Shhhh...we're hunting wabbits!

Here comes Peter Cottontail....Hoppin' down the bunny trail...
Hippity Hoppity...EASTERS ON IT'S WAY!!!!

Spring is in the air and the cabin fever has commenced.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if I could get outside more. Wait, I guess I got out today; I went to the clinic to have my blood drawn which, by the way, they took about a gallon and the girl was a student and I became her human pin cushion.

BUT...alas, that is not the point of this story.

Where was I...oh, yeah, cabin fever, springtime, bunnies and jelly beans.

I love this time of year. The lilac trees are starting to bud, the new spring grass is pushing its way up through the waterlogged brown grass of yesteryear. Yes, this time of year is all about fresh beginnings and jelly beans.

Say What??

Yes, Jelly Beans! I love 'em and they are in abundance this time of year. Why? Because of Easter, silly rabbit! I was not sure where the whole bunny, jelly beans, Easter egg phenomenon originated from and how exactly it correlates to the death and resurrection of Christ. So I did what any bored person would do with unlimited time and an Internet connection...I surfed until I found me some answers.

Here's what I came up with:


Did you know...that female rabbits can conceive a second litter of babies while they are already pregnant with the first litter? Now THAT alone would be a reason for one to not have sex while pregnant...women of the world rejoice!

Did you know...Catholics are not supposed to eat eggs during lent? I didn't know this and I was a Catholic for the majority of my life. WTF?? That is a very weird and I have to say strange rule. Apparently that is the reason why eggs were always in an abundance around the time of Easter...because all them good Catholics were abstaining. Well, at least from eggs that is. Please...catholics are like rabbits when it comes to....HEY!! Maybe THAT is the reason they use a rabbit for their symbol!!! Hahaha!! Kidding. Seriously, though catholics do breed like rabbits so I guess one could argue that it is appropriate. Just sayin'

Did you know...on Easter Monday women had a right to strike their husbands?
Sa-WEET!! Now THIS is a tradition I can wrap my mind around. This is an old most likely pre-Christian tradition but STILL one that I say we resurrect from the dead...hahaha....get it? Resurrect?? Damn, I am witty...I crack myself up!

Did you know...in England, people cut down pussy willows and swat each other with them for good luck? I can tell you right now...if someone swatted me with a pussy willow switch, they would get more than good luck from me...they would get two black eyes!!

Did you know...Canada is the site of the largest Easter egg in the world? The Easter egg was constructed in 1975 to commemorate early Ukrainian settlements in an area east of Edmonton. It weighed 5,000 pounds, and was 25.7 feet long. Now THAT is a big chicken!!

Did you know...Most children (74%) eat the ears of their chocolate bunny first? 13% eat the feet first, and 10% eat the tails first. Okay, so riddle me this...who in the hell comes up with these statistics?? I mean seriously. And you thought I had a lot of time on my hands.


And FINALLY, did you know....that many of the red, orange, pink, and purple candy that we stuff our pouty lips with during this festive Easter time are made from dried up dead bugs? Say-what? Yep, that's right ladies and gents, as you scarf down those colorful jelly beans that we all know and love so well, you are eating the ground up carcases of dead beetles. The red food coloring, cochineal and carmine, are made from a beetle native to Central and South America called the cochineal and its innards are red when squished. So you take a boatload of these dead beetles, dry them, crush 'em, and then put 'em in your food. YUM...brings all new meaning to the word "BEETLE JUICE"!!!

So I just want to say to you all....as we see all the stores catering to all the goodies of Easter-time, go out and buy some jelly beans, dye, hide, and eat some Easter eggs, and overall, spend time with those who you love. It's a wonderful time...a time of new beginnings, a time of new birth. Enjoy it and make sure to eat the red jelly beans! YUM!!

Wishing you all good health, humor, and holidays!

Help me, help you!

I read something so troubling today.

I was on a website that deals with sufferers of RA and there was a comment section. A young girl of 16 had posted today on a thread about having RA and people around you not understanding and feeling alone. She explained that she had been diagnosed in the last year, gained over 60 pounds from the steroids, kids were teasing her at school because of her new limitations, and her family doesn't understand either and also make light of her situation. I felt so bad for this young girl and wanted to write to her, but wasn't able to post (there was something wrong with the site when I attempted, but I may try again later). I wish there was a way to take this girl aside and tell her that everything will get better and you just have to accept that there will be those in your life who will get it and those who won't and to not dwell on the latter. I have so many things that I feel I could impart to this girl, but no way to do it. Kinda bums me out.

This got me thinking again about starting a support group for people with RA. Living where I do, there is no support groups or peer groups for those of us who suffer through this disease everyday. There is also no outlet for our caregivers and loved ones who suffer right along side of us and have their own issues with the disease.

Why is that?

Why is there so much emphasis on things like alcoholics and over-eaters, but those of us who suffer from a disease that affects an estimated 1.9 million Americans and over 20 million worldwide every year? That is JUST Rheumatoid Arthritis alone, not including other types of arthritis (such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, Ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus, Scleroderma, etc) which affect 1 in 5 Americans or 46 Million Americans every year.

With numbers like that and commercials flooding the television for the new medications available one would think that there are infinite outlets for those of us who are suffering, but you would be wrong. There isn't.

Oh sure, there are blogs and websites dealing with the disease, but nothing tangible. I think that is why I want to start a support group here where I live because with numbers like that, I would think there would be droves of people who would want a place to air their daily frustrations, ailments, and victories with this disease. I think people who suffer in silence are worse off than those who have others to commune with and suffer with. Someone you can say, "Hey, this made me feel this way" and you can say "I know what you mean" or "I felt that way too." It is not that misery loves company, but it is more about validating your feelings and knowing that you are not alone.

I am fortunate that I have wonderful parents and siblings (well a few siblings but we won't get into that) and friends who GET IT!! They understand what I am going through, or at least they try. They did what it takes to do the research and get the information so that they understand as well as they can. They may not know first hand what it feels like, but sometimes I think it is harder on them to see me in pain and suffering than it is for me. I have no idea what they go through or what compromises they have made to be in my life. They all deserve awards! But at the very least, they deserve a place to go to to talk about how they feel with other people who also go through and feel the same way.

So I am going to do it. I don't know how...but I will figure it out. I am sure there are people out there who would want to find the support and help from people out there who are just like them...just like me!

I will keep you posted as to how it goes. I hope it works out because I need it. And I know there are others out there just like me who could benefit from it too.

Wishing you all good health and humor...and appreciation to all your loved ones and caregivers...we couldn't make it another day without you!

Another Rant...

Just some observations...

1. Is it just me or does American Idol need to fire their wardrobe people?

WTF are these kids wearing?

And don't even get me started on Stephen Tyler's pink ruffled pirate top...arrgh matey! Or should I say, "Wassup there, sweet thang?" You go girl, er, boy!

Am I really that out of the loop in fashion? I know my wardrobe right now consists mostly of sweatpants and lounge pants from Old Navy, but I would like to think that I at least KNOW what is and isn't fashionable. And if that is what is in...then I am so OUT!

I don't get it. I seems like the shows on television that involve the kids of today are lost when it comes to anything cute or fashionable. For instance, there is Glee (a show which I LOVE and will gladly refer to myself as a "Gleek" for obvious reasons) and then there are shows like Gossip Girl and Hellcats that show unrealistic versions of these adult wannabe boys and girls. I was thinking Glee was unrealistic as well, but i think I may be wrong (shut up...I admit when I am wrong; it just doesn't happen that often).

Maybe the kids really are like this? Maybe they really do act and dress like they are portrayed on television. If that is the case, then LORD help us. We are in trouble!

2. I was at Walmart today and I realized why I hate that store. There is never anyone around to help you and they NEVER have any of the handicap carts available when I go there. I mean, how hard is it to figure out that perhaps you should get more if they are ALWAYS occupied and your customers are waiting around to use them. Just a thought.

3. Today is the third day in a row that I have had a headache before I have gotten ready for bed and it is getting a little old. Not sure what in the hell that is all about, but that is NOT okay. I think I have enough "other" problems, that I do not need to start throwing other ailments into the mix. Just sayin'.

4. As I fired up the old laptop a couple days ago, I see the first news story...

"Kelsey Grammer weds...again!"

I don't mean to be mean, but seriously? Have we nothing else better to talk about or discuss in this world with all the crap happening around us that out TOP news story is about a washed up sitcom star and his new flight attendant trophy wife, who happens to be younger than I am and he 26 years her senior? Really? (like we haven't heard THAT story before. A flight attendant Kelsey? What, your dog walker or massage therapist didn't do it for you?)

I for one find the news always a bit of a downer; there never seems to be any good news, but COME ON PEOPLE, I think we can find SOMETHING a bit more pressing or important than Kelsey Grammer's fourth walk down the aisle!

5. I did find something at Walmart that I think was just GENIUS!! There is a new candy bar called a "Thingamajig"...and it was YUMMY!! It is produced by the same people who make the "Whatchamacallit" and it is JUST as good, if not better! I guess that makes up for all the other bullshit today.

Chocolate always makes things better.

Well, chocolate and alcohol, but I am off the bottle, so I choose chocolate...and Chaka Khan! (That was a Bridget Jones reference, in case you were wondering).

Basically, I am not in the best mood today...so I felt it necessary to share my frustrations with you all since I have a blog...and no life! Lucky you!!

Wishing you all good health, and better humor than I am in!