{ Day of rest, a Netflix show and more doctor appointments }

Good evening everyone, come on in and sit a bit with me.  I have coffee and tea and a slice of this delicious Portuguese Milk and Cinnamon Tart. (recipe on the food blog, if you're interested).

So, news.

{ Finally rain and a diagnosis at the doctor }

We have just had the most glorious of rain showers. 

Aahhh there is nothing quite like it, especially when you've been dealing with horrible heat and triple digits that just won't budge.  The first thunder boomed out and I must have looked like a crazy woman with a huge smile on my face.

It didn't last very long, about 30 minutes, but it cooled things down and the plants in the garden certainly welcomed the water.

I've had a bit of a busy day, an appointment, and a few hours homeschooling with Nick.  

{ THAT appointment, that no woman likes }

I had my yearly appointment this morning.  I have always stressed myself and worried leading up to the appointment, throughout and until the doctor gave me the *all good* news.

Much as I still find these appointments awkward and uncomfortable, I have learned to just go in with a peaceful mind and to not let it bother me.  I always tell myself that this is so important to do, and I've been very good about sticking to my yearly appointments, check ups, mammograms etc.

Truth be told, I often sit and think that I wish I didn't have to go to these appointments, ever.  Or I remember how it was before I had to worry about any of these things.  But as a woman, it's imperative that we do our part, no matter how out of our comfort zone it may be.  At least I feel good knowing that if something were to be wrong, I will have done my part and it will be caught early enough.

Anyway, I went in, it didn't take too long, actually took longer finding the clinic, because they've moved yet again.  We've been here 2 years, and the Women's Clinic has been in 3 different areas in the hospital.  I don't get it.

I sat and had a chat with my doctor about a few things that had been worrying me, mainly just changes that I have noticed taking place the past year or so.  I was pretty certain that it's all normal changes due to me getting older and being in my 40's but it's always good to double check with the doctor.  She definitely put my mind at ease, which is a very good thing cause given my mind a chance to overthink, it will go completely off course and imagine the worst.

I came home and I don't know if anyone else gets this, but I have pretty sensitive breasts as it is (sorry if that's too much info, but we're all friends here), and when I have the breast exam done, they press so hard that the rest of the day I'm quite sore.

I took some Motrin, I had some lunch, I chatted a bit with my sister in law and then went ahead and finished my menu plan and grocery list for tomorrow morning.

It's not a big list at all this time, I still have a bit of meat in the freezer, and I planned around that, and also a few meals using pantry staples that I already have on hand, so that definitely helps.

The rest of the day was a bit of blur to be honest.  Nothing really happened, I didn't get anything done cleaning or organizing wise, and that's ok because I've been so busy the whole week that one day is certainly not going to kill me.

Dinner tonight was a new recipe from one of the cookbooks that I'll be reviewing tomorrow night, I have to make a dessert as well, but have to pick up the ingredients when I get my groceries, so yeah, I'm not seeing the review up before tomorrow night.


I have so many reviews and posts that I want to make, and it's quite funny that it feels like I don't have enough blog hours or days to do it in.  Does that make sense?

Like when I wasn't blogging daily, I often couldn't think of a single thing to blog about, and now I have too many thoughts and ideas and not enough days to do them in.  Hahah

So all this to say that I'm healthy, I'm feeling so well lately, and enjoying feeling good and living life to the fullest.  I'm ever so thankful to God for everything that I have, my husband and children and my health, my home, my pets, family and friends.  Just everything in general.

It's a good place to be and it's a great feeling to be truly content where you are.  Best feeling in the world :)

{ Only happens to me.... }

Oh you gotta come in and listen to this.  LOL

I swear, I have the weirdest things happen to me, or maybe not weird but funny.  Let me tell you about my adventure at the Lab this morning.

I told you yesterday that I had to go in for some blood work, and I had to fast, so I couldn't have my coffee this morning or any breakfast before I got that done.  I made a big cup of coffee and a sandwich because I'm not used to going without eating in the morning and it makes me feel nauseous.

Got to the hospital, went to the lab and checked in and the nurse asked me if I would be able to provide a urine sample. I thought "Oh crap, I JUST went to the bathroom before leaving the house.".

In my defense I was never told about a urine sample, only about the blood work, but apparently this is routine now?  So anyway, I tell her that I can try and she says they don't need a lot and blah blah blah.

I take the cup into the bathroom, and if you've ever had to give one of these samples you KNOW all the steps, with the little towels and not touching the inside of the cup, and so on.

I don't want to go total TMI (too much information) here, but I do have to tell you the story, so bear with me.  Hahaha

Sitting there I have the list of do's and dont's, on the wall, right in front of me.

Use the towel and whatever....dispose of it in the trash can provided.  (trash can is clear on the other side of the bathroom wall so I can't reach it)
Then I try to go and I can't.  If you know me, and actually it's like a running joke in our family because everyone knows that I constantly have to go, like all the time LOL

I tried running water, I tried not thinking about it.  Nope, not happening.

Then I'm thinking about the cup and wondering what do I do.  I can't put it in the little round metal door thing cause I didn't do anything.  Do I just walk out with the cup and it's one drop, cause that's really all I could muster up?

I sat there for about 10 minutes not knowing what to do, then finally walked out and told the nurse that I couldn't do it, sorry, I'll just sit in the waiting room with my little cup until I need to go.  Problem is, I haven't had anything to drink for 12 hours, I didn't even drink water so I knew I wouldn't need to go.

Meantime they went ahead and took my blood, all 5 vials of it.


I kept thinking that I had my big cup of coffee in the car and maybe I need to go chug that down.  So I told her I'm leaving, handed her the cup and told her I would be back.  My idea was to go to the car, eat my sandwich, chug down the big travel mug of coffee and get something happening.
 

I ate, I drank the whole mug and nothing.  After 20 minutes I thought "well this is ridiculous, I'm going home and when I need to go, I'll just quickly drive back and pee in the cup."  LOL

We only live 10 minutes from the hospital so it was totally doable.  I drove all the way home, and the minute I pulled into the driveway, I had to go.  Hahahahahaha

Drive all the way back to the hospital and finally give them the sample they needed.  I mean.....what on earth????

Anyway, I just thought that was a funny story, hope I didn't scare anyone with the urine conversation, but we're all friends here and we all know how that goes.

I'll get the results back next week, so we'll see what they have to say.  Of course I'll let you all know.

Had two packages arrive this afternoon.  The first was Jasmine's heat gun that she bought from Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It's going to be a huge help in creating her foam gun for the cosplay.

The second package was another book for review.

I have so many on the pile to read right now, and I'm pretty excited about all the different titles.  My summer reading list just keeps growing.  Between last night and this afternoon, I was asked to review 2 more books. 

I didn't get too much else done today.  The usual dishes, making dinner, which was Chicken Wellington tonight, and putting some more laundry away.

I have got to get on the ball with that.  I am good with washing and folding but the putting away is what gets me, it's my least favorite house chore if I'm to be honest.

I'm feeling much better today, though this afternoon while making dinner I felt a little lightheaded and off again, but I have to remind myself that I just started the medication yesterday and that there is fluid in both ears, and that takes time.  Here we go again with my unwillingness to let God control every aspect of my life.

Time to dig back into You're Late Again Lord.  This book is a total lifesaver, though I tend to forget all it's crucial lessons once I'm done reading.  I don't know if I'll ever quite learn how to be content in my faith and open minded to the waiting period.

Waiting is inevitable for us all.  We can either spend the time with complaints and arguments and disgust or use the time for worship and growth and understanding.

Such a simple concept isn't it?  Then why do I struggle with it so much?  And will I ever learn?

I'm always wanting things done NOW, finished NOW, solved NOW, fixed NOW.  It's almost like when I tell my kids that they don't appreciate their stuff because they didn't have to work for it.  Then here I am, just expecting too without wanting to put in the work.

Tsk, tsk, tsk Sandra!!!

Oh I also got in out graduation pics that were taken by the photographer, so let me share those with you.  I was SO sick on this day, fever, sore throat, cough.  It was hard to make the 4 hour drive to the graduation location and smile through it and all, but I had to do it for my girl.  Hope you enjoy the pictures, and don't be shocked at my Nick's height, the boy is 14 and taller than us all, including dad. 

 Jasmine with her principal.  This moment choked me up, so proud of her.

I wanted to cry so badly, but I kept it together.  That rose was the rose that she gave me during the ceremony, all the graduates handed their moms a rose :)

He is so proud of her.  He's also been struggling so much with her growing up and knowing that he is no longer the only man in her life.  On the other hand, she's an adult now, wanting to spread her wings and be independent, so there's a lot of clashing but there's also a huge amount of love between them.

Here's the elusive Nicholas.  He is the typical 14 year old who hates taking his picture and does NOT believe in smiling at all.  I do have a beautiful family, if I say so myself, and I count my blessings every day :)

It's so crazy to see us at this point in our lives and to think in just 4 years we'll be doing this again with Nick.  My word.

Well, I think it's time for me to get on out of here, it's kind of hard to type with a 70 pound puppy in my lap.  When your legs start going numb, you know it's time to move. ;)

{ Loaded on meds, blood work and allergy testing }

Good evening friends :)

I'm so sorry for kind of posting and running this morning.  I really did just come and tell you that I was headed to the doctor and didn't get around to doing a proper post for you all.  But I did tell you that I would be back, and so here I am.

So I got to the doctor early this morning, I still wasn't feeling very well, and I'm still not 100%, but I can say that I'm feeling so much better than I have in the past week.

The doctor asked the usual questions and then checked me out.  She actually felt bad for me because she says I have fluid in both ears, really inflamed sinuses and of course the bad allergies going on too.  She said it's no wonder I've been feeling off and lightheaded with all the fluid in the ears.  I knew something was off, had no clue what, but it makes perfect sense now knowing my ears are affected.

Anyway, she gave me Amoxicillin, Sudogest and Allegra.  She also prescribed some Mucinex but when I got to the pharmacy the Airman told me they wouldn't give me that because the system had flagged saying that I'm allergic to one of the ingredients in there.  I was so glad that he told me, I have no problem being denied something knowing I'm allergic.  Apparently what I'm allergic to is Guaifenesen.

Tomorrow morning I have to return for some blood work.  I suffer from Allergies but I've never had an allergy test or panel done to find out exactly what I'm allergic to, so I'm having that done tomorrow.  Also checking my cholesterol and diabetes because they run in the family and it's been a few years since I've had those tested.4

I'll have to fast starting tonight, but that's fine, I plan on going first thing in the morning and then I can have my coffee when I get home.

I got back home around 10am and immediately took my first dose of the medication.  Within an hour I had already started feeling a million times better.  It's absolutely crazy to think that allergies can be so debilitating.

They have definitely gotten worse since moving to Texas, and I hadn't realized just how out of it I was until the medication started taking effect.  Good grief.

I got some housework done, then lit my favorite Sweet Lavender candle, which smells divine, and sat down with my Atlanticus Blanket.  I am trying to catch up, and just started Part 4, so hopefully will finish it before next Monday when Part 5 is released.

I set the crochet aside after a few rows, so as not to strain my eyes and neck. I don't know about anyone else, but if I crochet for too long, my neck starts hurting and my eyes burning (but that is obviously because of my dry eyes, which reminds me I need to get some more Systane, just wish it wasn't so expensive)



I was working on my 2009 Blog Book when the lawn mower arrived.  This is Curt's Father's Day gift.

He arrived home from work about 5 minutes after it was delivered and he just ran inside, changed and immediately got on it to try it out and get mowing.  He is so happy with his mower and I'm very happy that we were able to do this for him.

It mows extremely well, and pretty fast too.  Within 30 minutes he had done the whole front left of the house and then did half of the horse field we have too.

It certainly helps to have a yard machine like this when you live on 3 acres :)

While he mowed, I made dinner which tonight was Beef Curry.  I ate with the kids because I needed to take my next dose of medication, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen and took my shower.

I'm just sitting down now to compile this post and then I'll work on my blog book a little more, and honestly by the time I look back at the clock it will be bedtime for me.  Time just flies.

Thank you all for the comments and advice and prayers, I appreciate you all so much.  :)

I don't know if you guys are enjoying my constant blogging, I'm sure I've surprised some of you considering I was a terrible blogger for the past 2 years.  Hahah

I am trying very hard to change that and I do hope you all continue to enjoy and read and interact with me.

Tomorrow is Thursday and I will have a Slow Cooking or Cooking Thursday up for you all.

I'm going to go and work on the book a little more and I also need to reply to emails and review requests and all that other fun stuff.

Have a beautiful Wednesday night everyone.  God Bless!!!

{ To the Doctor I go }

 Good morning friends :)

I fully intended to post yesterday and then got so busy that I ended up not getting a chance.  By the time I remembered, I was in bed and about to go to sleep.  Oops!!!

Anyway, I will be back later with a post for you all, but for now, I'm getting ready to head to the doctor.  That pressure, lightheaded, sinus stuff is still going on and I'm frankly sick of it right now.  So instead of trying to deal with it myself and taking Sudafed, I decided to just cave and make a doctor's appointment.

I don't think I need to tell you how much I dislike going to the doctor's, I think I am a bit of a nut job hypochondriac, where I always imagine the worst.  It's quite debilitating at times because I get myself into such a frenzy.  I definitely need to work on that.

But anyway, I am headed out, and have a list of things I want to talk to the doctor about.  Please send some prayers my way, would really appreciate them.  I'll update you when I get back as well as do a proper post.

See you soon :)

Busy Busy Week!

I was doing so well, updating every single day and then this week came along and I've been so busy I haven't quite had the time to come in and do anything.

It's just been one of those weeks for me.  Matter of fact, I haven't even cooked dinner the past two nights.

Tuesday night my husband was in the mood for frozen pizza and on his way home from work, picked two up, so no cooking for me.

Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate my niece's birthday.

This little girl is now 18 years old. Or so it seems, because in my eyes and I'm sure her mom's and dad's, she will always be that cute little 1 year old running around with her Teletubbies doll.

Just another reminder that time really does fly and before we know it, the kids are all grown up.  I'm not looking forward to my own children reaching that age so fast, I want to keep them little for as long as I can.

The weather here has been downright pitiful, cold, so very cold and foggy. We were sitting at 7 degrees yesterday, and I mean 7 degrees Fahrenheit which means -13 in Celsius. I am quite ready to hibernate somewhere nice and warm and only pop back out in a few months.

Our mornings now look like this, and I don't know about you, but for me it doesn't really scream get up and go, more like lay back down and hide. But go we must, and get up we have to, grudgingly, but we do.

I'm making this post super short today, I haven't taken many photos the past two days, like I said I have been so busy.

I'm going to finish this big cup of coffee.....

Give Instagram a quick browse through and then I have to get my housework started. Start the laundry, do the dishes, sweep and mop the living room etc.

I have a doctors appointment this afternoon, you know ladies, the appointment we always love going to?????

Yes that one.

I would appreciate some prayers, I have some issues going on and need to get it all checked out, but aside from that I am always so nervous when I have to go to that yearly appointment that it actually makes me sick to my stomach. Ugh!!!

So yeah, prayers for everything to be fine, and for me to have the courage to get it over and done with.

I will try to pop back in later, may take some photos of my day as it goes, and have a quick chat tonight with you all. For now though, I really do need to get my butt in gear and get moving.