Bringing In 2014

This post is obviously late, but with my schedule it has been hard to find time to engross in the computer.

For starters, I had an amazing time on vacation! Magical does not begin to describe my trip to Disney. Although my trip was exhausting(walking around parks for 4 days was not my friend), I had the most memorable trip of my life.

Here's just one picture from my trip. I will be completely honest, when they lit the castle, I actually cried from the beauty. If you haven't seen it or made the trip to Disney, it is certainly worth doing.


Then we come upon a new year. Reading over my posts from 2013, I had a stressful year. Not only were my situations stressful, but I made no effort to take care of myself mentally or relieve the stress.

Which leads me to my cheesy New Year's resolutions. I am not a huge fan of resolutions, but this year I feel it's necessary. My goal is to do what makes me happy, and to pick up some stress relieving activities. I spend all of my time worrying about my physical health and working, that I don't always take care of myself mentally.

Keep tuned to see what will be new in Rachel's world...maybe some yoga, or knitting? Who knows what this year might bring!

Tis the Season!

I spent all last week in bed.
On Tuesday/Wednesday we suspect that I had a seizure, with several small ones following.
When I finally went to the hospital on Friday, they diagnosed me with low magnesium but are sending me to get some EEG's done on my head.
Since I started the mag supplement, I must say I am feeling much better! I still have a  migraine that won't go away even with fioricet, but I am regaining energy and almost completely back to normal.

With feeling better, I am ready to get in the Christmas spirit.
Over the next week, all of the presents I have ordered should be arriving and then my favorite part will commence-wrapping! I just love the look of wrapped presents under the tree.

I've searched the internet high and low to find a simple, gluten free gingerbread man recipe-which I have found and cannot wait to try it out.

I have borrowed Christmas movies, and hopefully, I will find some others on sale to purchase.I just love the movie Elf.

My schedule is all laid out showing who we are to see and when-I just love spending time with my family.

Most people get so stressed during this time of year-just make a plan, turn on some christmas tunes, drink some egg nog and relax!

xoxox

Finding a home

Yesterday, I hit a roadblock.

Actually, the road block began Wednesday night in the midst of our travels to my father's house. 

At 21 years old, I have finally come to the conclusion that my family will never be "normal".

Every holiday I must choose who I want to spend my time with.

This year, my family was spread out not only over one state, but two.

I was finding it hard to be thankful when I was stuck in this sticky issue.

Where do I go? Who do I choose to be with?

Then I remembered.

I'm breathing.

I'm not in the hospital fighting for my life at this moment.

Why does it matter so much who I am with?

What I am doing is most important.

Celebrating life, love, and happiness.

The tears then started to clear up, and I was able to enjoy my holiday with some of my closest family members.

How was your thanksgiving? 

A week full of accomplishments!

Well, lets see here-I am a little excited today.
This week was the first week in months that I had more good days than bad.
Unfortunately, so many good days put me on the couch Thursday and Friday with a fever and unbelievable pain.

But back to the good days!
1-I got up around 8 am(some days earlier) everyday except for Friday. That is an easy way to add 4 hours to your day.
2-I was able to make it work on Tuesday. I worked for 6 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. To top it off, I even made it to my boring work meeting on Wednesday. I wasn't as much excited for the meeting, but the fact that I was able to make it made me happy.
3-I went to GI on Wednesday and made a lot of progress. All of my meds are being swapped around and were going to consider doing the surgery for my esophagus in January.
4-All of my appointments are now lined up and I am getting super excited for Disney!

What did you do this week?

The month of giving thanks!

I love fall.
I love Christmas.
I love everything that has to do with pumpkins, apples, gingerbreads, orange and red, and well you get the picture.

To be on bedrest while my favorite season is passing by is so painful-luckily I have a set of beautiful french doors that allow plenty of light and fall colors in.

I did make it to an apple orchard for the first time ever.It was so much fun to be outside and enjoying the fresh air. We picked apples, went on a hayride, and best of all I was able to spend it with two of my very best friends and my boyfriend.

So obviously, there are things that I am thankful for.
I can run a list a mile long: my life, my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my job, having the ability to take care of myself, etc but there is one thing that has stuck in my mind.

Determination.
Don't get me wrong-I think you need to give credit where credit is due and I try not to take advantage of things I have been gifted, but if I didn't have determination where would I be really?

I would be sickly because I wouldn't be determined to fight.
I would be lonely because I wouldn't be determined to put the effort back into relationships.
I would be swamped with medical bills because I would've given up on work a long time ago.
I would feel worthless because I wouldn't do anything to make myself happy.


Determination is what gets me through each and every other day, so for that I am forever grateful.
What are you thankful for?

Learning to Run

To follow my last post, I have decided that taking up another exercise habit is a must.

I love spinning class.
I hate paying $40 a month for a worthless gym otherwise.


We moved to a lovely community in August and I think it would be the perfect place to start walking, and learning to run.

I just feel as if I am on a search for something.
Anything to make me feel complete or worthy again.

I used to love running until my lungs started to suck again.
I was down to 10 minute miles-I was about dead afterwards, but I was doing them.
I want to do that again.
I want to have the power over my own body again.

Forgetting the Basics

Sometimes, especially when I am down with an illness, I forget to keep up with the basics. Making sure when I eat, I eat balanced meals(or at least healthy foods), exercising, sleep patterns, all seem to go out the window. It normally isn't a big deal-I fall off of the track for 3-4 days and hop back on.But this time, it's been 4 months. I have forgotten what it is like to function like a normal person. I have neglected my body and honestly, could be causing it more harm than good. I believe that I have decided to join the gym again-it is the only way I can hold myself accountable. If I am paying for something, I intend to use it-even if it just to attend a yoga class or spinning.

There are just so many things you can do for your health, I don't know why I have never tried before. There are so many things to look into-juicing, herbal remedies, etc. I hope that this is a start of a new journey :)