Sunday Mornings, reflections of the week…

Getting up early has its advantages, a fabulous cup of coffee with Almond Joy creamer, Yumm-O, a cute little loveable dog, who loves me regardless of the mood I am in sitting beside me, and my computer getting ready to work on my homework.  But most of all the fabulous sunrise and  weather outside that was provided by none other than God, Himself.

Saturday morning we had a swim meet and Ryan shaved 0.00.42 seconds off of his freestyle, may not sound like much but in swimming it is big.  Especially for someone who has only ever swum recreational.  He also competed in the backstroke and relays and earned his team points.  I am new to this and so excited.  He is doing so well and I am so proud of him.  I am learning it is not so important as to which place you came in as to what your time is, which is you are scored and earn your points.  Interesting…..

Yesterday afternoon, apparently I could do nothing that was right, according to my family.  Until they tried to do it their way and proved that I was right all the time.  The days when I wish they would just listen to me so I wouldn’t have to repeat myself over and over again would make my life so much easier.  How many times do you have to explain that the tablecloth you need is in the third drawer in the only drawers in the dining room????  Really?

I am not sure if it is the reduction in medications that is making me so, so, UGH, because it was only a reduction of 5mg, or something else. But something has to start leveling out!!  I am officially taking a leave of my emotional vampires for the rest of the weekend and into tomorrow, I need a break and if that is what is causing me to stress out, not no but HECK NO, I am not allowing them to do this to me no longer. POOF!!! They are gone from my mind.  Positive thoughts and some positive music…Laura Story's "Blessings" is a new favorite of mine.

I think after I get some homework done I will make sure I have dinner in the crock pot and head to the pool with my family, boy is it nice not to have to do the maintenance on it.  

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Emotional Vampires + Fibromyalgia = Excruciating Pain

Emotional Vampires, you know how they are, well no they really don’t know t we do don’t we?  An emotional vampire is someone who constantly hurts your feelings whether intentionally or unintentionally.  These are the people that we are constantly seeking approval from and will never get enough of what we need, so we stress over what we have done wrong and will never figure it out.

Well, this weekend I was watching Finding Sara, on the OWN network and she had an session with Dr. Phil.  She is addicted to approval and acceptance.  WOW what an intervention and eye opening moment for me.  I knew that over the last year since I had started to say the word “NO” and changing my commitment calendar, but I think the most important thing I have changed is not allowing myself t be sucked dry by the emotional vampires in my life.

In life we have to decide what is more important to us, our health or pleasing everyone else.  Throughout the last year I have changed my way of thinking and chosen me.  When I find myself getting sucked into the vortex of emotional hell, I stop myself and ask them to change the subject or tell them that I will call them back later.  I have to work on my emotional well being.  I can be there for them and support them, but I don’t need to be “in” their drama.  Know what I mean?

Pain is daily living for me, and now I chose to decide how I want to live in that pain.  I can control it to a point and if I chose not to have extra pain by not being in extra drama, then I am sorry if I hurt your feelings at that moment by telling you I have to call you back. But I will call  you back.

Now that I am sure my family members are probably mad, when they settle down they will realize that I do call them back, do support them and do love them. 

Hope everyone had a fabulous day.

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Changing lives and getting fabulous news today…

After my water aerobics class today, I went upstairs to talk to one of my bosses about the fall classes, and I have been given two classes this fall.  YEAH!!! I am so excited.  All the hard work is paying off and I am making a difference in the life of the participants of the lass.  Mrs. B. had knee surgery and had been working on trying to use steps but had a mental block to step up or down on that knee.  Last week we started using the steps in the water and she worked through her mental block and is using her knee more and more. I am so proud of her.

Then yesterday in the pool I was showing Robbie how I taught the participants and he was doing the exercises with me.  He was breathing hard and working it with me and said “This is hard.” LOL  Many people think that water aerobics are easy.  I have to tell you that if you have a great instructor that explains it the way that we do through WaterART, you can work your muscles in the water and enjoy the comfort of the cushion that it provides. 

So as I was discussing with my darling hubby, in February 2011, yes that is just a few months ago, I tried water aerobics through the local college, and it has changed my life.  It has made it possible for me to raise my arms above my head, have more stamina throughout the day and given me the opportunity o teach others and give them benefits in their lives also.  

When we moved up here to Maryland, my doctor told me that I had to quit my job or I would be bed ridden within a few years.  I was walking with a cane, using a wheelchair, and walker when we went out.  I was not even 40 years old in December and was feeling older than my 80 year old Nana who was out shopping me last fall. Lol.  When we moved, I took control of my run away medical situation and said that if I have to life with Fibromyalgia for the rest of my life it will be on my terms.  

I started calling doctors and asked the receptionist if they had other Fibromyalgia patients in their practice, if they didn’t I would go on to the next one on the list.  Why waste my time, money, and precious energy educating them.  When I was told that the doctor I was going to see did have Fibro patients, and when I went to two appointments, she did not know what I needed, I fired her.  

You can do the same thing, take control of your medical life and no longer  accept the doctors telling you what you don’t want to hear.  This is YOUR life not theirs.  They do not have to live with the pain, you do, so take a step right now and tell yourself that you are not taking it anymore.  

Ok I am stepping off my soap box now….

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams.

HELLO SUMMER!!!!!!!

Today was the first day the kids were out of school and we had a blast.  Even though we worked on a few things at home, our “Daily Goals” (we are no longer calling them chores), we even had time to visit the base pool and we had a total BLAST!  I started B12 shots yesterday so I had more energy than normal today, and this is what we accomplished.  

We took Ryan to swim practice at 7am, came home worked in the stables sorting things to go to donate, sell, keep, or trash, burned the trash we could. Then we came in a had lunch, made Strawberry, Orange and Basil Popsicle's,   started browning ground turkey I the crock pot.  Then we got the meat out for the rest of the weeks dinners.  I made a batch of banana bread, and 3 dozen cookies for the lifeguards tomorrow.  Whew, I am exhausted reading this…..

So when lunch was over and the banana bread was out of the oven, we loaded up and headed to the base pool.  What a fabulous feeling that we did not have to clean it and maintain it and we can still enjoy a pool, and the special feeling is that being retired military it does not cost anything for us to use it.  Small victory but with 6 people in the family $4.00 a person adds up every time you want to use a pool.  

After we spent 3 hours at the pool we came home and I made homemade spaghetti sauce with the browned ground turkey in the crock pot for TWO dinners.  One for tonight’s meal and an extra for another night when I am too tired or too busy to cook.  This saves money because I won’t go spend $40 to $50 at a fast food joint because I am too tired, hot or busy to cook.  Just take it out of the freezer and pop it in the oven and there you go…

So after a fun filled day, the kids all agreed that it was a fabulous first day of summer and we are looking forward to bowling on Friday, yes I have free coupons for that too, and even added in a friend for the young ones to go.  The library on Thursday and I am teaching tomorrow.  The kids want to go back to the pool tomorrow but I just realized I am burnt, must be the medications. I stayed mostly in the shade, was only in the pool about 20 minutes showing Robbie some of the aqua moves, I will blog about that later…

Wow I am tired and for the first time in a long time, I really think it’s because of what I have done instead of my Fibro.  Trying to maintain and not overdo so I don’t have a flare, so I am going to bed and rest. 

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Monday's Doctor Appointment, changes are coming...

Today I had an appointment with my endocrinology doctor  to find out the results of my blood tests and CT scan.  The most frustrating part is that everything is relatively normal.  UGGGHHHH when will we ever figure out what is  wrong with me?  We have started out to reduce my steroids WHOOT WHOOT and B12 injections, and changes in my diet. Whew someone finally heard me when darling hubby and I said that the B12 injections help me.  Thank you Dr. K.  

Today has been so busy in my book, but not really busy in a normal persons day.  I had to teach water aerobics this morning, then the doctor appointment, then cooking dinner and swim club.  I am so tired as I type this I can barely keep my eyes open. This is not normal and finally someone sees it as such.  I picked up my B12 and gave myself my injection, now I am waiting for it to kick in.  Hopefully it will kick in soon.

Today was the last day of school for my kids and they are so excited to be out of school.  Me, hmmm we will have to wait and see…LOL.  We had a family meeting Sunday night and set out a list of “Goals” not chores but Goals to be meet every day.  This way we get things done around the house and the kids learn how to have work ethic.  

Anyway, Tuesday we are headed to swim club at 7am.  What in the world was I thinking?  No, really Ryan loves it so it is worth the not sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely mornings during the week.   LOL what we do for our kids.  Anyway, it’s a great time to get in some school work as well.

Sorry I am cutting the blog short tonight, gotta take the puppy out and then I am hitting the hay early tonight.

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.