My Name is Fibromyalgia

 

Hi....My Name is Fibromyalgia, and I'm an Invisible Chronic Illness. I am now attached to you for life. Others around you can't see me or hear me, but your body FEELS me. I can attack you anywhere, anyhow, anytime I please. I can cause severe pain or, if I'm in a good mood, I can just cause you to ache all over (like having flu!).

Remember when you and Energy ran around together and had fun? I took Energy from you, and gave you Exhaustion. Try to have fun now!

I also took Good Sleep from you and, in its place, gave you Brain Fog. You wake up each morning, feeling as if you've been run over by a truck. I can make you tremble internally, or make you feel cold or hot, when everyone else feels normal.

My favorite thing of all, is that I just love letting you do things (because often, you are capable) Such as, go to the gym, clean the windows, write a long report, pick something heavy up.....then I love to reward you.......with lots of pain and stiffness, AND I like to make sure it is widespread and varied.....bone, muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves. Just for good measure, I like to throw in some tiredness and/or exhaustion, let's not forget the RSI's (repetitive strain injuries) or RLS (restless leg syndrome). I have to live up to my name!!

You didn't ask for me. I chose you for various reasons: That virus you had that you never recovered from such as trauma e.g. that car accident. Maybe it was the years of abuse, or am I just a mystery? Well, anyway, I'm here to stay!
I hear you're going to see a doctor who can get rid of me. (I'm rolling on the floor, laughing. Just try!) You will have to go to many, many doctors until you find one who can help you effectively, but I can guarantee that they won't make me go away. You will be put on pain pills, sleeping pills, energy pills, none of them giving much relief, and most of them giving you lots of unpleasant side effects. (Oh I love it!)

So now you have to suffer with side effects AND Fibromyalgia. AND it doesn't stop there, I can't let you have too much of an easy ride. I give you plenty of associated symptoms as well....problems with your bladder, bowel, in fact most of your internal organs. Plus sensitivity to sound, light, temperature etc., as well as MANY other health problems, that I can think of giving you!
In desperation, you try a TENs unit. Spend lots of money on massages, chiropractic sessions, and other alternative treatments and medicines. The doctor says, if you just sleep and exercise properly I will go away (I'm now crying with laughter). You’re told to think positively, poked, prodded, and experimented with. But MOST OF ALL, you're not taken as seriously as you feel, when you cry to the doctor, about how debilitating life is every day (Oh dear, someone get me a tissue!!)

Then you get told that the cause is depression. When in actual fact, it is me, who has caused you to feel depressed, have panic/anxiety attacks (I have so much fun!)If you have something planned, you're looking forward to a great day or an event. I can take that away too. I hate it though, when you decide to be strong willed and 'work' through the pain, still sticking to your plans. You spoil my pleasure...don't worry, I'll get you back!

Your family, friends and co-workers will all listen to you, until they just get bored or tired, of hearing about how I make you feel. And that I'm a debilitating disease. Some of them will say things like "You look okay" or "Oh, you're just having a bad day" or "Remember, you can't do the things you used to do 20 YEARS ago" (not hearing that you said 20 DAYS ago!!)

Some will just start talking behind your back or avoid you. While you slowly feel that you are losing your dignity, trying to make them understand. Especially when you are in the middle of a conversation with a “normal” person, and can’t remember what you were going to say next, or struggle to remember anything you need to remember!

Some get upset, when you snub their social events. This could be for many reasons....bad health, pain, tiredness, loss of confidence, or simply that you can't find the energy. Getting ready to go out is too much like hard work, even though part of you would love to go!

In closing, (I was hoping that I kept this part a secret, but I guess you already found out, because you joined a support group)......the ONLY place you will get any REAL understanding, in dealing with me, is with other sufferers of Fibromyalgia !

Here are some articles of help to the fibro patient:

Microwave Heat Packs

How To Make A Microwavable Heat Pack 

Some other ways to make microwavable heat packs without rice 

Places on FaceBook that I belong to and enjoy!  This list is incomplete and I will be adding more links!  Feel free to write to me at carolyncavies@yahoo.com and suggest your link and I will review your site.  Thanks!

NFA

FIBRO TV

HEALING WELL

FIBRO HAVEN

DASHING FIBROMYALGIA

DR. OZ

THE DOCTORS

WEB MD

FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP

I'm a strong supporter of Organic Living:   live green, eat organic and recommend that others do the same. I am quite committed to the idea that when we, as consumers, demand the types of medical care, personal care products, foods and regard for the environment from those that supply these things all will change and we will see a resurgence health and happiness. The care of our natural environment demands more attention as the forces of business and ill intentioned science are combining to poision the flora and fauna we all depend on. It is such a long talk and the dialog of groups like earthorganization.org, mightymicrobes.com and effens.com can make it possible to control more of the outcomes but so many more people need to step up to the plate and demand good, clean food and air.

 *The author of the article .... without all the links...  is Terri Been of Colorado

Cracks in the bond between faith and politics: "Raised Right"

Alisa Harris is the author of Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith From Politics. Alisa covered education, poverty and cultural issues as a journalist in New York City, and currently works in nonprofit development.  Alisha's work is a Memoir in which she details her journey to separate her political views from her Christian faith.  

Alisha (pictured above) grew up in an Ultra Conservative-Republican household.  Some might call her family an extension of the Moral Majority. She accompanied her parents in protesting loudly outside of abortion clinics when she was a child. She had been immersed in the think tank that only the leadership of the Republicans would bring about the change that this country needed.  She began to question this line of thinking when she went away to college.  She didn't question her faith in God but rather why her faith was so heavily linked to the Conservative Republicans.  Her realization became that of understanding that God wasn't represented by Republicans or Democrats but rather a loving God who died for our sins, the sins of those who engage in homosexuality as well as the person who hates homosexuals, those who abort their babies as well as those who are burning down abortion clinics and many more who needed the Lord as their Savior. 

I found myself using a yellow hilighter to mark passages of this book that spoke directly to me and some of the quotes from the book that especially remain with me are the following:

    "Love in action works for the unwashed and hungry people who are waiting in the pools of rain and soggy trash.  The world as a whole may not change, but our neighbor's world, and by extension ours, grows brighter--- even when breaking loaves of bread in the rain." (p. 27)

    "I was done chasing supermen. I had stopped believing in the perfect leader who could say 'Let there be justice' and by the force of his word change the whole earth into heaven. Instead I determined to grab hold of the truth I’d always known – that the Leader had already come, had chosen instead to say, ‘My kingdom is not of this world,’ and had been despised and rejected because His message was bigger than the first-century political pundits had predicted. When Jesus said to go the extra mile and turn the other cheek, He called us to subvert tyranny with love and redeem injustice with suffering. He didn’t say that tyranny and injustice would cease immediately, but He promised that the time would come when the meek, the poor, and the merciful would inherit the earth.” (p. 75) 

My opinion:  It's hard to judge a memoir and I'm not about to do that.  This book reminded me of my very strict Christian upbringing and where the only word that was righteous was a Republican and all Democrats were sinners.  I was forced to go to Christian Jr. and High School and it was the "will of God" that I was there.   I wondered if this book would end with this gal running fast from her faith and turning against God but it didn't.  I  know that in my own life it wasn't until I learned later on in life (in my college years) that your relationship with Jesus Christ is very personal and there are no rights or wrongs about what political party you embrace and that you need to decide to do God's will and everything else will follow.  I would recommend this book to any young adult or adult questioning faith and politics.

LEAVE and CLEAVE is so important to your marriage!

That is often the picture we see when we're hearing about couples having trouble with "leaving and cleaving."  But did you know that in my very life I have been holding onto my father and not leaving and cleaving to my husband?  And to some extent my mother too!   I was raised in a very strict home where you often heard, "Honor thy mother and father."  This has been total confusion to me.  A little bit more before I move on with this entry.  This is really a letter to my husband because I've been unfair to him.  I spent years and years just adoring my father more than my husband.  I wanted my husband to be like my dad (in all the good ways) and  telling him the way that my father would do things.  I think it's true that we marry people who are like our parents.  Not all the time, but quite often.  In this case I married a man who is very much like my father.  Even down to the joking (which I don't get all the time, but I appreciate that we aren't the same!)

I hope you can read all those wonderful words!  This is my new dedicated prayer to my husband!  I cherish him and do "honor" him in so many ways.  Our relationship with our husbands need to be a personal and cherished relationship!  My husband will never be my father (and for some things I'm very grateful he isn't.)  You have to be deliberate in working on yourself through the power of the Holy Ghost, so that you can work at your marriage. Many times we go from one relationship to another thinking this time it will be better, however we see the same problems and patterns repeat themselves over and over. Casting the blame on Satan, our spouses, and anyone else that we can find a way to fix some blame to. The truth of the matter is we can't change our spouses but we can change ourselves with God's help. Each party in a marriage brings with them baggage (unhealed hurts, unmet needs, unresolved issues) to the table. Each partner has a responsibility to share openly what their fears and hang ups are. This way they can cover (protect) those areas for each other, so that healing and growth can take place.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas’ the night Jesus came
and all through the house,
Not a person was praying,
not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap,
was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

The light of His face made me cover my head,
it was Jesus returning just like He’d said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life that in which he held in his hand,
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
when He said “it is not here”

I hung my head in shame. The people who’s names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
while all the others were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I waited to long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I’d know that this was the night.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call,
We’ll find out that the Bible was true after all……..

– Author Unknown

20 weeks of various kinds of pain and God is GOOD all the time!

Coming out of 20 weeks of various kinds of pain and the first one I want to share with you is the FIBROMYALGIA pain of 18 weeks. The chart above here shows all that I was experiencing (and am still experiencing but not to the degree that I had it for 18 weeks).  Fibromyalgia is a disease and along with that I have Degenerative Disc Disease so once the Fibro. goes into flare up then all the discs are in pain and giving me sharp stabbing pains.    I was definitely in a flare-up and  for 9 of those weeks I was in bed!

But, the Lord laid on my heart to go through the "Woman After God's Own Heart" book and workbook by Elizabeth George and I spent so much time in the Word and praying and thanking God for everything!  I'm going to finish this Bible Study very soon.  As a matter of fact I took 2 weeks off of Face Book duties to groups to complete this and blog and read two books that I need to do reviews for and have a giveaway with one of those books. 

Being a true "woman after God's own heart" is so difficult.  I struggle with this every day.  As a matter of fact there were some days in my Bible reading that I just broke down to the Lord and in my Prayer and Thanksgiving Journal I just wrote so many things to the Lord.   One day in particular I spent away from the Bible Study and just wrote a really long letter to the Lord.  That's all  I could handle that day.

The weeks of the Bible Study are about:

1.   Intro:  A Heart For God's Word
2.   A Heart for Blessing in Prayer
3.   A Heart for Passion in Prayer
4.   A Heart for Discipline
5.   A Heart for Your Husband
6.   A Heart for Your Children
7.   A Heart for Your Home
8.   A Heart for Spiritual Growth
9.   A Heart for Service
10.   A Woman After God's Own Heart

Right now I'm reviewing the Heart for Spiritual Growth (I need to) and then completing the last 2 weeks of the study.  I want to have this done for the New Year so I can start in my next Bible Study which is RUTH.  I'll write about that as I'm going through the study!   

 The next pain that is still going on is the FINANCIAL PAIN.   There were 2 weeks there where I didn't think we were going to have enough food to feed us and to pain our Gas Bill which was about to be shut off.  Well I cried out for help to two groups....  a coupon group and a blogger group.   And they gave me a TON of coupons!  There were free food ones there, and many dollars off of products (that we don't get here in S. Calif. but because these gals came from the South I was able to get more money off the food!)  I also am indebted to a wonderful woman on one of these groups who gave me a blogging job to come in January and advertising on my blog for she and her friend!  That money is what saved us.  I am going to write a separate blog entry to thank her and the wonderful coupon gals and the wonderful friends who sent $25.00 gift certificates that John and I are able to buy Christmas gifts for each other and our dog!!   Thank you Lord for sending these specific people at this specific time.   The lesson that I learned from that is HUMILITY.  I truly had to rely on the hearts of other people at that time and that was so hard, I never had to do that before in my life!

And as I've been describing my pain, I also suffered Spiritual Pain.   I wasn't trusting the Lord completely to meet all our needs.  And he brought specific people (from groups on Face Book and women in the ministry on my email lists and stumble upon) to send me the right verses and passages at the time and continue to in order to show me that I need to have complete reliance in the Lord for ALL things!

It was only when I completely trusted in the Lord that the blessings began to flow.  I found that my love was in Him and in my husband and I completely relied on them.  Just like Elizabeth George was teaching in her Bible Study, "The Woman After God's Own Heart."   God forgave me for not trusting in Him and brought about so much love and understanding and so much more for Him and my husband.   

The true 12 Days of Christmas! Day One!

You all know the original "12 Days of Christmas" song.  Well this isn't that.  This is a Christian 12 Days of 

Christmas reading .   

FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS!

The Greatest Christmas Gift

"This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ."
- Frank McKibben

"And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but we have the free gift of being accepted by God, even though we are guilty of many sins. The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:15-17 (NLT)

The Greatest Christmas Gift

Each year we are reminded that Christmas should not be just about giving and receiving presents. But, if truly think about Christmas, it is, indeed, all about gift giving! At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given, by the greatest gift-giver of all, our wonderful God and Father! 

Submitted on behalf of Mary Fairchild

More to come! 

Psalm 103

Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--

18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Wow!  Look how much God KNOWS about US!  He created us, He keeps track of us, He doesn't forget us, He knows our limitations and how much we can handle....  and then look at all we should PRAISE God for.   This is the passage for Rudy Sheptock's message TODAY at his church.  I'm going to add a link to his message after it's posted on the section to where you can LISTEN to him preaching his sermons!    Thank you Rudy for the blessing today (even before you give us God's  Word from the pulpit today!)  "The Word is a LAMP unto my FEET, a GUIDE unto my PATH."   Psalm 119:105 KJV 

  7AMH-JK9CSN-TVBD

then go to this page next for the next CODE!

http://www.facebook.com/WhyWeLoveGreen

Black Friday: is it GREED or NEED?

Before you even THINK it, I did NOT go to Target and take this picture.  This is borrowed.  Take a look at the shot, what do you notice?  It's dark outside, the line to get in must be about 300 people long from the end of the line to the door, maybe 250.  And if you went to Target today, the doors opened at 12 am Friday.  That's just cutting it by one second at the close of our wonderful Thanksgiving.  The day we "usually" set aside for being thankful and getting together with family and loved ones.  Or the day you were at a food bank feeding the needy.  Or maybe you didn't have Thanksgiving this year because you couldn't afford to.  Or maybe you signed that petition against Target opening at midnight?  Here's an article about it, "Black Friday Petition Against Target Midnight Opening Gains Steam."  Here's the actual petition, Tell Target to Save Thanksgiving." Remember that this petition was started by an actual Target employee. 

So the store opens at 12am and what do these people possibly NEED that is THAT important?  Well I found out some interesting things today as I looked online for information.  TOYS!  That was the number one reason that I found that people were going to Target so early.  Sure, there were other reasons given... electronics, 1/2 price items, food marked down from the day before, but really they were there for toys.   This to me is really sad.  And maybe my mom and dad did it too when I was young (I have remembered the word Black Friday for a long time now!)  But the craze has got to stop.   And what about that petition you may have signed?  Here's what happened there, "Black Friday Store Hours Unchanged Even After Petitions & Protests."  And not to single out Target, because "Most other stores like Wal-Mart Black Friday hours, Toys R Us Black Friday hours and more were petitioned online and protested. In addition to the online petitions, Occupy Wall Street protests joined the bandwagon of protesting Black Friday. The Occupy movement feels that Black Friday deals are a direct example of the corporate greed that has gotten worse in America."

We're in hard economics times and just yesterday we were remembering the armed forces who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan without their families  (except their military family) and we were praying for those who had nothing, and then today some of these same families are out there in the crowds (unhealthy at best!) fighting, screaming, there were some shootings reported today, and the only person we're thinking about is "me."  "I gotta get this, I gotta get that."  And boom!  The whole spirit of Thanksgiving is over, because now it's time to focus on the things we have to buy for Christmas for our family and friends.     

I can tell you for certain that people were so stressed out today you can't imagine.  This is unhealthy.  I'll give you some articles to read about that.  The stores open earlier and earlier each year because they just have to feed that "need."  Is it a NEED or GREED?  

Before I start looking at STRESS, where do I fit in?  Right there with them!  Not in the stores physically, but I was online from about 3am-2pm working on my online store, Avon Products by Carolyn, to get up my BLACK FRIDAY event from today through Tuesday.  Why? Because this is the time of year that everyone will be looking forward to CYBER MONDAY.  Yes, the sales are online all over the place on Monday.  I'm not taking my sale down and why?   Because I "need" to get these items sold so I can make some Christmas spending money.  But before I go into that, let me also tell you that working Avon part-time is my "do it when I'm healthy" job.  And I only sell online.  I'm not excusing myself, but every Avon lady knows that Christmas is the time to sell.  So am I part of the Greed or Need?  I can go back and forward on that all day if given the chance.  I did pray this morning and wrote this in my prayer journal to God.  "Lord, you and John (my husband) know how nervous I am about this Black Friday Sale.  Please calm my nerves and help me think clearly to write all of the needed information there.  Please bring the needed customers in the next (5) days and help me to continue to be error free, calm, polite, fair, honest and open and with John for asking for needed help.  Please keep me pain free for the day."   Let's see, I said the word need there in some form three times.  I don't know how to evaluate how I prayed.  

Let's talk about the stress of the day with some things I found searching online.  Here we start with, "Survive Black Friday, The Most Stressful Shopping Day Of The Year."  And another local (for me), "Pending study: Black Friday stress.  One that is interesting is, "Does Shopping Stress You Out Too Much?"


And now the whole application of this entry today, how do I apply this to my life?  Well it may be too late this year for this entry about Black Friday, but perhaps for next year...  you can consider some of these points and decide for yourself, "Black Friday: is it GREED or NEED?"  

Thanksgiving: Who or what are we truly thankful for?

What pictures come to mind when we talk about Thanksgiving?   It is the food like the above picture?

Is it just like the 30 Days of Thanksgiving that we did?  How long should it last?

Is it the FIRST THANKSGIVING.... the Pilgrims and the Indians?   

Or is it to God for His unspeakable Gift? Hopefully it's TO GOD and FOR ALL that He has given us and especially for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, coming to this earth just to die for your and my sins.   For how long?  For an eternity!

The norm might be for me to now share a lot of verses with you about Giving Thanks and Gratitude.   We've done that in days past here.  Look back through the older blog entries to see what I mean.

But I want to do something different today.   I want to say THANKS to GOD for not only sending His Son to die for our sins but for sustaining us (keeping us alive) and giving us just what we need for TODAY and for the ability to communicate this with others.   He has given us all the ability to thank HIM.  Some in the written word, others by speaking, others by touch, and to others just thanking Him in our minds and hearts.   

God is praised when we thank Him!   God is worshiped when we thank Him!   God wants to be the key person that you give thanks to (and not just before your meals, but all the time!).  So I'd like to ask you TODAY and every day, to thank God for all that you can possibly thank for Him for.

For me that's a Gratitude Journal that I run with my Prayer Journal.  I have it on the opposite page of my prayers.  I keep it in a composition book!  You can keep it in your heart and mind, or you can write it down, you could record it verbally, in music (singing or writing songs), you could create a video about giving thanks to God (and daily).   However you do it, be sure that you are truly thankful for these things and not just going through the motions to do it because someone told you that you should.  And if there's a day when you just can't get words of thanks out to God, then tell Him that and ask Him to show you something that you can be thankful for!

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

RUDOLPH QUIZ!

There are no RIGHT answers to this quiz unless of course you know them all...  but the WINNER will be selected by Random.org and the Drawing is on BLACK FRIDAY sometime...  so stick around for the Black Friday Sale ($1.00-$5.00 gifts) and have some fun while you wait! 

You must answer each question and submit your answers to me in EMAIL at carolyncavies@yahoo.com and that's all there is to the quiz!

PRIZE:  $20.00 GIFT FROM AVON PRODUCTS BY CAROLYN  by mARK!

MAILED:  Before Christmas!

QUIZ:

1) What’s the snowman’s name?

2) What’s the other name for the North Pole?

3) What is Yukon Corneilus searching for?

4) What does Hermey want to be?

5) What’s the name of the Island that Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon Corneilus find themselves on?

A LITTLE HARDER

6) Who is king of the island from Question #5?

7) What is Rudolph’s father’s name?

8. What two physical characteristics does Hermey have that differentiate him from the other male worker elves?

9) Who provides the voice of the Snowman?

10) What’s Rudolph’s girlfriend’s name?

A BIT MORE DIFFICULT…

11) Who’s the first reindeer Rudolph meets at the Reindeer Games?

12) How does Hermey draw the monster away from Rudolph and his family in the cave?

13) What’s Rudolph’s MOTHER’S name?

14) What does Mrs. Claus implore Santa to do?

15) What is Santa the “king” of?

GETTING SERIOUS NOW…

OK, what makes each of the following toys a misfit?

16) The cowboy?

17) The train?

18) The watergun?

19) The bird?

20) The elephant?

21) The Jack-in-the-Box?

22) The king of the island?

23) The doll?  Actually, this one’s for debate so no points for it, but would love to hear your suggestions…

TOUGHER…

24) Who is the coach of the Reindeer Games?

25) How does the monster prove his worth for helping Santa at the North Pole?

26) Who’s son tries to fly first at the Reindeer Games?

27) What inspires Rudolph to fly for the first time?  (Hint: it actually inspired me to fly a bit as well…)

A BIT OF PREJUDICE….

28) Rudolph is subjected to some mean comments, like we all are from time to time.  Other than being called a “red-nosed reindeer”, what are the three names he is called as an insult?

29) Why is Santa such a shinebox to Rudolph because his nose glows?  Actually, no points for this one either, it’s just that Pat Mauceri and I always wanted to know why…

TOUGHER AND TOUGHER…

30) How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh in the special?

31) What’s the color of the snowman’s umbrella?

32) What is the monster’s weakness?

33) According to the news, how long has the cold wave lasted?

34) What time is showing on the snowman’s fob?

MULTIPLE ANSWERS

35) One point for every song in the show.  

GOOD LUCK!  Love, Carolyn

CRAFTS: How to make Sand Jars! Very inexpensive craft to make.

Hi!  I’m Carolyn, 51 yr old married Christian mom who loves CRAFTS!  I am going to be bringing a series of inexpensive crafts to make!  The first one involves SAND.  We live at the beach in Southern Calif. So this is easy to come by.  I hope you don’t have to spend a lot of money in buying any.  My website for Avon is http://carolynmullin.avonrepresentative.com  (I hope you’ll stop by for inexpensive

Christmas gifts!)   My website that will be coming online soon is http://www.conversationswithcarolyn.com and that is where I will be sharing more craft ideas.  There will be pictures there!    And my blogpost website is http://conversationswithcarolyn.blogspot.com/

where I am an eclectic writer!  Please take the time to visit there too and feel free to make anonymous or use your name to make comments.  Thanks!

  (black and white image)

SAND JARS

~ Used natural pigments such as tea or coffee to dye sand and then create useful and attractive containers, showing off your work to

good effect.

You Will Need:

White sand

Natural pigments

A sieve

A straight glass

Newspaper

Paraffin wax

Kitchen equipment

 (colorful)

STEP ONE:

Sieve white or pale sand to remove any debris.  Divide the sand into several bowls.  To each bowl add a diluted pigment (such as filtered or instant coffee, tea, ground charcoal, or paprika …to name a few). Spread the contents of each bowl on a separate newspaper to dry.

STEP TWO:

Choose a straight sided glass which is narrower and shorter than your jar.  And sit the glass inside it so that the two rims are at the same level.  Center the glass so that the gap between it and the jar is even all around.

STEP THREE:

Roll a square of paper into a cone shape with a small opening at the point and secure it with tape. Trickle a layer of sand into the gap between the jar and the glass using the paper funnel to control the flow and create a wavy pattern.  Funnel the next layer in a different color and so on to create layers.

STEP FOUR:

Melt the small amount of paraffin wax in a double boiler.  Remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the gap between the jar and the glass.  If it overflows wait until the wax is set and remove excess with a knife.

Submitted by: Carolyn Mullin at carolyncavies@yahoo.com 

Christmas Avon Products by Carolyn Mark Down!

Please write to me at carolyncavies@yahoo.com if there is something that you would like buy!  I have a different address for paypal which I will give you when you respond to that email, thanks!

MARK Mighty Mini Bag

 

Strong enough to stand up to any outfit (after all, the gray faux leather paired with goldtone hardware is very versatile!), this bag is roomy enough to fit all your essentials too. 12" L x 1 3/4" W x 9 1/2" H (7 1/2" handle drop).




PRICE:
$30.00

Shipping Cost:  $7.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 

 

 

Scentini Holiday Mixers Trio

Boxed and ready to give!

Shake them up...spritz them on...let the fun begin! Fun, festive purse-size Eau de

Toilette Sprays (each, .5 fl. oz.) plus a classic Holiday Martini Shaker.

• Rose Fizz
A sparkling cocktail of rose, peach and woods.
• Plum Twist
A flirtatious fusion of plum, berry and rich praline.
• Citrus Chill
A refreshing blend of mandarin, passionflower and amber.
• Holiday Martini Shaker
Plastic, 6 1/2" H x 3 1/8" diam.

PRICE:
$20.00

Shipping Cost:  $6.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal

Foot Works Lavender Collection Gift Set

Soothe weary soles. 4-piece gift set includes:

Comfort Foot Soak
3.4 fl. oz.

Clay Mask
3.4 fl. oz.

Overnight Treatment Cream
3.4 fl. oz.

Cozy Socks
Lavender striped with slide-free grips. One size fits most. Polyester/spandex. Imported.

Comes in a decorative gift box.
 

Price:
$20.00

Shipping Cost:  $6.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 

OUTSPOKEN Intense by Fergie Eau de Parfum Spray
The provocative fragrance that commands attention. Shining star fruit and luscious passion flower warmed by a sexy musk base.
TOP NOTES: Succulent blackberry, shining star fruit and luscious kumquat. MID NOTES: Vibrant purple passion flower,
lush gardenia and velvety orange flower petals. BASE NOTES: Sensual musks wrapped in white amber and blonde cedar. 1.7 fl. oz.

Fergie – Singer, musician and actress. Lead vocalist of The Black Eyed Peas and multi-platinum recording artist.

Price:
$30.00
Shipping Cost:  $5.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal

Kenneth Jay Lane Snake Watch

$30.00

Chic-friendly and won’t bite.

Coil-style bracelet in burnished brass. Flexible snake-shaped design fits most.

Price:
$30.00

Shipping Cost:  $4.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 

Pearlesque Cuff Watch

Reg. $34.99

Sale $17.00

CREAM (on the right side)

Faux-pearl cuff watch. Silvertone case with rhinestone accents and mother-of-pearl dial. One size fits most.


Price:
$17.00
]Shipping Cost:  $4.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 

Livvy 3 Necklace Gift Set

Reg. $24.99

Sale $15.00

Wear separately or all together! Removable pendant can be worn on all necklaces.

Set of 3 necklaces: one black faceted beads, one faux pearls and one silvertone chain with

faux-stone and rhinestone pendant. All approx. 16 1/2" L with 3 1/2" extenders.
Comes in decorative gift box.

GOOD TO KNOW
All of Avon’s jewelry is nickel-free for those with sensitive skin & allergies to nickel.


Price:
$15.00

Shipping Cost:  $4.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 

 

$12.00
includes:
mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar 3-in-1 Shampoo
mark Shower Wash & Bubble Bath
mark Juice Gems Squeeze On Lip Gloss in Lemon Sugar

The mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Wash & Bubble Bath is
a pearlized formula that moisturizes, cleans and leaves skin refreshed and lightly scented –
it smells like lemon squares – so yummy!

Price:
$12.00

Shipping Cost:  $4.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 







AVON Wonder Passion Blossom Tea Mini Gift Set
$10.00
A $36.97 value!
This calming scent features passion flower tea, lotus flower and jasmine. Set includes:

Body Wash
2 fl. oz.

Body Cream
1.7 fl. oz.

Body Mist
2 fl. oz.


Price:
$10.00

Shipping Cost:  $4.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal 





These are great classic hoop earrings with some added detail. These Double Hoop Drop Earrings from Avon have a
checkerboard faux stone and are available in goldtone only for just $5.00, a savings of 66% off the regular price of $14.99.
These earrings are also nickel free for those that have allergies or sensitive skin to nickel.
These are a simple classic design that will match your entire wardrobe.

PRICE:
$5.00

Shipping Cost:  $3.00 (includes delivery confirmation)

Payment Method:  PayPal