Month: April 2019

So I know that somethings are supposed to be private and we don’t talk about it, but well, you know me. Even though I can be a hypochondriac at times, doctor’s visits often cause me, like many people, a great amount of anxiety. After scheduling, canceling and rescheduling my physical more times than I can count, I went to today for my physical including the dreaded PAP smear, which was way overdue.

Luckily, I have a terrific Nurse Practitioner that is very kind and patient and kind of fun all in one. She answered all my questions and helped get me squared away on some issues. I know that some of this might be TMI, but there are a couple highlights I would to share – namely, our conversation about pubic hair fashion.

I don’t know if you are aware of this or not, but I am dating now and would like to be “cool” so I say to Lauren, ” You see a lot of crotches right?” She says yes and then I go on to say, “well, I’m dating now and I’m wondering what is the current trend with pubic hair. Like are landing strips still a thing?” I’m pleased to report that landing strips and other novelty grooming seems to be gone while the Brazilian, trimmed and even the full bush seem to be where it’s at right now, as a matter fact, she commented that the bush seems to be coming back. So, in case you were wondering, that the latest in pubic hair fashion.

We also, took care of business including the dreaded Pap smear. I don’t know why, but I work myself up about them into a flat spin panic. Like I was sweaty and my heart was racing and then the crying started. I tell you this because apparently, I handled it much better than some women, although she might have just said that to make me feel better, and because no one talks about these things and how uncomfortable and unpleasant they can be both physically and mentally. Just indulge me for a second here – why is that men have a blood test for prostate cancer and women have to go through an uncomfortable invasive procedure to screen for cancer? [Full disclosure – I’ve been watching Call the Midwife again which really seems to shine a light on woman’s issues in their own way.]

So I did the grown up thing, even getting a tetanus booster while I was there and now, I should be good to go for the next three years, except for the mammogram and the trip to dermatology about a mole and who knows what else pops up… Seriously though – where’s my sticker?

So if you know me at all, you know how annoyingly sentimental I can be at times and maybe about things that I shouldn’t be. Life is a series of milestones and events that change us in ways that you never imagine. With that in mind, today is the second anniversary of “break up day”

I feel like it needs to marked somehow because it was definitely a day that changed the course of my life and in most ways for the better. When I remember that time, I think about being devastated but more so, I think about the people around me and I know you’ve all heard this before, but it was a time where I never felt more loved.

My friends and family moved in so close and carried me until I was ok to stand on my feet on again. Instead of dwelling on the pain I went through, I really wish I had the words to tell them all, how much they mean to me. But words fail me because how to do you thank people for loving you so much when you needed it most.

So there a couple things I would like to remind you of today that I sometimes forget –

1. Be kind to the people you encounter. You have no idea what they are dealing with.
2. Change is really, really hard, but you will survive and although it’s scary, it’s usually for the best.
3. Life is whizzing past us at warp speed. Make sure you are living it and not waiting for some arbitrary time or milestone to start enjoying it.
4. You are a grown up too. Nobody gets to be the boss of you without your permission.

Maybe it’s the sunshine, maybe it’s my fancy dresser, maybe its some pill I take, maybe it’s my hormone levels for this 20 minutes or maybe its just how things are, but I am content, even happy, planning trips and overwhelmed with gratitude.

Oh Friends, I know it’s been like a month. I’m sorry. But see here’s what happened:

Have you heard of Influenza A? So I go home to visit my family the weekend of March 9th for my birthday ( march 13th in case you are sad you missed it) and my brother-in-law is kind of sick and there are kids there are well. Within a matter of days, my mom, both sisters and both nieces and me were all down sick. My one niece tested positive for influenza A at the Dr’s office, so I’m applying that diagnosis to myself as well.

I literally thought I was dying. All I did was cough and complain and as women of a certain age know, when you cough, other inconvenient things happen as well. I was mixing things you really shouldn’t mix to try to sleep and the cough was still breaking through. I’m so glad we live in a world where you can many things delivered. The coughing and wheezing lasted like 3 full weeks. I had to cancel my annual Birthday Extravaganza with my bitches. I will say these things now – blue cough medicine is magic, I fully endorse Vick’s Vapo-Rub as it provided me with much relieve and I’m still not 100% sold on getting a flu shot, however, I will update my tetanus booster this year. I’m not anti-vac, just anti flu shot for me – but that’s a topic for a whole different day.

But the good news is I’m all better now and have spent the last week working on redecorating my bedroom. There are three or four key parts to this project – on being the redoing of an ugly dresser. I am kicking myself right now for not taking a before picture but check out the after! It started out as a plain beigeish dresser and I painted it grey,wallpapered the fronts, sides and top and changed out the knobs. Not to pat myself on the back too much, but isn’t it SO pretty???

Now I just need to finish rearranging my furniture, hang my feather light and I think it will a Pinterest worthy bedroom. And have no fear, more pictures will follow.