Another Neurology Appointment

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the neurologist who correctly diagnosed me over two years ago.  She is always so excited to talk with me and ask me what new things I can accomplish that I couldn't do before.  There have even been appointments where she has asked if I will give her a hug because she is so happy that she was able to improve my quality of life. She is an amazing woman and I will never be able to thank her enough for the life she has given me and my family.

Happily Sick

I've got a pretty nasty cold, but I'm amazed that I still have pretty good use of my arms and legs.  In the past, if I had just a hint of a cold I could barely walk and couldn't write or type.  I was able to take Winona Shopping and clean clean the kitchen.  I feel so blessed.  Sure, I feel like crawling into bed, but at the same time I feel like I can't waste this wonderful gift of mobility.

Oh, Christmas Tree

With the temp today at a frigid 22 degrees and the wind whipping, we got our Christmas tree.  I was able to walk in a field of slippery snow without holding onto Steve's hand.  Even though my toes began to go numb I was able to walk around until we picked our perfect tree.

When we got home I was even able to help Steve put the tree into the stand.  This was not the first time,  I was able to do this (last year was the first), but my thankfulness has not decreased. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season and really time to enjoy the little things in life.

First Black Friday

I had ever experienced a true Black Friday until last night!  Oh, my goodness, that was quite the evening.  My friend, Kate, and I arrived at Walmart before they opened.  To say it looked like a zoo would be an understatement.  We stood back away from the crowd do prevent being trampled when the opened the doors. I was on a mission to find video games at a fantastic price.  We slowly made it back to the video game department only to find out that none of the games were there.  They were all back at the front of the store in the Produce Section!  Really???  By the time we were able to get back to the front of the store, they were all gone.  I figure this is all part of the learning experience.  Kate and I shopped around the store and had a lot of laughs especially when we saw the guy who brought a lawn chair so he could camp out by the tv that wasn't going on sale until 5am!

When we left the store, it was bitter cold and slippery from the snow.  We walked to the car like little old ladies hanging on to one another making sure we wouldn't slip and fall.  From there we headed to Target.

Target was much more normal.  Even though we got there an hour after they opened, I got what I wanted!  We only shopped there for about an hour and headed for home.

The entire evening I kept thinking how lucky I was.  In the past, I couldn't walk at night and walking in crowds would have been impossible.  I had a really fun time this evening with a good friend.  Now I can cross one more thing off of my bucket list!

Thankful Beyond Words

Tonight I was able to play with my baby in a way that I never thought possible.  I am so incredibly thankful that I can experience so many new things each and every day.  Since words can't explain my feelings I thought I'd attach a video.

Long Day

Unknown to me, I left the house this morning without taking my medication.  When I got to they gym, my friend asked me why my walk was so different.  She thought it seemed a little off and wanted to make sure everything was okay.  I explained that I haven't been getting enough sleep and that things have been a little stressful.  I didn't realize until our 30 minute walk on the treadmill was over that I had forgotten to take my life line.  We cut our workout short and I went home and took the little pill that allows me to live my life to its fullest potential.

My walk did get better as the day went on, but I still wasn't quite right.  At girl scouts I spilled punch all over the kitchen floor and later this evening I spilled a glass of red wine on my living room carpet.  Without taking my medication correctly and a lack of sleep, my hands have difficulty holding items.  I was just glad that I could run and get a towel to clean up both messes I had made!

Tomorrow is a new day and I look forward to spending it with my mom shopping.  Let's just hope I don't crash John's stroller into a big display.  Now that would be a mess!!

Have a good evening and thanks so much for your support!

Getting The Hang of It

I just finished hanging a couple pictures and this excites me because I have never hung a picture before.  I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out or if the frames would fall to the floor as soon an the task was completed.  In fact, I placed bath towels on the floor in front of where I hung the photo in the bathroom in fear  it may break when it hits the floor.  It's been an hour and I haven't heard a crash, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

This is one of those things that I wasn't sure if I was capable of completing on my own  I had asked Steve to hang the photos and he's been too busy with work and coaching basketball.  I can't help but pat myself on the back for taking a chance and risking failure.  Luckily, this leap of faith turned out successful and that puts a smile on my face.  Now I just have to ask myself, "What should I try tomorrow?"

Voting Made Easy

I have been voting every Presidential election since I was legally old enough to do so.  The Bush/Gore election is what always sticks out in my mind.  I was pregnant with Winona and stood in line for over two hours.  It was no easy task.  Even though I had to scale the wall to keep from falling, I did it.

This year was so different for me.  I grabbed John from the back of the car, walked into my polling place and voted.  I was glad that there wasn't a long line, but if there had been I could have handled it with out any problems.

I have to be honest and say that I didn't want to go vote today, but I know that not only is it my duty as an American Citizen, how can I let that woman (the old me) down.  Without complaining and without any assistance she struggled in line TWO HOURS waiting for her turn to vote.   Today voting was more than a privilege, it was a gift.