Week Thirty Seven - Gratitude

Saturday September 10th - I am grateful our military and all they do to protect us.
Sunday September 11th - I am grateful for times to reflect and remember those who were lost 10 years ago. Even today it still brings tears to my eyes, truly was the worst thing I have ever seen.
Monday September 12th - I am grateful for time to put things in order.
Tuesday September 13th - I am grateful that no matter what my cats can make me laugh.
Wednesday September 14th - I am grateful that I have time to work on special gifts.
Thursday September 15th - I am grateful that vacation is next week.
Friday September 16th - praying for all those affected by the plane crash.

The Journey........

In 1997, my life took a turn. How is it that I can have Lupus. Lupus was a disease that I heard about and people died from it. How is it with no family history do I have this horrible disease. It is one of those diseases that the medicines used to treat it are at times worse than the disease itself. A co-worker told me the day that I was diagnosed that her friends mom had it and it went to her mom's brain and she died. Lupus killed her. I had that in my head for so long and actually made the journey harder. It scared me, what was this thing that had violated my body and what was it going to do to me.
This disease over the last 14 years has defined me, ruled my life and kept me hostage. The ramifications of what it does to each body part at times make life so incredibly hard. In 2000, my doctor started me on steriods. These little pills do alot of good but wreak havoc on your body. Long term use causes weight gain along with a myriad of other unpleasant side effects. The dose at the beginning was 32 mg and throughout the past 11 years it has been a challenge to get me off of them. Easier said then done. At the beginning of the year I was down to 4 mg a day - it has taken me 2 years of gradual decreases to get down that far. So in April when we learned that Medrol was pulled off the market (no one knows why) I was thrown into crisis mode because I was going to have to get off of them and quickly. Well thank God my pharmacy had enough pills to take me to December but each decrease is only 1 mg at a time and every other day at that, I am finally at 1 mg daily. Each decrease brings pain, sickness and extreme fatique. Who would have thought that a little pink pill could have that much influence on your body. It is hard because it is taking me 4-6 weeks to get through each decrease. But I press on because I have to get 100% off of them. Lupus has been an enemy to me, brought things into my life that are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.
Since being diagnosed, I have made friends with many who deal with the trials of auto immune diseases, tried to be supportive of others dealing with these issues and daily strive to not let this disease take me down. Some times are easier than others. Some days getting out of bed is a challenge and other nights the pain keeps me up. The medicines are there to help but it is tough. The journey is long, it is hard and sometimes impossible but I know with God's help each day I will make it through and my reward at the end of this life will be eternity with God and pain free. I am looking forward to that. In the past year, I have met others who are on this journey. At times I don't know what to say, I can only say that I am sorry to hear that because it is so unbelievably hard but with others walking along beside you, it somehow makes it easier. My prayer is that God allows me enough time on this earth to encourage others in their journey and let them see that life does go on and the disease is not necessarily the end of the journey but it might well be the beginning.

Week Thirty Six - Gratitude

Saturday September 3rd - I am grateful for a great sermon on Not doing it alone - it is what I needed.
Sunday September 4th- I am grateful for barbeque hamburgers and home made fries on a warm summer night - yum
Monday September 5th- I am grateful for the anticipation of seeing my scrapbooking friends in a couple weeks.
Tuesday September 6th - I am grateful that all my family and friends are safe but mourning for all those who were murdered this morning in Carson City. Very sad day for our community.
Wednesday September 7th - I am grateful that through it all God is in control but day is hard - so much sadness in our community.
Thursday Septermber 8th - Everything is focused on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and the brutal killings in Carson City - things are so sad. I am grateful for my family and friends.
Friday September 9th- I am grateful for the Balloon Races, somehow watching the balloons is a great way to calm my soul

Inspiration Unlimited Tag Swap

USING RANDOM NUMBER SELECTOR COMMENTS 1 AND 7 WON !!! YEAH CONGRATULATIONS

I am . . . said...
These tags look super cute. Everyone did a great job!
The final swap is sorted and mailed out. These tags were all works of art. I did 3 tags so have 3 complete set of 13 tags each. I am keeping one and have 2 to give away.

And U Jest said...
Amazing....great tags...can't wait to find out who the winner is... IU is so awesome!!!

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES, PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS AND I WILL GET THESE RIGHT OUT TO YOU.
THANKS ALL FOR THE GREAT COMMENTS

Leave a comment below and on Friday I will chose a winner. Good Luck!!!


Created by Sandra

Created by Renee

Created by Michelle

Created by Leslie

Created by Leslie

Created by Janet

Created by Jackie

Created by Faye

Created by Faye

Created by Diane

Created by Christy

Created by Ashley

Created by Faye

Butterfly Blog Award

This special award came from Michelle. Her blog is : http://scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com/
Been kind of a hectic couple weeks, so this made me feel special. Thank you so much Michelle.

So here are the details:
To receive this award I need to answer some questions,
award this 'Butterfly Award' to 10 other bloggers,
contact the 10 bloggers to let them know they have been given this award,
and I also need to show a link to the person who gave me the 'Butterfly Award'.


So here goes...


Q1) Name your favorite colour?
Pink

Q2) Name your favorite song?
Right now, I have so many but a song that really speaks to my heart is : "Let the Waters Rise" by Mikeschair.

Q3) Name your favorite dessert?
Yellow cake with vanilla frosting

Q4) What wizzes you off at the moment?
hum, not sure I understand the question but it makes me mad when others don't show consideration.

Q5) Your favorite pet?
My favorite pet is my two dogs Daisy and Emma and 3 cats Chrissy, Boots and Snickers.

Q6) Black or White?
Black

Q7) Your biggest fear?
My mom dying

Q8) Best Feature?
Compassion and sensitivity

Q9) Everyday attitude?
Optimistic or try to be.

Q10) What is perfection?
A day without pain.

Q11) Guilty Pleasure?
Creating

Q12) When you're upset you?
I get quiet and go off by myself to work it through.

Now I have to pass this award onto 10 other friends.
Now if you have it already just know that I'm thinking of you!
Debbie - http://debseclecticthoughts.blogspot.com/
Susan http://cricutandgrasshopper.blogspot.com/
Val http://scraphappyandlovinlife.blogspot.com/
Martha http://dreamofcrafting.blogspot.com/
Heather http://www.iheartippity.com/
Janet http://jscrapalbums.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://kellyjjenkins.wordpress.com/
Theresa http://miislucky.blogspot.com/
Christie http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/
Helen http://helen-mills.blogspot.com/
Thanks again Michelle -http://scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com/ C


Check out their blogs - lots of inspiration and fun.

Week Thirty Five - Gratitude

Saturday August 27th - Grateful for great day cropping with my best friend Treion
Sunday August 28th - I am grateful for time to catch up - feeling like I have been running behind way too long.
Monday August 29th - I am grateful that I have time to clear out my email account - yikes over 1000 emails.
Tuesday August 30th - I am grateful for a new day
Wednesday August 31st - I am grateful for ice cream with my best friend on a hot summer afternoon
Thursday September 1st - I am grateful for winning a dinner for 10 at the Rib Festival and being able to give it to my mom and bless her with it. She and 9 others are going to have a great time
Friday September 2nd - I am grateful for time to relax and create.

Week Thirty Four - Gratitude

Saturday August 20th - I am grateful that Emma is doing better and for a day of rest to just recoup from the week.
Sunday August 21st - I am grateful for time to create and make fun things
Monday August 22nd - I am grateful for my sister Jodi, sometimes she is so funny and we laugh and laugh. I love her so much.
Tuesday August 23rd - I am having a pretty rough day, so not feeling very grateful.
Wedensday August 24th - Heat and lupus don't go well together - so thankful for fans that help cool me off.
Thursday August 25th - I am thankful that Emma is doing better.
Friay August 26th - I am grateful for time to relax and create

Secret Sister Thank You

I am a bit behind in blogging about IU and all the stuff that goes with it. Here is a picture of my cat Boots showcasing the fun envelope of bling and embellishments that my SS sent me for July. Thanks SS - Love it.

Week Thirty Three - Gratitude

Saturday August 13th - I am grateful that my great nephew was born today. Welcome to the world Tarrence.
Sunday August 14th - I am grateful that I survived new windows 2011
Monday August 15th - I am grateful for all the great pictures that I have and am looking at tonight
Tuesday August 16th - I am grateful for my mom who is always there for me.
Wednesday August 17th - I am grateful that Emma is home and OK, she was very sick last night and this morning. I was very worried about her. Kings Row Vets ROCK!!!!
Thursday August 18th - I am grateful that we didn't lose Emma tonight. She took a turn for the worse and is at Animal Emergency Hospital for the night. I wasn't ready to lose her yet.
Friday August 19th - I am grateful that after spending the day at Kings Row (had to pick her up at Animal Emergency and take her to her vet in the morning.) on an IV all day, Emma is was able to eat and keep it down. She gets to come home tonight and hopefully we have the worst of this behind us. I do know that next time the outcome won't be the same, but for right now I am going to cherish every moment I have with my girl.

Inspiration Unlimited RAKS

Hi all my IU friends,
Welcome to my blog. I am getting ready to send out lots of RAKS but have a few items that I want to make sure they will be used so I need your help. Check out the list below and if there is a theme that you can use please leave a comment with the theme of treat you can currently use.
RAKS will start flying out of here this week. Also please make sure that your name and info is in the group database.
OK here we go:
*Scrapping Girl Mouse Pad
*Wood lower case alphabet stamps
*Baby Boy Journaling
*Spring Buttons
*Summer Buttons
*Acrylic Sea Shell Stamps
*Baseball embellishments
*Felt Stickers from Big Yellow Bicycle
*Cooking Embellishments
*Christmas Embellishments.

I want these goodies to get a good home so comment what one item you could use and let the fun begin.

Week Thirty Two - Gratitude

Saturday August 6th - I am grateful that the Animal Emergency Hospital saved Gaby's life.
Sunday August 7th - I am grateful that Gaby came home today after being mauled by a German Shephard.
Monday August 8th - I am grateful for a new week.
Tuesday August 9th - I am grateful that I have a place to live
Wednesday August 10th - I am grateful that my cat Boots likes to cuddle
Thursday August 11th - I am grateful for time to get organized.
Friday August 12th - I am grateful that I have some time to rest.

Week Thirty One - Gratitude

Saturday July 30th - I am grateful for a relaxing time in Sacramento.
Sunday July 31st - I am grateful for a safe trip home
Monday August 1st - I am grateful for friends.
Tuesday August 2nd - I am grateful that I am home.
Wednesday August 3rd - I am grateful that the medicine finally worked.
Thursday August 4th - I am grateful that Treion and I can text in the middle of the night and share our lives.
Friday August 5th - I am grateful for a great lunch with my dearest friend.