Catch Up

Well it's day two of working out - how do I like it? I"m not in love with it yet- but it does create a sense of accomplishment, accomplishment that quickly turns to embarrassment when you feel the sweat pour down your face from 10 minutes of brisk walking.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks here in the Salonen household so it's time to catch everyone up.

This month started with a loss so big that I haven't been able to even get close to the hole that it's left in my heart- my grandpa Paul passed away in March from lung cancer. His decline was swift and his deathbed peaceful. I'm not sure when it will sink in that I won't ever get to see him again, but it's definitely not real yet. I can still hear his voice in my head asking me if I'd like a cup of coffee, or how I'm doing or his favorite topic- "How's that dog?" For now,  I'll just listen to his voice and delight in my false vision.

I'm still unemployed and the job market has become increasingly frustrating. In fact so much that we are just going to skip this topic

Andy and I officially close on a new house in Longmont on April 27th!! We are soooo excited to be homeowners and DIY'ers!!! (well at least I'm super excited about being a DIY'er and Andy would like me to get a small reality check) Sample conversations between us

Me: I think we should just knock down that wall
Andy: I think we should paint
Me: Ok so we're knocking down the wall

Andy: We need a ladder
Me: OH, I can go find one at goodwill or craigslist
Andy: It's important that you don't buy a broken ladder, maybe we should just get a new one
Me: na, Goodwill has quality materials

Me: Where are you going to put your clothes?
Andy: It's a 4 bedroom house, there will be plenty of space
Me: I think we should build a closet, in the first week.  Do we know how to do that?
Andy: No.

And don't even get me started with paint samples..... oh boy. That's just nonsense. Let's just say Andy enjoys beige more than any person I have ever met. Anyways, it's something to look forward too and I can't wait for next week to be over so that I can have something to focus on-- besides finding a job.

I've been sick lately, actually hospitalized on Easter for a few days and have been doing at home IV's for this past week. All done on Sunday- whoo hoo.   I had to go to a different (non CFer) hospital this time and it was like a tragic dream replaying all over again- the doctor actually handed me a form that said Cystic Fibrosis on the top and then had some symptoms to watch out for.  My patience was definitely tried as I negotiated medicines with doctors and pleaded for someone to just let me write my own orders.  But that nightmare is over, things are worked out;  I'm working out, starting to feel much much better and life goes on. Did I mention I also gained 12 pounds in a week. A little ridiculous if you ask me but that's what the prednisone will do to someone. So I've set a goal to lose the 12lb's by May! Yay! Starvation? Motivation? One of the two will do.

Well this post is about as random as my day.  What do people do all day?  I'd like to say I'm taking this "unemployment opportunity time" to re evaluate my goals, read more, write,  and plan out my life but it's really hard to plan life when you just keep wondering what you're supposed to be doing. I'm sure I'll get it figured out though and will keep posting more. Maybe I'll find my voice here and you people will make me millions. Let's make it happen people.

With love,
Mimi

How bout that job market?

I need to get better at writing. More documentation of my life must be done!!

I'm on the job hunt, and let me just say that it is truly a hunt. Although a new career and a change up from my day to day work here as mail girl is exactly what I need there seems to be a shortage of jobs  out there- has anyone heard of this? Are we in a recession? Someone tell me what's going on!! :) Ah, well at least for the moment I get to sit snug as a bug in my office cubicle sipping on a Diet Coke( -side note here, there is a community case of DC in the fridge at work here, amazing-) listening to the hot jams of a progressive indi-chick Pandora station and mindlessly searching the classifieds. :)  Life is good, even with the looming deadline of losing my job in two weeks.

God works in the craziest of ways and more than ever he has shown me, in this job, how to be a witness for him where ever I am. Kelsey, who shares my office space with me  has become a great friend in these past couple months and the more chatting we do the more we realize how much in common we have; from The Last Unicorn and crazy hospital stories to struggling with loved ones battling cancer; we've been able to connect. I've been asking God to show me how I am supposed to connect with people and show his love to them and this week He really gave me that opportunity.

Kelsey's aunt passed away on Friday leaving her son heartbroken and penniless. When the opportunity arose to help him out I told Kelsey that Andy and I would love to give him some support to which she replied, "that's really sweet of YOU," at which point I blurted out "No Kelsey, that's what Christianity is. In it's purest form it is taking care of the widows and orphans- no matter what age". BAM holy moly, I think I just evangelised! It felt like the words were spoken from Him and not from me.

So, that is why I am ok job hunting until my eyes go blurry and I start attaching Dr. Seuss's "Oh the places you will go" book to every single application. That's why I'm ok not knowing what I'm supposed to be doing,because God knows what my purpose is. The more I've sat and pondered my days as mail girl, the more I've come to realize that God put me here to show me that my identity needed to be in Him, not in MY career, MY goals, MY accomplishments, MY life.

If the choice was open mail for the rest of my life but have amazing coworker experiences or be very very very important but minimize Christ-- I know I'd choose mail girl.

That being said, I have a resume and references for anyone that would like to take a look :)  

Happy Wednesday!

She Awakes & Give Thanks!

Well I am so sorry folks that it's been so long. I think about blogging daily, but as go most things in my life; actually doing the task takes more follow through than I'm willing to put forth in a single day.  I'm not sure what that is but I think Ali Brosh does an amazing job explaining the type of depression that dictates around 60% of my life check it out here. The other 40% of my life is split between snacks and productivity.

My Life as a Troll- As I said, sometimes life just gets the better of me.

So that being said-- I'm back and I promise to keep you up to date on my wonderful world more frequently. Two things worth mentioning today-  

New Job & Thanksgiving

Friday is officially my last day as the planner for the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival and I couldn't be more excited! Don't get me wrong; I love the people I work with, I love the job but it was just time for change. For health reasons both physical and spiritual, I knew it was time to find something new. Well, I haven't  exactly found a new position yet but I'll be temping at CU in International Admissions for 4-6 months or till my dream job comes through :)  Lucky for them I'm fluent in Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Zulu-- this should get interesting.

And now the most important subject...TURKEY DAY!! oh how i love thee! So this Thanksgiving, Andy and I are super excited because the In-Laws are coming! This is both a highly exciting event as it will be their first time down to see us and I just love them and a highly stressful time leading up to it because if I thought Andy was crazy anal about cleaning before I was only seeing the surface of what he could be. Our cleaning prep started last week as Andy had a friend coming into town and he informed me that this would be a great time to get a "pre-clean" cleaning of the house in before his parents showed up. Little did I know he was serious. After a few little bickering's about what actually needed to be done we ended up with him vacuuming and myself mopping, he actually was beaming as he watched me with the mop and said "honey, wow your really putting some muscle behind that," oh Andy.  Anyways, I decide the easy way around this whole situation is to "woman" up and make a cleaning list of things that MUST be double scrubbed before the family gets here (note to audience: Andy and I's house is almost always picked up and clean these are above and beyond measures) On said list is: outside landscaping, fridge and freezer cleanouts, coat closet cleaning and mopping, baseboards windows and blinds (that's a gimmy) and so forth. I fully plan on taking Tuesday off though and by taking Tuesday off I mean not being in the house so that Andy can fully prepare for their arrival and I won't grubby anything up:) Can't wait to see you Sue and Bill!!

Well hopefully I'll add some pictures soon- Andy and I have been very busy with friends and trips and jobs and so on! But for now I'll leave you with this quote- since I haven't been writing I've been reading lots of blogs - so many good things out there :)

"Giving thanks is only this: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God. But this is not easy: That which I refuse to thank Christ for, I refuse to believe Christ can redeem." - Thank you Ann Voskamp and your truly touching blog. Click Here for more of her Thanksgiving advice

Another thing to Thank God for: Take me back to Manhattan Beach please!

Pants Day!!

Pants Day you say? What is Pants Day? Well It's the last day in the hospital!! Which means, I'm going to have to put pants back on. Yay and sad?! Yes, you might think it crazy but I've adapted quite nicely to my hospital home and here are the creature comforts I'll be missing most:

The first is pants- mostly having to wear them. Obviously, I wish there was no need for such silly things and we could all go around with our behinds flapping in the wind but apparently there is social protocol to maintain. Thus, here I am. Pants on the ground.

Lookin like a fool.

Nurses bringing in my pills. Do you know how nice it is to have someone get your pills ready for you in the morning? I'm lying in bed all toasty warm and asleep and someone comes and sets my pills out for me and then someone else comes in and starts my treatments. Sometimes this is obnoxious because you just want to be left alone but most of the time they are nice and its such a breath of fresh air (figuratively speaking because the hospital pumps toxic sickness through its walls) to have another person take on my medical responsibilities....

cute little pills all encased and cupped and prepped- ahh the life of not having to do my own meds.

 Reading. Oh how I will miss thee! From magazines & Harry Potter to 8,000 pages of Game of Thrones (yes, I've taken it on..but slowly) I love having the time to read.To couple that, I will also say that USA today plays hours upon hours of Law & Order SVU and though I've seen every episode I just can't stop watching. It's just sooo good.

Thank you to all who have provided me with ample reading material. You will be getting it back....someday.

My favorite couple! Luckily, he has left officially and it's rumored that she will be leaving next season.  Maybe I'll get a life and stop watching? the husband is really hoping for this!

Ok, so those are the big things. Pants, pills, reading & SVU. But, it's been a great hospital stay in that I'm much healthier now than when I started and I have a whole week of California to look forward too! Overall, today is just another great day! Thank you Jesus! Whoop!  Better get back to work- and finish packing up the room the husband arrives in a little less than 3 hours.... whoa!

One more picture- I'm soooo excited to get this dang wristband off... they scan you in the hospital; like a bag of chips.

thumbs up I'm outta here.

Thankful Thursday! Hospital, California, Husband & More

I totally stole this post idea from Ronnie Sharp and his Blog. So Thanks! Anyways, so many things to be thankful for today that I'm gonna do another steal and just bullet them....

• Hospital stay is almost over! That's right - I'm outta this joint tomorrow! Whoo hoo, I've prepped the doctors all week to be ready for discharge EARLY on Friday so this means hopefully I'll get be outta here by 1 or 2pm. Not bad. I've spent a large part of the day on the phone with insurance companies and am oh sooo excited to deal with their junk when I leave here. 
• California knows how to Party! Oh! Well I find myself singing any California song I know because I just booked my ticket for NEXT WEEK. Ok, it's gonna be a little crazy getting out of the hospital and then bam on a plane Sunday to California, but Andy was heading out there for work anyways and after talking with him last night we both decided I should go to. "Why Not," is my big feeling on the matter. I work from my computer anyways and the hotels are paid for. I'm soo soo excited and we get to see my new brother-in -law over the weekend. It's just going to be fabulous -and as always one of those last minute decisions I make. How am I an event planner? :)
• Husband, can't forget him on this list because well he just makes it all happen. Last night he braved the snowy roads to see me and it really did make me feel better. The whole afternoon I had had a cursing headache and from the moment I saw him it was lifted. I dunno what it is about him I just love him.
• Work- like I said I work from my computer mostly these days and feel super blessed to work for family and in a flexible environment. Even though I'm leaving this job in a couple weeks I know God has something in mind for me (just a quick reminder God: I'm still waiting for you to reveal your plan to me) and I'm trying to be active and prayerful in the finding work realm. 
• BFF's- you guys are just great. Thanks for all the chats, group mms's, and pictures. Check out my BFF arieanna's blog here and check out gay gay's blog ..... well when she stops working on her masters and saving children in need. :)
• Brother Bear & Sister Goose & Family-- you guys are an amazing support team! My brother bear apparently is a super hero and has built his own computer (literally built it), speaks Persian & jumps out of airplanes. My SG has tackled a new job working as a CNA, is remodeling her house, and just got engaged and is letting me plan her wedding...wait. maybe not that last part but I'm trying! As for the rest of em? My Mom and Steve watch the Frankerdoodle while I'm in here (and in California?) and bring me treats and presents, Ronzilla (aka Dad) calls me daily to humor me with his latest golf wit or why he believes I'm such a twirp, The InLaws (sue & bill) send texts, care packages and make late night phone calls, and grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles from all over have been nothing but giant blessings these past two weeks

So that's it for my Thankful Thursday! There are obviously many more things to be thankful for but those are just a few on my plate today! What are you thankful for?? 

A Day in Pictures!

So many things to write about today and I'm sure the whole world is just waiting to hear what I have to say! Actually, today was pretty fun, the husband stayed the night last night and took the day off of work to hang with me. It was just a great day and since a picture says more than I can I'm going to relive it that way for you!!

So I'll start with the best picture of the day ...90% LUNG FUNCTION...HECK YA. (it seriously hasn't been this good since high school...whooo hooo antibiotics.)

This is me doing a Pulmonary Function Test or as my Grandma Bunny would call it "peak flow" because she sorda knows the terminology but mixes it up and I just let her go with it-her names Bunny after all why would you argue with her. 

And then I got a package from Grandma Bunny.....

I love the random assortment of things and can just imagine her at the dollar store or kmart or some random place picking all this stuff out! 

So Obviously the Hubby and I had a coloring competition.... Mines on the right his is on the left. You be the judge but pick the "right" one. oh haha I'm so clever sometimes

AND then another present showed up, Steve, came bearing this sweet pumpkin that my Grandpa Terry had picked out for me and Steve carved. Its a bat and a moon and then you can kinda see my name carved in BROADWAY font on the right hand side!

 

BUT THEN THIS HAPPENED......

BEST. HUSBAND. EVER.

Andy + My Toes= Greatest Husband Moment Ever.

To be fair I can't paint my own nails partly because of total beauty incompetence and largely due to the shakiness brought on by multiple treatments and steroids. Still, super fun experience and really funny to watch him do. I would be worried but its winter time and my feet should be seeing nothing but the insides of wool socks for the next few months anyways.....

Andy had to leave shortly after and night time came with him. I feel sooo blessed to have healthcare and great nurses and doctors. Plus, not a lot of hospitals where you get a sweet view like this.....

A view from the 9th floor.

Goodnight All...

  

Sick Hubby & Blogging

So I'm kinda liking this blogging thing, I can communicate with all of you out there and Lord knows my thoughts  need to be heard! :) On the docket today sick husband/sleeping pills, iphones, & exercise.  So let me begin;

Poor Andy (the husband) has been super sweet to me and keeping me company while I stay tuned up- however late Monday night after I had taken a hard dose of sleeping pills, Andy awoke in the hospital with an awful stomach flu. I stumbled into something a little bit less than consciousness around 4am to discover his cot empty and started looking under my bed and out the door for him. Finally, the nurse came in and with a quizical look and exclaimed to my not so coherent mind, "As you've probably realized your husband left- he was really sick, but he just kept smiling. What a great guy." At this point my mind wandered into some other realm- I laid back down, sent a text to him that looked something like "lkdjove yuoud dkkdo ok?>D?D"  and lolled off into lala land for another 3 hours. When I finally did make it out of my sleep coma, I was sure I had fixed the tax problem, cured CF and bought a pony; unfortunately those all just seemed to be hallucinations from the sleeping pills. Andy, however, spent all of Tuesday wrapped in bed with saltines and his computer. So Tuesday was quite the treat for us, me in the hospital him in the sick bed at home. I know that he is truly sick because #1 he called in sick from work and #2 he stayed home ALL day and only did ONE load of laundry! For those of you that don't know he's a workaholic cleanaholic and I provide the balance! :)  So appreciate any prayers from you prayers out there for speedy health for us two!

My newest favorite thing about my iphone is the the group messaging. I have two bff's who live too far apart from me and we started this group message about a month ago that just keeps going. It's great I no longer have to text them both the same thing (that always made me feel like I was cheating them or they were cheating me somehow. In college, Arieanna and I would both hear our phone buzz in class, I'd  look down and there would be a message from Gay Gay saying "I love you, you're great" and then I'd look at Arie's phone and it would be the same message and I would just feel this, "Dang" inside of me like I wasn't special.) That story aside, with group messaging  I no longer have that not special feeling and since we live so far away from each other I feel like we get to have conversations again! I can be a bystander while they talk about something and then chime in if I need to. Moral of this is that I'm now trying to encourage them to be fellow bloggers with me and maybe someday, just maybe, It'll get big :)


And for the last words of the day- I'm exercising! Whoop! I ran six flights of stairs yesterday, huffed the last 3 till I wanted to die and made it back to my room safely with a heartrate of 180. :)  They've brought an exercise bike into my room and I managed a full 20 minutes of my very busy day on that. Gonna keep this up- Don't want to be a sick CF kid :)   I'm leaving you with this sweet photo of myself... the prednisone has kicked in and the puffy cheeks are back. Chubby Bunny.

This is me-- doing the Vest and enjoying the full face...

Tune Up

Well it's day 5 of my tune up- for those of you that don't know I have Cystic Fibrosis,  a disease that requires I get oiled up and greased down like a car. Ok not really, a "tune up" is typically a 14 day stay in the hospital where you're pumped full of antibiotics, patted down by multiple respiratory machines and worked on by a team of skilled nurses and doctors all in hopes that when you leave your lungs might be just a little bit better then when you came in.

The IV pole in all its glory

 I've always looked at these "tune ups" as time to unwind a little, breathe better and get some rest but after getting in the CF community a little more I've approached this one with a little more pizazz! I know that sitting in that bed does nothing productive for me so I"m working hard to feel better in here which includes running/walking the 9 flights of stairs to my floor, daily stretching and really trying to cough. Ok this last one might seem funny but it's true. A huge part of the CF problem is not getting mucus out of the lungs. You can do the exercises and take the treatments but if you don't set aside time to cough it out then there really was no benefit. It seems simple but it's huge! Anyways, that's it for me today. I'm working from the hospital, trying to find a new job, trying to do the job I have, and challenging every norm I know.

Andy (the husband) has been great so far. Poor guy this is his first hospital experience with the sickly wife but he has been such a support and motivator to me. He stays with me (the first night was spent in Express Admissions aka a slower emergency room where nothing gets done but they leave all the lights on)  walks with me, talks with me and plays cards with me- he is currently beating me at gin rummy a result I'm less than thrilled to report. But so far, 4 months into marriage he is my rock and I'm so thankful for it. He asks funny questions to the nurses and is learning CF in a way that you can't understand unless you're living life with a CF'er.  All my thanks dear. 

I'm gonna keep working at this blog thing though because although no one is currently reading it I'm sure one day I'll get a follower and I don't want to let that person down. With that....

Toodles.