Laundry Lunacy

So, I was doing some laundry last night and my daughter had put her favorite sweatshirt in the hamper to be washed. Now, this isn't some regular ole' ho hum sweatshirt, it's a Calvin Klein with a fur lined hood! Check it out:



Isn't that cute? Darlin' just adores wearing this sweatshirt, so I 'm sure it took a lot of strength for her to part with it temporarily. Knowing how much she loves this garment, I knew that I had to take great care not to destroy it in the laundry process. I was mostly concerned with the fur in the hood, as fur never seems to look as good as it does beforehand. So, I thought I'd check the tag for cleaning instructions.

Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!

Nothing on the tag but more authentication that it is indeed a Calvin Klein product. Which I might add was quite obvious with the name emblazoned across the front and the $68.00 price tag dangling from the sleeve! Now, hopefully you are asking the same question I did (otherwise I may be concerned for your sanity) "Who in their right mind even considers paying $68.00 for a kid's sweatshirt?!" Fortunately, I know that this "Aunt" never pays full price, but I can't believe she managed to get this for anything under 30 bucks! So it was quite a generous gift along with the adorable purse and jeans to go with it - one of Darlin's favorite ensembles now. But I digress. Back to my frustration with clothing labels. . .

After being bitterly disappointed with the label on the back - it didn't even tell me to "see side for care" - I began my all to usual search for cleaning instructions. Why is there more than one tag anyhow? I just need one! Eventually, I found this:

Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh!

Being an American who can read, I found this quite confusing. First of all, I am no friend of the metric system, so Celsius just eludes me (those of you in Europe, go ahead and take a minute to have a good laugh on me). Is 30 C considered cold, warm or hot??????!!!!! After consulting hubby, who can answer all things scientific and into which category I place the Celsius scale, I decided to wash it in warm.

OK, moving on. Can anyone shed any light on what the other symbols are supposed to mean? Some vague triangle with lines, reminiscent of cuneiform markings from the city of Ur . . . not helpful. (See, I may have skipped science and math, but I did take archeology!)

The remaining heirogliphics resemble a camera and an opened padlock (at least that's what hubby thought!) I did inform him that it was an iron and I'm assuming that the previous one is a dryer. I just never paid attention to these laundry symbols before, I always read the instructions that usually accompanied them!

Here is my plea: To anyone out there in the clothing industry, please keep English on the tag somewhere, because, yes, I'll admit it, I'm a stupid American. I speak one language, I don't grasp the metric system, and I prefer one clothing label that I do not have to decrypt!

Well, for the 2 of you who may still be reading this sorry saga, I did successfully wash her hoodie as you can see in the picture at the top. Washed warm, tumble dried low for 10 minutes to fluff the fur and then line dried. Maybe I should write that on the tag . . . .

***Check out my bloggy giveaway. It ends Friday night, Feb. 1st.***

"That's A Daddy Question"

Last night, my son asked me how flashlights work. He is quite aware that you stick batteries in and turn it on, so I knew that he wanted the specifics - exactly how the batteries make the light bulb illuminate. He's a little engineer in the making.

Knowing this, my first response was, "You're asking the wrong person. That's a Daddy question." (A frequent comment of mine!) He replied, "I know, but I want to know how you think it works." How sweet. He didn't like my answer, "Magic!"

Yup, that's about how I understand it. You put the batteries in and the flashlight magically turns on. . .pretty much all I need to know. It's magical to me! (Can you tell that I'm easily amused?)

About the only scientific fact I remember is one from Jr. High. "Evaporation is a cooling process." That's about the sum of the vast scientific wisdom that I have passed on to my cubs (good thing hubby's here, eh?). Even last week, at the dinner table, they were discussing something about water turning into steam. So naturally wanting to put in my two cents, I began my quote, "Evaporation. . ." Both cubs jumped in to complete my sentence and Buddy then proceeded to discuss with Dad the fine nuances of steam vs evaporation. Whew! Sure glad hubby loves science!

I am convinced that at some point in their lives all Dads must take a class so that they can answer such questions as these. "Why is the sky blue? How does the phone work? What's a radio wave? How are we able to see things on TV? How do my ears work? How do airplanes stay up in the sky?" Hubby's so good at answering any type of question that the kids throw at him. My Daddy could always answer these kinds of questions too. I find that truly amazing!

I must confess, I've asked hubby all of the above questions. Knowing how I tend not to grasp all things scientific he usually responds to me with, "Do you really want to know? Cuz' I'll tell you." Nope, I'm good with "magic" thanks! I guess I just prefer to remain amazed!

***Check out my bloggy giveaway. It ends Friday night, Feb 1st.***

Pamper Me!

As I've mentioned before, I'm an extrovert, so I'm on cloud nine from the day I had yesterday . . . and it keeps getting better! One would think that 4 hours of cleaning, 2 hours of grocery shopping, 1 hour of neck & back shots (ouch!) and 2 hours of icing from said shots yesterday, would negate any potential extroverted benefits from 3 hours at my Pampered Chef party and 2 hours on my blog . . . but NOT SO (I was never good at math!)

I'm still reeling with delight from the fun I had with my Pampered Chef Mexican Fiesta. We had Touch Down Taco dip and Chicken Enchiladas . . . muy bien! To go along with the Mexican theme, strawberry margaritas were also served, and being the good reformed Presbyterians that we are, we enjoyed 'em! Come to think of it, those margaritas could have been what is enabling me to order so much free stuff! (Mmmmmmm. . .would have made more if I was aware of that kind of math. . .inhibitions down = sales up!) Now before you think we're a bunch of lushes, those who imbibed only had one - once again proving that I'm no good at math.

Anyhoo, it was a blast and, considering I usually only have about 2 people show up to my home parties, this was the best one ever with more than could fit around my table! Friends, fun and food. . . what could be better than that?! My first bloggy giveaway!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to all who have entered my giveaway so far! It's amazing what 122 comments in 24 hours will do to a girl's ego! I feel a Sally Field comin' on, "You like me! You really, really like me!" OK, so I know ya'll just want the free tea, but it still feels great to read all your comments . . . keep 'em comin'! Check back over the next few months as I'm hoping to stock up on the tea and do another giveaway. So if you don't win this time, never fear, just try again later!

To continue in the spirit of generosity, I will be posting the yummy recipes from my fiesta in the next couple of days - just in time for all those Super Bowl parties! Also, if any of you want to take advantage of the 20% discount off the stoneware in January, you can place an order online.
If you know me personally, you can enter my first and last name if you order before Friday, otherwise I don't benefit at all if you order from my consultant. I would just love to help support her goal.

Her husband teaches at the Christian school that we hope to send our cubs to someday. Their goal is to increase her business to the point where he can donate his entire salary to a scholarship that would enable more kids to attend the school. Awesome! It'd be nice to benefit from such a scholarship in another few years!

Thanks for reading my enormously hyper blog today! C'mon have you ever seen so many exclamation points in one post! 26! That math I can do!

***Check out my bloggy giveaway. It ends Friday night Jan. 31st.***

Monday Morning Memory Verse

Yesterday our sermon and small group study was on 1Timothy 6:11-16 again. This time the focus was on verse 12 where Paul instructs Timothy "to take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession."

As our two cubs begin their communicant member class at our church, it is a reminder to me of the importance of being a member in "good standing." That's what our Pastor says every time he administers the sacrament of communion - all are invited to partake as long as they are members in good standing at an evangelical, Bible believing church.

Why? Because that is what Scripture tells us to do. Not only are we to believe in our heart, but we are to act on that belief by making our "good confession in the presence of many witnesses (v.12)." By being a member of a church, we are publicly acknowledging our belief in Christ and our membership in the body of believers. By being a member in good standing, we are actually attending church more than the obligatory Christmas and Easter appearances. Also, we are participating in the ministries of the church by using the gifts and talents God has given each one of us. This may be as simple as sending cards of encouragement to shut-ins or more involved like teaching Sunday school.

The important thing to remember is to be involved in the life of the covenant community. As we are reminded in our memory verse this week:

Hebrews 10: 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

***Check out my bloggy giveaway. I'll keep a link to it in all my new posts for the week.***

My First Bloggy Giveaway!

* * * * * * U P D A T E D * * * * * * (see below)

Today starts a huge giveaway carnival over at rocksinmydryer. I am very excited to be participating in the first "bloggy giveaway" of my blogging career!

Ladies (and Gentlemen) it's tea time! I will be giving away 2 cannisters of Solebury Home Teas to one winner. The first tin contains 15 silken tea bags of English Breakfast Tea with a hearty robust flavor. The second, and my personal favorite, is the Earl Grey Tea. This tin contains 15 silken tea bags of Earl Grey with rose petals. The feel of the silky bags, the smell of the rose petals and the unique flavor make this the perfect choice for tea time... it is simply splendid!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post before midnight, EST, Friday night, Feb. 1st. Then head over to the bloggy giveaways carnival to find more great freebies. I'll pick a random number to select a winner this Saturday, Feb. 2nd. Unfortunately, I can only mail to a U.S. address. You do NOT have to have a blog to participate, just a valid email address so I can contact you if you win!

Thank you dcrmom for letting me know about the carnival!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And the winner is ....

Fibro Fun

Yes, that would be sarcasm you sense in the title of my post! Dealing with fibromyalgia for the past 15 years has been anything but fun. However, God is good and has blessed me with a very fun filled life despite the pain!

Last night our local news did a report on fibromyalgia and provided a list of resources. I found that Arthritis Today provided the most helpful information including a list of Fibro Fixes.

I thought I would pass along some things that have worked, and not worked, for me in dealing with my fibro.

MEDICATION: Traditional RX - not really helpful for me. I've tried a slew of things over the years and found that the side effects were more difficult to deal with than any benefit gained. That said, you need to work with your doctor to find what does work for you.

My D.O. actually ended up prescribing Nature Throid, even though mainstream docs would not have done so. In his experience, patients with fibromyalgia do best with an absolutely perfect thyroid. He was right! Mine was in normal range, but not perfect. After months of monitoring to get the numbers perfect, the fatigue began to improve tremendously. No more needing to pull over because I was too tired to drive the 20 min. home (or worse, slapping my face to stay awake!)

I also find that 4 regular old ibuprofen work wonders for me on those days when I just can't take the pain. Since I have started incorporating more of the suggestions below, I find that I only end up taking the pain meds maybe once a week and not several times a day! (yikes!)

WEATHER: Ah, the change in barometric pressure is my nemesis! As soon as all the joints in my fingers ache I can tell you that a storm's a comin'. Yes, between that and my curly hair, I'm a walking barometer!

Understanding that there is a connection with the weather has helped mentally. Somehow, knowing that the hurricane in Florida hundreds of miles away is causing my pain, makes it easier to put up with it. It's temporary and will subside when the weather calms.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE: This is my favorite treatment! If physical therapy is covered that is a great way to go or massage therapy for the "rich & famous," and for the rest of us. . .they're called husbands. Fortunately, our insurance covers chiropractic care, so that is what I like to do. I notice a huge increase in pain when I cut back to once a week. However, I used to go 3 times a week and now feel much better if I can keep it at 2. Someday I'll be even more improved and will be able to cut back more!

EXERCISE: I don't care for this one at all, but it is vital. I remember hearing a study where they deprived a bunch of people of sleep for days. The only 2 people who did not develop fibromyalgia symptoms were marathon runners! Now, you don't have to be training for a marathon to receive the benefits of exercise. Do what you can do - just make sure you do something!

Getting motivated to exercise is the hardest, because for those of us with fibro it causes a lot of pain. Doing things little by little and building up, will help. Icing after exercising helps keep my pain minimal. And of course don't forget to stretch. I stretch before I get out of bed, in the shower, throughout the day, before, during and after exercising! This, along with deep breathing, brings oxygen to those muscles and keeps them from getting too tight.

DIET: I don't like this one either. It ain't easy, but it works! Many of us with fibro suffer from food allergies and intestinal issues. Knowing what foods bother you is very important. I find that my pain increases if I eat too much wheat, dairy and sugar over a few days. Wheat causes inflammation, which therefore can cause pain and digestive stress.

Typically the foods you can't live with out, (ya know that which you crave!) are most likely the foods that are causing problems. Eliminate the culprits for a few weeks and, after the flu like symptoms of deprivation subside, slowly add them back in and see how you react. I've found that rotating wheat, sugar, dairy and coffee every 4 days has been the most beneficial in reducing the intestinal issues that go along with fibro.

PRAYER: Taking time to pray and read the Bible helps keep me from being overwhelmed and give in to the pain. Talking with hubby, playing with my kids, going to Bible study, being involved in our church and ministering to others, takes my focus off myself. . .and that's always a good thing!

I hope that if any of you suffer from fibro, or know someone who does, that these tips might help in dealing with the pain.

Now, I've been sitting at the computer way too long. . .it's time to stretch!

The Nerd Herd Returns!

YAHOO! I can hardly contain my excitement! CHUCK returns tonight! The show will air on NBC at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. with two new episodes for people like me who have missed CHUCK so much over the past two months that one hour just wouldn't be enough!

I know you must think I'm crazy. What can be so interesting about a couple of geeks working at a Best Buy wannabe? I don't know. Maybe the fact that they fumble through their day, including nonsensical attempts to save the world in each episode that are somehow reminiscent of Get Smart and Alias all at once!

As I've stated before, I married a computer geek (Tech Talk), so "geek" is a term of endearment for me and I think the actors who portray Chuck and Morgan do a funny job at defining a nerd in the first half of this clip. (Be warned: the second half of the clip at the convention is a bit questionable. I just couldn't figure out how to only show the first part. . .sorry.)

Come home early Hon, we've got a date at eight!

View episodes online at www.nbc.com/Chuck
Or download episodes from Amazon.