Brittle Nail Syndrome

 

Hello my name is Ashley and I have Onychoschizia.

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (aocd.org), Onychoschizia or splitting of the fingernails is a common problem seen by dermatologists. The term onychoschizia includes splitting, brittle, soft or thin nails. Onychoschizia is more common in women.
Only very rarely are internal disease or vitamin deficiencies the reason (iron deficiency is the most common). One tip is that if the fingernails split, but the toenails are strong, then an external factor is the cause. Basically brittle nails can be divided into dry and brittle (too little moisture) and soft and brittle (often too much moisture).

I know I have an iron deficiency (I can't give blood because of it) but I've been taking an iron supplement for over a year now and my nails have actually gotten worse. My toe nails are so strong that I have said on multiple occasions that I'd love to switch them out with my regular nails.

I have always envied ladies with long nails (sorry guys but when you have long nails its just kinda gross). I've even had acrylic nails put on before but since the nail tech said my nails (mom and sister too) were so think that they would have to double prime us and still I would get serious lifting after just 1 week. I finally said enough was enough. I don't bite my nails. I try to keep them trimmed and shaped and even I put polish on them sometimes.

I have even tried out several different nail hardeners. I started back in January with a new one but it really isn't working. In fact my nails look even worse. UGH. 

I know poor me but I have to tell you I am actually very self-conscious about my nails. Oh and ladies who have to cut their nails because they are too long or one broke so everyone has to go . . . WAH! Suck it up . . . PPTHHPTHPFFTHPPPT!!! (I'm blowing raspberries at you) 

Mine is not this bad but you get the idea from the picture what I'm talking about.

What does 40 feel like?

So this fall I will be turning 40 . . . Forty . . . The Big Four-O. Is this how almost 40 is supposed to feel? Trust me I'm not obsessed with the number 40. Its just a number of years that I've been on the earth (well it will be).

I don't consider 40 old by any stretch but I know I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I can't stay up late anymore, I don't have a ton of energy to go and go and go. I'm not flexible as I use to be (but I can still touch my toes thankfully). I'm always tired (ALWAYS). My body shape is "yuck". I find more and more grey hair (well I have been getting grey highlights since I was 18 so does it really count?). My face has more lines on it than before (starting some new products from Rodan + Fields so that should help). I look at my hands and see youth slipping away. I take more drugs on a daily basis that I use to. I actually want to watch the news. I'm feeling old but I know I'm not.

What does 40 feel like to you?

And so it begins!

So Lent has officially began and as you may recall I said I was giving up chocolate and also participating in the 40 Days = 40 Bags. I have to confess I really really want chocolate right now and I'm pretty sure that is because I gave up chocolate. So that is going to be a struggle on its own.

I did successfully get my first bag completed even though it was later in the evening. And . . . and . . . I have proof!

(Don't worry I won't take a picture each day). How are you doing with your 40 Days = 40 Bags?

Time. . . It Goes So Fast!n

Monday through Friday I get up each morning and head to Alexandria for work fighting traffic each day. I fight the clock each day to produce my reports (we have reports that are 4 hour, same day, next day and 3 day turnaround) on time and try and work ahead. I head home each night fighting traffic to get to daycare to pick Smiley up before they close. Some nights I have to rush to feed her so that she has something in her stomach before the babysitter gets there or had off to choir. Weekends are a bit lazier - most Saturdays are free for an open schedule but others are not. Sunday mornings are a struggle to get myself ready in the morning and as well as Smiley so we can get out the door to church on time. Its a fight with time.

This year I am turning 40 so I'm fighting the sands of time showing on my face, hands, and most specifically hair (UGH). Time is flying.

Smiley is 3 now and more active that ever and learning more every day. Time is flying because she is learning and trying new things every day. I'm trying to help her grow and learn but I'm trying to hold onto my baby for a little while longer.

Its already almost the middle of February. It may be bitter cold out there but next thing we know it will be spring and then summer and then fall and then next thing I know I'll be planning Smiley's 4th birthday party and celebrating Christmas. Ahhhhh . . . time is flying.

We all have moments in our lives that show up time is flying. Today February 13th is an example to me of how time flies and those moments I have really missed in that time. Today is most significant because 6 years ago today my mother passed away. 6 years already? Where did the time go? I remember that day, those moments so vividly as it it was minutes/hours/days ago. 

I've missed so much time with my mother. Being able to do those "mother/daughter" things. Introducing her to her grandchild, Smiley. Sharing holidays and birthday together (her birthday is 2 days before mine). Talking with her about how I feel I'm doing (or the lack thereof) as a mom. Wanting advice and reassurance I'm doing it ok. 

Time back to show my mom how much I love her and that I want to be a better person and daughter. Talking with her, shopping with her, laughing with her and even disagreeing with her. Time is not on my side.

So with this advice in hand. Slow down and spend time with your loved ones. Tell them how much they mean to you and never leave anything unsaid. It will eat you up inside and you will always be left with his feeling that you are empty in a way.

Spend time with your loved ones. . . I am tonight. We are having "crazy family dinner" tonight.

Celebrate the here and now with your loved ones.

And the winner is . . CHOCOLATE

And the winner is . . . CHOCOLATE! Ok ladies now that I have your attention, I'm here to talk about chocolate. Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. Oh how I love thee and that is why I'm giving it up for Lent this year. (gasp).

Its officially February and Lent is just around the corner so I had to really start thinking what was I going to give up. I posed the question to B-man who initially said soda (bwah ha ha ha) and then said chocolate. I think it is a good idea so I'm sticking with chocolate.


So that means . . . no chocolate candy bars, no chocolate cookies, no chocolate cake, no chocolate ice cream, no brownies, no chocolate cream pie, etc (you get the idea). Sounds not too terribly hard but lets see how I do. I've got a sweet tooth so this could pose harder than I think depending on the amount of temptation I get during lent.

Have you picked what you are giving up? 

40 Days = 40 Bags

I'm getting a head start on Lent this year!

For those who don't know Lent is the time period beginning on Ash Wednesday (How many of you have your own holiday?) that leads up to Easter. It is roughly 40 days give or take a few Sundays). I have always given up something (soda, desserts, chips, etc) that is a vice but this year I'm having a hard time trying to think of what to give up. While I ponder that I do have to say I'm proud that I've decided to participate in the concept of 40 Days = 40 Bags.

I learned of this last year at lent (a little late but I "tried" to do it) and I love the concept. For the 40 days of lent you need to take at least 10 minutes and clean/declutter one area and whatever you have goes into bags. Those bags either go to the trash or stored neatly for a yard sale or give aways. I love the idea and last year as I said I tried to do it and got about 1 week in and then just slacked off. I did get a section of my entertainment room and den looking pretty good that week. Sadly it looks like crap again but it still has less crap than last year (I know this because I had to go into one the cabinets I cleaned out last year and I've successfully kept it clean and organized).

This year I'm gonna do it and stick to it. I've got so much stuff in my house that I know I don't need that this must be done. No matter how hard it might feel to carve out 10 minutes (or more) each day to this concept. I know I can declutter. . . I even got a jump on it last night while thinking about the 40 Days = 40 Bags.

I found my new phone has a timer so I can't make that excuse. I'm going to try and keep myself accountable by posting on my blog every so often with pictures of before and after (or at least my bags). Who's with me on the 40 Days = 40 Bags bandwagon?

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Yesterday I learned the hard way that kids so hear everything we say and then repeat it. Yesterday while playing I heard Smiley say something (not once but twice) that sounded an awful lot like "Damn It". I wasn't sure and I asked her "what was that" to which I got either ignored or just a grunt reply. Well both B-man and I heard it loud and clear yesterday evening during the full on temper tantrum at bed time. I pulled in her nightlight and she said "Damn it, now you've ruined everything" (add foot stomp and fist against leg).

My mouth was probably gaping open moments after that. I had to ask her again "What did you say"? to which I just go a noise reply of "Uh". "What did you say?" "Where did you hear that?" but again no reply. Add about 10 minutes of temper tantrum and all was fixed (she even got to unplug and replug the nightlight in). I asked B-man what he thought and his reply was "maybe she picked it up at daycare". Naturally I'm racking my brain to try and think, have I ever said that? I might have said "damn it" in an angry moment (and if that is the case - mea culpa mea culpa) but I can promise you I have never uttered "now you've ruined it". I had to try and tell her that we don't repeat/say that phrase to which I got an O.K. but I'm not sure that even clicked.

I have to tell you I'm still a bit shocked and taken aback by it. I know in the grand scheme of things that "damn it" is less than say the f-bomb or other similar words but its the fact that I try so hard to not say things like that around her and will correct others for potty mouthing it.

I know you seasoned moms out there are probably shaking your heads at me and say "first time mom, well bless her heart" but it really has gotten under my skin. When was the first time you heard something come out of your precious little ones mouth that really made you think about your language?