exotica stuff

I think it's safe to say that I am an animal lover. I have tried, on various occasions, to introduce new and different types of animals to my children. As I've pictured many MANY times in the past, my ugly dog;

and let's not forget Bosco,Nala, poor Nala. She weighs maybe 6 pounds when wet; the girls like to bathe her. She has extra toes - AHA, that must be where the extra weight comes in!

We have even had iguanas. Yes, we have. (or had, rather) A very beautiful, dinosaur-like creature. Not as easy to keep as one might imagine. Our iguanas were sweet and kind, and enjoyed being held. I even had leashes for them and would walk them in the yard on days that it was relatively warm out.

Because they cannot regulate their temperature on their own, they needed us to "help" them with that procedure. If it was too hot outside and we were walking them; oh, they were very slow walkers, not like a dog, more a crawler. They would pant when they'd over-heat, so into the cooling cage they'd go, where it was properly shaded. They were quite spoiled. They had an indoor tank, which was a very large display case; and an outdoor cage. A guinea pig cage.

I would keep them in the tent outdoors; partially shaded, and partially in the sun when it was nice outside, as the sun was a wonderful way for them to absorb vitamins and nutrients and heat. Their colors would turn from a drab grayish brown, to a vibrant green and blue, depending on which reptile you were looking at. Zeek was our male, and Zelda our female - a rather large and striking beauty she was.

On one particular day, I had the girls in the pool, the Z's in their tank and sunning - and it was hot outside. I put some water at the bottom of their tank, shaded it, and hit the pool with the kids.

After about an hour, I decided to go check on the Z's, but on this particular morning, it was too late. The sun had moved, and I hadn't moved quick enough to check on them. they didn't have adequate enough shade. The water they did have, had evaporated, or they simply drank, either way, not enough to cool their hot bodies. It was devastating. Their lifeless bodies were so hot! I ran them to the bathtub, trying desperately to revive them, gently blowing air into their little iguana nose and mouths. I was absolutely horrified and heartbroken at the same time. I realized that not only had I just killed my reptiles, but I baked them alive. And I was always so careful with them.

I had them shaded, and watered. They even had grass in the cage. It simply wasn't enough. Maybe some animals simply are meant to be left in their own environment. No matter how beautiful they are.

How did I acquire them, you may wonder. I had rescued them from other owners who could no longer take care of a reptile. They were under the impression that an iguana would only grow "so long." Iguanas never stop growing. Interesting, isn't it? You can contain their growth, in their environment. But you cannot stop nature. What God intended, will continue.

I have still often wondered about rescuing another iguana. I still see them when I go to certain pet chains; and I wonder why they sell them. Do they have concerns about the certain individual iguana that is leaving? Really. What happens to it when it no longer becomes small, and starts to swing it's tail and bite, because it's being ignored.

Some are able to be handled right away, and some are not. One that I had, I was told was not able to be handled. But this was after I reached into the cage, picked her up and put her on my shoulder. She set her head under my hair and blew her nose, like they do, in little puffs. Nodded a few times and closed her eyes. I would never suggest this to anybody, and had he told me before I reached her, that she was unapproachable, I never would have put her to my face. But she was a true gem. A real lady.

Yesterday, Cinderisa and I had to get - hmmm, how should I put this? lunch - for the other reptiles that abide in our current abode. And what to my wandering eyes should appear, but two of the most gorgeous iguanas I've seen in years! No joke.

Philip says he's taking these guys with him when he gets back from his next leave; I can't say I'm not going to miss snakes. While I was in the store, I also saw really really REALLY big snakes. And they creeped me out in the worst way. I don't like the carnivore thing; it's the whole, being on the other side, you know the, being dinner side.

I went into Chrissy's room to look in the main tank, as we have two feeder-tanks. Nicholas said the rat was in it, and the girls insisted it was gone. Pancakes had eaten hers in one feeder tank, and Marisa had left the other in the main tank for Hyrup to take. Well, he didn't, the rat was hiding. Waiting for ME!

I go to the cage, look in, and sure enough, there is the almost cute little pink-eyed rat(dinner), climbing his little hands up on one of the trees, just looking at me, me looking at him, so cute; when suddenly Pancakes strikes and the rat screams, but I hear a shriek even louder than the rat, but it's me, I realize, and I'm now running and hitting my head. "EEEW EEEWW NOO NO NO NO NO!!!" I bellow as I run down the stairs. Nicholas laughing behind me, hysterically.

It's really not funny, because inside, I'm crying for this poor little rat. I hate this whole circle-of-life thing. I understand it, but I can't take part. You know, other than taking the kids to purchase the meal ticket. I don't watch, or stay on the same floor to hear it. UGH.

I must have freaked out Pancakes, because miraculously, the rat got away. (yeah, little rat!) I had a little informant, remember. He thought I'd actually allow him to keep it as a pet - AS IF! He even named it. Oh, no. No way. That is where I draw the line.

Iguanas are herbivores. They love mashed bananas! Oh, and the little clover from the garden, oh, how Zelda devoured them. I wonder if Frankie will enjoy an iguana for Valentines Day.

I used to have a faux ficus in my livingroom that the iguanas hung out in, and everytime my Dad would visit, he'd ask if they were in it before he'd sit down. The tree was next to the couch. (It was a very small house). This house has lot's of windows, with Western and Southern exposure, perfect for such a creature. Hmmmm. just wondering.

Ok, maybe not. but they were so beautiful. so, what have you had in the crazy, mixed-up animal world? Oh, can you believe it, Jamie, the two goldfish are STILL ALIVE!? no kidding.

on a plus, I slept lastnight. yahooooooo. but, woke with a killer of well, the blog name says it all, right.

hoping you're pain-free

deborah

Pretty Colors, no?

don't you love the color! not too far off base, you know. what color are you? and if it wasn't for the fuzzy pink robe (which, by the way, this is how sad life has become) I. actually. have. one. OH, and I love it! It's warm and cozy and wonderful and why oh why didn't I get it sooner?????

So let's get rid of this color, shall we; for the past ummmmm oh I can't recall now, maybe three nights I have been - awake. that's it. no sleep. no rest. just awake. this is not a good thing when you have the monster lurking around every corner ready to pounce on your skull. with knife and sledge hammer yielding, I might add. because he is always good for that.

I haven't had any problem what so freaking EVER falling asleep on the couch, watching absolutely nothing on TV. every. night. did I mention watching absolutely nothing because there is absolutely nothing nothing nothing on. no good repeats, no good-looking anybody - nothing. lastnight, it was ufo's. because, well marisasawoneafewweeksagoandwedidn'treallymentionitforobviousreasonsthatiwon'tgointo.

yeah!

then there was the shopping episode with the litte princess of drama who is just like me and hates to shop. now THAT was fun! where is that migraine when I need one, right?

everyday for a month it was, (oh, include ear-to-ear, seriously, smile) "ARE WE GOING SHOPPING TODAY???" and add it in high speed, because she only speaks in high speed. Frank calls her "Ba dop ba da" - mostly because he doesn't understand her "language" when she is talking.

well, our day to shop was on Monday. mind you, no sleep the previous night for me. add in the little precursor -my lack of appreciation for shopping and hers as well. off we went. It really didn't start out so bad, we had the entire mall out in front of us, neither wanting to venture into it.

We entered Macy's, knowing that we've had pretty good luck in the past. To the jeans we go. Ok, it's been a long time for me, you know shopping for jeans. I'm the kind of person - the parental type I suppose - that would rather buy for them, than myself. I prefer a bad of hand-me-downs over having to go shopping ANY day. (call it lazy! if you must) I truly ABHOR shopping. for clothes, that is. Take me to the grocery, and I'm all for it! fashion, forget it. I could care less.

Unfortunately, looking at my wardrobe, it's showing. Oh, and the mouths of the teen and tween, (like I care), that I allow to live under the roof, they're telling me my clothes are, well, 'old.' eeww. So what's a Mom to do?

She totally dragged me into this. While she was shopping for herself, she was secretly shopping for the dreaded drag teen that I had become, apparently. Hey, that's what I've become; I know, it's shocking. The hand-me-downs have come from, well, Philip's friends. Who were mostly girls. Teen girls. (yes, I'm smallish) Oh, and the girl's friends. So, basically, I have lots of stylish LEI and brand name teeny-bopping jeans. go girl stuff. Like I said - I'm a drag teen. It's not so stylish at 40 .......ish.

She says to me, "Really Mom, you never buy yourself anything, you should really buy yourself some jeans. You need them." and she did emphasize the 'really.'

I must say, it's been ages for me, because when did jeans start costing $100.00? I'm not kidding! I dragged her from department to department, in search of the perfect jeans, that did NOT cost more than $30. I knew they existed. She knows I'm cheap savvy. Finally, we found them; now all we had left to do was try it all on.

Into the dressing room we go. That's when I discovered some real truths about my body that I was really ok with NOT knowing. It was there in the dressing room of Macy's that I discovered how much I hate three-way mirrors. and why are they really necessary? why? Why do I need to see my back side?

Here's a question I really need answered: when did my breasts go from a beautiful size C, to SEE YA!!!!?? And why was I uncomfortable with them when they were? Isn't if funny how we women are never really satisfied with our bodies. and then when we see the youth and fullness vanishing away, like I did on Saturday, it's a real wake-up call to the senses.

I was looking at myself, oh, in horror; and it was like watching the new "Jell-O" commercial. you know, where they're all distorted because they're eating it and dancing to the song. YEP, that's the one. 'wiggle while you jiggle' - boy do I!!

I need to walk my big ugly dog or something! but not today, I'm too tired from not sleeping and my head is pounding. again. oh bother. It seems like it's an endless uphill battle of struggle, struggle, struggle. I struggle to get through the next migraine. the next pile of laundry. the next whatever. to get to what exactly?? what a vicious cycle.

but hey, I got two new pair of jeans that look great, for under $100; and shirts. Not to mention, my little drama girly got some new stuff. Now, if only I can wear them all summer! Oh, and I didn't have to take her to her favorite places either; Hollister and Aero. whatever!!

sure hope you're jiggle-free today

deborah

Migraine Research Foundation's First Research Grant

I, thankfully, received the following in my email this morning and with great delight, I may add!



MIGRAINE RESEARCH FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIRST ANNUAL RESEARCH GRANTS

FOUNDATION FUNDING RESEARCH TO END DEBILITATING
PAIN OF MIGRAINE SUFFERED BY MILLIONS

New York, NY – More than 30 million Americans suffer from migraine, yet research into the causes of migraine is both severely underfunded and neglected. Today, the Migraine Research Foundation officially launched its efforts to address the lack of research in this field by announcing the first annual research grants awarded by the Foundation. The Foundation is awarding nearly $200,000 in grants for 2007 and plans to more than double the grant amounts to at least $500,000 in 2008.




Founded by Stephen Semlitz and Cathy Glaser, whose family has struggled with the devastating effects of migraine for many years, the Migraine Research Foundation is dedicated to funding research that will end the debilitating pain of migraine that afflicts millions of men, women and children.




“Our family was surprised to find out that research efforts into migraine were enormously lacking,” said Ms. Glaser. “After talking with many doctors and migraine sufferers, it became clear that my husband and I could make a real difference in the lives of millions of people by supporting scientific research into the causes of migraine. That is why we founded the Migraine Research Foundation, which we foresee growing into the largest private funder of migraine research in the United States.”




Every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine. American employers lose more than $13 billion each year as a result of 113 million lost work days due to headache or migraine. The lack of research into migraine is astonishing considering the widespread impact and consequences that this devastating condition has on American families and businesses. Over 10% of all Americans, including children, suffer from migraine, and nearly one in four households includes someone with migraine.



This paragraph here just blew me away: every. 10. seconds! Think about that for just 10 seconds and count that down would you. Every 10 seconds, someone in the US goes to the ER with a headache or migraine. Been there, done that. Thankfully, I have never been treated as a drug-seeker, like I've read about. But every 10 seconds is astonishing.



Guiding the efforts of the Migraine Research Foundation is a medical advisory board that includes leading neurologists and scientists from across the country and is chaired by Dr. Joel Saper of the Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan.



“Migraine is underresearched by the scientific community, undertreated by physicians, and underappreciated by society,” said Dr. Saper. “There is no condition of such magnitude - yet so shrouded in myth, misinformation, and mistreatment - as migraine. The Migraine Research Foundation is about more than just the research that it will fund directly – it is about stimulating others to join us in addressing a critical gap in medical research.”



In addition to Dr. Saper, the medical advisory board of the Migraine Research Foundation includes Dr. Rami Burstein (Harvard University), Dr. F. Michael Cutrer (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN), Dr. David W. Dodick (Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ), Dr. Peter J. Goadsby (University of California – San Francisco), Dr. Richard Lipton (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY), and Dr. Stephen D. Silberstein (Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA).




The Foundation’s first round of annual research grants, totaling nearly $200,000, has been awarded to four researchers whose work holds the promise of groundbreaking advances in the search for the causes of migraine. The recipients and the research they will be pursuing include:



· Richard Lipton, MD Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Towards a Migraine Genetics Population Laboratory: Building on the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study



· Michael Oshinsky, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Glial Activation and the Chronification of Headache



· Frank Porreca, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Behavioral Model of Medication Overuse Headache



· Ann Scher, Ph.D., Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
Migraine in Middle Age and Late Life: A Longitudinal Analysis of Factors Related to Migraine Prognosis in a Large Population-Based Cohort








The Migraine Research Foundation has already committed to more than doubling the funds available for research grants in 2008 to at least $500,000, with funding coming from the support of an expanding network of individual donors, foundations and corporations. The Foundation also plans annual increases to the total amount of grant awards in subsequent years. Information on applying for 2008 grants will be made available in February 2008.





The Migraine Research Foundation (formerly The Migraine and Pain Fund) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ending debilitating pain through funding scientific research into the causes and better treatment of migraine. More information about the Foundation and how to contribute to its efforts can be found at http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/.

This site is, as I found, quite interesting; with vivid pictures of migraines and stories that you can read, and add. Please add your name to the mailing list for further information to more research on migraine disease.

Truly hoping YOU are pain-free today.

Deborah

Fun holidays - part uno

For those of you who are sooooo busy, or, no scratch that; who are like me! God help all four of you, at any case; I would like to inform you that this Sunday, the 20th is Penguin Awareness Day. Yes, seriously. Who knew? I did. So I've decided to give my appreciation to the frigid-liking little - oh and I've learned the NOT so little Penguins.


This little guy here to the rrrrrrright is an Adelie Penguine, the little tuxedo type. Isn't he cute as a button!!!!



Ok, what are they saying?????? Too funny! They're Soprano Penguins and their names are Frank and Vinny.

Frank: You takin to me?

Vinny: NO, you takin to ME?!

Frank: I'll trow you in dat dere iceberg.

Vinny: I dint say nuttin Frank.

Ok, so they're not soprano penguins; they are King Penguins. Did you know that the male penguin will carry the egg on his little feet, and set his rolly polly belly on it to keep it warm? Most penguins flocks will take turns keeping the eggs warm. How sweet.




The Emperor Penguin, now this is a biggie. They are the largest of the species, and stand at 4 feet tall. No kidding. Ok, I am 5 feet tall, so that would be very interesting to have a penguin come up next to me, or a flock of them rather at Nicholas' height. I wonder what he would think of that. hmmmmmmm


Now this next set of penguin took me by the name alone - who comes up with this stuff???? I introduce to you the Jackass



not very nice, is it. Interesting enough, the "jackass," as they are called don't live in the frigid, icy waters like their cousins; they live in the Southwestern part of Africa. So, why the name? Well, it has more to do with the sounds they emit when they open their cute little beaks. They let out a very loud braying cry like a donkey. Just don't try packing your suitcases on them.


So on Sunday, appreciate a penguin. Oh, and trust me, I actually have more weird stuff where this came from.

Stay tuned for January 24: National Compliment Day(good, bad, you be the judge). and who can't get enough of this??

January 28: Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. ooooooh fun fun fun!!!!! thankfully, I have earplugs. (Run, Rocco)

January is also noted as Oatmeal Month. So bake some cookies, eat your oats; oh that reminds me of a song my Mother used to sing; anyone remember this?

Mares eat oats
and does eat oats
and little lambs eat ivy
a kid'll eat ivy, too
wouldn't you?

Ok, enough of that
hope you're pain free
Deborah

wake up

The following is yet another wake-up call for those who still refuse to believe that Migraine is, in fact, more than just a nagging headache. Oh, and that we patients, who enter the ER, or office with our heads banging, quite literally, are there for a reason: we are desperate for answers. Yes, answers. We are not drug-seekers; though (a small number of) you may view us as such. In truth, we really just want the pain to go away. Here is a fear of mine:


MAGNUM, The National Migraine Association, has an excellent mission statement. One section of it reads:

"To make persons aware that Migraine is not a benign disorder. For example, 27% of all strokes suffered by persons under the age of 45 are caused by Migraine. (Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country.) In fact, more people died from Migrainous stroke last year than were murdered by handguns."


Migraine and Stroke People who suffer with migraine headaches may have an 80 percent higher risk of stroke than those who don't have the painful headaches. Stroke is the third-leading killer in the United States. Compounding the problem is that the term "migraine" is one of the most frequently overused medical words. Migraine sufferers have complained that they encountered skepticism from doctors when first suggesting they might be experiencing migraine headaches... Recognizing early stroke symptoms also is important. Some of the warning signs of stroke include sudden loss of vision or blurred vision, particularly in one eye; sudden difficulty speaking or understanding simple statements; sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the limbs or face; unexplained dizziness or loss of coordination. You need immediate medical attention if those symptoms develop."


A point on which there is general agreement is that migrainous stroke risk is increased in the presence of untreated migraine and other risk factors:


"Long-term migraine without treatment has been shown to predispose sufferers to increased effect on the blood vessels of the brain, especially in those with signs of migraine with aura (classical migraine). Persons who have visual or neurological symptoms accompanying their migraine attacks should avoid other risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol diets, the use of estrogen and untreated hypertension. These risk factors for cerebral vascular disease, if present in a setting of migraine, may greatly increase the risk of one having a migraine related stroke."


Statement.http://www.migraines.org/about/aboumiss.htm
2 Stephen D. Silberstein, M.D., Richard B. Lipton, M.D., Donald J. Dalessio, M.D., Wolff's Headache and Other Head Pain. (New York, Oxford University Press, 2001) 207-211.
3 Michael John Coleman, Terri Miller Burchfield of M.A.G.N.U.M. An Understanding of Migraine Disease & Tips for Migraine Management.http://www.migraines.org/myth/mythreal.htm
Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications & the Library at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. http://www3.utsouthwestern.edu/library/consumer/migrain.htm
The National Headache Foundation: Topic Sheetshttp://www.headaches.org/topicsheets/stroke.html
ACHE: The American Council for Headache Education: When a Nasty Headache Comes Back.http://www.achenet.org/news/art3.php

very sad news

I received this email from Bull's Mom this morning:

Deb, Sorry to write with such bad news, but Bull passed away on New Year's Day. We couldn't write earlier because we had to grieve first. It has been hard on us. We did everything we could for him. After all the tests and medicines, the vets still couldn't tell us what it was, just some kind of infection. At the end, he was on 3 different medications along with a pain med (28 pills a day). I hope you are all well there. Take care, Cathy :)

My heart goes out to them; I do know how much they loved that dog. He was a great, BIG, wonderful beast. He was our Rocco's sire; we enjoyed him, thoroughly each and everytime we visited them.

He was a powerful, yet gentle dog. When he barked, you could literally feel it in your chest. He was a massive, 135 pounds of ripped and solid muscle. There was no need for steroid in this breed. This is an American Bulldog - true grit; all you need for protection, comfort, sweetness; oh, yeah they do drool, Glenn - they DO

His head is the size of a bowling ball or more, actually; definitely weighs more. So heavy, in fact, he must rest it on your lap or coffee table. He will look sadly and deep in your eyes and start to whine, because he is so very pitiful. (insert the sound of screaching tires here) Wait, that would be MY dog, the one in the picture, with the, um, yeah, scarf, I mean, bandana. Bull was NOT the house dog.

Regardless this is a pic of Bull doing some work. He was part of a Protection Training Team. Glenn trains in K9 Pro Sport, Personal Protection Training (PPDA), and our dogs are registered with the UKC, which recognized the American Bulldog. As does the NKC. As Glenn used to say, "Bull does not want to play."

Rocco, on they other hand, he doesn't play either, but that is because, well - I am forever needing to wake him up. do you see what I live with?!! Lazy, sleepy, non-playful thing that he is. Not to mention, stinky and drooly. But I do love the beast. Yes, I do.

I'm sorry for Glenn, Cathy and the kids. And for the remainder of the pack who will definitely be grieving his loss in the next few weeks. He was a mighty presence. I need to hug my smelly dog.

OH, AND on the plus side (+) I'm feeling MUCH better, thank you Dr. M!!! I'm at a - oh, like a 3ish; which is better than the nasty 9 (really 10, but I NEVER give in to the 10) anyhooooo. I'm feeling better today. oh, yeah, watch out for me on the road today, cuz like I need to be out there with all the other nutjobs on the road - yeah, I know. scary. ooooh new credit card!!! bonus. where was I????

right lost in my thought bubble again. NOWHERE! wHICH REMINDS ME, i TAKLED TO sorry about that, I wasn't trying to scream or anything. ....... Hey, Em, Hope you're feeling better today, thanks for the chat; and I hope I didn't freak you out with my complete um, migrainyness. you know what I mean.

gotta go. drive. for the first in weeks. WHEEEEEEEEEEEE. don't worry! Geeesh, I'm taking the dog!

you guys are funny

deborah

New Year '08 - let the fun begin

Here's my take on what Bosco is trying to say, "Could you keep the noise down! We're trying to sleep here. And I'll take some shrimp." Which he did get, by the way, and he loved it.

Oh, I'm sure the Stinkbomb was offerred sooomethiiiing. Pathetic!

My sis, Denise, Dad, (forgothisnamealreadybelongstomyniece-boyfriend), friends and neighbors; Dixie and Denise - yes a LOT of D's in the house.

And their spouses, Steve and Mark. (Steve belonging to Dixie, but strangely and not knowing before this night, Dixie and Mark grew up together in Jersey.) Small world. Here's where it get's weirder; Cinderisa chills with Cassie; (Dixie and Steve's)

yes, this little oddball. We love her though.

And Christina hangs with Kayleigh, (Mark and Denise)who oddly enough never got her pic taken on NYeve. Hmmmm.

Chris and I were talking about why there are never pics of her and I; what we discovered is that, it is usually one of us taking the pictures, duh, therefore, no pix. Since I was feeling like (refer back to top pic of cat and dog) and she was down watching Ratatoullie with K, blah bhalblah........... you see where I'm going??? Are you there, too? Right, moving on.

Ooooh, The Delightful Miss Aren't-You-Glad-To-See-Me? This child continually cracks me up, inside-out, and genuinly just puts a smile in a dull room, seriously.

Got a boo-boo? Oh, please! Talk to Vanessa; cause man, ain't Nobody got a BOO-BOO like the blood and guts coming out of Ms. V. UH UH! And she will tell you a story like you have never heard one told - by a 6 year old. This little girl has got IT going on. And on. And on and on andonandononononononon.........

She's just too cute for words! oh, and here the two of them are, right before they melted into their typical hatefest for each other. You know, with the usual crying (no tears), foot-stomping (testosterone), wailing (pre-estrogen, watch out Rach), and blaming the other one (my favorite).

And, no, Philip isn't plugging his ears from them. This is really what is happening; they're not actors, they don't play actors. This is Jeff. Just Jeff. They are getting ready to "go out." I'm assuming they're calling SOMEBODY to go with.

The conversation:

Jeff: Where do YOU want want to go?

Philip: (seriously, this IS how he would answer him) I don't CARE. As long as it's not LAME

and crowded man. I just want go somewhere.

Jeff: (never wanting to be offensive-very sweet kid) Ok, ok. How about, (suggests a place)





Philip: ( Laughs him off and leaves it to Raches and Jaquan.) Rachel is better at this, Man! You


pick.











Nobody really looks at Jeff seriously. We do love Jeff, he's a great kid. Has a wonderful family. He tells us he has, get this, it's truly amazing; he has NEVER (I still revel in it) seen or heard his parents argue or fight. Isn't that awesome! What an inspiration that is, huh?

Right, the first pic, I think they were as dumbfounded as me in the conversation. The second; is the Battle of the Word Sleuth Competition. Christina won. 3-1, I think. Then it was pile on Jeff. He is a Rodney Dangerfield in the making. No respect.

We had him in the kitchen with the snakes for a good time as well. My parents were in on it, too. He was holding one of them, which was the funniest part; I told him that when they are ready to strike, they will coil their heads back. And no sooner did I say that, the snake he was holding did just that, but not in an aggressive way, just to look at him. Our snakes like to be handled. But he thought he was about to be, well, struck. So we, naturally kept it going. ALL of us. We had him pretty terrified. The more he tried to give the snake TO Philip, the more it tried to stay WITH him, which of course, terrified him more. And made us laugh.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of it, because I suck. At that time, it was probably nearing 11:30 or so, and my head was probably at oh, a 6ish. I had been downing glass after glass of ginger ale all day and night. I could not wait to get to bed. But I was having a good time. Phil was home, my family was there. We had a few neighborhood friends by. It was nice. The kids were up late. Oh, so very late.

Once the New Year finally did ring in; I put my littlest man to bed, said "Good-bye" to those who were leaving; and "I'm sorry, but I need to go to bed" to those that stayed. And then, I was up. all. night. long. tossing. turning. moaning. groaning. Wishing I could sleep, or die. Something other than what I was doing, which was mere torture. No, it was a prelude to torture. That came gradually in the next few hours. To my stomach, my neck. and oh, my aching, pounding, clamouring freaking head.

The infusion that started the Friday after Christmas; didn't end until the Friday after New Year. As of today, I hope, the cycle has finally broken. Out of the 1 - 10 rating, today I'm at somewhere around the 3-4 range, roughly. My brain feels like I haven't quite caught up with myself yet. I'm not ready to drive, oh no. Definitely not. I feel scatter-brained.

When I need answer with a "no" I'm finding myself running up with 2-4 no no NO NO's and yelling it. It happened lastnight for no apparent reason when Frank and the kids asked me a simple Q? after dinner. It was like I was stuck in a mumble on the word or something and I couldn't get off. Has anyone ever done that???? Please tell me I'm not the only one! I do that with the letter "M" when I'm in the storm, too. Get stuck on 'mmmmmouse' mmmmother or it'll come out like mumumumu - ever done that????

Ok, enough for today. llook it's after 2, I'm still in my jammies; AGAIN! SHOCKER! this isn't my norm.

hoping YOU are pain free today

deborah

Dance with the Migraine Monster

This is how they always begin; the pretty, dancing and swirling of lights. Sometimes they are so fast, I'm not quite sure if I see them or not. Then they come again. At times they appear with a sound, like a "zip" or a "whirl" and then they can sort of "fizzle out" with their radiance.

As my eye tries to follow the brightness, my stomach begs me not to, for it rolls in agony of what is yet to come. At the same time, I welcome the outcome, to rid myself of the poison; just a moment of peace and normal feeling to my body again. PLEASE!

Oh, here it comes; the onslaught of the real monster. Over and over and over again, he comes to torture me with his pick. Deeper, deeper and deeper it goes. My eyes are watering, my ears are screaming in pain, too. It doesn't END! It just keeps coming, and I just take it like a pro, that I am.

That is what I've become, the professional migraineur. unfortunate at that. Really, who wants to be professional in that sort of realm? Certainly not ME! It seems as though, just when I'm feeling good enough to say, "I think maybe it's time to try oh, I don't know, going down on this med or that med, because, maybe I really am doing well;" that is when the Beast comes back to my town, knocks on my door, or my head rather, and reminds me, that there is no way HE is going anywhere away from ME. Afterall, HE seems perfectly comfortable in my head and my neurologic state to move on. Bastardo.

I have been at the infusion center since last Friday, getting my cocktail drip of meds that should break the cycle of this attack. I think it has been successful (oh, dear, Lord please!) So far this morning when I woke, there has been no raging storm. thankyou, thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! So for today, I will just lay low, and take it very easy. Upload my pics into my new frame; take down Christmas. Well, over the entire weekend and with help, that is - the Christmas thing anyway.

By the way, the artwork featured here is by Russian artist Olea Nova and can be viewed by linking here and clicking on "Migraines." Be sure to check out her other incredible work.

Wishing the rest of you a painfree weekend

Deborah