Anxiety and Crohns

EXPERT RESPONSE: "Anxiety and psychological distress is common in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis. 

Psychological evaluation and support by trained experts is highly recommended. It is frequently difficult to discern whether the disease and flares bring about the psychological distress, or if periods of emotional stress can induce disease flares. 

There is intense communication between our brain and our intestines, frequently related to as the gut-brain axis. Therefore, it is possible for gut inflammation/stress to induce anxiety, and vice-versa." 

Have more questions? Email them to the IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org or call 888-694-8872.

Depression PSA

depression does not vanish just because your life is technically ‘going well’

depression does not vanish just because good things are happening to/around you

depression does not vanish just because you’re surrounded by people who love you

depression is an unconditional illness that comes and goes as it pleases, regardless of what might be happening in your life

For my John

Ozzy meme

Thought for the day

My Camaro

John Osbourne

Holes in her heart

My husband, my love.

He was there for me when no one else was; 

He gave me hope when I needed it most; 

He loved me when no one else would. 

He’s not anyone I want to disappear from my life. 

I am a better person because of him.

He is in by no means perfect, and that's okay, because really, who is?

Under that tough guy, swearing, tattooed, biker is a fantastic man.

I am thankful for him every day.

Trust...

No Guilt

Imagine

Until we meet again

Rachel, this one is for YOU

Life is but a stopping place

When I am gone

There is a big difference between giving up and letting go.

There is a big difference between giving up and letting go. Letting go means freeing yourself from something that is no longer serving you. 

It means removing toxic people and belief systems from your life so that you can make room for relationships and ideas that are conducive to your well being and happiness.

Giving up reduces your life. Letting go expands it. Giving up is imprisoning. Letting go is liberation. Giving up is self-defeat. 

Letting go is self-care.So the next time you make the decision to release something or someone that is stifling your happiness and growth, and a person has the audacity to accuse you of giving up or being weak, remind yourself of the difference.

Remind yourself that you don’t need anyone’s permission or approval to live your life in the way that feels right. No one has the authority to tell you who to be or how to live.
~Daniell Koepke

Love

“You love someone, you open yourself up to suffering, that’s the sad truth. Maybe they’ll break your heart, maybe you’ll break their heart and never be able to look at yourself in the same way. Those are the risks. That’s the burden. 

Like wings, they have weight, we feel that weight on our back, but they are a burden that lifts us. Burdens that allow us to fly.”

Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan 

For the love of my life, John

Prayer for the broken hearted

Find Someone...❤️

Wanna hear about my crappy morning?

Wanna hear about my crappy morning? 

So, John and I are driving down Central Avenue in North East Minneapolis, and are stopped by a train at 37th & Central. 

Okay, no biggie. 

But....the train isn't moving. 

At all. 

There is a semi to the right of us, the median on the left, car in front of us, truck behind us. 

We can't move. 

We sit in this position for AN HOUR. 

The train never moved an inch. Finally, The car in front of us and the semi beside us moved, so we were able to turn around and seek alternate routes. Whew. 

ding....ding....ding.....low tire pressure alert 

Really?

Okay. 

Pull in to a gas station, put in 4 quarters to get air for the ailing front tire. Air machine doesn't work. 

We drive a mile down the road to another gas station, and after driving in a circle in their lot, they don't have air. 

Drive another mile down the road and finally fill the tire. 

Neither John or I are in a good mood by this point, but at least I can say I made it to work. 

Did I mention I am really glad its friday? 

Ten Thoughts to Help You Avoid Discouragement.

 

1.  Look at life as a journey and enjoy the ride.  Get the most out of the detours and realize they're sometimes necessary. 2.  Do your best, but if what you're doing has caused you discouragement, try a different approach.  Be passionate about the process, but don't be so attached to the outcome. 3.  Wish the best for everyone, with no personal strings attached.  Applaud someone else's win as much as you would your own. 4.  Trust that there's a divine plan, that we don't always know what's best for us.  A disappointment now could mean a victory later, so don't be disappointed.  There is usually a reason. 5.  Ask no more of yourself than the best that you can do, and be satisfied with that.  Be compassionate towards yourself as well as others.  Know your calling, your gift, and do it well. 6.  Don't worry about something after it's done; it's out of your hands then, too late, over!  Learn the lesson and move on. 7.  Have the attitude that no one, except you, owes you anything.  Give without expecting a thank-you in return.  But when someone does something for you, be appreciative of even the smallest gesture. 8.  Choose your thoughts or your thoughts will choose you; they will free you or keep you bound.  Educate your spirit and give it authority over your feelings. 9.  Judge no one, and disappointment and forgiveness won't be an issue.  No one can let you down if you're not leaning on them.  People can't hurt you unless you allow them to. 10.  Love anyway. . . for no reason. . . and give. . . just because. Donna Fargo

Your Time is Coming Soon

I know sometimes you feel like giving up. 

Every new day there’s seems to be no change in your life. 

All the troubles of your heart and worries keep on worsening! 

You wonder why everything is happening to you. 

You keep on asking yourself why you’re not lucky like other people. 

You keep on praying to God but so far He hasn’t answered your prayers. 

Now you have started losing hope. 

You now think that maybe you were meant to be like that or maybe somebody cursed you.

But I tell you what my friend?

You weren’t meant to be like that and you weren’t cursed. 

God is silent but He watches you day and night. 

He listens to your prayers and He has something special for you. 

Just stay strong, focused, and hardworking and keep praying to God. 

Bear it in your minds that you’re not alone in that hard situation, we are all in the same boat. 

So don’t give up my dear friend. 

Your time is coming soon.

~Unknown.

Lend me a pup

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said,

For you to love him while he lives

and to mourn for him when he is gone.

Maybe for 12 or 14 years, or maybe for 2 or 3

But will you, till I call him back

take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and

(should his stay be brief)

you’ll always have his memories

as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise that he will stay

since all from Earth return,

But there are lessons taught below

I want this pup to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over

in search of teachers true,

And from the fold that crowd life’s land

I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love

Nor think the labor vain,

nor hate me when I come to take

my pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,

“Dear Lord, They Will Be Done,”

For all the joys this pup will bring

the risk of grief you’ll run.

Will you shelter him with tenderness,

Will you love him while you may?

And for the happiness you’ll know

forever grateful stay?

But should I call him back

much sooner than you’ve planned,

please brave the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand.

If, by your love, you’ve managed

my wishes to achieve,

In memory of him that you’ve loved,

cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,

and know he loved you too.

~Author Unknown

God loves you

Purple rain

The Osbourne Family Stick Lamp

So, John and I moved in to our 1st apartment together in October of 1995. Around that time frame, we also bought our first set of furniture together. The one piece of furniture we still own, is this stick lamp. 

We bought it at Home Depot for $14.95. We have changed the bulb in it once since we've owned it. Wednesday this week, the bulb burned out again. 

Now if you think about it, 2 bulbs since 1995 isn't bad. 

Here is how the conversation went when it blew out: 

April: Hey....John the stick lamp isn't working!

John: What?? (he hurries to the living room to inspect it)

April: See? (clicks it on and off)

John: Well, its probably the bulb. We changed it once before...remember? 

April: (Blank look) ....yeah

John: To be honest, I'm ready for a new living room lamp. 

April: John, we've had this lamp since we moved in together in 1995. We aren't getting rid of Sticky. (just named it that second)

John: (Hesitates)  Well, we could get a cool new living room lamp and then Sticky can go in my man cave. 

I'll be sure and update you all on the outcome of getting a new bulb for "Sticky", as I am sure you're all out there, dying to know how this story ends. 

Long live Sticky the stick lamp!

Capricorn

Fake smile

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

     All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. 

     All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

     All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

          All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

          All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. 

          All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

All

work

and

no 

play

make

Jack

a

dull

boy.

Bones wedding vows

How to act like a Boston Terrier

15 Random Things about April Osbourne

15 Random Things About Me: 

1. I hate talking on the phone. I do it all day long at work, so when I am at home, I have all I can do to NOT turn my phone off. I've gotten rid of my land line, and only have a cell phone. Yes. I am one of THOSE people. (hangs head). I prefer to communicate via email, text or in person. 

2. I am not a morning person. I have never been a morning person. I can say with complete confidence that I will NEVER be a morning person.  I admire people who can get up and exercise in the morning. It takes me a good hour to be communicative. My Mom told my husband the best advise on being married to me: "Don't talk to her for the 1st 10 minutes she is awake". 

3. I am an introvert. I may come off as cool, or even rude, but the truth is, I am just quiet. I don't talk a lot unless I am comfortable with the person or people. 

4. I am a home-body. I love just being at home, hanging out with my husband, John and Boston Terrier, Ozzy. 

5. I LOVE animals. I wish I had more room, and more money to keep me busy with animals full time. 

6. Pets I own: Ozzy, my Boston Terrier, Charlotte, my Chilean Rose Tarantula, 10 Finches, Green Tree Python, and Charlie, my Betta fish. 

7. My first 1 bedroom apartment I shared with John, we had the following pets, (all at the same time); 3 Boa Constrictors, 1 Reticulated Python, 1 Cockatiel, 1 Iguana, 3 Cats (Siamese, Persian and Himalayan) and a 45 gallon fish tank. 

8. I am a firm believer in Karma. I've seen it in action, I know its real. Huge respect for Karma.

9. My favorite book is The Stand by Stephen King. I re-read it often. 

10. I am an Empath - and am learning how to manage it. 

11. My favorite color is Purple. While I love all shades of purple, I prefer dark purple. Would love to have a dark purple car someday. 

12. Mis-Aligned tombstones in cemeteries creep me out to no end. 

13. Someday, when John and I can afford it, I (desperately) want to go to Disneyworld. I know we'd have a great time together. I've been there, John has not. 

14. I went out on my first date with John, my husband on April 17th 1993. We got married in Las Vegas on April 17th 1997. I later found out that my Dad asked my Mom to marry her on April 17th, 1970. 

15. I love horror movies and scary movies. My favorite horror series: Phantasm

Bones

You'll meet me in the light

Freakishly accurate Capricorn traits that fit me to a T

Most dangerous

Health

Say, said