I bought a pedometer the other week, finally getting it to work on Sunday. So, I wear it thinking I’ll be amazed at how many steps I take every day. Here I am thinking I’m doing at least 3k a day. At the end of the first day at work, I look down at it and blink. It’s almost to 3k, but it’s not as many points as I thought it’d be worth. I was seriously disappointed to find out that I need to add more walking into my day. It’s not that I’m lazy, but honestly, with the hot weather and high humidity, I’m not one for being outside to increase my likelihood of having an asthma attack. Yet…there’s this part of me that’s wanting that 4k mark badly.

So, I’m plotting out my strategy for this weekend at work. I’ll stand more at my workstation, doing my walking in place to get more steps in. I’ll do my stretches, which my doctors are requiring of me anyway for my fibromyalgia. Those stretches count as they add up over time. Then on my breaks, I’ll walk a bit more instead of sitting and talking the entire time. That should help too. Perhaps I’ll even go for an afternoon stroll once I get home from work. There’s got to be a way!

Me and the pedometer. It’s an evil thing– and now I’m addicted to making that number go up!

As many of you may know, my male’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year. It’s been one reason we’ve been quiet and why you’ve seen me talk a lot on cancer, besides that my mom died from lung cancer. Well, his sister is going to be doing the 2 Day Walk this year in October in Atlanta. One of the things that this walk has done for her is given her a paid exercise program that helped build up her strength during her chemo treatments. Because it was completely paid for, it saved the family money and it helped researchers put together some more information in the battle against breast cancer.

Why am I telling you this? Because she’s part of a team who will be raising money for this fantastic walk. And we’re hoping to surprise her and possibly get up there to also take part in encouraging her with the walk. So, please if you can– contribute this fantastic charity. http://www.2daywalk.org/2010walker/beckyd

For all of you who’ve had family who has had breast cancer, you know what it’s like wanting a cure and knowing there’s not one out there. For those struggling, it’s a challenge some days to keep strong for the one who is suffering from this terrible sickness. But we do what we can to help find a cure each and every day. So please join me in this!

I’ve been struggling with the EDJ and trying to get my life in order. So on top of losing weight by being part of Weight Watchers, what do I do? I sign up to get my college degree. Part of it is because I need the motivation. I need the push to better myself and it’s something I’ve been lacking when it comes to my writing. I need a push from the outside to get my writing up to where I want it to be. Scary but true. On the other side of the coin, I’ve lost over 28 lbs since my hysterectomy and I’m feeling great.

So, I’m trying to go the distance. I’m trying to put my life in order- working my day job to go to college. Learning to get into a writing habit to make my writing better. And learning what it’s going to take to be the best me I can be. Scary but true.

Happy day to all of the mothers, mothers-to-be, male moms, and those who are moms again. I know for some people today isn’t always the happiest day. For others, it’s just another day like any other. For me- I’m missing my mom, wishing I could call her up and wish her a happy day and tell her I love her. Sometimes a holiday like this isn’t just a reminder of the people in our lives need to be told their loved, sometimes it’s a reminder of how much we love those people that we don’t always get a chance to tell them how important they’ve been.

So to all moms– may today be blessed and may you be shown how much you’re truly loved and adored.

Today has been a major posting day. Sometimes, you get news hitting you on all sides, other days there’s nothing. But right now, I’m mad and I’m upset. More importantly, I’m furious at Sonoma County, California for what they’ve done. Many of you know about how Prop 8 is being fought at many levels in California. But at a ground level, it comes down to two elderly men in love, doing all the legal things they’re supposed to do– and being screwed over by the county officials because they didn’t want to deal with the truth. To read more– follow the link to ARe. Take a stand today. Tell people it’s not right to hurt anyone– young or old just because they love someone. It’s just not right.

That’s right, today in the US is Arbor Day. It’s a national holiday that’s meant to remind Americans to take care of our forests and to replant trees so we can help the environment. The holiday was originally started in Nebraska but has spread to encompass all 50 states. Though we have state dates, the national date is the last Friday in April. On this day, kids around the country will plant a tree at their school or in their nearby neighborhood to help keep the tradition alive. Of the many holidays out there, this is one that I truly believe in- especially as a pagan.

With the planting of trees, we increase the carbon dioxide scrubbers. Since plants like trees give off oxygen as they intake carbon dioxide, it makes sense to plant trees where there are many people. In fact, it’s a huge benefit to any major city to keep up with their parks- taking care of their trees and replanting when trees die.

How can you help? Gift a tree. Remember, every breath you take is because of these magnificent plants.

Today is the first day I’ve felt like being on the computer since I went to my doctor’s office on Thursday. I posted mostly about my surgery and more on it at the Amoketeer’s blog. I wanted to reiterate on my blog about getting regular health checkups. Though they can be a pain in the neck, they also can nip things in the bud. For me, pressing forward in getting my hysterectomy was a lifesaver.

I sit here right now, looking at pictures of my mom, who died of lung cancer two years ago. She was my muse and my cheerleader in my writing- someone who has been missing majorly in my life. When I got the news that I went from zero to a step below uterine cancer- I desperately wanted my mom. She would’ve laughed at me, said something pithy and told me to get on with things. Knowing that she hadn’t taken care of her health like she should have hurt me more than I can say. Not having her here when I had my close call with cancer– knowing that had I waited- I would have had it- just closed me down emotionally. My male’s sister is fighting against breast cancer and doing awesome, just finishing her last chemo treatment before surgery and being a serious inspiration.

I faced myself this week. Faced how much losing my mom hurt my writing and hurt me privately. We shared a love of reading romances and mysteries. She indulged my book slut habits growing up and she taught me how to read fast and to get not just the theme of a story, but the deeper meaning of it for myself. I miss her all the more with this close call and with needing her to kick my ass on my writing.

She’d be proud of the weight-loss and she’d laugh at how I reacted to the news I could workout on a small basis. I’m finally at the relief stage of the close call- really truly relieved that I don’t have cancer, though the scare is still there. I kept my ovaries, so there will always be a risk for cancer in the future- something my doctor and I will monitor regularly.

Today, I have pictures of my mom on my computer desk as I try to finish my story to submit to Changeling Press’s Contest. I’m hoping by remembering my mom, her unconditional belief in my writing, and her love will help me get past this writing block I”m having. I’ve got my creativity well filled to the brim, but I need to make room since I now have a filled waiting room of stories needing to be told.

If you are a woman– get your annual Pap Smear test. Don’t put it off. Don’t skip it. Tell the doctor if you’re bleeding heavy or if you’re having other woman troubles. It could be something that can’t be easily detectable except by these things we normally don’t talk about.

If you’re a man- get your annual prostate exam. It’s not fun, but it’s important. The life you save might just be your own.

It’s been almost 10 days since my hysterectomy. I’m doing well, but what people won’t tell you is that once you have it, you find it hard to sit up for a while. I thought I’d be able to sit up for a few hours no problem. Yeah, riight. Unless it’s in a recliner, you’re going to be in pain about 40 minutes in as your Swelly Belly is compressed. When you get up after a while, you realize that pain is in your future because the muscles aren’t happy, your belly is unhappy and you suddenly need a nap.

For someone like me who is used to doing for herself, not able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk, not able to bend over, not able to reach above my head- can we say the walls of frustration are hitting me hugely? I can’t just go cook in my smaller than a freaking ship’s galley kitchen because I have to bend, reach and move freely- things I’m NOT allowed to do. I wanna cook! I wanna bake! And what’s funny– I have basically no appetite. I just want to do it to say I can!

That’s the other thing- I’ve lost like 15 lbs since the two days prior of my surgery. I’m amazed and thrilled. The lack of hunger is something that happens to a small percentage of women who have a hysterectomy. Something about hormone storage and some other stuff I don’t quite get the handle of, I’m just grateful for.

How does this mean with my writing– I’m trying to get me and the laptop into bed to work on things. Which has not been easy. LOL Plus the sleeping more than normal. And I finished the movie trailer for one story– the ending that’s been avoiding me for months. LOL

So, though I don’t recommend hysterectomies for everyone, for me it’s been fantastic…except for this no reaching, bending, lifting thing. LOL

I see the newest member of my family has made himself known to all– all hail the Shango! *grins* He’s a good boy, even if he is still a beggar at the table for food and likes to sniff out scents and wander wherever instead of going on a proper walk! But it doesn’t help when I’m walking him and try to avoid one hole in the ground only to step into another one and throw out my lower back. Can we say pain? Yes, we can. So, I spent about 4 days mostly in bed, watching television. Caught up on the news– some of which I wish I had never watched– while on others, realized I still feel strongly about. Then I got into watching the whole first season of Merlin and so want to have at the young Arthur (can we say he’s just yummy?). I’ve also caught up on Flash Forward (it’s addictive and I can’t help it. I can’t wait to see what happens next!), so I’m prepping for my surgery on April 7th.

This means I’ve been walking, exercising and such until the back thing. Today, I’ve done some yoga and stretching trying to help my muscles go back to where they’re supposed to go. I ache a lot right now, but on the plus side, I’m feeling a bit more in touch with my back getting right. I’m also trying not to agitate myself into more pain or into more crankiness. I had my biopsy on Thursday and I’m trying to think good thoughts. Today I’ve spent time catching up on things and I know the puppy is waiting for his 5 hour walk. LMAO Thing is, I need to get him to get to about 7 hours for when I go back to work. We shall see how this works and if he’ll go that long for me. Right now, I’m getting that — BUT Mommmmm, you promised me a walk! look. LOL

I’ve been watching the news about healthcare reform and about the two parties fighting. This reminds me why I want a multi-party system. This way the art of negotiation would be enforced for anything to pass and perhaps the days of friendship and a general work ethic based on mutual likes would be in play instead of mutual hates. For me, I’m independent and happy about healthcare reform. I do think the new policy didn’t go far enough in getting things done, but I also understand the need for baby steps.

Right now, I’m trying to be calm and not smack one of my senators from Florida, who decided to put in an amendment to allow Congress to get Medicaid because he wanted to create havoc. Which is why, I’m taking a proactive stance in my community– I’m making sure he understands just what kind of mess he was trying to create to flummox the healthcare revisions that had to be taken care of. But the more I thought on it, the more I thought it ironic- IF the measure had passed– then it means the guidelines of WHO qualified for Medicaid would have to be completely revised, thus allowing those of higher incomes to be eligible for the government run healthcare– which would mean– he would’ve brought in a public option for people who work yet can’t afford insurance. *snickers* Definitely not what he and his fellow Republicans had meant to do, but one thing that I think he’s probably feeling very regretful over now. For me, I think it could be the Public Option that perhaps we could’ve used to help those who don’t have any other way to get insurance. The idea that healthcare for all is socialist only is stupid. In fact, healthcare for all should be HUMANIST. All humans, regardless of race, sexual orientation, creed, beliefs, deserve to have their health cared for. Without workers, there are no supplies to be demanded. Without workers, there are no processed foods to be eaten. Without healthy people- there is no one to govern.

But  enough of this ranting. Time for this sick person to lay down a bit while she rests up for her chat at Loves Romances tonight at their LRC yahoo group.

Today, I’m taking over for my mommy. She’s not feeling too great since she went to the doctor’s office. In fact, I’m quite concerned because I, the Shango, deserve to go out and play with her, but she wants to lay down and rest. She whimpers a lot too when she sleeps, so I lay next to her and make sure she’s okay, because my mommy has been very loving to me since I arrived last week. It’s hard to believe I’m in a new home away from my brother and sisters, but I have my own mommy and daddy now. I miss my old family, but daddy and mommy have been good to me. They take me out regularly, take me to doggy day camp once a week and they love to play fetch with me. Mommy’s doing something called tricks with me, but I’m not quite sure she’s learned them yet. But we’ll keep trying since it means treats for me!

Mommy wanted her readers to know that she misses them and hopefully once she’s feeling a bit better, she’ll be back online. Saving me took a bit more time than she expected- plus me being Shango means that she got caught up in the gorgeousness that I am. Yes, I am that beautiful– everyone tells her all the time. Even the people at our local pet superstore say I’m gorgeous and handsome. I really am as you can see in my picture. *grins*

So, Mommy says I need to stop taking up the space on her desk and to come lay down with her, so I’ve got to go right now. But know that my mommy misses you all and she’s been working on her writing too.