Sensitivity to noise and other things

I had a nice long weekend thanks to a professional day, President's Day and a snow day.  Now that I am back at work I am realizing just how lovely the quiet was at home.  I always forget just how loud my workplace can be. I'm a middle school teacher and it doesn't get much louder than that.  The noise that I'm hearing this morning is painful.  My desire to curl up in a ball and cry is slightly overwhelming. 

I also realize that being surrounded by light is making my brain hurt.  At home I keep window blinds open so I get natural light but I don't always have electric lights on (unless I really need them).  Natural light doesn't have the same negative effect on me that electric light does.  I wonder if that's the same for everyone else. 

The other thing that gets to me is the heat in buildings.  It doesn't help that I have my own internal heating system (or my own perpetual summer).  The heat in my building at work is dry and uncomfortable and I don't run it much at home so this is not fun for me.  I'm sweaty and feel like I need to sleep. 

OK, I'm finished with my rant.  I feel kind of yucky today.  I can't afford to feel yucky right now.  My grandson is home and I can't wait to see him next week.  I want to hold my sweet little boy.  :) Love and blessings to you all. 

Valentine's Day is for Who???

Welcome back my friends and fellow warriors!  As we approach Valentine's Day I thought I'd give you a shout out and wish everyone well.  We all know that this time of year can be tough for many of us who have chronic illnesses.  Sometimes the rest of the world forgets we exist or they just think we don't want to participate.  Well, guess what world...YOU'RE WRONG!!!! We do exist and even if we feel crappy a little love might be nice even on a Hallmark holiday. 

I grew up in a house where we exchanged cards and little gifts for Valentine's Day so I never got the whole romantic thing.  I just thought it was a day to show love to your family.  I was the kid who happily gave a Valentine to every kid in my class and never understood why others fussed about who they gave them to.  As it turns out I married a man who wants nothing to do with Valentine's Day.  I tried to change that for many years and then gave up.  When my kids were little I gave them little gifts and cards.  They liked it but because they went to a religious school it wasn't celebrated there and their friends weren't a part of the celebration they had with Mom at home so that didn't last either.  Now they're grown and neither celebrates the day.  Oh well...

I will say that I have something to celebrate this Valentine's Day.  I became a Grandma on February 1st.  My little grandson is absolutely adorable.  I haven't met him in person yet even though I was at the hospital when he was born.  He's in the NICU until next Tuesday.  I can't wait to meet him in person.  Talk about a gift from above. 

Well dear friends, even if no one is showing you any love this weekend, do something special for yourself.  Watch what you want to watch on tv, take a bubble bath, curl up with a good book, listen to your favorite tunes or take yourself out to dinner (or my favorite, buy yourself those pretty flowers).  Just know that in the world of chronic illness and chronic pain warriors you're not alone.  We stand together and that's a lot of love.  Love and blessings to you all.