Ganglion Cyst

For about a year, I have had this lump on my wrist. I'm not sure when I first noticed it. It didn't bother me so I just ignored it. When I was at the doctor for something else I said hey, can you look at this thing on my wrist while I'm here?

Turns out it's a Ganglion Cyst (AKA Bob). The doctor said options were to drain it but it would come back. Or if it really bothered me, it could be cut out (Ew) and he didn't recommend that unless it was really necessary.

So I started looking around the Internet to see if there were any essential oils I could use on it. Ended up with equal parts Frankincense and Lemongrass. I put some in a roller bottle and mixed some into a salve recipe I use. When I'm sitting at my desk working, I put some salve on Bob and carry the roller bottle in my purse to use whenever I think about it.

Well that was about 3-4 months ago and now Bob is so small that today when I went to put on the salve, I had to really push around on my wrist to find him.

It's amazing what those "magical" oils will do.  ;)

Peel off top from a bag of cough drops

Candle Rock

Yarn Ball

As good a place as any to nap

Au Naturale

When I had hives from food allergies, I had to inspect all the ingredients in what I ate. Since then, I've been thinking about using more natural beauty products. I'm current out of facial cleanser so that's where I'm starting. After quite a but of research, I've purchased Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion and Almond Soothing Facial Loiton. Reviews to come . . . 

I guess I really believe in this stuff

Last week I was talking to a co-worker about the issue I was having with food allergies (hives) and she asked what I was going to do about it. When I tried to explain the 'voo-doo' doctor I see, she said "so I guess you really believe in this stuff then." Which made me think. And well . . . . I guess I do.

I see an acupuncturist who is also a NAET practitioner. NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques and I've been getting treatments for a couple years. I call it 'voo-doo' because it sounds weird and it is weird and if you google it, you will find all kinds of information on how it's fake.

But I have experienced relief from my allergies. And they were severe. I was basically allergic to nature. Most trees, pollens, flowers, grasses, molds, etc. My primary care doctor asked me for a few years if I was ready to see an allergist. Then the allergist told me that my allergies would only continue to get worse and there would come a time that I would consider the effort shots would take. He was right. I got to that point. That point where dealing with my allergies got so bad, it was worth making an effort to fix them.

I told myself I would go in with an open mind and would reserve judgement for four treatments. After four treatments, I would decide if it was working or if I would start the shot regimen. Lying on the mat after my first treatment, I could breathe fully through both nostrils. I had not been able to do that in so long, I had forgotten what it felt like. So much air. So easily.

And I kept going and now I no longer take any medication and have no symptoms most of the time. (When I went on vacation to another state, I ended up having horrible congestion from a whole other group of plants that I didn't bother getting treated for. So I got treated and when I went back the next year, no allergies.) I love NAET. It works for me. So I guess I do really believe in this stuff.

Charlotte, NC

Where I decide that if given a choice, I will not choose Embassy Suites.

The week leading up to this trip was quite frustrating. I broke out in hives (an allergic reaction to food junk) and in addition to being so very itchy, I couldn't figure out what to stay away from to make it better.

After 2 hours of acupuncture, I finally felt some reprieve and had a plan to eat only protein shakes and non processed foods.

When I got to Charlotte, my co-worker informed me that she forgot her laptop. Which makes sense. I can't eat, she can't work. We're a great pair.

The embassy suites was the closet to our work location which is why I chose it. The first room they put me in smelled so much like smoke I had to call the front desk and ask if this was a smoking room. Apparently it was not so I kindly asked if they had another room available (If not, I would suck it up) and thank goodness they did. But now I sit in my smell free room with an AC running non stop and not actually changing the temperature in the room.

What I forgot: wifi hotspot, water filter.

Lavender and Lemon and Peppermint, Oh My!

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine introduced me to essential oils. I borrowed her book and read a bunch about different things that pertained to me. At first, I ordered a few simply for aromatherapy. As I started using them for things that the book recommended, I realized that applying them topically and taking them internally actually worked. Three of the most common are also the ingredients in the allergy bomb (which I use often). In addition to the lavender, lemon and peppermint “blend” lavender has been my go to for everything. Bug bite -> lavender. Kitty scratch -> lavender. Mild sunburn -> lavender. Dry skin -> lavender. You get my point. I have used more lavender than any other oil that I have on hand.

Another friend of mine has long suffered from acid reflux. I read several places that lemon essential oil can be used to raise the body’s alkalinity, which will help reduce acid reflux. And after a few days of taking it, she shared with me that it was working. Which of course I was really excited about.

The “kit” I bought as an introduction has several other oils that I’m experimenting with and will (hopefully) remember to write more as I learn.

North Carolina Recap

On my flight to North Carolina I got to ride on a pretty newer plane, a Boeing 737-800, with LED lighting. Quite frankly, I'm just so incredibly happy any time I don't have to get on an MD-80. I did not notice before I got on the plane that my assigned seat was the first main cabin row. Which means no seat in front of you for storage. My boy-scout preparedness is not okay with having to stow all my stuff. I didn't want to continue getting up since I was the window seat so I got out what I thought I would need. Headphones, phone, water . . . . . . the hour we spent sitting on the tarmac gave me plenty of time to think about what else I wish I had gotten out. Gum. Chapstick. My laptop to watch a movie to kill some freakin time.

When I got to RDU airport, I picked up my car from National and I do like their just-pick-it-out-and-go set up. (No waiting on that hotel shuttle this time!) I picked out a cute little charcoal gray Toyota Corolla. I'm not sure of the year but I'm sure it's new and it was clean and smelled good so I was happy. I told myself that I would be prepared and would have my phone GPS pulled up BEFORE I drove anywhere so this time I didn't get lost. (Which I did the last time I came here and rented a car. A couple times.) I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near the airport since I knew how to get to work from there and really, that's important. My room was spacious, everything worked and there was no mold in the shower. (Such high expectations.)

Monday night, I had the worst sinus pressure headache and quickly realized I had forgotten my first aid kit (seriously, how could I forget that!!) I took all of the sinus pills I had in my purse in an attempt to think straight and luckily it worked.  When I took out my contacts (since I was overdosing on decongestants) I discovered I had also forgot my glasses. (Ugh)

Wednesday night, I got back to the hotel just as a thunderstorm was rolling in. I sat in the restaurant/bar area and watched the sky turned black and opened up. Within minutes of ordering my dinner, the power went out. In the hotel. The whole hotel. No power in the whole hotel. They had a couple emergency lights but the majority of light came from what was coming in the windows. After about half an hour and two beers, I went back to my room to wait until the kitchen was open again. About 9 PM, room service knocked on my room door to bring me the food I had ordered earlier and woke me up. Which was really so very nice, both for bringing me dinner and for waking me up because I had NOT intended to be asleep! All in all, the power was out for 3 hours and even the next morning, there were roads closed from debris.

Thursday at lunch I ran into two co-workers (neither of whom are located in NC) which was fun and we went to dinner that night.

What I forgot to pack: first aid kit , socks and glasses

Today's Blooms

I've been treating with the systemic and the Sugar Moon looks so much better.

Sadly I think the thrips just relocated to the Julia Child rose so everything got another dose of systemic

I recently plants a couple of Peach Drift Carpet Roses and they are doing well. 

The Pope John Paul II has lots of blooms.

A new daylily is blooming, Jungle Beauty.

And the Jubilation Gardenia is full and I love the smell. 

Today's Blooms

Last night I took this picture of the Night Embers daylily almost ready. 

And this morning it was open!

As was the Druid's Chant

I also saw the first bloom of my Jubilation Gardenia. I love love love gardenias. Not only are they pretty but they smell amazing!

Today's Blooms

I love the rain that we've been getting. My flowers look so much better than with regular water. I'm happy some of them are doing well since I have one with black-spot and one with thrips. I'm so grateful to Calloway's for having such knowledgeable employees. I showed him the picture and he immediately knew what it was and told me what to use to get rid of them.

Sugar Moon (with thrips)

 Twilight Zone (smells good too!)

 

Pope John Paul II

 

Love Song

 

I have to admit, I wasn't sure about Julia Child when I picked it out at the store. It wasn't as bright yellow as the one sitting next to it but I'm so glad I chose her!!

I've been using All-In-One Rose & Flower Care (granules) about once a month since I started planting this spring so I'm super shocked that thrips were able to infect the Sugar Moon. I went ahead and sprayed some 3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control (concentrate) as well based on some internet research and until I had time to get to Calloway's to find out what this was. I specifically asked the guy at Calloway's if it was better to use liquid or granules and he suggested the All-In-One liquid so that's what I bought. I can see the benefit of using both so I may continue both until these problems are under control. I've decided to treat weekly until I see improvement. Might be overkill but I'd rather get them all healthy than save the time, energy or money.

Morning Blooms

This is the first of the daylilies to bloom and I'm very excited because the others aren't far behind.

Julia Child Rose has dainty little bright yellow blooms. I have to admit, I do her voice when I talk to this one. 

I was worried about my Hydrangea but after a chat with the woman at Calloway's I feel much better about it. As you can see, I'm not using enough aluminum sulfate since the blooms aren't as blue as they should be. 

FedEx

One benefit of working from home is being able to get the deliveries off your porch immediately. I have my address set up with the major shippers to notify me when a package is both on its way to my house as well as once it's been delivered. Last week at 11 AM I got an email from FedEx that my package was delivered. So I happily ran downstairs to open the box I had been waiting for. Except it wasn't there. I checked the email again to make sure I didn't read it wrong. Nope. It said delivered. I went to check again. Maybe I just overlooked it. Hmmmmm, nothing there. The email clearly said "left on front porch". Um . . . . Who's front porch?

I called the customer service number to tell them someone was smoking something because that package was not left on my porch. Of course they asked if anyone was home. Yes. Had I checked with my neighbors to make sure they hadn't picked it up thinking I wasn't home? No, my neighbors know I work from home. And I think in the 2 minutes from delivery time to email received it would have been amazing speed by my neighbor to have come and picked it up. They asked me to describe what was in the package and to describe my house. Then they said they would open an investigation and speak with the driver to see if they could track it down. Uh huh.

Two days later, a woman from down the street brought me the package that had been left at her house. I had received no communication from FedEx. I would like to take a minute here to point out that my house is clearly numbered. In TWO different places. So I called them and informed them that my package was no longer missing and it had been delivered to the wrong house. Of course, the rep on the phone was very apologetic. Uh huh.

Today I got the email that said hey, your package will be delivered so I kept an eye out for the truck. Around 6 PM, Caesar started barking and I looked out the window to see the truck drive off. Except there was no package on my porch. Checked my email and verified "Your package has been delivered". Ugh. I went to the house down the street thinking maybe it was delivered there again. Nope. Went back home and called FedEx to voice my displeasure with this happening AGAIN. Of course they could care less. They would have someone call me back tomorrow because the local office is now closed. Well off course they are.

So I started knocking on doors. Two houses down in the other direction, I found my box on the porch.

I'm thinking when I have a choice, I'll use UPS.

Essential Oils

A friend of mine introduced me to essential oils about a month ago. So far the most amazing has been a friend of mine that suffers with acid reflux. She puts a drop of lemon oil on her tongue and it has greatly improved her issue. 

I recently tried one that smells so bad I can hardly stand it. This is a first as most of them smells nice. RutaVaLa is supposed to help with sleep issues but I can't even put it on. I read that you will grow accustomed to it so I'll keep op ring the bottle and maybe one day I bring myself to touch it. 

Friday in Maryland

While I was there, the AC in my hotel room went out. They were nice enough to offer to move me to another room but I was too lazy to collect all my stuff before I absolutely had to. Don't get me wrong, if it had been hot I would have been all over that. But the weather was so nice (after Monday).

I loved the food at The Matchbox. I ate there several times and everything I had was yummy!!

Man the cab driver that took me to the airport was so chatty. I guess he never has anyone to talk to because he would not stop asking me questions. Where was I from? [Usually when someone hears I am from Texas, the next question is "are you a cowboys fan?" This guy guy at least changed it up a bit and asked if I like football. I should start keeping a tally of this for my travels] Where did I go to college? What was my major? What do I do? Do I like it? I have found that if you close your eyes, whoever is talking will stop.

My flight home was delayed by an hour. They had to change a tire on the plane. Weird to think of but I guess they do have tires. I need to invest in noise canceling headphones for all this travel.

Things I forgot to pack: hairbrush & headphones

Monday in Maryland

The Hilton Washington DC/Rockville is very nice. The only thing I remember from the last time I stayed here was that my first room was in a high traffic area and I had to change rooms. Apparently I am a light sleeper because I could hear every noise outside of my room.  I hate to be that prima donna that needs a better room but they were very nice and moved me. So this time, when I heard the room number I knew it was not that same high traffic area from before.

Here is something I don't understand and this is not specific to Hilton. Why do hotels have doors that slam? Can't someone come up with a design like those kitchen drawers that close quietly? And if they exist, can we make it mandatory for hotels to use them? Slamming doors are so loud and rattle the walls of all the rooms nearby. And when I'm half asleep at 10:30, those slamming doors and rattling walls wake up this light sleeper. Another thing I think should be required is sound absorbing materials in the hallways. I am a loud person. I know this. I have been told this my whole life. If I am not making a conscious effort to not be loud, I could disturb everyone on the way the my room if I were speaking. I know people don't think about that as they walk down the hall but again . . . light sleeper.

Back to the Hilton. Cold and rainy means dining in the hotel restaurant. I wasn't super impressed with the food but today was the start of a new menu so maybe they will figure that out. The service was great though.

Sinus issues are waning but my voice has been affected. Someone actually told me today that they could barely hear me. Ha!

What I forgot to pack: Hairbrush

Off to Maryland

The last time I went to Maryland, it took 3 tries to get there due to bad weather. Original flight for Sunday afternoon was cancelled. Rebooked on a flight for Tuesday morning. Cancelled. Third flight on another airline from and to neighboring airports for Tuesday. Finally made it.

So it was not surprising that on this trip, the flight was delayed by an hour which caused me to my interview for Global Entry. But hey, I made it out on my first flight.

I was able to have my interview with Global Entry when I finally arrived and I have to say, those CBP agents are so nice. The process was simple and quick. Very impressed.

Also, my checked bag was free. So maybe Citi has figured out their stuff. Or it could be a fluke. Only time will tell.

U-Verse gripes

Out of nowhere on Thursday evening, the TV in my den stopped working. I called AT&T and performed a few test with a "tech support" representative. He determined that the receiver needed to be replaced. Since it's the DVR receiver that meant I would lose anything on it. Super.

Saturday the new receiver came and when I plugged it in, it didn't work either. Another call to AT&T and this "tech support" rep determined that it was my wall jack that didn't work. And by the way, they don't cover that. So if I chose to have an AT&T technician come, it could be a $99 fee depending on the outcome of the issue. OR for the low-low price of just $6/month for the next 12 months, I could add their line protection plan to my account and they would come for free. Ugh!

I signed up for the stupid plan and had a technician scheduled to come. I changed out the Ethernet cable to the receiver, tracked the cable back to the gateway and there didn't seem to be anything I could see wrong with it. Then I looked at the gateway. The light on the port to the den receiver wasn't on. Hmmm. I switched it to anther port and low and behold the dang thing worked.

So it appears that the port just went bad. So now I have a new reviewer, I lost my recordings, I have a new monthly fee and a technician coming.

Why the heck isn't checking the gateway part of their 180,00 steps they make you perform before they determine the receiver is bad?

I called back to cancel the technician and this new monthly plan for line protection and the new "tech support" rep said ok, done. Sweet! How easy was that!

Nope.

She called back to tell me that she couldn't cancel the new plan and I'd have to call the sales line during normal business hours. . . . . .

Sleeping Hard

Blogger

This service is starting to tick me off. The app isn't very good. I'm getting random errors. I can't seem to add a "gadget" of other bloggers I'm following . . . . Researching TypePad and WordPress. Any suggestions from anyone?

City Kitty

Since Murphy is such a little genius, I decided to see if I could potty train her. I ordered the CityKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit and it arrived today. We shall see how it goes.

Spring!

Planted some bulbs (dahlia, freesia, peony) and weeded the front beds. Added some mulch and they look gorgeous.








Next up, plant the new roses and finish that last bed in the front.

New Guinea Impatiens

New hanging baskets. Amazingly colorful and incredibly expensive.

Citi Aadvantage

On Monday, when I flew out, I thought I had this neat benefit with my new Citi Aadvantage card of getting a free checked bag. Except the kiosk made me pay. I called Citi and it appears that you must purchase the American Airlines ticket with your citi aadvantage card to get the free checked bag. I thought I would save my company the $50 but alas, I don't pay for my own air travel. So there's the answer to that question. 

North Carolina - Day 2

Well the convience of the Embassy Suites wasn't so convient today. I usually choose to stay here because it's close to work and they have a shuttle that will take you to and from. Then I don't have to get a car and get lost trying to figure out which way is North.

Haven't been impressed with the shuttle this trip. (Remember standing in the freezing rain yesterday?) They supposedly leave on the half hour. I asked at 40 after where the shuttle was and the front desk guy said he won't be back until 9. Um, what happened to the 8:30 run? He asked if I would like him to call me a cab. The words seemed nice but the attitude seemed irritated. Maybe it's because I'm sick. Maybe because I didn't get any sleep last night. 

After work, I called the hotel a total of 4 times over the course of 15 minutes. The first 3 times, it rang and rang and no one answered. Finally on the fourth try, I got a person and told them I was at this building and hey, can come one come get me. She put me in hold for a while to I guess confirm that someone could come to this building. She did ask if the driver dropped me here this morning. Well yes, which is why I assumed I could get picked up as well . . . 

Man Embassy Suites, you are wearing me out. Next time, rental car. 

I have to say the restaurant (yes a restaurant in a hotel) was very redeeming today. The staff was friendly and pleasant. The food . . . Oh my. Well the soup anyway. The soup of the day was something called three pepper chicken soup and quite frankly the name does it no justice. If they hadn't brought me a sample, I would have turned my nose up at it. Of course seeing and smelling made all the difference. It was creamy and slightly tomatoey at the same time with diced bell peppers and chicken. So very good in fact, that while the shrimp and grits weren't exactly to my liking, I didn't even care. Because I had eaten that amazing soup. I want to say that I remember thinking the shrimp and grits weren't worth it but I don't know where that was. Guess that's why I'm writing about my travels, to remember this stuff. Well, this and the drunk guy that thrown off the plane. 

North Carolina - Day 1

Well the trip started off ok with the exception of my medicine head. I previously signed up for the Citi Advantage card to get the benefits of group 1 boarding and a free checked bag when I travel. This was the first trip since I had it and I was curious to see how well it worked.

It didn't. I checked in on the American app and used the kiosk to check my bag when I got to the airport. The little computer told me I had to pay $25 so I thought well maybe they recognize a Citi Advantage card so I used it. But I got a reciept. So I guess I'll need to call them because I have a suspicious feeling it's not a reimbursement kind of thing.

The agent had to ask me for my boarding pass and my ID because, like I said, medicine head. I even left my phone in my pocket at security. I felt like such a rookie. 

Then was the flight. It was fine but I hate MD-80's. I had a seat that's classified as main cabin extra. Yes there was extra room for knees but side to side is absolutely no different and the under seat area was weird. The bars weren't aligned with the seat. Plus this new rolling laptop bag I have seemed cumbersome. But it fit so it guess I can't complain. The guy sitting next to me had on a short sleeve button shirt and his sleeve kept touching me. I was falling asleep and that little tickle from his sleeve jerked me wide awake. I did notice that there was a DC port under my seat so if you happen to be flying with a car charger . . . 

At baggage claim, another woman picked up my bag and took what I felt like was a long time to determine it wasn't hers. I finally said yeah, that's mine. Seriously, there are names on them. It's not rocket science. 

Oh man, the weather. At RDU airport, you wait outside on the curb for the hotel shuttles to come. When it's 32 and raining, this isn't the best system. My hotel's shuttle was pulling away as I walked up and I just knew that wasn't a good sign. It took about 25 minutes freezing in a much too lightweight jacket for the next one to come along but man was I glad he did. 

When I was cheking in at the Embassy Suites, the rep attempted to confirm my choice of a smoking room. Uh, hold up. "You actually have those?" Then I realized I needed to tell her no. Under no circumstance would I be in a smoking room. Like my week long sinus infection hasn't been enough fun, let's go ahead and make it worse. She asked if I booked it and I said yes but not really. I put in the request in some system and then I don't know what happens. (I did go back and confirm it was for a king, non-smoking room). She said my company does this a lot. Really? I've never had that happen. She was probably just getting to pass the buck. So she moved me to another room which was not a king so I guess I'll have to limit the amount of rolling around I do in my sleep. 

I do like the Embassy Suites. I come often enough that it feels familiar when I return. I especially like the convience of the hotel being so close to work. The separate living room and bar area are really nice and spacious. The only small negative is the age if this facility. The tiles on the bathroom floor are cracked and the shower needs new fixtures. But it's not near as bad as some of the other hotels I've stayed at. More to come as this is only day 1