RIGHTS 101: What Writers Should Know About (and see update at the bottom)

A position paper from the
American Society of Journalists and Authors
prepared by the ASJA Contracts Committee
April 29, 2003

"All rights" and “work made for hire" – these contract terms sound simple enough. But what does it really mean when writers sign contracts containing them? Bottom line: in most cases, work-made-for-hire and all-rights contracts are a rotten deal for writers. If publishers want additional rights beyond first print rights -- exclusive or non-exclusive -- they should pay for them. If publishers want “all rights,” they should pay a substantial premium or be willing to share with the author any additional income they get from sublicensing. Writers offered all rights or work-for-hire contracts in any form should ask that contract terms be modified to make them more acceptable. They should demand a substantial compensatory premium whenever waiving control of subsidiary rights.

The terms publishers offer often confuse writers. Here’s a primer on the difference between “first North American serial rights,” “all rights,” “non-exclusive [all] rights” and “work-made-for-hire” and their practical implications for writers.

FIRST NORTH AMERICAN SERIAL RIGHTS

As recently as the mid-1980s, most periodical publishers sought only "first North American serial rights" (FNASR) from the writer. Under a FNASR contract, the publisher licenses a one-time right to publish the article first in the North American market. The author retains all other rights to his work, including the right to re-license its use as a reprint ("second serial rights"), to publish it in foreign markets, to license a movie or product spin-off, and so on. Recently, however, publishers have begun asking for more rights (usually for the same amount of money).

"ALL RIGHTS" CONTRACTS

When a writer signs over "all rights" to his literary work, he is essentially conveying the entire bundle of rights that makes up his copyright plus any common law rights he may have in the work. Whether the writer has effectively transferred his "copyright" is open to debate and may depend on the contract's actual wording. But clearly the ESSENCE of his copyright -- the bundle of rights copyright represents -- is gone.)

By conveying away "all rights," the writer gives up the right to re-license his work to a reprint magazine, foreign periodical, electronic database, anthology, or business publication, for example, or to re-use the work in a future book. For many writers, subsidiary rights like these represent a considerable annual source of revenue. The Internet, where content is king, has also substantially expanded resale possibilities. Signing an "all-rights" contract (or its equivalent) hands that income over to the publisher.

"NON-EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS" AND
OTHER VARIATIONS ON THE ALL-RIGHTS THEME

Although less blatant as a rights-grab than “all rights” contracts, "first right to publish" or "non-exclusive" agreements can achieve virtually the same result for publishers via the back door. These agreements often begin with a benign-sounding FNASR clause and then tack on extremely broad (though "non-exclusive") rights to use a writer's work in perpetuity in various media. The writer may still technically own the property, but the publisher may continue to re-use the work whenever it wishes -- for no additional fee.

Granting "non-exclusive rights" to a publisher may sound less onerous to a writer than signing an all-rights or WMFH agreement, but the apparent safeguard may be deceptive. These non-exclusive rights clauses may also allow publishers to profit from the work through their own network of sister publications, syndication contacts, and resale markets without sharing that income with the author. The loss of potential income can be substantial. Think about the size of the potential market among corporate purchasers, for example. (How would you feel if Microsoft buys 10,000 reprints?) How would you feel if the article for which you sold all rights later becomes a film? (Think “Saturday Night Fever.”) And if you plan to include your article "Why Eating Chocolate Makes You Live Longer" in your book “Surprising Foods That Keep You Healthy,” do you want your article to become part of a competitive nutrition book the magazine throws together?

WORK-MADE-FOR-HIRE

As if all-rights contracts weren't onerous enough, “work made for hire” (WMFH) contracts have been jokingly called “all-rights contracts on steroids.” But WMFH (sometimes called “work for hire”) is no laughing matter.

The term owes its existence to a lengthy definition in the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Sec. 101 and 201(b)). Under this definition, as one might expect, writings produced by an employee in the scope of his or her employment belong to the employer. In addition to employee-created works, certain works produced by independent contractors may also be WMFH if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument that the works are “work made for hire.” But not all types of work by independent contractors will qualify. The work must be "specially ordered or commissioned" as:

• a contribution to a collective work,
• a part of a motion picture or other audiovisual work,
• a translation,
• a supplementary work [to another author’s work, such as a foreword, chart, or table],
• a compilation,
• an instructional text,
• a test,
• answer material for a test, or
• an atlas.

(A tenth category, "a sound recording," was briefly added and then quickly removed from the statute after intensive lobbying by recording artists.)

There's a big payoff here for publishers: When a “work made for hire” agreement is entered into for a work in one of these nine "magic" categories, the company or individual COMMISSIONING the work (and not the independent contractor) is deemed to be the “creator” of the work -- and is entitled to copyright protection from the moment the work is created. (But remember: just because a work falls into a qualifying category doesn’t mean a writer must agree to write it as WMFH).

In many ways, "all rights" contracts and WMFH agreements are roughly equivalent: both cede a broad array of important rights, and both can deprive writers of valuable sources of income. But there are some differences between the terms.

Sure, you wrote that article or textbook. But if you've signed a valid WMFH agreement, you're not its legal "author." From the instant of its creation, the employer or publisher who commissioned the work is considered its creator. You won't be able to resell the work in other markets -- and won't be entitled to benefit if the publisher resells it. You can't syndicate the material or even put it on your own web site without the publisher's permission.

A WMFH deal thus relegates the writer to the status of an employee, minus the usual "perks" of employment such as health insurance, Social Security contributions, retirement plans, and paid vacations. (And to ensure they reap all the benefits without any of the costs, some publishers underscore the freelance writer's status as an independent contractor, with language such as: "The writer is an independent contractor and nothing contained herein shall create or be construed as creating any other relationship between the parties.")

WMFH agreements must be in writing and signed by both parties. But despite the apparent clarity of the statutory list of nine categories, determining whether a particular work can actually be the subject of a work-made-for-hire agreement is sometimes difficult, and the answer may not be clear-cut. Photographs or paintings, for example -- neither of which is expressly mentioned -- are often commissioned as WMFH under the (arguable) assumption that they qualify as part of such “collective works” as newspapers, magazines, company catalogues, advertising materials, and annual reports. Software is also not expressly mentioned but some regard it as a collective work for which WMFH treatment is available. In general, determining whether a commissioned work is eligible for WMFH treatment will require considering both the nature of the work and the context of its intended use.

Even when a work clearly fits one of the nine statutory categories, WMFH treatment is not possible unless the work was "specially ordered or commissioned." In other words, a WMFH agreement cannot cover pre-existing work. (Court decisions have been divided about whether the WMFH agreement must actually be reduced to writing before the work is completed. One Circuit Court accepted as sufficient a post-creation written agreement confirming an earlier oral or implied WMFH agreement. But other federal courts have required that the written agreement precede creation of the work.)

IF YOU'VE SIGNED A "WMFH" CONTRACT FOR A WORK THAT "CAN'T" BE WMFH, IS YOUR CONTRACT VALID?

What about books and other works that do not appear on the laundry list of categories? If you've signed a WMFH contract to create such apparently non-qualifying work, is it valid? This is a difficult question to answer.

Be cautious before dismissing a contract as "void" or "unenforceable." Remember that several of the statutory categories are broadly defined. Ultimately, a contract’s validity is something that a court must determine, and courts often stretch to enforce the parties' underlying intent even where a contract contains some technical defect. Circumstances and contract language vary widely, so we urge writers facing this problem to speak with a good copyright attorney for legal advice.

Be aware, too, that many publishing contracts now contain what lawyers call “belt-and-suspenders” language. To cover the possibility that WMFH status may not be upheld by a court, many book and magazine publishers now routinely include a back-up "all-rights" clause as well, such as: "If a court determines that this agreement does not provide for the creation of a work made for hire, then you agree to give [the Publisher] exclusive publication rights in and to your work, as well as the exclusive rights...including electronic rights, including any derivative works created therefrom, in any manner or medium throughout the world in perpetuity without additional compensation." Under contracts with such "belt-and-suspenders" language, the writer may well be deemed to have transferred “all rights,” even if WMFH treatment does not apply.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN "ALL RIGHTS" AND WMFH: COPYRIGHT TERM AND REVERSIONS

Similar as "all rights" and WMFH may sound in their dismal practical effects on the writer, there are other distinctions between them, involving copyright term and the right to a reversion. Let's begin with the differences in copyright terms:

For most works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection extends for the author's lifetime plus 70 years. For works made for hire, however (where a business entity is often deemed the "author"), tying the term to a human lifespan is not practical. So instead the Copyright Act calculates the copyright term for a WMFH creation by a different formula: 95 years from the date the WMFH work is first published, or 120 years from the work's creation, whichever is shorter. 17 USC Sec. 302(c)

There are also differences in what are known as "reversionary rights." Copyright law allows an author who transfers his copyright to unilaterally terminate that transfer between the 35th and 40th year following the agreement. (Section 203 of the Copyright Act spells out the steps that must be taken to exercise this termination right). Arguably, this provides potential recourse for a writer who sold "all rights" in a work that later becomes a long-term bestseller. (We say "arguably" because the writer would still have to prove that his "all rights" contract constituted a "copyright transfer" for purposes of the reversion statute -- a point the publisher might contest.)

WMFH agreements, on the other hand, "are forever"; the writer has no such reversionary right that might allow him to terminate the transfer and recover copyright -- in fact, under the work made for hire statute, he never had a copyright in the work to begin with. If your work turns out to be exceptionally profitable or marketable many years down the line, a right to recover the copyright MAY indeed prove valuable. Another important reason to avoid WMFH agreements.

THE RECENT ESCALATING RIGHTS BATTLE

Until recently, most knowledgeable freelance journalists have typically refused to sign work-made-for-hire (WMFH) or all-rights contracts, except for a few situations where potential re-use of material was limited (technical publications, trade magazines, and some corporate writing applications, for example). The consensus was that publishers who demanded such inequitable terms would lose the services of high-level professional writers and would be forced to rely on less capable contributors.

By the mid-1990s, newspaper and magazine publishers started getting more sophisticated about rights -- and grabbier. Many adopted a two-contracts gambit, initially sending an onerous all-rights contract but keeping a more writer-friendly FNASR version waiting in the wings for writers knowledgeable enough to demand it.

With the advent of the Internet, rights struggles took on both new meaning and new intensity. Publishers were quick to discover that Internet content had value -- and slow to offer to pay writers an extra fee for using their material in this new medium (despite happily charging advertisers separately for print and Web advertising). Some publishers tried to claim that FNASR print contracts gave them the right to reproduce the same content on the web and in electronic databases.

In June 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court -- in a landmark victory for writers -- held otherwise. The Court in Tasini v. New York Times et al. found that publishers exceeded their print rights and infringed freelancers’ copyrights by posting articles in electronic databases.

Decisive though it was as a victory for freelancers, the Tasini case was just the first skirmish in a rapidly escalating rights war. To preempt future Tasini-like claims, publishers simply demanded even more rights from writers right up front -- and not just electronic rights. An increasing number of publishers now refuse to work with writers unless they sign away all rights or agree to WMFH contracts (even when the work may not fit the statutory definition of WMFH). Some contracts even demand rights to use the material in "any media that may be invented in the future, anywhere in the universe."

Today, the once-standard FNASR contract is looking more and more like an endangered species. Given the current publishing climate, demands for WMFH, "all rights," and similar contract terms can be expected to proliferate. Music composers, photographers, graphic artists, writers, and other creators and independent contractors have mounted vigorous opposition to excessive rights demands. Writers must take a similar stand and must educate themselves about what such contract terms really mean.

SHOULD YOU SIGN? POSSIBLE RESPONSES

Like many other writers' organizations, ASJA has long taken a firm stance against most WMFH or all-rights agreements, especially for independent journalism. ASJA reiterates its fundamental opposition to all-rights and WMFH contracts where such contracts seek to separate writers from the fruits of their creations without appropriate compensation. Publishers' attempts to obtain all rights retroactively (especially without additional payment) are particularly contemptible.

In only a very few situations do we acknowledge that such arrangements may be acceptable: a book “written to order” as a promotional vehicle for a company and/or its products, for example (works in which the publisher has a distinct proprietary interest – and we express no opinion here about whether such materials would meet the statutory test for WMFH.) or certain kinds of corporate writing (such as technical and users’ manuals, corporate press releases, or marketing materials, when the writer can foresee little or no potential re-use for the material). But norms vary even for corporate work. Some creative firms and agencies routinely retain rights to material created for clients, for example -- and derive significant ongoing revenue by licensing re-use of the material by the client.

Besides money, what else do you stand to lose? All-rights and WMFH contracts also put decisions about where an article will (and won't) appear beyond a writer's control. One ASJA member who accepted WMFH contracts at a now-defunct consumer magazine, for example, unhappily discovered her articles on multiple web sites. Another member found his article gracing a porno site. Still another writer, eager for a prestigious clip from a large women's magazine, accepted an all-rights agreement and later was refused permission to post her own article as a writing sample on her personal web site. A bad thing for the writers involved? Sure. But signing away their rights left these writers with little recourse.

When you are presented with a publishing contract that includes an all-rights or work-made-for-hire clause, here are several possible responses:

(1) OFFER FIRST NORTH AMERICAN SERIAL RIGHTS (FNASR) CONTRACT TERMS INSTEAD. Point out that most major writers' organizations strongly oppose all-rights contracts as unfair to writers and condemn attempts to coerce writers into accepting such terms as a condition of assignment, payment, or publication. Request a simple FNASR contract instead. (And watch out for attempts to tack on additional "non-exclusive" rights.)

(2) NEGOTIATE ADDITIONAL PAYMENT FOR ADDITIONAL USES. If a publisher insists that it needs more than one-time use in print (FNASR), ask that it specify what rights the publication TRULY needs. If the publisher plans to post the article on its web site, for example, acknowledge that the Tasini decision made publishers more anxious to nail down electronic rights, and offer to separately negotiate electronic rights for an additional fee. (For example, one writer who makes a substantial yearly income selling web rights to his out-of-print books makes a distinction between readable rights and downloadable rights. He licenses these rights separately, charging a yearly fee, granting rights for 3 years at a time, and getting his payment up front.)

If the publisher anticipates possible reprint, syndication, and/or other reuses in the future, offer to negotiate rights for such re-uses when and if re-use needs arise, or specify in advance the additional fees payable for each specific re-use of the material.

(3) PUT A TIME LIMIT ON RIGHTS. Instead of a WMFH or blanket all-rights contract, suggest a LIMITED all-rights contract, with rights reverting to the author at the end of an agreed-upon period. (Syndication agreements, for example, customarily specify a one-year term.)

(4) DEMAND HIGHER PAYMENT. None of the previous suggestions has worked, but you're not quite ready to walk away from the bargaining table? If a publisher's desire for WMFH or all-rights terms is truly non-negotiable, demand substantially better compensation. Remind the publisher that freelance arrangements save them the commitment and expense of ongoing employee salaries, benefits, office space and equipment -- costs that freelancers must cover for themselves. "Reasonable" remuneration under an all-rights contract or its equivalent should not only compensate the writer for his current effort and loss of future income from the (often significant) lost potential for future income from the work, but should also reflect the risks and overhead the writer bears as part of his freelance status.

ASJA encourages all writers who feel they are signing away rights under duress to keep a paper trail, documenting their attempts to negotiate more favorable terms and the publisher's responses.

Contracts Committee
American Society of Journalists & Authors

The American Society of Journalists and Authors encourages reproduction and distribution of this document for the benefit of freelance writers, but please credit ASJA for the information and do not change the content.

UPDATE:

A link given to me by my wonderful niece:

http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2006/10/important-and-pass-it-on.html

You Gonna Fly video

You Gonna Fly: Ram Country Exclusive @ Yahoo! Video

Good ol' Uncle Geoff from Down Under

I love my uncle Geoff!  He loves to make me laugh!!  He sent a couple of wonderfully funny joke emails to me and totally brightened my whole day.  Okay, my day was already full of sunshine.  He just brightened it up more.   Today is a writing day, so I don't have the time to actually write a "real" blog post.  So I thought I'd just share the funny.
Cheers, love and sunshine,
Kath xo

*******************************

Dear Noah,

We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving 'til 5.

Sincerely, Unicorns


                   
Dear Twilight fans,

Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection.

Enjoy fantasizing about that.

Sincerely, Logic

                    

Dear Icebergs,

Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.

Sincerely, The Titanic

                    

Dear J.K. Rowling,

Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends?

Sincerely, Anonymous

                    

Dear America,

You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment.

Sincerely, Canada

                    

Dear Boyfriend,

I can make your girlfriend scream louder than you can.

Sincerely, Spiders

                    

Dear Voldemort,

So they screwed up your nose too?

Sincerely, Michael Jackson

                    

Dear Yahoo,

I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just saying...

Sincerely, Google

                    

Dear girls who have been dumped,

There are plenty of fish in the sea... Just kidding! They're all dead.

Sincerely, BP

                    

Dear 2010,

So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WTF happened?

Sincerely, 1985

                    

Dear Justin Bieber,

Ariel would really love her voice back.

Sincerely, King Triton


                    
Dear Windshield Wipers,

Can't touch this.

Sincerely, That Little Triangle

                    

Dear Taylor Swift,

If it is of any interest to you, Romeo and Juliet both kill themselves in the end.

Sincerely, Shakespeare

                    

Dear Saturn,

I liked it, so I put a ring on it.

Sincerely, God

                    

Dear Rubik's Cube,

Done!

Sincerely, Colorblind

                    

Dear Santa,

Please tell me how you managed to stop at three Ho's.

Sincerely, Tiger Woods


                    
Dear Boys Wearing Skinny Jeans,

I. Can't. Breathe.

Sincerely, Your Balls

                    
Dear Martin Luther King Jr.,

I have a dream within a dream within a dream within another dream... What now?

Sincerely, Leonardo DiCaprio

                    

Dear Sleeping Beauty,
                    

I had to join the army, dress up like a man, defeat the Hun army and totally save China for my man. All you had to do was wake up

Sincerely, Mulan

                    

Dear Romeo,

My death isn't the only thing I've been faking...

Sincerely, Juliet

                    

Dear Fox News,

So far, no news about foxes.

Sincerely, Unimpressed

                    

Dear Toaster,

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?

Sincerely, Toast

                    

Dear Edward,

I really hope that one day, I can find my way into your heart.

Sincerely, a stake

                    

Dear Prince Charming,

You've got some explaining to do!

Sincerely, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty

**************************************

"THOSE DARN TEXANS"

Gabriel went to the Lord and said, "I have to talk to you. We have
some Texans up here who are causing some real problems... They're
swinging on the Pearly Gates, my horn is missing, and they are wearing
T-shirts instead of their robes; there's barbecue sauce and picante
sauce all over everything, especially their T-shirts; their dogs are
riding in the chariots and chasing the sheep.

They are wearing baseball caps and cowboy hats instead of their halos.

They refuse to keep the stairway to Heaven clean, and their boots are
marking and scuffing up the halls of Wisdom. There are watermelon
seeds and tortilla chip crumbs all over the place. Some of them are
walking around with just one wing; and they insist on bringing their
darn horses with them."

The Lord said, "Texans are Texans, Gabriel. Heaven is home to all of
my children.  If you want to know about real problems, call the
Devil."

So Gabriel calls the Devil who answers the phone and says, "Hello --
hold on a minute...”

When he returns to the phone the Devil says, "O.K., I'm back. What can
I do for you?"

Gabriel replied, "I just want to know what kinds of problems you are
having down there with the Texans."

The Devil said, "Hold on again. I need to check on something."

After about 5 minutes the Devil returned to the phone and said. "I'm
back.  Now what was the question?"

Gabriel said, "What kind of problems are you having down there with
the Texans?"

The Devil said, "Man, I don't believe this...hold on!!!!"

This time the Devil was gone 15 minutes and when he returns he says,
"I'm sorry Gabriel -- I can't talk right now!! Red Adair has put out
the fire here and now Brown & Root is installing air conditioning!!!!"

Always remember ... TEXANS SURVIVE  ...  despite the odds against us!!!

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Those days when you slept but feel like you haven't, don't you hate them?  Today is one of THOSE days.  I hadn't blogged in several days, and felt I needed to.  Well, I'm really rather reticent in brainstorming interesting ideas today, since my brain never did get out of bed.  The rest of me is operating on auto-pilot.  Not very efficient, I must say!

 

So I type this blah-blah rather soporifically through half-lidded eyes.  I think it's possible I may have arisen smack dab in the middle of a sleep cycle.  So I thought about researching that.  I found this very interesting article.  Do enjoy it while I go and take a nice, long afternoon nap. 

Cheers, love and sunshine,

Kath xo

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Sleep Cycles & Stages, Lack of Sleep, and Getting the Hours You Need

Melinda Smith, M.A., and Robert Segal, M.A., contributed to this article. Last reviewed: July 2010.

When you’re scrambling to meet the demands of modern life, cutting back on sleep can seem like the only answer. How else are you going to get through your neverending to-do list or make time for a little fun? Sure, a solid eight hours sounds great, but who can afford to spend so much time sleeping? The truth is you can’t afford not to.
Sleep consists of a series of distinct cycles and stages that restore and refresh your body and mind. Even minimal sleep loss takes a toll on your mood, energy, efficiency, and ability to handle stress. If you want to feel your best, stay healthy, and perform up to your potential, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Learn what happens when you’re sleeping, how to determine your nightly sleep needs, and what you can do to bounce back from chronic sleep loss and get on a healthy sleep schedule.

The power of sleep

Many of us want to sleep as little as possible—or feel like we have to. There are so many things that seem more interesting or important than getting a few more hours of sleep. But just as exercise and nutrition are essential for optimal health and happiness, so is sleep. The quality of your sleep directly affects the quality of your waking life, including your mental sharpness, productivity, emotional balance, creativity, physical vitality, and even your weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort!

Understanding sleep

Sleep isn’t merely a time when your body and brain shut off. While you rest, your brain stays busy, overseeing a wide variety of biological maintenance tasks that keep you running in top condition and prepare you for the day ahead. Without enough hours of restorative sleep, you’re like a car in need of an oil change. You won’t be able to work, learn, create, and communicate at a level even close to your true potential. Regularly skimp on “service” and you’re headed for a major mental and physical breakdown.

The good news is that you don’t have to choose between health and productivity. As you start getting the sleep you need, your energy and efficiency will go up. In fact, you’re likely to find that you actually get more done during the day than when you were skimping on shuteye.

****************************************

Myths and Facts about Sleep

Myth 1: Getting just 1 hour less sleep per night won’t effect your daytime functioning. You may not be noticeably sleepy during the day. But even slightly less sleep can affect your ability to think properly and respond quickly, and compromise your cardiovascular health, energy balance, and ability to fight infections.
Myth 2: Your body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules. Most people can reset their biological clock, but only by appropriately timed cues—and even then, by 1–2 hours per day at best. Consequently, it can take more than a week to adjust after traveling across several time zones or switching to the night shift.
Myth 3: Extra sleep at night can cure you of problems with excessive daytime fatigue. Not only is the quantity of sleep important but also the quality of sleep. Some people sleep 8 or 9 hours a night but don’t feel well rested when they wake up because the quality of their sleep is poor.
Myth 4: You can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping more on the weekends. Although this sleeping pattern will help relieve part of a sleep debt, it will not completely make up for the lack of sleep. Furthermore, sleeping later on the weekends can affect your biological clock so that it is much harder to go to sleep at the right time on Sunday nights and get up early on Monday mornings.
Adapted from Your Guide to Healthy Sleep (PDF) - The National Institutes of Health

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Happy Valentine's Day!

An interesting tidbit about the history of Valentine's Day.

Saint Valentine was a Roman who was killed for his faith on February 14, 269 A.D. He had refused to worship pagan gods, and some stories say he was a priest who would marry young couples in secret who loved each other but who did not have parental permission. In 496, his 'saint day' was established. He is associated with love because he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer, and would pass notes to her. His final note, before he was executed, read 'from your Valentine'.

Ancient Rome was a difficult place to be a Christian. Under the rule of Claudius II, Valentinus the Presbyter was thrown in jail for officiating at Christian weddings. Presbyter is synonymous with “priest” and “elder,” a person in leadership in the underground Christian community. While he was in jail, Valentinus impressed Emperor Claudius, who kept him in his company. This arrangement worked until the emperor condemned Valentinus to death for trying to convert him to Christianity, at which time he became a martyr for the early church.

The things we humans do for love!

KEITH URBAN WINS HIS FOURTH GRAMMY!!! ... and... sweet memories of Keith.

Congratulations, Sweetie!!!!! SOOOO proud of you!!! xo

Just jumping up and down, doing a happy dance now.  Keith won his fourth Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his hit song 'Til Summer Comes Around. 
This song has a very special meaning for me.  I was standing in front of him when he was singing it a couple of years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas.  It was a stunning performance.  Especially his guitar solo at the end... oh, man.  I tear up now just remembering it.  I took a watercolour painting to him, and he got pretty emotional about it.  This is the painting.  The original painting is 18" x 24", done in watercolour. 

(Click to see it larger. Once more to see it larger still):

The camera man made me stand there with my back to Keith because he wanted to film my painting.  It takes a long, long time because of editorial cuts, etc.  So I stood there for what seemed like FOREVER, but it was mostly the duration of Til Summer Comes Around before the guitar solo at the end.  I had NO clue he was standing just over my right shoulder the entire time.  Cam Man films me standing there, feeling like a doofus, holding the painting, for the whole song.  Finally he stopped filming me and started to film Keith.  When I turned back around, Keith was looking at me.  He had just said, "When ya comin' back, baby?  Cos I miss you love... I miss you love.... I MISS YOU LOVE!!!!"  And then he went into his fantastic guitar solo.  BIG WHOA MOMENT!  I never tire of his playing and singing.  Oh, man.  This is the video in Little Rock.  You can't see me, but you can see the red commercial camera at the bottom of the screen.  If you notice, right before the guitar solo is when he turns the camera on to Keith wailing.  Hilarious when I turned around to Keith in my face!  God love that amazing Aussie:

About halfway through the show, I lost all feeling in my legs.  It happens to me at times.  I won't bore you with all the semantics on that, but I was stuck in my chair, unable to feel anything below the waist.  I wasn't complaining.  It was second row center.  Four of Keith's own big security guys came over to me while Keith made his way across the stage with Jerry and Chris R. on either side of him.  The security guys asked a couple on the front row in front of me to please move to either side so I could see.  Of course I was astonished.  Keith, Jerry and Chris were standing there watching this.  Well, the couple was very, very sweet and moved off to the sides.  The security guys stood there, I guess to make certain a reasonably wide gap remained so I could see.  Sweet, or WHAT???????? <3  How I love that man.  The other two security men were next to me.  The big, huge guys in black tee shirts with white earbuds in their ears are the security guys.  One stood directly behind me, with his hand on my left shoulder.  I remember he asked how I felt, and told me if there was anything I needed, just say.  I was too stunned to do anything but nod and choke out a sincere thank you.  The fourth one was filming my reaction, haha, on a small Sony movie camera.  You can see him filming, cos he's the tallest one and has a buzz cut.  Nice guy.  Cute, too!  As for the Sony camera, I'm sure it must have been Keith's, because he's a bit partial to Sony products.  Well, of course I was BLUBBERING LIKE SUCH A BIG BABY THE ENTIRE TIME THIS IS ALL TAKING PLACE AROUND ME!!!  I really felt the love.  Jerry seemed convinced Keith was okay and jogged back over to his mike stand, but Chris stayed there, next to Keith.  Good ol' Chris!!

Keith was so emotional, I think maybe Chris worried he might fall right off that stage, God forbid.  So he stayed next to him for the entire song.  Keith cried alot, and watched me alot; naturally I never took my eyes off his face once.  I was locked into his gaze; I couldn't have turned away if I'd wanted to.  It was the sweetest, most loving, gentle, protective gaze, and it was very surreal for me.  He's such a  kind, beautiful, wonderful, amazing soul, and I am blessed.  This is such a priceless, precious memory.  Thank you Keith, Brian, Jerry, Brad, Chris and Chris!!!!  xoxo

Aussome.  On the Grammys, he just performed "Jolene" with John Mayer and a female singer whose name I cannot recall.  They just presented the award for Best Song of the Year and it was LADY ANTEBELLEUM - NEED YOU NOW!!!!  Wooooooot!!!  Jumping up and down here!!

It's a celebratory Grammys kind of night, y'all!!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

I apologise by how pixelated the videos are.  I couldn't fix that.

Peace & Love,
Kath :)

Went to a Houston Cougars basketball game tonight with my sweet hubby and my best friend and my hubby's best friend.  The Coogs won 79 - 68 -- HA!!  I thumb my nose at Tulane because they were so incredibly rude.  The dance team was performing, and in the middle of their dance, the whole Tulane team walked onto the court and right through them, as if they weren't there.  I couldn't believe the rudeness, honestly.  They seemed to act like it was their personal court. 

Saw my adorable niece, her wonderful boyfriend "The Unicorn" - she calls him that cos he's too unbelievably wonderful; almost mythical, like a unicorn -- and the adorable cat, Mr. Kitty. 

It's been a slow day with the exception of the game.  I'm sleepy...... g'nite all. xo  More news another time....

Gluten Free Q&A

Gluten Free Questions and Answers

Q. What is Celiac Sprue?
A. Celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue and non-tropical sprue) is a genetic disease that is most common among people of northern European descent.

Recent studies have shown the incidence of this disease in the US to be 1 in 133 people. First and second degree family members of a person with celiac have a much higher chance of having the disease, more like a 1 in 20 chance. This percentage is high enough that first and second degree relatives of people with celiac should also be tested for the disease. (After all, if you had a 1 in 20 chance of winning the lottery, how many tickets would you buy?)

In people with CD, eating certain types of protein fractions, commonly called gluten, set off an autoimmune response that causes damage to the small intestine. This, in turn, causes the small intestine to lose the ability to absorb the nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other complications.

Q. Can Celiac be cured?

A. Celiac disease is life-long and currently incurable. The only known treatment at this point in time is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet and lifestyle.

Q. What symptoms can you have?
A. The symptoms of this disease are many and varied. They range from chronic diarhea to chronic constipation and include depression, irritability, unexplained anemia, failure to gain weight, and early onset osteoporosis. You could also have anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Chron's disease, type 1 diabetes, or autism. (This list is by no means all inclusive. For more complete information, please visit http://www.eatingglutenfree.com/gluten-free-questions/www.celiac.com or http://www.eatingglutenfree.com/gluten-free-questions/www.celiac.org.) No one person has all the symptoms of celiac. (Who could have constipation and diarrhea at the same time?) Though the obvious symptoms vary, however, the problem behind the symptoms is the same for all sufferers.

Q. What happens when I do eat gluten?
A. When the body detects gluten in the digestive tract, it attacks, trying to destroy the invader. Unfortunately, the result is that the intestines (especially the small intestines) are damaged in the fight. The interior of the small intestines have small, finger-like projections called villi. The villi are used to absorb nutrients from the food that passes through the digestive tract. When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the villi become damaged when the body tries to destroy the gluten in the intestines. Through time, the villi become blunted and shorter, decreasing the surface area available for the absorption of nutrients.

Some people's intestines are damaged badly enough that they cannot absorb any nutrients. They eat and eat and still look like they are starving to death. This is because they ARE starving to death. The food they eat cannot be absorbed by their bodies and basically goes right through them. Other people seem to have "selective" absorption problems . . . fat gets through all right, but iron (or calcium, or something else) doesn't seem to make it. Many doctors will refuse to believe that a person might have celiac if they do not appear to be on the verge of starvation. THIS IS A MISCONCEPTION ON THE PART OF THE DOCTORS. My mother was about 25 pounds overweight when her diagnosis came through. One need not be at death's door to be negatively affected by absorption problems.

Q. I think I have a gluten intolerance, what should I do?
A. The first thing to do is to find out as much as you can about the disease. More research on celiac is being completed all the time. Again, http://www.eatingglutenfree.com/gluten-free-questions/www.celiac.com is a great site to visit if you are looking for recent information. The next thing to do is to visit your doctor. Talk to him or her about your concerns. Explain why you want to be tested for celiac, and ask them to order the blood work. (There are currently 3 blood tests that are commonly run to check for celiac: anti-gliadin antibody, anti-reticulin antibody, and anti-tissue-transglutaminase antibody. iNOVA had a new test pass through the FDA in January of 2006, but (as of June 2006) no one is really using it yet.

Research has shown it to be more specific, sensitive, and accurate than the other tests, though, so hopefully labs will start using it soon.) If your doctor refuses to acknowledge your concerns, you are always free to change doctors. Your doctor should always be willing to listen to you. Now, what should you do if you are tested for celiac and everything comes back negative, but you still feel awful? Discuss a gluten-free diet with your physician, and (if recommended) try it for a while. You should also continue working with a physician to determine if there are other possible roots to your problems. (Avoiding gluten would do you little good if your real problem was cancer, for example). On the other hand, if you ARE diagnosed with celiac . . .we are here to help.

Q. What Can't I Eat?
A. Stay away from anything with gluten in it. This includes wheat,rye,and barley, and anything that is derived from these sources. Most celiac's can not eat oats as well. Oats are usually cross contaminated with wheat and should be avoided. This includes byssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum) Alcohol (Spirits - Specific Types), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein,Atta Flour,Barley Grass (can contain seeds),Barley Malt,Beer (most contain barley or wheat) Bleached Flour,Bran,Bread Flour,Brewer's Yeast,Brown Flour,Cookie Crumbs,Cookie Dough,Criped Rice,,Enriched Bleached Flour,Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour Graham Flour,Groats (barley, wheat),Hard Wheat,Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten,Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein,Malt,Malted Barley Flour,Malted Milk Malt Extract,Malt Syrup,Malt Flavoring,Malt Vinegar,Pasta,Spelt,Sprouted Wheat or Barley,Teriyaki Sauce, most canned soups, some seasoning packets, some chocolate.

Q. What Can I Eat?
A. This list is too long for us to list everything here, so we suggest you sit down and make your own list. We'll get you started.All fresh fruit and vegetables, Fresh meats that don't have any fillers, eggs, cheese, milk, icecream (not the cookie kinds), cottage cheese, yogurt, fruitsnacks, certain hotdogs, hamburger patties, steak, pork, chicken; and the list goes on and on.

Q. Where Can I Find Gluten Free Ingredients?

A. Regular grocery stores, health food stores,online stores.

Regular Stores:
We do most of our shopping at the same grocery stores we've always shopped at, because most of the things we cook require regular ingredients. Things like eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), and plain cuts of meat are naturally gluten free. These stores are also a great place to buy mainstream, convenient products that are gluten free. These include things like chips, pudding mixes, applesauce, juices, lunchmeats, and more. (Wal-Mart has even started labeling the gluten content of its store brands, making it very easy to shop for gluten free products there.) In addition to the items they already carry, most supermarkets will carry items they receive requests for. So get all your family members and friends to fill out request forms for gluten free products whenever they enter the grocery store!

Health Food Stores:
If you are looking for gluten free baking supplies, Health Food stores are the best place to look. As more people are diagnosed with Celiac, Health Food stores have responded. Many now have gluten free sections, making it easier to find their gluten free products. Call the stores that are nearest your house and ask about their gluten free selection. You can also buy gluten free flours in bulk from health food stores. Some even offer discounts if you are buying a 25 or 50 lb. bag of flour.

Internet Stores:
Purchasing things on the internet can be a great way to find gluten free products. Amazon.com currently has a large selection of gluten free mixes and other products at very low prices, as long as you are willing to buy them by the case. We recommend that you try a product at least once before buying 6 or 12 of them. Other websites also sell gluten free products. (OUR website sells gluten free mixes, interestingly enough!) Shipping can be expensive, but internet purchases are a great way to get gluten free products if you live far from any health food stores.

Q. What Resturaunts Are Safe To Eat At?
A. Even if the restaurant doesn't have a special menu, restaurant owners and chefs are generally happy to help customers with dietary restrictions. Call ahead to make sure the restaurant has menu options that you will be able to eat, and once you are seated, be very specific when explaining your needs to your waiter. (Don't just say "No wheat"- let them know that you also can't eat flour, wheat starch, or anything made from those ingredients, such as croutons.) It can also be helpful to speak to the chef who will actually be cooking your food.

Outback Steak House www.outback.com
PF Chang's www.pfchangs.com
Wendy's www.wendys.com
Mcdonalds www.mcdonalds.com
Chick Fil A www.chickfila.com
Cold Stone Creamery www.coldstonecreamery.com
Dairy Queen www.dairyqueen.com
Jamba Juice www.jambajuice.com
Carrabba's Italian Grill www.carrabbas.com
TCBY www.tcby.com
Chilis www.chilis.com
Old Spaghetti Factory* www.osf.com
Wingers* http://www.wingers.info/
Olive Garden http://www.olivegarden.com/
BJ's Restaurants http://www.bjrestaurants.com/

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Peace & Love,
Kath :)

Click on the thumbnails to see the BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse gluten-free brochure

Click the thumbnail, and in the new window, you'll see a blue circle with a minus inside of it.  Click the photo again to see the brochure clearly in its original size.  I am so impressed with BJ's I just had to share!! xo  -- Peace & Love, Kath :)

Was JFK the Victim of an Undiagnosed Disease Common to the Irish?

By Peter H.R. Green, MD
Dr. Green is Professor of Clinical Medicine, Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Celiac.com 11/27/2002 - New revelations that have appeared in the New York Times and the Atlantic Monthly, about John F. Kennedys health have raised questions about his physical condition during his presidency. Robert Dallek, in the December Atlantic Monthly, described in The Medical Ordeals of JFK long standing medical problems that started in childhood. In Kennedys adolescence, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight and growth problems as well as fatigue were described. Later in life, he suffered from abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, osteoporosis, migraine and Addisons disease. Chronic back problems, due to osteoporosis resulted in several operations and required medications for chronic pain. He was extensively evaluated in major medical centers including the Mayo Clinic and hospitals in Boston, New Haven and New York. Among the multiple diagnoses were ulcers, colitis, spastic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and food allergies. His medications included corticosteroids, antispasmodics, Metamucil and Lomotil. However it is not clear that his physicians obtained a definitive diagnosis.

Review of this medical history raises the possibility that JFK had celiac disease. Celiac disease is caused by ingestion of gluten, which is the main protein component of wheat and related cereals, rye and barley. The small intestine develops villous atrophy that results in difficulties in the absorption of nutrients. Diarrhea and abdominal pain are common symptoms. Elimination of gluten from the diet results in resolution of the inflammatory condition in the intestine and the associated symptoms and prevention of the complications of the disease. A life-long gluten free diet is then required. People with celiac disease, providing they adhere to the diet have normal longevity.

Celiac disease can present at any age. In infancy and childhood it may cause chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and growth, behavioral and development problems. In older individuals the presentation of celiac disease is frequently due to the development of complications of the disease. These include anemia, osteoporosis, skin rashes or neurological problems. The neurological problems include neuropathy, epilepsy, ataxia (balance disorders) and migraine. While the disease is more common in females, men are affected as well. Osteoporosis is common in patients with celiac disease, men often are more severely affected than women. Gastrointestinal symptoms in celiac disease persist for many years prior to diagnosis and are often attributed to an irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colitis. Patients typically see many physicians prior to the diagnosis of celiac disease.

autoimmune disorders occur more frequently in patients with celiac disease than the general population by a factor of ten. Frequently the autoimmune disorder assumes greater clinical significance than the celiac disease and as a result is diagnosed first. The associated autoimmune disorders include thyroid dysfunction, psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis (an intensely itchy skin rash), Sjogrens syndrome, and Addisons disease. Relatives of patients with celiac disease have a greater risk, not only of celiac disease, but also of other autoimmune diseases.


THE IRISH CONNECTION

Celiac disease was formerly considered a rare disease of childhood. It is now recognized as being very common in those of European descent, one of the most common genetically determined conditions physicians will encounter. Recent studies have demonstrated the country with the greatest prevalence to be Ireland. In Belfast one in one hundred and twenty two have the illness.

The prominent familial association of the disease indicated by the occurrence in one of ten first degree relatives and in 80 percent of identical twins points to a genetic component of the disease. However the actual genes responsible for the disease have not been discovered though there are many groups working on the problem. It is known that there is a strong association with specific HLA genes that are required for the disease to occur, but are themselves not sufficient for the disease to be manifested.

Kennedys Irish heritage, long duration of gastrointestinal complaints (since childhood), diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and migraine, presence of severe osteoporosis, and the development of Addisons disease all lead to a presumptive diagnosis of celiac disease. Kennedy was given steroids for his problems. Steroid use is associated with the development of osteoporosis and Addisons disease. However steroids were initially used in clinical practice in the 1930s and 1940s for many indications, not considered appropriate now. In the case of Kennedy, if he did in fact have celiac disease, the steroids would have suppressed the inflammation in the intestine and reduced his symptoms, making diagnosis of celiac disease less likely to be established. The occurrence of Addisons disease in his sister, however, argues for a familial cause of his Addisons disease, rather than an iatrogenic one.

Could celiac disease have been diagnosed in Kennedy during his lifetime? Possibly. The disease was first recognized in 1887 as well as its treatment with an elimination diet. It was recognized to occur at all ages. However, it was not until the 1950s that the shortage of bread during the Second World War and its subsequent reintroduction in Holland prompted recognition of the role of wheat as a cause of this malabsorption syndrome. While it was in the 1970s that physicians became aware of the more subtle presentations of the disease. The diagnosis of celiac disease initially requires consideration that it may be present in an individual patient, even now many physicians do not consider the diagnosis.

It would however be possible to diagnose celiac disease in JFK now, if biopsies taken during his life, or autopsy material of the small intestine had been archived and was now made available. Frozen blood samples could also provide diagnostic material for there are serologic tests now available that are sensitive and specific for the condition..

A diagnosis of celiac disease, if it had been made could have been treated by diet alone. This would have prevented all the manifestations of the disease and its complications. Because of the strong genetic component of celiac disease, Kennedys family may well be interested in obtaining the diagnosis as well.
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God bless a great man.

Peace & Love,
Kath :)

CELIAC - Challenges of Enteropathy Lifestyle in Alvin Community

Please join my Facebook group for articles and current events regarding celiac (also spelled coeliac) disease and how to deal with it.

 

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=117609284931150&v=wall 

A Collection of Gremolatas

I've been chatting to a friend this week whose sweet little daughter is a VERY talented cook!! (Yayyyyyyyyyyy!)
Her daughter got a new mortar and pestle, and she's over the moon about it, of course. So I mentioned gremolata recipes to her. Gremolata is a flavourful concoction used to add vibrant colour, exciting aroma and a depth of brightness to any dish. I don't claim ownership of any of these recipes, they are just a wonderful collection of different styles of gremolata.

The fragrance will blow your mind!!

Gremolata is a combination of lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and olive oil. Traditionally an addition to Osso Bucco (braised veal shanks), it is also great as a garnish on grilled or roasted lamb, pork chops, beef, and even roasted potatoes. Gremolata is best made fresh, it doesn't keep for more than a day, but is also best if it has an hour or so before serving for the flavors to meld. Fortunately it only takes about 5 minutes to make.    Serves 2.  Recipe can be doubled. Classic Gremolata Prep Time: 5 minutes Ingredients: Zest of one large lemon* 1 lg. or 2 sm. cloves garlic; crushed 2 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley 1 tsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper Preparation: Grate or finely chop the lemon peel.  combine everything into a mortar and pestle.  Pound well.  Thoroughly combine all in ingredients in a small bowl, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for an hour.   *Note: Lemon zest is the outer yellow peel of a lemon. When zesting a lemon, be careful not to include any of the white pith below the skin because it's bitter. You can use a vegetable peeler to cut strips of peel and then finely chop them, but the best tool for the job is a microplane grater.   ------------------------------------------------------ Cilantro Lime Gremolata Time 5 minutes Serves 6 Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 small garlic clove, minced 1 teaspoon Finely grated zest of lime 1 tablespoon finely grated parmesan cheese Salt to taste. How to make it Pound in a mortar and pestle.  Let it sit for an hour.  Mix together and sprinkle over fish,chicken,beef, pork, pasta, soups, baked potatoes, use in place of pesto, etc... ------------------------------------------------------------------- WALNUT GREMOLATA:   4 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts (or other nuts), 4 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel   Pound everything in a mortar and pestle.  Can be used like any other gremolata.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------   MINT GREMOLATA:   1 clove garlic, chopped, 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves, finely chopped, 2 teaspoons olive oil   Crush garlic, lemon zest, and salt into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Add the garlic, mint leaves, and olive oil. Let it sit for an hour. Excellent over lamb. ------------------------------------------------------ MIXED HERB GREMOLATA:   2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley, 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh rosemary, 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme, 1  tablespoon  olive oil, 1  tablespoon  grated lemon rind, 1  teaspoon  fresh lemon juice, 1  small garlic clove, minced   Pound into a paste in a mortar and pestle.  Let sit for an hour before using. Excellent over steak with a pat of butter melted in.

Love & Light,
Kath :)

BJ's Restaurant is celiac-friendly!

Hi everyone! 

This is just a personal blog, just me sharing different things pertinent to me.

Who am I? 

Just an ordinary housewife, an illustrator, and a writer.  My works in progress consist of several novels and a gluten-free cookbook.  I will, from time to time, give my two cents on products and recipes I've had the pleasure (in some cases displeasure) to experience.

Speaking of gluten-free eating, I had a wonderful experience recently at BJ's Restaurant and Microbrewery, and thought I should share.

http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/

Our family just celebrated the 70th birthday of one of our own.  Because I have celiac, the name BJ's was tossed up as a possibility because they have a gluten-free pizza.  (My very thoughtful niece suggested it.)

Well, I tried it, and it is WONDERFUL!!  I had made my first gluten-free pizza crust a few days before.  My pizza crust wasn't half-bad, but BJ's was a little bit better.  The manager, Rene Ramirez, was soooooooooo kind.  The only gluten free appetizer available on the menu is the Caprese Salad.  I happen to love it, so it was cool.  I know some people who suffer from celiac disease are also unable to digest lactose.  Fortunately, I have no problems other than the celiac, so I can thrive fine on dairy products.  My cookbook isn't soy free, or dairy free, or vegetarian, or any other "other".  I have sections in the book that help those areas shine, absolutely, but the book itself is like any other cookbook, with the exception of wheat, rye, oats, and barley, because those grains contain the protein gliadin, which I cannot digest.  Makes me miserable! 

Mr. Ramirez very kindly checked on me regularly, in fact serving up my Caprese Salad himself.  After our meal, as we were leaving, he stopped me to ask in detail what all I had, and how did I like it?  Such brilliant service!!!  I gushed and told him how amazing the pizza was, and the salad.  He seemed very interested in helping me spread the word about my experience.  I will be publishing a gluten-free menu he gave me.  I intend to let people know about BJ's, because I can tell you, when I first got diagnosed, I wondered if I would ever be able to eat out ever again.  If you don't suffer from such a horrible malady, do count your blessings.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I've spent the past year building up more strength.  I know I have a ways to go, yet, and probably won't see a truly dramatic change of energy for a couple of years yet, but I can tell a huge difference from where I was before.  There were days when I was so malnourished I didn't have the energy to literally open my eyes.  On those days I stayed in bed.  I had to save my energy on those days just to make certain I made it to the bathroom and back.  The energy to get something to eat or drink was simply out of the question. 

So you see, I've come a very long ways.  But my journey is just beginning. 

As for baked goodies, I'm making my own delicious creations.  I don't miss a thing, and finally am building up enough energy to actually get all my projects done!!

Shameless plug of my best friend's new blog:

http://tambrakendall.blogspot.com/

Peace & Love,

Kath :)