NaBloPoMo Prompt #1

Prompt: What do you do when you're down to bring yourself a little joy?
It actually depends on what it is bringing me down. I've discovered that I cope with different things in different ways so I have a variety of pick-me-ups I may try...

• Take a nap: Sometimes things are better when I just sleep it off!
• Read a non-school book: Not that I don't LOVE my textbooks, but doing this allows me to escape, usually into a ridiculously fantasized world that ends with me rolling my eyes and swearing not to read anything from that author again. Thank you Book Bub.
• Take a walk with the dogs: This only works when the dogs are behaving but fresh air is definitely helpful, even if it contains a little city pollution.
• Laird: I love spending time with that kid, which I guess is good since I'm his aunt and godmother. Hopefully he continues to be a joy rather than growing into a pain-in-the-ass teenager! Even when I'm down his goofy butt makes me feel better.
  
• Drink a beer or a glass of wine with or without bubble bath: Sometimes a drink and a hot bath with epsom salts is the most relaxing thing ever...or just a yummy beer or giant glass of wine. I'm not picky.
  
  
  
  
• Talk about it: My poor mom has heard more than she's ever needed to, but she's an excellent "free therapist" and she usually makes me feel better. My actual therapist is awesome too, but she costs an arm and a leg.
• Get somebody something: I always seem to find some sort of pleasure in making or buying someone something they've wanted or may enjoy; I spend way too much at Christmas because I love seeing people's reactions to gifts but giving a random one gives me pleasure.
• Cupcakes.
  
  
• Watch a Hallmark movie: They're so bad that they're good, plus they make for an excellent distraction from whatever or whomever is upsetting me. Sadly, I watch them so often that I have preferred Hallmark movie actors/actresses!
• Boating/skiing/wake boarding/tubing/snowmobiling: Among other things, these activities make me feel better...actually, they usually make me feel damn good except when I face plant!
  
  
  
  
  
• My family & pets: If you know my family, it's self-explanatory, and I mean the entire immediate and extended ones. If you know my pets, well, they can be stressful but they love me unconditionally and are always happy to see me.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
• Hug my husband (or another loved one): I've never been a big hugger, but I've been told I give good hugs and sometimes, they do make me feel better.
  
  

What do YOU do when you're feeling down to bring yourself joy???

DNA Tests, Indy, & #100HappyDays

Yesterday I went to see my therapist and both of us were satisfied with how much better I was feeling overall. I have slowly started to cope with all of the crazy things and have mostly caught up with school, so the biggest things hanging over my head are Indy's renal failure and this blasted (literally) kidney stones that won't pass. Sigh.

While I was at the therapist they took some of my saliva (aka spit, ewww) and will be running a DNA test to figure out which drugs my body can and can't metabolize and which ones my body is more likely to have side effects to. Who knew? Apparently insurance companies are excited about it because it will cut down on the amount of drugs they'd have to pay for (so it's free) but I have no doubt the pharmaceutical companies hate it. Mine will be specifically for psych meds but it will give me a list of other enzymes (P450) that my body can or can't "handle" and I should be able to take that list to any doctor and enable them to prescribe me things that work (or I can just look in my pharm book). The results take about 2 weeks and I'm really curious to see the results, especially since I've discovered I love pharmacology in school.

My spit cup

I'm also continuing to post a #100HappyDays picture each day on Instagram. I don't think it's been a full week since my last post but here are a few more.

My new job

TMNT and my Keurig

Perfect combo for a relaxing bath

Anchorman

Pumpkin spice candles

On a less happy note, Indy goes to the vet for a follow-up blood work check on Friday and I don't anticipate it being good. He's eating less and less and I've been buying ridiculous different types of food to find something he'll eat. So far, no luck, I'm concerned he's starting to starve himself, but according to his last kidney values, he's no where near as sick as he's acting. I did start looking for a mobile vet for him thought; he hates getting to the car and in between screeching/howling and peeing all over everything, I think his stress levels would drop significantly if we had a vet that could come here.

Now it's time for me to bury my head back in my pharm book while "Dancing with the Stars" plays in the background.

Alister made me a paracord bracelet

Neat view of Australia