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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Do You Just Grin and Bear It?


Today, someone left a comment on my facebook fan page for this blog.  They pretty much said that a lot of the time, they just grin and bear it so not to make others in their family feel bad for the pain they're feeling.  She asked if any one else does this too.  My response to her, was that I think everyone that lives with a chronic pain condition does that sometimes.  

Are you guilty of doing that?  I know that I am.  I know that complaining isn't going to make my pain go away, and I hate to burden those around me by making them feel bad for me or to worry about me.  No matter how much I may want to smile though, some days I just can't.  The pain, the fatigue, the depression just becomes too much to hide.  That's okay too.  


Like the saying above, some days I do feel like I'm an actress.  I get dressed for the day, brush my hair, look at myself in the mirror and tell myself "Today I won't be weak.  I'm going to be strong, and I'm going to smile.  The pain will not win today.".  I plaster a smile on my face, even if inside I'm literally crying.  I pretend that "normal" is my life, when in reality my life is as far from "normal" as it can get.  It isn't normal to take almost an hour to unload and reload a dish washer.  It isn't normal to not be able to fall asleep sometimes for 48 hours at a time.  It isn't normal, to live in constant physical pain every day of your life.  It isn't normal to have to fight off depression each and every day.  It isn't normal to wake up feeling as tired and unrefreshed as when you fell asleep.  It isn't normal to have pain on a daily basis so bad, that you sometimes cry.  It isn't normal to have your joints and muscles stiff and achy every morning when you wake up.  I could keep going with the "it isn't normal" stuff, but you know what?  For me, and for other people who suffer from a chronic pain condition, it is our normal.  We've had to learn to accept all of this.  We've had to change our perspective of what "normal" means to us.


Sometimes, I feel like I really am just going through the motions of life.  It's just what people with a chronic pain condition have to do.  We have to adapt to what normal means to us.  If more research were to be done on chronic pain conditions, then maybe a concrete treatment plan would be found.  One that would allow chronic pain sufferers to change their perspective of normal, but to what society accepts as normal.  This will never ever happen, unless there's more funding for research.  There will never be more funding for research, unless there's a demand for that funding to be made available.  There will never be a demand for funding, if people can't understand.  People will never understand, if no one ever stands up and speaks out.  I'm willing to do that.  I want to do that.  I want to educate the world on what it's like to live a life of constant, chronic pain and fatigue.  Please consider donating to my "Go Fund Me" account, so I can start educating.  So I can start demanding, that progress in research be made for people like us.  We deserve to be able to smile on the outside, without silently crying on the inside.  We deserve to be able to go on family outings with our family, instead of staying home alone because the pain is too bad.  We deserve to be able to clean our homes, and make a meal for our family, without it bringing us to tears.  We deserve a normal life.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Keeping My Chin Up


My appointment with my rheumatologist was this past Thursday.  I also had to have a consult with gyn while I was there, and I had some tests ordered to do that day as well.  I knew it was going to be a long day, and it really was.  I left my house around 6:30am and I didn't get home until going on 9pm.  I was completely exhausted.

Due to some of the symptoms I've been having, and the results of one of my tests, I have to go back and have an endometrial biopsy done.  I've been told that the experience isn't pleasant, at it's best.  The doctor even warned me to take pain meds about an hour before the procedure.  I'm not looking forward to it, what-so-ever.  If it needs to be though, then it needs to be done.

My appointment with rheumatology went ok.  She marked down that my condition is "deteriorating".  My pain and insomnia flares kind of told me that though.  I didn't get my huge "miracle pill" that I was hoping for. I didn't get a med change at all, except to double my dose of amitriptyline and she added a very low dose of prozac for me to take in the mornings.  She started me at 10mg, but said if I tolerate it then in 2-4 weeks to go to 20mg each morning.  She said she didn't want my body to have to adjust to too many things at once, where she'd doubled the amitriptyline.

Besides marking on a form that my health status is deteriorating, she also wrote on the form "Fibromyalgia - widespread pain, fatigue, depression, pain all over, inability to concentrate, difficulty with memory" then "depression, anxiety, a lot of stress".  Even though I knew all of this before walking into that appointment, even that my health status was worse, it still felt kind of bad to see it in writing.  I want a job so bad; I need a job so bad, and this just reinforced to me that I'm not going to be able to ever hold a regular job.  

Right before I left, Dr. Gota told me that she's helping out with a research study and asked me if I was willing to participate.  The study is being privately funded, and it's looking for a certain protein that can be found in the white blood cells of patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.  The study may provide important information on opportunities for the development of therapeutic strategies against this disease.  They'll be looking at approx. 20 patients to take place in the study.  All I needed to do was allow them to take one tube of blood from me.  Of course, I happily signed the consent form and had the blood drawn.  I told them anything I could possibly do that might help aid in either a cure or a concrete treatment plan, I was willing to do.  I constantly preach on here about advocacy and more research needing to be done.  What kind of hypocrite would I have been to say no to them? LOL  I'll admit, it excited me and gave me a ray of hope, knowing that a new study is being conducted!  We need MORE studies and clinical trials in this field.

I'm sad knowing that my health is deteriorating.  I'm discouraged about money and how to pay my bills.  I'm worried about the endometrial biopsy and what it might show.  Through all of this, I've decided to keep my chin up and do my best to have a positive attitude.  IF my biopsy comes back bad, at least they'll have caught it.  The Cleveland Clinic is also the number 1 rated place for cancer treatment in Ohio.  Those are both positives.  I may be short around $160 (more if I have to buy any more groceries between not & then) for next months bills, but at least I have enough money to cover THIS month's bills and the hope of making enough money to cover July's bills too.  -I have my older camera, a Canon EOS Digital Rebel 300D for sale on craigslist right now.  My body may not allow me to get a "traditional" job, but I can keep the faith about getting a seminar on chronic pain and/or invisible illness going.  I may have a break, a church may donate space to me for me to hold a seminar there.  I'll find out in a week or two for sure.  Then, I'll just have to come up with a cheap way to advertise the seminar.  My health sucks, to just put it out there, but no matter how bad my health is, someone else out there has it worse.  

Education, advocacy, and awareness.  I'll never stop preaching about those three words.  Those three little words are not only my ticket to a career, but also to finding a cure for this nasty illness.  The ticket to developing a concrete treatment plan that will work.  Then, none of us will have to feel this way anymore.  A positive attitude may be the difference between succeeding or failing.  I choose to succeed.  If you know of a company, business, or organization that may be interested in helping me to succeed then please pass along this blog or the link to my "Go Fund Me" page.  If I could raise enough donations to rent space and to advertise, for 2-3 seminars, then I think I'd be set.  I'm keeping my chin up.  When the time is right in God's plan, this will all come together for me.  Of that, I'm confidant. 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Who Wants To Win A Coach Purse and Wallet?!




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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

American Airline Gift Card GiveAway! TWO Winners!

Gift Caddie is the perfect place to share gift ideas, request gifts, and order gifts for friends and family! Create gift lists for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baby showers, graduations, holidays and more. Get and give the gifts you want and need. If you haven’t checked out Gift Caddie yet, now is the perfect time because registered users will have the chance to win 1 of 2 American Airlines gift cards. One lucky winner will receive a $200 American Airlines gift card and the person who refers the winner will receive a $100 American Airlines gift card! Be sure to tell all your friends about Gift Caddie for more chances to win! Giveaway is open to the US only and ends 6/26 at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck! I don't know about you all, but with me having a daughter that goes to college in Denver, CO this excites me! -It's a looong drive from NW Ohio, I know, we did it last summer LOL. Good luck to everyone who enters! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweet N Sour Deals 9k Fan Celebration!

A huge congrats to Sweet N Sour Deals, on hitting 9k Fans! What a great celebration this is! Let's all show her how much we enjoy her blog, by entering and sharing this give away!!

To Celebrate Sweet N Sour Deals accomplishment of reaching 9,000 fans Sweet N Sour Deals, Lord Nut Levington, SaraLee's Steals and Deals, The Steady Hand, YOUR BLOG NAME with some other really great bloggers have teamed to bring you this sweet giveaway! Since this is such a great stepping stone for Sweet N Sour Deals we are offering 7 prizes for 7 lucky winners! Oh yea we said it! 7 winners! How do you like the odds on this one huh? Pretty good right! Look below for the sweet prizes!

The Prizes are:

3 Winners will receive (1) Can of Winners Choice from Lord Nut Levington.com

(1) Rev ItUp Reading Online Speed Reading Course 90 day license code

(1) Cookbook Download To Cook'n

 

(1) Lace Eye Mask

(1) Curly Q Beanie Size: 12 months - 3 years Measures 19" around and 8" high - will stretch to fit ARV $15.00

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If so enter using the Raffle Copter below, Good Luck!

***Please Note you do not have to complete ALL of the Entries to be entered to win in this giveaway, You can choose to complete only the EASY ENTRY if you wish. ALSO please not you can come back every day and complete all the other extra entries, you do not have to complete all of them at one time. This should make it a little easier for you to get your max entries in without stressing yourself out.***

PUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM HERE!

 

DISCLAIMER: This giveaway is in NO way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. Information collected is NOT collected by Facebook. In signing up for this promotion, participants release and indemnify Facebook from all liability. The Fibro Frog is not responsible for the shipping of the prizes they have not sponsored.

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Praying For A Miracle Or Two



My tests and appointments I was supposed to have last month, was rescheduled to this coming Thursday, the 14th.  Last month when we got there and found that the entire building had been shut down due to no electric and no water, I cried on the way home.  I cried, because for one: I just wanted the tests over with to maybe get further diagnosis and treatment so I'd start feeling better.  The second reason I cried, was because I so badly need my meds changed.  I need some relief.  I deserve some relief. 

I'm praying so hard, that I can get a med change that will make my life easier to live each day.  I want, more then anything, to find a medicine or combination of medicines, that will allow me live life as normally as possible.  Those of you who live with chronic pain will understand what I mean, but for those of you that doesn't live with a chronic pain condition, I'm not sure that I can fully make you understand.  I wish there was some way to adequately describe the type of pain, and the intensity of the pain, that I experience daily. 

Fibromyalgia, as well as many other chronic pain conditions, causes depression.  It's embarrassing to admit that I struggle with depression, because just like fibro, people who doesn't suffer, can't understand.  Every time someone tells me "Well just cheer up and be happy....just look at all the positive things in your life", it cuts me a little deeper.  I DO try to cheer up.  I DO see the positive things in my life.  I DO try to force a (fake) smile on my face.  I don't want to feel this way.  I want to be happy.  Unfortunately, there isn't much to do about it though, depression is listed as a symptom of fibromyalgia.  It's just a fact.

Another factor of fibromyalgia, is that stress intensifies all of your symptoms.  It creates flares.  Flares in pain.  Flares in insomnia.  Flares in depression.  Since my husband walked out and told me he wants a divorce, April 8, 2012, I've had one flare after another.  I may not like the fact he wants a divorce, but I loved him enough that I could deal with it.  I could deal with it because if he truly wasn't in love with me anymore, then I wanted him to be happy.  I loved him that much.  What I can't deal with though, is the fact that he hasn't spoke to me in over a month now.  He hasn't spoke to our daughter in over a month now.  She's left message after message for her father, telling him she loves him and misses him, and practically begging him to call her or text her.  He just ignores it.  I also can't deal with the fact that he not only walked away from me, and walked away from his kids, but he's now also walked away from his job.  We've heard he quit his job and moved about 3hrs or so away. 

Now, I have the stress of knowing I'm not going to get any child support at all, because he's thrown his (good) job away.  We won't have insurance anymore, and that's very stressful to me.  Especially where I depend on medicine to try and help me get through my days.  I have the stress of not knowing how I'm going to pay my bills and keep the household running, where I'm sick.

Yesterday, I went with my daughter to her boyfriends house.  His mom is a friend of mine, and had been asking me to come over.  They recently bought a new house that has an inground swimming pool.  The plan was that we would swim with the kids.  When I got there, she wanted me to go to the store with her.  I was excited to be out of the house, and eagerly agreed.  She ended up stopping at three stores.  By the time we came out of the last store, I was fighting back tears from pain.  She was sitting in the Blazer looking at me, as I stood there with the door open.  When I looked at her and saw her looking at me like I was dumb for still standing there in the hot heat, I started laughing.  I told her "I honestly don't know if I can get in or not.  My back and legs are hurting so bad, I'm not sure if I can raise my leg enough to get in or not.".  She too is a chronic pain sufferer, so she could relate and started laughing too.

Besides the pain that outing caused, I was completely exhausted.  I even was tripping over my own feet trying to walk once we got back to her house.  All I could think about was, "If I'm in this bad of shape from just being on an hour and a half outing, how in the world would I ever make it through ONE single shift at a job?".  How in the world will it be possible for me to support myself and my daughter?  Of course, thoughts like these have led to me feeling sad and depressed again. 

Everyone keeps telling me "Go apply for food stamps and medicaid.  Apply for disability.".  I don't want to be a "welfare case" the rest of my life.  More then anything I don't want that.  It's embarrassing and humiliating.  Everyone looks down on you.  It makes me feel like a total piece of crap, and it steals your dignity and self-esteem.  I want to earn my money.  I want to be able to walk into a store holding my head high, and buy the food and items we need (and want), feeling the pride and self-satisfaction that I earned this money.  I don't want to have to look over my shoulder to make sure no one I know is around to see me using a food stamp card.  I don't want to live off the system.  I want the right to earn my place in society.  Contributing and making things better, not sucking the system dry and "taking" from the people in my county.  My state.  My nation.  It makes me feel so bad and low, that even typing this out is causing me to fight back tears.

Disability?  It's just another program.  One that from horror stories I've been told and read, causes you to basically beg and gravel and plead, to get a few hundred dollars a month.  A program that you have to fight for, that sometimes takes a year or two, to get approved.  Do these people honestly think that I truly want to be told that I'm "disabled"?  No, I don't.  It makes me mad.  I wish every worker for that program, had to live at least one week in my life.  See how bad it feels.  Deal with the pain and the insomnia.  Deal with the depression.  Deal with emotions I have, about having every shred of self-respect and dignity stripped from them, like I feel. 

I believe in God.  I believe that everything happens for a reason.  I believe that it's all part of God's plan, and eventually things will work out the way that HE wants them to.  I've been told so many times that everything happens on HIS time table, not mine.  For the life of me though, I can't understand way God would want me to feel this way another day longer.  -Another minute longer, for that matter.  There has to be a way for me to be able to make a living to support my daughter and myself.  There just has to be.  I thought that public speaking, seminars for advocacy work, is what God wanted me to do and why I got sick and my husband left.  It doesn't appear that's the answer though.  At least not right now, or doors would be opening for me in that regard. 

No matter how bad each day seems to be, no matter how much worse I feel my situation gets each day, I will always keep the hope, faith, and love, and I'll continue to believe that a solution to my problems will be laid out infront of me.  I'm praying for a couple of miracles.  I'm praying that Thursday my doctor will make a medication change for me, that will give me enough relief that I can work.  I'm also praying that a job to support us with, will be delivered to me.  I've tried to brainstorm, and keep the wheels turning each and every day, to come up with a job that I can do in my present condition.  A job that will provide what we need.  This syndrome has even stripped me of the pride to continue to think of myself as a good mother.  Afterall, a good mother would work to support her children, wouldn't she?  I'm also praying for a miracle of a cure to be found.  One that will completely heal my poor, broken body, mind, and spirit, and allow me to feel like a good citizen again. 

As I continue to pray for these miracles, I ask you to join me and pray for them too.  If God shows YOU a job I could do in my present state, please let me know.  Help me to support myself and my daughter.  Help to make me feel human again, and like I'm a positive contributor to society.  Believe me, I'm open to any and all suggestions that any of you may have. 



Sunday, June 3, 2012

Spiraling In A Dark Abyss



Every time I get my feet beneath me again, and start to feel like everything will be alright from my husband walking out on my daughter and I, something else happens.  The long, dark spiral starts again.  I feel like I'm spiraling out of control in a dark abyss.  Then starts the routine of once again, trying to find my footing.

Yesterday, my daughter sent a text to her grandmother.  She was trying to get a message to her dad that she wanted to talk to him.  She's been trying to contact him for 3.5 weeks now, with him never returning a phone call.  Her grandmother sent her a text back saying that her dad had quit his job and moved.  She asked her grandmother where he moved to, and if he has a new job.  Her grandmother sent a text back that said "Don't know".  That, made my daughter cry for hours on end asking me questions such as "If my dad loves me then why doesn't he at least send me a text asking how I'm doing?  If my dad cares about me, then why wouldn't he have seen me and told me in person he was moving away and quitting his job?".

I had noticed that when he took his entire paycheck out of an ATM within minutes of it hitting Thursday night, that he'd done so at an ATM in Zanesville, OH.  I wondered then why he'd be that far away (3hrs from where we live) at almost midnight on a work night.  It all makes sense now.  The weekend that he "disappeared", then came home on that Sunday night (Easter Sunday), all he would tell me is that he'd been about 3hrs from home, and that he'd been east of Columbus, OH.  When I asked "where east of Columbus" he'd told me it was none of my business.  I guess he obviously had met someone from that area somehow while he was still with me.  =(

My daughter was freaking out that her dad quit his job.  She kept saying "How will we live if he doesn't have a job for us to get child support and alimony from him?".  I told her I didn't have all of the answers right this minute, but not to worry that we'd be fine.  That we always turn out fine.  Nothing would appease her.  On the inside, I too was freaking out wondering the same thing.  I also was scared and worried about us losing our health insurance.  I have all of my tests and appointments rescheduled for The Cleveland Clinic on June 14th.  My dad told me that he was pretty sure that they'd started taking health insurance out of my husband's checks a month before it went into effect, so we should still have it for all of this month yet.  It appears he must be right, because it was still showing in effect today went I checked it again.

My father called and asked to speak to my daughter.  My mom had told him what I'd told her, about how scared, worried and upset Courtney was.  He told her that she isn't in this alone, that she'd always have me, him, and my mother and that all three of us will always do everything we can for her.  He told her that him and my mom would never let her go without something she really needed.  I'm so grateful to have the parents I do.  I'm an only child, and I love my parents so very much.

I can't begin to stress to all of you, how much I hate being chronically ill.  All of this, would be so much easier for me to handle, and so much less stressful, if I could just go out and apply for any job opening there is.  The cold, hard realities though, is that I can't.  No matter how much I truly want to work and bring in a paycheck, I can't.  I ended up crying yesterday too, telling my daughter that she's equally mine and her dads responsibility and I feel that I'm letting her down just as much as he is.  I told her how sorry I am that I can't work to bring in a paycheck so that she wouldn't have to worry so much.  My health, is making me a crappy parent.  I love all four of my kids so very much, that it just kills me mentally to not be able to work to provide my underage daughter with the things she needs and deserves.

All I could think about doing most of the day and evening yesterday was to go into my room, crawl into bed,  and cry myself to sleep then just stay there for a week.  I didn't do that though.  That would solve nothing.  That would just worry and frighten my daughter more then she already was.  This wasn't a solution.

I still don't have a solution to my problems.  I still don't know what to do.  I've always been a chronic worrier all of my life, and I will freely admit that I am so tired, so very mentally exhausted, of worrying about everything all alone.  I wish more then anything right now, that I had someone to hug me and hold me, and tell me everything will work out in the end.  I've been shouldering so much on my own in the last two months, that when I think of it, it astounds me.

The stress and worry that I have, throws me into flares.  Both pain and insomnia flares.  Alas, I crawled my way out of bed today.  I sat down at my computer, and I sent off yet another email asking for help in holding a chronic pain and invisible illness seminar.  It's become more then obvious to me, that the only way I'm going to be able to get a start in that business, is to somehow raise the funds to hold two or three of them on my own.  Come up with the money to rent a space, a conference room to hold them in, to purchase tickets with, and to pay for advertising for them, on my own.  Holding a few on my own will help to get my name out there.  I'll have something to put sample clips of, on YouTube.  People and organizations will be more willing to take a risk on me.  I knew this a few days ago, which is why I finally bit the bullet and opened a Go Fund Me account.  Now, even more than then, it's so important for me to be able to do this and as quickly as possible.  I'd never ask an individual to contribute to my Go Fund Me Account.  I know that this economy is horrible and times are tough for everyone right now.  I have to ask you all though, that if you have an affiliation with any corporation, organization, or business that may be willing to make a donation, that you please pass along my information.

If I can even hit even the $1000 mark in my account, then I'll start checking out prices of conference rooms and advertising.  If it's enough to hold the first one, I'll be on it right away.  I just truly don't know what to do to provide a living for my daughter and myself, besides this.  Today, Courtney and her boyfriend did a ton of work to the house for me.  I felt so guilty that I couldn't help them with what they were doing.  I went to the laundry room and started a load of laundry.  I was out of breath and in pain, so I had to come sit down.  After sitting for a bit I hoisted myself up again, and unloaded the dish washer.  Then again, I sat.  Then, I went out and loaded the dish washer.  I was in tears from the bending.  I also cleaned off my china cabinet today and dusted it.  Again, I had to break it up into small increments.  I did these things after pre-medicating myself with a pain pill.  I still was in tears from the pain.  Right now, my arms are killing me.  It's killing them just sitting here typing.  My shoulders are killing me, I can't even raise my arms above my head.  My neck hurts so badly, that I can barely turn my head from one side to the other or up and down.  My back is killing me.  My knees, and upper legs are aching and burning.  -And what did I do to cause all of this debilitating pain?  I threw some dirty towels in a washer, I unloaded and reloaded a dish washer, and I cleaned off a china cabinet (that seems to be a catch-all for everyone to throw everything on) and dusted it.  Not very much in the grand scheme of things, was it?  How in the world, can I get a "real" job and support us?  I just don't see how it's possible.  I had used up so many spoons today doing these few small tasks, that I couldn't even make supper tonight.  My daughter made ramen noodles.  She made some for me too, and I didn't even have the energy to eat them.  I took a few bites, then gave mine to her.  I was too tired to eat, and in so much pain that I didn't have an appetite.

I'm the type of person that doesn't like to ask for help from anyone.  My flight or fight instinct has kicked in though, and I don't really have a choice.  I have to ask you all, to please share my blog and my desire to make a career out of public speaking.  I ask you all to please think long and hard of any corporation or organization that might be willing to help me.  The more people that see and/or hear about my blog and my dream career of leading seminars, the better chance I have to make this dream come true and to start earning a living for my daughter and I.  I'm so very grateful for each and every one of you that's a part of my life here on my blog, and on my blog's facebook page.  It's comforting to me, to know that I'm not alone in my pain, and my daily struggles.  Thank you all for being here.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

1K Fan GiveAway!

This is a 1K Fan Giveaway from a blogger that is also a member of The Fibro Frog. She too, suffers from fibromyalgia like us! Remember to share this giveaway on your own page, so that your friends have the chance to enter too! Let's all help to make this a HUGE giveaway to show our support to our fellow Fibro Sister!

It's here! The Pea of Sweetness 1K fan Giveaway to celebrate 1,ooo Facebook; fans! (And that number is steadily climbing to almost 2,000! Wow!) As a big THANK-YOU for all of the support and to everyone that made this possible Pea of Sweetness is teaming up with some great blogs including the owner/blogger Emilee's health and fitness based sister site 1 Fit 2 Serve!

One lucky winner will receive a prize pack valued at over $140!

  • A 7 pack of Inspirin from Forever Green - Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, their secret Virtual Massage blend, all in a convenient single-serving Whole Food Delivery! Lose the stress, ease the pain! All natural!

  • One bottle of NeriumAD age-defying treatment-Finally, a product that provides the satisfaction of real results with the confidence of real science. NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment is a night cream developed from the patent-pending extract of the Nerium oleanderplant. NeriumAD contains the most effective age-defying ingredients, chosen for both their individual and synergistic benefits. These premium ingredients are blended at optimum levels to nourish your skin and provide real results.Third-party clinical trials show that NeriumAD dramatically reduces the appearance of:
    • Fine Lines and Wrinkles
    • Hyperpigmentation
    • Uneven Skin Texture
    • Enlarged Pores
    • Aging or Sun-Damaged Skin
    Some of you may be young and feel like you don't need this! So why enter? Take good care of your skin now, and you'll be grateful you did! Not only that you'll be surprised how it makes you skin feel - you can cut down on the ADDITIONAL products that you use! Better yet? How about having 3 kids within 4 years = stretch marks! Check out Emilee's 90 Day "Before" and "After" of those stretch marks! Visit Emilee's Nerium Facebook Page for more "Before and After" pictures!
 
  • And included in the prize pack is a $20 Gift Certificate for Pea of Sweetness that you can use however you want! Use it to get a custom made product from Pea of Sweetness or on any of the businesses independently represented by the owner/blogger Emilee Roberts!
There's more! There will be an ADDITIONAL winner! The 2nd place winner will receive a prize sponsored by Pea of Sweetness's health and fitness based sister site 1 Fit 2 Serve. The 2nd place winner will receive a one-week supply of Chocolate Shakeology - the healthiest meal of the day. It's full of super foods from around the world! It's full of so many vitamins and minerals for optimal health and NO artificial ingredients!! The winner will also receive plenty of great recipes! From Emilee (Pea of Sweetness): I just want to say THANK YOU again for all the wonderful support as Pea of Sweetness progressed over the past few years from a crafting/sewing business focusing on cloth diapers, to my being a mom of 3 young kids just trying to find ways to additionally help support the family while my husband battled cancer twice (and sewing was not an option due to the time commitment and being a full-time caretaker - hence the introduction of direct sales businesses) and still being able to be home with the kids so I could homeschool, to now being a website that brings content ranging from parenting, parenting special needs children, pets, health and fitness, homeschool, eco-friendly/natural living, military life, business, and reviews and giveaways! What a blast it has been to take on new adventures and get back to old ones (I plan on firing up the sewing machine again as well as my Silhouette Cameo I got this year!). My fans have been invaluable to my progress. If you've been around for a while - THANK YOU SO MUCH, if you're new (or not yet a fan) - Welcome! I look forward to connecting! Good luck in this giveaway! :)

Giveaway!!

This giveaway is open to the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. You must be 18 or older to enter. It begins June 2nd and will end June 20th. Prizes will be redeemed directly with Emilee Roberts at Pea of Sweetness.
Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget. The more entries you have…the more of a chance you have to WIN! Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another will be drawn. Good luck!!
    a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck to all of the members of The FibroFrog! I'd love to see one of you win!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Win $100 Amazon GC! THREE Winners!!

 

3 Random Winners will each score a $100 Amazon Gift Code

Thanks to these wonderful Blogs for Sponsoring this Giveaway:

A Thrifty Diva Surviving Mommy Hood | Nearly Nothing | Meg's a Mommy! | One Sleepy Mommy | Utah Sweet Savings | Celebrate Woman Today | Lots 2 Save | Mom Does Reviews | Two Little Cavaliers | 2 Dorks in Love | Linda's Angels | Me and My SoldierMan | Never a Dull Day in Poland | Coupoon For Five | Scattered Seashells | Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life | Building Carpenters | I Crave Freebies | Read. Write. Mom! | Mom to Bed by 8 | Coupons with Q | Tatum's Family Reviews | This Girl's No Expert | Loves 2 Read | Ey to Zee | Mrs. K and Captain J | Jenns Blah Blah Blog | Simply Shawn N Jenn | Moms Vacation Spots | Swanky Moms Club | Thrifty Mommas Tips |Young Mom's Deals | Mommy Blog Designs | Chant3llo's Blog | Single Mom Saving Money Rules:
  • All entries are chances to win. The more you complete, the more entries you receive.
  • All rafflecopters entries will be verified.
  • Hosts are not allowed to enter the giveaway
  • All winners are subject to be publicly announced on blogs and social networks.
  • Giveaway is open to US residents.
  • If the winner is not verified and replied within 48 hours we reserve the right to choose a new winner.
Please allow the rafflecopter widget to load below.a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway