Blog Candy

Congratulations to Bev at Things that I love for 300,000 hits on her blog. Check out her delicious blog candy and link to her site for a chance to win. http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/

More Candy

Visit Ellie's Stamp Garden for chances to win 12 X 12 cardstock tags and stamps http://www.elliesstampgarden.com/
http://www.simple-finds.com/ as always has some great offers. the short Ts called Shores from Hapari look espesially inviting for the warm weather that is starting to shine through.

My Poetry

I would like to share with you one of
my poems that was recently published.

God Meets You in the Valleys

You feel that you are all alone,
but please do not despair.
There are people you don’t realize
just how much they care.

The good Lord’s by your side,
especially at this time.
God meets you in the valleys
when you have hills to climb.

Your sadness overwhelms you.
You don’t think you want to live.
You have to straighten out your thoughts;
you have so much to give.

The good Lord holds your hand
when sorrow’s in your heart.
Please don’t you lose your grip.
Right now that wouldn’t be smart.

Hold tight onto your faith
this is a difficult time.
God meets you in the valleys
when you have hills to climb.

Karen Rangel
11-2008

I want Candy

I have been away for a while as I have been feeling a bit under the weather. I am back and have found some more links to delicious candy.
At http://jacque4u2c.blogspot.com/2009/05/paper-blooms-challenge-6-blog-candy.html Jacque is giving away an altered notebook that any mother would be happy to receive. Check out her blog and leave a comment
Go to http://marceascraftingcorner.blogspot.com/ and enter for Marcea's great candy, then check into the other she advertises. I'm heading over to those right now! One only ships the grand prize to Europe and the UK but does have some digital downloads if the winner is in the states.

Candy

Debbie at Passion for Crafts has some amazing blog candy that she is giving away on April 30th. Check it out at http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html
Jeanette also has some yummy candy. go to http://jeanette-happythoughtsinkspots.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment after reading her rules and checking out her beautiful work.

Blog Candy

If you haven't checked out http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/04/thanks-to-you.html yet you should. If you are a stamper you have to see this to believe it. There is so much to be won that I almost thought I dreamt it but I checked back and sure enough, it is for real. What a generous giveaway.

Eating Healthy

Antioxidants are the key to healthy eating. Which foods pack the most nutrients?
This is from the Editors of FITNESS magazine
Researchers at the University of Oslo wanted to know which foods have the highest concentration of antioxidants, the natural chemicals in food that make it healthy and prevent disease, so they tested 1,113 common foods and drinks, from apples to waffles. Their findings: Ounce for ounce, spices, herbs, nuts, and seeds pack the most nutrients. But if we're talking typical serving size, berries (five different kinds) also dominate the top ranks. The most surprising find? Chocolate ice cream rated higher than fruits like honeydew and green grapes! Here, the best 10 foods to eat to "anti" up:

1. Blackberries (1 cup)
2. Walnuts (1 ounce, 15-20 halves)
3. Strawberries (1 cup sliced)
4. Artichoke hearts (1 cup)
5. Cranberries (1 cup, whole)
6. Brewed coffee (8 ounces)
7. Raspberries (1 cup)
8. Pecans (1 ounce, 20 jumbo kernels)
9. Blueberries (1 cup)
10. Ground cloves (1 teaspoon)

Yummy Candy

There is some great and tasty candy at http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/ Just link to Bev's candy and leave a comment. A random winner will be picked April 23rd so be sure to check back.
For another business giveaway check Skip to my Lou blog and leave a comment at http://cherishyourstories.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-business-giveaway.html
Simple-finds.com is doing it again. Check out the new finds and pick your favorite for a chance to win some new clothes. This site is amazing.

We want candy!

Check out Nikki's blog candy at http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/2008/07/nikkis-blog-candy.html and follow her link to Natalie's if you haven't already entered.
Tonight I am tying on my new ergonomic keyboard. I can tell it is going to take some getting used to. Some of the keys just don't seem to be where they are supposed to be and I have to stop and look at my fingers from time to time. I am used to typing without looking so this is a step back for me. I suppose I will get used to it though. I do like the wrist support this keyboard has. That alone should help with the arthritis pain.
I am also adjusting to new glasses. I usually wear bifocals but my insurance wouldn't pay for the no-line bifocals so I had to get trifocals and I have to get use to seeing the lines and I have double vision where the lens correction changes. I wore them for half of the day but once I got on the computer I really started having problems and put my old ones back on.

More Yummy Candy You Can Share!

Judy is giving away lots of yummy candy to two people. The person whose post gets picked gets to nominate someone in blogland To get the second candy. It should be someone who has helped or encouraged you in some way. It can be someone who consistently posts encouraging comments, or has given you a special RAK of some kind, or someone who has given you a blogging opportunity. You decide.....whoever has been kind and caring towards you in some way or who really deserves a treat! http://judyscraftymoments.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-candy.html
This nomination has to go to Jacque for me, she has helped and encouraged me since the beginning. Thanks Jacque. :-)

Candy, Yummy

Leah Fung and her friends are giving away a cute slide card kit. Just leave a comment at http://leahfung.typepad.com/leahs_desktop_dictionary/2009/04/vblog-no-61.html#comments
You can post about it for an extra chance.

More Blog Candy

http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/ is giving away blog candy. The deadline is soon so get your comments in by the 12th at midnight.

Blog Candy

Stop by http://stardustgemsandribbon.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/blogoversary-candy/#comment-7185 and check out the blogoversary candy that Stardust gems and ribbon blog is giving out. While you are there read the great blog and find links to other great yummies. I'm on my way there now.

http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-candy-time.html also has some awesome candy and will ship internationally. This one you simply must see!

http://www.yummyscrummycreate.blogspot.com/ Is giving away a battery operated sewing machine. You will have to check the post for a picture and details.

http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/04/thanks-to-you.html is giving away a huge amount of blog candy in honor of 20,000 hits on her blog.

Undergoing construction adjusting for damaged operator

My arthritis is making it increasingly hard to type but I am not giving up yet. Fortunately I had access to an ergonomic keyboard and a wrist and shoulder friendly mouse. I will give them both a try but keep a close leash on my cordless optical mouse. My husband is ready to swipe it from me before I even know if I'm going to adjust to the new monster. I am trying to organize a much needed mess as I try my new components. I am also switching my all-in-one Printer-Copier-Scanner and dear hubby is getting my old one. He should be happy with that and not standing over my mouse like a vulture, don't you think? LOL
I'm hoping once I am working with the new keyboard I will be posting more often. I also hope that I will get a chance to get some more crafting done soon. It has been a bad winter. Ever since January I have been dealing with changes in my medications for fibromyalgia and it's many symptoms. Some symptoms have worsened while others have appeared out of nowhere. My arthritis is worsening on a weekly basis as is my eyesight. I will be sporting tri-focals soon at the tender young age of 53. But in my heart I feel 25, too bad my back feels 90. groan

Childhood Poems

I would like to share some of the poems I grew up with that had a part in my love for writing poetry. The biggest credit I give to my mother who instilled in me the love of reading.
These poems are from the book 'Favorite Poems Old And New' A selection of children's poetry by Helen Ferris

Algy met a bear,
The bear was bulgy,
The bulge was Algy.

There was a young lady of Niger
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger;
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside,
And the smile on the face of the tiger.

I guess these wouldn't make it into today's kinder, gentler fairy tales!

I saved my favorite for last!

Eletelephony
by Laura E. Richards

Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant-
No, no I mean an elephone
Who tried to use the telephone-
(Dear me I am not certain quite
That even now I've got it right.)

How e'er it was, he got his trunk
Entangled in the telephunk;
The more he tried to get it free,
The louder buzzed the telephee-
(I fear I'd better drop the song
Of elephop and telephong!)

I apologize for my lack of one on one talk with you lately. I have been fighting off bronchitis and the never ending battles of the fibromyalgia and chronic migraines. I should be back in physical therepy by the end of the month and I am hopefull that it will bring some much needed releif.

There are great deals on Simple-Finds.com and lots of ways to win chances at free giveaways. I haven't been up to par with my searching for the best of the best while I was feeling the worst of the worst, but I wanted to let you know I am on my way back. I just have to get a little cleaning caught up on the homefront and then I will be blogging away again and loving it. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Karenraye

Little Willie - Anonymous

Little Willie from his mirror
licked the mercury right off,
Thinking, in his childish error,
It would cure the whooping cough.
At the funeral his mother
Smartly said to Mrs. Brown:
"Twas a chilly day for Willie
When the mercury went down."

Tree poem....Well known and one not so well known

Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earths sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
written by Joyce Kilmer

Tree by unknown

I think that I shall never see
a billboard lovely as a tree
but unless all the billboards fall
I shall never see a tree at all

Does anyone know anymore verses to this little verse?? write in if you do

Hippos

Habits of the Hippopotamus
by Arthur Guiterman

The hippopotamus is strong
And huge of head and broad of bustle;
And limbs on which he rolls along
Are big with hippopotomuscle.

He does not greatly care for sweets
Like ice cream, apple pie, or custard,
But takes to flavor what he eats
A little hippopotomustard.

The hippopotamus is true
To all his principles, and just;
He always tries his best to do
The things one hippopotomust.

He never rides in trucks or trams,
In taxicabs or omnibuses,
And so keeps out of traffic jams
And other hippopotamuses.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. - A. Einstein
There are many contests out there peeps. Check out Simple-Finds and Just Jingle on blogspot.
I will be back when I'm not so foggy.

Fibro Fog

Excuse any stupidities in my post today. I haven't posted lately because the fibromayalgia has had some heavy fibro fog settled in for me. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and got up to the checkout with no wallet in my purse. I went home, found the wallet, made a phone call and went back to the store with the wallet still not in my purse. I realized it when I was getting out of the car at the store. So my Monday afternoon was filled by making 3 trips to the grocery store and one trip to the gas station.
I am more absent minded than a 90 year old woman and I have trouble keeping the days straight when the fog is this thick. It is a bit worse this time too because I have a cold.

I'll Be Back

In case you are wondering why I have gotten away from my routine of posting something every day I have had a few set backs lately. A lot of drs. appointments and I have some computer glitches i have to sort out. I hope this goes smoothly and quickly. I would appreciable your patience as I practice my own. I must get to bed not thought because I a having troubled typing correctly.
Hugs to you all
Karenraye

Words to live by.

I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore, if there be any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again. - William Penn

Giveaway

Head on over to Maggie Bob Cards at http://maggiebob.blogspot.com/ and try to win the blog candy. There are many simple ways to earn extra entries and even a card challenge.

Giveaways

http://simple-finds.com/ is giving away goodies again with all kinds of ways to get entries. The prize is from http://gratefulthreads.com/ Check out all the retro and music themed softies and vinyl jewelry.
http://www.sweetdogorganics.com/2009/03/treat-giveaway.html is giving away organic dog treats. See what you have to do to win healthy snacks for your favorite four legged friend.

Barbecue Chicken Salad

I thought this salad lookd and sounded good. Check FitnessMagazine.com for more delicious and healthy recipes.

Barbecue Chicken Chop Salad
4 servings for nutrition information go to http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/chicken/barbecue-chicken-chop-salad/?sssdmh=dm17.368488&esrc=nwfitdailytip032109&email=1736965716 (click on View Nutrition)
Ingredients
Salad
4-4 ounce boneless chicken-breast halves, visible fat
Salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons barbecue sauce
10 cups finely shredded romaine lettuce
2 cups seeded, diced, chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 cups seeded, diced cucumber
2 cups diced zucchini
2 ounces light cheddar cheese, finely shreddedChopped red onion
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Pinch salt

to taste Black pepper
Directions
Preheat the grill to high heat. Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper on a cutting board. Using the flat head of a meat mallet (or a rolling pin), pound the chicken until it is 1/2 inch thick. Rub each breast with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let chicken cool.
Whisk together the vinegar, mustard and honey. Slowly whisk in the oil. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Chop the chicken and transfer it to a medium bowl. Mix in the barbecue sauce and stir to coat. In a large serving bowl, toss the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, cheddar, red onions, and dressing. Top with the chicken and serve.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Happy 40th Birthday!

I just learned that the children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be 40 years old this year. I love this book but never realised it had been around so long. The author Eric Carle will be celebrating his own 80th birthday. There is a pictue of the hungry fellow ( the caterpillar not Mr Carle) in case you don;t know who I mean. If you haven't read this book as a child or to a child you are missing out!

This link http://www.carlemuseum.org/vhc40 will take you to a page of the museum website, yes he has a museum, where you can download a template and send out a birthday wish or a drawing. He is collecting butterfly pictures to put on display in the museum for the celebration. For more info check the link.

Quotes

Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.
If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
For Sale: Parachute. Only used once, never opened, small stain.
Do you have trouble making up your mind? Well, yes or no?
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.
When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
You know the speed of light, so what's the speed of dark?
Join The Army: Visit exotic places, meet strange people, then kill them.
I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
Evening news is where they begin with "Good evening", and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you need more. (Friend or Money!)
Death is hereditary.
An consultant is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.
Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.
Cheer up, the worst is yet to come.
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make mistakes when nobody is looking.
They say hard work never hurts anybody, but why take the chance.
Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.
Where there's a will, there are five hundred relatives.
and the finale
Don't knock on deaths door. Ring the bell and run. He hates that.

An Ice Cream Contest!!!!

I just found an ice cream giveaway on Womansday.com/giveaways for a brand of ice cream that sounds so scrumptious. Just read this bit about their signature flavors and tell me your mouth isn't watering. Enter this giveaway and if you win call me and I'll bring my spoon.

Tahoe Creamery produces all-natural, gourmet ice cream equal to the fresh, clean purity of Lake Tahoe. The ice cream is made in small, quality-controlled batches, making Tahoe Creamery your finest choice anytime.
The company’s sample signature flavors include:
● Tahoe Funk Chocolate Hunk—rich chocolate ice cream with chocolate-covered waffle cone pieces and chewy fudge hunks● Tahoe Flight Blueberry Delight—blueberry ice cream with real wild blueberries
● Tahoe Swell Cinnamel—creamy cinnamon ice cream with swirls of caramel
● Tahoe Trip Mint Chip—cool winter mint ice cream with an explosion of chocolate chips
● Tahoe Coffee Crunchy Toffee—rich coffee ice cream with espresso chips and toffee chunks
● Tahoe Dream Vanilla Bean—vanilla ice cream made with the world’s best vanilla
● Tahoe Flow Cookie Dough—smooth vanilla ice cream with rich dark and light cookie dough
● Tahoe Crest Chocolate Conquest—creamy chocolate ice cream

Excuse me while I go raid the refrigerator.

My Own Critic

I guess someone reading about my love for all types of music might have gotten a chuckle about my newly downloaded music player with nothing but Toby Keith music. Sure I listen to all genres! Let me explain. I haven't had good luck with my choice of music players and I didn't want to spend a lot of time downloading lots of favorites only to find out in 7 days they all turn into a 30 second teaser. I wanted something fast to check it out so I just chose one artist. You can be sure my Ipod has a great variety. I will update it when I'm sure I have found the best free player. I am open for suggestions if anyone has a favorite free music player I can embed in my blog, well you know what to do.

I LOVE MUSIC

I love music and I love so many types of music. I have been missing hearing good quality music because my car radio leaves much to be desired. My computer speakers seem to turn themselves off after 10 minutes of play and then start up again on reboot. It doesn't create the most relaxing way to enjoy music or videos in 10 minute intervals with the 'stereo' sound coming out of speakers that are 12 inches apart from each other. I remember when I was young laying on my bed totally comfortable playing my favorite music and enjoying nothing else. Tonight I am in heaven. I am experiencing my first Ipod. I am hearing good music in good quality at the volume I want to hear it and I feel like I can close my eyes and I'm in the studio or at the concert. I wonder if it is healthy to sleep with earphones in your ears. I've probably done it with headphones at some time in my life. Now I see why all the kids have MP3 players. They're great. If I had one of these when I was a teenager I don't think anybody would have ever heard me speak! I am actually having trouble writing this post because I am too stubborn to turn of the Ipod. How rude I am :-) Just loving all this musical input. I may have to reread this post later and see if it even makes sense.

Here are 27 things to ponder
1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks? 2. Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know? 4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words? 5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack? 6. Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing? 7. Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing? 8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges? 9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there? 10. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting? 11. Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"? 12. Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected? 13. Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites? 14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things? 15. Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds? 16. If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it? 17. If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting? 18. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? 19. If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right? 20. Why is bra singular and panties plural? 21. Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote control when you know the batteries are dead? 22. Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase? 23. How come abbreviated is such a long word? 24. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them? 25. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? 26. Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one? 27. Christmas is very unique - What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?
Goodnight or I guess I should say good morning

Great Giveaway!

This is a great giveaway from Chreish Bound
go to cherishyourstories.blogspot.com

It reads: I'm giving away ONE FREE, no obligation, Cherish Bound business kit!
$99 kit worth over $250!
You will be the next Cherish Bound consultant.
You'll automatically have a 20% discount on all publishing and products.
You'll have access to Cherish Bound as a consultant, the publishing center and can run your own business.
Cherish Bound does not have monthly or quarterly financial quotas!
You can choose to run your business as a hobbyist or aspire to be a national leader with me!
Whatever your passion, it's up to you....but I'm giving away a business!
So how do you win a Cherish Bound business...it's easy!

Photos

Tonight I would like to post some photos that made me homesick for Colorado. The one above was taken by Catherine Hewins. Jeff Gatheir took the shot with the moon where the mountains have an orangish tint. The blue and pinkish one with the moon was taken by Karen Beeman. These were all obtained from the online version of the newspaper from a Colorado town I used to live in. I hope you enjoy them.

Daily Contest

Fitnessmagazine.com has a daily contest where you can win fitness products and apparel. They also have daily newsletters with fitness and diet tips and healthy recipes.

Blog Candy

http://jeannettespages.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-candy_23.html is the site for a great giveaway for stampers, scrapers and cardmakers. You can win the 4 Sale-a-bration sets from Stampin Up some Hodgepodge Hardware and some Pretties from Bits and Pieces. I found this link though MyCreativity.com which is another site I like to check out from time to time for the information and giveaways.
http://kitchentablecrafter.blogspot.com/ is another site with great blog candy for cardmakers and scrapers. Do you feel lucky?
To be continued....

I'm Back,

This is the longest I have gone without writing and I still haven't got my keyboard switched over. I am staring at it right now, I just don't have the bravery to mess with the wire jungle. I notice I have missed many nice giveaways. Boo hoo. There will be more, I just have to look.

For the GOOD news, I am getting another poem published in April. I will share that with you once it is in print.

I found some interesting sites for writers, artists and I'm always looking at scrapbook sites.
http://picsandpoems.blogspot.com/ seems to be an interesting one to me because I like poems and art. There is also very good writing and informative news on http://david-mcmahon.blogspot.com/ which is Author Blog. Today's post has a cute little poem. There is excellent coverage of the Australian Brush Fire of 09 out there. I went surf crazy and covered my own tracks but there are so many sad stories and amazing photos.

There is bound to be a new giveaway coming up on the Making Memories Blog. I will be watching for it!
That's all for now.

Fibro, Lupus and The Spoon Theory

Howdy, I'm still having some major slowage on my page loading so I'm facing frustration surfing for fine sites to tell you about. I am not usually at a loss for words so I will see what I come up with. Oh yes, I forgot about the keyboard problem already. I look at what I am typing and I am missing letters in every third word. I am so forgetful I hope I remember to go back and fix them all. It cracks me up when I read some of the mistyped sentences, they can read funny, nasty or just nonsense even after the spell checker has gone through. I'm not going to dwell on that, just wanted to let you know why I haven't added any great deal, contests or blog sites recently. I should get that corrected ASAP.
I will tell you Fibromyalgia Network and Prohealth websites ( I will post the hyperlink when I get the chance) are excellent places to get info on fibro, chronic fatique syndrome and a whole slew of other diseases. I have a subscription and am a member of Fibromyalgia Network and get their newsletter, which is more like a magazine, that comes out quarterly with great articles, both from doctors and sufferers.
Because I had a lot of excitement Sunday celebrating my birthday I am paying for it today with an intense migraine. No, I didn't drink too much. I don't drink a drop of alcohol. I have to pay a price for exerting energy.
Scrapbookers, don't be scared away. I said in the beginning subjects that would come up would be fibromayalgia and papercrafting. The one is my escape from the mental pain and anguish of the other. This blog hasn't been hijacked :-). I want to share with you an explanation of the spoon theory and it will explain what I mean when I tell you I used way too many of my spoons yesterday. what follows is lengthy but considering the amount of people, women mostly, who have fibro or lupus, I think it is good for people to understand these diseases a little better.


The Spoon Theory

Even though the following is regarding Lupus, it is pertinent for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other Chronic Pain Disorders.
I did not write this, I wish I had. My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time we spent talking about boys, music or trivial things, that seemed very important at the time. We never got serious about anything in particular and spent most of our time laughing. As I went to take some of my medicine with a snack as I usually did, she watched me with an awkward kind of stare, instead of continuing the conversation. She then asked me out of the blue what it felt like to have Lupus and be sick. I was shocked not only because she asked the random question, but also because I assumed she knew all there was to know about Lupus. She came to doctors with me, she saw me walk with a cane, and throw up in the bathroom. She had seen me cry in pain, what else was there to know? I started to ramble on about pills, and aches and pains, but she kept pursuing, and didn't seem satisfied with my answers. I was a little surprised as being my roommate in college and friend for years; I thought she already knew the medical definition of Lupus. Then she looked at me with a face every sick person knows well, the face of pure curiosity about something no one healthy can truly understand. She asked what it felt like, not physically, but what it felt like to be me, to be sick. As I tried to gain my composure, I glanced around the table for help or guidance, or at least stall for time to think. I was trying to find the right words. How do I answer a question I never was able to answer for myself? How do I explain every detail of every day being effected, and give the emotions a sick person goes through with clarity. I could have given up, cracked a joke like I usually do, and changed the subject, but I remember thinking if I don’t try to explain this, how could I ever expect her to understand. If I can’t explain this to my best friend, how could I explain my world to anyone else? I had to at least try. At that moment, the spoon theory was born. I quickly grabbed every spoon on the table; hell I grabbed spoons off of the other tables. I looked at her in the eyes and said, “Here you go, you have Lupus”. She looked at me slightly confused, as anyone would when they are being handed a bouquet of spoons. The cold metal spoons clanked in my hands, as I grouped them together and shoved them into her hands. I explained that the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted. Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control. She grabbed the spoons with excitement. She didn’t understand what I was doing, but she is always up for a good time, so I guess she thought I was cracking a joke of some kind like I usually do when talking about touchy topics. Little did she know how serious I would become? I asked her to count her spoons. She asked why, and I explained that when you are healthy you expect to have a never-ending supply of "spoons". But when you have to now plan your day, you need to know exactly how many “spoons” you are starting with. It doesn’t guarantee that you might not lose some along the way, but at least it helps to know where you are starting. She counted out 12 spoons. She laughed and said she wanted more. I said no, and I knew right away that this little game would work, when she looked disappointed, and we hadn't even started yet. I’ve wanted more "spoons" for years and haven’t found a way yet to get more, why should she? I also told her to always be conscious of how many she had, and not to drop them because she can never forget she has Lupus. I asked her to list off the tasks of her day, including the most simple. As, she rattled off daily chores, or just fun things to do; I explained how each one would cost her a spoon. When she jumped right into getting ready for work as her first task of the morning, I cut her off and took away a spoon. I practically jumped down her throat. I said " No! You don’t just get up. You have to crack open your eyes, and then realize you are late. You didn’t sleep well the night before. You have to crawl out of bed, and then you have to make your self something to eat before you can do anything else, because if you don’t, you can't take your medicine, and if you don’t take your medicine you might as well give up all your spoons for today and tomorrow too." I quickly took away a spoon and she realized she hasn’t even gotten dressed yet. Showering cost her a spoon, just for washing her hair and shaving her legs. Reaching high and low that early in the morning could actually cost more than one spoon, but I figured I would give her a break; I didn’t want to scare her right away. Getting dressed was worth another spoon. I stopped her and broke down every task to show her how every little detail needs to be thought about. You cannot simply just throw clothes on when you are sick. I explained that I have to see what clothes I can physically put on, if my hands hurt that day buttons are out of the question. If I have bruises that day, I need to wear long sleeves, and if I have a fever I need a sweater to stay warm and so on. If my hair is falling out I need to spend more time to look presentable, and then you need to factor in another 5 minutes for feeling badly that it took you 2 hours to do all this. I think she was starting to understand when she theoretically didn’t even get to work, and she was left with 6 spoons. I then explained to her that she needed to choose the rest of her day wisely, since when your “spoons” are gone, they are gone. Sometimes you can borrow against tomorrow’s "spoons", but just think how hard tomorrow will be with less "spoons". I also needed to explain that a person who is sick always lives with the looming thought that tomorrow may be the day that a cold comes, or an infection, or any number of things that could be very dangerous. So you do not want to run low on "spoons", because you never know when you truly will need them. I didn’t want to depress her, but I needed to be realistic, and unfortunately being prepared for the worst is part of a real day for me. We went through the rest of the day, and she slowly learned that skipping lunch would cost her a spoon, as well as standing on a train, or even typing at her computer too long. She was forced to make choices and think about things differently. Hypothetically, she had to choose not to run errands, so that she could eat dinner that night. When we got to the end of her pretend day, she said she was hungry. I summarized that she had to eat dinner but she only had one spoon left. If she cooked, she wouldn’t have enough energy to clean the pots. If she went out for dinner, she might be too tired to drive home safely. Then I also explained, that I didn’t even bother to add into this game, that she was so nauseous, that cooking was probably out of the question anyway. So she decided to make soup, it was easy. I then said it is only 7pm, you have the rest of the night but maybe end up with one spoon, so you can do something fun, or clean your apartment, or do chores, but you can’t do it all. I rarely see her emotional, so when I saw her upset I knew maybe I was getting through to her. I didn’t want my friend to be upset, but at the same time I was happy to think finally maybe someone understood me a little bit. She had tears in her eyes and asked quietly “Christine, How do you do it? Do you really do this everyday?” I explained that some days were worse then others; some days I have more spoons then most. But I can never make it go away and I can’t forget about it, I always have to think about it. I handed her a spoon I had been holding in reserve. I said simply, “I have learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared” It’s hard, the hardest thing I ever had to learn is to slow down, and not do everything. I fight this to this day. I hate feeling left out, having to choose to stay home, or to not get things done that I want to. I wanted her to feel that frustration. I wanted her to understand that everything everyone else does comes so easy, but for me it is one hundred little jobs in one. I need to think about the weather, my temperature that day, and the whole day's plans before I can attack any one given thing. When other people can simply do things, I have to attack it and make a plan like I am strategizing a war. It is in that lifestyle, the difference between being sick and healthy. It is the beautiful ability to not think and just do. I miss that freedom. I miss never having to count "spoons". After we were emotional and talked about this for a little while longer, I sensed she was sad. Maybe she finally understood. Maybe she realized that she never could truly and honestly say she understands. But at least now she might not complain so much when I can't go out for dinner some nights, or when I never seem to make it to her house and she always has to drive to mine. I gave her a hug when we walked out of the diner. I had the one spoon in my hand and I said, “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.” Ever since this night, I have used the spoon theory to explain my life to many people. In fact, my family and friends refer to spoons all the time. It has been a code word for what I can and cannot do. Once people understand the spoon theory they seem to understand me better, but I also think they live their life a little differently too. I think it isn’t just good for understanding Lupus, but anyone dealing with any disability or illness. Hopefully, they don’t take so much for granted or their life in general. I give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. It has become an inside joke. I have become famous for saying to people jokingly that they should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my "spoons".

AUTHOR: of The Spoon Theory is Christine Miserandino

If you made it through this read, thanks. If not, try again another day.

Karenraye

IF and More IF, Fibromyalgia

If—

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Source: A Choice of Kipling's Verse (1943).

That is a great poem! I really love it and would be interested in people's interpretation of the line If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

I was also wondering..... If all the world's a stage could I get better lighting please?

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there, do the other trees laugh at it?

If con is the opposite of pro is congress the opposite of progress?

Why do nurses wake you up to give you sleeping pills?

Oh alright, I'll get serious again. I'll go all goofy another night and also talk about super powers like I mentioned in a recent post, read on if you missed it, because I would love to hear some other people's powers as well. I have the ability to eat or at least prepare great amounts of food in my sleep. Usually whats left in the morning is crumbs and empty containers and faint memories of putting large amounts of Hershey's syrup in a full bowl of Rice Krispies, or was it two bowls? I definitely recommend that one. Hmm I wonder if I ate all of the Rice Krispies last night?

Over the past week I have been brushing up on my reading about Fibromyalgia and after having this for 16 years I am still finding out new symptoms and developing new symptoms. When one of my sisters had to have chemotherapy and worried about her hair my own started falling out. I tried to blame it on a cheap hair product. At about the same time I developed awful rashes and itchy spells. I found out from a book that both of these symptoms are of fibro. About the hair the book said in a fibromyalgic the hair is defective. It falls out and is generally unhealthy as are the fingernails. I knew the burning on the bottom of my feet was the fibromyalgia, but it turns out that the odd patches of rashes and itching are also. The fibromyalgic , according Doctor R. Paul St Amand, has a reaction from their own sweat that produces severe itching and hives and "funny rashes"{yes, that is a doctor's quote, layman's terms}. Doctor St Amand co-wrote the book 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia', which I find very informative. Though I haven't achieved pain free status like some of this docs patients, I do try to follow his theories and I take Guaifenesin as often as I can to help with symptoms. I am a rare case in that I am allergic to many anti-histamines, but yet my body produces too many histamines. It is getting that time where my brain starts slowing down and wanting sleep. I would like to pick up the topic of fibro another time and hope the is someone out there interested or needing answers. I know of some helpful websites, I am just too tired to post them tonight. I had a long day - I started celebrating my birthday today.Yee Haw! It isn't til the 25th but when you move slow like I do you have to start early!

Yee Haw!

I filled out a profile where I had to list my super power and I wrote creating useful things out of trash and vise versa. I think I probably have more super powers that I should make a list of just so I can appreciate them, but that will be another time. It is a little twist on the 'What I'm thankful for' list that I go over in my head quite often.

For now I would like to say my computer problems are not totally cleared up but I did find an interesting site called http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com/ and I am a lover of Mexican Food. I will be following that one. I love tamales and I say some blueberry tamales pictured. What a yummy concept! I have never had a sweet tamale.

Ramblings

Hello,
I'm having some type of computer problem that is causing my computer to do everything verrry sloowwly. There is no chance of me surfing for good deals or interesting sites tonight. Even my keyboard is fighting me every step of the way. I have been having some issues with keys sticking, even the space bar sometimes, and then all of a sudden my keyboard is responding in slow motion. It's like a bad Chinese movie, my keyboard isn't in sync with the monitor. My sound went out and so did my video player. I don't know about you, but I feel cripple without my computer and mute without my computer voice. Well anyway, I have something to talk about without having to open sites that take 5 minutes to load.
Today I accidentally set a small scrapper tote on a strip of Zots glue dots. I moved it off the table of scrap paper and ribbon set it on the kitchen counter to clean off later (I was on my way out the door when I noticed it). Then I got this idea it would be funny if my hubby would go to move it and it would be stuck down. We sometimes do silly stuff to each other. I gave the little canvas tote a little push for extra stick and chuckled to myself. :-) What a mistake! He didn't touch it all night and I went to pick it up and boy, do those Zots glue dots stick!
Then I had to use my UnDo t get the Zots off the bottom of the tote. If there are non scrapbookers reading this, UnDo is a lighter fluid like product that we pay lots of money for to release adhesive without damaging photos or stickers. I treat mine like gold.
I am going to reboot and see if cafix any f my computer problems. But this keyboard problem isvery annoying . I will try to fix most of the errors but it is just ridiculous and sloow.
Just in case I don't come back write away - Live, Laugh, Love and Peace out

Women Things

http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/ is a very interesting blog about the life of a women married to a man from Saudi Arabia who has only just in the last 1 months or so moved to Saudi Arabia and started living the life as the women there live. She has beautiful photos on that blog and has another blog with daily photos as well. I think this is a site many women would enjoy reading.
I also wanted to share a few women only tips (I think anyway). Do you now what color bra to wear under a white blouse? If you said white you are wrong. When wearing a white blouse you should always try to match your bra to your flesh tone. A white bra will show up bright while a flesh tone bra will blend in and not be noticed.

Simple-Finds.com

I must just tell you this - check simple-Finds.com every day! There is so much great product information and so many giveaways going on, several of them consecutively. You just can't go wrong, there is bound to be something here you have been looking for, would like or really need. These are not usually scrapbook related but they are things people from all walks of life might need or want. When I learn how to put a button for them on my blog I will, but until then you can always find it in my Blogs I Follow list. Simple-Finds.com It is just that SIMPLE!

Kid's Ideas on Angels

. I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold. Gregory, age 5
· Everybody’s got it all wrong. Angels don’t wear halos. I forget why, but scientists are working on it. Olive,
age 9
· It’s not easy to become an angel! First you die. Then you go to heaven. Then there’s still the flight training to go through. And then you got to wear those angel clothes. Matthew, age 9
· Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else. Mitchell, age 7
· My guardian angel helps me with math, but he’s not much good at science. Henry, age 8
· Angel don’t eat, but they drink milk from holy cows. Jack, age 6
· Angels talk all the way while they’re flying you up to heaven. The basic message is where you went wrong before you got dead. Daniel, age 9
· When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there’s a tornado. Reagan, age 10
· Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then, when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter. Sara, age 6
· Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who’s a very good carpenter. Jared, age 8
· All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn’t go for it. Antonio, age 9
· My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still here on earth. Katelynn, age 9
· Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don’t make the animals get better, they help the kids get over it. Vicki, age 8
· What I don’t get about angels is, why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them. Sarah, age 7

Giveaway & Reality Check

The site rachelrayshow.com is having some good giveaways again. A Zune MP3 player, a nice Valentine's Day package and more.
When I opened the mail today I felt immediately old. While I am going to be adding a year to my age next week I didn't need a reminder of where life might lead as the rude reality check in my mailbox. I received my very first coupon, personally addressed to me for Depends! Oh no! It wasn't bad enough that I have the aches and pains of an eighty year old at a young hearted 52.

A Fun Day

Today was a long and painful day, but it was a fun day. I attended my first crop/class and finished the majority of a two page layout. I will post it as soon as I get the photo or photos in place and get the final embellishments taped down. I used the Bittersweet collection from Basic Grey. Pinks and browns and hearts and buttons. It is really cute. Now a need a picture of my sweetheart or maybe two. I might do the journaling in the form of a poem but I've written so many poems about him already, I think he's getting tired of it or embarrassed. That is too bad because love is in my heart and in the month of February my heart won't be still. Love poems have been flowing from me like I may have a whole new book category. Love poems, children's poems and spiritual or inspirational poems.
I was having a lot of pain and a migraine all day. I had a migraine shot on Monday and on Friday but they are so stubborn they just keep coming back. My back and neck pain was really bad too, and to top it off it was very cold and icy out. Before I went out I took a long hot shower and tried to loosen up all my muscles and joints. I loosened up with a few stretching exercises too, that is pretty necessary. I wear a TENS machine (an electronic stimulator) to help with the pain on days like this, so I spent quite a while hooking up four sensor pads and all the wires. I took all my pills for the day plus packed along a few extras that I might need. Then I looked at the clock and thought, No wonder I'm always running late everywhere I go, it takes me forever to get ready! Then you have to factor in that the fibro affects my memory and concentration so I forget what I went into a certain room for and end up running (well not actually running) around in circles. My husband has a little joke and if he sees me walk fast he says I'm running, because my running days are over. I suppose if I really had to I would get that adrenaline rush and I would find it in me to run, but without a fire or a bad man chasing me, this girl ain't running!

Okay, time to quite talking about me. Time to take care of me and get some sleep, well maybe I;ll take a quick sweep through the sites and see what's out there. Maybe I'll find something to share. I did learn something about the spellcheck feature on this site tonight. If you don't click on the words - done spellchecking - when you finish, and then you type some more and click on the spell check, it won't catch your errors. Hmm, I wonder if I've left typos slide through in the past.
Later, peace out.

Blog Candy

I haven't been on my 'puter much this weekend because I've had a doozey of a migraine. I had to take a trip to the emergency room on Friday and have been taking migraine medicine all weekend in massive doses. I'm hoping to get in to see my neurologist in the morning.
In case I haven't mentioned the site mycraftivity.com before I will mention it now. It is definitely worth repeating if I did mention it before. It encompasses many different arts and crafts, and though all categories aren't updated on a frequent basis there is definitely some good information and giveaways. The scrapbooking and inspiration categories are the ones I like best, but I have found very useful info on the sewing and painting sections.

I am adding a way cool site to my blogs I follow. It is http://papercraftsbyrach.blogspot.com/ and right now she has some awsome blog candy up for grabs. You must check it out!

Simple-Finds.com

There are several contests running at once on http://simple-finds.com/ there is a giveaway for a cute kitchen magnat, a table lamp, and if you go back to the kids shoe giveaway you can follow the link to See Kai Run and they have a daily shoe contest all through the month of February. The shoes are just darling.

Kitchen Tips

If you cook from recipes in cook books and are tired of the book closing on your page use tha clips from a pant/skirt hanger to hold the book open. To keep your pages clean put a piece of clear plastic over the page. Saran wrap will work in a pinch, but I manage to save packaging that will work better that is flat and clear. You can also laminate recipe cards to keep them washable and neat.

Win a Trip to Jamaica

On Rachelraymag.com there is a contest where your can win an all inclusive trip for two via Fun Jet to Jamaica. Rachel has a few websites and has great giveaways on at least two of them that change weekly. There are always great recipes and tips as well.

New Stamps

I recently added High Hopes Rubber Stamps to my list of blogs that I follow. Their featured stamp that caught my eye is a ant carrying a rubber tree plant. This imagery is from the song High Hopes and the musical it was in escapes me at the moment. I will have to ask my dad because we watched it together and we used to sing this song when I was a kid. I do remember a very young Frank Sinatra. All the stamps I've seen from the High Hopes collection are very cute and whimsical and I really like that style. High Hopes Stamps are going to be showing off some of the 75 or so new stamps that are coming out so check out their blog.
High Hopes also describes what I have for my financial situation in 2009. I have to have high hopes to fight off the depression. High medical bills are killing me right now. I am even getting collection notices for a bill I already paid. I'll have to do a little investigating on that in the morning I don't think I have mentioned it before but besides my disability my husband has prostate cancer which is in check for the time being. He also has a torn rotator cuff, and is starting physical therapy before the doctors decide about surgery. We both have many medications and are struggling to make ends meet.

Word for the Day

I learned an interesting word today used by the people of Easter Island. The word is tingo. The definition is to take all the objects one desires from the house of a friend, one at a time, by borrowing them. This makes me wonder if people on Easter Island have many friends as this practise must happen often enough for them to come up with a word for it!

Take Time to Read the Small Print

I have always been a firm believer of reading the small print even if you have to get out the magnifying glass. Now I notice I am getting a bit lazy. I didn't realize my music player was going to reduce all my favorite songs to a line or less withing a certain time period. I will have to search for some free music or some I already own to put on (if that is possible. The two things I am usually adamant about reading small print and disclaimers on are mail offers and anything you can get on-line so I am surprised this one slipped by me. Live and learn. You can't get much for free these days. I did get a free counter on my page thanks to the suggestion from Jacque. I really appreciate her comments. Now with the counter I can find out if she is in fact the only one that reads my blog. Well, if she is, I couldn't ask for a better follower!
Jacque you're the greatest!

The aroma of French fried potatoes

I read this in a blog from England so the chips they are talking about are the same as french fries in America. Either way, chips or fries I thought this sounded a bit absurd.

An analyst sniffed the smells that could be detected by the human nose and recorded their type and strength.
The research, which was commissioned by the Potato Council for National Chip Week, showed chip aroma is made up of butterscotch, cocoa, onion, flowers, cheese and ironing boards.
Dr Clayton said: "Whether oven-cooked or fried, the humble chip doesn't smell of just chips - the aroma is much more complex and probably explains why chips are everyone's favourite.
"One might not expect to find butterscotch or cocoa aromas in chips, but it has to be remembered that these are one part of the overall aroma.

Never once has the smell of an ironing board made me hungry!

My Poetry and a Shoe Deal

My Thankful Heart

I am thankful this day for the good Lord above,
That he saw fit to give me a heart full of love.
He taught me the love wasn’t meant to stay there.
You can only enjoy the love that you share.

The Lord also gave me eyes open so wide
That I see inside others the pain that they hide.
He gave me the insight to know what to say
When people are saddened to lighten their day.

God gave me compassion so heavy and deep
That night after night I go without sleep.
He gave me great courage and just enough pride
To endure many hardships with Him by my side.

I wrote this one around Thanksgiving time. I hope you like it. It has been published in a newsletter that is put out by a local hospice.
If you have any little ones to buy or win shoes for there is a great contest going on. Check http://simple-finds.com/ for more information and see all of the wonderful kids shoes. They are so cute!

A Picture and a Plan

This is a photo I took one day while I was goofing around. I call him Mr. Blockhead.

I found a nice site to get backgrounds and other things to customize your blog and yes, they are free! http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ I seriously considered changing mine to a Valentine's Day theme but that day is coming so fast that I thought I should spend what time I can writing instead of fiddling with my blog design. I haven't been writing as much as I had hoped but I know that will change once I get to know a little bit more what readers would enjoy. Also there is the problem of me usually being kind of a private person. I have been online for ten years and 2008 was the first year I posted my picture on a message board or blog. That is me either being brave or stupid, I am still not sure. I would like to have a book of my poems published some day, I have had 2 poems published so far, so I guess I shouldn't be shy to have my face seen. I had permission from my husband and the mother of my Godson to put their picture on here with my poem. Check my archives if you missed it.


I was hoping this would be a place to share scrapbooking tips, freebies and inspiring quotes and stories. So far I haven't been living up to my expectations, but then I always set the bar a bit high for myself. I guess it is good to be always trying harder. I should have anticipated my sick days because I have so many, but I think as time goes on I will be able to recognize a blog worthy thought or moment and get it in type before it flees from my forgetful mind. I write myself a lot of notes to remind myself to do things and end up with so many partial lists all over my house that it really doesn't help me remember things and it just contributes to my clutter.


Okay so I will give you a few sites that have contests and will go back out for a search of more interesting info to write. The contest sites are womansday.com (click on giveaways) Better homes and Gardens which is bhg.com go to sweepstakes, and pointclick.com. Elle.com also has a few contests each month that you can go to through their website or through Womans Day website.

Another Find

So much for writing everyday. I got a little behind this week because of a bad migraine that caused a lot of eye and neck pain. I also lost my computer connection for two days. That was very frustrating until I figured out what was causing it.
I have found countless new blogs and websites that have so much useful information. Information for scrapbookers, papercrafters or just anyone in general. I have discovered the Penny Black website - PennyBlack.com and it is full of great products and ideas and great stamping techniques. From there I was led to countless instructional videos on YouTube from papercrafters from all over.
http://donnadowney.com/ is a site that has some tutorials for a small fee. I have always liked Donna Downey's books and have two of them, one that I was fortunate enough to win in a contest. Her blog is very inspiring and is currently offering a free badge download which I will try to display here. The books I have are Photo Decor and Fabric Scrapbooking and I would like to pick up Creative Albums and/or Designing Layouts. The ones I have are very nice top quality books with fold out pages with full instructions for the projects pictured. She incorporates sewing into her crafts and that is something I admire in papercafting. I just recently had my sewing machine repaired so haven't had much chance to experiment yet.

The link I posted last time for the shoe contest is having a nice contest now if you wear or have children who wear nail polish. They are giving away some kid friendly Piggy Polish at http://www.simple-finds.com/ . The shoe contest is still going on as well if you wear one of the two sizes that they are giving away. ( or 6 I believe they are, but you can scroll down in the blog to make sure. I am thinking this will be a good blog to watch.

No woman can have too many shoes, right? Well go over to http://www.simple-finds.com/ and make a comment on one of the two pairs of shoes that you like best for a chance of wining them in a giveaway. Oops I think I put in the wrong link. I will look for the correct one in the am after I get a little sleep.

Poetry and PcCrafter

I would like to share with you a poem written by Thena Smith. I was first introduced to her work through the website http://pccrafter.com/ which is a very nice crafting community with clip art created by many talented artists. Thena has several books that are available for purchase on this website.

When People Make You Cry

When people make you cry, forgive them
For they are the losers in the end
They have missed a chance to encourage
A truly wonderful friend.

When family makes you cry
It is really sad to say
There's nothing you can do
If they are prone to be that way!

Just love them anyway
And make it a point to be
Always the first with love
At any opportunity!

And even if it seems to be
A losing battle to you now
You will be the winner in the end
Some day, somewhere ...somehow!

Never rush to be the one
Who has the cutting remark
But rather be the one to rush ahead
To help heal a hurting heart!

written by Thena Smith

A girl can never have too many shoes or bags right? Well check out these two pairs of shoes and try to win one by leaving a comment out it. http://www.simple-finds.com/

Freebies and Giveaways

Wilna Furstenberg from Making Memories is sharing some valentine art and a free project download at http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/classroomtwo/ Read about her {He}Art Class that starts tomorrow.

In a brief continuation on yesterdays organization subject http://www.cozi.com/home.htm has a great way to organize a family calendar, shopping lists, family journals and photos all on your computer. Your family can leave each other messages and you can link it to your outlook addresses and phone numbers.

http://www.doodlebugdesignsblog.blogspot.com/ is a blog that has frequent giveaways that would interest anyone who has a blog of their own. Check it out and maybe you can win a new header or design for your blog.

101 Uses For Everyday Things

Did you know you can remove salt stains from shoes and clothing by wiping them with vinegar? Did you know that lemon juice added to the rinse water will help whiten clothes? Okay well there is bound to be something useful that you didn't know on the Real Simple website's 101 Uses For Everyday Things. click here http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1030084-1,00.html
I even know one for salt that they didn't mention. Salt will take coffee and tea stains out of old coffee cups. Just sprinkle salt into the cup and wipe with a slightly damp paper towel. You'll be amazed how clean your cups will come!

Organization

I am forever seeking organization in my life. Since my fibromyalgia affects my memory and concentration it is necessary for me to try to put things in a sensible order and keep them that way. I am always looking for ideas and tools that will help me with this. A website that has helped me to remember birthdays and important events is http://birthdayalarm.com . This site will email you reminders for and dates that you have marked on your calendar at the site. It will even send out an email to whoever you want to obtain the birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and add them to your calendar automatically.
My hobby of paper crafting and scrapbooking has been a challenge to my best organization skills. My supplies include thousands of tiny eyelets, brads and charms and tools of every shape and size. I have hundreds of rubber stamps, inks, and stickers. I love to use stencils, embossing plates and tearing rulers. I just haven't yet found a way to have everything I need stored in a way that is easy to see and get my hands on. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to organize an overstocked and undersized craft room.

Missing Post is Found (See Surfing - Hang Ten)

I knew that post had to be somewhere! I found it saved as a draft. So anyway I have found lots of great sites on various creative, artistic and just plain interesting subjects. I have to go back searching for a few that got away before I grabbed the url. I am fond of a few of the cooking shows that are on cable TV right now and I have found some nice cooking blog sites as well. I should probably find a good fitness or weight loss site to follow too because the recipes and photos of food that I've seen so far look deliciously fattening. I have made some of Raechel Ray's recipes and have loved the simplicity of several of them. My DH does most of the cooking lately. I do like to cook or bake when I'm feeling up to it or when I am craving a certain food. With my hubby being such an excellent cook it has gotten easy for me to sit back and reap the benefits, especially since he seems to enjoy cooking. We enjoy watching the cooking shows together. 'No Reservations' with Anthony Bourdain is one we frequently watch. Paula Dean is another great one for some great, high calorie comfort food. A recent favorite that we happened upon was of a shop that makes custom cakes that are exquisite. I will have to look for the name of that show. They must have a website. Everybody and their mother has a website now days.
I'm off to get some sleep now. After three days straight with a terrible migraine and some unknown allergic reaction that is causing unbearable itching I am ready for a new day.

Technical Problems & Free Design Website

Testing 1 2. For some reason the last post did not get saved. It's 3:30 in the morning and I am finally getting sleepy so I guess it will have to wait until later. Check out Design Is Mine from my links for some misc freebies and a sampling of other blogs. I can't vouch for every link on this site but the ones I have checked out led me to interesting sites with inspiring photography, stylish models, free templates and a bevy of miscellaneous artwork.

Surfing - Hang Ten (Fingers)

Do you love surfing? I would love to give it an amateur try at some safe beach (preferably in Hawaii). I'm not really talking about that kind of surfing though. I love reading blogs, checking websites, chatting on message boards and being able to write an instant email that can be read by family and friends a thousand or more miles away. I have been searching blogs for ideas of what can be done on these pages. Computers and programs never cease to amaze me. I could get lost exploring all the blogs and websites I see that interest me. I mainly like to surf crafting sites with an emphasis on scrapbooking and cardmaking, but I love all forms of art. I love checking out links that other people follow and will be posting more of my favorite sites soon. I love blogs with a a little humor. I like any blog that inspires my creativity and there are many. I have found a few choice ones to follow. I will also be posting more links to freebies and blog candy.

I have some work to do, I know, but I will whip this blog into shape. I also will learn to watch close for typos because I just caught a majorly serious typo that would have slipped right by that spell checker. I had accidentally written that I love cheating on message boards by mispelling chatting. Yikes! I am very happily married and want to stay that way!

Food for thought

Reverence for life affords me my fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting, and enhancing life and that to destroy, harm, or to hinder life is evil. Affirmation of the world -- that is affirmation of the will to live, which appears in phenomenal forms all around me -- is only possible for me in that I give myself out for other life. - Albert Schweitzer

Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back. - Arthur Rubinstein

I totally agree.

Remember relax and breath deep

Remember to sit back, relax and breath. I mean really breath. In through your nose, 1,2,3,4,5, exhale through your mouth on six. There, I feel better already. Get the oxygen to your brain. If you didn't feel it try it again. In through the nose now, 2, 3, 4, 5 out through your mouth.
Did you try it?

This is the day the LORD has made....

Yesterday was a "bad day" as fibromyalgia sufferers label their worse pain filled and sick days. A constant migraine and upset stomach has almost made me 'write in sick' today. Then I saw this verse and decided to pull it together for one late post.

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. " Psalm 118:24

Today I am thankful I was able to get out of bed and shower. Hot showers can really help my aches and pains and the breathing problems I have had lately, so it is a good day when I have the energy to take a nice steamy shower.

I was thankful today for the great ginger tea my friend Sara sent me all the way from North Carolina. It was so helpful when my anti-nausea pill wasn't working.

Today in a brief moment of feeling not so bad, I did a little cleaning (very little), and made some phone calls that needed to be made. Doing housework on a 'bad day' is something that doesn't come easy or often.

Today I started playing around with ideas for my husbands Valentines Day card and realised I hadn't done any papercrafting since my attempt to send everyone I know a homemade Christmas card. The big Christmas list was a bit more than I could chew and I will have to fight for my right to make cards next Christmas. The bit of stamping, embossing, and coloring that I did was good for my soul. Something about creating something from nothing just makes me happy.

I am thankful that I was able to watch a new episode of Smallville without having to run to the bathroom or being otherwise distracted. My hubby and I love that show. Lost is another favorite and if anyone thinks they know what Ben is up to please leave me a comment.

Tomorrow will be a day busy with a doctors appointment and hopefully a trip to the chiropracter for a neck and back adjustment but I hope to come up with something witty to write about to make up for today.

Where does the time go?

Wednesday buzzed by just like the beginning of the week did. I ran my errand that I had put off since Monday and made it home just in time to leave again. I watched my 4 year old Godson who is also my nephew get his first karate belt tonight. He was so cute up there being so serious and disciplined following every command. I was so proud of him. He was so controlled up until close to the end when he started making faces for the crowd. The other 4 year old and older kids were playing around a lot but he did everything he was supposed to but with a few facial expressions to entertain the audience.
I meant to add some pictures but they will have to wait till I can figure that part out a little better. I tried to add one with my poem but apparently I am not doing it right. {I did it, I added a picture to my poem - It is my dear husband Willie and out Godson, Andrew} I would like to attach some of my paper crafting work in a link too. I mostly make cards as I seem to have more patience and decision making abilities with them than layouts. It has been quite a while since I've finished a scrapbook or even a layout, but I have tons of ideas in my head and on paper. I have the supplies to do most of my ideas and I have most of the pictures. I have been having a lot of camera problems and computer problems over the last couple years. I have lost pictures from 2 computers crashing and one PDA ( a Palm Zire) resetting itself. Now I have some of my pictures on a computer that is at my sisters and she says it keeps freezing up as she tries to take the rest of the pictures and info off. I am praying this doesn't mean that I will lose pictures for a third time. Pause while a say a short prayer.

I am currently working on a few Valentines Day cards for my DH and an upcoming card contest. I am also trying to pick up the mess I made of my house trying to make Christmas cards this last year. I am a very unorganized papercrafter. I end up spending too much time looking for my tools and supplies so when I work on a project I like to just pull everything out. My husband has already asked me not to make home made Christmas cards next year. lol It wouldn't have been so bad but I got really sick a few weeks before Christmas and haven't really recovered yet.
Check Crafting & Living in Japan for a chance at some blog candy. The link is in my Blog List.

Wednesday already

This week has flown by. I guess spending so much time watching TV and on the computer yesterday made it zoom by. I did get a great supper cooked for my DH and a little bit of Christmas decorations put in boxes so I was more productive than some days. Today I have a migraine again so it will be a struggle to be productive. I need to add more of the blogs I follow to my list and figure out how to move the list closer to the top of the blog. for now I have scrap and papercraft sites, but if you go to them and check the sites they list there are many more interesting sites to check out. I will be back soon, Hubby is home and I want to spend some quality time :-)
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More blog candy, YUMMO!

Any of you familiar with craftsbykim.blogspot.com ? Kim is giving out some great blog candy. She is a stamper and papercrafter and has some excellent cards on her site. Check her out and try to win candy!

Sample of my Poetry

I Know a Kind Man

I know a kind man who drives a school bus
He does many things that might amaze us.
Above and beyond call of duty goes he
And he takes his job very seriously.

The sweet little children are put in his care.
He delivers them daily from here and to there.
He cares for their safety and knows them by name,
They could have been his kids; he treats them the same.

Sweet innocent children so challenged it’s true
They cannot do everything all kids can do.
He feels such compassion it can’t help but show
And teachers and parents – they usually know.

He understands problems as much as one can,
Takes every precaution with kind gentle hand.
A deep understanding that words don’t convey
Is somehow made clearer day after day.

These children are special, their parents well know
Their driver is also it shows with a glow.
With a big, happy grin on his face every day
He deals with each child in their own special way.

Written by Karen
To Willie
12-16-08

Watching Barack

Today while watching the inauguration and everything involved with it I joined Facebook. I'm a little confused but we will see what happens. I found I have several scrapping friends there so I will try to do both that and this new project. I am always up for a new challenge. I'm watching the inauguration and it is very inspiring. All the history they are talking about is interesting to me. Thanks for bearing with me. More later. I'm starving.
Back now, I ate a PBJ. Scary that there is salmonella in peanut butter lately because I eat it often.
Prayers are needed for Senator Kennedy who just collapsed at the inauguration. They are saying it was a seizure and exhaustion from the cancer.
Today I received a wonderful surprise in my mailbox. A very sweet friend sent me some tea for my tummy and also a beautiful scarf, bracelet and matching earrings. Thank you Sara, they are just gorgeous. I will post a picture when I get my camera back home. I left it at my sisters Saturday and I miss it so.
Tomorrow I plan to watch my 4 year old nephew/Godson receive a belt in karate and I must have the camera by then. So far Facebook seems much more confusing to me than Blogspot but I will give them both a try. They kind of serve different purposes.

Still Learning

I tried to post an addition to Monday's post and wish you all a Happy National Popcorn Day. For some reason I could not get into my Blog to post or even to comment. I hope no one else is having trouble commenting on this blog. Anyway, Pop Corn Day has come and gone and I forgot to eat any.
Hey, I was just wondering; if the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD caught on fire would it pop like popcorn? Hmmm.
If you haven't checked out Wordle.net yet try it now. I will try to put a picture link.



Hey, I did it! This Wordle is titled "Things I Like" and I had lots of fun playing around with other Wordles. Go see at http://www.wordle.net/.

Sunny Monday

Hi there loyal follower. I am having fun already. this is a perfect outlet for me and I hope it will be interesting and helpful for others as well.
I would like to tell you to check out the great blog candy on Three Clovers Design. Since I know my first follower is a stamper and scrapbooker like myself I know she would love to win one of the three generous prizes that are up for grabs. They are such great products and I haven't seen them for sale in my town. Good Luck!
A little more about myself is being added to my profile today.

A Little About Me

A little about me that I may or may not have covered in my profile might be a good way to start this out. Since I have no previous instruction and little knowledge of blog writing I will hope to learn the tricks and codes along the way.
I am disabled by a chronic pain condition and injuries that I have suffered from for sixteen years. I am not able to hold down a job though I have tried to do at least part-time or a 'sometime job'. My pain and constant migraines have and are constantly changing the way I am able to live my life. My various conditions are many so I'm not going to list them all now. What I have learned is happiness and feeling good come from the inside out and we have the power to focus on our blessings or our pitfalls.Although I have to pay attention to all my ailments and injuries in order to manage my health, I can choose to think cheery thoughts and concentrate on the ways I have been blessed or the ways I can help others. I choose the name Blessed and Caressed for my blog because I want to focus on the good feelings in my life not the pain. I am blessed by the Lord to have loving family and friends and I am caressed by the Lords presense in my heart.
I like to write and I have a lot of scrapbook layouts floating around in my head waiting for my energy level and health to permit me to go crazy on them. For now writing is more up my alley so I thought I might give blogging a try. I love stamping and cardmaking.
I am also somewhat of a collector. The term Pack Rat has been used but I'm in denial. I collect miniatures with an emphasis on miniature shoes and musical instruments. I also collect lighthouses, angels, and 'cat art'. I love cats and have cat figurines, plaques, pillows, and even a cat rug.