 hours. So - from 8 until 3 - the heater ran. Also, the house heat ran. So when I woke at 3am sweating and uncomfortable and feeling like I was going to pass out - I saw the temperature was at a balmy 78.3 degrees. I knew I wouldn't be getting back to sleep so I just got up til my body could feel a little cooler. Now my toes are freezing. I'll probably try to go back to bed, but doubt I'll get much sleep. <br />
<br />
Sleep: Many Lyme patients have trouble sleeping. I tend to not have this problem. My problems is that I sleep too much. However about one night a month, I'll have trouble either falling asleep - or - staying asleep. There is no rhyme or reason for that night in the month. Tonight, there was a reason. The heat. Maybe it will still count for my once in December sleepless night. Now the thing is I still got almost 7 straight hours of sleep - even WITH waking up at 3am. However, I typically sleep at least 10 hours, sometimes if the dogs cooperate I sleep 12 or more. <br />
<br />
Well I hope to share more soon. I've had so much go on since my last post, but I likely won't be back-sharing. <br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-68973589351159442332013-10-01T08:58:00.002-04:002013-10-01T08:58:19.976-04:00Vector Borne Infection NightNC Lyme Advocacy Presents <strong>Vector Borne Infection Awareness Night Featuring Award Winning Documentary: <i>Under Our Skin </i></strong>on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at the Johnston County Agricultural Center* (please see note at bottom regarding location)<br /><br />
Please EARLY RSVP by Friday October 4th in order to help us prepare
for the event. Registration gives us an idea of how many to plan for,
but no one will be turned away at the door for lack of RSVP.<br /><br />
<a href="http://nclymeadvocacy.wordpress.com/october-8-2013-vector-borne-awareness-night/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE</a><br />
<br />
Although there may be a small registration table outside the
auditorium prior to 5:30, the doors for the auditorium will open for the
public at 5:30.<br />
<br />
Preliminary Itinerary:<br />
<br />
5:30 to 6:00 – Registration – This will be the time you can check in
at the registration table, go look at the brochure & display tables,
check out the snack booth (for those that RSVP and others on a first
come first serve basis) and find your seat for the presentation<br />
<br />
6:00 to 6:15 – Introduction & Welcome Message by NCLA co-founder<br />
<br />
6:15 to 7:00 -An educational presentation will begin promptly at 6PM
by Dr. Mike Waldvogel. Dr. Waldvogel serves as the Extension Specialist
and Extension Associate Professor at NC State University in the
Entomology Department. He also serves as Director of Structural Pest
Management Training & Research Facility. The presentation will be
45 minutes long about ticks and mosquitoes. Dr. Waldvogel will cover
their life cycles, habitats where they live and how to prevent bites.<br />
<br />
7:00 to 7:15 – Quick Break for everyone to stretch their legs a bit,
run to the restroom, grab a quick water and for everyone to have a
chance to look at the display again.<br />
<br />
7:15 to 9:00 – Documentary of Under Our Skin will be shown.<br />
<br />
9:00 to 9:15 – Quick Question & Answer<br />
<br />
9:15 to 9:30 – Conclusion.<br />
<br />
*note about address*<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Address is 2736 NC Highway 210,
Smithfield, NC 27577* Note from Amie. The map that is used by Google
does not have our office listed in the right location. If you use
Mapquest or a GPS then they will take you to our office if you put in
2736 NC Highway 210, Smithfield, NC 27577.</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
If however you use Google
maps or a GPS which runs off their system then you have to put in the
address for 2640 NC Highway 210, Smithfield, NC 27577. They don’t know
why this happens and they’ve tried to fix it, but that should take you
tot he right spot if your GPS uses google maps.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Sponsors</strong></div>
<div align="center">
We would like to take the time to thank the following
groups, companies or organizations for helping us with our Vector Borne
Awareness Night. Without the following, this event wouldn’t be
happening</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Johnston County Agricultural Center</strong> (Special thanks to Amie!)</li>
<li>NCSU (Special Thanks to Dr. Waldvogel for his presentation)</li>
<li>Lyme Disease Association (providing brochures, tick cards and bookmarks)</li>
<li>CDC (providing bookmarks, a few signs and some information on West Nile virus)</li>
<li>IgeneX – generously donating some tick tools for our first 30 registered guests and providing brochures</li>
<li>Damminix – generously providing a box of Tick Tubes to show at the event.</li>
</ul>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-27881376202086034402013-09-19T15:30:00.000-04:002013-09-19T15:30:06.614-04:00Reintroduction and updatesI know that I have several new readers and based on an email I received I did want to reintroduce myself and give an update on how I'm doing. I've taken bits and pieces from old blog posts and introducing some new information. But first - I will answer a few questions that I received in email this morning. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>How well are you feeling into your treatment right now?</li>
<li>How long have you been in treatment?</li>
<li>How bad was it at the beginning?</li>
</ul>
I have been in and out of treatment since March of 2007. When I first began treatment, the herxheimer reaction of traditional oral therapy was overwhelming. I was barely able to function, but pushed through to work full time. However, there were days where I had vertigo so badly and I even had hallucinations. It was absolutely terrible. So we swapped up therapies to alternative treatments. Slowly, but surely I improved. I went through a period of remission and did very little treatment
during that time. Although I didn't feel completely healthy, I felt
better than I had in years. Then the fall of 2011 happened. It was one of those things where I felt great in the middle of July of 2011, but at the end of July and August - I began doing what I call the "lymie slide," and then by September I felt completely miserable. When I fell "off the wagon" in the fall of 2011, I fell hard. At first we tried to go with alternative methods, but when those didn't seem to be working - we went hard core with oral antibiotics. Then in July of 2013, I was so miserable that it was hard for me to even function. I stopped going to things I always did (like the Lyme support group in the area that I've been leading lately). So I began a strict detox protocol which included several things - supplements, lots of water, rebounding, lymphatic massage and ionic foot bath. I feel better than I did in July, but I am no where close to where I was when I was in remission in 2010. <br />
<br />
Now onto the "back story" - <br /><br />
<br />
I began this blog, Living the Lyme Life, in September of 2008. I had already been in treatment for Lyme for 18 months and wish I had begun the blog earlier. My name is Jennifer and this is my blog. I began the fight of my life in 1995. I wrote specifically on the years between 1995 and 2007 on a
blog entry entitled <a href="http://jmgarnet76.blogspot.com/2009/11/jennifers-background-story.html">Jennifer's Background Story.</a>
This was specifically about when my fight began and the doctors I saw.
It talks about some of my experiences and also my experience the first
time I saw my Lyme Literate Doctor.<br />
<br />
Since my Lyme diagnosis in 2007,
I've dabbled in other diagnoses too. I've had mineral deficiency,
progesterone deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, multiple co-infections (including Bartonella & Babesia),
anemia and multiple other health issues. A PICC Line was inserted into
my right arm in July 2008 and I battled keeping it safe daily until
February 2009. Thanks to my wonderful nurses, doctors, insertion team
and my husband, I was able to keep my line much longer than I should
have. I used it right up until the night before it was finally pulled
and based on how it looked when we pulled it, it probably should have
been pulled a few months prior. <br />
<br />
Most people assume that because I had a PICC line that it was used for
antibiotic therapy. However, it was not used for this. We used the
PICC line for IV vitamins, minerals and other supplemental therapies
such as Chelation for the heavy metal toxicity. In addition to these
things, I used an experimental IV protocol for about 9 months. It is no
longer available and I rarely talk about it because of its
controversial nature. However, I feel like that protocol did more for
me than any other protocol combined. It brought me to remission until
the fall of 2011 when I slipped out of remission. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In addition to traditional oral antibiotics, I dabbled in alternative therapies including Low Dose Naltraxone. Many have raved over this therapy to help with immune function, it gave me terrible headaches and caused sleep disturbances. After trying for over a year to increase the dosage with little success, I gave up. I also used some low pressure Hyperbaric therapy. It relieved many of my symptoms including my terrible headaches, fatigue and mood swings, but due to symptoms of Babesia flaring I had to stop getting that therapy.<br />
<br />
I've utilized a variety of homeopathic
remedies and still use some of them even today. About a year ago, I began a new antibiotic regiment taking three or four at a time. I pulsed and even considered getting another PICC line to use specifically for IV antibiotic and supplemental therapies. However I continued to get worse on the oral antibiotics. I pushed myself from January to May 2013 to live a more "normal" life and paid the price in June and July. I felt that 95% of my life revolved around my Lyme/Babesia/Bartonella symptoms. I had some really bad days. So when I returned for a follow up in July I practically begged to go another route. So we decided to strictly do a detox protocol. I have improved slightly, but no where near ready to return to what others call a "normal" life. I worked full time from the time of my diagnosis (2007) until December of 2011 when I finally made the decision to quit my full time position. At the end of my notice, my boss offered and I accepted a substitute position with the caveat that I could say no if I was unable to work due to health or appointments without them making me feel guilty. So I get to go in every now and then and it gives me therapy for my soul. <br />
<br />
My husband and I got married in 2000. He is my rock. He supports me with his quirky sense of humor and his determination to get to the root of my health issues saved my life. Together, we have rescued two dogs. We adopted a lab mix from the SPCA and a rescued Dachshund. In May of 2012, we moved from our first home into a new home. <br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-42451802610640883572013-09-12T21:31:00.004-04:002013-09-12T21:31:44.698-04:00Sorry I've been so quietYes. I am still living. I have been quiet for a few reasons. I have been extremely busy with some Lyme projects. But I've also been forgetful. I forgot my own sign in information to log into the blog! Somehow I just happened to remember it. Now one would think that if one had a blog since 2008 - that one would remember log in information, apparently not me. Lyme Brain at its finest!<br />
<br />
Since my last official update: I've had two follow ups - some blood work - and some IV's. After May (LDA month), I pretty much crashed in more than one way. I pretty much didn't do much in June or July. It was hard to explain to people that I just didn't feel like myself. Now with Lyme Disease (and all of the co-infections: Babesia & Bartonella), I have pushed through to feel pretty much like Jennifer - even when I feel at my worst. So when I stopped feeling like "Jennifer," I began feeling pretty upset. <br />
<br />
That's when it was decided that I needed to clear my lymph pathways - and focus on detoxification. I've done a lot of things to focus on detoxing -<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Supplement Lists (which will remain private)</li>
<li>Lymphatic Massage</li>
<li>Rebounding</li>
<li>Ionic Foot Bath</li>
<li>Other things that my brain isn't remembering right now.</li>
</ul>
Bottom line - I'm slowly seeing "Jennifer" return. I still feel lousy, but there is a little more pep in my step, a little more sparkle in my eyes, a little more lift to my lips (smile) and I feel a little more "Jennifer" and a lot off "that other person" (quote from The Avengers - when Banner is talking about The Hulk). <br />
<br />
<br />
Since I'm feeling a bit more Jennifer - I am working solidly on Lyme Awareness in NC. I'm planning a documentary screening of Under Our Skin in NC for October with a friend. Getting excited and hope we have a good turn out. <br />
<br />
Well, I think I've worn myself out just typing all of this. I'm sorry for the delay in blog posts. I'll try to do better now that I've logged in. <br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-37400352050540722502013-08-22T19:49:00.000-04:002013-08-22T19:49:05.582-04:00The Big AnnouncementI really meant to post this before, but alas I failed. I feel like one part of my life has to be put on hold while I'm doing such a huge project and unfortunately my personal blog fell to the waste. As I said at the beginning of the month --- I really am taking "Living the Lyme Life" to a whole new level. In more than one way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://uslymeadvocacy.wordpress.com/">http://uslymeadvocacy.wordpress.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Yes folks - I am uniting the states with Lyme Awareness. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-89755277600701974462013-08-04T10:19:00.001-04:002013-09-19T15:44:30.085-04:00We Fight Lyme Together Bracelet Sales<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />Please order our We Fight Lyme Together Bracelets to help out with NC Lyme Advocacy. We are using the most current proceeds for the Vector Borne Infection Awareness Night on October 8th - If you straight up want to donate, but don't want to order the bracelets - contact me via email (located on the side of the blog) or comment with your email address and I will contact you with how to make that happen. <br />
<br />
A portion of the proceeds will go directly to raise awareness in North Carolina.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHPmzb99d08/UI0muTghcJI/AAAAAAAABlg/9GuIM_Ig4MI/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHPmzb99d08/UI0muTghcJI/AAAAAAAABlg/9GuIM_Ig4MI/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Sizes and Quanties" />Sizes and Quantities</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0"> <option value="3 size 7 inch bracelets">3 size 7 inch bracelets $12.00 USD</option> <option value="3 size 8 inch bracelets">3 size 8 inch bracelets $12.00 USD</option> <option value="3 - Combination Sizes">3 - Combination Sizes $12.00 USD</option> <option value="5 bracelets - size 7 inch">5 bracelets - size 7 inch $20.00 USD</option> <option value="5 bracelets- size 8 inch">5 bracelets- size 8 inch $20.00 USD</option> <option value="5 bracelets - Combination Sizes">5 bracelets - Combination Sizes $20.00 USD</option> <option value="10 Bracelets - Size 7 inch">10 Bracelets - Size 7 inch $35.00 USD</option> <option value="10 bracelets - Size 8 inch">10 bracelets - Size 8 inch $35.00 USD</option> <option value="10 Bracelets - Combination Sizes">10 Bracelets - Combination Sizes $35.00 USD</option></select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /><br />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----<br>" /><br />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" type="image" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></form>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-44907787338862456132013-08-04T09:43:00.002-04:002013-08-04T09:43:57.653-04:00Taking it to a whole new levelI really am taking "Living the Lyme Life" to a whole new level. In more than one way. <br />
<br />
So I have really been neglecting my personal blog. I apologize for that, but when you hear the reason - everyone will understand. Unfortunately, I can't share that information on this blog at this time. However, I'll share that it does involve Lyme Disease. <br />
<br />
Be patient and I will share as soon as I can, but know that I'm very busy - living the LYME life. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-2786465833985075762013-07-25T17:23:00.000-04:002013-07-25T17:23:29.925-04:00The Subtext of LifeWords. Phrase. Articulation. <br />
<br />
When words are put together, they form a sentence. <br />
<br />
The cat ran.<br />
<br />
This is such a simple sentence. However, this simple sentence isn't so simple when you say it. Inevitably, someone reads subtext into a simple sentence. This can often vary by the person that states the phrase and the person that is listening to it. Let me give you a few examples<br />
<br />
I say, "The cat ran." Someone might immediately think on of the following scenarios:<br />
<br />
<br /><ul>
<li>The cat ran in the grass.</li>
<li>The cat ran in the house.</li>
<li>The cat ran from the dog</li>
<li>The cat ran during thunder. </li>
<li>The cat ran using all four paws.</li>
<li>The cat ran away from home.</li>
</ul>
When you hear the phrase, "The cat ran," you may already predisposed to think where the cat ran to or why the cat ran or even how the cat ran. However, I was just making a simple statement that the cat ran. There was no sub-text into where, why or how of this statement. However, people often jump to conclusions and imagine there is more to the sentence than there is based on past experiences.<br />
<br />
If this simple phrase can have subtext, imagine other sentences in life. Some people throw subtext into every day conversation with their body language. They say one thing, but really are intending to say something else. For me - about 9 out of 10 times, what I say is what I mean. If I ask for someone to do something, there's no subtext to follow. It's just a simple request. But because so many people are used to others using subtext, they make assumptions based on my statements. When in reality, I simply just wanted you to take the trash out - or remove a post - or whatever it was that I asked you to do. It's as simple as that. <br />
<br />
Speaking of subtext - some people are going to read this and ASSUME I am talking about someone in particular - and again - you'd be incorrect. It's not about anyone. I was just thinking on the way home that sometimes simple sentences can be so misconstrued with subtext that the meaning gets lost in translation.<br />
<br />
So from now on - whenever you read something - or hear something, listen. Not just hear, but listen. Sometimes the 5 words that comes out of the person's mouth is really just the 5 words - and not a 20 paragraph dissertation. :) <br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-91788927667617203012013-07-23T01:28:00.003-04:002013-07-23T01:28:54.090-04:00Itchy Update<ul>
<li>During the day was better in itchiness. </li>
<li>Apparently still very itchy at night though. It's woken me up three times thus far.</li>
<li>What I wouldn't give for one full night of sleep - or maybe even just one night with only waking once.</li>
<li>Redness is about the same and irritation spots about the same. One small step. </li>
<li>Take Diflucan number 4 tomorrow (er today) - that's typically the sweet spot number if it's a fungal infection for itchiness to completely stop</li>
</ul>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-39667053491045397722013-07-22T03:02:00.002-04:002013-07-22T03:05:48.751-04:00The Itching GameThe stages of an itch usually follow a pattern. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There is an itch.</li>
<li>You scratch it.</li>
<li>There is relief.</li>
</ul>
This can be true for many types of itches. However one type it itch plays hide & go seek --<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There is an itch.</li>
<li>You scratch it.</li>
<li>It moves.</li>
<li>You scratch it again.</li>
<li>It moves.</li>
<li>You scratch it again.</li>
<li>There is relief.</li>
</ul>
However, there is one type of itch that is quite annoying. Annoying indeed. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There is an itch.</li>
<li>You scratch it.</li>
<li>It itches worse. </li>
<li>You scratch some more.</li>
<li>It itches worse.</li>
<li>Houston, we have a problem.</li>
</ul>
This has happened to me, yet again.<br />
<br />
First let me begin by saying I have re-occuring systemic yeast problems. It happens and I usually realize it quickly and begin a protocol. By looking back to 2008, it took 4 days of this protocol to help this kind of itchiness in the past.<br />
<br />
Now there are multiple things that I think are important and some are a little bit TMI. I'm a modest girl so I'll keep it friendly, but - I can't explain everything without explaining everything. For my male readers - aka that's you Kaptain Blue, you might want to just want to just go back to like 2008 and reread and old blog. LOL.<br />
<br />
It all began on a quiet Wednesday afternoon. I ran out of my monthly supplies on day 3. All you ladies (and probably some gentlemen) know what I'm talking about. So a quick trip to the store was in order. When I arrived, I realized they had a bargain so I bought up 3 boxes of my favorite brand. However instead of getting my regular supply, I mixed it up a bit. I thought why not mix it up - they've had this "new" product out for a bit and I've heard great things about it. I got home and unwrapped this pretty package of U by Kotex. I think you ladies know where I'm going with this. It was Mistake Number One! On Wednesday afternoon, I used the product twice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thursday I had scheduled a lymphatic massage for detoxing. So, I decided to shave the bikini line. Mistake Number Two. I must say I really enjoyed it, but boy did we find my painful spots. By this point, I had used the product two or three more times. By Thursday night, I felt an "itch." I won't tell you where exactly this "itch" was located, but all you ladies know this itch - an uncomfortable itch that's inconvenient and a bit disgusting to scratch -especially in public. Upon further investigation, I discovered a small bump - like that of a bug bite on my tush. I figured in that moment the bug bite was the cause of the itch. There was no alarm. Side note: That night, I grabbed one of my original product instead of the new pretty packaging product.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I went to sleep Thursday night thinking nothing of the little itch and bump. Boy was I wrong. Mistake number 3. I should have started treating that little itch & bump Thursday night because Friday morning I woke up and I was really itchy. I was so itchy - I decided to just leave off any extra things that might cause irritation - IE: I knew I would have some messy under garments, but it was worth it. See told you might be a bit TMI.<br />
<br />
<br />
By Friday evening, I was in a pickle. I realized that I had a lot of redness and irritation (and itching). So I grabbed a tube of handy dandy lotrimin ultra and applied onto the skin where it was red and irritated. Upon contact, it felt better. I slept well - although woke frequently itching.<br />
<br />
<br />
By Saturday, I was truly in pain. It was an itch so bad that it hurt. I couldn't scratch it because t hat would make it worse - If you don't know - any itch/rash area that you scratch over and over again could cause an infection if you break the skin. And since I'm trying to avoid any antibiotics over the next 6 weeks - (have gone 2 weeks so far) I'm trying not to scratch. I alternated using antifungal cream and neosporin on my red/raging/irritated/angry/itchy skin. To clarify, it is just the skin that's red and fussy. Thank God! I began Diflucan (why I didn't on Friday - I don't know. I'm fussing at myself about that right now! - yes at 2:50 am).<br />
<br />
Sunday, I picked up Coconut Oil. I've heard many good things about it. I used it. It was "so so" in remedy for itching - but I've also heard it's a great natural antibiotic/antifungal therapy for skin. So I've alternated the creams around today to try to hit the rash from every angle and then it hit me -<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The new product irritated my skin.. (probably need to add an cortisone cream in there)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The shaving irritated my skin more - would have been better off if I had left well enough alone during my monthly visitor. (this is where I'm using the antibiotic cream) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The yeast went out of control due to a combination of - already having system yeast overgrowth in my body (with no other symptoms, I didn't realize), lymphatic massage pulling things out to the surface, and because it was already irritated due to the product & the shaving - the rash landed on a very unfortunate area of the body. (Diflucan and Antifungal Cream - alternating with Coconut Oil)</li>
</ul>
Because of this itch - I haven't slept well since Thursday night. I have to work today through Thursday. First 4 day week since I quit - and most of those days are almost 8 hour days. If my bosses were in town, I'd not go - but this week I am the boss. I have to go. So wish me luck as I sit down, cross my legs and hope that the itching doesn't go crazy while I'm at work. <br />
<br />
The redness has subsided a bit. It doesn't look quite as angry as it did on Saturday. If past experiences tell me anything, the rash will be gone by day 4 of Diflican - which isn't until Tuesday. However, my past rashes weren't this severe and angry before I started treating. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-3059626260192599782013-06-29T10:33:00.002-04:002013-06-29T10:33:28.358-04:00Dealing with angerDealing with Anger: Anger is something we all have at one point or
another. If someone says they've never gotten angry, they're either
lying or they've simply forgotten - thanks to that lovely Lyme effect of
memory loss at times. I hope that my post will help someone reading in how they deal with anger based on how I handle mine. First I have to say that I don't get angry a lot. I'm just not an angry person in general. However there are a few things that press my anger buttons - So I have to know how to channel that and how to control my emotions so that I don't do something I'll regret later. <br />
<br />
The one thing I've found is that anger is like
crinkling up a piece of paper. You can crinkle that thing all up and
not tear it, but you can not get that piece of paper to go back to its
original shape even if you iron out all the wrinkles - something is left
behind from the crinkling (anger). Crinkling paper for me is a release. So if I'm extra worried or stressed, I may take some paper and crinkle. So if you ever come to my house and you
see a stack of papers crinkled on my desk, it means I was stressed or worried. One
day a few weeks ago I crinkled a whole notepad of papers. It was better to
damage that paper than to damage a relationship. I'm sure there are
better ways to deal with it, but for me - this is something that works. You have to find your own way to release the
tension. For some, it's a stress ball. For others, it's one of those worry
stones.For me, it's paper. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />So I have to remember 4 basic things about anger. <br />
<ol>
<li>Anger is a human emotion.</li>
<li>Anger hides fear. What is the fear and deal with it.</li>
<li>Anger can damage relationships.</li>
<li>Resolve the problem, Dissolve the anger, and Let It Go!</li>
</ol>
<br />Whether online or in person - I try to work through some steps with anger. <br /><br /><ul>
<li><u>Waiting
</u>it out. This is particularly helpful online. If someone does something
that makes me angry, I try to wait. If it made me REALLY angry, I
wait for a whole 24 hours before reading it again. Because chances are,
I just read what they wrote wrong. Either I read it entirely wrong
because my brain wasn't working right for reading comprehension or I simply
read their intentions wrong. By waiting it out, it stopped me from reacting
before I say something I might regret later.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Journaling
</u>- sometimes it can be helpful to make an "emotions notebook." There
can be patterns. I know that I'm more likely to take things the wrong
way around my cycle. I try to avoid making decisions and talking to
people that I know are likely to set me off during that time of the
month. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>When responding to someone, <u>make a
negative sandwich</u>. That means - start with a positive and end with a
positive and sandwich the negative in the middle.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Anger
can lead to depression</u>. Depression is never a good place to be. I try to never to let a day go by without a smile. Back in 2008 or
2009, I can't remember when, I made a promise to a friend that I would
smile at least once every day whether I meant it or not. The next year,
I made a promise that I'd make at least one other smile daily if I saw
people that day. It has helped tremendously and soon enough I found that I was smiling almost all the time. It wasn't a forced effort. Even if we're sick, we can be happy. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If I *must* respond to
someone that's made me angry, I try to talk it out and <u>use "I" phrases</u>
with calm words (this means no upper case letters in an instant
message). I also try to do this <u>privately</u>. There is no need to take my
anger out on someone else publicly. It makes the other person look
bad, but it also makes me look bad. 9 out of 10 times things can be
resolved quickly with an instant message rather than going back and
forth publicly. While hurt can dissolve, trust can never really be regained if
there is public humiliation. </li>
</ul>
<br />True
story that happened recently. One night someone raked me over the
coals publicly. It was a few people plus a friend that didn't stand up
for me. In my opinion this happened for a couple of reasons - They were
angry at their own Lyme Disease and because of that they weren't
thinking clearly and took it out on me. I think they expected me to
blow up at them, instead I waited. I cried. I got angry quietly. They
hurt me deeply. I wasn't sure how to respond so I waited and cried
some more. I cry when i get super angry because I don't know if I'm going to make the problem worse by responding or just letting it go. <br /><br />
I finally responded in a private message to my "friend." I simply asked why.
And in keeping it simple, we were able to resolve some conflict - which didn't even actually involve me. What this friend didn't know is that over the past week or two I had stood up for her behind closed doors and I gave her the benefit of the doubt first. After the public humiliation, she made me question my own philosophies
of giving people the benefit of the doubt. She crinkled up our
relationship and I will never be able to fully trust her again. She
planted a seed of doubt in my mind because she actively participated in
raking me over the coals.<br />
<br />However, I did have a responsibility to
help her and the others so I took care of the
problem PRIVATELY. Apparently I'm an innate peace maker. I want to
make peace between two people so bad that I put myself in the middle of
it. The other person felt so badly that she was the trigger for the group's anger on me. This other person is actually a very good friend of mine and never would have done anything to intentionally cause me pain. <br />
<br />
<br />Many
people would have exploded to the people in a public way the way that
these people did about me, but I'm not many people. It may have looked
like I wasn't standing up for myself, but I was standing up for myself.
I was just doing it privately - I never got an apology from one
person, the second person is acting like something never happened and
the third told me she realized the mistakes she made. However - Anger
has damaged this relationship. It will never be the same just like the
pile of note pad paper that incident caused me to ruin. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bottom line is - When something is upsetting you, try to take care of it privately. Don't go out of your way to make the other person look bad because in the end you make yourself look bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So remember these thing - and I highlighted the two most important things:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Anger is a human emotion.</li>
<li>Anger hides fear. What is the fear and deal with it.</li>
<li><b>Anger can damage relationships.</b></li>
<li><b>Resolve the problem, Dissolve the anger, and Let It Go!</b></li>
</ol>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-82716333562347612202013-06-28T09:00:00.001-04:002013-06-28T09:00:21.087-04:00Babesia SweatsSometimes I think I have it beat - and other times - like today - I am drenched in sweat. <br />
<br />
Calgon take me away!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-37427309865832665862013-06-27T15:56:00.000-04:002013-06-27T15:56:05.706-04:00It's back!!! (SYTYCD)The top 20 have finally been chosen on <i>So You Think You Can Dance</i>. <br />
<br />
I am excited for the season after night one of couples dancing together. I thought I'd make a list of favorite to least favorite. I can't even say best to worst because even the ones that are in my bottom three are wonderful dancers.<br />
<br />
My Top 3 are: <br />
<ul>
<li>Amy & Fik-Shun - Sonya Contemporary Piece (see below)</li>
<li>Jasmine M & Alan - Travis Wall Blind-folded piece (see here: http://youtu.be/IGZYCp1mQac)</li>
<li>Jasmine H & Aaron - Sonya Jazz Piece (see below) </li>
</ul>
My Middle 4 are: <br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Brittany & BluPrint - Afro Jazz</li>
<li>Makenzie & Paul - Waltz </li>
<li>Malece & Jade - Travis Wall Jazz</li>
<li>Hayley & Curtis - Hip Hop Piece (see here: ht=tp://youtu.be/1NDUVV5KXVk) </li>
</ul>
My Bottom 3 are: <br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Alexis & Nico - Hip Hop</li>
<li>Jenna & Tucker - Broadway</li>
<li>Mariah & Carlos - Jive</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br /><br />
Amy & Fik-Shun with Sonya Contemporary Choreography.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cNZmgtPulws" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Jasmine Harper & Aaron with Sonya Jazz Choreography.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/12ZnsgVhj08" width="560"></iframe> Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-73682770930440252472013-06-23T08:14:00.000-04:002013-06-23T08:19:17.061-04:00Life theories based on Dory<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhdTW8clidRle80JVOhhuEb6-jH_rKx2bxduH1L7-yJc56BuR7eIqZ2DtqhwTWQpDx-zTlG3jU5Zh_KXBs5BGmaE9kmNznR7rGf3AWxAT8rM-ze-cNJqrHOOvIXUT_mpdBTxyX-OliJ9O/s1600/P6203449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhdTW8clidRle80JVOhhuEb6-jH_rKx2bxduH1L7-yJc56BuR7eIqZ2DtqhwTWQpDx-zTlG3jU5Zh_KXBs5BGmaE9kmNznR7rGf3AWxAT8rM-ze-cNJqrHOOvIXUT_mpdBTxyX-OliJ9O/s400/P6203449.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I feel like Dory - photograph taken by me at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher NC</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When life gets ya down, --------- you just have to keep on swimming. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cxB_TemN1pc" width="560"></iframe><br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-80090820758404319122013-06-21T11:02:00.000-04:002013-06-21T11:02:02.785-04:00Day Beach Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ON92XhHuTE/UcRpQef-vxI/AAAAAAAABpw/jVOf1frIrBk/s1600/P6203690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpGnfoi3zog/UcRpXjIcRVI/AAAAAAAABp4/owykSpKykXc/s1600/P6203624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpGnfoi3zog/UcRpXjIcRVI/AAAAAAAABp4/owykSpKykXc/s400/P6203624.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kure Beach 6/20/2013</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Few weeks ago decided to have a beach day with my Mom - we finally went yesterday. We did a lot of stuff in our one day trip. Basic itinerary for the day was - Aquarium, Lunch, Beach. <br />
<br />
This is what we did:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher</li>
<li>Fort Fisher (and beach at that area)</li>
<li>Eat Lunch at Carolina Beach</li>
<li>Spend time on Carolina Beach Board Walk</li>
<li>Spend time sitting on the beach</li>
<li>Eat famous Britt's Doughnut. (first for me and it was oh so yummy)</li>
<li>Spend time on Kure Beach</li>
<li>Spend about 30 minutes with one of my best elementary school friend and his wife & son.</li>
</ul>
It was a nice day weather wise although the wind was out of control and the waves were very turbulent. <br />
To explain how windy it was - I was sitting in my beach chair relaxing when a gust of wind came and knocked me in the chair over. Back of chair was on the beach - my back was on the back of the chair - the bottom of the chair was in the air - as were my feet. It was in slow motion and all I could do was laugh. There were witnesses, but it wasn't Mom - she had gone to the bathroom. I'm feeling it today though. Wowzer. <br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-91934367499402889202013-06-13T11:06:00.000-04:002013-06-13T11:06:07.691-04:00Has it really been almost a month?I'm so sorry it's been almost a month since my last entry. I've been crazy tired and crazy busy. I don't even have much to say. I've had a lot of people come to the house for warranty items. <br />
<br />
I also began a new antibiotic regiment which is kindly kicking my tail.<br />
<br />
I got a little sunburn on my shoulders, forehead and back after swimming at a birthday pool party. And by swimming, I pretty much mean I stood in the pool for a few hours. <br />
<br />
I still am taking donations for bracelets - look over on the right hand side of the blog if you're interested in "ordering." The last set of orders I used to help with the booth we had at the fairgrounds. It was a huge success. I'm hoping to work with someone to do a screening of Under Our Skin in the fall. So will likely use any donations for the bracelet for that endeavor. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-6375237957371257232013-05-17T09:50:00.004-04:002013-05-17T09:50:59.958-04:00If I knew then, what I know now --- If I knew then, what I know now --- because this is a Lyme blog, you guys might think this is Lyme related in some way. I can tie that into it, but really it has nothing to do with Lyme Disease or any other co-infections. <br />
<br />
So many people say, "I wish I could go back." They want to go back to high school. They want to do it again - and have the same experiences they had. Well - I can say without a doubt I have never once thought, "I wish I could go back." The High School me blended into the walls. The High School me was so shy that the thought of making a presentation or talking to people outside of my own little group made me sick in a literal way. I hated it there. I hated it so much that I just wanted to blend in, not stand out, get through the time until college, go away and never go back. However - life just doesn't happen that way. If I wanted to see my family, I'd have to go back. Over & over & over again. If I knew then, what I know. I would have gone back more often. That's a problem I can fix now!<br />
<br />
Most students never get to go back to their middle or high schools after they graduate. However, I was blessed that my Dad taught at my middle school. I think I spent more time there or at the HS in my schooling years than I did at home. Adults got me. They got to see glimpses of the real me. For some reason I wasn't comfortable in my own shell, but amongst a certain group of people - I would let little glimpses of myself come out. Who am I? I am the perfect blend of my parents. I have the humor of my Dad with the sensibility of my Mom. Sometimes those two sides collide and the humor sticks out and my sensibility side is going, "What on Earth are you doing?" If I knew then, what I know now. I'd let everyone see my sense of humor all of the time - and if they don't like it, then it's their problem not mine.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think we get in our own way of happiness. Right before 7th grade, my family took a giant move. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't that large of a move - Truthfully from our new house to our old house - was about an hour & a half. However, might as well been across the country. My family chose not to go back "home" often - I'm not sure if that helped or hurt. I almost think if I had been able to keep in contact with my friends back "home" that I would have had a little encouragement to be myself and that if people didn't like me for who I was - who needs em. So I had it set in my own mind - that life was going to be miserable. And it was. If I knew then, what I know now. Life gets better. <br />
<br />
Do I wish I could go back and be that miserable shell of a person? Absolutely not. Do I even wish I could go back and CHANGE who I was then? Not really. I think the "blended into the walls" Jennifer helped keep me grounded. I have so many bad memories of the six years I lived in that county. However over the last few years, I've come to realize that even more than that - even despite myself - I have so many great memories. Somewhere through the misery and the tears, I found a bit of happiness things. I may not be in contact with every single friend I made along the way. However, my best friend today - was one of my great friends in High School. If we hadn't moved there then, I wouldn't have his support now. If I knew then, what I know now. People would shock me by being better friends that I could ever imagine. <br />
<br />
What have I been up to the last few weeks? I have really not been blogging as much as I could have been. There is a VERY valid reason for it. The first reason was the Lyme Awareness Day at the Flea Market. I already blogged about that, but the second - a few weeks ago my Mom told me that my Dad had finally decided to retire. This surprised me, but it didn't. He could have retired 7 years ago. He just kept at it. We thought he was going to retire 2 years ago, but he didn't. So this came as a surprise, but in a way it didn't. If I knew then, what I know now. I would have started really planning a year ago. <br />
<br />
First, I have to say I'm a planner. I've always been a planner. I think of about a hundred different scenarios in my head for different things. So over the last few years I've had a general list of things that I'd like to do when Dad finally retired. However, I had a mere three weeks to put some plans into action. The big things I wanted to do were out of my comfort zone - technology based. Now you might think to yourself that I seem to be pretty tech savvy, but truthfully I am not. I have come leaps and bounds in the last 15 years -however my goals were lofty. If I knew then, what I know now. I would have started planning a year ago.<br />
<br />
However, I pulled this off in a mere three weeks. There were a few things that I really wanted. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Power Point Presentation of Dad and his classes throughout the years.</li>
<li>A Mixed CD of songs that remind me of Dad.</li>
<li>Former students and friends coming out for a surprise party</li>
<li>The song Celebration playing when he walked through the door (there was a 2nd part to this, but unfortunately that didn't pan out). </li>
<li>And some other very important people coming to his final concert.</li>
<li>To be nicely decorated.</li>
</ul>
<br />
A Power Point Presentation: I must say that this was one of the harder things I had to do. First, I went through the yearbooks at the school. Then, I had to go pick up yearbooks from his school as I realized my project would be much easier if I could bring them home. There were no fewer than 15 yearbooks. One by one, I looked through them and any potential pictures I scanned into my printer - which sent it over to my computer. I saved them into a file. It was then that I could start putting together a presentation. I can't even tell you how many hours it took for me to get it going. You have to keep in mind that my family wasn't tech savvy. We didn't always have the latest and the greatest. We just didn't care about that and it wasn't a necessity. I only had to do a couple of presentations with power point at school and that was back in the late 90's too. If I knew then, what I know now - I would have paid a little more attention when someone was explaining to me how to do slide transitions and timing. <br />
<br />
A Mixed CD of songs. Now I do this every so often. I thought it wasn't going to be difficult. Boy was I wrong. I couldn't remember how to do it so it took 3 and 1/2 hours to do the first one. Once I got to the third one, I had it down pat. I did probably 10 mixed CD's. This was my "last minute" project. I had all the songs on my computer, but I just was so busy the other stuff that I put it on the back burner. If I knew then, what I know now - I think I still would have had this on the back burner. LOL!<br />
<br />
Former Students & Friends coming to a party. Now this was difficult and it wasn't. I put together an event on facebook and invited people I knew. I sent out an email to a few special guests. I made a phone call to an important family member. Then let it fall into place. Now, I actually turned his final concert into the celebration. I had everyone come to his final concert and then we all slipped into the cafeteria afterwards and waited for him to arrive. He had NO IDEA that this was going on. I began to see my dream coming together when I saw all of these people that I knew in one space and knew that some of them were some of Dad's favorite students in the last 39 years. If I knew then, what I know now - I would have done it exactly the same way! It was small and intimate. <br />
<br />
The song Celebration to be playing when he walked in. Now I have to say that this was a stroke of luck. I really didn't think it would happen. My original idea was to have some band members play for Dad when he walked in, but that just didn't pan out. In my mixed CD, I had it as the 2nd song. Once I got the CD going, I was hoping that they'd walk Dad in about 5 or so minutes afterwards. Now there was someone there that really helped me out with this. Two people actually. One was a friend of mine who works at Dad's school. He actually helped me connect my computer to the projector to project it on the screen. Then there was another guy at the school that brought speakers to connect to my computer. So once we got the speakers connected - I began to play the CD - and sure enough 1/2 way t rough Celebration - Dad walked into the door. I couldn't have been more pleased with the way that turned out. Again, I'd do it the same exact way (Except maybe have them hook up the speakers earlier so we could have had music playing before hand, but then again - it worked out perfectly - so maybe I needed that delay)<br />
<br />
To be nicely decorated - Now, I am not a decorator. To be frank, I SUCK when it comes to decorating. However, I wanted it to be nice. In addition, I didn't know where we'd be having the party until a few days before. So I didn't even know how to plan for the space until the day before the party. SO, I had a few ideas and hoped they'd come together.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Yellow & Blue - I wanted it to have a yellow feel, so I purchased a roll of yellow plastic table cover and also blue steamers. </li>
<li>Balloons - I wanted a really big balloon and smaller ones. I wanted it also to have a black & white look. So I bought "note" balloons and black & white streamers. </li>
<li>I bought a "Surprise" Banner. and other random stuff including music confetti</li>
</ul>
<br />
I didn't have a plan. I couldn't visualize it until I could actually see it. SO, we first rolled the tables. We rolled 18 tables to start. 6 tables were together in one row times 3 - so it was really easy to take the roll down the table. We opened up the helium tank and began to blow up balloons. We had 3 Mylars - so 1 Mylar for each set of 6 tables and the BIG one in the middle group of tables. Then we had 4 musical note balloons so the big one in the middle got two music note balloons while the other two tables got one musical note balloon each. After we got it started, I began to confetti the table with the musical note confetti. Things were really coming together. We had groupings of three balloons around the side of the room we had decorated. We knew we wanted a table of memorabilia and there were two round tables. So we table clothed them - and then my brother had the brilliant idea to use the blue steamers around the round table. STROKE OF GENIUS. It really made the tables look great. We used the one table for memories and I let my brother take care of that almost completely by himself. Then we used the other ones for guests to sign in. <br />
<br />
I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with the black & white steamers and then the kids had a great idea. By this point one of Dad's parents - came to help with her children. She took care of all the food. We wound up rolling yellow cover down a 4th set of 6 tables for the food and additional seating just in case. We put the children to work hanging the steamers in the doorway. Suggested it look like a piano. They went at it and began putting up the steamers. Then after they left, my friend cut the white steamers and the black steamers straight so you could really see that the white steamers looked like the white keys and the black steamers looked like the black keys on a piano. It was amazing! We cut the surprise banner in two pieces and put one on one side of the projection screen and one on the other. <br />
<br />
All in all, it looked VERY nice. I can't believe we pulled it off as a surprise. <br />
<br />
I do have a few people to thank. The principal of Dad's school was a PHENOMENAL support. Anything I requested, he was totally on board. I really could not have done any of it without his support. The band parent that went out of her way to ask if she could help and bought food for the celebration. Then she came to help decorate with her children. We couldn't have finished in time without her help. My friend - the teacher - that worked at the school. There was no way I could have turned my presentation onto the big screen if it weren't for him. And all the special guests that came out late on a school night to celebrate a school that has been home for Dad for the last 24 years. And my family - who managed not to spill the beans. Amazing! <br />
<br />
So that's what I've been doing for the last few weeks. I really am too pooped to pop, but it was really worth it. Time well spent. Lack of sleep well spent. I love my Dad. I know he knows it, but sometimes - actions speak louder than words. :) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-68235988572777907912013-05-12T18:13:00.000-04:002013-05-12T18:13:10.057-04:00The Day of Awareness in North CarolinaFirst I have to give a shout out to two of my friends who did awareness events in their own towns - One is a rock star of an advocate. She not only did one day of awareness, but she did THREE days worth at the May Fest at Pilot Mountain. I couldn't be prouder of her for doing it all on her own with her daughter. I am sure she's one tired lady right about now. The other friend lives in Hendersonville and she's doing an event every Saturday with other Lymies in May to raise awareness. I have amazing Lyme friends - truly amazing.<br />
<br />
Now, let me tell you about what we did yesterday. I will be sharing bits and pieces on the NC Lyme Advocacy blog, but wanted to share with you all first because you're my peeps.<br />
<br />
<br />I have to give huge props to my Lyme friend Beth. She not only got this thing scheduled by herself, but she did most of the posters all on her own along with all of the tr-ifolds. Her husband and Dad came to do the big stuff including setting up tables and the tent. They did the heavy set up between 8 and 8:30 before I arrived. I was scheduled to arrive at 8:15, but then got stuck in traffic so wasn't able to arrive until about 8:40. It was pushing it, but as I like to say --- it is what it is. <br />
<br />
I got there and somehow found my way. I get lost easier than anyone I know. The GPS helps in a lot of ways, but this was a "parking" and "walking" situation where I wasn't sure what the buildings were on the flea market map I had and I was terrified I was going to get lost. However, between Beth's verbal directions and the nice flea market police officer - I found my way just fine. <br />
<br />
So we got set up. Our first two volunteers showed up. This was a wonderful sister pair that really helped us get the booth looking just right. As we were finishing up and I was explaining to one of them exactly what I had in my "big Lyme book" and some other information - another volunteer and her husband came. We started off slow. No one seemed to want to take any information, but as I said - if we helped even ONE person - the day would be worth it. <br />
<br />
A little before 10:30, another set of three volunteers came. A husband and wife duo with her beautiful daughter. The wife was diagnosed very short time ago and she really jumped in with both feet for advocacy and awareness. We are fortunate to have her on our side. She & her husband began competing in passing out brochures. Every time one of them passed out something - they'd comment on how they were winning the contest. <br />
<br />
Now I must say something about our volunteers. They were absolutely wonderful. I set up an excel spreadsheet with each person having about a 2 hour shift (like 9 to 11, or 10:30 to 12:30). We had at all times between 4 to 8 volunteers. They worked hard and they talked hard. Everyone was on time. Everyone showed up. No one got really lost. They were ALL amazing. We had Lyme patients and supporters alike - Moms & Daughters, Sisters, husbands and wives. It truly was a spectacular day of awareness. In total, there were probably 19 volunteers - more if you include the Lyme friends that popped in to say hello that weren't on the volunteer list. <br />
<br />I enjoyed my time with each group of volunteers differently. One volunteer's job was strictly to remind ME to rest - even though she did so much more. I took care of myself. I drank plenty of fluids, ate plenty to keep me "energized" and went to the bathroom when I needed to. I sat down when I was ready to collapse and reapplied sunscreen when I felt like I was getting a little sun.<br />
<br />
It was windy all day. It took a lot of gorilla tape and clear packing tape to keep our stuff in place. One of the tri-folds only fell down once. The forecast for yesterday was "cloudy" and "thunderstorms." Every now and then the sky would look ominous and once we started shuffling things around just in case it started to pour. However - the rain stayed away. We didn't even get a drop of rain. <br />
<br />
I would post pictures, but blogger seems to be having trouble with the download process so I will try again tomorrow. As tired as I was last night and today, I am so glad we did it. We talked to many people. A lot were aware of Lyme, several even battled it themselves, but some had no clue what Lyme Disease was and we were able to give some education on how to properly remove a tick. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546188224724186972.post-59252020696404716672013-05-11T20:48:00.002-04:002013-05-11T20:48:44.671-04:00So Neglectful, So sorry!I'll be honest - I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd written. I've been just a touch busy and a touch sick. The touch busy - is that I've been so focused on NC Lyme Advocacy that I've forgotten about my personal blog. And it wasn't until I saw Kaptain Blue (formerly known as Mr. K) today that I realized that it had been a while since I've updated the personal blog. <br />
<br />
A while back I was asked by a number of people to head up the North Carolina version of the World Wide Protest. I said that I couldn't head it up because I had so much other stuff going on (with NC Lyme Advocacy & the Lyme Letter Campaign). So I sent a message to my dear friend Beth and asked her to head it up - knowing that she was really the only one I could trust to really get it set up the way I would have done it myself. Although we have may different approaches and personalities, our end result is generally somewhat the same. <br />
<br />
She agreed and has done a lot of hard work over the last few months and we settled on doing a booth at the Flea Market on the NC state fair ground. There was so many things that could have gone wrong today - and while there were a few mishaps - all in all today went well. I will post more in depth later about it, but for now --- here's a picture --- of me being tired - because I had been up on my feet most of the day. And yes, that is a stuffed tick. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s99QGS5T728/UY7djc0FtGI/AAAAAAAABpE/k1mazThySmM/s1600/P5113145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s99QGS5T728/UY7djc0FtGI/AAAAAAAABpE/k1mazThySmM/s320/P5113145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004009114069792651noreply@blogger.com0