Tough Couple Of Weeks

It's been two weeks since I've blogged again. This time there is a good reason ~ I've been pretty sick. I've been struggling for 12 days now. 

The picture of Bri above was taken a couple of days before I got sick (at the Spirit Halloween store - isn't she stinkin' cute?). We had been having so much fun. Getting excited for fall and Halloween. And then I got nailed with sickness - again. I have dealt with so much medical crap this year. I am pretty over it.

I have had a horrible sinus infection. I don't remember ever having a sinus infection like this before. My sinuses are very sensitive though - I'm the type of person that if I get a really bad cold, I lose my sense of taste and smell for several days. It's not fun. And I always worry I won't get it back. I know that sounds silly, but you just never know.

This time, I didn't have a cold though. I didn't even really have sinus pain at first. I just started losing my taste and smell about 12 days ago. I was eating lunch and I realized that I couldn't really taste it. Scary stuff. My anxiety shot through the roof. And I knew that Doug was heading out of town on business for 4 days.

The pain and swelling in my nose came on about two days later. I made an appointment to see my ENT quite quickly, but of course, I had to wait the weekend before I could see her. She looked in my nose and said it was really swollen. She prescribed me meds - steroids and antibiotics (and Flonase). When I got to my pharmacy, my heart fell. She prescribed me amoxicillin - and that is not strong enough for me at all. It just doesn't work for me (I know based on experience.) The steroid wasn't a high enough dose either. I tried them for about a day and a half, and I just knew I wasn't getting anywhere (and the antibiotic was messing with my stomach too). I had to call, complain, wait and get stronger meds. All the while, I was still experiencing pain and diminished taste and smell. I know the wrong meds issue set me back a few days - which is quite frustrating.

Fall break is this week. I want to feel really good for it. We have some exciting plans that I will share later. I want to not have pain in my head. I want to really taste and smell strongly again. Today, I have to say I am finally feeling a bit better. I don't want to get my hopes up too high though. I have to be grateful that I haven't completely lost my taste and smell this whole time.

Even though I've been struggling and feeling a bit down, I managed to celebrate Autumn Moon Festival, took Bri to two soccer practices, attended two kid birthday parties, took Bri to her 10 year old checkup and managed to continue on as "mom" as best I could while Doug was out of town. Between all of that, I've been laying in bed a lot - way too much.

So, I pray my meds are finally kicking in now and that I will be back on my feet this week so I can have an awesome fall break.

I'll try to get back sometime this week to blog about Autumn Moon Festival, soccer, parties, etc.

If you don't mind, say a little prayer for me. I think I am slowly on the mend - hopefully. :)

15th Anniversary Of 9/11 ~ Never Forget

It was such a horrible day.

To see my 9/11 recap ~ click here.

I can't believe it has been 15 years.

Never forget the day that changed everyone's lives forever.

Pioneer Days Festival - Year 7

Our Labor Day weekend tradition continued this year when we attended the Pioneer Days Festival for the 7th year in a row. This was our 5th year attending with friends Khalid, Ansu and Kira. What is great about the fair is that for a $20 bracelet, you can ride all the rides over and over and the proceeds go to local charities.

The girls were so excited as we came upon the festival...

The first ride they hit was the carousel. Last year, Kira was nervous to be on it. This year, not so much...

Then I took the girls on the Ferris Wheel...

And this is when Ansu took over. She took Bri on almost every daring ride. I am so grateful to her! 

Bri and Kira joined her on the pirate ship...

Kira didn't like it so much in the moment...

Later on, she said she did like it. ;)

Doug took Bri on the Himalaya...

That's a lot of spinning!!

Then Ansu and Bri went on the Flying Dutchman...

 

Bri and Kira laughed and laughed on this spinning teddy bear ride...

Ansu, Bri and Kira flew around on this ride...

Next up was bumper cars...

Bri loved the thought of bumping into Khalid and Kira...

Having a blast...

Bri's driving skills, or lack thereof, proved she will not be driving for a very, very long time in the real world ~ if ever. She hit the wall by herself way too many times (snort)..

Next was the Fun Slide...

Watching Bri on this next one, the Ring of Fire, makes my heart beat really fast...

Then it was time to catch some rubber duckies and win a prize...

Our last stop was the Orient Express...

We stopped for a funnel cake snack and some lemonade. Then it was time to go home...

Until next year!

The fair is always a fond farewell summer and a welcoming of fall. I'm so ready for cooler weather and the sights and sounds of autumn!

What We've Been Up To

Well hello there. It's me again. Another two weeks have gone by and I haven't blogged. Bad me. Here I am ready to catch you up.

A few weeks ago, Doug, Bri and I saw "Kubo and the Two Strings" at the movie theater that serves meals. Gotta love dinner and a movie. The movie was really good - a bit sad - but good...

Since I last wrote, Bri started up with soccer again. She has had a number of practices and her first game is on Saturday. We lost two of our girls from last season due to aging out and two that decided not to return to the team. We have a few new girls, so that will change the dynamic of the team a bit. They will all have to get used to one another, so we'll see how the first few games go...

After practice, Bri is always famished. She ate that whole sandwich...

Running club has also started back up. Bri always runs at practice with her friend Meredith. It's been a bit warm lately, but they are dealing well with it. Hoping we get a 5K in this season - it's always hard when they coincide with soccer games...

My nephew N1 had his 8th birthday party a couple of weekends ago. It's funny - he also had a game truck come to his house. Bri and N1 requested game trucks without each other knowing they both wanted one. They really have the same interests.

She looked cute on party day...

Bri decided to sport a sparkling panda hat to school on Friday...

She had picture day last week too. The last one for elementary school - sniff...

Bri and Mei Mei are still bonding nicely...

Mei likes to help me wake up Briana on school days...

We had dinner with "Uncle" Jimmie (Doug's best friend from high school) on Saturday. Bri and Jimmie both share August birthdays...

I had lunch with my friend Miranda yesterday. It's hard to believe we have been friends for over 15 years. We had not seen each other in months. It had been too long...

On Labor Day weekend, we went to the Pioneer Days Festival once again with friends Khalid, Ansu and Kira. A post is coming up on that soon...

Doug and I bought a new mattress over the weekend and it's coming next week. As we were in the mall, Bri requested Doug take a pic in this fall display. Doug begrudgingly agreed...

We saw a pretty rainbow in the parking lot...

 And look ~ Halloween is approaching...

With going to the Pioneer Festival, seeing all the pumpkins and Halloween stuff everywhere and having a slightly cooler breeze in the air, there is no doubt fall is around the corner. My favorite time of year. So exciting. :)