Today I found out that I have extremely high cholesterol (in the 300s).
Well, I've known I had high cholesterol since the pediatrician told my mom when I was three years old. I was born with it...it's in my genes (just another reason why I should adopt!)...and although it's been made worse with lack of exercise (not diet because I don't eat bacon, I use skim milk and margarine and probably eat eggs and red meat once every six months) I'm not supposed to be hard on myself because no matter what I did, it would still be relatively high.
Dr. B had given me a couple months to try dieting and exercise before he checked my labs again to see if anything improved, and it didn't. Granted, I missed my "daily walks" once every few days, but I was eating lots of veggie soup, NO fatty foods, NO fast food and very little of anything bad at all. I even ate oatmeal.
Oh well. Better safe than sorry...better to be on medication than having a husband worrying you'll have a heart attack, or worse - dead, that's for sure!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Money money money
Less than a month ago, my dad found out he'll be retiring as of July 1st; which to some might seem like a joyous occasion....not so much for my dad. He loves his job and loves working. He works in computer mapping with UConn. Unfortunately they're ceasing to receive grant money (or enough grant money), so he's decided to "just retire" instead of worry about whether he'll have a job in a few months.
It's pretty clear it's not exactly what he wants; I think he doesn't know what he's going to do with his time, although I hear my mom has quite a long "honey-do" list going. ;) They've been talking about spending the whole month of September on Martha's Vineyard, and he and Rod keep talking about walking the Airline Trail (the whole thing, not just the little bits and pieces we do on weekends...that place is SO peaceful and gorgeous!! I can't wait to have our new camera to take pictures there...oops, shh, that's news for later..)
Earlier, we received this e-mail from my mom:
"Cary asked me to ask you and Rod to join us for Dad's retirement picnic if at all possible--I know you work. His coworkers are really nice and, besides, I would be there (big draw I know). I think it would mean a lot to Dad, maybe even stopping by after work for a little while."
(She then said other things irrelevant to my blog post.)
After the message was this e-vite:
It's pretty clear it's not exactly what he wants; I think he doesn't know what he's going to do with his time, although I hear my mom has quite a long "honey-do" list going. ;) They've been talking about spending the whole month of September on Martha's Vineyard, and he and Rod keep talking about walking the Airline Trail (the whole thing, not just the little bits and pieces we do on weekends...that place is SO peaceful and gorgeous!! I can't wait to have our new camera to take pictures there...oops, shh, that's news for later..)
Earlier, we received this e-mail from my mom:
"Cary asked me to ask you and Rod to join us for Dad's retirement picnic if at all possible--I know you work. His coworkers are really nice and, besides, I would be there (big draw I know). I think it would mean a lot to Dad, maybe even stopping by after work for a little while."
(She then said other things irrelevant to my blog post.)
After the message was this e-vite:
We're going, of course! I love my dad...I hope he starts to feel better about all of this soon. It's a huge life-changing process and I'm sure it's not easy.
Today Rod and I broke our bank. Honestly, we probably did with the amount of money we spent. You might even begin to think that we aren't under 25 or have a hefty mortgage - HA! Here are our purchases:
1) Kenmore dishwasher (model name escapes me--called "Best Buy" by ConsumerReports)
2) Canon EOS Rebel XSi SLR camera (takes amazing pictures with 12.2 megapixels and 18-55mm lens)
3) Lenovo (IBM) IdeaPad S10 (extremely durable mini netbook).
We already have a computer that basically doubles as a TV in our office/future nursery. It's enormous and somewhat unnecessary but Rod loved it and really wanted a desktop. It's actually really great, except for those nights that he and I both have school work due and decide to do our assignments/exams at the very last minute (which is more often than not) and have to take turns. Last week I was late on an assignment, so I figured it was about time to get another laptop. This time I decided to go for one of the minis (the IdeaPad screen is 10.2"). Lenovos are apparently the most durable aside from the uber-expensive MacBooks, and it'll be great for portability seeing as I'll be carrying it everywhere with me, and much less expensive than regular 15" screen laptops. Plus, I don't need much memory or hard drive space when I'll just be using it to browse the internet and do schoolwork. Pictures, music, movies, games, etc. I can do on our desktop.
Computer we have now: the HP Touch Smart.
We got the dishwasher at Sears. I got the camera and the netbook from Circuit City because they're much more reasonably priced than the main manufacturer websites. Together, the camera and the computer were just under the amount of money Rod plans to spend on a new gun in the next few weeks (doesn't need it for work but wants it for work and it will enhance his abilities at work). It's actually a rifle...but I won't go into details.. not everyone enjoys information about guns or is used to it like I am by now. :)
We're saving the rest of our accumulated "pleasure money" for our vacation at the end of the summer. We're spending 4 nights on Martha's Vineyard with my parents and from there, 5 nights in Southwest Harbor (Mt. Desert Island, Maine) with Pop, Rod's grandfather. We're pretty excited, this is a tradition for us that we've had since we started dating but didn't do last summer (much too busy with the wedding, job changes, town and house hunting, etc.). It's going to be strange going to Maine, I think, without Rod's grandmother there. :( But I know we'll have fun, and while we're on MV we'll be having our 1 year anniversary! I cannot WAIT to share with you what I'm getting Roddy for a present (first year is paper, and this paper I'm giving him is going to be very well received).
Daniel (my brother-in-law) will be staying here with the dogs and probably with a friend while we're away. So don't even think of breaking in. ;) Not only will we have two young men and two vicious dogs (haha...although I shouldn't laugh because they would probably be vicious with break-ins - for those of you who have ever knocked on our door and not taken our advice to just walk in, they go nuts when they think people are intruding) but we also have a central security system and have already had the police come to our house once when I was too tired to remember to turn it off before I let the dogs outside one morning, so take my advice and stay home. ;)
Speaking of Daniel, did I mention he got his license earlier this month?! Very exciting. Even more exciting is that yesterday, he got his first car! It's a 2006 Chevy Cobalt.
Yes, I'm aware that it's orange.
Oh well. He loves it, it's safe, reliable and good-on-gas, so that's what really matters!
Today Rod and I broke our bank. Honestly, we probably did with the amount of money we spent. You might even begin to think that we aren't under 25 or have a hefty mortgage - HA! Here are our purchases:
1) Kenmore dishwasher (model name escapes me--called "Best Buy" by ConsumerReports)
2) Canon EOS Rebel XSi SLR camera (takes amazing pictures with 12.2 megapixels and 18-55mm lens)
3) Lenovo (IBM) IdeaPad S10 (extremely durable mini netbook).
We already have a computer that basically doubles as a TV in our office/future nursery. It's enormous and somewhat unnecessary but Rod loved it and really wanted a desktop. It's actually really great, except for those nights that he and I both have school work due and decide to do our assignments/exams at the very last minute (which is more often than not) and have to take turns. Last week I was late on an assignment, so I figured it was about time to get another laptop. This time I decided to go for one of the minis (the IdeaPad screen is 10.2"). Lenovos are apparently the most durable aside from the uber-expensive MacBooks, and it'll be great for portability seeing as I'll be carrying it everywhere with me, and much less expensive than regular 15" screen laptops. Plus, I don't need much memory or hard drive space when I'll just be using it to browse the internet and do schoolwork. Pictures, music, movies, games, etc. I can do on our desktop.
Computer we have now: the HP Touch Smart.
We got the dishwasher at Sears. I got the camera and the netbook from Circuit City because they're much more reasonably priced than the main manufacturer websites. Together, the camera and the computer were just under the amount of money Rod plans to spend on a new gun in the next few weeks (doesn't need it for work but wants it for work and it will enhance his abilities at work). It's actually a rifle...but I won't go into details.. not everyone enjoys information about guns or is used to it like I am by now. :)
We're saving the rest of our accumulated "pleasure money" for our vacation at the end of the summer. We're spending 4 nights on Martha's Vineyard with my parents and from there, 5 nights in Southwest Harbor (Mt. Desert Island, Maine) with Pop, Rod's grandfather. We're pretty excited, this is a tradition for us that we've had since we started dating but didn't do last summer (much too busy with the wedding, job changes, town and house hunting, etc.). It's going to be strange going to Maine, I think, without Rod's grandmother there. :( But I know we'll have fun, and while we're on MV we'll be having our 1 year anniversary! I cannot WAIT to share with you what I'm getting Roddy for a present (first year is paper, and this paper I'm giving him is going to be very well received).
Daniel (my brother-in-law) will be staying here with the dogs and probably with a friend while we're away. So don't even think of breaking in. ;) Not only will we have two young men and two vicious dogs (haha...although I shouldn't laugh because they would probably be vicious with break-ins - for those of you who have ever knocked on our door and not taken our advice to just walk in, they go nuts when they think people are intruding) but we also have a central security system and have already had the police come to our house once when I was too tired to remember to turn it off before I let the dogs outside one morning, so take my advice and stay home. ;)
Speaking of Daniel, did I mention he got his license earlier this month?! Very exciting. Even more exciting is that yesterday, he got his first car! It's a 2006 Chevy Cobalt.
Yes, I'm aware that it's orange.
Oh well. He loves it, it's safe, reliable and good-on-gas, so that's what really matters!
Famous tragedy
Today, two legends passed away... Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
Fawcett had been battling cancer and Jackson apparently had a heart attack, although an autopsy will be conducted tomorrow to determine exactly what happened.
Just wanted to make a note of this. Very sad day...
Fawcett had been battling cancer and Jackson apparently had a heart attack, although an autopsy will be conducted tomorrow to determine exactly what happened.
Just wanted to make a note of this. Very sad day...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Three Graceful Stone Skips
For Father's Day today, along with a new hiking backpack and some silly cards, I gave my dad a copy of WritingRoom.com's anthology of short stories from its contest a couple months ago (in which I won second place).
It's semi-exciting...I technically had my first story published! You can even purchase the anthology on www.PublishingRoom.com.
"Three Graceful Stone Skips -a collection of stories from WritingRoom's November and December 2008 short story contest" by WritingRoom.
It's semi-exciting...I technically had my first story published! You can even purchase the anthology on www.PublishingRoom.com.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dean's List: Spring 2009
I don't normally like to brag...but I'm pretty excited about this. ;)
The names that are circled in the second image are Rod's and mine! The text in the first image reads:
Dean's List: Spring 2009
The faculty and staff are pleased to announce the Spring 2009 Dean's List for Ashford University's Center for External Studies, the On-Campus Accelerated Programs and the On-Campus Traditional Programs.
Students in the Center for External Studies and in the On-Campus Accelerated Programs are recognized if they completed twelve or more credits, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above, and are currently enrolled, attending or on an approved Leave of Absence, and in good academic standing as of May 11, 2009.
Students in the On-Campus Traditional Programs are recognized if they completed six or more credits and received a grade point average of 3.50 or above during the semester ending in May, 2009.
The Ashford University student community includes people from every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries. Even with this large community, don't be surprised to find fellow students in your own hometown!
The students on the Dean's List exemplify a dedication and commitment to their studies, which make them great role models for others to emulate.
To view students' names, click on a specific state to see them listed by their hometown. Names denoted with an asterisk(*) are campus students. Click on the appropriate globe to see international students or U.S. students living abroad.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Scholarship
On Wednesday, Rod was awarded the Allen Ervin Memorial Scholarship from the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association! I am so proud of him. His hard work, motivation and responsibility have gone well noticed by his colleagues and they nominated and voted that he, out of every police officer in the state of Connecticut, deserves this scholarship, which help toward paying for his tuition at Ashford (books are already free because of his veteran status).
We went to the ceremony in Farmington at the Farmington Country Club Wednesday morning for the annual police chiefs meeting, where a retiring board member gave a little speech about his background and professional pictures were taken (which I will share as soon as we get them in about a week or so, they said).
It was really neat because the only people from the department who went besides Rod were his chief, the deputy chief and the captain, all of whom were very nice and interesting to talk to. It was great to speak to them and get to know them, I think they all respect Rod and that will help him a lot in the future!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Smart Ass Answers
These are silly.
SMART ASS ANSWER 6
It was mealtime during a flight. "Would you like dinner?" the flight attendant asked John, seated in the front. "What are my choices?" John asked. "Yes or no," she replied.
SMART ASS ANSWER 5
A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticked and he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat, she said, "Sir I need to see your ticket, not your stub."
SMART ASS ANSWER 4
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No, ma'am, they're dead."
SMART ASS ANSWER 3
The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all day," the cop said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well, I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.
SMART ASS ANSWER 2
A truck driver was driving along on the freeway. A sign comes up that reads, "Low Bridge Ahead." Before he knows it, the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backed up for miles. Finally, a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Got stuck, huh?" The truck driver says, "No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of gas."
SMART ASS ANSWER 1
The college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. "Now, class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!" A smart-ass guy in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence is restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the student, shakes her head and sweetly says, "Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand."
SMART ASS ANSWER 6
It was mealtime during a flight. "Would you like dinner?" the flight attendant asked John, seated in the front. "What are my choices?" John asked. "Yes or no," she replied.
SMART ASS ANSWER 5
A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticked and he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat, she said, "Sir I need to see your ticket, not your stub."
SMART ASS ANSWER 4
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No, ma'am, they're dead."
SMART ASS ANSWER 3
The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all day," the cop said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well, I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.
SMART ASS ANSWER 2
A truck driver was driving along on the freeway. A sign comes up that reads, "Low Bridge Ahead." Before he knows it, the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backed up for miles. Finally, a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Got stuck, huh?" The truck driver says, "No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of gas."
SMART ASS ANSWER 1
The college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. "Now, class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!" A smart-ass guy in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence is restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the student, shakes her head and sweetly says, "Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand."
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