To Somebody Very Much Loved...

Thank you for always being such a great example to me. Thank you for raising such a brilliant, hard-working, and loving man, who one day became my husband. No matter what you went through, and what trials life threw at you, you always had a smile on your face. You were always so very humble and kind, and especially welcoming to me. I remember I met you when I first attended Taft ward. Gary and I weren't dating, but I remember you standing at the door as I entered, and greeting me with a smile on your face. I then remember you teaching Sunday school that same Sunday, and I was impressed by the spirit you held.

I later discovered you were my future father-in-law. Gary had taken me over to meet you and Kathy (other mom) for the first time, and I instantly felt loved and welcomed into your home and family. You always had great stories to tell, and never once complained about anything. I felt incredibly blessed when you went from future father-in-law to my father-in-law. You will truly, truly be missed. 

This morning, before 8am, Samuel Pollock (1946-2010), Gary's father, and my father-in-law, passed away after battling cancer for many years. We spent the weekend at his bedside, holding his hand and praying for him to finally find peace. This morning he was able to. He's found freedom, and I'm certain he's already busy with missionary work and continuing to serve the lord.

So, thank you, Sam! We love you.

Health Update

I am out this cycle.

However, I do have some news on my health, and am scheduled to see my doctor rather soon. So, a few things to update you with.

Remember when I posted my hormones? They were reviewed again. My TSH level was last .272, which is really low. It had been increasingly getting lower over the past year. When I first began my thyroid medication, remember how I had like 5-6 cycles in a row? Then they disappeared for about 7 months? This is why.

The dramatic drop in my TSH level caused my cycles to stop altogether. If you take a look at my TSH levels over the year, you'll notice they are always lower (not around the same, but lower), each time I got tested. Eventually they got low enough to cause my cycles to come to a halt. Basically I went from hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism (hypothyroidism is when your TSH levels are too HIGH, and hyper when too low).

This is part of Hashimoto's Disease. They will do that; this is also why it's very important I'm always seeing a doctor so they can be monitored.

My doctor is going to retest my thyroid, and make the necessary changes to bring it back up to a more normal level, which will hopefully balance out my cycles. So there IS a reason why my periods stopped. Maybe.

This leads me to my next update. Based on my fertility chart that I have been tracking (minus the basal body temperature, which I stopped doing about a year ago), it doesn't look like I'm producing enough Progesterone post ovulation. While the levels were normal PRE ovulation, they aren't kicking up to the right notch POST ovulation. Doctor says that may be happening anyway. So, now I'm going to also be starting the Progesterone Challenge (Provera). After ovulation, I'm going to take Progesterone to keep it at normal levels.

Now, thirdly. It looks like we may need medical assistance after all.

My ovaries and hormones are those of somebody older than I am. For example, my FSH level was on the higher end, making my ovaries and production of eggs "fair". Not excellent, but fair. Let's just say I'm more borderline than anything else. My chance of pregnancy is slimmer because of this. My Estrogen is on the lower end of the scale. I pretty much have hormones of a women who may be in her 40's. Always great news. This also ups my chances of miscarriages and birth problems.

Now, to make matters MORE confusing, it could be possible this is all because of my thyroid in the first place. Autoimmune thyroid disease can be responsible for my body to be much older than it's supposed to be. Thank you, immune system.

This is also why it's crucial to see a doctor this Tuesday. Tuesday will be day 3 of my cycle; which is exactly when I need to get my hormones retested. My doctor wants to test everything again, now that I'm actually ON a cycle. Those results will be more accurate, so fingers crossed they will be normal. PLEASE be normal.

Unfortunately, our medical insurance doesn't cover the costs of fertility treatment (stupid California). So thousands of dollars will be whipped out if the Provera or new thyroid medication/combination doesn't work. Because my ovaries are emo, I probably will have to get a trigger shot (Gonal F injection) and an IUI. The trigger shot will cost close to $1000, and the IUI a few hundred or more, depending. Of course getting these procedures done will also jump my chances up of having multiples.

So, there is the update. I'm not going to worry about anything yet until I get my new hormone results when I have everything retested. Fingers crossed and prayers needed. Thank you everyone for your love and support.

Busy Stuff

  I'm pretty sure 90% of my blog titles have the word "stuff", haha. It just shows how creative I am when it comes to making a title. And my life, too :)

Anyway, things have been going pretty well. I don't want to be completely focused on my other blog, I can always blog here, too!

Work has been going pretty well. I had little hours last week, but much more this week. Today is my day off, and it's full of things to get done, like, laundry, vacuuming, cleaning out the animal cages/litter boxes, picking up and tidying up, and running to the store to get necessities we need. Good times, good times. So I decided to stop by for a blog post to keep y'all up to date. It actually makes me kinda miss being a housewife. But that's okay.

My job has been going pretty well. I've been getting customer recognition, which always gives me bonus points, and I've been keeping up with everything needed to be done. As long as I make my managers happy, I'm happy too.

We had employee appreciation week last week, so we were given a 30% off coupon for the store; and adding our employee discount, that's 45% off total. So Gary came into the store, and purchased some cat food, and new kitty condo for the spoiled cats. We don't even have room for the thing, but I'll find a way. I always find a way.

That's where it's currently at, but I'd like to move it somewhere else. Gary wants it in the living room; so we'll see how I can do this. We're already using enough space with the 2 computers. I also don't seem to understand that orange cat of ours. The idea is to go IN the condo. But he does both, just prefers the very top. Silly boy.

So, things are going pretty well with us. As much as we would like to buy a home, after much prayer, we both received the feeling this isn't where we're supposed to be in the end. So we're holding off.

Speaking of other areas, Gary mentioned a fun trip he would like to take someday. He wants to drive on one of those old routes (like 66, or the sort) across the country; stopping at old motels and eating at old diners. Gary and I have always loved the whole wild west and cowboy times. We would love to someday have our own ranch. I mentioned, "Wouldn't it be nice to live like that? You work on the farm all day, and I'm either at home, or a school teacher?" Back then you wouldn't need an education and all these things to be a teacher. If you were a young female who could read and write, you had the job. Granted, it's nice having an education, and the pay wasn't that much, but still. We would love to live like old times, except well, with running water and upgraded technology. So we'd be clean and would be able to communicate with friends and family much easier, ya know? We'd have dogs and cats, and Dexter would sleep in the barn with the horses. Sounds so nice. I want to move to Missouri.

Isn't that gorgeous?? Man I wish. Your own lake? I'd be out fishin' everyday.

 The sad part is, we can afford it. We just, well, don't live there. Yes, I am quite a dreamer!

Anyway, that was my fun dreaming for the day, haha. I do love Santa Clarita, I just wish it wasn't so "city" and expensive here. And I am more than blessed with what I have now; Gary with his wonderful, secure job, this beautiful apartment, our church callings, etc. Very blessed.

Now, time for my health update, which would normally be on a separate blog, but I took it down. So warning, may be TMI.

My health has been pretty well I suppose, too. I'm on my feet a lot with my job, so I've lost some more weight, and it was noticeable when I put my belt on. I put it on the tightest notch, and it still had room to spare. I was even complimented at work about how I look thinner. Yay! Still no doctor appointment, though. I probably should set one soon. But right now everything's looking optimistic. 2 regular cycles (well, I wouldn't call them cycles, just, you know, my body starting fresh). But I know this month/last month is a good, strong cycle. I know I ovulated this month, because I felt it. I know my body well enough to know when it's doing what it's supposed to do. I felt it. Not only that, my lady twins (you know what I mean) have been SORE since then. Another indication. Whether or not it results in what I've been hoping for, I'm glad to know my body was on task this month. It's rare to do what it's supposed to do.

In that case, prayers are needed. My body hardly ovulates, probably 2-3 times a year or less, and we would struggle to whip out the money to afford all these fertility treatments our insurance doesn't cover. So considering I actually ovulated this month, I'm definitely hopeful. It's probably not likely I conceived, just because it's me, but still. It's good to have hope. Thanks, everyone, for your love and support, too.

I do feel blessed, though. And old co-worker of mine, who is 26, just lost her husband to cancer. 26 is too young to be planning your husband's funeral. It makes me feel blessed that I still have my husband here with me...and not being able to have a child right now can always be fixed whether through adoption or treatment. I also have friends who have husbands in the military; and only see them every 6 months or so. So yes, I'm definitely blessed with what I have.

Anyway, long post. I have things to do! Bye everyone.

PS- The other night, out of nowhere, Gary received the name of a girl, and said it aloud. He told me he had no idea where it came from, but it came to him and he had a strong feeling about it. I won't tell you the name, but still. It was nice. Guess we'll find out what it means someday, but for now, patience is what's needed.

Treat Made by Yours Truly

 I stole this from Megan, just in case anyone is interested!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (I'll try to get it done soon)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!

*Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!*

I'm pretty sure I'm not cool enough to get all 5 responses, but eh, whatev. Lol.

It's Up!

 Decided to follow through on my cooking foreign adventures, and start a blog about it. Enjoy!

worldcuisinesfromhome.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading if you're interested!

Summer Stuff

 Probably about time I post another blog, huh?

I suppose there's really not too much to update you with. We've both been pretty busy with work and other crazy things on our schedules.

First of all, welcome to June! The first day of summer is quickly approaching. Although I'm not a fan of hotter weather, I do enjoy summer days. Swimming, parties, grilling, naps, etc. In fact, it's making me miss working for the school district. :)

I have a lot of old co-workers on my Facebook, and I've been reading their posts about the end-of-the-year fevers going around; and not fever as in sick. It made me miss it all. I miss the crazy last weeks of school, I miss the crazy children to accompany it, I miss it all. It got me in the mood to look at school district jobs for the next school year. There was nothing in this area, but I found an activity leader job in Monrovia, Ca. I did a spur-of-the-moment application online, and submitted it. Then I decided it was best to sit down and think it over.

• The city is almost an hour away. Was I nuts??
• Getting a job with the school district is risky; I have a chance of getting laid off
• If anything were to happen to the cars, how would I make it to work?
• But the benefits! Paid holidays, vacations, and sick days!
• I have experience, lots of experience, with the schools. I'd be getting a better paying job with something I'm good at, with less hours than full-time minimum wage 
• The benefits! Summer vacation!
• Pretty sure I was nuts to apply in the first place
• Petsmart isn't all that bad!

Yes, those were thoughts Gary and I discussed. Chances are, I won't take the job in the end. It's too far and too risky.

Anyway, that was that.

Today is a day off of mine, as well as tomorrow. I like days off! Places to go, things to do, or simply nothing to do at all!

Yesterday was nice. I was able to leave work early, and prepare for my guests. Mom, Dad, Grannie, Jazmine, and her cousin Tiffny all came to visit. Gary grilled up hot dogs and chicken, and we all had a nice BBQ. It was nice having family over to visit. Good times, good times.

Ooh, another thing to add on about summer; I miss camping and fishing! I have not done any of those things since being married, because of Gary's allergies. I don't care now, I want my trip. We'll have to find a place okay for his allergies.

I booked our hotel at Catalina; the Seacrest Inn. It's a little bed and breakfast steps away from the beach; it's an inn mainly for couples. When I first booked, I accidentally booked the wrong date. I didn't notice this at all. When I found out there was a deposit, I wasn't sure if it was part of the full payment or separate. So I decided to call the hotel and find out. When I did so, the manager confirmed our stay dates, and that's when I realized I had booked the wrong dates to begin with. I then gave him the actual dates, and he goes, "Ooh, well, that room you wanted isn't available those dates. The next room up is more expensive (about $20 more)". I said, "Huh. Well, okay then." He proceeded to do the booking, and told me he had sent a confirmation email with the total cost. When I signed into my email and opened the confirmation, I became a happy person. The manager was kind enough to charge us the cheaper price for the better room. Yay for great service! I even called and thanked the guy for that. So, we saved $20/night thanks to him!

Speaking of saving, we're even saving money on boat tickets as well. I found these legit coupons online for $7.50 off the Catalina Express per person per boat ticket. Not only that, Costco sells Catalina Express $100 gift certificates for $80. With the discount and the gift card, we'll be saving about $20 on tickets. See, I told you Gary and I are always trying to find a good deal. That's how I roll :)

Okay, I suppose it's time to go. Gotta turn in the rent check (which is $500 cheaper thanks to signing another year lease, woot woot), then run a few more errands. Bye!