Re-upholstered armchair

A friend of mine had a pair of hand-me-down are chairs.  Old. Worn. Cat scratched.  It was fun to re-upholster.

Major fun.
What do you think?

"It doesn't matter how you fell into a hole, the getting out looks the same." -Dr. Laura.

Steriods

Five years ago, my skin erupted in rashes and sores.  The first three years, I rotated from three different dermatology specialists and back then the diagnosis was contact dermatitis.  Something I was coming into contact with was causing my skin to flare up.  Figure out what those triggers are, eliminate and I should be good.

In the meantime, as a treatment to calm my skin down, I would receive steroid injections.  Horrible. Love-hate relationship with these shots because they only lasted about three months.  For those three months, my skin would clear up, I lived a semi-normal life of not dodging situations that had made my skin breakout in itchy, scaly, rashes.

But.  My skin NEVER would get worse after three months.  Like more areas of my body would break out.  First it was only on my arms and legs until it covered 90% of my body.

Two and half years ago, I discovered a naturalpath and have not had a steroid shot since.  I'm doing a ton better through nutritional supplements of bacteria, vitamins, and minerals.  In addition, I am getting acupuncture, and most importantly diet control.  Never once was food mentioned at the dermatology offices.

With the exception of a few months out of the year, my skin is doing well.

Why am I bringing all this up?  To express how grateful I feel to have dodged a bullet.  Recently, there's been a rash of fungal meningitis cases popping up due to contaminated steroid injections.  So far, there's been at least 15 deaths as a result.

Had I been on the same path I was on in the beginning.  THIS COULD BE ME.  It could happen to me. The terrible thing about this is one reason steroids work so well is it suppresses your immune system.  Yikes! Kind of need that to work to fight microbial invasions.  So, I am praying for answers to all who have been or have to use steroids   And most importantly, I am grateful.

What a Dork series...

Do you have stuff happen to you and you just feel well...foolish but in a good way?

I guess because I put myself out there, I more often than not, get into situations where I end up calling myself a big DORK.  Most of these situations could probably be avoided if I would just stay in my space...

You decide.  

For instance...

Yesterday before my doctor's appointment, I passed my bank so being the with-it homemaker I am, I remember having four crumpled checks that needed to be deposit since oh, last month.

I am depositing them and with this new ATM, you can individually slide your check in and they scan it and spit out how much you deposit.  I couldn't get the last one to deposit because it was big and really crumpled because it was the oldest of the checks sitting at the bottom of my tiny purse (yay for no shoulder pain from big purses).

Well.  Just go into the bank girl and deposit your check.  I did.  Doors locked.  It's 9:54am.  Checked the hours of operation on the doors and re-tried to open with more mustard.  Nope. 

Panic sets in because for a short time in my life, I worked at a bank.  Anything unusual or out of the ordinary should be a red flag that the bank may be getting robbed.

I peer through the glass.  Nothing.  No activity inside.  I'm envisioning tellers lying below the counters bleeding and robbers waiting for an opportunity to make a run for it.

Oh no.  I get in my car and of course like many times before, my cell phone is sitting at home on the charger.  I can't call 911.

In my little town, the police station is just a street away.  Do I report it or not? I could just drive right to my 10 o'clock appointment and be this not my problem...

Now remember in the beginning when I told you I will put myself out there?  Of course I whisk over to the police station in a slight panic.

I go up to the counter as a very good-looking, clean-cut gentleman walks in behind me.  As I am reporting what I just happened...this very good-looking, clean-cut gentleman pipes up with..."It's Columbus Day, it's closed". Right!  (Side note:  this very good-looking, clean-cut gentleman knew b/c he was a police officer reporting for work...at the quiet police station in our little Mayberry).

What the bleep, bleep, bleep banks.  Columbus Day?! Who gets this day off anymore?! Not my kids for sure.  No. Where. Else.  I should have known.  The bank didn't post up a sign for giving a reason for being closed.  Don't they know there are SAHMs out there just trying to earn our way up to the status of "noisy, old neighbor"?!  I slink my way right out of there...so embarrassing.

Yes. I was a few minutes late to my doctor's appointment and I still have the old, crumpled check in the bottom of my tiny purse.  The bank gives you 90 days to cash it right?  Thirty more days...

What a bleeping dork I am.  

Florence + the Machine

Really good group.  I didn't get all the hype in the media with Florence's weird fashion.  Most say she is unique and fashionable.

Ick.

If she had a garage sale, it would be a pass on her selection.

But.

Oh my.

Can she sing.  YouTube this group.  Her voice is heavenly.  Somber.  Haunting.  Just what I needed today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs&feature=related

Being a grown-up is scary

I get it. My mind reflects on being a lot younger and wishing to grow up so I can do something, be involved in something, just be doing anything other than learning and preparing to be a grown-up.

I'm here. Right in the think of grown-ups-ville.  There are highs (hubby, babies, and your mom not on your every move) but the lows seem to have so much more at stake.

For instance, drama with your family takes larger toll on you because you think you have overcome this stage.  Where your kids and their kids are used as pawns in a struggle to establish the blame game.  Stinks. I hate when my kids or worse when their kids are used to get back at me.  

Also, illness, disease, and death is talked about and happens to way more people we know as we are grown-up. We feel helpless. Don't know how to help or stop the disease from stabbing a family. 

I know there are words in the Bible that deals with lifting one up after being sledgehammer to your body and soul but come on...

Truly, being grown-up is not all its cracked up to be. 

I'm not in a place to write of forgiveness or how to wrap my mind around problems surround my life so I hope this post doesn't ruin your day.