Sabatical/Silence Morphed....

.....into there are not enough hours in the day(daylight) before the snow flies!! I was busy this last weekend selling sweet corn & managed to start getting caught up on my Inc. Magazine reading while waiting in between sales. LOL I still got another 1.5 issues to go though!! I also have been busy with insurance stuff...Not health....car/home and have a new insurance agent in a week. Still looking for part-time work. Planning to attempt to pass Medic First aid for adults as well as pediatric Medic First Aid in the next couple of months. It's been 13 yrs since I took First Aid/CPR and have wanted to take it again for a while. I could never get in a class because they were either offered nights or didn't have enough participants for a Saturday class. Even if I don't pass the CPR I will still be better able to help someone than if I didn't!

I start participating in the Stepping Forward research project very soon. I'm really excited to be involved in Alpha1 research! Only through research will more answers be found. This a 5 yr study Dr. "Sandy" is conducting. There are 500 people participating.

Thought of the day:

Just A Little Hope Can Move Mountains & Make Miracles Happen!

I Up & Decided...

I am going to take an extended sabbatical from Facebook, Blogspot and texting. I am perfectly healthy. I just decided this at work today. I went all day w/o my phone because I forgot it at home & didn't have time to drive back to get it. I have plenty of other things to do besides play on the net @ the library! Winter is coming!!

I don't know how long it will last could be 3 months, 6 months...who knows.

Still Cancer Free....Hurray!!

I went to my 25th high school reunion Saturday night in J-ville. It got a little hot there and a couple of folks came near me with strong perfume or colgne(sp?) and my lungs tightened up. I left three hours into it. I had to use my rescue inhaler and as soon as my lungs start to open up...I was ready for a nap! It's funny how unsuspecting we are of how a simple thing like wearing perfume can effect another individuals breathing. It could be soap or hair spray, too. In my case it was perfume which as crazy as this sounds....I think of wearing perfume as a way of personal expression(at least till I realized it effected my lungs). It still think of it like a form of personal expression but, I think I can live with out it now.

I was so tired from the trek, reunion, late getting home Sunday & getting up @ 4am Monday I neglected to post about it. I had noticed a lump.....(and those of you who have been reading this blog since 2007 KNOW 7/19/2007 I had cancer surgery & got a "get out of jail free card" @ Mayo)....a few weeks ago and became very concerned about it last week. I called Mayo at 9am last Thursday to schedule an appt and they scheduled me for 8:15 am on Monday. The first dr said she was 95% sure it was a cyst but, they wouldn't know till they did the Mammogram & ultra sound. I had four cysts total and had one aspirated.

I also just read my last post and discovered...Katie, can't spell either in addition to being untrustworthy in bicycle shops & bookstores.

The Weekend Was Survived!

I only made it 15.6 miles on the Dairyland Dare. I began to experience a headache off and on. Then it became a persistent headache. Enlight on my neice & nephews losing an uncle on their fathers side to heat stroke suffered on a roofing job earlier this summer I decided there was more honor in sagging! I didn't have to peel myself off the lawn @ Harris Park. I did hydrate enough but, am wondering if I have to over fuel myself due to alpha1 an having just a little over half the use of my lungs??? They say when you have alpha1 as your disease progresses your body needs more energy to do the things you do. In essence more energy than people with healthy lungs. I've heard when we bicycle for extended periods of time we burn at least 1200 calories an hour. We need to drink at least 24 oz of water and hour on extended rides as well. If your thirsty it's already too late because you are already dehydrated!

Dairyland Dare 2009

I will be participating...how much I complete well...time will tell. Underprepared but, my oldest sister wanted me to participate in the worst way. Then onto Bail's Watering Hole. Don't know how long it will take me to peel myself off the lawn after participating in the Dairyland Dare. Got good easy fuel and will be getting a good nights sleep unlike last year.

Can't Be Trusted In Bookstores Either!!

When I had gone to bike shop a couple weekends ago I decided since I was so close to Eau Claire I head to Olive Garden for a late lunch. Then I decided well I'll stop at Borders bookstore and look at the sailing magazines. Well...I didn't get any sailing magazines...I instead got a copy of "Success" magazine and Joel Osteen's "Good, Better, Blessed" cd set. As for the bike shop technically I stayed under $50 sort of. I bought $28 worth of stuff BUT, I ordered $83 of other stuff I picked up last weekend. I don't care for EFX electrolyte powder or whatever it was called. It was lemon-lime flavored but, oh well. I really like the Hammer: gel(unflavored), gelbot & perpetuem(unflavored). The unflavored doesn't make a person want to gag! I highly doubt I will be healthy enough to participate in the Dairyland Dare but, I'm going to do my best to at least attend the event!

Are You An Overcomer???

I believe I am! I just got some $930 unexpected medical bills this week. I was sure last night I would not be able to attend my 25th high school class reunion and the 2009 Dairyland Dare. I spoke to Noreen this morning(alpha pack pres) and she said they could help with the cost of the room & gas cost for the Dairyland Dare. I have been listening to some Joel Osteen cd's in my car as I never have time to read right now....it sure is helping me cope with all the challenges I am experiencing right now. I have convinced myself I will emerge next spring leaner finacially as well as physically and sharper mentally. I have eliminated my landline & internet so am limited to the library. There is someone jabbering in the background making it hard for me to concentrate on formulating an intelligent post & I keep hearing there is a waiting list for the computers....so I will pursue a more informational post another day! I'll make it...Overcomer Part II!

Forget that second post...I'm at another public library...SO GLAD...there are 2 library's in this county I can use!! Luv the edit feature on blogspot, too!

I was put on a z-pack(azithromycin) two 250 mg pills first day and one 250mg pill remaining 4 days and stays in system for 10 days. Went to urgent care in Ladysmith. Pretty sad when the doc I saw there says..."You don't want to have to go to emergency here....you'll wait 4 hrs!" It IS true!! I got hit by a piece of firewood at the cabin accidently when I was 4yrs old. It took 4 hrs before I got taken care of. My parents were furious! However, there is a positive outcome to urgent care...the doctor & nurse actually knew about alpha1...How great is that??? I think it's awesome!!!!

Back to the overcomer bit. Last night after work I stopped by two lending institutions to investigate my refinancing options at each of them. I learned I can't get refinanced as well as orignally thought but, it is still better than last years original mortgage. My cars too old to refinance @ a better rate. I had been looking forward to being down to one medical bill but, I remember when the combined bills were $4000 + two years ago. Now the combined total is only $2100. It is a step forward. I have my fishing gear & hunting gear and I reside in hunting & fishing heaven where I now live!! I have my hunters safety cert that my Dad insisted on. I have a garden, an orchard and I know how to can!

I have piles of books to read over the winter. Tip top of that list is "How The Memory Works" followed by several algebra books. I've always struggled with math and I'm bound & determined I will best that bugger!! I may not have an OST membership this winter but, I do have my bike, my Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer, my Spinervals DVD's, my yoga mat, my pilates & yoga dvd's. I am planning when I get over this upper respiratory infection to begin bicycling the 10.9 miles to and from East Mart during the week to save gas costs to work. If I really get brave I'll pedal to & fro from the Tony Depot during the week....it's 16 miles. Where there is a will there is a way.

I have vivid memories of the lengths I went to to get my associates degree from EOSC yrs ago....the last few days seem reminiscint of them. I've recalculated & recalculated debts vs. income and asked myself how do I juggled them around. I am sure that I don't have to remove insurance from anything like I did in college though...WHEW!! It was all SO WORTH IT back then and it's all worth it now!! Back then I had to remove my liability ins from my truck to pay off the fall semester bill so I could enroll for the spring semester. I bummed a ride to McAlester once a month for groceries and whatever I got then was what I had to live off of the entire month. Why is it our greatest memories come from times we were poorest?!

Thought For The Day:

"Even during our darkest hour there is

hope & opportunity"

Off To Spend!

Didn't know what else to type for a heading. Using library to post. Not much cpu time left today. Got an email from a newly diagnosed Alpha. It's funny...I get burned out on being an alpha1 advocate sometimes but, then I'll get contacted by someone who is looking for knowledge & encouragement and I forget my burned out feeling. I remember what it felt like when it first hit me. The next thing ya know I just so want to help them have hope as well as the ability to regain their equilibrium!

I think I might have a cold. I have been working 9hr days. My days have begun at 4am and ended sometime around 9 or 10 pm. My field of dreams is shaping up though as a result. I have been coming home from work and driving right out to the field to work. I did sleep in today because I have been so exhausted to the point on Tuesday I arrived at work late. I destroyed my perfect attendance record I had going for 1.5 yrs. Makes me mad at myself! Going to Spring Street Sports to buy Hammer gel/Perpetuem products...Hopefully I can keep it under $50. It usually winds up being $125 +. I am a bike geek. I can not be trusted in a bicycle store!!

Being Active In The Alpha1 Community...

Has many pluses!! I just got offered a placed to stay for free when I spend the weekend in Chicago in August. That just rocks!! There are also other benefits as well. A social outlet, an opportunity to share what each other knows/has learned about alpha1 and how to fight it. Lovin' the rain! Corn & pumpkins are doing awesome! Can hardly wait for PYO season in August!!!

For Every Problem.....

There are many solutions. I'm in the middle of the book "The Difference Maker". In fact, I'm in a chapter addressing big people overcome big problems. I thought about the fact was I a big person or a small person ad was my attitude right about the Hallie Rath event.

My conclusions was....Maybe Not : (

So, I started revaluating how I looked at it and began looking at it from a different perspective. The funny thing is we could & in some cases should use this kind of thinking when dealing with alpha1.

In other news. I believe my oldest sister & I are going to take a week long road trip to Virginia in early September. I ave not been there in 24 years. I was looking online at tourism info & I didn't recall just how gorgeous it was. WOW!!

Hallie Rath event...

I will not be donating funds or attending the event. They have put in place a dress code. In addition to that I have issues with the UW's attitude towards alphas. They didn't always have this attitude. Henry Eckert who I have refered to in previous posts and done a couple different events with was a recipient of a bi-lateral lung transplant from the UW & Dr. Love was his tx surgeon. Sorry to disappoint folks!

On the up side...sweet corn season should be finished on my farm and instead I should be able to take the entire weekend off. I am thinking spend the weekend in Chicago & attend Cindy Wilson's alpha1 support group mtg...if I can figureout how to get where it is on time!! Then Field's, Shedd's, Borders down by water tower place(I LOVE that bookstore!!) and who knows what else!

Klondike Monster...

....Actually Klondike hill. Is thee single most nastiest hill I have ever seen!! I think it could make me cry before I even got half way up one side!

I said I wouldn't post but, I had a bad nights sleep last night so, I took it easy tonight. It got real humid during the middle of the night and I woke up with difficulty breathing.

Anyway....Klondike Hill....I had never been able to find over off of hwy 48 by Rice Lake. I had my friend Steiner give me a ride over to pick up my truck. Along the way I talked about training for the Dairyland Dare. He said when he drove gas truck "We were told we weren't to go down Klondike Hill.". He then offered to show me where it was over off of 19th street by Bargain Bills. It's over a mile long. We figured there was a 4 mile square I could hill train on. I had discovered a hill I thought would be good to train on Sunday over by Canton on 23rd st. I may just have a fighting chance at having what it takes to complete the DD metric century!

Exhibit # 1

Exhibit #2

Nuff Said!!

Where's Katie???

For the last month and a half my day has begun at 5am and ended at around 10pm. By that time I am completely wiped out. I have either been working at my job that provides me with a weekly paycheck or tilling, planting, watering, weeding garden or raking & mowing lawn. I did take off yesterday to attend a graduation party in Chippewa Falls. My cousin brought his son up from Ohio to have a grad party with relatives.

I expect to stay busy like this till November with the farm & cabin. I went so far as to send an email to my sister (who has a cabin up here) to come over here and raid my raspberry patch & personal gardens since I don't believe I'll have time enough to can jam or veggies. I'm sure if our other sister from CA lived closer she would love to have the opportunity to raid my gardens....not to mention my greenhouse in spring!

I don't anticipate posting a lot. I plan to do the Dairyland Dare and hope to make it to the Hailey Rath event in Beloit the following weekend (http://haileyrath5k.org/). Do I ever wish I could curl up in a ball today. I can hardly wait till I get to sleep in an entire weekend!!

Colds & Exercise

Colds at anytime when you are a symtomatic ZZ are never welcome. During summer I think they are less welcome. They are so hard to get over for anyone during summer. I think I might have one....I feel under the weather but, I am hoping it's just because of the cold and humidity. We had much needed rain yesterday. My lungs feel somewhat tight. You would think since I infused Friday at noon I would be immune to a cold. Grr!! Time will tell pollen in the air doesn't help either!

Exercise...well, that's what I'm about to go do at OST. Even when you are sick you should exercise BUT, be careful. Don't over do it!! If your lungs are congested sometimes exercise helps loosen up mucus to help bring it up out of the lungs but, so does an accapella valve(flutter valve).

How Do You Hug Someone For Possibly The Very Last Time?

That was a recent post on Facebook by a dear friend of mine. The person he was refering to was his grandma. She IS the sweetest person I have EVER met!!! In 1995 I spent Christmas with them. I had stepped out of the family picture. She said : "You're like a second daughter to us. You have to be in the picture!" I don't have a picture of it but, I will never forget that day! There a million other moments, too!

I've never seen her angry. She always has spoken cheerfully. She has a wonderful sense of humor & loves to have fun. She's always been very affectionate. She always says something encouraging to you when she talks to you. She is the most amazing person! I know I talked about Noreen who passed away from luekemia a few years ago and how I would like to have her grace while aging not so gracefully. I'd also like to have Barbara's cheerful and patient disposition as well.

How do you hug someone for possibly the very last time???

I guess the very best you can...enjoy the feeling...make sure they know they have special qualities that you hold dear....not everybody gets that chance...embrace the moment. As a couple of my high school classmates have told me to help me keep things in perspective....Katie, I could walk outside and be hit by a car. We all need to make the most of life where we're at right now.

Can't Wait To Get Back To Work!!

I am ever so sore. A hot shower holds a close second to a calgon take me away bath I'm discovering!

Those gas prices I hear will reach $3.50/gallon by the end of July. Definitely got to get into that bicycling part of the way to and from work. Plus, if I'll get that needed 20 miles a day exercise needed for training for the DD.

I did my IV(infusion) today. I got a good first stick! Yeah!!!

I had a first though!! My saf-t-intima partially gave out by the y part of it?! I was very surprised!! Nah, I'm not scared of it happening again....but, it was aggravating. I got a good second stick w/ no complications the second time around!

I think I'm gonna refocus next yr on just sweet corn & fall decorations. There is only just so much Katie to go around. Plus, I won't be so tied down! LOL...I say that this year but, that could change. For 3 years now I've said "I'm not going to mow lawns next year." Then the next year rolls around and I say..."Well, it'll be that much more money in the pot!"

Still very busy...

I am quite tired & sore. I seem to use my facebook acct now more than ever. I did consider switching from home internet/cell phone to a blackberry but, I still couldn't justify it. I keep reading how facebook has become quite a good business tool. I expect I will set up a facebook acct for Rock Bottom Farm. I've learned that the things I want to do as far as marketing product are getting folks around here pretty excited(in a good way)! I wasn't sure as I was cooking them up....I may not even do the farmers market. I may just sell it here at the farm and make the occasional special delivery to the private resort/ five star resturant chefs. I will be soooo glad when this week is over. In the next couple weeks I plan to build a summer chicken coop for my apple orchard. If it rains this week that will be my work on tractors day. I think it's time I figureout where my blue goo is for arthritic bod!

It's too bad about the U.S. Gov't blocking the sale of Talecris to CSL. I honestly hope we get better leadership during the next presidential term. I also found it laughable a few weeks ago when the FDC decided......Cheerios is a drug due to advertising that's been in place for over 2 yrs according to some genius in the FDC. I should have bought one of those Cheerios boxes for collector purposes!!

No Biggest Loser....My Bad!

I got up early with good intentions. Got busy with the my greenhouse plants. Then I was busy over at Stevens Lumber yard looking into windows. Then I came home & got busy with removing the OSB from my truck. I just noticed the time....I had a 3 hr window to get weighed in today 9am - 12pm. Oh, well....I can still get down to 145 without participating in OST's Biggest Loser type program.

Gonna go get busy mowing paying lawns!