Monday, November 26, 2007

Thanksgiving, gifts, state-of-being report

We had a delightful Thanksgiving with my parents and my sister A and her husband. For our big meal, we had steaks with shrimp sauce. The sauce, which my Dad made, was scrumptious.

In the evening we opened Christmas gifts with my parents and A and her husband. Since we will be spending Christmas in California with hubby's family, we thought it would nice to open gifts with those members of my family who were visiting. As a result, I can share some of the Christmas gifts I've made this year! ;)

This is easily the favorite Christmas gift I've made so far this year. I took these photos of the girls dancing with my Dad earlier this summer. The dresses are ones that my Mom made for them. It is a little hard to read but there are cubes along the bottom (from an RSVP game which is something like Scrabble) which read 'Time for Dancing.'


I made three of these one for my hubby and one for his Dad. This is the one for my Dad.




Last time Mom and Dad were hear they made gingerbread men with the girls. I found this wooden gingerbread man at Goodwill awhile back - I had to do something special with him. I gave him to my Dad 'the chef.'


The love frame I made from purchased pieces that I painted and sanded. I microbeaded the image over so it is a bit glazed looking. The heart is something I found at Goodwill and painted and decoupaged. At the bottom of the heart is a little piece that says 'more than a thousand words' and has the girls initials and the year 2007.


I bought this funky frame at a second-hand store for more than I would normally pay for a frame at a second-hand store but it was sooooooooo cool. I collaged the girls with maps, a stamped compass, heart stickers, and iridescent embossing medium. I really liked how this one turned out. I gave it to my Mom.



I bought this mirrored frame at a second-hand store for more than I would normally pay for a frame at a second-hand store but it was sooooooooo cool. I had to make a fun collage for it. I gave it to my Mom.


A very poor photo of the Christmas frame ornaments I made this year.



My state-of-being update. I am frustrated. The doctor gave me a prescription for a steroid to help with the inflammation. I did not want to take it as I do not like the idea of steroids but my husband wants a functional wife and the NSAIDs were not doing it so I took the steroids. I did not get complete relief for three days which hardly seems worth it but when it ran out and my inflammation flared up my husband wanted me to get the one refill I had. So I did.

Today I finished the second run of steroids. It took three full days for complete relief the second time as well. I will be interested to see how I feel in the morning. I feel that steroids are a bandage and a dangerous one with potential side-effects that certainly don't balance the benefits. My husband wants me fully functional. I want to learn how to manage this naturally and I can't be fully functional when I am trying to understand how this works...urgh...

14 comments:

  1. You might consider taking glucosamine and condroiton and Omega 3 while on the steroids (they take about 2 to 3 weeks to begin regenerating the tissue) and then see what happens when the steroid runs out again.

    I am sorry things are going badly. I know how you feel. The days when it is really bad and I can't function it is tempting to go with the steroids.

    Love the Thanksgiving gift giving idea. Love the gifts as well.

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  2. Me, Are you going to see a specialist? If not why not? If all you doctor is doing is treating the symptoms you need to change doctors. Treating the symptoms is fine in the short term, but you really need to know what is causing this. Once the doctors know what the root cause is they can treat that and the symptoms.

    I am concerned that you find out the cause.

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  3. ((Me)) ~ I think your uncle preached you a good sermon (says I who thinks the worst part of pregnancy is the time I have to take out to see the doctor regularly ... ie. the pot is calling the kettle black). Just keep pushing for answers ... no doctor is going to be as diligent about your health as you are going to be for yourself.

    On a lighter note, I think your Christmas presents are wonderful! You are a clever and creative lassie!! :o)

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  4. I totally agree with 'Up'! Don't 'dally' with a GP. Get thee to a specialist.

    Don't let it {whatever it is} get any worse, meantime.

    No, I don't know if this is so, but if so... If delay could result in more damage or something, wouldn't it be wise to go to a specialist now???

    Please..... Please.......

    Mari-Nanci

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  5. I'm sorry to hear that things haven't improved as much as everyone wants it to.

    On the other hand, those were some neat Christmas gifts.

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  6. What wonderful gifts! I really love that dancing clock.

    I completely agree with the idea of seeing a specialist. My husband has RA and his specialist made all the difference in the world.

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  7. beautiful Christmas gifts... and what a great time to exchange gifts at Thanksgiving.... that takes so much of the pressure off of Christmas... because you are now more than halt way done with your Christmas... smart girl...
    I certainly hope that they can get your medication straightened out... it is very painful and frustrating when they are trying to diagnose an illness...it seems that doctors do every thing by trial and error...
    I am praying for you

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  8. Anonymous11:42 AM

    Beautiful things, as always. And just to be original (not) a specialist sounds like a good idea...

    I am so sorry that this is happening to you. You're in my prayers.

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  9. Oh! I just LOVE the gifts you made!

    I've no advice except the one already on the floor and seconded.

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  10. I just LOVE your originality :) Imagine if everyone created just one gift this Christmas in lieu of all-out buying it. What a special holiday that would be!

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  11. Anonymous1:14 PM

    Just lovely gifts and your tree ornaments are gorgeous.

    I'll be praying that the inflammation. We have a healing service at church on Friday where we pray for the sick. I'll pray for you now and I'll pray for you at our service. Hugs and hugs and hugs.

    Oooh and thanks for the lovely card xx

    Some more hugs.

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  12. Anonymous1:15 PM

    *ahem* lol...that should read 'I'll be praying that the inflammation goes away and that you are completely well'

    even more hugs...

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  13. What amazing gifts, I am sure all your family will be thrilled. The clock is very special, as is the swivelling frame.
    Get well soon.

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  14. Me ~

    You're on my heart. Just popping in to say hi. Praying for you, my friend.

    Hugs to you ~
    Jodi

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