Sick, sick and sick

I am so sick that I slept for 14 hours from 11:30 last night to 1:30 pm this afternoon, and then I've taken two short naps today! After my fever spiked to 102 last night, it did come down to the 99's before I went to bed, but then it went back up to 101.4 at about 4 am and I woke up with chills just to wake up several hours later in sweat, yuck. My fever has been present today, but not has high as last night.

My "pic of the day" is a collage of all the things I've been taking lately. For those of you who know me, you'll realize that I've temporarily abandoned my commitment to naturopathic remedies and have caved to antibiotics, an inhaler, Flonase and the like to help me get well. I was really sick in early February with an upper respiratory infection which I don't think I ever fully recuperated from. I tried some naturopathic remedies since that time, but was never consistent with them due to my crazy busy schedule the past month and half. So now I'm really sick and I felt I had to try a different tactic.

It was a beautiful 84 degree day, yes 84, and oh how I wished I could have been outdoors enjoying it. Just think we had snow a week and half ago...Missouri weather!

Fever

Sorry, no pic today because I'm too sick. I came home from work and my temp was about 100 at 6:30 p.m. and rose to 102 by 8 p.m. I slept and broke my fever down a bit to 101.4 by 10 pm. I'm really sick with bronchitis and I would say a sinus infection in addition. This illness came just as I was scheduled to be off from Wed. - Mon. The last time I was scheduled to be off for fun and relaxation I became really sick too, do we see a pattern? So much for resting up and enjoying a few things before work gets busy again.

Email Mania

Email mania describes my day as I cleared out over 160 emails from my inbox. I also went to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis and watched a webinar on first year seminar classes for college students. So nice to have quiet at work after the steady stream of students for weeks. It's a great feeling to get caught up with a few things! My "pic of the day" is of the famous MU columns in front of Jesse Hall. It was a pretty spring day full of sunshine and this pic resonates that feeling.

Photos on my Mind

Since Paul had a wedding shoot yesterday it's made me think about the wedding photos I've taken. Also, it makes me excited about the new website we are about to unveil showcasing our wedding photography and video as well as Paul's other web marketing videos.

I've been homebound this weekend and feel sicker today than I did yesterdayand I've coughed all day and my throat actually burns. I feel like I've been sick since January and never fully recovered.

I'm glad that tomorrow should be a clam day at work with the students on spring break.

Declutter

Paul had a wedding to shoot this evening and I wasn't feeling well so instead of going to a get together I was invited to, I decided to stay home and rest. However, I started decluttering areas that had been accumulating for months and one thing lead to another and I realized I spent 3.5 hours decluttering and cleaning! That was in addition to the work I did earlier today when I read research articles and worked on my annotated bibliography and reflection journal for the teaching internship I'm enrolled in this semester. I no more than warmed some food and put my feet up this evening when Paul came home from the wedding reception. Not exactly the restful evening I had in mind.

Spring is in the Air

My "pic of the day" is a reminder that spring is in the air.

A busy morning of appointments gave way to a quieter afternoon, although I did have a 4 p.m. appointment scheduled which prevented me from coming home early. My work email inbox went over the 200 mark late yesterday so I'm thankful that spring break is next week so I'll have some quiet time at work to get caught up.

I struggled with not feeling well all day (achy, sore throat, cough and sinus congestion) so I came home and tried to rest and we watched the Blind Side. I tried so hard to stay awake through the whole thing, but fell asleep at the very end from pure exhaustion - and then remembered I had to blog.

Hope...Just Keep Singing

On Grey's Anatomy tonight, they brought up a good point: Just keep singing...Just because the Grinch stole all of Whoville's gifts, they didn't stop singing they were happy in spite of their adversity and they persevered. That is inspiration especially at the end of a 10 hr day which included 11 appointments, some less than grateful people and a sick husband who won't go to the doctor. Even though my "pic of the day" is from Relay for Life, I feel it is applicable to today.

Elmo has New Shoes

Today's "pic of the day" is of the sole of my old tennis shoe contrasted against the sole of my brand new tennis shoe. I bought new tennis shoes (made possible with the legal settlement money) on Friday night during a sale at Kohl's.

The purchase was none too soon, because on Saturday night as I was wearing my old tennis shoes, before breaking in the new ones, in the rain and snow slush I discovered that they had a split in the sole and my toes were all wet after I got home. The split was in addition to the very worn soles which no longer provided traction and several places on the inside which were starting to break apart. This is what happens when you don't have money to replace your shoes in over two years, when your shoes are not new at the time the two year clock starts.

It was getting to a point that I found myself staring and being jealous of the new shoes my students were wearing. I was also frustrated when I would hear friends talk of new shoe purchases and taking them for granted. As you can see I definitely am not taking my new shoes for granted. I worked out in them for the first time last night and I'm very thankful to be able to afford new shoes!

It's a running joke in my family to say, "Elmo has new shoes", like the Seasme Street character, everytime we buy new shoes....so that is why I chose to title this blog as such. It's been a long 10 hr day and I'm ready to retire all shoes and collapse.

Drum roll...Dental implant finale!

As promised here are the pics that my dentist took of phase III of my dental implant during last Thursday's visit. I'm thankful to have a tooth again and to have all the procedures behind me. Like the dentist said, it's like it never happened. He also said that he wished he had rinsed my mouth a bit more before taking the pics.

These pictures represent the culmination of dental work that started in September. I have to thank my dentist because I didn't encounter one problem the entire time (outside of my own anxiety of going to the dentist). The one good thing from all this: I no longer think twice about going and having cavities filled, that's nothing in comparison.

I realize I'm breaking a rule of mine by having my "pic of the day" not be a pic that I took, but how can I complete with this, plus it is my mouth.









Say cheese!



The Lord taketh and the Lord giveth my tooth!

Brazen bras

My "pic of the day" is a continuation of the pics taken of the decorated bras that students from my department created for a fundraiser to benefit Relay for Life. I thought the bras were really creative and I couldn't resist passing these pics along.

Today was a busy day with 9 student appointments and teaching class. This evening I helped my husband prep for the interview he has tomorrow. Today the weather was warmer and it was sunny which made a big difference after the weekend's cold and yucky weather.

Bra Decor

My "pic of the day" is of one of the bras that was decorated and auctioned at yesterday's Relay for Life fundraising event. Students from the School of Health Professions where I work decorated themed bras for the auction.

Today I just find myself tired, I started to fall asleep on the couch at 4 p.m. and slept on and off until 5 p.m., and then went to bed where I slept until 8 p.m.! I feel like I could sleep straight through to morning. Last night I didn't sleep the best (slept 3 am - 9 am), so I don't think my coffee drink was decaf as promised last night. It's frustrating that when my "to do" list is complete, all I'm able to do is fall asleep instead of enjoying what's left of the weekend.

Winter's Revenge on the First Day of Spring

The calendar says that it's the first day of Spring, but we woke up to snow on the ground (see pics below)! It snowed and sleeted all day with a high of 32F after the sun wasout with a high of 67F the day before!


I took several pics of different things all day, but my "pic of the day" is of the luminary in memory of my dad at the local Relay for Life event at MU's Rec Center today. Paul and I went because the professional fraternity that I advise had a Relay for Life team and we wanted to see them start the relay, and then I bought a luminary and we went back at 9:45 p.m. for the luminaria ceremony. As you can see in the picture they had bags with names of either "in honor" or "in memory" of individuals effected by cancer lining the track where the participants walked for 12 hours as part of the fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It was a touching scene to see all the lights dimmed and the bags luminating, and they displayed a PowerPoint with all the names of the individuals who were on the luminaries. The local news said that over 1500 students and community members participated in this year's Relay for Life. Below is a crowd shot of some of the students present in the gym during the luminary ceremony.

There were many fundraising events going on, but one event that the department I work for organized was, "Decorate a Bra", these bras were decorated by various students or student organizations and then auctioned via a silent auction tonight. Below is a pic of one of them with a "Turning 21" theme.

Below is the what we woke up to this morning, notice the spring tree buds in the snow and the green grass peeking through :

Weekend begins

My "pic of the day" is of the sprigs of green grass that were clumped together in patches across campus this week. We had a warm day, but it's shortlived with a cold front coming in for the weekend.

This morning started busy, but at about 2:30 the traffic in our office slowed and I was able to answer some of my emails. Since we've been working so hard and so many hours recently, our boss actually threatened to fire us if we did NOT leave by 4, lol. I left at 4:15 and enjoyed a walk around our apartment complex, went to the store and then had to grade some papers. How long the evening feels when it's not 7 or 8 when one gets home! We just started the movie, "Did You Heard About the Morgans?" when I realized that I hadn't completed my blog for today, so here it is.

Signs of Spring

Last night was a bad night and it was the first night that I missed a blog/pic entry and I apologize. My "pic of the day" was actually taken and was intended for yesterday's blog. I was so excited as I walked across campus yesterday to see the green sprigs of spring surfacing from underground that I had to stop and take some photos. Today even a nicer day, it was sunny and 62, and tomorrow is supposed to be warmer yet at 67. However, by Saturday we are supposed to be cold with a chance of snow!

I have a very big praise - today Paul had a phone interview and he was invited for an in person interview next Tuesday! We are really excited and optimistic yet cautious.

Another praise - Today I completed the third and final phase of my dental implant. You know you've been to the dentist too often when they realize that you've done something different to your hair when it's actually all pulled back in a clip (the staff had noticed a few highlights I had added). My dentist actually took pics of the procedure before he placed the crown on my tooth area, so he'll send those to me soon and I'll post them on here. He said he wanted pics so he could use them in the future for teaching purposes.

As a contrast to my praises, in the past 24 hours I've also experienced a lot of rejection, so I'm trying to overcome that and look towards bigger and better things. In addition, I've been up to the usual business with student appointments.

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20

Hurried and Scattered

My "pic of the day" is of a design going every which way, which is the way my schedule feels at the moment. Today we introduced one of the classes to e-portfolios; introduced another student group to the Physician Assistant career path via a special info session from Missouri State University; and then in the second half of my day I had many student advising appointments. After working about 9.5 hrs, I found just enough energy to go to the gym (but was disappointed in myself that I only did a 30 min. workout, which I'm sure stemmed from my poor night's sleep too). I did get good news today that my Wed. night student org meeting has been canceled, hooray no work tomorrow night!

I had one student comment how he was surprised to find that I was booked so far in advance, as he explained that he thought calling a week before he needed an appointment would ensure that he'd get one in time before his enrollment date. He was wrong. I'm currently booked with student appointments through March 26th!

Go, go go!

What a long day: Worked 10 hours in which I had 9 student appts. and taught a class; and then I came home and graded resumes for 2 hours. Gotta love Mondays! My "pic of the day" is another pic I took at Saturday's Wheelchair Relay's. I chose this pic because I feel like about all I am capable of doing after a 12 hr day is putting a bucket over my head and calling it a night!

First Signs of Spring!

As I gazed out the window of our computer room, I saw one of the first signs of springs...the berry buds on the tree outside our apt. window. My "pic of the day" is of these buds. Even during a dreary, cool, rainy day, these buds are breaking through and rising from their dormant winter slumber.

Today was also the first day of daylight savings time so we had an extra hour of daylight tonight, but of course one hour less of a weekend. After the week I had I was unfortunately too tired for church, but I did listen to a sermon online from my church. I then did some email and was on Skype with my mom showing her the new clothes I bought yesterday. After that, I tried to nap to no avail so we watched the movie, The Secret Lives of Pippa Lee.

"...Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest." Jeremiah 5:24

Wheelchair Basketball Relay & Shopping

My "pic of the day" is from the Wheelchair Basketball Relay event held on campus today to raise awareness of disabilities and to serve as a fundraiser for the Wheelchair B-ball team (profiled in last Saturday's blog post). Many of my advisees, students, and professional fraternity members that I interact with on a weekly basis participated in this event. Students were to make teams of 4 and then they rotated through the various stations such as an obstacle course, hoop shoot and mine field to name a few. In the pic I've profiled, students were to carry as many items as possible and move them across the room while in a wheelchair. As you can see students developed some very creative ways to do this task.


After the Wheelchair Basketball Relay, I went shopping, yes I said shopping -- a word that has been absent from my vocab for a long time. With the legal settlement money we just received, I had enough to go shopping for the first time in over two years! I needed clothes, especially a spring/summer wardrobe for work. I shopped for a couple of hours, then had a hair appt. and then shopped for 3 more hours for total of 5 hours shopping! I'm tired but in a good way. How nice to go to the stores and actually have money to spend it's an entirely new feeling -- how accustomed I had become to the oppressive feeling of never having any money for anything beyond absolute necessities. I not only got to buy business casual clothes, but also earrings, necklaces, headbands, bras and even rain boots! I had a feeling of freedom that I had long forgotten. Too bad it is just temporary :( I did a fashion show for Paul and found that I do feel more confident in my new clothes and am excited to wear them to work this week.

A Flurry of Activity

My "pic of the day" illustrates how today felt- imagine if the net of balloons was released and you had to catch them all at the same time and organize them. It was kind of like that at work with the flurry of activity that transpired in our offices over the course of the day. At least it is Friday.

Up early for a long day

I woke up at 5 am with my brain fully alert after going to sleep at 11:30 pm, so I finally gave up on sleep and got up and worked from home starting at 6 am for a while and then went to work. I had appts. all day from 8 am to 5 pm and saw about 10 students. It felt like a really long day because I was up so early. It was the kind of day where you think back to the first thing you did, and ask yourself, was that this morning or yesterday? I ended up working about 10.5 hrs. My ideal "pic of the day" would be a robot because that's what I feel like, but since I don't have that I chose a squirrel because I've been seeing so many squirrels scurrying around campus as I walk from place to place.

The weather was back to cold and rain today. I feel I need to apologize to my readers - During our peak busy season at work all I know is work related things and don't have time to have much creativity or have a thought of the day. I know my blog has become bland without much thought other than the reiteration of my daily tasks. I look forward to next month when I should have more creative juices flowing at the end of the day.

Sunny & Rainy

My "pic of the day" is of a budding plant I saw on campus this afternoon as I was walking back from teaching class. Yes, I do carry a camera with me for moments such as this. We had beautiful weather for most of today -- sunny and in the low 70s! I actually took my 2 p.m. class outside today because it was so nice, but it was actually a bit too hot in the sun. I can't believe I'm complaining about it being too hot, when just two weeks ago it was absolutely frigid! Then, by 5 p.m. it completely clouded over and a thunderstorm hit and it rained a bunch. Thunder is still rumbling and lightening is flashing as I type this. The temps are supposed to drop by 20 degrees in the next 48 hrs - welcome to springtime in Missouri!

I worked about 10 hrs today and then got out of work at 6 p.m. to go to the gym and then had to go back to work for a student org mtg. at 8:30 tonight.

Routine and News

My "pic of the day" is of the outside of my apartment complex that I see every morning as I leave for work with the sun rising. I chose it because today was for the most part was a routine day and this pic shows part of my daily routine. I have seen some really pretty sunrises from the bottom of my apartment stairs as I round the corner of the building to the parking lot.

It's still warmer about 60, and it did rain off and on all day. The rain is supposed to hang around for most of the week and the temps are supposed to decrease by the weekend, blah.

Even though I thought I had a routine day with teaching class and then having about 8 student appointments and working 10 hours, when I got home Paul met me with news that was definitely not routine. Something that we are thankful and excited for, but something that I'd rather not disclose right now but wanted to give praise for nonetheless!

Warmth!

It was warm and sunny with a high in the low 60s today! For the first time in months I went out without a coat this afternoon to walk across campus and we were actually hot in the classroom this afternoon even with the windows open. My "pic of the day" is of a warm weather activity - hot air ballooning. I can't wait until it is warm enough to see hot air balloons again. This pic I took in Aug. '07 at the Columbia Hot Air Balloon Show.

It was a busy day with 9 student appts. and class - I worked about 9.5 hrs because I didn't stop for lunch but I did get home about 6 which gave me time to workout on the Wii and still enjoy evening t.v.

Weekend Warm-up

So, I went out on a walk today at Stephens Lake Park with my camera and took pics, the only problem is that I forgot to put the memory card in the camera! I was going to post a pic of the lake at the park which has completely thawed out since last Sunday (what a difference a week makes)! I guess that shows how tired I am that I forgot the camera memory card.

The "pic of the day" I've chosen is one I took last week in an area of the lake that was already thawed out. I did take a similar pic today of this area (or so I thought). We've had warmer weather for several days and it was in the 50s this weekend with sunshine and I'm pleased to say that I think all pockets of snow have finally melted away.

Outside of the walk in the park, I went to church, Skyped a friend in Britain, talked to my mom, tried to take a nap and watched the Amazing Race. I'm trying to get a little rest now before hitting the ground running first thing tomorrow morning as early registration for the students continues. Also, day # 7 of still battling the sinus/sore throat thing.

MU Tiger Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

My husband and I had the honor of watching only 1 of 7 collegiate wheelchair basketball teams in the world play in a tournament at the University today. This was the same team that I referenced to in Tuesday's post regarding the player panel that came to my class and spoke about their disabilities. It was awesome to see them in action, and as they say a picture is worth a 1000 words so here is my "pic of the day" (along with several others).

Because there are so few collegiate teams, the MU team as to play community teams (teams made up of individuals in surrounding communities of all ages) and junior teams (teams from local high schools).

I do have to add that today was almost too nice to be indoors as it was sunny and in the 50s! Spring is on its way, finally!

TGIF

It's Friday, ya, TGIF! I'm so glad because I don't think I could make it through another day this week. I had another 9.5 hr day today, but when I arrived home Paul had a stuffed animal sheep waiting to surprise me, so my "pic of the day" is naturally of the sheep.

I don't have anything new or exciting to report it was just student appointments (7 this morning and then 5 this afternoon) all day and a mad dash attempt to triage email this evening. Actually this afternoon I did something different I went to the student residence hall for advising hours. Each Friday during early registration one of the advisors is on hand for a couple of hours in the res hall (a res hall learning community just for health profession students). It was fun to be over there in a more relaxed environment, although it was still pretty busy with 5 appts. in two hours. The students seemed more relaxed too as I was on their turf instead of them being in my office.

I do have a praise for today, just a few minutes before I started this blog Paul received a wedding video booking for Sat., March 27th! Yeah!

Exhaustive Day

My "pic of the day" is of a whimsical pattern that I found during our Sunday walk. It represents the flurry of activity that I've experienced the past several days which has lead to a feeling of exhaustion.

I had a long day yesterday, worked 8-6 and then went back in for a student mtg. from 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm. so about 11.5 hrs total, and today I was back in at 8:30 am and worked about 9.5 hours. During that time I had 12 student appointments, and they all seemed to have complications. At 4:20pm, as I waited for my 4:30 pm student, I had another student arrive thinking her appt. was today at 4:30 as well. It turns out the appt. was yesterday, but I went ahead and saw her so I couldn't get to my 4:30 until after 5 p.m.

The day seems like a blur, and I'm still struggling with a sinus and sore throat deal. I'm tired and ready for Friday.

Purpose in Our Weakness

Some of you may have seen this going around the email "forward" circuit, but I thought this forward was too cute and too great of a lesson not to pass on. Note that I didn't take any of the photos below and have broken my own rule today of not posting one of my photos because I didn't want to take away from the story below.

This story is a reminder that even though we as humans may only see our physical limitations (such as with Noah the one-legged, non releasable pigeon below; or the wheelchair basketball players from yesterday's post) and think we are hindered, God knows better and has placed us where we are in the condition we are in for His purposes. Essentially God can use our weaknesses to make us strong. This story illustrates that, and the point about God's love, provisions and protection.

Noah the Dove:

These little bunnies, about 6 days old, were attacked by a dog and orphaned. Two out of the litter of five did not survive,

and these three were not doing very well.

Noah is a non-releasable, one-legged homing pigeon/rock dove in the rehab centre. Noah kept going over to the bunny cage and looking in -- even sleeping in front of the door to the cage.

Then, suddenly, there were only two bunnies in the cage. But when Noah moved a bit from the front of the cage to everyone's surprise...there was the tiny bunny...under Noah's wing...sound asleep! That little bunny rabbit had crawled through the cage, preferring a featherbed, no doubt to snuggling up with its litter mates!

Now, they are all together and

the bunnies are doing GREAT. When the bunnies scoot underneath Noah's feathers, he carefully extends his wings out to surround them and then they snuggle. When one of them moves and they start sticking out here and there, he gently pushes them back under him with his beak! It is beautiful and amazing to see...

This is what God does with us when we need the warmth and love

He offers. He gathers us under His loving wings to a warm cradle of protection. All we need do in return is give Him the thanks and praise for being with us.

Update on Noah the pigeon: Noah the Pigeon lives at Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas. After finding many posts online featuring Noah and the bunnies and reading about the many lives he has touched (his story has been forwarded around the world) the owners wanted to post a follow-up and a few new photos. They knew there was something special about Noah the moment they saw him. They also say the following: Although the bunnies seem to be his favorite, Noah helps out with many rescue babies at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch... Noah's first litter of bunnies, below, are almost raised and ready for release.

Now, Noah helps out with many rescue babies at the ranch...

How wonderful it is to have a full-time soft-feathered nurturer here at the rescue ranch! He cuddles with all the babies as they snuggle under his warm feathers...and he "coos" as if singing them to sleep with a lullaby. Noah is truly, truly a God-send.

"He will cover you with His feathers. And under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

Inspiration

It was a busy day and my pic of the day is from part of a sun dial from our walk in the park on Sunday. To me it represents standing tall and moving forward even if I don't feel like it. I started the day with a panel of wheelchair basketball student players and their coach who spoke to my class regarding disability awareness. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of the personal stories, challenges and accomplishments that the players shared. They were very inspirational with their maturity, adaptability, sense of problem solving and motivation in face of adversity.

My day then followed with 8 student appointments (actually I was only supposed to have 7, and right after my last appointment was finished at 4:45 pm, a student was waiting for me). We looked at the calendar and realized that her appointment was actually a week from today, but I went ahead and saw her since she had waited for almost an hour to see me. I got home about 6:30 pm and then graded some class papers for over an hour tonight. So it was about a 10.5 hr day.

I'm still not feeling well and actually feel worse today with my throat feeling scratchy in addition to my sinuses and cough.

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4