Home...now what

The last few days have gone from unpleasant to unbearable.  Yeah!!

Monday started the allergy reaction and today it is really peaking.  (Though I'm under no illusion that it is over.)  I ended up at Urgent care for a shot in my backside (even stronger than the ones I normally get), increased medications and a strict warning that if things do not improve and/or get worse I am to GO TO THE ER.   I don't want to.  I hated going to urgent care.  I tried all morning just speaking with the nurse at the doctor's office but she told me I HAD to go to Urgent Care or the ER since breathing was becoming an issue.  Ugh.

Anyway, now I'm home taking the rest of the day off to spend in my air conditioned room.  This sucks.  My weekend is shot (no camping for me.)  I am seriously worried about being able to have my procedure on Tuesday and am just generally irritated.  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  (That's me screaming on the inside.) 

At least I go to see my primary doctor tomorrow and he can help me get this under control (I hope.)  The nurse practitioner said at Urgent Care that if things get worse 'we won't be able to keep treating this in an outpatient manner.'  Great.  So I may be looking at hospital admissions.  :(  Pray for me please.  I am really losing control here and hope I am able to keep breathing.  Pollen sucks!

Anyway (sorry for the whining rant) since I'm stuck in my room I've been thinking of things I can do for the next, I don't know, 2 months, until this gets better.  So, my photos today are just some quick ideas I've come up with so far.  Maybe I'll get more creative the longer I have to dwell on things.  Or just scarier...  Enjoy the pics.

Paint my nails.  Something I need to do anyway before I go to the doctor tomorrow.  I don't want anyone thinking I'm a slob with icky nails! Now, what color?

Color!!!!  I love to color and these are just 2 of the books I currently have.  There are many, many, many more.  I have issues, I know.

Watch movies, tv, etc.  I've already watched one movie and think I'll be watching more soon!  I love Netflix!!!

Organize my crayons.  They're in rainbow order.  Here's red (pink), orange, yellow...

green, (teal) blue...

blue, purple, black, gray, white, metallics, and browns.  Isn't this so pretty?!

Play inane, childish games on my blackberry.  I love memory.

Eat.  This was a late lunch.  I had tater tots too!

Read.  I always have books.

Make lists and prepare for my doctors appointments.  I am so type A it isn't even funny!

Dinner, for grown ups

Tonight I cooked.  This has not been a habit of mine lately.  I have been horridly lazy and have not cooked much in the past several weeks.  I really need to change that.

So, I went to the fridge and cupboard looking for inspiration.  And I found it.  Sometimes I go a little crazy in the produce section at Kroger's and that is a good thing.  A very yummy thing.  My dinner tonight was comprised of Pearl Couscous, Bok Choy, Broccollini, and Garlic Bread.  So good. 

This was my first time cooking bok choy so I had to look up a few methods.  Sauteing sounded like the best.  I quickly cleaned and cut the pieces, got my oil heated (with a little salt and dill) and cooked for about 8 minutes.  It was pretty good.  It has a bit of a strong flavor, especially in the greens and I really liked it.  I'm going to work with this again.

Next was the broccollini.  I love this stuff.  Its so cute.  I've always been a fan of broccoli and this is a cousin.  For this dish I lightly basted the spears with olive oil, salted and oven roasted for about 15 minutes.  Really good and has a nice crisp texture this way.

Finally the couscous.  I've been a fan of 'traditional' couscous for years and a few months ago starting making the pearl version.  Cooking is a bit more than the little stuff but worth it.  I added a little butter, mustard and garlic salt.  Very nice and not too heavy.

All in all a yummy meal and definitely one I would say leans heavy toward my vegetarianism with vegan tendencies.  I hope you enjoy the photos.  Goodnight!!

Oh and in case you're wondering, yes I had hives again today.  I'll be calling the doctor again in the morning.  This can not continue!  I'm supposed to be going camping this weekend and have a procedure on Tuesday.  The doctor isn't going to want to put a tube down my throat if I'm all covered in hives, having asthma attacks and have a swollen esophagus!  Ugh!!!

30 Day Photo Challenge

Today is the last day for the photo challenge.  I'm sad about that.  It has been a great experience for me and has forced me to look a little harder at the photos and subjects that I'm taking.  I've also been experimenting with editing my photos and have really enjoyed learning a little (very little at present) about this process.

For my last photos the subject is In Motion.  One photo I had on file immediately came to mind.  Another photo I took this afternoon of one of my favorite belongings.  I hope you enjoy these and thanks for checking out my blog. Hopefully I'll continue to have people checking me out and see what I'm up to.  My readership has definitely increased in the past weeks!  Thanks also to Sherry at Oh So Lovely for hosting this challenge.  Its been great!  Enjoy!

I shot this picture a few months ago while my nephew was staying with me.  We had so much fun blowing and chasing giant bubbles.  To me they really are movement.  Floating on the breeze, being caught on you bubble wand and at any moment I expect to see Glinda the good witch appear from within.  Fun.

Time, always in motion, never stops for anyone.  I love my watch and can't seem to get through a day without it.  I'm a really 'time' person and lately I've been thinking more about the progression of time.  Deep stuff...

WHAT THE .....Monkey?!!!

Monkey is the word I use when I don't want to swear or say something inappropriate.  The children think it is funny and don't consider the fact that I'm upset, hurt or seriously monkeyed! Today I would say I was all three of those things.

For a Monday the day started out great.  I was up and at work by 6:45 am, got a lot of things done while hanging with Before School (my kids helped me do some coloring for preschool and even made me my own place mat for snack!  Love them.)  Perfect start to the day.

Then Preschool.  Also a breeze.  We only have a few kids so far (some aren't three yet and others are traveling), so Miss Lowrene (my lead teacher) was great by herself and things went EXTREMELY well for a first day.  Since things were good this meant I could get some work done.  Off to the grocery store, nice time shopping, found everything I needed, quick & pleasant check out.  All is right with the world.  At this point I should have guessed that I was screwed...monkeyed.

After unloading and putting away my groceries and supplies I settled into my office to get some work done.  Time sheets, request for leave forms, tons and tons of paperwork anxiously waiting for me.  Not my favorite work, but not too difficult.  So I settled in and got to work.

At about noon, things started to go wrong.  I was hot.  Really hot.  At first I shrugged it off.  Our building is a mess when it comes to temperature regulation and I figured I was being paid back for all the whining I had been doing lately about the icebox that is my office.  Funny thing though, it got worse.  Then I realized the heat was only on my face and neck.  Odd...

At 12:30 I was getting ready to go to lunch.  I went to the restroom quick before I left and then I knew.  Idiot.  I've done this before.  Several times.  My face and neck, chest, and now belly were all covered in large red splotches.  Some you could even call welts. Monkey...hives.  So, I went home quick.  Took a dose of liquid benadryl (the last I had), called the allergist and attempted to eat a little something.  Nope, that wasn't going to happen either.  My normal esophagus problem was worsened with the swelling and eating was pretty much out of the question.  Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey!  I contemplated staying home.  What good would that do?  I had lots of work to do and frankly if it got worse I was closer to Urgent Care and the ER while at work.

Anyway.  The afternoon was miserable.  I itched everywhere.  Top of my head to the bottom of my feet.  EVERYWHERE.  I probably looked like someone who has fleas or lice since I was itching and wiggling so much.  Hives really stink.  A lot!  The doctor's office called back and confirmed my suspicion.  I'm very sensitive to weed pollen and it is really high right now.  (My allergist likes to remind me that my reactions to weed and grass pollens are 'off the chart!')  Take 2 of my regular antihistamines at bedtime (instead of one and these suckers are STRONG) and start taking Zyrtec to in the morning. 

After finishing work, I went straight to the pharmacy, got some more meds (lovely...I'm going broke for drugs) and went home to drug up.  After taking a Zyrtec and sitting in my air conditioned bedroom a while, things got better.  My face is still a bit red, but the general 'sunburn' appearance to the rest of my skin has faded a bit.  My lips are still slightly swelled and I'll be sleeping with my epi pens on the nightstand, but for now things have slightly improved.  For now....

So, can I say I think I am one tough b**ch?  Its not enough to have major esophageal and stomach problems, to have a stress fracture, to have asthma that is progressively worsening, and so on. But to have such severe allergies I break out in hives just from the air.  Wow.  That's monkey.  And I not only worked a regular full day, I worked over.  I didn't go home early or even on time.  I stayed, did all the things that needed to be done and was pleased with what was happening when I left.  I'm proud of myself.

Now here I am at the end of the day, whining to you, my computer, and praying for an easier day tomorrow.  I honestly have no delusion that it will happen, but I'll still pray for it and hope.  Maybe I'll laugh a bit too as I read this.  It really is kinda funny.  And if I don't laugh I will cry (and have my eventual nervous break down.  Come on folks, we all know its coming...)

Well, here's my photos for tonight.  The first one and last one are pretty nice.  The other two, well they are a statement to my current life.  Our Photo Challenge today was something you purchased and the two middle photos fit that bill. Enjoy!

There are some lovely benefits to getting up early.  A beautiful sunrise in Athens County, Ohio.

Photo Challenge: Day 29-Purchased!  I bought this just this afternoon to help stem the tide of hives.

This chain was made by one of my EIGHT YEAR OLD BOYS.  Specifically for me.  Totally blew my mind.  Sometimes they are so sweet.  Wait a minute, what's he up to?

30 days, 30 writings

I've been doing this photo challenge thing and I really liked it.  It is coming to a close and I'm a bit sad about that but, I've been thinking.  This has been a great way to get me blogging and (I hope) given me something interesting to take pictures of and write about.

So, my thought is for September I've made myself a list.  The list is 30 days with 30 things to write about, comment on and hopefully take a picture of (but not necessarily).  How much I write will depend on how strongly I feel about a certain question/lead-in and how much time I have that day.  To include my readers, I think I have a couple, I'd love it if they write their own answer to the question/lead-in and post it in the comments, or post a link to your site in the comments.

Okay, so I'm starting this September 1st and will do it each day in September.  I have my list written out and am all set to go on Thursday.  Tell me what you think, if you're interested, etc.  I'm not doing a linky party, because I don't understand all that yet, and frankly don't want to have to pay for the ability to do that.  Maybe later on I'll get to that point but not this month!

See you Thursday with the first lead-in....and tonight I leave you with a strange picture of my now half painted nails in front of my newest wristlet that I made for myself last week.  Enjoy! (hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!)

I love Sundays like this one...

Today has been an awesome day.  I like Sundays like this.  No running around doing lots of errands.  No driving for hours to and fro.  Nothing much to do other than what I want to do.  Perfect.

So today I went to church, came home and made a super simple lunch, lazed around a little watching some TV (on the Internet of course), cleaned the closet, worked on PILES of laundry, and went on a walk.  Now I'm back home, a little sore, but not too bad.  I'm going to finish up the laundry, red up the living room and try to get to bed early.  (Fat chance really on that happening.  I'm not an early bed person!) 

Our Photo Challenge for today was Daily Routine.  Hmmmmmm... this could be a lot of things.  Morning habits (no one wants to see that!), medications (how mundane), TV & web surfing (BORING!!!).  So I sat and tried to think of something interesting.  And it hit me.  One of my favorite things to do and definitely a daily task, making lists!!!!  I love making lists.  And one of my favorite ways to make lists for here at home is to write on the mirror.  So, that's my photo for the challenge today. 

I have also included for my photos today a few pictures I took while on my walk (yes it was short, only about 1 mile in 25 minutes) and some photos of my revitalized closet in all its organized wonder.  Enjoy! 

My bathroom mirror.  I always make notes for either the day or week.  This way I know I'm bound to see them at least several times a day!

Late Summer wildflowers still in bloom.

More flowers.

I really liked the way the sun dazzled by the edge of the tree at this angle.

Sycamore Tree.  I really like them.  Big leaves, pealing bark, white trunks.  So pretty.

I liked this leaf.  Not sure why, I just did.

Beautiful oak tree.  I've been wearing one of my favorite necklaces lately that is the Tree of Life.  This oak reminds me of that symbol.

More flowers.  I had to be careful taking this because the wasps seemed to particularly like this patch of flowers.

Another sycamore shot.

The bike path at West State Street Park.

Swimsuits all organized in my closet.  Cool.

Can you see the rainbow effect in the different sections?  I really like organizing things.

More rainbows.  Sorry I'm just really proud of all my hard work today!

A few days past...

I haven't been posting the last few days.  I've been a little lazy, a little off kilter.  I'm going to try to get back in step.  So, tonight, I'm posting 4 pictures for the photo challenge.  1 for today, and the three days I've skipped.  I'm thinking tomorrow of going on a 'short' walk just to stretch and get some air.  I think I'm going to go crazy if I don't get out some.  Lately because of the stupid knee I work, come home and vegetate.  This is not a good thing.  I'm going to change that tomorrow.  For tonight, I'll post and enjoy a little last bit of vegetating.

Enjoy the pics!

Day 24, a smile.  Honestly, I have to say, I have the most adorable niece and nephews anywhere.  Sorry folks, it is the truth.  My baby, Paul, is so stinking cute in this picture, words fail.  I love that face!

Day 25: A sun flare.  This picture, as well as the previous, are photos I had in my files.  I had to dig through to find them, but they are favorites.

Day 26: Something Old.  This is my secretary.  I love this piece of furniture and you might notice that it gets some use.  My Mom let me have it about 2 years ago.  It was originally my great-grandfather's and is now mine.  I love that it has history in my family and I hope someday to pass it down to the next generation.  I was going to clean it off but thought, no, this is what its used for and it shows such endurance to be so old and still be so used and holding its own. 

Day 27: After Dark.  I tried several different settings, and several different modes on my camera.  This shot is from my backyard and I liked it.

Sunset and falling shadows

Another busy day.  First day of school for the big kids.  They did well and we'll hope the Kindergartners do as well on their first day Thursday.  That is always one of my most stressful times. Praying all my little ones get on the right buses and make it to us safely.  Parents have to worry about 1 or maybe 2 kids; with the Kindergartners I have 10 to worry about, plus all the others. 

Anyway, since the photo challenge for today was sunset I decided to take some progression photos.  I went out about every 20 minutes from 7:45 to around 8:30.  Tonight was not as spectacular as last night, but still some nice pics.  Hope you enjoy!

Okay, this was an attempt.  I wanted to get a pretty shot of my skirt because I love it, but I just wasn't satisfied with any of the 20 I took.  I used this one as a make-do and did a little creative editing.  Not the best, but I'm working on improving.