So, it is here!
The end of 2007, and the start of 2008!
I hope for joy in the New Year for all, and health, wealth, and happiness!
And, lots of laughter.
Especially, lots of laughter! It lightens the load we all carry... so remember to find a reason to smile, a reason to laugh, each and every day!
Even if it is just an lolcat or two!
be well,
Dawn
ps... We heard 'My Sharona' by The Knack in the car the other day, and of course, the kids started singing 'My Corona'! lol
pss... Me, as a cat...
Happy Caturday!
AoHELL just ate my entry... so, here we go AGAIN!
Since my hands are sore, I am now going to just type the short version...
Today, I started to inject ENBREL again for my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. I had tried it a few years back, and didn't have any luck after about 4-5 months.
I did have luck with Remicade, which works the same way (blocking the same pathway of inflammation), but the concentration of active medicine was stronger in that, but I developed an allergy to it.
The allergy problem is common with Remicade, as it is made from a mouse protein. Enbrel is made from a synthetic human protein, and therefore has much less sensitivity/allergy type problems.
My rheumatologist wants to get me back onto a drug that will prevent joint damage. She is hoping that since this time I am on Methotrexate and Plaquenil, that may give me more success. If not, we will try to get my insurance company to approve doubling the Enbrel to twice a week. I do know of two people whose insurance have approved this. We will see.
So, today I did my first injection, in my stomach. The skin there is less sensitive than that on your thigh. Wish me luck.
Also, wish Dan luck. He is trying to get his insurance company to approve the Enbrel for him. This following them stopping payment on the Remicade that was working on his psoriasis/arthritis great. Damn insurance companies. The things they do to us in the name of the almighty dollar, and wreck our health and add pain to our daily lives.
This has been an emotional week. Coping with the loss of Kim was difficult. This has been a very difficult year, in many ways for me as you know, and I have been revisiting it all in my head. I kind of nostalgic look back at the 'year that was', I guess.
However, I am trying to keep a hopeful eye on 2008. I am hopeful that the future will be so bright I 'gotta wear shades'!!!
::: fingers crossed :::
be well,
Dawn
I meant to put this up for Boxing Day... I hope it gives you a chuckle, Paul!
So, as Cin pointed out... I totally whigged out on Thankful Thursday! And, that just cannot be... so, here it is for your perusal!
1. Coffee. Ahhhhh..... I am having a cup of Green Mountain Half-Caf just now. Thank you, Coffee Gods.... wherever you are... heaven or hell, I salute you.
2. Kim. Although it hurts so much to lose you, I am so happy to have been blessed enough to find you in the wide world of J-Land. You'll always live on in my heart, Warrior Sistah.
3. My Life. I am blessed. Christmas was wonderful! The kids were thrilled with their gifts and very happy and wonderful all day. The house was filled with family friends, about 18 of us, all day. It was the best. Tiring, but oh so worth it!
4. My Kids... oh the kooky things they do!!!
5. My Hubby. Thank you for being you.
6. My Parents. Thank you for all your help and all your goodies for the kids. I am really enjoying the week with all of us off together.
7. J-Land. Such a wonderful gift this internet gives, connecting us around the world with new friends.
8. Libby. Who was sick, and is better now. She has a mammary cyst/tumor, that got irritated and infected. It will be removed in the new year.
Okay... that's it for now! Off to play with the family some more!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: Thankful Thursday, family, kids, love, fun, jland, coffee
In your memory, Kim (blog I shaved my legs for this? ).
Thank you for all the support, inspiration, and sanity you gave me when I was diagnosed with the brain tumor and waiting to figure out how bad it was going to be. And, you never stopped giving afterward either.
See ya on the Other Side someday, my Warrior Sistah.
Mariah Carey - Hero lyrics
Artist: Mariah Carey
There's a hero If you look inside your heart You don't have to be afraid Of what you are There's an answer If you reach into your soul And the sorrow that you know Will melt away
And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you
It's a long road When you face the world alone No one reaches out a hand For you to hold You can find love If you search within yourself And the emptiness you felt Will disappear
And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you
Lord knows Dreams are hard to follow But don't let anyone Tear them away Hold on There will be tomorrow In time You'll find the way
And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you
Thanks again, Kim.
be well,
Dawn
Tags: Kim, i shaved my legs for this, cancer, warrior, friend, sad
From my heart to yours...
A very Merry Christmas, filled with love, family and friends...
And, a New Year be filled with joy, health, wealth, and happiness!!!
May our soldiers come home soon and safely... and may the world find peace in 2008!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: Christmas, New Year, 2008, peace, joy, love, family, friends
I am up wrapping gifts and doing a load of laundry. Yeah... well, you make hay when the sun shines, and you wrap gifts when the kids are sleeping! LOL
It is officially Caturday! And, in the spirit of the day and the season, here are some more Christmas cats from I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?
Well, I have to clean up and get the wash in a few minutes. Tomorrow, er, I mean today, looks to be a busy day in Dawn-ville!
be well,
Dawn
Yes, it is Thankful Thursday, again! Time flies! I am very glad that the kitty didn't really eat Santa! LOL
Wow... so much to be thankful for today!
1. Coffee. Oh yeah, you think you knew I would put this up, but you don't know how horrible it was to feel sick after 4 gulps of coffee the other day! So, today, I am SUPER thankful for this heavenly manna, life sustainer, giver of energy and all things good.
2. Hubby is on his way home from his office party early! Yay! Usually he doesn't get in until after the kids are in bed, if not asleep, so this is a real treat. He should be home very soon.
3. That I have vicodin, which makes me sound like an addict, but when you live with chronic pain, drugs like this make living possible. For instance, today I went out to lunch with Hammer and my Mom! And, that was really nice. I couldn't drive because my hip is still messed up, but it was fun to get out and about for the first time since Monday!
4. The kids. How else would I be getting the thrill of passing the 5th and 7th grade again... for multiple times now. LOL Just gotta love all these last minute projects the teachers are giving! Uh, hello?! It's the week before Christmas break!!! Ack!
For example, here are Pumpkin and Fuzzy. Fuzzy had a project on the settling of the original Thirteen Colonies. There was an extra black and white picture left over of William Penn, and Pumpkin decided that he needed a make-over. The results follow:
Ahhh, those crazy kids of mine!!! Apparently William Penn conjurs up Boy George for my daughter... but there ya go. Notice the crevat styled as a road complete with a stop sign at the top.
5. Having an immune system at all. I read about the people struggling with cancer, and even though my immune system is wacky and attacks the good tissues in my body, at least I have one to try to me some good, too.
6. J-Land. You all keep me sane!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: Thankful Thursday, school projects, silly kids, family, fun, coffee
Yes, a meme questionnaire! It has been a while! To make the wait worthwhile, this one is 110 questions... yes, you read that right! LOL
Hip pain = can't sleep = 110 word meme. The new math! lol
110. My middle name is Ann.
109. I was born about a mile from my house, as the crow flies.
108. I am really happy.
107. My phone is a necessity, but I prefer email, since it is quiet and doesn't disturb Hammer.
106. My eye color is blue.
105. My favorite colors are green and burgundy, lately.
104. My ring size is bigger than it used to be. Dang RA, lupus, pregnancies, and prednisone weight gain
103. My height is apparently almost 5'6". Go figure.
102. I am allergic to adhesive, chemical irritants, and the usual hayfever type stuff. Plus Remicade. Dammit. It was the best medicine I was ever on for the RA.
101. I was born on November 22.
100. I am annoyed by ungratefulness.
99. Last book you read? The latest James Patterson, 'Double Cross'
98. My bed is… very comfy! And, attracts kids and pets.
97. One thing you hate about yourself? Being unhealthy, which isn't in my control, and getting overly anxious, which is in my control (but I am better with now more than ever).
96. My favorite holiday is Christmas.
95. The perfect kiss is from Hubby, then the kids, then the cats or dog... lol
94. The last three CDs I bought were (just ordered from an online club, so this was easy) Kiss Greatest Hits, Steve Miller Greatest Hits, Hootieand the Blowfish.
93. Are you living at home? Uh yeah.
92. Are your parents divorced? No.
91. What did you do yesterday? Tried to not throw up.
Do you believe in…
90. Love at first sight? Yes.
89. Luck? Yes.
88. Fate? Yes and no.
87. Yourself? As much as I can.
86. Aliens? From outer space: meh, why not? I am not that arrogant to think we are 'it'.
85. Heaven? Yes.
84. Hell? Not the traditional version, but yes.
83. Ghosts? I am definitely open to the Other Side and its occasional bumping into this one.
82. Horoscopes? No.
81. Soulmates? Yes.
Which is Better?
80. Hugs or Kisses? Both.
79. Drunk or High? Hello, I'm 42, this does not apply. lol
78. Phone or Online? Well, as I said up in the top somewhere... I do like the online! LOL
77. Red heads or Black hair? Huh... not sure.
76. Blondes or Brunettes? On men I always preferred brunettes.
75. Hot or cold? Cold.
74. Summer or winter? Winter
73. Chocolate or vanilla? Depends on what it is!
72. Night or Day? Both, for different reasons.
71. Oranges or Apples? Apples, but I can do oranges.
70. Curly or Straight hair? How about in betweenish wavy? lol
Here’s What I Think About…
69. Politics: A subject to be avoided here for me, at least.
68. Backstabbers: It will only happen once.
67. Parents: Mine are wonderful, generous and lots of fun!
When did you last…
66. Hug someone? Earlier before the kids headed off for bed.
65. Kiss someone? Same as the hugs!
64. See someone? I can see Hubby sleeping on couch, a cat and the dog.
63. Cry in front of someone? Earlier today having a discussion with Pumpkin about something she did to her brother.
Miscellaneous:
62. Who is the ditsiest person you know? Me, but in a good way!
61. Who makes you laugh the most? Hubby and the kids... a lot.
60. The last movie you saw in theaters? Beowulf... and it was awesome.
59. What I don’t understand is… string theory.
58. The most unsatisfactory answer I’ve ever received is… 'I don't know, what do you want to do?' Don't you hate that??
57. Something I will really miss when I leave home is… uh, warmth, because it is cold outside?
56. The thing that I’m looking forward to the most… right now, is seeing everyone at Christmas!
55. The thing that I’m not looking forward to is… the end of the holidays, when everyone will go back to work and school. :-(
54. Tomorrow: is Thursday.
53. Today: was a sore one.
52. Next Summer: is too far off for me to comment on right now!
51. This Weekend: is the beginning of everyone's vacation! YAY!
50. People call me… Dawn, usually. Or mom or mommy! lol
49. The most difficult thing to do is… raise kids, also the most important and worthwhile thing I will ever do.
48. I have gotten a speeding ticket… but it was easily 20 years ago!
47. The first person I talked to today was… Hubby when I woke him for work. I am his alarm clock.
46. First time I had a crush… it was on Donny Osmond. 'And, they called it Puppy Love...' You know you can sing it... don't deny it!
45. The one person from whom I can’t hide things: Hmmm... I don't know. Probably my Hubby.
44. Last timesomeone said what you were thinking: The Hubby!
43. Right now I am talking to… no one, I'm blogging and all else are snoring. I am debating taking another 1/2 of vicodin, but I don't sleep well with it. But, my hip is killing me... ACK!
42. What is your dream job? Being a mom, and a published writer! 50% there... lol
41. First job? Envelope stuffer for my mom's boss. He overpaid me.... it was great!
40. I want most: to get into a medical remission and be able to do more, exercise, and lose some weight.
39. I wish: for health, wealth, happiness, and love, for my family and friends.
38. The worst sound in the world is… your child crying for real, not because they didn't get their way. You know what I mean...
37. The person that makes me cry the most: Hubby... kids... it's a toss up! LOL
36. Best sound in the world: my kids laughing and giggling and telling me they love me.
35. Person who makes you happy: My family and friends! Can't choose one!
34. Cats or dogs? Oooh! Both, of course!
33. Didn’t want to be… can't come up with anything.
32. Which Golden Girl would you be? Ma, Estelle Getty's little firecracker character!
31. MySpace or Facebook: Neither.
30. Mexican food or Chinese? Either, depending on my mood!
29. My favorite piece of clothing: My pjs!
28. My favorite color(s): Again? Hello?
27. Last time I cried: another repeat question! duh!
26. My friends are… the best!
25. My computer is… just a click away! lol
24. Last person at whom I got mad: I don't remember, probably Hubby.
23. Person on whom I secretly crush: Also, Hubby... lol
22. Favorite Song: This changes all the time... right now, 'Please Come Home for Christmas' BonJovi
21. Paper or plastic? Paper.
20. The all-time best movie(s) I’ve seen? ACK, a few would be, Moonstruck, All Harry Potter's, All Star Wars, Casablanca, Gladiator, Monty Python, Ghostbusters, James Bonds, okay... stopping now...
19. The all-time best feeling in the world is… enjoying the blessings in your life and feeling the joy!
18. Favorite scent: vanilla, cinnamon
17. What color is your hairbrush? Teal
16. Favorite shoes: Merrell's
15. I lose all respect for people who… whine all the time and don't appreciate their blessings, especially good health. When you don't have it, it really irks you when you see people squander it!
14. Color of your room? My bedroom is sage with white trim.
13. TV channels you watch: The networks, Discovery, TLC, History Channel, PBS, NatGeo, ESPN etc.
12. Best feature: in a man, sense of humor, my Hubby makes me laugh like no one else! Mine? I guess, my eyes, not much else left! lol
11. Worst habit: I guess that would be... being early all the time. I have sat in more parking lots early for things... lol
10. The worst pain I was ever in was… having my wisdom teeth removed. I would take the 30 plus labor hours followed by the c-section again, but I would NEVER do the wisdom teeth again. OMG, it was a nightmare.
9. Best memory: Wow... so many... At this time of year, I think of the great Christmas memories I had from my childhood. One favorite is the year my Uncle Larry (who just died this summer) slept in our bathtub! LOL
8. Favorite TV show: CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, The Unit, Grey's
7. My favorite celebrity couple is… Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
6. Favorite stuffed animal: My Teddy.
5. My weakness is… Godiva Chocolate. Yum. Cannot refuse the Godiva.
4. What I like about the opposite sex is… that they amuse me, what with the dumb stick and all... very entertaining in and out of the bedroom! And, they kill bugs.
3. Who broke your heart? Oh geez, who cares anymore?
2. One thing that makes me feel great is… singing Dominick the Donkey at the top of my lungs with Hammer today! How can you NOT feel great and smile!!!
1. One person that you wish you could see right now? My grandma... it would be so nice to have her here with the kids!!!
So, did you make it to the end???
If you did... wow!!! Fun, huh? Now you do it!
be well,
Dawn
Hello there!
Click here to hear the song, and have a laugh! This is one of our favorites!
We love to sing this one!
Thanks for all your good wishes! I am much better today and so is Pumpkin Muffin! She made it to school, which was her goal yesterday! lol
I am still tired from it, but okay. It was just awful nausea and a little dizziness.
Thanks the heavens it is gone though... I couldn't drink COFFEE yesterday!!!! It was AWFUL!
Today, I have had two wonderful helpings of heaven in a cup, and I may have a third, but decaf, right now. In fact, I am going to Hammer to make it for me. There... coming right up! Have I mentioned how sweet my Hammer is to me?
My mom is doing better! She says the soreness is kind of like having monthly cramps, not too bad. She has to strain her pee and save any crystals (pieces of the stones) for the urologist to send out for study. She could have them passing for up to the next 7-10 days, but so far, none. Feh, as long as she isn't in pain, we are all good with that!
Speaking of pain, this stomach flu unfortunately has woken up my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. I am sore as hell today! My elbows, my hands, my feet, and the worst, my hips. And, no, it wasn't from paying the bills... the bills are overdue a good 5 days... dang it.
So, I am hobbling about the house. I even took my half of vicodin about an hour ago, and it hasn't even begun to touch the pain. I may have to take another half. I am not goinganywhere... so, what will it matter.
My dad will be home soon, and my mom is here, if there was any emergency with the kids, I am covered.
Talk about bad timing... I am hopeful they (RA/Lupus) will go back to sleep maybe tomorrow... I don't have time for this now! I have so much to do for Christmas!!! (sigh)
Tonight, I am determined to watch the new Bruce Willis 'Live Free or Die Hard'. I know it is fluff, but I am an 80's child, I can't help it. We rented it on Saturday, and it is due back tomorrow. Ack.
Okay... gotta get off and mentally steel myself for the munchkin arrival! Let the homework wars begin! LOL
be well,
Dawn
ps... Hammer made my coffee and it is hot and delicioso!!!!
So, stomach flu has arrived here at our house. Ack.
Pumpkin started feeling nauseaous last night, and very generously she has passed it on to me. Yuk.
My mom had her kidney stone blasting today, and all went well. They put her to sleep, but didn't have to intubate, so she was very relieved. They were able to break up all the stones, and now she has to try to catch them in a strainer as they pass for the next 7-10 days.
At my appointment with the MS specialist it was confirmed that the MRI was negative for MS. Good news. It was only the preliminary report, but I did get the films copied on to a dvd for the uber-neurosurgeon. I will see him in January some time.
That's it for me today, I am feeling too punky to do or say much more!
be well,
Dawn
I decided to do a quick entry about I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER? !
Marty left me this message:
A comment has been posted to the Journal:
Carpe Diem - Seize the Day
Have Yourself a Meowy Little Christmas
Comment from: martygord
"Hi Dawn,
These cats are hysterical. Makes me wonder what the people who create these photos do all day ... do they have a photography studio filled with cats and they just keep snapping photos? And how do they get the cats to pose like this? Somewhere out there I'll bet there's a photographer with a lot of scratch marks!
Best,
Marty"
Gerry also left me a message about the site, too.
The website was started as a blog for lolcat pictures. People from all over would take a picture of their cat, pop on a caption using their own photoshop program, and submit them to the owners of the blog.
Most people I think just lucked out with the picture, rather than trying to pose their kitties, I think Marty. But some do seem to have been crazy enough to pose or dress up their kitties! Mine would never allow that! LOL
Since it became so HUGELY popular, the owners now have an lolcat generator that you can click right on the front page of the site above. You can very easily upload your crazy cat picture, and use THEIR captioning device, then submit the picture to them.
They now take that picture and put it onto their voting pages, also linked from the front page above. If the picture and caption tickles the owners fancy or gets a ton of votes, it will get moved to the esteemed front page. They move anywhere from about 3 -8 pictures daily to the front page.
However, the submissions on the voting page can be closer to 40 a day, and that is after they weed out anything inappropriate and off-color!
It is really amazing sometimes, how one little idea can blossom! The site even has t-shirts, buttons, magnets and other stuff you can buy now!
I hope that clears it up!
I try to look at all the new pictures each day on the voting page, as well as the new ones to the main page! They just make me laugh!! And, some of them just fit my own 'human' situations so well!
I'll be back later!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: icanhascheezburger.com, lolcats, blog success, voting, cats, funny, humor
I am laying in my bed right now, with Fuzzy sleeping next to me.
Maybe it was the storm, or his asthma/cough that woke him, but whatever it was, he is here now.
I decided to play a little more on the computer in bed, before sleeping. I have a headache, and I am waiting for the medicine to kick in.
I watched Fuzzy as he was sleeping. So peaceful, and I tell you, watching your child sleeping just brings out the fiercest feelings of maternal love and protection. At least for me it does.
I actually got a lump in my throat...
Just wanted to share that... good night all... sweet dreams...
be well,
Dawn
Tonight, we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, again! It was great! And, today was Caturday. So, somehow in my mind that makes today a good day for lolcat pics with a movie theme. All courtesy of I Can Has Cheezburger? !!!
Enjoy!
Silence of the Lambs Brokeback Mountain
Field of Dreams Harry Potter
The Highlander Any James Bond Movie
The Matrix Trilogy Nacho Libre
Obviously, the Star Wars Saga
Ghostbusters A Christmas Carol
...And, we end on a Christmas movie... 'Tis the season, after all!
If you don't know what the movie is the cats are doing, just ask and I will caption them, tomorrow!
be well,
Dawn
Tags: caturday, icanhascheezburger.com, lolcats, movies, Monty Python, kids, family
