I'm going to jail!
On August 26, I'm going behind bars to help raise awareness (and money) for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. From noon to 1 p.m., I'll be behind bars at the CanadInn. Perhaps you'll find the time to stop by . . .watch me clink my cup. Find out more by clicking here.
Last night I was walking Buddy and saw a guy riding a really cool bicycle (technically a tricycle) that was hand-operated. It got me thinking that I'd better do my part to raise awareness (I've been so busy lately that I nearly forgot!).
Here's some info that I found:
There are more than 40 different kinds of muscular dystrophies including:
* Duchenne--named after a French researcher Guillame Duchenne who studied about a dozen boys who had muscle degeneration
*Becker--caused by an insufficient level of a protein that strengthens muscle cells
*Limb-Girdle--a genetic mutation that affects cellular proteins and musculature
According to the MDA Web site, when a child is suspected of having muscular dystrophy, he/she will undergo a complete family history and testing that measures creatine kinase (CK), a protein found in the muscle. Doctors identify muscle leakage when higher levels of this protein are present in the blood.
Also, increased levels of specific enzymes such as aldolase, lactic dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (try saying that five times fast) can indicate the disease.
Other tests include genetic screenings, nerve conduction screenings and muscle biopsies . . . it sounds a little scary when you think all this hoopla (poking and proding) for a little kid!
***
Going back to walking Buddy--my BIG GRIPE for yesterday are people who neglect to pick up their dogs' leavings.
GRRRRR.
Yesterday, I was walking away from an interview (our Woman of Note for Sept.) when I got into Photographer Jackie Lorentz's car only to find that I had somehow stepped in dog-do along the way. Thankfully, I managed to not get it all over her car, but I had to promptly run home over lunch and get out the hose and TONS of soap to scrub my feet (I was wearing sandals, ugh, I'm still disgusted) and BRAND NEW sandals. No kidding, the first day I wear them and this!
The nerve of some people! Now, I can understand that your dog can catch you offguard sometimes. Buddy, on occasion, will poop twice in one walk--and, since I usually only bring one bag, I find myself retracing my steps after I drop him off at home to go and retreive it. Perhaps, with the increase of people cutting back on plastic bags at the grocery store, people don't have as many bags at home. But, as a dog owner, you should be aware of this and salvage those bags. They really do come in handy!!
All I know is that I really don't want to step in it again. It's one thing if it's in my yard, where I know I have to go around and pick it up, but it's another thing if you don't expect it (somewhere on a sidewalk) and end up tracking it everywhere. Not to mention the smell . . . All I could think as I scraped it off the bottom of my shoe with a branch was, what did this dog eat??
Posted by: Kristin Garaas-Johnson on 7/18/2008 at 9:58 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Funky shoes
Since my daughter Emerson has started walking, she's taken a real interest in shoes. She'll bring me her shoes and have me put them on her, only to walk away, find another pair of shoes and have me swap them out.
She's also taken an interest in her father's shoes and my shoes, but I really don't like it when she decides to *kiss* our shoes. Yuck.
Anyway, she got me thinking about how we used to personalize Chuck Taylors when I was in high school. I used to have a few pairs that featured different designs, done up in oil paint. If I'd known the trend would've come around 20 years later, perhaps I would have kept them longer.
Check out today's YouTube feature in my sidebar--it provides a few tips on how to make your own custom ballerina flats (forget Chuck, I guess he's not as popular, or feminine).
In the future, I hope to continue to include a few interesting videos from YouTube. Tell me what you think! :)
Posted by: Kristin Garaas-Johnson on 7/15/2008 at 1:31 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink
5k-10k walk/run for Ellen
Last Friday my husband Craig and I signed up for the 5k to benefit Ann Bailey's daughter Ellen who has ALL. Because I have terrible feet that ache when I run or perform any kind of impact sports (bunions that I will have to get fixed eventually), I won't be running--but instead, we'll be walking, and thought that we'd bring Emerson too.
My friend Cyndi Hall Thilbourg also plans to join us--it might be early in the morning, but I think it will be a nice way to get us up and moving early in the day!
Mutch Gas and Paul's Petromax, Inc. are sponsoring the 5k/10k that starts at the Tesoro Gas station at 7 a.m. Last Saturday was the deadline to register, but there might be a few spaces left. If you're interested in running, call (701) 343-2302, the fee is just $15 to enter.
Last Sunday, the Herald had an article about her and Ann did a radio interview this morning that will air tomorrow about her daughter and the event, if you're interested in finding out more! Not sure of the time. . . :)
Posted by: Kristin Garaas-Johnson on 7/14/2008 at 11:26 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
BIG News!
It's funny how things happen when the server is down--I wanted to blog yesterday, but couldn't! Anyway, I had a fun day (it was my birthday). I had lunch with a few co-workers,who also gave me a nice gift and Craig, Emerson and I went out to Paradiso last night. We found out that Em loves Mexican food: fried rice, beef enchiladas, chips--but no salsa. I didn't want to take my chances with the Salmonella scare, but truth is, I haven't heard of anyone getting sick in our neck of the woods!
So the BIG news that I found out yesterday:
1. My sister Shaina is engaged! She's been dating a guy by the name of Tom for a little over a year. When she called me last night to tell me (aparantly I'm like the last one to find out because she thought my mother had already told me) I told her she gave me another great reason to lose a few pounds. So I vow, after eating Ann Bailey's yummy coffee cake this morning, that I will eat salad for lunch!
2. My brother Adam found out that he was accepted into Boston College for dental school! We always knew he was a real wise guy, so I guess there's no surprise there. But we'll miss him--Craig was hoping to go ice fishing with him this winter.
Posted by: Kristin Garaas-Johnson on 7/11/2008 at 9:38 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Liquid Paper mishaps = Paper skirt?
I just had a mishap with Liquid Paper here...I was trying to white out a few scribblings on my calendar and got a nice white smudge that looks like birdpoop on my skirt. After attempting to scrape it off, I wondered if there is a better method. . .
Found a Web site that says using alcohol does the trick. Anyone ever try it? My skirt may be old, but with the current economy, I'd rather not spend the extra cash to replace it!
Know of any other great ideas? I don't have alcohol on hand here at work (that begs the question, who would?) but I'm getting ready to go to a staff meeting and would love a quick fix.
Posted by: Kristin Garaas-Johnson on 7/09/2008 at 2:01 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink
