Simply Carolina Dreamz » Creative Chaos

Living withing Reach

I’ve considered over and over if I should write this post. I’ve been giving a lot about my personal life away, lately, for the sake of honesty and integrity in blogging and hoping that others out there don’t think that they are alone, in any way. I live within reach. This means that everything I may need or want has to be within reach of me. I fell off the bed, the other night, trying to reach for something.  I yelled “help” for over an hour, before someone in my house, woke up for other reasons and could hear me.  Helping me up was torture and only added to my pain, but I’m okay. But, this only re-enforces the idea of living within reach..  Except for when I was on the floor I’m in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Creative Domestication, depression, Featured, Health/Nutrition, Unexpectations

I’m a depressed adult born of a depressed adult

For the most part, I don’t write about my depression.  I only try to keep this blog full of the good times.  Hence the emptiness in the last year or two. Something happened to me two weeks ago, though.  I found me again.  That’s the only way I can describe it.  I could set aside the war torn, tossed and turned life I’ve lived, and think of things to write about again. A battle emerged on my Facebook page, the other night, and my “grandmother” said something about stepping back and re-evaluating how I felt.  I deleted all the posts related to this entanglement. For the first time I saw and realized that many read and don’t comment. I realized they were there. I wished someone a Happy Birthday and in their Thank-you, they … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, depression, Featured, Stand For Something

Pharmaceutical Wars

I have a new long term extended release medication.  Its controlled.  I’m not allowed to get it filled until the day before or the day you run out of the current medication. Guess what, though? (Almost had it hijacked cuz I couldn’t pee.. in the cup) CVS doesn’t have it and won’t have it, by order, for 2-3 days. None in the area have it. Umm..  that’s so unacceptable. Make me wait until the last minute and then make me go without.  That’s health care for you. Any non controlled medication must be faxed into the insurance company to be mail ordered. Last month, one of my pain medications was increased to 6mg, from 4mg.  I called the pharmacy to get a refill ordered.  They never filled. I went back to the doctor, the next month … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Health/Nutrition, Stand For Something

I’m digitally inept

If I was writing on paper for a paper distribution, like a newpaper or newsletter, I’d get so much more accomplished. Especially pretty paper. As it isl , I have a gazillion tabs open trying to put them into a congruent fashion into a post. What is wtong with me:? … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, Unexpectations

Dear Angry Parent of Teenage Daughter

Dear Angry Parent of a Teenage Daughter, You went about this all wrong.  You made a video that is going viral on the world wide web. The problem is the only one benefiting from all of this is iTunes and Facebook.  You could have gone about this in many different ways, to get, at least, your $130 back. Shooting up her laptop is just proving that idiots own Guns.  I am a Gun Owner. I would never do such a thing. Now put my kids laptop up on eBay, or make them do it, in front of me.. YES. I’m there. Have her donate the laptop to a charity. YES. I’m there. Destroying it was just your way of being another stupid parent.. Love, Another parent that thinks you should have hosted this video yourself and profited to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blog Fun, Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, Rant

Finding My New Tribe

I’ve been lost. I was born into a family and raised by a village. But after you grow up, you have to surround yourselves with those that make you feel good and help you put one foot in front of the other.  This is your tribe. I realized I’ve lost my tribe. American journalist and writer Jane Howard is credited with the following quote: “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” I found these 12 steps important. As I look to find a new tribe, I’ve come across many new things: Sisters in Bloom is a Christian Woman Community. (in)courage has a new (in)RL (In real life) and there is a group in Mt Pleasant/Charleston. I don’t … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, family and friends, LowCountry, Stand For Something

Have you seen the commercial about the lady on the laying on the couch in the mall?

This particular commercial about the lady on the red couch in the middle of the mall is about migraines and 1/2 living. I have to relate this situation and peek at how my life is.  I’m holding down my couch. I can see the Endo in the end of January, and I made the appointment in October. Now, new problem and I’m seriously considering a complete hysterectomy like my hematologist wants.  This health is just getting to the point of ridiculous. I’m the one on the red couch..  think of me when you see it. Life is moving around me. Well, what more can I say? The only test that came back abnormal was my upper high cholesterol. The HDL?  What a zoo. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, diet, Health/Nutrition, Rant

Tricare and Blue Cross are being banned from Walgreens RX in 2012

A few months ago, my daughter had to sign a petition, at Walgreens to save her ability to keep using Walgreens for her prescription needs. Last week, I was informed, over the phone and then, again, this afternoon, at the pharmacy..  Many insurance companies are not going to allow us to use the major pharmacies in the near future. Right now, I can fill two maintenance medications locally.  Then I have to get a 90 day prescription and use the insurance company’s pharmacy.. When mistakes happen, which just recently happened to me, we are stuck with 90 days worth of a useless product or not enough after you’ve paid your bill. Its all a mess and only going to get worse. God Bless America. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, Feeding the Needz, politics and religion

Strike Three – You’re Out!

My medical doctor has a serious problem. I have a serious problem because of it. I’m out of options of where to go for primary care so I’m avoiding primary care. First Strike: My medical doctor had me sign a contract that said I would only get my Ambien from him and only at CVS pharmacy near my home. When I called for a refill and waited three or four days for it to be called in, I happened to send my son to the Walgreens to get some other prescriptions, for me… and guess what else he brought home? My Ambien. Who broke that contract? Strike Two: My insurance company only allows two months of maintenance medications at my local pharmacy of choice and then I must get a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos

Embrace Vulnerability

    Its okay to be vulnerable. Its okay to show who I really am. Its okay to be afraid, and get positive about it. I can become who I want to be. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Featured, Feeding the Needz, Stand For Something

An 800 pound Gorilla wants to pee in my Cheerios

The best way to explain it is to copy/paste the emails to you, removing all the guilty party logos, names, and email addresses.  Then  you tell me what you think. First, you’ve heard of Collected.info right?  Collected.info is a Public Feed Reader.  I enjoy gathering my Feeds to read there, so I can easily categorize and read for the curating I do.  I made a mistake, though.  I decided to make a genealogy one and name is after my genealogy site .com and well, umm, that might just make this an dirtier pee than I’m thinking, right now. Okay, here we go: http://familyhugz.collected.info/ Hello Heidi (name deleted to protect the gorilla) here from (name deleted to protect the gorilla).  I’ve had several inquiries via email this morning about the feeds at Family Hugz.)(** note ** … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blog Admin, Creative Chaos, Featured, Rant, Stand For Something

Blog Education Learning Overload – Ebooks I need to read (and so do you)

There are some fantastic bloggers out there that can teach you so much about “blogging better” for SEO traffic. Many are really good at interlinking their own materials and setting a standard that all bloggers should follow. Even the big foot steps can be walked in to learn styles and improve your own posts and writing.  I’m interstested in reading the all, as you should, too. I wanted to bring three ebooks to your attention: The first one is Kelby Carr’s Mom Blog SEO: Mom Blog SEO includes: How to find the best keyword phrases to drive the right readers for your blog Tactics that take a couple minutes before each post and can dramatically increase your traffic How to target the right readers and stop attracting the wrong ones How to boost your … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, family and friends, Feeding the Needz, Inspiration, Linky Love

10 Things we learned driving through Texas

The daytime speed limit< for non commercial vehicles,  is 80 mph. Plan your trip accordingly and only drive in the daytime. Free wifi at every rest stop, but there are more parking spots and picnic spots than rest stops on I-10.  So don’t need to pee. It takes allll day to drive through Texas. Never go on a road trip with someone with gas. (name held to protect the guilty.) :) There are no radio stations worth listening to, if you don’t speak Spanish or live back in the 60′s. Three Four words: Jack in the Box. Tacos baby. We saw a gasoline price sign that said 7.77 cents. We don’t think they get much business. There are very few gas stations in the 80 mph zone. Make your reservations, on price line, for closer destination, so you … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing

Best Blog Background Sound I’ve ever heard

I’m very anti blog background sound. I, usually, surf, with my sound muted. I love music. I just don’t love being scared silly, surprised, or even offended by someone elses different choices.. so I choose to avoid it. I had one blog that friends had loved the piano self-started background sound.. but that was an exception to my rule of background sound. Now, today, I happened on a site, browsing for digital scrapbook paper, and I started to hear birds.. and it started so subtly, that I thought they were outside my window, and not on my speakers! Here, you listen. Doesn’t it make you feel a little warmer?  I think I’m already ready for Spring. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, Featured, Inspiration, Unexpectations

I’ve been blogging five years now! Amazing..

I began blogging in 2005. It took me a little thought to think of that date.  (Luckily its programmed in the html of the widget.) I never would have thought five years and three laptops later, I’d be at the beginning of a new blogging life.  The big blog hack and crash, of 2010, has had its toll on my patience and some days its hard to remember all the hundreds of posts are not here, anymore. I’ll continue to dig through the back doors, and bring forward some of those lost treasures. As the holidays are in full swing around us, I almost refuse to leave my house, to sit in traffic or wait in any lines. IF I can’t have it easily, I won’t have it at all! I’m thankful for … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blog Fun, Creative Chaos, Ephemeral Pursuitz, Featured, LowCountry, Unexpectations

Another year is flying past us..

Tomorrow starts December.  When did the whole year just go away? So much has gone on in this last year.  My head spins just thinking about it. I think the whirlwind started, for me, about 18 months ago, when my father passed away.  Nothing has been really “right” since then.  Its not that I had this great relationship with him or was very close to him.. its just that he’s gone and there is no chance, anymore, for any of that. I got back in touch with some of my cousins and some of my mother’s cousins.  Erin just had a sweet little baby girl.  That changes you and she’s all grown up and married now.  (I’m old.) I added Tracy and Brandi to my Facebook.  I look forward to more communication from them.  … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Feeding the Needz, Inspiration

The new form of DeadBeat Parents..

I’ve been wanting to blog about this subject for over a year but it was hard for me to consider that I really might tick some people off by what I’m going to say. Wednesday, I pulled into CVS, next to a car that was running, with rather loud music playing. The ONLY real problem I had about this is there was a child in the back seat, by himself. I want to say he was five or six.. but what is wrong with people? You can’t just leave them to run in and get something at a pharmacy. I’ve, recently encountered a worse situation, outside of Blockbuster and BB’s attitude about the “problem not being their problem” pissed me off even more. Both of these times I didn’t have … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, LowCountry, Personal Protection, politics and religion, Stand For Something, Unexpectations

I didn’t fall off the Face of the Earth.. at least, not quite..

I’m finally feeling better and then yesterday a huge tooth filling fell out. So in I went for an emergency walk-in with my wonderful dentist, who told me in Facebook Message that he’d be in at 8:30am. This tooth is behind the eye tooth, desperately needs a crown and probably needs a root canal first, because of the pain problems that it has. So, we had a couple of options. First, we could root canal the tooth and temporary crown it until January, with more insurance available and do a three tooth bridge. Second, we could extract the tooth, leaving the eye tooth (that also needs a crown) and the molar behind, that also needs a crown, as the major holding spots for a four tooth crown. When weighing the financial options, now that I have … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing

A new series starting tomorrow.. 30 days of truth.. as raw as I’ll get.

I’m doing something new, starting tomorrow.  Many in the blogosphere are doing it, so google it if you wanna read others and if you want some link love here, leave a comment and we’ll check yours out, too. 30 Days of Honesty - This might get a little ugly.. but you’ll hear it from me. Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself. Day 02 → Something you love about yourself. Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for. Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for. Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life. Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do. Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for. Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like sh*t. Day 09 … Read entire article »

Filed under: 30 Days of Truth, Creative Chaos

#ConvergeSouth Keynote @BrentDPayne

I could watch this about four more times and still learn something from it. Its that good.  Some stuff I knew. .. most I didn’t and its good SEO traning.. enjoy … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Feeding the Needz, Inspiration, Unexpectations

Brain Overload

I can’t imagine why my brain is on overload. I have one camp and two conferences swimming up in there, that need to be blogged about. I’m a full-time student. I’ve met some fantastic people, in the last few weeks. Have you ever been in a meeting and felt you knew a total stranger, before?  I was in a panel discussion sesssion, at #convergesouth, in greensboro and I just felt I knew this guy on the panel.  I don’t know why I felt I knew him.  He mentioned Silicon Valley.  Okay, a Cali guy.  He mentioned he worked at Yahoo. OH MY GAWD.  When the panel ended, I cautiously asked, as I reached out my hand, “Ernie? Y360 Ernie?” What an amazing experience.  My first blogging gigs were at Yahoo 360, until Yahoo “threw us under … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, family and friends, Feeding the Needz, Inspiration, Linky Love

#ZA Food Storage Deal of the Week ala Bi-Lo

Bi-Lo is having a huge Buy 10 for $10 Sale, mix and match, this week. I happen to still have the bonus $50 in Bi-Lo gift cards, from the promo. Girlie and I set out to see what food storage miracles we could procure on this sale. We found 50 pounds of assorted semolina pasta, 10 – 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes, 10 – 28 oz cans petite diced tomatoes, 12 – 15.5 oz cans garbanzo beans/chickpeas, 10 – qt bottles Powerade, 6 yellow crookneck squash, 2 unwaxed dental floss, 10 – Betty Crocker 8.5 oz chocolate chip cookie mix, 20 – Martha White 7 oz assorted muffin mixes, 4 – 16 oz sour cream, 8 pints 1/2 and 1/2, 6 – 8 oz cream cheese, and 6 1/2 pints heavy whipping cream. We … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Creative Domestication, Foodie Frenzy, LowCountry

Reading Moving On – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sarah Ban Breathnach is a genius! Anything with her name on it, will get my attention now. I’ve been stuck, in my book, on the same “chapter” for over a week. It just spoke to me, and I couldn’t move on. So, I read it again, this morning. How does it know me so well? That section is titled “Bleak House” and starts, “I don’t know which is worse, remembering a painful past or ignoring an excruciating present.” Sarah painfully compares her present with her past, when she was in full “Simple Abundance” swing. I don’t have to feel that I failed the path I wanted to be on, after reading “Simple Abundance,” because I’m just normal, from what I’m reading. I gift that book because it speaks to me. Its a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Book Love, Creative Chaos, Ephemeral Pursuitz

Why I Wist – a peek inside me

my wists When I first found out about wists.com, I started adding fun things, to it, to give others an impression of what I like.. it was like a way to introduce me to others.. silently. I didn’t do it for gifts. I didn’t do it for the shopping aspect. I did it to share what I like, what I notice, what I see.. I didn’t really look at it as a shopping social network, because I didn’t really use it that way. Last Christmas, I streamed my wist list, here, on the blog, because I was constantly being faced with answering questions that the wist list could answer for me. And I got a camera, as a gift. Nice. Thanks family. I love you, too. But, this year, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blog Fun, Creative Chaos, Everyday Nothing, Unexpectations

Do you Paperback Swap?

New arrivals, this week: The Modern Woman’s Guide to Life The Quotable Book Lover MLA Handbook for Writer’s of Research Papers Writing Down the Bones Perfect Phrases for Resumes Looking for God in Harry Potter Office Proffessionals Desk Reference Unfinished Business Building Belief While discussing Writing Down the Bones, on Twitter, I was able to add a couple more books to my wish list: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life :: Anne Lamott On Writing :: Stephen King These were added to my other wish list books that I’d love to touch: The Omnivore’s Dilemma : A Natural History of Four Meals :: Michael Pollan Peace and Plenty: Finding Your Path to Financial Serenity :: Sarah Ban Breathnach SparkNotes: Women’s Literature :: SparkNotes Editors I feel there is no hope that I will ever receive The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I’m almost the 900th person waiting … Read entire article »

Filed under: Creative Chaos, Frugality

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