Je' Taime Le Doughnut d'Orange

The following is being posted with a disclaimer. Since this has been a week of health care over share with family and friends, why not post it for the rest of the world to see. If you don't want to read it, don't read on! :)

You would think that I was on the verge of death this past week. I thought I had experienced "true pain" in my life before, but my threshold and perspective have changed. I have only experienced major discomfort up until the past week. We had family in town this past weekend. I took my sister, bro-in-law and their two kids down to the cruise terminal at Port of Seattle. When I came home all seemed fine, but I had to go to the bathroom. OMG...THAT was the most PAINFUL bowel movement I have ever had. Something was clearly not right with my digestive system.

I ended up in the Emergency Room for a few hours in excruciating pain. I decided to come into work on Monday, why, I don't know. I could barely sit, stand, walk or even lay down. Monday night, I was in so much pain I was shaking profusely and in a total and complete cold sweat. Not to mention shedding tears over the pain. Beep has never seen me like this before, and was very alarmed and concerned. I saw more doctors on Tuesday and it was determined I needed surgery on Wednesday. Everything was moving so quickly. I finally got put on some major narcotics, and viscous gels that numbed up my whole backside to manage my pain.

Long story short, four doctors and two surgeons group collaboration later, I ended up having a Polyp that apparently moved and tore my rectum. Can I just say...MAJOR OUCHIE! It was causing blockage, hence the excruciating bowel movements etc. I had two close friends give a priesthood blessing for comfort as well. The Polyp ended up rupturing on it's own and immediate surgery is now not needed. I'm on some alternative medical treatments and will re-evaluate in six weeks if I even need surgery. I just get to hang out at work with a "super-fashionable" orange doughnut to sit on in my office. Neat!

Through this whole experience, I have wondered the following question and/or scenario. How do women of the world give birth to babies in the rice paddies of the world w/o epidurals and narcotics, and then go back to hacking down rice or what ever have you? I am PERPLEXED! I gave birth to a small walnut at most, granted women dilate and men do not, but HOLY CRAP! Why would anyone not have narcotics and shots to just make it all go away from the waist down.

I have another new found appreciation for women. This is why men do not have babies. I understand God's plan a tad bit better now! :)

Fun At Work

I usually just roll my eyes at the antics at work, but this one was kind of funny. I'm not sure what this poor guy did to deserve this treatment, maybe it's because he's the intern who knows. I'm just glad he sits behind me so I won't miss his reaction when he gets back from vacation.





My favorite is the kleenex box.

Bringing The Heat Wave From Utah - Again!

My sister, brother-in-law and two nieces have been up to visit this past weekend. With massively hot weather we sort of were laughing about it all. They were last here in June/July 2003 when Seattle had all time record breaking heat. They about died. With this recent trip, they were anticipating being here in cooler weather and then the heat wave rolled in this past weekend. Anyways, we visited all weekend long and they started their week long cruise yesterday up to Alaska. They will be back in Seattle next weekend to hang out some more with us. With the overcast conditions today and cooler temps, we keep telling them that Seattle is very nice weather wise and it never gets hot. They are not convinced! We went to the sculpture park and to the market all in the blazing sun!




We did public transportation, which was a first for some of them. In typical seattle style every bus we took was late. Then to top it off we ended up missing a connection so we walked 15 blocks west, basically 1+ mile to the house. Everyone got in the house, turned on all the fans and crashed for a nap to cool down. Here are some documented pics of the bus ride.






We enjoy when siblings and their families come up to visit us. Hopefully we'll be at normal temps next Sunday!

Shedding The Pounds

The past few months have been an interesting change in health and wellness pursuits for us. Since May, we've taken seriously our eating habits, exercise habits and overall general quality of items we are consuming. Three months later, and 32 pounds lighter for me, seeing the fruits of our labors is very exhilarating and extremely encouraging. Part of our adoption process with China has been for me to be under a certain Body Mass Index, so truth-be-told this has been the main motivating factor here. But now that exercise has become a habit in our routine as well as really watching the types of foods we consume and the portions thereof, this is a lifestyle change that I can stick with going forward. It's time to buy new clothes or hire a tailor in the near future. Beep has been dropping weight as well and joining me in this lifestyle makeover.

Our Little "Snots" is Preggers!

I talked to one of my younger sisters today regarding recent news that she and her husband are expecting a baby, maybe even two babies. This has been a very unique challenge for them for years and years trying to conceive biologically. She persisted against many doctors’ consultations that she would never be able to do this, and she should pursue other means of becoming a parent. She has her second ultrasound tomorrow to determine if they are having twins. There is a good possibility. They have tried everything in the books to make this happen, and have had numerous set backs along the road, and lots and lots of tears shed over the entire process.

So, a VERY enthusiastic congratulations goes out to my younger sister “Snots.” Yes, the childhood nickname has stuck and will stick forever. Snots is going to be a mom! But on a more serious note, her and her husbands prayers have been answered, and this arrival of a new life, truly is a miracle for their family. Our very best thoughts are with her over the next several months with well wishes for a safe and healthy pregnancy without any complications.

Summer Books

I'm just about finished with the book I'm currently reading and have decided to solicit from all of you suggestions for good summer reads. I'm also looking forward to the future of needing something to read on our flight to France. Suggestions anyone?

Our New EuroCuisine Machine

In an effort to aid with our lifestyle and wellness changes, my latest culinary undertaking has been creating homemade yogurt with home grown cultures. I really like yogurt, but everything you purchase from the grocery stores is full of additives, preservatives and other items [crap] for the most part that you just don't need to consume, all to extend it's shelf life for public resale. There is a distinct taste and texture difference that I like with home made yogurt. I am not a fan of the processed stuff and the coating it leaves on my tongue and throat. The little machine makes seven 6oz jars in one batch and the flavorings and fresh fruit concoctions are endless I'm finding out. I think Beep is still a tad hesitant of this new organic treat machine I've purchased, but I'm sure she'll eventually partake. I'm looking forward to having this be a staple in our fridge going forward for healthier meal choices. Today for breakfast, I stirred in just a tad of raw cane sugar and some fresh chopped strawberries. I'm hooked. Thanks to Miss Nancy for giving us the tip on not only a fun, buy healthy habit to undertake at our home.

Weather Wuss

I am a total "Weather Wuss!" I can't deal with the heat! Can't summer just go away and the PNW autumn weather come back in full force? UGH!

Presents from "The Girl's" Dog...!

I posted what I thought was a very "passive/aggressive" note yesterday for the neighbor concerning her dogs dog poop that she is not cleaning off our side yard. The note was put up with a nail for added dramatic effect. The note ended up being more aggressive in nature and extremely stern. I am sure she could tell we were NOT happy! Beep even used the small shovel to scoop the poop up and flick it back into "The Girl's" front entry. We both were TICKED! One good thing out of this though...is that the fire hazard holiday wreath from last year is FINALLY removed from her front door. I'm sure her mother came over to remove it during the weekly home cleaning she does for her daughter. When did it become "OK" to have your pet poop all over someone else's yard and think it's completely no big deal to just leave it. I don't need anymore presents from pets. The neighbor's cat Blue brings rats and birds and stuff. I don't need more. Share with other people! I don't want your pet's philanthropy.

I Have A Problem

Apparently I'm related to the Hunch Back or something. I purchased some new shoes last weekend. I've only worn them three times, and the right toe is already worn out and down to the leather. NOT HAPPY about this. Are all expensive shoes, actually just created cheap like everything else in the world these days? I will be pitching a MAJOR FIT about this later at DSW where I purchased them. I mean COME ON!

Anyways, I started getting a complex about dragging my foot around. I checked a bunch of other dress shoes last night at home, and sure enough, the right toe is wearing down a lot more than the rest of the shoe. What is my deal? Am I dragging my foot around because it's too heavy? I'm finding myself over compensating today and feeling like I'm walking with exaggerated steps. Who can I blame for this? Can I blame my parents for not teaching me how to walk correctly? NO, can't do that. Can I blame my Ortho & Sports Medicine doc from my knee surgery earlier this year that my "alignment" is off? No, the problem with shoe wearing stems back much, MUCH longer than my January 2008 knee surgery. Can I blame the random stranger on the bus for stepping on my shoe and causing it to tear? No, that is not the problem, but it should be. The problem is ME! Sigh.

Maybe this trip to France in a few weeks will verify that the Hunch Back of Notre Dame, really is in fact part of my familial line. This is really the only explanation that I've got to my shoes wearing out. But, I think I'll blame the conspiracy of retailers all across the world for not making anything of substance these days!

I HATE Cancer...!

So I found out today that my Uncle has just a few months to live. His cancer is very aggressive and not treatable and cannot be removed. He’s been in and out of appointments, screenings and biopsies at the VA Hospital, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. He has too many masses all over his spine and on his lungs. He has decided to start radiation tomorrow to try and shrink the mass on his tailbone to prevent paralysis and make it easier for his comfort, but it can cause swelling and paralysis anyway. He’s only 60 years old.

I feel so bad for my Aunt, her family and everyone who loves my Uncle dearly. It's hard to sort of not be bitter that we are going through yet, another round of health crisis and death again in the immediate and extended family. It is EXTREMELY surreal when your parents and aunts and uncles pass away, and you start to become the oldest generation in your family line.

Slo Joe's BBQ

With my move to new office space in South Lake Union, I'm finding all sorts of new eateries and shops to frequent during the day. Recently Slo Joe's called our office and offered all of us free pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches. I thought the pulled pork was superb and will definitely go to this eatery again. I've made all sorts of potato salads in my days, and this place had the best potato salad I've had in a long time. The vinegar based coleslaw was also really flavorful. I'd recommend Slo Joe's BBQ to anyone wanting a cheap eat when they are downtown.

Lucky Me!

Well, I don't like to brag...and I have been told this before... I am really lucky to have Bop for a husband! Most people tell me this when they hear he does all the cooking. And I have to say, he did an excellent job on Saturday night by making some seriously tasty roasted veggies. I am not a squash or beet fan, but Bop worked his magic and they were heavenly! Mixed with potatoes rosemary and some olive oil, it was wonderful! But I mostly feel lucky because he makes me laugh and we have so much fun together and I can't possibly have a bad day if it ends seeing his smiling face. Anyway, I love him and thought I'd share it with the world!

Wills, Trusts and Community Property

I tend to be a tad O.C.D. by nature and plan for worst case scenarios for our household, which in my book is just smart planning. We've recently been meeting with our lawyer to get our wills in order, as well as our individual health care directives and general powers of attorney documents drafted. Additionally these documents will provide provisions for when we have children as to how they would be taken care of in the untimely event of both of our deaths. Having to consider who will take care of our child and draft legal documents around the fiscal aspects, as well as the care giving aspects has been very fascinating to discuss with siblings on both sides of our families.

We're drafting our comprehensive wills with provisions that turn the assets over into a trust. Then, the child can only gain access to the fiscal resources when they are older and more responsible, with the exception that our primary and contingent named care givers can tap the assets if they need them to care for our child. I always joke and sometimes say..."Today is the day I could be wiped out by a bus," so it's nice to get all our wishes and directives down legally on paper and get this important household document in place. Regardless if you have children in the picture currently or planned, every household needs a will in place and other documents to make it easier when you do finally go. Being in a community property state, versus common law state makes for some trickier rules about probate and death.

Let's Make America Thrifty Again

What if convenience stores sold savings bonds instead of lottery tickets? A call to turn our nation of debtors into savers.

I loved this article in today's online edition of Money Magazine. Though interest rates are in the toilets these days, the concept of making "saving" and giving access to savings instruments is a great idea. I remember my savings account as a kid growing up at Tracy Collins Bank [bought out by West One Bank, then bought out by US Bank] was 10%. My employer now even offers payroll deduction for various savings programs, which can be a great idea for people who are not disciplined enough to save every pay period. The point in the article that the average U.S. Household spends more on lottery tickets than they do on basic dairy needs for their homes was shocking. Saving for some people must really be a hard thing. If you just learn to do it automatically, even if it's only a few cents or bucks, it becomes habit.
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Here's one really simple plan to reach all kinds of would-be savers: Make U.S. savings bonds ridiculously easy to buy.

Peter Tufano of Harvard Business School observes that the government has actually eliminated its marketing budget for EE and I bonds. Yet these are very effective savings tools, especially for the younger and lower-income savers that banks aren't trying to attract. (Bet you didn't know this: It's not uncommon, Tufano has found, for banks to turn down people for a basic savings account if they've bounced checks in the past.)

Tufano and Princeton's Daniel Schneider have proposed adding a line to tax forms so you could get part of your refund back in bonds. Aside from the convenience, this would send a signal that Uncle Sam thinks saving is a good thing to do with your refund. Another idea is to sell savings bonds in retail stores, perhaps in the form of gift cards. My grandmother would have loved that.

Tufano has also been studying a wilder notion. How about combining savings and lotteries? "The average household spends $514 a year on lotteries," says Tufano. "That's more than they spend on dairy products."
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Though some of these suggestions are a bit extreme and most likely will never happen, I agree on the main point. Consumers and retailers alike need to be more focused on savings, and less contingent on credit.