Mompreneur

I saw this title and thought it was perfect for how I feel today :)   I have been super slammed this week and still feel like I am trying to catch up on everything I haven’t been able to do in the past few weeks.  

I am looking to get back into the work force full or even part time, with steady hours and a little flexibility so I can still teach water aerobics.  Ideally the college would be my first choice since I love working with everyone there :) But I am flexible.

While I have taken time off for the past few months, it has allowed me to reinvent myself so that I can figure out who I am while I live with Fibromyalgia, and where I want to be in the future.  I have become stronger and more determined than ever to not allow this illness to destroy who I am or the life I lead.  Reinventing myself has opened my eyes to a whole new person that I am and where I can go in the future.  

My endocrinologist appointment this week gave me mixed feelings, I am being slowly taken off of the steroids, but my B12 is still down, so I am taking injections weekly, instead of every two weeks. 

As we were going over my lab results I asked if I being tired for so long could be a result of hormones, and she answered “which ones”, I said, “How the heck should I know, you’re the doctor”.  I would think that after 100 vials of blood being taken over the past two years, someone somewhere would have seen or caught something. 

So she referred me to another doctor, and when I called to make an appointment he is not taking new patients. Well, now I am stuck, so I called back my endocrinologist and left a message, so now we wait some more.  Chronic issues that are still being figured out will forever be a struggle, but eventually we will overcome and learn to live with them.  

While talking with my doctor she asked if I had ever been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I said that if any doctor would actually take the time to look at my medical history, they would more than likely come to that conclusion.  So I will keep on trying to find an answer to my issues.  I will NOT give up!!!!!!!

I am trying to get back on my exercise routine, it may not be easy but I am working on it.  I was able to walk a half a mile today, I know it doesn’t seem like much, but believe me for someone who used to walk around 3 miles a day I will get back to where I was eventually.

I am now teaching 2 classes at the college back to back, so I am getting 2 hours of water aerobics twice a week, and I hope to add walking to my routine at least three other days a week.  Anyone want to join me in this exercise routine?  Come on, get up and let’s go….

Have a fabulous day and I am sending everyone,

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams.

Counting our Blessings :)

This past week has been slammed, between two football games, practice for the little ones, doctor visits, birthdays and an upcoming anniversary whew, let me catch my breath. LOL  I have been wondering how in the world did I ever manage to work 60 hours a week, do school, and still function as a mom and wife before Fibro, yet now it seems that just a few appointments a week seem like a lot to do.

I can answer that it’s called Before Fibro.  BF, it is most definitely not your Best Friend, but “Before Fibro”, or whatever your ailment is, many will tell you that their life was completely different before.  Some will say it was fabulous and they took it for granted.  I certainly did.  HOWEVER and I say that with a louder voice, while my life has become different it has slowed done enough for me to enjoy my family more.  

Busy, busy, busy, sometimes we are so busy we don’t take the time to slow down and actually enjoy the family and friends that we have surrounding us.  My mom recently came up to visit us and brought my niece and nephew with her.  We didn’t go anywhere and while we only had a short visit, we had QUALITY time with each other.  We talked, laughed, and I got to watch the cousins run and play like there was no one stopping them, until bed time of course, lol ;)

So this week I have been busy with having stitches removed from one of the little ones, the other one got hurt at school and I had to pick her up early, then we had sports and we put in an offer on a house finally.  Prayers are welcome and appreciated.  We found a house in the same area so the kids won’t have to change schools.  YEAH!!

Anyway, consider this, even though we may be feeling pain, agony and not exactly in the best of moods, count your blessings and realize that you are still around to see your kids, family and talk to them.  Some other families are not as lucky as we are.  Take a moment and be thankful that you are around to hear the arguing, whining, and bickering, cause when it is all said and done, those hugs are PRICELESS. 

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Stress is really killer on the body of a person with Fibro.

We are currently looking for a house to buy in our new area in Maryland, and let me tell you the cost of houses up here are OUT OF THIS WORLD.  I found a house that looked very close to a house that I purchased back in 1993 only it was $145,000 more in Maryland WHAT!!!  Wow, then we thought that maybe we would rent a few more months, however it is actually cheaper to own a house than rent around here. 

What a dilemma… to buy or not to buy, not even an option buying is a must if we ever want to save any income, and the housing choices are slim pickings.  In certain neighborhoods we would have to pay daycare for the two youngest, and for two days a week, the days I teach at the college, I would spend just about everything I make on early morning care.  Whoa… this is ridiculous…  I really need to find another mom that wants to take turns, but we have to find a house first.  LOL

In other words it is a stressful week and my body is telling me that it doesn’t like it.  I got the kids off on the bus this morning and went back to bed, and slept for 2 hours.  That is very rare for me.  I have felt like I am in slow motion all day.  My legs just don’t want to cooperate but hey, I am alive and here for my family so enough complaining.  I try to tell everyone about my pain levels so that my readers understand that they are not alone in the Fibro foggy world. 

I am working on catching up on homework since my laptop crashed, I got it back yesterday finally and I am so pleased that I did not lose my documents, Staples techs were amazing in saving my netbook and recovering all my data.  Thank you to Joseph at the Waldorf Staples, for all the hard work that he and his staff did. 

I currently smell a pot roast that is in my pressure cooker and it smells like heaven, I have no potatoes so we will probably have rice or noodles. I am trying to clean out my pantry of all my staples so that nothing expires, and rice we have a lot of.  I also completed clipping, sorting and filing all my coupons this weekend, so I am watching the sales flyers with bated breath for the new wave of fabulous deals.  I am currently stocked up on cereal, but need condiments and anything I can use as side dishes for meals. 

Football is currently underway and Robbie is working on his second week of college courses and a high school load as well.  I am hoping that he will realize that time management will help him if he would actually sit down and write out his schedule.  But he is a teenage boy who turns 17 in a few days and I am a mom with big wishes…

I am off to work on dinner, I think a nice side salad will be on the menu tonight and maybe some copper pennies, (carrots with brown sugar and butter). 

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

September 11, 2001 a day in history that has changed our lives forever.

Today is a day that I will always remember.  I was in my van on the way home from running errands, and heard the radio start reporting the news.  My phone started ringing, and I raced home to watch the news.  As I stood in front of the television watching the towers collapse and the horror of the Pentagon and the plane in Philadelphia, tears streaming down my face and fear in my heart.  

In my family we have military, both present and veterans, former cops, and a fireman or two.  When I think back to what 9/11 means to me I first remember to fear and then, I remember the men and women that not only lost their lives on that fateful day, but those who still fight for our freedom today and in the future.  So take a moment and say a prayer for the service men and women and their families as they protect our freedom, but also remember the police and fire men and women as they protect the home front also.

This weekend I had the pleasure of a visit from my mom, niece and nephew, and we had a blast and a half.  While we didn’t leave the house, they had so much fun running all around the property and up and down our stairs that they were exhausted and worn out.  While it was a short visit I still got to spend time with them and make them Aunt Jennie’s famous Mickey Mouse Pancakes :).

 

Short and sweet was the visit, and while we didn’t do any sightseeing or visiting around town, it was such a great blast to just sit and enjoy each other.  That is something that we don’t get to do very often.  It never seems to fail that when you visit others you always feel like you have to cram so much into a trip, but this was one of the best with no running or rushing at all. 

So as I reflect on this very moving day, I have to say that I am so thankful that I got to spend time with my family this weekend and staying home was priceless to us.

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Fibromyalgia it’s a dirty word in most families, but in ours it seems to be a good thing some days.

Fibro is hell, let me just put it out there, not only for the person that is living with it but also for the family members and support system that is in place.  However, many family members and friends don’t understand what the people living with Fibro are going through in our day.  I have done a lot of research and seen where it has torn marriages apart, built walls between family members, and killed friendships.  I have even experienced some of these horrible acts.  

My marriage is stronger today than ever before, we are going to have our 18^th anniversary soon and while I am living with Fibro so is my family.  They are learning how to adjust just as I am.  My family is a great support system, and even though I live many states away, Facebook and cell phones are my life line.  My sisters are a great sounding board, they may not understand everything I am going through, but they will listen.  My mom is learning right along with me, she is my biggest supporter of my blog and promotes it for me.

My brothers are there I am not even sure if they are aware that I have Fibromyalgia.  That’s just the way it is in our family.  I am the oldest and while my younger sisters have a closer relationship with our brothers I have not had that luxury.  While I feel sad about that I know that I have done everything I can with the exception of bugging them every week with phone calls to work on those relationships.  I am here for them if they need me.

Friends are a little different.  I lived in one neighborhood for over 10 years before we moved to Maryland and I have only had one friend call me on a regular basis.  Yes there was a great visit over the summer with Audria and her family, but life gets so busy and we just never seem to catch up.  Friends will call you regardless if they are busy or not.  Bobbie Jo is there for me and I know if I needed her she would be here in a heartbeat. 

My meaning in today’s post is that while we are living with Fibromyalgia is to take the initiative and reach out and talk with your friends and family.  Maybe they are under a misconception that Fibro is contagious, which it is NOT.  We are the same person, living with pain I will give you that, but we still have a brain and can still be supportive and helpful.  

Take a moment, grab a cup of coffee and call a family member or friend and reconnect today while it is in your mind.  Start a conversation, tell them about what you read today and tell them that you miss them and the relationship you had before.  You might be surprised to find out that they missed you to.  

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams.

Wednesday fall classes begin at the college for me…

Today has been super busy, I started teaching again at the college and having two classes back to back is great, except when you get run out of the pool by thunder and lightning. LOL :)  My class took it in stride though, and I felt guilty for them not getting the entire class.  I told them they could come to my earlier class on Monday to make up the time.

I told my students that they would probably be a little sore and an afternoon nap would most definitely be in order.  I am feeling the afternoon slug call my name to lie down on my bed; however I must persevere through all this and wait for the little one to get home.  My little guy had a fight with the ceiling fan last night and the ceiling fan won, so I had to go and pick him up from school early today.  I guess he is entitled to a little rest tie since he was out until 11 pm getting 3 stitches in the ER.  Yes, mom I will call you when my cell phone is not being used to access the internet.  He is fine.  

I gave myself my B12 injection this morning and I was rushed, so I now have a bruise and know on my thigh.  I was hoping it would work itself out in the pool but no such luck.  Oh well, it will all work out in the end.  I was told that I have arthritis in my back yesterday and that I would have to take it easy with the damage to my bulging disc and to do some water therapy.  I told the doctor I am doing that 4 times a week, don’t you think that may be enough LOL.  

So I am super excited that I may get to see my niece and nephew along with my mom this weekend.  Hopefully the weather will turn pretty and we can have a fabulous weekend.  We have football Friday night then Saturday morning football and cheer leading for the little ones, and relaxing the rest of the weekend.  Sounds like a plan to me.

Gotta work on homework, so I will say for now…

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams to all.

Signs of fall are here.

School now begins in earnest and the leaves are starting to become spotted and change color.  I don’t think I have ever taken the time to actually look at leaves during this transformation and it is amazing.  Although, I have never lived anywhere that had as many leaves as I do now. LOL The leaves look spotted in the middle and they are growing outward and as I look at all the different types of trees they are all different but in their own way spotted none the less.  

Today is the first day after Labor day and it seems that school is in all over the country and the parents can finally start to settle into the school routine.  I have a doctor appointment with the orthopedic about my bulging disc and the neurologist about my dizziness today.  Hopefully someone will tell me something that will make sense.  I am going nuts with this pain and dizziness.  Fibro is hard enough, but add this and WOW.

Ok, enough of this mess, I was successful in adding pictures yesterday and I will try and add pictures of the leaves in the next few days, but at the present moment it is pouring cats and dogs outside from the Tropical Storm Lee, I think is the name.  I am looking forward to cooler weather this weekend as hopefully my mom and the niece and nephew are going to come and see me. 

I am hoping to take the family to the water in the next few weeks and picking apples and take some family photos.  We decided long ago to take our own fall pictures for our Christmas letter instead of ordering from the schools.  I will order Senior proofs at least, but for the others and family shots I want to do them.  Robbie is taking a photography course and I hope he gets the bug too.  

I really enjoy taking pictures and have over the years built a decent camera with lenses.  I am hoping that as time goes on I can build my stamina to venture out more and take more photos.  The weather seems to be changing and the work I am doing in the water is helping a lot. I start my new session in the pool tomorrow.  I have two classes back to back and I am looking forward to helping more people regain the use of their bodies as well.

Well, it is that time and I am going to have to run, for my first doctor appointment, I also have to go to Staples in between doctor appointments and see if my laptop was able to be salvaged.  It got fried in during the power outages with Hurricane Irene and it has been with the techs at Staples all weekend.  I really need the information off my laptop more than anything.  

Talk to you all soon.

Butterfly hugs and lilac dreams.