FREE SHIPPING IN MY JEWELRY SHOP!! Come take a peek!!

Hi everyone!!  I've been so busy with the Holidays and feeling just plum crummy that I haven't kept up with my blog lately.  I'm sorry to those of you that enjoy reading it.  I'll be on more, I promise!!  I really do have a lot to say!!  You guys are my saving grace as far as letting my life off my chest!!  I am working really hard on my Etsy Shop and it's going alright.  I know it's new.  I just opened on Nov. 9th so people are still not aware of it.  But I am disappointed in a way at how few sales I have made.  It's a bit frustrating.  But I'm going to stick with it and keep promoting and pray that God will bring me success!!  It will come!! I just know it!!  I'm running a big sale if you want to see if there may be anything you might like!!  Most everything is already marked down to 20% off and I have now added a Coupon Code for FREE SHIPPING if you buy $40 or more!!  I'm also trying to add new items each day.  Some days I'm so busy that it's tough to do that, but I'm doing my best to bring a wide variety of options to meet everyone's tastes!!  So visit my shop and use Coupon Code SANTA to receive FREE SHIPPING on a purchase of $40 or more!!  Here's my new ad and the link to my Etsy shop:

Lollishop Creations Jewelry on Etsy (my shop)Lollishop Creations Jewelry on Etsy (my shop)

Also please go and "Like" my Facebook page!! Lollishop Creations on Facebook

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Lauren :)

December Sale and Clearance in my Etsy shop!!

Most everything is on sale and a few clearance items too!!  I ship out within 1-3 days in most cases.  So if you need a unique gift for anyone on your list or a treat for yourself, please come take a look at all of my beautiful pieces!!

Thanks,

Lauren

Lollishop Creations (my Etsy shop)

Having some trouble selling items in my Etsy shop!

Here is my latest attempt at a Sale Ad!!  Im having a tough time getting customers!!  Come take a look!

www.etsy.com/shop/LollishopCreations

Losing My Gut While Gaining my INSANITY!!: Meltdowns Galore! What fun!!

Losing My Gut While Gaining my INSANITY!!: Meltdowns Galore! What fun!!

Need a Prayer...Feeling like Debbie Downer

I am feeling so guilty about how much this IC is affecting my life right now.  I am in severe pain due to the cystoscopy I had done on Tuesday.  I knew it was going to be hard for a couple of days but that was 6 days ago!!!! My family is having to do everything and I feel like my husband is so unhappy because of this.  I feel like he doesn't think I'm doing my part around the household.  I know that is not how he feels in reality but my mind is going crazy with guilty feelings!!  All I can say to him is "I'm so sorry baby".  This has been such a long and severe recovery that I called the doctor today to find out if this is normal or if I need to be seen again.  She said that my bladder is probably just so damaged that it was super sensitive to the procedure and the distillation they did during.  She prescribed me some Valium hoping that they would calm the muscle spasms in that area.  I pray that it works.  I have physical therapy on Wednesday with her and I cannot imagine PT with this pain.  Also, procedure could have caused an infection to develop so now I have to drive 40 mins. to the office to leave a urine sample as soon as I can get to feeling well enough to get out of the house with a 3 yr old.  And all of these meds are not good to drive on.....GRRRRRR  I just need some prayers guys!!  If you have a chance...send one up for me.  Thank you

That's my rant...love you guys

Day 4!!! 30 Day Chronic Illness Challenge!!

Here is Day 4 of my 30 Day Challenge:
 This one was tough because it made me think a lot about how my IC has effected my family and friends.  By the way, I consider my friends to be the amazing and supportive people I have met through social media with all sorts of chronic illnesses and the great group of people I have met since I have started blogging.  I can't say I have many real friends that are in my everyday life outside of Facebook, Instagram, and here.  A lot of them just kind of faded away because I can't get out and do their "nights out at the clubs" or their little parties.  I have a few, yes, but not as close as the relationships I am developing here.  My husband, children, brother, and parents are my best friends and always will be.  I'm happy with that!!

Here's my Mama!!  I could so use one of her big beautiful hugs right now!!  Love you Mama

The Sunshine Award

Hi there!!  Welcome to my silly little Real Life as Lauren Blog!!  I like to write about my day to day experiences with my chaotic life, my 3 young girls, and my chronic pain illness called Interstitial Cystitis.  Mostly my family life and how I feel about things we go through.  I was nominated for The Sunshine Award by my sweet dear friend Shalunya @ http://shalunyaboyet.blogspot.com

I feel tickled pink about being nominated!!  Please go check her out.  

She posts about anything from everyday life to makeup and beauty.  

She does amazing reviews of products you can find 

anywhere!!  I love reading her posts!! 

The Sunshine Award is given to those who inspire us and 

bring Sunshine into our lives.

There are a few simple rules for the Sunshine Award:

1. Include Award Logo in or on your blog post

2. Link to the person who nominated you

3. Answer 10 questions about yourself

4. Nominate other bloggers to give this award

Ok, now here is my Q & A!!

1.  How long have you been blogging?  Why did you start?

I just started blogging at the beginning of September of this year.  I had always wanted to try it but never felt like I had anything interesting to blog about!!  I have always loved keeping a journal so when arthritis hit my right hand I thought I would turn journaling into blogging!!  And as a chronic illness patient with Interstitial Cystitis, this gives me an excellent form of therapy to get through my struggles.  I love it!!

2.   Where do you get your inspiration from?

I think my inspiration comes mostly from my heart.  I tend to just vent a lot!!  I let it all out!  If I can't do it here...where can I do it?  I also have gotten inspired by many of the bloggers I have met along the way.  I've met so many great, beautiful, and inspiring people.  Maybe one day I can turn it into a means of financial income or put it all into a book!!  I have always wanted to do that!

3.   What is your dream job?

Wow..I think my dream job has always been to be a hair stylist.  I worked as management in the industry for 11 years before I had children.  I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the people I would come across every day.  Very interesting people :)  The job itself was fantastic.  If I could go back, I would have gone to Cosmetology School and given it everything I had and become the best stylist the stars could pay for!!  I would be great at it!!

4.   If you could date any celebrity, who would you pick?

Hmm....That's a tough one!!  I don't think I would date him, I would love to spend a day with Paul Rudd.  He just seems so laid back and fun.  He's cute and funny...what more can you ask for?? I loved him in Wanderlust!!  He is just adorable in every way!!  Don't you think so??!!

5.  If you could be on any TV show what would you be on?

I would love to be on Survivor!!  I have seen every episode of every season since it started.  Although, my IC would probably not allow for that!!  Ha!  I can just imagine me with my terrible pain trying to be on Survivor!!  But if I was totally healthy that is what I would do!!  Big Brother has always been one I wanted to be on too.

6.  What is your favorite season for fashion?

Definitely Fall!!!  I love wearing scarves and boots and the laid back, comfy, yet trendy looks of fall fashion are just my style!








7.  What is on your Christmas Wish List?

I could think of a million things!!  I really want some new fall clothes now that I have posted those pictures!!  I would love a new phone.  But mostly I want to be able to go to Georgia and be with my family at Christmas.  It's been 3 years since I have spent Christmas with them.  I miss them so much and my Mama's cooking.  The smell of their house is so comforting.  After all I have been through, I really just want to see my Mom and Daddy.

8.  Foundation, Eyeliner, or Mascara?

Wow, I guess I have to pick one.  I suppose it would be foundation.  I have pretty dry skin and it gets really red in spots so I love to use a creme to powder foundation on top of a good moisturizer.  Then I feel more confident in myself.  But you have to at least have some mascara too!!

9.  What's your favorite color?

Blue.  But I mostly wear gray, black, and pink.  I couldn't just pick one..lol

10.  How did you come up with the name for your blog?

I wanted my blog to be just about my life.  It started out as just a journal, really.  And my life is not perfect by any means.  It is REAL!!  So my blog is reallifeaslauren.blogspot.com!!  Simple as that!!

Ok...Now for My Nominations!!!  Drumroll..........

         1.  Kristan Price     http://munchkinandbean.blogspot.com/

       2.  Sandy Ramsey      http://motherofimperfection.com/  

       3.  Marisa H.           http://marleejoandme.blogspot.com/

4.  Sara Green             http://www.motherfluff.com/

  5.  Sarah Layman    http://readytomum.blogspot.com/

6.   Betty Taylor   http://agutandabutt.blogspot.com/

There you have it!!  You have all been nominated for The Sunshine Award!!!  Now answer these

questions and do your own nominations!!  Have fun and congrats!!  You have all been an inspiration to me!!

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!!!!!

1. Tell us about your blog in one paragraph.

2. What is your most favorite and least favorite thing about blogging?

3. You're having a fabulous dinner party. Which three celebrities would invite and why?

4. You are giving a motivational speech to a captive audience of thousands. What are you speaking about?

5. Tell us three really random things about you.

6. For one month, your blog can only be read by men. Give us a small sampling of what you'd write.

7. Show us a silly or quirky picture of you from when you are younger.

8. Does your immediate family and your close friends know that you blog? Do they read your blog?

9. Generations after you've passed your grandchildren discover your blog. What lessons could they learn from your blog?

10. Five years from now, are you still blogging? Is your content still the same? What goals have you achieved?

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

Love, 

Lauren

30 Day Chronic Illness Challenge

I came across this idea on Instagram and thought I would give it a go.  I have been in extreme pain since my cystoscopy and this whole IC thing wears me out and makes me anxious and depressed sometimes.  Well this blog has been a huge method of therapy for me and I'm so glad I'm doing this.  This challenge is a 30 day challenge to think about your feelings both physically and emotionally and put it all down in writing and out of your already scattered mind.  I am posting Day 1 and Day 2 today because I didn't get to post yesterday's because I was just feeling too bad. 

Please understand that I realize that there are many of you that will find this boring and may take this as me being a whiny little woman.  However, my illness has changed my life.  I live with chronic pain and it does not go away.  I cannot just forget about it and move on.  This is how I am coping with it.  I also realize there are some of you who are also suffering from illnesses and pain or have someone in your life that is.  I hope you can benefit some from this challenge.  You could even join in if you would like!!  

Ok..here goes!!

Cystoscopy Today

Today I had my cystoscopy done for my Intersticial Cystitis diagnosis.  I feel ike CRAP!!!!  The procedure itself wasn't bad.  They gave me lidocaine and I felt no pain.  I have some pretty severe inflammation and irritation in my bladder.  I am proud and so happy to say that there is no cancer!!  That has been the only other thing that has not been ruled out yet.  I've been a bit worried about that.  Now I can enjoy the relief of knowing that is not a worry anymore.  IC is incurable but I can deal with it with the hope of different treatments over time bringing relief.  At least it is not life threatening.  I am thankful for that.  Well treatments start on Friday and weekly after that.  Treatments will be expensive but we will find a way to get through it all.

I'm in a lot of pain now so I'm keeping this short.  All in all I am glad I got it done and over with and I'm feeling good about having a treatment plan, FINALLY!!  It's been a long and painful road.  Both physically and emotionally.

Too Much Drama for This Mama!!!

I woke this morning with puffy eyes and a stuffed up nose.  Yep...classic side effects of a good hard cry the night before.  Last night I truly got my heart broken by the person I have called my best friend.  This all goes back to my post about my Halloween costume planning.  My friend, who I call Dazzle, has a huge blow out Halloween party every year.  She is the party queen.  She plans with diligence.  She spends lots of money on them.  She is selective on invites.  She is very precise about how she wants things done and goes all out..no holds barred..to make all of her party plans come to life exactly the way she wants them to.  After meeting her at her Christmas party last year, we developed a friendship.  A good one.  Telling each other our secrets and venting about our husbands and all.  We helped one another get through tough times with laughter.  She invited me to join her "elite group of friends" in their annual Redneck Diva Party earlier this summer.  Sure, I felt so good being invited.  I have not had many girlfriends in the past and I was thrilled that she wanted me to join their apparently very tight knotted group of gals.  We had fun and afterwards Dazzle and I just became closer and closer.  I loved having what I called a best friend, other than my husband and Mom for the first time in many, many years.

Back to the Halloween Party...Every year she has a theme for her "elite group of friends" to all coordinate their costumes to for the "big unveiling" at the beginning of each party.  This year it is The Wizard of Oz.  When she asked me to be the wicked witch of the east, I was so excited!!!  First of all, I don't get out much.  Not without the kids anyway.  We rarely go to parties.  I have chronic pain that keeps me home much of the time and we just aren't into finding babysitters to pawn our children off onto while we go out very much.  We love to sit and watch TV together as a family and my husband and I love our comfy house and time together and not spending money on parties and nights out too often.  Going to dinner means all 5 of us go to dinner!!  We are a family!  This Halloween party, however, was on the top of my To Do list for months!!

Yesterday, I went and bought all sorts of stuff for my costume and my husband's as she had asked him to be The Wizard.  I took pics and put them up on our group message for every one that was in the costume theme to see and let them know I was excited about putting it all together.  Well, quickly I was messaged via the group message and then via text that I my husband could not be Oz, that Dazzle's mother was going to be oz "don't you remember?"  One thing I had gotten for my hubby's costume was a wizard looking beard and mustache.  She told me "Oz, didn't have a beard anyway silly!!" "Maybe he could be a munchkin"  Well that all ticked me off a bit but whatever.  No biggie.  Then I told her about the things I had gotten for the girls as she had told them they could use her old costume pieces to dress up their Halloween costumes.  She even dressed them up herself when she told Nathan he needed to be Oz.  Face paint and all....the girls were so excited!!  So when I told her about the additional things I had gotten she said "well as long as we understand that you have to give the things back then it's ok".  This struck me as a bit of an accusation that I would not return her stuff.  I told her that I hoped that she knew that I would, of course, return her things in perfect condition and that the girls were just so excited about using them as she had told them to their faces that they were more than welcome and I appreciated her lending them to my girls.  Her reply was "That is fine, I have been screwed in the past on lending so now I'm straight up about the terms of the borrow."  Terms of the borrow??????  Excuse me, but I thought we were friends talking about a couple of kids wearing old pieces of costumes you had stuffed in your wardrobe closet, not a financial loan!!!!!!!!!  That just blew me to shreds.  I felt insulted.  I told her I would just handle the girl's costumes myself it was that big of a deal.  I felt like if something went wrong and her precious garments were not in perfect order upon return of borrow,  I may be arrested!!

 It just got messier from there.  She couldn't seem to understand why I felt insulted and hurt and I couldn't understand why she was being so snooty about a party and some costumes.  I'm just a very laid back person and I know she can be extremely uptight.  Her comments got more and more rude.  She said things like "I let you into my circle of friends and this is how you repay me?"  and "I don't need this sh*t".  She said that I had started putting my costume together way to late and everyone else had been planning theirs for months!

Well, I cried all night long over this crap.  I know this is all one sided and may seem silly and petty to you but I feel like I lost a friend last night and it hurts.  I realized the kind of person I need as a friend is not that kind of person.  It was a huge reality check for me and now I have to go do more shopping!!  LOL.  Anyway, it just all struck me as so silly for this to all be such a huge deal to her. It's just Halloween for crying out loud!!!  It's supposed to be fun!!!  Well she made it SCARY!!!

There's my rant...thanks for listening!!

Reuniting With Old Friends. Great Day!!

Back in the day, 13 years ago and pre children, my husband and I were young party animals.  We were everywhere everynight it seemed.  We had tons of friends that we would get together with at clubs and shows all the time.  Well as we all know, time passes, we grow from kids to adults and marry and start families.  Life happens!!

Yesterday we had been invited to a good friend's 40th birthday party.  Him and his wife are really awesome people and we went to show our love.  Now my husband had seen the birthday boy in the last year once or twice, but I had not seen these people in over 10 years!!  I knew there would be other old friends that I hadn't seen in that long as well.  We have all kept in touch on FB and some on Instagram but hadn't actually seen each other in a decade.  I was so excited!!  But once it came time for me to get myself and the 3 girls ready, I was terrified!!!  Butterflies in the stomach and all!!  I have terrible anxiety as it is and the thought of seeing these people face to face just put me in full on panic mode!  What do I wear?  Some of these people are all much more successful than we are!  They have all heard stories of our rocky times in the past.  What would they think of me? of my kids?  Well I said SCREW IT!!  I put on a pair of skinny jeans with tears in them and a Ramones tank top...one of my favorite outfits...and I was comfortable.  The kids dressed in their usual cute fashions and Nathan, well he looked just like he always does, casual and very handsome.  Off we went.

We had such a blast!!  Food was wonderful and there was beer and wine but no one got hammered.  So it wasn't a crazy, loudmouthed, stumbling atmosphere at all.  After all, we're all adults now, hitting 40 or quickly approaching with multiple children and a few wrinkles.  LOL.  I remember laughing so much.  It felt wonderful to be surrounded by these loving old friends and talking about our changing lives and mostly our children.

We left the party after promising each other that we would get together much more often and even plan ladies nights out and make the men watch the kids!!  Lord knows I need that!!  Anyway it was a wonderful time for everyone.  The kids had a blast and I am so glad that we went.  It's funny how nervous I was and how comfortable I was the moment I set foot in the door and was greeted with an abundance of hugs!!  Love these guys!!

Link up for my friend..blog hop blitz!! hope i'm doing this right!!

http://agutandabutt.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-hop-blitz-week-4.html +Betty Taylor

Interstitial Cystitis Awareness and my True Care Experience.

As I have said in previous blogs, I have been diagnosed with IC.  Well I haven't had the greatest experiences with doctors helping me.  They all tend to pass you off when it comes to an IC diagnosis.  Finally, after about a year and a half, and finally gaining health insurance, I was able to visit a specialist that is perfect for my condition.  I went to a UroGynecologist.  I had been to see a Urologist but that experience was not pleasant.  She was rude and quick to get me out of there as she seemed very busy.  It seemed like I was not important and she was too busy so she sent me to a Physical Therapist.  That experience was also not comfortable.  The therapist herself was wonderful.  However, my pain increased each time I went.  I stopped going to her.

After visiting a couple of websites geared towards Interstitial Cystitis such as http://www.ic-network.com  and other sites, I was directed that I needed to see a UroGynecologist.  They seem to be the only doctors that truly specialize in Interstitial Cystitis.  They are hard to find, however.  I managed to find one about 40 mins. from my house so I quickly made an appointment.  After a wait of about a week and a half, only because of my husband's work schedule and needing him to be home for the kids, I was able to see my doctor.  The experience was AWESOME!!  First of all she was young and attractive with no accent that I could not understand.  Her age was a concern at first because I wanted to make sure I had a doctor that had plenty of experience.  But quickly I learned that she really seemed to know her stuff.  She spoke in doctor lingo to her assistant who was taking notes on the lap top and then translated everything to me so I understood it clearly.  After a PAP and exam which were not as uncomfortable as others that I have had, she asked me a pleathura of questions about my symptoms and went over what she had discovered in her exam.  I just remember feeling so comfortable and taken care of.  I felt cared for for the first time since all of this began over 2 yrs ago.  We have a treatment plan now.

I have to do a voiding diary for 2 days and record when and the amount.  Pretty strange but whatever.  I have to keep eliminating "trigger" foods that are bladder irritants one by one until they are all out of my diet.  This will allow my body to heal some and then I can start to add foods back into my diet one by one and find out exactly which foods are triggering my pain and other symptoms.  In 2 weeks I have to have a cystoscopy.  This is when they will put a camera into my bladder that will determine how bad the condition is.  From there we begin real treatment.  I am looking forward to moving on with all of this.  I know that this is incurable but I also know that there are forms of relief that will bring me some comfort.  This is what I have been waiting for.  Care.  True Care.

Sorry if this is a little too much information on the personal level, but that's what my blog is about.  My real life.  Well, this is it!!

love to all
Lauren

Remembering "Twice the Blessing"

This morning I got up and got the twins off to school.  They are finally getting pretty good about putting together their own clothes the night before and getting ready on their own.  That is so helpful!!  Even doing their own hair!!  That also means they are growing up on me :(  It is "think college Thursday" at their school so Natalie chose to wear my Texas Longhorns t-shirt.  She tied it in a little knot with a pony tail holder and felt like her fashion statement had been made.  Gillian wanted nothing to do with the college theme day so she chose her "I win some, You lose some" t-shirt and some shorts all bedazzled with cute bright prints and jewels.  Off they went looking cute as can be.  I crawled back into bed with Sophie who was sleeping soundly and I watched her sleep.  The precious look of a toddler sleeping with their eyes closed and mouth open is priceless.  I could hear her breathing in and out and smell her sweet breath.  I remember doing that with the twins.  That is when I could actually catch them sleeping at the same time. ;)  Seems like just yesterday.  That was 9 years ago!!  Well 6 when they were Sophie's age.  Still I can't believe how time has flown by.  I look back and realize I cannot remember a whole heck of a lot about the twins being 3.  Makes me a little sad.  Times were just so chaotic back then.  I had 2 little vibrant and energetic girls running in opposite directions in the house and it was all I could do to attempt to keep up with them and keep them out of trouble and harms way!!  I can look at pictures and that brings back memories.  They now love looking at those pics with me and talking about what they were up to at the time.  How Natalie never smiled until she was about 3.  How Gillian always had this goofy smile on her face and these crazy curls that never quite fell right.  We laugh and laugh.  These are my memories of that time with them.  Stories of me telling them how busy they kept me and how I never had my hair done, the house was always a wreck,  and I had to shower with them looking at me with the curtain pulled back.  I was never alone.  I did work during that time.  So I guess that was my get away.  But coming home from work and picking them up from their Grandmother's house was always a joyful time.  They were so excited to see me.  I wish I could go back to that time, knowing what I know now and make sure I stayed calm and patient and didn't get overwhelmed so that I could take the time to pay attention to every detail of their little exciting lives.  I am grateful now that I can do that with Sophie.  I remember every detail of her life since she was born.  I have made sure to really just stay calm and soak all of this in.  I take tons of pictures of her and have since the day she was born.  I love being able to stay at home with her.  I wasn't able to with the twins.  Yes, we could certainly use the extra income, but this time is priceless.  She will be my last child.  I will never again have a 3 year old that is learning to talk, learning the ABC song, running around for no reason just giggling her little head off and waving her chunky hands in the air.  This time I am doing it right..that's what I tell myself.  This is the way I wanted to do it with the twins but never had the chance.  I remember going to the grocery store with the twins and I couldn't use a shopping cart because I couldn't get both of them in there in their carriers and still have room for groceries, so I would just take them in their double stroller which had a pretty big compartment in it and put my things in there.  Every isle I went down had some lady that would stop me and ask if they were twins.  Me in my messy hair tied up in a bandanna and my thrift store clothes and flip flops would think "are you kidding me right now, no I just had 2 babies years apart and they are exactly the same size!!!  REALLY??"  LOL.  I used to get so annoyed by that!!  I was exhausted.  Not mean, just very, very tired.  And it made for a very LOOONNNNGGG trip to the grocery store.  But every person that ever stopped me to look at them told me I was given "twice the blessing".  At the time I laughed inside and thought to myself, "yeh..haha..twice the LACK OF SLEEP!!"  Looking back now, I can finally say that they were right.  It was twice the blessing.  I had 2 beautiful, healthy babies that loved me.  Some women would give their right arm just to have one child.  Those annoying old women were right on.  And here I am now with a 3rd little blessing.  Thank you God for every moment of chaos, for every tear I shed locked in the bathroom, for every time I got thrown up on during Natalie's colic days, for every night I stayed up all night feeding and rocking and singing, for every sickness they got that I nursed them through, for every sickness I had that I never thought I would make it through without the rest I needed to get well.  Thank you God for my 3 little blessings.  I must have done something right in my life to deserve this.  And to all of those women who I gave a tired dirty look to when they wanted to see the miracle I was pushing along, I am sorry for not being more hospitable.

My little blessings

Daddy looking a little frightened!!

this was the first time I took them outside.  They had jaundice so I had to bring them outside as often as I could

Gillian dressed in up in my clothes

Natalie in Daddy's cowboy hat

I think they were about 2 here

The twins holding Sophie in the hostpital

I do it all!! Now do your part!! Clean up after yourselves!!

Today I took my husband's new bmx bike frame 30 miles away to have it powder coated.  He buys a new frame then pays to have it painted.  lol.  Anyway, I come home after my errands and the kitchen and living room are just filled with cans and bottles and bowls and cups.  I'm thinking, hmmmm.....I have a 38 yr old who I'm pretty sure is capable of cleaning up after himself.  I have 9 yr old twins which I believe are also capable of the same thing.  Heck my 3 yr old does a better job of it!!  What is with these people??  Do I have MAID written on my forehead????  Maybe I just have STUPID written there!!  Why does the kitchen counter have to collect everything?  If you finish a bottle of water or a can of soda or a beer....WHATEVER, put them in the recycling!!  Or the trash for all I care!!  Just stop leaving them there for the lady with STUPID MAID written on her forehead!!!  Geez!!  Sorry, I just had to vent.  Thanks for listening!! :)

Ps....I honestly think I'm nuts.

My Weekend: New Van, October Fest, and Football

So I have been waiting all day to write this post.  I've had lots of errands to run.  First I had to get Sophie and I ready, which as you moms know is never a fast task!!  Then it was off to the library to print a return label on a pair of shoes I had to return.  Then to UPS to ship, post office to mail off something else, then house cleaning and laundry.  I've been feeling a little better the last couple of days.  Glad to be able to get some things taken care of.  I hate the feeling of having so much to do and not being physically able to get it all done.  It's so stressful.  Ok..onto my weekend..

Gillian waiting to get in to have some fun!!

Natalie hugging Sophie

We had so many things going on this weekend.  My best friend invited us to October Fest.  She also wanted us to come to hang out with her at the Chili Cook Off she entered into at the State Fair (which opens up this weekend!!).  Another friends birthday party was at a bar type place 45 mins away.  There was also a BMX event on the other side of the city going on.  Well needless to say my physical condition does prevent me from doing things a lot.  So we decided not to overdo anything.  Yes, I was feeling much better than I had been in the weeks past.  I wanted to take advantage of that and get out and play.  I also didn't want to wear my body out and live to regret it afterwards.  So we opted for the October Fest event.  It seemed the most kiddo friendly.  We had a blast!!

Me and My Girls

The girls got to ride several rides and we all had a wonderful experience!!  Do not be fooled, however!!!  If you have never been to an October Fest...it is much like the fair, EXPENSIVE!!!  After a couple of hours we had to say enough is enough.  One Brautwurst was $8!!  So we opted to leave and go grab some lunch more on our budget.

Me, my husband, and my best friend, Michelle

After a much needed nap, we got a call from a guy that we had called inquiring about a van.  If you have read my blog, you know we've been looking for one.  He originally told us he would not come down on his price.  Well, much to our surprise, he called and said he would take what we were willing to offer!!  So now this mama has her a van!!!  

We love it!!  It's been so long since I have driven one that I forgot how wonderful they are for a family of 5 like mine.  I have room and so do the girls.  It runs great and the kids think the seats are super comfortable!  VERY IMPORTANT!!  lol.  No more cramped compact car.  And no more single car household!!  Felling very blessed.  

Sunday we were all tired and I was hurting again, pretty bad.  We decided to skip the Chili Cook off and just be lazy and watch football.  After all, what's better than a lazy football Sunday??!!  My hometown Falcons lost :(  But our Dallas Cowboys pulled out a win!!  Bout time!!  Turns out my husband bet lunch on the other team winning so he had to buy his buddy lunch today!  I hope he doesn't make a habit out of that!!!  He's not very good at it!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Young People and their Drug Addictions.

My niece is 22 and has a 2 yr old son.  Baby Daddy isn't the father of the year by any means but I think he tries.  He is fully present in their lives.  Or he was anyway until he got caught and taken to prison for a felony warrant that was several years old.  Well he has been in prison for a few months and we try to help out my niece as much as we can.  She is currently living with her Grandmother with her son.  She just got fired from her job for cussing out her boss.  I know...at this point you are all thinking.."good Lord, what a mess"!!!   lol...I couldn't agree more!!  But we love her and do our best to help.

Lately we have been getting calls every other day almost for money.  $20 here, $40 there for groceries and gas to go visit Baby Daddy in prison.  Whatever, we help.  Well this has just become too often and we have been questioning what she is really up to.  She is skinny as a rail.  I mean SKINNY.  Not thin like women dream of being, but hunched over bones poking out and bad skin skinny.  Unhealthy.  She says she eats.  I call BS on that one.  I am also aware that she has pain when she gets her menstrual cycle and sometimes is prescribed pain medications from a doctor when she can afford to go to one.  She has no insurance.

Well the other night, we were talking about her needing money and it came out that she has been addicted to hydrocodones for many years.  So badly that she takes 2 of the highest possible mg pills at a time just to keep from getting sick.  So now I know where all of our money has gone.  It bugs me because she does have a young child to care for and they do need food.  But how much can I "enable" her???

I know all about the drug addiction thing.  It's run deep in my family.  I'll tell you more about all of that later.  I know that an addict will ALWAYS do whatever it takes to get their fix.  I know an addict will always put their drug before anyone or anything.  Need to pay the electric bill?? NO WAY MAN!!  I need my pills now!!!!  My aunt gave me $40 to go to the store!!  Man, but I really do need those pills, or that coke or crack, heroin, or whatever the drug of choice is.  It will always go to the drugs.

She called just a little while ago asking for $20 and we had to say no.  I just can't support it anymore. But I feel guilty and just pray that that little boy is getting what he needs.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the subject?

Car Shopping Frustration!!!

We are looking for a used mini-van.  Being down to one car in a family of 5 isn't easy.  My husband takes the car to work all day and I have to plan doctors appointments and school events around his schedule.  Also my errands all have to be ran after 5 when he gets home.  So I am praying that we come across something good very soon.  We had one guy with a great van and a great price lined up to check his van out tonight.  Well all of the sudden he wants to go to the DMV with my husband who works all day and can't take off to do something like that!!  He wound up sounding really sketchy and we decided it was not even worth the hour drive it would take to go look at it.

It is tough trying to look for a car when you have crap for credit!!  Going through craigslist can be risky.  And the dealers all have already tacked on their own profit into the price of the vehicle.  Pray for a great family van for the Smith Family!!!!  I need to get out of this stinkin house and take Sophie to the park!!  This looks nice :)  I'll take one!

Just some info on IC that I found on my friend Barbara's page.

Click below to find out more about Interstitial Cystitis (IC). click below to find out more about Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Halloween!!!

So today as I sit in bed with my heating pad AGAIN!! GRR!!  I am making use of the time to put together my plan for the big Halloween Party we are going to next month.  There are nine of us that are getting together with the host to do The Wizard of Oz theme.  Everyone has their assigned characters..lol.  This host is pretty particular on who plays who and how our costumes look.  You should see her house during holidays.  I went to her Christmas party this past year and it was amazing!!  I cannot imagine how much money she has spent over the years on decor and party planning.  Her entire garage is strictly party supplies.  She is darn good at it though and her Halloween party is rumored to be the biggest of the year.  I'm excited!  And a night out with no kids!!!  YIPPIE!!

My assigned character is the Wicked Witch of the East.  I've been trying to put together things I need to buy and make in order to pull this costume off.

1st priority:  Ruby Red Shoes.  I looked online and found I would have to pay about $35 to $45 after shipping just for those!!  No way I say!!  I'm making them myself!!  I think some thrift store shoes and some red shoe dye with fine red glitter or red sequined fabric or sequin strips should work nicely.

2nd:  Black and White Tights...they have those at Party City for $5.99.  Check..I can do that!!

3rd:  The house that fell on me.  Found some ideas on google for this.  Time to get to work.  I think the 2nd one is my goal.

Twins, ADHD, and the Battle Between the Two.

Well, as I have said I have twin girls that are now 9 yrs old.  They are in the 4th grade this year!!

They are fraternal twins.  Natalie has the fuller cheeks.  Gillian is on the left in the two bottom pics.  They are nothing alike.  Polar opposites of each other.  They have always been close though.  They fight a lot but I guess that's normal for any siblings.  Especially these two.  See there is a huge difference between these two sweet and beautiful little twinsies.  One has severe ADHD.  And a learning disability due to it.  It has been a nightmare.  Her sister makes straight A's and the other one just can't keep up with it all and is failing in one class and nearly failing another.  She is in the special needs program at her school.  They help her with things like extra time for work and taking her out of the regular classroom to go to a class room where it is just her and the special education teacher to help her catch up on work and help her with things she is having trouble understanding.  Luckily I think it's helping her out some.  

Natalie is the one with ADHD.  I just worry about her so much.  She lacks confidence sometimes because her sister gets all the awards at school and Natalie finally got one at the very end of last year for citizenship.  She has to visit her psychiatrist montly and that keeps her from attending school during those days.  She sees her sister do so well and everything coming so easy to her and meanwhile she struggles to read simple books.  She gets so frustrated and down on herself.  Around the house is another battle.  The way her little brain works 90 miles a minute just won't allow her to do most tasks when she is told.  She is constantly being distracted and singing and dancing all over the place.  Playing dress up instead of cleaning her room.  Then when reminded..she says "oh yeh, i'm so sorry mama" and gets back to it until the next distraction about 5 mins. later.  She also lies and blames things on her little 3 yr old sister trying to get out of trouble.  Discipline doesn't work.  It only makes her upset and down on herself.  She just doesn't ever seem to understand why she gets into trouble.  It's like her brain isn't registering it.  I get angry, my husband gets overwhelmingly angry, and she just feels like she is the "worst kid ever".  It brakes my heart.  And poor Gillian gets stuck picking up the slack after Natalie hasn't finished cleaning and has to go in and finish her chores.  And don't get me started on getting ready to go anywhere!!!!!  It is constant..Natalie get your shirt on, Natalie put on clean panties, Natalie that's the shirt you went to bed in, put on your clean school shirt that I laid out for you.  Natalie brush your teeth.  Yes baby I like that story too but you need to brush your teeth so you don't miss the bus.  Natalie do this. Natalie do that.

Sometimes I wonder if she honestly hates her sister for not having the same problem.  I just hope she grows out of this in the coming years and learns to cope with it better.  I love that kid to death.  She's my baby girl and always will be.  Full of kindness and compassion.  Always offering to help me with anything when she sees that I am in pain.  And she is GREAT with the 3 yr old, Sophie!!  She loves to play with her and includes her in everything that she does.  It's beautiful to watch.  It's my mission to help this kiddo out as much as I can.  I just have to keep telling myself and my husband that poor behaviors are not because she is a bad kid.  They are mostly because of her having this special little fast moving, creative little brain that she has.  Her ADHD is just one little part of Natalie and I love all the parts of Natalie as much as I love all the parts of all of my family.

Marching Band!!

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