Stephanie | Our Marriage Adventure

A Touch of Nerves

April 29, 2013 By Stephanie

I have spent the last two and a half months at home, at the dog park (oh my lordy the dog park), the grocery store and hanging with my parents. I have also spent that time sending out email after email after email searching for a job. Please tell me if anyone else just bloody hates that ALL applications are now online?

Anyway, luckily two weeks ago I received word that my search was over! Not only was it over, but it was at the company I have heard AMAZING things about so I’m really looking forward to meeting and working with everyone there. The kicker is, the excitement has built up and built up until today.

Today the nerves hit. I’m still excited but now I’m nervous as all get out as well. I got two welcome emails which have made me eager to start and yet nervous as well. I’m not just changing jobs this time, I’m completely changing careers. So the idea of walking in and having meetings immediately is both exhilarating (jumping right in) and terrifying (OMG I haven’t done this in six years!!!)

So right now I’m doing laundry, gathering all the papers I will need for tomorrow and basically getting myself set up for the next several days. And working. What a time this will be.

Accutane Update

April 17, 2013 By Stephanie

I am sorry for anyone who has read these posts, or stumbled upon this blog because they too are going through this process, looking for updates. I’ve pulled pretty far away from the blog but I can’t say why. Anyway that has no matter here.

I’m four months in to the Accutane treatment process and I’ve steadily increased from the starting dose to the highest dose allowed. Translation – my acne defies medical treatment whenever possible. I’ve been on the highest dose one month and I still have a “mask” of sorts on my face that may be permanent scarring. Luckily its all under the surface so my skin is almost completely smooth, I just have a red U-shape down my cheeks and across my chin. I use make up to cover all this up.

Because of that mask I’ve been watching a TON of youtube videos on how to put on make-up, etc and since I don’t have photos of me yet I wanted to share the videos I’ve found most helpful first. Then in my next post I will have some photos and (despite the hate of how it looks) I will show you some before and after pictures sans make-up plus some recent photos showing me with make-up so you can see how well I do cover it up.

So to start – this it the BEST video for women / girls with severe acne who need to be inspired. This young lady taught herself how to put on make-up and she has since been on national TV and is a model. Don’t think your acne can hold you back – clearly you can thrive.

This next video is probably one of the best “instructional” people I subscribe too because she really does break it down how to do things like just basic foundation, eye make-up, brushes and what they do. I like her videos for the instructional purpose and the fact that I’ve always found I can use her steps easily. I actually prefer her method of foundation application over the first video.

Lastly, I’ve been watching this guy’s instructional videos. He is probably the one I watch the least but he is the one I go to for super specific problems because usually in his video history I can find where he has covered the topic. In this video he explains all the different ways you can apply foundation and what each method looks like on your skin so you can weigh the pros and cons of each method to find what is best for you.

So there you have it – what is going on with the Accutane treatments. Like I said, next post I will make sure to include some photos, but honestly I’m too lazy to do it today. Soon – I promise!

If anyone still reads this blog AND has any questions regarding this whole process let me know. Also – don’t forget to follow the blog via BlogLovin’ since our beloved Google Reader is running away. You can find me HERE.

Ciao my friends!

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Random Thoughts by Stephanie Tagged With: Accutane, PCOS, Stephanie 1 Comment

The Accutane Diaries

January 15, 2013 By Stephanie

In my last post I referenced a few things that have been going on in recent times that warranted their own post(s). The big one is the fact that I’ve started Accutane again. This is for my severe acne – which is incredibly embarrassing to admit on one hand and not so much on the other.

Turns out mine is 1. hereditary combined with 2. a complication of my infertility issues which morphs into a HUGE issue. I managed to control it for several months using an acne drug that was designed to work on the hormones but in October and November

I thought about taking “before” photos but honestly I hate how I look in the mirror, I sure as shit wasn’t going to be documenting in photographic form. Even if those same photos might help me get perspective on where I was to where I am now.

Anyway, I actually just did my 2^nd month blood work this morning so hopefully all will look good and I’ll start month two of six in the next day or so. I am happy about this because so far I have slow progress and next to no side effects.

I know, I’m sure y’all are just SOOOO excited to hear that right? That’s what I thought.

However, this blog post is more for me to look back in six months and see where I was to where I will be (fingers crossed) then.

I’ve still got some symptoms basically along my jaw line. I hate hate HATE it (thanks a lot genetics) because unlike most people mine isn’t easily covered up. Plus you know, I can’t just wear a t-shirt as people who get it on their arms, backs, etc can….its my face. I’d look awfully silly walking down the street with a paper bag over my head. (And don’t think that thought hasn’t crossed my mind during the worst moments.)

I’m getting my dosage upped for round 2 which should knock out the last of it and keep it gone which would make me very happy. I’d love to wear make up again.

The worst side effect so far is the dry lips but Palmers lip butter and Blistex medicated lip balm are my best friends. In fact, I use so much y’all just might want to check out their stocks as I am sure that I’m helping significantly. The only other side effect so far are a few migraines and joint pain when it’s really cold. All in all I’d say I’m doing great.

So I guess its one month down, five to go and hopefully no more acne EVER.
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Filed Under: Random Thoughts by Stephanie Tagged With: PCOS, Stephanie 4 Comments

November

November 4, 2012 By Stephanie

I can barely believe its November but here we are with Halloween come and gone and Thanksgiving well on its way.

Speaking of Halloween, did y’all celebrate? As with every year a key part of my day was wishing my Daddy a very happy birthday. Alex really wanted to dress up that day so he had a costume planned for months. Which meant all day long this is who I was speaking too.

Yup. I found him. You are welcome.

I ended up in a cute yet warm snow bunny / Eskimo costume. So freezing temps and I’m in a hood, long sleeves, and furry boots! I have only one photo of myself and its horrid so I’m not sharing. You’re welcome.

Let’s see what else is going on….Ah well I voted on Tuesday which is saying something as I effectively squealed into the polling station at 5 minutes to close. The new job is a whopping 50 minute drive each way with next to no traffic so it was quite, frustrating, and yet relieving to arrive in time to vote.

I wish I had more to share. The thing is, I don’t. We DO stuff each weekend, but I can’t get my brain to process anything any more. Sadly that means this blog gets neglected. So does my camera. So does our house. Pretty much I’m getting up, walking the dog, going to work, getting home and cooking / eating dinner before falling in bed. The weekends I try to catch up on everything else.

In fact I have 2 baskets of clean (and now crumpled) laundry. A dryer with clean (and crumpled) laundry, a washer with laundry that will be getting washed again and boat-loads more to do. The sink is full of dishes. The dishwasher is full of clean dishes, which is at least a start, and to be quite frank I can’t figure out why I’m struggling to do it all.

I know I want kids, but days like today and well every other day lately make me look around and go “How the hell do full-time parents DO it?” I honestly don’t get it.

On that note – I’m off to eat my doctor suggested yogurt to go with my doctor prescribed antibiotics before falling asleep. Sweet blessed sleep. Hopefully I’ll start figuring stuff out again soon.

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Random Thoughts by Stephanie Tagged With: Alex, Seasons, Stephanie, work 1 Comment