I hate to get political....

But I just have to for a minute. This is going to be one of the biggest elections of my time. Everyone assumes, I am black, so I will be voting for Obama. I read his book a couple of years ago, and I didn't agree with a lot of things that he said. I have waited to hear him say something that I do agree with. Still waiting... I am one of those voters, that is still "undecided."

My husband and I have very different views on the issues, and we said LONG ago, that we would not talk about politics or religion. It has worked for us thus far, but I would like to hear his opinion on some issues. There are so many HUGE propositions this year, that I feel I have to study all day Monday, so that I can vote on Tuesday. This is all making me very tired..

Tomorrow is Wednesday.

I have an infusion tomorrow, but I feel sick. I may have a fever. If I have a fever I can't have my infusion. This sucks!

Everyone asks me.

How are you?

I know that some of my friends mean it, while others don't. I just don't know what to say anymore...

Fine?
Ok?
Crappy?

I have gone through MANY life changing events. The difference between them, and this, is that eventually those pains go away. The losses get easier over time. They betrayal fades...

This will be with me FOREVER. I have come to the realization that I will be in some sort of pain, every single day, for the rest of my life. Being in chronic pain is it's own personal hell. I try to keep a positive outlook. I like to think, so many other people have it much worse. But there is a large percentage of the masses that I have it worse then. Do I feel sorry for myself? NO. I feel sorry for my family. I am sad for my close friends. They have to watch it, and there is nothing anyone can do for me.

So I have decided not to feel sorry for myself, and the answer to that question is going to be...

I feel blessed.

I have a family that loves me, THREE healthy boys, a lovely husband, and a wide circle of friends. Truth be told - things could be much worse. So my answer will be - blessed. If you are a close friend, or one of my doctors - I will give you a scale from 0-10. Ten being the worst.

Today I am a 6.

So much going on, yet, so little...

Somehow I hurt my right shoulder. It hurts with whatever I do. I see the doctor in the morning, and then the pain guy at noon. Busy day with really nothing much coming from it. I guess that sounds really negative, but that has just been my experience. I did get to take a class at my Local Scrapbook Store. Pink Pineapple Scrapbooks. It was doodling with Stephanie Ackerman. She is just the cutest! It really has kept me busy, since I can do it in bed. I also got to go down to La Jolla on Wednesday and see my best friend. That was nice. Just tired. Will let ya know what is going on after my appointments tomorrow.

Apple, the computer, not the fruit.

There is so much hype about the new iPods that just came out. They are really cool, coming in all those different colors (the nanos.) The new iPod touch,(http://www.apple.com) that is much thinner, and cheaper. The problem that I have is the new slogan.

iPod touch. The funnest iPod ever.

Seriously? I mean, come on. I am trying to raise intelligent kids! You know how dumb someone sounds when they say funnest? I just don't like it. I don't want to sound like a prude, maybe I am just old.

On another note - the free iPod touch offer is almost over. If you are a college student (or just say you are) You can get a discount on an apple computer. You also need to add an iPod to your order. You will then receive a rebate for the amount you spent on that iPod. Up to $300. The deal ends on September 15th, 2008.

Have more patience then money? Wait till June next year, they tend to do this every year.

And it comes full circle...

Been feeling sickly, and not so great. Went to the doctor today, and it looks like the Remicade is not going to work for me any more. It also looks like I need to go back on the chemo. This is just so depressing, and unnerving. I was so happy when I got off of it. I guess I am just a little overwhelmed, and way stressed out. My parents have been planning to move out, and that just adds to the stress. Looks like I am going to be sick every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

I MISS MY LIFE!

On a brighter note - My bubba come back!! I go up to the Ontario Airport tomorrow to pick Devin up. It seems like he has been in Idaho for YEARS!! I miss him so much.

 

To be a cat...

In my house...

If there is an after life, that is what I would like to come back as...

an indoor "cat of color."


(yes, they match my decor...a mistake? I think not!)

 

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You have to see this...

ok, check this out. I was stunned when I saw it. Simply stunning, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I have loved Chatterbox for years, now I am totally gone.

Buy Handmade!

I don't know if you know about this, but Etsy is my new favorite site. I go on everyday. What is really fun....you find something you like, add it to your favorites, and then click to see what is favorites by your favorites. It reminds me of how we used to surf the web. One link leads to another....

I got Ro a cape from this lady...
um, yes, it is Orange, and it is fabulous!!

Health update...infusion went well on Wednesday the 21st. I also got my last shot in my knee for lube. I also got another cortisone shot in my left shoulder. So I had a few needles in me. Things can only get better. Still really tired.

Croc Heels

For those that know me, you know that I LOVE crocs. I love the comfort, and ease, and just plain everything. I am just not sure how to feel about these.

I guess you should just be greatful that they don't have them in my size.

Planning a trip to Japan....

Ok, for those that know me, I love to plan things to death. When I got the chance to plan a trip to Japan, I jumped right on it. (well didn't actually jump) I have been doing some research, and I found this... Hello Kitty flight

Now I love Hello Kitty - actually chococat, as much as the next packrat that was never allowed to buy anything "useless." but this really scares me. I think it is just the thought of being with 200 little kids in an airplane singing along with the Japanese Hello Kitty voice over. I need a nap cause I am getting a headache.

I feel honored and blessed to know

Miss Tara Whitney. Not only is she a wonderful artist, but she has one of the biggest hearts. She photographed my family last year, and then a few months after did a shoot of my bestfiends on thier sailboat. If you can get her to capture your family as she has mine, consider yourself lucky.

Scrapbook Royalty

Scrapbook royalty is one of the coolest ideas I have seen. If you are into scrapbooking, and helping people, that this is for you. I have been to one of these events, and you will be surprised how get they are. Really above and beyond any and all of my expectations. The causes are great, and so are the people that run it! Sign up for the newsletter, and get updates often. Also, I just donated a ton of stuff, so look for it to be auctioned off in the next year!

Single or married for less then 3 years.

If you shop online, and are unmarried, or married less then 3 years. You should check out UTANGO. There are cash rewards, and one million dollar reward for staying married for 30 years.

Check it out.

easy way to help...

I have a favorite search engine - GOOGLE - Love me some google. Gmail is one of the best e-mail servers I have ever used. With that being said, there is a seach engine that you can use to actually help. GOODSEARCH

Everytime you use it, they donate money to your chosen charity.

I switch between bestfriends, and save darfur.

happy searching.

movies

I love movies. I like to watch them once, or maybe even twice, but that is about it. So it is really not worth it to buy them, so I need to rent them. I have found that the best way to rent movies is netflix.

Not only will they mail you movies, but you can also instant watch a lot of movies. They have changed this to UNLIMITED internet watching with their cheapest plan. $10 You get one movie, at a time, and you get to watch things on your computer. LOVE IT!

Fun on the net

Like I said earlier...I spend a lot of time in bed with my laptop. Here is something that I do.

I love Kaboodle! It is great to be searching the net, find something that you like, and put it on a wish list. LOVE IT.

1. Sign up on Kaboodle.

2. Download the icons - they will be in the tool bar. You can also right click on an item in a web page.

3. A pop up menu from Kaboodle will come up with your item and a description, you can add what size you want, color, anything else.

4. Click on the submit button.

5. The pop up window disapears, and you item is added to your list, and you are back to the original website.

I can spend hours organizing, and adding to my wish list. You can also add things to your wish list from someone else's' list. You can also connect friends to your wish list.

Look me up, and see what I love! crazyrachel

Charity

My favorite Charity :)

Bestfriends

www.bestfiends.org

If you do check this out - check out the angel stories.

This is just my personal opion

But I just have to put this out there.
I think that Americans need to educate themselves about things that are happening around the world. I remember learning in high school about isolationists. I also believed that it was a good thing. I still do. AS long as you remain isolated. The way that the this country is - ie all of the outsourcing, it is no longer possible. These are somethings that are on the top of my list.

1. Tibet Tibet. I feel that you should try to educate yourself.

2. A lot of products are made in China because it is cheaper. They do not regulate, or have the same standards as most western countries. Even the cleanliness is in question. Yes it is cheaper, but really, is it worth it?

3. Darfur - pronounced - (Dar Four) This is a cause near and dear to me. THIS IS GENOCIDE. It really touched me, and upset me that friends can't find it on a map. All I ask is just spend 2 minutes educating yourself.

Again, I am not saying that you need to save the world, just know what is going on.

ColorWare - BlackBerry Curve

ColorWare - BlackBerry Curve

I know this company has been coloring apple macs for years, now that they do this, I am in love!

Toothless Cliff

 

Cliff a couple of days after he got his fentenal patch off. Yes, the ladies LOVE his pink square - The vet said that it would grow back, but those of you that remember Baltar's last surgery, will know that it took a year for his fur to grow back.

Costco

sells caskets.

The new Love of my Life...

 

Charlie Charles Chuck Jr.
He is 4 years old, 8 pounds, and yes, he is a chihuaua. I adopted him from the Carlsbad Humane Society. a.k.a the pound. This is the best place to get an animal. $39. Now you can't beat that with a stick! If you are going to welcome a new animal into your family, please check with a local shelter first.

Cool Scrapbook Stuff

If you are into scrapbooking, or paper crafts at all, and you are in a 50 mile radius, you have to get out to this store. Yes, I worked there, and I am friends with the owner. It is about 35 miles from where I live, but totally worth the drive. Also, if you do scrap and have things that you would like to donate for the people who lost stuff in the fire, please look at the website, and plan to take some stuff out there on February 19th.

Jott

Ok, I found this, and I think that it is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I have a problem remembering things now. They call it Chemo fog, but I think it is just old age.

Jott

is just cool. What you do is you make an account with them, and go though all of the set up. After you are all set up. You call the 800 number, and you speak into your phone, and basically it jotts down any information you want to remember, and sends you an e-mail. That isn't all, you can enter a note to "self" to someone else. (After you have signed up their phone number.) Or to - this is the best - your google calendar!!

I will post about google soon. I love me some google.

There are also a bunch of other services you can "Jott" to, just check out the site.

The Container Store

A little late on this, but The Container Store, is having their semi-annual Elfa storage event. It is over on February 4th, I think that it comes back in August. The Container store was also recently on Oprah. It is THAT cool!

Introduction

Although I am inches from the edge of everything I know, I think that I can be of some use to my fellow humans. This blog is going to be more informative then I have ever been. I hope you find something interesting, and come back often.