I was tagged again. This time it was to go to your sixth folder, pick the sixth photo, and post it.
Since I have multiple folders, I went through Lightroom. This is one of the photos from our California trip at the end of May 2008. Gorgeous, isn't it?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sigh. I've been tagged once again - thanks Phylise!
Let me see. Seven things you don't know about me.
1. If there is a choice, I will always choose the 2nd stall in a public bathroom instead of the 1st. Too many times, the 1st stall is the one that is unflushed or just plain gross/disgusting.
2. I tend to collect things: fleece blankets/throws, Snowbabies, Hallmark ornaments (I have one series I've been collecting for 10 years). Oh, and water bottles. :)
3. I have over 500 music CDs, and I ran out of space to store them about 150 CDs ago. :)
4. I don't go to movie theatres any more, except for a "must see on the big screen" movie. Too many distractions, the air conditioning dries out my eyes, and I can't stop the movie to go to the bathroom. Plus it's cheaper to BUY the dang movie than see it in the theatre, and I get to keep the movie afterward.
5. My husband and I are the family archivists for both sides of our local families. My mother-in-law gave us the family negatives (not photos, the negatives) several years ago, and we archived them in negative sheets. The negatives take up an entire 3 inch D-ring binder. :) We used to have a darkroom in our first home.
6. My husband and I have several cameras, including the following: a Crown Graphic 4x5 field camera, a Bronica Etrs medium format camera, a Nikon N90s (all film), a Nikon Coolpix L15, and my trusty Nikon D100. Plus the camera my grandparents gave me as a graduation gift from high school, a Canon AE-1 program film camera. I used that camera until 2000, when it started not rolling the film along, and I missed out on photos. That's when we bought the N90s and switched to Nikon.
7. I have an entire bedroom devoted to a photography/craft space. It's in a constant state of mess, and it's not because of the scrapbook supplies! Somehow, it becomes the "dumping" ground for everything my husband can't figure out where to put, so it piles up. The problem is, it gets so messy that I'm overwhelmed trying to clean it up, and I can never finish cleaning in one sitting.
Let me see. Seven things you don't know about me.
1. If there is a choice, I will always choose the 2nd stall in a public bathroom instead of the 1st. Too many times, the 1st stall is the one that is unflushed or just plain gross/disgusting.
2. I tend to collect things: fleece blankets/throws, Snowbabies, Hallmark ornaments (I have one series I've been collecting for 10 years). Oh, and water bottles. :)
3. I have over 500 music CDs, and I ran out of space to store them about 150 CDs ago. :)
4. I don't go to movie theatres any more, except for a "must see on the big screen" movie. Too many distractions, the air conditioning dries out my eyes, and I can't stop the movie to go to the bathroom. Plus it's cheaper to BUY the dang movie than see it in the theatre, and I get to keep the movie afterward.
5. My husband and I are the family archivists for both sides of our local families. My mother-in-law gave us the family negatives (not photos, the negatives) several years ago, and we archived them in negative sheets. The negatives take up an entire 3 inch D-ring binder. :) We used to have a darkroom in our first home.
6. My husband and I have several cameras, including the following: a Crown Graphic 4x5 field camera, a Bronica Etrs medium format camera, a Nikon N90s (all film), a Nikon Coolpix L15, and my trusty Nikon D100. Plus the camera my grandparents gave me as a graduation gift from high school, a Canon AE-1 program film camera. I used that camera until 2000, when it started not rolling the film along, and I missed out on photos. That's when we bought the N90s and switched to Nikon.
7. I have an entire bedroom devoted to a photography/craft space. It's in a constant state of mess, and it's not because of the scrapbook supplies! Somehow, it becomes the "dumping" ground for everything my husband can't figure out where to put, so it piles up. The problem is, it gets so messy that I'm overwhelmed trying to clean it up, and I can never finish cleaning in one sitting.
Friday, December 26, 2008
I did some shopping today at the day after sales! I scored three items of clothing, for a total "out of pocket" cost of $16! :)
At Macy's, I had a $50 GC and a $10 off coupon - which made my 2 pairs of Dockers pants FREE. I even got 2 cents back! :)
At Nordstrom's Rack, I got a $148 jacket for $16 (can't find the exact one, it's similar to this one) - it was 60% off last markdown price (39.97).
I got some awesome deals!
At Macy's, I had a $50 GC and a $10 off coupon - which made my 2 pairs of Dockers pants FREE. I even got 2 cents back! :)
At Nordstrom's Rack, I got a $148 jacket for $16 (can't find the exact one, it's similar to this one) - it was 60% off last markdown price (39.97).
I got some awesome deals!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas 2008
Here we are at my mom's house on Christmas Day. My sister actually snapped this shot - I handed her my camera! Out of the 4 shots she took, this one was the best.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A buried Toyota Prius
I am so glad I don't own this car in our neighborhood. I think they are very lucky no one has hit their car yet, given how close those tracks are to their vehicle. This is right by the entrance to our subdivision.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Will it EVER stop?
***
THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST MONDAY.
SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION TODAY. HOWEVER...TEMPERATURES REMAIN BELOW FREEZING. THIS WILL CREATE AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN AND OR SLEET...WITH NEW ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH.
FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET AND WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING...BUT WILL TURN TO MOSTLY SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. EXPECT CONTINUED ICE ACCUMULATIONS IN THE EVENING...WITH NEW SNOW OF 1 TO 2 INCHES AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE ON MONDAY...WITH AN ADDITIONAL OF 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE.
***
***
THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST MONDAY.
SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION TODAY. HOWEVER...TEMPERATURES REMAIN BELOW FREEZING. THIS WILL CREATE AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN AND OR SLEET...WITH NEW ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH.
FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET AND WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING...BUT WILL TURN TO MOSTLY SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. EXPECT CONTINUED ICE ACCUMULATIONS IN THE EVENING...WITH NEW SNOW OF 1 TO 2 INCHES AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE ON MONDAY...WITH AN ADDITIONAL OF 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE.
***
Footsteps in the snow
We went to a friend's house this evening, and this is one of the photos I took as we walked back to the house after parking.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
December Snow
Taken at 4 p.m. today. I think we have 3-4 inches, judging from the height on the table.
I'm done with winter weather. Unfortunately, it isn't done with us.
Issued by The National Weather Service
Portland, OR
5:48 am PST, Sat., Dec. 20, 2008
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM PST SUNDAY FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO AREA... AS WELL AS THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY... AND THE INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR IN SOUTHERN WASHINGTON...
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM PST SUNDAY.
A STRONG MOISTURE LADEN PACIFIC FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA THIS WEEKEND. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN TO THE GREATER PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO AREA... AS WELL AS THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY... AND THE INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR IN SOUTHERN WASHINGTON.
SNOW IS BEGINNING TO SPREAD INTO THE NORTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY EARLY THIS MORNING... AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD NORTHEASTWARD INTO SOUTHERN WASHINGTON BY LATE MORNING. SNOW WILL INTENSIFY ACROSS THE AREA BY MIDDAY... RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TRANSITION TO FREEZING RAIN OR SLEET LATER TONIGHT OR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES ARE EXPECTED FROM THIS STORM BY THE TIME PRECIPITATION CHANGES OVER TO SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE SNOW IN SOME AREAS SUNDAY MORNING... PARTICULARLY NEAR THE GORGE AND ALSO IN WIND PROTECTED VALLEYS.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Sixteen weeks!
That's how long it has been since I started Weight Watchers again. In that amount of time, I've lost 9.0 lbs (almost the equivalent of a 10 lb bag of potatoes), gone down almost 2 pant sizes (and am mostly in the non "plus" section), reduced 1 cup/band size, and I've switched from Flex to Core.
I have to remind myself that weight loss is a slow and steady race. Nothing but the way I eat, portion control, and exercise is going to help this weight come off.
I've been very strict about my food and drink intake at home while I'm job searching. Unless it's a meal time, I can only get water or kool aid with splenda when I go into the kitchen - no snacks. It might be harder to do if I only had a one-level home, but I can spend most of my time upstairs and forget the kitchen is there unless I'm hungry or thirsty.
That's how long it has been since I started Weight Watchers again. In that amount of time, I've lost 9.0 lbs (almost the equivalent of a 10 lb bag of potatoes), gone down almost 2 pant sizes (and am mostly in the non "plus" section), reduced 1 cup/band size, and I've switched from Flex to Core.
I have to remind myself that weight loss is a slow and steady race. Nothing but the way I eat, portion control, and exercise is going to help this weight come off.
I've been very strict about my food and drink intake at home while I'm job searching. Unless it's a meal time, I can only get water or kool aid with splenda when I go into the kitchen - no snacks. It might be harder to do if I only had a one-level home, but I can spend most of my time upstairs and forget the kitchen is there unless I'm hungry or thirsty.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I was inspired by a scraplift challenge at The Digi Chick to do this layout. When I went to D.C., I visited my sister in Virginia. My cousin (and her two kids) and my aunt came over to see me as well. It had been 7 years since I'd seen my aunt, 4 since I'd seen my cousin, and I think it may have been 20 years since all of us (the adults) had been in the same room at the same time.
You can see the original layout I was inspired by here:
You can see the original layout I was inspired by here:
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday was a good day!
In addition to seeing a (country) rockin' concert with both Little Big Town (current song: Fine Line) and Carrie Underwood (current song: Just a Dream), I was also the Monday Member Spotlight at the Digi Chick.
You can find out just a little bit about me here: http://www.thedigichick.com/blog/wordpress/?p=513
You can find out just a little bit about me here: http://www.thedigichick.com/blog/wordpress/?p=513
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Japanese Garden Lower Pond
I met up with two of my former coworkers today. We had lunch at the Spaghetti Factory, then two of us went to the Japanese Gardens. It was free admission day, and we both brought canned food donations for the Oregon Food Bank.
This is one of the gorgeous sights I saw while at the Gardens. It was hard choosing which photos to upload to Flickr, but this is the best one of the lot.
You can see the rest here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhoughton/sets/72157608911872687/
This is one of the gorgeous sights I saw while at the Gardens. It was hard choosing which photos to upload to Flickr, but this is the best one of the lot.
You can see the rest here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhoughton/sets/72157608911872687/
Monday, November 10, 2008
I have applied to two more jobs - one late last night, one early this morning. That makes three jobs applied for so far!
I've discovered an interesting side effect of unemployment - no snoozing required! I haven't managed to oversleep or snooze my alarm since Thursday. A friend tells me that's because even if I don't acknowledge it, I'm stressed out and worried.
Wish me good luck in meeting with the recruiter. It doesn't look like there are many jobs in our area, but I have faith I'll find something!
I've discovered an interesting side effect of unemployment - no snoozing required! I haven't managed to oversleep or snooze my alarm since Thursday. A friend tells me that's because even if I don't acknowledge it, I'm stressed out and worried.
Wish me good luck in meeting with the recruiter. It doesn't look like there are many jobs in our area, but I have faith I'll find something!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
I have an appointment on Monday with a recruiter, I've submitted my resume to at least one direct hire opening at a local company, and I'm shaking my network for leads. I'm hoping it won't take long, because things will get really lean money wise with half my husband's check going to our mortgage payment (we can survive, but it will be bare bones, we won't be out on the street by any means).
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Waves at Tolovana Beach Wayside
This is what I saw today at Cannon Beach. We went down there for the day, just to get away from it all. This weekend is part of the Stormy Weather Arts Festival. Normally we would have stayed the night, but left it too late to get a hotel room. Plus it was very rainy and windy, so we decided to head home before it got dark.
I used a Lightroom preset from Andie Smith at Pink Ink Studios (A1A) to make the waves stand out and vignette the corners.
I used a Lightroom preset from Andie Smith at Pink Ink Studios (A1A) to make the waves stand out and vignette the corners.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
I'm still in shock...
I was laid off today, with about 16 other people in my office. Total shock. I was packed and out in under an hour. Then I went to lunch with three other folks who also got laid off, and we chatted for about an hour and a half.
I've been home mostly since then, emailing contacts, finding my resume, encouraging some other folks (us technologically savvy folks who have IM and such), filing for unemployment, and wondering how Christmas is going to get taken care of this year.
Tomorrow, I have an early morning conference call to review conference proposals. After that, I think I'll head to the library and get some books. My husband would also like me to figure out our budget and where we can "cut" out extraneous stuff.
I'm hoping I'm not unemployed for long.
If you know of a technical writing job in the Portland area, let me know! :)
I was laid off today, with about 16 other people in my office. Total shock. I was packed and out in under an hour. Then I went to lunch with three other folks who also got laid off, and we chatted for about an hour and a half.
I've been home mostly since then, emailing contacts, finding my resume, encouraging some other folks (us technologically savvy folks who have IM and such), filing for unemployment, and wondering how Christmas is going to get taken care of this year.
Tomorrow, I have an early morning conference call to review conference proposals. After that, I think I'll head to the library and get some books. My husband would also like me to figure out our budget and where we can "cut" out extraneous stuff.
I'm hoping I'm not unemployed for long.
If you know of a technical writing job in the Portland area, let me know! :)
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Bird in Flight
One of my favorite photography subjects: bird(s) in flight.
I did this for a layout challenge at a scrapbook site.
I did this for a layout challenge at a scrapbook site.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tree on Photowalk
Here's a photo I took last week in Portland. I'm betting that tomorrow the leaves won't be quite as green...just in the past few days the leaves have started turning gorgeous brilliant red, orange, and yellow!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Well, that was productive...NOT!
Turns out, our friendly tax assessor deemed our house "not 100% complete" when he drove by on 1/1/07, so our house was "not 100% assessed in taxes."
That's governmentese for "you got a break last year on paying your taxes lady, and be lucky we can't retroactively go back and get more money from you!"
This year, on 1/1/08, the assessor deemed our house 100% complete, so we were "fully assessed" - which resulted in a 45% (or so) raise in our MAV (maximum assessed value). How did they work that magic? :) See, Oregon has a law that property taxes can only raise 3% per year - but there are "Property Event Exceptions" (read: loopholes) that allow counties to do stuff like what they did to us.
If it is any consolation, from this year on we'll only see 3% per year. Unfortunately, now our mortgage payment will change (read: go up).
Sigh. Can't win - and I feel extremely lucky that there is no legal way they can get what they consider "back taxes" for the year they assessed as not complete.
Turns out, our friendly tax assessor deemed our house "not 100% complete" when he drove by on 1/1/07, so our house was "not 100% assessed in taxes."
That's governmentese for "you got a break last year on paying your taxes lady, and be lucky we can't retroactively go back and get more money from you!"
This year, on 1/1/08, the assessor deemed our house 100% complete, so we were "fully assessed" - which resulted in a 45% (or so) raise in our MAV (maximum assessed value). How did they work that magic? :) See, Oregon has a law that property taxes can only raise 3% per year - but there are "Property Event Exceptions" (read: loopholes) that allow counties to do stuff like what they did to us.
If it is any consolation, from this year on we'll only see 3% per year. Unfortunately, now our mortgage payment will change (read: go up).
Sigh. Can't win - and I feel extremely lucky that there is no legal way they can get what they consider "back taxes" for the year they assessed as not complete.
Monday, October 27, 2008
I'm calling the county assessor's office this morning.
We received our property tax statement (a courtesy copy actually, since our mortgage company pays the property taxes) and about fainted!
I won't go into numbers, but this is what happened:
Land Value: value went down about 7-8%
Structure: value went up approximately 65% from previous year
Total RMV Value: went up approximately 30% from previous year
Assessed Value: went up approximately 45% from previous year
THEREFORE: Our taxes went up $1,000 from last year. Yes, you heard right. *thud*
We received our property tax statement (a courtesy copy actually, since our mortgage company pays the property taxes) and about fainted!
I won't go into numbers, but this is what happened:
Land Value: value went down about 7-8%
Structure: value went up approximately 65% from previous year
Total RMV Value: went up approximately 30% from previous year
Assessed Value: went up approximately 45% from previous year
THEREFORE: Our taxes went up $1,000 from last year. Yes, you heard right. *thud*
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Older Building #2 Pearl District
Another picture from the Pearl District. This is the top of the Chown Pella building. Amazing how cool it looks with a little post processing.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Roloff Farms - Waterwheel
Another photo from Roloff Farms. A waterwheel I saw just prior to getting to the old west town.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Roloff Farms Information Pumpkin
A message board scrapbooking friend of mine asked me to visit Roloff Farms, the pumpkin patch you've seen in "Little People, Big World" on the Discovery Channel. The Roloffs live approximately 20-25 minutes from me here in Oregon.
It was quite the experience. I've never seen lines like that, so on Saturday, we actually turned back out of the line. On Sunday morning, I got to the turnoff for the farms at 9:30, 30 minutes before they opened. There was a line, but I wasn't on the major road. I had a Starbucks drink and a book, and settled in to wait.
Once I got in, I bought a ticket for the Original Town Tour, which includes the old west town Matt Roloff built for his kids. I'll have more pictures up this week, I just wanted to get one photo up for now.
It was quite the experience. I've never seen lines like that, so on Saturday, we actually turned back out of the line. On Sunday morning, I got to the turnoff for the farms at 9:30, 30 minutes before they opened. There was a line, but I wasn't on the major road. I had a Starbucks drink and a book, and settled in to wait.
Once I got in, I bought a ticket for the Original Town Tour, which includes the old west town Matt Roloff built for his kids. I'll have more pictures up this week, I just wanted to get one photo up for now.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Pearl District Reflection - Tanner Springs Park
My husband and I went on a photowalk this morning in Portland, Oregon. We did a 1.8 mile 2 hour walk around the Pearl District, taking photos of cool things. I tend to focus on textures, reflections, and lines. And since there were no convenient puddles to do reflections in, this park's water did just fine.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Me
Here I am in Las Vegas on 10/9/2008. I have sunglasses on because the smoke was so bad my eyes were bloodshot.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
RacefortheCure_2008 (5 of 20)
Here I am this morning with my husband at the Race for the Cure. http://www.komenoregon.org/Race_for_the_Cure/
They told us at the start line this morning that the Portland race is the largest race on the West Coast. This year, instead of walking with the local radio station (K103), I walked with my friend Amy's "Adidas - Impossible is Nothing" team. Really cool shirts this year!
They told us at the start line this morning that the Portland race is the largest race on the West Coast. This year, instead of walking with the local radio station (K103), I walked with my friend Amy's "Adidas - Impossible is Nothing" team. Really cool shirts this year!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Moon Over Crane
This is one of my favorites from the photowalk. I love that you can still see the moon up in the left hand corner.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk
Yesterday, I had a great time participating in the (hopefully first annual) Scott Kelby/Photoshop User Photowalk. I walked the 1.2 mile route taking pictures of landmarks, architecture, and cool things. This is just one of my photos.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
This is my nephew Matthew, not cooperating with me as I try to get a cute shot of him looking like a little man. :)
I used Andrea Burns "Little Rascal" kit, which is available starting today at The Digi Chick. Andrea is having her annual birthday sale! 29% off everything till Sunday night! The sale goes from today through Sunday night. The discount will show up during check out.
I used Andrea Burns "Little Rascal" kit, which is available starting today at The Digi Chick. Andrea is having her annual birthday sale! 29% off everything till Sunday night! The sale goes from today through Sunday night. The discount will show up during check out.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Fly Free
My newest layout for the Week 2 Challenge at TallyScrappers.
This is for the Olympic challenge. I had to use monochromatic blues, overlays, and there had to be an element that looked like swim cap material/latex (the title).
I used the following supplies for the challenge:
"Watercolor Solids 1" by Andrea Burns
"Watercolor Solids 2" by Andrea Burns
"Watercolor Stripes" by Andrea Burns
"Glitter Brackets" by Andrea Burns
"Coconut Tree" by Amanda Heimann (the vinyl letters - which I then colored and used the Sponge filter on in Photoshop to look like swim cap material)
"Birthday Boy" by Andrea Burns (ribbon, stitching)
"Artistic: Journal 1" by Fee Jardine (brush to do paint journaling boxes)
"Shabby Mommy" by Shabby Princess (white sanded overlay)
"Garden Gems" by Andrea Burns (gem flower)
"Curled Flowers" by Andrea Burns
This is for the Olympic challenge. I had to use monochromatic blues, overlays, and there had to be an element that looked like swim cap material/latex (the title).
I used the following supplies for the challenge:
"Watercolor Solids 1" by Andrea Burns
"Watercolor Solids 2" by Andrea Burns
"Watercolor Stripes" by Andrea Burns
"Glitter Brackets" by Andrea Burns
"Coconut Tree" by Amanda Heimann (the vinyl letters - which I then colored and used the Sponge filter on in Photoshop to look like swim cap material)
"Birthday Boy" by Andrea Burns (ribbon, stitching)
"Artistic: Journal 1" by Fee Jardine (brush to do paint journaling boxes)
"Shabby Mommy" by Shabby Princess (white sanded overlay)
"Garden Gems" by Andrea Burns (gem flower)
"Curled Flowers" by Andrea Burns
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A layout I did with more pictures from this summer's birthday party for Miss K. This kit is perfect for bright and colorful summer photos! I used Andrea Burns' "Lulu" kit at The Digi Chick.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Here's my latest digital scrapbook layout. I did this for a challenge at a scrapbooking site, and used mostly supplies from Andrea Burns (Vintage Photo Frames, Color Pop Action, Golden Glory, Glitter Brackets, and Watercolor Solids), Glitter Flames from Susan Bartolini, and an alpha from Amanda Heimann (Coconut Tree).
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Well, it's been quite an eventful month or so.
The highlights:
On July 4th, my father-in-law passed away. He had congestive heart failure and Type 2 diabetes, as well as a few other things, but started having some gastrointestinal internal bleeding on July 3rd. I did not have a happy 4th - I spent most of it in the Providence Portland Medical ER or Cardiac unit. He passed away at 6:35 p.m. Pacific time. I pretty much stayed in my MIL's house for the next 5 days, finally getting "home" (across the Metro are) yesterday. Sleeping in your own bed is such a pleasure.
Today, I converted my Weight Watchers Online account to a WW Monthly Pass account, so I can attend meetings. I find myself needing the support group atmosphere, as well as the accountability (one of my coworkers is doing it with me).
The highlights:
On July 4th, my father-in-law passed away. He had congestive heart failure and Type 2 diabetes, as well as a few other things, but started having some gastrointestinal internal bleeding on July 3rd. I did not have a happy 4th - I spent most of it in the Providence Portland Medical ER or Cardiac unit. He passed away at 6:35 p.m. Pacific time. I pretty much stayed in my MIL's house for the next 5 days, finally getting "home" (across the Metro are) yesterday. Sleeping in your own bed is such a pleasure.
Today, I converted my Weight Watchers Online account to a WW Monthly Pass account, so I can attend meetings. I find myself needing the support group atmosphere, as well as the accountability (one of my coworkers is doing it with me).
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Ah! I survived my trip across the country, which took FOREVER. I got dropped off at noon at the Philadelphia airport because I was worried about long security lines (you should have seen them when I landed in Philadephia on 5/30/08), and waited patiently for my flight to....JFK airport in NY. You know how long a flight that is? 26 minutes! So, 2 hours and 45 minutes of sitting (mostly), for a 26 minute flight. I did talk with a nice Irish man sitting next to me, who was headed back to Ireland. (And yes, for those who have seen me, he said I would fit right in when visiting Ireland with my hair (red), skin (pale), and freckles.)
Cue sitting around the JFK airport for 3.5 hours. Wifi access did not work. :( Not a lot of restaurants, and the ones that existed were packed. Starbucks was there in a couple locations though.
They board the airplane, pull away from the gate, and then we sit there FOR AN HOUR while waiting for takeoff. Hmmm, who scheduled a domestic flight to take off at the same time as all the other international flights that have takeoff priority? Sigh.
Here's where the real fun part comes in. Yet once again, I get to sit next to drunk, intoxicated seatmates (this also happened after the 2004 STC conference). But this time it's a young couple, and not just the person next to me....and they are both reeking and have slurred talking. Yikes.
As you can guess it, after we got to cruising altitude at 36,000 feet, the young lady next to me states a preference for puking, and sends all of the people within a 5 foot radius looking for a puke bag (most of us didn't have one in the back pocket seat). Once two are found, I hurriedly head to the back of the plane, book and ipod in hand, so she can do whatever puking she needs to. I certainly don't want to be puked on...and I tell the flight attendants, who promptly go up there with some ginger ale and a huge "Delta" plastic bag for barfing. Those poor flight attendants...they had a lot to deal with.
Somewhere near Nebraska, we take a 30 minute detour around a lightning storm (remember, this is a 5 1/2 hour flight, that is not inconsequential). Around this time, when i'm forced to sit down because the "seat belt sign" is on due to the turbulence, I realize I can sit no longer. I'm squirming in my seat, I am dog tired, I can't fall asleep, and I can't move.
At some point after the storm, one of the passengers has a medical issue. I'm not sure what, but apparently we got priority landing in Portland and a pair of EMTs to escort the patient off the plane. Most of us were happy to wait until the EMTs were off the plane, but there are always those folks who believe the rules don't apply....
I'm safely back, majorly jet lagged, and happy to be home!
Cue sitting around the JFK airport for 3.5 hours. Wifi access did not work. :( Not a lot of restaurants, and the ones that existed were packed. Starbucks was there in a couple locations though.
They board the airplane, pull away from the gate, and then we sit there FOR AN HOUR while waiting for takeoff. Hmmm, who scheduled a domestic flight to take off at the same time as all the other international flights that have takeoff priority? Sigh.
Here's where the real fun part comes in. Yet once again, I get to sit next to drunk, intoxicated seatmates (this also happened after the 2004 STC conference). But this time it's a young couple, and not just the person next to me....and they are both reeking and have slurred talking. Yikes.
As you can guess it, after we got to cruising altitude at 36,000 feet, the young lady next to me states a preference for puking, and sends all of the people within a 5 foot radius looking for a puke bag (most of us didn't have one in the back pocket seat). Once two are found, I hurriedly head to the back of the plane, book and ipod in hand, so she can do whatever puking she needs to. I certainly don't want to be puked on...and I tell the flight attendants, who promptly go up there with some ginger ale and a huge "Delta" plastic bag for barfing. Those poor flight attendants...they had a lot to deal with.
Somewhere near Nebraska, we take a 30 minute detour around a lightning storm (remember, this is a 5 1/2 hour flight, that is not inconsequential). Around this time, when i'm forced to sit down because the "seat belt sign" is on due to the turbulence, I realize I can sit no longer. I'm squirming in my seat, I am dog tired, I can't fall asleep, and I can't move.
At some point after the storm, one of the passengers has a medical issue. I'm not sure what, but apparently we got priority landing in Portland and a pair of EMTs to escort the patient off the plane. Most of us were happy to wait until the EMTs were off the plane, but there are always those folks who believe the rules don't apply....
I'm safely back, majorly jet lagged, and happy to be home!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I had my followup visit at the doctor today - it's been 15 days since the accident.
No more sling, unless I'm walking (because the arms swing too much and cause a lot of pain).
Keep wearing the brace, but do some range of motion movements. I think if the wrist is still as painful in 2 weeks, they'll probably do an MRI, because that will indicate whether I tore ligaments a bit more seriously.
She thinks I might have dislocated my shoulder a smidge - she called it sublexation (which basically means a partial dislocation). That's based on the pain and how it occurs with movement.
She's happy I'm getting acupuncture, she thinks it will help immensely.
I will see her again in 2 weeks, the day before I leave for Philly. I will have had 2 physical therapy visits by then, so she can judge progress. She will also evaluate prescriptions and issue new ones if necessary, especially for travel. She warned me to pack light. :)
No more sling, unless I'm walking (because the arms swing too much and cause a lot of pain).
Keep wearing the brace, but do some range of motion movements. I think if the wrist is still as painful in 2 weeks, they'll probably do an MRI, because that will indicate whether I tore ligaments a bit more seriously.
She thinks I might have dislocated my shoulder a smidge - she called it sublexation (which basically means a partial dislocation). That's based on the pain and how it occurs with movement.
She's happy I'm getting acupuncture, she thinks it will help immensely.
I will see her again in 2 weeks, the day before I leave for Philly. I will have had 2 physical therapy visits by then, so she can judge progress. She will also evaluate prescriptions and issue new ones if necessary, especially for travel. She warned me to pack light. :)
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Good news!
Apparently, nothing is broken, at least in the wrist or forearm (those x-rays were taken on 5/2/08). Today, the doctor had more x-rays taken in the neck, spine, and shoulder areas to make sure there are no "hidden" fractures they can't see (there are no obvious breaks).
She said it was definitely cervical strain and gave me three prescriptions and physical therapy (6 visits to start with, she'll check in on my progress every week or two and prescribe more if necessary).
Apparently, nothing is broken, at least in the wrist or forearm (those x-rays were taken on 5/2/08). Today, the doctor had more x-rays taken in the neck, spine, and shoulder areas to make sure there are no "hidden" fractures they can't see (there are no obvious breaks).
She said it was definitely cervical strain and gave me three prescriptions and physical therapy (6 visits to start with, she'll check in on my progress every week or two and prescribe more if necessary).
Monday, May 05, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
I spent three hours in the urgent care this morning, getting myself checked over. They took x-rays and nothing is broken, but they did give me a wrist brace to wear. I did go to the ER after the accident, but no x-rays were taken then.
I have a followup appointment with my doctor next week. I will go to the immediate care as necessary until my appt, so my pains can be documented as belonging to the accident.
The appraiser looked at the Durango yesterday, and apparently the impact hit the front right tire to the point that it snapped the linkage to the steering wheel column, which explains why my arms are the sorest part of me (the energy from the impact came up to the steering wheel). All of my pain is common in whiplash/cervical strain injuries. The bruises have not even showed up yet.
The Durango has $5k worth of damage, so far.
I will be going back to work on Monday. I took off Thursday and today.
I have a followup appointment with my doctor next week. I will go to the immediate care as necessary until my appt, so my pains can be documented as belonging to the accident.
The appraiser looked at the Durango yesterday, and apparently the impact hit the front right tire to the point that it snapped the linkage to the steering wheel column, which explains why my arms are the sorest part of me (the energy from the impact came up to the steering wheel). All of my pain is common in whiplash/cervical strain injuries. The bruises have not even showed up yet.
The Durango has $5k worth of damage, so far.
I will be going back to work on Monday. I took off Thursday and today.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Someone ran a stop sign and rammed the front passenger/headlight area of my Durango. Lucky for me, I was in the Durango, because I was in the "right" and going 35 mph.
My right arm went numb almost immediately, and my left arm started hurting a little bit later. I declined the ambulance trip to the ER and DH took me in after the Durango was towed. It was not drivable at all, the tire was blown (and was smoking right after the accident) and DH thinks the frame has been bent.
I'm wearing a sling on my right arm, and I've been told that i will hurt much more tomorrow. Both forearms hurt, neck hurts, spine hurts a bit...I will call the doctor tomorrow.
Poor guy who hit me kept saying he was sorry - he did not understand much English. We do have the same insurance company so that will make things easier.
My right arm went numb almost immediately, and my left arm started hurting a little bit later. I declined the ambulance trip to the ER and DH took me in after the Durango was towed. It was not drivable at all, the tire was blown (and was smoking right after the accident) and DH thinks the frame has been bent.
I'm wearing a sling on my right arm, and I've been told that i will hurt much more tomorrow. Both forearms hurt, neck hurts, spine hurts a bit...I will call the doctor tomorrow.
Poor guy who hit me kept saying he was sorry - he did not understand much English. We do have the same insurance company so that will make things easier.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hey look, blogging two days in a row!
I'm sitting here in the Portland State cafeteria, about ready to head to my Monday night class. Nope, I'm not attending, I'm teaching it. Every spring, I teach Creative Suite 3...it's an intro class that introduces the basic concepts of 4 programs (Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and Photoshop) and how to use them together.
It makes Mondays incredibly long, since I go into work early to compensate for leaving early to beat the traffic downtown....I'm usually in at 7:15 or so, and I won't get home until 9:30 tonight.
I walked for 30 minutes with my coworker today. Our standard walk, about 1.2 miles.
I didn't get a chance to do Wii, and given how late I'll get home tonight, I'm not going to get it in today. I think I will try to do the Wii or one of my WATP DVDs tomorrow morning before work.
I'm sitting here in the Portland State cafeteria, about ready to head to my Monday night class. Nope, I'm not attending, I'm teaching it. Every spring, I teach Creative Suite 3...it's an intro class that introduces the basic concepts of 4 programs (Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and Photoshop) and how to use them together.
It makes Mondays incredibly long, since I go into work early to compensate for leaving early to beat the traffic downtown....I'm usually in at 7:15 or so, and I won't get home until 9:30 tonight.
I walked for 30 minutes with my coworker today. Our standard walk, about 1.2 miles.
I didn't get a chance to do Wii, and given how late I'll get home tonight, I'm not going to get it in today. I think I will try to do the Wii or one of my WATP DVDs tomorrow morning before work.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Has it really been three months? *gasp*
Tomorrow, I go back on the Weight Watchers wagon. One of my coworkers challenged me, and she'll be starting tomorrow as well.
Some of my upcoming plans:
- Get my bike tuned up/checked out and start riding with my coworker during our lunch hour
- Start using the Wii daily, especially after Wii Fit comes out
- Use the elliptical 3 times a week
- Walk with my husband 4 times a week (or more)
Yes, that's right, I now have a Wii! We got it yesterday - I guess you can kinda call it a birthday present! :) I did just become another year older last week...
Tomorrow, I go back on the Weight Watchers wagon. One of my coworkers challenged me, and she'll be starting tomorrow as well.
Some of my upcoming plans:
- Get my bike tuned up/checked out and start riding with my coworker during our lunch hour
- Start using the Wii daily, especially after Wii Fit comes out
- Use the elliptical 3 times a week
- Walk with my husband 4 times a week (or more)
Yes, that's right, I now have a Wii! We got it yesterday - I guess you can kinda call it a birthday present! :) I did just become another year older last week...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I've been sick for most of the last week, thanks to my boss - he dragged himself into work on Mon and Tues when he was not feeling well. Guess those sick germs can go over cubicle walls! :)
I've been relaxing and taking it easy. Yesterday I watched a lot of HGTV shows, read a book, and watched "Over the Hedge" with my husband. Today is more of the same. I don't feel like I've got a fever any more, but now it feels like the cold is moving into my lungs. Tell it to go away please!
In good news, I actually lost 1 lb this week on my weigh in - although I probably have gained it back. This cold really wants me to feed it....
Well, time to go back to relaxing.....
I've been relaxing and taking it easy. Yesterday I watched a lot of HGTV shows, read a book, and watched "Over the Hedge" with my husband. Today is more of the same. I don't feel like I've got a fever any more, but now it feels like the cold is moving into my lungs. Tell it to go away please!
In good news, I actually lost 1 lb this week on my weigh in - although I probably have gained it back. This cold really wants me to feed it....
Well, time to go back to relaxing.....
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
I'm starting a photo a day challenge, so I hope to be posting at least once a day with a photo. I've also started counting my steps and getting back to points on Weight Watchers.
I walked approximately 6,000 steps today.
My photo of the day? It's a picture of my elliptical trainer. Yes, that is a TV above it - it actually isn't connected to the elliptical, but wall-mounted with an articulating arm.
I walked approximately 6,000 steps today.
My photo of the day? It's a picture of my elliptical trainer. Yes, that is a TV above it - it actually isn't connected to the elliptical, but wall-mounted with an articulating arm.
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