Yep...I'm here...well my body is...the mind...is that optional?  Feeling kinda  [scratch that]...feeling "really" overwhelmed these days.  But...I am hopeful that things will calm down [slow down] and everyone will soon be feeling better. [I hope.]

My mother-in-law is out of the hospital...but we still don't have any answers as to why she ended up back in there again, or what else is wrong with her.  She returns to the doctor on Monday, so maybe all of her results will be back by then.  At the moment she is unable to stay by herself at night. One daughter lives out of state and had to return home yesterday. The other siblings are taking turns staying at night...well most of them are. [As with alot of families...you always seem to have that one...that wouldn't turn her hand to help...for any reason.]   It makes you wonder...considering that the sons taking turns...staying with her at night, wouldn't be able to help her with personal needs...if her oldest daughter even has a heart? The jury has been out [for years] on that....and given the way she reacted when told that she would need to stay overnight too...it's leaning towards "definately no." ::sigh::

Madison [our furbaby]...after a week of two antibiotics [a pill daily and eye cream 3 times a day]...wasn't much better, so I called the vet again yesterday.  He said he would try her on a different antibiotic [drops by mouth] and a different antibiotic cream for her eye...[but it could be something more serious going on if this doesn't help.]  Her eye has improved some but it looks so dry...and cloudy...and shes been keeping it closed most of the time.  She's not thrilled with me having to clean it out and add the medicine either...by now she runs when she sees me grab the tube and then when you catch her...she tries to push your hand away with her little feet.  [Her arthritis is so bad in her back leg...somedays it just swings...she can't put any of her weight on it.]  Sorry...but she's such a huge part of our lives...we've had her almost 11 years...and I love her to pieces.  The thought of her no longer being with us...scares me...alot.

And...as for me...between the ouchies with my shoulder and back etc., and worrying about everything and everybody...[although I know that worrying doesn't help anything]...my emotions are all pretty much all over the place.

On the upside...I finally worked up the nerve to call my classmates last night, the ones that are trying to get our 30 year high school reunion together, [a husband and wife team.]  As it stands right now...it's planned for Memorial weekend [May, 2009]...both Saturday and Sunday. After just a few minutes it was like we were right back there...young, carefree and dreaming of getting out of school..so we could start our lives.  I caught up on news about some of our other classmates...sadly some have passed, others are fighting serious health issues, and there have been...marriages, divorces, children and grandchildren, moves etc., etc..  Now I'm really looking forward to it...[a bit nervous but excited too, if that makes any sense?]  LOL

And...it's been beautiful mid-day here. Althought it takes forever for the fog to burn off and for it to warm up, I'm so happy to see and feel the sunshine for as long as possible.  [Especially given the alternative...of what's to come...brrrrr!!]   So...I'll try my best not to complain as I climb out from under the warm electric blanket...grab my fluffy houserobe, socks, slippers and throw [all in PINK of course..LOL]....flicking the furnace up again...as I go by...early in the mornings...with a hot cup of coffee in my hand...wondering...how many days until spring arrives??  LOL

Speaking of coffee...time for a refill...so I'll close for now and try to get these joints moving.  Until next time...if you don't have anyone to pray for...I wouldn't mind a bit...if you prayed for me and my family. 

May the good LORD bless and keep you in the palm of his hand.

8:00 PM

Just a quick update...my doctor seems to think the pain in my right shoulder for the past four months is severe muscle strain [or sprain] around my rotator cuff, [but without tests he can't be sure if it's the actual cuff or not.]  I have been on a heating pad all evening, not just on the shoulder but today the constant pain is also going down my back, mainly the far right side [at my waist.]  Moving certain ways and deep breaths are unbearable.

My Mother-in-law is still in the hospital.  They are running tests, but at this point we still don't have any answers. She had a reaction to something they put in her IV yesterday AM and they called..we all rushed over...things looked really bad. [She pulled out her IV and was very combative...[very odd behavior especially for her.]  She still is difficult to understand when trying to talk and she's not slept at all in the past 4 days, but they don't think it was a stroke...just a reaction to medication.  Honestly hearing the phone ring fills us both with dread...[and it seems to ring constantly these days.]

Madison has an infection in her eye and sinus area.  She's on two antibiotics and doing some better, not responding as quickly as we hoped though.  The vet said if her sugar doesn't blow up [which it could at any time]...between her age, arthritis [her one leg/hip area is shot] and not seeing well...with moderate cataracts in both eyes...she might have another year with us.  [Just not something that I want to think about..she's our fur-baby and I just can't imagine her not being here with us...ever.] 

I will  try to post again when things slow down and hopefully everyone is feeling better [soon I hope.]

 If you would of ask me...if I would be able to get through the weekend [without going totally bonkers], I would have hesitated with my reply...alot.  Between the mega Fibro-Flare and my platelets taking a nose dive...I was in bed most of the weekend...under the electric blanket, crying, praying, hurting and so exhausted from it all. Hubby feels helpless when those days hit...and so do I.   When it gets to that point...fighting it just doesn't work anymore, so I've learned to give into to it and say "ok..now what?"  Praise the Lord the worst of it has past and I'm feeling much better today, still some ouchies [which is normal for me]...but nothing compared to the weekend. 

My mother in law was rushed back to the hospital Sat. evening.  [When it rains it pours.]  She collapsed, thankfully while her daughter was there.  She just can't seem to get any of her strength back.  So far they have given her blood, and are suppose to run more tests.  Hubby went over to check on her yesterday afternoon.  As much I wanted to go...the last thing I needed was to get cold, so I stayed home...did my nails, watched TV and just rested.] 

I see my doctor in the morning and then in the afternoon Madison [our fur-baby] has her appt. with the vet. [It's time for her yearly booster shots and she's got an infection in her eye...which could be allergies [we hope]...but with her being diabetic and on insulin injections [2 each day], for the past 2 years, we worry that she'll lose her sight.]  Fingers crossed it's nothing serious.

Maybe when all these appt's. are finally out of the way, and things slow down a bit, I'll be able to get back to my fall cleaning.  I have the kitchen totally finished but only bits and pieces done in the other rooms.  BUT...our winter clothes [closets and drawers] are completely sorted and the summer things are put away. It broke my heart to do that...I am so NOT looking forward to the brutal cold. [How much longer til spring??]

Oh, I just found out that our school reunion is scheduled for next year.  Oh my gosh...has it really been that long?  I don't know any of the details yet...one of my fellow classmates [who I've not seen or talked to in years]...called my mother on Friday - to have her pass their number on to me.  [I think we might go...but I've not seen 99% of my class..in 30 years....yep...3 decades!]  OYYY...I'm feeling kind of old at the moment.  [Just as soon as I work up the nerve...I'll call and find out more.]

Hugs & Blessings...T

....it's 3 AM. I've been up and down all night, mostly up...hurting.  We had our flu shots yesterday morining, and by late evening I knew that it was going to throw my fibromyalgia into a major flare.  [It happened once before, several years ago...and this one I believe is even worse.]  To say that every part of my body from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head [yep...headache too]...hurts...is an understatement.  Although, it probably didn't help that it was very cold outside and in the grocery stores afterwards too. [I couldn't feel my finger tips even with gloves on!]   ::Anyone else out there in blog-land [with Fibro] having the same type reaction to the flu shot this season?]   How much longer until SPRING??  [I'm counting the days...already!]

I watched the VP debate...and I'm voicing my "freedom of speech" now....with a little run down of how I viewed it.  Honestly, they both avoided answering the acutal questions [typical]...Palin more so than Biden.  I think perhaps Palin has a PMS side [that she keeps hidden most of the time.]  Her excuses and replies, after the debate [on a news channel that was 100% pro-Rep]...is that....during those interviews this week, [yep...the ones that she had trouble answering and looked more like a "rabid deer caught in head lights"...leading up to the debate]...was because she was...annoyed???  Huh?  Annoyed makes you forget the name of a single publication that you read???...or note one or two court rulings you don't agree with...[besides the ONE that everyone knows about??]  Come on...they keep saying that she has so much experience....because she's up there in Alaska?  Oh yeah....with that mean ole country just across the pond as a neighbor...the one that she can see from her porch??  OYYYY....no doubt those two days at one of the McCain estates [with the debate coach] helped prep her for the debate.  I mean in all fairness...she did manage to come off without looking like a total air head. {She reminds me of another previous VP nominee...from years ago.}  But...the bottom line is...do you think shes ready to lead if McCain can't??   Needless to say...we are both still undecided.  BUT...after the massive "bailout" [wait!!!....they like to call it a "rescue package"...it sounds better doesn't it?] that they passed yesterday loaded down with tons of pork....[also typical]...this is where 8 years of the Rep. policy has gotten us...do we really want another 4 years of the same problems, excuses, and blank checks {that seems to benefits everyone...except our own people?}  Maybe we'll know more after the next two debates...[but I seriously wouldn't bet the farm on it.]

Well that's about it for this time...my body is screaming...so I'll close for now.  Have a wonderful weekend...and please remember me in prayer.

Hugs & Blessings...T

...well...it's been awhile since my last post.  The days seem to be blending together...actually I misplaced one of them this week.  Seriously!  [Is it the "age thing" or wishful thinking??...or...maybe a little of both?]  LOL

Hubby and I have to be up, ready and tear out of here by 7:30 in the morning, for [fasting] blood work and to get our flu shots out of the way.  [The worst part of it all...yep...even worse than the needles is the going without any liquids...NO water, pop, or coffee...did I mention coffee??] for the next 12 hours.  You can keep the food, but please, please don't take my liquids away. waaaaaa!:: LOL

Sitting here waiting for the VP debate. After seeing bits and pieces of the interview of Sarah Palin this week...the face off between Biden and Palin...might actully be a hoot. Hubby and I are both totally  "un-decided" at this point.  Honestly...as I've said before...trying to determine which pair on the ticket might actually be telling 1% of the truth...is almost impossible.  I mean...given the history of politics in America...it's..."tell the people what they want to hear, [to get elected]...then forget everything you promised??  We are totally exhausted by this long, never-ending race.  It's very discouraging with all the mud-slinging...serious lack of experience, or the "same ole..same old...broken past 8 years of policy"...gas prices, the economy, 47 million Americans [including myself] without any type of health insurance [shameful]...the long wars, the millions of tax dollars [always available] to rebuild an oil rich country each month [why are we paying for oil at all??] Shouldn't the ones benefiting the most...pay their own way?? And...us never having the tax dollars to help our own people, the shameful substandard care for our Vets etc., etc..  [What is wrong with this picture???]

This week...the justice system totally failed the family of one of the sweetest, most giving individuals that I know.  Armed with the truth they went into court with hopes that it would be enough.  But..it wasn't. [Is the "system" only for the rich, the elite [well connected people?]  Seems so.  [With that said...we often forget that the people we interact with...online...also have real lives, real problems and real feelings.] 

Off my soapbox for tonight..the debate is getting ready to start.  Maybe afterwards we will have a better understanding of these two people...[one of which...will win the second highest seat in our nation.] 

Prayer List: All my Family, Tessy, Tina, Marcy, Marlene and sister Carol.
Until next time....have a wonderful rest of the week.  Hugs & Blessings...T

If you missed it..."fall" officially arrived today.  It's been really cold at night and in the morning for a little while already. [We've used the furnace the past three mornings and it's getting dark so much earlier...and seems to take forever for daylight to break [also for weeks now.]  So...you probably couldn't tell much of a difference eh?

Today...I did a little fall cleaning, in the kitchen.  That room seems to be the hardest...requiring the most time and detail work...[especially with all the major appliances, dishes, decor, cabinets etc., so I decided to tackle it first...for a change.]  I'm not in a huge hurry but [as usual] I am kind of anxious to have it all finished too. LOL {During the cooler months, I enjoy being in the kitchen baking and cooking...trying new and different low fat recipes.}  Hubby enjoys it too...he's the chief taste tester, as is our fur-baby "Madison Ann-Marie" who thinks whatever I cook, and dad eats...she should eat too!  :0)

Hubby and I were able to enjoy our dinner outdoors yesterday..the last official day of summer...and today too...for the first day of fall.  Knowing that those days are coming to a close...faster than either of us would like them to, [until spring/summer '09], makes it so difficult to want to stay indoors.  This afternoon while soaking up the warmth of the sunshine, we scanned the hills and sure enough...we noticed that the sky is definately a different shade of blue...much deeper.  And, the trees are beginning to turn.  Soon all those beautiful green leaves will give way to a huge variety of colors...orange, red, yellow, browns and then...they will all be gone...leaving behind a stark reminder that another year is coming to a close and winter is at the door.  And...yards needing raked and gutters needing sprayed out.    And...it's already time to sort the closets and drawers...moving the summer clothes out...replacing them with the bulky warmer winter clothes. [Note to self...finish this job soon.]

Tomorrow is another appointment...the [dreaded] yearly exam.  {Last Wed., was the "other" one.} Hopefully the results of both will arrive quickly and will be ok.  ::A gentle reminder to all ladies out there in blog land...schedule your exams...yearly....[do it for yourself and for the ones you love.]::  And...talk to your doctor about a flu shot too, especially if you have immune problems or other health issues. ::That old saying..."an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"...is so true::

Yippeee...I found a replacement for my exercise bike. [With the two year extended warranty...maybe this one will last a bit longer.]  The new one doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles and it is little more compact than my old one...but, from reading the reviews posted I think [hope] it will serve the purpose.]  I am a wee bit concerned about the seat, [if the height will adjust enough for my long legs.]  It's suppose to be delivered Wed., so I guess I'll  know for sure then.

Well time to close and try for round two of zzzzland.  Sweet dreams!

Oh my goodness...here we are...it's another Sunday.  Although some weeks do feel like they are a month long...the majority of them anymore...seem to zip by at warp speed.  This week...I'm really  not sure how to label it.  LOL

Congratulations to my niece Lacey and her husband Josh...on the birth of their beautiful baby boy...Noah Jaxon.  The baby arrived on Tuesday a little ahead of schedule, but at a normal weigth [7 lbs. and 20" long.]  He had some initial complications with his breathing, and had to be placed in ICU.  So he definately gave his mom and dad and the rest of the family a bit of a scare for the first several days, but thank the LORD...they were able to take their baby son home yesterday, to meet his big sister Rylee.  My prayer for little Noah is...a long, happy, healthy and blessed life.  [Ohh...I'm a Great Auntie again!]  Yay!

My mother in law received the results of her tests [from her recent hospital stay] and thankfully all is clear.  She seems to be growing stronger each day and has started thinking and planning for Christmas.  [A major difference from the way she was just a couple weeks ago.]  She will have to return for out patient surgery soon, but when she's feeling like this, it will be like pulling teeth from a bear...to get her back in there.  LOL

After two weeks of constant running [appointments etc.]...yesterday hubby and I both crashed and took a whole day of downtime.  It was freezing...so we flicked the furnace on, turned the electric blanket up and went back to bed.  [We both needed it...but for some reason...naps..usually make us both feel as if we've been hit by a truck...for a couple hours afterwards.]  Yesterday was no exception. LOL

My exercise bike bit the dust for good yesterday. [It's been making a terrible noise for awhile now.]  Over the years I have tried about every type of home exercise equipment that they make, but because of fibro and arthritis...the bike is the only type that I can tolerate [most days.]  The one that I had prior to this one we bought from Sears and it lasted for 9 years, but they don't make that type anymore [believe me I have looked everywhere.]  This one is only a year and a half old, and out of warranty already.  Althought the bike doesn't give me the exercise I need to counteract the osteoporosis, I do feel like it helps keep my joints moving, maintain my weight and hopefully helps my heart too.  So I have got to find a replacement...quick.

Wednesday we stopped at Bath & Body.  If you like Pumpkin [fall scents] room sprays...you'll love their returning seasonal products. They have some great body sprays [newest favorite at the moment is Moonlight Path and Jap. Cherry Blossom.] They also had socks...that are "suppose" to be the sweetest, softest on earth.  They had PINK...so hubby picked me up a pair to try...AND so help me...they really are the softest socks I have ever worn.  Adding more of these to my wish list.

It's so cold again this morning...fall officially arrives tomorrow. It's suppose to warm up later...so hopefully if the bee's will allow it, maybe we can enjoy our lunch outside today.  [I am so gonna miss summer...and will begin counting the days until it returns.]  Dearest LORD....please let us have a warmer than usual...fall and winter season.   Heartfelt thoughts and prayers goes out to Tessy, to Marlene, and to everyone still dealing with the clean up from Ike. 

Until next time...keep plenty of hot chocolate on hand and lot's of warm thoughts in your heart.  May the good LORD bless us all.

I wanna tell you just how Awesome my GOD is! 

As most of you know I have been facing Jury Duty [US Dist. Court] for the past several weeks...it's been hanging over my head like a cloud...sucking the life right out of me.  Because of multiple health issues, I am honestly unable to serve.  Anyway...mixed in my recent posts you'll find the struggle I've faced, trying to get this sorted...giving insight into how it was affecting me.  PRAISE the LORD...I received the card today....that second letter from my doctor has been accepted, therefore I am NOT required to report to or to serve.  I am excused!  {I'm doing the happy thankful dance!} 

Note to self: Trust in the LORD...and know that HE is working behind the scenes...even when I doubt, worry and panic.  [Forgive me LORD.]

AND...we got our car back just a little bit ago. The dealership received the parts early and got if fixed an entire day ahead of schedule. So, I can keep my appt. tomorrow and hubby will be with me. Yipppeeee..[no more little black truck...that drives like a tank and drinks like a fish!]  LOL

AND...I received such a sweet little base/lineart set from Tina this morning...an exclusive set from DoodleLines in email.  I adore all her lineart and creativity.   [Thank you Tina] http://doodlelines.com

AND...although the air is a little on the crisp side...it's sunny...and it's not offically fall yet!  I'm hanging on to every single day that it's not freezing outside...and praying that summer will linger for as long as possible.

Until next time...keep smiling.  Hugs & Blessings...T.

 Remembering the Heros of Sept. 11th, 2001.  Life as we knew it...our view of the world changed...forever.

....is it me or do the days seem like they all run together anymore?]  Monday [this week], it was a trip to the dentist, Tues. hubby had two doctor appointments in the big city, [afterwards we went to the Farmers Market...and it was filled with everything you could want, from veggies, fruits and Mums.  Yesterday we were home...I cooked [lot's of veggie dishes] and meat loaf [ground turkey breast], and we waited on repair [for our dryer.]  Today, we have local running to do and a visit with one of the sweetest ladies in the whole world.  I've known her since I was a small child.  Her arms and door are always open to everyone...she is definately one of those extremely rare gems that you meet on this journey [called life,]  She has been the Grandmother that I never had and like a Great Grandmother to our daughter too.  This beautiful Saint is growing frail...she is in her 80's now, and a couple weeks ago she fell and broke her back. After surgery they moved her to the rehab center in the local nursing home. I'm praying that she'll be back in her own home again very soon.  [Lord, please keep your loving healing hand on Mrs. Moore.] 

I'm so happy to share that my mother in law is back at home.  She is awaiting results of some of the tests they did during her hospital stay, but she is feeling a bit stronger and hopefully will continue to improve over the days and weeks ahead.  [Thank you all for your prayers.]

Have you heard all the silly lipstick comments?? Honestly, I'm so sick of it all.  We want and NEED to hear about the real issues...the problems that affect us as Americans...not this petty back biting and mud slinging.  Hello?? How about the economy...and health care?  If you happen to be among the millions that remain uninsured...if McCain wins..you might as well resign yourself to the fact that you will remain that way.  From what I've seen...in my humble opinion...he is so out of touch with mainstream America.  He's 3 decades in Washington...admits he's voted with Bush 90 pecent of the time...[can we say...clone?]...and will be so busy protecting the feelings of his VP nominee, he won't have time to do much else.  Come on...get real...if someone [man or woman] can't handle a comment that was used by McCain himself a year and a half ago...maybe she's just not ready to take on the second highest seat??  At this point I am NOT convinced that either of them nor their VP's...are what we need as a nation.  Can we see what's behind door number 3???  Oh...and before I climb off my soapbox this morning...the people behind the news desk that are suppose to report the news NOT push their views on us...have crossed that line and in some cases totally blown it away during this never-ending long election. [Is it ever going to end?]

Yeah...gas prices have dropped...well the market says they have....but we are still paying the same $3.79 per gallon that we paid when oil prices were much higher.  We are never in line with the "national average."  [Who is in charge of these calulations anyway?]

It was soooo cold here yesterday. Fall is definately at the door.  I peeked out for a split second and right back in. Hopefully today we'll see sunshine...I need it so badly!  My thoughts and prayers going out to my dear friend Marlene in TX and all that are in the projected path of hurricane Ike. {Hoping this one will beat itself out before making landfall and it will be the last one this year.}  Stay safe.

Until next time...remember...to "stand on the promises"...you have to know what they are. 
----
Dear Lord...please help me to remember that I need to concentrate on today, not worry about tomorrow...to trust YOU, your word and your promises.  Amen