Was I used ?

Last week I got a phone call from a woman I know from my old support group. We have
hardly talked in years. No without trying on my end.
She is always depressed. A gigantic downer to be around. All she does is complain.

She called about 8:15 pm and I was exhausted. Our TV shows the phone number of the person calling and although I recognized it I didnt. I thought it was my close girlfrends cell. Her friend had just died and I knew she would be having a difficult time through the holidays.

I picked up the phone and the complaining began. I had to ask who it was..No she never asked how I was or did she seem to care. She said she hadnt been on MS meds for months to which I replied. Me neither. Next subject..I just wasnt complaining abut it. Instead I was excited to start a new one.


Anyway, to make a long story short she asked for money. Hmmm I saw that one coming.
She caught me completely offguard. I said yes and she said she would be there in a few minutes.
Supposedly I wil have it back in a week. Yeah right !

Mark, my hubby, was not happy.

I know what he was feeling. I felt used. I really really felt used.

 However with that said we both agreed it was the right thing to do. It was the holidays and she needed it.
I'm sure there was someone else she could have asked.

I dont and wont become the Bank of Cathy.

This woman gets EVERYTHING paid for from the state. Food, health insurance, housing.
Must be nice and yet she still cant manage her money. Disabiltiy.
I live on disability but my husband has a job. We are NOT a bank. Make an effort and I'll help you thru the rough times but newsflash this bank is CLOSED.

If you want to be my friend, then be my friend. Not a ban kfriend, a real friend.

Oh and by theway I feel like crap but you would never know because I suck it up and run a house, a business, volunteer, take care of 2 dogs and have a husband.

Your welcome for the money. Hmmm I think that was the only time I heard that and it was from myself to myself.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

back to the cruise

The first 4 days of 14 days were at sea...

My cell phone was cut off by At & T. Thanks a lot. I guess I exceeded my limit with the apps on my phone that were constantly roaming. We ended up paying a huge amount of money in the first port so I could have a phone for emergencies.

The first 4 days we slept, rested, read magazines, drank those fruity drinks they serve on ships. You kow the ones with little or no alcohol. haha !  and ate.

We had the time to plan our excurisions in port so we picked one for the first port we were both so excited about. It'll be tomorrows post so come back and find out what  we did.

On the ship they had all kinds of activities to do while we were at sea.
You could make a lei, learn to huladance, learn to plan a ukele..Too funny

Have a great  day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

A ski reunion

Last night we met up with my wonderful host family.


A few years ago I was awarded a scholarship to learn how to snow ski.
Now, dont all laugh at once.
They flew me  to Durango Colorado and I  learned to snow ski  and stayed with a
host family.
We have not only kept in  touch but became good friends.

They emailed me a few weeks ago that their precious dog had died and they were
looking at a breeder here in Wisconsin.
I was so excited to see them. Introduce them to my husband any way I  could with getting the perfect dog.

I even came up with a list of Wisconsin names for the dog. LOL They werent a big fan of Packer. Tom's a Giants fan and the Packers just beat the Giants.

Although we were beyond exhausted after yesterday we had to meet them.

We had a late lunch so we met them for a drink. OMG I love these people so much.
They are truly wonderful people. And now Mark, my hubby will get to also meet them.


If you have MS, please please please consider getting involved with this ski program.
It is completely free. They probably even have clothes you can borrow.

If you are interested, please let me know and I'll coach you through the  application and it would probably help if my name was on app. Just saying ! haha !

Have a great day everybody ! And now back to work for me

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

A new day

Yesterday I started Gilenya...So very excited.

We headed out about 6:30 am for my neuro'soffice. Of course it had just begun to not rain but FREEZING rain. OMG !

Within the first few miles of our home on the highway there were 8 accidnets. I didnt even think our county had that many ambulances.

The worst thing about weather like that, in addition to driving in it, is that you cant stop and help anyone without creating more of a situation so all you can do is call 911.

Hope everybody is okay.

We got to the neuro about 1/2 hour late. I called to let them know. There were 3 other people starting Gilenya so we all sat around in a lobby type setting and chatted. Some brought spouses but I'll  tell you it is hard to kill 6 hours..I was so bored.

I brought tons of stuff to do but didnt want to do anything LOL

We watched TV, talked, laughed, talked some more and then it happened. We all fell asleep.
too funny. Even the spouses were out. Some snoring ! Some wheezing ! .

We got thru the boring 6 hours and I am excited about starting this med.

I'd love to hear from anybody who is on it. No horror stories please. Just positive.. I got rid of the negativity in my life and I'm not letting it back in.

Have a wonderful day everybody


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Wow ! what a cabin

If you have ever been on a cruise before you know the size of the cabins can be very small.

And for me who is claustrophobic it can be a more challenging experience.

When we opened the door to our cabin we were pleasantly surprised to see how large and spacious it was,

Wow ! We couldnt believe it. We had a cabin with a balcony because we were on this cruise for 2 weeks and the thought of no window was making me crazy.

We had a wonderful balcony, a spacious room, and a bathroom that was actually handicap accessible,
The cabin even fit the scooter I rented and it wasnt going to be i nthe way.

We were to the say the least impressed with Princess cruises. Our first expereince with Princess.

More to follow on our wonderful vacation.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend ! Follow us on twitter @themsshoppe or on facebook http://www.themsshoppe.com/

a difficult choice?

On the day after Thanksgiving we were going to drive to the Valley and visit some friends. Sorry everybody for changing plans.

We cancelled it for a couple of reasons. Mostly both Mark & I have been thru alot lately
and werent sure we would be great company to be around. But also because it was a long
drive and my MS bladder probably would have had a coronary explosion..haha !

But  thirdly it was depressing me to know I would be just about a mile from my parents home
and they didnt want to see me :-(
It amazes me that people can do that to their children because they have a disease like MS.
But on the other hand I certainly dont want people like that in my life if they cant be
supportive and loving.


Last year when they walked away from me when I was so sick I let them. I havent heard from them in about a year and half. Even the nasty emails have stopped..
We even removed them from our holiday card list along with every other member of the family.
They probably dont know whether I am dead or alive..

Hug your family this year for me. Remember DNA doesnt make a family. I have the "family" subsitutes
but it sure would have been nice to have the real thing


Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

After Christmas Sale

Please join us for our After Christmas sale.

Lots of items on sale

New products will be introduced

Virtual brownices and cookies will be served


Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

After Thanksgiving

We really weren't sure what to do on the day after Thanksgiving.

We had originally planned to meetup with my best friend in the Valley
but there were so many personal things going on in our life I wasnt sure we would be
good company. Also the thought of a very long drive wasnt making my MS bladder very happy.

We decided to just spend a quiet day exploring the city of San Pedro.
We decided to walk with Mark pushing me in my wheelchair down to these little
shops on the water...
Well, most of them werent open. Go figure. You cant make money if your closed. Just saying!

We rolled around and window shopped. The restaurants were all open and the aroma of seafood
was everywhere. We were hungry and found this little place for lunch.

Now if you have never been to California they have the best Mexican food in the " little places"
because it always feels like someone's grandmother is cooking. This was no exception. The food
was incredible. That is the one thing I really miss about California.
I had fish tacos. A California staple...Yum  I can still remember how good they were.

Were window shopped some more before heading back. The only store we found open
sold African American clothes and other collectibles. They had music playing that brought a
huge smile to my face. It was Bob Marley singing Christmas Caroles. I could have sat there
all day.. Thanks for helping us get in the mood for Christmas. Although I had the song sstuck
in my head all day I was still so pleased to have heard such beautiful music. I just may have to buy that
record..


Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a friend !

Arriving in California

We arrived at LAX early afternoon. We had made arrangements to be picked up by the Super Shuttle.
Great service however traffic in California makes for a long drive. It is also a shared service so you can have more than one stop.
The only problem was my MS bladder and 2 hrs til we reached the hotel...Bumpy roads, red lights well you get the picture..I was fine but man I needed to pee something bad..LOL

We arrived at our hotel with our tons of luggage. We were gone 17 days, 3 formal nights on the cruise, the wedding ceremony, bathing suits...

When we got to the hotel we were greeted with and I quote " they gave my handicap room to someone else"
To which I replied " kick them out"
In my hand was a confirmation for a room without a bathtub, a managers name who I double checked with
and my husbands frequent travel number. ( because he stays with that chain alot. )

I was so not in the mood for that. We waited in the lobby while they tried to resolve their screw up because they didnt have any other handicap accessible rooms.
The least they could have done was send us to the bar for a drink on them,.

We were offered a handicap room with 2 double beds or a king with a tub..OMG do I sleep with my husband or bathe?
I countered that we would take the 2 double beds ( it was only 2 nights) at their expense...

tick tick tick the clock kept ticking and yet we were still stting in the lobby of the hotel..

Suddenly they had a handicap room available. It had a broken TV so it hadnt been used for a while.
Thye swapped the TV from a different room and voila we were in a room, actually we were in a suite.

At least I could sleep with my husband and bathe. I know I am so selfish I want it all. haha !

The next day would be better. We were just glad to see the sun.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

  

Thanksgiving Day

While this seems like a such long time ago it feels so close to my heart.

Mark & I left for vacation on Thanksgiving Day.
Rumors had it it was a good day to travel..Less people and better for a person with a disability. Plus
people seemed to be in a good mood.

We left our local airport and headed for Chicago Ohare. My favorite place,,NOT.

Because the Packers were playing we decided to wear our jerseys..Pretty gutsy walking thru Chicago
airport.

From Chicago we headed to LAX in Los Angeles..They pre boarded me and I joked with the
flight attendant to " tell the pilot we wanted updates on the Packers game"

Well the pilot must have been a Packers fan ( smart guy) because he took down channel 9,
which is usually flight control whenre you can listen to all the other planes in the sky, and put
the Packers game on.
OMG how sweet is that? Thanks United Airlines and our wonderful captain.

We tried to behave as we listened to the game. Not cheering to loudly, especially when we
realized at the end of our row was a Detroit fan. Oopsie !

Anyway, we were on our way to the most romantic vacation ever...Stay tuned ! And
the Psckers Won. Yippee !!

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themssoppe.com/


Tell a friend ! Follow us on twitter @themsshoppe or on facebook http://www.themsshoppe.com/ for
all the latest sales, events and fun !!

I've been gone for a while

In case you hadnt noticed I have been gone for a while.

I dont like to share on my blog when I am not home. Juast doesnt seem safe
so Ill give you a recap.

Mark & I just returned from Hawaii and California for an  extended vacation.

The days leading up to our vacation were filled with trying to get Christmas gifts wrapped
and holiday cards addressed so I was up to my eyeballs with things to do.
Am terribly sorry I wasnt here.

I'm going to share our vacation with  you because as a person with a progressive MS I feel it is important
to let people know we can still travel.
I have become a house hermit lately and I have to constantly remind myself to get out of the house.


I missed you all. Was without my cell phone signal most of the time ( boo hoo NOT) so I was c
ompletely unaware of everything going on

Have a great Day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

I promised

So I promised I would resume my blog.

Been going thru some personal things and couldnt find any
time to write.

Thank you for the concerned emails, calls and cards in the mail.

You always want to believe you have a support system when you need it and
you guys just confirmed it.


Sitting here on the couch with my laptop ( after all thats what it is there for)
having a cup of hot apple cider. No booze just cider. It is hitting the spot
because it is so cold outside.

Although there is still so much going on in my life I realize that it is
a destresser to write and get things off my chest.

The dogs are sleeping, purring ever so softly. I want to do the same.

Have a great day everybody.

Cathy
www. TheMSShoppe.com


tell a friend ! Follow us o n twitter @themsshoppe or on facebook as
our company name http://www.themsshoppe.com/



 

Life in Action

I recently wrote an article for Life in Action magazine.

It was in their last issue, literally...I guess it is now going
to be an online magazine. That's okay because it is a good
magazine and online is better for me.

The article was about Mark & I swimming with the dolphins
last year and how the cruise line ( Holland America ) went out of
their way to help my dream come true.

The dolphins were a great experience.. We are considering doing it
again.

Look for this magazine online..It is part of United Spinal Association.

I hope I get the opportunity to write for them again.

It is so important for those of with MS to motivate and support
one another.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
MS Awareness orange ribbon items


follow us on twitterv@themsshoppe or on facebook at http://www.themsshoppe.com/
Sneak peek at all sales...

blog re focus

I changed my blog description from Tysabri and MS to
starting a business after an MS diagnosis.

Since I no longer take Tysabri ti didn't seem appropiate
to talk about it on my blog.

Love the drug and love Biogen Idec but I think it is
inspiring to share how I started this business after being diagnosed
with MS and fired from my job for having MS.

When you are given lemons make lemonade and
That is what I did.

I'm proud of my accomplishments and would love to
inspire others to not give up.

Have a great day everybody !


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
MS Awareness and Orange Ribbon items


follow us on twitter @themsshoppe or on facebook http://www.themsshoppe.om/
to see the sales first. :-)

door installation today

We are having a new front door installed today.

And although that sounds like a minor project let me explain
to you why it is not.

First, we have an old home built 1895 with very high ceilings.
The door had to custom made, one to go wtih the architecture of the
Victorian home and two nobody stocks a door that large.

I used to joke our front door was like the one the wizard had in The
Wizard of OZ, except its not green.

Anyway, it was ordered months ago and it finally being installed. yippee

Next step is getting it painted and then remodeling is DONE !
My wallet is empty...

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
MS Awareness items
Orange Ribbon items


Follow us on twitter @themsshoppe
 

sick doggy

Yesterday the dogs were supposed to be groomed by a friend
who just started a mobile pet grooming service.

I had to cancel because A-Rod (our little one) was so sick during
the night and nobody got any sleep.

He ate breakfast in the morning and promptly lost his cookies, so
to speak.

I called the vet and because he is a newbie to us and has had stomach
 in the past, supposedly, they wanted to see him.
He has NEVER gotten sick since we got him with the exception of
the first week he ate his dinner and ran around the house like the nut he is and
lost it. We refer to it as "self induced"

Anyway, he probably just ate something in the yard. We have a squirrel and
 bunny problem. We live next to a park and I guess they haven't figured out the
property line yet.

Today, A-Rod seems to be doing better but is contstantly needing to pee.

He's still clingly, butthat is normal for him

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


MS Awareness items

check us out on facebook and now on twitter @themsshoppe

tweet tweet

The MS Shoppe ( our online business) has just joined Twitter.

Needless to say I am a lttile challenged with new technology.

So what was my solution? Yes, Twitter for dummies book.
I downloaded it to my kindle.LOL

I am such a big fan of these "dummies" books and honestly
I am learning alot.

If you are on twitter, please follow us @themsshoppe.

If you are NOT on twitter sign up and we can learn together


Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

For all your MS Awareness Items- Think Orange

Tell a Friend !

MS BS tshirts

We are so very sorry for the delay in filling these orders.

No matter how hard we try it is getting difficult to keep these
 tshirts in stock...
We were a little concerned about a purple shirt but honestly the guys are loving it.
It helps that the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and the Minnesota vikings
all have the color purple...LOL

We will be caught up soon and doubling our inventory so it shouldn't happen again.

Thanks for your support for our 3 year old business ( LLC). We have
been able to make significant donations to the NMSS.

We will find a cure...Hope Believe and inspire.. Words to live by.

Thanks again, love you lots...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

MS Awareness items


Tell a Friend !

the end of an era or 4 1/2 years

Last Monday was my last Tysabri infusion.

I am very sad. I really loved this drug and it was an incredibly
difficult decision to change meds.

I have been on it for 4 1/2 years and last year I tested
positive for the JC virus and it increases your risk of PML.

It also increases your risk to have been on it as long as I have.

So we, my neuro, my husband and myself made the decision
to start Gilenya.
I'll be starting it in December..Lots of preliminary tests.

My veins will be very happy. They seem to have crapped out a long
time ago so the thought of a pill everyday was very appealing.

My heartfelt thanks to my wonderful nurses who I will so much.
Also, to Biogen Idec for supporting me and allowing me to be a
patient advocate for so many years. I will miss you also.

So between now and December I am not on any meds. Yikes!
I feel positive about this change.

Have a great day everybody.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/   

twitter anyone?

The MS Shoppe recently joined twitter. Still
learning my way around it but I have followers

so I'm excited.

If you are on twitter, follow us... @TheMSShoppe


See ya there

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

normal family ?

As many of you know I have been researching my "family tree" for a wile now.

It is a difficult project as my "family" has chosen to walk away from me
and my MS struggles. :-(

Anyway, during this research I have found many cousins and we have been
getting to know each otherthru facebook and email.

We had talked about getting together in Europe over the summer. Mark and I were
considering a trip over the pond but our house remodel took over much of the summer.

Now one of my cousins wants to visit me in Wisconsin. Maybe they are a Packers fan. LOL

I'll keep you posted if we can pull this off. It would be nice to actually have a normal
family member.
One who is not constantly topping me and one who doesn't want me to pay their rent.

Have a great day everybody.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

one ringy dingy

Yesterday I made 6 phone calls, left 6 messages and today, a full day later,
I am still waiting for a return call from ALL 6 ofthem.

The economy sucks, or so I have been told,  and a business is not
returning a phone call to a customer ready to buy.

One of these people actually has my down payment and I still can't get a return phone call.

Now, I realize customer service is somewhat non-existent anymore but come on
people you can't possibly have soooooooooooooooooooooo much business
you can't return a phone call.

I actually get emails from my customers thanking me for my customer service. I guess
I'm the only one who provides it still. I send every customer an email , not a form letter ( you can tell by the typo's) thanking them for their order...

Sad. A woman with MS and I'm the only one who provides customer service..

Have a great day everybody !

I'll be sitting by the phone waiting for a call from someone...

 Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

Packers visit the Whitehouse

This post is about a week late...Too busy...

The Packers visited the Whitehouse recently as the current Superbowl champs..

It had so much media coverage because it is tradition for the superbowl
champs to visit the Whitehouse.

This year nobody was sure it was going to happen becaue of the labor dispute
in the NFL and nobody was  sure what would happen in lieu of Obama's
snide remarks about the Packers.

Obama is a Bears fan ( need I say more) and the teams have always hated each
other.  Obama made the comment "hewouldn't go to the Superbowl (something Presidents usually do) unless his Bears were there. A total snub to the Packers.

Well the Packers gave Obama a jersey when he visited Wisconsin and signed on
it was " see you at the Whitehouse"

Everybody behaved themselves and all joked about the incident but it does
make you wonder about "foot in mouth syndrom"

Go Pack ! It's too bad everybody couldn't be happy for a team that was so
banged up and still reached the ultimate goal.
It's a football game, let's keep politics out of it. Okey dokey

Have a great  day everybody

Catghy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

recall election

Today is the big recall election of several State Senators.

This entire situation was a fiasco from the start when Madison, the state capital,
allowed all of those protestors in the building 24/7.

And the sad part is that most of the protestors weren't even Wisconsin residents.
Most of them ,as finally admitted by President Obama, were from his group he
founded and supports.

SAD SAD SAD

Don't we have enough problems in this country without the President of the United
States interfering in a State's politics.

Didn't this country just LOSE our AAA credit rating?
Millions of people are out of work. The economy well, it just plain, sucks.

Come on...focus on this country like you promised.

I, for one, am very dissapointed...What happened to all those promises?..
Maybe we as a country need to do some more recalls?????

Have a great day everybody ! And BTW we bought a bunch of stock yesterday
and I smell vacation coming on...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

 

finally

So our wonderful leaders finally pssed a bill to make sure the United States
doesn't end up defaulting on our debt.

Now as I watch TV all I hear about is jobs,jobs, jobs.

With that said I have to point out that Harry Reid said We are
going to tax millionaires, billionaires and people who own yachts.
WTF ? You asshole. Do you know that the boating industry was
at 75 % unemployment just a short time ago?

Do you know they are finally rebounding and starting to rehire
employees?

Thank you doofus Harry Reid because you just slammed the enitre
boating industry. People who work for that already unstable industry.
Innocent people who mfg. these boats and yachts and provide jobs.

Next time. Harry Reid, think before you speak. You have now jeopardized
an entire industry...

You can sign me as " wife of a boating industry employee"

Have a great day everybody !! If you live in Harry Reid's area please
tell him to shut the F up.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Why am I still working?

Today is Saturday and I find myself still doing office work for the business
http://www.themsshoppe.com/.

Anybody who owns a business knows it is NOT a 9 to 5 kind of job.

There is so much paperwork and record keeping involved and well, frankly,
my brain doesn't handle alot of that stuff these days.

Mark was out of town this week. We got a ton of orders and it seems every item
I needed was in the botton stack of tubs or on the top shelf.
I lifted so much stuff in a short time period my back actually hurts.

Ok, I dont want to sound like I am complaining. I love owning this business & I love
my customers but I was so overwhelmed this week with so many things to do.

Mark's home..He wentto the grocery store for me. Thanks ! I am almost
caught up on the "must do" stuff and then I am grabbing my kindle, a blankie (yes,
I know it is suppose to be warm today ) the dogs and we are curling up on the couch
for some well deserved moments reading and relaxing.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Handling Stress

Found this saying in a catalog being sold as a framed print..Thought I'd share it with you.

How to handle Stress like a Dog

If you can't eat it or play with it,

Then Pee on it and walk away


Says alot, doesn't it?

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
Raising awareness for MS everyday

Travis Bikes America

Saturday evening we met up with Travis White as he rode thru Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Travis is riding his bike across America to raise money and awareness for MS.
Wow ! What an amazing guy !

I got a call about noon Saturday asking if I knew anything about Travis coming thru town.
I hadn't heard a thing. Of course, we didn't pick up the call til early afternoon. Running
errands in this wonderful heat and humidity. Yuck !

I got another call about 4:00 did I want to get together with him? The thought of someone doing a cross country bike ride for MS  was amazing and yes, I realy wanted to meet him.

I was so exhausted but I figured it was just down the street. When Mark & I got there we met Travis's wife SueEllen, Dave Blavat , who had called me, Dave Hornung, a bicyclist himself and Travis.

Dave Hornung invited us all out to his home where we took a boat ride around the lake.
Now did I mention it was brutally hot and humid?
Great relaxing time but my body wanted to die. Humidity is my worst nightmare.

We shared some wine, great conversation and took some pics. Travis gave me a tshirt (see photo)
and I decided to help him raise money.
The other picture is Travis and I. I'm a little wiped out and NO I didnt have any wine.

So here is a link to his blog and a way to keep track of hisride and donate, if you would like.
http://travisbikesamerica.com/
  
Travis also has MS...

Of course, today i'm walking great...Something about a day late, dollar short. LOL
Anyway, I am surethey all understood this disease has a mind of it's own and it'll
remind you every chance it has.

Thanks Dave, Dave, SueEllen and Travis...But most of all Mark, my hubby, who was so tired but went there anyway, just for me.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

tunnel attack

Ok, so it's not a terrorist thing.  It's a rather funny story.

Because Noelle (my dog) just had surgery we are unable to go for walks right now. The little dog ARod
is driving me insane with his abdundance of energy.
My shoulder actually hurts from playing fetch with him ALL day. Or at least it seems that way.

I had a brilliant idea to purchase some agility equipment we could utilize in the house. I know
Mrs. Brady always says "don't play ball in the house" but we are going to do it anyway. hehe !
You know we always play football during football season.. Hope there is one this year. .

I bought a tunnel for  the dogs. It arrived Friday afternoon while Noelle was at the vet getting her stitches out. Arod was really mopey so I thought I would unpack it so I colud take a look at it.

It was a packing nightmare. A box within a box within a box...Really guys was it going to break without all that padding? It's a tunnel...

Anyway, I was engrossed in unpacking it I didn't hear Mark come home with Noelle. He startled me
as the tunnel sprung into shape.  All I could say was "help" I can only imagine how funny I looked to Mark as he saw me sitting covered in a 6 ft tunnel  trying to close this springy slinky thing of a dog tunnel.

We finally got it closed and when the dogs settled down from missing each other we put it on the living room floor and they had a blast.

The other item I bought was a hoop on a stand ( designed for little dogs ). It should arrive this week. I'll take pics as I shouldn't be the only one to enjoy this silliness. Everybody needs a good laugh and
these dogs are sure to provide it.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

I'll post later about our wonderful evening last night...Broke my glasses and can't see real well. :-(

kindle addition

Just downloaded a new book..Read only a few pages...

It is a book designed for daughters of narcisistic mothers .

OMG I could play the lead in this movie.

It is comforting to know I'm not the only one.

Will try to share the book with you. I feel very positive it is
going to help me recover.

Have a great cool day everybody...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Recovery mode

Noelle is healing from her surgery Wednesday...

Friday I had a MRI which kind of chewed up my entire day.
Came home not feeling 100% and told  my husband I was suffering
from "stupid syndrom"
My MRI has to done under anesthesia because I am claustrophobeic
and my legs twitch real bad which ruins the MRI.

Friday afternoon one of the vets called to let us know Noelle's test
results, biopsy.
Not good news..It was malignant...My big baby bear has cancer.
We were referred to an oncologist to discuss chemo and alternative
treatments.
Mark & I really wanted to talk with the vet who did the surgery but
she was out of town on business. Her office suggested we email
her. We did and she was unable to view the records remotely.

We are hoping to hear from her today or tomorrow for a prognosis.

It's been dreadfully hot and humid here..I am constantly making both
dogs drink water. They dont even want to go outside in this weather.

My horseback riding lesson has been cancelled for tomorrow.

Will keep you posted on Noelle...Thanks for your emails and prayers.
You know what my fur kids mean to me.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

lump part 2

Today my dog Noelle had surgery to remove a lump from her
rib cage area.

In fact her vet believes it is 2 lumps. We have been monitoring
it for a while but suddenly it started to grow.

This feels like deja vu because of Ripley had surgery in December
where they removed an orange size tumor fromhim chest. As most
of you know he couldn't quite bounce back from it and later died
in May.

ARod my other dog has been  a real mess today. Although they have
only known each other a few months they have an incredible bond.

They will send the lump out to do a biopsy and we will cross our fingers
everything goes well.

Hope everybody has a great day

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !! 

Incredible sale

We have started an incredible sale this morning.

I'm not Drunk, I have MS tshirt is on sale ...
Shirts start at $9.99 a savings of $5.00 Wow !

Stop by the website at http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Don't miss this opportunity !!

Have a great day everybody !


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

The Final touches

Today they are finishing up on the cabinets,installing lazy Susan's in two of them.

This will help me stay organized. haha !

They are also prepping to install the backsplash, which has finally shown up.
They were suppose to start he backsplash tomorrow but called and asked if they
could do prep work today.

Tomorrow we will have the backsplash day 2, the mural, and now my new fridge
will be delivered.

The doggies are going to doggie daycare. I plan to sit on the couch  and drink wine.
Anybody want to join me, email me. LOL

The entire project should be done this week. I'm am more than streesed.

It looks amazing and it is my dream kitchen.

Now I just want to enjoy it and cook in it and entertain in it.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a friend !

Kitchen remodel progress

The past couple days things have been really busy and progressing quickly.

The installed and rearranged the cabinets. Built the pantry..
Built the island and installed the countrtop.

Wow ! it is my dream kitchen and it is in my home...

I am however tired of take out food and eager for a good healthy meal.

Not going to happen tonight though. I am not surewhat time they will
be done and the dgos are coming home so I'm going to order a pizza.
This is the best pizza place since we discovered pizza in Venice. haha !

I'm sure it is the healthy low calorie version too but it is so good.

I will post new pics of the progress soon.

Next we get the water turned back on in kitchen, the backsplash installed,
paint and our beautfiul italian mural...i'm sure I am missing some of the other
details but that is all MS brain can handle for right now.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

MIA Father

Today is Fathers Day and somewhat sad.

Last year when I was so sick my hubby called my family to ask for
their support.

They, of course, said NO. In fact my brother in law, left a message on our
voice mail laughing that I was so sick. Still have it so no denying it....

My dad ended our last conversations with " when you come to California
we don't want to see you"

Wow ! Straight out my my Mothers mouth. Just like the little puppet
he has always been.

It is a sad day for Mark because his dad passed away a few years ago after
a long battle with cancer.

He was probably the closest thing I had to a dad, next to my grandfather.
I will always cherish the memories of him. We had this incredible conversation
when I was first diagnosed. He was so supportive and truly was one of the few people
who really "got" being sick.

Miss you dad..Especially after the Superbowl....

Have a great Father's Day everybody !

And to my wonderful hubby, Mark, who is the best darn "Dog Dad" ever.
Love from your fur kids...Noelle and Arod.. Woof ! Woof !
And those at the Rainbow Bridge..Rascal, Munchkin, Goldie and Ripley....

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

remodel update

The windows are done...yea !!

They fiinshed the floor and installed the lghting...

The kitchen looks so much better already..

The cabinets and the countertop are being installed Monday andtuesday and possibly Wednesday.

Heres a pic of the lighting...Pretty cool..

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

MS BS Tshirt

http://www.themsshoppe.com/products.iml?mdl=prod_details.mdl&ProductID=426

We recently held a contest for our new shirt saying...

We had so many suggestions but the one that won is
MS BS There is not much difference...

Our winner Tammy, got a freee tshirt.

The shirt is purple with white imprint and I have to say
my Graphic designer, also named Tammy, did a wonderful job laying this out.
Thanks Tammy,

So the shirt went on sale and this morning I had to place a reorder. LOL

Stop by the website or our facebook page http://www.themsshoppe.com/
and say hi and dont forget to pick one of these shirts up...

Iff you are not a purple fan we wil lbe adding a ladies style in aqua very soon...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend ! Help our business Grow ! :-)

day 2

Yesterday was day 2 of the kitchen remodel...

They finished putting the floor down and it looks amazing...
I was a little concerned when it first started to go down and the color looked
darker than I had remembered it. But when it was all done it looked amamzing.

They also finished the windows.

Today we had our new washing machine delivered. The dryer will come later as it is
at another store and had to be transfered.

Well, the delivery didnt go as planned. Honestly, do they ever?
It seems our new big washer wouldnt fit in our 1895 old Victorian home.

And then it wouldnt go up the stairs...This process started at 10:30 am and didnt end til 2:15 pm

Needless to say I was beyond stressed and didnt make it to my horseback riding lesson.

I am so bummed. I even bought a new riding helmet. Oh well, I hated the
thought of being so stressed while riding Smokey, my horse.

Now I have to wait a week to see him...I guess I'll do laundry seeing I am a week behind. LOL

Have a great day everybody.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

kitchen remodel day 1

Today they started to put the floor down.

Our home, an old Victorian built in 1895 doesn't have a level square inch so we knew it
would be quite the challenge to get a floor down.

Brett, the installer, and a former marine, whooya, looked ready to take on this project.
He rolled up to the house in a truck that said Semper Fi on the side.
I guess once a marine always a marine.

He laid down a compound to level the floor and as I predicted the dogs
had to go outside. I think they have a bladder like mine.LOL
Anyway, he had to pick up Noelle so she would not step in anything and I tossed Arod
to him. Both went out but because I couldn't see them and they get easily distracted I was unsure if they had done anything.
A few hours later it was obvious Noelle had not because she was whining to go out.
Not that easy, my dear furball,. The gate was open, the panel in the doggy door
and I couldnt find anybody so we went back upstairs.

Frustrated I turned my attention to laundry. Clunk,clunk, clunk and the machine stopped.
I was unable to get it started. What the heck?

We just looked at machines over the weekend and decided to wait a few weeks.
Oh, we thought so.

Tonight we went back to the store and bought a new washer and dryer and the
new fridge for our newly remodeled kitchen to be..
Over the weekend we bought a dehumidifier and a TV . I think we single handed
are keeping this store in business. 

Tomorrow I am sleeping in. Dont really care if they all show up and I am in my jammies.
I am mentally and physically exhausted.

Tootles everyone, I am turning in. It's nine oclock.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

RX finally

I finally got my new prescription filled on Friday.

Last week I called every pharmacy in our small town to
try and find someone who could fill this. No luck !

One pharmacy explained to me it is a "specialty med". WTF?

Walgreens said they could do it but amazingly ten minutes later when Mark arrived
suddenly they couldn't do it..Treated Mark, my hubby, like dirt so I called Walgreens corporate and reported that one !!

Called the RX insurance company and they advised me mail order was available and
probably my best option. So I signed up...

Signed up on Monday, they finalized everything with my dr on Wednesday..They called
me at 7:30 pm ( I was impressed) and I had my meds in hand on Friday. ( I was even more
impressed)

Wow ! sorry folks but if this is what Obamacare is going to be like, count me out.

There was nothing wrong with the insurance until someone got involved.
now the "responsible" people who have always provided for themselves are getting
screwed.

Leave my stinkin insurance alone. I pay for mine, I buy the best... I have MS, had cancer, have severe
asthma, half of a hip, and various complications from MS,  and is blind as a bat. Leave my stinkin healthcare alone !! 

Have a great day everybody and welcome to socialist America !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

no construction day

Yesterday I had a no construction day...They had another project to finish up
so I was informed I could sleep in.

Well, it seems the dogs had other plans...In fact they woke us up an hour early.
Really kids, you couldn't just let me sleep in.

Got caught up on a nuch of paperwork for the business so it was a productive morning.

The afternoon was my horseback riding lesson. We went out onto this path thru their fields.
Although the fields didnt seem to have much growing I was informed it was soybeans that
had been planted.

It was a little chilly between the wind and the sudden change of temp from the previous day.
We made a shorter walk than my horse wanted to. After we turned around and were headed
back, he got spooked by something and suddenly went into a gallop. Caught everybody off
guard but I was so proud of myself for hanging on and not overreacting.

Everything was fine. I'm sure there a bunches of critters out in the field. Something Smokey
saw and we didn't. My walkers were great. They handled the situation wonderfully and as
odd as this sounds it really boosted my confidence. I knew how to react and didn't fall off. LOL

Came home, fed the dogs, made dinner, finished up the orders from the morning. Went to sleep early because  I knew construction would start this morning early. 

Adding a new shirt later on today, hopefully.

This afternoon we have Culligan coming to install a water purification system in the house.
Sorry Fondy still dont like the water, even after you spent all that taxpayer money to install the latest and greatest water treatment plant.
We also have our contractor coming over to go over the schedule of whats happening when.

Then we have a wallpaper installer coming to give us an estimate on putting up our wallpaper mural
of Venice we bought. Dont tell him but I think he already has the job, regardless of cost. I truly liked
him over the phone..Great work ethic..:-)
and finally we have a painter coming over to give us an estimate of painting the walls before the mural goes up. 
Then I'm having a drink and parking myself on the couch.

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

lesson # 3

Last Thursday was my third horseback riding lesson...

Do you think my horse is a "ham"? Every time we go over  the bridge
he stops and poses...Too funny

This lesson we even went outside and rode..
I am really enjoying this experience...

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

batter up

Sunday we went to the Donald Driver Softball game.

For those of you who dont know Donald Driver is player on the world champion
Super Bowl Packers. ..

He hosts a softball game every year..the offense vs the defense...

And this year the defense won...

Great game..the stadium is great (first visit for us) and very handicap accessibile.

We had a great time..The weather suppose to be about 77 degrees and it ended up being 84 degrees.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

and the winner is...

Thanks to all of you for voting for our new shirt saying....

Shirts have been ordered and I will announce all the details and the winner shortly.

Off to the Dr. and I dont want to be late....They can keep me waiting but I have to
be on time, bring my insurance info and a list of meds.
Sounds like a double standard to me, just saying !

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

I hate fireworks

The past couple of weeks we have been awakened about 10:30-11-:30 pm to the sound of fireworks.
which means I cant get back to sleep. :-(

Ok, so in case we didn't notice it is MAY...

It is an absolute awful way to wake up..

Oh, did I mention they are doing them in the park next to my home, under my frickin bedroom
window. Not only do we wake up to fireworks but because they are so close it lights up our
room in flaming orange, like the house is on fire.
And because they are so close the entire house shakes....
We have blinds on the windows to keep the light out but these fireworks light up everything.

We have called the police on numerous occasions but haven't seen any results..


My neighbor is so disturbed he actually chased them one night.  I called the sh commander one
day and asked that they send a patrol car at 10:30 ( these people are so studpid they were settingthem off at the same time for a while). If they had sent a car they would have caught them.

Yesterday mornig we woke up to the remains of a 16 shot launcher in the park. I don't know how you feel but I have a problem with a young child playing in the park with this kind of crap being there.

We called the police department and they advised us to stop by. I didn't wantt hem stopping by my home.

We met with an officer, equipped with photos of the launcher that still remained in the park.
8 pics showing how close these were to my home.

Someone's home is going to catch on fire and it'll probably be mine. As a woman with a disability
I would have a really hard time running down the stairs with two dogs in tow.

I think the offiicer got the point. I really need to get some sleep.

Last night , no fireworks. I actually slept..yippee

Have a great day everybody. Remember, your actions, no matter how harmless the seem, impact other
people.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

back home

Mark finally got home yesterday from England.

Something about a volcano in Iceland, part 2..Now where have I heard that before?

He got stuck in Chicago.. I could recite the conversation now..I'm stuck in Chicago...
Don't get me wrong, love Chicago, used to live in Chicago but I really really hate those
calls...I'm stuck in Chicago...


I had a whole list of stuff he needed to do Friday morning and that was obvious it was not
going to happen. The airlines actually called me at 6:15 am to tell me his flight got cancelled.
Can anybody figure that one out? I would have called him, just saying !

So Thursday I spent the day making arrangements for all the things we needed to get done
Friday.

Called the pharmacy,,no problem they will deliver my meds. Whew ! One down...

Called my neighbor...can you do a post office run for me. I had soooo many orders to go
out, no problem.. Whew, Two down..

Called the vet..and begged for some help...Can someone please get the dogs food here?
I didn't know if we had enough til Tuesday when they reopened. Our vet is great..They have
delivered here before. They know Mark travels alot and they understand about my MS.
No problem, they will deliver it Friday am, Whew !

I, of course, was exhausted after this stressful morning. I pulled it off and got it all done.

I was so grateful so many people had my back. .Maybe its because we live in a small town in
the midwest. Just a diferent philosphy then California where I grew up.

I so needed a good nights sleep. Didn't get it, I will explain next post...

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

6 days and couing til the start.....very exciting !!!
 

Grief counselor

I recieved a call from a "grief counselor" the other day.

She was referred by our vet and just wanted to see how we were coping
with Ripley's death. Wow.
I love our vet but that is indeed "above and beyond service"

We talked for a few and I guess I passed. LOL

The other doggies are doing much better. Both very clingy but at least
Noelle is letting me play with her again.

Last night both of them slept with me...Needless to say I didn't sleep with these
two bed hogs. LOL

We curled up on the couch last night and watched TV together.

Thanks to our vet for your kindness. I have always known you were special but
that extra kindness makes so much difference...

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a friend !  

Help us pick our new shirt saying...

We recieved lots of great sayings from so many sources...Our facebook page,
emails, friends, and so on.

Please take a minute to vote on the saying you would like to see on a tshirt.

The saying with the most vote will soon be plastered on your chest and the person
who provided that saying will get a free shirt...and bragging rights of couse.

Please pass this on to whomever you would like. The more votes the better.

Thanks and have a great day..

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

I rode a horse...giddy up

Two weeks ago I began lessons riding a horse. All my life I've been told I am allergic to
horses but low and behold I guess I was misled.
As many of you know Mark & I have this thing about horse drawn carriages. It started
wtih our honeymoon and we seem to seek them out wherever we go on vacation.
Our Christmas card 2010 was a picture of us in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Two days before my first lesson was when we had to Ripley down. I really wanted
to cancel my lesson but yet I knew I needed to do it.

Smokey was my horse. He is 12 yrs old. Kind of ironic that Ripley was also 12 yrs old
and because he was a rescue dog he came with some food bowl issues. I used to sing
"On top of old smokey" to him while he ate to keep him calm. I of course sang it in my
best italian accent..complete with a meata balla..LOL
I honestly believe Ripley is my angel watching over me as these two things are more
than coincidental.
Ripley came into our life just after I was diagnosed.with MS. I was suddenly out of work, fired
because I had MS, yes it's legal and Ripley had all sorts of issues.
It was obvious how much he needed me and maybe only to him it was obvious how much
I needed him.
I am so looking forward to these lessons. I want  the "old Cathy" back and this is
going to help her feel confident again. My family's betrayal and subsequent walking out of
my life last summer when I was in the hospital really did a number of my self esteem.

I have already noticed a change in my core strength. And although I am sore I am so
excited. Thanks to everybody who encouraged me to do this.. Mark, and especially Katy, our niece.

Have a great day everybody...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !   

I feel like Glue

I feel like the glue that is holding this family together.

Mark is dealing with this issues about Ripley. He took him to the vet and he was the last
person to see him alive. We know we made the right decision but it is never easy.
Mark had to work  the entire day putting the morning behind him and trying to stay focused.

Noelle started off being angry. It appears at me. Maybe because I was with her all day but
I just didn't know how to help her through her grief.
Some of our friends from the sheltie rescue gave me some good advice. Let her grieve the
way she wants to. She has come around and is starting to behave like our little "Marley
wanna be". She has however decided to sleep everywhere Ripley liked to lay down.
She rarely ever jumped on our bed, even when she  was invited and now I find her there
all the time. Ripley used to lay on it when I went in the shower.

She is starting to play again and snuggle with me so I think we are heading the right
direction. I was not looking forward to hiring a shrink for the dog. LOL

ARod has been very clingy. He is normally clingy. When we adopted him we were his 3rd home
in his short life of 2 1/2 years so I'm sure he is having thoughts of "are they gonna get rid of me next?"

Yesterday I found him chewing on the trim in the hallway. He is needing extra attention.


We have been taking them for extra long walks and that is helping.

I have removed as much of Ripleys stuff from the house so we don't have to look at it.

 I am doing okay. I miss him terribly and always seem to be watching a TV show with a sad
dog story this week.

Time does heal all wounds. When one door closes another one opens.

Miss you Ripley. Miss having you in the office snoring. LOL

Have a great day everybody ! hug your fur kids !!

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

The MS Shoppe

Today on my facebook page for the business http://www.themsshoppe.com/

I announced we are looking for new tshirt sayings...

The one we choose will get a free tshirt...

So my friends, please put your thinking caps on and help us out.

Feel free to repost this request anywhere you want...your own blog, your facebook page,etc.

Please keep it clean, non religious, and not political

Pick your shirt colors...Refine an old saying...The canvas is yours !! Have fun my
little MS keteers. LOL

Thanks a bunch

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a friend or two !

Jury Duty

Last week I got called for jury duty....

About a month ago I got a questionaire for potential jurors. I filled it out and returned it
and made it pretty clear I wouldn't be a good juror but low and behold I guess they
didn't believe me because I got called for duty.

I figured I was in for a fight to get out of it but was pleasantly surprised when I
called and they told me what they needed from my doctors.

I called my neuro and they faxed a letter saying I would be unable to serve for medical
reasons.

I have  to admit I was a little dissapointed. I would have loved to serve as a juror.
We don't have alot of crime out here so the case wouldn't be gruesome and honestly,
I always wanted to go to law school.

I do believe it is my civic duy to serve buy my MS bladder said it was not interested in
behaving. LOL


Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

http://chattycathytips.blogspot.com/

Here is the link to my other blog...Stop by and visit and SHARE...

See ya there !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

Rest in Peace Ripley

This morning we made that awful decision to put our beloved Ripley bear
down.

He had been struggling with his kidneys shutting down for quite some time.
Every time he went on meds, he would bounce back and be full of energy and
then a few days later be sick again.

This morning it was obvious he had lost his will to fight after struggling for so
long.

He will be missed but he is in a better place. He gets to chase all the other doggies in
the rainbow bridge.

Love you lots, Ripley. Mr. Puppyman or mud puppy as he was also known.

ripley is feeling better, believe it or not

Joking aside...Ripley went to the vet again Friday afternoon when Mark got back in town.

They pumped him full of liquids again. He came home bloated but had an increased level of spunkiness.

He also ate dinner ( which he hasn't wanted to do every day)
Of course, his dinner was freshly made by his mom,(me) the short order cook.
The day before I had made rice and Friday night I scrambled some eggs and added that to it.

Saturday we made ground beef and rice. Now he has eaten a few days in a row. Not alot of dog food
but he has something in his tummy.

He does have a noticable increase in energy to which we are both grateful.
He is still having major medical problems but he seems happy again. Yeah


I may not be a mom to anything but my fur kids but I am still a mom

Happy mnothers Day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

another rough day with dog

Today was an emotionally exhausting day again dealing with a sick dog.

Spent all day nurturing him and finally got him to eat this afternoon.
Afterward he was up and looking so much better like he wasn't even sick
earlier in the day.
His kidneys are shutting down. He looks like hell and then bounces back.
I'm so confused.
He is going to the vet again tomorrow. Hopefully his numbers are not going
down but after this week I have a hard time believing it.
The meds were working for a while but then stopped and now as I write this
he feels good and actually wants to play.

I have always referred  to him as "my gift from god" due to his circumstances
on how our paths crossed and because he came into my life when I needed him
but more importantly he needed me.

Please say a big puppy prayer for him. I'm not ready to let him go.


Cathy
The MS Shoppe

social network

The other day we watched The Social Network.

Good flick. We both really enjoyed it. We have Netflix.
Its a great service,especially for me. I dont drive so movies
are delivered to my home quicker than lightning.

So although we both enjoyed the movie alot it was obvious
that our littlest and newest dog did not.

The envelope was sitting on the arm of the couch ready to put in
the mail that day. I had planned to do it after I ate breakfast.

When I finished breakfast I walked  in the living room to
many red pieces of the envelope scattered all over.
Some pieces even hung from the dogs mouth. GUILTY !

Oh great now what ! Yes, I had to call Netflix and explain
my dog ate the envelope. Embarassing !

They were so wonderful. We all laughed and they even told
me it happens all the time.

I guess the dog doesn't like facebook. But I do...

The next movie I got was Sex and the City so I'm afraid
to leave the envelope unattended. God only knows what
he'd to that one ! LOL

Have a great day everybody. Hug your dogs, cuddle your dogs,
even if they have little red bits of netflix envelope hanging from
their mouths.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !!

Welcome to the ER

I ended up in the ER the other day...

It's been a surreal week. I have never been in an ambulance before ( at least I can't
remember being in one).
The firefighters and EMT's were great. They tried to calm me down but we had to go
down ALOT of stairs and it was scary. They kept joking that they hadn't dropped anyone
yet but I was so scared about everything else I wasn't laughing very much. LOL

Unfortunaltely events like this bring out ALL the nosy neighbors. One called the next and so
on. I can't wait to hear the spin on the story.
It also reminds you who gives a damn about you.... so if my "bitch" of a mother is reading
this you can forget about knowing why Mark had to call 911.
After last summer when you walked out of my life AGAIN (when I was in the hospital)
I think it is fair to say your parental rights have been rescinded.

Taking things one step at a time...Every time I think I have a handle on my MS it reminds
me that it is indeed in charge...not me..

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

tornado watch

Well, I just sat down to write my blog but they just annoounced we are under a
tornado watch.
Looks like I'm headed to the basement soon. Gotta get me dog's emergency pack put together so I'll write later.

Bye

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

working out

Yesterday was the first day I worked out in months. Felt good. It felt really good.

With this nagging hip problem walking has been difficult let alone exercising.

I really missed my stair stepper and the adrenaline rush that goes with it.

I have given up on PT and personal trainers. I'm convinced you can become a personal trainer by mail order.
Pay $20 bucks and you too can be a personal trainer. They are worthless.

Anyway, can't wait to exercise this afternoon.  One of these years I will walk the MS Walk. Mark my words.

Have a fabulous day everybody.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Have you check out my other blog???

so I.m a happy person

So I'm a happy person. Get over it.

I've been snubbed more than once in my life. People who can't believe the obstacles I face and still
maintain a happy person....

I was recently asked to speak to a group of people. Not about my MS but really about dealing with challenges and staying a happy person.

I postponed it a bit because I was going thru all those medical situations and in alot of pain. Staning was very uncomfortable.

Hopefully we can pull together a date and time soon. 

As many of you know my family has chosen to walk away from me and my MS. Their loss.
I can't let stuff like that bother me. I am way too busy.

The business I started a few years ago is growing like crazy. I am so grateful for the support from the MS Community.
Mark also travels alot so I'm basically running the house. With three dogs (and now one that is seriously sick)
I always have alot on my plate.
I do all the birthdays, anniversaries, special occasion gifts. I am always volunteering somewhere.
I also write alot and finalizing my book. yippee !

So I am still a happy person. One would think that other MSer's would relish my happiness instead of snubbing me. Oh well ! You can't teach on old dog new tricks.

And now I am going to play with my puppies because one can never have enough smile lines. 

Have a great HAPPY day !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Our kitchen remodel

This has turned into a huge project... and we haven't even started the construction.side of things...

Last week we picked out flooring and also a backsplash. We saw a backsplash at the home show the night before and it fit into our budget. yeah !

So many decisions. I'm not good with decisions sometimes. My MS often gets me more confused than decisive.
But the backsplash jumped out at both of us so that is one decision down and many more to go.

Still have to choose counter tops, lighing, paint color, door fronts. I'm confused already.

This is a fun process and it will be so worth it when the kitchen is more user friendly for my growing needs.
MS has taken so much from me I'm not giving up my love of cooking.

Project temp scheduled to start in June.

Have a great day everybody !


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !
 

Ampyra users?

Is anybody out there on Ampyra?

I would love your comments, stories, etc.

It's hard to sift thru all the crap on the internet. There are so many bloggers that abuse this format and take on the drug companies.

I'd love to hear from people who have tried it.

Thanks a bunch

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

check out my other blog

http://chattycathytips.blogspot.com/

My darling doggy

Ripley, my rescue dog, has been sick on and off for a few months. Occasionally
losing his lunch while sleeping.
He has never been a dog who has gotten sick and we all figured it was something in the
yard as the snow melted. He has also never been a dog to eat anything in the yard, ecept snow, so we were
all a bit confused.

We figured it was acid reflux.

Ealier in the week he got sick while sleeping on our bed. Took out the brand new satin comforter.

Yesterday he got sick everywhere, twice.....It was a NOT a pretty day for me having to clean
all of that up. You know, balance issues and MS plus it was disgusting. eeek !

I called the vet again and they squeezed him for the afternoon. Ran a bunch of tests. Mark
brought him. During dinner the vet called. Bring him back NOW ! OMG what is happening
to my baby?

We brought him back and they filled him with liquids.It seems he has some intestinal block
going on causing his kidneys to not process properly. They are all but shutting down on him.

We are pumping him full of meds today. And he has to go outside alot so work is a problem
for me.
He does seem to have a glimmer in his eye again so I'm praying whatever we are feeding him is working.

I told him today he better not die on me. I can't deal with that right now. Say a prayer for my
big baby dog. I love him so much. He truly is my gift from god...He came into my life just after I was diagnosed. He needed me and I needed him.

Have a great day everybody. Hug you fur kids one extra time...

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.cm/


 

Found my Rat

I have suspected for a while now that I had a rat on my facebook page....

And as I suspected I found them. It was disturbing that someone I trusted ( and I don't trust people easily,wonder why?) could do something so hurtful to me but that is why Facebook invented the delete button. Bye Bye gone !!!

So, with that said I will no long er post my health status. Many of my readers are on my facebook page and know what is going on. If you are not, please friend me.

If I do post something it will be encrypted so only us MSer's will really know what I'm talking about.

Thanks to all of you for your support.

It's raining today. Could have been worse and it could have been snow. LOL All the lights are on
in the house because it is so dark. And of course it is thundering. The dogs are a mess. They don't like thunder.
I just had a huge sale on cooling items. It was a giant success. Kind of a pre-season sale.

Getting ready for the MS Walk. Should be alot of fun. We are doing 3 this year. Two back to back.

 Hope everybody has a great day. Even if it's rainy and dark. You know that after the rain we get a rainbow.
Always thinking positive.

Anne, glad you are feeling better.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Big clearance sale going on, so stop by and visit. Because when it's gone, it's gone !!!

follow up to previous post

Officer Williams and his K-9 Grendel have both been released from the hospital. Yippee !!

I saw a post from Officer Williams wife that read something like"both her guys were coming home".

There is alot to be said about the power of prayer.

We, as a small community, still have to deal with the death of the Officer Birkholz. He died way too young.
And in so many peoples eyes he died a hero. Not just for what transpired that morning but as a veteran of
the war having served two tours.
Rest in peace. And prayers to the Ashley, his wife, and the Birkholz family.

Officer down

Sunday one of our police officers was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Another officer is in critical condition and his K-9 is also in critical condition.

The office who died was only 28 years old. His birthday would have been next week. He was
a veteran and served two tours in Aghanistan and Iraq. And yet he was killed at home.

This is something that hits a small town very hard. although I did not know him personally my
heart and prayers go out to his family, especailly his wife.

This is a pretty safe town. Our police department is small and this town is like a family. Typical midwest.
That's a compliment. People here just do things for each other and really don't expect anything
in return. Like I said Typical midwest. I love living in the midwest.

Please say a prayer for this officer who lost his life just doing his job. His family, our police department.

Please also say a prayer for the officer still recovering and his beloved dog and partner.
Both of which remain in critical condition.

Be safe everybody. Have a great day !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

a little play time

Now that the snow has melted we took the dogs out back for some major play time.

Well, really only Noelle and ARod. Ripley, is older and he parked himself on the couch.

The doggies played for quite a while. The big one chased the little one, the little one chased the big one.

Every once in a while one would hide behind the gas grill and sneak up on the other.

It was so funny. They barked and yelped. and we all had a great time.

Afterward, they slept on whatever piece of furniture they could find, Noelle is limping a bit.
She's 8 and ARod is 2 1/2. Do the match .

Noelle is also 39 lbs and ARod is 11 lbs.

It was alot of fun.

Have a great day everybody.

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

sneaker pins-let's go MS Walkers

http://www.themsshoppe.com/products.iml?mdl=prod_details.mdl&ProductID=403

Hey all you MS Walkers...

Did you get your sneaker pins for your team?

Clcik the link and it should go directly to page or

go to http://www.themsshoppe.com/ to check out 'all MS Awareness items

and orange ribbon items

a portion of all sales goes to NMSS

Let's find a cure.

Have a great walk everybody.

A special prayer

Anne, we are sending our thoughts, prayers and love your way....

You are a special lady and we're here for you, Always . Like a sister DNA or not !  Love you

MS Awareness Week

This week I sent emails to about 25 friends & family that simply said
"Happy MS Awareness Week , I'm sure you are all doing your part to raise awareness
and help find a cure"

I recieved about 10 replies of  "Yes, I am doing my part and we will find a cure...together",
"Believe", " stay strong", "you inspire me" "Let's find a cure" etc.

And of course, I recieved one negative reply. Anybody want to guess who?
My "family" of course. Sheesh. They made my MS about them again.
Wasn't going to even mention it because I'm sure they are excited it is being written about.
Whatever !

Been a rough week. Neuro appt ! Love my dr's. Having some MS Complications
as many of you probably know from my facebook page.
Dr's visits lined up in the next few weeks. Eeek ! I can get through this.

I have a great support system. Thanks Mark, his family, great friends and even my
customers and vendors.

One day at a time ! Thanks for the flowers----(you know who you are) They were perfect !

Thanks for the support for the MS Walk......I am overwhelmed by the support...Go Team !!
By the way if you want to donate...email me or post and I'll give you instructions. :-)


Have a great day everybody !!! 


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
MS Awareness items-Orange ribbon merchandise

Tell a Friend !!

Todays the Day

Today is going to a difficult day....We have been putting this off for so long
and now that it is here ...I am soooooo nervous and anxious.

I tried not to think about it last night so I colud get some sleep and for the most
part I succeeded.

Will keep you posted...I rarely ask but a prayer would be great :-)

Thanks everybody for your support.

We will get through this....

Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/

Tell a Friend !

yummy yummy yummy

check out my chicken recipe on my other blog....yummy

http://chattycathytips.blogspot.com/

goodbye blackberry

Yesterday I traded in my blackberry for a iphone 4G. And although
I have only had it for a few hours. I love it already.

Wow ! what a difference. It is much easier to use. Apple actually has a tutorial for alot
of stuff. Stuff I haven't gotten to yet..
I set up two email accounts, have 2 to go. Set up my voice mail. Transfered my calendar, photos, and contacts from the blackberry and I'll work a little on it every day.

It has a touch screen and I wasn't sure if I could use that but I am really enjoying it.

Goodbye blackberry, FLUSH !! Just kidding. I am going to donate it to the soldiers once I
am sure everything is off of it.

Have a great day everybody !

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend ! Help our business grow !

how much damage?

7 million dollars damage at the State Capitol.

Most of which is the result of protestors who don't even live
in our State.

It makes me sick. If I went to the Capitol and made a mess I would be arrested.

So who is going to pay for this? Our out of town visitors at the Capitol?
NO that would be me. The Disabled chick who doesn't have a job but gets
her disability check taxed.

Good grief. Does anybody else want to move out this country?

Have a great day everybody. It is MS Awareness month so let's paint the town ORANGE


Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/


Tell a Friend !

teacher accused of assault

A Wisconsin teacher has been accused of sexually assaulting a ninth grader... OMG

Really, a ninth grader. what is that 13 or 14 years old?

And you know what he is on PAID leave, can't get fired, protected by the union.

OMG a ninth grader...

Seems wrong. Just saying... a ninth grader

The MS Shoppe

I have neglected my blog lately and I am sorry.

Our business The MS Shoppe has been so busy. Lots of new products and tons of orders have
kept things popping.

Plus I am working on building my team for the MS Walk and raising money....

Stop by and visit http://www.themsshoppe.com/ to check out all the new items and the familiar
MS Awareness items.

This is MS Awareness month and if we can raise awarenss one person at a time maybe we will
find a cure.


Have a great day everybody !!

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/
Home of the MS Awarenesss items you have been looking for...:-)

The Wisconsin Uproar

In case you haven't read about it, Wisconsin is in a fight with passing the Governors Budget,

14 cowardly Senators ran across the border to Illinois. In the meantime our beautiful State Capitol
building is being thrashed by protestors.

My question is why? This building is a gem. A beautiful piece of architecture that now has taped signs
on the woodwork. The marbles floors are covered with litter. People were bringing their pets there.

I can only imagine the stench in the building. This building belongs to the residents of Wisconsin.
Not the protestors being bussed in from every state.
So who is going to clean our building? And will it ever be the same? I see the pictures on TV and
I am sickened at how bad it looks.

Will I ever get to meet with my Legislatures again? I know of many groups that had to cancel their
events to meet with their legislature because it is unsafe for them to attend.

Oh cowardly Senators come back home. If you don't like the bill just vote. Take your stand there. Do
you job you were elelcted to do so we the people of Wisconsin can have our legislators back.

We have issues too. It's not about you, its about us. Every taxpaying citizen of this great state.
The state with the Super Bowl champions ( thanks for poo poo ing that victory).
This is a State of so many things and we the public are sick of the protestors who don't even live here.

Grow up people, give us our state back........


Have a great day everybody

Cathy
http://www.themsshoppe.com/