Camping? Not in a tent!

Tent camping was on my "mobility bucket list" since I regained my mobility. I had never been and I was excited to try it. I had visions of star filled skies, s'mores and peaceful sleep in the fresh air. What I hadn't factored in was the frigid c-o-l-d we would endure.

I have a dear friend who knew I was excited to try this. She and her partner camp in their "too adorable for words" van. Where I might add they remain snug and toasty as two bugs under a rug. They secured us an "impossible to get" camping place on a coveted beach. I was thrilled. Being part mermaid I adore the ocean and go any time I get the chance. I agreed we would join them. 

My husband, two dogs and myself in a two person tent borrowed from my in-laws would join them... On the beach... In April... See where I'm headed?

I think whoever came up with the term "The good, the bad and the ugly" was talking about tent camping. 

It had...

THE GOOD:

The location was stunning.

The beach stretched on for miles.

The S'mores lived up to my expectation.

All the food that day was delicious.

The company could not have been better.

It was fun bundling up during the day and dusk.

The dogs loved it.

We got a lot of exercise.

The air was indeed crisp and fresh.

The stars were the prettiest I'd seen in years and years.

Our campsite was perfect.

The other campers were pretty quiet and respectful.

The tent went up quick and easy.

We didn't forget anything. (Ok... now I'm grasping for good things.)

THE BAD:

Public bathroom. Need I say more?

That was a TON of packing and unpacking.

Where am I supposed to change?

THE UGLY:

Asthma attack from the cold and fire.

We froze all night (the dogs were cozy and fine.)

Prison shower. No thanks.

The cold triggered my muscles to cramp and spasm all night.

It took me days to recover.

Margo hates other dogs and goes NUTS when she sees them. Do you know how many dogs are at a beach and go camping? She could be heard for miles. (Max was a dream.)

A dog walked by our car.

HOW DARE THEY!

All that fuss left a mark in the sand.

Technically I think I still haven't "tent camped" because I slept in the car. It was the only position I could be in where I could breathe. 

I think next time we'll say "goodnight" and book it to a hotel to sleep in. But it was great to have a brand new experience.

Adventure List

Now that I have more energy and my mobility back I have a list of things I would like to do. 

• Go Roller Skating
• Camping
• Ocean Swimming
• Snorkeling
• Running on the Beach
• Walk Barefoot Through a Meadow
• Collect Seashells
• Hike Through the Woods
• Go to a Botanical Garden
• Travel More
• Become Proficient at Yoga
• Dance with Friends (doesn't have to be in public)
• Ride a Bike or Trike
• Put My Hands in a Waterfall
• Create More Art

Trying Something New

I will never stop trying new things and tweaking my existing treatments to try and be as pain free as possible. Yesterday I tried something brand new. "Dry Needling." 

The whole procedure was fast. It took about an hour from start to me leaving. I had "ultrasound guided dry needling" done to some problem areas in my back that are tight and painful. As I understand it the point is to dig the needle deep enough into the muscle a few times in order to start an immune response from the body. The body then sends healing resources to those muscles and they heal looser and improved than before.

Here's how my day went.

I woke up at 6AM to be ready for my 8AM appointment.
I wanted to be early enough to put on a little makeup and not be in a rush.

I gathered my paperwork that was sent to me ahead of time.

The nice lady who checked me in said it was the first time ever someone brough ALL their paperwork already completed with them. I believe it. I am THAT patient.

We waited in the lobby till 8:15. 

I miss crappy lobby magazines.

I was checked in and prepped for the procedure.

I brought my air pods and audio book in case I needed it.

Oh yeah! And my "fidget cube."

You can see it in my hand.
I'm throwing a chaka and ready to go!

Between stretching and showering I slept with my own personal guard on duty.

I woke up at 6PM to see this little bed bug peeking at me.

I was able to stay seated in my chair and just lean over a bedside table that was wheeled in front of me. I appreciated that. My blood pressure and heart rate were monitored the whole time. An ultrasound machine was used to make sure the needling was happening at the best muscle depth. Not to shallow and not too deep.

Some of my muscles spasmed during the process. I was told that was "good." Ok. When they did some spots on my neck and shoulders it didn't hurt at all really. As I anticipated it hurt when they did a bad spot on my lower right side of my back. I can compare it to when you're at the dentist with a sore spot and the hygienist pokes it just right to send you through the roof. It felt like that.

They used topical lidocaine on me and that's all. Again, like the dentist. They said if I was "unable to tolerate it" then they could have "injected something." I tolerated it. Honestly it wasn't any worse than my Botox for Migraines. It just had a longer after-pain that left me exhausted. Although I did get apple juice at the end. I don't get juice after Botox.

I'm supposed to go back in 6 weeks for another treatment. I will say my neck and shoulders, although still tender, do feel better. My lower back "spot" feels pissed at me and just as bad if not worse. I'll go back for another treatment and hope that it is helpful.

Retail Therapy

I know... I know... Buying things can't make you happy. But let's face it. It also doesn't hurt! I found this Etsy shop (Snash Jewelry) last month and was lurking on my June "fun money" before I could buy my preciousssss rinnnnnggggg (insert Gollum voice here.)

I LOVE PAJAMAS!!!

I thought the 70's font was just too fun. They make a ton of words to pick from, but I'll proudly declare my love of pajamas to anyone and everyone. I've always loved pajamas. I've been the kind of person to put on my pajamas (or not change out of them all day) for as long as I can remember. The second I get home it's bra off, pajamas on. I can't think of another person who treasures their "jammies" more than I do. So yeah... perfection achieved.

My other splurge was this adorable skirt.

IT HAS HEART POCKETS! A HEART POCKET!
IT'S SO CUTE I COULD DIE!!!!

My sister-in-law is having a big birthday party in a few weeks. I plan on sporting this cute number and being the belle of the ball. Nothing like having a little pretty new clothing to make you suck it up and go spend some spoons on being social. I respond well to incentive.

So yes.... "THINGS" aren't "supposed" to make you happy. But I'm a shallow American consumer and they do. They really really do. And I'm ok with that. I don't go nuts. I have limits. Treating myself with something special and especially something that makes me feel like I look nice (instead of sick and tired) is worth it to me. 

(I received no kick-back for sharing my purchases. Though that would be nice if I did.)