I'M BACK!

I survived a week of hellish strep throat, a full week in bed for me, pre-empted by a full two weeks of fighting off depression symptoms, feelings of total despair & anxiety, wanting to run away, not caring about anything and then I looked at myself in the mirror & said, "HELLO?? You live in a world where there are so many things out there to help you! You don't have to feel like this! You know what's going on! FIX IT MARIA!" So, I made an appointment at the doctor & she was GREAT! One of the best doctors I have had under the military medical system in a very long time & thanks to the power of modern medicine, a good doctor, my amazingly understanding husband and answered prayers - I AM BACK & FEELING SO MUCH BETTER!! I have a lot of things on my mind that I want to share with all of you, so keep checking back this week for hopefully some good posts from the Madness of Maria!

10 INCREDIBLE YEARS!

Mark & I celebrated our 10th anniversary yesterday, Friday, May 23, 2008. We married in the afternoon of May 23, 1998 in Holland, Michigan surrounded by friends and family. It was a perfect day and so was yesterday. I cannot believe how madly in love I am with this great man. As most know, we already took our backpacking trip which was to celebrate our 10 years of adventure together, but we also had to do something to signify the actual day of our anniversary. Well, much to my displeasure I spent the ENTIRE week laying in bed very, very ill with aggravated strep throat. Yes, not just strep throat, but aggravated strep throat. BUT! On Friday, with really good pain pills & a full 24 hours + of antibiotics in my system I was able to get up out of bed, make myself look presentable, and clean the house a bit to surprise Mark when he got home from work. I didn't have the time or energy to get him a gift, so I cleaned up his armoire by refolding all the clothes and reorganizing them. To you my love, I give you the gift of cleanliness. What did he get me? A beautiful bouquet of flowers and a freakin' Citizen watch & bracelet! Way to show me up honey!! But, a girl's never going to complain about jewelry!! And I'm pretty sure my husband would never complain about a clean house. Happy TENTH!

There is so much I want to say.....

There really is so much I want to share with all of you. There is so much in my mind right now, floating through, racing through, standing still. There is so much I wish I could put into words, alas, I cannot. I have hit a stump & I must find the quickest & least painful way to move over it. This will take help from outside sources. This will take time. Hopefully, I'll be back, up & running at my normal speed in no time at all. Hang in there with me & thanks for missing me. I appreciate that. During hard times, you need to know you are loved & thought of. You guys are the best! I'll be back just as soon as I can!!