Tree Swing Reading

Got tagged to list random things about myself

Hi! I got tagged to list 101 random things about myself. I hope it's not too boring for you!

1. I had the same due date for both of my children. Ask my statistician husband what are the odds of that happening?

2. I don't like to travel. I like to stay home as much as possible. I even do most of my shopping online.

3. I love peanut butter on my waffles, smothered in syrup. But the syrup must be hot. Cold syrup is yucky.

4. I once got trapped by a garage door when my sweater caught on it as I was going under it and the door closed all the way with me having to lay down in front of it because I couldn't get the sweater unhooked in time. Then I almost got strangled by same sweater when my mother opened the garage door.

5. I love blogging and love the friends I've made through blogging (that would be you guys!)

6. I am taking web design classes...online of course. I wouldn't want to have to drive to a school.

7. I am terrified of driving in snow. This creates a problem between October and May when you live in Wisconsin.

8. I am closer in age to my oldest nephews and nieces than I am to my brothers.

9. I computerized our church library and personally typed in the info on over 5,000 books.

10. I have always wished I was athletic. Sadly I am only successful at Wii sports.

11. I am a video-gamer at heart. I love playing video games. I bought the Xbox for my husband of course.

12. I own over 1,000 books. I keep an excel spreadsheet of details about them and when I read them and when the next books I want to read will be released.

13. I had a male cat named "Cream Puff" when I was young. He was an outdoor cat and got in a lot of fights. My husband says he was picked on because of his name.

14. I have a phobia of the stomach flu. I know no one likes it, but I freak out whenever I hear of someone having it. I really freak out when my husband gets the flu.

15. I am totally crafty. I quilt, sew, knit, crochet, x-stitch, embroider, needlepoint, make soap, decorate cakes, bead, stamp, and whatever else.

16. I don't like sandwiches. Maybe it's from all the years eating them for lunch everyday at school.

17. I love black licorice. Not the Dutch salted kind though.

18. I asked my husband out on our first date. We were college "resident assistants" in the same dorm and I asked him if he thought we could be "more than friends." His dad called in the middle of our conversation. I was so sure John would say no that I told him "I hope we can still be friends" before he even answered. He actually said, "yes" and then we decided maybe we should hug on it or something. Awkward.

19. I tried to get my husband to ask me out first. There was a poster for a play being put on at our college and I pointed it out to him and said, "I'd sure like to go to that if I had someone to go with." He never caught on.

20. I play fantasy football with my family and am obsessed with checking my scores.

21. I am allergic to blueberries and seasame seeds.

22. My youngest was born on April Fools Day. When my water broke that morning my husband thought it was an April Fools Joke. He should've known I would never joke about labor.

23. On a serious note, I am struggling almost daily to live with chronic health problems because of my hormone deficiencies. There is no way to describe how much those little hormone dudes can affect my well-being. It has been a 6-year battle to figure out what to do and now add strange muscle jerks. I am frustrated. (sorry for the downer)

24. My husband has a fabulous sense of humor that most people don't get to see because he's usually so serious. He can do silly dances, mimic George Bush (senior), play practical jokes (like blocking a door with stacks of toliet paper taped together), and gets the biggest kick out of movies like "Airplane."

25. My oldest daughter needs less sleep than I do but can't stand being awake when I'm asleep. This creates a problem.

26. I love making lists.

27. I am more organized on paper than I am in reality.

28. I would rather text than talk on the phone.

29. I have struggled with my weight since 6th grade. My 6th grade teacher told me I was "husky" and used me as an example in front of the class. He was my cousin.

30. I started working in first grade, picking strawberries and getting paid by the pound. We worked 6 days/week from 7am to 3pm.

31. I worked many summers on a raspberry picking machine. I picked bugs and leaves out of the berries as I rode on top of a tractor.

32. I love going to plays and musicals and have secretly wanted to work backstage.

33. I think peanut butter and chocolate together are fabulous!

34. I don't have very many girlfriends, but I am really loyal to the ones I have.

35. I have big teeth.

36. My husband hates clutter.

37. It's hard for a really crafty person not to have clutter.

38. My Grandma Grace was amazing and made me feel special all the time. She let me paint, watch soap operas, and made books out of old walpaper pieces.

39. I grew up by mountains and still miss them all the time.

40. I worked as an event planner for 2 years and the stress nearly killed me.

41. My secret wish would be to be able to dance. A beautiful dance speaks to my heart. Maybe I'll have a dancer's body in heaven!

42. I have way too much guilt.

43. I used to write a lot of poetry. I quit for 20 years and just started again.

44. I have a really hard time feeling "good enough" at anything.

45. I have a really hard time accepting unconditional love.

46. I say I'm sorry way too much.

47. I don't really like vegetables.

48. My grandparents were Dutch.

49. My parents both have large families and I have tons and tons of cousins. Many I've never met.

50. I have really bad eyesight. I can't see anything without contacts/glasses.

51. I don't get tans. My skin is either pasty or red.

52. I don't get yoga. It's hard and makes me stressed, not relaxed.

53. I am a fast typer. Do they still give typing tests for job interviews?

54. I love figuring out how to do things on the computer.

55. I have really small hands for my height.

56. Grammar is really important to me.

57. My husband is obsessed with recycling. I don't like rinsing out the peanut butter jar to recycle it.

58. I really like Diet Dr. Pepper! And Root Beer.

59. I used to get licorice ice cream when I was a kid. It makes your tongue black!

60. My dad was once the mayor of my hometown.

61. I have watched "Sense and Sensability" over and over.

62. I love it when my husband says we can order Chinese food.

63. My daughter hates Chinese food.

64. I have the most beautiful daughters in the whole world. They are my sunshine and inspiration.

65. My daughters are very smart, especially in math.

66. I once got trapped in a glass elevator in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. It wouldn't stop going up and down over and over.

67. I had a bat living in my dorm room. I trapped it with a garbage can.

68. I love to bake.

69. I love taking bubble baths.

70. I am always worrying about getting things done. I don't relax very well.

71. I like watching "Survivor" with my daughter. And "Amazing Race."

72. My youngest daughter measures time in "Hannah Montana" episodes. If something will take 15 minutes, she'll say "How long is that?" and I'll say, "A half of a Hannah Montana episode."

73. I was born 2 months early.

74. I always wished I had a different first name. I wanted to be "Jessica" or "Elizabeth" something girly and pretty.

75. I have never tried skiing even though I grew up by mountains, including the Whistler ski resort.

76. All three of my brothers got married in the same summer. I was 9 and got 3 new dresses in one summer. My mom sewed all of them.

77. My mom makes amazing quilts. She hand quilts them. They are amazing heirlooms.

78. My dad fixes antique tractors. He shows them off in my home town's "Antique Tractor Show."

79. My dad drives a tractor to go out to lunch in my hometown. He pulls my daughters in a trailer behind it and buys them milkshakes.

80. Green is my favorite color. I love purple too.

81. My youngest daughter collects zebras. She is obsessed with them. Her bedroom has pink walls with a zebra border.

82. My husband is tall. Our children are tall.

83. I hate being fat more than anything in the world.

84. Parents who don't obey the "no parking" signs at school make me really mad. Parents who speed in the school zone make me really mad too.  If they don't follow the rules, why are they surprised when their kids don't?

85. I absolutely love "Les Miserable" the musical.  It inspires me.

86. I also love the "High School Musicals." I could watch them over and over.

87. I'm worried you must be bored now.

88. I hate confrontation.

89. I worry way too much.

90. I worry way too much about what people think of me.

91. I want to get a puppy, but am afraid of how much work it will be. I'm afraid my husband will be worried about the floors too much.

92. My husband is obsessed with clean floors.

93. I miss my college friends, but am terrible with keeping in touch with them.

94. I want my house to be a favorite hang-out place for my kids' friends.

95. I hate wearing colored nail polish. I think it accentuates how short my fingers are.

96. I love to decorate with pillows. I love how changing the pillows makes the room look totally different.

97. I am not very fashion forward. I only ever use one purse. I never wear heels.

98. I wish I was more fashion forward, but don't have the confidence. Plus I don't like shopping for myself.

99. I struggle with shame all the time.

100. I have a secret dream of owning a quilter's retreat lodge.

101. I can't believe I thought of that many things to say about myself.

98.

Faith 'n Fiction Saturday

Questions from My Friend Amy's blog series.

Today's Question:
You have a good friend who is a devoted Christian and voracious reader. He or she, however, tried to read a Christian fiction book in the past and found it to be too preachy and unrealistic. Your friend wants to try it again and has asked you for a recommendation. Their favorite genre of book is what is considered literary fiction. What book would you recommend to them?

You also have a friend who is not a Christian but wants to read fiction that is considered clean without being too Christian. They have asked you if there are Christian fiction books that might meet their reading needs. They are interested in romance and novels. What book would you recommend to them?

My Answer:
For the first friend I would choose books by Charles Martin, whose books are lyrical and profound and leave you with powerful reactions. I think I would also recommend Every Good and Perfect Thing by Sharon K. Souza. Another lyrical and beautifully written story that doesn't make unrealistic "everything's perfect because your a Christian" outcomes.

For the second friend I would recommend Creston Mapes or Eric Wilson's Shred of Truth and The Best of Evil. I think they bring across a message of hope in a way that is a bit gritty and not sugar-coated but not preachy either.  But now I see the part where the friend likes romance...hmmm... I'm not a huge reader of "romance."  How about the Family Honor series by Karen Ball? Most of the time my romance reads have some suspense in them too. 

What would you recommend?

Winner of "Sweet Seasons" series

Congratulations to Erika Lynn whose name was drawn to win the Sweet Seasons Series by Debbie Viguie.

Thanks for entering!

Alphabet Soup Giveaway, Letter Z

LETTER Z!

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "Z." Z is for zipper. Anyone have a funny zipper story?  I had a professor in college who constantly had his zipper open on his pants.  He'd put his hands in his pants pockets and sit on his desk when he lectured.  It was horrible!

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 6. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 7.

c. Check back for the next giveaway!

No author located with a last name that starts with Z. Decided on a series that I love that has a Z in the series title: the Occupational Hazard Series by Rene Gutteridge. 

Book 1 Description:

TV news producer Hugo Talley is desperate to boost ratings and attract a younger demographic. But an aging anchorwoman, a know-it-all weatherman, a reporter who shuns sensationalism, and young Hayden Hazard---an assistant who can't leave her faith outside the newsroom---are jeopardizing Hugo's dreams. Will Hayden's personal convictions destroy Channel 7's shot at success?

My Review:

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I love Rene Gutteridge!  She writes with humor and style and creates the most unusal characters and circumstances!  In the Occupational Hazard Series, she has created a family of homeschooled siblings who grew up working together in their parents' clown business.  When their parents die together in a freak accident, their brother decides it's time for them to do something different and he closes the family business.  Thus the series of Hazard siblings and their occupations is born!

In this first book, Hayden is working as an Assistant in a newsroom.  Little does she know that strange circumstances will bring her in front of the camera.  The irony is that Hayden has enough innocence and a childlike faith that will have her accept the position easily with pure trust that she can handle it because that's what God wants her to do. 

Gutteridge does a fascinating job of capturing the story of Hayden without using Hayden's voice for the story.  The story is told through the eyes of the people around her. And they are a quirky and strange bunch!  And the events in their lives are quirky enough to match them!  Very funny! 

So take some humor, throw in some suspense, and add a dash of romance for this terrific book by one of my favorite authors!  If you get a chance to read this series, you will be entertained and even challenged--in light-hearted, off-beat way--to see what childlike confidence in one's faith can look like in an adult.  Hayden reminds us all that we should never be ashamed of the gospel and should always have an answer when asked about what we believe in.

Book 2 Description:

Keeping the streets safe can be murder on the knees.

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortabel position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff. That is, until he meets his unlikely team of officers

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine--even when they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

My Review:

Another winner from this series!  More likeable characters who make me laugh out loud.  More suspense than the first book in the series.  More unashamed-faith-proclaiming Hazard family members.  Mack is a little more "rough around the edges" than Hayden (from Scoop), but she is just as determined to be real and honest about her faith.  So take this honesty and determination to always speak freely about her beliefs and try imagining such a woman in an undercover cop position.  Not hard to see some sparks would fly as she ends up working with a cop like Jesse who does undercover with an edge and an attitude.  Throw in the experienced boss of Yeager who has to get them to work together and a pastor who maneuers himself into the case and you get a interesting and crazy adventure as they try to bring down a car-theft ring!

Again, Gutteridge does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of the characters around Mack.  I couldn't put it down! 

Book 3 description:

Come Fly The Frenzied Skies!

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a copilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage.

On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled inflight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of "What Would Oprah Do?" will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests--prompted by his covert role as a spy for teh airline--test the limits of the crew's customer service.

But as Lucy and the crew discover, Hank's odd behavior is linked to a quiet faith that may play a key role in the fate of everyone on board. Especially when an unexpected traveler sets this already bumpy flight on a course toward the unfriendly skies.

My Thoughts:

Funny....engaging...gripping.  You never know what crazy thing is going to happen next in this adventure that takes place almost entirely during one (unbelievably) eventful flight to Amersterdam.  (I love that they are going to the Netherlands on the flight!  All my grandparents are from there and I grew up in a predominantly Dutch community so it was cool for me!) 

What a crazy flight!  First there's a wacky captain with some legendary landing in the Bermuda Triangle.  There's a thief being escorted back to the Netherlands whose afraid someone on the plane is trying to kill him.  There's a woman with a personal assistant pet that's a pig.  There's a guy trying to hide the diamonds he's carrying back to his grandmother in the Netherlands and the guy who's trying to steal them.  There's a passenger who's dead...and then not dead. There's Lucy, a woman trying to live based on positive and negative energy while recovering from being dumped by a boyfriend who turns up on the same flight.  And then there's Hank Hazard.  Who in typical Hazard family fashion stands out in this crazy crowd, not because of any wacky behavior of his own, but because he is remarkably different in his peaceful handling of it.  All the Harzard siblings are like this.  They attract people who want what they have.

I think Gutteridge outdid herself with this cast of characters.  I laughed out loud at the antics of a pig who is a fussy eater. Grabbed my seat with suspense as Hank and another passenger have to land a plane without a pilot.  And was reminded again of the importance of having the kind of faith that shines like the Hazard family faith.  Everywhere they go, people around them are struck by their substance and peace.

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "Z." Z is for zipper. Anyone have a funny zipper story?  I had a professor in college who constantly had his zipper open on his pants.  He'd put his hands in his pants pockets and sit on his desk when he lectured.  It was horrible!

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 6. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 7.

c. Check back for the next giveaway!

No author located with a last name that starts with Z. Decided on a series that I love that has a Z in the series title: the Occupational Hazard Series by Rene Gutteridge. 

Winner of "The Ultimate Gift"

Congratulations to Lori Barnes! Your name was drawn to win The Ultimate Gift book and DVD!

Thanks for entering!

Alphabet Soup Giveaway, Letter Y

LETTER Y!

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "Y." Y is for yawn. Are you a night person or a morning person?  What time do you usually get up/go to bed?  I am totally a morning person!  After 9 pm I kind of shut down.  I go to bed at 10 usually and wake up around 5:30.

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 4. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 5.

c. Check back for the next giveaway: letter Z! I can't believe this giveaway is almost done. I'll be sad!

Today's book is non-fiction by Philip Yancey, Prayer, Does It Make a Difference?

Description from Christianbook.com

In his most powerful book since What's So Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect---the very heartbeat---of your relationship with God: prayer. In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

My Thoughts:

This book was like layers of goodness for me. Each chapter offering another morsel of goodness. It wasn't "in my face" revelations, but rather a gentle flow of new perspectives on prayer and good reminders of what I already knew about prayer.  All in all, prayer is a complex thing. Yancey does a good job of breaking down the principles of prayer along with the problems we wrestle with about whether prayers get answered and why some seem not to.  The book left me ready to recommit myself to the continual practice of prayer and accepting a certain amount of mystery that surrounds it. It reminded me of God's love for us and his desire to hear our prayers even though "he already knows what's on our hearts."  A very good book by one of my favorite authors. 

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "Y." Y is for yawn. Are you a night person or a morning person?  What time do you usually get up/go to bed?  I am totally a morning person!  After 9 pm I kind of shut down.  I go to bed at 10 usually and wake up around 5:30.

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 4. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 5.

c. Check back for the next giveaway: letter Z! I can't believe this giveaway is almost done. I'll be sad!

Today's book is non-fiction by Philip Yancey, Prayer, Does It Make a Difference?

Description from Christianbook.com

In his most powerful book since What's So Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect---the very heartbeat---of your relationship with God: prayer. In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

My Thoughts:

This book was like layers of goodness for me. Each chapter offering another morsel of goodness. It wasn't "in my face" revelations, but rather a gentle flow of new perspectives on prayer and good reminders of what I already knew about prayer.  All in all, prayer is a complex thing. Yancey does a good job of breaking down the principles of prayer along with the problems we wrestle with about whether prayers get answered and why some seem not to.  The book left me ready to recommit myself to the continual practice of prayer and accepting a certain amount of mystery that surrounds it. It reminded me of God's love for us and his desire to hear our prayers even though "he already knows what's on our hearts."  A very good book by one of my favorite authors. 

First tooth out

Isn't she cute? She lost her first tooth yesterday.

 

Winner of "Isolation"

Congrats to Ivan Girl. Your name was drawn to win Isolation by Travis Thrasher.

Thanks for entering!

Alphabet Soup Giveaway, Letter X

LETTER X!

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "X." X is for...I have no idea.  How about I just ask a question about what kind of giveaway to have next? In your comments, please rank the following choices in order of what you'd like best. Then vote in the little survey for your top choice (I just love surveys!)

A. my favorites from 2008 (see link to list above in top navigation line),

B. scare your socks off suspense books,

C. Alphabet Soup by Title,

D. Valentine's Day romance fiction, or

E. crafty things fiction (like my "Fall Things" giveaway, books that are related to "crafty" things like Sweetgum Knitlit Socity and Scrappin Plans, etc.). 

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 2. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 3.

c. Check back for the next giveaway: letter Y!

I couldn't find a author whose last name started with X, but I found one with an "X" in her last name. Today's book is by Christine Lynxwiler: Promise Me Always.

Description:

Thirty-five-year-old widow Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping business. After losing her job, Allie's Pinky Promise girlfriends convince her to enter Shady Grove's Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition. The prize? The town's landscaping and maintenance contract. But there's a hitch. Every move Allies ragtag crew makes will be featured in the reality segment of a local TV show.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this story very much! Who can't relate to Allie and her perfectionism and her desire to try to control everything?  She's in for a big surprise though.  She's about to learn that even she can't control the weather, the actions of a mean-spirited TV woman, or even who she falls in love with.  A fun and delightful story!

 

This will be a giveaway working through the alphabet by author's last name.

RULES FOR ENTERING:

a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the "Just for Fun" question that goes with it.

Today's question for "X." X is for...I have no idea.  How about I just ask a question about what kind of giveaway to have next? In your comments, please rank the following choices in order of what you'd like best. Then vote in the little survey for your top choice (I just love surveys!)

B. scare your socks off suspense books,

C. Alphabet Soup by Title,

D. Valentine's Day romance fiction, or

E. crafty things fiction (like my "Fall Things" giveaway, books that are related to "crafty" things like Sweetgum Knitlit Socity and Scrappin Plans, etc.). 

b. Enter on or before the date specified. Claim your prize, if you win, within 10 days of being notified or I will redraw. (In other words, let me know you want the book and where it should be sent, should you find out your name was drawn.

Enter by February 2. Today's book winner will be drawn on Feb. 3.

c. Check back for the next giveaway: letter Y!

I couldn't find a author whose last name started with X, but I found one with an "X" in her last name. Today's book is by Christine Lynxwiler: Promise Me Always.

Description:

Thirty-five-year-old widow Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping business. After losing her job, Allie's Pinky Promise girlfriends convince her to enter Shady Grove's Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition. The prize? The town's landscaping and maintenance contract. But there's a hitch. Every move Allies ragtag crew makes will be featured in the reality segment of a local TV show.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this story very much! Who can't relate to Allie and her perfectionism and her desire to try to control everything?  She's in for a big surprise though.  She's about to learn that even she can't control the weather, the actions of a mean-spirited TV woman, or even who she falls in love with.  A fun and delightful story!

 

Why do health issues freak me out?

I am officially panicking. I always do this when it comes to bizzare health symptoms and today is no exception.  And believe me when I say I have had a lifetime of strange health issues. For example, I have extremely low progesterone. It took over two years to figure out what was causing my assortment of symptoms in that case.  I was told it was anxiety, IBS (which I get too), "in my head" and everything else until finally one day after two years my hormone levels were tested, and, sure enough a real issue.  So you can see why I'm a little gun-shy about my health.  And to top it off, the hormone thing is not really something that stays fixed for me. I am constantly having to make adjustments to my doses in response to stress, etc.  I feel "good" only about 20% of the time.  It kinda sucks, but I know that there are others who share this health battle with me.

So now I have a new symptom. I have been having uncontrolable muscle jerks in my arms.  It's been going on for 4 days now.  What's my first reaction? Panic! Now I am in the scramble around and hope for an answer stage. But usually this stage lasts a very long time.  I hate that feeling of talking to your doctor and knowing that they don't really have an answer.  Like my question today, if I talked to my doctor today (I left a message but she's not in today), would be whether my "lower carb" diet could be causing the muscle jerks.  I thought of that an a possibility so I've been adding more carbs back in for the last few days and it hasn't helped.  Anyone else have any suggestions?  I have to admit that I'm scared about it.  It's affecting my typing even now.

Another frustrating health battle to add to my list. Please, please don't let it last!