The Life and Adventures of One Person

Bad Blogger

2008-06-23T19:52:00.001-05:00

I admit, I've been a very bad blogger. Abandoning it and you for 4 months. I'm sorry (rips back 4 perfectly good complicated rows of knitting as punishment........It's a knitter's thing).

Things have been busy here. First of all tackling computer issues. One dies and then had to get the other running. Then came my roommate having major surgery. Then moving into a 2 bedroom apartment using a car. No truck, no U-haul, just a car. Thankfully it was to the next building. That took a week. Yes a week to move my roommates apartment and get all my stuff out of storage. Oh and the 4 cats.

Oh and the SIAD fair. Robbyn and I pulled that off too. GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH. It was great though. We'll be taking it on the road now.

Once that all got settled, it was time for all the meetings to heat up. Our meetings are like alphabet soup. KTP, CTN/MRO, CAB, NAMI, SnB. Then one of those has 2 other meetings and one other has another meeting. I've also been appointed Vice president of one.

All through this though I've been knitting away. I don't have pics though because this comp doesn't cooperate with pics that well.

That's all for now.

YAY!!!!

2008-02-20T22:21:00.002-05:00

As a followup to the post done in red (and part in caps). Someone I can't stand has quit their job and will be leaving next week. She has been a nightmare since I met her.

Ugh!!

2008-02-14T22:43:00.000-05:00

R an i have both been sick as dogs all week.

2008-02-14T22:40:00.001-05:00

I can't go into specifics right now, but one of my unspoken MY DREAMS HAS COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy, Busy

2008-01-22T11:24:00.000-05:00

Alright, since right after Christmas "R," my roomate, and I have been working on tthe Self Injury Awareness Day Informational Fair. Things have been going smother this year than last year. A lot hast to do with the fact that we know what we're doing, I think.

Last year was our first year. As a result, we weren't sure of what we were doing, or our footing. Plus we has tons of work to do (getting the info, getting it presentable and ready, taking care of the mailing, etc.). We had a place we just didn't know where we stood (didn't want to overstep our bounds) even though we knew everyone that works there. This year we're prepared. Heck, the photocopying is about half done (a month before the fair). Also the invites are in the mail (also a month before the fair) Last year we were photocopying the day before the fair and invites went out the week before the fair.

I'm not saying it's going to be smooth seas, but a lot smoother than last years. Overall, I'm looking forward to Feb 29th. Ok a day before Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD), bit SIAD is on a Saturday so we had to do the fair a day early.

How's things going

2008-01-22T11:11:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, finally a minute or two to relax. How nice it is. An update from the previous post:

1 flat tire -- The tire has been fixed. Amazingly, the car dealership was the least expensive place.
1 deceased friend -- His memorial is today. I'm not going. I'd like to, but usually, when I go to memorial services, wakes, funerals, and the such, I end up in the ER. I don't go any more as a way to avoid that step.
3 Funny Stories -- Still laughing
1 ongoing family story/legend from christmas -- The "10 Pounds of Fudge" story/legend from christmas is still going strong, and has not ended yet.
4 cats still not getting along -- THey're getting along a little better day by day, but not playing together yet. At least they're not hissing or growling at each other constantly.
1 Informational fair in the planning -- Fair preparations are well under way (another post entirely).
1 call in to local sentaor -- The senator and I have been in touch and will be talking more.
1 proclamation request put in -- Still no word.
1 invite to previously mentioned fair on it's way to governor -- Also no word,
1 ticked off step-mom -- Same old, same old.
1 extremely happy maternal side of family (large family) -- I'm happy too. We've been in touch since May. It's great.

Here we are in 2008...

2008-01-08T23:19:00.001-05:00

...and it's off to in interesting start. Tally of events since New Years:
1 flat tire
1 deceased friend
3 Funny Stories
1 ongoing family story/legend from christmas
4 cats still not getting along
1 Informational fair in the planning
1 call in to local sentaor
1 proclamation request put in
1 invite to previously mentioned fair on it's way to governor
1 ticked off step-mom
1 extremely happy maternal side of family (large family)

So far this year is looking up, and busy. I have 8 or so meetings to attend a month related to boards and commitees.

2 months ... Wow!

2007-12-11T11:14:00.000-05:00

When you're apartment searching and moving 2 months fly right by.

Apartment update: My stuff is in storage and some of "R's." I'm at her place and we're going to start looking again next year. There's not much turnover in apartments right now with what we're looking for. THat's ok though. Everything is working out great. Cliona's adjusting (slowly).

A lot has beenen going on in the past 2 months. I've been going through Essentials of Legislative Advocacy Training, and Advanced Legislative Advocacy Training. It's extremely interesting. I've also gotten involved in the Medicaid Rehab Option (that's an extirely separate post to explain), the Connecticut Transformation Network (also another post to explain).

The Self-Injury Awareness Day project is going along nicely. "R" and I both had letters to the editor in the paper and we are talking to legislators. They're talking of raising a bill for us during our next legislative session. YES!

Family is still a bit of an issue. My step-mom is flipping out that I'm talking to my real-mom. My real-mom and her family are great and that is all going along wonderfully. We had a great Thanksgiving, "R" got to come too. We even had a birthday party for me Sunday and I'll be seeing my family on Thursday for my birthday too. "R" got to come to the birthday party Sunday, and is coming for Christmas also.

Like I said a lot has taken place. I'll post again soon. Until then have a Happy Holiday Season.

Apartment Hunting and Other Things

2007-10-17T22:13:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine ("R") and I have decided to become roommates. Our case mamagers our driving us nuts regarding finances, so we have decided to become roommates to save money and shut them up. Of course neither of our apartments is large enough for the other to move into. As a result we have to find a new apartment for both of us to move into.

We have a 2-3 town area that we are willing to live in. Of course in one town there are area that we will not live in because of drugs or the general saftey of the area. Our requirements for the apartment are that: it accepts cats and is on the bus line, is $1,000.00 or less a month, and has at least 2 bedrooms. Our preferences is that: it's on the 1st floor, has laundry on site, heat is included in the rent, and off street parking (my roommate has a car).

We looked at an apartment the other day. We weren't too crazy about it. We're looking at 2 or 3 other complexes tomorrow. "R" and I get along extremely well. She likes to cook, while I don't like to as much. Also I love to do dishes. We have plenty of furniture except bookcases.

One of the most interesting parts of the whole move is going to be getting our pets used to each other. We made the first move the other day by bringing CLiona over to her place to meet her cats. If you consider Cliona hissing and growling just about the whole time going well ... Then it went well :P Whatever the case is they'll just have to get used to each other. It'll all work out.

I'll Miss You Jimmy

2007-10-05T22:28:00.000-05:00

A wonderful local man passed away this week. His name was Jimmy. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for the past several years. The past 3 or so is when I got to really know him. At first one might not think much of him, but once you get to know him... WOW! One of the local papers ran a beautiful article about him.

I saw him at the end of last week and he seemed to be doing well. When I got back downtown on Tuesday, I found out he had passed the day before.

Jimmy may you rest in peace and have all the things you want. At least everyday will be a nice day to sit outside.

What a Week

2007-09-19T21:04:00.000-05:00

Phone back in order...check. Electric on...check. Job...still looking. All bills paid....check. Still sane after everything this week... questionable.

I'll tell you since Wednesday of last week things can't get much crazier. I was a space cadet but thanks to the help of friends and family, the phone is back. I spent the weekend at my mom's. It was a much needed break from my normal life. Except my knitting group I needed that. Having Stitch n Bitch (SnB) withdrawls now. Hey it's been 2 weeks since I've been to SnB what can I say.

Over the weeked though I did get a bit done though. I got to visit with family, do some shopping (at mom's insistence, she paid), work the phone thing out, and get some time away from everything so I could think.

Then came Monday. I went for my weekly get toether with my employment specalist. When I got home I went down to get my mail, but was signaled that it wasn't a good time so I went back upstairs. Apparently the night before the half-sister of the 2 kids (I think of them as my niece and nephew) I used to baby-sit died. It's being ruled as a homicide. The baby's uncle confessed to killing her. No wonder it wasn't a good time to get my mail. So yeah now there's this going on.

You can also throw in my father giving me a hard time over the phone. Not because I didn't tell him. Rather because it happened. I'm supposed to be this perfect child of his. Ok, I'm an adult and I know i have to take responsibility for my actions. But don't I get to make a few mistakes in my life? Cripes, I know I've had a bad few months. My father needs to give me a break though. I know he has made his share of mistakes. Don't I get to?

I've got to have a chat with him. I'm tired of feeling like walking on eggshells with him to keep him happy. Grrrrrr. I love my parents. They make me nuts though.

Life.....Gahhhhh

2007-09-13T13:36:00.000-05:00

My phone is out of order. I forgot to pay the bill. Wrote the checks and all, but forgot to send them in. Oops! I'm ok. Don't know if I'll make it to SnB this weekend as I might be handling family obligations. If I don't make it this weekend I'll try to get there Wednesday. I'm going to start having SNB withdrawls soon since I go weekly but family and Petition things ahve kept me away. :P I'll try to get to the library as much as possible to check in.On the bright side I'm getting more knitting done to relieve my stress.

2007-08-23T22:27:00.000-05:00

This means a great deal to me. As much as if not more than Knitting (for those that know how knitting and I am).

I used to Self Injure and have recovered. It's not easy. Approximately 2 million people in the United States self injure annually. It recognizes no barrier. In other words, It's not limited to any one group of people.

Globally those that know about Self Injury Awareness Day recognize it on March 1. The thing is no national governments officially recognize it. As far as I know only the states of New Mexico and Connecticut recognize it.

Public awareness is one way to shed light on this growing problem. In an effort to reduce the stigma and help reduce some of the myths. It can also help those who self injure along with their family and friends get and/or find treatment. Such treatments can be: individual and/or group therapy, medications, or support groups, just to name a few. That is what we want in getting National recognition with this day.

If you want to help would you please sign the petition here.

Thank You so much. Like I said it means a lot to me. My friends and I are the ones behind this petition.

If you have questions you can comment here or email me at: CTSelfInjuryAwarenessProject at gmail dot com

Allergies...Ugh!

2007-08-23T21:55:00.000-05:00

I don't know what is in bloom. Whatever it is though....Please go away! My allergies are off the wall. So much that my nose hurts on the inside! I feel like death warmed over. I can't go 5 minutes without using a tissue.

Apparently I don't look so hot either. People today have even been asking me if I'm ok because I don't look like I do.

I'm not sick, just miserable with allergies. Someone get rid of whatever is blooming....PLEASE!!!

New Favorite Artist

2007-08-21T23:35:00.000-05:00

I have a new favorite artist. His name is Josh woodward. You have got to check out his site. It's www.joshwoodward.com. He's great.

2007-08-20T23:48:00.000-05:00

Click here to create your own painting.

Confused

2007-08-20T23:33:00.000-05:00

I'm so confused and lost. I mentioned in a previous post about my being at a crossroads in my mental health. I'm changing providers, and it's a big change for me. Well, I took the next step today.

I had my intake appointment at my new provider. It felt so weird. I know it's the right move and it's the right time. It just feels so strange. It's like I'm leaving home. Actually it was easier to move out into my own place. I'm just so nervous about it.

The lady that did my intake was really great though. I'll be seeing her next Monday to finish it up. I also know I'm going to a good place. It has a good reputation.

Sigh...I always knew this time would come. It's here and I just have to get through it. I will too. One thing mindfully. That's what I have to keep in mind.

2007-08-15T22:43:00.000-05:00

Well, this time next month I'll have been discharged from the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) most likely. My therapist is starting the paperwork today or tomorrow. It's a bitersweet happening. I'll still have a prescriber for my meds and a therapist. I'll aso still have my RH case manager.

Still though. SMHA (the LMHA) is the place that has had me the longest. THey've been where I've gotten my DBT group, meds, and therapy. Without them I don't know where I'd be right now. Six years ago I started a downward spiral with my mental health. They're the ones that caught me and kept me from falling through the cracks.

THat's why it's so bittersweet for me to be leaving. It means I'm doing well. I don't need that intensive of a level of care. Honestly haven't needed that level for a while. They've been holding on to me though. It's hard though because it means I'm leaving those that know me best. They know my warning signs for a crisis as well as if not better than me. I'm going to have to break new providers in. Once I leave it also means I can't have my therapist again. That's all going to be tough. That's life though.

Guess I'm going to have to figure out how to deal. This will definitley put my skill to the test.

Going on a Playdate and I have no kids

2007-08-08T22:19:00.000-05:00

Ok so how does one go on a playdate when they have no kids. Simple. THe other 2 moms are knitters and you don't mind being around the kids.

Let me backup. I have no car. One of my knitting friends is on vacation and the other is a SAHM. My friend on vacation put the idea of a playdate out there earlier this week. I agred to the idea. Last night I had an email talking about getting together today. I was up for it. So my friend that was on vacation picked me up on the way to our other friend's house and we all got together. The kids had a playdate while we got to knit. Life is good.

Even better is that my friend Kristy got to move on to the next round of Jukebox Hero. YAY Kristy!!!!

So Cool

2007-08-08T22:17:00.000-05:00

This is So Cool

http://thekidnappedcanopener.blogspot.com/

I think it's a wonderful Idea

Med update and friend

2007-08-07T22:42:00.000-05:00

It's been just over a week since my meds were adjusted. So far things have been going great. My depression has lifted. I'm not manic either. Being bipolar I'm always nervous when we increase either or both of my antidepressants. More than once have I gone from depressed to manic from a slight increase in my meds. Thankfully I don't think that is going to happen this time around.

My case manager has returned from vacation. I was supposed to get a couple things done last week. When I saw her today I told her that I dodn't get them done and why (depression). She completely understood. Hey it's not often that this happens with me now. I handled everything I needed to and kept out of trouble. That's good. If it were a couple years ago... let's not think about it.

On the other hand, one of my friends ended up in the hospital. She got out today thankfully. I went up to see her yesterday though. It was funny though. Since I had been on the unit at one time, there was a question as to wether or not i could visit. It's been 4 years people. Yes I can. Your limit is 1 year minimum. I lived up to my nickname of "Trouble" though. They wouldn't let my friend have chocolate. Visitors can't bring food (even if prepackaged and unsealed) from the outside in.

Now, I had been a frequent flier there so I know the routine. There are some things that you don't forget in 4 years. So I brought my friend books (allowed). They didn't know though that I had a chocolate bar in my bra. While my friend and I visited I snuck the chocolate out of my bra (even was able to block the camera with my bag) and into my coat. I then left my coat with her. A bunch of the staff that was on yesterday knew me so we got to chat too. They forgot all about the coat apparently and she was able to enjoy the chocolate. That's how my friend and I lived up to our nicknames of "Trouble and Double Trouble". Ok I understand the unit's logic, but sometimes it goes too far and you just have to bend the rules.

So I'm doing better, back to my usual mischief making self. My friend is doing the same.

Bat Season Continues

2007-08-03T22:29:00.000-05:00

Yep, I has yet another creature this morning. I woke up around 2 this morning to go to the bathroom. Walking through the kitchen, I saw something fly by. I thought it was a moth. I should have known better. Went to the bathroom then went back to bed.

I was in bed for just a few seconds and heard a flapping noise. I lay there saying to my self "It can't be...It just can't be." Once I heard it again I looked and saw something fly by and turned on the light. Yep, I had a bat. Cliona who was on the fool of my bed decided to give chase.

They went into the hall. THe bat came back and I shut the door. Succeeding in shutting the bat and I in my room. Cliona ran into the door and Meowed like crazy to get in. Rememnbering my landlord telling me to open my windows (screens) in this event the last time I crawled out of bed and did just that. Then crawled across my room for a towel, then back near the window. I then spent 30 min cowering while my little guest flew around my room. Finally it went out the window.

I don't want any more this summer.

Load off the Shoulders

2007-07-30T23:50:00.000-05:00

I had my med eval yesterday (Monday). I periodically meet with the APRN that prescribes my psych meds to make sure that everything is going well. I've been stable on them for a while (couple years) and haven't needed any adjusting. They (nurse and staff) also know my well enough to know that I'll yell if anything is going on and if I feel an adjustment is needed.

This appointment couldn't have had better timing though. I didn't have to set an appointment up. It was already made. THat's what I meant in the menaing department. I've been depressed for the past few weeks. It's been getting worse too. I would have said something sooner if I didn't think it was hormones. Also it's manageable. I spoke up today and we've increased one of my meds. I sure hope this does it and it doesn't mean having to find a new one.

Well, off to play with the cat (sleepless here).

Water Dilemma

2007-07-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

He he he he. What's worse that it being hazy, hot (90+ degrees out), humid, and an air conditioner that doesn't cut it? Not being able to take a shower. At least for me the past day.

It all started yesterday evening when my landlord brought dinner to the shop. He mentioned that there was a leak in the basement. Between my depression and migraine I managed to forget about it. So I get home and all I want to do is take a shower. Noone tells me that you can't sue the shower so I take one. A nice, long, cold one. It helped with my migraine.

Well as soon as I step out I hear my landlady's granddaughter calling up the stairs to me. I ask her to come back up in a minute as I'm in the bathroom. That's when I get told, "Don't use the water. It's spraying all over the front yard!" I sak "Ok!" and think Oops. Guess I gave a couple people a shower. half an hour later I get word that I there's no water for the night. I can deal with that. THis morning the same. The water was back tonight. To make things a little more amusing, or not, it wasn't regular water, but sewage!!

I Want Out!

2007-07-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

I've had it with the week. Actually the month. It's just been one of those months. More bad news and frustrations than good.

In things regarding knitting things are going well. Cliona's behaving for the most part. If it's not related to that, it seems to be bad news or fustration.

Can I scream yet?!?!?! I'm actually contempating asking for an increase in a medication. I've had that type of a month.

Is this week over yet?

2007-07-24T22:52:00.000-05:00

I've had it with this week already. It wasn't only almost spraining my ankle today not once but 3 times that did me in.

It was more seeing the guy that molested me back in 2001 while we were patients in the hospital on the same unit. On top of that the staff at the hospital treated me like it was my fault. Took my privleges away and let him keep his. I can handle that. It was him saying "Do you remember that night?" to me when he saw me today. That just sent my week over the edge. I didn't say anything to him before he said that to me or after.

On the bright side, DBT is over. Someone please speed the week up though so it's Friday night and the weekend is here.

2007 Bat Season Has Officially Begun Here

2007-07-20T22:21:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's late July, and bat season has started as of lass than 30 minutes ago. What am I rambling about? In case you don't know/remember about last year, I had several Bat adventures. Yes the winged creatures. They varied from me running down to my landlord and landlady for help, to very close encounters with bats such as having one land on me. So, A short time ago I'm sitting here on my bed, minding my business, surfing the net, when all of a sudden a bat flies from the hall into my room. Needless to say I'm startled (understating it a bit) when the creature comes back towards me and flies not 3 feet from me and Cliona. She runs into the Living Room while I scream. Somehow I manage to get out of bed, put shorts on and get downstairs. All while knowing it's rather late to be bugging my landlord and lady.

When I get to them I apologize about the time. They also know if I'm down to see them at this time of night it's gotta be something major (or winged). I then tell them I have an unwanted winged creature upstairs in my bedroom. THankfuly my landlord came up to handle it. Man are my landlord and lady great people. Especially to put up with a tennant coming to them a bit after 11 at night aver a bat.

TGIS after the Past couple Weeks

2007-07-07T22:18:00.000-05:00

Sigh! I'm more for Saturdays than Fridays hence TGIS rather than TGIF. The past couple weeks have been non-stop. Heck last Sunday I thought it was Monday it was so non-stop. I've been out looking for a job with my employment specalist on Mondays. THankfully there was no group a week ago Tuesday. I did watch the shop that night though. THe next day was a marathon meeting day.

My friends and I are working on a new Self-Injury Awareness project. THe first meeting regarding that was a week ago Wednesday. It was me, 2 friends, a very nice woman who contacted me through my website, and a staff member form the LMHA. We came up with quite the list of things to do and people to contact for support. Right after that was the CAB meeting where we had a training. You can throw in a media training the next day as well as watching the shop again at night. Friday there was something that I can't remember as well as family visiting.

Saturday was the usual Stitch n Bitch. Then housework and laundry as my place was a mess and i had no clothes. Needless to say I needed SUnday to sleep once I figured out what day it was to prepare for this week.

Monday was more of the same for Mondays. I had enough to do for the week that I needed to get out of my usual Tuesdays so I could go grocery shopping with my friends and run more errands. Remember having no car makes errands take longer. Also the city was having it's 4th of July festivities that day so I stopped at the marina to see how my firends were doing at their table. You can throw in going to the fireworks that night.

My neighbor was nice enough to invite me to go along with him (no romantic prospects) to the movies on the 4th. We saw Pirates of the Carribean 3 at the Providence place Mall. Hence me discovering the hand dryers in the rpevious post. Yesterday involved me walking all over town in flip flios and 90 degrees out between appointments and errands when the bus wasn't nearby or expected soon. I was going for 6 hours.

I was more than happy for this morning and an extended knitting group. Also a quieter week this upcoming week. Phew!

Coolest Hand Dryer!

2007-07-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

You have to check this site out. It's the coolest hand dryer I've ever seen and used. They have it over at the Providence Place Mall. Talk about drying your hands fast!

http://www.dysonairblade.co.uk/what/how/?sinavtype=inpage

What a month

2007-06-20T23:55:00.000-05:00

And It's only 2/3 through. Cliona has peed on my Wool Handknit Aran sweater that dad brought back from Ireland in 97 because she didn't like the cat litter I bought. I've done battle with the local library and won (long story I will tell at another time). I have a new Self-Injury project launching soon with the help of other people. It started through someone contacting me through my website. THe website has been updated. Gahhhhhhhh.

One of those rollercoaster weeks

2007-06-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

It was busy, happy, and sad. All in one week. Oh and throw in a tad of some Irish temper getting fired up.

For the sad, my firends have 2 Alaskan Malamutes. One is a puppy and the other is 8 1/2 years old. Around the middle of May, Nikita, the 8 1/2 year old suddenly became extremely ill. After much testing it turned out that she had lymphoma. She started chemotherapy. Within a week of her first chemo dose she started having a problem with the leg that they gave the chemo in. At first the vets said it was an infection, then gangrene, then thy didn't know what it was. It was thought that they had it under control and getting better. It was still a mystery though as to what she had. Well Wednesday night it got real bad and she had to go back to the vets. She was too far gone and she was put down Thursday afternoon. The cancer didn't get her...it actually was in remission...the infection got her. We all miss her naturally. Aponi, the puppy, is really distraught though. Today she got a suprise...she has a new friend to play with. My friends got a new puppy to help Aponi get through the loss of Nikita. Aponi has never been alone, so hopefully this will cheer her up.

For the busy, I spent last sunday at my Mom Debbie's. While there i got to see Mom Debbie's Significant other. Paul and her have been together for over 10 years, but don't plan on getting married. My state doesn't do common law marriages. I also got to see one of my Aunt's, her boyfriend, 2 of his grandkids, 2 of my cousins, and my grandmother (i call nanny). I got to see nanny for the first time in 4 years a week ago yesterday. for Paul, my Aunt and cousins it was my first time seeing them in 4 years. For my Aunt's boyfriend and his 2 grandkids it was my first time meeting them. We all had fun and lots of laughs.

Yesterday Mom Debbie and my Aunt came down to see me. They brought me a stereo and Bureau. Yay!!! For the first time in years I have a bureau to put my clothes in. For the past few years I've had to hang everything that won't fit on shelves. THis means that cliona will get to have a new hising spot by the end of the month too as I'm getting another one for linens.

As if that didn't keep me busy enough, I has a table at a Self-Help Resource Fair Wednesday regarding the Dichroic Glass pendants I make. I also had a hand in another table as 90 - 95% of the information they had at the table is stored here at my place.

I sure hope next week is quieter.

Fruits for me to Avoid Or Else

2007-05-29T23:11:00.000-05:00

Armadillo Fruit -- Chrysophyllum soboliferum
Arrowroot -- Canna edulis
Avocado -- Persea americana
Banana -- Musa acuminata
Banana Passion Fruit -- Passiflora mollissima
Blue Passion Flower -- Passiflora caerulea
Breadfruit -- Artocarpus altilis
Camellia -- Camellia pitardii
Carob -- Ceratonia siliqua
Cattley Guava -- Psidium cattleianum
Ceylon Gooseberry -- Dovyalis hebecarpa
Chico Sapote -- Makilkara zapota
Chilean Guava -- Ugni molinae
Coconut -- Cocos nucifera
Costa Rican Guava -- Psidium friedrichsthalianum
Dragon Fruit -- Hylocereus undatus
Egg Fruit -- Pouteria campechiana
Golden Kiwi -- Actinidia chinensis
Grape Leaved Passion Fruit -- Passiflora vitifolia
Green Sapote -- Pouteria viridis
Guarana -- Paullinia cupana
Guava -- Psidium guajava
Hardy Kiwi -- Actinidia arguta
Horse Mango -- Mangifera foetida
Kiwi -- Actinidia chinensis
Koa Haole -- Leucaena leucocephala
Lemon Guava -- Psidium cattleanium lucidum
Mamey Sapote -- Pouteria sapota
Mamoncillo -- Meliococcus bijigatus
Mango -- Mangifera indica
Mangosteen -- Garcinia mangostana
Manila Tamarind -- Pithecellobium dulce
Miracle Fruit -- Synsepalum dulcificum
Mountain Papaya -- Carica pubescens
Mountain Persimmon -- Diospyros montana
Mountain Soursop -- Annona montana
Native Passion Fruit -- Passiflora herbertiana
Oak Leaved Papaya -- Carica quercifolia
Pacay -- Inga feuillei
Papaya -- Carica papaya
Para Guava -- Psidium acutangulum
Passion Fruit -- Passiflora edulis
Perfume Guava -- Campomanesia lineatifolia
Persimmon -- Diospyros kaki
Peruvian Apple Cactus -- Cereus repandus
Pineapple -- Ananas comosus
Pineapple Guava -- Feijoa sellowiana
Pomegranate -- Punica granatum
Prickly Pear -- Opuntia ficus-indica
Sapote -- Pouteria sapota
Sartre Guava -- Calyptropsidium sartorianum
Seashore Mangosteen -- Garcinia hombroniana
Soursop -- Annona muricata
South American Sapote -- Quararibea cordata
Star Apple -- Chrysophyllum cainito
Star Fruit -- Averrhoa carambola
Strawberry Guava -- Psidium cattleanium
Sunsapote -- Licania platypus
Tamarillo -- Cyphomandra betacea
Tamarind -- Tamarindus indica
Tourist Pineapple -- Pandanus tectorius
White Passion Flower -- Passiflora subpeltata
White Sapote -- Casimiroa edulis
Wooly-Leaved Sapote -- Casimiroa tetrameria
Yellow Sapote -- Pouteria campechiana
Yellow Strawberry Guava -- Psidium cattleanium lucidum

CAB Annual Dinner

2007-05-23T22:02:00.000-05:00

We (the Community Advisory Board) had our Annual Dinner tonight. It was a blast. We gave out our usual awards, some extra awards, had the usual entertainment, a Keynote peaker, and wonderful food. As usual there was a lot of joking around. My parents attended as my guests and they had fun too. I received an award for recognition of the work I did on Self-Injury Awareness (proclamation and fair), flowers and my therapist gave me a plant. A friend and I read the nomination we wrote up about our group leader. She didn't receive the award, but is the agency Nurse of the Year.

I'm also Secretay for another year as well as reappointed to another 3 years to the board.

Mom Debbie Reunion

2007-05-16T22:07:00.000-05:00

Everything went great. Mom was down for 2-3 hours. There was no tension or akwardness. I will admit I was nervous before she got here. At first we stayed here showing her my place, meeting cliona, showing her my knitting (she knits too), catching up more, and talking about knitting.

We later went to Tim Horton's for coffee and crossiants. We continued to catch up and had many laughs. Then returned back to my place for a little while. When Mom got home she called me to let me knw she had a good time and all. We're still talking 1-2 times a week and are getting together on Friday.

I'm also talking to my grandma (Nanny) and aunt.

2007-05-04T22:37:00.000-05:00

I got sick of Juile last Saturday when I got home and found out that she didn't need me and lied aobut trying to reach me all week. I basically said that's it in a way. She said in a voicemail that was left after I had left for SnB (when she knew I was gone and not going to get it till too late) to go and have a good time with my friends. So...I'm going and havinga good time with my friends this weekend. Some friends of mine are picking me up this weekend from SnB and we're hanging out. Julie had to make other arrangements for the kids. Oh well. Her problem not mine. At least I had the courtesy to give her notice, unlike she gave me. Chances are I'll be with my family next weekend. Guess it's not so great to be her. Second of all, I am back in touch with "Egg Donor." I'm referring to her as "Mom Debbie" that way I can still call my step-mom "Mom" and not confuse the heck out of everyone. We'll be meeting Sunday for coffee. Don't worry everyone. I'm being careful and not getting my hopes up. I'm also not telling Mom and Dad till September. My friend Robbyn and I had fun with the security guy this week where we go Tuesdays. He was on vacation last week so he heard all about his poor fill-in's. Plus we're were our usual selves (nicknamed Trouble & Double-Trouble where we go Tuesdays). So it's been a fun week.Looking forward to Diane, Robbyn and I going to the Book Barn tomorrow afternoon. We may even go to Dagmars. Two non-knitters taking a knitter to a yarn store....this will be interesting if it happens.

Happy Birthday Cliona

2007-05-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

Yep it was 3 years ago today this little fluffball was born. Yes that's her as a kitten. 10 weeks old to be exact. This is her now.

Where did my little baby go. She certianly still acts like a kitten. Spoiled and Mischevious too.

Am I Loosing Being Patient & More than Fair?

2007-04-27T21:31:00.000-05:00

I know I've posted about the kids and my babysitting sagas. Well, I've hit my limit with the mom. I don't get the common courtesy of being told when she doesn't need me 95% of the time. Yesterday was a perfect example.

I'm all set to watch the kids. Even ready to go before they get off hte bus. Have I been told that the mom's boyfriend is now watching them on Thursdays? No. Not at all. Not even given an indication. I find out by going up to the car and the mom ("J") rolling down her window and asking me if I wanted a ride down to the shop. Today when I'm talking to her mom, her mom mentions something about the kids being busy this weekend. THat I might want to call "J." I've called "J" and left her a message knowing I won't hear from her before I leave for knitting in the morning even though I said in the message it's ok to call me when she gets out of work and wake me up.

I've hit the point that I'm going to tell "J: that I'm going to go on in my life and make plans. If she needs me, to give me 24 hours notice minimum and I'll watch the kids unless it's a weekend I'm going to my parents. On those weeks though I will make sure I have other arrangements set up though. Am I being fair? This happens so many times, me not getting the courtesy of being told. Or am I just being a frustrated person.

Kids!!!

2007-04-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

I'm on the verge of quitting babysitting the 10 "C" and 13 "N"year olds. I'm actually at the pint of issiung an ultimatium. This is what's gone on the past couple weeks to cause me to get to this point.

One Wednesday a couple weeks back I get Nand C off the bus from school. Everything goes fine at first. That is till they go outside, play, and I go to the bathroom. In the couple minutes I was in the bathroom they start to fight outide. N comes in gets the phone and calls his grandmother instead of getting me. That issue gets resolved.

Not 10 minutes later they are in the kitchen and I hear C yelling at N to get away from her. I go to find out whats going on and C says that N went to hit her with the Wiffle ball bat. N says he was playing with the dog. Whatever the deal...why does he have the bat in the house. Also C is on the counter away from him and the dog is away from him too. I tell N to give me the bat. He says "NO." I'm now in the middle of the kitchen and mad at him and the way he's talking to me (not new for him, but new for him to me). I look at C and tell her to go into the living room. I tell N to give me the bat again and he refuses so I take it from him and tell him to get in the office, and announce that noone is going out to play. He says he doesn't have to listen to me and walks outside. I've had it and call his grandfather. In the meantime their mom calls and I tell her what's going on. She gets there and picks up the kids.

It's now 3 days later and I have the kids for the night. N's already in a bad mood. I'm having a hard time as I'm dealing with the new's of my cousin's baby's loss. N and C's mom leaves for work. Not 5 minutes later N goes into C's room and get's her game system and brings it into her system. They start fighting over it. I try to end it with a couple options as I don't know what the rule is as to where it is supposed to be. Yet again N gets nasty with me. I call his mom to find out the rule and she says to take it out of both their rooms. Things escalate, N won't give it to me and his mom has to call N's grandfather. Thankfully the takes N for the night. In the meantime I get the game system by rtemoving his hand from it and and getting threatened by N.

Which brings us to tonight. Before I even get there tonight to watch the kids I get yelled at and N is off the wall. I'm in tears and an anxious stressed out wreck. I actually had to tell the kids grandmom that I couldn't handle it tonight. Between the kid being so wriled up, knowing I was going to be left with him in that kind of mood, and me being yelled at for no reason, I just couldn't take it. I was an emotional wreck. Which leads to my ultimatium. Either the kid goes back on his medication (which he needs) and striaghtens out his act, or I quit watching them.

Wow

2007-04-17T21:33:00.000-05:00

I havent't talked to my biological mom in 4 years next month. I've had a lot of anger towards her. Way too much to get into here. You'd have to had known me along time to know all the anger. My anger is the reason that I took to calling her the "Egg Donor." Well today that all changes. She is no longer the "Egg Donor" but Mom. To keep from confusing people though here I'll be saying "Mom Debbie" so that you wont be getting confued between her and my step-mom (Mom). So, what happened?

A combonation of things got this ball rolling. A couple weeks ago I heard the song "Mother and Child Reunion." It got me thinking and over the past couple weeks getting back in touch with my Mom Debbie has been on my mind off and on (more on than off). Also somewhere in the past 48 hours my feelings softened incredibly. I think the death of my cousins baby had something to do with it.

SO today I had DBT. When we were reviewing one of the skills (we review 1 a week) the notion came into my head again. So when it came time for "Skills Coaching" where someone brings up a topic that they need help with I brought the topic up.

We spent a good amount of the group working on this and when we were done it ended up that I was going to do the pros and cons of a few different tactics. I was then going to meet with my therapist over what I came up with next week.

Well somewhere between this afternoon and evening that all changed. I did do the pros and cons in my head and decided to call my Mom Debbie. We spoke for about an hour. It went great. Then I called Nanny (Grandmother, I've called her Nanny ever since I was a toddler). That went great too. I'm happy about doing it and just wish I came to my senses earlier.

So, the "Egg Donor" is now "Mom Debbie"

2007-04-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

All was going fine until after I got back from knitting. That's when everything went to hck in a handbasket and I'm still trying to put myself back together. I call him my cousin (he's Mom's sister's son) and his wife have been expecting a baby. The baby was due Sunday. I made a blanket for the baby. Well, the baby died. One day everything is going along nice and smoothly. The due date is less than a week away. Everything goes perfectly fine at the doctor's office. THe next day the baby is dead. He didn't even get to be born alive. How cruel can life be? Give me all the rationale you want, it's not going to help right now. Plus I had to babysit and the 13 year old was being a pain int the butt. I'm at the point of telling his mom that if he gets out of line like he has been this past week a few more times she can find herself a new sitter. I'VE HAD IT WITH KIDS THAT THINK THEY CAN TALKBACK AND GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING!!!Yes I'm in a bad mood. Don't even get me going on the other people at the electric company today (customers not employees).
Mood:beyond irate

weekend sucked

2007-04-15T22:56:00.000-05:00

my cousin and his wife's baby died. need i say more. the worst part is it died right before it was born. it was 3 days from it's due date.

What a past couple weeks

2007-04-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

It's been a little busy here to say the least. I've finally gotten over being sick. That took a wonderful month. It's still been busy here. I'm babysitting 1 afternoon and 2 nights a week. Plus my group, advisory board, it's committees (I've joined 2 Ad Hoc committees), and all the other things in life.
Babysitting is going along smoothly for the most part. With the kids at least. I say the kids bit because last weekend I had a little problem with the adults downstairs. I had only 1 of the kids as the other one was spending the night elsewhere. The child (10 yrs) and I were asleep and I wake up hearing slamming doors, yelling and whatnot downstairs (I watch the kids at their home). I go down and politely ask the people downstairs to quietdown as I have a child upstairs trying to sleep as well as I am. Also it's midnight. Half an hour later they're still going at it and throwing things. I've had it and go down to tell them that the cops are being called. It's reached beyond rediculious. I'm begged not to. The guy across the hall tells them that if they make 1 more noise he'll call the cops. A fistfight breaks out within seconds so the guy and I both call the cops. I've also told the child who they woke up to get her things together. I was taking her to my place. THankfully her mom leaves her car for emergencies. Apparently when the cops showed up some people ran, but the people that didn't got mouthy with the police and ended up getting arrested. Hopefully things quiet down and I adjust to the new schedule soon. Yeah it's been 2 months and I still haven't adjusted to not being home 2 nights a week. At least the kids are good when they're with me and I can knit while there.

It was an adventure today

2007-03-22T23:05:00.000-05:00

That is for sure. I went to Dagmar's for the first time. It's a yarn store. Yes a store that sells yarn and things related to knitting. A true knitters paradise. I managed to spend over $50.00 and not feel guilty over it. For me that's a feat. I got 10 skiens of yarn. Ten skiens that I wouldn't be able to get in regular stores and half of those skiens were on sale.

On the way home on the bus I got stuck n traffic from a tractor trailer rollover. Here and here tells a little about it. THe second link providing an interesting conversation after the article. It provided a welcome change of pace in the ride.

This bus ride made me wonder, why do I want a car? There's always an adventure on the bus. Be it drivers telling deserving passengers off, getting stuck in strange places, or just traffic jams. Just follow the rules, don't annoy or in any way irritate the drivers, and make friends with the drivers and you'll have a fun trip.

Interesting week

2007-03-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

Let's see, cooking corned beef for the first time, getting stuck at the local prison, yelling at one of the kids I watch, having a quick hear to heart with same kid in the same night, calling the police asking for a saftey check, getting stuck twice at the lab, and getting a reputation at the docs office. I'd say it was a well rounded week. I'll break it all down.

Corned beef -- I've never made it before. My mom always makes it and I love it. Since I couldn't be with my family yesterday I thought I'd make it myself. The cooking impaired one making a big dinner like that with a smoke detector that goes off at the drop of a hat. The stove, me, meat, and everything else survived thankfully. In fact it went well enough I'm planning on doing it again next year for the whole family.

Getting stuck at the prison -- This should have been a sign to me yesterday morning that the day was not going to run smoothly. The bus I take to knitting goes into the prison each time by. I have no clue why but it does. Near the entrance there's a little circle it can go around, but the drivers have been told not to. This driver decides to anyways. Also there's a pickup truck in the circle. The driver cuts it too short and the rear wheel goes up over the curb. Thanks to the watterlogged ground with snow on top of it as soon as he jumps the curb the bus got stuck in the mud. No just stuck though. That rear tire was buried up to the axle. Rather the axle was resting on the curb. Thank you driver. We can't go anywhere. A mechanic comes and confirms this, brings us pasesngers to where other busses get together hourly so we can all continue with our day and the bus got towed out.

THe kids -- also I had kid duth last night and one of them was in a bad mood and I had to be the mean babysitter instead of my usual nice and fun side. Telling the kid that they're going to bed early, all that lovely jazz. Not 30 min later I'm having to have a heart to heart with the same kid over a scene in a movie that was on TV.

Calling the police -- R and I hadn't heard from D all week and we were worried about her. She wasn't answering her phone or returning our calls. What does the crisis team tell me to do when I call? I get told to call the police and ask for them to go out and do a saftey check on her. By the way we were in the middle of a winter storm at the time. THe police were nice enough to take all the info and told me that they would but it would be a while. In the meantime D calls. So I had to get her off the phone so i can call the police back and tell them that D called and is ok.

I sure hope that this upcoming week is quiet.

2007-03-14T20:58:00.000-05:00

well, the place is still standing and I cooked my first corned beef. go figure. what next

Feeling Better

2007-03-07T21:36:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling better. No longer feeling like death warmed over then run over by a semi. Finally staying out of bed and back to knitting. Went to the docs. Have a minor ear infection. I can deal with that. It's better than the flu.

2007-03-07T21:30:00.001-05:00

Your Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous!You drink everyone under the table.

Who's" Your Inner European?

2007-03-06T03:29:00.000-05:00

Ugh! I've managed to catch the virus that's going around. It's not a pleasant one. Ok being sick is never pleasant, but I haven't been this miserable in ages. I feel like death warmed over and like I've been run over by a semi at the same time. My sleep schedule is all messed up because of all the sleep I've been getting.

Heck I even called yesterday evening to say that I wouldn't be at group today. I sure hope I feel better by Thursday. I'm supposed to babysit then.

Completey Worth Doing

2007-03-02T05:01:00.001-05:00

It was tons of hard work, but isn’t that part of what the bst things in life entail. We had 54 people attend which is good for a first time event. I’m really pleased. We’re (my friends and staff have also mentioned) talking about doing it again next year. One thing I’m changing is starting working on it earlier.

See more progress on: survive helping put together an infomational fair

3 days to go

2007-02-27T00:20:00.000-05:00

3 days until the fair that is. There's still a fair amount of stuff to do.

1.) Still have to finish making a list of things that help and don't help during a crisis
2.) Make copies of the previously mentioned items and 2 other things. One of which is a packet of information and will take a while to copy.
3.) Make a sign explaining that orange is the color recognizing Self Injury and telling people that they can take ribbons.
4.) Put pins in said ribbons. We're talking about putting pint in about 300 ribbons.
5.) Make a sign in sheet and copy it
6.) Find a container for the ribbons
7.) Finish knitting the 2nd cup cozy.
8.) Attach business cards to 2 of the door prizes
9.) Lastly remember to bring all of this to the fair along with master copies in case more copies are needed.

Oh and I have 2 meeting to attend Wednesday evening (night before the fair) and my regular 2 appointments on Tuesday. Plus I usually go to the shop on Tuesday night.

Fair Update

2007-02-22T22:43:00.000-05:00

My friends and I have a handle on the fair. It may be a small handle, but it's a handle. We're a week away and we still have to:

1.) Make a list of things that help and don't help during a crisis
2.) Print out 1 more information sheet
3.) Make copies of the 2 previously mentioned items and 1 other thing which is a packet of information and will take a while to copy.
4.) My friend has to make 6 candles
5.) I have to make a stained glass box and turn it into a Zen Garden
6.) Locate a basket
7.) Make a sign explaining that certian items are for display only
8.) Make a sign explaining that orange is the color recognizing Self Injury and telling people that they can take ribbons.
9.) Put pins in said ribbons
10.) Make a sign giving credit to stores that we bought items at for raffle
11.) Make a sign in sheet and copy it
12.) Lastly remember to bring all of this to the fair along with master copies in case more copies are needed

Does anyone have some extra sanity they can spare. Oh and to make it all a little more interesting, one friend and I have a board meeting the night before.

P.S. Throw in knit 2 cup cozies.

Apone's Here

2007-02-21T23:27:00.000-05:00

Yay!!! The puppy has arrived. She's so adorable. That's it.

No Incentive To Buy A House ...

2007-02-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

...at least after last week. Words can't tell you how happy I was when my landlord and lady walked back into the house yesterday evening. While they were away:1.) the furnace died. consequently "J" had to have repair men come out and fix it.2.) the furnace apparently died again, but my landlord was able to get it running again.3.) a breaker blew and no matter what we tried we couldn't get it to come back on.4.) a winter storm came through.5.) we had no salt for the sidewalk and barely enough sand for here.6.) the shovel for here was missing in action.7.) i was getting called from another property that the person that shovels dovn there hadn't shoveld and it was icing.8.) i got another call that the person finally shoveled, but only the front, not the back, and didn't put sand down.After all that I had just had it and was ready to go into hiding. Like I said, words can't tell you how happy I was to see them return.

2007-02-19T00:43:00.000-05:00

When it comes to me and kids, I can handle the serious stuff. Give me: you need stitches (I can handle minor cuts and scrapes too). Give me you're in respriatory or cardiac arrest. I can handle you're choking too. I can take sprained ankles and broken bones. Give me anything along that kind of stuff and I'm perfectly fine. I can swing right into motion without thinking twice. Give me you don't feel good ...your sick. What am I going to do? I'm going to look at you like you have 3 heads while I shush the adrenaline and figure out what to do. I haven't raised kids. I live vicariously through others in this department. I don't know off the top of my head what to do for a 10 year that's got an upset stomach besides hold the asprin.
Last week I got 2 crash courses in parenting. Previous posts have covered 1 of them a bit. Looking back at them it's rather scketchy and behind the cut covers both of them with a little humor. I can laugh now.
So Monday night's Crash Course: What to do for a 10 year old that had an upset stomach in the middle of the night.

Scenario: You are going upstairs into your apartment on the 3rd floor. The 13 and 10 year olds that you are taking care of are asleep in the main part of the house 1 floor below you on the second floor. You told them when they went to bed that if they needed anything during the night and the downstairs lights were off you would be right upstairs. As you open the door to your apartment to go from the 2nd to the 3rd floor you hear the 10 year old "C" call you from the bathroom and say that they don't feel good. You go in and discovet that they have thrown up (thankfuly in the toilet so no cleanup). What do you do? Remember you have not had experience with this before (at least with children and thankfully the sight of emesis doesn't make you sick)
In my world I sat down with her and felt her forehead. Not warm. Good.
Asked if she wanted any Pepto {Bismol}. Refused. Me thinking ok, what next...

Asked her what mommy usually does. She's doesn't remember. Me thinking ok...

I look up and see a washcloth...Score. Wet it and put it on her forehead. She feels a little better. Good.
Ask if she wants to lay in the living room. No, she wants to go back to bed. Ok.

Get her back to bed with another washcloth (other one used to wipe mouth), told to make sure she stays on side, and given a bowl just in case.

Then leave her mom a voicemail and call a friend to make sure I did right. Think My crash course is over yet...Nope. I ended up staying up with "C" for another 4 hours with her getting up sick 2-3 times an hour. Couldn't come up with anything else to do for her. She kept refusing pepto, figured if her mom wanted her to have it then her mom can make her take it when she gets home. Finally her mom came home didn't get message till shift was over and took over. Thus ending my crash course in parenting till 2 days later and another incident which I could handle.2 days later...It's mid afternoon and "N" and "C" want to go downstairs and say hi to the downstairs tenant. "N" wants to hang out. I say ok and as for the hanging out as long as it's ok with them. Next thing know there's yelling and crying. I walk into the other room. They are yelling at each other"C" through tears and is holding her arm. What to do? Noone to call in this case and it's storming out (everything is icing).

Starters...get them to stop. I'm not even going to try and sort out who did what to who. I just tell them their mom can sort it out when she gets home. Since "C" was in the room first she gets to stay in that room to watch tv. "N" can either go upstairs in the grandparents room to watch tv or in the other room where I am and do the same. hey they both wated to watch tv and there's nothing else to do.

now that they are separated swing into evaluation mode. What hurts? Arm/Wrist. Apparently "N" twisted it. Can you move it? "C" does. Can you move your fingers? good. I check for swelling and there's none nor any bruising. BY now I'm sinlently cursing the sibling out. Go make ice pack and give it to "C" with instructions to keep it on. I'll chek on her, but if anything changes let me know. So we all survived intact, sane, and ready to go another day. Do I want to keep watching the kids??

2007-02-13T22:39:00.000-05:00

So I ended up staying up till 4:30 this morning. Carlie's mom got home from work around 3. Felt so bad for the kid. She was feeling better this afternoon.

2007-02-13T00:43:00.000-05:00

I feel so bad for Carlie. She's still sick and wants her mom. What do I do?

Gotta Laugh At Yourself

2007-02-13T00:11:00.000-05:00

And tonight was one of those nights that I did. So I ended up sitting Nicky and Carlie. THere was a little issue of the sitter calling Julie 45 min before she was supposed to be here saying she needed a ride. That was also the time Julie was getting ready for work so her going to get the sitter was not an option. It was me to the rescue. Hey I was on standby for things like this anyways.

The kids were great all night. Dodn't have to ask them to take chowers. No problems with them going to bed. Actually one went to bed early of their own accord. I shoud have known things were going too smoothly.

It was, and the hitch came about an 75 min ago when I went to come upstairs to my own place (I was watching them downstairs). I heard a little voice out of the bathroom saying that they didn't feel good. Turns out that Carlie had thrown up and their stomach was bothering them. Ok. I can deal with this, but my mind just blanked out. Give me a crisis. I can handle blood; cuts, even a deep ones. I can handle choking, cardiac and respriatory arrest. Basically Give me emergencies and I'm good. It's from my being a CNA and nursing student. Also, naturally I can handle the female end of life. Give me run of the mill things and I tend to blank out for a second. I can handle myself, but to figure out how to care for someone else in this aspect...I'm a tad bit rusty. I ended up doing a few things (try to make her laugh, cool washcloth, offer pepto, give her a bowl) and then once I got her resting again called a friend to double check that I didn't forget anything. Oh yeah left a voice mail on her mom's cell. Hey I haven't raised any kids of my own yet. I just do it vicariously through others. It made my friend laugh though, me calling about wether or not I left anything out.

Survived weekend

2007-02-12T00:49:00.000-05:00

Well, survived the weekend. Jon and Pam left Friday night for the hotel to fly out Saturday morning to Puerto Rico. So Julie and the kids are staying here to dog sit. Well it was Julie till today when the kids returned from their aunts. I dog sat at night the past few nights. Tonight Rhonda started sitting the kids. Julie started a new job last week. All this goin on in such a short amount of time and some things were up in the air. That's why I was saying that I survived the weekend. So many things going on, things to keep straight plus a new sitter on board. Gaaaahhhh.

Plus it was my Dad's birthday yesterday so that meant no knitting group. :'( Oh well. I got knitting time in anyways.

As for the fair, still plugging away and we have money for it now.

2007-02-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

That fall saturday really was a doozy. My nurse figures I bruised the bone, but I may have done even more damage in my bad knee. It's feeling just as bad if not worse than it did in the end of 05 whenI was having problems with a cyst and tilted kneecap. Mind you the bruise I have goes all the way around the knee except where i hit it the hardest. It even kept me in for a few days. A week later it's still bothering me. For something to be bothering me that much later...gotta be a doozy.

Bruised & Swelling

2007-02-08T00:14:00.000-05:00

Well, the swelling under my eye has gone down big time. Thankfully it never really bruised like I thought it would. I only have a slight bruise just above my lower jaw. Also the abrasion on my face has pretty much healed. My knees though....talk about bruised. THe bruising is like when I sprained my ankle. It seems like I brusied the bone in my knees. Yes there is such a thing as bruising the bone. I learned it yesterday when i had my medication evaluation. Talking about that I got one of my meds lowered! All I asked for is to shuffle the dosage around so i holy had to take meds 2 times a day. I got a dosage lowering in exchange. Even better.As for the fair, we got funding for it so my friends and i don't have to pay for things. Still putting in mega hours on it.

Adventures

2007-02-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

Things were a little scary yesterday. If there were no Epi-Pens and 911 who knows where I'd be right now.

I ended up going into anaphalytic shock yesterday afternoon. Balloons set the latex allergy off. All that were blown up were 5 but just the powder in the air of a small area set me off. I thankfully had an epipen at the shop and used that, then called 911 and waited outside. I'm fine. at the er they monitored me for a few hours and gave me pepcid and benadryl (to take for a few days too). The epi-pen worked, the tightness returned for a while but did go away. Once I was feeling better I started knitting. The nurses (90% of which knew me from my frequent flyer days) all got a kick out of it. Though it was par for the course with me.

On the way home though I bought my self 2 bruised knees (good size as well as swelling) and a nice shiner under the left eye. Tripped on the sidewalk.

Close One

2007-02-02T22:48:00.000-05:00

I'm ok and not involved,"For those of you that know I spend a fair amunt of time at SMHA I wanted to let you know I am ok and not involved at all in last night's incident. I wasn't there & thankfully. Otherwise it would have been a late night. Also everyone involved is ok What happened was SMHA was locked down last night Actually for over 12 hours.

2007-01-31T22:21:00.000-05:00

The fair is moving along nicely *knock on wood* My landlord and lady are talking aout getting a puppy. In fact as early as this weekend possibly. I'll either be helping with a birthday party or watching the shop and no birthday party saturday. It all depends on the puppy. It means no knitting group though. I'll do it for a puppy and to help them out.

3 degrees!!!

2007-01-26T22:35:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have had it with this cold. It's 3 flippin degrees out right now. I had the heat in my apartment at 75 and was still cold today. I have 2 comforters (1 is a goose down one), 4 afghans, 1 quilt, and 1 blanket on my bed as I type this.

On another topic, My Horoscope for the Weekend: You will be able to finish everything that you have planned. At work, your ideas will be appreciated for their geniality. In Love, you will have to pay attention to blunders. Tip: don't talk too much.

I love that bit "don't talk too much" Despite it being in the love section and me not being in a relationship it just fits my life. I'm rather talkative. Heck as we say in my family...We (my family) were born not needing to kiss the Blarney Stone with the amount we talk.

2007-01-25T23:47:00.001-05:00

I love my state. Before i go any farther I'm using orgage for a reason. It's the color for recognizing Self Injury and this is about just that. Back on the 15th I put in a request to the state to issue a proclamation to officially recognize March 1 as Self Injury Awareness Day. It's the worldwide day to recognize Self Injury. No nation's oficially recognize it though. 2 years ago New Mexico did. Last year the board I serve on and I tried to get the state to issue a proclamation to oficially recognize it. They denied the request. Well, today in the mail was an official statement (our state's way of saying Proclamation) proclaiming March 1, 2007 as Self Injury Awareness Day. Life is so wonderful today.

Grrrr

2007-01-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

If i could have been able to turn back time yesterday I would have in a moment. The first half of my day went well. All of it until I walked in the door from knitting group around 3:30 or so.

As soon as i walked in my phone was ringing. It turned out to be a groupmate of mine and she was mad. Apparently she mistook something that another groupmate said to her wrong and was mad at us. It all goes back to what took place at group earlier in the week. She's one of the ones that asn't there. Not being in the mood to deal with it right then and needing to knw what was said to her I asked if we could talk in a little bit. She wasn't happy but said fine. I talked to the other groupmate. She called the mad one back talked to her and told her that she could call me back. I wasn't mad, but needed to take care of few things. In the long run ended up with the ticked off groupmate calling me back yelling and swearing at me. I didn't say anything, hung up, called the other one back and let her know what happened so we are on the same page. So now I'm just not taking her calls. If I could go back I would have stayed at knitting longer and not take my groupmates inital call in the first place. Also I'll have to deal with the group leader in the morning most likley since I called her to give her a heads up on the situation too. Grrrrr. What to do.

2007-01-20T22:18:00.000-05:00

Wel, I've been in this apartment since May of last year. It's taken Cliona this long to realize that the carpet in the walk-in closet is not attached to the floor. There are times it needs to come up so it was not attached. She discovered it an hour ago and that's where she's been for the past hour. She thinks it's the greatest toy in the world the way she's acting.

Proclamation Update

2007-01-18T22:55:00.000-05:00

THings are looking good for the proclamation request. I checked the email address I set up for the request and I got a reply asking for wording I would like used. had set up a new email address when I sent the request in that looked and sounded more professional than the one I use for everyday use. I'm so excited.

Now to find out if I have a copy of the wording already typed. I sure hope so.

8 hours of Stained Glass

2007-01-18T22:51:00.000-05:00

It's one of my firends birthday today. We've knows each other for practically our whole lives. We were toddlers when we met and have been in touch for all but 4 years of our lives. After those 4 years we picked up like we never left off. She loves "RENT" both the Stage and the movie version. Well I made her a piece of stained glass that says RENT. I got the lettering from a mousepad that another friend gave me. Her son painted it and he loves rent too. SHe asked me to make one for her son. I hope my firend likes this piece that I'm giving her for her birthday.

Love Pets

2007-01-17T21:35:00.000-05:00

FOr the past few weeks Cliona has taken to peeing on the walls. No rhyme or reason to it, but she's been doing it. Nothing I do has stopped her either. It's driving me nuts. Well today I got the bright idea to stop by apet store and see if they had any ideas why the little furball has taken to doing this and how to handle it. Apparently even though she has been spayed she is reacting to it being mating season and she is smelling a male cat around. Telling her no, using the spray bottle and showing her what she did wrong which i'm doing is what i should be doing. Also when I go to clean the spot make sure whatever cleamer i use does not have ammmonia or it will bond with the pee.

Isn't life wonderful.

Someone knock me upside the head with a 2x4 please!

2007-01-13T22:43:00.000-05:00

Next time i go to send a proclamation request to Governor's office remind me to search my emails starting 3 weeks before I go to send the danged proclamation. That way I can find the 1 email in all the emails I have saved that will bail me out from having to type a very very long "letter". I think my sanity is still local.

Tomorrow's Horoscope Rocks

2007-01-10T21:56:00.000-05:00

this is your horoscopI get the Horoscope for the next day in my email the evening before. MY horoscope for tomorrow rocks. It reads: "this is your horoscope for Thursday, January 11th: Sagittarius,You will be able to achieve great results and to take your revenge on a relative of yours who did not believe in your goals. At work, you will be favored and everything will proceed nicely. In Love, a lucky event will make you happy." The part that rocks is the getting revenge on a relative who didn't believe.

I stopped talking to the egg donor 4 years ago in May. Actually that whole side of the family. Back in 2001 I started a very quick downward slide with my mental health which the uphill climb was very rocky. That side of the family didn't believe I could do it.

I went from being a nursing student when I started the slide in 2001, to knocking on death's door a year later. Within 8 months of knocking on deaths door I wanted to get my own apartment without a roommoate and Egg Donor and her relatives didn't think I could do it. I did do it, but have not gone backwards since. I may have had a few ER visits since then, but not one hospitialization. I actually now sit on a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA).

Just doing this well I'm getting revenge, but I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Actually went to the Movies

2007-01-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

A rarity, but I actually went out to the movies. A few months back Don (my neighbor) and I took Carlie and Nicky (ny niece and nephew in a way, I'll explain later) to see "Monster House" while we were watching them. During the previews we saw the preview to "Night at the Museum" and afterwards were saying that we wanted to see it. Well Don was going to the theater to see it tonight and invited me along.

It was a pretty good movie. Especially if you like comedies. It's got Dick van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Robin Williams, and Ben Stiller. Who more can you ask for in a cast for a comedy movie.

Ok so why do I call Nicky and Carlie my nepher and niece in a way? Well, my landlord and lady and their family get along like family. Their oldest child I have taken to outright calling my sister and hher kids call me "auntie." I look at the landlady and landlord's grandkids as my nieces and nephew pretty much.

Good Friends

2007-01-03T22:43:00.000-05:00

I ordered my first drop spindle today. My kit cost $10.00 and it comes with the spindle, instructions, and some fiber. I have a friend that I've known for years. She has moved out of state now, but when she lived out here she had sheep (along with other animals). Well, she has discovered that she has a stash of wool, alpaca, and silk. Even better is that she is giving it away! For free and all to one person! Guess who? Yep, Me! Yehaa. Like I said my friends rock.

My New Year's Eve

2007-01-03T00:47:00.000-05:00

I can say it was one busy New Year's Eve here. I've made reference to my Landlady's store before. Well it was packed on New Year's Eve, and then some. It typically isn't open on Sunday's. The store was even in the paper.

What happened was my lovely city did First Night festival. You could by a button and it would get you in to all these different things. Some of the things were: Magic shows, Hypnotist shows, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Trolley rides, and a bunch of other stuff. The city also did 2 fireworks shows. My landlady also offered 20% off on the Paint-Your-Own Pottery for those who had the buttons. We had nearly 40 families stay and paint. We're talking 3 and 4 people each when we're saying families. That doesn't count the people that just came in to look.

The local paper took and have some great pics from New Year's Eve. They have 2 on their site that involve the store. One pic shows some people in the store painitng. Another one shows a pair of horses pulling a wagon and you can see the window to the store off to the left. There are even a couple articles which mention the store too. There's one that ran the day after and another that ran the day before. The paper even ran an article about the lovely $100.00 a head gala at the Wauregan. Long story short: the Wauregan used to be a hotel; apparently Abraham Lincoln spent a night there; they removated it into apartments.

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T23:42:00.000-05:00

Yep, New Blog for the new year. New years resolution #1: Be better about blogging. I'm not going to say blog daily because I know that's not going to happen, but at least once a week, an preferrably 3 times a week.

My other resolutions are: learn fair isle, learn entrlac, learn to knit socks, organize my knitting stash, get a job, quit smoking, quit cracking my knuckles.

I'd say i have my work cut out for me.