Work....and Other Musings.
I wish I could share all the crap that happens at work, but that would be breaking all kinds of laws and I would most likely be fired. But boy...I would love to share some of it. Every day something happens to completely surprise, offend, disgust, or otherwise crack me up.

Needless to say...some people should not be parents, communities and businesses need to step up and get involved with schools, adults need to learn how to communicate effectively, and students need to realize they ARE expected to succeed in life! I'm exhausted every day I come home, but it is worth it, and it will get better. I will get better at managing my time, not internalizing some of the crap, and keeping my energy up. Did I mention I am starting a choir at the school. How fun is that!

Okay...I think I'm done.

Tough Transitions...

This is Megan and Michael's grandma Vickie (Sean's mom). She, like Megan, has Lamellar Ichthyosis. She had a rough time as a young child, but had a good experience in high school. She was even a cheerleader. Luckily, people are much more accepting now-a-days. Megan has a few people who are rude to her, but overall people are accepting and ask kind questions. Most kids forget that Megan has anything different about her skin and they just play.

I found out the other day that the new school Megan is supposed to go to next year is not air conditioned and she will not be able to go. I worry because she has established friends at her school now. I'm worried she may have a difficult transition to a new school. I also want her to stay in a school where she is ahead academically. She is wonderful, kind, vivacious, spirited, and full of spunk. I'm sure she will be fine, but there is always the worry that it will be extra hard for her. Wish us luck!

Finally...Some Explanations

(and probably WAY too much information for many of you!)


I feel like I should explain my recent blog M.I.A. status. I have been sick. It all started in November when I started feeling extremely exhausted 24/7. I could not sleep well. I just couldn't get comfortable at night. I was also feeling very depressed. I blamed it on stress and adjustment of a new job and lifestyle (which includes waking up at 5am so I can get my daughter up in time to soak in the tub before school each day). I should also explain that I had been on a high-protein low carb diet for two months and lost 30 lbs, which you think would help, not hurt.

Well...then I started having sharp side pains and a dull achy feeling around the kidney area of my back. I was also running a slight fever continually. I just basically felt like crap all the time. I finally went to Instacare. This is the TMI part....there was blood in my urine, I had a fever, but they could not really explain the pains or exhaustion. They treated me for a kidney infection to no avail. Over the next month and 1/2 they sent me for an ultrasound, which found nothing. A CT scan was next. It found an ovarian cyst and an umbilical hernia, but no kidney issues. So...they told me to come back in 4 weeks if the pains and symptoms persist. They didn't know how to explain it.

I finally decided to just go to a specialist because the blood in my urine concerned me the most. Yes....a 34 year old female seeing a urologist. I felt a little out of place. But pee was my problem...so the pee Dr. is who to see...right?

He was actually very informative. He examined the CT scan and did a urinalysis. My right kidney is slightly enlarged and my blood cells are shaped funny, which basically means my filters are not working correctly. He thinks I have a kidney disease called IgA Nephropathy. I don't fully understand it. He will monitor me over the next year or two to see if it resolves itself or gets worse. If it is worse, he will do a kidney biopsy next year to confirm the diagnosis...and possibly medicate. The scary part is all this could lead to kidney failure if I don't change some things. Hence...my new diet (which I haven't quite committed to yet). Bluh!! But that is a another post for another time. :)

Well I am feeling a bit better lately because I have lowered my protein intake and seen a chiropractor. I guess I will see how this next year plays out with diet, exercise and hopefully some good luck in the stress department. :)

New Exciting Adventure...

We are starting a choir at my elementary school. Everyone is SO excited. We have needed something fun for the kids because we are a struggling school and everything is very work, work, work.

Well...it finally hit me this weekend that I am in charge and have to direct this choir. I am now filled with a bit of anxiety. I have been in choirs my entire life. I even directed many choirs, but never as the only director. This even fulfills some long lost dream of mine. A big part of the problem is I have been out of the loop for many years now. It has been 8 years since being part of a choir or even thinking about choir things.

So...my plan is to keep things fairly simple with doing fun, easy songs and doing a simple performance night for parents and friends. Two-part songs mainly, but I would like to add some instruments and some solos for the students. Got any good ideas?

So...wish us luck! It will be fun even if a little chaotic at times. :)

Confession Time...

(Idea "borrowed" from....Rookie)

1. HGTV makes me happy to be alive.

2. I WAS addicted to Farmville, but have rectified the situation.
3. My house looks like a tornado blew through (please see #2 for the reason).
4. I have not read a book in over 4 months (again...please see #2 for the reason).
5. A Cymbalta commercial came on the TV the other day and my son said..."Mom...that is you!"
6. My doctor has encouraged me strongly to go on a rather bland, restrictive diet. I am procrastinating it's inception which ultimately may contribute to my demise.
7. In one week I am starting a choir at my school. I am SO excited!!
8. 7 lbs. of fat has taken residence on my butt since Thanksgiving.
9. I have a slight cougar crush on a strapping young aid at our school. He is nice eye-candy, fun to talk to, and is a bright spot in my ever stressful day.
10. I could not tell you what a pronoun/adverb/participle/etc...are and do.
11. The new 4th grade teacher is going to let me know when they are teaching long-division so I can come and relearn the concept with her class.
12. I rely way too much on spell checkers.
13. My idea of a filing system is to stack bills and paperwork in a pile on top of the filing cabinet.
14. Going shopping today sounds much more interesting then cleaning my house.
15. I'm off to shop.

:)

Privacy Please...

So I found out my ex IS reading my blog...so I needed to go private...not that anyone else really reads this, but hey...a girl can dream! ;) I don't mind him knowing about the kids and what they are doing, in fact I feel a little sad he won't be able to see their real life, but I need some place to vent my feelings and thoughts without him using it all against me with the kiddos. So...I am private again.

Thanks for reading.

The kiddos had a little party with the cousins. They had fun decorating, making confetti, and cleaning their room (not!). The boys mostly played DS and legos much to Bug's chagrin. They ate pizza and cookies. They liked having sparkling cidar out of the fancy glasses. :) Bud made it to 10pm. Bug was up until 11pm. I went out shortly there after.

Hope this next year brings
joy and happiness to all.