InTeReStiNg!

Ok so if you don’t want to read the depressing part of this post skip to the ***’s

Well as of late I have not been expending much energy.  My neck has flared up and no position is comfortable.  It had gotten to where I could do an activity and rest and do an activity and rest and be fine. 

I don’t know if it is the weather, or what, but Aie Yie Yiiie!  I can’t sit, can’t stand, can’t sleep.  GrrRSrstsGrs  

We’ll the snow’s been interesting at least!  I don’t know what I would do with out windows!  I love my windows, of course I would love more of them or to be running around shoveling and playing in the snow… but hey… I am happy with my clean and clear windows that we invested in! 

So much better than the leaky perpetually dirty ones that our home came with!  Yea! 

Well, Luka is starting to show his age.  I am not sure how much longer he’s going to be able to help me out.  Right now he is out of commission anyway.  His feet are still healing.  I’ve got to get some new boots ordered as well. 

I did manage to find a place that gives a discount on boots to service dogs.  They are a Canadian company.  I’ll share more about them later. 

When his feet finally heal this time, he will be wearing boots everywhere.  So his feet can’t be cut up anymore. 

Hopefully we have his allergies under control now so all should be well after this episode.  Thank goodness for Porter Ridge Vet Clinic and all of their help.

I talk about this because this is my priority for the day, insure that he gets fed and that he gets his medication.  Get my self fed, and not to do anything that may make me feel worse. 

I think I over did, now that I think about it… I helped Jason take pictures of kids yesterday.  I had a great time and was feeling well so I probably moved around more than I should have.  grrrrrr…  Or it could just be the weather, it is changing..   hmmm..

It was fun, don’t think I’ll do exactly the same thing again. I will help but do so in a more directive way instead of directly involved way.  Hope that won’t make me come across bossy. 

I’d sure love to be able to do more than talk at people.  I’d like to do things to interact as well….  hmmmmm…   I need to think about it to figure out how!

The snow has staved off some prospective visitors.  I figured it would.  Plans have been canceled adjusted for everyone around here. 

It had been nice to look forward to people coming over!  I have been happy planning to have them over.  I am still happy even if plans have changed.  Knowing that they thought enough to consider stopping by means allot! 

  ***

The better part!  It has been nice having Jason home allot, he’s been on his break, so with all of the snow, he’s been having a time of it for sure!  It is nice though to see him happy about finishing things!  You can scoop a drive and be feel like you’ve accomplished something, you can see what you’ve done! 

Put a fire out!  You can tell you did well, when the fire is gone and you have all the gear cleaned and put away for the next one.  While the things he has been doing have tired him out, they have been gratifying for him.  Which is so nice to see.

He managed to get the couch we no longer wanted out to the curb for the garbage guys.  Not the one I had put the picture up of but another.  The one we were going to post on Craigslist well, we decided to keep it!  It works perfect where a kennel used to be and Luka really likes to lie on it.  So we’ll be keeping that one. 

He asked a friend over to help him!  Miracle of Miracles!  So together they moved the $50 tread mill downstairs.  It doesn’t work that well, I am hoping he can study the manuals that I downloaded and he can make it work better.  As of now, it will move when I stand on it, but when he does, it won’t move an inch…. I think the motor is on its way out.  Oh, well..  It is something at least. Hopefully my neck will stop yelling at me and I will be able to use it!

He did manage to make the generator work again!  He persisted in that endeavor and used his non existent small motor skills to make it roar!  So if we loose electricity we will be all ready to go! 

We’ve gotten to talk with family and friends, our neighbors are great.  I didn’t get out with any gifts for them but hope that Jason can deliver a few things later this week.  Wish I could have baked some goodies.. but well, that isn’t the way things went for me. 

We did end up getting our share of things, good thing I haven’t gone completely gluten free yet.  Cookie plates were delivered and devoured.  We even had friends over before the major second snow storm.  That was super!  We hadn’t gotten together in months and we all really had a great time!  I was feeling good that night so I cooked and everything! 

Jason’s Jeep has had a little problem with the cold.  Poor Jeep didn’t really want to start after staying outside all night.  He’s really gotten spoiled by our nice toasty garage.  Jason is going to get some sort of heater thing to keep him cozy when he has to sit out while Jason is at work.   I can completely understand, I don’t start well if I am cold either!

So I am not sure what direction to go with Luka needing to retire.  There is a local training group that could be utalized that could cost up to $2600 OUCH! 

I could go without.  Which would mean I wouldn’t be getting out on my own much at all but we’d save money and I’d probably be back to taking more medications as my migraines would have the potential of getting out of control again.  Jason would continue to have to take his time to do all I needed to do with me.  Groceries to clothes shop, or whatever I enjoy giving him a break, and I like to get some independence back.  He still ends up doing quite allot for me but with a Service Dog he would have a break and know I was better cared for when he wasn’t around.

I could other training facilities as well.  Some may cost more or less, but would have travel expenses.  They may be better equipped to train a dog for the needs I have as well. 

I could also do something called owner training.  Well, I would never do it all myself.  I would have to hire a trainer to work with us.  Attend classes, or have the trainer come here to train us to do what I need.  Some days I think I would be good at this but most others I don’t believe that this would be something that would be the best choice for me to do. 

It is difficult, I can go around the house quite well as when I get down on the floor and can’t get myself up, I can crawl to something of substance and get myself up, or I can lie down until things start to work again.  Jason often comes by and will lift me up, Luka does too, but I also like to do it myself if possible.  But out in public, in stores or what ever, I don’t know what is stable or what will fall on me or break if I use it to boost myself up.  Don’t know what is slick or what will distract me.  Home is known, so most times I am able to pay enough attention.  Out in public, getting distracted, focused on different things, overwhelmed by different people, large areas, small areas, kids, noise, etc.  It all effects me now.  I am so much more sensitive to environments than I have ever been.  Even more than before the accident, when I also had difficulty. 

So I need to figure out what to do.  Jason and I need to figure it out.  Get a plan and start going on it. 

Wow, lots to think about! 

Blessings and wonder!

Pink Doberman

sNoWeD iN… bLizZaRd Of 2009

It is strange, all of the people that live within the whole area in which I live has been trapped inside like I am.  Like I have been for most of..  The only differences that I can notice are that most of them have been stuck in with their families. They know that once the snow is cleared they will once again be free to go back to life as it was before the snow fell.

aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2004

jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2005

jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2006

jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2007

jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2008

jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sept, oct, nov, dec  2009

All I can say is that thank goodness that we had the foresight to paint our walls in wonderful colors!  I think more people would be doing better in their homes had their walls been gloriously painted in colors that truly made them smile! 

Thank you Jason for this wonderful gift!

I wonder what 2010 will hold. 

Oh No Snow!

Have you heard what I’ve heard?  Can you see what I see? the snow the snow, is coming in tonight, it will make everything all white.  It will make everything all white. 

Watching the snow blow out my window, brings thoughts of ease as well as unease.  I am at ease that I am all tucked away at home.  I’ve got no where to go and no way to get there even if I did have somewhere to go. 

On the other hand, Jason still has to make it home.  Will that be tonight as he hopes with a turn in of extra hours on his part or will someone else with more seniority take precedence?  Or will he be traveling home in the morning?  Only time will tell. 

Mysteries!  Gotta love the suspense!

So my plans for tomorrow have shifted.  I am not likely to be venturing out tomorrow.  I had hoped to be going to the movies.  I am guessing that that venture will be given a veto by Jason. 

Two fold, if he ends up pulling his full shift, he may be very very tired.  He is at a fairly busy station and may very well not get any sleep.  So that may be what he does tomorrow.  The weather may also be something that he declares to be to dangerous so we’d be staying home. 

I am not sad about that I am realistic.  I have chosen to take on this perspective instead of becoming more angry and resentful for my situation. 

1.  I know if I stay out of the cold my body won’t hurt as bad.

2.  I know if I stay off of the ice that I will have a substantially greater chance of staying on my feet!

3.  I do not have an emergency to attend or a role to play that would do a disservice to others if I did not show up.  Therefore why put myself at risk for being in an auto accident, and why put another car on the road when you shouldn’t be out and about anyway.

 

Being responsible, taking responsibility, and choosing to be happy where I am at is my plan.  It isn’t that I wouldn’t have liked to travel to be with friends and family but I am doing just great on my own as well.

While hanging out on my own today, I had time to reflect.  I remembered how things used to be.  I also am having time to think about how this next year can go. 

I’ve been making some changes since August of 2004.  There are more to come yet this coming year.  I am working on what I can do.  Staying emotionally stable is my focus, the more I can do the worse that has gotten in many aspects.  I don’t take as much medication, so reality is perceived more clearly by me. 

The years before, I was miserable for sure, the pain was all I could focus on.  Now while the pain is still substantial, I am dealing with it.  It doesn’t go away, I couldn’t stay on the high levels of medication if I am going to keep my organs healthy.  Taking myself off of them has been good over all.  I still do use some medications but they are intermittent.  Mostly I just deal with the pain I have, sleep more, rest more and relax more until I can once again do more. 

Not the best, but should keep me healthier longer.  I have no plans of wrecking my liver or something else. 

The Dr agrees so I am going to keep on keeping on. 

Well this post isn’t exactly what I had planned in my mind for my Christmas Eve Post.  I had planned on writing about shoes….  I guess you’ll learn about that later!  I don’t think I will publish this until after Christmas… so I guess you’ll read it then!

Mystery still persists if Jason will head home tonight or if it will be in the morning.  The weather is bad tonight…  Hope whatever it is he is home safe.

Blessings!  Take care and be safe!

Pink Doberman

mY sUpEr MAN!

My SuPeR MAN.  He’s not invincible, he is just incredible.  Today once again he has been wonderfully amazing.  After working a 24 hour shift and then heading to a teaching job until just after noon, he came home ate, and headed off to renew the license for his Jeep.  (I had tried to do it on their online system to no avail.)

He was able to also take a couple of Goodwill Coats to see if they could be cleaned.  We found out that for a $75 apiece price tag that they could indeed be cleaned.  No thanks, dirty is just fine we decided! 

He also was able to get another license updated as well on his journey.  He had just settled down for the evening when I discovered that I needed him to run an errand to yet another town.  He has even done some sweeping and cleaning… Hmmm?  He is earning lots and lots of brownie points, that is for sure!

Bless his heart, he had no complaints, no sour tone to his voice, no bad body language, just ok, let me know when. 

So he is off right now on his third trip of the day!  He just as well have traveled to some distant place for all of the mileage he put on today. 

So sweet he is!  So appreciated he is.  Wow, he for sure is my SuPeR MAN! 

I wonder if he will want to watch a movie with me tonight? 

Blessings from a Grateful heart,

Pink Doberman

PeRfEcTiOn inside iMpErFeCtiOn

As the holidays draw near, I am consistently reminded of the need to plan ahead.  In my youth, (a phrase which I suppose I am now qualified to use)  I wasn’t at all a planner.  Except in my mind.  The word dreamer would have more appropriately fit. 

Things do change as evidenced in my life.  Through a very long series of unfortunate events, I have grown.  I don’t mean to suggest that my life has been unfortunate.  It certainly hasn’t been or isn’t.  I’d just rather not have gone through those things at all. 

As I’ve grown and grown older, well I’ve persisted in breaking some of my less than endearing qualities. 

Procrastination seems to be one of the latest to start to disappear.  I’ve been working on it my whole life.  Being timely… of which I am certainly not.. and having things done on time… which I’ve gotten so much better at.  I’ve improved in both areas actually… I was miserable at them years ago, and I can now be confident in saying that I’ve improved.

I start things earlier.  Well, now I have to.  Since my body can no longer handle pulling overnighters or multi hours of the same type of task or any task.  I am learning to start things well in advance. 

Like the project I just finished.  I started that project weeks ago.  Around Thanksgiving actually.  Working on it each time I would get the chance.  For 30 minutes here, an hour there, 15 minutes… 5 minutes…  what ever I could I just kept going.  I’d take days off in between due to other commitments and my aching body.. 

It was something that I looked forward to doing!  Something that I enjoyed doing.  I am not a pattern follower.  Those crazy things confuse me.  It isn’t that I can’t follow a pattern, it just takes me forever reading and understanding what they wrote.  Often times my mind skips things and I end up doing it wrong 3-4 times anyway..

So more often than not, I just start with a picture, or an idea and figure it out from there.  Drives others nuts.  My friends are all most all “Perfection People”.  I am a “Toss and Go Girl”  I can do something perfect, but boy, kick the perfect in gear in me and you won’t hear the end of it. 

My perfection streak is almost beyond pleasing.  Every once in a while it will rear it’s ugly head.  Everyone stand back because girl will not stop. 

It isn’t a fun place for me to be, and I would never get anything done, at least not much of anything.  Besides the energy that I use for my “perfection” is huge.  It causes more stress than it is worth.

So I do things with an air of creativity, a kitschy note of handmade quality and a flair for everything being unique even if it is the same!

Kind of like this tree!  I just love this picture!  It is so beautiful.  Well, this tree is so ugly it is beautiful!  It has weathered years of abuse!  And it shines in its imperfections!  Perfection in Progress! 

What do you find in your life that is perfect because of the imperfections?  I’d love to know!  Please feel free to leave your comment!

SuRpRiSe!*!*!

So each day goes on regardless if you are ready to go or not.  If you are not then you just miss the day, never to get it back.

I wish you could start out your days with your exact amount in hand.  Choosing to spend them as you wished. 

Days that are sufferable you could just take a pass on them knowing that you were going to choose to spend your day token on a day that would produce better results. 

In effect that is what I do I guess.  Except for the token part and the it not counting when you can’t participate.

I’ve been picking and choosing what to do and what not to do.  It is my usual routine since the accident.  I used to do everything, cram it all in!  It was lovely! 

These days, I do my best to figure out what is the most important, what has to be finished, or what needs to be started, so that I can get it finished. 

I start on things much earlier than I normally would have.  What used to take me an hour may now take me 3-5.  Some things, like getting ready, can take as little as 40-50 minutes… or as long as a couple of hours if it is a bath/shower day. 

I’ve been lucky to have been able to go to PT regularly for the past six plus months.  I am needing to take a break again to recover from some extra medical bills.  So we won’t be spending the gas on driving the additional 70 miles each day. 

Once things are caught up, I plan to get right back at it.  It works out I suppose, with the weather and roads being crappy anyway, it isn’t the best time for me to be out and about. 

Luka’s feet have been a disaster!  One is still completely ripped open, and the other still has a larger than I’d like sore.  So until those things are healed up as well, he won’t be available for accompanying me either.   

I don’t even walk out to get the mail.  I just patiently wait for Jason to get it when ever he would be coming home.  But the fun thing is, when a box comes too, they bring it all up to my door!  So I get to open it sooner!  THANK GOODNESS for Christmas presents and Delivery Boxes!!   Woot!

On another note: I did set myself up to have some projects to finish during this time.  Winter being here I go out less anyway since the accident.  The weather changes seem to be more significant and mess me up more too.  I am medicated yet again.  Gotta love that!  I can’t wait for this to end! 

I did finish part of a project that I’ve been working on.  I finished part of it enough to get it in the mail to the intended recipient.  I got it wrapped up super cute too!  I finished it late on Friday night.  It had to be in the post by 10:30 the following morning. 

I coordinated with Jason that on his way home he’d need to stop and get the list of groceries I’d texted him.  Then he couldn’t dilly dally because I needed him home to finish things up for me.  I knew it would be out of my hands and I was so so right!

I had gotten all of the mail that I had yet to get to the post ready.  Bills, and a few packages!  I wish I’d taken pictures of another project that I did for my niece but.  Hey.  I am not perfect! 

Anyway the gift of the moment, was done, I had found an appropriate sized box for it.  It could be the one it came in… (misleading or leading hint)  

Misleading hint…. It doesn’t contain what they box says that it does… 

It was addressed and ready to go except for some stuffing and the tape. 

ONE THING… Jason had taken the camera with him to work.. I couldn’t get a shot of it.  He’d have to arrive home in time to do it in the morning. 

He came in to wake me up for clarification on my instructions…  I muttered and mumbled what I needed done.  He laid with me for a bit helped me to take some medication and with that I was back out again.

He took pictures!  He took fabulously glorious pictures of my special gift!  Look what he did!  These are so much better than I could have ever done!  Thanks Honey!

 

Jason even fluffed my ribbon as instructed before taking the shots!  Wow, he did the most excellent job!  To my credit, I did make what is inside… and I did creatively wrap the gift.  But WoW oh WoW did he get some good pictures of it!

I cannot share with you who gets this at least not yet!  They have yet to receive it and it would totally blow the surprise if I leaked it here! 

But if by chance you should get a box from me in the mail, well, I suggest that you open it! 

You will definitely need to open it before the Christmas Holiday springs into action!  Surprise!! 

Excited and Blessed,

Pink Doberman!

ozzie

 

Ozzie, having had the perfect dog is always a difficult thing to over come.  Not one other will ever measure up.

But then should there be another?  Each one is unique like a snowflake, and really while the classification may be broad with in the classification each is unique.  That is the beauty of life. 

When Ozzie was growing up, he was hardly the “perfect dog”.  In fact, far from it.  He would chew chew chew, he would dig

                   dig

                            dig,

he would HOWL HOWL HOWL HOWL

Another thing he could do was JUMP…

Yes, he could jump up onto a 6 foot fence and climb over!  Talk about nightmares! 

We had made this perfectly safe dog area, complete with an area to run!  He would dig under the fence, climb over the fence, howl till no one could think straight. 

Countless hours were spent chasing him all over town.  It was a daily event!  We struggled so much with keeping him at home. 

His nose would catch a scent, and he’d be off!  Oblivious to EVERYTHING AROUND HIM!  Much to our frustration!  Once we’d catch up to him he wouldn’t come to us, we had to go get him.  GRRRR… 

Many times his name was cursed!  He wouldn’t sit, he wouldn’t listen, he wanted to do whatever he wanted and not listen to us.  He would pull constantly at the end of the leash… 

 

Jason thought all of these things were cute, until the police started getting involved.  Three Howls and he was brought inside, 4 hour car driving frantic searches… praying that no one would take him for their own, or that he’d be run over…   

We found him each time.  He taught our Jag to also take  off and run..  so much fun, chasing two dogs… at least Jag would come when called for me.  Not Ozzie, we’d have to go trekking through alleys yards… 

Once we found him just after he’d rolled in a pile of dirty diapers.. He’d chewed them open and had baby poop all over him!  OMG!  His name was cursed that day! 

But the more that they frustrate and challenge you it seems the more that they are loved adored and protected by you. 

To our relief, the older he got, the better he got.  After years he succumbed to Jason holding him like a baby.  He would come to you after an escape ready for his ride home in grateful arms. 

In fact he loved riding in cars, but he especially loved his excursions with Jason in the Jeep!  He could stick his nose out and just smell the countryside.  He was in heaven then!

 

He and Jag were the best of buddies.  Oz started out so small he fit in the palm of your hand.  We thought he was a beagle.. He was a rescue dog and we didn’t know much more than that about him.  Well, turns out he was a Foxhound. 

 

We chose to pick him out, as he was the orneriest one of the litter.  We knew his big brother Doberman Jag would want to play, and we needed to find a suitable playmate.  Oz definitely fit the bill there!

After many long years of loving him he finally passed away earlier this week.  He was a fighter and fought till the end.  He loved being in Jason’s arms, and would perk up each time we’d come in the room.  He’d be right there to greet you and he loved to get his paws on a real bone and chew and chew!  Most of all he loved to smell everything that life had to offer!

 

He was loved, will never be replaced and will always be remembered!  He was unique!  He was ours.

Run Baby Run over the    Rainbow Bridge!

 

gLuTeN pArT dEaUx

So I’ve decided to go through with taking the test to determine if I have Celiac’s.  I thought, heck why not.  If it confirms it and going gluten free is also a confirmation then it will be a double confirmation.  Even if the test turns out negative, which would be fine with me if it does, I will still be going gluten free for at least three months. 

I’ve hooked up with a dietitian at my fairly local Hy-Vee Grocery Store.   They have already been very helpful.  I am excited to give it a go. 

In preparation for the test I have been  eating more wheat.  Actually I am just cleaning out my cupboards of food that needs to be eaten anyway.  My tummy isn’t exactly happy these days.. But they say to eat the wheat products prior to the test. 

I probably won’t go completely gluten free anyway until the first of the year.  This is something that takes a bit of preparation and funding.  Besides cleaning out my cupboards and freezer is a good thing, it should be done every so often anyway!  Everything won’t be gone, but the majority.  Jason will still be eating gluten to some degree.  Of course that boy has no issues!

Well, this post is a short one.  I am not doing well in the thinking department today, not to well in the moving around department either.  I’ve made two very bad mistakes today in my medicated haze.  I may talk about them later… Just glad everything in both situations turned out alright! 

For now I will be quitting while I am ahead. 

Good Night!  Beijos!

gLuTeN HmMm

As weeks go this has been an interesting one for me.  Most of them are.  While I am not a person who is necessarily book smart I do study.

I used to be excellent at remembering names, these days it is a struggle, not only to remember their name but to remember what they shared with me, especially if other things are going on at the same time.  I am so grateful that they don’t mind me asking them over again.

Speaking of things I am not good at.  Spelling is and always has been one of them.  greatful is how I usually spell the word.  I just realized after writing about 20 Christmas Cards by hand through out the night that I have spelled this word wrong on each and every one of them, written by hand.  Jason isn’t home tonight to check my spelling, and I didn’t have the foresight to notice that I was again spelling something incorrectly, in fact while writing just this paragraph the spell check has yelled at me multiple times.  I

I am continually working on my spelling errors, it seems as though I get one error fixed in my brain that another pops up.  Ahh, life!  I haven’t even spoken to the questionable uses of punctuation and sentence structure..  Jason is good at all of these things.  Actually most of my friends are smart in this area.  I am so glad they tolerate me and my many imperfections!

So, this week, I gleaned a bit of information from the new Dr. Oz Show about Celiac Disease 101.  I have had some friends go on gluten free eating plans, and never questioned it or really thought much more about it than that.  In fact we had guests over to our home the other night, for a wine party.  Yes, more education!!  I will explain that later.   Our friend shared with us in advance that she not only ate a gluten free diet, but she eats this plan to keep herself healthy.  Celiac Disease is one of the things I have been learning about lately.  Well not really the disease its self but how to have things to eat for her while she is here that won’t cause her to become ill. 

So when Dr. Oz began talking about Celiac Disease and a gluten free diet, I listened.  He shared with his audience that those who either have Celiac Disease or just have a gluten sensitivity, have some things that I’ve been struggling with.  IBS.  My Doctors have tried to diagnose me with this multiple times.  I say they have tried, because each time they did, I found resolutions outside of the scope of what they recommend.  I have had frustration regarding the absorption of food. 

Iron deficiency (Anemia), Osteoporosis at an early age, yes that would be me too.  Now other things can explain these of course.  But so far I am still not resolving them to my satisfaction.  So I am going to put myself on a gluten free diet!  See where this leads me!  I am kind of excited.  I think I need to explore it for sure. 

Being already lactose intolerant, and not getting physical excessive especially the type that would help my bones stay strong, I’ve already got two strikes against me.  Although for the amount of milk products and meat that I consumed as a child and the vitamins the ADULT vitamins my wonderful mother insisted I take.  I always seemed to be iron deficient.  I don’t know about the calcium, because I was never shared with if that was good or bad, don’t recall when they started testing for that.  So… mystery ensues.

So while I have probably killed this subject for now, I can’t help but wonder who else might be helped if they would just eliminate gluten from their diet.  I am sure hoping it is me!  I love bread, but I hate feeling like crap!

Since the accident I have become even more motivated in this area.  I gave up soda almost 10 years ago, and next milk and ice cream.  So I guess this is the next issue I guess. 

At this point with my body, I am willing to do what it takes to get back in the game.  I am not giving up, I will take things step by step and see where this path leads!  Stay tuned! 

By the way the food I ended up making for the party turned out wonderful!  I had rave reviews!  I love that, this little girl who learned to cook from her mom but didn’t ever get to show her mom that between her and PBS cooking shows, I’ve turned into quite the dump cook!  I can follow a recipe, ONCE, but then the experimentation begins!

We had invited a friend of ours to share her skills as a wine consultant with a group of our friends.  She brought some choices of wine, shared a bit about each and we tasted them with different foods to see what we liked best.  I’ll tell you more about this later.  We all had a great time, and this was one of the rare moments we have opened our home to a group of our friends. 

I’d love to do it more often, but Jason is more reserved.  I love having people over.  We are so opposite in so many ways.  He is such a good sport.  As he is going to be going pretty much gluten free too…  Love you honey!

Tonight I watched Charlie Rose, he had on Tom Ford this was a really great interview!  I think I will be looking to see the movie that he made The Single Man after hearing them talk about it.  I think I am going to identify with it.  Maybe it will help me do some more resolving of my past and help me move forward to the future.

Blessings and Peace

PrAyErS…

I have started to write multiple times.  I have been told multiple times that I haven’t written for a while.  I have been weighing several options. 

I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy change.  I am really thinking of how to evolve this site.  We’ve also been struggling here through an illness.  A couple of the foster dogs arrived at our home healthy, then a day or so later they were no longer healthy.  The Flintstones the pair named Fred and Wilma ended up having Kennel Cough.  They are doing fine now healed up and have found their forever home…  BUT…  =(!

Our Ozzer got it.  Our old man has been very sick, still is.  He’s still pulling for a recovery, he hasn’t given up.  But oh my has this been a stressor for us. 

My body is no longer capable of doing what he needs done.  I’ve gotten more sore than I’ve been in a while.  I’ve been getting better, and I am now going backwards.  I’ve been in bed again all week.  This is not the way I’ve planned for my week to go. 

Jason has started taking a primary role now in taking care of Ozzie.  Previous to this he was doing the secondary stuff.  But since my body feels like it’s been beat to hell, he is taking care of the medication delivery,the bathroom breaks, the food and water consumption. 

Which is good as Ozzie needs more help than I can physically handle giving at this point.  We are sure hoping our old dog can pull through this one.  Thank goodness he is so stubborn.  His kennel cough turned into pneumonia, his kidney’s started having issues… so we are holding out hope that the meds can help him!

Ozzie lives for the time that Jason cuddles up with him.  He is the one who really makes Ozzie’s world go around.  I am just a consolation prize anyway. 

To top it off, we were paying so much attention to the Flintstones and Ozzie, that I ignored Luka’s paws.  OMG!  He really reacted to the latest food adventure and was going after his paws.  We’ll he sure did a number on one of them. 

He can’t go out with me until he is healed up.  He is limping everywhere and we are keeping it dressed with Grape goo that the vet gave us.  Poor Luka!  At least his isn’t life threatening. 

Jason’s been getting a little stressed out, we both really have, no sleep due to Ozzie’s constant coughing, Luka’s licking and unhappiness with the cone that we’ve stuck on his head.  He keeps waking us both up with his discomfort.  We now understand what new parents are going through.  Which has reminded us of why we don’t have a tiny baby in our house!

We could sure use some prayers.  Ozzie has been wearing his little fleece coat and a prayer shawl I received earlier this year.  He sure could use some prayers!  Thanks to those of you who have already been praying for him.

The snow has been another “bonus” this week.  We stayed home due to it, he had been supposed to work out of town, we were scheduled to leave and everything, but with the forecast for immense amounts of snow, meaning bad roads, well, he canceled the job.  Didn’t want to take me out on the roads.  I am frustrated by this as much as I am grateful. 

I was really looking forward to a change of scenery.  With the snow, I won’t be going out much.  I guess, the snow isn’t actually the preventer.  The ice that the snow becomes is the true criminal in my mind. 

Thank goodness for our neighbor’s snow blower this year!  D & R you both rock!  You saved Jason’s back!

I have intended to be adding more pictures.  In fact, I have been thinking of lots of things.  I really like some of the things that Jason has been doing with the camera.  I have yet to put my identity on here.  Probably for the most part anyone who is reading this knows me, but then again the hesitation is that there are those that don’t.  So I am still thinking about it I guess. 

Another blog I follow had a gal with an issue similar but not the same.  Her reasons were different, but being they were different, they still required thought on her part. 

 

I have also been trying to think of ways to add extra income to our lives.  The classes that Jason teaches are by no means regular.  The income from them is something that we need to have on a more regular basis.  So taking pictures might just be the answer.  He enjoys it and he appears by the evidence so far to be great at it!  Not that we expect to make piles of money.  Heck at this point we’d settle for volunteers willing to be practiced on.  If people felt he’d done a great job they could “donate” to our camera fund. 

We are wanting to do something different with the photography.  I think the pictures we are already taking are going to show that.  He loves taking still pictures.  One thing he also may decide to do besides portraits is taking pictures of items people would like to sell on Craigslist or on Ebay.  At this point that is just a thought.  He is working on that.  I don’t know that we will be headed out to do wedding photo’s or anything.  But pictures that capture a persons essence are really what he is has started to do.  We’ll see.  Maybe they were just a fluke.  But he really has come up with some really great shots!

Here is the Click Clack Couch/Bed we will be selling! 

Want it?

 

Size 12 I think..

I can’t wait to see what he does!  Maybe if you are reading this you will let him “practice” on you. 

Other than that, I have gotten my office all spruced up.  I did take pictures, thankfully.  As it is now quite messed up with a Christmas project I am working on.  I sure hope I can get it done.  I had a good start on it and it seems to have skidded to a screeching halt since the effects of taking care of Ozzie and the storm fronts that have washed over the area have taken effect. 

Here is a project in progress, it is the first quilt I ever started.  I still have yet to finish it, but I am now closer than ever!

He has the camera on a stand so I can hold it with out dropping it!  Woot!

Jason’s next Tee Shirt Quilt.

Stay tuned for more progress on this one at a later date.  This is not the project for Christmas, but I did need the left over tee shirt fabric for the Christmas project.  I am recycling and I am thrifty! 

I’ve been taking pictures of this as well so I hope to be posting those.  But I can’t until I get my project finished and the gift has been received.  So for sure you will see my craft pictures. 

A quick picture of my organized and clean craft room, it has taken me months to get it in order.  I just work at it a little at a time in between resting.  I do feel proud that I got it finished!

Thank you Jason for making me such a lovely place to do things in!  It is my goal to get a better chair to work in, but a little at a time I do just fine.

I didn’t take any pictures of the catastrophe it started out to be, suffice it to say it was horrible!

Jason’s already been itching to read this menagerie.  I feel bad for not posting earlier.  I was either too tired from having a really productive day, or too miserable to write lately.  Today things fell into place once again! 

I feel good that I wrote!  Maybe the anxiety I’ve been feeling will dissipate.  The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson just popped on!  So I will bid the night ado.

I just want to say, that on Christmas Day I am looking forward to attending the opening of the movie Nine!  Not so sure Jason feels the same way, but at least he will have a movie filled with gorgeous legs to watch for a couple of hours.  I am sure he will be able to handle that!

Well I am off to wash my face then off to never never land with dreams of sugar plums and a healthy crew of boys when I wake up in the morning!

Peace and Blessings!

PeRsPeCtiVe & KeEpiN On

I read a post in a group today.  It was about people who’ve lost abilities in their lives causing them to have disabilities. I am no stranger to loosing things, having been a regular looser of car keys, favorite lipsticks, and more..

But loosing a freedom once experienced and taken for granted often results in periods of self pity, depression, anger, acceptance and more.  Usually a person may go through these things more than one time for an ability having been lost.  Thus causing yet a longer period of transition.

Couples can both morn these losses as well.  Not only is the person injured or effected, but so are the people around them.  It is a transition and a period of loss for all involved. 

Many times these feelings can be stuffed, depending on the amount of medical transition, intervention, or treatment. 

Well, this blog helps me deal with mine.  I still haven’t given up, I am still mad about my lost life, but I am moving on.  I wish I knew how long it would take. 

I have friends who were born with disabilities.   I know that they also go through the same types of feelings.  It isn’t easy watching the world float by or seemingly so. 

I don’t know why but it really helped me out to read that.  I mean I knew that stuff, but when you are going through it you some how loose it.  Perspective!

So, that being said and perspective being gained at least for the moment.  I will keep plugging away! SMILE!

 

So tomorrow I get to look forward to spending the entire day in the dental chair!  Yes, I am not kidding, the ENTIRE day.  I may not feel much like talking afterwards.  I don’t use dental anesthetic.  I hate those shots!  They hurt so much worse than the actual dental work in most cases.  Now the root canal I just had done ranked right up there with the shots but the pain was intermittent and it went away fast enough so I was glad I had stuck to my guns and much to the dismay of my dental students who work on me gutted it out. 

Tomorrow will be no exception.  I really really hate those shots, they hurt for days with me and hurt worse than the actual dental work.  So no shots for this girl.  So for Amy who dreads the dentist, I don’t but it certainly isn’t up there with my favorite things to do.  I can certainly understand why you hate it.  I used to dread it when I would have to get those shots. 

I figure if I can walk around with the large bone in my upper arm broken clean through for a few weeks, and not know it was broke, I can sit a day in a dental chair and get the worst done to me.

Before the accident I don’t know if I could have done these things, my pain level was still pretty high, but it seems now it is really off.  I’ve got more pain desensitization stories but I think what I’ve shared paints a clear picture. 

The PA who diagnosed my broken arm by pulling down on my hand still gets chills thinking about it.  She takes me seriously when I say there is something wrong but I can’t tell her what it is.  She will persist until it is figured out.  Wish I could sense things better physically. 

I guess that is why Luka is so important, I can’t and he can!  He makes a huge difference in my life!  I’ve been able to take less medication since I’ve gotten him!  Yippee!

So hopefully lunch will be with a friend tomorrow, so Jason won’t have to wait the WHOLE DAY IN TOWN with me.  8 hours of finding something to do is beyond what should be expected of him.  He will hopefully be able to drop me off in the morning and then pick me up around 4 or 5.  Becka I am sure hoping you can grab me for lunch! 

But I fear after this week I won’t see it until spring!  Hurry up spring!  I am sure missing you!  My gloves don’t even seem to keep the wind off of my fingers!  Brrrrr.r…r..r…r.

 

I’ve got the greatest friends!  I keep getting more and more of them!  While I’ve lost touch with many, lost respect for others, I still treasure the past but I am moving on to the future! 

I’ve branched out and am doing pottery with a new friend, and an old friend, she isn’t old just known for a while… That is new and fun for me, great for getting my hands back in shape.

I’ve been repairing clothing and have just consigned my first batch of it!  Yea!  I was going to sell it on ebay, I still may but I am trying this out first.

I am helping my fab hubby set up to take pictures and sell them.  At least that is the plan.  So if anyone wants their picture’s taken let us know!  He’s taken some great shots so far and he is super cheap!

I have even signed up an paid for a workshop.  Something that I’d stopped doing because I’d been paying all of this money and then not being able to attend and loosing all of my money due to migraines or too much pain or medication to handle attending.

I’ve missed attending all of my workshops, and the latest one is only putting me out $20 and it isn’t a pre pay workshop, I will pay when I arrive on site.  I like that too!  I’d like to sign up for more, but I will be doing this gradually.

My MK business in order to stay current with things needed that, I wasted so much money.  =(!

Isagenix things, well I haven’t done any of those.  I am not shelling out $$ and then not being able to go!  I just as well toss the money out the window while driving down the interstate. 

Ok, so I am finding other things to do to help myself.  Online training!  Online marketing, and email communications!  While not perfect, I find that many times I have a conversation with someone in person and I’ve forgotten things I promised, or what they shared.  I feel stupid asking them to repeat it…

Jason shares often – YES you’ve told me that 3 times now, or you’ve asked me for help with that 4 times now, I get it.  And here I am thinking that this is the first time I’ve mentioned it as I can’t remember if I had or not. 

This week I’ve also sewn a dog bed, actually the insert for a dog bed out of an old falling apart quilt.  Quite ingenious I think.  Folded in half and stitched, folded in half again and stitched before completely stitched it get’s stuffed, and then finished stitching, and Wala!  A dog cushion!  Yea!  We needed another one as the foster dogs we’ve had in the past shredded several of them.  So now I am collecting OLD BLANKETS, they can have holes stains or what ever… SHEETS QUILTS AND LARGE PIECES OF FABRIC will also work great! 

I will attach a picture sometime.  For now all of the latest pictures are on the hubbies computer I don’t have access to them… So check back, it is possible after reading this he will forward the ones I want on to me…. Thanks Honey! 

Well, I’ve gotta go, I’ve just brushed my teeth and I am going to sleep so I can be bright and perky tomorrow for the dental student.  I get a crown and a cleaning!  Yipee!

Blessings!

oK … yOu!

I am ok, you, get with the program!  This is something in one way or another I keep on telling myself.  Get on track stay on track, get it done, work on it now, so you’re not late!  Sometimes I am late anyway.

But this week, most of it which I can’t remember right now, I worked on setting myself up to be successful.

I plan for everything now.  It all takes extra time and effort.  It is worth it.

I am getting faster at things!  Which is a relief all unto its own. 

Oh, yea!  I had Physical Therapy this week!  My body finally got the latest exercise right!  I think 1/2 of my problem is that I don’t know how to control my muscles anymore, which should do what and which should do the other.  It isn’t something that just works for me.  I find I do things like walking one way, but that way causes pain… the right way well I haven’t completely got that one figured out, but the right way shouldn’t cause pain.  But I guess this is what all of these years in bed has done to me. 

So at therapy, my body got moving my legs right!  In one area!  Oh my it made such a difference!  I am looking forward to repeating it, I felt a significant difference after my work.  Not perfect but WOW!  BETTER!  Better is better!  I will definitely take better!

It has been a great week!  I was even able to host a party!  We had about 1/2 of the folks attend who RSVP’d which turned out just great!  It was so much fun to have people in my space.  I am not miss social like I was, but wow, I had a great time.  I missed having the energy to sit and talk with each person.  I did manage to get a welcome and a thanks for coming to most everyone though, I was able to participate, and keep things like food doing well.  Jason was the real host!  Quite the switch!  Not that he’s not been capable of that but I’d always taken the lead before.  He even went so far as to walk most everyone out! 

He cleaned like a maniac all day and even worked on it prior to that day as well.  Taking me grocery shopping and patiently waiting while I did all that I could do and then he’d finish up the rest.  He’s just been so great!  THANKS BUNCHES BABE!

Now today, I slept almost all of it or hopped on the computer, then slept, watched a football game, and slept through it a bit too.  I got up about 6 or so fed the boys, they’d been so good sleeping with me!  I’d been in quite allot of pain and could hardly move, I managed to get rid of the migraine I had, the clue I couldn’t see when I woke up was a definite give away today!  I had thought I might need a little rest after my busy day yesterday, I think tomorrow will be better, but wow, writing this I am so tired again as well.  It was so worth it!  I miss seeing people, I miss entertaining! 

I used to do a party every week!  I was never the best party thrower, but I had a great time, and so did the MK gals that came!  While last night wasn’t a MK party, it was just something for our friends.  It was wonderful.  I do one tomorrow again if I could, but I don’t think my body will be thinking the same thing.  Maybe soon! 

Jason even had a great time, I think he was initially mad at me for inviting people over.  He hates that our house isn’t perfect, that we have so many issues that need fixed.  He doesn’t feel good about sharing our unfinished home with others.  He is a perfectionist.  The fact that we don’t have a “REAL” floor covering in his mind, or that people have to enter our home through the garage because we have no front steps…

My take on it is exactly the opposite.  We live where we live if they don’t like it they don’t have to come over!  We are not where we live!  I won’t apologize for something I can’t do anything about!  When I can’ do something about it I will, but I am not letting that stop me from having people in our lives and in our home. 

He had fun!  He really did!  He did the best job ever!  It was wonderful to see him so happy!  I know that he made others feel great also!  We are going to do it again!  It won’t be for a little while, we deserve it and so do our friends!  A little fun with friends makes the bad stuff disappear!  He may even end up loving his new role as host!

My life is getting better and better!

Blessings and grateful thoughts!  I am going to take another Apple Cider Vinegar bath now and go back to sleep, the few hours I’ve been up have made me exhausted again.  And I’ve got party to clean up for tomorrow!  Yes it can wait yet another day!  HUGS!

AmAziNg GrAcE

As I seem to have taken another break from posting.  I have actually been trying to write, but the last few things I have managed to get out of my head, were just not appropriate to share. 

I was informed last night before Jason fell to sleep that I hadn’t been doing my part about keeping him informed about what was going on with me.  He pointed out that my last post was well, a while ago. 

Things have actually been going pretty well.  I have noticed an improvement in how my neck has been feeling.  One day a few weeks ago while at my Massage Therapy appointment, I noticed a marked improvement.   I hadn’t really told anyone about it as I didn’t know how long it would last.  I still seem to be feeling better from it.  While not perfect, the daily pain is still here, but it isn’t quite as bad.  Something changed during that appointment.  I am not sure what.  But it made a significant difference.  Things just haven’t been as severe pain wise. 

I am so happy for that.  But with my decrease in neck pain, I have increased my activity some.  Ok, so it isn’t much, because I still FEEL my neck pain significantly.  But I am not holding my head as much when I bend over!  That means I can have two hands!  YEA! 

Hey people that is a big deal!  Yes, on the days where the migraine’s are present, I am holding my head.  My migraines are not quite as bad now either!  That is another thing I noticed.  Woot!  Woot!  I am using less medication to get rid of them!  I will take it! 

I couldn’t drive today, the pain is to bad to be behind the wheel of the car.  But I am resting then typing then resting then typing resting and typing!  I am typing this, and I am also working on a man’s resume.  He really needs my help, and I feel good helping him.  I don’t know that I could do this regularly, as it does take quite allot out of me doing it, but I do feel good about it.  But you never know!  I could do one a month or so maybe!  It is nice to help people who couldn’t afford a professional!  I am free, and not a pro!  I was just taught these skills from helping my mother critique them, she was a pro at it.

So, I’ve been doing more!  And loving it.  This has it’s own challenges as well.  I had gotten to where I was doing more at Physical Therapy as well.. I haven’t been able to go for a while now, due to Jason’s schedule, and me not being able to drive on certain days like today. 

But tomorrow I will make it.  Jason will be driving me!  Woot!  I’ve had problems with my joints shifting out of where they should be.  My right side is by far the worst at it, but the left side shifts around as well. 

I usually don’t notice much pain except for just the regular daily pain that I have in my joints.  When my arm unsuctions from my shoulder then goes back in that is un nerving to say the least.  Besides being gross!  Then it also hurts on top of it, which is oh so fun!

But on Saturday we were out celebrating!  Which I love because it was the first time in YEARS that we actually got to go out for our Anniversary!  We went out with friends!  It was wonderful!  Jason’s froggy voice and all.  I wasn’t sure if we were going to be going.  I wasn’t holding us up this year he had come home from his major days of working 24/7 for multiple days in a row with out his voice!  Gotta love that.  He napped all afternoon!  The man who can’t nap fell asleep on our anniversary!  I made cookies!

We attended an Open House!  It was wonderful!  I will share more about the place we went later.  As the plan is for me to go back this week!  Our friends had friends, who have a pottery studio!  They sell their pottery at several galleries!  That is so cool!  I had RSVP’d and so I got to paint a couple of their pots to take home!  I had so much fun!

Sitting their painting my pots, I had an unfortunate incident.  Which once again makes me so glad that I had Luka with me!  He came right in the pottery shop with me and hung out!  They even gave me a chair to use so I could sit and paint, everyone else did their standing.  But while sitting on my nice chair… my right leg slipped out of it’s socket in my hip when I shifted my leg to turn a different direction.  OMG PAIN PAIN PAIN,,, Holly Cats Pain!  I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get it slipped back in or not.  It just was seeming to stick out of joint this time.  I just remember thinking stay calm stay calm relax relax relax breathe breathe, Oh my, Jason is going to be so mad!  Just sit here, relax relax relax…   Ok now try again move slow…  breathe breathe…  Oh my it hurts it hurts….  this isn’t good…. 

As I wiggled my leg, then lifted my leg with my hands, then moved my hip, it went back in.  OMG@@@@@@!!!!!%%%!!*****   Well.. You get the picture!  It hurt almost as bad as when I broke my arm in 1/2 and worse then when I had burnt myself in the oven the week before.  I think it only hurt less than breaking my arm as it was a short amount of time. 

After this little incident I couldn’t walk on my own at all.  Which is always so lovely!  Luka was a fabulous help!  He knew I was hurting and did just great.  By the end of the evening I was doing better the pain level I was in had dropped significantly and it was easier to get around.  I didn’t take any chances Luka had been put to sleep in the Jeep, it was way past his bed time my old guy was tired!  So Jason stuck to me like glue after that!  Yea! 

I was able to finish my pottery painting, I hung out with our friends, and made bunches of new ones as well!  It was such a nice evening and everyone there was real and regular!  I loved it, it was the type of environment that Jason is comfortable in so I had a great time knowing he was doing well there too! 

As it turned out, my pottery pieces turned out wonderfully!  Raku Pottery is what we did!  I will put pictures here of what I did!  The DeDe the gal who’s studio was asked if I would paint up some more for her so she could sell them! 

Of course!  I would love to do that!  I was just thrilled to be back in a pottery studio!  The last time I was I think was either at the University or in my Kozzi’s art room at her college both were prior to my marriage.  Which has now been 11 years!  Yipee!

My friend Wendy and I are headed back there.  I wonder what we will do this time?   DeDe shared that she thinks she can help me to throw pots too!  That is something that I have never been good at.  She has a wheel that is tall that I wouldn’t have to bend over to use.  Gotta dig out some old warm clothes for this adventure!  I have a feeling if I start throwing I am going to be a M E S S!  I always had done slab work.   I thought I’d never be able to do it again but they have all of the tools at their studio that make it easier!  With multiple people there as well, I can ask for help!  So this might just work out wonderfully, we’ll see!

I was going to be an art teacher after all when I was enrolled in college. 

Jason went back to work on Sunday and I rested after my long day on Saturday.  Monday was like that too, I tried to do some things, I managed to get the kitchen cleaned up from making dog food on Friday night.  Thank goodness for my friend Carolyn who came over and helped me with that. 

I was so happy I could get groceries on Thursday!  But by the time I got home I was too tired to haul them in.  It was cold that night thank goodness, so I just left everything in the car.  The next evening I went out to get the things.  I got them in as I needed to make dog food.  I couldn’t do it on my own.  So I called Carolyn!  She is a blessing.  I hadn’t called anyone for help most people are so busy, they’d help if they could or if it would be an emergency, but aren’t available in general spur of the moment.  Thank goodness Carolyn was.  She was going to help me again this week, to finish cooking and freezing the squash.  But I don’t think I am going to get that done this week.  I already have to many things pending.  Thankfully we got enough squash cut up and potato’s cooked for the next batch of food.  So things will be fine until I can get the next cut and cooked.

So Luka’s new diet which has stopped his chewing of his feet is working well.  The all over swelling of his body and the hot spots that would crop up on him all over has disappeared for the most part too.  But it is taking a toll on me and our budget.  So I am also researching some other ideas to include as well.  

He is allergic to all birds, all grains, and milk!  YIKES!

His food now is

Deer meat ( have extra you don’t want send it our direction) 

Canned Salmon- Which I am right now as I type this just watching on the ABC Nightly News probably has BPA in it and it was shown to cause harm in animals.  GEESH!  They are also concerned about it for people too!.. OMG!  WHERE IS THERE SAFE FOOD!  I am now going to look for FROZEN…. GRRRRR!  Canned foods will be leaving my cupboard for sure!  I don’t need any extra help in feeling crummy! 

Squash – All types ( right now that is what is in season)

Potatoes- Yea!  Those are affordable!

Pumpkin- Yup I am cutting those up too!

Garlic-

Olive or Canola Oil- Depending on price

Ground Flax Seed

I’ve also been putting my Isagenix Shake and protein in his food each day too.  Making sure he gets enough protein, and vitamins. 

I have been researching other foods as well.  Dick Van Patton makes a food that might work into his plan!  So that is on my list of things to get and try for him as well!  The last food that was a two ingredient food did help with the allergies, but it was hard to get I need a prescription, and besides being expensive he was lethargic on it and that just won’t do!

Now back to the other night!  Because one of the most amazing things that happened is that a friend of our friends who also attended the party, Jennifer, she is a Physical Therapist who specializes in Migraines, as well as new technology!  She shared that she wanted to help me, she wants to take me on as her special project!  Oh My!  What a wonderful end to a great evening!  I’ve been reading up on the technology she has access to!  I am so excited!  It sounds perfect for me!  (not that I am a Dr.) She shared that she thinks that I would be a perfect candidate.  She also shared that when she saw me she thought I had MS.  I suppose I do look like I have something like that.  I will have to do the research as to the similarities.  AS I know I don’t have that but I wonder if things that help the people with that would help me too?  Hmm..

I have to say that when she started sharing with me about what she does and where she worked, I was like yeah yeah yeah… I’ll just listen to her and then go back to painting away.  But I actually did listen to her.  The more she shared the more she intrigued me.  I found myself still wanting to shut the ideas she was sharing out of my head.  I consciously had to remind myself once again, that you never know where the miracle is going to come from.  God has a plan!  It is not my plan it is his.  I need to be open to ALL opportunities even if they come in unexpected packaging.  So I am taking another step in faith…  Just like a year ago with the Isagenix which has been a miracle for me.  I just follow the plan and do what I am told under no circumstances will I give up, and if I fall off I get back on and go at it with all I’ve got!  I don’t plan on being like this forever, I have no intention of getting worse and having to stay in bed again!

Jennifer!  I am ready!  Let’s go! 

 

I feel pretty good about all that I’ve been doing! 

1. Thanks to Massage Therapy Increased Activity and Less Neck Pain

2. Thanks to Physical Therapy adjusting my hip (yes the same one that gave me trouble on Halloween)  I can move without pain much easier and I am getting STRONGER! 

3. Luka is doing better and is a better Service Dog for me as a result!

4.  I have written 2 resume’s for people already this year and am working on my third

5.  I have an opportunity to make pottery!

6.  I have great friends who are so supportive, which means the world to us!

7.  Awesome Dr’s and Therapists

8.  Keeping an open mind about people and things in my path.

9.  Getting things I’ve promised done done.  While they aren’t many I am following through.

10.  I’ve lost 55 pounds which has made a huge difference in how I can get around.  It makes it so much easier on Jason when I need carried as well. 

11.  Driving, I am doing more and more.

12.  Walking I am doing more and more!

13.  Emotionally I am hanging in there, and so is Jason!  Phew, it has been so tough!

14.  For the most part I have also managed to stay out of the ER except for a few falls!  That is a marked improvement as well!

15.  I am learning more and more about being healthier, which I had never been consumed by before.  I am more educated than ever, although my mom had done a pretty good job with me.  (Like I haven’t drank soda for almost 10 years except for a few sips every now and then when nothing else was around.) 

16.  Our bills are paid on time!  We are getting things paid off like the bed we got!  Before we invest in other things!  One thing at a time!  Cash is king baby!  Thanks to my money making hubby!  You rock, we are doing it!

17.  I have begun helping others feel better with my Isagenix!  I am so grateful for that!  If you want to know more about it too, let me know!  Send me an email at shine.shimmer.sparkle@gmail.com   I will share some information with you.  I feel guilty not helping others.  Even just for the vitamin aspect of it it is worth it, I feel so much better since the first week I was taking it!  I never want to stop!

18.  I’ve been managing my PTSD better since Luka has become my Service Dog.  Still got a ways to go, but I am thinking about sticking myself back into treatment for it.  (The last day I had an appointment for my PTSD was on the day of my accident, it was a really great day up to the crash I was looking forward to my appointment, I had really begun to make some great progress!)  I’d been putting off going back because multiple health care appointments in a week/day focused on my physical health has been about all I can handle.  Dealing with the issues that are behind my PTSD are a whole new ball game of exertion.  Staying as happy as possible has been my other focus, can’t go back down the deep depression path!  Digging into my past didn’t fall into the “happy” category, not sure it does now either.  It is just another thing that needs to be done.  Of course that is another bill that will be landing on our doorstep.  Need to weigh the costs of that as well.

19.  My dental plan is on track fixing the teeth wrecked by having those fentanol lolly pops in my mouth for years.  So far 2 finished crowns, 1 root canal and a pending crown with I think at least 3 more to go!  Geesh, that comes with its own price tag.  Better than having no teeth!  Jason is on this track as well too!  Getting his whites all pearly!  As much as we both just LOVE sitting in the dentist chair!  We go to a local college and let the student’s practice on us so we can more easily justify having teeth!  Which is painstaking, literally and figuratively!

20.  I still hurt pretty much everywhere, but I can now hold my head up, I can walk more than a few blocks, I can do things and rest then do things and rest and do things and rest!  Point being I can do things!  I am still married to the greatest guy ever!  Who sticks to me like glue even when he might not really want to!  I am not stuck in my bed, or house anymore!  (ok so the ice isn’t hear yet- don’t plan on walking on that stuff!)  I am skinny and can wear pretty much anything which in itself is fun!  Good Will and consignment shops are still my favorite places to shop!  Even though I love designer clothes ( Amazing things can be found there! Things that you can actually afford! )  I have a great old Service Dog! 

 

I miss the life I had that is for sure!  I am starting to like the one that is unfolding before me.  That in it’s self is a blessing! 

Life is full of beauty even if all you can do is watch it out your bedroom window!  I should know!

Oh My oH mY!

Things to do places to go.  I can’t seem to ever get caught up.  I’ve had to miss therapy for a while now.  I know that I will be worse for it.  I am doing what I can on my own.  Unfortunately for many things I still need supervision… DRAT! 

Oh, well.  That’s just the nature of the beast lately.  Today has been spent going through the stack of papers and things I need to get done regarding the papers.  It is 7 pm and I still haven’t even had the time to write out the bills.  But I am knocking off things one by one. 

Writing this is hardly a necessity, but it makes me feel better to do it.  Getting stuff out of my head is sure a big help for me.   I’ve got quite allot left to do.

But I can’t help but feel starting new things when I have yet to complete things that are started but unfinished is wrong.

I’ve been planning to get a box of goodies sent to the Kyle’s in Iraq.  I thought we’d find some magazines and things like that to send, but Jason didn’t know what they’d like.  So I am filling the boxes up with cookies. 

At the moment I think both of them have cookies to spare!  But another box is never a bad thing!  They can make some friends by sharing!

My niece made some spritz!  Jason made brownies, and I ma making my favorite MoNsTeR CoOkiEs, thankfully while on my grocery adventure the other day, I talked to a lady in the cookie isle.  She shared with me about how she found a great monster cookie recipe that was simple and easy.  That’s what I’ve needed.  All of this measuring mega stirring and all wears this girl out!  So I thought I’d give it a try too!  She said to grab two cookie mix bags then go to the site above and I’d find the recipe! 

I love it!  They were the simplest MONSTOR COOKIES I have ever made!  I used to make them allot!  It was much more difficult than this too!

Ok, I also added for my goodies, some granola instead of quick oats, a packet of breakfast oatmeal, 1/4 cup coconut, some peanuts, mini M&M’s, fancy chocolate chips, and Heath BITS!  MMMmmmmMMMMM   My house smells wonderful! 

I am going to freeze the cookies tonight!  Most are already in the deep freezer already!  Then I will pack them up tomorrow and ship them all off to Iraq, and pray they arrive safely to the guys!  I am including a note to in case someone has allergies… since peanuts and coconut are included. 

Ok it is testing time!  I get to taste test the “losers”  the “winners” go in the freezer!  I am washing them down with my Isagenix vanilla shake!  MMMMMMmmmmMM!

What a horrible job!  Hee Hee!!

Ok so I’ve taken some pictures, I will get them added later way to tired at the moment, I have yet to pack as well…

I have accomplished –Most- of my list.  So that is one good thing. 

Blessings

gReAt dAy!

Ok so what a great day today was!  As of late I am groggy waking up.  Don’t know what’s going on there.  Some days I am wide awake other days I am in a stupor for half of the day.  I am thankful that I had washed my hair the day before. 

I think that is about all I got accomplished yesterday, but hey, it’s all good!  Oh Oh!!  Yesterday I finally finished unpacking my bag from my trip to Grandma’s house.  Today I realized that I need to start packing it again tomorrow for our next trip.  Yikes!  Jason’s back to work at the hospital and we get to see our friends!  Woot!  I’ve got two days to get lots of gals called! 

So today, it was a beautiful day!  It was warm outside it wasn’t windy at all!  It was sunny and wonderful!  I made it out about 2:00 pm I sat outside and did my exercises outside. 

Getting started doing my ab breathing exercises,

Adding in the football!  I always wanted one of these, although I never thought this is what I would use this for.

The boys and girl enjoyed it too!   I didn’t get pictures of everyone, just Luka… the natives got restless and I had to put them back inside before I had my phone in my hands to take pictures. 

Luka hanging out in case I need some help.  Yes, he wears a pinch collar.  I know, it looks horrible.  He begs to wear it.  We’ve had to use this as somewhere along his life path, he lived with a cat, didn’t mind the cat.  Then somehow some where later, he was told it was alright to chase the cat and try to eat the cat.  So now he wears the lovely pinch collar, so I don’t get drug down the street when he sees a cat! 

Yea, he’s 110 lbs I am 120…. I don’t stand a chance except for this collar, and after more than a year he listens to me much better now, isn’t likely to try to drag me down the street, although he does still sometimes get so excited that he finds it very difficult to stay still.  Other than that we get along perfectly!  So we’ll keep working on the cat issue!

Luka’s only other issue is he loves little dogs!  All dogs really but the little ones for sure!  Crazy!  But he is doing so much better than before!  He does manage to do his job quite well!

Well enough in fact that today I was asked if kids could be trained to behave as good as he does.  I said I am sure they could, wink!  She said, I am just to busy for all that, do you train them?  …… time to walk away!!!   Yikes! 

So today Luka and I after our backyard adventure we made a trip to the bank Melanie, Deb, and the other gals were very cheerful today, then to the post office Brian was there!  Yea!  We sure miss having Brian at our post office!  The new gal Kim is nice too! 

We walked from store to store!  It was so great!  A nice day and I was feeling well to boot!  Yipee! 

The new clothing store was closed, boo!  But the gifty store was open of course, Mary was even there for a bit!  Pretty fun, the last time I’d seen her was at my friends funeral.  We sat together.  She was of course amazed at Luka’s stellar behavior!  They had the cutest hats in!  Not my size they were for babies, but maybe I can figure out how to make one for me!

Speaking of hats!  One of my most favorite blogs has their new shopping site up and running.  It isn’t perfect yet but it is almost there!  Check it out!  She makes hat’s and purses and sells patterns so you can make them yourself too!  Another one of the Australian Bloggers I love!  Her blog is wonderful as well!  BLOG!  I look forward to seeing all of the great things she comes up with! 

My journey continued today, since I was doing so well, I didn’t want to go home, it was about 5 or so now, and I was remembering a conversation I had before I hung out in my backyard?  My neighbor came by, shared that she was off to visit her hubby at the nursing home.  So I thought to myself, it’s been a long time since I’d gone down to visit him as well.  I’ve got the time and I don’t want to go home, Luka and I are doing well, and he had yet to go to the nursing home! 

I think they get therapy dogs in there!  The residents didn’t freak out at all!  But the sure did reach out and try to pet him.  YIKES!  Couldn’t let that happen!  To much commotion!  Can’t get him all excited now…  Gotta go see my neighbor, so we moved ourselves along a little quicker.  We sat in a high back chair for a while with him.  He’s almost blind, dumb macular degeneration!  Two of our friends have that!  (Onyx’s Momma has it too)  We stayed until he went to supper.  It was nice to get caught up!  Thank goodness for the high backed chair that I could curl up in! 

After that, I remembered that the dog food would run out tomorrow… and for our next trip I needed to have a bunch of it ready to go.  The allergies have for the most part dissipated.  Luka is having less and less hot spots and so I know we are on the right track.  I am still hoping to find a dry dog food that works for him too, but for now having to cook his food takes forever!  It however is good exercise for me I am sure!  10 lbs of potatoes takes some doing!  I have very sore arms when I stir those and standing while they cook well let’s just say after I do this I am resting!

He is also looking better too!  I add some of my Isagenix to his food as well.  It seems to be working!  So well in fact that Jason suggested that Ozzie be switched to the same stuff to see if he will add some pounds!  So far so good!  I don’t have a specific recipe but I just follow the foods that our vet suggested.

Luka has not had to wear booties for several weeks!  I am so grateful, as winter is coming and the snow, and water, mud, ice, etc. is rough on sock wearing!  Not to mention no one wants soggy socks squishing all over the floor. 

Yipee!  So we went to the grocery store after visiting the nursing home.  We talked to everyone in the store I swear!  Since we don’t get out much he and I are quite the novelty.  Even people who know me from before wonder what is going on.  Since I haven’t seen most of them for years. 

I may not have met many of them or then again I met so many people, that all over the county in which I live people at least know my name.  Weird and Cool!  I think more people know me here than where I grew up.  That is strange too, as I think I was in the newspaper every other week for something while in high school. 

Having gone back there a couple weeks ago, I remember how I can’t go anywhere without knowing someone!  Weird too as I’ve been gone over 20 something years!  It does give me a good feeling as I really like almost everyone I have ever met. 

So at the store, I was thrilled to see the laundry detergent on sale!  We stock up when this happens!  I would have bought more, but I don’t want to put us in the poor house, oh, wait, we are already there, hee hee!!!  WINK!

I also managed to get a good deal on fabric softener too!  I love it!  It felt good to do that.  I also found some brownies and met a gal in the store who shared with me how to make monster cookies quickly!  I can’t wait!  Boys in Iraq you are going to each get a box stuffed full of goodies!  Can’t figure what else to send to you besides food!  GRIN!

After I checked out a different neighbor came in to shop, we chatted for a while, that was nice, he’d been out mowing his lawn all afternoon.  Luka just laid there and waited watching all of the people come in and out of the store.  He is quite the topic of conversation… I find if I look people in the eye it gives them a lead in to ask all sorts of things.  so this is where the comment at the beginning of my post today fits in…

If I keep my eyes diverted I get away with less conversation.  Which has been most of my trips.  Today was different, I was doing so well today, I had the energy to talk to people.  So I could walk with my head up, taking my time to answer questions and talk to people.  I don’t mind this for sure, provided I have the energy to do it.  In fact I really do like the interaction.  That is one of the things that I miss the most.  I used to meet and talk to people everywhere!

Most day’s I am on a time crunch till my body starts wearing down and giving me fits.  When the pain becomes to great, my groceries will be left in the car to spoil, and so since I’ve spent Jason’s hard earned $$ on it I make sure to keep focused on getting home and things put away!

It was a fun day!  Be sure to check out my other blog!  The rescue is REALLY REALLY needing more people to step up and foster a dog!  I am sure that ours isn’t the only one overflowing either!  I know that the one my friend volunteers with is always looking too! 

Tomorrow will be another busy day!  That’s the plan anyway!

Blessings!