Thanksgiving is done and Christmas is right arond the corner...are you ready?

This has been one of the fastest months that has happened this year so far.  I can't believe how far my family has come in the past year.  In a few weeks we will have lived in Maryland a year and it has flown by.

We spent Thanksgiving in NC with family and friends and had an absolute blast.  The cousins all played together and my sister and I were able to spend some time doing Black Friday shopping, although I think I have convinced her that online shopping is not only easier it is better than standing in line for hours to get that needed toy. 

I really enjoyed time with my mom and had a fabulous talk with my brother.  While I hope he realizes that his family is here for him, accepting the help we offer will be his next step in reinventing himself.  Chris you know what I am talking about :).

My family and I came home to a completely decorated house since we decorated before we left and let me tell you, what a fabulous treat.  While we were driving and everyone was struggling with lights and trees, I was able to sit back and relax and wrap Christmas presents for my family. HAHA  nanny nanny boo boo....

Pain wise I am learning my limitations and recognizing when I need to take a day for me.  I am sitting here today on the couch watching movies, working on homework and catching up in laundry.  I feel a flare coming on due to weather and the travel we did this week and I am trying to ward it off. 

Taking time to realize that I need to focus on me is hard as heck to do, but I would rather be down for one day instead of several days or even weeks. 

I am loving the comments that are coming in and I appreciate everyone of my readers.  I hope that everyone is having a fabulous and no pain day.

Butterfly hug and lilac dreams to all.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner…

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and this year I have so much to be thankful for.  I have had a busy week and a planning a trip back home.  I am so excited and can’t wait to see my family and friends. 

Yesterday I spent hours cooking for the freezer; I spent 6 hours making what has ended up being 10 meals for the freezer.  I was so tired last night but a good tired because I felt like I had accomplished something that I have been trying to do for months.  But it is done and I won’t have to worry about it for the next little while.  

  

Last weekend we finished decorating the house for Christmas, so I am taking it easy today catching up on laundry and working on homework and some of my DVR shows.  I have to teach 5 classes tomorrow so I am resting up for that also.  I love it :)

I am so thankful this year, since our move we have become healthier, I have found several part time jobs, and I am looking forward to working on my on schooling a little harder than I have in the past few months.  I am scheduled to teach for the county parks department December 2^nd and I am looking to all my new classes in January at the college.  

These days it is important to stay busy.  With Fibro you never know when you are going to have a bad day like I did earlier in the week.  I realized that by trying to come off of pain medications I was CRAZY.  My doctor has yet to call in a refill, luckily I had some of the other pain meds, they make me dizzy, but I would rather be dizzy instead of in pain.  I am now on the search for another doctor.  

Thank you for your kind comments, I do read them and they seem to lift my spirits when I am a little down.  Keep it up; you never know when a kind word will make a difference in someone’s day.

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Holy Fibro Flare Batman….

I am having a horrible Fibro Flare, something I have not had in I think over a month and a half.  Let me tell you, I even called in sick and feel horrible about it, but I felt I could not have been the teacher I needed to be for the kids in the elementary school.  

So I have spent the morning on the couch not moving, and enjoying a movie with NO sound other than the dog and myself breathing.  Now I am writing in my blog which I have missed and wondering how I am going to get the energy to get up and fold laundry and clean up the house a little bit.  I am not going to sink into the depression that can come along with a flare; I absolutely REFUSE to go into that sink hole, so I am taking my feelings on the blog.

I am working on a new class in my Ph.D. program, and I am creating a new online course.  I am looking to create one that I will be teaching in the spring at the local college.  I have also picked up a few other water aerobics classes, so I will be at the college 5 days a week. I am so excited  :)

I am also excited that my oldest son has finished football and actually has an interview tomorrow for a job.  He needs one so bad, he has a girlfriend and wants to start taking her out on dates, but momma refuses to foot the bill.  Hey he has to start learning that the real world requires a job right??  

Ok, I am getting up and making myself some lunch.  I did take a shower, get dressed, and do my hair and makeup this morning, so I don’t feel like a complete lump on a log, LOL…  I am also going to try and fold these two baskets of laundry and start some more so that I can keep caught up on that chore hahaha….

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all….

Happy Vetren's Day :)

My son is posting today, he wrote this for the Marine Corps and for all of the service men and women who have served, are serving or will serve in the future.

 Semper Fidelis
The United States Marine; An embodiment of the spirit and patriotism that America stands for. Through blood, sweat, and tears, he is always faithful. Semper Fidelis. No matter what happens, whatever he does is for God and Country. Semper Fidelis. He loves what he does, and he makes no excuses. The kick-a**-first-ask-questions-later mentality is what personifies the characteristic of a U.S Marine. Everyone respects him, for the aura he gives off demands respect, “The first one in, last one out,” as they always say. A Marine is what everyone aspires to, but never wants to be. His courage and determination is unprecedented. His valor and love for his country is unheard of. Semper Fidelis. 

The United States Marine. The fear of this legendary soldier that resonates through the American citizen is the same fear that transforms into respect. Never leaving a man behind, he is a role model for every child in the free country. Semper Fidelis. The eagle spreading its wings over the globe it stands on with an anchor behind it is a symbol of determination, guts, glory, and loyalty. Semper Fidelis. He is a symbol of power and brotherhood. An Elite among the elite, he sets an example by working together with anyone he encounters, defeating those who threaten the American Dream by any means necessary, whether those means be gory and nasty or clean and plausible, because that's the reality of being a United States Marine. Semper Fidelis. 

The United States Marine. Behind every stone-wall glare, there is a regular American citizen, although America does not want to accept that fact, for accepting that fact means accepting that they are less than Marines, which is not possible. Inside every blue, red, and gold uniform is a man or woman who loves his or her family, and will protect in any way possible. Under every Barracks Cover are thoughts of the ones they left back home, and an ideal that they fight for. Semper Fidelis. Behind every rifle scope is an eye which has seen brothers fall in the line of fire, children fire at them with AK-47s, and many other unspeakable horrors of war. Behind every rifle is a man or woman who has been through the hell that is Parris Island or Camp Pendleton who will go to the ends of the earth for the Marine beside them, regardless if they know them or not. Semper Fidelis.

The United States Marine; a personification of what it means to do something with your life, and he is a symbol of America. He is the first one into the action, and always the last one to come out of the dog pile, being at the center of the action at all times. Semper Fidelis. He is the one who always pulls you out of the fire, especially if all others have deserted you. It seems he is always motivated by how terrible the circumstances are, for he intimidates even death. Either by air, land, or sea, you can count on a United States Marine to get the job done, no matter how small and trivial. Ooo-Rah.
Semper Fidelis

To Our Servicemen:
Thank you for all that you have done, no matter how small your role is in protecting our way of life. Semper Fi.
Sincerely, Robert William Hamilton II

INSANITY is what my house has been for the last month.

I can’t believe it is already November!  My family and I have been finishing up football and cheerleading for the little ones, starting swimming for Ryan and this is the last week of football for my senior, Robbie.  On top of this I have been working every day of the week, and most of the days we are running to after school events and meetings.  WHEW, I am tired just writing this.

Darling hubby and I have started yet another class in our endeavor of higher learning and we are still hunting for a house.  It is not as easy as one would think even in today’s market.  I am struggling with a major decision regarding my work path and would appreciate any positive thoughts in that area.  Thanks :)

I have learned to be ready for a substitute call every morning, even if I do not have a job scheduled for that day. LOL I get up and get ready for the day, this way when the call comes in at 8:20, and I have to be there at 8:30, it only takes me packing a lunch to get on road, however, I am now considering packing  a lunch and leaving it in the refrigerator.    

Pain wise, I have bad days of course, but I must keep moving to avoid getting stiff, and teaching the classes at the college helps with that.  I am also filling in for an instructor that is out with surgery, so I am teaching her classes as well, and while I love it, I know that this many classes in one day is my limit.  I enjoy my students and love everyone’s humor and stories, we have such a great time, but I now know what my limit is and I am grateful for that.

I have been hired to work with the local county parks and rec department to teach classes and I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom.  I have been teaching classes to adults for many years and I miss the crafts and cooking classes we are going to be adding to the calendar along with COUPONING, yes I am going to teach how to save money.  I hope toad more information to my blog in the few minutes I may have between breathing, but as you can see I am getting to be busy as I can be, but I will work hard to maintain the blog as well.

I will try to add hints and tips to help those who are not close enough to take the classes.  But I can get you started.  Go to www.thegrocerygame.com and read the message boards.  You do not have to spend any money to read the boards, read them now there is a ton of tips to help with your Christmas shopping.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Nana, we all love and miss you ;)

Gotta run and jump in the pool this morning.  Have a fabulous day :)

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.