Hope everyone is doing well...

The first week of school is off to a crazy start! Trying to get school supplies, scholarship forms mailed off, mailing textbooks I sold on Amazon (w/in the 2-day time window)- highly recommend it-it's my first time, working lots of hours, working out with my new workout partner (thanks D! So excited we are at college together again!) and going to lots of classes...and on top of that...dealing with some sort of food poisoning/stomach bug thing. Not so much fun. Will probably go to the Dr. soon to get some meds/get it checked out. And nope, I haven't eaten any peanut butter.

I think I'm really going to like my classes though. I'm taking my first true art therapy class and I LOVED the first night of it. We do some art therapy exercises and learn about the history of art therapy, etc. I'll take another art therapy intro class in the fall too. I finally am taking my first 2 real art classes at this college too...painting and a drawing class. This will be my first painting class (I am pretty self-taught). My professor was really surprised. After class, he wanted to make sure I wasn't supposed to be in advanced because he had seen some of my stuff last fall. Also, looking forward to Introduction to Asian Art and a psych class-will go to that tonight for the first time.

Ciao!

Today, I am grateful for strength to get through this week, friends, family, God and a great husband!

Rach

Lucky Duck

Maybe I should knock on wood or I might be jinxing myself BUT I have just have to say I been so amazed by my immune system lately. Maybe it's the flu shot, maybe it's that I wash my hands a ton, maybe it's this or that but the fact is I haven't been sick lately and it seems everyone around me has! This is a FIRST for sure. For so many years, my immune system has been suppressed and I guess part of me assumed it would be like this forever and I'm sure to an extent, that's true. I was the first to get sick, the last to heal and it usually turned into something worse...not a good combo. Even a year ago from now, I had a pretty serious infection in my blood. I know those days will most likely come again but for now I am content to just battle this exhaustion from the new(er) nerve meds (from Nov-Dec time) and not be sick on top of it!

Thank God!!

Today, I am grateful for: one less 'challenge' in life lately-that of not being sick, a wonderful night last night!!, a morning of extended rest, life, friends, family and God.

R

5 of Rachel's Random Tips

Well, today I have some random tips and believe me, they are RANDOM!

1. The first one is relatively simple and I'm sure you have all heard it before but packing a lunch the night before is SO much easier. I am not a morning person at all-I feel gross, crabby and sluggish, my pills haven't kicked in, etc. so the extra 10 minutes in bed are a big deal and when I'm running or rather, walking fast stiffly out to door, I can grab my lunch and go.

2. My massage therapist told me to do this a couple weeks ago after my massage and since then I have done it about 3 or 4 times and have loved the way it makes me feel...Baths for at least 15 minutes with epsom salt (I got lavender scented epsom salt at the drugstore). I just leave the water running, drop about 1 cup into the flowing water, turn off the water, wait for it to be a good temp, put on some soothing music, light a couple candles and there you have it! I also recommend rinsing off in the shower afterwards and maybe even a little body scrub or something to get all out the toxins that maybe have been released :).

It really helped me get through this week with so much work to do and being sick with a bad cold or something. It relaxed my body, made me go to sleep better, (temporarily) cleared out my congestion some with the steam and stuff and my bathroom STILL slightly smells awesome, in a good way (I'm sensitive to smells). It also gave me something to look forward to.

3. Go on dates with people you love and like. Awhile back, I scheduled a lunch date with my Dad today. It was lovely! Highly recommend it :). It's good for you and for them and you get to enjoy some food, drink, whatever together!

4. Speaking of my dad, ever since I was little, if I was up coughing in the middle of the night coughing, he would bring me his 'special tea'. Now, I usually make it when I have a cold or something. It's simply hot tea (I like green tea), a little lemon juice and a little honey. It usually helps with coughing or just another relaxer. I also combine this in conjunction with Tip #2 :).

5. Lastly, don't feel bad if you aren't in the 'holiday spirit'. There's something that happened in me after cancer, maybe it was along with growing up, but the holidays just haven't been the same. I really try and think of the reason for the season. Sometimes it's ok and sometimes this time of year is depressing and people get cranky and everyone drives crazy and on and on.

Today, I am thankful that: I got to sleep in some and skipped an appt. I can reschedule, lunch with Dad, I got my big project done on time, family, friends and God :).

Love,

Rachel