1500 miles away from home

I wouldn't consider myself to be a nieve person, however untill you see the damage in society with your own eyes, it is hard to fully understand.
I had an amazing time last week, as I traveled to Louisiana ( New Orleans ) with my husband who is a transport driver. I love going with him & seeing the country side. I love keeping an eye out for a chance to take a great photo. However sometimes I've seen things that literally, for me seem as though they are coming from a movie.
We crossed the border fairly late Tuesday night into Detroit....as we headed into the city Chris said to me this is a pretty rough area so keep your eyes open. He was more then right.....Every building had boards & bars, graffiti blankets over the buildings, Women waiting on the streets, groups of 4 or more people gathered together in dark areas (selling things you know aren't flowers). I would have died had something happened & the truck broken down in that area.
But as much as I was on edge, my heart hurt so badly for every person I seen & all the ones I didn't see. The gentelman I seen lay his head down by his pile of belongings on the side of the street, made me well up.
I know this goes on, but when you've never seen it......................It's like you can kinda pretend its not there.
That night as our day finally came to an end around 2am, I was able to crawl into our air conditioned bunk, with a nice clean bed and be as comfortable as I would be in my own house back home, something I don't always give much thought to.
The following states weren't as rough in appearance, but still the way of life was different then what I am use to seeing.
Many homes that you see right off the interstate are trailers. Know I don't mean run down nasty places to live (although there are some), I mean just trailers......with pretty well kept yards, flower gardens & baskets. Many homes have the American Flag hanging. Something I wish more Canadians would practice. Everytime I travel into the states I am still taken back as to how many trailers there are. But those trailers are peoples homes, a place where they are safe, prepare meals for their families and lay their head at night.
I realize living conditions are different all over, but when you see it first hand it sure is an eye opener. Reality is, it wouldn't take much for any of us to end up on the street now a days, except in Canada we're lucky enough to have gov't assistance/geared to income housing/and HEALTH CARE.
I think my favorite time of the day while on the road is the morning, when all the drivers are waking up, the sun is rising, we're all making our way into the truck stop to wash our face & brush our teeth, grab a coffee and get back on the road. It feels fresh. My second favorite time of the day is the evening right at dusk, as the sun is setting and the highway becomes less busy.
I love going into truck stops in different states & talking with people, hearing the different accents, asking how their day is.
Hearing the guys over the radio is another story (LOL). Some of those boys have dirty dirty mouths (LOL).
Kentucky & Tennesse are two of my favorites, along with Louisiana. Although South Carolina still tops it for me.
If you ever drive through Mississippi in May you'll for sure notice the Sweet scent of Magnolia's. The trees are stunning & the smell is even better. As we'd be driving I would open my window & inhale the scent of them. It was like God's perfume.
The culture in Louisiana is amazing, I wish I could have spent a week right in the french quarter, the Bayou was SO cool to. I was on gator watch, but sadly never got to see one.
We were however told that we shouldn't spend the night in New Orleans, that it wasn't the most friendly of cities.
On this past trip I went 1500 miles away from home and seen things that if it weren't for my husbands job I would never have gotten to see.
I also was able to be reminded how grateful I am to live in such a wonderful country, how lucky I am that although I long for my husband to be home with us, he has a job & in todays world that in itself is an every day challenge.
Thank you to my hubby for taking me places where I can be reminded of how great life is.
I LOVE YOU.

Have you ever asked yourself?

Have you ever asked yourself........Am I a GooD person?
While you've dodged someone at the mall to avoid speeking with them (because they always talk to long), or used call display more as a service to screen calls as apposed to just seeing who called while you were out.......Did you ever think to yourself after.....Am I a GooD Person?
When you've snapped at your husband because he forgot something or at your child for being to loud, when you've told a little white lie about a return at a store or better yet told a friend a little "white" lie....did you sit back and ask yourself......Am I a GooD Person?

Have you ever been catty or rude maybe short tempered??? Driven to fast, cut someone off OOOH I no Given someone the finger :)???
Spoken ill of someone when they need not be spoken about, Thought mean thoughts of another, intentionally said something knowing it would hurt another person? Afterwards do you ever wonder to yourself............Am I a GooD Person?

You see........I've thought this about me.......Really could I not be????
There are things we say actions we do, that form a personality , our very own character. What others know us as...Oh you know what I mean......Sally is the kind one Betty the gossip...Annie the warm affectionate one etc.
We all say & do things that either strengthens or tarnishes Us. And it makes me wonder .....
Have you/Could you/ Would you EVER ask yourself.................Am I a GooD Person.

When I look back over the years I have to admit.....I've lied/cheated/was rude/catty/mean/hurtful/embarrassing/inconsiderate/insensitive ....the list could go on...
And although I can make a list of all that is positive about myself.....caring/trustworthy/fair/soft hearted/dependable...........I still think that it is important for us to on occasion sit back & ask ourselves...........

Am I a GooD Person?

A Rare Disease

Not many people know that I have a rare disease nor do they know much about the disease itself.
I have been living with Graves Eye Disease since (I believe Dec.2004, Diagnosed not long after that ) I also have Graves disease. The Graves disease is not what is so rare, it's the Graves Eye Disease also known as ( TED- Thyroid Eye Disease/Graves Opthamolopathy/Thyroid-associated orbitopathy/Graves Orbitopathy ). Only 10% of patients with a thyroid condition will develope TED.
TED is an autoimmune eye condition that, while separate from thyroid disease, is often seen in partnership with Graves disease. It is far more common in women then men. Smoking, which is associated with many autoimmune diseases, raises the odds 7.7-fold (which I was a smoker for a few years after having developed the disease, But quit Feb.09/2007).
The nasty symptoms of this disease are the :Graves Eye Stare (the inflammation behind the eyes causes a wide eyed stare look), Eyelid retraction, Lid Lag, Unable to close the lids ( which makes it difficult for the eye to stay lubricated ), irritation, grittiness, tearing, blurred vision, pressure behind the eye, double vision, and in severe cases the optic nerve can be damaged and result in blindness.
I HATE that I don't look the way I use to. People who see me on a regular basis say its not that bad, but they aren't the ones living with it.
My left eye has been affected more then my right, causing it to protrude a bit more then the other.
The eyes are the one thing that isn't suppose to change no matter how old we get, how fat we get, regardless of wether our hair is getting silver highlights.......Our eyes are not suppose to change.
I have spent hours upon hours infront of a mirror pushing up my bottom left lid in attempts to make my eyes appear to be the same size. I have perfected how to tilt my head for photo's as to not have it so visable.
My rare disease could be worse.......My eye sight hasn't been affected and it appears its in a cold phase ( not progressing ).
I went to a specialist in Ottawa in March after years of dealing with a local eye specialist who is less then charismatic. I was so nervous thinking again I would be told OOOO it's not bad enough to do anything about at this time, but to my surprise .................. He SEEN what I SEE.
I had brought him pics of myself from 10 years ago & 15 years ago, long before this ugly disfiguring illness entered my life, he was amazed at how much my eyes have changed. When I told him about what most people around me say ( that it doesn't appear that it's that bad ) he replied unless they're blind tell them to look at a picture. He scheduled another appointment for June of this year and said if my eyes are still cold we can proceed from there as to wether or not I want to move ahead with decompression surgery to put my eyes back where they belong.
For once since this came into my life "I WAS HEARD". I left my appointment and headed out to the car where my husband was waiting. My husband told me later that he thought it hadn't went well, since my lips were quivering as I walked to the car. I got in, looked at my husband and started to cry..... tears of relief/joy/empowerment. I could possibly have an end to this, I may be able to look like everyone else again.
However now I sit here with so many questions going through my mind about surgery. This is NOT a surgery to be taken lightly, with its own list of risks & possible complications.
He well informed me I would look like someone took a baseball bat to each eye. You are put to sleep for 2.5 hours, I would have to stay in Ottawa for a full week, and that recovery would take a good month or more.

It's SCARY people.......Do I stay the way I am????Dealing with all the daily issues of TED???Or do I take a leap towards regaining some self confidence????
I'm anxious for June to come and find out the verdict on what my eyes are up to.
So I ask ........................What Would You DO????

From My Heart!

Today has really been a great day :)
It started off with bringing Skyler to school and then a visit at my sisters, from there I met a dear friend for lunch & coffee, did a little furniture browsing at the brick and then came home to get Skyler from school.
Dinner was on finished and all cleaned up by 5:45......Love when days go this well.
I had a wonderful visit with my friend this afternoon, it's nice talking with someone who is so down to earth/loving and Sweet! Someone you can open up to :) I still find it funny that while Skyler is in school I can go out alone/just me, i feel sometimes like I've forgotten something lol.
When Chris called this afternoon before crossing the border he commented on his having a good day as well, and that he feels the weather plays a big role in setting the tone for the day. I have to agree. As I told my sister when I chatted with her this morning......."When I brought Skyler to school and was walking home, the sun was shinning & my feet were walking on bare concrete", It was Great & made me feel Great!
I am getting excited for March break, and my appointment in Ottawa (will explain more another time), Chris is also taking the week off & the time together is much needed.......Might take Skyler to science north???
I can't leave without commenting on our AMAZING CANADIAN ATHLETES were.....AMAZING I tell You.....
Watching the Men's Gold Medal Hockey Game was a moment in time that will forever be with me. Our women did just as great bringing in Gold themselves with a SHUTOUT.... WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT
Well my little one is calling for me from upstairs......"MOMMY I DON'T KNOW HOW to FOLD THE TOILET PAPER JUST RIGHT".......
Ahhhhhh the Joys LOL LOL LOL.......

Take Care

My Love of Photography

I don't think there is a way to explain the happiness/satisfaction I receive when I've gotten just the right shot at the right angle with the right lighting at the very right moment!!!
Often Myself and my little family will head out for the afternoon on the quest for just the right moment, for that "perfect" shot.
One of my favorite times to take pictures is while on the road with Chris..Most pics are taken while the truck is moving down the highway.....We pass through so many great little towns/big cities and I love watching people in their own environment!!!
Here are a few of my personal favorites!
<3 <3 <3