While you were sleeping .....

Typically after having taken a medication for years one suddenly does not begin to exhibit side effects to the medication or do they? I guess maybe they do.
Being an insomniac since about birth, I finally was given a medication to help with sleeping. I take a vacation from it on a regular basis because it loses it's effectiveness every few months. So I will suck it up and switch to Melatonin for a few weeks or until I can't stand it anymore and have to sleep. I took a vacation about a month ago and have returned to my sleep med but apparently have began to experience a big side effect.
Zolpidem Tarate (or Ambien)  has a few side effects as all medications do. It has the usual, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth. None of which I have experienced. Then the stranger one, where people do things they don't realize such as: fixing entire meals and eating them, driving to the store and shopping, and the one I just discovered sending emails.

A friend of mine called me today and asked me why I emailed him at 3:00 am last night. I was so confused but sure enough when I looked in my sent mail, there it was. A nice, horribly written, rambling, misspelled, email. He thought maybe I had started drinking and was just still partying from the Superbowl. But I assured him I had long been in bed before 3:00am. As I looked further into my sent box I noticed that there were several more middle of the night emails. All rambling, misspelled, terrible emails. Luckily I have no work contacts in my personal email. But to all of you family and friends out there who might have received some random middle of the night email. Sorry, at least it wasn't a phone call.(Apparently people do that as well.) No wonder I have been so tired lately. I guess it's time for another vacation.

It is like a sack of potatoes.....

I went to the doctor last week for a follow-up on my medication for my thyroid. I don't weight myself at home. We don't actually even own a scale. I have always weighed myself at the gym or at the Doctors office.

Since we have the Wii fit I can track my BMI but I still do not pay attention to my weight. I have always focused on two things. The first one being how I feel and the second one how my clothes are fitting. Both have been getting better since Christmas.

Although I have not been feeling better, I did not expect my doctor to ask me what I had been doing to lose all the weight I had lost. I asked her what she was talking about, and she said I had lost 20 pounds since I had been in last. Which was a little less then a month ago.

Then she said,

"Do you realize that is the equivalent of a sac of potatoes"

20 pounds

Wow, now if I can just do that a few more times.

Random Menutia ...

Have you ever.....

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars ~ Many times
3. Been to Key West, FL ~I have heard you get there and kind of go " Wow, this is it!!!"
4. Vacationed in Hawaii~Wish I was there now!!!
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/Disney World ~ Never have and never will. I am lucky enough to have siblings who will take Mason.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo or played a solo
11. Bungee jumped ~ One time only, you have to try everything one, or maybe twice (except Disneyland)
12. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment ~ Sacrament meeting has to be the worst
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Gone rollerskating ~ Friday night classic skating was the best

15. Adopted a child ~ I would love to!!!
16. Gambled in Vegas~ Never!!!
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight ~ Hasn't everyone
22. Hitch hiked ~ I know, I am lucky to be alive.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping~ In another lifetime
27. Run a Marathon ~ Nope but one day Maui I am there!!!
28. Worked at a Cannery or Welfare Farm
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset ~ Several times
31. Played an instrument
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language ~ Not fluent but know enough to communicate in some Sign Language
37. Acted in a play or performed on stage

38. Been to Italy
39. Gone river rafting~ Love too!!!
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke~afraid so
42. Seen ‘Old Faithful’ geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Water Skied~tried to anyway
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance~ Went with someone
47. Had your portrait painted~Do those characture boothes at the fair count???
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Been to Japan
50. Rode a horse

51. Gone snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain
53. Sailed in a boat
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie ~

56. Surfed
57. Started a business~In the process at this very moment
58. Visited the Great Wall of China
59. Lived in a foreign country~Germany
60. Delivered Meals on Wheels or Served at a Soup Kitchen
61. Snow Mobile or Snow Skied~Skied all the time when I was younger
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving~Not yet. Waiting for my 40th birthday
66. Gone Ice Skating
67. Bounced on a pogo stick
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar~gross to!
72. Knit, Crocheted, Sewn, Quilted
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been in a Hot Air Ballon
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle ~ Up over the Alpine Loop, another lucky I'm alive moment.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person ~ Yay, finally this last summer.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car~twice
83. Walked in Jerusalem ~ On my bucket list
84. Had your picture in the newspaper or been on TV
86. Visited the White House ~ Actually back in the day when you could go inside the White house on tours.
87. Been stung by a bee~Twice in one day!!!
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury~ Thank goodness no
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Had to put someone you love in Hospice Care
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake~ Yuck... Yes, if you could call it swimming.
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Eaten Sushi~ Love it!!!
99. Won the Lottery~I won $5.00 on a scratch card once in New Orleans.
100. Read an entire book in one day ~ Several
Copy, paste, and bold what you have done!

It is like living in a dirty fishbowl....

We here in Utah should be so proud. We keep making the list of the top 10 cities with the dirtiest air. Gross just gross. I kept wondering what was wrong with me and why I was having such a terrible time breathing. Well I kept blaming this horrible air but that is only part of the problem.

I have had a terrible cough since before Thanksgiving. I went to the doctor back then and was diagnosed with Bronchitis, given cough syrup and antibiotics. I went through the antibiotics but the cough still remained. Being so busy I just put up with it. Over Christmas though, the cough was getting so bad that I couldn't breath. I would get "Brain freeze headaches" from coughing so hard.

Yesterday I had enough. I just felt so terrible I called into the doctors but she is out of town. So they scheduled me with her assistant. He listened to my lungs and decided to do an x-ray.

He said this is why I can't breath.

Pneumonia!!!!

So I am now home from work for the rest of the Christmas vacation. I am banned from going outside.So no sledding, No tubing, No building our castle. There will be no New Years "Eve" Festival for me. The doctor says I have to stay in bed and rest.

Although, I am guessing that isn't to bad of a thing.

Christmas randomness.....

Best Christmas gift received till date: My wedding ring.
Dream Christmas gift: Probably a family trip to Maui or a raft to run the river.
Favorite Christmas carol: Mary, Did You Know?
Best thing about Christmas: Memories, lots of great memories
Most memorable Christmas moment: Mason walking up to "Santa" and saying "Hi, Uncle Brett." Party or prayers: Prayers, always prayers
Favorite Christmas drink: Hot Apple Cider
Favorite Christmas movie: Christmas Vacation, it makes me cry every time I watch it. My grandfather loved this movie and I can hear him laughing every time I watch it.
Do you believe in Santa Claus?: I believe in the story of Santa Claus, there is to much commercialism that surrounds him. I would rather focus on the birth of Christ.
Best store for Christmas shopping: Target
Favorite childhood memories: Opening Pajama's on Christmas Eve, strawberry waffles for breakfast and monopoly marathons.
Have you started Christmas shopping?: I am done.
Favorite Christmas food: Peanut Brittle, and Cherry Chocolates
This year's Christmas wish: To be part of my husbands family again.
Your favorite Christmas decoration: My nativities
Giving or receiving?: Giving
What do you do on Christmas eve?: Dinner, read the christmas story, and relax.
Number of Christmas cards you send: 75-100
Number of Christmas cards you get: About the same as I send out.
Do you wish for a White Christmas?: Of coarse
How many Christmas parties do you go to?: Six or Seven
Ever played Santa Claus in a party?: Almost had to one year, Santa "Brett" was stuck in rush hour traffic and we had a huge room of people waiting on him.
What do you think of Christmas trees?: I do not think we should kill trees just for the great smell. Buy a candle.

"We're adults... When did that happen? And how do we make it stop?"

One of my closest friend became a grandmother today, a grandmother, I keep saying it over and over but it doesn't sink in. When I look at her I don't see a granmother, when I look at her I see my friend out rafting on the river, out climbing up and down cliff faces, I could go on and on and on. Just like when we look at our brothers and sisters, our friends do not age either. We still see one another as we once were. I don't notice the gray hairs starting to pop out, or the wrinkles starting to form at least until they are pointed out.

I am guessing that I have many years ahead of me before I am a grandmother. So I imagine this whole grandmother thing will eventually sink in. Eventually....

Back on track...

Every year around my birthday I always take the opportunity to look over the year, review what I have accomplished and where I am going to be by next year. Last year at this time my life was in such a sense of turmoil that I didn't even do this self analysis. I let it go and just wandered through the year. Just being thankful I got through the day.
Although I had gotten off track with my educational, and physical goals I realized I have accomplished several other important things throughout this year. I have become a stronger person, my husband and I have become closer and we have become a stronger family unit together. I have learned to be appreciative of what and who I have in my life and have learned to let go of what I cannot control.
With all that being said it is time to get back on track. I have a fortune that has been hanging on my fridge for years. It says "You will acheive your goals if you maintain your course." I just moved it back to where I could see it.
So as I get back on track, which means back to school, and back to the gym. I can only hope and pray that I do not get derailed.
Wish me luck!!!

"Jenn-Ology"

~~~~~~~FOODOLOGY~~~~~

What is your salad dressing of choice? Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Yamoto's

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Humus

What are your pizza toppings of choice? Veggies
What do you like to put on your toast? Peanut Butter
~~~~~~TECHNOLOGY~~~~~~

How many televisions are in your house? 3

What color is your cell phone? Red

~~~~~~BIOLOGY~~~~~

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? wisdom teeth, extra teeth, broken heel spur, appendix, gallbladder

What was the last heavy item you lifted? Bags of Rice

Have you ever been knocked unconscious? I do not think so

~~~~~BULLCRAPOLOGY~~~~~

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I wouldn't-I love that my name it is unique.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?Maybe

~~~~~DUMBOLOGY~~~~~

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 20ish I blew out a couple this summer

( I love flip-flops)

Last time you had a run-in with the cops? I was pulled over this summer between Ephraim and Mt. Pleasant (No, ticket though. He told me just to slow down.)

Last person you talked to? Eric

Last person you hugged? My neice Avery

~~~~~FAVORITOLOGY~~~~~

Season? Fall

Holiday? Halloween

Day of the week? Sunday(It's so peaceful and relaxing)

Month? September(Back to school and the beginning of fall)

~~~~~CURRENTOLOGY~~~~~

Missing someone? My grandfather

Mood? Happy and relieved

What are you listening to? Eric and Mason playing Xbox

Watching? Nothing

Worrying about? Moving

~~~~~RANDOMOLOGY~~~~~

First place you went this morning? To take Daisy for a walk

What's the last movie you saw? The Wedding Singer

Do you smile often? Yes (you never know when your smile may brighten someone elses day)

Sleeping Alone Tonight? No~Eric and I both don't sleep well if one of us isn't in bed
~~~~~OTHER-OLOGY~~~~~

Do you always answer your phone? No

Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? My friend Kim

If you could change your eye color what would it be? Green

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? It used to be Cherry

but I don't drink soda anymore

Do you own a digital camera? Not at this time., whoever stole my car has it

Do you have a pet fish? No, yuck~Fish are only good for eating

Favorite Christmas song(s)?Mary did you know?

What's on your wish list for your birthday? Rafting trip,

which won't happen because of the move. Maybe next year.

Can you do push ups? Not very many.

Can you do a chin up? Ha-ya right!

Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Excited-Life is a Journey,

even with all it's ups and downs I am grateful for my life.

Do you have any saved texts? Mostly phone numbers

Ever been in a car wreck? Yes, a few although only 1 was my fault

Do you have an accent? Not that I'm aware of.

What is the last song to make you cry? Listening to the Jr. Primary

sing "Love is spoken here".

Plans tonight? Sleep

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Not this week!

Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Gas, sunflower seeds and a water

Have you ever been given roses? Yes, I would rather have daisies though

Current worry? Moving

Current hate right now? The relationship we have with my husbands family.

Met someone who changed your life? Everyday I meet someone that adds to my life in some way or another. Although Eric and Mason have made the biggest change

How will you bring in the New Year? With my family.

What song represents you? "Some beach, Some where"

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? I think so

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?Just my ears

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? Certainly hope so-

we've been married for over 17 years.

Would you be a pirate? Heck yes, to be on a boat everyday!

Of coarse that would be the only part I would like

Just a little randomness, I thought I would jot down for future reference.