Hey, Hey, Hey; Goodbye.

Dear Avonex,

This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write.

So, today I started my new MS therapy and it was awesome! With Avonex (my previous med) the needle was crazy big and painful and I was so sick after and blah blah. Well, today I started Copaxone and it was love at first stick! First off, there is an injector so that all you do is press a button and the medicine delivers itself! The needle is so, so small that I didn’t even feel the injection and the only side effect was a little stinging and a small welt. It was so awesome! So, I’m breaking up with Avonex for forever. It’s over, please try to understand.

On another happy note, today is Frankie’s and my 6 year anniversary. Can you believe that an amazing guy like Frank would put up with me for this long? I am so thankful that he has disregarded the truth that he is way out of my league. He is wonderful; I’ve never known anyone like him. I love him so much.

What is something that you like about Frankie?

Awkward!

So, people are too tactful to ask me sometimes about my health. I don’t blog about it too much because that’s lame. So, here is some clarification. And remember that my life is an open book and no question is too personal or off limits with me, so don’t feel uncomfortable about this stuff. I’ve had my MS meds on the brain lately because I will be starting (next week) a new MS med. We all know that I was off my meds for a while, and in the meantime, we had an insurance change. Because of this change, I can now get the MS therapy (injection) we’ve wanted to try from the very beginning. I was on Avonex, the really long needle you see pictured above. It is a once a week injection which must go into the muscle (thigh or upper arm---I only did thigh after we hit bone in my arm. Yeah, makes you shudder, doesn’t it!) and it makes you tremendously ill for the next 24 hours. That was lame. The shorter of the two needles is the size of the new medicine I will begin. It will be a daily injection, but I think it will be better. The side effects are not so severe and I’m really optimistic. It costs $2,900 a month without insurance. Thanks to Heavenly Father and Frankie, we have insurance and it will only cost us about $20 a month. Much better! If you have questions about Multiple Sclerosis, you can ask me or you can go to my favorite MS site, called MS Sucks. It is written by someone with MS about his experience and he lists a lot of facts that are hard to find. The address is multiplesclerosissucks.com and I think he is hilarious! I really don’t know a ton about the disease, to be honest. I figure I’d better not look it up because I’ll freak myself out and I’m already doing all I can do to stay healthy, so what’s the point? And I am healthy, just for the record. I sprint after Darby all day long and do everything I’ve always done, so don’t worry about me. I just wanted to show off my needles so you’d think I’m tough and I thought you might want an update.

On a sad note, my favorite author, J.D. Salinger, died yesterday. I mean, he was wicked old, like 90 or something, so I guess it’s not all that sad. He lived a long, weird life. Look him up sometime; you will not be bored, that’s for sure. He drank his own pee because of his religious beliefs. I will not be converting anytime soon. Who is your favorite author?

Looking Cheap

I am very lucky. I have some really awesome friends. And my awesome friends have awesome ideas. This is one of them that I stole from Alisha. You should see her playroom; it is amazing. Mine is less impressive, but I’m working on it. This shelf of books you see is 7 feet of rain gutter. We got 10 feet of it for $7 at Home Depot. We screwed it into some studs and voila! It is a great bookshelf because the books are at eye-level for Darby and her friends AND they are all facing forward so that the kids aren’t just pulling out books because they can’t see the covers. And it is simple, cheap, and space-saving; three of my favorite things!

What are some of your really great and cheap ideas?

Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving!

I did it. I actually turned 30.

It was great! Everyone made my birthday so great! I opened presents from my sister in the morning and she has fabulous taste, so I was totally thrilled. I opened (early…hee hee) presents from my mother-in-law and have been enjoying those all week. My girl Alisha organized a big lunch with all my friends and it was so fun! I went and got my hair cut (that’s the picture...not geat pics, but I just took them with the webcam really fast to show my sis) and shopped till I dropped (thanks Mootie and Daddy!) and got a phone call from just about everyone. Frankie and I went to dinner and he and everyone treated me like a queen. I wish it was my birthday every day!

I love all of you. Thank you so much for giving me such a great day.

To Do Lists

you know, as i near the exit of my 20's, i was reflecting on what i have accomplished in the last decade. i served a mission, married in the temple, had a baby, went back to school, and bought a house. that is nothing to sneeze at (nothing at which to sneeze? too pretentious), right? RIGHT?!. so, what goals should i set for the next decade? really, isn't it all downhill from 30 on? just kidding! but, i need some ideas. so, what are your goals for the next decade of your life?

P.S. I Love You... Hot Dogs.

My friend Alisha said something really funny while I was eating a hot dog (of course) and I almost choked. She urged me not to choke on a hot dog because she would hate to read that obituary. Now that's just good, solid advice. It would read as follows:

A bereaved Parmenter family today remembers their beloved Hillary. She was a crabby wife, a negligent mother, and an avid hot-dog eater. The service was simple and short, her body being interred whilst a lone bugle sounded “my bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R…” The pall-bearers briefly buckled under the weight of their kindred dead, but quickly recovered, with only one person sustaining life-threatening injuries. The autopsy revealed what family had already suspected: hot-dog asphyxiation. “We always encouraged her to swallow before she took another bite, but she wouldn’t listen” her sister said through her tears. Wienerschnitzel catered the event.


Ball Park was not available for comment.

How would your obit read?

Jesus Wants Darby For A Sunbeam!

I cannot believe it; Darby started Sunbeams today. Her teachers said she did really well and that she didn't make a fuss or anything. I'm not going to lie; nursery was pretty uneventful without her. I'm so proud of my little big-girl and can't believe she is a Sunbeam already.

in progress

hey guys. i cannot find a banner for this background and i'm not sure i'm going to stick with this one anyway. what are your favorite blog background/banner websites?