Coined: Kardashiastache

As I was searching through some old DTL blog posts today, I came across a draft that I never finished (or posted) called "Coined: Kardashiastache."  It immediately brought a smile to my face, so I thought I'd finish it today.  Here it is, in all its blory (blog glory).  Enjoy!

Kardashiastache:  noun.  - facial hair on any member of the Kardiashain family.

(Photo credit: http://kimkardashian.celebuzz.com)

One evening a few years ago, my best girlfriends and I were enjoying some wine and trashy reality television when, alas, kardashiastache was coined.  I can't remember exactly how or why, but I think I have the E! network to thank for the awesomeness that ensued that evening.

Ever since that night, I began to believe that we're smack dab in the middle of a "coining craze" - the process of making up words by smooshing two of them together to make one fantastical kitschy new word.  This linguistically radical fad truly gives me the giggles.  But is it a fad? Or is the murds (making up words) fun here to stay?

Entire websites like this one and that one have been dedicated to the coining movement, but who knows? Could K-Stew and R-Patz eventually go back to being called (gasp!) simply Kristen and Robert?

Since the fate of this vocabularvention (vocabulary invention) trend is unknown, I'd like to pay homage to a few of the clever murducts (murd products) that continue to leave me in stitches.

Brangelina has been around for quite some time.  

Menver as well. 

Tannorexia one of my personal faves.  

ambivilane the striped area by an exit ramp where people often pull off when trying to decide "Is this my exit?"

Fashole thanks, Joan Rivers! 

Finally, in sincere celebration of this frocess (fun process), and with the utmost respect and admiration of the murduct coiner Akiram Glockem,  I leave you with this...  

-DTL

Graduation Day

During our stint as students at Life's Wondrous University (LWU), we're bound to fall into a semester or two of downright really tough times.

The LWU Unwritten Student Handbook clearly states that, "Each pupil has the right to deal with difficult situations on their own terms, in various ways."  (Well, in America, "Land of the Free," anyway!)

Some choose to write in a journal or organize a pow-wow with friends.  Others take a walk, drink, eat or sleep. Countless strategies have been developed and utilized by LWU alumni in order to get back on track.

Life's alluring draw is that it boasts an infinite number of opportunities for graduation days.  Landed a promotion at work?  Diploma!  Had your first child?  Diploma!  Made a life-changing mistake, but made sacrifices and worked hard make things better?  Diploma!

The better part of this past year has been pretty rough for me.  Let's just say that I've put myself on academic probation...  Details of my difficult semesters do not matter at this juncture.  What matters is that I've been routinely working with an LWU school counselor.  And the hard work has paid off.

I'm proud to admit that today I celebrate yet another graduation day.
-DTL

Pencil Me In

"Is it rude to sign a greeting card in pencil?" my friend Jill wondered out loud at her going-away party at my house last September.

I'm sure there are many different answers to that question.  (Emily Post may agree or disagree, however...)

In my humble opinion, the simple fact that someone took the time to write heartfelt words, package them up in a lovely card and present them to a loved one is the complete opposite of "rude."  

The deep thinker in me chooses to take it a step further, and view the "pencil" symbolically.  As a metaphor for dealing with life's events.  An elaboration:

-The fact that my best friend Jill lived in Denver for six years and recently moved to Des Moines reminds me that many things in life are not permanent.  We penciled Jill in as a "Denverite," and that doesn't quite apply now.

-The idea of "erasing" said pencil marks can look different to a variety of people.  To some, the erased marks can fade so much that over time, they can be completely forgotten.  One can choose to view the eraser as a tool for starting fresh.

-To me, pencil marks are permanent, whether you see them or not.  The words written in Jill's card to me may fade over time, but the message will stay with me always.

Crayon, Sharpie marker, blood, whathaveyou -- the gesture is what matters most.

On a lighter (or darker...you choose) note, since it's December 31st today, it's only fitting that I reflect on some of the things I've "penciled in" over the past year.  I'd make a detailed list below, but I think you get the jist. (I'll sit down with my pencil on my own time and crank it out...) Deep down I'd love to permanently erase some of my pencil marks from this past year, but I realize that they will permanently remain in my heart and contribute to my life's complete sketch.  Faded, worn or smudged to oblivion, they're my own personal marks, and I'm happy to have them.

Here's to creating sharp, strong and lasting (or lightly-pressed and smudged) pencil marks in 2012!  

-DTL

Introducing...Pretty with Pelvic Pain!

I realize my last few posts have consistently been about my interstitial cystitis.  IC has taken over my life a bit lately, which hasn't left much time to blog about much else.  I do have more exciting life stuff to share, such as the kitchen remodel my husband and I are in the midst of, our new car, my brand new job, etc.  Lots to write about...I promise to elaborate soon!

In the meantime, I want to introduce a fellow blogger. Meet Pretty with Pelvic Pain, also an IC-er, who seems to struggle with pain and pain management way more than I do.  If you are so inclined, check out her blog.  

My inclination is that the random support will mean more to her than any of us realize.

More to come!

Thanks for reading,

-DTL

One more day...

September will be over in one more day, which means Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Month will be over as well.

Unfortunately, the pain and discomfort that IC-ers (like me) face every day will continue indefinitely.  By helping to raise awareness, however, hopefully we can help others with bladder / pelvic pain to minimize symptoms and discover coping strategies to make life more normal and enjoyable.

I thought I'd share a wonderful video that I recently stumbled upon that features a plethora of really useful resources for people living with IC.  I've done my fair share of research in the past, but Jill Osbourne, President of ICN (Interstital Cystitis Network) and fellow IC-er, introduced me to a few new books that I'm very excited about checking out.  Click here for the video (don't forget to grab a pen and some paper to jot down the book titles that interest you!)

Finally, the ICN web site has a wealth of information and support.  If you know of anyone who is struggling with bladder / pelvic issues, feel free to encourage them to bookmark it.

Thanks so much, once again, for helping me to spread the word about interstitial cystitis, and for your interest in sharing resources that can be helpful for so many people.

Cheers to a pain-free October!

-DTL