My Beethoven...

My sweet baby dog Beethoven, has... allergies. Not just any kind of allergies. Like the kind the people have and must get shots for. Geez, my dog is more high maintenance than me. :) I took Beethoven to the "allergy vet" the other week and they did a "allergy test" on him, just like they do on the humans... uh hm...$700 dollars later we know now that he is allergic to: Everything! Mostly dust mites, grass and yeast that he makes on his own skin. Are you kidding me? What am I going to do with this dog? Meanwhile the vet has given me a vile of the allergens he is allergic to and wants me to give Beethoven a shot every other week for the rest of his life? There is a 80% chance that he will get better from the shots, but it takes at least a year before we see any results. Seriously? There has to be a better way. For now, I'm waiting...because I mostly feel clueless on what is best.

Here is a pic that I took of Beethoven after his allergy test on his skin. :(

Dr. Appointments galore....

Hello Bloggies,
I wanted to share with you some news that I've been looking for, for a long time... I have been on a search for a "cure." I say that because, I live with a nasty, sometimes debilitating syndrome, daily. Yes, it's the wonderful "IBS." Or so they say...

I was diagnosed with this very common problem over 10 years ago and the fight to keep it under control has left me, weak. I have seen the best doctors in Dallas, had a million tests and I mostly feel like a "mystery diagnosis."
I mean, that's what it really is... no one can figure it out. After my last and very costly Colonoscopy/Endoscopy... I lost hope. My "Best Dallas Doctor money can buy" told me, she was kind of clueless to what was really happening and I should have more tests...

Well, that's easy to say but it's hard to afford. I'm still paying down hospital bills from June and this lady wants me to have another hospital stay and some more poking and prodding... I just wanted to be left alone.

Since June, I haven't been to a doctor. I just gave up. I know that sounds weak but I'm tired of the process. It takes a lot out of a person to prep for those tests etc and I was just done.
Until now. I found a new doctor that might have the answer. Or at least she is going to keep looking until she finds it! I met with a new doctor last Thursday and she feels that she might know what is wrong, and of course... I'm thrilled.
She took "a lot" of blood and we are going to start there, fresh and new and from the beginning and I'm hoping this time, there will be a "diagnosis."
Only, she did say that I could have a "blood disease" and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not, but really I just want an answer and I'm praying that the news will be good.
So, I write this post to keep you updated on that front but not to "complain" or "whine" about the process. I have managed with this for over 10 years now, and I'm not going to start "crying" about it now. I have just been really, frustrated.
Plus, I know there are far worse things that people are battling everyday in comparison to this. Some people have cancer and life threatening diseases. I'm not making light of that, those people are true warriors. I'm just  thankful the Lord has brought me this far without any cancers and I'm praying for the strength to keep up the fight, the fight to keep searching for the "diagnosis."

K

It was raining and pouring... and then it was snowing?

Well, unless you have been living under a rock... you have heard that Texas recieved a very rare occourance on Thursday. :) 

About 3am central time, it started snowing... and by the time we woke up, it was still snowing and then after we ate lunch it was still snowing and before we went to bed it was still... snowing!!! This never happens here! We were very lucky to see such a pretty snowfall all day, and all night and we had record amounts of the precipatation since 1965. I kept saying to Steve, "I have never seen this much snow in my lifetime." And, I was right! It was super fun to go outside and play in the snow with our doggie. He too, has never seen this much snow in his lifetime! Steve and I made a snowman and Beethoven chased snow balls in the yard, it was too cute for words. By the time we came inside from playing our clothes were drenched, but we didn't mind. :) It was a fun inconvenience to say the least. We had such a blast we wanted to share some photos of this crazy snow fall... looks like we got close to 12 inches!!!! Holy Cow, that's a lot!

Almost a year ago...

I started this blog... I wanted to find a easy way to communicate with friends and family through a website and I had seen countless other bloggies that were so cute... So I tried.

Of course, I wanted to keep it up... but I just couldn't with "life."  But, I'm back!  I'm really going to try and stay on top of my posting and keeping it all new... key word here is: "try."

Okay bloggies, with that being said... here's the latest in the Sherman household.

Steve got a promotion!!!!  Yea Steve, he's such a hard worker and he really deserved it.  Now he runs a route in Sherman/Denison, which is like 50 minutes north on 75.  It's quite a drive, but we are praying that this new promotion will pay off, big time. :)

I'm so happy that Steve has a job, well I would call it a career now... that he loves.  He is so on top of things and learning something new all the time.  I'm so proud of my hubby and I'm glad he enjoys his work. That is a huge blessing.

For me? Well, I'm taking two online classes right now... at the same time. Which, is no small feat.  Each online class takes about 15-30+ hours of work a week, and I'm doing two of those.  Also, I'm signed up for 6 classes total for the semester.  Which means I will have four more classes at the same time to take after this "7 weeks" is up.  Whew. Are you tired yet?  I am.

I'm also working more part time hours now @ Emler Swim School.  Right now I'm at 20 hours per week, plus housework and cooking and being a wife... you know it adds up.  Mostly I'm grateful for the opportunity to not have to work as much so I can focus on my studies.

Which brings me to my next good news... I made the Dean's List again this semester!!!  Yea!  I have been named to this honor for both of my semesters last year, so I'm very happy about that accomplishment and I hope to continue to excel in that area of my life.

Are you ready to hear about Beethoven???? Well, he's good. Just living his normal day to day routine, which is sleep, eat, go out, sleep, bark, eat, go out. :)  He's so cute.  I think he likes having me at home more these days because we can break into spontaneous fits of play time and go on walks... when it hasn't been bad weather.  All in all, he is good.  He is enjoying playing "King" to our "castle."

Huggies,
K