The Post-It Note Is A Thing Of Beauty

I'm sorry, I had to take a week off from blogging. I was sick and couldn't bring myself to find the extra energy. Blogging is somewhat like exercise from me. If I miss too many days of it, it feels like I have to start all over again. Anyhoo, I had my flu shot a week ago last Friday, I was hoping that I would not get the flu because of it, but I did. I think my immune system was also hindered by the weird weather we've been having. Hot during the day, cold at night. It seems like a lot of people have the flu. It's hot and the Santa Ana's are blowing today, but it's supposed to be rainy only in the 50's by Friday. Go figure.

Being sick and laying in bed and doing absolutely nothing productive did lead me to my newest blog idea though....

The beauty of the Post-It note. I cannot express in enough words how much I love these things.

Really. I love, love, LOVE Post-It notes!! I'm one of those people that always thinks of things I have to do the next day, right as I'm falling asleep.

Lying in bed, nodding off watching something like Family Guy, I always think to myself, "Oh yeah, you need to go to the bank tomorrow, and the grocery store because we're out of bread (or whatever I'm out of). Also you need to call so-and-so about that appointment and make sure you call to have the maintenance guy fix the sink." With the Post-It notes, I can keep them on my nightstand, along with a pen, and jot down all these random thoughts that pop in my head late at night.

Without my lovely Post-It notes, I would totally wake up and completely forget all those things that run through my mind at 11:00 P.M. I would be lazy and read all day and never get to the grocery store. The sink would never get fixed. Post-It notes are my To-Do list. right by my bed, so as soon as I wake up, I know what I need to do that day.

Between the MS and the fact that I take Topamax for migraines, my brain is not quite what it used to be. Which is sad, because my brain is awesome. Did you know the nickname for Topamax is "Stupidmax"? Fun!!! But my Post-It notes help keep my life together when everything feels like it could unravel at any minute. So, I just had to give a shout out to my colorful, square paper that helps so much.

I've finally kicked the flu (knock wood). So maybe my brain will start functioning at full speed again soon and I will have a better blog next time than an ode to the Post-It.

As for the new med, the N-acetyl glucosamine, I've been on it for about a week and a half now, so I have no news to really report yet. No bad side effects, not feeling any change. But then again, I was fighting the flu, so I will report back again later.

As always, much love, and don't blow away on this blustery day!!

Testing, Testing...

I was made aware of an article in the Orange County Register by my Dr. about the effect of N-acetyl-glucosamine on Multiple Sclerosis in a study at UCI. It seems to help slow the disease down a bit. Okay, they tested it on mice, but it worked on them. I ordered mine online and it arrived today. I had to go online because this is not your basic over the counter vitamin, but it was easy enough to get, even if it took awhile to ship. I started it today, I'll let you know how I feel.
Here's a link to the UCI study:
http://today.uci.edu/news/2011/09/nr_ms_110930.php

Happy Monday! I have school tonight and a full day of cleaning tomorrow (sobbing quietly), so I'll be hard to reach. Much love!

I Love Lazy Sundays

I wake up, make some coffee, check my emails and things, and do my Sunday crossword puzzle from the L.A. Times. Okay, I don't actually complete all of it, but I ALMOST can!!

The weather here has been a drag. It's been cold at hot and in the high 80's during the day. Leading to me to feel like I'm fighting off a cold. I just my flu shot on Friday. I anyone gets one, make sure to do it in the hand you do not write with. It feel like you got socked in the arm for a couple of days after.

Yesterday was one of those rare days were I wanted to chill and I was actually able to. And time went so nice and slowly. Usually when you're having a nice day like that, the time just speeds by.

I've been adjusting to a new schedule, so my posts have been less frequent. It'll be back to normal soon. Until then, take care and I hope you are enjoying this lovely lazy Sunday too!

The Secret Life of Sid... Punk Rock Dog!

Our pets are like angels with four furry little paws instead of wings.
No, I haven't gone and gotten all religious on you, I don't believe in religion. But I do believe in something higher than us who created this universe. I call it God and I believe one is the amazing things this creator did was give us animals. When you are having the bluest of blue days, who else can heal you like a dog or cat? Or whichever pet you chose to have? I once had a Gecko. It was awesome.
Have you checked out my fellow blogger Rabid's post on K.A.T yet? Do so and then check back in. The link is on the previous blog post.
OK, you're back? Interesting stuff, huh? Now where was I?
Ah yes, my amazing dog Sid. When I got sick 6 years ago, the best thing I did was go to the pound and adopt my Sid. Part Daschund and Corgi, I truly believe he has helped me heal as much as any of my medications. Who else makes me get up when I'd rather loaf around and be lazy to take him on a walk? Who else is my constant companion and waits on the couch until I get home? Who else looks at me with eyes full of unconditional love?  I love my dog more than words can say. He is my baby.

That's him after a trip to the groomer's. Look at that smile. All sweet and innocent looking, that is until...

His alter ego shows up! Sid the punk rocker! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Sid is actually Sid Vicious. He even has a grin where he shows a tooth like Billy Idol. He sneaks out at night to play poker with those bad dogs up the street. Usually mild mannered, Sid the punk rock dog has no time for bitches. And by that I mean female dogs of course. He loves only the music and the open road...

Mock me all you want for dressing up my dog, but I love him and it makes us happy. OK, it makes me happy. And he gets a treat for it. So it evens out in the end. Sid, mild mannered dog by day, punk rock super star by night, is the best thing that ever happened to me. I like to think we saved each other.
Have a wonderful Sunday and I hope you enjoyed the preview of Sid's Halloween costume!

"His ears were often the first thing to catch my tears."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, referring to her cocker spaniel, Flush

I Thought It Was Supposed To Be Fall Already?

But I guess Southern California did not get that particular memo.
I had to wake up at 7:30(A.M.!) to start my laundry since the laundry room gets so hot (no air, super small window) and apparently... we broke the seasons. It's going to be 97* here today. Ewww. Global warming? The whole Mayan calendar end-of the-world thing? Too many Kardashians? Is the Earth shifting? Very, very strange days indeed.
So, anyways, in an attempt to get my cleaning days from Thursday to Tuesday (school, Dr's appt's and other things are making Tuesdays seem the better choice), I am cleaning today. Doing laundry at the moment. Well, blogging while I wait for clothes to dry...
Remember when you were a kid and you watched "The Jetsons" cartoon on TV? Why, in this golden age of technology, has no one invented a real Rosie the Robot? Not the Roomba thing. A real robot that will clean the damn toilet! That would make my life SOO much easier! Especially on hot days like today, when it is supposed to reach 97* in Orange County! We have iPads, the Internet on our phones and can do all these amazing technological things, but... no cleaning robot maid? What the what!?! Just imagine the possibilities...

I feel gypped. I don't even care about the flying cars. Could you imagine the 405 if people flew? Scary. :/ Sorry, I meant scarier.
I'll be turning on the air soon, only to turn it off later because it will be cold (chilly) here tonight. I'll get a sore throat. Just blogging/venting until that pesky laundry is dry and then I get to it.
No Rosie.. Life sucks.. I wish it was fall already. Memo to self: Must cryogenically freeze self and wake up when there is a cure for MS and cleaning robots.
Ok, done venting.

I also want to give a shout out to another blog. One of my favorite bloggers has discovered a new therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. It's called K.A.T. therapy. The link is below. I think it's going to help a lot of people, so please check it out. It's also plain hilarious, so MS or not, give a look anyways. It'll make your day! I'm enlisting my cat Nibbler ASAP to start my treatment.

http://rabidsmsdiary.blogspot.com/2011/10/kat.html#comments

Happy Wednesday. Here's hoping Fall figures out where California is soon!

Also as a late add-on, I've subscribed to this newsletter about MS from about.com and I'm really enjoying it. No awesome cats, but some helpful stuff. Here's that link:

http://ms.about.com/bio/Julie-Stachowiak-Ph-D-25262.htm?nl=1

Who Has Two Thumbs and Sold Out? This Girl!!

Yep. See these ever so lovely ads on my blog? They make me pennies and nickles. Like literally a penny if you click on them. So yes, I sold out. And I could care less. I am not a 19 year old with the thought that selling out is bad. It's good. Heck, it's the American way. Plus, I am poor. So please, feel free to click on those ads from time to time. By checking them out, you'll be doing me a solid. I may one day make a whole dollar!! Yay!!

Now to other things. I wanted to write a blog about what exactly Multiple Sclerosis is. Then I realized that would mean a lot of typing and I could just as easily add links to helpful sites. So, if you've ever wondered exactly what it is I'm dealing with, please, click on these links to some helpful sites that sum it up much more succinctly and eloquently then I ever could in one paragraph.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/what-is-ms/index.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/

Have a beautiful Sunday. Since it is John Lennon's birthday, he would have been 71, and he is a hero of mine, I leave you with this quote:
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”   
-John Lennon

Just To Clarify...

I just want to make sure that everyone understands what I was trying to say in my last blog. I'm afraid it came across differently than I meant it to.

I am aware that life is NOT a Disney movie, nor is it a fairy tale. I was just trying to point out the fact that little girls are brought up with these movies and stories that lead to a false view of the world. It is wrong and unfair.
I know that I have to participate in a finding and building a relationship. I was just complaining because it is hard to do that when you are: A) not working B) broke C) extremely shy D) spending most of your days on the couch watching Netflix. I know my shyness is something I have to overcome myself. I'm working on it.
I know that I am an amazing human being with a lot to offer someone. I have no issues with my self-esteem. I am just shy. To be fair, I'm shy around everyone when I first meet them. It just happens to be worse when it's a handsome, intelligent man. Maybe I should seek therapy to find out where that comes from. But, I know that I am a total catch and any man should count himself lucky to go out with me.
I also have no problem being single. For now. I have never been the girl that had to have a boyfriend, just to have a boyfriend. I have been fine being single many times in my life. I don't mind being single right now. I just would like to go on the occasional date. I am awesome company and do not mind being alone. However, at some point in the future, I would like to get married to a man I consider my equal and have children with him. But I am in no rush. No matter what my Nana says to me about great-grandchildren.

I believe that we all want love. Love is never perfect. Every relationship in your life you have to put some work into it. Whether it's with your significant other, your parents or children, or your friends. They all take work. However, I can't completely give up on love. Maybe I won't find it. Maybe I'll be the old spinster with 10 cats and all my books and that's fine too. Everyone has a different life path. But I can't help believing that is out there. He's probably busy making himself awesome enough to be worthy of me.

No matter what you choose in life, it's your choice. As long as YOU choose it, it's the right choice. So, I will continue being single until I find that someone worthy.

All I really wanted to know (and would still like opinions on) is where does a single, broke girl go to meet eligible men? If I have to wait for a great guy, I'd at least like to find one who can take me out occasionally to a movie or dinner. I need to end the cycle of staying in and watching those Netflix movies in my Snuggie. That's getting me nowhere.

I love you all, thank you all for the advice. Have a wonderful rainy Wednesday.