Pam, I have been using a sinus rinse about three times per day. I have used Afrin a few times, but I also need to limit it due to borderline high bp. Actually, I am not completely conjested; my problems is constant drainage.

Kelly, yes that is my niece at her 4th birthday party. They had it at a place called "Go Banana's." She is getting so tall -- 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. Neither of her parents are tall.

Barb sorry still feeling awful...

hugss to all... wow really only 11 days till Christmas... does not feel like it.. and I have loads of shopping and baking to do!! but those are fun things.. maybe Wed. nt hubby and I will do our dinner out/shop for the gifts night... makes a date out of it for us.

hugss to all, not doing well but not going to think about it, hugss,sarah

Morning all :) Sending out :hug::hug: to all who need them.

Slowly waking up this morn. Have ye olde big cup of coffee and trying to plan my day. Got a few ideas running through this skull of mine, and hoping I can get some of them done.

Take care everyone! :grouphug::grouphug:

Hey everybody. Sorry I have been so absent but busy busy.

This week is my dd10's birthday so Im making 2 dozen christmas decorated
brownies(they are in the oven).:)

Tomorrow our gs troop carols at a nursing home, then we make some
centerpeices for the vets christmas dinner.

I have 16 different varieties of cookies in the freezer as of now. and Im actually feeling pretty good. just dealing with pain in the feet and hip but I can deal with this. I get tired but ya know, I should be.lol

Well, the doorbell is ringing. My bff is here as I am dogsitting her put
for a few days.:) So gotta go....

barb...feel better:hug:

sarah..you too. I think you should call the doc as your symptoms never
seem to remit..they need to help you find out what is ailing you!!!:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

everyone...love to you all!!!

Good morning all you sleepy heads! LOL I woke up way too early this morning - 5:15. I just couldn't go back to sleep.:rolleyes: I'll be taking an early nap today.:p

Barb - Maybe you have a viral sinus infection. Abx won't work on a viral sinus infection. Have you tried the Neti pot yet? Also, I had some sort of cold starting a couple of weeks ago. I started drinking lots of warm water with honey or tea with honey. I'll be danged if I didn't recover quicker than I ever had. Honey is a great antibacterial, antiseptic, and has been proven to help with viruses like influenza. I read that not to long ago and that's why I gave it a try. It worked and I didn't end up with a sinus infection after that cold.

TKTC - I hope you don't have new friends aboard.:(

Vonn - You little elf! LOL You have so much energy. I'd like at least 1/4 of your energy. LOL

Weave - Yeah!!! Glad you are accomplishing the clutter. It will feel so much better when it is done.

Sarah - I can't believe how close Christmas is either. Where is time going?

Debbie - That is so sweet of you to take your MIL shopping like that. What a great DIL you are and I am sure your in-laws appreciate all that you do for them.:hug:

Kelly - That spaghetti dinner sounds so yummy! Plus, since you didn't have it, dinner was already done. ;) DBF took my car to work yesterday to fix it so I am at his house. He has been working late on a car and gets home late. I made a big pan of chicken so that the rest of the week all he has to do is heat it up. I also made a bunch of hamburgers. I do that at home as well. Then I just freeze it and pull it out as I need it.

Today, I'll be heading home once rush hour is over. I washed all DD18s bedding and want to get it back on her bed before I go pick her up this afternoon. She is thrilled that finals are over as well as the semester. She already told me that for the 1st week or so of being home, she is going to sleep and that I shouldn't be surprised or worried that she is sleeping so much. LOL

Have a great day everyone!:hug::grouphug:

LOL ... I wonder how you can decifer that I have alot of energy?? :Scratch-Head:

back in 'the day' .. I would get stressed out (not knowing I was stressing) about getting a million-and-one things done a day ... now, (thanks to the MS), I had to learn to pace myself ...

NOW - I do the things I want to do ... although I'm still border-line high pressure (the doctor wants me to buy a monitor!) someday - when I'm rich!!

in the meantime - I'm good ... and decided not to let stuff get to me or impress me to get upset about anything ...

that's my insight for the day!! ta-ta my little butterflies ... for today - the world is yours!! enjoy!!

:santa:(*sneaking off to steal cookies from Soxmom's freezer!!*) :eek:

Hey all you...it's sunny and cold here...I love the sun!! That's why Dec. 21 (or thereabouts) is my favorite time of year...because then the sun visits us longer each day:D. June 21 is the saddest day of the year for me for the opposite reason...:(

Saw the neuro yesterday...we dealt with a couple of issues, one that upset me, but it is what it is. I'm going to post in the MS site...

Made some delicious fudge and then I'm going to make my mom's oatmeal raisin cookie recipe. I'm going to fill a couple of tins and take them to the neuro's lecture tonight...he and his nurse have been such a blessing to my DH and me, and it's a small (and tasty) token of our gratitude...

Barb, I wish to heaven that you can get better...this is no way to live...:hug:

Sarah, I hope that your sxs dissipate enough for you to enjoy the holiday...and I pray that an answer to what is ailing you is coming soon:hug:

Well, I need to finish writing my Christmas cards, so I'll sign off for now...have an absolutely wonderful Tuesday, all!:)

Thanks everyone! I am surviving:rolleyes:. Grading exams and blowing my nose every two mintes. I am not exaggerating!

Tricia, I mix distilled water with the saline mix for my sinus rinse. Instead of the neti pot, I use a big squeeze bottle. My ent doc recommended it; gave it to me. The neti pot just was not working for me, but this does. I think I am going to give it one more day and call my pcp. I am planning on leaving for Ohio on Friday, and was hoping to feel better for the drive.

Nurse just called me about another matter and told me to keep taking the antibiotic. But if it is not helping, she also stated I may just have a bad viral infection. (Tricia, I should have just called you:))

ah .. new insight ... as I go thru totes of fabrics to make for someone - I've come across many unfinished projects/objects .. those of us in the quilt-world call these our 'UFOs' ...

anyways - my new insight is: my goal of becoming a hermit has come true!!!:eek: I will have to lock myself away for days, weeks, months - possibly YEARS to finish all these UFOs and continue to start new projects!! I will never die!! :Funny-Post:

in that case: (*sneaking back over to Soxmom's for more cookies*)

hey Weave ... what about online courses?? because then you can pace yourself and work around your schedule ... I've done it - and it seems to help my cog-foggy-ness ... hopefully your head will stop swirling - but you are going in the right direction ...

I'm up early this morning but plan on going back to bed soon. Tummy not feeling quite right this morning. I hardly ate anything yesterday....just no appetite....so I'm not sure what's causing it. Oh well, won't hurt me at all to miss a couple of meals. :rolleyes:

I resurrected the Thrift and Making Do thread that Riverwild started over a year ago! I found a website that provides coupon codes for online (and some in store) shopping. Just wanted to share it with ya'll.

It's cold here this morning (38 degrees) and is forecast to get even colder as the week goes on. By this weekend it will be rainy and in the 30's for highs.

I need to take my car for an oil change this morning. What excitement! Hope I can contain myself through it all..:rolleyes:

Ya'll have a good Tuesday....I'm goin' back nite nite! :grouphug:

DD18 is home!!! Yeah!! Thanks to the girls on her floor we were able to get everything out in 1 trip. They all came to help. I thought that was really sweet of them.

In other news . . .LOL I plan on working on some paintings that I started over the weekend. Hopefully they will be finished within the next few days and then I can post them for sale.

Kelly - Thanks to that spinal lesion, I rarely have an appetite. I would eat maybe 2 meals a day at the most. Not good. So I lately, I have been forcing myself to eat frequently - say, an apple when I get up in the morning, then cereal around 9:00, a small lunch of salad or 1/2 sandwich, etc. I have actually lost weight by eating.:confused::p 6 pounds in a week. Must be all that fiber from eating more fruits and veggies and making sure I am eating them 5 times a day. :D

Debbie - I commented on your thread. I know exactly where you are coming from on that one. :hug:

Barb - That would work. There is also something called ponaris. My dad and I go to the same ENT and they sell it there. It works great. It has eucalyptus in it and can really clean out your sinuses. I don't know where else they sell it. A while ago I looked for it online and found it somewhere for like $17.00. It lasts a really long time. If you can tolerate the smell, give it a try. I have had viral sinus infections before and not only are they hard to get rid of, but more often than not turn in to bacterial infections.:rolleyes: UGH!!! Such a cycle. I do have terrible sinuses. I have a cyst in one of them. I do as much as I can to NOT have surgery to remove it. I really feel for you and hope you start feeling better soon.:hug::hug:

Weave - Vonn is right. Taking an online class is much easier as you can work around your own schedule and in some cases, at your own pace. Start out by taking 1 and see how it goes. You can do!!! I believe in you.:hug:

Sox - Lets see . . . hmmm . . . I could be there in about 10 hours or so to pick up all the wonderful cookies you made me. Thanks for freezing them and I hope you put a lock on the freezer to keep the kido's out of them. LOL j/k. One of my best friends knows how tired I get and she always makes me a big plate of cookies each year. Yummy!

Hi everyone else! Hope you all are doing well. Have a great day!:hug::grouphug:

Tricia...I would be happy to send over a platter if you were close.:):hug:
Actually I would send them to everyone its just that they dont travel well..
some are a little delicate.

Off to start my uber busy day! love to all!:grouphug::grouphug:

Good morning, everyone! Rise and shine (except Kitty...shhh...she's napping).

I also have a tummy bug. My intestines make me feel like I have a 9 mo. old fetus rolling around inside me. I'm not interested in eating either...trying to drink lots of water though. Just pushes back my eagerness to go to the gym and get a regular workout in, 'cause I feel icky.

T, glad you have your baby home...good luck on finishing your artwork!
Barb, my DS34 has chronic sinus infections. His pcp wants him to go to an ENT for possible sinus surgery. Occasionally people get pockets of bacteria up in the frontal sinuses and the stupid infections don't go away...hope you feel better before your trip:hug:

Sox, how about a pic of your cookies? At least we could virtually enjoy them!:D

Hope all of you have a great Wednesday!

Debbie, :hug::hug: sounds like you got what I had after Thanksgiving. Hope you feel better soon.

Trish, glad they were able to help you and DD out so it took only one trip.

Weave, hear ya. I found myself having to move closer and closer to the front of a room to pay attention during lectures and stuff. :hug::hug:

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

~~~~~~

The sun is shining, but the ice is slippery.

Ok, I stole that line from "The Shadow" but it applies to today. :D

Tomorrow is the hubby's b-day. When asked what he wanted to do, we're doing a poker tournament at a friend's house. A few couples will be in attendance, and it should be fun. Thinking of making German Chocolate Cake cookies for the event since he loves that type of cake.

On to trying to get myself moving. :) Take care everyone! :hug::hug:

I am in my office grading my last set of exams. Hopefully I will done in a few hours. I am going back to my pcp at 11:00. I am sure she is getting sick of seeing me.:o I am experiencing quite a bit of nasal bleeding with small blood clots, especially after I use the rinse. I just want to make sure that this is "normal." I have had some bleeding before with sinus infections, but not like this. I still plan on leaving for Ohio on Friday, and do not want to end up in an ER. I also have a cyst. The ent I saw last summer said that there wer a few types of surgery I could have to help with my congestion, but I am also trying to avoid it. He also did not seem to recommend it at this time.

Sorry for all of you experiencing tummy problems.:hug:

Barb ... sorry about the doctor run for your nasal problem - hope you get an answer!! and CURE!!

Weave ... I can't stand that either when trying to listen - even in church! so, I found a church service that I attend online at ... and for classes online - they are more readily available than ever ... I'm even considering taking one more master's course - totally different than what I'm use to ... just to keep my mind open and busy ... alot of the cog-fog and 'slippage' isn't that bad since I went back the fall of 2007 .. and just took one course at a time - and make sure you fill out the FAFSA (.com) ... form

Debbie is right, Sox!! ... take pix ... even of the frozen batches - just so we can virtually enjoy them!! :D

hey Trish - let's see some of your paintings!! :Painting:

UPDATE: ... haven't left the apartment since Saturday ... but, now I'm down to one roll of TP left ...

packed most everything and taking stuff off the wall and out of cupboards ... and waiting for the call saying that I am approved for the apartment ... :yahoo:

one more final to take later today ... then, just two more courses - and I'll have my Master's in Business Administration ... too funny!! :p

I started wearing my walking-clip .. yesterday, walked short 1000 steps ... probalby why I have a 'fatty' liver... going to try to get more steps in!!

have a great day!!

(**now sneaking over to Jenn's for some German Chocolate Cake**) really have to walk all these cookies and cake off for sure!! :D

Morning everyone! I am so sorry I haven't been on much. Mom being here keeps me from the computer. haha I guess that's a good thing. Everything is going good, we're all starting to get used to things. I pulled a muscle in my neck that shot down through my back and chest Sunday but it's getting better. I thought I was having a heart attack at first; it took my breath away. My neck only hurts now. How does that happen? All I did was turn to put my seat belt on. Ugh

I am reading everyone's posts so know I am praying and thinking of all of you. :hug:

Sandy - was thinking of you and all that you're working with (dealing with) now ... and was going to post something earlier ...

but, got lost in the cookies and cake! :p

glad that everything is working out ... or, at least, coming together!! (HUGS)

Sandy, sorry about the neck! That really hurts!!!

I just turned the last of my grades in! I am done for the semester:yahoo::Dancing-Chilli:

I went and got my oil changed this morning and got to talk to the man who manages the Express Oil Change location. He's always there....and his employees never seem to change. He must treat them right. It's a very small town so he remembered me. Turns out I needed an air filter, too, so he had to run up to the auto parts place and get one that would fit my car. I waited - he was only gone 10 minutes at the most - and they installed it and I was ready to go. I got the debit card receipt and told him there was a mistake.....he had only charged me for the oil change. He just smiled and said "Merry Christmas". Bout made me cry! What a sweetheart. That saved me about $35......which is big money to me right now. I got out of my car and hugged his neck. He's such a nice person. He told me to "keep it on the down low" because he can't do that for everyone! I told him not to worry....it's just between us. Ya'll don't rat me out! :D

WOW .. that's great, Kelly!! .... that made me tear up!!

that's awesome, Weave!! ... every little bit helps!!

Christmas surprises everywhere!! :Dancing-Chilli:

Kelly, What a sweetheart!

Weave -- Good News is great to hear!

Saw my pcp and she said the bleeding was fairly normal. She told me to try cutting in half the amount of saline I am adding to water. I tried it and it burned like ****!:eek: I don't think I am going to try that again. My little sister told me that her ENT told her to use local honey as a nasal lubricant. Sounds weird but I am going to check out the local health food store to see if they have any. And my doctor told me to just keep taking the antibiotics and Merry Christmas. I don't think she wants to see me for awhile:rolleyes:.

Now I am going to take a nap!

I got a job offer!!!

It's a sales job and I just got a voice mail that I got the job and human resources will be calling me on Monday to make an offer!!!! :D

I might be getting another job offer next week too for a local governement job!!!!!!! :eek:

What to do??? The sales job is harder (have to be on my feet a lot) but it's doing something I love.

If I get offered the other job it will pay a bit less (but they both have great benefits!) And that would be a desk job also doing something I enjoy!!?? :eek:

Holy moly, who'd a thought I'd have this sort of dilemma at 51 years old and with MS??? :D :eek:

:Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli:

All of my feverish job hunting and networking is paying off!!!!! :D

That's great Wiz! If it were me....I'd take the desk job. I just know how I feel after I'm on my feet for a while. You might be different - and that would be great!

Well, it took less than a week and mom is miserable. She wants to go back to TN. She got her feelings hurt when I told her she has to stop stressing so much because we don't live like that. She thinks I yelled at her. I didn't, I just raised my voice a little and told her we didn't go all the way down there and spend a thousand dollars to bring her up here for nothing. UGH. Say a prayer please.

Congrats Wiz!!!

OH ..Sandy ... so sorry to hear that ... you've done so much and sacrificed so much already ... will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers ... thought she'd be excited to be with you and spend the holidays with you ...

HI I'm sorry I've not been around much. I have been a little busy sorting family stuff out. I hope you all find the strength and paitance to beat whatever life throws at you :D Love you all. Jackie xxxxxxx :hug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Vonn, mom has always been one of those people who is miserable, never really happy. But she can fake it when needed. Since we are family she lets it all hang out. She finally told me she is mad she is sick and that her kids have to care for her. This was after spending the day in her room. I didn't give in because that's what she wanted me to do. She's is an ace at guilt trips. haha

I told her thank you for being honest and that now we can move forward. I can only imagine how her life has been flipped upside down. But she said she loves us and will try to not stress so bad. Yeah, we know that wont last. But the good news is she has her own room to fret in as needed. :wink:

Lots of hugs for you Sandy.....you sure have your hands full. But I know if anyone can handle it you can. You know how your Mom is and you don't let it get to you. Living with someone after being on your own (like your Mom) has got to be hard. And I know she probably feels like she is intruding. Give it some time.....it's only been a week. Things will settle down after the holiday rush is over. She'll adapt to your lifestyle and hopefully stop stressing over the small things. :hug:

hey all .. remember me telling you about the Chili-Cook-Off - on Saturday, Dec 5? here are some pics for the food drive and salvation army!! it was fun!!

oh - the first pix .. I'm on the far left ... and the 2nd one, I'm kneeling in the front ...

Sandy,

You're a fabulous daughter and your mom knows that, believe me. She needs you but this is an adjustment. You know her well and since she'll have her own space I have a feeling she'll be ok after adjusting to all the changes. I wish I could give you a big hug for being so awesome to your mom. :hug: :hug: :hug:

Vonn,

I see your cute little apple cheeks and big smile!!! :D I'm glad you had so much fun at the chili cook off!! :D :hug:

Sandy, :hug::hug: praying for you all. It's hard for both you and your mom going through this adjustment. Hope it works out for everyone.

Wiz, Congrats on the job opportunities heading your way. :)

Barb, do you have a humidifier? That sometimes helps cut down on those bleeds. I used to fill a basin with hot water, drape my head in a towel, and steam my sinuses. Can't do it anymore, but worked pretty well when I could. Feel better soon. :hug::hug:

Vonn, Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing.

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

~~~~~~~~

Had a weird night's sleep. Even with premedication, ye olde Rebif gave me the chills. Took forever to fall asleep. Then woke up 'cuz I was too hot. Fun, fun, fun. :rolleyes:

So trying to wake up so I can get some stuff done for tonight. Thank goodness for coffee!

Take care everyone!

Jenn -- I finally found my humidifier yesterday:o and have been running it in my bedroom.

I am packing and getting ready for my journey back to Eastern Ohio. The weather forecast is predicitng a 30% chance of snow showers. That means there is a 70% chance it won't snow, right?

I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday! I won't be on the computer much (if at all) over the next ten days or so. Take care and I will see you all before New Year's Eve!:hug:

Hey all..not much time but I need a favor of prayer from you guys.:(

My friends husband died last night, he was 51. He had a heart attack
and went off the road...he was doa.:( To make matters worse, my
friends brain tumor is back and is due to start radiation the first of the
year. Could you all keep her and their seventeen year old daughter
in your prayers?:(

Thanks so much and love to all!:grouphug:

Sox - Prayers are being said.:hug::hug:

So much to do, so little time. LOL Actually, I'm getting ready to head down for a nap. ;)

Wiz - WOW!!! Decisions, decisions. Congratulations on the job offer(s). :hug:

Sandy - :hug: Glad you are working through the adjustments with your mom. Setting boundaries is so important and it sounds like that is what happened yesterday. That's awesome!

Barb - That 70% chance of no snow depends on who you ask. A mathematician would tell you yes but the average person would tell you no as the weatherman probably didn't take many stats classes in college. LOL They are actors.;) I hope the weather is perfect for you and that you start feeling better soon.:hug: