Pamper yourself and try my foot scrub ideas

There are different ways to make foot scrubs. Use your imagination and various products and items you have at home discover different foot scrub recipes. To soothe tired feet, get rid of odor or just pamper them try the following:

SANDY BEACH FOOT SCRUB

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons beach sand
3-5 drops rosemary oil

Combine and mix into a paste using a fork. Massage scrub onto feet, concentrating especially on problem areas. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

COOL AND SOFTEN FOOT SCRUB

Ingredients:
Cool Whip
Water

Coat your feet with Cool Whip, let it set for fifteen minutes, then wash your feet clean. The nondairy dessert topping cools achy feet and the oils soften the feet.

TEA & CORN STARCH REMEDY

Ingredients:
Water
tea bags
corn starch

Boil three or four tea bags in one quart water for ten minutes, add enough cold water to make a comfortable soak. Soak your feet for twenty to thirty minutes, then dry them and apply corn starch.

The tannin in the tea is a drying agent, giving you a measure of control over foot perspiration.

SOAKING SHEA BUTTER TREAT

Ingredients:
Water
Epsom Salt
Tea Tree Oil
Pumice
Shea Butter
Lavender or Aloe spray mixture

First soak your feet in warm water, adding Epsom Salt, mix Tea Tree Oil and use a Pumice to polish away rough skin. Then massage your feet with Shea Butter and spray them with Lavender or Aloe to keep them refreshed.

OATS AND ALOE TREATMENT

Ingredients:
uncooked oatmeal
wheat bran
Aloe Vera gel

Mix together three parts uncooked oatmeal, two part wheat bran and 1/4 Aloe Vera gel. Spoon into a fine mesh cheesecloth or a knee-high nylon sock. Add to your bath. After soaking, use bag to cleanse skin.

The most important thing to remember is the miracle of using home products; Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, Cool Whip, Epsom Salt, Miracle Whip, all kinds of Oats and even cooking sprays! Here is a strange fact.....feet are ticklish because of the high concentration of nerve endings. Enjoy

Positive Thoughts for Coping

Try writing down these thoughts and read them daily, or print them if you can:

1). Things are getting better.

2). I know I am making progress and I am working on my self-esteem.

3). I am learning to pace and it helps me feel better.

4). Each day I expect to feel more relaxed and I am working on ways to resolve any stress in my life.

5). I am accepting the changes in my life style and can live with them.

6). I know where to look for support and what resources are available to me.

7). Today I plan to focus on ways to help myself continue to heal.

8). I know I can fight this feeling of feeling alone because I am not alone.

9). I am sharing and seeking information on my healing process.

10). I am able to manage my mental and physical fatigue.

Those are just a few things to repeat to yourself. Keep a journal to help you remember good times and ways to feel better. You are alive, so work on making each day a better day. It starts with you accepting change and becoming aware of any negative emotions or thoughts you may be experiencing.

I pray and hope this information helps someone today. Have a great day.



Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

Trying to stop that feeling......that bad feeling

Today I find myself falling back...falling back into that rut. I can't seem to fight it off. Why can't I fight this feeling?

My interest, patience and appreciation for life is getting away from me. How can I stop this feeling? I am mentally and physically exhausted. I feel as if I have used up a considerable amount of energy, both mentally and physically. Why can't I fight this feeling?

Feeling like my mind and body constantly demand rest and sleep. There are days I can't get enough sleep, then there are days I can not sleep. What is it? Why is it? Why can't I fight this feeling?

Feeling completely drained of energy and vitality. This should only happen because of arduous or long-sustained effort. It isn't as if I am working. I have not been able to work. So why do I feel this way? Why can't I fight this feeling?

I am depleted of any strength or energy...but why? A sunken track.. ..a fixed and boring routine, that is where I am. Why can't I stop this feeling?

I am weak and tired of trying to fight this feeling. I try to convince myself I feel better. I try to think about other things and people, I listen to happy music....Why can't I stop this feeling?

I just want one day....one day, when I do not have to make an effort to ignore my pain and fatigue. Why can't I stop this feeling?

Yes, I know and practice behavioral therapy....but why must I have to continue to fight this feeling? Why can't I stop this feeling?

Please, no more drugs....no, I don't want any more drugs. I want to go back, go back to that time....the time I actually did something to cause me to be tired. I worked, played, drove, sang and enjoyed life. Why can't I go back? Why can't I stop this feeling?

Do you understand? Have you been there? Please share your feelings....I need to know I am not alone. I am not alone. Yet I feel so alone. Alone in this body of mine. The pain and fatigue consume my body and mind, and I feel so alone.

I wrote this when I felt so alone. There are still days I feel alone, although I have my family and friends. This feeling overwhelms us because we just get tired of fighting this fatigue. If I could just have pain and no fatigue.

I have no patience for this fatigue. Why must I always rest? Why must I pace? I truly do not like that word....PACE. I guess that is the lesson I must learn.....I must learn to pace myself and my life.

I need time to think about this....I need to stop that bad feeling.





Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

How about making your own pudding

Who doesn't like Bread Pudding? It is simple, you can use coarse country loaf or left over baguette to make this family favorite. Since these breads have about the same texture and they both have bland flavors when stale, they make a great custard. Try the following recipe:

1). Cut the bread into 3/4-inch slices, then cut again into 3/4-inch cubes. These bite-size pieces soak up all other ingredients and hold together to give the dessert some texture.

2). Use the following ingredients:

* 12 slices day-old baguette, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
* 4 eggs, at room temperature
* 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
* 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
* a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
* a small pinch of salt
* 4 cups milk
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
* confectioners' sugar for dusting

3). Mixing directions:

Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in it.

Whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well blended in your favorite mixing bowl. Pour in the milk and whisk until combined. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. The next thing is to let it stand, pressing down on the bread occasionally, until it is evenly soaked. It takes about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Cranberries should be scattered evenly over the surface of the soaked bread and press to submerge the fruit. Use a large shallow roasting pan to set the baking dish in. Pour very hot tap water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

It takes about 45 to 55 minutes to bake, check it by inserting a knife near the center, if it comes out almost clean, it is ready. Serve warm or at room temperature. Dust the top of each slice with confectioners' sugar. This recipe serves 6 to 8 people depending on serving size.

Enjoy!

Try focusing on different things........Best Beauty Tips

My Skincare Priorities

My skin type happens to be combination skin type. I recommend using a Sea Mineral Cleanser. It is gentle, oil-free lotion that dissolves make-up. You get great hydration and skin protection from sea mineral cleansers. You should always use a toner because it improves moisture absorption and make sure you use an alcohol-free toner. Try utilizing a light-diffusing SPF lotion with no less than SPF 15. It helps firm, tone and reinforce facial contours.

My solutions are based on research and trying out different sample products. Set-up a daily regime to enhance your results for achieving your ideal skin. Results vary from occasional to daily or weekly use of products and your priorities. Here are some tips:

* Cleanse your skin daily,
* Use toner daily,
* Moisturize your skin daily,
* Use antioxidant serum as required,
* Use a mist daily and take one with you for use during your day,
* Use a Sea Mineral Mud Mask twice a week to deep cleanse your skin,
* Once a month microdermabrasion,
* If you have dark spots and discoloration, use a brightening spot corrector daily,
* Try minimal use of make-up or use mineral based make-up products,
* If you use make-up, cleanse with a water-activated make-up remover.

Taking the time to take at least 5-10 minutes on your skin will result in pores appearing visibly smaller and less likely to clog. The microdermabrasion will improve skin clarity and texture. The use of antioxidant serums help halt premature aging by repairing and protecting skin from environmental aggressions. Using a daily mist instantly hydrates your skin and you can find small bottles to carry in your purse. Unfortunately, I had a few dark spots and discoloration, hence the skin lightening treatment spot corrector helped my skin.

By treating your skin with hydrating ingredients from your cleanser to your moisturizer, it is possible to help guard against the signs of aging. Water is important to keep the skin at an optimal level and prevents dehydration. Taking care of your skin will help prevent fine lines and wrinkles and restore its natural balance.

I pray and hope this article and opinion helps someone today

Read this article on Freezing Strawberries

HOW TO FREEZE STRAWBERRIES

There are a variety of ways to freeze strawberries. To freeze fresh strawberries you start by rinsing the strawberries in cold water, hull and remove stems, place them in your colander to drain. Before placing them in your container (about one half inch apart), pat them dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner to remove excess water. Some people like to add water or berry juice.

To sugar pack them, slice them in halves lengthwise and mix about five to six parts of strawberries with one part sugar. Wait about ten minutes for the sugar to dissolve and spoon them into your containers to freeze.

Strawberries syrup packed: Start by spooning your berries into your container(s), depending on the amount of strawberries you have to freeze. The next step is creating your mix. Mix 50 percent syrup and water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Let it boil for about one minute then pour the syrup over the strawberries.

Seal and label prior to freezing.

Useful Tips:

* washing berries in ice water helps firm them up,
* when packing, allow some room for expansion,
* cover crushed berries with their own juice,
* to help prevent strawberries from darkening, add ascorbic acid (vitamin C),
* make sure you date your labels and freeze promptly.

Enjoy freezing your strawberries for later use!

If anyone has any suggestions or additions to my articles, please post your comments.

Have a pain free day!

Viv

How to keep working hands soft

We all use our hands to perform various tasks at home and work. Water tends to remove oils from hands, try soaking them in clear water for a few moments, then pat them dry after you have completed your task. Use brushes and cotton gloves while cleaning your home. If you do not use these tools the moisture and water content of the skin is dry and hands are not soft. You can make your own products with items you might already have handy.

Here are some tips to keep your hands soft and smooth:

* Take shorter lukewarm baths or showers, not hot and use moisturizing body and hand soap.

* Apply moisturizer after washing your hands and during the winter use heavier ointments and creams on hands.

* Try to keep from exposing hands to sunlight or at least use sunblock on your hands, not just your body.

* Soothe hands by rubbing them using baby powder.

* Try exfoliating your hands in this mixture: Use a blender to grind up one cup of Cheerios's into fine powder then pour it into a bowl. Rub the oak cereal over your hands, then wash them in cool water followed with a cream moisturizer. You can also use Quaker Oaks.

* To keep hands exfoliated and moisturized rub extra crunchy peanut butter into hands, then wipe them clean with a paper towel. The oil moisturizes, while the peanuts exfoliate hands, elbows and knees.

* Keep Cort-aid handy in your kitchen or bathroom sink and each time you wash your hands, rub a small dab of this cream into your hands.

* Soften your hands by applying corn starch just like lotion.

* Aloe is an excellent moisturizer, take advantage of this plant.

* Coat your hands with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, slip them inside two zip lock bags, wait about 10-15 minutes, then wash hands with warm water.

* Before going to bed, apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly into your hands and wear cotton gloves.

* Fill your sink with warm water, add a couple of drops of lemon juice, a bit of olive oil and liquid hand soap. Rub your hands together in the water and let them soak for a few minutes. This little recipe makes them nice and smooth.

Do you want to make your own soft skin lotion? You will need the following ingredients; one cup dried chamomile, four tablespoons honey, one cup milk and eight teaspoons wheat germ. Steep chamomile in milk for a few hours. Strain it, keeping the liquid, add honey and wheat germ to the mixture and blend well. Place in a bottle or container and refrigerate any unused portions. This particular mixture keeps for about a week and can be used for your body and hands.

To keep your hands soft, you must keep them moisturized and use other tools to clean your home. Take advantage of the tips I noted above and enjoy. You can also find many fine hand products in the retail market.

Enjoy my articles on Helium.com. Check them out.

Have a pain free day!

Fibro Viv

I am still writing....Ways to Save Water at Home

WAYS TO SAVE WATER AT HOME

Start by inspecting your toilet for leaks. A leaky flapper or not utilizing a low flush toilet increases water use. Older toilets can also leak near the pipes. You can easily tell if your toilet continues to sound like water is flowing, there is a problem. Check your shower heads, if necessary replace them with water saving shower heads. Do you have family members that shower too long? Inform your family how long showers can increase the cost of your bill. Brushing your teeth or shaving does not require water running during the whole process.

Check all faucets for drips. Sometimes bathtub faucets continue to drip if not turned off completely. Check under the cabinet sinks in the kitchen, bathroom and anywhere outside your home faucets are located. Also check your washing machine, ice maker, anywhere water is used. Do you wash dishes manually? Limit the amount of time you rinse the dishes, some people leave the water running while washing and rinses dishes. This is wasteful, use your spray device to rinse. If your sink does not have one, consider buying one. Also washing vegetables while the water is running can increase your water consumption. Try using a bowl filled with clean water or fill your kitchen sink with the least amount of water necessary to wash vegetables. While you are at it, limit the use of your garbage disposal which requires rinsing.

Swimming pools, water sprinkler systems also affect your water consumption. Swimming pools have an automatic fill valve that can get stuck in an open position and if the pool has cracks, you are using more water. If you have a water sprinkler, review when and how often it is used. Is it necessary to water that often?

Do you wash your own car? Consider using a car wash instead of your water hose. You end up using running water for long periods of time while cleaning your car. I have seen people actually wash their sidewalks with their garden hose. Sweep it, don't run water down the driveway.

Many individuals do not realize how much water is wasted on a daily basis while just completing everyday tasks. Reviewing your monthly water bill can help you understand where there might be ways to control the cost. You must also educate your family and establish guidelines.

I hope and pray this helps someone today.

Tips for Reducing Your Daily Expenses

TIPS FOR REDUCING YOUR DAILY EXPENSES

Tips for reducing daily expenses, good question...the next question would be do you want to reduce your daily expenses? Are you willing to put forth the effort and stay committed to it. Start by preparing a daily expense worksheet, then track your expenses. This process is an eye-opener. Here is a list of items to consider listing and tracking:

* Take advantage of Energy Efficiency Tips - Your utility company always offers a variety of tips on their website or in their newsletter usually included with your bills. The bonus is they offer rebates and energy saving programs. Simple things like turning off unused lighting, installing energy efficient bulbs, changing your filters, controlling thermostat settings and limiting water use impacts your overall expenses.

* Lawn, Pool and Home Repairs - Are you paying someone to take care of your lawn, pool and home maintenance and repairs? Consider trying to handle these items yourself. There are many tips on the Internet on maintaining and repairing these items.

* Shopping Expenses - Are any of the items or objects you are buying necessary? Is it cost effective and have you researched or compared prices and does have a long term benefit? Can you live without it?

* Implement "Cash Only" Spending - This helps you eliminate bank, credit card, interest and late payment fees. It also helps you control your spending. Set that daily limit and stick to it.

* Banking Services - Use a bank with limited fees, for instance, a no-fee checking account and pay bills on line. Set up a saving account and a set amount of money auto-transfered from checking to saving accounts monthly.

* Entertainment Extras - Cut down on subscription or premium channels with your cable or digital service. Rent videos instead of going to movies.

* Cut down on Provider Services - If you are paying for Internet access, try out the FREE Internet access provider. Limit talking on your cell phone and any extras added to that service.

* Money Saver's - Use coupons, shop around and search for cheaper prices on almost anything you need, i.e., home and auto insurance, gadgets, clothes, etc. If you do not mend your own clothes, learn how to do it yourself. Plan out your laundry needs and if you use a service, stop it and do it yourself.

* Improve your Health and Save - Cut back on caffeine, smoking and limit eating fast foods. Try cooking in bulk and freezing or storing leftovers or later use. Consider driving less, joining a car pool, taking advantage of public transportation, such as the bus, train or light rail.

Changing your daily living and spending habits can impact your expenses on a daily basis. It all adds up and once you have tracked, reviewed, and implemented changes, you will start saving on daily expenses.

Please go check out my other articles on Helium dot com, where you can also write your own articles. This is one of many ways to keep your mind off your pain and fatigue.

May you have a pain free day,

Viv

Cognitive Behavior Therapy..Is it for You?

Cognitive behavior therapy is basically used to help people understand their emotions and thoughts. Patients are asked to keep a journal or notebook handy so they can write down their symptoms and note down what is happening, their thoughts and emotional process at that point in time. The process enables a patient to identify any negative thoughts or emotions they may be experiencing when they are in pain. This type of therapy teaches patients how to control their thoughts, and change the process to something positive. Negative emotions affects their body and learning to notice their stress related thoughts, patterns, and reactions will enable a patient to control their thought process.

This type of therapy is utilized on individuals that have a chronic disorder or those who have to deal with some type of disability the rest of their lives. Some people forget or tend to ignore any positive experiences they lived in the past and believe it will never happen again. Some times without even realizing they are their own enemy, per say. They tend to overgeneralize their diagnosis and see themselves suffering the rest of their lives. If they experience any time of the day, week or month without pain, they do not focus on that. Instead, their thought process is still focusing on the negative.

There are people that suddenly get chronically ill or are diagnosed with a disorder that requires them to change their lifestyle. This is a very difficult time in their life, not only are they suddenly ill, they are now required to accept change. This change is sometimes viewed negatively. Some patients tend to set higher expectations on themselves, which only leads to failure. Others just expect to be able to handle tasks, be it physical or mental, as usual. The frustration leads to negative thoughts and emotions instead of working on the healing process. Changes in their lifestyle, expectations and accepting help from others is not always pleasant and can feel degrading.

Cognitive behavior therapy enables an individual to think rationally, defuse anger and stops them from placing the blame on themselves. People personalize everything by trying to understand what caused their illness or disorder. Attitude has a lot to do with emotions and how the body processes these emotions. There are many different types of treatments included with this type of therapy. Patients are encouraged to utilize these other treatments. They may include yoga, biofeedback, relaxation tapes, meditation and
sometimes hypnosis.

The entire process enables patients to become aware of their surrounding, thought process and enables them change them into positive affirmations and reactions. It takes many sessions with the therapist in order to understand the process and change their mindset. The other treatments mentioned above should be mandated while undergoing Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Please consider the option of utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy if you are experiencing thoughts and emotions that lead you to blame yourself for your illness.


I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.


Everything on this site copyright Viv Walters

A Place to get FREE Brochures on CFIDS

The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. offers free brochures on CFIDS. It is absolutely free. Get brochures to help you and your family understand your illness. It also has a disability guide.


http://www.cfids.org/ecommerce/products.asp?setCategory=23

I pray and hope this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

THINGS I DO

THINGS I DO

Sometimes I am in the mood to sit back and do nothing, I say, "Why not?"! Appearances can seem misleading, I may not look busy on the outside, I may be processing a lot inside. It can be overwhelming to try to retain and use all the knowledge a person absorbs. So I just relax and concentrate on what is most important at this very moment in my life. I have to tackle any self-doubts I have by convincing myself that I can do it. Taking a good look at myself may be scary. I actually profit a great deal by discovering I do have something to offer. Take the time to think about what I have offered and what I may have time to offer, my gift in life, support, and any knowledge that may be helpful.

If I feel very sentimental but can't quite put my finger on why, I think about that nostalgic tone within me that calls out to me like a sweet, soft song. I try looking back on my past for clues on how to solve a dilemma. I could remember a lesson I learned in the past, it may help me immensely. Then I remind myself that I do have something to offer and share with people. People who are willing to listen. I know it may sound like I am repeating myself. Sometimes we have to repeat to ourselves that "we do have something to offer someone somewhere."

The quality of time spent alone can be excellent if you cherish peace, some quiet time, and make the most of it. Due to my chronic illness, I have had more time to spend alone. I know there are people that wish they had that time. Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes the harsh reality of having that time can be haunting and lonely. Make it part of your daily life to keep in touch with someone.

When my mental energy is riding high -- it's time to tackle overdue projects. It seems like a great day to do things on my own without worrying about what others expect from me. However, these days there are not many people that expect much from me. Sad, but true. I am no stranger to courage and I take pride in my appearance and my warm personality. I also like expressing my personal authority, that used to open some new doors for people and change certain peoples opinions on various subject matters. In my own personal involvements I know I must learn to nurture myself as well. This is part of my healing process.

Make an effort to do some type of self-help activity daily. It will make you and maybe someone else feel better!

I pray and hope this post has helped someone today!:)

FibroViv

Join me in making today a better day

Today is the day I will turn on music and make myself smile and dance and see the world in another way.

Come along, come along and help me make it there. I say to myself.

Somebody is going to help me and I am going to help them. Now I am laughing, though I know someday I will be crying again.

However today I focus on the positive and enjoy my music and life as it is.

Join me and turn on the music.

Sometimes Looking Back Helps

I am going to share a few comments from a dear friend and client I used to have when employed. Why? I am doing it because after reading it again, I realized I could offer a lot of whom I am even if I am not employed. Here goes:

Viviana,

I am so grateful that you and I crossed paths. You showed me a model of the type of leader I could be proud of emulating. You showed me how to lead people to success through knowledge, support and understanding. You helped me see that not all battles are wars and that few are really worth fighting. You taught me the importance of leading by example and of never expecting of others what I wouldn't expect of myself. You showed me how to lead with compassion while still clearly expecting commitment and production from the team and that commitment starts with the leader. You proved to me that getting involved and being hands on is not only permissible but advantageous and rewarding. You taught me that a great leader sets the pace and by being passionate, committed and knowledgeable about the cause, others will lead in kind.

You are a leader that left an everlasting imprint on my heart and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you for being such a great leader and an even better friend.

Sincerely,
Susan

Susan will never know just how much her memo meant to me and how it has kept me from feeling worthless. When you have this terrible disease and you are limited in what you can accomplish, you need to find a way to pull yourself up and keep on trucking. I know there are others ways to pull yourself up without looking back, I choose to look back and still move forward.


I hope and pray this information has helped someone today. Have a pain free day.


EVERYTHING ON THIS SITE IS COPYRIGHT VIV WALTERS

The Impact of Financial Issues

Once again I find myself wondering, thinking and trying to come up with an answer to my financial issues. The fear over the cost that is required to help me feel better. This fear almost overshadows any type of rational thinking I might have left in me. The cost is real and I am stuck with this unyielding pain and feel drained with fatigue. Sure my doctor gives me a discount and some samples…it is not enough. Sometimes I just do not go to the doctor because I do not have the money , even at a discounted price. What is the answer? My husband is disabled and has a number of medical issues. I need him, and his medical care should come first along with my son. At this moment they are the ones cleaning, cooking and trying to help me. I am of no use. I know, I know my comments on staying focused on the positive….I must practice what I preach. The fact is, all I do is fold towels and underwear while in bed. I have changed my standards on how my home should remain nice and clean at all times. I realize they cannot do the same job I used to do. I finally let go of this issue. My medical issues do not cause death. I have to prioritize medical problems and decide who has the bigger problem. It is sad when we have to decide who should continue seeing a doctor, which medication to fill? Here I go again, I have lost the point of this entry for my book. Lets try this again.

Some of us continue to seek medical attention, others just try utilizing the limited resources available and any education gained in the process of seeking helpful tools. This is why I am writing about my journey with CFIDS/FMS. Maybe someday I can publish a book and start a fund for people like myself. There are so many of us, perhaps I can help those with no resources. My dream…..seems so far away.

We are not always able to take advantage of effective therapy because of the cost and time it takes away from our jobs or family. Some of us end up loosing our jobs, getting fired or just quit. It is not easy. Some of us are stubborn and look for another job just to end up failing. This causes undue stress which may trigger a flare-up. The bottom line is we all require some type of ongoing medical attention and it is not free. Money is required. I try to take advantage of clinical trials and studies to gain access to free therapy and assist in further research. Some studies are evaluating possible new treatments, and are trying to address insurance and disability issues.

Have you been a victim of making too much money? I have tried applying for help and have been told I make too much money. So why can’t I pay my bills? Our medical expenses are high and unpredictable. It is time consuming trying to find resources and I am fatigue.

There are ways to cut down on current bills, but how do we cut down on medical bills? It is impossible. Well, not true. We could stop our medications and stop seeing our doctors. What good would that do? We end up back in bed, in pain, fatigued and overwhelmed. So what do we do? Keep on trucking baby, you got to keep on trucking……I just remembered that song. LOL. Music helps me deal with my emotions. Does it help you? Try it, oh just do it. It seems stopping to sing helped me a little. No silly, it did not pay my bills! It helped me feel better, happier. Sharing my thoughts is also helping.

I try to focus on the good to help ease my pain. Some days are harder than others, why? Minimizing my stress is difficult given our financial situation. I do take time away from those bills, but they are still there. Once I stayed away from opening mail and ended up with no water. Oh dear, I forgot to pay the water bill. Guess what? I paid dearly. I had to take a day or two to open mail and check the status of our utility bills. Since my husband has a head injury, he cannot take over the budget. His concentration level is not good but he is able to move around more than I can. This means I handle the budget, fold towels and underwear. Wow....I can do some things. Let me give myself a little pat on the back. There now, that feels good. I know I seem weird and crazy...I’ve always been this way. Stay focused.....keep writing....yes I talk to myself a lot. Smile, smile, smile:)

Doctors say “You must minimize stress and work on optimizing your support system.” Oh yeah? Where can I find the financial support system I need? That would sure help my stress level. I do not want to burden my family and ask for money. That is not the answer. It is unacceptable and I refuse.

What is the lesson I have yet to learn? I have no social life and I limit the use of our car. What else is there? Financial people always say…pay yourself first. Sure. If I pay myself first, I end up using the money for emergencies.

Seems I do not have the financial answer yet. Sorry. Tomorrow is another day, let’s wait and see what happens. Maybe I can spend a dollar on a lottery ticket and win?

Hang in there! I know my post is not going to help anyone today. In fact, it was hard to stay focused on what I wanted to write about! Seems nothing I wrote was helpful:(

I do pray we all have a day without pain and fatigue.


FYI - I am not posting my book in the order I want it presented. I know it needs work and editing. I just thought I would share some of the materials within it. Plus there were periods of time I did not even write due to my illness. This is going to be harder than I thought


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

Staying Committed to My Mission

I find that staying connected and recommitting to my mission naturally motivates me to be more driven, doing the best I can at that moment in time. You should know the thoughts I write and share come from my heart and values. My personal mission is important to me and helps me feel like I have accomplished something productive. I also pray and hope it helps other people. I want to reach out to so many people. Primarily to help others understand our illness and to share tools that have helped me.

If in the process it helps me monetarily, great. Otherwise, working against my values only causes me stress. I pray I am setting the right standards to help guide you through good times and bad. We all experience chaos and face different challenges in our daily life. Our most basic instinct should be to improve our lives and stick to our values everyday of our life.

Tips on Creating and Setting Clear Expectations:

Be determined
Use your imagination
Observe others
Evaluate your choices
Expect to make changes
Execute your actions
Prepare to expand and clarify your choices/actions


Create your vision, use your values and execute your purpose in life. I sometimes wonder if that is why I am ill. Maybe I needed a change in my vision and purpose in life. Who knows. I just know we all have a choice to make....beat yourself up, feel sorry for yourself, or do something about improving your health. Commit to improving your health.

The choice is yours. We all have a choice. I have to constantly remind myself of my mission to help me execute my dreams and goals. I am sometimes held back from achieving the success I desire -- simply because I lack the sustained physical and mental stamina to consistently achieve the results I want. I choose to not let those obstacles get in my way. I have to repeat that to myself over and over. Now you try it.

I pray and hope this information has helped someone today. I also hope it gives you a better understanding of why I am determined to keep this blog going.




Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

HOW DOES ONE SURVIVE

When you have some emotional distance time, find ways to improve things that really bug you. Planning your actions or reactions will help you think clearer and feel better. I remember times when my desk at home was messy and instead of dealing with it, I let the clutter and mess bother me. Since I did not deal with it, what happened? It got worse. The key was to place my emotional thoughts on hold and specifically think about what I could do to make it better. One day at a time, even a few minutes, hours, whatever I could handle given my energy level. I stopped placing so much of my emotional feeling towards any negative thoughts I had towards trying to achieve a clean desk. These are a few of the things I used:

* Positive affirmations

* Visualization

* When I felt like it, I had my niece come over and help me clean it up.

* Plan or map out a half day, a day, week, whenever...I just took advantage of celestial energies and thought about what it was I was trying to accomplish. I felt better just visualizing my dreams and plans.

* Clear plastic containers

* Labels that helped keep my files or papers organized.

I planned it out and did not feel guilty about not having the energy to accomplish it on that given date. My recommendation is to give yourself a break. I instantly felt better even before I had my niece come over because I planned it out.

Try to examine any emotional problems or tensions from an objective point of view. If you have disagreements with others -- patch things up. It lifts your spirit and releases bad energy. Personally, I have found my pain level is worse around any type of tension.

If you take the time to kick back, relax, and pamper yourself you will feel better. Remember that you deserve it. Do not beat yourself up because you cannot complete as many things as you used to be able to do. This was a big step for me and very hard to accept.

I hope and pray this post has helped someone today. Have a pain free day.

Fibro Viv

Family and Friends-Thought for the Day

Family and friends are a very important part of our lives. Sometimes we tend to forget true friends are there during the good and bad times in our lives.

This has lead me to consider this the beginning of my accepting, recognizing my current circumstances and weighing them against new opportunities. That sounds more like the person I used to be. Now you consider doing the same, accept yourself and recognize who and where you are. Then you can work on setting new goals and expectations.

Friends are like angels who help us fly or mend our broken wings. Do not forget your family is also considered a friend.

I pray and hope this post has helped someone today.

Visualize, Dream, Take Care of Yourself

WRITE DOWN YOUR DREAMS AND THOUGHTS AND VISUALIZE YOURSELF SUCCEEDING IN LIFE AND IN GREAT HEALTH.

Remind yourself of your blessings. Think of your happy memories, such as:

The day you were married
Quiet long bath
Pampering yourself
Sharing your faith
Lunch with a friend or family member
Your favorite time in a day or month or in your past

As you do these things, visualize your dreams, meditate and never forget to smile. Remembering your past experiences and how blessed you were to experience them can be very calming and create a smile on your face. Try it.

Try to discuss your hopes and dreams for your life with your partner, family member or friend. Remember to discuss your concerns and do not be afraid to share your thoughts with the people that are close to you. You might even try sharing those thoughts with strangers.

Think of a place and time where you can feel like you are comfortable enough to have these discussions.


THINGS TO DO FOR YOURSELF

1). Think about starting up or joining a class or group that discusses any topics you enjoy. Sharing and expressing is a great experience.

2). Create a list of what is wonderful about where you are, plans, losing your fears, getting older and what you like about yourself. Make an effort to do this daily.

3). Write down where you are at this point in your life and where you want to be, date it three or six months from that date. Place it in your calendar (when you want to open it), you will find that you have accomplished some of those dreams.

4). Write down your dreams and even cut out pictures from a magazine of objects, miscellaneous items and people that look happy. It might help you see what to aim for.

5). Take advantage of keeping a Personal Journal. I have found that I am more appreciative of what I have, what I have accomplished and where I am now. Take it to heart and be proud of yourself.

6). Consider changing your diet to fit your body’s needs...healthy eating and drinking water.

7). Check the different websites or magazines available to you with recommended diets for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.


I hope and pray that this post has helped someone today.


Everything on this site copyright Viv Walters

GUIDANCE

Thinking back about how I formed my technique and values on life and work, I acknowledge my parents, acquaintances, brother, sister’s and friends. Whether we want to admit it or not we spend time studying people, their mannerisms, movements and what intrigues us about them. We start to create our own character and personality by simply deciding what we like or dislike about people. Their strength, weakness, voice, mannerism, communication, the way they dress, and how they carry on. We all have lessons to learn from each individual we come into contact with. I love spending time watching people, their reactions to situations, their interactions with different types of people or situations they encounter.

I sit back listen carefully, study their behavior and then think about how I behave or what I want to change. I decide I like how a certain individual handled a situation or treated a person. Or I might not like what I see and hear. It is from those experiences that I encourage myself to act, mimic or try to understand the behavior I like or dislike. I study them carefully, watch their behavior. Does it fit my personality or is it something I would like to see in myself? Then I try to practice what I believe is an acceptable style and behavior. Of course a lot of what I may be viewing or accepting might have come from my own up bringing. My parents. One of the key things I believe people need to understand and accept in their development is what feels comfortable to them. What is acceptable to them. Plan it out, act it out, and see if it fits in with what you believe in. Our parents play a large role in our personality, behavior, but in the end we make up our minds to become and act as we please. They cannot control your thoughts, emotions, and make you be a devout Catholic, Baptist, etc. We are all influenced by parts of other people and ultimately decide what path to take. It is your ultimate choice.

I believe God deals us a deck of cards, or gives us our own cross to bear. That gift is something he believes we can handle. They are not always pleasant or easy. It is up to us to make the best of what comes our way and learn to share that experience. Try to remember that we are here to help people, learn lessons and carry them out the best we can. The key is to remember that integrity is being on the inside what you profess to be on the outside.


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

REMISSION, WHAT IS THAT?

I wrote this on July 11, 2004

As of today I have yet to experience remission. I will admit I told my doctor, family and friends I felt better and thought I was on the road to remission. I was trying to convince myself I was in remission. Mind over matter. It has not worked for me, but I pray it will someday soon. I keep trying to ignore my pain, but it is not easy.

Sometimes I find myself searching for someone who feels my pain. Nobody likes to be alone. Some will admit it, others will be brave..or do they act brave? Why is every part of my body hurting? Maybe I am just out of my mind?

When it rains, my body aches, I keep trying to fight it. I do not know how I will do, but I know I am not alone. Day after day another ache within my body, but I keep moving. I wonder how long I can go without giving in and sleeping it off. There is hope in the darkness, you hope you will make it. The time is sometimes slow, sometimes fast. I think about how I will deal with it today. I used to see sky of blue and clouds of white...now I think to myself what I am I going to do? I would like to get away for awhile. I think about everything. I don’t see or recognize this person I have become. I do not talk about my pain because I do not want pity nor do I want people to look sad. I keep trying to convince myself to keep my chin up. I cannot believe what these past seven years have been like. Have I decided that I must meet certain expectations, nurture and accept what I believe is expected of me as a wife, mother, sister and friend?

Today I realize once again that I am not able to work and it pains me to admit it. I have completed a two week period of temporary work. Each day I came home, changed into comfortable clothes or my sleepwear and went straight to bed. My body required extra rest. By the last day I was in so much pain, fatigue and I wanted to cry. Cry because I could see the mistakes I made, my memory loss, forgetfulness and the poor quality I produced. As much as I love people and helping them, I am saddened by my inability to consistently help them. Our family needed the money, I needed to feel like I could accomplish something and we had a negative balance in our bank account with no food to speak of. My new earning would not amount to much however, it was going to help. I ended up in so much pain the morphine had no affect on me. I came straight home to bed and laid there crying because I felt helpless, worthless and powerless. I did not tell my family I was crying myself to sleep. My husband checked on me and asked what was wrong with the one eye he could see, I just told him it was irritated from the pollen. I did not want to burden him with my own insecure feelings. I was overwhelmed by my guilt of not being able to provide for my family. My husband and sons are so supportive and loving. I want to give them so much. I want to help my sick elderly Mother who has suffered and given so much of herself to our family. My brother who has worked so hard and has yet to reach the peak of happiness, his own marriage and family. My younger sister who has suffered and struggled and my oldest sister who has always been the one to rescue us all, though she has her share of problems. I ask myself what lesson is it that I have yet to learn? I have tried to help people, been an advocate for those I felt were mistreated. I have helped some express their feelings and special needs. I have enjoyed and felt blessed to meet the people at the Opportunity Center, the Teacher’s, Principle, Social Worker’s and most of all the Student’s. The Student’s have touched my heart and given me so much of themselves by sharing their experiences, troubles, and success. May God help them all.

I almost felt peppy, lively... I was back again! Yet I am here...in bed again. Those precious moments of contributing, sharing... now seems like a long time ago. It was emotionally draining, but I enjoyed the opportunity I was given. I feel blessed yet I feel inadequate because of this miserable illness. God help me accept this illness and stop dreaming of the unattainable I have tried so many times to change. Nobody can say I have not tried to fight this illness.


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

BE HONEST

I wrote this on June 10, 2004

At this moment I don't want my family and friends to see me, because I do not think they would understand. I grieve for my previous identity. The person who had a career, enjoyed working with people and helping people. The person who came home, shared their day, listened to family and tried to make things easier for them. The woman who had the energy to take her Mother out for a drive, get lost and pretend it was simply a tour of the city. I have never had a sense of direction. I could deal with some deficiencies, now they have multiplied. At this time, I can't bring myself to dream about those times. It takes too much energy. I know it is not right but at times I feel I cannot keep hiding this feeling of failing. Failing in many ways.

I was trying to have a career, be a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, co-worker. Was that too much? Are we as individual’s trying to do too much? I ask myself that question on different occasions. Was I trying to do too many things? Well, I do not believe I am the only person that is trying to accomplish a number of things. Is anyone really able to do all those things? Be honest. Can you? I know I was stopped by this miserable illness. I enjoy the stimulation of friends, colleagues and family ties. This fatigue keeps me from enjoying it and also reminds me to value those times. I do value my time with my family and friends. I am grateful for those special occasions.

Life carries on and on....so what can you do to make it better? Life carries on, yet the person I grieve still taps in on my mind... on a daily, weekly, sometimes just monthly or semi-monthly basis. I am grateful I am not haunted too often. I have never been a very good nurse, I don't like to hear people whine. Thank goodness my boys are not complainers. Although, I have caught myself whimpering and grumbling when I am alone or even writing this book. Hello? What am I doing? I believe your attitude has a lot to do with how you feel. Or so....I believed. There are days I fight hard to keep a good attitude. Something within me has created this compulsion to feel that it is my job to make people smile and be happy. How can I do that when I am not happy? I need to recognize that we can not be happy all of the time. We are all in control of our emotions and we alone can change or allow others to change our emotions. Take charge of your emotions. That is my lesson for the day.

Folding towels in bed for short periods of time makes me fatigue, what makes me think I can work? I do grieve. I am not perfect. I know people claim to always have a great attitude, they have their bad days too. We have to admit it and move forward. I place too much pressure on myself to be in a great mood, and have an unending faith that I will endure. Cheers to those that have made it and beat it. I still have trouble with it. I admit I still have trouble with it. I am after all human.

I keep grieving though people tell me you are not your work. The jobs we end up with are an extension of ourselves. It is one of many ways to express ourselves. Do you not act like yourself at work? Come on people, be honest. If you are doing something at work that is not an extension of your personal self, then you are robbing yourself. I have never been able to act differently at work. I am who I am, I love people, I enjoy meeting different types of people with different interests in life. I like getting to know people and helping them enhance their strengths.

SHARING, EMBRACING AND RECOGNIZING OURSELVES

Trust me and don't keep your feelings on the inside. Why? You will soon lock yourself out and away from people. The people you know and love. I have to remind myself I am not alone. The truth is I am not alone but I do grieve the energy, drive and passion I once had. I will be alright, yet I still grieve. Smiling enables us to feel joy and forget our troubles, if only for a moment. I am going to give it up pretending for a little while. I need that time to grieve and to let go of these sad feelings. How can we do this without our family and friends reacting and feeling sorry for us? I don’t want that. I want to grieve, I want to be sad and then get over it. I know there isn't a place I can hide this sadness or show it, except within myself. I know that feeling, that feeling of sadness. Yet I can only express it in my dreams or when I am alone. I know others feel it and hide it. Then hopefully they come back in from the cold and regain that smile.

I decided my way to start smiling and feeling better would be to write a section in this journal I am creating. Step away, do your thing, then return to the mirror and see yourself. That individual that once was happy and free of pain. Sometimes you have to back away and fight that horrible sadness. It is not easy to do. It is possible. Do I sound confused, frustrated and overwhelmed? Well, I have been from time to time. However, that has been an experience I learned from and do not regret it because I listened to my instincts and followed my heart. Therefore, being true to myself I just keep reminding myself I am not alone.

STARTING TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO FEEL BETTER

I am here and I will be for a long time. I know there isn't a place I can hide. I know the feeling of alone. Trust me and don't keep those feelings inside. Soon you will feel like you are left out on your own. It is so easy to become a hermit,away from people and every day activities. Just try to remember you are not alone and you have to remind yourself that you are not alone. You are not alone.

If God would send his Angels, would everything be alright? Some days I don't know the answer to that. Dare I share those feelings with my family? No. I have to be strong and keep them believing that we are dealt the cards we can handle. Jesus has never let me down, yet some days I feel let down or left out. Which is it? Where is that faith I try so hard to hold on to? I've got to remember that God is there and his Angels are here to help me, help us. I don't want to lie to my family and I don't want to fool myself. Are we fooling ourselves? I wonder. Yes, I do sometimes wonder. Is it that I am wondering? Or is it that I am loosing that faith? Which is it? I can't simply stop thinking about this at times. But I am not alone and I am aware of the support I have from my family and friends. However, they don't feel my pain, my fatigue and my thoughts. This illness is uninvited and I want it to go away and let me live my life as an individual that made a difference in this lifetime, who provided guidance and empowered people to find their gifts.

I need a moment to let down my guard in front of someone, but who can I do this with without making them feel sorry for me or pity me. Without causing pain. Yet this is what I feel and tell myself everyday....when everything seems like a struggle, remember your faith and never forget there is a God. We are in this world for a reason and we touch so many lives, hearts, souls without a true awareness of our own contributions.

I feel blessed to have a wonderful soul mate as a husband and three beautiful children I am very proud of. I do not want to be a burden to my family financially. I do not want them to end up as my custodian. It does take so much out of you to have to ask for help. Why is it easier to help others than to ask for help? After all I live my life by “what goes around comes around,” so why is it so hard to ask for help?

I don't want to hurt my family, I just want them to know and remember the person I was. I once brought up how picky I was about the house and wanted it spotless and how I used to cook three meals a day and have dessert. Nobody remembered. Do you know how much that hurt? Maybe it meant nothing to them, but it meant so much to me. I now rely on my husband to clean. When I do clean, I end up in bed with yet another flare-up. Pacing. I hate pacing. That was not a word in my vocabulary. Pacing is now forced on me.

I remind myself to not let any sudden feelings of self-doubt dampen any fun, these feelings are only temporary. Temporary? My illness has not been temporary. I am waiting for that so called remission. I lied about how I felt...and told my doctor, family and friends I was in remission. I tried to convince myself I was in remission. I know how to influence people. I have the ability to convince others to feel better, recognize their strengths, improve, excel, heal and alter their mindset. Somehow I cannot help myself. Why is that? Maybe I need someone like myself in my life. Someone that convinces me that I have that mind over matter power to go into remission.

Sometimes I concentrate on my own domestic space, spend time cleaning, organizing or spend quality time with my loves ones. By the end of the day I am in extreme pain and very fatigued. Was it worth it? Yes. However, is it too much to ask for a full day of no pain or fatigue? Maybe, maybe not.


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

When I First Started to Write My Book...

I am a 48 year old Hispanic woman who once suffered a very high fever and extreme pain throughout my body. I was taken to emergency and the staff was able to reduce my fever from 104 to below 100. However, the extreme pain throughout my body was still there. They did take x-rays and found nothing. People with our illness require more than x-rays. There are other tests that can be administered. They just knew I was suffering from some type of depression, stress or loss of a family member. The fact was I had a fever, they brought it down and just wanted to send me home. Yes indeed, that is what they did. However, they did ask I talk to a social worker prior to my leaving. I politely told her I did not need her services and thanked her for her time.

Meanwhile I went home and slept. The next morning I could not get out of bed. The fatigue was extreme. I had my husband assist me getting out of bed, bathing, and getting dressed for work. I was not about to let this fatigue get me down. It took me more than three hours to get ready with help. I dragged my body to work for the next two weeks and finally made an appointment to see my doctor. I was a Project Manager, busy and very happy with my career. Yes it was stressful however, it was fulfilling and energizing to me. A new experience I was enjoying and learning so much.

Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

WHO AM I?

Who am I? I am one of millions of people who suffer from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FMS/CFIDS). There are times I do not want to believe I am ill. My family also fails to recognize the pain I am in, not because they do not love me or care, but because they do not want to admit, believe, or do not understand this miserable illness. As much as they try, unless you experience this yourself, you can not began to understand it. Friends see me, say I look great or look fine. They do not mean to hurt my feelings or undermine my illness. They simply do not understand it or know what to say. I do not blame people for their ignorance or lack of information. Yet I do not understand why people fail to educate themselves or try to understand the support and acceptance people in my situation want. I believe we as human beings tend to try to ignore or accept any bad feelings or news. I have met many individuals who have not received the support and love required by FMS/CFIDS patients. I know I am blessed and I pray that one day they will receive that support, acceptance and love they are worthy of.


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

My Personal Dream

MY DREAM

My dream is to have my health improve, share my thoughts and feelings, emotions and balance my life. I promise to share items and experiences that could possibly benefit others. There are people who suffer from a chronic illness and those that just need to remind themselves life is precious and to be grateful for what they have.

I am writing this book as a healing process for myself. I also pray that the day will come when my book is published and helps someone in this world that is filled with challenges and opportunities. Opportunities we choose to seize or abandon.

My goal is to share my feelings, emotions, individuality and personality. Survival is important and everything else is a bonus. The circumstances in my life that have lead me to write this book and why you will find out as you read on.


Everything on this site is copyright Viv Walters

Ways to Make Yourself Happier

The idea is to try to do as many of them as you can in an hour.

1. Boost your energy by getting up and moving around. Taking a brisk ten-minute walk is best, because when you are moving faster, your metabolism speeds up and the activity is good for your focus and mood and helps you retain information.

** If you have Chronic Fatigue you may not be able to take a brisk ten-minute walk. Try stretching daily and slowly try walking pacing yourself. I realize some of us cannot walk at all.

Try visualization. Our minds are powerful, give it a try.

2. Reach out to friends. Arrange a lunch date or send an email to someone you haven't seen for a while. Socializing boosts moods and having close bonds with others is one of the keys to happiness.

3. Get an old task out of the way. If you've been procrastinating about a chore, tackle it now. Like making that doctor or dental appointment, or arranging to get broken equipment fixed. You'll feel a sense of relief and a burst of energy.

4. Create a calmer environment. Just clearing some space around you, or getting things in order will give you a sense of serenity.

5. Plan some future fun. Decide to get to that new movie, or order a book you've been wanting to read, or plan an activity with friends or family. Having fun on a regular basis is necessary to happiness, and anticipation is a part of that.

6. Do a good deed. Something as simple as holding a door for someone or offering praise can help, because the adage "do good, feel good" really works.

7. Act happy. Smile! Just going through the motion of happiness lifts your spirits and makes you more approachable.

So, why not give it a try – and get happy! I understand those people that are chronically ill cannot do all seven things.....but we can do some of these things that do not take a lot of effort.

I hope and pray that this post has helped someone today. Praying for a fatigue and pain free day.

Fibro Viv

Child Safety Tips

These tips are for people that have children in their lives.

* Talk to your child about safety without making them too scared of people and how to handle themselves. Just try to teach them to be aware of their surroundings.

* Encourage your child to talk to you about anything that might be bothering them and let them know any subject is open to communication.

* Your child should know their full name, phone number and address. They should know your full name, not just Mommy or Daddy. Teach them how to dial 911, how to use a pay phone and make collect calls.

* Tell them never to go anywhere with an adult they do not know. How they should act or react towards strangers.

* Tell them not to approach or enter an unknown vehicle.

* Decide what to do if you and your child are separated in a public place and make sure they understand what they should do.

As a parent you should know where your child is at all times and remember to keep your child's records updated. We all have a tendency to label their clothing, backpacks, and personal items. This is not good because a stranger might use that information to their benefit.

I hope and pray that these tips help someone today.

Fibro Viv

Different uses of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda is one of those multi-tasking products. It is not only used for cooking, but it can be used to save you time and tackle multiple cleaning projects. Set yourself up to use it as a multi-task product, keep plenty around different areas of your home. You can save significant time and keep your home and pets fresher, cleaner and even for medicinal and therapeutic reasons. You can even make gifts with it!

Leave some baking soda in open containers in refrigerator, closets, and bathrooms to clean and deodorize.

Lets start with the carpet, remove odors in carpets by sprinkling baking soda all over carpet, let it sit for several hours or overnight then vacuum. Also try mixing baking soda with cornmeal and then sprinkle the mix into your carpet. Remember to let it sit a few hours or overnight. The odors caused by traffic and pets will disappear.

Try moving on to the kitchen. Always have an open box in the refrigerator to absorb odors. Pouring boiling water down the kitchen drain once a week helps keep it fresh and grease free. If the drain clogs up, try tossing a handful of baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain. Allow the mixture to foam by covering it for several minutes, pour boiling hot water down the drain to rinse and follow with plunger.

Periodically clean the oven with baking soda and water. As a non-chlorinated scouring powder use baking soda, salt, and water paste. Never try to use any abrasive cleaning materials on self-cleaning ovens.

While cleaning and in need of a scouring powder, apply baking soda to a sponge then rinse it with water. Try mixing about 1 1/2 cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup of water. To clean pans with burnt food, remove the food, add baking soda and water and bring it to a boil. Let it sit for few minutes and pans will be easier to clean.

Cleaning silver? Start by boiling silver three minutes in a quart of water containing 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and a piece of aluminum foil. Also, try rubbing silver with a baking soda and water paste and a soft cloth, use a toothbrush to clean raised surfaces then rinse and polish dry. Prevent scratching surfaces by gently scrubbing clean.

As you continue to clean house, it is time for the bathroom...so use it as a toilet bowl cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl, add vinegar, and clean with toilet brush. Also, anytime you go shower or bathe, sprinkle some baking soda in the toilet, let it sit while freshening up and then scour with your toilet brush. This keeps the bathroom cleaner and fresher each day. Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water; sprinkle baking soda around the rim.

Time to do laundry? Use simple laundry soap and add baking soda, it cleans better and helps prevent soap scum residue. Try using 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per load, it deodorizes and softens clothes. Or, cover spot with baking soda or cornmeal and let it absorb the grease and brush it off. Baking soda can be used safely without polluting the ground water.

Did your dog or cat get near a skunk? De-skunk pets by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of dawn dish soap, and one pint of peroxide. Bathing pets in this mixture will get the skunk odor out. When setting up a kitty litter box sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of cat box prior to adding kitty litter.

Medicinal uses include using baking soda to relieve canker sores, upset stomachs and gas. Mix it with four ounces of water and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to reduce upset stomachs and relieve canker sores. Rinse mouth or for gas, use 1/2 teaspoon with as much water as you feel you can swallow to reduce gas. Cool off skin surfaces suffering from sunburn, a bee-sting, a rash, poison ivy or oak. Pat gently, feel better and please share this tip with friends.

It can also be used as a breathe freshener, toothpaste and deodorant. Lets not forget the therapeutic, decor and gift way to use it. Here is a recipe for making a great bath relaxer and a decorative gift. Take 2 cups of sea salt finely grounded, add 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, two tablespoons light oil, one teaspoon vitamin E oil, two eggs and six drops your choice of essential oil. Different oils offer all types of healing properties. Mix all together and cut out in different shapes. You can try using a favorite cookie cutter shape and size. The next step is baking, bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, try not to over-bake. Allow them to cool completely. Store your decor decorative containers with a tag that notes instructions. The instructions can be how to use and make them or just how to use them. Their use: Use one per bath depending on size.

Use this great multi-task product as an air freshener, drain opener, laundry product, removing grease and try using my tips for medicinal and therapeutic use. The general use is dissolving baking soda in hot water for cleaning. That is my take on Arm and Hammer Baking Soda.

Obtaining Disability

I was let go with a group of people that were laid off at my place of employment. I know it was because of my illness, but I was in denial and did not want to stop working. I was also the only good source of income because my husband is disabled. I wish I had filed for short and long term disability when I was working. I was filled with too much pride and wanted to continue working.

I finally applied for disability online and I was denied. I gave up and prayed daily. Soon after a lawyer's assistant called me and said I had called their office about disability. I did not remember doing that..Fibro fog! Anyway, I told him I was denied, he said they could help me. So I let them take the case and I finally won. It was not easy because you have to still fill out paperwork, answer questions, etc. Fortunately, I had taken medical leave and my doctor referred me to a Pain Management Specialist who in turn enrolled me at St. David's Rehabilitation Program for people with FMS/CFIDS. That experience was hard but helped me. I felt so good I returned to work too early. I lied to my PCP and had him sign a release form so I could go back to work, we needed the money. Bad choice because I transferred to another area of the company and that manager did not know me or my background. So I ultimately got laid off. I was in denial and did not want to file against the company. Anyway, I did hire that lawyer (no upfront fees) and now receive disability.

These are some of the things I did and the paperwork I added to my claim:

1). Hire a lawyer
2). I saw my PCP on a regular basis.
3). I continued to see the Pain Management Doctor.
4). I told my lawyer about the different doctor's I had seen and the Rehabilitation Program I had used.
5). I had my sister write a letter describing me, how I had changed socially, physically and mentally. It hurt her to write it and it hurt me to read it, but it helped.
6). I had a friend that worked for me and helped me when I first started having symptoms write a letter. I was an IT Project Manager. She wrote down what she saw and how she helped me along the way. I thank God for her help and for her letter. She described how I used to work and how I went down. It hurt to read it and it hurt her to write it, but I needed it to help me get my disability.
7). I had my sister write a letter that I tried to dictate to her about how I felt, my pain, fatigue and how I tried to keep working.
8). I wrote a letter to my congressman and explained my situation, illness, financial problems, etc. because it was taking so long to get an answer from Social Security. It is a long wait, so it helps to write your congressman. If he is a good man, he will write a letter on your behalf asking about the progress of your claim. He cannot write about you, but he can ask about the progress and time it takes to get disability.
9). I attached my resume, educational background and comments on how I was not able to function in that capacity or any for that matter. Why? Because of the amount of time I required sleep in order to even feel human. I was sleeping 22 hours a day! No exaggeration. My Mother was afraid I was going to die in my sleep. My husband and I tried to explain to her that I was weak, required sleep and was in a lot of pain. Sometimes I could not sleep at all. I could not function, sleep or no sleep. I could not even remember words, what a cup was, I had to point to things I wanted. It was terrible. I described my grief, my inability to function as I used to, the person I was and how I missed work. I still have some days like that.
10). I also informed my lawyer of the different Fibromyalgia studies I had enrolled in for help.
11). I also had other health problems, I listed them all.
12). Keep records of your work habits and how they have changed overtime due to your illness and have another work colleague document it.

The key is not to leave anything out, even if it hurts. The first time I was turned down, they felt I could work part-time. I wish I could, I would not make a good employee right now or then. They look at the whole picture and your education to see if you can do some type of stationary work. If you cannot function mentally and concentrate, stationary work does not make a difference.

I hope and pray this information helps someone today.

Fibro Viv

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These products have helped my pain and I have reduced my morphine from four times a day to two!

Try it, write to me and I can give you information on becoming a distributor or sell you some products.

Fibro Viv

Cooking uses and healing properties of sage

Here is another article I wrote on Helium dot com.

Here it is:

Sage, also known as Salvia Pratensis is an important herb that should be included in your kitchen garden of herbs. In tea it is a natural HRT treatment and eases colds and painful periods. If you mix the tea with cider vinegar as a gargle for sore throats and laryngitis. The juice can improve the shine of dark hair. Sage contains powerful antioxidants and is a good remedy for digestive problems.

The part of the sage that is used is leaves, as a whole herb. It can be taken as tea, infusion and the shelf life is 1-3 years. Try freezing leftover sage in an airtight bag.

As for cooking with sage, it has a strong distinctive bitter flavor and aroma, so not everyone likes using it. Dried sage should be used in moderation. The fresh sage leaves can be fried whole or used as a topping on hot charcoal for barbeque's. It can be chopped up into pieces or finely grounded. I suggest combining it with other herbs. Try cooking chicken or pork with a mixture of herbs like sage, basil, oregano, thyme and perhaps a mint or rosemary. Mix any combination of these herbs you normally use or like. Use it with thyme and beans in soups or add to vegetable and potato dishes. I use sage in stuffing and if you buy the stuffing, read the ingredients, it is part of the packaged stuffing. The grocery stores sell sage leaves packaged loosely. Some people like making Sage Pesto which includes sage leaves, lemon juice, almonds, and extra virgin oil. Tomato based sauces, cheese and salad dishes usually have sage in them. The key is not to overuse dry sage and to mix other herbs with it for cooking. The fresh sage leaves can be fried whole or eaten with potatoes and meat dishes. There are many recipes on the Internet and cookbooks that offer information on using sage.

* Please note that pregnant women must avoid sage and thyme.

I hope and pray this helps someone today.

Fibro Viv

Adult Acne: Understanding the differences from teen acne

Here is another article I wrote on Helium.com. PLEASE GO OUT TO THAT WEBSITE AND READ MY ARTICLE.

You can also read it here, but please read it on Helium.com


There are people that do not experience acne until their adult years. Skin adapts to different temperatures by controlling moisture loss however, a change in diet, hygiene or stress can contribute to skin changes. Although acne may start during teen years, our age and hormones cause breakouts. The body still continues to change based on chemistry or hormone changes later in life. As people age the skin may get oilier than it used to be and people start seeing the very first signs of aging.

Poor diet, smoking excess, free radicals, and sun exposure damage the skin and are very visible. The skin surface over the course of time can develop bad skin cells and eventually cause a flare-up of acne and skin texture changes. Nutrition is important because any excessive oil production within the body causes more oil glands on the forehead, chin, nose and sometimes sides of the face. Busy careers or lives may lead to increasing fast food consumption that is not good for the body or skin.

Adults get busy with their careers or become ill and get stressed out. Large pores show up more vividly and breakouts tend to rise as body chemistry changes. Stress sometimes causes sweat glands to release moisture onto the skin. The moisture and oil mix on the skin surface develops the skins characteristics.

An adult that is ill may not tend to their skin as frequently as a teenager would. Priorities, diet and activities change. Simple things like keeping clean pillowcases affect skin. The pillowcases absorb some oil during the night and your hair also plays a part in aggravating breakouts. If your hair is not pulled back during sleep or is all over your face during the day, it builds up oil.

There are certain types of jobs and environments that may cause a flare-up of acne. Touching or holding hands against the face during work hours contribute to oil build-up. Cosmetic products or heavy makeup use can block pores and cause problems.

The bottom line is both teenagers and adults are prone to break-outs. The proper water consumption, diet, hygiene and skincare affect all skin types. The only significant difference is a persons life style, body chemistry, age and priorities.

I hope this article is read by many people on Helium.com

Fibro Viv

PLEASE USE THIS MEDICATION CHECKLIST

MEDICATION CHECKLIST

1. What is the name of the medication, and why
am I taking it?

2. When and how do I take it? Do I take it at the
same time every day?

3. What if I miss a dose?

4. Is there a generic or other less expensive drug
I can take?

5. Should I take this medication on an empty
stomach or with food?

6. Can it be crushed or do I need to swallow
it whole?

7. How long should I take it?

8. Does this medication contain anything to which
I may have had a previous allergic reaction
(i.e., penicillin, sulfa, etc.)?

9. Should I avoid alcohol, certain foods, activities or
other prescription or over-the-counter drugs?

10. Are there any possible side effects such as
drowsiness? Any dizziness?

11. Could this medication interact with other
medications I take?

12. Where should I store this medication? Does it
need to be refrigerated?

13. Can I have written instructions?

I pray and hope that this checklist helps someone today. Praying for a pain free day.

Fibro Viv

How to become a better person

I believe that we all try to become a better person as we mature in life. It happens to different people at different times in their life. It could be an experience they had that caused them to stop and think about who they are and what they want people to perceive them as. It is normal to want to become a better person.

You are in control of your emotions, not anyone else. People might provoke you, however, you have total control of your emotions and reactions to situations in life. So remember that you are in control and if you allow others to take control, you will not be able to take charge of your emotions, personality, generosity and integrity.

You have to start by liking and loving yourself. In order to do this you must take the time to make yourself happy. Once you start sharing your love and keep the faith in yourself, you will continue to gain hope and happiness.

* Integrity is the key to keeping yourself in check and becoming a better person. Share your dreams with people and help them realize their strengths, hopes and dreams. Stay honest to yourself and others.

* Try to create and be around calm, happy people and environments. Reduce the clutter in your home and work space. Practice meditation or prayer daily. Share your experiences with others and you will feel stronger and happier because you have helped someone else.

* Do not procrastinate. It will not only make you feel better about yourself, it shows you are responsible and people notice. You will achieve your dreams, success and good fortune when you do not procrastinate. Others will notice you and you will receive compliments and you should compliment others given the opportunity. This will make you and others smile, which in turn leads to becoming a better person.

* Take the time to understand people and their personalities, likes, dislikes, what they are truly about. Always try to find the good in people. Everyone has something good to offer and you can gain experience from their knowledge. Listening, sharing your time, and sharing part of yourself not only forms great bonds, it is also a key to happiness. Remain open-minded to all possibilities, cast aside any self doubts and help others who share their problems. Recast their self doubts with positive statements or comments. Everyone will feel better and you will be a better person for remaining open-minded.

* Our inner energy levels change with our moods. Try to engage in some type of activity with people that helps boost your energy and theirs. Keeping in touch with family, friends, etc. helps you focus better. You also gain the ability to retain information because your energy levels are high.

* Peace, hope and honesty are very important in life. Practicing and trying to reach these three things in life will make you a better person. You know who you truly are, and you must continue to define yourself by rejecting practices and philosophies that you know are not healthy or honest. Your honesty will keep you at peace and help you spread hope each and every day.

* Stay committed to your work and try to make sure you volunteer your time or money to a good cause. Your sincere commitment to hard work helps you and others become better people. You lead by example and this tip will certainly be noticed by others.

* When you see someone who needs help, do what you can to lend a hand. You do not have to broadcast that you have helped someone. You will feel good and that should be enough. By letting your compassionate side come out, you will soon feel how empowering it can be to sacrifice your time and energy for someone else's sake. Let it remind you of the value of connecting with people who aren't as fortunate as you.

* Taking pride in yourself is important. It can also destroy people, so be cautious and do not misuse pride. Acknowledge we are not perfect human beings. Take the opportunity, time and guidance to become a better person each day of your life. Wake up each morning and be grateful for your blessings and share those blessing with others when possible. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your family and friends.

* If there is anything that we wish to change in others, we should first take the time to look in the mirror and examine our own actions. It is only then that we can understand and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.

Please share this information with family, friends, and acquaintances to help them refresh their perspective on life and become better people. Life is too short and how we handle ourselves, love and stay true to ourselves is the time we spend on this earth. We are all here for a reason. Make it a good one and try to become a better person.

What is Brain Fog?

Brain Fog is the inability to concentrate and possibly experiencing some type of memory problems. You may go into a state of confusion or suddenly lack clarity. There have been studies that show limited improvement with some drugs. You should talk to your doctor and be willing to experiment and try different avenues.

Fatigue contributes to those that suffer from brain fog. So you must try to combat the fatigue in conjunction with your brain fog issues.

Try to find safe supplements that help your low energy levels and any prescriptions that your doctor has recommended. Be sure to keep your PCP and Pain Management doctor communicating with each other.

In order to succeed, you must stay in constant communication and update your medical records that should include, symptoms, medications, physical activity and diet details. I know it can be difficult to keep records, but without these records you will never be able to figure out what works for you.

We are all different and react to medications, exercise, etc. in our own unique way. So what may work for your friend or family member, may not work for you. Do not get discouraged and keep trying.

I am in the process of creating my own personal record keeping ideas. I will share this with you as soon as I have made it easy to use. Do not give up on me......I am trying to help you.

I pray and hope that this post has helped someone today. Praying for a pain free day.

Fibro Viv

How to get general information about CFS

You find yourself or a loved one feeling debilitated mentally and physically and cannot function at a level you are used to functioning, there are places you can go and research prior to visiting your physician. However, please be sure and confirm or hopefully disprove a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (C.F.S.). Try to remember that symptoms can be very similar to those of other illnesses.

The following website offers information on C.F.S.: www.cdc.gov


I do not gain any type of commission or points for advertising www.cdc.gov. I sincerely pray that you do not suffer from this illness. I do and I deal with it on a daily basis. There are very few good days and many bad days. I have to stay focused and try to do something about helping myself as well as others. This BLOG and my posts help me feel like I am contributing and helping people in some small way.

CDC.gov (www.cdc.gov) is your on-line source for credible health information and is the official Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people’s health. CDC applies research and findings to improve people’s daily lives and responds to health emergencies—something that distinguishes CDC from its peer agencies. Working with states and other partners, CDC provides a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bio-terrorism), implement disease prevention strategies, and maintain national health statistics. CDC also guards against international disease transmission, with personnel stationed in more than 25 foreign countries.

I pray and hope this information has helped someone today. Praying for a pain free day:)

Fibro Viv

Tips on Staying Cool in a Crisis

I know it is difficult to stay cool during a crisis for some people. Others rise to the challenge and opportunity of a crisis. Here are some tips:

1). Stop and breathe slowly and try to remain calm because I am sure your heart is pounding hard and your pulse is racing fast. So slow those down first.

2). Try to remain focused on the issue at hand, it may be an injured family member, friend or stranger. Or it may be you were just in a car accident and believe you are being stalked......just stay focused and calm.

3). Your inner instincts can help guide you. Trust those instincts.

4). Call 911 if required for medical emergencies, or assistance from the nearest Fire Station, or Police Department. If the problem requires their attention, please let the professionals do their jobs. If you know CPR, then administer it, only if you have attended classes and are able to do it properly.

5). Have important information on you in case of emergencies, so you are properly prepared.

In order to be prepared you must have the following items available at all times:

a. Consider taking a CPR or First Aid Class

b. Keep important medical information about yourself on your person, be it your wallet or billfold.

c. Keep important telephone numbers on your person, be it your wallet or billfold.

d. Make sure you let your emergency notify individuals know you are using them as an emergency contact.

You can prepare for crisis and emergency situations just by following some of these tips. There are probably better tips out on the Internet, so search the net for tips.

You will be able to handle any situation if you feel confident in yourself. You can feel confident by preparing yourself. You can do it!

I hope and pray that this information helps someone today. Have a pain free day.

Fibro Viv