A Scentsy day

Good morning!

I know it's really early for a blog but it's a quick one!

I have mentioned how much fun I am having with Scentsy and today I am doing another festival!

I have no special insight or wise words today.

My big comment today is to get outside and enjoy what Calgary gives us!

A big diverse city with so many wonderful things to see and do! Not to mention the great weather forecasted!

Stop by the SunFest in Inglewood and say "hi!"

I'll be near 14th Street.

Have a fantastic day!

See you then!

"It's like being hung over"

So many times I am asked how it feels to have MS.
So many times I answer that it changes day to day. Finding the perfect words is not easy some days.
Have you ever tried to explain to a child what love is? Why the love that you have for your children is different then the way you love your spouse? That's what it's like to explain a feeling that changes everyday.

A few months ago Mark and I signed up to do the MS Walk in support of the Calgary Chapter of the MS Society. I have been avoiding situations where other fellow MS'ers are near not of fear but more of a sense or realisation.

As you know, I am very open with "My" MS but seeing and hearing of others is just something that I have struggled with.

It was nice to see other patients that are still successful 10, 20, 50 years later but just like anything, there are those that struggle 5 years after diagnosis. I don't like to get emotional and I don't like to cry. I think this is the first time blogging that I am very emotional.

As expected, the MS Walk has patients at all stages of MS. Many of them were walking with poles or not walking but wheeling. I am not afraid of "my" future MS. I welcome the challenge and hope that I will be a lucky one but it is very hard to see that some have succumbed to the horrible symptoms that MS can do to a body. Maybe these aren't the correct words. They themselves have not succumbed but their body's have. They did not choose this.

So, I avoid a situation where I feel like I am the one giving the look that some give me at times. Pity, sadness, awkwardness. I don't think it's something you can help or stop. It's human nature. I aways respond to the look with "It's OK!, it's not my death sentence!"

Where am I going with this? Well, I do not often visit the MS Society website but I did yesterday.
There is a great short video called "The faces of MS" and one gentleman describes the feeling of MS so perfectly. I wish they would be my words...but they are his and I want you to hear them.

I tried to load the video to my site but I can't figure it out!

Click here! Faces of MS

Now to think of something else for my next post!

Support

You guys are amazing!

I blog simply to share my thoughts and once it's written it becomes a relief.
It helps to turn a negative into a positive. Who ever thought going blind, taking injections or losing my temper would become a good thing!

I am truly grateful to hear from everyone. Your support means the world to me.
I would probably still blog if no one read as a source to "unload" but it's nice to get these emails and calls. I love the feedback, good and bad especially the questions!

Thank you!

Yodio!

And my goal for today is to fill the main page with all new posts!

Last week I received a strange email from someone I didn’t know. I am getting used to messages and calls from strangers because of Scentsy but this was different. Now, I say strange because the context is not something you get everyday and it caught me off guard!

Let me tell you about it!
The title of the email was listed as “Interested in your blog” and it came to the address I typically use for Scentsy. So I stopped and scratched my head…I don’t blog about Scentsy…or do I…Eh?...

Me being curious, I read on.
Andrea is a student at the University of British Columbia and is doing her Master’s in Educational Technology. She was asking me if I would be interested in doing a brief interview with her about my MS blog. She is creating a course which is part of her school program on using the internet to find information on medical issues as well as sharing personal stories. She is also hoping to incorporate the interview into her work with Patient Voices Network in Vancouver.

I sat and thought about this for a few minutes. I am flattered on a regular day when people tell me they read my blog or tell me I need to “get back at it”. I was truly honoured that my blog inspired Andrea for her project. As you know, I am an open book on most topics especially my MS.



I replied saying “of course I would help her with her project”.

We setup a time and had a great conversation, not just about my blog but life and friends. She is a very nice person and I was happy I agreed to help her. She got to work right away and created this great slideshow of our interview together.
I invite you to take a look at her Yodio and share your comments.

Thank you Andrea for helping spread awareness. I look forward to your future work.
It is my turn to say…I hope that I have represented you in a fair, honest and accurate way. If I have missed anything or if you would like to add something please do!

+30C…that’s ok!

If you follow my blog or know about MS then you know that MS and the heat simply do not mix. They are arch nemesis!

In June the weather was just wrong, not just here in Alberta but everywhere. All I wanted was to see the sun. It didn’t have to be hot but just a bit of sun…please!

Then July arrived with its lovely summer face…Welcome back old friend…where have you been hiding for the last, well, too long!

Since the Sun has arrived I have spent every waking moment outside. Morning to water the flowers (oh you should see our yard!) Noon to walk or lunch in the park with friends and co-workers (Oh…did you know I love food!) and Night too. We get home from work, change into shorts and head out. We only come in to get food to cook outside! Then around 9 Grace gets tired and that’s the sign to head in.

I remember the first summer in 2009 when I was diagnosed. I could barely make it from the house to the car if it was too warm. Never mind hot!
This year is the best summer yet. A few weekends ago it was so hot out that I pulled out the small pool for Grace and filled it up. We had so much fun playing with the hose, sprinkler and pool toys! What a great day!

Do you remember when you were a kid how much more tolerant you were of cold water? Do you recall your parents saying “Don’t splash me! It’s too cold!”?
Well let me tell you…”News Flash Natalie…I think you are now considered a parent!”
WOW was the water cold! But Grace was having so much fun that I sucked it up and it was so worth playing with her like that!

So my final thought here…HEAT…yes please!

Catching up!

Welcome me back to the world of blogging!
I have been so busy the last few months that I am lucky to sneak in a drink of water or fold laundry! Those of you who have noticed the wrinkles and haven’t commented…Thank you ;)

I have said many times how I feel guilty when I don’t blog and I still do! However, I find comfort in knowing that I am healthy which means I can be busy and can’t really think of a symptom to write about! Doesn’t that make sense!

Since the last time I made and entry I have been busy with Scentsy. I truly love people and this is a great way to meet every kind of people! I have hosted home parties, organized a fundraiser, done a few festivals and even traveled!

About that travel business…
In June I was away from home more often then not. I spent some time in Edmonton and Winnipeg for my day job. Then I came home, packed Mark and Grace up and flew to New Brunswick to be with family for a week or so.
When I travel I usually feel tension building in my neck and by the time I land I scream for my chiro but in June I was on a total of 10 planes and I still have not felt the need to visit Dr. Kale! To me…this is progress!

Let’s see.. I have more to tell you but I will make a few entries…read on up!