I've had it

I have gotten headaches regularly for 2 years now. They got better for a little while, but they are back with a vengeance. Yesterday I had one all day...excruciating...2 cups of coffee, Excedrin, and John's shoulder massage later it finally went away. An hour after I went to bed (to bed not to sleep) my left shoulder started throbbing and aching horribly for no known reason. It just felt like pissing me off I guess. Then my upper bu-thigh area just started itching, red bumps and itching, half asleep clawing my bu-thigh flesh to a bloody pulp. Needless to say after 2 hours sleep last night I realized there was something I needed to do. So ...since I was up...I researched "symptoms of needing a detox." Symptoms included unexplained headaches and muscle aches, insomnia, skin conditions.
So i was at the Health Food Store today in the parking lot this morning waiting for them to open so I could raid the detox aisle. A kind associate asked if I needed help. Explained my issues...(left out my itching ass) Now I'm on a 2 week supplement and eating only fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Torture, but anything is better than headaches, shoulder randomness, butt cheeky itching and no sleep.

Long Long Time

Its been a while. Until now I had nothing to say I guess. John and I are doing well. Some big stuff this summer knocked us around but I am forever blessed that it wasn't any worse than it was. I have so much to be thankful for. God is always there. This is a truth I forget a lot. This summer He really tested the strength of my faith. I've learned so much and have made some new friends in the process first from our summer Bible study of Ezra and Haggai. If you thought you couldn't learn anything from Ezra and Haggai...you're wrong.
I'm currently half way through Beth Moore's "breaking free"...although I don't always do all the assignments (I am getting better at not procrastinating on my homework), I am learning a lot about myself, God, and what matters most in life. Also, I'm learning how to let go of things and let God heal me so that I can break free from the bondage that satan uses to keep me from my savior. Life isn't always what you expect, people bring you down, but God NEVER will. I love what God is teaching me, I love the wisdom the ladies in my study group have to offer, and I love the new friendships my Lord has given me in them.

*on another note...
Summer vacation in September gave me time to relax after a very stressful summer. This is most likely the last season of my 8 season running show ONE TREE HILL. And I am so grateful I was able to extra a 3rd and final time last month. Who wouldn't love getting a little extra money to hang out with the cast of their favorite show and see themselves on TV?

With love,

Can it get any worse

Tuesday July 6th, John got his four wisdom teeth out. Only had to take one day off work, but still money lost. Worked at Target Distribution Center all weekend ( he works 3 12's) until Monday at 12 pm when he had to leave work with violent abdominal pain and drive home because he couldn't get a hold of anyone because I was out gardening with the MIL and Brigette. At 3:00pm I receive word through John's brother that he was in pain and needed me to come get him. I pick him up and get him to urgent care around 3:45. They tell me they don't have the equipment to diagnose his problem. We then proceed to the ER at Greene Memorial. At 4:00 pm he goes back. Time passes, some blood tests are done, a CT scan is done. Around 6, he is diagnosed with appendicitis and admitted, but they have to call the on call surgeon. Lots of paperwork and anesthesia and high doses of morphine, my dear husband gets his appendix out at 9:00pm while it was in the process of rupturing....*just in time*. After a night in the hospital and a day of hospital care he comes home. And on top of this we're moving this weekend....and I have a husband who can't lift for 3 weeks....did I mention his job involves lifting....and he's on probation and has no paid sick leave.

Please pray he is not penalized and can keep is job, and pray financially for us as we get through the next couple weeks with smaller income. The Lord will provide, that I know. Trusting God is so hard sometimes. The most important thing is that the love of my life is ok.

Almost a year ago.

...I got married. So hard to believe. So our lease is up at our little Cedarville apartment at the end of July. ...John is still looking for a job, so we have no idea where we are going to move so that we are close to work...CUZ WE DON'T KNOW where work is yet. So pray something happens on the job front in a few weeks. John wants to be a police officer, which is really hard to do in Ohio right now in this economy. So he's applied other places for other things. I'm even applying for full time jobs since my CU severance has ended and so has my PT job with the US census bureau. I still have my weekly regular clients...which helps, and John still has is internship/temp job at OPOTA. I also just opened the door for myself in the Mary Kay business. I plan on doing it hobby level for a little extra money. If I like it, I'll start pushing it more. But I wanted to do it so I could get 50% off products!!! YAY.

Jobs, snow, and bronchial inflammation

So it snowed last night?

Trevor has a job. So now John just needs one. And me and Brigette need part-time ones or something. So 1 down.

Oh and I have bronchitis. Gotta love it. But I feel better today.

Vitamins

So they make these "Animal Pak" vitamins, designed for the body builder i guess. Well I decided to get better about my vitamin and mineral intake.
I present you, the "Amanda Pak"...I even made my very own container out of an oatmeal can that looks just like the "Animal Pak."
My Amanda Pak contains:
Multi Vitamin-2 a day
Calcium and Vitamin D-Good for bone health and calcium good for preventing cramps during yucky time
Flexamin-containing glucosamine and condroiten for healthy joints
Cranberry-no UTI's here
Dong Quai-Good for female hormone balance, also helps with cramps, and good for hair growth in women
Stinging Nettle-Good for Iron deficiency, also helps with hair growth
Biotin- Good for hair, skin, and nails
Magnesium-works with Calcium to prevent cramps, also good for muscle and nervous system function.

I have been taking them all regularly for a couple weeks. I feel better. And no yucky time cramps.:)
In Health,

Just not the same without her

Gem City Chorus, my second family for the last 2 years, is going through some changes. Our beloved Jean Barford, Master Director, announced her retirement last night after 40 years of directing Gem City. Jean is very special, and gave me the opportunity to sing again. I hadn't since I graduated college, and it is my passion. She gave me the opportunity to be apart of something great, something big. Gem City will now be going through a transition that will probably involve renaming the chapter, losing a lot of members, and rebuilding. I am so thankful to have been able to sing under Jean Barford for the last 2 years. Lots of people couldn't say that. Jean has a wonderful gift and has coached more chorus and quartet champions than any other director in the whole organization. I am also thankful I was able to compete with THE Gem City Chorus while under the direction of the one and only Jean Barford. I don't know what I will do from here because Gem City as I know it will soon cease to exist. For those of you who don't know what Sweet Adelines International is, you can't begin to understand this. Sweet Adelines has changed my life, Gem City has taught me so much, and Jean Barford ...will always be loved.