Hi all,
I've started a new blog. Please check it out at ilovepate.blogspot.com
I hope you are all doing well.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Cake, Cake and More Cake
I finished my Wilton Class I class last Saturday. The picture is of my FINAL cake for class one. It incorporated the "Wilton Rose" and sugar flowers (around the border). The second cake, "Clown Cake" used technique necessary for making figures stand up. The last picture is of my very first cake. You can obviously see how much I learned in the three classes. This class was so fun and I encourage everyone to take it. I ended up taking mine at the local Hobby Lobby. I can't wait for class two. Class Two focuses on the use of royal icing (which makes very pretty flowers). I'll keep you posted! Until then, I'm taking orders:)
My dear Bella
I posted earlier this year that my dog Bella has cancer and Cushing's disease. The vet discovered a mast cell tumor on her knee and it was removed in January. It was supposed to heal quickly (2 weeks). However, it ended up taking over a month to heal and that was with frequent visits to a new vet in Houston and the wonders of an e-collar (and consultations/counseling from my awesome vet in Tulsa). Never fear, I took some time to "dazzle" her colalr up since she was so good about wearing it. I actually highly suggest doing it if you ever have to put your dog into a collar. The original collar was too long, where she wasn't able to reach her food or water. She was also constantly running into everything. The collar was also very sharp around the edges. So, I trimmed it down to her nose and hot glued fabric around the rim:) Bella is now tumor free, but there is a chance she will develop more. She is doing great and I love her dearly. Thanks for all the prayers.
Playing catch-up
I have to admit, I am the worst procrastinator in the world. I have so much to post, but instead of boring you with a post as long as a book, I will try to make several posts today.
Update on my 2009 resolutions:
I have paid off FOUR credit cards.
I am moving out of my parents home in FOUR weeks.
I finished my first Wilton cake class and have signed up for the second one.
I have accomplished a lot and I'm not embarrassed to say that I am proud of what I've done since January 1st.
So, what's new? Well, if you follow my facebook status, you probably know that I had some "work" done on my left big toe. It all started out with an ingrown toe nail. I've had surgery on the right big toe and it was quite painful. I was dreading having my left big toe "operated" on. The night before the big night, my toe started throbbing. It was as if someone had wrapped a rubber band around my big toe. It was so painful that I was in tears all day. Then, I arrived at the doctor's office at 3:30. I did not see the doctor until almost 5:00. Luckily, I had time to text all my anxiety to my friends, who calmly assured me that everything was going to be ok.
The doctor came in and she took one look at my toe and said, "you need to go downstairs for some blood work." What????? Why do I need bloodwork for an ingrown toenail surgery?
Well......
It turns out that I have a severe staph infection that almost went septic. Are you for real?
How did I get this infection? One word: PEDICURE.
You fill in the details. I have vowed to NEVER get another pedicure!!! If you choose to do so, MAKE sure everything is clean!!! Not just surface clean, but sanitized clean!!!!
Sorry that the pictures aren't very clear and they are gross. But, I wanted to warn you of the implications of having pretty toenails. The picture on the right is just of the ingrown toenail itself. No wonder my toe hurt so bad. The picture on the left is of the staph infection. I'll post a pic of my toe after all of the "surgeries" have been performed.
Needless to say, it hasn't been a very fun process. What should have been a very simple one-time procedure turned into weekly visits to remove more and more of my toenail.
My podiatrist told me various stories of how "spas" will use Windex instead of a sanitizer because it is cheaper. She also said that she had to amputate a young woman's toe because she contracted a staph infection that DID go septic.
Yuck!
Monday, January 5, 2009
1st Day Back
Today was the first day back at school. I didn't sleep well last night and was nervous about how today would unfold.
I started a new ritual for my students. I posted a speech class pledge in my room and they say it every time they come in. I found in on the great website, www.speakingofspeech.com. If you click on caseload management, you will find it. It essentially says that doing well is up to each student, not me. We talked about my role in helping them with their speech. We all agreed that I am here to teach and they come to speech to learn. It seemed to work well today. I'll keep you updated.
For my January activity, I cut out paper party hats and let my kids decorate them with markers, glitter, etc... I had them write 3 resolutions, one which had to do with their speech goals. They all did such a nice job. I'm going to keep them posted in the room until the end of the year, that way they can track their progress!
I hope everyone had a great day today, especially those speech paths who started back at school today:)
I started a new ritual for my students. I posted a speech class pledge in my room and they say it every time they come in. I found in on the great website, www.speakingofspeech.com. If you click on caseload management, you will find it. It essentially says that doing well is up to each student, not me. We talked about my role in helping them with their speech. We all agreed that I am here to teach and they come to speech to learn. It seemed to work well today. I'll keep you updated.
For my January activity, I cut out paper party hats and let my kids decorate them with markers, glitter, etc... I had them write 3 resolutions, one which had to do with their speech goals. They all did such a nice job. I'm going to keep them posted in the room until the end of the year, that way they can track their progress!
I hope everyone had a great day today, especially those speech paths who started back at school today:)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Request
One more thing....
I'm requesting some serious prayers. You all know that my lab, Bella, was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease in July 2008. During my Tulsa trip this week, Bella and I visited our favorite vets, Dr. Steve and Laura (Catoosa Small Animal Clinic--Best Vets EVER), to get a re-check on Bella's levels (Cushing's disease affects the thyroid and adrenal glands). I also had the vets check on this little lump I found on her knee, earlier this fall. They said it was probably nothing, just a little fat deposit.
Sadly, it is something...It is a malignant tumor. They removed the tumor on Tuesday and now I am just waiting for the results. The tumor tests will show the TMN, otherwise known as the site (of the tumor), nodules, and metastisis (if it has spread somewhere else).
Please keep her in your prayers.
I'm requesting some serious prayers. You all know that my lab, Bella, was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease in July 2008. During my Tulsa trip this week, Bella and I visited our favorite vets, Dr. Steve and Laura (Catoosa Small Animal Clinic--Best Vets EVER), to get a re-check on Bella's levels (Cushing's disease affects the thyroid and adrenal glands). I also had the vets check on this little lump I found on her knee, earlier this fall. They said it was probably nothing, just a little fat deposit.
Sadly, it is something...It is a malignant tumor. They removed the tumor on Tuesday and now I am just waiting for the results. The tumor tests will show the TMN, otherwise known as the site (of the tumor), nodules, and metastisis (if it has spread somewhere else).
Please keep her in your prayers.
2009
Here is my first post for 2009. Although it is a little bit late, I would like to share my 2009 resolutions with you.
1. Make my debt more manageable.
I hate to admit it, but I have 12 open lines of credit, totaling $21,242.00. Yes, that is credit card debt. It has been accruing since I was 18 and obviously I don't have it under control. I do factor in that I was in school for three years, living on my graduate assistant pay, which was not very much. I also factor in that I have had life changes that were out of my control (and left me with more debt than I originally had). Essentially, I lived on credit cards for a few years (obviously) and that has to change, NOW.
The good news is that I have not used one credit card since August and have been making as large of payments as humanly possible.
2. Do not accrue any more debt.
I also have $67,242.00 in student loans. Sadly, I went to TU on a full scholarship, but once again, used money that was not mine to pay for daily things. I have entered into repayment and the payment is like a mortgage.
Now, when I purchase anything, I pay cash for it. I've also adopted this very annoying procedure of not opening/taking the tags off any of my new things, until I have had it in my home for 2 weeks. If I really need it, I use it. If I don't, I take it back. I suppose it would be easier to just not buy it. But, hey...baby steps.....
3. Make the most out of all situations.
Many of you know that because of reasons #1 and #2 and the "D," I am living with my mom and step-dad in Houston. It is a horrendous blow to the ego, considering I haven't lived with any family member since I was 18. I also work in a job that I do not like (not the profession, just the setting) and I dread going to work every day.
I am going to feel blessed that I: a)have family willing to allow me to live with them, while I get everything sorted out b)feel blessed that I HAVE a job, with a steady paycheck.
4. Make more time for the ones who love me and quit wasting time on the ones who don't.
I've learned quickly who my true friends are since I moved and since the "D." I have also learned that old habits do not die and that people do not change, even if you really, really want them to. If you know me well, you know exactly who I am talking about here.
I am going to invest more time and myself into those who love me and stop worrying about the ones who don't. I deserve more.
5. Take up a hobby and meet new people.
I was reminiscing about my life about 10 years ago and how many extracurricular activities I was involved in. Of course, when you are in high school, you have more opportunity. I also have had a hard time with my transition here in Houston, because I haven't made that many friends. I realized that I haven't really being trying. Besides the dad factor (he still lives in Tulsa), having no friends has been a main reason of why I wanted to move back to Tulsa. My close friend Lisa recently said this to me:
"You need to move back to Tulsa for the right reasons. You need to decide what those reasons are. If your reason is just for comfort, then don't move back. That isn't a good reason. You need to plant yourself in Houston for awhile and try to make a life for yourself. You can't do that if your head is living in Tulsa."
I enrolled in the Wilton Cake Decorating I, II, III and Fondant class at the local community college. I also joined a fitness program, CrossFit Houston. I'm so excited.
6. Move on.
A new year is a time for change AND forgiveness. I am blessed with so many things in my life and I somehow always get jaded. I WILL forgive others (you know who) and move on with my life. There is so much more out there waiting for me.
I also need to move out. I have started making a list of things I will need to move out on my own. I am hoping March.
Lastly,
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me and supported me in 2008. I could not have made it through without you.
I look forward to sharing good and bad news with you over the next year. I also look forward to the age that so many dread.....30.
I hope you all have a great year!
1. Make my debt more manageable.
I hate to admit it, but I have 12 open lines of credit, totaling $21,242.00. Yes, that is credit card debt. It has been accruing since I was 18 and obviously I don't have it under control. I do factor in that I was in school for three years, living on my graduate assistant pay, which was not very much. I also factor in that I have had life changes that were out of my control (and left me with more debt than I originally had). Essentially, I lived on credit cards for a few years (obviously) and that has to change, NOW.
The good news is that I have not used one credit card since August and have been making as large of payments as humanly possible.
2. Do not accrue any more debt.
I also have $67,242.00 in student loans. Sadly, I went to TU on a full scholarship, but once again, used money that was not mine to pay for daily things. I have entered into repayment and the payment is like a mortgage.
Now, when I purchase anything, I pay cash for it. I've also adopted this very annoying procedure of not opening/taking the tags off any of my new things, until I have had it in my home for 2 weeks. If I really need it, I use it. If I don't, I take it back. I suppose it would be easier to just not buy it. But, hey...baby steps.....
3. Make the most out of all situations.
Many of you know that because of reasons #1 and #2 and the "D," I am living with my mom and step-dad in Houston. It is a horrendous blow to the ego, considering I haven't lived with any family member since I was 18. I also work in a job that I do not like (not the profession, just the setting) and I dread going to work every day.
I am going to feel blessed that I: a)have family willing to allow me to live with them, while I get everything sorted out b)feel blessed that I HAVE a job, with a steady paycheck.
4. Make more time for the ones who love me and quit wasting time on the ones who don't.
I've learned quickly who my true friends are since I moved and since the "D." I have also learned that old habits do not die and that people do not change, even if you really, really want them to. If you know me well, you know exactly who I am talking about here.
I am going to invest more time and myself into those who love me and stop worrying about the ones who don't. I deserve more.
5. Take up a hobby and meet new people.
I was reminiscing about my life about 10 years ago and how many extracurricular activities I was involved in. Of course, when you are in high school, you have more opportunity. I also have had a hard time with my transition here in Houston, because I haven't made that many friends. I realized that I haven't really being trying. Besides the dad factor (he still lives in Tulsa), having no friends has been a main reason of why I wanted to move back to Tulsa. My close friend Lisa recently said this to me:
"You need to move back to Tulsa for the right reasons. You need to decide what those reasons are. If your reason is just for comfort, then don't move back. That isn't a good reason. You need to plant yourself in Houston for awhile and try to make a life for yourself. You can't do that if your head is living in Tulsa."
I enrolled in the Wilton Cake Decorating I, II, III and Fondant class at the local community college. I also joined a fitness program, CrossFit Houston. I'm so excited.
6. Move on.
A new year is a time for change AND forgiveness. I am blessed with so many things in my life and I somehow always get jaded. I WILL forgive others (you know who) and move on with my life. There is so much more out there waiting for me.
I also need to move out. I have started making a list of things I will need to move out on my own. I am hoping March.
Lastly,
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me and supported me in 2008. I could not have made it through without you.
I look forward to sharing good and bad news with you over the next year. I also look forward to the age that so many dread.....30.
I hope you all have a great year!
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