I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We had an event at our store, and I had to work yesterday, so mine was slightly less than relaxing.
Today's topic is places. Six places, to be exact.
1. Southwest Indiana, where I currently reside. The people here are among the best. I have a great set of friends, and my mother-in-law couldn't be more wonderful if she were my actual blood family. Alternately, this is a rather poor area, and very few people seem to care or take the time to make their property look nice. Even the town doesn't care to make sure that the lines in the street are visible, or the pot holes get filled. It's kind of sad.
2. Northeast Indiana, where I grew up, and my family still lives. Excellent people, also, though the small city where I grew up seems overly laden with hypocrisy and gossip. People take much better care of their property, and as a result, visiting is a breath of fresh air. I miss it in a lot of ways.
3. Paris, France. I spent 5 weeks in Paris when I was 21, studying with KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Studies). While there I visited Cannes, Normandy, St. Malo, Chartres, Versailles, and several other places. I loved every minute of it, and I could talk about it all day. But I won't.
4. Denver, Colorado. My twin sister lives in suburb of Denver. I haven't gotten to visit her there yet, but I miss her every day.
5. Louisville, KY. I lived in Louisville for 5 years before I moved to where I am now. I miss a lot of things about it, primarily the variety of everything available withing a few miles. I never made any real friends there, though.
6. Las Vegas. One of the only places I've gone that wasn't for the purpose of visiting family. I went with my mom, younger sister, and grandparents. The trip is significant not because I love to gamble (I don't), or because Circ de Soleil is awesome (though it is), it is one of the last memories I have with my grandfather before he passed away. I miss you, Pappaw.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Seven Wants
Hello if you're visiting from ICLW! I have an intro post a few below this one. I hope you'll stick around!
7 of my wants (as I'm sure I could come up with a lot more than 7):
1. A successful surgery.
2. A healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
3. A bicycle, so we can have a little bit of variety on our evening walks.
4. A job closer to home. This one-way hour commute is for the birds.
5. Financial security.
6. Lots and lots of remodeling/improvements for my house.
7. A massage. My back, neck, and shoulders have been killing me for the last several days.
7 of my wants (as I'm sure I could come up with a lot more than 7):
1. A successful surgery.
2. A healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
3. A bicycle, so we can have a little bit of variety on our evening walks.
4. A job closer to home. This one-way hour commute is for the birds.
5. Financial security.
6. Lots and lots of remodeling/improvements for my house.
7. A massage. My back, neck, and shoulders have been killing me for the last several days.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Eight Fears
I'm not going to keep reposting the graphic, you all have the idea by now :-)
Today is 8 fears.
1. I'll go through all of this with the surgery, and find out I have other (currently unknown) things preventing me from conceiving.
2. Something will go wrong with the surgery.
3. Money/financial issues. Constantly.
4. My digital picture frame has a picture of Zeus the day I got him, and today I realized the he has a lot more white in his coat than he did 4 years ago when I got him. I'm scared to death that he's older than the rescue estimated, and that I might lose him sooner rather than later.
5. I worry about my job stability. I work in a field that likely won't exist in 10 years. Maybe less.
6. IF I DO get pregnant someday, I'll spend the entire time paranoid.
7. Bats. I hate them.
8. Money issues/financial. It's worth mentioning twice.
Today is 8 fears.
1. I'll go through all of this with the surgery, and find out I have other (currently unknown) things preventing me from conceiving.
2. Something will go wrong with the surgery.
3. Money/financial issues. Constantly.
4. My digital picture frame has a picture of Zeus the day I got him, and today I realized the he has a lot more white in his coat than he did 4 years ago when I got him. I'm scared to death that he's older than the rescue estimated, and that I might lose him sooner rather than later.
5. I worry about my job stability. I work in a field that likely won't exist in 10 years. Maybe less.
6. IF I DO get pregnant someday, I'll spend the entire time paranoid.
7. Bats. I hate them.
8. Money issues/financial. It's worth mentioning twice.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Nine Loves
Welcome to Day 2, 9 loves.
1. My husband. Completely and utterly. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am thankful for him every second of every day.
2. My wonderful mother, who raised 3 girls almost completely on her own, and did an excellent job. She also teaches 8th graders. She is my hero. My Aunt and my Mammaw, who stepped in as additional mother figures, spoiled us rotten, and continue to support us no matter what.
3. My sisters, who are my best friends. I can tell them anything and never receive any kind of judgment. They are smart, beautiful, and very funny.
4. My furbabies, Zeus and Osiris. I don't know what I would do without them.
5. My friends. No matter the joy, hurt, or drama, there is someone out there that understands.
6. Shrimp, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms. The healthy foods that still make me feel like I'm eating whatever I want.
7. Reading/listening to audio books. I really love a good story!
8. Nerding out and playing games. There's nothing like sitting around a table with a group of friends and playing a game!
9. Burt's Bees chapstick. You will never find me without it, or my Android phone.
Thank you all for your very nice comments. I just love ICLW!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
10 Secrets
While traveling around ICLWland this month, I've noticed several people doing a "10-Day You Challenge". I've never done anything like this before, and it might get me in the habit of blogging more often, so I'm going to give it a try!
Without further ado, here are my 10 secrets.
1. I had a very dangerous non-drug addiction in my early twenties. My husband is the only person that knows the complete extent of it, and I credit him with saving me from it.
2. I have more debt that I can think about without feeling a panic attack coming on. This seems to be the norm for a lot of people these days.
3. I've been job-searching from my work computer for at least 6 months.
4. I once owned, and jammed in the car to, the first Britney Spears album. Considering that my tastes are in hard rock, this would surprise a lot of my friends.
5. I didn't want to have children until I fell in love with my husband.
6. I am in my 2nd marriage. This isn't really a secret, but I don't usually offer it up, either.
7. I have a huge crush on Kat Von Dee.
8. Meeting Wil Wheaton last year at GenCon was one of the biggest thrills of my life. I am such a huge nerd.
9. My alter-ego is a Dragonborn Pacifist Cleric. If you know what that means, huzzah!
10. I don't like pepperoni.
Thank you for putting up with me through this. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!
Without further ado, here are my 10 secrets.
1. I had a very dangerous non-drug addiction in my early twenties. My husband is the only person that knows the complete extent of it, and I credit him with saving me from it.
2. I have more debt that I can think about without feeling a panic attack coming on. This seems to be the norm for a lot of people these days.
3. I've been job-searching from my work computer for at least 6 months.
4. I once owned, and jammed in the car to, the first Britney Spears album. Considering that my tastes are in hard rock, this would surprise a lot of my friends.
5. I didn't want to have children until I fell in love with my husband.
6. I am in my 2nd marriage. This isn't really a secret, but I don't usually offer it up, either.
7. I have a huge crush on Kat Von Dee.
8. Meeting Wil Wheaton last year at GenCon was one of the biggest thrills of my life. I am such a huge nerd.
9. My alter-ego is a Dragonborn Pacifist Cleric. If you know what that means, huzzah!
10. I don't like pepperoni.
Thank you for putting up with me through this. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
ICLW Time Again!
Hello all! Those that aren't new, I hope you'll forgive me for my mostly copied/pasted entry.
This is my 3rd ICLW, and I'm hoping to snag a few new readers, as well as some new and interesting blogs to read. I'm Jamie, I'm 31 years old, happily married to my best friend, JP, who is 36. We'd been ttc for 3+ years, though started at the RE at the end of last year. I have PCOS, no natural cycles or ovulation. After 3 failed IUIs, I decided that I was spinning my wheels until I could take off most of my weight. With the RE's blessing and encouragement, I've been going through preparations to have gastric bypass surgery.
I recently had my last appointment with the doctor at the bariatric center, and a couple of days later got the news that my insurance approved my surgery. I meet with the surgeon on June 6th, at which point we'll schedule my surgery. I'm very nervous and excited. Weight loss total at this point is 53 lbs!
My hope is that surgery will be scheduled for July, and then 12 months after that I'll be cleared to start ttc again. My fear is that we'll get to that point and find out that there's something else wrong.
I started this blog mostly to track my progress, keep myself in check, and hopefully find some support out there in interwebsland. I also wanted to share my story. Before I made the decision to go forward with this plan, I scoured the web for info on fertility after weight loss surgery, and came up with virtually nothing. Hopefully, now, girls out there like me will know what to expect.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll stick around!
This is my 3rd ICLW, and I'm hoping to snag a few new readers, as well as some new and interesting blogs to read. I'm Jamie, I'm 31 years old, happily married to my best friend, JP, who is 36. We'd been ttc for 3+ years, though started at the RE at the end of last year. I have PCOS, no natural cycles or ovulation. After 3 failed IUIs, I decided that I was spinning my wheels until I could take off most of my weight. With the RE's blessing and encouragement, I've been going through preparations to have gastric bypass surgery.
I recently had my last appointment with the doctor at the bariatric center, and a couple of days later got the news that my insurance approved my surgery. I meet with the surgeon on June 6th, at which point we'll schedule my surgery. I'm very nervous and excited. Weight loss total at this point is 53 lbs!
My hope is that surgery will be scheduled for July, and then 12 months after that I'll be cleared to start ttc again. My fear is that we'll get to that point and find out that there's something else wrong.
I started this blog mostly to track my progress, keep myself in check, and hopefully find some support out there in interwebsland. I also wanted to share my story. Before I made the decision to go forward with this plan, I scoured the web for info on fertility after weight loss surgery, and came up with virtually nothing. Hopefully, now, girls out there like me will know what to expect.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll stick around!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Some Good News
I've gotten a few bits of good news over the last few days.
On Friday, I got a call from the weight loss center. My insurance has approved my surgery! Woohoo! I meet with the surgeon on June 6th, at which point we'll schedule my surgery. I'm so excited!
Today they called me again, to let me know that my blood test results were back. My Vitamin D levels have risen, but are still low, so they upped my daily Vitamin D. My A1C levels were "great". I'm pretty pleased with that news, overall.
In other news, our little family has grown by 1. During our evening walk on Thursday, a stray dog started following us. At first he would run up, sniff, and then run away. After a few blocks, he was running around us in circles. By the time we got home (which was a mile from where we first saw him), we decided to keep him in the fenced yard, so he wouldn't get hit by a car. We gave him some food, water, and a blanket in the garage, and proceeded to post his picture on facebook to try to find his owners. Over the course of the next few days, I got him vaccinated, brought him in the house, and we made several calls and checked the paper for anyone reporting a missing dog. All the while, we're kind of hoping that no one comes forward, as this poor dog was skinny, not neutered, wearing a collar that was WAY too small, and not to mention in a position where he was running loose. We still have not heard a peep.
At first we had every intention of finding him a good home with someone we trusted, that would take good care of him. But, of course, we got attached. There is still some adjustment that is going to need to happen. I have an appointment to get him fixed in about 2 weeks.
Without further ado, meet our new furbaby.
On Friday, I got a call from the weight loss center. My insurance has approved my surgery! Woohoo! I meet with the surgeon on June 6th, at which point we'll schedule my surgery. I'm so excited!
Today they called me again, to let me know that my blood test results were back. My Vitamin D levels have risen, but are still low, so they upped my daily Vitamin D. My A1C levels were "great". I'm pretty pleased with that news, overall.
In other news, our little family has grown by 1. During our evening walk on Thursday, a stray dog started following us. At first he would run up, sniff, and then run away. After a few blocks, he was running around us in circles. By the time we got home (which was a mile from where we first saw him), we decided to keep him in the fenced yard, so he wouldn't get hit by a car. We gave him some food, water, and a blanket in the garage, and proceeded to post his picture on facebook to try to find his owners. Over the course of the next few days, I got him vaccinated, brought him in the house, and we made several calls and checked the paper for anyone reporting a missing dog. All the while, we're kind of hoping that no one comes forward, as this poor dog was skinny, not neutered, wearing a collar that was WAY too small, and not to mention in a position where he was running loose. We still have not heard a peep.
At first we had every intention of finding him a good home with someone we trusted, that would take good care of him. But, of course, we got attached. There is still some adjustment that is going to need to happen. I have an appointment to get him fixed in about 2 weeks.
Without further ado, meet our new furbaby.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Waiting Game
I'm sorry for not posting more frequently. There hasn't been overly much to report, which I suppose is a good thing.
Yesterday was my final appointment with the doctor at the weight loss center. He is really pleased with my progress (46 lbs!), and they've submitted me to my insurance for approval. As soon as they get it, they'll schedule me an appointment to meet with the surgeon, and then we'll schedule my surgery. It's still possible that it will happen in June, but I'm betting on July.
Before the appointment was my 2nd Behavioral Class that the program requires. We talked about how we can be programmed to use food for comfort and for rewards. I have treated food this way my entire life, and I'm not sure that it's something that I can easily overcome. I can certainly be aware of it, and try to combat the temptation, but I'm sure that it will always be there.
I have to have another sleep study done. Ugh! This time they'll be fitting me with a CPAP machine. I told the Neurologist that I had a really hard time getting and staying asleep the last time, so he wrote me a script for an Amb.ien. It is scheduled for June 1st, and that should be my last requirement fulfilled.
I have a friend that is just starting treatments with an RE. We'll sometimes go months without really chatting, but as soon as she's on treatment, she messages me constantly, wanting to talk to me about it. I don't know how to get the point across to her that it's hard for me to hear, since I'm still so far away from actively ttc again. I don't have so many female friends that I can afford to completely cut off contact, but I don't want to dread talking to her, either. It's made worse by the fact that she's so unhappy in her marriage, and probably just doing all this because she thinks a baby will make it all better. Ugh. Makes me ill just thinking about it.
Anyway, I hope you're all well out there. Have a good Friday the 13th!
Yesterday was my final appointment with the doctor at the weight loss center. He is really pleased with my progress (46 lbs!), and they've submitted me to my insurance for approval. As soon as they get it, they'll schedule me an appointment to meet with the surgeon, and then we'll schedule my surgery. It's still possible that it will happen in June, but I'm betting on July.
Before the appointment was my 2nd Behavioral Class that the program requires. We talked about how we can be programmed to use food for comfort and for rewards. I have treated food this way my entire life, and I'm not sure that it's something that I can easily overcome. I can certainly be aware of it, and try to combat the temptation, but I'm sure that it will always be there.
I have to have another sleep study done. Ugh! This time they'll be fitting me with a CPAP machine. I told the Neurologist that I had a really hard time getting and staying asleep the last time, so he wrote me a script for an Amb.ien. It is scheduled for June 1st, and that should be my last requirement fulfilled.
I have a friend that is just starting treatments with an RE. We'll sometimes go months without really chatting, but as soon as she's on treatment, she messages me constantly, wanting to talk to me about it. I don't know how to get the point across to her that it's hard for me to hear, since I'm still so far away from actively ttc again. I don't have so many female friends that I can afford to completely cut off contact, but I don't want to dread talking to her, either. It's made worse by the fact that she's so unhappy in her marriage, and probably just doing all this because she thinks a baby will make it all better. Ugh. Makes me ill just thinking about it.
Anyway, I hope you're all well out there. Have a good Friday the 13th!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Uneventful
Things have been uneventful on the health and IF front around here. Thursday is my follow-up with the Neurologist about my sleep study. Next Wednesday is my final appointment with the doctor at the weight loss center. The next time I go will be to meet with the surgeon and schedule my surgery date!
In other news, JP and I have been pursuing the purchase of the building we are currently renting for our store space. This has been incredibly stressful and frustrating. The more we dig and the more we learn, the more daunting it all seems. When we first moved in a year ago, it was with the intention of discussion buying in the not too distant future, once the owner made some major repairs (he hasn't), and moved out of the 2nd floor, where he is still living. So, not only has he not lived up to those things, his overall behavior has also become rather erratic (accusing our workers of stealing, etc.). We've decided that its time to get out from under all that mess.
What we've discovered is that this is a bad time to be trying to get a small business loan, and the building owner is a whole heap of trouble with more than one source. Ugh. He has a judgment out on him for $40,000 for the roof repairs to the building, and it's on the course towards a Sheriff's sale. He is also delinquent on his property taxes, and it may go up for commissioner's sale in June. Right now we think our best bet is to keep our knowledge quiet from the owner, and try to pursue the commissioner's sale, while hoping that no one out-bids us.
I know a lot of that probably doesn't make sense. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, to tell you the truth. It has left me constantly stressed, and constantly feeling like I need to be doing something productive, or risk feeling like I have absolutely no control over anything in my life. Worse, this stress has caused me to make more bad eating choices in the last few days, than I have in the previous several months. I haven't sabotaged myself, don't worry. I'm back on track today.
Sorry for the unorganized vent!
In other news, JP and I have been pursuing the purchase of the building we are currently renting for our store space. This has been incredibly stressful and frustrating. The more we dig and the more we learn, the more daunting it all seems. When we first moved in a year ago, it was with the intention of discussion buying in the not too distant future, once the owner made some major repairs (he hasn't), and moved out of the 2nd floor, where he is still living. So, not only has he not lived up to those things, his overall behavior has also become rather erratic (accusing our workers of stealing, etc.). We've decided that its time to get out from under all that mess.
What we've discovered is that this is a bad time to be trying to get a small business loan, and the building owner is a whole heap of trouble with more than one source. Ugh. He has a judgment out on him for $40,000 for the roof repairs to the building, and it's on the course towards a Sheriff's sale. He is also delinquent on his property taxes, and it may go up for commissioner's sale in June. Right now we think our best bet is to keep our knowledge quiet from the owner, and try to pursue the commissioner's sale, while hoping that no one out-bids us.
I know a lot of that probably doesn't make sense. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, to tell you the truth. It has left me constantly stressed, and constantly feeling like I need to be doing something productive, or risk feeling like I have absolutely no control over anything in my life. Worse, this stress has caused me to make more bad eating choices in the last few days, than I have in the previous several months. I haven't sabotaged myself, don't worry. I'm back on track today.
Sorry for the unorganized vent!
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