Sticking to the Point

Wellness Wednesday :: when the chips are down

This post contains too much information, proceed with caution.

What's this on my ass? I wonder,  gently touching my suddenly, sensitive hiney. I head to our only full-length mirror and drop drawer.  

Nestled next to the crack, thankfully above the bung hole, I spy three, small blister-like eruptions, next to red welts;  a small road map of skin that felt scorched. Burned.

Because it was Saturday night, I found it necessary to include poor M in the inspection, I needed a second opinion.*

Monday morning the dermatologist confirmed my suspicion: shingles.

Inside my ass crack.

Albeit,  the area is small and well-protected. Because there's limited exposure, I'm less likely to infect someone;  a concern since M can't remember if he's had chickenpox.  A high dosage of Valtrex, combined with medicated cream should provide relief.

I also saw my acu-friend C,  who prescribed nasty herbs and jacked my booty up with an acupuncture technique called surround the dragon. She also used e-stim, the theory being that electrical current stimulates the dermatomes, minimizing the postherpetic pain that can linger. 

First it was Pityriasis Rosea and now shingles.

I've taken more medication in the past month than I have in years.

All things considered, I'm lucky, even if I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Please let this be the last of it.

*Not a good idea, considering the mister's ability to minimize any and all of my ailments.

Self Portrait Challenge :: celebration.4

Deciding to stay in my current office space, took a leap of faith.

Faith that my decision was the right one.

Faith that the center where I'm located will continue to thrive.

Most of all, there's the faith I've found within.

Trusting that this is the right time to take on more space,

a continuum taking place in my current digs,

more options,

momentum.

The last of the celebratin' over here

My Sacred Sunday :: eye spy

On Friday I was in the city getting my hair cut. I pushed myself to find images around me, looking for inspiration when I was feeling anything but inspired.

Friday Love #92

Photo booth Friday. The last of my scanned vintage squares.

Meet Anthony. Anthony works in the city, his first job. He has two suits, handed down from his big brother Michael, and a new hat. Quickly ducking into the photobooth on the way home, his newspaper stuffed under his arm, Anthony wants a photo to send back home to his mama in Palermo, she'll be so proud.

The little stuff.

• For the last year, I've worked on a 365 photo project, which began 01.11.07. Today is 365. I'm planning to begin again, but I need a little break.
• spinach pie
• my wish book
• mail love: a necklace from Thea and this delicious trilogy.

• This book
• Cup after cup of black tea

One Night in Bangkok: the after party

Wellness Wednesday :: Rachel's seeds

Rachel has a great, weekly project going on called Saturday Seeds. If it weren't for demon cramps this past Sunday, I would have been at her wish tree ceremony. Instead, I have to settle on looking through her flickr photos with longing and a little drool, (those cupcakes).

Seed no.2 was a check-in with a check-up. Taking care of our bodies by scheduling over-do appointments with dentist and doctors, moving your body with exercise and good food choices.

I'd mentioned before the holidays that I was on a new regime. I was working out and I was eating better. I didn't mention that I was also stuffing my face with treats and cocktails, it was the season after all.

I wasn't prepared to get sick for 10 days at the end of the year. I'm quite certain the weight gain would have persisted, it might not have been as high had I been able to work out, but that's a moot point really.

The truth is, the new year found me stuffing myself into my "heavy" pants and feeling lethargic and weighed down.

Everyday is a new opportunity, and rather than let myself succumb to defeat, accept the extra pounds and buy new, "heavy" pants, I re-focused.

I've taken more medication in the past month than I have in years. First it was the vague virus that derailed my new exercise habit. Killer antibiotics often do a number below the border, Diflucan took care of that.

This week I visited the dermatologist for what I thought was eczema. Instead I'm 3% of the affected that has a recurrence of pityriasis rosea, probably a result (again) of the vague virus.

Through it all, I've been motivated to take care of myself and haven't fallen off track or let myself feel derailed, even if I've had too many sweets or cocktails.

Commitment and follow-through. So far each week, as I process my motto for 2008, I find new ways to commit to myself. New ways to understand what these two words mean for me, how I will refine my lifestyle to make them significant.

Self Portrait Challenge - celebration.3

Any time I can sit down to read, is a celebration indeed.

More celebratory photos over here.

Sacred life Sunday :: reflection

M has always maintained, that I have a certain number of words that I'm required to say each day; he believes it's why I sleep so well at night. Like a dump truck, he walks through the door and a litany of words pour out.

Blogging provides a way for my words to be released. Strange then, that I've been feeling silent over here, without a lot to say.

Actually, it's about time commitment. In my all too recent past, I spent far too much time here: reading, writing, looking.  Maybe it's the Artist's Way, or maybe I've finally come out of a year-long fugue state.

That's what this feels like, coming out of a fugue state. 2007 was my year of disassociative behavior, passing through 12 months without attention or responsibility. I was a victim.

That's not to say I frittered away my year. I just spent too much time worrying. And it was a waste.

I still fret. I still worry, but it's different. I'm different. I'm trying to understand myself more, to bring in more happiness, more joy-filled days. And I'm taking more responsibility for my actions, instead of reacting.

I am my own mirror.

I receive what I reflect.

Friday Love #91

Photo booth Friday.

Katie dreams of going to Hollywood some day, she wants to be an actress. She likes to use the photobooth to practice posing for her close-up.

The little stuff.

• Rilo Kiley. Love.
• A lunch date with my lovely friend and a trip to the booth. A perfect afternoon.
• Finally, date night.
• A Sunday drive for wishing.
• Guitar Hero
• Karaoke on demand with my girl. Thursday morning we sang It's Friday I'm in Love.

Heard. I'm in the bathroom, I hear a tiny knock on the door:

are you on the potty mommy?

yes, honey.

do you want a magazine?

Come on, make my day

I've been a cranky bitch for the past 24 hours, which I find curious considering I had acupuncture yesterday afternoon. Instead of calming me, I feel all liver-y, a sure sign it's coming. (you all know what "it" is).

How timely, that this week I've been bestowed the  bloggy honor of  make my day,

by these 4 lovely ladies who in turn, always make my day. Thank you.

As the recipient, I in turn will:

give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland. And I will let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!

Most of the lovelies I'd automatically choose, have either chosen me, and/or been chosen, so I'd like to mix it up.

The first six blogs are ones that always make my day when I visit.

Neen

Jen

Madness

Hula girl

KC

Nicole

The last four blogs are where I lurk. Lovely and inspiring, they are my daily treat.

Joe's NYC

Jen Gray

Project Rungay

Soulemama