Bye Bye Mailing List

Today was going along just swell until around 3:00 pm this afternoon--that's when I discovered that in my attempt to be proactive about losing a large amount of data saved on to a computer I had managed to delete the entire mailing list for our company (about 2,000 customers). YIKES!!! The details of how I managed to do this are too long and confusing...the point is that it happened and our most recent mailing list is GONE! (To be completely honest, I'm still not sure how it happened, I think the flash drive I was using just decided to eat it. ;o) Anyways, after a lot of panic and having to admit to my dad (who's also my boss), and the other ladies in the office what I had done...we decided it was for the better and we would just start from scratch and create a much better, new and improved data base of our clients. I do have a copy of the list from 2006 which is remarkably still fairly current. So, tomorrow that's what we'll start doing. Redoing the mailing list. What fun!

In much more exciting other news, I went to the gym and worked out tonight --probably to work out some frustration--and had a really good time. That sounds so strange to say, but I actually enjoy the idea that I'm doing something good for myself. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up the routine.

Also, one quick praise to God...my father-in-law had some heart issues with some results from his physical and he had an appointment with the cardiologist today. The good news is that open heart surgery is not on the list of remedies at this time...hopefully just a stint or the best option is just medication. We'll know more on Friday. Definitely keep him in your thoughts and prayers--he and my mother-in-law are really just wanting to get down here to see that new baby since they live in Michigan.

Finally, this is simply a technical question for someone new to the blogging world. My dear friend Joelle, gave me an award and I'm not sure how to tag someone new to give the award to. Can someone fill me in on how to do this?

Vasovagal Reaction

Vasovagal reaction: A reflex of the involuntary nervous system that causes the heart to slow down (bradycardia) and that, at the same time, affects the nerves to the blood vessels in the legs permitting those vessels to dilate (widen). As a result the heart puts out less blood, the blood pressure drops, and what blood is circulating tends to go into the legs rather than to the head. The brain is deprived of oxygen and the fainting episode occurs.

So ever since my sophomore year in high school, I have been terrified of giving blood, terrified to the point of passing out or vomiting because I make myself so nervous. This is not something I'm proud of and I realize a small vile of blood is not going to kill me; however, my body and my brain seems to think so. I have passed out once, vomited once, and every other time I have become so hot and clammy that I have to lay very still with several cold compresses in order to avoid one of the previous mentioned reactions. Nurses have given me all sorts of advice from laying all the way down with a cold compress behind my neck, to having something to drink to force me to keep breathing, to the obvious of just looking away and relaxing. None of these have helped, no matter how much I tell myself that I'm going to be ok and it's no big deal, I still manage to have a similar reaction. Thus, I loathe the idea of having any blood drawn. Shots are one thing--blood being drawn is another.

Today was the most recent experience with my wussy (yes I just used the word wussy) like tendencies. I had my annual exam...YES!!! (sarcasm intended) They always want to draw a tiny amount of blood which I certainly think is an excellent thing. I had my glass of Dr. Pepper and I even warned the nurse beforehand. She sat me in the only chair that can recline and the reaction started...chest tightening, cold sweat...you get the idea. She then asked if I wanted her to do the finger prick instead of the vein in my arm. "Can you do that?" I asked. "Of course," she said. "Fantastic" I think; only to be proven wrong in the next 5 minutes. She proceeds to prick my finger and everything is going fine. Until she puts the band aid on my finger...I can then feel my finger throbbing. Uh oh, more tightening, more sweating. To make a long story short, I end up with the chair reclined, my shoes off, a curtain pulled around my chair, a cold compress on my stomach, in my left hand, on my right hand and on my forehead. Wouldn't I have been better off to just pass out? AHHH!!!! I hate this feeling and it makes me feel terrible for the nurses. What if I keep doing this? Having a child will be such a traumatic experience.

Apparently, or so the nurse tells me, I have a problem with vasovagal reactions. Thus, the reason for the definition at the beginning of this post. Vasovagal? Really? Regardless of the term I hate the reaction my body has. Does anyone else have these problems? Any suggestions for getting over this reaction? At least I just have to have my blood drawn once a year...until I decide I'm ready to start a family--then I'm doomed.

Sunday=Lessons from God

What a wonderful Sunday we had! We started out with church on Sunday morning where our preacher talked about the economy, how we had gotten into this mess, and what we could do to fix it. He had some amazing points which of course I can't remember at this moment; however, the most powerful part of the sermon was when he discussed

2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

That's really all we have to do, just bow before him and ask for forgiveness & he promises to heal our land. So that's what we did, our entire congregation knelt down and bowed before God and asked for help with our nation. What would happen if all Christians would simply bow before God and confess our wrongdoings instead of making excuses for this and that? I hope you'll join me in adding this serious and important issue to your daily prayers.

In addition to the sermon, we also went to see Fireproof with our small group and some other friends from church. What a powerful movie! The acting could definitely use some work; however, these are real people portraying real problems that marriages are facing today. Anyone who's happily married, has a struggling marriage, or is thinking about getting married should go see this movie...if for nothing else than to be able to tell others who are hurting about it. Nick & I were able to have some great conversations on the ride home and this is such an amazing resource that God has given us. Our theater was completely sold out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon--I know God is going to teach others amazing things and hopefully save many marriages with the help of this movie.

Beautiful Day

Today was just beautiful here in the good ole' Ozarks...it was an absolutely amazing day. We tried to enjoy it as much as possible, I actually had to work this morning and then we spent some of the afternoon trying to prevent Bogey from digging in the same certain place near a precious sprinkler head. Later in the afternoon we headed down to see the baby and provide some assistance in babysitting and organization since Lauren & Jackson got to come home today. With Jackson coming about a week early, and some unforseen circumstances keeping my mother in law in Michigan for a few more days, we volunteered to come and help. I did more helping while Nick did more babysitting and entertaining of Hunter. However, I think that assistance was priceless! I love watching him with children, I know he's going to be an amazing father one day. Jackson is just beautiful and perfect, I cannot believe how small he is. Even the smallest of clothes seem to be falling off of him. I hope everyone else had a beautiful Saturday as well, tomorrow we're going to see Fireproof with our small group. I'm super excited about seeing the movie and just enjoying some time with good friends. What a blessing they are!

Welcome to the world...Jackson Layman Lee

Yesterday afternoon at 2:44, my wonderful Brother & Sister in Law Lauren & Dustin, welcomed a perfect little bundle of joy...Jackson Layman Lee. He weighed 6 lbs, 13 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. Everyone is doing just great and Big Brother Hunter has been great with him. Hunter will be 3 on October 17 and seems very excited to have a baby brother at home. Nick and I are known as Uncle Nicky & Aunt L..I'm so glad to have another little one around (that I can send home when they get fussy!) God is so amazing and little babies remind me of what a powerful and awesome God we serve. There is almost nothing more precious than a newborn baby.

Jackson Layman Lee

Big Brother with the new little guy & the whole entire happy (but very tired) family

Proud mom with her first born--having a little heart to heart on why he needed to go home with Aunt Amy; followed by having a precious moment with her newborn son.

Proud Uncle Nicky with his new nephew & the flowers brought to the hospital by Uncle Nicky & Aunt L.

We can't wait to spoil this one as much as we do Hunter, Congrats Dustin & Lauren!

All things Fall

So as promised, last night I was able to dive right into fall with an apple pie and some decorations for the front porch. I also planted the mums and fall grasses. We tried to split the grasses from a bigger pot, so we'll see if they survive. Apple pie has always had a place in my heart because some of my most favorite childhood memories come from making apple pie with my Grandma for our town's fall festival, Applefest. There was always an apple pie contest followed by an auction. I would always go to my Grandma's house, and she'd supervise (and help a little) me making the pie. We actually won 1st place one year-- $100 prize! It was always a great time and I think about her almost everytime I'm in the kitchen. What an amazing cook!

Wonderful Apple Pie--served A La Mode of course! Oh how I love you hot apple pie!

The centerpiece on the dining room table, a collection of fall goodies on my kitchen bar, & our mantle decorations.

The two mum pots I planted with the fall grass and our fall porch decor. I'm super pleased with how it turned out!

In other news, the hubby and I actually had time to watch television last night and we chose to watch the season premiere of Chuck (which we had DVR'd)--I'm so glad this show is back, does anyone else watch this? It's such mindless entertainment, I just love it!

Also, some exciting news in the Layman family, Hubby's sister (who's first name is also Lauren) has gone into labor with their second little boy. I'm definitely pumped to have another nephew to spoil rotten! Have a great Thursday, because tomorrow is Friday!!!

Fall is in the Air!!!

With temperatures finally beginning to feel like fall and it being the 1st of October, I'm getting super excited about doing some "fallish" things. So...on the schedule for tonight, baking a homemade apple pie (Mmmm...most definitely ala mode--I'll try and post pictures if I remember before digging in), planting some fall flower pots with mums and fall grass, & finishing up the front porch with fall decorations. Hopefully I can accomplish all of this before the sun goes down, but we'll see. Check back for pics of my creations! Happy Fall Everyone!