Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
butterfly fetish and update
Everyone loves pretty butterflies, that is unless one has a rare disorder called Entomephobia.
with that being said the butterfly has been the icon and mascot for lupus for many years. I myself have photos and paintings of butterflies all over the house in some form or fashion. A recent addition to my collection is a new set of note cards which are used to raise funds for The Friends of Amster Lupus Fund, raising money for research at U of Michigan for Lupus !!! Buy ten cards for $10.00 and get a tax deductible donation for note cards which can be used for any occasion and also given as gifts.
Lupus Note Cards are in!!! If you ever have
to send Thank-You's, or just a note to someone....I have the cards for you.
And, You can feel great about sending them because they not only are for
Lupus awareness...but, also ALL proceeds will be donated to the Amster Lupus
Research Fund at U of M, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They use monies donated to
fund research so that we can find a cure for Lupus. It is a great cause. I
will attach a sample picture of just one of the eight different fold over
cards. The cards are a glossy picture of eight different real photo
butterflies. Each card has its own envelope. Each card when folded over
measures 5.5" X 4". The set is a great gift idea too! Each set sells for $10
and as I said before ... all proceeds will go for Lupus Research! To order email address below.
mailto: www.thebullittgirl@wowway.com
All is well in Ang-Doog world. He has been home for almost three weeks and I am spoiled. We have been working on too many projects to mention. Our garden seemed to last so long we concerned of steroid use? Is it legal for plants to use steroids to pump up? I am cooking Ancho Peppers we picked yesterday. We ate sweet tomatoes with our lox and capers for breakfast(yes we live in Detroit area) It's a Yankee breakfast. So sweet and tasty. Our ginger is even still growing in the great north. Global warming has been good to us here in car-land. We have longer summers and more tame winters which means longer growing season !!! and lots of duck meat and fresh salmon. We have eaten my cousins freshly caught salmon and Dad's duck this weekend. Next weekend it might be woodchuck, one never knows. The liver and gizzards are good. "When in Rome". I am also learning more about computers and blogs and site creation. I feel at times like throwing the hunk of plastic and chips out the window sometimes but this is one of the benefits...COMMUNICATION. Being that we rarely talk on the phone or write one another.the computer is a great way to talk, chat, write and read. I have been dragged into this century kicking and screaming but I finally feel I get it. and I only lost a few handfuls of what hair I have left.
Medical is good. I am recovered from surgery and tales around town say I have the best shoulder in replacement history or her-story. I can do mroe than before. I had a major breakthrough in yoga class Friday. I was rockin as they say. I feel strong and getting back in groove. I still have some weird blood tests action mixed with all the symptoms of long term lupus and steroids but I feel I stepped over the threshold to a new and brighter future, which seemed so gloomy just one years past. I feel sexy and hot and almost healthy. I even gave an interview for a national publication and could speak well and remember things I feared I had lost for good. So all is good in my life.
Holidays are coming up and we have not been able to make firm plans.so I guess all is open. I miss having 30 people for Thanksgiving in Asheville. Those were fun days. Anyone(you know who you are) from that group of family-friends is welcome to come share some foul and wine. Yeew.sounds horrid, but trust me a 20 lb. turkey and the fixings is great !!!! tofurky included. Come one come all........RSVP please.
Please let me know how you are???
Love
A
with that being said the butterfly has been the icon and mascot for lupus for many years. I myself have photos and paintings of butterflies all over the house in some form or fashion. A recent addition to my collection is a new set of note cards which are used to raise funds for The Friends of Amster Lupus Fund, raising money for research at U of Michigan for Lupus !!! Buy ten cards for $10.00 and get a tax deductible donation for note cards which can be used for any occasion and also given as gifts.
Lupus Note Cards are in!!! If you ever have
to send Thank-You's, or just a note to someone....I have the cards for you.
And, You can feel great about sending them because they not only are for
Lupus awareness...but, also ALL proceeds will be donated to the Amster Lupus
Research Fund at U of M, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They use monies donated to
fund research so that we can find a cure for Lupus. It is a great cause. I
will attach a sample picture of just one of the eight different fold over
cards. The cards are a glossy picture of eight different real photo
butterflies. Each card has its own envelope. Each card when folded over
measures 5.5" X 4". The set is a great gift idea too! Each set sells for $10
and as I said before ... all proceeds will go for Lupus Research! To order email address below.
mailto: www.thebullittgirl@wowway.com
All is well in Ang-Doog world. He has been home for almost three weeks and I am spoiled. We have been working on too many projects to mention. Our garden seemed to last so long we concerned of steroid use? Is it legal for plants to use steroids to pump up? I am cooking Ancho Peppers we picked yesterday. We ate sweet tomatoes with our lox and capers for breakfast(yes we live in Detroit area) It's a Yankee breakfast. So sweet and tasty. Our ginger is even still growing in the great north. Global warming has been good to us here in car-land. We have longer summers and more tame winters which means longer growing season !!! and lots of duck meat and fresh salmon. We have eaten my cousins freshly caught salmon and Dad's duck this weekend. Next weekend it might be woodchuck, one never knows. The liver and gizzards are good. "When in Rome". I am also learning more about computers and blogs and site creation. I feel at times like throwing the hunk of plastic and chips out the window sometimes but this is one of the benefits...COMMUNICATION. Being that we rarely talk on the phone or write one another.the computer is a great way to talk, chat, write and read. I have been dragged into this century kicking and screaming but I finally feel I get it. and I only lost a few handfuls of what hair I have left.
Medical is good. I am recovered from surgery and tales around town say I have the best shoulder in replacement history or her-story. I can do mroe than before. I had a major breakthrough in yoga class Friday. I was rockin as they say. I feel strong and getting back in groove. I still have some weird blood tests action mixed with all the symptoms of long term lupus and steroids but I feel I stepped over the threshold to a new and brighter future, which seemed so gloomy just one years past. I feel sexy and hot and almost healthy. I even gave an interview for a national publication and could speak well and remember things I feared I had lost for good. So all is good in my life.
Holidays are coming up and we have not been able to make firm plans.so I guess all is open. I miss having 30 people for Thanksgiving in Asheville. Those were fun days. Anyone(you know who you are) from that group of family-friends is welcome to come share some foul and wine. Yeew.sounds horrid, but trust me a 20 lb. turkey and the fixings is great !!!! tofurky included. Come one come all........RSVP please.
Please let me know how you are???
Love
A
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Living Your Best Life
Living Your Best Life - Fall Issue of Lupus Now Magazine Offers Tips for a Special Life
October 11, 2007Some people find the life they had planned sidelined by a diagnosis of a chronic and debilitating disease. But a great life doesn’t have to end with a diagnosis. Many people find their lives can be just as rewarding if they simply start living their “best life.” The fall 2007 issue of the Lupus Foundation of America’s (LFA) national magazine, Lupus Now®, tells the stories of several people who were diagnosed with lupus and offers tips from medical experts on ways to make life special through adjustments to mind, body and spirit.
But then Evans encountered a roadblock. She developed mysterious health problems that eventually landed her in the hospital and a diagnosis of lupus, a chronic life-threatening disease which causes the immune system to go awry and attack the body’s own cells and tissue. But rather than give up life, Evans started doing things differently.
Evans put off her pursuit of a doctorate degree. “My memory and concentration have really been affected,” she says. Still, the self-described “avid reader” keeps up with the latest books. “Now I listen to books on tape,” she says.
She also accepted a position as executive director of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, which allows her to continue serving the public while making her own hours working from home. “Lupus made me look at my life and determine what was really important,” Evans says. “I consider myself lucky, even though my life has totally changed.”
Want to live your best life – mind, body and soul? The fall 2007 issue of Lupus Now magazine offers these ideas for staying on track – or adjusting to any detour life brings your way.
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN – The first key to living your best life is to be mentally alert. The best way to stay mentally fit is to pay attention, says memory fitness specialist Kathryn Kilpatrick, author of www.memoryfitnessmatters.com. “You need to develop strategies to stay focused,” says Kilpatrick. “Keep your brain oxygenated through regular exercise and a nutritious diet.” Listen well, write things down, get rid of distractions, and be aware of interruptions are ways you can remain mentally fit.
GET PHYSICAL – Develop an appropriate physical fitness routine that matches your lifestyle. “Use preventative care when you’re young,” says Dr. Jill Buyon of the Hospital for Joint Diseases at the New York University School of Medicine. “Take care of yourself before you get into a bad situation,” she says. People with lupus are predisposed to symptoms of aging, such as joint pain and severe fatigue. Eat well, get plenty of rest, watch your weight, drink alcohol in moderation and don’t smoke to stay healthy.
BEAUTIFUL SOUL – What good is a fit mind and a strong body without something that feeds your soul? Nurturing your spirit and passions may be the most important key to a life that’s complete and fulfilling. Prayer, volunteering, and taking up a hobby or creative activity can feed your spirituality. Live with hope for the future. Be the best you can be, no matter how that’s defined.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Further Reflection on Asheville and Friendship
Yesterday I wrote a brief rundown of my thoughts about my trip to let everyone know I am home and well. I also was told that some people actually read this daily......Wow !!! that inspires me to keep on writing. One day when I have enough for a book I can look back as this being a great learning experience on being devoted and disciplined to the daily process. My life has been so unpredictable for the past few years that I have had a difficult time committing to the same schedule or any schedule for that matter. Now my health allows me to make this commitment.
On a heartfelt level I felt touched by the people who I knew but not very well, as they embraced me with love and open arms as if I had been a long lost friend. Damn I could have been Prom Queen. The close friends and family I was able to see I realized how special they are to me and the intensity of our friendship. It was as if we just saw one another last month. Most people do not change inside, they remain the same but have added new experiences and have grown in most areas and back slid in others. Just like every human on the planet. The core of a person remains the same, which was comforting for some reason. I saw my younger friends who were struggling with careers, finances, young families etc. in a new phase of adulthood. Some have found their groove after years of trying on different hats and those friends who have been settled in life and career have found even more success and completeness in life. some have suffered loss of health, of loved ones, of child, a breast, a business or two, a mate or a home yet they rise above and keep going. I learned that my friends are resilient and strong with big hearts.
A few friends have moved and found lives fuller and happier in other parts of the world. I love that !!! I noticed friends around the ages of 45-60 have found their artistic talents or followed their dreams passionately. Some who have taken up art, jewelry making, voice or music talents, and some expanded their business' or created new exciting ones ( like Karen who moved to Costa Rica, bought a retreat for rental income, started a fishing business with a friend, is becoming quite the photographer, neuter-spay animals and help young girls, especially indigenous young ladies in finding their inner strengths and saving them from prostitution. All her philanthropic dreams coming true). I miss our rock hounding hikes, or shall I say Boulders?
Then there is Sweet, Lovely Constance. My special girlfriend-sister. Thank you for your generosity and home for both Douglas and I... Her home, ambiance, three boutiques, jewelry making, sewing-designing talents, music passion on piano and vocals, her wonderful son, and all the sweetness she has offered for so many years back to when we shared the same house in Montford in 1991, then to when I worked for her on and off part time through out the years and our budding friendship. I admire you so very much. As I do all my Friends who are constantly surprising me......You know who you are: too many names to mention...Thank you for spending time with me(or trying to) and sharing your lives, dreams and even sadness. Aimee I loved being with you and the boys. Jack and Leslie thank you for airport shuttle but missed more quality time. Mary and Chuck great times in your garden and in the outdoors and looking forward to next big vacation!! brigid, Chris, Betty, Louise, Leah, Marita and Hank you all have really moved into a great time of your lives with creative juices flowing !!! Keep it up I so admire you all. James, Lane, Ian, Hector, Halo, Will, Breakfast club boys, JD and all the males with whom I spent time....Love ya's. Thanks for keeping Doogie in line (hahahaha) Axel your home was a blessing in a natural way !!! Nancy and Thad you make me laugh. Nice having lunch with the girls at laughing seed and enjoying a much missed "Harmony Bowl" and to Gina, David and Tiffany for your healing touch.(sorry I missed Cissy and Joan...Keep on healing and so happy for new kidney !!) Leah we tried and I think we have Karma. We seem to miss each other in Ann Arbor and now in Asheville so please let me know when you are coming here and hopefully I can meet Martin. Avian, you are a mother figure and have been since we first met when I was a babe at 21 years old.....That means so much. Mary G. I miss seeing you in Asheville !!! But always great we keep in touch weekly. I had a blast with my family in Black Mountain !!! Love you Pete and Paula!! Keep me tuned in. To the rest of you I could not see you know my love !!!
The city is not the same in so many ways as you all know. I will save that for another blog where I can vent and brag !!! ALL I can say is that the changes in Asheville which have occurred over the past 2 years is astounding. I am amazed at the growth, the influx of very wealthy folk, people from other cultures spicing it up, more stores and restaurants, higher cost of living, 10.9% hike in cost of real estate in just one year, and all the vibrant city life usually saved for NYC and bigger towns around the globe. The most amazing thing to me was the fast growth without a real city plan that can accommodate the growth in a healthy, realistic way. My perspective. I am concerned for the people who have lived there for so long making the town what it is because of the high cost if living. I hope the powers that be will not allow another Vail, but with Tiger Woods class act golf course atop our lovely mountains, it is probably a dun deal. Million and billion dollar homes are being built as we speak. Let's hope the service industry can afford to stay. Who will prepare, serve and grow the food? Clean the streets? Volunteer for civic events? We shall see.........
That is it for now...........See the rest of you friends upon next return.
On a heartfelt level I felt touched by the people who I knew but not very well, as they embraced me with love and open arms as if I had been a long lost friend. Damn I could have been Prom Queen. The close friends and family I was able to see I realized how special they are to me and the intensity of our friendship. It was as if we just saw one another last month. Most people do not change inside, they remain the same but have added new experiences and have grown in most areas and back slid in others. Just like every human on the planet. The core of a person remains the same, which was comforting for some reason. I saw my younger friends who were struggling with careers, finances, young families etc. in a new phase of adulthood. Some have found their groove after years of trying on different hats and those friends who have been settled in life and career have found even more success and completeness in life. some have suffered loss of health, of loved ones, of child, a breast, a business or two, a mate or a home yet they rise above and keep going. I learned that my friends are resilient and strong with big hearts.
A few friends have moved and found lives fuller and happier in other parts of the world. I love that !!! I noticed friends around the ages of 45-60 have found their artistic talents or followed their dreams passionately. Some who have taken up art, jewelry making, voice or music talents, and some expanded their business' or created new exciting ones ( like Karen who moved to Costa Rica, bought a retreat for rental income, started a fishing business with a friend, is becoming quite the photographer, neuter-spay animals and help young girls, especially indigenous young ladies in finding their inner strengths and saving them from prostitution. All her philanthropic dreams coming true). I miss our rock hounding hikes, or shall I say Boulders?
Then there is Sweet, Lovely Constance. My special girlfriend-sister. Thank you for your generosity and home for both Douglas and I... Her home, ambiance, three boutiques, jewelry making, sewing-designing talents, music passion on piano and vocals, her wonderful son, and all the sweetness she has offered for so many years back to when we shared the same house in Montford in 1991, then to when I worked for her on and off part time through out the years and our budding friendship. I admire you so very much. As I do all my Friends who are constantly surprising me......You know who you are: too many names to mention...Thank you for spending time with me(or trying to) and sharing your lives, dreams and even sadness. Aimee I loved being with you and the boys. Jack and Leslie thank you for airport shuttle but missed more quality time. Mary and Chuck great times in your garden and in the outdoors and looking forward to next big vacation!! brigid, Chris, Betty, Louise, Leah, Marita and Hank you all have really moved into a great time of your lives with creative juices flowing !!! Keep it up I so admire you all. James, Lane, Ian, Hector, Halo, Will, Breakfast club boys, JD and all the males with whom I spent time....Love ya's. Thanks for keeping Doogie in line (hahahaha) Axel your home was a blessing in a natural way !!! Nancy and Thad you make me laugh. Nice having lunch with the girls at laughing seed and enjoying a much missed "Harmony Bowl" and to Gina, David and Tiffany for your healing touch.(sorry I missed Cissy and Joan...Keep on healing and so happy for new kidney !!) Leah we tried and I think we have Karma. We seem to miss each other in Ann Arbor and now in Asheville so please let me know when you are coming here and hopefully I can meet Martin. Avian, you are a mother figure and have been since we first met when I was a babe at 21 years old.....That means so much. Mary G. I miss seeing you in Asheville !!! But always great we keep in touch weekly. I had a blast with my family in Black Mountain !!! Love you Pete and Paula!! Keep me tuned in. To the rest of you I could not see you know my love !!!
The city is not the same in so many ways as you all know. I will save that for another blog where I can vent and brag !!! ALL I can say is that the changes in Asheville which have occurred over the past 2 years is astounding. I am amazed at the growth, the influx of very wealthy folk, people from other cultures spicing it up, more stores and restaurants, higher cost of living, 10.9% hike in cost of real estate in just one year, and all the vibrant city life usually saved for NYC and bigger towns around the globe. The most amazing thing to me was the fast growth without a real city plan that can accommodate the growth in a healthy, realistic way. My perspective. I am concerned for the people who have lived there for so long making the town what it is because of the high cost if living. I hope the powers that be will not allow another Vail, but with Tiger Woods class act golf course atop our lovely mountains, it is probably a dun deal. Million and billion dollar homes are being built as we speak. Let's hope the service industry can afford to stay. Who will prepare, serve and grow the food? Clean the streets? Volunteer for civic events? We shall see.........
That is it for now...........See the rest of you friends upon next return.
Monday, October 8, 2007
welcome home !!!
Wow, I was gone for almost three weeks which flew by in so many ways yet seemed like eternity in others. I am a home-body. I know this about myself so it is no surprise I love being at home, in our garden, at the lake cottage, shopping at the farmers market on Wed's and Sat's, being a member of the co-op, driving the least amount, my Yoga class for those with special needs(Yes, brothers hold off on jokes for now !!!) P.T. and all the things I love here. I also am so comfortable in my bed and in my own healing surroundings as if we tailored the entire home for my health care needs.It fits. Douglas says the same. We live in a very peaceful environment and we love it.
Missing family and friends is the toughest part of it all. I so enjoyed the breakfasts and lunches with loved ones. The serendipitous moments were great too. I went with no agenda and left with a full calender of meetings, dates and events which were filled with joy and memories of a life past lived. I still am happy to say I made the right move at the right time.....Minus the total breakdown of Michigan's economy. I still feel at peace with it all.
For those of you whom I did not get a chance to see please understand I had to pace myself like a snail and was in bed most nights by dark. I had many days when I was unable to get out and be sociable. Some days due to pain from city walking on brittle bones and some from just being someone with lupus on vacation. Accepting the flow helps tremendously, yet I missed seeing so many people !!! Next time if you will still have me?
Garden is still kicking out peppers, greens, root veggies in process, herbs, beans and even tomatoes. Thanks to all who picked, watered and checked on things while gone !!!!! I am glad some food went to bellies not waste. Everything looked great. Today I made an awesome pesto for fall and a batch of fresh tomato sauce. MMMMMMM.
I realize that no matter where you are you are there. It is your home for that time period and sometimes you move on. For now I am "HOME" and home is where the heart is for this moment in space.........Or OM is where the heart is Bros.......I hope you all had a wonderful September and will continue to enjoy our global warming fall !!!!
Hugs
A
Missing family and friends is the toughest part of it all. I so enjoyed the breakfasts and lunches with loved ones. The serendipitous moments were great too. I went with no agenda and left with a full calender of meetings, dates and events which were filled with joy and memories of a life past lived. I still am happy to say I made the right move at the right time.....Minus the total breakdown of Michigan's economy. I still feel at peace with it all.
For those of you whom I did not get a chance to see please understand I had to pace myself like a snail and was in bed most nights by dark. I had many days when I was unable to get out and be sociable. Some days due to pain from city walking on brittle bones and some from just being someone with lupus on vacation. Accepting the flow helps tremendously, yet I missed seeing so many people !!! Next time if you will still have me?
Garden is still kicking out peppers, greens, root veggies in process, herbs, beans and even tomatoes. Thanks to all who picked, watered and checked on things while gone !!!!! I am glad some food went to bellies not waste. Everything looked great. Today I made an awesome pesto for fall and a batch of fresh tomato sauce. MMMMMMM.
I realize that no matter where you are you are there. It is your home for that time period and sometimes you move on. For now I am "HOME" and home is where the heart is for this moment in space.........Or OM is where the heart is Bros.......I hope you all had a wonderful September and will continue to enjoy our global warming fall !!!!
Hugs
A
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