50 is the new 40

Coming out of my "cave"

2012-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been 6 months since my last blog post. I've stepped away from my blog writing, my crafts and stepped into Facebook games, endless hours of TV, and my husbands depression. I wrote this back in May but didn't post it but it might explain what I was going through -

I started watching Shania Twain on OWN. I liked her music and wondered what happened to her. Then being the entertainment junkie I am I read about her hubby cheating on her with her "best friend"! Nice, right? I do believe when a marriage goes bad it's not only one persons fault, even if they are the one that cheated. I know when you are married for any length of time you take each other for granted, get bored, etc. I know that when something happens and you feel like your heart is broken to bits it takes a while to trust again. Watching this show it clicked with me - the pleasure I have in sharing my thoughts, feelings, observations on this blog - I felt like I lost my ability to be honest and open with whoever reads this blog. I like helping people, making people laugh - and I didn't feel like laughing much lately. I withdrew from people I've known in my online support groups, people I've known in my craft groups.

I'm still struggling with fibromyalgia, arthritis and this god-awful weather that doesn't make it any better. I'm struggling with my husband and his depression. I know there are people out there like me

Anyone who loves or cares for someone that has depression, PTSD (Rich was undiagnosed for a long time after he came back from Viet Nam in 1972) - you have to "put your oxygen mask on first". I didn't really talk to anyone other than my mom and two women friends I have known for years (but haven't met yet), played the mindless games on Facebook to take up time, went to bed late and got up late, looked at my craft table every once in a while. It wasn't all bad - I talked to our daughter more often and we keep contact through Facebook, I started to eat a little better, drink a little more water, lost some weight I needed to lose.

Rich had just gone back to work on the 18th of November. He called me a couple of times from work, sounded good, but then the 3rd phone call he told me he was being rushed to the hospital. I thought it might have been a mental breakdown, but when I got to the hospital he was hooked up to all kinds of monitors and was told it was his heart. He had fallen twice down the stairs at work, and the second time it scared him. He had an angiogram, and the cardiologist said that 3 arteries were blocked and a bypass needed to be done the next morning. I remember Rich saying "well I need to put this off for a week or two" and the doctor came in and said "tomorrow morning - 7:30 am". That was that LOL. Heart problems run in his family - his mother and dad had these surgeries done twice each. Rich has been eating better, his depression is better, and he's ready to go back to work. He knows he doesn't want this surgery again, so he's watching his diet more and eating healthier. I'm eating more protein, less sugar so it's helping me a bit too and taking supplements like I used to.

Thanks Kelli for commenting on my last blog post - it was meant to be. Also Candace for reminding me about my crown - I just lost it for a while but it will show up soon as sparkly as ever!

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, questions about my post - and also to remind me to keep on writing - giving me a push when needed.

Thanks,
Gerri

P.S. And now some links, etc. I've found interesting, cute, etc.

Family of a Vet
I am a volunteer here and need to start participating

Pinterest
very addicting LOL - find recipes, crafts, etc. and share them with others

My Pinterest

This is Why I'm Broke
I do like the poppable calendar LOL

One more time & you'll have to leave!

2011-06-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

We’re too old to be getting in trouble…aren’t we? Write about a time you were scolded…as an adult.

Thanks Kat for giving me a great writing prompt today!

I'm usually a play by the rules, respectful of others type person - really! I went to Catholic school for 8 years for goodness sake! But I remember going with my daughter to see Independence Day at the movie theater. It was really crowded and we couldn't get seats together so I remember when the lights went down - Amy wanted to sit near me so she sat at the end of the aisle on the floor. We wanted to see the movie so I told her to stay as close as she could to my aisle seat so we wouldn't get in trouble. I got really verbal when the us vs. aliens "shoot out" came on - and I was told to "keep it down" by an usher! I was a little embarrassed, but I was also looking around to see who ratted me out. Who would object to someone cheering for "our" side? There was a couple mumbling loudly about noise but I didn't tell the usher about them did I?

I guess that's why I usually watch movies at home now. I can LMAO as loud as I want or scream at the "bad guys." If someone knocks at the door during my loud laughter or cheering, I don't answer it!

OK dear readers - have you ever been scolded as an adult - or gotten "out of hand" at a movie theater? Let me know.

A Day Late but here's my follow up explanation to last weeks prompt -

2011-06-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

http://gerrisspace.blogspot.com/2011/06/six-word-memoir.html

from Mama Kat - http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

I've been having trouble with my computer and now have to try and find another place to deal with *sigh*.
Let's get June's 31DBBB Party started on the Forum!
Anyways - the prompt.

A lot of things in my life didn't happen the "normal" way - whatever THAT is. In some ways I can laugh and it helps me be prepared for a lot of things that are unexpected.

I met Rich and two weeks later we were engaged. He then left for Florida, and I stayed behind in Philadelphia. It was 1982 and no computer, so we called each other and I wrote a lot. We decided to get married on July 23rd, 1983. We would go to a Justice of the Peace and then a great reception paid for by my grandmother at a place we've eaten before with really good food. Rich was married before and we were going down to City Hall to get our marriage license. I called beforehand and they said he needed his divorce papers. He didn't have them and didn't know where they were back in California. This was about 2-3 days before we were to get married! I cried and told my mom - I guess I had to tell someone. She was the only one - well and her friend that worked with her - that knew we weren't married when we went to our reception. Well the good food I thought I was going to have - I was so nervous I just drank champagne and laughed a lot!

After the reception we packed up and drove across the US to Oregon where I met Rich's parents for the first time. It was hard to keep up the pretense that we were married, but Rich wanted to wait until November 12th (the day we met) to get married. We were on our way to Reno Nevada (they don't check previous marriages, etc.) and there was a horrible snowstorm. We got married on December 12th - *phew*. It was a funny ceremony because Rich just wanted us to go to the chapel and not change clothes so it was corduroys and a sweater for me, jeans for him. I did laugh about it because it was just us and I wasn't nervous at all. I had the pretty dress, flowers, reception with family and friends and a "quickie" wedding - just in reverse order!

My Guilty Pleasure Songs - sing along if you know one of them!

2011-06-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

OK so I'm doing the Secret of Success is Support (SITS) girls 31 days to be a better blogger. I've done lists before on my blog - *8 things that make you feel powerful, *8 things - the family cabin, 30 Things about my invisible illness you may not know. I like doing lists because I feel they help you get to know me better.

I was one of those kids that sang Christmas carols in the summer, listened with my grandmom to Trini Lopez "If I had a Hammer", and was introduced to the post AM radio Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album through my uncle Chris at around 10-11 years old (he was around 20 at the time).

My guilty pleasure songs - well - when my daughter was a teen there was Backstreet Boys and NSYNC and she listened to them, and then I got to like them! Of course she then went on to some other music, but I still sang along. I admit when I watched this video -

I sang along really loud - inside I felt like a teenage girl LOL.

So in no particular order here are some of my "guilty pleasure" songs - and yes I'm the one in the car next to you singing along to the radio/CD

1. I Want it That Way - Backstreet Boys
2. Bye, Bye, Bye - NSYNC
3. Forget You - Cee Lo Green
4. Express Yourself - Madonna
5. My Sharona - The Knack
6. Most anything by the Glee Cast
7. Dancing Queen/Mama Mia - Abba
8. Baby - Justin Bieber
9. 867-5309 (Jenny) - Tommy Tutone
10. Raise Your Glass - Pink

OK admit it (I won't tell anyone) - got some guilty pleasure songs? I'd love to add to my listening list.

Six Word Memoir

2011-06-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kat for this jump-start to my blogging after 2-3 months:

1.) Six Word Memoir: Write about a significant time in your life in just six words.

Reception before marriage - that's my life

http://www.animals-zone.com/cutest-animal-wedding/

Another post coming later today!

How's that positive attitude working for me this year?

2011-02-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

I am doing Kat's writing prompt this week http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/2011/02/disneyland-bound/ - How’s that New Years Resolution treating you? - and I have to say it's pretty good! I'm not quite Mary Sunshine but I am laughing a lot more. One thing that helped was a blog post I missed but read about a week ago about acceptance - http://www.chronicbabe.com/articles/102/ This was written by Jenni Prokopy 6 years ago and 8 years after her diagnosis of fibromyalgia. I've kind of gone through the different "fixes" to help myself, but I guess acceptance is the key. It's helped me a lot, and I also learned that the simple things are the best medicine. I'm watching a lot of funny shows on TV, I'm trying to figure out better things to eat - steel cut oats for breakfast instead of packaged oatmeal, I'm talking more with hubby, reading Carrie Fisher's book Wishful Drinking.

There are things I can't do anything about - the weather and how it makes me feel - but when I see the sun outside I smile. When it's chilly outside I put on my bright striped socks and make some hot chocolate with marshmallows or I want to try some soup recipes in either our crock pot or health master (soup in 8 minutes and you can use whole tomatoes for tomato soup!).

There are a lot of things I want to do and will get to do them. For me I figured out I need to not think too far ahead and if I do to think about positive things - going on trips with our grandkids, living in a warm, dry climate, growing our own vegetables and/or fruit.

It's not a resolution but something I can handle - thinking more positive and even smiling more - is going fine so far.

http://nanasgourmet.com/holiday-shopping/
gourmet handmade marshmallows - yum!

http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/best-grilled-cheese-sandwich-recipes

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tomato-Spinach-and-Basil-Soup/Detail.aspx

Laughed Until I Cried - and that's a good laugh!

2011-02-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

I decided to do a writing prompt from http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ - thanks Mama Kat!

I like seeing "blooper" shows on TV, and I sometimes laugh but then wince and go "omg" on America's Funniest Videos when someone falls or gets hit by a toddler in the crotch. I watch Marx Brothers movies

and they are so silly, so the laughter for me is pretty easy.

The last time I laughed until I had tears was the bloopers show for Hot in Cleveland. In a way I can relate to these women because they are in my age range, and Betty White, at 89, is still a great comedian with great timing. I loved watching all the women on the show on their previous shows - Jane Leeves on Frazier, Valerie Bertinelli on One Day at a Time (I actually related to her at the time it was on the air even though I was the older sister in our family), and Wendie Malick on Just Shoot Me.

When was the last time you had a good laugh?

NaBloPoMo prompt for today (and some other assorted stuff)

2011-01-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

One of my sweet grandkids - London

Kant said that we require three things by which to measure happiness: someone to love, something we like to do, and something to look forward to. Who do you love, what do you like to do, and what are you looking forward to this year?

Well I have a lot of "someones" I love - my husband, my pets, my daughter, grandkids, mom, sister, nieces, nephews and some online friends I've talked to on the phone but haven't met yet. I love you all!

Something I like to do - write, read and listen to music. Song stuck in my head right now - Dynamite by Taio Cruz

What I'm looking forward to this year - right now I'm taking one day at a time. Even though I'm striving to be more positive this year all I can say is I'm looking forward to be happier this year.

Speaking of positive -

I LOVE this story! It goes to show you that you can be so down and someone touches your life - and your or your life can change in an instant.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/homeless-man-radio-voice-hopes-work-12544699

and this - is just ADORABLE!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

I love Kim Anderson's photographs. The old-fashioned look with the combination of black and white and color.

Another "artist" I enjoy is Mary Engelbreit. I love all the bright colors, etc. This link I provided are free desktop wallpapers - enjoy!

This is Jody Bergsma - I like her art because she does sea otters LOL.

All my followers - do you have a favorite artist?

My Bloggy Friends

2011-01-04T23:24:00.000-08:00

OK so maybe bloggy isn't a word but it sounds good to me so I'm going to use it. I have a bunch of blogs I subscribe to via e-mail, some I read through. I try and reply to some, but I saw this in my e-mail and thought about all the "rodent" pets we've had through the years:

WARNING: if you don't like rats/mice don't read LOL:

http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/2011/01/a-year-in-review/

Kat's January post reminded me of the times I got stuck with pregnant mice and rats. The first time I was around 10 years old and had a crush on an older boy named Donald. He said "do you want to buy a mouse for a dollar - I'll give you the food too!" Wow what a deal, huh? My grandmom across the street took her in and pretty soon - babies! I checked a few days later and no babies. My grandpop said he "took them for a swim in the Delaware". I remember hearing something about brothers and sisters not caring if they were related and it was a foggy kind of "birds and bees" talk.

Another blog I follow is http://thejourneyleadshome.wordpress.com/

Pam deals with chronic illness like myself, and at one point I e-mailed her about losing weight together. I know I need to, but I am pretty much like

Another blog I like - http://www.fragileannie.com/. Annie posts things that make me laugh and make me think.

http://lindapetersondesigns.blogspot.com/ - a great online teacher, a really creative person. I love reading her blogs and looking at her creations - she inspires me.

Here are some funny quotes I find about friends:

1. "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

2. "There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money." ~ Benjamin Franklin

3. "Money can't buy friends, but you can get a better class of enemy." ~ Spike Milligan

4. "A true friend stabs you in the front." ~ Oscar Wilde

5. "Marriage is a sort of friendship recognized by the police." ~ Anonymous

6. "An old friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a dead body." ~ Jim Hayes

7. "Give me one friend, just one, who meets the needs of all my varying moods." ~ Esther M. Clark

8. "Love is blind. Friendship tries not to notice." ~ Anonymous

9. "I have lost friends, some by death, others through sheer inability to cross the street." ~ Virginia Woolf

10. "Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate." ~ Thomas Jones

Welcoming an old friend back for 2011!

2011-01-03T22:58:00.000-08:00

For those that have known me for a fairly long time it's - being positive! I've made up my mind that I need to do this for my health, my friends and my family. I'm not sure when it started to disappear, but I need to bring it back. I started reading posts when I first started blogging and I was pretty full of positive-ness.

I hope my true friends remind me of this - to be more positive. Even when I'm on Instant Messenger I will smile when I type - do you think that'll help LOL?

http://valentinaramos.blogspot.com/2009/03/rogelio-and-quotes.html

Thanks for reading and here's to a better, joyful, healthy and happy 2011!

Four legged friends (well and one 3 legged)

2011-01-02T22:24:00.000-08:00

I've written about our pets before, but since I'm trying to write about friends every day, these are our friends, our family.

Ivy makes me laugh - she's curious and a bit naughty LOL.

Jack is a sweetheart, very mellow, and when I get to bed I can hear him jump up and purr to be petted.

Sweetie puts her paw up when I'm reading to get my attention LOL.

Whiskers is our oldest - she's 16 and was born with 3 legs. She's been an outside cat and even when I bring her in for a while she wants out after a while. She climbs trees, roofs - she's great.

Kayonna is a typical chihuahua - she thinks she's a Great Dane LOL. Curly is sweet and lays with me. They both fight to be "top dog" LOL. I was watching America's Funniest Videos and there were 3 poodles and the woman asked "who was naughty?" and the two looked at the one - it cracked me up! Poodles are pretty smart.

NaBloPoMo for January 2011

2011-01-01T15:58:00.000-08:00

This is me, my friend Joyce, cousin Carol, cousin Jack and sister Sue - I was around 6 years old I think.

The subject for the whole month is "friends". I haven't been to NaBloPoMo in a while. There are daily writing prompts (no Saturday/Sunday), but the whole month of January the subject is friends. I made my own badge to click on and you can go to the site. Couldn't help using the "Friends" from TV - I loved that show!

If any online friends/acquaintances are reading this post, please forgive me. I haven't been a good friend lately. I know I've mentioned my best friend is my husband, and he's been severely depressed. I've posted before about PTSD, and how years ago I worked and he slept most of the day. Rich has been out of work since October 5, working only a few days.

We've talked off and on, and he talked about not caring, not wanting to do the "same thing day after day", turning 60, etc. I feel very, very helpless and a bit depressed myself. His counselor mentioned about going to an inpatient clinic to check on his medications, or another alternative would be electro convulsive therapy.

Usually talking with people I like talking about stuff I've found online, crafts, my family, TV stuff, music - it just depends on who I talk to. I try and be upbeat but lately I haven't been. And I always think "who wants to talk to someone that's "down" all the time - at least lately? I know the meaning of a true friend is someone that will listen no matter what, but I guess I just didn't want to dump on everyone my depression and worry.

I've talked to some family and friends and told them mostly what was going on, and for you I am so grateful for you listening and offering suggestions and just being there.

http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/
cute pictures of unusual animal friendships

http://thenextpicture.photoshelter.com/image/I0000R_Dd9rdO_yA
. . . just walking my dog and cat and rat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBaI9WCv6KU

Kennedy Center Honors - can't wait until new programs come on TV.

2010-12-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

TV during the holidays are full of reruns, so that's why I watched the Kennedy Center Honors today (recorded it last night). OK I do like Oprah and Paul McCartney. Other honorees were - Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones. At one point it looked like Merle was taking a nap, with his hat down LOL. Jennifer Hudson did a song from the musical "The Color Purple" and she looked fantastic.

Paul McCartney was last to be honored and in my opinion it was pretty good. Paul was touched when Mavis Staples and James Taylor performed Let it Be, then went into Hey Jude. Remember going to a concert and holding up a lighter? When they started singing the "nah nah nah nahnah nah" people were holding up their cell phones! I guess I'm showing my age but I thought it was hilarious.

I did save the Glee episodes that paid tribute to Madonna and Britney Spears - guess I'll be watching those this weekend. I watched the movie "Nine" but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

A couple of new shows I might be interested in - Off The Map by the creator of Grey's Anatomy and the Executive Producers of Grey's and Private Practice. Another one is Shameless with William H. Macy. First one of course I'm a die hard Grey's and Private Practice fan and the second - it looks like "interesting" with a drunk dad, six kids who fend for themselves i.e. an angelic 9 yr. old collecting money for UNICEF but keeping it for herself.

I'm now watching "My Strange Addiction" on TLC. One woman can't sleep without her blow dryer, and another woman eats a half roll of toilet paper a day. A commercial came on showing another woman eating Comet CLEANSER! OK I don't watch The Bachelor - I have to have a "guilty pleasure" LOL.

What show/shows are you looking forward to?

Fun Friday

2010-12-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

We all need a little fun in our lives right? I want to thank Kat for her encouragement and suggestions - http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ and making me laugh!

I want to ask my readers (and anyone that's reading this) - I'd like you to post something that you thought was funny - a link, pictures, YouTube videos - recently. Something that made me smile this week - seeing all the cartoon characters on Facebook. I remember when I was little watching different cartoons, and then watching cartoons with our daughter.

Beany and Cecil - one Halloween I wanted to be "Cecil the sea sick sea serpent" LOL

I remember watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Amy and we even have a Christmas Ornament I got in '88 or '89 - we still have it!

I'll start the ball rolling with some of the things that made me laugh or smile this week:

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/americas-cutest-cat/

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/americas-cutest-dog/

if you don't go awww at least once - I dare ya LOL

OK - make me smile! Enter your blog link if you are doing a post about it!

It's Been a While

2010-11-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

Well 20 days but who's counting right? LOL I was disappointed in myself that I couldn't do a daily blog post, but things haven't been very good. I'm a very verbal person, but I just didn't think people wanted to hear about PTSD and how it affects not only the person that has it but their family members also. But then again, one of the reasons I starting writing this blog was to help other people that might be going through some things similar to me. I hope through this post - and maybe some more in the future - I will help at least one person.

I've been so proud of my hubby going to counseling, keeping up his medications, etc. We talked multiple times about making the trip to AZ for Christmas, and this year Rich says "make the reservations". I made plane and hotel reservations but for some reason I wasn't jumping up and down (even though it might not be physically but inside). I've been disappointed before - too many times. Of course I've disappointed Rich too - all the times he wanted to make a day trip and I didn't feel good enough to go.

It was soon after I made the arrangements Rich took off work, slept all day, brushed off his counselor appointments. He got up maybe once in the day, ate something, watched some TV, went back to sleep. I gave him his "space", I joined some PTSD forums for support. I didn't blog, didn't do any crafts. I felt isolated, not wanting to tell any online friends (even close ones). After a few days I wanted to talk about what was bothering Rich, and like anyone with depression he said "I don't know" and "everything". A few more days went by and I got mad. Angry because I wasn't feeling well, angry because after almost 27 years why we couldn't talk about this.

From my point of view I believe in "preventative medicine". In other words - once you find the right doctor, counselor, and tools to help yourself use them. Even when you aren't going through a crisis there are things we can do for the times things will happen and we "crash and burn".

Tomorrow we'll be going to the counselor together - after Rich has a session for himself. It's a step in the right direction and I'm glad Rich finally agreed to go to the counselor. I know there are a lot of things Rich needs to face - his childhood, his relationship with our daughter, the incidents that brought PTSD into our lives. He has come a long way but I think there's more work to be done.

I am still on the fence about the trip to Arizona for Christmas. Rich has missed too many days for him to go. I was talking to the counselor and said "if I stay at home I'll be alone on Christmas while Rich is working" just like the past 4 years - except the year his mom stayed with us. She was sick and I felt sorry for her but I also resented the fact she was there so we couldn't go to AZ (if we would have).

In a way I'm glad I'm writing this out - and I'm letting Rich read it before I post it. I'm going to include some PTSD links that have helped me in the past couple of days - I hope they help you or someone you love.

http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2010/07/16/ptsd-why-is-daddy-like-he-is/

I wish I would have had this after Rich came home after Desert Storm

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20022827-10391695.html

This should NOT be happening to anyone serving in the military right now (2-3 deployments sometimes)

http://www.healingcombattrauma.com/

http://blog.familyofavet.com/

I am SO grateful for . . .

2010-11-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

I know Thanksgiving for Americans is coming up. Chronic Babe Jenni put out a challenge - tell everyone all that you are grateful for since becoming a Chronic Babe.

Where do I begin? First person that talked to me and told me I wasn't "crazy" with my symptoms and what doctor to go to. She's struggled with fibromyalgia for a lot of years and helped me a lot on my journey. My rheumatologist, who didn't think I was crazy and diagnosed me about 6 years ago. Also my chiropractor has helped a lot. I know I should go back but I haven't in a long time. My doctor is wonderful. I've heard a lot of horror stories from people who have gone to doctors that think they are "depressed, menopausal or nothing is wrong with you".

My husband has been great and we are both still struggling with my chronic illness and his. We've been through a lot in 26 years but we've always come through, and we still on this journey called life. I'm also grateful for my daughter and our 3 grandchildren - when I hear about them and see pictures of them it makes me smile.

A few MSN groups I got into and the people I chatted with - I wasn't alone. I am still an online friend to quite a few of these women and I'm grateful for all the talks we've had when either they or I was feeling bad. I'm grateful for Jenni also or I wouldn't be writing this right now - she's kept me blogging.

I'm grateful for - the Internet, TV, DVDs. When I'm feeling bad and can't do much it's always good to just watch some TV, watch a movie (yes even Disney movies), or watch something cute or funny on YouTube.

I'm grateful to have health insurance and being able to try alternative treatment.

I'm grateful for my pets, they make me laugh and they comfort me with a head on my knee or the cats "talking" and purring at me.

Here's something I found http://www.answers.com/topic/gratitude

A large body of recent work has suggested that people who are more grateful have higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance Grateful people have more positive ways of coping with the difficulties they experience in life, being more likely to seek support from other people, reinterpreted and grow from the experience, and spend more time planning how to deal with the problem, Grateful people also have less negative coping strategies, being less likely to try to avoid the problem, deny there is a problem, blame themselves, or cope through substance use, Grateful people sleep better, and this seems to be because they think less negative and more positive thoughts just before going to sleep.

So tonight before going to sleep think happy positive thoughts and at least one thing you are grateful for.

My Dream House

2010-11-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Today I'm going to use the writing prompt on NaBloPoMo:

What would your dream home/apartment/condo/yurt look like? Where would it be? Who'd live in it with you?

I'd get enough acreage so that hubby and I would have a house and my daughter would have one too. Our house would have everything on one floor, living room with a fireplace, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a big kitchen, a playroom/craft room and maybe a family room with enough room for me to start working on something I've wanted since 9th grade - a miniature Victorian dollhouse, a work/tool shed for hubby. We live in Salem, Oregon and I would love to live in the Southwest - warm and dry weather. I'd like enough room to grow a vegetable/herb garden, and have a few animals in the yard.

Not too much to ask for right?

This would be a great doll house to build but the furniture isn't cheap LOL so it might have to be a little smaller.

til tomorrow!

I did a post for my other blog LOL - does that count?

2010-11-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

http://thecraftvirgin.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-cool-surprise.html

I wanted to do a post every day in November to prove to myself I could do it.

I watched The View Friday - I guess I was curious how Donnatella Versace looks now. As soon as I saw her I thought of all the funny skits Maya Rudolph did as her. I was trying to search for Maya Rudolph as Donnatella (I think she's hysterical as Donnatella and one of the Bronx ladies) but I have this:

Maya Rudolph as Donnatella Versace

I also watched "The Women of Saturday Night Live" on Monday. It was neat seeing a lot of women that haven't been on TV (not that I've seen) since their SNL run. Anna Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Cheri Oteri, Rachel Dratch, Molly Shannon, Jan Hooks, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. It was fun but it was too short. I guess I can always get "The Best of . . . " on Netflix. I did do that with Gilda Radner and John Belushi and it was worth it to laugh all the way through.

Well I'm making today's post short. The time change I went to bed too late and got up too early LOL.

Here are some links:

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=363864&title=jon-stewart-moment-of-sincerity

http://www.grandparents.com/gp/content/expert-advice/long-distance-grandparenting/index.html

*8 Things that make you feel powerful

2010-11-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

My daughter Amy was 3 years old here - now she's 26!

I'm taking a class (at my own pace which is kinda slow lately) "Standing in your own Power" by Rachelle Mee Chapman One of the *8 Things post was done in September, but I think it's appropriate for me to do now. Sometimes I feel power-less, but there are some things that make me feel powerful - here they are:

1. When my grown daughter tells me something I've told her works/is right. It's good to know she's listening.

2. New underwear! When you are 53 and get something "fun" that only you and your significant other sees gives me a lift.

3. Songs where I blast the sound up: Fighter - Christina Aguilera, So What, U + Ur Hand - Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Pat Benatar - some of the lyrics are snarky, fun, in your face - I like that LOL

4. Learning at least one new thing every day - a new word, a new way to do something, etc.

5. Knowing that I have a voice on the internet - I can help someone by posting my experience, I can send out a message to people all over the world about signing a petition, adopting a dog/cat in trouble

6. When I can tell someone "they are not alone, I know"

7. Knowing I am loved

8. Knowledge

Some links that I find interesting and hope you do too:

http://www.oprah.com/food/Recipes-by-Jessica-Seinfeld
I saw the crockpot lasagna and it looked pretty good!

http://shipshapeusa.com/
cute red & white stocking shaped boxes for Christmas mailing

. . . til tomorrow!

oops Wednesday

2010-11-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

Had a crazy day yesterday. Thought of Wordless Wednesday but it just didn't happen! I will probably work extra hard today for a blog post.

Stay tuned . . .

A slight crush on Richard Dreyfuss and some more ramblings

2010-11-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yes you heard me LOL. I am watching Weeds and there is something about him. I think it's more that he's a great actor. I mean he's playing a teacher that the main character was "more then friends with" in high school - a big ewwwww from me. He's a sad man, but of course brings his own brand of funny to it.

I remember seeing "Close Encounters" and didn't think too much about him. It was when I saw "The Goodbye Girl" I thought he was "kinda cute" - or maybe it was the story. I also loved "Always" and "Once Around" two very different love stories I really liked him. The chemistry between him and Holly Hunter is great. There aren't many movies I watch a couple of times but these two when I see them on TV I record them. Last movie I saw him in was "My Life in Ruins". I heard bad reviews about the movie but I loved "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and to see parts of Greece was a plus. I want to go to Greece one day - preferably the beaches there - ahhhhh!

Another actor that isn't "pretty" but I have a little crush - Tommy Lee Jones. I saw him on One Life to Live (1971-1979) where he played a doctor. Years later I can't remember what movie but I was like "I've seen him before" LOL. So glad they are doing a Men in Black III!

No mention of the elections today - I've seen so much "crap" on TV for the past couple of months (when I haven't DVR'd that is) I am over it LOL. Also I feel like I don't have the right to talk about politics, since I don't know enough about it all. I know I wanted to change history by voting for Barack Obama, and now I voted for John Kitzhaber. I think it's cool he's jumping in again.

For links today I'm going to post some of my online buddies who are blogging for NaBloPoMo (these are random) -

http://www.3rsblog.com/

http://delightfullysweetlife.com/

http://www.currently-clueless.net/

http://coveringtheglobe.blogspot.com/

and I kinda love this category:

Psychotic Ranting / Anonymous Foaming

http://kiawah.livejournal.com/

. . .til tomorrow

National Blog Posting Month - NaBloPoMo

2010-11-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

A picture of my 5 year old grandson Brandon as Darth Vader! Not sure if that's a little prize he won but he sure deserved it! That costume is pretty neat.

Nope this is NOT NaNoWriMo National Novel Writing Month. I've wanted to join in for about 3 years but each time it came around I enthusiastic but intimidated. I saw this post from Pam this morning and I jumped right on it! NaBloPoMo is National Blog Posting Month and I signed up for it.

There is a writing prompt you can use if you are stuck - today's is "How would your life change if you didn't have rent or a mortgage to pay, i.e., if your housing was free?"

I probably would use our rent money to put on some property down in Arizona, where our daughter and grandchildren live. I'd be able to go down there for a few months when the weather up here is really awful, probably during the winter.

OK here are some links I thought interesting & hope you do too:

http://www.amusingplanet.com/2009/01/amazing-food-landscapes-by-carl-warner.html

I saw this first picture on another website and thought how pretty and tropical and looked closer - these pictures are amazing!

http://www.amusingplanet.com/2010/11/genzano-infiorata-flower-festival.html

This is in Italy in June - kind of reminds me of the Pasadena Rose Parade where the floats are made with flowers, etc.

Pasadena Rose Parade

http://www.sixwordstories.net/

A story in six words!

. . . until tomorrow!

A cool writing prompt I couldn't resist!

2010-10-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mama's Losin' It!

She had some writing prompts and I chose this one:

1.) A book (or TV show … or something) that you watched/loved as a kid, that you see through entirely different eyes as an adult/mom

It started June 27, 1966, but I didn't start watching it until maybe 6 months or a year later. I got out of school, ran home (usually to my grandma's across the street) to watch it. I was 9-10 years old and had never really saw a werewolf, a vampire in movies or on TV. I had a huge crush on the werewolf Chris Jennings - Don Briscoe

and later on even a crush on the poor tortured soul Barnabas Collins - the vampire LOL.

Looking at IMDB I see that Harvey Keitel was on the show for two shows! Also I remember when Kate Jackson was the ghost, never speaking.

I remember one time when my grand mom decided to take us to the movies, it was probably during the summer. We rode the trolley to the movie - Doris Day "With Six You Get Egg Roll". I wasn't too interested but thought it was nice Grand mom took us to a movie. All of a sudden I was like "what TIME is it - Dark Shadows will be on at 3:30!" My grandma (cursing all the way just about) took us home so I could watch that show!

Researching on this show it's so funny all the stuff I've found! I wanted to know when the SciFi Channel (SyFy now) showed Dark Shadows because that's where I ran across it one day flipping the channels! Here's what I got from

http://www.collinwood.net/info/faq.htm#q12

Will the series ever be repeated on the Sci-Fi Channel?

Dark Shadows aired on the US Sci-Fi Channel for most of the 1990s, eventually ceasing broadcast at the end of 2003. Sci-Fi chose not to renew their contact for the show and have stated they have no interest in future repeats of Dark Shadows. Negotiations are underway to find a new US broadcaster and we will report any developments.

I had to laugh re watching on the SciFi channel because all the "scary" stuff I remember at 10 or so wasn't so scary now. The sets were kind of cheesy and falling apart, and sometimes the actors would stumble over their lines. I still enjoyed watching it, but not with the obsession I had as a 10 year old.

True Blood - now that's another story! I've read all 10 books and watch it when it's on. There's DVR now which is great, so I don't have to miss an episode. I don't have any "crushes" but some of the men are nice to look at ;)

Speaking of nice to look at - I hear Johnny Depp is doing a re-make of Dark Shadows - he will be Barnabas Collins!

Winner of the Six Hour Class at Craftech University . . .

2010-10-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

mentioned in this post:

http://gerrisspace.blogspot.com/2010/09/really-cool-class-online.html

<p>&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.&amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;gt;</p>

is Bev!

Please e-mail me Bev so I can e-mail Linda to give you the info for the class!

Opened my e-mail this morning and saw . . .

2010-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Life is Good Award!

A big thanks to Pam at The Journey Leads Home for giving me the Life is Good Award! Check out her blog - she's got a lot of heart and I've learned some things from her as far as coping with fibromyalgia.

Following are the 10 questions Life is Good Award recipients are asked to complete:

1. If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?
The people that know me is I tell it like it is. I think by telling about myself and family it might help someone, and also that no family is "normal" LOL. Also I like sharing links I find interesting and pictures of my beautiful family - like this one

Little London Ramsey a year old already!

2.Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
I remember when we were first married - I was the "city" mouse and Rich was the "country" mouse. I had never gone camping, hiking, but I was determined I will do this. I remember camping when I was 7 months pregnant LOL. I remember when Rich went to get some firewood I tried to light the stove and ended up lighting the picnic table! I've also fought for an employee of mine at work, going against MY boss - and won! I got first time employees that were called "trainees" and I'd assign them to a department in other buildings where I worked. I got reports back from their bosses and this employee I got no bad reports on - but they wanted ME to fire her. I need facts and things in writing so I fought against it. She was transferred to another department and ended up being a permanent employee.

3.What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
Someone who's a lot older than the woman I feel like inside. I need to start taking care of my outside too.

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Water, Snapple Iced Tea, Lemonade (sometimes raspberry lemonade)

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
If I got out more often I would get a haircut, go to the Reed Opera House (lots of really neat stores) have a Starbucks venti latte (right now pumpkin or gingerbread sounds good) and buy a little something for a nice bubble bath.

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?
I want to finish college online, write a book (one for grown ups one for children), live down in Arizona with my daughter and grandchildren and be the grandmother I remember my grandmothers were to me.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever , the shy person, or always ditching?
I was very quiet. I read the book "Go Ask Alice" and it scared the crap out of me about drugs. I wanted to be more outgoing so I tried out for the school play and got a part but didn't get to be in the play. That was a brave thing for me to do back then .

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see?
When I took Rich to meet both sides of my family for Thanksgiving. How loving, generous and accepting of him they all were.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?
I feel pretty comfortable writing about myself - my true self - just sometimes I feel like who wants to read how depressed and in pain I am in every single day - that would be boring.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I love doing both - reading takes me to another world sometimes, and talking on the phone brings me closer to people that are far away.

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing a little more about me. I now pass this award on to 6 other bloggers. I share the Life Is Good Award with:

Vintage Moth - Free Images
love the images here

http://www.gointothestory.com/
I would love to try screenwriting!

http://www.creativitystirsthesoul.com/
Elizabeth Diamond is an intentional artist and I love her demos on
Cool2Craft!

http://www.plumroselane.com/
tutorials, backgrounds on blogging

http://salemphotodiary.blogspot.com/
a little bit of Salem Oregon

http://shellybeauch.blogspot.com/
from her header onward an amazing Zentangler!

Sorry if I've posted some of these before, but they might be new to somebody!

It's Complicated . . . and other stuff I've liked in the past week

2010-10-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's Complicated

LOVED this movie and LOL quite a few times, and frankly felt a little sad when the women got together to laugh and talk and wished I was one of them. For some reason almost every time I see a Baldwin brother I want to cringe LOL but Alec was pretty good in this movie.

Raising Hope

now THIS show every show I've LMAO! It's pretty crazy all the way through but it's sweet also. Cloris Leachman - what can I say? She's amazing.

Well I liked the show "My Generation" done documentary style - it was cancelled after 2 shows! UGH

Monica and David

a beautiful documentary about 2 mentally handicapped adults who fell in love and got married.

Books I'm reading or going to read -

Huck by Janet Elder

written by a woman battling breast cancer, dog got lost and a whole town went to find him!

In the Still of the Night by Ann Rule

newest by Ann Rule - in the process of reading it

Music - haven't really discovered any new artists but still obsessed with Glee LOL - they are doing Rocky Horror Picture Show on 10/26!

Anything new you've discovered in your life? Would love to hear about it!

You've got to have a sense of humor, right?

2010-10-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

When you have a chance please go to Chronic Babe and this is my post for http://www.chronicbabe.com/articles/cat/16/ - The Funniest Thing About Chronic Illness.

At first I wasn't quite sure I wanted to write about this. I do watch fun stuff and go to fun websites to get my sense of humor back and a smile on my face. My husband makes me laugh a lot and so do my online friends.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2009/07/22/laughing-about-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm

Some "fun" things about fibromyalgia

You know you've got brain fog when ... I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

How do you snap someone out of brain fog? I'll tell you when it happens.

You know you've got chronic fatigue syndrome when you wake up in the morning to get ready for your nap.

You know you've got FMS when your cat thinks you spend too much time laying around in warm spots.

How do you identify the grocery list of someone with ME/CFS? It's on the table at home (or in the refrigerator? - me).

You know you've got fibromyalgia when you refer to Vicodin as "the mild stuff.".

I used to know a lot of jokes about ME/CFS, but I forgot them all.

You might have FMS/ME/CFS if:

You've got your pharmacist on speed dial.

You tell the cop you're driving slow because of the fog -- and it's sunny out.

You fit the diagnostic criteria for both insomnia and narcolepsy.

You've got more diagnoses than a nursing home.

Your medical chart comes in several volumes.

Old people avoid you because of how much you talk about your health

I've had fibromyalgia for 5 years and sometimes I try and see the funny stuff about it - like when I put the sugar in the refrigerator and the liquid creamer in the cabinet. Been there, done that LOL.

There are some shows on TV that I laugh most of the way through and some links online I love and here they are:

Robin Williams - just saw "Weapons of Self Destruction" again - I laughed until I cried!

http://www.oregonhumane.org/playroom/ - there are these sweet kittens and two or three "toys" you can move around for them to play with!

http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/futurama/index.jhtml - written by Matt Groening, who created The Simpsons gives me a chuckle every time I watch.

oops I forgot one more thing - flash mobs! They make me smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDNOB6TnHSI

Just a side note - my blog is pink all month for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Another class - fun!

2010-09-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Craftech University

About a year ago I saw some stuff in the Internet about "steam punk".

Steampunk Workshop

I just like the look of the gears and stuff on regular items and I look forward to taking this class.

Here's another "comment" post and you can win this class!

7 PM CENTRAL (8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific, 1AM UK -Sorry! and approximately Noon on November 23rd for you down under folks in Australia)

Instructor: Samantha Star

This class will be recorded and available on demand after November 22 -

Participants receive a FREE link to the recorded class.

$30 INCLUDES KIT

Register by October 15th and receive a $5 discount on the class!!!

Steam punk is HOT and Trendy! Join Samantha as she takes on a step by step journey to create this beautiful yet delightfully grungy steam punk style bracelet using scrapbook supplies and embellishments.

Many different techniques will be discussed in this class such as:
staining metal
crackling
working with epoxy to waterproof your project
And more!

This class is sold, complete with the kit below.

** PLEASE register for class by October 28 to ensure delivery of kit. Registration after that is accepted by kit arrival can not be guaranteed.

5 metal washers
2.5’ of copper wire (20gauge)
3 chipboard squares
a variety of grunge board shapes
a variety of metal clock pieces
toggle clasp (your clasp might differ from the sample depending on availability)

Other materials required:

Alcohol ink in a metallic color of your choice

Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Antique Linen (or color of your choice)

Quick Dry Epoxy, rubber gloves

Pliers, wire cutters, hole punch (one that is able to punch through chipboard)

Aluminum foil, Popsicle stick

Metallic acrylic paint, paintbrush

Brown Solvent Ink (such as Staz-On)

Please have these materials ready to go if you desire to create this project with Samantha in class.

Does this sound like fun? Join me in this class

and make a cool bracelet!

A really cool class - online!

2010-09-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Craftech University

This is the second jewelry class I've signed up for (or maybe the third LOL) from Craftech University. Linda Peterson started this for those that either can't get out for a class, or you can watch it later on at your convenience.

I love the look of this jewelry - funky, chunky with a personal touch that you add yourself! I love coppers and aged copper. You can always go to a thrift store or possibly your hubby's or significant others tool box to find unusual pieces to make this necklace your own, or even a hardware store! I bet you can't imagine shopping for jewelry supplies at a hardware store huh? Fortunately for me my hubby inherited his dad's tool box with LOTS of fun stuff.

I can see this necklace with a nice fall top and slacks or even one of those boho skirts that are out now.

I'm not sure who all is going to blog about this class but Linda is GIVING away this $90 class after reading the blogs and picking someone. I have paid for the class, so what I'll do is YOU comment on this post and I"ll do a random number picking when the time comes with randomizer.

Here's a description of the class - METALWORKING MEGA WORKSHOP - FOUNDATIONS

This is a special 6 HOUR event!

$90 + shipping/handling

LIMITED SPACE!

Beginners Welcome

Some experience is helpful.

November 6th, 2010

11am to 5pm (breaks included)

Create a very unique necklace using copper, wire and other mixed media.

You will learn how to create textures on copper, wire wrapping, cold connections, patina and color effects on copper

We will create our own elements using found and unusual objects.

You are welcome to incorporate any objects of interest you have.

Class fee includes the following kit*

KIT INCLUDES

Copper metal

Steel Washer - copper plate technique

dragonfly charm

copper tube 1/8" diameter 3" long

3 small brass washers

1 tiny brass washer

tim holtz gear x 1

copper wire - 1 roll - amaco

Copper wire 18:

brass washer 5/8"

chain 10"

two brass tarnished lobster clasps

brass split rings X10

screws - tarnished

Liver of Sulfur Chips

HURRY SPACE IS LIMITED

*Student to provide necessary tools - additional materials needed will be supplied

Kit will create the basic necklace

Linda is very good about letting you know what else you'll need for the class in plenty of time. Even if you've never made jewelry before you can ask questions and also Linda would be able to see if you are having a problem by your webcam - but you don't necessarily have to have a webcam to join in. The program is recorded, so you can watch it over to catch something you didn't catch the first time.

I love Linda's classes - and I've also taken classes from Tiffany Windsor, Ann Butler, and Samantha Starr. The classes are inexpensive and you can watch and participate from the comfort of your own home.

I wrote a little about Linda and her classes here:

http://thecraftvirgin.blogspot.com/2010/08/craftech-university.html

I have not done any crafts before really except when I was in my teens and 20's I did crochet. For someone that's not familiar with crafting Linda is very patient and before long you've made some jewelry from polymer clay or friendly plastic! I've done things that I thought were so intimidating, but once I began it was pretty easy following Linda's directions in class.

So let's get to posting a comment to win a class!

Invisible Illness Week - my husband

2010-09-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

I thought about a post to write for Invisible Illness Week - what medications I take, what I do to help myself, etc. Sometimes I know I'm helping others, but at other times I get tired of talking about myself LOL.

I want to write about Rich, my husband, my long time love, my best friend. He has PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter09/articles/winter09pg15a.html

I "interviewed" about dates, etc. and he told me some things I've never asked, or he's never told me. I met Rich in November 1982, and he had been in Viet Nam July 1972 to May 1973 - he was only 21 years old. I didn't realize that he was drinking heavily to probably make all the pain he felt and saw go away. He was married when he was in Viet Nam and he came back and drank heavily, and divorced about 4 years before we met. I didn't realize he had a really bad drinking problem until he told me he was checking himself into the Navy "rehab" when he got back to his home port in Jacksonville, FL. I had known him all of two weeks, we dated every night and he proposed marriage and I accepted.

I wanted us to get to know each other better, so I stayed at home and worked and we talked by telephone and we wrote cards and letters. I did go and visit and was so proud of him. Alcohol and drugs runs rampant in my family and I was glad he was getting help. Nothing ever really came up about Rich in Viet Nam, we never really talked about it. I know my uncles went there and one you couldn't come up behind him - he got really angry. I didn't understand it way back then, and I'm sure a lot of people didn't either. I didn't realize how much it would effect me and our daughter Amy either.

One night we were in bed sleeping and Rich all of a sudden stood up and ran screaming towards the door. He didn't really tell me about the nightmares he had. He also slept on the couch for a number of years, and that made me really sad. Now I know why - he wanted to protect us.

He got out of the Navy back in July 1983, and went back in a few years later. The first time he was gone for 6 months it was a great homecoming. When he went to Desert Storm I knew when he came back he wasn't the same. He went in the Naval Hospital in June or July of 1992 for depression and wanting to commit suicide.

He got out of the Navy and we moved to Salem. He was still going through a depression and he was misdiagnosed with clinical depression and manic-depression, along with medications to go along with each of these illnesses. He was depressed and had outbursts of anger. He finally went the the Vet Center and got counseling, along with Amy and I sometimes. His counselor retired and the next counselor wasn't really meeting his needs. His counselor now is great, and Rich has been hypnotized to bring up what happened and release it.

He's doing better - not as many dreams, he talks to me about things a lot more. He is a funny, generous, kind person - the person I feel in love with and love more every day.

I'm reading a book recommended to me Many Faces of PTSD by Susan Rau Stocker.

PTSD is an invisible illness. There are over 7.7 million people that suffer in one form or another of PTSD. I hope people reading this realize that people with mental illness are people that deserve love, kindness and compassion like anyone else. All it takes is knowledge and taking away the stigma that mental illness still has.

Here are some links for today:

http://healmyptsd.com/

http://thejourneyleadshome.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/ok-be-honest-am-i-gonna-get-fibromyalgia/

Pam is blogging daily about fibromyalgia for Invisible Illness Week

http://craftforhealth.typepad.com/my_weblog/
I was encouraged to write something for this blog and I will eventually.

You can't judge a book by their cover . . .

2010-09-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Crisis, what crisis?

2010-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to be blogging again for the Chronic Babe Blog Carnival - it's #12!

Since I was a young child I guess I learned from situations and adults in my life to handle crisis. My mom was basically a single mom until she had to go to court to force my dad to pay child support. I remember a few times we had our electric and/or gas shut off. I didn't feel my mother's panic, but I was also glad my grandmom lived across the street.

When I got married it seemed like at one point or another there was a lot to handle. Even getting married wasn't the "dream day" I imagined. I might have talked about this before. My grandmother paid for a beautiful place for our reception, and the food was good LOL. In Pennsylvania you have to get a blood test and all that. "All that" was since Rich was married before he had to have his papers. Couldn't find his papers and this was about 5 days before our wedding. Well long story short - we had the reception and only my mom knew we weren't married. We got married a year and a month to the day we met - December 12th. I had to kind of laugh about it a little even though it wasn't funny at the time.

I worked while Rich was away a lot in the Navy. Right before Amy was to go to kindergarten she was "touched" by the baby sitter's teenage son. I shut down the daycare, but I had to find a new babysitter and new school. I'm always one to find things out - sometimes unconventionally. We decided to put Amy in a Catholic kindergarten. I called the office and asked if they knew of a person that did babysitting - and they did! It was a hard time because along the way I had car trouble, and also got a promotion but had to do my old job too.

That was just one block of time. It sounds really hectic and crazy and sad. I had a lot of anger about the situation with Amy, but I didn't really have time to think about it much. In a way I'm proud of myself because I handled it all and came through it.

I tend to say "let the past stay in the past". Lately though situations have come up where I've had to remember the bad things in the past. It doesn't feel good when I think about it again, but at least I get it out and out of the way. I hold a lot in if you can't tell LOL, but I'm finally learning. I am a little more outspoken about things. If I don't speak up I know it'll take a toll on my body, and I can't afford that.

I used to watch "Jon & Kate plus 8" and when they said "it may be a crazy life but it's our life" - I have to giggle every time. OK I don't have 8 kids but hey I might have a book coming out too LOL.

I hope you read some of the other babes that wrote about crisis.

http://www.zazzle.com/hotincleveland
I got my Free Elka mug - how about you LOL?

hopefully I'll have some more links on my next post!

Thank you Migranista!

2010-09-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

http://migraine-ista.blogspot.com/

For giving me this award! And reading my blog and liking what I have to say.

Also please read Chronic Babes new blog carnival - http://www.chronicbabe.com/articles/854/. It's about Health Reform and I felt I didn't know enough about it to right about it.

Thanks again Migranista - I really appreciate it!

Monday, Monday and of course other "stuff"

2010-09-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day America! I woke up around 8:30 which is late for me but Rich has the day off so I got to "sleep in"a little. I was watching Big Brother After Dark last night but with only 4 people left and 3 are guys well - not that interesting LOL. I was watching Lane lifting weights and Rich comes in and says "WHAT are you watching?" and I said "not much" heehee.

It's starting to feel a bit like fall here - I have my feet covered and wanting some warm apple cider! That's a good thing about living in the Northwest - fresh apples. I like apples dipped in caramel. Yeah I know - not diet food but boy is it good. I like a certain brand of caramel too so I stock up when I can.

Last year this time I was in Arizona waiting for London to come.

That little tiny bundle to that big smiling boy! I am so lucky to have happy healthy grandchildren and things are starting to look up for my daughter. She deserves all the good things in life, but I guess that's what all parents want for their children no matter what age.

I'm going to work on myself this fall. I'm taking a class called Power Stories: tips and tales for standing in your own power and it has come at the right time for me. I love Rachelle and blogging her *8 Things and I know I will be loving this class. Even at 53, even saying "no" at times when I need to - I still am a bit "timid" - to get involved, to reach out. Being a person with fibromyalgia and arthritis and living right now in Oregon it it really rough for me to get out to join a book club, to join a craft class. I hope after this I will reach out and start my own book club and talk to more people online that share my beliefs, my sense of humor, etc. or people I can learn things from that might not be just like me, but we can learn from each other.

It's hard sometimes to be "just me". I am more than my illness. I am still a woman, a wife, a mother , a grandmother, a funny (at times) person. I'm not afraid to try new things, new foods (there ARE exceptions though). I started 2 businesses from home with less than $500 and I probably could start something else or give someone else some good ideas. I used to be a positive person - the glass was half full and sometimes overflowing. The last five years have been very rough on myself and my family, physically, emotionally. I lost some of that "positive-ness" and I hope to get some of it back.

OK guess I got off on a tear LOL. I guess this is about you are never too old or too anything to try and improve yourself or learn something new.

http://cargocollective.com/learnsomethingeveryday

http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/default.aspx?recipeId=4221

recipe for a apple crepe

http://almastoller.typepad.com/almastoller/fabric-beads-oddities-and-thingamajigs-workshop.html

class making fabric beads (saving for later)

http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/?RecipeId=3974&categoryIndex=-1

easy coconut macaroons - one of my favorites and they are so good!

Feh Friday and question for you

2010-09-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

It's one of THOSE days. Where you want to stay in bed and put the pillow over your head. But I am here and I'm writing. I was going to write about Rachelle Mee-Chapman's *8 Things, but I'm really not in the mood to write out my faults. I know there will be a time where I'll need to examine all the stuff inside of me and changing for the good, but not today.

I'm like Kathy the character in The Big C who says in a restaurant she's having "desserts and liquor" - except no liquor but I am having a brownie for lunch LOL. You think why would I want to watch a show about a woman with cancer? But it's a delightful surprise. Laura Linney is great and gutsy, and I think we all need to at least once order dessert and liquor for dinner!

Thinking about her reminded me of doing something silly a few times at the store. Rich and I were looking for stuff at Christmas and we went and turned on all the "talking" toys, the dancing ones, etc. It was SO much fun!

OK I am sitting here with a smile on my face.

Please let me know - what have you done in the open (or secretly) that isn't "adult like" LOL?

Here are some links - ENJOY!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/ref=pd_nr_kinc_mte

free books for Kindle - you can download Kindle to your PC also.

http://www.icanhavethat.com/

gift baskets for those that need gluten free foods or have food allergies

Thank you Maya! and so sorry it took this long

2010-08-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

For giving me the versatile Blogger Award! She writes the Loving With Chronic Illness blog and she's an animal lover like me! She also lives with a chronic illness - spondylitis.

Sorry this has taken me so long - not having a good time of it for the past week with neck, back, knee and hand pain in particular.

OK here are the requirements of the VBA -

OK according to the rules I have to:

Rule #1: Thank the person who gave you the award.

Thank you Maya! visit her blog at http://lovingwithchronicillness.blogspot.com/

Rule #2: Share seven things about yourself.

1. I don't like plain ol' coffee. Even drinking it at home I like flavored creamer. Right now I have chocolate raspberry - YUM. Don't care about the calories but when I get out and pass a Starbucks I'll get a flavored latte.

2. Right now on my DVR I have - Royal Pains, Amercian Pickers, Pillars of the Earth (a miniseries), Futurama and 3 reruns of General Hospital that feature "Brenda Barrett" LOL.

3. I didn't think I'd get one but I got myself a Kindle. I like the idea of instead of a pile of books on my night stand I have the Kindle. It even has a subscription to Dell's Horoscope every month- hard to get on the news stand here.

4. I am SO glad Rich and I got Amy a computer for her birthday! Now hopefully we'll be able to communicate with each other more and I'll get to see her and the boys and eventually Zoey too on webcam!

OK sorry but can only think of these right now LOL.

Rule #3: Pass the award onto 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and you think are are fantastic!!

The Answer is Chocolate
who cares what the question is right LOL?

The Vintage Moth
free images

Salem Oregon Daily Photos

Polymer Clay Smooshers

My Food Looks Funny

Lisa Liza Lou
Lisa Fulmer inspires me with her creations

Life Imitates Doodles
Zentangle anyone?

Ciao Bella
recipes YUM

Black and Missing but Not Forgotten
Black and Missing but not forgotten

Beez in the Belfry
Zentangles - love them!

Sorry I don't have more listed but I do read a lot of blogs.

Thanks again Maya!

Moody Monday

2010-08-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.fragileannie.com/2010/08/chronic-illness-patients-i-salute-you.html

Thanks Annie for putting into words what I try and tell my husband when I feel like dog you-know-what, but the next day work on crafts or my blog. Like Annie I AM a fighter and will continue to fight.

It's really frustrating to get little chunks of time sometimes not even a whole day to feel really good to do something, anything. I had to give up a project yesterday, which really left me defeated. I usually say "never say never" but I don't think I'll be doing anything like that with a time line until I have a whole week where I feel good all day long.

It was hard to talk to the person that invited me to do the project. I was thinking to myself while talking about what I'm going through "is she going to understand? will I lose the connection I have?" I was holding up at least 3 people. That's where the defeat and disappointment in myself came in. I was bummed yesterday and couldn't put my frustration into words. The only friends I have basically are online and from support groups I've been in so they usually understand what I go through every day. Those that know me from the "craft world" well if they read my blog they'll know who I am and like me in spite of it LOL.

Today I woke up with an extremely sore neck but because of LDN (low dose naltrexone) couldn't taken anything until 9 am., 12 hours after my dose. I'm also having some tummy trouble and some scrambled brains lol. OK if I can't laugh I would be sitting in bed crying. To take my mind off things I did watch Cool2Craft demonstrations - I love seeing craft demonstrations. I have to thank Bev in FL for that. Besides my writing it's something to look forward to every week.

OK here are some links that make me SMILE:

http://www.britto.com/

love his art ever since I saw it on Bethenny Getting Married? one of my guilty pleasure shows where the women don't SCREAM LOL.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1999770,00.html

Time Magazine's list of best blogs of 2010 - LOVE Cake Wrecks LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs&feature=player_embedded#!

I heard of this but haven't seen it until now LOL

*8 Things - The Family Cabin

2010-08-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Well Rachelle is taking me down memory lane again. Things I remember from when I was young -vacations and summers spent doing different things and vacations I've taken with Rich and Amy. Good memories.

1. Waffles and ice cream - from the boardwalk in Wildwood NJ - some nights it would be breezy so we'd have shorts and a sweater on and that fresh made warm waffle and ice cream hit the spot.

2. Piles of rocks and or seashells Amy would collect on our travels - she liked collecting.

3. The laughing we did when we went to a national park and "tasted" some berries right off the bush! A park ranger did come along and it took all I could not to giggle and see the smile on Amy's face.

4. The whale watching trip we took in San Diego for the day.

I'd never been on a boat that size so I took Dramamine beforehand and still had some in my purse. Good thing - Rich of all people started to get sea sick! We had a laugh but I felt so bad for him. Meantime Amy was running around the boat nothing bothered her. We had a great time and saw some whales too!

Thanks Rachelle for making me remember the good times - and the good times to come with my grandkids.

http://www.aquarium.org/toursAnimalEncounters.asp?sid=3
this is at the Oregon Aquarium - would love to do this with Amy and the grandkids!

http://www.nps.gov/crla/
Crater Lake - a spot I LOVE

http://www.redwoods.info/showrecord.asp?id=475
the redwoods - beautiful

Blog Hop - I'm in!

2010-08-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

OK I follow Live it. Love it (or not). Write about it. and she's having a blog hop or blog carnival. Just the title of the blog I'm loving it LOL. OK so maybe I'll a little OLD to be in this hop but I like meeting new friends, so here's my intro . . .

I'm Gerri, almost 53 (the 28th of this month). I've been married 26 years to Rich, a former Navy man, and we have a daughter Amy who is 26 TODAY! We also have 3 grandchildren - Zoey, 8, Brandon, 5 and London 11 months. Rich and I live in Oregon and Amy and grandkids live in Arizona and I miss them all a lot!

I am retired after working for about 35 years and I enjoy reading, writing, working in our garden and working with crafts. I have a craft blog also - www.thecraftvirgin.blogspot.com - so you can see my hits and misses with crafting LOL.

I have fibromyalgia and arthritis but I try and have a positive attitude about it all.

Here are posts to get to know me better -

http://gerrisspace.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-won-i-won-versatile-bloggers-award.html

http://gerrisspace.blogspot.com/2010/06/8-things-passion-youre-soaking-in-it.html

Thanks for including me - now I'm off to read some of your blogs!

Down the rabbit hole and back out again - now where's that shovel?

2010-07-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

When I get really down and depressed I always say I'm in a hole, and I'll eventually dig my way out. I usually do or I wouldn't be here. I'd be in a hospital somewhere medicated to high heaven I'm sure if I didn't have the love and support of numerous friends and family.

Of course the hole I'm picturing is Alice in Wonderland and there's no wacky Mad Hatter to greet me. I know eventually I'll get out but it's scary all the same.

I'm fortunate I have people that help pull me out of that hole whether they know it or not. I have my husband, Rich, who does a lot for me and brings me Junior Mints and flowers. He makes me laugh a lot, and I know I'm loved. We've been through a lot together. He also supports different treatments I've tried. He's one of my biggest cheerleaders.

I have my mom who I can still talk to about things, and she still calls me her "baby" at 52. She makes me laugh a lot and by her example shows me the strength to go on. She's had bouts of depression yet she's still working at a check cashing establishment where she stands most of the day - at 71.

I have my online friend Bev. Thank God for voice chat - since she's in Florida. Both her and her husband are disabled yet we talk for at least 2 hours about everything - and she got my mind off of being chronically ill and made me feel like a crafty, creative person. Even in bad times we always seem to laugh at least once in our conversations.

I have my daughter and grandchildren. They make me think that I need to go on and guide them, love them, and for the grandkids - spoil them LOL. I remember growing up with my grandparents and I can't think of growing up any other way - they taught me a lot also.

I have my online support group Chronic Babes and the ladies whose blogs I follow from that group. Thanks for making me think, hope, be proactive, and have some really neat online friends!

Twitter Tuesday - two I follow and other stuff going on

2010-07-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is just my opinion after reading and not really knowing these two women. Yes I do follow them and read their "tweets". Wonder what it is when you tweet drunk LOL? I'm not one for coining words or making them up (I always use spell check) but how about "twoops"? "Sorry too much wine last night - twoops!"

First off - Lindsay Lohan. She's been in the public eye since age 10 on "Another World" , then the remakes of Parent Trap for Disney. I did like her in "Georgia Rule" seeing the movie after I heard about Jane Fonda not being so nice to her in print. She can be another Robert Downey, Jr., who was and is a talented actor who finally got sober after being in trouble and going to jail to resurrect his career OR she can be Heath Ledger, River Phoenix - who died young from drugs.

Of course this is close to my heart because of my daughter struggling with addictive behavior. I know people are born with this behavior and circumstances like home life or lack of one can bring it on. I think Lindsay's mom and dad wanted to be "friends" with her - like I was with Amy. Wrong choice. Now all I can do is say I love you no matter what and encourage her to be the smart girl I KNOW she can be. Lindsay does have talent and she needs people that encourage that talent. Maybe an older actor/actress can be her "mentor". I wish her the best and think that really this jail sentence might be just the thing to help her.

OK Sarah Palin. Buzz about her "goof" (see below) and then her response about making up words and didn't Shakespeare do that also? She graduated University of Idaho majoring in journalism.

"Refudiate," "misunderestimate," "wee-wee'd up." English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!1:38 PM Jul 18th via web
Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand, Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in interest of healing11:57 AM Jul 18th via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Peaceful New Yorkers, pls refute the Ground Zero mosque plan if you believe catastrophic pain caused @ Twin Towers site is too raw, too real

As usual she's stuck her foot in it again. Maybe I'm terribly naive but I believe there are good and bad in all races, religions, cultures. I may not believe what the Muslims believe (I don't follow any religion), but just like any religion here in America they have the right to practice it. And Sarah Palin got a degree in JOURNALISM - really?? OK it's not about Sarah but I did like the segments they did on SNL LOL. And poor Jon Stewart is on vacation and missing all the fun!

OK I don't know her but I follow her too but I love her - Bethenny Frankl! Shout out to her today being a co-host on The View. Love Whoopi, Sherri, even Elisabeth sometimes but Joy is SO annoying! I'm sure Bethenny can hold her own with her.

Update on my taking Low Dose Naltrexone. I took the first dose on Thursday, July 15th at 9:00 pm. It's recommended you take it at night - it will work better. When I took it I felt kind of "jittery" like too much coffee. Friday I felt energetic and did some household things. I can still feel the joint pain and took some extra strength Tylenol. I've had neck and back pain - that's what started my "journey" to finding out it was fibromyalgia - and that's lessened somewhat. My pain kind of comes and goes but I've only had one bout of being tired for no reason. It's no "miracle" cure but I think with me as with anything else it's going to be a long journey. I'm also thinking of taking DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) which would help the LDN. It's not even been a week but I am seeing some result. I'm going to give it a month.

Links I find interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/01/arts/critic-s-notebook-live-from-new-york-permission-to-laugh.html
after Sept 11th - permission to laugh again

http://www.mtv.com/shows/real_world/neworleans2/series.jhtml
ok I have to admit - guilty pleasure LOL

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/update-amys-goodbye/1087961/
was trying to look for a "Governor Paterson" SNL - I was almost ready to cry along with Amy LOL - and I found this instead.

http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-beginning-there-was-no-light.html
and ok this is about a woman starting out a blog knowing she was going to die but she lives on in her children and grandchildren. Posts are by Renee Khan who's first entry includes "“I have grieved for the life I thought I would have and I have lived in the shadow land. BUT NOW! I have returned and have chosen to be happy, to care and to love.

I got lost in this blog last night - it's beautiful.

Have a great day everyone - I know I will.

*8 Things Thursday - Honoring Places

2010-07-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

YAY it's back LOL! I like having a "subject" and Magpie Girl didn't disappoint me since my brain is kinda muddled today.

Anyone I talk to I mention my hometown foods and where I really haven't gotten a good hoagie or cheesesteak since a shop down in San Diego owned by a South Philly native. He even had Tasty Kakes!

OK I need to find other stuff than food in Philly LOL and here goes:

1. Big piles of leaves in the fall and jumping in them after school.

2. Going to the Philadelphia Zoo with Rich, and he proposed to me after we got back to my house.

3. Driving a car the first time around Philadelphia. I had taken public transportation when I lived there and it was nice to drive around in a rental car - even though it was frustrating (too much traffic, really rude people LOL)

4. Seeing the movie Rocky and recognizing my neighborhood at the time.

5. Coming back to the street I grew up on after leaving Philadelphia and seeing how SMALL it was!

View Home in a larger map

OK sorry only 5 today but of course the main memories for me are my family who are still there and my loved ones who aren't and who I learned a LOT from!

Some more fun Philly links:

How to Speak Like a Philadelphian

http://www.phillyfunguide.com/

I won! I won - a Versatile Blogger's Award!

2010-07-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

WoW! I am really, really honored, shocked AND surprised. Thanks Shalunya for giving me this award and I feel the same way - like it's an Oscar or maybe a Grammy - but that's another story LOL!

I do want to thank my loyal readers, commenter's, looky lous LOL. I only have 22 followers but that's ok - they are a GREAT bunch!

OK according to the rules I have to:

Rule #1: Thank the person who gave you the award.

http://gypsyshalunya.blogspot.com/

I love Renee's spirit and I hope I can truly be one of her online friends to guide her through the world of "chronic Illness" and life afterward

Rule #2: Share seven things about yourself.

1. For a person that wants to be published I have a fear of being rejected! Crazy huh? I would love to write a children's book and a fictionalized version of my life (no one would believe the real stuff LOL).

2. I LOVE most musicals! I love old ones from the 30's, 40's and I learned the soundtrack to Sound of Music and West Side Story before I saw the movies.

3. I got brave one day and sang karaoke. OK so I was a little drunk and the crowd was small LOL but I did it. I sing in the car and don't care if someone sees me LOL.

4. I grew up wanting to be either a teacher or a veterinarian. Each one you had to go to college and I goofed off in high school. I think I have too much heart to be a vet and a teacher - well I think I've taught people plenty of things over the years and I'm proud of that.

5. Guilty pleasure - right now shortbread cookies from our local grocer and Big Brother! I watched the first time around and then when Dan won, last year I got the live feeds where you can watch 24/7 and this year I am revved up for it LOL.

6. I believe in past lives and I have a fascination for Victorian style houses (and dollhouses). I think I might have lived in the late 1800's, early 1900's.

7. Pet peeves - people who stop and look at accidents UGH, ignorance - if you don't know and shoot your mouth off SHAME on YOU, people who throw trash out their windows, on the ground, etc. Yep I used to be one of them but thanks to Rich I even wrap my gum and put it in my purse until I get home LOL.

Rule #3: Pass the award onto 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and you think are are fantastic!!

1.   Alley Art Studio - got me started to blog!
2.   Carolyn @ BBDish
3.   Gypsy Shalunya
4.   Every Woman Has Her Chair
5.   Serial Drama
6.   Linda Peterson Designs
7.   Desperately Seeking Salem
8.   Heidi Borchers
9.   Oh My Aches and Pains!
10. Chronic Babes
11. Friendly Plastic
12. The Invisible Disease . . .
13. It's Time to Get Over Fragile You Are
14 Liz Welch’s ramblings on Friendly Plastic and Other Matters

Thanks again Shalunya for this award - I am truly honored!

Hey can you be on my team?

2010-07-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

OK thanks to Jenni I'm working my slightly heated brain for her upcoming Blog Carnival.

When you think about teams or team mates you think of sports, or even some workplaces. When I was in high school let's just say sports was not my thing since I was a bit klutzy back then.

I know when I've become sick my husband Rich was always there. From pleurisy when our daughter Amy was a few months old to Hepatitis C a few years ago. I knew though that when Rich was going through extreme depression I had to depend on others to help me understand, and counseling has helped us both.

I can call my mom - still - and talk to her about me, my behavior, my aches and pains. I talk about Rich and his behavior, too, but the funny thing about my mom - she doesn't take sides. Good answer, Mom! Our (Rich and I) doctor is great. He'll great you with a smile and a hand outstretched and even a hug every once in a while. I have a few people from my online support groups I've been in, and it's always nice to talk about stuff other than what medications we are on and what are their side effects.

I also have friends online that know sometimes I can't get off my couch most days, and like me anyway. My friend Bev asked if I was interested in crafts - that was one of the best days of my life. Even though she has a brain injury and walks with a walker it doesn't take away from what a great crafter and person she is. We chat online or on the phone - minimum time usually is an hour - and we make each other laugh. Now that's a team mate!

I also have hope and a sense of humor on my team. I try and make the bad times a little better and always hope that tomorrow will be better.

I hope you get to read some of my other "team mates" blogs this time around after you've read mine.

LDN and other random "stuff"

2010-07-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/p/LDN.htm

Rich had gone to our naturopath because he's having tummy troubles. Dr. Albin knows I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. He wrote down naltrexone. Of course I looked it up and figured "how would a drug that helps people get off narcotics help me?" Next time Rich went (after I hadn't called Dr. Albin about the drug) and had another note "low dose naltrexone and fibro - look up together". Ahhh now I remember seeing that in About. Nine comments and 8 comments seemed to say it helps. Wish me luck and if you know someone that's taken it or if you've taken it and the results - let me know if you would.

Happy Independence Day America! I am lucky to live here. There are flaws but I'm glad I have the right to voice my opinion OUT LOUD without the threat of being killed. I like watching documentaries, especially about other countries. I watched "Afghan Star" recently and again loved the country I am in. I'm writing this blog and thankful I'm not being censored. I love two movies that are shown on this day - Yankee Doodle Dandy and Independence Day, and I usually record and watch them.

Wouldn't it be nice if this ever happened? Aliens come to destroy the Earth and the President (Bill Pullman) addresses the pilots that are planning to destroy the aliens:

The President: Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in this history of mankind.

Mankind -- that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution -- but from annihilation.

We're fighting for our right to live, to exist.

And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

"We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We're going to live on!

We're going to survive!"

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!

Hope everyone reading this has a great Independence Day and in other countries - have a wonderful day.

Jacquie Lawson's Fourth of July e-card

Trailer for Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942

Guinness World Record Firecrackers

Guinness World Record Fireworks Display

*8 Things - Simply Summer

2010-07-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well I do like this topic - http://www.magpie-girl.com/ - *8 Things you want to do this summer

Here are mine:

1. Eat lots of fresh local fruit - we have blueberries, raspberries and watermelon in the fridge right now and I ate a handful of raspberries washed after lunch

2. Go to the coast

3. Go to the State Fair

4. Drink plenty of Snapple Iced Tea LOL

5. Go outside and watch the local fireworks on the 4th (or even get some and set them off).

6. I would also like to eat outside - even if it's our back yard.

7. Eat mango sorbet on hot days - YUM

8. Enjoy the sunshine!

OK very short but it would be great if you can tell me YOUR 8 things for summer?

"Fan of" Friday

2010-06-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

I'm always coming up with ideas LOL. I've started a Christmas ornament business and also dog grooming (no training), and they both worked well but different circumstances "closed them down". Would I do dog grooming again? Not really. I love dogs but standing a lot and all the hair - no sir LOL. Today I'm sounding like Danny Bonaduce on a bender LOL. Allergies, sinus whatever it is.

I'm always having some kind of ideas and the internet can really help someone with disabilities. I have several friends that are disabled and to one friend in particular I said "never say never".

Marcie Budgell told me she took pillowcases, traced coloring pages on them and colored them in for gifts. I sent her some pillowcases . . . and a crafter is born!

Marcie was born with spina bifida and lives in Middle Arm Newfoundland Canada. She loves her church, her family and a collection of teddy bears she has. She LOVES doing the pillowcases and I love her work - I love the colors she's using but I bet if you needed a baby gift she can whip out the pastels!

She's had many requests for her work and I'm so glad for her. When I talk to her on instant messenger I don't think of her as disabled. I guess sometimes I get into the "mother" role since Amy is her age LOL. Because of her location and disability it's hard for her to find a job. It's always nice to do something you LOVE and get paid for it. Of course I'm feeding her ideas LOL but I think once she gets this off the ground she's going to do great!

Marcie's Craft Corner

this is her group on Facebook - just stop on by and request what you'd like! She's also doing names, etc. but the basic drawing/coloring on the pillowcase is $15.00 and names, etc. will be extra.

Any other info you want to know let me know - she is just getting things set up.

I like it when someone gets excited about something - it's contagious.

*8 Things - Celebrate the Sun!

2010-06-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

I "borrowed" this picture LOL because I like it. Prayer Dancing is the name of the painting and the topic came from Magpie Girl is *8 Things of course. Monday is the beginning of the Summer Solstice and the beginning of summer. Here in Oregon it's a joke that summer doesn't hit until around the 4th of July. I know some of you are getting heat and humidity, but all I'm asking for is a little sun LOL. I guess I'll have to create my own. I have yellow clay, yellow crayons (yes I have crayons).

Monday June 21st is the beginning of summer and the Summer Solstice. It's interesting how this is celebrated world-wide.

OK my 8 things for celebrating the sun -

going to the coast
having a picnic
swimming - haven't done in a long time
either cutting flowers from my yard or buying them in as many colors as I can
eating mango sorbet -my personal favorite
buying and eating seasonal fresh fruit, veggies - corn on the cob anyone?
going to the Oregon State Fair
going to the World Beat Festival

The last two I haven't done in a few years but I think I might get Rich to go with me to the State Fair this year. World Beat - been there by myself and loved all the different cultures dancing, foods and "stuff" to buy. Now that I'm doing crafts I can find a lot of stuff to use, inspire me etc.

What are you doing to celebrate?

I DO have a talent LOL

2010-06-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well at least I think I do. I have two classes with Linda Peterson tomorrow and we were told to attempt to make a bear out of polymer clay]. I usually draw stick people so I figured I'll do the best I can with it. I looked on youtube, looked at pictures online, etc. When I picked up the clay it was great! I made this

plain, simple, two colors. I'm hoping to get more detail in Linda's class to "cute" it up. Not sure if it's a he or she yet LOL.

I thought maybe after "conditioning" the clay my hands would pay the price, but feeling good about what I've done outweighed the pain. You will probably get sick of all my "creations" lol.

Anyway, wanted to blog about the Chronic Babe Blog Carnival. Thank you Jenni for including my *8 Things - Passion - post in the Carnival since it is about things I'm passionate about. I'm reading through the blogs and learning that you CAN have happiness every day even though you have a chronic illness!

One more thing to the list - polymer clay! I am just starting to learn that being a "sick person" shouldn't be first on my list. Before I got chronically ill I was a woman, wife, mother, grandmother - and I STILL am LOL. I was a "rose colored glasses" kind of person - maybe too much so. I am more realistic, more honest with myself and others.

Other things I am passionate about:

the underdog - like "Rocky" in the movies, older contestants in Survivor like Rudy Boesch - I like rooting for the people that don't seem to have a chance to win but they try really, really hard.

spaying and neutering your dogs and cats. I had one litter from our cat down in San Diego and we wound up with 2 of the 5 kittens our cat had. If you don't have the money - talk to me! Get in contact with me and we can work something out.

I am not quite P.E.T.A. passionate but I DO love animals. I love going to zoos, aquariums, etc. but not sure if it's right to keep animals there. I would love to swim with the dolphins - that's on my bucket list and I'll post some more of that another time. I would love to go and see sea otters up close in Monterrey or Alaska.

I am passionate about knowledge. I would laughingly say "ignorance is bliss" but I meant more about - gossip, drama, etc. involving other people - not ignorance about things. I'm good at either researching online or hit and miss about equipment - I don't like reading manuals LOL.

Here are some links about other things I like - and please go and read my online friends posts about "passion" through the Blog Carnival!

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=desktop+wallpapers+tropical&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=uCMZTK2AAYztnQfZ4InECg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CD4QsAQwBA

tropical desktop wallpaper

http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/dept_bath____23504?cm_re=navigation-_-mainnav-_-bath%20&%20body

love this brand of bath wash, lotions and they have ones that are bath wash/shampoo too

*8 Things - Passion you're soaking in it

2010-06-12T18:08:00.001-07:00

I love looking each week at *8Things - it makes me think even if I don't have 8 things sometimes.

I was not one of those teenagers that screamed and went to every David Cassidy, Donny Osmond or The Monkees concerts - but I did buy all the Monkees albums LOL. I guess that made me passionate about them but only to a certain extent.

Things I am passionate about -

1. The sound and looking at the ocean. I didn't know the ocean and beach could be so beautiful until I moved to Oregon.

2. Andrea Bocelli singing Mille Lune Mille Onde - this song just gets to me LOL

3. Lobster - broiled with drawn butter to dip it in - plain and simple and ohhhh so good!

4. Beautiful colorful fabrics, quilts - http://www.grandbazaarfabrics.com/ and

- maybe that's why I also like stuff by Mary Engelbreit - here are some cute desktop wallpapers - http://www.maryengelbreit.com/make-takes/desktop-backgrounds/

5. Dark chocolate with mint or raspberries

6. Even after 26 years I am still passionate about my husband. It's different than when we first were together and we'd look at each other and jump into bed but I still get a little thrill just sharing a kiss.

7. Not sure if it's passion but one day I'd love to see the Aurora Borealis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoIBt-zgn0

What are YOU passionate about?

. . . it just keeps getting weirder and weirder

2010-06-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

I get a call from my mom last night. Her friend's brother is a retired police officer (as was my father) and he told her that Jerry Lang had died. My mom knew I was pretty good at finding out things on the Internet, so I started to look. I've never paid money at those search for someone sites and didn't think I would this time. I did sign up with www.ancestry.com though since I was going to try my hand at doing a family tree.

When my mom called I was a bit shook up even though I kept telling myself it doesn't matter if he was dead or not. I haven't seen my father in 20 something years. Even when I did see him I had friendlier conversations with my mail carrier. It was weird looking at addresses he lived at and the only one I recognized was my grandmothers house. I remember him living there, painting in my grandmothers basement. He was a talented artist that's about the only good thing I can say about him. There were also records where it showed he was born 2 years later than he actually was - another thing for me not to like about him. OK I am pretty much done. I did see he died October 21, 2009 and no one bothered to call my sister or mother. My mom is in the phone book, has been since she's had a phone. It seems like some things in my life that should be normal (like getting word your father has died) are messed up. It kind of makes me laugh in a way but it's sad too.

Like I told an online friend of mine - you can't pick your family. You can think about all the GOOD things in your life and that's just what I'm going to do.

Here are some free people search sites for my links today:

http://www.zabasearch.com/

http://www.pipl.com/

http://www.findagrave.com/

This last one gave me the creeps a little.

I PROMISE you the next post will be a little more lighthearted!

*8 things Thur erhm Friday - Fill 'er up

2010-06-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

OK due to some family "drama" (long story as usual) I totally forgot 8 things Thursday so I might have to make it 8 things Friday - or Saturday, etc.

This week Magpie Girl challenged up to find things that will fill us up - physically, emotionally, spiritually - you get the idea. Here's my list:

1. LESS time online - I think I need to "schedule" online and offline time. I spend too much time online just piddling around doing nothing.

2. MORE vegetables and fruits - I like most of both I just need to eat more.

3. LESS time indoors and MORE time outside - even to sit in the yard when it's sunny outside. I think we all need a little Vitamin D now and then. Either that or maybe a tanning bed?

4. MORE creative time and LESS TV time - I can definitely use that, need that and can do it in the afternoons (see #1 LOL). Taking some polymer clay classes through Linda Peterson again

What do YOU need more or less of to fill you up?

"Telephone" Tuesday music I love - and other stuff as usual

2010-06-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

OK I guess I am considered OLD by music standards but I LOVE Lady Gaga! I confess I am and never have been a dancer, but I love music that makes me WANT to dance. I love Poker Face, Just Dance and Bad Romance. I also watched an interview with her and her videos. Rich was home and said "she doesn't wear much clothes does she"? To me she's innovative, creative and very intelligent with a good voice and no voice over. I first saw her at the VMA's and didn't appreciate the blood on her nice white outfit but she grew on me LOL.

From when I listened with my mom to our tiny AM-FM radio and seeing my mom dancing and singing to the Rolling Stones, when I was around 13 years old and sang "American Woman" into my hairbrush (sister Sue was back up) - I always loved music. I remember hearing over and over West Side Story and Sound of Music before I saw the movies. It was comforting to me to see the movies and know the songs - and sing along.

I remember disco - and wanting to HATE it LOL - but I did like some of it and still do. Donna Summer, Saturday Night Fever, etc. I remember watching Michael Jackson videos when pregnant with my daughter Amy, and hoping she'd pick up my love of music. I remember listening to Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx when Rich was in the Navy. It was sappy and I missed my hubby and of course the radio kept playing it and playing it LOL. I remember winning two tickets to the circus by singing the "Good and Plenty" jingle (just in case you needed to win a contest):

I remember my daughter being embarrassed when I sang in the car, but caught her singing in the car to 80's music. To me 80's music is like "comfort food" Madonna, Foreigner, Talking Heads, The Pretenders. In the 90's I liked Nirvana, Pearl Jam and to my daughters dismay 'Nsync and Backstreet Boys.

I used to watch the MTV Video awards and Movie awards but I guess I'm getting told old for them I think LOL. I watch the Grammy's and fast forward through the parts I don't like. I do love Glee, but I still like old musicals like The King and I, Singing in the Rain, Judy Garland movies. Did you know there's going to be a sing-along "Grease"? OK I guess I'm a geek LOL - I would love to go. I had a chance to go see Rocky Horror Picture Show when I lived in Philadelphia. I didn't go and sorry I missed it. I love that there is a guide online.

I missed my polymer clay class with Linda Peterson but I will watch it when I get my supplies. She sent me an e-card which was a lovely surprise. I am so thankful to Bev from FL who introduced me to Cool2Craft on Facebook. The weekly demos are great and I learn a lot.

OK some links for you all -

www.zeer.com

search food products that are labeled if you have food allergies, need gluten free products

http://pretty-random.com/blog6.
one of these days I'm gonna buy a nail polish someone recommends and wear it with pride!

Calgon Take Me Away!

2010-05-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

I'm writing another blog carnival post for Patients For A Moment sponsored by Selena of Oh My Aches and Pains! Thanks Selena for the invitation. The more I write the more I like it and if I can help someone or make someone think, laugh or even smile it's worth it to me.

This time of year in Salem Oregon the temperature is in the 50's and the humidity is 50% or higher. Not great weather for someone with arthritis and fibromyalgia. I think about warm, dry weather like in San Diego - where we lived while Rich was in the Navy and Tucson - where I've traveled to twice in the past year by myself.

The first trip wasn't planned, like a vacation. Amy had a high risk pregnancy, and I had to be there for emotional support. Since it was last minute it seemed like I traveled and waited pretty much the whole day - I was exhausted for most of the time I was there. A friend of mine told me I should've told the airline I have a disability. You don't need any written proof, but I still felt a little uneasy saying I was disabled. I guess for myself I need that "independence" of saying I can travel on my own, but it was hard. In a motel room I do get extra pillows and if you ever get the chance to stay in the Radisson they have sleep number beds - heavenly.

For the second trip I STILL didn't tell them I had a disability. Even if I know way ahead I'm going somewhere I'm not a "planner" but I think maybe next time I will plan ahead before I board an airplane.

I got some tips from About: Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue that I'll be using next time. The last two times I did request an aisle seat - easier to get in and out of. But I think next time I'll request a bulkhead aisle seat which is the first one in coach. I was lucky coming home - I got that front seat along with a woman with a walker. I do travel with all my medications clearly labeled in a gallon zip lock bag, just in case. WHEELS on the luggage LOL - don't have that.

The good thing about traveling down to Arizona - I got to see my grandson born the second trip! Bad part - I ran my mouth and told my lawyer I was making that trip just in case I'd get a call about my disability hearing. I did get a letter telling me I had one in January 2010. When I had my hearing the judge pretty much said "well by the great letter your doctor wrote you would have gotten disability BUT the fact that you traveled by yourself questions your disability". WHA?? Many disabled people travel with crutches and wheelchairs.

Here's hoping my next trip will be better planned, with someone (hopefully my husband), and for a happy reason - Christmas vacation! Some other places I would love to travel: of course some tropical island like mentioned here *sigh*:
http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/top-ten-best-tropical-islands/

I would also like to go to the coastlines of California, Greece, Italy, Spain.

Here are some links relating to traveling with a disability or just traveling in general:

http://access-able.com/graphical_index.html

a lot destinations, modes and even some stories from travelers themselves.

http://www.disabilitytravel.com/

handling traveling in a wheelchair since 1985

http://www.travelforkids.com/

http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore%20Oregon.aspx
of course I like the coast LOL and Crater Lake is one of my favorite spots to travel to

Any suggestions on traveling on your own and disabled would love to hear from you!

*8Things: Improved Eating

2010-05-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

OK I found this badge on my Artist's Way teacher Dayna's blog and the originator is Rachelle Mee-Chapman - 8 Things Thursdays. This week it's - Improved Eating.

I am eating less red meat and more chicken. I do drink a lot of water - almost a gallon a day. It helps with my skin and with taking opiates that are constipating and it fills me up. I am on a Snapple Iced Tea kick though right now but I still drink water in between LOL. I have improved my eating habits - not too much red meat, more whole wheat or 12 grain bread, more seafood. I also like whole grain pasta, fresh ground peanut butter. I try not to eat processed food. I used to eat a lot of frozen dinners because they were "easy".

Things I need to improve on: fruits and veggies. Fresh, organic. I like just about every fruit except maybe cantaloupe and honeydew melons and veggies except Brussels sprouts, parsnips, turnips. I've eaten plain yogurt with frozen fruit and honey and I LOVE strawberries in season, peaches and apples. Watermelon

I've read lots of stuff that say it lessens the pain of fibromyalgia and arthritis. I take calcium/magnesium, omega 3, Vitamin D. Not sure if they help, but I guess they don't hurt. If I took all the supplements that are recommended I'd be eating pills all day LOL.

There's always room for improvement in eating, exercise, etc. I'm not a "diet" person. I did try Weight Watchers online and I just about went crazy LOL. Three weeks and I was done. I saw the Oprah show with Geneen Roth who wrote the book "Women, Food and God". They had women in the audience who've gone through a lifetime of dieting and disappointment. The guidelines for "intentional" eating are:

Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.

Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.

Eat what your body wants.

Eat until you are satisfied.

Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.I am guilty of eating in front of the TV and the only time I probably can eat would be breakfast and lunch when Rich is at work. I'll have to try it and see if it works and try all the others suggestions.

OK here are some links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj-0znwU0XE

a video about the Tinsel Trading Company

http://www.tinseltrading.com/index.php

and the catalog - they have tons of beautiful stuff!

Thanks for reading!

Never Say Never

2010-05-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

OK you know when you say "I'll never do . . . " and God laughs? Well I was watching "Julie & Julia" about 2 weeks ago and when Julie wrote in her blog about the fight with her husband I said "Oh wow I'd never do that" when Rich was watching with me for a bit. Well I did it yesterday. I didn't quite tell everything. I keep things inside and try and forget them and they come welling up when things like this happen. I don't know whether I expected people reading this to help me or what but I guess at the time it felt good "talking" about it.

If anyone has a spouse with both PTSD and ADD it's difficult at times. I have gotten used to some things, but like with fibromyalgia there is always something that comes up that's unexpected. He suppresses more than I do and I just don't want to go backwards as far as suppressing MY feelings and walking on eggshells. Thank God for our therapist LOL.

Anyway on Thursday I will be posting *8Things - but I might be going out of order LOL. I found this link through Dayna Collins' blog and it sounds like a good idea to me. Also got an e-mail from an old friend Bobbie yesterday - I am doing a block swap! Not sure how it's going to go but it will be fun I'm sure.

Can't help it but have to post my ray of sunshine in a cloudy day - got this picture from my daughter

and can't help but smile!

Links for you to enjoy:

http://houseplants.about.com/od/pickingahouseplan1/a/ToughtestPlants.htm?nl=1
7 best house plants for beginners

http://www.givesmehope.com/
I like reading some of these when I'm feeling down

http://www.linktv.org/
I've watched some interesting films on this TV channel

Movie, Mad and My Name is Mud Monday

2010-05-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

I just saw on Facebook that a Chronic Babe and a blog I follow has posted for Monday

http://a-b-martin.blogspot.com/2010/05/things-that-bug-me-mondays_24.html

Believe it or not Andrea you inspire me. When I saw your post on Facebook that you'd done a blog entry it got me thinking. I will try to post according to the day of the week and this post will be about a movie or movies I've seen lately. Maybe I can get some of my readers to tell me movies they've seen lately.

One thing about movies - I haven't been in a movie theater for YEARS. Rich doesn't like movie theaters so it's either go by myself or feel good enough to ask someone to go with me. It's ok though - I like watching DVD's at home and Netflix is a pretty good deal.

Also it's Mad My Name is Mud because well Rich and I (well Rich) had a fight. Got up this morning and Rich was very quiet. He put on his work boots and all hell broke loose. He started talking to me about my betraying him AGAIN. Why oh why do we have to fight about MONEY? And adult children? I sent money to my daughter without telling him first because otherwise she would have to steal FOOD to eat and doesn't want to get in any trouble. I know he's not feeling well but to bombard me first thing in the morning. With the meds and sleep number bed and nice pillow you think I'd wake up bright and cheery but NO - I am stiff and sore and don't want to deal with anything at least 2 hours after I wake up. He said things that were hurtful and man I had a lot of ammunition myself but did not use it. We are going to see the counselor jointly on Wednesday. I hope we can get this straightened out. I feel helpless at times because I don't work and really can't work. I've worked for over 30 years and now that I don't work I feel like a child sometimes asking for money. It sucks sometimes to have a chronic illness. You think it would be better after a few years but it's not. It's also hard having a husband with ADD and PTSD - it's just hard.

The movie part - saw Avatar last night. I think that would be a cool movie on a BIG screen. I loved the movie, the colors, the story. Hopefully we will be watching UP sometime this week. I started to watch it this morning and said I'd save it for us to watch. Also I have My Sister's Keeper on the DVR. Read the book, heard the ending was changed. The ending was a shocker and I had my mouth wide open LOL.

I want to hear from my readers - favorite movies, thoughts on chronic illness? I guess when I'm troubled I feel like no one wants to hear it or I try to cover it up with jokes, etc.

OK I'll post some pictures/links:

From Blogger Pictures

My grandson Brandon is on the right, little London is in the middle, and Brandon's cousin/brother James is on the left. Sweet little boys!

From Blogger Pictures

Brandon, Amy and London last weekend.

Amy is getting to spend more time with her son Brandon. I hope she can get to see Zoey also - a girl need her mom. Amy's situation isn't a good one but I have hope.

Went to craft demos today to take my mind off things -

now I want "style stones" and buttons to make cute little doodads -

http://cool2craft.com/

very interesting links - Fair Trade, dolls of color

http://www.shopculturalcrossroads.com/7822.html

the best free cultural and educational media on the web - I listened to some free music!

http://www.openculture.com/

all things GLEE (one of my favorite shows this year)

http://www.gleetastic.com/?utm_source=wetpaint&utm_medium=wpad&utm_term=launch&utm_campaign=gleelaunch

Adventures of a Craft Virgin - and other things going on this week

2010-05-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure whether it's a symptom of my late diagnosed ADD or just pain ditsy-ness but I have a reputation for not finishing some projects. While others talk about their "craft rooms" or "studios" I have a sort of TV table and two paper bags full of "stuff". I've taken an Artist's Way class with Dayna Collins and a bunch of really great women. I drew stick figures for people and made a clay creation that any 4 year old like my grandson Brandon would go "how pretty Grandmom". I have done a needlepoint picture for my grandmother when I was about 10 years old, who hung it up proudly in her kitchen for years. I have crocheted and gifted afghans for several women who were having babies.

I see all kinds of classes through Dayna, but I don't want to sign up and not be able to get there. Every time a class came up I felt discouraged because I know I'd be missing out on a great time. I'm hoping one of these day that I CAN get to a class by Dayna or something from all the other e-mail newsletters I get from classes in Salem.

Thank goodness I found an alternative! Linda Peterson, of CraftechUniversity, held her first class yesterday. It was called "Friendly Plastic - Fusion Illusion". Friendly Plastic can be heated and molded to make jewelry and a lot of other things I'm still exploring thanks to Google. I went to a Meet and Greet to figure out how the classroom was going to work. The teacher and the students all are seen and heard on webcam and audio. I've had a webcam for a while and the one in the laptop came with the laptop. I don't like using it LOL because I'd have to comb my hair and put my "flipper" in where I lost a tooth up front. Nice visual, eh? Anyway the class was early for me and I looked like one of the vamps from Twilight - I prefer True Blood thankyouverymuch LOL. Loved the class and made a "pendant" but I'm going to play around some more and make a better pendant. I did play around a little yesterday afternoon - and set off our smoke alarm! Fun times.

I'm going to take another class from Linda involving polymer clay - it should be fun. Also I've signed up for a Textures class involving stencils with Tiffany Windsor. I can finally put some pretty stencils on our bedroom wall. I wanted to when Rich first painted it a calming green color. I wanted either fern leaves or palm leaves. The stencils from the class will be looking great on our walls.

I can't believe a lot of my favorite shows have had their season finales already! I'm glad I have a DVR because my heart was pounding after the first few minutes of Grey's Anatomy. I watched it Friday morning otherwise I probably wouldn't have slept Thursday night LOL. This show never disappoints me (except when they killed off George). Private Practice, CSI, Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters were all good - at least to me.

Here are some links - enjoy:

http://www.queeky.com/app

Have some fun drawing - this reminds me of Paint Shop Pro

http://ifshoescouldkill.com/2010/05/12/crazy-shoe-photos-if-tim-burton-were-a-middle-aged-woman/

If Shoes Could Kill - and man these would be murder on my feet LOL

http://www.cangles.com/

Recycled jewelry - pretty cool at least I think so

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (and other stuff)

2010-05-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Every time I see a Lyrica commercial I want to scream. Instead I look at the TV and usually say "shut up" after I hear the "all over muscle aches" yadda yadda yadda. Unless you know someone with fibromyalgia you look at that commercial and say "hey this thing can be cured". Yeah right. I don't want a cure - I am still trying to "manage" this beast. Think I'll call him "George" LOL.

Yesterday I had hope because I heard the weather was going to be in the 60's or even 70 by Thursday. What they failed to say it would be cloudy along with it, which mean high humidity - at least for today. I am hoping tomorrow is a bright sunny day and we can take a ride to the coast.

I am listening to the Glee cast - inspired by Tiffany Windsor's blog post for today. I am a big fan of music, musicals - I am a G(l)eek and proud of it. Crafting - well - I've "dabbled" but I am gathering courage for an online class coming up. I'll be taking another online class after that. I feel like a kindergartner at times (my skill level that is) but I think that's sometimes fun too. Who wouldn't want to be a 5 year old at times in a 52 year old body LOL? I am at the age where I am who I am and if you like me accept me for who I am and who I can possibly be in the next 30 years.

I've read about a lot of people that have had great accomplishments after age 50 and I am trying to visualize myself publishing an article/book/whatever to try and help someone, to discover something new and useful to someone:

at age 50:

Hermann Hesse wrote Steppenwolf, which dealt with man's double nature.

Leo Tolstoy, horrified by the meaninglessness of existence, considered suicide, and finally turned to the simple faith of the peasants.

P. L. Guinand, a Swiss inventor, patented a new method for making optical glass.

The philosopher Plotinus was finally persuaded by his students to write down his ideas, published as The Enneads.

Samuel Adams directed the Boston Tea Party.

Barbra Streisand won a 10-year film and recording contract estimated at $60 million.

Mary Dixon became a pilot at the age of 50, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Earl Vickers got married. The day included a string quartet performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody," a performance by an improv group, and a song he wrote for his wife.

Terri Tapper became the oldest female certified kiteboard instructor in the USA (and possibly the world).

Larry Silverman of Ballston Lake, NY, achieved his 3rd-degree black belt in karate.

At age 55:

Painter Pablo Picasso completed his masterpiece, Guernica.

Italian physicist Alessandro Volta invented the voltaic cell.

Richard Daniel Bass reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Walter Cronkite broadcast two special reports on Watergate, for the first time putting the story clearly before the American public.

Ella T. Grasso became the first woman to become an American governor on her own, not as the wife of a previous incumbent.

Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring, which publicized the indiscriminate use of pesticides and helped rally support for environmental protection

At age 60:

Playwright and essayist George Bernard Shaw completed a play, "Heartbreak House," regarded by some as his masterpiece.

Italian sculptor, painter, playwright, draftsman and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini began designing churches.

Ann Roberts retired from 30 years of driving an 18-wheeler, changed jobs to tax preparer and also sales rep for a tractor/bush hog company. She square dances evenings and weekends. She is a grandmother of 4 and is still working.

Frieda Birnbaum became the oldest woman in the U.S. to give birth to twins.

At age 70:

Benjamin Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence.

Businessman Cornelius Vanderbilt began buying railroads.

French actress Sarah Bernhardt had a leg amputated but refused to abandon the stage.

Justice John W. Sirica heard the Watergate case.

Judy Brenner, who had recently run the Boston Marathon, chased a teenage shoplifter 100 feet and helped hold him until police arrived.

At age 80:

Jessica Tandy became the oldest Oscar recipient for her work in Driving Miss Daisy.

George Burns became the second oldest Oscar recipient for his work in The Sunshine Boys.

American writer and physician Oliver Wendell Holmes published "Over the Teacups," which displayed his characteristic vitality and wit.

Christine Brown of Laguna Hills, California flew to China and climbed the Great Wall.

Paul Newman earned an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie for "Empire Falls" in 2005.

Dick Van Dyke appeared in the movie, "A Night at the Museum."

Sir George Martin (along with his son Giles) co-produced the Beatles' album "Love," the soundtrack to a Cirque du Soleil play.

At age 90:

Chagall became the first living artist to be exhibited at the Louvre museum.

Pablo Picasso was still producing drawings and engravings.

Chemist Paul Walden was still giving chemistry lectures.

By the way - if you care or know someone with fibromyalgia please take the Pledge to Care at the National Fibromyalgia Association website.

Thanks so much for reading this - I appreciate it.

Fun/interesting links I know of have visited:

http://fibroblog.org/2010/05/11/win-a-select-comfort-mattress-in-honor-of-awareness-day/

queen size mattress anyone - they are LOVELY!

http://shitmykidsruined.tumblr.com/

kids being kids (I DID cut my hair but hey it grows back LOL)

http://mugtug.com/sketchpad/

an online sketchpad

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/reinventing/articles/freelearning.html

learn just about anything online

and finally the class I'm taking:

http://www.craftechuniversity.co m/

Fusion Illusion (Friendly Plastic) and polymer clay

Learning to Live with Pain - and not succeeding very well at it

2010-05-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

I've dealt with a lot of physical pain like childbirth, getting a liver biopsy (have you SEEN one of those needles) and a gall bladder attack that was worse than childbirth. Chronic every day pain now that's another matter. I've had pain every single day for the past 5 years. At first it was just being really tired and neck and back pain. I got the name of a chiropractor and was told he didn't do "cracking" which I was grateful for. He did some electrical type work on my back, legs and neck which helped a lot.

I've gone to a chiropractor before and didn't have to go for long. This time around when I got done I would hurt about 2-3 days later, plus I was really tired. I got a memory foam pillow which is wonderful, but I was still tired and achy all over when I have had a full night's sleep.

I then went to a rheumatologist that diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and poly arthritis. I've learned to live with the overall pain with the help of antidepressants and 3 types of pain killers. Painkillers do NOT kill pain LOL. They make it manageable. You don't get "high" from pain medications, they help you get out of bed every day, even if to stumble to the couch. That's one thing I told myself when the pain gets bad - just get out of bed - or I'd never get out. Oh that's another help - we have a sleep number bed and it's great.

I've tried an infrared sauna which helped but getting there was a problem after a while. I've tried massage - the first time was great the second time was awful - I started cramping up! I was stressed to the max taking care of my mother-in-law. I'd like to try it again maybe twice a month. I've tried acupuncture and after 2 sessions a week for 3 weeks the last session hurt so bad I didn't go back, but the first few weeks were great.

I know the weather has a big effect on my pain. I live in Salem Oregon, and for someone with arthritis and fibromyalgia it isn't the best place to be. I know I need warmer, drier weather. I've been in warmer, drier weather down in Tucson Arizona and I felt a LOT better. I still had pain but it was the underlying pain I could live with and walk around with. I still got tired after hardly doing anything but my pain level was lower.

There are things that help me be more comfortable - my heating pad, soft blankets, socks. Biofreeze which comes in a roller form so no stinky mess on your hands LOL. A nice warm bath with some nice smelling bubble bath, bath salts. Our two dogs Curly and Kayonna who lay with me. Kayonna is good at knowing when I'm really hurting, but I don't recommend a chihuahua as a service dog LOL.

My husband Rich does understand my pain, even though sometimes I feel like I'm a burden or ask too much of him at times. He's brought me a fuzzy queen size blanket, socks, my favorite dark chocolate candy. He's also brought me tulips in beautiful colors so I can look at flowers when the weather is dark and rainy. He's brought me a lot of flowers LOL.

I am part of the Chronic Babe Blog Carnival and the question is - OK the question is - What's your laugh-out-loud illness-related experience? For me it was when I was diagnosed with fibro and the doc asked me about sleep - I wasn't getting any LOL. He gave me Tizanidine and said even though it's main purpose was for muscle spasms it was being used for fibro patients for sleep. First night I took it and a half hour later I was OUT. A little while later Rich said I wasn't in bed and wondered where I was. I was on the toilet - SOUND ASLEEP!

And Speaking of "Invisible" Illness . . .

2010-05-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today is May 2nd and yesterday was the start of Mental Health Month. I'd like to get the word out for people to understand that mental illness does not mean "crazy". I've dealt with mental health issues in my family, then my husband, and then myself.

My mom is a daughter of an abusive alcoholic and has had anxiety, agoraphobia, depression off and on since I can remember. She hid it well, but I do remember medications she's taken, visits to the ER thinking she had cancer (her mother was sick at the time). She stopped taking those medications and is trying to go with just over the counter and supplements.

My husband Rich served in Vietnam, but wasn't diagnosed with PTSD until about 30 years later. Post traumatic Stress Disorder is a common anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

When I met Rich I didn't realize he had a heavy drinking problem or what some people would call "self-medicating". He didn't know what was wrong with him so he drank to quiet the hidden memories of Vietnam. He was in the Navy at the time and went for 6 weeks to Navy rehab. He was ok for a while, until he went through Desert Storm. He came back and things weren't the same with us. He got really depressed, angry at little things. He checked himself into the Naval Hospital in San Diego.

After leaving the Navy we moved from San Diego to Salem. We went through 10 years of counseling, Rich being misdiagnosed with clinical depression, bipolar disorder with medications to go with each disorder. He checked himself into the mental hospital because he wanted to commit suicide. That was really scary because we had several guns in the house. I hid the guns and told him he needed to sell them, and he did.

He went to the VA center here in Salem and talked to a counselor there, who also was a Vietnam veteran. It finally started making sense to Rich - he had PTSD from Vietnam. I learned all I could from the Internet, talking to other veterans wives online. He's had hypnosis from another counselor that specializes in PTSD, and now Rich talks about how he's feeling, the nightmares he's had for years. He can talk about things more often now, but we still have our times dealing with his depression.

I've dealt with anxiety and depression when I was stressed about Rich's situation, trying to work a stressful job, and raising our daughter Amy. I felt like I was walking on eggshells with Rich because I didn't know from one minute to the next what kind of mood he would be in. I know my daughter dealt with her own feelings and acted out as a teenager - drinking, taking drugs, ditching school. I felt very guilty that I didn't do enough when she was a teen, but she says she's forgiven me. I hope by talking to her she'll be able to find the tools to cope with depression and anxiety, which she has also.

At one point I hoped that I wouldn't have to take antidepressants any more. I was off of them for a while until I had my first ever physical about 5 years ago. I was told through my blood tests I had Hepatitis C. To me it was just a name of a disease - I didn't know what it was, how you get it, etc. Of course I hit the Internet again, talked to others that had Hep C and others going through different stages of liver disease. I was told before and during treatment for it I needed to take antidepressants since the medication gave you suicidal thoughts. I was able to get off them after I had treatment lasting 6 months. About 6 months later I sprained my ankle badly and a little after that I had really bad neck and back pain and I was tired all the time. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia with poly arthritis. I didn't get on antidepressants even though I was told when you have a chronic illness there is depression. A short time later I started getting really angry about little things. I went to the doctor for antidepressants and have been on them ever since.

My next post will be part of the Chronic Babes Blog Carnival! I missed the last one due to computer problems but this one I'm in it YAY!

http://www.chronicbabe.com/articles/cat/16/

Here are some links related to mental health:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealth.html

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp

http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

2010-04-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm in an online support group called Chronic Babes after I read this blog and found this questionnaire - hope it helps my readers to get to know me:

1. The illness I live with is: fibromyalgia/polyarthritis

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2005

3. But I had symptoms since: 9 years old

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: listening to my body

5. Most people assume: I'm ok physically/mentally

6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting out of bed

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy

8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: my computer

9. The hardest part about nights are: whether I'm going to get a good night's sleep

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) - 18 different

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: have tried acupuncture, chiropractor and would try anything else if I had the extra money

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: invisible because I wouldn't have met the people I have online

13. Regarding working and career: I am retired and don't know how others work feeling the way I feel or worse

14. People would be surprised to know: I started working at 18 and worked until I was 48

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: not knowing how I'll feel day to day

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: going on an airplane by myself

17. The commercials about my illness: doesn't BEGIN to tell how I feel and I BOO them for fun LOL

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: driving anyplace

19. It was really hard to have to give up: going where I wanted any time I wanted

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: writing and crafts (still working on it)

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: go to the coast with hubby and walk on the beach for as long as I wanted

22. My illness has taught me: no two people feel the same way physically/mentally with this illness

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: I GIVE UP

24. But I love it when people: have a positive attitude

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Never say never

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: listen to your body and what it's telling you

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I'm not afraid of the word "chronic" any more and I have a chronic illness but it isn't fatal

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: got me a queen size fuzzy blanket and fuzzy socks and flowers all on the same day!

Thank you Rich you are the best and I love you

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I'd like to get the word out

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: better that you understand a part of me

Some links for you:

http://otherdumbquestions.blogspot.com/

"How are you" and other dumb questions (about chronic illness)

http://ecoheidi.wordpress.com/

Heidi Borchers who does "recycled" crafts - LOVE her stuff!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/

all kinds of "stuff" about Walt Disney World

Also I'll be part of a "blog carnival" through Chronic Babe - watch for that post soon

What should I write about?

2010-02-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

I know my previous blogging has been mostly about what's going on in my life. Right now not much is going on LOL. I figured you all didn't want to hear about a woman sitting on the couch most days in pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. I want to help people, reach out to people. I would love to write about something uplifting and not my illness. My husband suggested PTSD but that's another deep, deep subject that he suffers from and it was just diagnosed about 4 years ago after serving in the Navy in Viet Nam.

Do you like reading about my random life? Or maybe once or twice a week I can write about a particular subject? I also like humor and right now even though I'm a positive thinking person it's rare that I've laughed or smiled lately. I know once my daughter and grandson come to live with us it's going to be a different life for me.

Just to catch you all up since I came home from Arizona. I finally got a notice for my hearing for SSDI. My lawyer warned me the judge was not pleasant so I guess I wouldn't be surprised. The whole process is awful - at least it was for me. I guess I just counted too much on the money and the powers that be said "whoa you aren't going to get your money THAT easily!" I am not giving up on this - that's what they want you to do. My grandson is a beautiful, smart baby. My daughter is growing up and London's dad is not - plain and simple. He doesn't work and doesn't want to watch the baby while Amy works. I'll be so glad for her to come up here for her new life. It will be my new life also.

I do want to do some art classes but money has been tight caring for two households. I am following Jody Bergsma's blog and she's giving lessons on painting and this caught my eye lately:

http://artwithheart.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/painting-sea-otters/

Sea otters! OMG~So playful and cute and I wrote Jody and let her know that I have about 5-6 items of hers LOL. I am going to try this for sure.

As usual I am enjoying Dayna Collin's artistic endeavors. I hope to re-connect taking a class soon. Love you Dayna!

http://alleyartstudio.blogspot.com/

I also contacted Bonnie King of http://www.salem-news.com/ to find out if they needed help from someone that cannot always come into an office, but I can do plenty on the computer. I might be helping out volunteering helping with their calendar. I am happy to be doing something.

Til next time . . .

Long Time No Write?

2009-10-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

I was looking for ideas on what to blog and went back to my Creative Every Day group:

http://creativeeveryday.com/creativeeveryday/2009/09/creative-every-day-challenge-theme-for-october-connect.html

This months theme is Connect and I've done plenty of that.

I am down in Arizona connecting with my daughter and new grandson London. First time I've seen a baby born and I laughed and cried at once. The first cry was so precious especially after the loss of Roman Gabriel in 2007. I think I'm making progress as far as talking and getting through to Amy. I hope when I leave she can always call me or her dad to talk about anything.

I've also connected with my old online women's group after a two year absence. We'll see how that goes. I've joined and quit, joined and quit LOL.

I've spent more time in Amy's apartment than she has LOL. London is in NICU and she wants to spend every moment with him, which is natural. Not sure when he'll be home but can't wait to see him hopefully tomorrow or Saturday.

I also can't wait to get home. I miss my husband, Rich who is my rock. I saw a documentary on ADD/ADHD

http://news.globaltv.com/Loving/2009300/story.html

and found out some new things that I LOVE about him and also how to help him fill in the gaps. You learn something new every day.

Links I found interesting:

http://iamotter.co.uk/

love the little guy on the trampoline LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD9y-Vqqwls&feature=related

love this from the movie "Michael"

CED - Self

2009-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

I guess this month I've been avoiding the topic of Self. I am still discovering things about myself at 51. You think by this age you'd say OK I'm grown, don't worry about what other people think, etc. I have gotten to that point at least thank God. I am learning to be a better mother of a 24 year old, a better sister. I talked to my sister the other day and it was nice. I hope we can continue to keep up communication.

OK the squirrel LOL. That poor thing was in our tree in the front of our house where it's nice and shady. I grabbed the camera and took this. Rich and I stood there and he didn't move an inch LOL. It's been 106 and it was even around 100 when we went to sleep yesterday and expected to be 107 today! I woke up sweaty UGH. I like the heat - it's good for me - but the humidity gives me a headache. I remember growing up in Philly and playing and swimming in the summer in the heat and humidity and not minding it a bit.

Man I'm getting old LOL.

Links for today:

http://tourcochisecounty.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/summer-and-the-beauty-of-fresh-veggies/
didn't know they had farmers markets down in southeast AZ (hopefully our future home after retirement)

http://www.gossipcop.com/
saw this on GMA this morning and yes I do like celebrity gossip LOL

http://www.madebyparents.com/
even though I'm not a parent of small kids I am a grandparent

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/07/28/the-light-the-liiiiight/
I love the one-eyed squint LOL

Follow that sound . . .

2009-06-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just saw the second season opener of The Cleaner. I love it all the more because it's based on a real life person, Warren Boyd - an "extreme" interventionist. Benjamin Bratt - I've got a huge crush on him and yes he's a good actor also. Whoopi Goldberg still astounds me. I see her as referee on The View sighing or making a face when the others are cackling too loud LOL but she kicks ass as an actress still.

Thank goodness for our DVR but I did get sucked up in the media coverage of the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I wrote about it on Myspace:

I didn't know either Farrah Fawcett or Michael Jackson but I knew OF them. The media can be really cruel but talent still shines through. I watched the fluffy Charlie's Angels and the gripping Extremities and the "reality" of Chasing Farrah and the brave fighting of cancer in the NBC documentary. It tore my heart out to see her son get out of jail and he got into bed with her to hold her after he said "Mommy, it's Red". Yesterday morning I was expecting the news but ever positive she would hold on and fight it. I shed some more tears today thinking about her son getting the news of his mother's death in jail. It was good to hear my daughter's voice today and to tell her I loved her, to hug my husband. Then later on the same day the shock of Michael Jackson's death.

I just read Lisa Marie Presley's blog saying how she thought she could "save" him like all or almost all women think they can do with the men they love. I read about his feeling more comfortable on stage because he felt loved there. He only knew the stage since 5 years old and off stage was pain - physical, verbal, maybe even sexual abuse. He was forever a Peter Pan. I can't believe he was one year and one day younger than myself. I feel bad for his children who are possibly going to be caught in a tug of war. I was heartbroken when the allegations of sexual abuse from him to some young boys was brought out. His talent came at a price. If he was not "perfect" he would be beaten with a belt so he learned his and all his brothers music just in case. So sad.I have good memories of Michael's music though.

First song I saw as a video was "Beat It" when I was pregnant with Amy. I would watch MTV on Friday nights when my husband worked. I remember the Jackson 5 when I was younger and listen to all that music even today.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8

Farrah and Michael - rest in peace, you are no longer in pain.

That being said - I'm going to enjoy today because it's supposed to be beautiful here in Salem.

http://eyesaflame.blogspot.com/2009/06/found-installation-art-in-philadelphia.html
found this through a blog I follow - maybe I can visit the Magic Gardens next time I visit home.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3035532/0~2376780~6009391~6016656~6016690?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6016690&P=1
ok so I'm a closet glitter queen LOL

Have a beautiful day and tell at least 3 people you love them!

The Sound of Laughter

2009-06-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was invited to an Artist's Way Reunion up in Portland yesterday. Dayna has done 4 classes and invited all the "graduates" for an afternoon of fun & laughter. Everyone brought some yummy food and I met 3 women I hadn't met yet from previous classes (I was in #4). We are in an e-mail check-in type group and it was nice putting a face to a name.

I had never gone up to Portland myself and it was an "adventure" LOL. I parked in a lot where when I left the gate was closed! Thank goodness for that chef I talked to - he found the keeper of the gate key LOL. I didn't get home until around 10:15 pm. I am going to take my friend Bobbie up on her offer of showing me around Portland one of these days. It's similar to Philadelphia where I was born and raised. It's divided into different neighborhoods. I recognized Chinatown but the others I had not been to. I was nervous because I didn't know where I was LOL but at the same time I liked the smells, sounds and sights of the different spots.

I had a great day but today as usual I'm "paying" for it - muscle aches and pains, etc. but I do smile when I think about the time spent with all the phenomenal women.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

love the "sweater" cake LOL

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/06/21/happy-surrogate-male-guardians-day/

this is sweet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqy5TMVWYn0

I love this old Bill Cosby routine about "breakfast for the children"

You Can't tell a book by Their Cover

2009-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you saw me you'd say "I can't see her rockin' out to anything" LOL. I'm not a heavy metal or hair band lover but I do love rock. One of my "creations" in Paint Shop Pro (they are called "tags" in the PSP groups I'm in) is one of my favorites. I also requested this one from a Pink song

I like listening to kick ass rock of Pat Bentar, Joan Jett, etc. It gets me up and dancing. Yes I dance in the living room by myself when I'm in the mood LOL. I did dance around this morning to Pink's So What

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJZDsJ8UU64

I have my soft side too. More on that later.

Some links for you all today:

http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/soundfx/watersounds.shtml

I LOVE the sound of the ocean and waterfalls - it relaxes me

http://www.1051thebuzz.com/

one of my favorite radio stations

http://www.kink.fm/

another favorite radio station

http://www.covet.com/index

this is pretty cool - matches your style and sends you where to buy

The Sound of Silence

2009-06-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

OK I messed up LOL.

June's Creative Every Day is "sound" and I posted yet again on nature. Oh well LOL.

Right now it is silent here. I turned off the music & TV. Sometimes though silence to me means being alone, but silence can be good to gather your thoughts. When I was studying for school I had to have no distractions. I needed quiet - silence.

When I write though I need some music - it motivates me. Same with creating some in Paint Shop Pro. I remember when I used to do my homework when I was younger I'd have the radio on.

I associate happy times with music - weddings, my mom singing along to music on the AM radio we had. Our wedding reception. Me singing along to music in the car and my daughter telling me "Mom stop it!" LOL but now SHE does it!

LOVE this link I found this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfxCnZ4Dp3c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideomash%2Eorg%2F%3Fp%3D249&feature=player_embedded

I think I'm gonna love this months posting!

Mother Nature

2009-06-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

I was trying to find a good picture of some lightning. This isn't outside my back or front window but it will do. The storm Thursday came up suddenly - at least to me. I'm not a "storm watcher". I'm the one sitting inside thinking "please don't let the lights go out" LOL. You don't see too many storms here in Salem. Our dogs who bark at just about anything slept right through it.

We had lots of storms in the summer in Philadelphia, where I was born and raised. They'd come and go quickly, and sometimes it was fun seeing the lightning in the sky. I just wanted to go back outside and play. Sometimes I didn't even wait - I'd go out in the rain in my bathing suit.

I would do that now except when it rains here it's usually not that warm and people would look at me funny LOL. But you know what? I think I'm at the age where I don't give a damn. That's right. Even though I'd be hanging out all over the place with my black one piece suit if I had my grandkids here and they wanted to go out and play in the rain I'd do it. It just doesn't look right by myself ya know?

Links for today:

caution for those that don't like rats LOL. We had a few pet rats and I think they are pretty intelligent but other people I know have different opinions

http://www.jorats.com/blog.html

for those that don't have Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro here's an online photo painting tool which uses the colors of an image to paint - have fun!

http://www.psykopaint.com/

Where to find local strawberries in Salem OR

2009-06-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is for Rebekah - she asked me about where to find local farms and/or u-pick. Hubby got the strawberries I posted about at EZ Orchards but I found this other site on u-picks, farms, tc.

http://www.pickyourown.org/ORsalem.htm

I know Olson's has beautiful fruit and they have u-pick also.

It's best to call these places before you go or check out the websites.

I've never picked fruit on a farm. I did go to an unnamed park with hubby and our daughter Amy when she was younger and picked blackberries. We would look around occasionally but boy was it fun LOL. We were also in a national park and picked salmon berries I think it was. Never tried them before but it was fun eating right off the bush. Nothing like it!

Strawberries!

2009-05-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Local Oregon strawberries. Can't believe they are out already. Usually when I cut them I have to take some off the sides, etc. but these babies I just cut the tops off or ate them right out of the container LOL. Beautiful - and naturally sweet too. I also love eating them with some angel food cake - yummy!

This to me means a part of nature. Beautiful fruit and vegetables that tastes good. One time I was out in the woods and saw some mountain strawberries. I took them and grew them in a big container in our yard. I didn't think any would grow but we had a few come out and they were pretty good.

I remember in my grandmother's yard. She had a peach tree and I couldn't wait to eat them right off the tree. She also made a peach custard dish that I can still taste - it reminds me of summer. Also she made peach ice cream - it was to die for!

Here are some links for today:

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

man what wrecks LOL - gives me a giggle!

http://gimundo.com/videos/view/500-years-of-western-art-history-in-under-3-minutes/

this is beautiful - 500 years of women in western art in under 3 minutes

http://fripperee.wordpress.com/

one of my fellow Creative Every Day bloggers

Beautiful Day

2009-05-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

I took a picture of some beautiful flowers in our yard and tried to do something "arty" with it LOL. I have Paint Shop Pro where you can add layers and do different effects to photos.

Here's the untouched photo

I need to pull out some of the filters, brushes, etc. I have for PSP and use them to create my own nature .

I love taking pictures so I'm taking my camera when I go out today and see what I can find. Weather is beautiful and that's a plus.

So for the remaining days in May I'm going to post links about Nature:

http://www.anseladams.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=9

Beautiful pictures of Yosemite

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/usb-tulip-hub

OK this is a stretch LOL but aren't they cute!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-redford/harnessing-natures-power_b_201605.html

using Nature as power

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYs5zyM9zk8&feature=related

I've always liked the sound of the ocean to relax (that's for another day) but this is nice too.

Creative Every Day 2009

2009-05-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am joining up Creative Every Day. Okay so it's May already LOL but I need to focus my writing in a certain direction and this will be it.

This month's theme is Nature - one of my favorites! As a born city gal I love that I live in the Pacific Northwest - plenty of nature here. Lots of green and flowers, coast and mountains.

Tomorrow I will be posting some pictures and some links.

I got acupucture - and I feel good!

2009-05-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it worked for me the first time LOL. There's a free pain clinic using acupuncture (thank you Dawn K.!) and pain I've been feeling in my neck, the popping and cracking when I turn it is gone for now. I went in because of pain in my legs, but with fibromyalgia you have pain everywhere, just sometimes some spots are more so. I couldn't believe I could move my neck without it hurting.

I'm watching the season finale of Grey's Anatomy and then I'm going to sit out in the sunshine and enjoy it!

Interesting (to me anyway) links for today:

http://www.oprah.com/menu/food/menus/20090508-tows-adam-perry-lang-barbecue-menu

yum - BBQ

http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/2009/05/latest-spa-vacations-deals.html

spa anyone?

http://www.oddee.com/item_96670.aspx

I collect sea otters LOL

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

To all my friends out there of two legged or four legged "children". It's a not so sunny day today but I was out most of the day yesterday. Went to Lifesource where they had all kinds of goodies out and got some things. Man it was crowded - like no one eats in this town LOL.

Our azaleas are starting to bloom and that makes me happy. They were one of my grandmother's favorite flowers. She had all kinds of colors in her yard but I've never seen one like the one we have:

I got a text from my granddaughter Zoey's stepmother Christene and I called her back. I talked to Zoey - such a sweetheart. Also my mom called and my sister was taking her out to dinner. I hope she has a great time after all the rainy days that have been in Philly lately.

My mother is amazing. Single mom for so long and dealing with an alcoholic Alzheimer's fiance for 25 years. My mom doesn't have a computer but I wouldn't write anything here I wouldn't say to her face. She grew up with us kids. She was 18 when she had me. I remember her dancing to the Rolling Stones on our little AM radio. I remember when I was around 21 and we had a house party and she drank from a beer mug. She almost became a go-go dancer back in the day (the 60's).

I love you Mom.

A great Spring Day and TGIF!

2009-05-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

Aren't they sweet?

I love it when Rich comes home from work and says "I saw some mamma ducks sitting on nests". This year he saw about three of them - mom & dad hovering and sitting on the nest. A few days ago he took his camera in and took pictures of the fuzzy new arrivals.

I want to try my hand and planting some veggies! A great lady from the Arist's Way (she was also in the Altered Book exchange) gave me some great hints about planting veggies. Thank you Laura.

I feel really energetic today. Maybe it's the d-ribose my naturopath gave me or the sun is out but boy do I feel good today! Drinking it in water also cut down on eating this morning. Going to take another dose before lunch.

My friend Bobbie is in Greece right now. I bet it's beautiful there. I'm a Travel Channel junkie LOL. I hope there will be pictures *HINT *HINT LOL. I'm hoping by the time she gets back I'll have tons of energy and I'll be able to get out with her on an Artist's Date.
OK some links for today:

These little devils come right up on the kayak! Think I need to make a trip to where they are LOL:
http://cuteotters.com/index.php?/archives/665-Otters-and-Kayaks.html

last minute Mother's Day gifts - some books you can even buy for yourself!
http://www.coolmompicks.com/2009/05/looking_for_last_minute_mother.php#more

Paint Shop Pro

2009-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't done anything (except maybe edit some photos) in PSP for a long while. I saw some posts by my AW fearless leader Dayna and her friend Shelby who took some photos. I saw the similarity to "blends" in PSP and thought I'd pull out this old "tag" I made. I like this sort of thing and it kind of reminds me of a t-shirt I have with layers of writing, etc.

Dayna - I think you've inspired me for the day! Stay tuned for some of my "experimenting" LOL.

It's a gray day outside but I'm cranking up the music, gathering some images and creating something.

Some links for you today:

some cute kitties

http://thedailykitten.com/kitten/17le8S86S/

I ADORE this video - so uplifting

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2009/04/life-the-musical-strangers-in-a-train-station-sing-and-dance.html

I need gardening help!

2009-05-02T18:43:00.001-07:00

I love our yard, but didn't really pay too much attention until after I retired. I love flowers and seeing them grow and all the colors - beautiful sight. I remember helping my grandmother plant flowers in our yard back home in Philly. We went from a tiny cement yard to a beautiful yard with lots of plants (mostly iris) and an in ground pool. We pulled a lot of iris out and put roses and other flowers in.

Anyway, Rich didn't want to plant too much into the ground here since he said "we are only renting". Well 15 years later LOL we are still here. We did try vegetables in containers but failed miserably. I didn't get enough information about growing them and keeping them growing. We did have some nice half barrels though for the next year - bulbs. Another bust. I did do good with herbs but this past winter pretty much wiped them out. I loved using dill with salmon, oregano and thyme in tomato sauce - made it taste home made. I love fuchsias and we grew some of those but 3 out of 4 didn't make it (we think). I do love these little flowers and I planted about 3 different bunches throughout the yard

I am going to try again. If anything I am persistent LOL.

Tomorrow a Spiritual Journaling class - sounds like fun!

This is a hoot (well to me anyway)

http://www.oddee.com/item_96658.aspx

found this after looking up "Salem blogs"

http://lovesalem.blogspot.com/

I thought this was a pretty cool idea!

http://sugarcoatdecals.com/

and finally I am a cornball LOL - the calls to Moe's from The Simpson's TV show

http://www.snpp.com/guides/moe_calls.html

Ramblings

2009-04-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well my daughter's got a job interview! OK in this economy it's so-so news but for her it's great! She's also feeling the baby kick and getting a check up & ultrasound tomorrow.

OK here's a few interesting links for you:

First my friend from Artist's Way, Susan Feinstein, has started a business after taking her first Artist's Way class! She is a fun loving, warm and twisted (in a good way) woman and I can see this going a long way!

http://www.perfectpairingsoregon.com/index.htm

First Wednesday in May - May 6th. One of my favorite restaurants is having their "Grand Opening"

Willamette Noodle Company

Looking for a cool Mother's Day gift for someone special - even yourself LOL?

http://www.bangerangbakeshop.com/product/94135/RELAX-MOM-AND-HAVE-SOME-CAKE-GIFT-BOX_695251.html

one of the many yummy gifts

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/plants/yearofseeds-20721942?viewpos=11&trackingpgroup=rccat&tile=LeftPod&reviews=10&ref=redprtlsnonprofit_MarchofDimes&ratings=4.3000&catid=rccat

I love this one! Seeds for a year.

I feel kind of old today LOL

2009-04-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

Not really - but my granddaughter Zoey is 7 years old today! I called her this evening to see what fun she had today and she had a tummy ache. I was in full grandma mode but didn't give advice to her stepmom Christene on tummy aches LOL.

Here's a picture of Zoey and part of her family in April of 2006:

Dayanera, Christene, Raynette, Wayne, Zoey and JJ.

I know Zoey is loved and cared for and it give me some peace. We are hoping to move down near the White family when Rich retires. It's kind of windy at times but a lot cooler than Tucson. I hope by us moving close by there will be a feeling of family and celebrations - two things that mean a lot to me.

Happy Birthday Zoey my sweet little pixie - you will always be Grandma's Girl.