Throw Your "L's" Up

Yep....it's a song about surviving lupus!!! I scored it this weekend for $0.99 on iTunes. It's a must have for every Lupie!!!

OOTD (going to a softball game @ 1:00)

Top: TJ Maxx

Pants: Marshalls

Earrings: Local jeweler 

Weekend Roundup

What a busy and exciting weekend we had!!! It started early Friday morning by driving and hour and a half to be there when this precious baby was born. This is Mary Ellen. She is my 2nd niece. She was born at 7:08 a.m. and weighed in a 9 lbs and 2 oz. She and mommy are perfect!!!!

This is big sister Lillie Kate and daddy Michael watching Mary Ellen through the nursery window.

Look at those cheeks!!! Couldn't you just eat her up!!!!!

Niece #1 Lillie Kate being silly while we were waiting for my sister to come out of recovery.

The hubs trying to keep the girls entertained

This is a cake that one of my sister's student's mother made for her. It was a good as it looks!!!

Me and fat cheeks Mary Ellen

All smiles!!!!!

My Dad and girl #5

Once again, trying to keep the other girls entertained

My grandmother and grand/great-grand #9 (8 girls and 1 boy)

The hubs and Mary Ellen

My sister gets a new baby, I get a new car. One thing we can check off the to do list before the hubs moves off to finish med school.

Last but not least, the OOTD

You can see it very good bc of the bad lighting, but the Navy Blue top: Marshalls

Gray/White striped pants: Target

Navy shoes: Target

Fabulous Friday

It's a fabulous Friday!!!! My new niece was born at 7:08 this morning!!!

The Time is Near

If somebody asked the question "What is your dream?" what would you say? Most men would say to be a professional athlete. Well, we all know that dream come true is very few and far between. For my husband his dream since he began school, was to be a doctor of nurse anesthesia, and beginning on August 20, he will be living his dream as he begins his last 3 years of medical school. Up to this point he has been able to work and go to school, so we have always been together. However, these last 3 years he will have to move 3 hours away and be away from us.

When we first found out where he was going to be placed, I cried for a week. Literally, every night for a week, I cried or more like sobbed myself to sleep. Of course, this upset him and he told me that if I didn't want him to go that he wouldn't. I couldn't tell him that, because I do want him to go. It is his dream, but  I just keep thinking to myself, how am I going to make it on those days when I can't get out of bed or I don't feel good? Who is going to take care of Lizzie when I am sick?

Josh has been with me since I was diagnosedl in early of 2004 that I had lupus. He was there when I threw up everyday because they didn't know what was wrong with me. He has seen me at my best and at my worst. He loved me and held my hand when we were at the fetal specialist when we were trying to get pregnant and heard the doctor tell me all the risks I would be taking in the event that I did get pregnant (that story is another day, another post), and he loved me anyway.

To think that I am going to have to go three years of being a "single mother" with lupus terrifies me.
Now granted, my parents do live near me and will be able to help, but I don't think they truly understand the extent of the disease. I have not lived with them since being diagnosed with the exception of one summer. I know they will help me, but not like Josh. He knows exactly what to do, and never questions if I am really sick. He just knows.

This weekend we are driving to where he will be attending school, which is about 3 hours away, and looking for him an apartment. This is really happening.....he is really going.... and while I am excited for him, I am terrified about what lies ahead. With lupus you never know.

Please pray that I stay healthy enough to be able to continue to work for the three years he is in school. Pray that I am able to take care of myself and Lizzie and provide for her while her daddy is gone.

I will persevere. I will win, and my husband will have his dream come true!!!

Happy Thursday lupies!!! Have a happy lupie day!!!

~Tiffany~

                                                        

                

I love this man!!!!!

OOTD

Top: Kiki La Rue

Jeans: Wal-Mart

Shoes: Mossimo (bought off of Poshmark for $6)

Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

So What Wednesday!!!!

It's that day of the week again. Many say that Tuesday is the worst day of the week, but I think that Wednesday is the WORST day of the week!!!! I hate them!!! Especially when it is cold, rainy, and gloomy!!! Now on to.........


SO WHAT WEDNESDAY!!!!!



So what if.........

• I wake up to see this this morning......a huge patch of my hair is gone right beside my left temple. I took a picture for comparison. The one on the left is the right side of my head and the one on the right is a picture of the patch of hair that I have lost. I tried to cover it up as much as possible, but maybe only I will notice. Only a minor set back..it will grow back...hopefully :)

• Lupus is winning today!!! I woke up with a fever and I am aching all over!!! It is life and part of mine. But, I am up, I am at work, and my family is healthy. I will persevere. I will win. Maybe not today, but one day soon...I will win!!!!
• If I enjoy my students who bring their guitars and play in my room in the mornings and during break. It makes me happy that they feel comfortable enough around me to share their talents. They are actually pretty good. Oh and they just played Wagon Wheel. Winning!!!!
• My house is a wreck, I have wet clothes in the washer from last night, and I have dishes in the sink. They will be there when I feel like getting to them.
• I got so frustrated this morning that I threw my brush because I couldn't fix my hair due to joint pain and fatigue. I did the best I could and that is all I can expect from myself.
• I HATE WEDNESDAYS!!!!!

OOTD...from yesterday (on left)

Top: Local Boutique

Pants: Target

Shoes: Target

OOTD (on right)

Top: Gap

Pants: JEG Boutique

Necklace: Forever 21

I am Officially a Posher

I know I normally do the weekend roundup in Instagram pics, but there is only one pic that sums up my weekend and that would be a picture of my "closet" on Poshmark.

If you have never heard of Poshmark it is an app on your apple device (free) where you download pictures of things, mainly clothes or beauty products, and you sell it. If the buyer doesn't like the price you have set, they can make you an offer. So, basically, it is a online yard sale!!! But, here's the best part, the buyer pays the shipping and Poshmark will email you ap pre-paid shipping label!! If you don't have cashola, that's ok!!! You can ask them to trade for something in your closet!!!!

Holla!!!!! Finally, a hobby I can do from my bed and it doesn't cost me a penny!!! So, on those days I can't get out of bed, I can posh!!!! I am super pumped that I got started and you should too!! Sign up!!!!! Get started!!!!! Posh till your heart is content!!!! Oh, and visit my closet!!!!

Happy Monday lupies!!!! Have a fantabulous week!!!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Top: Fash Forward Boutique

Pants: Target

Shoes: Zappos

Necklace: Boutique in God's Country.....AKA Auburn, AL

Finish the Sentence Link Up.....Lupie Style

I am linking up today with Jake and Holly for......................................................

But the trick is I am going to answer all the questions from a lupie's point of view. So here it goes.....Link Up-Lupie Style........

1. I laughed so hard I cried when... I had a severe back ache and I pissed myself. I went to the ER and they put an adult diaper on me that would fit Santa Claus. This was due to inflammation pressure on my lower back. They thought they were going to have to do surgery, but thankfully that didn't happen.
2. My high school...is across the street from where I work. I believe my lupus may have came from taking too much Acutane for zits while I was in high school.
3. It really pisses me off... that somedays I feel great and other days I feel like dookie...for no rhyme or reason. Oh, and it pisses me off when my hair falls out.
4. In ten years... I hope to be a stay at home mother and resting. The hubs has 3 more years of med school. then I am peace out....
5. If I could erase one thing... it would be the 10 pounds I gained because my meds make me so hungry!!!
6. In 1999...  I graduated from high school and began college. Little did I know 4 years later I would be diagnosed with an incurable, chronic disease.
7. Honestly... Living a life with lupus is crapy, but it's my life and I will live it to the fullest to the best of my ability.
8. To me, Sushi... makes me barf!!! But if it was a link to lupus treatment..I'd give it a shot.
9. Someone really needs to invent... a chair with massaging hands coming from the back of it. I need to relax!!!!
10. The first time I drank alcohol... I was 15 and at a friend's house. It was gross. I think I took 5 sips of a beer.
11. The one question I would ask God is... why do people have to die? There are so many that suffer and fight and want to live. Why can't we all just live until He comes again?
12. Lindsay Lohan...needs Jesus.....lol!!!!

There you have it folks!!! Happy Thursday!!!!! Link up.....Lupie Style

OOTD

Top: H & M

Pants: J Crew

Belt: Target

Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

Earrings: Local Jewelry Store

Be a Helper

I am deviating today from the "So What Wednesdays". I want to apologize for the lengthy post, but it's just what's on my mind.

Just about every blog I have read recently has been talking about Boston and the writers were offering their prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery. As I read these blogs and watch the news stations' coverage of the event, I can't help but think about the runners that never made it to the finish line. Now, I am NOT a runner. I was state runner-up in the 800 meter when I was in high school (pat on the back), but now I couldn't run one block, much less one mile. Getting back to the discussion now............. It is my understanding that you can't just sign up to run the Boston Marathon. You have to train for years and then you have to qualify. I do know that the Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious events you can participate in as a runner, and it is every distance runner's dream to run in such a prestigious race. But, what if you were running at your comfortable pace, jamming to your iPod, and couldn't be happier and then all of a sudden someone pulls you off the course and says you can't finish, someone has terrorized the finish line? I cannot imagine how devastating this must be. A once in a lifetime experience that you have worked so hard for and so long for gone...just like that, and more than likely you will never get that opportunity again.

Lupus was my terrorist that attacked my body in the summer of 2003. I had everything going for me. I had a wonderful fiancé that I had hoped for a prayed for for so long (now know as the Hubs). I was about to start my senior year of college, and that was something that I had prepared for my whole life. I had prepared myself to be able to earn a living for my family and myself by going to school and getting an education. I was healthy, both mentally and physically, and that was something I took pride in. It was something that I had worked at everyday for as long as I can remember. I was physically fit. I didn't smoke or drink or do drugs that would do harm to my body. I was in my happy place, running the race of my life, and then....BOOM.... I was diagnosed with lupus. I felt like the race of a lifetime was coming to an end.

Mama Laughlin posted a quote from Runners World today and it really hit home. Lupies are a lot like runners and living a live with lupus is a lot like running a race.

"Running is a sport of goodwill. It's the only sport in the world where if a competitor falls, the others around will pick him or her up. It's the only sport in the world open to absolutely everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or any other division you can think of. It's the only occasion when thousands of people assemble, often in a major city, for a reason that is totally peaceful, healthy and well-meaning. It's the only sport in the world where no one ever boos anybody."
-Roger Robinson, Runner's World, April 15th, 2013

How many times do we stop and pick up a fellow lupie that has fallen down? If you haven't, you should. That is what support groups are for. They are for picking each other up when we fall. It shouldn't matter what ethnic group you are a part of, or what age or gender you are. We are all in this race together. The race of LIFE with LUPUS. We should encourage each other and support the different foundations and organizations working hard to find a cure for US. 

I am in no way saying that lupus is as bad as an act of terrorism, but people do die from it and suffer daily. It is my prayer that we help others and show kindness in our words and actions. You can help them from near and far by praying. Pray for Boston, pray for the runners and their families, pray for those that were involved with September 11th, because I know this brought back horrifying memories, and pray for your fellow lupies. 

Happy Wednesday......Do something good for somebody today......Be a helper!!!!

~Tiffany~

Why I Keek

How many of you have heard of Keek? It's a fairly new new component of social media. What it is, is a twitter type social media, but in video format. You have 36 seconds to tape your "status" or "what's on your mind." You follow people and they follow you. People can comment on those that they follow Keek's by either typing a message or you can Keek back a video response. It is totes fun and you should totes join. When you do, follow and subscribe to me!!! I post the good, the bad, and the ugly of my everyday life with lupus.

That's why I keek. I want to show the world and people that have a stereotype of how a person with a chronic and debilitating disease should be like, that we can look and feel normal. That we live normal lives just like they do. We go to work, we have families, and we even go out and have fun!!! Is it always peachy and rosy? Um, no!!!!!! We all know that!!!! But, hopefully, I can encourage someone that maybe has just been diagnosed, or help those who have family or friends that have lupus understand what life is like for them.

I hope you all have had a restful and pain free weekend!!!!! Happy Monday!!!

~Tiffany~

Sunday morning church outfit

Dress: Local Boutique

OOTD:

Shirt: Polo

Pants: Banana Republic

Necklace: ILY Couture

Pits and Perks

I am linking up with Bold Butter Baby today for the "Pits and Perks" of my week!!

First up the "Pits"
1) I had a terrible lupus flare Sunday and I had to stay in the bed all day. Not to mention my face looked like a swollen tomato.

2) Just like every week, I had to get up at 4:45 a.m. everyday just to make it to my morning duty at work.

3) I had morning duty. It makes for a sucky day when you have to say "Get out of the halls and go to the lunchroom!!!" 500 times before 7:53.

4) I discovered that I have gained 10 pounds....womp womp.....and what did I have for supper last night and lunch today???? Pasta Salad with tons of Mayo!!!!

5) I had to borrow money from the hubs and endure the tongue lashing. I joke with you, but I hate having to borrow money from him!!

And on to the perks.........

1) I finally got to wear this awesome shirt today from Ruby's Dreams (look her up on Facebook). It is so well made, and the customer service is superb. Also, it was much cheaper than the ones on Etsy!! Go check her out!!!

2.)  I got an excellent report from the doctor on Tuesday.... I don't have to go back for 8 more weeks!!! Holla!!!!!

3.) The hubs and I had a mid week date. It was AWESOME!! We went to Olive Garden and they are having a great promo going on right now!! You get an entrée for your meal and then you get to pick one to go for like 12 bucks!! Dinner for 2 nights from Olive Garden....that gets a super HHHHHOOOOOOLLLLLLLLAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

4) Emile Jane came to spend the night and work on prom food last night. Lizzie loves it when she comes. Only when Em J comes does she get to do this...........

5.) It's FREAKIN FRIDAY and I feel like dancing to the bed to hibernate until Sunday!!! If you saw my Keek (tiffanyadonnan) today you will know that I danced for 10 of the 36 seconds that I recorded.

Until next time.....I hope everyone has a weekend full of R&R, and fun, and laughs, and food, and you stay pain free!!!!!! Oh, and don't forget to DANCE!!!!!!!!!!

Peace Out Homies

~Tiffany~

Lupus and Your Diet

So sorry this post is late!!!! We are dealing with possible bad weather today, so I had to deal with the 10000000 questions of, "Do you know if we are getting out early today?" You should check out my response on Instagram (tiffanyadonnan). It's a hoot and a half :) Without further a due........ today's post that is sitting hard on my mind.

If I have had one person tell me that I needed to try an auto-ammune diet, or that I needed to try a clean diet, I would bet you that I have had 20 (including doctors). About a year ago I got my nutrition/diet guru bestie, Em J, and we went grocery shopping and bought gluten free, sugar free, food and snacks. She went aisle by aisle with me telling me all about the different foods I needed to eat and what to look for in the ingredients. I was so excited to get this new part of my life started. I had hit my all time high, weight wise, and I was miserable. I felt miserable. I felt that I looked miserable. I had a swollen face and a belly that would rival a 6 month pregnant mom to be. I had to make a change and it had to begin with my diet.

I spent $250.00 restocking my cabinets and getting rid of all the artificial crap I had been stuffing my face with for years. I had every meal planned and was ready to go. I did so good with cooking and making sure I provided my family with a healthy, clean meal every night. This lasted for about a month and I started feeling worse than what I felt before I started this diet. I was like, what the heck, I'm not doing something right. On one of our everyday talks, I asked Em J what I was doing wrong. She said nothing, I don't understand what is going on. To make a long story short, I gave up for a few months, started eating crap again, and lo and behold, I felt better. Then it hit me!!!!

I was a working lupie that is on her feet for 8 hours a day and then I came home and stood on my feet for 2 more hours preparing and cooking dinner. I was EXHAUSTED!!!! I didn't know which evil to choose. Do I choose eating crap, gaining weight, but feeling good because I came home rested, and threw in an oven pizza.....OR.....do I choose eating healthy, spending 2 hours cooking, and feeling like crap? I chose the latter.

Fast forward a year and I have lost approx 30 pounds and gained my confidence back. I did so good last summer and this fall with my eating habits. I made sure I didn't over eat and I had good, wholesome snacks in the house and in my lunch box to snack on. I still felt like crap because I didn't come home and rest (like I am told to do) after work, but I didn't care. I liked looking better than I felt. (Que: "But you don't look sick.")

Now let's talk about today. It has probably been a month since I have weighed myself and I took the plunge this morning and my jaw dropped!!! I have gained 10 pounds in a month. Are you serious??? 10 pounds??? What am I doing wrong? I looked in my cabinets and this is what I found.

Crap!!!!!!! Easy Mac, Rolo's, oven pizza, Ramen noodles, giant Fudge Rounds, chips, chicken fingers, white bread, etc.

The evidence speaks for itself. We don't go out, but apparently, we eat crappy, processed, food. I have not felt well lately and have been absent in the kitchen. So, the hubs takes over and I find something that is quick and easy (Hince the pizza and chicken fingers). 

How do you working lupies do it? Do you eat crap or do you eat a clean, healthy diet? I would love to know how you do it if you have a special diet, and how it works!!! 

Have a great day lupies!!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

top: my favorite of all time Piko from Kiki La Rue

Pants: Target

Wedges: Target

Necklace: LOFT

So WHAT! Wednesday

This week I am saying SO WHAT if..........

• I went to bed at 8:30 last night. Hello.....I get up at 4:45 in the a.m. everyday.
• I get up at 4:45 a.m. and I still can't get to work on time by 7:30.
• I am jealous of the people that can run more than one mile. My body will not physically allow me to do this.....stupid lupus!!!!
• I slept until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and I was back asleep by 1:00 and slept for 3 hours!!!
• I have every paycheck budgeted to the penny and I spend every penny of my paycheck every month. Yes, I pay my share of bills, but what's left I donate to Ulta, Mac, Forever 21, Target, and KiKi La Rue.
• I do not want to see my students until 7:53 every morning..I need a break between my child and the children I work with. Morning duty sucks!!!
• My lupus rash was so bad on Sunday, that I didn't go to church. I just can't go out in public looking like that.
• When I didn't go to church I slept until lunch!!! It felt marvelous!!!

So, what are you what "ifing" to today!! Link up, with Life After I Dew and have fun!!!

Have a Happy day my lupine friends!!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Pants: Target

Shirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Target

My 18 year old self

Instead of reading the morning newspaper or reading msn.com, I read blogs. It one way I start my day. I have several blogs that I read every single day, and then there are days I just read random blogs!! Let's face it folks, I am a blog reading addict and I probably should talk to my therapist about it!!! (I joke with you).

One blog topic out there in the blogging world is "What I would tell to my _______ year old self." I love reading these blogs because every one is different. Each blogger has gone through different things. As I was thinking about what to write about, this post came to my mind. It is something that I hadn't really thought about. What would I tell my younger self? Of course, I would tell myself you will survive broken hearts, you will survive the loss of loved ones, take care of yourself, etc., etc., but I didn't want to write about all that, and then this Bible verse came to my mind. It sums up everything I would tell my 18 year old self.

OOTD

Shirt: Forever 21

Pants: Target

Shoes: Belk

Cardigan: Old Navy

My weekend in Instagram pics

Happy Monday ya'll!!!!!! I hope you had a fantabulous weekend and are ready for a new week!! I know I am!! I am ready to put last week behind me and move forward.

The Hubs, Lizzie, and I had a very good and relaxing weekend!! Too bad I don't have a picture of me sleeping, because that is just about all I did. Oh, and throw a flare Sunday morning that broke my face out like something fierce and there you have it.

Let's begin with Friday. I had originally planned to take the day off to rest, but I decided to go in and try to get things in somewhat of an order for this week. In compliance with the hubs request, Lizzie and I wore our maize and blue because Michigan was playing in the final four. It must have been good luck!!!!!

My princess is Disney obsessed. She dressed like a princess all weekend, wore her princess nightgown, and watched Disney Jr.

My first child, Phoebe got a new bed!! I love it because it is CHEVRON and it was only like $9.00 at Wal-Mart. She is spoiled rotten!!!!

This made the hubs happy, happy, happy!!!!! Michigan won and will play in the championship game tonight. Go Blue!!!!!!

And this is how I spent my Sunday.......watching Elf on Starz!! I laid in the bed and rested all day!! When I saw this movie on the TV guide, I was elated!!! I could not think of a better way to spend my afternoon resting. It actually came on twice, and yes.....I watched it both times!!!!!

So, that pretty much wraps up my weekend!! If you follow me on instgram, you have already seen these pics (sooo sorry), and if you don't you should (tiffanyadonnan). I post a lot of random crap and really cute pics of my princess!!!!

I hope you have a great week!!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Shirt: Old Navy

Pants: Target

Shoes: Target

What's in your Purse?

 

 I am linking up with Mel and Erin for a Purse Party!!! I know I am a day late, but better late than never.

First off I am carrying my "conference" purse from a convention I attended on Easter weekend. I love it because it is big enough for everything I need. It is last year's Jessica Simpson.

Here's the inside. As you can see, very organized. I hate not being able to find anything.

I always have two BLUE pens and a pencil. I don't go anywhere without a phone charger, and I always have an extra set of headphones.

In the other inside pocket, I have my lotion, Urban Decay lip gloss, and hand san.

This is my "medical" bag. As you can see, I have Aleve, deo, Excedrin Migraine, an extra dose of my everyday pills, and my epi pen. 

This is what's in my make up bag. Benefit's Hello Gorgeous and Hello Flawless powder and foundation, Dior's Lip Glow, and Rimmel's Eastend Snob liner and lip gloss.

In the big inside pocket, I have my extra charger for my phone, and a Kiki La Rue coozie.

Vera Bradley Wallet with everything and every credit card you can possibly think of

And finally an iPad, notebook, and a picture Lizzie has colored.

Hope you have enjoyed looking and seeing what all is in my purse!! Go ahead and visit and link up with the hosts!!! Happy Friday!!