Happy Fourth of July to all of you and a Happy Birthday to my "Bella Doxie" who turns a year old on the 2nd

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL! MAY FREEDOM RING!

Peanut and Bella on July 1st, day before Bella Turns a Year old!

Bella about 6 months ago!

Bella, Peanut & Me Wishing you Happy 4th!!!

Bella at about 2 months old!

Bella around 4 months old

Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day 2018

June 23, 2018 is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day! The Dravet Syndrome community is encouraging everyone to share #onethingaboutDravet they wish the world knew. Share your story today! #dravetsyndromeawarenessday #dravetsyndrome #rareepilepsy #dravetwarrior #cureclick https://curec.lk/2toN3EG

Happy Father's Day to Each Dad, Step-Dad, Dad to be, Granddad and My Own Dad who went to Heaven in 2005!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! To Every Dad, Granddad, Step-Dad, those who are waiting to become a Dad, and to those such as Wonderful Son In Law, who is a tremendous Husband, Dad, Son, and Son In Law!!!! wishing all Dad's including my own who went to heaven in 2005 a very wonderful and special day!!!!!

Nominated for Best in Blog Award for WEGO"s Health Awards!!! Please help me by showing your support!!!

https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/1998

PLEASE BE SURE TO STOP IN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ME IN WEGO'S 2018 HEALTH AWARDS! I'VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST IN BLOG AWARD!!!!! 

Keith Urban Lyrics, and trying to hold myself together after... 2 years today since Mom passed away, and the loneliness of the loss of her, Dad, Tazzy, Bub's and my love..

Yes, today and yesterday have been difficult for me. Yesterday, things, several things really hit me, right in the gut, literally. By the time I got home from Wally World, I was physically sick to my stomach, and felt horrid all day long. It was so bad, I never ate anything for dinner at all. I fed the pups, and they "knew" "Mommie" was not feeling well. 

They cuddled up with me on the sofa, and would not leave my side. of course today is the 2 year anniversary of my Mom passing away. In my mind, I've played over and over what our doctor we saw, usually had our appts on the same day, used to tell her. He would say that she was going to "outlive" him and I... not that he meant that "badly"... because of course with my health issues, he knew that it was a true statement, but he wanted my Mom to pull herself out of where she would "think she was too old for this, that or the other, so it was his way of telling her at the time "health wise" Mom was much more "healthy" than many of us. Yet, although she was, never did he even believe how quickly she went downhill when the Lewy Body Dementia hit.

 I had seen signs for a while, before she really got so bad. Here and there, being forgetful, losing things, not recalling events, yet of course at 80 years old, heck at 40, 50 and 60 years old many of us are "forgetful"... I blame the "world" we live in for the stress and strain, the toll our minds and bodies take these past 25 years or so... things used to be so much simpler, it seemed the "burdens" we have now, were not as they were back then. 

From the selfish ways many of us have abused our water, land and air, to technology that in ways is wonderful, yet in ways, it has caused families to not spend "time" together... kids and parents on their phones, the computers, playing games, you name it, we tend to "have something else more, better, important, than a family meal together, or a quiet night without a TV, phone, or computer. I realize that NOT everyone has given up what family time is, and it seems that some have tended to "go back" to that time... when everyone was at the dinner table, no TV, no phones, just dinner, and asking one another how their days were. I had those all my younger life... and until my kids were well into being teenagers, for the most part we also spent nights together, around the dinner table, talking to each other, and caring. I know that has carried on to my daughter and her family. Of course we are "busy" but for the most part, her children, husband and her spend their dinner time together, sharing in one another's lives. There is so much that I think about when i think of my Mom... 

Mom never "gave me crap" about tattoo's, belly rings, tongue rings... she may have not agreed, but, she knew that I had my own personal reasons for all of it, and she was never one to put me down for making those choices. Mom spoke her mind though... anyone that knew her, knew that what came out of her mouth, was her personal thoughts, and she expressed them. Not that it was always "in a proper place" or said in a "proper way" but it was Mom, and you had to accept that part of her. So often, she was overly concerned about my health and me. Sometimes to the point I think she worried herself way too much. 

But, she knew the pain and suffering I endured, mentally, physically and emotionally, and many times she told me, she could never "brave" what I went through daily. Yet, I always told her, that she need not worry, I am a survivor, and what is, what happens, why it happens, I don't know but I do know it serves a purpose. She was so proud of me... when I went to college and worked full time, and took care of my home and family, she was my greatest fan! She urged me to oil paint, and especially all of my poetry and writing. When I published my first two books, she cried tears of joy, for she always knew I had something very special, that gave me the words to write, and how much I touched the hearts of those around me. She was always the one to encourage me, whatever it was, she knew I could do it. LOL, so often she told me I should have went to medical school. I would have been such an asset to many as a doctor, or in research. 

When I got to go to Washington DC with the Arthritis Foundation, that was a moment that she also cherished with me. My walls around my desk are covered in the awards, the recognition, the paper clippings when I had an article in our local paper. The Proclamations for Lupus, for RA, signed by our Mayor and some signed by our Governor. Mom was my best friend, after I was alone, she became the one that stood with me, that talked to me, that helped me carry on, even though I was in such a mess after being separated. She understood, because after Dad passed away, Mom was very frightened of what might happen. Coming back to TX was a ver difficult thing for me, I never wanted to leave Seattle, but she needed me, so I came back here to help her. I miss her every day, and even though Dad passed away n 2005, I still miss him. 

Often thinking to myself, that we would be fishing today if he were here. Or I would be visiting, or we may be going to the casino tomorrow if she were here.... all of the things and many many more that I so miss... from the little things to the small things, after the loss of my parents, losing my Pug Tazzy, and then losing Bub's after I broke my hip.... losses that cut right to my core, and then Jim no longer here... my world on some days seems so upside down..... So, Mom, I hope you know how much I miss you and Dad, and there are days it is s struggle... but I put ne foot in front of the other and try to----- carry on

Cure Click and NEW Clinical Trial with Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that involves excessive daytime sleepiness (a “sleep attack”). Cataplexy is a sudden, temporary loss of voluntary muscle control that may be triggered by a strong emotion (like laughter).

A new clinical research study is looking at how safe an investigational medication is, and how well it works, for cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in people who have narcolepsy with cataplexy (narcolepsy type 1).

For patients who meet the study criteria, the trial will last up to 22 weeks. All study medication and study-related procedures will be provided at no cost to you. The study will involve visits to a study site.

Sign up to take part in a clinical trial. You can learn more and begin the qualification process at https://trials.autocruitment.com/forms/NarcolepsyStudy15-006_CC/

DIABETES 2 NEW CLINICAL TRIAL BY CURE CLICK!

If type 2 diabetes symptoms aren't well managed, it can be difficult and expensive to find new medication options. A new study is now available that is comparing two FDA-approved type 2 diabetes medications. Researchers are looking for volunteers from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds to take part.

You may qualify to take part if you:

• Are 18 or older
• Have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year
• Have uncontrolled diabetes as demonstrated by a HbA1c between 7.5% and 10%
• Are Hispanic/Latino, African American/Black, or Asian

If you or a loved one are experiencing issues with their management of type 2 diabetes, act now! #type2diabetes #sponsored #cureclick