A year ago today, I was attempting to sleep in my La-Z-Boy chair, sipping water, and feeling at peace. A year ago today, I had breast reduction surgery.
Having breast reduction surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am so grateful my insurance eventually agreed to pay for it and hope that in time, this surgery will be readily covered for anyone who pursues it, because it does improve the quality of life. I hope that any of you out there who are "overly blessed" have the courage to pursue breast reduction, as I can share that since having it done, I no longer feel like a freak. I feel normal.
The date of April 28 will always be important to me. And, should my biggest fear ever come true, if they ever grow back...I will break the bank to have it done again.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
2006 Ohio State Spring Football Game
What a gorgeous day for a football game. Over 63,000 showed up to get a preview of the 2006 Buckeyes. Unbelievable crowd. That's what makes being part of the Buckeye Nation so special. Scarlet won 12-0. Makes me long for fall.
On an unrated note, I walked from my office, to the 'Shoe with no aches and pains. I think that is a positive thing.
On an unrated note, I walked from my office, to the 'Shoe with no aches and pains. I think that is a positive thing.
Friday, April 21, 2006
A Copic Coincidence
I spent the beginning of the week in Wisconsin. I had to visit some schools there as I'm still catching up from my "break" in March. They have an excellent stamp store in the area, that I always look forward to visiting. This is the store that introduced me to Copic markers this past fall.
I visited the store briefly on Tuesday, just to get in my head what purchases I might make on Wednesday when I would have longer time to look and think. I knew there was a possibility I would be adding to my Copic marker collection, as having bought Set B in the fall from them, it would make great sense to buy Set A from them this trip. Copic markers are *very expensive*, almost unjustifiably so. They allowed me to take some photos of some card samples, as I just adore the work they have displayed. I told them that I would be back the next day, as I didn't want them to think I wasn't going to buy anything, after they had granted me photo permission. They remembered me being there in the fall, as I had shared with them that I was from Ohio, and that I was really enjoying the Copic markers I had purchased.
So, Tuesday night I had a decision to make. Buy some stamps, or buy the Copic markers. My bank account, along with the impending "Adventures in Stamping" this weekend, would not allow for both. So, after talking with M that night on the phone, I was all prepared to purchase the Copic makers from the store after the "support the small business guy and don't you want them to still be in business the next time you are there" talk from M. Yes, I was prepared to pay them about $20 more than what I can get the set from Dick Blick online.
Imagine my surprise, shock, disappointment to see that "suddenly" a very inflated pricetag appeared on sets of Copic markers. This was after no pricetags were on the sets on my previous visit, less than 24 hours prior. Coincidence? They knew I wanted those markers and they probably thought they had a live one on their hands that was probably going to buy the Copic markers. They had marked the price up $40 from what the Dick Blick price is.
So, I bought some rubberstamps, thus still supporting the store in general, but didn't give them a $40 profit. I paid only $20 above in the fall. They screwed themselves out of a Copic marker sale with the somewhat greedy act.
I visited the store briefly on Tuesday, just to get in my head what purchases I might make on Wednesday when I would have longer time to look and think. I knew there was a possibility I would be adding to my Copic marker collection, as having bought Set B in the fall from them, it would make great sense to buy Set A from them this trip. Copic markers are *very expensive*, almost unjustifiably so. They allowed me to take some photos of some card samples, as I just adore the work they have displayed. I told them that I would be back the next day, as I didn't want them to think I wasn't going to buy anything, after they had granted me photo permission. They remembered me being there in the fall, as I had shared with them that I was from Ohio, and that I was really enjoying the Copic markers I had purchased.
So, Tuesday night I had a decision to make. Buy some stamps, or buy the Copic markers. My bank account, along with the impending "Adventures in Stamping" this weekend, would not allow for both. So, after talking with M that night on the phone, I was all prepared to purchase the Copic makers from the store after the "support the small business guy and don't you want them to still be in business the next time you are there" talk from M. Yes, I was prepared to pay them about $20 more than what I can get the set from Dick Blick online.
Imagine my surprise, shock, disappointment to see that "suddenly" a very inflated pricetag appeared on sets of Copic markers. This was after no pricetags were on the sets on my previous visit, less than 24 hours prior. Coincidence? They knew I wanted those markers and they probably thought they had a live one on their hands that was probably going to buy the Copic markers. They had marked the price up $40 from what the Dick Blick price is.
So, I bought some rubberstamps, thus still supporting the store in general, but didn't give them a $40 profit. I paid only $20 above in the fall. They screwed themselves out of a Copic marker sale with the somewhat greedy act.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Peep Stadium Makes Flicker Explore!
I was able to pull off a major Flickr feat. On Monday, my picture of the Peep Stadium appeared on Flickr's explore page, thus for a moment my photo was one of the top 500 photos uploaded on March 29, 2006. If you're on Flickr, you know this is an accomplishment.
Here is a shameless plea, please go visit the original photo at Peep Fans In Ohio Stadium on my Flickr site. This will help me remain in the Top 500. Thanks! I appreciate it!
Here is a shameless plea, please go visit the original photo at Peep Fans In Ohio Stadium on my Flickr site. This will help me remain in the Top 500. Thanks! I appreciate it!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Nostalgic Playlist
As I get to know my iPod, which is no small feat, given they don't even give you directions with the iPod (you must access the manual online), I can't help but wonder about my playlist. They are mostly songs from the 70s and 80s that I've been tranfering from my CDs. Now, mind you, when these songs were popular, iPods didn't even exist. I wonder if anyone else's playlist mirrors mine?
But, I must say my playlist does reflect my life I think, or my tendencies. Though I hate to admit it, I always think about the past. Playing as a child, high school, college, etc. I never seem to live in the present. I always wonder what people are up to that I knew from the past. I love watching shows like "Child Stars from the 80s" on E TV because I grew up with those people (well, not literally, but I feel like I know them). Sometimes I wonder if I would just stop Googling people from my past, stop listening to old music (isn't it freaky that 80s stations are now the "Oldies Stations"), I wonder if I'd feel more grown up than what I do. I still feel like a child, and I know my life is just whizzing by as I just keep looking back. Kinda drives me crazy, because actually, I didn't particulary enjoy high school or college. Though I know age is just a number, isn't it time I feel 36 years old? Shouldn't I feel a sense of urgency to do something...to grow up?
I need to look forward.
Baby steps...this week I'm looking forward to the Ohio State Spring Game on Saturday and Adventures in Stamping in Akron on Sunday. (Actually, I don't even count those as baby steps, but wanted to mention that I am eagarly awaiting the upcoming weekend).
I spent Easter at my parents house. Nothing was sugarfree there and I did give in to the temptation (good thing the iPod came before the Easter bunny), but I'm very happy that Monday will be a new start, and I can undo the damage of Easter sweets this week. My sports hula hoop should come sometime this week, so I can begin to exercise a bit, in some way. That should help too.
But, I must say my playlist does reflect my life I think, or my tendencies. Though I hate to admit it, I always think about the past. Playing as a child, high school, college, etc. I never seem to live in the present. I always wonder what people are up to that I knew from the past. I love watching shows like "Child Stars from the 80s" on E TV because I grew up with those people (well, not literally, but I feel like I know them). Sometimes I wonder if I would just stop Googling people from my past, stop listening to old music (isn't it freaky that 80s stations are now the "Oldies Stations"), I wonder if I'd feel more grown up than what I do. I still feel like a child, and I know my life is just whizzing by as I just keep looking back. Kinda drives me crazy, because actually, I didn't particulary enjoy high school or college. Though I know age is just a number, isn't it time I feel 36 years old? Shouldn't I feel a sense of urgency to do something...to grow up?
I need to look forward.
Baby steps...this week I'm looking forward to the Ohio State Spring Game on Saturday and Adventures in Stamping in Akron on Sunday. (Actually, I don't even count those as baby steps, but wanted to mention that I am eagarly awaiting the upcoming weekend).
I spent Easter at my parents house. Nothing was sugarfree there and I did give in to the temptation (good thing the iPod came before the Easter bunny), but I'm very happy that Monday will be a new start, and I can undo the damage of Easter sweets this week. My sports hula hoop should come sometime this week, so I can begin to exercise a bit, in some way. That should help too.
Friday, April 14, 2006
I'm "Overweight" and Very Happy About It!
What?!? Am I nuts? Read on...
Today, finally, the scale read 174. Very significant number to me. Why? Well, by weighing 174 I am out of the "Obese" category on the BMI charts and have now entered the "Overweight" category. Yahoo! Also, the number of 174 pounds was what I had to weigh last year to get approved for my breast reduction surgery. A year ago, I was starving myself to weigh 174, and I am happy to report that a year later, now at the number again, I didn't starve myself. I've discovered a new way of eating and tricking my body (more protein, no sugar) and I do think I can keep this way of eating for the rest of my life.
If you've been following the sidebar of this blog from the beginning, you'll know that I set 174 as my minigoal, with my reward being an iPod. Well, as of tonight, I am the proud owner of an iPod Nano. I'm psyched!
Notice too, that the journey is not over. There's a new minigoal along the sidebar along with a very sweet reward for accomplishing it. More on that later.
Today, finally, the scale read 174. Very significant number to me. Why? Well, by weighing 174 I am out of the "Obese" category on the BMI charts and have now entered the "Overweight" category. Yahoo! Also, the number of 174 pounds was what I had to weigh last year to get approved for my breast reduction surgery. A year ago, I was starving myself to weigh 174, and I am happy to report that a year later, now at the number again, I didn't starve myself. I've discovered a new way of eating and tricking my body (more protein, no sugar) and I do think I can keep this way of eating for the rest of my life.
If you've been following the sidebar of this blog from the beginning, you'll know that I set 174 as my minigoal, with my reward being an iPod. Well, as of tonight, I am the proud owner of an iPod Nano. I'm psyched!
Notice too, that the journey is not over. There's a new minigoal along the sidebar along with a very sweet reward for accomplishing it. More on that later.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Jim Tressel and Me, Take 4
This is the picture that was taken by my friend KC during "Girls Night Out~Football 101" last Wednesday. You must know that this photo has been cropped a bit...here's the story behind that:
As we were waiting in line to get to interact with Tressel, KC made the decision that she wanted to take the picture using her camera, rather than use mine, because she "knows how her camera works better." That made sense, at the time.
So, when it was finally my turn to stand by Tressel, KC got out her camera. She pushed the button, and as soon as she did, she moved the camera (and it was then looking at the floor) to see the display screen on her camera. That's when the flash went off. She has a delayed flash. Tressel said that he didn't think she got the picture and suggested she try again.
Second attempt, same result. She looked at the screen before the flash went off. At this point, I was getting a bit embarrassed as I don't like attention, and the ladies behind us were getting a bit annoyed as we were prolonging their wait. As I was getting ready to just thank Tressel for his time he said, "Let's try that again."
Again, shot #3, same result. A beautiful shot of the floor. At this point, Coach Tressel started coaching KC on how to take a picture. I was mortified.
Shot #4, both Tressel and I are telling her not to move and to keep looking up. You are seeing the result of those intructions, though most of the picture resulted in just the brick wall behind us with us in the lower third of the photo. So, I cropped the image so that it looked like a more normal shot.
Imagine if she would have used *my* camera, the camera she wasn't familiar with. Geesh!
As we were waiting in line to get to interact with Tressel, KC made the decision that she wanted to take the picture using her camera, rather than use mine, because she "knows how her camera works better." That made sense, at the time.
So, when it was finally my turn to stand by Tressel, KC got out her camera. She pushed the button, and as soon as she did, she moved the camera (and it was then looking at the floor) to see the display screen on her camera. That's when the flash went off. She has a delayed flash. Tressel said that he didn't think she got the picture and suggested she try again.
Second attempt, same result. She looked at the screen before the flash went off. At this point, I was getting a bit embarrassed as I don't like attention, and the ladies behind us were getting a bit annoyed as we were prolonging their wait. As I was getting ready to just thank Tressel for his time he said, "Let's try that again."
Again, shot #3, same result. A beautiful shot of the floor. At this point, Coach Tressel started coaching KC on how to take a picture. I was mortified.
Shot #4, both Tressel and I are telling her not to move and to keep looking up. You are seeing the result of those intructions, though most of the picture resulted in just the brick wall behind us with us in the lower third of the photo. So, I cropped the image so that it looked like a more normal shot.
Imagine if she would have used *my* camera, the camera she wasn't familiar with. Geesh!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Crafty Weekend
Here are the two cards I have to show for my weekend rubberstamping efforts. I'm kinda happy with both. They are both my loose interpretations of the weekly sketch challenge on 2 Peas. The Garden Girl took hours because of me being so layout challenged, but the second one didn't take much time at all.
"Scraps"
We had stamp club today too, and our mission was to create cards using just scraps. The person leading today's session brought in a huge amount of already stamped and colored images, papers, embellishments, etc. We do this once a year and give our finished products to a nursing home. I was really frustrated last year trying to put things together, but this year it seemed a bit easier. Maybe, just maybe, layouts are becoming easier. Nah, just a moment of insane thinking there. But, what really struck me was this lady's "scraps". (See photo) Totally gorgeous. She says she just gets going on a technique and just likes to play. She doesn't even bother constructing the cards. Me, I'm just the opposite. I try things, throw away, but I want to end with a finish product. She's all about the process, not the product. Hmm. I've got to think about that. I'm guessing it is freeing.
Pretty easy week at work, or "at home" as I'm sure I'll choose. I'll take it!
"Scraps"
We had stamp club today too, and our mission was to create cards using just scraps. The person leading today's session brought in a huge amount of already stamped and colored images, papers, embellishments, etc. We do this once a year and give our finished products to a nursing home. I was really frustrated last year trying to put things together, but this year it seemed a bit easier. Maybe, just maybe, layouts are becoming easier. Nah, just a moment of insane thinking there. But, what really struck me was this lady's "scraps". (See photo) Totally gorgeous. She says she just gets going on a technique and just likes to play. She doesn't even bother constructing the cards. Me, I'm just the opposite. I try things, throw away, but I want to end with a finish product. She's all about the process, not the product. Hmm. I've got to think about that. I'm guessing it is freeing.
Pretty easy week at work, or "at home" as I'm sure I'll choose. I'll take it!
Girls Night Out~Football 101
The Ohio State Alumni Association hosted "Girls Night Out~Football 101 with Coach Tressel" for women only on Wednesday. My friend KC invited me to go, since she had received an email on it (I graduated from Ohio State too, but opt not to be a member of the Alumni Association because they only get two terrible seats to one terrible game a year. I can use my money more strategically to get better seats to a terrible game or to get terrible seats to a better game).
Anyway, the event had over 300 women attending. It was totally awesome. I was at the edge of my seat, as I do think this event was created for me. It began with some appetizers and socializing. This allowed us to get our picture taken with Coach Tressel and get items autographed (KC has a picture of me with Tressel that she hasn't sent me yet...I'll post when she does and I didn't have anything for him to autograph). But then, we all went into this room where he talked through 6 plays. It was so interesting to hear his perspective and get a glimpse into how much the football players have to learn. Then, a local television station did an Oprah-style interview with him. I thought it was facinating, and even walked out with a new OSU Alumni hat, as I won a doorprize. All in all, a very cool night. OSU says they are going to do it again in August with Archie!
One of the things I learned was that the team recites a poem right before taking the field. It goes like this:
I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And that I can do, I ought to do.
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.
Also learned that Tressel was hit in the head (hard!) and dropped to the ground by a football thrown by Craig Krenzel the afternoon of the 2002 National Championship. He joked that since he wasn't thinking too straight, that's probably how they ended up winning. LOL! But seriously, I'm so glad I didn't know that had happened. I was nervous enough as is during that game!
Anyway, the event had over 300 women attending. It was totally awesome. I was at the edge of my seat, as I do think this event was created for me. It began with some appetizers and socializing. This allowed us to get our picture taken with Coach Tressel and get items autographed (KC has a picture of me with Tressel that she hasn't sent me yet...I'll post when she does and I didn't have anything for him to autograph). But then, we all went into this room where he talked through 6 plays. It was so interesting to hear his perspective and get a glimpse into how much the football players have to learn. Then, a local television station did an Oprah-style interview with him. I thought it was facinating, and even walked out with a new OSU Alumni hat, as I won a doorprize. All in all, a very cool night. OSU says they are going to do it again in August with Archie!
One of the things I learned was that the team recites a poem right before taking the field. It goes like this:
I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And that I can do, I ought to do.
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.
Also learned that Tressel was hit in the head (hard!) and dropped to the ground by a football thrown by Craig Krenzel the afternoon of the 2002 National Championship. He joked that since he wasn't thinking too straight, that's probably how they ended up winning. LOL! But seriously, I'm so glad I didn't know that had happened. I was nervous enough as is during that game!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Numbers
Before this whole foot issue, I signed up to get my numbers tested (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, etc)today at Ohio State because our insurance is bribing people to do this with a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. I'll do just about anything for money (within reason!), even if it means getting poked in the finger. Today was my appointment, and I just had to curse myself for all of the walking it required, as I'm still wearing the boot. Park the car on the 7th floor of a parking garage, walk to the hospital, walk all over the hospital to find the closet where the tests were being given.
So imagine my delight when the 10 year old (just a slight exageration) student is the one who is going to be doing the testing. It hurt like hell because he wasn't as skilled as the nurse who was supposed to be doing the test. No, she's too busy teaching the other student worker how to file paperwork. This all happening in the closet, that was no bigger, I'd say than 4 foot by 4 foot.
One of the numbers that had to be obtained was weight (oh joy!). And the 10 year old wouldn't let me take off my boot, which must weigh 5 lbs, or is it just customary that all medical scales are always 5lbs more than your home scale?
Anyway, I'm relieved that all of the numbers are fine, the only one that was slightly high was the triglycerides number. It is supposed to be below 200, and I scored a 167. I guess you're really supposed to be somewhere below 150 for optimal. I'll work to get it down. I really think I'm doing all the right things by eliminating the sugar anyway. I would shutter what my numbers would have been a few years ago, prior to me losing the weight that I have (My heighest weight was 223).
So, I walked about 10 minutes to get to the 4x4 closet so the 10 year old could administer my tests while 2 other people were crowded into the closet as well. The 5 lb boot just didn't seem to matter to the 10 year old, as see, he hasn't yet reached the point in life (above 30) when most become metabolically challenged. But now, at least I can spend some time thinking what to spend my $50 on, and hope to go through the same process 12 months from now, and see some lower numbers (except for I'd like a finger pricker about 20 next time).
On an unrelated note: Is anyone else disappointed in the Final Four Fizzle? Three of the most boring games ever played!
So imagine my delight when the 10 year old (just a slight exageration) student is the one who is going to be doing the testing. It hurt like hell because he wasn't as skilled as the nurse who was supposed to be doing the test. No, she's too busy teaching the other student worker how to file paperwork. This all happening in the closet, that was no bigger, I'd say than 4 foot by 4 foot.
One of the numbers that had to be obtained was weight (oh joy!). And the 10 year old wouldn't let me take off my boot, which must weigh 5 lbs, or is it just customary that all medical scales are always 5lbs more than your home scale?
Anyway, I'm relieved that all of the numbers are fine, the only one that was slightly high was the triglycerides number. It is supposed to be below 200, and I scored a 167. I guess you're really supposed to be somewhere below 150 for optimal. I'll work to get it down. I really think I'm doing all the right things by eliminating the sugar anyway. I would shutter what my numbers would have been a few years ago, prior to me losing the weight that I have (My heighest weight was 223).
So, I walked about 10 minutes to get to the 4x4 closet so the 10 year old could administer my tests while 2 other people were crowded into the closet as well. The 5 lb boot just didn't seem to matter to the 10 year old, as see, he hasn't yet reached the point in life (above 30) when most become metabolically challenged. But now, at least I can spend some time thinking what to spend my $50 on, and hope to go through the same process 12 months from now, and see some lower numbers (except for I'd like a finger pricker about 20 next time).
On an unrelated note: Is anyone else disappointed in the Final Four Fizzle? Three of the most boring games ever played!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Butterflies and Flowers
Here is my interpretation of Sketch #5 on Two Peas. Not really my style at all, but I'm trying as I might to not be as "Layout Challenged". This card took me hours. How can that be, when I already have the sketch to work on?
This will get easier.
This will get easier.
(If I tell myself enough, maybe I'll begin to believe it.)
Busy, busy, busy week at work. I can't wait until next weekend, as I'll be able to take a breather. But, until then, its going to be tough.
This will get easier.
This will get easier.
(If I tell myself enough, maybe I'll begin to believe it.)
Busy, busy, busy week at work. I can't wait until next weekend, as I'll be able to take a breather. But, until then, its going to be tough.
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