Am…musings

My lovely mother Shar …

… and I are doing the diet I’ve mentioned together. This week we’re supposed to jump start it by sticking to a vegetarian menu as directed by our doctor. I called Shar earlier to whine a little because the diet is also lots of fruits and salads plus protein shakes, and I’m so darn cold today I just wanted something nice and warm for lunch. Here’s the conversation:

Shar: I know what you mean. We’re having tuna for lunch.
Me: Um … we can’t have that.
Shar: Why not? She said no meat. I’m not having meat.
Me: Yeah … this isn’t the Catholic version of vegetarianism. Fish is meat.

Sheesh!

I just hid in my bedroom while my neighbor, who I dubbed “socially awkward” on Facebook and Twitter, shoveled my driveway for the second (and I imagine not the last) time today. Yes, I feel foolish for hiding, but my presence at home has scared him away before. I also felt guilty sitting inside all warm and snug watching him work in the cold and sleet.

Of course, I feel terrible not acknowledging him, but when I’ve stuck my head out the door to thank him, it’s been an uncomfortable exchange. Also, I’m technically fully capable of shoveling my own driveway unlike our older neighbors, who he also helps. In years past, I’ve even grabbed my shovel to help him, but it was terribly awkward … me trying to start conversation, grasping at straws, asking lots of questions and him giving one-word answers. Not to mention that when he came by (at 4 p.m. mind you), I was still in my jammies (thanks to my fantastic employer for the technology and blessing to work at home on nasty days like today).

Nevertheless, I realize how lucky I am to have his help and know I should just suck it up and say thanks … I think not doing so makes me the socially awkward one.

P.S. Comments on a good/appropriate gift or acknowledgement for him are welcome.

A recent purchase I’m totally jazzed about got me thinking that a “favorite things” series might be fun. In addition to my new purchase, I thought of several other things to blog about. Which to start with? A re-tweet on Twitter helped me decide …

I’ve sort of known plastic bags aren’t good, but didn’t have any specifics. Today @SBlanquera posted a link outlining the dangers. It’s very enlightening and disturbing, particularly the image of a bird that became entangled and died, likely because it couldn’t fly to catch food.

Working at SeaWorld, I saw the horrible damage things like discarded fishing line and plastic rings on sodas cause (seriously, please take the time to cut those up … it was heartbreaking to see turtles and manatees with things we thoughtlessly discard embedded in the flesh around their necks or cutting off the circulation to one of their limbs).

When it comes to bags, I found this great black nylon bag on an NYC trip. I bought four more at http://www.reusablebags.com/. They are perfect because they don’t take up much space, are made well and aren’t branded so I feel like I can use them anywhere. I also personally love that they’re black because they’re low key and more chic than some of the other bags I’ve seen.

Here’s what I bought at the store today instead of Diet Coke, SoBe and donuts …

Although I should be saving my pennies, tulips are my very fav and I just couldn’t pass them up … and I “deserve” them since I’m dieting .

I am an entitlement eater and drinker. I’ve had a bad day … it’s Christmas … it’s the weekend … you name it, I deserve to eat this food or drink this beverage that isn’t so good for me.

By mid-December I hadn’t had a Diet Coke in at least a month. Then I had a bad day at work and fell off the wagon. It was close to Christmas and vacation so I justified the wanton abandonment of my no-Diet-Coke plan and have been drinking them (sometimes three a day) ever since. Until today.

My taste buds have also fallen in love with SoBe Life Water Agave Lemonade, but at 100 calories a pop, it’s not worth the empty calories I imbibe every time I go to the grocery store. Until today.

As I’ve mentioned, this Christmas was harder for me than normal. I wouldn’t say I’m ever too concerned about what I eat between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, but I think this year may have been worse than normal. I also went on vacation for a week after Christmas and heaven’s knows vacation means you deserve to eat whatever you want. Until today.

I don’t want to become the diet blogger. However, I’m thinking a little diet talk is required writing for a single 30-something’s blog. Plus, with the Diet Coke, occasionally writing about it did keep me on track. Of course, those of you who know me in real life can also nag me. My co-workers have been nicely pestering me every time they see me with a Diet Coke and I appreciate that. Of course, no need to loudly call me out at the office for something bad I’m eating … a disparaging look will do just fine.

Sit back and relax was the verdict from my OB on the fibroids. I was a little worried after I sent her the ultrasound yesterday and she moved my appointment to today. However, surgery to remove the larger fibroid is the only way to really fix it. Although it isn’t a major surgery, she smartly said it shouldn’t be something you jump straight to unless the symptoms are making you miserable.

My pain has been manageable and was virtually nonexistent today (wouldn’t ya know it … on the day of the appointment). An iron supplement seems to be helping the lightheadedness and fuzzy thinking. And I’m really not having the other (too-gross-to-mention-here) issue associated with fibroids.

With the type of fibroid I have, there is a very slight chance of complication that would require emergency surgery, but I’ll know if it happens by the excruciating pain. (For those of you who love medical details like me … the bigger fibroid is outside of my uterus on a stalk that can twist, causing the fibroid to lose its blood supply and become necrotic. Also, she thinks my ER-trip pain may have been part of it dying due to lack of blood, which I guess is a good thing.)

Barring any issues, I’ll have another ultrasound in six months to determine if it’s growing or causing other complications.

It was a crafty three-day weekend … stamping invites and RSVPs for a friend’s wedding. It’s been a while since I’ve stamped (to use a hoaky pun … my annual hand-made holiday cards just weren’t in the cards this year) so it was more enjoyable than normal. I also had plenty of help … thanks to the bride, her sister-in-law, her mother-in-law, our friend Susan and my mom and dad … which makes it fun too.

Here’s a peek at the finished product …

A week and a day after the ER trip for a crazy pain in my lower abdomen I know the cause. It’s not my appendix, liver, kidneys or intestines so … male coworkers: you may now stop reading if you wish so I don’t have to listen to you complain about my “girl issues” post.

The results of Wednesday’s ultrasound showed two uterine fibroids. Normally, they aren’t a big deal, but I think the doctor said “one is very large” about three or four times during the two-minute call so I assume it isn’t your average fibroid.

The dull, constant pain I’ve had since Sunday hasn’t seemed too unusual, but I have a few other slightly odd symptoms (fever, fatigue, light headedness, fuzzy thinking and Sunday’s sudden, stabbing pain) that this site explains.

The call came from my primary, who urged me to get an appointment with my OB, and it’s scheduled for January 30. In the meantime, I’m going to see if ibuprofen and an iron supplement help.

Store No. 1 – Finding the things I’m looking for … and then some. Seeing lots of associates. At five minutes to close, being nicely (and it seemed genuine) asked if I need help finding anything. At two minutes after close, finding myself shocked at the pleasantness of the associate at the register (she’s happily un-bagging the items she’d placed in a plastic bag before I noticed and gave her my reusable bags, and insisting on helping me even though I was trying to bag stuff myself because it was so late).

Store No. 2 – Searching and not locating much beyond the basics. Receiving no offers of help. Looking up to see the “open” light on at the register, making eye contact with the associate and … watching him walk away without even acknowledging me. Assuming he’s coming back, placing my items on the belt. Realizing that no … he’s chatting at the customer service desk even though he knows I’m here. Putting my items back in the cart and going to wait in a longer line.

I’m a Target girl. My experience tonight (store No. 1) resembles the positive experience I always have there. Occasionally, I throw K-Mart a bone, but my experience yesterday (store No. 2) is typical. I almost always find myself pissed at the K-Mart checkout … slow associates, opening a new lane and helping someone who just walked up rather than people have been waiting and now … being left hanging.

K-Mart clearly isn’t focusing enough on customer service in their training. I also think they aren’t hiring the right people … I can’t even imagine an associate at Target pulling the stunt I experienced yesterday. Maybe they have an inferiority complex. And after this tale of two stores … I’d say rightfully so.

I was home sick today after horrible pelvic/lower abdomen pain and a slightly embarrassing visit to the ER (cute, young doctor and pelvic/abdomen issues aren’t the best combo) last night. Of course, the pain subsided a bit once I got to the ER so I felt a little silly. Today, my stomach is sore, but not writhing with the pain like yesterday. However, I decided to take it easy to see if the rest would help.

The good news about staying home is it’s an opportunity to watch a couple Netflix movies that typically sit around for weeks. On the docket today … two foreign films that were perfect for a laidback afternoon.

While I enjoyed The Chorus (about a boarding school for delinquent boys), it might be a little too slow for most. However, I’d recommend Dear Frankie. Reason No. 1 to watch it: it’s a sweet tale of a mother trying to protect her son. Reason No. 2: Gerard Butler, the hot stuff from 300 and P.S. I Love You. Yum.

As for the pain … it’s still there. Dr. Cutie did give me a script for an ultrasound, and I promised my mom I’d go if it wasn’t better tomorrow. If it turns out to be anything, I’ll keep everyone posted.