Quote of the Day - Mila Kunis

Always have a backup plan!
~Mila Kunis 

(Image from WeHeartIt)

This is especially true if you end up falling ill!

xoxo,

Annie

Love Me Fridays

• My new doctor is a sweetheart and wants to work with me and make me comfortable!
• Elisabeth sent me the most amazing necklace in the mail!  I love my twitter friends!
• Sleep! Any time I'm lucky enough to get it I take advantage!
• Checking out everyone's Goodreads lists :)
• Chai Tea
• Reading outside now that it's Spring!
• Mom's yummy tomato beef stew
• Dark chocolate with ginger
• The fact that I'm feeling a little better!!!!!
• Amazing books - Water for Elephants and The Book Thief

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What are the little things that have made your life more lovely this week?  Be grateful for the little things here and you will feel better about all that you have!

xoxo,

Annie

My Review of The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability

I purchased this book a few weeks ago, as I have been having some serious problems with intimacy due to my pain-riddled body.  As it is such a taboo topic, I thought maybe a book would explain the situation more clearly, and perhaps give me some suggestions on how to feel remotely attractive (as chronic illness does not equal sexy feelings!).

The book is excellent for breaking down myths about sexuality and those who have disabilities and chronic illness.  It teaches you that just because you don't have the same interpretations and sensations as before, doesn't mean that there aren't still places on your body that will respond favorably to touch.  

As someone who used to work at an "adult" store, I didn't need much help in learning about the wide variety of toys that can be used.  However, for those without that background knowledge, I think it could be a very helpful set of suggestions!

My favorite part of the book were the exercises at the end of each chapter.  They really provoke you to dig deep into your mind in order to determine what you like, what you are willing to try, and how you truly feel about yourself.  

I haven't finished all of the exercises yet, but I can't wait as I'm learning so much about myself!

If you have a chronic illness or disability, and have difficulties making intimacy enjoyable - I highly recommend the purchase of this book.

xoxo,

Annie

Pop Culture Wednesday

These are a few of the stories that I have experienced lately!

Broken English:

A neat little film about an uptight woman (Parker Posey), who drowns her sorrows in drugs and alcohol while dating people who are terrible for her.  An encounter with a French visitor challenges her every belief, as his way of living is vastly more relaxed.  Romance ensues :).

Water For Elephants:

I could just picture Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in these roles - can't wait for the movie!  The book reads like a film, and is such a page-turner that one can't let go.  Gruen manages to bring the circus to life in a way I have never before seen!

Ellie Parker:

A series of Hollywood moments and disappointments.  I only watched it for Naomi Watts.  Decent, but wouldn't fall into my watch again category of films.

The Full Monty:

I LOVED this movie! I had a grin on my face the whole time it played.  This movie brought British working class culture to light, making you care about these men and their ambition to make money from stripping bare naked.  I highly recommend.

What have you seen/read/heard lately that you have liked?  Share, share!

xoxo,

Annie

A Video Into My History!!

My life in pictures :).  I hope you enjoy my silly little videos!

xoxo,

Annie

Things That Bug Me Mondays

• EXTREME bed ridden levels of pain
• Insomnia
• Jaw clenching
• Becoming too invested in the relationships of fictional characters haha
• Procrastination
• Fainting
• Migraines!!

(Images from WeHeartIt)

Hopefully you have all had much better weeks, but if not - let it out here!  Get those bad feelings out so that they can be replaced with good feelings :).

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links!

Here are some links that I've rounded up over the last few days on the Internet!

Decide what you want and go for it.
http://www.yesandyes.org/2011/03/dont-be-jealous-no-really-dont.html

Ten household tools for people in pain!
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20477558,00.html

Full of amazing blog articles on asking for help when chronically ill at the PFAM blog carnival!
http://www.possibilism.org/pfam-help/

fragileannie.tumblr.com--> because I love it so much I will try to send you there all of the time!

And Dinosaur Comics for a good laugh :).
http://www.qwantz.com/index.php

I'm not in very good shape this weekend, so this is the best I have!  Pretty please send some positive and healing vibes my way!

xoxo,
Annie

Quotes of the Day - Kate Moss

It is quite amazing what I didn't feel after a while. I didn't really want to feel things.
Kate Moss

People don't hear me talk. They don't expect me to. Kate Moss

(Image from WeHeartIt)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Annie

Love Me Fridays

• Using insomnia productively
• Any moment of comfort
• My mom's endless support and help at appointments
• My new body pillow
• Starting Water for Elephants!
• Pictures of those I love from the past
• Getting my ring fixed :)
• Those occasional moments of appetite

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What are the little things that have improved your week?

xoxo,

Annie

Facial Swelling...Why?

So numerous times over the last year, I have found myself to have a swollen face.

Now, I had chronic urticaria and angiodema for a long time, and it affected the entirety of my body.  Within the last few years though, the only time any swelling shows is on my face, and it isn't raised and bumped like swelling of the past.  The cheeks are the most swollen areas and feel like a bad sunburn.  It doesn't react to Benadryl, that's for sure!  It lasted about 18 hours.

A few days later, I brought my doctor a picture of my rash taken later in the day when it had gotten more pronounced.

He said it looked like the malar rash, and to try to get in to his hospital on a day it is there so he can arrange a skin biopsy.  He also was going to run another ANA, but I'm sure he won't find anything.  It will be some random thing my body concocts for fun.

The endocrinologist also posed the idea of shutting off my ovaries entirely in favor of hormone replacements for the next forever...

Taking my time to think that one over.  These are the joys of spending more time with the healthcare system than with friends and family.

xoxo,

Annie

Pop Culture Wednesday

This show has been absorbing my entire life lately as it makes me laugh!  BEST THING EVER.

Watch it!

xoxo,

Annie

I Miss Smelling

When I could smell...these were my favorites:

• Fresh cut grass!
• COFFEE
• Tea
• Bacon
• Perfumes
• Permanent markers
• Bleach
• Flowers
• Thunderstorms (fresh rain!)
• Citrus
• Freshly cut wood
• Vanilla

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What are some of your favorite smells as delicious Spring starts to arrive?

xoxo,

Annie

Things That Bug Me Mondays

• Finances!!!! Grrr
• Getting the date wrong for my endocrinologist appointment...
• NAUSEA
• The preparation of food
• When my face is swollen
• That my life isn't a musical
• Hiccups
• Straining muscles simply by moving
• Beds that are not my usual

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is getting under your skin this week?  One moment of good solid complaining usually helps get it out of the system!

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links!

A few things I have found on the Internet over the past week!

I'm an agnostic, but this song for atheists by Steve Martin is HILARIOUS.
http://www.openculture.com/2011/03/steve_martin_writes_first_song_for_atheists.html

Fibromyalgia questions answered:

http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Everyday-Care/Health_Basics/10_Questions_About_Fibromyalgia_Answered.aspx

Me, when it is time for bed...
http://i.imgur.com/tKEPr.gif

Ways to make personal growth happen!
http://theorganicsister.com/8-ways-to-make-personal-growth-happen/

A fiction book involving a person with ME/CFS written by Maija Haavisto - currently only in Finnish but we need to get it published in ENGLISH!!!  I can't wait to have the opportunity to read it!
http://www.ilmestykset.net/in-english/

An article on what to do while you are looking for a good pain doctor!
http://www.thepainstore.com/LookingForGoodDoc.pdf

Spider webs wrapped around trees after flooding - AMAZING picture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/5571181942/

And of course, my own Tumblr for my personal entertainment!
fragileannie.tumblr.com

xoxo,
Annie

Quote of the Day - Kristen Stewart

"A lot of actors think that what we do is so important, like we're saving people's lives or something."
~ Kristen Stewart

(Image from WeHeartIt)

Stories change my life all the time...doesn't seem that exaggerated to me :).

xoxo,

Annie

Love Me Fridays

• My mother coming to visit and helping me clean.
• Getting into television shows to help pass the time.
• Trying to reinvent my spirit for writing!
• Making chicken korma for supper.
• Self-help books for those with chronic pain = good.
• Kim's care package!
• Managing to get ALL of the laundry done!
• Those brief moments of happiness :).
• BBQ with Jon and Ashley!!!!!

(Images from WeHeartIt and one of me!)

What have been those little moments that brought joy to your life this week?  

xoxo,

Annie