Happy Halloween!

May you all have a spooky good time!

]

(Images from WeHeartIt)

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links

I scour the Internet on a fairly regular basis, and these are the links I have picked up for my wonderful readers this week!

I know this is on Perez Hilton and that is lame, but this video of Kellie Pickler meeting Clint Eastwood made me giggle like no other!!
http://perezhilton.com/2010-10-24-kellie-pickler-makes-us-laugh-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show

A dancing cockatoo can always bring joy to the world!
http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-this-cocktoo-flaps-its-wings-back-and-forth/

Pictures of cute children in Halloween costumes! :)
http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-8-sickeningly-cute-halloween-costumes-for-kids/

An AMAZING article on the nature of pain!  A complete must read <3.
http://gracefulagony.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/the-problem-of-pain/

An article I wrote over at The Fight Like A Girl Club that everyone who likes me should check out and comment on!
http://www.thefightlikeagirlclub.com/2010/10/the-dichotomy-of-chronic-illness/

Images of romantic places where people put together locks of love in mass form!
http://www.lock-master.org.uk/blog/index.php/locks-of-love/

I need this!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howbrownmetblue/3340857968/sizes/l/

What have you found amusing on the Internet this week friends??  Please share!

xoxo,
Annie

Quote of the Day - Gwen Stefani

“I'm stupidly crazy for old movies. I (record) them so that when I'm doing my makeup in the morning, I have them on. I can be like: 'Look at Jane Russell in that shiny leopard dress - I'm copying that.'”

Gwen Stefani (Images from WeHeartIt) I also love old movies when I'm getting ready to do anything, as they are oh so glamorous!  Gwen Stefani is fearless, amazing, and an absolute rock star.   A complete inspiration - us sickly folk need a little glamor now and then in our lives!  Life is too short not to take advantage and follow our dreams!   Love her! What glamorous things are you taking part in this weekend (or not so glamorous!)??! xoxo, Annie

Love Me Friday

Definitely not the fact that I woke up screaming with the worst case of costochondritis that I've ever had in my life. Thankfully, I managed to kill it with clonazepam and muscle-relaxant Tylenol.  Now to stop complaining and getting on with seeing how many joyful things I can find!

• My new apartment. It's still hard to believe it belongs to me.  I cannot fathom putting things away and actually residing there - it will be such a change!.  Definitely the nicest place I have lived so far.
• Friends who help you pack and move.  Those are the best friends of all.
• Mothers who ditch work in order to come make sure you don't keel over again from the pain.
• Looking at amazing fashion that I can't afford.
• Making lemons into lemonade, by using my expensive earring that I have to create some sort of craft project, as the other one has gone seriously missing.
• Boyfriends who know what treatment you need and at what time, so they can save you!
• Watching movies I haven't seen yet!
• Finding things I forgot I had while moving!

so cute!!

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is giving you the warm fuzzies this week?  Share your love with me and others here so we can all have a smile on our faces this lovely Friday :).

xoxo,

Annie

Chronically Ill Fall Down, Chronically Ill Get Back Up...

When you have chronic illness, it often feels like life will just keep kicking you when you are down.  In most cases, this situation isn't just exaggerated, it's real.  The visible source of strength is what you do with the knowledge you gain when you fall down, and if you apply it to your life as you pick yourself up from the ashes.

As I can quote my lovely friend Kimberley, this is how people look at the chronically ill: "People know that with cancer or aids, people either die or they are okay. Either way, they don't have to deal with that person's illness anymore.  With us, it's not going to kill us. But we have it forever".  It's hard to have a care system put into place for individuals who are going to be sick for what could very well be a close-to-normal lifespan.


It is a fight just to smile in our circumstance.  No one gets a break in this life, especially the chronically and terminally ill.  We feel guilt for everything we cannot provide, we feel pain at every second (or second moment...), and we become wrapped up in the world of learning about our illnesses.  It becomes hard for us to keep up our outside activities and to maintain friendships outside of the home.

As a result: the world sees us as both depressing and as sickly (which scares many healthy individuals away as they don't have enough education on the matter!).

Even though it may seem like an uphill battle, there are still ways we can pull ourselves up when we hit rock bottom:

1. Ask for help.  If someone is frustrated with you, reach out to someone else.  It is very unlikely that someone near to you won't come in and help you with the basic routine.  Self-care, self-care, self-care!!  THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT of living a good life.
2. Set up a support system, and I especially recommend one on Twitter.  The #spoonies there are an absolute delight, and my life wouldn't be the same without them.
3. Focus on things external to yourself that you enjoy.  If nothing comes to mind, try something new that doesn't take up much energy!
4. Repeat mantras.  Include that you are worth the efforts other people put forth.  Just try to treat them all in the best way you can (I recommend thank you cards!).
5. Decide how much effort you want to commit to the cause of raising awareness for your illness, versus how much energy you want to devote to your other interests.  It's rare to have the get-up-and-go to do both things fully.
6. I use humor as a defense mechanism.  It isn't perfect, but it is the best I have right now.  Laughing, even in awkward situations, can raise your morale.
7. Remember that there are always people who have life worse off than yourself.
8. Know when it is the right time to bring up a particular subject regarding your health, and when you should really leave the subject alone (I'm still working on this!!).
9. Cultivate happiness in the tiny joys of life (dark chocolate is one for me!).
10. Be forgiving and proud.  Of both yourself and everyone close to you in life.

We all fall down.  The non-chronically ill fall down too.  These tips are almost as useful for them as they are for us.  There is no shame in falling down.  By getting back up, you prove your strength.  

(Toothpaste For Dinner comic!)

xoxo,

Annie

Pop Culture Wednesday

My viewing and reading schedule has been ALL over the place this week!  I must say most of it was a delightful journey though!

Oz:

I was loaned all the seasons of this show from a friend and am totally psyched to watch it in it's entirety!  So many major stars have grown out of this prison drama from HBO.  It's not for the faint of heart, but every episode that I have viewed so far are stellar.  Definitely a good, too-sick-to-get-off-the-couch distraction!!


Grey Gardens:

Another HBO movie masterpiece!!  Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange are absolutely perfect in this story of the glamorous decline of Jackie O's relatives. It is the story of an eccentric mother and daughter in high society, who start to leave that society for their private residence at Grey Gardens.  They begin to lose even more of their grip on reality.  It is an amazing story about two really interesting people.  Have I told you I love you lately HBO??

Piranha:

In terms of horror comedies - this was one of the most fun things I've seen in a LONG time.  It is completely schlocky, and yet is self-aware and used to good purpose.  It's a splatter film, and it manages to make its kills random and exploitable.  It's not a perfect film, but at a sleepover I had a fun time watching it :).

I LOVED this book.  Gretchen Rubin may not have been going through a crisis when she wrote this book, but she was just interested in the subject and how she could apply it to her life.  I received so many good suggestions from this!  Plus, many parts of the book are done in lists which appeals to the organizational, control side of me.  The best part is - she's honest about what does and doesn't work for her, but gives options for other people as well.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

What have you all been watching/reading/listening to this week my beloved readers?  I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting suggestions!!

xoxo,

Annie

My Entire Food List...Right Here Folks!

These are the foods that my body is currently not rejecting:

• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Pureed soup.
• Dark chocolate
• Glucerna (meal-replacement shakes).
• All liquids minus orange juice.
• Sometimes scrambled eggs.
• Berries.

On the plus side, some of those things are pretty tasty. On the negative side, it cuts down my cooking by like 410%.

(Images from WeHeartIt)

Also, LDN update.  It was working (by making me so tired, I would just sleep the day away and feel less pain...), and then my doctor told me to stop it and get more active again and ALL of my pain has returned.  Mind you, the Modafinil actually works again with the LDN out of my system.  Blargh.

I have an endoscope today so I hope it goes smoothly!  Shortly after, back to the packing process!

Is anyone else suffering from this condition (gastroparesis)??  Any advice I can get regarding it?  It would be much appreciated my loves!!

xoxo,
Annie

Things That Bug Me Mondays

• Detoxing off of the LDN has made my Fibromyalgia symptoms flare to the millionth degree.  On the plus side, it is the first time I can feel any of the other medication or be productive.  Such a hard trade-off. Lay in bed sleeping my life away and end up in a wheelchair, or deal with the pain and accomplish something, but cry all of the time.
• Moving is stressful but exciting.
• The fact that I missed out on the Island's TweetUp last night due to stupid anxiety!  I really want to make it to one!
• The fact that my ultrasound came back clean and yet I have SO MUCH pelvic pain.  If my next MRI shows the tumor randomly disappearing, I may have a mental breakdown.
• Liquid diets are pretty boring.
• I have a bone bruise on my foot making it difficult to walk.
• Crazy mood swings.

(Images from WeHeartIt)

Is anything bothering you this week?  Share it here and we'll all get through it together to make for a better rest of the week!

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links

Here are some of the sweet finds I have found on the Internet this week (just for you my lovely readers!!). Hopefully, these links will help make your Sunday more enjoyable :).

If anyone is trying to make money at home from being a freelance writer, this is an excellent article to get you started!
http://www.tribalwriter.com/2010/10/14/how-a-writer-can-develop-multiple-streams-of-revenue-part-one/

I'm moving and this is a great article on trying to make the home both masculine and feminine, without either party being pushed to the side!
http://www.mischiefmydear.com/dramatispersonae/2010/5-tips-turning-your-space-our-space/

The BEST fashion finds for under $100 courtesy of Vogue.
http://www.vogue.com/guides/100-under-100/

A neat home design blog that was a recent find for me!
http://www.doorsixteen.com/

A baby in a WATERMELON, eating said watermelon! CUTEST THING EVER.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3FlBC1fvqg&feature=player_embedded

Perhaps the second cutest thing ever!!
http://thedailywh.at/post/1376350981/animated-gif-of-the-day-dun-dun-duuuuuuun

Reddit polled people for their best pieces of advice, so read away!!
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/du5ij/what_has_been_one_of_the_best_pieces_of_advice/

A beautiful fall photo meant to demonstrate the Autumn Spectrum :).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brunmarde/5073366253/

A glossary of funny GIFs - they always amuse me!
http://jezebel.com/5664134/the-comprehensive-gif-glossary

I hope these brightened your day my loves!

xoxo,
Annie

Quote of the Day - Kristen Stewart

 I hate it when they say I don’t give a sh*t, because nobody cares more than I do. I’m telling you I don’t know anybody who does this that gives a shit more than I do. 

— Kristen Stewart

Me too with my passions Kristen, meeeeeeee tooo.

What do you love my beloved readers??

xoxo,
Annie

Love Me Fridays

• MOVING! (also terrified of this...). Plus we have the keys to the place now!!
• Hot mugs of tea.
• Sleep, in those precious moments when I get it.
• Orange lip stain...LOVE it!  Apparently I was made for orange.
• My iPod Touch having new albums on it!
• My new weekly collection of links!
• The fact that I'm currently reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
• Meal replacement shakes (for keeping me going even though I hate the taste!).
• Dreaming about pretty clothes and home interiors.
• Dark chocolate.
• Actually asking people what is bothering them, instead of trying to read their minds...
• Going through my closets to decide what to keep and what to donate!

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is your gratitude list this week?  Has any little thing in particular made it special??  Please share the joy with me, I love hearing from my readers!!!

xoxo,
Annie

The Big Move

I am a girl overwhelmed.

We saved up all of our money.  We put it into the purchase of a new mattress (as I need something softer than my twenty year old brick!) and a television.

We viewed a place to move that we thought would be underwhelming, but it made us so pleased!  It is a half of a duplex out in the suburbs, where we get our own driveway, backyard doors and patio, all hardwood and tile flooring, and hopefully no drug dealers! So now we have to dive into the world of finding even more money as we will have to be paying two separate rents and a damage deposit (and all of the other bills!) at the same time!

I feel 'in over my head'.
I feel excited.
I feel sore and tired (as per usual).

I need to work harder.  I need to work harder on this relationship, I need to work harder with myself and my health, and I need to work harder in order to get our basic needs covered.

If this works out...
I know it will be better.

(Image from WeHeartIt)

Also, my gastric emptying study came back quite abnormal (as in likely gastroparesis abnormal), so I have been put back on lots of Domperidone and am back on a 95% liquid diet.  Good times all around.  At least I know I'm not crazy!

Wish me luck my loves!! I'm going to need it with this huge endeavor!

xoxo,

Annie

Pop Culture Wednesday

This week has been full of highs and lows, both in terms of my own life, and in terms of my television/movie viewing.  Without further ado, this week's crop include:

Temple Grandin:

I LOVED this movie.  I was diagnosed with high-functioning Aspergers not too long ago, and nearly every scene resonated with me.  It's not just a brilliant film to help people understand the mental difference, but also a well-acted, smart piece of cinema.  Not surprisingly, HBO was responsible.  I will go as far as to say that this makes my top 5 movies viewed in the last year!


Louie:

I was such a fan of Lucky Louie that I thought I would be a big fan of his second TV show...but I wasn't really a huge fan of this one.  It has its moments, but it has a darker attitude, a cruder sense of comedy, and can be extremely depressing.  I'm not a huge fan of mixing my comedy with extremely depressing, but maybe that's just me.  I was a big fan of the fact that many of the comedians from the previous show make special appearances!!!


Paper Man:

I REALLY enjoyed this quirky film!!  It showed both a beautiful innocence contrasted with the harsh realities of getting through the days.  Some people may question the relationship shown between Jeff Daniels and Emma Stone, but I thought it was touching, without being overtly sexual.  It is a story of the people who touch your life and save you, and letting go of those you cannot save.  Plus, it has Ryan Reynolds as his imaginary super-hero friend!

Also, Julia Stiles is rockin' my socks on Dexter!!

What have you seen/heard this week that you would recommend to others??  A moving, virtually-housebound (soon new apparently :/) girl would love you suggestions!

xoxo,
Annie

Ideas for Medical Students

For those who may be starting as a medical student (my sister maybe?), those who are medical students, and those who are just starting their careers in medicine - I have a few ideas that may be useful to you when dealing with your patients (particularly those who are chronically ill!).

1. Respect.  Always respect your patient.  They live in their own body, and know better than ANYONE else what is happening to them.  Do not ever make them feel like they are crazy for telling you their aches, pains, and other random symptoms.
2. Keep up with medicine.  Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (as well as autoimmune conditions) are just beginning to be taken seriously in the medical profession.  These are real crippling illnesses that should be further understood.
3. Work on your bedside manner.  No one needs to go see a doctor who is like a clinical psychologist, but some good words and well wishes on the part of the practitioner can really go a LONG way to making a patient feel less panicked.
4.  Do not always sound condescending.  The Internet has become an amazing resource for learning more about particular illnesses, so it is very possible the patient you are talking to is as well-educated (if not more...) than said physician on the illness itself.  
5. Keep an open mind about Eastern and alternative medicine.  Often times these procedures can be used with Western medicine to much benefit :).

What have I missed?  Feel free to fill me in!!

xoxo,
Annie

Things That Bug Me Mondays

• I seem to be getting in more and more random fights over shit I keep forgetting (this fundamentally scares me).
• I'm not cultivating enough love in my life, I need to be more more relaxed with people.
• Not having enough energy to get basic things like grocery shopping done for myself.
• Wanting to be able to write more, and not seeming to have the ambition to get there (although insomnia helps! haha)
• NaNoWriMo is quickly approaching and I doubt I will have the energy to participate, but I should at least attempt something...especially as I want to be a writer and all.
• I need to get on my poetry editing (not that this is a bug, so much as a task I should accomplish...)
• Christmas presents...need to get on those immediately with my monopoly money!
• Deep breaths.  I'm failing at keeping them a regular staple in my life, so I need a serious reminder.

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What's bothering you this week?!  Get it off your chest here so we can try to cultivate the best week we can!!  I know my shoulders feel lighter!

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links

Here are some neat links that I found for you this week!

Beautiful art design on glass and pottery! Totally want some!
http://blog.modcloth.com/2010-09-15-raise-your-glass-to-crafts-an-interview-with-kyla-francis

An excellent Seinfeld quote:

• George: Why would I spend seven dollars to see a movie that I could watch at home?
• Kramer: Well, why go to a fine restaurant when you could just stick something in the microwave? Why go to the park and fly a kite when you could just pop a pill?

27 life lessons that are definitely worth learning!

http://www.positivelypresent.com/2010/08/27-lessons.html


Sarah Von's sure-fire way to have a great group of friends!
http://www.yesandyes.org/2010/03/how-to-create-amazing-group-of-friends.html


Stephen Fry's video on the things he wished he'd known by 18.
http://vimeo.com/11414505

Pretty, pretty illustrations!  Definitely want some of these too!
http://www.morningcraft.com/

We always need to super-charge our positivity!!
http://www.positivelypresent.com/2010/10/9-ways-to-supercharge-the-positivity-in-your-life.html

The Oatmeal: Photos that should not be taken - hilarious! (also, somewhat guilty...)
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/photos

Interesting article on epiphanies!
http://www.raptitude.com/2010/10/9-mind-bending-epiphanies-that-turned-my-world-upside-down/

This video made me laugh so hard!
http://tv.gawker.com/5664435/with-oprah-winfreys-blessing-jon-stewart-and-stephen-colbert-join-forces

What are your favorite links of the week??  Do share!!!!


xoxo,
Annie

Models + Stereotypes = Not Me!

My two favorite models:

Lily Cole, you are so my pinnacle of beauty and I desperately want your perfect hippie style!

The princess that is Jessica Stam reading Kurt Vonnegut!!!! What is not to love about that??

I love how multi-layered celebrities and models (and people we talk to every day!) are! I always want to get to know more about people, and these two beautiful pictures just reminded me even more :).

What interests do you have that go against stereotypes??

xoxo,

Annie

Love Me Fridays

• Lebanese food at food courts which we don't get around this lonely Island!
• Twitter friends who are there for you at every hour of every day.
• My mother who is like 18 million kinds of awesome.  She is a rock and she is selfless and she rules.
• reddit.com as it is a non-stop source of amusement.
• Becoming more in tune with my emotions.
• Lime green nails, which brighten my mood every time I look at them :)
• My friend Carrie who exposed me to a possible freelance writing site where I could make some money!
• The flowers my boyfriend bought me.
• The fact that I now have TWO monitors to write on!
• Crayola crayons.
• My new pink ray-bans!
• My lime green nails which look pretty much exactly like this!

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What are the little things that you are grateful for this week?!  Maybe they are even big things!  Either way, please share the joy!  I love hearing the responses from each and every one of you! :).

xoxo,

Annie

I Love My Sister...And Her Apartment

In tribute to my one and only sister, I am writing this post to show you some images of her total hippie loft - that I desperately wish was closer because I love hanging out with her!  She just exudes humor and joy about life :).

I love these purple glittery curtains and the sunshine coming in on the love seat!

Fireplace, her art canvases, her guitar :).

Record player and vinyl!  Massive amounts of storage :)

Table and dresser in under the loft bed!

My painting hanging on her wall! Yay!

She has a chandelier!  It even has mood-lighting settings!

Another painting, my old Buddha, woven boxes!

Bongo drums, paint brushes, and some dark picture taking on my part!

The view from the bed upstairs!

Wooden decorated tea light holders :).  Incense is right beside!

I love it all!  My sister and I are both of the peace and love movement.  It was the coziest bachelor apartment I've ever had the opportunity of visiting.  She's the kind of person everyone wants to know and I'm lucky enough to have her for a sister!

I love you Ashley!

xoxo,

Annie

Pop Culture Wednesday

I feel like I have done NOTHING this week EXCEPT for a massive amount of pop culture consumption!

The Ghost Writer:

This was underwhelming to the max.  It's a good thing both Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan are easy on the eyes or I really would have felt like I wasted two hours of my life.  Nice to see Kim Catrall in something other than Sex and the City though!

Lucky Louie:

I did not expect to fall madly in love with this show.  It crosses the line SO MANY TIMES!  But I've never seen a more accurate portrayal of what it is like to live in the lower middle-class!  So funny at times I thought I would actually pee my pants.  Sadly, it was cancelled after only one season.  This will be going in my MUST WATCH EVERY SINGLE TIME I GET DEPRESSED file!  I love it, despite the non-stop f-bombs.

The Wii:

I got to borrow this machine when my sister was home for Thanksgiving weekend!!!  It was soooo much fun.  I'm absolutely addicted to playing tennis on it.  I don't know what is so captivating about tennis, but I love it so much!!! Mario Kart is also ridiculously fun.  I'm not sure if I should invest in a console, as there aren't that many brilliant games for it - but definitely something that crosses my mind frequently!  Does anyone use their Wii Fit??  Do you like it??

What have you been watching/reading/listening/etc...this week???

Advice much loved by a girl who is nearly entirely housebound!!

xoxo,

Annie