[Sarah]

I don’t mind trying to explain what it is.. Actually I am still learning myself.

I do remember the doctor that diagnosed it.. He said ” I have good news and bad news, the good news.. you wont die from this, the bad news, there will be days when you wish you could.”

And boy was he right.. LOL

I am not sure how to explain it well, I have included a link that explains it a bit better than I can.. Basically its a condition that causes pain through out the body ( like flu or over exercising) I have a severe case ( lucky me)where I am in pain all the time, on good days the pain is like having the flu, on bad days, I feel as if I were hit by a car and backed over again..LOL

Some days I can barely move or walk, other days I move about as if I were 20 years old again. Pain meds help, but I don’t like that loopy feeling, so I only take them at night. Doctors put me on morphine patch and I stopped using it. Now I take Oxycodone, muscle relaxer, inflammatory pills.

One symptom I hate about the condition is short term memory loss. I can remember fine from years ago, but I have to think about what I did the day before. I sometimes forget what someone will tell me and I have to ask the same questions over and over.. I joke with my family that one day I will get in the car to go shopping and forget where I live. LOL

After finding out the condition, I met so many others with the same thing, especially on the net.. Also many have this, but have no idea as its very often mis-diagnosed by doctors.. It took 5 doctors before one figured out what was wrong with me.

As far as an illness, I know many have it much worse. I don’t have to go through chemo or anything drastic. When I think about that, I realize how lucky I am.

Its just hard on flare-up days, I sometimes get upset as this has totally changed my life. I never know from day to day how I will wake up feeling. I stay home 90% of the time, except to grocery shop or see a doctor. If I know I need to grocery shop, I know the next day I wont be able to move out of bed.

I stopped having a social life with friends, as they don’t really understand. Even my own family has a hard time. I don’t look my age at all, I look healthy and yet I cant do simple things without being in a lot of pain.. Like cooking a full meal.. Half way through, I have to sit down and rest, as the pain gets so intense. Takes all of the fun out getting new recipes and trying them out.. LOL

Disability is no fun either, they give such a small check. My husband is the one that keeps us afloat now. Ok, on the good note.. I get one of those handicap plaques and now I can park right infront of a store, so I guess something’s have a silver lining.. LOL

Here are two websites if you want to check them out.. If you know of friends or family that seems to be in pain and no apparent reason, or they seem to always be so tired.. May be worth a look.. Its possible they have this and a doctor has not diagnosed it yet.

http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/basics.html

http://www.articlealley.com/article_109703_17.html

Please feel free to ask any questions you want. You can email me offlist as I dont want to clutter a recipe site with talk about Fibromyalgia.

“Chants” We want recipes!!! we want recipes!!!!!! LOL

(points to quote below) for me, its the truth!!!!! ROFL

[Sarah]

Sarah smiled polietly at the librarian, took her copy of the article and headed for her car.

After Sarah finished her business in town, she rode down the tree-lined highway toward the shore she wondered about Lily and the disturbing dreams she was having.

If only Kevin, her fiance’, were with her.

As she got to the house she noted that a candlelight to her room was flickering, and a shadow of a woman could be seen in the shade.

She took the groceries into the kitchen, then she lit the oil lamp she’d just bought with the lighter she’d also purchased. She noted that the kitchen somehow looked more dull than it had in the darkness. It was as if the room were drawing the light into itself.

Just then, she turned to see Lily standing at the entrance of the kitchen.

Lily, were you up in my room?
Why, yes, said Lily, I hope you don’t mind. I was looking at the pictures you had in that album on the nightstand. I brought down this picture of him to look at with you.
Sarah tried to remember if she had put the album where Lily had indicated but she could not.
Oh, Sarah, said Lily, looking at the picture of Kevin, your fiance’ is so handsome! He reminds me of Bartholomew Custus! I wonder if he is related to your fiance? They are both such handsome men.

Lily put the picture next to a portrait of a man which hung in the dining room.

I hung Bartholomew’s picture here, so that when I dine, I would dine with him.

Sarah’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at the picture of Kevin and the portrait Bartholomew. In the low glow of the oil lamp the two men looked like twins! The room began to spin and Sarah felt ill, fighting the growing churning in her stomach. As the darkness engulfed her……..

[Sarah]

LOL….

I can see I had better start writing things down..

Have a great idea…..

Between doctor visits, I will take pen and paper with me and write things down.. Usually I go through every magazine in the place, plus the beading jewelry books I bought myself ( I make jewelry as a hobby) .. and I am still waiting and waiting..

Am I the only person that sits in a waiting room 1-3 hours to see a doctor, then the nurse takes me to the room and says ” the doctor will be right with you”… Now its true, she does not say what day the doctor will be right with me, because its Never the day I am there..

waiting.. waiting.. waiting…. by the time the doctor comes in, I forget why I was there.. ROFL

Next time, I can say…” I came here to remember and write down my recipes for my internet friends, and How are you today?” ROFL

[Sarah]

Ok Peggy, I will do that!!!

By the end of the week, I will post that and a few other recipes 🙂

[Sarah]

At the moment, I am brain dead.. but will see if I can come up with something..

I am not good at writing, only *true* story telling..

Another favorite quote of mine as it also fits me well ” an accident looking for a place to happen”…

Some time I will tell some funny stories that really happened to me..

However, if I can think of something to add to this story, would it be ok, if I only added once or twice? I dont want to break any of the game rules.. I know sometimes people have to take turns in telling the story.. Use to play this when I was a kid.. If I can post once in a while, and then others just pick up where I left off, I may give this a try.

After all, the story is about ” Sarah” hahahahaha

[Sarah]

Waves hello to John and Texas girl 🙂

Sorry to reply so late, been off the pc this past week.. seems like longer, but I think it was only a week.. or 5 days.. or 4.. LOL [/img]

[Sarah]

HI Peggy and G,

I am glad I joined too. Its fun to share things 🙂

The mushrooms are sooooooooooooo easy to make. Hope you do give them a try.

I am trying to remember how I made the shrimp/crab stuffed mushrooms to post a recipe.

years ago, while at the new Red Lobster, they offered crab stuffed mushrooms. I went crazy for them, so the next time I was there, I had pen and paper with me…

As I would taste the stuffed mushroom, I would write down what I thought I tasted ( butter, lemon, onion, garlic, etc ) and then I wrote down what I could visually see.

That week I decided to create my own copy cat version. Only I added chopped shrimp to it along with the crab meat.

A friend of mine was the manager at a popular restaurant, and had worked at other restaurants. She was over for dinner that night and had a fit over the mushrooms. She said they were the best she ever tasted.

Now unfortunately, she asked if I wrote it down, and how I did it….

As usual, when I experiment, I dont write things down.. Im too busy thinking and adding a bit of this and that again..LOL

Since I am never sure how it will actually turn out, I dont take the time to write down each and every thing..

Her eyes widened and she said get Pen and Paper.. ” Start writing!!!!” LOL

My friend then went on to say I opened the wrong business, it should have been a restaurant instead of a tanning salon ( yes I had one of those)

Family and friends have asked me to write a cook book.. ahhhhh.. .maybe one day, when I am unable to stand in a kitchen and cook any longer.. Its a thought, not a dream, but a thought.. LOL

As my favorite quote says” of all the things I lost, I miss my mind the most” I think that quote was made just for me, as it fits me so well.. LOL

In the mean time, I am happy to share what I can with everyone here 🙂

Hugs
Sarah

[Sarah]

ROFL….

That is exactly what happend about 6 years ago. My internet friends were sent home made cookies.

I would pop on and off line to say hello, and explain that I was busy baking cookies and couldnt stay around to chat.

Msg’s were passed back and forth and I was asked what kind of cookies..

I named over the rainbow cookies, the cookie bars, the spritz cookies, chocolate truffles, rum balls and the baklava, etc….

A few jokes were made about coming over or sending some samples to try out.

I teased and laughed about it, then I thought …. why not????

Now I admit, not Everyone got a tin of home made goodies..

But about 8 people that I chatted with on a daily basis were surprised with a home made tin of cookies that year.

Well all but one person.. She lived in Austrailia and she never got her package. I was a bit upset over it as I had included other goodies. She said she never tasted peanut butter or M&M’s and few other things she heard about here in the states.

I dont know if customs took the package, or what happened, I just hope who ever got it, enjoyed it.. I had shipped it the fastest way possible, which cost a small fortune.. I had insured the package which cost about as much as the items purchased. To file a claim, they put us both through so much red tape that I just let it go..

Everyone else received their package and that made me very happy. I enjoyed doing it. Back then I enjoyed doing so much..

I now have Fibromyalgia and in pain nearly all the time.. I dont cook or bake as I use too. Instead of cooking every night, I now cook large meals only on Sundays. The rest of the week is usually something simple, but every once in a while, I get that urge to try something new, like with the chili, then I go for it..

Its nice that I found this forum to share the recipes with everyone, even if I cant share the actual goodies 😥

Hugs
Sarah

[Sarah]

Makes a great snack too besides a side dish.

Give it a try and let us know what you think 🙂

Hugs
Sarah

[Sarah]

I did make the chili, and I have to admit I was very surprised. My family said it was better than Long Horns, yet had a similar taste. Mine had more of a bite to it and more spicey taste.

I did experiment, I added some of this and that. More of that, than this..LOL

I will never be able to duplicate it perfectly again, as I didnt write down anything. I have an idea in my head of what I used and how I did it..

I promise to post soon, but you have to understand, I am guessing at the measurements of the ingredients. Not a complete guess, but I am not sure if I used 1/2 teaspoon or 3/4 teaspoon.. etc..

I also had made beans the day before, I figured after we all had chili, what ever was left, I could make it go further by adding the beans.

I ended up adding the beans anyway, but I took half the amount and mashed them to make a paste.. I then added that to the chili and cooked another 20 mins and it really was thick and sooooooooo good.. LOL

Sometimes my experiments end up in the trash, but I am so proud of this one. It was so different from the other chili’s I made in the past.

Not sure anyone would want to give this a try as it took two days to make everything. I know when I surf a recipe, if it seems to much work, I usually skip it.. hahahaha

If anyone wants to give it a try, let me know. In the mean time, I am going to try and recreate it in my head and write down the ingredients. If I see someone ask for the recipe, I will post it..

Hugs
Sarah 😉

[Sarah]

I am just getting a chance to read this story. Been a hell of a week and I have not been online.

I am SO enjoying this story and you guys are a riot with your comments!

Ok, back to reading to see what happens to Sarah.. hmmmm..

You know, I may not be in your imagination. I could be real, and I felt this story being told. When you shut your lights tonight, I could be there.. watching.. ……..waiting……. 😈

( makes spooky sounds) 😯

continues reading the story, and giggling now..

[Sarah]

Hi Peggy and G,

So I am the main character in your spooky story? LOL sounds like fun, as soon as I can get the time to sit and read, I will take a look.

I love spooky stories, also my favorite shows are Medium, Ghost Whisper, Super Natural and all the CSI’s too. Actually, I had a link on the net about haunted places in the country. I clicked on it and went to my state….

Now this made my hair stand on end. One of the most haunted places was right across the street from where I lived. It was all wooded, and I admit, at night I would feel as though I was being watched. Right behind those woods on the other side is a cemetary.

I no longer live there ( not because of the hauntings) but because I moved south, however, I now live only 10 mins from that house. So much construction has gone on since I moved away 3 years ago.. Yet those woods are not touched. Its as though they built around them, but never did build on them… ( makes spooky sounds) LOL

Sarah

[Sarah]

Hi Lucky,

Thanks for the recipe. I will give it a try. If you or anyone can run across a clone recipe to Longhorn, be sure to let me know.

I am going to try and tweak this here and there, and try to come up with my own clone if I can. I loved how it was sweet and spicey together.

I have made chili many times and different ways.. Sometimes I make it Hot and other times I use cinnamon, nutmeg and other sweet spices. I like it with beans, yet I know REAL chili does not have beans.

One way I have not tried yet, and thats to use cubed beef. I normally use ground hamburger. Will post and let you know how the cube beef chili comes out too.

Thanks again for the reply

Sarah 🙂

[Sarah]

Hi Lucky and Peggy,

I love how this site sends an email, so I know someone has posted. I was so tired last night, I forgot to bookmark the site…LOL

The picture/avatar I used is a picture of one my fur-babies. His name is Baby and he is a 15yr old Pommie. I also have 3 cats and will probably use some of their pics as well. Dont want them to get jealous (laughs)

I grew up in the Bronx on the Grand Concourse a few blocks from Yankee Stadium. I was there till 1973 and then went to visit my grandmother in TN and decided to go to high school there. Granduated, moved back to NYC, married and lived in Westchester a few years, then moved to NJ for 16 years. Went back to TN for 3 years and now I am back in NJ again.. LOL

With all that moving, most of my cookbooks are still packed in boxes. I have about 50 that I keep around the house. Forgot to mention with all that moving, in between those years, I raised two sons. Okay, before everyone starts to do the math, I turned 50 this past Sept. ROFL

I have wonderful memories of the Museum, class trips and then visits before the kids came along. I use to joke and say I grew up at the Bronx zoo. Which is not far from the truth. I was there nearly every weekend and most of the summer while growing up. I guess its where my love of animals started. If you see a pet used for my pic, its either a current fur baby or one that has gone to heaven. I keep all their pics on my pc, along with a few of my sons ” laughing” Yes its true, I have more fur-baby pictures, then of my sons. But only if you count their grown-up pictures.

Before I forget, where do I post a recipe that is mine? Tonight I made shrimp scampi and paid attention to the amounts. I dont know if that would be posted under Pasta recipes or Fish recipes?

If there is something you would like, be sure to let me know. I have tons, but I need to write down the amounts of each ingredient before posting.

Back to the kitchen for me, my son asked me to bake a cake.. Trust me, it will be from a box, I dont feel that ambitious tonight.. LOL

Sarah 🙂

[Sarah]

Hi Generall
Thanks for the welcome. I am still hanging around viewing the site, and looking at the profile options. Trying to get to know how things work. Just noticed the time, I guess I should come back and learn more tomorrow. ( laughing)

If you, or anyone needs a recipe, if I have what your looking for, I am more than happy to post it.

I did find the forum to “request”. I posted there, hopefully the correct way.

I would love to post and share some of my own recipes, but I need to write down the amounts first. When I cook, I never measure anything. Unless its a recipe of someone else’s. My friends have asked for recipes to some of the things I make. I usually have them watch me prepare the meal to get an idea.

I dont want to post a recipe and guess at the amount on ingredients. In the near future, I will prepare something easy, and write down how much of this and that to add to it.. LOL

Is it ok to post recipes from a cookbook or the net? I dont want to break any rules or copyright laws.

Sarah 🙂

[Author]

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