Christmas recap

Christmas this year was actually quite lovely. Despite my bah humbugness. It began with Chance and I exchanging ornaments via Skype, a tradition that we started last year. She's such a fun gift giver. Like Mom, she thinks and thinks and thinks about her gifts, and her ornament and present this year were no exception. After several phone calls earlier in the month to get my opinion on butterflies (no to the butterflies) and colors and other things, I ended up with a beautiful tear-drop-shaped purple glass bulb with bejeweled velvet swirlies. The theme this year: Twilight. I did I also mention that she's quite imaginative? Last year it was a bear holding a fish to commemorate our trip to Echo Lake. The funny thing about this is that the crazy bear matches my tree more than my fancy bulb does. For my present, she gave me a yoga mat bag from Denver Brunette. I just know people at my studio will ask where I got it, and can't wait to tell them it's handmade! I can't wait to to see what Chance will get me next year.

I did my last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve afternoon (I'm insane, I know) and Jonathan went to the store for our Christmas Eve dinner as per tradition. After I put my little cornish game hens in the oven to bake, I hurried to the wrap the mountain of presents I somehow had come to buy Jonathan. For some reason I kept thinking I needed to buy him more and more. While we ate our cornish game hens, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, we watched White Christmas, which is the Christmas movie Jonathan got me this year. Last year, it was Elf. Every year I ask for a Christmas movie so that someday I can have a collection to watch throughout the month when I have children and should family come to visit. I always loved Christmas movies, so it's a tradition I plan to make for my kids (when I have them). We finished off dinner with a Hershey's chocolate mousse pie. Then I promptly went to bed.

On Christmas Day, we woke up at 8 so we could start the cheesy potatoes to take over to the in-laws and bake our cinnamon rolls. This is what I received from Jonathan: V-string underwear (I knew it was a mistake to say I needed underwear and then expect Jonathan to purchase the decent kind), the complete series of Angel, penguin ornaments, Chapstick, Starbucks gift card, iTunes gift card, lots of chocolate, and finally, the most impressive gift ever: jeans! Jonathan bought me clothes! Of course, they're too long, so I'll need to go get them hemmed, but clothes! Maybe next year I'll actually get a sweater or a shirt.

From my in-laws, who are always so generous, I got: pajamas, candy, Starbucks gift card, iTunes gift card, a Snowbaby music box, a Hawaiian ornament from their recent trip, a Cuttlebug, a Barnes & Nobles gift card, yoga clothes, fun tea light holders, and money. Later that evening we went to the retirement home where my MIL works to help serve dinner, sing carols, and play bingo. Usually the facility just sends sack dinners to the rooms and the residents eat a lonely Christmas supper. But my MIL thought that wasn't any way to spend Christmas, so she organized it so her family would come serve them dinner and bring some spirit to their evening without having to have the extra staff it would require. And she's only the receptionist! She's truly an amazing and giving woman. That evening we ate homemade enchiladas and watched Mamma Mia!. It was hilarious, but it was a little strange watching James Bond sing. We got home so late I fell into bed exhausted.

After Christmas run-down: This morning I could barely move thanks to my shot, but I braved yoga, which was a mistake. I could barely bend over without intense pain in my legs and lower back. Not to mention my sinuses, which I think they're working their way to infection level. Jonathan met me at the door when I got home and helped me out of my shoes and coat and pushed me on the couch where I slept all day. Ahh! After Christmas.

It ain't called chronic for nothing

Rock. Me. Hard place. That's where I'm at right now with the whole MS thing.

I'm due for new meds, which can't just be picked up at your family friendly pharmacy. Nope. Gotta order them through the insurance company's specialty pharmacy, which really isn't that big of a deal actually. They're shipped directly to me three-month's supply at time. Pretty simple. But not when your disease and the said specialty pharmacy are conspiring against you.

Here's the problem:
There's a good chance that those oh-so-friendly shots I'm taking aren't actually curbing the disease. At my last MRI, my noggin showed new lesions. New lesions can mean more disability faster, quicker, and stronger. Okay, no big. I deal well. Probably too well. So at the end of this month, I'll have new MRIs done ($$$) to see if there are even more new active lesions. I'm just about betting there are considering my whole numb, burning foot issue (which by the way seems to have gone away!). Note: The symptom can go away, but that doesn't mean there are not any active lesions. If there are, my doc wants me to go to a new medication. The once-a-day ouch kind. But I also need to renew my current prescription right now with my doctor.

So: I need to call my doctor for a new prescription for a medication that most likely I won't be taking for the next three months. Call my specialty pharmacy to order not three months (standard), but one month in the event that I will switch medications after my next doctor's appoint to review the oh-so-fun MRIs I take at the end of the month. Here's where it could be easier on me: Why the hell does the pharmacy need a new prescription? Hello, MS is a chronic, incurable disease! I also can't skip this medication because you titrate up slowly to the current dosage.

All this, while I'm busy at work and it's the holidays. And I wonder where my holiday spirit is. Bah humbug!

Listening to: Ray LaMontagne's You Are the Best Thing

Here's a little music love letter to my hunny. You really are the best thing.

Custom-fit jeans?

Perhaps. For $135.

I have a stack of what are now my skinny, I'll-wear-you-again-someday-I-hope jeans. All in good condition. I'm lamenting you size 4, glaring size 6 fat in the face.

There's fabric, and then there's fabric

I have discovered: Tula Pink fabric and her new line—Neptune. Nautical, fresh yet calm colors. Color me I-need-a-bag-right-now!

My favorite 5 yoga poses

There are some poses that I love sinking my teeth into. They probably come more natural to me than any other poses, which means I can clear my mind and really just breathe in the poses. In no particular order, here are my favorite five poses:

1. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
2. Utthita Parsvakonasana
3. Utthita Trikonasana
4. Anjaneyasana
5. Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Etsy want: TastySuite vinyl wall art

I gotta tip that I should check out TastySuite's vinyl wall art because there's one that Jonathan would especially appreciate. I love all the variations! So mod and so fun. I need one that says "goodnight. sweet dreams. i love you"—that's the phrase Jonathan and I say to each other every night.

Listening to: Ting Ting's That's Not My Name

Does anyone else hear a modern Hey Mickey (you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind)? Compare: