When I'm in Florida, especially in Florida behind the lens(es) of my camera, I notice things more so then what I do when we are back home in Indiana. My camera always causes me to notice things at home too but Florida brings out even the most mundane of items. Florida has a way of magnifying beauty and that is one of the things I love about being here. I spotted this bush flower yesterday while poolside and right by it was the spider you see below. Yes, I almost laid out all day right next to Miss Charlotte's web. And let me just say, had I raised up and seen that next to me - unexpectedly - I wouldn't have been happy. However, I noticed the flowers and the spider together. I broke out the macro lens and snapped away. What a funky bloom before it actual flowers, eh? Funky, interesting, and oh so colorful.
Check out the hairy things on her legs below. Ewwwww.....!!!
Now do you see why I wouldn't have been happy to lay down beside her? I'm sure she didn't want my big head in the way anyhow.
Then, I managed to find one bloom coming in on one of the branches of the flowering bush...
When they are all finished blooming, it looks something like this stunning bunch below...
Fun, huh? And I say again...why don't we have these kinds of colors in Indiana?
On a side note, I know many of you were awaiting my test results from last week right along with me. I cannot begin to thank you enough for all of the prayers, facebook messages, emails, blog comments, etc. regarding this round of testing for me. I have some good news and some not so good news. I'm not going to call it bad news because I refuse to take a negative approach with it from the get go. The good news is that my MRI (yes, the test from H.E.Double Hockey Sticks) came back normal. I'm so glad about this and am praising God for a normal outcome with that test. These migraines really had me worried so I'm thankful that the MRI didn't show anything at all whatsoever wrong with my brain. (other than I'm totally crazy) HA~! The not so good news is that the test I had done at the cardiologist on Friday morning revealed a small hole in my heart. Hold tight...it sounds worse than it is I think. I knew they fond something because I saw it happen on the Ultrasound that they did. They were looking for bubbles to shoot out from my heart anywhere - indicating pin hole size holes in the wall of my heart. Well, I saw the bubbles and the technician knew it. She was honest with me and told me what she had seen as well but also told me that my cardiologist would need to review the test and give me her findings "officially" later in the day.
I left the doctor's office nervous but again refused to dwell on it. I knew I had a flight that afternoon and wanted to remain excited about the trip rather than let the enemy take over my thoughts and flood my brain with negative assumptions. I started to mention it on the blog Friday and ask for prayers but I decided to wait until I talked to my cardiologist first before jumping the gun. Unfortunately, like I knew she would because God just loves to test my patience, my cardiologist called my cell as we were in flight on the plane Friday afternoon. By the time we landed and I got her voicemail, their office was closed for the weekend. Yes, I had to sit all weekend long and wait until this morning to call her back. Talk about torture. Long story even longer, I left her a message this morning and she called me back right away. In a nutshell, the findings of the test proved that I have what is called Patent Foramen Ovale. (PFO) You can read about PFO, what it entails, its symptoms, etc. by clicking HERE and HERE. My cardiologist told me that I needed to run out and grab some aspirin and begin taking 325mg's of it every day. The aspirin is a stroke preventative. I know, I know...gasp. I've done a few gasps but I'm also telling the good Lord above that I'm done with the gasps. I've turned this over to him and am leaving it all in his hands. Sometimes PFO's are treated with open heart surgery. The positive is that my doc didn't feel that the hole I have needs that invasive measure and that the aspirin regimen is good for now. I'm happy with that. Very happy with that. I'm also happy that this finding is a good explanation for the headaches I've battled and more so lately than before. The cardiologist worried when I mentioned my eye drooping from the one episode because she said that a PFO can lead to strokes or mini-strokes. I guess the fact that I had the drooping happen alarmed her and thus why she ordered that test. In the end, I'm glad she did. She said most people go thru life and don't realize that they have PFO until something happens and it is discovered then. I'm grateful for an incredible doctor who errs on the side of caution and who ran every test that came to mind until God finally lead us to this point. I'm glad to be aware of it and "preventing" any future issue as much as I possibly can.
So, as I'm here in Florida observing the most mundane things in an overly beautiful way - behind my lenses...I'm also thanking God for the beauty of impeccable doctors, an extraordinary nursing staff and overly intelligent ultrasound technicians who know the heart like nobodies business and whom are also honest with their patient when they realize the patient has seen what 'they' just saw. Yes, let's just leave it at the fact that Angie is smarter than the average bear. I know shooting bubbles from the heart wall when I see them. Ha ha!
Life will undoubtedly be different from here on out for me. I've been keenly aware of my body and it's normal and not so normal issues lately and now I'll be even more keenly aware of them than ever before. The good part is that all of these medical issues make a bit more sense now. Most importantly though, I'm so humbled by the BIG God that I serve who takes care of me and looks out for me. I'm so humbled by the fact that months and months worth of testing lead to an answer and that it is through his Grace that I arrived there. It is via his peace that kept me sane up to this point and assured me that I was not going crazy. It is via his love which will carry me thru the future years with comfort and faith that he is always ultimately in TOTAL control.
PS...One of my best friends from highschool recently found out that her Mom has bladder cancer. Her Mother is undergoing surgery today to remove that cancer and make sure it hasn't spread to her liver or lymphnodes. Please pray for her and her family in general. My heart has been aching for all of them since I found out. I grew up with her Mom and have always loved her dearly. Such a trendy, spunky, fun woman. It is yet another confirmation that we are getting older, our parents are falling ill, we are experiencing our own medical problems, and that we NEED OUR GIRLFRIENDS! Praying for you guys today K...please call or text me ASAP once the surgery is over. Big hugs...love you, Ang
The Salsa Splash Spring/Summer set. Again, sorry for the backdrop on these images. Kenidi was in rare form so I just got the best shots I could get in that moment. This set is available in sizes 2 years thru size 10. We can also do it for the moms in adult sizes as well if interested.
The pictures can do the talking. Should you have questions about the design or the set itself, feel free to email me directly.
PS...Sorry for the delay in getting this up last night as planned. We had an unexpected even take place and it stahled my plans. I have one last new set to list tomorrow. Also, the guitar and heart winged pendants are back in stock. Get them while you can! They all flew out the door within 48 hours last time. xoxoxo, Angie
OK...here is the one of three new AGD Spring designs for the Spring/Summer collection. Now...please bare with these images. Kenidi turned out to be in a mood that didn't include modeling for this particular day. Therefore, all three new sets are modeled in front of the front door, door mat and all, because she would've jumped in the ocean with these clothes and all should I have attempted to take these shots at the beach like originally planned. So...love them or hate them - entry wall too. HA!
This set is called "Roses in Bloom." I love the colors in it. Aqua/ Turquoise which is my favorite color of all time and then the pink to go along side it. I must say that this set was a huge hit while in Florida. It was gorgeous for the environment we were in. So springy, so girlie, so fun!
The big bell flared pant is a classic. Love those. Wish I had a pair for myself actually. Then, the top is finished off with vintage rhinestone buttons. YUMMY! Nothing like a little old to go with the new. A little bling to go with the shabby.
And of course each design always comes adorned with genuine AGD labels to prove the authenticity.
Kenidi loves doing her "funky chicken" dance. The girl has got skillz - let me tell ya'! Ha ha!
Alright Mommy...enough photos. I'm over it now. Just tell them where they can find it at...
Order your ROSES IN BLOOM set HERE. We'll be introducing another new set tomorrow and the third one on Wednesday. Stay tuned. Also, we have another round of the guitar and cross winged necklaces that will be in stock again by weeks end. Remember those? They will be available HERE once back in stock later this week. Stay tuned...lots of newness in the coming days. Enjoy...Angie
