Reflections

It's not like me to miss a month of posts. In fact I never have. Regrets all around but no excuses.

Life has been and continues to be... vibrant. I'm theorizing that this very vibrancy added some time to my recovery from January's asthma abyss. But with February behind me, March finds me very buoyant and able to make plans and enjoy the journey now that my head is indeed above water again!

With plenty of time to reflect on my silly asthma, my family and my job, I find I'm able to enjoy the moment more. And certainly to treasure all the blessings in my life. I think there's a mental healing as well as a physical healing after a medical downturn. And I am letting it proceed at it's own pace.

And I'm positively savoring new things. Whether its a new recipe or a new water bottle or a new photo op, I'm feeling refreshed. I'm enjoying my new ipad, with which I took the above picture... and I'm renewing my love affair with my trusty Nikon, which I drug all over the UK last year.

Now, if only I could take such a refreshing approach with filing my taxes or cleaning my house!

 Hugs!

Thankful Thursday

Shot about 10 minutes after yesterday's picture.

Today I'm thankful for all the blessings in my life. And having a camera to capture them!

AG out!

Drive-by Hugging

In planning our trip to Canada, The Baroness graciously invited TOG and I to visit.

It was one of the sweetest moments of our whirlwind visit to Canada! And an excellent birthday present!

Hugs to you and your charming family, BvonB!

Ahhhhhhhh lurveeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuuu!

AG out!

Friendship

Or where today's post practically writes itself!

Last night iMom came over so I could turn her lovely hair chestnut with red highlights again.

During the course of the evening, we talked of many things. Including the fact that today is her birthday (happy birthday iMom!) and something that I can't discuss on my blog. It's impossible to describe how much better I felt after our visit. Thanks Sweetie!

Except this morning, I got an email from LaLa that made me feel even better. I know a lot of you have seen it, but I'm posting it anyway. Because it speaks volumes about the friends I have including my Blisters who have filled my life with joy, laughter and wine!

Ready?

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

You will see no cute little smiley faces on this  ~ Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1.  When you are sad ~

I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

2.  When you are blue ~

I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile ~

I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.

4. When you are scared ~

I will rag on you about it every chance I get until you’re NOT.

5. When you are worried ~

I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused ~

I will try to use only little words.

7. When you are sick  ~

Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don’t want whatever you have.

8.  When you fall ~

I will laugh at your clumsy ass, but I'll help you up.

9. This is my oath ~

I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask ~ because you are my friend.

Please add your own number 10. Mine is belching and reminding someone that I love them.

What's yours?

AG out!

Awash

I'm awash with images and memories surrounding BlogFest 2010.

I'm also awash in "not much sleep and having to leave for work in a half hour not having eaten and my hair is still in a towel".

Life is good!

Here's a favorite... more to come...

I call it "Cloud Soup".

Blister hugs to all my girls.

AG out!

Mountains and Turtles

Then there was the mountain Monday morning. The sunrise made it all rosy and glowy! I assure you, it does not look like this now. There has been discussion around our house about turning on the heat as opposed to waiting to mid October like we usually do. Unfortunately, TOG has to change out the filthy furnace filters first (say that fast 3x) or my lungs will go into cardiac arrest when he flips on the furnace. Can lungs do that? I wouldn't put it past my lungs, wretched things! In the meantime, I've taken to wearing wool socks!

No, I don't have turtles. *title post reference... asthmagirl is still on her first cup of coffee*

The thing is, I talked about turtles a few post back. About how I had pulled my head in and sealed myself off. I think it's protective.... a side effect of having funky lungs the last month or so and not being able to go into work... In spite of the fact that the blog is sort of about asthma, I really don't want me to be about asthma right now....

So I'm working on putting my head back outside of the turtle shell... on posting regularly, on reaching out a little more. It seems pretty easy to hibernate and let the lungs call the shots. I need to find my sense of rebellion again. I'm pretty sure it's around here somewhere...

Hugs to y'all and apologies for being so absent...

AG out...

Inspired...

I know I've been in a funk, barely posting, barely visiting other blogs... Mostly sick, but partially crazy busy.

They painted the building at work and with all the paint smell (and my reaction to it), I have had to work from home for the last week. I know that sounds fun, but it's like running a race with one leg tied behind your back. Even though I can log in remotely to work, I don't have EVERYTHING I need to work smoothly. And I end up feeling guilty because I don't have access to some things that should be taken care of.... That, and I end up starting work at 5:30am since I'm already up and I have so much to do!

But ultimately, the swirling vortex of the last few weeks has inspired me to finally think some positive thoughts...because being gloomy sucks.

I'm so glad that in spite of my freakish lungs, I have all my body parts and they work except my ovaries and lungs and occasionally my brain. I mean, I can hear and see, reach out and hug people, smell Ben's head, tickle the brute squad... life is pretty good when you think of it that way.

I have dogs that fight for cuddle space on my lap when I'm feeling icky and hit the recliner. Talk about feeling loved.

I don't have the flu yet...

My hair is long enough to put in a pony tail when I'm having the occasional hot flash.

In spite of two doses of prednisone and the fact that my lungs didn't allow me to hike or bike this summer (dratted things!), I haven't gained any weight. This mystifies me. It goes against all the laws of nature and my own gluttony...

I still like ice cream. alot...

Ben and I do not laugh at each other's chins.

I've got really cool daughters....

... and the best doctor ever!

And did I mention my adorable grandson???

He's the icing on my already delectable cake. He burped up milk on me the other day and I didn't care.

And he smells just like you imagine he does, except better!

AG out!