Back from Thanksgiving

Back in town after a wonderful Thanksgiving with family in a beautiful setting with gorgeous weather. Who could ask for more? We had a wonderful Thanksgiving catching up with family. Mark got a few rounds of golf in and I got to catch up with his sisters and the rest of the family. The weather was perfect: high 70's and low 80's for the 10 days we were gone. (Of course we also missed the first snow of the season at home). While it was wonderful to be away from the stress of daily living here, I was glad to be back. I missed my animals and routine.

As usual I pushed myself too hard and did too much while I was gone and while I should be resting now, there is simply too much to be done before Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is just a few weeks away. We'll be traveling to see family and two of the grandkids and I can't even begin to say how excited I am about the trip. Although I'm not so sure about the drive. Thanksgiving really wiped me out and the drive was really minimal. The Christmas drive will be days long. We'll have to see as we get closer if I'll be up to that long a drive.

I see my neurologist next week and boy do I have some things to talk to him about. I've started having terrible site reactions to my injection and my legs almost constantly feel like I've spread a heavy layer of Icy Hot on them. Other than that the MS has been behaving itself. I just have to watch how hard I push myself, but that's me NOT listening to my body and paying for the results.

Time to think about blessings.....and be thankful.

I didn't sleep well last night. Not unexpected considering I'm alone in a hotel. However, as usual when I can't sleep my brain moves constantly from thought to thought until something snags my thoughts.

It's Thanksgiving week here in America. A time when families reunite, eat too much and watch 4 days of constant football. During this time we're all reminded of the things in life that we're thankful for. Perhaps things and/or people that we take for granted during the rest of the year. A time when we're supposed to slow down the crazy pace of our lives, take a deep breath and really appreciate all the blessing that we have.

Once again this year MS has not been kind. However, BECAUSE of MS I now have some pretty special people in my life. People that I know with absolute certaintyI would not know if I did not have MS. Some are bloggers like Herrad, Webster, BlindBeard, Julie, Jen, Bill, Lisa and so many others. Some have become friends though our MS support group like Carol, Dale and Sandy. In this regard MS has been a blessing because of the people it brought into my life.

My husband is my biggest blessing. I can't imagine my life without him. He is the half that makes me whole. His encouragement is the reason I never give up. His love inspires me to be the person HE see's.

My family. What can you say about the blessings family brings. Even when they make you crazy (and they do), you always know you are loved. At least I do. MS has definately brought my sister and I closer. There is a big age difference between my sister and I and due to life's circumstances and miles through the years we really never got to know one another. MS changed that. Now, I consider my sister one of my closest friends. For that I am truly thankful. For my husbands familly, who have accepted and welcomed me with open arms. Whose support has been strong and unwavering, I am thankful.

My church. My church family is absolutely wonderful. I have become very close to several members, again through my MS. When MS got tough, they got tougher. The prayer warriors prayed me though MS. Father Clare uplifted me and helped keep my faith focused when it wanted to waiver. I have said this before and I'll say it again. I can't imagine how folks struggle through things without a strong faith and Christian support. It's only through the Lord that I am strong. For that I am truly blessed.

So this Thanksgiving, when you are with your family and friends, take a moment to look at the faces of the people that love you, support you and make you crazy. Think of those who can't be with you this year. Say a silent prayer of Thanksgiving. Take that moment to thank God for all the wonderful Blessings he has brought into your life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Here we go again......

Here I go again. I'm doing my best Katherine Hepburn imitation without even trying and my skin is so hypersensitive it feels like I've rubbed an entire container of Icy Hot on my legs. Just in time for Thanksgiving. I absolutely, positively am NOT calling my Neurologist because I am not doing steroids. I simply refuse to be sick over the holidays! For that matter I refeuse to have an exacerbation right now either. Mind over MS, Mind over MS, Mind over MS!!!!

Trip to the ER

Ahhh...the opportunity to spend a nice quiet Sunday. Go the church then home to relax. NOT! I took a tumble this morning (My balance is always worse in the morning. Not that it's really good any time), and injured my right thumb and wrist. I called my MD and she met me at her office. (Imagine a Doctor that meats you on a Sunday in their office)! She sent me over to the ER for xray's. She will get the report tomorrow. I don't think the wrist is broken but the thumb hurst like the blazes. My hand is a bit swollen as well. Go figure.
The oys of MS!

I'm baack with a question for you.

Yes, I know. As several of you have pointed out through email, I dropped off the radar for a bit. I've had some stressfull life "things" going on and withdrew to deal with them for awhile. My world has now "righted" itself back on it's axis and for now, all is well.

I'm, like the rest of you, starting to get busy with the holidays. My shopping is just about completed (thanks to the internet) and I've managed to do it without exhausting myself. The challenge is always how to manage off the holiday stress. Even when it's something you enjoy the stress and MS can rear up and bite you on the hind end.

So, my question is this. How are you going to manage the stress of the holidays this year?