Happy Birthday to Me :)

Image credit: http://birthdayb.com

Today was my birthday. This year, for once, it wasn’t just another day. I mean, it was because I still went to an eye doctor’s appointment…but it wasn’t because I felt that today was what it’s supposed to be…a celebration of my life.

M has never really celebrated his birthday. He says he doesn’t see the point. I get it. If it wasn’t a big deal growing up or just isn’t a big deal to you, then ok. That doesn’t mean that it’s not a big deal to other people. I respect his wishes and let his birthday be just another day (after the first couple of years when I made him a cake and I could tell it bothered him). However I have made it clear to him that I feel your birthday should be a special day. It should be a celebration of the fact that you’re alive and ANY kind of small gesture can symbolize that.

So, what did I get from him for my birthday today? A single rose? A 99 cent birthday card? Nope. I got NADA except for a “Oh yeah, Happy Birthday” when I woke up. I mean, the fact that I was given life should mean more to him than that, right? I’m not asking for an expensive gift. I truly don’t want an expensive gift. But I would like some gesture that my life is worth something. This has gone on like this for as long as we’ve been together and once again has me questioning if I truly mean anything to him.

My best friend is a woman I met around a year ago right here on WordPress. We have become very close. I can tell her anything and she can tell me anything. We Skype each other just as we are, which is usually lounging in bed in our pajamas because we don’t have the energy to do any different. This woman who I have known for less than a year sent me a gift package today. She made sure that it would be delivered to me on my birthday. It’s not about the gift…which happened to be a card, a beautiful journal, a password book, and a magnet…but about all the thought that went behind her putting it together and sending it.

So the way I see it, I mean more to this woman than I do to a man who has been part of my life for almost seven years. How messed up is that? Now, I know this sounds like I didn’t have a great birthday, but despite M’s lack of caring, this was a totally AWESOME birthday! The gift box sent to me by my best friend meant the world to me. We had our “Birthday Skype” and then she texted me and told me how much I meant to her and how happy she was to have me in her life. That in itself was enough to make it a great day! It almost made me cry to think that I mean that much to one person, and made it even more special because she means that much to me too. She has gotten me through some really tough times this past year when I might have just gone crazy without her.

Therefore, I dedicate this post to my best friend who made this birthday the best I’ve had in years. I am grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful friend in my life. She is more than a friend. She is family.

Weekly Update…

Well guys, this week has been a doozy. It was going pretty good until today actually.

Tuesday was physical therapy. It was much better this week than that one week that it sent me into a flare. No flare this week, just a couple of really tender trigger points in my hip area that had to be worked out. Honestly I don’t know that the trigger points were released seeing as how they’re still hurting. Of course, it could be my bursitis acting up. It may be time to pay my rheumy a visit to get injections in my hips again.

Wednesday was a sad day. It was my last visit with my psychologist seeing as how she has married and is moving to another city. I will start seeing my new therapist mid-August. I had gotten used to things with my therapist and I really hate to see her go. Even more I hate to think about having to start all over again with someone who doesn’t know me. The good thing that happened Wednesday was that the keyboard/case for my iPad came in the mail. It is a lot easier to write posts using the keyboard than using the screen of the tablet.

Thursday was supposed to be a day of rest knowing what all I had to do on Friday, but it turned out to be a bit busy as well. The screen protector that I had purchased for my iPad on Monday was already starting to peel up. So of course, I took it back to the store for a refund. Then I decided to buy one from Verizon and have them put it on for me. It was a good decision. I have never seen any screen saver (phone or tablet) not have at least one bubble until that day. The man did a beautiful job with the screen protector, told me that once it was scratched to come back and he would put one of the two remaining protectors on for me, and sold me on a glass screen protector for my iPhone. Then, I called the police station and finally found out why it was taking so long on the police report…they had “misplaced” it. So then I had to drive downtown, purchase the police report, and then take it to the rental place. Like I said, busy day for a “rest” day.

Friday was like every time I get my check. I run all across town paying things that I am unable to pay by phone. Depending on the lines that can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours. This day took 3 hours, so not too bad. Then I went back to Verizon, bought the glass screen saver and a car holder for my iPhone, and to Target to buy a case. By the way, for those who don’t know, Target will match prices- even online. They will match Amazon’s price just as long as the product is sold and shipped by Amazon and not a third party. So I was able to get a $35 case for $22.99 thanks to Amazon’s scanning ability and Target’s competitiveness. After that I got a hankering for a new purse, so I went to Burlington and found a beautiful red leather purse and matching wallet on sale. Happy with the day’s purchases, I made my way home (aching body and all). Shortly after getting home the mailman came with my birthday package from my best friend. So now I have a set of bluetooth headphones to use when I’m driving or when I’m doing housework and want to listen to music without carrying my phone around. All in all a very good day, but completely exhausting!

Today is Saturday. I slept in late (It was about time I got some good sleep) but I still woke up utterly exhausted. I really need to go grocery shopping, but my body hurts so badly that I don’t know if I’ll be able to. Not to mention that I have dishes and laundry to do. I would really like for my day to be productive, but I just don’t know if I can. I have used my inhaler and taken a pain pill, so maybe in a little while I will have some energy and less pain so that I can go. I know that if I do I will have to use one of those electric cart things and I absolutely hate using them. But, I suppose it’s worth it to have food to eat, right?

I still haven’t heard anything from the rental place about whether or not they are going to replace the iPad. M said that he is willing to finish making payments on it, so at least I won’t have to worry about that bill anymore- whether or not they replace it. I just hate to lose all of the money that I put into it. I want it to be worth it to someone whether it’s M or my sister (who also said that she would be willing to take over payments- well who wouldn’t? There’s not that much left to pay on it!)

How was your week? Did something exciting happen or something sad? Feel free to leave a comment about how your week went.

One Year Anniversary

Today is my one year anniversary with WordPress…and what a year it has been! I started this blog as a way to vent about my medical issues and hopefully help other chronic pain patients at the same time. I believe that I have accomplished what I set out to do. I wrote a lot more towards the beginning of my time with WordPress, but I just had so much to say back then. There was a lot of catching everyone up on my issues and informing you guys about adhesions. Since doing that, my writing has slowed down quite a bit, but most of you have stuck it out with me. Also, welcome to all of my new followers. I have met some truly amazing people and made some very good friends…all in all a complete success if I do say so myself 🙂

This week has been great. I am still feeling better from the increase in the corticosteroids. Not quite as well as I did those first three days, but much better than I have these past few years. Just to show you how much better I have been feeling, I will use cleaning as an example. Since my adhesion symptoms worsened a few years ago (but especially since the start of the Fibro fatigue), mopping and vacuuming have been pretty much impossible. I could sweep on occasion, but definitely not as much as one should…especially being a fur-parent. The other day I found a small, lightweight vacuum cleaner and a steam mop (both for $30 if you can believe that!) and I have been able to vacuum the carpet in my bedroom. Today I vacuumed the hardwood floors in the living room/dining room and steam mopped them! I am exhausted at the moment, but it feels so good to have been able to get it done. The steam mop ended up being heavier than I expected (harder to push and pull) but I was still able to get it done. For the first time in a long time I feel as if I have accomplished something big…and I suppose I have.

Physical therapy started this week. I will be going once a week to a new physical therapist. So far, I think that she and I will work a lot better together than the therapist I used after mine moved to a new clinic. She is more “hands on” like the first therapist was and even uses a technique I’ve never seen before. I believe that I might start to see results soon, and that’s great since the second therapist I used never really helped much at all. She would just watch me do my “at home” exercises…what’s the point in that?

The last past of my great week was winning a contest! Michael Fernandez at MigraineDiscussions.com had a contest in June for Migraine Awareness Month. There were two grand prizes for two winners…a pair of Axon Optics sunglasses. Axon Optics specializes in glasses for migraine sufferers. I entered the contest with a post I wrote for Migraine Awareness Month entitled My Migraine Story. Michael announced the two grand prize winners with a You Tube video and it shocked me to hear him say my name! He had two pairs to give away. One was a pair of “cats eye” women’s sunglasses and the other was a unisex pair that can be worn over prescription eyeglasses. Guess which one I won…yes, I won the pair that can be worn over my own eyeglasses! They came in the mail on Friday and I wore them all day yesterday as I was doing a bit of running around (the all day long kind of running around). I was amazed at how lightweight they were. They didn’t make the bridge of my nose start to hurt until the afternoon. The pair I was wearing before would start to hurt after only about an hour at which point I would have to take them off. These new ones I was able to simply reposition and keep going. I will write a review of them after I’ve had a few weeks to wear them, but so far so good! Here are pictures of me with and without the new sunglasses:

Without Axon Optics

With Axon Optics

So, I rounded out a not-so-great year with a wonderful week! I will try to get back to writing more often again. I just wanted to thank all of my followers, new and old, who have stuck by me throughout this year and more often than not have been my support when I had none. Thank you for listening to my rants, my tears, and my triumphs, and for being my shoulder to lean on. Here’s to another year of blogging and many more new friends to be made!

Thank You!

First of all I want to say thank you to all the new followers I’ve had recently. It still surprises me that people want to read my ramblings…especially since my writing has been so sporadic lately. I appreciate all of you who get some enjoyment, support, or information from my posts. I am really behind on reading posts since my break in writing, but I am going to catch up eventually. So, if you see that I’ve “liked” one of your older posts, that’s just me going through the mountain of emails that is patiently waiting for me. I’m sorry that it has taken me so long and please know that I am still here and am so sorry for anything that I have missed in your lives. My readers are the BEST and you all deserve the best from me. I promise I will catch up soon.

I also wanted to say thank you to one reader in particular GreenGrowsDark. She was the one whose continued love and support inspired me to pick back up where I left off and write again. There has been so much heartache going on in my life recently that I’m just not ready to write about yet. One day I will. But that is one of the main reasons that I haven’t been writing lately. I know I promised you all that I would always tell the truth in this blog about my feelings, or what I go through on a daily basis, but as much as I love you all, I’m just not ready to go there yet. However, I think I have processed things with myself now and I am ready to continue with my rants, ramblings, and information about adhesions.

I also want to say a big thank you to the lovely people in my adhesions group on Facebook. It is called Let’s Shine a Light On Adhesion Related Disorder. They have truly been my rock lately. There are over 200 members now and we have had 2 newspapers write articles on adhesions thanks to one of the founders of the group. One article in particular was really well written. The journalist did his/her homework and wrote a really great article. So good, in fact, that it was picked up by USA Today as an online piece. Here is the link to it: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/13/health-adhesion-disorder/6391777/. If any of you have adhesions or know someone that does, you should really check out this group. It is a closed group because we write about really personal issues that bother us or about some really embarrassing symptoms of ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder). However, if you have adhesions or know someone who does, then please join the group. It is great support for those who suffer with this debilitating disorder and good inside information for those who have a loved one with it. It’s a way to “see” what we go through on a daily basis.

Well, that’s all of my “thank you’s” for now. I hope all of you are doing well. Please leave me an update on how you are in the comments section. I will be seeing you on your blogs soon!

Sitting ’round the Kitchen Table 2

Image credit: eBay.com

This week has definitely had it’s ups and downs. The ups were that A) I’m doing better on this new medicine B) M and I decided to work things out, and C) I bought a chromecast which is really cool. Now, the long list of downs. First of all I have been spotting this week. One day spots, then two days without. Two days spots, then one without. The last time this happened, I had a polyp or two on my uterus. I’m praying that this is not the case this time because I really don’t want to go through another surgery right now. I’m hoping that it’s one of two things. 1) Not taking my BC pills at the same time each morning (it only varies by an hour or so, so that shouldn’t be it) or 2) not doing my stretches like I should. These were the two suggestions given to me by ladies in my adhesions group on Facebook. So besides the menstruation-like pains and the severe bloating, my week was pretty good until today.

Image credit: http://briansroom.com

M and I had a long talk and we were trying to work things out. While this made me very nervous, it strangely settled my nerves at the same time. He had a list of rules and he knew that any breach in those rules will put us back where we were before. Today was a rough day. I had an appointment at pain management. They called to say they had a lot of cancellations and did I want to go in early. Sure. It was cold, snowing, and I wanted to get back home before it got any colder. Well, what would normally be a 30 minute drive took 3 hours. Every time we chose a road, it was blocked because of a wreck. So we would go another way just to find it was blocked. We tried four different routes before M started to loose it. I decided that it must be the stress of driving on very icy roads. We finally gave up and came back home. My nerves were shot. I took my medicines and a nerve pill and then decided that I would crochet to finish calming myself down. Since it was 7:00 pm, it was too dark for me to see with just the lamp on my bedside table. I asked him to turn the light on because he was closest to it. He conveniently ignored my request. When I asked again, he blew up. Same as old times. He said that he was going back to “his” room where I wouldn’t ask for the light to be on all f*%$ing night long (it was only 7:00!!!) that he guessed that was what I wanted anyway because I am happier with my cigarettes and my drugs. Whoa! Where did that come from? So, once again, I am just a drug addict according to him. I am so very tired of being insulted. I’m done. If someone in his family is reading this, I’m sorry, but I have put up with as much of his self-centered, insulting, bullshit as I can take. I’m done.

I had bought a Chromecast. Since all I have is a digital antenna in order to save money on cable, this Chromecast is awesome because all the cool stuff I can watch on my laptop or tablet can now be watched on the big screen. Well, he decided to take the tv with him when he left the room. So much for my new toy.

You know, when I started writing this post yesterday it was full of good news. Positive things. However, in one split second, all of that has changed. I had to erase most of what I had written to tell you guys about what’s going on now. My good news about M is bullshit now, I can no longer watch the chromecast I bought because I don’t have another TV, and I am so upset that I am physically shaking. Oh, and the icing on the cake is that I don’t know when I will be able to get another appointment with my pain specialist. Since they are only allowed to write the script for a 30 day supply and those 30 days are over, and because like usual no one answers the phone there, I have no idea when I will be able to refill my pain meds. So, now withdrawal…the one thing that scares the shit out of me…is most probably imminent. I need a friend so bad right now. Of course, I know that there is nothing that can be done or said to change anything that has happened. It just hurts so bad – I hurt so bad – physically and emotionally. It’s my own fault for getting my hopes up again on a sorry SOB (no offense to his mother because I love her) who doesn’t deserve my tears. That doesn’t make them flow any slower. I so wanted to write a positive post for a change, but I promised you guys I would be real, so here it is. My real life for all the world to see. I guess I should feel ashamed for “airing my dirty laundry” publicly, but I only have you guys who care about me. I guess that’s it. Off for a good cry now and to try to figure out what was so bad about the freaking light being on. If it was 2:00am I could understand. But 7:00pm…really?

Image credit: http://we heartit.com

My Interview With Sue Jones from “It Goes On”

I was honored to be able to interview with blogger Sue Jones From the blog It Goes On. Here is that interview. Don’t forget to click the link at the bottom to read the actual questions and answers.

This evening I am speaking to a blogger who I really don’t know that well yet but also met through the Share Your WordPress Blogs Facebook page. Joy’s blog Joynpain2 is full of anecdotes of her life. Joy’s story on her About page takes you through her journey from anxiety to chronic pain from scar tissue, adhesions and fibromyalgia. Joy has had a lot to do with doctors and recently asked her GP to read her post Open Letter to General Practitionersbut he did not take kindly to it unfortunately and seen in her post Appointment: Fail. However not all of Joy’s posts are medically themed. She recently also posted Sitting ’round the Kitchen Table with an update of how life is going for her right now.

To read more, check out this link:  Fellow Blogger – Joy from Joynpain2.

Letter To Me

A very good friend of mine has been trying to convince me to write a letter to myself from the point of view of my older, wiser self. I suppose now is as good a time as any (but I have been putting it off for quite a while). This is my take on that exercise:

 

Dear Joy,

Where did all the time go? One minute you were a kid in school, gifted, making excellent grades and with a sparkling future ahead of you, and the next minute you are a woman, all grown up. Your future right now no longer sparkles. It is dull and lifeless. I know that situations beyond your control contributed to the life you lead now, but there were some bad decisions along the way as well. What you must do now is learn from those mistakes, whether there were of your own doing or not. I know that you have learned some lessons, but there are many more that need to be learned.

You have learned that doctors are human and make mistakes too. You must always go behind them (or in front of them) and do your own research. Never take a medication just because the doctor tells you to. Learn everything you can first and make an informed decision. You have learned that men come and go. If they go, it may hurt for a while, but you will find someone else. Sure, it was easier when you were younger, but you didn’t always choose them wisely. Make sure that you find someone who will love you for who you are, defects and all. Someone who will cherish you like you deserve to be cherished, and someone who will respect you. You have a big decision to make. Be sure that you make the right one for you.

You have always been a good friend, but now there are people in your life who need you just as bad as you need them. Always listen closely to what is said and try to figure out if there is something not being said, support them and love them just as you hope they will love and support you.

You have come a long way, but there is still much more to come. In order for you to live you life to the best of your ability, you must learn to :

Love Yourself – Somewhere along the way you lost sight of who you are. It is to be expected when your life changes so dramatically, but that is no excuse to keep yourself down. You have always been a strong, loving, and faithful person. Recognize those qualities in yourself and accept them. Try every day to improve on them.

Keep Fighting – I know that everyday is a battle. Like someone recently said, you may lose a battle or two, but never give up on the war. Keep fighting. Recognize that strength in you and use it to get through every day.

Never Give Up – Those days when you lose the battle, don’t give up. Remember that there will be a tomorrow and you must make it there. Don’t give up on yourself just because it may seem easier at the time. You can do this!

Trust – Trust in yourself. Trust in others. Some may not deserve your trust, but you have no way of knowing that until they prove you wrong. So, in the meantime, trust.

Have Faith – Never lose faith in yourself or in the people you love. Never lose faith in God. This is all happening for a reason. You may not see it now, but one day you will know why He chose for you to suffer. Keep the faith.

Love – Most importantly, love. Love with all your heart. Love your friends and family. Love those who mean something to you. Everyone is facing their own battles, so love them and support them. Love your neighbor…love a stranger. There can never be too much love in this world, so let it come from you.

Love,
Me

Guest post : Simon

Image credit: englishwithatwist.com

Simon Wilson

Today’s guest post is from Simon Wilson. When most people think about adhesions, for some reason they relate adhesions to women. Probably because of childbirth, we have more pelvic issues. But adhesions can happen to anyone. Men can suffer from adhesions just like women can. Like I had mentioned in another post about getting to a point where you have to go on a liquid diet. Well, Simon told me that in this photo, he is happy to be eating solid food, a rarity once the liquid diet becomes a necessity.

Simon’s story

In 1992, aged 25, I was working in the murky but exciting world of politics, when one morning found myself on the wrong end of a hit and run car crash. With major internal injuries, emergency abdominal surgery saved my life and I woke up 3 days later in intensive care minus a spleen and some bowel and spent 3 months in hospital. As you may have guessed, this was not the end of the story. Instead began cycles of obstructions, hospital admissions and surgery. Have now had 12 full laparotomies. Adhesions were diagnosed early on and I was referred to St Mark’s Hospital, a specialist bowel and intestinal unit, where I was also diagnosed with pseudo-obstruction a rare condition which means the bowel just stops for a while-sometimes for hours, or days, weeks or even months. Adhesions are the main problem but the combination is not to be recommended. At one time I was having 100+ nights a year in hospital- I was even invited to the ward staff Xmas party!! My faith kept me going- my walk with God deepened and I found myself called to the priesthood and 3 years of theological college later was ordained alongside my wife, who I had met while training. I have served God as a chaplain, a priest and an advisor to Bishops. My health has deteriorated in recent years, so much so that I have had to quit my job. What were my bad days now equate to my good ones and that is frightening. Condition managed by targinact-a new painkiller which brings together oxycodone and naloxone, which is an anti-constipating agent. I have a system where I can self-admit to hospital and try and enjoy the better days, enduring the hard ones. Of course, I wish that I did not suffer in this way, but coping with ARD and illness has partly made me who I am today. in all the pain, frailty and vulnerability I have been blessed with skilled and understanding doctors, a loving family (we adopted our daughter 3 years ago and she is now 6-and the best medication of all), and most importantly the solidarity of a whole community of fellow sufferers whose support, banter, humility and care mean the world to me. Most of all I thank God for his faithfulness and I look forward to receiving the healing only he can bring. Don’t listen to myths, MEN GET ADHESIONS TOO!!!

Chronic Pain and Suicide

Image credit: Pinterest

With chronic pain comes a chronic condition: suicide. when you think about it, it makes sense. When someone hurts day and night for any significant amount of time, feelings of helplessness (especially in regards to the medical system, but also in inability to perform activities one used to do) and worthlessness (loss of income due to inability to work) can add to the burden of living with unrelenting pain.

According to rsds.com:

— Over 30% of the US population is affected by chronic pain

— Prolonged pain conditions are associated with significant interference in physical, social, vocational/educational, and sexual functioning

— Excluding arthritis, people with chronic pain are four times more likely to attempt suicide than other adults (National Pain Foundation)

And according to an article in the Orlando Sentinel:

— Large-scale studies show that at least 10 percent of suicides — and possibly as many as 70 percent — are linked to chronic illness or unrelenting pain.

With numbers like these, it’s easy to see just how big of a problem chronic pain can be in the lives of its sufferers.

I personally have considered suicide a time or two. I have been lucky in that I snap out of it quickly and get back into warrior mode. I however, am lucky in that I have doctors who understand my condition and are willing to prescribe medications that take the edge off of my pain, allowing me to think more clearly and deal with life as it comes. I also have a psychologist and a psychiatrist who understand my pain and work with me on stressors so that I can better deal with the things that life throws at me, including the pain itself.

Others aren’t so lucky. Without the appropriate pain medications and psychological/psychiatric help, the physical and emotional pain can become completely unbearable. Without belief and support from friends and family, the situation becomes worse for the sufferer. To be honest, the times that I have considered suicide, it was because of a lack of a support system.

I am writing this post in honor of a very good friend of mine who is dealing with this problem even as I type this post. I want her to remember that she has friends that care about her and who love her. We understand what she is going through. I pray that she is able to get some kind of relief soon not only from her pain, but from the other struggles that she is facing at this time. I ask that if you’re reading this to please say a prayer for my friend. If you don’t pray, then send as many good thoughts and feelings to her as you can.

Have you ever contemplated suicide because of your chronic pain?

Do you know someone who has been in this situation before? What helped them through it?

Do you believe and support your chronic pain friends or loved ones the way you should? If not, please understand that things like being called lazy or unproductive can reach the very soul of the patient and can cause these types of thoughts.

Are you, as a doctor, doing everything you can for your chronic pain patients, or do you get frustrated and try to pass them off to another specialist? Please understand that we, as patients, place our trust in you to believe us and to help us. We need you more than you can imagine. If you are stuck and don’t know where to go in their treatment, tell them so. Find someone who can help, but make sure that the patient knows that whatever happens with the referral, you are still there for them.

Life is hard for everyone. Try to imagine your everyday stressors and add to that the worst pain you can imagine. Now think how your life would be with that kind of pain 24/7, people who don’t believe that you are in pain, financial hardship because you are unable to work, and on top of all that is your everyday stressors. That is what we, as chronic pain patients deal with daily. Be kind. Understand. And most importantly, look out for warning signs of suicidal thoughts. These are your loved ones, your neighbors, your friends. Be there for them.

Blog of the Year Award

When I started this blog back in July, the last thing I expected was to get the Blog of the Year Award. You can read my acceptance of it here. Of course, back in July I didn’t know this award even existed. When I was nominated in early December I was very happily surprised. Well, color me super surprised that I have been nominated for another, meaning two stars. This nomination came from Shaun at Looking For Reasoning to a Complicated World. If any of you don’t know Shaun or his blog, take my advise and mosey on over.

My next unexpected moment was when I got my third nomination and star from Doc Horty Rexach @ It Is What It Is. Please take a moment to check out her blog. She never fails to reveal injustice in the world while at the same time uplifting your spirits. She does her research, and writes intelligent, informative posts always. I came across her blog when I joined Shaun’s Facebook group which I have posted about a couple of times. In case you’ve missed it, ANYONE can join the group, which can be found HERE. Doc is a moderator and is always there to welcome you and to comment on or “like” all of your posts about your posts (ok, I know that sounds funny, but you’ll see). She’s like having your own personal cheering section.

Lastly, my jaw-dropping moment came when I received my fourth star, again from Shaun. Shaun has become a true friend over this past month or so. We have chatted and talked by way of Skype. To be honest, the fastest way to forget about my own pain is to have a conversation with Shaun. His lovely Scottish accent combined with his ability to make you laugh, or simply wrap you up in conversation or debate does the job in getting me to forget about my pain, even if for a moment.

The instructions for this award are as follows:

1- Select the blog(s) you think deserve the Blog of The Year 2013 Award.
2- Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there are no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ the blog(s) with their award.
3- Let the blog(s) that you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the instructions with them – (please don’t alter the instructions or the badges!)
4- Come over and say hello to the originator of the Blog Of The Year 2013 Award via this link: http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/blog-awards-2-/blog-of-the-year-2013-award/
5- You can now also join the Blog Of The Year Award Facebook Page Click the link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlogoftheYear
6- And as a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with this award – and proudly display the award on your blog – and start collecting stars!

Since I have procrastinated about accepting these awards and 2013 is over AND because it is seriously a CHORE to do them, I am not going to nominate anyone for this award. Instead, if you are reading this post, YOU are nominated. My New Years gift to you. I hope you enjoy your award, and I hope you enjoy checking out these two great blogs and the Facebook group. You won’t regret it!