Saturday, August 01, 2009

Clay Aiken Boosts Blood Pressure


ON THE RISE -- Gazing at Clay Aiken photos just might affect one's blood pressure. Graphic by AmazingCA, photo by fivegoldens.

Blood Pressure Penance

Heart Checkup Nets Homework

Looking through photos of Clay Aiken can send a gal's blood pressure soaring, and this week mine took a leap at just the wrong time -- in the doctor's office!

Since a couple of stents came into my life three years ago, semi-annual checkups with a cardiologist are a staple on my calendar. I always walk into the lady's office with my fingers crossed, hoping all is well and that there's no need for more hardware.

After making my way through the obstacle course created by building construction repairs, I failed the first part of the exam with elevated blood pressure. It's been years since I have registered a reading as high as 170/90.

Next up was the electrocardiogram (EKG) -- 10 minutes to set it up and literally 10 seconds to run. I passed this test with flying colors, though some of the sticky goo that holds the electrodes in place accompanied me home and hung around for several hours.

'White Coat Syndrome' Strikes

I supposed Dr. T liked what she heard with her stethoscope because our post-exam session centered around the elevated BP. She admitted that blood pressure can register high due to any number of reasons, one being the "white coat syndrome."

Could be, but my "homework" for a week is to take my BP and pulse twice daily with a computerized get-up. So far, the readings have been nothing but normal except for the night I wrestled with the cuff several minutes to place it in the correct position. I learned my lesson though; anywhere in the zone is just fine with me.

I have three physicians in this one building. Thinking I was safely on an every other year schedule, I double-checked with the OB-GYN desk just to be sure. Me and my big mouth -- I now have an appointment for that department in September.

I had planned to stop by the grocery store on the way home. When I finally left the doctor's office two hours later, the humidity was dense, the temperature off the charts, and I was still kicking myself for opening my mouth in the OB-GYN office.

I opted instead to drive through Hardee's for a double bacon cheeseburger!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: These Clay Aiken graphics promise to boost a little blood pressure. Featured are cindilu2, 1 (August calendar); AmazingCA, with photos by fivegoldens, 2 and 3, and Tasapio, 4; and cindilu2, photos by scrpkym and toni7babe, 5. Widescreen versions of the August calendar graphics are available at the artist's Yuku page.









Blue-Bound Bird for Dinner

I finally made it to the grocery story Saturday morning. A staple of my weekly shopping is a Harris Teeter roasted chicken, which the deli normally secures with red string. Today, however, it was blue.

Having watched my share of movies this summer, my first thought was "Bridget Jones's Diary" in which the lead character accidentally prepares blue soup due to the color of string. As much as I love blue, I sure hope that only happens in the movies.

Friday members of Clay's fan club were treated to another round of Questions and Answers by the singer. The most popular reply came when he hinted that news is just a week or two away.


Is It Soon Yet?
Graphic by Fountaindawg

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro


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17 comments:

T said...

Great blog and really like your blog heading "Clay Aiken Boosts Blood Pressure". It's how you write that captures us with your blogs. Enjoyed reading your experiences & the humor with opting for a double bacon cheeseburger to the Blue-Bound Bird for dinner. Happy that BP has normalized.

So nice to see Cindilu's graphic and calendar. Beautiful! Thanks so much also for including the other graphics. I'm going back to all the amazing photos taken by many Clay fans. Brings back so much fond memories.

Whatever the news will be, it's still good that we're hearing from Clay.

Cheers Caro to another fantastic blog!

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

Great Blog, as always.....Do you think the blood pressure could be a combination of White Coat and Clay Aiken? Too funny double bacon cheeseburger, I would have done the same thing!! lol

Loving all the graphics and the calendar.....August 1!!!! Where did July go???

Loved hearing from Clay last evening...WooHoo

Have a great weekend...

Hugs,
Marlyne

Unknown said...

I giggled all evening after you told me the "Burger" story. HAHAHA

So glad you shared it with your readers.

Sally

Ashes said...

Love it! Not the elevated BP of course, but your cheeseburger medicine..must have worked since the BP has lowered..that's great!

Clay Aiken certainly raises the BP, but he is good medicine, not like the white coat syndrome.

Gorgeous new graphics--oops, I feel my temperature rising!

SueReu said...

:-0 What would happen if you saw Clay Aiken in a white coat?? hummmmmm

I'm so glad everything is a-okay. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bridget Jones' Diary!!! I forgot to list that one on your movie blog LOL!!!

Loved the blends - they are always so gorgeous (of course they have a gorgeous subject)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cindy said...

Hey Caro,

Glad the White Coat visit was mostly good news. Cheeeseburger therapy sounds like my kind of medicine!

But Clay can get my blood pumping any ol' way he pleases - it's all good!

Thanks for spotlighting the graphics - they are all beautiful. Like 'T' said, revisiting some of the gorgeous fan photos of the past few years is *almost* as good as new stuff.

Anonymous said...

Love Love Love the Clay Aiken blends, caro!! Love Clay too :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear that Clay Aiken doesn't keep your blood pressure up all the time! I always enjoy your well written blogs and the wonderful graphics included within. Thanks.

PaulaBear said...

Great blog and especially love those Clay Aiken pics! Thanks caro!

Anonymous said...

Kewl blog! Fun to read and yummy to look at. Glad you're pressure is stabilizing, that's good to hear.
I wonder if your blue roast chicken is like the spit roasted BBQ chicken treat at my deli.
happy Sunday!
CsM

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

Great blog! I hope you get good news from all of your doctors. I missed that q & a-my family arrived from Arizona and we've been visiting them.
Take care & God bless. Love always, Cynthia

barb 55 said...

Awesome blog, Caro! Love all of the beautiful blends by our talented graphic artists.

Don't you just love going to the doctor?! I do think the white coat syndrome can shoot our blood pressure up, along with OMC. LOL

My blood pressure runs low, around 90 over 60, but is always higher at the doctor's office which it probably more normal.

Love the way you write and it's always a special treat to visit your blogs. Thanks again for sharing with us!

Hope you're having a great day!

Love and hugs,
Barbara

musicfan said...

Caro......This was a great blog. Your style is so entertaining.

Yes, Clay does do things to blood-pressure!!

I hope your BP stays down.

Thanks again for the great blog and the time you spend to support Clay and entertain us!!

gerra said...

He certainly does that! My blood pressure and my spirits. Always fun and interesting.

Love the graphics! Fountaindawg's is my wall paper and will be until yet finally gets here.

LovesClaysVoice said...

Great blog and graphics Caro! I have to agree that Clay gets my blood pressure up!

Anonymous said...

Good blog, enjoyed it. Clay is quite the guy. Enjoy your site and enjoy all you do to keep us up to date with that Clay. You take care of yourself ,please. Thanks, Donna in Wi.

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro. Glad that your check up turned out well. Except for Clay boosting your blood pressure. :)

I really am glad that you had a good check up and only a minor issue that was probably nerves. I think the bacon-cheeseburger is just what the Dr. ordered but dont tell him that. Heee

Love the graphics too. They are always beautiful to look at and we all have a little rise in BP when we look at such wonderful graphics of Clay. :)

((HUGS))

Kathy/Aspiegirl