I'm Breathing....... slowly and deeply..........

Right now, I'm just breathing slowly and deeply...........

This blog is just for me, to log the ol' "How I'm Currently Feeling!" stuff.   : )

It is December 2nd.

I have had 2 other "less-than-pleasant" nights before this that I have not blogged about because blogging about it makes me think about it, which I don't really like to do.   : )

However............

Right now, I'm going to blog about how I'm currently feeling and how I'm doing.

I need to continually remember to breathe slowly......... and deeply.  That brings in oxygen to my brain to help my emotions stay in a happy place.   : )

Smiling helps.   : )  I'm smiling!   : )

And Breathing.

Breathing slowly.  It helps to type the words as I breathe in....... and out.... slowly and deeply.

I want to keep a sense of humor too.   : )

Now what is the reason why I am up at 2:22 a.m. this morning?

I was having trouble breathing, so I got up because that got me thinking some, perhaps less-than-positive thoughts...

So I needed to go to the bathroom............

Breathe.............. F-o-c-u-s on the breath.  In and out.  In and out.

Yes, maybe later this morning I can get my dust rag and dust off my glass ball that I helped make, and yes, I think it will be good if I send a Thank you note to the guy who helped me make it....... and yes, after I dust it off, I can dust off my computer screen.   : )  Those are things that I can do later.  It's OK right now to do it later because right now, my sweetie is asleep in the room where I have the dust rags in a drawer.

When I'm typing, I also tend to want to type things exactly as it is.  I want to explain things exactly so that people understand what I'm saying, because I like people to type things clearly so that I can understand what they're saying.  That tends to get my heart rate going up a little bit.

So I am BREATHING.  : )  And smiling.  Yes, breathe and breath are spelled differently.  I think that's good.  Read and read (pronounced "red") should be spelled differently too!   : )

I'm breathing.

In and out.

OK -- so -- I think I'm ready to continue explaining what happened this morning, just about half an hour ago now.

I got up, went to the bathroom, and then I gargled with salt water, because....

Yes, I am going to explain that in a second.  Please, self, be patient with me.  I'm getting there.   : )  Smile.   : )

Breathe.

I feel like my throat might becoming..... infected?  Sore?  Because my husband has had a cough and sore throat over this whole past week, so we've been only kissing on the cheek, as to avoid him passing his "germs" to me.

Then yesterday, he must have thought that he was not infectious any more, so he started kissing me on the ol' lips when we were out and about.

Breathe.   : )  Smile.

Breathing does wonders.  It is powerful.  Remember that.   : )  If you want to stay up until 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., that's fine.  You'll be fine.  Imagine that you're just talking with a good friend (or 5).   : )  And you're having such a good time talking that you stay up, and then you'll be tired, and you'll go to sleep.

Yes -- later this morning is Church.  Yes, you agreed to help in the nursery, and if you don't go, then someone else will have to go for you.  That will just have to be fine.  You were willing to do it.  We'll see if you're able to in the morning.

I'm thinking of typing a message to the person who asked me to be in the nursery, to let her know I might not be able to do it, but I think that I'll wait and see how I'm feeling at 9 a.m.  At 9 a.m. -- about 6 hours and 20 minutes from now -- I will do what I need to do, because I can't call anyone right now anyway.

I notice as I type, that I like to be exact -- which I mentioned earlier.  When I'm not exact, or if I make a mistake in my communication, I notice that it..... SMILE!   : )  .... it tends to increase my heart rate.   : )

Barry Manilow said in an interview with Ellen D. that stress is dangerous.  He had a stress-related incident, and had to go to the hospital and have heart paddles put on his chest to help his heart get back on track.  So although he didn't elaborate on why not to get all worked-up about things.... which reminds me that I would like to continue to read my "Don't sweat the small stuff..... And it's all small stuff" book!  I have several "good books" that I can read.  I put that in quotations, because in Doctrine and Covenants section 88, it says (I think it's Jesus saying) to read out of the "best books".  I have many good books to read that help me.  If I wanted to learn how to work on a car, for example, I would read books on that.  If I wanted to learn how to be a doctor, I would read books about it.  Therefore, since I want to learn how to calm my mind..... I read about how to do that in my many good books.   : )

As I was saying about Barry Manilow -- although he didn't elaborate on why not to get all worked up about life, or about HOW to not get all worked up about the things that happen, such as death, illness, -- and I am noticing how my heart rate just increased as I typed and thought about "illness"...... Smile....... Breathe......

I am doing OK -- I am smiling and breathing slowly and deeply.  Keep typing.  It's OK.  You're OK.  You're sitting here at your computer, and you're fine.  You might be tired in a little bit.  Good.  Then maybe you'll be able to go back to sleep and awake refreshed later this morning!  That's a happy thought, eh?!   : )  (No, I'm not Canadian -- but my neighbor's Mom was as I was growing up, and she always said, "eh?".)   : )

I'm a little calmer now..... It's now 2:51 a.m.

So..... let's see if I can finish my thought there about staying calm and not stressing!   : )  Why do I want to remain calm and not stress about what I'm typing about?  Because stress is dangerous.  That's why.  Remember that.  And therefore, stay calm.  It's OK.  You're OK.  Yes, your throat and lungs might be, I don't know -- they might be infected.  Does that word cause you to panic?  Yes, you have a dentist appointment on Friday, but if you are sick, then you can just cancel your appointment on Wednesday.  Just wait until then.  Are you feeling a little dizzy just thinking of the possible things that might happen?  Well don't worry.  Right now, it's Sunday, at 2:54 a.m.  It's not Wednesday.  It's not 9 a.m..  It's 2:54 a.m. Sunday morning.  And you're breathing and smiling right now.  And your throat isn't hurting.  You're able to breathe.  Relax your shoulders.  Smile.  Breathe.  Type a little more slowly.   : )  Relax.

Breathe.  Breathing is powerful.  Oxygen to the brain is important.  Take the oxygen to your brain.  Send oxygen to your brain to help you think more clearly, and to help your emotional, mental state.   : )

Stress.  Don't think about it.  Think of the word, "Calmness".  You want to be calm?  Think of the word "calmness".

Let's move away from words that cause stress.  Use the words, "Free".  "Truth".  Light".  "Love".  "Faith".  What else do I have on my note that I have taped to the lamp post here beside my desk....... "Pray".   : )  I will stop to do that right now!

......................I'll be right back.

I'm back.   : )

My husband gave me a blessing during my last "episode".  It was one day last week, at around 3 a.m. (I am correcting my typing so that I can understand what I wrote down the road too!) -- and right after the blessing, I was able to start breathing slowly and deeply and I got very tired, and I was able to lie down calmly, and just continue to breathe, and I was able to go to sleep.   : )  It was wonderful.

As I went back just now to edit my typing, the one thought I had was that I can take my time as I make corrections.  There is nobody waiting for me to finish this.  There is no deadline.  There is no need to rush through this.  I can type more slowly, which.... is..... what.... I am doing now.

60 (or 65) words per minute.  That was the goal (or desired number) that most places wanted their typists, receptionists or secretaries to be able to type.

The faster the better.  Now it's 70 wpm.  So I am in the habit of typing fast.  And therefore, I typically think fast.

Slow down.  "Children present".......  Humans present.

Feelings present.......

Should I take something for my throat and chest?  That thought just caused my hear rate to excellerate.  (There is a little red line underneath "excellerate", but I don't know how else to spell it!)   : )

My husband just woke up and obviously, he realizes that the only reason why I would be awake here is due to my "issue".

I told him about my throat.  Perhaps I got it from him.  Perhaps not, but the GOOD NEWS is that it will eventually PASS!!  I JUST now thought of that when I told him that.   : )  I wanted him to feel OK about me not feeling that great.   : )  And in the process, it helps ME to feel happier!  It's going to be OK.  (With the letters, "OK" -- I know that I learned to put "O.K.", but OK might be "O.K." to do too.  I apologize about leaving off the dots, but that's what I'm going to do for now.  I might change my mind and switch, but for now, I'm going to leave it as OK.)

So -- grab hold of that thought!  It's going to PASS!  It's only temporary.  It's temporary.  It is not permanent.  And I will get through this.   : )  Some things are permanent.  And when that happens, we'll deal with that too.   : /  Eeek.  Sense of humor.  Smile.  It'll be OK.

I guess even things that are "permanent" are really still "temporal" -- meaning that all things here on Earth are really temporary.  Life is short.  It's temporary.

The big picture!  Yes!  Perspective!  THERE YOU ARE!!!!!!  It's JUST what I need!   : )  Ahhhhhhhhh................ relief!!!!!!!!!!!

Smile.  Breathe.  Happiness!  Yes!  I am SO happy that this is temporary.  It's ALL temporary!  Just like the book "Don't sweat the small stuff..... etc...."  Don't sweat the Temporary Stuff -- And it's ALL Temporary!"    : )

Death is but a step into another place.

In the Resurrection, we will all be given our limbs and other parts back.  We will be made whole.

It's OK.  (or O.K.)  I really prefer O.K. to OK.   : )  It doesn't matter which way you type it.  It's OK.

My husband just asked me what my plans are for going to bed.  At first, I thought, "I'm going to stay up typing until I feel like I can go to sleep."

But then I told him -- "Hey -- just telling you that I'm going to be O.K., and that this will pass, energized me, and gave me relief, knowing that this WILL pass!"

I told him I'm going to go to bed and see if I can fall asleep.   : )

So that's the plan for now.  Hopefully I can fall asleep.

Thanks for listening!   : )  (I apologize for any type-o's that I couldn't go back and edit right now.  I'm sure you understand.)   : )

See ya' later!

Panic Attack, Star-date 11-6-12 : )

I went to bed last night at around 11:30 p.m.

I got up at 2:22 a.m., thirsty and needing to take a "nature break".

I went back to bed at around 2:45 a.m..

Then, the fun began -- The panic attack.

First of all -- Because of the pain in my back and side, it's always a joy each night to try to lie back down and get my arm in the right place again for me to be able to fall asleep.  So I started that whole process.

Then came all of the wonderful feelings that I get when I have a panic attack.

My stomach felt sick.  I was cold and almost began to shiver.  I was extremely thirsty.

(As I type this, I'm thinking, "I don't even really like typing about this stuff!  It gets me thinking about it all over again!"  But I want to have a record of my experiences, so.....)

The next little bit of "acrobatics" that occurred was this:

I thought about my options:  "My husband has always told me that I can do whatever I need to during my panic attacks.  I can wake him up if I need to.  No.  I don't want to wake him up."  "I can go out to the living room (which is right outside our door, just past the eating area), and I can turn on Pandora and listen to music if I want to (even though I do not have head phones).  No."  "I could get up and just start doing my 'talking' therapy where I just enthusiastically describe something 'ad nauseam'.  No.  I'm TIRED.  Getting up will only make things worse."  I decided to just stay in bed, pray, and ride it out, which has sometimes worked in the past.

I was very thirsty, but I did NOT want to get up, but I believe that part of the panic attack involves dehydration, so it's helpful to drink plenty of water.  So I slowly sat up, stood up, drank some of the water I had there by the bed in a cup, and then I slowly laid back down and then before I started shivering, I put the covers on me again.

Then I got really thirsty AGAIN.  After weighing the consequences of drinking or not drinking more water, I slowly got up again, drank some more water, and then slowly got back into bed again.

Adding to this adventure, of course, is the pain in my back and side.  So it's like I'm juggling several different balls:

My mind is racing and causing panicky feelings.  I am breathing deeply, and in quick succession, as one negative, un-true thought begins to form, I send it out of my brain by replacing it with a positive, truthful statement.  As this activity persists, I begin to pray fervently for relief.  But in order to not let feelings of desperation take over, I think about the sayings that I have on my white board, "Let come what may and love it.  Keep a sense of humor.  Smile!  I can handle this.  It is what it is, etc..."

I feel like I would love to throw up to relieve the negative pressure that is building inside of me.  I have feelings of hopelessness.

I remind myself, "It's O.K.  You can get through this.  This has happened many times before, and you have survived, and you will survive.  Just lie here, and you will get through this.  Wait until later today.  You'll be fine.  This just takes a few hours.  In a few hours, you will be free from these feelings.  Let it just happen."

After a while, as I'm lying on my right side, I realize that the horrible panicky feelings have left me.  Yay!  I profusely thank Heavenly Father for helping me!

Now I just need to go to sleep.


I'm thirsty again, but finally, the pain in my back and side is subsiding, and I think I'm in a good position to be able to sleep.  So there is NO way I'm going to get up to get something to drink.

Finally -- the episode is over, and I can relax and fall asleep....

I'm very thankful it's over, and that I made it through without having to get out of bed.

They say that "8 seconds" is the goal time for Bull riders to hold on.

I normally just need to hold on for 3 hours.  I'm glad it was only about an hour last night.   : )

I was able to sleep until 7 a.m.!  It's now 9 a.m., and I'm up for the day.  Now, my morning consists of "putting all of the toys back in the box" -- I let my mind heal from all of the excitement of the early morning brain activities.

Typically, by around 11 a.m., I'm stable again, and by around 3 p.m., I'm feeling back to normal.

I'm starting to get hungry for breakfast, so I think I'll go eat something now.   : )

I made it through another night.   : )
 

This is ME! : )

It's about that time again...

Here we go again......

It's that time of the month when my hormones are about to go out of whack.

It's not here yet, but I can feel it coming.

A couple of days ago, I started feeling as if I were nearing the "panic" cycle again, so today I checked my calendar to see when my last "panic attack" was, and it was October 3rd.

Today is November 2nd.

Yesterday and today I have been feeling a bit panicky at times.

So I've been breathing in deeply, trying to slow down, think positive thoughts, and not believe my worried mind.

My daily tasks already include reading the scriptures, reading some of the Ensign magazine, walking, drinking water and praying.

It also helps if I read the various books I have that discuss remedies and prevention methods for the types of emotions I get.

It helps if I try to keep a sense of humor.   : )

I must remind myself that I'm going to be OK.  I can handle this.

Tonight, I wasn't experiencing a panic attack, but in an effort to pump some natural Serotonin into my bloodstream, I "energetically" talked to my husband about loading the dishwasher, while I loaded the dishwasher.

It was a little helpful, but it didn't do the same thing for me as the last time I explained something to him.

I just realized that last time, I was dealing with FACTS, and how things ARE -- not how I think they should be.  Know what I mean?

Anyway -- I just wanted to mention that I'm aware that tomorrow is a month since the last attack.  I've been feeling some of the "pre-attack" feelings, so I know that I might be in for a bumpy ride over the next few days.  I'm trying to be aware of how I'm feeling.  I'm trying to just.... oh, I don't know -- be happy -- avoid a panic attack -- smile -- remain calm -- etc......   : )

Best wishes to me (and to you)!!!  : )

Have a good day!   : )

Another Aversion from Panic : )

Recently, I have discovered another way to distract my mind when I feel a panic attack coming on:

I sing the "Do Re Mi" song!  LOUDLY, softly, emphatically, opera-tically, etc.!!

I also occasionally change the tune of the song, and then change it back again.

I will type out the words for you!

Do -- a deer, a female deer.  Re -- a drop of golden sun.......... Mi -- a name, I call myself....... Fa -- a long, long way to run.........

So........ a needle pulling thread.  La -- a note to follow So.  Ti -- a drink with jam and bread........... That will bring us back to Do!  Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do, Do, Ti, La, So, Fa, Mi, Re....

Do, Re, Re........ Mi, So, So..... Re, Fa, Fa...... La, Ti, Ti..............

When....... you........ know......... the............ notes........... to......... sing.............

You........ can............. sing........... most............ an----y............ thing!!

Then start all over!  With GUSTO!!   : )

Have a good day!   : )

Avoiding a Panic Attack -- My Quick Trip to Sanity!

Howdy!  Today's lesson is how I avoided having a full-blown anxiety/panic attack!

Where do I begin?!

First, I'll give the solution in a nutshell:  My initial plan was to "distract" my thoughts.  I enthusiastically began to describe our White Board.  It's white.  It has 6 magic markers.... Then as thoughts began to flood into my head, I wrote them on the board, and then I pretended to lovingly and excitedly "teach" my husband how to avoid having a panic attack, and I wrote down all of the feelings and thoughts that I had as I "taught" him.  (See the story in more detail near the end of this post.)

I have had panic attacks (or whatever people want to call them) since 2004.  They have always lasted for a minimum of 3 hours -- not 5 or 10 minutes, like for some people.  They happen either late at night or early in the morning.

In 2005, I got a new job, and was excited about starting my first day!  Well -- sure enough -- I had a panic attack that first day.  I didn't feel worried about my new job, but apparently, I had been more worried than I knew that I was.  I went home that day, and had another panic attack the next morning and couldn't get myself to go back to work, so I lost my job.

I went to a regular hospital.  They couldn't find anything wrong, and suggested I check with a psychiatrist.  I went to a "mental hospital" one morning just to talk to them about my issue, and they gave me some Cymbalta.  Ick!  That didn't work.  I went to a Church-related therapist, and he gave me Lorazepam, which seemed to work for a while.

In 2006 or 2007, I went to a psycologist for a month or two.  He gave me about 15 pages that he had typed up, of suggestions of what to do to not have anxiety.  He taught me and a group of other anxious folks how to BREATHE.  Concentrate on the breath.  Be aware, etc...  The breathing IS very helpful for me, and I later learned that breathing sends much needed oxygen to the brain, to help it function at its best.

At Kaiser, I bought a "Managing Stress Kit", which has a 110 page 8 x 11 book full of suggestions on how to keep calm in every circumstance in life.

I bought several books at Goodwill, and other places, to help me think positive thoughts and be optimistic.

But I'm really not a big reader.  So........... I don't read them very often.

This year, I've been dealing with pain in my back, and that hasn't helped my mental state!   : )

I went to the urgent care place one night, because I didn't have anything to take for my panic attacks, and they gave me some Alprazolam, which worked wonderfully!  It calmed me down and knocked me out, and I was able to sleep through the night.

I was told that it could become addictive and actually cause panic attacks.

I spoke with a doctor about maybe taking something all of the time to help me, and he gave me one type of medicine which didn't work for me, and then he gave me another kind of medicine which I haven't tried yet.

Recently, I decided that in order for me to ACCEPT my panic attacks, I didn't want to be taking anything, because I felt that it would mean that I wasn't accepting the panic attacks.

WELL............

Last night, when I began to have a panic attack, I decided to test out some of the recent things that I have learned about dealing with a panic attack.

First, I looked at my calendar, and it was just about one month exactly from the last time I had a panic attack.  I think the attacks might have something to do with my menstrual cycle, even though I no longer have a uterus.  I still have ovaries.

Anyway -- when the feelings started, I told my husband that I could feel a panic attack coming, and that I was shaking.  I asked him if he could listen to me talk to him for a while.  He has been with me through MANY panic attacks, and he's familiar with my symptoms.

To give just a little extra background -- recently, I went online and found two videos about how to deal with a panic attack without medication.  One suggested "demanding more" of the panic attack -- kind of like a "bring it on!" type of thing.  Another guy suggested a "distraction".  He said to describe something "ad nauseam" -- to describe every single, minute detail of an object.  That way, it re-directs and distracts your brain.

At first, I told my husband how I was feeling and what I was thinking.  I told him about the two videos I had watched.  The "demand more" idea wasn't something I totally understood or believed in, so I told him that I was going to describe something to him.

I looked around, and the first thing I thought of was to describe our big "White Board" on the wall.  I just started enthusiastically telling him about it.  "It's big and white, and we don't use it much.  It has 6 magic markers on it."  Then, I told Kyle that I was going to start writing my thoughts on the White Board.  I wrote as if I were teaching him about something.  "Distraction:  Describe something 'ad nauseam' -- in minute detail."

I began feeling the benefits of this exercise right away, and I wrote down my thoughts and feelings, and read them to him, "I'm teaching -- I know something!  I can help someone learn something.  It's like giving a tour.  I'm welcoming someone and showing them around.  I'm helping you know where things are so you don't feel lost."

I was excited as I wrote all of those things on the board!  I felt calm.

Then I wrote and thought, "I feel I'm in control of things.  I'm not being told what to do.  I'm not wondering what to do.  I'm not afraid of doing what I need to do.  I'm in charge of the situation.  I know what to do.  I'm doing something good.  I'm dealing with FACTS as I teach you.  Nobody's perfetc."   : )

My husband said, "The truth shall set you free!"  Then I wrote, "Focus on what you can do, and what you do well."  I read all of the sayings that I had previously written on the board on other days, "Accept yourself where you're at."  "Keep a sense of humor."  "It is what it is."  "Let come what may and love it!"  "The Holy Ghost is a comforter and tells us the truth of all things."

When I was done with all of that, I told my husband that I felt better!  The panic feelings were gone.

I told him that I was also exhausted by the effort it took to write and say all of that.

A friend told me today that due to the enthusiasm with which I spoke, it probably released Serotonin in my body, which calmed me.   : )

I was SO surprised that I had calmed down.  Typically, after my panic attacks start, they quickly explode into a horrible feeling that engulfs me with unwarranted GUILT and DOOM.  But over the last month, I have REALLY tried to be aware of what I am thinking.  If I realize that I am thinking negative thoughts, then I try to stop.  Just stop.

I had also worked on being prepared for the next big attack.  It's kind of like preparing for anything.  You decide beforehand what you will do in that kind of situation.  Then, when the situation arrives, you are ready, and you have a plan.

It has been EIGHT years since my first attack.  And last night was the very first night that I was able to SWING my bat and HIT the ball out of the ballpark, and WALK calmly home!

After I calmed down, my thoughts started to try to "rev" back up, and I started to feel a little anxious again, so I talked to my husband again, reading some of the things I had written on the board.  I didn't have as much energy as before, but I just tried to stay with the calm feeling and not let my mind wander.

I PRAYED that Heavenly Father would send angels to be with me.

I focused on counting, "One", Two", over and over again as I slowly breathed in as I said, "One", and breathed out as I said "Two", and I was able to quickly fall asleep.

I am SO thankful that I was able to avoid a full-blown attack.

It was wonderful.

My friend, who I talked to about last night's events, suggested I blog about it, since it might help other people who suffer with panic attacks or other awful things.  I thought that would be a great idea, so I did!    : )

I HOPE that the next time I have another panic attack, that I can do this same exercise again and have the same results.

I know that everyone's experience is different.  We all have different things that we deal with.

For some people, crocheting, coloring or doing word searches helps them.

Best wishes to you in your quest for calmness!!!!!!  Remember to pray, have faith and hope, and keep a sense of humor!!   : )

One of the quotes I put on one of my posts in 2008 was a quote by Woody Allen.  He said something like, "Life is full of misery, loneliness and suffering, and it's all over MUCH too soon!"    : )

Me.

Howdy!  This post is about me!  Yay!!!


Where do I begin?!  Back in December of 2011, there was this pain in my back, near my left scapula.  (Scapula please......) anyway -- Since then, I have gone to the doctor several times, and I have had X-rays taken of my shoulder and chest;  I was sent to a guy who deals with muscles and bones (I can't remember what he's called); I've been given a prescription for a nerve medicine (which I did not fill or take); I've been referred to a physical therapist;  I've gone to a Chiropractor.  All with no help in the end.


So -- I have switched doctors.  Yay!  First, I called the doctor's offices and requested this one doctor who I saw online at their web site, but I was told that he retired.  : (  So I went back to the web site and found someone else, but she's on vacation right now, and she only takes two new patients a day, so........... my first appointment with her will be August 23rd!


That's a ways away, but I will wait.  I need a second opinion!


I haven't had an MRI or a CT scan, so I am going to request that she order one of those.  I am anxious to find out what the results are.  The only thing is -- the pain hurts the most when I'm on my back at night.  And you have to be on your back for an MRI or CT scan.  But maybe the'll let me lie on my stomach with a pillow for my head.  Otherwise, a few minutes into the scan, I'll be in a lot of pain and need to move!


We'll see what they say.  So that's the next big thing in my life.  Finding out why I'm having such pain in my back, left side, near the scapula.


I'll keep you posted.  If I remember to!  ; )  Ha ha!

A WEEK IN FLORIDA!

A week in Florida! Wow! What a week.

I went because my ex-sister-in-law was taking care of my husband's Uncle at my husband's Dad's house, along with the little dog there. A week after she had been there in Florida, her neighborhood back in her hometown (in another state) got hit by a tornado, so her house got damaged, and she needed to go back home.

I was asked if I could go take her place, so I said yes, and I flew out the following day.

Here are the highlights:

I walked the little CHEE-HOO-A-HOO-A every day, at least 3 times a day, and picked up his POOP! Ick!!! Gross! But I did it!

I fed the dog once a day.

I also fed my husband's Uncle 3 times a day, and I am totally NOT a chef! We had tuna fish sandwiches and chicken almost every day. One day, my husband's Uncle said, "Can you put some sort of sauce or gravy with the chicken? : ) I said I'd try to see what I could figure out, and I melted some butter and rolled the cut-up chicken and the cut-up baked potatoes in it. I also gave him some ranch dressing, in case he wanted to put that on it. The next day, I found a yummy boxed dinner mix in the cupboard -- "Macaroni Grill" Angel Hair Pasta and sauce mix! I made it and put some chicken with it and it was delicious!

The last night I was there, I bought Whoppers from Burger King for us, and I also bought him a chocolate shake with whipped cream on it. He LOVED the chocolate shake! He said it was really, really, really good, and the best thing he had had for a long time! Yay! It was great to see him happy about the shake!

I had very little time to myself while I was there, because there was ALWAYS something to do! I was chef, medicine giver, dog feeder and walker, kitchen cleaner, laundry girl, etc....... But I survived. I did take some time out to get on the computer and check e-mail and such.

I was able to drive to where I used to live and take pictures! Yay! That was awesome! I was also able to drive the old route to where I used to work downtown.

Then, on my flight home, the plane stopped in the city where my son lives! Yay! So I was able to visit with him during my 4 hour layover! It was so good to see him!

I gave him and his girlfriend each an Easter Bag, with a few things inside. : )

When I got home last night, I was SOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Happy to be home! Everything was familiar again! The town, our house, my stuff, everything here around me.... And I am SO glad I didn't have to walk a dog this morning, and I could sleep in!

I was glad that I was able to go and help out, but I'm also glad it's over with.

The End. : )