About Bitterman:  He’s the “guy” who motivated me to create Bitterman’s Banners and this website/future store front. God brought him into our lives one glorious afternoon back in 2003.  He was a rescue dog, found wandering around aimlessly in a rural town about two hours from us. As soon as our eyes met and Bitterman picked up my scent, he was glued to me! Tears filled my eyes; our bond was strong and instant. (See “My Service Dog(s)” page for the full story.)

About Fibromom:  I have experienced five successful years of putting Fibromyalgia into remission on Dr. R. Paul St. Amand’s Guaifenesin Protocol. I am 50+ years old, married (twice), mother of 3 birthed (adult) children, 3 (adult) stepchildren and 1 (adult) “adopted” child. We have MANY grandchildren (the number changes yearly!).  Can you say “EMPTY NEST!!!!!” DH and I live with our animals on lush acreage in northcentral WA state.  We own and operate a Real Estate business (www.dirt-cheap-dirt.com)

I have lived through many years of suffering on this wicked earth, beginning with my (unwanted and unexpected) conception and my mother’s difficult pregnancy, labor and delivery (birth trauma to me.) I was born into an alcoholic home full of violence and damage. I was orphaned at the age of 15 (after caring for my loving mother as she withered away with cancer.)  I married very young (18) and was divorced at 23.  I raised my children alone for 14 years.  I lost two much-loved careers, nursing and teaching, to MPS (myofascial pain syndrome,) PTSD  (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and last but certainly not least, Fibromyalgia accompanied by severe Reactive Hypoglycemia. I have experienced everything from hearing loss to homelessness (I actually lived in a Homeless Shelter for awhile!)  I agonized through years of estrangement from my first two children (although many a time I thought I would quit breathing.)

But you know what? My God is bigger than all of that. He is the Deliverer of the bondage that I was born into, the sin that crippled me from the days of Adam and Eve. He is my Joy, my Strength, my Reason. I look forward to my tomorrows because He lives!

“For Freedom Christ has set us free. Stand fast, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

When I was first sideswiped by this life-sucking malady known as “fibro” (ME or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in the UK), I was mostly bedridden and housebound.  I lived a crippling, disorientated, panic-stricken hell on earth for about 2 years, until the Guaifenesin protocol had “cleared” enough of my system that I could --sort of--  think, walk, talk, and act -- sort of-- like “me” again.

Enter: Bitterman.  I spent all my time with him. I talked and laughed and cried with him and ate many meals alone with him. I stroked him while he nestled at my feet. I kissed and cuddled his silky body and he licked away my pain. Odd as it sounds, though I was so weak and inactive physically, his needs met mine. Trust me, he gave back seven fold what he took.

About two years into our kinship and because of my treatment regime/progress made, I wanted to do something to challenge my whit as well as my mind. I created Bitterman’s Banners, a “sayings signs” business, to satisfy that need.

Bitterman, my beloved companion, nursemaid, cheerleader and friend, died a few months ago. For three glorious years, God blessed us with this “angel in dog hair;” he rarely left my side and was there in my craft room the day I painted my first sign.  This web site is a tribute to him.  He worked (and died) sacrificially as he led me toward wellness.

I am determined to live life to its fullest, in part due to him!

(click here for our Prayer Closet and my testimony)

About tentmakers: I am Fibromom’s husband and a procrastinator.  Now please understand that I DON’T AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT, but my wife swears it’s true. Because of that one huge flaw in my character, she took it upon herself to write this short bio about me.  She says that you would all have to “wait for the cows to come home” if you have to wait on me for anything. I like to think of myself as more of a “do it right the first time” type a guy.  I like things THE WAY THEY OUGHTA BE. Like my clothes, for example.  I like all my shirts color-coordinated and hanging in my closet in their appointed area on matching plastic hangers. (I say THAT’S NOT TRUE but my wife says she seems to notice a pattern going on inside my closet.) HHmmm.. alphabetical is an idea. I like my underwear folded JUST SO... and neatly stacked up to make a “square” sort of shape.  They have their appointed place in my drawer, to be sure.  My socks, the same... of course.  Lining up ALL OF MY SLIPPERS at the foot of the bed instead of inside the closet is an essential, and Anyone knows there is a certain way to make coffee... a certain ritual that goes with putting the freshly-ground beans into the espresso machine and then IMMEDIATELY cleaning them out once the steam has been pressed through. Do you think I can get my wife to comply?  Usually, she won’t even stick around long enough for my repeat demonstration of THE WAY THINGS OUGHTA BE. She just shuffles away murmuring something about “anal” this and “obsessive compulsive” that.

Between us, we have 7 kids.  Multiply that by at least 3 counting “significant others” and a kid for each (or more) and that equals CHAOS when even a few of them come home. I much prefer peace and quiet... THE WAY THINGS OUGHTA BE. I do love my kids, don’t get me wrong.  It’s the NOISE I can do without.

I am a “stud” at my profession, so says my wife. I am the broker of our own Real Estate office. I am also “the computer brain” behind this web site.  We live in the country; don’t think we can ever return to the “city folk” way of life! I prefer the “natural” look myself but my wife’s always barking orders to “put your crap away!”  She doesn’t understand that I NEED to keep everything I’VE EVER OWNED handy... in sight where I can readily find it. That’s THE WAY THINGS OUGHTA BE.

In closing, I’d like to point out that I am 5 years... did you get that... 5 years YOUNGER than my lovely wife. I think that’s definitely THE WAY THINGS OUGHTA BE.

On a more serious note, I have watched my wife go from being unable to even bathe herself or wash her own hair (Yours Truly did the job) to this day where she has returned to substitute teaching in a limited capacity.  She also does a pretty good job of keeping up with the home and chores required there, but the thing that I’m really encouraged by is the fact that she is studying AND PASSING her real estate courses.  Guaifenesin, in large part, through the grace of God, has given her life again. 

(click here for our Prayer Closet and my testimony)

About yankeesces: My name is Carolyn and I have known my sweet wonderful friend, “Fibromom,” for about six years. I live in eastern Tn. and am 52 yoa and retired from my city PD. I am a stroke victim, partially paralyzed and unable to talk. I live with my sweet pup and hound September and best friend and sister in Christ.  I have a loving, doting son who is married- I have one step-grandblessing. My hobby is baseball but my passion and life is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and serving Him. I may not be able to talk but I certainly can listen- and I have two knees that I can still get down on and pray for you so please, send me your prayer requests.

(click here for our Prayer Closet and my testimony)

About FaithAlways: I have fibromyalgia and myofacial pain syndrome as well as other coexisting conditions. I am a 43 year-old woman and mom to two wonderful sons; they make me  proud.  I have two semi-stepsons, and between me and mine, we have three grandsons and another boy on the way.  We have one granddaughter. The children are blessings indeed.

I am a survivor of childhood abuse, the details of which are too horrific to mention; with God’s help and provisions through an excellent therapist, I am working on healing from that.  There is hope; it is in Him.

I have a shi-ztu who doesn't know he isn't human and a cat who goes by her own rules, of course. They are friends to one another as long as the cat is in the mood. I  would be lost without them.

I love the outdoors and gardening-- growing things-- , especially herbs. I like all sorts of crafts, especially sewing, knitting and crocheting... if the fibro allows any of that.  I also enjoy cooking and canning, with God's help.

(click here for our Prayer Closet and my testimony)

About The K-9 Guy:

I met Tentmakers years ago when my wife and I purchased property through him. He and his wife, Fibromom, have become close friends.

At this writing, I am 62 years old. I have Type 2 Diabetes which is under control. I am not an alcoholic or drug user. I do not consider myself having been abused. I did live with relatives about a dozen times in my school days but see that as training for life. (See my testimony.) My wife has severe depression and PTSD, she is my mission.

I am a retired Law Enforcement Officer with 32 years experience in dealing with all kinds of people. I have worked in maximum security jails and prisons, serving for 11 years in Oakland, Calif. I have worked with drug addicts, alcoholics, child abusers, thieves, robbers and murders. I have worked investigating gangs and similar organized criminal activities.  Most of my work has been as deputy Sheriff in a rural area. My last eight years in Law Enforcement was spent doing Child Abuse and Sex crime investigations. I was also a Police K-9 Officer.

I  have studied the bible and preached in times past. Consider me a social conservative and maybe a mixed up pragmatic. Life is good, God has blessed me, I have tried to be a blessing to others.

I hope to bring to this web site a perspective of someone that is, at least for now, just a witness to the pain and suffering around me.

(click here for our Prayer Closet and my testimony)

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