Fashion or Fibro

How much do we really know about each other?  Or those we pass on the street?  I'd say, not much. We really only know what people tell us.  You can't presume to look at someone and think you know about them. They could drive a clunker of a car and have multiple hundreds of thousands in the bank, they could live in a fancy house and dress in designer duds and be tens of thousands of dollars in debt, they may be beautiful and put together and be suffering from disease or depression, we just don't know. We just don't know.

Fashion or fibro?  Or maybe a bit crazy? 

Back story.  In the Spring of 2018 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Dumb. I went through multiple tests, MRIs, exams, etc. and that is what it turned out to be.  It's one of those invisible conditions - easy to hide, but not easy to deal with.  Considering all the other things I was being tested for, I feel quite fortunate that this was my diagnosis.  It has been a learning experience for me, my family, and my friends who know I have it.  I haven't been very vocal about it. I'm a fairly private person and well, why the heck do I need to let you all know? Wow. Really, Kelly? That sounds a bit selfish.  I'm always spouting off about how much I like to try to help people.  I set them up with essential oils, I educate them on ways to promote better sleep, I refer people to a grief counselor I like, but then this fibro thing happened and I kept it to myself.  Not very helpful.  I want to change that. If I'm suffering from something and can offer someone in the same situation some help, well then, I need to reach out and help.  So that's that.  I'm going to try to be more transparent with my issues, and offer tips that have helped me.  And that leads me to these shoes.

Fibromyalgia rears as a different beast to those affected by it. Some people flare in heat, some in cold, and some because of changing temperatures, and about 103 other things that trigger symptoms. As Fall has turned to Winter, I have discovered that cold is definitely not my friend.  I've never been a fan of cold weather, but now it's more than that. Cold makes me hurt.  I first discovered this in June Lake a couple of months ago.  Since then, I try to be careful about the cold. If you've been to Von's on Lyons Ave., you know about cold. Holy crap, what are they thinking in there?  When Bill and I went to do our pre-Christmas shopping, I bundled up like I was headed to a sled race.  I wore my biggest, warmest coat, mittens, and a scarf. Yes, to Von's. 

Oh, yes, these shoes.  I have been wearing big, heavy slipper-socks in the house and the other day I had to go out, and really didn't want to take those bad boys off.  I realized that I could squeeze my big ol' feet encased in giant socks right into my rain boots. Yes! So here I have been, sun shining bright and beautiful and I'm hustling around town with rain booties on.  Maybe people think I'm completely unaware of fashion norms, or I'm a bit crazy, or I can't tie laces, it really doesn't matter what they think.  My feet are warm and comfortable and staying warm helps me feel better.  We just don't know.

As I sit here wrapped up like a burrito and blasting the heater in my house, I'd like to offer a couple more tips to anyone who hates being cold.  Bill bought me a wonderful heating pad, cape thing. It is amazing.  If I've been out in the cold, I sit on the couch with that on for awhile to heat me back up.  I mean, the thing is awesome, its warm, fuzzy, and looks like a cape. You just can't go wrong.  He got it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Jenifer has been so concerned about me getting cold and has bought me two pair of the best invention ever. FEEJAYS! Sweatpants with feet. I have fallen in love. I wear them around the house, and I sleep in them. They keep me toasty and don't let any skin show. Just the line of skin that can show when the legs of your sweats ride up and your socks sink down, is enough to get me cold at night.  I'm quite a sexy sight at night. To bed I wear my feety sweats, a t-shirt with a sweatshirt over it, and wrap the blankets up around my neck. Cozy is key.

Those of you who have read my few and far-between blog posts know that I'm a rambler. And once again I have established that my thinking and writing skills are a bit all over the map.  But there are a few things I want you to take away with you. 1. We just don't know. Give others a break.  2. Someone may benefit from your experiences, share them.  3. Fibro sucks.  If you know someone with it, be understanding.  4.  Feety sweats are the best invention ever.  5. Rain booties aren't just for rainy days.

Make 2019 a great year.