Blogmas Day 7: Five Gift Ideas for Someone with Chronic Illness

First I want to apologize for being behind on these posts. I knew when I decided to do this that the 12 Days of Christmas format was the best fit for me because I was (and still am) struggling with my health and didn’t have the energy to commit to posting a well thought out …

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Blogmas Day 8: DIY Microwavable Stuffed Animal Heating Pad

In Blogmas Day 7 we talked about how those with chronic illness frequently turn to heating pads and icepacks for pain relief. Today I am going to show you how to make your own Microwavable Stuffed Animal Heating Pad! For this project you will need: A stuffed animal A seam ripperRice thread to match the …

Blogmas Day 6: Give an Experience, Make a Memory

I have previously mentioned that as an extended family, instead of purchasing and giving material gifts, we are starting a new tradition called “Give an Experience Make a Memory”. Chances are you have probably seen or heard a little bit about this on social media somewhere but if not I will explain how this is …

Blogmas Day 5: Secret Santa Extravaganza

After having discussed the differences between a Secret Santa gift exchange and a White Elephant gift exchange yesterday, I thought that I would talk about the three Secret Santa gift exchanges I participated in this year.  I signed up for these exchanges online. The first exchange I signed up for was one that consisted of …

Blogmas Day 4: Secret Santa VS White Elephant

It is not uncommon this time of year for families, friend groups, teams, and even offices to partake in Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchanges. However, it's also not uncommon for people to use these terms interchangeably, but the guidelines for each of these exchanges are very different.  Generally, during a Secret Santa gift …

Blogmas Day 3: Christmas Over the Years

Like most families, our family dynamic has changed and that has effected how we have celebrated holidays in general, but most significantly how we celebrate Christmas. My dad and Brooke (egg donor) separated when I was just 4 or 5 years old. Once they were officially separated, she stopped coming around for her designated supervised …

Blogmas Day 2: Why Christmas Isn’t My Favorite Holiday

I mentioned in Blogmas Day 1 that since my (step) mom passed in March of 2011, our family has struggled to muster the Christmas cheer. I haven’t really talk about my mom’s death here… not for any particular reason, it just hasn’t really felt like the appropriate time. Maybe I will share more after the …

Blogmas Day 1: Spirit of Christmas

I have decided to participate in Blogmas this year. I think that it will help kick my bum into Christmas gear. Ever since my (step) mom passed almost 7 and a half years ago, Christmas just hasn't felt like Christmas... We'll talk more about that in another post, but my goal this Christmas is to …

The Impact Your Chronic Illness Can Have on Your Mental Health

Trigger Warning: Suicidal Thoughts & Vomit I have occasionally mentioned here that I struggle with my mental health. I have been diagnosed with Anxiety,Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) as a result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)… And then I got sick. That's something they don't tell you about mental illnesses… as …

As if Periods Weren’t Difficult Enough…

My Mast Cell Activation Disorder (MCAD) has been a tad bit more touchy than normal lately. You may recall that in May of this year I was in the ER for an adrenal crisis when a tech came in to perform an EKG because my potassium levels were through the floor and she was wearing …