The Secret Storm...

Good morning dear friends. I am taking time to try and get a new post on my little blog today. I have not been on here for so long that I would bet that some of you thought I had vanished from the Land of Blog. I will assure you that I am still around and have been visiting your dear blog sites to read about what is new with you. So many pretty posts, I love all of those with fall foliage, pretty new household ideas and wonderful stories shared. You girls are all so talented.

It is very hard for me to write my post today. I am having some issues with muscle pain and a horrible headache. I probably should just forget about it and go lie down, but that is what I have done for the past couple of days. I had a really good morning on Tuesday, but then my energy just drained and I ended up taking it easy the rest of the day. I have so much that I would like to get done, so many projects started that are just waiting to be finished. I have been able to work with Caleb on his schooling, but not to the degree that I would have liked to work on things. This is not a new thing for me, but it is part of a larger condition that I rarely mention that has affected me in some degree or another over the past 6 years. I have my good days and then my very painful bad days (those are the ones that no one but very close family and friends ever hear about). Over time, the bad days have become more frequent and painful and I am now going to share that I have, do I dare say it, Fibromyalgia. There, it is out.

I have thought about posting this before, but have hesitated due to the reaction that some have toward the condition. I will tell you that my pain is VERY real and that I have chosen not to take Lyrica at this time. I have made several changes to my diet and would like to make even more. I am working on that. I have a real problem with "signing up" for activities or commitments only to later discover that they are all just too much for me. I would LOVE to do so much more than I am able to do. I have found, however, that when I fill my days with too many activities, I suffer painful retribution for 2-3 days afterward.

I am not meaning to sound negative and I am not hoping for an outpouring of sympathy here, dear friends. I am simply posting this to let you know that if you don't see me around for a while, this is probably the reason. My parents are both at home and doing somewhat better, but are still calling on us to help in taking them to appointments and running some errands. My dad has given up driving, this was very hard for him. I will try to get back to my regular recipe and decorating posts, soon. But for now, I am just hurting and it is hard to think when you hurt. For now I am sending you all hugs and hoping that you are all having a good day and week.

Stay Cozy,
Charlotte