Apr29

Dear Grandpa

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Dear Grandpa

There’s been so much on my mind recently, but no time to write about any of it. I wanted to dedicate a post to my Grandpa who recently passed away before I went onto anything else, but with no time or energy everything has fallen to the wayside.

My good lookin grandparents in 1943

In the past 3 years, I have watched 2 people die of cancer, which is absolutely, overwhelmingly sad. A few years ago when my godfather died, my dad’s business partner, I started to work for my dad to help alleviate some pressure and have been there ever since. That was a traumatic experience that took me a really long time to get over, and has really shaped my life significantly. It made me realize that I wanted to do something rewarding with my life and not waste my talents, which is why I’m currently studying Nonprofit Management.

Hero!

Recently, my grandpa, a World War II Vet, died just shy of Easter. He was so smart. While in the Army Corps of Engineers stationed in India, he volunteered his time to build a portable Iron Lung from scratch using spare parts, which helped save the life of a young officer. For this he was awarded the Bronze Star. My favorite thing about him was his sense of humor. He was one of those rare gentlemen, a good man and impossible not to love. My heart hurt when his spirit left the world, the recognition of a great loss, a gaping hole in the good energy on Earth.

1916-2012

A few days later, my friend’s sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in the same town as my grandpa, which just so happens to be 5 hours away from my home. When things like that happen, it makes you realize that everything does happen for a reason, that there needs to be room for new life, and life goes on.

Happy Birthday!

Lastly, my grandpa lived a good, long life until 96. My grandma is 93 and still going strong. I found this on their fridge:

Golden Rules for Living

Simple advice that goes a long way…

Dear Grandpa,

I miss you.

Love,

Chelsea

Mar26

K-Cup Catastrophe

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K-Cup Catastrophe

I am having a nervous breakdown because I was just reading an article about the 15 Foods You Should Never Buy (The 15 Most Pointless Foods in Your Supermarket) and my treasured Keurig K-Cups are on there! WHhhhYYYyyyy?!

The article says how wasteful they are, “made from non-recyclable, non-biodegradable plastic” that “leach chemicals that can interfere with hormonal development” when heated. Yikes. Besides the fact I’m trying to eat healthy, I’m studying Nonprofit Management…What are my environmentalist peers going to think about my non-biodegradable waste?! I need to fix this.The article recommends buying a stovetop espresso maker like the Bialetti, which looks awesome, but is just not for me. My beloved Keurig is a time-saver, set to automatically turn on and off so the stove-top thing just isn’t going to cut it.

ekobrew: Reusable Filter for Keurig

I did a little search and read about A Greener K-Cup. Why didn’t I know about the ekobrew cup? A single cup is about $12 on amazon. It is refillable, easy to clean, and made of 100% BPA free plastic. It is environmentally friendly and is probably going to save me a ton of money not having to buy those overpriced K-cups! Usually I got to T.J. Maxx to buy K-cups because they are cheaper and occasionally carry the revv brew, but sometimes they don’t have any in stock and I leave empty handed longing to buy one of the many bags of coffee whose smell has embedded itself in my nose. As soon as I get home I’m making sure my Keurig is compatible so I can get the ekobrew and buy whatever I want! I’ll let you know how it goes.

P.S. My eyes are almost healed from ICL surgery! I’ll share that experience as soon as I can get an after pic

Mar9

Aye Eye Update

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Aye Eye Update

Ahoy my pretties,

As you may know, I have been MIA because I am having eye surgeries.

The first one went really well!!

I have been documenting the whole process with recovery pictures and am writing right now with an eye patch on. Arrggggh…

Aye – here’s to hoping the 2nd eye goes as well as the 1st!! Surgery is on Tuesday!

Wish me luck,

One-Eyed Chel

Feb20

Forget Sorting. Safety Pin.

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Forget Sorting. Safety Pin.

I'm sick of sorting!

I went to a house party the other day. It was raining so everyone took off their shoes by the door. When I took mine off I realized I was wearing 2 different socks, blue and black… ugh.

To be fair, they looked the same when I was in a rush, scrambling to get out the door. But it seems like I’ve been getting pretty lazy with my laundry lately. I rationalize that no one can see my socks through my shoes so I don’t really care what I have on. I throw all my socks in the drawer and pick them out when I feel like it. Snowman sock and Santa sock? They’re both Christmas so they match… right?

Not even close.

My sock drawer has gotten really bad lately. It’s at the point where I might just donate them (is that ok if they aren’t matched?) and go buy new pairs.

I should have listened to my mother. It seems I’ve developed a ringing in my ears that sounds awfully like “Pin your socks!”

Pin em

My mom always made us pin our socks so that they would stay together in the machines. It’s the best little trick that saves a lot of time. I’m going to invest in some right now!

 

Feb16

Iridotomy Review

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Iridotomy Review

On Valentine’s Day I had a date with to the Doctor’s…

While people across the country were getting beautiful bouquets of roses, heart shaped containers full of chocolates, or at least a greeting card, I was getting holes lasered into my eyeballs..so romantic.

I did receive 2 cards: 1 was from my Aunt and Uncle. On the front was a picture of a man in a bottle, and the inside read, “Add water.” I assumed it meant to add water to grow the perfect man, but now I’m thinking that it could have also meant add water to drown the man. Eh, either way…

I also got a card from my parents. This isn’t weird. I saw a stat on the news that said, “about 40% of the 180 million Valentine’s cards purchased will be done so by parents.”

*sigh* Eye Can’t Win

I had to get an Iridotomy on Valentine’s Day since I am scheduled for ICL surgeries in the upcoming weeks. Essentially, it’s a procedure that relieves pressure build up in the eye. The ICLs (like a contact lens implant) that are going in my eye don’t have a hole in the center like ones they are using in Europe. Since it takes a while for FDA approval, mine won’t have the hole in the center to help the fluid flow through so holes had to be created in my eyeballs instead. I didn’t realize it was the procedure they use on Glaucoma patients until after I had it done. The night before I wasn’t allowed to eat after midnight or wear makeup. Here is a review of the process.

my eye

What You Can Expect

It wasn’t so bad. You rest your chin and push your forehead against the bar like in the regular machines they use to do eye tests. Then, my doctor had to find the thin part of the iris by using thermal heat. He told me that I would feel a twinge during this, but I didn’t really feel anything. It’s the actual lasering of holes that was uncomfortable. My doctor described it as getting a rubberband flicked at you, which I didn’t think would be too bad, but as I’ve never had a rubberband flicked at my actual eye before it was worse than I expected. For some reason, I had it in my head that it was only going to be a couple zaps, but I think it was at least 8 or so in both eyes (my iris was thick). I guess it varies from patient to patient. It was a pretty quick procedure and really wasn’t too painful (the analogy was a pretty good one if you think about it in regard to your eye and not your skin). It definitely could have been worse.

Aftermath

For some reason they tell you that you can go to work afterwards. Technically, I guess I could have, but I definitely wouldn’t have been that productive. There are so many different drops in your eyes including a gel that they use for the procedure that need to flush out first. I also experienced a headache afterwards (not major), even though they had given me Tylenol beforehand. There is also a ton of debris floating around your eye from what I over-exaggerate to be a huge explosion from the laser. I have a prescription for eye drops that I put in 4 times the first day, 3 times the 2nd day…2 times…1 time, which look milky and sting slightly. I was exhausted afterwards probably mostly from nerves and an early appointment. I didn’t have a headache or pain the next day. Now I’m just waiting for surgery on my right eye on February 28. Wish me luck!

 

Feb9

Plan PJs

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Plan PJs

If changing into PJs after work was an Olympic event, then I would be a gold medalist.

Getting comfy is the first thing I do when I get home and I’m sure I’m not alone. But, there is a problem with this routine. Once I’m comfy I don’t want do do anything or go anywhere that involves me getting changed again.

Here’s my fear.

In high school I was either running cross country or running track. Then, the first year of college I tore my ACL and stopped exercising like I used to. I stopped exercising, but continued eating, eating, eating, and drinking. Screw the Freshmen 15. After 4 years, I had gained around 50 lbs. About 6 months after I graduated, I started with a personal trainer 2 days a week and learned to start eating better. I continued doing personal training for 2 years, have lost at least 40 lbs., and am getting toned (finally!). 2012 is the year for me to workout on my own. I’m comfortable doing the exercises and confident that I’ll keep it up, but I just started graduate school. Since I’m working full-time, going to school full-time, and doing homework the rest of the time (so it seems), I am afraid that I am going to slack off because sometimes I’m just too damn tired.

My cardio goal for this year was to do at least 8 miles a week, but it’s not really working out like I’ve planned. I do, however, still try to workout with weights 2 mornings a week. Hopefully, I can rectify cardio in the summer when I have more time. But for now, before I get into my pjs and start on my never ending grad school work, I will have force myself to do:

 

Plan PJs

That’s it you ask??? Yep! This isn’t supposed to be a hardcore workout. This is a lazy day workout. A pre-pj workout if you will. It takes no time at all!

 

Honestly, yesterday I did it mid-changing.

 

I didn’t do my morning workout like I planned to and put it off until after class. At 8:30 pm, when I got home and had to finish my take home quiz, did I feel like working out? Hell no. Feeling bad about myself as I was mid-change, I decided I was going to do something…anything. My abs and triceps need some work so I decided that no matter how tired I am, plan pjs is getting done.

 

Carpe Diem: Post-pjs in the morning or pre-pjs at night. You decide. It’s easy enough to do, and something’s better than nothing! Good luck!

 

(background pic taken from wallbase.cc)
Jan25

Deja Vu XLVI

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Deja Vu XLVI

The Giants are going to the Super Bowl!!!!! wooooooooooo

That was a craaazzzyyy game on Sunday, which happened to be my Mom’s birthday. The perseverant Eli Manning deserves the win for the constant battle and beating he withstood throughout the game. He also deserves it for his brother, Peyton, who had to have neck surgery, resulting in a God awful season for the Colts, and who doesn’t know whether or not he will be returning as a Colt next season (WHAT?!?). Check out why the new changes in headquarters have saddened Peyton.

I’m experiencing a bit of deja vu with this Super Bowl. In 2007, I watched the Giants vs. Patriots Super Bowl at a frat next to my apartment with a small group of friends. I was a Junior undergrad in college then, and I wore my jersey on game day for weeks without washing it (I can’t remember if it was Osi’s or Eli’s).

I just returned to school to start my Master’s program, and the Giants are back in gear, preparing for Round 2 vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Last year, I had bought this really awesome Victoria’s Secret hoodie that has the big NY logo on the back around Christmas time, and then was super bummed out because I never got to wear it in support. On the contrary, this past weekend I wore it 3 days in a row, only to take it off after the game. I’m going to do the same thing Super Bowl weekend to keep the same energy going (no, I’m not going to wash it).

back of my hoodie made mostly of sequins

I really love my zip-up because it’s long and comfy and the design on the back is shiny and sparkly. I love, love, love it. Sometimes it’s good to switch it up from the jerseys that are always too long no matter what size you buy them in.

I tried to look up more of the same NFL merchandise online, but originally I couldn’t find it anywhere. I looked at the tag and it says 5th & Ocean LLC, which I’ve found has been bought by New Era. I don’t see any NFL merchandise at all, but I found a bunch of Yankees stuff! Yay! So what I’ve discovered is that the Victoria’s Secret Giants merchandise is only being sold in stores. For those of you who aren’t Giants fans, I hate you here is a link to their website that can tell you if your teams collection is available online.

My superstitious self has requested that my 2007 friends get back together for Super Bowl XLVI, but so far I’ve only got possibly 2 takers. Therefore, if the Giants lose I will be blaming the flakes, and they will be banished for all eternity defriended on Facebook.

GO GIANTS!!!!!

 

Jan24

Let Them Talk Review

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Let Them Talk Review

House, my favorite show ever, came back on tv last night! Mondays @ 8pm on Fox! It was a hilariously, good episode.

I absolutely love Hugh Laurie and admire his talents immensely. Besides masking his British accent while playing his role as Dr. House on the show, and actually producing a couple of the episodes, Hugh Laurie has just released a blues album where he sings and plays the piano. Let Them Talk – it’s an excellent album celebrating the New Orleans classics.

Among the things you will discover if you check out his Yahoo Interview is that music is where he loses himself (and you can’t lose a piano).

“You can’t lose a piano,” he jokes, “Where did I put the piano?”

He appreciates the instrument because it can give you sadness and joy, triumph and frustration.  While he respects the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Hugh Laurie never bought Pop records. He was into Muddy Waters and the like. When he heard that type of music he realized, “Oh, this is for me, and it’s remained that way ever since.”

The humble Laurie says he’s “not a confident fellow.” Being a man of many talents, I was surprised by this statement. He worries about everything, and if he doesn’t have something to worry about, then he worries about that. What I got from this segment, is how grateful and respectful he is of the opportunity and the music. Hugh Laurie realizes that his dream to record a blues album with some of the greats was due, in part, because of his success as an actor. I appreciate this admission since it seems like most celebrities today either go on power trips or go to rehab. I’d recommend checking out the interview if you are a fellow fan to find out, for instance, why he doesn’t wear jeans to play the blues.

 

I got the Special Edition version that comes with a short book for Christmas and I love it. I haven’t had time to read the whole thing since I’m already reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest and I just started grad school, but I read the little intro and about him being out of place in the world of American blues, and it’s both comical and intriguing. I can’t wait to read the rest of it.

You can listen to samples on amazon. My favorite song to sing while I’m driving in my car is: You Don’t Know My Mind. It’s one of the more upbeat songs, but my other favorites are The Whale Has Swallowed Me and Let Them Talk. I like the melody in the beginning of Tipitina before it picks up because it reminds me of one of my favorite songs to play on the piano, and just in general, Baby Grand by Billy Joel and Ray Charles. The entire album is worth listening to though. I could keep naming my favorite songs (St. James Infirmary), but then this post would never end.

If you like the blues, then buy this album! You won’t be disappointed.

Let Them Talk – 5 stars

Jan19

Vision Correction Choices

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Vision Correction Choices

 

Eye Can’t Win – I have had trouble with my vision for practically my whole life. My vision is worse than most older people’s so, at 24, to imagine it is only going to get worse with time is petrifying. Fortunately for me, I just returned back from an eye specialist who told me there is no doubt that I am a candidate for Visian ICL.

There are essentially 3 options for surgical vision correction:

  1. LASIK
  2. Lens replacement
  3. ICL

Fact: the average eyeball is 22-24 mm, while mine is 28 mm.

I’ve been told by my optometrist for years that I am not a candidate for LASIK because my corneas are too thin. There is a threshold that I have crossed with the high prescription that I have and the effects of LASIK could impact me negatively.

My mom just developed cataracts so she was eligible for the lens replacement surgery. She is overjoyed with the results so after mentioning me to her surgeon he suggested that I go for a consultation.

When I went for my consultation for this particular procedure, the assistant informed me that while my prescription is so bad that the lens replacement surgery would greatly help with my quality of life, I would have to adjust to the type of vision it would result in. She recommended that I go for an ICL evaluation instead. Her reasoning was that, even though my prescription is really high, my eye is actually really healthy. She explained that people going for the lens replacement are usually older. Why older people have to get bifocals is because over time the muscles in their eyes stop working, which causes focusing issues. She further explained that if I opted for the lens replacement surgery, that the procedure would include cutting these muscles, which for me are fully functioning. Since I have no problem with focusing from near to far, it would be something I would have to get used to if I opted for that kind of surgery.

Today, I finally I had my ICL evaluation. At the first office, they were worried that my eyes were too bad for LASIK (max. -7 prescription), but not bad enough for ICLs (min. -12 prescription). I have never wished my eyes were so bad before! Sure enough I am definitely, 100%, a candidate for ICLs! They are more or less a contact that gets implanted in your eye. There is a pre-op procedure where they drill tiny holes in your eye in order to relieve the excess pressure caused by the implant. They told me any additional vision correction from then on, including some astigmatism, can be done through complimentary LASIK since the amount would be so minimal. Another positive aspect about the ICLs is that they are removable if need be, whereas the lens replacement isn’t. I am overjoyed!! This surgery is going to change my life! I just wish it could be done already!

I need to schedule a retina consultation next, get a physical from my doctor, then go for the pressure-relieving procedure, then the ICLs. The surgeon that I will be going to is more comfortable doing surgery one eye at a time so I will have to go a few weeks with one lens popped out of my glasses after the first surgery – that will be attractive…

As I just started grad school, trying to fit this in my schedule is going to be kind of crazy, especially because I need to keep my GPA above a 3.0. Right now I think I am going to opt to do it in the summertime, maybe May, but I need to have both eyes done before I go to Europe in June! I am so excited!

The cost of the surgery is pretty expensive, but not compared to years of money spent on contacts and glasses since my prescription is so high. In the long run I will save a lot of money and will have a much better quality of life.

When I asked if I needed to be concerned about the pressure effects of scuba diving with the ICLs, the only thing he said was that I will be able to see like I’ve never seen before! That is going to be such a thrill, not to mention safer diving.

So to those of you with 20/2000+ vision like me, there’s hope for you yet!!! I will definitely be reporting back on the step-by-step process and results, but not soon enough!!

Jan17

Easy Ferret Cage Cleaning

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Easy Ferret Cage Cleaning

watching my every move

I have the Marshall Folding Mini Mansion. It is the 3rd cage that I’ve owned so far and my favorite. I got my ferrets in college so the ability to fold the cage and move it when necessary was really important to me. Another reason I bought the cage is because there is a cage cover that you can buy separately for it. It’s a black zip up with mesh windows. This is a real plus when you are living in a small space and don’t want a big, ugly cage in plain view (especially if there’s poop in it – yuck).

While another good feature of the cage is that the bottom tray has the ability to slide out through an opening for easy access and cleaning, the tray itself doesn’t have high enough walls to keep its contents in. The litter pan doesn’t hook onto the cage either, which can be somewhat of a problem, but since my one, slow ferret, Grizzly, has never learned to use a pan, it doesn’t really matter for me either way.

"whatcha doin now?"

When I lived in an apartment with a carpet, I used to cut up a shower curtain and put it under the cage to catch all of the stuff that fell out so nothing would stain and so the carpet wouldn’t absorb any strong odors.

But, now I’m back to an apartment with wood floors so I stopped the shower curtain trick. I also stopped using bedding on the floor of the cage since it just ends up coming out the sides and since they spend the majority of their time in the cage sleeping, they don’t seem to miss it.

When I brought my ferrets home home for the first time, I purchased another cage, The Super Pet Multi-Floor Ferret Home. My genius Mom discovered that the Puppy Pads that we were using for my old dog Paris, fit perfectly at the bottom of this cage. This discovery has saved me so much time and has made cleaning the ferret cage incredibly easy.

I just recently bought a big bag of Great Choice Training Pads to line the bottom of the Mini Mansion. It only takes 2 of these pads to do it. On garbage day, I get on my pink rubber gloves and wheel the trash can over. Then all I have to do is roll up the contents in the puppy pads and throw them out. Then I take Nature’s Miracle Just For Ferrets Stain & Odor Remover to clean up the cage and replace with 2 new puppy pads. I fold the edge of the puppy pad that covers the most used corner, over the edge and under the bottom of the tray to make sure it doesn’t move with use.

puppy pads work perfectly!

all clean!

I also put another puppy pad in the corner of the room that my ferrets go to the bathroom on when they are running around. I keep it in place with a palm tree that I believe is really a cat toy as they’ve never been amused by it, that at least makes for a nice decoration.

pooptopia right thur - but easy to clean!