Design Gangsta

Has been a good week in the design world. I picked up another client and nailed a package design for her on the first try. Finished up a cookie box and sent files for print and got a nice check in the mail. I'm feelin' all design gangsta...

Feeling Lucky

Last night we had two storms tear through this neck of the woods. First one came through about 10:00 with big winds, lightening and much needed rain. The second one came through about midnight with bigger winds, lightening and more much needed rain and took down a pine tree and a large chunk of another tree. Hubby & I were up at 2:30 a.m. trimming grape vine from the electrical lines so we could get power to the house again.

Of all the places that pine tree could've fallen, it picked the perfect spot. Any other direction it could've broken the electric wires going to the house, or landed on my office, or taken the windmill or another tree with it. So we are feeling a bit lucky. It actually did us a favor to fall - we've been wanting to get rid of that one. It's right next to the concord grape vine covered windmill and the overhead electric lines going into the house. The grape vine had grown into this tree as well.

The other tree, a Chinese Elm, is one of our favorites. It is very old and hangs over the driveway so nice. It took a big chunk out of the tree so not sure if it will be safe to leave the rest up.

Good news is the grapes are ripe so I've got easy access to a bunch of them laying on the ground. Grape jelly anyone? We decided last night the concord grape vine is coming off the windmill. Will try transplanting some canes and start it elsewhere. It was planted there during WWII so would like to save it.

Postsecret

Every Sunday I like to go check the new secrets for the week at Postsecret.com. Here's a video posted on there this week. Check out his site next week. It's a great study of human nature.

Plush by Stone Temple Pilots

If I could exist in a parallel universe, I would like to be his microphone in said universe. :P

New Wheels

In eleven days I'll take ownership of my "new to me" wheels. A '98 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. It looks like the car in the photo above. I'm so excited! Hubby and I will need to take a road trip soon. One of our wandering trips where we don't have a clue where we'll end up. I'll be squeezing in as much as I can before we pack it away for the winter. Then old trusty rusty mini van will carry me over the salty winter roads.

I was going to wait until I met my weight goal to get a convertible but when one of our friends decided to sell their car and for one heck of a deal, we couldn't pass it up. So NOW what will be my carrot dangling at the end of the stick? Or maybe I should say karat? I bet when hubby reads that he chokes on his coffee. Don't worry hon, I'm not turning all high maintenance on you. I hope this isn't a mid-life crisis I'm going through. Pedicures, convertible, gym membership, diamond dreams...uh, oh.

The D Word

At last years' doctor appointment, after discussing some of my symptoms and problems, one of the tests she ordered was a fasting blood glucose test. I found out from that I was borderline Type 2 diabetic. Earlier this year I met with a nutritionist and finally, about 5 weeks ago started changing the way I eat. At last week's appointment, Doc ordered an A1C blood test which checks how your blood sugar has been over the past few months. Normal is less than 6.0, I'm a 6.6. So I now have diabetic written on my chart.

When I think back, I've most likely been borderline diabetic since the mid 90's. It was then I started having problems with nausea, dizzy spells and breaking out into cold sweats if it was too long between meals. My former doctor just gave me that "another complaining woman" look with a slight eye roll when I talked to him about it. I should've been more persistant at that time. I should've called him on the carpet with those looks he'd give me and found another doctor. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

I'm low enough on the scale that I don't need to do insulin or pills yet. Going to work on food choices, test my blood sugar regularly and exercise every day and will have another A1C test in six months. I've got a lot of reading to do to educate myself on how food effects the body and how to make better choices. I'm down 16 pounds and have been to the gym every weekday since I signed up last week so I'm off to a good start.

Dammit. That free-eating-frenzy I had been on for the last 20 years caught up with me. Why did I think it wouldn't? Moreso, why did I think it was worth the risk?

Say Ahhhh

I don't know where my head was at a few months ago when I made appointments. Really, who in their right mind would schedule, all in the same week, an annual doctors exam on Wednesday, a dentist appointment on Thursday and a mammogram on Friday? Had I been truly on the ball, I would have squeezed in the eye doctor appointment on Tuesday. It's a good thing I'm self employed, the boss didn't give me much hassle about the appointments. She is making me work late though.

I've been seeing this doctor for the past two years. She is a good match for me. I walk in with my check list of concerns and questions and she follows through with all of them. She's personable yet professional and takes care of business. Unlike one of my former doctors that thought it was great to chit chat while he was probing my nether regions, she's in and out of there in no time.

She was especially pleased with me when I told her about my appointment this morning. I joined a new fitness center that opened up a mile down the road. A young Mom/Personal Trainer/Iron Man Competitor built a fitness center in their back yard. Entrepreneurs - gotta love 'em! Twice a week I'll be working on the weight machines to build muscle and the stepper for a cardio workout. Then on Wednesdays I'll be at the Yoga/Pilates class. On the days it's not so blasted hot and I have time, I'll walk to the fitness center. It's 1.6 miles from my door to hers. I am excited to get started!

Maybe if I call right now I can get in at the eye doctor on Friday after the mammogram.