A GROWN UP SON???

As many of you know, I have a son. 

 He is 21 years old.  He is a good young man who is very responsible and self sufficient.  Plus (and not just because he is my son) he is very handsome.  He's tall and lean.  His new look is sort of like the beatnik from Doby Gillis.  If anyone can remember that show from many years ago.

There is one thing that is not good about him.  He has become very disrespectful.  He picks on me and answers me back.  He has even hung the phone up on me.  I don't understand what is going on.  I know there is no underlying problem.  No drug use.  The kid won't even be around someone who smokes cigarettes.  I am sure of this.

His disrespect fullness is getting to me big time.  No matter what I say, he jumps down my throat.  I've brought this up with hubby but it's no use.  All I get from him is that it's my own fault.  I don't see how that is possible.  Because if trying to help.  Or, asking a question is my fault.  Then maybe it is.

How can this be possible?

I guess I should be happy that he only does this with me.  With EVERYONE else he is just the perfect young man.  Respectful, helpful and kind.  But with me he is not.  And, I am proud of him.  In all areas of his life he is great.  Smart and responsible.

It's gotten to the point that I am afraid to ask him a question.  For fear that he is going to jump down my throat.    Even when I told him how much I liked his girlfriend.  And, that she seems sweet.  I told him that she was cute. He yelled at me.

I have been crying for most of the morning.

It happened again this morning.  He got a new dresser for his room and I asked him if there was anything he wanted me to do in there.  He said, "No, just leave everything along because I have my computer stuff all over the place!"  I then asked him if he had any dishes or dirty clothes in there.  He jumped down my throat.  "Didn't I just ask you to stay out of there?"

I just started to cry and ask him to please stop being disrespectful.  I was sobbing actually.  I am still sobbing.  I just cannot stop.

He proceeded to leavefor work, but turned around and came up the stair and hugged me.  That was nice, but I am still crying.  I just don't understand what I did to deserve being treated like this.

Yeah, I get it that he is at a point in his life where he is paving his way.  I get it that he is not really a grown up but trying to be one.  I know that you always hurt the one you love.  But I don't get this.

It's really hurting me.

Computer - Color Pyramid

I saw this over at Dawn's journal. http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Things You See While at Your Computer - Color Pyramid

Name 6 red things that you see from where you sit.

1.    The dust cover of The Settlement Cookbook

2.    Webster's New Compact Desk Dictionary.

3.    A can of Staticide Precision 2000 Dust Remover.

4.    My red crocheted couch doiley.

5.    The red strip along the cover of Sandra Lee's Semi Homemade Cooking 2

6.    A red folder

Name 5 blue things you see from where you sit.

1.    Part of the dust jacket for The Lupus Book.
2.    My computer background.

3.    Blue in the plaid of hubby's pjs.

4.    The blue display of our Lexmark printer.

5.    My dog's collar.

Name 4 green things you see from where you sit.

1.    Two Vintage Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking Cookbooks.

2.    My carpet (actually it's teal).

3.    Hubby's green Carhardt zippered sweatshirt.

4.    One of the colors of my Fenton Glass Clown.

Name 3 yellow things you see from where you sit.

1.    The flame of my caramel wood wick candle.

2.    The computer hutch light.

3.    Hubby's NEC 2005 Handbook

Name 2 purple things you see from where you sit.

1.    A purple ceramic eggplant in a basket (among other veggies) I made in ceramics years ago.

2.    A purple Lupus bracelet.

Name 1 black thing you see from where you sit.

1.    A black pen

Take My Quiz

http://www02.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=070212170106-296157&

Monday Morning

Good Morning My Friends.    

I am feeling happy this morning even though I am in pain.  I have a sharp pain in my lower left groin area.  I'm thinking it's my diverticulitis acting up.  Who knows?

Gary was home from work this weekend.  It's not all that often that he has two full days off.  We hung around the house and relaxed.  We were going to go to Applebee's for dinner on Saturday evening, but I ended up sleeping most of the day.  I woke up at around 4 and thought that I would just get into the shower and off we would go.  Nope.  I could not get myself together.  I was just too drained to go out.  So, Gary made us some hot dogs, fries and beans.  And, we ate that.  It was just delicious.  I love hot dogs.

Have I mentioned lately about how wonderful my husband is?  I am a very lucky woman.  Gary takes such good care of me.  Actually he takes good care of all of us.  He always picks up the slack around here. I am very proud of him and love him so much. And, for the last four years there has been a lot of slack due to my illnesses.  Sometimes we get caught up in the drama of our illness that we fail to see the wonder around us.  I am trying not to forget the great things in my life.  My husband and two great children. 

I am so proud of my children too.  They are almost grown ups.  Well, my son is 21 and my daughter is 19.  Is that considered a grown up these days?  They are very responsible young adults.  I rag on them, but if the truth be told, I love to brag about them.  I should tell them more often.  It's not often that children these days are so in tune with the important things in life.  My children are.  They are respectful and loving.  We all have our days, but I couldn't ask for a better family.

You know the phrase, "She is my right arm!"  Well, my daughter is so much more than that.  She is my body.  There is no way in the world that I could get along without her.  I really think that I put too much burden on her.  I ask her to do virtually everything for me.  And, she does it.  Sometimes grudgingly, most of the time lovingly.  I don't give her nearly enough credit for all that she does. 

 Plus she works and is going to college.  She is my salvation when I am unable to do things.  Which is most of the time.  Thank you my dear daughter. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!  I don't say that nearly enough.

My son gave me my Valentine's Day gift early this year.  It is a gift certificate to a spa.  I can choose from a list of services.    http://www.relaxoncloud9.com/  Of course the first thing I am going to get is a full body massage.  Maybe a foot scrub or hand and feet paraffin treatments.  Or even a scalp massage/treatment.  I could use some facial waxing (the prednisione makes a face pretty stubby).  I'm so looking forward to this.  I'll be calling later on today to schedule an appointment.  As soon as I decide exactly what I want, that is.

Hubby took his test on the 3rd.  He said it was easier than he thought it would be.  Less technical.  He is pretty confident that he did well.  I had no doubt.  If anyone knows electrical, it's my Gary.  After the test, they allowed them to write down their answers and gave them a web site to check the answer key for this test.  They said to give it about 5 weeks.  You know I check daily.  LOL

Yesterday morning I put a turkey in the oven.  If you remember, this past Thanksgiving I ordered the entire dinner from Stop and Shop and it was delicious.  But, as many of the supermarkets do, for every so much you spend you get a choice of a turkey, turkey breast, ham or veggie lasagna.  So, I had a free turkey in the freezer downstairs.  I put it in one of those oven bags and cooked it yesterday.  I didn't make all the trimmings we just picked at it all day.  After I took all the meat off the bones, I put them in a pot and simmered them for a few hours.  Wednesday I am going to make soup.  We are expecting a big winter storm.  It will be a good day for some soup.  I make mine similar to the Italian Wedding Soup.  Aside from the usual soup veggies I put in tiny little meatballs.  I mean tiny, like the size of a marble.  I'm not sure if I am going to put rice, orzo or just some elbows in it.  I am looking forward to it.

Those of you who know Loretta from  http://journals.aol.com/lrttklly/LupusLeftovers need to go check out http://www.cafepress.com/wingasworld . Loretta has designed some stuff like tee shirts, hats, mouse pads.  I have my order already in the shopping cart ready for me to pay for.  Our Loretta is a very talented artist.  We already know how gifted she is at writing, now we see another side of Loretta.  Loretta has been my online friend for just about four years now. This wonderful woman has, many times, been a rock and sounding board for me.  She always hasvery insightful advice.  And, she is very adept at just listening.  Loretta is the epitome of the meaning of a friend.  She knows just the right thing to say.  She is sympathetic and understanding.  Loretta doesn't only coddle.  She has, lovingly pointed out if I am wrong.  It's a rare individual who can combine all these things.  Loretta is a very special woman.  And, if you haven't read her blogs you are missing out on a lot.  I enjoy our chats.  I only wish we were closer in location so that once in a while we could chat over a cup of coffee. Loretta and I pretty much got sick at the same time.  I met her on AOL's Lupus General Discussion Board.  We grew into our Lupus and it's complications together.  Both of us are basically homebound.  I don't know how she manages.  Her Little Bear is young.  It's so hard being ill and having to care for a young child.  Loretta and her family are always in my prayers.  I am thankful for a friend like her.

Boy has this been a long entry.  I have more to write but will save it for another time.  For those of you who made it all the way to the end of this entry.  Thank you.  I just needed to write this morning.

Have a wonderful day gentle readers.

Oh one more very important thing.  Please keep Krissy and John in your prayers.  John has an appointment with the spleen surgeon on Wednesday.  Check out Krissy's entry today, it's been quite a week for them.  http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/

Hugs,

 

 

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 

For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (New King James Version)

Just felt like adding this verse this morning.  Each morning I receive an email from mail a verse.com.  Today's verse.  You can add verses to your site.  I haven't done it yet.

Add the verse to your web site:
http://www.verse-a-day.com/js/index.php

Lauren is sick.  She woke up with a very bad sore throat and headache.  No fever. I made her some tea.  It soothed her throat some I think.  My poor baby, as old as they get, they are still little kids when they are sick.  I think she is coming with me to the doctor this afternoon.  Pray she feels better soon.

That's it for now.  Hugs, Lu

Still Feeling Like Crap

            

First off, I have to give Dawn a great big cyber hug.  http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

                        

Since I have know her, Dawn has always been a big inspiration in my life.  There are times when I wake up in the morning and actually think I wish I could have an attitude like Dawn does.  She always puts things into perspective.  I'm trying Dawn.

      

Now, I am still feeling like crap.  Can't seem to shake this URT infection.  It's getting worse I think.  I get very short of breath.  I should call my doctor, I know, but I just don't feel like it.  I have a follow up appt. on Thursday.  Maybe I will be better by then.  I'm still on antibiotics.  Which has given me the start of a yeast infection.  Yikes.

I am hurting.  Mostly my right leg.  From hip to toe.  The duragesic patch doesn't even touch that pain.  Or, maybe it might be that much worse without the patch.  Who knows?  I'm forced to take the breakthrough pain meds my rheumi prescribed.  I have an appointment with my pain management doc on Thursday.  Maybe he can suggest something.

                                       

Hubby will be taking a test on Saturday afternoon.  For those of you who remember, he started a new job a little over a year ago.  Working for the City.  He has to take a test to go from provisional to permanent.  I believe that he will ace this test.  He is not so confident.  Please say a prayer for him.  I don't know why hedoesn't feel confident.  The man is an electrical genius.

                          

I have a oven stuffer cooking.  I didn't stuff it.  Just seasoned it and threw it into a Reynolds Oven Bag.  We are going to have that for dinner with some yummy mashed potatoes and corn.  And, some broccoli au grattin (sp? can't for the life of me remember how to spell this) for me and Lauren.  It's a cold day and I love cooking in the oven.  It just reminds me of love and family.  I have been using my slow cooker a lot lately.  It's really great.  Mom picked up some slow cooker cookbooks for me.  I bought some too.  It's really easy because I can prepare everything and just set it and forget it.  Eight hours later we have an entire meal.  I got those crock pot liners so clean up is a snap.  Also, my mother in law gave me a counter top convection oven.  This works great because I can cook an entire roast beef in half the time it takes in the regular oven.  I've made dozens of meals with this too.  Cooking when you have a chronic debilitating illness is a challenge.  When I am feeling crappie these things come in handy.  I'd appreciate any recipes from you guys.  I'm always up to try new things.

               

Well, I'm going back to lay down on the couch.  I have to get up every so often because of my leg pain.  It's time to go rest again.

Hugs,

LuAnne

 

Dawn's Meme

Good evening.  It's 1:24 AM.  I should be in bed, but for some reason I am awake.  I've been feeling sick for a few days.  I have (if I wrote about this before,forgive me.  It's just my Lupie Fog) an upper respiratory tract infection plus a urinary tract infection.  My doc put me on antibiotics and a cough med.  Hopefully the antibiotic will do the trick.  I always end up with pneumonia when I get a Respiratory tract infection and a UTI usually turns into a kidney infection.  These meds are going to screw up my coumadin levels.  In the four years since I have started taking anti coagulants I have never gone more than three weeks at a therapeutic level.  The meds I am on play havoc with my levels.  Some raise the level.  Others lower it.  For the past week or so I've been on increased prednisione.  That alone will screw up my levels.  Now add the antiobiotic and you have a recipe for disaster.  I suspect my level is high as I am developing purple blotches on my chest, legs and belly.  I also have petechiae on my feet and calves.  I have an appointment on Monday morning to have my INR levels checked.

This meme is from Dawn (http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/)

A     Apple or PC?

We have two PCs, one Apple and three laptops

B     Banking... online or in person, and if in person, drive thru or inside the bank?

Just like Dawn, I check my balances online (or via telephone), most banking is done via the drive through or sometimes at the bank (it's in Pathmark).

C     Coffee and Chocolate!  The two most important 'C's  Favorites please.

I'm a coffee addict.  Love Eight O'clock French Roast.  If I am near a Starbucks I'll stop in and get a white chocolate something.  And.... talking about chocolate.  Has anyone ever had Godiva White Chocolate?  I am dying to try Duncan Donuts White Hot Chocolate.

D     Dogs.  Do you have one?  If yes, what kind and it's name and why you named it that.  If no, then if you had one what kind would you choose?

We have Wilson.  He's a black lab mix (I think Dalmatian).  Willie is still a puppy at 10 months old.  Talk about rambunctious.  He is a "Dog Burglar".  He'll steal anything that he can chew up.  I lost count as to how many times I have chased him around the dining room table.  He is a cutie pie.

E     Elvis.  There was only one.  Favorite song, and if you ever or your parents ever, saw him live.

It's Now or Never.  Mom loves him.  I don't know if my parents ever saw him.  It's possible though because they spent a lot of time vacationing in LasVegas in the 70s.

F     Flowers.  Do you have a favorite to receive and/or a favorite to give?

My favoriteare Lilies.  I love to grow Sunflowers.  I always send mixed arrangements.

G     Grandparents, do you have any left and if you are one, to how many?

They are no longer with us.  My maternal grandparents owned the house we lived in.  It was a two family home and they lived upstairs.  I called them Grandma and Grandpa Upstairs.  My paternal grandparents lived a 25 minute car ride away.  Hence, they were Grandma and Grandpa FarAway.

H     Handy or call for help?

I can do stuff.

I     IOU's any out there to a person, a friend or family?

Nope.

J     Jello.  Love it?  Hate it?  Favorite flavor?  With whipped cream or cool whip or neither?

There is always room for Jello.  I love it.  Lime Jello  with Whipped Cream.  Or Cherry with Bananas inside.  None of that cool whip stuff for me. 

K     Kiss.  Do you remember your first real kiss?  Where, who?

Yes.  I had just turned 15.  It was with SM.  In front of my house.  I had never kissed (made out, LOL) and I faked it.  Little did I know, he had never kissed  either.

L     Language.  Do you speak any others?  Fluently or a little?

I used to speak proper Italian.  My paternal grandfather was from Genoa.  Now if you would ask me to speak it, I couldn't.

M     Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?

Mickey

N     Neighbors.  Do you know their names?  Occupations?  Phone numbers?  Or not?

Yes.  To the right, I know their names, occupations and phone numbers.  To the left their names and occupations.  I know most of my across the street neighbors.  We are friends.

O     Olympics.  Do you watch?  Which is your favorite winter or summer?

I love the Winter Olympics.  Love to watch figure skating.

P     Pluto.  What is your take on the planet being downgraded? 

Sorry, but I could care less.

Q     Quiche.  Have you ever had it?  Do you like it and what is your favorite?

Love it.  Broccoli with mushrooms

R     Refrigerator.  Name three things in your refrigerator that you think are unusual.

Suppositories, Coumadin testing materials, can't think of anything else.

S     Safari.  Have you ever been to Africa on one?  A theme park version?

I've never been to either.

T     Telescope.  Have you ever looked thru a telescope? 

I can't recall

U     Umbrella.  Do you have one and what is its design?

I have an obsession with having enough umbrellas and gloves.  Three are tiny; black ones.  There is one giant rain umbrella that says LuLu's on it.  And, an assortment of others in various colors.

V     Vintage.  Do you have a favorite wine to share?  Or drink?

nope.

W     Willies.  What gives you the willies?  You know, that shudder you can't stop?

Watching medial operations on TV

X     X-ray.  Last one?  What body part and why?

ARE YOU KIDDING? 

I am always going for some kind of X-Ray.  Especially during those frequent Hospital Stays.  They always do a chest film.

Y     Yolk.  How do you like your eggs?

I like them over easy. I also love soft boiled eggs.

Z     Zodiac.  What's your sign and does it fit your personality, in your opinion?

I am a Taurus. But don't believe in it at all.  I never read my horoscope.

Now you try.  I am tagging you all.