walking

I took Athena out for a walk around the neighborhood. For the first time in awhile I was able to walk around the entire apartment complex without feeling like death. I had to stop at one lap because poor Athena's back legs can't do that much work. But I feel fine. I feel great, actually.

New Fibromylagia Study

Nerve Damage with Fibromyalgia

So this study is looking into the idea that some fibromyalgia patients have nerve damage in certain spots.

Changing this blog

I'm changing the direction and aim of this blog. I am still wandering through trying to be more of a hippy but my health has become a constant focus of my life. I graduated with my MA in Anthropology and am still living in Knoxville with Drew. We broke up in February? March? Something like that. I'm with a new boyfriend, Brian, now. This of course causes all sorts of fun emotions since Drew and I still live together.

I'm so glad to finally be done with my thesis and defense. But now I need to:

• turn my thesis into an article for publication
• study for and retake the GREs
• apply to PhD programs for entrance in Fall 2014
• get a job
• move to Florida (back with my parents)
• lose 100 pounds
• update my knowledge on web programming

I've got lots of goals to accomplish before December. Oh and my stress hasn't stopped, even though I'm done with my masters. Sammy passed away on 7/22 and I am still not dealing well. Sammy had been one of my best friends for the better part of 15 years. He was my constant companion in high school, when my depression was unbearable. Sammy was such an amazing dog, a true gift and joy to know. Everyone who met him fell in love, even though he was a "scary" German Shepard mix. When I go to my parents' house, I know I will start crying all over again because he isn't there anymore. And my mother is so lonely now. It just--sucks.

On top of that, I have been seeing various doctors and having bloodwork and tests done to confirm a diagnosis of fibroymyalgia. I am fatigued all the time. Lethargic.  In constant pain. I can't eat. I don't have the energy to cook or do anything. Today has been the best day I have had in weeks. I have actually been productive. I applied for jobs. Researched schools. Updated this blog. Started a new one about gaming. I'm taking Lyrica and I think it is really helping. I just hope I can continue with this energy.

I need to move to Florida soon. Knoxville just makes me more and more sick. I can't go outside because I am so allergic to everything. I have to hibernate inside and hope I have enough energy to get through the day. If I get to Florida, I can exercise. I can eat right with my mother's help. I can do things to improve my life. But of course this means moving away from Drew, which he hasn't been handling well. I don't blame him. But he needs to move on if he is every going to live his life. I realize now he dependent he was on me for life direction. He was going to follow whatever I did because he has no direction, no ambition. No desire to get things done and LIVE. I don't even know how to help him. I don't want to hurt him more and I don't want to keep being his backbone. He has one of his own, he just needs to use it and stand up on his own two feet. Also, realize that standing up yourself doesn't mean you don't have help. Friends and family will always be there to help and that's a good thing.

Not Dead Yet

I haven't been making any progress or updates lately because I have been very sick. I had a sinus infection, which I gave to Drew, which he gave right back to me. So I've been sleeping a sudafed coma for most of the past week or so.

The only thing new I have managed is giving up caffeine. But my head still hurts all the time and I still crave cola so this sucks >.<

ACV and Itching

So today I rinsed with ACV the first time. I found and old sports squeeze bottle and filled it with 1 cup water and 1/4 cup ACV. Drew is also trying this no poo thing with me so in a week or so I can compare the results with my straight boring hair and his jew fro hair. My hair is definitely more greasy then normal but I expected this. It's actually better than I expected for not having used shampoo in 5 days.

Drew's hair is not as greasy as mine but his is also a lot shorter and coarser. His curls seem more defined and shiny. My hair still looks dull but I also haven't dyed it in awhile so the dullness is probably an artifact from the faded hair color. I think I'm just going to dye it in a few days and deal with the non-hippiness of that. It's hard to let red hair just grow out.

The only problem I'm having (not related to the no poo) is that my full body hives just won't quit. My skin felt great after dipping into the pool but I've been back to itching constantly and it's making me feel nuts. I just went out and bought my oatmeal Aveeno body wash, which isn't all that natural but has so far been the only body wash to give me any sense of relief from the itching.

I slathered on my vaseline intensive rescue fragrance free lotion as soon as I got out of the shower so I hope this holds. I'm at my wits end with this itching crap. I take a million drugs for it and they only help so-so. I still itch regardless of what I do. And my laundry detergent is just baking soda and vinegar so I know that's not the issue. I just hope I can resolve this because I'm going nuts.

C25K Day 1

Well today wasn't such a success. I managed the first 10 minutes but then my asthma took hold and I weezed myself back into my apartment. I overheated pretty fast. Tomorrow I'm going to try this indoors and see if that fixes the problem. For now, I'm going back to my regular gym classes (yoga and circuit training) for the day.

Caffeine update: I had 1 soda. I'm going to try to only drink water the rest of the day.

Goals

As Drea pointed out, hippiness increases exponentially. Now that I am a thorough recycling Nazi it is time to bring it up a notch. These are my hippie goals:

1. Go no 'poo: This is to begin tomorrow when I get home to Knoxville. I will update my progress on this blog.
2. Start a vermicompost bin on my patio: A vermicompost bin involves using red wigglers (worms) to compost the materials. This is an easy, small and fairless scentless method of composting suitable for apartments. I will be updating my progress with this as well.
3. Start a patio garden: There are a ton of things I can plant and grow myself so what better way to use the fruits of my composting then by gardening?
4. Get rid of caffeine/sodas from my diet: This will be the most difficult.
5. Add more raw/natural foods to my diet: Probably the second most difficult

Well I have quite a list going. So I will try to update with regular progress reports from here on out. Wish me luck!