So what exactly is wrong with you?

I am heading into what seem to be my most brutal/painful months of the year, and it seems I have been getting a lot of questions regarding my overall health and wellness. I thought now would be a great time to throw a post out there updating y'all with what that means for me.

A Pain Board & Internal Medicine Certified Doctor/Naturopath was my last stop in my attempt to find an solution for this pain disorder I have lived with for the past 5 years. It is called Fibromyalgia. It is something not many conventional doctors are willing to treat because its symptoms are relatively broad and hard to pin down. To the point of said visit with the new doc, I had lived through a barrage of pain/antibiotic/sleep/crazy meds, physical therapy, and counseling. All of which had become old hat to me, that was what I knew as 'normal'. I knew this was a disease that is incurable, and only really manageable with exercise, and meds. These would be routines I would have to understand and accept for the rest of my life.
Enter new doc..we will call him (thank you Aretha) Dr. Feelgood. Right off the bat, his jaw hit the floor when he saw the laundry list of medications I have been told to throw at my system. He was appalled, offended even. After two hours of sitting in his office talking, he was quite certain I was dealing with something quite a bit more complex than FMS. He examined me for 10 minutes, and sat me down to explain our game plan. I was diagnosed with FMS, which my old doctors said came as a result of my car accident 5 years ago. He is quite certain that I actually initially had something called Myofacial Pain Syndrome. He believes that because THAT went untreated, the symptoms manifested themselves into what is now FIERCE FMS/MPS. **Sidebar: Auto-immune disorders can be extremely complex. Imagine your immune system is the coast guard and each cell, good and bad is a ship with a flag on it. Your 'coast guard' looks out for the pirate flags (bad cells) and attacks/destroys them. The trick with AI disorders is that your immune system is too preoccupied with attacking the good cells, that simply does not recognize the bad ones (pirate ships).** Had the MFS been treated years ago, I would not be in the place I am now. He validated every ache and said that he has no doubt I am living in extreme pain. He also said he was confident he would be able to help me.
I left his office with somewhere around 15 different NATURAL pills/supplements that were to take place of my prescriptions for sleep, pain, depression, etc. After a month and a half of the worst detox of my life, I started to feel some relief.
I sleep without drugs.
I have more energy without drugs.
I am living what is looking more and more like a normal life. It is still a life with pain, but its looking more and more hopeful.

Seeing Dr. Feelgood is extremely costly, and at this point, we just don't have the means to make him a regular visit. However, we have learned a few really great lessons about how we eat, what medications I do take, and I've learned to look at normal activities with more hope.

Now about those bad months. Every year, we here in the Pac NW experience a shift in weather. Our change of seasons are quite as graceful as they are in other places of the world. When it's hot, it's BLISTERING hot. When it is cold, you simply forget to breathe. Either extreme would be easier to deal with if they didn't come along so suddenly, with little warning. When we kick into extreme temps, my body kicks over to pain mode.
Simply put, this kind of pain is indescribable. BUT, I have a superb support system and every reason to keep looking up. I have an amazing husband that takes more care of me than I deserve. I do have hope for a change, and I am confident in my HEALER. Who could ask for more? ;)

Inspired

Uh-ma-zing!

Not only am I keen on the name ;), but I have mad respect for a woman with pipes of this caliber. Uh-ma-zing.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Adele.

Deliciously Delirious

Wow.
Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, or years even, where you honestly believe you are just a few clicks short of crazy?
That is the only way I can sum up this week. How sad is that? It's only TUESDAY folks?!
I can't really explain to you how or why, but I am just plumb pooped emotionally, physically, spiritually, just wiped the heck out! PHEW!
Dana is out with one of his buddies tonight and I have the delicious chance to sit down with the laptop and download a new playlist into itunes. (I got a gift card for my birthday MONTHS ago and have yet to take advantage of it.)
It's like my Disney World. No..really. I have this mammoth mothership of tonal gloriousness that makes me deliriously, fantastically, indescribably happy. People, there are few things that bring me more joy than just laying back in my comfies and SWIMMING in new music. Listening, digesting, absorbing every perfect tone and lyric. Well, it is like coming home. :)

I'm not avoiding my impending curve into crazy anymore. Game on, I'm ready for it. I will be content there in la-la land now that I have my Do-Re-Mis.

Sometimes the past just needs to stay IN THE PAST!!

Back in my pre-teen days you better believe I could "Hang Tough" like the rest of them. I was all about Donnie, Joey, Jordan and the those other New Kids, I'm pretty sure I even had a poster or two. Each of my friends claimed their future Groom from the Block and we all lived contently in New Kids on the Block la-la land. I won't deny it, but folks...I was 11.

Dana and I watched the AMA's last night and lo and behold, it ain't no joke, the New Kids are back on the Block. They performed a medley of two old songs (including Hang Tough) and their newer (raunchy old men singing to young girls about getting jiggy) songs. WOOOOOWWWW....I have few words.
Wait..no that's not true, I have more than a few..
LET IT DIE BOYS!!! LET IT GO!! You'd think that these early-middle aged men would realize that the pipes don't work quite the same as they did when they were teens..oh no...they were belting it out in all their nails on a chalk board glory! I gotta say, the hibbidy-dibbity dancing with the teeny bopper background girls was a little creepy for my taste. Yikeso.

Let it go homes, seriously.
Hammer pants, wave bangs, neon green, NKOTB, all things we should leave buried...F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

Early Christmas!!!

Folks, we filled up the Civic for under $20 last night. That's right, gas was only $1.99/Gal!!!
Can you believe it? It's like Christmas came early!!

We miss the Element terribly, but I'm not gonna lie, the fuel bill is a lot easier to handle. :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Just a tasty tid-bit for your listening pleasure.

Eleanor Roosevelt

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission."

I like that.

All Eyes Are On You Barack Obama

Wow, what a day!
As expected, internet news sites, blogs, emails, EVERYTHING is littered with the news of the very historic moment this nation experienced last night.

Presidential Elect Barack Obama.

Honestly, from the very beginning, I believed he would take it, but the reality of that really hit me when I saw him and his family accepting their place in the white house. In my lifetime, I was witness to something powerful, and something that my childrens' children will be reading about. Like Martin Luther King Jr., or Abe Lincoln, or freedom writers before their time, Barack Obama just made a mark in the history of this nation.

Despite the magnitude of this event, the internet is STILL filled with people debating the big issues as if the decision hadn't yet been made. They are stuck in a perpetual pissing match. There is a lot about this that leaves me unsettled and feeling a little insecure, A LOT, shoot I voted for the other guy.
But here's the deal folks, we have an amazing opportunity to take those insecurities and turn them into something really positive. This is our chance, to rise up as a nation, despite our differences and unite. If you are passionate about abortion, help inform the women that are contemplating that decision. If you know someone that is considering assisted suicide, educate yourself, be a support in whatever way you know how.

Stop playing the blame game. Get off your batootie and step up. Republican or Democrat, black or white, we are in this together.

So...shut up already and hold my hand!

99 Balloons

Coos Bay, OR - October 2008

We are thiiiiis close!

This weekend we are cruising to the sand dunes with Dana's family to do something we absolutely love, we are going quad riding!! Nothing better than the feel of sand, the rush of the ride and the stellar family time.

Just counting down the days, we are almost there....can't...wait!

Meet Tubby Gus

Our neighbors are selling this precious puppy and we want to help them find an amazing home for him! We call him Gus, they call him Tubby. We LOVE this pooch.
We got to puppy sit for a bit last night and couldn't resist taking a few pics. Lookie, lookie!

Ode to Home Dawg

Words that inspire..

Amidst my list of blessings infinite
Stands this the foremost, that my heart has bled;
For all I bless You, most for the severe.

You weren't there, you wouldn't understand the magic.

"Doctors are sadists who like to play God and make lesser people scream." -Juno

Like a fierce kick in the...

A new food allergy test just determined that I am allergic to fruit and the combination of potato and grain.
No lie.
Doc has me totally and completely off fruit for 6 weeks. He needs to determine which fruits specifically I am most sensitive to. Potato and grain..eh, I can work with that. But FRUIT? I eat fruit everyday! Heck, I eat at least three a day while at work. WHO IS EVER ALLERGIC TO FRUIT??!?!! COME ON!

Have you ever had someone tell you that you CAN'T have something? Notice how you become increasingly aware of that 'something' you can't have?
Oh, I'm soooo aware of fruit now. Everywhere I turn there is a big bodacious, juicy piece of fruity goodness.

Boo.

Six weeks. Hide your delicate deliciousness sweet friends, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.

Mmmmm!

Need a good idea for a fun date night?
Go to St. Cupcake and share a treat. This place is truly one of NW Portland's jewels. Yuuummm....

Why the anger?

Dana here. A simple question i ask. Several weeks ago andrea and I were attending a function with some friends. We were enjoying the day and all of our friends who were there. There was one person andrea and i were having a conversation with and boy was it an eye opener.

he is a very well respected and enjoyable gentleman who not long ago lost his wife to a long battle with cancer. We had been conversing for about 10 mins and we start getting into deeper conversation. We asked how he is doing with the loss of his lovely wife, and he boldly said he is doing well and is learning to get through each day. He told us about some of the stages of emotions that follow when you lose someone you love. One of the stages he mentioned that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life, is anger. Not anger like you would think. Like i mentioned before this was a very wise and loving man. He said that the hardest thing is seeing people in marriages, treating their spouses like garbage. He hated seeing people speak to and act with anger to the one they so call 'love'. It sure was a reality check for me. So i challenge you to ask yourself. Am i Loving my spouse the best i can? Am i treating them with the love i promised them on our wedding day?

Fall in the NW...

Things I LOVE:

* Sweaters, hoodies, scarves, boots & hats
* Firelight, big blankets & hot chocolate or cider
* Amazing holiday fragrances filling our home.. cinnamon, nutmeg & pumpkin..OH MY!
* Holiday music starts playing everywhere before Halloween
* Sunbreaks and SNOW!

Things I don't so much love:

* Going to work in the dark
* Driving home..in the dark
* Rain
* Clouds
* Sitting at work...and it's dark out. Boo.

Molly's First Flight

Needless to say last night was slightly traumatic for our little Molly mouse. For the first time in her life, she took flight.

Dana and I are in what I am certain will be a life long disagreement of who has the worst sleeping habits. He is convinced that I am a bed hog. He clearly does not understand that I am simply trying to scoot over to where EVERY blanket/sheet seem to be...on his side. Blanket hog? Bed hog? Both? Neither?
Last night I woke up to find him sweetly wrapped up in our bed linens. What he doesn't know is he as an indescribable super-human-death-grip on said linens while he is sleeping. If there is ever any chance of me getting to share them, I have to have a strategy, be smart about it. Last night, I chose the barrel roll approach. Grab a handful, and roll over as fast as and as hard as you possibly can.

Cut to Molly. That bundle of joy sleeps with us every night. We put her little bed at the end of ours and on occasion she comes up to snuggle with us. We hardly know she's there though because she buries her self deep into the covers and curls up into a little ball.

Cut to Jane Bond Barrel Roll maneuver. Ready. Set. Wait, position pillow so I don't have to move too much afterward. OK, ready. Set. ROLL! Roll almost complete, sheets in hand, and out of NOWHERE a black thing FLEW over my shoulder off of the bed. I didn't even have to hear the crash to know what took flight. Having been so abruptly jolted out of her dog chasing dreams and quite literally thrown into the bedroom wall, Molly was confused and disoriented. She just stood there and looked at me as if she was saying.. "MOM!! What the..?!!" I immediately scooped her up, she buried her face in my neck and dug her claws into my pajamas. Poor baby didn't know what happened! This little one is a tough cookie and of course she is in ship-shape, but I am sure she will re-think snuggling with us for awhile.

I'm am also rethinking my night time sheet stealing strategy. Maybe from now on, I will just keep an extra blanket under the bed on my side.

Bicycle Binge

I am really proud of us! Dana and I have the cycling bug and have really been making a solid effort to get out and put the rubber to the road. We go to a water class at a gym about 3.5 miles from our house every Mon/Wed/Fri. This week we decided we would make the workout a little more aerobic by just riding to the gym. Granted, the last half of the 7 mile trip isn't so fun after having an intense water workout, but we both feel better for it. I guess you could say we are trying to get an early start on workin' to keeping those tickers healthy.

Molly has her place in this excitement, you better believe it. We bought a great little white basket we clip onto the front of my cruiser and she LOVES it!

More fun times to come for the Couches...stay tuned!

Age is only a #

I guess you could say the realization that I am THAT much closer to 30 has had me groaning a bit.
Dana sent this to me this morning...lol. Couldn't resist posting it!

Optimus Prime made a birthday appearance!

Ooohhh Canada!

This last weekend, Dana's mom, dad and sister joined us for a fun trip up to NW Washington. We had a great time hanging out and taking in the awesome touristy sights. We made a stop by my company picnic In Lynden and were able to visit quite a bit with family that lives in Birch Bay.
Birch Bay is a really amazing beach community with a lot of personality. The tide in the bay has a unique personality of its own actually. When it comes in, it is absolutely beautiful and serene. You see boats floating all along the shoreline and folks fishing, or playing in the water. We even saw seals playing close to shore! When the tide goes out, it goes WAAAYYYY out. In fact, you can walk out as far as your eyes can see before you find the drop off. :) Those boats and dry docks that were floating and coasting around the night before are beached right where the tide left them.
Lynden was BEAUTIFUL. My company picnic was on an 80 acre farm lot..wow..SO cool!
Both Lynden and Birch Bay are just a hop, skip and a jump from Canada, that's the farthest North Dana had ever been! So after the picnic, we headed up to the I-5 US/Canada border. We could not cross but we walked around Peace Arch Park. WOW!! That place was AMMMAAZING!! What a cool reminder that peace really does exist in such a time as this. Dana was more enthralled with the Canadian cars than the view, but I digress. Lol.
It was a really fun weekend away with the family! I took my first shot at the photobucket slide show thing. Hope you enjoy!

Fibromy-a-huh-wha??

Dana and I are very open about my battle wtih Fibromyalgia. It's a condition that is a mystery to many people and unfortunately one that not many doctors are willing to address.

In an effort to take a break from conventional medicine, tomorrow we will be seeing a Naturopath.
I've seen a Naturopath before, but he was a little bit of a coooook. Picture this..my regular visit would consist of me sitting in a chair that looked like it hailed from an old school barber salon or dentist office. It had old smelly leather, random metal contraptions, restraints and a BIG bright light above the head. Just as I was seated, he would pull the mystery (slot machine looking) handle and WHOOSH, I was flat on my back. All I remember was some mumbling and tapping. Not like reflex tapping, it was the kind of tapping you do when you have a puzzle piece that just won't quite fit...you tap..and tap until it forces its way in. Uncomfortable tapping on my forehead, elbows, knees and collar bone...and that was it. Tapping, take two and call me in the morning.

Needless to say, I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to another "Natural" doctor. It just so happens that this one comes with a great reference, so we are hopeful that he will be able to give us some solid and useful advice.
Honestly, at this point I'm ready to try anything. I have been pumped up with more medication than one person should have in a lifetime, poked and proded, xrayed and examined all to no avail. I'm ready to try a different option.

In an effort to really make a change for the better, Dana and I are diving into an organic/natural diet, and will be engaging in as much exercise and activity as my body can handle. If nothing changes, nothing changes right?
So here we go! We are off on our next life changing adventure. If you are curious at all as to what FM is or what exactly we are dealing with here, feel free to access this really amazing resource: www.fmaware.org.

We really appreciate the love, prayers and support we've been blessed with to this point. Please keep lifting us up!

A Modern Day Fable

So, as many of you know, we are HUGE movie nuts. We are MVP's at Hollywood video, and really just enjoy digging into a comfy blanket and a great story to get lost in.
Last night, on a whim, (more for me) we picked up Penelope. It's not a movie I had heard much about, I just knew that it was a sweet girlie flick with a pretty cool story. I was sweetly surprised at how fantastic this story is! Dana fell asleep ten minutes in. But nontheless...lol.
A few years back, I had the awesome privilege of working with a group of teenage girls who didn't think much of themselves or the way things were going for them. I think I am SO enthusiastic about this flick because I think about them often. I deeply hope this message is sown into their lives in some way shape or form. Pretty remarkable. Check it out!

A sweet celebration..

Hello!

Dana and I have enjoyed a really quirky, relaxing and fun weekend away together. We went down to Lincoln City to relax and celebrate a little for our 1st anniversary. The first day there, we got to shop a bit and check out LC, but the weather was a little windy and nutty so we decided to go chill at our great beach front hotel. Dana ended up getting SUPER sick that first night and a gnarly headache/the pukes had him down and out. SO, I kicked back in my comfies, ate strawberries and watched "Deadliest Catch". (We don't have cable, so when we get to stay in a hotel, we TOTALLY love that show. It's a sickness, I know.
The second day had us off to a better start, Dana was up and running so we spent sometime on the beach and headed to the Newport Aquarium. We had planned on setting aside time so he could play in the waves with his body board, but unfortunately the serious lack of waves didn't permit that. Bogus.

Our weekend/vacation isn't quite over yet, but it has been an adventure thus far. I hope you are having a lovely weekend, thanks for taking time to check in on us. :)
More pictures to come!!

One year!!

On Tuesday, Dana and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. It's so strange how quickly this year has flown by. It really seems like just yesterday that we were walking out of the airport right off our honeymoon, ready to face real life.
We have been through so much together! We've experienced growth we couldn't have imagined, strength we didn't know we had and grace that definitely surpasses all understanding. :) It's amazing to me what I've learned personally. Marriage has this profound way of showing you your own strength and weaknesses in ways you wouldn't expect. You also discover more and more about each other, the good, the bad, and the morning breath, dirty dishes, stinky bathroom ugly. Lol.

I realize this is completely cliche, but I honestly believe that we love each other stronger, deeper, bigger and more intentionally than we did the day we promised to love each other till death parts us. I didn't realize I had the capacity to love someone this much, this way.

Marriage feeds my faith. The goodness, beauty, trials and grace that are a part of this journey could only come from God. I believe that with all my heart. The blessing of this responsibility make me a stronger person, it gives me courage and confidence for things to come.

We plan on celebrating our special occasion on the beach this weekend, Lincoln City. Dana arranged for us to crash at a great little beach hotel. We are really excited to get away and take a look back at the past year. :) Not to mention play in the sand and Dana is SUPER stoked to take his body board for a spin.

We will post pics when we get back! :) Have a fantastic weekend!

TTTHHAANNKK YYOOUUUUU

Mike and taylor. They sent us this rad blanket we wanted. After it getting sent and sitting on a random persons doorstep, we finally got it. We love it. Thank you again

Warren Barfield -

well all it has been a while. Andrea and I will have some pictures up of all the house painting and projects. Until then, there is a video of a guy named warren barfield. Andrea introduced me to his great music and now im doing the same to you. If he is in your area GO run, ok walk and see him.

Shout to The Lord American Idols on Idol Gives Back

Just in case you didnt catch the great message sent out to the whole world last night on American idol. TBN had nothing on these guys last night.

This dog had her day!

Dog Park attempt #3 seemed to be a success...she's pooped out!

Proud owners!

YEAH THAT'S RIGHT!! LOL!!

Are we old or what? Ah well..we are proud owners of an adjustable "Zero Gravity" bed!!
Enough of the A.M. aches and pains, say good-bye to NO sleep. We are livin it like Granny but sleeping like babies and waking up refreshed and ready for the day!!

We had THAT dog!

So this last weekend, Dana and I decided it was time for Molly to experience the gloriousness that is THE DOG PARK!! Saturday was an absolutely beautiful NW day and the beaming sun demanded that we give it plenty of attention..sooo off on our canine adventure we went.
As expected, the dog park was buzzing with dogs of every size, shape and color! Many of them chasing a ball, a frisbee (or each other) and basking in this extra play room they were given for the day! They greet each other with a butt sniff and move on to the next moving/shiny object.

When we pulled up to the park, Molly was already barking with anticipation. She was anxious to get out of the car and see what all this fuss was about. Let me preface this by saying our little Molly is...a queen, she rules the roost and she will let you know it. I am convinced she thinks she is a big dog but doesn't realize all of that punch is really only packed into a 3lb frame.
When we walked into said canine haven, Molly lit it up immediately. "Just so you all know, I am the boss...ok? So don't even try to do anything funny or you'll have to answer to me...ok?" Nevermind the enormous St. Bernard or the horse of a Sheepdog hanging out in the corner. Size was no matter, because she was going to make sure they were put in their place.

Yeah...we had THAT dog. The one that drew all the attention to herself by barking up a storm and causing a fuss. She REALLY didn't appreciate most noses meandering around her hindquarters, and certainly wasn't down for those other very sweet pups trying to be her friend. Lol...oh..our little insecure queen.

After spending some time in the hubub and excitement (or maybe I should call it harassment), we decided we would give our little one a break and take her home.
We are going to try to break her in slowly and socialize her at the park as much as we can. With more great NW Spring/Summer days (HOPEFULLY just around the bend), maybe we can venture out a little more and get her to learn to fetch...if that isn't too 'below' her. ;)

We will take pictures next time...stay tuned.

I

LOVE MY WIFE

DUTCH LUV!!!

We were SO excited to hear that Dutch Bros. was opening up their first stand in Vancouver, WA!!
Can't ya tell?! Love the Dutch Bros...nothin' but Dutch Love. :)

I need a

Dream to work towards. Please someone tell me what im good at or really like. HELP

Dreamless Dana

How To Irrigate Your Nasal Passages

Well and this guy just makes me smile

neti pot

I hope the neti pot and a haircut like this helps me with my allergies.

Human Tetris I

The Japanese make me smile

back cracker