The Beauty of Beauty Schools...

When my husband lost his job in 2008, I had to do some re-priortizing and find ways to cut costs. Gone were the monthly pedicures, the bikini wax (didn't really like them anyway, so no real sacrifice there!) and the $110 haircut & color jobs. I discovered a hidden gem...a little slice of heaven...an oasis of relaxation for a fraction of the cost of spas...I discovered...The Beauty School!! :) Your local beauty school is truly a treasure! You would not believe the kinds of services you can get there - and you really won't believe the prices!! I have had my hair cut and colored, a pedicure AND a facial all in one day for well under $75 and that includes the tip! I have never been disappointed with any of the services! And, my VERY fave thing is their deluxe facials! It is $20 for an hour long facial, which is about what I've paid in the past for the tip on my $100 facial! And, it is just as good, if not better, than any I've ever received at the more expensive spas in town. You even get a nice soft robe, soft music and a comfy bed to lay in. It rocks! The worst part is when it's all over and you have to get off the comfy bed and get dressed. I've often thought I should book TWO facials back to back just to avoid that sinking feeling of "oh no, it's all over..." It really is that good.

Today, I took my daughter for mother-daughter facials. My 10 year daughter has learned early on, the importance of pampering oneself...and she too is addicted to thes fab facials! Imagine how excited we were when they told us the "special of the month" was $5 parafin wax on feet & hands, with a facial. Of course, my daughter has never experienced parafin but, she was quick to say "YES"! And, from the look on her face while she was laying on the bed next to me, basking in all the relaxation and glory, I think it may have become one of her favorite things!
After our facials, I had a brow wax while my daughter had her bangs trimmed.

Two and a half hours later, we walked out, feelin' like a million bucks!! Our total bill? $60.50. Can't beat that for a mother-daughter bonding day at the spa!!

I even bought my husband a gift card for a facial and after much nagging and bugging, he finally used it! When he was done, he called me from the parking lot and said "I just had my facial...it was reeeeeally nice." The sound of his voice alone was worth it!
I would recomend the Beauty School for EVERYONE!! Don't wait for someone to lose their job to discover this little slice of heaven!!

The author of this blog, in no way, gets paid or gets any special discounts from the Beauty School!

40 days til a new year...

It dawned on me today that 2012 is right around the corner!! 40 days to be exact. I need to get busy on my New Year's resolutions!! Last year, my goal for the year was to run a race each month...and I've accomplished it so far!! I've still got the "I Like Pie" 5k on Thankgsiving and the "Jingle Bell Run" in early December, but God willing, it will happen!!

I want to do something bigger and better for 2012. Here's what I'm thinking:

• 12 Races in 2012
• 12 miles a week
• Run a race on 12/12/12 

How does that sound? I like the idea of having some goals in mind and it's fun to play with the "12" theme! I figure if I put it down on paper for all to see, it makes me more accountable!! And, Lord knows, I need accountability in my life!!

As 2011 comes to a close, I reflect on my life this past year. A year ago today, I had never run a 5k...now, I've got 10 under my belt, plus 3 10ks and a half marathon!! Wow! What a difference a year makes. I have to say that I am a happier, more grounded, content person than I was before I started running. Running gives me the energy I need to get through the day. It gives me the confidence I need to deal with life's little challenges (I always think, "I can do this, I ran for over 2 hours straight"). It truly has given me a new lease on life and has made my MS symptoms all but disappear...well, that and a little help from Tysabri!!

I hope each and every one of you finds that thing that makes you tick, that thing that makes you leap out of bed with excitement each morning, that thing that makes you feel like I am ENOUGH and I am worth investing in. Go out there and find it - Time's a wastin'!!

Get Organized!

I love finding ways to make our life easier, more organized and keep small items from overrunning the house!! Recently in an issue of "Working Mother" magazine, I saw a picture of a really cool looking entry way.

So, I tore out the page and kept it in my purse, hoping to be able to recreate it somehow.

We do not have a large entry way and I have always longed for a mudroom, but I thought I could work with what we had, buy a few new items and hopefully transform our messy, unorganized entry into a sleek and useful one.

Here are the items I bought:

• Bench with 3 shelves underneath, $49 at Fred Meyer
• Fabric box for underneath, $12 at Fred Meyer
• Write on wipe off board, $6 at Fred Meyer
• Write on wipe off calendar, $6 at Fred Meyer
• Hanging Wall Organizer, $12 ordered online from http://www.wayfair.com/ (includes shipping)

So, for well under $100, I was able to make a very positive, fun change to our house! I love having a calendar right in front of me when we walk out the door, to double check and make sure we aren't forgetting anything. I absolutely love the hanging wall organizer...not only is it cute...but, it is so handy! It has a couple pockets for magazines, coupon books, outgoing mail or library books. It has several photo pockets and it even has a spot to hang invitations or thank you notes.

I love it when I can pull off a home project and not spend a fortune in the process! Yay Me!! Being organized has never felt so good!

Am I a Mess? Not anymore!

Look Ma! I pooped a comma!!!

Okay, so let me just apologize RIGHT NOW!!! This is a blog about poop....Yep! That's right! So, if you are one of those faint of heart, gag-at-anything, can't stand to even mention the word "poop"....well, then, you better just stop right now...Go ahead, "x"out, buh-bye, you are not going to offend me one little bit.

Still Here? Whew! Good for you. You are my kind of girl! You know that Everyone Poops. You've probably even read that book to your children a time or two, right? You also probably LOVE the Dr. Oz Episode that he dedicated entirely to that very same subject.

Pooping is a fact of life. In fact, it is a very important fact of life...and a daily necessity!! According to Louise Gittleman, author of The Fat Flush, "it reveals telltale signs of what's going on with your body." I adamantly agree with this. I can ALWAYS tell if I'm eating right, taking the right amount of flaxseed, eating enough fiber, drinking too much, you name it, from lookin' at my "you know what"!!!

Dr. Oz says that your poop should be shaped like letters....As, Bs, Cs, you name it...he says any letter is good and as long as it's not periods...you are good. Gittleman says they should be about 2 feet long and have a diameter the size of a half dollar. I don't know about you, I've never gotten out the ruler...but, I'm pretty sure I have yet to see a 2-footer!!!

One day, last December, I was so excited!!! I pooped a candy cane!!! I proudly told my co-worker at the time, who also shared the same poop affinity with me...and she looked at me strangely, and said, "Wow, Margie, it was red and white? You might want to have that checked out!"

I have pooped candy canes, commas, C's, J's, sometimes I can actually spell words with them! Sometimes, I can't help but think to myself, "Dr. Oz would be so proud!!"

I admit, I am a little "poop-obsessed"...and yes, I always check to see what letter of the alphabet I have produced that day....but, all kidding aside, I really do feel that it is the BEST way of telling if you are treating your body right. If you are eating right, exercising and taking supplements, you will know. If you're not, you will definitely know - and believe me, there is a huge difference between the two! Poop is sooooo underrated. You can tell a world of things from it (and yes, sometimes spell words with it!), if you'd just take the time to read it!!

On a sidenote: when I told my 10 year old daughter that I pooped a comma the other day, she very matter-of-factly replied, "Well thank god you didn't poop a colon!" Oh, so funny!!

Lucky Number 13

I've always thought of 13 as my lucky number...afterall, I got engaged on Friday, the 13th...and almost 21 years later, it's working out pretty well for me!! Today, number 13, worked for me again! I ran my 13th race...since I started running last September. It was a 5k for the Central Oregon Disability Support Network which is an organization that is near and dear to my heart! I work with a lot of children who have disabilities from downs syndrome to autism. I got to see a lot of those kids out there today, working at the race and running the kids 1 miler. It was awesome to see the smiles on their faces and the satisfaction in their eyes as they crossed the finish line and were awarded a medal! Most of them yelling, "I won!" as the medal was place on their little necks! I ran the 5k today knowing that I was doing it for them...and maybe that made it a little easier for me. I set a PR today...running it in just under 30 minutes!! I was stoked when I made the final turn towards the finish line and the clock said: "29:40". I kicked it up a notch and ran across the finish line at 29:55. It felt good. But, not as good as seeing those kids out there today with their families, having the time of their lives. Running has allowed me to give of myself in ways I never have before. I love being a part of something bigger than myself and having a bigger reason to run rather than just accomplishing personal goals. I felt like such a part of the community today...and it filled me with such joy and gratitude.

Three Good Books....

They say that you will be the same person in 5 years as you are today....EXCEPT for the people you meet, the places you travel, and the books you read. I love books. They have the ability to take you to a place and time you have never been, they can make you cry, laugh out loud, they can consume your every waking  moment until the last page...and as I have said before, I love the feel of an actual book. I love to turn the pages. I also love to roam my local library, bringing home treasures for my bedside table.

Recently, I've read three amazing books. They are all very different but, they have all touched me in ways I never knew they would. I am not the same person I was before I read them. And I wanted to share them with you.

The first one is Two Kisses for Maddy by Matthew Logelin. I had read about it in a magazine review and it immediately piqued my interest...although, I knew it would be a tear-jerker. It is a true story based on the love affair of the author and his wife, Liz. They are high school sweethearts, they get married, get pregnant and are just about to live happily ever after, when the unthinkable happens. Liz delivers a baby girl and 27 hours later, dies instantly from a pulmonary embolism, just as she is getting ready to go meet her new baby in ICU. It is so sad...the kind of "cry out loud sobbing" kind of book. But, yet so beautifully written and the story so poignantly told that you can't help but continue on. Sometimes, it is good to read something like this...it helps put your own life in perspective. It makes you see beyond your own problems and worries and focus on what's really important. I lent the book to my dear friend and she texted me later saying "this is not a good book to read on an airplane, I am sobbing uncontrollably, and people are staring at me!" It really is worth every single tear you will cry. Go out and get it.

The second one is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. One afternoon, when I had an hour to kill at Barnes and Noble, I came across this book. I read the back cover and knew it was a book I wanted to own (not just check out at the library). I sat at Barnes and Noble and read it, bought the book, and came home and read it some more. The whole idea behind the book is that people really do not appreciate what they have, usually until it is gone. The author has dedicated an entire year of her life trying to find the secrets to happiness. She says "The days are long, but the years are short"...which is so true, especially when you are in the throes of motherhood. It made me stop and think, "I really need to learn how to live in the moment and get more out of life and enjoy my children more." Her chapters cover everything from "keeping a contented heart" to "lightening up". So much of what she says resonated with me that I knew I had to keep this book nearby and refer to it often. I also signed up for her newsletter and daily "Happiness" quote. I love opening my email everyday and seeing these little gems!! Sometimes I re-post them on facebook to share with friends - other times, I write them down for later. One of my favorites is: "I begin to suspect that the world is divided not only into the happy and unhappy, but into those who like happiness and those who, as odd as it seems, really don't". - C.S. Lewis. She also offers this little nugget of wisdom: "Feeling right is about living the life that's right for you - in occupation, location, marital status, and so on. It's also about virtue, doing your duty, living up to the expectations you set for yourself." Love that!

The last book, is called Mile Markers by Krtistin Armstrong. This book outlines the 26.2 most important reasons that women run. I had seen a review in Runner's World magazine and was immediately intrigued. The author, Lance Armstrong's ex-wife, is also a contributor to the magazine and she posts a weekly blog, by the same name. I got this book from the library and could not put it down. She was so "spot on" with all of her observations. There was one particular section I loved and have since quoted many, many times! She talks about how her running pals were discussing the benefits of turning 40 (the author at the time was 38) and how excited she was to get to that milestone. Here are some of the things they said....

"You do the things you used to talk about but never did. You quit playing small. You spend time with the friends who lift you up and cut loose the ones who bring you down. You finally wake up and realize that you are as hot as you are going to get in this lifetime, so you might as well enjoy it."

I don't know what it is about that last statement that makes me so happy, but ever since I read that, I feel lighter and more carefree than ever. At 46, I feel like I am finally starting to understand that saying about "feeling comfortable in your own skin"....and I don't want to look back in 10 years and say "Wow, I really had it going on ... wish I had known it/appreciated it at the time!" Now is the time to OWN all of it, to look in the mirror and say "I like what I see." It's time to take back our confidence as women and be proud of our bodies and all the amazing things they can do, from running marathons to pushing out babies. It's time to look past the superficial wrinkle lines, acne scars, cellulite, whatever it is that causes us grief ...and say "I am ALL that and I am enough just the way I am!" Amen.

All 3 of these books have the same central theme of living in the moment, appreciating what is right in front of us, because at any moment, it can all be gone. They teach us that life is precious and that none of us has the right to take a single breath for granted. God did not promise us that life would be easy...but, He did promise that it would be worth it.



Recipe for the perfect girls weekend...

Start with:
8 Gamma Phi Betas (from 1980-somthin')
1 Roll of Caution Tape

Add:
1 case of Coors Lite
1 Batch of homemade bloody mary's

Combine with:
Equal parts laughter, tears and nostalgia

And top it off with:
1 Rockin' 80's playlist

I just returned from a fabulous weekend with 7 of my college, sorority sisters...We had the best time! I have not laughed that hard in a long time!

Here are a few things I learned:

10. A celery stalk & an olive does not constitute lunch!
9. When the bartender refuse to serve you, you will thank him in the morning.
8. Caution tape on a group of 8 gals is funny and cute...sitting alone on a bleacher with caution tape wrapped around you, is just plain creepy...and awkward!
7 AMF. Alcohol Makes Friends. 'Nuff said.
6. There is a cardboard duck missing from the hotel lobby. I know nothing.
5. Asking people if they "are there for the duck game" is a great icebreaker.
4. I have no idea what the Duck Knows, but it's a great slogan.
3. Dancing on the hotel bed with a group of gals, beats dancing at a club any night.
2. Going to bed at 10pm after drinking for 12 hours is a good idea.
and #1 thing I learned this weekend....(drum roll, please...)
1. Time and distance don't stand a chance against the bonds that are created amongst sorority sisters.

Thank you to all my Gamma Phi sista friends for coming out to play this weekend....I enjoyed every minute, it was food for my soul and music to my heart. I can hardly wait for our next adventure!!! Hugs to you all, Margie

The 12th Race...

A year ago today, I couldn't have run from a burning building to save my life. Today, I ran my 12th race! It feels so good to look back and see how far I've come in the past year...MS or not, running has been a huge accomplishment for this 46 year old gal!

I'm one of those people who has to have a  goal to work towards or I will lose all my motivation to keep at it. At the beginning of this year, I told myself I'd run a race a month...and I did it!! Some months, I even ran two! So far, I've conquered 8 5ks, 3 10ks and a Half Marathon! I made a point to run the entire race - no matter what...and if I walked at all, I told myself, I couldn't hang my number on my "wall of fame". So far, all 12 bibs have made it to the wall!

I love everything about the race...I love signing up for it and writing it down on my calendar, I love picking up my bib number and t-shirt the day before the race and seeing people I know at the running store, I love the pre-race excitement that I feel, I love lining up at the start line and taking off, I love crossing the finish line...and I absolutely LOVE the feeling of accomplishment once it's over! I love waking up the next day, checking the sports section to see where I finished...The whole experience is so worth the entry fees to me!

Racing, to me, is the best way to gauge where I was last month and where I am right now. It gives me the push I need to keep running and training...and there is just something about a race that makes it virtually impossible for me to stop and walk.

Today's race was especially poignant. It happened to fall on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 so, no matter how tough it was, or how hot it got, I had to remind myself that there were thousands of people who went through a whole lot worse, ten years ago. When I found myself complaining of the heat, I had to remember those people who tried to flee the Twin Towers and were unable to or the heroes who went down in that Pennsylvania field. I had absolutely no right to complain...

I just felt gratitude to be running and to have been given the chance to live another day.

Racing keeps me on track.

"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Free to a Good Home...

I have been wanting to write a little somethin' about our dog, Maggie....and what better day to do it than her 4th birthday!!

We got Maggie in December of 2007 when she was 12 weeks old. Our kids had been bugging us for a dog for awhile now and we finally caved! My husband had been at a local pet store (where he was selling advertising) and saw a flyer on the bulletin board, advertising puppies. The sign read "Free to A Good Home" so, he tore off the phone number and the next thing you know, we had a puppy!

Maggie is a lab mix...her mama is a chocolate lab and her daddy is well, ...we aren't really sure since he didn't stick around long enough to meet us! But, we are pretty sure he was a pit bull, as Maggie's face definitely has some pit bull-ness in it.

Since bringing her home, she has been everything BUT free!! She immediately chewed everything in sight....hot tub cover, garden hose, cords, many pairs of shoes, swim trunks, undergarments, etc....We finally built her a kennel outside to stay in when we weren't home because she couldn't be trusted to roam the backyard at will.

The next thing we bought her was an expensive, re-chargeable bark collar because the neighbors complained that she barked when we were not home. Who knew? We thought she was content as could be in her little 4-walled cozy kennel outside!

Throughout the first few years, my husband and I would joke that, although she was "free to a good home", she had cost us an arm and leg...but, we always agreed that at the end of the day, she was well worth it. Each night as she would snuggle into her position at the bottom of our queen-sized bed, and give out a little sigh once she got comfortable, we would both look at each other and say, "She's a good dog...and we wouldn't trade her for the world."

Last summer, Maggie got into a little trouble with the law. She was out front, off-leash with my husband while he puttered around in the garage...Suddenly a guy went flying down the street on a skateboard at about 50 miles an hour, holding onto 2 leashes with dogs attached. Maggie, of course, went running after them..."Heck, she'd never seen such a thing like this and wanted to see up-close what the heck this was!!" Unfortunately, the 3 dogs started going at it, the guy, trying to do the right thing, and trying to get Maggie away from his dogs, started kicking and hitting our dog ... and Maggie bit the guy on the hand. After several minutes, the ruckus was over...but, my poor husband who witnessed the whole scene, was distraught and upset to say the least. I still remember him coming in and telling me about it, shaking and close to tears.

The next morning, as I was getting out of the shower, my 9yr. old daughter came in the bathroom and said, "Mommy, there's a policeman at the door who needs to talk to you." Now we all know, nothing good has ever come for those words, so I quickly got dressed and brushed my hair and went to the front door. Sure enough, the guy had pressed charges and we had been summoned to court to deal with the whole mess. In the mean time, the dog had to be quarantined and could only go on walks around the neighborhood and MUST be on leash at all times.

One night, when my husband was taking Maggie for a walk, he came face to face with the bitten skateboarder...He lived 3 doors down from us!!! Talk about awkward!!

Well, the day came and we went to Doggie Court. We told the judge our story, we groveled, we apologized...and in the end, they dropped 2 of the 3 charges...but, the biggest one, being "Dog At Large" set us back a few hundred dollars. We were also told that Maggie had to have a chip put in her (expensive!), that she would be labeled a "dangerous dog" and we had to put up signs on our fence, warning people about our dangerous dog. She also was sentenced to a "life of doggie probation" where in which she can never be off-leash again, except at the dog park (since the incident didn't happen at the park).We left the courtroom, tail between our legs, paid our fine, and just looked at each other, saying..."Free to a good home, Really?"

Since that incident, Maggie has been a model citizen. She never leaves the house without a leash. She hasn't bit another living creature since, and she still continues to charm and win us over every chance she gets!! She no longer gets to run free along the river and chase squirrels or chase the waves at the beach, but she still seems pretty happy and we'd like to think she has a pretty good life! We love you, Maggie...you can be a total pain in the ass at times, but we wouldn't have it any other way..."Happy Birthday, Sweetie!! Woof! Woof!"

The good ol' days are here and now...

All I want is to freeze time. In a few short days, my son will be a HS senior and my daughter will be beginning her last year of elementary school. Wow! Talk about wanting time to stand still...I have never before felt so excited for my children's new adventures, or been so afraid of them slipping away. It is a weird feeling, because I know that a year from now, my baby boy will be heading off to college, moving into his dorm room, beginning a life of his own as an adult. And, my beautiful daughter will be heading off into what I think is one of the toughest times of a girl's life....middle school. So, I need to focus on the here and now...I don't want a single day to go by without truly soaking up and breathing in the fact that both of my kids are home with us, under one roof, right where they belong. I want to live in the moment, I want to savor everything from making their lunches, to watching their dance recitals and football games, to listening at their door at night to see if they are asleep...I really wish I could freeze time, but I know I can't. I guess, part of our jobs as mother's is giving our kids wings to fly when we are not there. I just have to hope that I've done my job well enough...that I gave my children the right tools to go out in this big, scary world. And, then of course, I need to give it all up to God because I know He is the one who is truly in control.

I am so excited to see what kind of people my kids will become...to live vicariously through their experiences as they greet life head on. I already plan on going to visit my son every weekend in college...much to his disdain!! Why can't every weekend be MOM's weekend? hee hee

I think, too many times we look back on things and wish we had enjoyed it more .. or truly appreciated it. Not until later, do we realize, those really were the good ol' days, and we should have enjoyed them more. I don't want to make that mistake...although, I know that life gets busy and sometimes, the reality of everyday life is hard. I know I will get caught up in petty worries or silly stuff that really isn't important, that will detract from this special time of our lives. I need to remind myself that I won't get these days back. Like it or not, my kids are growing up and sooner than later, they will be leaving the nest we built. I can only hope that they will fly home to visit often.

Life is good. Hug your kids. Enjoy the chaos. It really doesn't get any better than RIGHT NOW!

School Supply Shopping...a great opportunity to teach our kids about finances!

Today was the day to go school supply shopping. Now, this day is often dreaded by parents all across the country....I however, am what you might call a "school supply geek!" I get such a rush out of smelling newly sharpened pencils, or running my hand across a bright yellow folder...and don't even get me started on the calendars. Remember that line from, "You've got mail" where Tom Hanks tells Meg Ryan he will send her a box of freshly sharpened pencils?" Ooooohhh, that man knows how to woo a girl! You had me at freshly sharpened, Tom!

So, today was that day...only this year, my 10-year old daughter didn't just want to go with me...she wanted to make an entire day of it with her best friend and us moms, go out to lunch at Olive Garden, maybe ice cream after that. So, we set out, starbucks in our system, school supply list in hand, credit card in wallet. It started out pretty routine, the girls finding #2 pencils and glue sticks and tossing them in the cart without much thought...but, when it came time for the spiral notebooks...Watch out! They wanted glam, they wanted cute, they wanted the spiral with the most curly q's and color they could find. In other words, they wanted the most expensive ones. I asked them how much they were, to which my daughter replied, "I don't know, it doesn't matter." Immediately, the hairs on my neck stood up. I said in my best mom voice, "You would care if you were the one paying for all this." So, they dutifully checked the price and said "They are only $1.29 each"...Okay, they had won that battle - now it was time to move onto the erasers and folders. Now, they have these great folders in all different colors, for 25 cents each which are just fine....but, of course they wanted "cute" folders...so, they went for the 99cent folders. We tried our best to get the girls to split items like glue sticks and dry erase markers...which we did so with some success. They drew the line though, with the huge packet of pencil top erasers, claiming they had different color tastes in these pencil-toppers. When I was a kid, erasers came in one color...pearl pink. And, I had one of those yellow peechees with sports figures on the front. I think we got them at school office, don't really remember shopping for them and I certainly didn't have a choice in the matter.

We continued on down each aisle, crossing things off our list, until we had found everything on our list. Then, as we approached the check-out counter, we eyed some plain spiral notebooks, for a penny each! Now, this was the perfect opportunity to teach our kids about the value of a dollar (or penny in this case!) They had picked out the "cute" colorful patterned spirals earlier for 1.29 each. We tried to explain to them that (4) notebooks at 1.29 cost over 5 dollars, while (4) of the penny ones were a mere 4 cents!! Well, let's just say they were not impressed with our quick math skills and were holding tight to the cotton candy, plaid poly, hot chocolate, polka dotted spiral notebooks (that really are named these 'catchy' little names just to lure in fashion-conscious little girls!) They wanted nothing to do with the bland, one-color, same number of pages spirals for a penny. In the end, we compromised...we let them keep (2) of the pretty pads and we made them put back (2) and replace them with (2) of the borings. But, not before they both grumbled and complained that we were single handedly ruining their 5th grade year before it even started!! But, hey we saved $2.56 and that made me happy.

On our way to check-out, I heard things like: "How come you won't let me get what I want?" "Why does it always have to be all about you?" I turned to my daughter and said in my calmest mom voice, "It's not about me trying to ruin your last year of elementary school and it's really not even about me trying to show you who holds the purse strings in the family (although, we all know who does!)...it's about me wanting us to be able enjoy the lifestyle we have and about us being able to have a roof over our head. Would you rather have a rad, colorful binder or a house to sleep in everynight?" That quieted her for a few seconds - long enough to check out in peace anyway.

At the check-out counter, the cashier asked me if I'd like to swap my Elmer's glue bottle for the store brand which is only a nickel. I was so thrilled at saving approx. $1.12 on a bottle of glue, that I almost jumped across the counter and kissed her!

We finally made it out the door with all of our supplies for...$38.14 which totally (and pleasantly) surprised me! I had planned to spend twice that (but don't tell my daughter!!)

Happy New School Year!!!

Tysabri, Take Me Away!

Is it sad that I actually look forward to my monthly IV drug infusion for my MS? I sort of look at it like I would a day at the spa! I bring my little bag of goodies: magazines, book, reading glasses, crosswords...and just sit back in the recliner and RELAX...for 2 hours...without kids!! Man, if that's not livin' I don't know what is!! If I want, I ask for a blankie and take a little snooze...I can ask the nurse to turn on the TV...I can ask for one of those yummy candies they keep in a jar at the front desk...It really is HEAVEN! The only thing missing is a plush white robe and a big jar of cucumber water...but, hey, I can't get picky now!

I am now on month 5 of a new drug, called Tysabri. It is a once a month IV-infused drug...the actual drug itself takes about an hour and then, they have to sit and watch me for an hour afterwards. Not really sure what they are looking for...maybe for my eyes to roll back in my head or for my head to actually explode...but, I humor them and wait as long as they need me to wait. Hey, I am in no hurry to get home and fix dinner! (I score major sympathy points from my family when I walk in the front door at 6pm with a bandage wrapped around my arm - you can bet I am going to MILK this for as long as I can!!)

All kidding aside, there is a very rare brain infection that can occur with this drug...which has been fatal for some. This is VERY RARE though and the chances of it happening to me are next to nill. The way I look at it is like this: "Life is short, you could walk outside right now and get run over by a car...and be dead...so, with everything in life, there are risks. And, the way that this drug makes me feel is worth every second of worry over getting this rare brain infection." When I tell people I have MS, sometimes they look all worried and say "Is it fatal?" I tell them, "Life is fatal...none of us are getting out of here alive!" That usually stops them in their tracks or atleast gets them to buy me a beer!!

I love life...and I want my quality of life to be as good as it can for as long as it can!! Right now, Tysabri is working for me. Since starting on this drug, I have had no MS symptoms or side effects whatsoever so, for me, this is about as good as it gets!! I thank God that I am able to go in once a month for this wonder drug! It may not be a day at the spa, but it comes damn close!!

Things I wished I had done before the age of 45

I guess I'm a late bloomer. Many of my friends waited tables in college, making great money, having tons of fun! Not me...I was volunteering at the local hospital as a candy striper. Basically, I got paid with a free monster cookie and soda each day that I worked (which wasn't all that bad compared to dorm food!). The only tips I ever got were from the supervisor at the front desk..."Be sure and walk in the halls" or "Don't go into a patient's room if the door is closed".

Lots of my friends were runners back in the day. Hell, I went to college in "Track Town USA" and never ran around a track or block for that matter the whole four years I attended. The closest I ever came to running was the time I got kicked out of the local bar and had my fake ID taken away! You wanna see this girl run? Start a bar fight or threaten to call the cops on her! :)

So, Thank God for second chances and late bloomers, because at the ripe old age of 46, this girl is re-living her youth! I started running about 11 months ago and haven't stopped. I never thought I'd be able to run for more than 5 minutes at a time, let alone actually ENJOY it! I have to say that running has changed my life! I feel empowered every time I look at my little "wall of fame" in my garage with my bib numbers and pictures from each race...I don't actually enjoy it while I'm doing it, but, man, do I feel good when I'm done!! It is seriously the best drug out there - it's FREE, you can do it alone or with a friend, and the adrenaline rush alone lasts for days. I love running, I just wish I had taken it up sooner...'cause I'm not so sure my 46 year old knees love it as much as I do!

As far as the serving, waitressing, cocktailing thing, well, that's another thing I never thought I could master! I watched in awe, those people who balance huge round trays on one hand, never spilling or dropping a single item. I could barely walk and chew gum at the same time, so that was one career I would never have. And, I was bummed about it because, truth be told, that is where the money is!! I know people who cocktail a couple nights a week and make more than I do teaching 5 days a week! A part of me has always yearned to pull it off. Well, this summer, I got my wish! I started a part-time serving job at a local hotel and I absolutely LOVE it! It is far and away the funnest job I've ever had! I get to chat with nice people and bring them their food, hang out and chat with my co-workers in the kitchen when it's not busy and man, the tips are amazing!! I feel like a kid in a candy store everytime I pick up their check...waiting to see what little surprise they left behind for me! It truly is the BEST job - I just wish I had discoverd it a little sooner because my feet HURT at the end of the night. The other day, the cute little 17-year old that I work with says, "this is my first ever serving job..." to which I promptly responded, "Oh, I know, me too!" She just smiled and looked at me like "seriously?" Who would have thought I'd have so much in common with a high-schooler?!!

I told my 10-year old daughter the other day, "I hope you run and wait tables when you are in college...because I think those are two of the most lucrative things you can do with your life - I regret not doing them sooner!" She looked at me a little strange, trying to figure out what the word "lucrative" meant but, I really hope she remembers that and heeds my advice someday.

I hate cleaning...

Okay, Martha Stewart, plug your ears!! I am going to say something that might send chills through your bones!! :) I HATE cleaning! There, I said it! The real reason I hate cleaning is that I will spend hours cleaning and be so happy that my house is finally "clean" - and then my family will return home ... and that damn house is dirty again within a matter of mere minutes! Ughhh...all that hard work down the drain. It is soooo frustrating! Why even bother if it's just going to get dirty again? I do love that fresh feeling of getting my carpets steam cleaned by a professional. But, that presents another problem. It only lasts for a day or so, and then sure enough, those old, ugly stains start popping back up. What is up with that?? I have a coupon for carpet cleaning but, I'm trying to figure out when to use it. When my carpets are already dirty, I am not stressed out about the kids tracking dirt in or the dog running through a puddle and then right into the house, or my husband coming in from golf, tracking the entire 17th green behind him!! But, once I get the carpets cleaned...watch out!...I turn into someone I don't even recognize! A crazy lady with a penchant for cleanliness!!! I don't know about you, but summer is a time to be outdoors, playing with your kids, splashing in the pool, sipping on umbrella drinks...not to be stuck indoors on all fours, scrubbing the gross stuff that accumulates around the bottom of the toilet. My bathroom always looks pretty good to me, that is until I forget to take off my damn reading glasses and I run into use the potty and start looking around!! Yikes! Who knew my dog shed so much? Who knew toothpaste could fly backwards and get lodged into the baseboards? That's when I really feel like a slacker, but once I take my glasses off, my bathroom looks pretty darn good again!! I recently bought a sign at a home decor store dowtown that pretty much sums up my philosophy: "Good moms have sticky floors, dirty ovens, and happy kids." Martha Stewart, I am NOT! But, I gotta say, my kids are pretty happy!!!

All or Nothing, Baby!

I am an "all or nothing" kind of gal. I either workout 4-5 days a week, or I go months without ever stepping foot into a gym. If I open a box of Juju Fruits, there is no way in hell any of those chewy, stick-in-your teeth, crack-like nuggets are going to make it out of there alive! If I drink one beer, I drink six! I read a book a week or I don't read all summer long. I just don't understand the whole concept of "moderation." I do like to give things up from time to time - just to prove to myself that I can! I have been known (much to the disdain of my family members) to give up facebook for Lent. And, sometimes, I go beyond the 40 days just to make everyone mad (not really, it's just that sometimes, it feels so good...I like to go a little longer!) Another thing I give up every so often is alcohol. Those who know me, know this about me: I am a party girl through and through, but I come by it honestly (both of my dear grandmas lived long lives and partook in the Irish whiskey or champagne wholeheartedly!) In fact, my one grandma was in a fender bender back in her 30's, possibly after consuming a libation, and vowed that night to either give up drinking or driving...and she never drove again after that! God bless her heart! I don't really think I have a problem with alcohol, but I am always amazed how good I feel when I go without it for a long period of time. I wake up naturally (without an alarm) every morning at 5:30, ready to face the day, energized, well rested and eager to begin. If I have even one glass of wine or a beer the night before, I wake up groggy, tired and not wanting to get out of bed. The amount of miles I run each day is directly related to the number of beers I didn't drink! Strange how that happens. Right now, I'm on a no-drinking kick, well because honestly, I've been overdoing it just a tad with lots of social gatherings and family in town and it being summer and all. Currently, I'm on Day 6 - which to a non-drinker, would seem like nothing to shout (or blog!) about. But, for those of you who get where I'm coming from, who maybe even down a glass or two a night yourselves, know that 6 days is pretty impressive!! I think it's healthy to give bad habits a rest now and then. My friends who are "moderators" don't really get that. They are the types of people who can enjoy one glass of wine and jump out of bed the next morning, ready to go...or make a box of Juju Fruits last all week! Not me, I'm all or nothing, baby and proud of it! Problem is, I've got more family arriving this weekend...so, it looks like my sobriety is about to come to a screeching halt!! Cheers!! I'll drink to that!!

Is it just me...or has the whole world gone electronically crazy???

Call me old-fashioned or technologically unadvanced...but, I don't want to read a book on a computer screen and I don't want to be able to check my emails 24/7 on my phone. Sometimes, I just want to be unavailable. Sometimes, I just want to flip a page and smell the wonderful smell of an old book. Sometimes, I think this whole electronic craze has gone too far!! What really gets to me is that, what is super cool one day is totally outdated the next...and our kids are learning that bigger is always better and that the more you spend, the better it must be and that everything in life can be upgraded. As soon as they get the hang of their new ipod, iphone or ipad, something better comes along. I feel bad for the old stuff. The stuff they got for Christmas last year, that is now gathering dust on their desk shelf or worse yet, being listed on ebay at this very moment.

What are we teaching our kids when we allow them to discard these expensive gadgets on a whim and buy the next BIG thing? I think we are teaching them to not be content with what they have. To always be searching for something else. A wise man once said, "Happiness is not having what you want...It's wanting what you have." Our kids need to learn to be happy with what they have, not continually searching for that proverbial golden ticket.

I hate that our children are growing up in this world of computers, IM chat, facebook, cell phones, texting and twitter. It is stealing our kids from us. It is creating distance between us. It is consuming our children's minds and thoughts. I don't like it one bit.

I just want to sit down at the dinner table with my husband and kids every night and have an honest to goodness, face to face, conversation with them about their day and what the best part of their day was...without the invasion of anything electronic whatsoever!!! Is there an APP for that?

I need to take some ginkgo biloba...if I could just remember to!

I am a "list" girl. I swear, I have at the very minimum five TO DO lists going at all times...and, in addition to that, about 3 different calendars of what's going on in my life. I would be lost without my lists. My memory is good...despite the fact that I am getting older and that I have MS. But, if I don't write something down, I'm really likely to just forget it completely! Then, there are those moments of pure and utter brain farts! One time I was at a ski show, I was looking at all the cool stuff, trying it on, and I had a moment of panic! I couldn't find my purse. Since I had been trying things on, I couldn't be sure where I'd left it. The place was packed with people. I ran around frantically for about 5 minutes, then ran up to one of the cashiers and said "I can't find my purse!" He looked at me, then looked down and back at me and said, "Ummm, is that it on your shoulder?" Another time, I came in from recess duty at the school I work at, and was frantically looking for my sunglasses. After several minutes of searching, I asked a co-worker if they'd seen my glasses. She politely replied, "I believe they are on your head." Well, that wasn't as bad as the time I was actually wearing my glasses and searching for them at the same time...Just the other day, I was trying to charge my phone and cursing at it because it would not hold a charge. I continued to ram the silver tab in and out of the phone, getting madder and madder that it would not charge. Finally, my daughter came in the room and said "Uh, mom, it might help if the charger was plugged in." Ahhhhh, senior moments, MS brain farts, too much drinking in college, whatever it may be...I have heard that ginkgo biloba helps with memory problems. Problem is I just keep forgetting to take it! Hell, truth is, I keep forgetting to buy it because it's not on my list!

Thank God for Rear View Mirrors, Right?

Okay, so my car rear view mirror is a friend and a foe! The other day while waiting to pick my daughter up from dance class, I was sitting in the car doing a crossword puzzle. I happened to have my reading glasses on, well, because I can't see a darned thing without them! I made the mistake of looking into my car's rear view mirror...now, us women know that the car is the best place to check for errant eyebrow hairs, chin hairs, lipstick smears and too much rouge application because of the natural light in the car. Well, much to my horror, and because I happened to be wearing my bifocals....I saw something that scared the absolute you-know-what out of me!! There on my left cheek, was a curly, wiry, unruly....black hair sticking out!! My immediate thought was "Oh my God, how long has that been there and who all has seen it?" Geez, what is it about your mid 40's that make strange and random hairs pop EVERYWHERE? As I looked closer in the mirror, I was traumatized by all the imperfections I saw in magnified up-closeness - it was like a train wreck, I couldn't bare to watch, but I couldn't take my eyes off it!! When I got home, I did what any self-respecting girl would do, I plucked that sucker right off my cheek and vowed that I would never, ever wear my glasses and look in that damn rear view mirror at the same time. Some things really are better left unseen...

Blogger Virgin

Hi all, this is my very first BLOG ever!! I have been wanting to start a blog for awhile now, but never seemed to find the time to sit down and do it. Well, after talking with a friend today, I got inspired...I came home and put my daughter's 9 year old friend to work and ... "Voila! My blog was created!!" :) Amazing what you can get done when you put your mind to it (or when you put a child to it! he hee)

My blog name is "Am I A Mess"? Well, let me explain. My maiden name is MIMS...and when you spell it out, it actually says the phrase. I was made aware of that in college, by one of my best friends when we were at a frat party! We had consumed many adult beverages (even though, we ourselves were not really adults!) and we were having a really good time. She said "Hey, when you spell your last name, its says: "Am I A Mess?" I laughed and said ... "Oh yes, YES I AM!!!" And from there, the phrase was born.

Fast forward 15 years...it's 1998 ~ and I get diagnosed with a really rude disease called "MS." It hits you like a ton of bricks, slowly takes away your abilities, robs you of your energy, all the while acting all quiet and non-chalant about it. Once again, the phrase seemed to fit my life...only this time it said: "Am I MS?" To which I quickly answered, "Oh no, NO I AM NOT."

Well, it's been 13 years since that fateful day...and I have to say I am not MS...but I do have MS...and believe it or not, MS has been one of the biggest blessings in my life! It has made me realize that life is precious and that I should never, ever take a single day for granted. It has helped me live in the moment because truly, that is all any of us really have. It has made me appreciate my good health when I have it ... and fight for better health when I don't. It sounds ironic, but having MS has made me stronger. It forces me to try and attempt things I would never have dreamed of doing - all to prove this damned disease wrong!! And, to prove to the world that "I AM NOT MS...or a MESS" for that matter!

Recently, I took up running. I actually took a class called "Learn to Run" at a local running store. I had never in my life been a runner, nor had I ever wanted to be. Well, 9 months later, I've run 5 5ks, a 10k, and just finished my first Half Marathon!! I feel like running has given me a new lease on life and I just laugh at MS every time I run and don't trip or fall!! It's sort of like saying "FU, MS" with all due respect, of course!!!:)

So, my life right now is all about running and all about trying to stay healthy and motivated and manage this damned disease...did I mention, it's a very rude disease??!

I hope I can offer some inspiration, some laughs, maybe even some tears, while on this journey! So, hold on tight...."Here we go!"