I am so sorry I have not been around a lot lately. One of the symptoms of Behcets is eye inflammation and it has been a real challenge lately. I have also been dealing with an insurance company that refuses to approve Remicaid that was prescribed by the National Institute of Health. This is an expensive chemo type infusion drug that has been working miracles for many people with rheumatory arthritis. However, it has not been approved for Behcets, but many people have had success with it. NO DRUG has been approved for Behcets. It is an "orphan disease" which means that because it is so rare it is not worth the drug companies' time to investigate possible cures. So while we watch other people with other autoimmune diseases have opportunities for drugs to work we are at the mercy of insurance companies to decide whether or not we are allowed an opportunity to try a drug that may help. So far the Behcets/Lupus and medicine side effects have caused seizures, diabetes (from steroid use) 13 miscarriages, cognitive loss (my IQ dropped from the superior range to borderline), chronic gall bladder inflammation which cause the removal of my gall bladder, surgery on both knees, neuropathy, destruction of my female organs causing a hysterectomy, cardiac disease, a heart attack, chronic urniary tract infections, internal bleeding of uknown cause, eye inflammation, tinnitus, blood clots, balance issues, skin rashes, GI issues, painful mouth and genital ulcers, parathyroid disease, hypercalcimia, vitamin D deficiency, severe headaches that make migraines seem like hiccups and language issues that come and go that make people think I have had a stroke and make writing difficult some days. But the thing I am most afraid of is losing my eye sight. As an artist I just can not imagine my life not being able to see all the colors of the world. And it is frustrating indeed to have an insurance company be able to over rule the National Institute of Health. So now we have applied to the drug company and holding our breath, praying they will have more compassion than my insurance company. Please keep this need in your prayers:)
I do have a scrapbook layout to share today.
Growing up I had family members who were farmers. So I spent my share of time helping with bringing crops in and on occasion milking cows on my Great Uncle's Diary Farm in Chesaning, MI. And having my fair share of milking cans kicked over! LOL
However, my boys are true city slickers. While we have had an occasional small garden, they certainly have never experienced a dairy farm. So we took a vacation day and stopped by Fair Oaks Dairy Farm in Indiana. What a day we had! The boys loved the interactive displays that taught them all about milk, but they especially loved watching calves being born. And it was really fun to go get a cold glass of chocolate milk with our lunch afterwards! Somehow it tastes better on the farm!
Here's a video of the Fair Oaks Farm, before you take a peak of our fun on the farm!
For more information on Fair Oaks:http://www.fofarms.com/en/visit_us
Here's my layout of our vacation fun!
I made the cows out of mulberry paper. Please contact me using the button at the top of the right hand side of the blog if you are interested in purchasing a set. (Cows vary, please let me know if you are interested in whole cows or peek a boo cows. Cows are $10.00 for a set of three.)
The ribbon was purchased at Hobby Lobby. The paper unfortunately has been discontinued. The sign was done with a retired Sizzix Sign die.
The only place I will go to purchase my mulberry paper is http://tear-bears.com/
Tara's paper is consistently thick. If it is not thick enough it will not fluff. She also sells patterns, accessories and more. She is awesome to work with and very reasonably priced. After I move into my new studio in the fall, I will do a video on how to make tear bear animals:)
Have a moo-tivating day filled with lots of moo-memorable scrapping moo-ments!
