My Not-So-Romantic Novel...

Every now and then I read a juicy Romantic Novel. I like that they don't require brain cells to comprehend. It's also nice to lose yourself in a completely unrealistic situation and forget about real life problems. Romantic novels and reality tv. Those two things give me a silly escape from the everyday stresses of living with a chronic illness. The only problem with Romantic Novels is that they aren't realistic... at all! For once, I would like to read a Romantic Novel filled with realistic situations. Awkward, uncomfortable situations. So, I'm writing one. Please enjoy this teaser to my Not-So-Romantic Novel.


Jane was pushing her squeaky cart down the busy aisles of the local Wal-Mart. Lost deep in thought about which spaghetti sauce she should buy, Jane recklessly pushed her cart forward. Just as she was about to turn the corner to the next aisle, she smashed into an oncoming cart filled with Chef Boyardi, Ramen Noodles, and the cheap toilet paper that scratches in all the wrong places. Slowly, Jane lifted her eyes to see the poor, broke owner of this cart. As soon as their eyes met, it was love. He was adorable with his pasty white skin, dark greasy hair, and chicken legs peaking out from under green plaid shorts. His tattered Star Wars t-shirt and white tube socks with sandals completed the intriguing ensemble. She couldn't wait to introduce herself and shake his clammy, sticky hand.


Yup, that's much more realistic! Haha! No, I'm not really writing a book. I just needed a little giggle today! Stay tuned to find out what happens with Jane and her mysterious, nerdy man friend! :-)

I've Figured It Out!

The last couple of days have gone backwards for me.  This strange pressure feeling in my head has become more intense, resulting in my ears ringing louder.  It's not so much a sinus issue.  It feels like I have too much fluid around my brain or something.  Sometimes the pressure is behind my eyes, sometimes deep in my ears, sometimes at the base of my head, and sometimes in my forehead.  It's uncomfortable to say the least.  I also get some vertigo as the pressure builds.  I've also been waking in the night with tachycardia.  I'll be sound asleep and wake abruptly soaked in sweat and with a heart that's trying to escape my chest.  I'm trying to push through and am convinced things will calm down again, rather than get worse. 

These "down" times can be more difficult mentally than they are physically.  I often start to ask God what he's trying to tell me.  I'm a firm believer in the fact that we all go through experiences in life for a reason.  There is a reason God decided I should live with a chronic illness.  Well, yesterday I figured it out!

My life with a chronic illness would be perfect if I had a maid, cook, nanny, chauffeur, assistant, etc.  God must be calling me to be a celebrity... or perhaps a princess.  Definitely a princess.  Gosh, I'm slow!  All this time I thought it had to do with suffering on Earth to earn a lovelier place in Heaven.  Nope!  I was just born to be a princess!  Ha!  So, if anyone needs me, I'll be sitting on my Royal Couch with my Royal Coffee waiting for my Royal Entourage.  They better get here fast, my house is a disaster!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11   

Princess Amy

Just For Laughs...

Can I please be back at this beach in Maui?  Yesterday was just one of those days! 

I woke up feeling AMAZING!  These days have been few and far between lately so I knew I had to take advantage!  I should start by mentioning that I live on a farm.  I'm fortunate that I live relatively close to a decent shopping town.  After a twenty mile drive, I have access to Wal-Mart, some grocery stores, and a few select clothing stores.  Lucky me!  Anyways, this twenty mile drive makes shopping trips a little bit of a process.  I try to cram all of my errands into one day so I don't have to make multiple trips in a week.

Welcome to the chaos of my life.  I start by getting myself and the girls all dressed up.  These days are rare for us so it's fun to dress up nice and have a girls day out on the town!  Then I feed the baby her bottle, pack the diaper bag (complete with warm water, diapers, formula, snacks, juice, wipes, blankets, burp rags, etc).  I have a bit of a problem with over-planning and always worry that I'll forget something.  I load the girls into the car, turn on "Tangled" for my toddler to watch on the drive, and we're off!

This usually goes without a hitch, but yesterday (as I mentioned) was just one of those days!  We've all had them.  The days where nothing goes right and it seems as if your head might not actually be attached to your body!  Yup, that was me!  The frazzled, POTSie, Mom with no brain and my head in the clouds!  I get all the way to town before I realize my wallet is back at home.  I have no credit cards, drivers license, or cash.  Ugh!  So, I call my amazing hubby who works in town and he agrees to get me some cash and meet me at the mall.  I'm a lucky lady to have him!  Wonderful!  I put the cash in my purse, do some shopping at the mall, and then we meet the hubby for lunch.

After lunch, I run to my least favorite place on the earth (Wal-Mart).  Nothing against shopping there, it's just always crowded, I always make 80 trips back and forth across the store trying to find the things I need, and then proceed to stand in line for an hour because only four of the twenty check-out lines are open.  I gather up all the necessities in life (formula, diapers, fingernail polish, just the basic things moms can't live without)!  It's finally my turn at the check-out and half-way through scanning my "necessities" I realize the cash my hubby so nicely brought to me is in my purse...in the car.  You have got to be kidding me!!!  Anyone with POTS (or any other chronic illness) can understand how this sent me into an absolute tailspin!  The angel of a checkout lady said it was no problem and she would hold the items for me.  I proceed to race out to the parking lot with my cart filled with two little girls and a car seat.  Just a little reminder, my heart races to about 120 beats per minute just by standing in place.  I can't even imagine how fast it was racing after sprinting to the parking lot and back with a cart full of kids!  Wow!  Just another "simple" shopping trip in the life of a POTSie!

That beach is looking better and better all the time!      

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

Amy

P.S.
   My current good-read: "A Week in Winter" by Maeve Binchy.  I'm only about half-way through it, but it's very enjoyable.  It's set in west Ireland and it's one of those books that follows about ten different characters.  Very enjoyable so far!