This week has been a good one, however, it has not been an easy one.  My cold has been annoying but thankfully, pretty mild.  It's the poison ivy that has nearly driven me insane.  Forget waterboarding, poison ivy is torture enough to make anyone speak.

Tuesday, I made my first trip to the Minute Clinic at CVS.  It is actually pretty awesome if you need to see a doctor on a weekend or after normal office hours.  In my case, I really should have gone to my primary care doctor.  I spent the whole time worried about catching the horrible respiratory illness the girl in front of me had.  I even asked the doctor if she was contagious.  Naturally, she couldn't tell me.  The doctor said my rash was "very inflamed" and gave me a prescription for prednisone.  Then, I accidentally left the bottle at work.  I never ended up taking it because the next day I thought my rash was getting better.   Boy, was I wrong, I only slept 45 minutes last night due to all of the itching.  

Enough about me.  Well, one more thing about me.....I go to the ear doctor again tomorrow to talk to him about my "wooshing" ear.  I have no idea what he'll say.  I'll keep you posted. 

My brother sent me this video.  He said that this is his "all-time favorite" Muppet skit:

OK, Now I'm Complaining

I hate poison ivy!  Did you hear me?  I HATE poison ivy.  I feel sure that poison ivy grows in Hell.  Not only do I look like a freak (thankfully I can hide it under clothes), but I am in misery.  I was going to the Minute Clinic today to get some prescription medication but they are closed for Memorial Day.  I should be writing a post about Memorial Day.  I should be writing about my Uncle Harold who died in the Korean War and what his sacrifice means to me but no, I'm complaining about poison ivy.  

I'm starting to feel about poison ivy the way that Carl Spackler felt about gophers in Caddyshack.  I'd like to blow it all up.  Nothing makes you want to break things or blow stuff up quite the way that itching does.  And when you scratch one itch.....another one starts.  It's maddening.  The worst time is nighttime when you are laying in bed.  Then it all starts up again.....

Itchy & Sniffy

Well, I was right about my sore throat.  I did get sick.  I have a yucky cold.  So far, I've spent the Memorial Day weekend at home.  I'm feeling MUCH better today.  I might even sleep in my own bed tonight!  I don't want to sound like I'm complaining though b/c it is just a cold.  Colds can make you miserable and want to sleep all day but it is JUST A COLD!

On another note, I am covered in poison ivy rash.  It isn't natural to have a cold AND poison ivy at the same time.  It goes against nature.  You have colds in the Winter and rashes in the Summer.  This is one of the worst bouts I've had with poison ivy.  There are very few parts of me that aren't affected by it.  I'm suspicious that it must be on something I wore.  Or, maybe even a blanket that I kept using.  I'd show you some pictures but you'd be totally grossed out.  It's really that bad.  By the way, I'm sure this is where I got it from to begin with....

Yet again, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining....poison ivy is a major annoyance but it will go away.  And it could always be worse....if you totally want to be grossed out by poison ivy rashes...visit the Poison Ivy Hall of Shame on the internet.  Those people probably wished they were dead for a few days.  If mine keeps getting worse I may have to visit the doctor on Tuesday.  I have found that putting an ice cube on it helps when I just can't stop the itch.  I can't NOT pet Sophie so I'm sure I'll get it again before the Summer is over.  For now, I plan to wear jeans and long sleeves when I pet her. (Good thinking but it's too hot for that!) Then, I'll leave my clothes at the door on the way in. (I will try to do that.)

Dear God,
Mosquitoes?
Poison Ivy?
Ticks?
NBA Basketball?
Love, Julie

Normal?

Long story short = the Dr. said my MRI and MRA were "normal".  Go figure....MY brain is normal.  Can you say that about yourself?  The problem is that I'm still hearing my pulse in my left ear very loudly!!!  Thank God that my eye twitch stopped again.  I am expecting it to return at any moment.  The next time it starts twitching I am definitely getting botox.  That is what the doctor told me that they do for major eye twitches.  Gee, getting botox in only one eye can't be a bad idea, right?  I'm guessing I'll have one really surprised looking eye.  It will also look younger than the other. 

The doctor wants to see me in 2 weeks and he will decide what the next step is.  I'm praying it will go away on its own.  If there is one thing I believe in.....it is the power of prayer. 

No Gnews is Good Gnews

Does anyone remember Gary Gnu from The Great Space Coaster?  Well, I do and that is what he used to say.  

I heard nothing from the doctor's office today.  Are you surprised?  Of course not!  We would have all been surprised (and frankly, worried) if I had heard from the Dr. today.  I choose to think that if it were an emergency they would have called me by now. In the meantime, the eye twitch is very annoying.  I even tried taping my eye open today.  I don't recommend that.  My eye didn't like not being able to blink and taking the tape off was painful.  I hope I didn't add a few extra wrinkles when I did that. 

I came home from work and ate way too many chips with guacamole.  Not only did I ruin my supper but I feel terrible.  I don't think I'll be hungry again until next week.  I'd like to say that I learned my lesson but, I'm sure I didn't.  

By the way, here's Gary Gnu. 

I Came Home and Took a Nap

I survived the MRI & MRA.  I told my technician, Vincent, that he had the whole prayer team from Elevation Church praying that he would get the IV in my vein on the first try....he did!  Don't tell me prayer doesn't work.  

All praise to God, the whole procedure was non-eventful.  I was dying to scratch my neck for about 20 minutes and that was basically all I could think about.  He told me that if I moved we'd have to do it again.  Heavens knows Julie did not want to do it again.  Does it really have to be so loud?  At one point I was imaging those little rat muppets jackhammering on my brain.  I told myself that hockey players probably had to have MRI's on their brains all of the time.  I can be hockey tough.  Right?

So now, I wait on the results.  I told you our last sermon series called "Waiting Room" was very timely.    Our next sermon series is called "How to Hug a Vampire - Loving the people who suck the life out of you".  I'll post the promo video as soon as they put it online.  :-)  It starts this weekend - I'm looking forward to it. 

Monday Morning MRI's

Oh boy, this morning I get to have an MRI and a MRA.  Please pray for me that they won't have any problem giving me the IV contrast.  I'll be sure and let you know how I passed the time today while laying in a tube under the influence of Xanax and pumped full of contrast solution.  It's been a while since I've seen my old friend, Xanax.  Whoever invented that stuff is awesome but, they probably don't care (about anything).  :-)  

I'll have plenty of time to pray for everyone I know.  I'll be doing that.  I'm also sure I"ll be singing "Mimi" by Beaker Muppet.  I've had that song stuck in my head all weekend.  (What an awesome song!!!)  

One thing I do know for sure is that this is my prayer today (and everyday):



Stay tuned for a Tales from the MRI Machine post.   Last time I tried to imagine that I was dancing to the "tribal" music of the magnets......

Happy Mother's Day!

I have the bestest mother in all of the world. 

Yes, I realize this is not a very good picture (too dark!) but it was the first one I took.  Before I could take any more, my (just turned) 3 year old nephew, Daniel, stole the camera.  He took a boat-load of pictures.  Here's one example:

Christel's shoes.  Christel is Rana's niece.  She is from Marseille, France, and is visiting us for several months while she goes to school and studies English. 

He almost got a good one of his momma there.  :-)  Maybe in a few years, Daniel will be our photographer and I'll actually be in some of the photos. 

We had a great day with Mom.  We love you Mom.  You are the very, very best!!!! 

Feelings

I've been watching a lot of the Muppets lately.  I had forgotten how funny they were.  I bet you a nice steak dinner that you can't watch this without laughing....

                                                  "Mimi"

Greta Takes Over

The girl with the long brown hair and the glasses needed a break, so I told her I'd post about my day.  

Last night was a scary night.  There were loud rumblings and flashes of light coming from outside of the house.  I sat in my hidey hole.  When it was safe to come to bed, I cuddled up with Julie (she sweats a lot at night), and went to sleep.  Her alarm clock goes off way too early but the most annoying thing is that she just "hits" it and rolls back over.  She does this numerous times before she gets up.  

This morning, when she started to get up, I went and got in the shower before she did.  I stood in the corner until she picked me up and put me outside the door.  She seemed annoyed about that.  I waited what felt like a LIFETIME for her to get out so she would feed me.  I had my favorite...chicken & herring, and also some dry food.  I don't have any chewing teeth so I just swallow the dry stuff whole.  

After that, I went outside on the screened porch and took a nap.  Then I got up and went to the big bed and took a nap.  Later on, I went to the litter box and then I sat in Julie's office and took a nap.  She came home about 5:30, fed me some more chicken & herring, and dry stuff, and then I took a nap. 

It was a good day. 

Waiting Room

 

Funny how God is always right on time.  Thank God for our most recent sermon series called Waiting Room because I am definitely in a "waiting room" now.  The ENT dr. is sending me for an MRI and an MRA.  He wants to see my brain and my arteries.

Due to my symptoms I had a feeling that would be his game plan, but it still was hard to hear.  I went back to my car and cried a little.  Then I saw my boss and burst into tears again.  Good grief.  I don't know why I cry so easily but I am handmade by God.  You know, he does have a sense of humor.  Just look at my brother.  (wink, wink)

I know that:

God doesn't put you in a holding pattern to punish you, but to protect you.  

God takes us through "hubs" to prepare our hearts for where we are going, otherwise we won't be ready when we get there.  

Trusting God means crossing over the supernatural dateline.  His timing is perfect.  

What seems to be like a pointless or painful waiting room might be God's most productive workroom.


I will:

Resist the urge to complain and fill my situation with praise.  

And I will turn my waiting room into a workroom.  I don't have time for worrying...I've got to get moving!

This all being said, I would appreciate your prayers! 


(Credit to my NUMEROUS sermon notes...)

Monday

Today is Monday.  Not only is it Monday but my primary care doctor is sending me to an ENT today (1:00).  If you are reading this blog, you probably know that I struggle on and off with anxiety disorder SPECIFICALLY, health anxiety disorder so having an unidentified health issue is extra hard for me.  My doctor told me years ago not to "google" symptoms on the internet but, I couldn't help myself.  Never a good idea for Julie.  Our current sermon series at church has been called "Waiting Room".  It has been exactly what I needed to hear.  I highly recommend listening to the series if you find yourself in a holding pattern or a waiting room...or, if you just want to hear some good preachin'.  http://www.elevationchurch.org/sermons

I have mentioned before that Greta's vet has an office full of Maine Coon kitties.  They are the BIGGEST and most affectionate cats! (Greta is not a fan) I stole a few photos off of their Facebook page to share with you.  If you have a cat...I highly recommend 4 Seasons Cat Hospital.

Have a great day!  I'll let you know what the doctor says.  In the meantime I'm gonna turn my "waiting room" into a "productive room". 

Gracie

I follow Erin Vey (dog) Photography on Facebook.  She posted this picture of her Great Dane, Gracie, yesterday.  I wanted to share it with you. 

And here is your Sunday Scripture....

Genesis 2:2-3

² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

I've never been what you would consider "real smart", but, it seems to me that if God needed a day of rest then we probably do to.  Take some time to relax today. 

Greta Goes to the Vet

Greta hates going to the vet.  As usual, she peed in her carrier on the way there.  Thankfully, I know the secret.....puppy pee pads.  They are perfect.  When we get to the vet, you just throw them away and....voila!...no problem. 

Once again they did her whole exam in the scale.  When they picked her up out of her carrier and put her in the scale, she decided to stay there.  She looks relaxed in some of these pictures but she isn't.  She was shaking a little. 

 

Greta was happy to get out of there with the same number of teeth she had when she walked in.