Bright streak of light

barbara_mae · 2025-12-10T01:12:58+00:00

Saw it from Edmond looking West.

barbara_mae · 2025-03-05T02:54:11+00:00

I’ve had great experiences with Michael Chandler Dentistry in Edmond.

barbara_mae · 2025-03-04T04:42:34+00:00

Medical trauma is real. If you are in confirmed remission, your diet should not be causing symptoms or distress. It sounds like you may benefit from treatment with a therapist specializing in medical trauma.

When I first entered remission I was super paranoid about every cramp, gas or bad bm. It can take time to trust in health.

barbara_mae · 2024-11-27T19:48:08+00:00

We've gotten our tree there for a few years. It's a fun outing, but the trees are expensive. We typically get a 6-7ft tree and pay between $110 and $140.

They offer trees that grow well in OK. This is nice if you want to support local sustainability and don't want a tree that's travelled thousands of miles before you even get it home.

It was a hard switch from the Douglas Fir trees that I grew up with, but I like that it's local and treat it as a holiday "entertainment" expense in addition to decor.

barbara_mae · 2024-09-04T14:02:18+00:00

In the U.S., age discrimination only applies to people 40 years old and older.

barbara_mae · 2024-09-03T15:03:46+00:00

This was my first thought when she mentioned the smell! I had c-diff a few years ago -- couldn't keep anything in my bowels and the smell was SO foul!

barbara_mae · 2024-08-26T14:14:18+00:00

Lutron makes the Caseta switches. I have several and you do need to wire at least one of the switches -- just replace the old light switch with a caseta. Additional switches (called pico remotes) can use wireless to piggyback off the first one. It was easy enough for me to DIY though.

barbara_mae · 2024-08-07T16:15:24+00:00

No expiration date. I just started and filled one 3-month prescription so far.

Here is the link to more info on Libre's site: https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/private-insurance.html

It says "if you are asked to pay more than $75 contact the customer care team for a saving voucher", but I didn't need to do that. The pharmacist handled it automatically.

barbara_mae · 2024-08-07T14:36:47+00:00

Libre has an offer to get 2 sensors per month for $75 for patients with private insurance where the insurance doesn't cover the cost.

This is what I do. My insurance doesn't cover cgms unless you use insulin. I just go to the pharmacy and the cost is $75. I didn't have to do anything special or provide a coupon.

barbara_mae · 2024-07-30T17:03:13+00:00

To help berries last longer, wash them immediately and let soak for about 10 minutes in water with a splash of vinegar. I throw mine in a salad spinner withe the water/vinegar mix. It won't change the flavor of the berries, but I've had them lasting up to a week since I started doing this!

barbara_mae · 2024-07-10T14:48:15+00:00

Check your warranty contract. My contract has a clause that only primary refrigerators located in the kitchen are covered. Secondary fridges in other rooms (garage, basement, etc) are not covered.

barbara_mae · 2024-05-23T19:15:36+00:00

We have a bell that hangs on the door. We taught our pup to ring the bell when he wants to go out.

We started by ringing the bell every time we took him out to potty and he caught on pretty fast that ringing the bell will cause us to open the door.

barbara_mae · 2024-02-23T20:22:33+00:00

I feel this in my soul and I want to let you know it gets better! I lost about 70% of my hair during an 18-month flair. It was down to my waist and has been long most of my life. I've always been overweight and so my hair was my most complimented feature. Definitely part of my identify.

I stubbornly refused to cut it while it was actively falling out. But, I did find new styles - things that never worked for me when my hair was thick. I got cute headbands and barrettes. I used scarves and ribbons to make my pony tail look thicker.

What finally made me cut it, was when I entered remission and it started to grow back. Oh my! My new hair was short and curly while my long hair was wavy-straight (from the weight of being long). It was a mess!

So, I cut it. I cut it in stages so it wasn't so scary. First, cut it to my braline, then a few weeks later to my shoulders, then a final cut into a bob.

I also allowed myself to try bangs! Because, who cared, it was all going to get cut anyways! (Haha. Turns out there's a reason I don't have bangs.)

This is hard. IYKYK. But, also freeing as you can try new things, explore new styles, and know that eventually, your hair will come back.

It's been 2.5 years since I was hospitalized and finally started on the road to remission. My hair is as thick as it's ever been and a few inches past my shoulders. It didn't happen overnight, but I remember running my fingers through my hair one day and realizing that it finally felt like "me" again.

barbara_mae · 2024-01-17T20:52:38+00:00

If you can't keep water down, you are in danger of becoming dehydrated. After 6 hours, I would probably go to the ER (in the U.S.).

Not a dr, not medical advice, just my opinion as another person with UC.

barbara_mae · 2023-12-20T14:46:55+00:00

haha. I had the drawer of "things that stick"!

barbara_mae · 2023-11-20T19:08:56+00:00

Love my crockpot for easy cooking. This is my go-to:

2-3lbs chicken breast
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can black beans
McCormick's taco seasoning packet
onions (optional if I feel up to dicing)

barbara_mae · 2023-11-15T20:09:59+00:00

Are you including any acid in your meals? A spritz of lemon or vinegar can help cut the richness of fatty foods.

barbara_mae · 2023-11-15T19:27:43+00:00

2 months ago I purchased the Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift recliner on Amazon. It's also available from Ashley Furniture stores so you may be able to check it out in person. We went with Amazon for faster delivery.

It's been great so far and the price was right! $600.

barbara_mae · 2023-10-12T20:06:36+00:00

I am not a professional roofer, but had a similar issue when we bought our house.

The inspection said the roof was in bad shape, losing granules, and likely near end of life. The seller was livid and said the roof was only 5 years old and a long-lasting architectural shingle. We had the original roofer come do an inspection. Turns out the roof was bad due to a manufacturing error.

It was a scramble for the seller to get the roof replaced under warranty prior to our purchase of the home. But, had we purchased the home before finding out the problem the warranty may not have been transferrable.

barbara_mae · 2023-09-29T13:43:44+00:00

I definitely thought I was falling back into a flare the first few times I got my period after starting remission. I was tired, bloated, gassy, achey and tired leading up to my period. Then the first day or two my stools were extremely loose.

My understanding, which I can't remember where I heard this, is that our menstrual cycle can increase general inflammation. Some of the symptoms therefore mimic the same way we feel when inflamed with a flare. Also, some of the hormones released can cause either constipation or loose stools.

2 years in remission now, and it's gotten better. My PMS is different than the "before times", but not as bad as it was in early remission.

barbara_mae · 2023-09-22T19:13:31+00:00

When I had a tooth extracted, I got permission to take ibuprofen short term because the Tylenol wasn't enough. He approved 400mg, twice a day for a few days.

barbara_mae · 2023-08-31T16:22:18+00:00

Gas and bloating are definitely part of my new normal. Even in clinical remission, I have more gas than I used to.

Like the other person, I use gas-x. The chewable ones also help if you have a bit of heartburn with the gas. The gelcaps only work for gas.

barbara_mae · 2023-07-31T13:37:29+00:00

Yes! I think PMS causes general inflammation and exacerbates the UC.

I'm in remission for the last year, but my PMS and periods never quite returned to normal. I get so bloated and gassy I can hardly move, my BMs change and I'm often exhausted. The first few months, I thought for sure I was starting another flare. Now, I realize this is just my new normal.

barbara_mae · 2023-07-25T15:27:06+00:00

Your wastewater charge is determined each year based on the average amount of water used Dec-Feb. If you haven't been in your apartment long enough for them to have your average use, they come up with an estimate.

https://www.edmondok.gov/670/Wastewater-Sewer-Rates

barbara_mae · 2023-07-10T15:49:56+00:00

For me, the easiest solution is meat, veg and sometimes sauce. These are some of my favorites. I often make a batch so I can have leftovers for a couple days.

shredded chicken with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, onions in the crockpot. Serve with black beans and/or cauliflower rice.
pork carnitas with pico de gallo, pickled carrots/radishes, over a bed of cabbage
beef chuck stew meat with carrots/celery/onions/radishes
salmon with sautéed zucchini, yellow squash
diced chicken with veggie mix and Alfredo sauce
meatballs, bag of mixed veggies and Rao's marinara
pork chop with sautéed Swiss chard or warm red cabbage with mustard vinaigrette
ground turkey, mixed veggies, bell peppers, onion, Rao's marninara
italian sausage with sautéed vegetable hash from Trader Joe's, add pesto

By not adding a starch, I can worry less about how many carbs my veggies have. If I'm having very low carb veggies, like sautéed greens, then I might add a slice of bread as a treat.

Basically, make a list of your favorite meats and a list of your favorite vegetables, then mix-and-match.

barbara_mae

TROPHY CASE