Friday, October 27, 2006
Sleep Study
Well, I spent last night hooked up to electrodes and trying to sleep "normally." I looked like something from one of the horror movies popular this time of year. They did not tell me much this morning. I thought they were going to keep me for a day study at first, but the new shift said I could go home. (Actually went to a unit meeting for work that was nice.) Apparently, I exhibited some signs of sleep apnea, but I also got a good deal of REM sleep, and they average it all. Next week is the follow-up visit, so I will know more.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Happy Thoughts
Feeling better this blog than last. Still stressing but focusing on the happy. My friend had her cochlear implant programmed and can hear some sounds in her ear for the first time in 31 years. These are exciting times!
My mother and I took my son for an eye exam. He has worn glasses since he was 18-months old. The pediatric ophthalmologist was great (as was his experience at the pediatric dentist office that he didn't want to leave a few weeks ago). He charmed the staff per usual for him and spoke to them as if their (polite) equal. He met another 4-year-old, only child in the play area. They were like two peas in a pod. That's cool since I was feeling like I was in the land of stepford a little bit again with the other parents. This child's mama was a lot like me, too.
My mother and I took my son for an eye exam. He has worn glasses since he was 18-months old. The pediatric ophthalmologist was great (as was his experience at the pediatric dentist office that he didn't want to leave a few weeks ago). He charmed the staff per usual for him and spoke to them as if their (polite) equal. He met another 4-year-old, only child in the play area. They were like two peas in a pod. That's cool since I was feeling like I was in the land of stepford a little bit again with the other parents. This child's mama was a lot like me, too.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Monday, October 02, 2006
Blues
My intention is not to only blog negative things, but this afternoon has been not so good. I stayed home from work because I felt a little yucky and needed to clean house. The cleaning house part went okay. I did not get everything done that I planned but a lot never-the-less.
This afternoon I discovered that our finances had flown south. That was not so unusual, and I would only have been a little sad about that normally. Situations arose that made it worse than usual.
Also this afternoon, I went to let the dogs inside before heading out to get my son. A stray had been in the neighbor's yard, so my dogs were nuts to go over there. They got away from me. I went in the house to lure them in with the dog treats. The two smaller dogs came running in - should have known something was not right.
I went outside to find and leash my Great Dane. She was in the neighbor's yard scuffling with their dog. I could not tell whether they were playing or fighting. A friend or relative of their's came in at the same time. We both yelled at the dogs. Barley ran off then came to me. I leashed her and waited for the other person. The dog acted timid, but I really thought they had just been playing. She said the dog was bleeding.
Our neighbor came over a little while ago. She was very nice, but she said their dog needed stiches. Since the dog had eaten today, the vet. was going to keep her overnight then sedate her tomorrow. She asked if we were going to get the bill. I told her of course we would. She was not sure which vet. her husband had said. I told her to just bring us the bill or something.
It seems like when it rains it poors. I am sure the vet. bill will not be small.
This afternoon I discovered that our finances had flown south. That was not so unusual, and I would only have been a little sad about that normally. Situations arose that made it worse than usual.
Also this afternoon, I went to let the dogs inside before heading out to get my son. A stray had been in the neighbor's yard, so my dogs were nuts to go over there. They got away from me. I went in the house to lure them in with the dog treats. The two smaller dogs came running in - should have known something was not right.
I went outside to find and leash my Great Dane. She was in the neighbor's yard scuffling with their dog. I could not tell whether they were playing or fighting. A friend or relative of their's came in at the same time. We both yelled at the dogs. Barley ran off then came to me. I leashed her and waited for the other person. The dog acted timid, but I really thought they had just been playing. She said the dog was bleeding.
Our neighbor came over a little while ago. She was very nice, but she said their dog needed stiches. Since the dog had eaten today, the vet. was going to keep her overnight then sedate her tomorrow. She asked if we were going to get the bill. I told her of course we would. She was not sure which vet. her husband had said. I told her to just bring us the bill or something.
It seems like when it rains it poors. I am sure the vet. bill will not be small.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Fishing The Day Away
This afternoon we took little v fishing. This was his first trip. Vorin took him to a place near the house. I went to take pictures and ended up fishing. Vorin pretended to fish but really watched little v. I was going to leave them to it, but little v caught his first fish! That hooked me. I stayed, and we fished while Vorin watched. Soon (in fishing terms), little v caught his second fish! Wow! Vorin and I each in term had nibbles, a couple of bites, and fed several unseen fish lunch. We stayed to fish a little while, and I finally caught my first fish! (First one ever that I can remember.) Hooray! What a great day!!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Tired but Satisfied
We had a long day today. My mother and son went with me to a lap band seminar at Baptist. I had been to one for Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity, but found out that while the center was "in-network" with my insurance the doctors were not. That would not be so bad, but there are no "out-of-network" benefits for this service - hmmm, nope, no extra $14,000 sitting around. Off to Baptist I go.
Anyway, left the seminar and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. After Cracker Barrel, we took my wonderful little guy to a hands-on science center. We only arrived home a short time ago. This one tired Mama! Is the little guy sleepy... doesn't sound like. Ominous microphone noises waft this way from his room, so I know the keyboard is out. LOL!
I'm missing a geo caching event in Huntsville, AL tonight, but I am just too tired to go. I sent my ID Timber wolf geocoin with hubby, "Vorin," for others to discover and log. Now, trying to watch Auburn vs. LSU and the Blade season finale at the same time without picture in picture.
Anyway, left the seminar and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. After Cracker Barrel, we took my wonderful little guy to a hands-on science center. We only arrived home a short time ago. This one tired Mama! Is the little guy sleepy... doesn't sound like. Ominous microphone noises waft this way from his room, so I know the keyboard is out. LOL!
I'm missing a geo caching event in Huntsville, AL tonight, but I am just too tired to go. I sent my ID Timber wolf geocoin with hubby, "Vorin," for others to discover and log. Now, trying to watch Auburn vs. LSU and the Blade season finale at the same time without picture in picture.
Star Wars and Animals
I probably should have titled this "shameless plug", but it is for a wonderful cause. One of my friends works tirelessly to put together Celebration Pet Day each year in Shelbyville, TN. Her blog site for the event this year is: Celebration Pet Day
I mention Star Wars because she and her husband are fellow sci-fi, er, fans - yeah, that's it... not fanatics... fans. : ) They attend DragonCon every year. She has arranged for a "Meet and Greet" with the 501st Legion costuming group as one of the activities for this event.
Visit her blog for more information and to see a picture of the legion in costume. Her regular blog: Richardson Zoo also has some great DragonCon pictures.
I mention Star Wars because she and her husband are fellow sci-fi, er, fans - yeah, that's it... not fanatics... fans. : ) They attend DragonCon every year. She has arranged for a "Meet and Greet" with the 501st Legion costuming group as one of the activities for this event.
Visit her blog for more information and to see a picture of the legion in costume. Her regular blog: Richardson Zoo also has some great DragonCon pictures.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Life is Good
Things are going well. I had a fun weekend with my hubby and some friends geocaching. Monday, my friend Jennifer had her cochlear implant surgery and made it through just fine! Hooray for Jen! Work is going well this week, and I am blissfully ignoring my school work. I also checked out books to read for pleasure from the library. Ah, life is indeed good.
Wonder how long this will last?
Wonder how long this will last?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
forgot....
I forgot to say that during all of the other activity the end of last month my baby turned 4 and my husband and I celebrated our 11th anniversary. You know... just some minor details! : )
Long time no blog
Well, I'd like to say that it is just because I am busy that I haven't written, but that would not be entirely truthful. Actually, I also forgot my login info. and the auto complete went away for some reason.
August was a busy month. The summer semester at Auburn wound to a close, and the week of the 21-25 we were on campus for the beginning of the fall semester. I love Auburn University and like the town, but it has been the pits trying to get back into things at work this go around - yuck!
I went to a seminar on bariatric surgery at Centennial Medical Center on August 29th. I have decided to try for lap band surgery through my insurance. It may be a huge fight, and it may just mean jumping through some hoops. It is covered though, so count on me to fight for it. It won't mean a magic cure for weight loss, but that combined with diet and exercise usually yields great results. Wish me luck!
My friend Jennifer just received approval for cochlear implant surgery - hooray! She is having it soon and would appreciate any prayers that could be sent her way. I know her surgery is very different from the one I want, but she has inspired me to give it a go.
Anyway... my house is a wreck and needs some attention. I am going to try and get some things done tonight so later!
August was a busy month. The summer semester at Auburn wound to a close, and the week of the 21-25 we were on campus for the beginning of the fall semester. I love Auburn University and like the town, but it has been the pits trying to get back into things at work this go around - yuck!
I went to a seminar on bariatric surgery at Centennial Medical Center on August 29th. I have decided to try for lap band surgery through my insurance. It may be a huge fight, and it may just mean jumping through some hoops. It is covered though, so count on me to fight for it. It won't mean a magic cure for weight loss, but that combined with diet and exercise usually yields great results. Wish me luck!
My friend Jennifer just received approval for cochlear implant surgery - hooray! She is having it soon and would appreciate any prayers that could be sent her way. I know her surgery is very different from the one I want, but she has inspired me to give it a go.
Anyway... my house is a wreck and needs some attention. I am going to try and get some things done tonight so later!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
House Cleaning
Whew, I hate housework. I am happy to say that we have begun halling out the muck and starting to reclaim our house after two semesters of neglect. My husband will help if I get the ball rolling, but he does not begin without me. I understand that because I want him to help when I'm cleaning. At least maybe I'll begin the last year of my master's program with some order - won't say clean because that may jinx me.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
August Already?
Greetings and salutations! It has been awhile since I posted, and I can't believe it is August 5th. The good news is that my summer semester is over. I earned two A's and an "S" for satisfactory (as opposed to a "U" for unsatisfactory). Things are moving along now as my group and I are halfway to graduation. Now we get a two week break then go back to Auburn the week of August 21-25. I look forward to seeing everyone, but it's a rotten week to leave. My son turns 4 on the 24th and my anniversary is the Saturday after I return on Friday. Ah well, this will improve our lives later.
My Aunt from Georgia is in town this weekend. She wants to see my son, so I guess house cleaning is out for another day. No one is allowed to visit right now because my house is an absolute wreck! Not the kind of wreck like the people who say their house is a mess and mean they have a tiny bit of dust somewhere. I mean a bonafide wreck.
Well, going to enjoy some "down time." Later!
My Aunt from Georgia is in town this weekend. She wants to see my son, so I guess house cleaning is out for another day. No one is allowed to visit right now because my house is an absolute wreck! Not the kind of wreck like the people who say their house is a mess and mean they have a tiny bit of dust somewhere. I mean a bonafide wreck.
Well, going to enjoy some "down time." Later!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
A Song to Help End the Semester
With a final that I haven't studied for tomorrow, a project that is 3/4 finished, and a final exam next Tuesday, this song keeps playing over and over in my head!
Artist: Anna Nalick
Title: Just Breathe (2 A.M.)
2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
can you help me unravel my latest mistake,
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to critisize,
hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason
'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe
May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But my God it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breahte
There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
But you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer
inside of me, threatening the life they belong to
And i feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe.
Artist: Anna Nalick
Title: Just Breathe (2 A.M.)
2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
can you help me unravel my latest mistake,
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to critisize,
hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason
'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe
May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But my God it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breahte
There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
But you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer
inside of me, threatening the life they belong to
And i feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Americans with Disabilities Act turns 16 on July 26th
The Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, did not solve all of the problems that people with disabilities experience, but it did begin programs and services still in existence today that do help and serve them. People with disabilities now have a lot more options for transportation, adaptive technology, training, and careers than before.
Happy Birthday, ADA!
Happy Birthday, ADA!
Whine Time
This will likely be a popular post title for me. I try not to whine - really, I do, - but somehow I do it anyway. Anyway, here goes...
Today I was able to remain in my office and work - that's good. The problem is that I have a touchy situation that I am trying to navigate at work, it's the end of the summer semester (one project, two exams, and a time sheet due by next Tuesday), and I am TIRED. For some reason, I am having more and more trouble waking up in the mornings. It's not depression (trust me, I know), so it must be either the weather or my unhealthy diet.
At least the weather was nicer today. I hope it holds out until tomorrow. Tomorrow I have two morning appointments in Murfreesboro and an inservice to conduct or help conduct for an agency there in the afternoon. It will be a busy but easy day.
Anyway, enough for now. I'll find more interesting things to post later.
Today I was able to remain in my office and work - that's good. The problem is that I have a touchy situation that I am trying to navigate at work, it's the end of the summer semester (one project, two exams, and a time sheet due by next Tuesday), and I am TIRED. For some reason, I am having more and more trouble waking up in the mornings. It's not depression (trust me, I know), so it must be either the weather or my unhealthy diet.
At least the weather was nicer today. I hope it holds out until tomorrow. Tomorrow I have two morning appointments in Murfreesboro and an inservice to conduct or help conduct for an agency there in the afternoon. It will be a busy but easy day.
Anyway, enough for now. I'll find more interesting things to post later.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
My Passions
My life is full of blessings. My passions stretch across the board. This post will just let me share some of those with you.
I am a spiritual if not overly religious being. My belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit remains firm. How I perceive that trinity and how I conduct my worship for them changes, but my belief in them and their guidance in my life do not waiver.
My husband (of 11 years on August 26th) and my son (turning 4 on August 24th) provide me with the love and stability that this Gemini needs in her life. We play, fuss, fight, and live. They are my favorite people in the world, and I love them! Other family members enrich my life immeasurably, and it is impossible to list each of them separately without filling up my blog, so just know that I am passionate about both of our families, too.
Work...stimulates my mind, aggravates me beyond belief, and allows me to meet a lot of truly wonderful people. I have been a V.R. Counselor with the State of Tennessee for 9 years with 7.5 of them spent working with people who are blind or visually impaired in 5/6 counties in Southern Middle Tennessee. My wish is to be able to share vision and low vision information with everyone that needs it regardless of whether or not they want or need the services of my agency. Many people with low vision do not go to ophthalmologists or have low vision exams. They don't know the number and variety of low vision aids available to improve their activities of daily living or job performance.
School, apparently I am addicted. My bachelors of science degree came from the University of Tennessee at Martin in May of 1993 in Secondary Education, English. I began working on a master's in school counseling at Middle Tennessee State University (one class at a time) in spring of 1998 and continued working on that degree (roughly about 5 years) until I reached the point that I would have to end my current career to participate in two 300-hour internships and decided that I did not want to quit my job. So... my agency is mandated to reach a certain percentage of "qualified" counselors by a certain year. To reach that goal, they are working with the federal government to pay for masters' degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling via distance education. Still wanting my master's, I signed on for the one through Auburn University. Auburn rocks! We, my distance education cohorts and I, go to the Auburn Campus one week each semester. This summer marks the end of our first year, and we only have one to go. My husband has been and is very supportive of my educational endeavors despite wanting to kill me for not knowing what I want to be when I grow up!
Fun - definitely! I adore reading, movies & music and have all of my life. I love to take pictures, so scrapbooking provides a creative outlet for me despite my limited creative abilities. I love to make scrapbooks for other people to share the pictures I take. Online gaming is a fairly recent passion. World of Warcraft was my first experience and lasted about a year. It is a fun game, but many of my guildies (including husband, family members, and real-life friends) moved onto Everquest 2, so I moved with them. It took awhile for me to get the hang of EQ2, but now I really enjoy it. Another new pastime (as of yesterday) for me is geocaching with my husband, son, cousin and his wife, and friends. I have linked our geocaching blog, written by my cousin, under my links. It's a lot of fun and equates to real life treasure hunting for my son.
My husband says that I do not have friends but families. I have my work family that provides my major source of social interaction. My online gaming family in the form of our guild, Shadow Dragons / Company of Shadows / Zenbassmasters. We chat as we play and often quest together. My Auburn family or Distance Education family with people from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and a few others depending on the semester. His family theory may be true, but I do have a small spattering of individual friends... somewhere... we just don't do things together very often.
Animals - We have a Great Dane, Black Labrador Retriever, small mixed cutie dog, and a black cat. The Great Dane and Black Labrador were both rescue dogs. We love animals!
This is a good overview of my life's passions. There are others, but this post is long enough!
I am a spiritual if not overly religious being. My belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit remains firm. How I perceive that trinity and how I conduct my worship for them changes, but my belief in them and their guidance in my life do not waiver.
My husband (of 11 years on August 26th) and my son (turning 4 on August 24th) provide me with the love and stability that this Gemini needs in her life. We play, fuss, fight, and live. They are my favorite people in the world, and I love them! Other family members enrich my life immeasurably, and it is impossible to list each of them separately without filling up my blog, so just know that I am passionate about both of our families, too.
Work...stimulates my mind, aggravates me beyond belief, and allows me to meet a lot of truly wonderful people. I have been a V.R. Counselor with the State of Tennessee for 9 years with 7.5 of them spent working with people who are blind or visually impaired in 5/6 counties in Southern Middle Tennessee. My wish is to be able to share vision and low vision information with everyone that needs it regardless of whether or not they want or need the services of my agency. Many people with low vision do not go to ophthalmologists or have low vision exams. They don't know the number and variety of low vision aids available to improve their activities of daily living or job performance.
School, apparently I am addicted. My bachelors of science degree came from the University of Tennessee at Martin in May of 1993 in Secondary Education, English. I began working on a master's in school counseling at Middle Tennessee State University (one class at a time) in spring of 1998 and continued working on that degree (roughly about 5 years) until I reached the point that I would have to end my current career to participate in two 300-hour internships and decided that I did not want to quit my job. So... my agency is mandated to reach a certain percentage of "qualified" counselors by a certain year. To reach that goal, they are working with the federal government to pay for masters' degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling via distance education. Still wanting my master's, I signed on for the one through Auburn University. Auburn rocks! We, my distance education cohorts and I, go to the Auburn Campus one week each semester. This summer marks the end of our first year, and we only have one to go. My husband has been and is very supportive of my educational endeavors despite wanting to kill me for not knowing what I want to be when I grow up!
Fun - definitely! I adore reading, movies & music and have all of my life. I love to take pictures, so scrapbooking provides a creative outlet for me despite my limited creative abilities. I love to make scrapbooks for other people to share the pictures I take. Online gaming is a fairly recent passion. World of Warcraft was my first experience and lasted about a year. It is a fun game, but many of my guildies (including husband, family members, and real-life friends) moved onto Everquest 2, so I moved with them. It took awhile for me to get the hang of EQ2, but now I really enjoy it. Another new pastime (as of yesterday) for me is geocaching with my husband, son, cousin and his wife, and friends. I have linked our geocaching blog, written by my cousin, under my links. It's a lot of fun and equates to real life treasure hunting for my son.
My husband says that I do not have friends but families. I have my work family that provides my major source of social interaction. My online gaming family in the form of our guild, Shadow Dragons / Company of Shadows / Zenbassmasters. We chat as we play and often quest together. My Auburn family or Distance Education family with people from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and a few others depending on the semester. His family theory may be true, but I do have a small spattering of individual friends... somewhere... we just don't do things together very often.
Animals - We have a Great Dane, Black Labrador Retriever, small mixed cutie dog, and a black cat. The Great Dane and Black Labrador were both rescue dogs. We love animals!
This is a good overview of my life's passions. There are others, but this post is long enough!
Test, test - is this thing on?
This is my first experience creating a blog. Several of my friends have them, but I was not sure that I had anything to say. That will surprise many of my friends and co-workers because they will tell you that I am never at a loss for words. Still, my concern is whether or not I have anything to say that other people will actually be interested in reading. I am sure that I will find out soon!
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