Weekend in New Hampshire

Went to Jackson, NH with the family. We stayed in a georgeous condo that can sleep about 15 people! Hank went with me:

And Becky's puppy Marley came along, too.I love hanging out with puppies:

Mr. Hank made himself at home:

We all got dressed warm and toasty and went tubing in the dark!

My cheeks got very, very red and I got soaked by flying snow - I was going THAT FAST!

We even made tube chains - we're dangerous like that!

Here's my cousin Julie and friend Amy.

The girls and their tubes...

We got a ton of snow. This is the view from the living room of the condo.Oh, and we also figured out that my pants were see through, but only when you took a picture of them...weird!

And that Becky likes blue drinks:

We did much, much laughing!

We're gonna rent the place for a week next year!!

An Update

Lots and lots of stuff happening!

1. I'm registrar for the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society's 2009 Conference in March and it is creating headache after headache. A ton of my time is being spent on registration woes as the on-line registration system we are using totally stinks. Anyone out there use a good and inexpensive (we're a non-profit) on-line registration system that rocks? Please let me know!
2. It is c-c-c-c-cold here in New England. Like single digits and negative wind chills. Poor Mr. Hank's little feet were so cold after our walk. I'm surviving...barely.
3. Had a job interview today! Not looking for a job, but when this one came up I knew I had to apply. The position is Manager of Interpretation and Graphics at the Roger Wil liams Pa rk Z*oo! I'm so excited about it. Apparently they had over 60 applications and invited only 9 in to interview last month. I got a call back last week and went in today for a 2 and 1/2 hour interview. It went REALLY well and I really like the people I interviewed with as well as the description of the job. I should hear something next week!
4. Got Mr. Hank's DNA test back! Here are the four dog breeds they detected in his DNA: Burmese Mountain Dog, Belgian Tervurian, Miniature Pinscher, and Parsons Russell Terrier!! Hahahahahahah!!!!!!!! who would have ever thought! He is SUCH a mutt!
5. Jay is heading out today to Maine on a snowmobiling trip. Hank and I are heading to New Hampshire for a weekend with my mom and sisters. And THEA! It's going to be cold, but we'll have fun!

I think that's it! Have a great weekend!

A Diagnosis!!!!!!!!

I woke up this morning with my face all swollen and played hardball. I called a bunch of allergists begging for an appointment today and finally, FINALLY, I got one with a doctor in Providence.

I did about 80 down I-95 to get there in time, I was so desperate. I had a consult and wasn't even supposed to see the doctor today but when the nurse saw my face and heard that I was in the hospital 10 days ago she said she'd pull some strings so I could see the doc today.

I love this doctor! It's the first time I wasn't blown off. I've been having some serious misgivings about my primary care physician and now I KNOW that I need to change doctors (Jami -remind me to ask you who you see again). We talked for a while - he was trying to get a sense of my episodes, frequency, etc as well as family history. He did a little examination, but the swelling was so bad he didn't really need to do anything but look at me!

And then, finally! He asked me if I'd ever heard of angioedema. I had, but only through WebMD trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me. The doc said I most likely have idiopathic angioedema. Angioedema is spontaneous swelling below the skin surface usually on the lips and around the eyes (decribes me perfectly). When it occurs spontaneously, independent of an allergic trigger, it is called Idiopathic Angioedema. So basically - I am allergic to myself! There is no cure, they can just treat the symptoms wich antihistamines, oral steroids, and epi-pen if breathing difficulty happens. Hopefully, over time, it will happen less frequently. I really hope so because I'm sick of looking like Quisimodo every week or two!

I have a condition and it's called idiopathic angioedema. I'm so happy to have an explanation! Now everyone say a little wish/prayer/whatever that this goes away on its own, okay? Thanks!

Omnivore's 100

Here is a list created by someone who knows food, of the 100 foods that every person should experience (within reason). The game is to bold the ones that you've had, and cross out those that you would never try. Here we go... I think I have a lot of catching up to do...http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Head cheese, or Brawn
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper (don't do it!)
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47 Chicken tikka massala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

My New Buddy

Here's a picture of me and my new buddy.

As of last Friday, I have to carry an Epi-Pen with me. I had an allergic reaction and had to go to the hospital. They gave me a shot of epinephren and it was crazy! My pulse races and I shook and the swelling went down in about 3.2 seconds! Oh yea, I have no idea what I'm allergic to!

A Day in the Life of Ms. Thea May

A nice shower to start the day.

Now down to business. Just have to make a few calls!

Do a little work on the computer...


Time to take care of the animals.

Silly dog, Koa! You can't hide from me!

Getting dressed for an evening of fun.

Don't I look gorgeous!
Pouting...my date is late!

Enough with the Christmas pictures already!

I just need a little bedtime snack. Mmmm...sugar!

Happy New Year!

Yea, so I was asleep by 10PM last night! I know...what a lame-o! But there was a big snowstorm, it took me almost 2 hours to get home from work, Jay and I watched a great movie - Monster's Ball, and then fell asleep! Today I led a First Day Hike along the boardwalk at Mt. Hope Bay. It was seriously 8 degrees and with the wind chill, it must have been -10 degrees! I didn't think anyone would show, but we had 7 people, plus me and the sweep leader. Here are some pics....

Christmas Update

I have not been a very good blogger lately. I also didn't take a lot of pictures this Christmas. Bah Humbug!

Jami, Vicky, Rachel and I got together this past weekend. Rachel and I babysat Drew and Grant for about an hour, then we all ate and laugh for a few hours. It was soooo needed!


Drew and Grant - brotherly love!

Rachel and Drew

Vicky and Grant

Little Grant - looking like a glowworm!

Here're some pics from Christmas Eve at my parents' house:


Please notice Thea's outfit! Nana Sue gave her these awesome black and pink cowboy boots and Auntie Becky gave her the sweater. Thea had to take off all her clothes and wear her new clothes. Someone should have given her some pants or a skirt!

Today, I took a walk at Fall River. I'm leading a hike there later this week, so I had to check it out. It was nice. I found some cat tracks in the concrete walkway - so cute!

Craziness Part Duex

So on the last post I gave an example of how crazy my parents are. But let's not forget that the insanity is either inherited or learned so Jess, Becky, and I have a little bit of it too. Here's an example of Jess's craziness.


I was at my parents house and got the mail for them yesterday. My mom was going through the stack of Christmas cards and saw one addressed to 'Nana Sue & Grampie Jim' so she knew it was from Thea. Mom got so excited and exclaimed that she was FINALLY going to get a Christmas picture of Thea! She opened the card and found this:

It was the smallest picture I have ever seen. Not eve wallet size! Mom and I cracked up and laughed so hard for a few minutes. What Nana would be satisfied with that tiny photo to share with friends, family, and strangers? Jess is insane. She also let Thea sign the card with her scribbles - very cute:

Ghetto Christmas Tree

So, if you know my parents...you know they're a bit crazy. This year they've outdone themselves. I stopped by their house to put some presents under the tree and I was greeted by this:I thought the tree looked a little strange so I took a closer look:

That tree bark looks a little strange - and why are all the branches trimmed back?

And what the hell is this?

Um, yea. I'd like to introduce you to the Ghetto Christmas Tree. You see, my parents refused to pay $60 for a Christmas tree, so my dad had a brilliant idea. He drilled holes into a wooden post, trimmed the trees around the yard and stuck the trimmings into the holes of the post. Seriously. Really, I'm not kidding here. My parents really are insane.