Happy New Year. Here we are; 2020 is over. That's worth celebrating, right? This past week has been overwhelming and we had to call an ambulance, yet again. My anxiety makes my heart feel like it's going to explode. The paramedics hooked me up to a heart monitor and told me that my heart rate is high, but not at critical levels. I now have a heart monitor placed on my chest for the next 14 days to monitor my anxiety and panic attacks. I've been getting lightheaded and nauseous and according to my doctor, this is all anxiety related. With my age I was worried it could be angina, and with both of my parents having heart issues and my grandmother dying of a heart-related issue, it does scare me. What annoys me the most is people that don't understand, tell me things to try. Like I haven't already tried them. I know they are just trying to help, but it gets annoying. Like, "What you need is a coloring book." A coloring book isn't going to help with past child abuse issues, PTSD, and trauma-related thoughts. Sure it helps calm the nerves, but when they are overwhelming, you need more than crayons. I've been placed on Lorazepam for when it's overwhelming and that's been taking the edge off. I've been in therapy, too. It's going well so far and hopefully, over time it helps. -sans coloring book. Here are five things this week.
1. This Pouch.
I got this little pouch for Christmas this year and I love it. One, it reminds me of Meia and two, it's perfect for a coin pouch, or lipstick pouch. I noticed it a few weeks before Christmas at our local food co-op and I was so thrilled that Jeff and Skylar got it for me.
We drove around looking at the Christmas lights this past week. Since the pandemic I feel people went all out this year on their lights. There were quite a lot of good displays around the cities.
4. These Moments.
After lots of testing and being placed on a heart monitor overnight, I was sent home with a heart monitor to keep track of anxiety spikes. All of it is just overwhelming. One thing that made me feel better was Skylar facetiming with me and putting Eleven on the screen. That kitty is attached to me and she was meowing looking for me through the house. She saw me on the screen and started licking it. Skylar is awesome and I am truly loved and it helps a great deal with my trauma issues knowing this.
5. This Test.
Just for fun we thought we take these drug tests. We found these at the local dollar store and wondered if they actually worked. Jeff and Skylar were negative, but mine showed two lines as well we I definitely have THC in my system. So, our conclusion is, we don't know if they work for being positive, but they definitely work for coming up negative.
Did you get a glimpse of the Cold Moon on December 30?
Positive affirmations this week: Reframe the way you think of things in your mind. My therapist recently told me to record a new message on the tape recorder that plays over and over in my head. So, instead of saying, "What if this happens," or "What if that happens," change it to "Since I always take precautions, it should be okay," or "Since I've done my best, there's nothing that will happen." It takes some time to change, but it does help with worrisome and anxious feelings. A lot of the things that play in my head are statements from my past. Statements from others that I'm not good enough and never will be, I'm ugly, I'm not enough, I'm not smart, I'm a failure, and I was even told by someone that they hate me. Unfortunately, a lot of these statements came from family and people that I should have trusted. I've come along way in the last couple of years by reversing that tape that plays with those statements. I've changed those statements to, I am good enough to the right people, I am beautiful, I am smart because I do things like X or Y better than most, I may fail, but I always get to try again, and lastly, being hated is an issue with that person and not me. Simple changes of these statements really are a great benefit to your mental health. Hopefully, this helps you, too.
It's been a long year and even longer month I feel like just waiting for 2020 to end. After Christmas we took a drive up to Portland to have dinner for the evening and spent some time driving around different areas in the city. It was strange to see the populated areas with hardly any people, but it was nice to see the city less busy. It was honestly a perfect setting for some podcast pictures and other spooky photos. But, I will say, Portland looks better without so many people around and less traffic.
Merry Christmas. I'm posting this between "cooking." I don't really cook, but I mostly heat things up and use a lot of frozen things. It all tastes the same, though, and we get a lot of our things from our local co-op. The Dreidel to the left was from the local co-op. We aren't Jewish, but the chocolate is from Lake Champlain Chocolates and their chocolate is one of our favorites, so we couldn't pass it up. The co-op marked it down for the holidays and we snagged it and a few other chocolate items that were marked down. This Dreidel is a top and spins just like a real one. We played with it for a bit and then hit it with a spoon and shared the chocolate. On another aspect, I feel like I haven't been sleeping well lately and my anxiety has been troublesome, but I think it has a lot to do with everything from the year coming to a close. The only thing that helps keep me focused is knowing that in 2021 things will start to get better. It's hard to process everything that's happened this past year, but we must either process it, or let it drag us under. I am looking forward to the good things that are to come. I have a long needed haircut scheduled for tomorrow and I am looking forward to that, too. Skylar was excited to see what his gift was this year. Although he couldn't get the actual item, it is on backorder and he knows it's his. We got him a new surfboard, so he was excited about that. We also bought us all our own wetsuits, too. It's been a long time coming to get our own, so I am thrilled about that. It's the little positive things that really help process the negative. I can't wait to get back out on the water with our own suits and boards. Our boards will come later, but for now, we are eager. Here are five things this week.
1. This Kid.
We spend the early morning this morning watching Skylar open all of his gifts. Unfortunately, his big gift is on back order until March 2021 and we were disappointed that we couldn't surprise him with it on Christmas morning, but we still enjoyed the morning. We got him a Red Rider BB Gun and some targets. It was mainly bought as a joke, but Skylar loved it. We showed him his big gift and he was super excited. We can't wait until it comes and he actually gets to try it out.
2. This Tree.
With the pandemic still strong here in Oregon we passed on getting a cut tree. It actually worked out well for us because our fake tree is up all year in our TV room, so we just moved it to the front window. It's been such an odd year that one less thing to stress about was more than welcome in our house.
3. These Subscriptions.
This was the winter Fab Fit Fun subscription box. I love that they added ILIA mascara and a face brush. I ended up regifting a few items to friends and relatives, but overall the mascara and face brush will definitely be added to my daily use. The Paradox blemish stars went to Skylar and he likes to use them at night. Overall it was a nice box this season. You can sign up here to get on the spring box mailing list. Also, the Kiwi Eco Box came for December. Love this box so far and it's a great replacement to the Yogi Surprise box that ended last year. If you want to get in on this box, which you should, you can do it here. You won't regret it!
4. This Test.
Definitely pegged me correctly. Although, I do have a bit of OCD about list-making. I make a list for just about everything, it seems. But, the shower and the early waking up does resonate with me as I've gotten older. Another enneagram personality test that's free to take is the Personality Path. Even if you don't believe some of these tests, it's interesting to find out where you fall on the scale. This test is a bit more thorough and up to date. There is no email required to take it and it's been tested with several hundred people to reach high accuracy of 90%. You can take their free test here. (Thanks, Greg, for the recommendation.)
5. These Edibles.
Trying these out again this week. I do like these, and they work for helping me fall asleep and stay asleep.
Positive affirmations this week:
I want to share a quote I love.
"We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." -Virginia Satir
So, hug often and hug those you love daily. Everyone needs a hug and everyone could use a hug, especially children as they're growing.
Of all the years he gave up his own time to the community, he was finally recognized for his dedication. We are so proud of him!
2. This Calendar.
This was the first year that we've tried a countdown calendar for Skylar. We filled the little bags with gift cards, candy, school supplies, and a few random notes from Jeff and me. Skylar loved it and even though he is older, it's still something we will continue into the future.
3. This Kitty.
She's finally over her cough she had this past season. We think it was smoke-related. It's unfortunate how many animals suffered this past season. Our animals were taken care of, but I think about all the ones that weren't. It's been a rough year all the way around.
4. This Peeler.
Our vegetable peeler broke this week. It was a peeler we've had for at least 10 years, so it was a bummer that it broke. The head of the peeler was getting a bit rusty and overtime I guess the stress of that snapped it. But, I found this one from Honsen and we just love it. And, it's perfect timing for Christmas coming up and the simple dinners we do. You can get the same one here.
5. These Edibles.
Still looking into ways to control panic issues. The dispensary recommended these and they are okay. They taste good, but overall they don't quite take the edge off like I'm looking for.
We put out a podcast this week, but other than that, we did nothing. Well, we did clean up some of the backyard more and placed more things out curbside. We are getting to the point where we are happy with the downsizing we've done do far in the yard and the garage. There is still more to go, but we are definitely able to let go easier than we thought. We got rid of an air compressor, a smoker, a gazebo structure, lawn chairs, weed eater, garden structures and decorations, garden tools, an outdoor rug, and a few other things. Oddly enough, the moment we set all of it out on the curb with free on it, it was gone in less than an hour. We hope it comes in handy for people to use and helps someone out during this time. It's not much, but who knows, everyone can use something, sometimes. Here are five things this week.
1. This Picture.
My "Aunt" Paula sent me this picture this week and I think it's fantastic! It's a picture of my cousins and me at some random relatives get-together; probably Easter. The dresses we have on were Easter dresses, but I could be wrong. My aunt said it was one she found going through things. She's always good about sending surprise pictures to me and making me smile and remember things as a child. I hope I get all of her pictures, at least the ones that I'm in, when she is gone. She has some good ones. I'm the one on the right-hand side. The only girl smiling and facing "a" camera. (My sister is the one rolling her eyes; Typical)
2. This Kitty.
With the little bit of sunshine this week this little kitty took advantage and so did I. I wish we had snow, but I will take the sun, too.
3. This Sky.
Definitely liking seeing the blue skies over what happened this year. It's nice to see the sun coming out and bright and warm over orange, red, and blocked by smoke.
4. This Snack.
I've been getting my appetite back slowly from my surgery and this has become my go-to snack since then. It's either apple and peanut butter or graham crackers and peanut butter. And, I always love a nice glass of cold milk.
5. This Coloring.
Skylar gave it to me on one of my really bad mental health days. It hangs next to my bed and I look at it and I'm reminded that it will get better. I love him so much!
Our recent episode of our podcast is out. This episode is on Delphine LaLaurie and the Cajun south of Louisiana. You can check it out here, or click on the Podcast link at the top of my blog.
One last thing: I received a test product from Influenster this week. It's the Pond's Rejuveness Skin Tightening Serum. I've been using it for a few days now and I do see some subtle results, especially around the neck and chest area. I do like how it feels on the skin, though. Influenster sent me this free for testing purposes and you can sign up to become and Influenster, too, here. You can also purchase this serum here and test it our for yourself.
Positive affirmations this week:
Always lead in your own direction. Don't wait to be told what to do with what's best for your life.
Life at a "Swell's" pace is a lifestyle and travel blog chronicling the life and travels while living in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. It is mostly written by Shelly HW. Click the image to learn more»
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