Good Christmas

On Thursday December 23rd we had our first Tacky Christmas at King GREEN.  I wasn't as tacky as some but I still got some good laughs out of my "get-up".  It kind of reminded me of an 80's skiier.

Yes, I totally unzipped the hood from my winter coat and wore it on my head

I have to say how happy I am we had a white Christmas - - - so wonderful.  I know a lot of people don't like snow but I LOVE it.  It's so few and far between whenever we do get some that accumulates that any little bit is EXCITING!!

At Hardy's family Christmas swap, I ended up with a Japanese Cherry Blossom gift basket (yay), Hardy got what he brought, some 3 pack beer sampler from World Market.  Between our gifts from one another...we got enough movies to watch for several days.  My favorite gift of course would have to be the tickets to 30 Seconds to Mars on January 28th!!  Ahhh I can't wait.  I missed them the last time they were in ATL this year so I'm so happy I get to see them now.

Can't be a bad evening when you get to see the Leto brothers :)

Jared in the middle and Shannon on the right



Merry Christmas!!

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you all enjoy time with friends and loved ones. I am also still crossing my fingers for snow :) they have increased the chance every day this week.

Thank you!

Just got word my grandmother is being released from the hospital today!! This is so unexpected but we are all so thankful. I hope she continues to grow stronger everyday!! Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!! Praise God!

Finally

With only 3 weeks left in the month of December, we FINALLY put up our Christmas tree. I have been on the hunt for a new one all season but never found the right tree or price. I gave in and decided to just put up the one we've been using the last 3yrs. The reason I'm tired of it though is because it's not as FULL as I would like to see our tree...even though I spread out all the little limbs...you still see gaps. Not to mention 2 limbs on the bottom on one side of the tree are about 1inch lower than the rest of the lower limbs because of two cats who attempt to climb the tree and knock off ornaments. We have learned over time not to put breakable/valuable ornaments on the lower half of the tree and I try to wrap our gifts as soon as they're bought so we can block them getting under the tree.


Who am I kidding? Cats . always . find . a . way .

I wanted to share this picture of one of our new ornaments for 2010. During our honeymoon in May we made a short pitstop at Disney, I made sure to look for a 'married' ornament (I'm trying to get a new ornament each year). I came across this adorable Engagement Ring with Mickey and Minnie sitting in the middle as bride and groom. I just love it :)

I'll be honest though, all I can think about is my grandmother in the hospital recovering from chemotherapy. I know people get sick, I know people pass away but it feels so much different when it's one of your own. I hope by some miracle she's at home by Christmas but we're taking it one day at a time. My mom, brother, sister-in-law and I are planning to donate platelets on Christmas Eve. If you or someone you know would like to donate platelets in my Grandmother's name, please contact Atlanta Blood Center at 404-459-8744 to schedule an appointment. Atlanta Blood Services' main location is located on the Northside Hospital Campus at The Tower at Northside at 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite # 1075, Atlanta GA 30342. Atlanta Blood Services' second location is in Cobb County - 220 Cobb Parkway North, Suite #100, Marietta, GA 30062. If you decide to donate blood or platelets, please give them Betty Fulbright's name so they can connect the two.

Visit with my grandmother

Hardy and I got up fairly early for a Saturday today to make our way to Northside hospital.  It was kind of akward walking into the place where I was born, yet haven't been to SINCE I was born.  But I guess that's actually a good thing...

Anyway

We visited with my grandmother, granddaddy and cousins for a little while before my appointment to donate platelets.  She looked good but was weak and had trouble talking due to some fluid build-up around her lungs.  The good news is that they're completely done with chemo.  She had it twice a night Mon-Fri and now she starts her recovery from that.  I hope she doesn't lose all her hair or get so sick she loses weight but I know none of it is preventable. 

I was nervous about donating platelets, I've donated blood several times but never platelets and for whatever reason my brain was telling me I was going to freak out?!?  Anyway, because my grandmother has leukemia they're asking that friends/family donate in her name to help replenish the bank they've been using for her.  Now that they've blasted her with chemo, they're giving her blood and platelets often.  Well I got situated at the Atlanta Blood Center, answered those awful questions and got prepped in a chair.  After they did a CBC, they came back and said my platelet count was 322 which was really good, enough platelets that I could donate to save 3 people's lives in one sitting. I was ecstatic...don't get me wrong, I hate the big needle, but when you think about what you're doing and who you're helping - -that needle doesn't seem so big anymore.


NOT FOR THE SQUIMISH:

How a platelet donation differs from a whole blood donation.  Mainly in that whole blood is extracted and collected in a bag to be used.  With a platelet donation, blood is extracted then is sent through a machine which seperates the blood and platelets.  Another type of solution is mixed with the blood to prevent it from coagulating and then your blood is sent back to you in the same needle in which it's extracted.  I also learned blood can be chilled after it's collected, platelets, however, cannot and only have a shelf-life of 5 days.  This is why they're almost ALWAYS needing platelets.  After about 10mins of donating, however, there was a problem.  Apparently when the nurse inserted the needle, she punctured my vein twice.  The blood was being extracted fine but when it was trying to come back into my system it was going into the tissue instead of the vein - - because there were two holes instead of one.  This hurt like hell, my arm hurt so bad, I couldn't feel my fingers until she finally pulled the needle out and relieved all that pressue.  Apparently this is called - infultration.  Unfortunately once that happens, they cannot continue taking your blood and you have to come again another day.

I felt so good to start off with and then my good vibrations went bad.  I was so happy to know I could save 3 people when in the end...I saved no one :(  and my arm still hurts like hell and has a yuck-tastic looking bruise.

This just made my day

Where did the time go??

For some reason, I just cannot comprehend it being December 1st.  I've noticed with age, Christmas seems to rotate (what feels like) every 6mos instead of every 12mos.  I can remember in 3rd grade (back when schools had Christmas parties) we were given a small ziplock bag full of fruit loops labeled as "Reindeer Food".  I put it out all over our sidewalk Christmas Eve, it's funny now to hear my mom talk about how big of a pain it was to try and pick those up and crush them so they looked nibbled on.  A little history on my famil, on Christmas Eve my mom would make a delicious roast dinner with mashed potato's, rolls, corn.  After cleaning up, we would open our gifts to/from eachother under the tree and then go to bed.  We were never allowed to sleep in our rooms for fear we would 'peak in' on Santa, so we always made a pallet on the floor in my parents bedroom and fell asleep listening to Christmas tunes on 98.5 or 94.9.  Ahhh the memories, they seem so vivid.  
 
Hardy proposed on Christmas morning 2009, so this year will be special...waking up and remembering that moment.  And even though it's not our first Christmas together, it's our first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs.  A moment I was beginning to think would never happen!! 
 
Things of the season that make me happy:
 
Spending time with family
Listening to Christmas music
Christmas lights
Seeing Christmas tree's through windows
Overcast skies that make me think there could be snow
Watching Christmas movies: The Santa Clause (1, 2 and 3), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, A Christmas Story, Frosty the Snowman, Christmas Vacation, Love Actually, Home Alone and Prancer (remember that one?!!)...anyway the list goes on.
 
Grandmother update:
 
She is still in good spirits (thankfully).  They've already done a few rounds of chemo since Monday.  I'm so proud of her and happy she decided to go ahead with treatment.  The doctor's were and still are confident that this will work.  The staff at Northside seems to be kind and very helpful.  Keeping you in my prayers Grandmother :)

Thoughts and Prayers needed

Today we were notified my grandmother has AML (acute myeloid leukemia). The doctor seems optimistic and wants to start chemotherapy ASAP. Please keep my grandmother and family in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks. They expect to do chemo every day for 4-6 weeks to bump it into remission, I'm hoping this does the trick, I hate to see anyone go through this, especially a family member :(

Thanksgiving Cruise

Sunday November 21, 2010

Georgia/Florida

We met up with my mom, stepdad and younger brother in Stockbridge, GA at my cousins house to begin our trek to Cape Canaveral, FL (Big thank you to Jamie and Richard for allowing me to keep my car at your house during our trip).  We arrived in Cape Canaveral around 6:30-7:00pm and checked into our hotel - - Radisson: Resort at the Port. 

This is the same hotel Hardy and I used for our honeymoon, if you stay 1 night, they allow you to park your car there for the length of your cruise for FREE - - big plus.  Well...when we got settled into our rooms, I noticed these little bugs crawling all over everything WOOD in the room, weird right?  I couldn't even identify them.  They moved like ants but they didn't look like ants....anyway, as we headed out for some dinner, I stopped in the lobby to complain.  They moved Hardy and I to another room and comp'd our stay (thankfully). 

Monday November 22, 2010

Boarding the Monarch of the Seas

The next morning we all got up and went for the complimentary breakfast, then waited for our turn to get on the FREE shuttle to the port.  We were aboard the ship by 1:15pm.  We ate in the buffet and then checked out our rooms.  We had rooms side by side which made it very convenient throughout the cruise.

This time I wore a seasick patch because my mom had some extra and because you never know how one cruise can differ from the next.  I am so glad I did....don't get me wrong I still love cruising but we either hit some rough waters or our captain was hawling butt.  That first night we were rocking pretty good every so often.  Unfortunately it was getting to my mom and stepdad pretty bad.  I think they would have enjoyed the cruise a little more had the motion not played a part in it.

Tuesday November 23, 2010

Coco Cay, Bahamas

Wednesday November 24, 2010

Nassau, Bahamas

I didn't have any pictures from Nassau with my camera unfortunately but there weren't many pictures taken anyway.  Unless you LOVE to shop and have lots of money, there isn't much to do there except go on an excursion which we didn't do.  We did, however, do a 25min horse and carriage ride around the city, our guide was very nice and comical.  We also stopped at Athena Cafe on Bay St in Nassau and had a few drinks....they made some amazing banana daiquiri's...ohhh soo yummie.  After we were done sight seeing, we went back aboard the ship and watched Grown Up's on the big screen.

Thursday November 25, 2010

Day at Sea - Happy Thanksgiving

We woke up, ate breakfast, went and played a few games of BINGO and we didn't win ::Cries::.  Then we watched Toy Story 3 on the big screen.  Later that afternoon we met in the Casino..I won $120!!  But only walked away with $50.  Either way, I feel I accomplished a win :)  That evening we had a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner (yes even cruise lines acknowledge the holidays)..glazed ham and turkey oh so good. 

Friday November 25, 2010

Disembarkation / Universal Studio's / Islands of Adventure

We learned from our Honeymoon cruise that it really pays off if you carry your own luggage off the ship the day you disembark because you get off the ship first and can go on about your day.  We were off the ship by 8:15am and back at the hotel. 

We headed for Universal (thanks to our friend Becca in FL for the hook up on tickets!!).  I assumed it would be packed being a holiday weekend but definitely underestimated the real amount.  We started for the Universal park first, never waited more than 10mins for a ride it was great - - not to mention it was overcast all day and we had a nice breeze.  My mom and stepdad didn't go with us to the park, they got a hotel room and watched the Auburn/Alabama game (WAR EAGLE!!).  So Trevor, Hardy and I enjoyed the day to ourselves.

Hardy, Doc from Back to the Future and Trevor

 This is one of my favorite pictures!!

Hardy with Hogwarts in the background 

Entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

Hogsmeade with Hogwarts in the background 

Hogwarts!

We figured out the trick to riding the most popular rides at any theme park is going in the SINGLE riders line.  It's not like you have a conversation with the people you're with on a ride anyway.  We managed to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in 20mins, whereas the regular line was a 1.5hr wait.  All in all we had a great time but we were all very tired by nightfall.  We spent the night at a beautiful Holiday Inn right near Universal. 

Saturday November 27, 2010

Florida/Georgia

We left Orlando around 8:30am and headed home.  Hardy and I arrived home around 4pm...we REALLY missed our cats and it appears they missed us too.  I think they had too many treats while we were gone though because we've found a few spots where they've thrown up :(  and Tinker Bell isn't darting for the food bowl like she normally would.  Hopefully things will be back to normal in a couple of days. 



A haircut and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

I got my hair cut yesterday, about five inches were chopped off. I have been using the same hair stylist for about six years now and she always does a great job. I love getting my hair cut...it makes me feel like an entirely new person. My head feels a lot lighter too. Now to things to be thankful for..God, my wonderful husband, my family, my friends, having the job I do. Having a roof over my head, food to eat...the list could go on. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving holiday.

^^....MEOW....^^

A day in the life of MUAH...
 
Allow me to introduce myself, I am Tinker Bell (aka Princess Tinker Bell to those who matter).  I am 6.5yr old CALICO feline (not to be confused with a tortoiseshell).  CALICO is not a breed but rather a color pattern, I still like to categorize myself as such.  Did you know that CALICO feline's are almost always female?  This is because male feline's carry 1 X and Y chromosome, the Y chromosome has no color genes so there is no chance a male feline could have orange and a non-orange coat.  If a male is born CALICO this means he has a genetic mutation and carries 2 X chromosomes and one Y chromosome and would be sterile.
 
Now that I've taught you all something...let's move back to me.
 
From the photo you can see I have a beautiful white, orange and black coat, I weigh in at a "petite" 18lbs and I love everything to do with ME. I live in my kingdom with my mommy and daddy, or my servants...however you prefer to identify them, as well as my nephew, Flower.  I live inside only, although occasionally I wish I could break out of here.  1600sqft is a lot of space, but there's so much more out there in the big bright world - my servants never let me out (shame on them).  They always babble something like "No Princess,  you can't go outside, there are dogs who will chase you or other animals who could attack you!".  Whatever...what do they know?
 
I spend most of my days resting, you know every Princess needs her beauty rest.  Anywhere I want to sleep, I sleep.  In a box, on my servants bed, on the stairs, couch, chair, rug...the list goes on.  Any idea why my servants get a bigger bed than I do?  I generally sleep on it with them but can't you tell I deserve a bed fit for royalty??  Anyways, when I'm not sleeping, I am eating...or drinking...or wrestling/playing with Flower. 
 
Until next time my dearest fans....until next time.
 
~"A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, which is more than can be said for human beings." - William Ralph Inge

Weekend

Visiting Alabama


Last Friday after work Hardy and I drove to my mom's in Birmingham. We thought we'd get a nice kickstart to the trip by leaving straight from work instead of going home and packing - - well we were wrong. The traffic right at Atlantic Station on 85 was awful. We finally got on I-20 but were stuck at Post Rd due to some major accident...it was awful. We crawled for about an hour and only went about 1mi. Once the wreck was cleared and we did speed up there was nothing to be said for the accident - - no evidence, no cops...it was crazy.

Saturday, mom and I got up and went to JCPenny to get Hardy a new shirt/tie for his suit and I found a cute little black dress to wear on formal night. While we were gone, Phillip (stepdad), Trevor (younger brother) and Hardy watched some football on TV, then went outside and tossed a football back and forth. Of course we watched College football for a good portion of the day after our shopping venture. I was surprised I sat through it all. For dinner we had steak, baked potato and grilled onions - - it was sooooo delicious. My mom, Phillip and Trevor just moved into this new house about a month and a half ago - it is absolutely beautiful. All sides brick, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage...I just love it. They have everything decorated so nicely too...makes me feel like my house is all hodge podge! Seems like the less items you have, the cleaner it looks too. If all you have is basic (meaning the stuff you ACTUALLY use and sit on) furniture and things hung on the walls, there's less to pick up!


Countdown to the cruise

Next Sunday we'll be headed to Port Canveral, FL. I'm excited but not quite 100%. I'm always a late bloomer in terms of excitement. It will generally hit me the day before, definitely the night of and the day of. Usually I have a hard time sleeping the night before we're leaving to do something. It's so silly, I can even remember being excited about Six Flags?!? Oh the things that make you happy....

On our way home, we're planning to stop at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Hardy's read the series I don't know how many times, we own all of the movies...and of course we'll see the new one due out Friday. It should be fun though, I plan to take a lot of photo's. From what I understand it's pretty accurate in terms of things being recreated.

6 months

Well it totally passed by and I didn't even realize it until yesterday....guess that's what happens when you've been with someone for so long ::ha ha ha::

Monday November 8, 2010 marked our 6 months of being married.  Even though we've been together 10 1/2 years it still brings butterflies to my stomach to SAY we're married (finally) :)

Christmas tunes & Holiday spirit

I will admit I am going to miss the traditional Thanksgiving dinner ((broccoli casserole, squash casserole, pumpkin pie, green beans, corn, rolls, sweet tea, turkey, ham, mac n cheese..the list goes on)) - - but I know when we're on the cruise ship, we won't miss it THAT much. Besides, they serve Thanksgiving food on Thanksgiving - - it may not be as good as grandma's but it'll do. 13 days until we set sail :)

Even though some people can't STAND IT or think it's TOO EARLY, I have been listening to Christmas tunes occasionally at work. It just gets me in the spirit and keeps me happy. If that's all it takes to put a smile on my face some days - - who cares, right?

Yesterday I went Christmas tree shopping and of course, came back empty handed. I would like to have a REAL tree but when I can spend the same amount on a tree that can last me several years instead of 1 -- obviously the faux tree wins. Our last tree was from Wal-Mart, a decent 5 1/2ft pre-lit for $25, the only reason I ditched it is because Tinker Bell has attempted to climb the tree and bent the entire lower tier. I'm sure she'll accomplish the same again this year but still...I can't go a Christmas without a tree. Unlike a lot of tree's I've seen, I don't have a theme, it's a compilation of childhood ornaments I made or ones that were always my favorite. I even have my great grandmother's star tree topper. I just like the way our tree looks -vs- some decorated tree out of a catalog.


No matter how stressful it seems the holiday's turn out to be, every year I still look forward to it. The fellowship with friends, visiting family I haven't seen in a while (most of the time since the previous Christmas), seeing people's reactions when they open gifts. I won't lie, I like receiving gifts but I get more out of watching people open mine. I try not to "buy on the fly" and actually put thought into my gifts, although the past few years with money as tight as it's been - it's very hard to personalize things. It's so much quicker to just grab a gift card and go on about your day.

It's over

After 14 nights....Halloween was our final night of Rot N. Rusty's Haunted Attraction.  This year was a very successful year with 18 customers peeing themselves, several were close to passing out and we got tons of POSITIVE reviews.  I had the privledge of working outside so I was able to walk through the que as well as go to the backdoor and listen to customer's tell us about the haunt.  It made me proud to be a part of such a cool event.  Now we get to rest a week and then strike begins.  I met a lot of cool new people this year and got closer to some I've known from years past.  It truly is special how such a temporary thing can make changes in you. 
 
With that being said, I am happy it's over.  I don't know how much more I could have taken....it's so tiring doing this weekend after weekend.  
 
My BFFLADYFI - Tabitha volunteered Friday night with her sister, Madison, cousin, Megan and another co-worker of ours, Kristin.  They were zombies outside in the graveyard and I was so proud of them - - their sound effects were awesome :)  I wish they would have been able to help more.
 
21 days til our Thanksgiving Cruise!

Negative for Cushings

The doctor FINALLY called me after one week of waiting on test results. My blood cortisol levels were normal and the 24hr urine free cortisol was normal. The Endocrinologist is wanting to put me on Metformin to assist the weight gain and fatigue. I took Metformin earlier in the year when I switch to a new general practitioner, she prescribed it for PCOS. I took it from Feb to April but the side effects were so inconvenient I stopped. I have been doing my research and it appears there is an extended release version that has less severe side effects. I asked if they could prescribe that instead, we will see..... Hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome, thats my life. ::sigh::

And I said hey...what's going on

Countdown to the cruise...


We're less than 30 days from our Thanksgiving cruise. I cannot wait to see the Bahamas again :) it will be a much need relaxing vacation. I know, I know, we just went on a honeymoon in May but it's been 4yrs since we vacationed with my mom and younger brother so I'm really looking forward to it - this will also be our first vacation as a family since my mom re-married in May of 09. I wish my older brother, Michael and his soon-to-be wife Kristin were able to come...then it would be complete - - there's always next year!

Horror-movie-thon...

We're on our final week of our horror-movie-thon, a tradition Hardy and I have followed the last 3yrs. So far we've done: Creatures, Children's/Comedy, Ghosts, The Dead, and laslty, this week's theme is Vampires.

Rot N. Rusty's Haunted Attraction...

This week is our final weekend open. We are open at dark 10/28 thru 10/31 until 11pm.   If you haven't come by yet - PLEASE DO!! 1250 Red Oak Flats Rd - Dahlonega, GA 30533 (look for the search lights)!!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Budrock!!!

Saturday October 23, 2010 at 2:00pm, Ashley Coker married her long-time boyfriend Eric Budrock. It was such a sweet ceremony, all of the wedding party was beautiful/handsome (Especially my BFFLADYFI Tabitha). When I saw her parents walk Ashley down the isle, my eyes filled with tears of joy. She was soooooo beautiful. Really, I can't say how beautiful she was, she is such a pretty girl to begin with, but when you're dressed as a bride about to marry your soulmate you have an extra special glow. Her dress and veil were gorgeous, again no words could really describe it. The ceremony was lead by Ashley & Tabitha's grandpa who was very comical - - whether he meant it or not, it really made the ceremony enjoyable. The newlywed couple drove off in a Plymouth Road Runner, I'm not sure what year because I don't know that much about cars and I only knew what kind of car it was because of Hardy ha ha ha...but it was cool to watch.


The reception was held at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille in Flowery Branch at Hideaway Bay Marina (very cool spot by the way). The tables/displays were set up so nicely. Hardy and I were not able to stay for food because we had to head up to the haunted house, but it smelled DELICIOUS and I certainly will plan a trip to eat there. For wedding favors they had pear preserves made from pears off a pear tree in their backyard and personalized M&M's. I wish Ashley and Eric much happiness in the many years to come.

I LOVE YOU!!!

By the way, that's not orange juice

For about 5yrs now I have continued to gain weight and gain weight with no luck trying to lose it. In March 2008 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and it was thought to believe that was the cause of the weight gain. Assuming once I got on track with thyroid medicine, these symptoms should fade away.


Well here I am 60lbs heavier than I was when I graduated high school. I beat myself up every day for ever thinking I was fat before...looking back at any photo from the last 7yrs I didn't look nearly as bad as I do now. It's embarassing being this big, even when people tell me "You don't look like you weigh that much!" well, I do. Scales don't lie - - at least not when you've been on as many as I have in the last several years during every doctor visit. Luckily at least the last 10mos I haven't gained any more..thankfully. I weigh more than my husband, I weigh more than my mom, my brother...the list goes on. I hate it. Anyone who knew me as a child/pre-teen and teen, know that I was never active in sports - I hate sports, I hate to sweat...period. BUT - NO ONE in my family is overweight, absolutely NO ONE. So why did this hit me? What's wrong with me? Well this year, I was tested for PCOS and it was inconclusive, I have several traits pointing to PCOS (including the pearl-like cysts on my ovaries) but according to the bloodwork, I don't have it. I still have the under active thryoid, you know...that never corrects itself and Synthroid will I suppose be my best friend.

I finally after all this time went to see an Endocrinologist yesterday - in Cumming at that. Blast you Aetna for not having an Endo closer to my work or home. Well she was very nice, yet professional. We didn't get very far into our conversation before I burst into tears. On top of physically hating myself, this has made me an emotional wreck. Again something else that's not normal for me. Overall I have been a passive person most of my life, always wanting to please people or make them laugh instead of getting into arguments - - oh well...not anymore. Anyways, she told me for now to stay on NAME BRAND Synthroid to see if it helps with my symptoms (because I have never noticed a change in all this time I've been taking stuff). She also sent me home with a urine jug (yep you read it right), I am getting tested for Cushing's syndrome. A very rare disease but apparently worth testing for. Before we move forward with any other issues, we need to get this test out of the way. So what do I do?? Well for 24hrs exactlty - every time I pee, I am supposed to pee in a cup and pour it into this special ORANGE pee jug - - and I have to keep it cool either over ice or in the fridge. Since I do not have a cooler large enough to accomodate this container, I am keeping it in a wal-mart bag in the fridge here at work. By the way, that's not orange juice...

WHAT IS CUSHINGS?

Cushing's syndrome (also called hyperadrenocorticism or hypercorticism) is a hormone (endocrine) disorder caused by high levels of cortisol (hypercortisolism) in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cushing's disease refers to one specific cause, a tumor (adenoma) in the pituitary gland that produces large amounts of ACTH, which in turn elevates cortisol. It can usually be cured by surgery

When Cushing's syndrome is suspected, either a dexamethasone suppression test (administration of dexamethasone and frequent determination of cortisol and ACTH level), or a 24-hour urinary measurement for cortisol offer equal detection rates. Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid and simulates the effects of cortisol, including negative feedback on the pituitary gland. When dexamethasone is administered and a blood sample is tested, high cortisol would be indicative of Cushing's syndrome because there is an ectopic source of cortisol or ACTH (e.g.: adrenal adenoma) that is not inhibited by the dexamethasone.

When any of these tests are positive, CT scanning of the adrenal gland and MRI of the pituitary gland are performed to detect the presence of any adrenal or pituitary adenomas or incidentalomas (the incidental discovery of harmless lesions). Scintigraphy of the adrenal gland with iodocholesterol scan is occasionally necessary. Very rarely, determining the cortisol levels in various veins in the body by venous catheterization, working towards the pituitary (petrosal sinus sampling) is necessary.



So I started the 'test' - if that's what you want to call it - this morning and will stop tomorrow morning, then return the jug to the lab and have bloodwork drawn to see if the dexamethasone suppresses the cortisone levels or not.

Update

.LIFE.

Well things have been really tight lately. Who hasn't it been tight for? The economy has sucked for a while now but there seem to be up and down points where it doesn't feel AS bad and then other times where it feels like you can't even pick yourself up off the ground. You want to pay off a credit card but find yourself having to use it to buy gas or groceries because your bills have officially eaten all of your paycheck. We're trying to pay extra to our house payment now because our stupid taxes are outrageous this year (thank you stupid county assessor who can't assess a property correctly). I will make certain to appeal the stupid assessment next year. Work is work is work, Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm every week. Married life is great, I guess other than the new jewelry and last name every thing is the same as before, lol. But I do love my Hardy :)

.FALL.

Does it not feel AMAZING outside?!? Ahhh I'll admit I've gotten a tad chilly from time to time over the last week but still I love it. It seems you can always find a way to warm up but you can't always find a way to cool down. I love seeing the leaves change and fall off their tree's, I love how crisp the air feels. I just love it all. Every October for the last three years Hardy and I have what we call a "horror-movie-thon" where we pick a theme each week of October and watch a movie or two each night after work that associates with that theme. We started it a week early this year since October started on a Friday. Week 1 Sept 27 - Oct 1 was creature week (Cujo, Gojira, Alone in the Dark and one other I can't remember). This week Oct 4 - 8 is Comedy/Children's week and so far we've watched Hocus Pocus, Harry Potter & The Scorcerer's Stone, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Ghoulies II. We haven't decided on a theme for next week yet but we have plenty of zombie movies so I'm sure we will have a whole week dedicated to that genre.

.FUN WITH FRIENDS.

Volunteering at the haunted house gives us an outlet...it's like a world in its own. Through this we have met a lot of interesting people who will always be in our memory. Last year Hardy and I met a couple, Danny & Shannon (they're getting married next May at the marina). We always talked during the haunted house in 2009 but never really did anything outside of it. This year after seeing one another before the haunted house season began we decided we should hang out more. We've spent two Friday's over at their house so far and have thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. It's not often you find a couple where all four of you get along, but we do. Hardy and Danny especially have a lot of similar interests in music and movies and Shannon and I can talk about anything and everything. I am so thankful to have found them - - I will forever keep in touch with them.

My friend Ashley (from work) is getting married to her long-time boyfriend Eric on 10/23/10, I'm so excited for her - she is such a sweet girl and she and Eric are perfect for one another :), 2010 seems like the year to get married...so many people on Facebook have gotten married, I got married - something is in the water!!!

.HAUNTED HOUSE.

PLEASE COME SEE US!!! This past weekend we had 8 people pee their pants! Coupons are available at Spirit Halloween in Buford, Gainesville and Cumming as well as numerous businesses/restauraunts in Dahlonega, GA. Tickets are $12/pp (without coupon). We're open every Friday and Saturday thru Halloween at dark (also open Thursday 10/28 and Sunday 10/31). LOOK FOR THE SEARCH LIGHTS!!

1250 Red Oak Flats Rd
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-9105
http://www.rottenrusty.com/
www.myspace.com/rottenrusty
www.facebook.com/rotnrustyproductions
(like us on Facebook if you haven't already!!)

I'm not a character INSIDE the haunt this year, I'm OUTSIDE. I am supposed to entertain the que. Last weekend we had a tough crowd but I did manage to make a few people laugh. I also hop to the exit and try to get feedback from customer's. So far we've gotten great reviews :)

.VACATION.

This Thanksgiving, Hardy and I are going on a cruise with My mom, Phillip and Trevor. We're going on the same cruise we went on during our honeymoon (Royal Caribbean, Monarch of the Seas). My mom was so taken aback by the photo's of the crystal clear water in the bahama's she wanted to see it for herself. Hardy's hoping we'll have enough time either before or after the cruise to make a pit stop at Universal Studio's to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I think we'll have a blast regardless of what we do. Cruising is sooo relaxing, especially since you have all these activities to do on the ship while still having the ability to run back to your room real fast if need be. Can't wait!

Let the mayhem begin

So last night the haunted house officially opened. We were 2hrs late but had loyal customers who waited patiently. We got some awesome reviews which made it all worth it. Tonight is our second night open but we're hoping for an on time opening. The amount of volunteers we have this year is unbelievable!! I can't believe how many people we have committed to helping. Like I've said before NO ONE gets paid to help with the haunted house, we all volunteer. Our net proceeds go to a new local charity every year. So if you have nothing better to do, please come visit us 1250 Red Oak Flats Rd - Dahlonega, GA 30533!!

In other news....our cats miss us, lol. We got home at 2am this morning and I think we set off a second wind in both of them. They were running, flipping, fighting...it was funny. I also woke up at 5am with a killer Charlie horse in my right calf, holy moly I thought I was dying, I stood up as best I could but thought for sure my leg was dead lol.

My mom, stepdad and Trevor are moving into a new home next weekend, beautiful 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath all brick home in Pinson, AL. They still haven't sold the current home they're in but are going to get a St. Joseph statue to bury and hopefully get luck from it....I had never heard about that but it sounds interesting.

Until next time world...I'm off for another night of haunting!!

What's my name again?

I have been so overwhelmed with things lately.  Getting ready for the haunted house, doing things at work - trying to keep our house clean and organized.  There's always going to be someone else out there doing more than me but still...I haven't had much time to myself.  Today Hardy and his Dad went to the Falcon's game so I stayed home and cleaned up here and there.  I still have a lot to do but I'm going to break it up a little at a time so it doesn't feel so overwhelming.

Our haunted house opens this Friday and we will continue to stay open every Friday/Saturday at dark 9/24 - 10/30 as well as Thur 10/28 and Sun 10/31 (yep that's right...Halloween is on a Sunday this year - bummer).  We have soooooo many volunteer's for this years haunt it's unbelievable!  In the past we generally start off with a good crowd and it tends to thin out as the season progresses so I'm hoping this year we'll have so many we won't know what to do with them.

If anyone out there in blog-world reads this and wants to visit, please do!!  Since this weekend is opening weekend, we usually run a buy one get one free deal - I'll post that info as I get it.

1250 Red Oak Flats Rd
Dahlonega, GA 30533

Tix are $10 w/ coupons which will soon be available at Spirit Halloween stores in Cumming, Buford and Gainesville.

Opening Weekend September 24th / 25th at dark!!!

In this photo:

Kyle Truelove, Angela Smith, Lance Oxyer, Rusty Smith,

Amanda Jones, Daniel Wayne and Melissa Wayne.

Sad news...

My mom found out today that Kitty Kitty (Flower's mom) has Feline Cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately there is no known cure. Treatment with certain medications can prolong her life here on earth but ultimately heart failure will come. The vet told my mom hopefully with the right medicine she will live another 5yrs (she will be 11 if that's the case).


What is Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy means "disease of the heart muscle" - the myocardium. It is a structural abnormality in one or more of the four chambers of the heart. The heart muscle grows too thick, scars and becomes stiff or weakens. Thus, the heart's ability to pump blood is impaired. It's primarily a disease of adult cats (avg 6.5yrs). All cats are suseptible, a genetric predisposition for the disease has been shown in Persians, Ragdolls and in some American Shorthairs. In Maine Coon cats, it's been proven inherited through a dominant gene (*** Flower and his two brother's are not Maine Coon but are getting tested for this since their mother has it ***).

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the most prevalent feline cardiac disorder. It is a primary disorder of the myocardium (heart muscle) characterized by hypertrophy (thickening) of the heart's left ventricle, impaired relaxation of the heart muscle and secondary left artrial enlargement. These changes lead to diastolic dysfunction - a condition in which the heart fails to relax and fill with blood normally. A resulting backup of pressure in the lung may lead to congestive heart failure.

- - I'm going to get in touch with our vet ASAP to see if we need to have Flower tested. Even though he's not Maine Coon from all the research I have done (and as stated above) it's an inherited gene.

Please keep our kitty family in your thoughts and prayers through the next several days as we hope to get some answers and get Kitty Kitty started on medication.

What's your's is our's, right?

So a couple of weeks ago Hardy decided to sell his 95 Firebird since he wasn't driving it and he wanted the $$ to buy a new 3D TV.  Well we sold it and are expecting our TV to arrive this week.  The current TV stand we have is doing good to hold the 32" tv that we have so we have been looking at new stands for the 46" we just bought.  Well has anyone looked at entertainment furniture lately brand new?!?  Holy cow - - this crap is expensive.

Saturday his parents were at a yard sale and saw a decent TV stand that would be able to hold the new TV so Hardy went by to look at it and he decided it was good enough for us.  Luckily they already had a 46" TV sitting on it so we were sure it should hold ours. 

For now, it's sitting in the middle of the living room and our two goats have claimed it their own.

Feelings

irritable (ˈɪrɪtəb ə l)


— adj

1. quickly irritated; easily annoyed; peevish

2. (of all living organisms) capable of responding to such stimuli as heat, light, and touch

3. pathol abnormally sensitive

As women, a lot of times we're expected to suppress our feelings/emotions because it "gets the best of us" or "will construe our judgment"- - LOAD OF CRAP. I've found in my short years as an actual adult, that doesn't work so well. The longer I hold something in the more aggitated I become. So sometimes we can be irrational but at least we're honest. We might say things we'll regret later but why should we regret it - - if it's intution or even instinct that gave us that thought, feeling or emotion then it's the TRUTH whether we want to believe it or not it is.

Lately I've noticed I'm more irritable..here are some examples

-A plate not being rinsed off (to my standards) before going into the dishwasher.
-Not finding a t-shirt that fits me comfortably.
-Getting hot when I blow dry my hair.
-These stupid drain flies we've been battling for the last few weeks.
-Getting aggravated at work because of customer's being rude on the phone or people sending us payments without an accompanied invoice number.
-An unclean toilet.
-People who put water in a bottle of soap to help it lasts longer (really it doesn't).
-People who don't care about personal hygiene.
-Liars, it doesn't matter how old you get, people still and always will lie (about stupid stuff to top the cake).
-Trying to explain something to someone but they only hears part of it and go off on a tangent about something I never said.
-People who try to tell you how to live your life, regardless of how old and responsible you are.

I know, this all sounds like normal stuff and I guess it is but just 1 teensy weensy little thing can make me flip my lid. I don't WANT it too but I guess most all of my life I've been passive aggressive, but now that I have my own things and live a certain way - - I'm tired of playing by society's rules. I'm tired of doing and saying what is "proper".

This reminds me of a quote from the movie Beetlejuice (not that all my complaints are about my HOUSE, I'm just saying...I can feel her excitement when she says this)

"If you don't let me gut out this house and make it my own, I will go insane and I will take you with me!!!" - Delia Deetz

Just another manic Monday

I don't know what makes Monday's so undesirable.  Is it because the weekend is over?  Is it because work always seems to be extra busy on this day?  Is it because you know there are still 4 days left before the weekend?

Whatever the reason(s) I just can't ever make myself like a Monday...unless I'm on vacation of course.

INSANE - - HELICOPTER SAW

On Tuesday, we heard this outrageously loud noise outside our office at work...once curiosity took the best of us, we peeked out the front door and saw a helicopter nearby with 10 saw blades attached to it by a cable. They were cutting tree limbs near power lines in the woods. Well it was one of the loudest, coolest and SCARIEST things I've ever seen in my entire life. All I could think about while watching it was "What if the cable snaps and these blades go flying EVERY WHERE?!"

I'm thinking up a movie idea as I type this...I can see this awful thing in a horror movie.

Haunted House season -- whoo hooo

Sunday myself and a few other people from the haunt met for a poster photo shoot for this years haunted house.  I started to go to help with make-up but ended up being one of the 'characters'.

When the photo is edited for the poster it will look a lot cleaner and really the point is to have our faces stand out.  Rusty, the bald guy in the middle is the mastermind behind this project, it's been his ideas/talent that have kept this haunted house open for 10yrs.

We officially open Friday September 24, 2010 and will remain open every Friday & Saturday thru October (with special nights Thursday October 28 and Sunday October 31).  Tickets are $12 and we will be running a special one night for $10 (I'll post which night that is later).

If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer as a 'monster' in the haunted house, please let me know. Whether it's 1 night or all 14 nights, the more people, the scarier we can be.

This year we'll be located at : 1250 Red Oak Flats Rd - Dahlonega, GA 30533

Come on Fall!

So what's new....well, it's still HOT. I'm remembering why I love Fall and early Spring so much better...soon though, we'll be in Fall and it will be beautiful. I love the way the air changes, the wind changes, the leaves turn colors, the entire process of Fall is so much more enjoyable to me than Spring/Summer. I mean I like to see things green but still...Fall is a lot more colorful - PLUS there's Halloween :)

Speaking of Halloween, we're trying to wrap up details on this years haunted house in Dahlonega. It will be my 3rd year volunteering but Rot N. Rusty's 10th year in production. I'm not quite sure what the theme will be for 2010 but we're hoping bigger, scarier...all the things that come with an awesome HAUNTED birthday. I just love volunteering for this. I've always loved haunted houses and scary movies so to finally play a character on the other side of the fence makes it rewarding. All of the volunteer's for Rot N. Rusty's donate their time and talents for FREE because all the proceeds from the haunted house go to a new charity every year. In the past because it's based in Dahlonega, we've dontated to the Lumpkin County Fire Department and Woodmen of the World. In 2009 we joined up with the Lumpking County Literacy Coalition. It's # 1 awesome to participate in something I already enjoy, #2 great to do it for a good cause. I will keep posting more details as the haunting seasons draws near so if ANYONE who reads my blog has the guts to come see me, can :)

FYI to people with Bermuda lawns

As some of you may know, I work for King GREEN lawn care. Although I mainly deal with accounts receivable/collections, I also help with customer service. Within the past two weeks we've been bombarded with phone calls about armyworms. The armyworm is the caterpillar stage of a moth that primarily feeds on bermuda turfgrass. They appear when temperatures are dry and warm and are not as active during the day, but could still be visible to the naked eye if the lawn has a bad enough infestation. Sometimes if there are many armyworms in the lawn, the grass will appar to 'move'. Armyworms range from 1/2" - 1.5" in length and start off light green with stripes on their side and they darken as they age. One way to see if your lawn has armyworms is to mix 1/2oz dish soap with 1 gallon of water and pour it onto a section of your lawn, this soapy mix will draw the armyworms to the surface of the grass.

It is highly recommended that you treat your lawn with an insecticide, such as Sevin. While established bermuda lawns will not be 'killed' by armyworms, it can turn the lawn brown. Once the armyworms are gone the lawn will recover in approx 2-3 weeks. Newly sodded lawns will most likely suffer much worse. If you don't have a lawn care company and are interested in treating it yourself, you can purchase 'Sevin' at Home Depot and/or Lowe's and apply it to the lawn. It's recommended not to mow the lawn for 2-3 days after the application.

Lastly, it is possible the armyworms could return if the weather persists and if your neighbor(s) have armyworms but don't do anything about them.

Pro's & Con's of summer

Pro's

-Flip flops
-Visiting the ocean
-Summer concerts
-Extended periods of daylight
-Enjoying ice cream on a hot day
-Every thing is green and/or in bloom
-Enjoying a fountain coke on a hot day

Con's

-BUGS
-BUGS - yea I listed it twice
-Sweat
-Weeds
-Hot temps
-High humidity
-High power bills
-Weather uncertainty
-Getting in a blazing hot car
-Not being able to enjoy anything outside
-Waking up a million times throughout the night because it's hot
-Working ever day of summer while every one in the education field is off
-Wanting to go to a concert but not enjoying yourself because you stick to the seat
-Standing up after sitting for a long time and learn your pants are drenched in sweat

I am MORE than ready for Fall and will probably thoroughly enjoy Winter this year as well.

Sharing the bed

Hardy and I are used to Flower and Tinker Bell sleeping ON TOP of the comforter at our feet/between our legs but last night, our cat with the most personality - - Tinker Bell decided she wanted to lay between us and UNDER the covers.

Exhibit A:

"Puuurrrr Z Z Z Z z z z z Z Z Z"

Exhibit B:

I imagine the caption would be something like...

"I'm not moving...nope no way"

Don't throw your towel on the floor...

Not because it will get dirty...
Not because it's damp...

But because, Tinker Bell might find a way to wrap herself in it...

Visit with the Riley's

When Hardy went to college in Orlando 01-02 for Recording Arts, he became good friends with one of his class/labmates and they've kept in touch over the years. As time has gone on, I've always heard about Josh's girlfriends but only ever 'talked' to one - Lindsay. She and Josh have been apart for quite some time now but she and I have managed to carry on our friendship for nearly 5yrs by internet and telephone. She's now married with a two year old and pregnant with another due in March 2011. For years now we've talked about maybe meeting eachother 1/2 way as she and her husband, Zach, live in Pennsylvania, but we never actually have. We never had the money or already took too much time off work...etc etc. Finally Zach and Lindsay had the opportunity to make a trip down here this past weekend.

They arrived around 12pm on Sunday so we snacked on some foods to please our appetites. It was so great introducing ourselves and getting to know one another. Before they had arrived, Hardy and I agreed it would be best to have them stay at the house with us since they've already spent so much money on gas to get here and go back. As 'thanks' for our hospitality they bought tickets for us to go to Medieval Times on Sunday night. We went a little early so we could walk around Discover Mills, I guess its few and far between these days when I actually go places in Gwinnett County and I honestly felt like a minority walking around that mall (so did our guests). I'm not saying it's a bad thing but there were so few 'americans' it was weird. Dinner was fabulous (as it always is at Medieval Times) and the show was cheesey but that's ok - - our Knight won! When we got home we played a couple rounds of Scene It? Box Office Smash for XBOX (I won both games..lol) and then headed to bed.

Monday we all got up and decided we were going to the Georgia Aquarium, on our way we decided to stop and grab a bite to eat at Steak & Shake (can you believe they don't have those in Pennsylvania?!!) which was AS ALWAYS sooo yummie. I order the Fresco Melt every time I go. After the aquarium we headed BACK home, lounged around the house for a while and then went to Red Lobster for dinner (courtesy of Zach and Lindsay which was sooo sooo good). We went home and watched a little TV then to bed we went.

Tuesday, Lindsay and I went to see Eclipse (it was my 3rd time but her 1st). The guys stayed back and played video games the entire time we were gone. That evening, Hardy and I were treated with Lindsay's homemade Chicken parmesan for dinner. I can't even begin to describe HOW DELICIOUS it was - but it was, lol. We played a few more games of Scene It? on XBOX and then they packed their truck and headed home. I always hated that we didn't live close to begin with, but now that we've had a chance to meet and interact in person the distance is a lot harder to handle. Even our husbands got along well. I hope that sometime in the next year or so we can go visit them in PA or we can all manage to meet in the middle and have a mini-vacation again.

UNTIL NEXT TIME - - MR & MRS RILEY THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL VISIT, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!

Quarter life crises

Ahhh being a kid was so easy, I think the transition from a child to an adult becomes more difficult over time. Just the thought of all these worldy burdens for being an adult is overwhelming. There again, there are plenty of people who still live at home and do nothing with their lives - - so is it better to be responsible and struggle/work for what you have and want OR be a moocher for most of your life and never learn the value of being a responsible adult?


Is a quarter-life crisis possible??

-I want to be married to Hardy and live in our own house but then other half of me wishes I were 10yrs old again playing with Polly Pocket and My Littlest Pet Shop toys in my room as if nothing outside of my bubble existed.

-I want to have a child before I'm 35...hell before I'm 30 but then I think about when I brought home a robot baby in 11th grade and after the first night I ended up giving it to a neighbor because I didn't like having it.

-I wished I knew how to REALLY cook, like breakfast and every thing not just simple meals but I remember how easy it was to just pop a small round cake pan into my Easy Bake Oven and voila! a dessert is made!! (Yea they never tasted that great)

***Crossbow Home Gym FOR SALE***

Crossbow Legend by Weider

$150 OBO

**Great condition, barely used

Entire workout bench with poster showing all possible workouts and standard accessories included.

Functions Include:

-65 club quality exercises
-Leg developer
-240lbs of resistance
-4-position padded bench
-CRS resistance
-Lat tower
-Quick-change resistance
-Rowing seat
-Resistance bars
-Space saver fold-up bench

***If interested in any of these - - please email me at amanda.lockaby@att.net

Trading In

Five years ago Hardy bought a 2002 Isuzu Axiom. It was a very nice car, leather seats...6 disc CD changer, the works. About two years after he had it it started giving us transmission trouble (and after doing extensive research we discovered ALL Axiom's were doomed with transmission issues) we paid $2500 to have it repaired. Even though it was 'fixed' he never fully trusted the car and of course was pissed we had to put nearly $3k on a credit card just to get it running again. At the end of July 2007 he decided to trade it in for a 07' Kia Sportage - about a week later I decided I wanted one and traded in my 2001 Honda CR-V for a Sportage as well (just a different color). We have been fairly happy with the cars, they have great space, drove nicely and had tinted windows (big plus). Earlier this year it occured to me it was dumb that I went to get the same car after Hardy, we have NO NEED for two SUV's. We don't have a family and it's not like we go camping/backpacking all the time and need all that space. In February I was taking my car in for maintenance and decided I'd eyeball some of the new vehicles in the lot. I fell in love with the Forte, Kia's new sedan...so we went inside talked with a sales guy and started crunching numbers.

I ended up getting the Forte and I don't regret it one bit. While I did add on a few more years in terms of 'owing' and my payment increased $12/mo I save on gas mileage so it balances itself out. The Sportage at best on a long distance trip would get 300mi to a tank of gas, the Forte gets around 340 and that's in the city...every day driving.

About a week ago Hardy received a letter from KIA stating the dealership we buy from (KIA Mall of GA) was under new management and holding a trade in event 7/22-7/24 to build up their used inventory + offering more to the customer in trade in value. We thought - "What the heck, let's give it a try". Hardy owed more on his Sportage than I did because the Isuzu had more negative equity than my Honda did. Long story short....he got a black Kia SOUL, it's sooooo cute. It's supposed to be a little better than my car is on gas too.
 

All in all, you're always going to need a car so why not have a car you enjoy driving, save on gas and...the best part of it all. Kia's standard 10yr/100,000mi warranty. You can't beat any of those factors.

Migraines

For at least 4-5yrs now I've been a migraine sufferer. Both my mom and younger brother suffer from them too. I've discovered mine are generally episodic migraines (occuring once or twice a month). After paying attention to their frequency, I discovered that mine are menstrual migraines...yea thanks so much mother nature. Most doctors will tell you to take the prescription at the first sign of a migraine - because normal people will get an aura, blurred vision, floaters..the list goes on, when they know a migraine is coming. Other than knowing when to expect my period - - I never know it's going to hit until it hits, or maybe I haven't familiarized myself with the symptoms?!? I always try to use tylenol or advil like with any normal ache or pain and after 1 dose if there's no difference I know I'm in for a ride. I guess I should start automatically taking a migraine pill the day before I remove my Nuvaring so my body can be prepared for the dip in hormones?!?

I just did some research online and found this interesting fact:

After puberty, migraines affect women three times more often than men. Hormones – especially estrogen – appear to have important effects on migraine activity. About 60% of women who have migraine experience attacks before or during their menstrual period, although only about 10% to 15% will have migraine only when they have their menstrual period. The majority of women will have migraine at other times of their cycle but will experience attacks of greater severity one to two days before or during their menstrual period.

I've been using Maxalt (rizatriptan) for the treatment of my migraines for almost 2yrs now and on occasion back it up with phenergan as I tend to experience nausea with most attacks. It's really really painful when one hits, I always have sensitivity to sound, light is usually tolerable if it's not an advanced migraine but moving around is usually painful too (It seems with every step I take the throbbing in my head worsens). There have been a few times when I haven't had my prescription filled (because it's $35.00 for 9 pills....yea ONLY 9 PILLS!!!) and have just endured the pain as best I could without stabbing myself in the head. I hope that one day I will out-grow these, if possible...before menopause since they appear to be episodic to my 'flow'.

I want to...be a better Christian

-Start a family
-Be more active
-Decorate my house
-Pay off credit card debt
-Always find time to laugh
-Find out whats wrong with me
-Find a job I love and am good at
-Be a positive influence on others
-Stop letting things build up inside
-Never forget the people who love me
-Be the best wife/daughter/sister/aunt I can be
-Find the motivation that millions of people have yet I somehow lack

Thankful for THESE times

In the 1950's, women were responsible for keeping house, cooking meals, raising the kids..etc while the men were off at work. It was rare during those times that a woman would have a decent job with decent pay. Over time as women have become more independent and granted 'almost equal' positions/offers as men things have changed for households. I don't know if I would like to stay at home full time (I know I know, I say that without having REALLY experienced it) - - when I'm off for Christmas break after 3-4 days I start to get bored and wish I was back at work. While I don't mind sleeping in - - I don't like being cooped up in a house all day either.


I'm very thankful that Hardy and I both have jobs that for now keep us afloat with our embarassing credit card balances and house payment. I take pride in how hard I've worked to get our credit scores up and keep them there. After having bought the townhome, I'm TRYING to find a way to pay off our credit cards (I know that's backwards, we should have done that before buying a home). But we were able to get the home and it was too good not to take. I've attempted to apply for a personal loan but so far the banks tell me our debt-to-income ratio won't allow for one. But I'm like - - uhh hello, if you'd give me the loan I WON'T HAVE THESE credit card bills anymore, duh!?!? Whatever...the economy sucks even for responsible people who are trying to go about things the right way.

Back to household duties - when we lived in our tiny 1 bedroom apartment in Gainesville we didn't really have 'duties', I generally always had to ask for help from Hardy to change the litter box or vacuum..etc etc. Now that we're in a much larger space, however, we agreed to split the downstairs/upstairs duties. I'm very proud of my husband for doing what he does, even if sometimes I still feel like I do more. I realize he works hard every day of the week and appreciate his willingness to help. I feel that if both people work then they should share responsibilities. If you split the bills, why not split the housework - - right? Now if I were at home all day, I would make sure the house was always clean and presentable because that would be my job. I'm even lucky enough that Hardy enjoys cooking - even though his 'part' of the house involved the kitchen, I didn't demand that he be the cook but he is and he's great at it. I still, occasionally make meals if he's not familiar how to cook it or it's something suggested and I have the recipe but most nights it's him that cooks.

Ahhhh I love him.

Music

Thinking back over time to ALL the music I've listened to over the years and I'm reminded of certain bands/cd's that really grabbed me at certain times in life. There are two very influential bands I remember in particular. When I was going into 7th grade I fell in love with Hanson, I can't say I'm a huge fan of their music now even though it hasn't really strayed from how they've always sounded but I guess I grew up and away from that sound. I thank Hanson though because it introduced me to some of my best friends. In 1999 I started listening to KoRn and really felt connected to their music emotionally, even though I had nothing REALLY to be angry about during that time, I was angry and the music was a release for me. It even inspired me to take electric guitar lessons back when MARS music was around, I did for about 3mos then my teacher moved to CA and I gave up - dumb idea....I could prbably be a rock star right now YEA RIGHT!! To this day I still listen to KoRn on occasion and am brought back to my teenage angst days when life seemed so horrible but now noticing life was so much EASIER then.


I think it's amazing how connected one can be with music. I think I've had a tendency to be very supportive (obsessive) of certain bands that I come to like. Of course my walls were ALWAYS plastered with Hanson through middle school but as I started high school and transferred into heavier music those posters were replaced with the faces of KoRn, CREED, Staind, Orgy...etc. A few years back I fell in love with 30 Seconds to Mars and when I finally got to see them in concert I found myself teary eyed!?!? I felt like an idiot in the crowd but felt so happy to be there seeing a band I was connected to. At this point in time I would say my favorite band is Within Temptation (a symphonic metal band from Netherlands). The vocal ability of Sharon den Adel is so peaceful and beautiful I haven't found a song yet that I didn't like. It has a taste of darkness but when mixed with her vocals + strings and synthesizers it takes their music to an entirely new level. I hope one day I will get to see them perform live, I feel like seeing a band in concert sort of completes every thing (for me).



So I just want to say THANK YOU to music..in general.

Got my wedding photo's this weekend - - LOVE LOVE LOVE them :)

Thanks a million to Tracie Manders Photography