If an individual with a history of DVT requires emergency medical attention, emergency responders need to be made aware of current medical conditions and medications so that the individual can be rapidly transported to a proper facility for DVT or PE treatment.

MedicAlert® IDs can save lives in emergencies. We offer free engraving of your medical information i.e. taking Coumadin, Warfarin, etc. – on a genuine MedicAlert bracelet or necklace along with our 24-hour Emergency Response phone number. MedicAlert s medically trained staff is always ready to answer the call and provide your critical information to medical staff during your time of need. In addition, we also notify your family contacts if there is an emergency.

To become a MedicAlert member, call 1-800-432-5378 and mention code 5804 or visit http://www.medicalert.org/dvt to save $10. The $10 discount applies to new Advantage membership enrollment (reg. $39.95) and is valid through March 31, 2010. Choose from over 100 styles of IDs, starting as low as $9.95. IDs not included in the enrollment fee.

The APS Foundation of America, Inc does not make commissions or profits from the Medic Alert. This is being posted purely as a courtesy to you, as an APS patient.

This has been me lately!!

I have been so stressed out, which is why I haven’t blogged or done much of anything. Well, I take that back, I’ve been doing things…just not some of the things that I need to do.

I don’t like change. I know “change is good” and all that, and everything changes and we should adapt to change, but I don’t do well with change. I am the first to admit it.

It stresses me out and causes a lot of anxiety for me.

Once I get used to whatever the situation is, I’m usually ok with everything, but during the time until I get used to it…watch out, I’m a MESS! This usually means I’m full of cold sores, get headaches, stomach aches, diarrhea (TMI, sorry) etc.

So, I’ve been very stressed lately.

Lots of changes at work…all at once and all different. We switched floors, which means new desks, new neighbors (I’m lucky and one of my good friends is my neighbor…which can be a challenge to get the work done at times, but has been ok so far), new rates, new screens, new programs and now I’m in training at work to learn a whole new system. Draining training which is 6 hours a day…slow, boring training…and then back to my desk for what is almost 2 hours and try to make production with the crappiest work I’ve ever seen in my LIFE because before I could do that crappy work and make up the time with the easier work…but I don’t even HAVE the easier work so the crappy work just takes longer and therefore causing me to NOT make production. Ugh…it’s a mess. And it gives me a headache, in fact just thinking about it gives me a headache. I must move on…

Then at home…I’m in school. I decided, mid year that I should be taking advantage of the tuition money that my job gives us…just HANDS us. So I’m taking an HTML class and a JavaScript class. I wanted to take a different HTML class and an American History class (oh these are online BTW…def not ready to venture into the classroom yet!) but I couldn’t register until the 2nd or 3rd day because I wasn’t already a student so those two classes were full and I ended up with the two I am in now. So far I’m doing pretty well, but the Java class is kind of hard. My brain doesn’t think that way, so although I’m doing well…I feel like I’ve been struggling with it.

I honestly do not know how people work full time, raise children, go to school AND keep a house clean! That’s where things have been slacking…the house cleaning. Not that we’re the cleanest people on earth, but omg the kitchen…which was always the WORST area…is totally a disaster! I’m ready to just bag it all up and throw it away and buy everything new. I don’t know when I’m going to have time to do it…plus it’s so bad that it’s overwhelming and I don’t know where to start. Lovely stuff.

And don’t say the husband, who’s on disability and home all.day.long. should do it…that’s one fight I’m just tired of having.

AND I’m behind on the foundation stuff. I don’t like to get too behind on it, but we have a few big things coming up soon and I need to squeeze them in somewhere…I need about 10 more hours in a day or a clone to stay home and do stuff here while I’m at work, or else be able to function normally on about 15 minutes of sleep. If anyone knows how to make any of the above work…plz let me know!

So anyways…that’s what’s been going on as of late. I’ve just been exhausted lately, and stressed.

So yeah, I’ve totally been sucked in by the Olympics! I usually watch them when they’re on…I’ve always like skating and gymnastics and everything, but this year I’ve watched just about everything. I really enjoyed the moguls, the snowboarding and the skating so far. The luge I don’t understand…or the skeleton one…omg! And watching anyone crash is always hard…omg and that guy who died? Poor guy and his poor family. What a horrible way to go!

A friend of mine sent me this link in an email this past week: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Olympic%20Narcolepsy

Olympic Narcolepsy  

The sensation you get that you will abruptly fall asleep at any moment during the day due to trying to watch as much of the Olympics as you can the night prior, causing you to stay up way too late. A seasonal disorder, occurring in winter or summer only, and is of brief duration (around 2 weeks), and usually occurs in even numbered years. VCR, TiVO or other recording device is the only known remedy.

This is TOTALLY me right now! I am up half the night watching the Olympics, I have them on ALL.STINKIN.DAY. on the weekends…I even watch the late night recap after the news. WHO DOES THAT?? Me, I guess! LOL

I don’t even want to DVR any of the primetime stuff because I can’t stay away from media to not spoil who wins!

I’m a mess!!

How many more days are left? Eight. One.more.week.left!

I may have to call in to work…”yes, this is Heidi…I won’t be in today because I’m suffering from Olympic Narcolepsy. Will I be in tomorrow? Let me check the schedule…hmm..you know, I’ll just be off till March 1st when the Olympics are over. I’ll see you then.”

I wish! LOL

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E ’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray
6.       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours…..
10.     Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don’ t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don’ t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don’ t over do. Keep your limits
14.    Don’ t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don’ t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
20    Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you…
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don’ t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree…

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything..
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won’ t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joy ful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change…
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come…
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

On to the list.

1. Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris singing Hallelujah on the Hope for Haiti telethon.

I am totally loving this right now. Everything about it. I have no feelings either way about Justin, never thought he was hot or anything…but omg, singing this song? Yeah, hot as hell!! LOVE IT! I am gonna buy the whole album on iTunes. I really liked most of the songs. But this song I could and have listened to over…and over…and over.

2. WoodWick Snowflake Candle

I got my candle as a gift a couple years ago and didn’t really burn it until recently. It’s peppermint (Snowflake) and kind of vanilla…so yummy! And it’s cool that the wick crackles. I have been burning it while doing my homework.

3. Superbad

Comedy movie genius! You have to be into that high school type of humor…and I totally am.

4. PENS!

They don’t have to be Hello Kitty pens, but aren’t these cute? I just love pens, pencils…office supplies in general. It’s an illness.

5. Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies

Always been my favorite! I ordered some from someone at work’s daughter. I want them now. Please.

6. Heigh Ho Mozart CD

My mom gave me this CD because I told her I needed something “with no words” to do my homework to so she gave me this CD and a few others. They work like a charm! Thanks MOM!

7. Disney Vinylmation Figures

How cute are these?? I cannot wait till we go to Disney World and I can get one of these little cuties!! I think they come in unmarked boxes, so maybe I’ll get a few of them. LOL

8. Vintage Greeting Cards

Isn’t that pretty? I love the vintage graphics, the old paper and the sometimes outrageous or inappropriateness of vintage cards and postcards!

9. My iPod Case

I got my case on Etsy and it’s the exact one shown above. I also have a hard plastic case on it, so it fits in the soft case nice and snuggly. I just throw it in my purse and go on my way! And it’s pretty too, not too girly, bright bold colors, kind of retro. I love it.

10. Tiny Food Earrings

Description first on this one! I use Google Reader and have a number of blogs that I read on a daily basis in my subscriptions. One is called EpiCute and it features cute food! I saw some fruit tart earrings this week and they are SO stinking cute!! I love them…I’d never wear them, but I’d hang them up somewhere and stare at the cuteness. Here is a link to Mmagda’s store on Etsy where the earrings can be bought. And here’s Mmagda’s Flickr link…Cute!

Below are my favorites from her store! I can’t choose just ONE!

Pictures are linked to the Etsy…aren’t they adorable?  ♥ them!

I used the kit below:

I was going to use this kit:

But we don’t have the money right now to spend on scrappy kits, so I used the pear kit I had! I really ♥ how the blog came out and will get the “Fruitie-pa-tootie” kit and use it next time I switch things around!  

So the blog is all pretty and done. YAY!

Now on to 10 things I’m ♥ ing!

1. Super Mario Bros Wii

This game is the freaking BOMB!! It’s old school, yet new school. It’s lovely and makes my nostalgic heart sing! Nintendo FTW!

2. PEARS!

I don’t think I’ve explained my pear love before…and it’s a silly story so maybe I won’t share. But I love pears! My kitchen & dining room are decorated in pears.

3. Vintage Chalkware

I believe I got a little bluebird like this for Christmas! I’ll have to check again…I know I got a chalkware pear with a face, and I think another vegetable or fruit. Tomorrow or early in the week I will hang them all up! I just love these vintage treasures!

4. Holiday or Funky Socks

My MIL buys be as big box of funky or holiday socks every year for Christmas. It’s one of my favorite gifts and I love looking through all of the different designs she finds!

5. House of Night Series Books

I started this series last year and am almost finished. It’s really good…different than Twilight…definitely young adult, more attitude and angst LOL

6. Amethyst

Purple is my favorite color and Amethyst is my favorite gem. Emerald is my birthstone though! LOL

7. Shar Pei or Shar Pei Mixed Dogs

Now before my husband has a fit and asks why our beautiful dogs aren’t dogs that I love, let me say that yes…I do love my mutts dearly, but omg look at that face!! Shar pei’s have the coolest, squarest snout/mouth and they have a lot of extra jowl skin and omg I love that!! The dog is “Bently” and it’s written that he’s a shar pei/pit mix and he’s GORGEOUS! If you click the picture, you’ll go to the original.

8. Cherry Dr. Pepper

YUM!!! It’s no Mt Dew…but it’s LOVELY!

9. Sonic Drive In

This picture is of the Cherry Limeade Chiller…which is my FAVORITE thing on the Sonic menu!! We finally got one here in MI, it’s actually not too far away and we wore it out when they first opened! Food is ok, but the drinks are YUMs!

10. Cupcakes!!!

I ♥ cake…and well cupcakes are just mini cake…with a lot of yummy frosting. Search “cupcake” on flickr and omg…SO many awesome designs!

Well, that’s 10! Off to play Mario Bros Wii with the hubbs. We’re only on world 2…gotta get better and get a little farther!

Right now I’m sitting here trying not to listen to my husband who is a couple rooms away and on the phone with a crisis hotline.

I won’t say more because he reads my blog.

I can only hope that 2010 has better things in store for us than 2009 did and in all honesty, 2009 didn’t suck that much.

Hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year and may 2010 bring you nothing but good health and happiness.

While I’m waiting for him to get ready…we’re heading to my sister’s house for New Year type activities…I’ll jot down a little list of things that happened in 2009 that are significant to me. A reflection on the year, if you will.

We are now into the Land Contract of owning our house. – so yes, the house and all of the surrounding property will some day be ours! It’s a great feeling really. I didn’t mind renting, but to actually be OWNing something…it’s a good feeling.

We brought another furry bundle into our home. – while we sadly had to say goodbye to our beloved princess kitty, Beans (she is somewhere at a rescue or in foster care awating her new forever home) we adopted a kitten from the Michigan Humane Society. His official name is Cosmo, but he’s best known as Snorty or Snorts. He will be formally introduced to the interwebz soon.

My husband was officially diagnosed with Lupus. – not the best news, but helpful for his treatment. He was also put on Plaquenil, which, I’m sure, if he took properly would help him feel better.

We booked another trip to Disney World for next year. – I am SOOO excited about this! We’re going in october and staying at the Wilderness Lodge. It should be a really fun time!

My baby sister got married! – nuff said! Her wedding and reception were both beautiful and it was all kind of a whirlwind. 2 weddings in 2 years, whew! Glad they are over!

My Sister-in-Law and her family moved back to the USA from Australia. – they were there because of my BIL’s job and they were gone for 2 years. It was supposed to be a little bit longer, but with the jobs the way they are, they ended up coming home sooner than expected. I’m glad they are home though, I missed the little ones!

President Obama was sworn in. – what a wonderful time for our country. A time of hope and a time of change. He’s got a mess to clean up and I think he’s been doing as well a job as he can.

I decided to go back to school. – this is a biggie for me. I hate school in general. I just don’t like the classroom, but my job offers us 4250.00 a year for tuition!!! How could I not use it! Why wouldn’t I want to?? So I am. I’m starting at a Community College and of course the degree I’m going for is computer related. I’m nervous/scared/excited all at once.

Thanks!

1. Sims 3

This is a love/hate relationship right now. I ♥ the Sims, I really do! Especially Sims 3…however, right now I have some stupid error that it seems like half the Simming world is getting!! EA games, you need to get your thumbs out of your asses and fix this mess! You’ve got a lot of unhappy customers out there!

2. My Camera

I love my camera! I’ve had it about a year and don’t even know how to do HALF the stuff it can do, but I think I’ve got time to learn since it will be a LONG time before I get another one. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Canon PowerShot A570, but the Canon EOS Rebel Xsi is the shit! Now to learn how to use it without the “Auto” setting on! LOL

3. Caramel Bugles

Look at those! Caramel coated salty junk foodie goodness. I have NEVER seen them in the store…and trust me, I’ve looked everywhere…but every now and then they will have them in the vending machines at work. For 90 cents I can get a little taste of that sweet n salty goodness. Yum yum!

4. Rainbows

I have always liked rainbows. Long, long before they became the symbol for the gays. I *always* put my pens, markers, skittles, in rainbow order…even today. I’d SO have a rainbow sticker on my car if it wasn’t the gay symbol…not that there’s anything wrong with being gay. (heh, I’m a fan of the gays!) So yeah, I ♥ rainbows…don’t see them in real life too often, but they’re like magical or something. Beautiful!

5. Cinderella Castle

Beautiful. Magical. Disney.

6. Maneki Neko

Aren’t these little luck kitties adorable?? I have a few of them on the shelf above my monitor and a couple magnets on my fridge. I always buy them in Japan at EPCOT in WDW. I’d love to get one like this though…one day!

7. Blackberry Tour

This is my phone…well this picture isn’t MY phone, but this is the phone I have. I love it. I truly really do! I suggest everyone get one. Go now, I’ll wait.

8. Lily of the Valley

This is my birth month flower. They have such a sweet, distinct smell. They are tiny and delicate and I really love them. I need to plant them somewhere at my house. Maybe under the window to my computer room so I can smell them when a breeze blows through the window.

9. FarmVille

Yeah, it’s a FaceBook application. But it’s fun! I love the farming and the little animals and now they have flowers too! And yeah, that’s my farm. I’m growing grapes and sunflowers and have a load of trees and pigs lol I’m a dork, yes.

10. SLEEP

Yawn! I’m tired as HELL and am heading to bed…night all!