Just a Little Something I Like to Call ... My Life

Hello!  I have finally made my new blog “presentable”, from this time on I will be posting my daily life on there so if you have an RSS feed or a link on your page please change it to my new one

http://jamieinjest.blogspot.com/

See you there!!!

I started my blog nearly 4 years ago to the month.  I started a blog when no one really knew what they were, but found it a great way to share my life and practice my writing – two things which I love.

In that time I’ve been engaged, single, dated, been engaged again, moved to PA, moved to England, and lived life here in England for nearly 3 years.

I have a certain loyalty to Windows Live Blogging, but have found myself thinking of moving my blog to another site – for ease of use and because I am a girl, I like to accessorize (something I cant do very well here).   The main reason I am changing is because at some point I want to have my blog made into a book, for me, and Windows doesn't do that.

So I am going to be moving my blog.  I could never not blog, but I think it will be easier to have it through the same site as my fertility blog.

I will keep this blog, and as and when I “launch” my blog I will put all the info right here.

So sorry Windows, but I think it’s time we broke up… don’t worry it’s not you… it’s me.

Yesterday was Chris' Birthday, and it was a big one – 30!  Last Saturday we had a party for him.  We had it at the chapel where we meet for church.  We spent quite a bit of time setting up and cooking party food.  We didn't have as good of a turn out as I would have liked, but we had most of the family there and some good friends from church.  I made a special train cake for Chris which he really liked and so did the kids!  That along with 45 cupcakes kept me in the kitchen the entire night before here is the cake:

I was pleased with the way it turned out. 

Here is the party before the party:

His sweet sister Rachel did the signs and also spent a lot of time helping me set up.

Yesterday we didn't do much to celebrate.  We went to dinner but it was PACKED so we ended up coming home and getting a take away.  I felt really sad because no one from Chris’ family said Happy Birthday to him but his dad and sister and he has to wait to get his present from America, so I tried a new recipe for a chocolate cake.  It was one of the best cakes I’ve ever had (if I do say so myself):

One of the things I did for Chris’ party was get his friends from around the world to send him birthday cards – we got quite a few and I am so thankful for them because I think it make Chris’ birthday even more special knowing that so many people care about him.  Here in England they give cards for everything and then display them so here are Chris’ cards:

17 cards in all (yes the one on the far right on the TV is a pickle – thanks Abbie).

All in all it wasn't the surprise 30th Birthday party that I wanted but, I hope Chris’ knows how much people care about him!

I know it is past time for an update:

*  My Celiac test came back with bad results – My score 119, normal below 8.  I am now off to get a endoscopy and biopsy.  I still haven't gotten back to the hospital to get my other 5 tests done.  Hopefully when I do they will all come back normal.  With the prospect of a diagnosis of Celiac I have decided, for right now, to cut out most of the gluten in my diet but not all.  I know a lot of people disagree, but I know my body and I know right now, this is the answer and way to go for me.

*  We spent a busy weekend with our lovely nephew Tyler.  He was VERY hard work, but an absolutely perfect baby.  I loved the time with him, loved watching Chris with him, and loved having someone to take care of – but realized once again how much work it is! 

*  I put up new pictures.

*  It is still freezing here in England!

*  I have found some websites that I think are great, you should check them out!!!!

http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/

http://cutegirlshairstyles.blogspot.com/

http://annemariesmusiccorner.blogspot.com/

http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/

It is Chris’ big 30th birthday party tomorrow.  It has been quite stressful getting things together and having some disappointments but hopefully it will be a very good night.  I am sure pictures will follow.  I am in the midst right now of putting together Chris’ train cake!

Chris’ parents and his brother, sister in law and 2 nieces are headed over to America Sunday for a few weeks – I am so jealous!!!  I cant wait to get back home.

After a quite ominous letter received the day after Chris and I got back from our HORRIBLE Brussels trip, saying “YOU HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COELIAC!” (Alright maybe not in bold or all caps but that is what it translated to me) I FINALLY, today, had my first appointment with my Specialist (THANKS FOR THE 2 MONTH WAIT NHS!). 

I had to take the train down to the hospital, after getting there an hour early and then waiting in the dreary clinic an HOUR after my appointment time – I walked into the exam room.  The doctor was very, very kind and took time to ask all about my symptoms and SHOCKINGLY wanted to read all my past history from Utah and even wanted to take some copies for her notes (very refreshing!).  She told me that I should have been officially diagnosed back in Utah, but that she would do a full work up to make sure and then get me on the road to better health :)  She told me that I needed to get another Endoscopy (oh joy!) and also, she would need a full blood work up because often thyroid and glucose are often closely related. 

If you know me at all… you know I have horrible time giving anyone any of my blood – see exhibit A:

This was my arm when I was in hospital a few years ago and they could only find one vein down that arm that they used again and again – and I wont even get started about about the time they had to use and ultrasound machine to find a vein during another hospital stay – needless to say I give those nurses a run for their money!

All of this being said, I knew there would be problems today because I had only had a few bits of muffin and a half a bottle of water in the morning and that equals trouble.

SIX tries later, and not just one little try - the nurses get so frustrated they root around in there moving the needle all around the vein (PAIN) – they found no blood.  So now, instead of getting the results within the week, now I have to go to my regular doctors surgery and get it done there and sent away (THANKS AGAIN NHS!)

So how am I feeling?  I will be honest – I am not at all ready to face it, to change my whole lifestyle and to miss out on some of the things I love.  I have it under control for the most part, I know what makes me sick (including chocolate) and I know how to handle it – can I commit to it? NO, not now.  But then the doctor says, “this is a complete change – there is no halfway about it!  You may not want to hear it, but this had health consequences that reach far beyond an upset stomach.”

I guess I’ll just have to see how the next few weeks play out and see if I really want to do this right now – regardless of the consequences.

I have said it time and time again on this blog that one of the few things that makes my life happy here in England is family, especially my nieces and nephews.  I love spending time with every single one of them and Chris and I we lucky enough to be able to watch Georgia while her mom was recovering from having Georgia’s little sister Madison.  It might be wrong, but I love to spoil all the kids when they come to stay – I figure I would be happy to have the title of the “fun auntie”.  Georgia made the start of the week so much fun and always brings out the best in Chris. 

We decided to go to Peterborough and since I still cant drive we got to take the train.  The night before we made some dinner and muffins, painted her fingernails, she got a bubble bath, and got to snuggle with me and Chris eating popcorn and watching a DVD.  The day in Peterborough was LONG and cold but we had a very good time. 

Here are some pictures I of Georgia’s visit:

We love her!!!  If you want to see the whole set of pictures (including the mini-espresso included in the KIDS MEAL) take note of the new picture album.

I did this on Facebook and thought it would make a good blog post… enjoy!!

1. I didn't want to follow the crowd and do this, but couldn't stop thinking about what I'd put if I did.

2. I saw my husband for 3 months through out the 2 years we were dating - not recommended - but its worked for us.

3. I love it when my mom calls me Jamie-Jo - it reminds me of my amazing childhood.

4. I used to never tell my mom anything, but now I tell her everything (the wisdom of age).

5. Even though I live in the UK, I have never visited Wales or Scotland - but have been to France and Belgium.

6. In Junior High I was voted, by my peers, as "most likely to have 10 kids".

7. My 2 best friends have had that title for nearly 18 years - and we've known each other as far back as we can remember.

8. I lived in Hershey, Pennsylvania - where the air smelled of chocolate and the street lamps were the shapes of Hershey Kisses.

9. I've lived in England for nearly 3 years - I always thought I would live here at some point - even before I met Chris.

10. I LOVE the smell of rubber.

11. I have to look at the same websites in the same order every morning.

12. I have never heard my parents fight.

13. People in America say I am getting an English accent, people in England say I'm not.

14. I started my blog in 2005 WAY before having a blog was cool.

15. When I used to have braces, it hurt to eat popcorn.

16. I collect magnets from all the places I've travelled.

17. I used to have 2 cats named Sophie and Lola - named them from characters in musicals.

18. I once spent $90.00 on concert tickets for the boy I liked and told him he could take a date... he took me and the seats were horrible, but it was a good night because he picked me.

19. I went to Weber State University for a term and spent all my time chatting online, hanging out with friends, taking LONG drives just to sing in the car, and calling England - I went to classes no more than 5 times - all funded by my mom - I still feel guilty and plan on paying her back to this day.

20. I used to hate the fact that my hair was red and curly - now I really like it.

21. I have the same hands as my mom and grandma - I love that!

22. The night before my Sophomore year started, I got nail glue in my eye and had to go to the hospital they gave me an eye patch to wear (ironic because we were the Cyprus Pirates) - I missed school the next day.

23. I went on a date where my date prayed at the beginning and end - during the date he told an entire comedy club that he was a polygamist and also told me about his two other girlfriends who disappeared.

24. I love getting acupuncture and it works like magic for me.

25. I stole paper from my 6th grade teachers closet when she trusted me to clean it - I also stole a pocketful of mints from a family I was babysitting for - my friend Amy found out about it and reminds me of it on occasion.

When I was "working" for the government, I spent a lot of time downloading songs I LOVED!  I would be sitting there day dreaming and a memory would pop into my head and inevitably it would have music associated with it. 

My high school experience has a great soundtrack full of: swing music, Broadway, punk, and alternative music. 

Whenever I think of my 2 greatest friends from life my memories often are accompanied by "In The Jungle", "Going to the Chapel", and many other 1950's era favourites and a constant stream of belly laughs!

My family life is fully of Eagles, Crosby Stills and Nash, Beatles on Saturday mornings and I can sing MANY Olivia Newton John songs all learned and recited while growing up.

My first love was full of pining away and LOTS of popular love songs often fit the situation - but the song, I Wish I Wasn't - by Heather Headly was the song that described it as if I wrote it myself.

I still remember the parts and words to so many songs I learned while in Young Women's and can even still do the sign language to one!

My relationship now started with songs about waiting and distance - even picking out a special song just for me and Chris (The Promise). Now I find that instead of enlarging my life's soundtrack - I find it more comforting and more joyful to listen to the past music of my life.

I have always had a love of music.  I took voice lessons for around 10 years and burst into song quite often during the day, having learned enough songs to link to almost any subject! I can sit in a restaurant and very often I make note to my companion that, "my dad has this CD!"  I used to play a game with my grandpa when I would visit him in St. George - he would give me a subject and I would find a song that involved that subject.  There were are few friends that would participate in "in-car" concerts with me and we would sing complete musicals in the car - and drive around just to do the whole show.

Music moves me in a way that nothing else does.  Music can move me to tears or bring me complete contentment within seconds.  Just take a moment to think about it, I dont think we realize how much it is involved in our lives.

So, what are some songs that are in your life's soundtrack??

I'm not afraid to admit it - I've been watching the Presidential Inauguration since 12:30 (my time) - it is now nearly 10:00.  I did take a break to walk to town.  I guess I just need to feel connected to my country - and I've felt connected.  It's funny, if I were actually living in America I probably wouldn't have watched it for so long (to be honest I cant even remember where I was for President Bush).  But sometimes, here in England I feel so dis-connected that I LONG to feel a part of it, a part of the patriotism that England lacks.  I can say that maybe Obama isn't who I would have voted for, but, today as I sit on my couch here in freezing, dreary, March, UK; I can say, today I am proud to be an American.