Saturday, February 20, 2016

It's been a long 2 years!

February 2016
I can't even begin to explain why I haven't posted on my blog since 2014. I'll probably just start writing and see where I end up! I will say that I never DID get to the gym like I was talking about in that last post! LOL As I read back over the last few years, I realized that a lot has changed from my original plans, my health, my job and of course, my jeans size!

Let's start with my original plans....I moved to Tx in 2012 with the intent to get an apartment of my own and be available to do things with my 3 grandkids here. I was on a waiting list for the most perfect place for over a year when I had such a bad flare-up of psoriatic arthritis, that I could barely do anything for myself. It took several months of trying different medications and different doses and combinations, and it was a blessing that I WASN'T living by myself! By the time it was under control, my Son and DIL convinced me to continue living here with them and that's where I am today. They have been searching for just the right house for their family and one requirement is a MIL apartment or suite. :)
2 years of this before finding a solution

My health.....like I mentioned, the main problem was the arthritis and it's never going to go away so with the help of my rheumatologist, I'm managing it pretty well.  Fortunately, the shots that help the arthritis also keep the psoriasis under control. That was a huge shocker back in 2005 when I first noticed that my scalp was itching and flaking, then my legs and back started getting really bad. Only about 10% of people with psoriasis get the arthritis too. No one else in my family has had this, unless it was in the past. In the middle of these afflictions, I was also diagnosed with Type2 diabetes so I had to change my eating habits and exercise to control my blood sugar.

My job....for 18 years my job was creating Minnie Pauz, which became my sole source of income. When I moved to TX and had the flare up of arthritis, it really hit my motivation hard and crushed my physical ability for a long time. I became depressed and just couldn't keep up with the website, newsletters and emails. Then my hard drive crashed and I lost all my editing programs and couldn't grasp the idea of starting all over. Since I couldn't get back to doing the mental work on the website, etc., I went to work as a server at McAlister's Deli!

First time I had done work outside the home in over 20 years and you know what? It helped me out of my slump! It was great to be communicating with customers in person and I realized my wonderful personality and sense of humor were still intact!! The only problem was....now I couldn't handle the physical part! I was on my feet for 4-5 hrs. at a time, carrying heavy plates and lifting heavy chairs (like highchairs). As of March 2015 I was hired by my son's company to do part time administrative work at home, on the computer. :) I've decided to see if there's any interest in someone buying Minnie Pauz as an addition to their thriving healthcare projects. In case someone reading this is interested, contact me @ minniepauz.com.

Regarding my jeans size....well, let's just say the sizes run a very wide gamut! Since 2010, when I was diagnosed with diabetes, until today, I have such a variety of clothes that change sometimes daily. What's with that??? :) I will say that in 2014 I got down to my smallest size in a long, long time and I'm not even sure how I did it!! It might have been when I was sick, so I guess I won't try that again! I'm up a few pounds now, but I'm finally getting back to walking every day so that helps me feel like I'm in control again.

So I feel like I caught you up on the last two years! Hope there are a few of you who are still following my blog. I would love to hear how YOU are doing! I've always enjoyed the interaction I've had with women I related to. Some of you were just starting to have symptoms of menopause when we first connected and now....well, my 41 yr. old daughter is having hot flashes! So let me know if you're still here! I've missed you!   Dee