I wrote this next post on July 10, 2007. I am going to be editing it a bit to remove names since more than 5 people will be reading it.
Friendship & Memories
The word friend has several meanings. The general concept is that a friend is a person that someone else likes and trusts. In elementary school, I thought I was friendless. I thought I could count on one hand the number of friends that I had. But looking back, I had more than I ever realized. There were at least 12 of them. I spent every waking non school moments with my best friends because they were not in my class at school. I remember riding my bike back and forth from my best friend's homes.
I remember spending days running back and forth from my house to my neighbor's home. I could run faster if I ate the green M&M's first. I swore I would marry one guy, but it was another that took me to my first ever boy girl dance. Another fellow and I would hold pretend weddings, but never would have actually married because he had cooties. I had a "wild friend", a sweet friend, a friend that was a little bit of both, a friend that always had a band-aid, and friends that would hang out in our tree house. (yes I actually spent some time outside if you can believe it). One of my very best friends turned into a band geek just like me. My world was turned upside down when I found out I was moving from the little town I cherished. In the last year, I have found many of these friends and it has been quite a blessing to have them in my life again.
I have fond memories of that little town where I grew up. There was the sleepover that I conned my parents into having where all the girls came over to spend the night and all the boys that weren't invited tried to scare us with ghost noises. But I was wise to their plan! I admit to be a little scared to be the first one to go to sleep. I thought I would find my bra frozen first thing in the morning, but my good girl friends chose to not pull any pranks like that on that one night. The other memory I have is of a skating birthday party. Do I remember who all was there? No, but I do have a good guess that most of the girls on the aforementioned list were there. My fondest memory was opening a huge box and finding a smaller box inside of it. Guess what was inside that box? I think there were in total 10 boxes for me to open. I have no idea what the present was. I just remember the journey.
I swore to all my friends that I would not lose touch. I did not want to leave. I couldn't leave. I did not want to lose the best friends ever. I even tried to hide in an attic to stay, but I had to go and I lost in touch with them all right away. It was so sad. Who would I find to race with me across the "huge field?" Who would I find to ride bikes with and play with Barbie Dolls? Who would I find to crush on and who would ever like me for me? I had always lived there. How would I find people that would like and trust me? Who would have guessed that it was time for that Jennifer to grow up?
In 7th grade, I moved. My first day of school totally sucked, but I found my new best friend. It took me a while to realize it, but I would have a core group of friends almost immediately. I can name them on one hand. So back to middle school, Friend E was the first one I met. I dropped my books when I was walking backwards (dumb move huh?) into a mobile classroom. According to her, I had run smack dab into the hottest guy in school. If he was the hottest guy in school, I wanted to go back to home and FAST. This friend introduced me to all the others that would eventually form our little "clique."
In high school, I made many friends. Some were the best friends and some just mere acquaintances, but all were "friends" none-the-less. They all at one point or another had to earn my trust in order to be called a friend. It's during this time that I met my husband. My best "male" friend at the time introduced us. Isn't that crazy? The one guy I had put all my efforts into and the one guy I definitely swore would be mine ... introduced me to my future husband.
When I met him, I thought he was old and a pervert. But as I got to know him, he became my friend. It took from 1994 to 1997 for him to summon up the courage to ask me out. Then it took me 24 hours after that for me to say yes. It took us probably 4 months to realize we we meant to be together, but we did not get married until 2000. We had friends from all walks of life at our wedding. I had friends from elementary school, middle school, high school and from college there on the day of our wedding. I have not seen most of them since, but they came together for the most important day of my life. In September, we'll have been together for 10 years (now it has been 12 years in September). That is amazing. I am so glad that I have spent the last 10 years of my life with this amazing man. He will do anything I want and anything I ask. I could not have picked a better friend to be my husband for the last 7 years. (now it's been 9 years)
Sometime in high school, I met my friend J. Somewhere along the lines we became my best friend. I did not know that it would turn into a friendship that would last this long. I am so glad that it has. He is the kind of friend that I can text to say I've had a horrible day and he'll respond with a a "I'm sorry." There's nothing he could do, but he's still truly sorry that I've had a bad day. And it makes it better (at least a little bit). He's the kind of friend that would drop whatever he's doing to help me out. He's the kind of friend that makes me laugh no matter how badly I feel. AND he's the kind of friend that makes me remember all the good times that I've had to outweigh the bad times. AND he's the kind of friend that calls me after he gets off of work to make sure that I'm okay even though he's had a rough time himself.
You guys might wonder why the long drawn out blog about friends. In the last year, I have learned more about friendship than I ever have in my entire life. It made me think about the friendships I've had in the past and remember the green M&Ms and bicycle rides. Friends are important. They are the most important because Friends are Family. Someone taught me that once.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
So You Think You Can Dance
It will have to wait until tomorrow. I've not had a chance to watch the show yet.
I've watched it .. but it still has to wait. I need to watch it again.
I've watched it .. but it still has to wait. I need to watch it again.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Priceless Wednesday
There is nothing better in this world than holding a newborn infant.
Henrik was born June 22, 20o9 at 10:58 am. I waited a full day before going to visit. This my sisters fourth C-section. Though it was hard, I waited ... and waited ... and waited. And then I finally got to hold him! I've done this three times before and each time it gets better and better.
Aunt Jennifer holding Henrik ~ beautiful bouncing baby boy Henrik.
The running joke is that all of the nephews should be Hubert. It rhymes with the last name. Henrik is not Hubert, but I finally got my H name after 4 babies in 9 years. I have to run now. I have to get to work so that I can go to the hospital and see Henrik (and N, K, and G).
Henrik was born June 22, 20o9 at 10:58 am. I waited a full day before going to visit. This my sisters fourth C-section. Though it was hard, I waited ... and waited ... and waited. And then I finally got to hold him! I've done this three times before and each time it gets better and better.
Aunt Jennifer holding Henrik ~ beautiful bouncing baby boy Henrik.
The running joke is that all of the nephews should be Hubert. It rhymes with the last name. Henrik is not Hubert, but I finally got my H name after 4 babies in 9 years. I have to run now. I have to get to work so that I can go to the hospital and see Henrik (and N, K, and G).
Monday, June 22, 2009
OCD: helps or doesn't help?
I'm sure if any of you reading has a tick borne illness you will completely understand the point of this post. I have OCD. I am sure some of you are thinking, "Now Jennifer ... I have seen your house. You are NOT OCD." While others are merely scratching your heads pondering where this post is headed. So I think an introduction is in order.
Hi, my name is Jennifer (insert Hi Jennifer) and I have OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by involuntary intrusive thoughts. When the person acknowledges these thoughts, it develops anxiety based on the dread that something bad will happen. So then they are compelled to do voluntary irrational actions that are time consuming to diminish the anxiety. What is my OCD you ask? What is my fear? What is my voluntary action? I believe you all know where this post is now heading.
My fear is my reality ~ my fear is that I would become infected with a new strain of a tick borne illness. My Voluntary Action is to check my body over and over for ticks. I do this every morning and every evening without failure. I check my body during every shower and every moment I get. Every little "tickle" produces fear in my soul that another little blood sucking creature has latched on.
The past week I have become less rigid on my fear of tick checking. I mean I am still checking, but the FEAR had subsided. However, these fears have invaded my self-conscious. I keep having vivid nightmares about these tiny arachnids. I just had on Sunday morning in fact. Most mornings when I wake up from my little arachnid dreams ... I immediately check myself over. I have this "irrational fear" that my dreams mean that it's really happening. Therefore, a tick check is immediately in order.
So Sunday morning, I woke from this dream and decided, "You know what. I am NOT going to let this dream control my life. I'm going on about my business and I am NOT going to do a tick check just because I dreamed about a spider and ticks." So I gingerly went to the computer and started my day. OCD will NOT control my life. The FEAR will not consume me.
I went to the bathroom for my morning routines and when I sat down on the toilet .. guess what I saw? After I screamed bloody murder, I realized that I have to have this OCD. There was a big ole fat Lone Star Tick attached sucking away! So you tell me, is my OCD (my daily tick checking ritual) irrational? The very moment I don't do this "irrational behavior" I find a tick sucking away at my flesh and blood! Of course after my husband so kindly removed the tick with a pair of tweezers and sealed in in a plastic bag just in case we need to test it later on, we performed a thorough tick check on the both of us. I fear this will be my daily OCD the rest of my life. How can I live through such fear? Every tickle causes me to look.
Who else does this? Am I alone or do the other sufferers of LD do this to? It's insane to "normal" people, but isn't it actually SANE to check? Or am I so far gone into the insanity that I don't realize that this isn't sane?
Hi, my name is Jennifer (insert Hi Jennifer) and I have OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by involuntary intrusive thoughts. When the person acknowledges these thoughts, it develops anxiety based on the dread that something bad will happen. So then they are compelled to do voluntary irrational actions that are time consuming to diminish the anxiety. What is my OCD you ask? What is my fear? What is my voluntary action? I believe you all know where this post is now heading.
My fear is my reality ~ my fear is that I would become infected with a new strain of a tick borne illness. My Voluntary Action is to check my body over and over for ticks. I do this every morning and every evening without failure. I check my body during every shower and every moment I get. Every little "tickle" produces fear in my soul that another little blood sucking creature has latched on.
The past week I have become less rigid on my fear of tick checking. I mean I am still checking, but the FEAR had subsided. However, these fears have invaded my self-conscious. I keep having vivid nightmares about these tiny arachnids. I just had on Sunday morning in fact. Most mornings when I wake up from my little arachnid dreams ... I immediately check myself over. I have this "irrational fear" that my dreams mean that it's really happening. Therefore, a tick check is immediately in order.
So Sunday morning, I woke from this dream and decided, "You know what. I am NOT going to let this dream control my life. I'm going on about my business and I am NOT going to do a tick check just because I dreamed about a spider and ticks." So I gingerly went to the computer and started my day. OCD will NOT control my life. The FEAR will not consume me.
I went to the bathroom for my morning routines and when I sat down on the toilet .. guess what I saw? After I screamed bloody murder, I realized that I have to have this OCD. There was a big ole fat Lone Star Tick attached sucking away! So you tell me, is my OCD (my daily tick checking ritual) irrational? The very moment I don't do this "irrational behavior" I find a tick sucking away at my flesh and blood! Of course after my husband so kindly removed the tick with a pair of tweezers and sealed in in a plastic bag just in case we need to test it later on, we performed a thorough tick check on the both of us. I fear this will be my daily OCD the rest of my life. How can I live through such fear? Every tickle causes me to look.
Who else does this? Am I alone or do the other sufferers of LD do this to? It's insane to "normal" people, but isn't it actually SANE to check? Or am I so far gone into the insanity that I don't realize that this isn't sane?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day
Favorite story of my favorite father's day present ever.
My teacher was going around asking all of her
students what their father's liked to do.
Some would say their Dad's liked sports.
Some would say their Dad's liked golfing.
Some would say their Dad's liked four wheelers.
Some would say their Dad's liked Video Games.
Some would say their Dad's liked church.
ME?
I said my dad liked to sit!
They tried to present me with another option
since my Father is musically talented.
Nope I insisted:
My Dad's a Sitting Nut.
Out of the mouth of children eh?
So Happy Father's Day to
My Sitting Nut!
Favorite story of my favorite father's day present ever.
My teacher was going around asking all of her
students what their father's liked to do.
Some would say their Dad's liked sports.
Some would say their Dad's liked golfing.
Some would say their Dad's liked four wheelers.
Some would say their Dad's liked Video Games.
Some would say their Dad's liked church.
ME?
I said my dad liked to sit!
They tried to present me with another option
since my Father is musically talented.
Nope I insisted:
My Dad's a Sitting Nut.
Out of the mouth of children eh?
So Happy Father's Day to
My Sitting Nut!
If I had to say it all over again ...
I think I'd say the same thing!
Well maybe there would be a few more options
My Dad: The Humorous Nut
My Dad: The Musical Nut
My Dad: The Computer Messer Upper Nut
My Dad: The Golfing Nut
My Dad: The Nose Flute Nut
My Dad: Driving about 10 different ways to work Nut
All Joking Aside:
My Dad: The Dependable Nut
I can always count on my Dad to be there when I need him.
He's already done the three most important
things a Dad has to do ...
He gave me Life,
he molded me into
the person I became
and then
he gave me away.
Thankfully I still have my sitting nut.
He's one of the most important people in my life.
He can be serious.
He can be humorous.
But most importantly,
he is my Dad.
I think I'd say the same thing!
Well maybe there would be a few more options
My Dad: The Humorous Nut
My Dad: The Musical Nut
My Dad: The Computer Messer Upper Nut
My Dad: The Golfing Nut
My Dad: The Nose Flute Nut
My Dad: Driving about 10 different ways to work Nut
All Joking Aside:
My Dad: The Dependable Nut
I can always count on my Dad to be there when I need him.
He's already done the three most important
things a Dad has to do ...
He gave me Life,
he molded me into
the person I became
and then
he gave me away.
Thankfully I still have my sitting nut.
He's one of the most important people in my life.
He can be serious.
He can be humorous.
But most importantly,
he is my Dad.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Former Friday ~ Glamorous Me
For the next few weeks (maybe longer), I am going to do something I am going to call "Former Friday." I will be posting things that I have written in the past (either from here or from another origin).
This old post makes me laugh because it was written about 3 months after my Lyme Diagnosis. Ironically now, I am a bit more "aware" about my appearance and I sometimes do care about what I look like when I'm going somewhere special. Ironically later today, I am going to get my "hair did" again. I've been keeping it looking decent this time around. I have gone to the hair dresser more this year than I think I have in the last five years combined.
The following was written on June 16, 2007.
Hair, Make-up and a Dress
Those of you that know me in person know that I am NOT into making myself look Glamorous. I couldn't care less if I was wearing sweatpants to meet the Queen of England herself. I couldn't care less if I was wearing work out clothes to meet Michael J. Fox or Patrick Dempsey (okay maybe I *DO* care about that one. I am NOT that person. I did not have someone special "Do" my hair for my wedding. I did not have someone special "Do" my make up it either. I threw it up in a bun like any other day and ran with it!
So WHY am I going NUTS over a stupid banquet? I feel like one of those high maintenance chicks that goes nuts over hair and make up. Do these shoes go with this dress? Could I wear this ring with that watch? I spent TWO HOURS straitening my hair. How many of you think that anyone will notice? AND now I'm worried about a freaking handbag. Here it is with almost an hour to go and I'm just now thinking ..my purse won't match.
I can thank my parents for sending me to Barbizon because if I want I CAN actually do my make up.
I don't know if I'm hearing "Glamorous" in my head or "Man I feel like a Woman" by Shania Twain. And you guys know that I despise country music. Fortunately for all of you, you won't see me look like this! I feel like an impersonator of someone else. I don't feel like Jennifer! I feel like ... (insert anyone you know that wears a lot of make up and dresses up high maintenance).
This old post makes me laugh because it was written about 3 months after my Lyme Diagnosis. Ironically now, I am a bit more "aware" about my appearance and I sometimes do care about what I look like when I'm going somewhere special. Ironically later today, I am going to get my "hair did" again. I've been keeping it looking decent this time around. I have gone to the hair dresser more this year than I think I have in the last five years combined.
The following was written on June 16, 2007.
Hair, Make-up and a Dress
Those of you that know me in person know that I am NOT into making myself look Glamorous. I couldn't care less if I was wearing sweatpants to meet the Queen of England herself. I couldn't care less if I was wearing work out clothes to meet Michael J. Fox or Patrick Dempsey (okay maybe I *DO* care about that one. I am NOT that person. I did not have someone special "Do" my hair for my wedding. I did not have someone special "Do" my make up it either. I threw it up in a bun like any other day and ran with it!
So WHY am I going NUTS over a stupid banquet? I feel like one of those high maintenance chicks that goes nuts over hair and make up. Do these shoes go with this dress? Could I wear this ring with that watch? I spent TWO HOURS straitening my hair. How many of you think that anyone will notice? AND now I'm worried about a freaking handbag. Here it is with almost an hour to go and I'm just now thinking ..my purse won't match.
I can thank my parents for sending me to Barbizon because if I want I CAN actually do my make up.
I don't know if I'm hearing "Glamorous" in my head or "Man I feel like a Woman" by Shania Twain. And you guys know that I despise country music. Fortunately for all of you, you won't see me look like this! I feel like an impersonator of someone else. I don't feel like Jennifer! I feel like ... (insert anyone you know that wears a lot of make up and dresses up high maintenance).
| |
Thursday, June 18, 2009
SYTYCD Review
So I admit it. I have a problem. I am addicted to a lot of reality shows. I get it honestly ... My dad is a reality show junkie too. My absolute favorite reality show (other than Survivor) is So You Think You Can Dance! I absolutely love watching new routines and different styles of dance. It makes me smile and I love hearing the comments from the judges (especially Ms. Mary Murphy). So I have decided that I might try to do a review while I"m watching the show. I watch the show the day or two after it airs. So hopefully you won't be spoiled if it's still in your DVR. But since I'm not giving away any bottom 3 answers in this .. this won't spoil anything. Other than whether *I* think they are good .. and what style they are dancing. Also I enjoyed last week's dancing better. I will highlight in bold my favorite couples this week.
Jive ~ Evan & Randi ~ They personality wise are my favorite people on the show. In theory, this should be really good for them. But their actual performance lacked a little bit for me. I think they could have gotten more bounce in it. I expected a lot more out of their jive. I did enjoy it, but they could have had more FUN! (I hear you all groaning) It almost looked like a dress rehearsal instead of an actual performance. I still liked the routine, but it just lacked a little luster for me.
Jazz ~Ade & Melissa Last week, I loved their piece. It was beautifully performed so I am looking forward to this week's performance. It was raw and strong. She was just as strong as Ade and I love that! And what did I love the most ... Mary's "tough love." :o) I love Mary! She makes me smile. Ade lifts Melissa and it's just beautiful. It's early in the show, but this might be my favorite dance of the show!
Hip Hop ~ Jason & Caitlin ~ Last week was their Bollywood dance. The bad thing about having a really great routine one week is that the next week ... it could be a let down. That's exactly what happened here. I was let down. They should have worked just as hard this week as they did last week in the Bollywood routine. They were so in sync (not the boy band) last week and this week they fell short in my opinion. Last week her legs were on fire and this week .. they lacked something. Parts were completely awesome, but other parts not so much.
Disco Dance ~ Brandon & Janette ~ So I am a bit torn on Brandon. Sometimes I love him as a dancer and othertimes ... he annoys me. Last week's performance on the Fox Trot was alright. I didn't know what to think about the disco because they were going from a dance that is very slow to a very rapid quick dance. The performance by the two? Two Words: Whirling Dervish. It was hard to keep up because it was so quick. Janette had a slight bobble at the end, but recovered quite well. I can't really say how Brandon did because I couldn't keep my eyes off of Janette. She did such a good job. And they got Mary to Scream. That means it had to have been good.
Waltz ~ Vitalio & Asuka ~ last week's performance was a let down so I was impressed by this week's dance because anything would be better than last week's dance. (unless you're reviewing Dancing with the Stars ... b/c I mean some of those stars just don't improve) Their lines were very nice and I don't know if the average viewer will appreciate the dance though (and this was the couple that brought Mary to tears and got Nigel to fake blow his nose on TV ... got to love the judges).
Pop Jazz ~ Max & Kayla ~ Last week Max & Kayla were my favorite couple. I have extremly high expectations going into this dance. My first thought was about the Props they use. Sometimes I am a fan of props and sometimes I am not. This week ... the props were a let down. Their costumes were also overwhelming. MC Hammer pants .. Even Mary didn't like it. Bright Ostrich dress .. Again, I am not a fan. BUT .. I looked past all of that to see that their skills are so prestine, perfect and precise. They stayed on Mary's Hot Tamale Train! I would say that Kayla is better than Max, but the pair of them are a force to be reckoned with. They are completely awesome.
Contemporary ~Jonathon & Karla ~ These two I think: Who are they? I couldn't remember them from last week. Then I remembered they were in the bottom three. I have to remember to enjoy the skills of the dancing even if I don't like the style of dance. Contemporary is not my favorite style, but I think that these two did an alright job in performing it. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed it. My big joke about Contemporary dancing is that if dancing is a potato .. then contemporary dancing is mashed potatoes. This couple added butter, cheese & garlic to the mashed potatoes. If you don't understand this, it means I really liked it! They performed so much better than last week (obviously since I don't even remember their routine last week).
Tango ~ Phillip & Janine ~ my 2nd favorite routine from last week. So I hope that they will be able to do just as well this week. I fear the Tango for them. I expect a Tangled Tango! (or maybe I should say a Testicle Tango since she kicked him in the groin) Phillip looks very uncomfortable, awkward and a bit heavy in the legs. He did have some great hip moves though. Janine seemed more comfortable and her lines were not half bad. I think Janine could have done better if Phillip had been better with the technique of the Tango. I think it kind of brought her down. I fear this might put them in the bottom 3.
Hip Hop ~ Kupono & Ashley ~ Last week they did the Crash Test Dummies dance. I really enjoyed it. So hopefully they will BRING IT. I could never do Hip Hop and I love to watch it. Okay. I had to watch this three times ~ and not because I just loved it. The stops were okay at the beginning, but then they got loose with the stops. I thought they did a much better job with the Crash Test Dummies dance. It looks like they practiced the dance wrong in parts. Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect Practice makes perfect. It wasn't syncronized at all. It was Chaotic and not in a good way. I thought it was going to be faster, sharper and completely awesome. I was let down by the performance. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the bottom 3.
Well I can't wait to see my DVR on the results show! No one spoil it for me. I never watch these things until later. :o) I go to bed too early to see it the day it airs.
*** 6/19/09 ***
Well .. I was right about ONE that went home, but I was saddened that one of my favorites went home.
Jive ~ Evan & Randi ~ They personality wise are my favorite people on the show. In theory, this should be really good for them. But their actual performance lacked a little bit for me. I think they could have gotten more bounce in it. I expected a lot more out of their jive. I did enjoy it, but they could have had more FUN! (I hear you all groaning) It almost looked like a dress rehearsal instead of an actual performance. I still liked the routine, but it just lacked a little luster for me.
Jazz ~Ade & Melissa Last week, I loved their piece. It was beautifully performed so I am looking forward to this week's performance. It was raw and strong. She was just as strong as Ade and I love that! And what did I love the most ... Mary's "tough love." :o) I love Mary! She makes me smile. Ade lifts Melissa and it's just beautiful. It's early in the show, but this might be my favorite dance of the show!
Hip Hop ~ Jason & Caitlin ~ Last week was their Bollywood dance. The bad thing about having a really great routine one week is that the next week ... it could be a let down. That's exactly what happened here. I was let down. They should have worked just as hard this week as they did last week in the Bollywood routine. They were so in sync (not the boy band) last week and this week they fell short in my opinion. Last week her legs were on fire and this week .. they lacked something. Parts were completely awesome, but other parts not so much.
Disco Dance ~ Brandon & Janette ~ So I am a bit torn on Brandon. Sometimes I love him as a dancer and othertimes ... he annoys me. Last week's performance on the Fox Trot was alright. I didn't know what to think about the disco because they were going from a dance that is very slow to a very rapid quick dance. The performance by the two? Two Words: Whirling Dervish. It was hard to keep up because it was so quick. Janette had a slight bobble at the end, but recovered quite well. I can't really say how Brandon did because I couldn't keep my eyes off of Janette. She did such a good job. And they got Mary to Scream. That means it had to have been good.
Waltz ~ Vitalio & Asuka ~ last week's performance was a let down so I was impressed by this week's dance because anything would be better than last week's dance. (unless you're reviewing Dancing with the Stars ... b/c I mean some of those stars just don't improve) Their lines were very nice and I don't know if the average viewer will appreciate the dance though (and this was the couple that brought Mary to tears and got Nigel to fake blow his nose on TV ... got to love the judges).
Pop Jazz ~ Max & Kayla ~ Last week Max & Kayla were my favorite couple. I have extremly high expectations going into this dance. My first thought was about the Props they use. Sometimes I am a fan of props and sometimes I am not. This week ... the props were a let down. Their costumes were also overwhelming. MC Hammer pants .. Even Mary didn't like it. Bright Ostrich dress .. Again, I am not a fan. BUT .. I looked past all of that to see that their skills are so prestine, perfect and precise. They stayed on Mary's Hot Tamale Train! I would say that Kayla is better than Max, but the pair of them are a force to be reckoned with. They are completely awesome.
Contemporary ~Jonathon & Karla ~ These two I think: Who are they? I couldn't remember them from last week. Then I remembered they were in the bottom three. I have to remember to enjoy the skills of the dancing even if I don't like the style of dance. Contemporary is not my favorite style, but I think that these two did an alright job in performing it. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed it. My big joke about Contemporary dancing is that if dancing is a potato .. then contemporary dancing is mashed potatoes. This couple added butter, cheese & garlic to the mashed potatoes. If you don't understand this, it means I really liked it! They performed so much better than last week (obviously since I don't even remember their routine last week).
Tango ~ Phillip & Janine ~ my 2nd favorite routine from last week. So I hope that they will be able to do just as well this week. I fear the Tango for them. I expect a Tangled Tango! (or maybe I should say a Testicle Tango since she kicked him in the groin) Phillip looks very uncomfortable, awkward and a bit heavy in the legs. He did have some great hip moves though. Janine seemed more comfortable and her lines were not half bad. I think Janine could have done better if Phillip had been better with the technique of the Tango. I think it kind of brought her down. I fear this might put them in the bottom 3.
Hip Hop ~ Kupono & Ashley ~ Last week they did the Crash Test Dummies dance. I really enjoyed it. So hopefully they will BRING IT. I could never do Hip Hop and I love to watch it. Okay. I had to watch this three times ~ and not because I just loved it. The stops were okay at the beginning, but then they got loose with the stops. I thought they did a much better job with the Crash Test Dummies dance. It looks like they practiced the dance wrong in parts. Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect Practice makes perfect. It wasn't syncronized at all. It was Chaotic and not in a good way. I thought it was going to be faster, sharper and completely awesome. I was let down by the performance. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the bottom 3.
Well I can't wait to see my DVR on the results show! No one spoil it for me. I never watch these things until later. :o) I go to bed too early to see it the day it airs.
*** 6/19/09 ***
Well .. I was right about ONE that went home, but I was saddened that one of my favorites went home.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Not Me Monday!
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
So I've taken a two week respite of Not Me Monday. It's not that I intended to do this, but I have been way too busy! No, Not Me! Too busy to post on Not Me Monday ...
1. I did not stay up until 11pm three nights in the last two weeks. Not Me. Not Ever.
2. I did not force my husband to watch "Mary Murphy" scream on So You Think You Can Dance and did not laugh at her Botox antidote. I didn't watch it four times in a row and then youtube it so I could watch it more. I certainly did not facebook it later on. :o)
3. I did not ... I repeat did NOT ... get water from the fridge only to fall backwards into two bags of garbage and cut my knee all the while managing to save my entire glass of water from spilling.
4. So the other evening my husband did NOT do laundry. He did not wash a set of whites and dry them only to find them sopping wet in the morning. Guess what he did NOT find in the dryer vent. I mean because if he did find this it means that it hadn't been cleaned in a few washings ...and I ALWAYS clean out the dryer vent after doing a load of wash.
It looks like a small animal .. does it NOT?
5. Speaking of "small" animals. I did not go overboard and take 11 photos of my precious pup.
Stay tuned next time for the things I did NOT do ...
Old Not Me Monday's for your viewing pleasure
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein
Week 20: What a Donkey
Week 21: Burning the Midnight Oil (today's post)
So I've taken a two week respite of Not Me Monday. It's not that I intended to do this, but I have been way too busy! No, Not Me! Too busy to post on Not Me Monday ...
1. I did not stay up until 11pm three nights in the last two weeks. Not Me. Not Ever.
2. I did not force my husband to watch "Mary Murphy" scream on So You Think You Can Dance and did not laugh at her Botox antidote. I didn't watch it four times in a row and then youtube it so I could watch it more. I certainly did not facebook it later on. :o)
3. I did not ... I repeat did NOT ... get water from the fridge only to fall backwards into two bags of garbage and cut my knee all the while managing to save my entire glass of water from spilling.
4. So the other evening my husband did NOT do laundry. He did not wash a set of whites and dry them only to find them sopping wet in the morning. Guess what he did NOT find in the dryer vent. I mean because if he did find this it means that it hadn't been cleaned in a few washings ...and I ALWAYS clean out the dryer vent after doing a load of wash.
It looks like a small animal .. does it NOT?
5. Speaking of "small" animals. I did not go overboard and take 11 photos of my precious pup.
Stay tuned next time for the things I did NOT do ...
Old Not Me Monday's for your viewing pleasure
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein
Week 20: What a Donkey
Week 21: Burning the Midnight Oil (today's post)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Recurring Nightmare
Ever have a dream that you're teeth are falling out?
Ever have a dream that you're falling?
Ever have a dream that you've gone to work/school naked?
Ever have a dream that you're being chased?
Ever have a dream that you're drowning?
Ever have a dream that you're failing a test?
A recurring dream is a dream which is experienced repeatedly over a long period. If you've had any of those dreams up above multiple times, you are not alone. I have had them too. If they occurred in *real* life, they might cause pain or embarrassment or even death. I mean what are the chances you'd actually go to work or school naked? Slim to none. (If you're a lymie, you're more likely to do this: Take a bath with your underclothes on accidentally of course) All of your teeth fall out? Again Slim to None. Fall to your death from tall heights? Slim to None. Being chased through an alley? Doubtful, especially if you steer clear from alleys. Drown? Fail a test? Okay those two are more likely.
Most recurring dreams I have aren't especially likely. However, my most recent recurring nightmare could very well happen. It's happened to others so why couldn't it happen to me. The thought of losing my Lyme Doctor to political garbage is very real. That's why when I have the dream four times in a two week span ... I begin to wonder whether it is coming true. It scares me more than any non-Lyme patient can ever know. Until you walk a mile in a Lymie's shoe, you will never know what this fear is like. You don't GET Lyme until you GET Lyme. This dream has woken me up from deep slumber.
I don't think I've ever shared with my readers that I have a "gift." I used to think this "gift" was a "nightmare" in itself. I tend to dream about things that happen in the future. It may not be that the entire "event" happens, but just parts. Let me give a few examples. One time I had a dream that a very close friend of mine was pregnant. Not only was she pregnant, but she suffered an incredible loss in this pregnancy. It woke me up in a panic. I felt horrible for not only dreaming of the pregnancy, but of the loss. I was terrified it was true. So in order to calm my fears, I called this friend only to find out that she had just gotten back from the hospital. I was horrified.
Another time I dreamed about an organ transplant that fell through. The very next day one of my blogger friends got "the call" and it was a "dry run." (meaning that the transplant fell through). The good part was that shortly later I had another dream ... only this time it didn't fall through. Guess what happened next? The day after, she received the call again and then she received her double lungs.
Want more? I have plenty that are just like this. Dreams about the Fire Marshall showing up to work and the next day the Fire Marshall showed up. Dreams about a sudden death of a friend and a few weeks later a friend suddenly dies. Dreams about all sorts of things. I found out a few years ago that one of my cousins has the same "gift." How weird is that ... *very* His parents thought his was weird ... I guess secretly I must have thought my parents would think the same thing. I never told them. In fact, my guess is they are finding about this gift along with all of you ... right now!
My dreams are so scarily accurate that I have begun warning certain people of some of my dreams. Some are downright ridiculous and I know would never happen. Like my boss getting arrested .... Yeah if that actually does happen, I think I'm going to call Maura Povich or something. (I can't believe no one called me out on the typo ... Maura Povich .. MAURY Povich)
So you all can imagine why my nightmare is a little scary. It's not like other LLMD's offices haven't been completely shut down ... :o( Such a sad thing for the Lyme community. Hopefully I can fall back to sleep in a gentle slumber and rest until it's time to get up. Maybe I better warn my boss about her impending impoundment! :P
Ever have a dream that you're falling?
Ever have a dream that you've gone to work/school naked?
Ever have a dream that you're being chased?
Ever have a dream that you're drowning?
Ever have a dream that you're failing a test?
A recurring dream is a dream which is experienced repeatedly over a long period. If you've had any of those dreams up above multiple times, you are not alone. I have had them too. If they occurred in *real* life, they might cause pain or embarrassment or even death. I mean what are the chances you'd actually go to work or school naked? Slim to none. (If you're a lymie, you're more likely to do this: Take a bath with your underclothes on accidentally of course) All of your teeth fall out? Again Slim to None. Fall to your death from tall heights? Slim to None. Being chased through an alley? Doubtful, especially if you steer clear from alleys. Drown? Fail a test? Okay those two are more likely.
Most recurring dreams I have aren't especially likely. However, my most recent recurring nightmare could very well happen. It's happened to others so why couldn't it happen to me. The thought of losing my Lyme Doctor to political garbage is very real. That's why when I have the dream four times in a two week span ... I begin to wonder whether it is coming true. It scares me more than any non-Lyme patient can ever know. Until you walk a mile in a Lymie's shoe, you will never know what this fear is like. You don't GET Lyme until you GET Lyme. This dream has woken me up from deep slumber.
I don't think I've ever shared with my readers that I have a "gift." I used to think this "gift" was a "nightmare" in itself. I tend to dream about things that happen in the future. It may not be that the entire "event" happens, but just parts. Let me give a few examples. One time I had a dream that a very close friend of mine was pregnant. Not only was she pregnant, but she suffered an incredible loss in this pregnancy. It woke me up in a panic. I felt horrible for not only dreaming of the pregnancy, but of the loss. I was terrified it was true. So in order to calm my fears, I called this friend only to find out that she had just gotten back from the hospital. I was horrified.
Another time I dreamed about an organ transplant that fell through. The very next day one of my blogger friends got "the call" and it was a "dry run." (meaning that the transplant fell through). The good part was that shortly later I had another dream ... only this time it didn't fall through. Guess what happened next? The day after, she received the call again and then she received her double lungs.
Want more? I have plenty that are just like this. Dreams about the Fire Marshall showing up to work and the next day the Fire Marshall showed up. Dreams about a sudden death of a friend and a few weeks later a friend suddenly dies. Dreams about all sorts of things. I found out a few years ago that one of my cousins has the same "gift." How weird is that ... *very* His parents thought his was weird ... I guess secretly I must have thought my parents would think the same thing. I never told them. In fact, my guess is they are finding about this gift along with all of you ... right now!
My dreams are so scarily accurate that I have begun warning certain people of some of my dreams. Some are downright ridiculous and I know would never happen. Like my boss getting arrested .... Yeah if that actually does happen, I think I'm going to call Maura Povich or something. (I can't believe no one called me out on the typo ... Maura Povich .. MAURY Povich)
So you all can imagine why my nightmare is a little scary. It's not like other LLMD's offices haven't been completely shut down ... :o( Such a sad thing for the Lyme community. Hopefully I can fall back to sleep in a gentle slumber and rest until it's time to get up. Maybe I better warn my boss about her impending impoundment! :P
Living the Lyme Life
**Updated** June 14, 2009***
I noticed that there might be a few new folks learning about my journey. Go to these old blogs to see how far I've come. I update it every so often after writing a post that is relevant to my health.
My Diagnosis
My Therapy
A day in the life of a treatment
My PICC Line Story Part 1
My PICC Line Story Part 2
Grey's PICC Line Story
Slow Progress
My LLMD appt
November 15, 2008 Update
Chelation Challenge
Mercury Toxicity (My Mercury test came back negative)
Living the Lyme Life Post
Aluminum Toxicity
PICC Line Removal
Two weeks post PICC
Two year anniversary plus supplements
March 15, 2009 Update
Post PICC Pics
Conflicted Lymie
CDC Positive Test Results
Ups and down of Lyme
Live Blood Cell of Rob & Me
Previous Photos of me
Small Victories
Curious Lymies Goes to the Doc
There ya go. The most important health blogs all in one place! Enjoy reading if you've not read them before.
I noticed that there might be a few new folks learning about my journey. Go to these old blogs to see how far I've come. I update it every so often after writing a post that is relevant to my health.
My Diagnosis
My Therapy
A day in the life of a treatment
My PICC Line Story Part 1
My PICC Line Story Part 2
Grey's PICC Line Story
Slow Progress
My LLMD appt
November 15, 2008 Update
Chelation Challenge
Mercury Toxicity (My Mercury test came back negative)
Living the Lyme Life Post
Aluminum Toxicity
PICC Line Removal
Two weeks post PICC
Two year anniversary plus supplements
March 15, 2009 Update
Post PICC Pics
Conflicted Lymie
CDC Positive Test Results
Ups and down of Lyme
Live Blood Cell of Rob & Me
Previous Photos of me
Small Victories
Curious Lymies Goes to the Doc
There ya go. The most important health blogs all in one place! Enjoy reading if you've not read them before.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Curious Lymie goes to the Doc
How am I doing? I've been asked this a lot lately so I thought I'd take the time to update.
I am actually doing extremely well. I have been staying up later and sleeping less. I still have moments of pure exhaustion, but usually after one great night of sleep I wake up refreshed. This is something I haven't felt in over a decade.
Even though I am doing wonderfully, there are a few things that are bothering me. First one is hard to explain. I have never been able to explain it, but it's this feeling in my knee. I touch it and it feels like something is under there. It moves all around and feels extremely weird. I have never found the right words to describe it, but others that have felt it just say "wow that's weird." The second is that yesterday, a new mole popped up on my ear. As I am sure you guys are just as OCD as I am about your skin, I check out my skin every day. I am constantly looking for ticks. Ironically just yesterday morning, I was checking out my ears b/c there was a tickle. One of my ticks that I have had was attached to my ears so I am always checking them out.
Well I was teaching a class yesterday when I felt a slight "pain" right on the top of my ear. So of course I touched it. I realized there was a "rough spot" that sort of felt like a tick. So I immediately went to find someone else to take a peek b/c it sort of looked like a tick from my view in the mirror. After work, I drove to my Primary Care Physician (I haven't been to that office since Feb. 07, but I knew that my nurses weren't in at my LLMD's yesterday and that my LLMD had a full client load).
It was in that moment I realized how much I love my LLMD. I spent 30 minutes in the waiting room. I spent another 10 minutes in the patient room (which is actually a really great time for this particular office .. once I fell asleep and two hours later ... I woke up ... I still hadn't been seen yet ... obviously) only to see the physician for a whopping THREE MINUTES! I even timed him as soon as the door opened. He took about a 5 second look at my ear .. and spent the rest of the time typing on his computer.
Oh and get this: So I have this other bump on my leg. I showed him that too (which he looked at for a whopping 5 seconds, but at least he FELT that). He told me (and I hadn't told him about my Lyme Diagnosis yet) ... it looks like a spot where a bug or tick may have bit my skin and maybe I didn't get it out all the way and the skin grew over it leaving a bump. It was at this point that I told him about my OCD about skin checking for moles, bumps and ticks because of my Lyme diagnosis.
As I explain that I am a little OCD about my skin and how I check myself every day and look at my moles every day .. and I know this one wasn't there before .. he blew me off and said, "these things pop up from time to time. Don't worry. Do you need something for anxiety?"
OMG .. I wanted to slap the man. Then he said if I wanted, he would slice it off to call and make an appointment for another time for him to do so. Yeah .. like I want a man who looked at my ear for 5 seconds "slicing" at my ear! I figured out that if I paid 20 bucks for the 3 minutes he was with me .. for a full hour (which is what I get at my LLMD's office) ... I would have paid ... 400 dollars.
So yeah, the mole is a little frustrating. It is very annoying and even somewhat painful and the doctor didn't take me seriously. Just thought I'd share a day in the life of a Lymie going to regular doctor.
I am actually doing extremely well. I have been staying up later and sleeping less. I still have moments of pure exhaustion, but usually after one great night of sleep I wake up refreshed. This is something I haven't felt in over a decade.
Even though I am doing wonderfully, there are a few things that are bothering me. First one is hard to explain. I have never been able to explain it, but it's this feeling in my knee. I touch it and it feels like something is under there. It moves all around and feels extremely weird. I have never found the right words to describe it, but others that have felt it just say "wow that's weird." The second is that yesterday, a new mole popped up on my ear. As I am sure you guys are just as OCD as I am about your skin, I check out my skin every day. I am constantly looking for ticks. Ironically just yesterday morning, I was checking out my ears b/c there was a tickle. One of my ticks that I have had was attached to my ears so I am always checking them out.
Well I was teaching a class yesterday when I felt a slight "pain" right on the top of my ear. So of course I touched it. I realized there was a "rough spot" that sort of felt like a tick. So I immediately went to find someone else to take a peek b/c it sort of looked like a tick from my view in the mirror. After work, I drove to my Primary Care Physician (I haven't been to that office since Feb. 07, but I knew that my nurses weren't in at my LLMD's yesterday and that my LLMD had a full client load).
It was in that moment I realized how much I love my LLMD. I spent 30 minutes in the waiting room. I spent another 10 minutes in the patient room (which is actually a really great time for this particular office .. once I fell asleep and two hours later ... I woke up ... I still hadn't been seen yet ... obviously) only to see the physician for a whopping THREE MINUTES! I even timed him as soon as the door opened. He took about a 5 second look at my ear .. and spent the rest of the time typing on his computer.
Oh and get this: So I have this other bump on my leg. I showed him that too (which he looked at for a whopping 5 seconds, but at least he FELT that). He told me (and I hadn't told him about my Lyme Diagnosis yet) ... it looks like a spot where a bug or tick may have bit my skin and maybe I didn't get it out all the way and the skin grew over it leaving a bump. It was at this point that I told him about my OCD about skin checking for moles, bumps and ticks because of my Lyme diagnosis.
As I explain that I am a little OCD about my skin and how I check myself every day and look at my moles every day .. and I know this one wasn't there before .. he blew me off and said, "these things pop up from time to time. Don't worry. Do you need something for anxiety?"
OMG .. I wanted to slap the man. Then he said if I wanted, he would slice it off to call and make an appointment for another time for him to do so. Yeah .. like I want a man who looked at my ear for 5 seconds "slicing" at my ear! I figured out that if I paid 20 bucks for the 3 minutes he was with me .. for a full hour (which is what I get at my LLMD's office) ... I would have paid ... 400 dollars.
So yeah, the mole is a little frustrating. It is very annoying and even somewhat painful and the doctor didn't take me seriously. Just thought I'd share a day in the life of a Lymie going to regular doctor.
Lyme in the News
My online friend Gretchen's family has been affected by Lyme. She was in the news on June 1st.
Photo provided by: http://www.goerie.com
Read the article written about Lyme and Gretchen.
Photo provided by: http://www.goerie.com
Read the article written about Lyme and Gretchen.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Worst Nightmare ~ Final Edition
So a few nights ago I had a horrible nightmare. I woke up in a sweat and a panic. Almost made a phone call to ensure it wasn't true. I believe in the hearts of all Lyme patients this dream is their worst nightmare.
So first I had a dream that I went up to my LLMD's office to make an appointment for my follow up and for my husband's first appointment. For some reason in my dream, I felt awful. I had a headache and was dizzy. I ran into my LLMD in the hallway and he told me that if I continued to feel this way then I should come in the next week for an IV. Well, I go back up front to pre-pay for my husband's appointment and realize I don't recognize the office staff.
At first I don't think anything of it since I hadn't been there in a while, but I then noticed that the office looked really empty and there were boxes everywhere. I ask about this and am informed that the office is CLOSING. I get so dizzy that I pass out in my dream and when I wake up I am being poked and prodded to get an IV started. Then these men came in looking at the office saying that soon they would be taking over and that we would not be able to get our treatments anymore.
I woke up in a panic. The Worst Nightmare!
PS. I have skipped the last few weeks of Not Me Monday, but stay tuned. I have a doozy of an Not Me Monday coming. OMG you all are going to either laugh or think "that's so sad."
So first I had a dream that I went up to my LLMD's office to make an appointment for my follow up and for my husband's first appointment. For some reason in my dream, I felt awful. I had a headache and was dizzy. I ran into my LLMD in the hallway and he told me that if I continued to feel this way then I should come in the next week for an IV. Well, I go back up front to pre-pay for my husband's appointment and realize I don't recognize the office staff.
At first I don't think anything of it since I hadn't been there in a while, but I then noticed that the office looked really empty and there were boxes everywhere. I ask about this and am informed that the office is CLOSING. I get so dizzy that I pass out in my dream and when I wake up I am being poked and prodded to get an IV started. Then these men came in looking at the office saying that soon they would be taking over and that we would not be able to get our treatments anymore.
I woke up in a panic. The Worst Nightmare!
PS. I have skipped the last few weeks of Not Me Monday, but stay tuned. I have a doozy of an Not Me Monday coming. OMG you all are going to either laugh or think "that's so sad."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The worst nightmare Part II
Haa haa. So the jokes on me today. I forgot to write out my worst nightmare!
So I suppose this will have to wait ... until I have time to write it. :D
Be patient my eager readers!
So I suppose this will have to wait ... until I have time to write it. :D
Be patient my eager readers!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Laughter Lives Tuesday
This post is part of "Laughter Lives! Tuesday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check our their blog to read everyone else's "Laughter Lives!" posts.I saw this commercial today. Made me laugh. Had to share!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Clemson University Visit
I will not be posting pictures of Sarah's graduation unless I get permission from her first. I'm sorry about this, but her family's privacy is important to me.
So everyone knows I'm a HUGE UNC fan. I rarely spend (okay never) anytime on any other college campus other than Western Carolina and UNC. So it was quite interesting to go to another college campus. I took LOTS of photos.
This statue and I have a story. I sat down for the photo and when I went to stand up my dress got caught under his leg. He wouldn't let me get up! I said, "Sir I'm so terribly sorry, but I'm married. You'll have to be letting me go now." :o) Then once I was released I whispered to Rob that the statue was a pervert!
The Clemson Memorial Stadium. ~ ya know where they play football ~ and where marching bands perform! :P
I love clock towers! Here is Clemson's clock tower. It's *almost* as beautiful as UNC's & Westerns. *almost*
This post would be missing something if I didn't post about the university honoring our military. They had such a beautiful display by the clock tower.
And You might be a Blogger if .. you see this
and you think about ...
So everyone knows I'm a HUGE UNC fan. I rarely spend (okay never) anytime on any other college campus other than Western Carolina and UNC. So it was quite interesting to go to another college campus. I took LOTS of photos.
This statue and I have a story. I sat down for the photo and when I went to stand up my dress got caught under his leg. He wouldn't let me get up! I said, "Sir I'm so terribly sorry, but I'm married. You'll have to be letting me go now." :o) Then once I was released I whispered to Rob that the statue was a pervert!
The Clemson Memorial Stadium. ~ ya know where they play football ~ and where marching bands perform! :P
I love clock towers! Here is Clemson's clock tower. It's *almost* as beautiful as UNC's & Westerns. *almost*
This post would be missing something if I didn't post about the university honoring our military. They had such a beautiful display by the clock tower.
And You might be a Blogger if .. you see this
and you think about ...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Later Gator and Hello Tigers!
So Friday morning, I will be taking a mini trip down to South Carolina. I rarely leave the area so some of you might be wondering why I'm taking a road trip outside the RTP area much less out of the state. A few weeks ago I received an invitation to go to someone's high school graduation. It's been years since I've attended a graduation and this someone is quite special.
My dear Lyme friend Sarah is 18 years old and lives in Upstate South Carolina. We've been friends almost since the beginning of my Lyme Diagnosis. Sarah also has Babesia and Bartonella. As if those things weren't bad enough on their own, Sarah also has: Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease, Tachybrady-Cardia, POTS syndrome, Gastroparesis, Poly-neuropathy, Degenerative Disk Disorder, nerve damage to vagus nerve, and now Chiari 1 Malformation has been added to the list.
And my friend can now add "High School Graduate" to the list! On Saturday morning, I will get to see her receive her diploma. I will finally get to meet the friend I've been talking to the last two years.
Congratulations Sarah. I can't wait to meet you.
P.S. Curious about the Title? I'm going to be headed to Clemson South Carolina. The home of the Clemson Tigers!
My dear Lyme friend Sarah is 18 years old and lives in Upstate South Carolina. We've been friends almost since the beginning of my Lyme Diagnosis. Sarah also has Babesia and Bartonella. As if those things weren't bad enough on their own, Sarah also has: Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease, Tachybrady-Cardia, POTS syndrome, Gastroparesis, Poly-neuropathy, Degenerative Disk Disorder, nerve damage to vagus nerve, and now Chiari 1 Malformation has been added to the list.
And my friend can now add "High School Graduate" to the list! On Saturday morning, I will get to see her receive her diploma. I will finally get to meet the friend I've been talking to the last two years.
Congratulations Sarah. I can't wait to meet you.
P.S. Curious about the Title? I'm going to be headed to Clemson South Carolina. The home of the Clemson Tigers!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Small Victories
Most people think that bad days help remind them of how good their good days are. Not me, I'm the opposite. Whenever I have a really great day, I'm reminded about how bad I had it before and it makes me feel blessed. I have come so far in the last 2 years and 3 months since starting Lyme treatment. I am honestly shocked by how well I am doing. I must keep pressing on with transitional treatment or I could slip back into Lyme Oblivion, but honestly I feel better today than I have in YEARS. I almost feel better today than I have since HIGH SCHOOL (I graduated High School nearly 14 years ago).
About a year ago, I tried starting to work out again. I went to ONE Step Aerobics class and left after 15 minutes. I decided it wasn't worth the pain, not the blistering pain I felt in my muscles, joints and lungs. For Christmas, I purchased a Wii for my husband. For our birthdays, my parents bought us a Wii Fit! We used it a lot, but repetative stuff does get boring after a while so I was looking for something to alternate with the Wii Fit. When I saw the Wii had a new exercise program I was all for it. I researched it and heard good things.
Wii Sports Active has a 30 day challenge on it. I have completed 6 days of exercising and I have stuck with Low impact things. I didn't want to press myself too much too quickly. I must say that other than the normal aches and pains of muscles being used that haven't been used in YEARS ..... I am pain free!
Praise God for Huge Victories: I AM PAIN FREE!
Here's an old photo for you to enjoy. This was taken during one of our snows this year and after my big hair cut.
About a year ago, I tried starting to work out again. I went to ONE Step Aerobics class and left after 15 minutes. I decided it wasn't worth the pain, not the blistering pain I felt in my muscles, joints and lungs. For Christmas, I purchased a Wii for my husband. For our birthdays, my parents bought us a Wii Fit! We used it a lot, but repetative stuff does get boring after a while so I was looking for something to alternate with the Wii Fit. When I saw the Wii had a new exercise program I was all for it. I researched it and heard good things.
Wii Sports Active has a 30 day challenge on it. I have completed 6 days of exercising and I have stuck with Low impact things. I didn't want to press myself too much too quickly. I must say that other than the normal aches and pains of muscles being used that haven't been used in YEARS ..... I am pain free!
Praise God for Huge Victories: I AM PAIN FREE!
Here's an old photo for you to enjoy. This was taken during one of our snows this year and after my big hair cut.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Living the Lyme Life (bump)
**Updated** June 14, 2009***
I noticed that there might be a few new folks learning about my journey. Go to these old blogs to see how far I've come. I update it every so often after writing a post that is relevant to my health.
My Diagnosis
My Therapy
A day in the life of a treatment
My PICC Line Story Part 1
My PICC Line Story Part 2
Grey's PICC Line Story
November 15, 2008 Update
Mercury Toxicity (My Mercury test came back negative)
Living the Lyme Life Post
Aluminum Toxicity
PICC Line Removal
Two weeks post PICC
Two year anniversary plus supplements
March 15, 2009 Update
Post PICC Pics
Conflicted Lymie
CDC Positive Test Results
Ups and down of Lyme
Live Blood Cell of Rob & Me
Previous Photos of me
Small Victories
Curious Lymies goes to the doc
There ya go. The most important health blogs all in one place! Enjoy reading if you've not read them before.
I noticed that there might be a few new folks learning about my journey. Go to these old blogs to see how far I've come. I update it every so often after writing a post that is relevant to my health.
My Diagnosis
My Therapy
A day in the life of a treatment
My PICC Line Story Part 1
My PICC Line Story Part 2
Grey's PICC Line Story
November 15, 2008 Update
Mercury Toxicity (My Mercury test came back negative)
Living the Lyme Life Post
Aluminum Toxicity
PICC Line Removal
Two weeks post PICC
Two year anniversary plus supplements
March 15, 2009 Update
Post PICC Pics
Conflicted Lymie
CDC Positive Test Results
Ups and down of Lyme
Live Blood Cell of Rob & Me
Previous Photos of me
Small Victories
Curious Lymies goes to the doc
There ya go. The most important health blogs all in one place! Enjoy reading if you've not read them before.
Forgiveness *again*
This was written in October of 08 ...
The past few weeks I have been thinking about a very complex subject. The issue of forgiveness has been on my mind a lot the last few years and even more so in the last couple of weeks. The very definition of forgiving is the process of letting go resentment. It doesn't necessarily mean that you give absolution to the person that evoked the feelings in the first place. To me, it just means that you are taking a stand to let go of these emotions (whether it's anger, resentment, betrayal or other feelings).
In my life time, I have seen people who forgive easily and those that hold onto grudges for a long time. I have always thought of myself as a very forgiving person. A few months ago, I realized that statement might not be true. It's scary to think that my heart & my brain don't want to let go of resentment. In my past, I forgave easily. Someone stood me up, the words easily parted my lips ... "It's okay. I forgive you." Someone didn't call me when they said they would, "No big deal." Someone was very late, "Not a problem."
Some where along the line between then and now, it has become a serious problem. Someone is late and it makes me mad. Not only that day, but the anger lasts for days. Someone doesn't call and it makes me sad. Sometimes for just the moment and sometimes for days. Someone stands me up ... and I'm both angry and sad at the same time. Someone hurts someone else I'm close to and that resentment lasts for years.
I have a few very close friends. Those friends have been hurt by others. I think I felt more resentment and anger towards the hurter months later than even my friends than were hurt. How could someone hurt someone else so deeply? I read the other day that just the simple act of forgiveness can relieve many health problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, the act of forgiveness can reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, lower heart rate, reduce chronic pain and many other things.
In the past week, I have chosen to let go of resentment of at least one person and I'm in the process of trying to forgive another. Not only is it healthy, but there are many passages in the bible on forgiveness. Here is one that I found.
Ephesians 4:31 You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. 4:32 Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
So pray that I can forgive those that need forgiveness even if they don't ask.
The past few weeks I have been thinking about a very complex subject. The issue of forgiveness has been on my mind a lot the last few years and even more so in the last couple of weeks. The very definition of forgiving is the process of letting go resentment. It doesn't necessarily mean that you give absolution to the person that evoked the feelings in the first place. To me, it just means that you are taking a stand to let go of these emotions (whether it's anger, resentment, betrayal or other feelings).
In my life time, I have seen people who forgive easily and those that hold onto grudges for a long time. I have always thought of myself as a very forgiving person. A few months ago, I realized that statement might not be true. It's scary to think that my heart & my brain don't want to let go of resentment. In my past, I forgave easily. Someone stood me up, the words easily parted my lips ... "It's okay. I forgive you." Someone didn't call me when they said they would, "No big deal." Someone was very late, "Not a problem."
Some where along the line between then and now, it has become a serious problem. Someone is late and it makes me mad. Not only that day, but the anger lasts for days. Someone doesn't call and it makes me sad. Sometimes for just the moment and sometimes for days. Someone stands me up ... and I'm both angry and sad at the same time. Someone hurts someone else I'm close to and that resentment lasts for years.
I have a few very close friends. Those friends have been hurt by others. I think I felt more resentment and anger towards the hurter months later than even my friends than were hurt. How could someone hurt someone else so deeply? I read the other day that just the simple act of forgiveness can relieve many health problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, the act of forgiveness can reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, lower heart rate, reduce chronic pain and many other things.
In the past week, I have chosen to let go of resentment of at least one person and I'm in the process of trying to forgive another. Not only is it healthy, but there are many passages in the bible on forgiveness. Here is one that I found.
Ephesians 4:31 You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. 4:32 Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
So pray that I can forgive those that need forgiveness even if they don't ask.
Never Fails
I jinx myself EVERY single time. A few people were talking about insomnia today. I said, "Oh I never get that. I go lie down and within minutes I'm sound asleep."
Hmph. It's 1:51 in the morning and here I am ... WIDE AWAKE! I knew I was going to have a problem when I was "wide awake" at 11pm. I forced myself to lie down at Midnight and after my "go to sleep" CD had run through 6 times, I knew it was time to get back up for a few minutes at least. So here I am, checking out my blogs ... checking out facebook .. randomly emailing people.
Found some old friends on Facebook today. It's always interesting to find old friends. The "oldest" friend I found a while back was a friend from Elementary School. I haven't seen some of those peeps since the end of 6th grade. This was one of them. The friends I found today (well I suppose this is yesterday by now) ... they were college friends. One of them was a very special friend. Met this friend in my very first class at college and I haven't seen him since graduation December of 1999. I haven't heard anything from or about him in just as long. It was a nice surprise.
Sometimes Facebook recommends people that you "might know." Sometimes those people bring a smile to my face and .. I think, "HOW did you know that I knew that person?" Such is the case with this friend. He & I have no "mutual" friends. So odd that facebook would connect us together. The other times I think, "Oh Dear I hope Facebook isn't suggesting me to this person ... I'm going to hit ignore and hope not." So far those people haven't asked me to be their friends. Maybe I need to learn how to "hit ignore" more often. I wish I could "hit ignore" for my brain right now so I can go to sleep.
So now you all have been "tired" posted! Have a great June everybody!
Hmph. It's 1:51 in the morning and here I am ... WIDE AWAKE! I knew I was going to have a problem when I was "wide awake" at 11pm. I forced myself to lie down at Midnight and after my "go to sleep" CD had run through 6 times, I knew it was time to get back up for a few minutes at least. So here I am, checking out my blogs ... checking out facebook .. randomly emailing people.
Found some old friends on Facebook today. It's always interesting to find old friends. The "oldest" friend I found a while back was a friend from Elementary School. I haven't seen some of those peeps since the end of 6th grade. This was one of them. The friends I found today (well I suppose this is yesterday by now) ... they were college friends. One of them was a very special friend. Met this friend in my very first class at college and I haven't seen him since graduation December of 1999. I haven't heard anything from or about him in just as long. It was a nice surprise.
Sometimes Facebook recommends people that you "might know." Sometimes those people bring a smile to my face and .. I think, "HOW did you know that I knew that person?" Such is the case with this friend. He & I have no "mutual" friends. So odd that facebook would connect us together. The other times I think, "Oh Dear I hope Facebook isn't suggesting me to this person ... I'm going to hit ignore and hope not." So far those people haven't asked me to be their friends. Maybe I need to learn how to "hit ignore" more often. I wish I could "hit ignore" for my brain right now so I can go to sleep.
So now you all have been "tired" posted! Have a great June everybody!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday Morning Minstry
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (NKJV)
Please go to his wonderful blog and read the message that he has prepared for everyone.
I know that a LOT of our Lyme friends have had extremely difficult weeks. Mr. Brent Riggs works extremely hard to put together a Sunday Morning Ministry for friends that are unable to go to church. This week's message seems to be targeted for US. Just read the scripture he used
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (NKJV)''
Please go to his wonderful blog and read the message that he has prepared for everyone.
I know that a LOT of our Lyme friends have had extremely difficult weeks. Mr. Brent Riggs works extremely hard to put together a Sunday Morning Ministry for friends that are unable to go to church. This week's message seems to be targeted for US. Just read the scripture he used
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (NKJV)''
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Be warned, not pretty
** be warned ** some of these photos .. you will see me at some of my sickest points (when I would allow photos that is .. b/c at my very sickest I wouldn't allow photos) and you may laugh at some of them. ;)
Thinking back to how I felt BEFORE. Before I knew I what I had and before I knew how much worse I would feel. When I wasn't working, I spent my world on that couch (that is before Dexter tore it up).
I was either sitting up barely or lying down. I was too tired to do much else.
More and more of my days were spent like this:
But even still I would put a smile on my face and do silly things every once in a while:
And even AFTER my diagnosis and picc line insertion, occasionally I would STILL put a smile on my face and do something silly!
SO I challenge all of you bloggers to do something silly today and share with all of us.
Thinking back to how I felt BEFORE. Before I knew I what I had and before I knew how much worse I would feel. When I wasn't working, I spent my world on that couch (that is before Dexter tore it up).
I was either sitting up barely or lying down. I was too tired to do much else.
More and more of my days were spent like this:
But even still I would put a smile on my face and do silly things every once in a while:
And even AFTER my diagnosis and picc line insertion, occasionally I would STILL put a smile on my face and do something silly!
SO I challenge all of you bloggers to do something silly today and share with all of us.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wii Sports Active
I purchased this "game" over the weekend and began this "game" on Monday. I have "played" this "game" twice and my legs are SORE! (In a good way)
It's not a just a game! It's an exercise game .. and so far I like it even better than the Wii Fit! (and I didn't think that was possible). I highly recommend it. :D
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Laughter Lives Tuesday
This post is part of "Laughter Lives! Tuesday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check our their blog to read everyone else's "Laughter Lives!" posts.So my husband and I were on our way out to eat dinner. He pointed out something that made me laugh. So we saw two mules going at it like rabbits. Then he made a joke. This joke made me laugh a good five minutes.
***
What do you call a mule's butt?
A ba donkey donk
*SNORT*
Monday, May 25, 2009
Not Me Monday!
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
I'm going to be short and sweet on this week's Not Me Monday.
1. I did not put on a work-out fit just to work out on the Wii today in my own home when I could have just put on a t-shirt and PJ bottoms.
2. I did not take about 35 pictures of a 6 year old and a green bow.
3. I did not argue with my husband about whether a song was sung by INXS. I never know artists and titles so it wouldn't be prudent for me to argue with him since he's the expert on such matters. So therefore I did NOT do that.
4. I did not stare at two mules going at it. I have not looked at said Mules every time I've ridden by where those mules live just to see if they were still going at it.
1. I did not put on a work-out fit just to work out on the Wii today in my own home when I could have just put on a t-shirt and PJ bottoms.
2. I did not take about 35 pictures of a 6 year old and a green bow.
3. I did not argue with my husband about whether a song was sung by INXS. I never know artists and titles so it wouldn't be prudent for me to argue with him since he's the expert on such matters. So therefore I did NOT do that.
4. I did not stare at two mules going at it. I have not looked at said Mules every time I've ridden by where those mules live just to see if they were still going at it.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein
Week 20: What a Donkey (today's post)
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein
Week 20: What a Donkey (today's post)
Baby Shower Fun
To protect my family & friends, I won't be posting any photos of their whole faces. I haven't gotten permission for one and for two ... I just don't think they'd like to be on my blog! This is the first time I really got photo happy at R's baby shower. I figure this is number 4 ... I had a right to be photo happy. I don't think she got really frustrated about my flashing camera until the end. BUT, I got some really great shots that I can't wait to share with her. :o)
Let the present unwrapping begin.
This was "R" along with one of her munchkins pitching in to unwrap presents. How kind of him!That present was the one from Moi.
I arrived and the hostess and cake had already made it's presence. We laughed and chuckled for a good little bit over it's "itty bitty" size. Supposedly could feed 8 to 10 people. Yeah I suppose if the slices were REALLY ITTY BITTY. We joked about Cake Wrecks Blog and thank goodness she brought some really bright cupcakes. They provided some great photos of the kids.
I took a whole series of these next shots. This was the one that covered "K" the best. I loved shooting her. My favorite photos of the whole batch were "K" covering herself with the green bow. I was trying to get her with her face uncovered and every time the bow would fall, I would snap away. Well one time she said, "You got to snap a little faster. This bow keeps falling down."
Another favorite photo moment was when the kids enjoyed their cupcakes. Beautiful Pink Cupcakes for Miss K and Green for Mr. G
And just so Mr. N doesn't feel left out. Here is what he said about changing diapers. And he's not saying, "I'll do it." He's saying, "I pass this chore onto my sister and brother. I've done it twice now." Then he did a little "Yes" motion with his hands. :D
Let the present unwrapping begin.
This was "R" along with one of her munchkins pitching in to unwrap presents. How kind of him!That present was the one from Moi.
I arrived and the hostess and cake had already made it's presence. We laughed and chuckled for a good little bit over it's "itty bitty" size. Supposedly could feed 8 to 10 people. Yeah I suppose if the slices were REALLY ITTY BITTY. We joked about Cake Wrecks Blog and thank goodness she brought some really bright cupcakes. They provided some great photos of the kids.
I took a whole series of these next shots. This was the one that covered "K" the best. I loved shooting her. My favorite photos of the whole batch were "K" covering herself with the green bow. I was trying to get her with her face uncovered and every time the bow would fall, I would snap away. Well one time she said, "You got to snap a little faster. This bow keeps falling down."
Another favorite photo moment was when the kids enjoyed their cupcakes. Beautiful Pink Cupcakes for Miss K and Green for Mr. G
And just so Mr. N doesn't feel left out. Here is what he said about changing diapers. And he's not saying, "I'll do it." He's saying, "I pass this chore onto my sister and brother. I've done it twice now." Then he did a little "Yes" motion with his hands. :D
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Long weekend
Woo hoo. It's a long weekend. One I suspect that will have lots of fun cleaning.
Expect some photos next week though. I'm going to a baby shower today! (Not of the actual Mom b/c I doubt she'll want me posting photos of HER in her Pregnant state on my blog, but maybe of the presents .. we'll see).
Also ... just you wait until you see the joke that my husband came up with yesterday. I promise you .. if you have any kind of humor at all, you will be rolling on the floor. You'll just have to wait until Tuesday for that though.
Expect some photos next week though. I'm going to a baby shower today! (Not of the actual Mom b/c I doubt she'll want me posting photos of HER in her Pregnant state on my blog, but maybe of the presents .. we'll see).
Also ... just you wait until you see the joke that my husband came up with yesterday. I promise you .. if you have any kind of humor at all, you will be rolling on the floor. You'll just have to wait until Tuesday for that though.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Check this out
A few weeks ago my Lyme friend online asked me if she could feature me on her blog. She asked me to write up my story and check it out!
Kayla's blog
Kayla's blog
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Beautiful Memories
My Beautiful Grandparents 9 years 1 month and 4 days ago. It was today 9 years ago that Granny passed away. I miss her as much now as I did then.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Not Me Monday
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
Stay Tuned just in case I think of something else.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein. (today's post)
So in order to suspend your disbelief for this week's Not Me Monday, you have to know one thing about me. I am not a cook. I do not do things in the kitchen. Well since I don't do these things, I did NOT make my very first smoothie today by using strawberries, bananas, milk, ice and Protein Powder. I did not complain to my friend online later that I was burping up Bananas.
Speaking of Protein, I did not write down on the white board every gram of protein I ate so far today. I am not depressed that I have only had 39 grams of Protein when I need to have 80 grams. I am not wondering how I am going to stuff 41 more grams of Protein in my body when my stomach is bloated from everything I ate this afternoon.
Yesterday when doing laundry, I did NOT spray Febreeze in the washing machine trying to get the smell out of the sheets I brought home from my Grandfather's apartment. I did not wonder later if the dryer would catch on fire from spraying said Febreeze.
I have another really funny Not Me antidote, but I think that I will spare you from the hilarity that ensued at the K&W.
Speaking of Protein, I did not write down on the white board every gram of protein I ate so far today. I am not depressed that I have only had 39 grams of Protein when I need to have 80 grams. I am not wondering how I am going to stuff 41 more grams of Protein in my body when my stomach is bloated from everything I ate this afternoon.
Yesterday when doing laundry, I did NOT spray Febreeze in the washing machine trying to get the smell out of the sheets I brought home from my Grandfather's apartment. I did not wonder later if the dryer would catch on fire from spraying said Febreeze.
I have another really funny Not Me antidote, but I think that I will spare you from the hilarity that ensued at the K&W.
Stay Tuned just in case I think of something else.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty
Week 19: Protein or Not to Protein. (today's post)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Treasures versus Junk
My Granny had a collection of Treasures. To some, these treasures would be looked at as junk while as to others ... these collection of things would hold the most dearest memories.
My Granny passed away 9 years ago on the 19th and my Grandfather has been moved into a nursing home. It is unlikely that his physical body will be strong enough to go back home. So because of this, my family has had the difficult task of wading through Granny's and my Granddaddy's "treasures." As we're going through things, many treasures were found. But it occurred to me, that many might find the things that my family and I treasure junk. I wondered if the things that we treasure were the same things that my Grandparents treasured. I wondered if the things that we thought were "junk" were things that just hadn't made it to the garbage quite yet or if those were also things that she held dear to her heart.
But I knew what it was and I knew that if Granny kept that old newspaper clipping that it was special. And indeed it was. We found treasures stored in every drawer, nook & cranny and every hiding place. My family gifted me with many of these treasures we found. As I'm finding room in my home for these things that I treasure, I wonder how many of these same things other people would find as junk.
The infamous "outhouse" decorations from the hall bathroom ~ all cracked and glued back together would be considered junk to anyone, but to me it symbolizes my childhood. Felt Elves that most of the heads are coming off ... to anyone else, might be considered junk ... but to me, they are things that my Granny stitched with love knowing that one day her grandchildren would want them. As I am integrating their things with mine, I have tears of joy & tears of pain.
Joy because it reminds me of what a wonderful family I have and what a wonderful childhood I had, but pain because some of those people are no longer here with us physically. As I opened up a powder that had last been touched by Granny in 2000, I finally was able to remember the way she smelled. And Oh what a beautiful smell it was. But to someone else, that little container of powder might have been tossed out with old receipts and dust bunnies. Two huge ole pair of RED prescription glasses? The look in which I will always remember my Granny. Now they both sit in the top dresser drawer residing in my spare bedroom.
Today we took every piece of furniture out of our spare bedroom and replaced it with my childhood, my memories and my treasures. I just hope that one day, someone will be looking at my things thinking, "Oh what beautiful memories."
My Granny passed away 9 years ago on the 19th and my Grandfather has been moved into a nursing home. It is unlikely that his physical body will be strong enough to go back home. So because of this, my family has had the difficult task of wading through Granny's and my Granddaddy's "treasures." As we're going through things, many treasures were found. But it occurred to me, that many might find the things that my family and I treasure junk. I wondered if the things that we treasure were the same things that my Grandparents treasured. I wondered if the things that we thought were "junk" were things that just hadn't made it to the garbage quite yet or if those were also things that she held dear to her heart.
But I knew what it was and I knew that if Granny kept that old newspaper clipping that it was special. And indeed it was. We found treasures stored in every drawer, nook & cranny and every hiding place. My family gifted me with many of these treasures we found. As I'm finding room in my home for these things that I treasure, I wonder how many of these same things other people would find as junk.
The infamous "outhouse" decorations from the hall bathroom ~ all cracked and glued back together would be considered junk to anyone, but to me it symbolizes my childhood. Felt Elves that most of the heads are coming off ... to anyone else, might be considered junk ... but to me, they are things that my Granny stitched with love knowing that one day her grandchildren would want them. As I am integrating their things with mine, I have tears of joy & tears of pain.
Joy because it reminds me of what a wonderful family I have and what a wonderful childhood I had, but pain because some of those people are no longer here with us physically. As I opened up a powder that had last been touched by Granny in 2000, I finally was able to remember the way she smelled. And Oh what a beautiful smell it was. But to someone else, that little container of powder might have been tossed out with old receipts and dust bunnies. Two huge ole pair of RED prescription glasses? The look in which I will always remember my Granny. Now they both sit in the top dresser drawer residing in my spare bedroom.
Today we took every piece of furniture out of our spare bedroom and replaced it with my childhood, my memories and my treasures. I just hope that one day, someone will be looking at my things thinking, "Oh what beautiful memories."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Our Live Blood Cell Answers
To review, I had a Live Blood Cell Analysis in September of 2008 to see how my red & white blood cells were doing.
In September this is what we saw:
"In the wet sample, she saw Lyme Spirochetes as well as Lyme Cysts in my white blood cells. One blood cell she looked at had four or five cysts in it. They were floating everywhere and eating some of my red blood cells. While we were watching, we saw one spirochete break off one blood cell and swim towards another. We also so many spots of Yeast. She said that Lyme and Yeast were definitely a concern. We saw several bacterial blobs that looked like a bunch of spirochetes bunched together with like tentacles (she called them blebs)."
Today: Show much improvement. Most of the white blood cells were clear and functioning properly. We saw a few bacterial blobs, but they weren't Too Numerous To Count (TNTC) this time. We saw areas of Yeast, but it was no where near like the last time. The difference between the Wet Sample last time and this time were astounding. I'm definately improving.
Now the problem was that I still had Lemon Drop Red blood cells. This means that I have Bowel Toxicity. I don't know how they know this, but ... that's what it indicates. There were also several spots on the wet and dry sample that showed Liver Toxicity. I need to work on cleansing out these two areas. Although, I will likely always have Lyme cysts ... if we work on the Liver & Bowels, then the yeast and parasites should improve. My Red Blood cells last time were all on top of each other. Also some had missing parts (IE my iron was missing). This time, they were mostly all intact and spread out the way they were supposed to be. An occasional Red Blood cell showed the Lyme Spirochetes.
My follow up just consisted of things that we thought we could do to help detox the Liver & Bowel. Also we are thinking if we clear this things up that maybe my bump problem will clear up too. He's *never* seen my bump problem on any of his patients. Aren't I special? ;0
Onto my husband's microscope:
For some time, I've thought that my husband has Lyme Disease. The last few months he's gotten sick several times including a major bout of bronchitis, the stomach flu and also once his lip got really swollen out of no where. He's had symptoms the last few months that really lead us to concern so we scheduled a blood cell analysis for him today.
My heart is very heavy over what we saw on his slides. His biggest issues are Lyme Disease, Cardiac problems, Parasites and Lymphatic Issues. The doctor said they were number 4 out of the scale of 0 to 4 (with 4 being the most severe). His Adrenal functions were about the same as mine and his Lyme cysts were on the scale of 3. He also has Liver Toxicity. I wasn't in the office with him during his blood cell analysis as I was in my follow up appointment. We plan on getting him scheduled into see my doctor as soon as possible.
The problem is that it costs about 500 to go in for the first appointment and today we spent about 1325 on the credit card. That doesn't even include the supplements that I will have to pick up over the next few weeks. *sigh* Here we go again.
There's the update.
In September this is what we saw:
"In the wet sample, she saw Lyme Spirochetes as well as Lyme Cysts in my white blood cells. One blood cell she looked at had four or five cysts in it. They were floating everywhere and eating some of my red blood cells. While we were watching, we saw one spirochete break off one blood cell and swim towards another. We also so many spots of Yeast. She said that Lyme and Yeast were definitely a concern. We saw several bacterial blobs that looked like a bunch of spirochetes bunched together with like tentacles (she called them blebs)."
Today: Show much improvement. Most of the white blood cells were clear and functioning properly. We saw a few bacterial blobs, but they weren't Too Numerous To Count (TNTC) this time. We saw areas of Yeast, but it was no where near like the last time. The difference between the Wet Sample last time and this time were astounding. I'm definately improving.
Now the problem was that I still had Lemon Drop Red blood cells. This means that I have Bowel Toxicity. I don't know how they know this, but ... that's what it indicates. There were also several spots on the wet and dry sample that showed Liver Toxicity. I need to work on cleansing out these two areas. Although, I will likely always have Lyme cysts ... if we work on the Liver & Bowels, then the yeast and parasites should improve. My Red Blood cells last time were all on top of each other. Also some had missing parts (IE my iron was missing). This time, they were mostly all intact and spread out the way they were supposed to be. An occasional Red Blood cell showed the Lyme Spirochetes.
My follow up just consisted of things that we thought we could do to help detox the Liver & Bowel. Also we are thinking if we clear this things up that maybe my bump problem will clear up too. He's *never* seen my bump problem on any of his patients. Aren't I special? ;0
Onto my husband's microscope:
For some time, I've thought that my husband has Lyme Disease. The last few months he's gotten sick several times including a major bout of bronchitis, the stomach flu and also once his lip got really swollen out of no where. He's had symptoms the last few months that really lead us to concern so we scheduled a blood cell analysis for him today.
My heart is very heavy over what we saw on his slides. His biggest issues are Lyme Disease, Cardiac problems, Parasites and Lymphatic Issues. The doctor said they were number 4 out of the scale of 0 to 4 (with 4 being the most severe). His Adrenal functions were about the same as mine and his Lyme cysts were on the scale of 3. He also has Liver Toxicity. I wasn't in the office with him during his blood cell analysis as I was in my follow up appointment. We plan on getting him scheduled into see my doctor as soon as possible.
The problem is that it costs about 500 to go in for the first appointment and today we spent about 1325 on the credit card. That doesn't even include the supplements that I will have to pick up over the next few weeks. *sigh* Here we go again.
There's the update.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rest Well Kayleigh
Here is their blog post where the Freeman's say goodbye to their beautiful daughter.
This miracle, born to Adam & Aimee at 1 pound 11 months ago, is resting in Heaven.
No more tubes, no more pokes, her body healed completely.
This blessing bestowed on Kayleigh is painful for all left here to mourn her loss. Please pray for Aimee & Adam for strength to get through this difficult time.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Not Me Monday
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty (today's post)
Because I challenged myself to keep up with housework & laundry, I can not believe that I'm about to tell you what I did not do on Sunday from 9am until past 6pm. I did not spend all day on Sunday doing laundry. Let me break it down for you. I did not wash 7 loads of laundry. I did not dry 7 loads of laundry. I did not fold and/or hang 9 loads of laundry. And I most certainly did not iron 3 loads of laundry. And even if I did spend all day doing the mountain of laundry, it's certainly not because I haven't done laundry in over three weeks. This would be absolutely atrocious .... don't ya think?
I did not go to bed at 7:30 on Friday night and I most certainly did not wake up the following morning at 7:30 using curse words at the dog because he wasbarking waking up the Sleeping Beauty Lymie. This would NOT be necessary because 12 hours of sleep had NOT been acquired. ;o) If this did happen on Friday night, I most certainly would NOT repeat this on Saturday night by going to bed at 7:45 and waking up by cursing the dog out on Sunday morning at 7:45. Just in case this isn't clear, I did not spent 24 hours over the weekend sleeping in bed.
I did not go to bed at 7:30 on Friday night and I most certainly did not wake up the following morning at 7:30 using curse words at the dog because he was
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime
Week 18: Sleeping Beauty (today's post)
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Symptoms I had in April
I'm about to reveal some shocking numbers. In the month of April, I kept track of my symptoms. Remember that this is all a matter of perspective. If you compare these numbers so 0, these numbers are atrocious. If you compare these numbers to 25 or more, then these numbers are spectacular.
I will * the ones that I had more than 25 days in April of 2007. I will + the ones that I had more than 10 days in April of 2007. The others either weren't relevant (IE: Picc line bumps .. b/c I didn't have a picc line in 07) or happened less often than 10 days. You also have to keep in mind that I also had a lot more symptoms than this in April of 2007 as well.
So it's a matter of perspective. Keep that in mind when you read the following symptoms.
*13 days of fatigue
12 picc line bumps
*9 days of skin itching (usually on my arms)
*8 days of joint pain with swelling
*7 days of eye/vision trouble including blurriness and floaters
6 days of shortness of breath/coughing
*6 days of sleep disorder (either too much or not enough)
+6 days of sore throats
*5 days of forgetfulness
*5 days of headaches
*5 days of confusion with difficulty thinking
*5 days of tingling in extremities
*5 days of feeling overall unwell
*4 days of stiffness in the joints, neck and back
+4 days of stomach upset (gas)
*4 days of neck pain/strain
+4 days of swollen glands
*3 days of difficulty of concentrating when reading
*3 days of lightheadedness or wooziness
*3 days of twitching
2 days of fever
+2 days of mood swings
+2 days of sound sensitivity
+2 days of sweating
2 days of nose (it was *running* ala Forest Gump)
*1 day of muscle pain/cramps
I will * the ones that I had more than 25 days in April of 2007. I will + the ones that I had more than 10 days in April of 2007. The others either weren't relevant (IE: Picc line bumps .. b/c I didn't have a picc line in 07) or happened less often than 10 days. You also have to keep in mind that I also had a lot more symptoms than this in April of 2007 as well.
So it's a matter of perspective. Keep that in mind when you read the following symptoms.
*13 days of fatigue
12 picc line bumps
*9 days of skin itching (usually on my arms)
*8 days of joint pain with swelling
*7 days of eye/vision trouble including blurriness and floaters
6 days of shortness of breath/coughing
*6 days of sleep disorder (either too much or not enough)
+6 days of sore throats
*5 days of forgetfulness
*5 days of headaches
*5 days of confusion with difficulty thinking
*5 days of tingling in extremities
*5 days of feeling overall unwell
*4 days of stiffness in the joints, neck and back
+4 days of stomach upset (gas)
*4 days of neck pain/strain
+4 days of swollen glands
*3 days of difficulty of concentrating when reading
*3 days of lightheadedness or wooziness
*3 days of twitching
2 days of fever
+2 days of mood swings
+2 days of sound sensitivity
+2 days of sweating
2 days of nose (it was *running* ala Forest Gump)
*1 day of muscle pain/cramps
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
PICC Lines
Have any of you had this problem post picc line pulling? (how's that for alliteration?) I get these bumps in about the same place quite a bit. I have a feeling they come up every night, but I'm asleep and don't notice. I had 12 in April (on one day I had 3 bumps pop up at the same time around the site and on another it was 2 bumps). I know I've had one pop up this month. I'm not sure how many times it happened after it was pulled in February and March because I didn't keep an eye on it really, but I do know it happened at least 10 times.
I'll be heading to my LLMD next week with photos in hand, but what happens is that a small little bump shows and then it gets larger to about the size in this photo. Then it disappears over the next few hours. I thought I'd see if any of you guys (all Lymies with PICCs or anyone else wiht PICCs) might have an idea or two about what might be going on.
It doesn't hurt, it doesn't really itch, but it is quite annoying.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Not Me Monday
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime (today's post)
I did not go buy a dress because I needed retail therapy. Also didn't buy a bracelet & necklace to go with the dress either. Since I am not a girly girl, I did not wear said dress two days in a row. I was not late to my friend's house two days in a row either. I am always on time to everything so there is no way I'd just hang out with my friends at work before going to my friend's house.
Last week (the week I cancelled the Not Me Monday), I did not actually go and buy three new shirts and a bunch of iron ons. I did not waste one old shirt by putting my Positive Lyme test on it. I did not waste a new shirt by putting the positive lyme test on the front & the back of it to see which would look better. I did not wear the positive Lyme test shirt to work one day.
I didn't go to Michaels to purchase two spools of Lime Green Ribbon and then on top of that a bow that is already made. I'm such a creative person (haa) that I'd make my own bow and not purchase one pre-made. I didn't go to Lowe's looking for Lime Green Flagging Tape to tie around all the trees in my yard and I wasn't upset when I found only Pink & Orange. :o(
I didn't spend an hour trying to tie the Lime Green ribbon onto a charm to make a necklace.
Last week (the week I cancelled the Not Me Monday), I did not actually go and buy three new shirts and a bunch of iron ons. I did not waste one old shirt by putting my Positive Lyme test on it. I did not waste a new shirt by putting the positive lyme test on the front & the back of it to see which would look better. I did not wear the positive Lyme test shirt to work one day.
I didn't go to Michaels to purchase two spools of Lime Green Ribbon and then on top of that a bow that is already made. I'm such a creative person (haa) that I'd make my own bow and not purchase one pre-made. I didn't go to Lowe's looking for Lime Green Flagging Tape to tie around all the trees in my yard and I wasn't upset when I found only Pink & Orange. :o(
I didn't spend an hour trying to tie the Lime Green ribbon onto a charm to make a necklace.
Here for your viewing pleasure are my old Not Me's!
Week 1: Wii Fit Cheater
Week 2: OCD Shoe Lace
Week 3: "Your in" for a real treat on this one.
Week 4: I'm 12 again!
Week 5: PICC me! PICC me!
Week 6: Oh "Holey" Days!
Week 7: Overeaters Anonymous
Week 8: Hair Today: Gone Tomorrow
Week 9: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Week 10: Khakilin' at the store
Week 11: To Capri or Not To Capri
Week 12: Losing my V Card
Week 13: It's beginning to TICK me off
Week 14: PC Out!
Week 15: Earth, Wind & Fire
Week 16: No Not Me Today
Week 17: Touch of Lime (today's post)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Share your Lime
This is what I did for Lyme Disease Awareness Month! Share your Lime! When you do something for Lyme Disease Awareness Month, post a picture on your blog! Leave a comment here so that we can go to your blog and see your pictures! Just click the Linky button and add your link. You can then see everyone who has created a link too.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
What else?
I could go ahead and list everything that has happened in the last two weeks, but I won't.
I will say that it started off with a forest fire and life has not been kind since. Between the death of my friend, the declining health of my Grandfather and the stomach bug that has kept my husband on the toilet for the last 24 hours ... I am thinking, "What Else can happen?"
SERIOUSLY? I need a break.
I sit here with a churning in my stomach and I don't know if it's stress or the beginnings of the stomach flu. He's avoided me like the plague even though he knows I need him, but he knows I need the stomach flu a lot less.
I will say that it started off with a forest fire and life has not been kind since. Between the death of my friend, the declining health of my Grandfather and the stomach bug that has kept my husband on the toilet for the last 24 hours ... I am thinking, "What Else can happen?"
SERIOUSLY? I need a break.
I sit here with a churning in my stomach and I don't know if it's stress or the beginnings of the stomach flu. He's avoided me like the plague even though he knows I need him, but he knows I need the stomach flu a lot less.
Friday, May 1, 2009
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
If you don't have a Lime Green pin or ribbon, get one. We need to get the word out that LYME DISEASE IS A PROBLEM!!!!
Wanna make a bigger impact, buy a Lyme Disease shirt! People will surely stop and ask about your shirt that says Lyme is a four letter word!
This shirt can be purchased by clicking the picture of the shirt. The person who created this shirt is (obviously) affected by Lyme. Go to her blog to see other designs for shirts, buttons and other assorted items.
Print off flyers and information about Lyme Disease and pass them around doctor's offices, legislative buildings and even people you see that ask you about your shirts and ribbons.
People KNOW that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Make an IMPACT on Lyme Disease. Make people Aware that Lyme Disease exists and it is a Chronic Illness. Make people aware that it imitates other illnesses and the controversy surrounding treatment and test results.
I will post this blog many times prior to May 1st so that everyone has a chance to change the world's perception of Lyme Disease.
Tie a Lime Green Ribbon on your Car or Tree during the month of May. Post these pictures on your blog to show your support for Lyme Disease patients!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
