2 Year Bloggerversary
Two years ago today, I was living in Colorado, renting a basement apartment from a chiropractor. I rode the bus everywhere and walked at least 2 miles a day. I was away from my family and friends. My husband Jermie and I came across blogger Kandee Johnson and I just loved how funny and down to earth she was, not to mention a single mother of 3 kids (now 4 kids). I decided to start my own blog from that moment.
I knew that I would blog about art, fashion, beauty and just things from my life. I never knew that 2 years later it would amount to what it is now. I enjoy logging on and sharing my experiences. It has helped me to also network and learn more about other fashion bloggers. I have met friends online and its just really cool to see how other people live in other parts of the world.
In these past two years, my life has changed so much and my blog has been there every step of the way. I moved out of Colorado and back to Virginia, reunited with my two children, got married again, went to school, graduated from school, this whole pregnancy ordeal and all the memories we have created along the way.
I dont have anything to give away-although I wish I could- I just wanted to say a big Thank you to all my readers who have been with me through everything- youre more than just readers- youre like family! Good friends I can count on for support and even though we have never met or seen each other- were always there for one another! So thank you again.
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| This was me 2 years ago! |
I dont have anything to give away-although I wish I could- I just wanted to say a big Thank you to all my readers who have been with me through everything- youre more than just readers- youre like family! Good friends I can count on for support and even though we have never met or seen each other- were always there for one another! So thank you again.
The Hospital Sagas
Monday, May 7, 2012
WARNING: This post is about pregnancy, complications and miscarriages and my trip to the Hospital..so if this makes you uncomfortable, please do not read any further! And it is Long and detailed FYI
I havent been posting because I ended up in the hospial friday morning after I had stabbing, sharp pains in my abdomen. Last week, I had miscarried or at least thought I did with twins. I have been on a rollarcoaster trip, in and out of hospitals, IV's in and out of my arm, its been insane.
This is me- the first trip to the hospital (well, more like the 7th time to the hospital). I had went last tuesday to make sure the miscarriage was all out and there were no other complications. I had an ultrasound and it showed nothing was in my uterus. But they did see my old cyst on my left ovary thats been there for a while. So, I was sent home and I assumed my body was getting back to normal.
Friday morning, I went to work as usual, I was working on more custom shoes until an hour after working, at 10am I started feeling sharp pains and I could not stand or even breathe, the pain was soooo intense. I thought maybe it was the cyst on my left ovary that had possibly ruptured. The pain felt like it had since I had it rupture around two years ago. My coworkers helped me to sit down and relax and I was driven to the hospital where my mom met me. I didnt go back to the VA hospital, instead I went to Sentara-which is alot better.
This time, when they did another ultrasound, they finally found something. The doctor wasnt sure what it was, but my bloodwork still showed I was pregnant and my HCG (my hormone levels) were still rising. So we were all confused. I was still pregnant but the baby was not in my uterus. It had attached itself somewhere outside my uterus. I also have a tilted uterus-which makes things even somewhat more complicated.
The on-call OBGYN doctor came in and explained what was happening and that she recommended surgery. Or I could take this pill which could flush out any pregnancy in my body- but even that is not guaranteed to get rid of it...It could leave me still pregnant and could leave the baby deformed. So, I knew deep down that I would need the surgery- the only problem is INSURANCE. I know when it comes to life threatening situations- you just do it and not worry about money- but I needed to have this paid for. I told the doctor that I wanted to go to the VA hospital and have them refer me back to Sentara so they can pay for it. Im already pretty peeved that the VA did nothing when they thought I was having a miscarraige- I mean nothing- no pelvic exam, no ultrasound, no sonogram..NOTHING! They just did bloodwork and sent me away. They didnt even catch that I was having an ECTOPIC Pregnancy-which is LIFE THREATENING!
When I got to the VA ER room, the doctor there was a complete moron, he kept yelling how me being sent there from Sentara was a $50,000 violation and such a taxpayers waste of money for me to keep going back and forth from a top quality care to a lower quality care. Really??? How about lets just care for the combat veteran who is having an ectopic pregnancy.... That doctor didnt even know that the VA covers women veterans that get pregnant. What kind of doctor are you???? He kept saying out of all his "10 years" of being a doctor, he never heard of this- never heard of an ectopic pregnancy???? All I wanted was for him to write up the paperwork to send me back so that my care and surgery was covered. It took literally 5 hours for that to get done and alot of phone calls from the Doctor at Sentara to the VA. Luckily, the nurse was awesome and he remembered me coming in for an ear infection a few months ago- my hair was a different color, but he was diggin the purple hair. He treated me with awesome care, got me a drink and a blanket. I was the only patient left around 100am when I was finally transported by ambulance to Sentara.
This whole time I was in the hospital, my husband was in Arizona, getting ready to go to Las Vegas Airport to fly back home. In between all the hospitals and him driving through the desert- it was hard to keep him informed on what was going on with me. It was so scary to not have him with me while I was going through this. He agreed that what ever was in me-where ever the baby was- it was not good and I wouldnt survive if something had bursted. I could have bled internally and died. What a scary SCARY thought.
I arrived back at Sentara at 230am and the same OBGYN doctor, I believe her name is Dr. Kwon came in and I told her I wanted to do the surgery. Nobody was with me- but only because it was so early in the morning and I tried to call my mom and dad-but signal in the hospital is nearly impossible- so I had to have the nurse call all of them when the surgery was done. I have never had surgery before and it was alil scary. I said a quick prayer before they led me into a bright white room. I said "Lord, give me Strength". All I know is that the doctor said the precedure takes about an hour unless there are complications. They put a face mask on me- for the anesthesia to set in.
About 3 hours later- I awoke in a recovery room coughing and almost wanting to throw up. My mom had made it to take me home as the sun was rising. I remember breifly the doctor telling me about the surgery and showing me pictures of my ovaries. The baby was in my right fallopian tube. The tube was so damaged, that she had to remove it. They made incisions on my belly button and on both sides of my stomach. I was hoping that she could have removed my cyst on my left ovary-but since there was so much scar tissue- she was not able to. My biggest concern is whether I am able to still have more children. Well, due to the cyst- if I get pregnant again- it will more than likely result in another ectopic pregnancy, so Jermie and I would have to have a precedure done to have the egg and sperm insiminated into my uterus for a baby to grow properly.
My mom got me home and my father came by with flowers! How sweet! I went to sleep immediately and of course took the pain pills they prescribed to me. Jermie came home a few hours later and took over taking care of me. Its been a few days now and I have been recovering ok. I can somewhat walk and move around-but i cant overdo it.
Jermie has been helping me with everything- in and out of bed, showers, we took the kids to the movies to see Avengers, and today we attempted to walk around the beach and grabbed coffee. Its been relaxing. I cant go to work yet. I follow up with the doctor in two weeks. I know this post was very detailed, but I wanted to write it all out before I forgot this experience.
I also wanted to share my experience for any other woman who has gone through this same thing- you are not alone- if you suspect for a second that your pregnancy is ectopic or there are complications- TRUST YOUR GUT FEELINGS! Get to a doctor and make sure they check your body. This type of pregnancy is severly dangerous. For more information on this type of pregnancy check out this site WEBMD.
Thanks for reading and sharing this experience with me. I am doing good and I dont want you all to worry. I am just happy I got the surgery and no longer at risk. Its sad that I lost the baby too, but since I thought I miscarried I already came to terms that I was not having a baby. It was hard at first for Jermie and I to understand, but we worked through it. It is very hard to go through something like this- and is important to have support and family and friends understand what you are going through.
"Keeping the faith and keeping a hopeful positive attitude is one of the hardest yet most rewarding concepts to understand and to apply into our everyday lives. Through the roughest times in our lives it seems as though all we should and can do is give up. Keeping our heads up to the sky, and keeping a forward resolve, even through times of adversity is essential to making it to where we want to be in life. Remember that the greatest of people are those who overcame some of the greatest challenges that life had to offer.
Maintain hope, for hope is sometimes all you have to hold on to during times where it seems as if all is lost, and that you shouldn't continue forward. Maintain the fight, and keep believing in yourself, in doing so everything else will fall in place, and everything will work out for the greatest good!"
I havent been posting because I ended up in the hospial friday morning after I had stabbing, sharp pains in my abdomen. Last week, I had miscarried or at least thought I did with twins. I have been on a rollarcoaster trip, in and out of hospitals, IV's in and out of my arm, its been insane.
Friday morning, I went to work as usual, I was working on more custom shoes until an hour after working, at 10am I started feeling sharp pains and I could not stand or even breathe, the pain was soooo intense. I thought maybe it was the cyst on my left ovary that had possibly ruptured. The pain felt like it had since I had it rupture around two years ago. My coworkers helped me to sit down and relax and I was driven to the hospital where my mom met me. I didnt go back to the VA hospital, instead I went to Sentara-which is alot better.
This time, when they did another ultrasound, they finally found something. The doctor wasnt sure what it was, but my bloodwork still showed I was pregnant and my HCG (my hormone levels) were still rising. So we were all confused. I was still pregnant but the baby was not in my uterus. It had attached itself somewhere outside my uterus. I also have a tilted uterus-which makes things even somewhat more complicated.
The on-call OBGYN doctor came in and explained what was happening and that she recommended surgery. Or I could take this pill which could flush out any pregnancy in my body- but even that is not guaranteed to get rid of it...It could leave me still pregnant and could leave the baby deformed. So, I knew deep down that I would need the surgery- the only problem is INSURANCE. I know when it comes to life threatening situations- you just do it and not worry about money- but I needed to have this paid for. I told the doctor that I wanted to go to the VA hospital and have them refer me back to Sentara so they can pay for it. Im already pretty peeved that the VA did nothing when they thought I was having a miscarraige- I mean nothing- no pelvic exam, no ultrasound, no sonogram..NOTHING! They just did bloodwork and sent me away. They didnt even catch that I was having an ECTOPIC Pregnancy-which is LIFE THREATENING!
When I got to the VA ER room, the doctor there was a complete moron, he kept yelling how me being sent there from Sentara was a $50,000 violation and such a taxpayers waste of money for me to keep going back and forth from a top quality care to a lower quality care. Really??? How about lets just care for the combat veteran who is having an ectopic pregnancy.... That doctor didnt even know that the VA covers women veterans that get pregnant. What kind of doctor are you???? He kept saying out of all his "10 years" of being a doctor, he never heard of this- never heard of an ectopic pregnancy???? All I wanted was for him to write up the paperwork to send me back so that my care and surgery was covered. It took literally 5 hours for that to get done and alot of phone calls from the Doctor at Sentara to the VA. Luckily, the nurse was awesome and he remembered me coming in for an ear infection a few months ago- my hair was a different color, but he was diggin the purple hair. He treated me with awesome care, got me a drink and a blanket. I was the only patient left around 100am when I was finally transported by ambulance to Sentara.
This whole time I was in the hospital, my husband was in Arizona, getting ready to go to Las Vegas Airport to fly back home. In between all the hospitals and him driving through the desert- it was hard to keep him informed on what was going on with me. It was so scary to not have him with me while I was going through this. He agreed that what ever was in me-where ever the baby was- it was not good and I wouldnt survive if something had bursted. I could have bled internally and died. What a scary SCARY thought.
 |
| Back At Sentara |
I arrived back at Sentara at 230am and the same OBGYN doctor, I believe her name is Dr. Kwon came in and I told her I wanted to do the surgery. Nobody was with me- but only because it was so early in the morning and I tried to call my mom and dad-but signal in the hospital is nearly impossible- so I had to have the nurse call all of them when the surgery was done. I have never had surgery before and it was alil scary. I said a quick prayer before they led me into a bright white room. I said "Lord, give me Strength". All I know is that the doctor said the precedure takes about an hour unless there are complications. They put a face mask on me- for the anesthesia to set in.
About 3 hours later- I awoke in a recovery room coughing and almost wanting to throw up. My mom had made it to take me home as the sun was rising. I remember breifly the doctor telling me about the surgery and showing me pictures of my ovaries. The baby was in my right fallopian tube. The tube was so damaged, that she had to remove it. They made incisions on my belly button and on both sides of my stomach. I was hoping that she could have removed my cyst on my left ovary-but since there was so much scar tissue- she was not able to. My biggest concern is whether I am able to still have more children. Well, due to the cyst- if I get pregnant again- it will more than likely result in another ectopic pregnancy, so Jermie and I would have to have a precedure done to have the egg and sperm insiminated into my uterus for a baby to grow properly.
My mom got me home and my father came by with flowers! How sweet! I went to sleep immediately and of course took the pain pills they prescribed to me. Jermie came home a few hours later and took over taking care of me. Its been a few days now and I have been recovering ok. I can somewhat walk and move around-but i cant overdo it.
Jermie has been helping me with everything- in and out of bed, showers, we took the kids to the movies to see Avengers, and today we attempted to walk around the beach and grabbed coffee. Its been relaxing. I cant go to work yet. I follow up with the doctor in two weeks. I know this post was very detailed, but I wanted to write it all out before I forgot this experience.
I also wanted to share my experience for any other woman who has gone through this same thing- you are not alone- if you suspect for a second that your pregnancy is ectopic or there are complications- TRUST YOUR GUT FEELINGS! Get to a doctor and make sure they check your body. This type of pregnancy is severly dangerous. For more information on this type of pregnancy check out this site WEBMD.
Thanks for reading and sharing this experience with me. I am doing good and I dont want you all to worry. I am just happy I got the surgery and no longer at risk. Its sad that I lost the baby too, but since I thought I miscarried I already came to terms that I was not having a baby. It was hard at first for Jermie and I to understand, but we worked through it. It is very hard to go through something like this- and is important to have support and family and friends understand what you are going through.
"Keeping the faith and keeping a hopeful positive attitude is one of the hardest yet most rewarding concepts to understand and to apply into our everyday lives. Through the roughest times in our lives it seems as though all we should and can do is give up. Keeping our heads up to the sky, and keeping a forward resolve, even through times of adversity is essential to making it to where we want to be in life. Remember that the greatest of people are those who overcame some of the greatest challenges that life had to offer.
Maintain hope, for hope is sometimes all you have to hold on to during times where it seems as if all is lost, and that you shouldn't continue forward. Maintain the fight, and keep believing in yourself, in doing so everything else will fall in place, and everything will work out for the greatest good!"
TAG YOUR'E IT
Thursday, May 3, 2012
I was tagged by Cotton Candy INK (Cotton Candy Ink) to answer these following questions. I have never been tagged before, so I feel special!
11 fabulous questions I must answer:
1. Why did you start your blog?
I was inspired by Kandee Johnson and her blog and youtube videos. I thought it was pretty cool to write and post about things that could reach other people and inspire them the way I am inspired by others.
2. Describe yourself in 1 sentence.
A spontaneous mom and wife who is into anything art related, funky, goofy and tries to be positive and optimistic everyday
3. Whats your dream job and why?
My dream job would be to open my own art studio doing hair, makeup, designing clothes, airbrushing cars, doing tattoos.....just do everything all under one roof!
4. Whats makes you the happiest when your feeling down?
Sitting in the sand looking out into the ocean. It calms me down and I release all feelings of fear, sadness and I know everything will be ok.
5. Whats your favorite book to read and why?
I had this old romance novel I read when I was 16 that I kept for the longest time. I would always reread it because Im a hopelss romantic. I think it was called "Only For Your Love"
6. How long do you see yourself blogging?
As long as I enjoy it, I see myself blogging for years to come.
7. Most embarrassing moment?
There are so many, I have lost count. I think the most embarrassing thing is when I try to retell a joke I heard and it comes out totally wrong....and then I keep trying...epic fail
8. Favorite makeup or beauty product?
My fav product is my MAC Fix Spray. I always use it to prep my face and refreshen up my makeup at the end of the day.
9. Jeans or dresses?
Im more of a jeans person. Nothing feels better than a comfy pair of jeans!
10. What are you most afraid of?
Im afraid of red glowing eyes in the dark....weird huh?
11. Whats one thing you can not leave your home without and why?
My keys otherwise I cant drive away. hahaha no, seriously I cant leave without my phone. I feel naked without it.
Now, here I get to tag 11 more bloggers below!
1. Marylou.Cinnamon
2. Makeup By Lizbeth
3. Cupcakes & Couture
4. Cosa Mi Metto
5. TrailorHood Chic
6. livelovelaughatjakjak
7. Max-California
8. My Pinktastic Life
9. Lilbitsofchic
10. Dainty Dolls House
11. iamglamourpuss
Now here are the 11 questions you must answer and make sure to tag 11 more lovelies!
1. What was your favorite toy from your childhood?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. What would be your advice to anyone wanting to pursue their dreams but too scared to do it?
4. Who is your favorite blogger and why?
5. What 3 things would you take with you to a deserted island?
6. What is your favorite movie?
7. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
8. What is your one indulgence-something you just cant live without?
9. Would you prefer to live by the beach or in the mountains?
10. Where would your dream vacation be?
11. What is your favorite Dessert?
It was nice to participate in this tag! I hope you enjoyed my answers! Thanks for stopping by!
11 fabulous questions I must answer:
1. Why did you start your blog?
I was inspired by Kandee Johnson and her blog and youtube videos. I thought it was pretty cool to write and post about things that could reach other people and inspire them the way I am inspired by others.
2. Describe yourself in 1 sentence.
A spontaneous mom and wife who is into anything art related, funky, goofy and tries to be positive and optimistic everyday
3. Whats your dream job and why?
My dream job would be to open my own art studio doing hair, makeup, designing clothes, airbrushing cars, doing tattoos.....just do everything all under one roof!
4. Whats makes you the happiest when your feeling down?
Sitting in the sand looking out into the ocean. It calms me down and I release all feelings of fear, sadness and I know everything will be ok.
5. Whats your favorite book to read and why?
I had this old romance novel I read when I was 16 that I kept for the longest time. I would always reread it because Im a hopelss romantic. I think it was called "Only For Your Love"
6. How long do you see yourself blogging?
As long as I enjoy it, I see myself blogging for years to come.
7. Most embarrassing moment?
There are so many, I have lost count. I think the most embarrassing thing is when I try to retell a joke I heard and it comes out totally wrong....and then I keep trying...epic fail
8. Favorite makeup or beauty product?
My fav product is my MAC Fix Spray. I always use it to prep my face and refreshen up my makeup at the end of the day.
9. Jeans or dresses?
Im more of a jeans person. Nothing feels better than a comfy pair of jeans!
10. What are you most afraid of?
Im afraid of red glowing eyes in the dark....weird huh?
11. Whats one thing you can not leave your home without and why?
My keys otherwise I cant drive away. hahaha no, seriously I cant leave without my phone. I feel naked without it.
Now, here I get to tag 11 more bloggers below!
1. Marylou.Cinnamon
2. Makeup By Lizbeth
3. Cupcakes & Couture
4. Cosa Mi Metto
5. TrailorHood Chic
6. livelovelaughatjakjak
7. Max-California
8. My Pinktastic Life
9. Lilbitsofchic
10. Dainty Dolls House
11. iamglamourpuss
Now here are the 11 questions you must answer and make sure to tag 11 more lovelies!
1. What was your favorite toy from your childhood?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. What would be your advice to anyone wanting to pursue their dreams but too scared to do it?
4. Who is your favorite blogger and why?
5. What 3 things would you take with you to a deserted island?
6. What is your favorite movie?
7. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
8. What is your one indulgence-something you just cant live without?
9. Would you prefer to live by the beach or in the mountains?
10. Where would your dream vacation be?
11. What is your favorite Dessert?
It was nice to participate in this tag! I hope you enjoyed my answers! Thanks for stopping by!
Random Window Shopping
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Before I accidentally deleted all the photos off my phone, thankfully I saved them onto my computer. So, I bring to you random pictures bout and see things I want and fight against deepest urges not to buy because my husband would kill me for spending money like crazy. hahaha so this is me window shopping, along with actual shopping.
And my absolute favorite thing that I found shoved into the back of the shelf......a jar that looks like an old school candy dispenser! I am definetly getting that on my next payday. hahahaha
My hubby and I are waiting for our application to go through for a new place. I am hoping we get approved. So, I have been eyeballing new things I want to get for our place. I am super excited. Its a two bedroom place, hardwood floors, a fenced in backyard, and lots of good light! so Keep your fingers crossed for us and I hoped you enjoyed window shopping with me!
Do you do this too with your phone? Take pics of stuff you see that you hope to later go get? or am I the only crazy one in a store taking pics?
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| A purple toaster from Target! |
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| ok, we actually bought these, Matthias loves white hot chocolate from starbucks, but this is something we can make at house. |
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| Arabella loves these with the colored marshmellows |
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| Barnes and Nobles...I spied a magazine I wanna get but this baby is $15..so this will wait till next time |
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| check out this magazine! I wish this was around when I was younger! A girls magazine for up and coming fashion designers. They are startin at a young age! |
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| Look at these yummy tacos! I love this magazine! |
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| Look at all these cute stationary and office supplies. (I know Im a nerd) I saw these at "Tuesday Morning" |
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| Storage boxes! Also at Tuesday Morning |
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| I want this adorable cake stand! |
My hubby and I are waiting for our application to go through for a new place. I am hoping we get approved. So, I have been eyeballing new things I want to get for our place. I am super excited. Its a two bedroom place, hardwood floors, a fenced in backyard, and lots of good light! so Keep your fingers crossed for us and I hoped you enjoyed window shopping with me!
Do you do this too with your phone? Take pics of stuff you see that you hope to later go get? or am I the only crazy one in a store taking pics?
Slightly Obsessed Street Artist SOSA
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Here in the local Virginia Beach scene, there are many what I call underground artists. I came across this "Slightly Obsessed Street Artist" otherwise know as S.O.S.A online months ago and have seen his art floating around here and there. While at the Tattoo Expo in Hampton I recognized his work and then we were able to actually meet in person. We correspond online occasionally, but I was lurking around and saw this on his page and fell in LOVE!!!!
I love Marilyn Monroe, I just admire her and her life, her struggles and her strength. SOSA made a few variations of her and I plan on purchasing this one above. I just love the vivid colors and how expressive it is. I wanna hang this in my living room!
With his permission, I wanted to share his art because I think its amazing. I have always admired street artists and their ability to create such masterpieces with a spray can.
Here is a link to his FACEBOOK, please go and check his work out. I think he is also up to do custom work I am sure, and he has several Marilyn Monroe paintings if you wanna get your hands on one! I know I am getting one!
I love Marilyn Monroe, I just admire her and her life, her struggles and her strength. SOSA made a few variations of her and I plan on purchasing this one above. I just love the vivid colors and how expressive it is. I wanna hang this in my living room!
With his permission, I wanted to share his art because I think its amazing. I have always admired street artists and their ability to create such masterpieces with a spray can.
Here are a few other pieces I love too!
Here is a link to his FACEBOOK, please go and check his work out. I think he is also up to do custom work I am sure, and he has several Marilyn Monroe paintings if you wanna get your hands on one! I know I am getting one!
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