Hi there! Its been a while since I have 'blogged', which maybe for good reasons.  I was reading my most recent blog.  I didn't publish it, and as I re read it, it is for the best.  I am going to delete it.  It didn't come from a good place.

So, to catch you up on what has been happening here-I saw this Dr a few weeks ago that practices Chinese medicine.  I went to him and he gave me some herbs to take at home for 3 weeks.  I went back  and he said I was doing very well, I could stop taking them.  He gave me some herbs in the office, and told me to come back in a week.  So I went back to him one last time.  He gave me some more herbs in the office.  He said I do not need to come back unless I got sick.  He told me along with RA I also had Lyme Disease.  I have to tell you, I feel 1000% better.  I feel the best I can remember.  I have energy!  My depression is gone! I went to my traditional doctor today and told him about it....He said whatever works do it!  I was surprised, I thought he would 'yell' at me! lol

On another note, I brought the dogs to a local vaccination clinic-NOT to get vaccinated, but they had a microchip for $20 for Mack, and I also got both dogs tested for lyme/heartworm/ehrlichia.  Katie's test came out negative for all 3, but unfortunately, Mack's came back positive for Lyme.  He does not seem to have any outward symptoms, but I know that it can affect internal organs, and most people do not find out until it is too late.  Mack has an appointment with the vet next week.  While she is not a holistic vet, she is minimal vaccine/meds....but will give them when needed....so I am hoping Mack will stay A symptomatic and will never have effects from it...but I will definitely keep you all updated.


All through this, my daughter has been having some strange symptoms.  Out of respect for her privacy, I won't go into details, but more drs appointments are in her future, as well as a trip to the doctor that practices Chinese medicine.

And, as some of you may know, my beloved Subaru has been incapacitated for a while now.  Luckily, we had an extra car, so things were working out.....UNTIL my daughter's car broke!  The car runs great, and the radio still works, but the frame is rotted and cannot be safely fixed.....so, this has been a challenge to get everyone to work.  I am very lucky that my father in law let us borrow his car.  Hopefully hubby with have the Subie up and running Sunday.  The engine is currently apart and in my basement!  Its a good thing I am not such a 'girly girl' because the engine stinks.  It literally stinks, an odor of rotten grease-being a mechanic's wife, it is a familiar smell to me, but one I don't necessarily care for.  Give me bondo and gasoline odors any day over this! LOL

I celebrated my Birthday last week.  An old friend and I hiked to some waterfalls.  It was a little bit of an adventure-climbing over fallen trees, hopping from rock to rock to keep our feet dry from the creek's water.  I had a wonderful birthday doing nothing extravagant, just enjoying the hike, my friend, and of course my dogs.


I have been feeling very content these past few weeks, even with all these 'things' looming over me.  I am thankful for this.  If all of this would've happened two months ago, I don't think I could of held things together.   I don't do well with multiple urgent matters.  I tend to dwell on them and compound them, and build them up in my head.  I am very thankful that is not happening now.

On an up note-I received a new camera as a gift.  I am very excited to learn how to use it.  It is a bit more complicated that a point and shoot.  Between working and drs appointments I haven't been able to sit down and figure it out.  I will try to spend some time with it over the weekend. 

I hope this find you all well! 

My two cents.....you can keep the change!
Kim
Here are two photos from our hike (photos not taken with new camera)

It's been a while since I have posted-to be honest I had a couple blogs all written up-and I hesitated to publish them-they didn't come from a good place.  While it was theraputic to write them, I don't think they would be good reads.
Anyway, I wanted to share with all of you something I feel very hopeful about.  I started treatment with a new doctor on Friday.  This doctor is not a 'traditional' type of doctor.  I do not want to say too much, until I see if there are good results.  I am trying not to be too hopeful, incase the treatments don't work, while at the same time I am keeping an open mind.  Just with 3 treatments I find myself feeling so much better.  I have had more energy and felt more 'awake' than I have in a long time.  I feel like my 'fog' is clearing....so I will definitely keep you all posted on that subject.

On another note, I am pretty upset my camera is messed up.  It is only about 18mos old.  I love to take pictures...I have always wanted to take a photography class.  I never have because I can't remember anything-it would kind of be a waste of money-like eating at McDonalds, it only stays with you for so long, and then, well....its gone! LOL  Maybe if these treatments work I will have my memory back and can do that.  Of course, I will need a camera-and that is not in the budget right now.  I am going to find a way to save some cash for a new one-it is something I really enjoy doing-trekking throught the woods and snapping a few photos, of course the black and whites are some of my favorite subjects! 

Wishing you all a happy Valentine's Day-let those that you love know it-everyday-because we never know how long we will be here-kiss 'em, hug 'em, treat them well!

There's my 2 cents.....you can keep the change!
Kim

I always felt I was a 'good judge of character'.  I thought I could read people, figure them out quite easily and size them up.  Over the past few years I have been mistaken.  I have found out disturbing things about a person that was a 'friend'.  I am constantly reminded how people are strange.  Just the other day, while on a local facebook 'mom' page I was attacked (verbally) by someone I had never met!  All for sharing about about a local attraction/business.  Their reaction was unfounded and frankly I was befuddled.  It happened late at night, so there were few others still on the group.  I was proud of myself, I kept my cool and handled myself well.  My friend told me that this was a 'troll' (click here to read the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet) ).  I found myself hurt after was all said and done.  I have thin skin I guess.  Even though I did nothing wrong, her comments hurt and angered me.  Most of the other forum members were very supportive and agreed that I was not in the wrong.  Why do we give so much power to others to affect our emotions?  I admit I am a people pleaser, but not a doormat.  I will stick up for myself and others if necessary.  I can be ferocious, but why did I give a total stranger another thought?  I guess it is something I need to work on within myself.  I know the person I am, and my intentions.  I think they are morally correct-do I make mistakes, sure I do!  Do I sometimes hurt people, probably (albeit unintentionally).  There is always room for improvement, but I suppose I don't need to be so hard on myself! Anyway, there's my 2 cents-you can keep the change!

Kim

Does anyone else have a conscience that works overtime?  I do.  Even when I know I did everything right and just and honestly during the day, one little thing will stick with me.  When I make a mistake, I feel terrible.  When I cause someone pain, well let's just say I loose sleep-I loose lots of sleep.  Now, with this being said, I try very hard not to make a mistake, not to cause people pain...but it does happen.  I know that I am too hard on myself, but what bothers me more is when people aren't hard enough on themselves.  I am truly concerned about the direction or not only our country, but the world as a whole.  Money, greed, me me me seems to be the common thread.  What happened to compassion and love? Helping your neighbor?  Living humbly?  I have tried to raise my children with a spirit of service, empathy and a good work ethic.  I  really don't understand why people don't volunteer more.  It is a win-win!  I love volunteering-I love helping others-it helps me!  There are so many ways you can volunteer-just picking up trash in your neighborhood is helping-collecting towels for an animal shelter, donating a few items to the local food pantry, posting a charitable event on your facebook page.  Think of your neighbors, show concern for your community and of course love your family and teach your children well!  And of course, take the best care of your animal companions!

Just my 2 cents, you can keep the change-

Kim

So, tonight I have to vent some frustration......most of you know I am passionate about my dogs (and cats when I had them).  It frustrates me so when people get pets for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time and do not make the commitment to care for them properly....
The other day while on facebook, I was on a local group browsing around, and the chat bar popped open-it was a chat going on within the group.  And, if I recall correctly it was a rental connection site-where people post rentals available and other people can look at them.  Anyway, these 2 women are chatting about school districts etc.  The one woman has 6 kids and has to move out of her current rental because the landlord won't fix the heat.  So, she is looking for a new rental for her, her husband and 6 kids and can't afford to pay more than $700 a month (seems like a tall order to fill).  So, then she talks about getting a dog!  GRRRRRRR.....she was mentioning about how hard it is to have 6 kids keeping up with everything! So why the H-E-(double hockey sticks) would you get a dog?????  It was all for me to do to not get into the conversation, but I decided not to-BUT it has been bothering me ever since! 
Vent #2-someone is looking for a puppy on a 'for free' facebook group-some people are telling her to go to a pet store! GRRRRRR  These are PUPPY MILL dogs-no respectable breeder would give their precious puppies over to a pet store for them to be sold to just anyone!  Yes, I feel bad for puppy mill puppies-but as long as there is a demand for them, the a$$es will keep breeding them.  Which brings up another issue-when you buy a puppy mill puppy-you probably will not go to the breeding grounds-they have 'fronts'-a nice family, a friendly Amish farmer, etc, etc-I am embarrassed to be from a state that is ranked one of the highest for puppy mill breeders-just terrible.  So, then I post about local shelters and rescue groups-someone tells the would be puppy wanter to check craigslist!  Then another tells about how she got her puppy off of EBAY!!! OMG are you serious?  I can hardly handle this-I don't know how rescue volunteers keep going-
When you get a dog or a cat, you must have a real idea of what that entails (pun here-entails-get it???).  Just because you have a fenced in yard, doesn't mean you can let the dog out there and expect them to get exercise!  You must deal with accidents, chewed things, vet bills, walking (yes folks, dogs need to be walked for exercise and sanity every day-rain, sleet, sun, heat etc).  If you want to purchase the cheapest food you can-because 'they are just a dog', you are being foolish-feed the best you can afford-give them love, direction and attention and boundaries!  I waited for YEARS before I got a dog as an adult.  It's not because I didn't want one-but I was gone from home 12 hours a day-and couldn't keep any commitment I made to a dog-then I had children-and I couldn't keep any commitment I made to a dog-then, when I was ready and able to keep that commitment we got a puppy, and folks, it is ALOT of work-and things don't always turn out the way you want them to......
Anyway, that's my 2 cents, you can keep the change.....

Kim

I find myself with all these random thoughts-not sure where to begin.  So anyway-after feeling crappy for almost 2 days, I finally feel better.  I really don't know what was wrong (probably something RA related) but just couldn't do a darn thing-that is very frustrating for me.  Ooops, I digress, lol, so instead of doing things that I probably should have, I decided to go for a walk in the woods.  This is more than a walk for me, and my two dogs.  Well, maybe for the dogs its just a walk in the woods, but for me, it is rejuvenation.  It is spiritual, it renews my spirit.  I love to take photos-I always wanted to take a photography class-to learn all the gadgets on my point and shoot., maybe, someday....  This is my favorite time of year.  Some people find that odd-'everything is dead', 'it's cold', 'it is stark'.  Those are all the things I love about it.   I'm not sure if I like the starkness because I am not a 'happy jolly soul'.  I don't tend to look on the bright side of things (although I have no problem pointing others towards the bright side)  Often times I feel lost, actually most of the time.  Still not sure what it is I'm doing here and what my purpose is.  Some people call me a pessimist, I like to refer to myself as a realist.  But being a realist, you rarely dream.  I do not fantasize about the future, I tend to 'what if' with bad things.....'what if my car breaks down on the way to work', 'what if one of my kids gets hurt', 'what if my husband looses his job' (and consequently our health insurance)......this gets very tiring.  I do not want these thoughts....I am trying hard to push them aside.  Trying hard to live by faith.   But, with that being said, I don't really understand about fantasizing about things that you will never have.  To me, this just brings disappointment.  For me, keeping your expectations low, saves your skin....you don't get hurt.....getting let down when you weren't that high up to begin with doesn't hurt as much as if you are way on top.  Am I making any sense? 

 Anyway, this is my 2 cents-you can keep the change......
Kim

Welcome to the first ever post to the first ever blog of ME!
So, thanks for stopping by-
I had an idea for my first blog post-but perhaps I should start out with an introduction?  My name is Kim, I am 41 (soon to be 42), I have been married for 20 yrs (to the same man-lol).  I have 2 teenage children (that will probably be mortified when they find out I have a blog) and 2 incredibly wonderful black and white dogs (I'm sure you will get tired of the stories about them soon enough).  I live in north eastern Pennsylvania, far from the 'concrete' as I call it. I have a sucky disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis, which most people don't understand (click here if you want to learn more about that):  http://www.rheumatoidarthritis.com/ra/understanding-ra/default.htm?cid=act_we_F009007_P000001&c=MIACRAF511P1167&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=rhumatoid%20arthritis&utm_campaign=RA%20General
I am a procrastinator-I am genuine-sometimes I say the wrong things (but for the right reasons).  I hope you enjoy my blog journey!  Would like to thank my friend Jamie for her encouragement and for being my first follower! (hope you are Jamie!)
Enjoy!
Kim