Moments of Peace Part 15

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Nahleen

Well it has been quite an intense week.  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to write this post today because I’m currently sick with some sort of infection that includes laryngitis and since I’ve started antibiotics last night I’ve been feeling better.  To be honest, that is AMAZING!  I’m not exaggerating.  I can’t remember any time I’ve been sick that I’ve taken antibiotics and felt better the morning after starting them the night before.  It was a good thing to catch this really early.  My body can’t afford to get HORRIBLY SICK.  Fortunately, I have doctors who agree and push that on me.  So here’s hoping I can get back on my feet again soon.

On another note before I get on with my Moments of Peace, I’ve been getting inquiries from people reading my Blog asking if they can recommend my Blog to others.  YES PLEASE!  That would be great.  One of my goals is to connect with others.  The more the better.  We can all help each other.

And now for my Moments of Peace:

08/10/12 My view in West LA in the afternoon. It was so dang hot that day. I think the intensity of the sunlight really shows it. Something about how green these tree leaves are struck me. It’s not like we get rain here but it sure is more humid than it used to be.

08/10/12 My view in Culver City, CA in the afternoon. And the heat continued. LOVE the bold color!!! Caught my eye right away.

08/10/12 A lovely view of my Cleo Kitty and I. She loves to cuddle with me on the couch in this position. Love her so much!

08/10/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. The evening skies have really been catching my eye this week no matter where I am. Summer skies are gorgeous!

08/10/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. I’m always in awe of how the sun reflects on the clouds–notice the edges here.

08/11/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. Summer sun setting with little white wispy clouds.

08/12/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. All kinds of clouds happening at once up there.

08/13/12 My view from my doctor’s office in Santa Monica, CA today. It was another really hot day with mega intense sun. Everything is so bright. Loving the view on the horizon.

08/13/12 My view on my walk in Santa Monica, CA. Hello bright sun!

08/13/12 My view on my walk in Santa Monica, CA. These were a pretty color and so calming. Anyone know what they are?

08/14/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. You can’t really see it here but there were levels of color that were fascinating me. The color right near the horizon was purple.

08/15/12 My view from my balcony as morning arrives. I was breath taken by all the sights in the sky. The sunrises this week have been beautiful.

08/15/12 My view from the sun deck in the afternoon. There was an artist in the sky that day. I could see so many images in those clouds. What can you see? And look at that blue!!!

08/15/12 My view from the sun deck in the afternoon. There’s even more artistry in another part of the same sky. Loved how these clouds fell into place here.

08/15/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. The show just kept going from my balcony. I had to catch these moments.

08/15/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. ‘Twas quite a remarkable sky all day. And thus the pinks started showing up. I couldn’t stop gawking at it.

08/15/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. The pink flames started.

08/15/12 My view from my balcony as day turns to night. These pictures don’t do this sunset justice but I think you get the idea.

08/16/12 My view from my balcony as morning arrives. Billowy clouds…more pretty.

08/16/12 My view in West LA as day turns to night. So white and so blue. I was walking next door to pick up my antibiotics for my sickies and saw this. Helped me to relax a bit. (And yes, I’m very lucky to have my pharmacy right next door.)

08/16/12 Thought I might’ve heard some grand declaration of music in this one with the way the sun’s rays are declaring themselves through the clouds! Loved it!

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Sicky Icky

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Nahleen

Yep. I guess I don’t feel yucky enough and now I’m sick.

Not terrible sick. Been dealing with laryngitis since last Sunday and every time I think it’s cleared up it comes back. My Pulmonologist (yes I have one of those too) had told me awhile back to do a gargle with salt water and honey and it really helps a lot. BUT it wasn’t the answer to the issue. It just sorta soothed things.

So today I woke up and I felt OK. And then I started to feel really heavy and it felt like my body was crashing. It’s been a pretty intense week. I thought it was probably my body catching up with me. So I went back to bed to get some more sleep. When I woke up later I felt worse. You know, you go back to bed to try to get some more sleep to try to feel better right? Ha! This was one of those sucky times of waking up feeling worse.

This time I felt an overall feeling of yuck–I’ve since learned it’s malaise but what kind of word is that? It’s yuck. It’s bleh. Sick. My laryngitis had gotten lots worse and I felt heavy and gross. Then a bit of a cough started. I’ve learned a long time ago to address my cough immediately if I even get a slight hint of one starting. I can’t play the game and wait to see what happens. I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS…

And NOW my doctors all agree that I need to not only address it on my own (go figure) BUT I need to call them right away so they can help me take care of things. Amazing really that I have doctors that pay attention to this and are proactive. They DON’T want me getting sick–so sick that I can’t function even more. I have a tendency to go from slightly sick to HORRIBLE.

Soooo, even though I kept thinking in my head I could tough it out and do it on my own (been working out really great since Sunday as the no voice nonsense started), I dialed my doctor and found myself talking to someone on the other end right away.

And after waiting for hours for a response I did get a call back and ANTIBIOTICS it is. Good times. These have messed up my digestive system in the past so we’ll see what happens. My doctor told the nurse to tell me (don’t remember the exact words of course), “This is the deal. I understand she has stomach issues and she has a concern but we need to take care of this infection now. She can’t afford to get worse with her immune system the way it is. Tell her to take the Z-Pack and then call us and tell us how she’s doing. Tell her to promise she will. We know she has a tendency toward infections and it’s been awhile and we don’t need to be on a cycle of never ending infection if we can help it. But she has to PROMISE she’ll call me.” And she made me promise and I did like a good girl.

I really don’t need to be more sick. I addressed this early I think so hopefully it nips it in the bud. I decided I didn’t need to be coughing up a lung this time and to be completely miserable. But I’m sicky icky. I’m so tired of not feeling good. I’m so tired of all of this.

Yet somehow living in the solution helps a lot.

So I should probably go start the meds. Here I go. Wish me luck!!!

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It’s An ’80s Kinda Day Part 16

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Nahleen

Hi all.  I don’t know about you but I need to have some fun.  Jumping right in!

 

1. The Promise  By: When In Rome

And again we ask, WHO?  This is probably one of my favorite ’80s songs of all time.  I love the rhythm, the beat and the overall sound of it.  I can’t help it.  Don’t remember what I really thought of it when I was younger except that I must’ve liked it because I know most of the lyrics.  Oh and of course we start with a shot on a woman.  Gee how many ’80s videos start with a shot on a mysterious woman?  Don’t think I ever heard the beginning of the song before.  Interesting.  So there’s a piano in her belly?  Confused.  OK is it just me or did that hair flick look like a woman’s hair and then throw you off when you saw it was a guy????  Yessss.  We all know now you have long hair.  Geez.  Odd.  Her hair is very much like his.  I don’t think that camera/picture has stopped moving once.  Getting a bit motion sick.  And then we see random bald guy who sings as back up…just barely.  You know.  They’re just hangin’ out in a white room singin’ songs.  Fancy lighting through the window.  Yes.  The pouty woman he pines after or THEY pine after.  Can’t tell.  It’s so funny seeing how high up their pants are.  Oh and then there’s another guy who never looks at the camera who appears to play piano.  Alrighty then.  OK so the bald guy is not random really and also has a lead in the song.  I don’t know that I knew there were 2 lead voices in this song.  And let’s not forget the doggie.  What the heck?!  Is that a very noticeable hole in his jeans in an unspeakable area?  Get some new jeans!

 

2. Owner of a Lonely Heart  By: Yes

Another song I vaguely remember from my youth except that I know most of the lyrics and remember thinking that if I had a crush on a boy and that boy didn’t return my crush then I was THE owner of a lonely heart.  Me and my depth.  And we start on the band.  Don’t think I realized they looked like that.  Don’t know what I was expecting…Yep they think they’re cool for sure.  And the guy sings and looks completely AWKWARD and not nearly as cool as the rest.  Hello orange sweaty face.  Someone dry him off!  And another bad lip syncer…He could at least look like he’s singing and not keep swinging away from the microphone.  Why do they all look bored?  WHAT THE?!  This is new.  There’s talking in the middle?  This oughta be good.  A bird, a snake, a lizard, a cat—ARE THEY SHAPESHIFTERS?  What does this have to do with the SONG?  AND THEN they go back to the song and START OVER?  I guess they wanted to be epic, to be different.  And now a fake black and white movie.  I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON.  Anyone else?  There sure are lots of people being herded around looking unhappy.  Guess I’m getting the idea.  But then what on earth was the beginning?  Ew.  There are all these shots of yucky things–that is EXCEPT the poor black cat who keeps getting thrown on him.  Poor kitty.  And now we’re not in black and white.  So weird.  OK NOW THAT WAS A TRIP.  I’m troubled.

 

3. Heaven Is a Place On Earth  By: Belinda Carlisle

Ah yes.  A former member of the Go-Go’s is on her own.  How’d she do?  Pretty well if I recall.  She was okay.  Watching her now she sure was pretty sure of herself and woowee did she overdo it or what?  Look at those pretty light globe thingies.  Such a sugary voice.  Who else is troubled that they’re singing about heaven and yet everything else is black and they’re wearing black masks?  Does it feel like heaven to you?  Oh excuse me.  AND they have white socks.  Weird.  Goodness.  She looks like she’s trying be so sexy.  And that clothing is quite low cut.  Sappy sappy sappy.  Anyone wanna bet how often she was blinded by that stream of light in her eyes?  Whoa.  Now they’re spinning.  Apparently we’re on an amusement park ride.  She likes to show her shoulders.  I sure hope no one gets ahold of our earth and swings it around while they’re exercising.  We’ll all fall off!  Oh yeah and I keep forgetting to mention that random guy who is swinging around with her.  YES he is kissing her neck and she is way too happy about it.  And look at that.  She has hair wings!  Wow that brings me wayyyyy back.

 

4. Broken Wings  By: Mr. Mister

Wasn’t this song played on Silver Spoons or something?  I tell ya.  This guy cared.  Who doesn’t know this song?  I wonder how many times it’s been played on the radio.    One of THE ’80s classics.  And we’re in black and white in a cool car.  I can tell this is gonna be really deep.  OF COURSE we see a bird flying.  Get it?  Wings?  Bird?  Just singin’ and strummin’ his guitar by the window with a weird long blazer and cowboy boots.  You know.  The norm.  And now the band with the keyboard player wearing an awesome outfit with his sleeves rolled up.  Always so ’80s cool.  He needs ME so?  He looks so intensely at the camera.  Creepy.  So reflective.  Looks like quite a road trip he’s taking.  Hey that other guy in his band has cool hair!  Kinda funky.  And he finds a lone purse just hangin’ out…as THE BIRD leads the way.  Get it?  And yes I’ll admit that I wanted a boy to sing this to me at a dance or something.  Yes, I wanted boys to sing a whole concert to me at some point in my youth.  Do I now?  That’s negotiable.  Might freak me out more than anything.  Throw that map!  See if anyone cares!  He looks like he needs a hug.  A big bird in a church.  OK.  He has really white teeth.  Long song.

 

5. Like a Virgin  By: Madonna

LOVED Madonna as a young gal.  She was my idol.  I knew all of her songs by heart.  And…I had no idea what this song was really about AT ALL.  Oh the innocence of childhood.  Hmm.  Do we think she was a virgin in this video?  Look at that big hair!  And those clothes.  All the females wanted to be just like her.  Is she really in Italy in this video?  I don’t even know.  And we see cat paws.  Nice neon green shirt!  Such a pretty lion.  Nice heavy eye liner.  And she wears white because she’s so pure.  This is a crazy catchy song.  Look at all those ruffles and frills on her dress.  Surprised we can see her.  Always so dramatic even from the beginning.  Quite the production even on this video.  She has good balance in the water.  I would’ve fallen over by now.  Nice blue spandex.  Hope all that jewelry isn’t weighing her down too much.  Ha ha!  So funny to have a shot of the lion’s tongue moving back and forth 3 times to the exact beat of the song.  Never noticed that before.  I wonder if that pretty nice kitty walked that close to her for real or not.  Hard to tell.  THAT IS AN AWFUL LION MASK!!!  Hilarious!

Well now.  That was quite a trip down ’80s lane.  ‘Til next time!

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1 Whole Year!

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Nahleen

I had a gynecologist appointment yesterday and I’ll spare you all the details BUT I’ll share the really good DETAIL with you. Get this! If all continues to go well she doesn’t want to see me for:

1 WHOLE YEAR!!!!

“That seems like a long time for you doesn’t it?”, she quipped.

HOLY CRAP YES!

I don’t remember the last time a doctor said they didn’t need to see me for a year. It has to have been before my lupus diagnosis which was almost exactly 2 years ago. That is crazy. If I’m lucky now and things are improving I get told to see one of my gazillion doctors every 2 months, 3 months, and I was excited to be told 6 months the other day.

I mean who knows? I might get stuck with something that brings me back sooner BUT JUST THE IDEA OF ALL THAT TIME IS SO EXCITING!

And what’s so cool is that this doctor I saw yesterday seems to connect with compassion and have the understanding of what kind of good news that is.

IT’S PRETTY DANG AWESOME! I’ll take it for now and not let my head get ahead of myself with the “What ifs” crapola it always wants to come up with.

ALSO:

Thought I’d share this with you since I wanted to talk about something good. Otherwise, yes I know it’s summer blah blah blah, BUT this heat is KICKING MY BUTTINSKY and everything is extra work, extra effort, my symptoms are flaring with the heat and sun and it’s not fun. It’s very easy for my head to get into fear and doom and gloom and think that the heat will never stop and I’m getting worse and THAT I JUST CAN’T DO IT…BUT somehow I do. I’m stubborn like that. Sometimes it’s an asset to be as stubborn as I am.

Also sending love, prayers and hugs to my sister and her husband who lost their baby kitty very unexpectedly today so as you can guess any wind I had in my sails has been blown out of me and I’ll need to take it easy today. Hopefully things can pick back up tomorrow but I gotta process this. He was such a sweet little boy kitty with such a face and I am very sad.

Love to all! Gotta get back to resting…

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A BIG OLE THANK YOU!!!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Nahleen

Thank You! Yes You!

You are reading this right now and I thank you. I wanted to send a little note along to you all and share my gratitude and appreciation for your support, encouragement, conversation, and anything else connected to a Blog that I know I’m missing.

(My head is not thinking straight. This heat is kicking my butt today. Mega slow motion…UGH.)

For years I was unsure anyone REALLY wanted to know my story. I mean, why me? There were lots of people who tried to tell me I had a story to tell and that people might want to read it. My thinking is that we all have a story to tell and I had this odd idea that since we all had a story to tell that mine wouldn’t be good enough or that you wouldn’t care. But you do care.

It finally clicked at the beginning of this year that it shouldn’t be about whether you all want to read or know my story but whether I want to share it. Then it became a NEED to share it because I was going to burst! I needed to get it out. There has been so much inside me for years…so much I needed to express. I used to write a lot when I was younger and I loved it. Then I lost site of it as I explored other creative paths (and because one college professor didn’t like my writing so woe is me I can’t write ANYMORE–dramatic I know) and built a wall to block my writing as high and tall as I could muster. I wanted to write about my diagnosis story with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago when I was first going through the traumatizing hell of trying to figure out what was wrong with me but I wasn’t ready. And yes, I think it took me nearly 10 years to take down that wall piece by piece.

And so March of this year was the time to TRY. Apparently I was READY. I couldn’t stop once I started. It was all starting to burst out the flood gates because now there was some freedom. It’s hard to get the crap out. It’s hard to be vulnerable and to tell the truth–to be personal and yet I’m learning it’s so important to get it out.

AND you have all been there with me. You responded to my Blog posts about MS, lupus, doctors, appointments, concerts, health, heat, people, ’80s, my moments of peace and the topics really are endless. You liked my posts on Facebook. Yes I’m on Facebook (I mean, who isn’t right?) as “Nahleen Blake”. My page is private so please send me a friend request and feel free to let me know who you are and how you found me. I love to converse on there with all kinds of people. It’s been great to catch up with old class mates from way back to new people and to hear your feedback about what I post and the messages/photos I post. I’m also on Twitter as “nahleenblake”. Feel free to follow me if you like. I would love it too if you responded to my Blogs and we opened up conversation. One of my favorite things is to connect with people. Please talk to me. I’ll be honest. It’s kinda weird putting myself out there to what feels like the “WHOLE WORLD”. You can also send me an email and there’s a link to my email on my “About” page.

THANK YOU. (And Corey–thank you with all my heart. You are my biggest support of all. You have coached me and loved me the whole way through. That means so much to me.)

You are ALL helping me to BE ME.

That matters most.

P.S. Anyone know of a human-sized refrigerator I can go in now to cool off so my MS doesn’t act up anymore in this heat????

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It’s An ’80s Kinda Day Part 15!

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Nahleen

100TH BLOG POST!!!!!!

Yay!  Time for some ’80s celebrating!  So neat that I could write 100 Blogs.  Wowie Zowie!

So let’s party!

 

1. Gloria  By: Laura Brannigan

I loved this song as a young gal.  I just belted it out and I had no idea about what I was singing.  All I knew was that this woman named Gloria had a song about her.  OK loving the disco ball right away–oh and the star filter is on so we see sparkles too.  Nice.  So she’s in a studio all by herself and standing on her own circle.  Looks like we’re watching Star Search.  Remember that show?  Hope no one had a hard time with all the sparkley-strobe effects on this.  Otherwise, who designed this set?  The color is SO BORING.  Low budget for sure.  Swing those hips and wear that black sparkley shirt.  Wow she’s an awful lip syncer.  Awesome lightning bolt belt!  Wait are those spandex she’s wearing?  Just noticed that.  She looks like she’s about to fall asleep singing this.  Oh it’s so dramatic in slow motion.  At the end it looks like she has a question to ask her teacher.

 

2. Every Breath You Take  By: The Police

Who doesn’t like Sting?  He’s really great and talented.  Not sure what happened to the rest of this band when he went solo.  This song’s pretty haunting and as I get older it sounds creepier.  Seems like it might be another stalker song if you ask me.  However, I can’t help but like it.  Gotta love the black and white effect.  Hey that was kinda cool–that effect of the ash tray dissolving into the drum.  Nice.  Sting’s kinda cute here.  One thing I really like about this group is that they aren’t too flashy–VERY not ’80s really.  He kinda pooches his lips out when he sings doesn’t he?  Scary look when he looks at the camera with “I’ll be watchin’ you”…Cool lighting too.  This song has quite a music production doesn’t it?  Love the look of the piano against the window.  Ha!  Don’t think I ever noticed the window washer behind the band. Hmm…who’s hand is that?

 

3. Won’t Back Down  By: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

I’ll admit it.  I don’t know that I really cared that much about Tom Petty and his peeps way back when but I sure did know their music.  I like him more and more lately.  This is one of my favorites.  Gotta love the way he sings.  He is one unique guy isn’t he?  That’s neat.  He’s bent over a box and he opens the lid and the music video shows in the box basically.  And of course he and his band are performing in a black studio with a bright light with a soft effect.  Ha ha!  I’m loving watching the guy dancing in the back right corner in what I think is a light blue suit.  Awesome.  Oh look at that.  It’s Ringo on drums!  And I just checked my facts on the internet (it KNOWS ALL) and yes, that’s George Harrison too.  So should this be more like Tom Petty and The Beatles???  Oh my goodness.  I’m cracking up now because I’m realizing that the guy I pointed out dancing in the background is George Harrison.  That is so funny!  Whoa.  Didn’t know we’d be taking a Disney ride with the footage playing in the background like that.  Weird angles.  OH look Ringo is pushing a big globe.  Ha!  He’s having a lot of fun with that globe isn’t he?

 

4. Call Me  By: Blondie

A good ole ’80s classic for ya.  How could I not have an ’80s list without Blondie.  She was pretty cool.  I think what I learned growing up was to call her.  Hey she’s holding a newspaper on the street.  Newspapers are SO ’80s…  Look at her!  She’s having fun on the beach!  She’s quite pretty.  Whoa.  Now she’s stripping–OH, that’s just her bathing suit.  Phew!  OK just realized this.  When I was a little gal I thought she was sooooooo much older and now I see her in this video and she looks sooooooo much younger than me.  ACK!  Wow she has great hair that flies all over the place when she jumps.  Is it me or are these shots of her on the stage just weird and kinda awkward because she keeps looking down or has sunglasses on or something?  Can’t place it.  Oh that’s what she says there?  Thanks for random the text on the screen to clear that up, “Loves Alibi”.  Oh and then “Chamami”.  Thanks clearing that up too.  And there’s 2 more times of this.  OK then.

 

5. Maneater  By: Hall and Oates

Good ole Hall and Oates.  Or Hall and barely Oates?  Or something like that?  I can remember really not understanding the idea of “Maneater” when I was little.  I mean, she’s a monster who eats a man?  She’s eating man?  What’s all this about?  I did like the beat though and it was a good song to bebop to.  Everybody start snapping your fingers.  You know you wanna.  Took awhile to get to anything worth watching didn’t it?  Oh OK.  Here’s the band.  Strobe lights in a dark studio.  Of course!  Yep.  That’s a saxophone.  Whoa.  Did the song just get lots louder there when he started singing?!  Nice hair.  Another bad lip syncer.  He can’t really dance can he?  Yep there’s Oates.  So the woman’s feet are a black panther’s?  Is that the point here?  I’m confused.  Oh there’s the woman’s face–barely.  Scary eyes!  I love black panthers.  They are so pretty.  Hall is sportin’ some nice shoulder pads there.  You know fellow women, there are worse animals to be compared to than black panthers don’tcha think?  Seems like a compliment to me!

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Ever Had a Left-Handed Hygienist Clean Your Teeth?

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Nahleen

I have.  Today.

She’s bubbly, friendly, funny, gentle and left-handed.  It was so cool.  It doesn’t take much to excite me these days I guess.  She’s the first left-handed hygienist I’ve had.  I thought I had noticed her position in her chair as she cleaned my teeth the last time I was at the Dentist and today I asked her about it.  Not everything she did was the complete opposite of doing it all right-handed.  She said that in school her teachers ONLY knew the right-handed method of cleaning teeth and when she and her 3 other left-handed classmates (she tells me that’s very unusual for one class to have more than one left-handed person in it) got stuck trying to figure out how to do the next part of the exam they were learning with their left hand, the instructors would be stumped and wouldn’t know what to tell them.  She said it was really good in the long run because she had to problem solve each roadblock they hit in the mouth on their own (that seems very strange to articulate in writing) and not everything was completely opposite.  She also was forced to learn the right-handed method too in order to get by.  Pretty interesting actually.  So she then answered the next question I was going to ask her which was why it seemed like she had different methods for cleaning than what I was used to.

And why am I even talking about this?  Well because I had a good dental appointment today for the first time in years!  There are no real issues to report.  I PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!  Amazing!  Not only do my wisdom teeth (crazy that I still have them) look good with no areas to watch for cavities, but my gums aren’t as irritated or bleeding (can happen with not only lupus and MS, but also with the medications I take for both–isn’t that just great???), and all the other teeth are good too.  Sure I have a bit of a cracked tooth (have no idea how that happened–guess this it it–I’m getting old…) but the Dentist had no worries about that AT ALL.  Oh and a lot of times my jaw and face muscles in general get really tired of being open for a long period of time (MS and lupus related during the cleaning and I didn’t have much of a problem with that either.

I think it’s the first doctor appointment I’ve had in a long time that was so positive–and get this–NORMAL.  It’s a really nice feeling.  I’ve been kind of a high all day about it because I feel like I rarely ever get a break from any doctor these days.  There’s always this underlying black/grey cloud hanging over my head about something.  I just have to stay very diligent about all the brushing, flossing, etc. that I do to keep up and all should be well.

Considering it was quite hot today it’s been a pretty good day overall.  It’s nice to be able to say that.

Thank you all for being here on the road to recovery with me.  It feels really good to share with you.

Hope you’re having a good week!

 

 

 

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101

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Nahleen

GO ME GO!

I HAVE WALKED 101 DAYS IN A ROW!

That’s so cool. Thank goodness I had a Physical Therapist a couple of months ago who I really clicked with. She encouraged me to “Keep On Keepin’ On” no matter what. She told me the most important advice she could give me is to walk–even just a little bit–every day. Yes, EVERY DAY.

She pointed out that with lupus and multiple sclerosis WALKING is the BEST thing I can do for me. Even just a few minutes every day will help. The point is the repetition with my muscles and with my body in general. Pretty soon my mind and body will be programmed to make it a habit and it will all work out. Otherwise, the muscles are encouraged to stiffen up and in turn I will not have the flexibility, strength, stamina or endurance and it will continue that way. She understood both illnesses well enough to tell me that she knew there were days I felt like walking WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA. It kinda did feel like she was reading my mind. Perhaps I’m too tired or have too much going on or my legs just hurt so the red flag goes off in my head that I BETTER NOT WALK TODAY AND JUST LET MY LEGS REST. BUT the point is to WALK.

She also made it a point not to bite off more than I could chew right away–that it was really okay to ease myself into it and to even do a few minutes if that’s all I could do. There was no need to push too hard or walk for an hour every day or to walk too much all at once. It’s cumulative. The body will remember, the muscles and nerves will remember. Sure it might be hard at first to mentally be committed and my legs might yell at me for using them “too much” but to keep at it. Take it easy. WALK. No judging of myself.

WALK.

So while I was still in treatment with her I attempted this idea called “WALK”. Sure I did too much at first and walked too much and wore myself out. Of course I did. I’m me. She pointed out that as humans we are all programmed to think we have to take it all on. She’s worked with pretty healthy people too who also bite off jump in right away and wonder why they can’t walk the next day or a week later.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

So that’s what I’ve been doing and it’s worked. And I can say that it has finally clicked in. I’ve heard over the years that someone with MS (specifically) should try to exercise every day and do something–whatever that is–and that walking was a great idea.

IF I CAN WALK AND HAVE THAT PRIVILEGE THEN TO WALK IS A PRIORITY…

I do have to change it up a bit. I have a fitness walking video I use at a home, sometimes I do a dance walk type thing–hey maybe I can patent it is the Nahleen Dance Walk, I walk around the apartment (so boring but gets the job done), I walk outside, I walk where I have errands, I walk the mall, I walk a park, I walk in a museum, I walk before or after a doctor appointment.

By now I know you get the point.

I WALK.

And the payoff is really great. Not only do I know I benefit from stretching every day (been doing this for years–thank goodness), BUT now I walk every day. I have always loved to walk outside. It helps to relax me to see nature with the sky and flowers and birds–you name it. There’s even some fresh air to breathe. It’s lovely. So this is all really good for me to add it to my daily routine. I’ve noticed my legs ache and are less stiff, my joints don’t hurt as much, my legs are stronger, I have more endurance and can walk more distances and a lot of times it’s not my legs that bother me much–it’s the rest of my body.

I’m so so glad I listened to this very special woman. She has really changed my life.

ONE STEP, ONE WALK AT A TIME…

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Moments of Peace Part 14

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Nahleen

Happy Friday!  I have an appointment with me to go galavanting today so I thought I’d post this now instead of later.  Thank you to each and every one of you for reading my story and letting me share that part of myself with you.

07/27/12 My view in West LA as day turns to night. Grabbed this in the Albertson’s parking lot.

07/28/12 My view in Santa Monica, CA as evening arrives. You can see just a wee bit of ocean just past the palm trees.

07/28/12 My view in Santa Monica, CA as evening arrives. It’s kinda cool to look down on a palm tree too.

07/29/12 My view in Westchester, CA as day turns to night…and…Corey’s head. Gotta love how he walked right into my shot and I’m pretty sure it was on purpose. Isn’t that little piece of hair sticking up such a lovely part of the view?

07/29/12 ANYWAY…my view in Westchester, CA as day turns to night…without Corey’s head.

07/30/12 My view on my walk in Pacifici Palisades, CA. I had just finished (FINALLY) eating after my “fasting” appointment, looked up as I walked outside and this lovely view was looking back at me.

07/30/12 My view on my walk in Pacific Palisades, CA after my “fasting” appointment. This palm tree had lots and lots of berries.

07/31/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. Well hello moon!

07/31/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. I love the grey wispies along with the orangey-golden glow.

08/01/12 My view from the sun deck as evening arrives. Fun with all kinds of clouds!

08/01/12 My view from the sun deck as day turns to night. There was a lower layer of clouds. Felt like I could touch them.

08/02/12 My view from the sun deck as evening arrives. The sun was pretty intense.

08/02/12 My view from the sun deck as evening arrives. And the sun declares itself!

Categories: Moments of Peace/Pictures | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

It’s An ’80s Kinda of Day Part 14

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Nahleen

The ’80s are back this week!  I know you missed them!  It’s time for some fun.

 

1. Every Rose Has Its Thorn  By: Poison

Every Hair Band needed their power ballads.  This song keeps coming up on my ’80s station I listen to (yes I’m an ’80s music geek–obviously) so I figure it’s time I post it here.  Oh those Junior High dances I tell ya.  If only the boy I had a crush on would dance with me.  You know, barely touching  each other.  So romantic.  What is with the blue tint of the black and white filter?  Can we say DRAMATIC?!  And yeah OK he’s sexy here in this first dolly shot as the camera rolls around the bed where we see the unhappy big haired woman.  And still no music yet.  My goodness.  Get to it!  And of course there’s a storm outside.  Duh.  HELLO!  He was almost naked there when he got up.  That camera was right there!  I think I should be embarrassed.  I love the leaves on the studio floor.  That’s awesome.  Very natural.  And as with every other Hair Band we have to see the band jammin’ it up in rehearsal and in front of a crowd.  You know, these guys needed some good hair conditioning treatment.  I mean, look at those messes.  Can’t help it though.  This song holds a special place in my nostalgic heart because we all know “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” now don’t we?

 

2. Words  By: Missing Persons

I know.  Who?  If you listen you’ll know the song I think.  I have found myself bebopping to it over the years.  I don’t know of any other song by them but that’s okay.  Seems to happen a lot.  OH yeah.  Look at that COOL white filter over the picture.  This is going to rock.  Holy moly!  She is hardly wearing anything on top!  And that hair is awesome!  And that caked on make up is something else too.  Oh hey, looks like all of them are wearing a ton of make up.  Oh my!  And now we see she’s really not wearing much at all!  Well alrighty then.  What is that around her waist anyway?  And what is she saying/”singing”?  Do you think there’s a enough white?????  Well, looks like they saved a bunch of money since they’re basically in a studio and that’s it.  And is that guy behind her wearing stirrup tights??

 

3. You Might Think  By: The Cars

How can there be an ’80s Blog without mentioning The Cars.  I mean really.  So here they are.  Probably my favorite song from them.  We saw the lead singer in Boston while crossing the street and he is so darn tall!  And I’m pretty sure he was wearing sunglasses–of course.  Cool video effect in his sunglasses.  Well of course there’s a woman in lingerie.  And we all sleep in fake bedrooms made from green screen effects.  Uh huh.  And as per the usual in the ’80s we have another creepy stalker whose head pops up out of nowhere and who spies on her in a bathtub.  Apparently ’80s=STALKERs.  I’d be scared too if I saw those big sunglasses like that.  And then the band shows up on her bath sponge??  This is too much!  And then of course in her medicine cabinet.  I’m scared to look in mine now.  You never know who might be in there.  HELP!  He’s showing up everywhere!  And now his huge face is in the window!  And now he’s a giant?!  And then he drops her?  Nice guy.  Geez.  And she likes all the crazy things he does in the end.  HMMMMM….

 

4. Flashdance  By: Irene Cara

This is my father’s ultimate favorite song.  It always has to be blasted when he listens to it.  I had no choice but to love it growing up.  I also surprised him by playing this song at my wedding as our “Father/Daughter” dance and he had NO IDEA.  Of course, then I paid for it because he had me running all over the dance floor with him for ALL OF IT!  But it was totally worth it to see the look on his face.  Oh and then there’s the movie.  I remember being so inspired by it.  This woman was GOING FOR IT!!!!  She rocked!  And yes I did want to dance like her but that wasn’t possible…  It’s great to see shots of the movie.  Think I’m gonna have to watch it soon.  Brings me way back.  And you know, I don’t think I really understood the meaning of the song for quite a long time and now I get it.  Admit it.  You’re currently moving along to the music as you watch/listen right now.  OH and look at that.  She got the guy in the end…I think.  How sweet.

 

5. The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades  By: Timbuk 3

I know.  Again, who?  Well, we all know the song if not the group name.  I guess it’s a “shades” kinda list today.  OK, who couldn’t help but go around in school singing this song and even putting on their cool “shades”?  If you say you didn’t I don’t know that I believe you.  That’s what I remember doing with my friends.  We were cool like that.  Our futures were so bright…  What is with the donkey (is that what it is?) in what looks like the desert lugging an old TV around?  Is that what’s happening?  Oh now these are neat graphics for the time.  And the animation too!  Interesting statement about nuclear science and nuclear power I didn’t even realize…Those black and white lips are scaring me.  I’m gettin’ the idea these 2 thought they were so cool.  Anyone else?  Nice boombox.

 

Gotta love the ’80s!  So full of creativity!  ‘Til next time!!

Categories: '80s | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

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