Gigi and Me

I am a cat lady. Sort of. Me and my cat are completely content to just hang out at home. I guess that means I am a recluse. It works well for me. The trouble is, my cat gets lonely if I am not home. When I get home Gigi won't leave me alone. And she does that thing that cats do when they are trying to make their bed more comfortable and they kneed you. Except my stomach is not going to be changing shape regardless of how much she kneeds it, which means that it only serves to keep me awake when I want to be asleep. I wish that she would be cuddly when I want to be awake instead of when I am trying to sleep.

Gigi is also good at making sure I pay attention to my alarm. I am of the persuasion that hitting the snooze button is a wonderful thing. Gigi, like Pavlov's dog, has come to realize that the alarm noise is associated with me getting out of bed. And my getting out of bed is associated with the bathroom door opening. Don't ask me why she loves the bathroom so much. Her love of the bathroom is the reason I keep the door closed. It just doesn't seem sanitary for her to be drinking out of the toilet. And she likes to attack the rug, something that I don't enjoy. Needless to say Gigi, like a 2 year old, is highly interested in what is off-limits.

In other news, Gigi is having major surgery soon. She is going to be fixed and get her claws removed. I am pretty sure she is really excited about it. If she wouldn't claw my carpet then I wouldn't have to declaw her. She is probably going to be really sad to be away from me overnight. Or maybe it is me that is going to be sad to have her gone. I might be co-dependent. Maybe.

Ousted

Just thought I would update you on the study.  After several hours of "screening" on Tuesday I was $100 richer and still unsure of my participation in the study.  On Wednesday I got a call that I have been "excluded".  So, no miracle cure for me.  Better luck next time.

In other news, I have decided to exercise despite the extreme discomfort.  We will see how long this lasts.

say what?

I am supposed to go to my doctor appointment today with hives.  So I just went outside and jogged/walked (I am really out of shape) for 30 minutes or so.  Did I get hives? No.  But I got hives yesterday just walking to McDonalds.  I don't get it.  If I don't have hives for this appointment I can't get the clinical trial medication that might change my life.  It could be that I am healed, lets hope.  If not, I am going to be very sad next time I get hives.

Confused

So I get these hives.  It is kind of a bummer.  I thought I understood these hives.  But I am realizing more and more that I do not know about my hives.  I used to think that I got hives whenever I would sweat or get hot or get stressed or ...  However, now I am finding some loopholes.  Today: I walked 1.5 blocks, weeded a garden for FHE for less than an hour then walked back to the church.  Then I walked 1.5 blocks to McDonalds (don't judge) and at McD's got hives.  Not really bad ones, but hives nonetheless.  This evening I tried Jillian's workout again.  (Deck of cards= 84 pushups, 84 lunges, 84 crunches, 84 reverse crunches.  I can explain in more detail if you really want to know).  Anyway, this is the second time I have done this workout and I have not gotten hives either time.  Seriously?  I don't understand.  I took a bike ride last monday for 30 minutes and got crazy hives.  This is all very confusing.  Hmm.  They look something like this when at full flare.  Sorry for the ugly leg shots.

Good and Bad News

The Good News: I just filed my taxes for only $45.

The Bad News: I can't e-file because of my sick leave pay.

The Good News: I get lots of money back (thank you for buying a house this year)

The Bad News: I bought my house on March 28, which was 12 days before the April 9 cutoff to get the $7000 tax credit for buying a home in 2008.

The Good News: The $7000 tax credit would have actually just been a loan, so now I don't have to worry about keeping that much in a bank account to pay back within 15 years.

The Bad News: My tax refund is already allocated to a new (to me) car and new carpet.

The Good News: I will be able to get to and from work without worrying that my car is going to fall apart at any second.  The only thing holding it together: faith and paying tithing..

Oh and more good news: I am going to California with my parents in a week, and I am going to Indiana with my mom in 5 weeks!  And I can expect my tax return in 5-7 weeks.  Woot!

Playland

My brother and s-i-l came to visit earlier this month.  I have been very slow about taking the pictures off my camera, but finally did last night.  Here are some of the fun ones I found.  We went to Del Taco one afternoon for lunch and so Connor could play in the Play Land.  I was convinced by the 2 year old to play in the play land too.  It turns out it was a bad idea.  I broke my toe.  And then re-broke it a week later, and again a week after that.  It is healing really well.

Coming out of the slide.

Pre broken toe.  I am still smiling in this one.

He has very blue eyes, I love it!

Cute Nathan

Nathan and daddy.

I love his chubbiness!

Connor was not terribly interested in pictures, he was interested in convincing me to go down the slide again.

Case in point: do not share drinks with toddlers.  Big old spit string commin off that straw.

Neither of the boys really wanted to participate in this picture.

He must be looking at his mom.

This is what happens when you tell Connor it is time to go home.

The good news is, Liz is still smiling.

And one of my cat.  Isn't she cute. (people have been asking for pics of her).

Now I need to go take some pictures of my nieces one of these days.  To prove that they are just as cute as the boys.

2009

I rarely make new year's resolutions. It just seems like a good way to be disappointed in myself. I know that is silly, and goals are really important and all. I set goals, they just don't coincide with a specific day of the year. Two years ago I made a New Year's resolution to make my bed everyday. I did really well for about a month. Go me. This year my resolution is to have no ER visits, and to have overall good health. Anyone who has spent much time with me knows that 2008 was not a great year- in terms of health. Otherwise the year was just fine. Sadly, I broke/sprained/badly bruised my toe on Monday. So much for this year. I have been limping ever since. It is getting better. I learned my lesson. When the sign at the playland at Del Taco says that you shouldn't get in if you are over 4 feet tall, you really shouldn't get in. And if you do, you shouldn't take your shoes off. It is just not a good idea.

2008 in review:

January
- lost at High School Musical DVD board game.

February
- voted, and was judged for it.
- Got an intestinal bug and decided I would rather have the bug than the cure.
- Spent a very large amount of money on a new computer and new camera. I love them both.

March
- turned 1/4 century old.
- bought a condo. And proceed to spend several weeks painting the condo.

April
- was mistaken for a minor (as in 14 or younger).
- saw Wicked for the second time while visiting my brother and sister-in-law and nephew.
- began getting hives at random times. Later in the year I am diagnosed with Cholinergic Urticaria. Not cool.
- have my first payed photography gig. I am not a professional.

May- moved into my condo.

June
- attempted to swallow a pill that then lodged in my throat for 8 hours requiring an emergency endoscopy. Subsequent diagnosis: eosinophilic esophagitis. Basically, if I don't take medication for the rest of my life my throat will close off and I will have to be on an all formula diet. No thank you.

July
- reconnected with my old roommates.
- went country dancing, for about 15 minutes. Promply dislocated/broke my leg. Took 5 weeks off work for recovery.

August
-went back to work.

September
- learned a very important lesson while cutting jalepenos.

October
- I don't remember what happened, which is a good sign.

November
- Went to South Bend, Chicago and Detroit.
- Got a cat. Her name is Gigi, and I love her.

December
- Decided that I am done with hospital visits for the next year.

I really can't complain (although I often do). I have a good life. I have great family and friends and love where I am at in life right now.

thoughts on sleep

There are a lot of things to be self conscious about.  I have decided that the things I do when I am asleep should not be on that list.  I am sorry to say, I cannot control what I do when I sleep.  If you can, please share your secrets.

1- When I went to the dentist last the nice dental hygienist told me that I have a lot of saliva.  She said that it was a good thing except when you are at the dentist and they have to suction you excessively to keep you from drooling all over yourself.  Needless to say, I am a sleep drooler.  I can't help it.  I try to fall asleep with my mouth closed, and from then on it is anybody's guess as to how much I am going to drool.  There is nothing I can do about this.  Or maybe there is.  I could set up some sort of suction device that would constantly suction the drool out of my mouth at night.  But lets be honest, that seems like a little silly.

2- I know that I snore when I am congested.  I can't help it.  Breathing is more important than being quiet while I sleep.  Sorry.  If I learned nothing else in nursing school it is the importance of the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.  I am just trying to take care of the things that are important.  I have no idea if I snore when I am not sick.  I have not recorded myself.  I may snore.  And, I don't really care, to be completely honest.  Is that bad?  I have plenty of other things to worry about, like being healthy and getting to work on time, and taking care of my cat, and cleaning my house, and praying for my car to work everyday.

The reason I bring all of this up is that I was invited to go over to a friend's house last night to watch a movie with a bunch of people.  I ended up deciding not to go.  The major factor in this decision was the fact that I had slept approximately 4 of the previous 36 hours.  Anyone who knows me well knows that a tired Andrea is not happy Andrea.  Anyway, I opted out of going because I knew I would fall asleep almost immediately and then I would have to wake up and drive myself home in a state of delirium.  This seemed like a bad idea.  The other drivers on the road can thank me for my decision.  However, it also crossed my mind that if I fell asleep I may drool or, heaven forbid, make some sort of noise that I was not aware of.  And then people may laugh.  Or judge.  Or think that I am some sort of crazy person because I cannot control myself when I sleep.  Pull it together woman.  And for the record, I fully admit that I am crazy.  And I firmly believe that we all are.

Because of all of this, I have decided that I am no longer going to be self conscious about what I do when I am asleep.  I think I can do this.  My brother decided not to be ticklish anymore when he was younger, and that worked.  So here goes.

sleep

I worked Friday night.  Normally after a night shift I sleep for a very very long time.  Not so on Saturday.  I helped move my brother and sister-in-law into their new house.  I lasted until about 12:30 (when I sat down and passed out).  By the time I got home it was after 1pm.  So I slept until 4, when I randomly woke up.  That is odd for me because I normally can sleep forever.  Or close to it.  Then I went to our ward Christmas party, then conned a friend into going grocery shopping with me after so that I wouldn't kill myself driving in my sleep deprived state.  Be the time I got home, I was wide awake.  Rude.  I fell asleep at 12 something.  And slept horribly all night.  I woke up every hour or two.  Rude.  Then was wide awake at 4 and 7 and 9.  Not my style.  At 9 I finally got up.  It is just crazy because I was super super tired at the party last night, which meant I was a little silly.  Maybe a lot silly.  I probably have a lot to be embarrassed about.  Oh well.  At least I had fun, right.

I have a feeling I am going to be very tired today.  But for now I am alive awake alert enthusiastic!

Meet Gigi

After all the polls and everything, I have decided on a name.  And it is not one that was in the poll- sorry.  This is Gigi.  I like that it is silly and fun, and something I would never name my child.  And in response to the many aghast responses that I have received from people when they find out that I have had a kitten for almost 3 weeks without giving her a name, I say, I haven't done too bad considering that people get 9 months to come up with a name and I took about 2 1/2 weeks.  Thank you.  And in case you want to see more pictures of her, here you go.  I know, it's not like I have a kid, but she is the one I communicate most with during my time at home.  If that isn't a sad commentary on my life, I don't know what is.

She likes to sit in my lap, but doesn't like it when I do anything else but pay attention to her.

Her new favorite hiding place, in a box of Christmas lights my dad gave me.

He would be so proud.

I like this one because it looks like her head is half missing.

This is what happens when I get home from work and someone has poop all over her feet.

In case you are wondering, that is her nubbin of a leg.

This is the face she gives me when she wants to eat more kitty treats.

And tomorrow I plan to post about my trip to temple square last night.  Wait for it.

Poll

I just added a poll for what you think I should name my cat (for those who check my blog via reader). I put a sampling of the names that people suggested. I don't promise to choose what the number one choice is, but it will help me decide.

a new addition

Yesterday I was looking in the classifieds for a cat.  And I found one that I really wanted.  It was female and 3 months old and was missing one of its feet.  And then I called the lady and she had already promised it to someone else.  Shoot.  I don't know why, but this cat really seemed like the perfect cat for me.  Luckily, the lady called me back later and told me that things changed, and I could have her if I wanted.  Sweet!

So I got a cat.  And she is so cute.  She is grey and white and very clingy (at least right now), and she is quite skittish (at least right now).  I am not sure what I want to name her.  I have thought of a couple names, but I just can't narrow it down.  Any ideas?

You can see her little nubbin of a leg in this one.

She wouldn't hold still unless I was touching her.  I told you she was clingy.

Again, I am still holding on to her.  Oh, and she likes to sleep right up in my face.

This would have been really cute if she would have held still, but then she walked up to me and got all out of focus.

So, tell me your ideas for names, and then we will have a poll from the ones I like the best.

Isn't she cute.  

enough already.

This is just to say that I am done dating.

I am considering getting a cat.

I just thought you should know.

Just not in the mood

I keep thinking about posting something.  There are two problems.  I am not in the mood.  And now that blogging is so popular it is not as fun for me.  I guess the popular/cult things are just not very appealing to me sometimes.

I will post later.  Perhaps when I get back from my trip.  I really can't wait.  A break is just what I need these days.  A break from reality.

So, I will see you when I emerge from my hole.

More Pictures

Yesterday I went downtown and took some pictures with my roommate.  I also took some of these over conference weekend.  Let me know what you think.

This one just says autumn to me.  The colors and changing leaves make me happy.

This one and the next one were taken during the rain that came so constantly during conference.  And, I used my dad's lens, so I didn't have to get my camera wet.  I was able to stand a lot farther from the leaves than with my lens.

This was at Gallivan Center downtown.  I couldn't believe with the freeze we had a couple nights ago that this flower survived.  But I am glad it did.  Isn't it pretty.


Anybody know what type of flower this is?  I want some at my house.

Remove the building from the background, and this picture would be near perfect.

eeeeeeeaaaiiiii

I just cut up a jalapeno.  And now my hands are burning.  And I made the mistake of touching my right eye, so it is burning too.  I am afraid to look in the mirror in case I look like Quasimodo.  I feel like I am on fire.  Make it stop.  Please.

Oh, and yesterday at physical therapy we did some new stuff.  So I can't walk because my leg and butt on my left side only are very very sore.  Crazy sore.  I am going to have one very buff leg.

Yesterday I actually made the comment "If it is good enough for Emeril, it is good enough for me."  And I don't really like Emeril.  I should have gone with Bobby Flay.

Getting out

I like to make spur-of-the-moment decisions.  Especially when the world around me is spinning.  Best way to deal with the drama- flee the state.

So, I am going to South Bend, Indiana.  What is in South Bend, you may wonder.  My Brother and Sister (in-law) and nephews.  I can't wait.  It is going to be the best.  And I will get to shop in Chicago.  Which is the best.  I need new clothes and nothing here satisfies my need.  So, I found some cheap tickets, and if necessary will call in sick during the days I am gone.  That is how much I need to get out.  What can I say.

My sophomore year I did this sort of thing with a friend.  In that case we flew to California on a whim.  And the last time I went to South Bend it was this sort of trip as well.  And when I went to Mexico (sort of).

Now I just have to wait just under 6 weeks to get a really awesome break.

Maybe when I return all of my problems will have just up and disappeared.  Wouldn't that be awesome.  I guess I shouldn't say problems.  Drama is the right word.  Drama drama.

#1 and #2 looking slightly better

Here is after approximately 3 seconds of editing.  Blogger doesn't exactly make these photos look great or anything.  And your screen will make them look different than mine too.  And now for the vote.

#1:

Or #2:

Or neither?  Or both?  What do you think?  I really want to know.  Should I stop taking pictures of flowers and move onto something more exciting?  Should I get a macro lens so these photos really look great?

Photo Shoot

These are all pictures that I took around the Jordan River Temple on Wednesday.  They are all SOOC (straight out of the camera).  What do you think?

I don't know why, but this one (and several others) looks like one of those black and white photos with color added.  I promise it is not.

Don't you just love the curled petal.

Not my favorite composition, but a cute bud.

These flowers were so vibrant.

Now these next two are very similar.  I was experimenting with shooting the back of a flower with the sun coming through making the flower a little transparent. Which do you prefer?  #1:

or #2:

This one looks much better in full size.

The colors here are kinda fun.

Playing around with depth.

Obviously, I am no expert.  But it is fun for me.

phone calls and BFFs

This guy started talking to me on TRAX.  This is not uncommon.  He was kinda crazy.  This is not uncommon.  Our conversation started based on the fact that I was wearing scrubs.  This is not uncommon.

So anyway, here we are talking about nothing and then he asks if he can use my phone.  This is a difficult thing for me on several levels.  First, he may steal it.  Second, he may call some crazy 900 number and rack up my bill.  Third (and most importantly), he will get his germs on my phone.  And who knows where he has been.  I must have given him a look, because then he asked if I would make a call for him.  Hmm.  He wanted me to call his mom.  This guy was probably in his 40s, and I was calling his mom.  I said okay.  Because I am a gluten for punishment like that.  So anyway, I am calling his mom and he is telling me to tell her who I am and stuff.  Like me and his mom are going to be BFFs.  So I start talking to his mom and telling her that her son, Ernie, would like to be picked up at the TRAX station in 20 minutes (and would it be all right if he went out and played with Billy later on... or that is where it felt like it was going).  Then his mom gets all upset like, why am I always having to take care of my 40-something son.  And here I am sitting there taking all her stress in like we are BFFs.  But we are not.  So then I say, okay well have a nice night.  And she hangs up.  On me.  Seriously, I am just an innocent bystander.  Last time I make a call for a random person.

And last time I give a kid a dollar so he can buy some drugs.  Oh wait that was a different story.