New Spring Clothes

With where I am at in my life currently, clothes shopping can be a challenge.  I am not really a jeans lover and never have been.  They just feel really heavy on and just don't seem to ever fit me right.  So I just stick to pants with elastic waist bands.  I was hesitant to buy a pair of yoga capris as I just felt like I would feel self conscience in them.  But I finally decided to just go for it when my husband won a gift card on black Friday.  And all I can say is they really are amazing.  They give and yet define and I am not talking about the rear but I feel like since I am petite that they don't swallow me up.

But then came the issue with finding tops.  I am still breastfeeding the youngest one.  Yes for some 15 months may be too much.  Each to their own.  So instead of negative thoughts I really encourage something positive because as this is my choice it always wonderful to hear something good.  Anyway a little sidetracked there but back on subject.  There are some really beautiful tops out there. Problem is I don't like it clung to me or I don't want to fight with my shirt when I am trying to nurse Theodore.  But I also don't want to look frumpy which is what I was beginning to feel like.  I have some tops that are really soft but just don't accentuate my body type currently.  It was beginning to become a chore and all I was in search of was a couple of tops for everyday that made me feel good about myself.  I needed some color in the day to day wardrobe.  

Because I haven't lost the baby weight like I have managed to do with the previous 6 kids.  I am about 20 pounds over.  And again I know to some that isn't huge but again I am not tall so I just feel short and pudgy.  It finally came to me that what I was looking for was all wrong.  I was needing buttons and a lightweight material in the form of a high/low style.  So I ventured into Marshall's about a month ago.  I saw a button down top with colorful little flower print and thought I would give it a go.  I absolutely loved it!  The colors are bright and cheerful.  The buttons make it easy to nurse in.  It is a high low top so I like it with my yoga capris.  It just makes me feel good!

I decided last week to go back and see if I could find anything else.  And I came across 3 more different colors of button down, lightweight high low tops.  Just loving them all!  They are modest and yet what I need that fits where I am at currently.

The first picture is me in the peachy orange.  I really loved the lace.  And the buttons are flowers.  Just felt like me.  I wasn't sure about the blue and pale blush colored on with my skin and hair color but I paired it with a necklace and once again really liked it.

What's Been Going On...

What a long overextended blogging break I have had.  And I apologize for that.

I will do my best to update about my hips and other joint issues.  Back in October 2014 I made an appointment with a rheumatologist to try and get some answers on the different joint issues I have been experiencing.  My knees aren't really anything new.  They have given me issues since childhood with "locking up".  Fast forward to now.  My knees do act out together and separate.  Once again like my hips nothing really explains the why to the cause and it makes me feel a bit nutty when explaining that my knee issues are random occurrences.  My right knee is the bigger problem maker.  Upon waking some mornings my right knee will "lockup up" or "give out" and send shooting pains.  I have had it checked out about three years ago by my local orthopedic doctor with not really any clear answer to the cause or reason so not much help.  But I did do some physical therapy then.  As it did help strengthen the surrounding muscles I still would have issues not caused by anything of my doing so to speak.  But this wasn't the reason I called the rheumatologist.

The appointment was made because my right ankle began giving me issues of not feeling like it wanted to support me and hurt.  I even began wearing an ankle brace at times.  With my appointment the doctor didn't think any of the joint issues were related.  Not sure I agree completely.  Because then later my right shoulder began to act out and give me issues.  And with my joint issues I can't seem to explain what makes it worse or better.  It is like a flare up.  I don't have to do anything.  I was screened for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammation.  Rheumatoid factor came back at a high normal, lupus negative, and inflammation on the low end of normal.  Ankle X-ray didn't show anything.  I was disappointed but not surprised because I went through this with my hip.  The doctor did let me know that if any other joint issues arose to call her back and she wanted to see me back in 6 months to see how I was doing.  I think with some persistence, I will eventually get to some answers.

Not too long after that appointment my right shoulder began to act out.  I had trouble sleeping due to discomfort and pain from the joint.  I didn't do anything about that.  I just hoped that it would settle down which it did.  But I just wanted someone to pull my arm and make it go away.

In November I did my first craft fair.  I was excited and nervous all at the same time.  It was good to get my name and what I craft out there for other people to see.  At that time I also decided to reopen my etsy shop and start a Facebook page so if someone saw something they liked they could have a place to check back later and have the option to like my page and keep up to date.  I was satisfied with how I did for that day.   I enjoy crafting.  I will be honest I thought it would be easier.  Even with just two at home and the other 5 in school I have had a hard time balancing the house work, the youngest two still at home, and crafting.
www.etsy.com/dotsnstripesbykatie
facebook: Dots N Stripes by Katie

We did receive an email about getting my screws removed as the longer they stay in the harder they do become to remove.  For Arianna we are looking at the minimum of 3 more surgeries for her.  That is surgery to correct the right hip, a revision on her left, and of course screw removal.  I have had the idea that maybe I would use my craft ability and soap making to help raise some extra money to help with expenses.

With spring shortly around the corner and the recent time change, I will admit that I am a bit giddy for this!  The warmer weather is definitely more favorable.

Live in the moment not the past or present for we may miss that moment for something great to transform or inspire us through His great graces He wants to give us.