I'm Actually Still Here

I've been so busy recently that I haven't had time to write.  This is due in part to my recent remission from Fybromyalgia or what ever the hell it is that I have.  I started feeling so good that I was able to do things I hadn't been able to do in a long time.  I resumed my exercises and was able to really put myself into marketing the hotel for the beginning of our high season.  My efforts seem to be working so far.  I've been taking many bookings and I already have several weekends during the summer sold out.  Considering I'm paid only commission on what I sell, this is looking better and better.

I finally went to see a real Rhumatologist.  She ordered bloodwork and my ANA came back positive again.  So, she ordered more bloodwork to try to get some more details.  I got the results today.  My ANA was positive again, 1:80 with a speckled pattern.  Everything else she tested for came back negative.  She was supposed to call today but her nurse said she was seeing patients back-to-back all day.  Oh, I'm so used to this.  I would be shocked if a doctor actually called me back when they said they would.  Anyway, I've had some episodes of not feeling very well (like after my cousins from Sweden left after visiting), but I've been feeling pretty darn good. Still not back to the way I felt before I got pregnant more than two years ago, but I should be thankful for what I have now.  After all, I can walk and carry my daughter (short distances).

One of the symptoms I had been suffering with was shortness of breath.  I have to share something that has really helped me with this.  A couple of years ago I got a pair of Earth brand shoes.  I hadn't worn them in a while but dug them out of the closet a month or so ago and have been wearing them regularly.  If you're not familiar with Earth shoes I'll try to briefly explain them.  The company makes footwear using eco-friendly materials, ethically responsible methods and they're actually made in the USA.   Being the tree-hugger that I am, I was instantly attracted to the company and decided to try a pair.  The really unique thing about them is that they use a "negative heel" technology of their own invention which puts your heel 3.7 degrees LOWER than the front of your foot.  The advertisements claimed that the negative heel actually put your spine into proper alignment, easing back strain, poor posture and opening the chest up for less labored breathing.  All of these claims seemed too good to be true but happily they're not.  I'm just a hair under six feet tall so I've always had a bit of a slumping posture.  When your sholders are slumped forward it really does impact your lung capacity.  Once I started wearing these shoes again I noticed I wasn't nearly as short of breath.  The company also claims that since you're essentially walking "up hill" all the time, you burn more calories than walking with a shoe where the heel is higher like all other shoes are.  This part I can't speak to but I really recommend them for improved posture.