So I just realized I haven't written anything for two years. Maybe I should start again, but with facebook....you can say what you want to in a sentence or two and move from there. Easy to low key - be short and sweet with ones life. But like I say in the subject...2012 was not the year I expected.
So it starts off with me turning 40!!!! No problems with that. I've actually liked being 40. I better feel that way since 41 is a week away. HA! I decided that I wanted to turn 40 on Kauai and I did. Kauai has to be one of the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands. I took two more "away" vacation in 2012. I did my annual Easter trek to Myrtle Beach, SC and spent the week with my dear friends the Goff's and Perkin's. What made this trip even better was my friend Beth went with me. (We are already talking about how we are going together again for Easter 2013 - watch out South Carolina). In October I ventured to the Big Island. When I planned it I didn't realize I was arriving the same day as the Iron Man race. I got to see my first Mongoose and Cane spider (both I can live without). I'm always amazed at how different each Hawaiian island is. I'm heading to Oahu mid January 2013 to relax and be touristy.
I'm still working for SSAT at the Port of Oakland and with Matson's container ships. Hard to believe that it has been almost 14 years that I have been doing this. It is one of those jobs where it kicks your behind on some days, but you can't see yourself doing anything else. It is where I'm supposed to be and oddly something that I love.
Squeaky is still clinging to me; my co-dependent lil' man. My being 40 is nothing compared to this darn cat being 19 with a crazy medicine/diet routine. He drives me nuts, but I can't help myself and love him tons!!!! He's my cuddle-bug. I've really taken comfort in his companionship this year. Which leads me to the most unexpected part of 2012.
In May I was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I say this not for sympathy or for anyone to feel bad for me, but to own what is my life now. It was a long journey to finally have a "name" for what was going on. At the end of 2011 I noticed something strange with my vision in my right eye. I thought it was just time to go to the eye doctor. Well he saw something, but couldn't figure it out, but it had nothing to do with my actual vision. I went to a couple other doctors with other tests before finally winding up at a Neurologist. There is no test for MS; just lots of tests to rule everything else out before saying that is what it is. I can't believe how many tests I had to do. But in the end I got my "name" and knew what it was. To this day really my only symptom is the vision thing and more awareness that it is the central nervous system acting up when I feel some aches/pains. Other than that....I'm good. I check in with my "MS team" (Doc and nurse practitioner) often, take a medicine that is supposed to slow/stop any progression and do semi-annual/annual MRIs to check things out. Just part of my life now and the more I talk about it is my way of owning it and it not owning me. Now the best part of all of this (that's right there is a best part)....I'm aware of what foods are bad or good for me, I have my favorite all time appliance the Vitamix (best invention!) and I'm doing Pilates. Oh my.....Pilates is so hard, but so good. It is really good with challenging my central nervous system and continuing to have control over it. I am able to do core strengthening movements/things I never thought I'd do. When I accomplish one of the movements I get so excited and can't help but giggle to myself in class. Anyway I've given MS too much attention, but I wanted to put it out there to whomever should read this.
I just realized I almost failed to mention my amazing 2012 Oakland A's season ticket holder season. It was so much fun watching my team. They are a great group of young guys and Bob Melvin has been a great manager of the team. Even though it was a short Post-Season for the A's; it was amazing to be part of it and watch them battle it out against the Tigers. I've been ready for the baseball season to start up again since the last game of the 2012 season. I love my A's!!!
So with 2012 not being what I expected....I don't think any year that we experience should be expected.
I'm trying to embrace and look forward to what 2013 will bring. I have to say trying since my planner personality likes to try and take over. My other challenge is that I don't go two year between writing something in my blog hehehehe - that will have to been seen :)
