Going from bad to worse...

I woke up Monday in the worst pain I've had in a while, then had a nasty fall when getting up because my knee gave out with my ankle. I thought taking a shower and meds might help, but never made it into work. I was in tears. My boss was concerned that I might be more injured than I was letting on, so she had HR call to check on me and it resulted in me being taken to the emergency room to be checked out.

HR gave me two options, she could call an ambulance or pick me up, but I had to go. I opted for her to take me to avoid the ambulance fees.

I have been keeping the EDS quiet at work. It's no one's business and I worry about people holding it against me. I did end up fessing up to HR lady on the phone since they seemed so worried. It was a misguided attempt to get them to stop worrying, but it backfired and made them more concerned.

ER doctor seems to light up when I tell him about my condition. He calls my doctor at home and decides to stick me in the MRI. I bumped my head and figured I'd have X-rays and probably a CT scan. Maybe he was trying to make more money, but they did find something. I have a Chiari malformation.

Before knowing the results, I was stewing a bit thinking he was going to turn me into a guinea pig or money machine. It turns out that he was fascinated by the condition. Great...guinea pig...

At least I know what's causing some of my problems, but now I get to see another specialist.

They discharged me. The injuries...knee sprain, hip sprain, knot on the forehead & Chiari Malformation (not really an injury). I was given a large dose of pain meds. HR lady decided to have me stay at her house so I have someone around just in case. I think it's a bit odd, but she explains that they are responsible for my safety while I'm there and it's no problem for me to stay in her guest room. I still think it's very generous to invite a stranger to stay in one's home for an undetermined amount of time. We picked up my stuff from the hotel and I've been here for a week. I've slept through most of it and tried to work on some book reviews. I also finished Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Friday & Saturday I was feeling a lot better and Elle picked me up so I could get out for a bit. We went to the bookstore and mall. After one store at the mall, I was finished. I knew I wouldn't be able to do much, but that was disappointing.

My follow up with the doctor is Wednesday. I'm also waiting for my regular doctor to call me back. I may be going home. HR lady did tell me that the company apartment is vacant now and I get to stay there. It will be nice to stay in an apartment as opposed to the hotel, but it will all depend on what my doctors say. Things are up in the air right now.

Reviews...

I've been meaning to post some more reviews, but I only remember when I'm getting ready in the morning. At some point I hope to post decent reviews of Pride & Predjudice & Zombies, Sense & Sensibility & Seamonsters & Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter.

Gold Bond Ultimate lotion

I used to use Lubriderm and thought it was pretty good. I kept a bottle at work with sunblock so I could reapply as needed. A few months ago when I had to take a plane, I picked up a small tube of Gold Bond Ultimate and it blows Lubriderm away. I put it on in the morning and I'm set for the day. It's considerably thicker than Lubriderm and absorbs well. No more super flakey winter skin!

Neutrogena Sunblock (spf 85 & 100+)

For years I used Banana Boat Sport. I was greasy and I would leave marks on everything I touched. I picked up the Neutrogena sunblock at the same time as the GB because the bottles were small enough to go on the plane. It's great! It absorbs quickly and you can't tell it's there. I was able to go to the beach for a bit and came back unscathed. I wasn't out for very long and it wasn't summertime, but it was almost 80 degrees & sunny in Florida.


Black & White skin bleaching cream updateMy dreaded splotches have faded more than with Ambi. They're not completely gone, but they are easier to cover up now. My skin doesn't feel weird when I use it and the smell is tolerable.

Cover Girl Firecracker

I told myself I wouldn't waste anymore money on Cover Girl eyeshadow, but CVS had it for $3 and I had a weak moment. The colors are bright, but you need to put on a few layers. It stays well, but feels dry. I tried it over my MAC cream shadow, Luna. It felt better and of course was brighter. I really like the green shade in this. I wish it blended a little better though. I tried mixing it with MAC Jewel Blue and it was over-powered, but $3, it's acceptable.

I have found some eBay listings for full sized pigments very cheap. I'm not sure how they can do this because they're $19.50 in the store. I have ordered one to test. It says they're full sized. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll pass along the info if it goes well.

Spring, ice cream & shopping

This week has been long and painful. My allergies are flaring up, every joint in my body is giving me problems and I haven't slept all week. I'm blaming my excessive travel last week. I almost called out a few times this week, but I got through it and was rewarded on Friday. Just before Noon, my boss comes by and tells us to go home at Noon. It's so nice out, we should go enjoy it.

Really?

We start discussing what we were going to do with our afternoon. I want to lay down and read. That's not enjoying the weather, but it's really what I should do. We decided we'd get ice cream at this local place that does hand-made ice cream. They have several patio tables so we hung out there for a while.

Full of delicious ice cream, I went home and decided to sit in the tub with some Epsom salts to see if that would help my very angry joints. It didn't, but it never does. I took my meds, laid down, read, then watched Dawn of the Dead. I thought it was the original, but it was the 2004 remake.

Saturday, I got a call from Elle. She asked if I was feeling better and would I like to go to the outdoor mall. They have a MAC store there, so I agreed. I had empties to turn in for an eyeshadow and was running low on lipstick. I've been disappointed with them for not releasing new Longwear shades. I loved the limited edition Red Reflection (2008 holiday collection).

I wish I purchased more than one. I can't find anything like it and I love it! I had to switch to Perrenial Rose. I like it, but it's not the same. I picked up the Vex eyeshadow and held off on the Cyndi Lauper Viva Glam shade. I prefer the longwear. It stays on, comfortably, all day.

We grabbed some lunch and I saw they had Anthropologie at the mall. I love that store. They do a lot of vintage style clothes. The problem is they're a bit pricey, but I tend to find good deals in the clearance section. Not so here. I tried on two dresses and looked terrible. One reminded me of a dress Peggy wears on Mad Men.

It looked awful and didn't fit well. The other was a pale pink with black overlay, sleeveless fitted dress that I loved. The zipper was broken, but they offered me 10% off if I wanted it. That didn't fit either. The store seemed to only stock size 0 - 4. A woman joked with us about the small sizes. I guess they sold out of the real sizes.

We decided to get some coffee and sit for a while. Elle suggested we check out the new antique mall near her house, but by the time we got there, it was closed, so we headed home. I was exhausted and sore. We didn't walk around very much, but I feel like I ran a marathon.

Today I'm taking it easy in hopes I will feel better tomorrow.

Update on grocery store guy: He returned my email and we've been chatting all week. I don't think it will go anywhere. He's into many outdoor activities that I am not allowed to participate in due to EDS. It's very frustrating not being able to do these things. He does enjoy baseball, so we may see a game when I get back.

At home...

My doctor appointment was uneventful. He confirmed that I have some fatigue issues due to heavy medication, injuries and EDS. He was surprised that I haven't had it worse. I got my refills and called my friend who was going to go shopping with me.

We went to a few shops. I found things I liked, but they were too small. We grabbed some food and she dropped me off. My dad asks if I'm going back out because TCM will be showing some 50's sci-fi movies, but we need snacks. I'm exhausted, but I agree to go back out with him.

We get to Giant Eagle, grab some cereal, some pop & head to for the snacks. I'm at the far end of the aisle and this guy comes up to me and starts hitting on me. I've heard of people trying to pick people up at the grocery store, but had never had it happen to me or anyone I knew. He's an OK looking guy and not being scummy, but I still go on the defensive. I'm tired and I'm with my dad. Part of me feels kind of bad. I'm being a bitch and since this isn't the first time I've been hit on when out with my dad and I know what he's about to do. The guy is asking what I do for a living, etc and dad saunters up.

"Are you hitting on her?"
"We're chatting, sir."
"Humph...Do you play for the Pirates?"
"No sir."
"Penguins?"
"No"
"Humph!"

And he walks off again. The guy seems a bit taken aback, but I laugh and point out that he was totally lying to him. He asks me to dinner and I tell him I'm tired and plan to spend that evening & the next hanging out w/ my dad, then I have to go back to work, not to mention I think it's lame to pick people up in Giant Eagle. He asks if we can get lunch before I head back. I tell him maybe and he gives me his card w/ phone & email.

We pay for our stuff and head home. Dad asks if I'm going to call him. I really don't know. I think it's weird to get hit on in a grocery store. He seemed OK, but it's always the normal ones that turn out to be lunatics. I looked him up online and found his Facebook page, which is private, & his MySpace. Nothing weird. Still not sure though. I'm never at home, so it's kind of hard to start something.

Dad makes it through one movie and falls asleep. I make it through 2 and a half.

I woke up this morning and decided to email this guy. I explain that I'm not sure how much longer I'll be in VA, I travel a lot and sorry for being kind of bitchy yesterday, but I think it's weird to hit on someone at the grocery store. I told him that I probably didn't have time to hang out this weekend, but we could talk through email so I could get to know him a little better, then maybe we could hang out when I come back. Then I got ready to go with dad to his weekly baseball get together. He doesn't play, he just sits around with his friends and talk about the Pirates. He tells the guy about grocery store guy and we laugh about it. I told them about the game, how rude people were there & work.

We came home and I laid down and read for a bit. I've done too much running around this week and we had another movie night planned (Dinoshark), plus It's Alive Show is on at Midnight. I usually have to watch it online since I'm away. Actually, it just started...I've been rambling too much again.

Anyway, the guy hasn't emailed me back yet. I'll see where that goes. Maybe when he got home he decided I was too bitchy to worry about. Oh well.

So much for "Southern Hospitality"

The hockey game was fun, despite the incredibly RUDE people of Raleigh.

At work, we'd been told a third person would be coming with us. One of the new Creative Directors (CD). No big deal. We tell him what time we plan to be at the airport, etc.

Wednesday night, I stayed at Elle's house and we got up and went to the airport. Got to Raleigh, Bob (client) picks us up and we go to their office. Bob is from Texas. I thought he was from NC, but he's not. He is definitely Texan.

We went over the budgets, got them signed, listened to CD's ideas and what they were doing and got ready to head to the game. We were on our best behavior. Bob kind of seemed bored while we were going over everything. It is boring. He's happy it's over and stands up and gleefully asks if we're ready for the game. We point to our Penguins shirts and he laughs. He pulls a Pens jersey out and we laugh. CD looks kind of uncomfortable because he's wearing his normal clothes. Normally, creatives are the fave at these things. Their stuff is WAY more interesting than ours, but for once, we're the fun ones!

All of us pile into the car and head to the game. I thought they had more of a box, but they don't really have those there. It was still a nice area and the seats were great! Big, cushy seats! Bob tells us that we can get whatever we want to eat or drink, it's being taken care of. I grab a Mountain Dew and he tells me I can get a beer, but I then have to tell him, I don't drink. Most people don't react to that well. I don't know why, but they don't. I don't care if others drink, I choose not to. Not to mention it would not mix well with my medicine. He's fine with it.

The game starts, we're into it, having fun. The first period ends and Elle and I head to the restroom. There is a line in front of the paper towel dispenser, I say excuse me to the woman in front of it, and she turns around and says "F*** you, you Yankee b****!" Huh? I decide to use my jeans to dry my hands instead. Elle just stood there w/ her mouth gaping. We go back to our seats and Bob asks what happened, so we tell him we were just yelled at, nothing to worry about. The 2nd period starts and we're fine.

During the 2nd intermission, Elle asks me to go with her to the smoking area. Bob has gone off somewhere and we found him out there too. We're off to the side, chatting and out of nowhere, this guy shoves me, hard.

I'm well aware that I'm wearing an opposing team shirt, but half of the people there were in Penguins jerseys. Probably three-fouths of the people out there were in Pens gear.

Normally, I'd go off and shove him back, but I'm with a client. Bob demands the guy apologize. He tells him to "F*** off." A few other Pens fans start crowding around.

This is awful! I'm technically at work, with a client who is about to kick this guys butt for me. How bad is this going to end up being for me? I'm in a fight stance, but I should not be fighting. I have my TENS on. Elle is horrified, but stands next to me anyway.

I go into "Yinzer mode" & get mouthy:

"So much for your 'Southern Hospitality!'"
"F*** you! Get out of our city!"
"Well, we could do that, but who would support your team? You should thank us for being here so you can keep them."

There are a few home team fans looking on with NO intention of helping this guy. The guy storms off. Bob chuckles, gives me one of those side buddy hugs & tells me I'm welcome to go with him to any game in the future. We got back to our seats and CD asks what happened. Elle tells him I'm not very popular there. A Hurricanes fan sitting near us overhears her and tell us that they're not too friendly down there, he's from CT and tells me there are a lot of Northern people down there and they don't like it and they're not very nice.

The game ends, Penguins lose, but we still had fun. Elle & CD go back to VA and I come home & worry about any backlash from the AE at work. I checked my work email after my doctor appointment and our AE had emailed Elle & I saying that Bob had a ton of fun with us and likes our "spunk." I shouldn't be in any trouble, but with new accounts they can be overly sensitive.

I'm not sure when we'll need to go down there again. Maybe I'll wear a Hurricanes shirt so they leave me alone next time.

Job Perk!

Part of the reason I'm stuck down here is I'm helping this office set up some new clients. We share resources and send people back and forth, depending on who needs what.

Today a co-worker and I were given a mission. We must go to Raleigh and meet with a client, get some budgets signed and go to a hockey game. Ordinarily, we have limited contact with clients. We may explain certain things to them, but the Account Executive (AE) is the middle man. They translate our advertising speak to something they can understand.

Our contact with this client is a HUGE hockey fan. They have a box at the arena and he keeps inviting the AE to games. Going to any sports even is the AE's idea of Hell, so to make this guy happy, she decided that we should go. We know the game and can get along with almost anyone. As an added bonus, the Penguins are the visiting team!!! I asked the AE if she could find out if he'd be offended if I wore my Penguins shirt. I really don't want to have to get down there early so we can buy Hurricanes shirts. I would feel dirty and consider myself a traitor. A few hours later, she told me it would be OK, he's not really a Hurricanes fan, just a huge hockey fan.

We're excited! For once we get to do something fun! I have two Penguins shirts, so I tell my friend she can borrow the other one. We start talking about how much fun we'll have...free game, great seats, free food, possibility of meeting Mario Lemieux...

Then it hits me...I have a doctor appointment in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon. I was going to drive back Thursday night after work. As it is, I can barely make the 7 hour drive. I know I can't drive 2 or 3 hours to Raleigh, then back, then go home. I HAVE to go to the doctor. I need refills. I'm on pretty heavy duty pain medication and they can't just call them in or fax the prescription to me. I can't even send a family member in for the refill.

I'm not excited anymore. I have to figure out how to do both. We can't just wait on the budget signatures and since the client is so new, it's better to have someone go down in person to make sure they understand everything. I also really want to go to the game and sit in the comfy chairs for free.

I go to the AE and tell her my problem. She starts laughing. Silly, simple me. I thought we'd be driving down. No, we're flying and it's not a problem to book my return flight to Pittsburgh instead and they'll fly me back since my car will be here.

I feel like it's a waste of money, but I don't spend as much as the others do while on business trips. I don't max out my food allowance every day or fudge my billing hours.

For once something has worked out in my favor! The plane is going to be hell for me, but it's better than driving that much. The friend I'm going with is letting me keep my car at her house. She's a work friend, but we get along well and it will be a bonding experience.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this goes off without a hitch. Now I just have to hope I can keep my pain under control. Planes kill me and I get tired easily, but I will get through this. I'll have a friend with me and that helps.

Ooooo! It sparkles!

Yesterday I actually got out and was social! The weather has gotten warmer here and I got an invite to go out to lunch with some new friends. We watched the Penguins game together and went shopping at Old Navy. I shouldn't have gone shopping, but I only spent $50. Everything I got was on sale: 2 pencil skirts (one black for $9 & a denim one for $15), a shirt & another rain jacket (in black). I like my yellow jacket, but sometimes it's too much for my mood. I really like the green they have as well, but do I really need 3? I keep reminding myself that I shouldn't buy too many clothes here because they charge sales tax on clothes.

Now I have to go back to behaving myself though I've spent the day online looking for a birthstone ring.

The ring search came from looking for a new hoodie. One site had sets of stackable rings in various team colors. Two were CZ/crystal eternity bands and there is a silver colored ring with the team logo on it.

The problem is they're expensive, just because they have a logo on them. I decided to just search for stackable CZ rings and get a black one and a yellow one. Easier said than done. The black is easy, but yellow has proved to be the tricky one. I finally found one and they had it labeled as a birthstone ring. One company had the black CZ ring as well as my birthstone so I decided to look for a new birthstone ring.

I'm a December baby and the December birthstone varies; however Turquoise and blue Topaz are the most common. I never seem to find any Turquoise jewelry that suits me, so stick with the Topaz.

In my search, I found a site that has a lot of Art Deco style filigree rings. http://pages.antique-silver-gifts.com/stores/waybelowretail/ My taste in things go between very simple, modern to the exact opposite. It all depends on my mood.

Here are some of the rings I found today (click pic for links):

Ok, this isn't my birthstone, but it's on my list of things to treat myself. I'm waiting for it to go on sale and as soon as it does, it's mine!