Thursday, May 29, 2008

Business in THE Bag...



I am in the process of having my business logo re-designed by the lovely and talented Roxie @ Business in THE Bag Even better she's having a contest to win a $25 gift certificate...wowee! If you are in need of business cards, a new logo or a blog banner head on over to her site. She also has a sister site where she sells the cutest "candylights", you gotta go see these...Jorabeels!





Thanx Roxie...I can't wait to see my new logo!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Vintage Item swap for Cindy


Vintage Item swap for Cindy, originally uploaded by Rowan Willow.

Vintage swap ready to go off to Indiana

Memorial Day THANK YOU's


THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
To all who have served our country and lost their lives...




THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
For the freedoms you have given us...




THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
Even though our THANK YOU's will Never be enough!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

What a day!

Yesterday was quite an amazing day. I spent the first day of summer break with my kids and a few of their friends. We had a blast playing. Then I went thrifting and found lots of awesome goodies. Some Marie Antoinette pictures...







mirrored tray, some miniatures, a fan, oval frame...









atlas books, old and new, bingo game, storybook with neat illustrations...








crepe paper, funky yarn, beadstring...







And I had a package in the mail too...

Fairy crafts to make and sew for my little fairy, a fairy cookbook for yummy treats...








and for mommy a world guide to gnomes, fairies, elves and other little people & Victorian Trading Co. catalog...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

On a lighter note...



Look what came in the mail today...perfect to follow my last post...don't you think!?!

This is a lil piece of art I bought from Catherine @ Art from the Heart


I LoVe IT!!! Thank you Catherine :0)








The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to HOPE for.
~Allan K. Chalmers

Today's a different blog entry...

Well today I am blogging for a different reason. Some of you might know about my health problems. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, liver disease degenerative disc disease (back) and spondylosis of my neck. I have spent the last 3-4 years of my life trying to feel normal again, I have recently come to the conclusion that this is not going to happan and my definition of "normal" has changed. I have a blogland friend Denise at Couture de Papier who has been brave enough to share her story. Stop by her blog and see her "therapy" and say HI! This inspired me to share mine and hopefully "enlighten" some who are still in the dark.

It is sad for me to find people who have the disease, but sadder is the fact that so many peoples don't believe IT IS A DISEASE. In the past so many Doctors used it as a "wastebasket" illness. What I mean by this is they didn't want to investigate the causes of the illnesses or couldn't find the reasons for the illness, or insurance companies wouldn't cover the tests or treatments for a misunderstood undocumented medical illness such as fibro (what we call it for short). I was one of these patients.

I was probably ill for many years but was unaware due to the fact that our bodies are such incredible machines. I had been pregnant or breast feeding my babies for 7 years and my body was working for them. Once I stopped breast feeding Max (actually he weened himself at 13 months, broke my heart) my body fell apart. My body was shutting down on me. I was a wreck and just figured I was exhausted from being a mom of 4 (15, 5, 3 and 14 months), I felt crummy all the time, migraines almost every day, depression (worse than usual), chronic fatigue, you name it, I felt it. I can remember the exact day my life changed completely. It was the 4th of July, we had gone to a Carnival type celebration up north a few hours away from home. We spent the afternoon and evening there for the fireworks. It was no different than a typical day for me & my body, I felt crummy, even more so from walking all over and chasing the kids around. I began to get a migraine, but I didn't want to ruin the good times so I stuck it out. The following morning I was in excruciating pain from head to toe, even my fingers hurt, I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I knew I needed to find out what was wrong with me, I could not live like this and take care of my family.

Fibro is a very mysterious disease and mimics several other illness but has no definitive test to determine if you have it. It is very hard to get a "official" medical diagnosis. After a few tests turned up negative and there was no evidence of other diseases, I was given an unofficial diagnosis of "well it must be fibromyalgia", I was told "go home, change my diet and lifestyle and come back in a year". Of course I was not having that, see this Dr. was not interested in me or finding an answer to my problems so he just "tossed me into that wastebasket". Several Dr.s later I was referred to a Rheumatologist who ran a lot more tests and seemed genuinely interested in my ailments, finding an answer and treating me. He discovered that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (an inflammatory disease that "attacks" your own healthy cells). Fibromyalgia is usually a post-traumatic disease, meaning it is triggered by an event or illness. Several people who have car accident or similar traumatic events later acquire fibro. I had Rheumatoid that triggered my fibro. So not only did every joint in my body hurt, every muscle ached too. I remember calling my hunny and saying sort of gleefully (not that I had it, but that I had FINALLY after almost a year had an answer and a diagnosis) "I have Rheumatoid Arthritis!". He said "why do you sound happy about that, it's horrible and untreatable" I replied "I am just glad I have answer, it's not all in my head!" We could now treat the disease...I thought. I have tried several different medications for my rheumatoid arthritis with not much help, I have liver disease also (not from alcohol), so I am very limited to what I can take. Your liver filters everything that goes into your body and mine couldn't handle most of the medications. I am nearing the end of my rope as far as current treatments available, however, there are a lot of new treatments on the horizon, so we will see.

The medical community finally "recognizes" the Disease Fibromyalgia and there are some medications available. Insurance companies are recognizing it too, some will cover these medications. There is still a lot of medical research to be done and now there are even some support groups that use a wide range of alternative therapies (acupressure, acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy, herbal & nutrition aids...etc.) Convincing our family and friends is what is still a problem. Many think "it's all in out heads" or "they are just lazy", I've heard several other statements that are all untrue. These words can hurt as bad as the disease. Support and understanding is what people who suffer from fibro need the most. I hope none of you ever have fibro or know someone who does, but if you do, PLEASE extend your heart and hand and be understanding. I was heartbroken to hear of Denises' so called friends who had abandoned her at her darkest hour. I am very fortunate to have an amazing lover who is very understanding and sympathetic to my illness and limitations. I am blessed with a family that is supportive and understanding too. I could not imagine having to go through this alone.


Frida Kahlo was thought to suffered from Fibromyalgia, among other things. It was a driving factor in a lot of he artwork. After a bus accident at the age of 18 she endeared more than 30 subsequent operations to her spine to try and alleviate her pain (and this was in the 1920's and 1930's when surgeries were barbaric compared to todays standards). Many of her works reflects the pain and anguish she suffered, not only from her physical ailments but from her broken heart caused by her unfaithful husband. Frida painted, that was her therapy, her outlet, her voice. Art guided her through her pain and anguish. During periods of immobilization in a plaster corset, she used a special easel with a mirror that attached to the canopy of her bed so that she could focus on herself. She said she painted herself so much because that was who she knew best. I am inspired by her courage and the courage of Denise and others who suffer from fibromyalgia. I hope and pray that Fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases can be treated into remission without detrimental effects on the mind, spirit and soul. I believe the expression of oneself, be it through art, cooking, singing, volunteering, dancing, what ever brings you joy, is the best medicine of all. So self medicate...paint, cook, sing, volunteer, dance...you will feel better for it!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Mother's Day~Part II


What a beautiful day I spent with my mother.  We met for lunch and had some delicious food and cocktails and then headed off to see the new Narnia movie.  I can't even begin to tell you what these epic tales of fantasy and fiction do to my muse.  I want to create and "become a part of that world".  I thought the film was magnificent, the cinematography, the scenery, the costumes, the actors and actresses (the youngest, Lucy reminds us all of my Evie), I loved all 140 minutes of it.  I can't wait til the next comes out.  Here is a wonderful site, NarniaWeb, dedicated to the movies, characters and other fun stuff associated with Narnia.  I do feel my muse has been teased...stay tuned!  Unfortunately, all goods thing must come to an end...I became ill after the movie with a migraine, cold sweats, nausea & vomiting that continued all through the night until dawn. YUCK...I do hate when that happens!  I prefer to remember the day as It began, NOT ended... and Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), I will see you in my dreams!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

toadstool swap


I LoVe mushrooms...so I signed up for a fun swap from LucyKateCrafts

Monday, May 12, 2008

A bitter sweet Mother's Day!





I will not complain, overall my day was wonderful. I started with breakfast in bed from my love, handmade goodies from my little gnomes and fairy and a picnic at the park. I do feel sad tho...my oldest naughty fairy called and didn't even say happy Mother's day...or come to the picnic...boo hoo. I had a mis-understanding with my mom about the picnic, therefor she showed up 3 hours earlier than us. Needless to say she went home and filled her day other ways. I felt awful for the mis-understanding and invited her to a movie and "girls only" day out on Saturday as a late Mothers day gift to her. I think in the end it will be nicer, she wasn't looking forward to sweating at the park anyway. I am so very blessed to be a mother, and to have a loving mother and mother-in-law.

I can only believe that God has smiled on me far more than I feel worthy, none the less, I am beyond thankful :0)

Saturday, May 3, 2008

I'm a swap-bot junkie!




I love to do swaps...I love to get mail...I love opening the mail and "seeing" what someone made for ME...I love giving goodies...I LoVe it ALL! If you haven't swapped before I suggest you give it a try..If you have swapped your probably hooked like me. I have sooo much fun with it. I have been busy getting stuff ready to send, I have swaps and PIF I'm sending out...It just makes me HaPpY...{{grins}} These are some of my swap goodies I'm giving...An orange and pink "whimsy jar" filled with goodies (more pics on my Flickr page), A bead fairy, and a Fairy dotee.

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