The Magic in Nature

Hey y'all,

    Today's post is going to be me sharing a personal story about my own health and what I plan to do to get control over my life!

    So, to start out, I will give a bit of a back story. Back when I lived in San Diego I dealt with terrible nausea. Like, not eating, questioning if I should move or go anywhere, and generally a super big grumpy pants wearing fool. I finally went to my doctor after a friend asked if I was pregnant.

    Needless to say, I wasn't preggers. What I actually had was a stomach ulcer caused by the H. pylori bacteria. (80% of the population actually has it in their gut as well) Doctors have no idea how it gets introduced, and for most people, goes unnoticed and life is grand. But for that small percentage that have the bacteria, you end up with stomach ulcers. 

    So, my doctor decided to throw me on a triple therapy pill combination to help with it. Unbeknownst to me (or my doctor apparently... That's a separate rant that I won't get into now) the triple therapy pill contained the following:

This is actually the 

• Amoxicillan
• Clarithromycin
• Lansoprazole

    Doesn't sound too bad, right? Well, for most, it wouldn't but for me, I am actually allergic to Clarithromycin. I broke out in severe hives. I called the emergency line for my doctor's office and was told to take a shower and "if I started to have difficulty breathing to call 911". I was by myself, Trent had duty, didn't have a car, and it was 11:30 at night. You don't tell that to someone who is freaking out. Ever.

    Anyway, so I didn't sleep that night, and went to my doctor's office first thing in the morning. I nearly blew a gasket when they tried to tell me it was the amoxicillan. I have taken amoxicillan multiple times in previous years and I knew exactly what caused the reaction. I had to force my doctor to open my file where I could point out that I was allergic to Clarithromycin. He switched my meds in a split second and that was that. I got over the stomach ulcer and all was well with the world. 

    Now, I have a higher risk of having another ulcer form, so I need to be careful about home much anti-inflammatory medication I take... Which, thanks to my bad joints and chronic headaches, is definitely more than I like. So for the last year I have been trying every other natural remedy I could find. If my joints hurt I pretty much sat on my butt so I didn't have to take the medicine. (Stomach ulcer diet is something I never want to relive)

    Then I met a wonderful lady through Trent's ship and she introduced me to essential oils. She gave me a sample of peppermint and lavender to try and see how I liked it. I tried the peppermint for my headaches. How? When a headache came on, I took 1 drop and rubbed it into my temples in a circular motion. 2 minutes later, no more headache. It also continued to work every time a headache came on till I ran out. The lavender worked miracles for Trent. He has a nasty habit of getting really caught up in his head about everything that is going on and then can't sleep. All because his head is being the supercomputer that it is. I took one drop and rubbed it on his chest so he could smell the lavender and he was out in no time at all.

    There is definitely something about the oils that work, and I can't wait to see where this road leads me. Do you use oils? If so, where do you get your oils and what do you use?

-Haley

Sentimental Saturday

Hey y'all,

    Today's prompt is "My Dream Wedding" Well, I already am happily married. So I will take their prompt and tell the story of my wedding! Muahahaha!

    Trent and I got married May 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm in Chandler, Arizona. We planned our wedding in 9 months and I started with a crazy idea, and ended up going a more simplistic route. He wore his choker whites, and I found my dress at Brilliant Bridal at an amazing discount. 

    Our colors were Navy Blue, Gold, and Bright White. Very elegant, and simple, which fit my personality pretty well. My bridesmaids wore Navy Blue dresses and gold jewelry. His Groomsmen wore dashing suits. Mini Groomsmen copied their bigs, and my flowergirls wore simple dresses. 

    Now time for the story, the night before the wedding we had the rehearsal and it went smoothly. The entire family got together and we ate a fabulous dinner cooked by my uncles. At midnight, Trent got kicked out for tradition. After that, I took my tipsy self upstairs to bed. Cause I was tired. 

    My Mommy came and woke me up the next morning to get my hair done, and the entire way there, my Mommy and Auntie kept asking if I was nervous. My response?

"I'm hungry. Can I get a burger?" 

    The looks on their faces were hilarious. But I did get my burger. We got our hair done and then went home where the boys were put to work with getting everything to the venue. I got to play Mission Impossible and get the dress out of the house without my Daddy seeing it. (YESSS!) I then proceeded to get to the venue and start getting my makeup done. I had my Mommy do my makeup because she had always done my makeup for every big event in my life. 

    After that, I put my dress on. In the words of my Great Grandmother: " Where have you been hiding those curves" I always wore baggy comfy clothes. So something like my dress was a culture shock.

    My Daddy walked me down the aisle and I kissed my husband at the end of it all. :) It was such a magical day and I would not have changed anything at all. 

    What was even more amazing, was the fact that below, you will see my wedding cake. Which was done by my Mama (Gramma)! It was a wonderful night and I married my best friend. :)

-Haley

Come Little Children, Let Me Tell You A Tale

Hey y'all,

    Finally feeling better. Thank goodness. Went grocery shopping and even did my hair and makeup. :) I love that feeling you get when you start to feel like yourself again. It's almost as great as opening your favorite childhood book.

    Speaking of which, my favorite book when I was little was this purple book about moths, butterflies, and caterpillars. (Yes, I was a super weird kid) I would carry it with me wherever I went and would have anyone that was willing read it to me. I just loved seeing all the pretty butterflies in there and see how they went from creepy caterpillars to beautiful butterflies and moths. I think my Grampa alone read it THOUSANDS of times. 

    What is one of your favorite childhood books? Do your kids have favorites? If so, what book is the latest fad?

-Haley

The Sound of Music

Hey y'all,

    So, it's President's Day! It's also my Papa's Birthday! So, Happy Birthday Papa! Did you know that President's Day was originally was to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's birthday? But now, it's to celebrate the lives of our Presidents.

    But I am cleaning my house and getting organized. We had some of our furniture break on the move out here, and I am tired of having to fight my dresser to get to my clothes. So I broke down the dresser and bought stock in clothes hangers. The look on the cashiers face was priceless. Haha.

    While I clean, I love listening to music. It makes it relatively fun and seems to go by a lot faster when I am dancing and singing along. Trent loves it. He says it brings out his inner child. My response to that? Good. Means our life together shall be glorious and fun! 

    Anyway, I have a very eclectic taste in music. I think I can boil it down to the beat. If there is a good beat, I don't care what genre it is Actually, I dislike screamo and most death metal... But if there is a good beat and doesn't fall into those categories, I am a happy camper. 

    What is your favorite genre? band? song? Let me know in the comments!

-Haley

Cupid Cupid, Stop Picking On Me

Hey y'all!

    Happy Valentines Day! Excuse me while I go and curl up in a blanket and drown my sorrows in Ben and Jerry's while avoiding the general populace... Okay, I lied... I am actually going to brave the world and go hang out with some of the other wives from Trent's ship so that way we aren't alone today. :) It will be glorious! 

    I will also fulfill all of the stereotypes of a girl who doesn't have a date for Valentine's Day, and binge on good food and movies... And friends. Cause who wants to be alone on Valentine's Day?

    What did you do today? Any surprises? Comment below to let me know! :)

-Haley

No Regrets... Kinda

Hey y'all,

    So today, the challenge has bestowed the prompt of "my last meal". Morbid... But a pretty good prompt. I guess. If I could choose what my last meal would be on this Earth, be it because I am going to die, or the Apocalypse is going to happen, or zombies are breaking down my door, I know exactly what I would want my last meal to be.

    It would be my Mommy's Stringy Beef with Salad and French Bread with all my family around me. Talking, laughing, being together. No bad feelings. I wouldn't want to think of tomorrow because that is something my parents taught me. Live in the now. Enjoy the little things like the way the sun feels on your skin. The way the Earth seems to clear up after it rains. 

    To sit and type what you would have for your last meal really brings you down to the Earth and makes you re-evaluate some decisions you make in life. Luckily, there are very few things I regret in life. I wouldn't change anything that happened in my life besides maybe sitting and talking with my great-grandmother some more, and learning to forgive certain family members before they were gone. 

    Hold the ones you love close to your heart. You never know when things will change.

    Okay, no more sad or depressing things. I finally made some more Laundry soap (My half batch lasted from September of 2013 - February 8th, 2015) on Monday, and my house still smells delicious. :) I have the recipe on my DIY page! Check it out here!

    Love you all!

-Haley

In the Shadow of the Mountain

Hey y'all,

    For the 10th day of this challenge, it told me to take a picture of something green. And, because I am who I am, I am taking it a step further. I am taking a picture of something green and something that meant the world to me.

    You see, Trent and I never had a honeymoon. We got engaged and 9 months later were married so that I could move with him. Add to it the fact that we have moved 2 times in a year and a half of marriage, and we really don't have the time or the funds to go and do something fun and crazy. 

    Well, during Trent's holiday leave, he surprised me and signed us up for a tour of the island. We went all the way around and saw some absolutely beautiful landscapes and scenery. 

    The picture above was taken at a macadamia nut farm. It was in the shadow of that huge mountain, and everything was so green. There were even wild roosters and hens walking around. They had the best macadamia nuts I have ever had. The locals there were beyond friendly and I was completely and totally content and happy. We did this trip on New Years Eve, and it was so wonderful.

    What is one thing that you and your spouse have done that just left you feeling loved and content?

-Haley

My Best Friend

Hey y'all!

    I want to talk about the beautiful woman in the photo below. No, I don't want to talk about me, I want to talk about that woman that I have been through Hell and back with. I want to tell you about my best friend.

    This woman and I have been best friends since 7th grade. Which, when I think about it, I have absolutely no idea how we worked out to be such fantastic friends. I was the quiet orchestra chick that stuck to a routine, and she is the one that you want to go with a party and drink with.

    God and the Universe put us together and it took me years before I figured out why. It took our second year of college when it finally clicked. You see, in life you meet a whole different variety of people. You get a taste for each kind of person and you like and dislike various traits. But every blue moon, you meet someone that you kinda click with. Where you find that your brain waves are singing some "Jack and Diane". 

    I have been through so much with this beautiful woman. Her and I have helped each other when we have been at our lowest, and have had some serious fun when we were at our highest. The photo I chose was before I got married... Why I chose it is because this woman took a chance and could have ended up arrested, but didn't. Why you ask? Well, you know the saying when you get married? Something New, Something Old, Something Borrowed, Something Blue? Well one of my Something's was my garter and it decided to go missing as I was getting dressed. (I ended up finding it like, two days later.) What did my best friend do? Drove 80 mph to get me a new one, and still made it back with plenty of time to spare.

    I would kill for her. We have laughed, we have cried, we have screamed, and we have put up with the most insane shenanigans that you could possibly think of. But I know without any shred of doubt, that if I needed her or she needed me, we would be there for each other. That's what best friends are supposed to do. Hell, that's what SISTERS are supposed to do. And I couldn't be more grateful to have her in my life.

    Love you Gorgeous George!

-Haley

Our Handsome Boy

Hey y'all!

    So, today's post will be an update on Stanley the Betta. If you have been keeping up with my blog posts, you know that our poor guy had a pretty nasty case of Fin Rot. Well, it's been about a month since we first caught the Fin Rot... and I am happy to say that we finally have fin regrowth! (The kinda transparent parts at the ends and between his fins is the new fin.) I feel like such a happy fish Mommy.

    Also, you can see that his color has really started to show through. When we first got him, I thought he was white with light blue fins. Turns out, he's pink with purple fins! Apparently, when Betta's are sick, they can lose color, become lethargic, lose their appetite.... Apparently he has been sick for a long time, but seems to be finally on that golden road to recovery!

    I also went and added some live plants to his tank to keep his ammonia levels low, and that seems to be doing some serious good for him. He loves his plants very much!

    I also worked on Trent's Valentine's Day Box today. He gets a little something every year, and this one is going to be epic. Be on the look out for that DIY page for what I put in there and what I did!

Stanley thinks you should subscribe to this blog too!

    Do you have any pets that you love? Tell me about them! :) 

-Haley

Some of My Roots

Hey y'all!

    So, to get it out of the way, yes. The Seahawks lost. Yes I saw the fight at the end of the Super Bowl. Yes I thought it was rediculous. Anyway, today, I want to share with you 3 of my most cherished childhood stories. These stories helped shape me into who I am today, and I will carry them with me for the rest of my life.

Lisa Frank's Whales

    When I was about 3-ish years old, it was just my Mommy, my Daddy, and myself. The three musketeers making our way while my Daddy was in the Air Force. We were living in a tiny little house on post and didn't have much in the way of furniture. A small couch, a card table as a dinner table, simple bed frames... Pretty much the minimal amount of things that we possibly needed.

    Anyway, it was my birthday and we had spent all day doing fun things like going to the park, playing hide and go seek, and coloring. As the sun went down, my Mom pulled out a tiny little cake and they sang Happy Birthday to me. I blew out the candles and got to open a gift. Inside was a Lisa Frank Whale toy. It came with three whales and rotated around to make it look like they were jumping out of the water and back into the water.

    I. Loved. That. Toy. 

    The most memorable part of it was when the three of us just sat there creating stories of magical lands... I didn't have any type of electronic to keep me entertained, I created it for myself. :) 

Untying Daddy's Boots

    Like I have said previously, my Daddy was in the military. Every day, when he would get home from a long day at work, he would sit down on the couch and I would run over and start unlacing his boots. Now, this might sound positively boring to some people, but it was something more for me.

    I would untie the laces and watch as the dust of the day would fall off. I would loosen the laces and see the imprints that were left on the leather. I would try to take his boot off, but he would bend his foot so I couldn't do it and tease me. I knew that those boots meant that he was working so hard to provide for my Mommy, brother, sister, and myself. And besides, after the boots were off, that meant that no matter how tired he was, he would sit and ask me what I did that day, or watch a movie with me, or tickle and play with me and my siblings.

    And it always started out with untying Daddy's boots.

Bemidji Boats

    Bemidji, Minnesota is a little town in North West Minnesota. In Bemidji, there is Andrusia Lake which is home to a place known as Joe's Lodge. My Sophmore Year in High School, we went up there as a family trip to get away from the heat of Arizona and kind of reconnect as a family. (Get away from technology was a perk haha)

    We rented out a little cabin and got to play in a lake all day long. We could go fishing, hiking, and one night, we even had a nice bonfire going while we sat around and just talked. This was during an angsty time in my life (puberty... gotta love it... or something like that) and it took till the last week we were there before I shed my irritated feelings and reconnected with who I was and where I came from. I fished and provided a meal for my family and just relaxed.

Fishing with My Mommy and Daddy. :) 

    It was seriously one of the BEST vacations I have ever been on. :) Totally worth being in the car for days on end to get there. And on the way home, we even managed to swing through North Dakota and see Mt. Rushmore and got to try a Buffalo Burger! :) 

Mount Rushmore with my Brother, Sister, and three little cousins. :) 

    Those are my three most treasured memories that taught me a lot about who I was as a person, and who I wanted to become. :)

- Haley