Sorry for the ambiguous title. I try not to use words like that out loud or in writing... It's happened again. Some idiot (probably the same persons(s) again) has knocked off mailbox. This is the 4th time I've had to put a mailbox on! At least this time, the mailbox itself was intact and functional (as far as I can tell anyway) because we opted for a plastic one the last time we had to replace it. All the ones before had been metal ones, and they ended up all bent/smashed out of shape and unusable. So we still have our mailbox, but we have to buy and install ANOTHER freaking post for it!!! This will be the 5th attempt at providing the mail carrier a place to safely deliver our mail each day!
Now I could understand if this happened once, maybe twice; you know, maybe it was an accident or something. But 4 times?!? No other mailbox around here is getting damaged, just ours. So obviously it's personal, for some reason. The question is...why? We keep to ourselves mostly, and don't really know many people around us. And we don't have a barking dog anymore to drive people nuts. So why does some keep knocking our mailbox down??? And it's not always at night either. I think this is the second time it's happened in daylight, in the early hours of the morning. The last time it was between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, and that's about the time it happened today too. I think the other 2 times were at night, but I'm not sure.
When I put this last mailbox in, having moved the location more in line with our front door, and backed it about a foot further away from the road, I placed a curse on it. The curse would bring down horrible luck and circumstances on anyone who intentionally damaged the mailbox, and would last until they confessed that they were the ones who knocked it off. So, I'm not usually a mean and vindictive person, but I hope someone out there is having and will continue to have extreme bad luck with everything in life, until they come to me and confess to the crime! And it IS a crime.
Anyway, I'm off to talk to the people at the post office, and see if we can possible move the location of the mailbox, or something. All I can say is that if I EVER find who's been destroying our mailboxes, they'll regret ever setting eyes on it in the first place!!!
Okay, I feel much better now. Thanks for listening to me rant. :)
June 27, 2008
June 24, 2008
Such A Pain
Well, as a couple of you know, I've been suffering from migraine-like headaches for about a week and a half now. Considering that in the past I rarely got headaches, they came as quite a surprise, and have been the worst I've ever had! The pain is basically centered on the right side at the back of my head, and it feels like my head is pulsating and pounding, following a swift hit with a baseball bat or something. I've never had headaches like this, and they're starting to complicate things. I read that migraines can make you feel "dull and slow witted," and I can definitely attest to that fact. They've turned me into an idiot. It's hard to think sometimes, through the pounding pain in my head. I was doing things like forgetting to take a call that was on hold for me at work and forgetting to get a guy's name and phone number that we needed to call about a computer purchase; little things that would be second nature usually, but which have become ever increasingly difficult to focus on.
I went to the doctor the other day, and they hooked me up to an EKG machine. It took 2 different people a couple tries to get a reading (and even then they said it was a little odd looking), but the doctor informed me that the EKG was normal, and that nothing was wrong with my heart (as far as they could tell anyway.) They took my blood pressure, and it was a little elevated/borderline (130/90), but the doctor was like "It's not high enough to seriously worry about, and you're too young to go on blood pressure medication, because once you start on it, you have to take it for the rest of your life." She prescribed a diuretic to try and flush my system, which will hopefully lower my blood pressure somewhat because it will push salt out of my body. She also told me the obvious (eat less fat and salt, and get more exercise), and suggested that I get an eye exam in case it was a problem with my eyes that was causing the headaches. She also prescribed some headache medicine (Fiorocet) that had a pain killer, APAP, and caffeine in it, and that was supposed to be good for headache pain (I don't think it's been that helpful yet.) She told me to schedule a full physical sometime in the near future, and to come back in 2 weeks to have my blood pressure checked again. She said if the headaches were still around at that time, then they'd send me for a CT scan, and visit with a neurologist.
Well, I decided that the pain killers they gave me weren't working very well, and asked the pharmacist at the local Wal-Mart if there was anything I could take at the same time, that wouldn't cause problems with the medication I was already on. He suggested a couple OTC pain killers, and I decided to go with Excedrin Migraine. I took 2 tablets this morning, before work, and I was basically headache free until the last hour or so of my shift, when the headache came back with a vengeance! It hurt to move, to talk, to even think, and was some of the worst pain I've experienced yet. When I came home, I decided to take a Fiorcet again, and I also took a Flexeril, a muscle relaxer they prescribed to me when I was having back problems again several months ago. The doctor told me to take that to help with any pain and tightness in my neck that might be caused by the headaches.
So right now, the pain is more or less gone, but on the drive home it was basically making the whole right side of my head throb and ache, and just feel "weird." I really do not like having these migraines (or whatever they are), and I can definitely sympathize now with anyone who suffers from chronic migraines. They are horrible, and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. They just make life and every day simple activities miserable and difficult to accomplish, and as I mentioned earlier, they're starting to affect my work.
So I have Friday off this week, and I may return to the doctor, if my head is still hurting (and I expect it to be, unfortunately) and set up a time and place to get a CT scan (or MRI...whatever they decide would work best.) Hopefully the headaches are being caused by something simple that once it's discovered can be easily remedied. But there are too many other things that could be causing this pain, and most of them are not good. I'll keep everyone posted on the situation as I find out more.
Oh, as a side note, I went to get my eyes checked after the doctor visit (something I haven't done in at least 10 or 15 years), and the doctor said that while I have perfect vision (10-20 basically, about the best you can get), I have about a 1/4 astigmatism in each eye, my left eye is a little stronger than my right eye, and I'm somewhat far sighted. He said that in 5-10 years I'll have trouble focusing on things up close (of course I'll be middle aged at that time, so I'd expect that sort of thing anyway! lol) He also told me something that explained why my eyes always feel tired. He said that my eyes are in a "constant state of focus," kind of like on a camera that has autofocus which you activate by pushing the shutter button half way down. The lenses of the camera move in and out, continually focusing on the object they're pointed at. That's basically what my eyes are doing...constantly adjusting to keep things in perfect focus. This is turn is tiring my eyes out, and making them sore. He said that if I got glasses, I wouldn't notice any change in the clarity of what I was looking at (because my vision is still extremely good), but that the lenses would help to relax my eyes, and make it easier to focus on stuff, alleviating some of the strain that's being placed on them now. So that's just one more thing to think about in the near future.
Right now I just want to get rid of these headaches, and try to get back to some semblance of a normal life. Lots of changes are happening at work, and with OfficeMax as a whole, and I can't afford to miss any days due to severe headaches during a time when a lot of people are losing their jobs because the company is downsizing. So hopefully I'll get the situation taken care of soon, and will get back to enjoying a headache free existence! I'll post more as I know more. Sorry this is so long; I guess I just needed to ramble again. :)
I went to the doctor the other day, and they hooked me up to an EKG machine. It took 2 different people a couple tries to get a reading (and even then they said it was a little odd looking), but the doctor informed me that the EKG was normal, and that nothing was wrong with my heart (as far as they could tell anyway.) They took my blood pressure, and it was a little elevated/borderline (130/90), but the doctor was like "It's not high enough to seriously worry about, and you're too young to go on blood pressure medication, because once you start on it, you have to take it for the rest of your life." She prescribed a diuretic to try and flush my system, which will hopefully lower my blood pressure somewhat because it will push salt out of my body. She also told me the obvious (eat less fat and salt, and get more exercise), and suggested that I get an eye exam in case it was a problem with my eyes that was causing the headaches. She also prescribed some headache medicine (Fiorocet) that had a pain killer, APAP, and caffeine in it, and that was supposed to be good for headache pain (I don't think it's been that helpful yet.) She told me to schedule a full physical sometime in the near future, and to come back in 2 weeks to have my blood pressure checked again. She said if the headaches were still around at that time, then they'd send me for a CT scan, and visit with a neurologist.
Well, I decided that the pain killers they gave me weren't working very well, and asked the pharmacist at the local Wal-Mart if there was anything I could take at the same time, that wouldn't cause problems with the medication I was already on. He suggested a couple OTC pain killers, and I decided to go with Excedrin Migraine. I took 2 tablets this morning, before work, and I was basically headache free until the last hour or so of my shift, when the headache came back with a vengeance! It hurt to move, to talk, to even think, and was some of the worst pain I've experienced yet. When I came home, I decided to take a Fiorcet again, and I also took a Flexeril, a muscle relaxer they prescribed to me when I was having back problems again several months ago. The doctor told me to take that to help with any pain and tightness in my neck that might be caused by the headaches.
So right now, the pain is more or less gone, but on the drive home it was basically making the whole right side of my head throb and ache, and just feel "weird." I really do not like having these migraines (or whatever they are), and I can definitely sympathize now with anyone who suffers from chronic migraines. They are horrible, and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. They just make life and every day simple activities miserable and difficult to accomplish, and as I mentioned earlier, they're starting to affect my work.
So I have Friday off this week, and I may return to the doctor, if my head is still hurting (and I expect it to be, unfortunately) and set up a time and place to get a CT scan (or MRI...whatever they decide would work best.) Hopefully the headaches are being caused by something simple that once it's discovered can be easily remedied. But there are too many other things that could be causing this pain, and most of them are not good. I'll keep everyone posted on the situation as I find out more.
Oh, as a side note, I went to get my eyes checked after the doctor visit (something I haven't done in at least 10 or 15 years), and the doctor said that while I have perfect vision (10-20 basically, about the best you can get), I have about a 1/4 astigmatism in each eye, my left eye is a little stronger than my right eye, and I'm somewhat far sighted. He said that in 5-10 years I'll have trouble focusing on things up close (of course I'll be middle aged at that time, so I'd expect that sort of thing anyway! lol) He also told me something that explained why my eyes always feel tired. He said that my eyes are in a "constant state of focus," kind of like on a camera that has autofocus which you activate by pushing the shutter button half way down. The lenses of the camera move in and out, continually focusing on the object they're pointed at. That's basically what my eyes are doing...constantly adjusting to keep things in perfect focus. This is turn is tiring my eyes out, and making them sore. He said that if I got glasses, I wouldn't notice any change in the clarity of what I was looking at (because my vision is still extremely good), but that the lenses would help to relax my eyes, and make it easier to focus on stuff, alleviating some of the strain that's being placed on them now. So that's just one more thing to think about in the near future.
Right now I just want to get rid of these headaches, and try to get back to some semblance of a normal life. Lots of changes are happening at work, and with OfficeMax as a whole, and I can't afford to miss any days due to severe headaches during a time when a lot of people are losing their jobs because the company is downsizing. So hopefully I'll get the situation taken care of soon, and will get back to enjoying a headache free existence! I'll post more as I know more. Sorry this is so long; I guess I just needed to ramble again. :)
June 8, 2008
Italian Sunday
Today is my Dad, Monica's Dad, and Monica's older sister Amy's birthday. (Happy Birthday everyone!) I just got back from having a nice meal out at the Olive Garden. Clare came down for a visit, bringing the beautiful Esme (my niece) with her, and my step-brother and his wife joined my Dad, Step-Mom and me there also.
We ordered lots of appetizers, and of course consumed much of their delicious bread sticks (they were good and garlicky/salty today!) Then we each enjoyed our main entrees and finished the meal with a small birthday cake provided by the restaurant. It was a nice time all around...but now I'm STUFFED! Italian is one of my favorite foods, and I eat it every chance I get (especially when I'm not buying! hehe) Anyway, I was the only one to finish my plate and not have any to take home. Does that say I'm a pig, or that I just don't eat enough? *g* I was fairly full long before the second breast of Italian herbed and breaded chicken, but I persevered and finished it off, along with the last few cheese stuffed tortellini pasta shells. And THEN I ate another bread stick! Why do I do it to myself?!?
It was delicious though, and I was glad I had the opportunity to spend some time with my family. More and more these days I'm reminded of the importance of family. After Kim's death last Friday, it was amazing to see all the love and support that was heaped on Monica and her sisters from both sides of her wonderful (and enormous) family. That love helped, and will continue to help her get through this difficult transitional phase of adjusting to life without her mother. I've been there, and I know how hard it is, but the Lord saw fit to give her an amazing support network of family and friends, and together we shall all work to take care of Monica, and try to return her to some semblance of a normal life.
Thank you to all of you who provided company, food, money, and support of any kind to Monica and her sisters. You may never know how much it meant to her, and to me. So as I bring this post to a close, remember to take the time to look around you and realize the friends and loved ones in YOUR life. Treat your family and friends with respect and love, because one day you may need all that love in return.
Peace, and have a wonderful (if insanely hot) Sunday.
We ordered lots of appetizers, and of course consumed much of their delicious bread sticks (they were good and garlicky/salty today!) Then we each enjoyed our main entrees and finished the meal with a small birthday cake provided by the restaurant. It was a nice time all around...but now I'm STUFFED! Italian is one of my favorite foods, and I eat it every chance I get (especially when I'm not buying! hehe) Anyway, I was the only one to finish my plate and not have any to take home. Does that say I'm a pig, or that I just don't eat enough? *g* I was fairly full long before the second breast of Italian herbed and breaded chicken, but I persevered and finished it off, along with the last few cheese stuffed tortellini pasta shells. And THEN I ate another bread stick! Why do I do it to myself?!?
It was delicious though, and I was glad I had the opportunity to spend some time with my family. More and more these days I'm reminded of the importance of family. After Kim's death last Friday, it was amazing to see all the love and support that was heaped on Monica and her sisters from both sides of her wonderful (and enormous) family. That love helped, and will continue to help her get through this difficult transitional phase of adjusting to life without her mother. I've been there, and I know how hard it is, but the Lord saw fit to give her an amazing support network of family and friends, and together we shall all work to take care of Monica, and try to return her to some semblance of a normal life.
Thank you to all of you who provided company, food, money, and support of any kind to Monica and her sisters. You may never know how much it meant to her, and to me. So as I bring this post to a close, remember to take the time to look around you and realize the friends and loved ones in YOUR life. Treat your family and friends with respect and love, because one day you may need all that love in return.
Peace, and have a wonderful (if insanely hot) Sunday.
June 7, 2008
These Two Kittens Still Need Homes
Well, I've had numerous people express interest in these two fur balls, but no one's been out to pick them up. (Probably due to the fact that I haven't been here very often, because I was driving back and forth from, and staying in Nicholson over the last week or so.) At any rate, the white one I call "Patches", due to the grey patches on it's head (otherwise it's solid white.) And the black one we've dubbed "Shadow." I put their names in quotes, because I only GAVE them names so I didn't have to sound quite as stupid when I was forced to keep going "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"
I have tried not to get too attached to the kittens this time, but these 2 are growing on me more and more each day, especially Shadow. I can't keep them though, so I need to find them good homes. If anyone out there is reading this, and would like a kitten (or knows of someone who would), please contact me and let me know. Serious enquiries ONLY though! Thanks.
I have tried not to get too attached to the kittens this time, but these 2 are growing on me more and more each day, especially Shadow. I can't keep them though, so I need to find them good homes. If anyone out there is reading this, and would like a kitten (or knows of someone who would), please contact me and let me know. Serious enquiries ONLY though! Thanks.
Veggie Tales
Here are some of the latest pictures from our garden. As you can see, it's a jungle back there! The corn is getting really tall (and some actually have cobs on them already); the cabbages are huge, and the onions and zucchini are doing great too! Now we just need some more rain, so we don't have to keep watering everything ourselves! Come on, bring on the rain! :) Have a great weekend everyone.
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