I’m so very excited, we bought me a car yesterday!!
It’s been about 4 years, give or take, since I had a car of my own. Now that I can drive again, and we will probably be having a child in the house soon, it was time for me to start looking at cars. It has taken about 2 months of looking, but yesterday we found the perfect car!
It’s a 2008 Convertible Volkswagen Beetle. Isn’t it cute??
As a friend of mine said today, “Watch out Wendy’s on the road again.”
What a milestone. Just think, I couldn’t drive just a few months ago, now I have my own car. hehehe!
Boy am I busy this week. Just think a couple of months ago I wouldn’t have thought about doing any of the things I’m doing lately. (or planning to do…heck, I wouldn’t have made plans.)
So yesterday and today we started working in our little garden patch in the front of the house. When it rains we have a river running through there so we had to be inventive.
Front Yard Garden, in progress.Sandy walking through front garden.
I wish I had a before picture, then you would know just how much work we have done. We decided to work with the water flow instead of against it. We put some small pebbles to help the path of water, so it won’t tear up the garden, then sat potted herbs on top of the rocks. (We still need 2 more pots to fill the area, but our local gardening center was out.) The pots contain herbs, we have day lilies coming up from last year, and we put out wild flower seeds to fill in. We’re also going to put a rock border around the front. (We found a lot of cool rocks in the woods right behind our house!)
Tomorrow night we start fostering classes. They will need to do a house visit to inspect where we live, so we need to get the house in order…and ready for a child. We also need to sign up for CPR classes, including CPR for children. And we each need to make appointments to bet a physical. Lot’s to do, but totally worth it.
On Friday I’ll be getting my hearing aids. How cool is that? I just can’t wait to hear what I’ve been missing. I wish I was getting them before we start our classes, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hear what’s going on. Luckily, I’ll have Stuart there to help.
I’m still having too many headaches. I do wish they would go away. Perhaps the next time I see my neurologist she will be able to do more. I’m also having more hip pain than usual, of course I’m doing more. But that doesn’t mean I should be in pain all the time.
I know I promised Part 2 of Treatments for Meniere’s as the next post, but I got some news today that I wanted to share. It may also go along with the last post.
image from the fructose malabsorption group on Yahoo
Today I got the results of my Breath Tests, I talked about those previous posts. They tested for digestion issues, Lactose Intolerance, and Fructose Intolerance (otherwise known as Fructose Malabsorption). I have the later.
This is going to take some getting used to. As you probably know I already have to avoid gluten, this will just add to the things I can’t eat. I knew this may be a problem, but I never knew there would be so many things I wouldn’t be able to eat. I’m shocked actually.
According to the diet my doctor gave me there are only 9 vegetables I can eat. And after doing some research on this disorder on the web, I found that one of those vegetables are not recommended. I will be calling a nutritionist tomorrow morning to get in as soon as possible to help me with this.
Not only can I not eat fruit, and many vegetables, I can’t eat any sugar at all.
I don’t know if this aggravated my Meniere’s symptoms or not, but I’m sure it effected me in more ways than I know.
Great News, the Meniere’s is still staying calm! Virtually no symptoms! Yes, I feel like Dancing!! Since I’ve been feeling better I’ve been doing much more. On Saturday we went to the new outlet mall that recently opened not too far from us. Actually, it was farther than I thought, but we made it. After that long ride, we walked around for a long time. Then we left there, got some lunch, and went to the grocery store. Next, we stopped at the library to pick up a few books I had on hold. Finally, we headed home. I went upstairs to get in more comfy clothes, and saw a print out for an exercise routine that I got off of Faith, Hope, and Fighting Spirit’s Blog. I decided, to try it out. Whew! for someone who hasn’t been exercising, it was intense. Really, it wasn’t so bad, but it calls for many push-ups and I’m really not good at doing push-ups. I am very proud that I got through the whole Total Core Pyramid, and I only skipped a few push-ups. I rested for a while, then made dinner and a friend came over and we watched movies.
What a busy day!
After all of that my hip was hurting so much! It popped and everyone heard it! Ouch! I guess I haven’t been having hip troubles, simply because I haven’t been doing much. When I went to bed my shoulder was hurting so bad after all those push-ups I couldn’t get comfortable. I finally decided to take a pain pill, and it helped. (I took a total of 3 hydrocodone yesterday. The first because I had a headache, the second because of my hip, and the third because of my shoulder.) I don’t think it’s a good thing that I have to take pain pills to get through an active day.
I don’t want to have surgery on my hip again, so I’m going to try to build it up with light exercise, working out in the pool, and having massages. I’m hoping to be able to start going to the pool next week.
My husband is starting a new job on March 16th. He will be working as a contract employee for the first 3 months, then he will be full-time. It’s an exciting and nervous time. This is a much more stable company, and it has better insurance. Of course he won’t have this insurance for the 3 months he is a contract employee, and for the first 30 days after he is full-time, but we will still be on his old company’s insurance, we just have to pay for it. He will still be able to work at home, with great flex time. I just hope he will end up loving what he’s doing! It’s very hard to have a job that you hate, no matter how good the benefits.
To Sum Up:
Meniere’s is doing great.
I’m being much more active.
Hip is not doing so great.
Hubby has a new job.
Oh, by the way, I’m looking forward to my appointment with Dr. Kaylie on the 14th. I’ll be getting a hearing test and we’ll find out just how much better I really am.
A Guilty Pleasure is defined as something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it.
I have a lot that I feel guilty for, but not many pleasures that I feel guilty over. But I do have a few…
Each of these I feel a little guilty about because I either feel like I should be at least trying to do something more productive, it cost money and I don’t work, or because I feel like I’m taking advantage of my husband.
image from ucd.ie
I love spending time on my computer, reading blogs and posting on my blogs. The computer is sometimes a great escape, and it is often a way for me to communicate with other people.
image from sodahead.com
I also love that I have more time to read because of my illness. I can get lost in a book. They help me escape, and learn. I will never get tired of learning new things. I think reading helps to keep my mind active and has lessened my brain fog. But still I often feel I should be doing something else.
image from tbcgym.com
I love for my husband to massage me. He is such a great help to me, and I don’t get to pamper him near enough, but I love it when he pampers me. He takes care of me all the time, but I get so much pleasure from having him rub my neck and back. Oh and when my hip is giving me a lot of trouble, he is wonderful at trying to make it better.
I also love going to get a professional massage. I don’t do this very often, and I always feel guilty afterward, because it cost money. Plus, I feel like if anyone should be getting a massage, it should be my darling husband. He works so hard, and he treats me so well, he deserves to be pampered.
image from show.com
I have a secret obsession for shoes, and purses. I’m trying hard not to buy any new shoes or purses, but it’s so hard. I try to find them at thrift stores, and I have found a few. But when I’m looking for something in particular it’s hard. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t buy a ton of shoes or purses. I am, however, on a constant search for the perfect purse. This is very funny coming from me because I used to never carry a purse and was proud of it. However, now I have to carry an epi pen and an inhaler with me all the time, so I have to carry a purse. And shoes! I don’t buy a ton, but I have a weakness for funky tennis shoes, and shoes that look great but are still comfortable. I don’t give in to this guilty pleasure very often, but I just can’t help myself sometimes.
image from roxyishere.wordpress.com
I also love to find great make-up and facial products that are made from natural ingredients, are gluten-free, and haven’t been tested on animals. This is getting easier than it used to be, but it’s very hard to find a product that fits all those categories, that is still affordable, and lives up to what it promises.
image from marieclair.com
One more I really like having a manicure or pedicure, or even giving one to myself. I love wild fingernail polish.
I keep thinking of these things that I just love to do, but feel at least a twinge of guilt when I do them. The question is, should I continue to do them and feel guilty, should I stop, or should I stop feeling guilty about it?
I made a compromise a long time ago, and I think it’s a good thing. I don’t over indulge in my guilty pleasures, this makes me feel much less guilty. As much as I love shoes, purses, manicures, polish, massages, and books I don’t buy very many. I get about 2 new pairs of shoes a year, I average 1 purse a year, 1 mani-pedi a year, and 2-3 massages. I haven’t bought new polish in a long time, however, I have made new colors by mixing a few together. I rarely ever buy a book, however, I love my local library!
I think the one guilty pleasure that I have that I probably need to do less, is staying on my computer. I think I should try to limit it to less than 2 hours per day.
By incorporating these restraints I feel much less guilty about my guilty pleasures. After all, shouldn’t we all have a few pleasures that make you feel like you are splurging?
It’s beginning to look a lot like…Spring! The cherry trees are blooming. The grass is starting to have little green spots. The weather is crazy; one day it’s hot, the next day it’s cold. Spring is trying to…well..spring! It’s an exciting time, watching life begin. We are busy planning our garden, it’s so nice to think that this year I will be able to have a garden. This is the third year we’ve been in this house, and I really wanted to have a garden, but this is the first time I thought I might actually be able to take care of one!
I’m so excited about how well I’ve been feeling. I’ve been busy, busy, busy doing things I haven’t been able to do in so long. I know it probably sounds crazy, but I’m so excited about being able to clean! Yes, I scrubbed our bathroom and was just so happy! I’ve been doing laundry! We have a front loading washer and dryer and before I couldn’t load and unload them without getting dizzy, so doing laundry is just so exciting.
I’m sure I won’t be as excited about doing house work for long, but right now I’m just so happy.
I’m also excited about something else. I haven’t had diarrhea in over a week now! I don’t know what has changed, but I’m so very happy. Now if I could just take off this weight! Hopefully, now that I can move more the weight will start to come off. I sure hope so.
One unfortunate thing about moving more, my hip is starting to really bother me again. I’m hoping to start going to the pool and working with it. I don’t know if it will work, but it has before. If not, I guess I’ll have to start considering surgery. But not until I’ve exhausted every other option!
Right now I’m doing the last Breath Test. Today is the fructose test. The stuff I had to drink was so sweet, I still have a sickly sweet taste in my mouth. I’m so hungry, I haven’t had anything to eat since about 8:30pm last night. Just 2 more hours to go, and I’ll be finished! I’m looking forward to finding out what these tests show. I doubt it will show anything, as usual, but at least I will know. : ) I’ll let you know next week!
I had such a nice day today, I just had to share it.
My hearing is better. No symptoms at all really! Yay!
Today we went to the co-op first and stocked up on groceries for the week. We came home and made burgers. We cooked them on the grill, and then we ate outside. It was about 80F! So cool.
Then we went to look at cars. For ME! Yes, we are looking at buying me a car. For years we’ve been a one car family, but one of the biggest reasons I don’t drive is because I’m afraid that I will get out and have an attack and won’t be able to get home. I would just feel so much better I knew I could call Stuart to come get me if something happens and I feel like I can’t drive.
This is the car I test drove today:
2004 Volkswagen Beetle
How cool is that? We drove it with the top off, and it was so much fun!
Not sure we’ll get this car, but it sure was fun test driving it.
Another nice thing about today…my husband has been flirting with me all day. It’s so nice. He so often has to be my caregiver, it’s so very nice for us a day where we are just a married couple, in love, and having fun together.
I’ve been feeling great lately. I still have my lumbar puncture scheduled for Wednesday, I think I’ll try to do as much as I can from now until then. That way if over doing it is what caused my last set back, it should do it again.
Tomorrow, I have another one of those Breath Tests. On Friday when I could finally eat I had such a horrible headache I was forced to bed for hours. I hope tomorrow’s experience is better.
Today I don’t have anything particular to write about.
Health wise things are about the same. I’m feeling a bit better. Hearing has improved, but still not up to its normal standards, and I’m still nursing a headache. However, the weather has been crazy here. Warm one moment, cold the next, and now it’s raining. So all in all things are pretty good there right now. Just waiting on the next visit to see Dr. Gray on the 2nd.
Every year about this time our master bathroom gets invaded with lady bugs. I’m not sure how they get in there, the window doesn’t open, I think they just came with the house. : )
Lady Bugs in my Bathroom
Yesterday I took a picture of myself. Don’t know why, I just felt kind of pretty.
That's me!
Today I had a first: I was served with a Subpoena. Of course I’ve seen people get served on TV many times, but I got mine in the mail. How weird is that? It is such a strange feeling to see on a piece of paper that I am COMMANDED to appear and testify in court the week of March 28th. I have to testify against Paul Seelig, former owner of Great Specialty Products. He was selling bread as Gluten-Free bread and it wasn’t. I was one of the people who bought some and got sick. It’s a much longer story than this, and I may tell more later, but for now you can read the initial news report about it here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6949028/ if you would like.
I won’t bore you with the details of how involved I got in this case. But I feel so betrayed, and hurt. I believed this man, and he could have killed people. I got sick and convinced myself that I must have gotten gluten somewhere else. I feel like I am such a bad judge of character now.
Today I came across two blogs that just made me happy.
I’ve always believed in being nice, not only to people I know but also to strangers. I love holding doors for people, sharing a smile, telling a stranger how good they look today…. Well, today I came across a blog by Melissa Morris and she feels the same way. She has made it a mission to encourage other people to be nice. This just makes me happy. Her blog is called Operation NICE. She even gives assignments for people to do to be nice. For example, this week’s extreme niceness challenge is to smile at 10 strangers. This is an easy one for me because I try to smile at everyone.
Here’s a little story about me smiling to a stranger. Yesterday, when we were at the mall I smiled and waved at a little girl and then smiled at her father, he gave me a big smile and said “Thank You.” I couldn’t figure out why he thanked me, but it was so sweet. It just made my day.
I’ve decided to follow her and try to fulfill the assignments she suggests, it always makes me feel better to be nice to others. It empowers me, and makes me feel much more “normal”. Do you enjoy being nice? Is it important to you to do Random Acts of Kindness? Does it make you feel better? If so, maybe you should join me in being a Very Nice Person. : )
The second thing I found today touched me because I was reading on another blog that I follow recently how she is being harassed by someone saying some not so kind things. This is something that really scares me about blogging. I hope I have enough self-confidence to not let things get to me, but I know from past experience when I’ve gotten a negative comment that it hurts. I simply can’t help but take it personally.
create, inspire, and admire rather than compete with fellow bloggers
be understanding of each other– in the blogging community, as well as in the world
stay away from internet/blogging bullying
speak my opinion freely, while still being mindful of other’s feelings– be tactful.
make an effort–no matter how big or small the gesture, to spread kindness or joy to others
acknowledge that I will make mistakes, (I am only human) but remember to learn from them
know that at times I will post about the negative stuff in life, and maybe even some complaining (I am only human) but I will always follow-up with something happy/positive too.
believe that this world is a good place, filled with good people.
I hope these also made you happy.
You ask how am I feeling? My hearing is a tiny bit better today, I had a sudden horrible headache today that took me to my knees, but it didn’t last too long after I took something. I’m very tired today, but feel better than I did yesterday. Dr. Gray is trying to get me in this week to test my pressure. Haven’t heard back from her yet to see if she found an opening. She really wanted to make the appointment long enough to so she could patch the last leak if she needs to. I’ll let you know what happens.
I’d like to dedicate this post to everyone who loves me, or who simply shares their love with me.
I often mention how much my husband does for me. He not only takes care of my physically when I can’t, he does housework, and he also holds down a more than full time job. He also puts up with me when I am having a very short-tempered day because I’m not feeling well. He does all of this because he loves me. I can’t imagine how I would get through all of my trials without him. (I’m really glad I don’t have to.) Thank you husband, for being there when I’m my sickest, for listening to me when I just need to scream, for encouraging me, for being strong for me when I don’t feel very strong myself and for still flirting with me and making me feel like I’m sexy. Your love is very important to me. I hope you know how much I love you.
To my dear friends who still accept me as I have changed with this disease. I know I’m not quite the same friend you originally met, but I sure am glad you stuck by me. I love it when you share your life with me, and tell me what is going on with you and just don’t even pay attention to my illness. Those are special days to me. However, I am also grateful for the days you let me cry on your shoulder and tell you how hard things are, it’s nice to be able to talk about it and know you aren’t being judged. You have been a great friend. Thank you for loving me. I love you too.
To my wonderful blogging friends. You have listened to me possibly more than anyone. You have heard mostly my down times, and you are still here. I love you for that. You encourage me, and have helped me to come to terms with my illness. You may not know me personally, but you have shared your love with me, you have reached out over many miles and given me hope, knowledge and friendship. I thank you, and love each of you.
I would be remiss in this post if I didn’t mention the love of my pets. Our darling dog Sandy, and loving cat Max. They are always looking out for me. They know when I don’t feel good and always try to make it better. I often feel like I’m a pet pillow (at least I’m not a Pillow Pet!), but they just want to be as close to me as they can. They are always there for me. They warm my heart, I love them so and can’t imagine my life without them.
I’m a very lucky person to have so much love surrounding me. It really makes living with a chronic illness easier. At one point I thought it would be easier if I was alone, if no one cared. Then I could just drift away and it wouldn’t matter. I was in a deep depression and felt my life was over. I couldn’t see how I could possibly be of any use to the world being in the condition I was in. I’m very grateful I had some wonderful people who loved me and made me realize I had something to live for.
Picnic with Ants 