Shopping at the End of a Relapse

When you have a flare, how many of you start out shopping like this?
You are happy to get out of the house and pick out what you want at the store, instead of sending a list with a family member.

Image courtesy of [stockimages]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of [stockimages]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 You feel OK when you are at the beginning of your shopping...

But then, your energy begins to spiral down,

Image courtesy of [Ambro]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

And by the time you are almost ready to go to the checkout counter,
 you feel like this...

Image courtesy of [marin]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You are at checkout, and you want to lie down:
that is all you want to do!

Finally, you are home!  
Groceries are put away.

Your nerves feel like they are jumping, bubbling, and tingling throughout

your entire body.  You wonder why you feel like the inside of your body 

is moving when you are exhausted;  and then, you say to yourself, 

"Oh yeah, I have Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

Then, you actually go to bed, and you lie there like this...

Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

THE END.

P.S.  Yep!  This is fresh in my mind, 'cause I went shopping today;  and, I 

         even spent time using an electric riding cart.  My husband was with

         me, and I gave out.  I felt horrible.

  

Shopping Therapy for the Not Invisible

Shopping therapy is a loosely used term for making yourself feel better by shopping;  however, I have never been one for shopping just to feel better.  Also, when you are tired all the time, you just don't run out to go shopping.  After all, that involves using energy.



However, I could not stand one more minute inside the house.  My husband is watching the play offs in baseball, so it was not going to bother him that I went out.  So, I did.

But first, I decided to play with my makeup--lightly applied, but something different.





Why feel like we have to look sick?  I have an invisible illness, and I wanted to use what I had to make me look better.  Wearing makeup was a treat!

I went for my favorite summer t-shirt and a pair of earrings with a little bling.  

I'm home now.  I have on a brand new pair of pajamas that got that special smile from my DH.  I bought a soft robe I have been looking at for almost a year.  Moreover, I got two of my grand-babies outfits.

I went to Walmart after I went to Bealls Outlet and rode the electric cart, only shopping for things that interested me -- things I don't always look at.  No -- I did not buy everything I looked at.  I even put a couple of things back.  One does have to make choices.

One of those neat choices was something I just learned exists.  It's a Belkin Cooling Lounge.  You put it under your laptop computer, and plug in the attached USB cable to your computer.  It has a fan and keeps your laptop from getting so hot.  It has a fan, and the shape is designed to give increased air circulation to your computer.  Also, it has a cushion and is not heavy in my lap.  I am impressed already.  My usually hot laptop is cool.

Yes, I'm still sick and still fatigued, I smell like a Whopper from Burger King now, and I did something I enjoy.  Sometimes, those of us that stay in our houses too much need to break out and do something different.

I cannot wait to see what tomorrow is like.

  

Decorating, Resting, Weight, and Shopping in One Post

Christmas Tree Decorating in Progress
Learning to Balance Life Changes

How is your energy meter?  I hope it is on, so you are able to enjoy the holidays, get something done, and rest at the same time.  We are not quite done with our tree; but then again, ornaments tend to move around as long as it's up.  There is always another angle or better place for the ornaments, especially when your labrador retriever knocks off an ornament with her tail.  Last year we didn't put up a Christmas tree, because I had surgery;  and I knew I was not going to be able to take it down after the surgery.  Furthermore, my Fibro-brain was not working well enough to think of a way to rearrange the furniture to fit in our tree.  Don't you love it when your brain is working better, so you can do the things you have been wanting to do?

Quite honestly, I am not sure where to go with today's blog post.  I am probably like most of you, trying to keep my head above water, and not get a flare-up.  Speaking of flare-ups, last week I got a cortisone shot in my right knee and it feels so much better, but I am seriously thinking of asking for one in my left knee.  Arthritis in both knees is not fun.  Actually, arthritis anywhere is not good, but such is life;  moreover, I put some serious wear and tear on my knees when I was younger.  I am thankful for the good years they gave me.

Some of you may be wondering how the green coffee extract is working for me.  So far, I do not feel any caffeine effects, which goes along with the research I did on what other people had said about GCE.  I am still keeping my food journal, also I include the time I take medicine and supplements, as well as what they are.  Now, for the good part -- I have lost four pounds!  Woohoo!  That takes me back to where I was before Thanksgiving, and I have been able to go to dinners and parties -- two of them.  However, I know of times this has been my undoing, so I am a happy lady.  By the way, moderate low-carb is keeping my blood sugar at an even keel.  That's a good thing too.

So goes the 2012 Christmas Season for me so far.  Most of the presents are ready to be wrapped, and I plan to start that soon -- one or two a day.  God bless you all at this wonderful time of year.  I pray for you to enjoy the blessings and good memories of past Christmases as well.

Also, check out what I have to say on my right sidebar about one of my favorite online shopping places who I happen to be an affiliate with.  I will give you a hint -- think of strong, tall woman, who is a warrior.  And aren't we warriors too, guys and gals?  We are fighting fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases, as well as finding ways to live our lives happily and more fully.  Merry Christmas!

Sidetracked or On Track?

All I need is one small thing to sidetrack me.  My mind can really get going on that plant I have been meaning to clip out of the gardens for months or that drawer that needs to be cleaned out.  Does that happen to you? Do you ever walk by something and after 20 to 30 minutes, you realize your body isn't used to what you are doing, but you want to finish the job?  That happened to me, because I told my husband I would take the dog out, because he couldn't come home for lunch.  One thing leads to another.

When I started clipping those weed plants, that you can't pull out, I just kept going.  I am semi-glad I stood up and got sugar water poured on my head and back from the hummingbird feeder.  At least, it slowed me down.  To top it off -- those plants have absolutely nothing to do with getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Urgh!!

Speaking of Thanksgiving for those of you who live in the USA, are you having to prepare food or the house for family and friends to come over?  If you are I hope you have already done your shopping.  It is amazing how certain items seem to disappear from the shelves.  Are you like me?  Have you always known your pie tastes better than store bought, so you would put yourself in extra fatigue and pain to make it?  Is it a matter of pride?  I can only ask these questions, because I have been there so many times.  Next question:  is it worth doing that to yourself at this late date?  Homemade pumpkin pie tastes good at Christmas time too.  And I don't know if you can have pumpkin pie at Hanukkah and some of the other religions.  That just happens to be one of our family traditions.  Have you ever bought a smoked turkey?  Ummmm... Ask other people to help.  Buy rolls that you just stick in the oven, instead of making them.

If you are beginning to feel stressed and overloaded, give yourself a break.  I have learned there are times I can't have my pumpkin pie and eat it too.  I enjoy being with my family more when I have saved some energy for being with them. This year we are going to our daughter's house for Thanksgiving;  and I am taking pie and a casserole, but they can both be prepared a couple of days ahead.  So today, I will cook the casserole.  It tastes better after it sits a couple of days anyway.  However, if I run out of steam, I  will not hesitate to send my husband to the store for pumpkin pie.  Also, as a good friend reminded me today, I don't have to clean my house before I go.  The mess is not going to go anywhere:  it will still be here.  I sure do love my friend.

Incidentally, did you know you do not have to go to the store on Black Friday?  Isn't that awful?  We have a wonderful holiday to thank God for our blessings;  then, the day after is Black -- yuck --why couldn't it be white or green or red or Family Friday?!  Some stores are opening on Thanksgiving.  I feel so sorry for employees that have to work on a family holiday, unless, they are in the travel industry or medicine.  My dad had to work if it was his day to work, so we always timed our family celebrations when he was going to be home.  That was an aside -- back to shopping.  

Since I have been ill, I have been letting my fingers do the walking on the computer more than I ever did before.  I have to admit to having been an Amazon.com fan for several years.  I even get most of my purchases delivered for free.  It is worth a Prime Membership, because it saves on shipping.  My grandkids love getting a box in the mail from Amazon.  They will even put a message in there for you.  We would love to be there for all their birthdays, but sometimes my husband's work schedule doesn't allow or I am too sick.  

Speaking of stores, I hope the ads on my site do not offend you.  I don't work outside the home anymore, so I thought this would be a way I could save money for my next computer.  Unfortunately, computers don't last forever.  I just want you to know that I started my blog to help other people with chronic illnesses, not to make money. Moreover, I love having the ability to post things that have helped me or I think are cool.  I am full of asides today.  I just wanted you to know, the blog is for you.  That is the important thing. It is my heart's desire for you to be blessed.  I am praying for a happy and healthier holiday for you.  God bless!

Gentle hugs, 

Deborah