Oh where is spring????

We are in the midst of the last days of winter here in northern Michigan and it is not a minute too soon.  Although it has been a mild winter by most accounts, it has been long enough for me.  I am ready for some spring weather so I can start making plans for my husband and my dream garden.  I have glorious plans for him and a lot of work in store for him.   Any plans for spring for you????

Gentle Hugs- Michelle

Can I live in my PJ's PLEASE????

I don't know about you, but I have had a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything some mornings.  I don't feel like doing my housework or even my makeup or for that matter I don't feel much like getting dressed some days.  I know maybe that is to much information for some of you, BUT I know as well as I know my own name that I am not preaching to the choir on this one.  I am NOT the only one who has a hard time getting up and getting out of their jammies everyday.  Some days it just hurts too much to drag your body into a bra and tight clothes when your sweats or yoga pants that you slept in are just fine and begging to be left on..  Am I the only one who would LOVE to strangle whoever invented the inhuman contraption  we "sweetly" refer to as the BRA??  Now Fibromyalgia can cause a lot of issues and one of my chief complaints is all over body aches, I also have what I refer to "fever skin".  Have you ever had a high fever?  Do you remember how your skin felt?  It felt like the hair on your arm was being rubbed the wrong way and it was just hypersensitive?  Sort of goosebumpy?  That is how my skin feels all the time, needless to say, bras are not my best friend.  In public I will be a lady and wear the correct under garments, but I promise you this......  The minute I can get out of range of prying eyes..  that baby is off faster than a Popsicle melts in July. 

So am I the only one???


Gentle Hugs- Michelle

BRRR... Sub-Zero Temps are tough

 I am here to tell you that living in the north during the month of January can be difficult at best.  We were spoiled during the month of December with the mild weather.  Well old man winter has found us with a vengeance.  The other night we left our home (a 5th wheel trailer) for a few hours and the wind had changed direction, the temperature dropped quicker than we expected and we had frozen water lines.  Needless to say it made for a cold and irritating evening.  My knight in shining armour of a husband came through and had it fixed in no time.  It just goes to show that this time of the year you can never trust the weather or in our cases we with Fibromyalgia can never trust how our bodies will react to the weather.  I know my body will betray me every time when it is cold.  By that what I mean is this- Cold weather and I DO NOT GET ALONG.  It is not at all uncommon for Fibromyalgia patients to be intolerant to cold. 

What do you do to help combat the cold weather?  Is the electric blanket your best friend?  Do you snuggle with your heating pad?  Are you found in the shower 5 times daily?  What is your secret to staying warm?  


Gentle Hugs- Michelle

The Trials of a Woman Who Over-Did It........

Well most of us know what it is like to have several people request our help with several different activities.   Whether it be to bake cookies for the class party or to help with the Church Social or to babysit your own grandkids.  All to often we may have the best intentions and find ourselves in the position that we often can cause flares to  find fertile ground.  An example of this is found in my last week....  I have an elderly neighbor that my Mother-In_Law has an agreement with, she cares for her cats in the mornings.  Well my MIL had Knee Replacement surgery so I took over the care of the cats.  Then the neighbors son fell and broke his arm so now her ride to Dr's appts and hair appts was out of commission.  I again said I would help with giving her rides.  I am now her sole companion.  I truly do enjoy my time with her and love visiting with her.  I knew I was having more headaches and I thought that was the extent of any flare-ups.  OOPS- was I wrong..  I had last had a problem with my nightmare symptom over 9 months earlier.  It had been quite some time since I dealt with this old friend called Irritable Bowel Syndrome.   Let me tell you it is something that I would prefer to forget.  If you are interested in learning more about it, just type in IBS in any search engine and you will see more than you ever want to learn.

Gentle Hugs- Michelle

Meeting number #3 is tomorrow and we are expecting great things to come

We know that as winter approaches we will have problems with weather and vacations.   We have seen a nice increase in our attendance on our first few meetings and we hope to see this continue.  The best way for this to continue is for everyone to bring friends to each meeting. 

Remember our meetings are on the first and third Saturdays of each month at 9:30 AM at Brown Corners Church in Clare.

Gentle Hugs- Michelle

We are officially up and running...

 Well we had our first meeting and it was a joy.  I can see a great future for us all and many friendships building.  Our meetings are going to take place on the first and third Saturdays of each month and we have moved our time to 9:30 AM.  All meetings will be at Brown Corners Church in Clare.  Please join us if you have Fibro or know someone who does.

Gentle Hugs- Michelle

OOps I for got the location..

 We are meeting at Brown Corners Church in Clare.  I can get you directions if needed..

Gentle Hugs- Michelle