Boy am I ever hard on myself lately as I struggle to come to realization of internal issues continuing to work against me.

Boy am I ever so extremely hard on myself lately like this morning when I couldn't even pass a stress test walking on a treadmill... not even finishing the second level. What was a lot harder was the realization of another critical care patient at the young age of 67 years old that was actually able to pass her stress test with flying colors. How do I know? Because I overheard the nurse sharing the great news with the young patient as her faithful service dog laid by her side.

What a huge reality check believing that this morning's testing would turn out A-Okay.  

Having your cardiologist come down from ICU because I not only could not pass the stress test. But I got so dizzy that I couldn't breathe as both my cardiologist and his assistant had to assist me off the treadmill. I am extremely thankful that my new specialists here in the country respect my wishes of not admitting me and instead allowing me to remain at home while they continue running tests in order to figure out the best strategy in order to keep me as stable as possible. Doing the best they can so I can continue enjoying each and every day as humanly possible.

The stress test was followed by a quick echocardiogram of my heart. The only positive Silver Lining out of this morning was that my cardiologist and critical care specialists now have a far better understanding of what is going on internally. I was really hopeful that I wouldn't have to continue wearing this heart monitor which is a pretty snazzy high-tech piece of equipment. But after my ego got blown to bits this morning... I am actually fortunate to continue having my heart monitored 24/7 after this evening the same exact symptoms hit me out of nowhere.

After being beaten on a treadmill stress test by a 67 year-old younger woman... I feel pretty darn defeated and a whole lot of shocked. This coming from a gal that everyone knows used to literally tear-it-up on a daily basis using my own home treadmill. That doesn't include when I used to just a year ago be able to take daily walks along the river trails and even biking with Eric.

It's truly amazing... yet quite humbling when you realize just how much has literally changed in a year... a mere year.

Life is about accepting change. But most importantly embracing the wisdom from those great lessons of life. Through the struggles... we grow to become a much stronger and far wiser person.

Note to self:

Don't be so gosh darn critical on what you can no longer control.

Tomorrow? Another day... another blessing... another reason to share laughter and plenty of  smiles.

So what's one to talk about on their way to the hospital for more testing... more findings... more treatments... I know...

Morning cartoons from back in the day!

Where else can you watch a video of pure silliness that really makes no sense... unless of course you remember what it was like being a kid. I have become a pro at this medical hoopla and there's far too many other things... "important things" to discuss on our way to the hospital.... hehehehehehe! I'm sure I probably have that Coyotes name wrong. But who can forget that adorable sad dog Droopy? 

Ahhhhh... yes.... shear  silliness like no other!

We are still laughing on this second edited version of Who Let the Dogs Out video... Munchkin Style! What we really sound like are a bunch of high-pitched squeaky toys but boy is it f-u-n-n-y... HAHAHAHA!

We are back to our list of repairing-repainting in and out of the house projects in hopes of finishing up within the next two to three months. 'Hope' is a pretty good word for it as we had to reschedule contractor work due to the rain over the past few days and their need to remove pipes in and outside of the house. It will be nice to finally feel safe with new pipes installed and removing the prior owners makeshift do-hickeys... pfffff!

What used to be the eyesore of our home here in the country has now a few weeks later become the Focal Point. The massive fireplace project is finally complete! YAYYYYY! There was no way we could safely clean each and every piece of stone and not cause me additional respiratory problems so we had to take it one step at a time. That meant working around the weather and the ability to open the windows and of course using HGTV Sherwin-Williams paint to give this fireplace it's most miraculous makeover yet!

TADA!!!

Now that folks is one Extreme Makeover! What used to be a dirty dingy fireplace is now a piece of country Coastal Chic art! The fireplace cover and grate was actually a project I worked on by using recycled material and making my own fireplace cover using colors found throughout our Extreme Makeover home here in the country. We've been taking baby steps on this massive home makeover... but so far the end results of each and every project have been a most gratifying one!

Well... time to take my meds and a long-awaited nap. Day 1 at the hospital is now complete as once again tomorrow... Day 2 will be another early one. 

Don't forget to get out and enjoy this beautiful spring weather~

I debated whether or not to share today's blog. An ordinary night watching TV when I had an overwhelming feeling of someone or something surrounding me. I kept thinking in my mind that I need to act on this quickly... however I was so comfortable on the couch with my heating pad that I didn't want to move.

After several minutes that overwhelming feeling of someone being present with me got intensified so much so that I literally had to pause the show I was watching. It was at that very moment I just knew someone was trying to connect with me and get my attention. We have accumulated various pieces of ITC equipment over the years but the majority of the time the connections just come through on their own without the need for anything to help assist them. But this time was different as I felt the need to take every piece of equipment we had as I began to clear off my side table next to the couch.

This is the original raw, unedited, untouched video taken on my cell phone. It took me a few days to debate whether I should share this video or keep it among myself, Eric and a few others. I prayed throughout the day today that my grandmamma would give me a sign letting me know if I should share this video. And there it was this evening as myself and Eric came upon a perfect heart-shaped smudge on the window right above the same candle that is being used in the video.

What I felt and what I saw was not only real but so was the connection captured on video right in front of my very own eyes.

Myself and Eric have traveled to a lot of different historical sites and historic locations over the years. My gift to be able to connect that started at a very young age has only gotten stronger as I have gotten older. I have yet to ever experience what I did a few nights ago as I connected with my grandmamma. The most incredibly beautiful bright rays of glistening lights that surrounded me like a huge embracing hug. I will never be able to express in the exact words of how much love I felt as we connected for several minutes.

I feel it's important to share this video because my grandmamma would want everyone to know that the human Spirit lives on past this life. I know she would also want me to let others know that our dearly departed loved ones are still with us as those like myself who are blessed in each generation have the ability to connect spiritually... a special God given gift.

After I had slowly got up and turned off the equipment. I turned back on the television so I could see and this song began to play as the title, "Believe" appeared on the screen as if some type of affirmation.

 During the video I had mentioned that it's important to Believe. This was once again verified by my grandmamma along with her amazing ability to connect with me in the most Angelic... beautiful... glistening lights that surrounded me. A connection that can never be denied. 

To the skeptics and the non-believers... "Believe." 

For those who are in my shoes or have been in my shoes or getting ready to be in my shoes will totally appreciate and fully understand this video and a little song from Willow Smith. This song goes perfectly with today's theme:

Hair Today... Gone Tomorrow... Hair Today... Gone Tomorrow... well... you get the point don't you?.

Next week is going to be a crazy week as we not only have scheduled contractors coming out due to the prior owners having Daryl and Daryl create make shift pipes connected to the furnace system hidden away up in the chimney (that was until the contractor found it with a camera). But as well... medically life goes on as I am scheduled back at the hospital so they can continue to keep me as stable as possible due to recent heart and respiratory complications.

As predicted... it might have taken my body a while... but I am finally starting to display the side effects from a lot of harsh new treatments. Hair loss... which this time around even includes my eyebrows and eyelashes. Thank goodness for the ability to still continue finding ways to bring many smiles and oh-so-much laughter to our daily lives. Thank you Covergirl and Maybelline... hehehehehehe! 

The only hair I'm whipping... is what's going down the drain... hahahahaha!

Okay... that was actually a bit funny!

I must admit that although the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign is backed by support from Snooki and Deena from MTV's... Jersey Shore. We really weren't sure what to expect from the latest installment to the original hit television show properly titled...

"Jersey Shore Family Vacation"

What was I thinking because this second installment 5 years later of almost the same original cast is absolutely hilarious!!! Sure... 5 years later even "The Situation" has changed... so far anyways. Although... I anticipate the super sweet disposition to expire soon as the pressure of past history among cast members literally boils over. Another run in with a far greater wall? Hehehehehe! Reality TV at its finest... or... just a mere sitcom of sorts.

Deena is every bit the sweetest in person as she portrays on the show. Snooki is still the same little fireball... blast in a glass... while taking a break from the reality of being a mother as she embraces her former extreme party side... 5 years later. 

What is not to love about seeing all the original cast members (-1) back in a far bigger house while living life a bit on the party edge. Far away from the demands of their more professional side and needing to constantly present themselves in a more perfect persona. There is something to be said about the realness that comes out from just a casual group outing and a few drinks later... hahahahahaha!

No need to take this second installment of Jersey Shore so seriously folks because at the end of the day... they are just normal people like you and I... If You Wanna Have Fun And Do Something C-R-A-Z-Y! 

"RON STOPPPPP! STOP RON STOPPPPP!"

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

If life is what you make of it... then I have no qualms on making sure the end of my journey is one filled with absolutely hilarious and fun-filled adventures!

This time... it just happened to be to the Middle East as we conclude today's finale-part 2 of our Great Dining Adventures~

The majority of the food for our Middle Eastern evening dinner for two with our loyal companion Bobo by our side was made and prepared by myself. That also includes creating our attire and the best Middle Eastern home-made décor possible... a woman of many trades!

With being on so many respiratory medications, blood thinners and steroids means craving far too much food than one is used to when living on a 95% liquid diet. But life is short and sometimes is the fork as I made sure to give in to not only my cravings.. but my taste buds that have been deprived for years. A little bit here and a little bit there means working my way around the daily diet of liquids and making sure that I stay on top of GI medication. There are so many negative things I could choose to dwell on with this part of my journey. However through the hard times and not so wonderful times... I have learned to embrace the art and love of laughter. Sharing a smile as we laugh together and forget about all the far more serious parts of our real journey. 

Some people believe that money buys happiness.

Some people believe that vanity equals happiness.

Some folks even believe that the more popular you are the more merry you become.

I believe the true meaning of Happiness begins with the person in the mirror and the ability to laugh at yourself. There's something to be said for the epitome of someone being so strong as they continue to find a reason each and every day to laugh and smile... regardless of their struggles. That my friends is something money can never buy. Laughter will always be the best medicine in life. The purest form of happiness.

Enjoy the second part of our Great Dining Adventures located at the following link below!

Stay tuned for our third episode as we venture across the Great Wall of China to a far different dining experience... via old school for two..

Hehehehehehe!

Ahhhh... yes... we have arrived just in time after a very long trek across the desert land...

This evenings dinner... compliments of the fine Chef:

Four different types of quinoa salad to satisfy any taste bud! Red pepper, Tomato spinach, Dill cucumber and Dill with balsamic vinaigrette. Also included is a very spicy... yet still very saucy... 4 spice curry with chickpeas. Of course to quench your thirst from the hot and quite dry climate... fresh lemon water.

All under $20 with rolls.

Please join us as we travel across the great desert lands to our next Great Dining Adventure... the Middle East... Part 1

The time has finally arrived as we step our way into one great Middle Eastern dining Adventure!

Of course... we can't forget our loyal camel companion Bobo who joined alongside with us on this beautiful Candlelight Middle Eastern dinner for 2.

Okay... with Bobo... maybe 3. 

Hehehehehe!

 masa' alkhayr~