An apple a day...

This is probably an overshare on blog. Oh well.
I have stomach problems.
And I've had stomach problems since 2002. If you eat with me, you may be aware of my sensitivity. Sometimes I can go for weeks/months without even remembering I have issues. Other times it's like everytime I eat. In high school the only problem I had to deal with was stomach cramps after I downed a huge 44 oz Cherry Limade from Sonic. (ahh...I remember those days... I love that drink!!) - and I would still drink it even though I knew the after effects. Although, I haven't had that drink for years now. Then around college I'd just get stomach cramps if I went out to eat. Like Cafe Rio or anywhere basically. Then the stomach issues hit HARD on the mission. Dang those darn member dinners!! Who knew that sister missionaries sometimes dreaded the famous member dinners?? Well, actually MOST of us did. I could go on and on about that... But maybe this will sufice (Nope - I did go on and on below! Sorry...) - Since a lot of Elders can eat like there's no tomorrow, members got the impression that missionaries needed the "Thanksgiving dinner" every dinner appt!! Just recall how you feel after you gorge out on so much food and then try to eat dessert too. And try to fit that all into 45 min - inbetween running from appt to appt. And I was stuck sitting in a car all day - no exercise! And if you already have stomach issues - these dinners really didn't help. I'd have wanted a salad or fruit, veggies, and perishables that we didn't have time to buy or cook. But I absolutely HATED desserts and usually avoided them at all costs. I could sometimes get away with not eating them at members if I told them I couldn't eat sugar or something random. That would help. And I'd see the Mission doctor who'd give us Prilosec or something. But usually we'd be fed TONS of food and sometimes (especially the Latinos) would fill our plates for us and give us 2nds, etc. And pile on the dessert which we'd stuff in our face so as we wouldn't offend. And then - the rest of the night - I'd DIE. Really - stomach cramps, bloating, throw up, you know the rest.... Anyway, coming back from the mission I learned how to really control these episodes a lot. (Granted, I was pretty strange when I came back - I promised to never feed my kids desserts, the microwave was an enemy, I only ate fresh produce if I could, I had veggie shakes and stuff...) But sometimes I still have stomach issues. And I don't know what's causing it.
Once I told a doctor - but he said I'd have to have blood work done and tests and tests and it probably wouldn't help - and that I just needed to recognize what my stomach didn't like and to avoid those foods. Yeah, great advice. Plus - blood work? No thank you! Well, today I have a new food to avoid...
APPLES
Isn't the saying - an apple a day will keep the doctor away? Well, that's funny. And actually I do usually eat an apple everyday - for lunch at work. But today, was not the day for apples I guess. Strange that most days I'm fine, but every once in awhile - I die. And maybe it was because I had hot chocolate before the apple... Sometimes I think it's when I mix food or have too much sugar or fatty acidic food. My theories change a lot, but here's the most promising diagnoses that I have given myself mostly:
- Fatty acid/sugar break down problem
- Colitis
- Food intolerance (not allergy) - to dairy or gluten or food additives/preservatives
- Irritable bowl syndrome
- Acid reflux
- Stress - i think this makes it better or worse depending on how stressed I am...
That's basically the list. And I don't know if I'll ever take my mom's advice and really get this checked out. Until it gets BAD, I think I'll just deal. And probably continue to eat apples since they are supposed to keep me away from my doctor. And that was probably a weird fluke occurance...or probably really the fatty greasy cookies I had yesterday that also gave my stomach some trouble. Yeah, that's probably it. Didn't you all want to hear about my random stomach problems??? No?? Sorry! Next post - will be better - promise!

Escape

This is my new FAVORITE picture. It totally describes my feelings right now (at work, and in my life)!! Ohh... it just makes me smile...




Anyone remember Finding Nemo?? "Ess-caa--pay" Ah, Dory...hha. I need to ESCAPE!!

Easter

So, I now know why I don't have too many pictures. People don't want me to take them!! I mean, I chased my cousins down all Easter afternoon trying to get some good shots, but this will have to suffice. Look at how happy they are:

I went to Uncle Richards & Jan's place ready for our annual food and hunt that Sunday. I even brought bread and spinach artichoke dip - yummy! First we ate. Then us bigger kids (Jeff, Tony, and I) hid the eggs/prizes while Steph and Jan divided them up and had the lists and bags ready for the kids. Usually Andy hides with me - for like the last 5 years - but he wasn't there - sad!! Tony and Jeff just chucked the prizes around while I actually hid them. Seeing, Nate and Sean are like 15, 12 - and taller than me - they can work a bit harder for their prizes. Here's the food:

And here's Jeff and Me and then Nate - a more cooperative of the bunch... and Jilly and her mom.

Now Jan's explaining the rules. The neighbor kids came over too - you can only get 1 of each type of prize, a few of the eggs, a few peeps, etc... so everyone gets the same.Off weeee gooo...

Then we had a bit of drama - thanks to the youngest who didn't want to follow the rules. She's starting her pilfering carrier at a young age. Except for the case that the parent police noticed the HUGE bag she was packing. Ah, tears... Sharing's still hard for me too...Finally more smiles! Uncle Rich and Steph :) And a little R&R from Sean and Hailey below.I need a photo class. I want to take good pictures!! Andy got here late and had a bit of daddy daughter time! And Steph didn't let us down when she brought out her first time homemade ice cream cakes that were delicish. It was a great day!Happy Late Easter everyone!

Doctor Doctor

I have a confession. I'm not a true lady. Or, at least, I don't sit very lady like. Especially at work. Usually you can find me with one foot propped under my bum. The left foot. I used to do this when I was younger so that I felt taller. At concerts, the dinner table, the couch, you name it... I did it. And I still do. Now, it's just such a habit and sooo comfortable. Who can sit at a desk for 8 hours a day with such classy posture? I totally need to - but somehow, I can't. Or I'll cross my legs - which is also very bad for you. At one of my previous call center jobs there was an older lady who would always tell me - don't sit like that! You'll hate yourself later when you're all full of pains and arthritis.

Is it later yet? I'm starting to think so. About 2 months ago I bent down in squatting position to pick up my cousin's new baby off the floor. Well, while squatting, a sharp pain came from the behind the knee, just below. I'm thinking it's the gastrocnemius muscles - from all my research on-line today. Yeah, at the time, Steph laughed at me for somehow pulling my calf while just squatting down. I'm just so fragile, huh....tear. :) Anyway - since that happened - basically EVERY TIME I go to squat, that spot shoots pain again. I don't know if I'm tearing something, pulling something, or anything. It's been 2 months now and it still hurts when I do this. I've asked a few of my soon to be medical friends - and since they are "soon to be" - I'm not sure they really know (sorry guys - i still asked you right?). Anyway - they say to rub it, massage it, ice it, stretch it, stay off of it, etc. Maybe I need to go to the doctor?? Doctor Doctor.... help!! Okay, so it's not that bad. It only hurts usually when I do the squat thing - so I can survive right? But that 10 second pain is pretty bad when it happens. And now it makes me wonder - what really caused that pain?

1 - Squatting to pick up the cutest little baby (Isn't Jillie just so cute!)

2 - Maybe sitting on my foot has created this spasm, arthritis, or something

3 - Maybe I walk weird and it's finally affecting other body parts

4 - My shoes - heck, stupid high heels

5 - Running - see, I also started this at about the same time too...

Man...I have no idea. And I have no idea what doctor to go to - or do physicians look at these things? Would it be better to go to a physical therapist? My knee isn't swollen, you can't see any lumps, or bruises from blood clots or anything like what I'm researching on-line. I've tried to see if I at least could figure out what the problem was, but if my medical friends can't - I sure as heck probably can't. But - it's buggin!! I think I've come to realize that I'm not as young as I used to be. I wish I was 17 again. (Okay, I just saw that movie yesterday and I loved it! I guess I love cheese and family friendly funny stuff... it was hilarious, for what I expected - Go see 17 Again!!)

Oh to be young again.

My hollow muscular organ

Yesterday I received the best question by a sweet new found friend in my ward:

"Andrea, how's your heart?"
And maybe the really good part, was the way her sincere eyes seemed to be looking into my soul - and really caring. It's like those friends you've had forever that really care and know you. Or your parents or something like that. Hard to describe I guess. I don't know that this girl and I will be best friends - - - but she sure did make my day. I don't even know if she knows my life too well or the path I'm traveling on. But the one thing I know, she cared for me right then!

How's your HEART?

I pass all of that on to you sincerely. I really like this question. It's so much better than - How are you? What's up? (dawg...yes, I say that still) How has your week been? Etc Etc. These questions I just easily reply - Good, fine, awesome, etc. But it doesn't mean anything. Really, to either person, most of the time - it's just a courteous act. Which, don't get me wrong, is a good thing to do. Shows respect and acknowledgement. But, if we really cared, maybe we'd ask a more sincere question. Or a question that follows up from the previous conversation you had with that person.

How's your heart? - That could mean so many things. It could reference love, pain, dating, life, your children who make your heart so big, the job that you just can't find yet. These life changing - good and bad - experiences affect our hearts and sometimes it's good to be able to share that. And this reminded me of a movie I saw not too long ago (Chasing Liberty - yes, some random Mandy Moore show) - where the mom asks her daughter the same question and she says - It's a little bit broken. Man, I totally can relate to that. But the good part about this great muscle of an organ - our Heart - is it'll heal. Yeah, day to day it'll get bigger and won't hurt as much. Then something will happen and we'll realize that we hurt again. Heck, it's for our experience though right? Yep. Glad I have a heart. Which reminds me of another movie...Oz. Good thing we don't have to wish for a heart. We're so blessed. And we should use that heart to bless others too huh? (Side note - how come most of my posts have some sort of moral story or a Go and gett'em feeling?? - why can't I just write a good story? - Is it a mission thing? - Or maybe I just think this way?? I don't know that I even like it!) (Side note to myself - Just write something w/out thinking And. Come on. hah)

Okay so when I went to title this post I decided to do a little dictionary search of the word heart. I don't listen too much in health since I have Vasovegosyncopi (no idea how to spell that one...faint at blood for those who aren't doctors) - so I guess I had too google Heart? Interesting description though, we could all ponder on it for awhile I bet, I personally like #5 and #6. I also was going to put up a picture, but when I googled Heart - it's kinda gross, a lot had real pictures of hearts, or a painting of a girl who had ripped out a heart from her lover, etc. So, I'll spare you the gore. Just imagine...

Heart:
1a: a hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the blood. b: a structure in an invertebrate animal functionally analogous to the vertebrate heart. c: breast, bosom. d: something resembling a heart in shape
2a: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red heart.
3a: personality, disposition <>
4: the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature: as a: generous disposition : compassion <> b: Love, affections. c: courage, ardor
5: one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations
6a: the central or innermost part. b: the essential or most vital part of something

Sorry for my lack of posting - it kinda describes the last few weeks I guess. But I'm sure I have some good, funny stories, so I'll get crackin and post this week.

Update...

So, I haven't written for awhile. Sorry! I know all my devoted readers....

1) My arm started itching like crazy this week. Why?? After a day of itching I realized - WAIT, that's where I was bit!! Stupid Scorpion. So, I took some benedryl thanks to Steph... but no one told me that I'd basically CRASH. I missed the rest of that night. But it was nice to kinda catch up on some needed sleep :) The arm still itches, but I'm avoiding the scratching....

2) I spent last weekend in Provo for General Conference. I went to my mission reunion with Courtney and we brought "rent-a-dates"... yep. Ben and Jon were good sports. I mean, I think that's the last one I will go to for a long time. I'm done with that stuff. I've been to 2 every year since I've been home. And there's not much else I can answer about my life and I really don't need to hear my Pres say "Get Married" and "Move every 6 months" again. Too bad that once when he said that I thought he was saying that as he was inspired to, but he does it all the time!

3) General Conference was great! I took pages of notes, watched with roommates and friends, and felt thoroughly uplifted. I had WAY too many favorites to outline on here. But I did go in with my questions and I came out with answers. Whoohoo.

4) Work has been EDUCATIONAL. I am finally learning how to deal with problem employees or disputes between employees and managers etc. I took part in putting an employee on an Improvement Plan, or she'll be canned in a month. It was sad to see her cry, but it seems like she needs to take a step up. Then I have spent many hours after that meeting basically "counseling" both the employee and the manager. Which I think is somewhat HILLARIOUS, seeing that I haven't ever done an improvement plan before. Plus, I don't even know the process or many of the answers to their questions. Luckily I get to run to Jayne my boss who says I'm doing fine. But it's a good experience. I felt pretty worn out yesterday after about 3 hours of it!! I wasn't ready to handle any other "emotional" problems. My main message to this employee was to stop being the "victim" and really do something and take a step up. I mean, if I was being evaluated as "poor" I would run in and talk to my manager and try to figure out what I could do rather than moping around and saying it's not my fault. Okay..... I'm not supposed to pick sides am I??? Trying not to... But, what I am learning!!! And there's no way I could learn this at school. Hopefully after a few of these I'll at least know what to advise and feel more confident.

5) Umm... nada mucho. Nothing much is left that I can think of. This weekend it's Easter. It's still cold, but I can see a few blossoms on the trees and that makes me happy.

Happy Easter Everyone!

You got me...

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS!!!

Okay - What if I said the scorpion thing was a joke?? Well, I'm not that good. It wasn't a joke. It would have been a great one though huh??? But instead I totally really was bitten. Yep. Twice. (You gotta read the last post if you haven't)

I didn't pull off any jokes today, but I did fall for one. Megan Cannon, now Williams, is always pranking me on 4/1. I happened to chat with her on-line and I wanted the updates on life and marriage etc. She promptly replied that she has been having headaches for about a month and finally took a pregnancy test and YEP, she's pregnant due in October but hadn't told anyone but her family so far. I totally freaked out...for about 10 seconds. I was so mad that she would tell me this very pertinent information over chat!! Gosh!! But, after the freak out and excitement, I asked - wait is this a April Fools prank? Yep. She got me. I mean it's not unlikely that she would have been prego right? Most all my friends get pregnant during the honeymoon or shortly after, so I wasn't too surprised. But, Megan and Jon don't have a little baby yet, someday though and maybe I'll be able to get her back at that point somehow? I donno. Ideas?

Hope you all had fun pranking people. I love it, but totally sucked this year. I think I need a partner in crime. I'm not a good liar...