I recently learned of a family that is holding a fundraiser to bring their daughter Anna Grace home from China. They have another adopted daughter, MJ who they lost in a tragic accident after they brought her home. You can read her story here.
They are currently holding a fundraiser to help pay bring their second daughter home. Here is the link to their fundraising site, The Kreuer Chronicles Fundraiser.
They have some really cool prizes offered.
I really can't do a lot right now to help them with this cause but I can try to spread the word so that as many people as possible visit their site and hopefully help them reach their goal to bring Anna Grace home.
The giveaway ends on April 16th so you should go over there and enter to win!!!!
Even though I am going to win the camera. I sooooo want that camera. If I think positively, maybe it will happen! But you can still go over and enter(even though I'm going to win the camera) because the money is going to a very good cause.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Bento Giveaway
Lisa is having a really cool giveaway over at her Maisie eats Bento blog. You should check it out!
I have been wanting to get into this for some time now and I love seeing the creative Bentos she packs for her sweet little Maisie.
On another note, there is never a dull moment around here.
Last night I dragged Joe to the Urgent Care because I have had this sore on my ear for the last five days and it had become so painful I knew something was not right.
So at 9:00 at night(just before they closed), we headed over to the local Urgent Care where I was told I had a Staph infection! On the outside of my upper ear. Yuck. And also scary!
He thought I had possibly picked it up from the airplane(or airport), but I was chatting with my sister on Facebook last night and my nephew had a Staph infection last week too! So I'm sure now that I got it from him.
It is sooooooo painful.
Enough with the sicknesses and medical problems already. I'm done. Do you hear me Universe? Done!
They gave me a shot of antibiotics in the bottom last night. It didn't hurt when they gave it to me, but boy did it hurt when I got home. I had to lay with an ice pack on my rear before I went to bed last night. Nice.
Lastly, my friend DeAnn is having surgery early this morning, so if you could, think good thoughts that everything goes smoothly and without complications.
And yes, I am up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday. Sleep has been elusive for me this week.
I have been wanting to get into this for some time now and I love seeing the creative Bentos she packs for her sweet little Maisie.
On another note, there is never a dull moment around here.
Last night I dragged Joe to the Urgent Care because I have had this sore on my ear for the last five days and it had become so painful I knew something was not right.
So at 9:00 at night(just before they closed), we headed over to the local Urgent Care where I was told I had a Staph infection! On the outside of my upper ear. Yuck. And also scary!
He thought I had possibly picked it up from the airplane(or airport), but I was chatting with my sister on Facebook last night and my nephew had a Staph infection last week too! So I'm sure now that I got it from him.
It is sooooooo painful.
Enough with the sicknesses and medical problems already. I'm done. Do you hear me Universe? Done!
They gave me a shot of antibiotics in the bottom last night. It didn't hurt when they gave it to me, but boy did it hurt when I got home. I had to lay with an ice pack on my rear before I went to bed last night. Nice.
Lastly, my friend DeAnn is having surgery early this morning, so if you could, think good thoughts that everything goes smoothly and without complications.
And yes, I am up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday. Sleep has been elusive for me this week.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Last Weekend in Pictures
First stop on Saturday morning for breakfast
Mmmmmmm.......................
On our way to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds
Ready for our first class
With our almost finished product. It's a hanging magnetic board. They turned out so cute! Look for pictures of these again around Christmas time :)
Not crowded at all, compared to the one they hold near my house!
Mmmmmmmm...............Kettle Corn. We bought 2 bags of this but strangely only left with one. Hmmmmmmm
Back at Lisa's house. These two are bosom buddies. They only pretend not to like each other when people are looking
Of course Grace had to have a picture with her in it :)
Gracie at Michael's trying on the animal hats. This is her monkey face. I think it's quite good.
View of Catalina from the plane on the way home.
It was too quick of a trip. Luckily I get to go back in a little over a week and stay for five days. Yippee!
Mmmmmmm.......................
On our way to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds
Ready for our first class
With our almost finished product. It's a hanging magnetic board. They turned out so cute! Look for pictures of these again around Christmas time :)
Not crowded at all, compared to the one they hold near my house!
Mmmmmmmm...............Kettle Corn. We bought 2 bags of this but strangely only left with one. Hmmmmmmm
Back at Lisa's house. These two are bosom buddies. They only pretend not to like each other when people are looking
Of course Grace had to have a picture with her in it :)
Gracie at Michael's trying on the animal hats. This is her monkey face. I think it's quite good.
View of Catalina from the plane on the way home.
It was too quick of a trip. Luckily I get to go back in a little over a week and stay for five days. Yippee!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful we got good news from our accountant yesterday regarding our taxes. We just about broke even. Thank you God!
I am thankful for Blogger friends. Retro Girl awarded me this blog award the other day. It deserves a whole post of its own, but for now I am thankful that she was nice enough to think of me!
I am thankful for our local library. I have been jonesing for something to read so we headed over there yesterday and I checked out some books(which were of course free) and then I was able to purchase some books that I had wanted last year and never got for 50 cents each. They were in almost new condition. Score!
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I am thankful that the free samples of migraine medicine my doctor gave me last week were successful in alleviating the migraine I had the last 2 days.
I am thankful I was able to spend some quality time with my sister last weekend and I also get to go back for a longer visit in a little over a week.
I am thankful for Blogger friends. Retro Girl awarded me this blog award the other day. It deserves a whole post of its own, but for now I am thankful that she was nice enough to think of me!
I am thankful for our local library. I have been jonesing for something to read so we headed over there yesterday and I checked out some books(which were of course free) and then I was able to purchase some books that I had wanted last year and never got for 50 cents each. They were in almost new condition. Score!
1_medium.jpg)
I am thankful that the free samples of migraine medicine my doctor gave me last week were successful in alleviating the migraine I had the last 2 days.
I am thankful I was able to spend some quality time with my sister last weekend and I also get to go back for a longer visit in a little over a week.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Long time no blog huh?
I don't know what happened, except for being gone last weekend and ever since I came home I haven't been feeling well and kind of lost motivation to do anything.
Still struggling with the migraines but I won't bore you with the details because it gets old after awhile. The new meds my doctor gave me aren't helping all that much, which is a huge disappointment because I was really hoping I could get some medicine for them and it would work and they would go away forever. Not that I set my expectations too high or anything. :)
I had a fantastic time at my sister's, as usual. We had a blast at the scrapbook expo and made some really neat things, which I will post pictures of when I find my motivation again.
Financially things are starting to come to a head around here and I am worried and terrified all of the time. This has led to some seriously sleepless nights the last 3 nights and I feel like a walking zombie. No job prospects on the horizon for Joe plus still no check from the unemployment office(9 weeks and counting) equal us living in our car in the very near future. I'm only half kidding about that. Something has got to give. And soon.
We're going to get our taxes done this afternoon(oh joy), where I am fully expecting to hear more bad news, both because I didn't realize until too late that the claim status on my paycheck has been wrong the whole time I have worked at the new job, and because that seems to be how our lives have been going lately. At this point I don't even care. If we owe the state money, they can get in line behind all the other people we owe money to right now. It was their plan to cut all of those teaching jobs out of the state budget, which is what lead to Joe losing his job in the first place. Yeah, I'm feeling a little bitter.
That was a huge downer. I'm sorry. I'll be back to my cheerful self tomorrow with Thankful Thursday. I do have things to be thankful for. It's just hard to see them when you have a terrible headache and they just turned your electricity back on after being without it all morning because you couldn't pay the bill. Sigh.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
I will make it be a better day.
***Update** Apparently I hadn't given the migraine medication enough time to work because after about 2 hours it is totally gone and I am feeling much better. Usually they last all day and sometimes into the next so I am quite happy about this development. So something good did happen today. Yay. Now if only we could get some good news about our taxes. I'll keep you posted............
**We got good news about our taxes too! We just about broke even. We only owe the State about 90 bucks(which is good, seeing as though we are still making payments on what we owed them from last year) Hey, I'll take it. And we just came from the library where I got some awesome(brand new) books for 50 cents!*****
I don't know what happened, except for being gone last weekend and ever since I came home I haven't been feeling well and kind of lost motivation to do anything.
Still struggling with the migraines but I won't bore you with the details because it gets old after awhile. The new meds my doctor gave me aren't helping all that much, which is a huge disappointment because I was really hoping I could get some medicine for them and it would work and they would go away forever. Not that I set my expectations too high or anything. :)
I had a fantastic time at my sister's, as usual. We had a blast at the scrapbook expo and made some really neat things, which I will post pictures of when I find my motivation again.
Financially things are starting to come to a head around here and I am worried and terrified all of the time. This has led to some seriously sleepless nights the last 3 nights and I feel like a walking zombie. No job prospects on the horizon for Joe plus still no check from the unemployment office(9 weeks and counting) equal us living in our car in the very near future. I'm only half kidding about that. Something has got to give. And soon.
We're going to get our taxes done this afternoon(oh joy), where I am fully expecting to hear more bad news, both because I didn't realize until too late that the claim status on my paycheck has been wrong the whole time I have worked at the new job, and because that seems to be how our lives have been going lately. At this point I don't even care. If we owe the state money, they can get in line behind all the other people we owe money to right now. It was their plan to cut all of those teaching jobs out of the state budget, which is what lead to Joe losing his job in the first place. Yeah, I'm feeling a little bitter.
That was a huge downer. I'm sorry. I'll be back to my cheerful self tomorrow with Thankful Thursday. I do have things to be thankful for. It's just hard to see them when you have a terrible headache and they just turned your electricity back on after being without it all morning because you couldn't pay the bill. Sigh.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
I will make it be a better day.
***Update** Apparently I hadn't given the migraine medication enough time to work because after about 2 hours it is totally gone and I am feeling much better. Usually they last all day and sometimes into the next so I am quite happy about this development. So something good did happen today. Yay. Now if only we could get some good news about our taxes. I'll keep you posted............
**We got good news about our taxes too! We just about broke even. We only owe the State about 90 bucks(which is good, seeing as though we are still making payments on what we owed them from last year) Hey, I'll take it. And we just came from the library where I got some awesome(brand new) books for 50 cents!*****
Friday, March 20, 2009
Well I made it so San Fransisco in one piece last night. I flew from one of the smallest airports I have ever been in into one of the largest(Hong Kong international is the largest airport I have ever been to). I flew out of Long Beach, which is a tiny little airport and I flew into San Francisco International airport which is huge.
I flew Jet.Blue, which I love. There is a lot more room in those seats than the ones on South.west.
A few things have changed since the last time I flew on Jet.Blue:
They don't provide you with headphones anymore. I am fine with this, as I always wondered how all those disposable headphones were affecting our environment. The only problem is I forgot my headphones, so I had to buy some for a dollar(which I will keep for next time, and not throw away). I had to buy them after I was already on the plane because I didn't realize until then that they wouldn't be giving them out. So the flight attendant comes over the loud speaker and says they will be coming around selling headphones for a dollar but they don't accept cash. I was like "Huh?" How are we going to pay for them then? She went on to explain that they accepted debit cards only. Then she proceeded to come down the aisle with a teeny tiny debit machine(smaller than the palm of her hand) and she slid my car through and said thanks and went on her way. It looked like a children's toy. I didn't even enter my pin or get a receipt or anything. Technology!
I was also bummed to realize that they no longer give out full sized snacks like they used to. They usually give out whole bags of chips or cookies and full size water bottles. Not anymore. Now you get a tiny package of mini cookies or cashews and a mini water bottle. The were still giving out the whole can of soda if you ordered that. But I hadn't had a chance to eat much of anything for dinner and I was hungry so that little bag of cashews didn't do much for me.
The t.v.'s were on the fritz for the entire trip, so those headphones that cost me a dollar didn't do me any good at all. I had forgotten my book at home so I had little else to do than scooch as far towards the wall as I could and not touch woman sitting next to me.
Why, you ask? I am not normally an anti-social person. I can be pretty shy, but I am friendly when other people talk to me and will have a conversation with someone if they start one up.
Well as I boarded the plane and walked down the aisle to my seat, I see there are only two seats in my row, an aisle and a window seat. Mine was the window seat and another woman was sitting in the aisle. As I approached my seat I smiled at her and said "I'm by the window". Not even glancing at me or acknowledging me at all, she stands up to let me in. In doing so, she whacks her head on the ceiling.
I put my hand on her arm and said "Oh, are you alright?" She quickly snatched her arm away from my hand and said nothing. She wouldn't even look at me. At this point I am starting to move into my seat and I turn to her and say "I'm sorry". For what, I don't know because she is the one who stood up too fast and bumped her head, not me! It's not my fault! She simply turned her head away from me and pretended she hadn't even heard me.
Mean! While we are waiting for the rest if the passengers to board she notices that the arm rest is not down so she slammed it down firmly to make sure I stayed on my side of the airplane. Later on during the flight my arm strayed over the arm rest and touched hers slightly and she pulled her arm away from me quickly like I had the plague or something.
I spent the entire hour and fifteen minute flight squished up against the window of the plane, trying not to touch her. Oh yeah, and bored and hungry too. I tried to sleep but was unable.
Good times. At least next time I'll have my Dad to keep me company on the plane so I don't have to sit next to any mean ladies.
I guess the only important thing is that I arrived safely and got to see the kids before I went to bed and in a few minutes me and Lisa are headed out to the Scrapbook festival.
Yahoo!
I flew Jet.Blue, which I love. There is a lot more room in those seats than the ones on South.west.
A few things have changed since the last time I flew on Jet.Blue:
They don't provide you with headphones anymore. I am fine with this, as I always wondered how all those disposable headphones were affecting our environment. The only problem is I forgot my headphones, so I had to buy some for a dollar(which I will keep for next time, and not throw away). I had to buy them after I was already on the plane because I didn't realize until then that they wouldn't be giving them out. So the flight attendant comes over the loud speaker and says they will be coming around selling headphones for a dollar but they don't accept cash. I was like "Huh?" How are we going to pay for them then? She went on to explain that they accepted debit cards only. Then she proceeded to come down the aisle with a teeny tiny debit machine(smaller than the palm of her hand) and she slid my car through and said thanks and went on her way. It looked like a children's toy. I didn't even enter my pin or get a receipt or anything. Technology!
I was also bummed to realize that they no longer give out full sized snacks like they used to. They usually give out whole bags of chips or cookies and full size water bottles. Not anymore. Now you get a tiny package of mini cookies or cashews and a mini water bottle. The were still giving out the whole can of soda if you ordered that. But I hadn't had a chance to eat much of anything for dinner and I was hungry so that little bag of cashews didn't do much for me.
The t.v.'s were on the fritz for the entire trip, so those headphones that cost me a dollar didn't do me any good at all. I had forgotten my book at home so I had little else to do than scooch as far towards the wall as I could and not touch woman sitting next to me.
Why, you ask? I am not normally an anti-social person. I can be pretty shy, but I am friendly when other people talk to me and will have a conversation with someone if they start one up.
Well as I boarded the plane and walked down the aisle to my seat, I see there are only two seats in my row, an aisle and a window seat. Mine was the window seat and another woman was sitting in the aisle. As I approached my seat I smiled at her and said "I'm by the window". Not even glancing at me or acknowledging me at all, she stands up to let me in. In doing so, she whacks her head on the ceiling.
I put my hand on her arm and said "Oh, are you alright?" She quickly snatched her arm away from my hand and said nothing. She wouldn't even look at me. At this point I am starting to move into my seat and I turn to her and say "I'm sorry". For what, I don't know because she is the one who stood up too fast and bumped her head, not me! It's not my fault! She simply turned her head away from me and pretended she hadn't even heard me.
Mean! While we are waiting for the rest if the passengers to board she notices that the arm rest is not down so she slammed it down firmly to make sure I stayed on my side of the airplane. Later on during the flight my arm strayed over the arm rest and touched hers slightly and she pulled her arm away from me quickly like I had the plague or something.
I spent the entire hour and fifteen minute flight squished up against the window of the plane, trying not to touch her. Oh yeah, and bored and hungry too. I tried to sleep but was unable.
Good times. At least next time I'll have my Dad to keep me company on the plane so I don't have to sit next to any mean ladies.
I guess the only important thing is that I arrived safely and got to see the kids before I went to bed and in a few minutes me and Lisa are headed out to the Scrapbook festival.
Yahoo!
I'm Off
Off for a quick trip to S.F. to visit my sis. I'm bringing my laptop but I don't know if I'll have time to use it.
Be back online Monday. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful for my nephrologist. I have only been seeing him since September and love him, but yesterday I had to go in to discuss the migraines and what my options are for pain relief. While I was there he was asking me how things were going in general and he asked about Joe(which was so nice) and I told him he had lost his job. We chatted for a few more minutes and then he gave me a bunch of samples so I wouldn't have to buy any meds. He walked me to the waiting room and I went to hand the receptionist my check for my $50.00 co-pay and he told me to put it away. I tried to insist, and even handed the check to the receptionist but he shook his head firmly and said "No. Put it away. I'll see in you 4 months, unless you need me sooner."
I burst into tears. Right there in the waiting room. Nice.
How did I get so lucky to have such a compassionate, caring doctor? So grateful for him.
I am thankful for the weather we have been having the last 2 days. Today it was sunny and 80 degrees. We're supposed to have rain this weekend but on my day off yesterday it was simply beautiful.
I am thankful for weekend trips. On Friday evening I will be boarding a plane to go visit my Sees-ter and niece and nephew(my brother in law will be out of town) for the weekend and while there we will be attending the Scrapbook Expo all day Saturday. Of course I am thankful to my Sees-ter for the ticket, as I would never be able to have afforded it on my own right now.
I am thankful for my husband. He put on this silly hat and let me take a picture of him just to humor me and he doesn't care who was looking at him while he did it(and he totally got a few strange looks). You know what he did? He looked right at them and smiled and said "Hello".What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Happy Anniversary Lisa & Scott
Today is my sees-ter's 14th wedding anniversary. She stopped blogging(gasp!), so I can't send you anywhere to say congrats but you are welcome to do it here in the comments!
I am headed up there for a quick visit this weekend, where from what I gather they will be celebrating by spending the weekend apart, as Scott will be away for the weekend. Very bad planning on their part, seeing as though they will have a free babysitter for 2 nights!
I will issue them a rain check for when my Dad and I visit again in 2 weeks over Spring Break. Maybe they can even get away for a short overnight trip(you better plan it Lisa, before I come to my senses:)
Happy Anniversary Lisa and Scott!
I am headed up there for a quick visit this weekend, where from what I gather they will be celebrating by spending the weekend apart, as Scott will be away for the weekend. Very bad planning on their part, seeing as though they will have a free babysitter for 2 nights!
I will issue them a rain check for when my Dad and I visit again in 2 weeks over Spring Break. Maybe they can even get away for a short overnight trip(you better plan it Lisa, before I come to my senses:)
Happy Anniversary Lisa and Scott!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day
I've got nothing going on tonight and I didn't even wear green today so I'm re-posting the same thing I posted last year. Both because it is cute, and because I am just that lazy :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful for our t.v. We haven't been able to go out at all lately but Joe and I both like to watch the same shows(he even watched the Bach.elor with me-now that's love) and every night after dinner we settle in to watch the shows we have recorded(no commercials-yes!). This t.v. strongly resembles ours. We do not have a flat screen. Sometimes I feel like we are the only ones on the planet that don't, although I am sure that is not the case.
--I am thankful for my job. I am lucky to have it and right now it is the only constant in our lives.
--I am thankful for my husband. Last week I told him I had a craving for cupcakes. On Tuesday while I was at work he went to the store and bought the ingredients and baked some and had them waiting for me when I got home. He didn't have enough eggs, so they were a little(ummm......a lot) crumbly, but they were delicious nonetheless. For me it is all about the frosting anyway.
--I am thankful that we live so close to this, and also for our beautiful weather. Yesterday I had an appt. in Da.na Point and we stopped off at the beach on the way home. It was gloomy and cloudy at my house, but perfectly sunny at the beach. Not exactly warm, but sunny and nice enough for us to take a long walk.
--I am thankful for my computer. I have met many wonderful people through it and because it is a laptop I can Face.book(That's a verb. As in "I am Facebooking right now) and watch t.v. at the same time :)
--I am thankful for my computer. I have met many wonderful people through it and because it is a laptop I can Face.book(That's a verb. As in "I am Facebooking right now) and watch t.v. at the same time :)What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
For Kari
Kari visited my blog a few weeks ago for the first time and stopped in on our fundraising site, Wishing Star Designs to have a look around. I have to admit I haven't updated it in quite some time, as this wait is looming longer and longer and I simply haven't had the energy to raise funds for something that is still such a long way off.
While visiting Kari saw a couple of things that she liked and generously ordered them and asked me to whip them up for her.
Here is the wall hanging I made for her. She loves dragonflies and purple like I do, so she wanted something similar to the one I made for our Sophie.
Top
The poem reads:
We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us
by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson
This is one of my favorite adoptions poems.
Bottom
Kari also ordered a Mother's Bracelet but I am still waiting on some beads that I ordered(tapping foot impatiently) so I can start on it.
Thanks Kari, for the order, and also getting me to start crafting again after a very long dry spell!
I have also been working on a cute bow hanger for Grace and a friend's little girl.
I am wondering if people might be interested in these LID plaques since the wait is getting so long? They can be personalized and done in any color scheme you prefer.
We have ours hanging on the door to the nursery. They are $15.00
While visiting Kari saw a couple of things that she liked and generously ordered them and asked me to whip them up for her.
Here is the wall hanging I made for her. She loves dragonflies and purple like I do, so she wanted something similar to the one I made for our Sophie.
Top
The poem reads:
We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us
by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson
This is one of my favorite adoptions poems.
Bottom
Kari also ordered a Mother's Bracelet but I am still waiting on some beads that I ordered(tapping foot impatiently) so I can start on it.
Thanks Kari, for the order, and also getting me to start crafting again after a very long dry spell!
I have also been working on a cute bow hanger for Grace and a friend's little girl.
I am wondering if people might be interested in these LID plaques since the wait is getting so long? They can be personalized and done in any color scheme you prefer.
We have ours hanging on the door to the nursery. They are $15.00
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Signs
Yesterday was a strange day. It was strange from the get go. I was tired when I got up from the time change. When I got to work we didn't have any patients until 2:00 because we have been so slow. The day dragged by and it seemed like 5:00 was never going to come.
Finally it did come, and I set off for home. It is about a 25 minute commute to my work from my home. Part of my commute is on a toll road, which winds through some lovely hills. I usually enjoy the ride to and from work immensely.
Not last night. Despite the sunlight from Daylight savings I was tired and grouchy and just wanted to get home.
On my route home, after I exit the toll road, I end up on a long stretch of highway that is populated with mostly just orange groves. I usually continue on this road for 3 or 4 miles, before turning onto the street that leads to the suburban area where I live.
I take this route every single day. I do not deviate from it. It is the quickest way home because the speed limit is 65 and there is only 1 stoplight before I reach the street that I turn down to get to my apartment complex.
I had just gotten off of the toll road and was driving along talking to myself. (Sometimes I talk to myself in the car, o.k.)? It isn't as strange as it sounds.
O.K., maybe it is. Whatever. So I'm driving down the road that I always take, talking to myself when I come upon the one stoplight on this street. Usually I drive right by it, down further to the light that I turn left on to get to my street.
So I'm coming up on this stoplight and I am talking out loud and all of of sudden I say "I don't want to go that way". (The way I always go).
As soon as I said it I thought how strange it was that I would think something like that, let alone say it out loud.
Next thing I know I am pulling into the left hand turn lane onto a street that I never take to get home.
And I am annoyed at myself. "Now why did I go and do that"? I thought. "This better not make my drive home any longer". I was grouchy at this point.
I continue on this street for a short time and then make a right so I can get to the street I need to be on to get home(the one I had avoided by taking this impromptu "detour").
As I approach this street I notice it seems much more congested than usual. In fact, I have to sit at the light 3 times before we start moving again and I can hear sirens as I approach the intersection where I would have turned to go home.
I say "would have" because I was unable to make the left hand turn. It was closed due to a six car accident that looked as though it had occurred about 6 or 7 minutes earlier. Some people were just getting out of their cars, while others were milling about or sitting at the curb. The police were were just beginning to pull up in their squad cars, blocking the intersection off. The cars were badly damaged and there looked to be some injuries.
I finally was able to get by it, and after the annoyance of being delayed had passed, I suddenly realized that if I hadn't turned left at the light when I did(early), I very well could have been in the path of that accident, at the exact time it took place.
Yes, the odds are that I would have either driven by before it happened or right after, missing it.
But what made me say the words out loud "I don't want to go that way", and what made me make that premature left hand turn, even though I always drove the same way to and from work every day that I have worked at this job(19 months)?
It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
I have always been a big believer in signs, although I'll be the first person to tell you that I have never experienced one before. Well, I may have experienced one, but I was too dense to realize what it was.
Until yesterday. I believe someone was trying to tell me something and I'm glad that I listened.
Or, the whole thing could mean nothing and just be a huge coincidence.
You choose.
But I'm sticking with signs.
And thanking God for making me listen to them.
P.S. I'm so excited because I got tickets to see a taping of the Ellen Degeneres show in April. I watch her show all the time(I DVR it) and she is so funny. I'm stoked!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
I can't even think of titles anymore
I noticed that I stopped putting titles on these here posts. Every time I come here to write something I try to think of a good title, but my mind goes blank and then I don't have the energy and low and behold, the post goes title-less(I don't even know if that is a word).
This morning I woke up full of ambition and determined to actually get something done, instead of the laying around, feeling blah, do nothingness that has been going on here for over 3 weeks now.
I got out of bed and hopped in the shower. Not 3 minutes into the shower I noticed the bathroom lights started blinking. Hmmmmm..........that's strange. Why are the lights blinking? Thirty seconds later I realize it isn't the bathroom lights, it's an aura.
What?! NO! It can't be another migraine. It can't be! I didn't even know it was possible to have them one right on top of the other like that. Even when I used to have them years ago I never, ever had them with this frequency. (Now I know for sure the nausea yesterday was due to a migraine, even if I didn't have an aura then)
Being determined(and stupid), I decided there was no way I was going to let this migraine interfere with my plans for the day, so I dried off, got dressed, and plodded into the kitchen to make pancakes and hash browns as planned.
Ummmmm.............chopping up potatoes while you are having an aura? Not a good idea. Not a good idea at all. I am now sporting two band aids on my fingers and I'm very lucky that I didn't lose one(or more) fingers completely.
Desperately wanting to stop the headache before the pain began(I never have any pain with these until the aura has passed-about 20 minutes), I grabbed the first thing I could find out of the medicine cabinet and that was my husband's prescription strength Nap.roxen and 2 regular Tylenol.
And you know what? It totally worked! The aura went away and instead of the usual blinding pain on one side or the back of my head, there was only a dull pounding. I'll take it!
Here's the only catch: I promised my kidney doctor I would never, ever take Nap.roxen(or any other NSAIDS) again. They are extremely hard on your kidneys. Back when I used to have severe pain every month from Stage IV Endometriosis, I took them like candy(although this is NOT what caused my kidney disease-it is an autoimmune disease).
Since I was diagnosed with the kidney disease(2 and a half years ago), I haven't touched even one drop of Nap.roxen or any other NSAIDS. My kidney doctor scared me sufficiently enough that I didn't dare touch them. Seriously. I thought he was going to make me pinky swear never to take them again the day I sat in his office and he was explaining the dangers of them(to people with kidney disease)
I'm not even sure what made me break that promise this morning, aside from pure desperation. I simply can't live with these migraines. Even the endo didn't cause debilitating pain like these suckers do. At least back then I could always get into a warm tub to relieve the cramping.
I haven't found anything that helps these headaches. Nothing. Except for the Nap.roxen. Oh, the irony.
So tomorrow, first thing in the morning I will be on the phone to my nephrologist to get the first appointment he has available. Because I simply can't live with these migraines. I am beginning to think there is something wrong, with the suddenness of which they came on and the frequency with which I am having them.
I got nothing else done today, aside from making breakfast. I still have that dull aching pain on one side of my head and a slight feeling of nausea.
P.S. I'm sorry if these posts are all starting to sound whiny and much the same. Perhaps I should change the name of the blog to "The Migraine Chronicles". I never have been good at keeping a written journal and these posts serve as a good reminder of when I actually had one of them and the severity of each so that I am able to answer questions about them at the doctor's when they ask.
P.P.S. I just looked at the clock and I can't believe how late it is already. How come it seems like the day went by so fast if we really only lost one hour?
This morning I woke up full of ambition and determined to actually get something done, instead of the laying around, feeling blah, do nothingness that has been going on here for over 3 weeks now.
I got out of bed and hopped in the shower. Not 3 minutes into the shower I noticed the bathroom lights started blinking. Hmmmmm..........that's strange. Why are the lights blinking? Thirty seconds later I realize it isn't the bathroom lights, it's an aura.
What?! NO! It can't be another migraine. It can't be! I didn't even know it was possible to have them one right on top of the other like that. Even when I used to have them years ago I never, ever had them with this frequency. (Now I know for sure the nausea yesterday was due to a migraine, even if I didn't have an aura then)
Being determined(and stupid), I decided there was no way I was going to let this migraine interfere with my plans for the day, so I dried off, got dressed, and plodded into the kitchen to make pancakes and hash browns as planned.
Ummmmm.............chopping up potatoes while you are having an aura? Not a good idea. Not a good idea at all. I am now sporting two band aids on my fingers and I'm very lucky that I didn't lose one(or more) fingers completely.
Desperately wanting to stop the headache before the pain began(I never have any pain with these until the aura has passed-about 20 minutes), I grabbed the first thing I could find out of the medicine cabinet and that was my husband's prescription strength Nap.roxen and 2 regular Tylenol.
And you know what? It totally worked! The aura went away and instead of the usual blinding pain on one side or the back of my head, there was only a dull pounding. I'll take it!
Here's the only catch: I promised my kidney doctor I would never, ever take Nap.roxen(or any other NSAIDS) again. They are extremely hard on your kidneys. Back when I used to have severe pain every month from Stage IV Endometriosis, I took them like candy(although this is NOT what caused my kidney disease-it is an autoimmune disease).
Since I was diagnosed with the kidney disease(2 and a half years ago), I haven't touched even one drop of Nap.roxen or any other NSAIDS. My kidney doctor scared me sufficiently enough that I didn't dare touch them. Seriously. I thought he was going to make me pinky swear never to take them again the day I sat in his office and he was explaining the dangers of them(to people with kidney disease)
I'm not even sure what made me break that promise this morning, aside from pure desperation. I simply can't live with these migraines. Even the endo didn't cause debilitating pain like these suckers do. At least back then I could always get into a warm tub to relieve the cramping.
I haven't found anything that helps these headaches. Nothing. Except for the Nap.roxen. Oh, the irony.
So tomorrow, first thing in the morning I will be on the phone to my nephrologist to get the first appointment he has available. Because I simply can't live with these migraines. I am beginning to think there is something wrong, with the suddenness of which they came on and the frequency with which I am having them.
I got nothing else done today, aside from making breakfast. I still have that dull aching pain on one side of my head and a slight feeling of nausea.
P.S. I'm sorry if these posts are all starting to sound whiny and much the same. Perhaps I should change the name of the blog to "The Migraine Chronicles". I never have been good at keeping a written journal and these posts serve as a good reminder of when I actually had one of them and the severity of each so that I am able to answer questions about them at the doctor's when they ask.
P.P.S. I just looked at the clock and I can't believe how late it is already. How come it seems like the day went by so fast if we really only lost one hour?
Saturday, March 07, 2009
I had another headache last night(I don't think it was a migraine because I didn't have the aura) and then this morning was feeling nauseous and it got so bad I threw up.
Now I can't shake that sick to my stomach feeling and I haven't eaten anything all day because I am afraid it won't stay down.
I'm pretty sure it has to do with the headaches. I can't even entertain the thought that I might be getting the stomach flu. Nope, that can't be it because I have had my fair share of sickness and was finally starting to feel normal from the bronchitis and ear infections.
Thank you for the suggestions regarding the migraines. The general consensus seems to be that they are being caused by stress. This bums me out though because I really don't know how to manage them if that is true. I am a huge stress case right now.
Between the money issues and my husband still not having a job and the getting ready to move, I honestly don't know how NOT to be a stress case. It is taking a huge toll on me physically.
I do still plan on going to the doctor to see if there is anything that can be done to alleviate them or prevent them altogether. My choices in pain management are very limited due to the kidney disease.
I just have to remember to keep taking deep cleansing breaths and repeating to myself "Things will get better, things will get better, things will get better".
I have started keeping a gratitude journal(again) because right now I so much need to focus on the things in my life that are good instead of dwelling on all of the bad. I think it is helping.
I also started a prayer journal because there are so many people I am praying for right now that I kept forgetting one or another of them in my daily prayers. This has solved that problem.
Joe has started packing up the baby's room for me. Bless him. I hope to feel better enough tomorrow to help him.
That's all.
Now I can't shake that sick to my stomach feeling and I haven't eaten anything all day because I am afraid it won't stay down.
I'm pretty sure it has to do with the headaches. I can't even entertain the thought that I might be getting the stomach flu. Nope, that can't be it because I have had my fair share of sickness and was finally starting to feel normal from the bronchitis and ear infections.
Thank you for the suggestions regarding the migraines. The general consensus seems to be that they are being caused by stress. This bums me out though because I really don't know how to manage them if that is true. I am a huge stress case right now.
Between the money issues and my husband still not having a job and the getting ready to move, I honestly don't know how NOT to be a stress case. It is taking a huge toll on me physically.
I do still plan on going to the doctor to see if there is anything that can be done to alleviate them or prevent them altogether. My choices in pain management are very limited due to the kidney disease.
I just have to remember to keep taking deep cleansing breaths and repeating to myself "Things will get better, things will get better, things will get better".
I have started keeping a gratitude journal(again) because right now I so much need to focus on the things in my life that are good instead of dwelling on all of the bad. I think it is helping.
I also started a prayer journal because there are so many people I am praying for right now that I kept forgetting one or another of them in my daily prayers. This has solved that problem.
Joe has started packing up the baby's room for me. Bless him. I hope to feel better enough tomorrow to help him.
That's all.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
I didn't pack up the nursery today. Instead I spent the day in bed with a heat pack on my head.
I have been having migraines. I'm not sure what's causing them but they are awful.
I used to have migraines all the time. 7 or 8 years ago. It was determined at that time they were caused by fluctuating hormones. Or the pill. It was so long ago that I honestly can't remember what the cause or treatment was. I know my doctor prescribed some sort of medication(not Imi.trex) and I think it worked for me. I really don't remember. They simply went away on their own and I haven't had one since.
Then Bam! I just started having them again, totally out of the blue. I have had four in the last 5weeks alone. Almost one a week.
I guess another trip to the doctor is in order because each one has lasted at least two days and they really are disrupting my life.
I have not been eating any of the trigger foods and I have not changed the level of my hormone patch so I have no idea what is causing them to come on all of a sudden like this.
It really is always something with me, isn't it?
I have decided not to do any more crying about packing up the nursery. I have done plenty already and it's time to suck it up and move forward. It's not forever. I just have to keep telling myself that.
It's not forever.
Does anyone have any experience/knowledge/suggestions for the migraines? They are awful.
I have been having migraines. I'm not sure what's causing them but they are awful.
I used to have migraines all the time. 7 or 8 years ago. It was determined at that time they were caused by fluctuating hormones. Or the pill. It was so long ago that I honestly can't remember what the cause or treatment was. I know my doctor prescribed some sort of medication(not Imi.trex) and I think it worked for me. I really don't remember. They simply went away on their own and I haven't had one since.
Then Bam! I just started having them again, totally out of the blue. I have had four in the last 5weeks alone. Almost one a week.
I guess another trip to the doctor is in order because each one has lasted at least two days and they really are disrupting my life.
I have not been eating any of the trigger foods and I have not changed the level of my hormone patch so I have no idea what is causing them to come on all of a sudden like this.
It really is always something with me, isn't it?
I have decided not to do any more crying about packing up the nursery. I have done plenty already and it's time to suck it up and move forward. It's not forever. I just have to keep telling myself that.
It's not forever.
Does anyone have any experience/knowledge/suggestions for the migraines? They are awful.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tomorrow is my day off.
I promised myself tomorrow would be the day I packed up the nursery.
Well actually I promised myself I would do it last weekend but I spent most of Saturday and all day Sunday lying in bed crying. And trying to get over this endless sickness. But mostly crying.
Depression sucks.
The boxes are sitting outside the door, ready.
I have tomorrow off, so I have the time.
All I need now is the courage to do it.
And maybe just one more night to cry.
I promised myself tomorrow would be the day I packed up the nursery.
Well actually I promised myself I would do it last weekend but I spent most of Saturday and all day Sunday lying in bed crying. And trying to get over this endless sickness. But mostly crying.
Depression sucks.
The boxes are sitting outside the door, ready.
I have tomorrow off, so I have the time.
All I need now is the courage to do it.
And maybe just one more night to cry.
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