Still Reminiscing on A Catalina Vacation
Some more layouts about our Catalina trip last June.
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Scrapbooking / Papercrafting Blogs I Like To Visit
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Your Invitation to the ScrapGal Summer BBQ
The fun starts Monday. Come on over and join us for some good old fashioned picnic fun!
Scrapgal's Summer Lovin' Online Crop - I'm RAKing away goodies!
Scrapgal's Summer Lovin' Online Crop starts tomorrow @ 7pm Eastern.
Summer Lovin' Crop all times Eastern
Friday, May 15th 7pm - 12:30am
Saturday, May 16th 7pm - 12:30am
I've got the 11:30pm time slot each night and have some fantastic RAKs to give away to all who participate in my challenges.
Hope to see you there!
Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
The theme to this year's fibromyalgia awareness day is "Fibromyalgia Affects Everyone".
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in January of 2001. But had been suffering for years before. And while I appear to be fine, I stuggle daily with the invisible syndrome.
Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet (from the FM Aware site)
Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. While it occurs most often in women, it strikes men and children, and all ethnic backgrounds. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia (FM) can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.
Diagnosis:
- The FM diagnostic criteria, established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990, includes a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months, and pain in at least 11 of the 18 designated tender points when a specified amount of pressure is applied.
- Since people with FM tend to look healthy and conventional tests are typically normal, a physician knowledgeable about the disorder is necessary to make a diagnosis.
- Physicians should rule out other causes of the symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
Symptoms:
- Although chronic, widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia, a variety of other symptoms are common in FM patients. Symptoms include: moderate to severe fatigue, sleep disorders, problems with cognitive functioning, IBS, headaches and migraines, anxiety and depression, and environmental sensitivities.
- Research has documented neuroendocrine physiological abnormalities that may contribute to the symptoms.
Causes:
- Recent research has suggested a genetic component. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children.
- Fibromyalgia often occurs following a physical trauma, such as an acute illness or injury, which may act as a “trigger” in the development of the disorder.
- Increasing attention is being devoted to the central nervous system as the underlying mechanism of FM. Recent studies have suggested that FM patients have generalized disturbance in pain processing and an amplified response to stimuli that would not ordinarily be painful in healthy individuals.
Treatment:
- Since there is no known cure for FM, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function.
- A variety of prescription medications are often used to reduce pain levels and improve sleep. On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lyrica (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) was approved in June 2008; and Savella (milnacipran HCl) was approved in January 2009.
- Alternative therapies, such as massage, myofasical release, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal supplements and yoga, can be effective tools in managing FM symptoms.
- Increasing rest, pacing activities, reducing stress, practicing relaxation and improving nutrition can help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.
National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) is a nonprofit [501 (c) (3)] organization
http://www.fmaware.org/ (714) 921-0150
It's NSD! (national scrapbooking day)
It's time to celebrate the hobby we love so much!
Join us over at Scrapgal for some challenges and lifts. Also, check out the The Gal Blog Erin has a fun challenge for you and a chance to win a RAK!
A New Journey
I've started a new journey with Brene Brown. It is a read-along with her book I Thought It Was Just Me. If you are into self-help like I am. And enjoy introspection, come on over and join in the read-along.
Lost your scrapbooking edge?
Visit me on the Scrapgal Blog to find it and leave a comment for a RAK!
Partying Like A Princess
Happy Birthday Sofia! All the girls and fairy godmothers had a great time. My friend Amy's daughter had a Princess Party.
There was a hair station where everyone got a tiara, a nail station and a makeup station.
The birthday girl Sofia.
Some Princesses with a fairy godmother.
Some self-potraits.
"If you're going through hell, keep going."
I received this quote via email today from a work associate. It is so apropos. "If you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill.... I think this will be going on a banner for my office door.
What does an old sweater have to do with scrapbooking?
Check out the GalBlog to find out!
Reaching back to childhood with a little game of Lori Says
Here is my result from the rousing game of Lori Says on Scrapgal last night! Lovin' that swiss dot cardstock from Bazzill.
If you'd like to give the game a try visit Lori Says on Scrapgal.
Scrapgal Design Team
I've been asked to stay on and join the Scrapgal Design Team.
Here are my March Layouts.
She's Got A Beautiful Soul Photo Credit Kimberly Brimhall
Future Heart Throb Photo Credit Maureen Sharma
And don't forget to stop by and check out the monthly challenges. YOU could be a winner.
Time To Get Your Scrap On....
This Friday night and Saturday, I'll be hanging out at Scrapgal during their online crop. Check this thread for the time line.
And don't leave me all alone during my challenges. Friday @ 11pm EST and Saturday @ 6pm EST.
Lots of fun planned and prizes too.
I'll see you there
Scrapgal Guest Deisgn Team Member for February!
Yeah me! I am the Guest Design Team Member for Scrapgal.
They have a wonderful store, gallery and message board. So come on over for a visit. Click to see My Scrapgal Gallery.
Here's a peek at the layout included in this months newsletter.
Lots of fun this month at Scrapgal.
- The Metamorphosis Challenge - throughout the month of February. Click on the block below to find out more!
- Online Crop Friday, Feb 20th and Saturday, February 21st
Hope to see you there!
My Scrapgal Secret Valentine...
struck last week and I finally took pictures. Here is one of some of the goodies. To see more see the Scrapgal Secret Valetine photo album in the right hand column.
Enjoy!
Snow Day
I just adore snowy days, but only on the weekend. If it's a weekday, I start to panic about the drive to work.
Good days to cuddle up in my PJ's, drink a hot cup of tea and read or watch movies on tv.
The cats love to help Gary shovel.
Scrappin' Day
Did some scrappin' today. The results are below.
My Countdown To 40
I'll be forty in 14 months and have been spending quite a bit of time thinking about how I want to celebrate and what being 40 will mean to me. Also, what do I want to accomplish before my fortieth birthday? The should dos, the want to dos... The what do I want to do with the rest of my life?
What do I still want to learn, to read about, to create? How do I want to shape my life? How do I want to spend my time? What is most important to me?
Day 2 - 365 a photo a day challenge - Pain
Today is all about the pain. Fibro pain everywhere. Even the Advil didn't help. I tossed and turned all night last night and I am sure that contributed to the pain.
California Sweet Escape
- I always take a travel album with me and a small amount of supplies when I travel. A la Ali Edwards. I spend an hour or so each evening making notes and adding pieces to the album. I collect little bits and pieces as I go and leave room to add the pictures once I return home. This trip, I worked on the album at the pool. These are just a sampling of the pages in the album.
A Boy Named Aydan
- This project was completed about a year ago. This is a dollar store book that I mod podged. I had to keep the pages flat so that the book would close. I had a lot of fun making this. Just a sampling of the pages included inthe book.
