News: Good & Not So Good

I just got back from the doctor. I had an appointment with my Hematologist. My mom came with me and we waited 1 hour in the waiting room and 30 minutes in the little room to talk to the doctor for 10 minutes. It was ok though, my mom and I just planned out the whole week. After waiting all this time I thought I deserved some good news. Too bad the doctor didn't agree. Turns out that I am positive for the Prothrombin/Factor II/G20210A Mutation on top of the Factor V Leiden Mutation which means I'm even more prone to blood clots. You can click here for some information on my newly discovered gene mutation. I don't feel like rambling on with medical stuff (even though that's what I'm doing). The ultrasound showed that there has been little improvement of the blood clot dissolving since the last ultrasound. The doctor said he thought there was little improvement because the clot was so big. I am to continue taking blood thinners for at least 6 more months while getting my blood drawn at least once a month to regulate my dosage. The swelling in my left leg might be a life long thing I have to deal with if the vein is damaged, but it is still too early to tell since the blood clot is still hanging out. So there you go...

Let's have some good news....please!

JEREMY COMES TONIGHT!
Yay! Please hurry! I need you sweetheart!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone! Here is a picture of one of our more recent Christmas traditions. It started when we lived in Wyoming. After we open a gift we throw our wrapping paper in front of the door and make a huge big pile. We pretty much leave it there all day or until somebody comes over. Well, I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing day! I'm hoping to stay in my pjs for most of the day, watch movies, and play games with my family...PERFECT! I just wish my sweet fiance was here... Jeremy left Tuesday morning. SAD FACE! But he's coming back on Monday, thank goodness!

What is Christmas?

I found this the other day and thought it was so good. I hope you have the true spirit of Christmas within your hearts this season.

Christmas on the Strip

Last night we checked out the Bellagio, had dinner in the Venetian, and Jeremy posed with a wax Nicholas Cage. It was a fun night with the family.

he's here!

jeremy flew in this morning! yay! i love having him around!

and sam is just finishing up his breakfast...

Our faces!

I have been working on this cool project and just finished it this morning. I took profile pictures of me and Jeremy, blew them up, and printed them on cardstock.

then I cut out our faces with an exacto knife

painted us bright green (paint was about $2 for the big size)

printed off a 40% coupon from Aaron Brothers' website and bought a nice frame for $12

and then put our faces in the frame

So easy and so cheap! I can't wait to hang this in our cute apartment!

Really?

I live in the desert where it doesn't snow....

and it is SNOWING! Crazy!! Its kind of throwing me off... But its so fun at the same time. Hopefully enough will stick to the ground for a snowball fight later!

I rock...

in my cool new rocking chair!

I finished my rocking chair! I started with sanding and finally got to move on to painting. I have a little bit of yellow spray paint left, so I might do one more coat in the morning if it isn't windy. Jeremy and I found this treasure at a garage sale for only $5! I just had to see if I could do something fun with it. The seat of the chair is broken in the center, so I bought this ottoman cushion at trusty Pier 1 that fits pretty well. It was my first major painting project and I think it will be sweet in my new apartment!

Verdict Just In...

My dad is the wonderful parent that blessed me with the Factor 5 Leiden mutation.

I think he owes me an extra big present for Christmas this year.

brown bananas?

try this recipe I got from my cousin:
Banana Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 c butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 med ripe bananas (1 cup)

Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c butter, soft
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 c powdered sugar

Directions:

Cream sugar, butter and eggs. Add sour cream and vanilla. Combine and add dry ingredients. Mash then stir in bananas. Bake at 350 for 20- 25 minutes in a jelly roll pan. Mix frosting ingredients together and let cool completely before frosting. And then eat, eat, eat them until they are all gone... they are that good!

craft time!

i had some free time last night so i thought i would make something.... isn't that what you do with your free time? well i decided on these. they are little notepads made from the free paint samples you can get at home depot. how cute to throw in your purse and have something to write on?! if anybody wants one, i would be happy to make more. just let me know which color you would prefer and it doesn't have to be shown here because the possibilities at home depot are practically endless!!

(the offer to make "anybody" one of these cool things is specifically for those that live by me... that is assuming that lots of people actually read this.. so nevermind)

all healed!

remember this

its been exactly a year since it happened and i think my scar is looking pretty good

NOW Its Time

One thing that I have a hard time with is everyone getting ready for Christmas so early. It definitely should not be allowed. Someone should set up some kind rule that the Christmas season is not allowed to start until December. What about Thanksgiving? The GRATITUDE holiday? A lot of stores start getting in there Christmas merchandise at the end of September. That's even before Halloween and two months early in my opinion. At this rate when I have my little kiddies, the stores will be getting their Christmas stuff in in August and they will think Christmas is just around the corner. False... it will still be 4 months away! I'm not really sure why I think that it is such a serious offense to start preparing for Christmas early, but it just drives me crazy!...

Sorry I just had to get that out, but now that its December it is pretty much irrelevant...

because once December hits I completely embrace Christmas! I turn from my Grinch self into a Christmas Enthusiast. I am all about everything Christmas. I only listen to Christmas music and that sometimes annoys the little brothers. But I just love it! I am so excited for the giving, the shopping chaos, and the kindness that is in the air. I also love listening to my favorite Christmas music: Nat King Cole. Its a classic and must have during this wonderful holiday season! I blasted it throughout the whole house this morning and loved every minute of it.

(I'm sure the neighbors did, too.)

(look at him... I bet he sang every song from this cozy room right by the fire)