Slacking Inflamed Amy

Not really I don't normally slack a whole heck of a lot unless I am REALLY feeling like ca ca as my grandson says.  Went to have more blood drawn last Friday at my rheumatism's office (otherwise known as Dr. D) and my inflammation scores (commonly referred to by me as my CRaP score) has more than tripled in the past 2 months.  With the way I feel, I probably could have told you that without pulling 4 vials of blood.  Although I am getting used to the needles with my weekly shots so what's the diff if it is pulling blood out or shooting Enbrel in? Not much in my book anymore.  However, I endure these lovely shots each week in hopes of feeling better and not not more crappy.  I am dying to know how much Enbrel Phil Michelson is given each week so that he can go on the golf circus or circuit.  I see that dude out there fist pumping when he hits a good shot and I would like to be able to fist pump him!  Yeah Phil!  Hey, I am not bitter....I am happy for him that he is able to feel good, make money off of the meds and go on golf tours in Scotland.  I just want a pain free day, which would make for a happy home cause we all know, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy".

I admit it, I have been crabby this past week and I shouldn't be.  I had a vinyl party at my friend Ginny's house last Tuesday night and it was so much fun to hang out and catch up and meet some cool gals.  But then the darkness takes hold when the pain hits and well, all you can say is ouch.  It makes you go to this dark place where you want to just curl in a ball in cry a little bit.  That stress then triggers the pain from the fibromyalgia and then the vicious circle begins again.  Anyway, Dr. D decided to put me on a round of prednisone to see if we can get the inflammation down but the stuff kills me. It is like taking a cup of espresso straight to the veins and I can't sleep at all while I am on it.  See, dark place now with no sleep!  BAAADDD!

So, blood test and Dr. D on Friday, started steroids on Saturday morning and then turn on the computer to see that Amy Winehouse was found dead.  OK, I get it, she's dead, but really, didn't you see this coming like a freight train?  I hate to sound harsh about it but come on, she has been off the charts (mentally and physically, not musically) for years from what you see about her in the news and the paparazzi always got her worst side, like running down the street in just a bra.  Yes, she had a great voice but she was a mess.  What is sad is how people are now glorifying her on Facebook and in the news.  Once again, it is a story of a girl who had an incredible gift and threw it away for drugs.  SHE threw it away, it was not taken from her.   She should not be glorified like she was an innocent bystander taking in 2nd hand smoke.  She participated, and just like the Lindsay Lohan's of this world, you have to pay the price if you take it too far.  Sad she had to pay with her life.  Maybe she should have listened to her Dad when he told her to go to rehab....

Until next time (and hopefully a better mood)
Mamalou

Addictions....obsessions....OCD...oh my!

Why oh why are there things that we start doing that we have to obsess over?   I will list a few examples for you.  Grey's Anatomy for one.  I never once watched the show during the past 7 seasons that it has been on.  But now, thanks to Netflix, I am addicted....addicted from the beginning.  At least I was able to pull my husband into this obsession with me and he is watching along!

Even greater than Netflix or Grey's Anatomy is Pinterest.  Have you seen it???  If not, you are SO missing out.  It is the best invention since, well sliced bread.  Let's start from the beginning.  I have a million "favorites" on my computer and that is probably not an exaggeration by too much.  Do you know how hard it is to go back and find one page from a million links?  Yes, I am sure you do! :)  OK so now comes Pinterest and you can "pin" all of these links and pictures and recipes and basically whatever you want, to your boards that you can use to organize everything and anything.  It is spectacular for lack of a better word and FREE.  Yes, that is the key word...FREE.  Someone actually created a product that I can use to organize my chaotic life for free.  There is always a catch right....well there is but definitely not in a bad way for once.  The catch is that you can actually see everyone else's pins which when starting out can be overwhelming but after you get the hang of it, it is great.  You can follow other people's boards, repin other's posts to your boards, or just ignore them and move right along.  I have to admit that there are not a lot of ignores happening because people are posting incredible recipes from blogs, adorable pictures, killer DIY things, oh and did I happen to mention that this is FREE!!!!  And I wonder why I can't sleep....I dream Pinterest.  Oh, another little tidbit, it has an app for your iPhone so yeah, even when I am away from the computer, I am watching for new things.  It is honestly one of the best things to hit the web since....since.....since I don't even know, maybe Facebook.  One small downfall is that every once in a while you will get a "Server busy" error but I am sure that they didn't expect the extreme volume of peeps to be logging and pinning as quickly as it has caught on so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt that this too will be fine soon.  If you want to pin any of my pics there, I would be honored!  If you want to follow my boards, again honored. 

Let me know if you experience any problems or have any feedback but I hope to see everyone out there.  (I know Heather already is!!!)

Keep dreaming and reaching for those highest stars.  Until next time....
Mamalou (Lisa)

Going to the Chapel and we're.......

It is Monday and I type this from my bed, sick as a dog and coughing up a lung.  But...I WILL be better soon.  I have to be because my Daddy is getting married this weekend.  Isn't that fantastic?  I think so but it is also slightly odd.  My Dad and Mom were married for 40 years when basically my mom went off the deep end, lost her mind, and gave up 40 years and the best man she could have ever have wished for.  The details are long and definitely NOT boring, but to be saved for a later day when I have more time and have a few drinks in me first. Back to the story, I am sick and now my hubby is sick and this wedding is just 5 days off.  I think that my dad thinks I did this on purpose.   In my hoarse, Stevie Nicks-ish kind of voice, I told him that I would be there whether they pushed me in a wheelchair.  My father, the undying germ-a-phobe, would probably have people waiting at the entrance to take me back to the car however, as he would not want me to "infect" himself or anyone else.  I can see it all play out now.  Me, hooked up to iv's and a half closed hospital gown, rolling myself into the church.  My dad is standing in the front of the church smiling but looking a little nervous as I am approached from the side by two guys who look slightly "mobish". 

One of the guys speaks  "Reese....Reese....is that your name?" (reminiscent of Dirty Dancing's "Baby, Baby...is that what they call you?)
Me:  "Uh, no.....Actually, it is Lisa and only my dad calls me 'Reese'"
Mob Guy:  "Yes, he said that you would know this was coming from him if we called you that.  Your dad loves you BUT he asks that you vacate the area as to not infect others"
Me:  "Are you serious?   I told him I would be be here come hell or high water and that is just what I did.  Can't I just sit in the back and watch?  I promise to leave right after."
Mob Dude: "Sorry ma'am but you will have to go.  You can either leave voluntarily or we will be forced to use the 'finger'.  Your dad taught us how he does it and we must admit that our aim is quite good after only a day of practice."

I roll myself wearily back to the car, go home and cry myself to sleep because no one will come and visit since dad convinced everyone that I am contagious.  I am missing out on the reception at Greenbriar and wedding cake from MacArthur's Bakery plus my dad is not able to figure out how to send me pics on his phone.

OK, now back to reality. First, my daddy has gotten really good at sending pics through his phone.  Yeah Dad!  Next, yes, my dad IS a germ-a-phobe and would really squirt people with Windex like in
My Big Fat Greek Wedding, if he thought it worked.  However, since being on these Embrell shots, I have zero immunity so I am sick, let's move on.  Want to know a little secret that I have not told anyone?  Ready?  I am secretly jumping up and down inside because I have been asking for a sister for the last 41 years and I am FINALLY getting one. Heee heee....my insides are nervous with anticipation. Now granted, I didn't order her up so close to the same age with kids and a husband but I secretly wish that she wanted to have a slumber party and get to know each other and that some day I could say "This is my sister".  No offence to Peggy's son, as I know you are a great guy, but brothers are a been there, done that kind of thing and the novelty wore off years ago.   Anyway you slice it, we are all grown and hopefully some day we can all get to know each other much better than just first names but if it doesn't happen, that is OK too.  The main thing is that my dad is happy and he found Peggy, someone who is so loving, caring, and kind to him.  He loves her and she loves him and that is what counts.  The rest will take care of itself.   Every time I see my dad and Peggy together, I can see how happy he is and that is all I could ever wish for the first man I ever loved.....my Daddy :)

I WILL be there come hell or high water and we are in St. Louis so it could be either. Now to find the perfect top to wear with my black linen pants and black flats. I wonder if I can find something in my sister's closet???

Until Next Time....keep dreaming BIG!

Mamalou (Lisa)

It's ALMOST done!

Yes, the moment we have all been waiting for....my new and updated website to match my blog (at least by color).  I have had some minor glitches throughout the process of getting it back up and running correctly, the way that I want to see it but it has been worth it.  Check it out and let me know what you think so far...www.mamalousgems.com

Kisses,

Lisa (Mamalou)

My beautiful bday cake from my wonderful family :)