Camera in the Hands of The Jakester

Was going through Picasa and came across some recent pictures that Jake had taken. I will forewarn you that these are silly and fun. If you want to enjoy some absolutely gorgeous pictures, take a look at my sister in law, Jill's blog, on my list of favorites (The Blab). But I know Jake will get a kick out of me sharing his creative side with the camera. And after you check out the pictures, watch the 2 second video. I think this was an accidental video, but it makes me giggle everytime I watch it. It may not even be funny to you, but I just keep clicking on it over and over and it makes me laugh. Silly boy...

Salt,Glorius, Salt!

My scan on Thursday went well. Very well! I was in and out of there in 2 hours, which is record time so far. And the best part was that I left already knowing I could go home and take my medicine and introduce SALT back into my diet. Wahoo!

My levels were not at 0, as I was hoping for. Because if they were, I would mostly likely not need another scan in the future. The scan itself is not bad at all...it's just what I have to do to prepare for the scan that I loathe. My levels did however drop a point which is progress. Had they risen, my body would be ready to receive the much stronger dose of radioactive iodine due to the fact that I was off my medicine and had gone through the diet. So, I do understand why this option was pursued. However, if my doctor suggests another scan next year, I will ask for the shot. I was told the shot allows them to see the level without me going off my medicine. And since my number did drop, I would hope that would be a good reason to allow me to go this direction. We shall see. But for now, I am rejoicing! Rejoicing that this is now behind me and I am on day 3 of taking my medicine. I look forward to having my energy levels rise now, slowly, but surely. And I rejoice that the Lord gave me the strength to get through this time once again. I am thankful for your prayers and I am thankful for those of you who helped to carry this burden. God is good!

One funny moment to share from Thursday: I had not had time to eat breakfast before we left (my dear friend, Beth, drove me there and stayed with me) and I wasn't even sure if I was allowed to eat. So, I grabbed a banana and some mix, unsalted nuts. I figured I'd have time to eat them before my test. But when I checked in and asked if I could eat, the lady said "no" because the tech she had asked was ready. I could have scarfed the banana down quickly, but this guy seemed to be in a hurry. He told me to go to the bathroom and then had me lay down on the bed to start the process. It was just before he started the test that he finally introduced himself. Then he did something on the computer and finally offered Beth a chair. Just seemed like he did things a bit out of order, in my opinion. But I didn't say anything. But I was thinking I missed my "regular" tech. The tech I had the two years prior is so sweet and always checking on me. He was a real comfort to me the first year, as I was by myself and a bit nervous. Anyhow, he did come in during the middle of the first part of my scan and asked Beth if she wanted the tv on or needed a blanket...just sweet. When the first part of my scan was done, I asked if the other guy was around. He said he was in another room and "did I need him?" Thinking I was safe to say something, I said, "No, I just prefer having you in here. That other guy is not as friendly." Well, guess what? The room got awkwardly quiet. And I hear the other guy say, "I'm not friendly?" Whoopsies...I then did my best to dig myself out of a hole and explained how I was under the other tech's care the previous years, etc... I never intended for him to hear what I said, but maybe it is for the better. Maybe he will work on being more friendly to his patients. I know it is routine for him to do his job, but there is nothing routine about it for the patients (even if it is your 3rd time going through it).

When the scan was over, Beth and I had breakfast together and that was pretty much all I ate that day as my stomach and head hurt. Friday was more my celebratory day and my mom, dad, sister, and her hubby joined us for dinner. I had been craving pizza pretty much the entire time I couldn't have it, so we had some yummy LaRosa's for dinner. I haven't gone crazy because I really want to watch what I eat, but boy, oh boy, I have enjoyed the salt. Tonight, Dan and I had Aldi's orange chicken (was intended for the whole family, but the packaging was misleading and there is no way it would have fed all 5 of us). I looked at the sodium level and was surprised it wasn't as high as I thought it would be. But I'm sure it was about what you should have in one day vs. one meal. We Americans eat way too much salt!! But it's soo good!

Smelling Grandma

Have you ever been somewhere and out of the blue, smelled a familiar scent, and immediately conjured up a memory? This doesn't happen often to me but I am intrigued every time it does. Research has been done on this topic and many articles written, but I am sold on the matter. One such scent memory for me is a musky perfume fragrance. My maternal grandmother, Betty, is such an affectionate, huggy, doting woman. Growing up, she would just grab you, pull you to her, and smother you in hugs and kisses. And I loved it. As a child, when we would travel to her Kentucky home, I knew when we had arrived because I could smell Grandma. The funny thing is that I thought it was just Grandma's scent. It wasn't until I was well into my late teens, maybe even adulthood, that I was informed that "Grandma's scent" was the perfume she wore. The thing is, that scent triggers so many good memories, so even though I know the truth, to me it will remain "Grandma's scent." No one else's. It's just Grandma. (Although I am thankful for the handful of times I have been caught up in my memories of Grandma because I smelled it on someone else). I so wish I could just drop everything, jump on a plane, and fly to Stephenville, Texas to get a whiff of Grandma and be smothered in her hugs and kisses. And of course, spend some precious time with her. But believe you me, I will bask in the scent again the next time it catches me off guard.

Another scent memory I have is one that reminds me of my good friend in high school, Christy (pictured above in the center). Christy was such a sweet heart; meek, and gentle. Her favorite lotion was Bath and Body Works Country Apple and her perfume of choice was Beautiful, just as she was. Christy went home to be with her Heavenly Father three and a half years ago. She is greatly missed by her family and friends. Boy, were there a lot of memories made with her in the short span of time God blessed me (and our cluster of friends) with her presence. And I smile when I think of Christy. Recently, one of our mutual friends bought me a bottle of Country Apple lotion as they were discontinuing that particular fragrance. I was so grateful and also tempted to go buy the remaining bottles. I did refrain, but I will say that lotion is one I don't share with the girls, so that it will last longer.

There are others...the smell of onions and butter and stuffing always brings me to past holiday celebrations. A negative one...couldn't even tell you the name of it, but it is not a pleasant smell. It is a strong chemical smell that I associate with my grade school cafeteria in North Carolina. Which reminds me - I now associate the smell of ammonia with the lady who cleans the tables at Fazoli's, where we go sometimes for .99 kid's meals on Tuesday nights. Let's just say she is spray happy. I know when she has cleaned a table even half way across the restaurant. Someone...take the spray bottle away.

What about you? What scent triggers a memory for you? I'd love to hear.

**Since publishing this post, a funny memory came to mind I had to share. When I was in 4th grade, I had this friend who shared my same passion for horses. However, she totally weirded me out once on a field trip. We were going to a farm and the second she stepped off the bus, she breathed in as deep a breath she could and proclaimed, "Don't you just love the smell of horse manure?" Uh - No. Even though that particular smell does bring some incredible memories with it of summer days at the farm, I cannot say in my heart of hearts that I love or even like the smell of horse pooh. (Although, there may or may not be someone in my family who does. And this nameless person may or may not have spent part of her childhood on a farm. And she may or may not have inherited the same loving, huggy, affectionate personality from her mamma. Ok, that last sentence was silly. She did, hands down. But I'm not naming any names. I'm just sayin'...).

A Mother Daughter Correspondence

I found this special picture on the dining room table from Lydia...

In case you couldn't read it, it said, "I love you! More than kittens, More than lentils, More than pudding, More than friends, More than princesses, More than, More than anything. I love you! from Lydia"

So, I decided to write her back and let her find it in the morning when she sat down for breakfast.

I sure do love my sweet Liddy Bug.

So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

Sadly, the beginning of September brought with it the time we had to say goodbye to some dear friends. The Rebilas Family up and moved to Kentucky...go figure, right? Seriously, we are thrilled for this new transition in their lives, but i gotta be honest, I miss em'.

The beginning of our friendship started out in the not-so-typical way. i believe it was God orchestrated and a result of modern technology. Our paths were not likely to cross...

You see, back in 2003, there was this young mom who had a baby question. She decided to go on American Baby to do some research. While on that site, she stumbled upon a message board. She had never before communicated on one of these and it was intimidating at first. However, she found herself drawn to these groups of women who were going through the trenches of spit up and diapering right along with her. She found herself visiting the boards quite often. As time passed, a number of these women who were part of a national group found out that they lived fairly close to each other in Ohio. it was decided that a playdate was in order. i cannot even say that we were graduating to the next step of friendship. This was more like a "blind date" on the friendship level.

So, i packed up the diaper bag, threw a then, almost 2 year old Jake and a 5 or 6 month old Lydia, into the van and we made our way to Centerville. i remember Dan half way wondering what if the whole thing was a scam or something. And I recall bringing up a woman's intuition and if i got there and felt something was not right, I'd book it out of there. But as soon as we pulled into the apartment parking space, there was this girl named Becky, matching the description she had told me, waving at me. And the rest is history. We became friends quickly and that friendship blossomed. Over the last 7 years, we have been able to laugh together; comfort each other; pray, pray, pray for one another. I've had the privilege of sharing in her joy as her husband came to Christ and getting to fellowship together with them at church. And in those 7 years, we both welcomed new members into our families. Of course, she had to outdo me with the twins and a puppy. We had many a late night conversation at Tim Horton's that crept into the wee hours of the morning, as well as many a game of Phase 10 while we chatted.

God blessed me with an amazing friend. And just because we are separated by more miles now, I know our friendship will continue. In fact, I'm already planning a trip for November! So, thank you God and thank you, American Baby. I cannot even remember my question now, but a blessing was waiting for me that day I clicked on your link.

Drew and Lydia at her third b-day.
Becky holding a brand new Claire Bear in the hospital.

Drew at VBS...what a cute shepherd.

Meeting Henry for the first time.

Playdates at the park.

Drew and Lid are just one day apart and Becky claims i stole Lydia from her. Lydia is so much the girly-girl that Becky is and i am not. Still, I've had to keep careful watch so that Ms. Becky did not "steal her back."

Although, she probably would steal this little girl, too.

These were taken on our last play date with them at their house. This was a squirrley group, so this was the best i could do.

Gotta love kid's taking pictures....i love you, my friend.

Back to School Pictures

Better late than never, right? Here are Jake and Lydia in our traditional, in-front-of-our-tree shots. Still hard to believe I have a 2nd and 3rd grader.

Diet Sch-miet

Well, I've been MIA again - only, leave out the action part. i do have a good excuse, however. i look at it as i am keeping myself from embarrassment. I have been off of my good ol' levothyroxine for a month now and quite frankly, it ain't pretty. My thought process is muddled which means it's highly probable that what I type sounds highly unintelligible. That said, i am taking a risk to give an update. There shall be no mocking from any of my family...or else.

The beginning of Sept. was not too bad. i was able to take a drug called Cytomel to give me a boost throughout my day. i had to stop taking that about a couple weeks ago. Still, i seemed to be ok. Wasn't doing any marathons or anything of the sort, but i felt able to go throughout my day and still feel "alive." This week, however, has been rough. i started my no-salt diet on Friday. So, now I am tired and hungry. Do you people realize how much salt we consume? Well, if you are ever interested, go on a no salt diet. You'll find out real quick. i know this is a healthier way of eating, but i gotta be honest...i miss my salt. Mmmm, chips and salsa... Ok, where was i? Since Monday, i have started to feel the major lack of energy. Keeping my hands up to wash my hair or to brush my teeth; going up and down the steps - simple things like that tire me out. And that walk to the bus stop to get the kids off the bus mid-afternoon - well, that does feel like I've finished a marathon. That is how out of shape and blech I feel. i am getting ready to make a pot roast for supper tonight because it is one of the dinners i can actually eat with the family. But i have been putting it off, why? Because of the carrots and potatoes I'll have to peel. Pretty pathetic, huh? Not trying to gain sympathy...just painting a word picture as many have asked how i feel. i am so thankful it has not been this bad all month, but just this week.

Anyhow, my scan is scheduled for September 30th, so the light at the end of my tunnel is drawing nearer. i go into the hospital for my very low dose of radioactive iodine on next Tuesday and then two days later is my pet scan. The Dr. at the hospital will tell me the results of the scan, which I anticipate to be fine, seeing as my blood work and ultrasound both were good. Unfortunately, i do have to wait for a call from my endocrinologist to get the ok to start the meds and stop the diet. I thought my scan was for Friday, therefore, i would have to wait through the weekend for him to call the following week. But here's to hoping he will call on Friday and give me the clearance. I will be given the Cytomel and then the levothyroxine. i estimate I'll be joining the land of the living sometime in mid-October. Hallelujah. i know I've said this before, but i never knew the importance of your thyroid until mine was gone. So...for all you out there with a healthy, functioning thyroid, here's a shout out to you. Don't take it for granted. In fact, give your neck a little pat.