Barn Fire, originally uploaded by Henna73.

So you know how I just loved my parents barn? And how I hate that it was falling down? And I wanted to take some of the wood and make some things with it?

I guess I am out of luck. It started on fire last week (accidental) and is now gone. ALL the wood is charred and most likely won't be usable.

It makes me sad, but I am very thankful that my parents are ok and that their home is still standing. They will lose quite a few trees in teh end. And there was some minor damage to their shutters and siding on the house, but everything else is ok.

Can I just say the second half of 2009 seriously has to be better.

Going up north tonight. See you guys next week.

Ah, yes, where were we in the saga of Henna's crappy body?

I finally got the results of my GI ultrasound this morning. There are no gallstones, no gallbladder inflammation, no gallbladder enlargement, no spleen issues, no appendix issues. There were a few small fatty deposits on my liver, but it is not considered "fatty liver" yet. These deposits can cause some pain, but it should not have been as painful as it was. My doctor does not think these caused my major discomfort and pain last week. However, nothing is conclusive (don't you just hate that word?).

Now for the freaky news. They could not find my right kidney. I have NO right kidney! Did I know this? NO. Could it be affecting my blood pressure that I have been having a problem with for the last three years? YES. Does it freak me the hell out? YES. I am getting a CT scan tomorrow to make sure I didn't HAVE a right kidney and something bad has happened to it. Well, let's sure hope not. Just being born without one seems weird to me, but I guess it happens to one in 750 people and usually it's men.

See, it's always something funky with me. I can't just have gallstones and be done with it. I guess I am a freak of nature. I would love, love, love for one whole year to have NOTHING wrong, great BP, get preggers, no Thyroid issues, no surgeries, no pain, no anxiety, no way in hell.

I will update on Thursday when I get my results. Send me just a little smidgen of luck that it's something totally normal. I did find 9 pennies this weekend so I figure I should be covered!

Oh man, I am so not feeling well. I got a ridiculous stomach ache after lunch yesterday. I thought my soup was bad because I made it over a week and a half ago, even though it was only veggies. I felt a little better last night. However, I am hurting worse today. After doing some research online, it's a very distinct possibility that I am having a gall bladder attack or that I have stones or something like that. My grandpa, mother and both aunts have all had their gall bladders removed. Ick...

I haven't called the doctor yet because we all know that I am one big procrastinator, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the doctor. I also have pain pills left from my surgery in June so that's making it a bit more bearable right now.

Can I just say that I am SICK of my body??? I am eating healthy and working out and it just bites me in the ass. I am looking good and feeling good and I want to keep working on it. I also don't want any more surgeries or procedures or tests or medications. I have been poked and prodded and cut open and have had more things shoved IN ME than I care to recall. I really, really don't want this to be a surgery type thing.

Any thoughts? Has anyone else had their gall bladder removed?

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. My dad's surgery went well (6 bypass). He was sent home today which is good because I was afraid he was just going to walk out soon. He is, of course, ornery and my poor mother has a long road ahead of her with taking care of his crabby ass. His nurses were so great and I am thankful for their support and laughter.

So, now my health overhaul has been kicked in the butt even more. I am working really hard to lose the weight and kick my smoking habit. Yikes, I should be a bundle of joy for the next few months! Speaking of exercise. I decided to bring out my exercise ball last night to do my sit-ups. In the process, I fell off and tried to stop myself with my elbow, which resulted in a HUGE rug burn. Man, it's been a lot of years since I had rug burn, and back in the day, those didn't come from that kind of exercise, if you know what I mean.

My uber healthy brother got me to agree to do a 5k with him at the end of July. I am going to try to run 1 mile, walk 1 mile and run the last 1.2 miles. I am so not a runner, so we will see how it goes. I have been running on the treadmill at home, but I am afraid to do it on the streets. People will lock their doors and secure their shutters! I need to invest in some true running shoes too, per my brother. He said they will help save my poor old knees.

At the moment, I am inspired by mamichan,crowjoy and  aquestrian  with their cute outfits. I need some serious updating, but I don't want to buy too much because I will be thinner damn it! Still, any creative "in between sizes" tips would be appreciated. I like jewelry and scarves, but no belts please.

I am so ready for the nice weather to stay awhile. March was like a crazy roller coaster. Record highs, record lows, snow, sleet, rain, wind. I have had enough and everyone else has had it too. My spirits need a lift and the sun always helps. It's almost here, it's almost here, it's almost here...

(I also feel weird not posting with a picture, but I really don't have anything new!)

Scarf, originally uploaded by Henna73.

Don't mind me and my two chins and my really old TAB t-shirt.

I made this "scrap buster" scarf a couple of weeks ago. It's a bit wonky, but there really wasn't much of a pattern. The next thing I sew, I will be using a pattern. I want to advance my skills a bit. I wanted to take a quilt class, but they are all about hearts and flowers and that's just not me. Maybe this fall I can find a class that's up my alley.

The weather has been glorious the last three days. Yesterday it was 75°! That was a record for us. I know it isn't going to last, but just being outside a little has improved my spirits. I have walked 9.5 miles in the last three days OUTSIDE. I even wore JUST a t-shirt yesterday.

Had my yearly physical last week. Things are going pretty well except for the Thyroid. It's a bit out of whack again. They upped my meds so hopefully it will get back under control.

As for TTC, I guess we have come to the point of IVF. I need to go see a specialist and see if it's even feasible for us. I vow to do that before my birthday in June. I just keep thinking, oh maybe it will just somehow happen this month. It only takes one little egg and one little sperm. Come on body, just once...

Muffuletta copy, originally uploaded by Henna73.

Here are pictures of the awesome Muffuletta we made and ate last week on Fat Tuesday. I have the recipe if anyone wants it. Sorry, the colors are a little off in my picture for some reason. Oh well, you'll have to trust me when I say it was awesome.

I also stole this. I love food memes!

 

Lillies, originally uploaded by Henna73.

Well, I finally decide I want to post a little something and all heck breaks loose at work so I can't find the time to do it!

I came across this article yesterday regarding the top 50 food blogs. I think I counted about 15 of them that I visit on a regular basis. Anyone have others to add that aren't on this list? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article5561425.ece I haven't been cooking much lately, but that usually happens to me at the end of a season (well I like to think winter is almost over!).

I am ready for it to be spring and for the grass to start growing and the daffodils and tulips to pop up through the cold, cracked soil. I have been pursuing my seed catalogs every night and dreaming of warm sunshine. I am going to be adding a raised veggie bed next to my existing veggie garden (non-raised) this spring. I hope to be able to plant peas and lettuce and radishes earlier than normal this year due to the raised bed heating up faster.

I am also working on overhauling our front yard. We had a huge Chinese Elm tree cut down at the end of October. I have not touched the yard since then so there are still twigs and a huge sawdust pile littering the lawn. There are also several areas of the lawn that got chewed up from the machine they used to grind the stump. I would really like to plant another tree for some shade for the house in the front, but I haven't found the right type yet. I don't want anything too big or too small or too messy or too plain. I also want to plant as many native Wisconsin plants as possible in a few beds. It is a southern exposure on a hill, so the plants must be drought resistant otherwise they won't make it. We always had grass on the hill, but it burns out so fast in the summer that it looks like crap.

I hope to post more, generally about gardening and cooking and maybe some crafting. I am gearing up for a productive spring!

Family Cabin, originally uploaded by Henna73.

Well, you all leave me no choice but to post an update because you are all BORING this week! Man, I must have too much time on my hands because I have been checking LJ every half hour today.

I am sick again which really pisses me off. I have been eating well and working out and taking my vitamins, but it doesn't help in the end. All this sickness is getting me depressed.

We took a big step and went in on a property up north with my parents and brothers. It's pretty much a dump, but it was a great price. It's about 3 hours north of us on a really nice lake. I wish it were summer right now. I have had enough of winter and we still have at least 2 months of cold left, if not more.

I haven't been cooking or crafting a whole lot yet this year, but I plan to start soon, maybe even this weekend. I did make something for "Senses" swap on OS that I will show you next week, once she receives it.

Other than that, I am ready to go home and lay on the couch. I still have 2 hours to go, bummer...

I still don't have a whole lot to say. 2008 was a challenging year for me and I don't see 2009 as being any easier at this point. D and I are AGAIN trying to get over colds so my motivation for everything has been lacking lately. Hopefully that will change soon.

I see that a lot of people are talking about the 101 list so I thought I would post on update to my list. 

I have accomplished 54 items on my list as of today. Really, I never intended to get all 101 things done. It was just a jumping point for me to do more and try more and be more involved in my life. My list ends in September of 2009 so I am trying to really push to get at least a few more of the easy ones done. How hard can it be to buy a watch???

 I don't remember where I saw this first, but I think everyone has done it so far. I am working up to a real post maybe tomorrow or early next week. It's the beginning of a new year and I feel like I really need to say something poignant or truthful and I am not sure where to start with either of those...

Items in bold I have done. Items in italic I would like to do someday. And LJ cuts can kiss my butt because it didn't work yesterday or today! Sorry Poi!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of The Statue of Liberty (I thought you couldn't do this anymore?)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Only the ones from Germany)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (does Pig Latin count?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen the Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration camp 
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (the spring of 9/11)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I almost marked this one because I thought it said Great Lakes!)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Sunset on Christmas, originally uploaded by Henna73.

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season full of giving, sharing and love (quoted from my 4 year old niece).

It's sure to be hectic for everyone, but let's remember that it isn't about the biggest gifts, the most money spent or the most cookies made. D and I tried to spend more money on charities this year than on gifts and I think we accomplished our goal. Less is more people, let's not forget that.

It's still snowing here and it may never stop. This winter is turning out much like last year. At least the rest of the country is getting walloped too. Misery loves company!

I won't be around until next week, and it will be sparse, so have a Happy New Year too!

Stream, originally uploaded by Henna73.

So my stream of topics, ideas, whatever you want to call it, for my journal is really slow right now. What would you guys like to see in the new year?

Recipes
Photos
Crafts
Eco Ideas
Nothing????