Our Future is Spotless

"Our future is spotless" I interpret this to mean that the year 2011 is about to begin and what we do with 2011 as a blank slate, is our individual choice.

Will you choose to be positive?
Will you recognize when others need your help?
Will you choose to take the class you want to take because it's what YOU want for yourself?
Will you choose to eat well? Drive carefully? Tend to your health?
Will you choose to parent well?
Will you choose to share your wealth? I'm not talking about money.
Will you choose to believe in a higher power? Or not?
Will you find the style of book you enjoy?
Will you be proud of your tone of voice?
Will you volunteer for those less fortunate?

I hope that you will recognize that YOUR "future is spotless" like a blank canvas...paint your life colorful and clear.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

I apologize for not posting the last few weeks. In preparation for the holiday and our kids (and their kids....am I sounding old?) to come home, I found myself eliminating, in order to get through the day. I know you all relate, with or without Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue.

I wish you all a happy holiday season. I hope you are able to be with your family or friends and to enjoy the love you share with each other. Try to remember to take breaks and allow others to help. If it isn't done by now, resign to the realization, it doesn't need to be done. Now this last comment I should erase as I will definitely have trouble following. ;D

My love and friendship I send to you. You all are a part of my daily living with these dreaded diseases and I wish you well.

Fibromyalgia is the Pitts!!!

I'm tired of this disease! Can we get back to the original "normal"?

My hands are more stiff than usual and they have been shaking today. Actually, everything has been stiffer. Light head and more mucous. Neck is tight as well as my lower back. Cramping in my back muscles and thighs. Having trouble raising my left arm.

Have I bitched enough?

Today was a beautiful day on the Oregon coast. Can't believe it is December. Rain will be moving back in and I will believe.

Collected a few Christmas decorations for our RV and moved the rest to Grandpa's house. On the 15th we will be moving our RV to Grandpa's. Will use most of my holiday decorations there. The kids will be home for the holiday. Will be wonderful to have them together.

We will join our friends, the Fergusons and Parkes for a seafood dinner at Norma's on Monday. Wednesday we will have a crab lunch with our friends, the Rickerts.

Hoping for a good night sleep!

"God Knows What He Is Doing"

"God Knows What He Is Doing"

Dolly Parton

I watched The Nat Berkus Show this morning. His guest was Dolly Parton. As she spoke to a gentleman who lost his wife during childbirth, she made the above quote as part of their conversation. When I heard the quote I immediately thought about myself dealing with Fibromyalgia. I'm sure most of us have wondered why the Good Lord gave us this disease. Because there is no cure, we are left to cope with a variety of symptoms as long as my arm.

I go on blind faith that God knows what he is doing.

Dogmom Diva: IT ARRIVED AND I ALMOST MISSED IT!

Dogmom Diva: IT ARRIVED AND I ALMOST MISSED IT!: "comments"

Thanks for posting photos of your handiwork. They are beautiful.

I need to apologize upfront...I need a "bitch post."

The last several weeks have been difficult. My cognitive is in left field. I can tell by looking at Dwain's face that he is getting tired of trying to understand me. I can't blame him. It's frustrating for me also. He will never truly understand how much.

The work we do in the park includes cleaning Yurts. We clean Yurts minimum four days a week. My neck, arms, wrists, shoulders and remaining back area are aggravated. I have had strong cramping in my back. Only way to have them relax is for Dwain to massage the cramping area. I'm thankful that he understands my mime because sometimes it hurts to bad to speak. We only have two weeks left at the park and I will be glad to move on.

I am sleeping well, which is helpful (thank you Trazodone!), even when I can't feel that it helps. This is a typical complaint with Fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia is playing havoc with my broken finger. Most of the time, it feels like it is healing. Then my finger will feel different sensations like burning and aching. The burning is a Fibro sensation. The aching may be Fibro or just that it is broken. Who knows! I still can't use it. Who knew that little pinky did so much!

My IBS is starting to raise its ugly head. Right now I'm managing well but I can tell it is just on the edge of blowing up. I'm sure it is from over working my body and the stress of the holiday season.

Christmas is coming. I've done very little shopping. My stomach is starting to turn...no gifts purchased and wrapped, haven't figured out menus for the time kids will be home.

I can't get ahead, let alone even.

Dwain has been snappy. I feel I'm walking on egg shells. My reaction is to tense, causing additional pain.

I can't move very fast. Seems everything happens in slow motion. So frustrating.

On a happy note. I have an appointment to get my haircut. That will be nice.

A second happy note...a former classmate was in the park today...Bill Potter. We visited nearly an hour. It was nice to see him.

A third happy note....Had a wonderful telephone visit with Lyla. How happy she is. I also did texting with Patrick and Joshua. I spoke with Seth briefly on Friday and Adam and Heather on Saturday.

Glad to be able to pour out some frustrations.

Leave The Rest To God

Live Simply

Love Generously

Care Deeply

Speak Kindly

Leave The Rest To God

I received this quote (author unknown) as a part of an email from a friend. We should strive to follow this advice. I believe "Leave The Rest To God" is difficult for some. If I leave me worries and troubles to God, I have less stress. The physical act of "letting go" is different than merely thinking about it. It takes practice. I'm so much better at letting go after a lifetime of practice. I hope my children will be able to give their worries to God sooner.

In relation to my Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, living simply, loving generously, caring deeply and speaking kindly, all provide my illnesses a better chance of "laying low."

Learning to "Live Simply" has brought its challenges. I must break down my life to short, simple experiences but enjoy them to the fullest. I can no longer participate in outside activities as I once did. I must be more selective, rather than trying to accomplish more than I can handle.

Wrinkles Don't Hurt!

"There is always a lot to be thankful for

if you take the time to look.

For example,

I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."

Anonymous

Bet you can't think of a good reason for weight gain. My Mother-in-Law told me not to worry about the weight I was gaining. She said the weight filled in any wrinkles I may have, "If you loose weight you may have wrinkles." I was so lucky to have her in my life, the lives of my children and their children. I am thankful for the best Mother-in-law.

Mother-in-Laws and Wrinkles Don't Need To Hurt

Today is a rainy day. What's to be thankful about the rain? The rain waters the grass, foliage and trees. It makes the "green" greener, flowers bloom and rivers run deeper. The sound of the rain on our roof is comforting. Rain is relaxing for me. I am thankful for the rain.

Rain Does Not Hurt

My dog Lucy provides lap therapy. She loves me unconditionally and I her. Lucy does not lick my face, she bumps it with her nose....sometimes a lot. :D She tries to protect me. She doesn't know she is only nine pounds. I'm one of her favorite people friends. She provides me with endless comic relief. I am thankful for Lucy.

Lucy Does Not Hurt

Dwain is playing his harmonica, learning a new song. Because of my proximity to him, the sounds is shrill. Fibromyalgia increases my hearing sensitivities. When I hear him play from a distance, I can appreciate his musical talent and I am thankful.

Music Does Not Hurt

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have pain throughout my body. I choose to live my life the best I can. Yes, I do not sleep but 1.5 hours a night. I always remember to take my sleep medication. Yes, I have IBS, but have learned how to control it. Yes, I have Restless Leg Syndrome and am fortunate not to know when I am kicking Dwain. Yes, I have hearing and visual sensitivities, but I have learned how to cope. Yes, I am always fatigued. Remembering to pace myself is an on going battle.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue DOES Hurt

So be thankful for everything you have or wished you didn't have. There is a silver lining for everything. If you choose NOT to see it and let Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue plunge you to the depth of despair, you loose.

Loosing DOES Hurt

Change in the Weather

It's fall, soon to be winter. The weather cycle continues as we spring into spring, and run to summer. I enjoy all the seasons with fall as my favorite. Each season has its own purpose and beauty....

Winter can be cold and rainy, with freezing temperatures and a chance of snow and ice.

Spring brings beautiful flowers and color is everywhere.

Summer's warm sun shines a bright light on all the earth.

Fall brings color to the leaves and a warm east wind.

Those with Fibromyalgia can have additional pain during different seasons. For me, it is summer. My body protests the heat and I have increased pain. For others it is winter with the chilling cold.

I have increased symptoms with a cold wind which is an issue during three of the seasons. A cold wind makes my arms, back and thighs cold to the bone. This type of cold does not go away until I'm under a warm blanket. A friend gave me a heated lap blanket. I hope it never wears out! ;D

Today is the Day!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life ... What will you do with it?

Will you advocate for yourself? Choose to be proactive.

Will you locate a physician who will work with you to find the right medication and who will give you good medical advice?

Will you decide to loose weight or continue on a path to obesity?





I hope you choose to be proactive and advocate for yourself. Find a physician with whom you are comfortable and can openly discuss your medical needs. The first question should be whether they believe in Fibromyalgia and if they treat Fibromyalgia patients. You want them for the long haul, so interview like you would if you could chose your child's teacher. Your daily existence depends on how your physician treats you. If they do not fight for your health, what do you have? The answer, we know to well...high level pain, migraines, IBS, etc. We deserve to feel the best that we can while living with Fibromyalgia or any other chronic disease. Because you will interact often with the physician's staff....how do they interact with you? Be strong, advocate for yourself and be proactive!!

The song, "I am Woman Hear Me Roar" comes to mind. :D

Because it is difficult for many of us to do aerobic exercise, obesity is becoming a problem. Obesity is a medical condition by itself. I've come to the conclusion that I need an exercise buddy. Someone to stretch with me and to go on a walk daily. Because we travel, my buddy is usually my husband. For some reason when I want to walk, he doesn't. It's difficult to mesh our schedules.

I hope we all can make a committment to helping our bodies to heal.