Monday, June 21, 2010

Sudden Deafness - Week 7

This is actually the beginning of week 9 of my sudden deafness, but I had a doctor's appointment in the middle of week 7.  A friend from work highly suggest that I see Dr. Lippy from the Lippy Group in Warren, OH to get a second opinion on my hearing loss.  I went through all the hearing tests again and his opinion was the same as my doctor in this area - sudden deafness, 50/50 chance of regaining hearing in my left ear.

My doctor in this area told me that if I didn't get my hearing back that hearing aids were not an option, but there were other things we could do to help me.  He didn't discuss it with me at that point because I'm pretty sure he wanted me to focus on the steroid treatments and having a positive attitude about all that.  Perhaps he didn't want to scare me.  Anyway, the chief of audiology at Dr. Lippy's told me what that option is - a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA).

Simply put, a titanium piece would be drilled into my skull and then a sound processor would be attached to that.  The sounds from my right ear would be conducted through my skull to my left side.  I would still have problems telling where sound was coming from, but I could definitely hear better.  That way, when a waiter comes to my left side and starts talking to me, I don't have to have the person across the table tell me that someone is talking to me!  (That happened yesterday.  It was kind of funny.)

The chief of audiology also suggested that I may get used to just hearing from my right side.  I can see how that could happen, but with being a teacher I feel that the BAHA would help me out immensely.  At times with good hearing, it is difficult to understand students with speech problems and who like to talk softly.  I think a BAHA would help reduce frustration on my part, as well as for the students.

I know that it is possible for me to get my hearing back.  God is amazing and He will work in my life - if not in one way, then in another.  I appreciate the prayers that are being said for me!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

June Mini-Goals

Half-way through June and I haven't posted my mini-goals yet.  Instead of making mini-goals, I'm going to make a list of things I've already accomplished.  I've been so busy and have lots of things I still need to do.  Making mini-goals seems pointless this month since I seem to be crossing things off my invisible to-do list everyday.

What I've accomplished in June so far...

  1. Worked on decluttering my classroom for an extra day.
  2. Helped at Mikayla's field day.
  3. Met with someone to discuss hearing loss.
  4. Planned and executed Mikayla's birthday party.
  5. Took Girl Scouts to Haven of Rest and Children's Hospital to drop off donations.
  6. Got a second opinion on my hearing loss.
  7. Went to dentist appointments for myself and Mikayla.
  8. Went for a medical check-up.
  9. Volunteered for VBS snacks.
  10. Scheduled and attended a ceramics class with the Girl Scouts.
  11. Scheduled an overnighter at the zoo for the Girl Scouts.
  12. Did some decluttering and preparation for a yard sale.
  13. Started plans for our summer vacation.
Here's what I still need to do before the end of June...
  1. Have a yard sale.
  2. Take Mikayla to the orthodontist.
  3. Have dental work done.
  4. Finalize plans for the zoo trip.
  5. Finalize vacation plans.
I have been so busy this month.  I wonder how I do everything I need to do during the school year when I'm working.  Somehow I get it done though.  Where's my summer vacation going already?!?!?

June Goals - Stick a fork in me... I'm done!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Peace and Frogs

Two of Mikayla's favorite things right now are peace signs and frogs.  In fact, she just chose a geocaching name and it is PeaceGreenFroggy.  That is also what she chose for the theme of her birthday party.

After making her a Barbie cake and a dog-shaped cake for two different birthdays, my first thought was, "Yeah!  Peace signs are round!

Here's what I came up with...


First I frosted the cake with white buttercream frosting.  Next I piped on the peace sign outline with store bought icing in a can that came with decorator tips.  That didn't go so well.  I like using the frosting bags and decorating tips a lot more.  Finally, I dropped drops of food coloring directly on the cake and used a fork to spread out the coloring.

Here's what I came up with for the frogs.  These were very easy!


Green frosting.  Cut marshmallow in half.  Put the sticky side of the marshmallows up and stick a chocolate chip to them.  (I think M&Ms would work better, but I used what we had.)  Pipe on red mouths.

I don't know what it is about decorating Mikayla's birthday cakes and cupcakes, but I really enjoy it.  It's turned out to be a nice tradition!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Bacon and Potato Pizza

One of the things I like about going on vacation is eating out and trying new foods.  While we were in Myrtle Beach for spring break, we found a pizza restaurant named Mellow Mushroom.  I coaxed my daughter and husband into trying the "Hot Potato Pie."  Hey, how can you go wrong with crust, potatoes, bacon, and sour cream?  We loved it!

When I got home, at some point, I thought, "Hey I can do that!  Basically it's just crust, potatoes, bacon, and sour cream!"  I tried it a few weeks ago and we all loved it again.  So I made it again last night and took a picture.


It's not exactly like the one at Mellow Mushroom, but still really good!  Of course I used all the best short cuts to make it and rolling out the dough in a perfect shape makes no sense when you're hungry!

I used a package of pizza crust mix and followed the directions to make it.

On top of that I put a sour cream and cream cheese mixture - probably about a cup of sour cream and 2 ounces of cream cheese.

Next I added about 3 slices of diced, microwaved bacon and a microwaved, diced potato.

Finally, I sprinkled on shredded colby and monteray jack cheeses and baked the pizza according to the crust mix directions.

I made two of these last night.  I refrigerated 5 slices.  They were gone before I woke up this morning.  That's how it works around our house if something is really good!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

May Mini-Goal Report



Goal 1 was successful.  I posted scripture as my status on Facebook.  I think it was positive for me and it helped me keep my focus.  Goal 2 was not as successful.  I will give myself half credit.  I wrote out 16 verses and most of them are hanging around the house.  I need to post a few more still.

This week has been interesting since I am out of school and Mikayla is still going.  It has been busy and I can't believe it is going so fast.  I have been very tired in the afternoons and needing a nap.  It seems my body needs to adjust like this every summer.  Time to start thinking about June goals!