A day in the life...

Living with Lupus and RA does indeed have it's daily challenges. It took me a very long time to not be so hard on myself for not getting to all that I would like to accomplish in a day. The interesting thing....I have illusions of grandeur when planing what needs to be done (my inner Superwoman, get it all done). Funny...I do not know of one individual that could get it all done well. I have learned to adapt, change the plans...be somewhat flexible.
So, on a day that started where I thought all would actually get accomplished...it changed mid morning.

Walks and then grooming of the pack was first up. All dogs brushed, then I looked at Niki and decided rather then just a brushing she really needed a new "do". Clippers came out and I shaved her down with a seven blade...followed by a bath...by now my hands were a bit sore. Knowing her new do would have to wait for another day...she will have to run around looking like a miniature Clydesdale for trimming up to finish has to wait for me to have the ability to hold onto a pair of shears.

Here in N. FL spring is indeed on it's way, though if you were to ask this to some of the long term residents they would share with you just how very cold it has been. On this day where my list changed mid day....the sun shining, a cool breeze in the air I thought it to be a beautiful day...one in which the pack and I spent the afternoon taking in the sites and sounds of our yard, just hanging out.

Yes, these are the days...while it did not go exactly as planned...I could not think of a better way to have spent it!
I wonder...just how many of us are flexible when our plans change? How many of us actually have the ability to take the time that is needed for body, mind and soul. I would think those of us that share our lives with pets learn to just "be"....we have wonderful teachers!

These are the days....

Our count down until the fence is installed is less then a week away. My poor hands can use a bit of a rest. Nike and Bailey's bladders must be the size of a pea ;-) For our outings throughout the day are many!
Their daily walks on leash will continue for it is a wonderful way for the pack to spend time together, and great exercise for all of us..especially me. I can paint, draw for hours often getting lost so they make me pay a little more attention rather then getting lost in the moment.
Yes, even though so hot and humid here in FL we still manage our daily walks. they say you get used to the humidity, I have been here a few months and so far when outside I appear to to melt....funny how I seem to be the only one.

The past few months have indeed been challenging in that the two goldens just have not been getting enough exercise. Having the fence will allow them to pick up speed without having me at the end of the leash correcting them. Off leash romps are so needed. Walks are wonderful but a few crazy eights sprinted throughout the yard, a good game of fetch and of course some agility no doubt will be such a wonderful release for them.
Once my hands get a little bit of a break.....and I am so hoping that improvements will be made and the pain and discomfort lessens.

Yesterday afternoon I headed out for a few errands...since moving into the House on my list of needed items has been a pooper scooper. I pick up after the dogs after each and every BM...just so easy to do it that way....I have been holding at times up to four retractable while attempting to bend and scoop with a plastic baggie. A couple of nights ago I made the mistake of falling asleep....around 2 am I awoke on the sofa realizing the dogs needed to do their final outing. Hook all up and out we go....one after the other they pee, poop...I reach into my pocket for the baggie....yawning, sleepy and tired, bad hands, I did not realize there was a hole in the end of the bag until I felt the warmth...well you get the picture.

With that fresh in my memory I did indeed remember to stop at the local pet shop to find they only had one type...yes, for those not in the know....there are several types of pooper scoopers. this model comes in two parts. The first part is long handled and you actually wrap a bio degradable baggie at the end, the other is also long handled and you use that to scoop the poop into the end with the baggie. Looked easy enough....that is until I got it home and stood there for what seemed like an eternity trying to attach the plastic baggie. My arthritic hands just took forever to get it....I was actually laughing at myself for I no doubt if someone was watching me rather then thinking something wrong with my hands....I think they would be under the impression I were a bit slow ;-) Indeed....that as well!



Last night, just as the sun was going down the boys and I left the house for our walk around the neighborhood. I reached out for my camera and realized...while I did indeed charge the battery, I also vacuumed and needed that out lit. Maybe it is age, or me being preoccupied, I never did re- plug the the battery charger in. thank goodness for our cell phones...in a pinch they do a great job.

It was one of those evenings when there actually seems to be a bit of a breeze...very refreshing. After our walk we just hung outside the house. Watched a few birds at the lake, scanned the water for any alligators :-) Life at the moment is good!!!

Pooper Scooper...

For those in the Atlanta area, mark your calendars for on April 25, 4 PM at Piedmont Park is the annual Walk for Lupus. I would like to post at this time that I will be attending, however this year I will be sitting this one out. I did however make my annual donation....please know you can make a donation (I made mine) or you can support a team, or an individual that is walking. If not in the Atlanta area just visit the Lupus Foundation site and check the dates for a city near you. Please do share this, even if you not int the Atlanta area, or even if this illness has not touched you in any way....if you read my blog...I have Lupus...there, you've been touched.

** Please know that more than 1.5 million Americans have Lupus.
** The effects on individuals with Lupus and thier families can be life diminishing, chronic and life threatening.
** Lupus is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed diseases, with no known cause.
** Presently, no cure or satisfactory treatment exists. there has been no new FDA approved drug for the treatment of lupus in 50 years.

I am not this body,

battered by disease.

I am not this body,

achy hips and knees.

I am not this body,

worn out from the fight.

I am not this body,

skin so pale and light.

I am not this body,

carrying this weight.

I am not this body,

with an unsteady gait.

I am not this body,

marked and scarred.

I am not this body,

that is forever marred.

I am not this body,

the reflection in the mirror.

I am not this body,

my truth I couldn't see clearer.

This poem was found on the web....Author kendra.

Walk for a Cause...

This morning a Golden woke me with a poke of his nose, then a growl....then another....then two more. I was slow to rise for just about every joint, muscle and tendon ached....in the end it was my hands which got my attention. The left so sore and painful, the right just a hint of pain...so very similar to how the left started.

I went in search of slippers....sharing your life with two Goldens your guaranteed to wake and walk barefoot for your slippers are never where you left them the night before ;-)
This morning...well let me just say I no doubt they will eventually turn up!
Dogs do indeed have a sense of humor and it matters very little to them how often I threaten to sell them off on e-bay if they hide my slippers one more time...it is the same ritual each morning. Just a little thing we share together!
I put on my fancy yellows crocs (a fashion statement for sure) and out in the cold...windy air we go.
It is a bit overcast and I cannot help but think that the weather forecast is indeed correct in that a cold front moved in. The cold air and wind just made me ache more so I hurried the dogs up and we retreated back in the warm house.

Once in, I filled the tea kettle with water and just longed to wrap my sore hands around the warmth of the cup. A little breakfast so a few anti-inflammatory can be taken....another cup of tea and I found myself wandering into my office, sitting in front of the Mac, hands wrapped around the tea cup cup. I noticed the sun peaking through here and there....birds feeding at the feeders...I wondered if I should skip the blog today...clearly I should not be typing. A few sips of tea and I once again focused on my hands...the what ifs...you know if two hands are in splints who will do my hair...and of course a few more personal things with which we each do throughout the day using our hands without ever a thought!
Who will walk the dogs, groom the dogs...those what if's.

I turned my gaze out the window and I saw what I at first thought was rain....then I really looked....yep snow. Snow in April....and the sun was shinning....the dogs and I rush outside and I extend my hand and catch a few tiny flakes...it was then I realized I was smiling. First smile of the morning....no sooner did the snow start...it stopped, sun once again disappeared behind the clouds. We retreated back into the house, me to my office where I am once again sitting in front of the Mac....with a smile on my face I start typing for the blog about the cold front that moved through GA on a spring day. I am also thinking how I could have easily gotten so lost in my pain and discomfort that I could have missed the sun/ snow shower...and so, the day begins and I resume my daily tasks without skipping a beat!!!



Spring

Snow on an April Spring Day...