The real reason for not blogging

So 6, almost 7 weeks, and I have done a horrible job blogging. But it's actually been due to an illness. Since the end of March, I've been fighting a bacterium called C. diff. It used to be known as a hospital bug and everyone that's heard of it thinks I work in or around a hospital. Well, I don't. Doctors are finding that this particular baddie has started becoming a community-acquired infection because of over usage of anti-biotics. Which is exactly what happened to me. Last year, I had it and it cleared up quickly. This year, after the miscarriage and about 4 rounds of different anti-biotics trying to treat sinus infections, ear infections, etc, I ended up with C. diff again. Every flair up means I spend 2-4 days without food in my system. Really, this is the worst weight loss program ever. Most foods became triggers to upsetting my system. And crazy as it sounds, the treatment step 1 is anti-biotics. Treatment step 2 is a stronger and extremely expensive antibiotic. After 3 outbreaks, that's where I ended up. After a good long dose of the treatment step 2 and several weeks of modifying my diet (no diary, limiting other irritants), I am feeling so much better! Stomach issues seem to be gone. and hopefully, I can keep them gone! the funniest part to me was when they were verifying everything was ok via colonoscopy (which it was), I figured out I had a yeast infection - yet another side effect of too many anti-biotics!! But finally, I feel totally healthy!

If you want to read more, look it up on WebMD. It freaked me out a little but I felt better for myself having the information. Truth is, everyone has some C. diff in their system. It's just that some systems allow for the C. diff to become the predominant bacteria amongst the hundreds different varieties that you have in your intentines. Some are good, some are bad but as long as the good out number the bad, you are doing good.

IF YOU ARE TAKING ANTI-BIOTICS, please please please get some good bacteria in your system. If you like yogurt, eat yogurt. If you don't (and I do not), add a probiotic (acidopholis tablet) to your daily intake. If you are taking strong anti-biotic, consider a strong probiotic and the yogurt. for kids on anti-biotics, it is good to buy the yogurt tubes and freeze them - fun popsicle and good bacteria delivery mechanism all at the same time! The only warning I have is that if you have a dairy intolerence, stay away from the "lacto" bacteria - these are derived from milk so they can somewhat help but not as effectively.

I don't want to ever be that sick again (I've had stomach flus that weren't this bad) nor do I want anyone else that sick. I mean it. Even people I don't like. So take care of yourself and your stomach/intenstines - that's where your immune system gets its magical healing powers to help the rest of your body!

Bathroom

Well, well, well... I am finally back on blogging. Before I fill you in on everything the past 6 weeks have carried me, here's a look at one of the big projects in our house:




We started this project back in December when we quit using our Master Bathroom shower when we realized there was a leak. Demo came in March. We ripped out every large thing in the bathroom. And then drywall got ripped out too. Mostly because all of the pipes in the house had to be replaced. Thank goodness the kitchen ceiling was already down and they just worked through that. Only a few holes in other spots but the guy that patched all that was a miracle worker.
The shower pan was the first thing to go in, along with new hardy-backer behind the shower area. Dad and Steve did an amazing job putting a 400 pound beast into place, level, and getting all the plumbing just right. Then the marble walls for the shower went in. this was all in April. By the end of April, they were putting in glass to finish the shower. Problem was that we had to finish everything else. And when we pulled the toilet off, we found black mold growing under the toilet where it had never been sealed properly when the previous owners had linoleum put in (originally it was carpeted). Then drywall went back on, painting happened and hardi-backer went on the floor. My uncle and grandfather came down for a quick trip with some tools and a tile saw and they tiled the floor! More painting to finish the final coats. And finally, some minor disasters trying to get the tub and cabinets in. We ended up buying a new countertop even though that was not originally our intention. Finally, just after Mother's Day, all the big stuff was in. Then we added towel bars, towel rings, a mirror, finally lights (only because that order was delayed because the light place thought they ordered it but the light manufacturer had no record of the order), and then I found the iciing for the bathroom. I walked in Target and found 3 towels and 2 hand towels and washcloths that matched perfectly. And that's all they had left in that leaf pattern in the green and white. I was not quite sure if it would match but I bought it. When I got it home - perfect! We also moved everything else into the cabinets! And then I added Sun & Surf candles! The first bath in my clawfoot, I almost fell asleep! The clawfoot is volcanic limestome - a manmade material that is so wondereful and keeps the water nice and warm. The drain is crazy cool - it's a touch closure so all I have to do is push on it and it opens or closes. So cool! I think I need a bath now!

Earth Day!

Yes, my birthday is on Earth Day. One of the first really large celebrations was on my actual day of birth. My 21st birthday was when Disney opened Animal Kingdom. It's kind of a neat celebration, really. So, for my birthday today, go out and plant something. Recycle. Repurpose something that seems like junk. Choose natural products. Save a tree or an animal - my aunt rescued a blind dog, keeping her alive. Do something for some part of our Earth. Beca has been learning about it too - she likes to help with the recycling! And she said to me with the most pleading eyes the other day "But we need to save our Earth". Check out Wall-E if you haven't for a light-hearted look at the potentially serious issue. Maybe we can all green our lives just a little bit and help our Mother Earth be her very best.

I don't pretend to be a complete worshipper of our Earth but I try to do what I can in my realm of convenience. Even small steps are steps. But I am super excited that our big recycling bin from the Town of Cary will arrive sometime very soon! And there''s a lot more paper products and such that they can take now!

Easter Day & a busy week

Easter Day was actually a really good day even though it started with a 2:30 AM scream when Beca realized she had peed in her pullup. She's been trying so hard not to do it and she gets so upset when she does. But she also sleeps like her Daddy once she is asleep and in the middle of the night, there's no waking her up. But we ended up getting to the church nice and early for the 8AM service. Even got a good parking space but ddn't have to stand outside in the grass to get our feet wet for the sunrise service. Beca spent part of the service trying to sing with us but most of it wallowing on the pew with her feet over her head.

It was chilly but we got a family picture outside at my parents anyway after church. Then we headed in for pancakes, eggs and sausage. Beca got an Easter basket from our house and an Easter basket from Oma. She was also in the mood to demand everything. Luckily, one of those demands was to stay with Oma while Steve and I went home to change (oh, and a nap). We also got some food together and then we all went to the Bloom's for Easter lunch.

There was lots of great food - ham and fried chicken! Beca only grazed but flitted around to visit everyone. then it was time for the egg hunt. Remember, Beca is the only person under 20. She got a head start and of course the most help in the first round. The second round, the "children" got to hunt eggs and ended up attacking each other. Then they hid eggs for the adults - Beca helped hide them, then helped Oma by pointing them out. Final round was a hunt just for Beca. she ended up with a basket from Jan, a basket from Traci and a basket from Tricia! Then she was given a bunch of the other toys and candy that the "kids" had gotten in their baskets. It was a sugary sweet and super fun day!

Monday, our Marble walls were put in for the shower in the master bath. The looked really nice. Tuesday, we had tickets to Happy Days, the Musical. It was a great show!

things I love 46 - restaurants

I love to eat food other people have made. I like to bake but not really cook. So I really enjoy getting food from somewhere. I really love it when we are able to plan something around food, which most of our vacations are. We actually plan out our Disney meals, especially when we want to eat the good stuff! Reservations are my friend and I love meeting people somewhere just to eat and catch up. Can you tell I'm hungry?

Good Friday

For some reason, I had to go to Good Friday service this year. Or as I call it after years of TEC, Die Day. It just is.

"Truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24

I am glad I did. I chose the 7:30 service and did not make Beca and Steve go. Good choice. It was a very good service, with much of the responses to readings done by our Choir as pieces from Handel's Messiah. What an amazing gift to the human race. An amazing collection of moving music. It was truly a reminder that Jesus was selfless for everyone else.

things I love - 44 & 45 - cake & ice cream

As I got farther behind, I realized that I just needed to finish this up. There will be some time later for the longer posts I had planned.

So, I love cake & ice cream. Cake is one of my very favorite foods. And paired with ice cream, it is even better. Now, an ice cream cake is truly marvelous. I love good cake, especially when it is not too thick but not too light. Ice cream is one of those wonderful treats and I can only rarely find my favorite, which I believe still keeps it as my favorite. Raspberry ice cream (not sorbet) is perfectly purple and dreamy creamy. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

things I love 43 - spas

I love to be pampered and have someone give me a massage or facial or pedicure or manicure. My favorite spa treatment though is a sugar or salt scrub. There's an element of massage but the lovely warm water trickling over my muscles is the ultimate relaxation for me. I love having some time where I get to really relax and not worry about what is going on. Just wish I could go do it more often! Maybe when our bathroom is finished, it will feel like my own mini spa. Now who is going to teach Steve how to give a massage?

things I love 42 - vacations

I live for my next vacation. The next big one is the beach with my dad's family! It will be so fun and Beca is really looking forward to hanging out with her cousins (well, really mine) Rachel and Andrew and Dayna. I'm looking forward to a new bathing suit and just chilling and hanging out with my aunts and uncles! After that is our "October Surprise" - Beca does not know where we are going for Halloween but she knows it is a surprise. It's Mickey's FL house - but don't tell her! I can't wait for that trip either - we will be celebrating my grandparents' birthdays too!
Thus far, that's been mostly the focus of my scrapbooks! We ahve such a great time and a good relaxing vacation is just what the doctor ordered! I LOVE VACATIONS!

things I love 39, 40, & 41 - puzzles, family games, and bowling

Again, this post was started weeks ago and I am just now finishing it up.

While I'm not a hugs sports and games fan because I'm not overly fond of direct competition, I have always enjoyed puzzles, family games and bowling. I love how you can do a simple puzzle and just figure it out by the picture or a complex one and you have to use the ability to see both the details and the big picture to make all the pieces fit. Beca loves them too. So I get to do them more.
When I was younger, we played lots of little family games. Mostly because Kyle and I could play them all day long and still entertain each other. I love that my parents joined in, except when Dad said he wasn't going to play a game in the car when he was driving and then would blurt out "there's a J" for the alphabet game or "I found New York" when looking for license plates. It was just as much fun to pick on him for playing when he said he wasn't going to than it was to play the game. Except punch bug in the car - I hate that game. But now Beca has inherited our stash and she is slowly learning how to play them. But since she's 3, she cheats and she is learning why. But she is doing really good at Bingo now that she knows her numbers and letters better! So it should be lots of fun to play family games together again. And just so you know, chutes are for going down, not climbing up. That requires constant clarification!
My one sport that I do like is bowling. I loved the semester in college that I took bowling 3 days a week, bowled for intramural and played occasionally for fun. I was really good, even getting a 210 in a game! Not that good any more. But the Wii helps to curb the urge to toss a ball at someone! All you do is imagine someone you want to knock over on the pins, aim the ball and chuck it! I even know my stance, although with the additonal shifts since Beca was born, I have to modify that now. Can't wait for her to go bowling soon!