Today I got my braces on my teeth and who would ever thought at 45 years old , I would have full mouth of metal  !!! It took 2 long hours and after they were finished , they asked if I would like to see them and of course I just couldn’t bring myself to look at the tiny brackets, proceeded to the counter to rinse my mouth , never looking up to view the silly looking brackets. I decided to make a costco run to pick up a few things for dinner.  My phone rang and it  was my hubby bugging me to send a picture myself , are you crazy I said !!! I haven’t even viewed them yet. I was feeling down , me miss positive of all people , so I bought a espresso machine and proceed to the car whinning to myself . I got into my car hitting the cd player and this song came on , this perfect song !!! I smile look up into the mirror and just thought wow !!!  I dedicate this song to all the ladies who are way to hard on themselves  !!!  I send many smiles from brace face !!!!

Yes!!!! I am jumping up and down like a little girl , I stopped at the mailbox tonight and my son open the mailbox and the package with the journal and bracelet had arrive!!!!! I cried and laugh and my husband just kept smiling at me. I can’t tell you have warm I feel right now, I don’t know if it is from all the jumping up and down or just because the journal is so amazing !!!! The Ladies who had it before me have left a piece of their heart in this wonderful little book . I am very grateful to be included in The Sisterhood Of the Traveling Bracelet !!! I send many smiles to all.

I’m back !!! I took a little break , I needed to get to know me again!! Taking care of mom and losing her did  a number on my heart . I spent time going through her things , selling her home and dealing with family , which is a lot of work . I took a five day trip to meet a fab women that isn’t on here , it was so much fun and it was a break from paperwork. I realized, I need to get my bussines back on track and start living my life to the fullest. I send many  smiles to all and wish you a bright and wonderful life!!! Grab what life gives you and run with it .

Each year more than 40,000 Americans die from Pulmonary Fibrosis. This is the same as those with Breast Cancer, but many more than those with Ovarian Cancer (14,000), those with Prostate Cancer (31,900) and Cystic Fibrosis (less than 1000).

Despite these numbers, victims of Pulmonary Fibrosis continue to be under represented in medical research protocols. There are currently 200,000 sufferers from Pulmonary Fibrosis in the United States compared to 340,000 victims of AIDS. In terms of visibility, everyone is familiar with AIDS, but very few people have heard about Pulmonary Fibrosis. At this time there is no effective treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis. It is therefore a terminal illness in which the victim succumbs within two to four years after diagnosis.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease in which the air sacs of the lungs are gradually replaced by scar tissue. As the disease progresses, the increase in scar tissue interferes with the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood stream. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult and the patient dies of respiratory failure. The age of onset is usually between 40 and 70 but we are currently witnessing patients of a younger age becoming affected. To add to the problem, the condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma, emphysema or one of the many forms of pneumonia. The symptoms are shortness of breath upon physical exertion and later on difficulty in talking on the phone.  

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation was established to help confront the many problems faced by victims of the disease. Its mission is manifold. First, is to increase awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis as a disease entity in both the medical community and the general public. This is important since early diagnosis and treatment may halt the disease’s progression and increase the longevity of the patient. Second, is to increase funding for research that will find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis. This will be accomplished through direct funding by the foundation and advocacy of an increase in funding by the National Institute of Health for lung research.  

If you would like additional information about Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Foundation call 312-377-6895 or write to: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1440 West Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607. We can be reached by email at:
[Link Removed] or on the internet at: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.

Leeann, Your links have been removed, please consider upgrading to premium membership.

Today I had to go into the funeral home, Because they made a mistake in the billing of my mom’s funeral. I really didn’t want to go but new I needed to. I decided to go into target first. I left target and drove to the funeral home , I parked the car and sat and talk myself into going in over and over again telling myself it will be ok. I open the car door took a deep breath and walk into the funeral home, I all of a sudden  felt this feeling of sadness and I must have turned white, because the funeral director kept asking if I would like to sit down, I just wanted to pay the fee and leave !!! I was finally done and I returned to my car, I sat and cried and as I wiped my tear,I lifted my head up and saw a little man getting out of his car and he looked at me crying and I new he was as sad as I was. I then drove to get an ice tea though a drive through window, hoping know one could see my red eyes.I headed home and felt pretty drained and just wanted to go to bed , but kids needed to be feed and I knew if I went to bed I may never want to get up again!!! I said to myself girl, what are you thinking! come on wake up she is in heaven and she not suffering anymore, you are a positive person and you can do this!!! I heard the door open and it was my hubby coming home from work , here honey as he tossed a letter to me. My eyes opened real wide and I took a step back, the letter was from my mom’s best friend. I open the letter and pulled the card out, it had really pretty flowers on it. This is what it said...  I know this mother’s day may be difficult. Dear Kelly Ann , so I’m praying the lord will hold you especially close at this time and encourage you with reminders of his faithful love and the love of those around you who care very much. She wrote this note to me, I was buying  Mother’s Days cards and I saw this one and thought of you, I hope and pray that the wonderful memories of your Mom will help you through the sorrow that you will feel on this day. I think of her often and I miss her too! Happy Mother’s Day to you!  WoW!!!! is that not just a wonderful friend my mom had!!!  Yes the tears came again ,I picked up the phone and called her. My mom’s best friend never went a way .

Today I woke up and I got the kids off to school and made a big pot of coffee and I turned the tv on and fell back into my bed. It was so great!!! I new I had a mountain of paperwork but I just wanted a break from all my mom’s estate stuff. The phone rang it was my Dr telling me you have very high CHOLESTROL, I eat so heathy and I go to the gym and I lost eight pounds. Why me? Then the next phone call came from the funeral home demanding more money, for a charge they overlooked when I paid the huge bill in February. I sat back and just laughed until I cried, then I got another call from my mom’s realtor, telling me the buyers want more money for the repairs being done in the house. Oh my word!!! I was not laughing or crying ,I was ready to scream. I lowered mom’s house 200 thousand and they wanted more money for the repairs, which were a joke anyway!!!!!  This is what I did,I got into the car and drove and drove and I thought to myself,I can get through this because this is a bump in the road and life is to darn short. I’m staying positive and I guess, I can always become a vegetarian!!! LoL