Holiday Five Q Friday

Friday has arrived and that means that it is time for Five Question Friday from Mama M. I am pretty excited about Friday being here and I am sure that you are too!

1. What do you do when you have time to yourself?

Time to myself usually means some sort of pampering-think pedicures, waxing, "keeping" up myself. I find that I have more and more time to myself these days now that my husband works nights. So I would prefer to not have as much "me" time and have more "us" time. I am sure that one day when I have kids these words will come back to haunt me and all I will want is time to myself. 

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see?

A big backyard, with a boat. 2 squirrels and a bunny rabbit. 

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as?

I think that it would be fun to be Ann Curry from the Today show. Yes, really random. But I love the Today show, and I think that I would love being a newscaster. A few years ago it would have been Katie from the Today show, but since she moved to CBS I don't see her anymore. I am not a huge CBS fan. 

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids?

Am I allowed to answer this even if I don't have kids? I think so! I cannot stand when peoples kids are rude. When they don't say please/thank you. If I am giving them something as a gift, or just because. I deserve a thank you. Kids are just rude. 

5. Regular or Diet soda?

Diet soda.....Diet Coke to be exact. Why waste the calories on regular soda? I just don't understand how people can consume a whole meal worth of calories in a drink!

That about wraps up Five Question Friday. I hope that you have a great holiday weekend. I know that I will! Even though it does not look like I am going to get that end of summer tan that I was hoping for. It might be a sweatshirt and jeans weekend looking at the weather. But that is a good thing, less exposed skin for the bugs to bite me :)

UnPlanning Break From Blogging

I took an unplanned break in my blogging. My head has not been in the right place. I have been so tired lately and worn out from the Endo pain returning and I didn't want to turn this place into a bitch fest like I usually do when I don't feel good.

But there is good news. I went back to my new Dr. today. For the second time in 2 weeks. It is a local Dr. that I found. And if you remember I have not had great luck with Dr's so I was slightly apprehensive of what I would find. And I really like him. He is really great, spent the time to go over everything that has happened to me since this Endo hell started. He talked through things, tried to help me understand and is helping me work on a plan. A plan to not feel like shit everyday. Because that is the place that I am at again. I don't feel good. I hurt, always. And hurting all day is just plain wearing me out.

I am pretty willing to try anything that will help me feel better. Even a $50 dollar prescription for an ibuprofen like med, that DIDN'T work at all. Yes I paid a lot of money for a stupid drug, but that is what you have to do. Be willing to try. Be willing to work with the Dr. who actually really cares. He wants me to feel better. He doesn't just want to open me up again (it would be the fourth time this year) to "see" what is happening and try to fix the pain with surgery. Because it does not work. The pain has never left after surgery for me. It was never a fix. And to tell you the truth, I am slightly apprehensive of the skills that the Dr's had that operated on me. I know that they probably did their best. But I am learning that this disease does not have easy answers for me. I am one of the people who does not respond well to some of the "fixes" for endo that work for others.

So I am happy that someone is on my side. Took the time to talk to me about everything, and even relate by telling personal stories of things that he has seen since he has had other endo patients.


So that is where I have been. And I also did some other things since I last blogged.

Dru and I went to the MN state fair on Tuesday. I took some of the afternoon off so we could check out the "Great Minnesota Get Together". It was fun, we ate some of the fair food that people talk about. We walked around and checked it out. I won't say that we will go every year. I don't think that it is something I need to see each and every year. But I am happy for the experience.

And this weekend, I am going up North to a friends Cabin. We have met some pretty great people since we moved here. And one great friend invited us to their family cabin for the holiday weekend. Since Dru has to work all weekend, I am going with my friend and her husband. I am excited to relax in the sun, to go somewhere new and check out what northern MN has to offer. I will be bring a LOT of bug spray as the misquitos seem to be out in full force and trying to eat me alive when I walk outside to do anything.

I plan on taking a lot of pictures, relaxing and probably drinking way too much wine. Since that is what Lorayne and I seem to do when we get together. We like wine, a lot, probably too much. It is Labor day weekend and fall is in the air today-so i better enjoy the sun while it is still here and before the snow comes back.

Have a great Holiday weekend everyone!

Friday wrap up

I have a few thoughts running around in my head right now. Ones that I just need to get out. And one that was a post earlier and didn't work because my damn internet went out. (mediacom.......I dislike you a lot lately. please don't piss me off too much, or else).....


So first. I was just reading a thread about the mosque being built/not built in NYC. And I am somewhat intrigued and also disgusted about somethings. Why do people feel the need to attack others when they post something that they truly believe in? Why is someone else "allowed" to attack someone for their religious beliefs or affiliation, but then not be able to take it when people don't agree with them?

I just don't understand women sometimes. Do people not have better things to do than argue? Is someone right or wrong regarding the mosque? Nope. Not in my opinion. We are each entitled to our own opinions, and respect should be the foremost when chatting with people you don't even know. But people don't think that way on the Internet. People think that they can hide behind an Internet name and just go full force with their own opinions and they are right.....no matter what feelings they hurt, or people that may read.

I am married to someone who I have differing opinions with. We vote for different political parties, and tend to disagree a lot on "hot topics"....but we are still happily married. Living in peace. Able to talk about our feelings. So I just get really frustrated when people who don't even know each other get all up in someones business because of differing opinions, political issues, religion, what have you. That's it. Enough from me regarding this. Just be respectful people. Especially when you don't know who might be reading, or thinking, or commenting.

And my post from earlier-Regarding Baking.........

I cook. Or well I guess I should say that I "did cook" a lot. But recently I have fallen off the cooking wagon. I didn't feel great for a few months, and then was trying to lose weight so cooking was counter productive in some senses. 

But I want to get back into it. For a few reasons. 

1. My husband does still need to eat. Even if I am trying to lose a few lbs. He still needs food. 

2. It is fun and relaxing

3. I have a shit load of zucchini that I need to do SOMETHING with. 

So those are my reasons. And also the reason why I have decided that I will also start baking. I don't really like sweets that much, yet I have a really kick ass Kitchen aid stainless steel mixer. That I LOVE, and needs more love. 

So I am searching the Internet for recipes. Related to zucchini, and preferably that I can use my mixer with. 

Because I did just lift the damn thing out of the cupboard, and now I need to use it. 

Suggestions are always welcome-but please send before I go to the store this afternoon. Because I am one of "those" that cook and possibly indulge in wine while cooking. 

Yes I know that wine and baking don't go together. Don't judge. It is Friday, don't cha know?

My Morning Routine has RETURNED

Remember when I was complaining about Dru and him sleeping in "my" bed in the mornings and therefore screwing up my routine of blogging/todayshowwatching/coffeedrinking/wakingupproperly?????????


Well these past 2 mornings have been fantastic. I have watched my show, and relaxed in my bed both mornings.


Did I kill my husband and bury him in the backyard?

Is that what you are thinking?


Well the answer is NO. I didn't kill him.

Yesterday he was fishing early am. And this morning he is sleeping still. Just not in my bed :)

I think that I might take up the whole bed when I go to bed before him, or I might hit or kick or slap or yell in my sleep. Because this is not the first time that I have woken up with him sleeping in the spare bedroom.

I will investigate the cause and get back to you. But I'm not complaining. I've suggested twin beds before. I like my space. Can't you tell?

Something Fun

Hey blog readers. Want to do something cool? And learn a little about some fellow blog readers while you are at it?



Go to this site http://www.youtube.com/user/TastefulSelections and vote for your favorite video in the Blog contest!


Come on, do it! I know that you want to!

Friendships that last

I was always the type of girl that though of myself as independent. I never "needed" friends to validate my own life. I tried to go with the flow. Yes I got my feelings hurt by girls when I was young. But I was always a pretty strong person, who went about life with a feeling of independence and getting what I wanted.

I would get something in my sights and make a decision that I was going to do it, and there it was. I decided that I was going to be an exchange student on a whim. I filled out the application with thoughts of where I would go in the world for my Junior year of high school. An impending dread of being away from family and friends really never crossed my mind. I was going to do it. I would live with a new family for a year and experience things that I never even thought possible. I was accepted into the program and started planning my journey. I got to pick where I was to go, and since anywhere the middle east was out due to the war in Iraq that had just started. I decided on Sweden. Where there were pretty blondes and snow.

I had just started dating the man that I now call my husband. We were in the new phase of our relationship at the time that I was accepted into the program. I learned that I had to go on a ski trip during the winter dance at our school. The dance that we were going to go to together. This was heartbreaking to me. I wanted to go to this dance. I didn't want to go ski with people I didn't even know. And I don't even like snow (ironic since I was going to Sweden for a year don't you think)? But I broke the news to him. I remember we were sitting in the back room at my house,  I think that it was my moms sewing room at this time. We were sitting on the couch, and he asked me to be his girlfriend. I was elated. I was sad that I could not go to the dance, but happy to know that I was his girlfriend.

So to make a really long story shorter. We are now married. I still look back on the decision to go on my ski trip, and exchange program a great decision. Something that I will never regret. Something that even now makes my independence stronger. I was a strong woman, I was going to live halfway across the world from friends, family and now a boyfriend. And it was awesome. Something I don't regret one bit. When I was gone I talked to Dru on the phone a lot. He has the phone cards still to prove it. I talked to my family a lot too, but friends not to much. Facebook was not invented when I was gone. It was harder to keep in touch then. But I returned and still remained friends with the people I had left. It was as if nothing had changed.

Yes I was a changed person, yet friendships were still there. After being gone for 10 months, I was able to step back into my old life and remain friends with many wonderful great women. A few of which were part of our wedding last year.

And this is what hit me today. Great friendships can stand the test of time. I have had the chance to get to speak to a few great girlfriends this past week, that I haven't been able to connect with for almost a month. I live across the country. I have not seen many people since the wedding last year. Yet we still talk on the phone. Not as often as I would hope. Yet things are still the same. Stories are shared, sometimes tears are shed, but we are still friends no matter what. I relish in the time that we get to chat, the stories that we tell. I love seeing facebook pictures of them and the most recent happenings in their lives. But nothing is the same as a phone call, reconnecting.

I am so grateful for the great friends that I have. The different lives that we all lead, yet we will always be friends.

Kristen I know that you don't read this as often as you did when you sat at a desk and had time for the internet, and Reem I know that you are on an adventure this weekend (which always seems to be the case :) But girls I love you. I love that you fit into my life so perfectly even when way too much time has passed without a phone call. And WAY to much time has passed since a face to face visit. But I love you, and thanks for being such great friends!

The Freeway is CLOSED????

I am back in Minnesota, in my own house, thankful for the things that are back to the same. I missed my husband and kitties when I was away. Home is where the heart is, isn't that the saying?

Well some things I am thankful for. But others, made my life interesting to say the least last night.

I have never said that I am a great driver. I am sure that I have never said that statement out loud, or on this blog, because it would be a flat out lie.

I don't follow the rules when driving, speed limits are a suggestion if you ask me. Which is probably why I got a speeding ticket a month or two after my 16th birthday. I was cruising down the little hwy back home after work in my tractor (Mercedes Diesel, which my roommates in SLO named "the tractor") at some ungodly speed, over the railroad tracks when I received my first and ONLY speeding ticket. I say only because I am more careful and don't get caught now. And that CHP officer was a dick if you ask me *or my father, because I am pretty sure he has received a ticket from the same officer*....

Anyways, sorry for outing you too Dad. Not the point of this.

When I was leaving the airport last night, after I paid $52 dollars for parking which if you ask me is OUTRAGEOUS, and the machine didn't even print out my receipt that I need to send to my boss for my expense report.....I noticed that the 495W was closed. Don't know what the 494W is? Well it is the freeway that I need to take from the airport to get me home to my family. But there was a detour. Not open, do not pass go or collect $200 dollars type of situation.

Well I had no other choice but to use this detour. I didn't know any other special route, I am not from here originally. I don't know how to get places. Didn't you see the statement earlier that I am not a good driver?

Following a detour should be simple, right? Not too hard, just follow the signs and poof I should end up somewhere on the 494W?

Well, lets just say that this task was not that easy for a great driver such as myself.

I ended up in the GHETTO of Minneapolis. Not kidding you. I put my windows up, locked my doors and then decided to plug my GPS in.

Why wasn't the trusty GPS plugged in already you ask? Well for the simple fact that a detour should be EASY. Where is the easy button from staples when I need it?

Obviously I survived. I am home. But I got my taste of some sort of ghetto last night. And now I know why there are shootings and murders on the news each and every night.

Just thankful that I am not on the News tonight. As the most recent homicide in the wonderful city of Minneapolis.


Everyone have a great weekend. And look for a post about a super exciting recipe contest that I am going to ask you all to participate in. Just watching some great videos and voting-nothing too hard I promise! But it is a great way to support some fellow bloggers that I love.