Rainy Sunday

My list of things to do is growing.  Its rainy out, Frank is not happy about it one bit, and I haven't blogged or wrote anything for quite some time.

That is all ending today.  I have a ton of stuff to do, and I need to get my butt in gear!  No fooling, this time, either.

This past summer (yes, summer is almost over) has taught me a few things about life, including a need to work, a need to be healthy, and a serious want for a vacation back to vegas.  Hoping BD can make it happen for this fall, we really need it.
I also am on a quest to lose 20 more pounds by then.  Think I can do it?  I'm trying.  Here's to a great attempt-- lets see if I can make it work!  Runkeeper and My Fitness Pal apps are my best friend...and walking Frank is good for it, too.

Now, on to other things like cleaning and organizing my desk today.  Tomorrow is Monday-- a day I plan to be busy.  I am going to make this week a great work week, take my career seriously and make it great.

wow, I've sold a lot of homes!

Ahh the end of the month! Craziness Ensues

Yep, you got me two days in a row.  Not that anyone is reading (seriously, if you read this, please leave me a comment and let me know!)


Trying to grow my business, I have started a postcard mailing featuring some of my best recipes.  I bought some extras, too, to send to ones I want to add or to leave when I door knock.  Yes, I door knock.  I am a proud door knocker and I will be doing it today, and soon.


August's postcard is a recipe for my gingerbread cookies.  August's enewsletter is a recipe for Cherry Walnut coffee cake.  September's postcard will be for Cherry-Walnut Coffee cake and the enewsletter I haven't decided yet.  I need to coordinate them to be the same...will do that for October.


Man, I have a lot to do today, but I really wanted to share a few pictures I took this morning of our lovely fairgrounds---

Sometimes (even when its crazy) you need to stop and appreciate the finer, simpler things in life.  I had to include the pic of Frank from the other day, too.  That was also taken at the fairgrounds...he's always looking for something there!

Wow I've forgotten to blog all summer

I'm sorry about that.
I've been busy, and it hasn't been easy.
Back at work, with a great company, and I have been hitting the pavement (literally), trying to find clients interested in buying/selling real estate.


Real estate is filled with highs and lows, for all parties involved.  I feel sometimes like I am on a roller coaster of a ride, yesterday I was worried, today the worry got worse, but now I'm at a point that we had some small happy bumps and that it will work out.  The feelings as an agent are ridiculous.  I know I shouldn't take it to heart, but I can't.  I work so hard and want my clients to get their best deal/home/sale that it becomes too emotional for me.  Maybe men have it easier in real estate in that aspect, I don't know.  I am so emotional for my clients it really isn't good for me.
However, typing this and getting my feelings out is helping.  This five minutes today of venting that I'm worried and want everything to go smoothly and that I need more clients is actually helping me get through the rest of the day.  Gosh, I love real estate, but when you were forced to take a break, you kinda forget the highs and lows that come with the job.  I need to keep it a bit less emotional, though.


I can work on that, I think.

Trying to get back to living

Yep, I'm trying to get back to the grind of blogging about living again.  I've been so depressed, hateful and resentful about food and the ridiculous allergies and itchy skin that yesterday I realized its not helping.  The attitude has got to go, because I am alive, working, and I have my family, dog, and the love of my life with me.  I won't give up on wheat totally, though.  I decided to indulge a small amount once a week until I am no longer allergic!  I will train my body to resist the release of histamines after wheat!  (big smile here).


Life is too short, right?  I'm just happy to be alive and share my world with anyone that wants to read it.  I have big plans and I'm not going to let another illness or health issue get in my way.  I will heal and I will be better soon.  God has big plans for me.


Today is a day I have been looking forward to all week.  I get to have lunch with an old dear friend, Sonda.  We both worked at the same real estate office many years back.  She is just who I need to help give me strength today.  I can't wait to see her, and I even have a lunch meal plan in place on what to order! 
Then, this afternoon, my sister K and I are meeting with some people at our church about forming a cancer support group/ministry.  I feel like this is part of the plan.  I know I say this a lot to people and probably on here, but I promised God the day I found out I had leukemia that I would make a difference.  I made a promise and I plan to keep it.  I've been trying, but sometimes I let lazy get in the way, and I cannot do that anymore.  Today, K and I make a difference together!

The trouble with allergies

Last week, I had another allergy test at the allergist's office.  We went over both tests, as I had one the week before.  These are the no so comfortable tests where hey poke your back 60 time with different allergens--- I had it done twice, once for environmental items and another for food allergies.


The bad news:  I tested positive for dust mites and mold.  Our yard is wooded, so both of these might be in the air/house.  Who isn't allergic to dust mites and mold?  That's what I want to know.


The badder news:  I tested allergic to the following foods:  wheat, chocolate, almonds, peanuts (the smallest reaction), carrots, spinach, cauliflower, tuna, lamb, and pork. Oh- and potatoes and sweet potatoes, too! I make bread and/or some baked good almost daily.  I eat chocolate, bread, almonds, peanuts, carrots, potatoes, and pork almost daily, too.  I eat spinach, tuna, cauliflower a few times a week.  This sucks! 


What's worse: The past 7 days I have eliminated (at the advice of the allergist) all the items I am allergic to.  It has been really rough, and I am not happy. 
Before you say, "There is a lot of stuff that they make gluten free now", beware my wrath:  Most gluten free items contain potato (starch) and/or almond/nut flour, both of which I can't have. 


Going through withdrawal is awful.  I am having a hard time typing, as I am noticing now.  I have a sudden sinus issue that popped up a few days ago, complete with a gross, clumpy brown mucus.  I am constipated, but sometimes I have to go quite often.  I'm tired.  We are in day 7 and I still have some of my rash on my arms, near my shoulders and on my chest.  I know my skin is dry and flaky, so I am cutting some slack on that, but everything is so weird right now. I believe this all stemmed as a result of all the chemo and drugs, as it started about 6 weeks after I finished taking all my chemo pills.  I am not surprised if it takes longer to go through withdrawal, as my immune system is a bit slow and over sensitive lately. 


I am praying this is temporary and at some point I can go back to my favorites.  Poor BD is getting tired of our new diet.  He is also working hard to eat the rest of the offending products in the fridge so I'm not tempted.   I think he is sick of ham and all the shredded cheese (yes, potato starch a plenty) he has to eat. 

Update on Frank the Dog

Most of you know how much I love animals and especially my best friend, Frank the Dog.  Frank had pancreatitis in March, and I thought I post a quick update on him.
Frank has been doing better.  He is off meds, and now he eats a prescription dog food. 
I've limited his treats to just Milk Bones.  I break them in half, he really doesn't need a whole treat 3xs a day.  Once a week I make him some rice with chicken or chicken broth...which he loves.  It lasts most of the week, as I add it to his food for a special treat.
Frank is still enjoying carrots, both raw and cooked.  He gets a baby carrot almost every day...he loves them so much!


We've also been walking more with the better weather.  Walking is so good for the dogs-- great exercise.  However, there has been an outbreak with the doggie flu lately in our area, so I haven't been taking him to the dog park, just to be on the safe side.  Even though you have to provide vaccinations to get entry, you never know when people are bringing other pets or if their records have expired and their card is still working to get in the park.  I am not ready to deal with another illness for frank, especially with hay fever season coming soon.  Last summer, Frank was on Benedryl most of the summer and some days had to stay inside.  His little puggle nose just couldn't take it!
Well, that's the update on Frank.  He's doing better and I'm so happy about it!