ART is a Good Distraction*

Wow, I can't believe I haven't touched this blog since September of last year.  I have been working on artwork to keep my mind off of physical pain which is a good distraction, I might add. Yet I guess the fibro fog kicked in and I forgot about my blogging that I love to do.
I am a member of the local art gallery and try to keep myself motivated to have something brought in the gallery every 5 weeks.  There was a funny moment about my artwork, In November or December, I was feeling a little delirious and not well yet I didn't have anything new to put in the gallery. I felt very weak and wasn't in my right mind. I went through some old sketches I did in ink when I was around 13 years old and threw one in a frame. I put $25 on it and displayed it in the gallery.  It even had my assignment grade of a "B" on it and the class number....I didn't think anything of it until I got a call from the gallery saying that someone bought it...I thought "Yikes, I really didn't want to sell it because it was from when I was a kid." I did take a picture of it so I would have a copy of it but I had to reset my camera phone and it totally erased that picture amongst others. So that was bye bye picture.

EYE in the STORM

I did enter a piece "Eye in the Storm" in a photography art show. First, people were just passing my picture by, but then I started interacting with them to get them interested. It worked.  People were literally sitting on the floor trying to figure out what my picture was. It was too funny. This picture is actually of me holding a glass of water that the light of the sun made the water glisten. I thought it looked so cool, so I took a picture and put it on facebook (FB) and asked people what they thought it was.  That is when I started a game on FB called "Tanya's Picture Game," which I still do.

Pilgrimage to Zion

I also had worked on another painting "Pilgrimage to Zion" for about 4 months minus the one month I took off for Christmas. My apartment is too small to have an average size Christmas tree and work on a painting at the same time.  I finally finished it in February. It was so great to finish it, yet it was so hard to let it go when I gave it to the new owner. My paintings are kind of like my babies because I put so much time and energy into them. I also had someone ask me to restore an old photo. I have never done that before so that was fun and a new challenge.

Eucalyptus Trees

Every year for the art gallery they have a Multi Medium Mini (MMM) Art show in March. I have been disappointed each year because I haven't been accepted.  I started asking what the other artists are doing and I learned from their techniques and what equipment they use. I decided  that I really need to improve my artwork abilities and supplies. This year, being very nervous, yet I pushed through the rejection I felt in the past and entered the MMM art show, I was finally accepted into the MMM Art show this week, where the "Eucalyptus Trees" is displayed. It felt good yet I did feel bad for the ones who didn't make it in because I know how hard it is when one's work is not accepted.

I am so grateful to God that He has given me this talent that I have been working at wholeheartedly in my middle aged life. Yikes, Yes It's hard to say that I am middle aged, but it's the truth. I have been there for awhile but didn't like to admit it.  I focused on my writing abilities most of my life and took a few art classes in elementary and middle school but I didn't think I was any good, yet now to see my art abilities grow, is truly an amazing experience and I do thank God.

Here is my link to my art portfolio that I am working on continually: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1380021952284491.1073741829.100008300975340&type=1&l=07061a5251


artwork is by me, "Expressive Praise"

Look Forward in this Life of Pain*

Wow what have I been doing for the last five months that I haven't even touched my blogs.  I know I have been doing a lot of taking care of the physical pain that I endure.
I have been trying to focus on my artwork to distract me from the pain, yet at times, it just wears me out that I can't do what I want to do, when I want to do it. If you suffer from chronic pain, you will totally understand what I am talking about.


In October I started working on a painting which I finished in February. It is called, Pilgrimage to Zion. This painting has different people on their journey to Zion (Heaven). There are all sorts of people there. Ones who are happy, sad, depressed, rejoicing, etc...I even added a person in a wheelchair who is struggling and feeling all alone. I know a lot of people in physical pain, including myself, may not be in a wheelchair but it's the universal symbol that a person in a wheelchair has physical problems. So I added it to symbolize all of us who may be struggling physically. We each need that eternal goal to help us on this earth. We hunger for something to even fulfill our spiritual appetite.

I have learned to lean on our Heavenly Father God to get me through the life I live, in this tremendous pain in my body.  I know that God can give you that strength too. He might not heal you but He will help you deal with it all.  I pray for healing, yet I learn to be content with all that was given to me. I know it is not easy and I know that God may never heal me yet I keep going forward.
I deal with Fibromyalgia, Severe TMJ which I need a jaw replacement surgery but there aren't any good results yet. I deal with Headaches that lead to migraines. I have anywhere from IBS to feet problems, to neck problems, to sensitivity in my ears where I can't be around a lot of noise, which also means I am unable to go to church often because of the noise levels. (I have found a church that I can do online live each Sunday).  Even as I am writing this, I am in tremendous jaw and head pain that is radiating through to my neck all because I visited a store that had loud music on. It overwhelmed my senses even with earplugs in, and now I am fighting a migraine. I am only telling you all this so that you will understand what I deal with and you may realize I may identify with you. Through all this pain I go through, I have to keep my focus on God and keep my focus on the eternal life of Heaven. If I don't keep my focus then all this pain can be overwhelming. In Heaven there isn't any pain or suffering, and I take pleasure in it. I can't wait for that beautiful day where there is no more pain in my body and that I can see God face to face without any filters.

Got Pain?*

I share from my experiences of what has helped me through all the debilitating pain I have gone through in my body and post it to the Facebook page I lead. I also lead a support group online. Because I have had over 19 years of debilitating pain, I try to encourage people who go through pain. Pain isn't fun and I don't wish it on anyone. There were many times in my life that I felt alone with the pain I go through. I don't want anyone to feel that same lonely feeling that they are all alone in the world of pain. Know that we do care. Please check out these websites:

1) "Teensy Tidbits for Managing Pain": https://www.facebook.com/teensytidbits
(Click on the link above, and when it takes you to the site, click on the "like" button and you will get updates when I post to the page)


and for those of you who have fibromyalgia, Please join the support group I started.

2) "Fibromyalgia:Fibro Brothers and Sisters": https://www.facebook.com/groups/fibroBandS/
(Click on the link above, and when it takes you to the site, ask to join the group. I think there is a "join group" button to click on.  This is considered a closed group which means that only the members who are in the group can read what the posts and comments are. After you ask to join the group, I need to approve each person to become a member and they will be able to participate in the group)

Pain Medication,Lyrica Anyone?*

If you have been in debilitating chronic pain for awhile, you may be like me and have tried almost every medicine out there. Sometimes you may feel so desperate to try any medication or other alternative because you just want to get out of the pain you are in...

Recently I was reading the Guidepost magazine and came across an advertisement for Lyrica. On the top of the page, it says: "Having LESS Diabetic nerve pain means everything to me." It looked like maybe something I may want to try because of this friendly picture I was viewing of a couple holding hands and leaving some sort of shop.  (I guess that is what they were trying to do). Although Lyrica is for diabetic nerve pain, it is also prescribed for fibromyalgia, which is one thing out of many that I have wrong with my body. So I thought I would read more.
I read: "Prescription Lyrica is not for everyone."

Okay so I read the article and realized, hmm. I wonder how many people are in less pain but are dealing with all of these symptoms from Lyrica. 

Tell me if you would like to try this medicine even with all the symptoms that were written in the article: It says that you may get any of these side effects: serious reaction such as swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat or neck, trouble breathing, rash, hives, or blisters. It even states that you if you notice that you are harming yourself, have suicidal thoughts or if you have an unusual change of behavior to notify your doctor. Do people read this article and immediately call their doctor for a prescription.  So far, I am against this medication because of those side effects listed above...yet I was curious, so I read more.

It says: you may also experience swelling of hands, feet, and legs, dizziness, and sleepiness, blurry vision, weight gain, trouble concentrating, dry mouth, and "feeling high." (Hey sign me up. Just kidding...) lol

There's more: muscle pain, feeling sick, feverish, changes in eyesight, skin sores, swelling, fever, hives, weight gain, dry mouth, new or worse depression, new or worse anxiety, feeling agitated or restless, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, being aggressive, angry, violent, acting on dangerous impulses, talking too much, and doing more activities in extreme. 

(I can just picture someone on Lyrica.  Because they gained 100 lbs, they ended up with a low self esteem and then got more depressed so they tried to harm themselves, but got dizzy and angry and ended up killing someone else. Then they have trouble breathing yet are talking a mile a minute... But boy, oh boy, they are PAIN FREE...or are they? The rest of the side effects may be: gain soreness, muscle pain, weakness, and trouble concentrating.
 Umm no thank you...that doesn't seem like the life I want. lol

It does strike me funny with all the side effects listed but there is a possibility of getting some of them.  I am one of the unlucky people that have bad reactions to a lot of medications. I can see myself with a lot of those side effects if I took Lyrica because I already am sensitive to a lot of meds.  I know I couldn't handle it. 


(Please don't be offended if you are on Lyrica. If it helps you, that's awesome. Just be careful...and about this post, Hey we have to laugh when we deal with all this pain, right?)

Note: some of the symptoms above are anaphylaxis 

note: Lyrica Advertisement was in Guidepost September 2014 edition

picture above is from: http://medcitynews.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Woman-Forgets-To-Take-Her-Medi-10337705-588x588.jpg

Through the Storm*

It seems like I have been doing a lot of defending God lately...there are so many people hurting and are angry at God. I tell them my story that there were times in my life that I was angry at God because He didn't heal me, he didn't take me out of the emotional or physical pain or abuse that I endured in my life and even the fact that a close friend died at an early age was hard on me.

 but I realized that God loves me unconditionally. He is always there through the hard times that I struggle. Yes I would love to be healed; Yes I would have loved to be raised in a loving family environment, and yes I would love for everything to be great... but it's not....and if it was, I wouldn't need God.

I have learned that suffering happens and is no respecter of persons. Life can be hard. But we have to deal with it and not avoid God because of the suffering. He didn't take me out of a life of pain, but he brought me closer to Him through it. He gives me strength through the suffering...He helps me help others because of it.

and He can do it for You.
So it's okay to be angry at God for a season, but then let it go. Grieve your losses and deal with what was handed to you. And cling on to God for being the ultimate Father, Friend, and Encourager you can lean on for strength.  Don't let the suffering you experience and the suffering you see others experience get between you and God.  HE DOES CARE !!!

What Do You Smell Like?*

I was reading a devotion today about being the fragrance of Christ as in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 and my brain starting thinking about how we smell like Christ.

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." 2 Cor 2:14-15

When you smell something, it can make you feel good or bad. How do you feel when you smell a skunk? Do you want to cuddle with that skunk, and spend hours with that skunk? Do you want to make that skunk your indoor pet? Does the skunk bring you great memories? Do you want to smell like the skunk? Do you want to be like the skunk? If you do any of these, I can find you a counselor. lol.

Now, how do you feel when you smell a bottle of nice perfume or a blossoming flower? Do they make you feel good? Do you want to be around them? Do you want to dab the perfume on you or add a bouquet of flowers to your home? When you take a deep breath, does it makes you feel good and warm on the inside? (Well, it does for me).

We (as believers in God) are the fragrance of Christ, to God. When we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we tend to be like him.  We may start looking like him, smelling like him, and doing the same things that he does. I don't mean that we will end up being more hairy, sweaty, or taller. I mean, our spirit will begin to change. Our character will change. Our soul will change. We may even have a glow on our face. We will be more Christ-like.

Are you striving to be more like Christ? Are you spending quality time with God? Remember, we have the opportunity to spread out this fragrance of Christ to everyone we meet. 




scripture from NKJV

pic by  tk Expressive Praise

CRAZY Circle of Events *

The other day I was trying to get more sunlight for my cat and I so I decided to move a tray table that I use for my plants because it was blocking the sunlight spots in my living room; well I accidentally tilted the tray table, which made the plant fall to the ground, which made the soil fall on my carpet, which made me have to re-pot that plant, which made me re-pot 2 other plants, which made me get the vacuum out to clean up the dirt, which made me notice the dusty inside window sill that was near the fallen plants which I then decided to vacuum, which made me notice the other dusty living room window sill, which made me vacuum that one, which made me think since the vacuum is out, I need to vacuum my apartment.

And all I was trying to do was get more sun on my aching body. 

I learned from my cat, that when I can't get out of the house, I lay in the sunlight because it feels good on my body. He does it all the time, I didn't understand it until I tried it out...lol... it feels good.

Will You Take this Path?* to be Born of God?*

Are You Born of God?

When people ask this question, they don't literally mean that you were birthed and

came out of the womb of God, like a baby comes out of the womb of his mother. 

They are talking about it spiritually.


1 John 5 verse 1 says: 

" Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." KJV 

or if you want to read it in an easier standard, let's try the NIV:

 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well." (1 John 5:1)

and then there is John 3:16 (NIV) says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In other words, If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you are born of God a.k.a. being born again (spiritually). Our father God and his son Jesus Christ are one, so if you love one, you love the other.  It's kind of like eating ice cream, you like eating the ice cream and all it's ingredients that make up the ice cream. They are all as one.

that concludes being born of God 101



note: all scripture is from www.biblegateway.com

Be Careful What you Promise* to God*

I was reading a book the other day and it mentioned Judges 11:30-39. So I got my old Student Bible out that was given to me around 1986 from my Sunday School Teacher. Do you ever read something in the Bible and you are surprised at what you are reading?

First we read, verse 30 and 31:

" And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,  whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

That prayer may sound kind of reasonable, if you have a lot of animals in your house. Yet I couldn't or don't want to sacrifice my cat Buttons. I don't know what Jephtah was thinking when he asked that request. Maybe he was just desperate for winning. (Let's call Jephthah, "Jeph," for short.)

In verse 32,

"Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands..."

That sounds great. Jeph got exactly what he wanted from the Lord. 

Verse 34: "When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter."

Oh no, STOP!!! His daughter comes out of his house.That wasn't supposed to happen. I mean, Jeph, never even considered that his daughter would be the one to be sacrificed.  (I would have said, "oops, God, I made a mistake.) Remember what he said to the Lord. God, if you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of Jeph's door, I promise I will give it in a burnt sacrifice.

Let's continue:   

"When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, 'Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.'

(I think it's sad that he seems to blame it on his daughter; she had no idea that he made a vow to the Lord.)

“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.  But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.”

“You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry.  After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin."

Wow, what devotion Jeph and his daughter had. I think I would have liked to say, "Just because you made a vow with God, doesn't mean I have to follow through with it. BUT she went along with it. That is true devotion or dedication. That's amazing, yet strange to my human eyes and ears.  I don't know what kind of sacrifice he had to make because She says that she will never marry and I guess she will remain a virgin. It seems like maybe there was another kind of sacrifice he was going to do instead of killing her. She grieves because she will never marry, not because she will die. Interesting!!!

 So I am thinking maybe the sacrifice wasn't where he had to kill the offering. Whatever it was, they were both dedicated and I hope God blessed them for it.

How many of us made a promise to God and kept it, even when it affected others? Now that's something to think about.

scripture taken from: 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+11%3A30-39&version=NIV

Please Be Patient With Us*

I have Bursitis, and Hammertoes,
also deviated septum in my nose.
IBS, TMJ,
these acronyms I rather not say.
Degenerative Arthritis in my jaw,
makes me want to scream FA LA LA LA LA
Major allergies and sinus issues,
I have to grab some more Kleenex tissues.

Arthritis in my neck and some more...
Makes me want to hit the floor.
Inflammation all over, head to feet,
during weather changes, it's down beat.
Have to keep chin up and not feel dread
with all the sensitivity to foods and meds.

Then there are the gray spots in my vision,
hundreds of thousands of tiny specks on a mission.
Doctors can't seem to know what they are,
but, oh they are a bother, to me, by far.
They say not to worry about the spots, it's okay to drive;
but when you can't see well, how will I know if I have arrived? (lol)

Because of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain syndrome;
many times, I have to change my plans and stay home.
The ear sensitivity, has me wearing ear plugs every day,
I hear too well, but "umm, what did you say?"
Deciphering words is hard, at times,
Yet I can hear the clink of two tiny dimes.
Sounds echo in my ears.
Don't worry, I've been dealing with it for years.
Tender points are painful and nothing to joke about,
they are all over, and at times, make we want to pout.

Flareups, painful spots, burning sensations galore.
sharp pain, pressurized, prolonged and more.
Feeling so clumsy, bumping things, and dropping things, always;
thankfully I have lights in my hallways.
Stressors, weather changes, or nothing at all
can cause a major flareup of pain, "oh I am having a ball".
Sleep deprived, restless nights
with my blankets, I have many fights.

Forget about money and pain free days,

just give me a good night sleep and give me praise.
I need encouragement and a big smile,
but don't condemn me for awhile.
Or not at all, if you please,
because I am not a leper, or diseased.
I am valuable and a human being
who deserves much and true meaning.
Love is kind, love is sweet,
I know I should be more upbeat.

When YOU have the flu and feeling, oh so miserably down,
just remember all the advice you gave me, and do not frown.
It's okay to be feeling down at times and joyful at others
It's just a part of life, my dear sisters and brothers.
We need to be free to laugh, to cry,
if we don't, then inside, we may die.

If when you ask me how I am doing, and I say "I'm okay,"
just realize, I got up, got dressed and arrived today.
This may be a high pain day, it's true;
but I made it; I'm here and I pushed painfully through.
I may want to lie down, because fibro feels like the flu;
so any encouraging words, is way overdue.
But if I have to stay home due to all of this stuff,
please understand me and still love me, because this is rough.

I press on, yet more slowly than others
and please don't compare me to your friends, and your brothers.
I have physical obstacles just to get out of bed, more than you know
and my life has changed it's course, and is not easy and does not flow.
If you are bothered by my complaining and how I deal with it,
realize how much more it affects me, and wish the symptoms could just quit.

So please be patient with me and love me too,
because of this pain, I fight; I fight hard, it's true.
Any strength I have, is easily depleted and gone by noon
but I am hoping more than you know to get some soon.
This poem was just to let you know a little more about what some of us deal with every day
with chronic pain and symptoms, we wish that it could be taken away.


I am bringing awareness about people, like myself, who have special needs and deal with the kind of disabilities that you can't see. They are the silent illnesses, that are so very painful but you can't tell just by looking at us that we have anything wrong with our bodies. I have been dealing with it now for 19 years. People with chronic pain don't always know how to express themselves and it's hard for people to understand. Yet thankfully I am blessed with the ability to do creative writing so maybe I am just a tiny spokesperson on the internet to get the word out to some people. Please try to be more understanding with your loved ones who have chronic pain and chronic symptoms and please don't immediately jump to the conclusions that it's all in their head. You just never know what some people deal with. The most important thing you can do for that person, is be a good friend. Having to deal with chronic debilitating and painful conditions is hard, yet dealing with it alone, is so much worse.

Lois Arneson...a True Legacy*

I recently went to a memorial service for a dear friend of mine who had died on December 18, 2013. I have always thought of Lois Arneson as a loving person, a godly woman, a prayer warrior, and like a grandma to me. Every time I saw her, I sure would get a nice, big hug from her. You could feel her love through those hugs.  She also made me some nice items: a quilt, a soccer ball, scissors holder, and some pillow cases to match the quilt. I was also one of the many people she sent birthday cards too. I just looked in my recipe book, and sure enough, I did get her recipe for Pecan Pie Muffins, one year.

Then in July of 2011, she presented me with a special gift. It was a Christmas couch cover, or a couch quilt you can cuddle with. It is so pretty. She gave it to me in July because she had been working on it for awhile due to her failing eyesight. She told me she couldn't see very well, but she didn't let that stop her from making this beautiful Christmas blanket just for me. You couldn't tell that the maker of the quilt had any eye problems because it's nicely made.  It really touched my heart that she gave it to me at that time. Every year, when I pull out the Christmas decor, the Christmas blanket goes on the couch. It reminds me of her special love for me and for making people special.

After the memorial service, I talked to a few family members of Lois'. One of them said that "Lois was so loving to us (her family), and it was kind of expected since we were her family, but I had no idea that she was so loving to so many people outside of her family until we heard everyone talk about her here (at the memorial service). She gave love to a variety of ages (the young and the old)." 
Another relative, I think it was Lois' nephew, had a bag of Lois' items. There was a stack of papers that she had piled up in her room. He shared some of them with us. After I gave him my last name when he asked me what is was, he pulled out a red card stock with a poem I had written in 2005. Lois had kept that poem I had written. It really touched my heart that she had that poem in her special pile.

She has taught me to treat everyone the same. Treat each one with special love.  And Pray, Pray, Pray. She sure loved God....

To me, it seems she treated everyone with that special love. As Chris Neal said, "Lois was the church 'Mom.'"  That was our Lois. She sure loved people and we sure loved her.  She definitely was the "Church Mom"... or in my case..., "The Church Grandma."

I heard someone recently say: "A Christian doesn't die, they just have a change of address."

HaPpY nEw YeAr*

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014...
I hope you have a wonderful year...Keep your chin up and keep moving forward.
Pain is hard to deal with it at times, make sure you have a support group of people, like friends, family, or even doctors to help you manage your pain.

The 12 days of Appointments*

The 12 days of Appointments, My Doctor Gave to Me...*

On the first day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 2nd day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 3rd day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 4th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 5th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 6th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
6  P.T. stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 7th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 8th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
8 exercises, 7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 9th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
9 medications, 8 exercises, 7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 10th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
10 more procedures, 9 medications, 8 exercises, 7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 11th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
11 doctors doctoring, 10 more procedures, 9 medications, 8 exercises, 7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan

On the 12th day of appointments, my doctor gave to me:
12 more appointments, 11 doctors doctoring, 10 more procedures, 9 medications, 8 exercises, 7 counselors a-counseling, 6 homework stretches, 5 tons of meds, 4 injections, 3 lab tests, 2 referrals, and an X-ray and a Cat-Scan.


Whew...That's a lot, but it you are like me, there is more medical stuff that I didn't list...Wow, how do we deal with this all?
Take this time to ponder how you came this far with all that you go through....and remember the true meaning of Christmas.





(photo is from: http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j474/William_Moxon/Hospital.png)

Two Blogs, One Author*

As of May 2015, I am back to just one blog. Here is it
Teensy Tidbits for Managing Pain



Two Blogs, One Author: Well Guess What? I decided to have two blogs. One for managing pain called Teensy Tidbits for Managing Pain (teensytidbits.blogspot.com).and the other called Expressive Praise, to blog about whatever I want to.

Click on the links below for each Blog

Teensy Tidbits for Managing Pain

Expressive Praise Art and Writings

My New WEB ADDRESS*

My new address is www.teensytidbits.blogspot.com/




Well Guess What?
I decided to have two blogs. One for managing pain called Teensy Tidbits for Managing Pain (teensytidbits.blogspot.com). And one for whatever I want to write about; it's called Expressive Praise (expressivepraise.blogspot.com).  I will still incorporate humor, stories, and my personal life. I will try to keep info about the pain info in one blog so I have a broader audience for each category.

Thank you and God bless... Click on each link below

Expressive Praise

Teensy Tidbits

See ya soon
Tanya a.k.a. Teensy

What Would it say?*

If there was a book or chapter in the Bible written about your life, what would it say? What would the end to the story be?
Would it say that you walked with God? Would it say you murdered someone? Would it say you helped people or that people ran from you?
Would it say that you did God's will or that you ran from it? Would it say,hat you gave out love or you took from it. How do you think your story would end?
Was it like Joseph who had bad things happen to him, but God used the circumstances to help his family From famine? Would it be like Moses who was given up for adoption to save his life, and then later he would help his people? Would it be like Noah who did God's will by making an ark, even when everyone laughed at him....and he was able save his family and the animals?
Was it like Cain who killed his brother out of jealousy and had to be on the run the rest of his life?
Or like Queen Esther, Mary the mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene?
What's your story? Why are you here? It's something to think about..

Sometimes You Have to Be *Humorous*

I started a pain management class at a Health Facility this week. I don't know what came over me but when I saw a skeleton hanging on a stand, my silliness came over me. I think it happened when I saw a bucket full of funny shaped popcorn. A lady brought 24 clear gloves stuffed with sweet popcorn and tied the ends of them.

Before the three doctors came in to teach the 2 classes I was in, I decided to dress the skeleton... I grabbed 2 gloved popcorn bundles. They looked like hands, so I tied them to the skeleton's hand bones....then I found some pillow cases and cloths in the back of the room. I just draped them over the skeleton because she just looked cold and I added one to give her a skirt. I put a Breast cancer Magnet under her ribcage. The magnet was given to me when I walked in the building.  She needed Hair, so I just draped a rag over her head. Now that I am looking at the picture, I realize I didn't give her a shirt. lol

I did this all before the teachers came in...The students, who were waiting for the class to start, were laughing and said they wouldn't say who did it....The lady who brought the popcorn thought they would blame her.  

The funny thing was, while I dressed the skeleton, it kept falling over because the metal stand that was holding it up, was missing a piece. The more the students laughed, the more the skeleton kept falling. I finally got it propped up just right...then two of the teachers walked in. I quickly sat down.

The teachers didn't even notice it....until.....one teacher, 20 minutes later, had to use it for his lecture...I had no idea he was going to use it. He laughed, and everyone did, as he displayed the dressed skeleton on top of a table. That skeleton was taller me. I just giggled but then I was so afraid it was going to fall.  A lady was going to take a picture of it, so I walked up to fix the skirt that fell.  I noticed that it was stuck underneath the wheels.  I then stopped and realized if I touch the cloth, the whole thing will go down.  Everyone was laughing. It was too too funny.

In the 2nd class, on the same day, another doctor came to teach about physical therapy.  The doctor didn't notice it either until he, too, used it for the lecture.  He laughed as he took part of the clothes off to show us how we need to hold our back, neck, etc... in the right position. Then he laughs and pulls out the big refrigerator magnet that I put behind the chest. He says, "oh, I guess he's supporting breast cancer."  And then everyone just roared in laughter....He didn't notice the popcorn hands yet.  About 5 minutes later, the doc went toward the the skeleton to talk about shoulder blades, and collar bones.  As he lifted the arm up, a popcorn hand hit him in the leg...He laughed...I heard someone say, "that was perfect timing."

I so enjoyed the laughter....and so did the whole class.
I am so glad I was able to make over 20 people, who deal with chronic pain, and 3 professional doctors laugh ..... It was so much fun. Thank You God, that I can find ways to laugh, giggle, and have humor through all this physical pain.

Why Did Jesus Listen?*

In Luke 8:26-39, it says that there was a guy with many demons in him.  Jesus was about to command the demons to come out of the man. The demons begged Jesus to not have them sent to the abyss. The abyss probably meant "the bottomless pit or hell." The numerous demons begged Jesus to have them thrown into some nearby pigs.  And Jesus did it. He cast them out of the man and they ended up going into pigs that ended up going crazy. The demons went into the herd of pigs, and violently ran into a lake and drowned.....

Did you ever think of why did Jesus listen to the demons?  Why didn't Jesus cast them demons back to hell.  And what happened to the demons after the pigs died.  Demons don't die, as far as I know.  Did the demons jump into someone else's body... I don't know about you, but it kind of confuses or concerns me that Jesus listened to the demons...He did what they asked... Hmmm. Does He still do that?  I guess He knows best....actually I know He knows best... I just don't understand His ways, at times.

26" Then they (Jesus and his disciples) sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He (Jesus) stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes,nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him."   Luke 8:26-39

Passing By?*

Matthew 27:39-40
 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

I have read this scripture so many times, yet recently I decided to think about it more.

Jesus was dying on the cross, along with a guy on each side of him.  Then people were walking by him as he is dying...They are passing by. They are making fun of him and mocking him. Have you ever thought about this?

If I saw someone hanging on some wood, and all beat up and bloody, I wouldn't want to be near that person. If I liked the person or nor, It would be too painful to look at. I don't know, maybe because I am not used to watching people being tortured or dying a painful death like that. I wouldn't even want to watch my worse enemy die a painful death. It's just not my thing.

hmmm just saying...

Living Stone*

I read this scripture today.
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:4-5

I have heard this scripture preached so many times, but I always hear people say that "Jesus is a living stone" and that is all I hear about this scripture. Yet even though he is the living stone we also are living stones.  The scripture above says:

"...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

(picture from photobucket.com)

 It is like he is building our spiritual bodies into spiritual houses. If everyone is a stone, think of how strong our churches or families would be if we work on them together.  Putting one stone on top of another stone can hold things together; we can make big structures out of this rock material. If we are stones, then we are solid rock....what use do stones or rocks have?

"A lot of cities are made from stone... Roads, parking lots, bridges, airports, and highways are all made from crushed stone and concrete." (http://www.rocksforkids.com/RFK/BuildingStones.htm)    Stones and rocks have a lot of use...we can have that same usefulness in God.

If Jesus is the cornerstone, he's connected to us, and joining himself with us. He is connecting himself with us together; and you and I together, to be stronger. Stones are hard to crush...they are solid. 

Be the solid stone that God wants you to be, yet allow Jesus in your life as the Cornerstone.



To learn what other stuff you can make out of rocks, stone, or minerals, go to http://www.rocksforkids.com/RFK/BuildingStones.htm...

Acts of Random Kindness?*

I have been hearing lately from on of my churches (and even online) that we should be spreading more kindness. I even watched a couple of online videos of people helping others out randomly. One video has 2 guys giving t-shirts, water, and snacks to homeless people.  Another video has various people helping others in various situations.
I think of myself as kind, yet I realized I need to work on being more kinder.  Sometimes the physical pain I am in gets in the way of what I want to do. So since I am at the doctors' appts a lot lately, I decided to be kinder to the patients that go on the elevator. I have to ride 6 floors up to get to my doctor's appts and the elevator door constantly opens on various floors as I go up and down the elevator.

Recently I started smiling more and chatting with everyone that enters the elevator...Then I noticed that people who looked like they were in pain or overcome with health issues were returning my smiles and some were even laughing. They looked surprised that a stranger was actually talking to them. Then I started smiling and waving at children that walked by me and  I noticed the children and their parents started smiling.

This last week while I was at Kaiser, waiting for my bus to arrive, I noticed an older lady who seemed like she was struggling and looked worn out. She was trying to get her husband who was in a wheelchair settled in their car, plus she had a bag, purse, and other items she was juggling. She looked so worn out.  I decided to leave my seat on the bench and go help her.  While she was in the car fastening her husband in the seat belt, I grabbed her bag and put it in the opened trunk. I told her that she looked like she could use a hand. She thanked me and smiled a big grin. As I went back and sat on the bench, I noticed she was smiling while she was in her car...Before she drove away, she honked, waved, and had a huge smile on her face.

We don't always know what people are going through.  Just a simple act of me putting one bag in her car, made her day,,,and it added joy to my heart.  What can you do to brighten someone's day?  Just one act of random kindness can add a smile and happiness to someones day.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35b
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18


Watch these inspiring u-tube videos of some ways you can help others. Click on these below: 

Random Acts of Kindness Caught on Film

You are Here for a Reason (Life Vest Inside)



videos are from http://www.youtube.com/)

Expressive Praise Art*

Besides creative writing, I also enjoy being an artist.  I have loved to take pictures most of my life, even when I was a child I had a C110 camera that allowed me to express myself through taking silly pictures. As an adult I have grown to love nature and I just love to capture God's beautiful creation.

I try to find new and creative ways to use my artistic ability that God gave me.  Who knew that I would be an artist?  I took art classes when I was a kid, but I never thought that I was any good at it.  My family encouraged me to write poetry and expand my creative writing skills. So I did...I so enjoy writing to this day.    It wasn't until 5 years ago, that I just wanted to try oil painting so I bought an inexpensive, miniature oil painting kit from Michaels Craft store. I bought the 99 cent one, just in case I wasn't good at it, I didn't have to worry about wasting my money. Well, the rest is history... I thank God for him allowing me to use these gifts for his glory...It's these gifts that keep me going through all the physical pain I deal with. I guess you can say that it's my outlet or distraction..

I added more pictures of my artwork to my art portfolio. Please click on the link below to view them:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1380021952284491.1073741829.100008300975340&type=1&l=07061a5251

God bless, and may you discover and enjoy the gifts that God has given you...

The Trinity.Triune God*

I thought I would blog about the triune God since one of my pastor's have been preaching about this topic lately.

Have you heard about the Trinity a.k.a. the Triune God? The Trinity is God in 3 persons also known as: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes it's hard to comprehend that God is three, yet one. I remember around 20 yrs ago, one of my pastors (Pastor Jamie)  gave me an analogy because I had a hard time comprehended the Trinity.  He said God is like a watch. (Remember those old things that everyone used to wear that told you the time, before cell phones existed?)  God has 3 parts to Him like  a watch does.  The watch has 3 parts to it. There is a minute hand, hour hand, and the second hand. Each plays a different part in the watch, but they all are part of the watch...Just like God...There are 3 persons. There is God (The Father), God (the Son who is Jesus), and God (the Holy Spirit)...they all make up God, yet even though each has a different role, they all are the same God).

Recently my pastor used an analogy about the Triune God which is like water. Water has 3 elements; there is liquid, ice, and steam....It's in 3 different forms yet it's all a form of water.

The word "trinity" is not actually in the Bible, yet it is implied in the scriptures. Free Dictionary defines Trinity as:

1. A group consisting of three closely related members. Also called triunity.

2. Trinity Theology In most Christian faiths, the union of three divine persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one God.   (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/trinity)

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."  1 John 5:7

(The Word is the Son of God, Jesus. This scripture is 
talking about God, as the Father, the son, and the 
Holy Spirit)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:1-3

(Since Jesus is the word, in the scripture above, place the name "Jesus" wherever it says "the Word."  You will see that, in the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.)

Allow yourself to experience God as a whole, as the Triune God...view Him in three persons yet as one true God...




Picture is from photobucket.com (watch)