Don't faint....

Yes... that's right I am posting again...
It seems like it has been forever since I last blogged.. well, it almost has been..lol
A lot has happen and I will try and do a blog a day till I have caught you all up with all of the activities that have went on.. from school dances to sports to school musicals to a new job...(no, not me)..lol
The main reason that I haven't blogged is.. this darn Fibro.. At times it seems to just suck the life right out of me... Some of it has to do with the fact that I now have to get up at 5:15 every morning.. And anyone that knows me at all... knows that I am NOT a morning person.. But, this new wake-up time... makes for a very loooooong day.. My first baby gets here at 5:30, and my last child leaves at 4-4:30.. So I am looking at about 11 hr days with babies...
I know that my own children get tired of rounding the couch in the evenings and there mom lays with Bella & Bosco of course... and all 3 of us are snoring and drooling away..lol
But, I kinda feel like I am out of that Fibro funk for now.. and I am sooo hoping that life will get back to normal.. or at least normal for our family...
Take care.. We love and miss you all..
And the up-dating will start tomorrow...lol

Apple Pie...Smell-a-vision

I bought the coolest little gadget while we were on our little mini vacation in Amana, Iowa


You take any pie crust.. Home-made or store bought.. mine just happens to be store bought.. you will need a top and a bottom crust..lay the first crust in the bottom of your pie plate.. Add your favorite apple pie filling..


Lay your top crust out on your counter.. Add a little flour to the top side..


I take my handy dandy new little gadget and center it on top of the crust and press down.. kinda like making a play-doh cut-out... And then carefully pull up the little apple cutter gadget.. And like magic.. you have the coolest little apple cut-outs for your top pie crust..


Add your top crust to the top of your pie and pinch the edges together..


I just think this is the coolest..


I took the little extra apples that the gadget cut-out and arranged them on top of my pie crust... I also added a little water to the back of the little apples, so they would bake in place...


Pop it in your oven and bake per instructions... and your end product, is one of the most delicious looking apple pies that I have ever baked...


I wish that Smell-a-vision was available.. because this apple pie smells scrumptious, and I think that it is time to serve the hubby a piece, with a side of vanilla ice cream... Mmmmmmm

The Inlaw's are.....

2 of the sweetest people you will ever meet... Now, if they lived next door.. well, I just might think other-wise... but, I dout it... I LOVE them both to death... I so wished they did live closer... That is one of the things that I do miss about my 1st marriage.. Is shopping and hanging out with my x-Mother-in-law and my sister-in-laws.. were still friends and close, but, it's just not the same..
Sometimes I will hear about them going here or there.. and for a split second, I think... they didn't invite me.. and then I remember.. wait I'm not apart of there family anymore... And I guess I feel this way, because I have NO family here.. and for many years.. they were my family....

But, anyhoo.. My hubby's Mother and Step-Father came up for a visit from San Antonio.. It had been about 6 yrs since we had seen them.. And for family.. that's a long time.. I hope that we have it in our budget to go there for a vacation next year..It was so funny seeing them after that long.. I could see how much my Sister-in-Law looks likes her Mother.. Their body language and the way they both tilt there head when their talking, and shrug there shoulders and cut their eyes to the side... I don't know why.. it just amused me.. and I sat and wondered.. Do me & my mom do this...

We didn't get to spend alot of time with my In-laws.. but, what time we had.. I really enjoyed being with them... And it makes me wish that they lived, just a little bit closer...

Weekend in Amana...

Every once in awhile.. you have to say... What the Heck.. and just drop everything, and just get away.. even if it's just for a weekend and only 1 1/2 hours away ..
So, that's exactly what the hubby & I did this past weekend.. We went to a beautiful little Amish community and spent the weekend..
Last year, my hubby got his first ever hole in one at a golf course in this small Amish town of Amana, Iowa.. which I blogged about here....

Since our Anniversary was this past week.. we decided to take advantage of all the free gift that my hubby won.. which included.. a 2 nite stay for 4 at a condo on the golf course, Breakfast for 4, dinner for 4, and a limo ride to dinner.. which I LOVED since it was the first time that I had even been inside a lemo... It was pretty cool... Dinner was great... and of course the company was great.. Our friends Cory & Susie went with us... And after all the excitement of a day filled with shopping, eating,Lemo ridding, and more eating.. what do we do for entertainment afterward's... We go back to the condo and play Wii of course... And consume a few Millstream brewery beers... Well, not me.. I'm not too much of a drinker... I think I took to drinks of a wine cooler...
We had a great time.. Thanks Susie & Cory for going with us.. we had a great time...


Our Condo's were great.. they actually gave Dan & I a 1 bedroom suite..With a full kitchen and all.. And Cory & Susie got there own room.. and since they were side by side.. we were able to leave our doors open and just go back and forth between the rooms, like it was a 2 bedroom.. but, yet we had our own space.. Loved it.. The only thing the hubby didn't like.. there was NO TV in the bedroom.. Hint, Hint.. dear.. there should be other things to do in the bedroom rather than watch TV... like..... hmmmm.... SLEEP......

Front of our Condo...


Susie's delicious Strawberry daiquiri on the rocks...


Mine & the hubby's drinks.. Home brew for him and a frozen Strawberry daiquiri for me.. The hubby had to drink mine, because I thought it was gross.. not sweet enough...


The hubby already relaxing in the Condo...


The bedroom... with No TV...lol


The view off of our back deck.. It's not the Smokey Mts., but it was still beautiful...

And I thought I was having a hard time sleeping...

This is just one of the many things that I HATE about having a "kinda" major flare... I sleep like crap... I seem to be up & down all night long. And I really pay for this when morning comes. For some reason, that's when I feel I am able to sleep.. Why is this???
And more than I hate not being able to sleep.. I absolutely HATE over sleeping.. And I have did this twice this week... URghhhhhh
But today is my Friday this week... So let's hope next week is a much better week...
it should be.. My hubby & I are are going away for a little R&R this weekend. Not far, only about an hour away.. But, away is away, no matter how far were going. And, Friday can't come soon enough. Last year mu hubby played in a golf tournmaent in a little Amish town, Called Amana... And what do you know.. Hubby got a hole in one.. So he won some cool prized for this. So, we are finally cashen in on the loot.. Which included 2 nights stay in a condo in Amanda, along with breakfast, a Limo ride to dinner. Can't wait... And we get to bring another couple with us, and there also included.. And did I mention, we also get a massage... That is almost the best part..I could have a massage everyday and never tire of them...
So... to end this.. to the parent that had to wake me the last 2 mornings.. I am soooo sorry....

Time flies...

I can not believe that it has been 9 yrs ago today that my hubby & I made that walk down the aisle..
There were a few people that didn't think it would last a week.. namely our ex's... But, you know what i say... Nananana (as I am sticking my tongue out)... Actually with having a blended family, there have been a few scary moments along the way..
But, how could we not make it?? We had already been through more in our relationship before marriage than most couples that are married 50 yrs ever go through...
So, with that said.. I am proud to say... Happy Anniversary babe.. I Love You... and I can't wait to spend many more happy years with you... But, remember.. when you retire, I'm retiring.. I don't care if I am younger than you...

No such luck....

Well, I continued to feel like CRAP today.. But, I did OK.. Luckily the babies weren't to demanding.. only the 2 yr old was.. This time change is messing everyone up.. She was tired most of the day.. which means, she didn't listen to a thing.. I would tell her NO and she would turn around and do it anyway.. So finally, I was like.. Fine.. if you really want to stand on top of the kiddie table.. go ahead, but if you fall and break your neck.. were not going to the hospital.. So she thought twice about it.. and then proceeded to climb right on top of the table.. I guess standing on top of the kiddie table is the best view for her to watch the fish and the frogs in the tank.. She's a mess.. And for the record, I did make her get down, and I did grab a chair for her to stand on, while I stood beside her.. So, No broke necks today.. Thank Goodness..


This madness has to stop.. Surly this flare can't last too much longer... It's really hard making baby bottles when your hands don't want to work correctly. But, I got it done, fed the babies, gotta fatten'em up.. That's what I do best.. Ask my hubby...
And so far.. I must say with the help of there parents.. were doing a great job.. the two little ones that I have.. have the cutest little pinching cheeks in the Midwest...

Fibro still flaring it's ugly face...

Today has pretty much been a wasted day.. just one of many... Nothing got done today.. I was able to make dinner. Even though it was a simple one, didn't take much to fix.
I am so gonna have to go back to the doctor, to get re-evaluated.. My flares are getting more painful and closer together, and lasting longer..
Today it's not just the hands that are aching and hurting, but also my wrist and about half way up my arms, almost to the elbows.
I did put a pain patch on my lower back, so now that area isn't bothering me as much...
Hopefully, when I wake at 5am.. some of this will all be gone... I hate having a flare during the week.. I have 3 precious babies that I look after, and they need my full attention.. And needless to say the 2yr old can run me "raggied" sometimes...
As much as I love watching babies.. I sometimes wonder how much longer I will be able to look after little ones...
Fibro sucks......

My Fibromyalgia has been really bad today...

My husband and I bowl on a league on Friday nights. So Saturday's are usually really bad flare days. And today was exactly that.. only a little worse.
I was suppose to drive about an hour away to Rock Fall's to visit with my Mother-in-law. I felt really bad that I didn't make it... But, for half the day, all I could do was lay in bed. I know that laying in bed will not help it, but, honestly, I just didn't want to move. Every muscle in my body hurt. And it seems that my hands are getting worse. The only way that I can think of to describe the way my hands feel, is if you stood outside in the freezing cold, till you just can't stand it anymore, and you run inside to warm your hands by the fire.. Well they have this ache, and there all stiff, they just don't want to bend or stretch.. That's the way my hands have been feeling 24/7. One thing that I have found that will temporally help this is to put a towel in the dryer, turn it on and let the towel get really hot... take out the towel and wrap it all around my hands.. Ohhh that feels so good.. But, it doesn't last long.. And I can't stand by the dryer all day...
Usually my flares only last till Monday... So, I am counting down.
Someone has to find a cure for this....

Just a few things that remind me of HOME....

Livermush




Preston Long





Local Bluegrass



Cherryville new Year Shooter's

What's Wrong With This Picture????

At first glance.. there seems to be nothing wrong with either of the first two pictures...
The pictures are of sunny San Degio, Ca., and the beautiful Pacific Ocean... Just Beautiful...
San Diego has so many things to offer a visitor... the major thing is the beach of course, Trolley's, the beach, Sea World, the beach, San Diego Zoo, the beach, tour the Gaslampe district, and did I mention the beach...
Well, this is where my hubby is all week... Enjoying the nice warm weather, wearing shorts. He is there with all of the GM's from the company that he works for. Why??? you ask... For there yearly GM's meeting and awards banquet... Even thought the banquet is only one night and the meetings consist of Tuesday morning 8 till noon, and Wednesday morning 8 till 12:30.. And the rest of the time is FREE time.. How hard of a schedule is that... My poor hubby is gonna be sooo tired when he gets home... Poor baby... NOT




I didn't forget to mention that there is a beach there did I???? Well, there is....



And so, I'm sure your wondering what is so wrong with the above two pictures.......

I'M NOT THERE......................




I'm here....I'm at home.... In Iowa... The temp is 25... and as you can tell... a little gray looking.. There are no leaves left on the tree's after winter. I do have a pool.. But it's froze.. and I don't know how to ice skate...


And what is the biggest down fall about being at home and not in San Diego.... There's NO BEACH..... and I have to sleep by myself.... :(

My Sissypoo Finally Got A Snow Day...

My family stills lives in the town that I grew up in... Cherryville, N.C or if your a local, it's Churvull, N.C... Either way you say it.. It's my Home Town.. And I miss it dearly..
Since I live in Iowa.. we get our fair share of snow during the winter.. and my family, especially my sister, is always saying.. I wish we would get some snow here...
Growing up there, I only remember a few times getting enough snow to make a decent size Snowman..
Well, the Snow Fairy finally got tired of hearing my Sissypoo beg for snow.. So she gave them some.. and not just a little.. but about 6 or 7 inches of the white fluffy stuff.. So needless to say.. There was NO school, and NO work for most..So my Sissypoo got her Snow Day.. About time...
Check out the cool snowman they made....



And here are some gorgeous pictures of the country side from my Hometown...
























I am so Thankful that I grew up in GODS country.. So everyone better watch out.. because once ours kids have all graduated high school and are all settled in college... Here we come... This is where I want to retire.... heaven

It's A Girl Thang.....

Bra's...... not Breast Cancer.....

The girls at Quilters of South Carolina, have created a "Traveling Art Show" of sorts, to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.
And what might you ask is featured in this Art Show??? BRA'S... of course..


This one would be perfect for Halloween....



And this one when your not feeling so nice...


And this one for all the brave Women that have served our country...


And here's one for the girly girl....


And one for the girl that is torn between the Gamecock's and the Tigers...



And then come Oct. (which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month) these Bra's and many more will be auctioned off and the Money donated to the Best Chance Network, a program to provide care and treatment for uninsured women across the state who are diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer....
So go here, to view all of the bra's and find out how you can become the proud owner of one of there beauties...