There is a new website in bloom for young adults with neuro-immune illnesses at www.healkick.com.  You can chat with individuals from around the world through instant messaging or forums.  It needs some more members – so go sign up!

From what I’ve found, there is nothing more relieving when you have these conditions than to talk to a group of people in a similar predicament.  I have found solace in Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, and I have signed up for this forum as well!  The more the merrier I say (not that there is any merriment in having neuro-immune illnesses…).

It wasn’t until roughly last year that I found someone I could talk to who understood the exact situation I was going through.  I felt such a burden for all of those lonely years. It is the hope of Healkick (and myself) that no one with a neuro-immune illness has to be so incredibly isolated.  It’s bad enough to experience something so painful, let alone be without people with which to share the illness aspects of your life.

Definitely something worth checking out .

Another tool to add to the arsenal!

What is your favorite social media tool to use to find other individuals with the same illnesses?

xoxo,

Annie

This is a look at what I’ve been watching lately!

Drop Dead Diva:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like this show, even though it is fluff x 10.  A pretty princess girl is reincarnated into the body of a much heavier lawyer.  This show follows the hijinks of working with her fiance, who no longer knows who she is, as well as trying to come to terms with being smart, heavier, and sexy.  I wish I managed to watch more than the one season on Netflix!

No Strings Attached:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVED this movie!  I wasn’t expecting much and I was blown away.  This is easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last 5 years!  I will be re-watching this one anytime I need a good chick flick .

Center Stage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve seen this film numerous times by now as I’m addicted to movies about dancing.  If dancing is a theme of the film, I watch it.  Ballet is such an incredible type of dance, and I love to see it done.  As I was watching this film, I mimicked what the dancers were doing, only to have an incredibly achy back and sore knees for several days after…

May:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know if I’m becoming less into horror movies, but this didn’t really do it for me.  It was enjoyable, but kind of sad, as you realize that there are many people with VERY dysfunctional childhoods.  She doesn’t know how to cope with rejection, and ends up killing… Not a pic- me-up kind of film.

What have you been watching/reading/listening to and loving this week?

Share!

xoxo,

Annie

Sometimes I feel shame for being in my condition.  I have to regulate my emotions with pills, as well as the epic chronic pain.  It’s extremely expensive, and holding down a job hasn’t worked out.

I need to slap myself upside the head because THERE IS NO SHAME.  THERE IS NO GUILT.  None of us asked to become sick. Throughout history, there have always been individuals in nearly every family who fall ill.  The whole point of family is to work together to make sure that everyone is supported.

Just because I am sick does not mean I have anything less to offer.  I manage to provide a ton of love, as I keep in contact with my mother nearly every single day.  My devotion lies with my mister,my cat, my family, and my friends – and I do anything I can to make sure they are comfortable and happy.

Relationships are not easy whenever you are chemically dependent.  A simple mistake alters my mood in terrible ways.  Constant pain makes it hard to be happy.  Happiness only arises when I’m with my favorite people and on the right combination of medication.

I deserve just as much self-love as anyone else.  Other people in my position are also be losing their mind as a result of the complications of illness.

People with illness are still special people.

I think this is a message we all need to reflect on once in a while.

xoxo,

Annie

• Switching back to the more expensive medication, as the cheaper one failed me.
• Lower back pain – ALL OF THE TIME.
• This terrible summer weather
• Struggling with my Zinio app and Elle Canada subscription
• The difficulties of changing my diet to include less carbs
• Jon’s long work days
• A mediocre application of those Sally Hansen stick on nails
• That I can’t eat an unlimited amount of Oxford Blueberries and Cream ice cream!
• Excessive fatigue
• The fact that I’ve been so sick today that it has taken me this long to post this blog!

(Image from WeHeartIt)

So everyone, what is bothering you this Monday?  Share it with me and make me feel like I’m not the only one wallowing!

It will leave you with a nice clear head .

xoxo,

Annie

I haven’t found as much on the Internet this week, due to my obsession with my new iPad!  I swear that gadget is the best thing since sliced bread!  Here is what I have found though:

Toni Bernhard’s writing always gets a feature in here!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/turning-straw-gold/201106/how-keeping-zen-mind-can-save-relationship

This is the most amazing view of sand that I have ever seen in my life!

http://discovermagazine.com/photos/01-each-grain-of-sand-a-tiny-work-of-art

Gala Darling takes on body pressure in the blogosphere in three very important articles:

http://galadarling.com/article/blogger-beautiful

http://galadarling.com/article/body-pressure-in-the-blogosphere-bloggers-speak-up

http://galadarling.com/article/body-pressure-in-the-blogosphere-bloggers-speak-up-part-two

The 100 greatest non-fiction books:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/14/100-greatest-non-fiction-books

My favorite style icons:

www.theglamourai.com

www.seaofshoes.com

Hope you enjoy these links!  Tell me about your weekends – how are they going?

xoxo,

Annie

A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else.
Bette Davis

Basically, I believe the world is a jungle, and if it’s not a bit of a jungle in the home, a child cannot possibly be fit to enter the outside world.
Bette Davis

Men become much more attractive when they start looking older. But it doesn’t do much for women, though we do have an advantage: make-up.
Bette Davis

My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.
Bette Davis

This woman was fearless.  I find that a really admirable quality…

She is definitely an inspiration for being more of a risk-taker in my own life!

xoxo,

Annie

• My art journal
• Coffee
• Naps
• Making cool outfits
• My new iPad (seriously – it rocks my world)!
• My mom bought me a fruit tray in the shape of a big yellow sun and it cheered me up while I had the flu!
• Petting my cat
• Dreaming about future plans
• Being out in Baltic again <3
• New Florence & the Machine song – What The Water Gave Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Q-YauUMuE
• Thinking about redecorating as soon as this Fibro flare goes down (going to use the colors burgundy, green, and gold)!
• Summer weather for a change (and self-tanner!)

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is making your world go round this week?  Share them with me and spread the sunshine!

xoxo,

Annie

Me during happier painting times.  Thankfully my hair looks better now!

My art journal p.1

My art journal p.2

My art journal p.3

My favorite painting in my apartment!

Does anyone else do any kind of art journaling?

xoxo,

Annie

I’m in the middle of reading The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul, so I haven’t watched as much as I normally do this week.  Instead, I’ve been sleeping up a storm!

The Cake Eaters:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This film stars Kristen Stewart as a girl who suffers from a terminal neurological illness.  Her parents are overprotective to the point that she rarely gets to live any kind of life.  As someone who also has a neurological illness, I related strongly to her character.  She wants to experience love before it is too late for her, so she goes for it, despite the fact that both families involved are strongly grieving lost ones.  It was an enjoyable little indie film.

The Other Woman:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a fearless performance from Natalie Portman.  She’s really one of the greatest actresses on the scene right now (and over the past ten years!).  She takes what could be a firmly unlikable character and makes her layered, complex, and even somewhat lovable. This film deals with the disintegration of a marriage and the loss of a child, so it isn’t happy subject material.  I highly recommend a watch if you are interested in great performances.

Mary and Max:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This easily managed to sneak into my top 20 all time movies!  It’s funny, poignant, tragic, and breathtaking.  Very heavy true life material for a cartoon, but balanced with a beautiful blend of comedy.  I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and ended up in tears and a with a swelling heart by the end.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

What have you been watching/reading/listening to and loving this week?

xoxo,

Annie

Too sick to blog.

I feel bad about it.

Love you all,

Annie