Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
On the Road Again
Road trips are my favorite. When Bryon and I first started dating we took many trips, San Fransisco, Portland, Reno. So being in a car with the music cranked reminds me of when we first met and how we instantly fell in love...with long drives together, we love to sing as loud as we can to Conor and Eddie and all the rest.
I hope it's warm!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I've Got A Feeling
I am very excited to be around this holiday season plus I feel like a human again, a 27 year old human instead of a 80 year old one. My body has changed, parts of me don't look like they used to. I beat the infection and tumor, now I am ready to celebrate.
I think I will make it look like Christmas at the Vaughn-Glathar home this week. I can't wait to get some Christmas shopping done and some presents under my beautiful red tree. I just need to convince Vicky Vaughn to come lend a hand. I made a gingerbread house last Sat. it wasn't as cute as Kayla's and I couldn't take it home on the train with me, I will pull out last year's breast cancer awareness house. I miss seeing my extended family, time for a get together!
Still trying to get financially fit, it's hard, I don't want to look at the bills. I still haven't gotten a dime from the State, I think I must have done something wrong or they are slow. I am ready to get back to work, on a part time basis. 2010 better be good!
These are pictures from 2008 Christmas.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The End
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8gJgOCc1EE
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Bryon
My loving family
Modern Medicine
My Doctors
Music
Corn with real butter
Feeling a little better everyday
The beautiful state of Utah
World Tour app that shows me the world
My drugs
Quality tv like Survivor
Good friends
Those who have morally and financially supported me the last 4 months
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Friday, November 6, 2009
It's Out
I thought I would feel better immediately but alas I still feel terrible. I guzzled Gatorade and paid the prize yesterday and today, you would think I would learn. (Gatorade smells like a Popsicle coming up, ask my Mom) So the complaning will continue! Ha. I have hope I will feel better by Monday maybe sooner but knowing my recovery it will be a week, until then if you need me I will be in the bathroom with my head in the toilet.
Holly
Thursday, October 29, 2009
xoHolly
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I love Birthdays and Donations
Sunday, October 4, 2009
He sensed worry could be strength
As I'm sure you know she's been unable to work for the past couple of months and counting. On top of that her meds are quite an expense. Last I counted she was taking seven different prescriptions, not including the constant antibiotics. And they're not cheap. We very much appreciate all who have helped out in this very difficult time. And while it's not fun to ask for more help and certainly not something I look forward to doing, it seems necessary today.
If anyone can throw us a bone and help us pay for some of Holly's medications and other expenses now would be a really, really, REALLY great time to do so.
So thanks again to all who have supported us through this and Holly should be posting again very soon.
Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm Out
xoHolly
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Just Breathe
The day following Holly's last post she got very sick. High fever, vomiting, headache. We went to the ER, left at 4am on Saturday morning only to return at 7am Sunday when incoherence was added to her already terrible list of symptoms. Since then she's been in the Respiratory ICU fighting an unknown infection. Her biggest struggle has been her high oxygen requirements. She forgets to breathe sometimes and for a while there we could probably play a Ramones song to the fast beeping of her machines.
Yesterday she had surgery again. They cut her head open, drained some fluid and cleaned the flap (piece of skull removed for surgery) and wound very well. Tests on the fluid came back today negative for infection.
She's been feeling a little better after five long days in ICU. Oxygen requirements have decreased. They are trying to get her into a regular room but there is no room in the inn. Too many sickos I guess.
I'm just happy to see her feeling better. It was so heartbreaking to see her so sick. Hopefully she'll be back to blogging soon. If anyone gets bored while waiting you can listen to Holly's new favorite song HERE. You should really do that even if you're not bored.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Needle and the Damage Done
I am a little behind on my blog it's hard to keep up when your face has grown to the size of well it's like a balloon clown face, it's not pretty I can't even open my mouth all the way and my cheeks are so big my eyes are all squinty. I got a really cute scarf online at Old Navy and I wrap it around my head and cover my face and hide in my house, It's not so bad.
Please wish with me it goes away before I know I have to leave the house....Sept. 28 Pearl Jam at the E-Center plus the Wishlist Foundation Party Raffle that Bryon is throwing at The Puck before the show, this is big people all the money is being donated to amazing causes and there will be signed Pearl Jam stuff along with other items and it's a party. Yesterday in the mail we got a package from Pearl Jam with posters and stickers it was like Christmas. I love this band. Come to the Party, Come to the show!
On to the next topic. My Dr visit and the reason for the needle and the damage done. The Dr stuck a needle into the top of my head, beforehand he told Bryon to sit down because well I guess he thought he might faint. I'm not sure, so he has this huge needle and he sticks it in my head and starts pulling out liquid from my head, we had looked at my MRI films before this and I looked like a cone head seriously it was very disturbing, he ended up pulling 20ml of fluid from my head. The liquid was a golden color and smelled quite bad. He sent it to the lab and put a band aid on my head. He is going to call tomorrow to tell me if it is something we need to worry about. I am worried because my head is soft on top which means it is filling with more liquid that will need to be taken out with a needle that goes into my head and well people it hurt. Oh and he said all of my side effects (sweating,crazy,emotional,fat face,hurt knees) will all go away when I go off steroids this week, I am skeptical, nothing about this has been easy so I am not getting my hopes up!
So now you are updated, Holly
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Where The Wild Thing Are
I love that line. It is the last line of one of my most favorite books ever written, Where the Wild Things Are. This book was read to me countless times as a child. Me and my brothers loved it and when other books were read to us the line And it was still Hot was always added at the end. As I grew older and began babysitting and being a nanny I did the same, the book ended and It Was Still Hot.
I had my MRI Monday and of course me being claustrophobic was dreading it, but my Dr had planned an IV with a lovely cocktail of drugs so it would be better. I got there way early, I sat in the waiting room and It was still Hot was all I could think of plus being in a coffin. I honestly have never sweated so much in my life, my hair was drenched, people were staring. I finally got called back and the real fun began, the IV poke plus drugs, the wet wash clothes they just put over my face, the nurse who commented on my Moon Face and said "It must be so hard to look in the mirror" (ouch) and then into the MRI machine which is totally a freezer I can't believe I am going to say it but it felt good in there, the nurse who said I was ugly massaged my feet for 40 min. and then I was OUT!
It felt like I had been there all day but when I got home it was 3pm. The first thing I did was take my meds because I hadn't taken them yet then I called my dad. I told him about the experience and how I thought of And It Was Still Hot and right there on the phone he told me the story of Where the Wild Things Are, it was just how I remembered it but with little sprinkles of Brad added in because he was telling it from memory, Max still sailed to the land of Wild Things, they roared their terrible roars, and gnashed their terrible teeth and there was a wild rumpus of course. It was a needed break from my life. I felt good after that until 10 pm. Then I broke. I won't give you much details just say that I cried like a child who had been read a lovely story at 3pm but decided to cry from 10 to 11pm till was given a Xanax and sent to bed.
So the moral of the story is I am a child, I love stories and sometimes I cry a lot and need to be sent to bed. Oh and I sweat alot.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Don't stop me now
This Song May Help..............Queen Don't Stop Me Now..............Listen and let me know
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Late Night Crafting
Oh and by the way I found about a dozen really great craft blog/sites that are way up my alley. I have a disease!
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/
http://www.mindymaesmarket.com/
http://www.theletteredcottage.net/
http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/
http://heritageunwrapped.blogspot.com/
http://sew4home.com/
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Oh What A Beautiful Morning Oh What A Beautiful Day.....
My most favorite of all flowers is the Dahlia. I decided I needed one or a whole lot. I started calling around to local flower shops, you know Clearfield House of Flowers, Tony's Villa even Fruit Flowers which only makes edible flower creations, and about 5 more, no one had a Dahlia. I was very sad but I figured when I got back to SLC I could find a beautiful Dahlia no problem. Late last night I had an idea...maybe they had flowers at the SLC Farmer's Market! Yes! They must! Flowers and Farmers! Of Course! So I got on my phone with internets and found out the time they open and texted Bryon who was sleeping soundly next door, the couch was my bed because I was having a sleepless movie watching night, I watched On the Beach, it was enjoyable but the book was better.
So I set my alarm on my phone for 7:45 and it said this alarm is set for 3 hour 36 min. from now, well goodness I thought better just close my eyes and try, well it worked and at 7:40 Bryon woke up because he does not sleep in on the weekends ever, he takes drives, and said to me "Market Time!" and we were off! I looked like a scarecrow what with my new black scarf to cover my terrible rash and my straw like hair, but I was excited. This was my first time at a farmer's market after all.
I emptied my purse to hold any purchases and we walked into Pioneer Park. It was not packed but there were plenty of people, pets and booths. There were arts and crafts and vegetables and fruits and breads and cheeses, it was amazing! We decided to find the flowers first of course and after about 25 booths we made it, I believe it was the lone flower booth and the selection looked lovely, they had Dahlia's! Thank the heavens! I decided to get a bouquet with a nice mix of flowers. I was so pleased, I mean really pleased my Moon Face smiled, painfully smiled. We then took on the rest of the market. We got some danishes and strawberry limeade for breakfast, some corn because it is so good with butter, Sriracha hot chili sauce and parmesan cheese, a baguette and got a free bag from Select Health. The market was a huge success. We took our items and headed home.
I was a bit sleepy what with all the walking and the not sleeping the night before so I took my morning meds and at 10am went back to bed. It was a glorious nap. I slept till 1:15 pm when Bryon returned from a day trip to Provo. I then spent the afternoon doing whatever I pleased. I attempted to arrange my flowers, they did not really turn out as perfect as I would have wanted but after 20 minutes I was killing my good day so I stopped and put them on my messy table. They brighten the place right up. I then had a lunch of Market baguette and Uncle Mike tomatoes, wow it was good. We had plans to spend the rest of the day with my sister in laws Wendy and Tameron, plus all their adorable kids. It was so much fun and my sweating was minimal! We talked and played and ate. These ladies are amazing cooks I am serious, we ate the most delicious Chile Verde and quesadillas. It was a day of great food and the Verde topped it! Wendy is a massage therapist and she rubbed my dead arm, she is the best.
Basically this day was good, I give it a 8.5 because unfortunately my mood did not last when we got home, a girl can only be good for so long. So sorry Bryon and Taylor (Bryon's nephew who is staying the night) for all my outburst and crankiness tonight. I will leave you all tonight with picture of my flowers please enjoy.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Go Ask Alice
The time has come, my little friends, to talk of other things / Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings / And why the sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wigs / Calloo, Callay, come run away / With the cabbages and kings.
Alice in Wonderland, what a movie. I just love it. I have seen it many times, quite a few times with my good friend Aubrie. When I think of Alice I think of Aubrie, I also think of a Caterpillar smoking a hookah pipe (I assume) and saying crazy, wonderful things like
Caterpillar: Who... are... you?
Alice: Why, I hardly know, sir. I've changed so much since this morning, you see...
Caterpillar: No, I do not C, explain yourself.
Alice: I'm afraid I can't explain myself, you see, because I'm not myself, you know.
Caterpillar: I do not know.
Alice: I can't put it any more clearly, sir, because it isn't clear to me.
Those words describe me Exaketededly (as the Caterpillar would say) How I have been feeling lately, I have changed so much and I hardly know myself. I do weird things, I say even stranger and I have stopped doing things I love and started things doing things I never thought to do before the tumor removal. That tumor had a brain, or controlled mine quite a bit I think, and now that its out I am a new person, I have to learn to be this new person. That scares me. Add to it the new pain med and my life is Alice in Wonderland. This pain med is Soma, it eases the pain but mostly I think it just numbs my brain and makes me forget, it puts me in an Alice in Wonderland state of mind. Which is good and bad. I am loopy and as Steff said go into a Soma Coma but I forget the pain, along with other stuff I am sure. I don't like to rely on drugs even though now I am taking at least 8 for my symptoms.
I have an MRI on Monday which I am dreading of course what with the fear of them locking me in there and not letting me out ever, but don't worry I will be drugged and hopefully they will let someone in to hold my leg which comforts me greatly. I also have an appointment with the great Dr. Macfarlane on Tuesday to review the MRI and chat about my problems, did I mention I have a horrible rash all over my neck, chest, arms and back? It's not a pretty sight. So everyone go watch Alice in Wonderland no drugs needed it will take you on a lovely trip of eating mushrooms, little girls mistaken for serpents and of course painting the roses red.
Peace, Holly
maybe later
Thursday, September 10, 2009
No one likes a Whiner
Being Broke
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Good Book
*"Pretend to be good always,and even God will be fooled."- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
*"Goodbye Blue Monday." -Breakfast of Champion
*"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD WAS MUSIC"-Vonnegut's Blues for America
*Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt.-Slaughterhouse-Five
OK that will do.
The point of this book post is that I have not picked up a book in over a month, I have listened to one on my iPod but the desire to pick up a book, one of my favorite things to do is gone. I have the time, I have the books but I have lost my book need. I hope it comes back. I think maybe it has something to do with my hand/arm, it's not strong, it's a limp, asleep appendage, I have been crocheting to build strength I type slower than a child, my handwriting takes serious concentration. Tomorrow I will pick up a book and see what happens. I need to fall in love with a good book, a new one or maybe an old friend like The Hours. If anyone has a book recommendation please send them along.
Love your sweaty friend,
Holly
Monday, September 7, 2009
Just call me Moon Face
Oh just another day in Paradise with me, Holly Vaughn. I had a great day and by great I mean really really awful night of no sleep, I take back my comment regarding having made peace with not sleeping because there are so many fun ways to fill the night, I was wrong, I just want to sleep. I don't want to watch The Way We Were, I don't want to listen to my iPod, I don't want to cut paper to make cards, I don't want to make to do list. I want to put my head on the pillow, I want to close my eyes, I want to wake up 8+ hours later. Not the 3 I have been getting from 6 to 9 am.
So I wake up at 9 today and had a good visit with my mom and brother Philip. This part of the day really was good. We chatted and ate bananas and my mom cleaned my dishes and Philip and Bryon played Guitar Hero. It was so nice to see Philip, he has always seemed like my older brother he is so smart, artistic and hilarious. My mom lives the love language of service, she is so loving in every way but she cleans my house and I feel very very special. Around 11:30 I started getting the disease, we will call it the green disease because it is when I start feeling like the hulk is going to take over my body, ya know Chris Benoit style. It is around this time that I make a comment about my face was feeling strange/hurting. Vicky takes a look, feels it, then Bryon takes a turn. It's tight and looks puffy, it's so tight it's like stretched looking on my cheek bones plus puffy, am I describing this well at all? Now it's time to google and wiki and get to the bottom of this condition, and this is what they find
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_face
http://www.medicinenet.com/cushings_syndrome/article.htm
I'm crossin' you in style someday.
Old dream maker, you heartbreaker,
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin'your way.
Two drifters, off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end,
Waitin' round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me. Thank You Uncle Mike for the salsa veggies can't wait to make it with Momma this week!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Gross?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Two Quotes for a Saturday
I totally agree with Lyndon on this one...but I have no bathtub. I am thinking of the perfect one, the one I had in Mexico about 4 years ago on a wonderful family trip. We were all together the dad, the mom all the boys and the big sister. Cancun Mexico. We stayed at a Villa, we listened to Devandra Banhart, we walked to the ocean, we ate beans and rice for every meal, I read Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut for the very first time, be lounged by the little pool in the back yard and I had the bath. The tub was huge, I mean like 6 feet long 4 feet wide, it was tiled in blue and I think there was two faucets. I filled it all the way up, added some sort of minty bubble goodness and soaked for like an hour. I will always remember that trip as a family best and tub right up there.
"Life is a wretched gray Saturday, but it has to be lived through." Anthony Burgess
Life must have been hard for Anthony, well Saturday's at least. My life lately has been quite a few Saturday's and I am so ready for a Monday. But I must say some good stuff has happened lately too, for example I am so filled with crazy emotions that some are bound to be good. Like love, I have so much love for this world it's wild, I want to give everyone a hug, I want to solve every ones problems (which got me in some serious trouble last week, sorry Miles) I want everyone to know I love them, no really like adore them more than anyone has ever been adored in the history of the world. Whatever drug is giving me this side effect needs to be found and bottled. So now I am gonna tell everyone I love them. I love you Anthony and Lyndon, I love you family member, I love you friend, I love you Bryon. I love you Charlie from Lost. I love you Internets.
Goodnight Saturday and Hello Sunday!
Sleep, No Thanks!
Friday, September 4, 2009
I try to be crafty, these are the sad results
What are all these random blank spots?! Gigi!?!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
“A Day in the Life”
Oxford Comma--Vampire Weekend
I Got The Reason #2--Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
King Of Carrot Flowers Part 2 & 3--Neutral Milk Hotel
I Don't Want To Grow Up--Tom Waits
Paths Of Victory--Cat Power
Einstein on the Beach--Counting Crows
Age Of Consent--New Order
One More Hour--Sleater-Kinney
Old Man--Neil Young
I Don't Want To Know--Fleetwood Mac
The Fear--Lily Allen
LDN--Lily Allen
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa--Vampire Weekend
Fish--Daniel Johnston
This Beard Is For Siobhán--Devendra Banhart
We Will Become Silhouettes--The Shins
Walcott-- Vampire Weekend
Enjoy my friends and look forward to tomorrow where I will posting some 3 am craft project pictures and also hopefully some improved ones I have in my brain for tonight's crazy craft lady party.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Stop Complaining and Just Cry
I came home, I was a sweaty mess of course. Complaint. I ate my last banana yesterday. Complaint. I think everyone hates me. Complaint.
I put myself back to bed and listened to The Time Travelers Wife. I had a nice lunch. Things are looking up! I call Disability, the person on the phone is a jerk, I get nothing done and have to call back tomorrow. Complaint. Back to bed, I made about 10 To Do list on my phone during the night and I am doing nothing today. I am not pleased....Complaint. Time to get ready for dinner, a shower is always a good idea right? WRONG, it takes me 2 hours to slightly cool down and then when I get to our dinner date I have to go to the bathroom 3 times just to wash my face. The food and company were amazing so no complaint.
I decided yesterday that I need some time back in Murray with Bryon so we head to my mom's to pack my million needed things. I am sure I will be back to West Point in a few days. People need breaks from me. We head to Murray and I put my seat back and Bryon gives me a pillow and cranks the air and it is a lovely drive, but I can feel something coming.......it's the crazy, moody no fun at all Holly coming to town. We get home and Bryon puts me on the couch and goes to the store for water. I decide its a good time to read my medical records from my stay at IMC, and watch Howard's End, bad idea. Bryon returns home to a crying, sad girl who is a serious complainer. He lets me cry about all the crap from today and the crap from yesterday and the crap that will happen tomorrow and rubs my arm and gives me my evening drugs. I really don't deserve him most days. The moral of the story is I should have been crying all day not complaining.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sweaty Beast, Jane Austen and Pain!
I love Jane Austen, all things Jane Austen. My neighbor let me borrow the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. It is heavenly! Elizabeth and all her sisters make me laugh and her mother is a hoot and Mr. Darcy, what a hunk. Mr. Collins and Charlotte! I plan on watching it at least 4 times. I am only on Disc 2 but I have plans for at least 4 more viewings, just in case the ending changes, which I always think is going to happen in movies I watch.
Day to Day pain is still constant and I don't think I remember what "normal" feels like. The sensation I feel on the right side is so strange, I can't even explain it, it's just dead and it really, really hurts. Pain medications are very weird, I get basically no relief and sometimes very rarely they just make me feel a little dizzy. I made a request for the medical field to get back to working on MRI machines, now I call them out again to work on pain medication. Take my pain away!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Malt o Meal
Sunday, August 30, 2009
My current favorites on Etsy.
How freaking cute is this headband! I know I couldn't pull it off but I love it! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29867359
I love cards, especially ones with a botanical illustration. I like to keep spare ones around just in case I need to write a quick or slow thank you or happy birthday or I miss you or get well soon card! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18801097
Anyone who knows me knows I love all things British! So again I need this! Put on your wellies and eat that biscuit before I put you in the pram! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24244433
Moleskins! How amazing are they? I have a four and they all need little covers to make them feel special. One has strawberry jam on it and that is just not ok. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20080529
Organizing is not something I am great at, but with this book I am sure I would not fail.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29734973
This ring is fetching and very precious, Isn't it? and What a special family keepsake it would be! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29176817
Who doesn't need these pleasant and agreeable little calenders? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29877693
And last but not least a whole crapload of paper and other odds and ends. This is a magical mix of goodies that will surely give you the inspiration to create dazzling art to delight your senses. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29347047
Oh Etsy!
Today has found me trying to find that unfindable nap. I had a rough night and got up at 5:30 am with some serious pain in the ankle and knee area. I had to do some icing immediately. The Dr says that they are so swollen because during my surgery a blood transfusion was needed, and now it could take from 4 to 6 weeks for the swelling to stop! Oh Joy! Anyway one more item to add to my " I'm a baby and my life is so hard" list. I will just wait for the nap to become bed and cross my fingers I get a good solid 10 or probably more correct 4.
I would like to write about something nicer, something that has given me some serious cheer and comfort. The world of Etsy! I could browse it for hours. They have everything a person could ever want or need. Homemade items, found items, vintage items and all the supplies you need. I have caught to craft bug big time since the surgery and reading craft blogs as well as looking at Etsy has been so much fun. I will now show you some pictures of the things I currently want to have or want to try and make myself. Please Enjoy!