FALLING PINK

My younger sister, Cindy, (in the uniform) sent me some wonderful pictures of my nephews. I just wish I knew them both better. It seems that the older I get the more family oriented I am. Christopher is the real photographer. He has such a good eye. I hope that I get to see them on Thanksgiving, along with Cindy's daughter, Heather with her family. She has such beautiful babies. I haven't seen her daughter at all, but little Karch is a handful. 
           There is a picture of Cindy with her new grandaughter, Tabitha below.

Cindy and Tabitha

I fell Sunday afternoon in the back yard. I hurt both knees and shins, big bruise on my upper thigh, and hurt both hands trying to catch myself. Ray was in the house and couldn't hear me. Neighbors came and got him. They wanted to call 911, but when I discovered that I could actually stand, I said no. I did call and leave a message for my rheumatologist to let him know. I am supposed to let him know when I fall. I fell into the bushes last week when I was trying to get in the car and the neighbor across the street helped me up. I am thinking I need one of those buttons on a necklace. "Help, I have fallen and I can't get up."  LOL.

This disease is really making me feel old. Dr Cole says that I definitely have PTSD, too. My housekeeping lady has been taking care of her ex-husband who has Alzheimers and hasn't been here in months. I am beginning to feel like a hoarder. You might see me on Reality TV soon. I seem to save everything, thinking I may use it later. I used to move every couple of years but I have been in this house for 18 years and it has filled up gradually. There is room to walk around, but if this goes on much longer, we may have to close off a couple of rooms. I need some help, but I just don't know who to ask. I think I need to find a family to donate to. Maybe some who have lost their home in a fire or something. 

So, here I am this morning. Yesterday was kind of hazy. I had so much pain that I was on Vicadin most of the day and even took a nap, which is unusual for me. Feel somewhat better today. I have a Circle Meeting today. No, it is not about Google, it is a church meeting. They have been called Circle Meetings long before Google was thought of. We meet and support missions with gifts and prayer. We donate school supplies, donate to our benevelent fund, send letters to military, donate to the foodbank, etc. It is a lovely group of women who care about our community and the people in it. We pray for the un-churched that they may come to know Christ and join us in our efforts. 

By the way, I am making dishcloths and selling them for $4 each, plus shipping. I will be setting up a PayPal site later today. I donated 80 of these to our children's ministry to sell and use the money toward a new playground for the children. They are just the right size to use in the kitchen. Made from 100% cotton thread. They are also good for using as washcloths. Great exfoliators!

I am going to stop now, I have to go get dressed to go get my blood checked.

Lots of Love - 

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

Weekend PINK

I have been having a few bad days since I am still trying to cut down on the prednisone. I get so tired all the time. We had quilting today and I didn't get much done. I think I broke my sewing machine and now I have to take it to the shop. I want a new one. Anyway, most of what I did was cut squares. I am looking for a specific quilt pattern that I don't even know the name of. It is similar to the Cathedral Window Quilt, but more like a frame. I may see if I can find it online later. We have about 25 quilts almost ready to go. I brought 2 home with me to work on. I cannot decide whether to quilt them or tie them. I need to get one of my other sewing machines out and see if I can work on them.

Saturday, we will be in front of Harris-Teeter Grocery Store on Warwick Boulevard for Lions White Cane and Broom Sale. Ray and I are scheduled to work from 1-3 p.m. I sure hope I feel better than I do right now. Rheumatoid Arthritis bad enough, now I am swelling and my back aches. Rheumatologists don't do Osteoarthritis. Now I have to find another doctor to take care of that. Doing well, lost 23 lbs and 4 inches off my height. Guess I will end up being a little old lady after all.

We have been trying to do some yard work. I cannot do much. but I can cut branches off bushes. Ray does the heavy-lifting. Our neighbor put up a 6 ft. vinyl fence. A handyman was supposed to come last Saturday and take down our chain-link fence. He didn't show up, so I just cut branches myself. We had a nice day outside after we got back from VA beach. We went of the Lions District 24-D Fall Conference. It was good but we did not stay at the Cavalier Hotel. We just came home this year. We usually stay the weekend but there was no need because for the first time in 17 years, we were not on the Cabinet. It was nice to be able to leave and come home.

Sunday I drove back to Va Beach for training as a mentor for membership. It was really nice and I learned a lot about mentoring and membership. I can't wait to get started. There was a Lions International Vice President that held the training. He was originally from Germany, but is from Birmingham Al now. That was where I was born so we had something to talk about. He really didn't get to finish the training. They didn't allot him enough time. We have lots of books to read and then we are getting together to brainstorm. 

When I got home, Ray had brought a roasted chicken dinner for us both from church and I didn't have to cook. We could even eat the chicken and the green beans, just had to get rid of the rice. It was great. I took a nap and rested the most of the day. It sure was nice. 

I heard something about depression that stuck for some reason. Of course, it could be that I felt that maybe it could be about me. It was talking about when people become depressed, they don't feel like doing anything and sometimes feel immobile. Then their homes become a mess which makes the depression worse. I do know that I have got to find Catherine. I need someone who can clean my house. I do feel like everything is piling up. I used to clean all the time and loved to do it, but now, I just don't. I am seeing a therapist and he says that I just need to start small and get rid of stuff. My house is starting to look like one of those houses on the Hoarders. LOL. Well, maybe not that bad, but if I don't do something soon you might see me on one of those reality shows. LOL.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME; ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD

Jamie Layton Cagle PINK

• Still praying for Jamie.
• Please join this group on Facebook, and invite your family and friends to join. We want as many people possible praying for Jamie and her family. 

 
• Jamie is 34 years old, she is the wife of Brandon, and mommy to two sweet girls, Erin (8) and Emily (4). Jamie was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer called small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in April of 2010. Jamie’s cancer was contained to the pelvic area and had not spread to other areas, she enjoyed a few months of remission, but found out recently that her cancer is back, and has spread to other areas. She has several spots in her liver, a spot in her lung, and in a lymph node in her chest. 
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• While Jamie's prognosis is poor, and her cancer is aggressive, we pray to a God who is bigger than any trials we may face, He is certainly bigger than this cancer. We are praying for a miracle, praying for complete healing, praying that in all things God is glorified, and His will be done! 
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• Jamie Lynn is the cousin of my sister Jan (below). I would appreciate it if you would pray for her. We know that all things are possible with Christ. He is the creator of the Universe  (in the beginning there was the Word); He can make a difference for Jamie, her family and for us all.
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 Click on title to go to Jamie's Facebook Page.

• GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

My friend Sandy Guerriere posted an update on her blog this morning concerning Michael Jackson and the devastating effects of Autoimmune Diseases. 




King of Pop 
Michael Jackson

1958 – 2009 
BY: Sandy Guerriere 

"Gone Too Soon"....that is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and now it has been appropriately sang for him.
I was affected deeply and shocked by Michael's sudden death and my heart goes out to his family, friends and fans all over the world. It came as a big surprise to many that Michael Jackson suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus. But, it was in 1986 that Michael Jackson was diagnosed with Vitiligo and  . . . . . .


Sandy Guerriere has been suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 12 years. She has some well-written articles on her blog about the different "conditions" caused by Autoimmune Disease:
 

 Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Vitiligo 

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 

Polymyositis-Dermatomyositis

Systemic Sclerosis

Sjogren's Syndrome 

various forms of vasculitis

If you have any of these diseases or know someone who suffers from  them, you can only benefit from subscribing to Sandy's blog. Sandy suggests 'healing' foods and ways to combat some of these diseases in a 'natural' way. Sandy contacted me shortly after I found out about my Rheumatoid Arthritis and her blog has helped me immeasurably in dealing with the constant chronic pain. I don't care if you follow me, but please follow Sandy. She has such a grasp on this issue, that it could even help you to understand other medical problems and a healthy way to deal with them. She is much more knowledgeable than I am. 

I also have Osteo-Arthritis and I always assumed that Rheumatoid and Osteo-Arthritis were just Arthritis. I never considered there was a big difference. The one thing they do have in common is chronic pain. I have a strong feeling that we will be learning more about Autoimmune Diseases in the future. Our environment is crippling our bodies. 

Love to you all. 

God is Good, All the Time - All the Time, God is Good.

September Pink

There are so many wonderful things about September. Children are back in school, some moms are breathing a sigh of relief, the weather is changing for the good, I am dragging out the winter things and giving them a steaming or cleaning. Putting away the sandals and dragging out the boots. I am making arrangements of flowers and leaves, getting out the fake pumpkins, and some of the funny little Fall elves. Bringing is the tiny tomatoes before they turn red and the bugs eat them and cooking them with onions in olive oil. They really are good. I love fried green tomatoes, but cannot make them the Southern way, just the carb-free way.

September brings memories of September 11, 2011. What a terrible day for the US. Everyone has a story of where they were and who they were with. There was a lady on THE TALK today who was in one of the towers. Parts of her body weren't just burned, they were cooked and she is still living with the pain. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been. A friend at church had to hear that her granddaughter was in one of the planes that hit the Towers. I know it will be a particularly difficult day for her.

People that were there at the World Trade Center Towers and EMT's are coming down with cancer now, probably related to the many toxins they were exposed to the day of the terrorist attacks and for many days later. I hear that Al Qeida is planning something to celebrate the memory also. Probably to see how many Christians they can send to heaven. Although that is not where they think Christians go. They would commit suicide to take us out. All the time they think if they kill us they will get many virgins. That is a laugh. Not many of them around now.

Unfortunately, today wasn't a good one for my friend Benita. She had a horrific headache. I gave her pain medication, ice packs, warm wash cloths, etc. I made homemade chicken soup and finally got  some down her this afternoon. That and some peanut butter with crackers. I am afraid she is not getting enough liquid, but I cannot make her drink. I try to tell her that if she gets dehydrated, she will have to go in the hospital. Then she drinks a little bit. It is so hard to help people with Alzheimers. She may agree one minute and the next wonder where we are going as we walk out the door. Ray is very patient with us both.

I hope and pray that September 11th goes by without bad memories for the future. Stay safe and keep it low key. I would hate to have a bad memory of the this Sunday. It is the Lord's day and it should be quiet and safe for us all.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!   ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

FRIEND PINK

Service is Power

My friend Benita is back with me today. Her daughter, Rebecca, is a teacher's assistant and teachers are back in class. Children start sometime next week. You may not know, but after a bad experience with a care giver, Benita stayed with me for 3 months until school was out. She has dementia (Alz). We have been friends for years and we used to have lunch on Sundays after church with our husbands. Unfortunately, that stopped in 2007. We couldn't figure out what was going on, but finally decided that since Norman retired, maybe they just wanted to spend time together. In November 2010, Norman had a heart attack and passed away while he was waiting in traffic for the light to change. It has been a difficult time for them, because Benita is not able to stay alone. I love her dearly. In fact, at one time, we were thinking about introducing Rebecca to my son Jeff. Anyway, here we are two friends supporting each other through hard times.

Ray and I started on the Induction Phase of Adkins Diet on Monday, August 8, 2011. Ray has diabetes and was afraid that they were going to increase his medication if he didn't get his blood sugar down. I had gained about 20 lbs because of the steroids that I am on and if I wanted to get into my fall and winter clothes, I need to lose some weight. I have been very inventive and will be chronicling our venture on one of my other blogs, along with recipes. I will let you know when I get it going. We both lost weight by day 15: Ray, 15 lbs - Barbara, 12 lbs. I am so excited. Ray didn't realize it before but he was out of his medication that morning when we started. He had to call it in to Express Scripts and to took 3 days for delivery. His blood sugar stabilized between 93 and 110 so when his medication came he didn't take any. He still hasn't and his blood sugar is still between 93 and 110. He is so happy and feels so much better. I am trying not to weigh in every day. I get a PT/INR test every 2 weeks and they weigh me, so I am being weighed at the doctor. We do have a good scale here, but I figured that was "official." I cannot cheat on that one. LOL! (Not that I would.) I will periodically mention the diet on this blog and carry a link to the other one. I did see an article yesterday that I think everyone should read.

I am also doing a blog called "Twitter SweetTweets" where I will be commenting on our parties on Twitter. #slumberparty #SMmanners  #CMchat #MomEoChat  Etc. I will have days and times there.
SMgirlfriends & #latteclub are 24/7.

Britt 

 People starting these are @DabneyPorte @MamaBritt, @JessicaNorthey, etc. They have made Twitter a much nicer place to be. If you look in the right column, you will see the #SMgirlfriend link to Facebook. If you are on Twitter, just put #SMgirlfriend in Search or on TweetDeck, you can click the #hashtag and it will create a column for you.

Have fun on Social Media! I am still trying to get used to Google+.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME; ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Insomnia Pink

Taylor & Garrett with me at our home
in North Carolina. 

I say insomnia Pink because I was tired and went to bed early. TweetDeck was acting up and chaining words vertical instead of horizontal. So I went to bed. I lay there thinking, pondering, then watching Frazer on TV. I saw the last Frazer and right after that was the first Frazer. Strange that I never watched it when it was on one of the big three channels, only after it went into syndication. It was that way with Law & Order too and a few more. I seem to find that watching older shows are better than some of the new shows. I sure hope they come up with something better than the Bachelor or Lost this year. Personally, I am not a big fan of the new "reality" shows. They just don't Entertain me at all. Snooky was on Regis & Kelly the other day, and I have seen her on Ellen too. She is just too much. If my daughter dressed like her, talked like her, and acted as slutty as she does, I might just disown her. Though I would never disown one of my children, they were raised better.

This brings me to something that I have been thinking about. I created a "YAYA Sisters" page on Facebook. A couple of weeks ago a friend from Twitter called and we talked almost an hour. She was just starting a new job in addition to a business she has on line. Her husband has been ill and the needed to supplement their income a while. Anyway, she had been talking with someone of the West Coast who is concerned about the "moral compass" of this country. It seems to be going South of late.

In fact, I have seen it deteriorate during my lifetime. I have seen children exploited by the politicians, the media, and the courts. When I was little, the worst thing we had to worry about being addicted to was alcohol, which was bad in of itself, but now we have to worry if our children are sniffing glue, spray cans, smoking herbs, smoking marijuana or crack cocaine, etc., the list is endless.  The little girls run around in clothes that look like they were made for prostitutes and 8 year old's are wearing heels and makeup already. The boys have their heads stuck in front of a TV but they are not watching it, they are playing games on it. They would sit their for hours if they are not made to get up and go outside.
American children are becoming obese because of their inactivity and being fed too many fatty, carbohydrate foods. When I was a child, sweets were a treat that usually only happened after Sunday dinner.

While we were talking, my friend said she had been thinking about the YAYA Sisters that I tweet out on Twitter. She was wondering if they could use that to spread the word about the "Moral Compass." She thought about the YAYA Sisters because it was kind of a universal name. The Moral Compass would not encompass only Christianity, but all religions. It would encourage people to raise their children with more conviction and purpose. People need to be parents to their children, not their friend. There is plenty of time to be their friend when they become adults. I love this idea so I am going to be working on the YAYA Sister page and see how many people I can get to jump on the bandwagon.

I was at the gastro doctor today and they are working on helping me with a problem that I have been having. They changed my medicine again. Sometimes I wonder about doctors. I saw a doctor on TV the other day who said, "What do you call someone that goes to medical school and has to take tests over and over to pass and it takes them 8 years to do what they should have completed in five? Answer: Doctor. He said that a lot of times if you go in to see a doctor and tell them what is wrong they may leave the room for a minute and look it up on the Internet, just like I do at home. Go figure.

I guess I better go and see if I can go to sleep now. I am yawning so much.

Good night Sweeties,
Remember:
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!