Looking Forward

Many years I look back over the year and ponder this or that, wonder what I would have done differently, or bemoan what I did not do.

I decided I've done enough looking back, and this year is all about looking forward.

I'm not making resolutions either.  I have 2 very important goals that I WILL achieve:  I am going on vacation to North Carolina in April to meet my sistah, separated from birth, Cindy.  We will spend a glorious week on the Outer Banks, and then back to her house, then up the east coast to meet another AWESOME MG sister, Rachel.  It will be the most wonderful trip.

My other goal is to get my book published.  I have to finish writing it (I have about 175 pages right now, but it's kind of all over the place), then have it proofed, edit it, and publish it.  It WILL get done.

Other than that, I'm going to enjoy my family.  I'm going to teach my son.  I'm going to live every good day to the fullest, and try to learn something from the not so good ones.

I'm going to cherish the people in my life, and help as many people as possible.  I will inspire and be inspired.  I will teach and be taught.  I will love and be loved.

So here is to 2012:  may it bring us all a little closer to each other, a lot closer to the God of Creation, and more benevolent than ever before.

Thank you for sharing my journey with me in 2011;  one thing I can promise about 2012 and me:  It won't be boring! God Bless!

Mom and Dad

Content by Sol Rosales

Mom and dad are really stubborn and I hate to say that because I love them so much. But they’re all about being low-tech which is fine except that they hate to talk on the phone so I’m never able to get in touch with them. I told them if this is how they were going to be about the phone they’d at least have to learn to email so I’ve set them up with Internet Providers and been working on what I can do to keep them in the loop. I actually had to move back home a couple of years ago when I lost my job and I was amazed at how they’ve totally shunned technology. They don’t even have a microwave in the kitchen – I mean, really, who doesn’t have a microwave! Anyway, I love my parents to death but at the end of the day they need to get with it or we’re going to have to get more involved. They like their privacy so I know they would hate that!

This is a sponsored post.  It's also appropriate because I'm in the process of getting my parents internet!

Christmas Pics

Jacob got them all: soccer ball, kickball, volleyball, football, basketball

"Mom, take the darn picture."

"Oh the humanity."

Probably Jacob's favorite gift:  a hoppy horse

Opening presents at Grandma's

"I AM smiling!"

Erector sets.  Boyhood at its finest. Oh, Jacob liked them too.

Ta-da! The finished product

More Random Letters

Dear Lady Cashier at Rite Aid,

When I present you with a coupon for an item I am purchasing, please just take care of it.  The coupon was for a FREE product.  You do not need to ask WHY I get it free.  I have a coupon, and it says FREE.  What part do we not understand??

Sincerely,
A Bit Taken Aback at Your Rudeness


Dear Comcast Cable Website,

If you aren't able to do what your website says you can do, don't put it on your website!
I mean, really.  If YOU send ME a letter asking me if I want to finish my transaction, and I go to your website, I expect to be able to finish my transaction.  I do NOT expect you to take the offer off the table and change all the prices.  Something that should have been very simple took many hours, many phone calls, and much irritation on my part.

Sincerely,
Very Glad I'M Not Your Customer


Dear Husband,

Please stop telling our child to do ridiculous things like stick carrots up his nose to soften them.  He actually listens to you, believe it or not.  Oh, and while we're at it, PLEASE stop undoing the hours and hours I spend disciplining our child by laughing at his inappropriate comments, and giving into him when he begs and whines after I'VE said "no" 17 times.

Thanks honey.  Love ya.


Dear Self,

You REALLY need to stop saying "dammit."  It doesn't sound nearly as charming coming out of your 5 year old's mouth.

Sincerely,
Oops

What's Going On

Hey everyone...

Wow.  What a busy couple of weeks!  Add to that dealing with pneumonia for crying out loud.  I did a LITTLE better at restraining myself this year and saying "no" when I knew I had already done too much...but that's something I still need to get MUCH better at.

It's very difficult being a Type A personality with a disease that allows you to be anything BUT Type A.  Sometimes even a Type B is a stretch. 

I am not laid back.
I am not mellow.
I am not calm.
I am not a "go-with-the-flow" kind of girl.

I am a thinker, a planner, a scheduler, and I HATE change.  I am high maintenance!! Yeah, I know, I'm laughing too!

If there's one thing I know in my life, it's that every day will bring something different.  I can do all the planning in the world, but that doesn't mean any of it's going to happen.  And it drives. me. crazy.

But ya know what?  NONE of us is promised tomorrow.  The healthiest among us could be hit by a crosstown bus tomorrow. (yes, I'm being a bit tongue-in-cheek, because I'm trying not to be morbid).

But seriously.  Just in the last 2 weeks, I personally know of 4 young, healthy people who have died suddenly.  Two were a brother and sister, 17 and 13. All four had their whole lives ahead of them.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all need to live in the moment.

I'm not saying don't be responsible or make long-range goals or plans, but I AM saying don't COUNT on them to fulfill you or make you happy.  You have to be okay with who you are today, because today may be all you have.

I don't know that I'm completely "okay" with me yet, today, in this moment.  But I'm learning.  Slowly, but I'm learning.  Cherish everyone in your life.  Don't wait to tell them you love them. If you want something, go for it.  Don't put it off until tomorrow.  Carpe diem!!  Seize the day!

Merry Christmas!

  "The people who walked in darkness
   Have seen a great light;
   Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
   Upon them a light has shined.
   

You have multiplied the nation 

And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You 

According to the joy of harvest, 

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 

For You have broken the yoke of his burden 

And the staff of his shoulder...

For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, 

And garments rolled in blood, 

Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
 

For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given; 

And the government will be upon His shoulder. 

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,     

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of His government and peace 

There will be no end,
 Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
 To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
 From that time forward, even forever.
 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 9:2-6

Praying that today we will all stop for a moment among the gifts, the food, the family and fun, to remember that this is the day a tiny baby came into the world not to judge it, but to save it.

God Bless You All, 

And Merry Christmas!

And The Winner Is...

Hey everyone!  Sorry I'm a little late on this...today was chaotic around here....

But, without further ado, using Random Number Generator (see side bar) the winner is.....

Jo-Ann Markie!!!!

Congratulations Jo-Ann!!  Merry Christmas!!

Writer's Workshop

 Time to hook up with MamaKat and her pretty much world famous writer's workshop.  This week I chose the prompt "You know you're a mother when...."

10.  You can't walk through a room without stepping on a plastic soldier, animal, or bendaroo.

9.    You do the lick-your-thumb-and-wipe-your-child's-mouth thing that your mom did to you and you SWORE you'd never do to YOUR children.

8.   Your heart can melt and break at the same time.

7.    You know that silence means TROUBLE.

6.    You give up pretty much all normal existence to live out in the middle of BFE so your son can have room to run with his dogs, cows to grow for meat, ducks to watch waddle, chickens to lay eggs, a bunny to, well, have a bunny, a pond for tadpole catching, and acres and acres to explore.

5.    One little human being can overpower you with a look, a smile, or a tear.

4.    You get up in the middle of the night because out of the 1,342 stuffed animals your child has, he can't sleep without the ONE that's been missing for 3 months.

3.    Your favorite words are "Mommy, can I cuddle?"

2.    You can't even remember what your life was like before you had your son.

1.    And THE number one reason you know you're a mother is when you would rather catch puke in your hands than clean it off the floor, bedding, and/or your child.

www.mamakatslosinit.com

 

 

Pneumonia

Okay.  Guess what I got for Christmas?
Yup.  Pneumonia.  Might be lying low for a few days.
Don't forget to enter the drawing from my 800th post!
I'll be back.
Merry Christmas!

WOW!! 800th post. GIVEAWAY

Wow!  I can hardly believe it.  This is my 800th post.  Eight hundred!  I started blogging in September of 2008.  So just over 3 years, and 800 posts.  Crazy!!!  This blog has been my saving grace at times.  I try to make you laugh, I try to help you understand chronic illness, and sometimes I just use it for therapy.  That's why I started it.  At the encouragement of my friend Joanna, I started this blog.  So whether you love it or hate it, you have her to thank.  She really, really encouraged me to start blogging.  At first I was like, "meh, I can't do that.  YOU'RE the funny one.....what would I write about?"

And the rest, as they say, is history.  SO.  To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway!!!

So first, and this is a book I reviewed earlier on this blog, so you can check that out if you want, is the book

"Take Me Home From The Oscars...Arthritis, Television and Me" by Christine Schwab.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

The second thing is this Sterling Silver Key necklace with a pearl in the center of the key, and rhinestones on the end. It's really beautiful.  So all you have to do is leave a comment.  Very simple and straightforward.  You don't have to follow me (unless you want to) or tell me what you love about me (although....well, nevermind), or jump through hoops.  Just leave a comment to enter the giveaway.

I am so excited to have reached 800 posts.  But even more than that, I never could have IMAGINED the friendships that this blog has blessed me with.  THANK YOU so much for sharing in my journey.  THANK YOU for reading.  THANK YOU for caring.  Good luck!!

I forgot to add the giveaway ends Friday, December 23.  I will be drawing the winner on Saturday, December 24!

Nomorerack

I have not posted about this before, which is kind of ironic, because I buy things from nomorerack.com all the time.  In fact, I just got a package yesterday from them!  

Basically, nomorerack.com is a website that has AMAZING deals.  They offer 8 new deals every single day. Usually one of them is free.  You pay $2.00 shipping per item that you purchase from them.  Once in a while they even offer free shipping on the free item.  It’s fantastic!  They also feature a charity item, where part or all of the proceeds go to a specific charity.

I just ordered a pair of earrings this week that were 100% free.  I ended up ordering a necklace as well, because it was sterling silver and gorgeous and very reasonably priced.  I think it was 80% off manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

I did not see any news about a scam, but apparently some people are saying that the nomorerack website was hacked and people were filing complaints.  There is not a nomorerack scam. I can completely vouch that it is a legitimate business, because I have ordered several things from them! 

Every day I wait for noon to arrive; the items they have are available from noon one day until noon the next.  Because of my health, I don’t have very good balance and have to wear totally flat shoes.  But I am telling you…there are shoes on there that I would LOVE to have.  They are totally stylish and current. They have a little bit of everything.  Toys, clothes, handbags, perfume;  there is truly something for everyone.

You can check nomorerack reviews , but the BEST way to check them out is to go to their website yourself.  As I said, I have purchased several things from them, and have been very happy with what I received.  Sometimes the items ship right away, other times they ship from their global warehouse, so it can take 3 or 4 weeks.  However, when you pay $3.00 for an item normally priced at $45.00, you can wait the 3 weeks with no problem.

Another awesome feature of nomorerack is that they have Friend Deals.  You tell your friends about the amazing deals on nomorerack, and you get stuff FREE if they check it out.  So what are you waiting for?  Go check it out!

This is a sponsored post.

Five Minute Friday

 

So today I'm linking up with the gypsy mama for Five Minute Friday.  Five minutes, just writing, no editing.  Today's prompt is: CONNECTED.

START:

I need to be connected.  It's not a want, a desire, a "wish."  It's a "have to." I HAVE to be connected.  To people.  To God.  To my family.  To my husband and son.  I am a person who needs connection.  I'm like a plug....have to have an outlet to make me complete.  No power without connection.

I haven't done such a great job of this lately.  I've been so caught up in the busy-ness of the season; making cookies, wrapping presents, buying presents, wrapping presents, etc.  Sending packages. Mailing cards.  But I haven't taken the time to really connect with my friends, my family, or my God.  I get so busy trying to do, do, do, that I don't.  

I hate feeling disconnected and alone.  I hate feeling that that other part of me is missing.  Because of where I live, and my health, I'm in my house a lot.  A LOT.  And I hate it.  I can't work.  I can't just pick up and go.  I can't just run errands at the drop of a hat.  Everything takes planning and effort.  I don't have a sense of community.  Of connected-ness.  And I hate it.

I'm so thankful for technology.  For my computer, my phone....they help me connect in a very real way.  I get to talk to people like me, with MG, who help me and encourage me.  They are my friends.  They are my connection.

Unfortunately, living vicariously is no substitute for the real thing:  a visit from a friend.  A hug.  A real, flesh-and-blood, I'm-so-glad-to-see-you, I-love-you-and-am-thrilled-you-are-in-my-life, life-giving hug.

Sigh.

STOP.