Racey

Costumes + Running + Mud = Fun?

A nod to the veterans since it was D-Day and the race takes place on a military base.

I think this might be their favorite race of the season.

Great thought and preparation goes into the planning of their attire.

They color coordinate the duct tape they use to keep their shoes and socks in place.

Before Tom crawling under the flags in the red shorts.
After
Please note the breathe right strips.

Because they have no shame.

Inspiration/Perspiration

I was just introduced to Dan Caro watching a PBS special featuring Dr Wayne Dyer. Dan is the definition of resilience. The only problem with inspiration is that it causes perspiration. Now I have no excuses.

Fashion Friday/Summer Handbags

When I am looking for a summer bag I often head to the local surf shop. They have a great selection at good prices. I found this bag a couple of years ago. It is covered in brown wooden beads. It is cool enough that Brynn has adopted it. This bag is the perfect size for vacations. It holds all the essentials plus a book, a water bottle and a camera. Now if I can just steal it back from the teenager.

Health History/The Long Boring Edition

Totally fake smile because sometimes we have to fake it til we make it.The Tilt Table Test is the standard for diagnosing NCS
I find it to be cruel and unusual punishment as they make you faint. I have had this test done twice and one of my Docs wants me to have another one. Umm no thanks.

I've been asked some questions about the nature of my illness so here is a not so brief explanation.

Let' start at the very beginning, not really I just like how it sounded. When I was 21 on my mission, I was diagnosed with Hyperparathyroidism. I had a tumor on my parathyroid gland. I didn't even know I had a parathyroid gland until they discovered the growth. This disease is fatal if left untreated. It is extremely rare especially in a 21 year old. I had to have surgery to have it removed and as it is so rare and usually found in geriatric patients there are not many surgeons that have performed this micro-surgery. The real problem with Hyperparathyroidism is the havoc it wreaks on your body. It causes loss of bone density, tooth decay and kidney problems. It causes the body to rapidly age and this is why I have many of the problems I have today. My body thinks it is 87 instead of 47.

Five years ago I was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It is a condition where your autonomic nervous system is failing. There is a cardiac component as well. Upon standing my blood pressure drops and so I don't get blood to my heart and head. Fainting is the bodies way of protecting you from a stroke. I started fainting at 18 and I thought everyone saw stars when they bent over. My neurologist said,"I'm sorry, this is a miserable disease." Again it is rare and found mainly in the geriatric crowd. Lucky me. My internist says that the only patients she has with this condition are in their 80's. Four years ago I saw a Dr at UCLA that treats patients with NCS. I got tired of being her guinea pig and so I quit going there. My current neurologist who is the Head of Neurology and is a Professor at a prestigious medical school has never treated a patient with this disease. There is no cure and I have developed allergies and intolerance to many of the meds they use to treat this condition. I have good days and bad. Chronic illness stinks. I'm over it. I mourn the loss of freedom, health and being actively involved with my family. I use my walker and wheelchair as needed. I can't tolerate standing for too long so depending on the day I pick my mode of transportation. I feel fine when I am horizontal it is the vertical I can't handle.I require a high sodium diet, lots of fluids, someone to fan me and feed me grapes.

No, this is not me but maybe once I'm totally gray I can model for pharmaceutical companies. I'd be good at it. Last week I received my first annual Reclast infusion at an infusion center. I have osteoporosis and have developed an allergy to the typical pill form meds. Next I tried the quarterly IV Boniva. My veins are crap and so for the last six months I have not received a full dose as my veins have blown. Since I have been falling down on the job, so to speak, My Dr recommended I try this route. It was a piece of cake. Here I am sitting in my recliner getting my infusion. It took about a half hour an hour if you count paperwork, prep, etc.

It left a nasty taste in my mouth, for real. Kind of lemon, citrus and garlic. Weird.

The best part is that I don't have to do it again until next year.

So that is my story in a nutshell albeit a large nutshell. See what I mean about a rubber room? I promise a bunch of nonsense tomorrow. These health posts are a big fat yawn. Speaking of big fat I have gained some weight. About 10 pounds more or less, depends on the day but it is a good thing. Ten more and I will be sitting pretty or at least more comfortably. I need some cushion in my trunk.

10 Summer Essentials

1. Hat
Okay so you won't wear a hat at least do yourself a favor and wear a visor. Unless you don't like your nose and want to have it cut off. Or you love the look of old wrinkled leather, then go ahead, skip the hat. This giant one is like my personal umbrella. It meets the Dermotologist requirements. When you hold your hat up to the light you should not see any light peeking through.

Straw hats don't meet the criteria but I like this colorful one. It is so faded from years of wear.

2. Lightweight cardigan

This one is perfect because I always freeze on a plane. It is easy to throw in a bag and the elbow length sleeves are not too hot.

3. Sunglasses

I prefer huge ones. Seriously giant movie star shades.

4. Flip- flops

Just promise me that you will only wear rubber flip-flops poolside or at the beach. Please, I beg you.

5. Cute summer tops

So I have been slowly replacing my basic tees with shirts that have more details. Pleats, ruffles, cowl necks anything that takes them up a notch. It is hard to see on this charcoal gray but it has an inverted pleat which makes it a little floaty or it can be dressed up with a belt.

The scoop neck and puff sleeves remind me of my favorite dresses when I was small. I called them cupcake sleeves.

I love the color, the cowl neckline and the horizontal pleats on the sleeves.

6. Bermuda shorts

This pair is extra long. The red couch may be even better than the shorts.
Dark denim makes me happy.

7. Espadrilles

What would summer be without a pair of these quintessential warm weather shoes. I've had a pair every summer since I was 14. I recently read an article about the death of the espadrille. Rubbish I say. As long as there is an east coast there will be espadrilles. As long as the south of France is there...you get my drift.

Classic I tell you.

This pair is even more fun with a slingback and metallic animal print.

Meow

8. Cute Skirts

When it is really hot only a skirt will do. Well not only a skirt, a top would be important too.

9. Beach Bag

I love this giant straw bag with leather handles. It holds everything you and the kids need.
This tote is smaller but just the right size for one.

10. Flat Sandals

I have had this pair for years but I can't part with them. They are perfect for vacation because they go from the beach to a night out.

Another cute skirt I couldn't move it for some reason but it deserves to be posted.

I shopped my closet for all of these items. Try it and then just add a couple new things to spice it up. Have I forgotten anything like white jeans, a swimsuit and more important a cover-up, a summer dress, signature jewelry...I may need to do another post.

Shoesday

Hey they match my floors. I love shiny things.

Missionary Monday

Biker boy

I love this picture of Elder Jordy. He looks like he is 5.

Maybe it is the helmet, I'm not sure but I do love it
"Last Thursday I went on Exchanges with Elder Konold, he's from San Diego. We were riding bikes and it started pouring rain. Then it starting hailing and the hail was hitting me in the face and it was painful. We decided to take cover at the church until it stopped. We were completely soaked! Then it was sunny for a couple hours. Then it started pouring again and we got soaked again. It was ridiculous. Then on Monday it was 100 degrees. The weather is crazy here. Oh, and Elder Konold crashed his bike in the rain and ripped his shirt and it got all dirty. So it was just a really crazy day."

This is what happens when you come from a town with little to no change in weather.
If you happen to see this boy riding around the streets of Meridian, wave and please don't hit him.