I'm a flickr girl!

I posted some of my pictures from Atlanta online. You can check them out here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacycakes81/

I'm getting a little more confident in my photography skills and I have found that I really enjoy capturing everyday objects in a unique way. I think that is kind of my niche. I'm hoping to improve on my portrait shots because I would really like to capture special moments with family and friends, but I really need a normal/telephoto lens for that, since all I have now is the wide angle. Here's hoping that I can save up money after vacation for the one that I've been eyeing. I thought it might happen before vacation, but no such luck. Happy Monday!

I'm Back!

...For a few days anyway. I ended up in ATL for an extra night last week, then off to CT for Father's Day weekend with John's family. A VERY busy week at work and then off to my parent's house for the weekend to celebrate Father's Day with my family. John was able to come join us Saturday night for a nice dinner out. I have today off to get a ton of errands done, but of course I've been procrastinating. And, I've been having a bit of a battle this morning with our uninvited house guest...the infamous mouse. We still haven't been able to catch the little (well, not so little) bugger! He has been taunting me all morning as I try to get the apartment cleaned up. Everytime I set foot into the kitchen he peers his little head out, runs from the sink behind the fridge, and even walked over the mouse trap at one point. YUCK! It's really creeping me out today and making me quite CRANKY! Any tips on how to catch a mouse??? I'm all ears.

W.I.S.H.?

This is what I call the "Where Is Stacy Hiding?" Blog! I know it also means, I WISH she were here writing to me, because I SOOOOO Love her wonderful stories and photos, right? Hehehe. I'm just kidding...I know it does seem like I've been hiding out lately and haven't been a very good blogger either, but I promise, after this next week, I should be back in online action. It's just been one crazy week with more appointments and tests. Then getting ready for my big trip to Atlanta this week for the HOW design conference. I'm soooo excited about this trip. Just wish my lovey could join me, but we were lucky to both get vacation time in July, so I can't complain.

All the news from the testing has been coming back perfectly NORMAL!!! Whoo Hooo. Long story short, I have rare optic nerves that are indeed protruding, but they are not swollen and there is no trouble with pressure or spinal fluid either. I do have calcifications on my eyes that were causing all the same symptoms, but although being unique, and scaring everyone half to death, I'm A O.K. The spinal tap wasn't too bad, but I've been working long days since I had the procedure done and that was NOT a good idea. Who knew sitting at a computer for 9.5 hours a day would make your back sore? But I'm resting tonight, going out to dinner with Johnny and then locking myself in the bedroom to get packed! We're off to the airport at 4:30 tomorrow morning. YUCK!

I won't have my computer with me in ATL, but I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and be ready with a full report when I get back next week. Other highlights from this week: My dad's birthday, helping get my parent's sailboat in the water (I think we've made a pretty good tradition of doing this in the rain the past few years...LOL), finished off the painting in the bedroom with Johnny (It looks awesome and I'll be putting the new bedding on next weekend so look for updated pictures), ordered curtain fabric for the kitchen (My friend Jeni is going to help me learn to sew and make them...so excited), making 40 CD mixes and labels for a CD trade during the conference (one of my printers helped me with the printing, cutting, duplication and labels. I only had to create the initial mix and design the look. They are AWESOME and I can't wait to trade them), finished my Artist Trading Cards for an A*Muse*a*palooza trade (already got the other ones in the mail and they were fun), started a few crafty projects that will be posted about later on (I know I say that a lot and don't always post later, but it's usually because I still haven't finished anything I started! HA! Everything I do seems to be a work in progress), got some new A Muse stamps during their birthday sale for other projects I have in my head and did all the other daily stuff that I'm usually up to! See, I told you I've been busy! Okay, we're off to dinner...have a great weekend everyone!

Photo courtesy of a cool artist I found on Flickr.com...http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindlessafternoon/448814370/

Great News...but More Testing Still to Come

I received great news about my MRI yesterday...it came back totally NORMAL! Yippee, Hurray! But the bad news is, they still aren't quite sure what is going on. I saw my primary care doctor and she recommended some additional blood testing, thyroid testing, and an ultrasound of my carotid artery. She also thought it was a good idea to go ahead with a lumbar puncture (aka spinal tap) to check my spinal fluid and pressure. She also sent me to an opthamologist for further eye testing. The opthamologist put us at ease after his report. He thinks that my symptoms on the optic nerve are caused by calcifications called drusen. These are not harmful, but do present the same signs and signals that the increased cranial pressure presents. They are thought to be making my optic nerves look swollen, when in reality, they might be just fine. That coupled with the fact that I am among the minority that have protruding optic nerves and consistent headaches, there is still a slight concern that the pressure is too high, so he agreed that I should have the spinal tap as a precaution.

So, what does all this mean? More testing, more appointments and more questions...but, less fear and a sense of calm for those around me who have been worried. I'll have more vision testing done on Monday and then the spinal tap and visit with the neurologist on Tuesday. I'll keep you all posted as the results come in. Thank you for all the love and support the past two weeks! It has been a bit nerve wracking and scary at times, but knowing how blessed I am in this life to be surrounded by such wonderful souls is all I need to know that "every little thing is going to be alright."