July

Happiness is making dinner for the family and having the time to eat together. Happiness is also a snugly puppy! It has been so hectic this past year (you can tell by the lack of time spent blogging!).

I am happy to report that life is good. Hubby is narrowing down his 2nd career choices again so this makes me happy. I want him to love his job and not just tolerate it. He will be taking a class this fall -- YAY! Wonder boy is in a happy place as is Super Girl -- they are loving lazy summer days.... wish they were more motivated but we will get there (I hope!).

The pugs are happy and healthy and I picked up another rescue pup -- perhaps she is a fox terrier? Not sure. She is tiny, cute, and sweet!

My best friend's divorce and property settlement are finally final!

I'm working for the family business in the summer to make ends meet (another blessing!).

Dad is much healthier - what a blessing that we still have him! We have come so far from last year (pretend I linked it, I'm in a lazy mood and so I hope you forgive me). The nieces and nephews are doing well.

Things are really crazy hectic between family, 2 jobs, etc. etc. etc..... but I like a hectic life.

September will be the next mammogram. I had another sleep study and needed cpap adjustments so I'm hoping to sleep better soon! I swear it has been a festival of doctor visits (don't put them off, it sucks when they pile up). I had a good ultrasound and now get to have a D&C due to crazy periods. Lets just say nobody needs 2 weeks of this kind of joy. It's a bitch getting old :-)

The blood pressure is still too high so I'm having to be a low salt person now. 2200 mg per day? Really? Pain is bad, I think losing weight would help... so I'm eating salad again. Need to lose weight to help pain and blood pressure. My doctor scolded me to work the plan... I know what to do and just need to do it. It stinks when you know what you should do and just struggle to DO IT. I wish I didn't love food.

My goals for the rest of the summer are: vacation time with the kids (a week and a long weekend), declutter the house, lesson plan September and November, get that D&C, get new glasses, clean out closets, housebreak the puppy, read a book for pleasure, paint a picture (I don't paint :), do some professional development for school, read ahead for the class I'm taking this fall, get together with friends.

Why is the summer passing so fast???

Wow!

What a week!

I fell down the stairs at work last week -- I tried to fall down all of them, but I missed it by a few. Luckily I didn't go over the railing or into the brick wall at the bottom of the steps. I did twist an ankle, pull a quad muscle, bruise my ribs, and wracked my shoulder and neck. Needless to say, I have spent quality time with the heating pad. No lasting damage... just bad aches.

Hubby and I went to the doctor and that went well. I'm on a new medication which has removed my appetite. Between that and recent healthier eating I'm down about 6 pounds! YIPPEE! The downside is the nausea -- hopefully that will pass soon. It is a wonder not to be nagged by constant hunger! I am jealous of those who live like this... it is nice to be able to have portion control because I'm not starving all the time.

Oh -- hot flashes do not last more than a half hour.... who knew? I'm waiting to hear back on the blood work my doctor ordered.

Hubby had a very frightening incident the other night... he choked at dinner. Horrible. I nearly called 911, but he was still breathing. You could hear that it was all wrong though... something was blocking. He vomited (sorry) over and over, but it would not clear. He refused to go to urgent care and yet he didn't have a completely clear air way. Ugh. Finally he vomited again (sorry) and could breath. Hubby has chronic acid reflux that we'd just discussed at the doctors. Hopefully this never happens again, but I have to wonder if the acid reflux has built up scar tissue that is closing off the plumbing? We will give the new medication 6 weeks and see a specialist after that -- sooner if there is another frightening incident. I'm grateful all is okay... I was certain that he aspirated some food into his lungs... but it has been a few days and all is well.

Wonder Boy goes to the sleep specialist tomorrow.

My dad had an ultrasound and his prostate is swollen... the 2nd PSA test is next week (he had the dates wrong). We shall see. If it is cancer at least it has been discovered early (dad is good about getting his yearly physical).

My sister had a healthy baby boy! Cute as a button and so far he is a very easy baby.... I enjoyed visiting with them for several hours and he never cried once. Lucky her!

I make my first Thanksgiving turkey this week! We usually are the guests vs. hosts. I'm hosting at my dad's since he has more room. Should be interesting. Wish me luck!

Things have been quite hectic... hope all is well with you!!

Stop it -- hot flashes??????

I know I’m turning the BIG 40 in about two weeks, but are these recent flashes really necessary? I’m not talking about fraternity boys flashing their rear ends…. I’m talking about HOT FLASHES.

How can this be? Me? Having hot flashes????

How else do I explain it when I’m the only one in the room fanning myself and wondering aloud "Is the air conditioning is broken?"

Seriously…. I wish my mother was here to share her wisdom on surviving these moments when my personal thermostat goes HAYWIRE. I know she'd tell me to stay away from hormone treatments at all costs (uterine cancer took her life). That's about it though -- that was the only menopause advice she had time to give me.

Hello, why am I pouring with sweat? Oh my gosh, I know it was a hot day last week – but why did I sweat so much at the soccer game that it looked like I sat in a puddle??? (Note to self, carry a jacket anyway in case you need to wrap it to cover grotesque sweat. This was at the sunny game not the rainy one!). Oh.My.Goodness. I feel like a disgusting sweat ball after these “flashes.”

Who the heck named them "hot flashes" when they have spanned 30 minutes to a few hours??

Why has my body betrayed me? Come on, I finally accepted the stretch marks I earned 12 years ago…. can't my body let me alone for a little while?

I know there is a “Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy,” what are your suggestions on getting me through this pre-menopause stuff? I need a guide book darn it! Hello, I am just knocking on FORTY, if this crap is going to start now then I’ll gladly have the monthly periods stop now thankyouverymuch…..

How am I having hot flashes when my FORTY ONE year old sister is knocked up and due to have baby #2 in November? She is older than me and is of no use on these life issues. As kids, I developed first and got my period first. As adults I married first and had kids LONG before she did. She is of NO use to me on this topic and nobody offers an epidural to get you through aging.

So, strong women of the internet -- what do you know about hot flashes that I didn't read in the wiki? Challenge round: Due to my risk for uterine cancer I am to avoid hormone replacement therapy and soy.

Pardon me, I must go dab the sweat from this healthy glow that isn't from pregnancy..... What the heck!? I'm not even forty yet!!! Okay... almost :-) Off to eat ice cubes....