Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
...LayOffs...
Tiste's last day is probably this Friday. Things are somewhat light-hearted at the house but ... yeah, not really. I'm working on a budget to see how to make it through. Oy! It's going to be rough but I think we can do it.
If we can managed two lean and rough years and we come out the other end with Tiste being able to have a full-time, with benefits, X amount or more a year jobby job... We'll be making bank. Once we're there then we'll split the bills closer to 50/50 and dump X% into a household account for emergencies and house stuff, X% into savings accounts (or IRAs).
We're still working on the details but it's coming together.
If we can managed two lean and rough years and we come out the other end with Tiste being able to have a full-time, with benefits, X amount or more a year jobby job... We'll be making bank. Once we're there then we'll split the bills closer to 50/50 and dump X% into a household account for emergencies and house stuff, X% into savings accounts (or IRAs).
We're still working on the details but it's coming together.
Bento 04.28.09
Among all my issues for the month, making lunches hasn't been a priority. However, I did manage to throw a sandwich together and pair it with half of a bento from over a week ago. I tossed the peanuts and we'll see about the yogurt for a snack later.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
...Extra Corporeal...
This may be too much information but I thought you guys might want to know what’s going on with me...
I will be having a Extracorporeal (yes, that’s right – EXTRA CORPOREAL... Sounds all very SciFi) Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) to treat my kidney stone as it can not pass and is blocking (off and on) one of the tubes flowing out of the kidney. Sadly, there can be 3-5 days for the passage of all the pieces of stone (or longer) and the recovery from the procedure itself. The soonest I can have the procedure is next week and even then, I’m in the throws of preparing for my brother’s wedding. And, to be honest, don't want to be trying to get everything done and attend the wedding while 'recovering'!
I’ll be off work for Joel's wedding 05/13/09 - 05/18/09 and will be taking sick leave on 05/21 and 05/22 in order to get my labs done and have the procedure. I’ll have the long weekend (Monday is Memorial Day) to recover and hopefully be back at work on Tuesday, May 26th. The procedure is 85% successful and if it doesn’t work I will have to have surgery.
In the meantime, I am in pretty consistent back pain (the level of pain comes and goes) and may still develop an infection (yay!). The good news is though... Wait, I don’t have any right now. Well, actually, the good news is that I can do some work from home. I’m making some arrangements to do just that in the event this all goes wonky or I need more healing time.
*** Read more about being Extra Corporeal below ***
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. In ESWL, shock waves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser stones. The stones break down into small particles and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.
Several types of ESWL devices exist. Most devices use either x rays or ultrasound to help the surgeon pinpoint the stone during treatment. For most types of ESWL procedures, anesthesia is needed.
In many cases, ESWL may be done on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is relatively short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days.
Complications may occur with ESWL. Some patients have blood in their urine for a few days after treatment. Bruising and minor discomfort in the back or abdomen from the shock waves can occur. To reduce the risk of complications, doctors usually tell patients to avoid taking aspirin and other medicines that affect blood clotting for several weeks before treatment.
Sometimes, the shattered stone particles cause minor blockage as they pass through the urinary tract and cause discomfort. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube called a stent through the bladder into the ureter to help the fragments pass. Sometimes the stone is not completely shattered with one treatment, and additional treatments may be needed. (UM, ugh!)
As with any interventional, surgical procedure, potential risks and complications should be discussed with the doctor before making a treatment decision.
I will be having a Extracorporeal (yes, that’s right – EXTRA CORPOREAL... Sounds all very SciFi) Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) to treat my kidney stone as it can not pass and is blocking (off and on) one of the tubes flowing out of the kidney. Sadly, there can be 3-5 days for the passage of all the pieces of stone (or longer) and the recovery from the procedure itself. The soonest I can have the procedure is next week and even then, I’m in the throws of preparing for my brother’s wedding. And, to be honest, don't want to be trying to get everything done and attend the wedding while 'recovering'!
I’ll be off work for Joel's wedding 05/13/09 - 05/18/09 and will be taking sick leave on 05/21 and 05/22 in order to get my labs done and have the procedure. I’ll have the long weekend (Monday is Memorial Day) to recover and hopefully be back at work on Tuesday, May 26th. The procedure is 85% successful and if it doesn’t work I will have to have surgery.
In the meantime, I am in pretty consistent back pain (the level of pain comes and goes) and may still develop an infection (yay!). The good news is though... Wait, I don’t have any right now. Well, actually, the good news is that I can do some work from home. I’m making some arrangements to do just that in the event this all goes wonky or I need more healing time.
*** Read more about being Extra Corporeal below ***
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. In ESWL, shock waves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser stones. The stones break down into small particles and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.
Several types of ESWL devices exist. Most devices use either x rays or ultrasound to help the surgeon pinpoint the stone during treatment. For most types of ESWL procedures, anesthesia is needed.
In many cases, ESWL may be done on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is relatively short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days.
Complications may occur with ESWL. Some patients have blood in their urine for a few days after treatment. Bruising and minor discomfort in the back or abdomen from the shock waves can occur. To reduce the risk of complications, doctors usually tell patients to avoid taking aspirin and other medicines that affect blood clotting for several weeks before treatment.
Sometimes, the shattered stone particles cause minor blockage as they pass through the urinary tract and cause discomfort. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube called a stent through the bladder into the ureter to help the fragments pass. Sometimes the stone is not completely shattered with one treatment, and additional treatments may be needed. (UM, ugh!)
As with any interventional, surgical procedure, potential risks and complications should be discussed with the doctor before making a treatment decision.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
...Monday, I'll do it on Monday...
It's hard to find balance sometimes. Even when things are going well, balance is something we all need. I've been feeling very out of balance for the last couple of days. Is it working that defines me? If so, I feel very left out of my life. At the same time, letting it go and not worrying about work has felt really good for the past few days. But, it's all about balance. Now I don't think I have anything interesting to say... and, I've only been under the weather and out of the loop since Tuesday afternoon.
It's a strange feeling.
I want to do some things around the house but I keep getting tired easily. I haven't slept through the night since the drugs they gave me at the hospital. Mostly, it's being uncomfortable and waking up to move or throw off the covers or get up to go to the bathroom in my unending attempt to pee for everyone in the Nation.
Showers and cooking make me feel somewhat normal.
(Yesterday I made coconut rice. I didn't eat it, I just made it to feel like I did something!)
The lack of human interaction during the day is... well, it's boring! Bea's visit yesterday was great. And Wednesday night we didn't have game but people came over to talk about their characters and chill, which was nice. Today's been the worst. Feeling like I haven't done anything all week and wondering if I should be able to accomplish something for the day/week. Friends and Co-Workers tell you, 'go home and relax'. This isn't relaxing to me; this is like being stuck in box.
One can only read so many magazines, the TV is already on too much, the book I was reading is giving me nightmares and I probably shouldn't take myself out to a movie.
Thankfully we're having dinner at the Foye's tonight. I'm excited to see them and get out of the house. Tomorrow will be different, tomorrow I'm going to wake-up and decide to do something -- I don't care WHAT but, saints alive, I need something. This week has really got me unbalanced.
It's a strange feeling.
I want to do some things around the house but I keep getting tired easily. I haven't slept through the night since the drugs they gave me at the hospital. Mostly, it's being uncomfortable and waking up to move or throw off the covers or get up to go to the bathroom in my unending attempt to pee for everyone in the Nation.
Showers and cooking make me feel somewhat normal.
(Yesterday I made coconut rice. I didn't eat it, I just made it to feel like I did something!)
The lack of human interaction during the day is... well, it's boring! Bea's visit yesterday was great. And Wednesday night we didn't have game but people came over to talk about their characters and chill, which was nice. Today's been the worst. Feeling like I haven't done anything all week and wondering if I should be able to accomplish something for the day/week. Friends and Co-Workers tell you, 'go home and relax'. This isn't relaxing to me; this is like being stuck in box.
One can only read so many magazines, the TV is already on too much, the book I was reading is giving me nightmares and I probably shouldn't take myself out to a movie.
Thankfully we're having dinner at the Foye's tonight. I'm excited to see them and get out of the house. Tomorrow will be different, tomorrow I'm going to wake-up and decide to do something -- I don't care WHAT but, saints alive, I need something. This week has really got me unbalanced.
...kidney stone, part whatever...
Finally, I have a follow-up appointment to my ER visit! On Monday I'm going to see my primary care physician since I can't get the Urologist's office to call me back. I'm just not sure how to feel about how long it's taken to secure an appointment. *heavy sigh*
Anyway, I'm feeling pretty okay. The pain hasn't been amazingly horrible. Thankfully, yesterday, my friend Bea came over to keep me company. We chatted for almost 3 hours and it really helped the day pass. I'm thinking that this afternoon I'll try to go out or do something. Being in the house so much is ... wow, it's kind of driving me nuts! LOL
Anyway, I'm feeling pretty okay. The pain hasn't been amazingly horrible. Thankfully, yesterday, my friend Bea came over to keep me company. We chatted for almost 3 hours and it really helped the day pass. I'm thinking that this afternoon I'll try to go out or do something. Being in the house so much is ... wow, it's kind of driving me nuts! LOL
Thursday, April 16, 2009
...kidney stone...
Feeling better today but, overall, still feeling like my body is off. The kidney stone hasn't passed that I've noticed. One would think I would notice so let's not pretend I passed it w/o noticing. I'm interested to know why I wouldn't have as much pain as most people are telling me I should have... Although, the sharp pain when it happens (very off and on) is intense. Yeah, I don't know. The brain is active and here I am stuck at home. I think I'll go into work tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bento 04.15.09
This bento was intended to be for lunch yesterday but I went home early because I wasn't feeling well. Turns out I have a kidney stone and ended up in the ER. I'm home today so I thought I would enjoy it here at home. The bright green cheered me up a little bit.
Monday, April 13, 2009
...Unkaged but Engaged...
As my brother says, "A little bit of commitment between the right people isn't a bad thing."
Tall, dark, brooding and handsome...
To Marry
Short, pasty, perky and cute!
Tall, dark, brooding and handsome...
To Marry
Short, pasty, perky and cute!
That's Sir Charles to you!
This is Charles, he is my adopted step-doggie! I love him but he's a handful... but who couldn't love that adorable mug!
He recently graduated from Obedience School!
He recently graduated from Obedience School!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Lucid Dreams = Violent Paranoia
I had nightmares last night... vivid, real and scary.
Dream #1: Hallucinations
In the dream, I felt like I was awake but I knew I was dreaming. Tiste asked me if I was okay and I said that I couldn't wake-up and that I was dreaming while being awake. He told me to tell him what I saw... So, he took me room by room (in a house I don't live in) while I explained that there was a dead man sitting at the kitchen table, an orange cat eating out of a dish on the floor and that the dresser had skeleton hands to hold up one of the shelves... And, many more disgusting and terrible things I won't go into. The entire time Tiste is stand behind me and has his hands on my shoulders and is just talking to me. When things start to go downhill - water rushing through the house, the dead man coming into the room menacingly - He tells me urgently to wake-up. I try and try as the house is collapsing and the sun through the roof is burning my eyes. Finally, I am able to force myself out of the dream and come to consciousness for mere seconds before I'm shoved (yes, shoved is how it feels) back into the world of dreaming.
Dream #2: Visions
After I'm back into the world of dreaming, I'm standing in the same house as before but now I think I'm awake. Everything's in order and no one is around. I walk into the living room looking for Tiste when someone comes up behind me and puts their hands on my shoulders. I turn around thinking it's Tiste and, to my horror, discover it's my ex-husband Gary. Gary starts talking to me - crying, angry and upset. He's angrier than I've ever seen him and his fingers are griping my shoulders too tight. I'm in pain and I start to cry. I yell at Gary to get out and leave me alone. Then I realize that Gary has taken over Tiste's body (like a shape-shifter, kind of) and now I'm angry, scared and mad. I start hitting Gary, punching him in the gut, face and chest, telling him to let go of Tiste. As I hit him, he starts to shimmer and flashes of color move across his face. His face distorts until he's half-Gary and half-Tiste, and Tiste is pleading to be let go. That part was more than a little disturbing and I realize that I am, again, dreaming. I beginning what feels like the longest process of waking myself up. In the dream I begin to 'ascend' as I pull myself from the horribleness. I don't wake-up this time but immediately interject myself into another dream.
Dream #3: Stuff
Suddenly I'm in wrought-iron bed with Tiste in a kind sized bed with white sheets and a huge white comforter. We're holding each other and I'm crying. Apparently we've been having some kind of intense discussion. I throw myself out of the bed and attempt to leave the room. He comes for me, holds me gently and comforts me in only the way that I know he is tender and loving. His sweet face and eyes that hide under his hard shell. He wraps his arms around me, tells me he loves me and that everything will be fine. Then he draws back, puts his hands over my arms and looks me in the eyes with his sweet face and tells me that's it's okay, I just need to tell him. Tell him what I ask. I know now that I'm dreaming but I'm confused and don't understand why he thinks I need to confess anything. He know, everything. He knows the deepest dark - the good and the bad, I've never lied to him. He tells me, it's okay but I need to tell him why I went through his things. Again, I don't understand why he thinks I've done this as I have never gone through his things. We have few secrets from each other and even then they aren't secrets. I'm still crying while I tell him I don't understand this accusations and I would never and have never gone through his things. He keeps holding me gently, looking at me lovingly and telling me that it's okay, he won't hold it against me. I'm really upset now and I force myself awake.
And then...
I wake-up and I'm in my bed, I'm on my side (the way I usually sleep) and my arms are tucked in around me and my pillows and they hurt. I take a deep breath but all I can manage is a whimper, I can't move my arms or my legs - only my mouth. Finally, I'm able to make more noises and call for Tiste to wake-up. He does, immediately, and tried to roll me over towards him. I still can't move my legs but my upper body is working. I turn to him as much as possible, on the verge of tears and sleep. Finally, I can move my legs and I turn completely into him and bury my face in his chest. He holds me, and shakes me to keep me from falling back to sleep. He checks the clock and we discover it's only be about an hour that we've been asleep. He makes me get up and walk around the house, tell him about the dreams. Meanwhile, I feel completely paranoid and in my mind my dreams haven't shut off so I'm seeing traces of the dreams in my head even though I'm awake and know I'm not *really* seeing them. Tiste kept me awake for 20-minutes then put me back to bed and turned on the TV (for some reason this usually helps) and set the timer. I was out shortly after we went back to bed. I was extremely exhausted this morning when I woke-up. And, I'm extremely unhappy about my nightmares.
Dream #1: Hallucinations
In the dream, I felt like I was awake but I knew I was dreaming. Tiste asked me if I was okay and I said that I couldn't wake-up and that I was dreaming while being awake. He told me to tell him what I saw... So, he took me room by room (in a house I don't live in) while I explained that there was a dead man sitting at the kitchen table, an orange cat eating out of a dish on the floor and that the dresser had skeleton hands to hold up one of the shelves... And, many more disgusting and terrible things I won't go into. The entire time Tiste is stand behind me and has his hands on my shoulders and is just talking to me. When things start to go downhill - water rushing through the house, the dead man coming into the room menacingly - He tells me urgently to wake-up. I try and try as the house is collapsing and the sun through the roof is burning my eyes. Finally, I am able to force myself out of the dream and come to consciousness for mere seconds before I'm shoved (yes, shoved is how it feels) back into the world of dreaming.
Dream #2: Visions
After I'm back into the world of dreaming, I'm standing in the same house as before but now I think I'm awake. Everything's in order and no one is around. I walk into the living room looking for Tiste when someone comes up behind me and puts their hands on my shoulders. I turn around thinking it's Tiste and, to my horror, discover it's my ex-husband Gary. Gary starts talking to me - crying, angry and upset. He's angrier than I've ever seen him and his fingers are griping my shoulders too tight. I'm in pain and I start to cry. I yell at Gary to get out and leave me alone. Then I realize that Gary has taken over Tiste's body (like a shape-shifter, kind of) and now I'm angry, scared and mad. I start hitting Gary, punching him in the gut, face and chest, telling him to let go of Tiste. As I hit him, he starts to shimmer and flashes of color move across his face. His face distorts until he's half-Gary and half-Tiste, and Tiste is pleading to be let go. That part was more than a little disturbing and I realize that I am, again, dreaming. I beginning what feels like the longest process of waking myself up. In the dream I begin to 'ascend' as I pull myself from the horribleness. I don't wake-up this time but immediately interject myself into another dream.
Dream #3: Stuff
Suddenly I'm in wrought-iron bed with Tiste in a kind sized bed with white sheets and a huge white comforter. We're holding each other and I'm crying. Apparently we've been having some kind of intense discussion. I throw myself out of the bed and attempt to leave the room. He comes for me, holds me gently and comforts me in only the way that I know he is tender and loving. His sweet face and eyes that hide under his hard shell. He wraps his arms around me, tells me he loves me and that everything will be fine. Then he draws back, puts his hands over my arms and looks me in the eyes with his sweet face and tells me that's it's okay, I just need to tell him. Tell him what I ask. I know now that I'm dreaming but I'm confused and don't understand why he thinks I need to confess anything. He know, everything. He knows the deepest dark - the good and the bad, I've never lied to him. He tells me, it's okay but I need to tell him why I went through his things. Again, I don't understand why he thinks I've done this as I have never gone through his things. We have few secrets from each other and even then they aren't secrets. I'm still crying while I tell him I don't understand this accusations and I would never and have never gone through his things. He keeps holding me gently, looking at me lovingly and telling me that it's okay, he won't hold it against me. I'm really upset now and I force myself awake.
And then...
I wake-up and I'm in my bed, I'm on my side (the way I usually sleep) and my arms are tucked in around me and my pillows and they hurt. I take a deep breath but all I can manage is a whimper, I can't move my arms or my legs - only my mouth. Finally, I'm able to make more noises and call for Tiste to wake-up. He does, immediately, and tried to roll me over towards him. I still can't move my legs but my upper body is working. I turn to him as much as possible, on the verge of tears and sleep. Finally, I can move my legs and I turn completely into him and bury my face in his chest. He holds me, and shakes me to keep me from falling back to sleep. He checks the clock and we discover it's only be about an hour that we've been asleep. He makes me get up and walk around the house, tell him about the dreams. Meanwhile, I feel completely paranoid and in my mind my dreams haven't shut off so I'm seeing traces of the dreams in my head even though I'm awake and know I'm not *really* seeing them. Tiste kept me awake for 20-minutes then put me back to bed and turned on the TV (for some reason this usually helps) and set the timer. I was out shortly after we went back to bed. I was extremely exhausted this morning when I woke-up. And, I'm extremely unhappy about my nightmares.
Lunch 04.08.09
Ted saved me from a lonely lunch and called me to come out and have sushi at Nara. Of course, I had to go! I wasn't let down by the sushi or the company! :)
I need to remember to take photos of Chef Eric's beautiful sushi... *sigh*
I need to remember to take photos of Chef Eric's beautiful sushi... *sigh*
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Family
Last night I had an extremely hard time sleeping; Tiste and I stayed up talking until 2AM about family histories and stories. We just found out that his uncle, Jerome, passed away yesterday. The funeral is Friday at 1pm; we are currently unaware of the location but will be somewhere in Norfolk, Portsmouth or Suffolk probably.
The universe has ways of forcing us to reflect during the strangest times.
The universe has ways of forcing us to reflect during the strangest times.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Bento 04.06.09
After having a lunching partner for 2.5 years it's disturbing to ones daily routine to no longer have a friend to chat with about whatever might come to mind. One might say that I'm contemplating my solitude at work and find it disturbing. In order to combat the lack of company I decided to befriend a book this week. Last night I began reading The Children of Men by PD James. I did enjoy the movie and am interested in the differences I might find in the book.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
...Lazy Sunday Afternoons...
I got to bed about 3:30AM and woke up promptly at 9AM. It seems I can't manage to sleep in on the weekends no matter what time I go to bed! Although, 9AM is really late for me since I'm usually up between 7AM-8AM. Regardless, I was up in time to catch some of my favorite guilty pleasure -- CBS Sunday Morning. It's always been a fav and I wonder now if I used to watch this with the parents when I was a kid? Hmm...
Anyway, I watch a segment hosted by Ben Stein about how a dog can get you through the recession. Broke? The dog does care! Depressed? The dog will cheer you up! LOL
I'm almost there; I've been wanting a dog for a few years now. I went to the dog park with Lisa yesterday and had a great time. I know I've mostly been a cat person but I really want to get a dog and work with it and train it.
Regardless, Tiste and I have talked over and over about it and the answer still comes down to no. We're not home enough, we still have a cat in the house, what size dog could we agree on...?? So far, the answer's been NONE. Although, Tiste has conceded that if we're successful in child production then we can certainly get a dog when the first child hits 3-4 y/o. I assume he thinks we won't be as busy then?
I digress.
After watching the news and reading through some blogs I decided that while Tiste was still sleeping that I was done being home. I decided to take myself out to lunch and do grocery shopping. I took and shower and while I was getting dressed he woke-up and asked where I was going. I told him if he could get ready in 15 minutes he could come with...
So, we managed to find the hold in the wall Latino place where the waitress didn't speak an ounce of English. I was able to hablo en espanol and order for both Tiste and I, which I will add was quite fun! We had our Honduran food and decided to pick-up groceries from the "Neighborhood Wal-Mart Store" that had opened a few months ago. It's just the grocery and pharmacy portion of a "real" Wal-Mart. It was kind of spiffy. I was shocked. The produce wasn't terribly foul with flys and rotting right in front of me. Also, it wasn't crowded like a regular Wal-Mart. We may try it again some time.
Since then we got home around 2pm and we've been doing chores around the house off and on between checking email, reading and listening to music. Overall, it's been a good day. I wouldn't be opposed to something exciting to do this evening... However, again with that whole not getting any sleep AND I didn't take a nap.
It's been a good day though and I hope everyone else had a great weekend too! :D
Anyway, I watch a segment hosted by Ben Stein about how a dog can get you through the recession. Broke? The dog does care! Depressed? The dog will cheer you up! LOL
I'm almost there; I've been wanting a dog for a few years now. I went to the dog park with Lisa yesterday and had a great time. I know I've mostly been a cat person but I really want to get a dog and work with it and train it.
Regardless, Tiste and I have talked over and over about it and the answer still comes down to no. We're not home enough, we still have a cat in the house, what size dog could we agree on...?? So far, the answer's been NONE. Although, Tiste has conceded that if we're successful in child production then we can certainly get a dog when the first child hits 3-4 y/o. I assume he thinks we won't be as busy then?
I digress.
After watching the news and reading through some blogs I decided that while Tiste was still sleeping that I was done being home. I decided to take myself out to lunch and do grocery shopping. I took and shower and while I was getting dressed he woke-up and asked where I was going. I told him if he could get ready in 15 minutes he could come with...
So, we managed to find the hold in the wall Latino place where the waitress didn't speak an ounce of English. I was able to hablo en espanol and order for both Tiste and I, which I will add was quite fun! We had our Honduran food and decided to pick-up groceries from the "Neighborhood Wal-Mart Store" that had opened a few months ago. It's just the grocery and pharmacy portion of a "real" Wal-Mart. It was kind of spiffy. I was shocked. The produce wasn't terribly foul with flys and rotting right in front of me. Also, it wasn't crowded like a regular Wal-Mart. We may try it again some time.
Since then we got home around 2pm and we've been doing chores around the house off and on between checking email, reading and listening to music. Overall, it's been a good day. I wouldn't be opposed to something exciting to do this evening... However, again with that whole not getting any sleep AND I didn't take a nap.
It's been a good day though and I hope everyone else had a great weekend too! :D
Saturday, April 4, 2009
...Saturday...
Finally! The weather we've all been waiting for is here for ONE DAY ONLY! I'm pullin' on my tennis shoes in a few and heading out to go to the dog park with Lisa and Charles. We'll see how Charles likes the obstacle course!
Meanwhile, I've been sipping my coffee and reading blogs for almost 2 hours; it's been a California day. Almost every blog I've read has had SOMETHING to to with Cali. I have vague nostalgia for California, having only been there once, however I seem to recall really liking the weather... Hmm.
At any rate, if I think I'm too far from the folks now then just imagine how I'd feel in moving across country! Someday I'll go to New Mexico and Cali again...
Meanwhile, I'll start saving for my week long trip to Hawaii. Now that my friend Deven is stationed in Oahu then I've only got the cost my flight, food, and spending cash. Makes Hawaii sound much more affordable, right? Well, it's still going to cost me at least $1K. At least he's going to be there for awhile!
Okay, time to throw a load of laundry in the washer, empty the dishwasher, grab a shower, wake the man, have another coffee and head out! All in an hour and a half...
I am superwoman!
HAPPY SATURDAY :D
Meanwhile, I've been sipping my coffee and reading blogs for almost 2 hours; it's been a California day. Almost every blog I've read has had SOMETHING to to with Cali. I have vague nostalgia for California, having only been there once, however I seem to recall really liking the weather... Hmm.
At any rate, if I think I'm too far from the folks now then just imagine how I'd feel in moving across country! Someday I'll go to New Mexico and Cali again...
Meanwhile, I'll start saving for my week long trip to Hawaii. Now that my friend Deven is stationed in Oahu then I've only got the cost my flight, food, and spending cash. Makes Hawaii sound much more affordable, right? Well, it's still going to cost me at least $1K. At least he's going to be there for awhile!
Okay, time to throw a load of laundry in the washer, empty the dishwasher, grab a shower, wake the man, have another coffee and head out! All in an hour and a half...
I am superwoman!
HAPPY SATURDAY :D
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Perspective
How To Make Your Life Happier In One Simple Change
Posted by Jason on 07/25/2007What do envy and jealousy, perfectionism and anger, fear and loathing, and all other things that make you unhappy have in common? There's one thing they all boil down to... they are all focusing your mind on something that isn't perfectly the way you want it to be.
One of the easiest signs by which you can tell that you are thinking too much about something not being perfect is when you start complaining. Whatever it is that you are complaining about, it's obviously something you don't like (or why would you be complaining?). If it's something you don't like, why are you wasting your time and energy thinking about it? As I've written before, spending energy on something gives it importance in your life, whether that energy is negative or positive. However much impact something has in your life, in who you are, is determined by how much importance you give it.
Every time you complain about something, your are giving it more importance, so it's becoming a bigger part of your life. Since you only complain about things you don't like, that doesn't seem like a very desirable outcome, does it? This includes, by the way, when you only complain about it in the safety of your own mind... you are still thinking about it and giving it more importance.
Now, let's think about the other side of the coin. How often do you specifically mention the things that you do like that are going on in your life? How often do you thank someone for something they do that makes something go well in your life, compared to how often you complain when someone does something that you don't like? For instance, do you thank your spouse if they do the dishes, or only complain when they do not? Do you thank your boss when he stands up for you, or only complain when he does something you don't like?
Happiness in life is all about your focus, whether it's negative or positive. If your "thanks" outweigh your "complaints", then you will be happy most of the time. If your complaints outweigh your thanks, you will be unhappy most of the time. If you want your life to be happier, you can make it that way, without changing your circumstances at all. Want to know how? If you want to make your life happier, just make this one simple change:
Every time you catch yourself complaining, find two positive things about your life to tell the same person to whom you're complaining.
This forces you to focus more on the things you do like, and keeps the things you don't like from obscuring the overall quality of your life. If you want to make even more difference, if you're complaining about a person, find something good about that person to tell to whomever is receiving your complaints, and then go over to the person you were complaining about (if it's feasible... obviously you can't do this if the person you were complaining about was an anonymous driver on the freeway) and thank them for whatever it is that they do that you like. Do this and you'll find it hard to harbor grudges or do more than vaguely dislike someone, since you are aware of their positive traits, too.
Again, happiness is a state of mind that you choose. If you leave the choice to your subconscious, your conscious mind may not like the results, until you have trained your subconscious to STOP concentrating on the things that are going wrong and instead focus on the things that are going right. Choose to focus on the things you like, and bring those things more into focus, making them a bigger part of your life, rather than the things you complain about.
PS - Doing this won't make everything in your life positive, and can't make you happy 100% of the time. It will, however, make it easier for you to be happy the majority of the time, and make it easier for you to return to happiness after something causes you to depart from that state.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Food Gawker
I haven't been posting my lunches because life has been a little hectic and either 1) I'm not packing my lunch or 2) I'm in too much of a rush to eat that I forget to take a pic. I thought I would recommend an awesome time waster though...
May I introduce you to FoodGawker?
Readers, this FoodGawker.
FoodGawker these are my Readers.
Enjoy your time together.
May I introduce you to FoodGawker?
Readers, this FoodGawker.
FoodGawker these are my Readers.
Enjoy your time together.
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