Proud to call him friend – Maxim Nazaire CSCS

I’m not a regular watcher of anything CNN related or HLN, but I had a reason to watch the other day and will have the reason to watch several more times.  My friend Max, a coach for Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Team Challenge, a personal trainer, and someone in the non-profit arena, was on HLN for a “Health Coach” segment, and there will be 4 or 5 more segments coming.

Max is someone you should be following on Facebook and Twitter (@fit2dmax), along with his company Fit2DMax!

Last night a bunch of us met at The Chocolate Bar (yes, I said Chocolate Bar) to celebrate Max’s first appearance on HLN.  He told us a story about when he was 18 years old and was told that he had a health condition that may keep him from being the active person he was used to being – if he survived at all.  When Max was given a 2nd chance he made the decision that he would work with people to make a positive impact – from a health and fitness perspective as well as from his newly created non-profit – Altruistic Hope Society.

If you live in Atlanta you need to reach out and get to know this guy!  He will change your life!

Randomness…

…from me and about me!

I’ve posted a few random factoids on Facebook lately and the other night on the way home from anAWESOMEDaughtry show lots of random thoughts were going through my head and I thought I would share them.

First – on Facebook I recently posted “What you should know about me.  If I say I’m going to go lay down and read or watch TV that is code for I will be asleep in less than 30 minutes.”

Second – here is a list of random thoughts that have been going through my head starting with the one that popped up on the way home from Daughtry.

1. I know I look all girly and prissy and what-not, but I really have a thing for guys with full sleeves and actually even like some neck tattoos.
2. I love clean underwear and change my “panties” everyday after I get home from work.
3. I prefer old black and white shows over new shows from today ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.  Bring on Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows Best, Andy Griffith, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke (some are in color now or were the first in color of this type show).  I love TV Land, Nick at Night and MeTV among the others that play the classics.  I’d rather watch a rerun I’ve seen 100x of one of these shows than a rerun of something current.
4. I often want to knock on people’s doors when I see odd things in their yard and simply ask “Why?”  Here’s an example…This crashed up SUV has been in this driveway on my way to work for months now!  You kind of have to wonder about that!  Or at least I do. (Yes, that’s Reba’s ear you see…we were going for a ride in the car just because she likes to do that everyday and so I could take a picture of this.)
5. I admit I have an unusual fear of insects (that’s a story for another day), but I have a very abnormal fear of beat up and dented up cars going down the road.  I mean, what do the owners really have to lose at that point if they hit you?  It’s not like their car is going to get any worse!
6. I hate running!  There is nothing about it that appeals to me. First, I’ve never seen a happy runner.  No smile, no sense of satisfaction, no look of “this is the best thing since sliced bread” – nothing but the look of pain and need to get this over with.  Second, nothing is chasing me.  I mean really, is there a reason to run if nothing is chasing you? I’d have to think not. And besides…I’m pretty sure this is reality –
7. I’m becoming more and more interested in staying home and less and less interested in going places.  I enjoy time with my friends, but sometimes it’s a lot of work. (sorry friends)
8. I don’t exactly like driving, but I don’t like HATE being a passenger so I always offer to drive.  It’s nothing against your driving (okay – that might not be entirely true) I just feel more comfortable in control when I’m driving!
9. I have a tattoo that I got approximately 21 years ago and it is still unfinished.  Can I still call it a tattoo?  And here’s the thing about that (I passed out getting it – yep – you read that correctly) – I.WANT.ANOTHER.ONE.  Well, first I want to have this unfinished piece of art made into something different.  I want a Gerbera Daisy.  And second, I want the CTRL Z (undo) symbol from Mac somewhere on my body in red.  I realize it makes no sense, but because I realize that I think it might be okay.  Below is the Undo symbol I saw in the form of a necklace.
10. I’m a cat AND a dog person – yep, it can be done!  That being said, I don’t think my dog is a cat dog and I don’t think my cat is a dog cat.  They seem to tolerate each other okay, but I don’t think they’d be upset if they didn’t have each other in their life.
11. I love to be crafty (most of you now know that about me), but many people have been shocked by this fact about me.  Do I look like the non-crafty type?
12. I like to write.  But, I’m especially good at writing letters to companies when they make me mad.  And, I often get my way due to said letter.
13. For almost 42 years my mother tried to get me to eat broccoli.  This past year due to some stomach issues I was back in the Gastroenterologist’s office and got some paperwork that actually had “avoid broccoli” on it.  Guess who is pretty happy now!  I finally have a reason to tell my mother I WILL NOT BE EATING BROCCOLI!
14. I used to want 15 kids (8 boys and 7 girls).  This lasted until my early 20s when I realized that kids and I would not be a good match for a life time.  I had a hysterectomy at 33 due to health reasons and the fact that I can never accidentally get pregnant (okay…I do realize I would need a boyfriend and a relationship) makes me happy everyday!
15. My grandmother thinks I’m a good driver (I guess she doesn’t realize how many accidents I’ve been in – to my defense 99% were not my fault).  She is always amazed how I can still get around Groton, CT even though I haven’t lived there since 1998.  It’s funny how a person can still get around a place that hasn’t changed.
16. I’ve had surgery on my left wrist, left knee and left big toe.  I’d say my left side is not having a good life.
17. Un-ironed clothes make me cringe.  I will never understand going to work in un-ironed clothes.  And yes, I am judging you.
18. I’ve bought Girl Scout cookies and still had some in the back of the closet the next year.  It really is possible!
19. When I was young my dad’s sister married a black man and for a long time I thought everyone had a black uncle.
20.  I hardly ever watch the news because I hate bad news, but if I hear a story it really makes me upset when I never hear the final outcome.
21. I love animals!  But, (sorry PETA) I would absolutely love to have a long black mink coat and a short silver fox jacket.
22. I understand that everyone has opinions and beliefs, but I’d like to know why it’s okay to be mean, rude, hateful, and violent to those that don’t have your same beliefs?  I saw a sign on a church recently that said “God didn’t reject anyone and neither will we.”  Doesn’t that seem like a better way to live?

Well, that’s it for now. But I will leave you with some random pictures.

My salad from last night (lettuce on the side please)…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project 365 – Photo a Day

Sometime in January or February I heard about Project 365.  Last year I attempted to take pictures everyday, but only for fun and not following any kind of plan or “rules.”  So, when I came across Project 365 on The House of Smiths (a blog I started following) I decided to take part.

Because I had been sick much of December and January I really didn’t have pictures that corresponded with the January list (originally found here - on Fat Mum Slim’s blog)

Here is a snippet of what was listed on Chantelle’s blog:

How to play? Use the list above as a guide, and as inspiration, and take a photo each day. You can take it with your point-and-shoot camera, your big, fancy-pants DSLR, your iPhone {or equivalent} or whatever photo-taking-device you own.
You can upload you photos to Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, Path, Facebook, your blog or just keep them on your desktop {and not share at all}. Whatever you want to do is totally fine. You can take the list above literally and stick to it, or take inspiration and go crazy.
If you’re sharing them on Twitter or Instagram - you can tag them with the hashtag #JANphotoaday so that everyone can follow along with you.

I’ve been having a lot of fun chronicling my days via photograph.  Today I tweeted my March 1st photo.  Why don’t you join me in the fun??  Here are pictures from January and February along with the lists for the months.

 

Here’s a glimpse of what is in store for March…

I’m looking forward to seeing your photos!

It could only happen to me…

I have to bring this to my blog – I posted this on Facebook on January 31st at 6:37 pm.

So…a guy at the bar at the local Chili’s literally saved my life tonight!! I choked on a crouton from my grilled chicken cesaer salad and he gave me the heimlich . Wow!!

And here are the comments that followed:

APRIL M:  HOLY COW! January 31 at 6:40pm

WES S: Wow – have not seen anyone use that pick up line before . Glad you are ok… January 31 at 6:53pm

WANDA M:OMG. Glad you are ok. January 31 at 6:55pm

NANCY J:  Oh my gosh. You have a hero! That must have been scary. So glad you are ok. January 31 at 7:13pm

HEATHER P:  Whew, that was a close one!! You see?! And here I was thinking salad was GOOD for me?!! WTH! Did you get his number? THAT would be such a cute “how did you two meet” story, wouldn’t it?? January 31 at 7:24pm

STEPHANIE A: I’m so glad you’re okay! January 31 at 7:31pm

CHRISTINE B: Wow, I’m thankful he was thinking on his toes. Glad you are okay!! January 31 at 7:39pm

HEATHER (ME): So, here’s a back story regarding coughing. My mom has been on blood pressure medicine for years and it makes her cough (a lot) and people always look at me funny when I’m not doing anything about her coughing – I know she’s not choking, just coughing. I tell my friends when they worry about her coughing that until she bangs on the table she’s fine. Tonight I am definitely choking and I forget our code – bang on the table! My mother is laughing all is said and done and she knows I’m breathing because not ONE person tried to help her when she was coughing only seconds before I accidentally inhaled the crouton into my throat. And, as far as “how did you two meet” he was a retired USMC drunk (or at least one drink away from) and I’m just glad he was at least cognizant enough to save my life!!! I offered to buy him a drink before my server told me that he’s in there drinking (too much) all time. Also, he was WAY taller than me which meant that he ended up doing the heimlich  a little higher up than my belly button area and I think I will be all bruised tomorrow. My mother jumped up from her chair and started whacking me on the back and he jumps up, a chair goes flying, he pushes my mother aside and next thing I know he’s making a piece of crouton go flying out of my mouth (sorry if someone slips on that later). In true, Heather, fashion the whole thing made me pee my pants!! LOL January 31 at 7:39pm

LISA H: Glad you’re ok! January 31 at 7:41pm

HEATHER (ME): Thanks everyone – I like to keep things interesting! For the record, tomorrow is MY New Year’s Day since the real one sucked with being in the ER. I wasn’t planning on ending my year 2x on a bad note. January 31 at 7:42pm

RANDI T: Holy moly! Thank goodness he reacted with a cool head in a crisis! Are you ok? Any broken ribs?  January 31 at 7:44pm

CORINNE E: Was he cute? Did you get his number so you can thank him properly? January 31 at 7:46pm

HEATHER (ME): Nothing broken…no numbers exchanged…a little bruised, I think…and definitely (above all) thankful!! January 31 at 7:48pm

CORINNE E: glad you are ok Heather!! January 31 at 7:52pm

HELEN V: Wow, that was far more interesting then my evening! January 31 at 8:16pm

HEATHER (ME):  I would have been okay with a dull evening LOL January 31 at 8:25pm

DAWN S: Happy that someone stepped up to the plate to help, glad for mom too =) January 31 at 8:48pm

DAWN S:  Side question what meds does ur mom take ??? You can pm me if you’d like. I cough too, wonder if we are taking the same thing January 31 at 8:50pm

KARA B: Marines kick ass!!! Better bruised than dead. Glad you’re still with us. I hope you hugged our hero. January 31 at 8:50pm

TUESDAY W: OH MY GOODNESS! January 31 at 8:52pm

TUESDAY W: I am SO glad that we are hearing the story from YOU and not someone else!!! Angels were watching out for you! Xoxooxxoxoxoxo January 31 at 8:52pm

MEGAN K: Wow. Glad he was there drunk or not! January 31 at 8:53pm

JENNIFER W: I read this and thought, “only my best friend!” Glad he was there! January 31 at 8:56pm

LIZ M: oh my girl, I am so glad you are ok, and thank goodness for him!! February 1 at 12:33am

LISA G: I am glad you are ok ,but your story made me almost pee my pants laughed so hard I cried! Will you please write your book already! lol! February 1 at 8:16am

SCOTT (MY BROTHER): Omg!!!!! This could only happen to you. I’m so glad that your here to tell us about it.
Tell that Guy thank you from your brother February 1 at 8:42am

I have to tell you…stuff like this has been happening to me my whole life.  Today there was an “incident” with a BIG roach and the service elevator at work.  I did a little dance, almost got stuck in the elevator, and then jumped out to avoid said roach.  If there was a video I’d probably win some money!

The thing is, I’m not sure I’d want my life any other way.  I have great family. I have great friends.  And they ALL. LOVE. ME. JUST. THE. WAY. I. AM!!  I’m not sure why they do, but they do and I’m giddy about that.

 

Oops – I moved and didn’t tell you

I posted this today on my Blogger page…

So, I recently discovered that I won a prize on another bloggers site – and upon realizing this I noticed I had never told any of my dedicated followers that I have moved.
Because I am now trying to set up my own website for selling my crafty creations via WordPress I decided to use their platform for blogging. I’d love it if you’d follow me there – http://geminired.wordpress.com/
Also, you can find my crafty items at www.GeminiRedCreations.com. I give 10% of everything I sell to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
See you over there! ~heather

Did I really hear/see that?

Most of my “real” friends know that more often than not I’m found watching old reruns – especially the black and white ones such as Leave it to Beaver, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke and the other classics.  They are from way before my time, but I much prefer them to many of the options today.  I do now seem to be interested in shows such as American Pickers, Pawn Stars and Storage Wars along with Chopped and Cupcake Wars, but more often than not I’m watching something that was on a long time ago.

Recently, however, I found myself watching a few things on TV that I can’t seem to get out of my head.  Did any of you catch the recent Anderson show with the guy who is donating his sperm for free to “help” people who want children?  I watched this show with mixed emotions.  I’ve known several people who have encountered the difficulties of pregnancy and the extremely expensive alternatives, but I’m a bit suspect of someone who is giving his sperm away.  Supposedly he goes through rigorous testing and to some degree is more thorough than the quote/unquote legal entities people typically resort to, but I can’t imagine going up to someone’s front door and having them hand you a cup of sperm that you hope to become your baby.  The pros are it’s free and maybe you don’t have to go through all the paperwork and scrutiny of going to a lab.  But this guy also has some kind of “sex” site and he had a very interesting name for it which I have forgotten at this moment.  He has helped many people conceive children and feels it is safer than an anonymous donor because these kids will grow up with their parents knowing everything (that he has told them) about him and therefore they will be well aware of medical history and cannot “accidentally” date each other in future years.

Now, as if that weren’t interesting enough – Dr. Phil had a guy on the other day with some sort of infantile syndrome where he wants to live his life like a baby.  He has self-diagnosed himself to be living as an 18 month old and had a custom crib made, has custom onsies made, a very large high chair and wears diapers 24/7.  Here’s the even crazier part – HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND!  And…wait for it – she changes his diapers and bathes him.  I’m sorry, have I missed something here?  I’m 41 and while I’m not sad or depressed that I’m still single I find it a bit overwhelming that someone like him has girlfriend!  She wants to get married and have kids -his kids! What the hell?  Apparently she thinks he needs to cut back on his acting like an infant so they can have a “real” relationship, but they’ve been together for many years!  He hasn’t changed yet girly!  He wears diapers to work!  He wants to be fed in his high chair before they leave the house to have a “normal” dinner in a restaurant.

All I have to say is – I will stick to my old reruns…even if I’ve seen them over and over.  It sure beats the reality that seems to be happening around me!

It’s been a long year…(already)

Toward the end of 2011 I vowed to make 2012 a POSITIVE year!  Things ARE going to be great I told myself and others around me.  I had an internal conversation with myself that I would distance myself from people with a lot of negative self-talk and those that always seemed to be having bad things happening so that I wouldn’t “take on” all their negative energy which I have a tendency to do.  I want to save the world.  I want to be that ONE who makes a difference.  But, I can’t save everyone and I need to stop taking on what I can’t change – and that definitely relates to people who seem to be in a perpetual circle of “woe is me” syndrome.

That said…I’ve had a horrible start to 2012.  Heck – I had a horrible end to 2011.  Sometime around Thanksgiving I didn’t feel well.  I can’t pinpoint the date because quite frankly I ignored it.  I did what I typically do when my stomach bothers me – I took Pepto for several nights and figured it would go away.  Well it didn’t.  Around 20 years ago (at Thanksgiving time) I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (20 years after my mother was and a few weeks after her 2nd surgery related to Crohn’s).  I just thought it was a little bought of the typical stuff I deal with related to the disease.  Finally the week before Christmas I decided it was time to make an appointment with the Gastroenterologist even though I was worried that would mean a colonoscopy.  I was right!  But not only did I have to schedule a colonoscopy – I ended up with a CT scan of my abdomen as well.   December 28th I saw the Gastroenterologist and she scheduled me for the CT scan that Friday, December 30th and the Colonoscopy for the following Friday, January 6th.  She gave me some prescriptions and I figured I was on my way to recovery.

December 30th I drank all kinds of yummy goodness (Barium that was supposed to taste like orange juice) that I barely kept down.  I then proceeded to the CT scan where I was given an IV contrast as well.  Unfortunately, by now I was so weak and feeling bad that my mother had to drive me.  Saturday morning I woke up feeling worse and ended up calling the doctor’s office and was patched to her.  We tweaked a few things and I slept most of the day.  That night my parents and I had tickets to see the Gaithers Gospel Homecoming and I just couldn’t go.  I told them to go without me, but my mother refused to be across town in case I got worse.  I woke up Sunday morning – New Year’s Day – feeling worse than ever.  I could barely move and by now I just wanted to sleep forever.  My parents took me to the emergency room and I was taken in immediately.  After some initial consultation I was given IV fluids and morphine and was finally feeling somewhat better.  The ER doctor called my Gastro and they decided on what to give me for the meantime because I wouldn’t be able to see her until Tuesday due to the holiday.

Tuesday my mother had to drive me to the doctor’s and by this time I had lost about 10 pounds (in about a week).  I could barely eat or move.  We did some more tweaking of the meds and I had the pleasure of providing a stool sample (never fun).  Friday I had my colonoscopy and at this point it was determined that 20 years ago I was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s and actually have Ulcerative Colitis.  Still in the same family, but actually the better of the two in my opinion.  UC is only in the colon whereas Crohn’s affects the entire GI tract so I’m luckier than my mom in that respect.

Last night, January 17th my doctor called at 5:49 pm and my phone was upstairs so I ignored it.  When I went upstairs around 6:20 pm I heard her voice message telling me she had important results for me and to please call the office.  By that time she was gone for the night, but the answering service connected me to her.  It seems that what caused my UC flare-up is a fun bacteria called Campylobacter.  It can be caused by undercooked chicken – if you know anything about me – I LOVE chicken and eat it all the time.  I can’t even begin to go back and think of where I could have been, when I would have eaten said chicken, or anything of the sort.  I don’t know if it ate it around the time I first got sick near Thanksgiving or closer to when I was REALLY sick around New Year’s before I didn’t feel like eating at all.  It’s all a mystery to me.  What is possibly, though, is that getting the bacteria caused a flare-up in my UC or the flare-up in my UC caused me to be more susceptible to the bacteria.  One way or the other I ended up quite sick.  Because my immune system was so worn down I ended up with bronchitis and I’ve had one heck of a time fighting the cough!  I finally started to feel a lot better last week and after yesterday’s call from the doctor was put on Cipro to fight the bacteria.  I went to bed saying to myself “In 7 days after I’m done with the antibiotic I’m going to be good as new!”  First dose of Cipro taken at lunch and within the hour it made me dizzy – I can’t manage like that for 7 days!  Oh gosh I’m ready to get better!!

So…I’m aiming for February 1st to be my NEW YEAR / NEW START and a positive 2012!!  That being said I’ve made a commitment to give 10% of everything I sell from my little side business - GeminiRed Creations and my Etsy site – GeminiRed to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation – Georgia Chapter!  I hope you will help me make a difference in the lives of those effected by Crohn’s and Colitis – especially children!  There is no reason for them to go through what my mother and I have gone through.  It can be a debilitating and embarrassing situation.  Help me promote my site and sell my handmade items so I can help raise awareness and help to find a cure!!

iPhone Days 5+

I’m definitely loving my new iPhone.  This time last year I bought the Samsung Epic 4g and had a love/hate relationship with it for the entire year.  In fact, I liked the Android part of it pretty well, but I knew pretty quickly that I didn’t “love” it and I probably should have taken it back to the store during the 30 day return period but opted to stick it out.  Now I wonder why I did that when I know what true love it.

Siri and I keep having misunderstandings, but I think once she and I cut through the early stages of our relationship we will have a long and happy life together.  She just doesn’t seem to know when I want her and when I don’t.  We are having some issues with the pick up to talk thing.  Perhaps when I go to the Genius bar at Apple about my iPad (it has a fat lip – not really sure what happened – but I did NOT drop it! – I give that thing a lot of extra TLC) I will ask for the Siri 101 lesson assuming there is such a thing.

I broke down and bought a case for the phone.  The phone felt so nice and just right in my hand so I’m a bit disappointed about the bulkier feel and that I no longer feel the smooth cold surface of the glass in my hand, but safety first is my motto!  Upon recommendation I purchased a Speck Candyshell.  I bought white (it has some grey trim) because I bought a white phone.  I know you are saying “why does that matter?”  Well – I bought a white phone because I wanted a white phone – not hot pink, plaid or otherwise.

So far so good and if anyone asked me – yes, I’d definitely recommend the iPhone 4s!

iPhone Day 4

I can’t believe it’s day 4 already.  Technically it should be day -8 or -10 since I didn’t think I’d have it yet.

I used the standard apps today – Facebook, lots of Words with Friends, text messaging (iMessage), Foursquare, and another “job” with Field Agent.  I searched high and low through the App Store today for  a couple of apps that would fit what I’m looking for and didn’t find them.  So, now I’d love to know how to write my own.  I’m not a developer (or a designer) but I know what I’d like the end product to look like.  Maybe I can find someone to work with and we can both get rich. LOL

iTouch officially in the mail to my brother so I am now the owner of an iPad and iPhone.  Next thing on my “wish list” is the new car stereo which I mentioned in a previous post.  Best Buy is currently out of stock at the local store (should have picked it up last time I was in there looking at it).

The Speck Candyshell was recommended to me so I guess I will look into that.  The problem is, I like the way the phone feels in my hand – the smoothness of the device and the overall size.  I’m not sure how I would like it with a case on it.  However, the idea of it being “safe” is a plus.

I have some other post ideas that are not iPhone related that I need to get in writing…so look for them in the near future!

iPhone Day 3

Today being Thanksgiving I didn’t spend a bunch of time “playing” with the phone beyond the normal things I am already versed in such as many rounds of Words with Friends.

I did go online to figure out how to assign ringtones to certain people in my contact list.  Because of that my brother’s ringtone is now Star Wars, mom’s is now Stayin’ Alive, and my friend Jenn’s is now Defying Gravity from Wicked.  And, I setup the default ringtone to be Old Phone (I’m sure you know what I mean).

I also used the Field Agent app again today to go to the local CVS to verify their Duracell battery display.  Tonight if I wanted to go driving around I could have gone and done a bunch of Black Friday related “shops”.  Oh, and I used the Fandango app to find out what time Tower Heist was playing so we could go after Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrel.

I made sure all my music is now on my iPhone so that I can listen in the car (once I get my new car stereo with the USB and AUX input).  I reset my iTouch and prepared it to send to my brother.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!