The Return To Innocence

A while back, I was asked why I prefer helichrysum oil in my skin care. It's costly, it's rare, and it doesn't have the prettiest fragrance. But it packs a fucking punch. (Also, it works so well with tamanu and sea buckthorn to smooth out scars and blemishes that it makes me weep.)
http://www.naturesgift.com/HelichrysumHealing.htm

My current favorite helichrysum-infused products that give me the best emotional reactions:
http://www.mslavenda.com/eye%20treatment%20cream.htm
http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/catalog/item/6477925/7317759.htm
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74842908/everlasting-superfruit-rich-natural
http://www.skinoflife.com/products/5-scar-reducing-face-cream-4-oz.aspx
http://www.justnaturalskincare.com/9/creams/-face-lotions.html

I would add another Etsy product but it's not up yet. It is, sort of, but in a smaller size. The larger size will be avaiable soon. I helped create the product my very self. It's amazing. It's here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74968961/omni-nutrient-moisture-creme-organic?ref=pr_shop

Also, as far as aromatherapy goes, helichrysum is one of the best when it comes to emotional and spiritual therapy. It's like if a precious gemstone were a flower extract.
http://www.aromathyme.com/helichrysum-essential-oil.htm
http://www.anandaapothecary.com/aromatherapy-essential-oils/helichrysum-essential-oil.html
http://amrita.net/helichrysumitalicum.aspx
http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/helichrysum-oil.html
http://www.florapathics.com/blog/helichrysum-oil-and-its-amazing-ability-to-heal-and-diminish-scarring/
http://www.butterflyexpressions.org/Singles/Helichrysum.html

A while back, I was asked why I prefer helichrysum oil in my skin care. It's costly, it's rare, and it doesn't have the prettiest fragrance. But it packs a fucking punch. (Also, it works so well with tamanu and sea buckthorn to smooth out scars and blemishes that it makes me weep.)
http://www.naturesgift.com/HelichrysumHealing.htm

My current favorite helichrysum-infused products that give me the best emotional reactions:
http://www.mslavenda.com/eye%20treatment%20cream.htm
http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/catalog/item/6477925/7317759.htm
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74842908/everlasting-superfruit-rich-natural
http://www.skinoflife.com/products/5-scar-reducing-face-cream-4-oz.aspx
http://www.justnaturalskincare.com/9/creams/-face-lotions.html

I would add another Etsy product but it's not up yet. It is, sort of, but in a smaller size. The larger size will be avaiable soon. I helped create the product my very self. It's amazing. It's here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74968961/omni-nutrient-moisture-creme-organic?ref=pr_shop

Also, as far as aromatherapy goes, helichrysum is one of the best when it comes to emotional and spiritual therapy. It's like if a precious gemstone were a flower extract.
http://www.aromathyme.com/helichrysum-essential-oil.htm
http://www.anandaapothecary.com/aromatherapy-essential-oils/helichrysum-essential-oil.html
http://amrita.net/helichrysumitalicum.aspx
http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/helichrysum-oil.html
http://www.florapathics.com/blog/helichrysum-oil-and-its-amazing-ability-to-heal-and-diminish-scarring/
http://www.butterflyexpressions.org/Singles/Helichrysum.html

The migraine that began happening an hour ago has retreated somewhat, wounded, and will most likely attempt to sneak back into my fortress after I have slept and woken. That happens. It is life.
I cannot win, most days. But I try. Oh, yes. I keep wanting to curl up and sob and scream (with my fist lodged in my mouth, because my mouth is warm and my fingers are frozen from a flare-up of Raynaud's, after all). I want to lay down and forget and let the agony take me out to sea. But I remind myself that I can only do that for so long before the rest of me demands more troops, more fighting, more battle cries and shining steel and willow trees (bend, not break). So it goes.
Many people do not believe in aromatherapy, or herbal therapy, or massage therapy, or pressure point therapy, or in anything that does not involve FDA approval, prescriptions, and physician referrals. I do. I believe hard. Perhaps that is why they all work well on me. Or perhaps they really truly do things for some people, damn all the studies that claim to prove otherwise. I do not know. But every time I inhale my essential oil blend (rose, neroli, lotus, frankincense, helichrysum, chamomile), every time I massage that oil into my scalp and face and hands and feet and pressure points, I feel something. I do not care what they say. It keeps me sane, I suppose.
I will go to bed and hope to dream well. I will be a willow tree and just keep going.
I wish I had more to say here. There is so much more I want to say and too much pain to fight through. But the pain will end soon. It always does, before it returns.

I knew the fibro and CP flare-up was beyond severe when I took a second dose of Soma today. And it worked better than the first.
*cries*
The good news is that I have enough Soma to last a couple of months with the way I take it, and my doctor is so pleased with my progress that she is happy to refill it. And my new insurance makes it affordable, even.
But still. The human body should not have to endure this sort of pain on a constant basis, you know?

I give thanks to Natalja, who has sent me samples of her Choco Butter Moisturizer that smells like the best chocolate vanilla coconut cake ever, and I use it as a lip balm and it has been sort of helping to keep my sanity in check. She gave me a very generous coupon for the affordable full size, for which I am grateful, because I think smelling a vanilla chocolate coconut concoction constantly may save me from stabbing something. Anyone who says aromatherapy doesn't work can kiss my middle finger, because oh endorphins.
My skin has gotten much better. I've been using Vicki's stuff every day and it shows. Finally, without foundation or concealer my face looks clear and glowy, where before it looked red and blotchy. (For those who marvel at my supposedly crystal clear skin in photos, that's just good makeup and good lighting and good camera angles.) I have also been pleased with the skin-clearing results of the turmeric, probiotic, prebiotic, and proteolytic enzyme regimen. If you have blemishes or redness or dry skin, I recommend it.
Speaking of: Vicki, I really am working on text for your website, but my brain has been whirling and screaming. I think we may need to do some sort of real time chat or something, like Facebook or Google Talk, to figure things out. Also, argan oil is unbelievable. You should add it to the Sun Protective Lotion. Instant glow-maker.
Adam had a screwy day working with the various international representatives for the G-20 summit. Russia seems a little irked. Not Adam's fault that the equipment wasn't working properly, but he is trying to make things better, and he always does. He is like MacGuyver for the computer world. But still. Shit happens.
Charlotte bought the Rob Thomas CD "Cradlesong" with me in mind, since it contains my pain anthem "Her Diamonds." I am grateful. Tomorrow we will have a girls' day together.

Writing: I am almost done with this ass-kicking chapter. Hah.

I knew the fibro and CP flare-up was beyond severe when I took a second dose of Soma today. And it worked better than the first.
*cries*
The good news is that I have enough Soma to last a couple of months with the way I take it, and my doctor is so pleased with my progress that she is happy to refill it. And my new insurance makes it affordable, even.
But still. The human body should not have to endure this sort of pain on a constant basis, you know?

I give thanks to Natalja, who has sent me samples of her Choco Butter Moisturizer that smells like the best chocolate vanilla coconut cake ever, and I use it as a lip balm and it has been sort of helping to keep my sanity in check. She gave me a very generous coupon for the affordable full size, for which I am grateful, because I think smelling a vanilla chocolate coconut concoction constantly may save me from stabbing something. Anyone who says aromatherapy doesn't work can kiss my middle finger, because oh endorphins.
My skin has gotten much better. I've been using Vicki's stuff every day and it shows. Finally, without foundation or concealer my face looks clear and glowy, where before it looked red and blotchy. (For those who marvel at my supposedly crystal clear skin in photos, that's just good makeup and good lighting and good camera angles.) I have also been pleased with the skin-clearing results of the turmeric, probiotic, prebiotic, and proteolytic enzyme regimen. If you have blemishes or redness or dry skin, I recommend it.
Speaking of: Vicki, I really am working on text for your website, but my brain has been whirling and screaming. I think we may need to do some sort of real time chat or something, like Facebook or Google Talk, to figure things out. Also, argan oil is unbelievable. You should add it to the Sun Protective Lotion. Instant glow-maker.
Adam had a screwy day working with the various international representatives for the G-20 summit. Russia seems a little irked. Not Adam's fault that the equipment wasn't working properly, but he is trying to make things better, and he always does. He is like MacGuyver for the computer world. But still. Shit happens.
Charlotte bought the Rob Thomas CD "Cradlesong" with me in mind, since it contains my pain anthem "Her Diamonds." I am grateful. Tomorrow we will have a girls' day together.

Writing: I am almost done with this ass-kicking chapter. Hah.

The actor who will play the eleventh Doctor Who has been announced.
I won't mention his name -- not just because of the spoiler, but because I have no idea who he is. But his photos look Doctor-y. He's very young, though. We'll see.

Also, people on the internet need to STOP putting apostrophes in plural words. I am now seeing it in public. Signs, for example, especially restaurant menus. I don't know how it started, but it's insane. For fuck's sake, people, not every plural word has an apostrophe. Stop it. *screams, tears hair*

I am in slightly less pain. As in, not wanting to scream, not taking baby steps, not gasping pitiably while shifting position. I haven't bruised from my fall, but I ache. My shoulders, too, are throbbing.
Interestingly enough, my new beloved Stone Mountain purse doesn't strain my shoulder or arm as much as my former handbags did. I wonder if that is because the size and depth of the purse redistributes the weight of the stuff inside. There's just more room for my "everything but the sink" purse mentality. Luckily this purse will last me years and years. I remember someone once compared the life of a Stone Mountain purse to that of a house cat.
I may or may not take a Soma later, depending on how the pain is. In the meantime, I took some Cat's Claw, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, and Cayenne. Also, I have acai blueberry juice. I've been doing squats and lunges in front of the TV, and I've done a few moves that my Pilates book says is Pilates (because the yoga book didn't have them).

I also took a deep, long inhale from the bottle of Sun Protective Lotion and from the bottle of Psyche Goddess Lotion. Aromatherapy, you see. Helichrysum, Pink Lotus, Bali Jasmine, Lavender, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Rose, Orchid, Neroli. Anti-stress, anti-anxiety, pain-relieving.

Random question: On Saturdays, what time is your mail usually delivered? I don't mind the walks back and forth to the community mailboxes, but I'd like to have a general time, you know?

Swoon: 2. v. To be overwhelmed by ecstatic joy. 2. v. to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy 2. n. A state of ecstasy or rapture.

It's a blend of Pink Lotus, Bali Jasmine, Wild Rose, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, and Amber. Vicki made it just for me, after our realization two weeks ago that the essential oils in her Sun Protection Lotion were actually having real, true pain-relieving effects on me. The Psyche Body Lotion that I'd helped her create months ago has similar effects, so I figured it would be best to combine the essential oils from both lotions into one fragrance spray. And Vicki added in precious amber based on her intuition; amber is my favorite stone, as well.
When I smell this spray, there is an immediate electric, tranquilizing, sedative, yet energizing and refreshing warmth that floods me. My senses explode. Nociceptors quiet down and lie back. Muscles everywhere begin shuddering, loosening, relaxing, breathing, nearly sighing in relief. I want to burst into tears; something releases, something breaks free, something lets go. The clawed steel grip of fibromyalgia and cerebral palsy lets me go, and I stumble and then start dancing. Something else fills me and embraces me and it feels magical.
Honestly, I have no idea why I am so affected. All I know is that Vicki needs to keep this formula on hand for me in the future.
This is my signature scent. Forget BPAL or fancy commercial perfumes, this is it.

Swoon: 2. v. To be overwhelmed by ecstatic joy. 2. v. to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy 2. n. A state of ecstasy or rapture.

It's a blend of Pink Lotus, Bali Jasmine, Wild Rose, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, and Amber. Vicki made it just for me, after our realization two weeks ago that the essential oils in her Sun Protection Lotion were actually having real, true pain-relieving effects on me. The Psyche Body Lotion that I'd helped her create months ago has similar effects, so I figured it would be best to combine the essential oils from both lotions into one fragrance spray. And Vicki added in precious amber based on her intuition; amber is my favorite stone, as well.
When I smell this spray, there is an immediate electric, tranquilizing, sedative, yet energizing and refreshing warmth that floods me. My senses explode. Nociceptors quiet down and lie back. Muscles everywhere begin shuddering, loosening, relaxing, breathing, nearly sighing in relief. I want to burst into tears; something releases, something breaks free, something lets go. The clawed steel grip of fibromyalgia and cerebral palsy lets me go, and I stumble and then start dancing. Something else fills me and embraces me and it feels magical.
Honestly, I have no idea why I am so affected. All I know is that Vicki needs to keep this formula on hand for me in the future.
This is my signature scent. Forget BPAL or fancy commercial perfumes, this is it.

The pain wouldn't stop.

I finally remembered Vicki's magic Sun Protective Lotion in my purse. The lotion with the extraordinary aromatherapeutic effect. I slathered it all over my hands and wrists and arms and took several deep yoga breaths, fully inhaling the essential oil blend of Pink Lotus, Jasmine Sambac, Helichrysum Italicum, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and Cedarwood. It didn't take long. The vicious migraine started to fade within ten minutes. My boss caught the scent and asked about it, which led to a discussion about the underestimated healing powers of essential oils.

Only echoes of pain now; the intensity is gone.

I've stopped clenching my jaw.

I feel like I've stepped through the mists of another place, a tranquil place. I will stay there for a while.

I've posted about this before, but I feel it bears repeating, for me anyway.

Vicki's Sun Protection Lotion contains some fancy, exotic, very special essential oils: Jasmine Sambac, Pink Lotus, Helichrysum, Chamomile, Lavender, and Cedarwood. A while back, I had massaged the lotion into my hands and wrists, enough to smell the fragrance strongly every time I raised my hands to my face. And then I spent a few hours in a blissful, tranquil state, in which I relaxed enough to the point where my chronic pain stopped bothering me.
Hypnotic aromatherapy oils, see?
I just did it again. It still works. For back spasms. And sciatica.
I am all tranquil and whee. *giggle* The pain insists, "Um, I'm flaring here, pay attention." And I smile and say, "Screw that, I wanna sing trippy songs from the 1960s."
The pain is still there, no question. But I feel as though I have just taken a painkilling drug.
Who says aromatherapy doesn't work?
Also, my hands are really soft and smooth now. And protected from the sun. Bonus.


*standard disclaimer: if you buy this lotion, you may or may not have the same experience. if you do, fantastic, tell me about it. if you don't, at least you will have a moisturizing sunscreen that smells good.