Weekend Round Up

The weekend began for me on Thursday as we traveled to Nashville for a church convention. The ride went by really fast and thank the lawd we didn't have any traffic issues or delays or the hubs would have gone cra cra. When we got there, our keys were not ready yet. I can understand this when a convention of 10,000 comes to one place for one weekend, and we all try to get our keys within a 3 hour timespan. So, what do we do???? We walk to Opry Mills, shop, grab a bite to eat, and of course ride the carousel.

The princess still had birthday money to spend, and when we went into the Disney store, she knew EXACTLY what she wanted.... (yes, my 5 year old still rides in a stroller. Don't be making fun.....it's her choice. Heck, it's a long walk from the hotel to the mall, and have you ever been to that mall? Keep in mind it is the size of the old Opryland theme park. We ended up getting keys around 7:00 p.m. All of our rooms were wrong, they were not together, and families with 5 people ended up with a king size bed, and not doubles. We gave up our room to one family that needed doubles. It worked out fine for us, so no biggie.  Of course, the convention staff themselves, were very apologetic, but the staff at the hotel was not. Apparently, the Gaylord Opryland has been bought out by Marriott and this was their first major convention under the new management. All I have to say, is that they better be getting their crap together before next year, or we will take our 10,000 and go elsewhere. 

Friday, began the actual convention!!! Our day began at 11 with judging Art projects. Our division was  grades 3 and 4 photography. After we chose the winners, we had lunch and then our youth group competed in three different divisions of puppet theater. This caused us to walk all over the hotel to the different meeting rooms...talk about painful and worn out!!! I was worn slap dab out, and we had not even gone to the 2 1/2 hour awards ceremony that didn't begin until 8:00!!! Needless to say, I slept through dinner and woke up about an hour before the ceremony started.

OOTD (Friday)

Top: Forever 21

Pants: JEG Boutique

I knida like these 2!!!!!

The princess and her chevron dress!! She is my child!!!!! She is being recognized for knowing her books of the Bible!!!

Look at them!!!! I went into J Crew Saturday and came out to find them sitting the exact same way. How cute are they?!?!?!?!?

OOTD (Saturday)

Shirt Fash Forward Boutique

Pants: Kohls

Lizzie's OOTD

Cutesy Patootsie Children's Clothes

Of course no Easter is not complete without a visit to the Easter Bunny!!!

So proud of her courage to get up and sing a Song of Praise!!!

Easter morning we worshiped with approx 10,000 souls at the Garylord Opryland. It was a beautiful service.

Easter breakfsat!!!

OOTD

Dress: Belk

Hat: Ner a clue..it belongs to my sister.

This is my purchase in honor of Easter. A cross and a letter "D" for my brighton charm bracelet. 

As like many of you, it is better for me to take a day off after a huge weekend like this past one. I did just that. I got a sub and took the day off. However, my Granddad is VERY sick in the hospital and I have chose to go and sit with my grandmother. Please pray for my family. It is a very difficult time for us. I know that it would be better for me to stay at home and nap and rest, but this is where I feel I need to be. I dread it like the plague. Just pray that I do not have any side effects from the busy weekend and then a long day at the hospital. 

Happy Monday Lupies!!

~Tiffany~

Lupus and Social Media

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I absolutely love the fact that I can get on the computer or my phone at any given time of the day or night and read all about what is going on in the lives of my friends that I do not get to see everyday. I would say I am on some type of social media at least once an hour if not more from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

I hate the fact that I have become addicted to social media. My husband and I don't communicate the way we should in the evenings, and I feel like I am missing quality time with my daughter because I am on my computer/ipad/phone.

I dont know how I feel about this relationship I have with social media. I am a school teacher and we are not allowed to post onto any social media from 8-3. Does that mean I never look at it....heck to the no!!! I am as bad as , if not worse than the kids. I am checking status updates, tweets, IG pics, and keeks between classes, in the halls, at lunch, break, planning, and after school.

I say all that to say this....social media is how and where I get most of my new information about lupus from and how I stay connected to my lupus support groups. I am always learning something new, helping a fellow group member cope with a lupus issue, or I am writing this blog. Finding a cure and inspiring those with lupus is my goal, but I must not neglect what is important to me and that is my family.

So, I have teamed up with Mama Laughlin and I am taking an April challenge. I will shut off all social media after 5 p.m. each day. The hubs has even agreed to join in. You should check my Keek (tiffanyadonnan) out about it!! I explain a little bit more about it there.

Will you join me and taking this challenge? Will it be harder to catch up in the mornings, respond to emails, and blog...yep, but nobody said this was going to be easy. You should totes be in. Post your thoughts on IG #poundbepresent. Follow me @tiffanyadonnan. I will be posting daily how things are going....you have form now until Sunday to get the social media craze out!!! Good luck!!!



On to something completely and totally random...I decided to do my hair different...I think I kinda like..

Later Lupies!!

Tiffany

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So What Wednesday.....

Today, I am linking up with Shannon for Life After I "Dew" for "So What Wednesdays.

So here goes....

So what if......I still have my child's 4 year old portrait propped up in the corner of my bedroom because I can't decide where to hang it. It has been there since Christmas.

So what if....I love laying in the bed in my pj's until the hubs calls and says he is on his way home. That gives me an hour to clean up and get some clothes on.

So what if....I begin making lists insanely early for a weekend trip. Like two weeks before I leave. I have a fear that I will forget something.

So what if...I won't take a nap unless I have at least 2 hours for it. Hey, I have lupus..don't hate on me Jack...

So what if....I have a secret crush on Jase from Duck Dynasty. I think he would be so much fun!!!

So what if...I have had Skinny Meg's playlist for months and I am still not finished going through it. I do have a job and a family. Ain't nobody got time for all of those songs.

So what if....I actually love the old school rap that Skinny Meg has on her playlist. I will jam out when I find one I like and then the hubs will join in. Que Lizzie yelling at us that we are being too loud :)

What are you so whating to today?? Linkup and share your what ifs!!!!

Happy Hump Day!!

~Tiffany

Finish the sentence LINK UP!!!!!!!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE linkups!!!!!! Especially Holly and Jake's. Have fun, linkup, and enjoy!!!

1. If calories didn't count, I would eat...  5 giant fudge rounds after every meal and some in between

2. On my Prom night.... which one?? I went to 4. None of which were very exciting. Prom is over rated!!

3. When I go to the store, I always buy... A big pack of Fudge rounds

4. Family functions typically...end up in my Dad and cousin wrestling in the floor, everyone making fun and shaking their head at my granddaddy, and my dad and his brother fighting. The women just sit there like, is it time to go yet?

5. I think my blog readers...blog readers??? What's that and do I have any...lol

6. I'd much rather be.....On a WARM beach somewhere with my toes in the sand and a cold Diet Mtn. Dew in my hand looking at the people on the beach and saying to my friends and husband..what were they thinking, how much older do you think he is than her, do you think she has had a boob job, etc??

7. I have an obsession with....online shopping, anything chevron, and sleeping (I have lupus. I come by the sleeping things honestly. Give me a break people)

8. My work friends....love to read hard core romance fiction...I mean after 50 Shades of Gray, there was no turning back for them..heck, I can't let them take the flack all alone...they have shared a few with me. They even let the preacher's wife borrow 50 Shades....

9. When I created my Facebook account....I thought I would never like it...Myspace was much better

10. My least favorite word is...vagina...oh I can't believe I even said it!!!

11. I really don't remember....what life without lupus is like, but I have learned to love life with it!!!!

12. Justin Bieber....causes my fever, but he needs to lay off the drugs....Hugs not drugs Bieber!!!!!

Deciding on a Vacation.....Womp Womp

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!!!!! It comes around every year and every year I dread it like the plague. the question of, "Where do you want to go on vacation" comes up. In my opinion, there is only one logical answer to this question, THE BEACH...........before lupus. Since being diagnosed, going to the beach gets harder and more painful every year. I love being at the beach more that any place on this earth, but it is so painful for me!!! I mean I could lay in the sand or by the pool from sun up to sun down. I can still tolerate some sun, but not like I would like to. I have to go out later and come in earlier. This cuts my beach time in half. Not fun!!!! I get depressed because I look outside and see all these people riding the waves and sunning their buns and I want to be doing that instead of sitting in the condo watching re-runs of Full House.

My husband and  I love NYC!!!! We try to go there once a year, but due to our schedules, we haven't been able to go the last two years. So, this option always comes up. The only thing with this option is all the walking. I have to go in every afternoon and take a nap and rest from the walking. Once again feeling depressed because I feel like I am wasting the day away in my favorite city!!!

We have done the the Disney thing. We did this just after Lizzie had turned 3. It went well!! We didn't get to the park until 9 or so and we took one day out during the week to rest between the parks. We went in the spring and the weather was perfect. Once again....A LOT of walking!!!! I do not want to be tired on vacation!!!

Where do you vacation?? What advice do you have for someone with SLE trying to decide where to vacation?

And lastly, my weekend via instagram!!!!!

Friday night Em J and I "rode" to Florence to pick up some stuff. HAHA!!!! We came back with a packed car full of furniture and plants...hince the bamboo that rode in my lap on the way home.

Couldn't leave Phoebe out!!! She got a new owl toy!!!

Spray tan gone bad :(........I called and they gave me another one for free :)

Saturday night was a night in. I finally got to watch Rock of Ages!!!

This is a monumental picture!!! Lizzie is eating something different for the first time.......a grilled cheese!!!!!!

Sunday morning OOTD

Pants: Express

Jacket: Target

Top: TJ Maxx

And the weekend concluded with a make-up brush cleaning!!!!

Happy Monday!!!

Be looking for a link-up soon!!!!

My week in Instagram pics!!

 I have decided to link up with Lex and show you my week via instagram....enjoy!!!

My week via instagram.

 This is how I felt when I was on the phone with AT&T about my facetime over cellular...

My baby girl and I....I think this was Tuesday

OOTD:

Top: Kiki La Rue

Jeans: Wal-Mart

Cuff: Lenny and Eva

Bracelet: Brighton

Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

It stormed one night and the Princess got to sleep with Mommy and Daddy..That is some good sleeping :)

I have been dying to wear this necklace and with these shoes...and finally the right day came.

Blazer: Target

Jeans: iT!

Shoes: Target

T-Shirt: Gap

Belt: Target

Necklace: Online Boutique (Can't remember the name)

If you haven't been following Kid President, you should!!! He is so inspiring!!!!

OOTD:

Pants: Target

Scarf: Belk

Sweater: No idea. It's old

Boots: Belk

And finally I registered the princess for Kindergarten....We are both so excited!!! She will be just across the street from me and I am ready for free education.....

Why Can't I Just Enjoy It?

I don't know about where you live, but the weather where I live was absolutely gorgeous this past weekend!!! There was only one problem.....I was so exhausted from the week before, I couldn't enjoy it.

If you follow me Keek (if you don't you should) or if you follow me on instagram (once again if you don't you should because I post random crap all the time that it pretty darn funny) you will know that I made the hour and a half trip to visit my sister and her family at their new home. It is a beautiful new home in a beautiful neighborhood. It reminds me a lot of the way neighborhoods were back in the day with sidewalks and street lights. Lizzie and her cousin, Lillie Kate, had a blast playing outside on the sidewalk and in the back yard. The hubs and I had some returns to make at the mall, so we left Lizzie to play so we could go make the returns. I am so glad we did!!! That mall was complete pandemonium and I still left without everything I needed. After we got back to the house, I was worn out and I knew it was time to go. We only stayed for a couple of hours, which I feel terrible about, but I was just wearing down very fast. The hubs and my 8 month pregnant sister stayed outside with the kids while I rested on the couch and talked to my Mom. I mean she is 8 months pregnant and feels better than I do!!! It's ridiculous!!! We got home about 7:00 and I was in the bed by 8:30.

When it was time to get up at 7:15 for church, I couldn't do it. I had a terrible night the night before. I was in pain and tossed and turned. I got up, ate a bite, took my meds, and went back to bed. At about 8:30, I drug myself out of bed and into the shower. That was exhausting. When I got out, I was just sitting on the sink, and the hubs asked if he could help me to dry my hair. I was stubborn and said no. Now, how I wish I had taken him up on that offer. I continued to get ready for church, but it was very painful. It took me 2 hours+ to get dressed because I had to stop and rest...Not fun.  This is what I came up with for St. Patty's Day.

After church, I can straight home, ate my St. Patty's Day cupcake,  and was back in the bed by 12:30 and slept for 3 hours!!

Then I was up getting dressed again, going to judge a debate, evening church services, and then a birthday party afterwards. I was back in the bed by 8:30.

Why can I not enjoy a beautiful weekend? Why do I have to be so exhausted that I can't function? I am worn out, that I feel like I could throw up, but this is a new week and next week is Spring Break!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Happy Monday Lupies!!

On a scale......

How many times have we heard, "On a scale of 1-10, how much pain have you had in the last week?" I LOATHE this question. I mean how do you answer this. The worst pain I have ever been in was 2 summers ago when I passed a kidney stone. That was the worst pain ever, and I would still say it was an 8. I have never had a baby (we adopted), so I don't know what child birth is like, and the kidney stone is the only thing I have to compare my lupus pain to. But who is to say my 5 is the same as your 5? What exactly do doctors get out of this question. I just don't understand,....

I say that, to say this.......with this weather change, my pain in my feet and my legs are at about a seven tonight. It is 30 in the mornings and 70 in the afternoons. What is a gal to do?? I can't get comfortable, I have the heat on in the morning and the sun roof open in the afternoon. What do you do when the weather changes?? How do you handle the pressure change? I would love to know!!! Hit me up!!

On another subject, my Birchbox arrived in the mail yesterday. If you don't subscribe to Birchbox or Ipsy, you so should sign up. It is $10.00 a month and you fill out a questionnaire based on what products you are interested in and they fill your box each month based on how you answered the questionnaire.  In my box today was BB Cream, some fancy ($20.00) shaving cream that smells out of the world, a head band, some kind of mask, and some Elizabeth Arden moisturizer. I honestly have not bought primer, BB Cream, or mascara but like twice in the last year, because they keep sending me samples.  It is the bomb digity. Check it out!!!

OOTD (It's still cold in Alabama)

Sweather: H & M

Pants: Target

Boots: Belk

Belt: Body Central

Necklace: Old, old, old

So WHAT Wednesday.....

Hey guys!!! I know...2 posts in one day...crazy right!!!!!! Well, I am linking up with Shannon from Life after I Dew for What if Wednesday!! Join in and have fun!!!

So what if.......

• I go and get my hair washed at the Magic Mirror twice a week because my lupus prevents me from being able to do it myself
• my best friend Em J and I have completely and totally inappropriate conversions about EVERYTHING. That's why I love her
• I have an unhealthy obsession with NYC. If I had it to do again I would move there after I graduated college.
• I lost 25 pounds in two months. Lupus and medication will make your body go on a weight loss/gain roller coaster
• I am currently drinking a Spark and hoping for a miracle energy spark shortly.
• If I am 32 years old and I still sleep with a teddy bear
• I feed my child breakfast and leave her to get dressed by herself while I finish up. I say it promotes independence.
• My husband and I have a love affair with Starbucks coffee......oh and Amazon
• my dog sleeps with the hubs and I, but our daughter sleeps in her own bed
• I have seen every episode of Duck Dynasty at least 4 times
• I wear sweat shirts in the summer (I have I mentioned how much I love lupus)
• I am thankful I have lupus. It has taught me s many things about life and how to live it to its fullest. I actually have never thought of my life without lupus. What would it be like, what would I be able to do, etc. I don't like having it, but it has made me stronger, thankful, and humble.

Have a Happy Hump Day Afternoon!!!

Cheers!

Tiffany

How I spend my day!!!

My day begins at 5:15 a.m. with the lovely marimba ringtone in my ear. Somedays I get a shower, somedays I get one the night before. Lizzie and I walk out the door by 7:15 a.m. every morning. From 7:15-7:30 I drop Lizzie off at pre-school and I drive to work. From 7:30-7:50 I get ready for my day at work by hooking up my computers, making copies, etc. 

Then the fun begins at 7:58. This is where it all begins.

It begins with surviving the 6th grade (visit our class blog) It is 100% student ran :)

 At the beginning of every class we take 15 minutes to review skills they have learned in previous grades and so far in the 6th grade. It is called the Daily Language Review.

It looks something like this...just 5 problems a day!!!

Then we move on to the "meat" of our day and study and review for the ARMT test that will be given in May!!! I want my students to go good, so we are beginning now!!!

And that folks is my daily class routine for 8 hours a day!!! It doesn't seem exciting, but when you add 150 students to the mix, it makes for an interesting day!!!

Happy Hump Day!!! I hope it is a great one!!!

Cheers!!

Tiffany

All About ME!!!!

Another link up for you real quick from Fat Chick 2 Fit Chick. I think this one actually came from Jack and Sally It's an all about ME link up...here we go.....

1. People always tell me….you are prettier the older you get (geee thanks)

2. In the movie based on my life…I am played by my favorite actress, Anne Hathaway, and it would take place in NYC (my dream city).

3. Typically, I end up regretting….Not knowing when to shut up

4. I always ask to leave off the….sour cream and guacamole (yuck)

5. Kim and Kanye really…I have no other thoughts than......stupid..just.....stupid

6. My Parents always reminded me…to be thankful for what I have.

7. Every single day I…..want to sleep until I wake up with no distractions...oh and to eat a fudge round :)

8. This one time in College…I threw up all over myself and had to take the walk of shame through the dorm with vomit all over myself.

9. My grossest habit is…leaving hair in the drain

10. My latest white lie was…I speak no evil.......lol!!!

11. I know all the words to…Hold On by Wilson Phillips

12. When I grow up…I want to be in fashion and make-up

13. Sexy time is…what's that...I think it was 10 years ago...lol!!!!

14. I will never, ever…get used to seeing someone vomit...it's a phobia of mine

15. I think it’s hilarious…to hear what Si has to say on Duck Dynasty...

And to wrap up today's link up, the OOTD

Cardi: Factory Connection

Shirt: Wet Seal

Pants: Target

Long Necklace: Forever 21

Short Monogram Necklace: Gift from the Hubs

Cuff: Lenny and Eva

Watch: Fossil

My first "Link Up Party"

I have read about "link up parties" but have never had the gumption to do one until I came across Fat Chick to Fit Chick. Her link up really hit home and and I would love to share.

Let me begin with saying I am AWESOME because I am a survivor. I am a survivor of so many things: college, graduate school, a full time job, being a wife and mommy, and so much more. Being AWESOME means so much more to me because I am a survivor of lupus. Lupus was given to me because I know I would not be given anything that I cannot handle. Is is hard.....everyday. Does it suck the life out of me.....everyday. Does it keep me from doing the things I want to do.....everyday. Sure, I could mope around all day feeling sorry for myself and using lupus as an excuse to not live my life to the best of my ability, but then I would only be a tolerator, not a survivor. 

I have so much to live for. I have an amazing family, amazing job, and amazing friends. Without all of that, I would have no reason to fight. I am a fighting to survive this deadly disease and I'm not going out without kicking and screaming.

From one AWESOME survivor to another......keep surviving.

Cheers!
Tiffany