Arbonne International

Just a quick heads up... look for an invitation to a special Arbonne International party I'll be hosting in July!!

Arbonne offers amazing products that focus on three main things: being pure, safe, and beneficial.

They offer several complete lines of products, including anti-aging, daily skin care, nutritional aides, cosmetics (I switched ALL of my cosmetics over to Arbonne!) and BABY CARE!!

At the time of the party, all products will be offered at 35% off, with lots of special deals as well!

I hope to take advantage of the sunshine and possibly have the party outside, enjoying some desserts and other good snacks!

If you have any questions before the party, or are interested in trying products out now before you buy, just let me know!

Unhealthy Me

Yesterday morning, around 7:30am, I woke up with a weird ache in my side/back. I got up, began moving around, and the pain felt worse. It was on the right side, right where my kidney is. I pushed around a little bit, and the whole kidney-area was very tender. I called Mom at work and told her about it, and she told me to call the doctor and try to get in. So I did.

At my 3:15pm appointment, the doctor examined me and poked around some more on my kidney. Then she palpated my gallbladder. And I almost punched her. The pain was that intense. Based on my lack of any other symptoms, she concluded that my gallbladder duct was a little clogged, and so it was backing up into my kidney. Like a gallstone. Hence the pain in those two spots. Yay for me, right? So I was instructed to stick to bland food for a few days, and to watch for any other symptoms, such as nausea or a fever. But my appointment wasn't over.

For about a year or so, I've had a very rapid resting pulse, as well as severe palpitations that come and go. I took Valium for about a week, but that just put me to sleep instantly. And I tried a blood pressure medication, but that didn't help. So I've sort of ignored it. I had an EKG done last year, but it came back normal as can be. Well, when I was in for my appointment yesterday, my heart (finally!) started acting up when a doctor was around to witness it. She took numerous pulse readings, and it just hovered between 120 and 135. When I was sitting still. And had been for an hour. With no caffeine, no exercise, no nothing. So she did another EKG right then. And it came back not quite so normal. Not like "you're going to have a heart attack tomorrow," but definitely not 100% perfect. So lucky me, I get to go to the cardiologist Friday afternoon and wear a cardiac event monitor for a week.

And in the meantime, my kidney still hurts. Isn't life fun?

Racing Pictures

Here are some pictures from Saturday night at the races...

A Night At The Races

Last night was my first night serving as Trophy Girl at South Sound Speedway. Shelly asked me to do it for the entire season, but being down there every Saturday night from March until October would get a little old I think. So I'm just filling in as needed. And last night was the first of eight scheduled weekends for me for the summer.

The Parade Lap starts at 6:30pm, and racing follows. This means the Campbell Chrysler Dodge-sponsored Pace Car leads us out, and I ride in the Trophy Car behind the Pace Car. This car also comes from Campbell, but every week its a different Trophy Car from the dealership. Last night was a Dodge Caliber. The Trophy Car Driver was a dealer from Campbell, and he was so sweet! He told me all about his grandkids, how he's getting ready to retire, and all sorts of other things.

Last night was Military Appreciation Night at the track. For the Parade Lap, they invited some of the Army soldiers that were there in uniform to come down on the track. The guy that stands on the tower and waves the flags during the race is responsible for coming and getting me out the Trophy Car and walking me around on the track. So, he came over, opened the door, and we walked down to the bottom of the straightaway, and a Navy Officer sang the National Anthem. Then, back to the Trophy Car, and we make some laps with the Pace Car. Then the racing begins!!

They rand four different classes last night: Wesco Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks, Vintage Modified's, and Limited Late Models (those are the really cool, big, fast cars!). Each class ran a Trophy Dash, and so I got to go out after the Heat Races and present trophies and take pictures. It was so windy last night that my hair kept blowing in my face. But luckily Stormy is really good at timing her pictures, so she managed to get some WITHOUT hair in the my face.

Next were heat races, which don't have trophies. So I hung out in the stands, got something to eat, and enjoyed the racing taking place. After intermission, they started the mains.

The Mini stocks were first, followed by the Wesco Sprints, then the Vintage Modified's, and finally the Limited Late Models. After each main, I went out and presented trophies. It was so fun to be out there, with the crowd cheering. And all of the drivers were so nice. During the mains, I either stood down next to the track and watched from the pits, or sat in the Trophy Car when I got cold. The Pace Car Driver came over and asked if I wanted to go out in the Pace Car with him! So, I jumped in. Every time there was a wreck, we got to go out and line the cars up. It was SO neat flying around the track, and looking back and seeing 16 Late Model cars behind you, all lined up. Plus, there was a track radio in the car, so I got to hear everything the track officials were saying.

So, needless to say, it was a very fun night. Everyone was so nice down there, and I even met the owner of the track. Can't wait to do it again on July 12th!

I Thought Summer Was Supposed To Be Relaxing...

Why is it that as soon as I get done with one thing, I feel the need to take on ten more things to fill that space? Here I am, getting down to the last week of my summer class, and I already have a million new things scheduled!!

Being on the Health Center Committee for Saint Martin's University, I'm busy creating presentations to show to the incoming freshmen's parents at Orientation. And trying to coordinate with everyone to make sure the actual Health Center is being renovated and will be open in time for classes starting in August. This Center is something I've becoming very passionate about, probably because I've spent the last four years working in a clinic.

In addition, I'm in charge of coordinating registration for the Association of Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education's Annual Conference, which will be held at SMU in March of 2009. Heading this committee has become a huge time commitment. But I'm passionate about it, just like the Health Center. I think I'm looking forward to these both being over with, and being able to say, "Hey, I helped make those possible! I did that!"

When I was dating Jared, I met some really incredible people in his life, some of whom I've kept in contact with. Shelly works down at South Sound Speedway, and contacted me back in March/April about being Trophy Girl down at the track. However, I didn't want to have to give up every Saturday from April through September. I love my weekends too much (see previous posts!). So I politely declined. Then, about a month ago, she called me again. And asked me to "fill-in" for a couple of weekends for the current Trophy Girl. Since I always thought it sounded like fun, I agreed. So, for eight Saturdays this summer, I will be serving as the South Sound Speedway Trophy Girl. Here are the dates: June 21st, July 12th, July 26th, August 9th, August 23rd, August 30th, September 13th, and September 27th. If you're down in the Rochester area any of those nights, stop by and see me! I'll be the one riding around the track in the Pace Car! :)

Disneyland is in 16 days, and I couldn't be more excited! Sunny weather, no parents, great friends, and Mickey!!

Arbonne is finally taking off, and I'm looking forward to scheduling some one-on-ones with people soon to start introducing them to our wonderful products!!

Look for pictures and more posts soon!!

What A Funny Feeling

There have been so many times in my life when my mom has come to my rescue. From getting a flat tire, to having my battery die, to all sorts of other things, my mom has always been just a phone call away. She would drop anything, and come wherever I needed her to. And she would save the nagging and the, "I told you so!" until later, after I'd calmed down. For one of the first times today, I got to rescue her.

My Aunt Phyllis was put in the hospital yesterday, for a heart condition. Her cardiologist decided he didn't want to wait to do surgery, and so tomorrow morning, she is scheduled for a double bypass and valve replacement. Very scary stuff. So Mom went to visit her this morning, after having another doctor's appointment of her own.

I was sitting in class, counting down until the time I got to leave and head for work. Around 11:15, my phone rang. Obviously, I wasn't able to answer it. But thanks to Mom finally becoming tech-savvy, she simply texted me that her car wouldn't start. So I jumped at the opportunity to leave class early!

I met her at the parking lot where her car was, and we jumped in my car to head over to the hospital to see my aunt. We visited for a little while, and then went back to Mom's car. We jump started it, and she was off and running! I headed to work, and so did she. I told her to call me when she got off work if her car wouldn't start again.

On my way back to work, I started remember all of those times she's come to help me. And I realized, it felt really neat to be able to help her for once. Even with something as trivial as jump-starting her car. We may not always get along, but over the last year, we almost feel more equal now, and not just like mom-and-daughter. She has really come to be more like friend, and someone I can always count on. And she's not just any friend. She's my best friend.

Oh how I live for my weekends...

Ever since I've been in college, and even more this past year, I have LIVED for my weekends to come. I get so busy and stressed during the week, I count down the hours until I get a Friday night. Except I always try to cram too much into those two and a half short days. This weekend, however, I finally got the chance to relax.

Friday night was bowling, which always starts the weekend off well. Even though I did HORRIBLY, I loved every minutes of it. Jason, Pat, and Troy on my team are always so supportive and helpful, even if they do make fun of me for not being "pro's" life them. I get to hang out with them, and Rachel and Jeff and Cody, and Rachel's mom (Mollie) and stepdad (Bob). And Ian came to watch too. All in all, I have come to really look forward to bowling Friday nights, and hope to continue even in the fall.

After bowling, we headed over to Aunt Pam's house for Jessica's graduation party. And, I got to hold Baby Sam for the first time!! He's absolutely perfect, and the way he snuggled up to me when I held him was so sweet. I could hold him for hours and hours. But of course, I had to share him with everyone else.

Saturday morning, I helped Mom mow the lawn, and then headed to downtown Olympia. A friend of ours and her husband had a class to take, so I watched their little girl, Mia, for an hour or so. We played in the park, walked to the fountain, checked out the fruit and vegetables in the Farmer's Market, and scared seagulls away. The weather was gorgeous, and I forgot how much fun it can be to just walk around without a set plan. That's rare for me!

After that, I visited with my friend Todd, who I met at Saint Martin's my first year there. He recently joined the Marines, and has been in Virginia for several months. He finally got to come home, and is now stationed here! He was always like a twin brother to me in school; we hardly went anywhere without each other! I'm so thankful he's home, and I can see him and his (very large!) family whenever I want. There are 8 kids, ranging from 20 to 4 months. Each has a very unique personality, and I love getting to know them individually.

Saturday night, I babysat (again) for some relatives, while they went out with my parents. I'm sure it was a much-needed Adults Night Out for all of them. The girls and I jumped on the trampoline, ate ice cream, watched movies, and they crashed out around midnight. Mom and Dad came home around 1:30am, and were very appreciative of my help.

Sunday, I woke up with an eye ache, so I spend the morning "resting my eyes" (a.k.a. sleeping in and napping). That afternoon, I went to Bob and Mollie's for a Father's Day barbecue with Jeff and Rachel, and took adorable pictures of Cody, which I'll post later. We spend that evening at home, celebrating Father's Day with Rick, who had been working outside all day.

Now, with only two weeks left of class, I'm really starting to feel like summer's coming! I have so many exciting plans for these next two and a half months... Look for lots of updates!!

I Forgot!!

What was I thinking?! I forgot one of the most exciting parts of my life right now!! Ready for it??

I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!!

That's right! I leave Saturday, July 5th, bright and early. Jeff and Rachel are taking their two kids, Jaylen and Cody, down for Jaylen's 13th birthday. And they invited me to go!! I'll be there helping with Cody mostly, so they can enjoy the big-kid rides with Jaylen, since I'm not a huge fan of them anyways. But I'm looking forward to enjoying some sunshine, and a break from work and school. Should be a great time!!

A New Start

This year has brought so many changes into my life, both for the good and the not-so-good. Here's my attempt at describing the last new months in a nutshell....

First off, I'm still chugging away at school. I'm taking a summer class right now, trying to eliminate some of the work for next year. It's an Organic Chemistry class, and very intense. But I'll be done the 26th of June, and then I'll spend the rest of my summer just working, and getting ready to start my final year at Saint Martin's University!!

Speaking of work - its the same as usual. I'm nearing four years there, and I wouldn't trade a single day of it. I have learned so much that sometimes I amaze myself with the facts and techniques I have learned. I have the sweetest patients, and I look forward to working with them every single day, knowing I get to make a difference in their quality of life.

I've been practically living at my best friend Rachel's house, hanging out with her and her husband and their son Cody. He's 14 months, and one of the most important people in my life. I would do anything necessary for that little guy. If I go one or two days without seeing him, I miss that cute little round face of his. Since I've been with them so much, I've been "hanging out" with Jeff's friend Ian from work. Ian actually grew up in Packwood, and knows much of dad's side of the family. We all have a lot of fun together, and this summer is looking to be one of the best ever.

Jeff and Rachel convinced me to play on their summer bowling league, which takes place Friday nights. I'm on a team with Rachel's stepbrother Jason and some of his friends. I don't think I've ever enjoyed bowling so much!! We have a ton of fun, and since these boys are so good at bowling, it forces me to be better. I even have my own ball and shoes!! My highest game this season has been a 175, and I've also gotten a 157. But my average is around 123. If all goes well, I may even bowl in their fall league!

As if all this wasn't enough, I recently decided to join the network marketing community, and am gearing up to start selling Arbonne International produces. This truly amazing company offers some of the best skin care and health products around. They have been around for 28 years, and their motto is pure, safe, beneficial. I didn't believe in the product until I started using all of Rachel's products, and now I can't imagine using anything else. Rachel switched all of her baby products to Arbonne from Johnson & Johnson. Cody has always had bad eczema on his legs, and nothing seemed to make it better. After using Arbonne lotion on Cody's legs, his eczema has gone away and he has baby-soft skin again! The best part about Arbonne is you actually get to use the product before buying it. I come talk with you, tell you about our company and products, and then leave you with some products you're interested in. You give them back in a week or so, and by then, you're guaranteed to love them.

So, that's my life right now. I'm sure I'm leaving out many, many details, and I'll add them in as I think of them. Right now though, life is good!