On Sunday, we did have a nice dinner to celebrate Tom's birthday. And I do really refer to him as "Big Guy" or TBG since he is very big. In a burly and manly sort of way. 6'2" and 240lbs -- he can pick up a refrigerator by himself -- pretty impressive for a guy who can also ride 75 miles on a bike in three hours!
We met up with friends at a local Vietnamese restaurant. This place is not fancy but the food is great. There were 8 of us. We joked about Tommy's birthday and had a nice meal. At the end, the owner came up to him with a sealed envelope that read "Happy Birthday." We made jokes about it being the check. But it wasn't. The owner gave him a ten dollar gift certificate!
This is one of our favorite places to eat. There used to be two locations -- one was only about three miles from our house. We used to go there every Thursday night for dinner. That location was closed down as a result of eminent domain (the government forces you to sell your land so they can build on it). The second location is on the other side of town. We don't go there as frequently, but will now make an extra effort to do so.
Good service and thoughtful consideration make real business sense. This place is not fancy and it's not expensive, but we choose it over more formal venues because the service is reliable, it's fast and the food is awesome. We rarely splurge on an expensive restaurant meal and will generally do so only with a restaurant.com certificate. That's why places like 99 Fast Food are so worthwhile -- even for special occasions like birthdays.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Last Minute Catastrophes?
I am finally done with all my pre-procedure appointments. I was ordered to get blood work which had to be done no more than seven days or less than one prior to the procedure. I couldn't get the blood work done until my physician wrote the script -- and that was yesterday. So, this morning I tried to get an appointment and the earliest they'd set it up was next Tuesday. My procedure is Monday.
So, I just walked in and it worked out fine. But it's tough to reason that kind of thing out after fasting for 12 hours.
In the midst of my fast, I was presented with two problems. The old lady two houses down had died and her family wants to take her cat and dump him outside somewhere and the rest of my neighbors are begging me to find him a home. A co-worker is out of the country for three months and the kid he arranged to have bring in his mail and mow his lawn has gone AWOL. The local shelter called to see if I could help with a rescue dog.
Our office is closed Friday, so I have tomorrow to sort this out. I told the shelter I don't do rescue anymore. I might bring the cat up there to be humanely euthanized -- because I think that's kinder than turning a 10 year old housecat out. I've sent my co-worker a link to stop his mail on-line. If he needs a lawn guy, I know a landscaper. I took in his mail today, but wasn't inclined to mow for him since I was dressed for work and wearing sandals.
I think I will enjoy being sedated...
So, I just walked in and it worked out fine. But it's tough to reason that kind of thing out after fasting for 12 hours.
In the midst of my fast, I was presented with two problems. The old lady two houses down had died and her family wants to take her cat and dump him outside somewhere and the rest of my neighbors are begging me to find him a home. A co-worker is out of the country for three months and the kid he arranged to have bring in his mail and mow his lawn has gone AWOL. The local shelter called to see if I could help with a rescue dog.
Our office is closed Friday, so I have tomorrow to sort this out. I told the shelter I don't do rescue anymore. I might bring the cat up there to be humanely euthanized -- because I think that's kinder than turning a 10 year old housecat out. I've sent my co-worker a link to stop his mail on-line. If he needs a lawn guy, I know a landscaper. I took in his mail today, but wasn't inclined to mow for him since I was dressed for work and wearing sandals.
I think I will enjoy being sedated...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Time Off
I'm going to be taking some time away from the blog starting on Friday. On Monday the sixth, I'll be having a medical procedure done and it will require at least 7 to 10 days of serious bed rest.
For years, I've been growing fibroid tumors. They were first discovered when I was in my mid twenties. At the time, they were the size of a dime and a nickle. Now they are the size of a tennis ball and a baseball and my uterus has grown to accommodate them. I look as if I am four months pregnant.
Rather than opting for a hysterectomy, I've chosen to have a Uterine Artery Embolization done. This procedure will cost approximately the same as a hysterectomy -- but the recovery time is much less and it isn't invasive. I also get to keep my uterus and cervix. I'll be out of work one week instead of six.
I'm posting about this because the amazing developments in the field of radiology have meant I have more options than my mother ever had. She had a radical hysterectomy at the approximate age of 40 and suffered from extreme osteoporosis. I hope to avoid that fate.
Embolotherapy is sort of the reverse of angioplasty. Rather than clearing out an artery, an Interventional Radiologist inserts small pellets that block the blood flow. This is done in the uterine artery feeding the tumors, accessed via the femoral artery in the hip. The tumors lose their nourishment an oxygen supply then die rather quickly. Once dead, they shrink. The amount of shrinkage can't be predicted, but I am being optimistic that they'll reduce at least by half. I'll be in the hospital over night and then experience extreme fatigue as the tissue dies. That's what will keep me in bed for about a week. A cousin who had this done reported that she slept 20 hours a day for the first week. The pain, however, should be minimal after the first day or so.
A less drastic approach has been developed where a radiologist aims highly focused ultrasound at the tumors from various angles. The temperature of the beam attacks the tissue and it dies. The tissue dies at a slower rate and there is less shrinkage than with a UAE. There is little or no recovery time and minimal side effects. That was the procedure I'd hoped to use -- but one tumor is obstructed by other organs so there would not be a clear or safe shot at it. Three radiologists unanimously concluded that they would not want to use this treatment on me.
In the end, I might have to resort to a hysterectomy. I am 47 and my hope is that the tumors will shrink and no new ones will grow. Once menopause comes along, they generally stop because of the drop in estrogen. Due to my age, there is an increased chance that messing with the blood supply of my uterine artery could lead to a sudden onset of menopause. I don't expect that.
I've been working very hard to keep my weight down and concentrating on abdominal exercises. I have wanted that region to be able to handle the procedure as efficiently as possible and also be ready to bounce back once it's done.
I'll be gone for about a week, but everything should be just fine!
For years, I've been growing fibroid tumors. They were first discovered when I was in my mid twenties. At the time, they were the size of a dime and a nickle. Now they are the size of a tennis ball and a baseball and my uterus has grown to accommodate them. I look as if I am four months pregnant.
Rather than opting for a hysterectomy, I've chosen to have a Uterine Artery Embolization done. This procedure will cost approximately the same as a hysterectomy -- but the recovery time is much less and it isn't invasive. I also get to keep my uterus and cervix. I'll be out of work one week instead of six.
I'm posting about this because the amazing developments in the field of radiology have meant I have more options than my mother ever had. She had a radical hysterectomy at the approximate age of 40 and suffered from extreme osteoporosis. I hope to avoid that fate.
Embolotherapy is sort of the reverse of angioplasty. Rather than clearing out an artery, an Interventional Radiologist inserts small pellets that block the blood flow. This is done in the uterine artery feeding the tumors, accessed via the femoral artery in the hip. The tumors lose their nourishment an oxygen supply then die rather quickly. Once dead, they shrink. The amount of shrinkage can't be predicted, but I am being optimistic that they'll reduce at least by half. I'll be in the hospital over night and then experience extreme fatigue as the tissue dies. That's what will keep me in bed for about a week. A cousin who had this done reported that she slept 20 hours a day for the first week. The pain, however, should be minimal after the first day or so.
A less drastic approach has been developed where a radiologist aims highly focused ultrasound at the tumors from various angles. The temperature of the beam attacks the tissue and it dies. The tissue dies at a slower rate and there is less shrinkage than with a UAE. There is little or no recovery time and minimal side effects. That was the procedure I'd hoped to use -- but one tumor is obstructed by other organs so there would not be a clear or safe shot at it. Three radiologists unanimously concluded that they would not want to use this treatment on me.
In the end, I might have to resort to a hysterectomy. I am 47 and my hope is that the tumors will shrink and no new ones will grow. Once menopause comes along, they generally stop because of the drop in estrogen. Due to my age, there is an increased chance that messing with the blood supply of my uterine artery could lead to a sudden onset of menopause. I don't expect that.
I've been working very hard to keep my weight down and concentrating on abdominal exercises. I have wanted that region to be able to handle the procedure as efficiently as possible and also be ready to bounce back once it's done.
I'll be gone for about a week, but everything should be just fine!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Proud Wife
This weekend my husband rode 75 miles on his bicycle as a way to raise money for cancer research. The Ride for Roswell is a yearly event organized to increase awareness and bring in money for the research efforts of Roswell Park Cancer Institute. RCPI is located in downtown Buffalo and has pioneered treatment used all over the world.
Tommy rode in memory of a friend who lost his fight to cancer on Easter. He received treatment at Roswell and was given great care. As of Friday, he'd raised $1,135.00 -- an amount that enables him to ride in a special peloton. That's bikegeek-speak for an elite group that stays at the front of the pack during a race. There were 15o riders out of 6,000 who made the peloton and they rode an extra twelve mile course with a police escort from RPCI downtown up to the University of Buffalo Campus in Amherst.
As a part-time spinning instructor, Tom meets other cycling enthusiasts. As a result, he had friends to ride with -- Melissa and Annie. They took turns leading each other so they could benefit from each other's draft. The tree of them rode at an average of 18 - 20 miles per hour. There were rest stops for refreshments and a nice meal (and massage!) afterward. Their total bike time was a little over three hours.
Our summer camp community donated a good percentage of funds since Paul was an important member of our "family." Saturday night at camp was spent having an ice cream social in honor of the money raised and also to celebrate June birthdays. Tommy's birthday was Sunday -- so it was double special for him.
This was a great event for us -- it was a fitness goal for my hubby, a way to raise money for a good cause, and a fun time too. The entry fee was waived because of his fund-raising status, a local shop gave his bike a free inspection, and he got a free bike shirt and a gift certificate for a bike shop. It was a real win-win situation and one we'll repeat!
Tommy rode in memory of a friend who lost his fight to cancer on Easter. He received treatment at Roswell and was given great care. As of Friday, he'd raised $1,135.00 -- an amount that enables him to ride in a special peloton. That's bikegeek-speak for an elite group that stays at the front of the pack during a race. There were 15o riders out of 6,000 who made the peloton and they rode an extra twelve mile course with a police escort from RPCI downtown up to the University of Buffalo Campus in Amherst.
As a part-time spinning instructor, Tom meets other cycling enthusiasts. As a result, he had friends to ride with -- Melissa and Annie. They took turns leading each other so they could benefit from each other's draft. The tree of them rode at an average of 18 - 20 miles per hour. There were rest stops for refreshments and a nice meal (and massage!) afterward. Their total bike time was a little over three hours.
Our summer camp community donated a good percentage of funds since Paul was an important member of our "family." Saturday night at camp was spent having an ice cream social in honor of the money raised and also to celebrate June birthdays. Tommy's birthday was Sunday -- so it was double special for him.
This was a great event for us -- it was a fitness goal for my hubby, a way to raise money for a good cause, and a fun time too. The entry fee was waived because of his fund-raising status, a local shop gave his bike a free inspection, and he got a free bike shirt and a gift certificate for a bike shop. It was a real win-win situation and one we'll repeat!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Vitamin Treatment for Skin
The cost of anti-aging vitamin serums is really ridiculous. What is a lady who wants to age gracefully to do? Make her own, of course!
I have struggled all of my adult life with acute acne. I've been on Retin-A for thirty years. It was a god-send for me -- and apparently now, it's a god-send for ladies and gents who want to avoid wrinkles. That's all well and good, but it also makes it difficult for me to convince my health insurance that I need it for a real skin condition. I've tried to go without it, but to no avail. The fluctuating hormones of my pre/early menopause are adding a new dimension to the problem.
I recognize that the skin on my face looks good because of the treatment it gets - and there isn't much else I can use (except moisturizer) on it, since the RX makes it very sensitive. Anti-aging serums are a no-no.
That doesn't mean I don't want to address other areas of my body. Skin is our largest organ and I believe that taking care of our organs will keep us healthy. I do not eschew the sun -- I think vitamin D is too important. I get my sun when I run in the early evening -- but I do not sunbathe (who has time???).
I've been reading so much about the beneficial properties of Vitamins A, D and E as well as calcium for healthy skin. Also, the B vitamins are supposedly great for skin and hair. Vitamin and mineral products designed to help aging skin proliferate. Many are quite pricey. So, I make my own -- and so can you. I'm not going to give specific proportions (because I never follow recipes), but this is what I'm using on my neck, chest and tummy:
Vitamin A & D ointment
Baby Oil with Vitamin E
Calcium Gel
I squeeze the contents of two or three calcium gel caps into a small plastic jar and add the Vitamin A & D ointment then mix well. I then pour in about half as much of the baby oil.
Each night after my shower, I pat my skin dry and then rub in Infusium B leave in hair conditioner. I then moisturize my face with a fragrance free moisturizer. I rub my concoction on the front of my body (neck, boobs and belly). The rest gets plain baby oil. Since it's summer and I'll be showing my shoulders more, I will spread some of my concoction there. Rub excess into nails/cuticles.
So far, so good. The stuff I'm using on my neck and chest is making the skin there very soft and smooth. Rather than buying an expensive serum, putting this all together costs under five bucks. I use the A & D ointment straight as a bed-time eye and lip treatment. Once a week, I put it on my face. I don't over-do it on my face because of my tendency to break out. If you don't have acne like I do, it might be nice to do it more frequently.
I gag when I see the pricey serums being sold on ShopNBC or QVC. Maybe the ingredients are more "pure," and the packaging slick and attractive -- but I'll stick to my cheap home-made version any day!
I have struggled all of my adult life with acute acne. I've been on Retin-A for thirty years. It was a god-send for me -- and apparently now, it's a god-send for ladies and gents who want to avoid wrinkles. That's all well and good, but it also makes it difficult for me to convince my health insurance that I need it for a real skin condition. I've tried to go without it, but to no avail. The fluctuating hormones of my pre/early menopause are adding a new dimension to the problem.
I recognize that the skin on my face looks good because of the treatment it gets - and there isn't much else I can use (except moisturizer) on it, since the RX makes it very sensitive. Anti-aging serums are a no-no.
That doesn't mean I don't want to address other areas of my body. Skin is our largest organ and I believe that taking care of our organs will keep us healthy. I do not eschew the sun -- I think vitamin D is too important. I get my sun when I run in the early evening -- but I do not sunbathe (who has time???).
I've been reading so much about the beneficial properties of Vitamins A, D and E as well as calcium for healthy skin. Also, the B vitamins are supposedly great for skin and hair. Vitamin and mineral products designed to help aging skin proliferate. Many are quite pricey. So, I make my own -- and so can you. I'm not going to give specific proportions (because I never follow recipes), but this is what I'm using on my neck, chest and tummy:
Vitamin A & D ointment
Baby Oil with Vitamin E
Calcium Gel
I squeeze the contents of two or three calcium gel caps into a small plastic jar and add the Vitamin A & D ointment then mix well. I then pour in about half as much of the baby oil.
Each night after my shower, I pat my skin dry and then rub in Infusium B leave in hair conditioner. I then moisturize my face with a fragrance free moisturizer. I rub my concoction on the front of my body (neck, boobs and belly). The rest gets plain baby oil. Since it's summer and I'll be showing my shoulders more, I will spread some of my concoction there. Rub excess into nails/cuticles.
So far, so good. The stuff I'm using on my neck and chest is making the skin there very soft and smooth. Rather than buying an expensive serum, putting this all together costs under five bucks. I use the A & D ointment straight as a bed-time eye and lip treatment. Once a week, I put it on my face. I don't over-do it on my face because of my tendency to break out. If you don't have acne like I do, it might be nice to do it more frequently.
I gag when I see the pricey serums being sold on ShopNBC or QVC. Maybe the ingredients are more "pure," and the packaging slick and attractive -- but I'll stick to my cheap home-made version any day!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Nailing a Great Bargain!
Anyone who's ever read my blog posts knows I have a thing for "natural" manicures. I can't wear polish on my nails because it aggravates my skin. Additionally, as a guitar player, it makes no sense to paint them. The nails on my left hand need to be kept really short. Picking with my right leads to chipped polish. This means I put a lot of effort into nail care that will make my naked digits look well cared for without being truly "manicured."
Lately I've been using the best and cheapest nail buffer I've found and thought I'd share it here. Big Lots has them for a buck -- and I am seriously thinking of heading back there to pick up another dozen.
My suggestion is this: get yourself to Big Lots (or Dollar Tree) and see if you can find Sally Hansen La Cross diamond nail buffing blocks. There are two surfaces, one for buffing and one for shine (two of each). Toss one in your purse. Keep one in the car. Put one on your nightstand. Stash one in your desk. Carry one in your gym bag. At a buck a piece (probably more at other stores), these are worth stock-piling. I have searched on-line and not seen them carried by any of the usual HBA e-tailers. This leads me to believe they might be of a promotional or seasonal nature.
This small implement will give your nails a great shine -- which lasts. They are a bargain worth hunting for!
Lately I've been using the best and cheapest nail buffer I've found and thought I'd share it here. Big Lots has them for a buck -- and I am seriously thinking of heading back there to pick up another dozen.
My suggestion is this: get yourself to Big Lots (or Dollar Tree) and see if you can find Sally Hansen La Cross diamond nail buffing blocks. There are two surfaces, one for buffing and one for shine (two of each). Toss one in your purse. Keep one in the car. Put one on your nightstand. Stash one in your desk. Carry one in your gym bag. At a buck a piece (probably more at other stores), these are worth stock-piling. I have searched on-line and not seen them carried by any of the usual HBA e-tailers. This leads me to believe they might be of a promotional or seasonal nature.
This small implement will give your nails a great shine -- which lasts. They are a bargain worth hunting for!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Clean Slate
The blog is undergoing renovation -- a sort of rebirth. While I enjoyed posting as "Ms. A.," it was becoming too much work! Coming up with pictures and topics was fun at first, but after a few years it became burdensome.
The Chez du Cheap has undergone a shake-up too. Nothing drastic, but the changes at home mirror my decision to return to blogging but at a more sensible and pared-down level. While it was fun to go to garage sales, undertake thrifting expeditions and shop vintage, the chez was getting full of junk! While it was cheap fun, it was spending none-the-less. And keeping up the house was enough work without constantly bringing more stuff in and creating new projects!
So, the house is getting a major re-edit. Knick-nacks are getting put away. New tchotckies are not coming in. It's easier to clean an empty table top than it is to pick up the items, clean them and then dust and put them back!
Frugality still rules -- but with a whole lot less frills. I promise to keep up with posts -- but am not going to be a slave to my digital camera. I'll keep everyone posted on what we're not spending money on and all the fun we are having. Life at the chez is indeed still cheap -- and still good!
I hope I haven't alienated anyone!
The Chez du Cheap has undergone a shake-up too. Nothing drastic, but the changes at home mirror my decision to return to blogging but at a more sensible and pared-down level. While it was fun to go to garage sales, undertake thrifting expeditions and shop vintage, the chez was getting full of junk! While it was cheap fun, it was spending none-the-less. And keeping up the house was enough work without constantly bringing more stuff in and creating new projects!
So, the house is getting a major re-edit. Knick-nacks are getting put away. New tchotckies are not coming in. It's easier to clean an empty table top than it is to pick up the items, clean them and then dust and put them back!
Frugality still rules -- but with a whole lot less frills. I promise to keep up with posts -- but am not going to be a slave to my digital camera. I'll keep everyone posted on what we're not spending money on and all the fun we are having. Life at the chez is indeed still cheap -- and still good!
I hope I haven't alienated anyone!
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