Do you read them before you buy a book or a product?
I do write them and it’s not always easy. If I love a book I give it a 5 star it’s the ones that I’m not so sureI love that I struggle with. If it’s a book I don’t leave a three star on Amazon because that’s as bad as a one star, those books I don’t post reviews.
This past week I left a one star on a product. I wanted to leave zero stars but it wasn’t possible.
If I had taken the time to read the reviews on this product I wouldn’t have bought it, but I didn’t think about it.
My cats go outside and I needed some flea protection for them. I was at Wal-Mart and usually I pick up Pet Armour. They were out so I snagged a package of Adam’s Top Spot.
Serious mistake. One of my cats, Wendell had a terrible reaction. He was shaking, staring off into space an his fun came out in chunks! I’m fortunate it wasn’t worse. After posting my review I read through the others on Amazon. Many cats have reacted to this product in even more dangerous ways, seizures and horrific sores.
Wendell is fine now. This is an old shot of him feeling well– on top of the fridge.
He’s not quite back to normal but I’m hoping for a full recovery.
So do you write reviews?
Do you think it makes a difference when you post a negative review? In this case I hope my review protects someone else’s beloved cat.
Do you remember when you were little and your mom or dad said you were going to visit the doctor?
The first few times you probably thought it would fun like visiting an old aunt or a grandparent. Then you figured it out.
Doctor visits were code for “unpleasant” and a sticker.
Say Ah!
As I’ve grown older those doctor visits no longer bring so much fear, or stickers, just high medical bills. Being self-employed means you get insurance that is expensive with a very high deductible. Now every time I have one of those visits my savings account gets smaller.
And I don’t get a sticker. Yeah, I’m hung up on that little extra something. Most of the doctors I’ve seen this year have been great about sticking to appointment times. That’s a huge improvement since my time is also valuable.
Still, I’m thinking visit should mean a little bit of conversation. I’ve seen my primary care and several specialists this year and I’ve noticed a trend. The more specialized– the higher the bill and less conversation occurs.
Now, I don’t want to discuss my entire life on one of these visits but it’s nice when you go to your doctor and they know what you do. “How’s the writing? How are your kids? Any grandbabies yet?” That would be my primary care. I love that doctor. He knows me or at least something about my life.
Contrast to that to my husbands specialist who recommended he get some excercise daily. WHAT? The man lifts 50 pound wall blocks over and over, lays pavers, crawls on his knees, every six days a week. I think he probably burns 3-4000 calories a day. So the only thing that doctor knows is what is on the paper in front of him.
I’m not sure why I’m on this rant today. Maybe because I went to see my specialist who ‘didn’t get’ who I am or what I do. Suggestions made for me to fall asleep faster? Write a few pages–to a writer that’s like telling a reader who is reading a really good book to put it down and go to sleep. I can’t do that either I have to finish the book first.
I will say that this specialist was very kind, and did her best to understand. In the end, what I went to see her for was achieved. In the process we both learned a few things about each other. So all ended well–except I still didn’t get a sticker. 🙂
How about you? What kind of relationship to you have with your doctors? Would you like more interaction or less? Let’s discuss this in the comments.
I’ve had this desire to purchase a tortilla press for quite some time. I’ve wanted really good tortillas and they have to be gluten-free. I have a recipe for them but not a press.
Making tortillas is supposed to be easy especially if you press them. So I haven’t tried making them since I don’t have the press. Are you following this logic? Ha!
So when the $5.00 off $15.00 coupon from Bed, Bath and Beyond arrived I knew it was time to get that tortilla press.
$5. off at Bed, Bath and Beyond
It’s been awhile since I’ve been inside this mega wonder store. My favorite place is at the front where all the organizing items are located. I touched, pulled things out and marveled at all I’ve missed while on my shopping hiatus.
Then back to what I came for –the tortilla press. They don’t have them in the store. Now what to do? I had a perfectly good coupon for $5. that’s like a five dollar bill in my hand, right?
I continued through the store searching, hunting and even digging through the clearance shelves. I was transfixed by monitors showing me a new way to curl and straighten my hair. Checked the price on that amazing tool–way over $15.
Before leaving I thought I should go back to the organizing items because there had to be something I MUST OWN for five dollars less.
And then it hit me. The coupon was a lure. The item I wanted wasn’t at the store. An item I wasn’t even sure I really wanted but rather desired.
I’d like to say I handed the coupon to another shopper but I stuck it in my purse–just in case.
I did leave the store without purchasing anything. Now that I’m home I’m glad I was able to resist that urge to spend the money to get five dollars off of ‘something.’
Now, I need to find that recipe, try it and if we like it, order the tortilla press.
How about you?
Are you lured into mega stores by coupons?
Have you fought back and won? or lost?
Tell me!
Blessings,
Diana
If you’re looking for gluten-free recipes follow me on Pintrest.
If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter would you consider do so now? Thanks!
The Great Gatsby opened not long ago, filled with fabulous fashions and jewels. Can you imagine being invited to a party where you would be decked out in pearls and shiny clothing?
My grandparents were married in 1928. I don’t have photos of them but I do know they didn’t live the fancy life. Grandma was probably married in a simple dress and not a many pearls, if any would have adorned her neck. While the flapper era seemed exciting I imagine only a few lived the fancy party life with excessive partying.
My grandmother on her graduation day in the 20s.
Still the era left its mark, a romantic one.
We were invited to attend a 1920s themed wedding and asked to dress in the era if possible. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding at a botanical garden. Many of the guests wore something that would bring to mind that era. It wasn’t over done or costume party style–it was what my grandparents would have done if they’d have had the means. (that means money for those of you to young to know that!)
The thrill of the 20s came at the reception held at the Timothy Demonruen House built in 1906. Walking up the front steps, seeing the doors and woodwork while ragtime plays and you’re transported.
Inside the house there is an expanse of well carved woodwork and mirrored mantels. This historic house is also a bed and breakfast, complete with a claw footed tub.
My husband Ed and I did our part, my poor guy wore a white tie and spats from the party store. The tie was slippery!
My friend and co-author Marty Lintvedt and I wore feathers and beads. Lots of laughter and fun.
Have you been to a themed wedding? What was it like?
Does God speak in a loud voice, show you through action what you want to know, or share His wisdom with you through other people?
I’ve never heard God speak. Not like Moses or the people of Israel or the followers of Christ.
Attending church, Sunday School and reading my bible gives me a lot of information about who God is and who He would like me to be. Through those things I discovered how much God loves me, so much that He sent His only son to die for me. Still even with faith and knowledge I long for a personal message so I search and watch and wait. I spend a lot of time searching for the Cloud Rider in the clouds.
And one day….
while we were driving…..
I stared at the clouds and wondered. “God, I know you are there by faith but can you show me you love me today?”
And this appeared.
God’s Love Shown
Do you see it? You have to look at the middle cloud. There is a heart. There was an even bigger one to the right but while I was staring in wonder it broke apart. For a moment God spoke to me, showing me His love once again in a form I would recognize. Or maybe instead of saying spoke, more like a hug just for me and I wanted to share that with you.
Where do you see or hear God speak?
2 Corinthians 4: 18
Sow we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since wha is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We celebrated our 23rd anniversary this weekend by going to one of the newer bistro cinemas. I picked the movie, Gatsby would never have been Ed’s pick. That’s how I know our marriage is doing well. He treats me special.
The bistro is fun, you sit in leather recliners and press a call button and the waitress to brings you yummy edibles. That made Ed happy all he was missing was the remote!
I’ve heard the previous movie starring Robert Redford was amazing but I haven’t seen it so I can’t say.
This version I loved. I won’t give anything away so feel free to read. The costumes made me want to live in the 20s, they used some original Tiffany jewelry l along with pieces from Tiffany’s archives. I love the head-piece and ring! I’ve always been a fan of Art Deco and I wasn’t disappointed in what I saw.
One of the things that intrigued me is how the lavish parties looked like marvelous fun, but instead of cutting away to the next big event (scene) the producers showed the ugly side of those kind of parties, drunken guests who should have left several hours earlier, the litter left behind, and the morning after the party when the Gatsby mansion had to be cleaned.
It made me consider the times I’ve had high expectations of events and stayed a little to long not wanting to leave, afraid I’d miss some kind of excitement. The excitement never comes.
The one thing I know for sure is I have high expectations of heaven and seeing God and I can rest knowing that event will not leave me wanting more. I can only imagine how He can outshine Tiffany’s.
I started those classes about the same time I began taking Pravistatin. I thought the working out was causing my muscles to ache. I asked others in the class if they were hurting too. They were sore but not as much, they were also a lot younger.
In Feburary, I still hurt but it was worth the pain since I was getting in shape. One day in class my trainer said my hands and arms were purple and my face was white–not to mention I had trouble breathing. She told me not to return to class until I saw a doctor.
Pravastatin was my last hope of taking something to reduce my cholesterol.
It did just that, knocked that number way down. While doing its job of cleaning plaque from my veins it also did this:
Killed my will to move, I slept 14-18 hours a day.
Breathing was difficult. I needed to use an inhaler and I don’t have asthma.
Any kind of exertion and my blood pressure would plummet and I’d almost pass out.
Then there was the short-term memory loss. If I were 80, my family would have put me in assisted living. Yes, it was that bad.
I was sent to a cardiologist for a stress test and an ultra sound of my heart. He thought there was a chance I had pulmonary hypertension. Thankfully, that was ruled out.
My symptoms continued.
I was miserable. Cleaning, talking on the phone, even responding to email was a struggle.
Dinners became sandwiches, hot dogs and take out. I felt like the Five at 5 cast on Fox had become my best friends, along with Paula Dean, Rachael Rae and Giada.
While waiting for the next appointment which was still several weeks away, my husband heard a doctor on a morning talk show discussing the side effects of cholesterol medications. Ed said it was as if the doctor knew me. I had all of those things going on. I stopped taking it.
In one week I could feel a difference. The clouds in my mind were beginning to part and my memory improved. It’s been four weeks since I’ve quit and I’m almost back to normal. My arms still hurt and my energy level isn’t where it was but it’s getting there.
Why am I telling you all of this? I hoped you might have missed my posts, tweets and facebook updates. 🙂
I wanted this written in hopes of helping someone else going through this as well as to re-read before I consider taking such a drug again.
I’d also like to ask you for prayers as you can imagine the things left undone the past 4 months have piled to scary heights. It’s overwhelming what needs to be cleaned, washed, and written.
Have you had an experience like this with a statin drug? Please share.
My friend sent me this video on statins http://vimeo.com/65517435 it’s an hour long but very informative.
