Howdy Neighbor!

Welcome to my page of woes about being a construction worker's wife (or girlfriend in our case). We've lived together for almost two years and have been dating for almost 2 1/2. We've gone through quite our share of difficulties and I just thought I'd share them with you! So welcome to my life, my experiences, and my relationship lol.

Note: I have decided to combine this blog with another personal one, so the posts that are before this one are a look at my life before becoming the "Construction Workers Wife".

Life Goes On

A couple weeks ago, I went in to get some blood drawn for tests. My doctor had told me that it would only be a few vials, nothing to worry about (I hate needles). Upon sitting down and being locked in by the special bar they put in front of you (smart people), I found out it would be a bit more than expected. Matt, my ever supportive boyfriend, watched the nurses walk over and told me not to watch them, as they brought over the tray of vials. Good thing I listened, or I would have seen a lot more than...five. Alas, I figured it out after the 15th vial and a slight feeling of dizziness...which grew to nausea at about the 23th and, you guessed it, I fainted. In all it was 30.
I told the girls at work that they better have found absolutely nothing, or something great to make it worthwhile.

Here's the results:

I found out that I have mutations in my Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, aka MTHFR (the gene produces the MTHFR enzyme which helps process amino acids and vitamin B, for more info go to this website, it's the most straightforward and understandable info I've found). One thing it does not explain, however, is how it effects blood clotting (those with MTHFR cannot break down clots as easily). 
I was advised that I need to start living as healthy as possible, including lots of cardio exercise (to help get blood flowing and "wash out" those nasty blood clots), and cutting out foods that have a lot of calories in them. Also, MTHFR mutations causes us not to absorb folic acids (which help break down clots) like we should, so I need to find out which foods are rich in folic acids and start eating the crap out of them.

As if that wasn't enough, I also have a VERY low amount of fibrinogine (which helps blood to clot when it is supposed to) meaning no rough housing for me. This will also effect when I can do the surgery for removing the hamartoma (a benign tumor made of disorganized and rebellious tissue cells) in my breast! Woooo! *wipes forehead*

As you can see, this is a lot to think about. Not only can I not MAKE clots like I'm supposed to, but if I do have problematic clots, my body can't take care of those like it's supposed to either!

This gives me more motivation to live as healthy as possible. I have been having trouble finding the motivation to work out as much as I need to, but I am doing better with portion sizes and what I am eating (if anyone has suggestions of your favorite work-out regimens let me know, I'm very ADD about it, especially when repeating the same thing over and over). 

I am thankful that all these conditions are not life threatening. And what a great treatment for them: having healthy habits! Sounds pretty simple (ha). 
I could still use some support though and ask that you please pray for me that I will understand as much as I need to about these conditions, how to live with them, and that I will work-out as much as I need to despite my lack of motivation. Please also pray that we will find a great surgeon, that my fibrinogine count will go up, and that my surgery will go swimmingly.

UPDATE: turns out they miscounted my fibrinogine, so no worries about that.

Easter Gifts

Now that I've gotten obsessed with Pinterest, I've been putting many of the things I've found to good use. 

I found recipes for homemade silly putty and bouncy balls, and am planning on making those as gifts for Easter this year. Just put inside a plastic easter egg and hand out!

Update: Here's the recipes I used
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2008/06/silly-putty.html
http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/bounceball.htm

I was not impressed with the bouncy ball recipe. The balls hardly bounced and they never turned clear.
The silly putty turned out better, the only problem is you can't put too much coloring in otherwise it'll come off on your hands. If the putty sits for a while it also starts to to revert back to a gluey substance, unless it gets played with.

Date Night

I got this idea from another blog. Matt and I are horribly indecisive so I made this!

http://www.lifeinthegreenhouse.com/2012/02/date-night-in-jar.html

Instead of the popsicle sticks, I used scrap book paper cut into long strips and then rolled up.

Not So Much a Disaster

I feel like a let down.
All my life I have seen women conquering their houses, keeping up with all the chores all while taking care of four kids. All the laundry is done, the house is clean, dinner is ready and the kids have a snack when they get home from school.

I fail. And I only have two people to take care of.
I called my mother the other day, about ready to have another panic attack, and told her I couldn't do it anymore. I can't seem to keep up with anything, the story of my life. When Matt got home, he took one look at my face and immediately get's frustrated. I tell him what's going through my head: that I feel like I'm the one doing everything, that I don't feel stable, that I can't handle it all myself.
"You don't have to!" He exclaims, "This is stuff that has to do with us. If you need me to do something just ask me!" He for some reason doesn't remember that I ask him to do stuff all the time and it usually takes approximately a week of me asking him everyday before it gets done.
I have gotten so burned out from having to clean up after three people (when it wasn't my job to clean it up at all) that I NEVER want to do anything when I wake up in the morning. Lately, Matt has been coming  home to find me sitting in a chair, computer in my lap, TV on and a slight scowl on my face. I don't want to do anything. I am tired of not having any help and hearing complaining when I ask someone to do something. I've pretty much just given up.

I am burned out. The thought of drowning comes to mind as I sit here and think over everything I am running behind on and I just want to throw up my hands and sink. I want someone else to take care of it for a change, but I know that's not going to happen so I trek on, day after day and try to at least keep my depression at bay while I trudge around the house trying to finish at least one chore.

But who am I to think I can get it all done. I'm not superwoman (unless my powers won't show up until I'm 25), and I don't have to try to be. I do only have two people to take care of, and one of those people is 23 and can take care of his share around the house, whether he wants to complain or not. I don't have to take on everything I want to do yet, and focus on getting done what I have started now.

These past couple days God keeps hitting me with this thought that when I get what needs to be done finished then I will feel so much better and be able to actually enjoy what I want to do.

Why can't thoughts be like nerve signals where once you have them your body just does them?

Weekly Menu

Meal 1: Matt's specialty hamburgers, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes

Meal 2: Basalmic kabobs, featuring, steak, mushrooms, and tomatoes

Meal 3: Burrito Pie and green beans

Meal 4: Volcano meatball subs and potato salad

All You

New favorite website: All You.

Get it.