Allergies

I have an apology to make to all my friends and family who suffer from allergies. I will admit, I have always secretly thought that you made them a bigger deal than they should be. I will not tell you the thoughts I had about your ability to tolerate a little discomfort. Please understand, I am allergic to mangoes, but other than being sad because I like them, it hasn't inconvenienced my life unduly. Today I went to the Dr. because I have been convinced for the past three weeks that I had a sinus infection and hoped it would go away on it's own. It didn't, so I broke down, called the Dr., and was convinced I would walk out with a prescription. Imagine my chagrin when I was told that I am allergic to something in the air. Impossible, I thought, that allergies could produce this level of pain and discomfort. I thought seasonal allergies were all about itchy eyes and sneezing, not sinus pressure, ear ache, overwhelming fatigue and coughing. I was so impressed with my fortitude to keep functioning when I thought it was a massive infection taking over my poor sinuses, but now I feel deflated. There is no glory in soldiering through allergies. There can be no sense of accomplishment in something so mundane. So, I tell myself to suck it up (not literally, there is too much phlegm involved for that), and warn my friends without allergies to be cautious in how they secretly (or not so secretly) judge those who do--Karma has a vicious sense of humor.

Mom's Day

I gave myself a wonderful gift today. It was my first day off in almost a month. So, I skipped church, stayed in bed most of the day, didn't get out of my pj's at all, and forgot the outside world existed. I feel rejuvated and no longer like biting someone's (anyone's) head off. I did call my mom for Mother's Day.I know that most people think their mom's are amazing, but mine is truly extraordinary. She left a bad marriage and became a single parent when I was two, my sister was 4, and my brother was 9 months. She never went on welfare, but put herself through Nursing School, while working and raising us. She graduated with a 4.0. She worked hard to provide for us, and always found time to make each of us feel special and loved. Through all of it she sacrificed her sleep, her time, and her emotional reserves. She gave up own dreams to help ours come true; her health to ensure we had the necessities of life; her pride to ask for help when she couldn't do it all. Her body is paying the price for all of those years of walking the hospital floors, working the nightshift, and giving up what little sleep she could have had to spend time with us. If I ever try to say these things to her, she assures me that there were no dreams more important than the three of us, and the pain she lives with every day is a small price to pay for the joy of seeing the people we have become. (Of course, she then throws in a tongue-in-cheek plea for grandchildren; and I've lost my pre-marriage get out of jail free card in which she would drop the subject after I assured her I could provide her with grandchildren at any time). She is one of my best friends. One of the first people I call when there is good new, bad news, or just news. She has been by my side (either physically or emotionally) for every important event of my life. She believes in me more than any other person on Earth (followed closely by my husband and brother).

She doesn't understand how amazing she is, but I do.

There Is No Explanation For Some Pictures

Dear poor, neglected blog; I am sorry to have abandoned you for so many days. I have been so busy I don't even have a clear memory of what kept me away from you. I have vague recollections of using a crate-load of tissues to stem the copious amounts of phlegm my body was producing, while working my butt off to meet the needs of my clients. I finally began to emerge from the cloud of fatigue and nose blowing just in time to have one of my favorite people come into town to stay at the Bond Bed and Breakfast for the weekend. I didn't even realize how much I needed a Girls Night, dear blog, until Ms. V. and I went out for a dinner of appetizers and dessert, followed by a little shopping. It was delightful!

The next night we indulged in one of our favorite pastimes--wandering around some cool architecture and taking fun pictures. Of course, there is no sane explanation for some of the pictures we took....

Before she left, I convinced Ms. V. to take a couple Easter pictures of Mr. B. and I.

Best of all though, I officially became Mrs. B. at some point since the last posting. My social security card AND driver's license are both sportin' the best last name in the history of last names!

I would like to promise to visit you daily from now on, dear blog, but I hate relationships based on lies. It's best if you just accept my limitations. Sincerely, Mrs. B.

Washington DC for Free--Well, Kind Of

We got amazing news today. Mr. B. is a match for someone who needs a bone marrow transplant. Actually, he won't be donating his bone marrow; it will be a less invasive procedure where they take the stem cells out of his blood after 4 days of injections. The procedure (after the 4 days of injections) will consist of 8 hours of him hooked up to something that reminds me of a dialysis machine. I'm so proud of him and his willingness to do something wonderful for someone he has never met. I'm grateful it's not the extremely painful process of having bone marrow extracted, but he was completely ready to do it. I admire him so much for his generous nature and desire to help others (one of the reasons I married him). In addition to the wonderful feeling connected with helping another human being, we will be flown to our Nation's Capital--a place that I LOVE to visit. Mr. B. has never been and I am so excited to share my favorite spots with him. Now I just need to find a babysitter for the puppy--any takers?

Sunday Summary

Things I have not loved this week:

1. Being sick (no voice, sore throat, sneezing and coughing).
2. Sudden cold weather and accompanying worry about the garden.

Things I have loved this week:

1. Mr. B's determination to pamper me back to health (i.e. cuddles on the couch, running to the store for herbal tea and lemons, keeping the vapor mister going, making yummy and nutritious meals, and forcing massive amounts of Vitamin C down my throat).
2. Waking up one morning while Mr. B was at work to find that Louie had jumped into bed and was cuddling with me by practically laying on my face.
3. Seeing Mr. B's 5-year-old kick butt at her tournament and qualify for Nationals.
4. Getting to be part of a ground breaking project at work, which could revolutionarize the way we do attachment work with teens.
5. Having lunch with my trainer from the mission. LOVE HER!
6. Peach herbal tea with honey.
7. Sleeping in and spending all day in my pj's.
8. Spending $125 on groceries and saving $89.67.
9. Having an amazing mother-in-law who is teaching me about coupons, sales and other money saving endeavors.
10. Knowing that after I post this I am going to take a nap :).
11. Having an amazing hubby who understands that he might not see me much for the next two weeks (because of the ground breaking project at work), but is supportive because he understands how much it means to me!

I love weeks where the good stuff completely out-weighs the bad.