The Statistic That Really Hit Home for Me

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch doing some work while Jason watched a show on Discovery or Planet Green or History or some other informational learning channel. I was halfheartedly listening because it was interesting, but I was busy with my work.

Suddenly, through my haze of work, I heard something that made my blood run cold. I shut my computer and made Jason rewind the show, just so I could make sure that I'd heard correctly. Sadly, I had.

You see, this show was about the Earth and the things that we do to it -- the way that it's changing and the way that it will continue to change, if we don't start altering our lifestyles. So, what was the statistic that startled me? Of all of the plastic that has EVER been manufactured in the world, NONE of it has broken down or biodegraded. None. Not one single piece.

It's stupid, really, that I hadn't realized that before. I guess it makes sense because we know that plastic can be damaging. And, after watching this show, I learned just exactly HOW damaging.

How many bottles of water have I consumed in my life? How many prescriptions have I had filled? How many plastic cups or utensils have I used? How much plastic have I actually thrown away in my life? Way too much.

In the past several years, I've made an effort to recycle, but I often get lazy about it and throw it away because it's easier -- my city doesn't offer curbside recycling, so I have to haul it to the recycling center. There have been more than a few times when I haven't wanted to mess with storing boxes or bags of recyclables until I had time to make it to the center.

No more. From here on out, I'll be storing my recycling at home and making a trip to drop it off each week. I don't care that it's a little frustrating and not the easiest option. I want to do my part to make sure that our little round planet is beautiful for generations to come.

One person can't make a huge difference, but each person makes at least a small one. If we all band together and commit ourselves to recycling instead of trashing, we can make a much bigger impact. Join me, won't you?

Automatic Ways to NOT Get My Vote

I'm extremely liberal, so obviously, I'm a democrat. Even though the candidates I support typically come from the democratic party, I do vote for whomever I believe will ultimately do the best job.

There are several different things that you, as a political candidate, can do to ensure that you DON'T get my vote. Try one of the following and I will never vote for you, even if you're running against my sworn enemy:

Have a ringing, or for that matter, any other form, of endorsement from Sarah Palin. Seriously, there's no chance in hell that I'd ever vote for her, or anyone she supports. This woman truly isn't qualified to drive a garbage truck, let alone run any form of government.

Misspell or mispronounce words in your campaign ads. Randy Brogdon, candidate for Oklahoma governor, currently is running a commercial on local radio that touts that he's "different from all of those in 'Warshington.'" If you can't pronounce the Washington correctly, then you're probably not smart enough to be running for office, or recording commercials in support of candidates who are running.

Brag that you've never supported a single tax increase. Really? You've never supported a single tax increase? So we should never have developed taxes to help support education, prisons, roads, bridges, and more? You really would rather be driving a horse and buggy on a grass path, with no healthcare and no support? Okay, go ahead with your life...but I'll take my small tax increases and the things they bring on any day.

Bring god or any other religion into the equation. There's this little thing called separation of church and state. You really should remember that fact if you're running for office. I don't care about your religious affiliation -- I simply care that you're intelligent, good, decent, and moral. You don't have to brag about your religion to reassure me of these facts.

Finally, if your campaign revolves solely around slinging mud at your partner, then don't ask for my vote. Truly, I'm intelligent enough to find out about your opponent's misgivings and misdeeds. I don't need you to throw them in my face to help me make a decision. And mudslingers who are incredibly religious are even worse, in my opinion.

So, there you have it. Five huge things that you can do to ensure that you'll NEVER have my vote.

Please Help Locate a Missing Woman!

Please help us find Tiffiny!



Tiffiny Ann Bray

Please call her family with any information you may have -- 405.250.7518.

The Comanche County Sheriff's Office needs your help finding a woman from Fletcher, Oklahoma. Tiffiny Ann Bray has been missing since 8 a.m. Monday. She is 5' 2" tall, weighs 95 lbs, has blue eyes, and long, curly blonde hair. Bray was last seen driving a 2006 white Chevy quad cab truck with Oklahoma license plate number 608-AXW. Her fiancé says she was on her way to Lawton to run errands. He received a text message from her around 10 a.m. saying that she would be home after noon, but she has not been heard from since. If you have any information on her whereabouts, call the sheriff's department at (580) 353-4280.

This is Jason's sister-in-law's cousin. Please, please, please keep your eyes open and call her family or the sheriff with any information you may have.

What a Pain

When I was 16, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Since prior to my diagnosis, I've dealt with myriad PCOS-related issues, including, at times, some pretty intense pain.

Three and a half years ago, I woke one morning with a massive pain in my lower right abdomen. After showering and going to work, my boss ordered me to the doctor, as he was afraid I was in the throes of an appendicitis. Less than 24 hours later, I was in surgery, having my appendix removed and having my abdomen explored, laparoscopically. Several hours later, I learned that my appendix had been fine, although they went ahead and removed it, but the pain had been caused by rupturing ovarian cysts and endometriosis.

Fast forward to this past January, when I began having severely intense pain in my lower left abdomen. I was pretty sure the pain was either PCOS or endo related, but a trip to the ER, multiple tests, and a consultation with an OB-GYN later, I still had no answers. Frustrated, I sought out yet another opinion -- this time from a reproductive endocrinologist. I had to wait until yesterday for my appointment, but finally, I have some answers.

It turns out that the new massive pain is being caused by a significant buildup of scar tissue on my left ovary. In fact, there's so much scar tissue that it's totally attached to my fallopian tube and is "frozen" in place. The right ovary has some scar tissue, but not as much.

So, what are my options from here? Well, my new doctor is a fan of the team approach to treatment, so I'm now waiting to see a gynecologic urologist and a gastrointerologist. After I've seen these two doctors, the four of us will sit down and format a treatment plan. My doctor has said that one option is surgery to remove the scar tissue and free up my ovary, thus ending the pain, but there's no guarantee that it won't grow back. In fact, it's pretty much a guarantee that it'll grow back...eventually.

For now, I sit waiting, but feeling more secure in at least having some answers. I'm in a great deal of pain, especially after some test yesterday, but at least I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Hopefully I haven't offended anyone with my openness about dealing with PCOS and endometriosis. While both are truly personal problems, I think that we need to remove the stigma of discussing them so that women who are suffering will know that there are options. There's no reason to suffer in silence and no reason to spend as much time trying to find answers as I've spent in my life.