Is anyone interested???

So, I've been thinking that it might be fun to host a Valentine's Day SWAP!!

and call it the:

I've participated in a few, 

and I think they are an absolute blast!!

For those of you who don't know what a swap is....

You can read more about it at the bottom of this post!!!

Since it's a month away from Valentine's Day,

I'd like to make the theme

'Luv & Hearts'

(or anything pink, red, and Valentiney) 

So, I guess basically I need to know who is interested??

Just leave me a quick message.

I'll start thinking of whether we'll partner up 

or if I'll just assign each of you someone.

I guess that will all depend on how much feedback we get.

I will be making a link

so that you can officially sign up 

within the next couple of days if we have enough people :)

And now comes the hardest part of all.....

Setting the price limit!!!

If you don't mind... would you leave a price limit with your msg 

that you feel would be appropriate and affordable.

$10 ??    $15 ??     $20 ??     $25 ??

plus postage!!

We don't want to break the bank here, and we all want to have fun,

and still some great stuff :)

I'm also thinking that we could maybe have two different

set amounts, and then you could join whichever

one fits your budget!! It's a thought!!

Let me know!?!?!?!?

And after we get all that figured out...

You would be responsible for mailing your package out on or before Sat. Feb.5th

That would give you a full three weeks to shop,

and it would still ensure that everyone receives their package by Valentine's Day.

~~~~~~

What is a SWAP??

Basically, you either get matched up with someone 

or

you get someone's name (and you usually keep it a secret)

and then there is a set amount of money that you spend

and a certain 'theme' that the swap is based on....

Then you go out and have a blast putting together a package

for your person and send it out by the due-date.

In return, you get a fabulous package, that was put together just for you!!

Now does that or does that not sound like fun???

Take One Down & Pass It Around

Who doesn't love getting blog awards? I know I do. Its not the only reason any of us write, but its nice to

 know that what we write is appreciated. This is why this 'Seal of Approval' got started. There are no rules

 like tell me your favorite color, shoe size or naming six things you hate about your mother in law.

If you're reading this right now, you've got my Seal of Approval. 

The only thing I ask is that when you take the seal, link him back to my blog, then pass him on...

 asking those who take him from your blog to link him back to you. And so ... and so on .... and so on.

I took my 'Seal of Approval' from:

http://midwesternmamah.blogspot.com/

Make sure you check out her blog, leave her some luv,

and why not follow her while you;re there!!

Oh, and make sure you tell her that you're there because

you seen my "Seal of Approval" on 4 the LUV of SaNiTy!!!

Thanks so much :)

He has his bags packed and is ready to travel !! Lets see how far around the blogosphere we can take him. 

With much love,

Want to know what I've found????

I've been doing a whole lot of research....

And these are just a few of the things I've found.

I most definately wanted to share them with all of you today!!

They touched my heart in a special way,

and I hope they will do the same for you...

or even inspire you to do some research on your own....

(If you do, please share it with me here!! Thanks!!)

As I've said before...

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

and

YOU CAN NEVER KNOW TOO MUCH.

SO JUST KEEP RIGHT ON A LEARNING :)

OK, enough of that!!!

Here is what I want to share with you today!!

First off, I'm reading:

and today I'm going to share just 3 ways to change your world

that come from the 'healthy interest' section!

First: #53 Let Your Mouse Save A Child!!

"Save young lives and help children stay healthy with a click of a button that generates a sponsor's

donation. It's COMPLETELY FREE TO YOU at thechildhealthsite.com, where you'll find

daily, monthly, and annual statistics on how many children and which health issues are receiving aid." 

Oh, and while you're there (yes, I'm hoping you will visit this site!!)
I hope that you will also click on each of the other tabs and then click so that a sponsor
will also donate for each of those wonderful causes as well.
And the best part about this is that....you can click on each of these EVERY DAY!!!

Second: #59 Watch Your Wording!!

"Learn to speak with sensitivity about Cancer." Cilda's Club (gildasclub.org), a support

center formed in honor of the later Gilda Radner, advises referring to "people living with cancer," rather than "cancer victims' or "cancer patients." It also recommends "encouraging people who live with cancer

to express their full range of feelings, rather than insisting on 'staying positive'."

and...

Third: Connect Kids With Support


"Introduce a child with diabetes or other health challenges to empowering library or online resources.
 For example, the National Diabetes Association's Youth Zone provides engaging ways to take charge at diabetes.org/wizdom. For fun general health activities, try kidshealth.org or kidnetic.com."

So, what do you think??
Do you think you will use any of these that I have mentioned??
I hope so!!


Also, you should think about getting or at least reading a copy of
this wonderful book :)

Have a great day!

I hope each and every one of you are happy and healthy today!!

I hope that you are feeling as pain-free as possible!!


~Steph

You'll never believe this one....

Today I am leaving my house....

I know I do that all the time

I go to six appointments a week to be exact!!

But that's NOT what I mean...

I am leaving the house today just for the fun of it!!!

Thats right, you read it right!!

I am leaving the house with absolutely no obligations to fill.

(Well other than getting a chai tea!!)

I have nothing...and I mean NOTHING that I have to do today!!

I'm just leaving the house to go and find something fun to do,

can you believe it???

I can't either!!!

I'M SO EXCITED!!

I'll let you know all the details later :)

Wish me lots of fun !!

Have a great day everyone!!

~Steph

I'm the 'Blog of the Day' WOOT!!!

 Hey there,

you can't imagine how excited

and appreciative I was to read that 

my blog has been chosen to be

"Blog of the Day"

I know what you're thinking....
"Yeah, right...no one would nominate me for 
"Blog of the Day" right???

I really was nominated

by COPYMAN at 

Not Worth Mentioning

For those of you who haven't yet visited his blog,

YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK IT OUT!!!

Here's the link one more time...

You know, just in case you missed the first one, :)

Not Worth Mentioning

I'm really hoping to see some of

 MY LOYAL FANS

as new followers to his blog :)

A GREAT BIG 

THANK YOU 

TO COPYMAN

for making me blog of the day!!

It means a lot to me,
I appreciate it very much :)


Perhaps this blog will catch up with my other blog
in terms of followers!!!

And for those of you who haven't seen my other blog,

I hope you will take a look at it and follow !!

4 the LUV of SaNiTy

This Chronic Pain Sucks

Have a wonderful day!

I'm off to one of my six weekly Dr/PT/Rheumetologist/ etc.

~Steph

Just what does 'sick' look like??

Just what does 'sick' look like???


So often someone will ask me about how I'm feeling,

or how some of my treatments are working out for me,

and people will look at me...and say....

"You, what could possibly be wrong with you?"

When I tell them just some of my six or seven diagnoses

 (I lose count, or at least try to!!)

They reply with a,

"But, you always look so healthy and happy!"

YES, I try and smile through the pain

for my children's' sake and for my own sake.

Since there is no magical cure for the things I have....

there is no need to dwell on them, and cry about them 24/7.

 Now, don't get me wrong...

There are many days that I cry.

(I always try to cry in the shower!)

Why? It's my comfort zone..and my kids can't see me when I'm in the shower!!

I just wanted to post this today to remind others

what we already know...

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING!!

Just because someone is smiling on the outside...

Doesn't mean they aren't dying, crying, hurting, etc...on the inside!!

What it all boils down to...

is

COMPASSION,

NON-JUDGEMENT,

and

basically, that whole

NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING,

cuz I'm sure we all remember what

ASS-U-ME

stands for, right?

Ok, enough of my babbling/preaching, etc.

I hope all of you are feeling as well as you can be

under the circumstances!

I'm thinking of you all, YES ALL,

even those of you I don't know yet!!

Others in pain, are always in my thoughts :)

Luv and health to you.

~Steph

Where is chronic pain stored in your brain???

I wanted to share an article that I found today.

The main part that I want to point out is that is says:

Acute pain and chronic pain live in different areas of the brain.

Chronic pain is in the pre-frontal cortex and limbic system

which the brain uses for memories, especially emotional ones !!

All I said when I read this was....WOW!!!

The article entitled

 "Scientific Reasons for Chronic Pain Relief through Dance"

by Martin Rossman 

can be found here.

Note: I had no part in writing or researching this article.

I was not compensated in any way, financial or otherwise

to share this article. I just thought it might be of interest

to others.

~Steph