Nail Polish

Yesterday at school Mrs. O asked me about my nail polish.  She said she had heard of a nail polish that was very similar to the gel polish you get at salons.   That this nail polish was guaranteed to last 10 days with no chips or fading.  Wow.  That got me to thinking.

After school I ran by CVS.   I had a 25% off your entire purchase coupon and it was expiring in one day.  I needed a few things anyway so it was my chance to look at the nail polish.

Here is what I bought:

Color:  200  Stormy Night
Pretty, huh.  Not too purple.  Not too gray.  Not too halloweenish.


I tend to lean toward the pink/purple colors.  In fact I have way too many of that same color.  I took a walk on the wild side and bought from a different section of the color wheel.  I'm a maverick.



The polish went on as smooth as any polish.  I noticed nothing different about the thickness or "paintability"  Is that a word?  What I mean is it went on my nails just like regular nail polish.

Here are my nails right after I painted them.  I took it with my phone.  I just had to.  I had wet nails!  So the photo isn't that great.  You'll understand I'm sure.

I'm going to keep track for you and test it out.  It would be nice to find nail polish that would honestly last more than a week.  And this week my nails will get a workout.  I'm a teacher so naturally I wash my hands more than the average bear.  Over and over and over again!  For supper we had shrimp so my painted nails peeled and deveined a couple of pounds.  Typing and cleaning and opening and closing and folding and clearing - this will surely be THE TEST for this nail polish.

I have to say the color is still shiny and smooth.  No chips.  Onward to tomorrow.


In other news:  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my rash.  I've been off the medicine for 3 weeks.  The rash has gotten better in some places and today I noticed it breaking out in other places.  The itching is ............. well, the itching is maddening.

Lisinopril

Well, it happened.  I've decided to get back in the swing of things and start blogging regularly.

I have a lot to blog about.

First of all, I had my annual doctor's appointment with the ole GYN in July.  Yes that was months ago. I'm just now telling you about it because it's been a looonnnggg few months.  At the time there was no news.  Which is good when you visit the GYN.  You do NOT want news.  You want NO NEWS.

I did get a little news.  My blood pressure was elevated.  And it was elevated last year.  And the year before.  The nurse would always ask me if I thought it was that white coat anxiety.  I don't think so.  She advised me to take my bp at random times over the next few weeks.  Keep track of it.  Just for my own knowledge.

And so I did.

And yes, it was elevated.  In fact more than once it was high high HIGH.

Now Ironman has been on BP medication for several years.  He told me he felt so much better.  He didn't even realize how bad he felt until lisinopril.  No more headaches.  No more afternoon drag.  He felt great.

So I made an appointment and went to my family doctor.  We talked about options and finally I left with a Rx for lisinopril.   A month later I returned for a follow up visit.  My bp was normal.  I felt tine.  Oddly I felt the same.  But I guess since the bp was normal, that's a good thing.

School started.

And now it's November.  And I am covered in a red prickly rash  It's awful.  I managed it for more than a week.  Well, I didn't actually manage it.  I just tolerated it.  I soaked in aveeno.  I dipped myself in cortisone 10.  I noticed that the rash would pop up here and disappear there only to pop up over yonder.  It began on my chest and hair line.  Cleared up but popped up on my waist and hips.  That was awful.  Finally began to clean there and popped up on the back of my arms.  I didn't know what in the world I was allergic to.  I changed my deodorant, my shampoo, my hairspray.  Nothing helped.  Then one night Ironman asked me, "Do you think it could be the lisinopril?"  Well............................ let's google it
.
Oh come on, everybody googles symptoms.

And there it was.  Side effects:  cough, headache, nausea, diarrhea and RASH.  As I read through the less frequent symptoms I realized I had just about all of them.  The depression.  The fatigue.  The rash

Gosh, I have been depressed.  I even talked about quitting my job.  It was all I could do to get dressed.
Yes, I was depressed.

I never really had the cough or nausea.  But oh baby did I have the rash!

So I stopped the lisinopril.  Cold Turkey.  Stopped.  Did not talk to the doctor  I wanted the rash GONE NOW.

Within a few days I noticed the fatigue had lifted.  I was feeling better and no longer depressed.

The rash is better but still irritating.   I notice I itch everywhere.  I guess the nerve endings are irritated.

I do plan to return to the doctor.  I just haven't.  Here are the reasons:

1.  I quit the medicine without doctor approval.
2.  They'll make me weigh.  (It won't be pretty)
3.  My bp will be back up  Disapproving look from nurse
4.  SO BUSY!!

And so........ I'll keep you updated.

I've also thought of a fun thing to do with this blog.  It starts tomorrow.  I'm only working a half day.  So tomorrow afternoon stay tuned for some cute stuff!!

Toodles

Dear Blog, How Have you Been?

Hello Blog.

I think of you often.

Life is busy, you know.

I have many, many exciting things to tell you.  Halloween was fast and furious as always.  As a preschool teacher I will let you know that this event is almost as exciting as Christmas.  The candy, the costumes, the music, the decorations -- it's a fun time.  Of course, in preschool this is our motto:

No scary ghosts or witches
No creepy crawly bugs
Just lots of Halloween Wishes
and plenty of kisses and hugs

I put that poem inside a decorative bag and fill it with, of course, Hershey's Kisses and Hugs Candy.

Everyone came to school dressed in costume.  We had a Costume Parade.  Sang some fun songs, ate a special Halloween Cookie.  Moms were there to help change from costume to play clothes and then we ran, ran, ran on the playground.  I tried to "run off the sugar".

One small piece of advice to Moms of Preschoolers:  On a special day like Trick or Treat day?  Figure out a way to leave early.  I realize it can be hard with today's hectic schedules.  But when all the children in the class leave after the party with Mom........... the 1 or 2 children that are left at school have many tears.  I do my best to make it special and I hope I succeed.  But I feel just as sad as they.

Do NOT be the last parent to pick up your child.

Day after Day I have one sweet girl who is the last child.  The late fee is $25 a MINUTE.  Yes, a minute.  But Mom is consistently late.   One by one all her friends leave happily with a loved one.  This little girl sits sullen anticipating but knowing that white van won't be there until last.

Shame.

In other news:  Dancer Girl went to a party.  Yes, they went trick or treating although I wondered if 14 is too old!  I warned her:  Do NOT bring Reese's pb cups into this house!  But she did.  Oh no, she did.  So far I've managed to avoid them

I.T. girl has almost finished her college essays.

The Engineer is home for the weekend.


***************

Things I've googled:

How to Clean a Bathroom like a Professional  (yes, I did.  And yes I learned tricks)
How to Make a Bed like a Pottery Barn Designer (wow.  I'll never make it any other way)
Lisinopril rash.  Ugh.  I've been off the med for 3 weeks.  Rash is still hanging around.  Itchy
My Dryer Is Taking Too Long to Dry.  Ironman won't look at it.

OH, should I include a link for each?  Oh my.

Toodles!

My Aching Feet

I have always loved shoes.  Always.  They say shoes are popular with many women because you don't have to enter a dressing room to try them on.  And that usually you wear the same size for years.  And that really you can not be discriminated against by the size of your shoes.

You know what I mean.

For years I wore an 8.5.  As long as it was 8.5 I could wear any heel height, any toe shape, and style, any color, any anything.  And I did.  I had shoes from Payless to Macys to Goudchaux's.   Hey - that was all before the internet shopping days.

Last year I turned the big 50.  I didn't feel older anywhere in my body except for my feet.  It's crazy.  Suddenly my foot is wider.  What is up with that?  Also, I can no longer fit into an 8.5.  I must have a 9.5W.  Yes, WIDE!  Shoes of that size suffer in availability and the all important stylishness.

Thanks go online shopping the search has become a little bit easier.  But because my feet ache most of the time I find it hard to buy a brand with no track record.   I need to try them on first.  Take a test walk.  Have one of my teenage girls give me her opinion as to the matron-ness of the style.  We don't do matronly.

Is there a secret to buying shoes online?

Dots and Spots

Ironman hit his head.  He refused to go for medical care.  So a bandaid will have to do.  (we did get the bleeding to stop)

I.T. girl got a migraine during the school day.  She managed to stay and finish the day.  She said, "I couldn't see out of my left eye"  That is the worst part of a migraine - the aura, the blind spots, the nausea.  It's almost a relief when those symptoms disappear and the vice grips your head.  I said ALMOST because migraine pain affects you from your head to your toes.

I took Dancer Girl to the dermatologist.  We have been going once a month since May.  Hold on to your hats if you are queasy.  She had warts.  Yes, warts.  I guess she had been playing with frogs.  She started with a dozen spread out on both hands.  Today it is down to 3.  The doctor told us he was sure they'd be gone within the next 5 weeks.  So we did not schedule another follow up appointment.  I put the date 5 weeks from now in my smart phone.  On that day we will look at her fingers and decide if they need to be subjected to continued treatment.  

Speaking of Dancer Girl, at her last orthodontist appointment, Dr C. was not happy at all with her gums.  He said they were irritated, swollen and her teeth were in danger of being affected by her poor brushing skills.  I wondered secretly if she was a caveman.  In fact, when we got in the car I asked her just that.  ARE YOU A CAVEMAN?   She has an appointment with the hygenist tomorrow after school.   Her next ortho appointment is in November and I'm going to be sure her teeth and gums will be healthy.

That leaves The Engineer - he is working on a Senior Design Project.  And (drum roll) he got a job offer from Halliburton!!  He told us that he is not interested in working in the oil and gas industry.  Hey, it's a J.O.B.!  Does the boy know there are few jobs in this economy?    He doesn't have to decide right now.  He doesn't graduate until May.  But it sure was exciting when he told me about the phone call.

Then here I am.  Sitting in front of the computer.  Listening to the presidential debate.  
The kitchen is clean.
The dog is fed and happy and fat
The laundry is finished for now.
The rug in the keeping room needs vacuuming.

So is life.

:)

I"ve asked before but I'm asking again....

Are you a listener or a "teller".

I am definitely a listener.  Maybe I should not say I'm a listener.  I should probably say I'm a quiet sitter.  I sit and enable you to talk on and on and on about yourself.
And your family.

And your dinner plans.  

And your pets.

I sit and pretend to listen.  Of course I can't help BUT listen since you are talking right at my face.

The few times I've mentioned something about myself I'm interrupted and immediately regret even trying to join the conversation.

It's torture to me.  I am bored.  And frustrated.  And, in a way, I feel used.

I run thoughts through my head before I say them aloud.  Usually that prevents me from blurting out some boring comment.  My comments, although unsaid, are just as boring or provocative as yours.  I just decide in the privacy of my thoughts to keep them inside.  I don't have the energy to compete.

Gosh I wish you would SHUT YOUR MOUTH!  I wish you would show the same courtesy toward me as I force myself to show you.

I have one colleague that would score a big fat ZERO if given a questionnaire about me.  Well, she might get 1 point for knowing my name.  But other than that she knows nothing about me.  She is too busy discussing her life.  And I listen.  Like always.

What can I do?

I can walk away.  Done that.
I can pretend to be distracted.  Done that, too.
I can just not open the door and invite a conversation.  Yep.  Done that.

I'm tired.

I miss having a back and forth conversation.

I miss having a best friend.

I miss having things in common with  another adult whom I'm not related to.

I miss being included.

I miss being noticed and considered.

I will find my place one day soon.  For now I will bloom where I'm planted.

Hugs and Kisses for today.

Things that bug me

It's Saturday morning and the house is quiet.  Finally.  Still, I'm a little cranky for some reason.

Here are a few things that are bugging me.  

My rash is back.  Yes, the doctor told me it probably will return and so he put a few refills on my medicine.  Well, unfortunately he was correct.  Nothing like chronic itching to make you cranky.

One of my brothers in law has not followed through on his end of the bargain.  It's a long complicated story, but basically he needs to make a few phone calls, pay one or two debts (which total less than $250) and the deal will be complete.  It's not the money that is involved, it's the fact that his lack of motivation is causing so much stress in the family.  And in my opinion, it's needless stress.  Why let it happen? He told Ironman that there are taxes to pay.  Ironman called and found out the taxes due are $200.  And that will be split 5 ways!  I mean, come on............... crazy stuff.

Work is frustrating.  I know it happens every October.  In October we all hit the wall.  We are tired.  The teachers are tired, the children are tired.  It's not stop go go go from Labor Day until Thanksgiving.
Many days I feel under utilized.  This is my 19th year to be a primary teacher.  But it's only my 2nd year at this school.  I"m ready for more responsibility.   I offered yesterday to do more and my offer was  - let's just say - not embraced.  It wasn't exactly shot down.  Just more like "let's just wait"  Well, how long do you want to wait to take down the summer decor and replace with some fall mums and pumpkins?  Crazy stuff.

8th grade science fair.  Oh how the word science fair sends a shiver up my spine.  We have until Friday to submit our topic.  Dancer Girl told her science teacher she had an idea to experiment which brand of potato chip had the most oil.  Science teacher's response?  "Alison!  You are in the 8th grade.  Choose something harder"  So she said, "I can measure the vividness of sunset and compare to the humidity present"  (My middle daughter won district with that project when she was in the 8th grade)  Science teacher's response, "Uh................ that sounds a little confusing and uninteresting and you have one more week.  You'll come up with something"  Ugh.

Laundry.  It never ends.

Dust.  Where does it come from?

Soap Scum.  How in the WORLD do you get if off shower doors?  I bought another product the other day.  Going to try it today with a Magic Eraser.  Maybe sand paper would work.  :)

People who do not email me back. 

 What is up with you?  That is RUDE.

I'll feel better when I clean the kitchen, knock out a few loads of laundry, have another cup of coffee.  Load photos onto this blog.  Take a nap.

Hugs and Kisses