I finally received my donor card last month after sending my kit in back in July. Now I guess all I do is just be available if and when I ever get the call. I also have to update my information with the National Bone Marrow Center if I change addresses, phone number, e-mail, etc. or if my medical health ever changes. I hope I have the opportunity to save a life someday.
My kit arrived yesterday, and I plan on sending it back in tomorrow. I really liked how they included a booklet with the kit that went through the donation process again, including some testimonials from people who have donated before. I read through the whole thing, just to make sure I still feel up for going through with this. I want to be 100% sure that if I am ever called upon to donate, that I am both mentally and physically ready.
I filled out my application and sent off with my processing check on Wednesday. I should be receiving my tissue typing kit in about two to three weeks. I feel really great that I am moving ahead with this goal. I know that it is a long shot that I will ever be chosen, but I hope that I do have the opportunity someday to help save a life.
Over the past year, I have given up alcohol for periods that last about three months at a time, only to give it up by having “just one drink.” For me, there is no such thing as “just one drink.” I have been sober again for the past two weeks. In September, I will be starting a new job and I need all my concentration and focus to be on being successful at it. Drinking does not help with that!
I used to have my straight hair in the cutest chin-length bob…my best haircut ever. Then I had to go get it short and layered. I like it when it styles right…but I am really quite inept at hairstyling, so most often it doesn’t look right. I still get lots of compliments, but would really feel so much better going back to the “old me.”
Of all my goals, this should be the easiest. I have never really been a huge red meat eater, and most of the time DH and I eat vegetarian anyway because it costs less and is healthier. I do need to learn more varied recipes, though. Man and woman cannot live on brocolli, black beans, and rice forever!
I have more credit card debt than my husband does, so we are going to work on mine first. We both work full time, and when we have the energy, we do eBay for extra cash. We are going to start doing eBay on a regular weekly basis so that we are pulling in more money that will go straight to bills. In less than a year, both vehicles will be paid off and that will be $513 extra per month that can go to credit cards. It’s so tempting sometimes to see those credit available amounts and think we are free to buy whatever we want. We are no longer using American Express and we each have Capital One cards with very low credit limits that we use on the occasional basis. But mostly it is now cash and debit cards for us!
I am trying to become a more peaceful person, and think that daily meditation might help. If I am successful over the coming month, I plan on continuing indefinitely.
I bought a harmonica a couple of years ago, wanting to learn how to play. After just a few practice runs, it has since been sitting up in my bookcase, gathering dust. I still want to learn, and will start just as soon as I have some of my other goals accomplished.
Cursing has become a naughty habit for me…and an unclassy one at that. I work in the financial services realm, where you have to maintain utmost professionalism. Every so often, I have found myself cursing in front of my boss. If I can easily slip in front of my boss, wouldn’t it be damn (oops…darn) easy for me to slip in front of a client?
I ordered a DVD from Amazon a couple of months ago, and have yet to take it out of the package! I’m lucky in that I do have a good basic knowledge of Spanish, having taken it for a few years in high school and college, but that’s been over 15 years ago! As they say, use or lose it…
My goal is to run the Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Portland, Oregon in late September. I have never considered myself a runner, but have always wanted to train to at least run 5K comfortably. I am currently in the middle of a “three weeks from the couch to 30-minute run” training program. Help cheer me on towards this goal!
I have checked out the National Bone Marrow Donor website and it seems like I meet the criteria on the health questions, although I might be at the low end of the accepted weight. Will be trying to gain a few pounds over the next month or so, in order to make sure that if I am called upon, I will be able to donate. I have downloaded the application and will be sending it in with my $52 processing fee on my next payday!
