Humpday Humor- Final Exam, wish I had thought of this when I was in school!

It was the final examination for an introductory English course at Baylor University. Like many such freshmen courses, it was designed to weed out new students, having over 800 students in the class. The examination was two hours long, and exam booklets were provided.

The professor was very strict and told the class that any exam that was not on his desk in exactly two hours would not be accepted and the student would fail.

One-half hour into the exam, a student came rushing in and asked the professor for an exam booklet.

"You're not going to have time to finish this," the professor said as he handed the student a booklet.

"Yes, I will," replied the student.

He then took a seat and began writing. After two hours the professor called for the exams, and the students filed up and handed them in.

All except the last student, who continued writing. One-half hour later, the student came up to the professor, who was sitting at his desk preparing for his next class. He attempted to put his exam on the stack of exam booklets already there.

"No, you don't. I'm not going to accept that. It's late."

The student looked incredulous and angry. "Do you know who I am?"

"No, as a matter of fact I don't," replied the professor with an air of sarcasm in his voice.

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" the student asked again.

"No, and I don't care," replied the professor with an air of superiority.

"Good," replied the student, who quickly lifted the stack of completed exams, stuffed his in the middle, and walked out of the room.

Received from Big Mac Clean Joke Attack.

Interesting Article c/o Cystic Life

UCLA research discovers new lung stem cell...

On June 27, 2011, UCLA researchers announced that they identified a new stem cell that participates in the repair of the large airways of the lungs. This process plays a vital role in protecting the body from infectious agents and toxins in the environment. The airways protect the body by producing and clearing mucus from the airways. The mucus is largely produced by specialized mucus glands in the airway and the mechanisms of normal and excessive mucus production are not well understood. However, this newly discovered lung stem cell for the mucus glands will likely yield new insights into this critical process. The study, by scientists with the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, represents the first time anyone has found the cell of origin for the many types of cells that make up the mucus glands and that can also repair the surface epithelium. The finding, the study states, is of “major importance to the field of lung regeneration.”
“We’re very excited that we found this population of cells because it will allow us to study mechanisms of diseases of the upper airway,” said Dr. Brigitte Gomperts, an assistant professor of pediatrics and hematology/oncology and senior author of the study. “For example, there currently are no treatments for excess mucus production, which we see in cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But if we can understand the mechanisms of how these stem cells repair the mucus glands, then we may be able to find a way to put the brakes on the system and prevent mucus over production.”
Once the researchers proved that the lung stem cells existed and found where they “lived,” they set out to isolate them and confirm that they could self-renew, or grow more of themselves, and differentiate, turn into the cells that make up the mucus glands and surface epithelium. They created model systems in which these isolated stem cells did, in fact, make mucus glands with all the types of cells required to make mucus and repair the surface barrier of the large airways.

Our ability to identify the stem cells and their regenerative ability has implications for the possible identification of novel therapeutic targets for airway diseases and potential cell-based therapies in the future,” the study states. The stem cells also may play a role in tumor initiation in lung cancer when the repair goes awry, although further study is needed to confirm this, said Gomperts, who is also a member of UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Continue reading on Examiner.com UCLA research discovers new lung stem cell - Los Angeles health | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/health-in-los-angeles/ucla-research-discovers-new-lung-stem-cell#ixzz1QbGDC5px

Thursday Thoughts...

So as most of you know I have been recouperating for about a month now from battling pneumonia. Just wanted to share some thoughts with you real quick about how I am doing and what I am doing to help in my recouperation.

I am feeling much better than I did one, even two months ago... way back in April... when all this started. However it has been a very long road to this point. Some days are better than others and I am still in the process of balancing soooo many doctors appointments.

One thing I did want to mention though is something that I have taken it upon myself to add to my daily routine of treatments and excercising... and that is an incentive spirometer. If you have ever had surgery or pneumonia or if you deal with Cystic Fibrosis in your own life you know what I am talking about.
Usually you use this device while you are in the hospital and then once you go home they tell you that you do not have to use it anymore.
I have decided to make it a permanenat part of my routine. I must say when I first used the device in the hospital I was only getting up to about 800... now two months after faithfully using this thing I am reaching the 2000 mark - which I was ecstatic about! I do this thing 3 times a day with my treatments and I'm telling you I am noticing a difference each day. My goal is to push it to the top if at all possible. It may take me a while, but I am determined to keep pushing until I reach that goal! Its not as easy as it looks (esp. for someone with CF) but the object is to put your mouth around the mouth piece and breathe in as deep as you can keeping the marker on the right in the "happy face" area while the yellow piece at the bottom on the left moves up as you inhale as deeply as you can- measuring how high you can push it.
I keep telling myself that I will make it to 4000, which for those of you that know me and Zach- is what Zach got when I made him do it. I was THRILLED when I hit 2000, because that meant that I was half way to that goal! I think when I hit 4000, I will throw a party!
Here is a description so you know what I am talking about:

Why Should You Use an Incentive Spirometer?
Deep breathing helps alveoli, the small air sacs deep in your lungs, fully expand.  Though you’re probably not aware of doing it, you normally take many deep breaths every hour.  As well, you probably yawn or sigh numerous times without knowing it.  However, your normal breathing pattern may change.  When you lie in bed for a long time (while recovering from injuries or surgeries, for instance) you tend to take shallow breaths and not cough as often as needed.  You might start taking shallow breaths in an attempt to decrease pain associated with chest surgery or abdominal surgery.  Using an incentive spirometer will help you return to normal breathing rhythms.  By inhaling deeply, you also help mobilize secretions and open areas of the lungs that my have collapsed.

Using an incentive spirometer will mimic natural sighing and yawning and encourage you to take slow, deep breaths.  After major surgeries, it’s important to take your spirometer home with you and continue your breathing exercises at home.  Not only will this help restore your regular breathing rhythm, but it will also help you avoid atlectasis (a collapsed or airless condition of the lung) and pneumonia.

Humpday Humor

It's Wednesday! And that means it is time for some humpday humor!

This sounds like something I would overhear in our local Wal-Mart so I had to post it!

I was checking out at a busy supermarket and the cashier was having problems. The register ran out of paper, the scanner malfunctioned, and then the cashier spilled a handful of coins.

When she totaled my order, it came to exactly $22. Trying to soothe her nerves, I said, "That's a nice round figure."

Still frazzled, she glared at me and said, "You're no bean pole yourself!"

Port dye study

Normally this would be a "Together Tuesday" post... but I have been balancing so many doctor's appointments lately I thought I would give an update on my port (central line).

I had a port dye study done today to look at my central line to make sure that everything is going okay with it and that it does not have any clots or leaks in the line...

I had a busy day... beginning with normal treatments this morning at 4:45am and then Zach dropped me by mom's house on his way to work around 8:15am. Mom took me to the pulmonologist's office to drop off some sample "goobers" (if you dont know what goobers are... you dont have CF...) and then it was over to the hospital for the port dye study.
Having not personnaly met this particular vascular surgeon I was a tad nervous... so vitals were a bit elevated but all in all normal for me. The nurses in the pre surgical prep area were super... Beth and Kelly. They were excellent and helped put me to ease in no time... they also allowed mom to come back with me which I thought was very sweet.
After accessing my port (which I was most nervous about) and seeing that it worked beautifully as always I waited for them to call me into the OR.
I met Dr. Landis- great guy with a great sense of humor, he asked me if I was not aware that there was an age limit on access to that room. He proceeded to tell me you had to be at least 80! I laughed and knew right away this guy knew his stuff... so I relaxed a bit. Then told him that my lungs probably looked about 80! He got a good laugh from that too!
They put me on a nice cold table, covered me with some warm toasty blankets and hooke me up to some fancy glow in the dark contrast dye! They even put the monitor in front of me so I could watch everything they saw. As Dr. Landis pushed the dye through my line it lit up like a glow worm on the monitor- pretty cool! I could see exactly where the dye was traveling and (now that I have taken the long way around) the good news is that there is no problem with my 8 year old port! Yes you heard me... my port is almost 8 years old and still works like the first day they put it in!
I am so thankful that there is nothing wrong with this port and I am not facing any proceedures to try to fix it or worse have it removed! This port has been a life saver for all the meds I am on intraveneously from month to month... so I was really praying there was nothing wrong with it!
That news made my day!

Here are some examples of what the port looks like:

I spent the rest of the afternoon with my mom at her house, just taking it easy. But when I got home that evening after Zach and I had supper and were getting ready for bed... I broke out in hives. OY... I was not a happy camper. Turns out I was having an allergic reaction to the contrast dye- which contains iodine. Some people have reactions right away, others, like myself, have a reaction after enough of the iodine builds up in your system. Considering this is the third scan I have had in 3 months with some type of dye, I guess it was bound to happen at some point. So now I will add contrast dye to my long list of medical allergies...
I have taken some benadryl and am hopeful these dreadful things are gone in the morning!

Father's Day

I can't believe that another Father's Day has come. It has been almost 6 years... I miss my Dad more every day.
Zach and I went out to my Dad's grave site this afternoon to visit, I wish he were still here with us, I wish I could share another day with him. Today would have been the type of day that my Dad and I would have gone fishing... just the two of us... laughing and talking and making memories. That is what I cherish now, our memories that we made together.

Here are some photos from this afternoon's visit:

I miss you dad and I love you forever.

Celebrating with friends...

So today was a fun day... we got to celebrate a high school graduation with some close friends! I have close friends that we attend church with that I have known my whole life and thier daughter just graduated from high school. We were invited to celebrate with her, her family, and her friends at a luncheon in her honor at our church. She is a very sweet girl, very bright, and caring and loving. She is already exploring as a missionary in her young life having just visited Africa this past summer for roughly 2 months. We are very proud of the young woman she is becoming!
Here is a picture of she and I outside our church hospitality center during her graduation luncheon.

Way to go MaryBeth! And Congratulations! We love you!

She also had one of those cool cakes that is all the rage right now- I must say, even though I dont like cake, this one looked pretty good!

Together Tuesdays... memorable wedding vows!

So last week I promised more on our story... this weeks post is a little bit about our wedding.
We got married mid September of 2009 in our home church Walnut Hills Baptist Church. It was a beautiful day, we could not have asked for better weather. We had lots of family and some very close friends in attendance of our special day.

To start the day off my mom and I went and had our makeup done together... and before we knew it, it was time to head to the church to start getting ready. Zach would arrive a few hours later with his groomsmen and begin getting ready as well.
In the bridal suite I shared some great time with my two best friends Kara and Brandi and my mom was in and out helping us all get ready. Zach's sister Emily arrived to do all of our hair and she did a great job! Then we all got dressed and the photographer took some photos...

We had an evening wedding... it started around 5pm. It was both the longest and the quickest day I had experienced! We had a joyous wedding, it was simple and very meaningful. We were surrounded by loved ones and our ceremony even had it's funny moments!
Zach and I chose traditional vows with a few changes... you know the ones where you repeat after the preacher and it is pretty standard stuff... well... apparently we had included humor that I didnt know about into our vows. Before I get to the punch line, let me fill you in a bit on our preacher Tony. Tony is a wonderful preacher and friend, both he and his wife are special to Zach and I and have been a part of both of our lives for the last few years. So naturally we wanted Tony to marry us. We met with Tony a few times before our wedding just for logistics and general wedding discussions and durring one of those discussions Tony, in efforts to help us remain calm and not let our nerves get the best of us, told us an anticdote that he shares with many of the couples he marries. He told us to just remember that if something goes wrong or we make a mistake or anything out of the ordianry or not planned occurs- we could always come back with... well... that is how they do things in Africa. You're thinking- Africa? Yes, Africa. See, Tony's wife Danner is from Africa. She came to the states when she was 16 and many things were very foriegn to her. The American ways were confusing and new to her. When she found herself in an akward situation she would often respond with- Well that is how they do things in Africa ... and people believed her!
So we had a good laugh at this and carried on in our planning and countdown to the wedding day.
When it came time for our vows, Zach went first. Tony started to lead him by saying "repeat after me". Zach nodded- the cue for Tony to begin and Tony says "I Zach take thee Audrey" to which Zach repeats "I Audrey..." and the congregation as well as myself I must admit erupted with laughter. For a few seconds Zach didnt realize what he had done. It was priceless- and a memory it did make! Tony put a hand on Zach's shoulder and whispered to him- "that's how they do it in Africa"! Zach laughed and we started again...
Laughter aside, everything else went off without a hitch- or rather with a hitch at the end and we were pronounced husband and wife!
We celebrated with a reception afterwards where the food was wonderful and the dancing was delightful! Kidding... we danced our butts off! It was great!
Here are some photos of our special day!

Saturday Playday

So today was the first day since I've been sick that I have really done anything with a friend- and let me tell you it was a long time over-due!!!
My friend Susie came over for the afternoon-evening to hang out and have dinner and watch a movie. We had a blast.
It was a laid back visit- my favorite type and she and I did a lot of catching up!
Zach grilled some chicken on the grill for us and Susie even brought over "vermont cheddar" mac-n-cheese, she knows just how to butter Zach up! LOL! But it was delish!

We devoured our dinner and watched the funny movie "The Delima".

A good time was had by all!

I am looking forward to hanging out more and more now as I am back on the mend and getting back to living life to the fullest!

Thanks Susie for hanging out and sharing some time with me!

Humpday Humor

So today is another humpday humor post- and I have chosen a joke that takes me back to childhood...
Since Zach and I have been talking about me getting in shape to the point that he can get me on a bike to go on a ride with him... this joke seemed fitting: Honey, I think my bike is broke!!!

I was visiting customers in their home one afternoon. While I was talking to them, their four-year-old little girl, whose name was Michelle, tugged on my pants leg and excitedly exclaimed, "I got a new bicycle. Do you want to see it?"

I said, "Sure, Michelle." So off to the backyard we went. Upon getting there, I saw a brand-new girl's bicycle. "Wow, Michelle! That's a beautiful bicycle," I complimented. "Can you ride it?"

"Yeah, I can ride it," she said, and then with a sad face she pouted, "but it's broke."

I looked at the new bicycle and couldn't see anything wrong with it, so I asked her, "What's wrong with it?"

"I don't know," she shrugged, "but every time I ride it, it falls down!"

Gotta love it! One day honey, I will get back on my bike!

Humpday Humor- Deep Hole

Two southern gentlemen are out hunting, and as they are walking along, they come upon a huge hole in the ground.

They approach it and are amazed by the size of it. The first hunter says, "Wow, that's some hole; I can't even see the bottom. I wonder how deep it is."

The second hunter says, "I don't know. Let's throw something down and listen and see how long it takes to hit bottom."

The first hunter says, "There's an old automobile transmission here. Give me a hand and we'll throw it in and see."

So they pick it up and carry it over; count one, two, and three; and throw it in the hole.

They are standing there listening and looking over the edge when they hear a rustling in the brush behind them.

As they turn around, they see a goat come crashing through the brush, run up to the hole, and with no hesitation, jump in head first.

While they are standing there looking at each other, looking in the hole, and trying to figure out what that was all about, an old farmer walks up.

"Say there," says the farmer, "you fellers didn't happen to see my goat around here anywhere, did you?"

The first hunter says, "Funny you should ask, but we were just standing here a minute ago and a goat came running out of the bushes doin' about a hunert miles an hour and jumped headfirst into this hole here!"

The old farmer said, "That's impossible. I had him chained to a transmission!"

Together Tuesdays...What Does Sno-to-go, The Olive Garden and Putt Putt have in common?

So I wanted to start a new trend here on my blog and get some other people involved with me and my bolg posts. I am trying something new and on Tuesdays I am going to devote my posts to a joint effort between me and my husband Zach- he has a lot of insight that I don't have not to mention his humor and wit- I thought I would share him with you all! To introduce him for the first few posts I am going to fill you in on how our story started.

Zach and I first met in 2006 when we were at some mutual friends house for a BBQ. Believe it or not we didnt really speak to one another at this BBQ. It wasn't untill some months later when we both decided to vacation over a long weekend with these same mutual friends in Nags Head. We had a great time, interacted very little, but we did drive home together. This was when we first really started talking and getting to know one another. Zach always likes to point out as well that this is the first time he saw me in a bikini...I will let all of you draw your own conclusions on that one~

Picture on the left- on our way to the beach (mutual friend Bernie, me and Zach in the back) Picture on the right- games at the beach (me in the forefront turning around with my eyes closed and Zach in the yellow shirt looking for directions to the game)

 Picutre on the left- Zach letting us give him a facial- you cant really see me on the left but you cansee my hands! Picture on the right- the guys after thier facials... Zach is all the way to the left!

When we got back in town I asked Zach out to lunch, he turned me down! Its true, he said no! I left on my way home thinking that was that and I would move on...he adds that it wasnt until he was in his house making himself a sandwich that he realized what had just happened!
A few months later Zach called and asked me to the movies. We did this twice, me not realizing these were supposed to be dates!
Finally Zach formally asked me out on a date and we had a blast! He took me to play putt putt, to snow to go, and to Olive Garden for dinner! It was a great time. We didnt want it to end so we went down to a little beach in the area after dinner and walked and talked for a while longer.

We dated pretty regularly after this and became closer and closer. We began to meet one anothers families- his from Vermont and mine here in town. I visited in 10 inches of snow the north and he learned to deal with 90 degrees and 100% humidity here in the south! It was an experience for both of us!

Zach asked me to go with him on a family vacation in March of 2009 to the Outer Banks and I agreed. It was a lovely vacation and lots of family time was spent, me getting to know them and them getting to know me.

One morning Zach suggested we go for a walk on the beach and watch the sunrise. It was windy and chilly but I love a good sunrise on the beach so I was game!

We walked and walked... we walked so far I fianally said to him- "you know we have to walk back too right?"... he laughed... we turned to watch the sun come up over the ocean and snapped a few photos while we watched... then at one point when I turned to say something to him... there he was... down on one knee!
I was so surprised! I think I actually almost tackled him!

I said yes of course... the ring was absolutely beautiful- one of a kind designed by Zach.

I was the happiest girl in the world!

After a few months of talking with both families we set a date to be married Sept. of that year in our church at home.
Check back next Tuesday for our Wedding story, the funniest line of the ceremony, and of course pictures!



Family Friday

So each Friday I will be dedicating a post to Family... this weeks post is about some time I spent with my Mom on my day off! We used to have regular mother-daughter days and so many things changed in our schedules that we are just now bringing that tradition back! What better way to start than a spa day!!!

We got together for a mani/pedi appointment mid morning and I must say we had a blast! I normally do not like to have pedicures- matter of fact my last one was the day before my wedding... but she talked me into it... and into a new place here in town.

She had been telling me about this new spa that has recently opened up in New Town owned by a great young girl named June. I was pleasantly surprised when we got there!
Upon our arrival we were greeted by the most adorable dog- named Kiki... soooo cute! June is the owner of the spa and she took extra special care of us while we were there... and little 7 month old Kiki kept us entertained!
We started off with our pedicures, knowing I was a little apprehensive, June did mine first and calmed all my fears- she was wonderful. And she has the most awesome pedicure chairs in the world! I was so spoiled. The massage from the chair had me never wanting to get up!

Mom and I laughed the whole time about the massage chairs... wonder if Zach would spring for a chair like that to have at home? hmmm... will have to sweet talk him into that!

After our pedi's June did our manicures. She is amazing! Since I've had my nails done I have had two people ask me if my nails were real or acrillic! (they are my real nails)... that is another thing I love about this spa- she does not do anything artificial and the spa is well ventilated and does not smell strong or chemically- I can deal with this!

Mom and I had such a good time we have scheduled ourselves in June's appointment book permanatly once a month!
If you are in the Williamsburg area and are looking for a nice, small, comfortable spa experience check out Beauty Rush in New Town- ask for June and tell her that Audrey sent you! You won't be dissappointed!