Daily Ponderings

I am thinking of my beautiful Grandma K. today, as she celebrates her 89th birthday with family who live much closer to her than I do. I wish I could be there as well! I did call her last night to wish her a happy birthday, and we chatted for a bit. You would never know my Grandma was 89. She certainly doesn't look it at all (which is a YAY for me since I have her genes!!). Besides the need for a walker nowadays, she's very healthy. Her doctor told her a couple years ago that she could be around for another 10 years, and she said, "Oh gosh, I hope not!!" lol  So today I'm thinking of her and hoping she gets to celebrate at least a few more birthdays in the years to come!! She is a special lady!!

I don't think I've ever been blog-tagged before, and if I have, I sure can't remember! But over a week ago (UGH, I'm sooooo behind), I was tagged by Sunshine of Such Life in the Tropics , and I'm finally getting around to answering her questions!! And Sunshine's questions are: (insert loud drum roll here if you wish!) 1. If you could go to any place right now where would you go? I'd love to be in Hawaii right now!! 2. What do you keep handy at your night stand? My night stand is used for my glasses (which I hardly wear, bad!), a basket I've had since I was a flower girl in my aunt's wedding many moons ago, and my alarm clock with huge numbers that I've had since I was a teen!  3. When you were a kid, what was your family game?   Hmm, I don't think we had a family game. I know my sisters and I used to make up all kinds of games when we were little!   I think our favorite was Piggy. Don't ask!! LOL 4. What's your fav...

This week I exercised for 4 days in a row. While I think that is pretty good, and I was hoping to go for 5 today, my body screamed otherwise. Not only did I go to rehab yesterday morning, but I also went shopping for several hours in the afternoon after lunch with Renee, and wow, were my legs and feet just killing me. I was so exhausted by 8pm last night, but struggled to stay up until 10:30, when I just couldn't take it any longer. I was in bed by 10:45, and when K. texted me at 11:15 I was almost asleep. I got up this morning around 10am, but still, my body was telling me it wanted to crawl back under the covers. So what do I call this kind of day that is mostly utter exhaustion?? It's a PH day. It's a day when my body and lungs just don't want to do a thing because I've totally dragged them to the ground, run them over with my car, and then stomped on them for good measure. Ok, yes that's an exaggeration, but that's how I felt for most of the morning!! So...

Everyone knows Mittens is my cute little(??) orange Maine coon kid. I got him as a little fluff ball, and now he is just massive. I quite often call him my little lion cub because, well, he resembles a miniature lion! So last week I saw a video clip making its way around the news and internet of a real king of the jungle who was not so happy with a little 3yr old girl tapping at the glass from which she was admiring him. And immediately while watching, all I could think of was, "Mittens does that, too!!!" I found it so funny to see the lion doing what Mittens does almost every single day to my doors around the apartment!! So, I have a clip below that I took last year of Mittens banging the heck out of my computer room door (because at the time I took it, the Christmas tree was behind that door, and he just KNEW it!!). And I also have the clip from Youtube of the zoo lion doing pretty much the same thing to the glass window separating him from the little girl. Do they not loo...

This weekend it's been downright cold, and I knew I'd be stuck inside. So I decided earlier in the week that I wanted to cook several things, and I bought a variety of ingredients on Wednesday to prepare! On Friday, I made a homemade pizza! Saturday, I made a pot of spaghetti sauce in the crock pot! Today, I am making chicken tortilla soup in the crock pot! I am also planning on going through the cookbook I won to see if there is anything simple I can whip up. However, I don't know where to put anything anymore!! My freezer is so stuffed. It almost looks as if I haven't eaten in weeks! lol

Guess what finally decided to show up?? The storm started late last night in most areas around here, and it was expected. However, I'm not sure how I feel about it!! The snow is pretty, but it's accompanied by some pretty nasty high winds and bitter cold temperatures. Considering the last two days were almost 50 degrees, and yesterday was rainy, I guess I just can't appreciate the snow!!! I know we're right in the middle of winter, but we've been so spoiled this year so far. It had to end some time, though, and maybe it's no coincidence that we got winter back on Friday the 13th???

I never get my mail before 10am, or even before noon. So it was surprising this morning when I heard the doorbell ring and saw the postman standing there! I opened the door, and he had a package that needed a signature. After signing the paper, he handed the package to me, and I noticed that it wasn't for my upstairs neighbor, but for me! And then I saw that it was from Sunshine ! Oh yay, it was the recipe book I had won from her blog giveaway last month! I didn't have time to open the package right then since I was trying to get myself out the door to go to rehab. So I opened it shortly after I got home. I was excited to see the cookbook, a "vintage Cayman Island" Christmas card, and even a little bag of treats for Mittens! But I was especially excited to see a very cute panda amigurumi crochet animal that she made all on her own! It is so adorable!! I showed it to Mittens, and he seemed interested in playing with it, so I'm gonna have to keep it somewhere he won...

The weather this winter has been very unusual. We've had some days that are almost spring-like, and it's not just in my area! All around the country, places that don't get snow have gotten some, and other places are wondering when the snow is showing up. Of course, I am so not complaining! We've had only a few days that were a handful of degrees, and I didn't go out. But mostly, I'm still able to get around and not freeze horribly, so it's been rather nice. Of course, things can turn on a dime!! I'm still thinking that all of a sudden, we're going to be hit with a huge storm, or a very bone-chilling cold spell. So I'm just trying to enjoy the nicer weather when it's here!  This weekend wasn't too bad. Yesterday I went out for about an hour to get some food stuff at Aldi's, and to put gas in my car since the weather wasn't too bad. Today I spent the afternoon and evening hanging out with K. We made dinner, watched football (he...

It's days like today that make me wonder how I could be thinking about working. I woke up half an hour after my alarm went off at 7am to take my Revatio (I never even heard the alarm, and I keep the phone right next to my pillow!), and couldn't go back to sleep for an hour after. By the time I did get up around 10:30, I just didn't feel well. My head was killing me, and my ear ached. While these issues don't have anything to do with PH, the fact that I feel crummy makes my PH symptoms a bit worse, especially the shortness of breath. I really hate that. I'd rather be short of breath because I exercised or I vacuumed, not because I got dressed. I've been sitting in my kitchen on the laptop all day doing nothing but reading emails, news articles, Facebook, and playing a couple games. Not my idea of being productive at all!! I have decided to try including something funny or inspiring or informative that I've come across on the internet in my posts. I can'...

It's a brand new year! Many people see it as a brand new beginning, a way to start out fresh, to break old habits or start new ones. Some people see it as nothing different, just another year to add to the calendar. I usually try to think of a new year as a fresh start, but I don't make resolutions. I've tried in the past, and I never keep them! Instead, I just try to think of what I'd like to see happening for myself in the new year. For 2012, these are a few of the things I'd like to happen: *I'd like to find a job of some sort. I know I can't really do a full time job, so it would need to be part time. I'd love to be able to find something to do from home. Going out in the winter is so hard! I might even consider just having a part time job for the summer. I'm on the lookout! *I have an incredible amount of beads in the other room, and I'm not really able to have a business like I would love to own. I make jewelry as gifts for friends some...

2011 was a roller coaster year for so many people. My year began with a lot of stress, which eventually got sorted. The summer was crazy with stuff for Joan and Rick's wedding, and September gave me a new brother in law. September also brought someone new into my life, and the rest of the fall season seemed to go by so quickly with him in it. I think the best thing is that this entire year I've been so healthy, for the most part! I've lost some dear phriends, and gained many new ones. I'm praying that 2012 brings many good opportunities for my family and friends, and a cure for PH!! Happy New Year everyone!!

Those were the words used many times by a sweet phriend whenever she was trying to express frustration over something. Those were the same words many of my phriends who knew Annette used today when we found out she had passed away this morning. It came as a surprise to so many of us. She had some health struggles in the past year in regards to her PH, but lately, many who talked to her reported that Annette said she was feeling ok. Annette died in her sleep, which is the only thing that brings me some comfort. I am hoping that she went peacefully. Annette's PH journey began a little over 7 years ago. She posted quite often on the PHA message boards. She was a 1st grade teacher, and once she was put on Flolan, she tried so hard to keep up with her job. Eventually she had to resign, or retire. I can't remember which. After that, she did volunteer reading in classrooms. She also did so much with the Omaha PH support group. She helped raise awareness by being a part of a large fund...

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope you're able to celebrate with loved ones. Remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we give, it's about the wonderful gift God gave to us: His son, Jesus. Jesus was born to show the love God has for His people, and to show that we should all be sharing that love with others. He is the reason for the season!

Last week I read an article about a woman who went into a Kmart (I can't remember what state), and asked if she could pay off some layaways for people who had toys on their list. Since then, I've heard of at least 8 other stories of total strangers paying off layaways for people, mostly at Kmart or Walmart. There were a couple instances in this area, too. I think it's so wonderful that there are some very giving people out there, and I only wish that I had more money to be able to do the same thing. These people are being called "Layaway Angels," and the name is certainly fitting! They are bringing unexpected joy to the families of people who might not be able to have a good Christmas. To me, their kindness is definitely what the spirit of Christmas is all about!!

My mom didn't make it over here today like she wanted. She was too busy cleaning and getting ready for my sister's arrival on Friday. Oh well, that's ok! I changed the bedding and didn't start a recipe until later in the afternoon, so I only made one thing instead of two. I made the pecan turtle bars, and MMMMMMMM. I'm not sure I can share them. lol I'll make the other cookies tomorrow, and maybe the pecan pie. We'll see how much energy I have! So, I take my Revatio (Viagra) pills at 7am, 3pm, and 11pm. It's supposed to be taken 8 hours apart. This afternoon around 3, I was on the phone with my mom while I was trying to open the new bottle of Revatio tablets I had, and during the conversation, I thought I had taken my dose. After I got off the phone, I spent 5 minutes struggling to remember whether or not I had swallowed the pills. What the heck??? This isn't the only time I've done this. There have been plenty of times that I go to take my pil...

Christmas is 4 days away, and it's hard to believe! I am pretty much set gift-wise. I've wrapped everything except for K's gift, which is in a huge box. My wrapping paper won't cover it at all! I was going to buy some more, but my mom said she'd bring some over later. Once the box is wrapped, I'm definitely done! My sister, Lisa, is going to make her way home from NC tomorrow. They are driving, so they'll travel to PA to where my aunt lives and spend the night before finishing their trip on Friday. There's no way they could make that trip a full day with an almost 3yr old! I'm so excited to see them! They will actually be here to celebrate Christmas ON CHRISTMAS!! Usually they would come the day after, but this year, they'll be here earlier. My family will be going to Mandy's house for dinner and opening gifts. I'm looking forward to it so much! I'm crossing my fingers that K will be able to come for dessert. It would be nice if he ...

Wow, I won! I was not expecting to win, but I did! What did I win? Well, in my last post I mentioned a blog giveaway by Sunshine , and the deadline was last night. There weren't too many who entered, but by random draw, my name was picked to win the prize! I will be receiving a cookbook that supports the Cayman Humane Society, and also a little surprise (which I can't wait to see!)! Thank you very much, Sunshine, for doing this blog giveaway! I've entered a few of these on various blogs before, but this is the first one I've ever won! I will definitely post some recipes that sound delicious or that I end up making after I receive it in the mail! :)

Then sign up for this Christmas giveaway, ending on Thursday at midnight EST!! It's a great cookbook filled with hopefully delicious recipes, and supporting the Cayman Humane Society on the Cayman Islands! This giveaway is being....well...given away (hehe) by a lovely blogger I've been following for quite some time named Sunshine! I'm always jealous of her posts because she lives in such a beautiful WARM place!! lol Anyway, if you'd like to participate in this giveaway, please follow the link! Good luck to all who enter!! http://suchlifeinthetropics.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-treat.html

Yes, I'm here. I haven't posted in several weeks, but I am here and I'm doing ok! I keep wanting to write something, but I either A) Have so much I want to say and by the time I want to write I'm tired and I just go to bed, or B) I just have so much I want to write that I don't know where to start, and then I figure maybe I'll do better tomorrow. Tonight, it's a combination of both, and so with that, I'm posting this short blurb to say that I am around, and that I really do hope to be able to write something with more sustenance very soon!!!

The only cure for PH is a lung transplant. Not everyone is eligible for one, not everyone wants to go through one. It is not an easy fix. Transplant brings along many complications, and an entirely different set of medications for life. This is why we need more PH awareness and a cure!!