He's always wanted a wife with a remote control!

Going and visiting everyone's kitchens and reading stories made me realize it might be frustrating that I haven't yet explained my pain situation that I frequently refer to. I found this photo online and thought it was a good start.


This is what I have implanted in my back, as of January 5th of this year, 2009. I love how this photo has everything labeled. That pulse generator? That is implanted in my upper right hip, although mine is a bit smaller, I think. Those extension wires are actually tunneled down under my skin and travel down to the implanted pulse generator (IPG). And the leads in the mid back? I also have 2 (some people just have 1). Each lead I have has 8 nodes. So I have a total of 16 nodes. More on that later.

So what the heck does this thing do? It blocks pain signals getting to the brain, simply put. When I turn it on, I buzz/tingle and the nerve pain screaming from my legs does not make it to my brain in full. This is really hard to describe, so I'll do my best. It is not a cure-all, by any means. It is considered an end-game option, for people with no other options other than implanted pain pumps.

Many people each year suffer from what is known as Intractable Pain. This is pain that is never-ending, if you can even imagine that. 24/7 pain with no relief. This is what I have. As you can imagine, it is very hard to live life with a positive attitude when you get no relief from massive pain, pain that alters your pulse rate, blood pressure, and adrenal hormone
production. Life becomes very small as your every minute of every day is spent trying to survive the pain.

I have permanent nerve damage, S1 nerve to be exact. This is the motor nerve that is at the base of your spine, and is very affected by walking, sitting, and really any movement. Prior to getting this SCS, I spent the majority of my day reclined, FULLY reclined, and still in a 6 to 7 level pain on a scale of 1 to 10. I will never again have a pain-free life, unless there is a miraculous healing from God. In the meantime, God sent the knowledge for this technology and put the right doctors in my path to make it available to me.

How did I get nerve damage? That is hard to say. 4 years ago, I was a hyper, fun-loving real estate agent literally loving life and living in the fast lane. I got my staging certification and started staging homes that I listed and homes for other agents/friends. We suspect that I hurt my back moving furniture, but we will never know. Whatever I did, did not hurt at the time or the next morning.

Here I was in January, 2005, just months before this all started. This was a casual photo I used in real estate marketing:


I had 3 back surgeries in 12 months and while my back is now stable thanks to a 360 lumbar fusion at L5-S1 with rods, screws, cages and more, I was left with the nerve damage. I struggled to find any way to cope, to deal with it. I always knew in my heart, that SCS treatment was going to be the answer and I just had to get doctor's to agree. lol

As I'm sitting here writing this, I am charging my unit. Here is what the belt looks like. That paddle gets situated over my hip and the IPG unit.


I charge around 2 times a week, all depending on how high I keep my settings. I can use my remote control to turn my unit up or down, change programs. Some programs have a constant buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Other programs go buzz buzz buzz buzz. And still others are more like a jackhammer on concrete, which isn't my favorite.


Here is what the belt looks like before I put it on. I can walk around and do whatever I want while I'm charging. It is completely portable. I love it!

I have the ANS/St. Jude Eon Mini, which is the latest and greatest in SCS technology. My IPG is just slightly larger than a silver dollar, and I barely feel it in my hip. I am what I call butt-challenged with not much of a bootay at all, so I was worried that when that was implanted, where would they put it? lol

Here is a photo of my remote control:


I carry this with me at all times. I never know when I might need to turn it off, or turn it up or down. Sometimes I have to turn the SCS off because I can set off the alarms at certain stores (HAS happened) OR get a jolt as I walk through the doors with certain alarm systems (has NOT happened). Andy likes to say he's always wanted a wife with a remote control!

So I'm a 42 year old with the body of a 95 year old UNTIL the SCS. Literally, I went from 23 hours a day reclined fully to being able to do much of what I want. I still stay reclined when I am not busy, but I am able to cook, clean, do chores, go to the mall, walk for more than 20 minutes at a time. 20-40 minutes was my limit. If I got up to do anything for longer than that, I would get horrid nerve flares that could not be controlled with anything - no medication, no acupuncture, no massage therapy, no physical therapy, NOTHING would stop those flares. The nerves are just permanently damaged. Plain and simple.

I have been over the moon excited since January 5th, as I'm sure you can imagine. I'm working on getting strength back, as I have some muscle atrophy with the nerve damage and prior forced inactivity.

I always thought I was a good actress......I didn't want people to know, really KNOW, how bad it hurt. And I thought I pulled it off in the little time I saw anyone else. When we would try to go to church and hope it didn't set me back for 5 days. But when I got the SCS, people could see in my eyes the old sparkle I used to have. They admitted that pain was written all over my face, even though I had that pretend vaseline on those teeth, smiling as big as I could smile, holding the tears back as best I could. I wanted so desperately to get my life back. And thank the precious Lord, I have. It's not perfect, I'm not a "normal" 42 year old, but I'm close enough. Andy is thrilled, the kids can't believe the difference. I still have some family who hasn't seen me yet and I hope they will just be as happy as we are when they see me. I know it was hard for my parents to see me in such pain, knowing there was nothing they could do. And I would rarely talk about it because I couldn't without massively crying.

Do you know anyone with Intractable Pain? I never had any idea the life one lives when suffering with this. I found an excellent online resource titled The Intractable Pain Survival Guide. PLEASE forward this to anyone you know suffering with never-ending pain. And if you could, spend a few minutes reading it so you can be a better family member, caregiver, friend. We lose so many of our friends when we lose our abilities, our "life". We don't go anywhere because we can't, and people just don't understand. It's not about depression, it's about sheer blistering pain.

To my utter sadness, not everyone is a candidate for SCS - Spinal Cord Stimulator Treatment. My greatest wish would be that everyone could experience this POWER over their pain. To have in their hands and in their body a system whereby they can dilute the pain somewhat. To feel this buzzing inside me 24 hours a day is so comforting. It is like being my very own massage chair. Have you ever sat in a massage chair at a salon? Well, I AM the massage chair, although no one else can feel this. Teeny tiny electrical impulses are released by those nodes in my mid-back (thoracic region). My brain perceives this instead of the pain impulses. It is simply AMAZING.

Power Over Your Pain Website

This is the first picture I took that I called "Pain-free eyes". It was the first picture in 3 years where I looked like ME. (Before I went blonde, lol.)


It's been a long 4 year journey, starting in August of 2005. Who knew? God did. And there's a reason and a lesson I was to learn through all this. More on that in another post. But I do thank God for allowing me to grow into the person I am now because of this, not in spite of it.

If you've made it through this post, thank you. I'm trying hard to focus this blog on our life, the positive, happy parts. I deeply desire to share my humor, my crazy personality, my hyper ADHD thoughts (unmedicated, btw! lol). I didn't want to "bring everyone down" by dwelling too much on what was wrong with me. I believe "What we focus on, expands", so I do my best to focus on the positives in life. What I DO have, not what I do not.

I'm known for my smile and bubbly personality - I plan to do more of it!

Have a great day!

Cheri

Family, do you know what this is??????????

No, he wasn't arrested. lol (I blocked out all the pertinent information with yellow post it scraps.) Holt got his learner's permit!!! Can you believe it?? He came down late last night asking if we could do it today. Because he's homeschooled, it required both Andy and I going to the bank to get forms notarized, which we did at lunch. I took him afterwards and he passed! Not so funny for him was the clerk - she really pulled a good one on him. He came out smiling and she was not. She said "you did not pass" and Holt was like "Huh? It said Congratulations and to come talk to you" and this clerk just kept the straightest face and said "well, I guess you lost it on the last question" and on and on. Finally, I told Holt she was playing with him. He was so relieved and she was chuckling. lol

He drove us home, which was quite a distance on busy streets and did amazing. I've been talking to him for months as I drive, what to look out for, etc. and I guess he paid attention. As we neared home, it was school pick up time, and a policeman got right behind him and followed him into our subdivision! lol He was so nervous. But he held it together and the cop turned the next street we passed. Was Holt relieved, let me tell you!!

Anyway, happy news at our house. He can now get his full driver's license when he turns 17 in August. State law here requires the person to drive on the learner's permit for 6 months or until they turn 17. The lady helping us said he was lucky to have come in now. In July, the rules change - the new drivers must have the learner's permit for a YEAR and the age of 17 doesn't matter. Still must have learner's permit for a year. Phew - just missed that!

And much to Holt's dismay, our state does NOT have any home to work hardship licenses, so he cannot drive to work on his own. Must have a licensed adult 21 years or older in the car, so even Ryan doesn't count.

I'm in shock - are you? lol Just didn't know when that boy was gonna get this. Not too many 16.5 year old boys who don't care. lol Ryan was driving at 14, as early as that state let him. One thing you have to admire about Holt - he's never been in any hurry to grow up. Maybe Granny got through to him with her favorite saying "Every dog has his day". :)

P.S. For the 2nd time in 2 weeks, I was asked if I knew I look just like Cybill Shepherd. How weird is that!! Here's a photo I took today - just not sure myself. lol I got a new license myself today because I just do not look like I did in June and I will NOT be showing that photo. Amazing what losing 30 lbs will do to you (and going blonde), huh? lol









Photos courtesy of:

Virginia Media, Broadway World, Season 1, Watching Showtime


Have a great day!

Cheri

Korres Face Primer - Product Review

OK ladies, I have read for years that THE thing in makeup application is face primer, but I've never tried one. And everything I read talked about how they were full of silicone, made people break out, pilled on their face, etc. Did not make me want to run right out and get any. But then the makeup artists to the stars would talk about how face primer is THE number one thing they could not live without. So confusing.

For the first time ever (!), I visited a Sephora in the mall and had so much fun. Andy was very happy to people-watch on the bench and sit that one out but couldn't believe how long I was in there! lol What a playground! lol I love makeup, love love makeup, and do wear a little every day. Nothing heavy, but I am a firm believer in this: If I took time to make myself look nice while we were dating, then I shall continue to do so. Being married doesn't give me the "right" to look harried and run down, while hubs gets to go to work and see lots of nicely put-together women. Why change the rules on the poor guy? I know it has to get old having a 42 year old disabled wife, but he'll always be able to say that I do still take care of myself. To look at me, you'd probably never know the nerve pain I suffer. And I'm going to keep it that way as long as I can! Plus, I can't help it - always been a a"girly-girl".

Anyhoo...I see these different face primers in Sephora and first thing I do is smell them. They all smell horrid! Chemical smell, just yuck. There is no way I could put that on my face every day. Then I run across this product:

Korres Face Primer!! This one smelled "natural", a little fruity. I read the ingredients and check this out:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Face Primer
What it is:
A silicone-free, 99% natural, anti-oxidant rich face primer that creates the perfect canvas for makeup application.

What it does:
Rich in skin-soothing botanicals and Vitamin E, this 99-percent-natural formula refines skin texture without silicone, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces pore size. Your skin will be primed and ready for a makeup application.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Silicone
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Mineral Oils
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs

What else you need to know:
This product is Ecocert Certified and dermatologically tested, and also formulated without Triclosan, PPG, MEA, DEA, TEA and Formaldehyde Donor.
Size: 1.01 oz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, so I decide to buy this ($28) and see what all the fuss is about regarding primers. (Since I rarely go anywhere alone due to the nerve issues, my "blow" money easily adds us for times such as this! lol) The next day, I moisturized my face as I normally do, then applied the primer. As soon as I had all my make up on, which does include a light foundation, I thought I looked luminous - glowing. But didn't say anything to Andy.

In a little bit, he looks at me to say something then turns his head back around and REALLY looks at my face. He said I looked really pretty.......something about my face. And ladies, all day long - he kept looking at my face and smiling, really really pleased with how it looked. I LOVE that!! Compliments all day long - that makes my day! lol

So, if you get a chance to run by a Sephora soon, do try this product. I think you will be really pleased!

Have a great day!



Cheri

Show Us Where You Live Friday - Kitchen Photopalooza!!

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner started a new feature this week called "Show Us Where You Live" Friday. This week is Kitchen photo week.


We moved to a new state last summer, and decided to rent for 2 reasons. One being the current market conditions, because as a licensed real estate agent (but in referral due to disability), I have to know that there is equity and we won't lose money in 3 months. And (because like the Nester) we took this opportunity to get our finances in top top shape! I'm sure many of you can relate to that.

We were so lucky to run across this home. The owners had just purchased a new home and had trouble selling in this market (another reason that led us to happily rent!) We are the first renters in this home, and I think it made a huge difference. The first thing I noticed was the color! Color speaks to me, cheers me up, brings my personality to life. I honestly get down and brood when I am forced to reside in a colorless home. No kidding. Once we figured this out, we've had color in our lives ever since and have been very thrilled. With paint especially, you can always change the color. So be brave and take a chance!


I think the gold color is nice and warm, and we love how the kitchen is open to the living room and eating areas.



The breakfast area is right next to the kitchen. I love our black and oak table - just perfect for the space. I am debating what I want to do for window treatments and wish I could decide.

I LOVE iron decor for the walls, as you can see from the various photos. This photo was taken during Christmas, when I had large red bows on the lamps. That iron piece is one of my favorites.


The formal dining room was this lovely shade of green, and I think it sets off the table perfectly. One of my favorite rooms.


And here is the view from the dining room to the kitchen. The floral arrangement in the corner is my all-time favorite arrangement I have made. We have allergies and asthma in our family, and all flowers must be silk. No live flowers and greenery allowed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of the last homes I was able to put my personal touch in to:

Prior to moving back south, we lived up north and my all-time favorite home had even more color than this one. Here are the kitchen and dining photos from that home - I MISS it!! (And as you can tell, we change furniture and accessories often!) As an active real estate agent at the time, I used my staging certification in my business, and would stage any home I listed. I truly think staging is a key to selling for top dollar in any market, particularly a buyer's market as we are experiencing now in most parts of the country.


I loved the cherry cabinets, granite island and this table - it was perfect for the space. We had to sell it when we moved as our next house had no place for it.





The view into the main living area. Loved the white trim, columns, French doors into the sun room and the open floor plan.



This was the formal dining room, just as you entered the home. You can see that floral arrangement again in the corner and the iron work on the walls.

This color was my absolute favorite of all time. Granted it was a risk, but I say - if you have white trim, go for it!! This color was called Carob Chip by Pittsburgh Paints. The chip looks brown, but as you can see on the walls, it has the PERFECT eggplant tone without being too purple or too brown. The next time I have an opportunity, this color will be seen again in one of my homes! (I suspect we have a few more moves in us!)



When we first moved into the home, I used the front room as my office, and look at this beautiful desk we found. I changed it to a formal dining room for staging purposes - more people have the need for a dining room than an open office. The wall color originally was navy blue when we moved in, and that did not do it for me. Nor did the hunter green carpet. Given a little time, I tried, and let me stress tried to go with a neutral color, but I just wasn't happy. When I found the Carob Chip, I was thrilled. (And yes, I paint a lot 'cause I'm crazy like that! lol) This color tan just dulled my senses and I couldn't work to my potential (that was my story, anyway!!).

If you really look at these photos, you will see almost all the wall paint change colors, the carpet changes, the furniture changes and we lived in this home for 2 years. Can you believe it!! One word to describe me is HYPER. And no, crazy is not another one. lol Just hyper, full of fun, love change. And love to decorate. But on a budget - almost everything you see came from TJ Maxx or Marshall's in the way of accessories.


Here is a view from the sun room and you can see the dining room to the upper left.


View into the sun room, yet another color that was already there!


View from the front door. As you can see, we neutralized the carpet eventually! I suppose you can tell that I loved this home. I was so sad to leave it. I look forward to owning another home in the future that I can put my personal touch on again!

Sigh......so fun to look at past homes. We have moved many times in our marriage (and as a child, I lived in over 20 places before I was in the 8th grade). I'm pretty sure I have some gypsy in me! lol Always happy to move and explore new opportunities with my husband and his career.

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!



Cheri

We're home, safe and sound

So glad to be home, but had such a good time on the trip! We tried to make it home last night, but by the time we got to Nashville, my body was needing a break from car travel. We ended up staying in Nashville.

For fun, we went to the OpryLand Hotel and walked around, had dinner and a snack. That hotel is AMAZING!! Definitely a must-see for anyone visiting Nashville, even if you don't stay actually at the hotel. You can valet your car for only $3 more than self-park and enjoy. The place is just enormous. I was so impressed I was able to walk through all the areas without having problems. Here is a photo we took with my iPhone - it was late at night, so no light coming through the glass ceiling, but you get an idea - click on the photo to make it larger.


This was ONE area of the hotel - full of gorgeous, real plants, waterfalls. So romantic!! Here is some info I just found - the Opryland Hotel Indoor Garden and Conservatory (click on the link for more info):

Relax among the serene beauty of three nationally acclaimed indoor gardens: The Conservatory, The Cascades, and The Delta. The Conservatory covers two acres and is devoted solely to tropical plants. The Cascades also covers two acres and features waterfalls cascading into a 12,500 square-foot indoor lake. The Delta covers 4.5 acres and features restaurants, shops and a fountain that sends out jets of water 85 feet into the air. A breathtaking river runs through it with passenger-carrying boats. Admission: Free.

Just those 3 areas cover 8.5 acres!! I told you it was a huge place! Look at the floor plan!! (Click it to make it larger.)



We got up this morning and of course, had to eat at Maggiano's Little Italy near downtown Nashville again before leaving town. We had the waitress take a photo of us, again with my iPhone, so not the best quality.


I had the Gnocchi with Tomato Vodka sauce and Andy had the Lobster Fettucine, AGAIN. We find something we like and don't stray! lol We definitely plan on making more trips to Nashville - so much to do, and only 3-4 hours away (depending on how much we have to stop for me! lol)

It is official - I am a NEW woman with my spinal cord stimulator!! This trip was just amazing - over 20 total hours of car driving, going up a mountain, walking around 5 Costco's, some Sam's club (large stores), other miscellaneous stores, walking for blocks in downtown Nashville, dancing at the WildHorse Saloon, staying in different beds, not having my "chair" - where I normally rest and get myself back up to speed when I'm really hurting..........none of that mattered. We did stop frequently to "walk me" as the guys like to refer to it, and that does help my muscles not spasm, but it has been over 3 years since I've been able to do even a portion of the things we did on this trip and not die later. I didn't have one night where I was dying of pain, which was truly not only amazing and a blessing, but an answered prayer.

Prior to January 5th, 2009 and the implant of my SCS (spinal cord stimulator - to treat my permanent S1 nerve damage), I could go 20 - 45 minutes TOPS before I would need to recline, lay down, rest in some capacity (which has included laying down on floors of stores, back of the van, etc.) When my nerves were done, they were D O N E - stick a fork in them, DONE. The nerve flares would be unbearable. Not anymore. If I start to get twinges........I just whip out my remote control, put the paddle on my hip over the implanted pulse generator (IPG) and turn myself either up, down, to another program, etc. and wait for the lovely, comforting "buzzing" to block those pain signals. The best way to describe how it feels is this - if you have ever sat in a massage chair, perhaps at a salon or in a store, instead of sitting on one of those, I AM the massage chair. My legs, from hips to toes, are buzzing, massaging.........that is the sensation I feel. One of these days, I will get a proper post on here with details and photos!

OH, and shock of the night - Andy and I unpacked. Yes, you read that right - I helped unpack!!! I didn't have to hit the chair and try to recover. Anyhoo.........we get unpacked, rest for a bit and Ryan talks us in to going to a movie. Unfortunately, the movie we wanted to see was sold out, so we came back home. Andy decides to go out and mow the lawn, practically in the dark. He gets done, I go outside to help filter the grass out of the pool water and in the water he goes. He stands there with just his feet wet for a few minutes, and trust me, it's COLD. I had already put ONE foot in the water and that was ENOUGH. Minutes later, he dives in. Andy went swimming at 9PM in the cold pool water!!!!! Unbelievable. He just couldn't take it any longer, I guess. lol He felt so refreshed, and I'm sure he'll be swimming tomorrow in the sunlight and warmer water. Crazy guy!!

Ahhhhhhhh, glad to be home and see the boys (and "girls"/dogs), and for Andy - his pool. And I have to give props to the boys - the house was clean, laundry done, kitchen sink empty - amazing!! The "girls" were crazy excited to see us. The boys? Well, Ryan was! lol Holt didn't even come down stairs forever. They are just all grown up and don't need us anymore........sniff sniff.

Have a great day!

Cheri

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina - We lived!

Oh my goodness - Andy found this brochure in the lobby of our hotel and we headed up to Grandfather Moutain, several hours north of Marion, NC. It took quite a while, on curvy, North Carolina roads, but we got there. And then we drove and drove, practically at a 90 degree angle, up this mountain. I was actually doing OK with my height issues UNTIL I realized - hey, how were we going to get down? Could they call in a helicopter and take me down? lol It was BAD - so high up. Andy says we were 1 mile up, but I don't wanna be 10 feet up! lol (Officially 5946 feet in elevation.)

It doesn't help that I don't feel 1/2 of my feet, because those balance issues are not fun when the wind is severely blowing everyone over, even the ones who are FINE with their balance. And also lucky me, I couldn't make it up the stairs to the crazy Swinging Bridge Andy ventured up to experience. Here are some photos (that I took safely inside the car so I wouldn't blow off the side of the mountain! lol)

~~~Just a note - you can click on most pictures I post and they will get BIGGER, usually lots bigger.

That's Andy up there - I took a distance shot so you can see the bridge.

Here's the crazy guy again.

Here are the steps I was THRILLED to not be able to ascend. They are building a new gift center with an elevator so this can be handicap accessible in the future (ACK!), so I'll have to find some other excuse if he ever wants to go back! lol I have NO plans to get on the Swinging Bridge! (And yes, that person you see up there has gray hair and is probably 35 years older than me and I DON'T CARE! lmbo)

Here is the photo I took while Andy held on to me so I wouldn't blow down the side of the mountain. YIKES! Those roads way down there are where normal people are supposed to be! Overall, I got major brownie points for doing something "nature-related", so it's all good. I really wanted to go take the Ghost Trolley in Asheville, NC, but they only offer it on Saturday nights and we won't be here. Andy going on that would be an even-steven for me being scared out of my mind on the top of a mountain. A night-time ghost trolley ride would not be HIS idea of the best outing! But it sounds really cool! (Mom and I went on a Hollywood, CA Ghost Tour once when I was very pregnant with Ryan and it was really neat.)


OK, OK, here's my admission that I've gone blonde again. I've just gotten SO gray and my color was looking good for maybe 2 weeks and then I would have major grey roots. So I went blonde again, but this time I am a deeper, richer, more golden blonde. (Last time, I seemed to be lighter and more washed out - 7, 8 years ago!) This photo was taken at the restaurant we ate at after leaving the mountain. We took the Blue Ridge Parkway (which Andy, the history buff, told me was a WPA project during the depression era.....). It was winding but not scary, thank goodness. This restaurant is really obviously out of the way, on the side of a mountain and attached to a tacky hotel, but the food was excellent!

And something else - do you see that I have on a LONG-sleeved shirt and Andy has on a short-sleeved shirt? What is with that??? I have been freezing for months, really. Hands, feet, arms, almost all over. Just cold all the time. I'm thinking it is from the spinal cord stimulator - with it's buzzing, it is like having the cold chills, goose bumps on your skin? I have no idea really. Could be the nerve damage which then leads to muscle atrophy which then leads to less blood in the extremities? Whatever it is, Andy is enjoying it for a change. I, as you ALL know, usually love it COLD, the colder the better. Now I live in velour sweat pants, long socks and slippers 100% of the time at home. All the time. Even when it is 75 outside. If I take the slippers and socks off, my toes nearly freeze. Every time I touch Andy, he is so warm...........I just cuddle up against him all the time. (He likes that too! lol). I sit in the car with the heated seats on and my side of the air is sometimes warmer than his side (used to not be able to live without dual heat and air, so I could set my side to 61 and he could set his to 78).

Anyhoo, I have an interesting story to tell. 2 nights ago, we ate at this same restaurant with a business associate of Andy's and his wife. We had a great time, BUT, as we were leaving the restaurant, this entire table starting staring at me like I had something really wrong with me. I was wondering if something horrible was wrong, like something hanging out of my nose or something? Food down my shirt? lol Andy also thought "What the heck?" It was very obvious.

So we get outside, and this well-dressed lady (not some obvious crazy person) runs out and grabs me. She says "Honey, I just had to run out here and tell you that you look just like a young Cybill Shepherd. Has anyone ever told you that?" We laughed and said "No, no one has." And she went on, "Well, we used to live in Memphis (where Cybill is from) and she was all the rage. And hon, you look JUST like a young Cybill!! We (the table of friends) just couldn't believe it. And I just HAD to run out and tell you!!" So that explained all the staring! lol With us living near Memphis, that is a cool coincidence.


Another photo of Andy at the restaurant, called the.........................wait for it...

..............................Mountain View Restaurant!

Have a great day!

Cheri

Marriage - is your marriage a blessing?

One on one time is so important in marriage. In today's busy lives, more and more couples lose sight of the importance of making your spouse feel special. Kids, work......sometimes it is overwhelming.

Andy and I made a pact long ago to make our marriage a priority, to do all we could to role model for our boys, what a loving, close marriage looks like. Someday they will be men, leading their own families and we hope they do that with the integrity and honor that their father has led our family. Spending time alone with Andy goes a long way to keeping us close.

On our 10th anniversary, Andy surprised me with the renewing of our wedding vows, complete with a second honeymoon to Hearst Castle in California. That was so special to me, and we have tried to continue to have surprises and do special things for one another. Here is a website I made years ago with a few photos of our "2nd" wedding:

The Surprise Renewal of Our Vows

Interestingly, Andy and I both grew up with fathers whose careers forced them to travel week in and week out. Thankfully, Andy's job has only the occasional travel, and anytime can, I accompany him. With the boys 20 and 16, we now have the freedom to take a few days here and there. We truly are one of the closest couples we know. So many of our friends actually look forward to their spouses going on trips - getting a break. Sometimes, that is nice, but in general, it might be a sign that something is amiss.

Almost every year, we find a marriage retreat of some sort to attend. Such a boost, like a booster shot, to our relationship. I highly recommend couples find one to go to at least every couple years or so. Keep that spark alive!!

A few months ago, I ran across a ministry that emails a "Generous Tip of the Day" and it has been a real blessing to me. This one is for wives:

A Generous Wife

Here's my special guy for the last 22 years!


Who is yours? And what do you do to keep things special?

Have a great day!

Cheri

Knoxville, TN adventures.......

Who watches "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri on The Food Network Channel? We do!!!! And every time we leave the house on a trip, we check his website (You can look HERE)to see if there is a diner anywhere near where we are going. Unfortunately, the restaurants are listed by episode, not by location. Now, if you have a spare $54.95 (where is that shocked-eyes icon?) , you can purchase the season 1 and 2 book - click HERE, and the destinations ARE by region.

In searching for anything on our route, the nearest restaurant was a place called Pizza Palace in Knoxville, and we headed straight there for dinner. All we knew from the website was the address. The online menu would not pull up on my iPhone, but we were curious. After taking a few wrong exits due to highway construction, we finally found it. This is what we were looking for:



And this is the actual restaurant:


Except, it isn't a regular restaurant, it's a DRIVE-IN!!


Look at that old-timey order phone and menu! After hours driving, we were expecting to go in a nice restaurant, stretch our legs. Well, we did get out and use their restrooms which were clean, but on the outside of the building like in old gas stations or something. Ha!

So Andy ordered a pepperoni and sausage pizza and I ordered their "secret recipe" spaghetti. Check this out:


How, I ask you, are you supposed to eat that in the car?? For those that know me, you know that grace and coordination are NOT my middle name, so I covered up in double paper towels from chin to lap (of course the packing extraordinaire Andy brought some along) and did my best. The food WAS very good, but so much is left over. (I have been very systematically shrinking my stomach and can only eat small portions - Yahoo!). I have several meals left, and our new hotel DOES have a mini-fridge!

After dinner, we went to a local Walgreen's to get me out and let me stretch my legs (gotta stretch every couple of hours due to my nerve and back issues) and then off we went to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountain as we headed to Marion, NC. I love the tunnels through the mountains, as well. Andy is such a fabulous driver that I rarely get carsick. (And he's a trooper - I'm not able to drive much, so he has that duty each trip. But he says, as long as I'm my chatty, happy self, he's happy to oblige.)

We rolled in to our hotel around 9:30 pm (forgot we had a time change!!) and Andy surprised me with the room. We have a beautiful extra-large room with a couch, larger TV and mini-kitchen. This will be very comfortable considering I will be "stranded" here for the 3 days he has his business meetings. This is how I physically "regroup" from all the traveling. By the time Thursday rolls around, I will be rested up and ready for some more car travel. Not sure what else we have on the agenda for the trip - kind of winging it, based on how I'm doing, how the boys are doing back home and such. The boys declined to come with us. Both are working and enjoy time away from Mom and Dad every once in a while. The dogs miss us more than the boys do!

Have a great day!

Cheri