1) The dachshund meetup
My mom and I took Chip and Lucy to the Tampa Bay Weens meetup last weekend, and I was in heaven! So many adorable little wieners running around! At some point, I plopped myself right on the ground, which was a great decision (because it meant that I got to snuggle so many little doxies that came right into my lap!) and a terrible decision (because a dog peed on me), but eh, it is what it is. (The owner felt so bad, but it’s honestly my fault for SITTING ON THE GROUND OF A DOG PARK WHAT WAS I THINKING.)
Chip had a great time and immediately left us to chase around with the other dogs. He would come back to us from time and time, and then race off to sniff some butts and run around with other dogs. Lucy, though, was our shy little girl. She would not leave our side. If we were standing up, she was sitting on our shoes. If we were sitting down, she was launching herself into our arms. Her tail was tucked alllll the way under her to entire time. Sigh. She is such a crazy, feisty gal at home, but maybe she’s got some of that social anxiety like her sister. 😉
The next meetup is in mid-October and there’s going to be a costume contest. I’m brainstorming some cute couple costume ideas for Chip and Lucy! Superman and Supergirl? Cheerleader and football player? Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion? There are so many good ideas!
2) Back pain
I wasn’t going to write about my back pain because I am so damn tired about writing about my health ailments. But then I read Kae’s post yesterday about all her aches and pains and I have a lot of the same frustrations as her! I’m only 37 and my body has been falling apart all damn year. First, there was the possible diabetes diagnosis but whew, avoided that with some changes to my diet. Then, it was intense carpal tunnel pain, testing for that, and an eventual steroid shot that has helped calm things down massively. Then, it was chronic diarrhea and so many tests to figure out what’s causing it. No IBS or any other serious condition, and everything seems to be back to normal in the GI department, so *shrug*. Then, my joints started hurting and I was diagnosed with trigger finger in both my pointer fingers and got a steroid shot, which seems to have solved the issue.
And now? I’m dealing with back pain and IT band pain. YAY.
The back pain has been very frustrating, and I have had to change the way I sleep (one flat pillow under my head and one pillow under my knees). My back pain hasn’t gotten worse, but it’s still a bit tender, and I have to be careful with some of the workouts I do at HIIT class. It mainly hurts in the middle of my back, near my spine, between my shoulder blades. Dr. AI tells me I’m dealing with facet joint irritation or some kind of muscle strain. Whatever it is, I hope it goes away soon because I’ve got a big trip and a big move on the horizon!
The IT band pain is something I’ve had before. I think it just gets irritated from time to time, probably because I’m always sitting with my legs crossed. It hurts to even lift up my foot to put on socks and shoes, so that’s fun. I need to be better about icing it and stretching it daily, but still, I’m annoyed.
Can my body just BEHAVE for one goddamn month, please?!
3) My anxiety brain
Would you like to know what it’s like to be inside my brain? Last night, I decided to Facetime my mom around 6 p.m. While I knew I was going to call her after we had watched the episode of Big Brother that would air in a few hours, I still wanted to check in and chat. As we were on the phone, Robert asked if she wanted to go to a restaurant for dinner, and she said yes, and we hung up soon afterward.
THEN.
My brain wanted to spiral. “What if the reason you felt the urge to call your mom right at that time is because something is going to happen tonight and that will be the last call you ever have with her?”
Thankfully, I did not let my brain spiral. I did not give any credence to this thought because it’s one I’ve had before, and it never ends up being a true statement. That’s real progress for me, the not-spiraling, because there was a time when I couldn’t get myself out of that thought pattern. Instead, I went about my life (without incessantly checking the Find My Friends app, which I am sometimes wont to do) and all ended up being just fine. Mom had a lovely night out with her husband (and they won a raffle prize!) and we got to chat after the show was over.
4) Blogging in October
I’m trying to decide what to do about blogging in October. I’m noodling between two options:
- Option 1 – Take a blogging break in October and come back for NaBloPoMo in November. By that time, I’ll be all moved in to my new place and can use November to publish London trip recaps, moving notes, book reviews, etc.
- Option 2 – Take a shorter blogging break in October (October 1 – October 13) and then post 1-2 blog posts a week: trip recaps, book reviews, and catch-up posts.
I’m leaning towards option 1 because I like the idea of taking the pressure off myself to blog during this hectic time—and it will give me time to work on my trip recaps and have them ready to post in November. But I don’t love the idea of waiting all the way until November to recap London!
I could also be flexible with myself—I can announce a blogging break in October but pop in sporadically throughout the month with posts here and there, maybe just trip recaps and then resume my normal blogging schedule in November.
I’ve been on the fence about doing NaBloPoMo this year. Honestly, my enneagram 9 is coming out because while I love doing NaBloPoMo, I know it’s hard for other people to keep up with all the blog posts. I don’t want to cause undue stress to other people! Sigh. It’s hard being a people pleaser.
5) Weekend plans
I’m looking forward to the weekend! Tonight is book club. We’re going to Top Golf, where I will play terribly but stuff myself silly with food. Tomorrow is a writing date with Mikaela and then some shopping adventures with my mom. And Sunday, all I have on the docket is football with the fam! (And I don’t even have to worry about the Dolphins disappointing me. They already did that last night!)
What should I do about my October blogging schedule? What are you up to this weekend?
Ha ha… yes, at least we got the Dolphins game over with! (SIGH…)
I agree this has been a frustrating year physically for you- BUT, most of the issues you had were able to be fixed, so that’s a good thing. Yes, it would be nice to not constantly be fixing something. And what is wrong with all our backs, anyway? Are backs really that fragile? Everyone seems to be having back issues. (I just wrote the word “back” too many times and now I’m having that weird thing where I’m like “Wait, is that really a word?”)
Anyway- Chip and Lucy at the ween meetup- that is TOO CUTE. Maybe we just need to spend more time with our fur babies- that will solve everything.
I definitely hope you do NaBloPoMo! Yours is a blog that I always especially enjoy reading. I agree that the pressure to read and comment has started to get out of control, and I think we should adopt some guidelines around that. I’m planning to read all my usual bloggers everyday (the ones that participate, of course) and then check in on all the other ones as much as possible- but it won’t be every day. Last year so many people participated, which was amazing, but I soon realized that there was no way I could read and comment on everyone’s posts every single day. I would hate if that discouraged people from participating though- I’ve met all my best blogging friends through NaBLoPoMo, and I think it’s a really fun thing- as long as we don’t put too much pressure ourselves (or, others- I certainly can’t expect everyone to read every single post for the whole month!)
I’m really grateful that all of my ailments haven’t pointed to anything serious! That’s definitely a silver lining.
I think I’m going to do NaBloPoMo! Even though I feel bad that it explodes people’s feeds, haha, it’s something I genuinely enjoy!
I think you should not make a definite plan for October and see how you feel. You can say you won’t be consistently blogging and will pop in when/if you have the energy. You’ve got a lot going on between the move and your trip!
I am one of those people who does not like NoBloPoMo. I am such a completionist so I feel bad not blogging and yet, no one is grading me on how often I comment. It takes me over 3 months to post 30 post, typically even longer like 3.5 months! 30 posts is a lot! And then multiply that over all the people who do NoBloPoMo and it’s a ton of commenting… So I think I should take some of the pressure off myself to comment daily… but that is easier said than done!
All the ongoing ailments is very frustrating. And back pain is the worst since it’s so debilitating and makes the most basic tasks so painful!
Yes, please do not feel obligated to comment on all of my posts during NaBloPoMo! That’s the one thing I want people to take away: They do NOT need to come here every day and comment. It’s a lot, I know.
Thinking of you, dear friend. <3
Do you think Lucy might be happier if you just bring Chip next time? Or would she rather put up with the gathering to be with you all for the rest of the outing (the car ride, etc.)? I love that you sat on the ground. In addition to being peed on, you almost certainly sat IN pee. Next time bring a towel or something to sit ON, and hope for the best that the peeing doesn’t happen again. But totally worth it.
We took Mulder to a Keeshond party once, which was all dogs that were from his (breed specific) rescue. Maybe I’ll post a picture of that for you next week. It was SO FUN and he was SO HAPPY. When we used to go to dog parks, he would get overwhelmed and come hide behind us after a while, but at this party all of the dogs had a similar play style and he loved it.
NaBloPoMo – was more fun when there were fewer people. But if there are a lot of people, it can be freeing, I think. Back in the earlier days of blogging, and it was an organized thing by BlogHER or something, there were so many participants that you would NEVER try to go and read or comment on all of the blogs. Rather, it was a chance to find one or two new ones. With our blogging community, it’s hard because we don’t want to leave anyone out. But I think if we all give each other (and ourselves) some grace, it can be fun. Honestly, I hope you do NaBloPoMo, because I enjoy your posts. And I hope you don’t, because I am often relieved when I go to ANYONE’s blog and find nothing new. Is that wrong? Yes, I’m a bad person.
I’m looking forward to reading your London recaps! I vote that you do a Wordless Wednesday in October, but save the rest for November content if you do NaBloPoMo. Content, baby!
I hate the thought of leaving Lucy behind! She is very attached to Chip and doesn’t like being separated from him. And she was not shy when we took her to the beach last month, so it was a surprise. Hopefully, the more she goes, the less shy she will become!
Thank you for sharing the Keeshond picture! That really made me day. 🙂
I’m loving that you went to a meetup with little doxies everywhere. I’m jealous. That looks like such fun. Oh my!
I have lower back pain and have for years. It persists despite changes like using a standing desk or always wearing shoes with arch support. One LMT told me that it was an energy problem that means I have money issues. Her explanation was a good as any.
I’d take the month off, then return refreshed and settled in your new apartment. Blogland will always be here for you.
I like the way you think! I think I’ll do a lighter blogging schedule in October (with the caveat that if I don’t feel like writing anything, I won’t!) and then return for NaBloPoMo in November. It will be a great reset!
I already blog so much, but I am NOT going to officially participate in NaBloPoMo. Last year it started to feel like a bit too much to both write and comment. And there is just no way I can keep up with all the blogs. Eeks. It’s a good problem to have, but I’m happy to step out of the ring for this round.
My knee has been causing me all sorts of issues and I feel wayyyy too young for that sort of thing (38). But, it is very much an issue whether I think I’m too young for it on not.
Weiner dogs are just the absolute sweetest!
Oh gosh, my hip started hurting last night and I was about to LOSE IT. I am in my 30s! I should not be dealing with all of these ailments! One of my friends thinks it all ties back to inflammation in the body, so I may look into some sort of low-inflammation diet once things settle down. IDK!
Yikes, I’m sorry about your back pain – have you tried foam rolling for IT band? It feels like hell but it really works.
You headed off an anxiety spiral! I’m so proud of you!
I can’t tell you what to do but I’ll tell you what I personally am doing in October – I am taking a blog break for my trip. Right after we get back we are hosting a party for my husband’s 60th, so things will be hectic. I’m not taking a break for the whole month, but probably 3 weeks. That’s what works for me anyway. I also took a blog break when I moved. Just give yourself grace!
Don’t worry about your readers and NaBloPoMo. I have decided if it gets too much I’ll just pop in a few times a week and comment when I can. No worries!
I need to buy a foam roller – that’s a great idea! I used to have one, but got rid of it because I never used it. Joke’s on me!
I imagine you were in Dachshund heaven at the Meetup! So fun.
I am sorry about your back pain and all the other issues you’ve been dealing with. It’s sounds like one thing after another for you 🙁 but better to try and get on top of it now than just letting things go on. I hope you’ll feel better soon.
I am proud of you for how you handled your anxiety. I know it’s easy to spiral and for you to be able to stop it is a victory!
I was in heaven at that meetup! It put me in the best mood!
One of the benefits of switching my meds from Lexapro to Prozac is that Prozac helps a lot with OCD and we think I have that with my spiraling thoughts. So I think the new meds are definitely helping! (And lots of therapy, lol.)
I’m so sorry you’re (also) dealing with all these various ailments!! Come on bodies, cooperate!! 😉 I will mostly hope and wish right now that you will be feeling PAIN FREE and amazing for your London trip. That’s always a huge concern of mine- having my back pain flare up and out of control on vacation. I mean, would just be an incredible hinderance.
I vote that you take all of October off from regular blogging except feel free to write your London recaps? Would that work? I can’t recall right now if you usually do just 1-2 posts for a whole trip, or if you are more, um, verbose like some people (hi it’s me) and like to recap each day separately? Either way, I think I would just see how you feel. In the midst of jet lag and moving, you might actually find that a little bloggy brain break to write a recap might hit the spot! 🙂
Haha – I am very verbose when it comes to my trip recaps! I think I’ll use October to get started on the recaps since they tend to take a while, especially adding images, and then hit the ground running with NaBloPoMo in November!
Oh, darn back pain!! I feel the same way about my aches and pains – if it’s not one thing, it’s another! I walked longer than usual yesterday, and today my knee is complaining about it. Just walking! Come on!!
Well, I think you should plan to take a blogging break, because moving is stressful, but if you feel like writing a post, then go ahead and do it! I haven’t done NaBloPoMo, and I don’t plan to do it this year either. I don’t have it in me to post every day!
Well, I would do what ever feels right for blogging. Announce a break and if you feel like blogging do. You could also keep writing during October but schedule it all for November. We don’t know when the writing is happing.
I am sorry ou have back pain now. It sucks.
Hi Stephany – I’m new here and I popped over to check out the Weens . . . I love that the gathering is referred to as a Weens meetup. What cute pictures. Love it.
I like your ‘maybe I’ll be flexible with myself’ option. I’m not great at taking life a day at a time, but it’s so easy to suggest that others give that a try. I had not heard of the enneagram think until recently and now it’s popping up every time I turn around. My husband thinks I’m a 9. He’s done it for work, and so he feels he has experience with the results. All that to say, Nice to meet you, 9, from another possible 9.
The back pain situation sounds lousy. I’m getting an MRI of my back next week. I’ve put it off because of the cost. I discovered that it’s cheaper to get it done without my insurance than it is with it. What even? I’m married to a PT, but I also often feel like the shoemaker’s child. I prefer to sleep on my stomach, and I haven’t been able to for months. I find that so annoying.