I miss getting to see Tina and Chayton. Tina and I have been talking on the telephone regularly this past month. They may be coming to visit several times over the summer. I need an extra mattress for Chayton to sleep on. As he is experiencing some back problems now, he definitely needs support on his spine when he sleeps.

I plan on taking him to the park so he can run and get some exercise. We all could use the fresh air and sunshine while the weather is so nice and warm. Since Tina and I are both diabetics, we both need the exercise as part of our health routine.

Adding another computer to my office area with the networking cable can be expensive. I talked to a friend of mine, Coleman about a barebones computer if it would do what I needed it to do. He explained that I would be able to put my PC together with what I wanted to add like a DVD player. I will have to research around in the stores and the internet for one and what I want to add to the basics for the price in my budget.

I have been thinking where we can afford to go on vacation at and not have a lot of driving time. I have always wanted to go to Branson, Missouri. There is so much to see there in shows, attractions and museums. I would love to ride the Showboat Branson Belle on the lake for dinner. Branson rentals during this time of the year are available as school is not out yet and winter is almost over for the United States. Maybe we can figure some time to go soon. Getting away from all the past stress and some place different will help me with my health issues.

Today is Earth Day. Thirty-eight years ago, the United States started Earth Day. Now it is celebrated globally. If everyone can do some small part towards helping save our Earth, what a difference we each can make.

I have changed my electrical regular bulbs to the Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs. The facts from Energy Star about these CFL bulbs are:

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

It is amazing one light bulb can make that big of a difference.

I try to be careful with the use of water: I use a dishpan to collect the water needed to wash dishes. I don’t have a dishwasher. I use the water on my plants outside after washing my dishes. In my shower I use a water reduction flow head.
According to the EPA:

Across the country, our growing population is putting stress on available water supplies. Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled! Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day—enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses! This increased demand has put additional stress on water supplies and distribution systems, threatening both human health and the environment.

There’s a reason that water has become a national priority. A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. But by using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations, save money, and protect the environment.

With the ever increasing gasoline prices, I try to make sure I make one trip errands and plan a route.

Working on my recycling habits more. Sorting through the plastic containers and bagging by the number on the containers. I sure have a lot of number 5 to set out for the recycling truck that comes through our neighborhood. My newspapers got to the local Animal Shelter to be recycle for the animal cages. Aluminum soda cans are collected for a Christian Woman’s group to sale to add in giving to Habitat For Humanity.

One way to save on electricity on your drying time with your laundry is by turning the wash load on re-spin the excess water out of the laundry at the end of the cycle. Takes less time to dry your laundry by almost half the time.

Take some time each day and make a difference with our Earth and protecting her.

At my chiropractor appointment last week, I was talking to a lady in the waiting room. I was looking at a magazine about home décor. We talked about how the plasma tv mount on a wall. Having someone know where a stud is so the mount is anchored on the wall securely. The lady suggested that using a stud finder was a great tool to use.

I have been trying to get affordable life insurance quotes for several years. One problem that I have is being a diabetic. Most life insurance companies do not like to carry you on their policies if you are a diabetic on insulin shots. I sure wish someone who was a diabetic had told me about this before I ended up on shots.

When I see the television commercials that say guaranteed acceptance, it makes me see red. I know it is not a true statement from these life insurance companies. I have received hand held calculators and other small “free gifts” for applying for life insurance. I just want life insurance and affordable rates.

Over this past week, I could feel the pull of depression gaining on me. I was in denial at first. Then when I realized I really was depressed, I was mad at myself for not recognizing the signs. Depression does have a way of creeping up on a person when they least expect it.

I took a few days off from the computer to think about my life and what I want for myself. I did make some decisions, however due to the economy my plans are being delayed for at least a year. Maybe by that time, I can work on cleaning up and organizing to get my plan working.

Life sometimes does go through twist and turns, valleys and mountains when I am in my state of depression and bi-polar. Sometimes it is hard to see through a situation because of the jungle of clutter in my mind. I received this in an email and printed it off and put up by my desk, called “Don’t Quit”

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twist and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a person turns about
When they might have won had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit -
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

-Anonymous-

I thought about trying to take that nap. As soon as I got laid down, I heard the air tools that are used at the service station that is on the street corner. Then my dogs started barking at the birds flying in and out of their kennel eating their food. Guess I am not going to get much of a nap. It has been getting harder to take one due to the amount of noise outside now that I have to open my windows from the warmer weather. The air does smell better now that we are able to open the windows in the house. As it gets later in the afternoon afraid if I sleep too much, I will not sleep well tonight. Plus I need to eat dinner on time with my diabetes to help keep my blood sugar more balanced.

It seems like fibromyalgia flare ups really take its toll on several friends of mine that have this health condition. My friends tell me that it is painful and causes them extreme fatigue. Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) go hand and hand with Fibromyalgia from what I have read about it. With my arthritis and the pain I experience, I have learned to take a nap when possible to keep my energy level up.

I woke this morning feeling sort of blue and plain down in the dumps. Not sure why I feel like crying. Maybe it is all that I have gone through with my youngest daughter lately again. I keep telling myself, I am a good mom and a good person though sometimes it doesn’t help.

I called a friend of mine, Dinah, on the phone today. Even though she has had a lot of trauma in her life the past year, she always has a special way of cheering me up and telling just what I need to hear. She reminds me that I am a kind and sweet lady. I love her so much for her positive attitude and gentle reminders. She also reminds me to learn to say no when I become overwhelmed when asked to do too many things. To love myself in spite of people telling me I am not worthy of being loved. To draw people into my life that are positive and happy. To let my joy shine through. Don’t believe everything people say to me and drag me down.

I love you Dinah and miss getting to see you my dear sis. We live too far away but we are close in heart.