Happy New Year!

I'm ready for my no spend year - I have everything I need to make this successful.  I'm ready to loose weight and get healthy because I honestly feel like crap.  I need to get my health and house in order.  That is the goal for 2013.  2012 was a tough year for the J Family.  We had a host of medical problems.  This time last year D3 was recovering from a thyroidectomy post thyroid cancer. All 3 girls had thyroid work ups and biopsies.  D1 turned out to have hypothyroid and is experimenting with eating a healthy diet.   D1 and 2 both had their gall bladders removed.  MM had her spleen removed and H had a stroke like episode.  In November I had an abnormal mammogram and biopsy which thankfully turned out okay with follow up in 6 mos. Finally to top off the year my mother had the stomach flu over the Xmas holiday requiring an ER visit for fluids.  I got no where with my debt and I'm chronically behind at work.  I'm hoping the 2013 will be a better Year.  Have a Safe and Healthy New Year.

Goals for 2013

 

2013

Goals - 2013

1.  Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras  - save a little every week until I can pay for it in cash. 

2.  No spend year - only buy what I need  to survive (with the exception of above)

3.  To get healthy - loose weight and exercise. 

4.  Pay off $20,000 in debt

5.  Do not use credit cards

6.  Save $5,000 dollars

7.  Blog and take pictures

8.  Prepare for Lactation Certification

9.  Pay attentions to my TIAA Creft.

Norovirus

Today I spent the morning and early afternoon in the ER with my mother.  She is suffering with the flu (norovirus) and was hypotensive and dehydrated.  She received 2 liters of fluid and medication for nausea.  She felt better after we left but still has a ways to go.  Most of the people in the ER were suffering from the flu.  I was planning to go back to work tomorrow but she is not well enough for me to leave yet. I have been very bad spending a lot of money I need to concentrate on paying these bills off and getting out of debt.  My goal is a no spend year only things I need to survive.  We will see how that goes.  I have two days of work this week then I'm off for a week.  Once this vacation is over I need to concentrate on working extra.  The census is down hopefully it will pick up after the holiday.  I will have my goals for 2013 before the new year starts.  I didn't do well with my 2012 goals.

Preparing for the Holiday

I haven't been able to get into the holiday spirit. I didn't make cookies or send out cards. I can't wait until the parties are over. Today I'm feeling like crap. I'm definitely in a full funk. I'm hoping things will be better when I wake up tomorrow. I thinking of goals for the New Year. I have the first week off because my youngest daughter is moving to Springfield maybe that is why I'm in the mood I'm in.

Rough Couple of Weeks

I have had a rough couple of weeks.  I took 3 days off for all my medical tests - mammogram, colonoscopy, blood work, medical and dental appointments.  My biggest fears were the colonoscopy and the cholesterol testing mine was high last time they checked.  I never imagined the mammogram would be the problem.  For many years I had my mammograms at LGH we recently changed hospitals because our physician was no longer affiliated with LGH with BC/BS HMO.  So I had my first mammogram at NWC - it wasn't like the ones at LGH at LGH they really smushed your boobs at NWC not so much.  After the mammogram I received a call from the hospital that I needed a follow up mammogram because of an issue in my right breast.  At the time I was doing the wonderful bowel prep for my colonoscopy never in my mind did I think I would have something wrong.  My doctor was in a middle of a family emergency herself and not available so I had to talk to one of her associates.  He wasn't concerned and okayed the 2nd mammogram.  On Friday I went for the 2nd mammogram I waited for the results something I didn't do with the first one since I wasn't concerned and just expected it to be normal.  Well the 2nd one wasn't normal either they wanted an US.  I figured while I was there could they go ahead and do the US.  Thankfully they were able to get another referral and the were able to quickly complete the US.  The US didn't show a mass or cyst whatever they were seeing on the mammogram was too small to see on US.  So the next step was a needle biopsy.  I had that done on Wednesday it was not a pleasant experience the staff was very nice and accommodating they explained everything. Since the biopsy was done the Wednesday before Thanksgiving I had to wait all weekend to receive the results.  I was convinced the news was going to be bad all I could think about was how I was going to work while going through this and how one phone call could potentially change my life forever.  It was all very unsettling.  I didn't tell too many people just my husband, sister, daughters and coworkers.  Well today I got the call the biopsy was negative and I need to follow up with another mammogram in 6 mos - my birthday month.  I have to say I'm relieved but still unsettled.  My breast doesn't feel right I'm thinking it is recovering from the entire ordeal it hurts.  When they took the biopsy they left a small metal marker so they can  find the location of concern if they need to go in and do a biopsy.  I'm hoping I am not experiencing a reaction from the metal or it's just me be a hypochondriac.  I have decided that I need to get my act together - get these bills paid off so if something does happen I won't have to worry about money.  I have a good 6 mos to concentrate on paying off my debt and getting healthy - this is my new focus.  That being said I just spent two shopping on line for xmas.  I got a lot done but have more to do.  I keep reminding myself not to get too crazy.  My other goal is to blog more so it's time to move forward and take this has a signal from God that I need to enjoy life and concentrate on getting things in order because you never know what the next day will bring.

I'm still here!

I haven't posted in a long time.  Not much has happened in the time I have been gone.  This week I took Wed - Fri off for all my maintenance medical appointments.  I had my first colonoscopy the hardest part was drinking the bowel prep.  The actual procedure was a piece of cake.  The one test I wasn't worried about was my mammogram.  It was the first time I had it done at NWC.  I previously had them taken  at Lutheran General and they all have been normal.  I had it on Wednesday and was called back for additional tests.  I had another mammogram followed by an ultrasound on Friday.  The mammogram showed a small area of concern in the right breast.  Too small to feel and too small to see on ultrasound the next step is a needle biopsy.  My doctor had to leave town for a family emergency I will call her office on Monday and try to get this scheduled as soon as possible. I'm trying not to freak out I hoping all is well this year has not been good for my family.  It is time to end it on a positive note. 

Fall is Here!

Before

After

Today was a productive one!  I cleaned out the garden and cut the lawn  I love fall it is cold out and the leaves are turning color and falling.  It won't be long before we will be shoveling snow.  Next week I will be putting all the flower pots away.  This week I started a on-line program called Project Life.  One of our assignments was to take pictures of our daily life - hence the picture of my laundry.  The last picture is my neighbor's tree - I love the colors.   

New Blog

Today I deleted all my blogs I'm starting fresh.  This blog will not have a theme it will be whatever comes to me on that day. Hopefully I will be a better blogger and attract a few followers.