tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39279202139447434142024-02-06T21:41:35.331-05:00Carpe DiemHow does an almost 46 year old married mom keep her sanity with 3 kids, 1 hubby, 2 parents, 2 chronic diseases, and a brain tumor? Lots of coffee and luck, of course!Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-3799703787482969582011-09-08T15:32:00.003-04:002011-09-08T15:42:36.659-04:00Ten Years Gone<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Here is my original post detailing the horrors of 9/11/2001 for me from the 5th year anniversary:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://dawn-carpediem-seizetheday.blogspot.com/2006/09/911-end-of-innocence.html">http://dawn-carpediem-seizetheday.blogspot.com/2006/09/911-end-of-innocence.html</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Here also is my blog post containt the 2996 Project links for our friend, John M. Griffin. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://dawn-carpediem-seizetheday.blogspot.com/2006/09/2996-project-for-911.html">http://dawn-carpediem-seizetheday.blogspot.com/2006/09/2996-project-for-911.html</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">We will never forget you, John. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">We will NEVER FORGET any of you. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">People who didn't live in the shadow of NY or the Pentagon or even Shanksville, PA cannot know and truly understand the magnitude of how it was to live each day with the smell, the fear, the horror - and how it changed especially NYC permanently.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">The Pentagon is fixed. The grass is regrown in the field in PA. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">In NYC we still have a huge hole, a gaping wound in our skyline and our hearts that we bear each day. Even when 'something' is there in its place, it will never be our Twin Towers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Dawn</span>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-70449708924665109282011-07-12T15:29:00.006-04:002011-07-12T16:24:00.691-04:00All She Wants To Do Is Dance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnQCn3nQNmY4bBPi2hh1z9aV5kOoTMQxPqXTBvfYGmMmIQe_8pfH_o-8rSXUrPAUKofdj9ZwdC9a2L4OoTZJga2CnwdUOLr61jSwruSWSl33tYS4LmACXpbmIfSGAAoIVJIdd0IIkGdo/s1600/Hope_Gradb.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628553097679000162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnQCn3nQNmY4bBPi2hh1z9aV5kOoTMQxPqXTBvfYGmMmIQe_8pfH_o-8rSXUrPAUKofdj9ZwdC9a2L4OoTZJga2CnwdUOLr61jSwruSWSl33tYS4LmACXpbmIfSGAAoIVJIdd0IIkGdo/s400/Hope_Gradb.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >So, that is Pumpkin, now 14, graduating from 8th Grade, junior high, and stepping off into the world of high school... </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >In March we found out Pumpkin was not having growing pains in her feet, ankles and knees, but instead it was a form of systemic arthritis. Since then it is confirmed that Pumpkin has JRA, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >Of course, having me as her mom, there was a higher chance of it happening than if I didn't have the lupus etc. Sigh. How do you deal with that? Well, you don't really. You feel like shit. You feel guilty. You feel angry. You feel sad. </span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >Then, you realize none of those emotions - and certainly not the 'blame game' is going to help anyone. Especially, not Pumpkin. </span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >So, you shove all that down and focus on her and her needs, wants and desires and making her life as uncomplicated and easy as you can while coping with a chronic disease. </span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >We have a great pediatric doctor. Her office is also fantastic and I am very happy with their responsiveness and help so far. Believe me - that is half the battle. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >We address the symptoms by helping her cope with the pain and anti-inflammation via medicines and we address the disease directly by adding a DMARD (disease modifying anti rheumatic drug), in this case methotrexate. It suppresses her immune system so it will be more difficult for it to attack itself. I, too, am on the same drug once a week. </span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pumpkin just started this bigger gun last week with a small dose and this week with her regular dose of 15mgs, and she has tolerated it well and I am happy to say she is feeling better.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >Usually, it takes a few weeks for it to kick in, but a lucky few get instant relief. It seems she has been that lucky. :::knocking wood:::</span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >In fact she is walking on the treadmill right now, second day in the row!</span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >The road ahead will not be without its obstacles. However, I will be there paving the way the best way I know how. </span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >I may not be able to bend the universe to my will but I WILL make it quiver a bit when it comes to my babies and making life right for them.</span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >And when she wants to dance... she will.</span></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >be well,<br />Dawn</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-20361138630296540782010-11-03T12:39:00.004-04:002010-11-03T12:49:56.822-04:00Vote for me!!!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;">Hi everyone! Miss you and love you all! Been crazy busy, kids are good, hubby and I are good too! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;">Can I ask a favor... Can you vote for my picture to win in a contest? Here is the link... I am picture #2, the cat reading a Kindle, with the book 'Grave Witch', which is AWESOME! Thanks!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;">Link: <a href="http://kalayna.blogspot.com/2010/11/nano-day-2-and-grave-witch-in-wild.html">http://kalayna.blogspot.com/2010/11/nano-day-2-and-grave-witch-in-wild.html</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;">be well,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;">Dawn</span>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-6637635863142515402010-05-29T15:27:00.008-04:002010-05-30T14:29:40.439-04:00Since (I've) Been Gone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvt_rYa0Pu7dzWLqDabPHRYfJWlwzWn3UmjdasF67Drvy3BPJ0MliulEzbdCDXC5vCLDSQP3n7blrHhTPy4hWwkyARMdG96-WebroopwA2m2bgIlvfq9qJvYvXiJGMIhnpifuHh0SikA/s1600/eagle2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476787763998816242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvt_rYa0Pu7dzWLqDabPHRYfJWlwzWn3UmjdasF67Drvy3BPJ0MliulEzbdCDXC5vCLDSQP3n7blrHhTPy4hWwkyARMdG96-WebroopwA2m2bgIlvfq9qJvYvXiJGMIhnpifuHh0SikA/s400/eagle2.bmp" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Wow, so much has gone on in the last month, and yet, so much has not happened all at the same time. Strange that. Very strange.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Bringing you up to speed... The biggest news by far is that my boys had their Eagle Scout Court of Honor... picture above. They have about 10 plaques and 30 plus letters each from local, state, and national organizations, current and former presidents, vp's, senators, governors etc. It was a really moving ceremony (altho 95 degrees in the school gym) and afterward we had a nice party back at the house!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">The Eagle Scout ceremony was the at the end of a string of consecutive weekends of camping and the HUGE spaghetti dinner fund raiser that the Scouts do and my Hubby chairs. And, the Monday right after I went away!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Mom and I went to Atlantic City for her work. This was my 4th May conference with my mom. It was nice. We enjoyed ourselves and I came home with $100 more than I left with! Always a plus! We had nice dinners and fun playing poker machines and lots of slots.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Unfortunately, my health didn't cooperate fully during any of this and by the time I arrived home I was a mess. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Full lupus flare, with the whole peripheral neuropathy thing going on. That is pins/needles/numbness and pain. It was down my entire right side. From the tip of my head to my toes. I have spent the last week tossing and turning, and resting.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">I have been experimenting with my meds and with self medicating with a little wine/beer/or liquor to help me sleep. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but I am waiting to get into the new rheumatologist in July. Ack.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">This weekend, Memorial Weekend (kudos and thank you to all in the service, past and present) we have nothing much to do. Tomorrow, the boys are heading in to NYC to see the Fleet Week ships and then we have a family BBQ to go to. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Coming soon we have a combination Scout trip and family trip to the Inner Harbor, Baltimore. My dad is coming too (mom and my bil Uncle K will be home) and we are trying to get to a game at Camden Yards on Friday night, Saturday is Fort McHenry, then Hubby and the kids are sleeping on the USS Constellation with the troop. The ship was a former slave ship before being commandeered for the Navy and becoming a war ship in the Civil War and after. Then, Sunday we want to go to the National Aquarium. It is awesome. We visited in 2001 and the kids barely remember it. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">As you can imagine, having the Lupus acting up is not going to mesh with the Baltimore weekend plans. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Enter the PREDNISONE. Yes folks, this will be my third round of the dreaded stuff since the holidays. It's a love hate relationship... it works, but the long term side effects are not good. Even in the short term a taper makes you a little nuts, but I need to do it. I need to be in better shape to push my body for the trip.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Things have been hard. Very hard. Lots of tears, lots of frustration. Lots of pain and not enough meds to cope. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">It is hard realizing that I am probably not going to be able to do all the things I thought I would do. I want to travel, see the US and Europe, Alaska, Australia. Probably not going to happen. I want to see my grandchildren and do awesome stuff with them... I can barely do stuff with my kids, so that is probably not going to happen. I thought I would go back to school someday for fun... probably not going to happen. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">I often feel I am not enough. Not good enough at being a mom, at being a wife, at being a daughter. Lots of little comments and jibes from family seemed to be repeatedly driving that point home. Why isn't this done? Why can't you? Why are you too tired? Why? Why? Why?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">They know why. I know why. It sucks for everyone dealing with this chronic illness/disease/pain.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">It's been hard. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Yesterday, I was having a particularly bad day and my dad handed me a box. He said it was a Mother's Day gift he bought me but it was on backorder and just arrived. It is a gold heart with rose and a ruby. On the back it says, 'My little girl yesterday, my friend today, my daughter forever'. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Needless to say I was overwhelmed. Lots of tears.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Maybe, life isn't that bad. Maybe the fact that I am blessed with the love of my parents and Hubby and kids is enough. It is has <em>always</em> been enough for me, but...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">... even more importantly, maybe I am <em>enough</em> for them. Maybe just maybe.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Hope this finds you well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-24928137652716223832010-04-27T14:16:00.003-04:002010-04-27T14:30:43.553-04:00Viva la Vida?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZy7Uqp0xW8Mky-Uikk0aFdxc2C2MbVlrupYVxIrbiklWe7h5ShvrSfdr8a5l0_5YLvO2OyVnn7x2torzav2bmJye3WzDOPa0Co1LY44_VOD4Vzh1ABBngqk7u_wgYW0rHciNO39Fmro/s1600/leashprotect.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464886489111191138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZy7Uqp0xW8Mky-Uikk0aFdxc2C2MbVlrupYVxIrbiklWe7h5ShvrSfdr8a5l0_5YLvO2OyVnn7x2torzav2bmJye3WzDOPa0Co1LY44_VOD4Vzh1ABBngqk7u_wgYW0rHciNO39Fmro/s400/leashprotect.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">A very important list for those with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and/or Lupus, and/or Fibromyalgia. (aww hell, for any of the auto-immune arthritic diseases) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">How not to Cripple Yourself</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">1. Do not scrub your bathroom tub tile walls until your hands can no longer hold the brush, and your back appears to be stuck in the bent position for the bottom half. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">2. Do not do wash in the middle of the night after a long day.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">3. Do not do a lot of writing and errands the next day, forgetting that sometimes the swelling and pain takes a while to set in.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">4. DO try to hide the fact that you are crying in frustration and pain for hours and hours.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">5. DO take pain killers before you get to that point. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">6. DO text/talk with someone who understands and asks the right questions and doesn't say dumb things like 'It will be ok.' (Uncle K, thank you)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">7. DO hope/pray/light candles etc that you will get an appointment soon with a new rheumatologist since you really don't like the one you have now. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">8. DO go for the yummy! ;-) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">9. DO play silly computer or iphones games to distract yourself.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">10. DO remember that it won't be ok, but it will get better than right now.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-1859296167613775742010-03-11T14:38:00.005-05:002010-03-11T15:04:00.904-05:00Thankful Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeKuVJxS7W5DV8KMQb0Yp58b-znsjXQb2EKYRD3UVS4dhATjOyfrCg-4XrjLUH_xNMjEvMf2Br9qjMSb0-uE9izxhIKfJ3L6GzxepZM8DPuUc7IHX6BolTF3ChUMbgJvUSBOt19_SVEU/s1600-h/naphere.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447468965418645570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeKuVJxS7W5DV8KMQb0Yp58b-znsjXQb2EKYRD3UVS4dhATjOyfrCg-4XrjLUH_xNMjEvMf2Br9qjMSb0-uE9izxhIKfJ3L6GzxepZM8DPuUc7IHX6BolTF3ChUMbgJvUSBOt19_SVEU/s400/naphere.bmp" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">I have so much to be thankful for, so many blessings.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">However, today, I am in pain, tired and weepy. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">I hate that.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">So, I got up, took my morning meds, got dressed, ate some food and took a vicodin (which I hate to do), drank 2 coffees, drank an orange juice, checked emails, and crackbook, er Facebook, I mean, and now, I am here.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">Weepy because I am so blessed. Weepy because I really wish I could ENJOY my blessings more.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">Today lupus/rheumatoid arthritis is kicking my ass.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">Anyhow...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">1. Coffee. Thank you, Juan Valdez. Green Mountain. Keurig. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">2. My kids. My life. My heart. My reason.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">3. My parents. Dad's 70th Birthday was yesterday. We had a surprise dinner for him on Saturday night, just adults, with my cousin Karol and my sister/bff Kathy. He is their surrogate dad in many ways and they wouldn't miss it for the world. It was nice. Last night was dinner out with the kids and Uncle K, who couldn't make it on Saturday due to work. :-) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">4. Reading. Oh how I love to read! AND, I am so blessed that my kids ALL have the reading bug too! YAY!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">5. Tonight, Fuzzy will have his Eagle Scout Board of Review... and he should be elected as one with no problem! The big public ceremony will be in May and he and Hammer will have that together!!! I am so proud!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">6. Libby. She is snuggled on the floor right next to me as I type. If I get up, she follows, and then reclines near me, wherever I may go. Nothing like a dog for loyalty!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">7. The cats! Oh the fun they are having with mylar balloons from dad's birthday floating about! They are so funny!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">8. American Idol. I enjoy watching it each season. By extension, I am grateful for music. It is just such a wonderful gift and part of life. It can help lift you up, pump you up, express love, hate, frustration or fun!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">9. Piano. I love listening to Pumpkin play piano! She is so gifted... and doesn't get it! LOL</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">10. My friends. Thank you, your support means the world to me. Truly.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;">be well...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663333;"></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-12890137616054403892010-03-10T14:31:00.003-05:002010-03-10T14:36:33.400-05:00Wordless Wednesday<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447090895410839186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcN1YFwTTx5udsmE4isci1Axkd1wKzzHgRJroKTiC9Y2o7PsWXAEVxbdpBkxtboZ2c56CORz0QGO0L-XIAw6RMbD9woX4W29eopiMmKyiiLSlzsXHFCvV3a7TZHgcPseQkozh0AX-FQw/s400/dad70.jpg" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dQgJw7dstuU_ORWXXcaObK7wjxLRVBw0Ku1vmP3TEk29NdIR7YPF8wQNBYwSZu8jZ5_QNosZKMjCaA5sh2uewjhpDp3PFsf5l8_v3bLQ2vX_1PPSnY5JnTXVgpp2xOIm2puDpIvUljY/s1600-h/Eagleprojectcollection.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447090892191731378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dQgJw7dstuU_ORWXXcaObK7wjxLRVBw0Ku1vmP3TEk29NdIR7YPF8wQNBYwSZu8jZ5_QNosZKMjCaA5sh2uewjhpDp3PFsf5l8_v3bLQ2vX_1PPSnY5JnTXVgpp2xOIm2puDpIvUljY/s400/Eagleprojectcollection.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Going to cheat today and say...</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Happy 70th Birthday, Daddy!!!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"> </div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-12329928823346075582010-03-09T17:01:00.003-05:002010-03-09T18:13:05.097-05:00Blaze of Glory<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6qjoo-gliNW5nuvqnQc3uQll7eLYE9NXZ1zMSdEH9k1jrHumpp9k-OBP6-bupeKuoW80saFDKXfe9InlpDd0FI3kEzmQWhQnUwlBcmiBzmEdULNZEq9c7uvNT3XQfcK3_E9r3RPXMJs/s1600-h/momforcefield.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446775937728055026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6qjoo-gliNW5nuvqnQc3uQll7eLYE9NXZ1zMSdEH9k1jrHumpp9k-OBP6-bupeKuoW80saFDKXfe9InlpDd0FI3kEzmQWhQnUwlBcmiBzmEdULNZEq9c7uvNT3XQfcK3_E9r3RPXMJs/s400/momforcefield.bmp" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Fuzzy finished his Eagle Scout project this weekend. Phew! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Stay tuned tomorrow for a Wordless Wednesday picture that will highlight his efforts!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Warning: Mommy braggin' below! LOL</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Fuzzy collected items over a two week period at 3 locations Mon - Fri and 2 locations on Saturdays. (two schools, and police station)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">In addition to 2 huge boxes of items, also collected was over $420.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Who is to receive this windfall?</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Regardless of your personal feelings about the political reasons/situations that resulted in our deployment of these soldiers - <em><strong>they are there.</strong></em> At the whim of our government, putting themselves on the line every day. They deserve our support, and if we can give them a little comfort - that too.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">The Letter from Home Program at lettersfromhome.org will be the liason between Fuzzy and the soldiers. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I am very proud of my boy.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">This Thursday will be his board of review, and barring any unforseen difficulty, Fuzzy will become an Eagle Scout at that time, soon to join Hammer in the formal presentation at the Court of Honor in May. :-)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Fuzzy has had a very rough month too, after just getting over an ear infection in January and injuring his leg/knee with an almost break and tearing the ligments, last week he was sidelined by a bad cold that went straight to bad bronchitis and asthma flare up. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">This week he is completing the final Eagle Scout Project details, making up school work, arranging to make up NJ State school testing, and serving our township in Youth Month! The students who volunteer are assigned two counterparts in the municipal government. One is a township employee, the other is a member of the Mayor and Council. Very cool opportunity. Fuzzy and Pumpkin are both participating this year! </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Tonight is a meeting of the Planning Board and Fuzzy will be attending.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">My youngest son and middle child is maturing into a fine young man. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I will tell myself that over and over as he gives me that teenaged rolled eyes face and says 'I knowwwww' everytime I try to remind him of something. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Sigh.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">be well...</span> </div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-22234079014929239522010-03-04T14:33:00.003-05:002010-03-04T15:00:30.554-05:00Thankful Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2HHVEphxkPnDQ4now7HNc-f-Ew0sCP6VkCmeTqjTVanM4Jpvo1oJWocrXuBGryf9jCNZpeCHmTpyAUz3gSgQuz-MPSePrPkCOf7ul6AF8vVhrmyhwF9fFCV42d5nhPpuNYRfAY6nbZE/s1600-h/catvet.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444870990317346370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2HHVEphxkPnDQ4now7HNc-f-Ew0sCP6VkCmeTqjTVanM4Jpvo1oJWocrXuBGryf9jCNZpeCHmTpyAUz3gSgQuz-MPSePrPkCOf7ul6AF8vVhrmyhwF9fFCV42d5nhPpuNYRfAY6nbZE/s400/catvet.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">How did I do three entries last week and miss Thankful Thursday?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">A good question, for which, I have no answer. :::hanging head:::</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">:::perks up:::</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">But, I'm baaaaaaaack!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><span style="color:#333399;">1. Coffee. Oh yes... yum. </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">2. Asthma meds. For Fuzzy. Very thankful indeed, because my son would not be able to breathe and might be one of thousands of children each year who die in asthma related deaths, usually because they are not being treated for it. (just one shameful aspect of our stupid healthcare system)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">3. My husband. I have been going through a particularly difficult time of late for a variety of reasons that I am not going to recount here and now. Suffice it to say that much of it is relating to coping (or not) with chronic illness/pain. ALSO, suffice it to say that I have been, at times, difficult to deal with. I know, I know, hard to believe (:::snicker:::) but true. Hubby has been WONDERFUL and patient. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Except for the one lapse where a smart ass comment sent me careening out of the house in the truck, in my jammies, to McD's, but I won't hold that against him. Or mention it again. I don't think. :::shrug:::</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">4. Uncle K. He won't read this as he is computer deficient, but one of my kids will probably tell him, THANK YOU for being a good friend.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">5. My parents, as always, for all their help.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">6. My kids. The reason I put up their picture yesterday for my Wordless Wednesday post is because they are MY LIFE. MY HEART. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">7. Our quirky humor and family life. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">OMG, you have to hear this... too funny. So, Pumpkin Muffin was being told this joke that had to do all this math. She got each and every answer right and quickly, then at the end she had to 'QUICK, name a vegetable!'</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Her answer: Banana! </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Yep, that's my Distiguished Honor Student! Just brings a tear to your eye... as you realize our future is doomed!!! LOL </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">8. My friend Donna, a childhood friend, that I have reconnected with on Facebook! After many email conversations, we are getting together for coffee tomorrow! YAY! :-)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">9. Books. This week I have read, Kalayna Price 'Twice Dead', Jane Austen 'Sense and Sensibility', Stephen Coonts 'The Disciple' and I am reading Mark Henry 'Battle of the Network Zombies' (for free on kindle this month!). The latter has had me laughing out loud so hard, I had tears rolling from my eyes! (A warning though, the book has graphic language, violence and sex - all done hilariously, but it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea!) </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">10. American Idol! Not sure who is my absolute fave yet, but I am enjoying it! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Okay... time to go! Pumpkin Muffin will be walking in the door any second and will demand all my attention to discuss her day prior to starting homework!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333399;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-85596069037700183372010-03-03T17:24:00.002-05:002010-03-03T17:25:56.536-05:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVEhCoQmfnSZcnemRQEwH6r2srBeqLZBR8DqTAHYkDno2ypyicBvXXdBwYLJELg3s9I_twx6BZnom_iVOQC1qn8jIKAcKOjecWdIDnAz6jvrYCJ8J5w9sL6uf-1z8RhrfXrqoPeFeQH8/s1600-h/kidsatcampsite.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444537365338554050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVEhCoQmfnSZcnemRQEwH6r2srBeqLZBR8DqTAHYkDno2ypyicBvXXdBwYLJELg3s9I_twx6BZnom_iVOQC1qn8jIKAcKOjecWdIDnAz6jvrYCJ8J5w9sL6uf-1z8RhrfXrqoPeFeQH8/s400/kidsatcampsite.bmp" /></a><br /><div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-64884388755745127922010-02-24T14:26:00.000-05:002010-02-24T14:27:05.343-05:00Wordless Wednesday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMDzuJKS1ipesS8Uf3k1nWYOYBh68i6lQaPGpMy2R85ijd1hrB5eyrvBxnvvKcagkb4E0N5wObt7X-J6UByTj9Yak1E52Y_m8Ie1_mv3qvA9ni9XFgaXxlvMm63HMaOIuAiq4aA06u98/s1600-h/aaa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441893672254074690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMDzuJKS1ipesS8Uf3k1nWYOYBh68i6lQaPGpMy2R85ijd1hrB5eyrvBxnvvKcagkb4E0N5wObt7X-J6UByTj9Yak1E52Y_m8Ie1_mv3qvA9ni9XFgaXxlvMm63HMaOIuAiq4aA06u98/s400/aaa.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-6470372325432116722010-02-23T20:24:00.003-05:002010-02-23T20:44:45.271-05:00Daughters<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSJToFGFGtQ4E8fVogRijY6JKY3F8TMnABNcJEmoCSayQm-Q-CqaXOpxbC9nEyOhGue2bLpKjbBw_22-x1GajOKifE2H8iINMPUf95uub_NJEp47SkXyZ8lLzU_09Mkkb_tbhmIABK4U/s1600-h/algeblah.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441619511725262594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSJToFGFGtQ4E8fVogRijY6JKY3F8TMnABNcJEmoCSayQm-Q-CqaXOpxbC9nEyOhGue2bLpKjbBw_22-x1GajOKifE2H8iINMPUf95uub_NJEp47SkXyZ8lLzU_09Mkkb_tbhmIABK4U/s400/algeblah.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Pumpkin can be a force of nature.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Sometimes she just does not understand why the world will not bend to her will.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Today, it is her honors pre-algebra that is giving her fits. It isn't that she can't understand or learn what is required; she just doesn't think that she needs this particular knowledge at all or the way her teacher wants her to learn it and she wants the math curriculum to be changed.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">NOW.</span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Pumpkin also is angry that she has her period <em>again</em>. She yelled earlier 'Who's stupid design idea was it that we get this thing for YEARS before we need it and for YEARS after we need it?' </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">As a peri-menopausal woman of 44, I agree wholeheartedly, but that isn't where I was going with this post. LOL</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Although tempted to just shake my head at Pumpkin's stubborness and blow it off, maybe, just maybe, her stubborn unacceptance of these and many other inconveniences/occurences in her life will serve her well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Maybe far<em> better</em> than my own quiet, calm, acceptance that was part of my personality growing up. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I guess only time will tell, and I am in no rush to find out. There is plenty of time for reflection on it all years from now when she is an adult and I am in a rocking chair, maybe with a few grandkids nearby.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">And, I am enjoying the show <em>too</em> much to wish it away too quickly.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-28914476310429754682010-02-21T16:26:00.003-05:002010-02-21T16:57:17.138-05:00Tik Tok<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLQLg45L2zZS195LN2hk7ul1I6LkI9OU15s31fU8LzWLg8zTSthXkiaJOMrZRmBtXok0SIxwo8IBLbXi2E7Af2-XWmTkVHLQO-wlUpWz203bP25_9Vzc1jSka947iixr2LjUavmBOBmg/s1600-h/snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440819162201543154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLQLg45L2zZS195LN2hk7ul1I6LkI9OU15s31fU8LzWLg8zTSthXkiaJOMrZRmBtXok0SIxwo8IBLbXi2E7Af2-XWmTkVHLQO-wlUpWz203bP25_9Vzc1jSka947iixr2LjUavmBOBmg/s400/snow.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Tempus fugit. Time flies. Youth is wasted on the young.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">All so true.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">But, you don't really get it until <em>you</em> are of a certain age.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I remember my mom telling me all the time when I was a kid and a teen, that each year that passes gets faster and faster. I thought that was the most ridiculous statement I ever heard! A year is a year! Period. 365 days. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Somewhere in my mid-thirties I started to get it. Now, I <em>know</em> it is true.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">So, what to do? How do live life to its fullest, to the utmost of your ability when you are saddled with chronic illness that impedes it?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">How do you do it when the mind and heart is willing but the flesh is too weak, too painful, too impaired?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">How do you not become endlessly frustrated? Like the Greek legend of Sisyphus, pushing the gigantic rock up the hill and having it fall back down on you crushing you for all eternity OVER and OVER again?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">How?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Oh. Were you expecting me to have some wise and wonderful answer to give? Some glib answer, or pollyanna-ish retort saying 'don't worry, be happy'? </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Because if you were expecting that of me, hoping to read that today, you are in the <em>wrong </em>place. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Nope. I don't know how <em>not</em> to be frustrated because I am. I am frustrated. I am <em>mad.</em> I AM Sisyphus. I have good days, but know they will only be followed by bad eventually. I have bad days, knowing that the good will come too. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">It is a roller coaster as chronic disease <em>always</em> is and I am always either on the hill ticking up to a high or crashing down to a new low. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">It is very similar to dealing with death/grief and the stages of it. Anger, denial, bargaining, and acceptance, over and over and over. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">There are days I want to scream, wail and keen, 'MAKE IT STOP, LET ME OFF'. Like now. Like today.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I wish that it could be different. I keep hoping for the next great drug to try that may be a magic wand, but truly, no magic wand will ever exist. At least not in my lifetime. The drugs will work and then they won't. There is always hope though, and I do cling to that. I have to do so. The alternative is less pleasant.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I see how easy it would be to spiral into a deep and lasting depression. I really do. The darkness is always there. Just nipping at the heels of the light.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I am in email loop with a group of women some of whom have been dealing with this disease for close to 30 years. Most of them are in the 60's, some in their 50's and one in her 70's, but they all have the same frustrations and maybe some more wisdom. We share each and every day about our lives, and our disease, and our coping or lack there of, and we know that no one else really 'get it' except each other. We cling to that. We have to because we need each other.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I haven't shared with my Loopies (our name for ourselves) my latest crash on the coaster. I don't know why. They will read this blog post and they will know it happened and maybe I'll be ready to talk about it soon. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I am not ready now. I want to get <em>off </em>the coaster. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I want the life that I thought I would have by now. I want the years to slow down because I will never be able to fit in all the things I want to do before I die. I want to take care of my parents, physically and monetarily and emotionally, instead of them taking care of me. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I want the ride to <em>stop.</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">But it won't. Sigh.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Here's to hoping that soon I start to hear that ticking sound. You know the one I mean? The ticking sound that the roller coaster makes as it starts to pull your car to the top again.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-48729256861405541932010-02-18T14:01:00.003-05:002010-02-18T14:27:50.160-05:00Thankful Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPUWnF0RhPs8zQwBj5OA75bzR0yLZSxAQ0Vjh9YEHekrpsO8jsHz1x4Sv5ISDQ9H8PJNjMotplsGZLATVRZuf9fSmaFra9HIkjTqnZkcxR4swDOtAi2V80gDikS-gT6iQzEjI4AbyOw4/s1600-h/kitty+attack.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439667406650838082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPUWnF0RhPs8zQwBj5OA75bzR0yLZSxAQ0Vjh9YEHekrpsO8jsHz1x4Sv5ISDQ9H8PJNjMotplsGZLATVRZuf9fSmaFra9HIkjTqnZkcxR4swDOtAi2V80gDikS-gT6iQzEjI4AbyOw4/s400/kitty+attack.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">1. I am thankful to be back on my blog! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">2. Thankful that Fuzzy seems to have not broken his leg/knee in his injury yesterday, even if we are cautiously treating it as such.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">3. Coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">4. Thankful that my recent head cold/ear infection seems to have resolved itself quickly and on its own.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">5. Thankful that at Pumpkin's 13th birthday party hotel sleepover I was able to get 4 hours of sleep. The girls got 2. lol And, very thankful that we got a reduced room rate and the adjoining room free, including breakfast.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">6. Thankful that both my parents are alive and relatively healthy, and able to give me help and support with the house and the kids. I don't know how I would ever manage without them. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">7. Thankful that both my parents are also my friends. We have fun together and enjoy being together as a family and even just going out as two couples. I am very blessed. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">8. Thankful for all the silly things between my hubby and myself that make me laugh. It is so true that just laughing together or with the kids can be full of healing/soothing energy and it helps me cope.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">9. That Fuzzy will be doing his Eagle Scout project soon over two weekends, and he and Hammer will be able to have their Court of Honor together in May! YAY!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">10. Thankful for friends that in person and online make my life better. The support, love and consideration helps me cope. Coping can sometimes mean whining, complaining, being cranky and sad. Sometimes it means laughing, sharing and hugging. It's great to have pals to share the good and the bad. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">11. Thankful for Facebook. Mindless games help me cope with pain and stress. Reconnecting and staying connected with old friends and new so easily is just a wonderful blessing. We are so lucky for technology that aids us in this way. Yes, you have to wary and set your security settings well and all, but it is worth the time and effort! </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">12. Thankful that Libby is moving better with her arthritis now that we are giving her buffered aspirin twice a day. :-) Thankful that she and the cats give us so much joy. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">Well, that is it for today...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">be well...</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-21811505646870969512010-01-27T13:36:00.005-05:002010-01-27T14:00:04.312-05:00Surrender<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLi0MMcjeCg9MZgSBbY-Wj3XUPnfqn-zLgNW0YwOwl_0B3M9kO0FihTAVwc_nO-2zy2_hgqZ00z72AYr93sfSzwJvF7EP8ZdiN1t7xEDXAY36lpdXY0i_K-s6TG8XnYr4G6xAVIrESDQ/s1600-h/wrongsideofbed.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431495469367187042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLi0MMcjeCg9MZgSBbY-Wj3XUPnfqn-zLgNW0YwOwl_0B3M9kO0FihTAVwc_nO-2zy2_hgqZ00z72AYr93sfSzwJvF7EP8ZdiN1t7xEDXAY36lpdXY0i_K-s6TG8XnYr4G6xAVIrESDQ/s400/wrongsideofbed.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">I have my own version of Fantasy Island.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">I am on a gorgeous tropical island. There is no Tatoo, just me screaming to the heavens, 'Da pain, Da pain!'</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">With that, a shirtless Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, for the uninitiated in comic based movies) arrives at my side, waves his beefcake arms and...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">POOF! </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">The pain disappears, I return to my pre-diseases self (lose near about 80 lbs and some wrinkles), turn to my Hubby and kids laughing, and we head to the beach to the live happily ever after.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Yeah. NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">So, instead, I realize today that yes, after suffering with this nightmare flare for the last week and a half (although it has been building longer) I will give in and go for the prednisone taper.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Surrender.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">I hate taking the vicodin but I have been and you know its bad when doubling up ain't cutting it. That was always the benchmark that my original rheumy recommended. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">For those who don't like TMI, avert your eyes now, for the brave, stay for a glimpse more.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">It has been so bad that I have been avoiding washing my hair. Today, I suffered thru it the first time since Sunday. It was awful. Elbows screaming while shampooing and rinsing and conditioning. Feet hurting from the tension of clinging to my balance. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Thank heavens I am blond and sparse in the hair department. No leg shaving happening this week either. I could go for about 3 weeks before anyone would ever notice. BUT, I know.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Usually nothing stops me from shaving the 15 stubbly hairs under my arm, because Hubby HATES hair. It's a thing with him. Actually gags when they show the girls on Survivor with underarm hair. I laugh at him. Anyhow, I always, always, always do that shave - <em>unless</em> it is in the midst of the flare from hell.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Yep. No shaving the pits today. Bending the elbows more than I had to do for the hair? No way. Holding that small handle in my sore hands? Nah uh. Not gonna happen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Yep. Time to surrender.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Thankfully, I have the prednisone in the house. Will probably do 60-40-30-20-10 -5mgs. I won't sleep the first night because of the jitters. Second night, I may get some winks of sleep but it will be fitful and full of nightmares. By 24 hours in I will become voraciously hungry. And, thirsty which means lots of potty trips. Ugh. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">BUT, but about day 3 I will start to realize... wow, my joints are not as sore and I am able to move better and with less pain. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Yay. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">New rheumy thinks this is more Lupus and Fibro than RA. Old rheumy thought more RA, maybe lupus, probably Fibro too. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">I think it all SUCKS.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Surrender. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Thank heavens for the COFFEE.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-7465576202989765672010-01-15T14:22:00.003-05:002010-01-15T14:43:50.185-05:00Thankful Thursday... yeah yeah yeah, it's Friday again...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_pvCbAkS63Y2YNPu5Pnc0iHMh1x2QZEwkq3d55pqdw7MEgp0dRYk20M6VQsqP0FaFJDv6ygm-ZfBQqLJWvN3ejfhxLrbnC8epR_3QevQAQkZhw9ciRMMOQ-m2GGgcR1UfiDDYmUgh7M/s1600-h/nap.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427054619510835234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_pvCbAkS63Y2YNPu5Pnc0iHMh1x2QZEwkq3d55pqdw7MEgp0dRYk20M6VQsqP0FaFJDv6ygm-ZfBQqLJWvN3ejfhxLrbnC8epR_3QevQAQkZhw9ciRMMOQ-m2GGgcR1UfiDDYmUgh7M/s400/nap.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">:::sigh::: </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I have round 3 of the 'Head Cold of Doom'. That was for you, Hammer. LOL </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Apparently, the germs morphed when Hammer got it and he was able pass it back to me so by Tuesday I was a blubbering, nose blowing, sneezing coughing mess. Still same today... </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I am hopeful that tomorrow will be better. Please. Really. Let it be better. I try to be good. Really really good. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">1. Coffee. 'Nuff said.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">2. Puffs. Yeah. My nose is that red. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">4. Vaseline. It soothes the above nose.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">5. Chapstick. Lips chapped too. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">6. My new pj's from Land's End. Best Christmas present ever when you are repeatedly sick and wearing them nonstop. All day. And, night. Yeah, it's been like that.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">7. My dad. He bought me my favorite donut yesterday from Dunkin' Donuts. He is the best. Truly. :-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">8. My dad again. On another errand after dinner he bought me my favorite potato chips. He rocks. And, he obviously feels sorry about the pathetic sneezing, nose blowing, hacking mess of a human I have been stuck as for the last 7 weeks on and off. Thanks, Daddy. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">9. Books and computer. You have kept me sane.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">10. Nyquil. Cherry. You give me 'sound' sleep for about 4 hours... ahhhh</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Okay... so that is the 'sick' themed thankfuls for this week! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I said this on Facebook... whatever I did in my last life must have been awful because I am paying for it now! :-/ </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I have one serious thankful... </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">11. Fuzzy's ultrasound was negative for appendicitis and gall stones and all we seem to be dealing with is a little nervous stomach. Which sucks, but it is better than anything requiring surgery. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">be well...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-79311804932412427042010-01-08T14:59:00.006-05:002010-01-08T21:49:42.609-05:00Thankful Thursday (yes, I know it is Friday... LOL)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i2djxSoUR2gnAh5vyTVzrlCQq7iU7V8T4lvV9t77_XJtoELaQTfbyZKklXvhriIZ0Ji8MYrf9DB_RpOtJgPI2IKfzknK_kKH-tcqcLte5tev88B1CM5l_BH5cEnqciY2Xls5JCA3-zU/s1600-h/funny-pictures-cat-is-canadian.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424473831912446498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i2djxSoUR2gnAh5vyTVzrlCQq7iU7V8T4lvV9t77_XJtoELaQTfbyZKklXvhriIZ0Ji8MYrf9DB_RpOtJgPI2IKfzknK_kKH-tcqcLte5tev88B1CM5l_BH5cEnqciY2Xls5JCA3-zU/s400/funny-pictures-cat-is-canadian.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">So,I was all excited that we were going to get snow today... but we didn't. Just an inch of nuisance. Feh. Gimme a real snow storm please! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I am late, but better late than never, and I am always ready to count my blessings!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">1. Coffee. Yep. After fighting bronchitis twice this holiday season and having this congestion linger on much too long, coffee is the only way my brain and body seem to be waking up. And, we had that uber cold spell in the 20's and my steaming cup of coffee kept the chill away! :-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">2. Family. I was able to see most of my family and friends over the holidays and I really enjoyed seeing everyone.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">3. My parents. My Mom and Dad who spoiled us all at the holidays!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">4. Fuzzy's new bowling ball! His first two practice games were a 224, a new high for him, and a 168! Very nice!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">5. Farmville! Great for hours of enjoyment while hacking up a lung and wishing you could sleep.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">6. Facebook! Recently, I it has been a blast! One evening this week about 6 of my friends from high school and I had a really giggly silly girl conversation and it was so much fun! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">7. Books. I highly recommend the new Steve Berry 'The Paris Vendetta'. Awesome! Also the new Jeff Shaara 'No Less Than Victory' his final in the WWII trilogy. Fabulous. On a lighter note also good reads Wendy Roberts 'Dead and Kicking' and Charlaine Harris 'Grave Secret'. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">8. Kindle. I love my Kindle. My daddy bought it for me last year and even though there are certain authors I still want in a hardcover book, there are plenty I don't and read on my Kindle which is such a delight for my hands!!! :-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">9. Uncle K. Things are still not completely settled for him, but they are moving forward. Should be all done soon. I am thankful for the time he spends with my kids and being a friend to Hubby and myself.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">10. Libby, Susie, Tina and Pumpkin. My dog and 3 cats. They always provide me with comfort, but this holiday season, lots of laughs too. Lots of cat fights over the tree skirts etc... very amusing! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Well, signing off now!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-26904691497785638602010-01-04T12:51:00.005-05:002010-01-04T13:08:08.573-05:00Cold as Ice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7-vFVRSqqFvBEzMBm7kpyIy9YOkZ_gwPs4-Yey31qDwf4AD5GMokJ_sZb_wMMdM1EjPuK3Yc7PtOjc1-9aGwYwP7sYRX3cGqqVX2ske7cEBFw6JbkKCKb-Ut9l1lBkDJ6inp-Mnghkw/s1600-h/COLD.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422947565061388786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7-vFVRSqqFvBEzMBm7kpyIy9YOkZ_gwPs4-Yey31qDwf4AD5GMokJ_sZb_wMMdM1EjPuK3Yc7PtOjc1-9aGwYwP7sYRX3cGqqVX2ske7cEBFw6JbkKCKb-Ut9l1lBkDJ6inp-Mnghkw/s400/COLD.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Damn! Hate to start off 2010 with a swear, but it is COLD outside! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Yep, a balmy 22 degrees here in NJ! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I plan on staying in the house with multiple cups of coffee to keep me warm!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Oh... wait before we go any further...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;">Happy New Year!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">There. I feel much better.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Speaking of feeling better... I am, but let me explain. First, Fuzzy was really sick and that got the asthma all going. Of course, I got it and had bronchitis before the holidays and just started to be better at Christmas.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Christmas was great - family, friends, love, laughing, happy kids, food etc.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Then, we went shopping the day after Christmas and this little kid was hacking, coughing, and running her booger ridden hands all over everything. I purelled (I know it isn't a real verb; I don't care) myself and the family. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">BUT, two days later, I started my relapse! Just in time for our trip to NYC! ACK! But, I put on my big girl panties and we had a wonderful day! Saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (thanks mom and dad), had a great lunch with Kathy, her Hubby, my nephew, J, my mom, dad, Hubby and the kids! We saw the tree at Rockefeller Center and went to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Saw the window decorations on 5th Avenue. A wonderful day.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Came home and allowed the bronchitis to beat me up. I am just turning the corner NOW, and starting to feel better! YAY! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Good thing, because we have a busy week! Fuzzy has 2 bowling matches! He is on the Junior Varsity team as a freshman for his high school! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">ANYHOW, that is my quick update for all of you in the blogosphere!!! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">I am back. Yes, I mean it. I will update at least once a week, I promise!!! Just so you know I mean it... I swear upon my COFFEE! LOL</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-3683472286168064572009-12-14T13:12:00.002-05:002009-12-14T13:19:18.046-05:00Fa la la la la... Holly Crap, I'm BUSY!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX0d5n-nZ4auIRJ5DyfrWyUoJrD_JqdBndk1Ws1qPm-PwqtMS_vUKeUDmFCDaf9iPYEJUCxvBkEQXLJXxGopIjwQQVjvB591CgvrBlInAbCraJE2ExlN0r-MF5qwdYXz3romfve90QYI/s1600-h/xmascard09.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415157960285387842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX0d5n-nZ4auIRJ5DyfrWyUoJrD_JqdBndk1Ws1qPm-PwqtMS_vUKeUDmFCDaf9iPYEJUCxvBkEQXLJXxGopIjwQQVjvB591CgvrBlInAbCraJE2ExlN0r-MF5qwdYXz3romfve90QYI/s400/xmascard09.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I love my blog... I really do! And, I love all of you, my faithful blog readers!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">However, I am really busy, a good busy, but as you can see - the blog has been neglected! So, I am going to sign off for 2009 with promises that I WILL be back in 2010!!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">May your holiday season be filled </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">with the love of family and friends </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">and </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">the hope of peace in the new year to come!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Dawn and family</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-88285192760844539072009-10-29T14:56:00.005-04:002009-10-29T15:56:43.197-04:00Thankful Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-3vw27qyuHWetCIqBNMZdvwnQFDBJI33e8zJnbggt_9IUwX0mwFBp1X3lwP210gxSR0ZNzdLkBUjq3LLOvxbuA1IipObNgU_5MChuLUwzNg_UtBV0K_2k97R-NPIAQwUoHuHxxF8ngQ/s1600-h/momforcefield.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398112703483167634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-3vw27qyuHWetCIqBNMZdvwnQFDBJI33e8zJnbggt_9IUwX0mwFBp1X3lwP210gxSR0ZNzdLkBUjq3LLOvxbuA1IipObNgU_5MChuLUwzNg_UtBV0K_2k97R-NPIAQwUoHuHxxF8ngQ/s400/momforcefield.bmp" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">What started out to be a crazy overscheduled week really settled down rather nicely!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I went to the new rheumatologist yesterday with Hubby. I was not happy to have to go to a male doc, as I have found that female docs tend to be more understanding and in tune. However, I found the new rheumy very understanding and he really listened and heard all my concerns. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">It was actually great having a new set of eyes on my issues. He did xrays and a sonogram of my hands and wrists, right there in the office, along with a complete blood workup! I loved one stop shopping!! I usually have to run to one place for xrays and another for blood. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I have a lot of neuropathy issues, always have, his fresh eyes have given us a new plan of attack as well as another diagnosis. He is confident that Fibromyalgia is also rearing its ugly head in my body. Not surprising as it goes hand in hand with Lupus and RA. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">The plan is to try Lyrica which will address the neuropathies. The numbing, tingling, weakness and balance issues. As I have mentioned, MS has been ruled out before, and we are sticking with that assumption unless there is a reason to revisit it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Also to be added will be Provigil, a medication that will help with what to me is the most debilitating part of the disease - fatigue. And, also the cognitive issues. Hopefully, I will be sleeping better with Lyrica and the Provigil will do its magic and I will be like a new person in a few months!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">I am happy to have a plan of attack! And, I visit him again on 12/1.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Okay... on to my blessings! :-)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">1. New rheumy. So far so good! And, a plan. I like plans.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">2. Hubby! Home with me yesterday for the doctors, which was a very long comprehensive 3 hour visit. BUT, today he surprised me by staying home again! Yay!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">3. Piano. Pumpkin is having her lesson as I type this... I love it! Christmas carols... have to get ready!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">4. Hammer. We have spent this week preparing his application for Eagle Scout and planning his project. Part of that process was gathering letters of recommendation for Hammer. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of love and respect for him. :-)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Kathy, Karol, Dave, Bill, K, you all overwhelmed me with your letters. Thank you. Mom and Dad and Hubby... perfect and just as I expected... we have such a special boy and I am honored that he is ours.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">5. Fuzzy. In the last week or so, he has been trying harder and pulling up into A's. If he wanted to he could have straight 100's... it's all about what you put into it, he has the ability. Just needs to work it!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">6. Coffee!!!! After months of coping with our Keurig coffee maker malfunctioning and needing to be tweaked each and every day... My dad gifted Hubby and I with a new one for our anniversary - early! YOU ROCK, Dad! ;-) </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Well, I think I have taken up enough of your time!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Go to go farm! LOL</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-19467172078354588832009-10-25T19:13:00.004-04:002009-10-25T19:27:56.064-04:00Fur Elise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB8PeKKOaYp0lBrMbMVJdYZw4WI8MsFBw5VOIb4X63H3RYPf9aPbCF4ZpOKuqcx1I0Rpc_-utiXdjsjHD18T307SMRYKSI1EXTnTQcRs1pIukQc5iypJsa04D0-WbkR3NtH1krQSJTP0/s1600-h/funny-pictures-cat-dutifully-ignores-you.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396683399150077618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB8PeKKOaYp0lBrMbMVJdYZw4WI8MsFBw5VOIb4X63H3RYPf9aPbCF4ZpOKuqcx1I0Rpc_-utiXdjsjHD18T307SMRYKSI1EXTnTQcRs1pIukQc5iypJsa04D0-WbkR3NtH1krQSJTP0/s400/funny-pictures-cat-dutifully-ignores-you.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Hello Blogging Buddies!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Not a lot going on here in my little corner of the world.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">I am still coping and in a better place thanks to D'Nile. Is that the pyramids I see over there? Yep. Firmly entrenched, I am.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Feh. It works, and it is silly to worry without knowing what to worry about. And, the pain I can cope with.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Kids are good. Fuzzy is still learning to cope with the fact that he has to WORK to get A's in his high school honors classes. Pumpkin has one honor's class and she is learning to cope with that a bit too. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Hammer is halfway through the planning phase of his Eagle Scout project, which looks to be happening on 11/7. More on that once everything is official! Yay!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Hubby was cranky and tired mostly this weekend. Feh.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">We basically had a very quiet weekend at home, which is really unusual and was really needed. I think we all enjoyed it.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">The best part of the weekend was listening to Pumpkin practice her piano and hearing Beethoven's 'Fur Elise' which she worked on quite a bit. Very nice. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Tonight is a big NY sport night! We have the Giants on NBC and the Yankees on Fox! WOOHOO!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">More soon...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-9899515149515074082009-10-22T14:31:00.006-04:002009-10-22T19:09:55.317-04:00Thankful Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6Y_qj-_F7SVUR7mJUyUVKRRGlo4wMFhuJDzr1woVbu3l_R2-IvDuLETxG5iOuEHaSDxRUtOfQSGm9wsB-1nYe2gP2bD9hB6t45voFfFsmQYoJwlgFzrCEWzj0DKh8-2-LxP3-Kje5A4/s1600-h/interesting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501576849595282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6Y_qj-_F7SVUR7mJUyUVKRRGlo4wMFhuJDzr1woVbu3l_R2-IvDuLETxG5iOuEHaSDxRUtOfQSGm9wsB-1nYe2gP2bD9hB6t45voFfFsmQYoJwlgFzrCEWzj0DKh8-2-LxP3-Kje5A4/s400/interesting.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Time to count blessings and not a minute too soon!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Panic mode is over, and I am firmly entrenched back in my denial place! LOL</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">1. I am grateful for my house, my home and my family.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">2. I am grateful for my health insurance. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">3. I am grateful for the meds that I have to help me and the doctors that are my partners in my healthcare.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">4. I am grateful for the friends I have in my life.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">5. I am grateful for my online friends, their availability and support have been invaluable over the last 7 years of coping with chronic illness. (rheumatoid arthritis, and for the last two years the brain thingy)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">6. I am grateful for the technology that allows me to not only keep in touch but that lets me play stimulating and challenging games - some for fun - some for brain exercise - all of which help me cope and keep my mind off of worrysome stuff.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">7. I am grateful for my pets. Yes, even though cleaning up cat hairballs and dog puke sucks, the unconditional love and joy they give daily far surpasses the difficulties they present on occasion.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">8. I am grateful for Boy Scouts. Hammer has begun the planning for his Eagle Scout project which should be executed in the next 2 weeks. Fuzzy will begin planning his in the new year as he is just completing the last badge. Scouts has afforded the boys many opportunities for leadership, community service and personal growth.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">9. I am especially grateful this week for my Hubby realizing that a hug, a cup of coffee and a snack would go a loooooonnnnng way.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">10. I am grateful for the outlet that my blog and Facebook give to me and therefore, I am for YOU, the reader.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">11. I am also grateful for the clarity health issues have given me in life. It sharpens into focus that which is truly important; those special gifts and blessings that no illness can take away.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Life is good. Thanks for being a part of it!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">be well...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-68882008487359750432009-10-20T15:26:00.003-04:002009-10-20T15:45:04.065-04:00Hold On Loosely<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uWd-CksSRaDRcK6oVz17v-KPX_3iQk_OizsGW_IoUwkwjcbhIZWYBJYQRv1HrgNezmxq6p-nLhKtJKrdYZIqcCeRMKTFGsXN3SVLF1SdHZyTqj1Hu1qgq72vlgQ8dlR8Wx29R1AgYxA/s1600-h/coffeeincup.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394770461406385586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uWd-CksSRaDRcK6oVz17v-KPX_3iQk_OizsGW_IoUwkwjcbhIZWYBJYQRv1HrgNezmxq6p-nLhKtJKrdYZIqcCeRMKTFGsXN3SVLF1SdHZyTqj1Hu1qgq72vlgQ8dlR8Wx29R1AgYxA/s400/coffeeincup.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">... but sometimes I need you to hold me completely up.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">And, today, Hubby did that. Thank you, hon.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Tough day, and he came home early bearing gifts of Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee and a cheesy bagel twisty stick thing and most importantly, just his hugs.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">My appointment for the neurosurgeon is going to be November 10th. The day after our 18th Anniversary. That is three weeks from today. That is too long. Too long to worry until, too long for discomfort. :(</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Next week I have the appointment with the new rheumatologist.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Today, Fuzzy's pediatrician appointment was cancelled further pushing back our paperwork for the school. Ugh.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Onward and upward...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-44849878335559232812009-10-19T17:08:00.003-04:002009-10-19T17:18:26.810-04:00Walk Like an Egyptian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWMVbj-Jbxa1TayWk89c0yJsg-vwEPqbD7eTzSlo_-0-PwMyRn903VzRIPWGlS1ZsYcMgJrM-qo2AftZ7_bOLSkSdJvM79uflvqnyDNnMJZ_uHkmXzOvQrdIOKih5FZlGNOPW9QDo7W4/s1600-h/canhuhearme.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394423367026696930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWMVbj-Jbxa1TayWk89c0yJsg-vwEPqbD7eTzSlo_-0-PwMyRn903VzRIPWGlS1ZsYcMgJrM-qo2AftZ7_bOLSkSdJvM79uflvqnyDNnMJZ_uHkmXzOvQrdIOKih5FZlGNOPW9QDo7W4/s400/canhuhearme.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">You know what? I like denial. I like my 'denial' world better.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Does that make me a bad person?</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">::: sigh :::</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">More soon...</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927920213944743414.post-11793896447576901292009-10-17T21:48:00.005-04:002009-10-17T22:10:01.265-04:00Hot n Cold<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy8_NoGIc3sAzwcTR7VuPrA_wAaDgywREt-kiU83avUkck1zgFoQt-Oym39d0EYTPR9XSBj04nbrR6ukb6VPqofevtySRLc-bYF_TXVFhtY7IPsQM0lrNkYqFS12IC9df7_6H8OGfh7o/s1600-h/vampirecat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393756309955288226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy8_NoGIc3sAzwcTR7VuPrA_wAaDgywREt-kiU83avUkck1zgFoQt-Oym39d0EYTPR9XSBj04nbrR6ukb6VPqofevtySRLc-bYF_TXVFhtY7IPsQM0lrNkYqFS12IC9df7_6H8OGfh7o/s400/vampirecat.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Listening to Yankee game as Hubby watches in on tv - ALCS! GO YANKS!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Must be MEME time!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;"><em>Which do you prefer?</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>1. Man or Woman?</em> Ummm, I am married to a man, but I am a woman... not sure what the creator of this meme was going for here! LOL</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>2. Facebook or Twitter?</em> Teh Bookface, baby!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>3. Donut or Twinkie?</em> Donut</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>4. Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi?</em> Diet Pepsi, if plain. Diet Cherry Coke Zero if going for a flavor. lol But coffee is best!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>5. Fish or Chicken?</em> Chicken, unless I can get shellfish! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>6. Pads or tampons?</em> Both</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>7. Brother or Sister?</em> I have neither, so can I also have both?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>8. Red or Orange?</em> Red</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>9. Regular Iced tea or Raspberry Iced tea?</em> Regular black tea, with lemon and no sugar please.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>10. Mixed greens or Iceberg lettuce salad?</em> Iceberg for me!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>11. Laptop or desktop?</em> Tricky... lately desktop. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>12. Couch or chair?</em> Couch</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>13. Hamster or bunny?</em> Bunny! (although, I have never actually owned a bunny...)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>14. Batman or Superman?</em> TOTALLY Batman. Rich, smart, and body that don't quit! Booyah!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>15. Yankees or Red Sox?</em> Well, that is easy. Yankees!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>16. PC or Apple?</em> PC, although I am intrigued by the Mac. I love my iphone and we do own ipods too.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>17. Hockey or Basketball?</em> Hockey! Go Devils!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>18. Football or Soccer?</em> Football! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>19. Ketchup or Mustard?</em> Ketchup</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"><em>20. Cake or Pie?</em> Cake. Cheesecake, specifically. ;-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Okie dokie... that was fun! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">be well...</span></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11894596355489850355noreply@blogger.com9