Heartbreak and Chardonnay

My heart is shattered into a million little pieces right now. I don't know if there's any possibility of it ever being put back together. Hopefully the sedative I just took along with half a bottle of chardonnay will help me forget for the evening at least. I can't believe this is happening again. I am not mentally capable of handling this right now. My health is taking a pretty quick trip down the wrong lane, so I'm not physically able to cope either. I feel like my soul has been ripped in two. What I thought my life was, is no more. I don't know how to be the person he wants me to be. Apparently nothing I do is right and I am a self centered bitch. I definitely do no try to behave that way. As a matter of fact, I try my damdest to do the exact opposite. But, that is neither here nor there now. He says he's really leaving this time. So I just have to cope. Which is not happening for me right now. I'm not speaking or thinking rationally. I think the real deal is I am not worthy of love. Maybe I've done so much wrong in my life and all the terrible things that have and are happening to me is just me getting my comeuppance. I just wish I knew exactly what I did. I have come to the conclusion that I am just unlovable. For whatever reason I don't deserve a family and happiness. I just wish I knew why b/c I am at a loss. So I'm hoping between the wine and the ambien I'll be able to get some rest this evening. My whole world is turned on it's head.

I @#&%$#% HATE Lupus

*sighs* I am so sick of being in pain. I am so sick of my chair. Though, I am grateful I have a comfy chair to sit in, I am entirely sick of sitting in it. I am actually jealous of my kids who are so graciously doing the spring cleaning of the kitchen today. I want to be able to do it. Mainly because no one does it like me and my way is the right way, but that's beside the point. I just want to be a normal functioning 33 year old adult. If I feel this bad now, what is it going to be like when I am 60 or 70? I shudder to think. I've started taking methotrexate again so in a few weeks I should start to feel some relief (hopefully).

I remember a few entries back I had made some goals of some kind, but I've forgotten what they are. I'll have to go back and look.

I wish so much I could be with my cousin Jason at the hospital. I haven't been able to see him since he has been alert. I hope to be able to make it down there on Tuesday when he has surgery #4. He has a very long road ahead of him, he needs all the support and love he can get. I feel awful that I can't be there more for him. He is always in my thoughts and prayers though. Not an hour goes by that I don't say a little prayer for him.

Spring break is almost over and it'll back to the daily grind come Monday. Justin is bored out of his mind and I think secretly he'll be glad to get back to school. There have been some nice days and they've well enjoyed them outside, but the past few have been just miserable. I can't wait till summer. Even though I can't be out in the sun, I at least want to be able to look out the window and see it when I want.

Well, time to give my fingers a rest. Hug those you love and have a blessed evening!

It's Flare Time

Well, I knew it was coming and here it is. A flare. I can feel it oh so subtley moving it's way in my every cell. It's so odd, this feeling of knowing it's starting. It's near impossible to explain to someone who has never dealt with Lupus. I can feel it in my muscles, my joints, even in my eyeballs. Who knows how long it will last or how bad it will be. A big part of this is my fault for not taking my methotrexate like I'm supposed to. Stress has also played it's own part in it too. Soooo....now to deal with it. First of all I'm going back on my meds regularly. Second, I'm just going to take it easy and start doing some meditating everyday again. That usually helps a lot with the stress, but I usually end up falling asleep! LOL

May is Lupus awareness month so I think I'm going to devote time each day to spreading the facts about this disease. Sounds like a good idea! I'm wore out, so I'm done for now. Hug those you love!!

I've Had Better Days...

Today just wasn't all that great of a day. I've had much, much worse but I've also had better. I've been slacking taking my methotrexate and I feel like a full blown flare may be on the way. Yeah, yeah, I know. I've all ready made plans to take it. I'm going to start again on Monday. It makes me ill so I don't want to take it on the weekends and have it ruin my weekends.

There is just so much going on that I wish I could write about. Not what is going on with others around me (that's a whole other story), but what is going on in my own head. I feel so isolated sometimes. I just feel like no one understands what I feel like. Sometimes I just want to put it all out there, all the thoughts and feelings I have bottled up, but I know that would be a big mistake. Part of why I do this blog is to deal with my emotions and Lupus and all that, but I just don't feel free to do so. I feel like the truth would be very painful for some that are close to me and I don't want to hurt them, so I just continue to let them hurt me. Sounds masochistic, doesn't it? Ahh....I don't want this to turn into a pity party, so let's move on.

I didn't sleep well at all last night. That just set the tone for the day, I think. I tried to get a nap in and I managed to get a small one, but I woke up feeling worse than when I laid down. I did manage to toss a load of laundry in and I made dinner, but those were my only 2 accomplishments for today. I think maybe I should make a list of goals each morning. It could be like a little ritual I do with my coffee every morning. That may help me feel more productive and useful. I think the key to that is going to be to keep it realistic. And to be honest with myself about my limitations. I tend to think I can do a lot more than what I really can. I think this little experiment may be worth a shot. I'll report back on how it's going after a week or so. If you don't hear anything else about it, know that it didn't work or I just forgot about it. The latter being much more likely.

Well, this is all for now. I hope everyone has a restful night and don't forget to hug those you love.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

It is a lovely day today, highs are in the 70's!! I hope everyone is enjoying their day. It has been an ordinary day around here. The boys are finished with school work and lunch and are now on to chores then play time. I have some sort of stomach bug that has finally worked it's way around the house to me. I'm really bummed because I was supposed to go see Jason today. I don't want to risk giving him a virus, so at home I stay. He's improving everyday and they may even take him out of ICU soon to another unit, I think it's called PCU? I'm not sure. I'll ask my Mom again the next time she calls.

I've been putting off taking my weekly shot of methotrexate. I know, I know, I need to take it. I just hate the being sick for a full day or more after I take it. I guess I'm going to take it tonight and just get it over with. Recently the FDA has approved a new drug for the treatment of Lupus called Benlysta. It is an IV medication that is taken once a month. It is so expensive right now, I'm sure my insurance won't pay for it but maybe soon.

Prayers are Answered

I got a really great phone call this morning from my Mother. Jason had a good night and he is responding and communicating!! I have prayed so hard and I have never lost hope. Many of my childhood memories include Jason. I love him like he was my brother. I want to be there with him so bad, but unfortunately I can't. I have my Mom tell him everyday that I love him and that I'm thinking about him. I know the road to recovery is going to be a long and hard one, but I will continue to keep my faith that he can do this.

This is not a very long post, I just had to share the good news! Hug those you love.

Good Night World

Now we come to the end of another day. It has been another emotional roller coaster for me today. My cousin went in for his first surgery and he's been in my thoughts constantly. I won't go into details, but something very traumatic happened and he's in ICU and he's in pretty bad shape. Every few minutes or so, his smiling face pops into my head. Sometimes his laughter finds it's way in their too. I'm constantly saying little prayers for his recovery. I want to see him smile and hear him laugh again so badly. I don't want those things to be just memories.

Today the Lupus symptoms have not been all that bad. Of course, there was pain. There is always pain. I don't think I'll ever know a day again with no pain at all. The fatigue was mild today. The main thing I've noticed is that I've been moody and agitated easily. This is probably due to several different factors. I am looking forward to a good night's rest (I hope).

Well, this is all for tonight. Hug those you love!

Another Day in the Life of a Lupie

Again today I am nothing short of exhausted. I did, however, make it out of bed today. I even managed to put some makeup on. I feel as though I am walking through a vat of molasses. Even still, I have to manage to do something for dinner. It'll be a late dinner. The boys are outside enjoying the day and I'm going to let them play for as long as possible. So for a little while I get to have some quiet time. Lately these little spurts of quiet time are spent praying or sleeping. The boys have been very compassionate and helpful this past week. I am lucky to have such great kids.

I've been getting a bit of hate mail lately because of a comment that I left on someone's video on youtube. The video was proclaiming that this person had cured himself of SLE by following a strict diet. I commented that there is no cure for SLE and posting videos such as this detracts away from the cause of finding a true cure. After reading quite a bit of verbal abuse aimed at me, I just quit reading and blocked those people. But I stand by what I said. There is NO cure for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. If whatever diet, or juice, or snake oil, these people took that "cured" them really worked, then they didn't have Lupus to begin with. There is so much misinformation out there and these people are making it worse. Why would we be taken seriously if people believed all we had to do to be cured was follow a diet, or drink a certain juice? If only it were that easy. Now, people have found symptom relief by following certain diets and taking certain supplements. I am not discounting these people. I believe that symptoms sometimes can be managed that way for some. But not for all. And it's definitely not a cure.

As part of the new direction I am taking my blog in, I am going to list the symptoms I have felt today at the end of each post.

Symptoms today have included:
Fatigue, exhaustion
joint pain, both large and small
forgetfulness
depression
anxiety
sensitivity to light

It's been quite a while!

Yes, it's been quite a while since I've devoted any time at all to this blog. A lot has been happening in my personal life, I won't write about anything or anyone not directly having anything to do with me without their express permission, so even though I've had some pretty rough emotional things happen I can't write about them. Sorry to be so vague, but that's all I have to say about that.

Now, after a little chat I had with my half sister on facebook I have decided to use my powers for good and get back on track with this whole blog thing. I wanted this blog to be an outlet for my feelings and for my experience with my diseases and how I cope with it all. I'm really going to try hard to get back on task. I find that I am a much happier person when I write things down. Even if no one ever reads the things I write, there is still some kind of release that happens when taking the thoughts and worries out of my head and putting them on paper or a computer screen.

I have been extremely tired lately. I think I am emotionally exhausted more than anything. I have a very large, compassionate heart and when someone I love it hurting, I feel it in my heart, but I also feel it physically. Not that I have the same pain that they are having, but I think strong emotions cause my lupus to become more active. Staying stress free is obviously impossible, but I am getting much better at positive thinking. This has helped me tremendously. I also pray much more often than I ever have. Any quiet time I have I pray. I talk to my God in my own quiet way. I know he hears me and I know he has answered me. I've been pressured lately into going back to the church that the boys and are are members of. I don't have anything against this, I like to attend church when I am feeling well enough for it. And I especially like it when the boys get to go because they get to meet and socialize with some really great people while the worship Heavenly Father and Jesus. But for me, I believe that my personal relationship with Our Father is what's really important. I may not be as "religious" as some in my family would like me to be, but I do have faith and I do have a bond that I strengthen on a regular basis by praying and by doing what I think is right and living the best I can.

So, this will be all for now! But...I will be back. I'm going to try to write something at least once per day. Plus I have an idea that I'm kicking around about a new "series" I could add to this blog. Have a blessed day and hug those you love!

More Snow!! and...Some Makeup Stuff :)

Lots of snow on the way!! The last snow we had was a really dry snow and the boys and Matt didn't get a chance to build their snow fort or make use of the snowball maker (thanks Devon!) or the catapult (sic). We have plenty of bread and milk so let it snow.

I was lucky enough to receive some money this Christmas to spend on myself so I decided to splurge on some makeup items that I've been wanting for some time. The purchase I love the most is the Urban Decay Naked palette. It was way more cash than what I'd usually spend on makeup, but I figured it's Christmas money, so it's okay. It comes with a travel size primer potion and a dual ended eyeliner, one side in whiskey (brown) and the other side in zero (black). The colors are really similar to some other palettes I have. I have the nude on nude and the champagne and caviar palettes by NYX, both of which are very comparable to the Naked palette. The biggest difference is that the Urban Decay shadows are more "buttery", if that makes any sense...LOL.

CVS had their usual end of season sales and I got some AMAZING stuff for next to nothing!! The entire line of HiP stuff by L'oreal (excluding a few things) was on clearance for 75% off. Revlon had some great stuff too. They have the best lip products ever. I like their lippies even better than department store brands. Normally I'm not a big lipstick person, but when they go on clearance I'll try out some new shades. And...lastly I got Maybelline's Great Lash mascara in the regular and waterproof version and one with the curved brush. I know, I know...I always try that mascara and end up hating it but I always feel compelled to give it another shot. The non waterproof version smudges terribly on me and it doesn't do much in the way of adding volume or length. It just darkens the lashes. That's it. The waterproof version doesn't smudge as bad (but it still smudges). I guess this mascara is better than using nothing at all, and I'll try to use it up so I don't waste it, but I won't be purchasing this mascara again.

Well, I have to get my day started so I'm outta here for now!! :)

Back To Normal

Well, now that the holidays are officially over things are slowly starting to get back to normal. I haven't blogged much, or even been on the laptop that much because I've been trying to spend more time with the kids. I have to say, I really hated sending Justin back off to school. I wish I could home school him as well, but I don't think it would work out very well with him. They are all growing up so quickly now. They are turning into young men right before my eyes. I just want to hold on for a bit longer...I'm not ready to let them go just yet. Justin still has the "baby" like look about him. He still has his child voice, unlike the other 2. That will all be gone far too soon. I guess this is just life and I have to enjoy these times while they are here.

I have been really depressed and angry lately, I think maybe due to a new med I've been put on. The thing is, the med helps so much that I don't want to stop taking it. So, I've been trying to deal with these emotions the best I can. Of course, some of the depression is undoubtedly from the fact that I feel robbed out of a normal life thanks to Lupus.

I guess this is all for now. I'm going to try and get back to a regular schedule of writing again. It makes me feel better.

Have a blessed day everyone.

To Swap or Not To Swap.....

For the past few months I've been frequenting a pretty cool makeup site called makeupalley.com. A part of the site allows for members to swap makeup back and forth. Which is great in theory. I almost decided to do this, and then I thought better of it. Of course everyone is supposed to sanitize the makeup before sending out for a swap, and all should do it before using something received from a swap, but this still kinda creeps me out. I don't even like to eat at buffet restaurants, why in the world would I use a lipstick that some stranger had their mouth on? It would be cool to try different products, but I just can't get over the ick factor. Am I weird? Does anyone else find the whole thing a little unsavory? Other than that, I absolutely love that site. It's really informative and a great place to find out about new products before a purchase. I really recommend anyone else whom really likes makeup to check it out.

To continue on the makeup theme of this post, I decided to post a pic of the color wheel in case anyone is interested. I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday evening at home.

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Long time no blogging!

I have taken a short leave from blogger recently because I've had a lot of stuff going on with my health and just with personal things. I'm going to try to get back into the habit of it because I do miss it!

Christmas is just about a week away and I'm glad to report that my shopping is done. I did all of my shopping online this year. I think the boys are going to be very happy with what they are getting this year, even though the quantity is not as much as it has been in previous years. I just hope I feel somewhat "normal" again by Christmas. For about the past week I've been running a fever (among other symptoms) and have felt bad. I am pretty sure stress is causing some of it. My stress level is just through the roof. This time of year is hard on a lot of people, especially those of us who have loved ones who are no longer with us. I miss my Grandma everyday, but the holidays add extra sadness. The boys are the main reason I don't let it get me down too much. I want to make sure they have enjoyable memories of the holidays.

I feel a nap coming on, but I really need to get dinner in the crock pot first! Tonight it is beef stew in a red wine sauce and seasoned dumplings. I think the nap may win and we'll just be eating dinner a little later this evening! I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the holiday season!

Christmas is Coming!!!!

Well, I'm starting to get in the Christmas spirit. I got all my shopping done today online. I'm so grateful that I don't have to go out and fight the crowds! I absolutely do NOT like being in crowds, I'm kinda borderline claustrophobic I think. I was born to shop online however, LOL! I think this weekend we'll put the tree up and do some decorating. I got some new ornaments for the tree today, $9.99 for 76 of them at CVS. Pretty good deal I think. They are all gold and red. I'll post some pics when we get it up.

Haley Grace Morton was born this afternoon to my cousin Trisha. Welcome to world Haley!! I can't wait to meet you.

I've not been blogging much (hardly at all) lately. Things have been kinda crazy for me, I started on a new med and it's been rough getting adjusted to it. And with the holidays, stress over everything is never far behind. I am so thankful I got things taken care of early and now I can just sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday with my boys and husband.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

My Christmas Beauty Wish List

The first thing on my list is a special holiday palette from Tarte called the jewelery box. This picture doesn't really do the palette justice. It is HUGE!

Next is this compact from Estee Lauder. How cute is this?!?!!

Then the Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencil set. I've always read such great things about these pencils, and this set has all the colors in travel sizes and a full size pencil in zero (black).

And my all time favorite fragrance, Burberry Brit. I like to have a variety of fragrances to choose from, but Burberry Brit is my go to.

This 100 color palette from ELF has every color a gal could ever want or need.

These Tarte mini cheek stains are just adorable. These are too cute to sit in the bottom of a makeup bag, I'd have to set them out!

Clinique almost lipstick in black honey. My very first lipstick love, and still one of my faves.

And last, but not least, on my list today is Lancome Definicils mascara. I've never bought a mascara that cost more than $10 or so, but I would splurge on this mascara.

Just a few things on my mind this holiday! Of course if I do buy any of these it'll probably be after Christmas when all these go on sale :)

Weekend Alone :)

Happy Friday to all! The kids are going to relatives this weekend, so Matt and I have the house to ourselves! That has not happened in quite some time. It'll be really nice to have some couple time. It's been a long time since we have been able to really spend any quality time just with each other. I'm looking forward to a good game of scrabble with him! That's my favorite game of all time. We also play 10,000 and Yahtzee a lot. Of course, he'll probably want nothing to do with that and he'll be on his music all weekend, but I can wish! I'll just have to find something to occupy myself. Which will probably end up being on my laptop. I want to get my photos organized like I want them. That is going to take some time all by itself. And there's always plenty of laundry and housework to keep me busy. Not that I really want to do that with my first weekend "off" in a long time!

I really need to buy some new Christmas ornaments for the tree this year. I remember last year she was looking pretty bare. I'd like to get some really pretty blown glass ones. I can have those kind now that the kids are older and I don't have to worry about them breaking them. I also have to plan out Thanksgiving. Though I'm not really sure who is coming and who is not. Regardless, even if no one else shows, I'll still have a nice dinner for my family. I'm pretty sure I have all I need except for the pies. I'm going to make them from scratch, except maybe the pie crust. I'll leave that part to Pillsbury and their refrigerated dough. I'd like to make a pecan pie and a pumpkin pie. I've never made pecan pie, so I'm a tad nervous about that. Instead of brown and serve rolls, I'm going to make some honey wheat bread. Holidays are the only time I get to use my nice china set and I can't wait! I want to get a new table cloth and a centerpiece for the table.

Well, the laundry is calling my name so this is all for now!

I just love this pic!!

No Rest for the Wicked

I just love pictures of sleeping cats, so peaceful! I woke up at about 1 a.m. or so and have been wide awake every since. This is a particularly stressful time of year for me. Lots of money pressures with the holidays and all. I am so grateful that I finally got my disability approved, that takes some of the stress off, but with 3 kids to raise, it's not near enough to cover all of our expenses. Really we should move to a more affordable home, but I just hate the thought of moving. We've lived at this house for over 3 years now and we're all comfortable here. Our home is in a very good location, I know that's something hard to find. All of our neighbors are great, also something that's hard to find.

As I said before, my butterfly rash is gone for now and I'm feeling a bit better overall. Raynaud's has been acting up a little, but that's to be expected with the cold weather approaching.

Wow...I just nodded off, so I better try to get some more sleep!!

Urban Decay from Hautelook.com

 

I am so excited!! I got my hautelook.com order today. I got such an amazing deal on Urban Decay. I got the cocoa sparkling body powder, big fatty colored mascaras in indigo and electric, and their matte eye shadows in chronic (the green shown above) and purple haze (not shown). For all of this including shipping it cost me less than $25. Needless to say, I have all ready tried them all out! The body powder I am officially in love with. It is gorgeous! I love the sparkles in it and it smells (and tastes) amazing!! It would be really great on the decollete for a night out. The eye shadows are pigmented and they blend super easy. The mascaras....well, I'm glad I didn't pay full price because I would've been upset. The color looks amazing on the applicator, but it takes a LOT of coats for it to show up, and the tube is more like a trial size than a full size. I checked on their web site and the size is what it is supposed to be. Over all, I am very happy with my purchase. I will definitely order from hautelook.com again, even if it does take them forever to ship. Being on a budget, I normally can not afford the higher end cosmetics, but with these kind of discounts I can :)

Things Looking Up :)

After a really, really crappy week things finally started looking up last night. Matt spent a lot of time playing a game with the boys last night, they had a lot of fun. I've been really quiet here online as of late. I just don't like being negative here on the blog or on facebook, I think that has a way of coming back to bite you in the butt. So I just took a little time out to gather myself.

I get to see my sister today!! I am really happy about that. I love it that she is coming to visit us more often. The boys are glad to see her more too.

My butterfly rash has took its leave (thank goodness). I hate, hate, hate the face rash. Of all the things Lupus does to my body the rash is the most visible. I don't think I'm a particularly vain person, but I hate looking in the mirror and having that reminder stare back at me.

I woke up really early this morning from some horrible nightmares. They felt so real and I woke up in tears. I remember from my psychology class (years ago) that keeping a dream journal and doing certain mental exercises can help a person control their dreams. I am definitely going to have to put some of that in practice.

I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!