Standard Time is Back

Today is the first day that I can officially start writing PST on my Outlook Event Invites again!

A lot has happened, is happening,
and will be happening around here.

Yesterday, marked one year since my Mammaw passed away; and tomorrow marks 9 months since my dad passed away, which is definitely making this season a bit more emotional than it has been in the past.

Though we are so excited for it to be my (30th!!) birthday, Christmas, and our London vacation, the loss of such important people is very much felt right now. I always especially feel the loss of my mom at this time because she always loved celebrating my birthday.

To make things EVEN MORE emotional, the time has apparently come for massive layoffs at Warner Bros; and no one is safe. By the end of this work week, i should know if I am safe from this round of cuts, or if I will need to start the ever enjoyable interviewing process.

Though all of this is going on, I am blessed to have an amazing husband, and to have had this job for the last year and a half. Jayson and i have looked at our finances and our travel plans, and know that no matter what happens, we should be okay.

PLUS, today we set up our THANKSGIVING TREE!

Yesterday, we bought our new artificial Christmas tree, and today we figured we would set it up and test it. Then somehow it turned into what i hope is a forever tradition for us!

We are planning on trying to come up with things we are thankful for and hang them on the tree leading up to the happy day!

Man, trees with lights on in the house immediately make it feel cozier. :)

Our Thanksgiving "Angel"

Here, there, and everywhere

John Lennon sang "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Well, John was a wise man and we have been so busy making London plans and living life that we have neglected this blog. Please please us and accept our deepest apologizes.

By the way, this is Jayson, I will be guest blogging this week. If you haven't guessed from the subtle Beatle hints, to prep for our London holiday we are watching a Beatles flick this week. Before just shouting out the Rotten Tomatoes 99% rating Beatles film we will be watching, I wanted to enlighten you on how we will celebrate the Beatles while in London.

First off, Sarah and I will be getting mop top hair cuts and plan on being knighted once our feet touch British soil. After that Richard Porter, owner of the Beatles coffee shop,  will lead us on a London Walk called "In My Life Walk". Check out some of the details of the walk here --> Beatles "In My Life Walk"

Although there are so many people, books, and websites that documented each step, thought, and restroom break from each Beatle... We don't have enough bloody time for that. As long as we see Abbey Road studios, walk across the zebra crossing, and record a song to tape in Studio Two we will be fine. Enough about us, tell us about you. If you have any Beatles in London sights, stories, or suggestions let us know.

Tummy Time

Over the past year, i've been through a lot of emotional stress with the loss of two of the people i loved most in the world, my father and my grandmother.
Because of this, i've chalked up any maladies I've had to these events.

Last week, though, i discovered something pretty interesting. After many hours researching online, and a few home tests (no i haven't been to the doctor yet, in fear that their first response will be to prescribe me some medicine, instead of finding the root of the problem), I discovered that I, along with approximately 90% of Americans, have low acid level in my stomach.

All of the below will be a very simplified version of what i've discovered.

How did I know?

Basically, my symptoms continued getting worse. They were simple, but unnerving ones. I lost any appetite, my stomach lining felt irritated, and I felt nauseous pretty regularly.

Upon first research, i actually thought I had too much acid in my stomach... until i found out that low acid level and high acid level actually produce similar symptoms.

There are a couple of home tests you can do to figure out your acid level.

Easiest: When you have a stomach ache (i am talking about your stomach here, not intestines) drink a tablespoon of lemon juice. If it makes your stomach pain go away, you have low acid level. If your stomach pain gets worse, you have a high acid level.

Moderately easy: First thing in the morning, before anything else goes in your body, drink a concoction of 1/4 tsp of Baking Soda mixed with 6 to 8 oz of cold water.
Now pay attention to the clock for 5 min.
Normal acid level reaction: belch in about 2 to 3 min.
High acid level reaction: early and repeated belching.
Low acid level reaction: belching after 3 minutes.
Repeat this for 3 days to get the best results.

How did I figure out my acid level?
Both days I did this, it took me more than 5 min to burp.
I didn't even try the third day.

What does this mean?

Simplified: when your stomach doesn't produce enough acid, it doesn't digest your food properly, and you don't absorb all of the needed nutrients. It leaves you feeling heavy, tired, and overall unwell.

I'm still in the process of figuring out how to fight this, and as of now, I have found the below website to be the most helpful.

http://empoweredsustenance.com/heal-low-stomach-acid-naturally/

I just downed my first glass of apple cider vinegar and warm water... not as tasty as you would want a morning drink, but feel free to go ahead and use this time to research all of the Pros of apple cider vinegar. (hint: there are A LOT)

Of everything, i think the "don't over hydrate" section will be the hardest for me.

Have you ever experienced anything like this? Or had any experience fighting with your stomach's acid levels?

Let me know!

(and side note for those who worry: if my symptoms continue to get worse over the next couple of weeks, don't fret, i'll be making a doctor's appointment.)

89 Days! Bright Star

This week we are watching a film, that upon first watching, I was moved to silence. I only managed to mumble to Jayson that I had to go to bed, and there I went and wept.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—

         Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

         Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

         Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

         Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

         Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

         Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

John Keats, Bright Star

100 Days! Update

Today marks the start of the 100 day countdown to our
London trip!
(it also marks the 101 day countdown to Christmas... so start your shopping lists now, folks!)

At this point, we are focusing on what we NEED for the trip.

So here we go:

The first step is for me to start the process of updating my passport to actually have my married name attached to it. This is our main focus for the week.

We will finalize our phone usage decisions (this one has a whole blog post of it's own).

We will confirm that we know which point & shoot camera we really want to buy (last time i bought one was maybe 2007...), and decide when and how we would like to get it.

Take a look at our luggage... do we need a new one?

And, slowly but surely, we need to start a collection of winter clothes for our trip. We are packing light, so they need to be very specific items that we hand-pick ourselves (please don't buy or send us any winter clothes, if you are a person that normally does so)

**I bought my winter coat yesterday, as ASOS was having a one day sale!!!**

I think that's it. Let me know if you have any other suggestions of things we should start looking at now.