Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Dying yarn

 As the deadline nears for my unicorn hats for my swap I realized I did not have the perfect yarn for the manes. I decided to dye my own using Kool-Aid and food coloring. It is not perfect by any means but since it will be cut up into fringe I feel it adds character. I am decently happy on how the striping turned out and hope to do it again soon with much more time and patience.

rainbow dyes

Pre-dye

 
All wrapped up
The final product!
 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Living with fibro...


Living with fibromyalgia. Every few months I am hoping to check in to share and document what has been working, what has failed and how I am not just surviving but living with my diagnosis.

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As a bit of background I am diagnosed with severe depression, arthritis, carpel tunnel, tmj and fibromyalgia. Many of these overlap and most of the time aggravate each other terribly. I felt for a very long time that I “turned in my crunchy card” when I started taking prescriptions for some of these. My end goal is to be completely off medication however I am realistic that it might not be possible and that’s ok too. I need to be around and active for my family so pride needs to be put aside.

 

Daily I have begun taking several supplements to keep everything manageable which I have noticed an increase in energy and somewhat of a reduction in my stiffness and muscle pain. I really do enjoy not needing to go to bed at 5:30 daily. It also has increased my appetite which is good as having a consistent weight has always been a challenge for me. Here is a list of my everyday regimen and how they help.


Deep blue complex I am a wholesale member of Doterra but I am not interested in selling now or ever. If you want information please, please let me know and I can point you to people that can help. I just know what helps me.  It reduces stiffness and muscle soreness.

Magnesium oxide- A majority of people in our society have a magnesium deficiency. This type of magnesium is the best absorbed by the body. It helps with energy, depression and muscle pain.

Meloxicam- My rx for an anti-inflammatory

Fermented cod liver oil/ butter oil -  This works on joints, vitamin d and pretty much everything. I do get it cheaper somewhere else but its good stuff.

Probiotic gummies – This helps the belly with the mess I’ve been dealing with. Good for everyone and the kids take the same.

Sleep- I get no less than 8 hour a day. I honestly need 9 some days but am decent on a little less.

 

 

All of the above normally can keep it under control. Stress, lack of sleep, stress, and the weather seem to be my biggest triggers for pain. Some of which I can control and others not so much. Daily if I start experiencing pain I use some of these following tools to keep it under control:

Hot scalding bath with Epsom salts with either lavender or Deep Blue oil mixed

Heating pads- Several are placed strategically around the house and I have on at my desk at work.

Sunglasses- These are like the heating pads and used everywhere even indoors at work.

Naps – Sleep fixes almost everything so can be used to help combat it

Wrist braces

Magnar- Dogs give me something to focus on and makes me get up and take him out and work on his training while he is still a puppy. I have been working on more specific commands with him and he has been doing fabulous.

 

At some points during any given month the weather, stress, lack of sleep and energy catch up to me and knocks me down. The only solution for those days are take 1500mg of Tylenol, Somas ( muscle relaxers) and go to sleep for several hours. These days are becoming even fewer in frequency but seem to be when all 3 are working against me.

 

It may seem a lot of resources but it helps combat all of the pain and fatigue I deal with daily.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Kcco: another crochet lesson

 As always I am working with a coworker to teach him to crochet. For awhile he has asked to make a beer koozie. I told him to hold tight and learn some stitches so he made his bunny from a square and a scarf for his girlfriend.  Finally I felt he was ready and we created this together on our slow day last week.


Update on our rainbow unicorn hats from Repeat Crafter Me. Got 1 base done and 5 more to go since Nanners wants one as well.
 

What are you crafting? 

Monday, July 6, 2015

Gratitude

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.
No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.




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for a large chamomile and strawberry yield....






our first baby tomato...

A busy and full weekend cleaning out our storage unit resulting in several garbage bags full. It feels so good to declutter...

Koda's graduation party at her mother's being a success...


Our littles have chicken pox and have been handling it quite well. It is almost over and we can begin to have our summer back!


Magnar has been growing huge and I have been busting my tail training him. He is progressing nicely and I'm very excited for our next steps with him...
 

I found some beautiful rainbow sharpies and picked them up for art journaling. Back to some good self affirmations...



I made it through a whole 48 hour week of work. It is such a huge accomplishment due to how I have felt in the past...

What are you all happy and grateful for today?