DEADLINE MIDNIGHT....no problems? I think?

Hairdresser...

Due tonight at midnight?  No problem... I think... this isn't my first Rodeo.  I go through this EVERY tax season.  I guess according to the news last night I am in that 25% group of Americans who wait until the last minute.  I had great intentions this year.  In the beginning I started logging in all bank statements and receipts in the beginning of the year, once a week.  Apparently that lasted until February 16th, 2011.  Now I have waited so long, and I closed my bank account so I had to download all my statements and manually enter everything.  I am only putting in business related entries.  At this point why wouldn't I.  This is day 2 and I am about half way there, however in the meantime, Stevi has been home the last 2 days with a stomach problem, I need to call the Dr. and see if he will send her prescriptions in before her follow up appointment since we can't get in to see him until May 2nd, and ask him if I can get her something over the counter such as Pepto Bismal to help her.  Like all other teenagers, since she was feeling better and thought she was miraculously cured, she quit taken her medicine and I think she ate something she is still at least intolerant to, no hives but nausea and other things I'm not allowed to mention about her because it's embarrassing.....

Laptop

Hairdresser filing system and office.........

As you can see.......I am very organized and I am on July of last years bank statements , then I need to sift through my receipts and enter all cash receipts that are pertinent.......HELP!?  

PS I miss you Dad!

I feel it, Oh God do I...

Packing a house in 5 days, transferring all accounts, filling out lease agreements, transferring schools, running and paying for deposits etc, then getting a letter from the bank that your previous "temporary credit" will be withdrawn until they receive further information that you had cancelled your credit card machine account because they are saying they didn't receive your phone calls, emails or letter and apparently they have more rights to your money than you do, so now I need to go close my account so they can't take any more money out.......all while hacking, feeling like I'm going to throw up all day, physically exhausted, headache, sore throat, sinus and ear pressure and I think I just broke a fever because I am in a full sweat and clammy after taking 4 Advil...................I feel like Shit.........the end.

Landlord on his way......

 Jay called the landlord Thursday night after we decided the only way to get Stevi better is to remove her from this environment as soon as possible.  Everything we've been told is to get her out right away.  It's hard when we both work and have been working overtime as much as possible because of all this expensive turmoil.  The landlord lives in California and is coming today.  Thankfully.  We had every intention of giving him the proper 30 day notice but in light of all that has happened over the last 6-7 weeks, and talking to her now 4 different Doctors, the one conclusion they have come up with until her biopsy, is that she needs to be in a safe non-toxic environment.  Jay and I are still sick, chesty, with coughs, mainly at night and as soon as I walk into our home, my eyes, nose start running, the coughing begins.   Thankfully with all the medication Stevi is on, her symptoms are less frequent, she was missed 54 classes in the last 6 weeks due to medical reasons and couldn't cheer the last 2 games and has missed practice this week.  Wednesday night I was up with her until 1:30 because she couldn't breathe and her chest was tight and throat swollen and her tongue felt big and fuzzy.  I know that not all people are susceptible to serious issues with a slight amount of mold, but some are.  The fact that the old carpeting is still in the house and now I have found new mold spore growing in areas that are near moisture just reiterates that when the spore was introduced into the air and the series of events with illness, it is airborne.  We need to move.  Thankfully, as soon as Jay spoke to our landlord and he was made aware that he may have a mold problem, he is jumping into to action....I felt and expressed that the carpeting was so soaked and being so old that it should be replaced....it wasn't.  Could that be harboring mold as well?  Very possibly.  We do not want to cause any problems for him as he really has been a great landlord.  Jay really likes him and that was part of our tough decision, but our families health is first and foremost.  The new place we found isn't ready but when we told him we may need to move into my Mom's just to get away from this environment he said he would have it ready for us by Wednesday.  Is it an emergency to move?  I don't know...I feel it's essential that  we do.   Stevi goes in for her biopsies on April 9th, and the new school quarter starts March 26th....That really is a week and 4 days away.  With all the research I've done, and I woke up with hives this morning on my ankles... weird, and Jay and I are now coughing up jellyfish again, seems to be more on the weekends when we are home, I think it's time.  We have been here 2 years and had planned on not moving again until Stevi graduated.  As you know, the school out here has been less than impressive and we were really thinking of moving this summer to start her in a better, less populated area.  Reno High has a lot of generational support, even the Alumni still donate money and volunteer at the school and everyone I've talked to, their kids love going there.  God works in mysterious ways and sometimes it takes a minute to figure out what to do especially when all Hell is breaking loose from 10 different directions.  The new house is primarily laminate and tile flooring....knowing how much bacteria and God only knows what else old carpeting can be collecting, that brings me a sigh of relief.  This has all happened so fast, but sometimes you need to just jump into action and fight it head on....step by step...........Today when our landlord comes out he will be hopefully be  testing the area and see how high the percentage in the air is....All I know, is I want Stevi to become normal again, being an athlete that can't even exercise very well and an honor student who has missed so much school, she is doing homework non-stop just to get caught up and never missed school before............We  just want life to get back to normal, move forward.........anyone have any boxes?

She's not the Fucking Snitch Bitch that turned you in.... I am...

 When a mother steps in, now kids seem to think they are fighting their kids battles.  No just being a mother.   When a mother monitors her daughters Facebook, she's not being nosy, just being a mother.  When a mother goes to another child's house to get closure on a situation, it's not to make things worse, it's being a mother.  When a mother sees her child in pain, and tries to make the pain go away, again, just being a mother.  When a mother stays up all night and goes back and forth from the bedroom to check if her baby, whether a newborn or 15 is still breathing, just being a mother.  When a mother puts her foot down and tries to end the bullying, it's not to make things worse, it's to put an end to the harassment, because I'm just being a mother.  When I am begged to stay out of it and I just can't stand to sit idly and watch her pain any more, it's because I'm just a mother.  When a mother looks for a new home even though she hates moving to make life easier for her child, it's just because she is a mother.  And when a mother finds out how to finally fight fair... she becomes a Mother Fucker.


So to all of you kids who have a right to an education, therefore you are passed from school to school because of those rights regardless of your behavior, know that someday you will finally meet your match.  And for those of you that have tangled with this Mother Fucker, know that I am not your friend, nor am I scared of you or your mouths, for she is not the "Fucking Snitch Bitch" that turned you in, it was just a mother, who is behaving as a mother should.  After all, my child also has the right to an education and your behavior is hindering that by making her life miserable so just know, that I am watching, no matter how small, if you don't stop, your life will become miserable as well...and while we are on that subject, you can thank me for turning in your stupid little Facebook slams regarding my daughter,because it stopped her Daddy from going to your house at 11:00 last night and handling it his way.....which would have been quite ugly all the way around, because he is less scared of you or the consequences defending his daughters honor would bring.  So good luck out there you little heathens , I know who you are, and I am watching you, and I personally do not care what you think, say or feel about me.....You mean nothing to me.

Swapping months may actually work..

 Growing up together is hard for a married couple.  We got married when I was 17 and Jay was 18.  Not only did we have to learn how to cook and clean basically as children, we also had to learn how to budget a small amount of money to keep a roof over our head and food in our mouths.  Jayson was born 4 1/2 months after we were married, so basically from day one we also have had children to worry about.  We have been married 26 years and have never been children free, or bill free.  Money has gotten tight again, for most people, it is just like starting over again as young kids.  We, like many other families have resorted to living paycheck to paycheck once again, and trying how to leave money in the bank for groceries, etc.  I once gave this burden to Jay because I was stressed out around 20 years ago, and as young as he was and being a guy, it didn't exactly go as I had planned, I had to take the reigns again.  Now that we are in our 40's, he has gone through the construction drop and the unemployment lines, he is as frugal as Hell and is working steadily again with as much overtime as possible, knowing it could stop again tomorrow.  Many times he would put his paycheck in the bank as I have and we would have no money left and he would say.."I just put my check in! How can we be broke!?"  As hard as it is to explain the expense of living, including a very active teenage daughter, I decided to start trading months with him and let him budget and pay bills, figure out allowances etc, every other month.  It's definitely working.  I am amazed at how he can pinch a penny, get bills paid and it has also made me aware of how much money I easily spend.  I get paid daily and have for 23 years so I always have cash coming in.  Having to hand it over to him nightly and ask for money for gas, Stevi's guitar lessons, her make-up, milk etc., has made me stay on a much tighter budget.  Last night we were able to buy the kids (Jayson and Guoda) dinner, as well as Stevi and Alyssa...something we haven't been able to do in a long time.  I know we can't do that weekly like my family traditions used to be.  Even when we were broke, my mom and dad found a way, even if we made it to Denny's.  Those Friday nights are missed by all of us.  I felt bad because I didn't know that Jay was going to pay for all of us... and Jayson and Guoda were upset that Grandma wasn't there.  The only reason I didn't invite her is because she hates driving in the dark and I know she is on a tight budget as well.  If I had known we had enough money, she would have been there I'm sure.  Our family has grown and it is hard to fit Friday night dinners into the budget, but we have been looking for a new place to live and the one we are turning an application in for tomorrow is big enough to entertain and I will definitely Implement family get togethers once a month as a pot luck if we can't afford to feed everybody.  For now, I am pretty impressed with Jay's ability to balance money.  Stevi is going to prom and needs to get her dress.  Guoda gave her two prom dresses to keep in the event she can't get the once she wants......Prom is expensive and Daddy is in charge.....Ought to be very interesting.....

Eat an Elephant one bite at a time....

Insightful week.  When our washer flooded our house during Football Playoffs, and a wall had to be removed in the rental we have been living in because of Black Mold spore, it never occurred to me that that may have been what started the ball rolling with all of the allergy, hives and respiratory problems Stevi has been having.  Or the fact that around a week or two after that I started getting really congested and ended up with Laryngitis and have had a ridiculous cough and trouble breathing.... it seems to be worse at night and in the morning... when we are  at home.  Jay has been really sick , chesty and coughing as well just to name a few.  I was told by a good friend in property management who has knowledge of these removal techniques and knows the laws that our landlord didn't follow proper protocol at all. And although we had to dry the carpet , sub flooring and wall out with the 5 industrial fans going for 2 weeks straight, it probably just pushed all the spore into the air because it was never sealed off.  Then I vacuumed the carpet over and over, that was never replaced even though it was so soaked through that the crawl space under the house was flooded.  Stevi's blood work did test positive for mold, now not only do we need to check the house for airborne particles, which is very expensive, to at least rule that out, Jay and I need to be tested as well and we need to move.  I put a link up at the top.  That was only one of many I found.  Apparently mold poisoning and removal is just as serious if not more that Asbestos removal and our house was Bandaged back together by 3 unlicensed Hispanic men who could only come on the the weekend because it was a side job, because our landlord wouldn't hire the licensed contractor we provided because he was too expensive by slapping down linoleum in the front area where part of the flood was and replacing the piece of wall that was torn out, very shabbily I may add as well.  Thousands of dollars later in medical bills for Stevi, the expense of moving and Jay and I working our asses off, sick to pay for everything and if this is the culprit which makes total sense, it  could have all been prevented had it been handled properly.  God works in mysterious ways.  We are getting our ducks in a row, one step at a time so we know how and where to start fighting for our health, safety and the expenses this may have caused us.  In light of Stevi's issues in this area as well, environmentally it is not safe for her, and maybe not for us.  We are looking to move, we found a house that would be perfect in the Reno High School area, if that house is meant to be, it is meant to be.  In the mean time, thankfully, we have kept the wall in plastic that was removed, and the carpet and all the sub flooring is still in this house.  I have some phone calls to make, we will get it tested to rule it out or in and do what we need to from there.  I put my blog out into the universe and it's amazing how God works.  If the mold is the culprit, I will tell you the story of how this conversation came about and may have saved our health.  In the mean time.....as Jay always says..."You know how you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time..."  So we are...

Speechless......

 It has finally happened, I'm speechless. Literally.  Trying to balance the weight of the world and the blessing of being packed full with clients this last two weeks at work, trying to get everyone to play nice and make the world a better place and the worries of a family that has suddenly lost their husband and father.  I am now officially sick.  I have been fighting it on and off for awhile and the last 3 nights I medicated myself with NyQuil because my throat has hurt so much and I've been so stuffy.


Stevi has been dealing with a lot of issues with her body and stress as well so her immunities are down and yesterday she asked if she could stay home because her throat was so sore.  I tried to call her in and I'm not sure what they heard on the school answering machine because it came out in segments and sounded like a seal being beaten to death with a club and someone had a mute button to turn it on and off at random just for fun!


Luckily today I am home today so I can rest a bit, the only thing going on today is Stevi's guitar lesson with a new guy, Jeff Montgomery at Bizarre Guitar. It's her first lesson in around 3 years, her electric guitar is too small since it was a junior size and her "Hannah Montana" guitar grandma gave her , well she informed me she is just too old for that.  I wanted to bring it to grandmas for the kids to play with, but I really don't know if it is considered a toy or not?  Stevi has taken care of it, maybe we can put it at Grandmas house on a shelf so the kids can ask to play it is what I'm thinking.  We are saving it for Willow and Sage, but with my sister owning a daycare, not sure if that is a good idea to have it there, although I know my sister is the organizer they write about in books, I'm sure it will be fine.


Thinking about moving, one nice thing about living in a rental is you can do that, although, we all hate having to move again.  This move may be for the best.  For a multitude of reasons, it has not been a great year for us in this area.  You can't run from life, but when it starts to get the better of you, change is good.  We have talked about it and feel that the Old Southwest Reno area, zoned for Reno High School where Stevi has a lot of great friends from athletics live and are zoned for.  I haven't been really impressed with Spanish Springs HS, I have met some amazing people and students, don't get me wrong, but there have been a lot more negatives than positives and I feel that over population may be a big part of it.  A few of my friends have even pulled their kids out to home school or transferred or put their kids on variances for the same reasons.  I want school to be part of a growing and learning experience for my daughter, not a stressful nightmare.  So I am leaving the decision up to her, she needs to think if what she is going through  can be overcome or if it's time to start a new chapter in our lives.  I have looked and as far as rentals go, we can get a lot more house for what we are paying for this one........time will tell, it's not an emergency but a thought.  We will decide as a family.  There are mean people everywhere, but as I spoke to a few of Stevi's friends , it has happened to them as well and it can make life miserable.  Hard to explain because there has been so much going on, but it is excessive out here.  And we moved her to be in a "better" area after researching all the schools........Speechless.........

Handing over the reigns......

I did it today......I passed the baton to Jay.  Whew, that is hard.  I am such a control freak, so used to doing it myself and not asking for help unless it is absolutely necessary.  He now has Fridays off so he can get stuff done while I am at work and for some reason I have always been scared to ask him for help.  There used to be a time when asking him and getting him to agree was such an effort I just quit asking him to help me anymore.  He sees me, through me, how tired and defeated I am and he is helping as much as possible.  One thing I have always handled is the scheduling, finances, phone calls, calendar.  You will only get help if you ask for it.  One thing I have learned is it usually needs to be asked for, I can't expect it to just happen.  When it does........I'm so happy I can't stand it.  So today he is handling all of Stevi's needs...rides, questions, plans... which as you know if you have a teenager can change instantaneously.  Another thing he handled today was going to the Union Hall and fighting it out with Human Resources about the fact that the insurance won't cover Stevi going to the Pediatric Gastroenologist (sp?) because the preferred provider list has a few to choose from.  None are Pediatric and the other specialists won't touch her because she is only 15...It's detrimental to her health and my General Practitioner filed a formal complaint with the Insurance Commissioner yesterday about it because she can only see this particular GI doctor, who actually takes our insurance.  They can't seem to locate him on the provider list so they are denying it.  My doctor spent an hour and 20 minute on the phone fighting with the insurance company.  He is livid, I am scared.  When serious enough, Celiacs Disease can lead to Crones Disease and eventually after they have removed enough of your intestines, you end up with a Colostomy Bag or possibly death.  Jay spent a couple hours and we are still...excuse me, Jay is waiting for a call back from the Union advocate.  They are trying to make concessions because we have had her covered for the last 15 years and we have no other options at this point.  I want to ask him so many questions but he said this morning..."Don't stress, I've got this..."  So I am trying......

Am I just tired?

I feel like I have the flu, I am having severe stomach problems, (what's new right?), I have no energy, I feel like I have a fever (but I don't my temperature is 97.1 hmm?)  I just want to crawl into bed and go to sleep and whine like my little mini Doxie does.  I'm stressed, no lie, I haven't had time to exercise and I am following the same diet Stevi is on so I know exactly what she is going through with these strict dietary guidelines.  I'm sure I am not getting enough calories, yet neither is Stevi and my brain is on overload with all this new information I need to absorb.  Thank God this week I am booked solid for a full 5 days because that hasn't happened in years.  God's way of helping me put money back into the bank that has been coming out sooner than I am making it.


I finally made the time to get into my Therapist's office and was able to unload and have myself a little pity party and a mental breakdown in the safety of her office and her response to me was......"When you are on an airline the first thing the Stewardess tells you to do if the plane is going down is to put your air mask on first before helping others......why do you think that is?"


"Because I can't help anyone else if I'm dead or unconscious ...."


She said..."You are absolutely right, if you don't take care of your self first , you are not able to help everyone else successfully, you can't help them if you let yourself fall apart."


We know this.  We are told this, yet as women, we need to fix, protect, placate, and take care of every situation first...and there is never anything left in us , for us.  I really wanted to go to Cross Fit tonight, I really need it for me, but for me today I saw my Therapist  and I really needed to talk to her.  My decision not to go to Cross Fit was weighed back and forth heavily.  Do I go?  I really should and I need to.  Or do I go home because I only slept 3 hours last night and feel like I've been hit by a truck?


Since Stevi has gotten so sick and sensitive to just about all foods unless its fresh, organic with no cross contamination, I have been reading, learning, studying labels , staying up late and getting up early, running her to Doctor appointments, the pharmacy, running to the school.  Basically running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I've been on the phone with Doctors and insurance companies and pharmacies for endless hours.  I am mentally and physically exhausted and stressed out to the point I feel like an overwound rubber band ready to break or unravel like crazy. Yet, I get up, go to work, smile on cue and drop everything for everyone else when needed.

Maybe I'm just tired............

Wheat fee, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Corn Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free........

 Stevi and I went to a specialist today to try to pinpoint her allergies.  The tests came back positive for 100's of allergies, some small, some very serious.  Yes she did test positive for the allergies to wheat and gluten...easy once you know.  Not for us.  Not only is she allergic to wheat and gluten which seems to be in everything, she is also allergic to any tree nut, soy and corn (which is in most gluten free items), pork and shellfish.  So allergic in fact, the Dr. gave her another prescription for an additional epipen, and an inhaler, both of which she must have on her at all times, and she is now on prednisone to help with her hives and itching.  As of now, she needs to stop taking all antihistamines for at least 72 hours and Monday we go back and she will be getting the allergy scratch test since the blood tests are not as accurate as far as which allergies are deadly and which once are just going to be irritating to her.  Monday will take about two hours and we should know exactly which ones are life threatening to her and which ones she may just have an intolerance to, as of now  she is to stay away from ALL gluten, wheat, soy, corn, shellfish, nuts, and even salmon, which includes all bi-products and possible cross contaminations.  She will be put on a '504' at school which is for all students with any life threatening diseases, allergies or health issues.  There have been a lot of tears, me and her and Daddy, try shopping with a 15 year old and looking at the boxes and essentially putting everything back on the shelf.  Next time you shop, or go to your cupboard  try to find 3 things within 5 minutes... bet you can't.  She can have beef, chicken, rice, potatoes and all fresh fruits and vegetables, except corn...sounds easy, but it isn't.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks must all be eaten this way.


After her Dr. appointment she was starving of course so I took her to PF Chang's, they have a Gluten free menu.  But all gluten free cooking contains soy or corn of some sort in the sauces.  We told the waitress and she was AMAZING!!!! She went and got a print out of the menu eliminating all of her allergies and brought the manager to us.  The only thing she could have was the Budda's Feast with steamed white rice.  But the manager took one look at her disappointed face and said, "We can steam some chicken for you so it doesn't touch the grill and steam the rice and vegetables so we don't risk it coming in contact with any other ingredients..."  So that is what we had, the waitress and the manager came over more than a few times to ask how it was, if she felt OK and the waitress actually sat at our table and talked to Stevi about how hard it must be and some of the diets she has had to be on herself.  Then out of the blue she asked Stevi..."CAN YOU HAVE HONEY?!"  "Yes" Stevi replied.  She said.." I'll be right back I have a special treat for you!"  She left and came back proudly holding 2 smoothies for us that she had made in the back, by herself with honey and fresh berries.  Not only did she make them herself, she didn't charge us and again the manager came over and asked if it was good.  The best service I think I may have ever had with genuine concern and kindness.  The waitress' name is Asshlee Lanskey, she is a beautiful young black woman from Alabama and she has  just moved here.  If you go in to PF Changs' please ask for her and  you will be treated well with a smile and nice sweet conversation.  When you have special needs like that, a lot of servers would fake it or even be put out... I am still speechless at the care we were given and the kindness to a 15 year old girl who is having a difficult time realizing that this is going to change the way she eats for the rest of her life.  Thank you Asshlee... from now on, if we are able to go to dinner, we will be dining in your section. 

My daughter the Celiac?

The Epipen in case ......

 Since she was 10, she has had stomach problems, I thought she may be lactose intolerant, sometimes I thought it was an excuse to be a picky eater.  Like me she has issues with her stomach..(If you read my blog on the 5th 'Let's talk Poo', you know what I am talking about.  It is frustrating as a parent to have a child who is sick all the time and has a stomach ache, cramps and other issues.  We have been to the doctor multiple times and she has been treated for acid reflux. Unsuccessfully. Yesterday morning it was my Mom's turn to rescue us.  She woke me up at 6 am freaking out because she thought she had chicken pox.  As she scratched herself like a dog with fleas, I assured her she was having an allergic reaction and she was broken out with hives.  We got her under control with Benedryl and Hydro cortisone Cream so she calmed down and I called my Mom.  As I was calling my Mom, she started to try to get ready for the day and started freaking out again because her face was burning.  I looked at her and she looked like she had chemical burns or like she had gone snow skiing and had severe wind burn.  So I made her wash her face and nothing we tried would relieve the burning.  I made her an appointment with the doctor and she got in with one of his assistants.  She made herself a list of all her ailments and brought them with her when my mom came to take her.  She needed to be tested for Celiac Disease.  Why didn't I think of that!?  I have so many clients with this disease and I never ever thought that would be what would come up.  It all makes sense.  I read all day yesterday and until 3 am this morning.  I did research with google and all my clients that are living with this disease.  If this is what it is, which makes perfect sense, it would explain every issue she is having and can be controlled primarily with diet changes.  It's amazing how many foods contain wheat or gluten products.  Below is a basic list of Okay foods and not okay foods. We are assuming this is the problem and are trying to be proactive as this is a healthy way to eat with or without Celiac Disease.  It's the clean way to eat and is the basis for many diets such as P90X and the Paleo and Mediterranean diets. This is a very healthy lifestyle change so we will see if it makes a difference and I still need to call the doctor for the lab results,  I'm almost thinking that Jayson and I may have at least an intolerance.  It would certainly explain a lot of my issues that just have become regular to me.  Although it took me 20 minutes to find Gluten Free cereal and Soy milk (Rice Chex has 5 varieties)  I am now aware of the options out there since this seems to be an epidemic. Stevi had a party for cheer this afternoon after school, and it was really difficult for her, she was able to have Corn chips and cheese, but my friend Barb told me that the new coffee shop Lighthouse Cafe on the corner of Pyramid and Eagle Canyon, right near our home and the school, that gets a new delivery every Thursday afternoon of all locally baked Gluten Free pastries, cookies, do-nuts and scones, they also have bread.  I have gotten quite an education and a quick look into a world of frustration and serious allergic reactions.  All I want is my daughter to feel good and normal and to not have to cover up rashes and other skin ailments.  I have a long road of educating myself ahead of me, and I intend to make sure my daughter is healthy, happy and comfortable.  

R.I.P. Chyla..................... :'''-((((

My Mom and Chyla Sunday night after 2 of the episodes

Today is going to be a rough day but it's all about the right thing to do.  Many of you have had to make this difficult decision and it is never an easy decision for any reason.

We have all been able to say our Goodbyes.
My Mom saw Chyla 8 years ago at a Pet store that had rescue animals that day and noticed her but just wasn't ready for another dog.  After she and my sister left she kept thinking about Chyla and said that nobody would end up rescuing her because she was so ugly. (Her ugliness is what has made her so endearing and beautiful to our family.)  My sister basically talked her into going back and it was the best decision she ever made.  From that day forward, that dog never left her side.

A great hiking and snowshoeing companion

Chyla came on every crazy hiking adventure we have been on until she started getting too old, she is now 12 years old, very old for a boxer and it really wasn't until this last year that she really started showing her age.  She even went on the hike from Hell with us and trusted us 100% and did what ever we asked of her, jumping over an Icy creek and trusting me to catch her by her collar and fling her across to my Mom who was patiently waiting upside down in a snow bank because I did the same thing to her using the handle of her backpack.  That day was a miracle that we all made it out alive...but that story is for another day.

Love this photo

There was also another hike that we went on that we ended up crossing several water falls, it was on the shady side of a mountain and some of them were pretty icy, she trusted us there as well and with a little coaxing we all made it across. She never doubted that we would never let any harm come to her.

My Mom and her faithful companion

Chyla stayed by my Mom's side when my Dad passed away in 2006 and has greeted her with tail wagging and slept by the side of her bed, even keeping her recliner warm for her when she was away ever since...At one time, she even tried answering the phone for my Mom, so now anyone that doesn't know which buttons go where on that lovely cordless phone, you need to ask...it still works... we aren't sure who she was chatting with that day, but by the chew marks on the phone, it's pretty obvious it was someone for Chyla.

The tongue has always been a focal point to her  beauty
Sunday, my Mom and Chyla came over to our house for the Superbowl, and as usual, she brought Chyla, Jayson and Guoda brought Hart.  We had the back door open for the boxers since they can't fit through our tiny Weenie Doggie Door and Chyla got here first.  She wasn't acting herself and seemed uncomfortable.  She kept getting up and pacing, unusual for her and stretching.  After a bit of in and out, we decided to just leave the back door open.  Jayson  and Guoda arrived with Hart and she was back to being a puppy playing with him and showing off.  Shortly after, Jayson said "There is something wrong with Chyla outside"  We think it may have been a heart attack because she has severe heart problems now, but by the time we all got out there, she was down and struggling.  I got the dogs inside and shut the door to go back to help my Mom and Jayson and just in those few moments, she was gone.  Tongue out, no breathing, limp and eyes starting to bulge out of her head.  I ran in to get Jay, to help and Stevi and Guoda came outside, she was gone.  No life.  As we all were around her saying our goodbyes my Mom was crying and petting her saying the things you say when you don't want someone to leave you and after around 3 minutes, she gasped for breath, and started breathing.  Very confused and still limp but alive.  I ran in and got the doggie bed to make her more comfortable and a blanket to get her into the house because it was a bit chilly out and so Jay and Jayson lifted her onto the bed and brought it into the house into our computer room so we  could make her more comfortable since we knew what was happening.  After putting a doggie gate in the door, my Mom and I stayed with her petting and loving her, cleaning her up because she had backyard grit on her.  Then she heard Raider whining for her and she got up, very gingerly to go see him.  She wanted to be with the other dogs, so we let her...Weird.

After that we brought the doggie bed into the living room so she could be with the family and other K-9's and seemed to slowly get better, not normal but better.  Superbowl ended and my Mom got her into the car to head home.  Around 2 miles from my house, she had to pull over and resuscitate her because it had happened again.  She called me and we knew it was only a matter of time so Jay, Stevi and I headed over to finish digging a hole that Chyla had been working on in the back yard for awhile and figured that this is where so would like to be when she passes.  We got to my Moms and felt morbid as we dug the hole, because ChylaChyla weighs 80-85 lbs. and I knew she would need my help putting her to rest.  As soon as we got home my Mom called and she was dying, she had eliminated and was in the throws of death.  I said "I'm on my way."  Left the family at home and went to help my Mom bury her.  I arrived at my Mom's house and guess who greeted me ?  You guessed it Chyla.  Knowing it must be near, my Mom and I sat at the table having a "Fucking Martini" and exchanging stories as Chyla rested.  I ended up spending the night because we were sure it would be Sunday night, Monday morning.  She was weak Monday and had a vacant look in her eyes and an awful smell, but she just wasn't ready to leave my Mom.  We think she was being stoic for my Mom and had to tell her it was OK to go and I would always make sure my Mom was taken care of . After some discussion and very difficult decision, I called my old friend Kathleen Green DVM who comes to the home to help in those final days.  If we were to continue to let her have these moments, heart attacks or whatever they are , she would be very uncomfortable and eventually the brain damage would take over.  So after 3 bouts of death, the decision was made to let her have peace and no more discomfort.  Kathleen is meeting me at my Moms house at 10 am this morning. Not anything I am looking forward to at all, but I need to be there for my Mom and Chyla so we can have a good peaceful goodbye then cry our eyes out.  So it is with heavy heart that I end this story as I need to put my shoes on and go be there for my Mom.  Chyla, you have been the best dog ever and been there for not only my Mom, but all the grand children and really are a part of the family.  You can NEVER be replaced, we love you so much.....
R.I.P. Chyla......2000-2012

The cousins, in our family all family members are included in gatherings

Let's talk Poo........

I'm just special

 Not a typical open  conversation we will really be talking about the Bowel System so some of you may choose to not read any further.

I have never been regular.  When I was 8 I had severe food poisoning from Dairy Queen which had Botulism (Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by Clostridium Botulinum bacteria.  The bacteria may enter the body through wounds, or the may live in improperly canned or preserved food.  Symptoms usually appear 8-36 hours after consumption. )  I remember that miserable week, I thought I was going to die and the babysitter we had Peggy Stock (sp?) only had one bathroom.  NO BUENO.

At 23 I ended up getting Shigella from Port-of-Subs (Shigella are bacteria that can infect the digestive tract and cause a wide range of symptoms, from diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, and nausea, to more serious complications and illnesses. Infections , called shigellosis sometimes go away on their own; in others, antibiotics can shorten the course of the illness.  Shigella bacteria produce toxins that can attack the lining of the large intestine, causing swelling, ulcers on the intestinal wall, and bloody diarrhea. In very severe cases of shigellosis, a person may have seizures, a stiff neck, a headache, extreme tiredness, and confusion. Shigellosis can also lead to dehydration and in rare cases, other complications, like arthritis, skin rashes and kidney failure.)

At 32 I had my Gallbladder removed because I am hypo-glycemic and had been put on a strict low carb diet to control my shakiness and migraines.  I believe the strict diet that I stayed on for 9 months may have caused the Gallstones, (Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form inside the gallbladder.  Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.  The two main causes of gallstones are, Stones made of  cholesterol, which are by far the most common type.  Cholesterol gallstones have nothing to do with cholesterol levels in the blood, the other Stones are made of bilirubin , which can occur when blood cells are being destroyed, (Hemolysis).  This leads to too much bilirubin in the bile.  These stones are called pigment stones.  Gallstones are more common in women, Native Americans, Hispanics, and people over the age of 40.  Gallstones may also run in families.)

So I guess those could be reasons I am not the most regular, Shigella and Botulism are parasites that stay in the system and lay dormant waiting, so I do get food poisoning easier than most, and without a gallbladder, I don't have the bile holding tank that helps filter all the bad stuff for me.  So when I had a client last week say you are sicker than anyone I have ever met, (I've only re-scheduled her once in 6 years...) It kind of made me feel like a Hypochondriac... but I think it may have to do with the above.......I've given you my "Out-put"  so what is your input?

Will this food constipate me or give me diarrhea?

Addiction runs very deep.......

 That's a scary chart isn't it?  Where do you fall?  Addiction is in every family in some shape or form, it is sometimes new, sometimes a generational illness or sometimes it's just a weakness of the times, when depression overcomes you, you want to disappear.  I don't think I have an addictive personality... although I do get addicted to perfection (like my mom and sister) and I like to win at everything...no matter how small or silly, I enjoy being on top.  I think my main addiction would probably be coffee and exercise.  I know I was going through caffeine with drawl yesterday because I ended up with a full blown migraine.  I was trying to not take anything because since I broke my ankle on Dec 3rd , I have been unable to exercise and have had to rely on pills to feel better, go to sleep, handle stress etc.  I told my husband I feel like a pill popper because every pill I was taking I could have fixed that symptom with diet and exercise.  With Vicodin you have no appetite so you don't eat and with a broken ankle you don't exercise, without diet and exercise I am an insomniac.  I have never gotten hooked on anything. I've never been a smoker, yes I've tried it as a kid and thought I was really cool so I smoked awhile, and I hung out with the tough crowd and dabbled in partying, until I met my husband in high school and he told me he didn't date girls like me. Like a record scratching and the room going silent, I quit that group of friends and everything that went along with it.  My father (biological) had a gambling problem and I remember my Mom waiting at the window when I was little, sometimes crying in a dark kitchen...she would continue to look out the window in Reno Park and the window faced the only road to Bordertown that existed.  At that time, we were the first trailer on the right when you came down that road so she would watch for the headlights that sometimes never came.  He gambled everything and eventually took my Mom's jewelry to the pawn shop before my Mom had enough.  She had two young children,one with special needs, I was 5 my brother was 3.  We were in our newer trailer on Owl Court and I remember her sitting at the dining room table smoking a cigarette crying and she told me Daddy would never be coming home again.  And he didn't.  We were homeless during these times and luckily had a car to live in.  We spent our days  in a park for a awhile and slept in the car at night, on Washington St. while my Mom did what she could to find work and sometimes my brother and I would split what my mother got us to eat and she would eat what was left.


My son who is amazing now, had a bit of a substance abuse problem for awhile which got him kicked out of our house at 17 because we had to teach him tough love.  It was the hardest decision we had to make and thankfully now he is the amazing hardworking man he is.  That was a few years of heartache, fear and pain.  Helplessness and anger to mention a few.


My husband battles his demons as well which scares the Hell out of me.  His family is a generational example.  He has drank since he was a young boy and in high school and our 20's it was fun.  But alcohol can change a person, I've seen the dark side and although he says that guy isn't there anymore, I've met him and I'm scared to death he may come back. (I'm sorry Honey I know you read this...)I'm not perfect either, I have had my share if crazy, wheelchair and out of control moments on alcohol as well, I'm not pointing fingers.  I was molested as a child for 2 years and those are my demons, my Psycho Therapist says the fact that I've never been in jail, addicted to drugs, prostitution , had issues with alcoholism and am still married is a pure miracle.  I think that part of my life not only damaged me but also made me a bit of a control freak.  At 13-14 I dealt with anorexia and from 12-15 I was a fighter, not a bully but was there for any friend, and especially my special brother to handle the situation.  I liked fighting boys the most because they knew how to fight, and until my recent broken ankle, pain was my euphoria. Certain smells trigger me, beer is the strongest and I think that is because my Molester Frank, always had beer on his breath at nap time.  Smell is the strongest memory trigger... this I know and it is sometimes hard for me to let it go.  All I know is we all have our demons, I have people in my life that mean the world to me and people who are acquaintances that are dealing with their demons right at this very moment.  I hope they read this chart at the top and realize that those statistics are real.  I care about everybody in my life some much more than others.  But I do have a big heart that has room for everyone.  I've seen the ugliness of all addictions, alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling.  If you need someone to talk to, I am a pretty good listener and I will help you if you need it by getting you in contact with the right person.  The first step is acknowledgement.  Are you ready to live life unclouded.  That's how I prefer to live....I hope you do to.


I love you all.......Lisa

The Over Achiever.......

 Teenagers these days have a lot on their plates.  A lot more than I did 25-30 years ago.  I give my daughter as much liberties as possible because most of the week her schedule is full.

 This year she is in all honors classes.  She is a straight A student.  This year has been tough on her because of her class load and of her school athletic activities.  She chose cheer over Volleyball for her freshman year because she needed a break from all the serious sports.  Little did we know the commitment involved.  She is still a 15 year old girl, with friendships, blossoming young relationships, a daughter, a sister and a grand-daughter and a cousin.

 She really needed something a little more fun so she could enjoy her freshman year so she let go of volleyball, soccer, dance, modeling, softball.  Dance ended up with 11 classes a week and competing.  Soccer ended in All-Stars and an indoor league in addition to the regular season.  Volleyball, she was on the A team, front line hitter.  Modeling, so many go-sees, she recorded a demo commercial and the requirements were strict, not to mention they couldn't cast her as her age, she looked too mature, so they wanted her for 18 and up......no.  Softball was league, then all-stars then a travel team with year round sports conditioning.  For awhile she had three different sports going at once and she would change in the back of the Element while I was getting her from one to the other.

 So when she said, "Mommy, I need a break, I think I'm going to just try-out for the high school cheer squad.  I was relieved.  Now her schedule is School, Honors classes, Monday nights 7-8:30 Tumbling (which we took a break from January because they have tumbling for Competition.  Tues, Wed, Thurs, mandatory cheer practice from 3-7:30 (for her because she is a JV Cheerleader and also made the Varsity Competition Team, and the Choreography Captain of that team) Games during the week and Friday which get her home by 10pm and sometimes on Saturdays which are around 6 hours because she is JV cheer and has to stay to support her Varsity Squad as well.  (And out of 600 cheerleaders in Northern Nevada, Northern California, 80 were nominated and only 6 were chosen to be All-American.  Stevi is one of the 6.)

 I received a phone call from her Spanish teacher who was concerned with her grade dropping from a "High" A to a C in a month.  This is the class she always is excused from 2 days a week to get ready to cheer for the games.  I was shocked because it is not like Stevi to fall behind.  She is the kid, I kid you not, I had her 4th grade teacher call me when it was parent teacher conference time to tell me, "I could come down if I wanted to, but she is the perfect student and she really doesn't need to discuss anything with me other than to tell her to quit turning in extra credit, she could miss a month of school and still get an A."  (That never happened with Jayson, just saying...)

 As her Spanish teacher and I spoke we both realized it started with an altercation between her and a girl in the class.  I knew about this incident because the school called me and Stevi told me the same day it happened.  The girl is the best friend of the girl who jumped Stevi from behind the last week of 8th grade and got expelled for it.  The teacher was unaware they had a history and Stevi begged me to stay out of it telling me I would only make it worse.  Hard place to be for a parent, and a former teenage girl who went to Hug and would beat the crap out of anyone that tried to bully me.  Stevi is a lover, not a fighter.  She also knows if she defends herself with zero tolerance, she will be ineligible for sports for the end of the year and could face suspension.

 Not something a student, who has ambitions of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon and is determined to get scholarships to do so.

 Ms. Blakely called Stevi personally to talk to her yesterday about what was going on after giving me the assignments she was missing.  They came to the decision together that Stevi was very distracted and uncomfortable in that class and that was the main reason this had started.  Bullying can really affect kids and it can put the weight of the world on their shoulders, but Stevi, like most kids, think they can handle it themselves.  So when I got home we sat down and discussed the situation and what she was going to do about it.  I told her with her class and activity load a B was acceptable but missing assignments were not, even though I now understand how uncomfortable the girls (there are 3) in that class were making her.  I gave her a list of 4 consequences if she didn't bring the grade up to a B and told her to pick her poison.

1.  Lose all cell phone and FB privileges for a month.
2.  Drop Cheer
3.  No friend activities outside of school for a month.
4.  Miss the Homecoming Dance.

She chose #2.  She thought about it and with tears in her eyes, she said, "It makes the most sense to drop cheer because that is why I'm getting so far behind. (As we speak it is midnight an she is in her room doing homework.)  The teacher gave her two days to make it up,  this Thursday because this week is also finals.

This morning (Wed) I got a call from Miss Blakely.  She went to Stevi's counselor and changed her schedule around so she will no longer be in any classes with those girls and they won't even know because Monday is the new schedule change.  I wouldn't have been able to change it and Stevi wouldn't have been able to , but because of a teacher who actually cared for a student enough to call the parent because she was concerned, Stevi will have a new schedule, along with the rest of the school with the assurance that those girls will not be in any of her classes.  I thanked her and told her how amazed I was that a teacher would go through all of that for one student. "She's one of my brightest students and it was my pleasure."  I was dumbfounded.   Miss Blakely..... wow.  I really don't know what to say.  And just to let you know, last night Stevi worked all night and at 11 pm tonight (Wed) we drove to Walmart and got computer ink. She finished EVERY SINGLE ONE  of those 5 missing assignments.  All I could say is "Put you phone down, (she was texting of course) look me in the eye."   She did and as I held her hand,  I said..."I am so proud of you."

It's Good News!

It's good news, no great!  I went to see Dr. Peters yesterday and although I am not completely healed, I am healed enough to take my boot off and wear a fabric ankle brace for support.  Dr. Peters told me I can for the next two weeks start walking around the block on an even surface only to get some movement and circulation out of my leg.  The majority of the pain I was experiencing was healing with circulatory and nerves doing their jobs.   Yesterday I was on it for about 3 hours and I have to admit I was in pain last night but I am sure that will get better every day.  As of now I don't need Physical Therapy because I am an exercise fanatic, I will get this done myself.  So starting February first I am able to start my training again with running (weather permitting, on an even surface) and Crossfit, as a beginner.  Starting over will suck but I know I need to listen to my body and get back on track.  I lost a fluctuating 8-12 lbs, which judging by my body was a majority of muscle so I need to get that back.


Yesterday I only took my vicodin when I got home around 7 because I was in pain, and I realized through all this that this kind of pain is not something you suffer through.  So I think that is pretty good, except as a newby to all this pill popping I can tell you, don't take two Vicodin then celebrate with a glass of wine.  I thought I felt OK but luckily I woke myself up this morning because my first client is at 8 and I set two alarms to wake up, one for 8 and one for 8:30....

Also, I went to work and did Jay and Stevi's hair, and although I was starting to be in pain, I was trying not to take anything for it at all, I was focusing on the pain and was texturizing Stevi's hair, she moves around a lot examining my work as I am doing it, she didn't move and I think I was anticipating her moving or just not focused and I took a little too much out of the left side.  Devastating for a 15 year old girl, she was crying, then of course I felt horrible and we got into a fight, but we are OK.  I explained to her that I am human and even the best hairdressers in the world make mistakes.  I felt horrible, I know how important her hair is to her because it is so fine it shows every thing, we blended it pretty good, but what she doesn't realize is that  as a professional and as a mother, even though I was ready to shave my head at the moment to prove to her that hair does grow, my heart was broken and I was so upset about it, probably more so than her.  Her hair is now a beautiful baby doll blond but a little more rockerish of a hair cut, which I think is adorable, same length just more layers, especially by the ear on the left side, at least I didn't take her ear off because I was using my 7" Detailing Shears.  What I learned from that is, if I'm in pain, take a pill, don't wait till later then have to take two.  They are here to help me, not hinder me.

25 years......Road Bumps or Menopause?

When you have been with the same person for 26 years, sometimes you start to question......Why am I here?  I have to constantly remind my husband that I am still here, that I am a woman, that I have needs.  Women like romance, a gentle touch, a kind word, consideration, communication.  Why are we cut from two different molds?  I have been a hormonal mess lately, I know it could be that.  Or is it that at age 42, I just don't feel like I have to put up with anyones crap anymore?  It is kind of a good place to be, and not.  My whole life I have been trying to make sure everyone around me is happy, comfortable.  I have always put myself last, as most women do.  Who is going to make sure I am ok?  The only person who will is me.  So I am working on it.  It has been an emotional month, talking and discussing what I want, need and desire to be happy.  Weird thing, he agreed with everything I said....EVERYTHING.  He wants to work on our relationship as bad as I do.....but I am so exhausted from being the only one who tries to make sure everything is o k.  The ball is in his court.......I am going to focus on me.  Selfish?  Maybe........About Damn Time?  Probably...........Will this make our relationship stronger?  I hope so........I'm just tired.