I had an excellent Spring Break. Saw Brandy - which is always a good time. We made plans for a trip this summer, she removed offensive pink rhinestones from a shirt I can now take out of my closet and wear, we savored rehab cheesecake together. We also looked for dating possibilities for me online - no luck as of yet. (Will report further as events warrant.) I also spent quite a bit of time studying this weekend, trying to catch up from my recent bout of illness. I even came up with a new way to study for my upcoming test - I started recording myself reading my notes out loud. I'd post the recording, but it's so utterly fascinating that I might attract stalkers.
Then, out of the blue, I decided to check out my grades online and found that one of my instructors had posted another assignment, due the same day that I was taking my make-up test. Sweet.
It's a huge one, too. I made some arrangements to get some help with it, and he's working with me on other things, as well. I really have no room to complain. I have made a decision though - that six hours of sleep a night thing is here to stay. Being sick really sucked, and I don't want to repeat it.
In other news - I return to the knee doctor next month to see if I have to have surgery. There's a divot in my kneecap, dear Liza...
Also, even though I am in school hell, I know that none of this is going to matter in a few months. I will be traveling to the desert in the summertime (yay!) to get together with fabulous friends. I smile about this several times a day.
That's all for now - going to bed!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I must've spent too long outside...
Welcome to the latest edition of RJ's Midnight Blogging Service...
Tonight, a story of illness. I don't know how I got sick. I didn't hang out with anyone this weekend except for Jazz. My dog and I are close, but not that close, you understand. So, apparently I contracted a vile illness at some point. At approximately 8:15 am on Monday I started coughing. Not regular coughing, but this out-of-breath wheezing hack that made me wonder whether I was going to make it or not. I could feel my vocal cords swelling. It was quite a treat. Suddenly, about mid-afternoon, I discovered my next source of pain - I'd coughed so hard that I threw my back out.
Oh, yeah. If that doesn't make you feel cool, then nothing will.
I set about making an appointment with my chiropractor, who knows my back well, and then one of my co-workers gently suggested that I consult a GP as well. She said that if I didn't get the cough fixed, then I was likely to throw it out again. Sure, if you want to use the logical approach. Trouble is, I haven't had a GP in years. Why, you ask? I'm afraid of doctors. Isn't that funny? Some part of me is convinced that I'm going to get some crappy advice, and I would rather have no direction than bad direction. Also, I've always just gone to Midwest Minor Medical, or a place like that. Anyway, I finally made the phone call. To the utter shock of my co-workers, who have been trying to get me to do this for three years.
I paid a visit to Mikala Albertson the next day. It was much less threatening than I imagined. No needles were involved (another item on my greatest fear list). She said I had bronchitis. This was a bit funny to me. My mother had always told me that both my sisters had bronchitis, but that I was just fine. A few years ago, when my sisters and I compared notes about famous Mom statements, our various medical histories came up as a topic. It seems that the details regarding the different ailments that we were all supposed to have (or not supposed to have) were a bit fuzzy. We all decided to write on future medical forms the statement "your guess is as good as mine" and just start fresh.
The doc and I got on pretty well. She ended up taking me on as a regular patient - poor girl. She doesn't know what she's gotten into. So now I'd like to introduce you to my two new (non-human) best friends. Meet:
The Inhaler!!
And..
The IcePack!!
Tiny superheroes, fighting illness at every turn and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. (So I'm told. Haven't actually witnessed that for myself yet.) A bit like Ozzie and Drix (see Brandy for an explanation of that.)
Here is a shot of what I've been doing this evening:
The Computer, the LOST, and The Corrective Shoes!
Tonight, a story of illness. I don't know how I got sick. I didn't hang out with anyone this weekend except for Jazz. My dog and I are close, but not that close, you understand. So, apparently I contracted a vile illness at some point. At approximately 8:15 am on Monday I started coughing. Not regular coughing, but this out-of-breath wheezing hack that made me wonder whether I was going to make it or not. I could feel my vocal cords swelling. It was quite a treat. Suddenly, about mid-afternoon, I discovered my next source of pain - I'd coughed so hard that I threw my back out.
Oh, yeah. If that doesn't make you feel cool, then nothing will.
I set about making an appointment with my chiropractor, who knows my back well, and then one of my co-workers gently suggested that I consult a GP as well. She said that if I didn't get the cough fixed, then I was likely to throw it out again. Sure, if you want to use the logical approach. Trouble is, I haven't had a GP in years. Why, you ask? I'm afraid of doctors. Isn't that funny? Some part of me is convinced that I'm going to get some crappy advice, and I would rather have no direction than bad direction. Also, I've always just gone to Midwest Minor Medical, or a place like that. Anyway, I finally made the phone call. To the utter shock of my co-workers, who have been trying to get me to do this for three years.
I paid a visit to Mikala Albertson the next day. It was much less threatening than I imagined. No needles were involved (another item on my greatest fear list). She said I had bronchitis. This was a bit funny to me. My mother had always told me that both my sisters had bronchitis, but that I was just fine. A few years ago, when my sisters and I compared notes about famous Mom statements, our various medical histories came up as a topic. It seems that the details regarding the different ailments that we were all supposed to have (or not supposed to have) were a bit fuzzy. We all decided to write on future medical forms the statement "your guess is as good as mine" and just start fresh.
The doc and I got on pretty well. She ended up taking me on as a regular patient - poor girl. She doesn't know what she's gotten into. So now I'd like to introduce you to my two new (non-human) best friends. Meet:
The Inhaler!!And..
The IcePack!!Tiny superheroes, fighting illness at every turn and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. (So I'm told. Haven't actually witnessed that for myself yet.) A bit like Ozzie and Drix (see Brandy for an explanation of that.)
Here is a shot of what I've been doing this evening:
The Computer, the LOST, and The Corrective Shoes!Actually, it was a pretty fabulous night. It's been a long time since I could just drool and watch TV. I'm so into going to school, creating the business, going to my 40 hour, and everything else that I've been missing the scenery along the way. The doc did point out that sleep is a great defense against illness - I guess that seems logical...
Things that are hard to do when your back is out:
Play ball with the dog.
The Jazz! No relation to Utah.
She enjoys setting her collection of toys on the floor, just beyond my reach. I have yet to decide if this is intentional.
Well, that's it for tonight. Slight complaining aside, I am enjoying getting older. Mostly because I never thought I'd live this long! Enjoy~~ will post again soon.
Things that are hard to do when your back is out:
Play ball with the dog.
The Jazz! No relation to Utah.She enjoys setting her collection of toys on the floor, just beyond my reach. I have yet to decide if this is intentional.
Well, that's it for tonight. Slight complaining aside, I am enjoying getting older. Mostly because I never thought I'd live this long! Enjoy~~ will post again soon.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Today was the day...
Today was the first day this year that I have been able to stand outside for thirty continuous seconds without bolting for my car. I look forward to this day every year. Today, when I opened my front door, I did not hunch over and run to my vehicle. It was nice, I won't lie. Spring makes me happy. It also makes my friends happy, because they get a break from my constant input about how people shouldn't have to live like this. Baseball will be showing soon, which is another boon to my existence. There's something comforting about a game that you can turn on, fall asleep on the couch for an hour or so, then wake up and have missed nothing. Pitching fascinates me - I don't know why. I don't play sports. The closest I ever came to joining a sport was throwing shotput in my senior year, and I think I did that just to get out of the house. Suffice to say that the venture was indeed unsuccessful. At any rate, tomorrow I might try one full minute outside the car. I'll report back on my progress.
Random story here:
This was about four years ago. My sister Rochelle and her husband took me out for my birthday. We went to Village Point, which is Omaha's answer to the Plaza in Kansas City. We went to dinner, and then we saw Rent, a musical that had been turned into a film. I had never seen the musical, but given its wild popularity, I figured the movie might be good. I was wrong. Some movies are just boring, some movies are so dumb that you can feel your IQ dropping, but Rent really lowered the standards to a whole new level. It was so bad that the three of us laughed the entire way through. It was that kind of giggle that is usually frowned upon in public places. In fact, there were many that did not share our mirth. (I think I'm trying to say that we were annoying.) At any rate, we retired to the lobby to wait for my sister to make a pit stop. At this point in the story, two things become very important. The first is that I was slowly recovering from a very bad cough. I generally only visit a health professional when there is a true emergency, like a gushing head wound. The second pertinent fact is that between fits of giggling during the movie, I had consumed almost an entire box of Hot Tamales. A great big box. I love Hot Tamales, but I have loved them a little less since that day.
We started giggling about the movie again, and before I knew it, I started to cough as well. My brother in law stood there, patting my back, and then I began to cough so hard that the Hot Tamales began to make an encore appearance. When I realized what was happening, I made a herculean effort to stop coughing - and then I caught a glance at Brad. He took one look at me, and RAN for some napkins - apparently he thought I was bleeding to death. At that point, I cough-laughed so hard that I had to sit down on the floor for a while. Brad was not quite as amused.
That's it for now - more random stories later!
Random story here:
This was about four years ago. My sister Rochelle and her husband took me out for my birthday. We went to Village Point, which is Omaha's answer to the Plaza in Kansas City. We went to dinner, and then we saw Rent, a musical that had been turned into a film. I had never seen the musical, but given its wild popularity, I figured the movie might be good. I was wrong. Some movies are just boring, some movies are so dumb that you can feel your IQ dropping, but Rent really lowered the standards to a whole new level. It was so bad that the three of us laughed the entire way through. It was that kind of giggle that is usually frowned upon in public places. In fact, there were many that did not share our mirth. (I think I'm trying to say that we were annoying.) At any rate, we retired to the lobby to wait for my sister to make a pit stop. At this point in the story, two things become very important. The first is that I was slowly recovering from a very bad cough. I generally only visit a health professional when there is a true emergency, like a gushing head wound. The second pertinent fact is that between fits of giggling during the movie, I had consumed almost an entire box of Hot Tamales. A great big box. I love Hot Tamales, but I have loved them a little less since that day.
We started giggling about the movie again, and before I knew it, I started to cough as well. My brother in law stood there, patting my back, and then I began to cough so hard that the Hot Tamales began to make an encore appearance. When I realized what was happening, I made a herculean effort to stop coughing - and then I caught a glance at Brad. He took one look at me, and RAN for some napkins - apparently he thought I was bleeding to death. At that point, I cough-laughed so hard that I had to sit down on the floor for a while. Brad was not quite as amused.
That's it for now - more random stories later!
Monday, March 2, 2009
I guess you can go home again...
This fabulous post is made possible by my dear friend Brandy. I visited Brandy and Co. last night for dinner. She found me a couple of weeks ago through Facebook, and it's been a pleasure to reconnect with a wonderful friend. (I almost said an old friend, but I took it back at the last minute - I felt that the statement might have repercussions.) I haven't seen Brandy for a number of years (have been asked not to mention how many), but with some people, it always seems that time is irrelevant. I got to meet all of the family members, including some extended family that were there for dinner. Cheeseburger soup is excellent, by the way... Chelle also made a lemon chiffon cake that was entirely scrumptious. It's unusual for me to eat cake at all, let alone eat it and like it!
I arrived late, of course. The house is a bit remote for a city girl, and on top of needing to turn around for my forgotten cell phone, I might have missed a few turns along the way. This all adds to my case for the new GPS that I feel I should purchase. (Who do I think I am building a case for, anyway? It's just me - unless you count the voices. Which they insist that I do.) At any rate, the snowy country roads reminded me of the way to Mom's house. I remember that when I lived in Missouri Valley, it was like an intersection in the middle of a corn field. There is a stop light - and a Kum n Go (we had other names for that convenient store, as highschoolers). The small town atmosphere is just not for me, much to my grandmother's chagrin, but it turns out it's OK to visit.
The tour of the house did not reveal any Baghdad areas (I did look, Shawna). They certainly have done a lot of work to the place, as the before and after photos revealed. The kids are awesome. 411 made me a picture on the computer. The following is the same picture, now up on my Refrigerator Gallery:
Another masterpiece. I look forward to more... I do have room!
The kids played the Wii, and we caught up. Then the kids fell asleep watching a movie, and we caught up some more. They were still sleeping when we poison tested the chocolate truffle cheesecake at 4:30 in the morning. Poisonless, if you were wondering. I headed home at five am, complete with the new piece of art and a number of emotional attachments.
If you know Brandy, then you know this. It is no wonder that the life she has made is so beautiful. Some people are born to greatness, and some people make it with their own two hands. I still look up to her, after all these years, and I'm grateful that she found me.
Mike may regret his invitation to visit anytime - particularly during camping season. Which just has to begin soon - right?? Last year I went camping in April because I just couldn't wait. But I won't do that again, because I still can't quite feel my pinky toes...
I must also mention that there was an empty chair - belonging to Shawna, of course. My best memories of my time in Iowa are all memories of the three of us, and Shawna was certainly missed.
Enough mush! Actually, it is quite therapuetic to write these. That must be why so many people do it. I actually had a bit of a tough day, and it really helped to reconnect with good stuff before I fell asleep. I look forward to posting more - possibly less sentimental, but I can't promise.
I arrived late, of course. The house is a bit remote for a city girl, and on top of needing to turn around for my forgotten cell phone, I might have missed a few turns along the way. This all adds to my case for the new GPS that I feel I should purchase. (Who do I think I am building a case for, anyway? It's just me - unless you count the voices. Which they insist that I do.) At any rate, the snowy country roads reminded me of the way to Mom's house. I remember that when I lived in Missouri Valley, it was like an intersection in the middle of a corn field. There is a stop light - and a Kum n Go (we had other names for that convenient store, as highschoolers). The small town atmosphere is just not for me, much to my grandmother's chagrin, but it turns out it's OK to visit.
The tour of the house did not reveal any Baghdad areas (I did look, Shawna). They certainly have done a lot of work to the place, as the before and after photos revealed. The kids are awesome. 411 made me a picture on the computer. The following is the same picture, now up on my Refrigerator Gallery:
Another masterpiece. I look forward to more... I do have room!
The kids played the Wii, and we caught up. Then the kids fell asleep watching a movie, and we caught up some more. They were still sleeping when we poison tested the chocolate truffle cheesecake at 4:30 in the morning. Poisonless, if you were wondering. I headed home at five am, complete with the new piece of art and a number of emotional attachments.
If you know Brandy, then you know this. It is no wonder that the life she has made is so beautiful. Some people are born to greatness, and some people make it with their own two hands. I still look up to her, after all these years, and I'm grateful that she found me.
Mike may regret his invitation to visit anytime - particularly during camping season. Which just has to begin soon - right?? Last year I went camping in April because I just couldn't wait. But I won't do that again, because I still can't quite feel my pinky toes...
I must also mention that there was an empty chair - belonging to Shawna, of course. My best memories of my time in Iowa are all memories of the three of us, and Shawna was certainly missed.
Enough mush! Actually, it is quite therapuetic to write these. That must be why so many people do it. I actually had a bit of a tough day, and it really helped to reconnect with good stuff before I fell asleep. I look forward to posting more - possibly less sentimental, but I can't promise.
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