Feeling Lucky

So it's another Tuesday and I'm feeling good. I haven't had a major case of the crankies since acupuncture which is WONDERFUL. It's a great feeling to feel as if I'm back to my old self. I know I'm not fully cured but with continued treatment I'm feeling optimistic.

I'd also like to take some time to say how lucky we were.....Last week with the rains that came through we had some flooding, the water was coming through our basement window, it was like someone turned on a faucet. Items were ruined and carpeting needed to be dried but we were lucky. I think of my brother and SIL who had at least 3 ft of water in their basement and water coming through their front door. One stranded motorist on their street had to swim to safety. Crazy I tell you! They lost all the big items in the basement and 1 of their cars has been totalled, their SUV is having problems too and may also be totalled, all depends on what the insurance company says. There are so many stories as theirs that I'm feeling lucky that I only had minor issues. All the families with major storm damage to their homes, cars and everything else my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Another reason to feel lucky, is I have my health. My cousin's husband when to get a melanoma removed from his back and they thought it could be cancerous. They didn't tell anyone until Friday and stated that testing would be done by Monday and they'd let us know the results. Well power of prayer worked and he is cancer free! I'm very excited for them, I know that must have been a difficult time for them.

I also have a friend who's grandfather is dying. He comes every summer to spend time with family and he told them all he has cancer and there is nothing that can be done. He's been given 9 months or so to live. I know my friend is having a hard time with this. She is very close to her Grandfather. I know that I'm lucky to have my Grandfather still with me. He will be 90 this year so I know that he is aging and won't always be with us. He is special to me as he was really my only father figure as a kid. He would have me sit on his lap and he would just scratch my back for hours. There would always be an ample supply of cookies, gum and love when I would visit their house. I'm happy to have those memories and I'm happy to continue making more with him while he's alive.

A year in review?

So a friend of mine, Joy, blogged about the last year of her life and the things she's accomplished over this past year and challenged her readers to do the same...so here goes.

Professionally: I was getting a little bored and unchallenged at work so I took the initiative to take on more responsibility. This was proved to be a move in the right direction. I am learning many new things, gaining more respect from my co-workers and the individuals I help. No day is the same so it keeps things interesting. I am concerned with keeping my job but that has nothing to do with me or my performance and everything to do with take overs and buy outs.

Running: Last May I completed my second 1/2 marathon and I was not pleased with the performance or the dedication I had to training so I signed up for the same 1/2 marathon this May. I was determined to beat the course and not let the course beat me. I trained well, inspired 2 other friends to run along with me and I posted my best time yet. It was a great experience and I was happy to have my family there cheering me across the finish line. I've also added another 1/2 marathon in September that I will be completing in Ohio.

Health: I've had relatively good health this past year, no major illness or anything like that. I have had to deal with my hormones and weight gain which I believe is related to my hormonal issues. It's difficult to describe how terrible I have been feeling over the past year because of this issue. I've visited the doctor with no real answers and feeling defeated. But I haven't given up. I'm off the Birth Control pills and decided to go the route of acupuncture and so far I must say there are many benefits. I'm hoping that this will trickle down into all aspects of my life.

Marriage: I'm married to a wonderful man and I'm happy to say that our marriage continues to grow and become stronger. My husband is a wonderful partner and I fall in love with him more each day.

Kids: My kids are wonderful and it's amazing to watch them grow into young adults. It's hard to believe that time is going by so quickly. There have been struggles but that is part of life and that's what will make the kids become strong adults. No matter the troubles they always know that I love them and will be there for them and I'm proud of them for their accomplishments.

Parents: My relationship with my mom has been becoming very different. I love her but I don't always like the choices she has made or continues to make. I am struggling with her past choices and the different lives that she has affected by some of those choices....she just has no clue the damage she's done. I can't fault her for making those decisions years ago but I can fault her for the way she is reacting to them now and the way that she has treated me. I have found in the last year that I'm standing up to her now, not holding my feelings inside, I'm letting them be known.

Overall it's been a good year. I've had struggles but those don't compare to the many blessings I have. I have a loving family, wonderful friends and I can do things that I enjoy. I am thankful for each and every day and I continue to try and learn from those around me and appreciate everything life has to offer, even the hard times.

A good workout

Yesterday morning it looked like rain so I decided to keep my workouts indoors. I hit the elliptical for 35 minutes, punched the punching bag for awhile (which was WONDERFUL- a great way to release stress) and then did some push ups and planks. I felt good, even this morning I can tell I worked out those muscles and they feel wonderful. Could it be that acupuncture is actually working and getting me feeling better and motivated to workout and live my life without the fear of being cranky, too tired or unmotivated? I guess time will tell if I'm just having a good week or if there is some truth to the acupuncture. I go for my 3rd session today and I find myself looking forward to it.

Yesterday was also the Napa to Sonoma run in CA. My friend Karen ran again this year with CCFA. It brings me back to my first memories of wanting to run a half marathon. Karen made it sound so wonderful and the scenery of running in Napa really appealed to me. Running with CCFA was a wonderful experience but overwhelming with the training and the commitment to fundraising. But I'm so happy that I ran it. I met new friends that I still have contact with today (waving to Joy and Joe) and I've learned so much from these people. No matter how much I've struggled I've still had these people in my corner. Cheering me on, pushing to be a better runner and a better person.

I will be drawing on their strength, support and experience as I gear up for my 4th 1/2 marathon in September. Thanks Guys!!

Why is it...

That my mom continues to frustrate me so? So here's the latest, my aunt and uncle were having a birthday party for their son (this is the family I was a surrogate for...I can't believe it's been 6 years already, amazing how time flies). When they were in the planning process my aunt sent out an email asking family which date worked better for us. Everyone responded and based on that and their schedule she set up a date that was last week Saturday. My mom's computer went down at home so she wasn't able to check emails (she didn't realize she could check emails from any active computer that has Internet but that's another story) so when we got back from Germany she asked when the party was. I told her and she indicated that she was working. I also then showed her how to check her emails from another computer and she sat at my computer for over an hour reading them so she would have seen the date then as well.

So at the party my aunt and uncle asked where she was and I said working, my aunt was under the impression that she had off on Saturdays. I thought so too but there are times that she has worked and I can't keep track of my own schedule how can I keep track of hers too?

Yesterday was my niece's birthday so my mom called and then talked to my brother and she found out that the party was this past weekend. Her comment was "I thought it was in a couple of weeks?" She then proceeded to tell my brother "I don't know what the hell is wrong with your sister, she knew my computer didn't work so she should have told me". Ummm I DID TELL YOU. I get blamed for all of this type of garbage. This is your brother's son, you should be following up on your own to find out when things are. It is not my responsibility since you know I have kids and work and this and that.

I got an email this morning from my aunt stating that my mom called them last night crying and apologizing for not being there. They told her not to worry about it that it wasn't a big deal. I have no doubt that when I see her on Sunday that I will hear about this and she will make it a big deal. I on the other hand will not make this a big deal and I will NOT LET HER MAKE THIS MY FAULT. I'm just sick and tired of being blamed for things that are her issue, not mine. She's 63 years old, she needs to GROW UP.

OK, sorry for the vent, I just needed to let it out.

On a better note, my second session of acupuncture was yesterday and it went well.

First session

The first acupuncture session went fine....not sure why I was worried. For the first 2 weeks he wants me to come 2 times and then we'll go from there. Because my issues are older it takes longer to resolve them.

I got home and got drilled by my husband and kids asking what they did. I had needles in my ears, wrist, stomach, ankle and big toe. He hooked up some electrodes to some of them and put a heat lamp on my stomach and there I laid for 30 minutes trying to relax. He gave me some Chinese Herbs (in pill form) and I have to take 8 of them a day and I made another appointment for Thursday.

This morning I do feel slightly different, I'm not sure that I can explain it. Not sure if it's my mind playing tricks on me or if indeed my Yin and Yang and starting to work together once again. I guess the true test will be how quickly get irritated with things, since it's been very quickly lately. I'm sure it doesn't help that my kids always seem to be bickering. I guess they've had too much of each other during summer vacation.

Relief in Sight?

I made my first appointment for Acupuncture today...we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping to find some relief. I'm a tad nervous, not sure why. Perhaps because I think this is my last resort and if this doesn't work what am I going to do?? I'm trying to stay positive, I just have to remain that way and know that relief will come soon enough.

Keep your fingers crossed everyone!

Acupuncture

So, my hormones are still out of whack and I'm getting tired of dealing with it and I'm just not sure what to do about it. I'm off the birth control which makes me happy, I never liked taking those and it wasn't doing anything to help keep my hormones in check. I've been taking some vitamins, this is only my 3rd month and they are just OK...not really doing anything more than the BC was but I'm not sure how quickly this stuff gets into my system. Plus it's not a bad thing to take vitamins so I'll continue taking them. So I talked to my SIL who is a nurse and asked for her advice and she mentioned acupuncture. I did some research and it seems as if it could help me so I think I'm going to go for it. I don't know what else to do so we'll see if this makes a difference.

I checked with my insurance company and they don't pay for it so I'll be using my own money which is fine, I'm just hoping it will help. The people I've talked to swear by it so we'll see. I'm just not sure how it will help fix hormone issues but I'm willing to get it a try. My husband keeps calling it "Voodoo Medicine" so I'm hoping to prove him wrong :)