I am so tired- I feel like I'm 90.  I absolutely MUST take the day off tomorrow from everything...especially driving.  I swear, I would hire a driver if I could.  I hate driving, and I hate that I'm complaining about it.  I should feel blessed that I can still drive; however, I getting in and out of the car in this city is the worst.  Driving while the air conditioning is blasting feels great.   So, that's me huge gripe for the day.  There are people who are way worse off than I, so I feel silly to rag about tiring so easily.

I've been practicing my flute and piccolo, and I have to say, it can be a lot of fun, and also a real work-out!  There is actually a piccolo concerto written by Vivaldi, but my fantastic flute professor at university years ago taught me that if you practice your piccolo parts on the flute for awhile, them switch to the piccolo, it will help you vastly.  Why?  Because the flute is more difficult, and when you go back to the piccolo, the passages will seem much easier. 

O.k....How boring, huh.  Sorry, tout le monde.

Blessings and Peace In God,

Sparkle Satine

If the word "tired" had an illustration , I would be next to it.  I have a lot of reasons to be happy, though. 

I have, as many Lupus patients do, been suffering through a terribly painful  bout of what is known as "Shingles".  NOT Contagious. If ever you have had the Chicken Pox , then you may develop this lovely suprise later in life.  Unlike the Pox, Shingles limits itself to one side of the body, and comes from one nerve that decides to make you regret being born.  Well, I'm exagerrating; however, they DO hurt like hell. 

The moment the doctor walked into the room, and saw my leg, he diagnosed it right away.  After a shot, and a round of anti-viral meds., I am beginning to get somewhat better.  Gee....me, me, me,....all I write about is me.  I'm really not this selfish.  If I can justify this in anyway, it would be to help to educate the masses on the fun disease called "Lupus", and its many forms.

On a brighter note, I have learned so much through trusting in God, and in learning that fear is not something God gave to us.  My cousin has given me lots of Godly education.  At times, she can totally overwhelm me, yet taking the good with that, I'm thrilled to have the chance to learn from her.

One thing I really want to do is go on a  holiday this summer.  I have been itching to travel for  months now.  If it happens, fine, if not, then it wasn't meant to be. I just feel  so much more calm, and have learned to honor life as if  each day is a treasure from which I can take.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am totally in love with "The Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency"!  I get a complete kick  out of Janice- especially when she says:  "Two words for you- OUT!!!!!"   I thought she would be very harsh  and abrasive, and she is, but not to the extent to which I thought.  I guess it's more of a girly show, but guys can watch it to rate the ladies.  OUCH!!!!  That was totally unfair to my gender.  OUT!!!!!

This will not be too long, as I have been very ill with an SLE, (Lupus), flare, for months.  I have so many organs involved now.  I know many wonder what the heck Lupus is.  For a good, working definition, I suggest going to www.lupus.org  At least you'll have a small idea.  Everyone is very different.  I'm on at least 11 perscriptions at last count!  Woo hoo. 

I have been put on a diuretic and potassium as well, and I went from being so bloated and feeling fat, to being underweight again.  I won't complain about that.  This happened in the span of about a month and a half.

Hopefully, I can write more tomorrow.  I am sorry if I did not respond to any questions on the message section, or if I didn't add friends.  I simply have not been online.  My brother, (sister's widower), checked somethings, but not very much, and not very often. 

Blessings to EVERYONE! 

Love, Leslie, (SparkleSatine- SatineSparklette)

Hi there...very short entry. I have not put down an entry for ages. This is the first time that I half-way feel like it. 

 I have been extremely ill with the dumb SLE, (Lupus), and my heart problems.  I have been in the hospital and out a few times. I collapsed in the grocery store the other day waiting in line, but was not out for very long. There was a lot more to that, but I was more embarrassed than anything. We all thought I could make it in and out of the store on my own. HA! Thank God we have a driver to help us out~ a true friend. 

Also, my deceased sister's husband may come to live with us!  That would be so wonderful.  He's like an older brother to me.  I've never had a brother, so this is as close to one as I can have.  The nicest guy ever.

The holiday season was not what I am used to- that's for certain.  I have had new meds., including a terrible pain med. that i will never, ever take again.  I went back to the step "down".  At least that works.  Also, my breathing and other problems.....what a whiner!  Sorry. 

I am determined to get to the point to work out again.  I felt and looked so much better then.  A very strong water pill is one of my presciptions.  I think I have 15 at last count.  This has been my life for a long time now.  I am going to be positive, and keep my faith in Christ.  I understand not everyone believes in God, and that is totally fine with me.  Just because I do doesn't mean the rest of the world has to believe the same.  I'd miss out on knowing some great people if I was a total "believe or else....."

Love to EVERYONE!