Good bye 2013...Hello 2014! Happy New Year!

2013 has been a roller coaster of a ride! Many ups in our business/creative lives, many downs in the health category and lessons all in between!

Overall I would say that 2013 was informative and by no means a wash. Looking forward to moving on ward and up ward in 2014, implementing the lessons of the past year.

I am grateful for every twist and turn but mostly for the family and friends that were with me the entire way! I am also thankful for the faith in which I have found and hung on to which made even the darkest moments bright.

Love and light my friends, more progress is to be made in 2014 ♥

Happy New Year!

I am not having fun anymore, I should have listened to my parents!

The road to dental health has proven to be quiet a journey. It has not been easy (I am a Crandall and things do not come easy for us). It has, however, been full of lessons, which in my book is better than easy.

The first dentist I went to was a waste of time in the sense that he did not listen to my complaints seriously. I did learn that I have cavities that need to be dealt with a mild to moderate case of gingivitis that I need to handle. OK. This said office wanted me to get my teeth cleaned BEFORE taking care of the painful cavity, but could not do it for three weeks. OK.

Tuesday afternoon I had an episode of pain that messed with my vision and ability to think. Considering I was driving with my daughter at the time, I made the decision to find a doctor that would handle it NOW. So, I did.

Wednesday, Doctor #2 found out that the cavity is so badly infected it is messing with my sinuses, which I thought was just seasonal allergies. He also gave me two options, do a root canal or take the tooth out. Take the damn thing out! But before doing that I have to be on antibiotics to clear the infection. OK.

Went to the pharmacist and they do not have the order. OK. Since it was about 10 minutes after my appointment I decided to wait to call Dr. #2's office to make sure they sent it. Forty five minutes later the pharmacy still had not gotten it. Called Dr. #2, they were backed up and had not called it in yet. OK.

Called pharmacy and they asked all the same questions they asked me the first two times I called them, what's your last name, your date of birth, have you filled here before? You are not in our system! Ugg! I just wanted to scream, did you get the order or not!! I refrained, but could not hold back the discomfort.

Thursday the pain was so bad I called and they prescribed me some Norco...these seem to take the edge off. Today, Friday, the pain is still bad. The Norco's do not see to be working any more and the anti's have not seemed to kick in. I can feel the pressure of the infection in my sinuses. The only thing that seems to work temporarily is cold water. Eating involves a lot of cold water. This sucks, I should have listened to my parents and continued dental care after flying the coupe. But like my dad says, "You always have to learn things the hard way." My response, "That is my nature, you become wiser that way."

Keeping the faith!

Thanks for reading, friends. Love and light!

Home and OTC remedies for infected tooth

While the only sure thing to getting rid of tooth pain is to go to the dentist and have the problem dealt with, here is a list of things I have tried and know to work for tooth pain on a temporary basis for a badly infected tooth.

• Salt water rinses - I have used both table salt and sea salt. Both will help draw the infection out and help with the pain.
• Brush teeth with a sensitive toothpaste.
• Rinse with a mouth wash like Listerine (I use the store brands).
• Ibuprofen, Tylenol - I usually just buy the store brands.
• Hydrogen Peroxide rinse - I know there has been much debate on whether this is safe. My mother has been telling me to try this so I did. Do a 50/50 ratio with water and hydrogen peroxide, or if you are worried about it use less hydrogen peroxide. Swish it in your mouth, spit it out, leave your mouth open so the oxygen can help activate the hydrogen peroxide. You will feel the tingle :) Keep doing that and be sure not to swallow.  Once you are done, rinse your mouth with just plain water a few times. Sounds crazy, (especially if you have ever encountered HydroMan the GV looney) but it does work. Just do not swallow!
• Anbesol - You can find this at any grocery store or pharmacy. It takes the pain away for a little while and numbs your mouth. 

Now I have never tried this but wanted to and just never got around to making it. Theives Oil, a blend of different oils is said to help with cavities.  If you try this, let me know what you think! I am still interested to trying for other purposes as it is suppose to be anti everything and good for flu/cold season as well as cleaning your house.

Keeping the faith!

Thanks for reading friends! I hope this blog post helps somebody out!

The next step to ultimate health...

THE DENTIST! As a kid it did not seem to phase me, I do remember asking a lot of questions and being very concerned about what they docs were doing but do not remember the anxiety that I feel now.

Uggg, in my adult life I guess I allow myself to get inside my own head when it comes to the dentist. I have a hard time taking my daughter, who is also quiet scared of the venture. While on the outside I am calm and telling her it is going to be alright, I am freaking out on the inside.

It is those lights, machines and the drills that bother me. The noise is NO FUN! That is why I have left this aspect of my health for last. In two weeks I will be going to the dentist for the first time in 18 years, yes, 18 years! Since it has been so long I will be undergoing a full assessment with X-rays and all. I know I have a couple of cavities because I can see them and feel them, but thought an assessment would be a good start. I must also add that I have scheduled and canceled this said appointment twice partially because of funds but mostly due to fear. I have no choice at this point as the cavities are starting to hurt and must be dealt with before they become a bigger problem.

So until the 21st my life will consist of salt water rinses and Ibuprofen. That is what I get for not being responsible and going to the dentist!

I am silently freaking out! But I know that if my daughter can do it then so can I!

Downieville and Sierra City trip...oh what fun we had!

Summer was closing in on us and we had come to the realization that we had not taken our daughter anywhere for vacation. We decided to splurge and take an over night stay in a cabin we found online. 

The company is called Sierra Streamside Cabins, we highly recommend this venture! The couple who owns and operates the cabins are very nice and extremely helpful. There is no cell service anywhere and the nearest pay phone is in Sierra City, just a heads up. This is the place you want to go when you need to get away from technology. The cabins are rustic but have the essentials you need to cook a nice meal with.

Our venture started mid morning on a Saturday. We loaded up the car and set off on Highway 49 through North San Juan on our way to Downieville. It was a wonderful drive but once we passed North San Juan it soon became apparent that Grass Valley really is not that far out in BFE.

Mom gets the back seat because the little one gets car sick.

Our first stop was somewhere along the river past the Pendola Extention Road. We found a frog.

Mr. Frog

It was smokey from the fire in Foresthill but you could see the mountains peering high above us. All three of us were amazed at how big the mountains were compared to what we are used to in the foothills.

We got to Downieville and drove straight on through. The Clampers were in town for their initiations and had shut down every street except the highway. We will have to go back for a day trip to check out the little town.

Entrance to the bridge

Just five miles farther down Highway 49 we easily found the cabins. We piled all of our stuff in the carts provided, crossed the bridge and found the door to our cabin to be open.

Here we are crossing the bridge

The view of the river from the bridge

The Shotgun Cabin (my family was upset that I did not get any pictures of the it) was small but big enouph for the three of us. My husband quickly noticed the fishing pole racks above the side windows. My daughter instantly noticed the beds were jump-able. And as for myself, I instantly noticed the river.

We transferred what we had brought in the ice chest to the refrigerator; then went to the river just out side the door. After about an hour Pat did not catch any fish so we decided to venture up towards Sierra City (12 miles further up Hwy 49). On our way out we met Yvonne and Jim, the owners. They were bringing us an extra blanket for the twin bed. My husband and Jim started to talk about fishing where Jim suggested to check out Lower Sardine Lake.

View from Hubby's fishing spot by the cabin

Sierra City is a cool little town. We past Herrington's; a place I remembered from traveling around with my dad. We found a store that served ice cream and watched the people outside the old (and I am sure haunted) bar across the street. That is about all there was that we found to do in Sierra City, LOL. I asked the very nice store clerk how many people lived in Sierra City and she said "250, with 350 in Downieville who holds the county chair. Sierra County has a total of 2300". Danm, that is my kinda place. When she said that I felt in my heart that I would someday retire there or find a property to own. Snow, yes. Lots of civilization, no. Love it! The only concern is the medical situation. No doctors or hospitals.

We headed back to the cabins but were not there long as my hubby wanted to explore (which meant find a place to fish). We headed back towards Sierra City and found ourselves at Bassett's Station. When we go back we will have to eat at their cafe. By this time the smoke had cleared and the afternoon was beautiful!

On our way to Sardine Lake we stopped at a look out and took some pics.

Here we are, The Herbert's

The Sierra Buttes from the rest area

Lower Sardine Lake

Then it was off to Lower Sardine Lake, this is where I got used to the fact that we had nothing to do, that there was nothing to do and that we could be in total relax mode.

We caught no fish and went back to the cabin. It was shower time for me, but the shower was not working! There was no pressure, no hot water and no cell service or phones in the cabin so I had to truck my (not so happy) butt back to Sierraville to call the owners. They were out so I left a message and headed back with all hopes of a warm shower out of my mind.

Lower Sardine Lake

When I got back my family had dinner ready and we ate a feast! Steak, macaroni salad, fruit salad, zucchini! Yum! Cleaned up and then made Smores in the BBQ. There was a shared fire pit but we were not up to dealing with a fire so we just headed in and I made my daughter wash up in the kitchen sink. She was not so happy about this but it had to be done. We then played one of the board games that was in the cabin: Junior Scrabble. At around 9ish Jim showed up to look at our shower, turns out it was an operator error. We were really amazed and appreciative that he came out so late. We did not expect to see him until the morning.

Coffee + River + Me Time = A Beautiful Thing!

It was time for night-night so we headed to bed and all slept well. The beds were comfortable. I am an early riser so I got up at the first sign of light, made my cup of decaf coffee and went straight to the river. Me time!

What kind of adventure would it be if I did not find a heart?

When I got back my family was starting to get up. Hubby had made his coffee and enjoyed a hot shower. Daughter was still laying in bed (as usual, she is the last one to get going). We started breakfast; fresh eggs, bacon and toast. Perfect! Jim came back to check on  us to "make sure everything was working". And it was. For the first time in my life I felt like one of those "flatlanders", LOL. Which made me want to move to Sierra County even more.

Jim chatted with my hubby for a bit and my daughter enjoyed playing with his two dogs (she loves animals) while I cleaned up and started packing. Check out was 11 am but we wanted to head out a little early and take our time home.

We stopped in Sierra City again; at Herrington's this time to check out their trout pond. My daughter caught a huge fish! Jose cleaned it and wrapped it in ice for us to ensure a fresh fish while traveling.

Daughter and her HUGE catch! Which is still in the freezer :)

Then we headed up to Bassets for ice cream (best darn ice cream I have had in a long time) before getting on the road. Hwy 49 out of Bassetts towards Sierraville is a climb, the snow markers kept getting taller and taller and the topography changed. The rocks and trees were different and things were lush. It was beautiful but I noticed no drive ways or sign of human life which tells me there was none. The highway started on a downward slope which suggested that we were getting close to Sierraville. We stopped at the Sierra Valley rest stop and it was smokey.

Smokey Sierra Valley Look Out

Sierra Valley is flat farm land surrounded by large mountains. Very impressive. While in Sierraville we stopped at the Country Store. What a strange, yet fun little place.

While at the country store we got the directions to Sierra Hot Springs. When we walked in the first thing I saw was a sign that said "Misbehaved children will be asked to leave". OK! We must go now as at this point all three of us were misbehaved ;) I loved it though, a place of serenity and peace. While it is not a place for my family, Mommy will keep it in the memory banks for the future.

The first thing we saw at the Sierraville Country Store...kinda cool, kinda creepy!

At the Sierraville Country Store...cool. Not as creepy as the monkey in a bird cage ;)

In the bathroom at the Sierraville Country Store. The restroom also had the old fashioned towel dispenser on a roll with the blue cloth towel that you would wipe your hands on and then pull it down for the next person. Who remembers those? What are they called? Not even Google could tell me...different kind of living in those parts, LOL

On to Truckee we went. Through Indian country; although the drive had a packed camp ground every mile or so I really felt the Native energy. Once in Truckee, we thought about stopping in Old Town but could not find a parking spot and decided to keep trucking. We tried to find the McDonald's...which we could not find. Then we drove around and found a Panda Express and shopped a little at the hardware store. On to home we go!

While it was a short trip, it was fun and we certainly needed it! It felt great to travel and share with my daughter the areas that my father showed me as a kid. Downieville, Sierra City, Bassetts and Sardine Lakes (and all the lakes up there) are close enouph to be a day trip...and so we shall!

First walk in months, eeek!

Pup and I have not been walking on a regular basis in weeks! Since school has started, now is a great time to get back on track with my health. I allowed myself to get lazy and eat during the past few months. I do not feel bad about it, I just know I have to turn it around.

The big realization today was that it is a lot easier to get out of shape then it is to get in shape.

Angel Clouds...love where I live!!

10 things I would like to remember about my first 35 years of life on Earth

So this is my 100th post! To celebrate I have put together 10 lessons that I would like to remember moving forward in this life.

1. Change is inevitable. It is natural and we all need it, whether or not we want it.

2. Sometimes life is disappointing. That is alright, it just means that there is something better out there for you; you just do not know it yet. I believe it was the Dalai Lama who said,"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke luck".

3. This kind of goes along with the idea above; if you really need something, the Universe will send it your way. Whether it is positive or negative, there is joy to be had or a lesson to be learned.

4. Life can be tough. But if you keep smiling and laughing then it does not seem so harsh. Always try to see the positive in the negative. Always!

5. God's ultimate gift comes in the form of a child.

6. Family is where it is at; bio and friend-family. Kinship is not just defined by science; it is a state of mind and can be defined by action.

7.  Let it go. Breathe. Meditate. Everything is going to be alright. If you do not let go of negative things it will effect your physical health.

8. We are all here for a reason. We each have our own gift to share with the world. 

9.  There is something much bigger than us, bigger than the Earth, bigger than the solar system and that is spirituality. We are not just a body with a mind, we are spirit too. Christian, Catholic, Buddhism, Muslim...whatever that looks like for you. "The whole is more than the sum of its parts". ~Aristotle

10. Lat, but probably the most important...You are the only one who can create your happiness, prosperity and success. It is all about perception. Change the way you look at something and that thing will change. Find the lesson in the negative things and find joy in the positive things and all will be well.

 

Love and light my friends! Thanks for reading :)

Summer Solstice Sunset...and Moon ☀

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator."  ~Mahatma Gandhi

I love my dog! Have I mentioned that? She is the only being who will gladly go sunset chasing with me and have a smile on her face the entire time :)~

♥

 

I found it a wee bit strange that the sun was out and high in the sky well before the sunset. But, okay...I enjoyed it!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Love and light my friends ☯

I found me!

What I found out was that I do not give into things easily, I am stubborn and I am strong. When I was a kid, these attributes were not very much appreciated, but they are serving me well now, LOL ☠

I have been walking a little here and there and taking pictures everywhere...I think this is my "thing", my "make me happy", my "passion". I feel whole when I am in nature with my camera and dog. 

"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you'll discover will be wonderful.  What you'll discover is yourself."  ~Alan Alda

Here are the latest pictures from my walks...

The view from my Mom's front yard, she also have a walking trail right outside her house!

 

The view from my Mom's front yard, but on a different day.

Me and Pup enjoying the sun on Summer Solstice ☼

I am pretty sure Pup and I are not supposed to be here, but so glad we are! ☮

Love this shot, this is one of the moments where I feel whole. ☯

Me and the sun, it is a beautiful thing :)

Anyone know what this is? It is a cool plant? It has flowers in the Spring that turn to these sticker things in the Summer.

Well that is all we have for now folks! Thanks for reading, love and light! 

 

Mind over matter, it has always worked for me!

So the past several weeks have been a test sent from the Universe. I was tested in strength, both mentally and physically. I was tested in will and most importantly I was tested in self love. Being diagnosed with anxiety, depression (based upon a silly test on a silly piece of paper) and tension head aches was a huge eye opener for me and made me see that I fell into a place that I had worked so hard to stay away from. Back to square one you could say, but this time I had the knowledge and experience to pull myself out of it.

While I do feel that people do live with depression daily, I do not buy into the concept that everyone needs to take medications for it. I am not a depressed person. I am a female, need I say more?! As John Trudell says, "I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing its understanding of being human." While the feelings of depression do come in and out of my life, it is not me. Period.

I did not truly believe in anxiety, of course, until it became part of my reality and effected me physically. There are people in my life that suffer from it and while most of them truly suffer for no reason known to them, I did feel that some peoples experiences with it (if not all of it) was brought on by themselves, their lifestyles and their decisions (past and present). Lesson learned. Like a friend once said, "God will always give you what you do not understand". Thank you Universe for setting me straight! I have always been anxious, but was able to talk myself out of it. This time I was unable to do so and the anxiety became physical, not just mental/emotional. Each day gets better and I know I will get past this.

Tension headaches, well, they suck and there is really no fix for them other then relaxing and de-stressing yourself. Right? Still working on this but ya know, life could be worse. I am not going to die, all the tests I have had look great. Still waiting on the appointment for the MRI but doc said not to worry about this as they are just following up on a brain scan that came up with some inconclusive results. He said this happens all the time and that they have to follow up on it (for liability reasons) and it usually results in nothing. 

So what am I doing to fix myself? I tried Sertraline (generic Zoloft)...had a reaction and will never take any psycho drugs again. Just another experience to remind myself that the pharmaceutical companies are not there to help us. Sure, I get that idea of taking a drug to keep your heart, kidneys, liver or other essential organs working, but let's not mess with the brain! It does not seem logical to take a drug that has the same exact side effects as what you are experiencing and that makes you sick for weeks before it "might" work. Only to find out that it does not and that you have to go through the whole process until you find a drug that "might" work. What a racket!

Mediation, positive thoughts, walking, nature, photography, loving my peeps and loving myself enouph to know that I am strong and worth it is what is working. Mind over matter, it has always worked for me!

You could be saying to yourself, "Wow, this chick in nuts" or "Hey, she has a point", either way...thanks for reading :)

Love and light my friends! Happy Summer Solstice! ☼