Trip to the ER

Gotta love the fact that I'm not even out of the first month of 2012 and I've already had a trip to the ER. Thank you Crohn's. You're such a fun disease that has helped me learn so much.

For example...I've been happy these many-a single lady years...I'm not too bothered about finding a significant other. But boy-o-boy, does it suck being single when you have to drive your own ass to the ER and then play the waiting game all by your lonesome. Now I can kind of see the benefit of having a better half. And by "better" I clearly mean one with superior driving skills and the ability to entertain during the multi-hour ER waiting room wait game.

After this trip, I learned that I know my body better than anybody else. I knew I didn't need to go, but when one's Momma is concerned then, by damn, oneself better be concerned or there will be hell to pay. I'm on special drugs for my Crohn's, a little bit o' Entocort and a smidge of Azathioprine. Hey there immune suppressant. So when my body makes any kind of peep...my GI team need to freak out cause bad things can happen.

I'm glad I got checked up, but also glad that I learned I do know my body's signs...even when everyone else is scratching their heads saying "well that shouldn't happen..."

I'm just so special that way. You may now commence being jealous.

New Year

Wow, my new year post is coming on the 19th? I'm doing reeeeal well with this blogging thing. I can say that, although I haven't been blogging, I've got ideas galore for blog posts, changes to the blog, and videos I want to put up. Just wait...as soon as I learn how to edit video, I've got an epic video for ya'll created on New Year's Eve and just after only two bottles of red wine...genius was created! Now hopefully before the year's end I shall be able to throw that bad boy up.

I've got a lot of hope for this year. I have some resolutions. But I'm not quite the vigilant dictator over my life concerning resolutions that other people are. I've got some very relaxed ideas about what I'd like to accomplish this year. I want good health, better handle on my money, to be a better friend/daughter/sister, and to travel more. Per usual really. My fascination with social media and all it can achieve has been growing so hopefully I can learn more about that kind of stuff. Make some changes over here at my favorite blog. Read more blogs...oh when can I get back into the habit of reading my favorites??

England's also been on my list for this year. I'm not sure in what capacity. I will definitely be visiting again, hopefully in March, though no dates are finalized. I've tossed around the idea of going over to take summer classes or something like that...though that can be almost as expensive as going for a year to get a Master's degree. Oh the choices I can make that will only make me poorer.

I know I definitely want to make some video's about traveling and about DC. Maybe showing things around DC that a British person would want to see or, even better, showing where an Anglophile should go when traveling to this area. That would be much more up my ally, don'tcha think?

Well anyways...I've lost all 3 of my former readers (Mom come back!)...so I shall quietly rebuild and continue to post more and see if I can't draw them back with some delightfulness. So yeah...blogworld...prepare for delight. Cause that's what I'm gonna bring....ummmm....yeah.....

...

Happy New Year!! xx

Recap

What I've been up to lately... a story told in hazy, poor quality food porn photos...

I'm trying the Paleo diet! And discovering that local sage sausage, with sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes, and poached eggs are too much flavor on one plate...

Oh wait....sushi isn't Paleo because they don't consume soy or rice...? Well shit, screw that, I want my salmon & avocado rolls...addicted.

Also not Paleo....but it's the holiday's so it's allowed. Delicious vegan pumpkin cheesecake and the best coffee in town, thank you Sticky Fingers. You are my non-dairy mecca.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Home with the fam and very thankful that due to some awesome drugs, I can consume dairy in a moderate amount....so of course my plate is 90% dairy infused. Exempting the turkey, cranberry sauce and the pickle....I think.

And since I'm at home, must indulge in Dinosaur BBQ...1/4 rack of ribs and you're just fat, 1/2 rack of ribs and you are the VICTOR. Also...I almost cried over their sweet potato and bacon mash.

Not quite the end of my holiday weekend but capping my night off with a copy of the BBC America Holiday Shopping Guide ("and Mom, I want this, and this, and THIS!") some icebox cookies (ALL DAIRY BABY) and some wine. Good times.

I never really understood the word "diet".

Happy Thanksgiving! xo

Crazy Times

Life is such a crazy mix. I've had such a good time tonight, after opening night of the first play of my season at work. And I'm in a mood of appreciation. Appreciating the friends I have surrounding me, of the creative people I encounter in my work (check out Anthony Cochrane IMMEDIATELY....seriously in love with his music and composing style...and I am now proud owner of two CD's of music from plays he's worked on at my theatre) and just happy about a lot of things (can I just say....went to a GI doctor today and turns out I'm NOT lactose intolerant...just going through a rough digestive patch...someday I WILL eat cheese again :)...

......but at the same time, last week still sits on my shoulders and it's hard to be too comfortable. When I'm alone, I remember "hey, Ben died on Wednesday.....you know, he'd love this play..." and it just tears me up. I've never had anybody close to me die and I don't know how to think, feel or deal with it. But he comes up in my thoughts almost every day, and I've developed a new kind of perspective. One that has me less stressed at work and about certain relationships because, ya know, in the end....the little things don't matter. It's family, friends and the path you pursue that's important.

....And that's your deep, philosophical thought of the morning...you're welcome!

Cheers!

Pictures from Home

Just a few pictures from the weekend so far:

As soon as I got home from the 6 hour drive from DC on Wednesday night, this is what I was greeted with....

Salmon Run Riesling and their Chardonnay Riesling...nobody does better Riesling than the Finger Lake Region. NOBODY. Not even Germany.

While I was enjoying the wine with my parents, it soon became apparent that the crazies felt comfortable coming out of the wood work and making their appearance. Or as I like to call it...stalking.

This is Maurice. He is my sister's cat. He wants whatever you are consuming. Even if it's wine. Especially if it's wine. This is definitely a wine household. And more proof of that....

Having some red wine at my favorite Irish Pub in alllllll of New York State. O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia, NY. I love them so much I threw caution to the wind and ate dairy. Because you can't go to O'Lacy's and not have their honey mustard chip dip. Oh and there is definitely dairy in that. But I was already kind of drunk off of two glasses (ahem, I mean goblets) of red wine, so the impending doom surrounding my ill fated choices was no match for my appetite. I had their beef stew for my dinner and it was sooooooo creamy, so delicious, I could only eat a few bites of it. (Then again that may be because I had started the meal with dairy and the bloat may have set in...though again, I was kind of tipsy at that point so it didn't matter much :P)

Today I'm just chillaxin' with the mountain dogs. Oh you haven't heard of them, have you? Yes we have wanna-be mountain dogs in the house. They practice climbing and protecting their castle on an hourly basis....

Outside of screeching at them to get down, I've got nothing planned but relaxing....oh and visiting the best wine shop ever and stocking up. And drinking apple cider made by local farms. And reading. It's good to be home. Now I need to go distract my mother, who is sorely disappointed that there is no police blotter in this weeks Pennysaver....she reads it every week so she regal me with stories later about which one of my high school classes mates has been arrested and what stupid thing they did to get themselves incarcerated.

Ahhh home. Not much changes.

xx

Home At Rest

For the first time in months, I can sit and think and just be still. Don't ever underestimate the restorative powers of just being still.

I've managed to sneak away from work to home for the weekend. Was originally supposed to only spend two days here, but it's turned into four because my car is getting worked on and therefore I can't make a wedding I had originally intended on going to today.

I'm not sure when I'll be able to make it back to home again since the theatre season is just about to get underway. Lots of changes happening all over the place so it's nice to be able to come home where things change at a completely different pace and I can always find comfort and a good cup of coffee.

I wanted to post something because NaNoWriMo is coming up soon and I am DETERMINED to blog every day in November. National Novel Writing Month is one of my favorite activities, even though I've never actually managed to complete the challenge. I feel that this year, with all the craziness that's been going on, I need a little stability and the crazed, cracked-out obsession with meeting a number of words challenge, is just the kind of stable I need in my life. If you're interested in checking this out, it's a world wide crazy that takes hold and everyone is together in the trenches. All the crazies in one place. Find your local support group now! www.nanowrimo.org

xx

DC Earthquake Aftermath

Just a video to show I'm okay! My apartment....not so much....f* you DC Earthquake!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmPEy03YChI