It Only Took Me An Hour

I know you are wondering what only took me an hour? The answer is making my bed. By the time I had completed my task, not only did it take way too long, I was totally worn out. Had no energy left, soaking wet from sweat. I guess my real point here, is that I should of asked for help.  Sometimes I get so frustrated, because I can't do the things I use to do.  I know that I should ask for help, it is hard for me to do that. I have always been the one to help, not the one needing help.

I haven't even ventured out to a basketball game this year. I find myself, avoiding activities that I may need some help to do. I tell myself that I don't want to be a burden to my family or friends, so I stay home.  Then there is me being paranoid, thinking my friends have distanced themselves from me, because I can't do what I use to do.

What I need to do is get off the pity pot, and suck it up,  Also, there is no shame in asking for help, now if I can just take my own advice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

I pray everyone had a blessed Christmas! My children and grandbabies, came over last night, to open gifts. Papa, my Dad, made potato soup and oyster stew. Over the last few years this has turned into a tradition. This year we were missing my Mom, she passed away on February 25, 2011.  I am sure she was smiling down at all the happiness we were having.  I enjoyed the evening with my family. As much as I missed my Mom, I also missed my son A.J., he is suppose to get out of prison next month. Of course this isn't the first Christmas he has missed, I guess the last one he was home for, was when he was 16. 

Today, Ron and I went to Church, came home and Dad grilled steaks for the three of us. After lunch, I went to take a nap and woke up at 6.  My energy level has really decreased, and I hate that.  Normally I get dressed in the bathroom after my shower, today I dressed in the bedroom. I needed Ronnie's help, he informed me that it sure took me a long time to get dressed. My response was, "no kidding Sherlock".

Merry Christmas to everyone. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Is it Stress or the Weather?

I haven't been feeling very good for awhile, that is why my neurologist wants to change my MS meds. I am feeling worse every day. I have tried to get my neurologist to let me know what I need to do. But, hasn't returned my calls. Frustrating as that is, what frustrates me most is not having the energy to do much more than sit. I force myself to get up and go, fight through the pain and burning. I am not running any races, lol, but if I lay around my depression would be worse.

Now, beyond all the whinning I have been doing, God has bestowed on me many Blessings. My Grandbabies are so excited about Christmas.  Hailey is three, and there haven't been any presents under their tree. Her Mom wrapped and placed a lot of gifts under the tree after the kids had went to sleep last night. When Hailey woke up she thot the presents meant it was Christmas, so she ran in her Mom's room and woke her up. lol 
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Christmas is the Season and Jesus is the Reason We Celebrate!

I have been procrastinating on writing my blog. I couldn't get myself motivated to write anything positive, and didn't want to write anything depressing. I read this on Julie's blog and thought it fit me pretty good. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Why are parties hard for some people with MS?
By, Julie Stachowiak PHD

Parties, holiday or otherwise, take many different forms, such as: 

• children’s parties (think 20 six-year-olds, wild with excitement about opening presents and fueled by sugar, sugar, sugar)
  
• an office party on a Friday evening (think 30 adults, happy to be done with the workweek, getting a little loud and maybe tipsy as they discuss interoffice gossip)
• a family celebration (think about all of the emotional baggage that comes with this particular mix of people, not to mention your role in preparing the meal and other tasks)

Any of these scenarios can be draining for anyone. However, people with MS have specific symptoms related to the disease that can make parties like this particularly demanding — emotionally, mentally and physically.

Many people with MS have cognitive dysfunction. Most people associate this with things like not being able to remember something they just heard, or putting something, such as the house keys, down and being unable to find them again five minutes later.

However, cognitive issues can also make it difficult to keep up with a conversation, especially if lots of people are talking at the same time. We may have a hard time finding just the right words to communicate a thought — often, by the time we figure out how to express ourselves, the conversation has moved on to a new topic.

Fatigue can also be a big impediment to being the life of the party. Many of us barely have the energy reserves to make it through a normal day. Holiday time, with the extra stuff that we have to do, can really wipe us out. A holiday party can require more energy than we have.

Speech problems are another type of MS symptom. Dysarthria is a speech disorder in which the pronunciation is unclear, but the meaning of what is said is normal. It can cause people to speak in slow or strange rhythms. It can also make people with MS speak more softly than they would like or slur their words. This makes it hard to participate in conversations at parties, especially if there is loud music or lots of background noise.

These are just some of the challenges that people with MS bring with them to parties. Let's not forget other MS symptoms that can impact many of us, such as urinary incontinence, mobility and balance issues, various pain symptoms — all of which can make it difficult to relax and enjoy a party.

However, this doesn't mean that we should sit at home while others are having fun. I have a few suggestions for how to enjoy yourself at a party, particularly during this holiday season:

• Be picky. If you don't really, really want to go to a party, don't go. 
  
• Plan ahead. Rest up before the party, so that you build some energy reserves to carry you through.
• Strategize your socializing. Have a two-sentence answer prepared for the "how are you?" question, so that you don’t find yourself stumbling around looking for an appropriate response. 
• Have one-on-one conversations. Trying to participate in a large group discussion can be hard, especially if the topics are moving quickly. Find an interesting person and have a nice chat, preferably in a quiet place.
  
• Don't be afraid to leave early. Listen to your body, and do what it says in terms of getting out of there and into bed.

Party Time

It is that time of year when we have Christmas parties.  Our Sunday School class party, was last night at Lucy's, (our teacher). We had lots of food, conversation, gifts, and games.  We all ate too much, but had a great time. I am honored to be a part of such a humble and loving group of Christians.   We all need to remember that JESUS is the REASON FOR THE SEASON. 

As far as my MS, or other issues go, yes I have pain, especially my lower back today.  But, there are others that are hurting worse than I am, and they don't have Jesus, like I do. Please keep all those who need Jesus in your prayers.  GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.

Holiday Blues

I guess we all probably get the Holiday Blues, at some point. This is my first Christmas since my Mom passed away, and I am finding it harder, than I thought I would.  Plus of course let's not forget about the MS and arthritis, and the fact that this year, I have more limitations.  I miss the fact that I don't work with the kids at Church anymore, but I do enjoy going to my own Sunday School class.  We use to do the Christmas program at Church and the Nursing Home.  We always had a float in the parade, and went out and sing Christmas Carols.  My mind is racing and I need to go to sleep, have Doctor Appts later today. So many people are having problems this year, I would love to help them all, but all I can do is Pray.  I guess I am kind of rambling tonight. Night. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

Yeah, It's a Good Day!

Little headache, but not bad. The last few days haven't been that good. Have had a lot of pain in my eyes and legs. I have found that I do better if I at least try to get up and do things. I went to Church on Sunday and despite the pain I was having, enjoyed it immensely. Just Hailey and I went, she loves to go, and loves her teachers to death. Maybe she is my motivator, I hate to disappoint her.  Anybody that has Grandchildren, knows what I mean. My daughter Katrina, came over Saturday and put my tree up and helped wrap some gifts. Lol, she was trying to get me to let her wrap her own presents. This is my first Christmas, without my Mama, and although that in itself breaks my heart. I know I have to keep her traditions going. She loved Christmas, she loved to give gifts, sing Christmas songs, and make goodies for all of us. Making goodies is not something I am really able to do, my arms give out after just a few minutes of doing anything. 
My Granddaughter Hailey and I, had a conversation on the true meaning of Christmas. She knew that we celebrate Christmas, because it is Jesus birthday. I told her the story of Jesus' birth, and the why we give gifts. I am grateful to my daughter and her husband for allowing me to take the grandbabies to Church. My daughter works most Sunday's, so isn't able to go to Church. Yesterday at lunch time, Hailey wanted to have the honors again, (Pray), she thanked God for the food. Then she wanted to have the honors again, this time she thanked God for her Maw Maw and Meme (her other Grandma). GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Rough Couple of Days

Last couple of days has been kind of rough. The pain has been seriously bad. I went to Dollar store with Hailey tonight, and could barely get around, pain was so intense.  I take several pain meds, and most of the time I can handle it. But, tonight it made me cry, and I hate when I can't handle it.