Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that she had to get her laundry done that day, when I called her on New Year’s Eve morning and asked what she was up to that day.  She went on to tell me that if her laundry wasn’t all done by New Year’s Day, that she was sure to never be able to catch up all year.  The funny part about that, is that the comment stuck with me, and so yes every year after that, I make sure that all the laundry in the house is done on New Year’s Eve.  (with a family as large as mine, why chance it?) read more

I have a small confession….I am a Bath and Body addict!!   Many years ago, while I was staying with my little sister on a visit, I used some of her Bath and Body shower gel, and I was instantly in love with their products.  On that same visit, we went to a sale that they were having and I bought so much that I had to purchase another bag to take on the flight home.  That was the beginning of my addiction.

Now, I have to admit, I have no desire to have any kind of intervention or rehab for my addiction.  All I need to know is when the next Semi Annual Sale will be and I can go get my Bath and Body fix!!   The good news…..that sale is happening NOW!!  Twice a year, they have a sale with 75% off the seasons scents, and that is when I go and stock up!!  They also have a ton at 50% off and some great buys on their hand soaps!!      I purchase not only for myself, but for my kids for birthdays, Christmas etc.    The Semi Annual Sale happens in the Summer time and then again, right after Christmas.  I always save enough of my Christmas fund, to go shopping afterwards!!   read more

It is hard to believe that it has been 7 years since my first neck surgery.   I say that because although a part of me feels like it has been a lifetime that I have been dealing with the pain from it, there is another part of me that has a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that life changed so drastically for me 7 years ago.

Prior to having my 1st surgery, I had been dealing with neck pain and the side effects of the damage to my spine, for about 20 years.   It of course, progressively got worse over the years.  At first, I would have occasional flare ups, where I wouldn’t be able to lift my head off the pillow in the morning.  On those days, my husband would literally have to come lift me from my shoulders, supporting my neck/head and lift my upper body up so I could sit up.   When I would have that kind of a flare up, I generally ended up on a heating pad for a couple of days.  I had been to our regular doctor, when I had one of these episodes, and had been given muscle relaxers to use when I had a flare up.   For the most part, they did the trick and I was able to return to work within a day or so and continue on with my normal activities, raising kids, taking care of the house, working, etc.  I would generally only have a flare up like that about every 4-6 months.   I knew at the time as I went through those episodes that eventually it would reach a point that I would have to make a different decision as far as treatment went.  I was right, as they started happening more frequently and the symptoms became increasingly worse. read more