November 9 - Thankful (Plus a few photos for a welcome change of pace)

Today I actually took a few photos to put up here on my photo blog.  What an accomplishment.  I am amazing.  Can you hear the sarcasm dripping in my writing?  Its there, believe me.

Before I post them, let me bore you with several things.  Some much needed information about my day and my list of things I'm thankful for today.

First off, it has been a unique day.  At times I have been extremely happy and high as a kite (quite literally.)  Other times, I have been dashed against the rocks and as low as a person can be.  Pain is a bi**h.  I actually (against doctors orders) took my Oxycontin 2 times today.  The pain was bad.  I really didn't eat anything significant to speak of, even with all the pain medications, but I really needed it to get me through.  I have such a long list for the GI tomorrow.  I am working on my assertiveness and am going to be VERY firm and EXTREMELY honest with him.  Maybe I should print out some of my logs from this blog to show him exactly how I've been feeling.  Its a thought. 

The good news is that my appointment with the ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) went very well.  The looked at my vocal chords and they are in great shape.  The problem with my voice is actually because my throat and mouth are WAY to dry.  I have dry mucus in my throat.  How does one have dry mucus?  I am confused about that but believe the incredibly handsome educated and smart doctor and am going to start a new medication to help with the problem.  He said it all probably began with all the medications that I take.  About half of them cause dry mouth and throat and it is just making a slightly natural predilection for me worse.  So, we'll work on that.  Easy enough solution.  I just hate taking 2 more pills a day.  With that my count will almost be up to 30 pills/doses of medications a day!  OMG - I'm only 31.  Can you imagine where I'll be when I'm 40?

On to the next topic of conversation.  My thankfulness.  Today I am thankful for:

1. Books - I stopped at Barnes and Noble to get my 'dinner' (a croissant-not too doughy, a banana, and a hot apple cider) at the Starbucks there and browsed around the children's section.  I found the most adorable book about an Owl and I can't wait to read it to my preschoolers tomorrow or Friday!
2. Directions - The directions to the clinic for the ENT were great and I got there with no trouble at all.  I was early (big surprise for me) and had plenty of time to use the restroom, take my pain meds (thank you God) and drink a protein shake well before my appointment so I didn't risk vomiting when they did the camera down my throat.
3. My organizational skills - I have all of my things neatly packed and stowed away and all is set for the night and for the morning.  Hopefully all will go smoothly and I will be up and ready in plenty of time to leave my motel room and make the 15 minute trek down the road to the hospital for my doctor's visit in the morning.  (Sorry, that sounded really vain didn't it?)

Okay, now on to a few pictures.  I hope you like them.  Have a lovely evening and a wonderful tomorrow.  Love to everyone, everywhere (can you tell I'm high again?)  Enjoy!

A very ominous sky while I was driving after my doctor's appointment.  Spooky!

The sky getting a bit brighter!

A bright and glorious sky!  Beautiful!

The book I got at Barnes and Noble.  Isn't it so cute?!

Some fabric I picked up at Jo-Ann, etc.  Hmmm....

The.Week.Is.Over...Thank you, Lord.

This has not been a stellar week.  My procedure Tuesday went, well, okay is being nice.  My infection had healed, but my esophagus had closed up again so another stretch was necessary.  However, the worst part of the entire thing was, no sleeping, no forgetting.  I was pretty much awake and aware the WHOLE TIME.  I won't go into gory details, but the feeling of something being shoved down your throat and things being pinched off and scrapped, are not nice feelings.  Not nice, at all.  The doctors knew I hadn't been asleep last time, but they can't give me too much more of the meds, so we're just at this point.  This is going to be really fun.  (I'm crying inside and may have nightmares.)

Anyway, issues at work, frustration with my health; everything seems to be piling up again.  I'm praying for strength and right now that is about all I have to hope for.  Everything else is just...well, I don't want to swear in my blog, so we'll stop there.

So, with the work week finally over, last night I did one of my favorite things.  Tea, cereal and Pride & Prejudice on DVD.  I love Colin Firth.  I love Jennifer Ehle.  I love that miniseries.  Brilliant!  It always makes me feel better and believe in the possibility of love.  Even when it seems like love couldn't be further away.  (Wow, I'm really depressing tonight.  Sorry.) 

Today, I got out and did a little 'shopping.'  I didn't actually buy anything but had a chance to scope out some ideas.  I drove to Logan and went to the Hocking Hills Market.  Antique shops, flea market booths, and home made crafts. I saw a lot of things I could make and have some interesting ideas for Christmas.  More to come on that level soon.  :)

Then, home to re-organize my craft/sewing area.  I haven't had a really great set up and now I think I may be on to something.  I finally have all my sewing stuff in one area.  I still want to find a better sewing table/desk but it can only cost about $25 and I'd like it if it was 'antique' or at least unique.  I don't want to buy something generic.  That would be boring.  I want something that maybe is a bit worn, scarred, and made of real wood.  A girl can dream.

Well, here are some pictures from earlier this week and today.  Nothing too exciting.  But, enjoy anyway if you so choose.  Have a great Sunday and start to a NEW & IMPROVED week ahead!

Fungus in my front yard.  You must know by now how I feel about that, right?

Up close and personal.  Am I the only one who thinks it is beautiful?

Underside.  I'm so happy to have fungus actively growing.  It is all on the stump of a tree that was taken down last summer right in the front yard!

The 3 earlier shots were taken on Wednesday.  This shot was taken today.  Isn't it so cool how it has changed in the last several days?  I'll keep monitoring the situation and be sure to update if anything new and interesting develops.  (Not that YOU care, I do.)

The tree line between my house and the neighbor's.  These trees are so beautiful.  This was taken Wednesday.  After the wind and rain yesterday and today, there are many leaves left.  Sad.

Another tree changing color in my front yard.  This tree changes in a much more subtle way, but I like it.

My new sewing set up.  I brought the card table in to the 'study' to sit beside my sewing table.  Now I don't have to sit on the floor to do my cuttings.  I have a table bit enough for my cutting mat, yeah!  (The card table was previously in the breakfast nook, but was very rarely used.

Finally, the ribbon I wore in my hair today.  Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger on a ribbon.  I love it.  Tomorrow I think I'm going to make some fabric and/or ribbon headbands.  Yippee! 

J'adore...

A few things I love today...

No, I don't adore myself.  I love that I'm not traveling this weekend or possibly at all this week.  No trips that are longer than 20 minutes.  I love that!

My cutting mat, rotary cutting tool and ruler.  I worked on projects last weekend with out these and I was miserable.  Glad to be home with them.

Glade, Clean Linen candle.  Just a nice fresh, clean scent.  Not overpowering, cause that would make me sneeze.

Grape Kool-Aid.  Yeah, I know its not the best thing to drink, but I really like its sugary sweetness.

Chocolate marshmallows.  Toast them over the flame on the stove and delish! 

These are some cup/containers I found at Wal-Mart.  I really love them.  I've used them for tons of things since I bought them.  Right now my favorite thing to do with them is to get all my daily meds ready.  Each night before bed, I sort out my three cups of meds: breakfast, lunch and dinner.  So handy and cute!

Chocolate.  I bought this bar and divided it up into sections so I wouldn't eat it all at once.  Of course I ate this section as soon as I was done with the picture.  Yum.

Greek Yogurt with Maple Syrup to sweeten.  I don't use much syrup, just enough to enhance the flavor.  This makes the yogurt tasty and healthy!

Beautiful, fresh, ripe, sweet peaches.  My before dinner snack!

Breathing mask, latex gloves, and extra strong trash bags.  I went to Lowe's and got all of this to help me clean up my basement.  The mask was necessary as there is more than a bit of mildew and mold in the damp, icky basement.  But, its better now.  May I never have to do that again!

Laundry Detergent.  I started using the Purex laundry sheets a couple years ago and loved them.  However, the sheets are a bit more expensive so, now I stick with the liquid.  Honestly I used ALL before an I totally prefer the clean, fresh scent of Purex.  I really like doing laundry.  Everything get clean, warm and fresh smelling.  I really like it when things smell nice!

These were all in my pocket.  Flash drive with all my work back up documents.  Burt's Bees Pomegranate Replenishing Lip Balm.  Soft lips and a yummy taste!  My Tree of Life necklace.  When I was checking out at Lowe's the girl ringing me up said it was really beautiful.  And to think, this is my everyday necklace!