Wow where has the time gone?  Here it is, 9 days before Christmas and I still have a few more gifts to get and a lot more to wrap.  Any volunteers for wrapping?  Definitely not my favorite job.  And for some reason I got it into my head that I’d like to try and make chocolates.  Not just any chocolates though, alcohol infused chocolates and possibly cream filled ones.  So I’ve been scouring the world wide web looking for directions and I think I have it down, well the alcohol ones anyway.  And with those I just have to decide on flavors.  I’m thinking maybe some Bailey’s Irish Mint and Caramel and maybe a peppermint one.

As for the cream chocolates, I found these instructions which would have me making a fondant.  I’m not sure how well that would work.  Not because I don’t think I can make it, but I’m not sure how well a fondant would work as a filling.  The ingredients don’t make it sound too bad.  Then again, I could go easy and just do peanut butter as a filling.  So I might do that this weekend since I guess I won’t be playing the house version of Where’s Waldo with J on Saturday. 

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Last weekend I got a fancy pants new scale!  It’s this one and it measures body fat and hydration as well as weight.   So I’ve been curious about my hydration levels and I stepped on it twice Monday – once to get my official weight for the day and just before bed to see what my hydration was.  I also stepped on it Tuesday morning and this morning.  So yesterdays weight (’cause I can’t get just hydration) was 2 lbs less than Monday’s and today was another pound less.  I’m still going with my official weight for Monday, but it’s pretty nice to see that number going down.

And on the weight front I’ve stopped working from home for my full time job.  It got to the point I was feeling pretty lethargic about doing anything.  I’d get up in the morning, get on my computer, take a nap at lunch, get off work and go plant myself on the couch. I had no desire to really do anything.  And while I wouldn’t say I was depressed, I could see me heading that direction. Especially since both MS and my MS meds have been known to cause depression.  Being back in the office full time means I’m also back to going to the gym 5 days a week instead of just 2.  And there’s been a definite change for me.  I’m able to attend 2 yoga classes a week and I love it! I think I’m already feeling the benefits of the extra class.  Plus I decided to try and become a runner.  Not an easy task when my thigh/quad muscles become tired so very easily sometimes.

So I’m doing a modified version of the couch to 5k plan. I’m up to jogging 90 seconds and walking 2 minutes for the 20 minute period.  I’ve gotten my mile time down to around 14 minutes.  Woohoo!  It’s the little things.  I’m also working on control when it comes to eating.  I’m not really back to Weight Watchers (although I’ve been considering it).  Instead of I’ve been concentrating more on making better choices and adding in more fruit and vegetables. It’s been working pretty well and I’ve got a Butternut Squash recipe I found that I love, and that’s a new vegetable (fruit?) for me.  The recipe is here if you’re interested. I will say that the parmesan cheese is a take it or leave it ingredient.  It really didn’t seem to add anything flavor wise.  At least not to me.

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This week hasn’t been so great health wise.  Monday I left my full time job early with a migraine. My neurologist gave me some samples of a migraine medication, something I’ve never tried before. And the dang thing knocked me out! I ended up laying down at 1:45, got up at 4:45 only because I forced myself to, otherwise I was afraid I’d be up all night.  I managed to make it to 9:15, went back to bed and was up again at 10.  And I was up for 2 hours.  Once I got back to sleep though, I slept the rest of the night.

Last night I woke up around 1am scratching.  It took me a minute or so to realize I couldn’t stop and I should check it out. Head to the bathroom and sure enough, I had a hive on my left wrist, both inner thighs and a couple other places. I’ve had hives land me in the hospital before so I tend to be very careful when I start to break out. I checked to see if I have any Benedryl, didn’t find any.  But I do have some Tylenol Allergy that literally started working within seconds.  I stayed up for a bit to make sure I would have to make a middle of th enight run to the ER.  I’m looking forward to an un-interrupted night of sleep tonight.  Think it’ll happen? 

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I also have to say the weather around here has been driving me batty.  A cold front will come through and the temps will drop, which means I can open up the windows and enjoy not having the AC on.  THEN a few days later a warm front moves through making it hot and muggy again.  So much for winter and being able to have the AC off.  Ma Nature, would you please hurry up and make up your mind here?

And on that note, it’s time for me to log off from my part time job and head to bed.  Have a very Merry Christmas, don’t let anyone stress you out.  And have a safe and happy New Years!

Meeting number 2 for my MS Support / Social Group happened today and it was amazing! I contacted a local dog trainer, Clark Inghram of Inghram’s Sit ‘N Stay Dog Academy about doing a presentation on service dogs.  Clark Inghram is the owner/founder and provided a wonderful presentation.

He brought with him two volunteer trainers and 5 dogs, including a 9 month old Australian Shephard.  He showed us the basic commands that he teaches all the dogs and explained some of the different things service dogs have been trained on to assist their owners.  One dog acts as a brace for the owner who has MS.  If the owner needs assistance in getting up the dog is able to provide that and wears a special harness to be able to do so.  Another dog assists a person with Cerebal Palsy who walks leaning forward and quickly.  This places his weight off center and the person was prone to falling.  He was matched with a dog that walks slower so the dog walks slightly behind and is able to slow the person down a bit.  This dog is also trained as a brace so if his master does fall down the dog can assist him in getting back up.

Inghram’s first does basic training, making sure the dogs are able to sit, stay, back up, leave it, etc.  Once that foundation has been laid, they then move on to any additional specialty training based on the needs of the owner.  Currently they have 5 puppies (one of which was the Australian Shepard) that are being fostered and going through their basic training.  Once the pups reach a year Inghram’s is going to locate service personnel in the area in need of a service dog and determine what that particular person needs. Once that has been determined than additional training for both the dog and its new owner will take place.  The same procedure is carried out for all of their service dogs, the additional training occurs once they have identified what services the dog is needed to provide.

Everyone really enjoyed the presentation and I was really happy to see people learning about an alternative assistive device, something other than wheelchairs or canes, etc.

Saturday nights are bowling league nights and November happens to contain 3 birthdays for our little group. Monday’s is Bowling Boys birthday. Poor thing has to work, so he decided he wanted to celebrate tonight after bowling. And celebrate he did! He got pretty happy and I got lots of pictures and some videos. But first, his wife Red. She’s a bit tired, and I don’t blame her. She has a 2 year old and a 1 month old at home.

Red got in a nice nap and was feeling refreshed when we moved into the bar area of the bowling alley after league was done. To celebrate Bowling Boys birthday some shots were had. Bowling Boy made sure no alcohol was wasted and cleaned the tray after the drinks were delivered.

Red and Super K ordered blow jobs, Super K’s husband was at home with their kids so Red stepped in for him. Here’s some videos of the girls enjoying their shots.  

Then it was time for Bowling Boys presents. J and I got him a gag gift, and there’s no way I could have just taken pictures of this and done it justice.  So here’s video, and if you don’t see any of the other videos in this post at least see this one. 

This was a gag gift based on a picture Red had sent us from their vacation earlier this year. They were at a beach and Bowling Boy was not only buried in the sand, he was also sculpted with a female figure. So we figured he needed some support for his new figure, that and he’s tried on some of Red’s clothing before (goofing around I hope). So he definitely needed some of his own.  So here’s Bowling Boy in all his new outfit glory!

Bowling Boy just had to thank J for the gift.

 And of course he had to be stuffed to make sure he completely filled out the cups.

Here’s a random conversation we had with Bowling Boy. I’m not sure how we got on this topic, but it was fun listening to him explain and justify.   

 Poor bowling boy seemed ready for bed at this point.

Friday J and I headed over to Ft. Lauderdale to do a face to face with someone I’ve been chatting online with for almost 3 years.  Julie and I “meet” in a message board thread for those living with MS.  And after chatting for a few months oblivious me finally noticed her signature and had a lightbulb go off.  Her signature had her flicker account username as MsSmith (name changed to protect the innocent ), which happens to be Mom’s maiden name. 

Julie set up her flicker username as her soon to be married name.  A few inquiries later, mostly to Grandpa who’s memory is slowly starting to resemble swiss cheese, and it was determined that Julie’s then fiance Rob is actually a distant cousin.  So not only did I go to meet with an online buddy, but also a distant cousin.  Julie and Rob were in Ft. Lauderdale to head out on a cruise Saturday to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary.

J took a vacation day and came with so we both enjoyed a three day weekend.  For those interested in Ft. Lauderdale, fair warning.  THEY CAN’T DRIVE!  If there’s an inch of open space between you and the vehicle in front of you, someone else will decide they need to be in that space.  And no signaling either. 

Friday night was spent relaxing with Julie and Rob over dinner.  Saturday while Julie and Rob were boarding and enjoying their ship, J and I decided to play tourist.  We wanted to do a snorkle trip, but that was pretty much out of the question in part thanks to Ida hanging out in the Caribbean.  I know, it’s many many many miles away.  But we’re still feeling the effects here in Florida.  Trust me, I battled the winds the entire drive across Alligator Alley, there and back.  Here’s a video of the waves, this is a beach in Ft. Lauderdale.

Since snorkeling was out of the question we headed over to the Bonnet House.  This house was built by artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, a post impressionist.  He decided to build a plantation house, using his interpretation.  The house and grounds are beautiful and I was glad I had my camera with to take pictures. 

This was our view when we first walked into the courtyard of the house.  The fountain originally was made out of shells, but had to be recast in something sturdier when the shells broke down.

This is a closer look at the railings.  They were sent from New Orleans for the house.  The red roofed building slightly behind the tree is an aviary.

An orchid at Bonnet House.  The home owners were avid orchid fans and even had a greenhouse to grow them in.

These next few pictures are some of Frederic Bartlett’s artwork.  He painted the ceiling’s of some areas of the walkways.  Also, he set the shells in the cement for the eagle design.

These were two swans on the property.

There were also these monkey’s on the property.

Mom and baby monkey.

Dinner Saturday night was at the 15th St. Fisheries. I don’t like fish so I had the chicken tenders.  J however had their skillet, the fish for that varies depending on what was messed up while being prepared for other entrees.  The chef of course doesn’t want those items to go to waste, so they put it into the skillet, which is cooked with a wine alfredo sauce.  The sauce was amazing!  It’s really too bad I don’t like fish, otherwise I would totally have had that dish.  We ate on the main level, it was a little more casual and the menu is cheaper.  Our table looked out over the dock where we got to watch restaurant staff feeding the tarpon and jack (according to one gentleman, jack are like pirinha).  When the sun went down and it was full dark we got to watch fish swimming over the lights that are set down in the water.  We also did some speculating on the view outside our window.  Like this yacht.

And this yacht.  The bridge just beyond the yacht, when Julie and Rob’s ship departed we watched it sail past that  bridge.

We definitely had a good time in Ft. Lauderdale, but I don’t want to be there again without a horn.  And I wouldn’t want to live there.  It’s a good place to visit, on occasion.

Well, for a week anyway.  I have time off with my full time job and it’s use it or lose it.  So I’m using it next week.   For most of the week I’m not doing anything, not going anywhere.  But I’m looking foward to sleeping in, reading and relaxing.  And probably some riding. 

I am looking forward to next Friday though.  A friend from a message board I frequent will be coming down here to head out on a cruise.  Not only have we chatted and talked about a ton of stuff over the last few years, but she also married a distant cousin of mine.  Small world huh?  So I’m meeting my friend in person for the first time AND meeting some more family. 

I’m also hoping it’ll cool down next week, if I remember right we’re supposed to have some lower temps.  I’d love to be able to get out with Ciera and snap some pictures for those suffering from the cold and snow.

Here’s a couple videos of Ciera.

J and I went to Daytona Beach for the day on Saturday to attend the annual Biketober Fest.  I’ve never been to any of the bike events over there, it just hasn’t been possible with my work schedule.  This was the first and I’m really glad it was this and not Bike Week, which J said has a ton more people.

We finally got the promised cold front after a day full of rain on Friday.  So Saturday morning felt great, until I got on the bike anyway.  I left my place and headed over to J’s wearing a t-shirt, a windbreaker and my full face helmet.  Got to J’s and added the long sleeve t-shirt I had in my backpack and my 2 pairs of knit gloves.  We had overcast skys until around Orlando, then the sun started to show up and it warmed up a bit.  I got to discover just how many miles I can go on a tank of gas, we had just gotten onto I95 when my bike started to decelerate.  A couple of weeks ago we had gone to a local bike event and when we left to head home, I had forgotten to turn my fuel back on.  Turns out forgetting then was a good thing, because when my bike started to slow down, while going 80 mph on the freeway, I knew what the problem was. 

Heading into Daytona Beach I didn’t get to see a whole lot, I was too busy concentrating on driving.  It actually made me wish I’d ridden as a passenger on J’s bike for my first trip so I could look around.  Of course I wouldn’t have been able to make the 125ish miles on the back of his bike, because of the location of the foot pegs I would have ended up with some very sore leg/butt muscles.  On my bike though, ohh it was nice!  My hands got sore, mostly because even with the gloves they were a little chilled and thanks to my MS, my hands cramped a bit.  My back also got a little sore on the way over, but that was pretty much it.  And I have some pictures!  There is one that is not work/child safe, it’ll be the last one with a warning.  So, without further ado…

This was the first picture I took and I had to take it for Dad.  I know the lighting doesn’t really show it, but it’s purple and yellow.  It’s the Vikings bike

I’m wondering if I could train Ciera to ride with me.  I love the little doggie goggles the dog is wearing here.

Got a family of 3 but most bikes only carry two?  Well no problem with the super duper family hauler!  Hmmm, seats like that might work for Ciera.

This gives new meaning to the alternate term for motorcycles.

I just love the paint job on this one.

And this one.  The level of detail is stunning.

J asked “You don’t believe those are nuns and nuns ride?” My response was “Nuns on bikes, sure.  Nuns on bikes giving the finger?  Nope.”  The one on the scooter was flipping the bird to bystanders as they took her (his?) picture.

Part of the fun was just watching the people and the different costumes and outfits they wore.  If this couple was on a bike I’m not entirely sure who did the actual driving.  Or if she managed to avoid flashing everyone.

More people watching.

I’m still trying to figure out how she got this top on without ripping anything.  Maybe she put a top on that was whole and had someone shred it after?  I’m not entirely sure.

This bike was pretty cool as well.  Even J and his buddy couldn’t figure out how the blue was done.

And some eye candy.  He looked just as good from the front.  And see the girl “between” the two guys?  She’s one of the bar girls.  One of the things that surprised me was none of the bar girls wore bikinis.  Nope, they all wore lingerie.  For the most part nothing was actually showing though.  Anything that was lacy was usually worn over another pair of something else. But it was definitely an interesting sight.

This one was at the bike event we attended at the beginning of the month.  I got a kick out of all the pink on this one.

And finally, here’s your warning.  This next picture is not work/kid/innocent eyes safe.  So if you don’t want to see it, now is a good time to take off.

Still here?  Ok.  Here ya go!

Looks like one can buy pretty much anything at one of the Daytona bike events.  Including these play toys.

And boy was that the case today.  When working with the volunteer coordinator at the Mid-Florida chapter of the MS Society it was suggested that I do a more social group rather than a support group.  Now, I’ve had tons of ideas for doing a support group and the different speakers/topics I can bring in.  So the suggestion to do a social group meant I had to adjust the a different track.  Not a problem, I’m excited about doing this and I’m flexible. 

So I started brainstorming different ideas of events and where they could be held.  It’s important that the events stay cheap because most of these people are on expensive medications, not just their disease modifying drugs, but often other medications to combat the other symptoms caused by MS.  That’s where my idea for a game afternoon came into play.  I imagined everyone getting together, chatting while playing Monopoly or Uno and munching on the few snacks I’d brought (chips, cookies and, since it’s almost Halloween, candy).

That’s not how this afternoon turned out and it went great!  Seven people came (eight if you count me ), two were spouses of someone living with MS and there was a range of disability with this disability.  So some didn’t look like they have a disability at all and some it was very obvious.  Instead of playing games, we just talked.  We shared personal experiences with disease itself, experiences with doctors and medications.  And the two hours absolutely flew by!  I had a great time with everyone and I’m really looking forward to seeing them again next month.  Only this time, I’m not going to bring snacks.  I came home with the same amount of food as I went there with; everyone at bowling is going to love me tonight.

Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, sometimes a little nutty.  Right now, overall, life is pretty sweet.  I’m very excited about tomorrow, and that’s contributing to the sweet part. 

I’m going to be doing some volunteering for the National MS Society and starting tomorrow I’m going to be leading a support group for those with MS!  Doing this fulfills a need and desire I’ve had to do more with the National MS Society and the volunteer co-ordinator has been amazingly helpful with this.    The group is going to be more of a social support group and tomorrow is our very first meeting; an afternoon of games, just something lighthearted for people to get together, chat and maybe forget about everything for a while. 

I’m also working on coming up with ideas for future events.  One that will happen is a yoga class.  I’ve talked to my yoga instructor from the gym at work and while details need to be hammered out, she wants to come teach it!  The class will focus more on adaptations that can be done for yoga poses for those who maybe are chair bound or can’t get onto the floor.  I’m also tentatively planning on a potluck or a cookie exchange for December, again something where people can get together, chat and let the stress of life and the holidays just slide away for a little bit.  I’m also planning on contacting the SouthEast Guide Dogs or DogSense Obdience to check on finding someone who trains service dogs for people with disabilities.  I’d love to have someone come in and speak about how a service dog can be a help beyond the usually obvious guide dogs. 

The social support group is starting to become a reality and I’ve had a lot of people respond positively.  I’m looking forward to connecting to more people fighting MS and hopefully making some new friends.

They’ve been given and received, so I can finally share these with everyone  

 First is the dragon.  I was in between projects and decided I wanted to make a dragon.  I knew it was going to be a gift for someone and J suggested our friend’s daughter.  Yesterday they had her 2nd birthday party, so the dragon got wrapped for Monkey. 

Monkey’s mom is having her 2nd daughter on Friday, so this was made for the new baby.  Monkey got one in solid purple and I wanted something a little different for new baby.  Using what I had on hand, this is what I came up with.  I used no specific pattern for color change with this one.  It was more a case of “ok, I’m ready for a new color now”.