Infections all around.

I’ve been feeling bad for quite some time now, so about 3 1/2 weeks ago, I went to the doctor, looking for some answers. She drew my blood to test my liver levels, kidneys, thyroid, and for anemia. Results? None of the above. Everything was ok with liver, kidney, and thyroid, and I wasn’t anemic. So what was wrong?  

A bacterial infection. A bad bacterial infection. Treatment: a week of Bactrium, an antibiotic, and then come back on Friday 3/9 for more blood work to make sure it’s gone.  

Good news: I feel SO SO much better.

 

The day before I found out about my bacterial infection, Stephen got a bump on his noggin.  We waited a few days to see what would happen and it just grew bigger, redder, and bloodier/pussier. YUCK. It was SO gross.  So on Wednesday of last week, his mom, co-workers, and I convinced him to go to the doctor who said he had…wait for it…a Strep infection on his head. Strep. As in Strep throat, but on his head. Strep Head.  I had no idea that you could get strep any place other than your throat, but, according to the doctor, you can get strep anywhere.  Treatment: a week of Bactrium. Hah. We got put on the same antibiotic.

Good news: It’s almost gone & doesn’t hurt him anymore.

Yay!

Praising God for healing. 

Hey, I’m not it!!! YOU’re it!!!

My cousin Megan (http://slimmingtater.blogspot.com) tagged me in this tagging game, and, since I feel like it, I’m going to play along.

So, here are the—

Rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about “you are tagged if you are reading this”. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Random Things About Me

1. In 3 days, I’ll have been married for 8 months and 10 days…the same number of months & days from our first date to our wedding day.

2. I don’t remember the last time I did laundry.  We have been so totally busy the past couple months, that, since I have more clothes than Stephen, when he runs out, he throws a load of half his clothes/half my clothes in. I definitely married well!

3. I have a touch of baby fever. So does Stephen. And by “a touch,” I mean we both want one (or two—twin boys would be FUN). But, we are trying oh so very hard to be responsible and wait.  There are several things we’d like to do first (save money, go on at least one more nice vacation, and buy a house).

4. I absolutely hate the toothpaste we are using right now. So does Stephen.  It’s some kinda crest with baking soda, and it doesn’t leave my mouth feeling clean. It leaves it kinda gritty feeling. But, it was on sale, 2 tubes of it for 13cents more than the 1 tube I normally get. So I bought it. Then used it and was like BLECH!

5. I love candles. The smell, the glow, and mostly the smell after you blow them out.

6. I started running again last week. My shins hurt (shin splints–boo) and my body aches. BUT, I found an awesomely awesome website, rockmyrun.com that has mixes of music meant for runners. So my running tunes are totes amazing.  Also, I’m totally digging running with my running buddy. Penny (our dog). She makes it way more fun & interesting.

7. I made some amazingly delicious AppleButter last night/today (crock-pot recipe).

8. I stole this one straight from my cousin, Megan. I mean word-for-word stole it. “That commercial where the chick is getting a little pissy because her dude is checking the game on his phone?  First of all, is this an important game? If so, we can go sit in the bar; just talk to me every once in awhile or during commercials. Second, he is working really hard to keep up with the game and paying attention to me, let it go.”

9.  I wanna be a billionaire, so freaking bad.

10. I love to cook & try new recipes, but I’m afraid to taste anything that might be spicy or looks weird, so I have to have someone else (Stephen) try it first.

11. I am ADDICTED to PINTEREST! I mean, SERIOUSLY ADDICTED. So you should follow me: http://pinterest.com/anstrealy/

11 Questions For ME to Answer

1.  What is the trait of yours that is the most manly if you’re a woman or the most girly if you’re a man?

My burps. I put men to shame.

2. What is your dream job?

Being a stay-at-home mommy (or stay-at-someone-else’s-house Nanny!). Children’s Pastor.

3. If you had to get an exotic pet, what would it be?

a hedgehog.

4.  What crazy skill would you love to have?

Flying

5. If you could be on a reality based show (to be clear I mean something along the lines of home improvement or a competition- more like TLC, HGTV  or Amazing Race, Survivor sort of thing), what would it be?

What Not to Wear. I love that show. And at one point, I’m pretty sure my cousins were about to turn my name in…if they didn’t!

6.  You have to be some sort of criminal- what would you be?

bank robber. easy money.

7.  What’s your stripper name? I know there is some sort of take your first pet’s name thing but what would you choose?

Daisy Belle? Idk.

8.  What fictional character do you wish was running for president this year?

The Genie from Aladdin.

9. Fictional character crush(es)? Pick up to five.

Wow, I blogged about this once before, during the whole 30 Day challenge that I did like 7 days of!

“What girl has not had a crush on some fictional character? I mean seriously. Starting when you’re super young, you watch these Disney movies about your handsome Prince Charming who comes to save the day & you fall in love with them.

1.  Fitzwilliam Darcy – – From Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Not going to lie, I’ve never read it all the way through.  When I had to in freshman (I think) year of high school, I watched the 6 hour movie instead.  I think anyone who has ever read P&P has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy’s Character…and, I mean Colin Firth isn’t bad on the eyes either.

2. Aladdin – – from Disney’s Aladdin.  I know, Aladdin is a lot a bit weird. There’s something about that Disney movie that makes me love him. (Look at the look on his face here. Totes cute).

3. Harry Potter – – from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. He’s a wizard. He defeated “He who must not be named” as a super cute baby. Love the books, love the movies, love HP.

4. Spiderman – – What’s not to love about a man in a costume saving the world & then kissing his girl (upside down!) in the rain.

And last, but DEFINITELY not least:

5. Seely Booth. – – David Boreanaz from Fox’s Bones. The picture says enough. *sigh*

 ”

10.  What fairy tale would you like to live out?

 I’m living my own fairy tale… I found my handsome prince. (Everyone all together now…AWWWWW)

11. What childhood/adolescent TV show do you want the entire series on DVD?

  That’s a toss up between Golden Girls and Full House. LOVE them both.

11 Questions for YOU to answer

1. The song you want to listen to when you get in your car and can turn the music all the way up?
2. Money wasn’t an option – - where would you go?
3. Which reality show will you be stuck in for all eternity if it turns out that you don’t make it thru the Pearly Gates?
4. What would you want to be your Super Power?
5. What would be your dream job?
6. Favorite restaurant?
7. Who is your celebrity crush?
8. If I showed up on your doorstep and said “Pack your bags” where would you want to go?
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
10. What would your Animagus be (meaning if you could change into an animal, what would you be)?
11. What is your Favorite Movie of all time?

11 People I’m Tagging

1. Amanda S.  http://bikecommutergirl.blogspot.com/

2. Jade http://sunnyconversations.blogspot.com/

3. Sara http://saraandluke.blogspot.com/

4. Kacey http://kaceymay.blogspot.com/

5. Julie   http://jugglingthejs.blogspot.com/

6. Amanda E. http://keepitcomplicated.me/

7. Stacey http://www.ourgaines.blogspot.com/

8. Hollie http://schaubs.wordpress.com/

9. “Sally” http://harrysallyandthedog.wordpress.com/

10. Ashley http://freckleberryfinds.com/

11. and because I’m out of people to tag, right back at my cousin, Megan http://slimmingtater.blogspot.com/

I failed

I failed at the 30 day challenge. Do I care? No. Should I? No. I just want to blog more often and keep those of you who love Stephen and myself informed on the happenings in our life. Do you care that I stopped the 30 day challenge? Probably not. You just want to hear about us, right? Ok. Well then that’s what’s going to happen. Just not right now.

Day Nine: Top Five People You’d Like To Kill

Top Five People I’d like to kill? Wow, creator of the top 5 challenge. Umm, I don’t want to kill anybody.  There’s people (celebrities) that I’d like to kill their bad habits and have them come back as sane, sober people again. 

So, lets do that, then:

Top 5  3 Celebrities who Need to Kill their Bad Habits.  

1. Charlie Sheen. My birthday buddy. Yes, I share a birthday with Charlie Sheen. And for some reason that makes me love him.  Even though he’s had his share of troubles, I still love the man. Two and a Half Men just isn’t the same without “Uncle Charlie.”

2. Lindsay Lohan. That poor girl. She sure has made a mess of her life.  We did a lesson in Sunday School yesterday talking about money and finances.  According to the KNOWN curriculum, Lindsay Lohan has spent $70,000 on hair and tanning supplies. Seventy THOUSAND dollars! On hair and tanning. IN-SANE. Not to mention her drug/alcohol/playboy cover issues. I used to love love love every movie with her in it. 

3. NBA players. Greedy greedy greedy. 

I can’t think of other celebrities off the top of my head and honestly don’t really care enough to search for celebrities with bad habits. 

 

The truth is, we ALL have bad habits, even me. Maybe people would say their bad habit is not “as bad” as some celebrities or even friends/family/people I know. But seriously, it’s just like sin. Sin is sin is sin. Everybody sins, it’s all sin in God’s eyes. No sin is bigger or smaller than other sin. It’s still sin.  Just like bad habits are still bad habits. 

 

Have you had a bad habit that you’ve beaten before? How did you beat it?

Top 5 Fictional Crushes

What girl has not had a crush on some fictional character? I mean seriously. Starting when you’re super young, you watch these Disney movies about your handsome Prince Charming who comes to save the day & you fall in love with them. 

 

1.  Fitzwilliam Darcy – - From Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Not going to lie, I’ve never read it all the way through.  When I had to in freshman (I think) year of high school, I watched the 6 hour movie instead.  I think anyone who has ever read P&P has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy’s Character…and, I mean Colin Firth isn’t bad on the eyes either.

 

 

2. Aladdin – - from Disney’s Aladdin.  I know, Aladdin is a lot a bit weird. There’s something about that Disney movie that makes me love him. (Look at the look on his face here. Totes cute).

 

 

3. Harry Potter – - from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. He’s a wizard. He defeated “He who must not be named” as a super cute baby. Love the books, love the movies, love HP.

 

 

 

4. Spiderman – - What’s not to love about a man in a costume saving the world & then kissing his girl (upside down!) in the rain. 

 

 

 

And last, but DEFINITELY not least:

 

5. Seely Booth. – - David Boreanaz from Fox’s Bones. The picture says enough. *sigh*

Top Five Favorite Historical Figures

Wow, really, person who created this top 5 list?  I have never ever like history class. Ever. Thankfully, the Bible is full historical figures, so I have lots to choose from.

1. Jesus Christ. Uh, Duh. Of course Jesus is my favorite historical figure. HE SAVED MY LIFE! 

2. Noah. Talk about a man who can trust God. I mean seriously, if someone came and told you to build a huge arc and take the animals two by two into it because there was going to be a huge flood that destroyed the whole world, would you do it?  Or would there be a lot a bit of hesitancy. Because I know I would have a TON of hesitancy. People would think I was crazy!  I want to trust God to a point where he tells me to do something insanely crazy and I agree “Ok, God, whatever you say.”  Not saying that I don’t trust Him, because I absolutely do, but being the sinner I am and always will be, there’s always some question in the back of my mind.

3. Paul. What a man Paul was. He traveled all around telling churches about Jesus and spreading the Good News to all he came in contact with.  He was thrown into prison, but continued to spread God’s Word. Amazing. 

4. David. I mean have you heard the David and Goliath story?  Talk about God using people. He used David in such a BIG way.  And David, trusting God and knowing that he could do anything with God on his side. He showed the Philistines whats up.

5. And to throw in a non-biblical historical figure I appreciate: Alexander Graham Bell. I mean hello, he created the phone. 

 

Are there historical figures you appreciate?  

Top 5 things that happened to you in the past year

Wow, what a great “Top 5.” SO much happened to me this past year, it’ll be hard to narrow it down to 5. But I will. And, I’ll add some pictures too!

 

1.  Moved to our new (duplex) house April 28th.

Home Sweet Home (it looks so much better now)

2. Graduated College on May 7th.

Graduation Day. Howard Payne University May 2011

3. Got MARRIED to my best friend on May 28th.

My love, my best friend!

4. Spent the best time ever on my Honeymoon to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel with my HUSBAND.

Honeymoon of my dreams with my Dream Man

5.  Spent a week at Kids Camp in Palacios, followed by a weekend at a condo in Port A with Stephen’s side of the family, followed by a week of Youth Camp at Zephyr, followed by a 3 day break, and then another 2 weeks of Kids Camp at Zephyr.  So much fun.  So tired after those weeks.

Me at Youth Camp, Day One

I <3 Pinterest.

Have you been to Pinterest.com and discovered its wonderfulness yet? No? Don't do it unless you have lots of time to:

craft

cook

bake

organize

laugh

and

wish you had endless funds.

Pinterest is a website that people can share things that they are interested in and others can "pin" it to their boards so that they can do it too.
For example, my "Recipes" board: http://pinterest.com/anstrealy/recipes/

From the recipes board, I've made:

Sonic Cherry Limeades (YUM!)
NoBake Cookies (Just like Aunt Maggie makes!)
Pretzel Bites (YUM YUM YUM!)
Homemade Roasted Salsa (Stephen loved it, me, not so much)
CHICK-FIL-A chicken nuggets (ABSOLUTELY DELISH!)
Christmas Popcorn (DELISH! Popcorn covered in white chocolate and sprinkles!)
Pizza Grilled Cheese (GENIUS!)
One ingredient homemade icecream (bananas!)
Puppy Chow (not really for dogs.   )

There are several more things I want to make but haven't yet due to lack of time/money/enthusiasm, etc.

So, are you on Pinterest? If so, follow me: http://pinterest.com/anstrealy/

P.S. an organizing (genius) idea to get rid of all your cleaners under the sink--- use an over the door shoe holder to put all your cleaning supplies in.  I've been trying to (Stephen bought me one for that purpose for Christmas) but my bottles of cleaner are too big. Trying to find one with bigger pockets.

Top 5 places I’d like to live

1. Cayman Islands. (Have you ever been to the Caymans? Holy cow. Nicest place I’ve ever been. And so so beautiful).

2. The Houston. (love love love Houston).

3. Austin.

4. Someplace cooler…weather wise.

5. San Antonio. Maybe.

 

Look at these pictures from the Cayman Islands. I mean SERIOUSLY, could it be any prettier?  I think not.

 

Pulling up to the doc (or away from).

The most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. You can see all the way to your toes in super deep water.

The hubby (with beard) and I. So excited to be here. So sad we had to leave.

LOOK at this water!!!

 

Where would you like to live?

Where have you lived that has been your favorite place?

Stephen and I both love the beach/pools/water in general, so I doubt that we would ever live to far from a beach or pool or in a place that was too cold to swim 10+ months of the year.  Speaking of, that sounds nice.  We live in an old military housing unit that has a pool & hot tub…maybe we’ll go take a dip in the hot tub.

30 Day Blogging Challenge

So, one of my resolutions for January is to blog more.   While I know that you all would probably prefer to read on an interesting subject, for the next 30 days or so, I’m going to do a Top 5 Challenge that I found, to help get me in the habit of blogging.

Since today is already January 4th, I am going to do days one through four today, then continue with the rest on the day that corresponds to the date.

 

Day One: Top Five Favorite Excuses

1. I forgot.

2. That was today? Oops. Must’ve slipped my mind.

3.  I don’t feel like it.

4.  I’m going fishing.

5. God told me I shouldn’t serve anymore.

Excuses are like buttholes, everyone has one and they all stink!

 

Day Two: Top Five Favorite Books You’ve Read For School

1. The Bible

2. Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions – George Barna

3. Gifted to Lead by Nancy Beach

4. Family Based Youth Ministry – Mark DeVries

5. Under the Unpredictable Plant – E. H. Peterson

Love that I took seminary classes—my books are much more interesting than others.

 

Day Three: Top Five Names You Wish Were Yours

1. Amber Nicole

2. Amber Nicole

3. Amber Nicole

4. Amber Nicole

5. Amber Nicole

Growing up, I always wanted my name to be different, I didn’t like the name Amber.  But, if my mom’s told me once, she’s told me a thousand times, that my name came to her from God.  That she prayed and prayed, and knew deep in her heart, that God wanted me to be called Amber Nicole.  If she’s that sure my name came from God, I don’t want any other name. (Except my last name…glad it’s STREALY now. Never wanna change that!)

 

Day Four: Top Five Favorite Things About The Internet

1. Pinterest.

2. Facebook.

3. Pinterest.

4. Catching up reading on friends blogs.

5. Pinterest.

Yes, I know 3 of my 5 were pinterest.  I just love it that much. You should seriously check it out.  Great place for recipes, crafts, ideas and more!

Yay, I blogged!