Lady with the Cane.com

It is that time again. Last year I was pretty good at fulfilling my promises to self, so hopefully 2017 will bring as much, if not more, satisfaction. Patting myself on the back for successfully keeping my resolutions. Does that mean I am officially an adult? Projections for 2017 (in no particular order): * Actively seek literary agent * Clean up 2016 NaNoWriMo project * Develop my next manuscript * Review 10 books a month (or more). My goal is to pay for Boone's summer camp in full with review money this year. * Get on the sub list???? (Not totally committed to this yet.) * Arrange more book signings in new/different locations. * Learn how to knit socks. * Be more devoted to my MS Self-help group. * Do something creative with my front yard. * Be more diligent with my journal writing. *Exercise more. Well, there it is...my list, so far. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016: * Best book(s) read: The Little Paris Bookshop and Chef Interrupted * Boone placing in Globaloria competition as well as math F

It is that time again. Last year I was pretty good at fulfilling my promises to self, so hopefully 2017 will bring as much, if not more, satisfaction. Patting myself on the back for successfully keeping my resolutions. Does that mean I am officially an adult? Projections for 2017 (in no particular order): * Actively seek literary agent * Clean up 2016 NaNoWriMo project * Develop my next manuscript * Review 10 books a month (or more). My goal is to pay for Boone's summer camp in full with review money this year. * Get on the sub list???? (Not totally committed to this yet.) * Arrange more book signings in new/different locations. * Learn how to knit socks. * Be more devoted to my MS Self-help group. * Do something creative with my front yard. * Be more diligent with my journal writing. *Exercise more. Well, there it is...my list, so far. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016: * Best book(s) read: The Little Paris Bookshop and Chef Interrupted * Boone placing in Globaloria competit

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Sponsored  ·  Give your tax-deductible year-end gift today! Donate by Dec. 31st to help fund life-changing research and  services. Today is the official "return" day for all you gift recipients with ill-fitting, ill-selected Christmas gifts. The malls will be swamped (again) and bargains will be thrown out there (again), enticing your pocket book.  I do not plan to be in the mix of shopping fanatics. All my gifts fit, both my body and my soul. But I commit a portion of my book sales to the National  Multiple Sclerosis Society and I will honor my promise  and the 2016 deadline before the week ends.   12.95                                                                       15.00 Get them both for 25.00. I pay postage. Message me and I will personally get these signed, award winning books out to you ASAP; and add your donation to my year end gift to NMSS. If you are battling the crowds today (again), good luck and Godspeed. Lisa

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Sponsored  ·  Give your tax-deductible year-end gift today! Donate by Dec. 31st to help fund life-changing research and  services. Today is the official "return" day for all you gift recipients with ill-fitting, ill-selected Christmas gifts. The malls will be swamped (again) and bargains will be thrown out there (again), enticing your pocket book.  I do not plan to be in the mix of shopping fanatics. All my gifts fit, both my body and my soul. But I commit a portion of my book sales to the National  Multiple Sclerosis Society and I will honor my promise  and the 2016 deadline before the week ends.   12.95                                                                       15.00 Get them both for 25.00. I pay postage. Message me and I will personally get these signed, award winning books out to you ASAP; and add your donation to my year end gift to NMSS. If you are battling the crowds today

When I saw this posted on face book not long ago, my heart wept. Since my diagnosis fifteen years ago, I have often known that this is me. So many people I once called friends are no longer in my life. They do not call, visit, or even recognize the fact that I am still alive. I stay in contact as much as possible, but after a while this one sided relationship just does not make sense. I refuse to make excuses for my lack of social interaction. It is just not possible any more. And when it is possible, it is no longer fun.  Retirement has placed a heavy and welcome financial burden on my life that requires me to reevaluate priorities. There is no one no thing more important to me than my son; thus, any extracurricular spending goes to his well being. This often determines how well I address my own health, wants, or needs. And that's okay. I am a mother, number one. A huge lesson I have learned this year: Raising a teenager is much more expensive than I EVER expected. So, "once

When I saw this posted on face book not long ago, my heart wept. Since my diagnosis fifteen years ago, I have often known that this is me. So many people I once called friends are no longer in my life. They do not call, visit, or even recognize the fact that I am still alive. I stay in contact as much as possible, but after a while this one sided relationship just does not make sense. I refuse to make excuses for my lack of social interaction. It is just not possible any more. And when it is possible, it is no longer fun.  Retirement has placed a heavy and welcome financial burden on my life that requires me to reevaluate priorities. There is no one no thing more important to me than my son; thus, any extracurricular spending goes to his well being. This often determines how well I address my own health, wants, or needs. And that's okay. I am a mother, number one. A huge lesson I have learned this year: Raising a teenager is much more expensive than I EVER expected. So,

Grandma's house.  It's just down the street! Well, it is here. The holiday season. If you traveled for Thanksgiving then you already have a head's up on the preparation route. AND you have had time to recover, hopefully... Now it's time to get back on that wagon and enjoy the ride. Whether you like it or not!:) 'Tis the season! Fortunately I no longer have much required travelling in order to enjoy my holiday activities. Mom and Dad live right down the street; my brothers will be hanging out there; and my Dad will pick up his sister in plenty of time for the Chevy Chase mayhem that occurs annually at my parent's  home.  Many of us, though, are not as fortunate in holiday travel plans. Travel with MS, even short jaunts, can be excruciatingly stressful. Take a deep breath and experiment with some of the tips and resources I have found. https://www.liftms.com/action/ms-travel www.access-able.com www.nationalmssociety.org/travel The first thing you need to do pre-tr

Grandma's house.  It's just down the street! Well, it is here. The holiday season. If you traveled for Thanksgiving then you already have a head's up on the preparation route. AND you have had time to recover, hopefully... Now it's time to get back on that wagon and enjoy the ride. Whether you like it or not!:) 'Tis the season! Fortunately I no longer have much required travelling in order to enjoy my holiday activities. Mom and Dad live right down the street; my brothers will be hanging out there; and my Dad will pick up his sister in plenty of time for the Chevy Chase mayhem that occurs annually at my parent's  home.  Many of us, though, are not as fortunate in holiday travel plans. Travel with MS, even short jaunts, can be excruciatingly stressful. Take a deep breath and experiment with some of the tips and resources I have found. https://www.liftms.com/action/ms-travel www.access-able.com www.nationalmssociety.org/travel The first thing yo

It is not such a bad thing to be asked. In fact, it is a polite courtesy in the Miss Manners etiquette we all taught early in life.  so, why does it make us feel so weird? So, I walk with the assistance of a cane. Big deal. Maybe it's a fashion statement. Maybe I just like canes. Maybe it's one of your business. Okay, that is rather rude. It is also rather rude to pose that question when you really do not want to hear the reply. I think that is the major issue here. Because if we warriors really opened up and gave an honest response to that inquiry our already limited friend base would quickly diminish even further. I mean, do they really, really want to be told about the number of falls experienced in a typical day? The urgency of our bladder situation? The embarrassment of eating in public with numbed fingers? The disappointment of missing a social event because of fatigue? The feeling of being a burden on your family? Answer: No, no, no, no, and no.  Of course, me being nonv

It is not such a bad thing to be asked. In fact, it is a polite courtesy in the Miss Manners etiquette we all taught early in life.  so, why does it make us feel so weird? So, I walk with the assistance of a cane. Big deal. Maybe it's a fashion statement. Maybe I just like canes. Maybe it's one of your business. Okay, that is rather rude. It is also rather rude to pose that question when you really do not want to hear the reply. I think that is the major issue here. Because if we warriors really opened up and gave an honest response to that inquiry our already limited friend base would quickly diminish even further. I mean, do they really, really want to be told about the number of falls experienced in a typical day? The urgency of our bladder situation? The embarrassment of eating in public with numbed fingers? The disappointment of missing a social event because of fatigue? The feeling of being a burden on your family? Answer: No, no, no, no, and no.  Of course,

Yes, I realize tht I am guilty hof plagiarism. I am, after all, a retired English teacher. Plagiarism is a BIG thing in my circle.  But, this issue requires something more than an opportunity hto cick on a link. Not that I have anyting against "links." They are very helpful; but I also am a strong believer in saving time. Thus, my crime of plagiarism. Your comments (on the aricle, not my crime) are apopreciated. The Question “How are you feeling?” And The Mixed Feelings It Can Cause Devin Garlit-  If there is one question that those with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis hear a lot, it’s “How are you feeling?” or some variation of it. It may seem like something so simple, so common, but it’s something that stirs up mixed emotions for someone like me. At times, it can be an extremely positive measure, that I’m very thankful for. However, other times, it can leave me feeling a little down depending on the circumstances. Regardless of how it makes you feel, it’s a questi