Do Better | #chronicliving

04 Thursday Jun 2020

Posted by MonicawithRA in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Nothing to disclose.

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The one big thing that I have learned about myself over the last few days is just how passive I’ve become. I am not just talking about the specific happenings in the United States but about everything.
I have a platform, I have influence (however small) and I need to use it. What’s the point if I don’t speak out on the issues that matter to me? I have gone pretty quiet on my social media and that’s not okay.

Yes, I need to educate myself on racial matters but I also need to speak about other things. I initially began my blog/social media to educate others about living with chronic illnesses. I haven’t spoken about that in a long time. I share my story but that’s it. I can do more.
On my Youtube, I like making “trash talk” videos or, empties, because I like using things up, I don’t like waste, and I try to be nature conscious. I don’t talk about it but I should.

I need to. I can. I should do better.

I don’t know what form this will take yet. Maybe I start with being more vocal and posting more. Maybe I start making nail art videos for IG where I show arthritis-friendly techniques. Maybe I start publicly breaking down my privilege? I don’t know yet.

But, I know that I need to change and speak up.

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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(Please note, any contributions will be donated to charities supporting black activism)

RA Writing

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by MonicawithRA in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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blogging, rheumatoid arthritis

I started this blog to document my journey with Rheumatoid Arthritis and soon after converted it to a nail art/beauty blog. I still want to write about my RA but it’s difficult for me because I am just not used to discussing it. I internalize all my problems and deal with them myself.

I need to get out of this mindset. Even though, I don’t anticipate a lot of people reading my inner thoughts and particularly caring, I just need to put these words out there. I’ve found that sometimes, just writing things down and getting them off my chest and out of my head helps me compartmentalize more.

Who knows? Maybe I’m just making shit up as I go along and I don’t actually don’t know anything.

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Satisfied Sundays // Vol. 2 1/7

08 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by MonicawithRA in Just for Fun, Rheumatoid Arthritis

≈ 1 Comment

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blogging, gratitude, New Year

And here I am, one week in to the new year and I’m already forgetting to post.

This week I am grateful that…

…my skin is under control and more even-toned.

…my back pain is getting better with physical therapy.

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

#AtoZChallenge – M is for Marmalade

13 Saturday May 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Animal Sciences

≈ 1 Comment

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blogging, Blogging A to Z, pets

Here is the next installment of the Furry Friends tag! Today, I answer the questions for Marmalade who is my oldest and first pet! She holds a special place in my heart and I in hers. After all, she does think she’s my mother!

Enjoy!

What is your pet’s name?

Marmalade. Her “birth” name was Samantha. She is sooo not a Samantha!

What kind of pet is she and what breed?

She is a feline tabby. A tabby is basically the mutt of the feline world.

Sleeping How long have you had your pet friend?

Almost 15 years.

How did you get your pet friend?

We adopted Marmalade one week after my mother passed away in August 2002. She was one year old. She was a “hospital cat” at the clinic I work at. Her owner could not take Marmalade to her new apartment and asked the vet to find her a new home. The first time we met she just rolled over onto her back and showed us her belly. We knew she was ours.

She must have picked up on something because she immediately took on the role of “mom”. She protected and took care of me.

She is a very maternal and loving cat!

MarmaladeandME How old is your pet?

She will be 16 in July.

What are some quirky things about your pet?

She loves the color red.

She looks and acts like a 5-7 year old. Nobody believes she is actually 16 because she has boundless energy and is still as limber as a kitten.

She is the alpha of the house and she knows it. She controls everyone, gets first dibs at the litter box and gets the most attention. This being said, she is surprisingly benign to Sunsilk. Marmalade lets her eat first and does not crowd her.

As she has gotten older, though, Marmalade has become more jealous. She needs more attention and sometimes does not let Sunsilk near me! I guess this is a consequence of aging.

Marmalade Face

What does your relationship to your pet mean to you?

She takes care of and protects me (in her own way). She sticks to me like glue whenever I am sick. She will wait until I fall asleep to eat, drink and use the litter box and she will beat up anyone who comes near me. I can’t ask for a better protector than her!

She is the best first cat I could have asked for. She is patient and loving and lets me get away with a whole lot like pinching her ears and pulling her whiskers.

Without her, I would not have gotten through half the “downs” in my life.

What are some of your favorite past times with your pet?

Honestly, just being together. Whenever she is with me I feel safe.

Nicknames?

Parmpi, Parmpi-Marmpi, Gorg (short for gorgeous), Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World (magic words for her to stop grumbling…seriously!)

DSCN0018-001 Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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N is for New and Improved

17 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art

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blogging, feminine care

Two years ago I started wearing a menstrual cup. I said “GOODBYE and GOOD RIDDANCE” to tampons, pads, and other reusable feminine hygiene products. To this day, I used the same box of daily liners and finished the half used boxes of overnight pads.

Well, the other day, I needed a new box of dailies. Unfortunately, I leak quite a bit on the first day and am not 100% comfortable going forth into the world without backup. I skipped into the feminine care aisle with every intention of staying there for no more than three minutes.

Boy, was I wrong! It took 15 minutes and one panic attack to find what I was looking for.

There are still only two major brands: Tampax and Kotex, plus the generic versions but within each brand there are countless varieties. Some come in small pocket size versions, while some come in four different sizes (and no, I am not talking about absorbency). Others have three separate versions of the same product, some come in thin or extra thin but all of them come in an assortment of loud bright colors and packaging.

Long gone are the days of three different absorbances in three different colors for easy reference. I’ve never been more thankful for a menstrual cup before!

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#AtoZChallenge – H is for Holiday Nails

10 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blogging, Blogging A to Z, Easter, nails, spring

For today’s post, I went with a speckled eggs and spring flowers nail art! I unintentionally only used Zoya polishes and MoYou London stamping plates!

I have to say, I kind of dig it. Hope you do too!

easter Base: sponged acrylic paints