Cousin Terri sent me an E-mail this morning.
She's been talking to my sis and they discussed the notion of having a "Sisters Night" in Appleton some time this summer (End of May, beginning of June).
This "Sister's Night" would consist of renting a Hotel Room on College Ave and partying our butts off all night.
I told her that this really sort of falls into line with something I had in mind as a use for my Quit Smoking Money. We received a mailer some time back advertising The Copper Leaf Hotel as a vacation destination. It's right across the street from the Performing Arts Center and has gorgeous suites, a spa, a gym, a bar, a restaurant, whirlpool, oh so nice amenities. And I thought it would be totally cool to just spend an entire weekend there because it is right in the middle of all that looks to be fun about College Avenue.
To do this with my cousin and sisters would be extra fun.
In looking at their offerings, it will likely cost a good $450 for a whole weekend, but they would be willing to kick in some of the cost and it would really be a treat that I think we all deserve.
Now, the only trick will be to not get kicked out for being drunken and disorderly! ;-)
I can't wait! Come on summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Something Giggle-worthy
One of the sites I surf is photoshop disasters.
It can be amusing some times.
But the one that really made me laugh, isn't technically a photoshop disaster,
it's a graphic art Faux Pas.
Oh, yeah, Baby! Fill 'er up! Heh!
It can be amusing some times.
But the one that really made me laugh, isn't technically a photoshop disaster,
it's a graphic art Faux Pas.
Oh, yeah, Baby! Fill 'er up! Heh!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My Baby turned Eight!
Yesterday was Jerry's Birthday.
Lately, I love sleeping in on the weekends.
He started my day by waking me up saying "Daddy forgot to say Happy Birthday."
So I gave him a big hug, wished him Happy Birthday and then told him of all the big achievements he has conquered in the past year that make him a year older and wiser.
I think he liked that.
His Birthday Plans were to go sledding with his friends and then to either Dairy Queen or Taco Bell to warm up and eat some food.
I purposely didn't look at the temp for yesterday. I knew is was around Zero, but I also knew he'd be crushed if we didn't at least go to the snow hill and give it a try. So we all bundled up and collected all the kids and sleds and headed for the hill.
Because it was so cold, we had the hill to ourselves. That was awesome. We didn't have to worry about smashing into a stranger who was pulling their sled back up to the top. And the snow hill is the one place where it actually pays to be "The Big Girl" because the heavier you are, the further your sled goes down the hill. I had a blast snuggling cute kids as we whooshed down the hill together, and got a great workout climbing back up the hill with the sled.
Jerry decided after about 45 minutes that his face was getting too cold and that it was time to go on to the next phase of his Birthday Celebration. We had a cake ordered at Dairy Queen, and talked him into eating there as well. But he then felt it would be more fun to bring the cake and his friends home after that. Yay. We had to wait for the cake to thaw enough to be cut, so the kids all played ARMY while we waited. Then we sugared them up with cake and they played more ARMY. I was about ready to go find a quiet place to slit my wrists when suddenly the parents started calling to come get their kids. I love it when an evil plot comes together!
Then, Grandma K. came by with gifts for Jerry. We couldn't talk her into taking any cake home with her though. DARN! So we sent half of it home with Michael and Enoch. I'm sure it's been devoured by now! Jerry had a piece for breakfast this morning. I'm doing my best to avoid it. My angle of thought is, if it won't melt in the sink, then just what is that stuff made of and what is it doing inside our digestive system? Hmmmm.
We had a wonderful surprise in that our friend Berni showed up with a gift for Jerry later in the evening. She's his second mom after all. And being that she just gave birth to her own little bundle of joy last month, and her house is now filled with daily challenges, we didn't really expect her to stop by. It was wonderful that she did.
I think all in all, Jerry had a darn good birthday! Although he did say at the end of the day "Nobody bought me Legos." Can you believe it? I guess he really does want All The Legos In The World!
Lately, I love sleeping in on the weekends.
He started my day by waking me up saying "Daddy forgot to say Happy Birthday."
So I gave him a big hug, wished him Happy Birthday and then told him of all the big achievements he has conquered in the past year that make him a year older and wiser.
I think he liked that.
His Birthday Plans were to go sledding with his friends and then to either Dairy Queen or Taco Bell to warm up and eat some food.
I purposely didn't look at the temp for yesterday. I knew is was around Zero, but I also knew he'd be crushed if we didn't at least go to the snow hill and give it a try. So we all bundled up and collected all the kids and sleds and headed for the hill.
Because it was so cold, we had the hill to ourselves. That was awesome. We didn't have to worry about smashing into a stranger who was pulling their sled back up to the top. And the snow hill is the one place where it actually pays to be "The Big Girl" because the heavier you are, the further your sled goes down the hill. I had a blast snuggling cute kids as we whooshed down the hill together, and got a great workout climbing back up the hill with the sled.
Jerry decided after about 45 minutes that his face was getting too cold and that it was time to go on to the next phase of his Birthday Celebration. We had a cake ordered at Dairy Queen, and talked him into eating there as well. But he then felt it would be more fun to bring the cake and his friends home after that. Yay. We had to wait for the cake to thaw enough to be cut, so the kids all played ARMY while we waited. Then we sugared them up with cake and they played more ARMY. I was about ready to go find a quiet place to slit my wrists when suddenly the parents started calling to come get their kids. I love it when an evil plot comes together!
Then, Grandma K. came by with gifts for Jerry. We couldn't talk her into taking any cake home with her though. DARN! So we sent half of it home with Michael and Enoch. I'm sure it's been devoured by now! Jerry had a piece for breakfast this morning. I'm doing my best to avoid it. My angle of thought is, if it won't melt in the sink, then just what is that stuff made of and what is it doing inside our digestive system? Hmmmm.
We had a wonderful surprise in that our friend Berni showed up with a gift for Jerry later in the evening. She's his second mom after all. And being that she just gave birth to her own little bundle of joy last month, and her house is now filled with daily challenges, we didn't really expect her to stop by. It was wonderful that she did.
I think all in all, Jerry had a darn good birthday! Although he did say at the end of the day "Nobody bought me Legos." Can you believe it? I guess he really does want All The Legos In The World!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
So it's a journey.
I've been doing fairly good at the weight loss thing.
This is week 3. I'm not the top contender just yet.
But today in the cafe, the chef made home made Austrian baklava.
He only makes this two times a year because it is so much work to create.
For those of you who have never tried Baklava, I recommend you do.
It is a slice of pastry heaven!
I asked the chef's Austrian wife if she knew how many calories are in a piece of Baklava.
Her response in that wonderful thick rolling accent was "We don't worry, we just eat."
SO after lunch, I just had to google up the calories. 550 in one small chunk. And you know what? I don't feel guilty one bit. We only live once. Diet or no diet, when there is fresh baklava in the house, you eat it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to do step aerobics. LOTS of step aerobics. ;-)
This is week 3. I'm not the top contender just yet.
But today in the cafe, the chef made home made Austrian baklava.
He only makes this two times a year because it is so much work to create.
For those of you who have never tried Baklava, I recommend you do.
It is a slice of pastry heaven!
I asked the chef's Austrian wife if she knew how many calories are in a piece of Baklava.
Her response in that wonderful thick rolling accent was "We don't worry, we just eat."
SO after lunch, I just had to google up the calories. 550 in one small chunk. And you know what? I don't feel guilty one bit. We only live once. Diet or no diet, when there is fresh baklava in the house, you eat it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to do step aerobics. LOTS of step aerobics. ;-)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Prayers Answered, Favours Received
The power of prayer is truly amazing.
I talked to my sis tonight, and all tests came back CLEAR.
This is truly something worth celebrating!
I talked to my sis tonight, and all tests came back CLEAR.
This is truly something worth celebrating!
Friday, January 16, 2009
It's never too late for resolutions
With our computer crashed for 2 weeks, I didn't really get the chance to ring in the new year online.
Unlike last year where I set only a few goals other than reaching 2009, I have several to meet this year.
#1 of course is to get back down to a size 10 again. I felt so much better being thin.
It sucks waking up having stiff joints, and I think losing the weight will help this a lot!
#2 is to do something really cool sometime this year - like saving up my quit smoking money
and go on a mini vacation - even if it's just staying for a weekend at a swanky hotel in Appleton and catching a show at the PAC, and then wandering around College Ave shopping for a day. Hopefully Hubby's mother would be willing to take the kid for a weekend.
#3 is to pamper myself a little more this year in ways other than comfort food.
#4 is to pay off more debts.
#5 is to finish Jerry's Room this year. I've started... but it's waiting for my attention (and some extra cash which is a little tight right now).
#6 which really ought to be moved up to number one, is to be there for my Sister Barb and get her through this tough time.
All of these are reachable. I just need to stay focused.
So, what are your goals for 2009?
Unlike last year where I set only a few goals other than reaching 2009, I have several to meet this year.
#1 of course is to get back down to a size 10 again. I felt so much better being thin.
It sucks waking up having stiff joints, and I think losing the weight will help this a lot!
#2 is to do something really cool sometime this year - like saving up my quit smoking money
and go on a mini vacation - even if it's just staying for a weekend at a swanky hotel in Appleton and catching a show at the PAC, and then wandering around College Ave shopping for a day. Hopefully Hubby's mother would be willing to take the kid for a weekend.
#3 is to pamper myself a little more this year in ways other than comfort food.
#4 is to pay off more debts.
#5 is to finish Jerry's Room this year. I've started... but it's waiting for my attention (and some extra cash which is a little tight right now).
#6 which really ought to be moved up to number one, is to be there for my Sister Barb and get her through this tough time.
All of these are reachable. I just need to stay focused.
So, what are your goals for 2009?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's a Family Trait
I'm finding out lately that my Oldest Sis is a lot like me.
We go through life, willing to share the minor bumps and bruises we acquire along the path of life, but when we hit a major catastrophe, we tend to clam up and try to get through it alone.
There are health issues going on. And I'm really not allowed to stick my nose in, thanks to the HIPPA Privacy Act that I sign as an employee of a Health Care Facility.
But there are some things that I can share with my readers here that may be of help some day, should they find themselves walking the same road.
1.) The toughest part about having a frightening illness is that you feel like shit when you go to the doctor and because you feel like shit, you don't always hear everything they are telling you that you need to do.
Solution #1
It's always a good idea to bring your spouse along with you so that they can listen as well. That way if you hear half of the conversation and your spouse hears half of the conversation, you can add up all that you heard and should be able to follow the course of treatment that your doctor is recommending.
Solution #2
Not everyone is aware that there is a Verbal Consent Form at your Doctor's Office.
You, the patient, can fill out this form saying that you give permission to any and all doctors involved in your treatment to discuss your health issues with those that you have listed on the consent form. (You can list your spouse, your best friend, your kids, grand kids, siblings... whomever you feel would be able to help you sort out the Medical Terminology to help you understand things better. Without this consent form, your doctor is not even allowed to discuss the common cold with your spouse unless they are in the exam room with you. So this is a very good idea for everyone to consider. This remains in your file. It becomes a part of your chart. Should you change your mind down the road and want to edit, you can fill out a new form to void the original.
#2.) You may not even be aware of this, but your doctor is graded on his plan of treatment for every patient. He makes his recommendations for what he feels will make you healthy again and expects you to follow this plan. You can object and ask your doctor to suggest alternatives, and he can listen and if he feels he can do that, he will. But if he feels the original recommendations are best, he will stand behind those recommendations. If you, as a patient choose not to follow those recommendations, you are basically going against medical orders or recommendations.
When you do this, your doctor reserves the right to remove himself from your care. In other words, you will get the boot. And if you get the boot, finding another doctor at the same facility may not be easy because it will be noted in your chart exactly why the doctor removed himself from your care.
1. Be open to what your doctor says. Keep a dialogue going. You can always ask for a referral to a specialist, and your doc would be happy to do that.
2.It is also helpful to keep in mind that your doctor is likely a Family Doctor or a General Practitioner. When your doctor sends you to another doctor, he is sending you to someone who specializes in your diagnosis. He refers you to a specialist so that they can work together to get you through the illness you have.
3. Make notes. Bring a list of questions with you to your appointment. Make notes while you are there regarding what he says. This will help you get the most out of your visit and help you feel more in control of your course of treatment.
4. Call the doctor. Sometimes going to the doctor is a very emotional event. You're scared and don't always hear things correctly. Call the doctor when you've had time to calm down and are ready to discuss what's going on. It may be the nurse who calls you with the answers, but she will have discussed your chart with the doctor first and will be relaying exactly what the doctor wants you to know.
I hope this comes in handy for someone. I know when Hubby was going through his major health crisis a few years back, there was so much that was a mystery. We didn't know what our rights were. I didn't know that the doctor was not able to discuss things with me. That's what really lead me to get the job that I have - so that I would understand things from both sides. I think being on the opposite side of the fence helps me to do my job better. I know what kind of questions are going through the patient's mind. I get it. And if I can help, I'm happy to do that.
In the mean time, send prayers and good vibes toward my sisters house!
We go through life, willing to share the minor bumps and bruises we acquire along the path of life, but when we hit a major catastrophe, we tend to clam up and try to get through it alone.
There are health issues going on. And I'm really not allowed to stick my nose in, thanks to the HIPPA Privacy Act that I sign as an employee of a Health Care Facility.
But there are some things that I can share with my readers here that may be of help some day, should they find themselves walking the same road.
1.) The toughest part about having a frightening illness is that you feel like shit when you go to the doctor and because you feel like shit, you don't always hear everything they are telling you that you need to do.
Solution #1
It's always a good idea to bring your spouse along with you so that they can listen as well. That way if you hear half of the conversation and your spouse hears half of the conversation, you can add up all that you heard and should be able to follow the course of treatment that your doctor is recommending.
Solution #2
Not everyone is aware that there is a Verbal Consent Form at your Doctor's Office.
You, the patient, can fill out this form saying that you give permission to any and all doctors involved in your treatment to discuss your health issues with those that you have listed on the consent form. (You can list your spouse, your best friend, your kids, grand kids, siblings... whomever you feel would be able to help you sort out the Medical Terminology to help you understand things better. Without this consent form, your doctor is not even allowed to discuss the common cold with your spouse unless they are in the exam room with you. So this is a very good idea for everyone to consider. This remains in your file. It becomes a part of your chart. Should you change your mind down the road and want to edit, you can fill out a new form to void the original.
#2.) You may not even be aware of this, but your doctor is graded on his plan of treatment for every patient. He makes his recommendations for what he feels will make you healthy again and expects you to follow this plan. You can object and ask your doctor to suggest alternatives, and he can listen and if he feels he can do that, he will. But if he feels the original recommendations are best, he will stand behind those recommendations. If you, as a patient choose not to follow those recommendations, you are basically going against medical orders or recommendations.
When you do this, your doctor reserves the right to remove himself from your care. In other words, you will get the boot. And if you get the boot, finding another doctor at the same facility may not be easy because it will be noted in your chart exactly why the doctor removed himself from your care.
1. Be open to what your doctor says. Keep a dialogue going. You can always ask for a referral to a specialist, and your doc would be happy to do that.
2.It is also helpful to keep in mind that your doctor is likely a Family Doctor or a General Practitioner. When your doctor sends you to another doctor, he is sending you to someone who specializes in your diagnosis. He refers you to a specialist so that they can work together to get you through the illness you have.
3. Make notes. Bring a list of questions with you to your appointment. Make notes while you are there regarding what he says. This will help you get the most out of your visit and help you feel more in control of your course of treatment.
4. Call the doctor. Sometimes going to the doctor is a very emotional event. You're scared and don't always hear things correctly. Call the doctor when you've had time to calm down and are ready to discuss what's going on. It may be the nurse who calls you with the answers, but she will have discussed your chart with the doctor first and will be relaying exactly what the doctor wants you to know.
I hope this comes in handy for someone. I know when Hubby was going through his major health crisis a few years back, there was so much that was a mystery. We didn't know what our rights were. I didn't know that the doctor was not able to discuss things with me. That's what really lead me to get the job that I have - so that I would understand things from both sides. I think being on the opposite side of the fence helps me to do my job better. I know what kind of questions are going through the patient's mind. I get it. And if I can help, I'm happy to do that.
In the mean time, send prayers and good vibes toward my sisters house!
Monday, January 12, 2009
It's Good To Be Back!
You know what they say about the road to heaven being paved with good intentions?
Or would "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" be more fitting?
You see, this year, I actually knew what to buy Hubby for Christmas.
He's been wanting one for years, and I had some extra cash since quitting smoking,
and I thought of how he seems to always get short-changed at birthday and Father's Day becaus I never know what the hell to buy the man!
So this year, I thought - "I'll buy him a Flat Screen Monitor for his computer!" What a perfect idea!
So I snuck out of the house one Saturday and returned with the perfect gift and set it under the tree.
He opened it on Christmas Day and was quite happy.
Then he sat down to install it, and.... CRASH! His computer had an epileptic seizure!
It's taken this long to get it working somewhat normal again. Heavy emphasis on the "Somewhat" because it is still running quite slow. But at least we've got net again! I was going through withdrawals!
Or would "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" be more fitting?
You see, this year, I actually knew what to buy Hubby for Christmas.
He's been wanting one for years, and I had some extra cash since quitting smoking,
and I thought of how he seems to always get short-changed at birthday and Father's Day becaus I never know what the hell to buy the man!
So this year, I thought - "I'll buy him a Flat Screen Monitor for his computer!" What a perfect idea!
So I snuck out of the house one Saturday and returned with the perfect gift and set it under the tree.
He opened it on Christmas Day and was quite happy.
Then he sat down to install it, and.... CRASH! His computer had an epileptic seizure!
It's taken this long to get it working somewhat normal again. Heavy emphasis on the "Somewhat" because it is still running quite slow. But at least we've got net again! I was going through withdrawals!
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