I'm a drug addict...

There I said it..but do I mean it? I think I do...I've been taking Effexor XR and I'm desperately trying to kick the habit...I mean I gotta get this monkey off my back! I originally started taking it for panic attacks..ever have one of those??? I wouldn't wish those on anyone..well maybe one or two people..you know who you are...lol! Anyway..back to me, I had/have panic attacks and but I really want to get off of the Effexor. But the side effects from this are AWFUL! Brain spasms..ever have one of those?? UGH!!! And just an over all feeling of BLAH!! The doctor said it would take a few weeks...I was taking 75mg daily and he gave me 37.5mg to take every other day and then try to go every 3 days, every 4 days and so on and so on until I'm completely off of this devil derived medication.

I've read about the OJ version of this. Where you dump the capsule into OJ and only drink 9/10ths of it for a few days, then 8/10ths for a few and so on and so on.

I would have never started taking this had I known how hard it is to get off of it. My youngest son knows I have this little addiction problem and he said "hey mom, deal with the panic attacks and get off the drugs." I just know I'm up for the mother of the year award!!!

Car vs Semi...Andrea vs God...Guess who won?

Well, I have to tell you about today...I was driving to work and I saw the after affects of an automobile vs semi accident. The lady in the car had been side swiped by a semi and she was in her car visibly upset. I thought, oh how sad and what a way to start your week. Then a voice inside my head said "pull over and talk to her"...WHAT?? Just walk up and talk to her? She doesn't even know me! I would look like a fool! Then again...the voice said "Pull over and TALK to her." Again, I thought seriously I can't do that..what would I say.."hey sorry you pulled out in front of that truck and hope your ticket doesn't put you in debt?" " Your mascara is running?" The light took terribly long to change and I sat there thinking..is this is a God thing? I am really hearing God talk to me? I'm must have heard him before..was I not listening but this is the first time I really had to argue with him. Yes, I argued..back and forth with God..I thought I'll look stupid..God said wouldn't be the first time. I thought I'll be late for work..God said wouldn't be the first time. I thought I'll block traffic..God said there is a perfect spot right behind her car for you to park and darn it if there wasn't a perfect space behind her to park!!

So, I pulled in and thought, "oh, this is silly..I have to get to work and she is going to think I'm crazy." But God had another plan, I pulled up behind her, walked up to her passenger door through the mud, opened the door and got in, yes I opened her door and GOT IN!! I gave her a hug and told her everything would be ok. What the heck was I doing? I know this wasn't me because I would never do this in real life...I would be the one to think it would be nice for someone to do that but not ME! Then, I talked to her to get her mind off of what was going on and I told her I would sit with her until the police came. She actually works at the car dealership across the street from my work. Out of all the cars on the road, out of all the people that are on the road, this one person that God put in front of me works just across the street from me. Now, tell me this isn't God! We talked and she thanked me for pulling over and talking to her. Then I got out and went on my merry way. I was not late for work, I even had time to stop at the grocery store and pick up some OJ. How did that happen??

Now, I'm not telling you this so you can think that was nice of Andrea she's such a good person..nope..I'm telling you this because I am still surprised that I did it. I'm amazed that God actually used me today. His hand was all over this, he knew she needed someone to talk to and he made me step out of my comfort zone, step out in faith that she wouldn't yell at me to get away and stop hugging her!

Now, here is where the devil comes in...all afternoon I kept thinking that I was wrong to stop, that I should have just left her alone, that she is thinking what a moron!

Then, I stop myself and say, you know God there was a reason you wanted me to stop, there was a reason I was there at that time and place. That stop light took an awfully long time to change..gee why was that? Was it because I was arguing with God? Reasoning with him that I needed to just get to work and leave the poor lady alone? Was he giving me some extra time to stop arguing and realize what he already knew I needed to do?

Tomorrow I am going to go over to her work and check on her. This is really a step out for people that don't know me...this is not me. I usually try very hard not to get involved to just stay to myself in my own little world but not this time...God is pulling at my heart strings for this woman..I just don't know why yet...maybe I will never know.

Foggy day...

Wow! What strange weather we are having! I live in a farm community so I really dislike discussing weather because all I hear around here is "how many 10ths of an inch of rain did you get? Oh, Farmer John said he got 8/10ths, but I only got 5/10ths...who CARES??? I just know if there is too much moisture for a good hair day!

But lately we have had thunder storms, sleet, tornado watches, 11 inches of snow, record highs, record lows and fog lots and lots of fog!

I really don't like to drive in fog...it's so disorienting. But I made it home from work without much of a story just a couple of pics. I wanted to get one of the lady who was driving 30 miles an hour in the passing lane of the highway at rush hour...but I couldn't whip my camera out fast enough. Plus the flash might have put her right over the edge!



Blessings,
Andrea

Super Bowl Sunday...

Super Bowl Sunday...yippee! Are you ready for the commercials? I certainly am...Isn't that what everyone watches the Super Bowl for? I hear there is one with Richard Simmons...he cracks me up!

Plus who can beat having good friends and wonderful food? And an added bonus...I get my kids and husband to help with the housework!!



So GO TEAM!!~ By the way...who's playing and how many home runs do they need to win?? Just kidding Heather!!!

Snow day...

Well, we received about 11 inches of snow last night and today we are stuck in the house...or at least I am. I never have liked the snow too much, I don't like to put on layers of clothing and I get cold too fast. It is very pretty though, I love how it makes everything look so bright despite the fact that underneath is brown sticks and tan grass. I took a picture this morning through my front window...


I have the day off and would normally be working so nothing around the house would get done..so why do I feel like I have to stay so busy? I have done laundry, vacuumed, mopped and dusted...why can't I just sit down and read a good book? UGH!!

I had a little bit of a scare last week...I went to the doctor and she thought I could possibly have skin cancer, so they sent me to a dermatologist and to do a biopsy (which was scary and really hurt)...(that's the 12 year old coming out in me). My dermatologist feels it might be precancerous but I shouldn't worry, she even gave me a sucker (not for being such a good patient but to get some sugar in me since I almost passed out). I will get the results early next week.

I am staying out of the sun from now on! So, if anyone knows of a good spray tan please let me know.

Going to go finish my laundry...have a great day!!

Patience...Patience...Patience...

As you know I have been praying for patience and remember I told you I get trials when I pray for patience...trials so far...

1) I took the day off Monday so I could spend some time with my sons. I wanted to spend the day with them and just have some fun! Well, my sister in law called and said "I hear you have the day off" which in other words meant "could you watch Payton (my adorable 5 year old great nephew and a bundle of energy)? What was I supposed to say?...so now I think my day is ruined my fun filled day with my boys will not happen. I told you I have no patience...Of course I was wrong we had a great day and a lot of fun..Payton is so funny and get him, Jordan and Logan together and they could have their own sitcom.

2) We went out for pizza and Phil ate the tip of my pizza..you know, the first bite? the little tip? The best part of the pizza when you are really hungry..he ate it! Didn't even ask...ok so yes..this made me grumpy!

Well, maybe I only had 2 trials (that I remember) but it seemed like a lot more and typing this now these moments seem so trivial. But, they each tested my patience, which was good...I think I handled both situations better this week than I would have last week..am I growing? I think so, and with God's blessing I will continue to grow in my faith.

And...a special note...Phil is also growing, he learned that you just don't take the tip of a piece of pizza when a girl is hungry!!

Blessings!!
Andrea

Had a bad day...

OK, I'm not going to go into all the details of what happened today but let me tell you..."it is so difficult working in a department with all women!"

So anyway, I was having an extremely terrible day and I sent a text to Phillip (the hubby)..I wanted to complain (I'm a woman remember) about my day and the fact that I could walk out of my place of employment and never look back. I just wanted him to listen to me complain and say "oh sweetie, you are right and I will rub your tired feet when you get home". Do you think that is what he said? NOPE! This is the text I got back from my wonderful husband "Don't let them steal your joy". What? What Joy?? I have no joy here!

But wait...let's think about this for a minute...I do have joy here...I have the Lord in my heart, I have an amazing Christian friend who prayed me into this place and another friend that I think likes me being here too, I like what I do, my evaluations have always been positive, I have health insurance, a 401K, pretty decent pay...so what's my problem? How do you work in a secular job for 8 hours a day around such cattiness and remain still and wait on the Lord?? How do I maintain my Christian walk in such a difficult place? I know I am where I am for a reason, I know there is something more for me, but I must wait.

Now, any of you who know me know how difficult it is for me to WAIT...I am very impatient...so you say pray for patience...ha...I am dealing with this...I don't like to pray for patience because I get trials. Just the other day I told my dear friend Julie about my dislike of praying for patience and she convinced me to pray for patience and she would pray for me as well...well thank you Julie...I had quite the trial today! OK, that wasn't fair, I should say "thank you Lord for giving me this trial to help me grow in faith." It's just easier to blame Julie. But...

It all goes into perspective when I walk through the door at night to a warm home, a husband and wonderful kids waiting to tell me about their day. I will pull out my bible tonight and look up scripture on patience and I will continue to pray for patience and thank God for all I have at this moment in time. And...I'll throw in a prayer for the girls at work.

Glad to meet you!

Well, this is my first post and to be honest, I'm a bit nervous about it. My oldest daughter Heather encouraged me to create a blog so here I am.

I guess I will just tell you a bit about myself..I am a wife to an amazing man, Phillip, mother of 4 wonderful children, Heather 23, Amanda 19, Jordan 14 and Logan 13..and I have the best son-in-law in the world, Ben, who by the way named my blog. Thanks Ben!!

I work full time, love to sell on ebay (which you can find my link for on my site), I have some amazing friends that I'm sure I will tell you about later (don't worry girls, only good things will be said..I think), I love to take pictures of my family..who wouldn't want to..they are gorgeous!!

I guess my purpose of this blog is really more a sort of therapy. I can come here and tell everyone about my day, what I'm thinking or feeling. And..no one will talk back, well I hope I get some comments on my blog but you know what I mean.

The picture on my site is of me at "The Great Pumpkin Patch" in Arthur, IL..it's just the best place to go to get into the Fall spirit!

Just a warning, I tend to ramble...which is what I was going to name my blog in the first place..something about my rambling words but believe it or not it was taken!

Well, thanks for listening, It's been fun but I have things to do and not much time to do them.
Have a blessed day!