vw, Emily is a big old sleepyhead, isn't she?

On Saturdays and Sundays, she sure is! I kinda like the quiet, though. I get lots done and can listen to my own music (country) :). Actually, right now I'm entering cds into iTunes in preparation for getting an iPod. I've decided to take the money I've previously spent on my car payment (the car was just paid off last month) and put it towards an iPod if I can make it to all of my classes this semester (I'm giving myself one sick day...but it has to be used in the case of flu or something else as awful...no migraines or mental health days). I worried that that was TOO big of a motivator, but after talking to my dad, we've decided it's actually the perfect motivator. It may actually work, which is the purpose of such a thing. I have NEVER in my history of schooling made it to an entire semester of classes. As a matter of fact, starting in about 7th grade, I'd typically miss around 20 days of school each year. So, this would be a really big deal. And I'm going to treat myself to such.

Have I mentioned, I think I might actually make it successfully through this semester. Knowing that, in some ways, is a HUGE motivator as well...to do something I've never managed to do before...and give myself a treat on top of that? It's an awesome feeling.

Go vw!

(But aren't migraines as beyond your control as, say, the flu or food poisoning?)

Oh, and Laura, there are a lot of things you can do with those types of allergies, as others have said. In 7th grade I missed something like 30 days of school. My parents couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I always had a fever, etc., so the doctors ruled out allergies. Turned out, that was what it was. I was allergic to dogs, cats, hay, dust, mold, dust mites, etc. Once I got on medication and my parents did a few other things to limit the amount of dust, things got A LOT better.

The specialist I was seeing insisted that we get rid of our dogs. I was devistated. My parents decided to see how the medication worked and see if that would be enough to let us keep the dogs...also, the dogs weren't allowed upstairs anymore to keep that area of the house a safehaven for me. We managed.

Also, my allergies have gotten a lot better as I've gotten older. They still act up, and when they're really bad they manifest as asthma, which is no fun. But, I've got my inhaler, and all is well. When I saw my doctor last, she was surprised at how much I was using my inhaler. She asked if I knew why. I said, "Well, I've got a cat and a dog, and I'm allergic to them." She was all, "Why would you do that to yourself?" I responded with, "But, they're SO cute!" She laughed and told me to carry on.

(But aren't migraines as beyond your control as, say, the flu or food poisoning?)

Yes and no. When I get really stressed out the stress manifests as illness...typically a migraine, sometimes asthma or severe allergies. I'm trying very hard this semester to limit that stress and avoid the migraines. If you remember (which I don't expect you to), last semester my worst migraines were on days I had exams. There is a correllation there, much as I hate to admit it. If I honestly got a migraine out of the blue and I thought it wasn't related to stress, I'd probably cut myself some slack. But, I've got to learn to use these wonderful skills I've been learning to keep myself from turning stress into physical illness.

I zipped a mattress into an anti-allergy cover by my self and I'm glad there are no videotapes

Yep, we would pay good money for that show.

Thanks for the encourging words on the allergies. I have a good filter from when Brendon's grandfather lived with us. (He had emphasema(sp??)) I hope to make his bedroom as dust free as possible, run the filter, and see how it goes. I will talk to one of my doc friends and get a fist full of drugs to test if it comes to that, but I hate for him to have to always take stuff.

Even if I got rid of the dog (never), all his friends and all our neighbors have animals. They ain't going away.

Also, go you on the productivity vw!!! I could use some of that stuff.

Off to basketball game. Both boys are playing on the same team this year. The city league is a sucky thing with evil politics and such, but they like to dribble that ball.

Kristin has a new tag! But she never came in here to display her GG "Focus please"/"I am a camera" tag. Sadness.

I've pretty much lived on antihistamines since I was about 14 and living in South Georgia, which is mold and pollen hell. At that point, my allergies were so bad that they were causing me to throw up. Last year, I was put on Nasarel, which is an inhaled steroid, and it's made a big difference. I also did a round of desensitizing shots about 25 years ago and they helped. The allergist tells me that there are now pretty good shots for dust mites.

People need to chat more. Otherwise I'm going to have to actually start doing work. (In my defense, I have actually been doing work...just finished my grocery order, for that matter. But, I've got the not-so-fun stuff to start soon.)

Yes and no. When I get really stressed out the stress manifests as illness...typically a migraine, sometimes asthma or severe allergies. I'm trying very hard this semester to limit that stress and avoid the migraines.

Ah, that makes sense.

And people do need to chat more. Either that or Annabel needs to take her morning nap soon so I can unload and reload the dishwasher and start scoring another entry for the writing contest I'm judging.