Struggles

Let's be real…….there are so many struggles that those with lupus struggle with that it would take hours to write about them all. There are some days that I can handle the pain, sometimes it is too much. Most days I can handle the psychological struggle that comes with having lupus, but there are some days that I struggle. Here lately, the thing that I have struggled with the most is my weight gain.

Since beginning a new medication last spring, I have gained 35-40 lbs. When I first began the medication, I noticed a small change in my weight and I asked my doctor about it. She said that it was not a side effect (it is a fairy new med). Now, 8 months later and 38 lbs later there are articles popping up everywhere that it is a major side effect of the medication. What?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I am the type of person who is very weight conscious. I have tried for about a year and a half now to get my body in the shape that it needs to be in for a person of my height. I was there for about 6 months and then I began taking this new medication. I go to the doctor Friday, and I am hoping to discuss options with her on what my next step needs to be concerning this side effect.

With everything set aside, the medicine is working. So, do I deal with the weight gain, or do I try something different that doesn't have weight gain as a side effect? I don't feel good about myself with the weight gain, but I don't feel good without the medication. It is a catch 22. I would love to hear what you would do!!!!


~Tiffany~

Start Spreading the News

I'm leaving today..........Can anybody guess where I am headed? Yep, NYC!!!!!! OMG.....I cannot tell you how much this means to me for the hubs and I to get to go to our favorite city in the world!!!! With him being in school three hours away our time together is few and far between. We were going to bring Twinkle Toes, but she decided that she didn't want to walk....bawaha!!!! Lazy bum!!!!!

Something that I am not looking forward to....it's snowing, and I am worried what this will do to my lupus. Yes, it is cold in Alabama, but not with the moisture that comes with snow. How am I am preparing? Well, I am taking Aleve as a precaution, and I'm prepared to take lots of hot baths/showers, and layer up. The only problem I foresee is the walking in the snow. It could be a problem, but if that's the case, we have an unlimited subway pass and we will just ride more. I am very optimistic that this is going to be a great trip!!!! I may even make a stop by the lupus foundation and see if I can plan some volunteer work for the future. 

I know I have taken close to a 6 month hiatus from blogging. The truth being that I have many life changes. The hubs moved three hours away to go to school, leaving Twinkle Toes to me. I have a new respect for single mothers. They are heroes!!! In about October, the people we rented our house from decided that they wanted to sell it and gave us 30 days. Do you know how hard it is to find a place to rent, pack and move in 30 days....by yourself? Long story short, my parents have a finished basement and that is where I have ended up. So, I went from a 2500 sq ft house, with two garages to a 1500 sq ft glorified dorm room. It is much like a studio apartment. Twinkle Toes took my sister's bedroom upstairs and luckily, my king bedroom furniture fit downstairs!!!! Everything else is in storage. The good news......no rent!!!!!!! 

So, there you have it lupies....my life in a nut shell.... Until next time....

~Tiffany......just a little Lupie for Life~

So What Wednesday

Ugh...it is that day again....the worst day of the week!!!! I tried to lighten up my class a little today by showing the "Hump Day" commercial thinking it would make me laugh.....nah, didn't work. I cannot tell you how much I absolutely loathe this day of the week. Anywho, time to carry on with the Wednesday tradition of "So What if....."



SO WHAT IF.........

• I got up an hour late today 
• During that hour, I tried to think about what my kids to do for a sub
• I woke up to the dog throwing up and when I got up to check on her, I couldn't find the vomit. Yeah, I think she ate it.
• I feel completely and totally lost without high heels
• I contemplated ordering emeals bc I am that lazy and don't want to plan my meals myself. Hey, this gluten free stuff is hard.
• I have gained so much weight that I can't fit into anything without elastic
• I refuse to buy bigger clothes
• I am tired of Dave Ramsey. The Hubs and I are not really in a place to pay off bills right now. We are just trying to keep our head above water.
• Speaking of finances, it is nothing for me to have 25 cents in my bank account at the end of the month...if I'm lucky
• My new obsession is sunglasses

I could go on and on today about my what if's, but I will spare you all with just those few. I hope you are enjoying your day more that I am.

Later Lupies

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Shirt: American Eagle

Skirt: Red Dress Boutique

Shoes: Bought off Poshmark

Necklace: (which I am TOTES in love with) Etsy

Just call me Coordinator

As if I didn't have enough to do with The Hubs being gone and me trying to pull the single parent thing, my principal came to me today and asked if I would be in charge of our school's social media outlets. Um, sure!!!!!!!

First of all, it is all I can do to handle my own,  but add 4 more to that and I have myself a mess. So, I guess you can say that I am now our school's social media coordinator. If anybody in the school wants something put onto one of our social media sites, they contact me and I put it on there for them. Yikes!!! Can we say a lot of emails and working all the time? Oh, and do I get an extra planning for this?

But, it will all be OK!!! I enjoy social media and it will give me something to do to keep me busy that is low key and I can do it from home. I don't have to be at school to do it. I just thank the Lawd it was not the yearbook!!!!

Happy Tuesday afternoon lovely lupies!!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Top: Gap

Pants: Bought off Poshmark

Shoes: Bought off Poshmark

Cuff: Lenny and Eva

Necklace: Boutique in Auburn (WDE)

(Sorry for the blurry pic. Twinkle Toes needs to improve on her picture taking skills hehe)

Weekend What Nots

I had a fantabulous weekend!!! First of all, this little gem came in the mail. It is a bracelet I had made with the state of Alabama and the state of Tennessee with a heart in the middle because of my long distance marriage right now. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile :)

Then this cutie came home for the weekend. We had the best weekend doing nothing but watching football. I mean, we literally watched football all weekend and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Twinkle Toes is such a Daddy's girl. She cried this morning when he had to go back. It broke my heart!! But, the weekend will soon be here and we will have again for a few days.

Isn't she the cutest little rah rah you have ever seen? She is going to follow in her Mommy's footsteps and I couldn't be more proud.

This is my Dad's 30th something year to be involved with the football program here at our high school. I snapped this Friday night at the game doing what he loves best, analyzing the plays.

I can't help but show you the two cutest nieces in the world!! My sister is a graduate of Auburn and my brother in law is an alumni of the University of Alabama, so they have to alternate weekends of what they put the girls in. Since Alabama had a bye this weekend, it automatically went to the Auburn gear. War Eagle!!!!!

I will be awaiting a call from my rheumy this week. We are looking for better options to manage my pain, fevers, and photo sensitivity. I have a feeling it is going to call for a higher dosage of Plaquenil and Prednisone (the devil of all medications). I am fully prepared to gain about 20 pounds and look like a puffer fish. Until then, here is the OOTD. Please excuse the bathroom. I didn't have time to snap a pic before I left this morning, so I had to snap it when I got to work. I hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!!

~Tiffany~

OOTD

Top: H & M

Skirt: Bought off poshmark

Necklace: ILY Couture

Shoes: Old

Pits and Perks

It's time for the Pits and Perks of the week. I think I will start out with the pits.



Pits

• I have been busy every night this week. Tuesday-ballet, Wednesday-Church, Thursday-Rheumy appt, Friday-ballgame.
• I am exhausted
• I didn't get a good report from the rheumy. The ran 11 labs and will call next week with treatment options.
• I am still not losing weight
• The docs think my weight gain is due to a medication that I can't stop
• My car is still not working right

Perks

• I have been able to be in the bed by 8-9 every night this week. 
• I am doing better with my school schedule. 
• I feel some what better than I did last week.
• THE HUBS COMES HOME TODAY!!!!!!

I haven't sone one of these lately, so here goes an OOTD pic

Jeans: iT!

Shirt: Piko from Kiki La Rue

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: Target

Have a fabulous day and a great weekend!!!! War Eagle!!!!

~Tiffany!

So What Wednesday

It's that day again!!!! My least favorite day of the week!!! Hence, here comes another SO WHAT WEDNESDAY!!!

So what if.....

• I dosed the princess up with Benadryl last night for her cough and scratchy throat just so we could get some sleep. Let me tell ya, we both slept like a rock!!!
• I get to school as early as I possibly can because I enjoy the calm before the storm.
• Speaking of school, on 2 out of the 5 days of the work week, I twist my ankle and come pert near close to falling and breaking my entire body.
• I sat in my car for 30 minutes yesterday talking to the hubs because I can't get that quality time with him at home.
• I drink 4 cups of caffeine a day. Sometimes I make it 5.
• I HATE WEDNESDAYS!!!
• I listen to Broadway music all day long and sing along and my kids laugh at me. I freakin love Broadway!!!!!

Have a happy worst day of the week!!!!

~Tiffany~