Bon Appetit !

Dessert Chair

This year I have been chairing the dessert silent auction tables for my son's school auction. It has been fun to procure items to be placed on the table and work with our decorations committee to come up with a beautiful display for the many items we have.

I am very excited to complete the burlap bunting I am making.  I have this idea for the burlap bunting to hang over the tables with the statement Bon Appetit!  Here's a few instructions on how I went about making this item.

First I grabbed cardboard bunting cutouts from our local craft store Craft Warehouse.  I have six inch wide burlap. I needed scissors, Elmer's glue adhesive  and a place to work.

Next I took the spray adhesive and sprayed the cardboard bunting cutout completely and covered the burlap over one side.  I folded the burlap over the top flat straight edge of the cutout and sprayed adhesive on the other side. Let it dry for a few minutes and completed that for the number of bunting pieces you desire.  For me it was the same number to fit the needs of the saying.  Notice I purchased the cardboard cutouts that already had prepunched holes at the top.  This is going to allow me to have even spacing when I thread the ribbon, twine or whatever I choose to hand this bunting with.

 

 

Have I told you all how much I truly love creating things with my Silhouette Cameo machine?  Well I do. So here's what I did the next step. I downloaded a font that I loved off of freefonts.com and uploaded that font into my Silhouette software.  Then I typed into the silhouette software the letters and sizing that I felt to be appropriate with the size of the bunting.  I had stencils cut out with the machine.  I used the stencils and silhouette fabric paint to paint the letters on individual bunting triangles.

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

Once completed I will show you how I strung it together and hung it at the auction.  I have to letter the back side and add the shabby chic white flowers for a little pizazz! A little more work to go but looking great!

Silly Putty it Just Takes Time

Re-Teaching your Brain

It is all about re-training your brain to do what you already knew how to do post stroke.  I have been carrying around the toughest level of putty (blue color) and two bands (one orange and one green the colors indicate different levels of resistance) in order to complete the exercises that have been assigned to me. 

picture found on ebay advertisement

Thursday was my most recent appointment at Center of Health and Healing (CHH) the part of OHSU that is located East of I-5.  I spent the day with my husband with a few other appointments and getting some work completed.  I made my way down the tram to CHH for my appointment where I waited fro 10 minutes post appointment time. Then I was called back by a different Occupational Therapist than my previous appointment.  We discussed what continuing difficulties I was having (which I might add are not  many).  They include not being able to untwist smaller (pop bottle) caps that are twisted on too tightly, holding my cell phone in that hand while texting without fatigue and writing more than a page without fatigue. 

I was curious if the exercises I have been doing to rebuild strength were making a difference. So we checked. I held the handy dandy strength machine in each hand three times and gripped with all my might.  It turns out that my right dominant hand strength is slowly increasing from what it was last time about a few weeks ago. Similarly my individual finger strength is increasing as well.  It was a great visit.

picture found on http://www.fantastickidsstuff.com/2012/11/25/activities-for-theraputty/

The Occupational Therapist asked me to show her how I was completing the exercises, so I pulled out my putty, my bands and my picture list of exercises and began the demonstration.  I indicated to her the ease I was having with some of them.  Time to switch it up.  The OT brought out a deck of cards, a block with nuts and bolts and other cards with pictures of hand (fine motor) exercises and she began to assess what difficulty with those I was having.  By the end of the appointment I had knew exercises with my silly putty and household items (deck of cards, change from coin purse) to practice daily.

The biggest piece I took away from our conversation and practice during this appointment is that really "time" is the biggest factor to increase my sensation and strength. It is really re-training my brain to work correctly again (though not far from it now) in order to do the movements that I was previously able to do.  Give it time. Give it time. Work it out and be intentional but give it time.  This is a lesson in patience for me.

Sense of Community

Sense of community

I love my son's school St. Mary Catholic School!  It brings a nostalgic feeling for me each and every time I set foot into that school. The schools "feel", and "look" (school climate) is much like that of the one I grew up in Holy Redeemer Area School (now Holy Redeemer, name change).   I remember when I was growing up that I felt small and the school felt so incredibly big.  I think every grade school actually feels that way you just do not realize it until you leave and return for some random reason and then realize how small it actually was. 

My grade school career began though, at Immaculate Heart Catholic school which was located across from the park directly across from Emmanuel Hospital.  It was at this school that I was one of a few that were Caucasian attending this inner city  Catholic school. The archdiocese of Portland decided not to fund that school the year I was completing my third grade with Ms. Fasulo (so loved her as a teacher).  So the following fourth grade year I switched schools with a few of my friends and began attending Holy Redeemer.  That was a trip.

Immaculate Heart was a neat school. I remember many teachers fondly!  Fran was our Kindergarten teacher, I remember Chapter One program which is now Title IA (I manage in my current district), then there was Ms. Benjamin, Mrs. Munson and Ms. Fasulo.   It was there, where I learned other important things like dancing from my fellow classmates who were in "step", learned to roll my eyes (which was a crucial thing to know how to do to be part of the "in" group) and have built many a friendship.  It was at that particular school where I learned the most about people, humans and how color didn't matter. Mind you I was one of a few (including my sister) Caucasian students attending this school. See this grainy early 80's photo below.

 

Can you find me or my sister?  Oh the memories I have of this school and of my friends.  Tess and Tress the twins, Kifah, Joanna, Willie (RIP), Zawdie, Jeff, Doug, Velvet, Stephanie, Kuniko, and many more.  Two things stand out for me.  One, my first communion, where just two of us were entering that sacrament  Jacques Bontemps (Sp?) and myself.  The second, one of my favorite memories was the whole school play at Matt Dishman Community Center, The Wiz!  Wow the memories, the friendships and the community!

 

Holy Redeemer was no exception.  A much larger school than that of Immaculate Heart but just a community oriented and relational! I have many friends and fond memories of those times; school yard dodge ball, burn-em-out, basketball, boy crushes, girl-friend drama, dancing, and great teachers.  I remember Friday night BINGO for the adults and our parents setting up for that. I remember graduation from eighth grade and much more!  A sense of home. 

 

 

 

When you grow up and have your own kids, you tend to want more for them! I am selective about their education. Though I work in public school systems, I believe that there is parent choice and parent right to impart or instill their religious beliefs and access the best possible things for your children as you can.  I love the Catholic community in Stayton.  Oddly enough, I didn't realize that I had connection with Stayton through my high school Principal Father Murphy!  It wasn't until I met with Father Murphy with my soon to be husband to discuss our wedding plans that he was to preside over.    It turned into a walk down memory lane for Father!  He and my husband knew many people in common as Father Murphy was the pastor at Immaculate Conception (our current church) and worked at Regis HS there in Stayton.  He is known by all! (HOME AGAIN)

 

 

Picture from the Catholic Sentinel taken at the Installation Mass for Archbishop Sample.

 

 

Central Catholic years continued to instill community, friendship, teacher mentors and relationships (in addition to the education I received).  A sense of home, adoration for teachers, priests and nuns.  Fond memories there as well and one that I would love to impart to my own children (sense of community). I keep in touch mostly through Facebook with many of my own classmates.  A great adventure for sure.

 

 

 

 

As I have and raise my own children, I want for them, what I was able to experience, sense of community, building relationships, and a learning environment that feels like home.  St. Mary Catholic school has begun to offer that for my oldest son.  It is a community effort from the fundraising, to collaborating with teachers, to being on the same page to instill religious beliefs at home and at school.  The parents are great! The teacher (so far Preschool) has been outstanding and my son, feels comfortable, at home, and respectful! This is his HOME, just as my school climate made me have that sense of home as well.  It is my hope that my children gain as much from their educational experiences as I have from mine and find their sense of belonging, friendships and mentors. 

 

Write a book?

I was listening to someone yesterday who was sharing a few woes about her life to me.  I suggested she and her husband co-author a book. I told her that it might be therapeutic. Her response, "We've thought about it because telling our stories verbally no one really believes it, it is all sorts of crazy!"  It got me thinking, that there are bumps in every ones road through life that one might term "CRAZY." Everyone's story is different, but what really makes a best seller?  Is is the more dramatic the real life story? The way it was written with all sorts of descriptor words that pull you as the reader in? Or is it the personal connection that can be made?  What is it?  I know of several people who are published for poetry, cookbooks, and children's books.  What inspired them to write those pieces?  Obviously, one person loves to cook a certain way, one enjoyed teaching and children's stories, and the other had a knack for writing Haiku.  They were connected with words, stories and passionate about what they were (are) doing. 

Check it out:  Peas and Thank You (a friends wife is the author) and Peas and Thank You Again cookbooks.  My fathers haiku work.  There are just a few things that I am referring to.

My sister and I often joke about writing our life story. Would people be interested in reading it? What makes our lives so special that someone would want to read about it? Would our words captivate an audience, an audience that might be one like Oprah had with her book club back when she televised her talk show (that is now obsolete).  The notoriety of being on Oprah's Book Club would be great, but is that really the reason to share your story?  Aside from being a therapeutic or cathartic means of processing or reflecting on your own life what else would the purpose of sharing our story?  To help others, to get the word out about something?  Do we share our woes? Is that proper? So many questions, so little answers.

There are educators that have their students write and publish books as part of a class assignment. Internet sites make it easy for you to get an actual bound book finished product.  Students get a sense of pride when they see their final work in that type of format. 

So I am still undecided as to "if" I will embark upon that journey. Maybe I will just stick to the blog posts from time to time and reflect upon my life's path up to today, I am young still (so I think), I certainly have things to share but don't know if I have what it takes to captivate an audience to sit down and read about "MY" life story, interests or even if I would capture those pieces.  Maybe I can con my sister into co-authoring a book in the future but for now I will stick to my blogging and own reflections and leave the writing to others.

One Month Ago

 

 

One month ago I suffered several mini-strokes (how many that means I couldn't tell you). Since then I have had to monitor intake of leafy greens (veggies really, herbs etc) and have bridged from Lovenox (Enoxoparin self injections) to Coumadin only (57.5 mgs per week in pill form). I have endured daily, weekly and now every two weeks INR blood level checks at the STEPS clinic.  I am the youngest person wherever I go and manage to still have a smile on my face,  able to joke around with those personnel I come into contact with and continue to be positive. 

 

Today I went to OHSU's Stroke clinic for my one month follow up appointment post hospitalization.  Not knowing really what to expect, I got just that. It started as most of my appointments usually do. Check in, joke around, sit in the waiting room filled with mostly older people, play around on my phone or iPAD until I am called back to a room.  Weight, temperature, and blood pressure are all taken. A few questions like, are you in pain? Answer is always no.  Verification is made as to how much and what type of drug I am taking. With that the nurse leaves and I wait a few moments for the doctor.  Today I was originally supposed to meet with Dr. Rontal, due to his schedule being backed up, I was switched to meet with Dr. Clark.  My husband warned me a bit about his appearance as he is familiar with this gentleman.  I thought to myself, I don't really care what the man looks like as long as he has good bedside manner and knows his stuff. 

 

Dr. Clark and his trusty nurse (an interesting woman I might add) arrived.  He started off by answering the questions I already prepared myself to ask before I even got to ask them.  So the answer to the first question which is what is the chance of my internal carotoid artery recanalising (opening)?  50/50 Fifty percent it will and fifty percent it won't ever reopen. So that was interesting.  If the artery does reopen partially or at all the reason I am on Coumadin is to help prevent that particular blockage (clot) from throwing to the brain causing more strokes (massive or otherwise).  The time frame that the artery has to either reopen or not is the four months.  It will either do it or it won't within that time frame.  Should it reopen I will remain on Coumadin for the next three or four months with another visit after that.  Should it not.. most likely will be prescribed an Aspirin a day for the rest of my life.  So all in all a good visit. Stay the course!

 

So next up are two more occupational therapy appointments in April, continued INR clinic checks hoping to make those monthly and finally in June a scheduled CTA of the head and neck and a follow up appointment with Dr. Clark to review those results and determine the next course of action.  

 

On the way home I told my husband I think I am going to have a pool voting for what will happen.. Taking bets everyone.. will it (the artery) open or not?  What do you think?

 

 

 

Oh Help Me Now!

Coumadin!

It is super funny being the youngest person in the STEPS clinic getting my INR Levels checked for Coumadin (Warfarin) therapy. I am as young as many of the RN's that are working there.  The conversation from the other patients I frequently overhear is hilarious! AND there are times I totally identify with their struggles, especially when their levels are out of their therapeutic range because of what they ate. Too much cabbage, cole slaw, kale, or other leafy greens to name a few of the items that mess with your Coumadin drug. 

 

Typically this is how it goes.  You walk in (if you are a reoccurring patient) the person checks you in, provides a medical identification bracelet and verifies with you your date of birth (DOB). You proceed to wait in the waiting room until your RN comes to get you for your level check.  Typically you are led to an office looking room with desk, table and chairs, a portable blood pressure machine that checks checks your Systolic and Diastolic levels as well as your heart rate. They take your temperature and begin prepping the machine that reads your blood level. Once the button is pressed on the machine the nurse has so long to prep your finger that they are going to prick , prick your finger and pull enough of a blood bubble to seep onto the blood stick thing sticking out of the machine (don't know the technical term) so that it can be read.  If all goes well this only happens once. (There have been times that I have had two nurses taking turns on three different times in the same setting to get one to be read correctly).  Next comes the questioning depending on your level. If you are in range you receive minimal questions. Questions like, are you feeling OK?, bruising? have you had any excessive bleeding?  Are you in pain?  If you are over range (which I have not been yet) I am sure there are other things they will tell you like, maybe eat more leafy greens to bring down the level back into range.  If you are under range, they will scrutinize your diet (I started keeping a log), this includes alcohol, and other items that keep your INR levels lower. 

Here are some articles I found that describe very easily what  affects your INR levels with Coumadin therapy and why.  Take a look.  A Diet With Coumadin Therapy found on Livestrong.Com and written by Roma Lightsey.  Also found Warfarin diet: What foods should I avoid? found on the Mayoclinic.com. 

Before I was allowed to leave the hospital, the pharmacist came into my hospital bedroom and schooled me on the in's and outs of Coumadin. It was an interesting conversation, and eye opener and wonderment (from me) as to how I was going to accomplish this task.  I LOVE MY GREENS! I eat them ALL of the time. I eat a large amount. I could eat straight avocado, cucumbers, large salads, asparagus, broccoli etc.  I eat it all! I also love to have wine and alcohol on a weekly basis and was being asked to limit that.  Why drink at all was my thought and still is at this point.  SUCKS. 
Well I have been good, keeping my diet consistent and limiting the green foods, (even my son keeps track for me now).  Today on our trip to the beach I began craving the yummy salad that I normally eat at Dory's Cove restaurant with my clam chowder. It is almost tradition for our family to frequent that place.  Sometimes we drive there just for dinner or lunch.  I wondered why my husband hadn't suggested that place for lunch rather we went to McMenamins Lighthouse restaurant.  It wasn't until we were home late  in the evening when I had mentioned that I was going to have some salad and that I was craving something like that to eat that he had mentioned the salad at Dory's Cove was the reason he didn't suggest that because he knew I would be upset and wouldn't order that for lunch. 

 

WELL I ATE A SALAD tonight! I did, I admit it. I ate a small bowl of salad tonight. It tasted so good. While I was eating it I was thinking of all the green stuff I had eaten in small moderation since my last INR check on Thursday.  I turned to my hubs and asked him to remind me not to eat much of it for the rest of the week until Thursday to even out my levels. But boy did that salad taste good!  I know the idea is not to alter your normal daily habits but that also means that you might be on a really high dosage of Coumadin and that drug isn't the nicest drug. So I chose to reduce my large weekly intake of greens to maintain a smaller dosage, which by the way my doctor stated that I seem to have a high dosage of Coumadin already.  We shall see what this Thursday's level is. Wish me luck!

Welcoming Random Plans

Spring Break

Normally, or shall I say, in the past prior to this particular gig I have, now called work, I had Spring Break off without pay much like all the other teachers around the country. Yes I said without pay.  They are days that are not part of the working contract and are therefore unpaid.  I had grown accustom to having time off regularly around Thanksgiving (due to conferences), Winter Break (Christmas through New Years), Spring Break and then again end of June through late August.  However, for the past four years as a school administrator I had most of those things off but a shorter summer.  Now as an administrator in a different school district I have a year round contract.  For the
first time in my life I have to take paid vacation. Interesting changes, which also means I must plan out vacation time to cover those times my kids are off.  This is a new thing and I am adjusting.

That being said,  this Spring Break is going to be random. Random plans.  As most who know me well I am a plan it out kind of gal.  I like to know well in advance what the plans are, who is involved and then I prepare accordingly.  So random Spring Break plans is another first for me.  I do however have a little structure for the week, my medical appointments.  Yes, couldn't get around that.  I have my weekly INR blood level check on Thursday (am), and Friday am 1 month follow up visit with a neurologist at OHSU Stroke Clinic (still weird saying that!).  Other than that we have structured a few play dates for Ty with a couple of his friends!

Random Plan #1

Today (Sunday), after I woke up 10 minutes before Palm Sunday service (we live 2 blocks away) and went to 8am Mass, we asked our son what he wanted to do today. His reply, "I want to go to the beach on baycation (vacation) like we did with Auntie Mimi!" We did a little negotiation because, really that meant to Hawaii and we weren't going to make that deal come true. So Lincoln City, OR it was!  This was great. Caleb our youngest had been one or two times before with us but wasn't really mobile yet, so we packed extra clothes, buckets and shovels (what we could find) and a few snacks and headed out.  We don't live far from the beach within an hour or so driving distance.  Love where we live by the way about an hour from the snow/mountains and and hour or so from the beach and hour from big cities.  It seems kind of central when you think of it that way. 

Today we lucked out with the weather being mildly calm.  There was barely a wind, it was a little chilly, but the sun was out, there was blue sky with clouds and we were going to go play in the sand.  Our oldest loved rolling up his pants and ventured into the water (it was cold by the way). His feet turned red. Caleb my youngest ate sand, played in the sand with buckets and shovels, watched his brother in the water and tried to enter as well. We have video and pictures. 

My husband and I took turns taking adventurous walks with Ty.  We found a "lucky" penny on the sand, rocks, and at one point my husband found a few tiny rock crabs and picked them up to show Ty.  It was relaxing great and fun! We drove up and down the coastline on Hwy 101 and the kids took turns taking naps, snacking and talking.  What a fabulously great day!

I wonder what we will do next.  I know that this week is open to do whatever we would like to do. I hold nothing back and yet we can do nothing, hang out at home and just enjoy each others company and I would love that too. Enjoying my kids and my husband is a great thing.  I love to do whatever, whenever as long as they are a part of it with me!