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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Quality VS Quantity Of Life


Last night, I went with my kids and their friends to the little village that's 5 miles away from us.  They have a little one day festival type thing, then end the night with fireworks.  Since I wasn't able to watch fireworks on the 4th of July, I was excited to go.

Every year I take photos of the fireworks but this year, I decided to try and video them too.  My camera is a Canon T3i and it's supposed to have professional quality HD video built in.  I'd never tried using it before though, so I was fumbling around in the dark trying to figure it out lol.  I couldn't believe though, how much it hurt me to video it.  I had to tape a little, then shut the video off, then tape a little.  A minute or so into the third taping, I had to ask my daughter to take it.  I was left with horrible neck, shoulder and arm pain, and it put a charley horse in the middle of my back.  Even with the first taping I did, I missed having it centered and getting it all in, due to the pain it was causing me to hold the camera up aimed at the sky.

I was going to upload the first clip, to show how shaky I was trying to video right from the beginning, but for some reason I couldn't get it to upload to blogger.  It keeps telling me there was a problem uploading the video, but it doesn't tell me what the problem is lol. I will insert some photos of fireworks instead I guess.  I had taken some before I got the idea to try and use my video for the first time.

We all know that doing simple household tasks can be hard or even not doable at all sometimes, but it's the simple, little things, like trying to shoot a video with a camera that always throws me for a loop.  Things that people take for granted and don't even think about.  I never would've guessed how much it would hurt me to take a video.  My neck and arms still hurt this afternoon from it.  

This is no way to have to live.  Fibromyalgia (or insert Lupus, Arthritis, CFS/ME, etc) may not be fatal, but it sure stills your quality of life.  I've always believed that quality is better then quantity, and that holds true in my health and my life.  Not being able to bend over and pick something up from the floor, or run a sweeper. Being in tears after fixing a meal...sometimes in tears after just frying an egg, having to take breaks to unload and reload a dishwasher....  I could go on and on.  That's not quality, that's quantity.  I have a friend that wants my daughter, her boyfriend, and I to go to the zoo with him.  He told me to pick a day that I wouldn't be in a lot of pain.  I rolled my eyes and told my daughter and her boyfriend that this friend of mine needs to be the first one signing up for my seminar to learn the truth about living with chronic pain.  Oh how I wish I could know what day would be better then another for pain.  Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way.  

I'm asking again, for you all to please share this blog with your friends and family.  If you're a blogger yourself, please share this blog with your readers.  It's so very important to me, to educate people about life with an invisible illness that causes chronic pain.  Unless you live with it yourself, it's really hard to grasp what life is like, living this way.  Someone once said to me "At least you don't have cancer.  That could kill you and with this you won't die.".  I paused, then responded with "You're right.  It won't kill me.  Have you thought about the fact though, that people with cancer have hope?  There are solid treatment plans mapped out for all types of cancer.  A person with cancer, has hope of one day being cured.  They have hope of their pain and sickness ending.  Even if they do die, at least they aren't living for years and years in sickness and in pain.  One way or another, their pain ends.  I don't have that hope.  I know that I will have to live every day of my life hurting and sick.  If the quality of my life is going to be so limited and so painful, then do I really want to live until I'm 70? 80? 90 years old?".  I also went on to say that I know what a horrible beast cancer is, and my heart breaks for those that have to go through cancer.  Please don't think I'm an insensitive jerk because I'm not.  In fact, had I finished nursing school, I wanted to work in pediatric oncology.  This is just a way to get people to stop and think about what invisible illness and chronic pain sufferers go through.   I'm really hoping for a packed house for my seminar, because people really need to understand and learn.  They really need to stop and think.  Again, please share this site or my facebook page, and the flyer for my seminar.  I thank you all in advance!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

HOT Sizzling Summer Giveaway!

What a HOT giveaway!

Welcome to the Sizzling Summer Giveaway!

Giveaway is hosted by Jenn's Blah Blah Blog & Diva Fabulosa!

A HUGE thanks to our co-hosts: Bonkers 4 Coupons, Luv Saving Money, Sister's Saving Cents, Dishin With Rebelle, Trinkies, My Vegan Gluten Free Life, Tidbits From A Mom, and Keeping Your Cents and all of the bloggers that have come together to make this event possible!

I'm so excited to be a part of this giveaway and would be SO pleased to have someone from The FibroFrog win!

Prize: Winner chooses prize valued at no more than $200 (shipping included) Choose from Kindle Fire, Paypal Cash or Amazon Gift Card

This giveaway will run from 7/21 12:01am (EST) - 8/20 11:59pm (EST).

Giveaway is open worldwide and participants must be 18 + years to enter.

Use the giveaway tool below to enter! Good Luck!

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Disclosure: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize and was not compensated in any way for the posting of this event. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email send out by Jenn's Blah Blah Blog or Diva Fabulosa. If there is no response another winner will be drawn.

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Friday, July 20, 2012

Seminar Excitement!


Things are moving right along for my first chronic pain seminar.  A caring friend made this flyer for me last night.  I love it!  What do you all think of it?  The pastor of the church I'm going to hold it at, is emailing the flyer throughout all of the other churches in that denomination, and an elder is taking flyers to the hospital that she's a nursing supervisor at.  My daughter, Courtney, also posted the flyers in some online garage sale sites that are local to us.  Sunday, I'll be having all of the material for the seminar, including the flyers, printed up at Staples and will begin to start putting the packets together that I'll be giving out at the seminar.  

This has been a dream of mine, since I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  Although fibromyalgia is what I was diagnosed with, this seminar will help anyone who suffers from any type of chronic pain condition and/or invisible illness.  To see my dream finally coming true, is surreal to me.  Now, as long as I have people show up, I'll be feeling pretty happy!  Having people show up is probably the biggest hurdle I'm up against lol.  I'd love to be able to advertise in the newspapers around here too, but I just don't have the money for that.  My husband still is acting like he doesn't have a family.  Since he moved 3 hours away to live with some woman he met on the internet he hasn't spoke to us nor gave us any money for child support or alimony.  My hearing to get child support started isn't until the end of August.  

To know that I'm working to make my dreams come true, and actually accomplishing those dreams, fills me with a great deal of pride and personal satisfaction.  I may be sick, but I can still fight and have a voice that's heard.  I'll never give up trying to advocate for those of us with conditions such as I have.  This will be a life-long journey for me.

If everyone could leave me a comment, telling me what you would like to see discussed at a seminar such as I'll be putting on, it would mean a great deal to me.  I know what I have planned to cover, but maybe I've missed something that would be beneficial to my audience.  I'd be humbled for you all to work with me, so that I can present the best possible seminar that I can!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

HUGE ACE Giveaway - Enter Now!!

Mommy and Baby Reviews, Powered By Mom, Mom Does Reviews and

Nighttime Helper has teamed up with Independent Ace Associate (Director), Junetta Sparks, and her amazing team

to bring our readers the Super ACE Giveaway!

That's Right ONE winner will take home ALL of the following Prizes!

$100 in ACE Product!

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*This product is not FDA approved as it is like a vitamin essentially with no harmful side effects however has allowed many to loose weight. **The statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.**

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$100 Visa Gift Card!!

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Dial A Smile Teeth Whitening Kit ($399.99 Value!) Why waste an entire afternoon at the dentist's office and spend $500 for professional teeth whitening? Why endure the pain? Now, with Dial A Smile by Whitening Lightning, you can whiten your teeth at home in only 20 minutes. It's painless, fast, and can be done in the comfort of your own home while you watch TV, clean house, or relax. This revolutionary treatment offers the same results as the dentist, only without the pain, inconvenience or the hefty price tag. Why not rejuvenate your smile today? Read Nighttime Helper's full review of her experience with Dial A Smile Teeth Whitening Kit here!

Ace Water Bottle!

Enter starting July 18, 2012 until August 17, 2012 for your chance to win!! Don't forget to come back every day to get your daily entries! This giveaway is open to US Residents 18 years of age and older!

(A special thank you to our Sponsors for Sponsoring this giveaway free of charge. All opinions stated in our review(s) are our own truthfully opinion and were not influence by the sponsor or from getting the review product free of charge. We were in no way compensated for our review or opinion or for hosting the giveaway. Our site only recommends products and services that we feel are a good fit for our readers. All Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes to the winner!)

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Patience Is A Virtue



Ever since I was a little kid, I never had any patience.  I remember my mom telling me that when I grew up, I'd become more patient.  I honestly don't think that ever happened for me though  lol.  We've all always heard that "patience is a virtue" and I'm sure we've all heard the saying "good things come to those who wait".  While both of those sayings may be true, I really believe that "the best things come to those who do".  I think a person needs to combine a little patience, with a little proactiveness to achieve what they're trying to do. 

Since February, I've wanted to break into public speaking.  I've wanted to present a seminar on living with chronic pain, from a patient's point of view.  I knew that making this a new career would take a little time, so I needed to be patient while waiting on that first big break.  I also knew, that I had to keep trying to get that first big break myself, or it'd never come. 

Avenues of social media is my new best friend.  I've blogged about wanting to present seminars, and I've tweeted about it.  I even have a face bookpage for the blog that I've shared my desires on, as well as my own personal facebook page.  If I didn't get the message out there that I wanted to educate and advocate for those living with a chronic pain and/or invisible illness, then no one would know that's what I want to do.  I wasn't going to get an email out of the blue, dropping a gig straight into my lap. 



I vowed not only to myself, but to all of you as well, that I'd never give up on trying to educate and advocate for all of us.  My hope is to bring understanding about our conditions to others, so that more people stand up and advocate for more research.  I also want to reach out to those of us, that are living with an illness, so that no one feels alone.  I want to bring real statistics into play.  I want to give those of us that need them, resources to help us cope with both the physical and mental problems we face on a day to day basis.



I've remained persistant, and plowed forward with determination.  Do you know what?  It's paid off!  I finally have my first big break.  I have a large church that approved allowing me to use their sanctuary to hold a chronic pain seminar.  After I have one or two under my belt, it'll make it so much easier for me to get other gigs.  Advertising for the seminar is my next obstacle, but I'll figure it out.  The old saying "it takes money to make money" is unfortunately very true, but then again so is the saying "where there's a will, there's a way". 

There are ways to advertise rather inexpensively, and I'll be exploring those options over the next few days.  Whatever it is that you do, whether it be pray, send good thoughts, send positive vibes, please do.  I'm praying to find several cheap ways to really get the advertisement out there for the seminar, and I'm praying that I have a good turn out for it.  I more then welcome your good thoughts and/or prayers for the same thing!  I've felt all along that I became sick for a reason, and that reason is to advocate.  My persistance, determination, and tenacity is finally going to be rewarded.  I vowed I'd never stop trying, and I'm proud to say that even though it's been a long time coming, the time is finally here!  Persistance and patience finally has paid off!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Win A Copy Of My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper Giveaway

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate—a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister—and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister’s Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child’s life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

Sponsored by Mom Blog Society, Mom Does Reviews, Route 249, Mommy and Baby Reviews, Powered by Mom, Emptynester Reviews and Mommy Moments with Abby

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Win A Copy Of John Sandford's Stolen Prey

John Sandford Stolen Prey Hardcover Book Giveaway

Lucas Davenport has seen many terrible murder scenes. This is one of the worst. In the small Minnesota town of Deephaven, an entire family has been killed—husband, wife, two daughters, dogs.

There’s something about the scene that pokes at Lucas’s cop instincts—it looks an awful lot like the kind of scorched-earth retribution he’s seen in drug killings sometimes. But this is a seriously upscale town, and the husband was an executive vice president at a big bank. It just doesn’t seem to fit. Until it does. And where it leads Lucas will take him into the darkest nightmare of his life.

Sponsored by Mom Blog Society, Mom Does Reviews, Route 249, Mommy and Baby Reviews, Powered by Mom, and Mommy Moments with Abby

Joined by these fabulous bloggers: Emptynester Reviews, Sweeping the USA, The Deals and More, The Fibro Frog, My Couportiera, The Coupon Diva Queen, The Flower Hazard

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August Just Got Hotter!

Because Zoe's Printable Coupons is turning ONE year old, and will be celebrating by hosting a cash bash giveaway!  Stay tuned for more information to come.

**Also BLOGGER'S, if you'd like to be a part of this giveaway, there IS an option for you to participate for FREE in this event.  Just click HERE to sign up and please list The Fibro Frog as your referral!

HOT GiveAway Coming Your Way












I hope you all will be as excited about this upcoming giveaway event as I am!  You'll have your choice of a $200 Kindle Fire, $200 Amazon Gift Card, or $200 Paypal Cash!!  Be on the lookout, as this event is scheduled to start July 20th and run through August 18th!  I'm so happy to be teamed up with a great bunch of fellow bloggers, to bring this opportunity to you!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Enter To Win A iPOD Touch!!

Hot!  Who wants to win an iPod Touch??!  Just enter below, because one lucky winner is going to walk away with one!


Diva Fabulosa and Beauty and Fashion Diva is hosting a very FAB giveaway! We are giving away an Apple Ipod Touch to one lucky winner!

This giveaway was made possible by the following fabulous sites:

1 Day Graphics

Home Buddies

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog

Freebie Spot

  • Prize: Apple Ipod Touch or $200 Paypal Cash
  • Giveaway will start July 1 at 12:01 am EST – August 1 at 11: 59AM EST
  • OPEN WORLDWIDE
  Wait for the Rafflecopter to load and enter below: