lyrics I like...

so I was playing around on Facebook and realized that someone I went to college (and my friend SM went to Stratford with her too) with is releasing an album next year. I looked on her website and starting listening to her songs and really liked these lyrics. She has a very interesting sound -- it is like a Country / Christian mix...but the country is like old school country. only a few were actually what I would call Christian songs...of course those are hte ones I really like. I thought I would share a few lyrics that I really liked - mainly becuase they are just so true.

From Not for Naught, by Libby Koch

It's a short and hurried life we live,
and when it's through
I will say I'd do it all again because of you
When I meet my holy maker, and He asks me how I've done
I will say I might have lost the race, but Lord I sure did run

that's only the chorus, but I really liked it.

she has another song - that I also liked pieces of it too....it rings so true...

Old Friend, by Libby Koch
Old friend
When the ticking clocks and the traffic patterns fade away
And the voices in my head run out of things to say
Why can't I hear you
I know
That I can't recall the last time that I really prayed
Without a laundry list of things I'd like to go my way
Just want to hear you

Cause I love you, love you, love you, I love you

SometimesDue to incidents and accidents of this daily life
Perhaps in part because I'm worried I won't be his wife
I just can't see you
And I knowThat redemption sure ain't easy, but I crave it
And if I open up this heart I know you'll save it
Just want to see you

Cause I love you, love you, love you, I love you
TonightI'd like to write
a thousand songs no one will ever hear
I want to rest inside this place and feel your presence near
Cause I used to know youAnd I know
If my friends all think I'm crazy, I don't really care
Because to be perfectly honest, nothing can compare
Just gotta know you

Cause I love you, love you, love you, I love you

She has a website - www.libbykoch.com and is releasing a couple of songs she just recorded, and then her album will drop in February. Kind of exciting for her! go listen....you may really like.

into the 21st century....

today I got cable.....I know, you wonder how in the heck I have lived without cable for the last almost 5 years. But I am rarely home and just didn't think it mattered. Plus, with normal cable it was expensive! now with this AT&T U-verse, it was much cheaper! So I signed up...I thought with the new digital signal coming and the normal antennae won't work anymore, I just decided to bite the bullet and do it. And thank goodness I did. I ordered it a few weeks ago (okay, in October) and they couldn't install till today. I went away for Christmas and my antennea used to work, and when I got back all of a sudden it didn't work so well. it was so weird. Channel 11 (CBS) all of a sudden was in spanish. and you couldn't change it. Channel 20 (TBS or something like that) had no sound at all. Channel 13 (ABC) was all of a sudden had what I am calling "blind captions"....think - watching the sound of music and the part where they are in the forrest and he is about to tell Maria that he loves her....it is silent, they are about to kiss and you hear "he touches her face and pulls her chin toward him. he leans in and kisses her on the lips. she stares into his eyes". it was crazy.

so I did....and it is AWESOME. you can record 4 shows at once...and if you can't make it home, you can log on to the computer and tell it to record from there! I know, the ultimate of laziness! I love it.

waiting on my mother....

we were labeled as children the "late lippes". now I understand why. My sister and I have been ready for an hour to go to New Braunfels, but mom kept on finding other things to do. Heaven Forbid we go without her....so we sit here and wait. and wait. and wait.

So I decided to do the 8 things that were on KJ's blog.

8 TV shoes I watch:
(this would obviously depend on if I am at my parents - with cable - or at home - with no cable. We'll go for normal no cable...)
1. Gossip Girl (I admit it....I do like it. Yes, I know it is trashy and all)
2. House
3. Ugly Betty
4. The Practice
5. Greys Anatomy (although, i do admit I don't love it like I used to)
6. Criminal Minds (i'm with KJ - it sometimes freaks me out)
7. Numbers
8. Brothers and Sisters

8 Restaurants I LOVE:
1. Fountain View Cafe - for Breakfast
2. Shade - their brunch is amazing - especially the pastries
3. Smoothie Island - their chicken with veggies and hummus
4. Barnabys - for their chinese chicken salad
5. Pei Wei - enough said
6. Pappasitos - I love the tortillas and the beef fajitas
7. Ruggles - mainly for the desserts and that ham and cheese sandwich
8. Escalantes - their beef fajita enchiladas always make me happy!

8 things that happened to me today:
1. I had to pay close to $800 to get my car fixed. ugh. at least it is fixed.
2. I made french toast! YUMMY!
3. We went to New Braunfels to see some family friends.
4. We roamed around Target looking for great finds....really, Leah was looking for things becuase her target sucks. Plus, Dad will ship it back :)
5. We ordered Papa Johns for dinner!
6. We watched the Di Vinci Code....love movies on demand that are free!
7. I washed some clothes....love a big washer - makes me hate the dinky one in my apartment.
8. I took all my pills and went to bed!

8 things I look forward to:
1. Getting all of my medicines regulated!
2. Getting to go off the blood thinners and beta blockers!
3. New Years...just having a laid back night.
4. Cooking with my awesome new cook books that I got for Christmas.
5. Meeting with the nutritionist. My parents got me a gift certificate to visit Catherine Krupa (she is on KSBJ) for a couple of visits to help me get this whole eating thing in line with all of my "no-no" foods.
6. Busy season - just so I can get it over with!
7. A year full of weddings - lots of people got engaged over the last few weeks and I can't wait to celebrate with them!
8. getting cable...in a weird way, I am ready to watch TV again...without it being screwy.

8 things I wish for (maybe I should say pray for):
1. Good health - that I can be healthy and off all of these drugs and my body will respond appropriately without them!
2. More balance in my life...that I can do a better job of balancing my work, my free time and spending time with friends!
3. My sister to move back to Texas -- I love having a place to stay in NYC, but I would love to have her back here.
4. To become more fiscally responsible -- saving more money for a house and having no debt!
5. to be able to go back to Italy to learn how to cook...and to see more of a country that i fell in love with just seeing Rome.
6. a house....I would love to be able to buy a house and have my own place....
7. a husband....I know, I know....I will be secure in Gods plan for me, but I can't say that i don't want it.
8. that I can decide where my career path will take me....do I stay or do i go....such a tough decision. the stress is just so great. I may need a break.

the day after Christmas....

We woke up today and headed to Lockhart again to have breakfast with the my grandfather, and two aunts and two cousins. They usually go every Saturday and this Saturday everyone was going to be busy so we decided to go today instead. Being in Lockhart, there aren't that many places to go - but there is this place, Werners, that has pretty great breakfast.....and even better coffee. One of the only places in Lockhart that serves Starbucks coffee. And the best part - we were joking about who would pick up the bill and I wish I would have - for 9 of us all with breakfast and drinks - it was like $60. Reason 563 why I love being in small towns. When we go to our favorite breakfast places around my house it is always over $10 for breakfast!
It is great to see my Grandfather in these situations - when we don't have 50 people around, he always tells us stories and things that we never knew. Plus, being in a small town everyone walks by, says Hi, and asks about everything that is going on. It was great. Once again - I will say it - I love my family.

Then after that, we braved the outlet malls. Sadly, the sales were better before Christmas, BUT I was still not complaining! I was able to get 4 pairs of pants for work and then found my dad some shirts at the polo outlet. Then we had to get out of there -- it was getting crazy. LL and I didn't even bother going into the Pottery Barn outlet....my mom said that the line to check out was absolutely ridiculious and went to the back wall of the store. And if you have ever been in that store, you know that is a TON of people waiting in line. There was 50% off of everything in the store, so that was enticing! I figure if I have to go, I can wait till Sunday and go before it closes - hopefully everyone will go home by then! The line of cars by the time we left (around 2) was absolutely ridiculous. It took FOREVER to get out of that place. You know when you were in college and needed a parking spot, so you waited at the end of the aisle for someone to come out and someone was always waiting at the other end of the row too? That was the case for EVERY aisle in the parking lot when we were leaving.

And on the way home (and a little on the way there) my car started making funny noises....I think it wanted to be like "mom" and be sick too! Thankfully I am not in a hurry to leave, so we took it to the dealership and left it to see what they can find. HOPEFULLY it isn't anything really bad....I was planning on taking it in for a checkup - but I was hoping that there wouldn't be anything specific to look for! Oh, well. It has over a 107,000 miles, so I can't complain that I have had it this long and haven't really had any problems with it. Say a little prayer that it is something that they can fix....isn't too expensive.....and I can keep that car a little longer. The longer without a car payment the bettter!!!!

Christmas Eve with the Lippe's

Every Christmas Eve we gather at my Aunts house to celebrate Christmas Eve...picture almost 25 people in a 900 square foot house. Let's just say we all really love each other! We always have a great time catching up, laughing at the kids as they really ham it up for all the grandparents, great grand parents and cousins. Above is a picture of me and my sisters with our grandfather, Edgar. You probably can't tell from this picture - but the man is huge. He stands almost 6'5'' and I swear I only come up to his chest. Once when I was a first year staff, I was auditing this Company and the Pres and Vice Pres were from Seguin and knew my family. They told me stories about how everyone wanted to date my dad's sisters, but they were all so afraid of Big "E". I understand - I am related to the man so I know what a softie he is - but he is a BIG man and I wouldn't ever want to be on his bad side! We are so blessed to have him - he is 89 years old and still kicking!


Here is a picture of the fam in front of the tree.



Here is a pict of LL and our cousin EE. She has been accepted to law school a couple of places and is trying to decide where to go. We talked about it alot - I am of course pulling for her to come to Houston - but she has some opportunities in Boston which LL and I were telling her she should go away for a while! It was great to get to catch up with her!


Here is me and Dad. There is another one that is funnier - but I cut our heads off because we were laughing so hard.

Here is me and my sister before the party!

After the family gathering we all head to the 11 pm service at our church where we were all baptised, went through first communion and had our confirmation. We love it - most of it is spent singing christmas carols and fabulous music. The pastor that we grew up with is still there and gives the best sermons - short, sweet and powerful - mainly becuase it is 11:30 pm by then! Then we do the whole candlelight and sing silent night before heading out. It was awesome...as usual. What a great Christmas Eve!

finally home....

I was going to try to work today, but I gave up and just decided to go home (seguin home). I got up early and did all of my errands and wrapped presents. I don't know if you know this or not, but I absolutely LOVE wrapping presents. I had bought some wrapping paper before but it was really bad - the color basically wore off on the corners. That would NOT do, so I went out and bought some heavy paper today. I will have to take picts and add. Plain and simple, but I found the cutest tags with glitter that made them!

Then it was off to Seguin to hang out with the fam. Today, thankfully, the crazies weren't on I-10. However, it was still awful. I hate people who cannot drive, and who drive in the left hand lane...going 60 mph. There was one point where there were 15 cars (I counted) that were all in the left hand lane - going 60. Thank gosh no one was in the right hand lane and I just cruised past all of them! I finally made it home.

I wish you could see us now. My parents have this little sittting room right off the kitchen where dad had the nice tv installed on the wall. there are only 2 chairs - which doesn't work when we are all home. so dad dragged 2 more chairs in here and we are a funny group - totally covered in blankets, with our feet propped up watching NCIS....in a room made for 2 chairs with 4 big chairs taking over the room. I love it. hope no one has to go to the kitchen in the middle of the night...it could be bad!

more parties!!!

This has been an absolutely crazy week.....it has been full of parties, parties, parties. Most of our work engagement teams all decided to do pot-luck dinners. It was actually pretty amusing when we were trying to decide where to have them -- most everyone lives in the suburbs...except me. So I was the lucky host of 2 dinners - one for 13 and one for 12. Yes, you read that right - and even better - two days in a row! At least I could serve the same thing two nights in a row! (and don't worry - it was pot luck and I only did the main dish and an appetizer! Plus, my staff were awesome and totally helped set up and clean up!) So, no pictures from those- I would have looked horrible after being in the kitchen so long!!)

Then Friday night we went to a birthday party for our friend JM -- her fiance threw her a party and it was a lot of fun. (see picture above of me, JM and LM). They had the most fabulous caterer come and cook appetizers for us...I need to get her name - she was soooooo good. I think she would be great to get cooking lessons for! Her crab cakes were to die for! The next pict was of all the girls...well, most of them!



Then Saturday - after a day of Christmas shopping than then required a nap because it was so painful....I had two more parties! My friend KC had her annual Christmas Party...it is always so much fun and we get to catch up with people we haven't seen in so long (some, potentially since the last party!). Of course, KC did a FABULOUS job with the food and we had a good time catching up with everyone. The boys were out of control and kept us laughing the entire time. Below, a pict of me and SM.



Here is a pict of KC, me and SM.

After KC's party, one of our friends from work had a party -- CL. Below is a picture of the two of us. It was a wild party....I don't want to go into all of it, but it was a trip. We laughed a lot and I saw people I haven't seen in a really long time!

Here is me, CC, and LM. We brought CC along to play with us -- and he got hit on all night long. It was hilarious...mainly becuase he got hit on by men. We did have some funny conversations that night...until we got back to LM's house at midnight....and CC's car had been towed. I ended up driving him to the ghetto to get it at 12:30 and it was a very long night!!!

Today we went to our friend CC's house for a cookie decorating party...it was a great time - I'll have to post pictures later! It's been a LONG weekend...but fun. one more day at work and then I am off for the holidays! YAHOO!!!!!

the Christmas Party....

This weekend was our work Christmas Party and I was so glad that I got to go! I had to act with decorum - which you know is hard for me! I was sad I wasn't able to spend most of my night on the dancefloor, but I guess I always have next year!
But I had such a good time - it was at the museum of Natural History and there were so many rooms where you could go, look at exhibits, eat and just hang out! It was one of the best since I have been at work!
This first pict are two of my favorite work people - CT and RH.


This is "favorite staff" CC. I have a picture frame on my desk and one day I came to work and a picture of us had "appeared" and there was a balloon saying "don't forget who your favorite staff is!" I just heart her!



Here are the JJ's - Mrs and Mr. I haven't seen them in so long! They are so cute!




And LM and I - we were trying to pose in front of the Christmas Tree but it didn't really make it into the picture!!!

more pills....

*sigh*
its been a long day. I went to the doctor today to get a flu shot. Sounds easy enough. I asked the doctor some more questions - we discussed if he thought I had any damage to my lungs and we discussed pulmonary embolisms in depth and at what point do they cause damage....i don't think I fit that category since we think that they found them really fast. We discussed what the future plan was for my meds -- since I am on restriction until I can get regulated - I asked what constituted "regulation". Basically, I have to be in the "range" for 2 weeks, the I have to be norma (within range)l for a month (4 weeks - blood tests every 2 weeks) before I can resume normal activity. Just in case you are wondering - that is February. I stopped smiling at that point.
Then I asked him about my heart rate -- for some reason it was at 94 when the nurse took my vitals and my blood pressure was a little high (fyi - I went to the doctor on Monday and my pulse was 67.) He grabbed my hand and started counting - 94. Then started asking lots of questions -- what have you done today? are you under a lot of stress? have you had lots of coffee today?
Sadly, it was a "becuase of the snow I slept in till I woke up - 8:00 - and went to work at 9:30, had a few meetings, went to lunch with my team and laughed a lot, then came to see you."
No real reason for my heart to be racing. That made him grab my hand again and count...96.
I asked him what he thought it was -- he said, well, if I saw these symptoms i would probably think maybe a blood clot. I laughed and said - well, i already have those. To which he responded - yeah, I know (in a sarcastic voice) and you are on blood thinners so it really doesn't make sense. But since I just had a echocardiogram and it was normal and we know that blood clots aren't really the cause - he was thinking my thyroid (which we know it is "regulated" but stress can make it produce more and since I was under a little stress on monday/tuesday - maybe it was affecting it now....who knows).
SO....after all of that, he prescribed some beta blockers to help regulate my heart beat. Want to read something scary? type that into google and look at the side effects.
he told me to take them at night (they do cause drowsiness)- and i took one at 7 pm...lets just say we are now calling them the "happy pills". They block "adrenaline" and make everything more mellow...I feel like I just got a massage and am so relaxed.
I did read the warnings and they are a little like anti-depressants where you can't go off of them cold turkey -- you have to be "weaned" off of it.
So, one more drug to add to the list. I asked him how long I had to be on it and lets just say for a while....till everything gets under control.
So, that is when I went to the pharmacist - again - and got more drugs. At least i didn't get the 7th degree this time. he also told me to take an obscene amount of vitamin C with the flu shot so hopefully I won't get sick.

Okay, that is enough of that. Depressing.

I was excited yesterday for the snow. i know - snow in Houston! Go figure. I called my sister to tell her - she told me it was 70 in NYC. I have some picts to post and will do that soon. I will also have picts to post tomorrow for our Company Christmas party! i can't wait! Then to D-town for some family time!

this will be quick...

met with the endo today...the thyroid is supposedly back in the "normal" range. We discussed the meds and he thinks I will just stay here -- that he shouldn't have dropped the dosage so much the last time and that was why the heart started racing...the shortness of breath was still the p.e.'s.

So, one thing back to normal....let's just get this blood thinners regulated now!

I AM SO FRUSTRATED...

I am so frustrated at many things....but let's stick to this stinking medicine. I go in for blood tests every week and every week I am no where near the range of 2-3 for this test. 2 weeks ago I was too low, last week I was too high, this week I was too low again. So, here is the dosage this week:
- 2 pills 5 times a week
-1 1/2 pills 2 times a week
I mean, I just got through the last dosing schedule and finally figured that one out and we have to change it again!!!

*sigh*

And the worst part of all of this, i can't come off restrictions until I get regulated and stay there for a while. Still no more exertion (which means no climbing those stairs at the office and having to ride the elevator one floor which REALLY pisses people off! - I mean, I think i am going to have to make a sign on my back that says "don't blame me - blame the pulmonary embolisms!") and no lifting more than 10 lbs for a few more weeks.

*sigh, louder this time*

At this rate, I still won't be able to do anything for Christmas except lay around! (well, that isn't so bad! I do need to call and tell my dad no "manual labor" at christmas! Too bad J won't be here to be the "favorite" which also means the "one always chosen for manual labor" ) Plus, what makes me really sad is no dancing at the Christmas party. And we all know how much i love to get on the dance floor!!!!

But I did have a quick chat with the doctor - the only good news is he looked at my echo-cardiogram and it was normal - so I guess I have one thing to be thankful for! We discussed my ugly symptoms I had yesterday (the shortness of breath and the feeling faint) and he said it was probably stress induced and that if there was chest pains in there too - that i needed to go to the E.R. But seriously, he said my lungs probably hadn't "healed" and weren't ready for the long hours and stress I was putting myself through. That probably deserves another sigh but I guess I already knew that so I can't let it piss me off anymore. So i guess I need to gear up for busy season by SLOWLY working more - not just pull a 15 hour day after barely working 8 hour days!

so that is the update - we'll find out about thyroid tomorrow. Tonight a bunch of girls are meeting our friend JV from San Antonio to catch up. It was a year ago we were in Mexcio for her wedding! How time flys!

work...work...work...

This week has been long...I have been working, working, working trying to catch up from being in the hospital. I think that I worked a little too long this week - today I didn't feel so hot. I think I need to slow down just a bit. So I left a little early today and came home....I fell asleep instantly and was woken up 2 hours later when the UPS (who banged on the door like he was going to break it down) left me a nice little present to myself from Old Navy on the doorstep. (loved after christmas sales - jeans on sale for $15 - the perfect outfit with the fleece I got to wear Saturday's during busy season!)
I have a doctors appointment on Monday so I am doing labs tomorrow to see if the meds are working....both the thyroid and the blood thinners. I can't wait to see what the numbers are....especially since I wasn't feeling well today.
So that is realy all....sorry I'm not more interesting this week....nothing really good has happened! But I can't wait for next week - we have our Christmas Party on Friday and I LOVE getting dressed up. LM and I are going to see my favorite makeup man Isaac at Nordies to get our makeup done and then we are off to the party! I promise I will post pictures from the party. I also bought a great new little black dress to wear and i can't wait to wear it! (even more because I got it on sale and it is a great dress!) Then my wonderful twin sister graduates from SMU on Saturday, runs the half marathon on Sunday morning and then we have a party for her Sunday afternoon! (I know, I'm tired just thinking about it!) It is going to be a whirlwind weekend! ( Plus I am really excited to get to see all the d-town folks!)
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

thankfulness

"... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth." --Sarah Ban Brethnach

As I sit here baking pies for Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about Thanksgiving and what it all means. I have so much to be thankful for...when I look back over the last year, I can see how God has blessed me over and over. When I think of all of the people he has put on my path to help guide me, love me, hold my hand while I was in the hospital, give me encouraging words, make me laugh, and teach me so many things - I am just amazed. I am so thankful that he has put so many people in my life to help me get through the hard times and to enjoy the good times with. I am so blessed.
The list of what I am truly thankful for would take me days to compile - but here is the short list:

- I am thankful for my health. I know, i know, you say - K - you've been in the hospital multiple times and are complaining about medicines, doctor visits or some test they put you through. But you see, I am thankful that I am still here - that God watched over me and brought me through all of it and that the things that I suffer from are controllable and fixable.
- I am thankful for my friends -- everyone of them - and each in their own special way. Some for sitting in the ER with me getting flashed through all the tests that they ran -- holding my hand and talking me through all of it. Some for sitting in the hospital room and keeping my mind off things. Others for all the fun times at our dinner outings or catching up over a glass of wine. Others for their sweet children that I get to love on and play with (yes, i admit, i love you too, but your children are my favorite!). And others for just being my friend - encouraging me when I needed it, laughing together till our sides hurt and just hanging out and spending time together. I am thankful for all of you!
- I am thankful for my family. Although we don't get to see each other very often, we love each other so much and cherish every moment we get to spend together. I love that we all seem to call my mom within an hour of each other and we somehow sense when one of the others isn't happy. And I am so thankful that we love each other -- even when we were unlovable.
- I am thankful for the life that God has allowed me to live - that he has provided for all of my needs... in his own way, not mine. And although I might not have understood "His way" at the time, I am glad that over time he reveals it to me and I can see how great his plan is.

So I hope each and every one of you has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving - filled with joy, laughter and family...and of course lots of good food!

the medicine saga continues...

I went in for my weekly blood letting and my doctor just called again. once again he has to change my dosage as I was above the high end of the range. how do I swing from one extreme to the other in a week? seriously - only me. This time - here was his instructions - we will take a vote to see who thinks i will screw this up in the near future:
- 1 1/2 pills a day for the next 3 days
then starting after that:
- 2 pills / day 4 times a week
- 1 1/2 pills / day 3 times a week
I laughed when he told me and said - wow, can you call me every day to remind me what to take today? Of course he said no. So, I am now thinking that I just need to write on the bottle what day I take what since they are now carried in the purse. then also set reminders in outlook recurring for a year.
*sigh*
I just wish it would get regulated. and that is just my blood clotting issues. I have another appointment in a week and a half to go see the endocronologist to work on my thyroid. they upped my meds when I was in the hospital and i want him to monitor it a bit more carefully.
i did do a little research on graves disease...that i probably should have done when i was diagnosed. But of course my doctor just made it sound like another thyroid problem - and was wavering on graves - then when i was in the hospital this time they kind of questioned it and asked how it was diagnosed, and if i really had it...I said for them to go figure it out - they are the doctors. they never came back. figures. one more thing to discuss in a week and a half.
Now i realize it is an autoimmune disease....and one of the on-set causes is stress supposedly - there have been multiple studies on it and that is what they think). Well, suprise, suprise i got it!
Of course it is already linked to thyroid problems, but i didn't realize it was that big of a deal. i did read that 20-30% of people can go into "remission" - which to be honest i would really like to get everything under control and get to that point. i think, though, i have to change quite a few things in my life - one of which is the stress level. which I think most of you know what that really means (work) and how much that even starts stressing me out. i did read that your thyroid reacts to your stress level and if you already have problems with your thyroid, it can really go crazy....which is probably one reason it went out of control over the last 2 months.
*sigh, a very loud sigh*
then I started researching my meds...and I found this one website that discussed my thyroid medicine. If i wasn't already stressed out enough about all of these meds taken together, just this med really freaks you out. i mean, you start reading and it talks about how your body cannot ward off disease on this meds and to NOT get the flu, cold, etc becuase you will get it 10 times worse than someone else. Then you start reading all the other warnings - and i don't know where this website got the info from, but i SWEAR this stuff was not on the warnings i got from the pharmacist. And don't even think about getting prego on these drugs...not that i have to worry about that - but still. They basically said if you wanted to get prego that you would have to switch meds and get those regulated before even considering having a child. THEN you read that having graves / hyperthyroidism - there is such a higher rate of miscarriage becuase your body is out of whack. I mean, i know that is God's design in wanting you to have healthy children but one more scary thing to deal with. and I know I am not in the market for children in the near future but it just makes you think!
*sigh, again*
So, not that I seriously worried about it all - but it is just a lot to take in all at once. oh well, one more thing to deal with....thank God he blessed me with such a great support network to deal with all of this. Back to baking pies...just thought i would give you guys an update.

planning for thanksgiving...

I LOVE Thanksgiving. Okay, lets be honest, I love all family get togethers. My family on both sides always have so much fun when we get together - we laugh, make fun of each other, run around with the kiddos and sometimes have a few drinks (depending on which family it varies - my mom's side are the wine connoisseurs, my dad's side is the "drink of the month" - Easter was mojitos, sometimes it's whiskey and coke, you never know!) which always makes things more interesting!
This year we are hanging out with my mom's family in Dallas - and we haven't gotten to have a proper holiday with them in a while. It just worked out this year that they were all doing this side of the family and I begged my aunt (and my mom and dad) if we could join. Mainly because I love being with them (and we don't get to do it very often), and if we have to watch the Aggies lose (i'm not even going to believe there is a hope) with my sister and her hubby around (who, he by the way did not go to Texas, but since he has been with my sister, he has become a fanatic fan....which kind of stinks when we lose!!!) I need some more Aggie support, and all of my cousins on that side are Aggies! Also because my mom's mother (my grandmother) is in a nursing home and I really want to go visit her....and being in Dallas is a lot closer (still 3 hours, but closer) to get to see her - so that is the plan for Friday.
I'm even more excited because I get to bake...that is my favorite type of cooking - making something sweet! Especially when I am not the only one that has to eat it! I am going to make pecan pie and one of our favorite pumpkin desserts...which I will share below. It is different than the typical pumpkin pie - but it makes it so much better. i mean, when you add caramel, pecans and whipped cream (and not to mention it has like a whole cake mix in it) you really can't go wrong! I also wanted to make my apple pie (which I will also share, because it is the best pie I have ever made) but my aunt already made one. Sad....but I can deal :) I know, i know, i am in the mood to share recipes....but hopefully you guys enjoy them!

Pecan Pumpkin Pie
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Recipe Makes: 2 pies (10 servings each)

1 can pumpkin pie mix (Libby's - sold around Thanksgiving - call me if you can't find it! Its a big can)
1 cup sugar
1 can evaporated milk
3 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Caramel Sauce:
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup whipping cream

Topping:
2 cups whipping cream
3 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Directions:
1 Line two 9 inch pie plates with waxed paper or parchment paper; coat the paper with nonstick
cooking spray. Set aside.
2 In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar and milk. Beat in eggs, cinnamon and salt. Pour into
prepared pans. Sprinkle with dry cake mix and pecans. Drizzle with butter.
3 Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.
4 Cool for 2 hours on wire rack. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Invert
pies onto serving plates; removed waxed paper. Chill.
5 In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar and cream; cook and stir
constantly until sugar is dissolved.
6 For topping, in a mixing bowl, beat cream until foamy. Beat in confectioner's sugar and
vanilla until soft peaks form.
7 Cut the pie into slices; drizzle with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

It is like heaven on a plate....and I promise if you eat a lot of it you will gain at least 5 lbs! But you will enjoy every minute of it! Here is the apple pie - why it is different - you make like a caramel sauce that you pour over the apples. I can't explain totally why it tastes better - it just does!


Apple Pie
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Recipe makes: 1 pie, 8 servings

Two pie crusts (I just use the Pillsbury ones! One for top and one for bottom)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced (may only use about 6 large apples)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves

1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer. Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves while simmering.
2 Place the bottom crust in your pan.Fill the crust with half of the apples, and pour 1/3 of the liquid over the apples. Fill the pan with the rest of the apples, mounding them in the center. The mound will be about 2-3 inches above the pie plate on the side. They will cook down and it will even out.
3. Make a lattice top over the apples with the 2nd pie crust. Pour the remaining caramel mixture over the lattice top, coating all the apples and the crust (but don't let it run off the side of the pie). If the caramel doesn't pour easily, slightly heat again over low heat and it will become runny again.
4 Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Enjoy!

when it gets cold....

there are two things that i LOVE when it starts getting cold...soup and sandwiches. I know, it is simple, but i love it. And since it has gotten a little cold, i am in the process of making one of my favorite soups...chicken and rice and it is fabulous. I thought i would share for those of you who like to cook....and for those of you who don't cook very well...it is extremely easy!


Chicken and Rice Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Makes: 10 Servings

1 tsp oil
1 small red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp cumin
6 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup rice
2 chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:
1 In a large pot, heat oil and sauté onion, garlic and cumin over medium heat. Cook for approximately 1 minutes while stirring continuously. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
2 Stir in the rice and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
3 Stir in chicken and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, or until the chicken and rice are cooked through.
4 Stir in the cilantro, scallions, pepper and salt, and serve.

note - it is even better the next day!

Here are my favorite sandwiches....they are a little gourmet, but easy to cook for a large group. Everyone I have ever made them for loves them...even if they don't like all the ingredients (especially the olives!) i even sometimes don't reserve the olives and just mix them all into the mayo mixture and hide it under the turkey and cheese.


Baked Southwest Sandwiches
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Makes: 10 servings

1 can chopped olives, drained
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 loaf italian bread
3/4 to 1 lb thinly sliced turkey
2 ripe avocados, sliced
10 slices cheddar cheese
10 slices monterrey jack cheese

Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 In a small bowl, combine olives, chili powder, cumin and salt. Set aside 2 TBS of mixture.
3 In the bowl with the remaining olive mixture, add the mayonnaise, sour cream and onions.
4 Slice the bread in half, length-wise. Lay both sides cut side up on a baking sheet.
5 Spread the mayonnaise mixture on both sides of the bread. Then top with the turkey, tomatoes and avocados.
6 Top with the monterrey jack, then cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with reserved olive mixture.
7 Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Hope you guys enjoy!!! I can't wait for them to finish so I can eat it for dinner (and lunch tomorrow!)

no more shots!!!

Just wanted to let you know that my labs came back and I get to stop the lovenox shots!!! I can't tell you how excited I am that i don't have to take them anymore! My doctors said that my numbers are right about where they need to be, so I can just continue on the coumadin for now.
That's all she wrote!
I am about to make my list for Christmas shopping today! I am so excited I bought some cute wrapping paper and things last night so I can wrap presents when I buy them! I LOVE wrapping presents! one more way to get to be creative! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

more doctors visits...

The update for today is that I am tired of doctors visits! Especially when you have to go to the medical center. It is hard to find the buildings - the labelling is horrible - and trying to find a place to park is like searching for a needle in a haystack! Then you have to pay to park everywhere and it can get expensive!
Yesterday I went to go visit the hemotologist (which, she practices in the oncology department so everyone there was there for chemo and it was kind of sad!). I liked her too, but she was VERY direct. Not one with a very good bedside manner (like my last doctor that was Middle Eastern who told me when i arrived she was suprised I was alive - she thought I was going to die when she sent me to the hospital the first time!). Here is a summary of part of our conversation - just so you can get the point:
Dr: do you have any biological children?
Me: no.
Dr: why not?
Me: well, I am not married so it would be hard to have children without a husband.
Dr: have you ever had any miscarriages?
Me: well, once again, I am not married.....(you know where I am going with this).
Dr: Does your sister have any biological children?
Me: no.
Dr: why not?
Me: well, you see, she isn't married either.
Dr: has she had any miscarriages?
Me: no....once again....
And it went on and on - don't think we didn't go through the whole family. and on and on. all the direct questions. I know she is just trying to get my history but the why not was cracking me up, becuase the first answer didn't seem to suffice (especially when I said I didn't have a husband - she looked at me like, lady, you can have a baby without a husband - but that is not in my plan you see!!) Especially when she got to asking me if my mom had had miscarriages. I don't know about you guys, but I don't think that really ever came up in any conversations. All of this had made me realize I really don't know my family history. I know that almost all of my grandparents had cancer, but ask me what kind and I probably couldn't tell you - except my grandmother - as she lost one of the "girls" so that one is obvious. I need to figure that out and document it.
Anyway, she said she didn't think that I had a hereditary problem as it would have been seen in my sisters or my parents, so she said to take the coumadin for a year and to come and see her in 11 months. Which is good news....then she said she wanted to send me to get a echo-cardiogram.
*UGH*
She just wanted to make sure there was no damage to my heart through all of this. So, i went this morning and had it done. What is annoying to me is why we didn't do this in the hospital? we did it there the last time. And it is not fun...I know it is just a sonogram of your heart, but like i have said before, the "girls" get in the way and make it a little harder (and painful) to get it done. But the tech was awesome and it is done with!
I also had to go get my labs done this morning and am waiting to hear from my doctor to see what the numbers were today -- and to see if I can quit the shots. We will see...I'm not holding my breath. I should really post a picture of my hip. The bruise keeps getting bigger (well, I think so, but I haven't actually marked it to see -- I just can't believe it is that big already!) and uglier - and yes, i did ask about it, and they weren't worried becuase it is a small vein and is normal.
I have also decided to go see a nutritionist -- because with these meds I am supposed to watch my vitamin K intake and lets just say that all of the veggies I eat on a regular basis are rated either excellent or good for vitamin K.
*sigh*
One more thing to pay attention to. Like the other day when I was eating this great Orange / Cranberry scone - was about half way through it when i thought "this is a really good orange and crannnn...." CRAP I'm not supposed to eat cranberries! It is in the drug interactions in bold "DO NOT EAT CRANBERRIES OR DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE". This is going to take some getting used to. (note - I think it is really the juice - it is high in vitamin K and i think that is why....no reactions...just warned my staff that if i fell over and did weird things to call 911 and tell them i ate cranberries!)
So that is the update for today. I am ready for a weekend to get some christmas shopping done and to hopefully get my house in order. I know, no exertion....that is why the maid is coming! this is a really good excuse for one I think!

dr. visit today....

I love my new doctor. Long story short, i had this doctor when i first moved to houston and i LOVED HER. And her nurses. We always laughed and it was like hanging out and talking with your friends. Then she left. I have been "doctor hopping" for a while and had really bad luck. I know I have blogged about a couple of them!
So when I was in the hospital my doctor told me to go back to my PCP, and when I told him I didn't have one - that didn't go over very well. He tried to "recommend" some, but I had seen most of the ones he mentioned and I just couldn't see them again. Not when i was going to have to see these people weekly for a while!
So I spun the wheel again and tried someone that his nurse recommended. I met him today and LOVE him. He is funny, listens well, and is quick to respond - all in a very calm manner. So we talked about everything...well almost everything (and becuase we were having such a good time I forgot to ask some questions...but oh well. i will see him again in a week!) He calmed my fears about my medicines - he looked them up and we talked about how i just can't change my dosage of my thyroid without my coumadin becuase it could be bad (i.e. my coumadin is set to react with it now - so if I stopped my thyroid, my coumadin wouldn't have anything to react with and my blood would be REALLY thin!) He looked at all of my hereditary tests that they did and they only found one that came back not negative. It is something about my anti-coagulant in my blood and it was low (actually, right around the borderline) . So he is now sending me to a hemotologists to have him look at it - just to be sure. What does this mean? Well, if it is a hereditary issue and my blood doesn't have this anti-coagulant then i have to basically stay on coumadin for a very long time....like the rest of my life. So, at least it is treatable with medicine and not something really bad.
Then my blood work came back....and it wasn't where it should be. The INR (I think that is right? I've heard it so many times but its a few letters and i can never remember it!) should be around 2-3 and mine was only 1.2....so this means more shots, which means an unhappy karen. I mean, i can do it, but that doesn't mean i have to like doing it! So now I have shots for the rest of the week and he doubled my coumadin to try to get my body to react. We think it is the thyroid medicine that is causing it not to move fast....so that is why he is upping the meds. Then back for more blood tests on Friday.
So that is the story right now. I can still go to work - but with two other appointments this week, I'm still missing a lot of work! I just still need to be careful. We were laughing as we walked out of the room so he could give me my prescriptions and we were talking about what I can and cannot do, and I then ran into the wall. Smack into it. He said, maybe try not doing that again. I laughed...sadly, that is like the third door I walked into since i've been out. i see it and still run into it.
*sigh*
walking disaster. that's me.

one more thought for the day....

you know, it is really hard to "get back into it" when you have had to take naps and sleep 12 hours a day and watch TV all day for a while. I mean, trying to work today has almost been painful. I had this problem the last time i went to the hospital! ugh! Focus, Focus, Focus! too bad my friend CT isn't here to keep repeating that to me over and over!

the weekend is over...

I have made it through the weekend...my friend CT and her husband CT have been "holding me hostage" (let's say i didn't necessarily fight back too much!) at their house. Since i am supposed to be taking it easy and everyone is worried about my meds, they decided I should stay with them so they could monitor me and make sure i was staying on the couch and not doing anything. They even hid the knives and other sharp objects so i won't cut myself since I will have a problem clotting for the next few months on these drugs.
These shots in the stomach aren't a lot of fun - for some reason on my left side I get these knots and bruise really easily but on the right side, i don't have any problems. It is so weird. But I only have today and tomorrow and i am finished with the shots! YAHOO!!!! I have a doctors appointment tomorrrow to check my blood and to make sure everything is okay...and for me to ask a lot of questions. I asked a lot in the hospital but everyone keeps asking me more questions that i can't answer - so i need to go ask my doctor again!!!
I am working from home today and tomorrow and will probably go back on Wednesday. The doctor said as long as i have a 'desk job' I can work....just no walking 3 miles back and forth to my car! Work has been great and flexible with me so far - but I know i have lots to do so i need to get back to it!
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers....I REALLY appreciate it!

finally home

I finally got home. My friend RH and her cute baby picked me up on the curb - I felt like someone in a rest home - they took me from my room downstairs and put me by the window to look outside. There was a group of us there waiting anxiously for the car to pull up so we could get away from the plastic sheets and mattresses, the bad food (never get the chicken sandwich at St. Lukes), and the poke and prodding.
So we went to go have a little lunch (after I changed out of my PJ pants....didn't think anyone else would want to see me in those!) and then to go get my medicines. Usually, when you go get them, basically you just pick them up, they ask you if you have any questions but of course, not me. The pharmacist wanted to talk to me....he is my version of the conversation:
him: Ma'am, are you still taking your thyroid medicine?
me: yes, sir
him: does your doctor who prescribed these meds know you are on that thyroid medicine?
me: yes, sir. I've been in the hospital and he had to monitor all of my medications
him: do you understand that your thyroid meds also act as a blood thinner? you are taking an extremely high dose of blood thinners.
me: I guess I knew that as I saw it online - but I specifically asked about it - and he said it was okay.
him: as long as you consulted, but you need to be careful. if you bump into something, you may start bleeding internally and won't stop. and look out for a red rash where you are basically prespiring blood. and look out for (and he continues to say all the ugly horrible things that could happen while on these drugs).
me: what should I do? should we call the doctors? I mean, they know I am on these - both my endocronologist and my doctor from the hospital. They told me of most of these risks - but what am I supposed to do? I obviously need all these meds?
him: well, if I thought it was really serious, I wouldn't let it leave the pharmacy. I just wanted to know the situation and make sure you and your doctors knew what you were doing.
I mean, really? I'm already freaked out a bit, then you have to go into this whole long analysis of everything that could potentially go wrong with me and totally freak me out even more? yes, I understand I need to be careful (don't think that I am really considering not shaving my legs for at least a week just so I don't cut myself!) and I have been reading about all of the side effects and such. I am probably the only person to ever read every freaking word on every piece of literature received from the hospital and from the pharmacy and the box of lovenox that they gave me. And don't think for a second that I now don't own a red hazardous box for my "supplies" from my lovenox!
I am almost wondering if I should like pad the corners of my tables and the door frames..which for some odd reason I have a horrible time walking through them without hitting them with an arm! I guess I just have to be really, really careful. *sigh*

the hosptial saga continues

Today has been a wild morning. Of course, i should know by now that there is no sleeping in at the hosptial. Everyone who has ever been here can understand that. Last night i scoffed when the nurse came in at 9 saying "you aren't asleep yet?" I wanted to say "no, becuase you will be back within the hour to either poke me or take some vitals or something. why go to sleep yet?!?" (and really, i have cable - I need to watch some HGTV becuase i can't watch that at home :) )
Well, of course, went to bed around 11 pm and at 4:30 on the dot they were back again - this time for vitals. The vampire came in at 5:30 to get more blood (Thank goodness that they figured out they can get it out of my IV now - so that means not getting stuck anymore - yahoo! we can say thank you to blood thinners for that!) Then at 7 am they came back to turn off the IV, and at 7:30 saying "are you ready to give yourself the first shot??" I said that could be disasterous without waking up first! So I got up and took a shower and then they came back to show me the drill. Basically, I have to give myself Lovenox shots in the stomach two times a day. These are blood thinners and you have to be on those and the coumadin (which makes the clots smaller and hopefully doesn't allow them to move) for 5 days. So I have 5 days of shots in my near future. It hurt a bit (but of course my father gave me some tips since he is a diabetic and has done this for over 20 years - so he told me to wipe off the alcohol before injecting so it won't burn so bad.) So I will try that next time. The only other problem is that the "girls" get in the way of really seeing what I am doing. I have to give these in the fat in my stomach and it's hard to see becuase of them! I tried to do it in the mirror and that was hard....I think I may try sitting down next time where is seems i can see it better! ha!
So now I am just waiting on the doctor to come and visit - in the true auditor style (read: anal retentative) I have a list of questions prepared. Of course, I googled it all yesterday and I got a little nervous about all of it - mainly the medicine. This coumadin is really serious and there are lots of issues. Basically, you have to be really careful about getting cut (even shaving, which of course since I am a walking disaster, I cut myself all the time!) becuase your body can't clot well. Then you can't take any type of advil, motrin, any of those things and forget over the counter drugs. Then you start reading and it says you need to be careful if you have overactive thyroid -- hint - what I have. It just keeps getting worse. The last part was saying to wear a medical alert bracelet to let people know you are on it. Good gosh. What have I gotten myself into?!?
Oh, well, if it makes me better, that is all I care about! I need to figure out too if there are any restrictions (read: I want to go to the nutcracker market on sunday! I know, i know, that is ridiculous, but i want to!!! I know what booths I want to visit so i don't have to walk the whole thing!) But i have to figure that out too.
So I'll hopefully be home this afternoon and have to get all my prescriptions filled (of which one is REALLY expensive. I can't wait to see my copay for that one since it is like $100 a serving). Then my friends are requiring me to stay with them - they are too worried about me being by myself. So, we'll see where I end up. I really just want to sleep in my own bed. I keep trying to tell them that I'll be okay, but I think I have officially freaked everyone out! Hopefully this will be my last hospital stay for a while!
So, back to watching HGTV for a while and breakfast just arrived! yahoo!!!

the hosptial...again....

Once again, sorry for not writing in a while. A lot has been going on - mainly at work - and to be honest I just don't want to talk about work here! But this past week I started getting short of breath. I almost thought it was anxiety over things happening at work, and then it didn't go away when things started getting better. I also knew my thyroid was REALLY out of whack. Don't know if I have ever explained this before - but when I was in the hospital the first time and they realized my thyroid was off we determined that the thyroid was causing my emotional issues (well, some of them :) ) At that time I was EXTREMELY emotional and could cry at the drop of a hat. Then I got on meds and I couldn't cry if I wanted to. This past month it got really bad again. So I knew it was off when i basically would cry over anything. You could look at me funny and that would set me off...and once it started, there was no faucet to turn it off.
So the shortness of breath started and the racing hearts (both signs of my thyroid condition) and I thought it was just that. So I called my friend SM (one of the original 2 from the first hospital visit - she already knew the drill) and she brought me up here. They figured it was the thyroid but then the blood work came back funny showing high levels of something that indicates blood clots. They immediately sent me for a cat scan that showed I had blood clots in my arteries by my heart. A little scary, yes, but they said that they could treat it with medicine and they would admit me to get it under control. So here I am, holed up in a hospital room hooked up to blood thinners.
Last night was awful - there were no rooms in the inn so they kept me in the ER. Just so you know, there is no bathroom in ER rooms, so if you have to go (and after being hooked up to an IV that is inevitable) you have to walk down the hall way in your nice gown, flashing everyone. (and this time, unlike last time, i wore more "appropriate" underwear - trying not to flash everyone!) I finally got in a room at around 11:30 last night - then they had to get me settled, then they said they had to take blood at 12:30....which becuase I have these awesome veins that want to play hide and seek (which they hide and the nurses have to seek) that took an hour. Then i slept...till they came back at 5:30 this morning for 9 viles of blood. yes, I said 9. Let's say they poked me 3 times and with the 2 times from last night and 2 times from the ER and the 2 different IV's I've had - I look like a heroin addict on the left arm. And now the bruising has begun.
I'm finally in my room (thank god they gave me a "private room - mainly because the hosptial is really full) and am hanging out - watching TV and fielding tons of phone calls and such. That and draining a bag of blood thinners! Hoping those get into the system so that I can start the other meds and get out of here faster!!!
I'm really fine...a little freaked out - more by what could have happened if we didn't catch it than what happens going forward - which as I understand it is medicine and watching it! So at least that is better!!! I'll update more later!

back from the dead....

I swear...I have the worst luck! While I was supposed to be sitting at a table with some of my best friends enjoying dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, and celebrating my and PR's birthday, I had to run home to deal with this "virus" I got. Let's just say I spent the next 24 hours with a 100 degree temperature, laying on the bathroom floor praying for it all to end. (Literally, either make it stop or take me home. it was MISERABLE!)
Happy Birthday to me. Thanks to whomever gave me that birthday present :) (ironically, one of my staff got the same thing the same day, one of my other staff's husband had it....it is going around). So, I feel better finally, but my chest hurts really bad...I can only imagine becuase I used some muscles that I haven't used in a while. Like ever.

*SIGH*

I have a busy weekend -- trying to catch up from two days of missed work and have a wedding shower and bachelorette party for our friend JH. Don't think I will make it very long at either, but i want to try to go! I just don't want them to get whatever I had! I wonder how long viruses stay in your body? I need to google search that.
Other than that - today is halloween! I'm going to my friend CT's house so I can help hand out candy (um, me lay on couch, CT hand out candy!). I can't wait to see pictures of all of my firends cute kids! I love halloween!

I know that I am loved...

I think that birthday's every year are good for at least one thing (besides gorging yourself multiple times on birthday cake, birthday cupcakes and birthday dinners!)...to know that you are loved by so many.
Every year it just astounds me at all of those who remember my birthday and find ways to say Happy Birthday. (With the invention of facebook - it does make it all easier! ha! nothing like something reminding you and being able to click on that person's name and wishing them happy birthday! ) Thanks to everyone who sent greetings and hugs - especially from those far away -even if you just said them up to the sky becuase you couldn't find me. I REALLY appreciate it. And don't worry if you forgot - trust me - I need no more cake or singing or birthday spankings (when you hit the big 3-1 it takes too long for those spankings unless one counts for 10!)
My staff at work were the cutest....on Monday i showed up to work and they had gotten me my favorite Crave cupcakes and had put them on my desk in the shape of a K with happy birthday candles. The were AWESOME!! (thanks DR!)
Then today my staff at my other client did this (see picture above!). They had a whole party planned - including my other favorite cake (the french vanilla one from Dessert Gallery that weighs around 50 pounds and that is what you will gain if you eat the whole thing!). SS had gone to go buy a happy birthday sign and accidentally gotten the happy anniversary sign...we laughed so hard. i mean, i guess it was the anniversary of my birth! Even better that they put some legal paper that said birthday over it! And CK's sweet wife made chocolate chip pound cake and lemon squares that were awesome. We went out for lunch and then they wanted to take me for drinks after work. i mean, could I get some better staff? I think not. Plus I got flowers. and for those of you who know me, flowers are one of my favorite things. I did ask my staff if we could make that a recurring thing every week. they laughed.
I can't wait to celebrate both PR and my birthday tonight with the girls. We are going to one of our favorite restaurants, la vista (I need to do a blog entry just on that website!) to celebrate. I went and bought three bottles of a new favorite wine just for the occasion. And yes, two of them are just for me! I mean, we need to celebrate, right? Then thursday LM and I are going out to celebrate again...I mean first Jason Mraz and now dinner at another one of my favorite restaurants. i am totally spoiled by my friends!
Anyway, thanks again everyone for all your birthday wishes - I am also thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people - I thank God for putting all of you in my life. I pray that this year will be one of good health (no more hospital visits!), good friends, lots of laughter and hopefully a much less stressful work environment! (it doesn't help to wish, does it?) Love to you all....

another reason I love my family...

I was emailing my family to see what we are doing for T-day this year -- and we are going to Dallas this year. So my sister replied to everyone saying she wants to run in the Turkey Day Trot in Dallas (think 7 am Thanksgiving day...working out before you gorge yourself with 5000 calories!) and basically opens up the invite to everyone - either the 8 mile run (she can do that one....I would collapse after one block) or the 5 K walk.
I replied back saying i'm in the for the 5 K walk. Older sister's husband responds back that he will be in for the 8 mile run....then KL says that she wants my cousin NR to run the 8 mile with them so she can beat him (he runs cross country in HS)...nothing like a little competition.
Then my favorite response - one of my cousins (TR) said: I am planning on a full-day workout walking from the couch to the kitchen and back while watching football…..I may get up to 1 mile before I’m done!!
I love my family.

LOVE Jason Mraz...

So, I haven't really been to that many concerts. I don't know why, just don't. I know we went to the George Strait Music Festival when we were in High School -- loved that. We saw John Mayer right after college - before he was big (at Numbers...and for those of you who know Houston - you know no one big plays at Numbers!) and he was awesome of course (except for the facial expressions he makes, which, basically looks like he is making out with the microphone) and last night we saw Jason Mraz.
It was AWESOME. My friend LM got us tickets as part of my birthday present and we went. First, I loved that it started early (7:30 to be exact! - best part - home by 11:30. yes, I know I am getting old!)
Second, I loved that it was in a small venue and he could totally "play" with the crowd. which he did - all night long.
Third, I loved that he had a trombone, trumpet and saxophone player. They were awesome and totally added a whole other "level" to the music. Helped too that the saxophone player was cute with this great smile and dimples!
Fourth, Jason has the BEST voice and could pretty much sing anything. He was absolutely fabulous. My favorite part was when the hottie saxophone player had a "sing off" (think - dance off) with Jason. He would play something, then Jason would basically sing the tune back to him (and lets just say the hottie saxophone player didn't hold back and was belting it out -- something most people wouldn't be able to "hum" back). I can't describe it in perfect words, except that he has true talent and is probably the best vocalist I have ever heard. not that I have a trained ear or anything, but if you have ever heard him live, you would probably agree! I only wish I had felt better so I could have danced around and acted silly. But since my head felt like it was being squashed in a panini maker, I wasn't totallly up for all of it. But checking out the saxophone player and listening to the Jason made the evening so much better. What a great way to round out two CRAPPY weeks! Thanks LM for my birthday present! LOVED IT!

PS - some songs that he sang that I loved....Life is Wonderful, Live High, details in the Fabric, Lucky, Make it Mine, If it kills me - most all from we sing. we dance. we steal things.

sorry it's been a while...

I wish i had a good excuse for not blogging....I'm just going to say that life got in the way. It was quarter time, I was still sick, so if I wasn't working all I wanted to do was sleep. So that is what I did! I am finally starting to feel better - after two weeks. And I think my staff are better too, after I infected my entire audit room. No kidding - they were all a little mad that i had infected them with this virus. The client called our room the quarantine room. They wouldn't come in - just stood at the door and talked to us from there!
How do I know it was a virus, well, I went to a doctor. I am going to call him the Cheap Jewish doctor -- I know, I know, it sounds bad, but let me explain. First of all, he is Jewish. So that part is fact. The second thing is that when he was telling me that i had a virus, he started asking me what I was taking....so I told him. He starts in on "that medicine is crap. it is way too expensive. now what you need is to go to sams and just buy you a big bottle of tylenol pm. it cures everything. I have this bottle that i bought about 2 years ago and my family is STILL trying to finish it all. but you don't have to buy the tylenol version, buy the cheap version. its the same thing. and forget that medicine you've been taking, and prescriptions are too expensive. you just need to go get you some sudafed, not the real stuff, but like the wal-mart brand, it's cheaper, and take that."
I am not exageratting at all. I am probably leaving part of the conversation off, but that is enough to get the gist of it. I was cracking up. This was the first time I had seen him (and probably my last) but at least it was entertaining.
The other favorite part of the visit was when this exchange happened:
Him: do you brush your teeth?
Me: yes (thinking, what, do I have bad breath? what is it?)
Him: twice a day?
Me: yes. (seriously, where is this going).
Him: do you floss?
Me: yes, every day. (now really trying to figure this out.)
Him: do you go to the dentist?
Me: yes
Him: twice a year?
Me: yes!!
Him: well, it's important we take care of our teeth too. just making sure you are taking care of them. they sure are pretty.
SERIOUSLY?!? I've never been interrogated about my teeth from a doctor. it was amusing.

So besides that, not a lot has been happening. Just trying to stay out of trouble. Promise I won't go that long again without blogging! I know I need to keep you guys entertained.

one thing I hate...

I hate being sick. HATE IT. I hate not being able to breathe...I hate not being able to do what i want to do....I hate feeling tired and lathargic. Sadly, I almost feel like it is wasted time....I mean while skipping work would you rather be - laying on the couch watching soap operas in and out of a "coma" or drinking starbucks, OR walking around the mall buying pretty things and having lunch with friends...you pick.
And I have to be pretty sick to stay at home...which, since I am at home today, I am pretty sick. Good thing I didn't get to see my friend KE this weekend in Seguin because I probably could have given it to them!
Anywho, I have thought it was allergies for a while, and was convinced last night that it was something else. I started feeling bad, then worse, and then decided it was just time to go to bed. Of course, about that time I was freaking cold (hint: the fever was starting) and was under the sheet, blanket and down cover and was still cold. Then of course, at around 1 a.m. I woke up and was BURNING hot (hint: fever breaking). Seriously, it felt like I was sleeping in a frying pan. So hot that I had to get out of bed to let the sheets cool down....and to drink some cold water in hopes of bringing my temp down. Then I slept....and slept...and slept. Good thing I had already decided not to go to work because i slept for almost 12 hours. Then I took a 3 1/2 hour nap this afternoon. Nice.
Of course, couldn't be at a worse time.....right in the middle of quarters....but hopefully by tomorrow I will feel better. *ugh* I hate feeling like crap.

the cops...

When I left for Dallas, LM noticed (as she was trying to break into my house as I was running late) that there was a cop just sitting on my street in his cop car. She really only noticed becuase she was obviously trying to get into my front door (which was dead bolted) and then realized she would have to go around back.....with all of her bags....so she was probably wondering who was watching this debacle!
I never thought anything of it becuase one of my neighbors is a cop and often sits out there doing his paperwork and such. Then we came back from Dallas and another cop was there. I went out to run some errands and came back to a different cop, then went to a birthday party and there was a different cop again. So after polling my friends, I walked out my front door and up to the cop car to ask what was going on.
I wish I could replay the whole conversation for you, but here is what I remember:

Karen: um, you guys are kinda freaking me out sitting outside my apartment. Should I be worried?
Cop (who was cute...just didn't know how tall he was, which is important): Ma'am, why are we scaring you?
Karen: Becuase you guys have been sitting outside my apartment for over 4 days, I am assuming, and you haven't left! I'm worried that something bad is going on! The cop that lives here does it periodically but you aren't obviously him.
Cop: Ma'am (at this point, really, Ma'am? how old am I!), the cop that lived here had his life threatened by a gang and we are taking precautions.
Karen: WHAT?!? do they know where he lives?
Cop: Ma'am (really?) they say they do, but we don't believe it is a credible threat.
Karen (in her head): REALLY? WHY THE HELL ARE YOU LIVING OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT THEN?!?
Karen (outloud): Oh, so I really don't have anything to be worried about?
Cop: No Ma'am (I know he is being polite....I'm trying to get over the being called ma'am).
Karen: Aren't you bored out here - I mean, what the hell do you do for all 12 hours you are sitting outside of my apartment (thinking, god, I hope my blinds have been closed or else they may have gotten their own show and that is why they like this shift!)
Cop: I've watched 6 TV episodes on my phone and read a book. Now I'm starting to get bored.
Karen: Sorry - but glad you are here!

Then I went in to get him some water (he was thristy!)....and some other things started running through my head I contemplated saying, but held back:

"Can you make sure the gang members know he is on the 2nd floor, so if they decide to riddle our apartment with bullets that they miss mine?"
"Why the hell aren't you around back instead of just out front?" (of course, as i am sleeping, anything wakes me up thinking the boogie man is coming for my neighbor)
"Can you make sure tomorrow I get a single cop that is around 6'4'', dark headed, blue eyes..."

But I decided those probably weren't appropriate. So I kept my mouth shut. Last night I kept peeping out my windows to see if they were still there - yes, they were. We'll keep count for how many days they are there....

**UPDATE**
Talked to the cops again today...he was outside my door hanging out - needing to stretch his legs. Of course, being the nice person I am, I offered him a drink and talked to him a bit (I know how bored they must be!). I got out of him that they would be here for at least the rest of the week while "intelligence" was making sure the "chatter" had died down. Good gosh. They can stay as long as they want in that case! Although, a friend came to dinner last night and she was a little freaked out. This may mean no more dinners at my house till they go away!

Why I love weddings, part 2

In one of my first blogs, I wrote about how much I love them....I love what they represent - love, commitment, a celebration with family and friends - and I love how they bring everyone together. This weekend, a wedding was the primary reason for the trip to D-town....so I knew it was going to be a good weekend.
The bride and I went to go get mani's and pedi's on Friday at this great spa in Frisco. I got this coffee mani and pedi -- it was delicious. I hadn't had a mani and pedi in a while, and I swear I lost 2 pounds - one off each foot!! But my feet are now really really soft! MD and I had a great time catching up since i don't get to see her as much as i did when she lived here in H-town.
Then it was time to settle in to the cottages at the country club - we had this great idea to rent out these cottages that are owned by the country club where the reception was. It was a great idea...they were very pretty and it was really great to get to walk home from the reception. But what we didn't know was there was a roach problem (um, i mean i picked up at least 5-10 new dead ones each morning - trying to do it before eveyone else realized how bad it was!!), our front door was just to the righ of the driving range - so everytime we walked out of our door we said a quick prayer that no one shanked one before we could take cover around the corner, and we had a little issue with cottage #2 where when we checked in 3 hours before the wedding and realized there was no AC! (let's just say that was the last straw and demanding and evil karen came out, but we won't go into that becuase it wasn't very pretty!)
Then it was the rehearsal time -- just the norm except the sweet old lady telling me "sweetie, you better be careful in those heels - these stairs are slippery and i don't want you to fall"....which if you know me basically means, you will bust your butt becuase you are clumsy....its just a matter of time. (I can say that I made it through both the rehearsal and wedding without falling down!) And the rehearsal dinner - which my favorite part was getting to catch up with old friends....SM, KC and RC, and KC's mom GF and of course with the bride and groom.
That's one of my favorite things about weddings - is getting so spend time with people you don't get to see everyday. Although we all live in H-town, we don't get to see each other as much as we would like. So this weekend we got to spend a lot of time together and catching up....at the rehearsal dinner, shopping at the outlet mall (and all of us spending an alarming amount of money in a short period of time!), drinking mimosas as the bridal party got ready, laughing on the dance floor, recapping the nights activites with a night cap or while drinking mimosas when we woke up and needed something to make us feel better! And of course, the wedding went off without a hitch. We were all so happy to be there to celebrate with MD and KG on their wedding day!

Here's a picture of LG and I at the wedding....before we decided to hit the dancefloor - and after that, our makeup and hair would NOT be the same!



Here's a picture of KL, MD, and SM. Of course, the bride looked beautiful!!!

college friends...

I love coming to Dallas...not lying when I say that its after trips like this one that I really have a rough time going back to Houston. I have had such an amazing last 5 days in the big D-town -- and lots of it centered around these college peeps (now, the wedding and getting to hang out with the H-town peeps was also fantastic -- I'll blog about that one when I have more time tomorrow).
Everytime I come to Dallas I try to hook with with these guys and catch up. And by catch up, I mean, meet for dinner, drink lots of beer while eating too much food, busting each other's chops and laughing so hard till your sides hurt. And somewhere in the middle of all that, there are lots of hugs as well as "the finger" getting shot across the table....tonight was no exception....we are a funny group and most resturants groan when we walk in- we are the loud table that will sit there for 3 hours (and tonight is no exception!) driving everyone crazy!
The thing that I love about this crew is that we all know each other so well. We don't see each other very often, but everytime we all get together, it is like we've spent the last 7 years hanging out almost every weekend like we did in college. We still know how to push each others buttons, how to make everyone laugh, and who will fall for the stupid jokes -- Mr. Hunt for those in the know (KJ!). They just bring a smile to my face every time I get to see them...

I also got to see my friend JM - and her precious daughter EM. We were in accounting together at A&M and spent many a night in some lecture / CPA prep class where she understood everything and I understood about nothing! ha! I love JM - she has the sweetest heart and she is another one that I don't talk to as often as i like, but whenever i do it is like nothing has ever changed.
EM is almost 3 and is the cutest thing ever -- I am kicking myself for not taking pictures with her. I haven't seen them in almost a year and I am so glad I got to see them. She is just like her mother - she got that OCD accountant gene. She was pulling off stickers and putting them on her mothers leg -- in the straightest line I have ever seen. If one sticker got out of line we HAD to fix it. She was stinking cute. I loved it when I went in to take a shower (she was reading books in the playroom) and I came out and she was laying on the floor outside the bathroom waiting for me to come out. It was really cute...I was sad to leave her!!
Now the play time in D-town is over....I have to go to training tomorrow and am excited about getting to see some of my cousins and my mom tomorrow night for dinner!! yahoo!!!

a new favorite cooking website..

I admit it - I watch PBS. I do...mainly because I don't have cable and when awful things like the Presidential debates come on, I have to find something else to watch. So I usually end up on PBS. I have gotten hooked on the America's Test Kitchen show when it is on.

The greatest thing about this show is they discuss WHY you do something. Which is why I like it even more!! They were making a chocolate cake not to long ago and the way they made the icing was so different from everything I had ever seen before (and they explained why it was better and exactly how to make it and took the time to show you all the steps and what it looked like), I knew I had to go online and get the recipe. Basically, the icing was chocolate, butter and some other things heated, and then you whipped in cold cream and viola - icing! No powered sugar or lumps ever again!

While searching for the recipe (which I now have obtained, but I registered on PBS, then for this other website which was a bit annoying, but I digress) I came across the Cooks Illustrated website (http://www.cooksillustrated.com/). It isn't free (although there is a 14 day trial and it is like $35 / year) but it is awesome.

Here is one reason I like it -- they actually test out multiple recipes to find the best one. For instance -- chocolate chip cookies. How many times have you made chocolate chip cookies and wanted these thick, chewy cookies and got these flat crispy things?!? Well, they figured out the problem and came up with a solution...here is an excerpt:

'One key element in achieving this cookie was melting the butter. According to food scientist Shirley Corriher, when butter is melted, free water and fat separate. When this melted butter is combined with flour, the proteins in the flour grab the water and each other to immediately form elastic sheets of gluten. This creates a product with a chewy texture. At the same time, the sugars and fats are working to inhibit gluten formation, which prevents the cookies from getting too tough. After numerous tests, varying the type of flour, the proportion of flour to butter, and sifting and not sifting, we decided that the best cookie resulted from unsifted, bleached, all-purpose flour, which has a lower protein content than unbleached. Also, the problem of the cookie hardening after several hours was eliminated by the addition of a single egg yolk; the added fat acts as a tenderizer.'

Really, it is way more than I EVER needed to know, but I am glad to have a great recipe where you melt the butter, add an egg yolk and have FABULOUS cookies!! (which I am about to get up to make, yes, with the new Grand Mixer and my staff at work tomorrow will be oh, so happy!)

(and of course, now that I have a years membership - if you need any really great recipes, let me know! for the chocolate chip cookie recipe, they tried 40 recipes to find this one! LOVE IT that they tried that many and came up with the best!)

And here's the recipe...just becuase I want everyone to make perfect chocolate chip cookies too!

Makes 1 1/2 dozen 3-inch cookies
2 1/8 cups bleached all-purpose flour (about 10 1/2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar (light or dark), 7 ounces
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 - 2 cups chocolate chips or chunks (semi or bittersweet)

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions. Mix flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Either by hand or with electric mixer, mix butter and sugars until thoroughly blended. Mix in egg, yolk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients; mix until just combined. Stir in chips.

3. Place formed dough onto one of two parchment paper-lined 20-by-14-inch lipless cookie sheets, about nine dough balls per sheet. Smaller cookie sheets can be used, but fewer cookies can be baked at one time and baking time may need to be adjusted. (Dough can be refrigerated up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month—shaped or not.)

4. Bake, reversing cookie sheets’ positions halfway through baking, until cookies are light golden brown and outer edges start to harden yet centers are still soft and puffy, 15 to 18 minutes (start checking at 13 minutes). (Frozen dough requires an extra 1 to 2 minutes baking time.) Cool cookies on cookie sheets. Serve or store in airtight container.

Update - the cookies just came out of the oven and they are perfect. They are "puffy" not flat, and have the perfect texture. I will get my staff to give their opinion tomorrow!