Christmas cards

Holiday Love Sketch Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Post It Note Tuesday

O Christmas Card, O Christmas Card...

Now that I'm on my own, it's time to "grow up" and start sending out my own Christmas cards.  Especially since it's my first year in my new house, I want to send a picture card.  I don't have the perfect picture yet - I'm hoping for one with me and Jager.  I can't decide if it should be in front of the house or in front of the Christmas tree - thoughts?  Both have value, but I'm not sure which is what I really want.  I just need a photographer (probably Mom) to take some pictures in both places.  AND I need Jager to cooperate!

Shutterfly has some really awesome photo card options.  While there are a lot with multiple picture slots, I'm looking for a single photo hole.  I just don't have enough pictures from this past year that I want to share with my card list!

With that said, I really like the Lovingly Wrapped American Lung Association Holiday 5x7 folded card.  

Not only is it a super cute card, but 10% of the purchase price goes to the American Lung Association.  You get a cute card to share with your family and friends while supporting a good cause.


I am a sucker for almost anything red.  So I really like the Cranberry Swirl Christmas 5x7 folded card.

It's simple and direct, but very elegant.  I could see myself sending this if I could find the perfect picture.  It would really set off my house!



I think I found my card when I found Holiday Love Sketch Christmas 5x7 folded card.

Cute, hip, and totally my kind of thing.  I would love to send this to my friends and family.  Now I have to find the perfect picture!

Shutterfly is sponsoring blogs this Christmas with 50 free cards.  I can't wait to hear what my friends and family have to say about them.  What do you think your card list would say to see these cards showing up in their mailboxes?  You can get more information about their offer here.

...and Black Friday.

The only things better than spending Thanksgiving with family?  Black Friday shopping!!  Tradition in my house, and I love it. My friend Staci is supposed to go with me and Mom today - I woke up before my alarm went off because I'm so excited!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, however you spend it!

My will be spent with over 50 members of my dad's family at mom's house for some of the best food around.  It's crazy, and stuffed, and crowded, and I love every minute of it.  I can't imagine spending Thanksgiving evening anywhere else!

Post It Note Tuesday - More Thanks

Post It Note Tuesday - More Thanks

Another Tuesday, another round of thanks!

Today seems like a jumbled mess of thanks, but that's how my brain is working right now.  On the edge of another migraine, doing everything I can to keep it at bay.  Thanks for all the kind thoughts, any prayers would also be welcome!  It is so hard to be a teacher when you're trying not to be in pain!

Migraines are a pain. Literally and figuratively.

If you didn't figure it out from my Post Its on Tuesday, I've been battling a major migraine.  Never before have I had one that messed with my vision - this one did.  On Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday, I had weird things happening with my vision.  I went in to see my doctor on Tuesday.  Well, a substitute doctor - mine is out of town until next week.  She gave me one prescription - I went to get it filled, checking the price first because she didn't want me to spend a fortune when there are other meds that will do just as well.  Good thing I checked, because it was $300 for six pills.  If I hadn't had a migraine before, I definitely would've had a headache after hearing that!  As it was, I felt very lightheaded, and thankful we had checked before filling.  The pharmacy called the doc and got me a Rx for Imitrex, which turned out to cost me nothing.  Huge difference!

The Imitrex seemed like it was working - I went to bed Tuesday without a migraine.  But when I got up Wednesday morning, it was back, and it was MEAN.  I called my doctor on my way to mass, leaving a message for a callback.  About midway through mass, my phone started ringing (good thing it was on vibrate!).  I ran out the back door, knowing I needed to answer (and it was at such a spot where I could without it being obvious).  The doctor was skipping the step of MRI and neurologist as she had suggested on Tuesday - instead, she wanted me to go to the ER for an IV of medicine.

It seems like it would be easy to leave a school, right?  Not when none of the substitute teachers will answer their phones!  The secretary finally found someone who could come in for the afternoon.  I called my mom, who was also going to leave school, so she knew that I couldn't leave right away.  When I did, I drove home and my mom met me there to take me to the hospital.

The people we met in the ER were fantastic.  They re-checked the things my doctor had on Tuesday, but got me an IV very quickly.  I don't know what it was, but it had Benedryl with it because they know it has side effects.  It worked - my head quit hurting.  I also ended up sleeping for close to 22 hours!!  I woke up to let the dog out and feed him, let him out around 3 AM, and for breakfast (and to let the dog out again).

I'm still tired (hard to believe, right?) but at least my head doesn't hurt.  I still feel a little "off" - it's almost like a hangover, except no headache and I don't feel sick.  I just don't feel quite like myself.  It makes for an easy day at school - I'm following my sub plans from yesterday - but it still feels like time is moving really slow.

I don't know yet how much the ER visit is going to cost me, but it doesn't matter.  I would do it again in a heartbeat just to be rid of the pain.  Anyone who has experienced multiple days of a migraine - a major migraine - in a row would agree.  You get to a point where you don't care what it takes and what the side effects or cost might be, you just want it to STOP.  I am thankful for all of the things and people that make it possible for me to get the relief that I so badly wanted.

Post It Note Tuesday - More Thanks

More things I am thankful for this week...

Post-it Tuesday

Just a note before I start.  I feel like I've been neglecting the blog, but there are some good reasons why.  That's not the note.  There aren't many bloggers that I know from real life - Jessica over at Life on Cottage Hill is one of them.  She has inspired me, and I'm going to do my post-its a little different this month.  It's time to list what I'm thankful for.

Thanks for the inspiration Jessica! Hoping to have more thanks next week :)