Shoe Lovin' Saturday

I saw these last winter when I was looking for tall brown boots, and I still like them.  Maybe they will make it into my closet this year?  I like both the grey and the congnac. 

Need a laugh and a distraction?

Until today I wasn't sure if Ray Blackston had written any more books than the three of his that I already own.  But there are two other novels!  If you haven't heard of or read Ray Blackston, I would highly recommend "Flabbergasted."  Ray tells the story of a guy in his 20's who moves to a new city and begins the adventure of meeting new people and hopes to find a girlfriend.  It sounds pretty simple, but the story is so funny, Ray's style is quippy, so easy to read, and the story continues in two subsequent novels. 

"Flabbergasted" is the first book- about Jay a stockbroker who meets a quirky missionary.

"A Delirious Summer" comes next and it tells the story of Jay's friend, Neil, a missionary on furlough.

and in the third, "Lost in Rooville," Jay and his crazy friends take a trip to Australia. 

The two I haven't read are: "Last Mango in Texas" and "Par for the Course.

I can't wait!  I'm going to see if I can request them from the library. 

Wordless Wednesday 15

A different kind of tired...

 Sometimes when I try to explain my disease, I get the feeling that I can't really explain it no matter how hard I try.  The symptoms can be vague or ambiguous at times, and it is so different for each Addison's patient.  Lana writes about her experiences with Addison's on her blog Finding Lana.  She is so much more articulate than I am.  While she has had a different experience than me with Addison's and battled it much longer- I really enjoy having another blogger to identify with.  Here she describes the almost inexpressible feeling that Addisonians often face:

"Even now and then, after almost ten years of experience with Addison's, there are days when I feel an overall sense of unwellness. Sometimes, my vision will go a bit blurry. I just feel rotten - dragging. There is not enough rest, not enough exercise, not enough steroids...not enough of anything to alleviate this kind of malaise. There might not be anything to be found that is finger-pointing wrong, not in particular, just a sense of dragging and an incredible, oppressing heaviness that can't be shaken. This is the bad business-end of Addison's disease. The hard truth is...there are times when I take extra meds, but there's nothing that can wash away the mysterious pressing upon my body. Those are the days that harsh realities in this world come to light and I admit that Addison's Disease can be unkind, but my determination can be just as formidable."

It's nice to know that someone else knows how it can be.  Some days I don't feel like I'm any different than anyone else.  Other days I get to the end of the day and I feel like I'm out of energy completely.  It's not just being tired after a long day, it's Addison's tired.  It's an emotional, can't make a decision to save my life, sick to my stomach, arms and legs heavy kind of feeling.  But knowing that it happens and having ways to deal with it makes all the difference.  You give yourself a break.  Take extra medicine.  Don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect.  And do the best you can.  Life always looks brighter after a night's rest. 

I've always wanted to be a "drop by and say hi" kind of friend...

Some days I look around my apartment and think, "If someone were to stop by to say hi today, I would be really embarrassed by the mess in here..."  Realistically, the chances of someone stopping by without calling first is pretty slim.  Unless my Grandparents are driving through town, I'm probably not going to have anyone just "drop by."  I don't know where I get this image in my mind (maybe sitcoms?) but I've always wanted to be the kind of person my friends knew they could "drop in on."  I want to be the kind of friend you know will love to see you and offer hospitality no matter what time of day.  That kind of casual closeness and acceptance is something I crave.

Maybe I'll have that someday, but right now it doesn't really work that way.  I wouldn't just drop in to see any of my friends.  I would worry that they would be in the middle of something, or that I wouldn't be welcome because they aren't ready for company.  Our lives are so busy that it seems like most people have something planned for every night of the week.

I want to be the kind of friend who can offer support, company, and hospitality whenever my friends need it.  I want to have a home that is welcoming and a comfortable place to be. I want to be able to answer a knock at my door with a smile and ready to say, "Come on in!"  (not thinking about how I need to make a quick de-cluttering sweep.)  How do I make my home that place?  What do you think?  Is it possible to be that kind of friend? 

If you ever want to stop by and say hi, please do!

Shoe Lovin' Saturday

I know, I know, Birkenstocks are frumpy...  But I can't help but love the feeling of kicking around in a worn in pair!  I have some wool clogs for several years and I wear them despite the fact that they are so out of style.  It's the same for Birkenstock sandals.  I adore these pretty blue ones.  If summer wasn't already more than half over I might be tempted to buy them.

Friday Fill in the Blanks

1.  My favorite current TV show is... HGTV Design Star

2.  The TV character I can relate to most is... hmm, not sure.

 

3.  My life is like (fill in with TV show and why)....  at work, my life is like The Office- too many things happen that should or could be on that show.  

4.  My all time favorite TV show is...too hard to choose!  It's a close race between Cosby Show, Gilmore Girls, Amazing Race, For Rent, Hoarders, Dear Genevieve, and I love Lucy.

5.  A TV show that is ridiculously stupid, but I continue to watch is... Jerseylicious.  :) I love the salon drama!  

6.  My favorite TV couple is... Luke and Lorelei on Gilmore Girls.

7.  One TV episode I could watch over and over again is... probably any episode of the Cosby Show.  

Link up at

Wordless Wednesday 14

I can't decide...

More choices... hmm... what to do?

#7

# 8

# 9 




#10

Blog design choices

I'm in a re-arranging, re-organizing, changing mood.  Last night as I went to sleep I planned to re-arrange my bedroom.  This morning I woke up thinking about a new blog design.  I'm addicted to small, fresh changes around me.

So, what do you think of my options?

# 1





















# 2

# 3

# 4





















# 5

# 6

So what do you think??  I would love to hear which one you like best!

Wordle my blog

http://www.wordle.net/

Things I would make if I had a sewing machine... version 2

I'm not very talented when it comes to sewing, but I want to be!  My Mom tried to teach me, but I treat sewing a lot like I do cooking- without rules or recipes.  I end up with a lot of wonky results.  :)  I keep seeing really wonderful things people are sewing, and I can't help but wonder if I could handle some of these projects?  I mean, most of them don't involve too many steps or patterns even.  (following pattern instructions is waaay too complicated for me...) 

Take this pretty pillow:

http://jonesdesigncompany.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This adorable summer scarf:

http://www.dana-made-it.com

Or this amazing skirt!!

http://sewlikemymom.com

 

Shoe Lovin' Saturday

Oh how I love flats!  Being on the taller side, heels often make me feel out of place.  Some women wouldn't go a day without a stylish pair of heels, but I am completely happy in a comfy pair of leather flats. 

Here are some that I'm loving right now:

1. Aldo Stakoe
2. Nine West Fabsy Flat
3. GUESS Earnest
4. Nine West Fiercely
5. Miz Mooz Dorothy
6. Calvin Klein Lexa II
7. Steve Madden Kappy Flat
8. Calvin Klein Lexa II
9. Nine West Smartie Flat

Dreary Marblehead, MA

We only had a little bit of rain on our trip when we were driving south along the coast of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  I would have loved to spend more time walking around some of the port towns like Salem, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead and Ipswich.  I did manage to snap some quick pictures out of the car windows when we were in Marblehead.  I loved the brightly painted houses and flower boxes everywhere.  The streets were so narrow, and all of the houses seemed so small and packed together.  I was fascinated to see all of the signs on the houses saying that they were built for so and so in 1680 or 1750...  I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a house that was hundreds of years old!

It stopped raining for awhile and mom and I grabbed and early dinner at a restarant on the marina called The Landing.  (Thank you Urban Spoon!)  We had scallops wrapped in bacon, served with maple dipping sauce and fried clams with fries.  I don't know if you have ever had fresh "Ipswich style" fried clams- they are so yummy.  However, I do have one complaint.  I don't like the bellies...  :)  A friend of mine who is from Hanover, MA says that the bellies are the best part.  Maybe I would agree with her if I had grown up eating them.

Vacation Spots!

Wordless Wednesday 13

It's time to fill in the blanks!

1.  Today for breakfast I ate a breakfast burrito ( I needed some protein because I'm traveling today.)

2.  My go to/never fail recipe  Spinach and Artichoke dip.  I got it from RealSimple Magazine originally, but I've made it so many times my own way, that I don't know how closely it resembles the original anymore.  

3.  Something I eat that other people think is weird is  hmm...  large amounts of green olives? salt on everything? I can't think of anything too weird.

4.  My worst cooking disaster ever was... oh there are many.  When you don't follow recipes well, anything can happen! 

5.  If I could only eat one flavor of ice cream the rest of my life it would be  peppermint! 

6.  One food I hate and avoid at all costs is... I don't know.  There isn't much that I won't eat, even if I don't love it.  Some things I really don't enjoy: Lima beans, fake cherry flavor, mushy broccoli (especially in casseroles!).

7.  What is your favorite meal?  Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Lunch for sure!  I'm a huge fan of sandwiches, salads and other easy to make meals.  The perfect meal for just me is a grilled roasted turkey sandwich with chipotle mayo, swiss cheese, spinach and tomato.  yum!




link up here:

Vacation Here I Come!

Summer is the time for vacations! I am lucky enough to get to join in on my family's vacation to Maine and Massachusetts this week. Mom, Dad and Sam set out to explore the NorthEast last weekend, and I'm going to join them in Boston tonight. Dad and Sam are going to go hiking for 3 days and Mom and I get to explore on our own. We're going to see the Maine coastline, Plimouth Plantation, Cape Cod and whatever else strikes our fancy.

Pictures via:
here, here, and here.

Beautiful Etsy: "It's what's inside that counts"

By ReapWhatISew on Etsy

Wordless Wednesday 12

I'm in Remission!

Haha, sounds serious, huh?  Well, it is good news.  My Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism) is not showing up on my blood work and I may be able to go for years without any trouble with my thyroid!  My doctor says that I have a 50/50 chance of never needing treatment again.

For more than two years I took medicines to suppress my over-active thyroid (Methimazole and a beta blocker).  Then when I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, treatment for my thyroid disease got shoved to the back burner.  3 months ago things had become pretty stable with Addison's and my doctor decided it was time to see if I could go without taking thyroid meds.  And it worked!  I'm doing great, my thyroid numbers are perfect, and I'm hoping that this lasts!

Our endocrine systems are a complicated network of glands in our bodies that work closely together.  They are the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals.  Other organs perform secondary endocrine functions (like kidneys and heart), but these are the main endocrine glands.  They control growth, metabolism, mood and also tell other glands in your body when and how to work.  My thyroid decided it wanted to work overtime, and my adrenal glad decided it didn't want to work at all.  As far as I know, my pituitary gland is working just fine. 

If you're wondering, symptoms of Graves' Disease include:

·        Rapid heart rate, or palpitations

·        A feeling of over-stimulation

·        Hyperactivity/increased energy.

·        Tiredness

·        Insomnia

·        Tremor

·        Weight loss

·        Increased appetite

·        Weakness

·        Shortness of breath

·        Increased sweating

·        Heat intolerance

·        hair loss

·        Brittle nails

·        Gastrointestinal symptoms

I had a constant stomachache, was never cold, was dizzy and shaky and I often felt like my head was spinning.  When I walked up a flight of stairs I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.  My thyroid was puffy and swollen, and sometimes I felt like I couldn't swallow.  I ate ALL the time but never gained any weight.

It's funny, Addison's Disease shares a lot of the same symptoms.  That's why I kept asking the doctor to test my thyroid last summer when I didn't feel well.  I think I went back 3 times telling her that something was wrong with me, but all my thyroid tests came back fine.  It turns out not all doctors know what they are doing.  But that is a story for another day.

I hope my experience can help others!  It's no fun to go through something like this and not know what's going on with you.  I am so happy that I don't have to deal with thyroid issues right now- and I'm praying that it stays this way! 

50 Nifty United States...

I always get this song in my head when I think about the states I have yet to go to.  You know, the one where you list all of the states in alphabetic order?  "Fifty Nifty United States from thirteen original colonies..."

When I was a kid my parents took us on a lot of vacations around the U.S. and at some point I decided that I wanted to try and go to all 50.  It's developed into a race between my dad and I.  He's been to a few different ones than I have, and since I've gotten older I've gone to a few he hasn't.  We're pretty much even right now though,  5 more to go for each of us.  What's left on my list?
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. Rhode Island
4. Connecticut
5. North Dakota

The top four left on my list are places I want to go, and can see them fitting into a fun vacation... However, what is there to do in North Dakota?  Anyone have any ideas?

Here's a map that shows where I've been.

Green: Where I've lived
Blue: Where I've been more than once, or spent a lot of time
Orange: Places I've driven through or not spent a ton of time
Pink: States I still need to visit
map created here

I have plans for a 50 States scrapbook, with a page for every state and some memories from each.  I should start it now, maybe I'll have it done by the time I get to all 50 states!

Shoe Lovin' Saturday

Bonnie Peep-Toe Pump by Pink Studio

Adorable, no?  I could see myself wearing these with so many different colors, and to work or with jeans...