Beautiful Picture of the Sunset at Odell Lake in Oregon.
Over 40 hoodies in the closet…
So on Sunday the 23rd I turned 43. For my birthday I was determined to be having a drink next to a body of water. As I was searching campgrounds for my planned August trip I found a lakeside site at Odell Lake for the 23rd and 24th, I immediately booked it. I decided it would be a great time to take Hercules on his first camping trip and on my first solo trip. I have camped a lot, I love it, but never alone. The trip was amazing, relaxing and I learned a lot.
First – I took way too much crap and at the same time managed to not bring three key items. Who doesnt bring a single knife camping? This girl. What did we bring to make for my birthday dinner? Steak. So yes, I ate my perfectly grilled New York Strip Steak with my fingers. Also forgot garbage bags, luckily I had reusable grocery bags to use and I burned anything I could. But do you want to know the most epic thing I forgot – yeah anything with sleeves. I have over 40 hoodies in my closet (I have a LulaRoe Amber obsession, ok, geeze!) and did I bring a single one of them, nope.
The other snafu I faced was ridiculous. So I pulled up my campsite and unloaded. Set up the tent. Opened a drink (Cayman Jack Margaritas Rock!) About 30 minutes later a car pulls into the site next to mine. The two very nice ladies came up to me and told me I was in their spot and that my spot was actually down the trail in front of the truck, not the site next to my parking spot. They wouldnt just swap sites so I had to move my entire camp, luckily they were awesome and helped. Turned out the other spot was even better!
Once that was done, I was finally settled in. Placed my rocking camp chair lakeside, with Herc on a blanket next to me. We watched the sun go down over the lake and just enjoyed the quiet beauty of it all. As darkness settled in we made a campfire, I cooked Herc some hot dogs, just to spoil him. Once the fire died down we headed for the tent. Hercules jumped right in seeing his blanket, but he totally freaked once I sealed us in and explained it was bedtime. But after a lot of reassuring and cuddles he finally found his spot and promptly started snoring. He then of course let one rip to try and stink me out.
I wish I could say that this beautiful trip was all good. Hercules and I had a blast and I was reminded over and over how much I love living in Oregon. However, Tuesday morning I woke up and was reminded that my body hates me. I was in so much pain. My hands, feet, back and elbows were on fire, a clear sign my Lupus was trying to flare up. I took some meds and tried to get moving. I went swimming hoping the cool water would help and then I napped in the sunshine. At about 5:00pm I realized that pain or not, I needed to pack up camp and load the truck. It took me an hour and 45 minutes, with me having to sit and cry in between each trip. It was brutal. We made it home and all I wanted to do was lay down. I texted my best friend Jim (also my ex – thats another blog to come) and told him I was home. He called me and he could tell I was in pain. He immediately came over and unlaoded the truck for me. He truly is the most amazing person I know.
My body was thankful to be back in bed and not in a tent. I slept a solid 12 hours and still spent most of the day laying on the couch hurting. Jim asked me tonight if I overdid it on my trip? I really had to think about that. I truly dont think I overdid it. The trip was peaceful and relaxing and unloading and loading a truck should not be enough to make me hurt like I do now. But it is a reality that maybe I havent quite faced yet, at 43 I refuse to let these illnesses defeat me or stop me from living my life. I spent today really depressed, I wanted to put stuff away and clean up, but my body wouldnt let me. For those two days next to that beautiful lake I didnt think about Lupus or Fibromyalgia. I didnt stress about money and finding more clients. I just found my happy place and enjoyed some peace. So did I over do it, no. If I have to spend so much time in pain, I am going to make the very best of every day that I am not in pain. I feel like I could spend my days letting depression win or I can continue to live my best life, and that is what I plan to do.
