#46 New Robe!

For Christmas, my husband got me the robe on my Amazon wishlist! I was SO happy and it is A-MAZ-ING! It is SO comfy and warm and I love to wrap up in it after a nice long shower or bubble bath, climb onto my chaise and read. Having a nice cup of tea at the same time is even better.

Funny, I just noticed that this looks like it could actually be my bathroom door.

#98 - Recycle

We have been recycling pretty much everything since last summer, so I think I can cross this one off. This is something we hope others will begin to do themselves. It's so important to take care of the earth that God has blessed us with. It's all about stewardship for us. We have been entrusted with its care - to a degree - and it is important to honor that responsibility.

#101 - Donate Hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths

This was done about a month ago, but I forgot to post. It is so rewarding knowing that my hair is going to help a woman undergoing cancer treatment. I had about 9 inches that I donated and they will combine my donation with hair from about 6 other donations and make a wig. Our hair is something that we don't always think too much about, but imagine not having it. It's one thing if we CHOOSE to shave or cut our hair and an entirely different situation if that choice is made for us. If my hair can help a woman feel better about herself, that makes me feel so happy. It's amazing the difference I feel about myself when I feel like my hair looks good. I pray for the woman who will wear my hair. I pray for healing, but also that she realizes that she is beautiful, hair or no hair.

#45 New Cut and Color

I cut my hair for Pantene Beautiful Lengths and went pretty drastic. I lost 8+ inches and went blonde with pink highlights. This was something that was pretty (ok, extremely) hard for me to do. Yeah, I know it's just hair, but I am one who always worries about what other people will think of me.

I first wanted to color my hair pink back in middle school. It only took 15 years, but I finally did it. I was still worried about what others would think, but I needed to do this for ME. And you know what? I LOVE it! It was more than just about the hair for me, it was about not caring so much what other people think about me and doing what I want to do - something that is extremely difficult for me.

I love it and plan to keep it up. I just wish that the pink wouldn't fade so fast. Anyone have any ideas on how to make it stay?

***ETA: I'll consider my PBL donation complete when I finally get it in the mail. I'm such a slacker.

#24 SIL's Final Stage Performance

SIL is an amazing dancer and the stage is going to miss her greatly. She has decided at the ripe, old age of 20, that large productions just aren't her thing and that she would rather focus on what he wants to do with her life. She will continue dancing, but wants to get her degree and do dance therapy. HOW COOL IS THAT? I'm so happy for and proud of her.

The performance was amazing. We had fantastic seats in the second row. I expected it to be good, but I didn't expect a Broadway style performance, which is what we got. A-MAZ-ING! The talent in that group of performers (both singers and dancers) is just phenomenal. SIL was in several numbers (7, I think), but there were two that were especially heartwarming for me. The first was a ballet number - think long tu-tu's and point. I looked at her and just thought about how she was living every little girls dream. The second was her last number, in which the entire cast was on the stage doing what they do best.

I'm so thrilled that we got to be there for her big night. She is an amazing dancer.

#83 I Found an Old Friend!

I'm so excited! I have been trying to find my friend TM (I now know she is TF) for about 5-6 years. The past few weeks I've really felt like I just HAD to find her. So, I pay some online sites for her information and none of them were current. I finally found her parents phone number (yes, I did try that first, but could never get them and they didn't have an answering machine). So, tonight I called the number for about the 5th time this week and I'm SHOCKED when the phone is picked up.

"Is this B_____ M____?"
"Yes...."
"Hi, This is _____ ______, I went to high school with T and would really like to get in contact with her."
"Who did you say this was?"
"_____ _____"
"Oh, I remember that name. Here is her phone number. [insert number] I'd wait to call until the weekend since she is usually asleep around 8:30."
"Thank you SO much. I'll wait until the weekend to contact her then. How is she doing?"

We continue to talk for a few minutes and she remembers who I am...I think, then I get off the phone. She reminds me to wait until the weekend and I reassure her I will wait.

I get off the phone, look at her number and say, "I can't wait any longer! I've waiting 6 years and I'm not waiting any more." So I called and we talked for an hour. We are planning to see one another this summer when we go visit my IL's. We will meet half way since she is in the next state.

I'm so excited. It was wonderful talking to her. She has 2 sons and a husband and is still in the military. She is working on her bachelors degree and hopes to apply for OCS. I really hope we stay in contact now. It made me heart so happy to talk to her.

She was amazed at the lengths I went to in order to find her and was SO happy I did. I am too. I don't talk to people from my past very often. In all honesty, I have really kept up with anyone from my PH days (pre-hubby). Sad, really. I honestly think it's because I never let anyone get that close after a while. I held a lot of people back at arms length.

Anyway...I'm so happy that she was the first person I found. It did me a world of good to know she is well and is accomplishing so much with her life.

#49a Get Eyes Checked

Hmm...so I got my eyes checked today...kind of. I didn't walk out with a rx b/c he dx me with acute allergic conjunctivitis. Dr. Shank told me that I wouldn't be allowed to wear contacts any more because I am allergic to the proteins in the eye cleanser. I took his word for it and left with my free sample of Restasis and my rx for my steroid treatment with a follow up appt scheduled for Dec. 2. So I just sit down at the computer and do some research. Sure, I could very well be allergic to the eye cleanser, but there are any number of other causes. How did he know that was the cause when I haven't worn contacts for months and still have my eye problems? He also didn't do any tests to check for specific allergies.

According to Vision Web:

Allergic conjunctivitis results from a response to airborne pollen, dust, smoke, or environmental agents. Both eyes are usually affected and may itch, tear excessively and discharge a stringy mucous. You may also have other allergic reactions, such as a runny or itchy nose. Allergy tests can identify specific causes, and repeated injections may desensitize you to the allergens.

Topical eye drops are available to relieve symptoms, and depending on the severity, you eyecare provider or physician may also recommend oral medications such as over-the-counter or prescription decongestant-antihistamines. Eyecare products such as contact lens solutions or eye drops can cause allergic reactions as well. Discontinue use if you notice allergic conjunctivitis symptoms following the use of a particular product.

I think since contacts aren't covered in any way, shape or form by my insurance, I'm just going to get my eyes checked again at LensCrafters while I'm in Anchorage while getting my new glasses. (I should have a new rx at my follow up.) I go up on 3 Dec for some appointments for my son.

So, I think I'll use them as a second opinion while I'm there and hopefully get some new contacts. I only want to wear them every once in a while. If I can't wear them once a week like I would prefer, just for special occasions would be nice. Dr. Shank refused to even allow that and said that Lasik would be out of the question too since it tends to exaserbate eye problems. Anyone know if that is true?

So while I didn't get my rx yet, I did go...finally. I think the last time I went was back in 2005 and perhaps even 2004? I'm pretty sure it was Feb. 2005 though. I'll update after my next appointment. I am going to talk to him about what I found though.