Just an update

Hey all!

I am on my 24th Remicade infusion as of last week and it's still working -- thank God.

I've had to switch my anti-anxiety drug, though. December pretty much sucked, I was loco the whole month, climbing the walls. I didn't realize it until it got really bad, of course, because it was sort of a gradual thing. Kerry informed me later that I was crazy for the whole month pretty much. Now, I'm taking Effexor, rather than Celexa, and it seems to be working okay. I still have my Clonopin as a back up.

I've got my annual kidney stone -- it threw me a curve ball this year and waited till January instead of September/October. There I was thinking I got off scott free.

I'm trying to quit smoking. Would you guess -- I gotta be backwards as usual. Instead of gaining weight, I lost weight. Seven pounds, just gone. Eating just felt totally repugnant. I'm going to have to go to the doc and ask how we can circumvent that nonsense.

Other news....

We have another feathered baby -- a blue crown conure that we named Chongo (means "monkey" in Mexican). Ozzie (the cockatiel) is still with us and still isn't sure what she thinks of him, although he's plenty curious about her. I've started learning to sew and I'm still working on embroidery. Over the holiday, I got hooked on making candy as well, so I've been reading everything I can about that.

I think that's it for news. I think about you guys lots, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Stay well, or get that way.

Thanks -- I've really slipped with teh smokes the last few days due to family stuff. I keep telling myself though, that I can cut back again and I can quit, and not to guilt myself to hard about it.

The new bird is adorable -- Ozzie is our little princess and Chongo is my baby boy. Ozzie is out in the living room hounding Kerry for some of his pasta at the moment...she thinks she's entitled to everything. They always manage to make a bad day better.

Hey there! Glad you're doing better and you're still around!

Thanks for the update Sara. Don't be such a stranger, OK?

I'll try not to go so long between posts. It's good to see a few familiar faces in this crowd -- it's grown so much! Which is sad, in a way, but I'm also glad that folks are finding the community to help them deal the way you guys helped me deal when I needed it.

Matthew: can't find your email -- send one to spankysancho at gmail.com. That's my personal email. resinhed is pretty much Kerry's now, and the yahoo is mostly for work related stuff and resumes. I have started naming the stones. The first one, at Kerry's suggestion, was Pierre. And now that I think about it, they usually pass after I get 'attached' enough to name the little buggers. I'll have to find something suitable for this one. It's been hanging on a long time now, but without insurance, my options in dealing with it are a little limited. I really thought I squeaked out of it this year, too. :( Oh well. Sounds like you have a seriously noisy mess -- Chongo is pretty laid back most of the time, but he can sound like we have the whole dang rainforest right in our living room when he gets his mind set to it. He's so funny, though. When we cover him up at night, he makes this little "awww," noise, like a little kid who doesn't want to go to bed. I wouldn't part with either of our birds for anything, even with the noise and the mess.

Randy: we'll have to figure something out after I get through this weekend. It's going to be a high stress couple of days.

PS: on my profile I have a link to my blog now. Just a warning. Subjects and language are pretty no-holds-barred. I've actually been writing a bit lately...

Here it is ( I've got a new account, because 'Net access comes with 6 months free use courtesy of Dell Inc.!):

[email protected]

Not really too bad noise wise, even our Nanday is pretty well behaved. The lovebird is noisy & a troublemaker ( ALL lovebirds are). Our new conure, a crimson bellied ( related to Green cheeks) is pretty noisy, but not as harsh. My bird is quiet mostly. Just a messy handful.
The reeftank is still here & still work as well! 2.5 years now.

Sincerely,
Matthew