I took deep breaths when I got up today...bound and determined that this was going to be a better week.
Hopefully I can avoid dwelling on the fact that no Christmas shopping is done, Josh is sick, and I have some invasive tests scheduled for this week...
And I can be optimistic that the shopping will get done, Josh will be feeling better soon, and my tests will give my docs the informatoin they need to get the inflammatoin from my Crohn's under control.
raising coffee cup
Here's to a new week!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
sigh...
Ever been made to feel completely insignificant by someone you love...and it just seems like nothing you do is ever right or good enough?
yeah...Josh isn't talking to me now...I feel about as big as an ant...
yeah...Josh isn't talking to me now...I feel about as big as an ant...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Bah Humbug....
Nothing like a family fight to start off the holiday season...
Yet, as usual, I am expected to be the bigger person...Not sure why I always get stuck with the "bigger person" card...but it's making me grouchy...and constantly on the brink of tears.
Nothing kills your spirit more than feeling like you just don't matter.
Yet, as usual, I am expected to be the bigger person...Not sure why I always get stuck with the "bigger person" card...but it's making me grouchy...and constantly on the brink of tears.
Nothing kills your spirit more than feeling like you just don't matter.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Death...and Thankfulness...
Nine and a half years ago, my world was turned upsided down when my grandmother called me at work to let me know that my father just died in a car accident. To this day, I still miss him and tear up in my moments alone thinking about him. I also smile and laugh when people reminice about his antics or we are someplace that we knew Dad would love. It is my belief that he is in a better place, and I can do nothing but rejoice in that.
I was never really close with my grandmother. We visited often as kids; Dad would take us to their house a lot of the weekends when Mom was working. We'd talk with Grandma for bit, but then head into the woods, out to the tool shed or up to the pasture/garden with Grandpa. Some of my best memories at their house involved spending time with Grandpa. So, it didn't really surprise me when Grandma and I grew even further apart after Dad died. I still drug my family to every picnic and Christmas Eve...this was my father's family...this was my connection to him.
I was sad and grieved when my mother called to say that Grandpa had passed away. But what made his death hurt even worse was that I felt I lost another part of my father. Josh tried to comfort me with the reminder that Grandpa was now in Heaven with Dad. It helped but my spirit was still crushed. We all said that Grandma will probably go shortly after him...or in spite of us all...will live another 5 years...And that she did! :-)
Back in October, the phone calls went around that Grandma was in the hospital and not doing well. Mom had visited and advised that us kids should go and visit as well. In 86 years, Grandma had survived colon and breast cancer...and the outcome was that the cancer was back. She was too weak to withstand chemo or radiation. So the plan was set...she just wanted to go home...and her wish was granted.
This year's Thanksgiving was an odd one...or should I say different. My dad's older sister and her two daughters joined us for the first time ever (that I can remember). They had stopped and visited Grandma on the way. Their report was not a good one. Grandma was not expected to make it through the weekend. We spent the evening talking about my grandparents and my father...and how to most of my father's siblings and my grandparents, death was approached with nothing but fear. Fear and devastation.
It was once said by my grandpa that you're never know true devastation until you have to bury your own child. Death was never talked about, nor were the people who have died. I don't recall ever hearing my grandparents saying my father's name after his death. And while I only saw my grandma twice a year, I don't recall ever hearing her say a word about grandpa in the last five years. Only my one aunt would really talk to me about my dad, and she was the one who was at Mom's tonight.
Knowing my aunt's report on Grandma, a quiet anxiety overcame me. I ate dinner, but I don't really remember it. I drank probably a little more wine than I should have while playing a pathetic game of dominos.
My anxiety was replaced by deep grief when my phone rang at 8:30 this evening and seeing that it was my oldest aunt, that would never just call me. Grandma passed away around 7:15 tonight. I love my Grandma...I am deeply saddened by her passing...and as I stated above rejoice that she is in a better place now...a place with my father and grandfather.
But now I cannot sleep...tears keep coming...I once again have lost another part of my father and it is crushing me. Tonight, I had a great time with my aunt and cousins...it's a reminder that parts of my father are still around for me to be thankful for and enjoy. This is something that will get me to move forward am definitely thankful for...
I was never really close with my grandmother. We visited often as kids; Dad would take us to their house a lot of the weekends when Mom was working. We'd talk with Grandma for bit, but then head into the woods, out to the tool shed or up to the pasture/garden with Grandpa. Some of my best memories at their house involved spending time with Grandpa. So, it didn't really surprise me when Grandma and I grew even further apart after Dad died. I still drug my family to every picnic and Christmas Eve...this was my father's family...this was my connection to him.
I was sad and grieved when my mother called to say that Grandpa had passed away. But what made his death hurt even worse was that I felt I lost another part of my father. Josh tried to comfort me with the reminder that Grandpa was now in Heaven with Dad. It helped but my spirit was still crushed. We all said that Grandma will probably go shortly after him...or in spite of us all...will live another 5 years...And that she did! :-)
Back in October, the phone calls went around that Grandma was in the hospital and not doing well. Mom had visited and advised that us kids should go and visit as well. In 86 years, Grandma had survived colon and breast cancer...and the outcome was that the cancer was back. She was too weak to withstand chemo or radiation. So the plan was set...she just wanted to go home...and her wish was granted.
This year's Thanksgiving was an odd one...or should I say different. My dad's older sister and her two daughters joined us for the first time ever (that I can remember). They had stopped and visited Grandma on the way. Their report was not a good one. Grandma was not expected to make it through the weekend. We spent the evening talking about my grandparents and my father...and how to most of my father's siblings and my grandparents, death was approached with nothing but fear. Fear and devastation.
It was once said by my grandpa that you're never know true devastation until you have to bury your own child. Death was never talked about, nor were the people who have died. I don't recall ever hearing my grandparents saying my father's name after his death. And while I only saw my grandma twice a year, I don't recall ever hearing her say a word about grandpa in the last five years. Only my one aunt would really talk to me about my dad, and she was the one who was at Mom's tonight.
Knowing my aunt's report on Grandma, a quiet anxiety overcame me. I ate dinner, but I don't really remember it. I drank probably a little more wine than I should have while playing a pathetic game of dominos.
My anxiety was replaced by deep grief when my phone rang at 8:30 this evening and seeing that it was my oldest aunt, that would never just call me. Grandma passed away around 7:15 tonight. I love my Grandma...I am deeply saddened by her passing...and as I stated above rejoice that she is in a better place now...a place with my father and grandfather.
But now I cannot sleep...tears keep coming...I once again have lost another part of my father and it is crushing me. Tonight, I had a great time with my aunt and cousins...it's a reminder that parts of my father are still around for me to be thankful for and enjoy. This is something that will get me to move forward am definitely thankful for...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Update from Josh...
Here is an update on the child Josh helped out last week.
His name is Deagen!
As promised, I called the police department this morning and was able to get through to Officer Charlie Negret (I spelled his name wrong in my last email). Officer Negret was the first responder to my little guy yesterday. He said that shortly after the female officer left to take Deagen to DHS (which was right after I left the scene), his grandmother, in a panic, came hustling up the street looking for her grandson. The grandmother has full custody of Deagen. Finally, a positive sign that someone was looking for him! Officer Negret said she hurried up to him and was frantically asking if he could help her find her grandson. Coincidently, that’s why he was there! Officer Negret asked her to describe the child to him, just to be certain it was the same little guy. Thankfully, her description matched that of Deagen, who had just left a few minutes before in a squad car. Officer Negret informed the grandmother that her grandson was found safe, but was unsupervised, underdressed and alone. Upon asking the grandmother how Deagen ended up in that situation, the grandmother said that she was watching the little guy, as she normally does every day, and needed to run to the grocery store. She left her 20 year old granddaughter in charge of watching Deagen while she was at the store. The grandmother said she was only gone for 30 - 45 minutes and when she returned home, some three blocks away from where I found Deagen, she discovered the granddaughter was “passed out” on the couch and Deagen was no where to be found. When I asked Officer Negret what “passed out” meant, he said he couldn’t go into any deals, but said the granddaughter was not responsive at first when he arrived at the house. Officer Negret had accompanied the grandmother back to her house (again three blocks away! It breaks my heart to know that Deagen was meandering around for who knows how long over the course of three blocks!) to question the granddaughter. I guess it took the granddaughter a few minutes to become coherent. He said he couldn’t tell me much more because an investigation is pending, but he said he issued an on-the-spot incident report and recommended an investigation be opened. I then asked him if Deagen was able to go home and he told me that Deagen was still at DHS until they can determine that the grandmother is capable and the living conditions (I’m assuming he meant the granddaughter and why she was not coherent) were suitable for a toddler to be in.
Sigh….so that means my little guy is still waiting to go home. I pray to God that everything works out and he gets to go home soon. I can only imagine what all of this must be like for him. From being left pretty much unattended, to having strangers huddled all around him trying to help, to being whisked away in a police cruiser, to having to wait to go back to what he knows as home. I don’t mean to be such a downer about this story, as the happy ending is that Deagen’s family was found, but the overtone that his home life isn’t what it should be (in my opinion) is saddening. Instead of being upset (more like livid) at the granddaughter for being so irresponsible, I’m trying to stay positive and hope and pray that everything works out for Deagen to go home soon.
Deagen, I know you’re out there little guy; hang in there! Don’t be scared, you have an army of people praying for you!
His name is Deagen!
As promised, I called the police department this morning and was able to get through to Officer Charlie Negret (I spelled his name wrong in my last email). Officer Negret was the first responder to my little guy yesterday. He said that shortly after the female officer left to take Deagen to DHS (which was right after I left the scene), his grandmother, in a panic, came hustling up the street looking for her grandson. The grandmother has full custody of Deagen. Finally, a positive sign that someone was looking for him! Officer Negret said she hurried up to him and was frantically asking if he could help her find her grandson. Coincidently, that’s why he was there! Officer Negret asked her to describe the child to him, just to be certain it was the same little guy. Thankfully, her description matched that of Deagen, who had just left a few minutes before in a squad car. Officer Negret informed the grandmother that her grandson was found safe, but was unsupervised, underdressed and alone. Upon asking the grandmother how Deagen ended up in that situation, the grandmother said that she was watching the little guy, as she normally does every day, and needed to run to the grocery store. She left her 20 year old granddaughter in charge of watching Deagen while she was at the store. The grandmother said she was only gone for 30 - 45 minutes and when she returned home, some three blocks away from where I found Deagen, she discovered the granddaughter was “passed out” on the couch and Deagen was no where to be found. When I asked Officer Negret what “passed out” meant, he said he couldn’t go into any deals, but said the granddaughter was not responsive at first when he arrived at the house. Officer Negret had accompanied the grandmother back to her house (again three blocks away! It breaks my heart to know that Deagen was meandering around for who knows how long over the course of three blocks!) to question the granddaughter. I guess it took the granddaughter a few minutes to become coherent. He said he couldn’t tell me much more because an investigation is pending, but he said he issued an on-the-spot incident report and recommended an investigation be opened. I then asked him if Deagen was able to go home and he told me that Deagen was still at DHS until they can determine that the grandmother is capable and the living conditions (I’m assuming he meant the granddaughter and why she was not coherent) were suitable for a toddler to be in.
Sigh….so that means my little guy is still waiting to go home. I pray to God that everything works out and he gets to go home soon. I can only imagine what all of this must be like for him. From being left pretty much unattended, to having strangers huddled all around him trying to help, to being whisked away in a police cruiser, to having to wait to go back to what he knows as home. I don’t mean to be such a downer about this story, as the happy ending is that Deagen’s family was found, but the overtone that his home life isn’t what it should be (in my opinion) is saddening. Instead of being upset (more like livid) at the granddaughter for being so irresponsible, I’m trying to stay positive and hope and pray that everything works out for Deagen to go home soon.
Deagen, I know you’re out there little guy; hang in there! Don’t be scared, you have an army of people praying for you!
Friday, November 21, 2008
My Amazing Husband...
Josh sent me this e-mail yesterday...I have married an amazing man...The kids and I are blessed.
Enjoy!
Have you ever had that twinge feeling in your gut that something about a certain situation just doesn't seem right? You will not believe what happened on my run today…
I was out for my normal Thursday run over lunch. Today's route was going to be up Grand Ave to 63rd St. and back for an easy 8 miles. As I was approaching the corner of 40th and Grand, I noticed a little boy, probably no older than 3 and about the same size as Ty, standing on the corner of 41st and Grand. He was looking out at Grand Ave. I quickly scanned the area and there was no one else around; no other kids, no adults….nothing. As I continued my approach to the corner he was standing on, he started to slowly walk towards Grand Ave, like maybe he was going to try and cross the street! I thought, "Is that little guy going to try and cross the street?!?!". Sure enough, he kept inching towards Grand, you know how little kids do all timid and unsure. I was about half a block from him and just started sprinting fearing the worst. Realizing I wasn't going to make it to him by the time he reached the street, I jumped out on Grand Ave in the right-most on-coming traffic lane, waving my arms for traffic to move to the other lane and started yelling at the little guy. I was yelling for him to stop and wait for me. There is a large tree that partially blocks the view of cars at that corner, so I'm sure the oncoming drivers were wondering what the heck I was doing in traffic all the while not being able to see the little guy heading towards the street. I was getting honked and swerved at and I think one lady flipped me off. I got to the toddler right as he reached the curb and was able to grab him by the armpit and pull him back from the street. I couldn't believe it! This little boy, all by himself, was trying to cross Grand Ave in the middle of the day!! I looked around in a mild panic for his parents, or anyone for that matter, and didn't see anyone. I squatted down in front of the little guy and asked him where is parents where and his response was, "where's my mommy?" I felt so bad for him, he was obviously scared and cold, all he had on was a light coat over a short sleeve shirt (unzipped), warm-up pants and shoes with no socks. I asked him again where his mommy or daddy was and I got the same response, "where's my mommy?" After I zipped up his coat and gave him my stocking cap, I tried a different approach and asked him to show me where he lived and he pointed to the apartment building behind us, on the corner of 41st and Grand. About that time, a car had stopped and two older ladies got out; they had seen me yelling, waving and running in the road and asked if everything was OK. I explained to them the situation and together we all walked over to the apartment building the little guy had pointed at. I held his hand as we walked and kept trying to get him to tell me his name or where his parents were, but I kept getting the same response, "where's my mommy?" When we got the door of the apartment building, it was security locked, so I started ringing everyone's apartment on the call box. After two or three unanswered calls from apartments, a man answered and I explained the situation to him. Even though he was adamant that no children lived in the building, I was able to convince him to let us in to the entry way because it was cold. The man buzzed us in and met us in the entry way and I asked him if the little guy looked familiar or if there was anyone in the building that might be babysitting. Just hoping for something to help us figure out where the little guy's parents were. But, to no avail, none of us could figure out where he belonged. I even tried knocking on the other apartment doors with the little guy in tow just in case anyone recognized him. No on did. He was lost. I took the little guy back to the entry way where the two older gals and I decided it was time to call the police. As one of the gals, Karen, made the call, I was finally able to get the little guy to talk to me. I had him sit next to me on the stairs and I asked him if he liked Thomas the Train. Just like that, he started going on and on about his favorite engine, Edward. It reminded me a lot of when Spencer would light up and talk for minutes on end about Thomas and his friends. With him on a roll about trains and talking up a storm now, I tried one last time to get his name, but he didn't answer. He just asked me if I knew where his mommy was. It was heartbreaking to hear his little voice asking that question over and over. In the time it took the first officer to arrive, the little guy and I had covered Thomas, Bob the Builder, Spiderman and Batman. I had seen the cop car go by on Grand from the entry way, so I went out to flag the cop down. The cop parked on 41st and in the time it took us to get from his squad car back to the apartment building, I had filled him in on everything I knew. Including the near disaster that could have been had the little guy gotten into the street. I was actually surprised at how sympathetic the police officer, Officer Charlie Hegert, sounded and by the time we got to the entry way, he had already radioed for another unit to join him; an officer that specializes in lost little kids. And sure enough, after a few minutes another officer joined us at the apartment building. The female officer started right in with talking to the little guy and earning his trust (it was actually pretty amazing to see first-hand how quickly she connected with the little guy). She gave the little guy a sticker and let him give her a high five (I had told her that I had him give my five earlier to show he could trust me). Both officers took my contact information down, as well as the other two older ladies that had stopped. As a last ditch effort before taking the little guy to DHS, I helped the two officers knock on doors of the adjoining apartment building behind the one we were in. Just in case the little guy had wondered away from there. No luck. He was still lost. I waited as the female officer loaded the little guy into a toddler seat in the back of her cruiser before I headed back downtown.
I was actually saddened by the whole experience. From the rush of preventing a horrible accident, to the shocking reality that this little boy was really lost, to the sadness of not being able to find the boys parents and ending with hearing the officer refer to the little guy as "Little John Doe" over the radio. As I was walking away from the female officer's car, I told her that the one thing that bothers me the most about the whole situation was that in the 40 minutes I had been there, there was no one running around wild and frantic yelling the boy's name in a panic looking for him. She responded by thanking me for stopping to help, stating that some people would've just kept running by. She said to me, "It's nice to know that there are still some people out there putting faith back into humanity".
Those words rang in my head all the way back to the office. I'm going to call DMPD tomorrow and ask if the little guy's family had been located or if someone has come forward.
Enjoy!
Have you ever had that twinge feeling in your gut that something about a certain situation just doesn't seem right? You will not believe what happened on my run today…
I was out for my normal Thursday run over lunch. Today's route was going to be up Grand Ave to 63rd St. and back for an easy 8 miles. As I was approaching the corner of 40th and Grand, I noticed a little boy, probably no older than 3 and about the same size as Ty, standing on the corner of 41st and Grand. He was looking out at Grand Ave. I quickly scanned the area and there was no one else around; no other kids, no adults….nothing. As I continued my approach to the corner he was standing on, he started to slowly walk towards Grand Ave, like maybe he was going to try and cross the street! I thought, "Is that little guy going to try and cross the street?!?!". Sure enough, he kept inching towards Grand, you know how little kids do all timid and unsure. I was about half a block from him and just started sprinting fearing the worst. Realizing I wasn't going to make it to him by the time he reached the street, I jumped out on Grand Ave in the right-most on-coming traffic lane, waving my arms for traffic to move to the other lane and started yelling at the little guy. I was yelling for him to stop and wait for me. There is a large tree that partially blocks the view of cars at that corner, so I'm sure the oncoming drivers were wondering what the heck I was doing in traffic all the while not being able to see the little guy heading towards the street. I was getting honked and swerved at and I think one lady flipped me off. I got to the toddler right as he reached the curb and was able to grab him by the armpit and pull him back from the street. I couldn't believe it! This little boy, all by himself, was trying to cross Grand Ave in the middle of the day!! I looked around in a mild panic for his parents, or anyone for that matter, and didn't see anyone. I squatted down in front of the little guy and asked him where is parents where and his response was, "where's my mommy?" I felt so bad for him, he was obviously scared and cold, all he had on was a light coat over a short sleeve shirt (unzipped), warm-up pants and shoes with no socks. I asked him again where his mommy or daddy was and I got the same response, "where's my mommy?" After I zipped up his coat and gave him my stocking cap, I tried a different approach and asked him to show me where he lived and he pointed to the apartment building behind us, on the corner of 41st and Grand. About that time, a car had stopped and two older ladies got out; they had seen me yelling, waving and running in the road and asked if everything was OK. I explained to them the situation and together we all walked over to the apartment building the little guy had pointed at. I held his hand as we walked and kept trying to get him to tell me his name or where his parents were, but I kept getting the same response, "where's my mommy?" When we got the door of the apartment building, it was security locked, so I started ringing everyone's apartment on the call box. After two or three unanswered calls from apartments, a man answered and I explained the situation to him. Even though he was adamant that no children lived in the building, I was able to convince him to let us in to the entry way because it was cold. The man buzzed us in and met us in the entry way and I asked him if the little guy looked familiar or if there was anyone in the building that might be babysitting. Just hoping for something to help us figure out where the little guy's parents were. But, to no avail, none of us could figure out where he belonged. I even tried knocking on the other apartment doors with the little guy in tow just in case anyone recognized him. No on did. He was lost. I took the little guy back to the entry way where the two older gals and I decided it was time to call the police. As one of the gals, Karen, made the call, I was finally able to get the little guy to talk to me. I had him sit next to me on the stairs and I asked him if he liked Thomas the Train. Just like that, he started going on and on about his favorite engine, Edward. It reminded me a lot of when Spencer would light up and talk for minutes on end about Thomas and his friends. With him on a roll about trains and talking up a storm now, I tried one last time to get his name, but he didn't answer. He just asked me if I knew where his mommy was. It was heartbreaking to hear his little voice asking that question over and over. In the time it took the first officer to arrive, the little guy and I had covered Thomas, Bob the Builder, Spiderman and Batman. I had seen the cop car go by on Grand from the entry way, so I went out to flag the cop down. The cop parked on 41st and in the time it took us to get from his squad car back to the apartment building, I had filled him in on everything I knew. Including the near disaster that could have been had the little guy gotten into the street. I was actually surprised at how sympathetic the police officer, Officer Charlie Hegert, sounded and by the time we got to the entry way, he had already radioed for another unit to join him; an officer that specializes in lost little kids. And sure enough, after a few minutes another officer joined us at the apartment building. The female officer started right in with talking to the little guy and earning his trust (it was actually pretty amazing to see first-hand how quickly she connected with the little guy). She gave the little guy a sticker and let him give her a high five (I had told her that I had him give my five earlier to show he could trust me). Both officers took my contact information down, as well as the other two older ladies that had stopped. As a last ditch effort before taking the little guy to DHS, I helped the two officers knock on doors of the adjoining apartment building behind the one we were in. Just in case the little guy had wondered away from there. No luck. He was still lost. I waited as the female officer loaded the little guy into a toddler seat in the back of her cruiser before I headed back downtown.
I was actually saddened by the whole experience. From the rush of preventing a horrible accident, to the shocking reality that this little boy was really lost, to the sadness of not being able to find the boys parents and ending with hearing the officer refer to the little guy as "Little John Doe" over the radio. As I was walking away from the female officer's car, I told her that the one thing that bothers me the most about the whole situation was that in the 40 minutes I had been there, there was no one running around wild and frantic yelling the boy's name in a panic looking for him. She responded by thanking me for stopping to help, stating that some people would've just kept running by. She said to me, "It's nice to know that there are still some people out there putting faith back into humanity".
Those words rang in my head all the way back to the office. I'm going to call DMPD tomorrow and ask if the little guy's family had been located or if someone has come forward.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Welp...
I am one week in to busy season and I already feel like the flu is setting in.....sigh.....and I forgot my Airbourne at home....too bad Walgreens is across the street, huh?
Thankfully, if I can survive this week on the road....I get to be home and in my own bed the next two weeks with my children and Josh....
Thankfully, if I can survive this week on the road....I get to be home and in my own bed the next two weeks with my children and Josh....
Friday, October 17, 2008
YEAH TOAST!!!!!!
Ok...this makes me giggle everytime I hear it on the radio....thought I'd share...
YEAH TOAST!!!!!
YEAH TOAST!!!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Because I can't do things simply....
A little over two years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease...just another indicator that I am anything but normal. Since then, I have been taking 12 pills a day...plus my bcp and vitamin. And that isn't counting the times when my intestines decided to show their irritation by flaring mad angry pain...when I would add more drugs to my daily regimen.
After a consulting appointment with my GI doctor this afternoon, we are once again going to treat the current flare that is going on...as well as change drugs, that will hopefully get this silly disease under better control.
So...yes, I have done research on this new drug...yes, I am aware of the fact that my GI and I had serious discussions about the possible side effects of this drug...and yes, I did the pre-treatment counseling with a pharmasist as recommended by my GI doc. But that still doesn't prepare you for when you actually go to start the drug and you read the Warnings that are attached to the perscription sheet I receive from the pharmacy.
This is the very first line:
WARNING: This drug has been know to cause certain types of cancer (e.g. skin cancer, lymphoma, Hogskin's lymphoma, etc).
Super...I'm super psyched that I will be taking this drug for an extended period of time. Granted, I am taking a low dose...and granted, side effects are rare for the dose that I am on...but in this day and age...and the fact that I am only 30...it doesn't make it any easier to swallow....(yes, pun is intended here...).
After a consulting appointment with my GI doctor this afternoon, we are once again going to treat the current flare that is going on...as well as change drugs, that will hopefully get this silly disease under better control.
So...yes, I have done research on this new drug...yes, I am aware of the fact that my GI and I had serious discussions about the possible side effects of this drug...and yes, I did the pre-treatment counseling with a pharmasist as recommended by my GI doc. But that still doesn't prepare you for when you actually go to start the drug and you read the Warnings that are attached to the perscription sheet I receive from the pharmacy.
This is the very first line:
WARNING: This drug has been know to cause certain types of cancer (e.g. skin cancer, lymphoma, Hogskin's lymphoma, etc).
Super...I'm super psyched that I will be taking this drug for an extended period of time. Granted, I am taking a low dose...and granted, side effects are rare for the dose that I am on...but in this day and age...and the fact that I am only 30...it doesn't make it any easier to swallow....(yes, pun is intended here...).
So I feel the need to brag....
Gas is ONLY $2.59 here!!!!!!!!
$2.59
$2.59
$2.59
(Hey Cathie...did you hear that?! $2.59!!!!!!!!!)
$2.59
$2.59
$2.59
(Hey Cathie...did you hear that?! $2.59!!!!!!!!!)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Here's your sign....
If you know Bill Engval's comedy routine...that you understand my title here...
I get a phone call from the doctor's office to confirm my appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am going to the downtown office this time instead of the office out west, as I customarily do. So when I tell the gal that yes, I will be there...I proceed to ask for directions to the office.
She gives me the street name, and I confirm that I know where that is...and then ask, "Is the office building on the North or South side of the street?" Her response....."Well, which was are you coming from?" HUH?!?!?!?! Isn't North always North? No matter which way you are headed?
So I go ahead and tell her that I will be coming in on 2nd Avenue (This is a one way street that only goes North!), so she says...."which street is that? the one on the right or left side of Mercy?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!
This time I say...I'm coming in from down town...I will turn left on to Laurel...which side of the street is the clinic on? North or South? And her response was "I don't understand which way you are coming in." At this point I wanted to say...Look out your windows....See the BIG buildings?! That's down town!
Anyways...she puts me on hold saying that she needs to ask someone else. Finally someone intelligent answers my question....but Good Grief! Do they not teach directions anymore in school?
So yeah...to the confirmation caller...Here's your sign......
I get a phone call from the doctor's office to confirm my appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am going to the downtown office this time instead of the office out west, as I customarily do. So when I tell the gal that yes, I will be there...I proceed to ask for directions to the office.
She gives me the street name, and I confirm that I know where that is...and then ask, "Is the office building on the North or South side of the street?" Her response....."Well, which was are you coming from?" HUH?!?!?!?! Isn't North always North? No matter which way you are headed?
So I go ahead and tell her that I will be coming in on 2nd Avenue (This is a one way street that only goes North!), so she says...."which street is that? the one on the right or left side of Mercy?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!
This time I say...I'm coming in from down town...I will turn left on to Laurel...which side of the street is the clinic on? North or South? And her response was "I don't understand which way you are coming in." At this point I wanted to say...Look out your windows....See the BIG buildings?! That's down town!
Anyways...she puts me on hold saying that she needs to ask someone else. Finally someone intelligent answers my question....but Good Grief! Do they not teach directions anymore in school?
So yeah...to the confirmation caller...Here's your sign......
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Because Cathie Made Me...
Eight favorite TV shows
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. CSI
3. Brother's and Sisters
4. Survivor
5. Dirty Sexy Money
6. Deadliest Catch
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Amazing Race
Eight favorite Restaurants
1. Cosi Cucina
2. Leaning Tower Pizza
3. Baratta's
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Taki
6. PF Chang's
7. Basil's Prosperi
8. Racoon River Brewery
Eight things I did yesterday
1. Took the boys to get flu shots
2. Family pictures
3. Took a short nap with my babes
4. Went to the park
5. Had Chicken and Noodles for supper
6. Watched Sex and the City: The Movie
7. Ate Raisinettes
8. Crashed at bedtime
Eight things I love about fall
1. Pumpkin Patch
2. Football!!!!!!
3. Colors
4. Chili
5. Apple Orchard
6. Perfect temperature days & cool evenings
7. Football!!!!!!
8. Oh...and we can't forget FOOTBALL!!!!!
Eight things I look forward to
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving
3. Birthday's for ALL my boys
4. Christmas
5. New Years
6. The election results
7. Watching Football every weekend
8. Doing anything with Josh and the boys
Eight things on my wish list
1. New camera
2. Stabilized gut
3. GREEN BEES!!!!
4. Healthy kids this winter
5. New furniture
6. A vacation with just Josh
7. Josh to do well at the marathon next weekend
8. 6 winning numbers :^)
I'm not tagging anyone as everyone I know on here has already been tagged!
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. CSI
3. Brother's and Sisters
4. Survivor
5. Dirty Sexy Money
6. Deadliest Catch
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Amazing Race
Eight favorite Restaurants
1. Cosi Cucina
2. Leaning Tower Pizza
3. Baratta's
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Taki
6. PF Chang's
7. Basil's Prosperi
8. Racoon River Brewery
Eight things I did yesterday
1. Took the boys to get flu shots
2. Family pictures
3. Took a short nap with my babes
4. Went to the park
5. Had Chicken and Noodles for supper
6. Watched Sex and the City: The Movie
7. Ate Raisinettes
8. Crashed at bedtime
Eight things I love about fall
1. Pumpkin Patch
2. Football!!!!!!
3. Colors
4. Chili
5. Apple Orchard
6. Perfect temperature days & cool evenings
7. Football!!!!!!
8. Oh...and we can't forget FOOTBALL!!!!!
Eight things I look forward to
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving
3. Birthday's for ALL my boys
4. Christmas
5. New Years
6. The election results
7. Watching Football every weekend
8. Doing anything with Josh and the boys
Eight things on my wish list
1. New camera
2. Stabilized gut
3. GREEN BEES!!!!
4. Healthy kids this winter
5. New furniture
6. A vacation with just Josh
7. Josh to do well at the marathon next weekend
8. 6 winning numbers :^)
I'm not tagging anyone as everyone I know on here has already been tagged!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Gym Stalker / "Boyfriend" / Stalker - GG!
As soon as I started going to the gym that Josh was a member to, I noticed this guy whom I felt was always staring at me. Somewhat flattering...but also somewhat creepy! Not long afterwards, I mentioned something to Josh about it and he verified that the guy is constantly watching me.
I make nice when we pass or are needing to share equipment and such, but I have never really spoken to him. When I work out with my trainer he always stops by to chat with my trainer while I'm warming up or doing a long set. And now I think he has figured out my workout schedule and ALWAYS seems to be there when I'm there. ALWAYS! Josh and I joke about this a lot.
So apparently, Josh go roped in to a conversation with him and this (nice looking) cop dude that Josh has befriended at the gym. The cop leaves and leaves Josh and "Brady" talking...when Brady says to Josh, "That girl that you are always talking to hasn't been here at all this week." (This was last week when I was traveling all over the Midwest.) Josh's reply?!?!?!? "Yeah, I think she's traveling this week. She should be back next week." Should be?!?!?! I was like...WTH did you not say that I was your WIFE?!?! Josh just starts laughing! He thinks this is funny!
So I go to the gym today...See Brady there...I can't help but laugh to myself. But he makes me even more conscience of the fact that he's watching me...and that's just flat out creepy!
I make nice when we pass or are needing to share equipment and such, but I have never really spoken to him. When I work out with my trainer he always stops by to chat with my trainer while I'm warming up or doing a long set. And now I think he has figured out my workout schedule and ALWAYS seems to be there when I'm there. ALWAYS! Josh and I joke about this a lot.
So apparently, Josh go roped in to a conversation with him and this (nice looking) cop dude that Josh has befriended at the gym. The cop leaves and leaves Josh and "Brady" talking...when Brady says to Josh, "That girl that you are always talking to hasn't been here at all this week." (This was last week when I was traveling all over the Midwest.) Josh's reply?!?!?!? "Yeah, I think she's traveling this week. She should be back next week." Should be?!?!?! I was like...WTH did you not say that I was your WIFE?!?! Josh just starts laughing! He thinks this is funny!
So I go to the gym today...See Brady there...I can't help but laugh to myself. But he makes me even more conscience of the fact that he's watching me...and that's just flat out creepy!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Busy Season....
Gearing up for busy season...the travel schedule has now been issued. Now I need to make sure my suitcases are is good working order, my suits are all dry cleaned, hotel reservations made...and good long looks at my children's faces are done.
Oh the life of an auditor....
I will be involved with our four largest insurance clients this year...Managing two of them. This will definitely be a test of my stress management as well as work load management.
Prayers and positive thoughts will most likely be very necessary and I work on prioritizing work life and home life....
now....let the chaos begin!
Oh the life of an auditor....
I will be involved with our four largest insurance clients this year...Managing two of them. This will definitely be a test of my stress management as well as work load management.
Prayers and positive thoughts will most likely be very necessary and I work on prioritizing work life and home life....
now....let the chaos begin!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
HTML makes me mad!
jfdsak;ireaojc mzvc,cnvx 9EUIAROdnkvn eaoriua039ca f
Does that make sense to you?! if so...please translate!
Stupid frickin' irritating ERGH!!!!!!! I'm about to go on a Blog Beautification strike!
Does that make sense to you?! if so...please translate!
Stupid frickin' irritating ERGH!!!!!!! I'm about to go on a Blog Beautification strike!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Pumpkin Patch!
Fall is here...and Halloween is just around the corner, which means it's time for some pumpkins!
Saturday, we took our kids to a near by pumpkin patch and apple orchard for a day of fun! We always go to the Central Grove Orchard for this. They have an area where the kids can feed billy goats and pigs and ducks, the have the houses of the three little pigs, rubber duckie races, the bouncie pad, pumpkin patch, corn and hay maze, apples to pick, faces to paint...it just goes on and on and on...
Now it's time to make sure all the costumes are worked out so that we are ready for trick or treating at the end of the month!
Setting me straight...
So...if ya couldn't tell, I was a little on the grouchy side Friday night while anxiously waiting to get home. Time didn't move fast enough and planes didn't fly fast enough...
When checking in to my flight, I selected a seat near the back of the plane, which is unusual for me, because it was the only set of two seats where I could sit by myself. After being up for over 40 hours, I was not in the mood to share an elbow rest with ANYONE! When I got to my gate in Chicago, I went to the ticket counter to verify that I was still in the double seat by myself. Selfish, I know...but the airline employee gave the "alls good", so I was a tad happier.
Happier until I am sitting in my seat, plane slowly filling up...and what do ya know...I catch the eye of a guy who is eyeing the seat next to me. ERGH! Since I am already seated and a line was quickly forming behind him, in the nicest voice I could muster, I asked if he wanted the window seat or if he wanted me to just slide over. In a very pleasant manner he said he didn't care either way, so I just moved my stuff over, planning to sulk on the 60 min flight home.
Right away the dude started jabbering at me! I grit my teeth and turn to face him with a smile to show I was listening...secretly hoping he would quiet down soon. But he was going on and on about how excited he was to be going to Des Moines! Ok...Des Moines?! Excited?!?! Now I am intrigued! I had to ask! So he told me that he had never been to Des Moines before and then was heading on to Boone. Ok...not only is this guy nuts about going to Des Moines...but now Boone?! He's lost it! So once again I had to ask.
He was going to Boone to speak the next day to a camp of kids who had been diagnosed with cancer, and their families. My jaw dropped. At this point is when we finally did introductions. His name was Jonny Imerman, the founder of www.imermanangels.org . This organization is a company that pairs people diagnosed with cancer to a survivor of the same cancer who is relatively the same age. (Shannon = Speechless now). He went on to share his story about when he was 26yo and was diagnosed with cancer. He said even though his family and friends were always there for him to provide support and care, all he wanted was to have someone who had actually been there at his age to tell him what was next, what to do, and that things really will be alright.
I'm not sure where that hour went...but I was immersed in his stories of pairing people up with his organization, and the group they put together to run the Chicago Marathon next weekend. It was just one of those moments where it made me put my attitude back in check. For the first time in a very long time, I have met someone who not only loved what he did, but was so enthusiatic in making a difference to someone's life. I'm not sure he realized the impact he had on me and my day and how much I truly appreciated it.
Granted I crashed in bed as soon as I got home...but I left the Des Moines airport with a spring in my step...my heart going out to this lively, charasmatic, loving and caring man...Someone determined to make a difference.
When checking in to my flight, I selected a seat near the back of the plane, which is unusual for me, because it was the only set of two seats where I could sit by myself. After being up for over 40 hours, I was not in the mood to share an elbow rest with ANYONE! When I got to my gate in Chicago, I went to the ticket counter to verify that I was still in the double seat by myself. Selfish, I know...but the airline employee gave the "alls good", so I was a tad happier.
Happier until I am sitting in my seat, plane slowly filling up...and what do ya know...I catch the eye of a guy who is eyeing the seat next to me. ERGH! Since I am already seated and a line was quickly forming behind him, in the nicest voice I could muster, I asked if he wanted the window seat or if he wanted me to just slide over. In a very pleasant manner he said he didn't care either way, so I just moved my stuff over, planning to sulk on the 60 min flight home.
Right away the dude started jabbering at me! I grit my teeth and turn to face him with a smile to show I was listening...secretly hoping he would quiet down soon. But he was going on and on about how excited he was to be going to Des Moines! Ok...Des Moines?! Excited?!?! Now I am intrigued! I had to ask! So he told me that he had never been to Des Moines before and then was heading on to Boone. Ok...not only is this guy nuts about going to Des Moines...but now Boone?! He's lost it! So once again I had to ask.
He was going to Boone to speak the next day to a camp of kids who had been diagnosed with cancer, and their families. My jaw dropped. At this point is when we finally did introductions. His name was Jonny Imerman, the founder of www.imermanangels.org . This organization is a company that pairs people diagnosed with cancer to a survivor of the same cancer who is relatively the same age. (Shannon = Speechless now). He went on to share his story about when he was 26yo and was diagnosed with cancer. He said even though his family and friends were always there for him to provide support and care, all he wanted was to have someone who had actually been there at his age to tell him what was next, what to do, and that things really will be alright.
I'm not sure where that hour went...but I was immersed in his stories of pairing people up with his organization, and the group they put together to run the Chicago Marathon next weekend. It was just one of those moments where it made me put my attitude back in check. For the first time in a very long time, I have met someone who not only loved what he did, but was so enthusiatic in making a difference to someone's life. I'm not sure he realized the impact he had on me and my day and how much I truly appreciated it.
Granted I crashed in bed as soon as I got home...but I left the Des Moines airport with a spring in my step...my heart going out to this lively, charasmatic, loving and caring man...Someone determined to make a difference.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...
...finally make it home to stay for more than 24 hours!
This week has been work horror at it's finest. Last Thursday, I was given the assignment to observe a cash count for one of our casino clients in Muskogee, OK. I make all my arrangements and dutifully head down there Tuesday morning. My job was to start at 3am on Wednesday morning when the casino does their cash drops from the slot machine and gaming tables. But at 7pm on Wednesday, I got the call that the arrangement letter was not signed by the client, so the job was cancelled.
I make arrangements to leave first thing Wednesday morning...and joyously arrive home around 12noon.
I go to the office the next day as usual, only to arrive to an e-mail that said they finally received the arrangement letter from the client and I was to be ready to do my observation at 1:45am Friday morning. Grrrrrrrreat!
Luckily, I hadn't unpacked my suit case yet and the suit inside was still clean. So I rush home and barely make the last flight out of Des Moines to Tulsa for Thursday. I arrive in Tulsa at 8...it's a 80 minute drive to Muskogee from the airport, so if I get there by 9:30...I can sleep from 10-1 and at least be a little rested...right?
Wrong! The Director incharge of the job e-mailed me and said the job was moved up to start at 11:45pm...and again...Grrrrrreat!
So that is where I am at...I have been up since 6am Thursday morning...it is now 8:20pm Friday night and I am not scheduled to arrive in Des Moines until 11pm...add 30 min to get my suitcase and 30 min to drive home so Midnight is my ETA...
Can ya hear me yawning?! I'm now off ot wander O'Hare as I have another 90 min before my flight leaves, in hunt for the closest Starbucks and the biggest cup of coffee they have!
This week has been work horror at it's finest. Last Thursday, I was given the assignment to observe a cash count for one of our casino clients in Muskogee, OK. I make all my arrangements and dutifully head down there Tuesday morning. My job was to start at 3am on Wednesday morning when the casino does their cash drops from the slot machine and gaming tables. But at 7pm on Wednesday, I got the call that the arrangement letter was not signed by the client, so the job was cancelled.
I make arrangements to leave first thing Wednesday morning...and joyously arrive home around 12noon.
I go to the office the next day as usual, only to arrive to an e-mail that said they finally received the arrangement letter from the client and I was to be ready to do my observation at 1:45am Friday morning. Grrrrrrrreat!
Luckily, I hadn't unpacked my suit case yet and the suit inside was still clean. So I rush home and barely make the last flight out of Des Moines to Tulsa for Thursday. I arrive in Tulsa at 8...it's a 80 minute drive to Muskogee from the airport, so if I get there by 9:30...I can sleep from 10-1 and at least be a little rested...right?
Wrong! The Director incharge of the job e-mailed me and said the job was moved up to start at 11:45pm...and again...Grrrrrreat!
So that is where I am at...I have been up since 6am Thursday morning...it is now 8:20pm Friday night and I am not scheduled to arrive in Des Moines until 11pm...add 30 min to get my suitcase and 30 min to drive home so Midnight is my ETA...
Can ya hear me yawning?! I'm now off ot wander O'Hare as I have another 90 min before my flight leaves, in hunt for the closest Starbucks and the biggest cup of coffee they have!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Yearbook yourself
This was fun to do...to see how I would have looked each year...with the popular hair styles and such...
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| Yearbook Yourself! |
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