Unfiltered

It seems like all of the blogs I have been reading lately are all about venting and being raw. I was thinking about it and I could actually use some breathing space to allow me to do just that. Be forewarned, honesty is not always what some might want to hear, so if you can't handle my unfiltered words, please do not read this blog.

Lately, I have not been feeling like myself. I've been tired and irritable and living in the flesh for sure. I think it's because I have been dealing with RLS for the last month. I have not been diagnosed with this by a doctor, but to anyone who has experienced this through pregnancy or otherwise, you know when you have it.

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Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder character

ized by leg discomfort during sleep, which is only relieved by frequent movements of the legs.

Symptoms:
The disorder consists of sensations in the lower legs that make the person uncomfortable unless the legs are moved. The sensations usually occur shortly after going to bed but may also occur during the daytime.

The abnormal sensations occasionally occur in the upper leg, the feet, or the arms, in addition to the lower leg.

There is an irresistible urge to walk or move the legs to relieve the discomfort, resulting in periodic episodes of leg movements during early sleep stages. Symptoms, which may last for 1 hour or longer, can include:

• Abnormal sensation in the legs (occasionally, feet, thighs, arms)
  • Creeping sensations or discomfort (not pain, not cramps) relieved by movement of the legs
  • May occur during the day
  • Worse when lying down
• Irresistible urge to move the legs
• Persistent leg movements during sleep hours
• Sleeping difficulty

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RLS is awful! I just would like to get a good night's sleep. Apparently, RLS can be worsened by stress or emotional upset. I can't really think of anything specifically that might be causing me stress or emotional upset, but I have been frustrated about our finances. And I think the lack of sleep makes me get stressed about things that I usually wouldn 't stress about. I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving break and getting to have Kris at home for a while. It's been really hard with him working full time and taking night classes. I cannot wait until he is finished with school or can go to school full time.

More than anything, I could use some alone time, some pampering time, some time alone with Kris, a date night, and some time with my girlfriends. This past weekend, I did get to go see a movie with some friends of mine. It was nice to be away from the house and the kids. But the matinee was $10!!! Can you believe it??!! So, then I started stressing about money again. Ugh! It's just like a never ending cycle!

I am tempted to caption this picture with: "Have you seen this man? If so, please tell him his wife misses him."

On a happier note: Here is a picture I submitted to the GapKids contest. Isn't she beautiful!