Today is day 3 of the after effects of a 2 mile walk workout. I have no extra pain.. just the normal aches that I have most days, even with out exercise. 

Yesterday, day 2, was the worst. Toward the afternoon, I had to take a very hot bath and soak in Epsom salt. Might be why today I feel better.

I'm going to skip my walk this morning because I have a busy day getting ready for my trip to the ranch tomorrow. I hope to get a shorter walk in later this afternoon. At least a 1 mile walk.

I will be on vacation for a week! Yahoo! Still, I'm going to walk. The ranch has lots of trails to enjoy..

Just REMEMBER.. Don't quit, Don't give up.. Keep moving! :) YOU CAN DO IT!

      http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079

Well, this is day 2 of the after effects of increasing my walking routine.
I have extended it from 1 mile every 3 days to 2.
Yesterday, I had pain in both wrists, of all the places to hurt.
No soreness in my legs at all.. which tells me that I've done a good job of building myself up to this point.
I put one my wrist guard on last night.. it helps to keep me from bending my wrist adding to more movement in that area.. which will cause more pain.
This morning, wrists are better.
Still no pain in my legs.
Some minimal pain in my waist area, but not bad at all.
I'm feeling great at this point in the game.
No hospital visit, No increase in pain management at all.
The plan for today is to stretch and maybe some yoga this afternoon, making sure that my muscles are warm.
Hot showers to manage any pain that should pop up..
If all is well, tomorrow I will walk 2 miles! Yahoo!

Whoo hooo, just got my laptop back from the repair shop..

 I'm so HAPPY! Jumping up and down and doing a happy dance!

It's been TWO long weeks!
Not that I would have posted, but it's nice to have the choice.. lol
I made it through the Holidays.
Actually, it went pretty smooth.
I enjoyed being with my family and having a quiet Christmas.
After Christmas, everyone came down with a cold..
(only me and my mom escaped )
most of which are still showing the lingering effects.
So, celebrating New Years, was staying home and curling up with a good book.
However, I have been keeping up with my walking.
Yes, even through the Holidays..
I finally made it, 2.11 miles today.
I'm so excited, I took a picture! ABOVE
I'm proud to show off my sweat..
I earned every drop!
With Fibromyalgia, this is a MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT!
I have been working on making it to this point for months!
Yep, pain will follow over the next few days..
but it's worth every ache.
I will take the next 2 days off to let my body adjust.
Do yoga stretches.
My next goal is keeping the same distance, but decreasing the skipped days between.
It might take a few months to reach this goal..
it might even take the year..
but that's what I want to do.
I'm eating healthy, organic food, which is giving me energy and a quicker recover time..
I'm still taking supplements, and I just added black licorice (organic) to help with pain..
Well, thanks for stopping bye and I hope your Holidays were filled with Joy and Happiness.
I'm off to play on the computer!

The storm is raging outside! 
The wind is blowing the rain against the windows. 
I have been going though all my photos and I came across this picture of a summer-time flower! 
Bright and cheerful on a dreary day.
I bought a new phone on BLACK FRIDAY. 
BEST BUY, had awesome deals! 
It's been 2 years since my last upgrade and I am more than ready to have NEW features and a phone that WORKS!
Don't get me wrong, I loved my Samsung phone.. but the battery was going out and I had somehow scratched the lens on my camera so it wouldn't focus.. 
I fell in LOVE with the LG Inspire! 
It's square like a tablet. 
The 5" screen is awesome for all my viewing. 
Pictures look great, dial phone pad is huge! 
I just LOVE IT! 
I can't wait to take pictures with the 8mp camera..
I can personalize my phone with so many options, I can't even begin to remember all of them.
I've had my phone a week now and am finally feeling comfortable with having everything the way I want it. lol, yeah, I'm slow.. but I get there eventually.. 
My daughter and her husband both chose the Motorola Droid Maxx..
The phones were free with a 2 year contract.. so that worked out great for them. 
They really are enjoying their phones and I get to reap the benefits having all the video  
chats with my Granddaughters!
I was able to see my Granddaughters first steps.. LIVE!
Boy, you can't put a price on that!!! 
I know, most people have been video chatting for a while now.. but my old phone didn't have a front facing camera so it was impossible except on the computers.. now, all of us can move around, capturing all the action of daily living we miss living so faraway from one another.. it's WONDERFUL!
Thanksgiving was better this year.
The Holidays are NOT usually  my favorite time of  year.  
Being out of touch with 3 of my adult children. 
I usually slump into a depression and hope that the days pass quickly. 
But this year, I have 2 granddaughters that BRIGHTEN my days. 
I am letting my heart heal..  
Transforming hurt and longing for my absent children and grandchildren, into smothering the two granddaughters, I do have in my life, with LOVE and AFFECTION. 
Makes a big difference trying to break though the past and all it's ugliness. 

BUT....

My Thanksgiving prayers for healing were answered THIS BLACK FRIDAY, when there was a knock on my mom's door. 
It was my SON. 
He came to see my mom..
I welcomed him in and he was quick to seek out my mom.. he found her emerging from her room and he greeted her, wishing her a Happy Thanksgiving.
I stayed on the sidelines, holding my breath, so
afraid of saying or doing something that would end in disaster.
My youngest daughter and her husband were out shopping for their new phones and I was happily being a grandma spending time with my 2 granddaughters who now stared at the strange man in the dining room. 

I held my 11 month old granddaughter in my arms as I stood mesmerized by the GROWN MAN that stood before me.
Standing behind me my 2 year old granddaughter was holding on to my legs, peeking out shyly, up at the man that stood tall before us. 
I said, "Abi, this is your Uncle Jacob." 
I can't tell you how, just speaking his name, out loud, sent flutters in my stomach.
I think that was the defining moment when Jacob as well as I knew...... 
it was going to be okay. 

After about 5 min.. he asked my mom if she would like to see the baby? 
I held my breath.. 
My mom replied.. "YES, of coarse.. I would LOVE to see the baby!" 
He went out to his truck and returned not only with my Granddaughter, that I thought I'd never see or hold, but his wife whom I've never met. I've only seen her from afar. 
We all had a GREAT first visit after so many years.. 7 to be exact.. 
I got to see and kiss my new Granddaughter. 
Whom is BEAUTIFUL by the way.. 
She looks like my sister and my oldest daughter. tiny and petite. 
She is very alert and aware of all her surroundings.. 
I can't wait until we can meet again!
The LORD in HIS AWESOMENESS granted me my prayer request. 
As usual, HIS timing is not ours... 
HE knows all..
and PERFECT timing is when the outcome will mater the most. 
NOT just to those involved but also to those that witness the miracles of answered prayers.
  
BLACK FRIDAY, is not just the best deals of the year...
but rather the day JESUS died for our sins..
HE gave us all the BEST DEAL we can 
ever have..
I thought that my son and his family were lost to me forever.. 
I lost my faith that anything would ever change.. 
I GAVE up, it hurt too much to want. 
I'm so THANKFUL that the LORD is FAITHFUL and NEVER gives up on US..
THANK YOU JESUS!
I'm a HAPPY MOM, this BLACK FRIDAY after THANKSGIVING DAY!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I'm up early to start cooking, well, baking anyway. I'm going to attempt to bake zucchini bread.  Than I'm going to start the stuffing!

 My daughter (the baby, my youngest child) and family are heading down and we are all going to my sisters for the day. 

My oldest daughter is working so she is not going to be able to join us for dinner. I was hopping that she would be able to come for a while, a short visit before work.. but so far, no commitments on her end. Last year, my son-in-law and my grandson came for dinner.. that was a step toward healing..

 I pray that the same might happen this year. No pressure, just prayer. :) 

 No progress on my son's..

 I keep praying for them too! 

The Holidays are always a tough time for me to get through. It's some better with the birth of my granddaughters whom I get to be a part of. They rock my world and I love to spend time with them.

 I'm so THANKFUL for the JOY they bring!

 Children are a BLESSING!

I'm so THANKFUL that my sister is clear from cancer this year, and that we get to spend time together!

I'm THANKFUL for my Mom.. she is hanging in there and able to remain in her home the way she desires.. may all her dreams come true!

I'm THANKFUL for my baby girl, who is always there for me! I love her dearly!

Thank YOU LORD, for all my BLESSINGS!

I had a "Wonderful" time at the ART SHOW!  

NOT a lot of people buying, but it was good to have people out and enjoying all the arts and crafts. 

Receiving complements on certain paintings was illuminating and inspiring! I loved having people stand close and really SEE my paintings! It was awesome!

There were so very many talents, I was totally in awe..

I can't wait until next year to do it again!

A two day event is tiring.. but worth every moment spent.

My Mom did well.. she slept the day away. (which was expected) I'd rather see her mobile and able to fend for herself.. but she still has no interest in anything but sleeping and TV.

I think next year, I'll plan to have my daughter come and stay with her to help keep her company.

Off to PAINT!  :)

Getting ready for the ART show today.
Vallejo Open Studio's. 11-5 Saturday and Sunday!
http://vallejoopenstudios.com/ for more info.









My Sister is showing her paintings too!