Dear Darla Diaries

i did it ... i really, really did it

This has been a long and drawn out little fella. When I saw the pattern I thought By Golly I Can Do That! Don't wast your money friend! I just didn't fully think through the joy of creating nearly 12 itty bitty bits. Since I have the attention span of a ... sQuIrEl! Would you like chocolate syrup on your sundae? What?! Doing projects more complicated than scarves or beanies or smallish person blankets requires dedication and committment that I can't always commit too regardless of the effort. But. I. Did. It.

Here's to your Keegan! Minions For The World!

look at all the treasures i found

I tackled the unimaginable. I unpacked the last of the 7 boxes. Granted it is now in miscellaneous piles all over the spare room floor. Don't judge me! I am an OCD packrat which means I can't throw it out, it may have a purpose. I instead get to reorganize my piles every move. Goodie for me I tend to do whackadoo stuff like UNPACKING whenever the hubby goes away for long periods of time.

Oh look. Twin made it into the box. A very interesting tale is how she got the name of Chebacca. She may not be as entertained ... if she can remember past the hangover the story.

Pippin appreciated the friend. You'll pardon the blurriness but the iPhone doesn't have a Cat Macro. He says he is neglected and wants access to all the toys in the house, not just 2/3.

Oh goodie Husband cancelling earphones for target practicing. I will enjoy being trapped inside them for the next round at the shooting range, or a boys night in. I have a second set with skulls on them that attach to my computer for game night.

Interesting story with this fluffy fellow. Hubby has given me numerous toys and oddities over the last decade. I can't for the life of me place my finger on the story behind this guy. He feels important, but than I do have a heavy emotional attachment to most of my bric-a-brac. Twin? Buckwheat? If ya'll know feel free to remind me.

Why Hello New Years Eve 1998! I wish this wasn't so blurry. That happy little shot glass has the longest history of all of them. That glass represents the night I learned that tequila by the bottle is a very bad thing! And if a person is willing to do body shots at the age of 18 like a street hussy expect the consequences of severe bruising and pain with the hangover the next morning. 

Note to self: Don't repeat the action.

Second note to self: Tequila is the devil.

Final note to self: 36 hour hangovers are never worth it.

Seriously moving men? Seriously? One giant ass wadded piece of paper for 4 thumb tacks? You couldn't have stuck them inside the shot glass and wrapped it up or hell, just asked if we wanted them packed that badly in the first place?

Award: biggest waste of paper.

The frosting on the unpacking cupcake: monkey slippers. I was given these bad boys the Christmas prior to our move to Germany. And by giving I mean I purchased my own and mom's christmas presents and wrapped them for myself. Take that stupid drunk useless neglectful Santa Clause! Hey pussy get your paws off my monkey!

 

oh cold of my cold

I've spent the last 8 days doing the unspeakable: fighting a head cold. It's unspeakable because who wants a disease like that in the summer when, for once, it didn't seem to be attacking everyone around me? Woke up last Tuesday to feel like congestion was trying to claw it's way through my facial pores. The throbbing in my head was on the offensive in time with my blinking eyes and death felt immeninent. I had assumed it to be just another 48 hour bug.

Why do I get the weird diseases?

After the third straight day, flat on my bak on the couch, the cold had just shifted. Headache to sore throat to coughing to nasal congestion. It was awesome. I attempted to work on day four feeling partially better ... only to have that hope diminish after four hours of wasted energy.

It's been nearly a week. I still have throbbing sinus face and a cough but am 75% better. I see the doctor for the dreaded umpteenth pap of the month and hope he'll give me meds to topple it without setting me back into HepA land. Even the MIL is a little dubious. Partly through day three of last week she had an eagle eye on me and the thought of speed dialing a friend to take me to the ER if she didn't see improvement. Luckily for me she did ... somewhat. It's odd to me that I only have energy for part of the day. After six hours of shift today my coworker deposited me back at my car to rest since it was super hot and we had a light load to go with my progressively throbbing sinuses and hacking cough.

Joy.

I am not dying. I really am feeling better. It's just been a slow process. And I'm starting to get aggravated with weird diseases.

On the plus side my husband has been just as thorough as stalking me as his mother. I was even grounded to the couch after our weekly Skype date with orders to rest, relax and top off the drugs. Yes sir, I did.

P.S. Thank you Heather and Jess for the soup-cold-kit and visit. Thank you Brig for the drugs and company. Thank you Faith for the ecalyptus bath salts and visit. Thank you Ramona for the company. Thank you Gary and Fil for taking the MIL to the grocery store for a food run. Thank you Mark for being light on me with the work load. Thank you Suse, Twin, Rue and the Parentals for keeping an ear on me. Thank you Babe for loving me and always being concerned.

today I make a minion

His assembly has been a long time coming, but as I am on day 5 of the cold recovery and grounded on the couch ... project to be completed!

This little fella is for my friend Keegan.

it's not just any cold

Somehow I contracted the damn cold. Low-grade Fever, Congestion, Headache, and Bodyache are present and accounted for. Luckily for me it's not a ManCold!

 

P.S. ... I kept the knee ... like you had any doubts. The bruise is very pretty and definitely worth sharing.

 

deployment curse strikes again!

Edit: So after a good night's sleep the bump went down slightly, mobility is only slightly impaired/twingy and the bruise is darkening. The good news? I get to keep the leg? Melodramatic much Darla? Why yes, that's why I instantly ran to the blog to cry Danger! Danger! Danger! My leg is hurt crazy bad!

As always, here at Darla-land we appreciate the support!

I slipped on my friends freshly washed kitchen floor while grabbing wipes to clean the baby. 12 hours later I notice a rock size lump on my right knee. (Please excuse the cat scratches and pastywhiteness. I have no one to impress at the moment and I live in jeans.) Hopefully tomorrow morning when I wake up it will still be mobile and only discolored. If not it's a good thing I work at the hospital and my coworker can transport me.

Text conversation with the hubby about the accident.

14 Aug, 2001 20:19

Me: ooh I have a big lump on my knee from falling @ gibson's. may have to get it checked out tomoro. awesomesauce!

Him: You should stop doing that.

Me: ikr! [i know right] I slipped walking across the kitchen floor. damn the deployment curse!

Him: Just showing you how important it is to keep your eyes open! Love you. Time for sleep. Gnight!

Me: Good night. Luv u too!

helped a friend move

We just washed that window! Ross you are a horrible babysitter!!

If Faith says it's safe to balance on a counter on a chair on a cooler who am I to argue? Have Faith!

Yes this does have a weight barring load! And I'm not it! Whoopeee!

Baby Daniel was coaching his mother: Float like a butterfly. StInG like a bEE!

Can ya'll clean this room last?

Faith don't jump! It's not that bad!

I'm the newest member of a BretMi.chaels hairband! My name is MollySue. Rawr.

[almost forgot the photo]

seriously lady?
of all the photos of me to put on your blog you use this one?
by the way your soda was very tangy ...
and your feet need a bath ...
gotta go stalk the spiders in the bath tub.
pippin

maybe i should stick to self medicating

The doctor switched up my nasal sprays due to the ever increasing chronic nosebleeds issue and in doing so also took me off my nasal decongestant. I'm not sure if the side effects I could receive/am already receiving is worth the switch. Let's play a little compare and contrast game.

 

The former med: Nasonex (NSAID - steroidal - nasal spray) taken with Loratadine [Claritan] (nasal decongestant).

Directions: One spray each nostril, once a day. One pill once a day

Pros: When taken with the decongestant and pain reliever it reduced the fairly normal facial sinus swelling, sinus drip and sinus headache after about an hour, and relieved it most of the day. (Mind you the cocktail is necessary. In pieces they merely shake a stick at Pain, who laughs and flaunts his hold on my face.)

Cons: Nose bleeds from right nostril. Depending on the severity of the allergy day (welcome 43rd day of rainy, muggy, fall in the middle of July August) may only last for a fraction of the day. With the meds being a 'take one in the 24 hour time frame' variety I get to tough it out and due to blood pressure issues shouldn't piggyback with more OTC meds.

 

The new med: Astelin  [azelastine] (antihistamine spray)

Dosage: Two sprays each nostril, twice a day

Purpose: 'To relieve nasal symptoms such as runny/itching/stuffy nose, sneezing and post-nasal drip caused by seasonal allergies.'

Important Safety Information: Avoid alcohol, sedatives, operating machinery, and driving.

Pros: The sinus drip no longer plagues me. Can take twice a day.

Cons: Instant foul taste in back of mouth/throat that food and liquids don't seem to effect. Slight shortness of breath. Fatigue. Driving issues? Driving issues? I drive a car for a living! My job is shopping for patients at one military hospital at another military installation 25k away!

Side effects (not yet received) may include: Sneezing fits, nausea, weight gain, muscle aches, the inability to think clearly (found that on their website!) and red eyes. 

Anyone besides me scratching their head and thinking what the heck? I really wonder why I can't return to the old days when I took a very efficient dose of Alavert, Loratadine (Sudafed) and Ibuprofen. The pills were small and easy to swallow. The Alavert dissolved on the way down and gave me near instant relief. It was only twice the dosage of cold meds I should take at once. With the exception of slightly raised blood pressure there weren't any side effects. No nose bleeds, headaches, bad mouth tastes, drowsiness, impaired judgement or weight gain. The only downside is I'm really sick of swallowing mouth wash and devouring breath mints so the husband will kiss me without the post nasal drip. Some people.

just another day in paradise

I had the joy of going to the doctor today for him to inspect my masturbatorily injured right wrist and my coke bleeding right nostril. Also known as my semi-defunct carpal tunnel wrist and allergy issues. I play too much WoW, crochet a bit and use nasal sprays! Get your mind out of the gutter!

As I've mentioned before nothing says loving like a military/physician's family medicine clinic.

   

     [Act One: Nurse in happy blue scrubs and a burgeoning baby belly floats in to take my vitals.]

    Everything good?

    Yep. Except you will freak out in a sec when my blood pressure hits 145/95.

    Bad day?

    No, it's always like that, that's why I've seen the doctor so much.

    Still on [insert generic name] birth control pills?

    No that was for a month in January to regulate my cycle. Just me and my irregular ovaries completley birthcontrolfree. [Stares pointedly at fetus junior.]

    The jovial nurse misses the stare, giggles and hurries off to her next task.

 

    [Act Two: Tap Tap Tap on the door.]

    Yes?

    I made the mistake of opening the door for the unannounced visitor. Random lady person comes rushing in and takes a seat. I thought I had met them all at prior visitors but apparently not so.

    Yes, you probably remember me but I'm Nurse Nancy* I've been trying to schedule your Pap Smear. You see you had one in January and we lost the sample and need you to have another one. (She says while giving me the Why Did You Smuggle Your Sample Home You Silly Girl? look.)

    Oh yes, I've talked to you. I had an ovarian exam in January to clear up a heavy irregular menstruation issue. The Pap was in late June and you called me midJuly because your NURSE forgot to bring up the sample and/or give it to me to do likewise. We than rescheduled for Monday ... (I give her the You Know It's Been IN Your Desk The Whole Time Lady! look.)

    (She interrupts mid-Monday syllable.) Oh good you had it done!

    nooo ... due to medical issues I have to reschedule again.

    *insert chirrping crickets and disbelieving look on her face*

    Oh dear that just won't do! When are you available?!?

    Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays are good for meee. (Before the words had left my mouth she sprinted out of the room, booked an appointment and returned a slip to my hand. These people are determined to touch my lady parts! 3 times since January and twice since June!.)

 

    [Act Three: Insert doctor.]

    Welcome back, everything alright?

    Nothing out of the ordinary.

    [Blah blah blah, update on wrist, blah blah blah, update on allergy meds.]

    Your steroid nasal spray is thinning out the membrane and causing bleeding. Let's switch it to an antihistamine nose spray. You can take two sprays in each nostril (versus one), twice a day (versus one.) That should help.

    *Me thinking that could also cause nosebleeds.

    Also I'll prescribe you to get an xray and see Physical Med to verify if it is Carpal Tunnel since the meds and the brace don't really do anything besides interfering with your job and driving.

    We've kind of just been patching it together, we should probably look at fixing it.

    *That man should be so glad that I LIKE him.

 

    [Act Four: Me mouthing off to young military radiology tech while getting wrist bone x-ray'd]

    So this is far more comfortable than a chest x-ray. (As I sit full clothed with my wrist on a table sans the big ugly x-ray apron.)

    Much more comfortable for the both of us! He says.

    You're telling me! That was the last one I had to have. Since I had a temperature of 104+ I couldn't have cared what I was showing to who.

    That sucked, could they at least tell you what was wrong?

    Nope, that was half the problem. They all kept telling me I was hot, and I'd remark 'you're telling me.'