A fantastic giveaway!

There has been a reason why I haven't been blogging of late, and I will talk about that soon, but right now I'd like to share an amazing giveaway option.

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you have probably figured out that I like love my Disneyland silhouette collection!  There is something else I like love!

A wonderfully creative site called le papier studio.  I don't think I can explain this site better than Vana herself-

"Professionally trained as an architect, Vana Chupp has always been artistically inspired by the sweet and simple moments in life.  Her craft was born with the birth of her beautiful boy Nikolas. Documenting her son’s milestones by cleverly capturing his personality, emotion, playfulness and essence, she began using silhouettes to tell her own life story.  It’s a love story – continuing to blossom, with Nikolas as her muse. Coming full circle, Vana was able to combine her passion and artistic experience and share it all with you! In 2008 Vana launched her dream job; Le Papier Studio,  a small woman-owned business that expresses creativity and inspiration, all the while giving her time to fulfill her most important job; being a mom."

I absolutely love that she is  "inspired by the sweet and simple moments in life".  Being a mom is what should be most important to everyone with children!  I have been purchasing her items for a year or so now After our trip to Disneyworld, I contacted her to ask if she could reproduce my silhouette from Disneyworld into a charm.  Last Christmas (2010) I received this lovely necklace.  And from then on I have been a huge fan....

This  necklace is no longer available, but you can get the silhouette charm here. 

Then, it was on!  I continue to enjoy all their artistic items!  Above is a return address stamp that I blogged about here.

I have received a bracelet, earrings and even a ring all with the original silhouette they adapted for me. 

 

The bracelet is still available here. 

The earrings here.

The ring here. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Surf on over to Le Papier Studio's blog and enter their fantastic giveaway!  Check out their shop and order some amazing custom or just plain awesome stuff!  You'll be so happy you did! Better hurry...you have until Monday!

Woa....Where have I been?

I know I owe you an update, but I've been so swamped (do people say that anymore?) with things. A couple of weeks ago, I went to DisneyWORLD! Yes, folks, I went to Disneyworld with M.S.! I have a lot to say on the topic but if you saw all I still have to to you'd wonder why I am blogging!

This will be one of many informational posts about the difference between DW and DL. And I know I need to throw in a M.S./LDN update, but frankly my last MRI results were not so great, so I will talk about it later. (why think about that now, when I can think about this?)

With baby Geno in tow and


As well as my BFF and Pooh...

We were ready to go!


I am very proud of my husband who got all our stuff in one check on bag and 2 carry-ons! With the use of his handy Rick Steve's convertible carry-on bag and some large pack-mates!

I have a couple of misc. observations...first, the security people don't tell you what to do. They were generally crabby and figure everyone knows what to do. When you don't they really yell at you. (I haven't flown for 21 years!) Second, my iPhone, which I LOVE has a terrible battery! I felt like a Borg having to plug into whatever outlet I could find. So, I thought I could get and send messages easier than I actually could. It spent most of it's time looking for a signal. Which made me wonder...why do I love it? It did help me greatly with enough space for thousands of pictures (I kid you not) and one movie and 2 TV episodes. They kept me occupied on the plane rides. I promise to give you more updates, but for now, this is it.
There we are! The severe weather sign...kind of freaked me out...not to mention the HANDWRITTEN boarding sign....my thought was-"I'm sure it was all fine!" Being pushed around in a wheelchair has its advantages but frankly I'd rather be healthy!

Day 2 we got to see this! I mean, who wouldn't love a trip to Disney World? (I can never decide if it is one or two words!)

Shag-ed

Here was my amazing anniversary gift. It is a charm bracelet, but not just any charm bracelet.....it's a SHAG Disneyland Charm Bracelet Limited Edition of 1955. This is a beautiful piece of wearable art! The Bracelet spells out Disneyland and in-between each letter are Disneyland icons, SHAG icons and each land is represented. Too many charms to mention but it looks like 32 two sided charms.

What we loved about it is the fact that it was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the park. The park opened on July 17, 1955. My husband was born on July 3, 1955 and I followed on September 16, 1956. To us (living in Southern California) Disneyland has always been a part of our lives. We have spent the last few years taking frequent trips. Most people think we are crazy or maybe just plain stupid. They think "why do you go there all the time?", "why not a cruise or Europe or Disneyworld?". The answer may surprise you....we go because we love being there and being together. It doesn't matter that we know all about it, in fact that makes it more fun. There is always something new and different to do. When I talk to people like that I ask them questions like...."Have you ever taken a tour at Disneyland?", "Did you ever try and find Hidden Mickeys?", "Have you ever seen the huge waterfall at the Disneyland Hotel?", "Have you seen the koi being fed there?", "Have you gone on the new Nemo ride?", "Have you ever experienced the 'pixie dust' at the Disneyland Hotel?", "Have you ever watched the children outside of Libby Lu being sprinkled with pixie dust?" 95% of the time all these questions are answered no! Every time we go we do something we have never done before. I am not sure you could ever do everything in one trip. Anyway, back to the charm bracelet....we especially loved the charms that were "original" attractions. Back in 1955, there was not nearly as many attractions as there are now. Did you know there use to be a stage coach ride and Indians? To see fun pictures of yesterday at Disneyland click HERE.



"Just a little bit of pixie dust and a happy thought".....

Can't wait to write a letter!

I suppose I should change the focus of my blog to "the Pensiero's Disney silhouette" page! It's true, I love the silhouettes. Friends, family and characters grace my kitchen and now my family room walls. Last December I found a site that could change your photos into personalized silhouette jewelry! I was so excited to have a silhouette we had done at Disneyworld converted into a pendant! It was the perfect gift!

I follow their blog Le Papier Studio where I learned about a wonderful new thing they are offering. A return address stamp that could have my silhouette in the center! When I saw it, I knew it was for me! I received the stamp just this past weekend and am so impressed with the quality! I highly recommend all of their things! They can make a personalized silhouette from a picture or you can choose from one of their own designs. They charge a very reasonable one time fee for a custom silhouette, and then you can use that custom art for all other future projects. It's a big thumbs up from me.

Go and check their site out! I'm very excited about all they do! And now I'm very excited about Christmas and using my stamp! Don't be surprised if you get a letter from me just because!

M.S. Update...

It's been a while since I did a M.S. update, or LDN Update, so here it is. Last weekend we went to family camp. I did something there I never dared to do or even try before (at least not since M.S.). I got in a row boat to fish! It was very hot on the lake and they made you wear a life vest. If I wasn't a role model, I would have taken it off. I mean...I can swim and it isn't the ocean or anything. I wanted to take it off because the added heat is not so great for my M.S. But I dutifully kept it on-mostly because I didn't want the lifeguard to yell at me! The point here is that I was able to get in the boat! (not so pretty getting in or out but I was able to do it!) So, I'm proud of myself!

As far as MS goes. Everything is about the same. I do have bad spacisity (which makes getting into the boat a big milestone!). I so far have not found anything to work. I have talked about it before, you can read by clicking here. It is hard for me to sit for extended periods of time and my legs become numb. I have Tizanidine for this but it makes me so sleepy and my eyes so dry that I really hate using it. I decided to try ibuprofen at a 800mg dosage. And I was amazed that it helped! I thought I found my answer! I'll just take ibuprofen and I will be able to sit like other people. Then on Sunday Fox News had a story about how long term ibuprofen use is linked to strokes and heart attack. That's just great! I can't explain how bummed out I was. Years ago I took Vioxx and Bextra and they worked wonderfully. But then they were taken off the market for the same thing. So, now I am at square zero. What I love about the Fox News report is that they say doctors are now thinking opioids are safer for long term use. I'm thinking....right, like a doctor in my area wants to do that! I can't take that with LDN anyway so I guess I have to struggle along. So now I'm not sure what to do. I go to my neurologist this week so I hope she will have some ideas for me. I found out last visit the reason I can't adjust to temperature changes is from the damage in my brain. I can't seem to go from hot to cold. I get cold under the air-conditioner and hot outside. I know I drive my husband crazy, first I'm hot then I'm cold.

Another thing was the refilling of my LDN. I usually use a pharmacy in Florida. This time when I called they said they can't send to California. I was under the impression that their license had run out or was not renewed for some reason. So, we called another pharmacy in New York and they said "you're in California? We can't ship to California". Apparently there has been some change in the law! Are you kidding me? What's up with that? We found a great pharmacy here in California that knows how to compound the LDN. So if you need a recommendation for a pharmacy located in California -McGuff Compounding Pharmacy is your bet. They got the LDN to me quickly and seems to be fine. I never did find out what law had changed or what the big deal was, but I'm happy to have the medication for the next year. One day at a time, I guess.

As far as LDN goes, I have had no new areas of attack or any serious attacks. I have the spacisity, which is my major problem. I'm so happy to have switched from Betaseron. Do I wish my legs were not cold and numb while sitting? YES, of coarse but I understand that I have a disease and that is the way it goes.

We are planning a trip to Disneyworld at the end of September. Whattt??? I'm hoping knowing I can do it! I may need to embrace the wheelchair.
All in all, a favorable report. Thanks for reading!

2 Years

Our little CJ turned 2 last week. We decided it would be fun to go to Disneyland! I never need a reason to go there. Truthfully, I would rather go there than anywhere else. I was watching Regis and Kelly this morning and wondering what would I do if I won a trip to one of the exotic places they feature. (This is not really a concern because I never send in a card to be in the game) But, if I did, I don't think I would want the trip. I'd give it to my kids. I mean..why don't they give trips to Disneyland or Disneyworld?

Ok, I digress....it was Cecilia's birthday. We went to Disneyland! Hurray! We had a lovely time. She seemed to like the Subs the best, which surprised me. Other favorite things....ducks in the water on the Rivers of America, steam on the Mark Twain, and all the train whistles. How fun it is to remember the simple things.


Happy Birthday sweetie! We all love you!

For Marti

I've been sick with this cold and didn't feel like cooking. So my wonderful husband cooked dinner last night. We used Marti's recipe for Arroz Con Pollo and it was delicious. Maybe it was so delicious because it was made with such love! I love you Gene, thanks for making my night a little better.

If you notice, he has on one of Marti's apronscubatogo.com which says Cocinero, which I think means....cook (male) :-)

There is the recipe above, I hope you can read it. If you would like me to e-mail the information then please write me!

My friend Marti asked me to answer these questions:

Two everyday things I couldn't live without:

1. My Bible
2. My E-Mail

Two of my favorite songs:

1. Any of my son's songs, especially The Father's Song, which he refuses to record
2. I Can Only Imagine
   

Two things I want to do before I die:

1. Go to Disneyworld
2. Go to Ireland with Gene

Two things I worry about:

1. Getting Alzheimer's
2. Being in a wheel chair

Two stores I shop at:

1. eBay
2. Target

Two things that scare me:

1. Heights
2. Being misunderstood

Two snacks I could eat every day:

1. Krispy Kreme donuts
2. Chex party mix

Two people I'd be lost without:

1. Gene (my husband)
2. Gene, Kelly, Mary, John and C.J.
   

Two nicknames I've been given:

1. Pandy
2. Grandma

Next two places I want to go on vacation:

1. Disneyland
2. Disneyland

Two people I think should answer these questions on their own blogs:

1. Geno
2. Mary