P-A-I-N

For the last few days I have been dealing with a lot of shoulder / neck pain!?!
This pain is so intense at times that it has caused to me to
become quite irritable -&- snap at those around me!?!

Then as I was doing devotions this morning -&- reflecting on the Love of God - it reminded me that no matter how bad of pain I "think" I am in - NOTHING - compares the the pain the Jesus endured when he died on the cross to offer me eternal life!?!

I am not going to say my pain suddenly stopped or anything miraculous happened
-but-
it did give me a new way to look at how I approach my pain
-&-
the tolerance I have while dealing with it!?!


Today I am thankful for Aleve - a human pain reliever!?!

This is country music!?!

I love this song by Brad Paisley...it is so true - it really says what REAL country music is all about!?!
You really need to give this song a listen...if you haven't already done so!?!



Here are the lyrics:

Well, you're not suppose
To say the word "cancer"
In a song.
And tellin' folks that Jesus is the answer
Can rub 'em wrong.
It ain't hip to sing about
Tractors, trucks, little towns or mama.
Yeah, that might be true.
But this is country music,
And we do.

Do you like to drink a cold one
On the weekends,
And get a little loud?
Do you wanna say, "I'm sorry"
Or, "I love you",
But you don't know how?
And do you wish somebody
Had the nerve
To tell that stupid boss a yours
To shove it,
Next time he yells at you?
Well, this is country music,
And we do.

So turn it on,
And turn it up.
And sing along.
This is real.
This is your life
In a song.
Yeah, this is country music.

Are you haunted by the eco
Of your mother
On the phone;
Cryin' as she tells you
That your brother
Is not comin' home?
Well, if there's anyone that still has pride
In the memory of those
That died defending
The ol' red, white and blue,
This is country music,
And we do.

So turn it on,
And turn it up.
And sing along.
This is real.
This is your life
In a song.

Just like a road that takes you home.
Yeah, this is right where you belong.
This is country music.

This is country music.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"
(This is country music)
"Hello Darlin'"
(This is country music)
"God Bless the U.S.A"
(This is country music)
"Amarillo by Mornin'"
(This is country music)
"Stand by Your Man"
"Mama Tried"
(This is country music)
"Took Me Home"
(This is country music)
"I Walk the Line"
(This is country music)
"A Country Boy Can Survive"
(This is country music)

Today I am thankful for real down home old school country music!?!

28 Days!?!

In my opinion this movie gives the best interpretation of what
a lot of rehabs are really like!?!



After getting into a car accident while drunk on the day of her sister's wedding, Gwen Cummings is given a choice between prison or a rehab center. She chooses rehab, but is extremely resistant to taking part in any of the treatment programs they have to offer, refusing to admit that she has an alcohol addiction. After getting to know some of the other patients, Gwen gradually begins to re-examine her life and see that she does, in fact, have a serious problem. The path to recovery will not be easy, and success will not be guaranteed or even likely, but she is now willing to give it a try!?!

To learn more about 28 Days - Check it out HERE!?!


Today I am thankful that life doesn't always imitate art - in an exact manner - sometimes similar -but- never exact!?!

10 Years ago...Part IV

...in continuing the story 10 years ago...

While I was in Rehab we were in a lot of ways cut off from the outside world...you were allowed to write -&- receive letters -&- make one 15 minute phone call a week -but- that was about it!?!
We had no newspapers or tv unless we caught site of something while we were out!?!

By now I am into a daily routine at Rehab...here is what a basic day entailed!?!

Monday - Friday

6:00 - Wake Up Call
6:30 - Breakfast
7:00 - Group Session
9:00 - Break
9:15 - Study Session
11:00 - Lunch (We'd often leave the facility for this)
1:00 - One on One
3:00 - Break
3:15 - Group
5:00 - Dinner (We'd leave the facility for this)
7:00 - NA or AA Meeting (Off site)
9:30 - Return to Facility
11:00 - Lock down

Saturday - Sunday

We didn't really have a schedule...some people had weekend passes, others had people come to visit!?!
The staff would take the rest of us on day trips to various locations!?!
On Sunday we were taken to church if we wanted to go!?!
And, we were also offered the option of going to AA or NA meetings each evening!?!

*Looking back it seems as though they tried to keep you as
busy as possible so you wouldn't think
of your addiction!?!*


Today I am thankful for all the simple things in life!?!

Zicam...

I am not one to really go all gung-ho about something unless it is absolutely amazing -&- those people that know me well know that it takes a helluva allot to impress me!?!
But I have been so impressed by an "over the counter" cold -&- flu medication that I wanted to share it with the masses!?!
Since cold & flu season are unfortunately upon us -&- in full force what better time than the present to tell you all about my new found medical miracle...

Zicam!?!

There's a lot of products out there which claim to help you get rid of your cold faster, but this is the only product that truly works!?!
My husband --& I have been using the Oral Spray version -&- we swear by it!?!
Since we travel -&- are among the masses on a daily basis
you never can tell what you are going to come into contact with!?!
We now recommend this product to everyone we come across with a cold!?!
If you feel the symptoms coming...use it right away!?!

If you are interested but still a skeptic...you can check out their website here...for the product line -&- information!?!
They also offer a printable money saving coupon...what could be better?!?

If you decided to try it...come back -&- let me know what you think!

Today I am thankful for the knowledge God instilled in Doctor's so that they are able to treat the sick when they are unable to do it themselves!?!

Raspberry - Almond Pizza

Directions:

Preheat a baking sheet in a 450 degrees F oven!?!

Roll out 1 pound pizza dough into a 12-inch round!?!

Brush with melted butter -&- sprinkle with sugar!?!

Bake on the hot baking sheet until golden, about 8 minutes!?!

Brush with 1/4 cup raspberry jam, then bake 2 more minutes!?!

Cool slightly!?!

Beat 1/3 cup mascarpone or cream cheese with 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar -&- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla!?!

Spread over the pizza and top with raspberries, toasted almonds -&- confectioners' sugar!?!

Today I am thankful for quick -&- easy deserts that are sooooo delicious!?!

Happy March!?!

Today I am thankful for the 1st day of March...
because it means the snow is almost over!?!