Quick Updates

I've been super slammed the past few weeks and I can hardly think.

I've been suspecting for a while my thyroid cured itself. People laughed at me when I told them. So guess who was laughing a few weeks ago when I found out my suspicions were true? I am still laughing.Third endocrinologist is the charm :) My thyroid didn't actually cure itself. This third endocrinologist is awesome and her first step was to determine what kind of hyperthyroidism I have. She did bloodwork and she had me do another thyroid uptake (and she told me to "do myself a favor and take a benadryl before" the test to counteract the side effects of the iodine pill I had to take - that alone makes her my favorite doctor, the fact she actually acknowledged the fact I know my body and know I don't react well to iodine). The results were ... I have Graves disease, which is an autoimmune disease. Sounds sucky, right? Wrong. The blessing in autoimmune diseases is they go into remission. My lupus symptoms are much improved as well, so she is guessing the hyperthyroidism and borderline lupus go hand-in-hand. Right now, I am in remission, and I go back in three months for more bloodwork and if that's good, then I go back in six. We'll take things as they come and my orders are to just keep doing what I'm doing (i.e. having a good time).

Speaking of "having a good time" ... I'm going to Knoxville, TN to see Widespread Panic for THREE days and visit the little ones I used to babysit for back when I was in college. This is Panic's last tour for a while, so I am really looking forward to this. There are a few songs I have never heard them play, and I am really hoping to hear "Bear's Gone Fishing", "Sparks Fly", "Climb to Safety" and "Little Lilly." I've also always heard "Porch Song" and "Ain't Life Grand", so it would be nice to hear them this week, too. I have discovered a bunch of new favorites lately, and I would love to hear "Jack", "Heroes", "Can't Get High", "Don't Tell the Band", "Imitation Leather Shoes" and "Big Wooly Mammoth." Additional old favorites and covers include, but are not limited to: "Superstition", "Coconuts", "No Sugar Tonight", and "Feelin' Alright."

Maybe I'll do a fantasy Widespread show blog post someday. Maybe I'll get a tattoo this week to commemorate my big trip. And MAYBE, if I have time tomorrow, I will set up the Twitter and chronicle the concert via tweets (if that makes any sense ... clearly I am way behind on the Twitter bandwagon). I'll let y'all know.

And Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Eagle! Hey!

Bible Studies and Devotionals

In the past, I've linked up with Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Life Fridays. I haven't done it in a while, but this week the topic is favorite Bible studies and devotionals.

Back in the college days, I did Paula Rhinehart's Strong Women, Soft Hearts. Y'all, I love this book! I go to it when I'm feeling out of sorts and pick a chapter that sticks out to me and just read it. It's kind of hard to explain what it means to me, but as someone who listens to my body, it is also God speaking to me through myself. I'm not sure that makes any sense to y'all.

Maybe a better example is when I was in junior high, my friends would tell me to "get over it." Meaning, something really devastating to me happened and I just needed to get over it. What they probably meant was "we're sick of hearing about this," and that was their nicest way of saying it was time to move on, but for me to hear those words, I was more than hurt. What my friends didn't know, because I barely understood, was I was going through way more than they knew and all those other things (that were pretty big, but also facts of life), did not help the biggest of things going on. Anyway ... what I got from SWSH was I wasn't supposed to get over it, but to acknowledge it, because it happened to me as a way to shape who I am. The emotions I feel I shouldn't shove deep down in my metaphorical closet and ignore them because God created me to be this way.

Basically, it's all about accepting yourself and honing your traits so that you may serve God better. It gave me permission to be myself.

I also love Paula Rhinehart's Better than My Dreams. I've never read the entire book or done a Bible study on it, but from what I have read, it's about trusting God to provide for you. You pray and pray and pray and you get a hint of what you're praying for, but then, poof!, there it goes. That wasn't your time for it. The stories she uses in this book all start off, where people think their prayers are being answered and they are so overjoyed, but then it turns out their prayers aren't being answered quite yet and they are devastated, and maybe they lose some faith, but on down the road, their prayer does get answered and they get more than they could ever imagine. This is a great book when you're having trouble with faith.

A few years ago, I was blessed to be able to hear Paula Rhinehart speak at a women's retreat. What a great weekend and it was so exciting to be able to speak with her in person. I just hope she knows how much she helped strengthen my relationship with God.

Television these days

New TV shows started back last night, and I missed it :( I still have some kinks to work out in my DVD-R. See, if I had it my way, I wouldn't have cable. I just got sick of spending all day Friday catching up on my shows from the night before. In Birmingham, the price of cable with BrightHouse isn't so bad. I even splurged on the DVR with them :) In Auburn, though, Charter is through the roof. And the quality sucks. AND I HAVE to get digital cable so I can get my "A Different World" and, you won't believe this, the CW, which is how I watch "90210." Once I get used to my DVD-Rs (I have two so far and might need to get one more), I should be set for Thursday nights.

Why might I need three DVD-Rs for Thursday nights you wonder? "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office," and "Bones." "Bones" won't come on until November, so we'll see how things go. "The Office" has James Spader, and that's the only reason I plan on watching. If I decide I still don't like the characters talking to me, I will gladly go without my Spader fix.

What bugs me is the lack of awesome programming.

I watch "Desperate Housewives" and I am not the least bit sad this will be its last season. "Brothers and Sisters," though? Ohmigosh I was devastated when I found out it was cancelled. I love that show! And I had no time to prepare myself the last few episodes, thinking how nice it was everything just worked out. Devastated, y'all.

Speaking of cancelled series ... I wouldn't even be bothering with "The Office" if "Boston Legal" hadn't been cancelled in the first place. That show is how I made it through the week. Whatever day it came on.

And let's go way back to 2005 and that show with Geena Davis ... "Commander in Chief." Loved it! Okay, as a political science major, I couldn't stand the whole major crisis gets resolved in one hour, yet the backstabbing goes on for the whole season crap. I loved that an INDEPENDANT became President. I guess the show was a little too much of a threat to the Democrats and Republicans that the show had to be pulled. God forbid our people have a choice besides a Democrat or Republican for President.

Because it's not very nice to complain about the way things are and not offer a solution, let me say this: since all these old shows and movies are being re-made, can we bring back "A Different World?" Only, I want Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison reprising their roles.

To sum it up, I will be watching "Desperate Houswives," "90210," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office," and "Bones" this year. Assuming my shows make it, next year I will be down to probably two shows. Not to be negative, I just don't see "The Office" working out with me. (Sorry, James. I still heart you.)

Any suggestions to add to my schedule?

Gameday on the Plains

Well, it finally arrived. Gameday was here. Y'all, it's almost like Christmas down here. The past couple of years, I've had a Gameday Eve "Tailgate" at my apartment on Friday (hence, Gameday Eve). It's very casual, just swing by, hang out as long as you like, eat, whatever. This year, I so did not get it together enough to invite all my neighbors. Oops. :/

I would like to note that one of my Junior League friends came by and brought her three-year-old son. I had fun catching up with her and playing with her son. He fell asleep in the car on the way home. (So, I debate adding this part, since all my college age neighbors thought this sounded terrible, but as a post-college adult who has taken care of a lot of children, I use the "offensive" phrase all the time in this sense, but here goes: I say it isn't a party unless someone passes out. So, little one didn't pass out from drinking - there was no alcohol served until way after he left - but he was so worn out from a long day and all that playing at my place he "passed out." Party success!)

Andy finally got here around 8:30 and we hung out, drank, ate, watched the end of Little Miss Sunshine, and went to bed around 11:00.

The next morning was GAMEDAY!!! I've been waiting on this day since June. We got up bright and early at 7:00, I made breakfast, he cleaned up a little, and we got going. Andy's friend, Johnathan, from college came down and my friend James and some of his friends came down. I had met Johnathan years ago, before I got my first apartment down here, but we never crossed paths again until this weekend.

Johnathan, Me, and Andy before leaving for the game

We got to our seats, and, y'all, it was so exciting!!! Look at all that orange!

 

As part of some pre-game activities, we saw the final installment of where Aubie has been with the crystal football. Of course, he ended up on the field! You better believe I was screaming and about to cry like a girl at a Beatles concert back in the day. You can't see it in the picture, but Aubie's running around the field with the crystal football. I was too excited to remember to zoom.

I don't know how many Auburn fans are going to agree with me about this, but I had total confidence we were going to win the whole time (except for when we had about three minutes left, I got a bit panicked). So what if it was a close game and we trailed at times? Y'all, I love - LOVE - Gene Chizik. He has got that team under control and I have total faith in him. Had Tommy Tubberville been our coach, I feel like we definitely would have lost that game. To me, the game seemed to be evenly matched (just because we're playing a team we're supposed to beat doesn't mean they are a bad team), and I am really pleased with the way it panned out. We never got so far behind we couldn't catch up and at the very end, when it seemed like there was a chance we might actually lose, we got two touchdowns back to back and pulled out the win. If we had done that earlier, there's a good chance the other team would have scored on us again. We had to let them think they had the game, and then get 'em at the very end, when they didn't have time to beat us. Loved it!

While I'm on the subject, I have got to say how disgusted I am with some of the Auburn fans sitting around me. I think they must be converts because the way they talk about our team disgusts me. Saying things like, "Come on, Tigers, wake up," and exchanging looks that could easily say, "What a bunch of losers out there. I am so disgusted." That, y'all, is NOT being a good Auburn fan. Support your team!

Back to the weekend, after I got my shower, and we rested up a bit, we went to Amsterdam Cafe for dinner. A girl was selling feather hair extensions, so I got some more feathers in my hair. (Yay!) Dinner was heavenly. Filet, broccolini, Malbec. Nomnomnom. And for dessert, I had the chocolate cheesecake. More nomnomnom.

Johnathan headed back to the ATL and I went to bed early. Apparently, Andy stayed up and watched TV. When we got up the next morning, we had a little breakfast, got ready, went to Target and Kroger, and went to Amsterdam again, where else? I've been craving a turkey wrap for months, y'all. (Andy and I usually order a turkey wrap to go when we eat dinner there, but we were so stuffed we couldn't think of any more food on Saturday. The next morning all we could talk about was how I should have texted Levi, my old neighbor from back in the day, to send a couple of turkey wraps home with my new next door neighbor. Yes, nearly everyone in my Auburn life is connected to Amsterdam.)

It was a great weekend and I now have to get back to reality and prepare to work some today and tomorrow.



Why do I doula?

Towards the end of my blog hiatus, I began posting a series about my personal health care journey. I did it partly for me, to put all the pieces together, but I also did it because I've been nauseated for over four years and my doctors have no idea why. I'm not the only one this has ever happened to ... I googled it one night and found a discussion board about all these people who have been/are going through it too. I was doing it as a way to reach out to those who might have the same problem, and also as a hopeful thing, hoping someone had been through it too and got an answer that may be the answer for me.

Two years ago, I had surgery. My symptoms to that point were fatigue, nausea, malaise, and tenderness in random places all over my trunk. It affected my work so much I ended up quitting my jobs. I just couldn't fight it any more. I had also developed a rather distended upper abdomen. I couldn't wear a bra, I occasionally had difficulty breathing (due to the pressure), and I looked pregnant. I figured surgery couldn't hurt anything. I was so wrong.

Actually telling about my whole recovery is painful. Within the first two weeks, I had changed to a stronger pain medicine, gotten into a huge fight with my boyfriend (at the time), cried a ga-zillion times, been to the emergency room, had DISSOLVABLE stitches RIPPED from my body, found out my after care instructions were complete bullshit, got passed off between doctors, discovered I had a hole. In. My. Abdomen. Went for an emergency therapy appointment. Got the white gunk dug out of aforementioned hole, and was on my way to recovery.

Or so I thought. Within a couple of weeks, I started waking up between four and six in the morning about once a week with excruciating back pain. It feels like my muscles are contracting, they pull tighter and tighter inwards until after they can't get any tighter and they finally begin to release. There is tons of pressure with this, too. (Just out of curiosity, I timed it one time and it took 20 minutes.) This still happens from time to time. Now, when I wake up with the pressure, kind of uncomfortable feeling, I take a deep breath and brace myself mentally. Usually by relaxing the best I can when it starts, I can keep the pain from getting as bad as it can.

I also just haven't been "the same" since my surgery. I am even more fatigued, more tender, and now I have muscle and joint (and tendon) issues. I've noticed lately I've been a little better, but my stamina is nothing! Once the weather cools down, I'll know a lot more.

And, of course, I'm still nauseous. But, I can breathe. And wear a bra. The breathing part is wonderful, the bra part ... I was getting used to shelf bra camis and they were oh so comfy.

So, what does this have to do with becoming a doula? Giving birth has such a wonderful outcome (assuming everything goes well), why should a woman have to just go with whatever the doctors and nurses say and hope she doesn't have a bad experience? I'm not saying this happens in every case without a doula, and I'm not saying every case with a doula is all roses. I just think having an advocate and support person to help you during this journey can help the outcome be as best as possible. Like I said in doula training, I think everyone should have a "doula" for every medical experience.

What can I say?

It's been a while, y'all. Lots of changes are taking place :)

I guess I should start off with some 'splainin' as to why I took down all my old posts ... see, what had happened was I thought I was going to start a "lifestyle consulting" business, where I teach etiquette and advise on wardrobe, homemaking, and other lifestyle kinds of things. I'll admit I'm not the best at any of that, but I know what is appropriate and I'm a fountain of advice. What better name that Southern Like That for the business? So, I figured I would take down all my posts and start the lifestyle blog. That didn't happen. Not that it ever won't happen, it's just, well, kind of overwhelming. And I have had this other little project going on.

Last year, I spent the summer suffering from hyperthyroidism and tendinitis. My plan was to go to massage school, get my license, and start my massage therapy practice in Auburn. Well, my tendinitis didn't heal in time to start school and I desperately needed something to do. I considered going to cosmetology school because I love doing makeup, but that's a lot of money to spend to just do makeup. Don't get me wrong, I will cut and color your hair for you if you are a very dear friend, but I don't love doing it. What else do I love, know, and can feasibly do for work? Become an artist. I'm no fine artist by any means, but I'm rather crafty.

It got put on the back burner as life got complicated the past year, but, fortunately, I did do enough work on it here and there to have a (hopefully) fairly good plan in place. As of last week, I am the proud owner of my very own business, Queen B, named for my beloved cat, Boston GoGo. I plan on launching in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

With the business, I began exploring what social networking sites I wanted to utilize to help me promote Queen B. I've been hearing a lot about Pinterest, and really wanted an account, but it didn't seem like the right thing to do with Queen B. It is a great way to promote my other favorite hobby, lifestyle. So, you can now follow me on Pinterest, SoLikeThat. (Southern Like That was too long. Boo!)

Another little thing that happened this summer was I finally began my doula certification. Why would a woman who has no desire to put her own self through pregnancy and who desperately wants to be a mother become a doula? That's a long story you can read on my doula blog (when I get it up and running). I'll probably do a post on it here, just because I also have a passion for health care advocacy.

So, y'all, that's what I have to say. It's been a long, hot summer, and I am ready for the greatest Southern pastime - FOOTBALL. War Eagle, y'all.

P.S. Maybe I'll get around to putting the old posts back up :)

Pirates, parrots, and a bar baby shower, oh my!

One of my favorite bartenders is having his first son and I was appointed to plan his baby shower. Scott is so excited about becoming a father and his new family that we thought he deserved a shower. Also, none of his co-workers were able to attend a traditionally-timed shower (weekend afternoon) because they work like crazy all weekend.

With about one week to plan, I had to work fast! Step 1: pick a theme. I chose pirate. It's cool. It's Jimmy Buffett-ish. It's good for a boy. We had a good time!

Since the Nana's crew is a fun-loving bunch of people, I went all out! We had pirate hats, crowns, inflatable swords, and a treasure chest, just to name a few things.

We had the shower on a Monday night while Scott was working so we could help him earn some extra tip money! (It was also the best night to get everyone to come.)

Shannon and I went to set up way before Scott got there so he would be surprised with the decorations and so we wouldn't have to work around customers later on.

I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but I must give credit where it is due: I let Scott's mother to do the food. I got the cake, but she offered to cook for the shindig, and I let her. Emily Post might be rolling over in her grave for that one, but I am eternally grateful! The spread was awesome and it allowed me and Shannon to pay closer attention to the other details.

Booty (gifts, for you non-pirate speakers)

Shannon and I left a note for Scott and stuck it to the bar mat with a knife.

Clearly, we were really into the pirate theme :)

Invitation

Instead of a guest book, I had treasure maps for everyone to write a message to the new family

Directions for "guest book"