Sunshine Today...

There's been sunshine this afternoon!  The day began with a winter storm, snow and strong winds, but all has settled now.  The mounds of white are starting to melt, though I doubt it will all disappear just yet.  I got out a couple days ago, and started bringing in the Christmas lights.  They stayed up way too long because of the freezing temperatures.  The ones along the roof-line are still there because they were frozen in place.  It's predicted to warm up to the low 40's by Friday, so they'll be coming down soon!

I have been in such a happy place.  Dreaming of spring and the projects I want to do.  This is the year to repaint several rooms inside my home.  I keep wavering on color.  Do I go bold or stay with neutrals?  I just can't decide.  I am leaning toward neutral beach tones, especially for our bedroom.  I love the coast, and I'd like to have a light, "beach cottage" feel without being too obviously "beachy"!  Lol!  I'm pretty sure I'll stay with white paint for the family room/kitchen/dining area.  It's much easier to get the color in the accessories, than risk making a color mistake in such a large area.  It's fun thinking about it.

I'm still battling the eye problems, so if any of you have noticed I'm not commenting on your blogs, it's because my computer time has to be very limited for now.  I'm believing this is for a short time!  I love visiting blogs, reading about your lives, and I hope to be back at it soon!

Stay warm, spring is just around the bend!

Art by Kate Greenaway, Free Image courtesy of Dover Publications.

The MS Struggle Continues

I'm very close to making a decision on medications for my MS.  I'm thinking of moving forward with the Gilenya.  There are risks, but there are very few options at this time.  I saw a marvelous Doctor this past week.  She is a neurological ophthalmologist.  She feels that the risk to my eyesight, from the medication, is minimal.  The risk to my eyes, from the MS itself, is actively happening.  I have something going on called Optic Neuritis, mostly in my left eye.  I'm having a lot of trouble with my vision.  I'm spending very little time on the computer because of it.  Thankfully, computers allow us to make the lettering very large.  That way when I do check in, it's much easier to read.  My eyes just tire very quickly.  This condition happened back in 2006, but after a couple of months I recovered almost all of my vision.  The doctor is also watching for something called macular edema, so I'm using medication in both eyes every night, as well as drops every two hours.  I see her for another evaluation in a couple months.  This is a lot of boring information to most, but hopefully is interesting for those of you who have been following my journey with the MS.  (By the way, I should edit this for run-on sentences, etc., but my computer time is running out for today... sorry...)

As for the rest of my life... excellent!  My husband participated in the Alzheimer's Walk and Vintage Car Show yesterday.  He walked in memory of his mother and grandmother, who both passed from Alzheimers, as well as for an aunt who currently has it.  Today he is honoring his dad, by participating in a Veteran's Vintage Car Show/Benefit.  My sons are happy and enjoying their classes.

Autumn Scene. Free image, compliments of My Vintage Studio.

I am loving the cooler autumn weather and seeing the changing colors!  I'm appreciating all the visuals so much more, and not taking one thing for granted.  Wishing you a beautiful week.  Enjoy autumn!

WARNING: This is Not a happy post...

I'm trying to remain positive, but having MS is really getting old!  So, if you came here today looking for something cheery... well, you may want to move along, right now, to some happy decorating/cooking/gardening type blog, because I'm getting "beat up" by MS again, and I have to talk about it!

I have been in a downward spiral for some time now.  The pain in my lower back and legs was unresponsive to medications, but now that pain has gone.  Instead, I have lost feeling in the lower back and most of both legs.  My left eye is again swollen, vision blurred, and is being treated with steroid drops.

They (the great "they" of the medical world) are offering me Gilenya.  A disease modifying drug, which also happens to have death, heart problems, loss of vision, compromised immune system, etc., to it's short list of "side effects" and I don't have the time, or the stomach, to read any more...

Pray you say?  Yes, I have done that, and also have many friends and family praying for me.  Awesome!  But, God does not always choose to heal people.  Even really nice folks like me.  I can accept that... sort of.  I do believe He loves and understands me... I never doubt that!

Where to go now?  What to do?  Say "NO" to this drug, and live with the certainty that this disease will continue to tear my brain and my body apart?  Say "Yes" and take the risk of leaving my family way before my time... or going blind, which steals my favorite activities from me.  Choices.  Choices.  I do not like these choices, but after this brief "pity party" I will dry my eyes, put my "happy face" back on, and try to pretend that life would never give us way more than we can handle.  I'll be back soon, hopefully with a big attitude adjustment and a more optimistic view of life.  Till then, be well dear friends!

May Is Almost Over...

May is almost over! Where does the time go? Lucky 13 is almost done with his school year, although he plans to take a couple of online courses this summer.

I am seeing a bit better each day, but I am definitely needing the reading glasses! Thank goodness for the discount stores. I now have two pair, which is helpful when I misplace one!

My Grandma turned 91 years old today. I'm planning on visiting her tomorrow or Monday. I still have to make time to go shop for a gift. I'm thinking some slip-on summer shoes, or a new blouse. My uncle visited her today and took over a handful of cards friends had sent to her. She loves getting cards!

We are fighting a war with dandelions and clover in our front lawn. If I lived out in the country, like I did growing up, I'd just let them be. Maybe make a dandelion greens salad! Since I live in a subdivision... with covenants that do not allow anything other than strictly manicured lawns, we are forced to poison them. Oh well... I probably wouldn't have felt like a salad anyhoo!

I hope everyone is having a peaceful weekend. I'm loving mine!

I'm Still Here!

Hello friends! I had my left eye surgery this morning. It went well! My eye will be dilated up to 48 hours but even so, I can see really well out of it. I am able to use my $2.00 reading glasses to see my computer screen, but I have to keep it to a minimum for a few days.

This has been an experience. I'm glad I did it, but even more happy that it's over. I am looking forward to enjoying my computer, reading books, doing some art & craft projects, etc. You know the classic question, "Would you rather be deaf or blind?" Well, I'd been saying blind because I have such a love of music and the sounds of wind, rain, birds, laughter. I've now decided neither is an acceptable choice. My uncle said "How about one good eye and one good ear?" He always has a way of bringing humor to every situation!

What I have discovered is that I am going to treasure the things my senses allow me to enjoy. The sights, the sounds, the textures, the colors: all are precious gifts to be thankful for. I don't want to take anything for granted.

Life should be lived fully and enjoyed completely! I am so thankful for my eyes!

Blessings!
Nita Jo

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."
—A.A. Milne

Happy Mother's Day

I almost missed posting this in time for Mother's Day. It's been busy at my house. All my guys were home. The celebration started with a French Toast breakfast and presents! The boys bought me a special brownie pan that makes brownie edges and corners... I love the corners! My sweet husband, PJ, bought me Season 4 of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and the special edition of Bringing Up Baby with two of my favorites... Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant! Later my guys all pitched in and bought us the new grilled chicken from KFC. It was very good. To top it off, PJ baked me his mom's special recipe... Rhubarb Custard Pie... So delicious!

Sooo, there was a lot of sitting, eating, TV... I'm not even going to say how much weight I need to lose now. I think I'll just bypass swimsuits this year... LOL (for a few of my friends who told me they don't know what the abbreviations are for, LOL is Laughing Out Loud).

I gave myself a few moments to miss my mom, my mother-in-law, and a dear friend who was like a mom to me. I thought of all the good things; the love, the laughter, the singing, the gardening, the yard sales, the hugs. I sent a "Happy Mother's Day" out to them, and then I picked up the phone and called the mother I have left here in this life... my Grandma Martha. We had a lovely visit. She told me about some interesting visitors she's had recently; she talked about the church service they had; she was having a wonderful day. It is such a relief to me that she is happy where she's living. I didn't know if she would ever adjust to living at a care center, but it has been the very best decision for her. She's made friends with other residents and staff, and she is very well taken care of. Plus, she's close enough to visit!

Wow.. I didn't mean to get so chatty. I'm seeing the screen a bit better. The eye doctor has given me daily wear contacts for my "good" eye, and I have reading glasses for the closeup stuff.

I can't stop thinking about what a wonderful life I have been given. I am so blessed. There's never been a day so dark, or an illness so terrible that my love and faith in God has left me. Don't misunderstand, I have struggled at times. The amazing thing is that God is always there for me, if I will just call out to Him.

May this day, this week, and this year, bring you new hope, new joy, and renewed faith.

Prayers Desired...

I just got through texting my little sis... she has eye surgery tomorrow. It's to relieve pressure in the eyes. Her second eye will be done the same day that I am having my first eye surgery! Different doctors and different eye clinics, but I kept thinking how funny we'll both be "under the knife" on the same day.

My eye surgery is due to cataracts. On the 22nd, I will have my right lens replaced with a man-made lens. If all goes as planned, I will only need reading glasses. My left eye will be scheduled after the Doc sees how quickly I recover from the first surgery.

I am "looking" forward to having it done. I have not been able to drive at night for some time, or to read normal print. I tried using my Grandpa's magnifying glass, but it was too much effort to hold the book and hold the magnifying glass. I'm sure it made a funny picture to my family! Lol!

If I am absent for a while, it is due to pre-op and post-op procedures. Plus, it may take a little time to adjust to my new vision.

Please keep me and sis in your prayers. I'll be "seeing" all of you just as soon as I can!

Blessings!
Nita Jo