Up and at ’em…

Things are brewing. My paintings are gaining a modicum of popularity, a complete stranger bought something from my Amazon Handmade page, and Pirate Fest is coming up in about three weeks.

I am determined not to give in to the desire to flounder.

Having said that, I have something I have to do and I admit I don’t want to.

I have to, HAVE TO, treat my body better. I stretch a bit and walk almost every day, but it’s been years since I really pushed myself to exercise. This is really stupid of me because all the literature says the only thing that really helps Fibromyalgia is exercise.

In the past I haven’t exercised as much as I should because I was working. Now I am not. I no longer follow the 40 – 60 hour a week schedule I used to use as an excuse to stay away from the gym.

So my doctors have suggested it, the literature suggests it, I have time for it, why am I not shaking my booty?

I think I’m scared. I think I am afraid I will be disappointed or embarrassed by my limitations, which really is stupid because I’m the only one whose going to be around really so why would I be embarrassed?

Ugh. Maybe it’s just easier to walk and call it good. Who knows. All I do know is the excuses are gone, the medical situation calls for it, and if I am really going to try and manage my symptoms with minimal medication I have no excuses for not exercising my way to a more well managed disease.

So. Swimming twice a week. Crunches every day. 15 minutes of yoga when I wake up and 15 minutes before I go to sleep. Arm exercises with my wrist weights on when I am resting in bed. Then maybe, just maybe, I can get myself to run again.

Time to program the new Vivofit, set myself some goals, and get up and at ’em.

Three steps forward…

Despite this week’s uncanny decision to render me miserable after I posted such happy thoughts of managing my illness I am bouncing back. Today I am at the gallery, surrounded by stunning things. I am so blessed to have such a lovely place to be and such an understanding work family. How many people can barely manage a 60% attendance at work and still feel like a valued member of the team?

I am also getting my Empathy Fish up on my website today. I have photographed them for posterity and have ordered Giclee samples so I can see if they work as limited edition prints.

I have four ready for sale and another that just needs touches to be ready. Already there is something large and tentacled floating around in my mind, awaiting time to set paint to paper.

This upcoming month is going to be a challenging one with two different shows for my jewelry. I am doing my best to be prepared and to carefully manage my spoons. Here’s to hoping I can succeed!

I wish you all the best today, here it’s cool and sunny, a perfect day for walking around.

Spoke too soon…

So there I was happily explaining how well I was managing symptoms when BLAMMO!! yesterday I was down and out for the day. Not only was my headache being obnoxious but my feet and arms and back and legs, well you get it, my fibromyalgia came forth to remind me that no matter how well I manage on good days, on bad ones I am one unhappy little pain puppy.

I tried walking the dog, because you are supposed to move around when fibro gets bad. Moving helps right?

No, no it doesn’t. It is miserable while you do it and miserable when you get home. My feet and back were throbbing and aching and otherwise horrible during the walk and once I stopped moving everything seized up and I was stuck in bed for hours until my muscle relaxant kicked in.

So it was Harry Potter and sleep for me last night.

Then today it was headache central again though thankfully my body is calmer. I got so sick of hurting I designed a headband for holding ice packs in place, chopped up one of my favorite scarves, stitched the thing together and voila!!:

Bohemian Migraine Snood
SavvySpoon’s Bohemian Migraine Snood!

I may not be able to function without ice today but now I at least have the use of my hands and I look at little, if not fashionable, at least intentional.

Tonight I have a board meeting for the one charity I still volunteer for. I cannot miss it so please wish me, and my bohemian ice wrap, some luck.

Happy Eclipse! I hope you got to see some cool stuff. Here are some of our photos, the trees treated us to a really cool experience here in Denver:

Managing life with chronic illness requires savvy spoons