Damn the man...

So...I finally found a medicine that was helping with my back/hip/muscle pain. It was like a miracle drug. I hadn't had any pain in my shoulders or hips in over a month. And then a new calendar year came around and my deductible started all over again. I found out my miracle drug was going to cost $185 for a month and a half supply. HOLY CRAP!!! I'm not buying crack here. Obviously that money is not available in my very thin budget. So I've had to go back to my old medicine which does very little in relieving my pain. It frustrates me to no end that I work hard, don't rely on anyone and still can't afford the basic medical things that I need. I just made the final payment on a biopsy that I had done in November of 2007. I have one payment left on the sleep study I had done a year ago. I work in the medical field so I know what things cost and what the insurance companies pay. Insurance companies make billions of dollars a year by denying necessary procedures and cutting reimbursement. Every day I see patients who have $30, $40, $50 dollar co-pays every time they see the doctor. And the same every physical therapy visit they have. This is only one small part of the medical world but our area is very rarely unnecessary. OK...I've kind of gotten off topic.

I look at my health history and wonder why I am always sick...always coming down with something. I think a lot of it stems from my sleep disorder. For those of you that don't know I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder called Non-Restorative Sleep Disorder. Basically my brain never shuts down. When we sleep our brain waves should be very minimal. Well, when I sleep my brain waves are the same as when I'm awake. So without medication I can't sleep for more than 2-3 straight hours. Every night I have to take 2 different sleeping medications in order to try and sleep through the night. Basically all they do is put me into what I call a drug-induced coma. Yes, I may not wake up til the alarm clock goes off, but I never feel rested when I wake up. Imagine going months and months without sleeping. This is what I feel like every day. And because of my crappy health insurance I can't really afford to look into other possible treatments aside from the medication. And even these aren't always approved. Because I need two different medications, my insurance will allow one but not the other. So I get the "discounted" price on one but have to pay the full price on the other. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that the insurance companies should decide what medication I should take instead of my doctor.

So my theory as to why I'm always sick is that my immune system is just so low from my body being physically exhausted all the time. Right now I have some kind of sinus infection/chest cold. I have been hacking up a lung the last two days which in turn causes my entire lower body to hurt. My back and hips hurt so bad that I was almost in tears yesterday. I am currently laying on two ice packs while I write this and just took a percocet to try and cut down some of the pain. But of course...if I needed any new medication I wouldn't be able to afford it so instead I will just suffer through it and wait for the next bump in the road to come along. I will not step down off my soap box...good day.

Mafia Wars...It's more than just an addiction!!

So...a few months ago an old friend from college sent me an invite to play a game called Mafia Wars on facebook. I joined and looked at it a few times but never really got too it. Then slowly over the next several weeks I started looking at it more frequently and then realized that some of my other friends were playing too. So of course I got more interested since I had other people to talk to about it. Then about a week ago...Glenn and I went to Chris and Courtney's for dinner and Chris had it up on his computer. While Courtney and I sat in the living room discussing "an annoyance who shall not be named", Chris was showing Glenn the game and within a few days Glenn was a member of facebook. That was something I never thought would happen. He has always been anti-myspace and facebook. Then I realized that the only reason he joined was to play Mafia Wars. Over the last week the two of us have been completely and utterly addicted. At the beginning I was playing a little here and there and now am pathetically addicted to the point where I bring my computer to work so I can play at lunch. In fact the only reason I'm writing this right now is because I'm waiting for my stamina to refill so I can fight again...LOL. It's a sad, sad world we live in. But I guess this helps keep our minds off the economy and all the other unhappy things going on in the world. So...if you don't see or hear from either of us for awhile...it's cause we're kicking ass and taking names!!

A Drunk Fest...

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. We've been super busy lately. I feel like we are constantly going and never get to slow down. We are leaving in about 5 minutes to head to Gatlinburg, TN for Super Bowl weekend. 12 people (and a fricking baby) in a pimped out house with nothing to do but relax and DRINK!!! We have a huge theater room and plenty of movies and Wii games to fill the weekend. So excited about leaving the nasty snow and ice in Cincinnati for some slightly warmer temps. It's sad when you look forward to 44 degree weather. I promise I will be better about keeping up with this when we get back.

Peace out cub scout!!!!!

It's not just me...

So...last night I was part of a sleep study group discussion. Basically there were 2 representatives from a pharmaceutical company, myself and 5 other women who all have sleeping issues like myself. The reps initiated different topics related to our sleep problems such as it's impact on our jobs, social life, personal life, health, etc and then we all just kind of jumped in with our stories. They also asked us questions about our "ideal" sleeping aid and also our ideas/opinions on future questionnaires for people with sleep problems.

So...why you ask is this blog-worthy? Because so far this has been a pretty boring blog. Last night, not only did I find out that I'm not alone and that in fact there are people even crazier than me...but I GOT PAID TO TALK!!!! I know...you sit there and ask yourself....how could Genny overcome her shyness and talk to people she doesn't know? LOL...ahhhh, I crack myself up. I got paid $100 to just shoot the breeze, chit-chat, blab, converse if you will. It was awesome. If I could do that for a living...I would be one happy camper. So...if anyone asks, I am looking for a position as a professional guinea pig/participant.

Goodbye 2008...Year in Review!

So I'm writing this now because I will not have my computer with me on New Years. I will be in Miami, FL!!!!! WAHOO!!!!! I can't think of a better way to end this year. It has been such a good year.

I started off the year in California for the Rose Bowl. Spending the beginning of the year with my sister was awesome. It's so hard to be so far away from her. We went to Disney and saw Mickey and did some shopping on Rodeo Drive. It was definitely a good trip to Cali.



February was nothing to write home about. The only thing I can remember was picking up my bridesmaid's dress in my pajamas on Valentine's Day. Yeah...I'm a loser.

But then came March...the month that changed the rest of my life. That's when I met Glenn...and all of the amazing people he has brought into my life. We met on a Saturday, had our first date on Thursday and then he had to go to Atlanta for 2 weeks for work. Not the ideal way to start out a relationship. But honestly...I think it's what made our relationship. We talked on the phone every night for two weeks. I was more nervous for our second date than I was our first. But once I saw him again, the nerves went away and I knew this was going to be something special. All of a sudden life just felt right. Like that piece that was missing was now perfectly in place. I think I knew at the end of that date that I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.

In April I had lasik surgery and took Glenn home to meet the parents. Of course, they loved him and so did my friends. The rest of the month was filled with house hunting and softball for him...and for me it was watching softball!!! The month just flew by.

May was more of the same...spending time together, watching/playing softball and Glenn bargaining his way into what is now our home. We spent Memorial Day weekend at the softball park watching the team win the tournament that would send them to Nationals in Virginia.

June was spent preparing to move into the house. He closed on June 11 but didn't get possession until June 28th. Ohio is weird like that. He got the keys on Sat around 5 and we brought my air mattress over so we could spend the first night in the house. So moving day finally came and I made sure that the first thing that went into the house was an Illinois floor mat!!!!!!! His friends all came to help and the moving went so fast. He does have some awesome friends. We spent the evening with friends sitting on the back deck, enjoying some beers and for us realizing that this was a huge step for us. While I wasn't officially moved in, I never stayed at my apt again.

July was more softball and going home for my cousin's wedding. My sister and her boyfriend "surprised me" by coming home for the wedding. Sadly I found out about it a week or so before we went home. But it was so much fun getting to spend time with them and having Sissy and Glenn meet. Now they're bestest friends. I also started my new position at work. I was not happy in my old position and was actually looking for a new job unbeknownst to my current job. Then one day they called and asked if I wanted this new position and I'm still wondering why I said yes.

August was filled with more softball and working on the house. Work was not going as well as I had hoped and had many days where I wanted to just quit. But...obviously I am not in a place financially where I could do that and with the economy in the bucket I should be happy I have such a good paying job to begin with. So I just tell myself every day that it's a resume builder and that some day, something better will come along!!! At the end of August I officially moved in! We've had fun trying to figure out how to combine all of our stuff but I think we've done a pretty good job. There is still a lot to do on the house but it definitely feels like a home.

September started with a trip to Virginia for the softball national tournament. We drove with Chris and Courtney. 8 hours in a car with a bad back and a bad hip is not fun. But we made it! We had good weather but sadly not a good tournament. It was Labor Day weekend and there were some guys on the team that couldn't make the trip so they weren't playing with their best roster. They lost their first game to a bunch of old, fat guys that they should have easily won. But that meant we got to go back to the hotel and hang out at the pool!!! We had a team dinner at Hooters where everyone just relaxed and had a good time. They went 1-2 but that meant we had an extra day to play and got to do some fun sight seeing on the way home. We stopped at Greenbriar in West Virginia which is an absolutely gorgeous hotel/grounds, then stopped at a gorge before going to the Mystery Hole.

After Nationals I was in Lisa's wedding. We had such a good time. The wedding itself was absolutely beautiful, as was the bride. And the reception was one helluva party. I am so unbelievably happy for Lisa and Burt and so glad that I can call them friends. I just wish I got to see them more often. Columbus is just too far away!

October started off pretty boring. Work, house stuff, work, house stuff. We went to the Illinois game against Indiana which rocked. And then...WE GOT A PUPPY!!!!! It wasn't planned. We originally had planned on getting one in the spring. I got home after a bad day of work and we decided to go out to dinner cause neither of us wanted to cook. There's a pet store right next to the restaurant we went to so we decided to go in and look since I don't really know much about different breeds and stuff. And on our way out, we saw the cutest little fluff ball. From the first second I held him I knew he was going home with us. We named him Kona...just something that Glenn came up with and it was love at first lick. While there have been times when I questioned why we got a dog, I have never regretted it. He has added so much fun and love to our lives.

November was spent doing a little work on the house, hanging with the puppy and hanging with our friends. Glenn and Kona came home with me for Thanksgiving and they both survived it. Everyone absolutely loved Kona and my aunt gave him the best gift...a little Illinois bandana to wear around his neck.

And finally December...the month where it's finally all about me!!! As many of you know I turned the big 3-0 this year. I know a lot of women freak out, but I completely embraced it. This has been such a good year for me...how could I not. Glenn planned an excellent birthday for me. I thought I had it all figured out but I was way off. We woke up to a snow covered ground and found out that Kona absolutely loves the snow. I knew that we were doing something in the afternoon, dinner at 5:30 and then something afterwards. I had figured out that we were going ice skating down at fountain square. Then I thought we were doing dinner at McCormick's and then going to see Stomp. We got downtown around 4:15 only to find out that at 4:30 they were clearing the ice to run the zamboni and that it took half an hour. So we weren't gonna be able to go ice skating. So we just got some hot chocolate and walked around the square for a bit. We went into Tiffany's so I could ask them about cleaning the bracelet Sissy and Mr. Anthony got me and then it was time for dinner. So Glenn told me to take him to where I thought we were eating. So I started to walk into McCormick's and he just stopped and said he'd wait for me outside. I was so confused. I thought for sure I knew where we were going. So then we crossed the street towards Boi Na Braza where he tricked me again and made a sharp turn to cross the street. I finally figured out that we were going to Palomino and he had reserved a table at the window looking out over fountain square. Chris and Courtney met us for dinner and we had an excellent time. So then I found out that I was way off on Stomp and took me about 6 guesses to figure out we were going to the hockey game. He knows how much I love hockey and we had never gone to a game together. So we walked to the arena and met Chris and Lisa and the six of us went to the game. It was an excellent birthday!!

Our first Christmas together was amazing. We went to his aunt and uncle's for Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas morning together opening gifts. Kona got an Illinois football jersey from his cousin Chloe and he looks absolutely adorable in it. We went to Glenn's sisters for Christmas Day and had so much fun. Mommy was supposed to get here Friday but they had a bad ice storm so she couldn't come until Saturday. So we are just hanging out this weekend and then Monday night Glenn and I fly down to Ft. Lauderdale. I am sooooo excited. Chris and Courtney and Chris and Lisa are driving down Tues night and then we get to spend the rest of the week playing in the fun and sun. New Year's Day we're going to watch UC play in the Orange Bowl. This truly has been one of the best years of my life! I can't wait to see what 2009 has to offer!!!!!

Merry Christmas to all....

This has been a year of many firsts for me. And this Christmas was another one. This was the first Christmas I didn't spend with my family. Last year was the first Christmas that I didn't go home for Christmas, but my mom came here and we went to my aunts for dinner. But this year was just me...and my new family. Christmas Eve we went to Glenn's aunt and uncles for dinner. There was probably about 20 people there which felt more like a typical Christmas for me. We did a gift exchange and had a wonderful meal. Then came home and went to bed early because I was exhausted. Glenn's family used to always open their gifts on Christmas Eve but we always did on Christmas morning. After all...how can Santa deliver gifts if you're not sleeping. So I convinced him it was better to wake up to presents on Christmas morning.

Kona slept in the bed with us and let us sleep in until around 8. We got up and did presents together. We both got blankets from Sissy...Illinois for me and UC for Glenn. I got UC shirts for the Orange Bowl and Super Mario Kart for Wii...YEAH!!! Glenn got some Lowe's gift cards and something else which I can't say here cause I got my sister and Anthony the same thing...LOL. But needless to say...it is the best gift EVER. Then it was Kona's turn for presents. He got a new bed, a bunch of toys and an Illinois football jersey from his cousin Chloe. He loved it and wore it all day.

After we played Mario Kart for a little while we packed up all the toys and games and headed up to Glenn's sisters house. It was another full house that felt like home. Lots of people, food and games. We taught everyone how to Wii snowboard and raced a little mario kart. Then once everyone had left except for us, we played his sisters new game, "Partini". It was me and Glenn vs. Terri and Larry. And we kicked butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a good time and I absolutely love his family. They have made me feel like part of the family from the get go. I am so absolutely lucky. The only thing that could make this better was if my sissy didn't live so far away. I miss you more than you know!!!!!!

OK...time to get back to work. And then mommy comes today and we get to do this all over again!!!!!!!

PMS...a blessing and a curse

Once a month my normally out of control emotions go even more haywire. Sometimes the tiniest thing can make me cry one second and scream the next. Or I can go from being in a great mood to being pissed for three straight days. There are times when this happens and I can use the excuse...it's PMS...I can't help it. And I'll be honest and say I use this excuse much more than I should...LOL. That is the blessing side of this. It's an easy out. But that doesn't mean I should use it.

Most people who know me know that my moods can be all over the place...stupid chemical imbalance. I'm sure some people just think I'm a bitch...which may be true to an extent. So imagine when my hormones put my moodiness into hyper-mode. This is when the curse comes into play. Because when this happens, someone (or something) is usually on the opposing end of my mood. This someone or something may not always know it. For example...the dumbass driver who cut me off today when the road was a complete sheet of ice and was cursed for the 2 miles he was in front of me today. He has no idea that I banished him to the inner realms of hell. And my poor steering wheel that usually takes the brunt of the punishment when things like this happen. But the one that makes me feel the guiltiest is Glenn. God love him! He puts up with so much...my obsession with Illinois, my random crying episodes, my comatose state that my sleeping pills put me in at night which means he has to get up to take the dog out, my puking in his car from my lack of ability to say no to a free bar (stupid company Christmas party!!). But putting up with my moods, both normal and PMS super-dosed, has to be hard. I know how hard it is to live with myself so I can only imagine how hard it is for someone else to live with me.

I've never done well with talking to other people about what is going on with me. Sadly it's one of the traits I learned from my parents. I keep everything inside until it explodes. And it's not always pretty when it does. But luckily for me...he won't let me do that. He makes me talk to him even when I don't want to or don't know how. He loves me no matter how easily I get pissed off. He loves me when I get mad at him for something stupid. He loves me when I don't love myself. He makes the emotional rollercoaster that my brain puts me on worth riding.