The Queen of Optimism

When I posted the PFAM topic:  The Must-Have List: Supplies, Tools, and Lifestyle Adjustments that Empower Me, I didn’t imagine it would get such a positive response.  I felt that requesting people focus on tangible things for this edition may have been risky.  Instead, I received 12 fabulous replies from a diverse group of 12 incredible bloggers. 

Thank you for taking the time to write, read, and share of your self!  Enjoy!

• At Through the Words of Chronic Pain, Fighter’s post: “My list of must have things that empower me, or at least make life easier and funner”  is making me wish I had awards to give out – she would my award win best post title! She lists great resources and products including a review of her favorite health and beauty products. Fighter and I have many common interests and Teri Roberts (Author of Living Well with Migraine Disease) is one of them.

• WarmSocks gives us a glimpse (with real photos!)  into her home and shows how relatively small home improvements can make a significant impact in a person’s daily life activities in her post Conveniences at her blog ∞itis. It’s her no-nonsense approach that makes WS one of my favorite bloggers.  Her list also includes information and products that will inspire you to cook dinner tonight or perhaps ask her for some recipes.

• The Essential List of Rachael: Have you visited her blog Glass of  Win yet?  It’s amazing!  Rachael is multi-talented and her posts are so visually appealing.  Her Essential List separates her must-haves into tangible objects and lifestyle.  Not only is the list awesome, you’ll get a great idea of some additional must-haves just by perusing her site.  I’m in awe, Rachael!

• Please give a warm welcome to My CFS blogger Kitty whose post ME/CFS survival kit is her first-ever submission to a blog carnival!  Full of comfort and necessity items, her detailed and functional list has inspired me to make some additions to this week’s shopping list.  Don’t you agree?  Great job, Kitty!

• Just read Annie Martin’s My Favorite Things That Help Keep Myself Sane list and you’ll feel like you’ve become instant friends.  And, you could also pick out a pretty perfect gift for her,  not to mention adding some good stuff to your own wish list. She may describe her list as including a huge selection but I prefer to describe the list as succinct and smile-inducing.  Visit her blog It’s Time To Get Over How Fragile You Are and you’ll be smiling, too.

• Maria Pfeifer writes My Life works Today! and highly recommends a unique product in her post Moving away from stuffing feelings and more towards stocking stuffers.  It’s a product that can addresses the intangible in a more tangible way and is definitely worth checking out.

• I often say that as patients, we’re not given  a guidebook. However, at Getting Closer to Myself, any patient (seasoned, new or occasional) can benefit from Leslie’s A Few Of My Favorite (Illness) Things… list, a collection of supplies that not only help her enjoy (and others) and manage day-to-day living but also includes a list of items to help make the best of a hospital stay.  Thanks for helping us be both joyful an prepared, Leslie!

• Over at her blog, Lipstick, perfume and too many pills, Nessie’s The Bare Necessities reads like the perfect gift Wish List.  Next time someone asks you for a gift idea, you will have some great ones handy thanks to Nessie!  Perhaps we can coax her into posting some photos of her favorite cardis!  What do you say, Nessie?!?

• Yes, Tiger Balm!  Items for comfort and function top Helen’s A few of my favourite things list at her blog Pens and Needles.With her description of one particular item, I believe she has earned spokeswoman status for the lucky company that produces a product that would benefit most patients. You’ll have to read her post to know what I’m talking about.  You have great ideas – tell us more, Helen!

• Although patients aren’t handed their very own personalized guidebook for living an empowered and healthy life, Laurie’s Illness Essentials at her blog A Chronic Dose are the perfect complement to her highly acclaimed book about chronic illness, Life Disrupted.  Her must-haves include tools for staying connected with work and her social network as well as health necessities.  Did you know, that giant clunky apparatus isn’t your only choice?

• As college student Kat is coming to terms with chronic illness through her blog Join the Club! Readers learn of her admirable strength as she faces challenges with a Superhero mindset and her superhero gadgets in her post My Utility Belt. Perhaps she should mass produce and market this utility belt.  What do you think?  Go for it, Kat!

• Shweta of it’s no more in my head has a way of enveloping you with her writing…making you feel as though you’ve been to India (if you haven’t) and joined her for a conversation in a chic one-of-a-kind establishment (wouldn’t you love to?!?).  Her post How much do I owe thee! will have you running or rolling or driving  to the newsstand!

The next edition of PFAM will be hosted by Leslie, the carnival’s manager, at Getting Closer to Myself on December 22, 2010.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute,

-Q

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | a chronic dose, Annie Martin, ∞itis, getting closer to myself, Glass of Win, it's no more in my head, Lipstick, my cfs, my life works, patient empowerment, pens and needles, perfume and too many pills, PFAM, Through the Words of Chronic Pain