What difference do it Make - Book Review

I just finished reading "What Difference Do it Make?" by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent. This is a follow up book to their hugely successful "Same Kind of Different as Me". I have not had a chance to read the first book, but that did not take away from the impact this book made on me. Every chapter is a new story about hope and healing, friendship and survival. And each chapter is written by either Ron or Denver, who are from opposite worlds, but have become friends through Ron's wife Debbie. Debbie, who passed away a few years ago, was a kind hearted and giving woman who talked her stubborn husband into volunteering with her at a Texas homeless shelter. This is where they met Denver, a hard working and very unlucky homeless man. The lessons learned from this friendship are what made up the first book and part of the second one. Lessons about friendship, grace, giving, and forgiveness. Ron's chapters are mostly about his childhood and how having an alcoholic father affected his life. Because of this he has built up some pretty big walls and even bigger grudges. Denver grew up a share-cropper, which is just a nicer name for a slave. His story is so sad and frustrating. Frustrating that people can be so harsh and cruel. But I believe Denver is truly blessed. Even with all the bad things he has lived through, he can see the good in all people. He is generous and forgiving. Way more forgiving than most people would be if they were in his situation.

Denver always seems to keep Ron on track and guides him to forgive others (especially his father) and teaches him how and why not to judge people because they are different. After seeing life through Denver's eyes, I believe I will see everyone in a different light. I will stop jumping to conclusions about their situations and worry more about how I can help them. Whether they deserve it or not.

I recommend this book for everyone to read. It will touch your heart and help you to see people differently. No more giving and helping based on whether someone deserves it, but giving and helping because this is God's will for us.

Friends and Illness

Something happened recently that reaffirms my reasons for not discussing my health issues with friends. Yes, I do have a few that know what is going on in my life, but for the most part people who read my blog know more about ME than my friends. And this is why....

Someone (another fibro patient) left a comment to me on Facebook offering me "Spoons". Spoons refer to the "Spoon Theory" which gives an awesome description about how people with chronic illnesses have to ration their energy supplies. It is long but worth reading if you know anyone who is sick. OK, back to my point. So one of my oldest and dearest friends (who I have not been open and honest with about my diseases) asked what "spoons" meant and I gave a brief answer and then sent an email to her. I thought maybe this would be a great time to open up to here and explain my situation. I told her in the email what I have and how I am, and sent her a link to the Spoon Theory.

This was nearly a week ago and I have yet to hear back from her. Illness makes people uncomfortable. It freaks them out. I know this, and I am not Mad at her, but a little disappointed. Any response would have been better than none. So I will go back to pretending I am fine and not sharing much about how sick I really am (at least with the real world). Because I have enough going on and don't want to lose friends because I made them uncomfortable with the truth.

If anyone asks.....I am fine. Just fine.

Friday Fill in

And...here we go!

1. I have a history of being impulsive.

2. How to knit is something I wish I knew.

3. I'm eating (or recently ate) Chocolate (Duh!)

4. In a few weeks we will be on the road.

5. So that's it, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

6. Love is better than nothing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Hubby being off work, tomorrow my plans include hitting some yard sales and Sunday, I want to try out a new church!

Happy Friday Everyone!!

I hate nightwork.....or maybe not

When Hubby works night work a part of my brain goes into hyperdrive. This means that no matter how hard I try I cannot sleep. I can be exhausted and still be unable to fall asleep. Why? I don't know. I wish I did. Maybe I'm afraid to be home "alone"....but I don't believe that. I don't feel scared. And I LIVED alone for years and slept just fine. So I don't think that is the answer. Am I worried about him being at work? No, not any more than if he was on any other shift. So that leaves one more option.....this is the only shift when I get real ME time. The boys are in bed, the house is quiet. I can watch what I want. I can read if I want without distractions. I can stay on the computer as long as I want. Selfish, maybe. But I can't help that part of my brain that wont relax enough for me to sleep. It wants me to milk every second I can to get done all the things I can't do when Hubby is working other shifts or when the boys are awake. So that's that. I hate night work because I would much rather have Hubby home at night to cuddle with. But I don't hate it because I get a slight sense of freedom.

How do you experience your moments of freedom?

Did I ever mention I love chocolate?? Chocolate.com review

Yes, I love chocolate. I love milk chocolate. I love dark chocolate. I even love white chocolate. So you can imagine that I jumped at the chance to taste and review some great selections from Chocolate.com.

Jembrana Hancrafted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Minimum by Amano Artisan Chocolate

I received my "happy package" on Monday and couldn't wait to see what was in the box. The first was an amazing bar of 70% Dark Chocolate from Amano. I will admit that even though I will eat any and all chocolate I do prefer milk chocolate and rarely buy dark. This bar has converted me. It is deep and rich, and so flavorful. This is the kind of chocolate that you eat slowly and savor. Let it melt on your tongue and enjoy the rich flavor. I would buy this candy bar to enjoy as an everyday treat.

Jennifer- Marzipan/Pistachio Truffles by Knipschildt Chocolatier

Next in the box were Marzipan/pistachio truffles from Knipschildt Chocolatier. My first reaction when I saw them was that I couldn't wait to try one. They are enrobed in dark chocolate and have a dusting of pistachios on top. So far, so good. I love pistachios. I love dark chocolate. But I have to say that these left me a little disappointed. They weren't bad, but they weren't that good either. The flavor of the filling was almost bland. The dark chocolate covering the truffle was great. A very strong and slightly sweet chocolate that would be great alone or with a stronger flavored filling, but it was just overwhelming with the pistachio filling.

Chocolate Truffle Bar from Chocolate.com

The last item in my box was the one that made me the happiest. Happy because of the description. Happy because it is beautifully hand-painted. Happy because of how wonderful it tastes. And Happy because there is enough of it to last me nearly a week. OK, let me explain. Imagine a 5 inch long truffle. Shaped into a long pyramid and hand painted. Filled with milk, dark, and white chocolate infused with hazelnut puree and caramel.

Are you drooling yet??

This is what the card on the package says "Double Hazelnut Caramel. A hand-painted truffle with contrasting tiers of milk chocolate flavored with hazelnut puree, white chocolate infused with caramel and dark chocolate with a hint of ground hazelnut. "

YUM!

The directions say to cut slices off to enjoy. Enjoy.....yes I am! The inside of the truffle is nearly as pretty as the outside. It would be awesome for serving at a party. But way more important than looks is the taste. Soft, creamy and perfect. Hazelnuts and chocolate go together perfectly. There is no other way to describe it. And caramel....who doesn't like caramel?? This caramel melts in your mouth and isn't overly sweet like kiddy caramels. I am sure my kids would enjoy this if given the chance but NO.....this is mommy's chocolate and mommy ain't sharing!

Anyone looking for some new and interesting chocolates....go to Chocolate.com

Anyone looking for some great gift ideas....go to Chocolate.com

Anyone wanting to blog about chocolate.....go to Chocolate.com

Thank you Chocolate.com for making me one very happy woman this week. You are the Best!!

Do you think he would trade bodies with me for just one day??

I went to a doctors appointment yesterday. It was just a visit to my PCP to ask a few things, discuss some other medication options and get a flu shot. I left mad. Why is it that all my doctors except one (and the second opinion rheumy) downplay fibromyalgia? Why? Is it because they haven't had much experience with it or it is because they are hard-headed nincompoops?? At this point I think it is the latter. Let me explain what happened yesterday.....



We were discussing how this past month (since my surgery) has been really rough on me. I have been in a bad flare and even my pain meds are not working like they should. We also were discussing how I cannot tell if my new medicine Savella is working or not because of this flare. In all his wisdom he tells me that I am a "special"case and so much worse then anyone else with Fibro......Oh REALLY?!?!?! I think not. I know of many other fibro patients who spend their days and nights in pain. They try treatment after treatment and none seems to help as much as the doctors believe it will. So I am NOT special or worse, I am just a normal fibro patient.



Please...any and all Fibro readers out there please back me up on this. Thanks!!!

It's been a WHOLE year!

Today is a very special day to me.

It is an anniversary that I never thought I would see...EVER.

As of today I have been one whole year without a seizure. YES! Since I started having them in 2004 I haven't been more than 6-8 months in between. Sometimes only a day or a week in between. So you can see this is a big accomplishment for me and I am so Thankful.

I will thank the Lord very much; I will praise Him in front of many people

Psalm 109:30