The verdict is in...

...definitely iron deficient....back in about two weeks.......

...and most importantly for me, I can tell a difference since starting the iron so I am a happy girl!

Looking forward to going home and creating tonight!

Maybe....just maybe......

....hopefully things are slowly getting back on track and I am starting to recoup energy. I started the iron prescribed by the hematologist though I often only get one dose down a day--as opposed to the two he ordered (I know, I know...I'm working on that---I took both doses yesterday!).

I ran all afternoon and a good part of the evening yesterday. Accomplished several things and although tired at the conclusion I was not totally exhausted as I have been in the past. That's not to say I really accomplished anything once I got home but again I wasn't totally wiped out and exhausted--a real miracle after the past week.

I did sleep in this morning and I have been taking my time. Puttering around...slowly accomplishing things. Slowly getting the kitchen cleaned and the rest of the place picked up. As is the norm during registration season, my place is an absolute W R E C K. I know I have furniture somewhere under all the stuff! Slowly it emerges.

Needing to pay some bills and make a run to the grocery store--no fun. Also looking forward to fitting in some creative time. Even though the 'studio' is a wreck I will just push things aside so I can play. I need some creative time. Plus I have new goodies and ideas!

Have a wonderful Sunday and with luck I'll return with pictures!

So I need my head examined...

...anyone that knows me knows that already! Seriously though...it's just after 6AM and I am at the office...yep, you read that correctly. I am up, showered, dressed and sitting at my desk about to dive into a pile of work. The good news is I KNOW I will be leaving on time this evenig--cause I have a massage at 6p...and I NEED IT!!

Off to the grind.....

My head is spinning...

...and not due to dizziness this time. Just life in general. So much happening...so many responsibilities.....I don't know how people with a family juggle it all. I don't know how I juggled it all when mom was alive and had to care for her and run her everywhere. But I did. And somehow I still managed to find time for things. And miracuosly I had the energy to do it all.

One day at a time...I keep reminding myself...one day at a time.


And tomorrow is our last Friday afternoon off. Back to regular hours next week. I'll love not having to be in the office till 8a but working all day on Friday will stink!

Pull it out!

Your camera! What did you think I was going to write?? Get your minds out of the gutter!!

This morning while getting ready for work I realized I've not been taking pictures lately. In fact, I really don't recall the last time I pulled out the camera and just too pictures. If you know me, you know that's really not like me.

So today I plan to pull out the camera (I actually have two in my purse and that does not include the camera on my phone) and snap pictures. Of random things. Of whatever catches my eye. Of whatever I want. I guess it'll kinda be a documentary of sorts of my day.

Maybe tonight I'll even get off my keister and actually scrap what I shoot.

Happy Snapping!!

One day at a time....

That's really all we can do. We get so wrapped up in our lives and responsibilities we forget to live and enjoy things. We're so harried and worried about everything when we really need to just step back, take a breath and take it easy. One thing at a time. One day at a time. Enjoy now.

I have a dear friend who always reminds me: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift that's why it's called the present.

This friend must really be the ultimate optimist for even when he's been down, he's still taking care of others. Focusing on their happiness. And he refuses to let anyone do anything for him! Not that he needs anything done for him but even so, even something as simple as someone buying him a cup of coffee is too much for him. This individual truly gives of himself and I know I and all who come in contact with him are a better person. He inspires me to be a better person. And he also reminds me that sometimes you just have to say, 'to hell with it all!'.

So the point of my little discourse is to remind you take things one day at a time and live for you, live for now!

Feeling a bit productive....

...despite it all. Felt horrible most of the day but once I got home I did not let myself just sit around. I had an Amish Friendship Bread starter thanks to Kim and needed to make that. It was a bit more work than I anticipated but it's done and yummy. It'll be a nice treat for the office tomorrow.

I managed to clean the vanity in my bathroom which needed some tlc. The counter top is now clean and so is the mirror. I even managed to organize a few things in there.

The dishwasher is loaded and running...the trash has been taken to the dumpster...and I've managed to do a couple loads of laundry. I have also ironed a skirt to wear to work tomorrow.

I didn't manage doing anything creative which I really would have liked. Even so, I did accomplish things and I'm feeling better than I have all day. Maybe a good night's sleep will seal the deal and I'll be 100% in the morning! Here's hoping.

Figuring it all out...

I've caved and called the neuro's office regarding a round of steroids........missed their return call but the nurse contacted the doc and left me a message that one of them will get back with me.....then I missed his call because I didn't hear my phone. I'll call tomorrow and talk with the nurse which I would have preferred to have done today. Yes, I've been feeling crummy but have started feeling better this evening. Now I'm thinking this is just one of the natural ups and downs and I'm feeling a bit silly.

Now that I step back and think of it all and contemplate the dr's message I think I can progress fine without going the drastic course of steroids. And too he knows my hesitancy in taking them. I'm looking for a quick fix and there is no quick fix. I've let the stress get to me and heaven knows that doesn't help a thing.

So for now I'm going to take a deep breath and do what I can. I'll call and talk with Linda (his nurse) and I know that will help. Instead of panicing I need to relax and take it one day at a time. The hematologist may provide answers and that is just around the corner. Hell, I felt much worse than this last year when I finally got someone to listen to me and was set on the path to a diagnosis.

I've had an uneventful year in dealing with it all. Perhaps this is just the natural progression of how it goes. And I'm sure they're used to patients freaking out. Hey...I'm overdue!

Feeling that I may have to give in.....

....to agreeing to another round of steroids..... But I'm still holding out hope I can avoid them. Thursday I have an appointment with a hematologist because my neuroligist wants me to see one about possibly being anemic. After last year's little adventure I decided it would be best to go straight to the specialist and not mess with the primary. Maybe I'm learning how to juggle all this crap!

In the meantime, I've been experiencing ever increasing symptoms that I dealt with last year prior to my fun medical trip and Hermann vacation. Do not want to go there again. Dr. Brod is onboard with giving me steriods--I just have to say the word. I'm the one who's been the hold out. And I'm still the hold out if I can avoid it.

Maybe Thursday will provide not only answers but fixes. I am hating feeling like crap!

Oh Sweet Friday....

How I have looked forward to Friday! Nothing earth shattering on the weekend agenda. I actually rescheduled a trip to Austin--moved it to September. More than anything I'm looking forward to some time to relax, sleep in, do whatever I want.

On the plus side I've taken care of a couple things today that were on the agenda for the weekend. More me time! Here's hoping for some creative play in the near future!

....and I never got around to asking for Friday off.....

It's all good....

Neuro appointment went well. Nothing major new going on. Everything I've been experiencing is just the disease--lucky me. It's nothing overwhelming though the dizziness does tend to be a pain in the ass. Routine bloodwork and follow up in six months. I do like Dr. Brod and his staff.

After that little excursion I met E for coffee. It was nice visiting with him. Always look forward to that. The weather was turning bad and it was rush hour so instead of figthing the idiots on the road I went by HCC to visit with Wendy and her new boss who just happens to be a dear friend. From there it was dinner then a quick shopping trip before home.

I knew I was going to be in town a while but didn't realize it would be nearly 9p before I headed back to podunk. Got in just a little before 10p. Turn around twice and it was time for bed!

Now to face another fun day at the office. I still have some personal time to use by the end of the month and the prospect of taking tomorrow off is looking better and better.....may try to do that!

Too quick

The evenings go too quickly. Seems like I get in from work and in no time it's bedtime. And most nights I've accomplished nothing. Mainly because I'm just too tired. Today was another hectic day and I am both physically and mentally exhausted.

I have managed to take care of some StampinUp! business. Now I just need to figure out what I want to wear tomorrow and get it ironed and think of turning in. Seems the alarm goes off way too early and too soon. Tomorrow's going to be another busy day even with me leaving the office at noon.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my neurologist. What are the chances that this will be appointment I run into Clay Walker?? I'm sure the chances are slim and none...but it's fun to think about!

Tired, tired, tired....

I always have grand intentions of things I want and need to do when I get home. Usually by the time I get something to eat I am wiped out and nothing more happens. Once again, the recipe of tonight. Since eating dinner I have zero energy.

Honestly, I think I'm still worn out from yesterday. I think I was pretty much out the minute my head hit the pillow last night. At the moment I'm thinking it will be the same tonight. That's not a problem...I just need to figure out what I want to wear tomorrow and get it ironed so I can call it a night.

Here's hoping I'll have a bit more energy tomorrow.....

Proud of me!

I had the urge to go to Archivers and then the desire to take a nap. I did neither. Instead I opened my closet and began to pull out clothes. Not just one or two things but everything on a hanger. I started on the left. I made two piles...one to keep and one for Kim.

Once everything was gone from the left side I slowly began to return items. I grouped them as best I could...sping/summer tops (current), winter tops..long sleeve, sweaters. Next I moved to the right side once again pulling everything and sorting into two piles. Slowly things began to return...blazers, pants, dresses.....

The closet is still a ways from being done but at least I have started. Four HUGE piles of clothing went to Kim. I still have a closet full but at least now I can add things without much difficulty. I'm sure there is still some that can go but again, at least I have made a start!

I purged shoes back in the spring and there is still work to be done there too. Who knows, by the end of the year I just may have my closet cleaned and organized! Most inportantly, I have made a start and I feel good about it. Maybe now I can get a few more things done!!

Call me crazy...

As if I don't have enough going on already, I've been thinking ahead to Christmas (yes, Christmas) and things such as cards and gifts. All the new pretties coming out has me thinking of getting a jump on making cards. And then there are the gifts. I have ideas already of some things I want to make and I know me so I need to start on that NOW.

Add to this the fact I want to get some things done around here. Then there is the current workload at the office. And all the little projects I'd like to do for me. I must be crazy!!

BEDLAM!!

That would be the best description of the week thus far. Today was the first payment deadline so of course everyone turned things in at the last minute and didn't understand why they weren't immediately awarded. I'm good...but I'm not that good. Besides, I can only do so much. We've put in extra hours--as is the norm this time of year--and still it's not enough. We've done what we can. Just taking it one day at a time.

It's Tuesday and yet it feels as though it should be later in the week. Still two and a half days to go. And they will be busy days but should have a little more breathing room than the last two. Despite being tired I'm actually in a fairly good frame of mind which considering the time of year is somewhat remarkable! Of course, it's sad when you look forward to a doctor appointment because it means an afternoon out of the office!--that's next week.

For now I keep plugging along trying to accomplish things.

And currently there is excitment at my place because I am puppy sitting for a friend. He's adorable but Sissy (my kitty) is not so thrilled. She's keeping a fairly wide distance between her and the pup. She's acting as though she's warming up to him but then shys away. She'll probably decide to be friends about the time he leaves....just like a kid!!

Sunday at the office....

Needing to knock out a few files I dragged myself into the office (maybe not quite as early as I liked or anticipated...)forced myself to do some processing hoping it would take some pressure off Monday and Tuesday.....hoping...hoping...hoping....