Hair Tutorial Half Up Poof with Twist

That time I started a YouTube Channel...

I did it. I finally decided to try something outside the box, outside the norm for me. I started a YouTube Channel. Why? I have no idea. Okay- maybe I do. I wanted to do something different...I love to tell people about neat things I have found and enjoy sharing my love for new hairstyles or make up techniques. So, I thought why not? What do I have to lose? {Besides the fact I am putting myself out there on video for all the world to see.}

In any event, you can expect more posts from me here from now on- promise!- and my new videos that will post every 1 or 2 weeks. If you have any suggestions or requests for videos, feel free to comment and let me know.

Here is my most recent video- dedicated to products I am loving: July Edition.

Talk to you soon!

Awhile..

As per usual, it has been awhile (ummm 3 months...) since my last post. I always have things to say, but always have some mad brainstorming ideas when I am barreling down the roadway. And naturally I do not write them down- as well, lets be realistic- that would be considered unsafe.

So, as I was catching up on my favorite blogs, listening to Pitch Perfect for the upteenth time- (Rebel Wilson anyone?) snowflakes are falling, and the fire is roaring (okay, gas fires don't really "roar") I finally felt inspired.

While I have taken this time off from blogging I have really watched a couple of my favorite, go-to blogs change and evolve. Some good and some not so good, in my own, personal opinion. And the not so good ones I think are because of sponsorish type things. I can appreciate sponsors and wanting to get your blog out there to gain more readers and exposure. However, I just feel like a lot of the posts that are sometimes put out there are so scripted and fake. 10 tweets about different sponsors are fine- but "I love this girl!" simply cannot apply to everyone, can it? This also includes putting sponsored post after sponsored posts. Readers are really not interested in your "sponsored opinion" nor do I ever click on the link of the person who is sponsoring that ad. I really do understand why people have sponsors and why people choose to pay for ad space. But I just think readers need a break- I read certain blogs because I like the author and what they write about. Don't we all? Sidenote: I plan on buying ad space at some point or another from blogs that I love, but from those who don't compromise their blog. This did not intend to ruffle any feathers- its just my observation and thoughts. End personal opinion rant.

Now- I am going to go enjoy the snow that has literally begun to look like the inside of a snowglobe. This is the first true snow we have had in over 2 years...so yes, I am happy to see the flurries.

Until next time my sweets...

Instagram life.

What was there before Instagram? I seriously love this app, along with the other 9 million people. I don't really get too caught up in who is following ( is it following?) me or who I am following...I honestly just like the fact that it pinpoints certain things throughout my life. I promise to have the awesome bathroom reveal soon along with some holiday & other DIY projects and a trip to NYC soon. But for now- I shall share some of my 'grams.

Sweet girl

Sweet girl

Knox & daddy.

Christmas cups

Wedding hair for a bride

Wonder Woman!

That's all for now my sweets!

 

Symptoms.

What do you do, when no one knows what's wrong? When you try to explain, but no one gets it. When they think... "Maybe its in your head."

 

For the past year, my husband hasn't felt well. It started with dizziness, feeling nauseous, anxious, tired and many other symptoms. Since I have known my husband for the past 12 years, I know what he has felt like before. What he feels like when he feels good...when he has energy, when he looks rested. We have been to the ER, Urgent Care, to his primary physician, neurologists, GI's and even a holistic doctor- who talks to your muscles and asks the patients body what is wrong {that was VERY hard one for me}..you name it, we've been there. And all we have heard is... "We can't find anything that would cause all of this. We will just have to treat the symptoms." In case you didn't know, "treating the symptoms" means we'll give you several different medications and see if it works, even though we have no idea what is wrong with you.

 

To say we are frustrated is an understatement. It is amazing to me that doctors today dance around the fact that they might have no idea what is wrong with their patient. But I believe that if you are a doctor, it is your duty to refer your patient to someone who might know. Someone who might think differently. Someone who just might listen to the one symptom {that we have been saying for the past year} and run with it.

 

We chose to go to Mayo. If you know anything about the medical world- you know that Mayo is where you go if you are looking for answers. It is marketed as "the place" to go, when you have something serious going on. If no one else can tell you anything. You are told to plan for a week so that you can see specialist after specialist. Yes, those who have cancer go to Mayo. And I was so surprised when I told people what we were doing. The looks on their faces said it all..."You are what? Why would you do that?" It's funny how judgy people can be, when its something as serious as your health. Just because you don't "get it" doesn't mean you should cast your judgy eyes my way. Besides the fact that it makes me want to poke one of your judgy eyes out- its just not a nice thing to do.

 

We waited 3 months for this appointment and both took a week off of work and headed to Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida. I am a Type-A, organization is my game, kind of person. So we showed up that Monday morning prepared with all of our documents. 100+ pages of medical history, a medical timeline I made, MRI & CT results. You name it- I had it, or knew about it.

 

Fast forward to that Wednesday. I cried all 3 days at one time or another. Out of pure "I can't believe this is happening" frustration. Our first day at Mayo we saw only our Internal Medicine doctor. Why? Because they told us the specialists she was referring us to weren't available until Mid- October. OCTOBER. {this was mid-September}. We do not live in Florida. The blood work she requested was lost in the system. It was only because I marched my sobbing- IknowIlooklikemydogjustdied tail back to the registration desk and asked to speak with the Doctor again, that anything happened. That, and the grace of 2 receptionists that sat behind the desk that Monday. Word to the wise- if you ever, ever need anything- it is best to not be rude to the two who blink back at you with the computer mouse in their hands. These two became our advocates during this week. Because of them, we were worked into the schedule because they happened to know the floor supervisors. At one point we waited a total of 7 hours in a waiting room to see one of the specialists. SEVEN. Only to be told "you can go ahead and leave, they are done for the day."

 

Needless to say- we left Mayo 4 days later with no more answers then we had going in. We did finally see all of the specialists she recommended- but only because I pushed and asked. And pushed and asked. I undoubtedly know that most of the people {many of the older generation} show up there with many of the same unanswered questions only to hear "They can't see you until mid-whenever." And with that, they turn around and go home. At some point in my life- I will become an advocate for these couples that I see. Because no one should ever have to wait in a waiting room on stand-by for 7 hours only to rudely be told to go home. I am writing this mainly for others who are trying to decide if they should make the decision to go to Mayo. It was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be fast-paced efficiency. Where the doctor had reviewed his medical history- where a timeline would be laid out for us. Where specialists were waiting for us. When instead it was like starting over at a new doctor's office. Where we had to fight to get appointments to see them. Where if we hadn't befriended the two receptionists, we would have gone home without ever seeing another specialist. {We delivered cupcakes to them the morning we left.}

 

We are still in limbo- waiting for more results and more findings. Which we have accepted will most likely tell us nothing. We are so tired and exhausted mentally and emotionally. My husband works through everything- the Flu, strep...so its hard to know he doesn't feel good everyday. As time goes on we pray to find answers to the questions we have.

 

Moral of the story? Be your own advocate. Fight for the answers. Don't give up. Repeat.

 

 

Blogsy.

Remember when I gushed about Blogsy? It was a lie. I just lost a 6 paragraph post.

 

That's all.

Life Lately

I know its been awhile- please accept my apologies. I don't often write about exactly what is going on and sometimes I just kinda "scoot" over the things that are going on. Don't all bloggers? You want to put yourself out there, but most of the time you can't really put yourself out there because sometimes the things you want to say are about people who might happen upon your blog- and then where will you be? Maybe 1 friend down I suppose.

First things first- I am so in love with Blogsy. I was struggling with posting because I fight with my laptop frequently and therefore I am constantly on my iPad. And iPad + blogger = headache. Until I found Blogsy. There are a few other blog apps out there for iPad, but this one got the best reviews.

Where would we be without google? Seriously.

I have to admit I am completely thankful that September is coming to a close. It was a month that had so much going on and created so much stress, that I am just happy to put it all behind us.

A week ago, I left for San Diego for a work function. Every year, we fly out to meet with consultants who work with my office and are in meetings for a few days and they always have such amazing things for us to do planned. Example:

Who doesn't love a cute elephant butt?

We had dinner at the San Diego Zoo- that was closed down, just for our group. If you don't know anything else about me- just know that I LIVE for animals. I would seriously be Dr. Doolittle if I could. Remember when I said I was campaigning for goats? Ya, that is still happening. The next day we had an obstacle course, full of running through a bounce house {have you seriously tried that now that you are a grown up? Its no joke when you get stuck in a crack and you literally cannot.get.out} rowing outrigger, playing dodgeball {I really, really hate games with flying balls. I know, I know...that could go so many ways} amongst other things. It was a good time. Flew home on the red-eye Saturday night and arrived home only to repack my suitcase and head to Florida. And no, it wasn't for an amazing vacation. Stay with me and I will tell you exactly why.

Until next time- I leave you with this.

Fall makes me horribly happy. And who can resist a tiny hedgehog?