Happy Birthday to the big guy. . . .

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ank-kih-low-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss), or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort. In the most advanced cases (but not in all cases), this inflammation can lead to new bone formation on the spine, causing the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position, sometimes creating a forward-stooped posture. This forward curvature of the spine is called kyphosis.

 

AS can also cause inflammation, pain and stiffness in other areas of the body such as the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels and small joints of the hands and feet. Sometimes the eyes can become involved (known as Iritis or Uveitis), and rarely, the lungs and heart can be affected. 

 Currently, there is no known cure for AS, but there are treatments and medications available to reduce symptoms and manage the pain. Recent studies show that the new biologic medications can potentially slow or halt the disease progression in some people.

Although the exact cause of AS is unknown, we do know that genetics play a key role in AS. Most individuals who have AS also have a gene that produces a "genetic marker" - in this case, a protein - called HLA-B27. This marker is found in over 95% of people in the Caucasian population with AS. It is important to note, however, that you do not have to be HLA-B27 positive to have AS. Also, a majority of the people with this marker never contract ankylosing spondylitis. 

Scientists suspect that other genes, along with a triggering environmental factor, such as a bacterial infection, are needed to trigger AS in susceptible people. HLA-B27 probably accounts for about 40% of the overall risk, but then there are other genes working in concert with B27. There are probably five or six genes involved in susceptibility toward AS. It is thought that perhaps AS starts when the defenses of the intestines start breaking down and bacteria from the intestines pass into the bloodstream directly into the region where the sacroiliac joints are located. 

Unlike other forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, general onset of AS commonly occurs in younger people, between the ages of 17-45. However, it can affect children and those who are much older. AS is more common in men, but occurs in women as well. 

The severity of AS varies greatly from person to person, and not everyone will experience the most serious complications or have spinal fusion. Some will experience only intermittent back pain and discomfort, but others will experience severe pain and stiffness over multiple areas of the body for long periods of time. AS can be very debilitating, and in some cases, lead to disability. 

Almost all cases of AS are characterized by acute, painful episodes (also known as "flares") followed by temporary periods of remission where symptoms subside. 

It is important to know that ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, or life long disease and that the severity of AS has nothing to do with age or gender. It can be just as severe in women and children as it is in men. 

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Ok.  So, you are thinking. What is this about??  

This is about M.  She was diagnosed with AS the beginning of November.  In her words.... At least I'm not crazy.  There is a reason I hurt. 

Now we just learn more about this disease. Stay on top of the doctor appts. Take the medications to help prevent it from getting worse. Take the pain medication.  And keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Happy happy. . . . .

to our first born.

To our Jessica Kay.

29 years!!

Wow! I can remember bringing you home

from the hospital when you were born.

Now your 29. And married.

Love you to the moon and back!

catch up. . . .

Just when I think I'm getting caught up here. . . . . I fall behind.  :-)  Seems to be the story of my life.

I have no pictures to share but can get you all up to date.

Roger & I were to go to my Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving Day.  But of course we would have an ice storm.  Then we were to head east to spend the weekend with our girls.  That too did not happen.  I was not prepared for Thanksgiving at all.  So we compromised and had chicken and noodles.  Close enough, right??  I do have to say I was pretty bummed all weekend.  

 Last Friday we finally got to head east.  WaaaaHoooo!!!!

Roger, Me, Jorge, Glada, Audrey & Scooter (the new puppy) left mid morning.  When we got to Topeka we got some quick shopping in.  We also got to spend a short time visiting the girls at the bank where they both work.  Now how convenient is that??  Nice!!

Saturday we got to spend ALL day with our girls and their new hubbies.  (Now that sounds funny.  I'm going to have to get used to that.)  We stuffed our selves.  And then we stuffed our selves some more.  It was after 10 pm before Roger and I made it back to Jessica & Gabes.  

Sunday morning we all met at a pancake house for breakfast.  And then it was on the road heading west again.  

It has been 4 days and I'm already having with drawl.  Boo!

Made. . . by me. . .

 This first picture is made from a pallet.  I'm not really sure where it came from, but was this size when M got it.  Thank goodness!  You see all of these ideas to do with pallets.  But have you taken one apart??  They say to use a Saws all.  But really??  I had a heck of the time with the ones we have taken apart and had to have Roger do it.  But it still took two of us.  One to cut and one to hold. 

This sign was made for M & N's wedding.  If you haven't heard the story, Yes, they met on MATCH.COM.  

This next sign I made yesterday.  I think it turned out soooo cute.  And yes.  It is for SALE.  $25.00.  Of course the colors are much better in person.  And there is wire on the back so it can be hung on the wall. 

The last couple weeks has just been "not so great" for The Ummel's.  

A couple weeks ago we had several days that the wind was blowing like crazy.  And when I say like crazy, I mean like CRAZY!  

I had just face timed M on the phone.  Had opened our front door to show her how yucky it was here.  And her showing me how she had her windows opened and how nice it was at her house.  As I shut the door we heard a weird pop and the lights flickered.  Of course that makes you stop in your tracks.  Who likes to go without electricity?? Not me!  And again I heard another big pop.  I opened the front door to see little flames in the air near our electric pole.  

Then the electricity went out.  The wind had blown a very small branch out of our trees.  And right into the transformer on our pole.  YiYiYi!  Thank you Midwest Energy for getting here fast.  Let's just say that little ole branch flipped the breaker all the way thru Quinter.  Even the hospital had to go on their generator.  

Yep.  That was me!  :-)

Then this last Monday evening we had some thunderstorms roll thru.  And boy did they roll!  Straight line winds??  I'm not thinking so.  But what do I know.  

The winds were strong enough to break a limb out of the tree and put it politely on/thru my roof.  Gosh it was terrible!  I think that evening was right up their from when we had our own tornadoes many years ago.  The electricity was out for several hours.  And the poor people driving interstate when it went thru.  Made my tummy just turn seeing all the ambulance and state trooper's flickering lights.  At one time I seen 6 at once.  Just down the road 2 miles they lost a big metal shed.  The whole south and east sides were north of their farm in a heap of mess.  Scary!! 

Obviously Roger couldn't do anything about the tree till the next day.  But then off course this is Kansas.  And the weather is just crazy.  Tuesday we were thrown with Blizzard warnings and ended up with about an inch of snow.  We were forcasted for 6-9 inches, but they said the thunderstorms the night before sucked the moisture out so we didn't get that much snow.  

BUT. . . . during the high winds. . . . the wind now blew the tree off our roof.  

And a limb, of the limb, went right thru our hottub lid.  Jeezzzz louise!! So this was then when Roger had to go into the attic and figure out a way to plug the hole till the adjuster could get here.  

Can I again say. . . . .    YIYIYI!

keeping busy. . . . .

Since I have re"tired" I've really tried to keep myself busy and not fall into a slump.  Obviously I'm resting.  But I'm keeping busy in between.  I have started a to-do list and am trying to work on it every day.  It might only be a little bit, but I'm doing it.  

These are some of my recent doings. . . . . . 

These first two were made for baby showers. 

 This next one I actually made for Michele and Nick's wedding.  Its new home is now on their front porch.  :)

 This Welcome sign is for sale.  $40.00.  I love how the board looks like it came from an old red barn.

 "Pray Big" is also for sale. $25.00.  

This sign sure didn't take long to find it's new home.  I just L.O.V.E. how it turned out!!

Last but least is another Welcome sign.  It was special ordered to sit on the front porch of a red brick home.  It was painted with a dark red.  Then crackled and coated with white.  

 

Sheet storage. . . .

For some time (many years) I have struggled with the sheet storage in our home.  I would wash and fold them. Then put them on the shelf.  No matter what I tried, they would end of getting mixed up.  Then I'd go change my sheets and end up with a wrong size. 

I know.  How can I not know.  It just didn't matter.  I had a king, a queen and a full size bed in my home.  Then we got rid of the full size for another queen. 

After a lot of googling and time on Pinterest I found this.  And I'm happy to say it works wonderful!  Why was this so hard to come up with??  I just took some wide ribbon and used a permanent marker to write the size.  Then when I fold my sheets I put them together and tie them with the correct ribbon size.  Easy peasy.

Dog day honeymoon. . . . .

 We got the privilege of having Nemo and Bruce spend the week with us while Michele & Nick was on their honeymoon.  Back in May we had Marley when Jessica & Gabe was on their honeymoon.  But the difference between one little dog or two BIG dogs are a lot.  :-)  Actually both weeks went pretty smooth.  Our only problem was with Nemo.  She jumped our fence twice.  After that we were afraid to go off and leave her and Bruce in the yard.  I would have hated to have to call M and tell her that her dog was missing. Not good at all.  

The first day was kind of a zoo.  As we all know Jorge is not the friendliest. He is fine with Marley.  But they have had time in the years to adjust and get to know each other. Nemo and Bruce just hasn't been with the family long enough for Jorge to get comfortable with them.  And obviously he was afraid that they would step on him.  Then their were my two cats.  Zola didn't mind them at all.  Actually she had to put Nemo in her place a couple times.  Boo finally came out from under our bed at the end of the week.  I think if we had had a couple more days we all would have ended up best friends.  

To say the least, we kind of, sort of missed these guys after they went home.

Bridal Shower #2. . . . .

M's Bridal shower was back in August.  She was sooo nervous.  And that just strikes me as funny.  She has to get in front of people and give presentations at work. Why would you be nervous about opening presents in front of people??  

Roger came along for the weekend.  He needed to get his suit fitted for the wedding.  Then he got to spend some quality time with Nick.  They did some work replacing the front door and screen door.  

Lots of trips to Topeka between the two weddings and planning.  

The bridal shower was exactly what M wanted.  Played a couple games.  Opened presents.  And had a little cake.  One of the games was decorating one of your team with toilet paper to look like a bride.  I think we can all decide that Haley looked the best.  :-)  But the other teams DID try.   

 

 

These girl's M worked with at Security Benefit.  We laughed and laughed at them.  They put just a little too much thought into the game.

Michele had her own team with her cousin Taylor.  What sillies!!

And the winner is??  Haley :-)

Michele didn't do a very good job with her bride. . . .

Whoops. . . .

Michele and her bridesmaids

Michele with her Maid of Honor. . .

The Cousins.  Apparently one didn't want her picture taken. :-)

Michele with Nick's Mom Kathy

 

Michele with her new nieces and nephew (one more niece is missing)