A Hello Plus Sunday Steaing & Sat9

Hi Everyone!! How are all my bloggy friends!! I wanted to pop in and say hello. I'm sorry I have been having bloggers block lately. I've been having such a hard time coming up with stuff to blog about. Plus with my hubby's new hours, I go on the computer SO late at night that it is almost time for me to go to bed. I get home from work at 6:30 or 7pm and he leaves for work at 10pm. So, I have been trying to spend as much time with him as I can. It is terrible having different working schedules.

Updates on the Wrap Lady saga....Well my nightime garments came in on Friday and I went to pick them up on Saturday. Guess what .... they are too big!!!! I cannot even believe it! They were giving me rubber gloves to put them on with because it helps with the material and all. I took the garment and put them on like they were a pair of socks!!! That is how easy they went on. I lost some weight since I got measured but it sure as heck wasn't all in my legs. My legs look the same to be honest...so either the fitter measured me wrong or they were made too big. She had to use clamps to tighten it on my legs so the company who made them can know how much to take them in. This company is very precise with their product though. They even make the seams on the outside so the seams cannot even scratch you (they fear people getting cellulitis). You have to see these things to believe it...the picture does not do it justice. They look like huge puffed up oven mits. They come with a compression jacket to add more compression and protect the garment. They are shipping them back on Monday. What worries me is in case the measurements were wrong, my Farrow Wraps are already in the process of being made...they may have already shipped out. I can never win!



1. What are your current obsessions?
Watching shows like The Biggest Loser, The Locator, I Want To Save Your Life...oh yeah, and Facebook.

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
Different types of athletic pants because they fit over the wraps on my legs. They are the black ones with the stripes down the side. I look like The Rock in them. LOL!

3. What's for dinner?
Tonight we are meeting with my BFF Colleen and I'll be having a chopped salad because I'm being good.

4. Last thing you bought?
A bottle of water at the Wawa (convenience store chain like 7-11 or Quik Chek)

5. What are you listening to?
A bird chirping outside. About 5 minutes ago I was listening to a stupid kid revv his engine for 10 minutes. "ooohhhh I'm so impressed" - I hate when people do that.

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?
Venus...LOL

7. Favorite holiday spots?
Home

8. Reading right now?
I'm reading 4 books now...1) Still reading Miss Invisible 2 & 3) Lymphedema books 4) The Biggest Loser 30 Day Jumpstart

9. 4 words to describe yourself.
Loyal, funny, kind, and determined

10. Guilty pleasure?
Sawyer from Lost and watching The Biggest Loser. I just love that show.

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?
My best friend Colleen and my husband. They are SO funny.

12. Planning to travel to next?
A day trip to meet Sue!!!

13. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
My chopped salad last week at the diner....or my Subway 6 inch tuna on wheat. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

14. When did you last get tipsy?
Near Valentines Day/anniversary of when my hubby & I first started dating, he took me to our favorite Portuguese restaurant and I had Sangria with him. Yummy!

15. Care to share some wisdom?
Knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss. Actually I only know that phrase because when I was in high school my stupid Sophomore year English teacher made us write it 1000 times (numbered) for a homework assignment one night. I think he was smoking crack or something.

16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you?
"Your Mom would be proud of you"

Major kudos to Sam for putting up an Elvis 45 pic. LOVE IT!

1. If you could have just one more conversation with a person from your past, who would it be?
My Mom for sure.

2. Do your friends tend to be male or female?
Both

3. What is in your car’s trunk?
Too much useless stuff that I don't want to throw away. I gotta make the break. LOL

4. What was the last CD that you purchased?
I can't even remember....I mainly listen to Elvis, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, U2, Meat Loaf, Billy Joel and the classic rock cd's I already had. I'm not much into new music.

5. What is your favorite movie and why?
I have two favorite movies. 1st being Gone With The Wind. It is a classic. I think Scarlett is a riot and Rhett Butler is classic eye candy. *swoon* -- My other favorite movie would have to be Grumpy Old Men. Jack Lemmon is my favorite actor and him & Walter Matthau crack me the hell up SO much. I think they are HYSTERICAL together. I own all their movies they did together. Just two funny & amazing actors.

6. If you could wake up with a new talent tomorrow, what would it be?
To sing like Susan Boyle

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
Saturday

8. What are you wearing when you feel you’re at your best?
When I'm not 'wrapped', I love wearing my jeans and a t-shirt. I'm very comfy in that.

9. When was the last time cried?
Last night watching "The Locator" and "I Want To Save Your Life"

A Day Late And A Dollar Short

1. If you could skywrite anything you wanted, what would it be?
"If You Are Reading This, Pay Attention To The Road - That's How Accidents Happen!"

2. Did you get drunk at your prom?
I couldn't afford to go to my prom :(

3. What is your favorite spice to use cooking?
Being Italian...my favorite is garlic

4. What color is your roof?
I'm not sure because it is a flat roof and we live in an apartment complex and I can't see that high.

5. In a land far, far away I had a dream that I rescued Sawyer from the island.

6. In the Miss USA pageant, Miss California was asked; "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?" and her answer was; "Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um, we live in a land that you can choose same sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and in, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," Carrie said to a mix of boos and applause. "No offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman." Do you think that cost her the crown?
In the words of Berleen, "Blah, blah, blah"

7. Do you watch Miss USA/Miss America pageants?
No

8. Have you ever driven/ridden on a tractor?
No

9. For the parents - what cartoon/children show did your child watch obsessively? (Hey, if you aren't a parent, maybe a niece or nephew...)
How about since I don't have kids I can talk about what I watched obsessively? LOL! The answer would be Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and The Magic Garden.

10. If I set a level on your living room floor - would it show that it was level?
I couldn't give you an accurate answer since I never put a level up to test it. LMAO!

11. What was the last restaurant you ate at?
Subway

12. What's the picture on your wall calendar for this month?
Gee, I'll give you one hint...intials are E.P. --->LOL!

13. Are you superstitious?
Depends...I knock on wood on occasion

14. If I get into your car and turn on the radio - what type of radio station will I hear?
Classic Rock

15. Would you rather wake up with a snake in your bed or a lizard?
I'll pick C. Neither

16. Do you think schools have changed at all since the Columbine tragedy 10 years ago? In what ways?
I think that schools are more cautious.

What's Happening & Sunday Stealing

It has been a banner week hasn't it? I have beem M.I.A. and I do apologize. I thought I'd give you all some updates. Well...therapy is going OK thank God. I'm still going three times a week. Bud, you will be happy to know that FINALLY the Wrap Lady doesn't suck anymore. My garments were ordered on Friday. Only 2 weeks, 1 day and 3hrs after I got fitted for them, but whose counting? The end result was this - I had to take matters into my own hands. I called my insurance company and put in a complaint as to why they weren't getting back to the fitter with authorization for the garments. The Wrap Lady faxed them three times. Reason...are you ready for this....you don't need authorization! Things that piss me off - 1) Why didn't the Wrap Lady call the insurance compay instead of waiting on faxes to be answered. 2) Why didn't the insurance call the Wrap Lady and let her know she didn't need authorization. As long as a letter of medical necessity and a prescription is sent in with the claim, it will be processed - BUT, it is not a guarantee of payment. I swear, you can not just get a straight answer with insurance. Anyway, I had the insurance company put me on hold and talk to the fitter (Wrap Lady's) billing person and they ordered them on "good faith" that the insurance will cover the cost. The good news is that they are "in network" and if they agree to pay for them, they will cover 85% of the allowable charges. I will be responsible for the rest. The cost is not pretty though - trust me.

My Farrow Wraps (the easier garments for me to use daily) will take 1 to 2 weeks and the Solaris night garments will take 2 to 3 weeks. I hope they come sooner!


1. My uncle once : was a decorated police officer who got injured in the line of duty

2. Never in my life : have I been to a Broadway show and I live only 12 miles from NYC

3. When I was seventeen : I was a senior is high school

4. High School was : alright...I would go back in time and do it again if I could

5. I will never forget : My wedding day

6. I once met : Little Steven Van Zandt and Meat Loaf

7. There’s this girl I know who : is typing the answers to Sunday Stealing

8. Once, at a bar : I sang karaoke

9. By noon, I’m usually : Ready to go home from work but then realize I still have 5hrs to go

10. Last night : I slept bad

11. If only I had : enough money to pay off my bills, then I would rest easy

12. Next time I go to gym/church : I'll be there

13. Susan Boyle : is an inspiration. I love her voice and see a very bright future ahead of her.

14. What worries me most : is knowing that I will have to start looking for a new job soon since my boss is moving the office 80miles away from my house.

15. When I turn my head left, I see : my kitchen

16. When I turn my head right, I see : window blinds

17. You know I’m lying when : I don't look you in the eye

18. What I miss most about the eighties : Aqua-Net and good music

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be : Juliet

20. By this time next year : hopefully I will be in a better place with my lymphedema, be employed, and have some of my bills paid off.

21. A better name for me would be : Jodi Presley or Jodi Holloway

22. I have a hard time understanding : why bad things happen to good people

23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll : probably study something in the medical field like transcription, respiratory therapist or x-ray technician.

24. You know I like you if : talk to you

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be : My Mom

26. When I compare 80’s rock to 90’s rock : there really is no comparison. Bring back the 80s.

27. Take my advice, never : talk on a cell phone while it is plugged in charging.

28. My ideal breakfast is : Eggs over medium, burnt bacon, and hash browns with coffee & toast

29. A song I love, but do not own is : Susan Boyle's version of "I Dreamed A Dream"

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest : not drinking the water, it sucks.

31. My favorite Beatle is : John Lennon

32. Why won’t people : drive a little bit slower?

33. If you spend the night at my house : it wouldn't be comfortable unfortunately...we don't have a spare bedroom and the couch needs to be replaced.

34. I’d stop my wedding for : Elvis or Josh "Sawyer" Holloway

35. The world could do without : racism

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than : actually I'd rather not...gross

37. My favorite blonde is : Josh Holloway since he has blonde highlights

38: Paper clips are more useful than : bite me! (ode to Bud)

39. If I do anything well, it’s : getting along with others

40. And by the way : LOST is the best TV show - Ever!

Never Judge A Book By It's Cover

This goes to show that we should never judge a book by it's cover. Simply amazing. I get tears in my eyes every time I hear her sing.

Sunday Stealing Plus

1. What is your current obsession?
Elvis, Sawyer from Lost, FB, and chasing after the Wrap Lady (see Sat9 post)

2. What’s a good coffee place?
Dunkin Donuts. I also like McDonalds coffee.

3. Who was the last person that you hugged?
My husband before he left for work

4. Do you nap a lot?
No. Maybe once on a weekend.

5. Tonight, what’s for dinner?
We are going to go out for dinner...I'm probably going to have a salad with chicken in it. Boring I know. I'm 'trying' to be good.

6. What was the last thing that you bought?
Bacon bits. (You asked)

7. What is your favorite weather?
70 degree weather on a nice, sunny day. That is my favorite temperature. Just warm enough where you can wear a t-shirt & jeans and now swelter. Perfect.

8. Tell us something about one blogger who you think will play this week?
I believe Bud will blog this week and I think he is one of the funniest people I have ever 'met'.

9. If you were given a free house that was full furnished, where in the world would you like it to be?
I would love a fully furnished Victorian house with a big wrap-around porch. I would like it to be placed in a state in the USA that would have 70 degree weather all year round. So wherever the heck that is.

10. Name three things that you could not live without.
1) My family (Includes: My husband, Harley, my immediate family & close friends)
2) My computer
3) Hmmm...tie between cell phone & coffee

11. What would you like in your hands right now?
Now that I mentioned coffee.....

12. What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
I love watching The Biggest Loser this year. That is my 2nd favorite show. My favorite is LOST in case you didn't know ;)

13. What would you change or eliminate about yourself?
My procrastination.

14. As a child, what type of career did you want?
I wanted to be a teacher for the blind or deaf. As you can see I made a wrong turn.

15. What are you missing right now?
I miss my hubby right now...he is working the graveyard shift.

16. What are you currently reading?
I'm actually reading 3 books right now. "Miss Invisible" by Laura Jensen Walker, "Voices of Lymphedema" and "Living Well With Lymphedema

17. What do you fear the most?
Someone I love dying

18. What’s the best movie that you’ve seen recently?
I've only watched older movies. If I had to say the last good movie I saw in the theatre would have to be "The Bucket List"

19. What’s your favorite book from the past year?
Any three of Erynn Mangum's Lauren Holbrook series books - "Miss Match", "Rematch" and "Match Point"

20. Is there a comfort food from your childhood that you still enjoy?
Macaroni and cheese
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HAPPY EASTER to all my friends who celebrate this beautiful holiday. I hope you all have a beautiful day.

By the way, my mother-in-law checked herself out of the hospital this afternoon. Yes...you read right...checked herself out. UGH! I am so frustrated. The cardiologist cleared her to leave but her PCP that the hospital appointed didn't clear her. He wasn't coming in today. She felt like since the cardiologist was allowing her to leave that she was good enough to go home. I just felt like maybe the PCP could have ordered more tests to see what else can be causing the chest pains. I love her but she is very stubborn! She promised me she would make an appointment to go see a regular doctor and follow up with the cardiologist. My husband knew she was going to do that..."that's just the way my Mom is". Ugh!!!

Saturday 9 Plus Hello

1. There are several religious holidays going on this weekend. Any plans?

We celebrate Easter. We had planned to go up to my in-laws, but my MIL is in the hospital. She was having chest pains yesterday. They did some kind of test that they had to go through the leg & groin area to see if she had a blockage in an artery. Luckily there wasn't a blockage because if there was they would have had to put a balloon stent in. Now they just have to figure out what was causing her chest pains. Oh yeah, the question...Sorry...Well we will go visit her in the hospital and then we will go out to dinner.

2. Do you look forward to holiday events or do they stress you out?

To be completely honest, ever since my Mom passed away in what will be 18yrs in May, the holidays aren't the same. I don't get excited for them. It is sad, but I can't help it.

3. Do you have any traditional meals that you will eat?

Well on Easter when my sisters and I and the rest of the family get together we would have some type of pasta and a ham.

4. We are changing seasons. What are you looking forward to?

I look forward that there will be no snow for at least 8 months! Hallelujah!

5. Around here it is turning to spring. What signals spring to you?

The April rain. It has been raining here everyday. But I don't mind because it isn't snow. Did I mention that I hate snow with a passion? Just in case you were wondering.

6. What is your favorite season and why?

I love both spring and fall. I love it when you can just walk around with a t-shirt and not have to wear a jacket, yet it is not sweltering. If I could live someplace where it was 70 degrees year-round that would be my ideal place.

7. Do you have a favorite food when dining out?

Depends on the place we go. If it is a nicer place, I love to get shrimp scampi.

8. What is your favorite beverage when out?

If you are talking alcoholic beverage that would be either a Malibu Bay Breeze (I'm such a girl!) or Sangria. Non-alcoholic I usually drink a Diet Coke or an unsweetened iced tea with Equal.

9. When is your next big night out?

I'm not sure. It is hard now since my hubby is working the graveyard shift.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since Tuesday. I'm really slacking off here. I just feel like I'm either working, commuting, or at physical therapy. I've put so many miles on my car in the past few weeks with going back and forth to work and PT. It is crazy.

I have still not received my Farrow Wraps or my night garments. Remember, I ordered them last Thursday. I called the fitter yesterday and she tells me that she is still trying to get the authorization from my insurance company and they should "have an answer by today". She never called me. I am fixing to call her after 10am today to see what the deal is. She said once they get the authorization she will put the orders in and they will take 1 to 2 weeks to come in. So....I still have to wait. I thought I would have had them by now and now they aren't even ordered yet! Grrrrr.

I wish I had something more interesting to say, but that is all that is going on with me right now. I will leave you with an adorable picture captured on my cell phone camera from this morning when I woke up. Keep in mind that I'm "all wrapped up" and can't feel much because of all the layers of bandages, cotton, and foam padding. The stockinette covers it to protect the bandages from getting dirty. Anyway, I was asleep and I felt something touch my feet and I felt pressure on my ankle....this is what it was. I grabbed for my cell phone to capture the moment. Sorry it is so grainy, you know cell phones. Just look at that paw!! I just love him so much!

Tuesday Funny

Today is such a cold day here in NJ. Yesterday it poured all day. That saying that April showers bring May flowers is way over-rated. I have to say it really stunk walking around with my cast shoes trying to avoid puddles which would soak my wraps. I needed to go back in time when people wore galoshes. LOL!

I had a crappy day though. I all about lost it on the phone with the woman that fitted me for my day & night garments. I wanted to take the advice of the little girl in the video above and "kick her ask". I called to see how long it would be until my garments were in so I could make provisions at work to take the time off to go to her place. Well, she informed me that she is "buried in paperwork" and hasn't even called the insurance yet to get the authorization. This was as of 4pm on Monday. That translates into my not holding my breath in hopes of getting them this week. They are all being custom made. There is no way. I don't even know how I would get them next week. I'll probably hear some song & dance about it being a holiday week. Grrrr!

So as you can see I'm frustrated & cranky. I needed that laugh that this video provided.

Sunday Stealing: Our Third Meme About Blogging

OK...even though this feels like deja-vu, I'll do this meme. LOL! What is up with the memes this weekend???

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?
Since I'm an Elvis fan I wanted to have a bit of an Elvis reference just to amuse myself. "Moody Blue" happens to be one of my favorite Elvis songs & plus I always wanted to have a color of Crayola named after it, so that is how I chose it. In the beginning I always tried to have blue backgrounds to make the color match the title, now I put anything up because everyone who knows me, knows that it is just a title.

2. What are your general goals for blogging?
I try to make this a place to share my thoughts, my goals, my life, my happiness, my sorrow. I try not to get "too private" because you never know who is lurking around out there.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous? It is largely anonymous. I've said a number of times that I'd rather share my thoughts and happenings in my life with my bloggy friends rather than people I know in my own personal life. Some distant family members "like to talk" and I avoid telling them about the blog because of that reason. They have nothing else better to do than to talk about other people. AND...if any of you distant family members are reading this and feel a twinge...you know I'm talking about you!
How often do you post (x per week)? I used to be reeealllly good and post 7 days a week. Now I post about 5. I'm going to get back in the groove though, I promise.

4. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?
I try to read some everyday. Sometimes I just go on and do a post so I can get something up there. With the way my stupid schedule has been with doing the physical therapy & wrapping/unwrapping I feel like I'm in a web of short stretch bandages and I can't get out. LOL

5. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?)
All the blogs that I read are either humor blogs or people who write about their everyday life. Those are the blogs that I prefer. I'm a "what you see is what you get" type of person. I value honesty and humor is a plus.

6. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?
I'll probably just keep it here or maybe someday print it out.

7. What are the things you like best about blogging?
The ability to write from your heart, vent, and talk to the wonderful friends I have made on here. I lucked out big time in that area.

8. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?
The guilt I feel about not getting to post or read other people's blogs for a few days. I feel terribly guilty about that. OH and one more thing...another thing I hate about blogging is when people keep deleting their blogs then they reappear but yet they are different.

9. How do you handle comments?
I used to reply within the comment section. Now I read them & enjoy them because I would feel bad if I missed someone. There's that Italian guilt thing again.

10. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?
Ask Emily Post because I'm a go with the flow type of gal.

11. Any desired blog features?
I'll get back to you on that one.

12. Have you suffered blog addiction?
Yes I have. I didn't fully comprehend how bad it was until I was in the hospital in January. I was in what is called withdrawal. Nothing says addiction like having Sue read me what was going on with everyone while I was on the phone with her from my hospital bed. LOL! I'm much better now though. I learned to prioritze...Hehehehehe.

A Funny Plus Saturday 9

First the funny part because to be honest, Saturday 9 this week is b-o-r-i-n-g. (Sorry Sam!)

Please take a moment to view this short 32sec video. Believe it or not, it is for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. This kid is hysterical!!! Start playing attention close around the .16 second mark. After his funny line, you have to hear what else he says after it. Let me know what you think...




1. Are you an organized person?

• As much as I can be

2. What is one thing about your home that has to be just so or it drives you crazy when it comes to organization?

• I know you may find this hard to believe but...my Elvis Presley collection.

3.Do you have one little nuance about your organization that most people consider to be a little over the top? What is it?

• No

4. What is your favorite organizational tool? (bins, closet organizers, etc.)

• Rubbermaid storage bins or Tupperware

5. Where is your favorite place to buy organizational needs?

• Target

6. Are you more organized at work or at home?

• Work

7. Are you more or less organized than your significant other?

• Bite me (Thank's for the inspiration Bud!)

8. Does your significant other help or hurt organization?

• He really does try. He is always buying Rubbermaid or those Sterlite containers to pack stuff away into our huge storage closet. I will give him that. He just doesn't put things in the right places. It is hard to find stuff.

9. What is the most important recreational items that you organize?

• Is it me or is this meme completely boring this week?

Fitted

YAY! It is Friday! What a long week it has been! I hope everyone has had a lovely week. It has been a rainy last couple of days in NJ with no hopes of drying up until next week I'm afraid.

Yesterday I got fitted for my easier alternative to wrapping myself during the day and the garment I will wear at night. It was a l-o-n-g process because they take precise measurements. The lady actually took pictures of my legs too and traced my foot on a piece of paper. I felt like I was reverting back to kindergarten. LOL!

Anyway, let me show you what the wonderful world of lymphedema can get ya. Below is the Farrow Wrap. On the right side is a silver lining liner that I will wear on each leg to protect the skin. The middle is the footpiece I will wear on each leg. The left side is the wrap I will have for both legs from ankle to knee. Thank God it didn't have to go mid-thigh although could you imagine how sexy that would that have been?? LOL!
Below is the lovely night garment I will be wearing each and every night on both legs. How did they know my favorite color was black?

They are custom fitted which translates into alot of money. Please pray my insurance will cover the bulk of these. They are supposed to come in by the end of next week. I do have to say that it will be much easier than wrapping myself. I will still continue my therapy probably until June. My therapist will do the Michelin Man ™ wrapping on on-therapy days but on my off-days I'll wear the Farrow Wraps. At night during my off-therapy days I will wear the Solaris night garments.

"I'm too sexy for these wraps, so sexy for these wraps, so sexy it hurts." - as inspired by Right Said Fred

An iPod Fit For A Queen

OK, am I the only one who thinks that President Obama's gift to the Queen was so cool? I thought it was a very modern gift for the Queen. I think it is so cool that he had it personalized and included a video of her visit to the U.S. He also uploaded a Broadway 2 disc CD.

ROCK ON LIZZIE!!!!

A Different Kind of L Word

I learned a few days ago that Lymphedema has it's own awareness ribbon & pin. I was pretty impressed because so many people haven't heard of the disease. I never heard about it until the doctor told me I had it.

So I ordered the pin in the picture on the left. I figured maybe talking about it would spread awareness. They need so much more research for this disease as it is incurable. That word scares the crap out of me. But luckily it is manageable.

Taken from National Lymphedema Network - "Gradually becoming a nationally recognized symbol for lymphedema awareness and the inspirational movement behind it, the transformational butterfly represents the journey of lymphedema over the past 15 years, from complete obscurity to the gradual light of awareness that is beginning to shine on this largely unrecognized and under-treated epidemic."

Speaking of manageable, I wanted to give you all an update on what this past week in therapy proved to me. I suck at wrapping myself. So much so that my therapist asked me to stop wrapping myself and for her to only do it when I go to therapy. See here is the deal. Michelle and Mabelle (Bud's French twins) and I still cannot connect for them to show me their art in flexibility. Gumby is too busy. So what this leaves me with is myself half-assing it. Well the times that I attempted it I caused more harm than good. I actually made fluid move into my foot because I gave myself bad compression. My therapist said to me that no compression is better than bad compression. So, ladies and gentlemen...I am getting fitted for that Farrow Wrap ™ on Thursday. It should only take a few days for them to custom fit them. So I get wrapped on Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings & Thursday evenings which last until Friday evening. So I will be wrapped 4 days a week until I get the Farrow Wrap ™ I will continue therapy and look like the Michelin Man ™ on those days and on my off-therapy days I will don the Farrow Wrap ™ My therapist says in about a month I can get fitted for the custom compression garments for daytime use and the Solaris ™ night garment for nighttime use. That is what I will wear when I'm done with therapy. I can also sustitute and use the Farrow Wrap ™ for either day or nighttime wear. Ahhh, decisions, decisions. What to do. I'm going to be such a fashion plate. Can't wait to feel how hot all this is going to be in the summer. Ugh!

The post below this...I got lazy and put both Saturday 9 AND Sunday Stealing together.

I will leave you with this Laugh of the day:

My hubby sent me this joke...thought I'd share it with you all.

Another new illness to watch out for - Anal Glaucoma

A woman calls her boss one morning and tells him that she is staying home because she is not feeling well.

"What's the matter?", he asks.

"I have a case of anal glaucoma," she says in a weak voice.

"What the hell is anal glaucoma?", he says hastily.

She replies - "I can't see my ass coming into work today."

Sat 9 AND Sunday Stealing

1. What is your favorite word?

• Harley

2. What is your least favorite word?

• War

3. What turns you on, creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?

• Josh Holloway, oh I'm sorry I read the question wrong.

4. What turns you off?

• Hate and racism

5. What is your favorite curse word?

• This is for Bud - HOLY MOLY! LOL!

6. What sound or noise do you love?

• Harley purring and the sound of my coffee maker brewing

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

• Those little Honda Civic hatchbacks...you know the ones with the noisy mufflers that go by you in traffic. The drivers think they are hot stuff. They don't realize their car sounds like crap.

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

• Well it looks like I will have to really think about this in the near future it seems. I think I would like to change my career and work in the medical field. I would LOVE to work with people who have lymphedema or older people.

9. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

• Elvis wants to see the tattoo.

1. Are you single?

• Only if you are Josh Holloway...other than that nope, I'm married :)

2. Are your parents still married?

• N/A

3. Are you in love?

• Yes

4. Do you believe in love at first sight?

• My husband does..he said he fell in love with me immediately. It took longer for me though. But I suppose it could happen.

5. Who ended your last relationship?

• I did

6. Have you ever been hurt by a break up?

• Sure, even though I ended it, it hurt because we were together a number of years

7. Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

• Yes, see #5

8. Have you ever had a secret admirer?

• Yes once

9. Prefer love or lust?

• Love

10. Prefer a few best friends or many regular friends?

• A few best friends - it is all about quality, not quantity

11. Wild night out or romantic night in?

• Romantic night in

12. Back in the day: Been caught sneaking out?

• No

13. Ever wanted something/someone so badly it hurt?

• No

14. Who are/is your best friend(s)?

• I have a few...My husband, Colleen, my sister Jenny, Monica & Sue :)

15. Ever wanted to disappear?

• Not completely, but go away for awhile and not tell anyone where I was.

16. First attraction: Smile or eyes?

• Both

17. Prefer intelligence or attraction?

• A little bit of both

18. Last phone call you received?

• Hubby telling me he got to work safe

19. Last thing you drank?

• Boring bottled water

20. Before your current one, when was your last relationship?

• A few months before I met my husband. That relationship lasted 4yrs.

21. Do you and your family get along?

• Yes

22. Would you say you have a "screwed up life"?

• Nope, just screwed up luck

23. Have you ever gotten kicked out somewhere? If yes, do tell.

• No

24. Do you trust all your friends?

• Yes I have very loyal and loving friends

25. Who knows the most about you?

• My husband

Exhausted 101

I'm officially exhausted. Between going yesterday to therapy and getting "all wrapped up" and then later on going to not one but two doctors...I'm doing all I can to stay awake. I got up at 4am yesterday to make it in time for therapy. Today I got up at 3:45am so I could unwrap myself, then roll up all the wraps/foam/cotton etc. Then after that I had to shower then re-wrap myself. The whole process takes 2hrs!

Today is a better day than I had the weekend. I feel better about therapy too. My therapist said that my legs are looking healthier and I did not hurt myself by wrapping myself wrong. Thank God. We are opting to wait on that whole Farrow Wrap ™ thing I spoke about too. She gave me something called Tubigrip ™ for in between visits when I don't feel like wrapping. It is a stockinette that has compression on it. She cut it two times the length of my leg so I can put it on, fold it at the ankle and turn the rest inside out so it will then go back up to my knees so I can have double compression. Between that, the wrapping, and the elevating I should be ready to order my compression garments and night garments in a few weeks. How many is few? I still can't get a straight answer.

I'm sorry that my posts have been medical lately. I guess it is because that is what is consuming me lately. It is all I think about. That and my impending job loss come the end of May.

To change the subject....Have any of you seen the Food Network show Chopped? I was watching it the other day and one of the Chefs on there was SO funny. This man named Chef William was allergic to eggplant. So he couldn't taste his recipe and he had a hard time cutting it up because his fingers would swell if he touched "the meat" of the eggplant as he called it. Then it came time to do another course and this one the producers chose grapefruit to be involved in the recipe. Well guess what - Chef William was allergic to grapefruit. The way he said this was hysterical. You had to see the expression on his face to truly appreciate it - "I had swollen, itchy red hands. It was like they were trying to kill me". Again, you had to see it. Did any of you?

Update And Hello

First I would like to thank ALL of you who left such beautiful and encouraging comments about what is going on with me & my lymphedema. I can't tell you what it means to me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. ♥

I've been having a real rough time since my last post. My therapist got sick and canceled our Thursday appointment. I have been wrapping myself since then. And I suck at it. For instance...when I took off the wraps that my therapist did, I saw results. My legs looks like a normal size. I couldn't believe the progress. I actually couldn't believe they were my legs! When I took off the wraps I did, my legs looked just like they did before therapy. It is like I have to start from scratch again on Monday. Another week wasted. It felt like I got kicked in the gut.

It is very hard to wrap yourself. I can't even begin to tell you. I really got to talk to Bud's French Twins because I have to learn about flexibility. I have none. I actually pulled my right hamstring trying to wrap myself. My hubby can't do it either. I am seriously considering ordering the FarrowWrap ™ for both of my legs. It is much easier. I think it will do a world of difference for me. Hopefully my insurance will cover it. It is a series of attached compression garments that is applied with Velcro. I'm debating about this and will talk to my therapist on Monday...God willing she is there!

Other than that, I'm doing OK. I'm just trying to get through this as best I can. Hopefully something will give soon & I can have some peace of mind that this will get better. I'm just really trying to work at getting fitted for the compression garments and night garment so I can live a normal life.

Hopefully soon I can post a "brighter" post. I'm just blah right now. I hope you all understand.